Motorcycles And Cars To Cost Less

The Union Budget has come out and the only bit i understood was that both two wheelers and cars are going to cost a little less. Many manufacturers have already announced the amount reduced. Go ahead and buy that car/motorcycle if you have been waiting to do so. No info yet on the import duty yet.

Yamaha R15 Pictures and Review

If you ride a motorcycle, any motorcycle, then you must know by now that Yamaha will soon be launching their new 150cc motorcycle the R15. You also know that it has a four valve head, sticky tires, delta box frame, fuel injection, liquid cooling, six speed gearbox, rear disk brakes etc, etc.
It caused quite a commotion at the Yamaha stands at the Expo, or so I have heard. Or was it the female astride it. Anyways, since I missed being there (drat and double drat) I went all the way to Saket to see it in flesh.

Here’s what I think. I think the company is pretty serious about their future in the Indian bike market. Sales in the 100cc segment have been dismal and no amount of rechristening (G5) and redesigning (Alba) will help. The Gladiator although a great bike in its own right has not been able to set sales charts on fire. So the company realizes that they need a product which will not only be distinguished in terms of design alone but also in performance terms.

As of now the company has not said anything about the pricing and specifications of the motorcycle, but if rumors are to be believed the R15 will be around 20bhp and cost around the 85k mark.

Hmmm…150cc and 20bhp. I think it’s do-able. But the engine will have to be pretty high strung. Its red lined at 10,500 rpm so making all that power is not anything I doubt and if they can make an R1 rideable at 40 kmph in city traffic then we can be rest assured the R15 will be too. Also I notice that everybody seems to get carried away by the full fairing. Its designed on the lines of the R1 but it looks a touch bulbous to me. Also the headlamps look one size too large.

The tail section and the Deltabox frame itself are straight off the Vixion from Indonesia. The single seat is also not quite to my liking, and the less talked about that tail lamp the better. Also like all Yamahas before it, it too looks under-tired. A 100 section rear is a little thin don’t you think. The tread pattern is all new and they are soft ones (they look like they are) made by MRF. How long they’ll last is anybody’s guess. I hope not more than 15,000 kms.

Then there is the end can. It too is again a bit large and looks odd compared to the rest of the motorcycle. If they can give the FZ a small stubby one, why not a proper one for R15 as well? The pillion foot rests again, are not impressive. The rider foot rests though are. Proper rearsets they are. To compliment the foot rest there are slightly tall clip-on handle bars. Not overtly sporty (Why? may I ask). More like the ones on the 220.

The fairing is tall enough so you can tuck in behind and give the bike some stick on an empty stretch. The rear view mirrors are fairing mounted keeping in line with the sporty theme. Front suspension is ‘normal’ pair of telescopic forks like the ones on any other motorcycle in India. The rear suspension is a monoshock set up. The swing arm is the biggest and broadest of any 150 on sale in the country. It also sports a disk brake on the rear wheel handling the braking duties.

So you see the R15 is a step is the right direction for the company. After all it will be one of the most technologically advanced motorcycles in the country when launched. The company has developed it specifically for India. Okay so they picked it up from Indonesia. But this does not mean that they have simply mounted a fairing for it. The company has worked on the engine to get more power (supposedly). Put in a six speed gearbox and so on and so forth. But they seem to have tried to cut costs here and there.

This has led to small things that spoil the desirability quotient a smidgen. These are things like the pillion footrests, absence of a split seat, and overall proportionality of the elements on the bike. I mean if you’re going to fork out almost a hundred grand for a motorcycle, you only want good looking gear. Don’t cha??

I sincerely hope that the motorcycle is a roaring success for the company. This is because it will lead to the other manufacturers sitting up and taking note and will have to bring in similar machines with all the bells and whistles, and there can only be one winner in that. You and Me. Amen.

Update Post: Yamaha YZF R15 Launched - Detailed Specs and Wallpaper/Pictures

Fiat India On A Roll

This year is going to be an important one for Fiat in India. The company has recently launched the 500 and the Bravo as CBUs for 12 lakh and 16 lakh respectively. Also Ferrari, owned by Fiat, is on a country wide trip in two 612s. This will also be the year that Fiat launch the Punto and the Linea in the car market. The company has already hinted at pricing the two models competitively. They have also commissioned their engine plant which will be making engines for both Tata and Fiat cars.

Also by the end of the year another famed Italian car maker Alfa Romeo, also owned by Fiat is expected to reach our shores. A feasibility study is already underway, and if launched the model lineup will go up against the three Germans, namely Mercedes, Audi and BMW.

