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Fiat Linea and Fiat Punto Now in a Limited Absolute Edition

2012-09-24T11:10:00.000+05:30

Fiat Linea and the Fiat Punto now come in an attractive limited edition model. These limited edition models are being offered with a free festive accessory pack worth Rs 78,000 on the Linea and Rs 67,000 on the Punto.

The limited editions of the Linea and Punto feature additional accessories like Touch screen GPS navigation systems, reverse parking sensors, contoured splash guards, branded door sills as also carpets and branded 'Absolute' branding on the exterior of the vehicle. The GPS system comes with a 3G tablet which offers customers smart phone functionality.

The tablet is powered with a 1.0 GHz processor and is compatible with the Android 2.3 OS platform. Apart from phone functionality, multimedia and Bluetooth features, the tablet also boasts of 3D maps which make navigation fun.

These Absolute edition models are expected to be tagged with the price of regular model variants Active, Dynamic and Emotion. It is also estimated that the car maker will be offering goodies such as 50 per cent free insurance and Roadside Assistance.

Ravi Bhatia, head, business development - Fiat Group Automobiles India Private Limited said, Fiat has exhilarating plans for this festival season. To celebrate and share the festivities with our customers, the launch of the Absolute Edition offers them additional benefits at the same price. India is an important market for us and this endeavour is an important step for FIAT in that direction. We came out with this celebratory offer keeping the consumers sentiments and their needs in mind where they can avail maximum benefits at no extra cost.

Earlier the company came out with the launch of 2012 model of the Fiat Punto Grande 90 HP edition with additional features, engine-technical campaign and two Fiat caffes - company's exclusive showroom - at Pune and Delhi.

Mahindra Quanto is Alias Mahindra Mini Xylo

2012-09-21T12:25:00.001+05:30

Mahindra Quanto is the much hyped Mahindra Mini Xylo. The SUV king maker Mahindra & Mahindra on Thursday launched its maiden compact SUV Quanto at Rs 5.82 lakh. The first compact SUV from the stable of Mahindra will also go global in the next three to four months.

The exports of the Quanto will reach to neigbhouring countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka besides South Africa to begin with, which would be followed by Europe and Latin America, M&M president for automotive & farm equipment sectors Pawan Goenka said after the launch.
"The Quanto which is our first compact SUV, will create a new category within the SUV segment," he said, adding the Mahindra is aiming to sell around 200 units a month initially.

The under 4-meter Quanto price starts at Rs 5.82 to Rs 7.36 lakh, and has been based on the Ingenio platform, which is the same as the one for the Mahindra Xylo.

The company has invested Rs 100 crore in developing the five-seater Quanto, Goenka said, adding the new car will be produced at its Nashik facility.

M&M has a combined capacity of 7,000 units for the Xylo and the Quanto, he said. Quanto will face competition from recently launched Renault Duster by Renault in the compact SUV segment.

The French auto major has priced the Duster between Rs 8.35 and 11.8 lakh. All the Quanto variants are powered by a 1.5 litre mCR100 diesel engine giving an output of 100 bhp.

Dr Pawan Goenka, President, Automotive & Farm Equipment Sectors, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said, "The launch of Quanto, our first compact SUV, is another defining moment in our automotive journey. For the Mahindra Group, the Quanto represents yet another example of our alternative thinking approach. It has been developed keeping in mind the evolving needs of our customers. I am confident that the Quanto will create a new category within the SUV segment while offering a unique value proposition to our customers".

M&M also plans to launch Rexton sports utility vehicle and Mahindra Reva NXR electric car ahead of the forthcoming Diwali festival.

New Honda Civic Tested Inside Out

2012-09-18T11:58:00.001+05:30

Honda Civic unlike most of its other contemporaries looks from another generation. Not only does it look like a car from the future but it truly is. The modern saloon design with a cab-forward stance is shaped to cleave the wind. It also stands apart with the one of a kind vertical space and is appreciably lower slung than the Corolla.

The quality of interiors is equally up to the task and is simply wonderful. The Civic not only gives its competitors a run for their money but also makes them go into hiding when it comes to the interior quality. While most car interiors look well, the Civic’s insides make it look like a spacecraft!

The new Honda Civic engine smokes up to 130bhp with the 1.8-litre motor. Improving on the famous VTEC system, this new engine hits the 100kph in 9.5 seconds. While this is quick, we were mildly disappointed that the Civic was not quicker; its performance doesn’t reflect the quantum leap the car has taken in many other areas.

The low centre of gravity, long wheelbase, wide front and rear tracks and rigid body makes sure that the car sticks to the road and gives you a race track feel. Body roll is a thing of the past and the quick steering ensures that you can throw the car around the corners coupled with good front-end grip. The braking inspires a lot of confidence and the overall body control is quite good.

The Civic is probably one of the best cars you can buy. You get complete value for money with comfort, performance, and a host of features. Then there is the decent fuel economy at a reasonable price, no class of car can claim to deliver more bang for your buck. And it comes from one of the most accomplished carmakers in the world. You can also check out the likes of the Chevrolet Cruze and the Toyota Corolla Altis.

