As Mercedes launches the new C-class in India, BMW refreshes the 3-series to retain its lead over the baby Benz. For the year 2008, BMW has added a new model called BMW 320d Highline to expand its 3 Series Model Range. In addition to that BMW has tweaked both the petrol and diesel mills doing the duty in 320i,325i and 320d. The 2.0L gasoline mill which powers the 320i now pumps out 158bhp of maximum power i.e 21bhp up from the earlier engine. The peak power of 2.5-litre petrol engine in the 325i is boosted up to 215bhp compared to the earlier 195bhp. The 2.0L common rail diesel engine’s peak power has received a boost to about 170bhp from the earlier 156bhp. Also, 2008 3-series models gets some standard fitments such as New Light alloy wheel rims, Glass roofs and Xenon Lights. The ex-showroom prices of the BMW 3 Series are as follows.BMW 320i – Rs27,00,000, BMW 325i -Rs33,00,000, BMW 320d – Rs29,70,000 and BMW 320d Highline – Rs30,70,000. These prices are applicable across all BMW dealerships in India. The BMW 3 Series Model Year 2008 will be available in an exclusive range of paint finishes: Black Sapphire, Monaco Blue, Titanium Silver and Sparkling Graphite and Luxurious Upholstery Materials: Dakota Leather Black, Dakota Leather Grey and Dakota leather Beige.
MV Agusta to sell bikes in india
After Yamaha, Honda and Suzuki, Italian manufacturer MV Agusta (Meccanica Verghera) known for making ‘Brutale’ and ‘Tamburini’ is actively looking to launch its bikes in India. MV Agusta is currently looking out for an importer. Kinetic may become the likely importer of the premium bikes for MV Agusta. Kinetic had earlier signed an agreement with MV Agusta for supply of various components of motorcycles for Agusta’s entry level model under the Cagiva brand.“We are now looking for an importer in India for our motorcycles. It may be even possible that we may ask Kinetic if they would be able to sell them,” MV Agusta said. MV Agusta bikes are easily priced well above this and maybe available for about Rs 13 lakh for the cheapest model. There even more expensive, high performance machines from the stable.Yamaha was among the first companies to have launched the world-renowned superbike YZF-R1 and the MT01 on Indian roads in December 2007. Honda might launch the CBR 1000RR and the CBR 650 RR by this Diwali. Suzuki is expected to launch the new Hayabusa and Kawasaki will launch the small capacity Ninja range by the middle of this year.
TVS might sell Flame without twin spark plug engine
TVS which is restrained from making Flame or three wheelers with CCVTi engine by Madras High Court may launch the vehicle with a different engine. TVS Motors may also approach the Supreme Court to win the legal tussle over Bajaj.Earlier, in an intermin order Justice P Jothimani on Saturday dismissed TVS’ application to go ahead with bookings of its motorbike Flame. The judge granted the stay order on a suit filed by Bajaj and passed an order restraining TVS Motor from manufacturing, marketing and selling of Flame.The judge also dismissed a petition filed by TVS Motor Company to restrain Bajaj from interfering with the manufacture and sale of its new bike Flame.
TVS launches Scooty Teenz Electric
Here’s a news you love to hear especially after the fuel price hike. TVS has announced the launch of its first electric scooter Scooty Teenz Electric in Gujarat (Gujarat is one of the biggest ebike market in India). TVS is the second major manufacturer after Hero Group to foray into the ebike market. According to TVS, the new scooty teenz electric ease of use and effortless maneuverability will make it an ideal choice for young women who need mobility and whose daily travel is limited to around 15-25 km per day. Scooty teenz electric is equipped with large utility spaces and promises a comfortable and effortless ride with ease of parking. Prominent features of the Scooty Teenz Electric includes a low charge indicator, puncture resistant tyres, a mobile charger and a range selector. The low charge indicator starts glowing around two to five kilometers before charge runs out in low range mode and around six to ten kilometers before charge runs out in high range mode. Scooty teenz electric is available in rich colours of red, black and lilac, which come with vibrant contemporary graphics. TVS will leverage its extensive dealer network to provide high quality service backup at all dealerships. TVS has conducted extensive training programs specific to maintenance of electric scooters for its service engineers and technicians across all authorized service outlets. Additionally, as this electric scooter falls under the L1 category therefore, as per the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR) and the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), one can get a learners license for this bike at sixteen years of age as against eighteen for motorcycles. TVS will launch the scooty teenz electric across the country during the course of the next three months.
