The bikes come with the same 153cc engine good for 14bhp.
The special editions of the FZ S & Fazer are available at Rs 74,385 & Rs 79, 485 respectively (all prices ex showroom, Delhi).
JLR TO SHOWCASE A SLEW OF CONCEPTS
India is a home away from home for JLR since Tata Motors took the reins, so these iconic British brands want to put their best foot forward at the Expo to showcase what they are capable of.
MONTE CARLO EDITION Skoda fabia pics.
MONTE CARLO EDITION CELEBRATES 110 YEARS OF SKODA'S MOTORSPORT PROGRAM
FIRST DRIVE NEW BMW 3-SERIES REVIEW, TEST DRIVE
Testing a mainstream production saloon on a Formula 1 race track doesn’t serve any real purpose except to tell you how quick you (and the car) really are.
Yamaha Motor Launched FZ-S And Fazer Special Edition
The bikes come with the same 153cc engine good for 14bhp.
The special editions of the FZ S & Fazer are available at Rs 74,385 & Rs 79, 485 respectively (all prices ex showroom, Delhi).
Review And First Ride Of New Honda Dream Neo
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India has just augmented its bike line up with the addition of the Dream Neo. Part of Honda’s Dream series, the Dream Neo is the manufacturer’s first motorcycle to get HET, or Honda Eco Technology. The Dream Neo is aimed at fuel efficiency conscious customers looking for a reliable daily commuter, & will sell alongside the Dream Yuga & CB Twister in the competitive 110cc commuter bike segment.
True to a commuter bike, Honda’s Neo is conservatively styled, its angular headlamp housed in a simple bikini fairing. Instruments are likewise simple, showing the rider an analogue speedometer & fuel gauge, both of which are easily legible. Palm grips are soft & switchgear on the Neo is Honda typical, as found on several Honda commuter bikes here, these including a pass light flasher.
The Neo’s 8 litre fuel tank feels slender, & comes with a hinge less fuel filler cap. The base model Dream Neo comes with 18 inch wire spoke wheels while higher variants are available with six spoke alloy wheels, in black. The Dream Neo’s engine, frame & exhaust are also finished in black. At the rear, the Neo uses a simplistic tail light & jaded looking tubular grab handle. Overall quality & fit & finish are however up to the mark, as expected on any Honda motorcycle, & the Neo faces no issues here.
The 105kg Dream Neo uses a single downtube tubular frame, using its engine as a stressed member. For suspension, the Neo uses telescopic front forks & a set of hydraulic rear shock absorbers, coupled with a sturdy rectangular section swingarm. The Neo seats its rider in a commuter friendly, upright & comfy riding stance & provides its rider a well thought out ergonomic triangle. Ride quality is decent, & it’s also a light & nimble handling motorcycle in city. Barring the base model Neo, other variants ride on tubeless tyres, which provided us with sufficient traction in wet & dry conditions. Honda has equipped the Dream Neo with 130mm drum brakes front & rear, with no option of a disc brake available.
The Dream Neo is available in three variants, kick start/ drum brakes/ spoke wheels for Rs 43,150, kick/ drum/ alloy for Rs 44,150 & a top of the line self/ drum/ alloy variant priced at Rs 47,240 (all prices ex showroom, Delhi).
So, priced about the same as several rivals including Hero MotoCorp’s Splendor Pro & Passion X Pro, Suzuki’s Hayate, TVS’s Star City 110 & the recently launched Mahindra Pantero & Centuro, the Neo does show promise as a well rounded bike with Honda’s proven quality.
Hikes in Excise Duty Of Maruti SX4 , Honda Civic And Toyota Corolla
In our market, cars like the Toyota Corolla Altis & Maruti SX4 also fall under these parameters & hence, suffered the excise duty rise as well.
Now, the Central Board of Excise & Customs (CBEC) has issued a statement of clarification saying, “It is clear that the afore cited motor vehicles (Maruti SX4, Honda Civic & Toyota Corolla Altis), which are known as Sedans, will attract the excise duty of 27 percent as applicable to large segment cars.”
