Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Monday, August 4, 2014

HONDA MOBILIO FIRST MPV FROM HONDA IN INDIA



  Honda’s first MPV for India. It’s based on an extended Brio platform and the familial connection is visible – the same Pokemon-like face and multiple slashes on the doors. It has got a quirky lightning-bolt shaped shoulder-line that allows room enough for a large glasshouse The money shot however is the Civic Tourer Concept-inspired floating C-pillar and the BMW X-Series inspired T-shaped taillights that primarily contribute towards making the Mobilio look stylish and upmarket. It isn’t the prettiest car around though, but breaks away from the breadbox-shape stereotype of the other MPVs.
 Exterior

Unlike its competition in the premium MPV segment, the Mobilio is designed to appeal to a younger audience who look for distinctive looks along with the practicality of an MPV. The Mobilio, as a result, looks more appealing and lively than all its rivals. The front-end, although based on the Brio hatchback, looks stylish enough and it’s the side profile and rear-end where the Mobilio is really distinctive.
The styling is particularly quirky once past the B-pillar: the combination of a large glasshouse, long overhang and the sporty looking taillights and the bumper set the Mobilio apart from the competition. Additionally, the Mobilio is also available in a sporty RS variant which has sportier exterior design details than the standard model. The Mobilio RS gets projector headlamps with LED lamps, unique alloy wheel design, sporty chrome grille, tailgate spoiler, side sill garnish, retractable wing mirrors with turn indicators and chrome exterior door handles.
Interior

Developed using Honda’s design philosophy of “Man Maximum, Machine Minimum”, the Mobilio promises optimum utilisation of space and practicality with its cleverly designed interiors. While the design and the layout of the interior is very similar to that of the Brio and the Amaze, the Mobilio’s cabin seats seven occupants.
While the second row seat offers a 60:40 split function with slide and recline option, the third row seat is a 50:50 spilt folding type which can be reclined for extra comfort. Once folded flat, it can be tumbled forward to maximise the cargo space. Honda says the raised roof lining provides impressive headroom for second-row and third-row passengers while creating enough space to include a rear air-conditioner panel.
The basic boot space for the Mobilio is rated at 223 litres which can be enhanced to 521 litres with the third row folded flat. Honda is offering electric mirrors, steering mounted audio controls, touch screen infotainment system with navigation, airbags and ABS as standard.
Engine and Gearbox
The Mobilio is offered with both petrol and diesel engine options. The petrol unit is the 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine which delivers 119bhp of power and 145Nm of torque. Also used in the new City, this engine is paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox and promises best in class fuel economy of 17.3kmpl. The 1.5L-litre i-DTEC diesel engine, on the other hand, is based on Honda’s latest Earth Dreams Technology. It delivers 100bhp of power and 200Nm of torque. The engine is paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox. Honda claims a fuel economy of 24.2 kmpl, making it the most fuel efficient vehicle in its class. The same diesel unit also powers the Amaze and the City.
Competition
The Mobilio is available in three variants – E, S and V. The sportier Mobilio RS, on the other hand, is available only with a diesel engine. Honda is offering seven different colour options and a two year or 40,000km warranty as standard.
The Mobilio competes in the mid-size MPV segment with cars like the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, Nissan Evalia and the Chevrolet Enjoy.

                                           Specifications Summary


Engines

1498 cc powerDiesel, 99 bhp, 3600 RPM @ 
1497 cc, Petrol, 118 bhp @ 6600 RPM power 
1498 cc, Diesel, 99 bhp @ 3600 RPM power 

Gearboxes

5-speed, Manual, FWD 

Seating Capacity

7 seater 

Steering

Power steering 

Sunday, July 13, 2014

TATA BOLT NEW HATCH BACK

 BOLT FROM TATA MOTORS
 


The Tata Bolt is the new hatchback from TATA MOTORS. Based on their X1 platform which underpins the Indica Vista hatchback, the Bolt features an all too familiar silhouette but is a whole new animal in terms of features and overall design philosophy. It will also be offered with the Indian automaker’s new 1.2-litre 140bhp Revtron mill as well as the all too familiar 1.3-litre Quadrajet diesel engine.This next-generation global car from Tata Motors showcases the new DNA of the company and boasts of newness in terms of design (DesigNext), drivablilty (DriveNext) and connectivity (ConnectNext).
The company says that the name Bolt itself signifies speed and represents, according to the company, a winner’s attitude. It comes with several segment first features and employs a new design language for the interiors as well as the exteriors.At the front it gets an aggressive fascia, new grille and sleek shaped headlights that stretch from the middle of the bonnet to the grille. On the sides the window lines swoop down in curve towards the rear hatch which now seems to be devoid of the Christmas tree lamps. However, what rear does get are rounded edges and certain styling cues from slightly more premium cars.It features a white and black combination interior setup with seemingly premium plastics as well as gauges mounted behind the steering and a touch screen created by Harmann for the Tata Bolt and Zest CS. However, on the lower spec variants we expect that Tata will offer beige interiors.
Representing an attitude of winning, Bolt has raw power that is waiting to be unleashed. Behold, as technology amalgamates performance and evolutionary features, making sure you always stay connected.  