Hyundai Motor India Limited is Now a Step Closer To You

2012-09-14T11:45:00.001+05:30

Hyundai Motor India Limited has now gotten a step closer to you and your car. The company this time around has come out with a 10 day Free Car Care Clinic campaign in India which will be conducted from over 830 locations spanning the entire country. This Free Car Care Clinic will be conducted from 14th to 23rd September 2012 from where HMIL will be offering extended warranty and huge discounts on all spare parts.

The nationwide event sponsor M/s Shell India is also offering various attractive schemes during this Clinic. The 'Free Car Care Clinic' will offer a comprehensive 80 point check-up and a thorough examination of the engine, transmission, electrical system, under-body, AC, exterior, etc. The service is even more attractive by offering a 20% discount on labor charges during this limited offer period.

Long time Hyundai customers are also in for a delight with the company. Customers with over a period of four years will be offered prizes in the form of 100 extended warranties, 9 Grand Stand tickets to the upcoming F1 races and a host of other prizes which will specially awarded to those attending the camp.

Announcing the launch of the campaign, Mr. C. H. Han, Executive Director, HMIL said, "At Hyundai we believe in keeping pace with the evolving customer needs and preferences. Our customer engagement programmes like 'Free Car Care Clinic' allows us to understand their requirements and helps us connect with them. Through these initiatives we reaffirm our commitment to provide the best of products and services to our customers and enjoy a value-added ownership experience."

The 10 day free services camp has been perfectly timed with festive season round the corner and is sure expected to do wonder for the company. Hyundai recently also came out the new versions of Hyundai i10 and Hyundai i20 in the name of Hyundai i-Gen i20 and Hyundai i-Gen i10.

No Car is Complete without Car Accessories

2012-09-11T12:14:00.003+05:30

No car is complete without car accessories. In fact the word car accessories is just an understatement. There are some car accessories that you just cannot do without. Here is a list containing the most essential of car accessories.

Safety is always a priority and there are number of devices to keep your car free from trouble. To deter car thieves, the Remote locking system, gear locks and steering locks are a must have.

Remote Locking System

Remote locking systems saves you the trouble of using the ignition key to lock the car, and the alarm warns you in case of any un warranted entry. Most systems come with an impact detection sensor as well which sets off the alarm even if a window is tempered with. A basic remote locking system costs Rs 2500.

Puncture repair kit

You will never know when the dreaded puncture comes back to haunt you. Puncture repair kit makes sure that in spite of running out of air you can be back on the track in a jiffy. They are as simple as do it yourself jobs and enables you to fix a punctured tyre without waiting for a rescue service. There are various kits to choose from the likes of puncture seals to rubber cement. You also have some next gen repair kits like air canisters to inflate the tyres, but an electronic tyre inflator is recommended. These kits can only repair punctures on the tread and not on the side walls.

Car Covers

First thing people notice about your car is how clean the car looks. So the next time you drive if you want people to notice your car then make sure you have a car cover. A car cover keeps a car dirt and dust free when parked besides bird droppings, rain sunlight and the elements. A fabric cover is effective indoors. For the outdoors, a water-resistant cover with a soft inner lining is recommended. Ensure the cover fits your car snugly to avert dirt creeping in. The cost depends on the car and the material.

Car Mats

Keeping the car clean on the outside is only half the job done. Most of our time is spent inside the car. Car mats are just the perfect way to keep the car floor clean. Make sure that your car mat has grooves to keep them from moving around. There are mats that also channels water across the mat. Go for mats with raised edges that prevent water, mud and contaminants from flowing on to the floor.

Tata Aria 4X2 Road Tested For You

2012-09-07T11:38:00.003+05:30

Tata Aria is now a lot more practical with the launch of the two wheel drive variant. Unlike other cars the Aria has always been a class apart. The engine is the same old DiCOR motor that retains the smooth nature, the good sound and the flat ride. In term of design and styling Aria is one the best looking products from Tata after the Tata Indica Vista.

The power also makes its presence felt. In spite of being full, the Aria has enough kick in it and expresses through the highway. The ride is pliant and composed on the highway.

The interiors stand up to its class and there is no place for the word claustrophobia. The dash design is quiet handy and the seats are comfy as they can get. There is plenty of space in the front two rows. Even the third-row passengers had very little to complain about.

The flipside shows itself up in the form of daily city commutation. The big size is always at risk. The relatively light clutch and light steering make life easy, but the car feels way too big. The blind spots are also quite a reality in spite of having wide mirrors. An average fuel-efficiency figure of 12kpl is not bad, taking into account that the Aria was mostly driven fully loaded.

The Aria is a fantastic car to own and this in itself is a big compliment to any Tata car. It’s a great long-distance cruiser and, combined with the huge, comfortable cabin; it’s a combination hard to match. The Tata Aria is a decent SUV for the price and while most niggling problems can be overlooked. You can also check out the likes of the Mahindra Xylo and the Toyota Innova.

Renault Scala to Scale The Indian Market This September

2012-09-06T11:13:00.003+05:30

Renault will launch the new C-segment sedan, the Scala, on 7 September. The Scala will be the remixed version of the Nissan Sunny. In spite of being a look alike it will be positioned higher than the Nissan Sunny. The Scala will look to go against the likes of the Honda City, Volkswagen Vento, Ford Fiesta and Hyundai Verna. It looks like the company is living up to the reputation of its new Renault Scala which says “It’s time to Step up!”