New Skoda Octavia To Unveil On August 9
Skoda India has confirmed that the new Octavia will be officially unveiled here on August 9th by Skoda’s Chairman of Board of Directors of SKODA Auto, Dr. H.C. Winfried Vahland
The fit & finish on the inside has also been stepped up. Seams are almost invisible, the quality of plastics is improved for the most part, & the neat & simple design of the dash is quite appealing. Boot space stands at a generous 590 litres.
The new Octavia will also come with a range of new safety features such as lane assistance, automatic braking system & also, a fatigue detection system. It will also get nine airbags. The new car will also come equipped with adaptive cruise control & an intelligent light assistant that switches automatically between low & high beams, & traffic sign recognition as well.
Though the car has a much larger footprint, prices are expected to be even more competitive than they are now (the Laura currently starts at around Rs 12.9 lakh for the 1.8 TSI). The EA888 1.8 TSI engine will be upgraded & will now make around 175bhp in India. There will also be a new automatic version that is sure to attract a whole new set of customers.
The base petrol, however, will be a 140bhp version of the 1.4 TSI, the engine seen on the VW Jetta, & is likely to be even more affordable. As earlier, there will also be two diesel versions. Both will use the same 2.0 litre TDI engine, but power outputs could be upped to 120 & 150bhp, respectively. Other engine options for the future include a 105bhp 1.6 diesel & possibly, a 200 plus bhp petrol vRS version, which could hit a top speed of 250kph. A diesel vRS is also likely to make it to Indian shores later.
Bentley Motors Confirmed To Launch An SUV In 2016
This move will create more than 1,000 jobs at Bentley’s Crewe plant.
The upcoming model, which will become the firm’s fourth model line, will be a “thoroughbred” Bentley, which will represent the brand’s hallmarks of "luxury, performance, quality & craftsmanship”. Bentley claims it will be the most powerful SUV on the market.
The announcement of a production SUV follows the Bentley EXP 9 F concept, which was shown at the 2012 Geneva motor show. It is likely to share its platform with the next generation Audi Q7 & Porsche Cayenne.
David Cameron, who was present at the announcement said, “This £800 million investment & a thousand new jobs from Bentley is fantastic news for both Crewe & for the UK as a whole. It is another important milestone in strengthening our economy.
“One sector that we know is sprinting ahead in the global race is our booming automotive industry. One vehicle rolls off a production line somewhere in the UK every 20 seconds & we have just launched the government’s Automotive Industrial Strategy to help continue this success for years to come.
“I am delighted that Bentley will be building their new vehicle here, not only creating a thousand jobs, but safeguarding many more, as well as increasing training opportunities for highly skilled apprentices.”
Volkswagen group boss, Martin Winterkorn said: “The Volkswagen Group believes in the UK as a competitive location for industrial production. Bentley fans all around the world are looking forward to the brand’s first SUV. Together we will make this new Bentley another true Bentley – powerful, exclusive & successful.”
Automobile Company Maruti Set To Launch WagonR Stingray
The Maruti WagonR Stingray will come with different styling up front & at the rear. The front gets a cleaner & sportier look with slim headlamps which may house projector beam units, a flat bonnet & a slimmer grille & an all new bumper with a bigger air dam. The side profile of the car is expected to remain the same as the current WagonR. The rear is unique to the Stingray in the form of slimmer tail lamps with clear lens units & an all new bumper that houses the number plate. The Stingray will get alloy wheels as well.
The sportier WagonR will also reportedly come with slightly spruced up interiors in the form of different colours for the upholstery & other minor tweaks. The WagonR Stingray is expected to carry the same three cylinder 67bhp 1.0 litre K10 series motor as seen in the current WagonR.
Expect the Stingray to be priced around Rs 40,000 50,000 more than the current WagonR when it hits the showrooms soon.
