Save Tata Nano

Very few products can draw attention across the world as the Nano does. But sadly the attention is not just for good reasons but also for Singur controversy. The allotted land meant for building Nano is said to be forcefully bought from the farmers. The controversy has now confined to 400 acres of fertile land and is stopping Tata workers to do their work. The leader of opposition is very firm in her stand and wants return of the land to do talks. But the Chief Minister is in no mood to relent.Nearly 3,000 armed police is surrounding the factory yet the work has come to complete halt for the past three days.

It may be the ruling party or the opposition or even the Tata is responsible for this situation. But we should remember one thing, Nano is a revolutionary product and is making India proud across the world. Every manufacturer from Toyota to GM or Volkswagen to Renault Nissan is wondering about the Nano.  We may or may not support the Nano as the american do apple’s iPhone but atleast we can show respect to the work of those engineers who worked hard to make this magic and find one way or the other to produce Nano’s in India. Otherwise history will not forgive us.

Voice your concern and support our Save Nano campaign…….

Bajaj new Platina 125cc

As we earlier reported
http://www.vicky.in/blog/bajaj-plans-platina-125cc/

Bajaj will soon come with a new variant of its entry level bike platina. The new platina 125cc will get the 125cc DTS-Si engine which is already doing the service in XCD. Bajaj plans to offer new platina 125cc with an electric start feature. The new platina 125cc might be priced around between Rs35000-Rs37000. The new platina 125cc will be launched this month.

Pictorial Preview on Mitsubishi Outlander

Similar to its japanese parent, Mitsubishi India is not in good shape and yet to make its presence felt even after flying around here for many years. While one of its Japanese peer is owning more than 50% of market the other (Honda) is aggressively expanding its market share. But still a much needed small car from Mitsubishi will take atleast two years to come true. Before that much important launch Mitsubishi wishes to build its lost image and find a niche segment for itself. After gaining decent amount of hearts with dakar rally winners Montero and Pajero Mitsubishi plans to go soft with the Outlander. Outlander is a first softroader from HM-Mitsubishi in the lines of Honda’s CR-Vand Chevrolet Captiva. But unlike its competetiors Outlander will be locally assembled and Mitsubishi – Hindustan hopes the cost advantage will give its an edge over the others.

Hindustan – Mitsubishi Outlander: As typical of any softroader this Mitsu has a long bonnet, rakish windscreen and curved roof. To claim it as a SUV and not a car there are bits of rugged skid plate all over the Outlander. The two slatted grille with the central mounted Mitusbishi logo sharp edged headlamps gives a bold look at the front. The roofline which peaks over the driver’s head and slopes towards the rear evokes athletic style of a sedan. What’s cool about this outlander is its tail section – the LED tail lights and distinct rear windscreen gives a distinctive look for the outlander.

Hindustan – Mitsubishi Outlander: uses an enhanced global engine (truly global) developed jointly with Hyundai and DaimlerChrysler. The engine is currently servicing in Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass, Kia Spectra and well known Hyundai Sonata Embera. Mitsubishi’s spruced up 2.4-liter MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve-timing Electronic Control system) engine churns out 170bhp of max power and 230Nm of max torque at 4100 rpm. Mitsubishi will offer a five speed manual and a  “Sport Mode” paddle-shift-actuated 6-speed CVT. However there will not be any diesel option.

Hindustan – Mitsubishi Outlander: Though its meant run on tarmac, Mitsubishi’s electronically controlled 4WD  system will continuously optimize front and rear wheel torque depending on road conditions. It includes three dial-activated drive modes – 2WD, 4WD AUTO and 4WD LOCK.  MacPherson strut front and trailing arm multilink suspension with mono-tube rear shock absorbers with a new technology for better stability sourced from Lancer evolution would be part of the Outlander package.

Hindustan – Mitsubishi Outlander: The seven seater Outlander will become a five seater and get a spare wheel when comes to India. As the tail gate is built into the bumper, a small section of the hatch flip outwards to facilitate faster loading of cargo, similar to what we seen in BMW X5.


