Honda to launch Activa on March 27th

You read it first at vicky.in

As we reported earlier, Honda is a launching a new mass model scooter on March 27th. The mass model scooter would be new activa with changes in styling and engine. The new Activa comes with a 110cc engine for more power. Even with increased displacement, Honda claims the new activa would return  between 45 and 50kmpl. Honda claims the use of ABS plastics similar to Aviator helps it to reduce the weight adn thus increased mileage or fuel efficiency.

Apart from the new engine, new activa comes with as many as 14 changes (approximately). The front apron is more stylish with flowing lines and curves.The rectangular headlamps also gives way for a angular one. Also new is the full length fibre pillion grab rail for more upmarket look.  The rear gets clear lens turn indicators. The pentagonal instrument cluster replaces the squarish one and it looks pleasing. But still the activa misses the few basic features like glovebox. Because of the new styling, the fuel tank capacity of new activa is slightly reduced  from the current 6L.  With the launch of new Activa, Honda is phasing out the current 100cc activa and the new activa is expected to be priced around Rs42,000 (on-road Delhi).

See the first pictures of new activa at vicky.in before the actual launch

Pictures of new Activa

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Yamaha to launch FZ1 in India

As the first round gets over with Honda launching Firblade, manufactuers are getting ready for the second attack. Yamaha which kickstarted the superbike season with the launch of R1 and MT-01 is gearing up to launch the FZ1 in India.FZ1 is a street motorcycle that competes with Suzuki Bandit and Kawasaki Z1000S in the international market. R1 inspired headlamp layout, sculpted fuel tank and two-piece seat creates the most aggressive profile a naked bike can have. FZ1’s R1-based engine packs a mighty midrange punch and that cast aluminium frame cuts its way through the curves like a supersport bike, so whatever’s going down on the street you’re always in charge.The liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, forward-inclined parallel 4-cylinder, DOHC motor displaces 999cc and pumps out 150PS of maximum power and 109Nm of peak torque. 2009 FZ1 comes with an optional ABS. Yamaha is believed to have sent the FZ1 for homologation in India. If Yamaha brings the FZ1 as SKD (Semi Knocked Down) kit instead of CKD, it would undercut the price of Honda CB1000R which is the cheapest imported litre-class bike.

Picture of Yamaha Fz1

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Ford to hike prices of Ikon

Following Honda and Toyota, Ford today announced that it would raise the prices of ikon variants. Ford says the prices hike has been necessitated due to rupee depreciation. “There will be an increase in the prices of Ikon by up to 1.5 per cent from the price we announced last November while launching a new version of the car,” Ford India Executive Director (Marketing, Sales and Service) Nigel Wark told.”Due to this exchange rate fluctuation our import bills for components have increased and hence we thought it was a logical step to tinker the price upwards a bit to offset the impact,” Wark said.  Ford Ikon currently retails at  Rs 4.59 lakh (petrol variant) and diesel variant at Rs 5.19 lakh. However this price hike is limited to ikon variants only, the Fiesta, Fusion and Endeavour will not see any price hike

Tata launches Nano

After a longggg press conference…dignataries are heading to officially launch the Nano. In 3o minutes the world will welcome Tata’s wonder baby Nano. Tata Motors marketing team has given the Nano – ‘now within reach‘ tag.

Nano 8.02:  keep your seat belt on ..the function is abt to start

Nano 8:15 Tata launches Nano. Mr. Ratan Tata addresses the media

Nano 8.30: Ex-factory of Tata Nano standard variant (pantnagar) is Rs1lakh. The transportation cost to the showroom,road tax,insurance and other charges are extra.

Nano 8:33:

Nano standard variant BSII is priced Rs 1,29,960

Nano CX variant is priced 1,48,725

Nano LX variant is priced Rs1,70,335

Nano Delhi Prices

Nano Standard variant BSIII Rs1,23,360

Nano CX variant is priced Rs1,51,360

Deluxe nano model (LX variant) is priced Rs1,72,360



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Hi-Resolution pictures of Tata nano for your desktops

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Trim level/ Variant
Ex Showroom Pant

Nagar (Rs)
Ex Showroom

Delhi ( Rs)
Ex Showroom

Mumbai ( Rs)
Tata Nano Std (BS2 )
Rs 1,12,735
NA
NA
Tata Nano Std (BS3 )
Rs 1,20,960
Rs 1,23,360
Rs 1,34,250
Tata Nano CX Solid Paint (BS2)
Rs 1,39,780
NA
NA
Tata Nano CX Metallic Paint (BS2)
Rs 1,42,780
NA
NA
Tata Nano CX Solid Paint (BS3)
Rs 1,45,725
Rs 1,48,360
Rs 1,60,320
Tata Nano CX Metallic Paint (BS3)
Rs 1,48,725
Rs 1,51,360
Rs 1,63,320
Tata Nano LX Metallic Paint (BS3)
Rs 1,70,335
Rs 1,72,360
Rs 1,85,375

Tata Nano launch ceremony Live

Mumbai: Approximately in two hours from now, Ratan Tata will host a press conference for the India’s biggest ever automotive launch. The actual launch ceremony of Nano will happen after the press conference. We are here to bring you every action. Stay tuned….

