BMW launches 520d,530 and 530d Highline

BMW today unleashed its new range of 5-series with stronger diesel engines. The new high end 530d will be powered by the BMW’s next generation straight-six, common rail diesel engine which pumps out 235 bhp and delivering 500 NM of torque. BMW 520d will also come with advanced features like the Highline infra red night vision that allows for visibility at upto 300 meters. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Peter Kronschnabl, President BMW India said, “With the BMW 5 Series Model Year 2008 we have the pleasure of providing efficient engines, increased horsepower, and the latest in safety technology with BMW Night Vision, a technology unique to this car segment in India. Responding to the needs of our customers, we are proud to introduce the BMW 520d, the 530d and the 530d Highline. The BMW 5 Series is sheer driving pleasure in the luxury Business Class car segment, and it is our goal to continue providing our customers in India with the highest standards of all-round quality, safety, and perfection to ensure the highest levels of comfort and luxury.” “The 5 Series Model Year 2008 was introduced with the objective of enhancing the diesel line-up in the premium segment of the Indian car market that has witnessed significant growth in the last few years”. Mr Peter Kronschnabl further added. The BMW 5 Series Model Year 2008 will be available in a range of refined colours: the new non-metallic Alpine White, metallic Black Sapphire, Monaco Blue, Titanium Silver and Platinum Grey. The Luxurious Upholstery Materials include Dakota leather with a choice of three new colours, Beige, Black and Natural Brown.

The ex-showroom prices of the BMW 5 Series in INR are as follows.
BMW 525i : 40,90,000
BMW 530i : 46,20,000
BMW 520d : 36,90,000
BMW 530d : 43,20,000
BMW 530d Highline : 46,80,000

Fiat to launch 500 cinquecento in India

As part of its brand building exercise, Fiat will launch its new 500 cinquecento in India in July. Fiat’s new 500 cinquecento is called as “ipod of cars” in western countries.  The 500 will be imported as a completely built unit and would serve as an effective brand advertising initiative before the launch of the mid-size sedan Linea in September. Fiat will also launch the Bravo in India. The 500 cinquecento is expected to be priced around Rs15 lakh. In september Fiat will come out with its much expected Linea Sedan. The grande punto hatchback will be launched by December 2008 or earley 2009. Fiat is also working on CNG variant of Palio.

Discounts on cars are over

Owing to spike in input costs, auto majors have cut down their discounts from July

* From July 1st week, Maruti has almost halved its discounts on Wagon R and Zen Estilo. So, the company that was giving a deduction of Rs 26,000 with insurance last month has now cut it to Rs 10,000. Similarly, the discounts on Wagon R, which stood at Rs 21,000 with insurance last month, have now dropped down to Rs 10,000 with insurance. As a result of these measures

* A new Zen Estilo customer have to pay Rs 16,000 more for the car compared to his counterpart in July.

* Wagon R buyers would have to spend Rs 10,000 additionally.

* Hyundai has maintained the same level of offers for Santro. But for its newly launched and popular selling compact hatchback i10 there are no free fuel vouchers like there were last month.

* Tata Motors Indica Dicor and Indigo customers would be required to pay Rs 5,000 more for the same car, as the discount offer has been brought down to Rs 20,000, from Rs 25,000 last month.

TVS launches Apache RTR EFI

Atleast you can now sit back and relax. After running for apache RTR EFI for so many months you must have been frustrated. But you must be rejoiced with this info, your patientce finally gets paid off. TVS today launched the much awaited apache RTR EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection). The RTR FI is powered by a 160cc Fuel Injection mill which generates 15.7bhp of peak power at 8500rpm and 13.1Nm of torque at 6500rpm. According to TVS, Apache RTR FI can reach 60kmph from zero in just 4.8s and zoom past 100kmph mark in just 17.7s. TVS also claims the bike can clock a top speed 120kmph.Apart from the new FI mill, it also gets new features blue back digital console, racy stripes and disc brake at the rear. Apache RTR FI is priced Rs64990 (ex-showroom Delhi). The new Apache RTR FI comes in attractive colours – orange and yellow.