Indian Mototcycle Royal Enfield & Actor Farhan Akhtar Organised ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ contest
The Royal Enfield motorcycle used in this film is similar to the one actually used by Milkha Singh while serving in the Indian Army. Royal Enfield even removed the front disc brake on the Desert Storm & replaced it with a drum brake to make the bike look more authentic in the film.
The campaign was made to showcase the spirit of memorable journeys by Royal Enfield.
Honda Motor Company Reveiled New 2014 Jazz
The car you see here is the hybrid model powered by Honda’s 1.5 litre Atkinson cycle engine & Honda’s Sport Hybrid Intelligent Dual Clutch Drive (i DCD) gearbox that supposedly improves the car’s fuel efficiency by more than 35 percent & also features the best fuel economy of all the hybrid models in Japan. But, we doubt this engine & gearbox combo will make it to India. The conventional car will have subtle differences in styling such as differently designed wheels & tail lamps.
Honda will produce the car at its Tapukara plant, using a large amount of content locally to keep costs down. & since the Jazz shares its platform with the new City (due here in early 2014), it will definitely be more affordable than the earlier car. Honda doesn’t want to go & make that mistake again. The new Jazz’s wheelbase has increased by approximately 50mm (resulting in better rear legroom) but we expect the overall length to stay similar to that of the older car. The older car measured in at 3900mm & if Honda sticks to its sub four metre length, the Jazz, with its 1.2 litre petrol & 1.5 litre diesel engine, will fall under the definition of a small car, making it eligible for an excise benefit.
Honda was rumoured to be losing money on the earlier Jazz, leading to fewer models being produced than demand for the car, which meant long waiting periods & irate customers. Another factor was the introduction of the Amaze. Honda was anticipating huge demand for its Amaze compact saloon, & needed to concentrate its available resources towards the Amaze.
So, when the new Jazz does make its way here in 2014, it will be interesting to see where Honda positions it. Our sources say that it will slot right in between the Brio & the Amaze, which could possibly play in the Jazz’s favour. Good news for Honda Jazz fans in India.
The car’s grille now sports more aggressive, almost Civic like, headlamps & a sleeker grille as well. The new bumper is dominated by large air vents which add to the sporty appearance of the front, & on the side, there’s a prominent rising beltline, not on the previous car, which flows neatly into the new tail lamps. The headlamps come with metallic inserts. & there are turn indicators on the wing mirrors as well. The Jazz has always come with a spacious & extremely practical cabin, & this is a trait that will definitely be maintained.
Honda will produce the car at its Tapukara plant, using a large amount of content locally to keep costs down. & since the Jazz shares its platform with the new City (due here in early 2014), it will definitely be more affordable than the earlier car. Honda doesn’t want to go & make that mistake again. The new Jazz’s wheelbase has increased by approximately 50mm (resulting in better rear legroom) but we expect the overall length to stay similar to that of the older car. The older car measured in at 3900mm & if Honda sticks to its sub four metre length, the Jazz, with its 1.2 litre petrol & 1.5 litre diesel engine, will fall under the definition of a small car, making it eligible for an excise benefit.
Honda was rumoured to be losing money on the earlier Jazz, leading to fewer models being produced than demand for the car, which meant long waiting periods & irate customers. Another factor was the introduction of the Amaze. Honda was anticipating huge demand for its Amaze compact saloon, & needed to concentrate its available resources towards the Amaze.
So, when the new Jazz does make its way here in 2014, it will be interesting to see where Honda positions it. Our sources say that it will slot right in between the Brio & the Amaze, which could possibly play in the Jazz’s favour. Good news for Honda Jazz fans in India.
Honda Motor Company Reveiled It's Brio-based MPV
The styling, however, is far more aggressive. The nose, especially the headlights & the grille, are clearly Brio like, but the car is sat on a block like base, put there in an effort to disguise the otherwise odd dimensions. Gaping large inlets are present in the front & rear bumper, the designers have used a kink in the window line to visually reduce the length of the car & big wheel arches have also been used to further accentuate this. The heavily flared wheel arch at the rear, with its central ridgeline, is in fact likely to be the talking point of this car. The sketch also reveals a very interesting ‘floating D pillar’ that hovers above the shoulder line. It however remains to be seen if this feature makes it to production.