TVS Flame with New Single Spark Engine

TVS has confirmed that it will launch the Flame by the end of March, this time with a new engine, developed by AVL. I had in an earlier post talked about how it would take time and money for TVS to give the flame a new engine. This is exactly what they have done. But what amazes me is the response time. Hardly ten days have past since the judgment and they already have a new engine ready.

This only means one thing, and that is that they knew it would be tough to win any legal battle which was bound to crop up and it did. Money obviously has been lost, and for the kind of numbers they sell it must be a big loss. However the new engined model should hit showrooms by the third week of March. This time around the company has made sure no legal hassles come up.

Also the company has gone on appeal in the High Court against the injunction. How successful the company is at getting the patent revoked in the wake of the injunction is yet to be seen.

Yamaha Bike Station, MGF Mall, Saket, New Delhi – Pictures

Here are a few pictures I clicked when I was at the Yamaha Bike Station

The One

Naked Glory

The ‘Other’ big import

Yamaha Apparel – Goes well with your…errmm…Gladiator??

Game Time – Xbox Game Station

Surf the Internet

Oh and there is also the R15, but you already know that. Will soon post about it.

Ferrari Magic India Discovery

Ferrari has sent to India, two 612 Scagliettis which will embark on a 11,000 kilometer long round the country trip starting on January 25 from Bombay and ending after 72 days right back where they started. The two cars will be driven by some lucky journos who will travel around the country visiting Goa, Mysore, Vizag, Calcutta, Amritsar, New Delhi, Jaipur and back to Bombay. The cars will reach the capital on April17. Would you believe my luck I’ll miss it. Damn!

The two cars will be very slightly modified with underbody protection and raised suspension. The Scag is a proper 4 seater GT in the Ferrari lineup. It features a V12 producing 540 bhp. The two cars have been given a new paint scheme of Scarlet and Ivory for this trip.

The cars will be accompanied by eight support vehicles. Five Tata cars, two Fiat cars and an Iveco truck. This won’t be a first for Ferrari. Similar trips have been undertaken previously in China and South America.

