ANYTHING ON WHEELS

Driven #10: Royal Enfield Classic 500 Desert Storm

2012-01-22T13:41:00.000+05:30

Royal Enfield needs no introduction in India. After all, this is a brand that beat the mighty Harley-Davidson and emerged on top in a recent brand image study amongst automotive manufacturers. Almost all the models in the company's lineup are sold out for months together in advance with the Classic twins, launched in 350 and 500 variants, being a phenomenal success with customers waiting for 6 months and more to own one. Not content with that, Royal Enfield recently launched two new variants of the Classic 500 - Classic Chrome and Desert Storm. As the names suggest, these are just cosmetic tweaks with the former sporting an overdose of 'chrome' and the latter wearing a stunning pre-war era 'sand' paint job.

As only Royal Enfield can fathom, launch of merely two variants of an already well-established product has created quite a stir in the industry and amongst the public. We can't afford to miss out on driving one when the chance came by and find out what is different from the regular Classic.

TO LOOK & FEEL:

We have driven the Classic 500 before and it was open to the world that we were smitten hard by its styling. That has not changed a bit ever since. In fact, its only growing bigger and bigger. The industry might be moving forward with modern and aerodynamic designs, but the Classic is a truly one-of-a-kind motorcycle retaining its typical old-world charm and unashamedly 'classic' elements. This retro motorcycle stuns the onlookers with round lights all around, twin tiny pilot lamps, a mighty fuel tank, magnificent wheel arches, a meaty exhaust pipe and the classy chrome mirrors and indicators. The pre-war era sand paint job with a matte-like finish of the Desert Storm version only adds to the overall visual appeal.

The kind of attention that the Classic Desert Storm attracted during our test drive was incredible. The answer lies in the magnificent design and the awesome paint job that immediately brings in a sense of nostalgia to our minds sends us into a tizzy. Having said that, the build quality is still not up to the mark in quite a few places which is quite disappointing given the price that you pay to own one. The blisters in the surface, the irregular joints and the rusty metal and chrome parts in a fairly new motorcycle that has hardly covered 2000 km isn't something that can be easily excused.

Another thing which is not particularly commendable is the age old design of the instrument cluster. There is nothing snazzy and digital here with a large circular speedometer dominating the proceedings. The speedo also houses bare minimal tell tale lights and is flanked on either sides by the key slot and a fuel cum engine warning indicator. The low fuel warning light is the only indicator for fuel and the absence of a fuel gauge is a glaring omission by Royal Enfield. The switchgear, in contrast, matches up to the present day standards and also looks and feels better to operate as it is made of better quality materials that feels built to last.

ON THE ROAD:

The Desert Storm is powered by the same single-cylinder, 499cc engine that thumps out 27.2 bhp of maximum power. With features such as Twin Spark ignition, Electronic Fuel Injection system and a Unit Construction Engine in which the engine and gearbox are enclosed in a single casing thereby reducing the transmission losses, this fairly modern power-train is soon becoming the staple for many Royal Enfield models including the recently unveiled Thunderbird 500. Crank the engine up and you are sure to get lost in the royal thumps that fill the surroundings.

The Classic is pretty quick off the line and accelerates briskly but the most interesting thing is that you just don't realize the speeds that you are doing until you look at the speedo. The 5 speed constant mesh gearbox is smooth shifting and the gear ratios are nicely placed with the bike not feeling out of breath in any gear. The abundant torque available at lower end of the rev range makes it pretty comfortable to drive the Classic inside the city, unabated by its sheer bulk. The vibration levels leaves a lot to be desired and is so bad that things are hardly visible in the rear-view mirrors as speeds build up.

The high and comfortable seating position and the massive bulk at your disposal invariably gives you the feeling that you are king of the road once you hop on. And the superb ride just reinstates this point as the Classic continues unfazed by bumps, potholes and other road undulations with telescopic dampers up front and gas-charged shocks at the rear gobbling them away. The high-speed handling and superb straight-line stability instills confidence in you making it a perfect highway cruiser. On the contrary, the Classic isn't as nimble as you would like in the city traffic. Braking is average and is not on par with ABS-equipped bikes like TVS Apache RTR180 and Honda CBR 250R. It is high time Royal Enfield brings in ABS technology to their models, given that they are all pricey and rich in power and torque.

SPECIFICATIONS:

* Engine Type: 4-stroke, Liquid Cooled
* No of Cylinders: 1
* Displacement: 499 cc
* Maximum Power: 27.2 bhp @ 5250 RPM
* Maximum Torque: 41.3 Nm @ 4000 RPM
* Transmission Type: 5-speed, 1Down 4Up
* Tires: 90/90 R19 (Front), 120/80 R18 (Rear)
* Brakes: 280mm Hydraulic Disc (Front), 153mm Single Lead Internal Expanding (Rear)

WHAT'S COOL:

* Classic retro looks
* Superb high-speed stability
* Excellent Ride quality
* Powerful and torquey engine
* Stunning matte-finish 'sand' paint job

WHAT'S NOT SO COOL:

* Basic Instrument Cluster
* Lack of advanced features
* Inconsistent Fit and Finish

TO SUM UP:

Royal Enfield motorcycles are still not the best when it comes to long-term reliability. The build quality is still not on par with the competition. Barring a few modern technological bits, they are basically old-school and are not feature-rich. The engine vibrates so much giving your palms and shoulders a shudder. Still, those who own one love their machines and swear by them anyday anytime and anywhere. And those who don't own one aspire to do so very soon. Despite its many flaws, the Classic 500 is still a great motorcycle with unbeatable highway characteristics and we will not hesitate for a moment to put our money on one. As most of you would agree, learning to live with its flaws is a part of the pleasure of owning a Royal Enfield. The world may come to an end in 2012 but we are sure that the sun will never really set on a Royal Enfield.

Hyundai i20 Facelift spied

2012-01-21T13:28:00.007+05:30

Hyundai deserves credit for being a trendsetter in exploring the premium hatchback segment in India. Remember, the Getz was the first 'big' small car to be launched in our country. Though it did not succeed as Hyundai would have hoped, the company made sure that it hit the sweet spot with the i20, Getz's spiritual successor. Launched in December 2008, the i20 has been a massive success for Hyundai and it busted the myth that costlier hatchbacks with premium look and features will not sell in India. It has been three years hence and the competition has moved forward. Getz's nemesis, the Swift has reborn in a new avatar to challenge the i20 and global big-sellers Jazz, Polo, Micra and Punto are snapping at i20's heels.

Hyundai has decided that if it has to stand a chance against the strengthening competition, the i20 needs a facelift. There are no prizes for guessing that the i20 will also go the 'fluidic' way like the i10, Verna and Eon. Unlike the older Verna and i10, the existing i20 is a fantastically designed car and Hyundai should be careful enough not to spoil its looks. From what we know, the i20 will now come with the familiar hexagonal grille and three-dimensional headlamps up front, redesigned taillight lenses at the rear while the profile remains largely unchanged. Thanks to our reader Rajan, it is now confirmed that the headlights are very similar to the ones found in Verna and the profile is untouched. Though this is expected to be a strictly cosmetic facelift for the i20, we expect the new model to come with the Kappa2 engine with VTVT technology from the i10.

With this, Santro, Accent and Santa Fe will be the only models in Hyundai's lineup that has not been given the 'fluidic' touch.

2012 North American Car & Truck of the Year Award Winners announced

2012-01-11T21:43:00.000+05:30

As the curtains rose for the annual North American International Auto Show in Detroit early this week, one of the world’s most-awaited automotive announcements was made. The winners of the 2012 North American Car of the Year (NACOTY) and North American Truck of the Year (NATOTY) awards, considered to be the most prestigious and important in the industry, were revealed. The awards, currently in their 19th year of existence, is among the very best as more than 50 jurors from an assortment of automotive media in USA & Canada converge together and pick the winners. For 2012, it is the Hyundai Elantra and Land Rover Range Rover Evoque that has come out on tops in cars and trucks respectively.

