Bajaj Auto has announced that the Indian Patent Office granted Bajaj Auto a patent for its “ExhausTEC” invention vide Patent no 231498 dated 5th March 2009. This Grant was published in Patent Gazette dated 27 March 2009. Bajaj claims unique invention named “ExhausTEC” significantly improves low range / mid range torque in a single cylinder four stroke engine, employing a chamber of predetermined volume attached to the exhaust pipe. Bajaj has employed this innovation on its motorcycles since August 2004 in various models. TVS uses the same technology in its Apache and Apache RTR.
Bajaj Auto claims that it had seen use of its technology in TVS’s Apache model in August 2007. Bajaj and TVS has already issued notices to each other. With Bajaj getting the patent yesterday, the fight is going to intensify further. This is the second conflict between the rivals over intellectual property rights. The earlier clash occurred when TVS Motors unveiled its 125cc bike Flame on Twin spark technology.
Bajaj new Pulsar 200cc
As we reported earlier, Bajaj will come up with an upgraded pulsar 200cc as part of its six months six products strategy. The new pulsar 200cc will get a rear disc brake. thicker front forks, sporty clip-on handle bars. Surprisingly there will be no FI (Fuel Injection) as we earlier reported. The new Bajaj 200cc is expected to be launched between 15th and 20th April.
Maruti to phase out 800 and omni
Maruti 800 and Omni – workhorses from Maruti Suzuki serving Indian customers for more than 25 years will finally come to an end. Maruti Suzuki today officially announced that 800 and Omni will not see any change in powetrain to meet the Bharat IV emission norms (will be implemented in 11 major cities in 2010). However, Maruti Suzuki will continue to sell Omni and 800 in other cities. “Once Euro-IV emission norms is applied across the country, which is likely to happen around 2015-16, then M800 and Omni may not be a saleable product. We will have to eventually phase (them) out then,” MSI Chairman R C Bhargava said. “We regularly introduce new models in the market, but at present there is no plan to bring out substitutes for these two cars,” he added. Bhargava said sales of M800 and Omni would stop next year in 11 cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore, where Euro-IV emission norms would come into effect. “In any case, we are selling very small numbers in these cities as they have opted for higher standard cars. Our main markets for the small car are the rural areas, where we will continue to sell,” he added.
Volkswagen unveils Chakan plant
Volkswagen today officially announced that it will start production at its new chakan (near pune )plant. With an annual production capacity of 110,000 vehicles, the pune plant is built at an investment of Rs 3,800 crore. Volkswagen will build Skoda Fabia, new Polo and a polo based sedan at the new plant. “The Pune plant will begin building the Skoda Fabia compact car in May,” a VW statement said. “Production of a hatchback version of the Volkswagen Polo specially developed for the Indian market will be added from 2010,” the statement added. Chakan plant sports a flexible assembly line which means Volkswagen Group brands – Audi, Skoda, Volkswagen will make a range of cars here. “Thanks to the local production of Volkswagen and Skoda models in Pune, we will benefit even more from enormous growth on the Indian automobile market in future,” VW board member Jochem Heizmann said at the opening ceremony.
What it means to you: Once Volkswagen ramps up production at the Chakan plant, localisation levels for the Fabia will be up to 50 per cent in three years from the present 15 per cent. Result, you can expect a more VFM (value for money) Fabia soon.