TVS Apache RTR FI – a brief Test Drive

Vicky.in exclusive

Credits to Sudhi Vicky.in reader and contributor

It seems that your run for TVS apache RTR EFi might be soon ever. Vicky.in keen reader Sudhi saw as many as 25 bikes at the Bangalore showroom and the bike is available for test drive which means the official launch is very close. He rode the apache RTR FI for few kilometers inside the Bangalore city and here are the first impressions.

Except the FI stickers there is not much novelty in the new Apache RTR FI. It retains the same short and squat stance. But it seems like TVS might have kept the apache RTR FI in garage for a longer time. The faded paint is a clear testimony. Also new is the blue back-lit LCD speedo console but it should have been more contrast for better readability. Let’s get closer to the heart, the new FI mill really makes  a difference with its superior refinement than the older. The low end torque is excellent but it is not the same in the mid range rpms. The pick up is not uniform. It also starts vibratiing once the needle past 60kmph. But remember i driven a bike that has not undergone pre delivery inspection. We can make a opinion only after a longer drive. According to the dealers, Apache RTR FI would return a mileage of 60-65kmpl. Especially under high fuel prices this sounds good. But what makes you to jump to the skies is the RTR FI’s price. TVS has priced it sensibly and the new RTR FI comes at Rs 74500 on the road(Bangalore). Apache RTR FI is currently available only in two colours (in Bangalore) – orange and yellow. Titanium grey will be available only after two months.

Mitsubishi to Drive@earth

Mitsubishi Motors has announced a new global tagline which will be used across the world. The tagline, “Drive@earth,” will is intended to convey two major themes.

Drive@earth means that automobiles connect us to the world. Mitsubishi’s 4WD legacy has catapulted a generation of drivers to every corner of the earth, from desert dunes to city streets. Rally-tested toughness, performance and reliability make Mitsubishi Motors a trusted name on five continents. Through this trust, Mitsubishi vehicles forge a connection to customers, to communities, and ultimately to the natural world around us.

Second, Drive@earth means a new emphasis on environmental issues. It is the simple recognition that no enterprise — automotive or otherwise — makes sense without the context of a healthy planet. With climate change and dwindling oil reserves on the minds of drivers around the world, automakers have a special responsibility. MMC sets as its ideal the synergy between dynamic and environmental performance, and will continue to develop technologies — such as the zero-emissions i MiEV electric vehicle — that show as much care for the environment outside as for the occupants within.

The new tagline acts as a bridge between the company’s heritage and its future. Launched in this, the first year of MMC’s post-revitalization business plan, Drive@earth is an announcement of the company’s renewed focus, and a symbol of its intention to build a new era of sustainable partnership.

Mitsubishi’s new tagline will be introduced first in Japan.

Audi’s new R8

Audi has said it would soon bring its latest sports car ‘R8’ to India. The Audi R8 is based on the Audi Le Mans quattro concept car and shares vital parts with the popular Lamborghini Gallardo. To make this R8 best sports car ever made, Audi has put in its best engineering practices to produce this car. Every R8 undergoes CT scan a first for a production car. R8 is Audi’s lethal weapon to beat porsche 911 and many international enthusiast have acknowleged it. Audi R8 has won performance car of the year and Design of the year in world car awards. The Audi R8 is equipped with a 4.2 L FSI V8 engine developing 420 PS and 430 N·m of max torque, the same engine used in the B7 Audi RS4. The transmission is either a manual gearbox with metal gate, or a “R-tronic” gearbox (single-clutch semi-automatic sequential manual). V8 powerplant gets it to 100kph in 4.6 seconds and on to a top whack of 300kph. The interior of the Audi R8 offers the racing feel at a luxurious level. Its design is of no less sporty elegance than the shape of the body. The Audi R8 combines its superior performance not only with a surprising degree of day-to-day practicality, but also with exclusive equipment and a wide variety of customized interior options.  To know more about Audi R8 visit http://microsites.audi.com/audir8/html/index.php.