If you thought that the critically-acclaimed, multiple award-winning and super-successful Sonata was the best Hyundai could offer, you might be proved wrong. Whatever the Sonata achieved a year back with so much fanfare, the Elantra has did that all and more. Quite understandably, the media, the public, the critics and the fans can’t have enough of it and Hyundai is not able to produce enough of them either. That the Elantra has won this award should not be a big surprise then. The Passat that best signifies Volkswagen’s resurgence in the North American market takes the runner up spot. Quite surprisingly for a Ford, the Focus ends up last amongst the finalists.

Commenting on the title winner, Jayne O’Donnell, a member of the jury from USA Today said "The Hyundai Elantra is sporty, yet sensible; luxurious, yet affordable; spunky, but safe. The Elantra is a series of paradoxes and every one is another argument for the latest, impressive entry in the Hyundai lineup".

2012 NACOTY RESULTS:

1. Hyundai Elantra – 174
2. Volkswagen Passat – 161
3. Ford Focus – 155

PREVIOUS NACOTY WINNERS:

* 2011 - Chevrolet Volt
* 2010 - Ford Fusion Hybrid
* 2009 - Hyundai Genesis
* 2008 - Chevrolet Malibu
* 2007 - Saturn Aura

To say that the Range Rover Evoque is a game-changing model for Land Rover would be an understatement to the model's abilties. And, if the Evoque keeps winning awards at this rate, Land Rover might end up using every inch of display space available at its headquarters. This smashing looking vehicle from Land Rover has changed the way we look at crossovers with a design that instantly strikes an emotional chord with the onlookers. And the result proves that with the Evoque winning by a whooping margin of 112 points. Compare this to the cars where all three finalists were separated by just 19 points and you get the picture. Honda’s successful redesign of the CR-V comes runner up with the BMW X3 taking the third and final spot.

Alex Taylor of Fortune magazine had this to say about the Evoque - "Range Rover successfully charts a new direction for the venerable SUV trailblazer with a fresh design and advanced thinking about environmental issues".

2012 NATOTY RESULTS:

1. Land Rover Range Rover Evoque – 254
2. Honda CR-V – 142
3. BMW X3 – 94

PREVIOUS NATOTY WINNERS:

* 2011 - Ford Explorer
* 2010 - Ford Transit Connect
* 2009 - Ford F-150
* 2008 - Mazda CX-9
* 2007 - Chevrolet Silverado

As we posted before, the finalists for both the titles were shortlisted by the jurors from a list of more than 30 models launched last year. Unlike in 2011 when we were spot on in guessing the winners, we were only partly right this year as the Hyundai Elantra sprung a surprise by leapfrogging Ford Focus for the title. With the Evoque already launched in India, we are sincerely hoping that the Elantra will make it to our shores at the earliest, now that Hyundai has showcased the car in the 2012 Indian Auto Expo.

Ford unveils all-new Ecosport compact SUV in New Delhi

2012-01-10T21:27:00.000+05:30

In what could be termed as the perfect curtain-raiser for the ongoing Indian Auto Expo, Ford pulled out a coup of sorts by unveiling the all-new Ecosport to the world on the eve of the biennial automotive event. What makes this unveiling more special is that this was the first time anybody in the world has seen the Ecosport, which is now in its second generation. The first generation Ecosport was developed and confined to the South American markets, especially Brazil, where it went on to become a massive success. Realizing the thirst and need for such small Sport Utility Vehicles in other parts of the world including India, this all-new Ecosport will be a global model, in line with the successful and popular ‘One Ford’ policy.

As if to ascertain the significance of Ecosport in the company’s ever-expanding lineup of global models in India and abroad, Ford CEO Alan Mulally himself flew down to New Delhi to take part in the unveiling. Speaking on the occasion, Michael Boneham, President & MD of Ford India and Joe Hinrichs, Group VP, Ford Asia Pacific & Africa, were bullish on the new model’s prospects. Atleast in India, it’s not hard to see why. Indians love Sports Utility Vehicles and there is a huge vacant space at the bottom end of the SUV market in India. Decently-specced Scorpios and Safaris cost anywhere between 10 and 12 Lacs on road and nobody really cares about the Premier Rio, which at its current price of around 6 Lacs, is actually the first player in the much-hyped compact SUV segment.

Adapting the latest cues from the company’s kinetic design language, the Ecosport, to describe in one word, looks stunning. It is tall, butch and mean, qualities that most customers crave for in a SUV. The front end, with its slim LED headlights, trapezoidal three-part chrome grille, chrome-ringed fog lights and metallic insert in the bumper looks very upmarket. The massive and muscular wheel arches dominate the profile and the slender roof rails add a touch of style and class. The presence of spare tire in the tailgate gives this SUV a rugged look that’s hard to ignore. The taillights and rear windscreen are nicely shaped to look as if they converge in the center of the tailgate. Overall, if the production version looks like this, the Ecosport would turn heads wherever you go.

Ford also announced the debut of an all-new 3-cylinder 1.0-liter ‘EcoBoost’ engine, the company’s newest and smallest yet, under the hood of the Ecosport. If you do not know already, Ford’s EcoBoost engines have become extremely popular globally as they combine turbocharging and direct injection technologies to produce higher power output at lesser displacements, thereby aiding fuel efficiency. Ford claims that this engine will have a power output of 120 PS, a figure that can rival a normal 1.6-liter engine. Mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, this engine will emit less than 140 g/km of CO2, claims Ford. In addition to this, the 1.5-liter diesel engine from the new Fiesta is also expected to power the Ecosport.

In short, the Ecosport is just what many Indian families need at the moment. It is small enough to zip inside the city, comfortable enough to cruise along in the highways and rugged enough to traverse the nearby mountain or countryside. With an overall length of under 4 meters, the Ecosport will enjoy tax benefits in India that will help Ford in pricing it competitively. The company will also be under tremendous pressure not to repeat the mistake that it did with the new Fiesta by commanding a premium. Expected to go on sale later this year or early next year, the Ecosport has 'success' written all over it unless Ford decides otherwise. Over to you, Ford!

2012 ICOTY & IMOTY Awards Announced

2012-01-09T06:24:00.000+05:30

The winners of the most prestigious automotive awards in the country, the 2012 Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY) and Indian Motorcycle of the Year (IMOTY), were announced at an event in New Delhi on the eve of the ongoing 2012 Auto Expo. This award is modeled on the lines of the popular North American Car and Truck of the Year and European Car of the Year titles, wherein a group of journalists from top automotive media come together and decide the winners.

Unlike 2011, when Ford Figo went on to win every single 'Car of the Year' award in the country to become India's most awarded car ever, this year saw a spate of high profile models being launched in India that fought hard for victory making the life of jurors tougher. Models like Mahindra XUV500, Maruti-Suzuki Swift, Hyundai Verna, Hyundai Eon and Honda Brio are all extremely competent in their own right and have won many individual awards themselves.

In the final tally, it was the Maruti-Suzuki Swift that came out on top with its winning combination of looks, space, frugality and fun-to-drive factor. With this, the second generation Swift has ensured that the legacy of its predecessor, which won the inaugral ICOTY award in 2006 before going on to smash all sales records in India, remains intact. Though Swift has been declared the winner, we are sure that models like Mahindra XUV500 and Hyundai Verna are amongst the best in their segments too and are no less competent.

2012 ICOTY RESULTS:

   Winner - Maruti-Suzuki Swift

PREVIOUS ICOTY WINNERS:

   * 2011 - Ford Figo
   * 2010 – Tata Nano
   * 2009 – Honda City
   * 2008 – Hyundai i10
   * 2007 – Honda Civic

It seems that, unlike the ICOTY award, choosing the winner of IMOTY award was an unanimous decision with the Honda CBR250R coming out easily on top. Honda's all-new model that was developed specifically for the Asian markets has created quite a ripple with people inside and outside the industry going gaga over it. The fact that it introduced Antilock Braking System in a motorcycle in India amongst its other innovative features and technologies makes it a worthy winner. This is the second year in a row Honda has won this award.

