Proton builds itself a Mitsubishi Evolution

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is such a good car, it seems that Malaysian automaker Proton decided it ought to offer a version of its own. Sort of. While the company’s Jebat Concept, which was just shown off at the Kuala Lumpur Motor Show, is styled to look like the Evolution, it’s actually powered by the 237-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged mill used in the slightly less potent Ralliart model.

Nobody seems to know at the moment if the Jebat Concept has any shot at production, but its existence isn’t all that surprising considering that Proton just recently launched the Inspira, itself an almost exact copy of the standard Mitsubishi Lancer. In any case, it’s clearly differentiated from its siblings by virtue of its matte black front and rear fascias and side sills, along with a Proton-specific grille. See for yourself in the image gallery below.

Report: Tata planning to build Jaguar and Land Rover models in China

Tata has its eyes on China. The Indian automaker has announced plans to build up to 40,000 Jaguar andLand Rover models in the People ‘s Republic as part of its plan to target emerging markets. So far, there’s no word on exactly when Tata plans to open the doors on new production facilities or exactly where the factories will be located, but it’s clear that the company wants a taste of all of the new money cropping up in China as wealth continues to migrate from the West.

Evidently, Land Rover will be the first of the two brands to be built in the country. Last year, around 208,197 globe-roaming SUVs found their way into the hands of Chinese buyers – around eight percent of total Land Rover sales. Tata is hoping that lowering production costs and increasing supply will help that number swell considerably. From there, Jaguar won’t be too far behind.

Of course, the dark side of the news is that once the Chinese facilities go live, Tata will then shut down one of its two British plants. So far, it hasn’t mentioned which will get the boot.

Indian Debut for Pininfarina-Styled Tata Pr1ma Sedan Concept

Following its world premiere at last year’s Geneva Salon, Tata brought its oddly named Pr1ma concept car back home for the New Delhi motor show. Designed and built by famous Italian coachbuilder Pininfarina, the Pr1ma is suppose to offer an indication of how the next generation of Tata saloons could be stylistically interpreted.

The compact-size four-door saloon is based on the platform of the first Indian sedan, the Tata Indigo, and features a wheelbase of 2.700 mm. Neither Tata or Pininfarina have released any more information about the Pr1ma.

Tata Debuts Magic Iris Mini -Minivan for those that want to Upgrade from Tricycles

Tata Motors, the Indian maker of the world’s cheapest mass produced car, the Nano, and owner of Jaguar and Land Rover, swiped the covers off the Magic Iris at this week’s New Delhi motor show. The odd looking (and that’s an understatement…) mini version of a minivan was developed specifically for India with the company claiming that it “aims at upgrading the quality of travel for those who depend on three-wheelers”.

The pint-size four-wheel passenger car is said to seat up to five people, two at the front and three at the back.

Tata Motors makes it a point to note that the Iris Magic is “controlled by a steering that provides car-like on-road stability, while the hard roof, made of sheet metal, provides car-like safety” and that it also features “car-like clear lens headlamps and tail lights”. If you’ve ever seen the tri-cycles in India, you’ll understand why.

The Magic Iris, which is expected to go on sale in India later this year, is powered by a 0.6-liter water-cooled diesel engine producing 11.3-horsepower that allows the vehicle reach speeds of up to 55km/h or 34mph.

Cadillac SRX Turbo axed after only one year

The Cadillac SRX Turbo appears to be a one-year wonder. GM Inside News reports that the optional 300-horsepower, 2.8-liter turbo V6 has been discontinued in Cadillac’s small crossover – a fact they confirmed through Cadillac’s public relations department. Going forward, the standard 3.0-liter DI V6 will be the sole engine offering, which it basically was anyway. You see, according to Cadillac, less than 10 percent of SRX buyers opted for the turbo.

While the 3.0-liter gets little love from reviewers, who (correctly) ding it for being generally weak-kneed given the task at hand, actual SRX purchasers are obviously fine with it. The 2.8 turbo, despite dangling the carrot of more power, was not particularly memorable from either a performance or fuel economy perspective. More importantly, it seems basically no one walking into Cadillac dealerships cared it even existed, so out came the axe. If GM wishes to offer a step-up engine in the SRX someday, maybe it’s finally time to work on getting the 3.6-liter DI V6 from the CTS in there.