With the festive season around the corner, its time to buy the car on that "auspicious" day for most Indians, a fact not lost on the car companies.

New promos, reworked models, and new features are only a few things in the arsenal for what could be the most competitive season for car companies looking to shore up their sales.

Honda SEIL, for example, is out with a refreshed City ZX that has some new interior features and added safety options to battle out the Suzuki SX4.

Now, Ford too has launched a new variant of its flagship Fiesta, named the Fiesta 1.6 Fida Edition. Along with a few exclusive features, two new colours, the most captivating deal of this new variant is likely to be the price at a bargain Rs6.60 lakh (ex-showroom, Chennai).

The car comes with new turn indicators integrated into the electric rear-view mirrors, which has traditionally been offered in more expensive cars. Nine-spoke alloy wheels, colour coordinated leather-vinyl seat covers, perforated vinyl door trims, a new MP3 player with four speakers, a roof antenna, front fog lamps, programmable keyless entry, intelligent rear de-fogger, remote boot release, trip computer, driver''s seat height adjustment mechanism and battery saver are only a few of the cars features.

The limited edition Fiesta Fida will have the same 1.6-litre Duratec petrol engine that delivers a peak power of 101 PS.

Hyundai too has launched its third nationwide Free Car Care Clinic. The Clinic will offer a comprehensive 80-point check-up and examination of the engine, transmission, electrical, under-body, AC, body panels, etc. Customers can avail of this free check-up at any of its 320 dealer workshops across the country, while getting a free car wash and discounts on all spare parts.

Hyundai is also offering a discount of 20 per cent on labour and a 20 per cent discount on extended warranty. It has special discounts on service merchandising, such as engine flush, anti-rust coating, engine de-carbonisation, and car polish.

Hyundai''s Free Car Care Clinic was first introduced in 2006 and was subsequently conducted in January and February 2007. During this festive season, the Clinic will be a two-week long campaign, from October 3 to 17. It will also recognise customers who take special care of their cars, through `Best Maintained Car'' award for cars more than five years old, and driven 100,000km.

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