Yamaha launches Gladiator RS and Gladiator SS
Yamaha kick starts a new sports biking lifestyle in India with the launch of Gladiator Type SS (Sporty and Stylish) and Type RS (Racing Style) in the fiercely competitive 125 cc segment. With this new type RS and type SS Yamaha power packs 28 new features to the Gladiator. Front cowl is lowered by 30mm for the sporty look of Gladiator RS and Gladiator SS. Sporty character of gladiator SS and Gladiator RS is further enhanced with a newaerodynamic rear fender, sporty chain cover, Aluminum foot rest for rider & pillion and machine gun type muffler end. Tachometer and Aluminium shift pedal are further additions for the new gladiator RS and SS. The Gladiator Type SS will be offered in 2 colours, Yellow and Red and Type RS in Blue colour. The bike will be priced at Rs.46, 350 onwards ex-showroom.
Describing Gladiator as a next generation bike, Mr. T. Maeda – Chief Marketing & Sales Officer, Yamaha Motor India says, “The Gladiator Type SS and Type RS have been designed to be true to the Yamaha DNA. In its category, it is the only machine that can deliver a sport biking experience which is intrinsic to Yamaha brand. Catering to the young, evolving lifestyle market, Gladiator Type SS and Type RS will target young students or young executives who seek a solid machine with good overall product balance and distinctive style. The Type SS and Type RS is a strong product and we are confident it will drive our sales to the fifth gear”.
Ford makes Fiesta more attractive
Ford India introduces the Fiesta Pace Petrol series for 2008, the new series line-up that will offer customers tremendous performance and driving dynamics on their cars, available in three variants – the 1.4 EXI, 1.6 ZXI and 1.6 SXI .
The new top end SXI variants in both Fiesta’s Petrol and Diesel offerings, now has a driver-side Air Bag and classy Turn Indicators on Outside Rearview Mirror [ORVM]. The Ford SXIs also have ABS [Anti-Lock Braking System], making Ford Fiesta one of the few manufacturer’s amongst the segment players offering ABS as a standard fitment.
In addition to these value-added enhancements, the Ford Fiesta SXI series boasts of attractive features as standard fitment:
* 6CD in dash with 6 speakers
* Leather upholstery
* Leather-wrapped steering wheel
* Keyless entry
* Electric boot release
* Driver side height adjust
The new Fiesta ZXI series with enhanced value adds, offers customers following features, as standard fitment:
* 1.6 Petrol 16V DOHC engine / 1.4 8V SOHC TDCi Durotorq Engine
* Full chrome ‘jewel effect’ twin headlamps
* Metallic painted finish centre console
* Intelligent Rear defogger
* Foldable rear seats with adjustable rear head rests
* Distance to Empty [DTE] computer which indicates how many kms the car can travel before refueling
The Fiesta’s Pace Petrol variants are available at an extremely competitive price range of Rs. 5.93 lakh, Rs. 6.20 lakh and Rs. 6.90 lakh. [Ex- showroom Delhi], for its 1.4EXI, 1.6ZXI and 1.6 SXI range respectively. In addition to the Pace Petrol series, in the new 2008 line up, customers can choose three Fiesta Duratorq (Diesel) variants, the 1.4 EXI being offered at Rs. 7.03 lakh, the 1.4 ZXI at Rs. 7.49 lakh and Rs. 8.09 lakh for the 1.4 SXI – all prices ex- showroom Delhi.
Swaraj Mazda to sell Isuzu’s D-Max in India
We recently got Scorpio lifestyle and soon Tata will come up with Xenon pick-up. Lifestyle products are fastly catching up in India when other markets like US begin to move away from it. Japanese commercial vehicle and heavy truck manufacturer major plans to launch its pick-up in India. In India isuzu is well known for its diesel engine (isuzu powers the Hindustan Ambassador). Isuzu plans to launch its Isuzu D-Max in India through its Indian partner Swaraj Mazda. Swaraj Mazda is already selling buses built on Isuzu platform in India. Swaraj Mazda and Isuzu Motors had signed an agreement to manufacture of Isuzu commercials vehicles in India in 2006.
Coming back to the Isuzu D-Max, the pick-up is powered by a 3liter common-rail engine which cranks out 135bhp of maximum power and 283 Nm of peak torque. The four wheel drive (4WD) D-Max can reach a maximum speed of 178Kmph. But unlike the other pick-up which exudes only raw power, Isuzua’s D-Max will come with a set of comfort features. Power windows, tiltable steering and head rest for all the passenger will ensure a comfortable ride inside the D-Max. Isuzu will import the D-Max as a Completely Built Unit (CBU) to India and hence it will attract heavy import duties. D-Max will be priced in the range of Rs15-20 lakhs.
Mercedes C-class Pictorial Review Interiors
Modern cars should be stylish, powerful and handle good but for the sake of all these they cannot make a car with a poor living room. Yes, buyers have become more demanding they care for everything. Also the C-Class customer pool is the most diverse of any Mercedes. It has to offer something for every one of them. We got under the roof of the new c-class to check out whether it can satisfy the most buyers.