Hindustan – Mitsubishi Outlander: will be out in first week of October and expected to be priced between Rs18 – Rs20 lakhs (as the Outlander will be assembled at Hindustan Motors Chennai plant). Hindustan Outlander will compete with Honda’s CR-V and Chevrolet Captiva.

Tata Nano Specifications and features

Here’s consolidated specifications and features list of tata nano.

engine – Tata Nano

* two cylinder, 633cc petrol engine with MPFI

* maximum power output – 33PS at 5500 rpm

* maximum torque output – 48.9Nm at 2500rpm

* estimated top speed – more than 100kmph

* estimated mileage of nano – more than 20kmpl

Dimensions – Tata Nano

Length – 3.1 metres

breadth – 1.5 metres

height – 1.6 metres

wheelbase – 2.23 metres

Boot (bonnet) capacity – 150 litres

Fuel tank capacity – 15 litres

Suspension, brakes and tyres- Tata Nano

Mcpherson strut with lower A-arm at the front

Indepedent coil spring at the rear

135/70 tubeless tyre at the front

155/65 tubeless tyre at the rear on 12inch rims

Comfort features – Tata Nano

* Bucket seats for driver and front passenger

* front seats with integrated head rest

* seat pockets

* air conditioning

Safety features – Tata Nano

* crumple zone

* intrusion resistant doors

* seat belts

Variants / models – Tata Nano

* standard

* deluxe

Colours – Tata Nano

* red

* yellow

In or out of singur the tata nano launch will take place before the end of this year.

Car Accessories – skirts for swift and civic

Pimp Your Ride – Car Accessories…

So you’re gonna buy a new car. What’s it going to be like? After eliminating all the nice cars in the ground of fuel economy and overall price, what you are left with is a handful of not-so-hot looking sedans and (mostly) hatchbacks. After the new-car thing has worn off you are somehow let down by the look of the car, though you can’t really point out what went wrong. The fact of the matter is that these cars were not designed to be head-turners, but to go easy on your wallet and (with some luck) on the road. Apart from complaining (although not so openly) car owners, most youngsters are driven (pun intended) to infuse a certain personality into their cars or just want to experiment. We tell you about various car accessories that enhance the look of your car. We also help you to find the accessory that best fits your car.

How’s it Hangin – front,side and trunk skirts:

Anyone who has played Need For Speed will tell you a thing or two about customizing your car by adding a few accessories. Based on your choice you can make your car look big, sleek or just plain snobby. Side and front skirts make a car look bigger than they actually are. These work well for tall hatchbacks, and small sedans. The bigger the car, the smaller the skirt – seems to be the formula that defines the line between custom and crazy. In already large cars, bigger side skirts sometime make the car look like a sloppy washing machine. Here are two cars – swift hatchback and civic sedan with body kits.

Maruti Suzuki Swift car accessories

Maurti Suzuki Swift Front Skirt

Swift is the only car from Maruti that spells ‘macho’ all over. The front skirt shown below lends a masculine feel to the already sporty look. The small car seems a little grown up. The skirt style does not stand out and merges with the design of the car. The finish too is well done.

Maruti Suzuki swift side skirt

Now what do you think your car will look like if it sported only a front skirt? Bulky? Out of proportion? Exactly. With the stylish front one can’t settle with a small, puny side skirt. So thinking big, like always, has worked. The flared wheel arches of the Swift make this accessory look less flamboyant and more pristine.

Maruti Suzuki swift rear skirt

Unlike the side and front skirts, the rear skirts incorporates the rear wheel arch in the same angle and curve without which it might not have looked as good. The slot for the exhaust looks a little out of place, but given the complications involved it can be forgiven.

Honda civic car accessories

Honda civic front skirt

The Civic is one of the most stylish cars in Indian road today, thanks to Honda. One would think that it is next to impossible to improve it’s design. Well, the pictures say it all. The headlights that give a mean look to the car are somehow made prominent without touching them at all! The design looks aggressive and the finish top class.