The Renault Scala shares everything with the Nissan Sunny, but to differentiate the two, Renault has reworked the car with what they like to refer to as a little French flair. The large headlights have a smoked look, the front bumper and grille have been revised and resemble that of the Pulse hatchback, the rear sports Skoda inspired tail lights and a neat chrome strip which actually does visually lighten up the back. The Scala also comes with alloy wheels as standard fitment, which does its part in enhancing the Scala's exterior appeal. Overall the exterior treatment is rather basic and you really wish that Renault had done a bit more to make the Scala significantly different from the Sunny. However the changes do stand out enough to make the Scala the better looking car of the two, so at least Renault managed to achieve that aspect.

The interiors will boast a classy beige finish draping the dashboard, seats and the door lining and the higher variants are expected to be upholstered with leather.

Renault Scala sedan range is expected to start at Rs.5.9 lakhs (ex-showroom New Delhi) while top of the end models will be priced between Rs.50,000 to Rs.80,000 in excess. Petrol Scala will be powered by a XH2 engine while the diesel counterparts will possess a K9K diesel engine. The former, a 1498cc engine will offer 97.6bhp at 6000 rpm and torque at 134 Nm at 4000 rpm while the latter will be a 1461cc engine with 84.8 Bhp and 200 Nm torque. The petrol engine will be mated to a 5 speed automatic and manual gearbox while the diesel engine will be just a manual one. Longer wheelbase of 2600 mm means that the Scala will comfortably seat upto 5 adults and boot space will stand at 490 liters.

Volkswagen Polo and Vento cheaper by 50k

2012-09-05T11:15:00.001+05:30

Volkswagen Polo and the Volkswagen Vento Highline variants go under the knife. Both the cars come with tweaks in terms of the looks and many more features. The new cars also come at a mouth watering price of Rs 6.94 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for the new Polo Highline, while the Vento sedan will be available at Rs 9.89 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). This means the Polo and the Vento is around Rs 20,000 and Rs 50,000 cheaper respectively.

Getting down to the details, the Polo Highline facelift new features include Black Headlamps, New design alloy wheels, Leather wrapped steering wheel, Leather wrapped gearshift knob and handbrake lever handle, RCD 310 music system with USB connectivity, Speed sensing volume control for music system, Multi-function steering wheel and Bluetooth Device as optional.

On the other hand the Vento Highline facelift new features include New design alloy wheels, Black Headlamps, 4 Speakers, Navigation system with rear view camera and Bluetooth as an optional feature.

Volkswagen will start sales of the refreshed carlines by second half of September 2012 through all its 108 dealerships across the country. Commenting on the same, Mr. Arvind Saxena, Managing Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Volkswagen Group Sales India Pvt. Ltd. said, “The introduction of new features in the Polo and the Vento will further excite the customers as both the carlines will offer much more value now.”Adding further, “The introduction of these features will pave the path for higher volumes for these carlines.”

Off late the demand for cars in India has been severely impacted by expensive loans and high fuel prices, as well as a slowing economy. But sales is expected to rise during the festive season most notably during Diwali, the festival of lights, on Nov. 14 which most people in India consider a good and lucky time to make purchases.

Maruti Ritz Gets a New Lease of Life

2012-09-04T11:06:00.002+05:30

Maruti Ritz diesel comes with a new signature style. The new car starts with a price of Rs 5.31 lakh onwards (ex-showroom Delhi). With a host of new features the top end ZDi variant sells at Rs 6.23 lakh that offers all the features of the petrol ZXi variant and a fuel efficiency figure of 23.2kmpl, an improvement over the previous 21.1kmpl.

The new ZDi variant gets interior upgrades such as a multi-information display on the instrument panel, a new audio system with USB and electrically adjustable wing mirrors. The top-of-the-line variant also gets alloy wheels, steering mounted controls and dual front airbags. The new Ritz is available only in diesel version. A pleasant delight is the 10% improvement in fuel efficiency from 21.1 kmpl to 23.2 kmpl for the Ritz Diesel, which has been achieved with numerous initiatives by the Company’s engineers. These include use of reduced friction engine and calibration optimization.

Manohar Bhat, vice president (marketing) Maruti Suzuki India said, "Numerous changes being introduced now will make the Ritz brand more vibrant. Most important, the new Ritz is more fuel-efficient with enhanced driving comfort. This makes it even more attractive for the customer and also gives us confidence to generate additional sales." The Ritz has already crossed a sales mark of over 2,00,000 units in a span of just 3 years.

The new Ritz diesel will run on a 1248cc DDiS engine that smokes out 190Nm at 2000rpm and a power of 73.9bhp at 4000rpm. The powertrain comes with 5-step multi-injection technology. Meanwhile its Toyota Etios Liva Diesel starts at price of 5.66 lakhs to 5.96 lakhs. The Ford Figo on the other hand starts at price of Rs 4.79 lakh to 5.94 lakhs. It also comes in three new colours. The three new shades are breeze blue, mystique red and granite grey.

Maruti Alto 800 More Details Revealed

2012-09-03T11:50:00.002+05:30

Maruti Alto 800 is inching closer to reality. The next generation Alto will be a rip off the existing car. It will also run on the same 796cc three-cylinder motor (F8D). However it has been tweaked to meet the latest emission norms.

