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The monsoon is here. Met dept has predicted the monsoon to go on full steam in a few days from now. Rain have already started in parts of Maharashtra, Kerala and Tamilnadu. The story of monsoon of this monsoon will be no different. You are in Andheri or Guindy, India is also no different. Potholed roads, messy traffic and large downpour this season is going to test your limits. But for safer driving, you need good wiper blades. Studies shows that car wipers are the most neglected part of a car safety as people think wipers would work well in all season. It has to be maintained in perfect condition.  Over a period of time, rubber on wiper blades tend to become hard and leave water on the windshield. Manufacturers advised the owners to replace the windshield wipers at least once in a year as bad wiper blades do not give clear visibility.  Get best quality wiper blades for the safer driving during the monsoon and for the goodness of the windshield.

Get ready for the monsoon with vicky.in/shopping

Buy Original Bosch Aero Twin Wiper blades 

Buy Genuine Hella Dynaedge Wiper blades

Hyosung has launched its GT250R sports bike in India at a price of Rs.2.75 lakhs (Ex-Delhi). Hyosung in joint venture with Pune-based DSK Group has launched this bike. Hyosung GT250R looks almost similar to GT650R and the only difference is the smaller 250cc engine which powers the GT250R. The 250cc engine of GT250R will offer a peak power of 28.89 PS and a peak torque of 22.68 Nm.

In the launching ceremony, Mr.Shirish Kulkarni, Managing Director of DSK Motowheels said that they are aiming to localise the bikes up to 90 percent in 18 months from now. Regarding the construction of a new plant, Kulkarni informed that they would like to purchase land in the Mumbai-Pune belt as it will be convenient to import kits through the JNPT port.

Hyundai plans to launch its all-new Elantra sedan in India in this September. It will be available in both petrol and diesel engine options with both six-speed manual and automatic variants. The new Elantra features Hyundai’s fluidic-sculpture design and looks more aggressive than its predecessor. The engine options of the sedan include a 1.8-litre petrol engine delivering 147bhp and a new 1.8-litre diesel engine. The car holds a lot of good features along with a spacious interior including a swoopy dashboard and blue-lit dials. The standard features of Elantra includes ESP, traction control, six-airbags, bluetooth and so on. The major competitors of 2012 Elantra will be new Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Chevrolet Cruze, Volkswagen Jetta, Renault Fluence and Skoda Laura. It is expected at a price of Rs.13 lakhs.

Inorder to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Corolla Altis in India, Toyota has launched a limited edition version of the sedan christened the Corolla Altis Aero. The Altis Aero is priced Rs.11.47 lakhs (Ex-Delhi). The Altis Aero features an aerodynamic design and is available only in two colours namely Silver Mica Metallic and Black Mica. This limited edition version is available only on the petrol J variant and is available in Euro IV. The new features of the Altis Aero include

i) Revised front and rear bumpers

ii) New lower grill and skirts

iii) A boot-lid spoiler with an LED brake light

iv) Smoked halogen headlamps and taillamps

v) Chrome-lined exhaust tip

vi) Dual-tone seats with the Aero logo

Hero Motocorp has launched its new 125cc bike in India christened the Ignitor. The Ignitor is available in two variants viz., Drum Self and Disc Self. The bike is powered by a new generation 125cc ATFT engine which offers a peak power output of 11PS at 8000rpm. The engine is mated to a five speed manual transmission gearbox. The Ignitor gets alloy wheels and a half fairing.

The other impressive features of Ignitor include stylish split seat, classy front cowl, striking trapezoidal headlight, dazzling tail light, adjustable rear shockers, body-coloured rear grip and dual tone rear view mirrors. The Ignitor Drum Self is priced Rs.55,900 (On-road) and Rs.61,719 (Ex-showroom) whereas the Ignitor Disc Self is priced Rs.57,900 (On-road) and Rs.63,871 (Ex-showroom).

Bajaj has started the bookings for the 2012 Pulsar 200 NS at Pune. The deliveries are expected to begin from 15th of June, 2012. The Pulsar 200 NS is powered by a 200cc liquid cooled engine with triple sparks delivering a peak output of 23.52PS at 9500rpm and 18.3Nm at 8000rpm. The bike features four valves for better respiration. Pulsar 200NS reaches top speed of 136Kmph which we believe its electronically limited and many will surely manipulate the ECU to achieve more. Pulsar 200NS reaches 60kmph in just 3.61 seconds and in 9.83 seconds it can reach 100kmph. Bajaj claims the pulsar 200NS returns a mileage of 58kmpl (at 55kmph). Multiplying the fuel efficiency and fuel tank capacity (12L), 696km is the range of the pulsar 200NS. Bajaj though makes performance bikes always have a concern for mileage which is why the pulsar still holds the edge.