Maruti to launch Ritz in May
Gearing up to the new challenges, Maruti plans to launch its Splash as Ritz to India. Ritz will compete against the Skoda Fabia, Hyundai i20 and soon to be launched Honda jazz and Fiat Grande Punto. Ritz will come with a 1.2L petrol engine (KB series) and 1.3L multijet diesel. Remember, 1.0L KB series engine which powers the A-star has already credits for its fuel efficiency and peppy nature. Maruti will launch the Ritz in the second week of May. Ritz is expected to be priced around Rs 4-5.5 lakh. and it will be positioned above WagonR but closer to Swift. Meanwhile, ICAT a notified testing agency and a division of National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project (NATRiP) has granted approval to Maruti Suzuki to launch the Ritz in India
Picture of Maruti Ritz
Ford to launch Endeavour Automatic
As Toyota gears up for the launch of Toyota Fortuner, Ford plans to defend by launching an automatic variant of its hardcore SUV – the Endeavour. Ford Endeavour currently comes with 2.5L and 3.0L engine option (Thunder+). Both the engines sports 5-speed manual transmission. While at the lower end Mahindra offers Scorpio Automatic and at the higher end the upcoming Fortuner is believed to come with an autobox. Then Ford would be sandwitched between the two and autobox lovers might give the Endeavour a miss. Ford doesn’t want this to happen and an autobox for Endeavour hence becomes necessary. Ford’s five-speed automatic transmission system features an innovative Transmission Control Module (TCM) that can automatically detect and quickly adjust to the changing engine speed and driving condition. It keeps the transmission system always at its peak power band, thus making the vehicle more responsive. Such acceleration rate continuity makes it perfect for both urban and highway driving as well as off road while providing the best possible fuel economy.The 5-speed automatic transmission which perfectly compliments its new powerful “Duratorq” new generation common-rail engine giving the vehicle extra fuel economy and a more smoother acceleration rate.
Along with the 5-speed automatic transmission, Ford may also equip the endeavour and Borg Warner’s Shift-on-the-Fly system. The active-Shift-on-the-Fly mechanism. will enable you to switch between 2wd and 4wd up to 100kmph. Both the Endeavour and Endeavour Thunder+ is expected get the autobox and we expect the price to go up by Rs50,000.
Honda Activa Test Drive
Honda Activa Review
Honda Activa: Ever since she made her debut, she is not a show-stopper. Infact one of the reason for her success is said to be her no non-sense styling. Honda has carefully worked to keep its simple and attractive. New amoeboid headlamp, clear lens winkers at the front and the rear and a slighty reshaped apron makes it afresh. A new chunky, aluminium alloy rear grab rail carried from the aviator and the foldable pillion foot pegs are welcome changes. Still,
On the engineering front, ergonomics has improved a bit. Thanks to the increased height, Activa has become taller and hence the saddle position is raised by 5mm. But Activa’s conseravative styling and relatively high seating position may not go well with young female buyers. Switches and knobs have been carried forward from Honda’s Aviator. Fit and finish quality is top notch.
Pictures of Honda Activa
Honda Activa: One of the main issue with the earlier Activa is its weight, its tough to put her on center stand. Honda counters this by using impact resistant ABS plastics. The new activa 110cc uses ABS at front apron,front cowl and at the rear. Result even after the hike in displacement of the engine , the overall weight of the scooter is reduced by 4kgs.
Honda Activa: Honda’s proven 4-stroke, Single cylinder, air cooled, OHC now displaces exactly 7cc more in the new Activa.Peak power rating for this engine has been set at 8 bhp at 7,500 rpm and the maximum torque output is 9 Nm at 5,500 rpm. Transmission is variomatic and the electric self-start option comes as part of standard fitment.
Honda Activa: Performance is commendable for a scooter and the additional 7cc gives her the required push. Thumb the self-start switch, the low noise 4-cycle Honda engine starts with typical Honda ‘hum’. Refinement is at its best and the pick-up is smooth. She easily moves into her comfort zone (between 40-60kmph). However, keeping her at 70kmph is also not a tiring excercise. The exhaust note turns thrummy and a bit gruff when she is pushed beyond 80kmph and at 85kmph she fizzles out.
While the older activa losses out its competetiors on mileage round. Honda has worked on it and the new activa returns a mileage of 45kmpl.
Honda Activa: Honda still fiddles with century old bottom link with spring loaded hydraulic damper suspension at the front and a a swing arm with a spring-loaded hydraulic damper at the rear. But surprisingly, the ride quality is impeccable. We drove the scooter over rough rural roads and she once again reiterated the same. She moves over broken roads with ease and insulates the rider and the pillion. Large and wider seats also helps the matter though.
Honda Activa: Handling too is good. She remains stable even at higher speeds. Push her into corner at 70kmph and turn, she rewards you with confidence. For a scooter, the stabilty is quiet impressive. However all is not well,there is a serious limitation on her stopping capability.
