Wednesday, January 30, 2008
NEX GEN Revolutionary Wheels
Friday, January 25, 2008
Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X
Mitsubishi engineers hope that an all-new turbocharged inline-4 will provide enough power to cope with the extra weight. Designated the MB11, this all-aluminum, DOHC 2.0-liter design has symmetrical cylinder dimensions, which should deliver free-revving performance. Mitsubishi's MIVEC variable-valve-timing technology has been applied to both camshafts to broaden the power band. Mitsubishi has also done its best to engineer this aluminum-block, open-deck engine to withstand the stress of turbocharging as well as the former iron-block 4G63 design.
Mitsubishi is remaining tight-lipped about power and torque figures from the turbo MB11 for now, but we expect horsepower to increase to 320 hp from 286, while torque will climb to 325 pound-feet from 295. This power should enable the Evo to sprint to 60 mph in less than 4.5 seconds.
More big news comes from the availability of a six-speed, dual-clutch transmission like Volkswagen's DSG unit. Shift paddles are mounted on the steering wheel, while a switch on the console delivers three different shift modes. For purists, a six-speed manual gearbox option will also be offered.
The Evo X's most significant piece of high-tech kit will be the addition of Mitsubishi's Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) technology. It begins with the most elaborate form of the current Evo IX's all-wheel-drive system, which includes Active Center Differential (ACD), Active Yaw Control (AYC) and Active Stability Control (ASC). S-AWC adds active suspension, active braking control and active steering to enhance the Evo's AYC for quicker steering response and faster cornering speeds.
Inside, the new cabin is a huge improvement over the current model's bland effort. New Recaro seats envelop the driver. (The suedelike inserts in the seat upholstery unfortunately are a feature only of the concept car.) Overall, the materials achieve a higher standard, although the design cues are much the same. A navigation system will be available, while the showcar features a premium sound system with a huge trunk-mounted subwoofer.
Improved ergonomics also reward dedicated drivers, as the three-position switch that dials the center differential to different torque distribution settings for pavement, gravel and snow has been relocated from the dashboard to the steering wheel.
Meanwhile, Mitsubishi designers have employed soft, orange illumination for the instruments to enhance night vision. Unfortunately the concept car's suede upholstery for the dashboard and door panels won't make it to the assembly line.
The next STI The Evo X is expected to go on sale in Japan in September, with U.S. and European launches slated for early 2008. This new, larger and more sophisticated Evo X might not be the rally-bred car we remember, but its sophisticated all-wheel-drive performance should shame its competitors, whether they come from Europe or Japan.
2008 DODGE ZEO CONCEPT
Specifications
Sunday, January 20, 2008
TVS Flame
The TVS Apache has a wheelbase of 1300 mm
■The Bajaj Pulsar has a wheelbase of 1320 mm
■The TVS Flame CCV-Ti has a wheelbase of 1320 mm..!!
■The Wheelbase of the Flame is bigger than the Apache and as big as the Bajaj Pulsar..!!
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine:
* Engine (CC): 124.8 CC, 4 Stroke with CCV-Ti
* Max Power: 10.5 bhp @ 8250 rpm
* Max Torque: 10 Nm @ 6250 rpm
* Gear Box: 4 Speed
* Bore X Stroke: 54.5 X 53.5
* Carburettor Type: VM Type- Ucal
__________
Wheels/Tyres:
* Wheels Type: Mag alloys
* Front Tyre: 90 X 90 X 17
* Rear Tyre: 90 X 90 X 18
* Brake - Front: 230 mm disc
* Brake - Rear: 130 mm drum
__________
Supension:
* Front: Telescopic
* Rear: 5 Step Adjustable, Gas Filled
__________
Dimensions:
* Wheelbase: 1320 mm
* Overall Height: 1070 mm
* Overall Length: 2030 mm
* Overall Width: 760 mm
* Ground Clearance: 165 mm
* Kerb Weight: 121 Kg
* Fuel Tank: 8.0 litre
* Fuel Reserve: 2.0 litre
__________
Electricals:
* Headlamp: 12V 35/35 W Halogen
* Tail Lamp: 12V 21W/5W
* Turn Indicators: 12V 16 W
* Battery: 12V- 5 Ah
* Ignition System: IDI System
Bajaj XCD SPRINT
Except for the tank, the front mudguard and the turn blinkers, the XCD features a completely new bodywork.The tank has attractive extensions which has a classy chrome strip running across its length. The top portion of the tank has a matt black plastic design element to it. The XCD Sprint DTSi has Gas Filled "Nitrox" shock absorbers, front disc brakes, a new digital speedometer and the back lit switches (with auto cancel turn indicators), which have also been taken from the bigger Pulsars.The side and tail panels are new and the footrests now are on an aluminium subframe. The XCD Sprint DTSi also features split rear grab rails and an exposed chain with a half chain cover. The XCD Sprint DTSi also gets a new handlebar with weighted bar ends.
