Mahindra will soon launch a refreshed Scorpio on March 06th. As we reported you earlier, this new scorpio will come with cosmetic changes both inside and outside. This new scorpio will mark the phase out of 2.6L CRDe engine in Scorpio family instead all the variants will embrace advanced m_Hawk engine that is now found only in VLX variant. On the exterior, new scorpio gets a new front fascia with modified bumpers and new Headlamp with projector lens. New Scorpio sports a new grille with central ‘silver tooth’ for more masculinity. Mahindra logo now gets embossed on the sides below the doors. The new Scorpio also gets new comfort features like electric ORVMs and factory fitted 2-DIN audio system. Getting inside, the new scorpio gets comfortable seats and new seat fabric. Mahindra will also introduce new colours with the launch of new Scorpio. Deliveries of new Scorpio will start from 10th march.
Geneva Auto Show: Tata Motors unveils nano europa, Indica Vista Electric and Prima
Tata Motors today unveiled european version of its ultra low cost car Nano. The european Nano is christened as Nano Europa and comes with advanced features like electric power steering, ABS,airbags and ESP. Nano Europa will be powered by a 3-cylinder sporty aluminium MPFI engine matched with a 5-speed automatic transmission. Tata Nano Europa will be launched in Europe in 2011 in both left-hand drive and right-hand drive. Nano Europa is expected to be priced at €5000. “In India, the Nano will be launched on March 23, and the cars will be on display at company dealerships from the first week of April. Since the Nano has generated wide interest in developed countries, we are delighted to present the Nano Europa for future launch in such markets,” said Ratan N Tata, chairman Tata Motors at the Geneva Motor show.
Tata also showcased a new electric vehicle built on the Indica Vista platform and Tata claims the Indica Vista electric have a range 200km and it can reach 60kmph from standstill in just 10second. Prima, a concept luxury sedan is also showcased by Tata Motors at the Geneva Auto Show. The Indica Vista EV represents the work of Tata Motors on alternate technologies, while the Prima is an iteration of a luxury sedan we will introduce, Mr Tata said.
Pictures of Nano Europa
Nano Vs Nano europa
Tata Nano Europa gets bigger bumpers front and rear to comply with European crash regulations, Also Tata Nano Europa gets wider tracks front and rear. For the Euro-5 emission regulation, Tata has ditched the two-cylinder motor and instead preferred an advanced three-cylinder engine producing just 98g/km of CO2 and returning 67mpg. Nano Europa also gets LED foglamps, colour-coded door handles and chrome-effect strips. Inside there is leather trim, and high-gloss plastic on the dash.
Pictures of Indica Vista EV
Pictures of Prima
tata prima – a luxury sedan
Prima, the concept luxury sedan designed by Pininfarina, is an iteration of the next generation luxury sedan from Tata Motors. It combines the fundamental design characteristics of the Tata brand, as seen in the Tata Indigo, with sporty curvatures to create a coupe-like silhouette, simple yet refined with an inherent premium. The Tata Prima’s large wheelbase of 2.70 metres endows it with excellent interior space that a luxury sedan demands. The subtle treatment of the C pillar, the hallmark of a Pininfarina design’s gracefulness and sporty characteristic, brings forth a coupe-like sloped cabin and tapering back without compromising interior space. The result is that the Tata Prima concept exudes an overall elegance, endowed with style, luxury and comfort and proportions that are classical yet modern.