Our test drive scooter is a standard one and it uses 130mm drum brakes at the front and the rear. Though the bite is decent, the stopping distance (to standstill) is too long. Tight traffic conditions where she is going to be mostly used will require much effort from the rider. We still have to test the combi brake which is reserved for deluxe variant. We wish Activa has disc at the front like the aviator. A 16-split shot to explain things better.
Honda Activa: As typical of any Honda, it losses to its competetiors on features front. Under seat storage box is just adequate to comfort a open face helmet and other usable features include front choke and a bag hook. Key shutter and combi brakes are availble in only in deluxe variant. Side stand alarm! don’t kid me. Side stand, saree-guard and even a glove box are optional accessories.
Honda Activa: Available in Geny Grey Metallic, Force Silver metallic, Candy Lucid Red,Wild Purple Metallic,Black and Pearl Sunbeam White this scooter from Honda costs Rs46,269 (On-Road, Chennai).
Verdict: The new Activa is Rs1650 costlier than the older one. But for the extra money, you get slightly more powerful engine, more storage space, tuff-up rear tube in the rear and a refreshingly different scooter. Honda has improved the mileage too. With the launch of Activa 110cc, Honda has sweetened the deal further for the Activa lovers. But i wonder why should i go for Activa, when i lost my heart to Aviator. Problem of plenty!
Honda Activa 2009 Pictures
Honda launches new Activa
You read it first at vicky.in
As you read it, Honda launches a new Activa in Delhi.
Honda new Activa gets a redesigned front and rear section. The front is dominated by curvy and aerodynamic styling with redesigned headlamps. Clear lens turn indicators dominates the rear. Honda laos makes use of impact resistant ABS plastic panels to reduce the overall weight of the two-wheeler. The new activa is powered by 109cc 4-stroke engine pumping out 8bhp at 7500rpm and 0.9Kgm at 5500rpm. As we told you earlier, the redesigning result in reduced fuel tank capacity. The fuel tank capacity of new activa is 5.3L. New activa comes with kick and self start option. The new activa also gets combined braking system. Honda CBS is a safety system on motorcycles that balances the engagement of both front and rear brakes. CBS applies front braking force whenever the rear brake is operated.
Apart from the styling and engine changes, the new activa gets loads of comfort features. This includes largert 18L storage space, optional inner/glove box (still optional!!!),key shutter and rear tuff-up tube.
While the ground clearance remains the same as the old one (145mm), the length and breadth is limited to 1761mm and 710mm from 1765mm and 715mm. However this full body male scooter has grown taller 17mm and subquently the saddle height now stoods at 765mm versus the earlier 760mm. The new activa comes in six colours – geny grey metallic,candy lucid red,black,force silver metallic,wild purple metallic and pearl sunbeam white.
The new activa is priced Rs39,800 (ex-showroom Delhi). Price in other cities
Price Ex-show room –
Pune – Rs. 41,300
Bengulru – Rs. 41,340
Kolkata – Rs. 41,320
The new activa comes in two variants – activa standard and activa deluxe. The prices mentioned here are of the standard variant. The deluxe variant which will come with combi brakes will be launched soon. The punchline for the new activa is “Joy ON & ON”.
Wallpapers of New Activa 110cc
Mitsuibishi launches new Montero
Hindustan – Mitsubishi has launched an upgraded 2009 Montero in India. The changes are just cosmetic. The new montero comes with chrome-plated front grill, seven spoke 17” light alloy wheels and Yokohama tubeless radials. The new version of Montero is priced at Rs. 41.94 lakh (ex-showroom). Mitsubishi imports Montero from Japan as a CBU and had sold 600 units.since its launch four year ago. The launch of Montero 09 coincides with HM-Mitsubishi’s inauguration of their second fully-owned showroom – “Autodrome” in Mumbai. The showroom, which opened for business in the Atria Mall ,Worli ,Mumbai incorporates Mitsubishi Motor’s key retail-design elements.
Mr. Santhanam said: “Mumbai has been one of our fastest-growing markets over the past few years. Bringing Mitsubishi Motor’s to Worli is a logical response to that development. In order to build a sustainable, successful business, you have to be present in a market. It is important that we remain committed to our ambitious expansion plans.”
Pictures of New Montero