The Headlamp is a Work of Art and so is the "Sexy" looking LED Tail Light assembly. The whole package manages to give the XCD a "freaky" character.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
FIAT GRANDE PUNTO
Safety and special features in international punto:
Brakes are ventilated discs in front with drums at rear; equipped with ABS and electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) on the higher version. Further safety features include brake pedals that will break on impact, while the front seatbelts have pretensioners, load limiters and a fastened sensor. Another important safety feature is the passenger cannot get away with not fastening his belt — an insistent beep will sound until the seatbelt is fastened. I wish this feature must be offered in India as well. You can monitor your driver there is also a boy beep which you can preset it to a certain speed and if driver exceeds that speed, it beeps at you. Punto has been given maximum rating for passenger safety in Euro NCAP (European agency for safety testing). Fiat provides an extensive list for special features; armrest with storage bin, electric power steering (with a city mode, making the steering lighter for easier parking),air conditioning that can be varied for individual passengers,60:40 rear split seats, electric front windows (one touch up and down on driver’s side) and they work without the ignition switched on. On board computer for fuel range, current and average consumption, etc. These features are excellent but all depends on the price of the Indian version.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
CHEVY CAPTIVA
Captiva is available both in diesel and petrol versions internationally. For India diesel is expected to be launched first which will be followed by petrol. Captiva diesel will take on pajero, X-trail, tucson and endeavour, while the captiva petrol will take on the only petrol premium compact SUV Honda CR-V. The diesel is a brand new, state-of-the-art common rail diesel engine jointly developed by GM Powertrain and VM Motori. Chevrolets first ever diesel compact SUV is powered by 2.0L, 16-valve unit which offers 150bhp at 4,000 rpm and maximum torque of 310Nm at 2000rpm. This same dieselengine is expected to power the soon to be launched Chevrolet Optra. Chances are that Chevrolet will throw in an automatic transmission as an option as well with five speed manual for Captiva. The petrol engine is a 2.4 litre in-line 16-valve four-cylinder, delivering 142bhp at 5,200rpm and a torque maximum of 220Nm at 4,000rpm. As the Captiva destined to developing markets, both the variable geometry turbo (VGT) diesel and refined petrol engine is expected to deliver decent fuel efficiency figure.
The Captiva offers a commanding driving position very important for this kind of cars.
The ergonomically designed, matte black and brushed aluminum look dashboard makes driving the Captiva a joy. The driver trip computer which provides valuable feedback like average fuel and speed, range, compass and external temperature and electrically adjustable rear view mirror will make the Captiva easy to drive. The Captiva looks about the size of a Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara but offers an excellent storage space is, including a deep, wide glovebox, a two-tier front centre armrest, big door pockets, underfloor side compartments in the boot and a horizontal locker above the right rear wheel housing. There’s a sunglasses holder, too, plus cupholders and 12-volt power points. All models have alloy wheels, four electric windows but no auto-up facility because the required anti-trap mechanism is too expensive – the facility is to protect your fingers (nice facility but not found in Indian cars). A CD player and air con, plus the inevitable reminders for seatbelts and key in ignition. Storage for five-passenger car is 465 litres, rising to 930 litres when you lower the second row. However, if you use all seven seats, room for luggage is restricted to 85 litres. Whatever layout you choose, there is the benefit of opening rear glass, so you needn’t raise the entire tailgate to gain access to the boot.