2012 IMOTY RESULTS:

   Winner - Honda CBR 250R

PREVIOUS IMOTY WINNERS:

   * 2011 - Honda CB Twister
   * 2010 - Kawasaki Ninja 250R
   * 2009 - Yamah YZF R15
   * 2008 - Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi

Images Source: Overdrive (www.overdrive.in)

2011 Top Selling Cars - USA

2012-01-09T05:51:00.003+05:30

All right, the new year has just begun and memories of the year that was would still be fresh in the back of our minds. Before they start fading away, it is time to look at what clicked and what not in 2011. Though it has lost its charm as the world's biggest automotive market with China taking up that enviable position, the 'all is well as long as its big' market of United States of America is still the second largest in the world by volume and a big contributor to the profitability of auto manufacturers.

So, here are the top selling automobiles in USA for 2011. There are no surprises at the top with the Ford F-Series taking the crown as the largest selling vehicle for 35th year in a row. Now you know why we said all is well there as long as its big. The usual suspects of Chevrolet Silverado and Toyota Camry come second and third, the latter impressively holding its forte despite Toyota's troubles with the recalls and production disrupments caused by natural calamities in Japan and Thailand.

Nissan Altima and Ford Escape posted big gains and pushed the Honda Accord and Crosstour twins to sixth. Ford Fusion and Ram Pickup continue their impressive run climbing to seventh and eighth positions relegating the usual big-seller Toyota Corolla to ninth. With Ford's all-new Escape and Fusion coming in, things are looking mighty good for the blue oval brand. Chevrolet's success story with the Cruze across the world unfolded in USA too with the new Chevy entering the top ten with a bang.

2011 Top 10 in USA:

1. Ford F-Series - 584,917
2. Chevrolet Silverado - 415,130
3. Toyota Camry - 308,510
4. Nissan Altima - 268,981
5. Ford Escape - 254,293
6. Honda Accord/Crosstour - 253,599
7. Ford Fusion - 248,067
8. Ram Pickup - 244,763
9. Toyota Corolla/Matrix - 240,259
10. Chevrolet Cruze - 232,588

* Star Performer of 2011 - Ford Escape
* Expected Star Performer for 2012 - Chevrolet Cruze

Source for Figures: www.examiner.com

As we predicted last year, Hyundai Sonata continued to sell in big numbers and the model almost made it to the top ten with Hyundai still not able to make enough of Sonatas and Elantras. Honda's rather average redesign of the Civic and the production disruptions at Japan and Thailand ensured that our predictions of Accord and Civic overtaking Toyota's Camry and Corolla in sales went haywire. Also to be noted is Volkswagen's slow and silent climb with the new Jetta putting in an impressive show.

Ford Escape's massive climb from well outside the top ten to as high as fifth in the list makes it the stand-out performer in 2011. For 2012 though, we expect the hot-selling Chevrolet Cruze to make even more giant and rapid strides up the list. Wait for another year to find out if our predictions come true.

Is Nissan not done with the Sunny variants yet?

2012-01-09T05:35:00.001+05:30

We all know that Nissan launched the Sunny sedan in India a few months back. Though the model is based on the same V Platform as the Micra hatchback, Nissan has done well to create a new identity for the Sunny completely distinguishing it from its hatch sibling. Merely months after the launch, Nissan surprised us all by launching the diesel variants. We had driven and posted a comprehensive review of the Sunny Diesel here.

Just when we thought that the Sunny is all settled for now, we receive images of this vehicle being tested in the outskirts of Chennai with its badges and logo masked. On close observation, it dawns on us that nothing is new in this Sunny variant except for the red color with a pinkish tint in it. The absence of Pure Drive badging and the alloy wheels makes it clear that this is the top-end petrol variant being tested.

So, what are you cooking up Nissan? We are all ears.

Bajaj unveils RE60, a low-cost four-wheeler

2012-01-04T21:50:00.000+05:30

In what could be termed as the perfect precedent to the forthcoming Indian Auto Expo, Bajaj Auto unveiled the RE60, it's low cost 4-wheeler in New Delhi yesterday. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rajiv Bajaj, MD of Bajaj Auto made it amply clear that this vehicle is intended to be an evolution of their three-wheeler and, as such, it is a big step-up in the right direction. Unlike many other stories doing rounds in the media, we do not want to fool you by saying that this vehicle is a Tata Nano competitor. Well, to be frank, this is not even a car.

True to its tradition of creating brands out of individual models, Bajaj has not used its logo or name anywhere in the vehicle. Since this is being pitched in as a replacement to the three-wheeled auto-rickshaw which is a commercial vehicle, Bajaj has branded this vehicle as RE. The last two digits in RE60 denotes its 60 g/km of CO2 emissions, which is just half of what an average small car emit. The RE60 will be powered by a 200cc, water-cooled, 4-valve petrol engine with twin spark technology (DTS-i) and closed loop fuel injection system.

Look at it as a car and it looks truly horrible. But, as Bajaj rightly pointed out, look at it as a potential replacement to the auto rickshaw and it suddenly looks better. The RE60 is narrow, tall and made of a monocoque metal polymer hybrid body structure that results in a very less kerb weight of just around 400 kg. There were two variants showcased - a commercial and a deluxe. The Kia Soul-inspired headlamps and wheels of the deluxe version, that also has body colored bumpers and mirrors are the only true highlights of the design.

The RE60 is bare-bone minimal when it comes to features but, then again, compare it to an auto-rickshaw and it brings in never-heard-before features for the segment such as doors, hard-top roof, seat belts and, above all, the safety and stability of four wheels. With the engine producing around 20 bhp of power, the RE60 will have a limited top speed of around 70 km/hr which is enough for its target application of intra-city passenger transport. The RE60 is claimed to have a real world fuel-efficiency of 35 km/l and will come with LPG and CNG fuel options too.

We all know that Bajaj entered into an ultimately-failed alliance with Renault-Nissan to develop a low cost car to compete with the Tata Nano. A prototype was even displayed at the 2008 Auto Expo which looked and felt like a car. Over the course of time, it seems that development has changed track and what we have now is this, a basic four-wheeler that does not fit into the passenger car segment. But, Bajaj says that Renault-Nissan has still not seen the vehicle and are free to decide whether to sell this under their brand names or not.

To sum it up, the RE60 is a thumbs-up evolution of the auto rickshaw and we really wouldn't mind this replacing those notorious three-wheelers from our cities. While Bajaj has not announced the pricing of the RE60 yet, reports indicate that it is expected to be priced around 1.5 Lakh Rupees when it goes on sale later this year. With the Tata Nano not really setting the sales charts on fire in India owing to its cheap image and fire-related incidents, whether the market will welcome the Bajaj RE60 with open arms is anybody's guess.

DC Design to launch India's first supercar at 2012 Auto Expo

2012-01-01T10:56:00.000+05:30

Let's face it. Anybody who calls themselves an automobile enthusiast in India will be knowing DC Design. Though most of their designs are a bit weird and outlandish, there is no denying the fact that they are all head-turners. Owned and named after Dilip Chhabria, arguably India's most popular automobile designer, DC Design now plans to move away from being only a design house and customization firm to join the big league.

And the forthcoming 2012 Auto Expo is the event in which the design house is planning to unveil its first production model. True to their heritage, it will be a supercar and reports indicte that the car is going to be powered by a turbocharged V6 engine sourced from Honda producing close to 400 HP. That's not all. With the car itself touted to weigh 1560 kg, the power-to-weight ratio of 257 bhp/tonne is surreal and is sure to set the pulses racing.

“With this car, we are making the transformation from a design house to a production house,” said Dilip Chhabria, the promoter of DC Design. “It will offer the looks, feel, dimensions, quality and fit and finish comparable to super-cars from Lamborghini and Ferrari, minus the horsepower.” Though this seems to be a pretty tall claim, we are eagerly waiting to get our hands on what can be touted as India's first and only super-car till date.

And the best thing of them all is that this supercar is not coming with a hyper price tag. Various sources indicate that DC Design plans to launch this car at a price of around 30 Lakh Rupees. At that price point, it makes tremendous sense as the Indian market is devoid of sports cars at that price range. Internationally, cars like Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro and Hyundai Genesis Coupe are quite a rage and this DC car could well become one in India.

We wish you a very happy New Year

2012-01-01T07:39:00.001+05:30

Let's dig into a little bit of history here. Anything On Wheels was started as a personal blog a couple of years ago with the sole intention of using it as a platform for expressing my personal views and opinions on what is happening in the automotive industry. Slowly and steadily, the blog has gathered steam and is growing day-by-day into a reliable source of interesting information related to anything on wheels.

