The only thing constant is change. No where is this maxim more true than in the auto-mobile sector. The demands of the customers keep changing and these have to be addressed. The latest trend in sports utility vehicles (SUVs) is that they must be SUVs but smaller. Promptly, the manufactures complied and announced to the world, “Honey! I shrunk the SUV!”

RIO

Leading the charge is premier Automobiles, India’s oldest car manufactures. Their newest offering is the RIO. “ India’s first and only compact SUV!” , it claims. It was just that a CUV. Cute Utility Vehicle! The exterior is dimunitive with clean-cut clear lines that give it good handsome looks. The spare wheel mounted on the rear confirm it is a SUV. The Christmas tree rear-lights and the high-mounted brake light also adds to its good looks. Indicator lights are mounted the outside rear-view mirrors(ORVM). Both the ORVMs can be adjusted electrically. Roof rails are standard, as are fog lamps. Rear wiper is with washer, rear window demister. Almost everything found on a high-end SUV is in the RIO. It has electric power steering, power windows and A.C. for safety, there are emergency locking retractor (ELR) seatbelts with pretensioners, side-impact protections beams (S.I.P.), brake assist, ABS with EBD.

It has disc brake up front, supported by a McPherson Strut suspension. It is shod with 205/70R 15 tyres. With a ground clearance of 200mm, it will tackle Indian potholed roads with ease.

If the exterior is small, the interior is spacious. The RIO seats five person comfortably. The rear seats folds down to provide extra storage. The interior is simple yet functional. It will be a great car for the city, being small yet big!

The RIO has a varied pedigree. It’s a Diahatsu (read Toyota), which is Japanese, but made in china. The body shell is shipper to India to be assembled in Pune with an Italian engine. It could well support the “Made in Globe” badge! Whatever be its badge, the Rio is a trendsetter and will create a new segment for the automobile in India.

The RIO is available with both a petrol engine, 1173 c.c and Euro IV compliant. The new diesel engine, the Fiat CRD; multijet 1300cc BS IV compliant will be available in August this year. According to a dealer, service of either vehicle will be less than Rs.1,500.

With prices ranging from Rs.6.3 lakh for the petrol to Rs.7.3 lakh for the diesel RIO, premier may have a winner in its stable.

maruti suzuki ERTIGA

Is it a CUV? No! Is it a SUV? No! Is it a MUV? No! So what is it? It’s a LUV! Life Utility Vehicle! It is the latest from Maruti Suzuki and sets a new benchmark in the compact SUV segment. Built on the Swift platform, with a monocoque body, it has a car-like ride and handing with UV like space. The looks are undoubtedly SUV. It is a seven-seater, with three rows of seats. In spite of the huge interior space, it is compact on the outside.

Maruti has borrowed from its parts from its other cars. The Eritga is an almost Ritz-look-alike head on. The swept back headlights are Swift inspired. The large ‘S’ on the front grill is the only chrome on the entire car.

If the exterior is rather common-looking, ihe interior has some interesting features. The driver’s seat is ergonomically designed and has six adjustments. You can sit high up and have a grandstand view of the road. It has tilt steering and internally adjustable ORVMs. It has two air bags for the driver and the co-driver.

The centre row of seats has a centre arm-rest. The seats slide and have reclining seat backs and adjustable head rests. A 60-40 spilt creates more space with the third row floded flat.

The third row of seats also has an arm-rest and ample leg – room  not available in the some large SUVs. Due to the sloping roof, the third row is a two seater. Most interesting is that that the second row of seats slide forward 240mm to make access to the third row easier. In some SUVs you have to be a contortionist to get into the third row of seats. In the 1920s and 1930s some American cars had a rear seat, which was almost impossible to access. It was called the mother-in-law seat!

SKODA YETI

It may be a compact but is probably the most “loaded” of any of the regular SUVs. Here is what the Yeti boasts off – ABS, EBD,HHC, EDL, TCS, ESP – this is what it means Anti-lock brakes, electric brake force distribution, hill-hold control, electronic differential lock, traction control system electronic stability program, that’s the ESP.

It could well be extra sensory perception considering how the 4×4 intelligent system works. The Yeti has permanent 4-wheel drive. The power comes from a 2-litre turbo-charged diesel engine placed transversely in front, 90 per cent of the power goes to the front wheels, 10 per cent to the rear. In case of an emergency, like a skid or while off roading, the intelligent selector will transfer power to the rear wheels. The 4×2 Yeti has a five-speed gear box and the 4×4 is a six speed.

The Vario Flex space management is another unique feature of the Yeti. The rear seat is in three pieces. All seats can be moved forward, backward or sideways! The backrest can be tilted backwards or forwards or floded flat. One, two or all three seats can be removed to make a canaverous space at the rear. Both front seats have height and lumber support adjustment.

When the Yeti was launched the word compact had not found favour. It was a cross-over. Storage space is ample. There is storage under the front passenger seat, on top of the dashboard, the glove box has cooling facility as is the storage in the front armrest. The luggage compartment at the rear has space under the floor board.

Fuel consumption is also reasonable. 90Kmpl on the highway and 13-14 Kmpl in the city. It really is a fantastic performer, on road or off-road. However, it is as elusive as the Abominable Snowman after whom it is named. The reason being the price, which is in double-dif-it figures and that too at the higher end.