Here’s the press release

Ferrari Magic India Discovery: a voyage of discovery to the Indian subcontinent for two 612 Scagliettis Having conquered China and the Americas, Ferrari embarks on a new adventure
Maranello, 21st February 2008 - Ferrari is delighted to announce the start of a new Prancing Horse adventure, the Magic India Discovery Tour, which gets underway from Mumbai on February 25th and returns to the same city on May 8th having covered a route stretching more than 11,000 kilometres. The car featured in this tour is the 612 Scaglietti, Ferrari's flagship GT model. Two of these gorgeous Prancing Horse berlinettas will embark on the voyage which comes in the wake of the China 15,000 Red Miles tour completed in 2005 and the Panamerican 20,000 tour of 2006, both of which were hugely successful. Ferrari is offering a total of 50 journalists from across the world the unique opportunity to take turns behind the wheel of a V12-powered 612 Scaglietti in the course of the 12-stage 72-day voyage of discovery of the delights and richness of India. The journalists will explore this fascinating country which combines modernity and tradition. India is currently enjoying an exciting period of rapid economic growth and a boom in its advanced technologies sector yet remains rooted in the traditions of its ancient culture. This is a nation in which innovative infrastructure exists side by side with areas of completely unspoilt natural beauty.
Of course, Ferrari isn't new to this kind of marathon voyage. Its last such adventure was the Panamerican 20,000 tour during which two 599 GTB Fioranos travelled from the beaches of Brazil to the East Coast of the US, taking in tropical rain forests, arid deserts and snowy peaks as they traversed an entire continent. In 2005, we staged the spectacular Ferrari 15,000 Red Miles tour when two standard 612 Scagliettis covered an incredible 24,000 km route through China in what was a first for any automotive constructor anywhere in the world. To mark our 50th Anniversary in 1997, a F355 completed a round the world tour that took in the five continents with no less than 147 journalists from the various nations visited, taking turns behind the wheel.
The route and main stages
The Magic India Discovery is divided into 12 stages and runs over 72 days. It starts in Mumbai at the Gateway of India, a monument celebrating the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to the country. The two 612 Scagliettis will immediately head south along the stunning eight-lane motorway that is the jewel in the crown of Indian's infrastructure. The first stage ends in the city of Goa, now a popular tourist destination once ruled by the Portuguese. The tour continues still further south to Mysore and then Trivandrum, the southernmost point of the Indian peninsula, before turning north towards Bangalore, the capital of India's innovative technologies industry. Hyderabad and Ramosi, home to the Bollywood film industry, provide the backdrop to a stage that ends in Vizak on the coast of the Bay of Bengal. The 612 Scagliettis will then drive along the east coast to the city of Kolkata (Calcutta), once the headquarters of the legendary British East India Company.
The cars' journey along the river Ganges begins from Calcutta and runs via Varanasi, a sacred city to Hindus, and Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its Hindu and Jain temples. From here, the tour makes its way to Lucknow also known as the Golden City of the East. The next stage takes the Ferraris through the Corbett National Park and Tiger Reserve named in honour of the former man-eater hunter Jim Corbett. The tour then continues on towards New Delhi, following a northerly route to the Dharamsala, home of the exiled Dalai Lama, and Amritsar, the centre of the Sikh religion. The next stage runs from the Indian capital to the city of Jaipur, taking in Agra where the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan built the one of the seven wonders of the modern world, the Taj Mahal, as a monument to his dead wife in 1632. The final two legs of the tour take the cars through all of the most famous areas of Rajasthan which is home to endless palaces built by the Maharajas and also calls to Jodhpur, the final stop-off before the cars make a triumphant return to the India's industrial capital. The Magic India Discovery will enjoy the invaluable support of the Tata Group, Tata Motors, Tata Consultancy Services, Taj Hotels, Shell, Fiat India Pvt Ltd., Alcoa, Pirelli, Saima Avandero and OMR.
Assistance and spare parts will be provided by eight support vehicles: five Tata cars, two Fiats and one specially fitted-out Iveco truck. In addition to the journalists (who will be kitted out in Ferrari khakis and colonial-style hats provided by Borsalino) driving the two 612 Scagliettis, a photographer and video camera operator, the tour will also be accompanied by a technical assistance and logistics team for its entire duration. The www.ferrariworld.com and www.media.ferrari.com websites will feature constantly updated news and high resolution images of the tour as it unfolds.
The cars
The two 612 Scagliettis (one red, the other white, both sporting a specially designed livery) will feature a few absolutely minimal modifications to allow them to negotiate the more difficult tracts of the tour. The modifications involve the fitting of an underbody protector made from 4 mm duraluminium rather than plastic and a slightly higher suspension setting to deal with the tougher road surfaces. Otherwise, however, they will be entirely straightforward production cars powered by a 540 hp 65° V12 engine that delivers maximum torque of 60 kgm at 5250 rpm. Both cars will be fitted with a six-speed F1 gearbox and Transaxle transmission. The 612 Scaglietti continues Ferrari's long tradition of excellence in the 2+2 segment. This innovative car offers the perfect combination of thoroughbred Ferrari berlinetta performance and exceptional comfort for four occupants. The 612 Scaglietti is the very first all-aluminium 12-cylinder to be built by Ferrari. The use of aluminium for the chassis and bodywork combined with sophisticated production and assembly technologies have cut overall body weight by a massive 40% and greatly improved torsional rigidity. The 612 Scaglietti's near-perfect weight distribution (46% front and 54% rear) mean that it offers the blistering performance of a rear-engined car yet the comfort and roominess of a front-engined model. The 612 Scaglietti is also a wonderfully dynamic car to drive thanks to its CST traction and stability control system which guarantees superb performance in complete safety. Its 65° V12 engine represents the pinnacle of Ferrari's engine technology too and punches out 540 hp at 7250 rpm. Although clothed by Pininfarina, the 612 is named in honour of Sergio Scaglietti, the Modenese coachbuilder who, in the early years of Enzo Ferrari's extraordinary adventure, bodied some of the most beautiful cars ever to emerge from Maranello.
Our sponsors
Shell. The Shell Group has an extensive network of companies in over 140 countries across the globe. Its activities focus on aziende che operano in più di 140 Paesi. Le attività del gruppo sono orientate alla ricerca e produzione di gas naturali, oil, chemical derivatives, , renewable power sources, industrial trading and many other sectors besides. Shell also manages more than 45.000 petrol stations, serving over 25 million customers each and every day. For further information, visit the Shell website at www.shell.com.
Tata Group. The Tata Group is India's best-known industrial group with revenues in 2006-07 of US$ 29 billion (Rs. 129,994 crores), the equivalent of about 3.2 per cent of the country's GDP. Known for its adherence to business ethics, it is India's most respected private business group. The international revenues of the Group in 2006-07 were US$ 10.8 billion, contributing to 38% of the total Group revenues. With over 300,000 employees across 96 operating companies, it is also India's largest employer in the private sector. The Tata brand is recognised as one of the largest homegrown brand in India and the most respected brand. The Tata Group's stable of brands also includes many national and some internationally renowned product and service brands, including Tata Indica, Tata Indigo, Indigo Marina, Tata Ace, Tata Magic, Tata Winger, Tata Safari, Tata Indicom, Taj Group of Hotels (Luxury, Business and Leisure), Ginger, Tata Tea, Tetley, Tata Salt, Tata Steelium, Tata Shaktee, Tata Tiscon, Tata Bearings, Titan, Tanishq, Voltas, Westside, Star India Bazaar, Landmark and Croma. By combining ethical values with business acumen, globalisation with national interests and, core businesses with emerging ones, the Tata Group aims to be the largest and most respected global brand from India, whilst fulfilling its long-standing commitment to improving the quality of life of its stakeholders.