  • Revotron 1.2 L Turbocharged MPFi engine with first-in-class multi-drive mode
  • Harman touchscreen multimedia system
  • Voice recognition and SMS readouts
  • New Signature front grille
  • Projector headlamps
  • Speed dependent volume control
  • Rugby shoulder seats
    Tata will offer this hatchback with the 1.2-litre Revtron engine which is petrol powered and produces 84bhp/140Nm. The diesel engine on the other hand is the 1.3-litre Quadrajet diesel. Transmission options include the five-speed manual as well as an AMT which is a first for Tata especially in this segment.
    We expect that Tata will price the Bolt in the range of 4.6 lakh Rupees to 6.6 lakh Rupees and it will have four petrol and three diesel variants. It will compete with the Grand i10, Maruti Suzuki Swift, Chevrolet Sail and VW Polo.



    TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
    ITEMS PETROL DIESEL

    DIMENSIONS
    Overall Length (mm) 3995 3995
    Overall Width (mm) 1695 1695
    Overall Height (mm) 1570 1570
    Wheelbase (mm) 2470 2470
    Front Track (mm) 1450 1450
    Rear Track (mm) 1440 1440
    Fuel Tank (ltr) 44 44
    Kerb Weight (Kg) 1106 1106

    ENGINE
    Engine Type Revotron 1.2T 1.3L Quadrajet
    Displacement (CC) 1200 1300
    Maximum Power (ps/rpm) 84 @ 5000 89 @ 4000
    Maximum Torque (nm/rpm) 140 @ 1750 200 @ 1750

    TRANSMISSION
    Type 5 - Speed MT 5 - Speed MT

    SUSPENSION
    Front Dual Path Independent McPherson strut with Antiroll Bar Dual Path Independent McPherson strut with Antiroll Bar
    Rear Semi Independent Twist beam with coil spring Semi Independent Twist beam with coil spring

    BRAKES
    Front Disc Disc
    Rear Drum Drum

    TYRE
    Tyre Size R16 R16

TATA ZEST A NEW SEDAN HIT INDIAN ROADS

                                                    
      

                                                        TATA  ZEST


   The Tata Zest compact sedan is the second car in TATA MOTORS  new generation of vehicles. First shown just ahead of the Auto Expo, the Zest is a CS version of the Bolt hatchback.
It features a very similar design to that of the hatchback but includes a noticeable but quite decent looking boot. It makes use of the same engine, underpinnings, interior design as well as feature list from the hatchback.



   The Tata Zest follows the same principle in terms with the Bolt hatchback in terms of design and overall appearance. The side profile remains the same up to the C-Pillar but thanks to the boot has a different appearance. At the back the lights have a similar design to that of the hatchback with a stubby boot lid.
Inside the interiors are exactly the same as the hatchback including the overall layout, features and upholstery. The list includes Harman touchscreen music system, gauges behind the steering wheel and white upholstery for the top spec variants and beige for the others in the range.

   Killer instinct meets elegance in the Zest. An avant-garde design philosophy makes it beautiful to look at, while also providing an incredible, connected driving experience - A true sports sedan!features

  • First-in-class F-tronic diesel AMT
  • Revotron 1.2 L Turbocharged MPFi engine with multi-drive mode
  • Daytime running lights (DRL)
  • LED tail lamps
  • New Signature front grille
  • Harman touchscreen multimedia system
  • Voice recognition and SMS readouts 
  •  
    In terms of engines, Tata will offer this compact sedan with the 1.2-litre Revtron engine which is petrol powered and produces 84bhp/140Nm. The diesel engine on the other hand is the 1.3-litre Quadrajet diesel. Transmission options include the five-speed manual as well as an AMT which is a first for Tata especially in this segment.
    We expect that Tata will price the Zest in the range of 5.5 lakh Rupees to 7.6 lakh Rupees and it will have four petrol and three diesel variants. It will compete with the Grand i10 based Xcent sedan, Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Chevrolet Sail sedan, Honda Amaze and VW Vento.