2011 has been easily the best year yet with a lot of media friends identifying and recognizing the blog for the hard work that was done in the form of posts that included Spy Shots, New Launches, Test Drives, Milestones and what not. A lot of friends from and outside the industry sent me mails stating that Anything On Wheels has become a sort of Spy Shots specialist and they continuously come to the blog to get updates.

Above all, what makes me really happy is that, through this blog, I have gained a rather large chunk of readers (or, should I call them well-wishers?) who not only spend their valuable time reading my posts, but also take pains in sending mails giving their feedback and comments. Consenting to such kind-hearted souls, Anything On Wheels has now started posting on all important happenings in the industry.

On this note, I would like to wish all the readers and media friends a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2012. In this year, I will take all steps to streamline the posts and change the overall look and feel of this blog to something more formal and professional. You might have noted that a few steps in that direction has already started and I can assure you that they will continue to make the overall experience much better.

With the increasing viewership comes the ever-increasing responsibility to bring out the best. And with that I admit that I am no more the sole soul involved in this blog. Arun Varadarajan and Abishek have become a sort of camera crew for the blog participating actively in most of the photo-shoots that we undertake for our posts. Once again, in a true automobile enthusiast fashion, have a fantastic and free-revving New Year!

Driven #9: Nissan Sunny Diesel

2011-12-26T21:32:00.000+05:30

Even though Nissan has been a late entrant to the Indian market and the company has one of the thinnest dealership network amongst all mainstream brands in our country, it's cars, the Micra and Sunny, has been consistently selling in good numbers. The Sunny especially, launched just recently with only petrol variants, seems to have established a clear niche for itself in the midsize sedan segment with sales hovering above 1000 units each month. With the craze for diesel fuel sweeping across the country right now, Nissan knows that it can't afford to continue without one for long and it has been smart enough to come out with the diesel variants just 3 months after Sunny's launch.

As with most manufacturers now, Nissan has also decided to stick a badge onto the boot of its models highlighting their supposedly 'green' credentials. That's how the 'Pure Drive' badge, that looks and sounds surprisingly similar to Hyundai's 'Blue Drive' moniker, has found a place in the Sunny dCi. So, how is the Sunny diesel to drive? Does it live up to the high standards that customers in this segment have come to expect of late? Is it competitive enough to pose a threat to the segment top-sellers, the Hyundai Verna and Volkswagen Vento? Read on, to find out.

TO LOOK & FEEL:

The Sunny, also called Versa and Almera in some markets, is a globally successful model for Nissan and, as a result, the company has played it very safe with its redesign. Do not be surprised if, at first glance, the Sunny goes completely unnoticed in a crowd, as it's styling neither stuns nor offends. The front-end with its tear-drop head lamps, the chrome-outlined grille and circular fog lamps is the most impressive part of the Sunny. The profile just goes to show how big the car really is and the rear-end is characterized by those tail lamps that extends far into the sides and the chunky C-Pillar. Though the rear three-quarter view shows some hints of Swift Dzire in it, the overall execution of the rear end is far better in the Sunny.

Though we agree that the clean looks of the Sunny will not disappoint anybody, in a segment that is beaming with the classy Fiat Linea, flashy Hyundai Verna and muscular Skoda Rapid, the Sunny does look out of place. Though the Sunny is based on the same V Platform that underpins the Micra, Nissan has made sure that the two cars do not resemble each other from any angle. Thus, unlike competitors like Indigo and Dzire which invariably draws comparisons with Indica and Swift respectively, the Sunny will not be associated with its hatch sibling at all. Step in and the interiors cut a different story. Most of the parts are lifted straight from the Micra while many others clearly shows its relation to the Micra.

The interiors that are finished in a light shade of grey with brushed silver inserts here and there are easy on the eye. The most interesting part are the Fine Vision Meters that are big, bold and legible with the Multi Information Display in between that gives all essential data like outside temperature, twin trip meters and average and instantaneous fuel efficiency. The 3-spoke steering wheel that could have been slightly meatier for our tastes comes with integrated audio controls. Though the top half of the center console is different, the air vents, the door pads and the entire air-conditioning unit are the same as Micra's with the latter's unique circular theme being the highlight. The Engine Start/Stop button in a light shade of pink attracts eyeballs like no other.

Though the overall fit and finish is quite good with even panel gaps and top-notch paint quality, there are a few shockingly iffy bits that we encountered. The roof-mounted interior light for example, comes with a switch that even a child can pluck out. The screws in door handles could have been covered with a rubber seal instead of being exposed as they are. Nevertheless, Nissan has loaded the Sunny with all possible features for this segment and the car stacks up well compared to its competitors.

A big thumbs up to Nissan for not compromising on safety with Antilock Braking System, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Brake Assist and Driver Airbag standard on all variants of the Sunny. Remember, even the base variant that doesn't come with body colored mirrors, handles and wheel caps has all these safety features. It’s about time all manufacturers opt this strategy and make safety a compulsion instead of giving it as a payable option as it is right now, which most of us conveniently choose to ignore. Take a bow, Nissan.

ON THE ROAD:

As they always say, the first impression is the best and Nissan has done well to impress at the very first stint. The iKey and Push Button feature that has endeared Micra owners before are there on the Sunny too. Press the small black button on the door handle, step in, get settled in the comfy front seats, step on the clutch and press the Start/Stop button. The engine cranks on and you immediately know that it’s a diesel. The engine is pretty noisy and vibrates hard when cranking up, but immediately settles into a nice thrum afterwards. NVH levels in the Sunny are strictly average, especially after 3000 rpm when the engine gets very noisy. Open the hood and you know why. All variants including the diesel ones lack any sort of sound-deadening material.

Powered by a 4-cylinder 1.5-liter K9K engine that was jointly developed by the Renault-Nissan Alliance, the Sunny diesel churns out a maximum power output of 86PS at 3750 rpm and a maximum torque of 200 Nm at 2000 rpm. As the figures would suggest, torque is available right from low end of the power-band and the K9K engine revs cleanly till the redline. The generous low-end torque means that the Sunny diesel is effortless to drive in bumper-to-bumper city traffic with the car pulling away nicely in the second and third gears. The Sunny accelerates briskly until 120 kph after which the engine feels strained. The turbo kick that most of the automobile enthusiasts crave for, is just not there in the Sunny.

What impresses though are the driving dynamics of the car. The presence of heavier diesel engine in our test car has aided in better distribution of weight that it felt more stable and planted on the road than the petrol variant. The ride is a bit stiff and the bumps, potholes and other undulations on the road filter into the cabin unlike in, say a Volkswagen Vento. But, the overall ride is nowhere uncomfortable and remains comfy enough. The handling is well sorted out and the car willingly turns into corners at all speeds. What is commendable is that the steering feels super-light at slow speeds but weighs up nicely once speeds build up. Thus, the Sunny gives you the best of both worlds - an effortless drive inside the city and a confidence-inspiring drive on the highways.

Gearshifts are surprisingly notchy and slot into their places with an audible click 'noise' that gets irritating beyond a certain point. Another thing in the Sunny that takes time getting used to is the brakes. The brake pedal has a fair amount of play and feels spongy the first time we press it. Though we invariably tend to get used to it over time, it is quite hard to judge the stopping distance at first, as it is devoid of any feel for a few seconds before the brakes start engaging. Once we understand them though, the Sunny feels stable and composed, even under hard braking. ABS, EBD and BA does make their presence felt here.

SPECIFICATIONS:

* Engine Type: SOHC, 8-Valves, Common Rail
* No of Cylinders: 4
* Displacement: 1461 cc
* Maximum Power: 86 PS @ 3750 RPM
* Maximum Torque: 200 Nm @ 2000 RPM
* Transmission Type: 5-speed MT
* Tires: 185/65 R15 (XV)
* Brakes: Disc (Front), Drum (Rear)

WHAT'S COOL:

* Space, space and more space
* Feature loaded (ABS, EBD, BA, iKey, Start/Stop Button)
* Good Low-end torque
* Linear Power Delivery

WHAT'S NOT SO COOL:

* Notchy Gearshifts
* Sparse Service Network

TO SUM UP:

With the addition of diesel variants to the Sunny lineup, Nissan has all but ensured that the Sunny's initial success in the Indian market continues. With a package that excels in safety features, does everything else well except for the noisy engine and the notchy gearshift, the Sunny makes an appealing case for itself and has all the potential to challenge the segment leaders. With 16 million units sold across the world spanning 9 generations, India is just another market in which the caaaaarrrrr is going to leave a mark.