Yamaha launches FZ-S
You read it first at vicky.in
Yamaha today launched a new variant of FZ-16 called FZ-S. The new FZ-S is a stylish macho street sighter. FZ-S highlights the style quotient and has more flesh to flaunt with purely European international design like new colours and graphics, aerodynamic chiseled windshield, stylish and sporty carbon pattern meter consol, and more aggressive looking headlight. The new FZ-S is for stylish and attention seeking Macho man. FZ-S scores high in looks not only in its segment but beyond and is designed to satiate the need for style and fashion by riders. Etched with style and geared to today’s fashion conscious customers, FZ-S is a fusion of machismo and fashion. The FZ-S will be offered in two colours – Yellow Streak and Silver Tech. The bike will be priced at Rs67000. Speaking about Yamaha’s focus and the new launch, Y. Tsuji, CEO and Managing Director, India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd. said, “Yamaha has set forward on a journey where each and every product of ours will set a benchmark in the market with its technological superiority, quality and manufacturing excellence and style quotient. The arrival of this new variant FZ-S is a clear illustration of how the market has responded to FZ 16. Our strategic intent is to provide customers with stylish variant to suite his fashion statement and personality.”
Geneva Auto Show: Skoda unveils Yeti
Skoda today unveiled its Yeti at the ongoing Geneva Auto show. Skoda has already said that it will bring Yeti to India before the end of 2009. Yeti source engines from Octavia and Fabia. The 4.2m-long yeti also uses chassis parts from the Fabia and Octavia. For the internationalFive engines will be offered: two petrols and three diesels. The entry-level unit is a turbocharged 1.2-litre TSI unit with 103bhp; it’s available with front-wheel drive only. The four-wheel-drive petrol model uses a 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 158bhp. The three diesel options are all common-rail units; the base 109bhp unit is available with two-wheel drive only, while the two more potent motors (138bhp and 168bhp) come with four-wheel drive. Skoda claims Yeti sports superior levels of practicality; when the rear seats are folded down the boot space stands at voluminous 1760litres.
Pictures of Skoda Yeti
Geneva Auto Show: Volkswagen unveils 2010 Polo
Volkswagen today unveiled its new polo at Geneva Auto Show. The new Polo gains significance as it would be Volkswagen’s small car for India. Volkwagen will launch this new polo in India by 2010. Also Volkwagen will launch a sedan based on this platform in India.
The fifth-generation Volkswagen Polo styling inspired by the new Scirocco and Mk6 Golf. However you can expect the polo to be roomy as it shares the platform with Skoda Fabia. 2010 polo is 3952mm in length and 1682mm wide. Boot space is at 280 litres (952 litres with the rear seats folded down). With under 4m in length the new polo might qualify for the small car norm. 1.2-litre three-cylinder motors with either 58bhp or 68bhp. 2010 Indian polo will use1.4-litre TDI and 1.2-litre HTP petrol sourced from Fabia. Volkswagen is also seriously considering the ultra frugal bluemotion for India. Volkswagen will launch this polo in March 2010 and pricing is expected to be around Rs6 lakhs.
Pictures of new Polo
Hot news update on Honda CR-V Diesel and Accord Diesel
You read it first at vicky.in
* Honda which rules every segment where it makes a product is facing a competetion of different kind. Honda competetiors are relying on their diesel engines to dethrone it. Take the case of Chevrolet Captiva diesel and Fiat’s linea. Soon Toyota will come up with Fortuner diesel and Corolla altis diesel. Globally too Honda suffers from lack of oil burners.
* Sources close to Honda tells us that the japanese maker is seriously working on diesel vehicles. We already reported you about the CR-V diesel but what we can confirm you is that the I-CTDI (Intelligent Common Rail Turbocharged Direct Injection) will also power the accord.
* Honda is heavily testing the CR-V diesel and Accord diesel at the outskirts of its Noida plant. Honda’s 2.2-litre, 16-valve, twin-cam, direct-injection, iCTDI diesel mill pumps out 138bhp of maximum power at 4000 rpm and an impressive peak torque of 350Nm at 2000rpm.
* Considering the recent price hike announcement from Honda for the CR-V, we don’t expect the CR-V diesel to come first as it would further jack up the price of CR-V and put it in the segment of Toyota’s landcruiser pradao and Mitsubishi Montero. However, Accord diesel may be the first Honda diesel to hit the market. So sharpen your ears, accord standing nearby you may sound a diesel clatter.
