Mercedes which is buoyed with the success of new C-class plans to intense the competition with the BMW by launching the Mercedes C-class Avantgarde model. Though it’s only a year past BMW stepped into the indian market is very active. To match the new C-class, BMW facelifted the 3-series and rationalised the prices. Now its Merc’s turn, to compete with 325i top end diesel model of BMW, the benz maker plans to launch much sportier Avantgarde. The c-class Avantgarde model would come with a 204bhp engine and a 7speed 7G-tronic auto transmission. Contrary to the existing c-class models, the C-class avantgarde will feature a different grille with centrally positioned Mercedes star. Together with the sporty, high-quality appointments, this feature emphasises the youthful, agile appearance of this C-Class. This sporty presence of c-class avantgarde can be enhanced even further with the AMG sports package, which includes striking front and rear aprons plus side skirts. The new C-class Avantgarde is expected to be priced around Rs35lakhs. Though the price is Rs3lakh more than the BMW 325i, the AMG sports package might set the sales chart soar.
Skoda small car before Volkswagen’s Lupo
Skoda which has tasted the success with the Fabia plans an another small car for India. Skoda’s new small car will be positioned below the Fabia (Skoda’s cheapest car) and will be developed in India. The interesting news is the new small car will be Skoda’s own version of UP! concept. It is believed that Volkswagen’s Up! concept that will be out in 2012 will be named the Lupo. Lupo is city car introduced by Volkswagen in 1998 but it went out of production in 2005 and is replaced by Fox. Volkswagen might revive the Lupo with the production version of UP.
Volkswagen – skoda’s parent company showcased the UP! concept (production version to be called as LUPO) to Indian buyers in the Delhi Auto Expo. At the expo, Volkswagen said that it would produce LUPO based on UP concept by 2012 for india and other developing markets. But skoda’s small car based on UP concept will be ready by 2010 and skoda is planning to showcase its small car in 2010 auto expo. Skoda’s small car will be priced in the range of Rs3 and Rs5 lakhs. Skoda would export the car to their international markets as well.
Tata to launch world truck
World trruck
The much touted world truck will be out soon. Tata’s started the world truck project with the ambition to compete with Scania, Man, Mercedes and International Truck and Engine Corp. Tata Motors manufactured the world truck project utilising the latest technologies available with the Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle Company of South Korea and Hispano of Spain. The world truck fitted with powerful 200-500hp engines will replace the existing range of 100-180 horsepower (hp) trucks. All these engines will conform to Euro-III & Euro-IV emission norms. The trucks based on world truck platform will be out in June simultaneously in India and Korea.
Tata’s new Indigo CS Dicor
Even before the tata’s launch of Indigo Compact Sedan, Maruti Suzuki’ dzire occupied most of the headlines. After the launch too the story is the same.The world’s first compact sedan fails to match the Dzire’s refinement or features. But as the number of customers getting frustrated are increasing because of the delivery woes of dzire. Tata wish to cash on by launching Dicor version of Indigo CS. The indigo CS though clocks good sales numbers is not up to the industry standard. The quality,refinement and features are below par especially when compared to dzire or logan. The new Indigo CS Dicor gets a tweaked suspension which means improved ride and handling characteristics. The Dicor engine which is already doing the duty in Indigo sedan and indica gets under the hood of this Indigo CS. The new Indigo CS Dicor mill pumps out 70 PS @ 4000 rpm same as the turbodiesel variant. But the new Dicor engine produces slightly more max torque and is available over a wide range of rpm. Indigo CS Dicor generates 140Nm in the range of 1800 and 3000rpm. Driveablity and refinement is expected to be better with the new Dicor engine. But to our surprise similar to other variants, the new Indigo CS Dicor model too is devoid of features. The new Indigo CS Dicor only features power steering and air-conditioning as standard. The new Indigo CS Dicor variant is priced Rs51000 more than the turbodiesel model and comes at Rs4,92lakh.
Hot news update on Yamaha R15
* Bookings have started for R15.
* For booking R15 you have to pay a minimum of Rs15000
* Yamaha YZF R15 will be launched on june 14th.
* The maximum power output of Yamaha YZF R15’s FI mill will be in the range of 16-17bhp
* Yamaha YZF R15 will be available in two colours – black and blue
* Yamaha YZF R15 comes with a hefty price tag of Rs1,05,000 (On The Road Chennai)
Honda set to launch CBF Stunner
Honda will launch the much touted 125cc CBF Stunner before the end of this september. The 125cc CBF stunner is believed to feature racy styling similar to Karizma. After the Unicorn, CBF stunner is believed to be strategically important product for Honda. Honda will position the CBF stunner as a premium product similar to the recently launched Aviator urban youth. CBF stunner is expected to be the replica of Honda’s popular 125cc model CBR125 R.
