Sonalika group unveils upgraded multi-utility vehicle

wischvuanaudh · 25th January 2008, 12:11

I saw one near my place. From the rear, it looked like a qualis with after market crystal tail lights.Side profile also pretty much the same. As nearing to the front, its all new. But has a chocolatey look. that scores some downpoint. Interiors all prety good,for an MUV of such price tag. Engine sounds are too low. Overall, a nice package i guess.

Cyrus43 · 25th January 2008, 12:45

that is because ICML has bought the qualis dyes from toyota a few years ago..the interior doesnt look bad at all..

LLL · 25th January 2008, 14:54

Only problem for sonalika is very limited service and dealer support. They dont have dealers in bigger cities, hence no sales and no visibility. they need dealers in major cities.

If they can put a few of these cars on delhi, mumbai , bangalore roads, then their venture will start getting visibility.

vnabhi · 25th January 2008, 15:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mpower

For a minute I thought, they have grafted the Fiesta's interiors into a Rhino. Reverse engineering ki jai ho.

Exactly what I felt too---the colour combination of the dash, the AC vents, the pocket,etc resemble a Fiesta, though not so aesthetic.

undead · 25th January 2008, 20:18

I went to the showroom today and took the pictures of it.. It looks different from the pictures posted in the ICML website. When i asked the consultant abt it he said i might have seen the Super Deluxe model ..

Below is the Deluxe model .. The vehicle costs 8.3L OTR Erode .

Note : This being a Turbocharged Engine , we need to run the engine idle for one min after starting and before switching off the engine (A sticker was pasted like this inside the MUV)

NIP · 25th January 2008, 21:09

one word - UGLY !

202020

DRAGONLORD · 25th January 2008, 21:24

I think its quite an improvement on the Qualis in terms of looks, now if only they establish a good dealer network then only time will tell if the engine (and overall vehicle) is a success.

Blue Thunder · 25th January 2008, 21:30

The rear seat leg room seems very less with the front seats pushed back.

trinadha · 25th January 2008, 21:33

look everyone maybe the vehicle when compared to other mnc looks a tad ugly, but atleast they are trying .imho every car maker or any industry will grow phase by phase. a merc c class is not made in a single move nor a mittal becomes rich in one day

phamilyman · 25th January 2008, 22:02

its a nice vehicle but its expensive. expensive for the badge it comes with. Why not just take a Safari LX in that price and have much more peace of mind?

Plus bling/respect as well

bigman · 26th January 2008, 01:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirtyDan

A better choice would have been to go to Izuzu or some Japanese outfit for a dependable diesel Motor.

French and German diesel engines are the best. The Rover diesels units were never anything special.

motorheadinc · 26th January 2008, 02:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigman

French and German diesel engines are the best. The Rover diesels units were never anything special.

I agree.
Why can't more indian auto makers tie up with firms like AVL and Bosch.
I am sure they will be able to refine things to the next level.

Just an opinion....

1100D · 26th January 2008, 02:47

Quite commendable for a first time car maker. The panels do look similar to qualis, but dont look like have come from the same dies.

CorsaLove · 26th January 2008, 04:47

Those looks look good for a new company. When qualis was launched, people used to say so many things like the looks are crazy. But it proved to be a runaway hit. You can see so many RS models on the road.

This will work for the common man and the taxi wallas.

undead · 26th January 2008, 11:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

The rear seat leg room seems very less with the front seats pushed back.

This is the TD vehicle .

Yes u are right... It lacks thigh support too . I was not interested in getting into the third row coz it seemed uncomfortable .

The steering was in an awkward position too. This vehicle is only for the tourist segment . For 8.3 L i could go for the Scorpio .

25th January 2008, 12:11	#16
wischvuanaudh BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: aleppey Posts: 104 Thanked: 9 Times	I saw one near my place. From the rear, it looked like a qualis with after market crystal tail lights.Side profile also pretty much the same. As nearing to the front, its all new. But has a chocolatey look. that scores some downpoint. Interiors all prety good,for an MUV of such price tag. Engine sounds are too low. Overall, a nice package i guess.
	() Thanks

25th January 2008, 12:45	#17
Cyrus43 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London Posts: 5,019 Thanked: 221 Times View My Garage	that is because ICML has bought the qualis dyes from toyota a few years ago..the interior doesnt look bad at all..
	() Thanks

25th January 2008, 14:54	#18
LLL BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Delhi Posts: 635 Thanked: 2 Times	Only problem for sonalika is very limited service and dealer support. They dont have dealers in bigger cities, hence no sales and no visibility. they need dealers in major cities. If they can put a few of these cars on delhi, mumbai , bangalore roads, then their venture will start getting visibility.
	() Thanks

25th January 2008, 20:18	#20
undead Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bhavani - Komarapalayam Posts: 1,193 Thanked: 179 Times	I went to the showroom today and took the pictures of it.. It looks different from the pictures posted in the ICML website. When i asked the consultant abt it he said i might have seen the Super Deluxe model .. Below is the Deluxe model .. The vehicle costs 8.3L OTR Erode . Note : This being a Turbocharged Engine , we need to run the engine idle for one min after starting and before switching off the engine (A sticker was pasted like this inside the MUV) Last edited by Samurai : 25th January 2008 at 20:48. Reason: expanding image
	() Thanks

25th January 2008, 21:09	#21
NIP Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,180 Thanked: 152 Times View My Garage	one word - UGLY ! 202020
	() Thanks

25th January 2008, 21:24	#22
DRAGONLORD BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: bangalore Posts: 85 Thanked: 0 Times	I think its quite an improvement on the Qualis in terms of looks, now if only they establish a good dealer network then only time will tell if the engine (and overall vehicle) is a success.
	() Thanks

25th January 2008, 21:30	#23
Blue Thunder Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Right here . Posts: 1,657 Thanked: 386 Times View My Garage	The rear seat leg room seems very less with the front seats pushed back.
	() Thanks

25th January 2008, 21:33	#24
trinadha BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: HYDERABAD Posts: 244 Thanked: 22 Times	look everyone maybe the vehicle when compared to other mnc looks a tad ugly, but atleast they are trying .imho every car maker or any industry will grow phase by phase. a merc c class is not made in a single move nor a mittal becomes rich in one day
	() Thanks

25th January 2008, 22:02	#25
phamilyman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 5,968 Thanked: 4,642 Times	its a nice vehicle but its expensive. expensive for the badge it comes with. Why not just take a Safari LX in that price and have much more peace of mind? Plus bling/respect as well
	() Thanks

26th January 2008, 02:47	#28
1100D Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calcutta Posts: 4,390 Thanked: 4,096 Times View My Garage	Quite commendable for a first time car maker. The panels do look similar to qualis, but dont look like have come from the same dies.
	() Thanks

26th January 2008, 04:47	#29
CorsaLove BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 392 Thanked: 18 Times View My Garage	Rhino Looks Those looks look good for a new company. When qualis was launched, people used to say so many things like the looks are crazy. But it proved to be a runaway hit. You can see so many RS models on the road. This will work for the common man and the taxi wallas.
	() Thanks