Hero Honda launches Hunk Special Edition
Hero Honda has launched a new limited edition variant of Hunk. According to the bike maker, this new Hunk limited edition is to commemorate its 25th year. The new Hunk special edition gets
* red alloy wheels at the front and the rear
* Dual tone seat with red colour driver seat for the racy appeal
* GRS – gas reservoir suspension and telescopi forks also gets sports red finish
* red theme is carried to spark plug cap and cylinder head as well
* racing bull insignia on new Hunks tank
* A special edtion badge on the scoops of new Hunk special edtion
Pictures of Hero Honda new Hunk special / limited edition
Hot news update on new Sumo Grande
You read it first at vicky.in
* Owing to the bad response for the sumo grande, Tata Motors is planning series of measures to lift up its sales.
* Tata Motors will soon launch a new Sumo grande with Sumo Victa’s DI turbo engine. Sumo Victa’s 3.0L directly Injected Turbo charged engine produces 70PS of maximum power. This engine could cut down the Sumo Grande costs significantly and Tata hopes to lure the rural customers with this Sumo Grande turbo. Currently Sumo Grande comes with only one engine option. A 2.2L DICOR unit generating 120PS of peak power powers the Sumo Grande.
* Tata Motors will also come up with a new refreshed Sumo Grande. The interiors will be refreshed and we can expect better quaility plastics and fit & finish in the new Sumo Grande. Tata hopes this facelift might create interest among MUV buyers and defend the grande against Mahindra Xylo and Toyota’s Innova.
Tata Xenon XT – Test Drive
Pictorial Review of Tata Xenon – exteriors
Back to back to test drives is fine, but when it becomes a job..fatigue props up. Ya, i have been running around for various test drives, i thought of taking a break on saturday (sadly i have to go for a TV show on Sunday)…but we got a call for test drive. I was very reluctant to go for it, till i came to know that the call is for Xenon test drive. Yes, this one is different…its not a hatch or a sedan and muscle burning SUV….Xenon is different. In India we rarely come across this kind of lifestyle vehicles. After Jeep and Gypsy manufacturers have become more logical. More fuel efficient, stylish and powerful vehicles are coming out every fortnight. But nothing gets closer to your heart. In 2007, Mahindra launched Scorpio getaway but is rarely seen.
Similar is the case for Tata”s TL 4×4 which failed to kick off. Xenon XT is Tata’s second attempt to create a segment which is literally non -existent and rule the segment. But will Indian customers embrace the lifestyle pick-ups?? are there enough on-off road enthusiast in India to make Xenon XT successful? we find out….
Tata Xenon XT: Lifestyle pick-ups are meant for people who visits farm with their family in weekends. But that doesn’t mean they are just functional, take Ford’s decade long top seller F-150 and Toyota’s Tundra, they are muscle machines making strong style statement. Forget the hatch driver, a bus driver should leave space for the pick-up on seeing it in their rear view mirror.
Tata knows this and the styling of Xenon Xt was done by Concept an UK based design firm. The front end resembles the Sumo Grande but the flared up wheel arches and front skid plate adds muscle to Xenon. But something is missing! Xenon lookslike a muscular man with a Hitler moustache, I need some more. A nudge guard would suffice… Tata offers it as an optional accessory but nudge guard should have been a standard fitment. On the side, the large 5-leaf alloy wheels with large wheel cap dominates but the tyres look out of proportion (205/R16 is puny) espescially at the rear. You can try out some after market rubber.
Tata Xenon XT: Switch on the ignition, you would notice the strong diesel clatter, under the bonnet is the Tata’s latest generation 2.2.L DICOR engine borrowed from Safari. Oil burner churns out 140bhp of peak power at 4000rpm and 320Nm of peak torque between 1750-2700rpm. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard. Xenon is available in rear wheel and all wheel drive configurations. 4WD Xenon gets an on-the-fly BorgWarner four wheel drive.
