Maruti Suzuki plans debut into the luxury car segment with the Kizashi in 2010. Kizashi which is being showcased at the Auto Expo will get production form soon. Maruti Kizashi is expected to be the first all-wheel drive sedan in the luxury D segment. Maruti’s Kizashi will carry an advanced four-valve turbo-fired two-litre petrol, Euro V engine, which will also be premiered at the same time. Maruti Kizashi is also likely to boast the first six-speed transmission from the Suzuki stable. A crossover sports sedan, Kizashi, which depicts an athlete in motion, is likely to sport 21” wheels. Maruti Kizashi is expected to roll out from its Manesar plant. Kizashi will be positioned in the Rs-10 lakh-plus price band and will compete with the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Sonata, Skoda Octavia and Volkswagen Jetta besides other cars that will debut in the next three years.
BMW launches M series in India
BMW which is very bullish on Indian market is now offered indian customers 6 new beamers. M-series which includes M3 coupe,M5 sedan,M6 Convertible and BMW 6 series individual and BMW 7 series individual. These BMW M cars and BMW individual can be ordered at BMW dealership. BMW will import all these cars as CBU. Currently BMW has 9 dealers in India, by the end of 2008 it will have 12 dealers covering all Metropolitan cities. BMW plans to sell 2000 beamers in India in 2008. The price of M3 Coupe is Rs74,90,000, M5 sedan is Rs1,01,50,000,M6 coupe Rs1,24,90,000, M6 covertible Rs1,31,90,000.
Honda’s Aviator Scooter for males
Honda the leading scooter maker in india has added another scooter called Aviator to its line-up. But unlike its other products this new aviator will target urban male who loves performance but needs a hassle free vehicle. The new Aviator scooter is powered by the same engine which powers the activa. Aviator produces 7bhp of maximum power at 7000rpm. This proven engine ensures smooth and silky performance. Honda has equipped the Aviator scooter with some first-in-class features such as 12-inch alloy wheels and 190mm front disc brakes. Aviator would be available from the first week of march. Aviator will be launched in two variants – standard and deluxe. Deluxe variant of Aviator will have 190mm Disc brake at the front and 12 inch alloy wheels. The standard variant of Honda’s aviator is priced Rs39,675 and the deluxe variant of aviator scooter is priced Rs42.680. Both the prices are ex-showroom Delhi. Honda’s aviator will be available in five colours – Rebel Red Metallic, Berry purple Metallic, Space silver metallic,Monsoon Gray Metallic and Pearl Igneous Black. You can avail 3 years optional extended warranty in addition to the company’s 2 year or 24000km warranty for the Aviator scooter.
Skoda Fabia launched
Skoda created a new segment by launching the Fabia super hatch in India at the Auto Expo. Skoda which launched the Fabia in March 2007 for western markets has brought the car to India in 8 variants. Skoda has introduced the Fabia with 1.4L TDI PD (Turbo Direct Injection, Pumpe Deuse) diesel engine which pumps out 69bhp of maximum power and 155Nm of maximum torque and 1.4L MPI petrol engine which produces 85bhp of maximum power and 132Nm of maximum torque. India’s first super hatch – Skoda Fabia is equipped with features like dual front air bags,alloy wheels,parking sensors,ABS,MSR and Dual RateBrake Assist, auxillary audio input,electric sunroof and dual tone interiors.Skoda’s Fabia will be available in as many as six colours – Corrida Red,Satin Grey,Brilliant Silver,Magic Black,Candy White and Cappuccino beige. Skoda’s Fabia range starts from Rs4.99lakhs to Rs7.68 lakhs. The prices are ex-showroom Maharashtra. For our detailed preview on Skoda Fabia visit http://www.vicky.in/blog/fabia-for-india/
Auto Expo Live: Volkswagen plans Jetta sedan
Delhi Auto Expo attracted a new player from European this time. Volkswagen which is building a plant in maharashtra presented 10 models at the Auto Expo. In 2008, Jetta sedan will be the first one from Volkswagen India. Volkswagen will bring the world’s bestseller to india by mid 2008. Volkswagen has finalised two engined for the indian jetta – an 1.6L gasoline engine which cranks out 102bhp and an 1.9L TDI diesel engine which cranks out 105bhp. The pricing details are expected. For our detailed preview on Jetta sedan visit http://www.vicky.in/blog/volkswagen-jetta-set-go/
Auto Expo Live: Triumph Rocket III for India
Triumph Motorcycles known for making Daytona’s plans a foray into the Indian cruise bikes market. Triumph showcased iconic Rocket III at the Auto Expo and will start selling the cruise bikes by the end of 2008. Currently, Triumph is looking for distributors in India. Bajaj is the whom Triumph is talking for distributing cruise bikes. Triumph plans to open 3-4 dealerships in 4-5 major cities in the first phase.