As india becomes for Audi’s important market the compnay will sell its R8 to show its technological proweness to Indian customers. “The Audi R8 is the epitome of Vorsprung durch Technik – it embodies everything it stands for – advancement through technology,” explains Benoit Tiers, Managing Director Audi India. “It also symbolises progressive design, our pursuit of perfection and unrivalled handling built from Audi’s motor sport history.” About launching the Audi R8 in the Indian market, Benoit Tiers said: “India is an important market for Audi, and there has been a tremendous interest in the Audi R8 up to pre-orders by our exclusive customers in India, so it was inevitable that we launch the Audi R8 here.”  R8 would be available at the company’s seven exclusive dealerships in Delhi, Gurgaon, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Pune, Hyderabad and Bangalore.Though company has not said anything on the pricing of R8 for the Indian market. We expec the pricing the to be in the range of Rs1 – Rs1.25 crores. Audi has already started pre-bookings for the R8.

Hyundai new exchange offer

Hyundai has come up with an new exchange offer to attract the small car customers. Through this offer you can exchange your small car and get a larger car in return. To avail this offer, customers have to drive their small car to the nearest Hyundai dealership. The dealer will evaluate the car and the  value of the existing car would be considered as down payment for the bigger Hyundai car. Hyundai estimates that the Equated Monthly Instalment (EMI) value for the loan extending 48 months would be lower than the EMI for a smaller car. Hence the company hopes to lure larger number of small car customers through this offer. The best hting about the offer you can exchange small car of any brand including Maruti Suzuki’s and Tata’s and get a larger Hyundai car in return. You can also move up the ladder by exchanging your verna or accent for a Sonata embera.
“Typically, a first-time car buyer opts for a compact car and subsequently upgrades. Hyundai is offering to make this upgrade process easier with the new scheme, especially at a time when inflation is high and the cost of loans has increased. In fact, the scheme has been structured in a way that will bring down the EMIs”, said Mr Arvind Saxena, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Hyundai Motors India

Renault’s new Logan

Renault’s romanian subsidiary has unveiled revamped or facelifted version of logan. New Logan comes with a more contemporary design as well as a more attractive and more comfortable interior. New logan shares few components from Sandero (Renault’s popular hatchback). The whole objective of this facelift is to make the boxy look logan an elegant and an upmarket vehicle.

The new logan gets a new grille plus a chrome upper trim. The new front bumper is flush with the bodywork for a more integrated, harmonious feel, while the headlights are bigger and the fog lamps come with elegant carbon colour surrounds. The rear design of new Logan has been updated, too. The design of the new boot lid, which can be trimmed with a lower chrome strip, is more streamlined and its lines have been carried over to the revised rear lights. The new logan also gets a refreshed rear bumper. The rear bumper is now flush with the bodywork and incorporates reflectors and a towing hook complete with concealing cap. When this new logan comes to India, Mahindra Renault may also add new colours for the logan variants.

The new logan gets a new functional but stylish dashboard. While the design of the door panels also contributes to the cabin’s modern feel thanks to their more practical pull handles and elegant trimming (depending on version). The driving environment itself has been made even more comfortable and driverfriendly thanks to a new driver’s seat adjustment control and a height-adjustable steering column. Rear visibility has been improved through the fitment of a comma-type central rear headrest and large format door mirrors.

New Dacia Logan will be introduced across the majority of Western European markets from July 2008. Dacia said that prices will remain unchanged. In India, expect this logan sometime in 2009 and Mahindra Renault may follow the strategy of the Dacia by keeping the prices same, making it a more appealing proposition than ever.

Hyundai outsells Honda

World’s fifth largest automaker–Hyundai

Hyundai-Kia has become the world’s fifth biggest carmaker following huge growth over the past decade.The Hyundai Kia Automotive Group was formed through the merging of South Korea’s largest car company, Hyundai Motor Company, and the nation’s second largest car company, Kia Motors, Hyundai which was ranked in eleventh place in 1999 – is now out-selling rivals such as Honda, Nissan, Peugeot/Citroën, Chrysler and Fiat.  Hyundai-Kia now sells almost 4 million vehicles a year worldwide

2007 worldwide sales rankings

1. Toyota – 9,366,000

2. General Motors – 8,902,252

3. Volkswagen – 6,191,618,

4. Ford – 5,964,000

5. Hyundai-Kia – 3,961,629

6. Honda – 3,831,000

7. Nissan – 3,675,574

8. PSA (Peugeot/Citroën) – 3,428,400

9. Chrysler – 2,676,268

10. Fiat – 2,620,864