Ford new small car/hatchback-'Figo' unveiled

Ford unveiled its new 'Made for India' hatchback on Wednesday,23rd sept 2009.
Based on older Fiesta platform(newer being built on Mazda platform). The design seems to be a radical but not too much exciting & not sporty like the Swift. It seems to be a re-skinned Fusion from the window lines & rear C-pillar glass section,but under the skin its a Fiesta in a hatchback avtar.
But actually it looks good with new front(chin section like new Fiesta in Europe) & rear section especially the new tail-gate glass design is awesome.
While the huge flared wheel arches lends it a muscular look.
The interiors in the sketches looks good with its sharp curvy lines & slightly seems to be based on Fiesta's gone through the scalpel job. But it do comes with huge comfortable seats for all 5-passengers as evident from car's dimensions.
It will come with two engine options,1.4 l,68 bhp Duratorq diesel & 1.2 l, 75bhp Duratec petrol based on current group of Duratec Petrol engines in Fiesta,mated to 5-speed manual gearbox. The suspension will be the MacPherson struts in the front & Torsion beam type in the rear put together lending it a superb dynamics.
At last, pricing ! It'll be priced very competitively in lines with the Fiat Punto & Volkswagen Polo,i.e the base version will be priced very closed to the 4-lac mark.
(Images courtesy Overdrive Figo Gallery)

Yamaha Fazer 150 vs Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS-i

Going forward enthusiastically inline with the trends & customer feedbacks, the Japaneese giant 'YAMAHA' launched the Semi-faired version of its highly successful 153cc 'FZ-16' named FAZER.
DESIGN:As seen from the pictures,the New Fazer features the Smashing looking front fairing with twin head-lamps inspired from its R-series,while the Pulsar 220 DTS-i retains the older 220 DTS-Fi looks with its bigger Projector-type headlamp giving it a distinct identity plus the new is the introduction of the new All Black engine & other parts theme.
Both the bikes features Digital Instrumentation while the Pulsar has easy to read Analog Tachometer.


ENGINE & MECHANICALS:The Mechanical bits remains the same in YAMAHA from FZ-16 like The powerful 14 bhp extremely refined engine, Midship design, Monocross suspension, A Monster 140/60 radial rear tyre, Smart muffler.
The Bajaj also retains all the elements from its precedessor like the robust 220cc engine & strong mechanicals while the tyre configuration remaining the same,while having advantage over Yamaha in terms of offering both disc brakes with 260mm Front & 230mm Rear disc brake while the Yamaha continues to work with Rear Drum Front Disc pattern.


RIDE & DYNAMICS:Both the bike offer comfortable seating & ride with excellent dynamics but YAMAHA has a slight edge over the BAJAJ in terms of the handling aided by the Monocross suspension & wider 100/80-17 front & 140/60-17 radial rear tyres.
While,Yamaha is marketing this bike with a 'TOURING SPIRIT',that means as a long distance tourer/cruiser with slightly Upright seating.So,that will be a good introduction after a crouched R15 seating,while also giving advantage over the sporty Pulsar seating too........
FUEL EFFICIENCY:While these bikes are from their different worlds,but anyhow their fuel efficiency figures are somewhat close,i.e. nearly 40-50kmpl in mixed driving style.


THE RESULTS:The Fazer is Priced At Rs. 72,500 & Pulsar 220 DTS-i is priced cheaper at Rs. 70,000.The latter is a good value for money with good blend of looks & power.
But the question is that how often you use all the horses from the Pulsar in daily use,so my vote goes to the More Practical YAMAHA Fazer over Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS-i with added benefits of looks & Japaneese Reliablity,no matters it costs some 2 grands more than the latter.
But if u are a Speed lover & wants Everything & you are driving highways too,then more Powerful Pulsar is the Undoubted choice for you.
(Images courtesy Overdrive & Company websites)