The All-New Ford Global Fiesta was the first of the eight new products that Ford will be bringing to India by the middle of the decade. As such it is not only a great product but also one that showcases the company’s brand promise of ‘Go Further’ brilliantly. With its offer of first in segment features such as Voice Control and Cruise Control, the vehicle does make a very compelling case for itself as a viable purchase proposition.
The Fiesta though has a few contenders to compete with in the B-segment. One of them is the Volkswagen Vento.

If the Fiesta is backed by the power of the ONE Ford strategy, the Vento brings the best of German engineering to its owners. But how do they compare against each other? The Volkswagen Vento and the All-New Global Ford Fiesta? Read on to find out how one compares to the other. And what better versions to compare than the vehicles’ diesel versions, given the backdrop of the recent unprecedented petrol price hike?

Looks and design:

The All-New Global Ford Fiesta is one of the best looking cars available in the B-segment today, courtesy Ford’s Kinetic design philosophy. Its brand new trapezoidal grille and swept back multi-element headlamps give the car a very contemporary and modern look. It has body colored bumpers with chrome tipped fog lamp housing and the roof swooping over to the back as a single long arc looks fantastic on the car. It bears a proportionate design which is quite stylish and the angled up rear styling brings out the Ford DNA very well indeed. The All-New Fiesta premium mid size sedan also brings excellent build quality to the segment. It is a car that appeals to everyone and has won many hearts.

The Vento too is a good looking car with clean but understated lines. The front end of the Vento is nearly identical to that of the Polo hatchback. With a long wheelbase and low slung stance, the Vento has good road presence too.

Interiors design, space and features:

Get inside the Fiesta and the Ford brand pillars of Quality and Smart come out quite clearly. Not only does it offer a high quality of craftsmanship but also smart and techtastic features that make life easier and safer as well. For instance, the first in segment Voice Control function of the All-New Global Fiesta allows the driver to control functions like setting in-cabin temperature of the electronic climate control or dial numbers by connecting with your phone via Bluetooth. As a result, the driver does not have to take his hands off the steering wheel while performing these basic functions, making the vehicle safer. Then there is the Cruise Control function, which is another first in class offering in the B-segment. The function allows you to cruise the highways at a set speed reducing driver fatigue while increasing fuel economy.

In addition, there are features like the classy looking instrument console with Multi-Information Display (MID) along with speedometer and tachometer readings, electric auto fold ORVMs, multi-way configurable driver seat, steering wheel mounted audio controls for the 6-speaker stereo system that also gets USB connectivity and AUX-IN. The All-New Global Fiesta also gets numerous active safety features like dual front airbags, ABS with EBD and ESP even as the occupants sit cocooned in the safety of the Fiesta’s spacious cabin constructed of high tensile Boron steel. And speaking of space, not only does the All-New Fiesta comfortably accommodate five adults but also has sufficient space for all their luggage, courtesy its 430 litres of boot space.

The Vento too will accommodate five adults comfortably and has a decent sized boot. Like the Fiesta it has dual airbags for the driver and the front passenger, climate control and height adjustable driver’s seat. The Vento also gets a stereo system that is MP3 compatible.

Engine performance, power, torque, fuel economy, smoothness:

The diesel variant of the All-New Global Fiesta uses Ford’s proven 1.5-litre Duratorq TDCi turbocharged common rail engine. It generates a healthy 90 BHP at 3750 RPM and a generous 240 NM of torque at 2000-2750 RPM, which is ample for highway runs and cruising all day long. The engine also boasts very low NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) levels. With an ARAI rated fuel efficiency of 23.5 kmpl, the All-New Fiesta is one of the most fuel efficient cars in the B-segment. The Vento’s 1.6-litre common rail diesel engine has a slightly higher power rating of 104 BHP at 4400 RPM and marginally more torque at 250 NM. As per ARAI test data, the Vento delivers a significantly lower fuel efficiency of 20.54 kmpl.

Suspension Ride, comfort and handling:

The All-New Global Fiesta boasts the classic Ford DNA and features a first in class intelligent steering technology that is smooth, responsive and effortless. Meanwhile a firm suspension gives it excellent handling characteristics while at the same time offering a superior ride quality. It allows the car to glide over bad roads while on good roads it offers a cushy ride making it super comfortable for the Fiesta’s occupants. Limited body roll on the other hand lends to the vehicle’s stability as it feels planted through corners and bends. The Fiesta, with its offer of ABS and EBD, maintains its composure under hard braking and keeps occupants safe.

The Vento too offers good dynamic abilities but feels a little stiff on Indian roads, courtesy firmer suspension settings. It also has a lower ground clearance compared to the Fiesta’s 156 mm ground clearance.

Value for money sticker price, standard features:

On the whole the All-New Global Ford Fiesta is a great techtastic package that comes loaded with several Smart features. Priced between Rs. 9.13 lakh, ex-showroom, for the base Style variant, and Rs.10.15 lakh, ex-showroom, for the top-of-the-line Titanium+ variant, the All-New Global Ford Fiesta’s diesel variant makes a very compelling case for itself as a purchase proposition as it offers excellent value-for-money. Not to forget Ford’s higher overall sales and service outreach, which currently stands at 230 outlets spread across 123 cities nationwide, makes life with the Fiesta easier.