Tata Motors. Tata Motors is India's largest automobile company, with revenues of US$ 7.2 billion in 2006-07. With over 4 million Tata vehicles plying in India, it is the leader in commercial vehicles and the second largest in passenger vehicles. It is also the world's fifth largest medium and heavy truck manufacturer and the second largest heavy bus manufacturer. Tata cars, buses and trucks are being marketed in several countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, South East Asia and South America. Tata Motors and Fiat Auto have formed an industrial joint venture in India to manufacture passenger cars, engines and transmissions for the Indian and overseas markets; Tata Motors also has an agreement with Fiat Auto to build a pick-up vehicle at Córdoba, Argentina. The company already distributes Fiat-branded cars in India. Tata Motors' international footprint include Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle Co. Ltd. in South Korea; Hispano Carrocera, a bus and coach manufacturer of Spain in which the company has a 21% stake; a joint venture with Marcopolo, the Brazil-based body-builder of buses and coaches; and a joint venture with Thonburi Automotive Assembly Plant Company of Thailand to manufacture and market pickup vehicles in Thailand. Tata Motors has research centres in India, the UK, and in its subsidiary and associate companies in South Korea and Spain.
Taj Hotels. Established in 1903, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is one of Asia's largest and finest group of hotels, comprising 60 hotels in 42 locations across India with an additional 18 international hotels in the Maldives, Mauritius, Malaysia, Australia, UK, USA, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Africa and the Middle East. From world-renowned landmarks to modern business hotels, idyllic beach resorts to authentic Rajput palaces, each Taj hotel offers an unrivalled fusion of warm Indian hospitality, world-class service and modern luxury. The Taj, a symbol of Indian hospitality, has recently completed the centenary of its landmark hotel, The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Mumbai. Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is part of the Tata Group, India's premier business house.
Tata Consultancy Services. Tata Consultancy Services is an IT services, business solutions and outsourcing organization that delivers real results to global businesses, ensuring a level of certainty no other firm can match. TCS offers a consulting-led, integrated portfolio of IT and IT-enabled services delivered through its unique Global Network Delivery Model, recognized as the benchmark of excellence in software development. A part of the Tata Group, India's largest industrial conglomerate, TCS has over 108,000 of the world's best trained IT consultants in 47 countries. The Company generated consolidated revenues of US $4.3 billion for fiscal year ended 31 March, 2007 and is listed on the National Stock Exchange and Bombay Stock Exchange in India. For more information, visit us at www.tcs.com.
Fiat India Pvt Ltd. Fiat India Automobiles Private Limited (FIAPL) is a 50-50 Industrial Joint Venture between Fiat Group Automobiles S. p. A., (Fiat) and Tata Motors Limited (Tata) originally incorporated on January 02, 1997. The company employs about 650 employees and is located at Ranjangaon in the Pune District of Maharashtra. The definitive Joint Venture agreement was signed in October 11, 2007. The board of directors of this company comprises of five nominees each from Fiat and Tata.
The state-of-the-art facility at Ranjangaon, which is owned by FIAPL is capable of producing 100,000 cars and 200,000 engines, besides aggregates and components. The company plans to double the production capacity for both car units and engines in the next few years. Currently manufacturing the Palio Stile 1.1 and 1.6 models, premium Fiat cars such as the Grande Punto and Linea are expected to roll out soon in the B and C segment from the facility within 2008. The facility will also manufacture Fiat's successful 1.3 litre Multijet diesel engines and 1.2 & 1.4 litre Fire gasoline engine and the C549 transmission, evolution for the Indian market of the European C510: start of production of all powertrains is foreseen by first quarter 2008. Apart from Fiat cars, the facility will also produce Tata passenger and next generation cars with investment exceeding ¿ 650 Million. The plant is expected to provide direct and indirect employment to more than 4,000 people.
Fiat, which holds a 50% stake in the Company, also owns and controls five internationally renowned brands:- Fiat Automobiles, Alfa Romeo Automobiles, Lancia Automobiles, Abarth and Fiat Professional, the makers of renowned cars such as the Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo and Lancia besides the Fiat branded cars.
Pirelli. In terms of turnover, Pirelli Tyre is the world's fifth largest tyre manufacturer with one of the highest levels of profitability in the entire sector. It is widely acknowledged as one of the reference companies when it comes to cutting-edge, high performance products. In fac Pirelli Tyre enjoys a leadership position both in car and motorbike tyre lines. Pirelli tyres are now synonymous with quality, driving pleasure and exceptional performance. Through the consolidation of its own technological skills, Pirelli has built up solid relationships with the world's most prestigious car and motorbike constructors, resulting in the homologation of its products for use on models produced by every leading car and motorbike manufacturers. Pirelli Tyre is present in 160 countries and boasts 25 facilities across four continents as well as five Research and Development Centres in which it invests 3.7% of its revenues, the highest percentage in the entire tyre industry.
Alcoa. Alcoa is the world's leading producer of primary aluminium, fabricated aluminium and alumina. It is active in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa supplies its products to the aerospace, automotive, industrial, packaging, building and construction, and commercial transportation sectors, offering its clients access to its broad array of design, planning and production skills. In addition to manufacturing aluminium products and components (including laminated, extruded hard alloy and forged products), Alcoa also sells AlcoaÒ wheels, fixing systems, precision and lost wax castings, and architectural structures and systems. Alcoa is present in 44 different nations employing workforce of 107,000. It was recently named one of the world's most sustainable companies at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. For further information, visit the company site at www.alcoa.com.
OMR. The OMR (Officine Meccaniche Rezzatesi) Group is one of the world's leading automotive and industrial vehicle component and systems manufacturers with 11 production facilities in Italy, Brazil, Morocco, China, India and Argentina. Since its foundation in 1919, the OMR Group (which employs a workforce of 2,000) have grown has grown to such an extent, combining technology, innovation and design, that it now leads its sector. OMR and Ferrari began working together in 1978 and together they have worked towards on shared goals, present and future, driven by a team work ethic and a constant thirst for exciting new technologies.
Saima Avandero. Saima Avandero is Italy's leading international transportation and integrated logistics company. It is part of the ABX LOGISTICS Group and boasts a wide international network with bases in no less than 35 countries. Saima Avandero is an exceptionally reliable partner to business focused on meeting the needs of its clients. Its strongest point is its skill in planning and delivering "tailor-made" services whose quality is second to none. A consummately professional approach and a wide range of skills in logistical support, organisation and information technologies are the secrets to its success and complement the international transportation and delivery services it offers. With the support provided by Borsalino, the italian company founded in 1857, world leader in the production of hats.