Known as Asia’s MPV haven, Indonesia is the home to many MPVs. Toyota’s Innova is produced there, our own Maruti Ertiga is sold in that market & there are a raft of other MPVs on sale there too. Honda’s Low MPV (code: 2NH) will also be produced there first, Indonesia likely to be the launch market. India however will be next.
Details of the interior are sketchy, but the Brio’s dashboard is likely to be carried over. Insiders say there will be plenty of luggage space present even with all three rows being used by passengers.
Where Honda’s mini MPV is likely to score well too is in the engine department. Unlike Maruti’s Ertiga, that suffers from a bit of turbo lag owing to the small displacement 1248cc diesel engine used, this car will come powered by Honda’s 1500cc 100bhp motor that delivers instant throttle responses & plenty of torque. The 2NH is also likely to use an updated version of the City’s current 1.5 litre i VTEC petrol motor because it is unlikely to be less than four meters long.
With three rows of seats, Honda’s excellent packaging skills, aggressive styling & a strong diesel engine under the hood, Honda’s mini MPV will surely give the Ertiga a run for its money. Expect to see the car in India first at the Auto Expo in January 2014, with the production version hitting our shores towards the middle of next year.
30,000 Ford Ecosport Booked Since Launching
Ford launched the EcoSport on June 26 at a starting price of Rs 5.59 lakh (ex showroom, Delhi) & in a range of variants with three engine options. It remains to be seen whether the carmaker’s move to recall the diesel version of the car has an impact on the rocketing sales.
Italian Company Piaggio Is Launching New Vespa Scooter Soon
Mercedes AMG A45 Coming To India Very Soon
Audi Will Launch Q3 Sport Very Soon
A Limited Edition Swift RS Launched By Maruti
The Swift RS’s body kit includes a revised front & rear bumper & a roof spoiler. It also gets black & blue body graphics, along with black wheel covers. The wing mirrors come in blue & there’s even an illuminated Swift emblem on all four door siils.
On the inside, the upholstery is once again adorned in black and blue, & it also gets a music system with a CD player, Aux in & USB capability.
On the introduction of the Swift RS, Manohar Bhat, vice president, marketing, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “The Swift RS is in continuation of Maruti Suzuki’s celebrations planned around the Swift model as it moves towards the “1 million” cumulative sales mark. The Swift not only pioneered the premium compact segment in the country, it continues to remain the top selling car in the segment. The Swift has cumulatively sold over 9.6 lakh units since its launch in May 2005. We are confident that the limited edition Swift RS will be ideal for customers who look to further enhance the sporty character & style of the Swift. All this comes with a much higher value worth than the price the customer pays for the Swift RS package.”
The Swift RS package is available only on the VXi & VDi trims & is priced at Rs 24,500 over & above the cost of the respective trim.
Mahindra Quanto registers more than 10,000 bookings
Commenting on the response to the Quanto, Pravin Shah, chief executive, automotive division, Mahindra & Mahindra said, “We are delighted that the Quanto has received over 10,000 bookings in a span of two months & we are thankful to our customers for this overwhelming response. This strengthens our belief that the Quanto will create a new category within the SUV segment with its unique value proposition. We are confident of meeting the demand for the Quanto & are in the process of ramping up our production capacity at Nashik towards the same.”
The Quanto was designed & developed completely in house by Mahindra on the Ingenio platform, & is powered by a 1.5 litre mCR100 engine that puts out 100bhp.
Audi Q7 production started in India
The newly constructed Audi hall at the group plant of Skoda Auto India, which covers a floor area of 20,000 square metres, will also see the production of the Q3, slated to begin from mid 2013.
"Local production of the Q7 means Audi India is now building a second Q model locally. That will reduce waiting times for our customers & we will be able to offer a wider range of versions in the market," explained Michael Perschke, head of Audi India. This move comes as part of Audi’s long term growth strategy for the Indian market which it feels is one of the most promising auto markets in the world.