The best part is new Alto 800 will be a slot below the Alto which is expected to be a mouth watering deal in the entry level segment. The changes are expected to come in the form of all-new interiors. It is also expected to be more spacious than before to shake off its match box tag.

In terms of the looks it will still stick to its basic design, with the nose getting high-mounted headlights, a slim, slot-like grille and a huge secondary air-inlet opening above and below the bumper. Drivers of the new Maruti Alto will have a bird’s eye with a wider, U-shaped rear-windscreen for better visibility, and there is a wide tailgate for better accessibility to the cargo bay.

The new 800 will however retain the tried and tested running gear of the current car. The suspension is a strong but basic and cost-effective MacPherson strut setup in front and a coil spring torsion beam axle at the rear. Expect better interior packaging to liberate a few vital centimetres. Crash protection should be better than the old car too, thanks to the Alto’s more up-to-date chassis.

Maruti is targeting a sub-Rs 2 lakh price for the new Maruti 800 to distance it from the Alto by at least Rs 40,000 and put it smack into Nano territory. Maruti is expected to launch the car during the festival season to push up its volumes and make up for the business that it lost due to the riots at its Manesar plant. The word is that the car might be rolled out in September, but we still believe that the small car major might wait till October to launch the model. It is expected to stir the hornet’s nest against the likes of the Tata Nano and the Hyundai Eon.

Honda Accord Goes For a Make Over

2012-08-10T12:32:00.001+05:30

Honda Accord gets many styling tweaks but overall the new design is very much on the conservative side except a strong character line that runs on the sides. As seen from the picture, the new Accord will get LED daytime running lights as well.

The interiors are comfortable and as usual reliable which have made it a runaway success for the Japanese manufacturer. Apart from the styling it also comes with a very powerful and efficient 3.6 liter V6 petrol mill too - great performance guaranteed!

As seen from the current Honda designs, the Accord gets many styling tweaks but overall the new design is very much on the conservative side except a strong character line that runs on the sides. As seen from the picture, the new Accord will get LED daytime running lights as well.

The new Accord will have more interior room, thanks to clever packaging. There is no news on engine choices but we expect them to be carried over from the current car.
The car is designed on the basis of needs of the passengers rather than the exteriors. Passenger and cargo space have been increased even though the length of the variant has been shortened.

New features like collision warning technology, rear camera for parking and lane changing technology will be seen in the new 2013 Honda Accord. The new Accord is also considerably lighter than its predecessors and these accounts for increased handling and dynamics. 2013 Honda Accord will also be available with three new powerhouse variants. These include an all-electric variant, direct-drive variant as also a gasoline-electric variant. One can opt for a 6-speed automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual gearbox.

The new Accord will compete with the likes of the Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Camry, Skoda Superb and Volkswagen Passat. Expect Honda to launch the new Accord in India next year.

Mercedes Benz R350 CDI Ready For Sale

2012-08-09T11:33:00.002+05:30

Mercedes Benz now goes robust with the addition of a diesel variant to its R-Class MPV lineup, the R 350 CDI (Long wheel-base). The Mercedes Benz R350 CDI price starts at Rs 58.9 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi). The launch comes on the back of its petrol variant which was launched last year.

The fully loaded version comes with bi-xenon headlamps, steel spring suspension in front and AIRmatic (Adaptive Intelligent Ride control) system featuring self-leveling air suspension in the rear to aid comfort and improve driving dynamics. The R 350 CDI is powered by a 2987cc V6 diesel powerplant.

The interiors is where the R-class scores; the highly flexible interiors can seat up to seven in various seating combinations. The third row is the most impressive – even better than the GL. The seats can be folded down to create a massive 2,385 litres of storage area. Leather interiors are available in two tones of contrasting shades, a leather-covered tilt and telescopic steering wheel, dual zone automatic climate control and a choice of high gloss wood trims. The R-class features a command system with an in-dash six-disc CD/DVD changer and a long list of entertainment options such as eight-inch screens for the rear passengers, a DVD player and wireless headphones.

The new R-class gets Mercedes’ latest generation 7G-Tronic automatic transmission that has a Direct Select lever on the steering column and shift paddles placed on the steering wheel. The new torque converter reduces transmission input when the car is at rest thus reducing fuel consumption.

In the Indian market, the R-class will not face any competition in its segment since it will be the only car, but it will cross paths with the Audi Q7, Audi Q5 and the Audi Q3. What works for the R-class are space, practicality and comfort of an MPV coupled with refinement and driving dynamics of a saloon car.

Toyota Camry Reviewed Before Launch

2012-08-08T10:57:00.002+05:30

Toyota Camry front seats are fully electrically adjustable to get that perfect driving position. The back seats too join the fun with exemplary thigh and back support. The space is now multifold and just at the press of a button you can adjust the seats.

The Camry comes with a four-cylinder 2.5-litre petrol motor featuring Dual VVT-i and its 178bhp output is 11bhp up on the previous 2.4-litre unit. It’s matched to a six-speed automatic gearbox and we don’t expect a manual transmission to be offered when it is launched.