New Kari'ZMA' PGM-Fi comimg soon

After having too long in the business,the World's largest selling bike maker-The Hero Honda has finally awakened & has given its Flagship model a fresh upgrade of its life in the form of its New looks,performance upgrades & many more.
As per seen in these spy pics,the new ZMA will be featuring a new Full-front fairing with huge sticker job & clear-lens indicators in continuation with trends of Yamaha R15,but its design seems to be inspired from Suzuki Hayabausa,but anyways it looks cool.
The side section remains the same saving only for the new chrome sticker job & terrific gold finished engine covers.
The rear is refreshed with split-type grab rails & the new introduction is of the LED tail-lamp unit with integrated clear indicators. The mudguard is also the new with seprate number plate illumination.
Other design elements include new bigger & powerful headlamp,the massive Clip-on handlebars,the Semi-Digital instrumentation with analog tacho.
Mechanically,there are lots of surprises like the PGM-Fi mated kick-less 223cc engine with increased power figures upto 18 bhp n optimised fuel-efficiency figures.
The only visible flaw will be the old same 2.75 front & 100/90 rear configuration.
Lets hope it will be changed before its launch.
At expected price of upto 85k, it will be a great value for money plus added benefits of HH's service support & reliablity.
Together with all it pose a great competition to its direct rival Yamaha R15 n indirectly to newly launched Pulsar 220 DTS-i.

Hyundai i20 CRDi Diesel coming soon

Hyundai's all-rounder premium hatchback i20 Diesel is in pipeline & will be launched very soon this 2nd half of 2009.
Featured in it will be the Euro-based made for export market 1.4 litre,90 bhp common-rail diesel engine based on Verna's 110 bhp CRDi diesel with fixed geometory turbo,producing torque inexcess of 170 Nm.
However,the diesel will be available only in higher Asta & Asta optional trim levels with standard ABS & 6-Airbags.
Interiors will be remained unchanged i.e. remains Elegant, comfortable,feature-rich with cheerful coffee/beige shades with huge equipment list.
And alloys on the exteriors adding jazziness to it.
Pricing will be like just Icing on the Cake,at sure sub 6-lakh price bracket.
With Euro Safety ratings of 5-stars, all of these makes it a very special, desirable Premium package.
At last, To own too. . . .

New Facelifted Swift 1.2 petrol coming soon

As new emission norms are coming into force in 2010 & more than 3-lakh Swift's are lugging around on the Indian roads.
Maruti will be finally going to launch a much needed Face-lifted version of its highly popular premium hatchback Swift with minor changes to its already hot sporty looks highly restricted to its bumpers,headlamps & tail-lamps externally while the interiors will get some spice by having some beige upholstery bits with other minor changes like revised dials,etc.
However the main biggest change will be the introduction of the 1.2 litre 84 bhp K-series Petrol engine from its sibling Ritz due to its compliance with the Bharat stage-IV emission norms,the latter will benefit it in terms of much better power delivery,fuel-efficiency n smoother engine responses than current Esteem derived buzzy 88bhp,1.3 litre old G13B engine, plus it gives added benefits of improved speed & acceleration due to lower kerb weight & better aerodynamics than Ritz.
The diesel will also get tweaks by tweaking its ECU to meet Bharat-IV norms.
The Icing on the cake will be the Petrol version which also seems to get some price revisions as it will fall under Excise duty benefit category(8% as compared to normally 20%) ..

Chevrolet's new Supermini 'BEAT' aka new Spark coming this Dec09

Displayed in motor show at Europe last year,the 'BEAT Concept' has taken a shape the production car.Its details will be posted very soon.....

Toyota Fortuner finally coming to India in September 09

India's most eagerly awaited SUV/Car above 12 lakh,aka The Toyota Fortuner is Finally headed to India,after storming the Thai & Asia pacific markets & will be finally here in this September 2009 in India's Toyota showrooms.
Based on the Toyota global IMV-Platform(on which the Innova is built),reputed for highly rugged,reliable & successful vehicles.
The front end will be having a macho stance given by huge projector headlamps & slim grille with huge Toyota logo.
The side profile will include a huge cladded wheel arches with huge alloys.
The rear will be inspired from bigger Land Cruiser featuring huge tail lamps.
The rear D-pillar quarter glass lends it a distinctive style.
The Interiors will be spacious & luxurious with premium Beige shade upholstery with wood finish inserts with Triple row seating with capacity of 7-persons with good leg/head/shoulderroom.
Premium features include Airbags,Power mirrors,Climatronic AC, Parking sensors,Electro-luminiscent instrumentation,leather upholstery & many more.
The Engine likely to be introduced will be the 3.0 litre D-4D(common-rail turbo) generating power in excess of 150 bhp & torque more than 300 Nm providing it a serious off roading abilites transmitted by a 5-speed mannual gearbox to all 4-wheels operated by a mannual 4x4 shifter.
Suspension will be of highly refined Dual-wishbone & coil-spring arrangements giving it a superb refined dynamics.
At last,at price expected close to the 20-lakh mark gives a serious competition to its rivals like Captiva,Endeavour.

