Reva launches Reva L-ion

Reva Electric Car Company, the market master and technology-leader in the EV (electric vehicle) personal transport segment, has announced the European launch of its lithium-ion (li-ion) battery powered EV the REVA L-ion. Based on the REVAi platform, the latest version of the world’s best selling city electric car, the REVA L-ion is the result of more than two years of testing with a range of 120 km (75 miles) per charge and a maximum speed of 80 km (50 miles) per hour.

REVA is also introducing a fast charge station capable of charging the REVA L-ion to 90% in one hour. REVA’s EV platform offers an increased range, faster acceleration, shorter charging time, less energy consumption, improved cold weather performance, maintenance-free battery operation and longer operating life. A new proprietary intelligent battery management system for the L-ion that tracks the performance of each cell for uninterrupted performance, which allows a three-year battery warranty to be provided to customers.

REVA’s own data, based on 55 million kms of driving habits by customers in 20 cities worldwide also reflects the nature of every day city driving and the number of short trips, hence REVA’s decision to offer this combination of increased range and speed, which extends the REVA’s usage to the suburbs and means that up to 95% of all car journeys can be completed without the requirement to recharge. Its off-board fast charge station uses three-phase power.  Chetan Maini REVA’s Deputy Chairman stated “With the REVAi and REVA L-ion, we are now able to offer a choice of performance options to suit commuter needs and preferences. The introduction of fast charge stations really opens up the market to reach new customers and increase the availability of EVs. Local authorities and businesses can now create the charging and parking infrastructure necessary to make zero-emission personal transport an everyday reality,” From February 2009, the REVA L-ion EV and fast charge stations will be available to pre-order from REVA distributors in Norway, UK, France, Cyprus, Greece, Spain, Belgium and Ireland,  REVA’s European expansion, under the guidance of Keith Johnston, President of European operations, will continue throughout 2009. It will enable existing REVAi owners with a lead acid power train to upgrade to the lithium-ion power train later in 2009.

GM extends discount offer for spark and U-VA

To clear the stocks, GM India has announced the extension of discount offer for spark and U-VA till January 08th. GM offers Rs66,000 offer on Spark and Rs35,000 offer on U-VA.  “Our target was 85,000 units for the calendar and we ended up selling 20,000 short. We are now keen on clearing the stocks,” said Mr P. Balendran, Vice- President, Corporate Affairs, General Motors India. With the price hike is imminentt this extension of discount offer is attracting many customers.  Mr Balendran said that enquiries had been flowing in over the last 10 days, especially with customers aware that a price hike was imminent.

“The response has not been as overwhelming as we thought but it has certainly picked up of late. We hope to liquidate our stocks by the time the offer period ends.”

Toyota hikes prices of Innova and Corolla altis

As reported earlier, Toyota has officially announced the hike in prices of Innova and Corolla altis. While the prices of Innova MUV goes up between Rs 10,000 and 25,000, the price of recently launched Corolla Altis is increased between Rs.16,000 to 25,000 depending on the variants. Toyota Kirloskar Motor officials have stated that they have done their best to reduce the burden on the customer and have tried to absorb a certain amount of this increase internally.

Suzuki seizes Kizashi Production plan

The economic slowdown has started showing its impact. Following the plant closure, manufacturers has now started shelving off their production plans. Though we seen many spy pictures of prodcution version of Suzuki’s Kizashi concept. Japanese Nikkei reports that Suzuki is scrapping plans to unveil a larger vehicle with a more powerful engine.
Nikkei points the larger vehicle as Kizashi. Kizashi concept unveiled in 2007 created ripples in the industry. Suzuki planned to develop the kizashi with 3.6L engine to cater to the needs of customers who is looking to upgrade from small cars and slated to launch the car in 2010 The Nikkei said the firm also plans to postpone plants in Thailand and Russia in 2010.

Honda set to launch CB1000R and Fireblade in India

It’s been a year since the attack of imported motorcycles into India began. While the Hayabusa from Suzuki and the Intruder have followed the path laid down by the Yamaha R1/MT-01 and the Ducatis, it’s now time for the big H formerly Honda from Japan to bring in its frontrunners. As exposed earlier, Honda was readying its flagship CBR1000RR Fireblade an elegant sport bike for the Indian market a few months back. With the approval of regulations now in place, the bike will elegant the showroom floors between the last week of February and the first week of March 2009.

This model may be new to the Indian automobile markets with the amazing performance. The bike is expected to be priced lesser than that of the Yamaha’s YZF-R1. Following the Fireblade its younger sibling, the CB1000R with 1000cc Fireblade engine will hit the market. Mated to the 2006 Fireblade engine, known for its superpower and the bike will be perfect companion for the 2009 Fireblade launch. The CB1000R will be priced slightly cheaper than the ‘Blade unlike the current pairs of the Yamaha’s R1-MT-01 and the Suzuki’s Hayabusa-Intruder which are priced identically.

