Hey guess what I spotted today? The next-on-the-cards from Skoda... the Fabia Combi. Skoda will be launching this baby early next year. I think it'll be an ideal buy for premium hatch back buyers with the extra boot space.
The war is hotting up. And Suzuki India is gearing up for the competitive pricing war in the two-wheeler market. The auto-biggie is already selling its 125cc 'Heat' motorcycle with a competitive price tag closer to that of a 100cc.
The firm is now planning to target volumes by debuting the 100cc domain and is working on strategies to squeeze out profits from the extremely competitive entry-level segment. Atul Gupta, VP Sales & Marketing – Suzuki said that the company is planning to launch three new two-wheelers in the next two years and at least one of them will be a 100cc vehicle.
Gupta also believes that contrary to predictions, the 100cc segment still accounts for 70% of the overall market so entering this segment would make sense for the auto major. He further adds that analysis has shown that over the last several months, the pricing in the 100cc space have narrowed down and the trend will continue.
But the biggest challenge according to Gupta will be to find out how to remain profitable, while operating in the mass motorcycle segment. Industry gurus claim that Suzuki might seek support from its well-established sister-concern Maruti Suzuki India to rationalise the cost factor.
Goa, that's where most automobile journalist are spending their weekend. No it's not holiday but all work. They are getting together to witness the launch of the uber-cool Yamaha FZ16 tomorrow (Sept 14th).
And from Goa to some cooler things. For those who share a passion for icecreams or bikes here's some more super scoop!
The FZ-16 will sport a 153cc, 2 valve, SOHC unit, with 5 speed gearbox and 26mm CV carburettor. The 'Lord of the street' will be available in three colours — lava red, midnight black and flaming orange...now that's yummy!
Everything about this beast is chunky — from the FZ1 inspired overall design to the thick MRF tyres. The front has a wide100mm tyre that can be found in the rear wheel of most bikes and the rear wheel will have a fat 140 mm rubber - radial man – cheers! Built on a diamond frame, this new FZ-16 runs on tubeless tyres both at the front and the rear.
Now let's check the rear end.. ahem! This gets even more interesting. The forks are really meaty and I mean at 41mm they are not just thick in the segment and but even more than the Zma, 220s and and the rear mono-cross suspension provides 120mm of wheel travel... Wow!
Ya, it might sound humongous but it just weighs 126 kg, so maneuvering won't be a big concern. The bully sports disk in front and there's a drum in the rear. With completely digital LCD speedo, you can't be complaining.
The naked street fighter definitely sounds better than its predecessor – R15. When it's static, it purrs like a Puma and when it's revved up it growls!
This big cat will be out in the open tomorrow and I'm sure several worthy hunters will be on the on the prowl!
Hyundai Motor India is developing a small car to compete in the Maruti dominated 800cc segment. The new car is expected to hit the Indian roads in another three to four years - that’s around 2012. Hope it’ll be worth the wait.
Mr. H S Lheem, Director - Hyundai Motor India said, a model smaller than Santro is being researched and developed jointly by Indian and Korean engineer teams at Hyderabad and Namyang. The car would compete in the 800 cc segment and would be catered to the domestic and International markets.
This ain’t great new for Maruti Suzuki, as there are just two models in the popular segment and the Indian car leader offers both of ‘em. Maruti had been comfortably selling the age old 800 car and the Alto in this segment. Guess it’s time for Maruti honchos to jump out of their comfortably warm beds and rush for an urgent meeting with the marketing and design teams.
When Mr. Lheem was asked whether the 800cc car would be pitted against Maruti 800, he quipped, "the Maruti car is an old one."
The other anticipated car by Hyundai is the ‘i20’, which the company plans to unveil at the Paris Motor Show next month. The ‘i20 would be introduced in India by December.
Finally the launch date for the Next-Gen Toyota Corolla – Altis has been reviled. The car debuts on 5th September 2008 according to the Corolla teaser website.
The website apart from the teaser image of the car, also has owner testimonials for its other models under the “quality stories” section. The car will be in select Toyota showrooms before the launch.What fun!
The all new Honda city spotted in Thailand where the car is believed to make its global debut. Here are some spy pics doing the round on the net... Great stuff, huh?!
The second image is a Photoshop illustration by good man Jorge L. Fernández. For more of his work visit Area75.com.
Pics: pantip.com
Its showtime for Suzuki India now. Like all Japanese companies Suzuki thinks ten years in advance. So the sad model line up was Suzuki's way of testing waters in India. The Jap giant will soon launch an 150cc bike with a six speed transmission with a toe and heel gear lever, a rear feature now a days as bikes trying the sporty avatar!
Come September and Maruti will spice up the hatchback segment with it's much awaited A-star. The A-star better known as new-age Alto in European countries, will be unveiled at the upcoming Paris auto show this October. In India the Maruti Suzuki A-star will have to live along with the Alto and Wagon-R.
The Maruti Suzuki A-star concept was showcased earlier this year in India at the Auto Expo, though the production car will not be as futuristic in designed as the concept car. With a low slung front grill like the Audi accompanied by high bonnet line and the vertically stacked headlights make the car distinct yet its not over the top. The tall-boy design assures roomy interior and legroom.
The A-star will sport a 1 liter K-series engine which can produce 65 BHP and we can expect better fuel economy. This family car will be price around Rs 4 lakh... Beware Hyundai i10!
Japanese motorcycle giant Honda has confirmed to launch two sizzling new Superbike in India from its International range by the end the year end. These 1000cc and above bikes will come as Completely Built Units (CBU) and will be priced at Rs 10 lakhs approx.