Yamaha Bike Station, MGF Mall, Saket, New Delhi

Didn’t I tell you about the R15 and the new Yamaha Flagship Store that would open in the capital soon? Of course I did. Well, I got a chance to visit the new company owned store recently. I must say I am a little disappointed by the square footage of the store. While the previous store, Yamaha One, was a three storey facility with more than a few bikes from the Yamaha’s international range and even a Dyno, the new store doesn’t quite match up to expectations. It’s located in a corner of the mall, the approach road to which is more like a service lane.

But, I soon forgot all that once I laid eyes on ‘The One’. Yup!! Its there in all its glory. But someone seems to have scratched a bit of paint off it. Right next to it is a show-all full details display of the same. You get to see the pistons, the valve gear, the variable length inlet, injectors, cat-con, the works. The ‘other’ is also present. The MT-01 is a big bike alright. Everything about it is big. The size, the engine capacity, brakes, tires everything. Giving company to these exotics is the R15, two of which were displayed. One in blue and the other in black. Also present are the Gladiators. The SS is prominently displayed. Missing though is the FZ15. I mean if they can have the R15 then why not the FZ15.

So, moving on, there is a game station with two X Box 360s. You can play PGR…or not. They couldn’t seem to find the controller. On the other side is the Internet Station with two PCs with internet access. In the center of the store is a giant screen playing the Yamaha promotional video. Then there is the drinks counter. It didn’t seem to be working though. Also on display is Yamaha apparel. From Tees and Pants to Jackets. You can even buy the apparel here. Obviously priced a wee bit on the higher side. Next month onwards full riding gear will also be sold from the store I was told. Racing suits, Helmets, Gloves etc.