1) Mercedes new C-class: The new C-Class is bigger, wider and taller than the model it replaces, and comes with a bigger boot. The new C-class has grown in length by 68mm, in width by 42mm and the wheelbase has increased by 45mm. But more importantly this massive dimensions has been efficiently converted into usable space. The photograph shows the massive 475litre trunk space.
2) Mercedes new C-class: We driven the c-class in city and countryside road where it will often encounter. The ride quality is superb and it transmits very little amount of vibration. The cabin which is a living room other wise, feels like a car only when you push the c-class above 100kmph.
3) Mercedes new C-class: Getting into the new C-class may be tougher due to its poor ingress but once you get in and shut the windows, you are completely isolated from the external world. You will never know whether the engine is running or not. Remember we driven a C200 Kompressor. Wind and tyre noise is also minimal and the result is you can chat as free as in your living room without any disturbance.
4) Mercedes new C-class: It is nothing wrong in mimic to provide the best to the customers. Mercedes has subscribed to this ideology with the new COMAND system. COMAND is a blend between the BMW’s iDrive and Audi’s MMI. It is operated by a simple rotary dial on the centre console.
Steering wheel/instrument panel/ gear knob
5) Mercedes new C-class: Mercedes must have spent most time to offer the best comfort to the driver and the front passenger. The cabin is well laid out, with clear dials and a superb driving position. There is enough support to all the parts of the body and I’m sure that you won’t develop any ache even you drive the C-class for a long time. The only short come is even the driver seat fails to remember your desired position. Memory adjustable seats could have been better.
6) Mercedes new C-class: The rear seat comfort has improved a lot in the new C-class when compared to its predecessor. The traditional criticisms of the old car have been rectified – rear head and leg room are excellent and there is even a pair of rear air-con vents. But still we are not fully satisfied, the rear seat is too much reclined and we felt like sitting in the ground floor. Also, the rear passengers are still deprived of stereo controls. Transporting five adults could be a problem for a long run, we have to blame the Merc’s rear drive layout for that.
7) Mercedes new C-class: Best of all, the quality has improved significantly. Most of the materials used in the car are very good. The dash is exceedingly solid, logical and comfortable though the equipment level is high like the other Merc’s.
Clearly the thinking with the new C-class is to provide something of interest to both the BMW and Audi brigade, without alienating the core Mercedes constituency of millinery enthusiasts. It’s true, the new C-class amazes everyone through its dual personality.
Mercedes C-class Pictorial Review Exteriors
She looks gorgeous! she is elegant! she is the baby Benz and rules this world since its debut in 1993. In modern days, the c-class which has become synonymous for luxury. Mercedes has sold millions of c-class all over the world. In India, the previous generation c-class is a runaway success and Mercedes has sold more than 5000units in between 2001 – 2007. This is huge considering the size of the luxury market in India. But this success drawn the other German makers attention and they set up plant here and started pulling buyers to their showroom. But the early mover does not want to see the momentum shifting to the other end, Dr Wilfried Aulbur, company’s CEO and Managing Director said, “We are committed to bring in the latest products in the least possible time’. In line with this strategy Mercedes has brought the new c-class to India only after 10 months of its international launch. As in any other market in the world, the new c-class is pitted against BMW 3-series and soon to be launched next generation Audi A4.
Let’s sharpen our focus on the new c-class (W204). The new C-class is quiet a different one compared to its predecessors. Mercedes has reinvigorated the C-Class. Unlike in the past, Mercedes press on driving and comfort rather than technology. For the first time it is being offered in choice of looks – Classic(SE), Elegance and Avantgarde(grille mounted star). For the Indian market Mercedes offers two models with bonnet-top star. With this new c-class Mercedes wishes to lure young and stylish buyers whom loves Beamers and Audi. We test drive C200k Elegance model (petrol engine with automatic transmission) to find out whether this new c-class actually serves the purpose
1) Mercedes new c-class: The new c-class is significantly more aggressive in appearance, thanks to a much more wedge-shaped profile, a handsome and distinctive nose with taller front end to meet the US safety standards. It has stolen few styling cues from both the S-class and CL-class. Mercedes has ditched the traditional twin barrel headlamps for the new c-class . The new sharp headlamps and the new grille gives the new c-class makes it look bigger and the result is the massive road presence.
2) Mercedes new c-class: From the side, the strong shoulderline following the waistline is a visual reference point which suggests power and solidity of the new c-class. Muscular wheel arches and 12 spoke alloy wheels expresses solidity. Thumbnail shows the 12 spoke alloy wheels.
3) Mercedes new c-class: The intriguing interplay of the body lines – between the waist line and the character line gives the rear end a stylish sporty look. Not just sporty in look but also in character. Enough aerodynamices has gone into the car and it Coefficient of drag is only ‘0.27’. The result is the speedo needle can touch a 230 figure – maximum speed of the car. We managed to push the c-class to 170kmph during our test drive.