Auto Expo Live: Fiat palio MultiJet Diesel
Fiat which plans to make comeback into Indian market showcased some of the cars ever produced around around the world. Fiat at the Auto Expo clearly shown its commitment to the Indian market. Fiat stall pulled crowds with the new 500 (cinquecento), grande punto, Linea and Bravo. While the Fiat’s new 500 and Bravo will be imported as CBU the linea and grande punto is to tell Indian customers Fiat is back. Fiat will bring the Ruby Red logo to first with the palio diesel that is sceheduled for February 2008. Fiat has strapped the proven 1.3L multijet diesel what Maruti Suzuki calls as DDIS for Swift and what Tata calls as Dicor for Indica.
Auto Expo Live:ICML plans world car by 2010
ICML which launched the Rhino Rx at the Auto Expo has displayed a concept car and unveiled its plans on much touted world car platform. The newly launched Rhino Rx is powered by 2.0L MG Rover diesel enginewhich cranks out 100bhp of maximum power at 3600rpm and a maximum torque of 220Nm at 2400rpm. This new rhino RX is BSIII compatible and is the most fuel efficient in the category, according to the company. Rhino Rx would be available in three variants S1.S2 and DLX. Coming to the ICML’s new world car, ICML says the series that would be build on the world car platform will set benchmarks in the Industry. On world car platform ICML will develop a family of vehicles and high end luxury cars in association with an Italian design firm called Pininfarina. Pininfarina has involved for making cars for Ferrari,Maserati,Cadillac and Jaguar.
Auto Expo Live: Yamaha Gladiator SS & Gladiator RS
Yamaha will soon launch new variants of its flagship product gladiator. Gladiator SS and Gladitor RS will embrace contemporary sporty theme. Gladiator SS (Sporty and Stylish) and will be out by February and Gladiator RS (Racing Style) will be out by March 2008. Yamaha has developed 26 new items for the RS and SS variants of Gladiator. Front cowl is lowered by 30mm for the sporty look of Gladiator RS and Gladiator SS. Sporty chracter of gladiator SS and Gladitor 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
Auto Expo Live: Yamaha’s FZ 150cc
Yamaha which plans to make a comeback this year has introduced four new models at the Auto Expo. The models are Gladiator type SS and RS (125cc), YZF R15 and FZ (150cc). With this Yamaha has unleashed its strategic intent to offer product line that demonstarates the global yamaha image and live up to the true Yamaha DNA i.e. performance,innovation and design. We made a report already on YZF R15 (150cc), here is few details on Yamaha’s another 150cc FZ which will be launched around Diwali this year. Unlike the YZF R15 ( sports bike) this one is a macho street fighter. FZ 150cc is inspired from FZ1000cc bike. Also unlike the YZF R15, FZ 150 will have only an air cooled engine but that means it is friendly to your wallet. Is yamaha india is back to its roots what it is known for? Catch the interview with Mr.Sam Head, Marketing and Sales.
