Vicky.in Blog

Bajaj Platina has shown an exponential growth in the sales when compared to the sales volumes of its siblings.When there is a 12% decrease found in the domestic sales of two-wheelers for Bajaj,the Platina segment still saw a steep hike of 16% in sales in the same period.Once again Bajaj has planned to revive the Platina segment in the coming year with the launch of 100-125 cc Platina bike.This new Platina motorcycle or a refreshed one is about to face the challenge with its rivals that include Hero HF Dawn,TVS MAx 4R and Yamaha 110 in the same segment.Besides,the company made a revelation that the company will launch a series of bikes in the Pulsar and Discover brands too.Further Rajiv Bajaj, managing director, Bajaj Auto, said, “We have two significant launches in the Pulsar and Platina segment. Together, they will yield two per cent market share. In the first half of this year, we had a significant launch of Discover (150cc). We will (now) implement it downwards in 100-125cc. This will bring us to 25-26 per cent market share in the first half of next year. Then, in the second half, I would like to go to 30 per cent, for which we have to do something remarkable. It is a marketing move, not some great technology change. There is an opportunity to create something big.”

 

 

The sources revealed that the Hero Motorcorp would make use of the first low-cost Magneti Marelli technology in the products namely HX250R,the Hastur and the ZIR scooter in the upcoming year 2015.With the launch of these products,Magnetti Marelli will compete with Bosh’s new lost-cost FI technology.This system on the bike is expected to be an affordable engine management system.Further,Saju Mookken,managing director and country manager,told that the company will come up with affordable FI technology for two wheelers.It will be a part of the company’s expansion plans in India.Further he said,”The next pathbreaking technology that we will bring in India is the low-cost fuel-injection system for mass-segment two-wheelers. The first motorcycle (with the technology) will be launched in India with Hero MotoCorp early next year. We will also look at manufacturing another electronic component – e-call (emergency call) system which is a feature like SOS going to be mandatory in some countries. So we will manufacture (the product here) and supply there.”

Considering the road-safety into account,the government is planning to impose a rule that brings the ABS  mandatory for two-wheelers in the country.Since there are certain barriers in implementing this policy,the government first plans to introduce ABS for bigger displacement motorcycles with an idea that it could  be expanded further  to the mass market segment once the technology reaches a scale and become popular.But still it is not clear about the displacement that the government claimed to be “bigger”,because,already few big bikes are in existence with the ABS,so,if this policy is to be imposed,then the manufacturers would launch the rest of the bikes with ABS that would lead to the hike in the  price tag of the bike.However,this policy serves to be a protection aid for the riders.Regarding this,a senior government official said,”We in India have adopted the European policy format for the automotive industry, though with a lag to allow the industry to gradually evolve and reach that level. Like the emission norms based on EU, we have a road map of safety for all class of vehicles. The ABS on two wheelers is part of that plan to enhance the safety of vehicles in India and gradually adopt standards applicable in developed countries.”This move by the government is greatly appreciated as this would reduce the number of fatalities per year.Well,this policy is warmly welcomed and we are soon anticipating its arrival.

 

Picture credits to the Indianautosblog site for revealing the snapshots of the Mahindra Quanto AMT which is under testing.This car has been already showcased at the Auto Expo this year and now it is about to be launched within the end of this fiscal year.Now let’s probe into the spy pics,the test mule gets a new body color and has a camouflage on its front door where the “autoshift” badging was present on the Auto Expo display car.While considering the interior part,the Mahindra Quanto AMT is likely to get all new steering wheel.Further,the sources revelaed that Mahindra is like;y to introduce a 5-speed transmission unit that has been jointly developed by Mahindra and U.K-based Ricardo and an “advanced” ECU .Also,taking the fuel-economy into consideration,the company offers regenerative braking that would save nearly 40 litres of fuel per annum.However the engine option remains to be the same 1.5 litre three-cylinder diesel engine producing 100bhp at 3,750 rpm and 240 Nm of torque  between 1,600 and 2,800 rpm.This engine gets mated to a 5-speed transmission unit,thus claiming an efficiency of 17.21 km/l.Loaded with all such advanced features,it is expected to arrive at an attractive price tag that ranges between Rs7.8 and Rs8.82 lakhs,ex-showroom.

Hyundai Verna facelift  has been spied out  without any camouflage in Pune.Going to the picture,the front fascia  gets a dual-slat chrome grille,redesigned headlights with projector beams and a bumper with integrated LED daytime running lights.This reveals that the design traits especially at the front fascia are greatly inspired from the Solaris facelift,that was introduced in Russia this year.When it comes with the rear part,a new bumper with redesigned reflectors and a black apron,and the LED enabled taillights are found to be  noticeable changes.Other than this,there are no upgradations have been made to the refreshed Verna.Regarding the engine power options,similar to the current model,Verna will be offered with a wide range of engines,1.4 and 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines.Considering the gearbox department,Hyundai could choose to upgrade the 4-speed AT to which 1.6 litre unit is about to be specced,to a more efficient 6-speed transmission.Arriving at the expected price range between 7.5 lakhs and 11 lakhs,ex-showroom in the early 2015,the refreshed Verna would compete with the likes of Skoda Rapid,Fiat Linea,Honda City,Maruti Ciaz,Ford Fiesta and VW Vento.