Daimler decides to shut down 'Maybach' brand, finally

2011-12-21T21:19:00.000+05:30

We knew it coming before and finally, here it is. Daimler AG has announced that it is shutting down its super-luxury ‘Maybach’ brand after almost a decade of incurring losses with its two models, the 57 and 62, variants of which are priced upwards of $ 350,000. Daimler reintroduced the Maybach brand in the year 2002 with much fanfare and expectations to challenge BMW’s Rolls-Royce and Audi’s Bentley. But, the brand that had a rich legacy dating back to the 1930’s failed miserably and could not challenge the exclusivity and richness of either the Rolls-Royce or the Bentley.

In 2003, Maybach’s best year till date, sales peaked at 600 units before sliding to a mere 200 units last year. Pitch that against Rolls-Royce’s 2700 units and Bentley’s 5100 units sold in 2010 and you get the picture. A mild update recently with new chrome grille and more fuel-efficient 12 cylinder engine didn’t help the sagging sales nor did the addition of special editions and variants. After extensive internal discussions on what would be the best route to achieve the greatest possible success in luxury segment, Daimler concluded that sales prospects were better off at Mercedes-Benz.

Referring to the Maybach, Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Daimler AG has reportedly said “It would not make sense to develop a successor model”. Daimler spokesperson Mark Binder, while confirming the statement added that “The coming S-Class is such a superior vehicle, it can replace the Maybach”. Daimler plans to continue selling the car until 2013 when the all-new S-Class will be launched in the market. The company plans to double the number of variants of the new S-Class to counter the loss of Maybach and also to increase the sales and step up the challenge to BMW and Audi.

The last few years have not been great for Mercedes-Benz with the company losing its leadership in the luxury segment to BMW in 2005. This year, Mercedes-Benz has slipped further back with Audi taking the second spot away from the three-pointed star. An alarming statistic tells that both BMW and Audi have grown at more than five times the pace of Mercedes-Benz in the last decade. The flagship S-Class has been the only saving grace for Mercedes-Benz as it consistently beats BMW’s 7-Series and Audi’s A8, not only in comparison tests but also in sales charts.

As an automotive enthusiast, it pains to hear the loss of yet another brand. But, with a global sales figure of just a couple of hundred units, Daimler would be bleeding money to keep the brand running. With all these developments and reports, the urge to get a sneak peak of the all-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the next iteration of what is widely considered as ‘the best car in the world’ excluding the super-luxury marques, just got more intense. Please do not make us wait for long, Mercedes-Benz!

Mahindra mini-Xylo (U203) seen testing near Pune

2011-12-20T06:31:00.000+05:30

Mahindra, the fast-rising Indian automotive company, is in one heck of an expansion mode right now. Be it in two-wheelers, be it in electric vehicles or be it in international acquisitions, Mahindra is into it all right now. This, my dear folks, could be the biggest of them all, as this particular model could become a sort of a trend-setter, creating an all-new segment in the crowded Indian automotive space and ruling it all by itself. How about a butch mini-SUV like vehicle with the proportions of a hatchback and the space and comfort of a MPV? Sounds like a sure-shot success formula, right? We think so too and so does Mahindra. The company has been developing a mini-MPV based on the Xylo for quite some time now and the test mules have been spotted many times at various places.

This latest test vehicle was spotted in the Mumbai-Pune Expressway a couple of days back indicating that Mahindra is leaving nothing to chance and the launch could still be a few months away. Remember that it was the Premier Rio which started the trend of mini-SUV in India. But, poor fit and finish, questionable quality due to its Chinese inheritance and overall negative perception of the Premier brand all but ensured that the Rio never took off in our market. Similar in concept and slightly bigger than the Premier Rio and, to an extent, the Maruti-Suzuki Wagon-R, the mini-Xylo (or whatever it is going to be called) has all the potential to make it really big and eat into the market share of small cars in India.

Following the footsteps of its bigger sibling, the mini-Xylo would be having more-than-adequate passenger room and the big advantage of a powerful and frugal diesel engine. To get an idea of how big this vehicle is, look at the picture in which the mini-Xylo completely dwarfs the Tata Indigo just ahead of it. The tall and boxy design along with touches like tailgate-mounted spare tire gives this vehicle the mini-SUV look that many Indians love and crave for. Just like the XUV 500 exceeded all expectations, smashed all sales records and created a segment on its own, we can expect the mini-Xylo to do the same in a much more competitive and affordable price point.

By the way, thanks to our reader friend BS Guru for sending us these snaps and giving us the info that this particular test vehicle was comfortably doing around 150 kph in the Expressway and that they had a very tough time keeping up with it. With all these tidbits flowing in, the expectations are only getting bigger and bigger and we just can't wait for this model to hit the market.

2012 North American Car & Truck of the Year Finalists Announced

2011-12-17T22:54:00.000+05:30

Here they are. The finalists for the eagerly-awaited and tough-to-crack 2012 North American Car and Truck of the Year awards have been announced. And, the models that make the final cut are Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra and Volkswagen Passat in cars and BMW X3, Honda CR-V and Land Rover Range Rover Evoque in trucks. If you are wondering, Sports Utility Vehicles and Crossovers are classified as trucks in USA. These finalists have been chosen from a list of over 30 all-new or significantly-revised models that went on sale in North America in the past 12 months. The list included extremely competitive models such as Audi A6, Audi A7, Toyota Prius V and Mercedes-Benz M Class. Now you know why we said these awards are tough to crack.

If you do not know already, these awards are unique in the United States because, instead of being given by a single media outlet or entity, they are awarded by a coalition of automotive journalists from USA and Canada representing all forms of media that includes magazines, television, radio, newspapers and websites. The title-winners will be announced on the opening day of the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit on Jan-09. The awards, considered to be one of the most significant in the automotive world, are currently in their 19th year. In 2011, it was Chevrolet Volt and Ford Explorer which won the North American Car and Truck of the Year titles respectively.

This time though, our bet is on the Ford Focus and Land Rover Range Rover Evoque to win the titles, but the Hyundai Elantra and BMW X3 could spring a big surprise. Let us wait and watch!

2012 Ward's 10 Best Engines Announced

2011-12-15T07:02:00.000+05:30

It's award season again in the automotive world and it is time to embrace ourselves and get to know who is winning what in the industry. As usual, leading the list of announcements and awards is the Ward's 10 Best Engines, a truly one-of-its-kind award honoring engine excellence. The list of 10 Best Engines for 2012 has just been announced and the winners will be crowned at a gala event to be held at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit on Jan-11-2012.

This list all but proves that Direct Injection is the way forward for the industry as no less than 7 out of this year's 10 best engines has this tech integrated into it. Direct Injection started gaining popularity roughly a decade back with common-rail turbo diesels and now, it is the turn of high-pressure gasoline direct injection. Whether deployed in diesel or gasoline engines, Direct Injection has proved to reduce fuel consumption and improve low-end torque, which aids better acceleration.

Ford and BMW has two entries each while Chrysler, GM, Mazda, Infiniti and Volkswagen (for its Audi brand) take home an award each. Having been in this elusive list now for three years in a row for its high-end Tau V8 engine, Hyundai is represented this time around with the 1.6 liter GDI 'Gamma' engine, the smallest displacement engine in the list. Infiniti's Direct Response Hybrid system in the M35h is the only hybrid-electric power-train here and it is noteworthy that this engine has trumped the other German luxury hybrids to this spot.

