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TELCO plans to launch two Indica variants

Tata Engineering, or TELCO, is working towards introducing at least two multi-point fuel injection petrol variants of its 1400-cc small car Indica by the end of this month.

The new cars would be Euro-II emission norm compliant and would be driven by a petrol engine, company sources said.

Rajiv Dubey, senior TELCO executive, confirmed the plans but refused to state a time frame for introduction of the new models. "We will be introducing at least two new MPFI versions of the petrol Indica soon. We won't be able to disclose anything else about the launch schedule or the indicative price at present," he said.

The 75-bhp MPFI Indica is being rolled out to meet the new Euro-II emission norms that have come into effect beginning April 1, 2000. The Indica's diesel version is already Euro-II compliant, he added.

Meanwhile, riding on increased demand for its small car, the company has sold 7,270 units of Indica in March 2000, making Indica the second-largest selling car its segment.

The company, however, missed the 60,000 total sales target for the year having sold 57,160 cars till March 2000. The company also exported 510 units during the fiscal.

The company had completed its booking commitments in December 1999 and is selling, on an average, nearly 5,900 cars per month.

In January 2000, TELCO had announced standardisation of the 5-speed gearbox across its models and also launched the Euro-II diesel model of Indica.

Indica is currently retailed through 56 dealers in the domestic market.

TELCO had earlier this year announced its foray into the luxury segment of the passenger car market with the 1900-cc Magna.

The car, to be available in both petrol and diesel versions, would be the flagship car of the TELCO portfolio. To be priced between the Mitsubishi Lancer and the Mercedes E-class, the car would also be available in higher-powered engine versions.

The Magna is a rear-wheel drive sedan, powered by a two-litre engine. The car has been developed with different trim levels.

The company is also studying the feasibility of introducing a mid-size offering on the Indica platform. The studies are on, but no definite time frame has been set for the launch.

Besides, the company had also unveiled a two-seater concept sports car on the Indica platform -- Aria. Developed along with IDEA of Italy, the car has been conceived with a 140-hp, four-cylinder engine and a maximum speed of 225 kmph.

The car is without a roof, with a 16-inch alloy wheel, low profile tyres and rollover bars for driver and passenger.

UNI

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