Lastly, I must say the staff was very very helpful. They answered all my queries (there were many) without as much as a whimper. Although one of the female staff kept trailing me every where I went in the store, hell bent on reciting all the specs and details about all the bikes and items in the store.

Okay, so I might have been a little harsh, considering the fact that it’s been open only a month. But we obviously expect only the best from Yamaha. All in all a nice little place and I will recommend you all go there once, at least those of you who live in the capital. Another store will soon be coming up at Kamla Nagar, New Delhi. Similar stores, around 10 in number, will come up across Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bombay, Pune, Luckhnow and Calcutta etc.

Half Century Is Up

Fifty posts are up already. Almost been three months since I started. I hope I’ll pass through more of these milestones in the days to come.

Ford Endeavour Thunder + 3.0

The giant from Ford has been given a new heart. Well not exactly. The old 2.5 will continue along side the new 16 valve DOHC 3.0 liter common rail motor. Power increases by around 15 or so bhp. Priced at 17.36 lakh ex-showroom Delhi, it’s a tough competition to the CRV and the Captiva. More so the Captiva.

Features list include Airbags, ABS, EBD making it quite safe. Six disk music system and a roof mounted screen to keep the kids happy. Bigger diameter shocks. Full leather interior. Not much change on the outside though.

New Cars and Motorcycles Update

Well, the Auto Expo got over and now its time for the long and agonizing wait for the cars and motorcycles shown to actually come on roads. A few of them have already made it and the rest will follow soon. Here’s a list.

Indigo CS: First the cheapest car in the world, and then this, the shortest saloon in the world. The CS or the Compact Saloon is less than 4000mm in length, and gets the benefit of the excise duty cut. Cheap doesn’t even begin to describe what it costs. A no frills CS will cost you as much as a small car with a fair number of features. If you always wanted a ‘big car’ for not much money, this is it. You get enough space on the inside, big car feel, diesel economy, looks a touch odd side on.

Indica DICOR: The Indica gets the Indigo’s DICOR engine making 70PS of power. Not much change on the inside. Looks like a ‘normal’ Indica. Costs a bit more than the Turbo. Expect better fuel efficiency and a slight performance advantage. Nothing else.

Skoda Fabia: Oh my god! It’s a Swift! Okay so it does look like the Suzuki, but its nothing like it. Loads more space on the inside, quality levels comparable to a few classes above it, and priced slightly out of the reach of the conventional small car buyer’s reach I think. The diesel version will let you know it drinks the dirty fuel in low revs with a bit of noise, but the engine is pretty stress free as revs build up. Ride quality is again much better than the supposed competition (read that as Swift, UV-A, Getz). The real competition though are the Fiesta and Verna diesels. Petrol 1.4 is pretty nippy too.

Ford Endeavour 3.0: The Ford gets an engine upgrade. Already? Yes, well 13 more bhp and a bigger three liter motor. More torque lower down in the revs. The original Endeavour lacked the power to pull its own weight, which the company rectified with the last upgrade. This upgrade has come in a pretty quick time.

Palio Diesel 1.3 Multijet: Palio will be the second car in the country to get the famed 1.3 liter engine also found under the bonnet of the Swift. It will be available shortly throughout the country, and if Fiat is to be believed, it will be priced competitively. So don’t be amazed if it undercuts its half brother by more than a few thousand.

Chevrolet Captiva: GM launched their new SUV at the Expo. It is powered by the same 2.0 liter turbocharged engine found in the Optra Magnum. It produces more power though, 28bhp to be exact. Seven seater, gunning for the CRV is a good choice if the thoughts of heavy fuel bills of the CRV have been detracting you. Costs approximately 17.7 lakh ex-showroom.

CRV 2.0: The SUV from Honda has got a smaller engine, still pretty powerful, lost its four wheel drive in favour of front wheel drive and a few other things like a sunroof etc. More fuel efficient and even more desireable now.

Scooty EV: The two stroke motor has been replaced by an electric motor. So no more blue smoke, but you do get 40km to a full charge. Top speed of around 40 kmph. Pretty fast for an EV. A 750 watt motor does duty and hence you need to get the vehicle registered by the RTO and also a valid license to ride it.