The engine fires up on the start and then crouches into a hidden tiger and you can barely hear anything. The engine is like butter through knife and also races up easily. Floor it and the box shifts down after a bit of contemplation but does not scorch the redline until it reaches the 6200rpm. You can also go for the manual triptronic mode if you want to get your dose of adrenaline. The new Camry is a lot more confident and holds well on the road but beware of the rolls when cornered. It feels under control and isn’t disconcerting. The steering is also a bit too light and lacks feel, especially at high speeds. The suspension flattens the minor bumps and absorbs broken tarmac, but the car we drove came with 17-inch wheels, and a switch to 16-inchers and higher-profile tyres should further improve the ride, which is not bad to begin with.

It might not be the best of the lot or fastest or the best handling car in its segment. However it is comfortable, luxurious and spacious. Hopefully it comes at a price closer to the competition thanks to CKD assembly, and its arch rival like the Skoda Laura, Honda Civic and Volkswagen Jetta will be watching with hawk eyes.

Nissan Evalia Pre Launch Report

2012-08-07T10:52:00.004+05:30

Nissan Evalia will look to open up a new segment in the Indian market. The lookalike MPV- SUV is more than a Van but fits the MPV tag. However in spite of being a Van it looks nicer at the parking lot than the airport. It might not beat the Toyota Innova with the looks but sure has no qualms about it and will look to carve a path of its own.

From the front, the car looks nice. The interiors sport sliding doors for easy access. The Evalia is for sheer space and nothing on either side of Rs 10 lakh comes close. Not even the likes of Light Motor Vehicle come close. This is where Innova should actually be worried rather than the brag about its looks. The Evalia’s monocoque design and front-wheel-drive also adds up to its benefits over the Innova.

The Evalia is also going all out and will be available in three trim levels. The top-end version will get features like Nissan’s intelligent keyless entry system. However you will miss the climate control and power windows are limited to the front.

The Evalia runs on the 1.5-litre Renault K9K diesel and throws out 85bhp and 20.4kgm of torque. These figures might seem too low but the power delivery is right up there and the gear ratios ensure that you get much needed pulling force. The five-speed gearbox is easy to use as with the rest of controls.

If the company is to be believed then sources indicate the Nissan Evalia mileage to 20kpl. In spite of being huge, the Evalia handles like any other car on the road and comes across as easy to handle friendly car. The overall feedback from the Evalia is pretty good and you feel every bit of the drive. It handles well at the curves but one must be aware of the body roll, which you would expect from such a tall car. Nissan will launch the Evalia in India in first week of September. You can also check out the likes of the Maruti Ertiga.

Audi A8 Gets Naughty This Monsoon

2012-08-06T11:30:00.001+05:30

Audi A8 now gets a 4.2-litre engine option. The L luxury saloon produces 350bhp and is mated to an 8-speed gearbox and the Quattro all-wheel-drive system. The Audi A8 price for the L 4.2 TDI starts at Rs 1.1 crore, ex-showroom, Maharashtra. The Audi A8 L also comes with other engine options, such as a 3.0-litre TDI, 4.2 FSI petrol and a range-topping 6.3-litre W12.

The luxury sedan will be available at all showrooms across India. The Audi A8 started off with a celebrity tag with Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan taking delivery of his customized Audi A8 L 4.2 TDI. The Audi A8 L continues to set standards of luxury, design and engineering excellence. It delivers 800 Nm of torque and hits the 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds.

The interior comforts and safety features make this vehicle extra special. Coupled with a two piece panoramic sunroof, Bang and Olufsen sound system and 4 zone auto AC, the new Audi A8 is something that buyers with high budget will be want to buy. Among its other features you have the dynamic steering, head up display unit. Specially designed ergonomic seats are seen both in driver and passenger areas while an exclusive rear seat entertainment system is fitted. Special safety features will include ABS, traction control and airbags.

"We started the year on favourable economic conditions. We set a target of 8,000 units, but in the January-July period itself, we sold 4,680 units, a growth of 49 per cent over the same period last year. This way, we are hopeful of over-shooting the target. The Audi A8 L has been a benchmark in its segment and the new variant will redefine automotive excellence in India”, said Mr. Michael Perschke, Head, Audi India.

The company expects to sell 400-450 units of Audi A8 this year. “We will start assembling Audi Q7 at end-2012 and you can also check out the likes of the Audi Q5.

Aston Martin Vanquish Sports Car Launched

2012-08-03T10:41:00.001+05:30

Aston Martin has added yet another feather in its cap with the launch of the ‘Vanquish’ sports car, thereby expanding its portfolio. Launched at the price tag of Rs. 3.85 crores (Ex-showroom Mumbai), the Vanquish is now the most expensive in India from the Aston Martin fleet. Currently Aston Martin has four cars in India. The new sports car will join the One-77 limited edition sportscar.

Aston Martin Vanquish has been launched after the Vantage, the Aston Martin Rapide, the Aston Martin DB9 and the Aston Martin DBS. The reason why the company has introduced the Vanquish in the Indian market is simply its three-fourth volume of Indian sales coming from its high priced models.

"The initial belief was that we will sell a lot of entry-level cars like Vantage and a few of the high-end variants, but it has turned out to be the other way around. Cars retailing at upward of Rs 2.5-3 crore account for 80% of the 40-odd cars we have sold so far," said Lalit Choudhary, director, Performance Cars, the official importer of Aston Martin cars. This car replaces DBS.