There's more, Honda will also launch technically advanced 100cc bike this year, which is totally unexpected as the entry-level segment has not shown any significant growth in the recent past.
So, be prepared for several more Honda stunners!
Mahindra Renault launched the limited edition Logan Edge in the country. The jazzed up new Logan Edge is priced from Rs 5 Lakh onwards (ex-showroom New Delhi) and will be available in petrol & diesel engine options.
Both brand ambassador Kunal Kapoor and the special Mystique Purple colour Edge looked distinct, young and vibrant. Precisely what Mahindra Renault were trying to achieve.
Mahindra Renault Pvt Ltd Chief Operating Officer Nalin Mehta said, "The new Logan edge is based on extensive customer feedback and is part of our endeavor to offer our consumers the best."
Other new features:
The prices list:
Lewis Hamilton - McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 race driver is heading to India this week. Yup, and I will get you all the dope you need, even it means traveling from Kanyakumari to the Himalayas with a flat tyre!!
McLaren Mercedes F1 car
The steering with lever for gear shift & clutch
The sexiest nose in the business ;)
The cute round headlamp, the naughty moustache shaped logo & chrome lines on the nose and irresistibly bubbly overall appearance makes you feel like owning one. Yup, that’s the effect that Fiat 500’s timeless design has on most people.
Before I forget, the adorable two-door Fiat 500 is being launched in India today! Not that people here will be killing each other to buy one, simply because it will cost a whopping - Rs 15 lakhs. Yeah, it’s simply a repositioning effort by Fiat India to revive the company’s limping image. Seriously, the firm needs a strong dose of Viagra to give other carmakers a ‘stiff’ competition.
Fiat has a few more tricks up its sleeves, like two new world-class models --- the Bravo and more importantly the Linea. Fiat Linea is a mid-sized sedan, which should debut in September 2008. About 70 % of Linea will be locally produced which assures low cost & taxes. The sedan will sport Fiat’s tried and tested 1.3 multi-jet engines with 95 BHP. Following Linea’s footsteps will be the Grand Punto and already mentioned the Bravo.
Coming back to the micro sized Fiat500. Under the tiny little bonnet, you'll find one of these three powerful engines - a 1242cc, 69 bhp petrol, a 1368cc or 100 bhp twin-cam version of the same engine and the 1248cc, 75 bhp turbodiesel MultiJet, the same is use in the Maruti Swift diesel.
Believe it or not but you can customise the new 500 in as many as 500,000 different combinations, including body, interior and seat colour, stickers, wheel rims, bonnet trims, nudge bars and wing mirror cases. The car is 3.55 metres in length and features 7 airbags including a knee-airbag. The Fiat500 comes with a five star rating in EuroNCAP tests.
Despite all those features and the 500’s cuddlesome image and a price tag that could get you the recently launched Volkswagen Jetta or the Honda Civic, I think we’ll give it a miss for now…
More pictures from the launch coming your way soon... Visit www.fiat500.com
Hyundai India's second largest carmaker launched a new 'i10', powered by a 1.2 litre Kappa engine which can produce 80bhp and boasts an 4 speed Automatic transmission. The new i10 with all these goodies is priced from Rs 3.99 lakh ex-showroom onwards. What more do you want at that price?? The new i10 will definitely raises the bar of performance, fuel efficiency and emission.
According to Heung Soo Lheem, Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) Managing Director and CEO, “This engine is exclusively manufactured only in India, which shows Hyundai's commitment to the country and to make it a global small car hub,"
Hyundai Motor has become the fifth biggest carmaker in the world and the Indian operation contributes 12 per cent to its overall global sales, he added.
Lheem said the company has already received huge export orders for the new 'i10', but the quantum of exports would entirely depend on the domestic demand.
He, however, said the current 1.1 litre engine would continue to power both 'Santro' and 'i10', but the new Kappa engine would significantly raise the bar in this segment.
Since its launch eight months back, the company has sold 1.85 lakh units of 'i10', of which 75,000 units were sold in the domestic market.
I'm overwhelmed by your response and support. I never imagined you guys would make my blog a running success. And I promise to make this blog your favorite hang-out for all the latest and interesting biking buzz!
So loosen your tie, lay back on your chair and enjoy this very special treat... for your eyes only!
!! CAUTION !!
Make sure your old aunt is not sitting next to your while watching this video ;)
First came the Yamaha R15 then the stunner from Honda – CBF 125 and now it time for the FZ150!! The Indian bike scene rocking like never before!
The FZ1 in the background...and the FZ150 with an International model astride.
The hunky beast FZ150 was caught being tested on road recently. Guess we don't have to wait for too long to see the FZ150 at our friendly neighbourhood Yamaha showroom.
When Yamaha FZ150 was unveiled during the Auto Expo earlier this year, it was love at first sight for all bike enthusiasts present there. After the launch of the superb R15 Yamaha is turning their attention on launching the FZ150.
Yamaha has nicely implemented the design elements of their popular naked bike FZ1 onto its miniscule cousin FZ15 . Probably the 'F' in FZ150 stands for 'Fabulous' as the naked bike with its muscular tank, chunky forks, wide rear tyre and stout exhaust, probably makes it the sexiest motorcycle ever manufactured in India.
The FZ150 will sport an engine (150cc) similar to the Yamaha's previous blockbuster the R15, but with a carburetor. Hopefully this would pump around 14 to 15 bhp, with amazing mid-range performance and should be priced around Rs 70,000.
The brilliant spy pictures of the FZ15 in action was taken by Ishaan from Team-Bhp.com.
Watch this space for more info.
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