Tata Motors has launched a new variant of safari called Safari GX. The current Safari DICOR range comprises three variants: Lx, Ex and Vx. The new Safari GX sits just below current top end variant Safari VX. The new variant offers enhanced value to the Safari customer at an attractive price point below the top end variant. Safari Gx has been offered with dual tone exteriors in select shades, a first for the Safari range. Interiors of the Safari Gx sport a unique leather cum fabric upholstery. Two sought after features of Vx have been offered on the Gx: reverse guide system to aid the driver while reversing and ABS with EBD. Safari was the first vehicle in the country to offer the Reverse Guide System using a camera in the rear bumper and the Internal Rearview Mirror as the Screen. Another new feature is indicators on the Outer Rear View Mirrors. This feature will be extended to other variants of Safari also. Alloy wheels are standard on the Gx on both 4×2 and 4×4 versions. Safari Gx has been launched at a price of Rs. 9.95 lakhs (ex showroom Delhi) for the 4×2 version and 10.87 lakhs (ex showroom Delhi) for the 4×4 version. The price of the Safari DICOR range starts at Rs.7.67 lakhs (ex showroom Delhi)
Honda CR-V to cost 30lakhs
What would be termed as a deterrent for prospective CR-V buyers especially in recession times, the japanese carmaker plans to raise the price of CR-V by 30%. The move would result in raise of price of CR-V to almost Rs30 lakhs. “Devaluation of rupee is impacting our business, because a significant portion of our components are imported from Japan and Thailand. This impact is about 30-35 per cent in case of CR-V,” Honda Siel Cars India (HSCI) President and CEO Masahiro Takedagawa said. “We will increase the prices of CR-V in May and it will be about 30 per cent, otherwise we will make loss,” he added. The real problem Honda is importing the CR-V as a CBU if its being imported as parts and assembled here, the impact would have been less. However the increase in price of models like City, Accord and Civic, he said: “Due to devaluation of rupee, our (CKD) completely knock down units have been impacted by about 9-10 per cent. But the price increase may not be in that level.”
Mahindra Xylo new commercial
You see it first at vicky.in
After selling Xylo like hotcakes and ramping up the production to meet the demand, Mahindra has decided to mark it with a new television commercial. Mahindra just finished with the shoot of the New xylo commercial. It goes on air tomorrow (28-02-09) nationwide. But before Mahindra gives special privileage to vicky.in readers.. .. have a look at the new commercial and share your opinion
Xylo Teaser
Toyota launches Innova CNG
Toyota today launched Innova CNG in Delhi. The Innova comes with a 1998 cc, 16V DOHC VVTi petrol engine
which is compatible with CNG. The CNG Innova has a manual selector switch that enables the driver to easily switch from gasoline to CNG and vice versa. The on-board cylinder has a capacity of approximately 12kg of CNG and the running cost on CNG for the Innova is estimated to be around Re. 1.6/km or even less depending on the driving cycle.
Announcing the launch of the first ever CNG Innova in India, Mr. Hiroshi Nakagawa, Managing Director, TKM, said “Toyota is an environment conscious company committed to the cause of nurturing and protecting nature in its myriad forms. With CNG having established itself as an eco-friendly, reliable and economic fuel, TKM is pleased to announce India’s first ever energy efficient MPV in India. This is yet another step in our efforts to make the environment more inhabitable.” In the first phase of launch, the CNG Innova has been introduced in Delhi, Mumbai, Surat, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad. All Toyota dealers in the above 7 cities are equipped to sell and service the CNG Innova.
Honda launches CBR1000RR and CB1000R
Update: Prices of CBR 1000RR and CB 1000RR (Ex showroom – Delhi)
Honda CBR1000RR 12.5 lakhs
Honda CB1000RR 9.5 lakhs
As you read it, Honda unveils their super bikes CBR1000RR and CB1000R in India. Honda which is aggressively making strides in the mass commuter segment with Unicorn , Stunner and Activa is now eying share in the premium segment.
Honda CBR1000RR
CBR1000RR popularly known as Fire blade will spearhead Honda in the premium bike segment which is currently dominated by Yamaha R1. Developed by the same team that was behind the Honda RC211V race bike for the MotoGP series. The CBR1000RR is powered by a 999 cc inline-four engine with a red line of 13,000 rpm. The engine features titanium valves and pumps out 178 hp of peak power. Honda’s latest CBR1000RR sports first-ever ABS system on a production super sport machine..
Honda CB1000R
This naked bike from Honda which will be pitted against Yamaha’s MT-01 that sees a 1000cc Fireblade engine re-tuned for mid-range performance and dropped into a naked frame. Specs include fully-adjustable forks and radial front brakes taken from the Fireblade, all-new single backbone frame, single sided swingarm, a superb looking 4-swept-spoke ninja-star rear wheel, an all-digital dash and and H.I.S.S. security system.