Increasing demand from Indian customers for the Audi Q3, Q5 & Q7 SUV models has had a major impact on the brand's growth in India. Over the first 10 months of this year, the carmaker has increased its sales in the Indian market by 55 percent to 7,273 units, having already surpassed its record sales total of 5,511 cars for 2011.
At dealer level, too, Audi is steadily building up its nationwide presence in India. There will be 25 dealerships throughout the country by the end of this year. New showrooms have opened in Kanpur, Goa, Navi Mumbai, Coimbatore, Delhi West, Nagpur & Bhopal over the past few months.
Preview of Autocar Performance Show 2012
The annual Autocar Performance Show has is becoming a permanent fixture on the Indian petrolhead calendar. They come from all over to get their fix of the latest that the world of high performance has to offer. Come November 1 4, the MMRDA Grounds in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex will see thousands of motoring enthusiasts rushing through its gates to catch a glimpse of their favourite supercars & superbikes. After all, it’s not everyday that the fastest, most powerful & most coveted cars & bikes come together under one roof. & this year’s roof is going to be bigger than ever before! Here’s a taste of what’s to come.
KINGS of the road
Sultans of swingarm
So you prefer two wheels to four, handlebars to steering wheels, saddles to seats; the superbike corner will definitely impress you. Some of the best bikes available in India will be on display; perhaps even some that aren’t available in India.
Off road offensive
Go for glory
Driving in traffic getting to you? If you own a Maruti car, bring it down to the show & let off some steam at the Maruti Suzuki Autocross track. Pit yourself against the specially designed track in a controlled environment, with driving tips from professionals.
Build your own beast
If you’ve always wanted to get more out of your machine, or wanted to modify its looks to suit your style, this is the perfect opportunity.
STUFF GADGET SHOW 2012
Test Drive and Review of Ford Figo Facelift
The updated car comes with a number of revisions to the exterior, including redesigned head & tail lamps, a new hexagonal grille, revised fog lamp housings & eight spoke alloy wheels. Two new colours also make their debut – bright yellow & kinetic blue.
Fact File
Engine
Fuel Petrol / Diesel
Installation Front, Transverse
Type 1196cc / 1399cc
Bore/stroke 70.6/76.5mm, 73/82mm
Power 70bhp @ 6250rpm / 68bhp @ 4000rpm
Torque 10.4kgm @ 4000rpm / 16.3kgm @ 2000rpm
Transmission
Type Front wheel drive
Gearbox 5 speed manual
Dimensions
Length 3795mm
Width 1680mm
Height 1427mm
Wheel base 2489mm
Chassis & Body
Construction Monocoque, five door hatchback
Weight 1090kg / 1130kg
Wheels 14inch
Tyres 175/65 R14, tubeless
Spare Full size
Suspension
Front Independent, MacPherson struts
Rear Non independent, twist beam, coil spring
Steering
Type Rack & pinion
Type of power assist Hydraulic
Brakes
Front 260mm ventilated discs
Rear 203mm drums
Anti lock Yes
Final Report on Hyundai Eon
of self centering movement also took a long time to get used to.
However, despite these flaws, I did quite like the Eon. I liked how it would squeeze into the tightest of parking spots. I liked how easy it was to manoeuvre around the crater sized potholes that litter Mumbai’s roads. & I also liked the soft edge with which the suspension dispatched low speed bumps. But more than anything else, I liked how the Eon felt more expensive than its price.
I also found the driver’s seat comfy enough, though I think the fixed headrest is too low to provide sufficient whiplash protection. Even our towering photographer Vishwajeet (he’s 6 feet 3 inches tall) had enough headroom in the front, which is really saying something. He was also pleasantly surprised at how the Eon easily swallowed up his camera gear & a weekend’s worth of luggage with ease. Our car’s internal boot release malfunctioned in its last few days with us so we had to hand over the car’s keys at all security checks, which was an irritant. I didn’t sit in the back seat myself, but save for the odd comment on the restricted visibility out of the small windows, my passengers didn’t have much else to say – I’m taking that as a good thing. I’m also happy to report the aircon was very effective at keeping the cabin cool. My only grouse would be with the small vents that have a very limited spread.
