AutoQ: New Maruti Ignis, BS-IV vs BS-VI, Tata Altroz and More

Here's a weekly round-up of all the news from the world of cars and bikes.

1. 2019 Maruti Suzuki Ignis Launched at Rs 4.79 Lakh

Maruti Suzuki has launched the update to its hatchback, the Ignis, and the refreshed model has been priced starting at Rs 4.79 lakh. The previous generation Ignis had a starting price tag of Rs 4.67 lakh.

Some of the car’s rivals in this category are the Mahindra KUV 100, Ford Freestyle and even the Tata Tiago. Click here to see the full details of the updated car and how it compares with its rivals.

2. Tata Motors 45X Hatchback Named ‘Altroz’ to Rival Hyundai’s i20

At the 2019 Geneva Motor Show Tata Motors is likely to debut its production version of the 45X concept hatchback. This is Tata’s latest product, designed with a futuristic look and it will be called the Altroz, which the company says, has been inspired from the bird Albatross.

After launching the Tiago, Tigor, Nexon, Hexa and Harrier, Tata will add the Altroz to its line up which will compete in the hatchback market against giants like the Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Hyundai’s i20 among others. More details here.

3. Should You Buy a BS-IV Compliant Car Now or Wait For a BS-VI One?

From 1 April 2020, only cars that comply with Bharat Stage VI emissions norms can be sold in India. With a little over a year to go before that deadline automakers are scrambling to bring in new technologies to meet BS-VI emission norms. Right now, India’s emission norms are Bharat Stage IV (BS-IV), which is equivalent to Euro 4 emission norms.

Along with the emission norms change (skipping BS-V and going directly to BS-VI), India is also enacting new crash-test safety norms (BNCAP) in October 2019.

So that brings up the question: Should you be looking to buy a BS-IV compliant car right now, or wait a year and pick up one that meets BS-VI emission norms? Read this full explanation of the norms.

4. Five Bikes Launched in India With ABS For Under Rs 2 Lakh in 2019

By 1 April 2019, all bikes above 125cc have been ordered to come with anti-lock braking systems (ABS) by the country’s transport ministry and all manufacturers are rushing to meet the mandatory order.

This is good news for those looking to buy two-wheelers in the country and even though we’re one month away from the mandatory deadline, most bikes have already got ABS; single or double channel feature equipped.

Here’s a list of five such bikes, priced under Rs 2 lakh (ex-showroom) that now get ABS support for better safety of riders on the road.

5. Electric Vehicles Get a Boost with Rs 10,000 Crore FAME-II Scheme

With an eye on promoting electric and hybrid vehicles, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the Union Cabinet has cleared a Rs 10,000-crore programme under the FAME-II scheme.

The scheme will be implemented over a period of three years with effect from 1 April 2019. It is the expanded version of the present scheme FAME India I (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME) which was launched on 1 April 2015, with a total outlay of Rs 895 crore, an official statement said.

Read here for more on the subsidies for electric vehicles.