Honda will sell the CBR 1000RR and CB1000R through exclusive stores in four metros – Mumbai,Delhi,Chennai and Calcutta in the first phase. Later it will be expanded to other main cities as well depending on the demand. More details are expected…Stay tuned.
Pictures of Honda CBR1000RR and CB1000R
BMW launches X6 in India
BMW X6 today launched the world’s first sports activity vehicle X6 in two variants – X6 xDrive50i (petrol) and X6 xDrive30d (diesel). These cars are available in the country as Completely Built-up Units (CBU) and can be ordered across all BMW dealerships in India. The new BMW X6 has all the agility and elegance of a coupé plus the impressive versatility of an SAV. The BMW X6 draws its strength from two exclusive automotive worlds to create a new one. The first Sports Activity Coupé. Equipped with BMW Dynamic Performance Control, this is a coupé that knows no limits, especially in terms of driving dynamics. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Peter Kronschnabl, President, BMW India said, “We are proud to introduce the world’s first Sports Activity Coupé, the new BMW X6 in India. With xDrive all-wheel drive technology, the BMW X6 premiers in India with the newly developed Twin Turbo engine and is the first vehicle in the world to offer Dynamic Performance Control. It is our goal to provide the Indian market with an entirely new type of car that continues to provide our customers with the highest standards of all-round quality, safety, and perfection to ensure the highest levels of comfort and luxury.”
The ex-showroom prices of the new BMW X6 in INR are as follows.
BMW X6 xDrive50i: 82,90,000
BMW X6 xDrive30d: 65,90,000
Tata to launch Nano on March 23rd
After so many speculated launch dates (including March 3rd as reported), Tata Motors today officially announced the launch date for Nano. Nano will ba launched will be launched at a function in Mumbai on March 23, 2009. Nano will be on display at Tata Motors dealerships from the first week of April 2009. Bookings will commence from the second week of April 2009. Tata says that the booking process and other details of the Rs one lakh car would be announced on the day of launch.
“Tata Motors is making arrangements for the widest possible network to book the car, so that prospective customers can conveniently avail of booking facilities at their locations, across the length and breadth of India,” the statement said.
Tata launches Xenon XT
As you read it, Tata launches the Xenon XT in Mumbai. Unlike the 207 or Tatamobile this new Xenon XT is positioned as lifestyle SUV not a pick-up. The new Xenon XT (Cross Terrain) is a two cab variant and can comfortably seat 5. Xenon XT also offers 870L of loading bay. Xenon XT is powered by the widely accepted 2.2 VTT DICOR diesel engine with a peak power of 140 PS and a peak torque of 320 Nm. Xenon XT also comes with an on the fly 4WD which lets you to switch to AWD with ease. Tata has packed Xenon XT with hosts of comfort and convenience features like power steering, power windows, central locking, HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning), electrically adjustable side rear view mirrors and height adjustable seat belts. Xenon also comes equipped with an engine immobiliser, seat belt warning & door open warning, 16 inch alloy wheels and tubeless tyres. More details are expected
Update: Xenon XT is priced at Rs. 7.62 lacs for the 4×2 version and Rs. 8.58 lacs for the 4×4 version, ex showroom Delhi. It comes in 4 attractive shades – White, Black, Silver and Mineral Red. The vehicle carries a warranty of 2 years or 75000 kms (whichever is earlier) and will be retailed through 58 Tata Passenger Car dealerships across 39 cities to begin with. The Xenon is already being retailed in the overseas markets of Thailand, Algeria, Italy, Poland, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.
Honda to launch Superbikes on February 27th
Following Yamaha and Suzuki, Honda will launch two Superbikes – CBR 1000RR and CB1000 on February 27th. Honda will sell this superbikes – CBR 1000RR and CB1000R through exclusive stores in four metros – Mumbai,Delhi,Chennai and Calcutta. But later Honda will expand the sales to other cities as well taking into account serviceability and other issues. Honda is expected to price the CBR1000RR around Rs12lakhs and the CB1000R around Rs 10 lakhs.
In 2008, Suzuki had launched its legendary Hayabusa and Intruder M1800, which are priced at Rs12.5 lakh. In 2007, Yamaha had introduced its flagship models , the Super Sports YZF-R1 and the Torque Sports MT01 priced at Rs10.50 lakh.
Tata to launch Nano on March 3rd
After January 26th, media has scooped Tata would launch the Nano on March 3rd. Media cites birth anniversary of Tata group’s founder Jamsetji Tata. One of our sources in the network also informed that the launch of Tata Nano will be on March 3rd. It seems that Tata will launch the Nano in gujarat where Nano’s mother plant is being built. Though the Gujarat plant will start producing the Nano only by end 2009 or early 2010, Tata will roll out limited number of Nano’s from its pantnagar plant. Bookings for nano are already on and Tata plans to sell this limited number to celebrities and selected buyers in the first phase. Tata is expected to produce 3000 nanos a month and hence a mad rush at Tata showrooms is for sure. Do read our earlier posts on Nano’s pligrimage voyage