[rajneeesh]

Originally Posted by sridhar-v

Hi all!

Thought i would start a thread where we can discuss requirements of variants, of cars already in India or due for launch, that would suit our needs. Hopefully it would be monitored by the manufacturers and possibly our wishes could come true.

Format would be like this:

Manufacturer name & existing model name
Variant required
Whether such variant exists in other markets & details
Brief write up on why you need the variant.

Sridhar V
====================================
So here goes with my first variant:

Existing - Suzuki SX4
Variant requred - Hatch with 2L engine, 4x4 transmission & CVT gearbox.
Variant exists in USA as a LHD model. Do not forsee any major issue in creating a RHD version. Also the existing SX4 assembly line in Manesar could be used for production. Most of the body stampings would be common. Some panels may need to be imported , as also engine & transmission.

It would be a HOT Hatch with a 4x4 mini SUV thrown in. Use it everywhere in the city & escape to the wild outdoors when the city gets to you! (ok. ok. atleast some rough mountain roads) Yaaa!

Sridhar V

Existing- Ford Fiesta( New)
Variant required- Ford Fiesta S with 1.6 L pertol and Diesel.
Variant required : Fiesta Hatchback.

The hatchback exists in Europe and the 1.6 L engines are also sold in Thailand amongst other markets. Fiesta S should not be too much of a problem. Some tweaks in suspension, better tyres & alloys, leather upholstery, sporty pedals and an engine tuned for performance should make it an enthusiast's favourite.

Existing Ford Figo
Variant required: Figo with the new Fiesta 1.5 L tdci engine.
Variant required: Figo 1.5 L ( new Fiesta Engine)/ Fiesta Classic 1.6 L duratec engine.

These with better rubber, some tarting up of the looks, fog lamps and higher ground clearance would transform the Figo into a hot hatch.

[jinojohnt]

I wish to have a back facing-seat (or atleast a 'rotatable' seat) which would save me the trouble of attaching a child-seat in emergencies.

[agbenny]

Originally Posted by Gansbab

Now that I am used to cruise control, I cannot live without it..
Its a boon for those long highway travels.

Gandhar.

In India, at many places, its a useless feature. Even at the highways, using Cruise control would be bit risky. You can't just be relaxed. :-)

BTW, My need in my next car is simple. I miss an AT box now, I would like to have one in my next car.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by jinojohnt

I wish to have a back facing-seat (or atleast a 'rotatable' seat) which would save me the trouble of attaching a child-seat in emergencies.

It's not so much the way that it faces, as the fact that it is child-shaped, child-sized, and securely holds a child.

[jinojohnt]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

It's not so much the way that it faces, as the fact that it is child-shaped, child-sized, and securely holds a child.

May be, but I would still prefer to have a back facing regular seat when a child seat is not available. (My point is, a back facing regular seat is safer than a front facing regular seat for a kid).

[_raVan_]

This has been in my mind for a long time, hence wanted to discuss it with fellow members in here.

In the 90s, when I was in school, my friends discussed about the new S class having a 'magic' ac. The dialogues that I still remember was "The car first senses where there is a rise in temperature, then it makes it AC of that area work more intensely so that the temperature is maintained." I guess it was for the Automatic AC/Dual Zone AC.

The point is that, now even the hatchbacks has a Automatic AC going in it and the cheapest Dual Zone AC car in India is the Fluence. So, over a period of time, the technologies are finding their ways into cheaper cars. I know these things becomes obsolete over time and cheaper to incorporate too.

The next features MID (lowest car which uses it being Swift ?), in-dash entertainment system (Vento Breeze/IPL edition), Hill Ascent/Descent control (XUV), all four power windows (Eon?), etc are offered in the lower segments now. So, I guess it doesnt cost the manufacturer much to incorporate it in their vehicles.

So the two questions that I have are:

a) What are the other technology that the manufacturers can incoporate in the lower segment from the premium segment?

b) What is the way forward in innovation for the premium car manufacturers?

Please exclude the after-market fitments.

[_raVan_]

Not to bump an old post or an old thread, but found a link which I think will contribute to this thread.

List of automotive superlatives - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It contains a list of the technologies (along with other superlatives) that made its first appearance in the cars over the years.

[motorworks]

ABS and airbags for sure! It is sad that in India we need to pay a huge premium to get these features! I hope it changes and get these features at a very nominal premium.

[anandpadhye]

DSG + hybrid + 4WD...

[rohitbagai]

I bought 2 cars this month. A Beat D and Mahindra XUV500. I am equally pissed off with both w.r.t. a common feature. Temperature gauge !!
Come on Beat D don't even have one and in XUV even if it has one its of no use as all its blue bars are always lit. It should have been step by step.
XUV even has a poor visibility of those blue bars during day time. See the image attached.

[sumeshmani]

1. ABS
2. Electrically adjustable ORVM
3. Stearing mounter controlls
4. Music system with USB connectivity
5. Rear parking assist

[R17]

1. 6 Airbags
2. ESP
3. ABS+EBD
4. Steering Wheel mounted controls for Audio and Phone

[a4anurag]

The must features for my next car are:

1) Airbags (driver + co-passenger)
2) Rear Wash and wipe and a demister
3) ABS and EBD
4) Temperature Gauge!

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by rohitbagai

. Temperature gauge !!in XUV even if it has one its of no use as all its blue bars are always lit. It should have been step by step.
XUV even has a poor visibility of those blue bars during day time. See the image attached.

Too much emphasis on design and form and OTT cues. No attention to real user friendly functional aspects. That's my permanent grouse with M&M.

[TOR]

1. Electrically adjustable and folding ORVM's
2.Headlamp washers
3.Puddle lights
4.Climate control with manual re-circulating mode override.
5.Gas charged self lifting and supporting bonnet and boot lids.
6.LED DRL's and rear light cluster.
7.Megasonic dual horns as standard.
8.Single clutch 6 speed gearbox with paddle shift.
9.OBD's full function.
10.Ambient interior lighting.

..also the price should be less that 5 lacs with all these ! LOL