Like the CR-V, the Captiva is based on a car-like monocoque platform and comes with self leveling independent suspension, both at the front and rear wheels. With power steering aided by adjustable steering column (also telescopic on the diesel version), disc brakes on all wheels Chevrolet tag for this SUV is ‘Just like a car’. The main problem common among SUV’s is the traction control i.e. they fail at corners, however the suspension set-up of Captiva is said to give the vehicle a decent body control. Chevrolet claim the all-wheel drive model offers a safer and more secure drive in poor road conditions and it’s hard to argue with that contention, especially on our wet roads. The Captivas 4×4 set-up is an on-demand system, meaning that as driving conditions require, the rear axle is instantly selected via an electromagnetic coupling to give maximum traction through all four wheels. The set-up also seamlessly interacts with the ESP and ABS systems, enhancing driver control of the vehicle and safety margins. The ESP itself has additional functions like HBA (Hydraulic Brake Assist), HDC (Hill Descent Control) and ARP (Active Rollover Protection). With these features I hope you can safely drive in muddy roads of your favourite touring place with Captiva.
Dimensions & Weights
Overall Length 4660 mm
Overall Width 1870 mm
Overall Height 1755 mm
Wheel Base 2705 mm
Ground Clearance 197 mm
Kerb Weight 1820 kg
No of Doors 5 door
Capacity
Seating Capacity 7 person
Engine
Engine Type/Model VCDi Diesel
Displacement 1991 cc
Power 150 PS @ 4000 rpm
Torque 320 Nm @ 2000 rpm
Valve Mechanism SOHC
Compression Ratio 17.5:1
No of Cylinders 4 cylinder
Cylinder Configuration Inline
Valves per Cylender 4 valve
Fuel Type Diesel
Fuel System CRDI
Transmission
Transmission Type Manual
Gears/Speeds 5 Gears
Clutch Type
Suspensions
Front Suspension
McPherson strut with Twin tube gas pressure strut
Rear Suspension
Multi link ,level ride with Twin tube gas pressure strut
Steering
Steering Type Rack & Pinion, Power-assisted
Power Assisted
Standard
Minimum Turning Radius 5.8 meter
Brakes
Brake Type
Front Brakes Ventilated disc
Rear Brakes Ventilated disc
Wheels & Tyres
Wheel Type Alloy
Wheel Size 7J X 17"
Tyres 235/60 R17 (tubeless)
-Arctic White
-Dark Denim Gray metallic
-Mercury Silver metallic
-Zest Metallic
-Chino metallic
-Silverstone Grey metallic
-Granada Black metallic
-Merlot metallic
-Midnight Blue metallic
HONDA JAZZ
The Honda Jazz / Fit is expected to be launched in a tweaked form in India to take advantage of the taxation structure, is most likely to come strapped with a diesel engine. The new Jazz will take on Swift and Getz. Given the competition from Getz and Swift, Jazz / Fit is likely to sport a price tag of Rs 5 to 6 lakh to draw big volumes in the segment.While Jazz / Fit will hit the Indian roads next year, another small car from the Honda stable, designed for the Indian market, will be launched in the country thereafter. This model would be launched one notch lower in the B-segment and would compete with the likes of Hyundai Santro, Tata Indica and Maruti Wagon R.The Honda Jazz / Fit is a five-door hatchback automobile produced by Honda of Japan, that was first introduced in June 2001. The vehicle is known as the Fit in Japan, China, and in both North and South America. It is called the Jazz in Europe, some parts of Asia, Australia, Oceania, the Middle East, and Africa.
The Jazz / Fit is equipped with either a 1.2, 1.3, or 1.4 liter i-DSI engine, or a 1.5 liter VTEC engine. All four engines are based on Honda’s L-series engine family. The 8-valve i-DSI (intelligent dual and sequential) engines use two spark plugs per cylinder, allowing gasoline to burn more completely; therefore, fuel consumption and emissions are reduced while maximum torque at mid-range rpm is maintained. The 1.5 L VTEC engine has the typical 16-valve configuration.
