VERSA OUT,O2 IN

With the tight competition in the field of automobiles,Maruti has opted to kick versa out and bring in new omni o2 to bring out a new revolution in the market of multi utility vehicles(MUVs). Versa which never received well by the Indian customers. Sales of versa has been steadily declining and Maruti has sold only a mere 500 units of versa have been sold this year between april and july.

As reported by vicky.in earlier, the eight-seater Versa will be replaced by a newly designed MUV, codenamed O2, that will be launched around Diwali. The vehicle could be priced a little over Rs 4 lakh. “The management has decided to phase out Versa as it was not showing any significant buyer interest. Maruti is in the advanced stage of developing a much better and advanced vehicle from the Versa platform that will be launched later this year,” said a Maruti official.

“In the second half of the decade, several players such as M&M, Tata Motors and Toyota launched their stylish UV variants. This meant a slow death for the Versa brand which was not as classy or spacious as its rivals,” said an analyst. Maruti Suzuki has codenamed the upcoming MPV called the O2 (Omni 2) and it is currently at an advanced stage of design and would be rolled out from Maruti’s Gurgaon plant where its micro van Versa is also manufactured. The company will strike against its rivals like Toyota Innova, Mahindra Xylo, Chevrolet Tavera & upcoming model from Tata Motors Indicruz when it is launched.

BMW to launch Z4 and X1 in India

Z4 roadster for Diwali; X1 coming to 2010 Delhi Auto Expo

If sources are to be believed, BMW will launch not one but two vehicles in the next six months. While the BMW Z4 has nearly finished the homologation process and other formalities, we are getting to hear of another impending launch up for early next year.

While BMW has pretty much the entire range of vehicles on sale in India, it’s latest SUV, the X1 hasn’t been offered here just yet, which leads us to believe that it could be next for India. The X1 is the smallest of the range of Sports Activity Vehicles (SAVs) in the BMW roster and will position itself as an alternative to the 3 Series with a price tag in the region of Rs 29-32 lakh.

For India, the X1 will come with two engine options – the X1 xdrive1.8d and the X1 xdrive1.8i. The former produces about 143 bhp@4000 rpm and about 32.6 kgm of torque at 1750-2500 rpm. The latter uses a version of the engine found on the 320i with about 140 odd horses and a trifle less torque than the 320i.

The X1, though smaller than the X3 has nearly the same interior space, which means that he next X3 is only bound to get larger. Like its other X brethren, the X1 is tuned for road-biased driving and isn’t much of an off-roader. Even though it might match cars like the Honda CR-V and Chevrolet Captiva in terms of specifications, the premium position of the brand as well as features will ensure it does stay a notch above them in the Indian market.

The Z4 on the other hand will be offered in the sDrive 30i trim. The 3.0-litre straight six produces 258 bhp and 31.5 kgm of peak torque. Performance figures include a top speed of 250 kph and a 0-100 kph time of just 5.8 seconds. The new Z4 that was launched last December in Europe now comes with a folding hard roof as standard and while this has made the car heavier, it has also increased its appeal. A price tag in the region of Rs 62-65 lakh is in the offing, with a late September-early October launch date.

Maruti to launch new Estilo

Few days from now, Maruti would launch the new estilo. Read it carefully! its not zen estilo its estilo. Yes, Maruti would finally say bye to zen brand with the launch of new estilo. Zen estilo was never accepted as a successor for Zen not just because of its tall boy design but also because of its poor sales. Zen estilo clocked barely 3000 units a month compared to zen historic sales figures. The launch of new estilo conveys the same, this is fastest facelift made by Maruti ever. Launched in 2006 December, zen estilo failed to inspire buyers and Maruti wants to add some jazz to attract buyers with the launch of new estilo.

The new estilo will come with the Bharat IV compliant 1L, 3 cylinder KB series engine. The engine which already powers A-star earned rave reviews from customers for its peppy performance and class leading mileage. The new estilo engine pumps out 68PS slightly higher than the A-star.

Apart from the new engine, the new estilo will get the following changes

* A new transmission will replace the rubbery gearbox which is complained by many as hard to shift.
* refurbished headlamps
* New bonnet
* Stylish bumpers
* all new chrome grille
* refreshed interiors and new instrument panel

While A-star will continue to compete with Hyundai’s i10, the new estilo will take on the santro. Expect the marginal raise in price tag.