UPDATE : The car is sold at a compelling price point of Rs. 9,13,900 (ex-showroom), making it an amazingly value-for-money product and a supremely affordable lifestyle upgrade.

Democratisation of technology is a topic very close to every heart that beats around the blue oval. Simply put, in line with its brand promise of ‘Go Further’, Ford has focused its efforts on bringing technology available in higher segments of vehicles to the masses. And how they go about achieving this – by equipping their latest ONE Ford products like the all-new Fiesta with the latest in auto technology, be it with respect to connected systems or powertrains – is what makes their products such great purchase propositions. The Fiesta Powershift AT, which Ford launched in March this year, is yet another example of Ford’s success with democratizing of technology.

The Fiesta Powershift AT, as the name suggests, is an automatic transmission version of the award winning Fiesta. However where it truly differs from its competitors is in the transmission technology that the car packs in – a dual clutch transmission.

A dual clutch transmission has two clutch systems. In the case of the Fiesta , clutch 1 takes care of 1st , 3rd and 5th gear while the second clutch takes care of 2nd , 4th and 6th gears. Also, two different final drives are employed in the same transmission. Lastly, with more gears (6 in this case), there can be a proper and better spread of the 81PS of peak power and 140Nm of maximum torque between the ratios. This means that you have less chances of being in the low band of the engine at any given time.

Additionally, there are first in class features like Hill Start Assist where the system retains pressure on the brake pedal for 2.5 seconds after you have removed your foot off the pedal. This ensures that when moving off from a standstill on an incline the car does not roll back in the time it takes for you to move your foot from the brake to the accelerator.

The system also has a convenient Creep function, which allows the vehicle speed to be controlled via the brake pedal when crawling through stop-and-go traffic or in crowded parking lots. Additionally, the Powershift transmission also features the Ford Grade Hill Assist technology wherein the transmission system engages lower gears when climbing down a hill to reduce brake usage.

The result of all this is an impressive drive experience, which is a hallmark of Ford products. The Powershift is also an intelligent gearbox that changes gears seamlessly in accordance with the inputs that it gets from the driver via the accelerator. For instance, if you use the accelerator gently then the system shifts up to higher gears in the interest of improved fuel economy. Indeed, thanks to using 6 gears, the Fiesta Powershift boasts a best in class fuel efficiency figure of 16.97kmpl as per ARAI test data, which is better than a few other cars featuring manual transmissions. While such low fuel consumption means you will be smiling on a day to day basis with the money to spare there is the additional benefit of the Powershift transmission being a completely maintenance free unit for life. The completely sealed unit requires absolutely no maintenance for 10 years or 2,40,000km!

The Powershift is available in two trims – a base variant called Style and a top-of-the-line variant called Titanium – with the 1.5-litre TiVCT petrol engine. The engine in question has a peak power output of 81PS and 140Nm of maximum torque.

Buying your first car is always an exciting proposition. For a majority of people, a car is the second largest investment they make after a house. As such, it is not a decision that can be based on impulse. Rather the decision to buy a particular vehicle should be based on careful consideration. Here are some top tips from Ford India to help you buy your first car. Will it be a Figo then? Or will it be the All-New Global Fiesta? By the time you’ve read through the tips you should have found your answers.

• Keep your emotions under control: Be conservative and don’t rush; you’ll have to live with this purchase for years to come. So it should be easy to live with and reliable like the tried and tested Ford Figo or All-New Global Fiesta.

• Watch your wallet: If you’re financing your car purchase, your monthly payment should not put a big strain on your budget. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Choose the right variant and buy the features you need and watch your finance burden come down even when you buy the car you want.

• Understanding is the key: Make sure you understand all the terms of your buyer’s contract, paying special attention to the interest rate and whether there is a balloon payment required. Question anything in the contract that you do not understand before signing on the dotted line.

• Cost of Ownership: Figure out how much it will cost to keep the car running before you buy. Things like fuel efficiency, service intervals, etc determine how low the cost of ownership of your car will be. Remember the purchase price of the vehicle is only part of your cost. The cost of ownership counts!

• The bigger the reach the better: It is easier to live with a car when you have the security of knowing that a sales and service outlet is never too far away. For instance, with 230 sales and service outlets spread across 123 cities, Ford vehicles make a perfect case for themselves as compelling buying propositions.

The spy picture of the Figo facelift has been caught when the car was being tested near Chennai. The car will be getting an updated front-end styling and tail-lamps along with new colours. Anyhow, the bumper of the car remains unchanged. The car somewhat resembles the Fiesta hatchback. As like the current Figo, the facelifted Figo will also be available in both petrol and diesel engine options. Details about the interior changes remain unknown. Other details are not yet known which will be revealed shortly. Stay tuned!