The new Vanquish has now been upgraded to a 6.0 litre V12 engine which churns out whooping 565 horsepower at 6750 rpm and 620 torques @ 5500 rpm. The power is harnessed via a touchtronic2 automatic transmission and a stainless steel exhaust system.

You can bring the car to halt with carbon-ceramic brakes while the suspension has a 3-stage adjustable adaptive damping system with normal, sport and track modes for a more customized ride. The Vanquish was first showcased at Concorso D’Eleganza at Villa D’Este in the form of the AM310 concept and quickly caught the attention. It didn’t take much time for Aston Martin to put it into production thanks to the reception it received at the famous Italian automobile gathering.

Premier Rio Diesel Is The Newest Compact SUV

2012-08-02T11:54:00.002+05:30

Premier Rio heats up the battle in the SUV segment with the launch of its new diesel variant. The new variant comes in the wake of the highly successful Renault Duster which has already garnered over 10,000 bookings within days of its launch. The Premier Rio will also look to create some inroads being the cheapest diesel SUV in India. The Premier Rio price starts at Rs 6.7 lakh for the entry level CRDi4 variant. This also makes it cheaper compared to the recently launched Renault Duster that starts at Rs 7.99 lakh for the diesel model.

Initially when the Premier Rio was launched, it failed to garner the much needed numbers. The sales were quiet dismissal in spite of having a meager price starting at Rs 4.90 lakh for the petrol model. Firstly the brand had a taken beating with few technical issues which is a huge mistake for a company that is yet to match up to the likes of the big boys in the market. Not too forget the Chinese involvement in the development of the car. Chinese goods are already considered as sub standard and the expensive parts and high maintenance did not help the cause either. Now that the Rio has 1.3 L Fiat sourced engine, it will not only step up its prospects over Duster and other upcoming SUVs namely, Maruti XA Alpha and Ford EcoSport but will also help build the trust in the car. The Rio CRDi returns a mileage of 19 kmpl and will be available in four colors.

The new Rio CRDi4 will be available at select dealers and will soon be made available at all the 55 dealers. Premier is also thinking of increasing the dealerships by 100 by the end of this year and there will also be over 200 service stations for the Rio.

Toyota Etios Liva Gets Sporty

2012-08-01T11:02:00.002+05:30

Toyota Etios Liva celebrates its first birthday with the launch of Etios Liva TRD Sportivo in India. The limited edition Toyota Etios Liva price starts at Rs 5.23 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), while the diesel will cost Rs 6.32 lakh. Only 1,200 units of the special edition will be made and offered till the end of October.

The new variant caters to the youth and has been crafted by the Toyota Racing Development from Japan. In terms of the performance the special edition remains honest to the existing variant but goes sporty with features like aerodynamic front bumper and rear bumper along with side skirt in two-tone sport colours. All this is carried by a new set of 15 inch alloy wheels and ample TRD badging. Overall these tweaks give the car a sign of exclusivity on both the outside and the inside. The limited edition Liva will be available in two colours – White and Ultramarine Blue.

Speaking on the occasion of the launch Mr. Hiroshi Nakagawa, Managing Director, TKM, said “We are glad to introduce Liva TRD Sportivo Limited Edition, on the occasion of the first anniversary of Etios Liva. Etios and Etios Liva have been doing well and our vision, to see growing number of Toyota happy customers and Toyota families, is beginning to materialize. We will soon begin the domestic production of engine and transmission in the third quarter of 2012 and early 2013 respectively, at our facility in Toyota Kirloskar Auto Parts. We also exported the first batch of Etios series to South Africa in April this year. We thank our customers for their appreciation of Etios and Etios Liva and look forward to their feedback to continuously improve upon the product.”

The style statement is finished off with the Limited Edition "TRD Sportivo" chrome badge on the boot lid. As far as the inside styling is considered, there is a new seat fabric with the "TRD Sportivo" logo and silver shift knob. You can also check out the likes of the Fiat Punto Sport and the Hyundai i20, Ford Figo and the Maruti Swift.

Mercedes Benz A Class Out On the Roads

2012-07-31T11:09:00.003+05:30

Mercedes Benz A Class is out on the roads. The new A-Class it looks far more enticing than the pre launch reports and is too good to believe. This new baby Merc is certainly attractive, especially at the front, where a wide grille feeds into the clamshell bonnet and into heavily scalloped sides. "A is for Attack." So said Daimler AG chairman Dieter Zetsche as he introduced the new A Class, a car that Mercedes Benz has designed from the ground. The A Class will give sneak shot of Mercedes brand for entry level consumers.

All the models come with turbocharged four-cylinder units. The A180 CDI features a 1461cc unit with 109bhp and 260Nm of torque. This comes mated to a brand new 6-speed manual. The A180 CDI comes with a 1796cc engine. The engine develops 109bhp and 250Nm of torque. The A200 CDI with the 1796cc unit develops 136 horses and whips out 300Nm of torque.

The A180 employs the 1595cc unit (122bhp and 200Nm) mated to the 6-speed manual. Next in line is the A250 with the 1991cc unit mated to the 7-speed dual clutch gearbox with 211bhp on tap and 350Nm of torque. Finally the A250 Sport is identical with a few graphics to make it look faster.

