The New Tata Nano

Tata Nano

Tata Nano is set to get its first serious upgrade since its launch in March 2009. The face-lifted model will have new seats and fabric, new front seat headrests, a bright dashboard, bright interiors, new wheel-cap design and new colours.

There are some mechanical changes too. The steering has been reworked, the new car gets tweaked suspension setup and an anti-roll bar toimprove its ride and handling. Body has been made stiffer with better bonding of the body panels. This will result in improved refinement levels.

Tata has also raised the power by nearly 10 percent, from 35bhp to 38bhp. However,  no significant performance gain is expected.

Also the two-cylinder engine is been worked upon and a more powerful three-cylinder 900cc motor is expected a year later.

Major price revisions may not take place when the car is launched later this month.

Ford EcoSport

Ford EcoSport

Known internally as the B515, the EcoSport will be unveiled at the 2012 Auto Expo.

The EcoSport shares plenty of bits with the Fiesta saloon under the skin, and one may not be able to guess what these two have in common.

This car has a good upright stance, the high bonnet, generous ground clearance and subtle cladding gives it a tough off-roader look, the design is well proportioned too. It looks great from the back as well, with its pillar-less rear windscreen and sharply cut tail-lights.

The Fiesta DNA will ensure that this car rides and handles very much unlike an SUV, and the tall stance and high ground clearance will be perfect for Indian roads.

Ford EcoSport

Ford will use the new 90bhp, 1.5-litre DV5 diesel which debuted in the new Fiesta saloon. A 4×4 variant may not be available. And a petrol variant can be expected later in the year to come.

Its pricing makes it a winner!! Expected to be between Rs 7 to 9 lakh, it sits right between the Manindra Scorpio and Premier Rio.

KTM Duke 200

KTM

Austrian bike manufacturer KTM will make its Indian debut soon via Bajaj Motorcycles. Bajaj owns a good 39.3 per cent stake in KTM. It is expected that most of the KTM bikes will make their way to India. The KTM Duke 200 will be first from the KTM stable.

KTM Duke 200

For optimal handling the center of gravity has been lowered by using an underslung exhaust system. The rear sports a directly mounted monoshock suspension, where as upside down forks do their duty at the front.
4 piston 300mm disc at the front and 230mm disc at the rear provide stopping power. Bajaj will ensure that the Duke 200 comes with a very competitive price tag slotting it between the Yamaha R15 and the Honda CBR 250R.
Expect it to be priced between Rs 1.2-1.4 lakh.

KTM Duke 200

Expected technical specifications of KTM Duke 200

Engine

CHASSIS

If you guys and gals have any questions just write in a comment and i will surely post a reply.

Tata Aria at its launch.

The Aria is one of the most awaited car in the year 2010. Finally it was launched on 11th of October. Its the 1st crossover from Tata. And its much much better than any other car offer from the Tata stable.

Aria has length of an MPV, stance of an SUV and comfort of a sedan. All in all a proper crossover.

The Aria has got monstrous dimensions, 4780 mm in length, having a height of 1780 mm and width of 1895 mm. The design of the Aria is just right and the proportions even more so. It looks very attractive and upmarket.

Unboxy rear of the Tata Aria

I loved the overall design of the car, and how they managed to avoid such tall car from looking boxy, especially at the rear end.

Once in the car, you will find the interiors much better and much much more attractive than any other Tata you’ve been in before!! Fit and finish of the interiors is good, you’ll find a lot of cubbyholes , there are seven mounted on the roof. The top-end version is fully loaded with stuff like satellite navigation, CD changer, bluetooth connectivity, USB/aux-in port, a reverse camera with parking sensors, eight

The Seven Cubbyholders on the roof

airbags, climate control, cruise control, steering mounted audio controls and for the first time in a Tata vehicle you’ll be finding, an Electronic Stability Program and Traction Control system.