Honda Jazz to be launched in June 09 in India

Its looks are awesome n eye catching with size similar to the Swift/Fabia but taller than it...
Its looks are more like mini-MPV but are awesome with the sharp aerodynamic front reminiscent of Honda city ZX,
The bonnet also features the Prominent V in the centre which lends it a distinct look & the Rear is also with prominent tail-gate with rear wash-wipe feature,
Bulbulous Tail lamps at rear are reminiscent of the Toyota Prado.

It will be powered by excellent 1.2 litre i-VTEC, 85 bhp engine with excellent power delievery & fuel efficiency figures,a marvellous honda engineering like the new city & civic.
Transmission will be the 5-speed Mannual.
Interiors will be luxurious,high quality affair with steering wheel similar to the seen in the Civic & the new city,dials are also similar to the new city but the air-con controls are mannual & are asymmetrically placed.
Electronically adjustable outside mirrors are also standard in the top end versions. But the centre console seems a bit small in such a pricey car.
An integrated i-Pod/fm/aux-in player will also be standard in top-end versions with Steering mounted audio controls like its elder sibling New City. Other bits such as door handles,gear knob, steering are also shared with its elders.

Rear seat will be the High,comfortable spot enough for 3 persons with added flexiblity aided by 60:40 split rear seats helpful for luggage also....
Boot space is also on the higher side with good height & width,infact it's the maximum amongst its competitiors.
Suspension will be McPherson struts in the front with anti-roll bars & Torsion beam type semi-independent axle seen most these days.
Alloys will not be available as an option even in the top-end versions....

Fiat Grande Punto coming this June09

After changing fortunes of the fiat in Italy & After the huge success of Fiat Linea in India,
Eagerly awaited Fiat Grande Punto is finally coming 2 India this june09 to turn fortune tables in India.
Based onthe same specifications as that of the european versions,she is coming in India except for the Altered lengths(by chopping the bumpers) for the Excise duty sops in india,i.e. under 4 metres in length.
Onthe Design front she is having Amazing design with Typical Italian Flairs with clean lines with Audi/Masserati inspired front with wraparound Headlamps.
The foglamps are neatly integrated into the bumper.

The Butt is sexier with taillamps surrounding the Rear windshield with Lower tail/boot section giving a clean look.

The side profile includes Flared wheel arches,tightly shut door lines & front Quarter glass lending a much new-gen sporty look.
The Interiors are very spacious with wide legroom,shoulder-room & headroom with wider comfortable seats much Linea-like,the Parts sharing with her elder sibling are mostly are the Steering wheel,seats,Centre console,gear knobs,etc.
Automatic climate controls & high-quality powerful Blaupunkt music-system are expected in the tod-end versions with the base versions left with high-quality Rotary controls & aftermarket provision for music-system.
The Engines includes
-Fiat's hot favourite World reknown & super refined 75bhp,1.3 L high-torque Multijet Diesel.
-Petrol engine will be under 1.2 L for Excise-duty benefits.
-Also Expected is the 1.4 L DOHC,88bhp for some hot performance.
Transmission will be 5-speed mannual.
The Suspension will be McPherson Struts in the front & now popular n Space Efficient Semi-independent Tosion beam type rear-axle with anti-roll bars all around.
The Ground clearence is also raised for india than european models seen in pics.
After Linea's pricing statergy facing success,she'll also be priced competetively ranging from under 5-lakh to top-end version touching 6.5-7-lakhs.

