Royal Enfield To Launch New Bikes In India

Enfield fans will soon be treated to more royalty. Eicher Motors-owned Royal Enfield will open the gates for much-awaited international models including the new Bullet Classic C5 by 2010.Some of the popular models sold in the US include Bullet G5 Classic (EFI), Bullet G5 Military and Bullet 500 Deluxe.

Several Indian models are already being customised by local garages to sport the looks of its international variants. There is a latent demand for the  international models of Royal Enfield in India.These models are homologised in Europe and the US to meet their specific rules and regulations connected to emissions and safety. Royal Enfield is working on making the necessary changes required to meet Indian conditions.

Royal Enfield will leverage on the success of its Thunderbird motorcycle by launching two models based on the same engine platform. Both the motorcycles are expected to be introduced by March 2010. Thunderbird is its most popular model in the metros. It sells 600 units monthly. In the non-metros, Bullet Electra – which also has the same engine category – sells about 1,000 units a month. Almost 90 per cent of its sales in the domestic market is through 350cc bikes.

Bajaj Gears Up With New Technology

Rajiv Bajaj, managing director of Bajaj Auto, appears to have quietly steered the company towards producing technologically-superior products not only for better profitability, but also to increase sales volumes. Over the last few months, Bajaj has faced some very rough times with domestic sales falling to a low of 65,000 units a month. But a slew of new launches, gradual focus away from entry level bikes and smart pricing appear to have put the company back in top gear.

Bajaj Auto recently launched the new Pulsar 220 cc bike, which gives 21.04 PS of power and is priced at Rs. 70,000.Bajaj Auto claims that this is the fastest bike available on Indian roads currently with a top speed of almost 144 kmph and ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India) certified mileage of 56 kmpl. The company aims at selling 2.50-lakh units a month.

On the sidelines of launching the 2009 Pulsar 220 edition, Bajaj Auto has announced another breakthrough with the launch of the world’s most fuel efficient Engine Series. This new breakthrough technology called DTS-Si version 2.0 incorporates 5 major innovations to make it the most fuel efficient engine not only in India but also the world. Designed and developed completely by Bajaj Auto’s R&D, the technology has set new benchmarks and promises to revolutionalise the industry with world’s most fuel-efficient two-wheeler. It is slated for launch next month, followed by yet another motorcycle by the end of the year.

Each of the new launches done this year: XCD 135 cc, Pulsar 150 and 180 upgrades and now the Pulsar 220 cc of Bajaj Auto are successful because of their technological superiority and pricing. On exports, after a dip in the March quarter, export numbers of Bajaj Auto are back to 55,000 a month levels. At present, the XCD platform (125 and 135 cc) does about 20,000 units, P Latina (100 cc and 125 cc) another 45,000 units, Discover 20,000 units and the Pulsar bikes together sell another 35,000 units a month. The low-cost bike which Bajaj has developed using Chinese suppliers, is not being launched in India just yet.

The Nano Plays Well Online Too

The Nano dream is close to reality. Tata Motors on Tuesday said it has completed the selection of the first 1,00000 people who would get the budget car in the first phase of allotment, deliveries for which start next month and would be completed by the last quarter of 2010. The selected applicants will be contacted individually. Even as the first 100,000 successful applicants of the Tata Nano await car delivery, netizens are busy having a virtual feel of the world’s smallest car.

The Reliance-Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (R-ADAG)-owned Zapak.com offers free online games. With more than 2.5 million users since April, the Nano game on Zapak.com is a huge hit on the online gaming website. This game allows the gamer to test drive the Nano virtually even before it hits the road. The game is quick, engaging and fun. It is one of
the largest played online games for Zapak.com. In the racing game, the player has to reach the destination within a specified time limit. He begins by styling his Nano and choose the colour and wheels.

The game has been designed as the result of a tie-up between Tata Motors and Zapak.com.