                                                                Revotron family

    The new Revotron family of engines that will power all their future vehicles. The smallest 1.2-litre turbocharger four-cylinder engine was on display at the event, it is expected to power the new sub-four metre cars including the Falcon that will debut at the 2014 Auto Expo.The power specs of the 1.2-litre unit with a low inertia turbo and MPFI are decent at 85bhp for 5,000rpm and 140Nm between 1,750rpm and 3,500rpm. The numbers look a bit low considering the turbo, but it is probably to improve efficiency. The cast-iron pod is liquid cooled, has two valves per cylinder and is BSIV compliant.The Revoton engines have the option of selecting the ‘drive mode’; it means you can toggle between performance and efficiency as per needs. Tata is also working on a new transmission that will be mated to these engines. A CNG complaint variant of the engine will also be made available with the cars based on the Falcon 4 and the Falcon 5.

                                                    TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
    ITEMS PETROL DIESEL

    DIMENSIONS
    Overall Length (mm) 3995 3995
    Overall Width (mm) 1695 1695
    Overall Height (mm) 1570 1570
    Wheelbase (mm) 2470 2470
    Front Track (mm) 1450 1450
    Rear Track (mm) 1440 1440
    Fuel Tank (ltr) 44 44
    Kerb Weight (Kg) 1106 1106

    ENGINE
    Engine Type Revotron 1.2T 1.3L Quadrajet
    Displacement (CC) 1200 1300
    Maximum Power (ps/rpm) 84 @ 5000 89 @ 4000
    Maximum Torque (nm/rpm) 140 @ 1750 200 @ 1750

    TRANSMISSION
    Type 5 - Speed MT 5 - Speed MT

    SUSPENSION
    Front Dual Path Independent McPherson strut with Antiroll Bar Dual Path Independent McPherson strut with Antiroll Bar
    Rear Semi Independent Twist beam with coil spring Semi Independent Twist beam with coil spring

    BRAKES
    Front Disc Disc
    Rear Drum Drum

    TYRE
    Tyre Size R16 R16     

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

TATA NANO TWIST with Power Steering




Uniquely cute & cool styling. A car that will make you smile
• New Electric Power Steering makes driving and parking a breeze
• Innovative packaging results in spacious interiors for 4 adults. Generous legroom & headroom
• Peppy performance at speeds <80 kph. Engine offers good urban driveability too
• Powerful air-conditioner will chill you to the bone
• Small footprint & tiny turning radius make the Nano a great urban runabout

Tata Nano is the world’s cheapest car but for Tata it has not been faring very well. To boost the sales of the little hatchback Tata has launched the facelifted version of the same. It is not a major revamp but brings a few interesting changes that surely boosts its appeal and makes it a good value for money car than before.

The new Nano looks similar to the outgoing iteration but brings a few new additions to the exteriors. It brings chrome strips on the front and rear of the car on the top end variant. In India people love cars with bits of chrome as it adds to the appeal and this works well on the new Nano. It also brings new fog lamps which not only look good on the car but also enhances the looks of its exteriors. The rear gets air intakes below the rear chrome strips for better engine cooling which improves the reliability and durability of the engine.
Nano in its latest avatar looks similar to the outgoing version from the side. It remains compact and the overall dimensions remain the same. Nano was always known for its cabin area and the new car takes its legacy forward. Tata motors have cleverly engineered the cabin space inside the Nano. It will easily seat four people inside and comfortably so thanks to the amount of leg room and head room available. Tata has done well to improve the quality of the interiors in the new version and it does feel noticeably better. The CX and LX variants bring ample storage areas in the form of twin glove boxes on the dashboard.

The AC remains a chiller and easily cools the car during hot summer climate. The interiors bring a small 12V power socket and cubby holes. The interiors are also quite airy and the visibility is just fantastic. The steering is easy to hold and turn although there is no option to adjust the steering. The top variant also gets front power windows. 
Tata Nano has very good performance from its 624cc petrol engine and it produces 38PS of power and 51 NM of torque. It has a light clutch and driving through the traffic is easy owing to the ample low end torque from the engine. It weighs only 650 kgs resulting in excellent power to weight ratio which gives it excellent acceleration. It picks up speed easily and will manage to stick to highway speeds if necessary. It brings a 4 speed manual gearbox and an ARAI rated fuel efficiency of 25.4 kmpl.