The following are the winners for 2012 along with the applications in which the engines were tested:

* 3.0L TFSI Supercharged DOHC V-6 (Audi A6)
* 2.0L N20 Turbocharged DOHC I-4 (BMW Z4/528i)
* 3.0L N55 Turbocharged DOHC I-6 (BMW 335i Coupe)
* 3.6L Pentastar DOHC V-6 (Chrysler 300S/Jeep Wrangler)
* 2.0L EcoBoost DOHC I-4 (Ford Edge)
* 5.0L DOHC V-8 (Ford Mustang Boss 302)
* 2.0L Turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Buick Regal GS)
* 1.6L DOHC I-4 (Hyundai Accent/Kia Soul)
* 2.0L Skyactiv DOHC I-4 (Mazda 3)
* 3.5L DOHC V-6 HEV (Infiniti M35h)

Volkswagen Jetta TSI (petrol) spotted yet again

2011-12-10T17:44:00.000+05:30

It has been exactly a week since we spotted the Volkswagen Jetta TSI testing in Pune. Now, we have more snaps of the same vehicle being extensively tested in and around Pune, clearly indicating that the launch is not too far away. We believe that Volkswagen would launch the Jetta TSI with much fanfare in the forthcoming 2012 Auto Expo at New Delhi. Let's not forget that the Jetta is currently sold in India with diesel variants only, perfectly matching with the current craze for diesel cars in India. What is under the hood of this Jetta TSI is still a big mystery though.

There are sources telling us that the Jetta TSI will definitely come with the 1.8 liter engine that is already powering cars like Skoda Laura, Superb and the base variant of Audi A4. Also, there are widespread rumors that the 1.4 liter TSI engine would be launched under the hood of the Jetta thus enabling it to be priced more competitively and compete against Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic. We personally feel that the Jetta TSI should come with the stonking 1.8 liter engine and the 1.4 liter TSI engine should be powering smaller cars like the Polo and Vento.

But, until Volkswagen decides to crack open the news themselves, this will remain a mystery!

Cool Concepts #3 - Mercedes-Benz Aero Trailer

2011-12-07T22:29:00.000+05:30

The word ‘truck’ is almost always associated with the image of a big, slow-moving and a high-polluting vehicle. Atleast in India, this image of a ‘truck’ holds good as the design of the trucks that we get to see here are neither aerodynamic enough to punch a big hole efficiently in the air nor are they powerful enough to aid quick acceleration and high speeds. The situation only gets worse when it comes to tractor trailers as they are bigger, slower and more polluting than the regular trucks. It is not highly uncommon to see a single tractor trailer blocking the way and slowing down an entire chain of other vehicles on our highways. But, Mercedes-Benz seems to have a solution for this.

The ‘Aero Trailer Concept’ that was showcased at the Trailer 2011 show that took place in Belgium in the last week of November is Mercedes’ interpretation of how the future trailers should be. The trailer coupled with the Actros tractor is modern, stylish and aerodynamic – terms that you do not normally associate with a big rig. The design of the Aero Trailer proves that trucks can also look stunning and make us drool over their looks when they are not designed with rulers and set squares, as is often the norm. The Aero Trailer is not all show and no go as it boasts features like air dam, body taper and rear diffuser – things that would hitherto make sense only on exotic sports cars and F1 cars.

FACTFILE:

* Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz

* Model Name: Aero Trailer Concept

* Debut: Trailer 2011, Belgium

* Competitors: All other Trailers

Overall, Mercedes-Benz claims that the Aero Trailer offers 18% less wind resistance which, in turn, reduces the fuel consumption by 5%. For an average running of 150,000 km a year, that would mean a saving of 2000 liters of diesel fuel and a huge 5 ton reduction in the amount of carbon-di-oxide released into the atmosphere. Be it the air dam, the side trim panels, the rear diffuser or the rear end extension called “boat tail”, Mercedes-Benz has tested each of these features in the wind tunnel before incorporating them in the concept. With more than 25 years of research in aerodynamics, the company is planning a lot of other things that would make tractor trailers more endearing to the environment.

With all this hard work already done, I say ‘Bring it on, Mercedes-Benz’. If not for protecting the environment, at least it would make the roads a much better place to look at and drive through.

Force Traveller Mini Bus and other variants spotted testing in Pune

2011-12-06T19:05:00.004+05:30

When there is just one model in your portfolio that is earning you your bread and butter, you invariably tend to throw your weight on that particular model. Unfortunately, Pune-based Force Motors is in such a situation right now. Except the Mercedes-Benz based Traveller that has been a top-seller in its segment for more than a decade now, none of the company’s other models including the Force One, it’s much hyped and recently launched premium SUV, has succeeded in our market. So, it’s only quite natural that Force Motors would do all it takes and all it can to ensure that the Traveller success story continues. Here is proof that the company is doing just that.

Believe it or not, three different variants of Force Travellers were spotted testing at different timings in different areas of Pune City on the same day, clearly indicating that the Traveller range is all set for a major expansion and upgrade. Currently, the Traveller comes in no less than 4 wheelbase options with variants that include everything from a luxury version with individual push-back seats and factory-fitted air-conditioning system to factory-built special purpose vehicles like school buses and ambulances. All the variants though share the same Mercedes-Benz derived 2.6 liter turbocharged engine with a maximum power output of 82 HP.

Coming to the variants that were spotted testing, the first one was a Traveller Luxury identifiable with the roof-mounted air-conditioning unit. It looked absolutely normal from the rear and the sides but the front end was partly camouflaged. Does that hint at a minor facelift that could be on the way? The second test vehicle spotted was the base-variant and it had nothing different from the existing model except for the unique brown color and a 'Bosch-Force Test Vehicle' sticker. With a lot of ~~rumors of the possible launch of a common-rail diesel engine in the Traveller circulating around~~, has Force Motors joined hands with Bosch, global leaders in common-rail systems, for developing this technology?

The third and perhaps the most interesting variant spotted was this long wheelbase variant. Closer inspection revealed that this test vehicle was not having the split rear tailgate with external hinges that are a staple feature on all Travellers. Instead, it came fitted with a nice looking fixed rear windshield. Also, there were two rear tires on each side of the vehicle, something that even the Traveller Smooth, the longest variant in the existing lineup with a whopping 4020mm wheelbase, does not come with. So, is Force Motors trying to sneak into the mini-bus segment with this variant of the Traveller that, if launched, will have the advantage of monocoque construction and an already popular lineage?

We are not betting against any of these as we know that the Traveller is a very important model for Force Motors and it plays a significant role in the sustainability of the company itself. Now that all the questions from our side are listed out, its upto Force Motors to give us the definitive answers. The wait begins.

EDIT: We just heard that all variants of the Force Traveller are already being powered by a Mercedes-Benz derived common rail diesel engine. If this is true, then the company's website is still not updated with this critical info. The inconvenience caused is regretted. Also, reports are out that Force Motors is planning to launch a 26-seater mini bus at the Auto Expo in January. The third vehicle that you see in this post would most likely be the one that is being referred to here.

Kimi returns to F1 in 2012 with Lotus Renault

2011-12-06T05:52:00.000+05:30

For die-hard fans and followers of Formula 1, 2011 is a year to forget as Sebastian Vettel and his Red Bull Racing team literally crushed and tore apart the competition in what could be termed as one of the most boring and one-sided championship ever in the sport’s history. The fact that it came right after one of F1’s most interesting and enthralling season in 2010 in which Fernando Alonso, Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel went into the final race still fighting for the championship only made things worse.

Nevertheless, the 2011 season will always be unforgettable for a few things – Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa both enduring a tough season with no less than 6 contacts on track, Webber absolutely clueless to stop the Vettel train and, above all, India successfully hosting its first ever F1 race at the Buddh International Circuit near New Delhi. Now, there is one more news to cheer about. Kimi Raikkonen, the 2007 F1 World Champion who left the sport in 2009 but continued to be unbelievably popular in the F1 paddock, has announced his comeback in F1.

Kimi, who had raced for Sauber and Mclaren before, came to Ferrari in 2007 stepping into the big shoes of Michael Schumacher. In his very first year with Ferrari, Kimi won the world championship from McLaren’s fighting duo of Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso by a single point. The years 2008 and 2009, in which he took just 3 victories out of 35 races, were not great partly due to the lack of pace of the Ferrari and partly due to Kimi’s perceived lack of motivation. Even though he had a contract for 2010, Kimi was paid to sit out by Ferrari in favor of Fernando Alonso.

