[rrsteer]

Originally Posted by suman

Methinks its time to lock this thread for a couple of weeks or till the launch happens. Else, the senseless & baseless nitpicking & speculation will continue.

Absolutely agree!

Originally Posted by raj_5004

power figures on paper is not everything buddy. the engine should have instant power delivery at low rpm (nil turbo lag) & should be refined too, something thats missing in the Dicor 2.2.

Buddy, as another member has pointed when plonked in an Aria this engine will be working for a platform which is lighter by 300kg compared to the Safari (where it is currently used). So just reserve your comments till the time you have actually driven the 2.2 dicor powered Aria.

And like you did before, currently I own both the Safari and Scorpio. And in my books, overall the 2.2 DICOR is a better unit.

[dhuli]

Originally Posted by DicKy

Errr... I just came across this website, "www.buildadreamcar.com"

Thanks for sharing the link, Dicky. No doubt this is the Aria.
Level 5 is opened and I am there. If I can figure out where to fit their ESP, I am done with all levels. Quite an interesting approach to market a new vehicle/platform. Reading up on their training room material seems to indicate a no compromise best of breed solution. I look forward to test driving this feature laden vehicle.

[Bottom Torque]

Hi, today Economic Times have said that Tata will launch Aria on October 11th. Tata Motors today said it will launch , the first cross-over between a multi-utility and sports utility vehicle of the company, on October 11.

"The Tata Aria, the first Indian crossover, will be commercially launched on October 11, 2010. It will be made available across all major cities and towns of the country," the company said in a statement.

The vehicle, whose development started in 2006, was first shown as a concept at the Geneva Motor Show in 2005 and in the Delhi Auto Expo 2006. It was was unveiled at the Delhi Auto Expo in January 2010.

"A team of over 150 individuals, comprising multi- discipline specialists from the Tata Motors Group and vendor- partners, worked on the project to create this segment- defining crossover," the statement said.

Tata Motors' current line up of SUVs and MUVs include Safari and Sumo Grande.
Source: Tata Motors to launch Aria on Oct 11 - The Economic Times

[raj_5004]

Originally Posted by suman

Raj, if you have the Budget for it, you should go for the Captiva or Fortuner with your eyes closed (the Captiva AT with AWD comes at the same price point as the Fortuner). Although the Aria will be a lot cheaper than both & will have a heck of a lot more equipment, I don't think it would fall in the same category, would it?

of course. i dislike the fortuner since toyota has skimped on features & i like the captiva because i feel it more VFM.

but tata's Aria & its looooong feature list has really impressed me.

Originally Posted by ACM

The 2.2 has till date only been seen in the Safari which is a good 300 kgs heavier, and most have not tried out the Xenon. The power delivery could be a pleasant surprise if you do go for a test drive with the Aria. From all reports it is a quite engine (with the DMF - dual mass flywheel) - which even the fortuner does not have. DMF reduces engine vibrations being transferred to the body, mainly seen in VW cars and a boon for diesel.

of course, i am sure it will be peppier than the safari but what i mentioned is the turbo lag & overall refinement. i hope tata has sorted that out.

Originally Posted by rrsteer

Buddy, as another member has pointed when plonked in an Aria this engine will be working for a platform which is lighter by 300kg compared to the Safari (where it is currently used). So just reserve your comments till the time you have actually driven the 2.2 dicor powered Aria.

And like you did before, currently I own both the Safari and Scorpio. And in my books, overall the 2.2 DICOR is a better unit.

sure. personal preferences buddy. but i like the mHawk unit more than the 2.2 Dicor, just because the mHawk is more responsive off the line & more refined too.

i just want tata to reduce the lag in the Dicor & i am sure its drivability will increase by leaps & bounds.

[extreme_torque]

Originally Posted by suman

I agree. The point I was making is - if someone has the money to plonk on a Fortuner or a Captiva, its a mystery to me as to why they would even look at the Aria. Doesn't make any sense to me.

I agree with Suman here. For someone looking at Fortuner and Captiva, the Aria would be out of picture straightaway.
Another thing that needs to be understood is that we buy expensive cars for the image and to a much lesser extent the features and Aria will score poorly as far as the first point is concerned.

[julupani]

Though ten days are still to go for the launch...........already seen two maroon Arias registered and in use by TML officials in Jamshedpur.........

They look just great.......far less roll than is seen on the Safari........the rear does look tad boring....but otherwise superb from the outside

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[CARDEEP]

Tata need to rework the product portfolio of Aria (regarding the features on board), considering the fact that Fortuner is outselling the Endeavour & Captiva together by almost 2.5 times as per Sep-10 sales. Its trump card could be good back-seat ride quality (of which the Tata's are sort of expert) & the features list.

INO the base model should be priced around INR 10 lacs with the top-end toppoing INR 15 lacs, ex-showroom.

[ACM]

Originally Posted by dhuli

Thanks for sharing the link, Dicky. No doubt this is the Aria.
Level 5 is opened and I am there. If I can figure out where to fit their ESP, I am done with all levels. Quite an interesting approach to market a new vehicle/platform. Reading up on their training room material seems to indicate a no compromise best of breed solution. I look forward to test driving this feature laden vehicle.

ESP - Fit to the rear wheel arch - I don't know why but it fits there.