The Aria is incredibly spacious on the inside, all thanks to its dimensions. The seats are spacious and both front and middle row have ample head, leg and shoulder room. It’s just that the third-row passengers might complain about having less space. The idea of having flexible middle and third row seats is well thought off, and perfectly executed. Overall the cabin is attractive.

Spacious Interiors of the Aria

The Aria uses the same 2.2-litre DiCOR engine as the Safari giving out 140bhp. But, the big difference here is the engine is a lot more refined. It’s barely audible when you are cruising and impressively quiet and smooth when you’re revving it. Overall the engine performs well but there is a bit of lag which can be easily dismissed with a downshift. The Aria doesn’t have the instant low rev responsiveness but it does have a broader powerband.

The ride is very much impressive. The Aria absorbs almost everything our Indian roads have to throw at it. The absorbent ride leads to a false feeling of floatiness at higher speed.  But make no mistakes, the smart 17-inch wheels

Flared Wheel Arches and huge tires of the Aria

and the huge 235 section tyres give it all the grip it requires. There is a bit of body roll though. But it’s not disconcertingly so and the on-demand all-wheel drive system makes it feel surprisingly surefooted. If you are a planet lover, there is also a 4×2 mode where the front axle is decoupled helping improve fuel-efficiency.

The Aria is a serious alternative to the hugely accomplished Toyota Innova. It may not handle as good as the Innova, and Innova may have interior quality higher to that of the Aria, but the Aria rides better, has a more powerful engine, has much more features than the ones offered in the Innova and obviously it looks much much better!!!

The Aria is priced at Rs 12.91lakh for the base, which goes up to Rs 15.5lakh for the fully-loaded variant.

If you guys and gals have any questions just write in a comment and i will surely post a reply.

The Audi R8 based PPI RAZOR GTR-10

The Audi-exclusive tuner, PPI Automotive Design GmbH, has announced that in order to maintain exclusivity they will be building only 10 units of their Audi R8 based RAZOR GTR-10 with a V10 engine.

PPI has refined the V10 engine with a roof mounted ram air-intake system with sport filter, vented liftgate glass, high-performance exhaust system and reprogrammed ignition map.  The result is 601 bhp (448 kW / 609 PS) at 7,400 rpm and maximum torque of 565 Nm at 6,400 rpm.  For comparisson the serial R8 V10 produces 518 bhp (386 kW / 525 PS).

For the body, a completely redesigned wind tunnel tested carbon fiber wide body kit reduces lift and adds cooling to the engine oil coolers and brake system.  Carbon fiber is also draped on the roof pillars and doors in addition to the entire body receiving an optical carbon fiber skin.  The total weight savings is 250 kg combined with the additional horsepower equates to a 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.2 seconds and a maximum top speed of 335 km/h (208 mph).

The wheel and tire combination for the RAZOR GTR-10 includes lightweight MAG11 Forged Aluminium PPI wheels.  The tires in the front are 245/35 ZR 19 Michelin Pilot Sport 2 with 325/25 ZR 20 at the rear.

Braking is provided by 6-piston calipers with 380 x 36 millimeter discs up front and 356 x 32 mm discs at the rear. Naturally, Audi’s Carbon Ceramic Brake System with PPI-specified higher friction brake pads are also available.

Suspension comes way of a new KW coilover strut/spring kit. PPI also offers a camber kit and tie-rod kit along with a hydraulic lift system for the front axle which can increase ground clearance by up to 45 millimeters if needed.

Each RAZOR GTR-10 comes with an aluminum plaque framed in carbon fiber showing the production number.

Remember, only 10 of these are going to hit the streets!!!

Interior of the Razor GTR-10

If you guys and gals have any questions just write in a comment and i will surely post a reply.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, better known as the Evo X, has now been launched in India. While the news of Evo X being launched, is like music to the ears but the price tag certainly isn’t. Our sources at HM tell us that the Mitsubishi Evo-X will come in at approximately Rs.45- Rs.50 Lakhs as it is an out and out brand builder, aimed at the hardcore enthusiasts who are willing to forego all resemblances of luxury for out and out performance. We feel that HM-Mitsubishi could’ve turned their sales meter ticking if they had priced this Evo closer to the Rs.25Lakh mark. A complete review of this Evo comin out soon, so stick around.