After persistent rumors of his return to F1 with several teams over the past two years, Lotus Renault has finally managed to convince Kimi to get behind the wheel of a F1 car. With changes like DRS and Pirellis that caught out drivers like Mark Webber and Felipe Massa this year, it is not going to be really easy for Kimi to come back and get up to speed immediately. But, with 16 pole positions, 18 race victories, 62 podiums, 35 fastest laps and 579 points in his belt, Kimi is one driver to watch out for in 2012, provided the car is competitive.

With this announcement, the 2012 Formula 1 grid will have no less than 6 World Champions in Michael Schumacher(1994-95, 2000-04), Sebastian Vettel (2010-11), Fernando Alonso (2005-06), Kimi Raikkonen (2007), Lewis Hamilton (2008) and Jenson Button (2009) who, among them, hold a record 14 championships. Now, if only Ferrari and McLaren could find some pace in their cars to challenge the Red Bulls and Mercedes could break into the top league, the 2012 F1 season would become all the more exciting. I, for one, just can’t wait for the parade of champions to begin!

Toyota Innova Facelift seen testing in Chennai

2011-12-05T19:12:00.000+05:30

Dominating a particular segment and crushing the competition is nothing new for Toyota. The Japanese manufacturer has a knack of doing it across several automotive segments in many countries across the world. In India though, there is only one segment where Toyota’s domination is literally unchallenged, and that is in the MPV segment (Multi Purpose Vehicles). Toyota has been ruling this segment for more than a decade now starting with the erstwhile Qualis and continuing with the Innova. Competition came and went in the form of Tata Sumo, Chevrolet Tavera, Mahindra Xylo and more recently Tata Aria, but none of them were able to even slightly shake up the Innova.

Even though the Innova is still on top of its segment setting the sales charts on fire, Toyota always prefers to keep its models updated. And so, here comes the Innova Facelift. There are quite a lot of spy shots of the Innova Facelift that has popped out in the internet. Here are a few snaps from our side to add to the World Wide Web. This partly-camouflaged Innova test vehicle was spotted and snapped when it was negotiating stop-start traffic in Chennai city. This new model is already launched in many markets like Thailand and Indonesia as Kijang Innova and was also recently displayed at the Dubai Motor Show. The Indian version is going to be no different and the attached picture reveals the mystery of how it is going to look.

This is a strictly cosmetic facelift with the new Innova getting redesigned headlights, grille and bumper up front, new taillight lenses at the rear and nothing much beyond that. It is expected to come with the same set of engines as the existing model which means that the 2.5 liter common-rail diesel engine with a power output of 102 PS and the 2.0 liter gasoline engine churning out 132 PS of power will stay put. Reports suggest that the mechanical components are also going to be left untouched and the Innova will continue to come with the best-in-segment ride and handling that has endeared it to buyers all these years. All in all, the king of MPV segment is looking mighty good to continue its reign at the top for a few more years to come.

Volkswagen Jetta TSI (Petrol) spotted in Pune

2011-12-03T19:42:00.000+05:30

The Volkswagen Automotive Group seems to be having its hands full at the moment in India. There has been a spate of activity going on with a fair mix of new variants and all-new models being launched in the market under Volkswagen, Skoda and Audi brands. One significant launch in recent months was that of the all-new Volkswagen Jetta. The car, with its gorgeous looks, Audi-inspired rear-end design and powerful yet fuel-efficient diesel engine, met with a tremendous response in our market. Within a few months of launch, the Volkswagen Jetta, with no petrol variant in its lineup, has already started outselling the Skoda Laura, which comes with petrol, diesel and even the sporty ‘vRS’ version that was launched recently.

But, Volkswagen being what it is, is not content with it and wants to take it’s sibling rivalry to new heights. Going by this spy shot that was captured in Pune today, the highly acclaimed and technologically advanced ‘TSI’ petrol engine will soon be found under the hood of the new Jetta. It doesn’t need a lot of common sense to guess that this engine would most probably be the same 1.8 liter version with a power output of 160 bhp that does duty in Audi’s A4 and Skoda’s Laura and Superb. There are also rumors going around in the online media that Volkswagen could launch the less powerful but equally less expensive 1.4 liter TSI engine in the Jetta with a claimed power output of 122 bhp. Now, that could compete on specs and price with the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.

The TSI engine was first introduced in India under the hood of the short-lived but extremely popular Skoda Octavia vRS. Since then, the TSI engines have developed a cult following and are very popular among the enthusiasts, not only in India but also across the world. In fact, Volkswagen’s TSI family of engines have been voted as one among the world’s best engines for many years in a row. With an engine of such pedigree combined with the stunning looks of the new Jetta, it looks to me as a perfect recipe for success. Volkswagen might launch the Jetta TSI in the upcoming 2012 Auto Expo to be held at New Delhi but it’s success will entirely depend upon the company’s pricing strategy. Watch this space!

Kia Picanto (Morning) spotted testing in Chennai

2011-11-23T07:30:00.001+05:30

Not so long ago, there were speculations flying around in the media about the possible entry of Kia, Hyundai's sister brand into India. Hyundai promptly refused the rumors and said that Kia's plans for India was shelved and it is not going to make it here anytime soon. Coming from Hyundai itself, it was reason enough to believe that Kia is not destined for the Indian market and close the chapter. Well, it is time now to reopen the Kia subject as a friend of mine spotted, snapped and sent me the picture of a bright green Kia Picanto doing rounds in Chennai.

This is the closest and clearest shot yet of the Kia Picanto in India. What on earth would a Kia small car be doing here with 'Test' registration plates and its badges and logo masked? Like some manufacturers do, Kia could be conducting some global tests on the Picanto in India to test its worthiness without any intentions to launch it here. Or, it could well be using the existing Picanto's body shell to test the underpinnings of the next generation i10 and Picanto as the two share many components. But, we wish to believe otherwise.

With no less than 4 small cars in its lineup that already overlaps between each other in price and positioning, Hyundai has left no space to launch another small car here to grow further and increase their volumes. Obviously, the next phase of growth for Hyundai can only come through Kia and this test mule has just sparked all speculations about the possible launch of the brand in India within the next few years. Though Kia shares most of its models with Hyundai, they have a completely different design language and the interiors are all-new as well.

Globally, the Picanto (Morning in Korea) is a successful model for Kia that has been raking in big volumes. It shares its power-train, chassis and all the basic underpinnings with the i10 and to many eyes including mine, the Picanto looks much better, bolder and aggressive than the i10. Who knows, Hyundai could even be planning to surprise us all in the 2012 Auto Expo by bringing in the Picanto and showcasing the Kia brand to the public. I, for one, can't wait for more information on this. We are waiting for you, Kia!

Driven #8: Yamaha YZF R15 V2.0

2011-11-20T19:37:00.000+05:30

In the not so distant past, Yamaha’s Indian arm was in a total state of bother. Though they had a rich legacy and a brand image to die for internationally, their Indian product line-up looked old and tired and the sales expectedly, were not great. In fact, their very commitment towards the Indian market was being questioned by the critics and the public. But, in just a single stroke of genius, Yamaha brushed aside all skepticism and made the Gen X population of our country knock on their dealerships like there was no tomorrow. A major contributor for that was the predecessor of what you see in this post, the YZF R15.

The YZF R15, along with the FZ series did the unthinkable for Yamaha in India. They not only succeeded as individual products, but also turned around the fortunes of the whole company which was reeling under tremendous pressure owing to a string of failures and uninspiring models. The R15 especially, came, pioneered and popularized the concept of affordable sports-biking in India with a host of technological advancements that were 'firsts' for a bike manufactured in India. It would be no exaggeration to state that the YZF R15 was the first ever affordable motorbike in India that was tuned as much for the track as it was for the road. Fittingly so, it not only became a sales success but also scorched to supremacy in the racing circles. So, when Yamaha launches the successor of such a mighty product, we ought to sit and take notice. And notice, we did and how!

TO LOOK & FEEL:

The Yamaha YZF R15 was always a looker and the new model, dubbed Version 2.0 is no different. The V 2.0 retains the same frontal look as its predecessor with the twin trapezoidal headlights, the sharp front visor and the slightly beefier full fairing on the sides giving it a big-bike look and feel that many Indians crave for. In fact, a major USP of the R15 would be the fact that it looks a whole lot similar to its bigger cousins, the R6 and, in some angles, the R1 too. A major negative point that the earlier R15 had was that it’s rear end looked rather disproportionate and meek compared to the rest of the bike. It was considered too run-of-the-mill and the relatively thin tires that it came shod with didn't go down well, given its extraordinarily sporty intentions.