Gladiator SS: The SS stands for Sports and Style. Pretty lame I must say. But anyways, it should be out in a few days time. No change in power and torque figures. Modifications made are too many to list but the important ones are a new air filter, tachometer, O-Ring sealed chain. Fairing has a scoop in it. Whatever. Will cost more no doubt. Will be followed by the Type RS in a month’s time. Read about it here.

Don't sell Flame High Court tells TVS - Part 2

Bajaj Auto it seems, have delivered the One-Two to TVS Motors. Madras High Court has ordered TVS to stop the manufacture and sale of the controversial motorcycle, Flame. This comes as a big blow to the plans of the Hosur based manufacturer which had been counting on its new offering to improve sales and margins.

Both Bajaj and TVS had been embroiled in verbal duels ever since TVS showed the Flame to the media. Bajaj claimed that TVS had ‘copied’ its patented DTS-I technology, while TVS threatened to file a defamation lawsuit against Bajaj.

Earlier the SC had asked TVS to stop the bookings for the motorcycle till January 29. TVS though will file an appeal against the order in the Madras HC.

Personally I think TVS was wrong since the beginning. Why they didn’t claim for a revocation of the patent when it was granted to Bajaj back in 2002, I wonder. The only thing I think TVS can do now is either go in for a completely new engine or modify the same engine with three valves and one spark plug. Although doing either will cost a lot of time and money. The bad name they have garnered since the end of last year is not going to help either.

Click here for Part 1

Driving/Riding Tips – Economical Driving

Well, fuel prices have been hiked as you already know. Thought it was a good time to share a few driving/riding tips on how to drive/ride in an economical manner. Here’s a list of things I do.

Tire Pressure: Always check the air pressure in the tires, every three or four days. Hardly takes any time. You’ll be amazed how many times the pressure is low. Three to four days, not seven as usually advised.

Watch the speed: Don’t be a speed junkie. The more you rev the engine the more fuel you burn. Drive/Ride at around 55 kmph and resist the urge to floor/twist the throttle.

Traffic Lights: Turn the engine off at red lights, if you have to wait for more than a minute. That timer is there for a reason.

Gear Changes: Up shift as soon as possible. Higher gear equals lower revs and less fuel. But that doesn’t mean you ride the clutch all the time. Replacing the clutch will cost more.

Breaking: Break early. You don’t have to give the driver in the car in front a heart attack every time you stop. When you brake early, you come off the throttle early, hence saving fuel.

Fuel Quality: Using premium quality fuel is best, unless you’re driving a Premier Padmini like my dad or riding an RX100 for that matter. Engine stays healthy saving money in the long run.

Tell me if you found these useful, and I’ll be glad to hear some tips from you.

Fuel Price Hike...Yikes!!

The fuel prices have gone up...again. So what else is new? Anyways, petrol will be dearer by two bucks, diesel will cost you one extra buck. So save fuel, car pool and save yourself some dough.

2008 Bajaj Motorcycle Model Lineup - Bajaj Auto, KTM, Kawasaki

This year is going to be an exciting one for sure for the bikers in India. And most of this excitement will be courtesy Bajaj. The Pune based two wheeler giant has some very interesting bikes lined up for launch this year. Small capacity bikes from its own stables and some middle and big capacity bikes from both its Austrian partner KTM and its Japanese partner Kawasaki.


Bajaj Auto

Blade: The scooter was first showcased at the 2006 Auto Expo. It then sported a 150cc engine. This time around though it gets a 4 valve head based 125cc engine. The styling is not much different from before. Twin headlamps and a tinted visor on the handle bars give it a thoroughly sporty look. Infact, it wouldn’t look out of place in the streets of Italy. Mechanically speaking, it gets 12inch alloy wheels, disk brakes, and front fuel-filler. Expect it to be one of the most powerful scooter in its class.

Discover 150: Bajaj stopped making the Discover 112 and 125 since the launch of the XCD. The 135 was the only Discover left. This led to the Discover climbing up the ladder. And now with the 150, expect the Discover brand name to grow further. The frame looks like it has grown up a bit to house the Pulsar motor. The front shocks, the rear swing arm and shocks, the exhaust look like a carry over from the Pulsar too. The styling is based around the Discover tank, which retains its shape. The over all styling though is pretty staid to say the least. It gets tank extensions which house LED indicators. Also it gets a new headlamp. Bajaj is planning to make it the commuter 150 while the Pulsar can be expected to become even sportier.