The stylish and muscular Evo X

Current Maruti Suzuki Swift

Maruti Suzuki Swift made its debut at the Paris Auto Salon in September 2004. This car gave birth to the Premium Hatchback segment in India.

Being long in the tooth, Maruti Suzuki decided to give its very popular selling car, a heart transplant.

As a result in January 2010 Maruti Suzuki introduced K-series engine powered Swift. Looks were the same, but it had a newer engine!!

Swift’s design and looks, were too old now. And obviously, it was feeling the heat from the competing Premium Hatchbacks like the Hyundai i20, Skoda Fabia, Fiat Grande Punto, and the newly launched Volkswagen Polo.

Swift’s face-lift was eminent as Maruti Suzuki realised that they were loosing a huge chunk of market share to their competitors. This was when i bumped into a few spy pics some weeks back.

The New Maruti Suzuki Swift being tested under covers

Maruti Suzuki had jumped into action and the result was a lighter, longer and more spacious Swift.

Official Image of the 2010 Swift Unveiled

The New Swift is expected to be launched in the first half of 2011.

Compared to the current Swift the New Swift’s wheelbase has been increased by 50mm, and the overall length by 90mm. The increase in wheelbase will create more space for rear passengers.

The new bodyshell is lighter and stiffer than before, all thanks to the extensive use of higher strength steel.

Maruti Suzuki claims the Swift, its best-selling model, is much improved dynamically and promises increased performance and improved CO2 emissions and economy.

The Dashboard

Official interior pictures have now been revealed the interiors are more sophisticated and dynamic than the current one. It looks plusher, but the fascia and door surfaces are still hard and the previous bold simplicity has been ousted by a more conventional design. This is very much a case of evolution rather than revolution!!

Swift's Sporty Rear

For the Indian market, the engine that will power this car is likely to be carried over – it’s an evolution of the K-series (K12) motor that powers the current Swift and Ritz. Variable Valve Timing technology that is being used in the European car should also come to India. Just as it did with M16A on the SX4. Suzuki will also continue with the very successful 1.3-Multijet from Fiat, or the DDiS.

Production begins in Japan

If you guys and gals have any questions just write in a comment and i will surely post a reply.

Ritz - Live the moment

When Maruti Suzuki introduced the Swift in the Indian market it sold like hot cakes. It proved that even Maruti Suzuki could make good looking cars, it even won the Car of the Year award in 2006. And now Maruti Suzuki is gearing up to repeat the same success story by launching its Ritz. Ritz is a small, funky but efficient hatchback. With its 1590mm height, it is a tall boy and believe me it is one of the most good looking tall boy ever to go on sale in India. Looking at its design it is hard to believe that the same company makes the boxy WagonR and Alto. Its interiors are quiet different from that of the Swift, Ritz has spacious, airy and cheerful interiors, dual-tone color co-ordinated interiors and dashboard, dash mounted gear shift, the speedo-meter is retro-looking, it is some what similar to the speedo of Fiat 500. Moreover its got a 60:40 split rear seats and comes in 8 different colours. The high sitting position makes the Splash is much more comfortable that the Swift, and the rear seat is a real boon. Under its hood the Ritz can have either a 1.2 liter All New K12M petrol engine from the K-Series engines or a 1.3 liter DDiS diesel engine which currently powers the Swift diesel. Introductory price starts from Rs.406000*. The Ritz aerodynamic and efficient Rits gives a milage of 17.7 km/ltr(Petrol) and 21.1 km/ltr(Diesel),(Milage as per ARAI certification). With the Splash on the Indian roads, both Swift and Splash could end up dominating the premium hatchback market, and that is exactly what Maruti Suzuki plans to do.