Piaggio Targets Indian Scooter Market

Scooters, which almost disappeared into the dark alleys of nostalgia, are making a grand comeback. Piaggio Group, which has recently inaugurated its first manufacturing facility in Vietnam, where it will produce 125cc and 150cc Vespa LX scooters, has said that it will also be rolling out scooters in India in due course of time.

Italian auto company Piaggio, manufacturer of the iconic Vespa scooter, is to start production in India as part of plans to expand its operations. Piaggio has roughly 40% of the Indian market share for three wheelers, whereas it lags behind giant Tata Motors (TTM) with a 6%  share in four-wheel light commercial vehicles market.

Piaggio Group now operates manufacturing facilities in Italy, Spain, India, China and Vietnam. In India, after calling off its joint venture with the Kanpur-based LML, Piaggio has restricted its operations in the country to light commercial vehicles. However, the Italian group is said to be considering re-launching Vespa scooters in India by 2011-12. The group said it planned to increase its turnover by 20 per cent by 2012.

Piaggio Vehicles Private Ltd. (PVPL)- is headquartered at Pune and has a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at Baramati, Maharashtra, where three-wheelers are currently being made. Though the company has not announced it officially, industry sources reckon that its proposed scooters would be manufactured in the premises of its existing plant.

Piaggio has already established its numero-uno position in India’s 3 wheeler market in cargo as well as passenger segments. Right from the time of its launch in 1999, Piaggio has consistently delivered exceptional standards and commitment to its customers across India. The service orientation of the company has resulted in Piaggio garnering a customer base of over 700,000 satisfied customers across India.

BMW To Launch MINI In India

The BMW-Mini has become an icon of the Swinging Sixties. This August is the 50th anniversary of the iconic English brand.  BMW India, a 100%  subsidiary of the BMW Group,  is planning to launch its cult premium small car MINI in India by 2009, to cash in on the growing demand for luxury brands in India. BMW had recently re-launched the Mini Cooper globally a couple of weeks ago and it is this model that may be brought in India.

The new MINI Cooper S Convertible is set to rock the droptop class with its funky architecture and perky performance. With a wheel bolted to each corner of its pert little body and a chassis expertly honed by the masters at BMW, the way this little droptop hustles its way across the tarmac is quite incredible. BMW is manufacturing this car through its subsidiary MINI in England under the name of ‘BMW MINI’ or the ‘NEW MINI’.

The base convertible comes with the base engine — a 118-horsepower, 1.6-liter, dual overhead cam four cylinder that’s not turbocharged. The Mini convertible is efficient with fuel, with manual transmission. The interior is well done, with a mix of modern and old style, creating a special environment reminiscent of the Minis of the 1960s.

With the rising demand for BMW vehicles in India, the company would soon be launching its two-seater Roadster Z4 sports car in the country. The Roadster Z4 with a folding hard-top can run up to 250 kilometres per hour. It will be launched in the price band of Rs 50-60 lakh. The company would also be adding 10 dealers in tier-II cities such as Coimbatore, Jaipur, Lucknow and Ludhiana soon. The company is currently concentrating on assembling of vehicles in India and feels production can only begin if volumes are big.

Maruti Suzuki launches Grand Vitara

As we reported you earlier, Maruti Suzuki has launched the new Grand Vitara in the Indian Market. “Highly popular the world over, the Grand Vitara is one of the global strategic models in Suzuki Range. For all those customers, who are increasingly looking at SUVs, the Grand Vitara 2.4 offers more power and the best in class 4X4 drive at a highly competitive price,” Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) Executive Officer (Marketing and Sales) Mayank Pareek said.

