No.1 Car and Bike News Blog In India
Honda Motors is devising a small sized diesel engine for the vehicles made in India. The process is at the infant stage and the result will be stronger. This was unofficially revealed by the company’s Chief Operating Officer for R&D. the need is inevitable for the company to make its foot stronger in the Indian market, he said.
The company sees the sensible presence in the completion with the diesel engine. This engine will power the portfolio of City, Jazz, and the Small Concept car.
To enrich the technological process in its business, General Motors is on the process of recruiting more engineers in India this year. Some 150-200 engineers will be absorbed to look after every process- transmission, engines, hybrids and controls. GM is boastful with its largest automatic transmission design centre in Bangalore ( one that is outside its apex country). GM’s launch of Chevrolet Cruze AT received good response from the public, said the company’s President and MD for India. With the current production of 700 units the company has got bookings for another two months.
The sale volume in 2009 was 69579 cars amidst the slow down in the auto business. The comparative sale volume of 2008 was 65000 units and the boost in 2009 was due to the new arrivals – Chevrolet Spark and Chevrolet Beat. To improve further, there will be an addition of sales network-from 200 to 300 this year. GM’s manufacturing plants are in Talegaon and Halol with the capacity of 2.25 lakhs a year. Of these, Talegaon unit will see the second shift in March, just three months ahead of the schedule and the engine unit here will commence the production from November 2010 at a capacity of 1.6 lakh units. Halol is already having the second shift.
The company’s Technical Centre is in the process of devising engines in the range of 0.8 lit to 6-speed heavy duty and automatic transmission. Currently the engine design is carried out with the technical assistance mooted by the engineers of the apex plant in the US. In order to have more domestic focus, the company is on the verge of incorporating more engineers by this year end.
Toyota Kirloskar Motors and State Bank of Hyderabad have entered into a pact for extending finance for its vehicles. The agreement enhances more movement of vehicles from Toyota Kirloskar as the agreement was inked by the GM(Sales) of TKM and DGM of SBH.
Under the agreement SBH will offer two schemes – Ezee car loans and SBH Advantage Car Loans for the customers and can be availed from 1100 branches spread across the country. To meet this demand Toyota, for its part, has invested Rs1500 crore to shell out more models for its portfolio.
vicky test drive report on Honda CB Twister is here. Read the test drive report at http://www.vicky.in/slideshow/honda-cb-twister-test-drive-and-review/
In a bid to strengthen its identity, Volvo has taken the stumps to run along the crease in the ensuing One-Day International cricket matches between India and SAfrica. The highlight of the association with the ODIs will be the award of the latest “Volvo S80 twin-turbo diesel” to the man of the series. In this regard, the winner will be a proud owner of the most luxurious car ever awarded to a cricketer in India. Volvo has arranged for the display of the car in all the venues of the matches- Jaipur, Gwalior and Ahmedabad. The car, in its full electric silver will be on display against anthracite black and beige interiors in all the stadia.
The company MD said that the promotion of sports sponsorship by his company is intended to create inspiration and exposure. The matches or sports tournaments turn out to be ideal avenues to display their products and attract the potential customers’ passion. The award- Volvo S80 twin turbo diesel- will be an additional attraction to the charm of the tournament, he said.
The vehicle will bear Twin Turbo and Peizo high pressure tech and the all powerful 5-cylinder. In a way, it represents the vigor of the players on the field. The car provides 13.1 km/l mileage and the level of CO2 is 203g/km and is fitted with Volvo’s personalized safety measures. The strategy to focus this car in the ongoing fight-between India and South Africa- for the first slot in the rankings while inducing the spirit of heroic ventures.
The encounter against BMW could not restrain the luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz from introducing new models this year. The companies are in the race to retain the top slot among the luxury car segment in India. In all there will be 10-12 new models in 2010, of which five-including luxury limousine S-Guard (Rs6 crore) have been launched last month, said the Member of the Board Management in India. Limousine S-500L, SUV GL 350, and E-250 CDI, E-2201 sedans are the rest launched in January.
Other models, including some under E-Class segment, will be set for rolling within this year, he added. He asserted that the Indian luxury car market promises huge volume of business and the company seeks to take advantage of the situation. Mercedes-Benz lost its position as the top company in the luxury segment to BMW in 2009, but the reversal of fortune favored it this year as it has sold 403 units in January whereas BMW sold 341 units.
Volkswagen Polo made its debut in India with 1.2L petrol variant and 1.2L diesel variant. The petrol variant of Polo is priced at Rs 4.34 lakh (ex showroom, New Delhi) followed by the diesel variant at the cost of Rs 5.32 lakh (ex showroom, New Delhi).
The petrol variant of Polo produces an output of 75HP @ 5400 rpm and a Torque of 110NM @ 3750 rpm whereas the diesel variant produces an output of 75HP @ 4200 rpm and torque of 180 NM @ 2000 rpm.The New Polo dazzles in three trim levels Highline, Comfortline and Trendline; is paired with a 5-speed manual gear box.