The car was the Japanese Car of the Year (In some year… i.e. when it was launched over there) and also had a national waiting list of 36000 orders at a time. The car was much applauded for its interiors, smooth engine, and city riding behaviors. The car was launched in UK, somewhere in 2002. So no new car is coming for India, but rather shall be customised for the country roads. I hope they don’t remove some good features from it in the process of customization. The car is being currently sold in Europe, Japan, Thailand, and Indonesia.
Technical specifications for Honda Jazz / Fit
1.2i S 5dr
Body:Hatchback
Engine: 4, 1246 cc
Fuel:Unleaded
Power, ps:77@5700
Torque, lb ft:82@2800
CO2 Emissions:129 g/km
Transmission:5-spdDriven
Top speed:106 mph
0 - 62 mph:13.7 seconds
Wheelbase, mm:2450
Length, mm:3845
Width, mm:1675
Height, mm:1525
Boot, litres:353/845 (seats folded)
Fuel Tank, litres:42
Dry Weight, kg:1015.0
Towing Limit, kg:1000
Saturday, January 12, 2008
2008 KAWAZAKI NINJA 250R
Compact size, exceptional personality and a low price tag highlight Kawasaki’s new Ninja® 250R quarter-liter performer. Considering how much fun it is to ride and the fact that it’s the only 250cc sportbike sold in the U.S., it’s no wonder the Ninja 250R has been a strong seller for over a decade. Its successful blend of a rider-friendly engine, easy-to-operate chassis and supersport styling worthy of its Ninja moniker, this model was developed to offer real world performance to riders of all skill levels and goes to show that good things do come in small packages.
At the core of the lightweight Ninja 250R is an engine that thrives on high-rpm excitement. The gutsy 249cc parallel twin has been retuned to spice up its smooth and predictable power delivery. It now offers more low- and mid-range torque thanks to revisions to its dual overhead camshafts and a new 2-into-1 exhaust system. A silky smooth six-speed transmission tops off the sportbike equipment list, enabling the 250R to exploit a powerband that’s sure to please riders with its beginner friendly low-end grunt and a lively top-end rush that’ll keep seasoned veterans satisfied. The coup de’ grace, is its ability to deliver excellent fuel economy. The 250R’s new fairing and windscreen not only look great, they deliver improved wind protection for a wide range of riding situations. This lightweight sportbike is loaded with even more rider-friendly features such as an easy-to-read instrument panel and positive neutral finder.
A natural riding position and comfortable ergonomics combined with its lightweight handling, easy controllability and improved throttle response make the 250R a pleasure to ride on city streets. Also new for 2008 are larger 17-inch wheels that offer great handling and improved stability. A larger 290mm front brake rotor is gripped by a powerful 2-piston caliper to provide a healthy dose of stopping power with a responsive feel at the lever. Like Kawasaki’s other sport models, the Ninja 250R is fitted with petal discs for efficient heat dissipation.
The simple formula of providing easy-handling agility, lightweight responsiveness, and low ownership costs make the Ninja 250R a force to be reckoned with in the entry-level sportbike category.
Engine Type-Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, parallel twin
Displacement-249 cc
Bore & Stroke-62.0 x 41.2 mm
Maximum Torque-21.7 lb-ft @ 10,000 rpm
Compression Ratio-11.6:1
Carburetor-Keihin CVK30 x 2
Ignition-TCBI with Digital Advance
Transmission-6-Speed
Final Drive-O-Ring Chain
Cooling-Liquid
Frame-Semi-double cradle, high-tensile steel
Rake/Trail-26°/3.3 in
Front Tire Size-110/70-17
Rear Tire Size-130/70-17
Wheelbase-55.1 in.
Front Suspension / wheel travel-36mm hydraulic telescopic fork / 5.5 in.
Rear Suspension / wheel travel-Uni-Trak® with aluminum linkage / 5.1 in.