Tata to launch Nano on January 26th

What a way to celebrate this republic day, Pune mirror reports that Tata might launch the Nano on January 26th. Tata had earlier said the Nano would hit the market in the first quarter of 2009 (January – April). Nano already has more than lakh registered customers and it is a good news for every auto enthusiast to finally see the people’s car on road. Highly placed sources at top Tata dealers and on-field executives, on the condition of anonymity revealed, “Yes we have inputs that clearly indicate the Nano will roll out on 26 January.

Straightfrmtheheart: Though the day is so good to roll out Nano, i’m little bit apprehensive about the Pune mirror report. Considering the preparedness of the Tata’s plant in uttarhand and punem the date seems too early to lauch nano. Anyway, let’s keep our fingers crossed.

Nano test drive and mileage

The most awaited Tata’s Nano peep its head out from its manufacturing plant recently. People in the hilly town of Gopeshwar in Chamoli district were recently surprised to see the Nano, Tata Motors’ controversial Rs 1 lakh car, parked on a roadside. The Nano had travelled all the way from Pantnagar, crossing the tough, serpentine roads of Uttarakhand, to reach picturesque Gopeshwar nestling in the Garhwal Himalayan region.The engineers of Tata suggested that this was one of the Nano’s toughest tests, being conducted in the rugged Himalayan region. Significantly, the mileage of the small car is being projected at 17-20 km per litre in the hills.

A senior official of Tata Motor’s stated that, “We have conducted the test drive of Nano in the hills of Uttarakhand and Pune. Initial reports are very encouraging,” After a series of test drives, the car is set to be launched in the first quarter of the next financial year. The exact date of the launch of Nano would, however, be decided by Chairman Ratan Tata, the official added. The company has already given a commitment to Uttarakhand Chief Minister B C Khanduri that it would roll out the first Nano from the state. For further expansion, the state government has allotted 45 acres of extra land at Pantnagar for Tata.

Tata Motors is currently manufacturing Ace trucks at the Pantnagar facility. The commercial launch of the car has already been postponed by at least two to three months, after it was forced to relocate from West Bengal following political protests there. Although, the mother unit of the car will be set up in Gujarat, where the company has recently been allotted 1,100 acres, Tata is also planning to set up a permanent manufacturing facility for Nano at Pantnagar.

Hyundai to launch new Verna facelift

You read it first at vicky.in

After the launch of i20 in December, Hyundai will kickstart the 2009 with the launch of new verna facelift. The D-segment where verna competes has witnessed most action in 2008. Honda rocked the market with the launch of new city, Ford facelifted the Fiesta and by mid January there will be another serious contender – Linea from Fiat. To counter these new models and to make verna contemporary. The facelifted  new verna will come with minor changes in exterior and interior styling. The new verna will also get few valuable features with this facelift. A chrome strip on top of the grille  and refreshed bumper are the new bits in the exterior. The refreshed interiors will include a new integrated music system.  The new facelifted verna will be launched with in a week or two from now. As Hyundai is planning to launch the new  Sonata embera facelift this month, you can expect the new verna after 1oth January.

Bajaj to launch XCD Sprint 135cc

You read it first at vicky.in

We knew it was coming, we informed you about it, now its all set to break the cover. Soon Bajaj will unveil the wraps of XCD sprint. But contradictory to our earlier one, we can confidently confirm you the XCD sprint is going to come with 135cc engine not 150cc /125cc as believed. The Discover’s 135cc DTSi engine will make into the XCD sprint.  XCD sprint with its sporty attire created ripples and is one of the most anticipated bike ever since the unveileing at the delhi auto expo. The distinct styling of the XCD Sprint and loaded features makes it a promising bike for Bajaj. The monster lookalike front fairing, chrome tipped tank scoops, LED Tail lamps and horn like grab rail makes the XCD sprint one of the stylish bikes ever built by Bajaj. Though the Discover 135cc engine is frugal and reliable, a better 4 valve,Fuel Injected engine could have done justice to the long wait.  The XCD sprint will come at a premium over the Bajaj Discover 135cc and will take on the Honda’s CBF Stunner and TVS flame. Bajaj will launch the XCD Sprint 135cc anytime between January 20th to January 31st.

Bajaj to launch new Discover 125cc in January

You read it first at vicky.in

As we have been constantly telling you, Bajaj plans to launch new 125cc bike this month. What’s surprising is, we come to know that Bajaj’s new 125cc bike would be Discover with an 125cc engine. The new discover 125cc will lookalike the recently launched 135cc discover i.e. with fake scoops of the tank, scoop mounted indicators, Nitrox suspension. Though we cannot confirm which engine (DTSi or DTS-SI) wil make into the new discover, we believe that the 125cc DTSi engine used in older discover would form the powertrain setup. This new discover will be positioned above the Platina 125cc and XCD 125cc and will target sports commuter segment. Expect the price of the new discover 125cc to be around Rs50000.

Reason for reintroducing Discover 125cc: According to our sources, Bajaj has not stopped producing  discover 135cc, it has stopped the model only for domestic market. As the capacity constraint is over Bajaj will relaunch the bike in India.As Bajaj will launch new XCD sprint 135cc this month, the discover 125cc may not come in this month but will come soon