Those complaints have been well taken care of now. A combination of the R6-inspired LED taillights, the aggressively up-swept silencer, the split saddle, the naked frame that holds the license plate and indicators and the chunky rear tire makes sure that the bike turns heads wherever you go. Additionally, there are a few really upscale design touches throughout the bike like the matte-carbon look alike panels in the side and rear cowls, the aluminum swing-arm which is a first for a 150cc bike in India, the uniquely shaped exhaust end can and the brazed-silver R15 motif in the silencer. Overall, the R15 V2.0 is an absolute stunner.

The R15 V2.0 has an instrument cluster that is a perfect mix of conservative, modern and sporty. The console has two distinct divisions with the right side housing a circular analog tachometer with black on white fonts that looks beautifully upmarket when lit. The left side has a rectangular digital display with all the tell-tale lights and also features the odometer, twin trip meters and the fuel level indicator. Like all other modern bikes, all the lights blink once and the tacho needle does a full swipe of the meter when the ignition is turned ‘ON’. The switchgear is not very dissimilar to all other bikes out there and is made of good quality materials that are built to last.

ON THE ROAD:

The R15 is powered by a 149.8 cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke engine that churns out a maximum power of 17 PS at 8500 rpm and a maximum torque of 15 Nm at 7500 rpm, figures that stack up well with other bikes of similar engine capacity. Acceleration and pickup are nothing exceptional though and you have every right to feel disappointed, given the bike's sporty looks and image. The gear-ratios are well spaced out and the shifts in the 6-speed gearbox are seamless and smooth. What is noteworthy is that the remapped ECU and the tweaked ratios have given the R15 V2.0 a new-found character. The bike is equally comfortable trundling along in second or third gear in congested city traffic as it is cruising all day long at 100 kph in sixth gear. The driveability inside the city seems to be significantly improved over the previous version.

Once astride the bike, get ready to forget about everything else and think just about owning the road all to yourself. You could have driven something else all your life but when you drive the R15, you unknowingly tend to stretch your physical limits with far from normal lean angles and twists that comes so effortlessly courtesy the bike's near-perfect handling. Yamaha's famous Deltabox frame has worked wonders here and the all-new aluminum swing-arm has also aided in handling by reducing the weight and improving the rigidity of the chassis. The ride is absorbent enough and filters most of the irregularities that our cities have in abundance but it is definitely not the best in class. The braking though is top notch with discs at front and rear providing the bike with ample stopping power. The stock MRF tires coped up well and never felt uncomfortable in any conditions with the wider 130/70 radials at the rear providing vice-like grip of the road beneath.

What really made the whole experience uncomfortable was the excessive engine heat that could be felt in the legs. Though it could well be because of our test bike being brand new, it was found to be unusually higher. Another issue would be the sporty seating posture which, if you are not used to before, could make you feel tired after just a couple of hours. Things get worse for the pillion rider with a high-set and steeply raked seat that makes do without grab rails. Though Yamaha claims that the rear seat is made of anti-slip material to aid grip, things doesn't look all rosy out there. What comes out as an unexcusable miss from Yamaha is the lack of ABS even as an option, now that Honda and even TVS offering one in their sporty models.

SPECIFICATIONS:

* Engine Type: SOHC, 4-stroke, Liquid Cooled
* No of Cylinders: 1
* Displacement: 149.8 cc
* Maximum Power: 17 PS @ 8500 RPM
* Maximum Torque: 15 Nm @ 7500 RPM
* Transmission Type: 6-speed, 1Down 5Up
* Tires: 90/80 R17 (Front), 130/70 R17 (Rear)
* Brakes: Hydraulic, Single Disc (Front & Rear)

WHAT'S COOL:

* Stunning Looks
* Supreme Handling
* Composed Ride and Stability
* Nirvana of sports-biking at an affordable price

WHAT'S NOT SO COOL:

* Excessive Engine Heat
* Lack of ABS even as an option
* Expensive for a 150cc bike

TO SUM UP:

After spending a couple of days with the bike, I really did not want to let it go. The head-turning looks, the near-perfect handling and adequate power to tackle the city traffic and open highways in equal measure had grown on me and I can assure you that it would be no different for most of you out there. Be advised though that the R15 V2.0 will not make sense as your everyday commute to the grocery shop or to drop your kids at school. Yamaha makes the SZ-R for chores like that. The R15 V2.0 is a gift from Yamaha for the young and young-at-heart who toils at work in weekdays and scorches the track on weekends and doesn't mind spending a little extra money for doing that. In that sense, it is truly perfect!

Ashok Leyland Next Gen Cab (4948) spotted testing

2011-11-19T08:41:00.002+05:30

Earlier this month, we had a post on Ashok Leyland's U 4936 Tractor Trailer being tested on the outskirts of Chennai. Alongside that, there was also a distant and a not-so-clear shot of the camouflaged Next Gen Cab that is also being developed by the company. Just yesterday, there was yet another exclusive post that brought to light the company's secret plans with the Optare Solo range of buses. And, our affinity with Ashok Leyland this month doesn't stop there. It just goes on and on and shows no signs of stopping anytime soon, thanks to our reader Vinoth Thambidurai from Chennai.

Vinoth had spotted this Next Gen Cab in the Chennai-Bangalore Highway and he claims to have seen the name printed in one of the stickers in the vehicle as '4948'. It's a known fact that the first two digits of Ashok Leyland's naming nomenclature denotes the Gross Vehicle Weight in tonnes and the last two digits represents the engine's power output. In this case then, it is a 49-tonne tractor trailer with an estimated power output of 480 HP. So, is Ashok Leyland planning for an all-mighty onslaught with this Next Gen Cab by also plonking in a massive 480 HP engine? Watch this space, they could well be.

Ashok Leyland Optare 'Solo' mini-bus spied testing in Chennai

2011-11-18T23:48:00.000+05:30

What you see here in this post are yet another exclusive spy shots of a Commercial Vehicle that could be launched in India in the near future. Though the identity of this air-conditioned mini bus could not be identified for a long time, the Registration Number pasted in the windscreen 'TN 18 TC XXXX' hinted that this is an Ashok Leyland product. After that, Google gave the answers to solve the mystery. If you remember, Ashok Leyland acquired a 26% stake in the UK-based bus and coach manufacturer 'Optare' in early 2010 which is quite popular in Europe and more so in UK. This model, named 'Solo' to denote its floor being 'so low', is one of Optare's most successful models that has been in existence for 12 years and has seen more than 4000 customers.

Seen testing in stop-start Chennai city traffic, this bus was turning heads rather unusually. Though the rear end looked like any other bus in India, the badges and the logo were conspicious by their absence. In the choked traffic, all that could be inferred was that the profile and the front end of this bus are unlike anything that we have seen in India. The front end has a love-it or hate-it curved windshield and arched roof that looks aerodynamic and modern. Agreed, it also looks a little funky and weird. The ground clearance was alarmingly low and the bus was forced to carefully negotiate the crater-like bumps and potholes of the rain-ravaged Chennai roads. The closest that we would have seen something like this in Indian soil are some of the airport shuttle buses.

A striking feature of the Optare Solo was the tiny LED lights that fill up not only the main taillight clusters but also the high-mounted stop lamps at the rear and the roof-mounted pilot lamps at the front. The air-conditioned interiors along with the big and broad seats hinted that this model could be targeted at the premium segment of the market. With the Solo being available in five lengths, two widths, a host of seating configurations and a gamut of fuel saving engine options in the UK, Ashok Leyland can just leverage them to cover a wide spectrum of the Indian market. It has to be mentioned here that the overall build quality of the coach was a step ahead of the other Indian buses.

So, is Ashok Leyland stealthily planning to launch the Optare Solo in India to breach into the luxury bus segment. It could well be, but that plan has now become public. Whatever it is, as days and weeks pass by, Ashok Leyland is one company that just never ceases to amaze me.