Odometer: 5500km
Price: Rs 4.57 lakh (on road, Mumbai)
Test Economy: 15.4kpl overall
Mantainence Costs: None
Faults: Internal boot release malfunction
Review and Test Drive of Tata Safari Storme
At the back, the tailgate mounted spare wheel has now been moved under the floor. The result is a cleaner rear profile with a new set of tail lights.
Just like the previous generation Safari, the Storme has excellent seat comfort and, once you haul yourself in, you are rewarded with a commanding seating position & a delightfully spacious & airy cabin. The front seats are large & very well bolstered, whilst the rear bench is supportive too.
In stark contrast, the third row is far from comfortable or practical. The tiny, foldable jump seats are only useable on short journeys, at best.
The overall level of refinement is much better now with an engine that is quieter throughout its rev range, & a cabin that feels particularly well insulated from the outside.
Tata engineers have managed to shave around 75 kg off the old car thanks to a lighter chassis, but this hulking two tonne SUV is a bit lethargic off the line; a result of its weight & lack of low end torque. You need to keep the engine above 1800rpm, after which the Storme picks up the pace with a fair amount of enthusiasm. The mid range is quite punchy & cruising is quite effortless, which suits the Safari’s role as a long distance cruiser.
The clutch is reasonably light & the gearbox has been improved with shorter throws, but the shift still feels a bit soggy & vague.
The ride comfort is simply fantastic. The Storme coasts over bumps & broken roads like a freight train, flattening out even the largest of potholes. The suspension, also carried over from the Aria, is on the softer side, & hence there’s a fair amount of pitching & heaving over uneven surfaces.
The Storme retains the old Safari’s comprehensive four wheel drive system that includes a low range & a limited slip differential. The system is easily engaged by using a central console mounted dial & this allows the big Tata to tackle medium to difficult sections.
The new Safari Storme comes equipped with features like ABS, remote locking & an audio system with Bluetooth connectivity standard across the range. In fact, the Rs 9.95 lakh (ex showroom, Delhi) that Tata is asking for the base Storme LX may be considerably more than the old LX, but the equipment is on par, if not better than, the old mid level EX.
Unusually, the top end VX versions (Rs 12.5 lakh for the 4x2) no longer get the reversing camera (there’s just parking sensors) or DVD player as they did before.
The Safari Storme, then, comes across as a quantum leap ahead of the previous Safari. It’s well equipped, refined, better built & comprehensively updated. & with prices starting from Rs 9.9 lakh for the base 4x2 model & going to Rs 13.7 lakh for the fully loaded 4x4 option, it’s great value for money. Also, as a long distance cruiser, nothing can quite beat it for the money. The only grouse is that, even after 14 years, Tata hasn’t got around to changing the ageing body completely.
Fact File
Price Range (in lakhs)*
| Ex-showroom price | Rs 9.95L to Rs 13.66L (Ex-showroom, Delhi) |
Engine
| Fuel | Diesel |
| Installation | Front, longitudinal |
| Type | 4-cyl, in-line, 2179cc, common-rail, turbo diesel |
| Bore/stroke | 85.0/96.0mm |
| Power | 140bhp at 4000rpm |
| Torque | 32.63kgm at 1700-2700rpm |
Transmission
| Gearbox | 5-speed manual |
Dimensions
| Length | 4650mm |
| Width | 1965mm |
| Height | 1922mm |
| Wheel base | 2650mm |
| Ground clearance | 200mm |
Chassis & Body
| Tyres | 235/70-R16 |
Suspension
| Front | Independent, double wishbone, coil springs |
| Rear | non-independent, 5-link with coil springs |
Brakes
| Front | Ventilated discs |
| Rear | discs |
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