The new hatchback is outfitted with storage compartment in front doors for 1.5 liter bottles, sunglass storage inside glove box, folding rear seat backrests and the two-tone dashboard are proof of the sure instinct of high design quality which interprets the classic elements of the Polo in a contemporary way.
The New Polo offers remote keyless central locking that includes remote window up / down on the Highline. Standard for all cars are the tilt & telescopic steering that allows for perfect ergonomic seating for driver for fatigue free driving. It is also the only car in this segment offering green-tinted heat-blocking glass as standard.
The exteriors of Polo comes with 6 years Anti Corrosion Warranty and its galvanized body has coloured bumpers halogen headlights.The New Polo Highline has large 15” alloy wheels, ensconced in their flared arches; give it a higher and more commanding stance.
It is also equipped with advanced occupant safety with Dual airbags, driver and passenger side and Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS). Electronic anti theft immobilizer is available as standard across the line-up. The new Polo is out with enchanting features like CD MP3 Player changer with 4 speakers, power steering for better drivability, central locking with unique boot opener in company logo and height adjustable driving seat which improves visibility.
The New Polo price lists are as follows,
|
Engine/ Trimline |
Price (INR in Lakhs) |
|
1.2L 75 HP Petrol Trendline |
4,34,000 |
|
1.2L 75 HP Petrol Comfortline |
4,83,800 |
|
1.2L 75 HP Petrol Highline |
5,72,000 |
|
1.2 L 75 HP TDI Trendline |
5,32,000 |
|
1.2L 75 HP TDI Comfortline |
5,81,800 |
|
1.2L 75 HP TDI Highline |
6,70,000 |
All prices are ex-showroom New Delhi.Deliveries of the new 1.2L 75HP New Polo petrol variant will begin from March 2010 onwards across all Volkswagen dealerships and the 1.2L Diesel variant will be available for customers from May 2010.
Catch More Volkwagen Polo Pictures @ http://www.vicky.in/slideshow/volkswagen-polo-launch-pictures/
Volkswagen Polo Pictures
The most anticipated Cruze Automatic (AT) from General Motors is now on Indian roads. Cruze Automatic is crafted splendidly with 6-speed tiptonic unit Transmission. Tiptronic transmission operates in the same manner as a conventional type of automatic transmission.
The manual version of Cruze has enhanced diesel performance,and redefined the D-segment with its coupe-like design proportions, comfortable interiors, class leading features and other exclusive product attributes. The new Cruz is sportive with refined six-speed automatic transmission including Clutch-to-clutch shift operation for added precision and smoother shifts between gears.
Cruze Automatic (AT) is an outstanding highway cruiser with improved fuel economy and it keeps the engine revolutions as low as possible with controlled speed ratio. First gear is designed for a very high ratio to provide brisk acceleration from the top while the sixth gear has an overdrive ratio to keep the engine revolutions low.
GM Motors outfitted Cruze with incredible fuel efficiency of 14.5 Kmpl. The Cruze automatic comes with all the features of the top end LTZ variant plus automatic transmission,PEPS, Push Button Start, Cruise Control, Smart Screen and Electric Sunroof .This luxury sedan is priced at Rs 13.45 lakh (ex showroom, Delhi).
The Automatic variant will also be available in a special 3 coat paint called White Diamond in addition to the exciting six colors already on offer. One of the key benefits of this model is that it uses premium fluids in the transmission that does not need replacement during normal use.
A brand new limousine from Mercedes-Benz comes with the integrated protection of S-Guard. The guard has the conventional set up and enfolds the traditional 80 year old experience to suit the needs of the moment. The guard comes afresh as the factory finish. This S-Guard resembles its sibling S-Class by offering convenient and safe journey, said the company’s Director for Corporate Affairs. The defence personnel are enhanced with sure safety about their lives and their future. This S-Guard is ranked on top in this class of protective vehicles and is equipped with the smooth 12-cylinder bi-turbo engine having the displacement of 5513 cubic cm. it has an output of 380 Kw/517 hp @830 Nm torque. An armored shield from the pioneer indeed.
Hyundai to step up its presence in the overseas market by this year. The company is starting with Australia, which is the follow up the earliest venture of exporting 20 Santros to Nepal right back 1999. The current export capacity is 1500 units of Santro to Europe in addition to i10, i20 and Accent which are being exported to more than 110 countries. With these 10 new markets will be listed and the first one will be Australia, said the company’s MD for India.
The first lot already exported was 500 units of i20 to Australia along with the export of Getz to Australia(from Korea). i20 ranges are for the first time exported from Indian facility and the target is 10000-15000 units in 2010. The net export of cars in 2009 was 2.48 lakhs and the company seeks to increase this to 2.60 lakhs. Among the export models, i10 will constitute 50% and the rest will be occupied by the remaining models.
The domestic market presence too is on the increase phase – to 20.6 to 21% as the company has already sold 3.20 lakhs in 2009. The shifting process of the plants – of i20 from India to Europe- is on the go and the latest one is the shifting of production of i20 to Turkey.