A curious thing about customization is that one doesn’t know when to stop. Overdoing can prove fatal. Here however the side skirts are made with as little curves as possible taking care not to affect the overall theme of the car.

Honda civic side skirt

Honda Civic rear skirt

I know that most of you thought that only girls look good in skirts. Hope this article has enlightened you otherwise. We’ll explore the other parts in a car where one can individualize in the future (hopefully). Here is a sign of things to come. Keep guessing.


Fiat to delay launch of Linea and Grande Punto

In yet another disappointing move, Fiat says it may postpone the launch of both Linea and Grande Punto. Fiat cites too many car launches by other manufacturers for the delay. “We are industrially ready to launch the vehicle (Linea) in September. However, too many launches in the same month has prompted us to rethink,” said a Fiat spokesperson. This move by Fiat will also affect the proposed launch of Grande Punto in December. Fiat will push the launch of Grande punto to early 2009. “We do not want to confuse customers with frequent launches. We thought it is ideal to have a certain interval between consecutive launches,” the spokesperson added.

Whether this move by Fiat will draw flak from waiting customer? Whether the customer would run out of money when the festive season ends? Whether this strategy will work in favour of Fiat?

Cramster Gloves – Pictorial Review

As part of our idea to create awareness on safer riding habits for two wheeler riders, we have been reviewing about the riding gears of various makers.

Styling – Cramster Glove:

Today we review the riding gloves from Cramster. This one is a basic one which targets on commuters. The styling of the glove is nice, it is compact and exhibits functional character. The threaded lining in the leather palm grip is a nice design touch.

Comfort – Cramster Glove:

It weighs little and carrying it daily won’t make you unease. Also putting on and taking off the gloves is not a hard task to do and you won’t require others help to do that. But the airflow is limited and under hot sun your hands would become wet with sweat the moment you are off the bike.

Safety – Cramster Glove:

ABS knuckle protection (made of high quality plastic) and injection moulded strips could save you case of any accident. But during our drive we found that the ABS on index finger is grinded when you keep fingers close the handlebar (instrument panel side). If you are a racer we advise you to look for a better equipped glove.

Colours, Sizes and price – Cramster Glove:

Cramster riding gloves comes in three colour – black +red, black + white and all black. The sizes available are the S,M,L,Xl,XS & XXS(women) and XXL (mens). Cramster offers riding gloves in three ranges – basic riding gloves, touring gloves and touring / racing gloves. The prices ranges between Rs1100 to Rs1975.


Tata Nano pictures

In another 30-45 days most expected car in the history of automobiles will be out and that too would happen in India. But the uncertainty over the nano launch looms large especially when the Tata nano singur plant is under virtual siege. Tata has already warned it would not stay West Bengal if the siege persists and many state governments has offered red carpet treatment for Tata to shift the nano plant to their state.  Also there are news that Tata has started producing Nano’s in its uttarkhand plant where it already develops ace mini truck. As of now, Tata can produce only 3000 units of nano in this plant and it could not meet the demand and would create hara-kiri in Tata’s dealer outlets. Also it would costs Tata atleast Rs 500 crores and invaluable time. Let’s pray that the Nano would be rolled out as planned and bring joy to hundreds of customers who are waiting.

Here are the pictures of the nano’s singur plant and the production pictures of Nano.

source: Tata Nano pictures from Hindustan Times and CNN IBN

Volkswagen edges out Ford

Volkswagen has become the world’s third largest carmaker outselling Ford. According to the latest sales figures, VW Group delivered 3.31 million vehicles in the first half of the year, with Ford delivering 3.22 million. Remember only in 2004 Ford lost the second spot to the japanese car maker Toyota. The worsening sales in US is hitting the American major very badly. Toyota is marching towards the no 1 spot by selling 280,000 units  more than the General Motors globally during the first six months of 2008.