Where did you put the cruise control? I have tried all around the stearing and almost every where on the car?

Originally Posted by extreme_torque

I agree with Suman here. For someone looking at Fortuner and Captiva, the Aria would be out of picture straightaway.
Another thing that needs to be understood is that we buy expensive cars for the image and to a much lesser extent the features and Aria will score poorly as far as the first point is concerned.

Fortuner does give the image, and so should the Captiva, but somehow for me the image from the Captiva and the Aria are similar - I don't know why.
Somehow the apeal of the fortuner for me is the premium SUV look but the interiors and features made me feel real bad during the test drive - somehow had the same feel with the Endy as well, If the Aria breaks that feel overall and still feels Macho enough, i would go for it, else book the fortuner inspite of it's shotcommings. For some it is money, for others it's possibly about the vehcle being the right VFM - across a reasonably wide spread.

[DicKy]

Originally Posted by ACM

ESP - Fit to the rear wheel arch - I don't know why but it fits there.

Where did you put the cruise control? I have tried all around the stearing and almost every where on the car

But i fitted it near the front wheel.
The ESP,cruise control,curtain airbags are by far the most difficult ones to place.anyway finished the 5 level,now trying to garner votes(like a politico)
BTW, the cruise control goes far down the steering column,a lot far away from the actual steering wheel.
@dhuli- My pleasure, friend .Cheers.

[airbender]

Originally Posted by ACM

Where did you put the cruise control? I have tried all around the stearing and almost every where on the car?

I had the same problem. Tried everything but does not fit. Can any one help.

I think this online marketing is going to work very well for tata. Even if the participants do not end up buying Aria knowing this vehicle will only raise the perception of the brand.

[teamveevee]

Originally Posted by dhuli

Thanks for sharing the link, Dicky. No doubt this is the Aria.
Level 5 is opened and I am there. If I can figure out where to fit their ESP, I am done with all levels. Quite an interesting approach to market a new vehicle/platform

Clever marketing. You are forced to read and understand every features. Encouraged to spread the word to earn points. Kudos to TM for this innovative marketing approach. Let us see the copy cats (read Mahindra) follow suit, with their next release.
I was stuck at Level3, Passenger side Cup Holder. Some how it is not letting me place it. I completed everything else on Level 3. Even little kids enjoy this game, nice introduction to cars. More effective than the picture books.

Originally Posted by raj_5004

but tata's Aria & its looooong feature list has really impressed me.

Raj, But i really doubt you will ever buy a Tata vehicle based on your various posts.[lol], no offence please.

[raj_5004]

Originally Posted by teamveevee

Raj, But i really doubt you will ever buy a Tata vehicle based on your various posts.[lol], no offence please.

LOL, no offence taken.

Actually, its not just me, but my whole family whose against TATA cars. The safari 2.2 was the last TATA car in our family! my mom loves the safari more than any other car & today i was showing my family some pics & specs of the aria, captiva & fortuner. but my dad & bro outrightly rejected the Aria & refused to even see the specs since its a TATA, so its not just me! well, i wont blame them entirely but its just that i am ready to take my chances with TATA & they are not.

but still, i like the Aria for its pricing & feature list. the captiva does not have rear AC vents which is a HUGE negative point for us & fortuner is very short on features. Aria seems good on these aspects. if at all we buy the Aria, which seems unlikely, it wont be from the first batch. it would be only after a year, so that TATA can sort out all the issues from the initial cars.

[shwir]

Originally Posted by CARDEEP

Tata need to rework the product portfolio of Aria (regarding the features on board), considering the fact that Fortuner is outselling the Endeavour & Captiva together by almost 2.5 times as per Sep-10 sales. Its trump card could be good back-seat ride quality (of which the Tata's are sort of expert) & the features list.

INO the base model should be priced around INR 10 lacs with the top-end toppoing INR 15 lacs, ex-showroom.

If the base model is priced above INR 10 Lakh, it will not work. I can vouch for this keeping in mind the Indian customer. Tata. Are you listening ?

[DicKy]

Originally Posted by airbender

I had the same problem. Tried everything but does not fit. Can any one help...

As i told earlier the cruise control goes far down the steering column,absurdly low.
BTW, am beginning to customise the Aria today and also to garner vote.!!!

[blackbeast]

Well, The Segment in which Aria is entering itself is confusing. This is the first time a vehicle of this kind is coming to market which is placed between 12 and 15.The target audience is not clear to me. Xylos,Grandes and Innovas on the lower end. And Endy,Fortuner and Captiva on the higherend. So, who would go for it ? For someone who has a liking towards a premium tag of 20L, Aria will not appeal 1 bit. I personally didn't like the exterior. The Front grill is seen on new indica and manza.Not much improvisation there.The rear is rather bland.On top of that brand image is very poor.

Now, coming to the lower segment, Aria is going to make some impact.Because i feel this is not a driver's car. This vehicle takes on MUVs according to me. To some extent scorpio as well since lot of people in tier 2 cities buy it for the third row seating. So, a Positive point for sales as far as TM is concerned.Does Aria have a car like driving feel as seen on innova. I doubt. The positives i take from this car is the interior quality which i hope will be copied to next Gen safari. For someone who produces safari, Aria looks is a pretty ordinary effort ! It will be interesting to see how many agree with me.