India bound Volkswagen Polo in Jan 2010

Finally New VW Polo is coming to india in 2010,will be launched at auto expo 2010 n will be on the roads in about march 2010.
It is an all new next generation design.
It features world class styling based on new scirroco n golf design theme,with slim grille n slim headlamps with huge bumper air dam n fog lamps.
The rear is also all new with new bigger squarish tail lights n muscular tailgate with pronounced vw logo serving as tailgate opener also.
The interiors again are all new with high quality black sporty theme with long list of equipment from heated mirrors to airbags to rear air-con vent,the air conditioner is also beefed up for indian hottest summers.
Legroom,headroom n shoulderroom will also are to the maximum but less than fabia because of lower roofline at rear.
The various engines are also on the offer,
-1.2HTP,70 bhp petrol.
-1.2 TSI (Turbo,Supercharged) 105bhp petrol.
-Sub 1.5 litre common rail diesel will also on the offer to meet emissions & excise sops.
The gearbox includes 5-speed mannual or may also 7-speed Twin clutch DSG Gearbox optional on top variants.
Price will also be under sub 5-lakh bracket courtesy high localisation of upto 50% from day first.

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New HONDA ACTIVA

Honda has launched its most popular scooter Activa in early this decade n till now has not recieved any serious upgrade.

But this March has given it a new lease of life with its serious upgrade.

The basic underbody is kept almost same with the changes confined to the engine n its cosmetic department.

Its looks are freshened with the new Nose hood accompanied on the sides by the smart wing shaped air intakes.

The headlight fairing is also Freshened with new & bigger Headlight n Clear lens indicators.

The speedometer is now a much smarter affair with the fuel gauge under the speedometer with smart dials.

Keylock is also refreshed with shutter lock mechanism (on Deluxe version only).

Side panels are also refreshed with a kink running along the whole of its length upto the rear,giving it a new-gen feeling.

Rear-end is also new with Wider eterno-ish stance with much smarter tailight n bigger n smarter clear-lens indicators.

The grab-rail is also new fibre type than earlier metal bar type.

The engine is also Upgraded to 110cc than the earlier 102cc, bhp is also increased by 1 bhp.

The new feature that is Unique is its CBS(combined braking system) which applies both the brakes when the one brake lever is pressed.

Also the new shades are also introduced,white & mahroon.

Maruti Suzuki Ritz

(Images, courtesy: Autocarindia & Overdrive)

Hyundai i10 is a segment leader from last few years due to it's strong performance, looks and comfort package. No one has succeded in getting that segment crown from it, even Maruti Suzuki A-Star failed to achieve. Now, all eyes are on Maruti Suzuki Ritz which is going to be launched in mid May this year. It has all the above qualities to compete with segment leader.

Its looks are awesome n eye catching with size 30mm less then the Swift but taller than it...
Dimensions being:Length/Width/Height:- 3730/1680/1590mm.
Its looks are more like mini-MPV but are awesome with the beaky areodynamic front & Inwardly Tapered Rear tailgate with tall-ish tail lamps tapering upto the roof & glass mounted Wash-wipe comleting the look..

It will be powered by excellent 1.2 litre kb series,84 bhp@6000 rpm with 114 Nm@4500 rpm petrol engine n refined n torquey 75bhp,1.3 l DDiS multijet diesel engine aided with excellent dynamics n suzuki engineering.

Interiors will be luxurious & non boring with dual tone body combination Inserts in door trims,dashboard & seat centre patches.
Pop tacho on dash like A-Star lends it a racy feel.
An integrated mp3/fm/aux-in player will also be standard in top-end versions with Steering mounted audio controls like its elder sibling swift/dzire/SX4. Other bits such as door handles,gear knob, steering are also shared with its elders.
Like other maruti next-gen models, it will also come with DUAL FRONT AIR-BAGS,ABS with EBD on top-end ZXi/ZDi versions.
Outside rear view mirrors will be manually adjustable from inside.

Rear seat will be the High,comfortable spot enough for 3 persons with added flexiblity aided by 60:40 split rear seats for luggage also....

Boot space is also on the higher side with good height & width secured by a parcel shelf & 5-door central locking on the tailgate.