The seats are pretty good and supportive. The steering wheel is a neat new design. The cabin has more leg room than its predecessor. There is sufficient head room despite the sloping roofline and the 341-litre boot volume can be enhanced to 1157 litres of luggage carrying capacity by folding the rear seat back flat.

The A200 CDI with the new 6-speed manual gearbox gives figures of 0-100km/h in 9.3 seconds and a 210km/h top speed. Ride quality was firm with just the right amount of pliancy without upsetting the handling. Overall the dynamics are pretty nifty though typically Mercedes-Benz and even for the young brigade there is something. Given that the B-Class will start around Rs 24-25 lakh, the A-Class could prove a nightmare for Mercedes-Benz India to configure and sell at sensible money. The overall set-up delivers absolute stability at high speeds without compromising on the fun to drive agility factor. You can also check out the likes of the Mercedes E Class and the Mercedes Benz ML 350 CDI and Audi Q7.

Maruti Swift Dzire Auto Performance On the Road

2012-07-30T12:05:00.001+05:30

Maruti Swift Dzire automatic is definitely nothing like its other counterparts. The old Dzire has already topped the charts and just when you thought that there is nothing else for the Dzire to conquer, the company has launched an automatic gearbox variant of the highly successful sedan. The new Swift Dzire makes the under 4 metre cut but let us see if it makes the people’s cut.

In terms of the looks, the new Swift carries on the mature image and improvises with curves, an extended hood and bigger head lights. The front end style remains the same but looks a lot more elegant.

On the inside you are in for an absolute delight. The delights come in the form of new steering wheel, new dashboard and dash of beige. There is also the option of two tone black colour scheme. The seats are spacious and comfortable and the cabin has a pretty premium feel to it. Like the back end design, the back seats however take a bit of a beating though the wheelbase of the new car is about 40mm longer.

In terms of the performance, the Dzire comes in both the 1.2-litre petrol and 1.3-litre diesel variants that are currently on offer in the new Swift. The Dzire now has the option of a 4-speed automatic gearbox in the mid-level VXi petrol variant. The new automatic delivers a power of 87PS @ 6000rpm and a torque figure of 114Nm @ 4000rpm. It hits the 100km/h in 16.49 seconds. Moving around city traffic, the drive is an absolute breeze and the neither the gearbox nor the engine feel laggy at any point. The steering is nicely weighted and carving corners on a twisty mountain road is as fun as it gets in this segment of cars.

The new Swift Dzire delivers a mileage of 16kmpl. The Swift Dzire automatic gearbox comes at an extra cost of Rs. 35,000. You can also check out the likes of Mahindra Verito and the Toyota Etios.

Mercedes Benz a Class 2012 Hatcback Revealed

2012-07-25T11:43:00.002+05:30

Mercedes Benz A Class hatchback is the next big thing from the company to make its entry into the market. It is expected to be launched in September 2012 in Europe. The new babe from the stable of Benz will come with option of four diesel and three petrol engines mated to two different transmissions.

The new Mercedes-Benz will have trimmed down engines for its entry level cars. This is expected to improve the performance, mileage and also be a lot more ecofriendly with lower emissions. All the models will come with a stop/start system with a low drag coefficient of 0.27, turbo charging and improved fuel injectors will make them more efficient.

The engine is a 1461cc A 180 CDI type which powers up to 108PS and delivers an astonishing mileage of 26kmpl with just 98g/km of CO2 emissions which is the lowest of any Mercedes-Benz. All this credit also goes to Renault. Renault-Nissan and Mercedes-Benz inked a pact in 2010 to develop engines for small cars. The diesel A200 CDI with a 1.8-litre engine is already Euro VI compliant, emitting 111g/km of CO2. Its delivers 134PS of power and 300Nm of torque. The top of the line diesel engine is the A220 CDI, featuring a 168PS 2.1-litre engine with 350Nm of torque, and a 0-100km/h time of 7.8 seconds.

The A-Class will run on a 6-speed manual transmission, with the option of a semi-automatic 7-speed dual clutch 7G-DCT transmission. The top end A 250 will only have an automatic transmission, with three drive modes, Economy, Manual and Sport, and paddle shifters. Both transmissions were developed in sync and share many parts. The A-Class will be assembled in India. You can also check out the likes of the Mercedes E Class and the Mercedes-Benz ML 350 CDI and Audi Q7.

Maruti Ritz Goes For a Makeover

2012-05-10T12:19:00.002+05:30

Maruti Ritz has a made splash in the market with its new avatar. The new images of the Maruti Ritz which is in fact sold as the Suzuki Splash in other global markets such as Japan and also in some countries in Europe have been released on Suzuki's Japan website.

The facelift starts off with a lower mounted nose which is accompanied by a one-piece grille. The headlamps get a lot more directional with a pointier finish. The fenders now dominate up above the bonnet 'V' while the rear joins the facelift with the bumpers getting fake air-vents. The rear bumper also gets sporty slats with a new profile. The overall looks still look very similar to the current Ritz with a slightly daring stance up front. The final facelift at the exteriors is rounded off with a flat design taillight against the curved one in the current Ritz. Looks like the company has finally heeded to the customers feedback as the previous design made the Ritz one of the ugliest looking car at the rear.

