FORD FUSION

Two-boxes are for those just starting out in life, right? Once you start becoming a ?somebody?, it?s time to graduate to a three-box saloon. It?s the only way to go. How then does one explain the fact that two of the most important launches in 2004 as well as two much-awaited launches this year are not saloons but two-box cars? Moreover, how does one account for the fact that these new cars are far from entry-level models, and are actually competing in terms of price and features with existing three-box saloons? It looks like 2005 is going to see a sea change in the sort of car Indians are going to purchase.

Let?s look at the four hatchbacks at the forefront of this revolution. The Hyundai Getz and the Ford Fusion have already been launched in India while Maruti is expected to launch the new Suzuki Swift soon. Then there?s the Chevrolet Aveo.

The Getz first, where the first thing one notices is the styling ? a smooth, contemporary European look that makes no bones about the Getz?s target market.

The new hatchbacks are bigger cars. The Getz is 3,810mm long, 1,665mm wide and 1,515mm tall. The wheelbase is 2,455mm. It?s currently powered by a four-cylinder, 1.3litre SOHC (Single Over Head Camshaft) engine developing just over 80bhp of power and 115Nm of torque. There is also a CRDi diesel engine with Hyundai, waiting to be unleashed if the company chooses. The fuel tank capacity is 45litres. Power transmission to the wheels is via a 6-speed (5F, 1R) manual gearbox. The GL rides on 155/80 R13 tyres while the GLS on lower aspect ratio 175/70 R13 tyres. The ABS version gets 175/65 R 14 rubber on alloy rims.

HYUNDAI GETZ

In Europe, the Getz goes up against the (new) Opel Corsa, the Ford Fiesta and the Peugeot 206. Here, the company seems keen to take on everything ranging from the Fiat Palio and Petra, the Tata Indica and Indigo to the Corsa, the Corsa Sail and the Maruti Esteem. There are two versions of the Getz, the GL and the GLS. For a little more money (over Rs 5 lakh), one can also have the Getz with alloy wheels and ABS brakes. Some standard features in the Getz (among many) include body-coloured bumpers, prismatic mirrors, tilt steering, gas-pressured dampers, disc brakes (ventilated) in front and drums at the rear and central locking.

Although the other two-box car already in the market looks like an SUV, it isn?t. The Ford Fusion is an UAV (Urban Activity Vehicle) and the company claims the car has the solidity, robustness, practicality and road presence of an actual SUV. The Fusion made its debut as a concept car at the Frankfurt motor show in 2001 and was launched at the Geneva motor show in 2002. Of course, it was said to have small car agility at the time but thanks to Ford?s marketing department, it now has the agility of a ?mid-sized sedan? in the Indian context.

Its styling is radical and quite in-your-face ? something accentuated by the tall stance, the high bonnet line and the prominent grille between the unusual headlights. Fifteen-inch wheels and 195-60 R15 tyres enhance the rugged look. However, the accent is on city running and a lot of thought has gone into the interiors where maximum use of the available area has been made.

The Fusion is powered by a 100bhp 1.6litre DOHC 16V (Dual Over Head Camshaft 16 Valve) engine and features drive-by-wire control. Power transmission is via a 6-speed (5F, 1R) gearbox. Its front suspension comprises MacPherson struts mounted on a rigid sub-frame that helps isolate the passenger cabin from road shocks. The rear suspension has been toughened up with twin-tube shocks.

Those with misgivings about the high bonnet line would be glad to know that the Fusion got a 4-star rating at the Euro-NCAP tests for frontal and side impact protection, thanks to the rigid passenger cell as well as the well-designed crumple zones.

CHEVROLET AVEO

The country is awaiting the launch of the Suzuki Swift, the most modern car Maruti has ever brought to India. Available in three and five-door versions (the latter is expected here), it is based on the Concept S first shown at the 2002 Paris Motor Show. Again, the styling reveals the target market ? Europe. Vertical headlights, large air intakes, pronounced wheel arches and neat roofline styling are expected to win both Indian and European customers over.

Engine choices include 1.3 and 1.5 petrols. But a small 1.3litre common rail diesel unit will soon be available. Maruti will make this in India under collaboration. This too is a bigger car with dimensions of 3,695mm (length), 1,590mm (width) and 1,500mm (height). The wheelbase is 2,390mm.

One of the cars that the Hyundai Getz competes against in Europe is the Chevrolet Aveo. This will not be a new rival for Hyundai because the Aveo is just a rebadged Daewoo Kalos.

The Aveo (Kalos) is available as both a four-door saloon and a five-door hatchback. Engine options on the Aveo are three ? a 16V 1.4, an 8V 1.4 and a 1.2 developing over 92bhp, 82bhp and 70bhp respectively.

Originally, the tall boyish Kalos was styled for Daewoo by Giorgetto Giugiaro of Italdesign. Suspension configuration is on par with other cars of this class. From the rear, the Aveo resembles the Getz until one looks at the taillights, which are in the Optra mode. The front end is contemporary, though the side profile reveals a snout-like appearance from the A pillar forwards. The dimensions are akin to that of the other new offerings.

So there you have it. The question is will the Indian buyer forego his/her three-box saloon and opt for one of these new cars? The marketing boys of the four companies in question sure have their work cut out for them.

My first car

HARSH NEOTIA,
industrialist

nGrowing up, our family car was an Ambassador but the first car I ever owned was a Premier Padmini. I was about 20, studying in college and working in our company alongside, and that was one of the perks provided to me. That too, after over a year of convincing my family that I was ready to own a car.

In those days, there was a long waiting period for any car, at least four to six months, unless of course, one paid a premium to get it earlier. My father refused to do so, and since I was in a tearing hurry to get my hands on the car, I went down ever so often to the dealer to try and convince him to deliver it earlier. Finally, my persuasion paid off and I managed to get it a couple of months earlier. After which, I spend a considerable amount of time deciding on upholstery, music system and even psychedelic lighting that was just right!

The car stayed with me for four years and I had some good times in it. Till that is, I had an accident and even after repairs, it was never the same again. Still, I drove it for some time, finally opting for a Maruti 800.