Front Brake Type-Single 260mm hydraulic disc with two-piston caliper
Rear Brake Type-single 220mm Hydraulic disc with 2 piston caliper
Fuel Tank Capacity-4.8 gal.
Seat Height -30.7 in.
Dry Weight-333 lb.
Overall length-81.9 in.
Overall width-28.0 in.
Overall height-43.1 in.
Color-Lime Green, Ebony, Passion Red, Candy Plasma Blue
Warranty-12 months
YAMAHA YZFr15
SPECIFICATIONS
FUEL INJECTION With six-hole type injector.
ECU and sensors backed fuel mixture to maximize the combustion at any rpm
FRONT FAIRING Aero Dynamic Fairing
COOLING Liquid cooling with high efficient compact Radiator to maximize the Stability and Performance
HEAD LIGHT Flash surface dual Head Lights
FRAME High Rigidity Deltabox Frame
REAR SUSPENSION Link Type Monocross
BRAKES Front & Rear Disk Brake
VALVES 4 Valve Combustion Chamber Adopted
COMBUSTION CHAMBER Hemispherical Combustion Chamber with centered plug layout
Air Filter :- High flow paper filter
Handle Grip :- R1 Type Insert Mold Grips
Front Head Cowl :- a-30mm lower than Gladiator b-Aero Dynamic Design
Handle Bar :- a-Semi-Flat type with bar end b-Front Fork c-D.U. Metal (Special Material)
Front Fender :- Aero Dynamic Design 7) Lower Cowling :- Aero Dynamic Design Seat
Leather :- Dimple type/two tone
Grip End :- Race bred grip end
Rear Fender :- Aerodynamic
Muffler End :- Machine Gun Type
Chain Guard :- Half cover sporty looks
Shift Pedal :- Sport toe type Aluminum Shift Pedal
Drive Chain :- Long life sealed chain
Foot Rest :- Aluminum (Rider And Passenger)
Asbestos Free :- Environment Friendly
Tyres
Front - 80/90, Rear - 100/80 17inch tubeless tyres
Wheelbase 1290mm
Width 670mm
Length 1995mm
Height 1070mm
Ground clearance 160mm
Friday, January 11, 2008
BAJAJ LITE-another small wonder
TVS APACHE RTR E-FI
The new Apache EFI -TVS Motor Company is for the first time offering Electronic Fuel Injection technology in the 160cc category. The new technology, which consists of an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) made up of sensors, fuel pump and injector. ECU receives the data from sensors, processes them and delivers optimum fuel and ignition timing. The Electronic Fuel Injection technology offers better engine smoothness, faster throttle response, lower emissions, good cold start and recovery, better idle stability, good drivability, better fuel economy and performance consistency at various altitudes and environments. The Apache RTR EFI also offers instantaneous response throughout the rev range. Another first time offering in this segment would be the rear disc brake facility. According to the sources,it is expected to be launched in the first half of 2008 itself.
According to what i have read recently Tvs would be unveiling 2 performance upgrades of its current offering Apache RTR in 180 cc and 200 cc version. I don't have any picture or exact technical specification of the new bikes as of now. But after the Apache RTR e-Fi, it can be anybody's guess that the bikes would be very aggressively styled and extremely sporty, with all the latest features and technological advancements like fuel injection etc
TVS is all set to launch ABS (Anti Lock Braking System) on the new 200cc bike, a first of its kind for two wheelers in the country.TVS said "ABS is part of the 30 different technologies we are developing for our two -wheeler range". The ABS will help in avoiding skidding of two-wheelers and allow sure stopping on wet and slippery roads and help in reducing fatalities on two wheelers.