The nose job is also noticed on the interiors with small changes and lighter shades. The overall interiors will still carry on very much with the same design. However it is expected to surely move up a notch higher in terms of the material quality which was evident in the Swift and new Dzire. However, we’ll have to wait and watch for these changes in the actual physical model as there’s only so much you can make out from the images on the interweb.

The engine will be an 84bhp K-series 1.2-litre petrol and the 74bhp 1.3-litre diesel motors mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The Maruti Ritz competes with the like of Hyundai i10, Ford Figo and the Honda Brio .

Volkswagen Vento and Volkswagen Polo Discount Dhamaka

2012-05-09T11:11:00.001+05:30

Volkswagen Vento and Volkswagen Polo are looking to buck the trend for the poor sales of petrol cars this season. The ever increasing petrol prices have surely made the company go for a last ditch effort to improve its sales and only time will tell if others are to follow suit.

The company has huge stocks of previous years Volkswagen Vento and Polo. So if you are planning to buy a petrol car you can surely turn it to your advantage. Normally most companies face the dilemma at the end of the year and usually clear the sales by the first quarter. However coming close to five months into 2012, Volkswagen has no other option but to clear its 2011 Polo and Vento petrol models. Of the current lot VW is the only manufacturer left to sell its 2011 cars though.

The 1.2 and 1.6 petrol Polo is now cheaper by a huge Rs 50,000 in cash. The deal also gets a lot tempting with free insurance and a two-year annual maintenance contract (AMC) worth Rs 60,000 collectively. The overall discount comes up to a whopping Rs 1.1 lakh if you buy this on road in Mumbai. These calculations are for the base Trendline variant.

On the other hand the Vento cousin also gets cheaper by Rs 1 lakh cash discount for the 2011 model. Even the 2012 petrol 1.2 Polo gets free insurance and AMC worth Rs 60,000.

The only trick you need to remember is if you register a 2011 model in 2012, the date of manufacture is what decides the value of a car so this can affect its price when you decide to sell it. Not many know about this, but used car dealers do have a sniff for them and you need to be smart when you quote the price compared to a car manufactured in 2012.

New Fiat Linea Launched in Turkey

2012-05-08T11:04:00.001+05:30

Fiat Linea has made itself available in a new refreshed avatar in Turkey. The renewed Fiat Linea has undertaken the mid-life facelift and comes with a host of changes in terms of the styling and a refreshed cabin.

The facelift of the Fiat Linea starts off with the refreshed front grille, re-profiled bumper; new fog lamp clusters and comes with loads of chrome for a premium feel. On the back end of the car changes arrive in the form of minor tweaks with an additional chrome strip. The number plate has now moved on to the boot lid. However, the side profile seems to have been forsaken in the mid cycle facelift and looks pretty much a chip off the old car.

The inside is where most of the action takes place and this is where you will notice sweat and toil of the designers. The dash board looks way above its class and comes in a new three-layered two-tone style. The steering wheel is not much alien from the current car, but still manages to have a place of its own with the bits of silver while the centre console gets company in the form a new integrated audio system. The AC vents also sport a modern look and come with useful cubby holes above them. The gear lever, climate control knobs and the door pads are still kept untouched and look similar to the current car. The instrument cluster, with chrome-ringed recessed dials and circular centres, looks great.

The company is looking at the viability of bringing the new Linea for the Indian market as the current variant has really done well. The current Fiat Linea is arguably the best in terms of the ride and handling at its price point and looks way above its class. The Fiat Linea competes with the like of Skoda Rapid, Volkswagen Vento and the Nissan Sunny.

Mahindra Scorpio upgraded version Ready to Launch

2012-05-07T10:59:00.001+05:30

Mahindra Scorpio has secretly started its evolution under the codename W105. The existing Scorpio in the market has completed a decade on the roads and is still going strong. In fact it’s the Scorpio that started a new lease of SUVs in the market like the Tata Safari etc.

The Scorpio will not be influenced by the single body frame of the blockbuster Mahindra XUV500 and will still carry on with the good old hardy body-on-frame which is tried and tested on both the urban and rural terrains. So in spite of the facelift avatar, the new Scorpio will still be hugely ripped off from the current platform. The changes are likely to be seen at the wheelbase which will be longer to improve the legroom in the second row. With an all-new body it will also get a dose of power with a 140bhp version of the M-Hawk engine. The new Scorpio could also come with an improved fuel economy.

Plans are on at full swing in the research facility at Chennai, known as Mahindra Research Valley (MRV). With new high-tech labs and facilities, we can expect the Scorpio to sting us sooner than expected. The company is not overwhelmed by the success of the XUV500 and very well realizes that its bread and butter still lies with tried and tested Scorpio. We expect it will hit showrooms in 2014.

The new Scorpio will also look to get off the tracks faster with a new pick-up version perfectly set up for export markets, which the company believes will be crucial in coming years.

At a time when cars were all about being sane and travelling with your family, the Mahindra Scorpio stung us all by surprise and also showed that cars can be for fun and adventure with the family. Only time will tell if the new Mahindra Scorpio King will be back with a bang.