Maruti Suzuki Rits rear

*Price mentioned are ex-showroom, Mumbai, Lxi variant. Price is introductory and is expected increase after a certain period.

If you guys and gals have any questions just write in a comment and i will surely post a reply.

The looks are one of the most striking aspects of the Linea, it has a snub nose that is understated and elegant, the muscular flared wheel arches, arch of the roof and front and rear quater glass are highlights. It is a though built car with typical italian design flair.

Fiat Linea

Until now Fiats sold in India never had attractive looking interiors, all this changes with the Linea. there is a lot in that which makes you say “wow”, like the beautifuly crafted multi-functionl steering wheel which has audio controls and the Blue & Me system is mounted on it. The Blue & Me system provides bluetooth connectivity for to your phone. Superblly built center console. The retro chronometer white dial instruments and amber LCD display makes for greatere visual appeal, which can be seen on cars like the Mercedes E-Class, its got comfortable seats which provide good thigh support too. It has a deep 500 liter boot but its opening is narrow.

This Fiat comes with a 1.3 liter Multijet diesel engine and a 1.4 liter petrol engine, both engines are very responsive and the car handles briliantly and the ride quality ought to be experienced to be believed. The car glides smoothly over potholes and any uneven surface that the road presents. Even at really high speeds you don’t get the feeling of uncertainity with this solid car as it feels  firmly planted, steadfast and secure.

The Linea gave an average of 12.9kmpl on city roads and 17.5 on the highway which is  quiet impressive for a car of its size and weight.

Starting at Rs.5,98,976(Ex-Showroom price Delhi) for the petrol model and Rs.6,88,983(Ex-Showroom price Delhi) for the diesel model, this is a car that provides almost everything that the buyer wants. With the Linea on sale the competition has just got tougher. 

If you guys and gals have any questions pls write it as a comment and i will surely post a reply.

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Lamborghini Estoque

Lamborghini officially took the wraps off its Estoque four-door sedan on Thursday at the Paris Motor Show, and we now have its amazing images. Introduced as a concept, the vehicle is likely to see production some time in 2009. The new Lamborghini is a four-door sedan, much in the same vein as the upcoming Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide. Like those aforementioned cars has a heavy emphasis on performance while still being able to carry four in luxurious style.

As previously reported, the new sedan  which debuted as a pre-production prototype  will be called the Estoque, keeping in line with Lamborghini’s bull fighting naming style. Estoque is a special sword used by bullfighters.

Unlike Lamborghini’s current offerings, the Estoque is slated to use a front-engine layout. However, Lamborghini’s signature all-wheel drive will be a part of the sedan’s package.

Lamborghini Estoque

Lamborghini’s press conference for the Estoque was void of any details — although a background video clearly showed the Estoque was targeting those who desired the performance of a sports car but needed the added room of a family car , but the sedan’s press kit did shed a little light on possible powertrain offerings. Although Lamborghini’s current range of engines were believed to be off the table, the Italian automaker is still considering equipping the Estoque with the same V10 found in the Gallardo LP 560-4. However, the V10-powered car would likely be the model ranges top-offerings, going head-to-head with the Panamera Turbo. For this model, Lamborghini may go with a twin-turbo V8 derived from the Gallardo’s V10.

Lamborghini is even considering greener versions of the Estoque, with hybrid and high-performance diesel models planned.

Lamborghini Estoque

Lamborghini will lean heavily on parent Audi for the underpinnings of its new model. While the Panamera will do with a steel platform, the Lamborghini sedan will ride on the upcoming Audi A8’s all-aluminum space frame, allowing for a lower curb weight and improved performance and fuel economy numbers.

Lamborghini expects the Estoque to more than double the company’s current sales, with the sedan earmarked for 3,000 annual sales. Through the first six months of the year, Lamborghini sold just over 1,300 units.

No word on pricing but the new model is said to be debuting in near production form, which means sales could begin as early as 2009.