Thumbnail shows the headlmaps cluster, ventilating slots in the rear lamp cluster and speedo when the c-class cruises at 170kmph
4) Mercedes new c-class: Under its stylish skin, the C-Class retains its traditional front-engined, rear-wheel-drive layout. To match the new sporty theme, Mercedes has spruced up the output of the supercharged four cylinder engine and the C200K compressor mill now cranks out 178bhp of max power and 240Nm of max torque from 3500rpm. The maximum power output has gone up by 13% and maximum torque by 9%.
5) Mercedes new c-class: With the 13% power hike and an extra 15 Newton-metres of torque, the C200 now feels a lot more responsive. The road test figures clearly suggest that. It moves past the 60kmph from stand zero in just 5.5s and 100kmph in just 10.09s. The engine is mated with a five speed automatic transmission with manual mode engaged by nugding the gear to the left or right.
6) Mercedes new c-class: Mercedes new c-class comes with a new tag line called ‘Agility at your command’. According to Mercedes, agility control is the term used by for all new and further developments that improve both comfort and agility in equal measure. In simple terms shock absorbers of the new c-class change the way they operate according to how the car is being driven, so that you get a softer ride at low speed and firmer responses when you’re pressing on. With the redesigned steering ratio (14.5) Mercedes claims that the agility control steering is 6% more direct than the preceding model. Let’s look how these technologies performs on the road.
The traditional Merc blend of comfort and handling is still there but the new C-Class has been tuned for more sporty behaviour, resulting in superb body control at higher speeds. Yes, it takes the corners with ease and crawling in the traffic cannot be made simpler than these. You can turn the car with your finger. However, the steering feels over light, it does not gain weight with the increase in speed that means you should not be over enthusiastic while driving.
7) Mercedes new c-class: To complete the sporty character, control over the vehicle has to be good. A new system called Adaptive brake based on the technology of the S-class is built for the new c-class to provide additional support to the driver. We put it to the test and find out the new C-class comes to rest from 60kmph in 2.06seconds. Mercedes has given the c-class a long list of safety features – ESP with ASR, ABS with brake assist, six airbags, crash responsive NECK-PRO front head restraints.
8) Mercedes new c-class: The new C-Class is offered in two variants – Classic and Elegance with two engine options. It is available in colours – alabaster white, grey,obsidian black, cubanite silver and iridium silver.
Maruti Suzuki’s new Swift – Pictorial Review
1) Maruti Suzuki’s new Swift: Following the Suzuki’s Swift style in International market, Maruti Suzuki has given a facelift to swift in order to look afresh. The Swift’s design continues to be fresh and nearly unchallenged. But as beauty peagent contest becomes fierce with the arrival of new comers like Hyundai i10 and Skoda Fabia.
Old swift vs new swift
2) Maruti Suzuki’s new Swift: The refreshed swift gets a new redesigned bumper at the front and the new ultra contemporary grille gives attraction to the new swift. Fog lamps inserts also gets a new design.
old swift vs new swift
3) Maruti Suzuki’s new Swift: The new wheel cap in the large alloy wheels adds charm to the new swift.
old swift vs new swift
4) Maruti Suzuki’s new Swift: In the rear Swift gets a new redesigned bumper and a new clear lens indicator.
5) Maruti Suzuki’s new Swift: Hyundai i10 and Getz scores over the swift in one area i.e the interiors. Maruti Suzuki has made an attempt to make swift’s interiors to look nice with fabric lining for seats and door trims. Rear passenger gets head rest in the new swift (VXi and ZXi in petrol swift and VDi in diesel swift)
6) Maruti Suzuki’s new Swift: You will feel more comfortable while driving with the new swift. The new swift (ZXi) gets a tilt steering which means you can position the steering wheel as you like. Your eyes will also feels good with the new eye pleasing instrument panel. Gauges gets a chrome lining. Another new in the refreshed swift is the digital clock (VXi and ZXi).
7) Maruti Suzuki’s new swift: Thumbnail shows the new digial clock, integrated audio system and the neqw instrument panel.
8) Maruti Suzuki’s new Swift: ZXi variant of the new swift gets an integrated audio system the audio controls are mounted on the steering wheel. All the variants gets a double horn which Maruti claims as a new safety feature.
LXi,VXi and ZXi (low end –> top end) are the swift’s petrol variants and LDi and VDi (low end –> top end) are the swift’s diesel variants. Maruti Suzuki has increased the price in the range of Rs6000 to Rs10000 across all the variants of the swift.
P.S:Our sincere thanks to M.Jayakumar, ABT Maruti (massales@abtlimited.com), Guindy, Chennai (9994475222).