The Hindu Business Line : Question & Auto

I would like to know when the Tata Indigo Dicor will be launched. Ever since I heard the news, I've put my purchase on hold. It really doesn't make much sense to buy a TDI while the rest of the world enjoys the benefits of a CRDi engine.

Abhishek Pawar

I saw the new Tata Indigo in a Bangalore showroom. Cosmetic changes have been made to both the exterior and interior, but the car comes with the same TDI engine. The new brochure also says that the rest of the car remains the same. Will a CRDi version be launched soon?

Gijo Alexander

I am planning to buy the Tata Indigo Marina because of its roominess, competitive pricing, running cost and looks. But I was told that the new version of the Marina is due soon. Is it worth waiting for? When will it be launched? And if it is launched with the Dicor engine what will be the likely price?

Sanjeet Dutta

I am planning to buy a diesel car. I hear that the Tata Indigo is getting a facelift with a new CRDi engine. Please let me know when this is to be launched and bookings will open. What in your view will be the better option — the Hyundai Viva CRDi or the new Indigo? My budget is around Rs 6 lakh.

V. Ramakrishnan

When is Tata Motors going to launch the Tata Indigo XL with CRDi engine? How much will the ex-show room price be for the same?

Padmasree Swaamy

For many months now Tata Motors has been working on direct injection common rail system (Dicor) engines for its range of passenger vehicles. Though there is no official confirmation, industry grapevine has been abuzz about the impending launch of these new generation cars.

The new spruced up versions of the Indigo and the Marina were launched late last week. But it looks like Tata Motors has decided to restrict itself to putting these two cars only through a cosmetic makeover for now. The reasons could be many and could possibly be also due to the engine requiring further testing. Another issue that has been speculated about is whether the bigger engine displacement that may be needed for reliably incorporating the common rail system will lead to a drop in the fuel efficiency of the two cars, making them less attractive on that score.

While Tata Motors may well introduce the Dicor-engine versions of the new Indigo and the Indigo Marina and retain the current engines for the older Indigo model (now renamed the V Series), there is also one other possibility. With the expansion of its alliance with Fiat Auto of Italy, Tata Motors may just want to wait until the Suzuki-GM-Fiat engine manufacturing joint venture starts rolling out the famous multijet diesel engines.

That engine would be a good fit for Tata's cars and is due out later this year.

I am planning to buy a Fiat Palio, now being marketed by Tata Motors. Are the cars still being manufactured or are they selling old vehicles? Would the cars have been damaged in any way in the floods of last year? What if damaged cars are being sold?

Leon Gomes

There are two points to be reiterated here. Fiat Auto India continues to manufacture the Palio, based on the demand position. So, there has not been a big build up of inventory of the cars. Yes, last year's floods affected the Kurla (Mumbai) plant.

But most definitely the cars being sold by Tata Motors on behalf of Fiat will be new and completely roadworthy. To be doubly sure, this point can be clarified at the time of purchase and further the date and month of manufacture can also be ascertained by checking the under-bonnet panel that also mentions such other details as the chassis and engine numbers.

There is also the point about the manufacturer warranty; you can purchase warranty of an additional couple of years that should put your mind to rest.

Now, the only issue to consider will be whether you still want to buy the Fiat Palio, given its poor resale value and the fact that a newer, face-lifted version may well be out in a few months.

I own a 2004-05 Maruti Alto Std. I retrofitted a Subros air-conditioner. I intend to get the car converted into CNG. Can you tell me how this will affect the pick-up (which dips when A/C is switched on); if there will be any knocking, and its effect? Will the life of the car be reduced?

Surya De

Both compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are relatively less energy efficient that petrol.

So, there will be a tendency for most petrol engines to experience a drop in performance characteristics when an alternative fuel such as CNG is used. There are two reasons why the drop in performance may be pronounced and why there could be an increased engine knocking.

First, gas kits retrofitted by after-market service stations may not always be reliable. The quality of components used, their inability to retune injection parameters for the engine to better handle gas, and the retention of the original engine mapping could be why there is more than a marginal drop in engine performance and increased knocking.

Another reason for these problems is the quality of gas available. A higher percentage of moisture (a common problem) and impurities in the gas could significantly raise knocking.

So, locate a reputed, company-authorised CNG vending service station to top-up and avoid adulterated fuel.

Since the air-conditioner in the car draws power from the engine, the relative fall in performance of an engine that is run on gas when the A/C is on will tend to be more. High levels of knocking left unattended for long will damage engine.

Queries may be sent to: q&a@thehindu.co.in or by post to Q&A, Business Line, 859/860, Kasturi Buildings, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002.

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