SPECS OF APACHE RTR WITH RACING PERFORMANCE KIT
Product specification of RTR Fi
Engine Displacement 159.7cc
Engine technology EFI, 4 Stroke
Max. Power (Kw@rpm) 11.54kw @ 8500 ( 15.7bhp @ 8500 )
Max. Torque (Nm@rpm) 13.1 Nm @ 6500
Gear Box 5 Speed constant mesh
Clutch Multi-Plate WetType
Bore x stroke (mm) 62x 52.9
Compression Ratio 9.5:1
Fuel system Electronic Fuel injection
Wheels & Tyre
Wheel Type Diecast Alloy
Tyre
Front 90 x 90 - 17, Rear 100 X 80 - 18
Brakes
Brake - Front Dia 270 disc brake, petal type
Brake - Rear Drum 130 dia, Optional Rear Disk brake
Suspension
Front Telescopic Hydraulic fork
Rear Mono tube 5 step adjustable Canister - Gas filled shock absorbers
Electricals
Head lamp 12V 35/35W Halogen HS1, Clear lens with MFR
Tail lamp 12V 0.5 W. LED-Twin triangle with prism on lens
Turn signal lamp 12V 10W
Battery type & capacity 12V, 9.0 Ah
Ignition system High energy IDI System
Dimensions
Height 1100 mm
Length 2020 mm
Width 730 mm
Wheelbase 1300 mm
Ground Clearance 180mm
Kerb weight 136 kgs
Fuel Tank Capacity 16.0
LitreFuel reserve (lts) NOT APPLICABLE
Performance
Max speed 120 kph
SKODA FABIA
As part of the music system comes an auxiliary audio output, which can be used to plug in your iPod. The electric sunroof has both slide and tilt functions. AC vents are present on both front and rear, with climatic temperature control.
On of the innovative additions in the Skoda Fabia is a reverse parking sensor, an added convenience which even many big size cars in India do not have. Parktronic gives an audio visual warning when the car reverses towards an obstacle.
Skoda has also incorporated well-intentioned additions like height adjustable front driver and passenger seats, adjustable steering, anti-glare interior rear view mirror and the like.
The front grille of the Fabia is distinctly Skoda, with vertical fins and the prominent Skoda logo. Projector headlamps make the front look different from the earlier Fabia, which reminded an Octavia from the front. Front and rear lamps come in the higher variants. There is also a rear windscreen wiper and washer.
The Fabia comes in both petrol and diesel versions - a 1.4 litre TDI PD diesel engine generating 69 BHP and a 1.4 litre petrol engine generating 85 bhp. The five speed gearbox is manually operated.
The Skoda Fabia will be available in India in four variants - Active, Classic, Ambiente and Elegance. Six body colours are on offer - candy white, cappuccino beige, magic black, brilliant silver, satin grey, and corrida red.
The Fabia is built at Skoda's Aurangabad factory, which also assembles Audi and Volkswagen models for India.
With its price range, the Skoda Fabia takes on the upper class small cars like the Maruti Suzuki Swift, Chevrolet U-VA, and the Hyundai Getz. However, with the price tag a bit on the higher side for a smaller car, Fabia will have to slog it really hard to make a deep impression on the cost-conscious Indian car buyer.
TATA's NANO WONDER
Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata on Thursday unveiled the Tata Nano at the 9th Auto Expo in New Delhi.
Details of the People's Car:
Ratan Tata, while unveiling the nano, said: "The car will meet all current safety norms and all emission criteria. The pollution it will cause will be lower than 2-wheelers."
The car, Tata said, is smaller than a Maruti, but has 21 per cent more volume or space inside than the 800. He said that the dealer price of the car will be Rs 1 lakh, plus value-added tax (VAT) plus transport charges.
The car will have a 624-cc petrol engine generating 33 bhp of power. It will sport a 30-litre fuel tank and 4-speed manual gearshift. The car will come with air conditioning, but will have no power steering. It will have front disk and rear drum brakes. The company claims mileage of 23 km per litre.
The car's dashboard features just a speedometer, fuel gauge, and oil light. The car does not have reclining seats or radio. The shock absorbers are basic.
Nano, the world's cheapest car, costs almost half of the cheapest car currently available anywhere in the world.
''Since, a promise is a promise the standard dealer version will cost Rs 1 lakh,'' said Tata Sons chairman Ratan Tata.
He informed that the car is 8 per cent smaller bumper to bumper, than the Maruti800 but at the same time 21 per cent larger in its interiors and can sit up to four people.