The 125cc segment is currently dominated by Yamaha Gladiator,Hero Honda super splendor,Bajaj XCD and TVS Flame.“We have not decided the cc as yet but this product would also be sporty. It is being developed by Honda R&D at Japan with crucial inputs from Indian engineers. It is meant for India, but this concept may be taken to other Honda markets as well in future,” said N K Rattan, the sales and marketing head of Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI). “The new bike would be in the market before September”he added.
Hyundai launches extended warranty schemes
Hyundai has launched two extended warranty schemes today.The two schemes – comprehensive extended warranty scheme and powertrain would be available for all customers owning Hyundai i10, Santro, Getz Prime (petrol), Accent and Verna for a period of five years, the company said.These schemes would ensure that the owners of Hyundai cars can avail maximum warranty for their cars with minimal cost implications, it added.The comprehensive extended warranty scheme provides full protection for the car, right from mechanical and electrical parts to engine and transmission for a period off five years or 1,00,000 km whichever is earlier, Hyundai said in a statement.Hyundai has also launched the partial extended warranty scheme by the name of ‘power train’, which would cover only the engine and transmission parts at a minimal cost for a similar period of five years or one lakh km, whichever is earlier.”The scheme of offering extended warranty will only add to the levels of customer satisfaction… and emphasises our commitment to our values and products,” Hyundai Motor Senior GM Customer Care Service B Mani said.
Mahindra set to foray into two wheeler business
Mahindra and Mahindra is all set to foray into the two wheeler market. We had already informed you on Mahindra’s talks with Kinetic and Mahindra’s talks with MV Agusta. It seems unlike the past this time Mahindra is very serious to foray into 7million two wheeler market. The talks with Kinetic and MV Agusta is in that sense. Business Standard reports that Mahindra and Mahindra has appointed a special team to look at all aspects of two wheeler business – R&D, Sales and marketing. According to the report Mahindra and Mahindra is currently testing a 100cc commuter bike and a cruiser similar to avenger. Both the bikes are of china made. It is important to recall few years back Mahindra held talks with chinese manufacturer Lifan to sell motorcycles in India but there was no decision made.
Get ready to face the heat
I have found a direct relationship between global warming and crude oil. Every year mercury level sets a new record,similarly, every day crude oil price hits a new high. After breaching the $100 barrier, it has gone all the way to reach $135. Some analyst expects the crude oil price to reach $200 mark soon. If that is case,running your car or bike might not fit your monthly budget. Thanks to the upcoming elections, the government of India has insulated us from the global scenario. But this cannot be continued as the crude oil price keeps raising. Private oil retailers such as Reliance have closed their outlets and the public Oil Marketing companies (OMC) such as IOC,BPCL and HPCL are losing Rs 450 crore a day on sale of petrol, diesel, domestic LPG and kerosene. “We had previously anticipated the under-realisation on sale of petrol, diesel, domestic LPG and kerosene in 2008-09 at Rs 1,50,000 crore. But with rising crude and weakning rupee, the losses may now total Rs 1,80,000 crore,” an IOC official said. To prevent bleeding OMCs have already started taking steps, the retailers are directed to sell only premium oil in metro cities. But that is not enough, few media reports Government of India plans to rise petrol price by Rs10 and diesel by Rs5. As rightly termed by supporting left parties, rising the fuel price in the midst of record high inflation would be a suicide attempt by the ruling government. I believe the Govt’s announcement as a gimmick, to prepare the people for the worst. Govt of India may rise the price of both petrol and diesel by Rs2 and say it has passed only the minimal amount to the public. Anyway your monthly planning is going to be much tougher than before.
Renault F1 car in India
PEPE Jeans, who came on board as one of the global sponsors of the Renault F1 team early this year, are doing a series of promotional events built around the Formula One theme. The RENAULT Formula 1 car, in its 2008 livery will be on display at various locations in Mumbai for the next 10 days.The dates of the Mumbai events are given below
May 23, 2008 – Mega kick-off event with celebrity, media & other activities
High Street Phoenix, Lower Parel (W)
Time – 1730 hrs onwards
May 24/25, 2008
Inorbit Mall, Malad (W)
Time – 1100 hrs to 2100 hrs
May 26/27/28, 2008
Oberoi Mall, Goregaon (E)
Time – 1100 hrs to 2100 hrs
May 29/30, 2008
Nirmal Lifestyle, Mulund
Time – 1100 hrs to 2100 hrs
May 31/June 01, 2008
High Street Phoenix, Lower Parel (W)
Time – 1100 hrs to 2100 hrs