Pictures of Maruti Suzuki new Estilo

Yamaha Fazer 250cc Vs Kawasaki Ninja 250R Vs Hero Honda Karizma FI ZMR

To a bike enthusiast, Indian two wheeler makers never made motorcycles to cater their aspiration. But soon they would take back their words. While the Industry took 10 years to graduate from 100cc to 150cc segment, now its time to leap forward to 250cc segment in no time.

Two months from now we might have two new motorcycles in the 250cc segment. We first reported to you that Bajaj would launch the Kawasaki Ninja 250R during the festive season. Bajaj officials unofficially told us that Ninja would hit the market at any cost this year. Yamaha which is flexing its muscles thru FZ-16 and R15 against the mighty pulsar doesn’t want to lag behind.

As you read it first at vicky.in few days back, Yamaha would launch the powerful Fazer (possibly 250cc) in mid September. Taking on the Kawasaki Ninja and Fazer 250cc would be the new Hero Honda’s Karizma. After a long wait, the much awaited Fuel Injected Karizma christened Karizma FI ZMR would hit the market soon. New Karizma FI ZMR is expected to produce around 19.5bhp and would be positioned between pulsar 220 and Ninja. Stay tuned for more updates.. Urge your papa to save money..

Maruti launches teaser of new Zen Estilo

Maruti has launched teaser campaign for new zen estilo. Here’s a contest announced by Maruti Suzuki to pull customers to the new estilo. “Guess the wow car” and win prizes at guessthewowcar.com (Sadly, the link is no up). Catch the teaser video at youtube

Maruti Suzuki to launch new zen estilo on August 25th

Maruti Suzuki will launch the new Zen estilo equipped with advanced KB series engine on August 25th. As we reported you earlier the new estilo will get the bharat IV compliant 3-cylinder A-star Engine. With the introduction of new Zen estilo, Maruti will gradually move all its models to comply the Bharat IV emission norms by fitting the new engine.

Yamaha to launch new Fazer

As we reported you earlier, Yamaha would launch two new motorcycles in September. While one of them is said to be a CBU unit like R1 and MT-01 the other motorcycle could be the new Fazer. Yes another variant of FZ-16. Yamaha is betting big on its FZ-16 platform and has already rolled out – FZ-S and Fazer variants. The new Fazer could come with extra power to counter the fastest motorcycle Bajaj Pulsar 220cc. While R15 with performance kit could outperform the Bajaj Pulsar’s claimed top speed of 144kmph. Yamaha wants  a street motorcycle to dethrone Bajaj Pulsar 220cc.

Maruti to launch new Zen Estilo

Maruti Suzuki which ensures every product of its line-up to be in the best selling cars has been struggling with the Zen estilo. The Zen estilo which is dumped into the Indian market by Suzuki has not fared well and failed to justify its ‘zen’ tag. To revive the glory of Zen, Maruti will launch an all new zen estilo within a fortnight. It will be all new car which means changes are not just limited to addition of stickers. The boxy look will sign off and will be replaced by contemporary stylish body panels. The new swaparound headlamps and new glasshouse will give the zen estilo a modern look. Under the hood of the new zen estilo will be Maruti Suzuki’s revolutionary K-series engine. Maruti will use the proven 1L, 3 cylinder A-star engine which is known for its peppiness but the power output will be little higher than the A-star. The new engine will comply the upcoming Bharat IV emission norms. Stay tuned for more updates.

Toyota plans small car with diesel engine

Toyota which has aggressive strategy to stamp its mark in India plans to launch its proposed small car with diesel engine. Unlike Honda and Suzuki, Toyota has versatile diesel engines that can be modified to suit the Indian conditions. “We are keenly studying the diesel option for the small car to be launched by 2011. It will depend on the market and the government regulations regarding diesel engines,” Toyota Kirloskar Motor(TKM) Deputy Managing Director (Marketing) Sandeep Singh said. The new small car would be out by the end of 2010 and the diesel variant is expected by the second half of 2011. We already reported to you Toyota’s Fortuner launch on August 24th and Toyota’s plan on corolla altis diesel launch.

Yamaha to launch two new bikes

Yamaha will launch two new bikes in premium bike segment to strengthen its market share in the segment. The premium bike segment here does not refer to 150cc but bike with displacement capacity above 600cc. The new bikes will be on the line of R1 and MT=01. Whether Yamaha would launch the much expected R6 is a million dollar question. We are digging out more details..stay tuned.

Yamaha will launch these bikes in mid -September to cater to the festive season demand.  Yamaha will also launch new variants of FZ-16 and R15 in the coming months.