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| CADILLAC
BLS |
 CADILLAC
IS AN American icon, but the new BLS that Caddy is likely
to debut with in India is a Europe-only model.
Based on Opel’s Epsilon platform, on which other GM
front- wheel-drive cars like the Saab 9-3 are built, the BLS
is a handsome car. Taking styling clues from its elders like
the popular CTS, the car’s sharp styling echoes recent
Caddy design with generous use of vertical lines and sharp
creases.
Also visible are some elements from their exaggerated design
study-cum-concept car, the Sixteen. Power will provided by
a 1.9-litre CRDi motor as well as a two-litre petrol motor.
Cadillac is setting up a dedicated line for the BLS in China,
and it’s from here that we are likely to
get our converted right-hand-drive versions.
Our only concern is that it may not look good when painted
pink.
|
| Model
Cadillac BLS Engine 2.0-litre turbo-petrol/1.9-litre
CRDi turbo-diesel Power/Torque 75bhp/150bhp
Kerb weight NA Dimensions (L/W/H)
NA Expected price Rs 25 lakh |
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| CHEVROLET
AVEO HATCH /SALOON |
 A
DAEWOO Kalos under the Guigiaro-designed skin, the Chevrolet
Aveo has been seen running around India for the past six months
or more now. A large hatch that will take the Hyundai Getz
and the Maruti Swift head on, the Aveo’s key strength
is internal space and comfort.
Seemingly larger on the inside than its looks suggest, this
softly-sprung long wheelbase hatch is a comfortable car to
travel in. The soft suspension, however, does not make it
as exciting to drive as say the Swift and the 1.4-litre motor
is only happy being driven in its midrange.
The Aveo saloon, which was unveiled at the Shanghai Motor
Show earlier this year, is also India-bound. The Optra-like
flared wheel arches and large frontal area give it a sporty
look which should go down well with car buyers in India. Equipment
levels should be high with ABS and airbags on offer.
|
| Model
Chevrolet Aveo Sedan Engine
1598cc, petrol Power/Torque 103bhp/14.7kgm
Kerb weight 1080kg Dimensions (L/W/H)
4235/1670/1494mm Expected price Rs
5.7 lakh |
| Model
Chevrolet Aveo hatchback Engine 1399cc petrol
Power/Torque 94bhp/13.26kgm Kerb weight
1030kg Dimensions (L/W/H) 3880/1670/1495mm
Expected price Rs 4-5 lakh |
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| CITROEN
C5 |
 A
FORD MONDEO/ Honda Accord competitor, the Citroen C5 is a
pretty large sedan that has the usual touch of French quirkiness
about it. While the overall shape of the car, with its low-mounted
bonnet, high-mounted boot and transparent ‘C’-pillar
is conventional, details like its chrome bar grille, headlights
and boomerang tail-lights help it stand out.
A big plus in this segment is the use of Citroen’s Hydra-active
suspension, where columns of gas take over from steel coils.
Also perfect for Indian conditions is the fact that the C5
gas suspension has been set up soft for a good ride and that
interior space and comfort is top class. To top it off it
has a five-star crash rating, is likely to be sold with a
136bhp 2.2-litre common rail diesel motor (HDi), an automatic
gearbox and the suspension is maintenance-free for five years.
A real luxury car dark horse.
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| Model
Citroen C5 Engine 2179cc common rail diesel
Power/Torque 136bhp/32kgm Kerb weight
1558kg Dimensions (L/W/H) 4745/1780/1476mm
Expected price Rs 18-20 lakh |
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| CITROEN
C6 |
 FRENCH
CARS HAVE an unmistakable style of their own. Like this C6.
It has a dual-strip chrome line running on the grille, with
the centre pulled subtly upwards to accentuate the Citroen
double-arrow. The side-on silhouette is most astounding as
it looks like an estate with a steeply raked D-pillar. The
car is laden with heads-up display (info on the windscreen),
Lane Departure Warning system (when activated, emits a beep
when you deviate over lane markings) and an electronically-controlled
suspension. The C6 will be powered by a 2.7-litre V6 diesel
making 208bhp and a three-litre petrol V6 developing 215 horses.
To be sold as a CBU, the C6 is traditionally slated against
the likes of the Merc E-class and the BMW 5-series.
|
| Model
Citroen C6 Engine 3.0-litre V6 Petrol/2.7-litre
V6 common rail diesel Power/Torque 215bhp,
08bhp/ 29.5kgm, 44.8kgm Kerb weight NA Dimensions
(L/W/H) 4910/1860/1460mm Expected price
Rs 45 lakh |
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October 2005