Dispelling myths that the car was not safe enough Tata said, 'The car has passed the full-frontal crash and the side impact crash''. He also side stepped emission concerns and said the car will meet Euro IV norms.
While critics had been sceptical throughout about the car meeting safety and emission norms, coming as it is at that price, Tata said he was happy to announce that Nano meets all norms as would a modern car.
The car is eight per cent shorter than Maruti 800 on bumper to bumper length, but is 21 per cent more spacious, claimed Tata.
Alluding to fears expressed by environmentalist R K Pachauri and green activist Sunita Narain that the car at that price would add more vehicles on the road leading to higher vehicular pollution, Tata said the 624 cc, 33 HP petrol engine meets Bharat Stage-III emission norms and can also meet the Euro 4 norms.
"Pachauri will not have a nightmare and Sunita Narain can also sleep," he quipped, while recalling that some people had suggested that the car should be called 'Pachauri' and some others said that it should be named 'Mamta' � probably referring to the position TMC leader Mamta Banerjee had taken against the setting up of the small-car project at Singur in West Bengal.
Commenting on the safety standard, he said the car has gone through a full frontal crash test as per norms.
The Nano will come in three variants -- standard and two deluxe models with AC. The standard car would be available for Rs 1 lakh (ex-showroom), while VAT and transportation costs are extra.
The Nano is expected to be commerically launched in the second half of 2008. News reports say that Tata Motors hopes to sell 500,000 units of the car, almost four times the number of Indicas it sells. Tata plans to focus on a market segment hitherto untapped.
Not since the launch of the Maruti 800 in 1983 has any car gripped the imagination of a nation and indeed car manufacturers the world over so intensely. If commercially successful, the Tata Nano can alter the passenger car market in India, and perhaps the world, beyond description.
Friday, January 4, 2008
MAHINDRA AXE-the Indian Hummer
It is muscular and capable of navigating through any terrain. The Axe will replace the Indian Army’s Mahindra Jeeps. According to Brigadier Khutub A Hai, CEO, Mahindra defence systems the Axe was designed with help from an overseas designer. An absolutely new platform is used for developing the Axe and it is developed to suit the Indian needs. Mahindra has developed a petrol version of the Axe for the special forces of a foreign country while the diesel one is for the Indian Army. Mahindra will initially import the engines for the Axe, later it will install its own engine into the Axe. Axe’s petrol version uses a more than 4 litre GM Votec engine while the diesel uses a 2.7 litre Ssangyong diesel.Mahindra has been testing the Axe ranging from 150hp to 400hp. The transmission system for the Axe is borrowed from Mercedes-Benz. According to Mahindra The diesel axe offers around 8-9 km per litre while the petrol axe offers 6/7 km per litre. The Axe has a payload of 120 kg with a 3500 GVW. Axe’s biggest USP is its suspension system (it’s an all-wheel independent suspension vehicle) which gives its extreme mobility. Mahindra has already received an order from a foreign army for 215 units of Axe of which 15 are being shipped right away. Mahindra is looking to export this axe to countries like Malaysia next year (diesel version) and for Africa, Gulf, UAE, Jordan.
Axe civilian version:
Mahindra has a long and successful record designing Jeeps and SUVs for military and civilian use. There’s a lot of visible commonality between the Axe and a several of Mahindra’s own SUVs.Hence not alone the Indian army is gifted, we too! Yes, Mahindra is planning a civilian version of the Axe.The civilian version of axe will be ready by 2009 with an automatic transmission. Axe’s civillian version will be homologated with styling and other changes. But it will use a Mahindra driveline. The basic characteristic of performance will be the same but the looks will be different like the Humvee and Hummer. For the civilian version of axe the engine displacement will be lowered and there will be cosmetic changes on the dashboard. But the Mahindra wants to keep the suspension and platform will be unchanged. Axe civilian verison will be only diesel and with automatic transmission. Mahindra will showcase the axe at the 2008 delhi Auto Expo. Mahindra’s commercial Axe is expected to be priced roughly between Rs 12 lakh and Rs 22 lakh.