Ashok Leyland Stile MPV launched in India

Indian utility vehicle maker Ashok Leyland Limited (ALL) has entered the passenger car space with the Stile MPV, a badge engineered version of the Nissan Evalia. First showcased at last year's Indian Auto Expo, the launch of the Stile has been quite delayed. Ashok Leyland did unveil the production version of the Stile in July 2013, and today's price announcement signifies the MPV's official launch in India. Prices of the Stile start at 7.49 lakh rupees for the base variant while the top-end LX variant is priced at 9.29 lakh rupees. The Stile is also available in a mid LS variant whose price is yet to be made available. All prices reflect ex-showroom Delhi figures.  

Note: The Ashok Leyland Stile CNG image used in this report is illustrative in nature. 

All variants of the Stile get a power steering and air conditioning as standard features. The MPV features a de-tuned (DIET in Ashok Leyland's words) version of the 1.5 liter Renault K9K turbo diesel engine. This diesel motor, featuring common rail direct injection, outputs 75 Bhp-185 Nm on the Stile, an output that's significantly lower than the 85 Bhp-200 Nm that this engine produces on the Evalia MPV. The lower power and torque output, apart from being a major differentiating factor between the Stile and the Evalia, gives the former a slightly higher fuel efficiency number. 

While the Evalia comes with an ARAI certified 19.3 Kmpl, the Stile does slightly better with 19.5 Kmpl. The gearbox on the Stile is a 5 speed affair, which drives the front wheels. The Stile comes in 7 and 8 seat variants. The Stile's other differentiating factors from the Evalia, spread across variants, include different styling, lack of features such as the passenger side power window switch, central locking, keyless entry and push button start, fog lamps and real time fuel consumption indicator. However, the Stile does get a few new features that were sorely missed in the Evalia, in the form of sliding windows, a covered glove box and an AC blower for the middle row. 

The new features that have made an appearance on the Stile are eventually expected to be incorporated on the Evalia given the fact that both MPVs share the production line at the Renault-Nissan factory in Oragadam. To ensure clear demarcation between the Stile and the Evalia, the prices of the MPVs vary by quite a bit. While the Stile starts at 7.49 lakh rupees, the Evalia's XE base variant, priced at 8.7 lakh rupees, is more expensive by a full 1.2 lakh rupees. Since the Evalia has been a dud-seller for Nissan right from word go, the advent of the lower-priced Ashok Leyland Stile will allow the Japanese car maker to make better use of the production capacity originally earmarked for the Evalia. 

Meanwhile, a CNG powered version of the Stile will be launched soon. Aimed primarily at commercial vehicle buyers for applications that include taxi cabs, hotel fleets and ambulances, the Stile will be sold nationwide through Ashok Leyland's 130 Small Commercial Vehicle dealerships. These dealerships also sell other light commercial vehicles that Ashok Leyland has developed with Nissan. Two such examples include the Dost mini pick up truck and the Dost Express people carrier. The price announcement of the Dost Express is likely to be made very soon as examples of this people carrier have already begun reaching Ashok Leyland SCV dealerships. Later this year, Ashok Leyland will launch the Partner light truck, the 3rd product to be spawned from the ALL-Nissan joint venture.