The new Grand Vitara 2.4 comes reloaded and enhanced with user convenience and driving comfort. The following features may attract SUV lovers towards the all new Grand Vitara 2.4

  • The 2.4 litre VVT (Variable Valve Timing) engine
  • A maximum power of 163.5 bhp @ 6000 rpm
  • A maximum torque of 225 NM @ 4000 rpm
  • 5-speed Manual Transmission / 4-speed Automatic Transmission
  • 17 inch alloy wheels
  • Disc brakes in the rear wheels ensure superior braking
  • A new Multi Information Display (MID)
  • Centre speaker coupled with a 6-CD changer
  • Improved acoustics and a redesigned power train
  • A sliding centre-console armrest for passenger comfort
  • Stylish new front grille and front bumper
  • A price tag of Rs 16.67 lakh (5-speed Manual Transmission) and Rs 17.97 lakh (4-speed Automatic Transmission)

The new Grand Vitara is available in the showrooms across the country immediately.

Hyundai to launch i20 1.4L petrol automatic and 1.4L CRDi diesel

As we reported you earlier, Hyundai will launch the 1.4L CRDi diesel variant of i20. The 1.4L CRDi pumps out 90PS of max power at 4000rpm and 220Nm of peak torque between 1750 to 2750rpm. Alsong with the introduction of i20 diesel, Hyundai will also launch the 1.4L petrol version generating 99PS of peak power at 5500 rpm and 137Nm of peak torque at 4700rpm. The 1.4L petrol version will come only with automatic transmission. Hence expect the pricing to be on the higher side. Stay tuned for more details..

The Ghost comes to India

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has declared that it is planning to roll out its new global model “Ghost” in the Indian market by the end of this year. This announcement comes just as Tata Motors has launched Jaguar and Land Rover models in India. The car will be showcased at the
company’s showrooms in India, in November or December.

Commonly referred to as the ‘baby’ Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce Ghost is a new, smaller ultra-luxury saloon automobile, designed by Ian Cameron and engineered by Helmut Riedl, who played leading role in the development of the fifth-generation Rolls-Royce Phantom.

The 2010 Ghost is actually a massive car as it measures 5399mm in length, 3295mm in wheelbase, 1948mm  in width, and 1550 mm in height. It will be powered by a 500bhp 6.6-litre turbocharged V12 engine mated to a ZF-sourced 8-speed automatic gearbox, which was tuned to deliver unparalleled shift comfort and responsiveness. In order to keep this beast under control, Rolls-Royce has equipped the Ghost with an advanced air suspension system that offers dynamic handling while preserving a luxurious ride quality.

The car will use what Rolls-Royce describes as a ‘state-of-the-art chassis’. One of the trademark traits of a Rolls-Royce is its ability to move gracefully and make acceleration, braking, handling all look effortless. The driver simply has to point the car in the preferred direction of travel and press the accelerator. Behind the scenes, a dual Integrated Chassis Management system will be working to ensure this latest sedan is every bit as graceful as a Rolls should be. At the heart of the system is an intelligent four-corner air suspension and multi-link aluminum front and rear axles.

Active roll stabilisation, four-corner air springs and variable damping control will make up the suspension system.The air suspension is tuned to be so sensitive that it can detect the movement of a rear passenger from one side of the seat to the other and compensate
accordingly. The air suspension can also lift or kneel to raise or lower the car by 25mm.

An onboard computer is constantly monitoring various sensors around the car to ensure the best comfort and optimal steering and handling dynamics. The on-board computer will read sensors around the car to give the best possible ride – the dampers alone making individual load calculations every 2.5 milliseconds.

Rolls-Royce has launched a dedicated website for its upcoming Ghost, with a number of interesting features to keep potential customers and the curious interested in the car.With the launnch of “The Ghost,” RR put together an online “dream machine” to give everyone a chance to create and customize the Rolls that best suits their discriminating taste. The site showcases the design and engineering elements what went into creating the concept version of the Ghost, the 200EX concept car, and even includes a ‘visualizer’ that allows users to select different color combinations for both the exterior and cabin of the original show car.

Already 10,000 customers have expressed an interest for “The Ghost”. The 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost will make its official debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Series production will begin sometime before the end of the year. The international price of Rolls-Royce Ghost will be around £170,000, or between between $250,000 and $270,000 (Rs1.2-1.3 crore). The price of Ghost in India will be further high because of taxes and import duties.