For pictures click here

XCD Sprint: This has to be the most radically styled bikes showcased by any of the manufacturers, apart from the imports that is, at the Auto Expo. I have only seen the pictures but man does it look extreme. Again Bajaj has retained the XCD tank. There are new tank extensions (Tank extensions are becoming a bit of a Bajaj hallmark. First seen on Pulsar 200, than the XCD and now on the Discover 150 and the Sprint) sporting a chrome member in the middle. The middle section retains the triangle family look and is finished in brushed aluminum look. The tail is sporty too, with brilliantly integrated LED tail lamps. It gets sporty set of foot pegs with a new bracket for the pillion foot pegs. The bike also gets a disk brake up front which seems smaller than the regulation 240 on other Bajaj models. The rear tire hugger looks a little too big and disproportionate. The front is dominated by a new headlamp with not much to show by way of a fairing but has two colored strips on the side with stalk mounted indicators. It looks very good undoubtedly. The bike also gets digital instruments as can be expected from any new model from Bajaj now.

For Pictures click here

Bigger Bajajs: The company didn’t show any other models at the Expo, so maybe they are not going to launch any this year. But the 4 valve head is the new development and we should expect the bigger models (read that as Pulsar) to get this too by next year. It has also been reported that Bajaj is also developing bikes bigger than the 220.


KTM

Bajaj has increased its stake in the Austrian manufacturer to 20.89%. Though the joint development of engines is on the cards (starting from 125cc all the way up to 250cc, all liquid cooled), but it is still some time away. In the mean time, by middle of this year, the Bajaj Probiking Showrooms will get an Orange corner as well. The bikes lounging here will be the Duke 690 and the RC8.

Both the bikes look like typical KTMs. The 690 will be brought in as a CKD while the RC8 will come as a CBU. I’m hoping the Duke 990 will also be imported. It looks much better than the 690 and also has an extra cylinder as well as more power.

It will be great if Bajaj prices the 690 at around the 5lakh mark while the RC8 at around the 11lakh mark (R1 anyone?).

Kawasaki

I think when Bajaj partnered KTM, someone at the factory remembered that they had a Japanese friend with a strange sense of color choice. The green meanie had partnered Bajaj way back in the 80s producing the likes of KB100 and KB125. Anyways, next to the Orange corner, at the Probiking Showrooms, will be the Green corner.

And the first bike sporting the maniacal green will be the baby Ninja. Not exactly a ‘baby’ compared to the current crop of bikes on sale in our country, but yes, it’s a baby compared to its elder siblings. The Ninja 250 will be introduced by the middle of this year and will come in as a CKD. The kits will be imported from Thailand. The bike had received thorough updates last year when presented at the Paris Motor Show. The bike sports a fuel injected parallel twin motor producing 30PS of power. The gearbox is a six speed unit. The bike is a huge seller for Kawasaki in the US market. It is a ‘learner’ bike for many beginners. Hopefully a price tag of around 1.8lakh will keep it within the reach of a large number of bikers.

Others who are likely to join the 250 are the ER-6n, the Ninja ZX-6R and the Z1000. The 6n is a street bike with a parallel twin (72PS of power) and minimalist styling. I think it’s a touch too much like the 690 as far as selling the two from the same showroom is concerned. The ZX-6R is the Super Sports contender. The Z1000 is a naked featuring a 1000cc inline four making 125 PS of power. Prices are anybody’s guess. But expect them to be competitive as the CKDs will attract less duty than the CBUs.

So all in all, Bajaj looks set to rock the motorcycling scene in the country this year.

Force India F1 Unveils VJM-01

Force India F1 team today unveiled their 2008 championship contender, the VJM-01 at the Gateway of India in Mumbai. The car has been named after the owner, Vijay Mallya. The new livery is made up of red, white and golden colors. Also the Kingfisher name can be seen all over the car.

The VJM-01 is basically a modified 2007 Spyker. The car displayed though does not feature the final aero package. It will be ready only by late this month when the VJM makes its debut on track on February 25.

Vijay Mallya has earlier stated that he is in it for a long run and not just to make up the numbers either. Although expecting Force India to challenge the likes of McLaren and Ferrari is totally out of the question. It would be great if they can match upto the likes of Honda and Toyota, both of which were struggling last season.

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Aston Martin Rapide Caught Winter Testing - Spy Pics

The upcoming four door beauty from Aston Martin has been spied winter testing. The car was completely undisguised when caught. The car looks absolutely stunning and the proportions are spot on.

It will go up against the Porsche Panamera, which comes out next year. The test car looks almost exactly like the concept showcased by the company two years ago. It retains the family look, and looks a million bucks.

Powering the Rapide will be the same V12 found in the DB9.