Yamaha FZ 16

Dear Ruwan and Ranbir and all my friend out there, this is just an introduction to the new Yamaha FZ 16, and the complete review would be posted later.

Te FZ 16 has a newly designed 153cc air-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, single-cylinder, 2-valve engine with a max.output of 14 Ps and a max. torque of 14 N.m., characterized by its breathtaking pick up. 

A Monocross rear suspension unit provides 120 mm of wheel travel, while optimized oil and damping valve specs help ensure agile running performance and handling. It inhibits bottoming while riding with a tandem passenger as well as providing a very comfortable ride.

To give a sense of volume to the machine, an external diameter of 35mm is adopted in a two-layer type exhaust to minimize the effect of heat on the pipe. The layout features a large-volume primary character on the underside of the crankcase. The muffler is an irregular shaped tapered type mid-ship muffler.

The rear tyre is India’s first radial tyre with a 60% aspect ratio. Both the front and rear tyres on this model are tubeless type that are less susceptible to sudden flattening should the tyre be punctured. At the front, a large 267mm disc brake is adopted. The two-pot caliper makes full use of the outer perimeter of the disc to provide strong stopping power. 

The bulb’s illumination and the type of light unit employed gives greater freedom of design. This creates an aggressive-looking front view and the transparent lens gives this unit a highly stylish image that accentuates the character of the model’s ride. The steel fuel tank with a plastic resin outer cover takes advantage of the freedom of shaping that plastic provides, giving the tank cover a powerful shape with modulations suggestive of the muscular body of an athlete.

Yamaha FZ 16 tank

The meters on the FZ16 are installed in a Full Liquid Crystal Display. The speedometer, tachometer, trip meter, fuel gauge and other indicators are set in optimum position to keep the field of vision clear. Also, the engine starting signal is an example of the spirit of innovation.

LCD Meter

Price is higher than that of Pulsar 150, its approx. 66000(ex-showroom). A superb bike, i wish i could own.

Yamaha YZF-R15

Armed with all possible bells and wistles, Yamaha has launches its YZF-R15 in the Indian two wheeler market. But will this bike help Yamaha the same way as RX 100 did almost a decade back? Lets have a look.

YZF-R15 has best in class muscular and macho looks. sadly the tirse are too skinny, a 120/80 x17 inch or 140/60 x17 inch tires would have looked awsome. Available in blue, black and red with twin head headlights YZF-R15 is as absolue YZF-R1 look alike. The cockpit is typically sports bike type, which provides a tachometer, digital speedometer, fuel gauge and telltale lamps.

Speedo

YZF-R15 develops 17bhp using only a 149.8cc, single cylinder, liouid cooled engine. The cylinders ued are DiASil Cylinders, they are all-aluminum cylinders made by YAMAHA’s proprietary aluminum die casting technology. Aluminumis a better conductor of heat, which means the cylinder delivers better heat dissipation and less weight. Fuel injection is used to ensure excellent fuel efficiency as well as environmental friendliness. This bike wont cause a whole in you pocket as it delivers approx. 43kmpl in the city and approx.44kmps on the highway. 

The frame, which forms the basis for its superd riding comfort and handling, is a Deltabox frame which delivers superior rigidity balance. YZF-R15 is equipped with a linked type monocross suspension that delivers a comfortable ride and a cushioning performance that is less prone to bottoming out. In particular, it reduces annoying “sinking” when riding tandem. Braking is superb wit its front and rear disc breaks. The price of this bike is bit more than that of the Hero Honda Karizma, its ex-showroom price is Rs.97,425.

YZF-R15 is packed with state-of-the-art technology that is used in the world’s supersport bikes. As the heir to the YAMAHA R-series, YZF-R15 has inherited agile handling. And hence, it could be rightly called the affordable sibling of the R1. Highly recomended for sports bike lovers.

If you guys and gals have any questions pls write it as a comment and i will surely post a reply.

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