Tata Xenon XT: As in the Safari, the engine is peppy and very responsive. Once the taacho needle passes 1750rpm the turbo kicks in and you have ample 320Nm at your footstep. The low end response is good and out on the highways its a beast. Overtaking is breeze, the increased performance is also because of reduced weight. Remember, Xenon XT is 300kg lighter that the Safari. Unfortunately our test drive is a 2WD variant and we can tell you about the effectivity of the on the fly 4WD.
Tata Xenon XT: comes with a power steering. Independent double wishbone at the front and parabolic leaf springs at the rear forms the suspension set up of Xenon XT. Twin caliper discs brakes at front is supplemented by the drum at the rear. The dimensions are deterring, its 5125mm longer,1860mm wider and 1833mm heigh. The ground clearance is an ample 200mm. The loadbay (1518*1414*405mm) can carry 260kgs (2WD) and 220kgs (4WD).
Tata Xenon XT: Steering is precise and well weighed. But Xenon is too long to park or to take a U-turn. First of all you have to get used to Xenon’s length. Power steering does little help at low speeds. Absence of any parking assistance also makes the job tougher. Similar to Safari, Xenon’s ride quality is good but the high ground clearance and large overhangs restraints its handling. On hard braking, you can see the tail spinning out. Also, the brakes locks quiet often, ABS should be made atleast optional.
Tata Xenon XT: is available in four colours – Quartz black, Mineral red,Arctic white and Arctic silver. Remember, Xenon XT is meant to tame the terrain where light colours have no place. Tata should have offered more dark colours.
Tata which sells 207 through its commercial vehicle division has decided to sell its 2009 successor through its passenger car showrooms. Result, Indica and even nano will sell along with Xenon XT and you can register it as a private vehicle.
Tata Xenon XT – Review
Pictorial Review of Tata Xenon XT – Interiors
Tata Xenon XT: Open the door, get into the cabin, you would like the charcoal grey interiors. Styling of IP is nice and resmbles other Tata cars espescially the Sumo grande. However the fit and finish is quiet improved over the previous models. There’s reason for it, unlike other Tata models, Xenon is truly an international model, it made its Intertnational debut in world’s second largest pick-up market – Thailand and Tata is already selling the Xenon in countries such as Italy.
Tata Xenon XT: It’s the first time, i found the ergonomics good in a Tata vehicle. The commanding seating postion, large but tilt adjustable steering wheel and pedals arrangement suited my profile. Tata is fastly catching up…The captain seats at the front offers good suuport and there is good legroom at the front. But still the central console mounted windows switches are an irritant. Also the gear stick is too thin and doesn’t gel with overall profile of the Xenon.
Tata Xenon XT: As the rear doors are small and sill line is high, getting into the rear seat is a diffucult excerise. Espescially your wife or your mother is not will not prefer the rear seat. The legroom for rear passengers is just about adequate and also the back rest is upright. If the co-driver wishes to slide back, then you must get down. Carrying five is also not a good option espescially for longer distance.
Tata Xenon XT: As typical of any Tata vehicle the suspension is good and offers comfortable ride. Run the Xenon over the potholes or bumps, it insulates nicely. But the cabin is not calm, clatter creeps in even when the windows are shut.
Tata Xenon XT: Standard equipement list includes – power windows, power steering,foldable 2nd row seats,,lumbar support seats,electrically adjustable rear view mirrors,heated rear view mirror, analog clock and remote operate fuel flap.
Tata Xenon XT: On the road, Chennai Xenon XT (2*2) costs Rs8.64,000 and Xenon XT (4*4) costs Rs9,70,000. Tata is offering hosts of accessories for Xenon XT. You can buy Rs1,50,000 worth of extra fitments for this pick-up. Here are some of personalization kits – front nudge guard, roof light,roof rails,roof carrier, side step,canopy to change the silhouette,bed liner to prevent scratches,locakable boot lid covering to protect your stuff from the vagaries of weather and chrome rear nudge guard.