Do you know: While Vijay Mallya (think Royal Challengers) broke even at the first IPL season itself, Nano will take five to six years to break even.. Support automotives

Nano 2.55: Ratan Tata says the 1lakh price tag is protected only for first 1lakh Nanos. Nanos delivery will begin by July 2009.

Nano 3.10: Nano bookings will begin on April 09th and will be open till April 23rd

Nano 3.20: No price revision for bookings happening between April 09th and April 23rd

Nano 3.20: You can book Nano at 30000 booking centres across India.

Nano 3.30: The minimum down payment for Nano would be Rs 2,999. The first one lakh applicants would be allotted the cars randomly and they would not be given any interest on their booking money. However Tata Motors would pay 8.5 per cent interest to applicants who don’t feature among the first one lakh buyers.

Nano 3.45: Entered the ceremony hall..Mad rush..

Nano 4.05: The press conference is about to start..

Nano 4.10: Nano will come in three variants and contrary to speculation Tata promises the base model will form 50% of total production

Nano 4.20: The three variants of Nano – Nano base, Nano CX and Nano LX will come in six colours – racing red,ivory white,summer blue,sunshine yellow,champagne gold and lunar silver

Nano 4.32: The models of Nano standard and  CX variant will comply BSII norms and BSIII norm, and Nano LX model will come with BSIII norms compliant

Nano 4.33: Nano base model Nano standard will be available in racing red,ivory white and summer blue. Nano CX will be available in five colours racing red,ivory white,summer blue,champagne gold and lunar silver and Nano LX will be available in sunshine yellow,champagne gold and lunar silver

Nano 4:36: Tata claims Nano petrol will return a mileage of 23.6kmpl as tested by ARAI

Nano 4.48: Believe it! booking of nano can be done through online and payment can be made through netbanking

Nano 4:54: Prices of Nano variants will be announced at the launch ceremony post this press conference…stay cool for another 2 hours

Nano 5:03:  Nano comes with 18 months or 24000kms warranty whichever is earlier

Nano 5.15: Pick Tata Nano phone, watches, tshirts availble at Nano website and westside and chroma outlets. Also body kits and car audio system are available. A free online game in nano portal and a Nano mobile game with tataindicom mobiles is to raise to the euphoria further.

Nano 5.22: Top speed of Nano is electronically limited to 105kmph

Nano 5:26: Nano comes with an impressive urning circle diameter of 8.0-metres and 180mm ground clearance. Tailor made for terrible indian roads and tight traffic.

First live picture from the Nano launch ceremony

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Buy Nano and earn Rs30000

It may not sound good for hardcore Nano lovers, but those who want to cash in on the Nano’s unprecendented demand. Here comes a way to earn money. As you know, there will be very fe w Nano’s produced against the huge demand. The initial demand-supply mismatch is principally because the Gujarat mother plant, which is expected to produce Nano’s only by October. Till then Tata would be able to produce only 3000 -4000 units of Nano a month which means at the max it will produce 50000 units in 2009. However the demand for Nano is expected to be around 5 lakh initially which is only going to raise further. For the time sake, Tata is going to select the customer through a random computer-generated sample. Although the cars will arrive at the dealers registered in the name of the buyer, there is nothing to stop customers re-selling it.Result, “The scene will be a bit like the Maruti 800 days. Those who are lucky enough to be allotted cars this year can resell it immediately at a premium of Rs 30,000 due to the anticipated shortage,” an executive of a Delhi-based Tata Motors dealer said.

Honda Activa 110cc

As we reported you earlier, Honda is planning a new Activa with a powerful engine. Now sources close to Honda confirmed us that Honda has already unveiled the scooter to selected people few days back. The new Activa gets an 110cc engine with more power output. Honda will also claim an improved mileage or fuel efficiency figure of Activa 110cc over the current one. But the new design of Activa 110cc is said to have limited the fuel tank capacity. The new activa 110cc will come in two variants – activa and activa deluxe.  Bookings will start around 25th of March but the official launch will happen only on 1st or 2nd week of April. NanoMania might be the cause… anyway, check your nearest Honda dealer,if you are looking for a scooter.

Big launch ceremony for Nano

As the expectations are running high, Tata is burning mid-night oil to make the launch ceremony a big success. From BBC to CNN everybody would storm Mumbai on March 23rd. Over a thousand guests and over 100 media companies are likely be present for the mega show and the preparations are in full swing. Tata Motors is likely to spend more than Rs 1.5 -2 crore for the launch.  Tata Motors has mandated TopsGroup for the security and more than 150 security personnel and 30 bouncers have been hired. Though the local police authority has not finalised the security fine print, over 200 policemen are expected to man the area and sources say that if required, the State Reserve Forces could also be deputed in anticipation of heavy crowds wanting to enter the event to have a look at the People’s car.  Whatever the security arrangement may be,  hush hush could not be avoided. Amazed by the security arrangements, don’t worry, your favourite portal vicky.in will rub shoulders with media biggies to give you live report of Nano launch.