Nano is easy to drive and has a very small turning radius of just 4 meters. It manages to go over potholes and speed breakers easily owing to its high ground clearance. The steering does take some effort to turn at low speeds but as the speeds go up it is easy to use. The rear view mirrors do their job very nicely as they provide ample view of the road behind the car.
The new Nano brings ample features in the latest version and despite the minor upgrades it is still good value for money. It is cheap to run and offers excellent fuel efficiency which makes it easy to own keeping the maintenance costs very low. Tata has revised the price on the new Nano but the increase in price is just marginal compared to the older version.

Other Tata Nano Versions

Tata Nano STD 
624cc Petrol , 25 kmpl
Rs. 1,41,200 | Check on road price
Tata Nano CX 
624cc Petrol , 25 kmpl
Rs. 1,94,409 | Check on road price
Tata Nano LX 
624cc Petrol , 25 kmpl
Rs. 2,18,909 | Check on road price
Tata Nano CNG emax CX 
624cc CNG , 0 km/kg
Rs. 2,33,275 | Check on road price
Tata Nano CNG emax LX 
624cc CNG , 0 km/kg
Rs. 2,58,106 | Check on road price

Fiat New Face Lift LINEA 2014

  The Fiat Linea has always been a fun to drive car and the current model gets upmarket interiors and a healthy equipment list that makes it quite a good value for money offering. The interiors get a dual tone theme with a Fiat 500 like contrast mid section that houses circular chrome ringed air vents, the piano black housing for the middle air vents also look nice while the shiny black stereo compliments the air vent housing above. The Emotion variant also gets leather upholstery to give the car a premium appeal.
The Fiat Linea comes loaded with a stereo, power windows all around, tilt adjustable power steering, electrically adjustable ORVMs, automatic headlamps with programmable follow-me-home function, rain sensing wipers, central locking, mileage computer, rear defogger, disc brakes all around and anti-lock brakes as standard. Top end models also get, rear a/c vents, a rear arm rest with cupholders, front airbags, a rear sun blind, cruise control, alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, climate control, Bluetooth compatible stereo with steering mounted controls and a height adjustable driver’s seat.
Under the hood, the new Fiat Linea will continue to be powered by a turbocharged 1.4 litre petrol engine developing 116PS of power @ 6,000 rpm and 207Nm of torque @ 4,500 rpm, a naturally aspirated version of the 1.4 litre petrol engine developing 90PS of power @ 6,000 rpm and 115Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm while the 1.3 litre turbo diesel engine develops 93PS of power @ 4,000 rpm and 209Nm of torque @ 2,000 rpm.
Overall Length4596mm
Overall Width1730mm
Overall Height1487mm
Wheel Base2603mm
Ground Clearance185mm
Boot Space500Liters
Kerb Weight1220Kg

Ashok Leyland New Partner Join With Nissan


India’s second largest truck maker, Ashok Leyland today launched two new products, the Partner truck and Mitr bus, expanding its LCV range and plugging the gap in the 3.5-7 tonne LCV segment that sits above the Dost LCV. The Partner is priced at Rs 8.89 lakh and the Mitr is costs Rs 12.49 lakh, all prices ex-showroom Chennai. These new products will be showcased at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo next month. ALL has a fresh line-up for this year’s Expo. It includes the Boss and Captain truck range that was recently unveiled and also a luxury variant of the Stile.

Commenting on the new products ALL will be displaying at the Auto Expo, Dr V Sumantran, Vice Chairman ALL said, “I think with this Expo we will complete our trilogy. We had the Dost, the Stile and now we will show the Partner and its twin product, the Mitr Bus. Three platforms that will fill up our LCV range.”  

After the Dost and the Stile, the Partner and Mitr are the latest additions to the Ashok Leyland range from the ALL-Nissan joint venture in India. With these new products, ALL is also bringing the ZD30 diesel engine used in LCVs by Nissan. The engine produces 120PS of power and 320Nm of torque. ALL says that over 97 percent of the vehicle is built by sourcing components locally and that includes the engine parts. 

The Partner is based on Nissan Atlas LCV. The Atlas platform is manufactured by three manufacturers – Nissan, UD Nissan Diesel (owned by Volvo) and the Renault-Nissan Alliance. The Partner LCV at launch comes in a 6-tyre version with a choice of two wheelbases – 2850mm and 3350mm. A 4-tyre 2760mm wheelbase variant will follow soon. The larger Partner has a rated payload of 4 tonne and a GVW of 6.6 tonne. Power steering is standard and air-conditioning is optional.

The Mitr bus has been launched in 27 seater configuration in the six-tyre version. A 16 seater four-tyre Mitr will follow soon which will also get air conditioning. The Mitr will be available as a school bus and staff bus. Both products will go on sale as BS3 and BS4 versions.