Hyundai Verna facelift refreshed-Picture credits to Teambhp site

 

All new Maruti made hatchback is about to set its footprint in the B+ segment in  the near future  in India competing with Hyundai Elite i20,Honda JAzz and Volkswagen Polo.A test mule of the upcoming product codenamed as YRA which is  still under development phase is spied under testing without camouflage,thus its styling cues of front fascia and side remain exposed,thanks to the  Autocarworld exclusive site.Peeping on to its spy shots,the front part looks like that of carrying the design language from the Swift,yet,the hatchback appears to be larger than Swift.YRA gets the sweptback headlamps with a V-shaped honeycomb grille lined with chrome in-between.The front bumper with wide wider air dam traditional fog lamps and vertical daytime running lights looks subdued.When coming closer to the side profile,integrated turn-indicator is found to be missing while the ORVM has been positioned higher on the car’s front door.It is expected that the YRA should have greater interior and large boot space than Swift.Regarding the engine options,the hatchback is likely to be powered by a 1.0-litre,turbocharged petrol power plant thus tend to deliver the average mileage of about 20km/l at the generated power of 90bhp.There are also possibillities that the company would make use of 1.4-litre petrol and 1.3-litre diesel units from Ciaz sedan.To know more,stay connected with this site.

Renault Lodgy-Picture credits to anytime-on-wheels.blogspot.in. Renault Lodgy which is about to launch in India as a highly lucrative MPV is currently  being spied under testing in India.The sillhouette reveals the exterior styling cues and interior design as well.Measuring at 4,498mm in length,it looks shorter than Innova’s 4,585mm. Renault Lodgy underpin its base with Logan with  short overhangs.Features like tail lamps and alloys tend to enhance the styling quotient while the roof rails and tailgate remain looking subdued.Getting into the cabin,the term “space” is felt in the sense of comfort extending from the third row of seats to the boot space.This implies it gives a tough competition to its rival Ertiga,Mobilio and Enjoy.However,most of the elements are said to be shared with its predecessor Duster and Logan.Regarding the engine specifications,Renault Lodgy will be powered by the well known 1.5K9K  diesel engine,that gets mated to a manual transmission.It is expected to be launched in early 2015 at a competitive price tag for which production is to be started from the next month.

Recently Global NCAP has conducted the crash tests for Indian cars in Germany in which the Datsun Go,received zero of all possible five stars.Costing at Rs 3.12 lakhs(Ex-show-showroom,Delhi),none of the four variants of Datsun Go said to possess air,bags or anti-lock braking system for safety concerns.Apart from this,what is the shocking news is that even the addition of air-bags won’t able to save passengers in case of a major accident,thus implying that the body shell of the model is tad too feeble.Thus the report has ended up with the warning to the Nissan CEO that the model has to be withdrawn from India as quick as possible.It is a proven fact from the written statement made by the Global Safety watchdog to the top executive of Nissan,the manufacturer of the car which states ,”As presently engineered, the Datsun Go will certainly fail to pass the United Nation’s frontal impact regulation. In these circumstances, I would urge Nissan to withdraw the Datsun Go from sale in India pending an urgent redesign of the car’s body-shell.”In response to this, Nissan India reported that ,”Datsun GO meets required local vehicle regulations in India. Automotive regulation standards in fast-growing countries are constantly evolving and as a global manufacturer, we are willing to adopt as well as help evolve standards in vehicular safety standards”. Though other Indian cars including the Nano were crash tested in January and failed basic safety standards, NCAP has never before written to a manufacturer with the sort of emphasis reflected in its note to Nissan.This seems like it has been done with an intention to embarrass Nissan .Further,it tends to spot a black remark against its brand in an international arena.

 

Mahindra’s next generation Bolero code named as U301 was spied under testing in Chennai.Here are some spy shots of the new gen UV,thanks to indianautosblog site, suggesting that it is based on the new modular hydroformed ladder frame chassis while the boxy shape is retained.It  is to be noted that for the first time,this new chassis frame has made its debut in the new Scorpio.Being a sub-4-meter product it will be positioned between the smaller S101 and the Scorpio.The obvious fact is the usage of 1.5-or 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engine that has been designed by the Mahindra in association with its South Korean subsidiary Ssangyong.Thus with the aid of new platform over which the improved version has been built ,would enable the Bolero to take the likes of its rivals that include Tata Sumo and Chevrolet Tavera.Expect this new Bolero in the late 2015,with the price rate that would range between Rs 6 and Rs 8 lakhs ,ex-showroom.

Today,Maruti-Suzuki launched the most awaited new face lifted Alto K10,at an attractive starting price tag of Rs3.06lakhs(ex-showroom,Delhi). The non- automatic versions are  priced between Rs3.06 and RS3.57lakhs(ex-showroom,Delhi),whereas,the the automatic version is priced at Rs 3.80lakhs(ex-showroom,Delhi)The CNG version is priced at Rs3.81lakhs(ex-showroom,Delhi).As reported earlier,the same 1.0 litre three-cylinder K-series engine is to power up the life of six variants of Alto K10,delivering at the maximum power of about 68PS and 90 Nm of torque.When it comes with the transmission unit,5-speed manual transmission system is present in the five variants while the 5-speed automated manual transmission (AMT) is said to be found only with the single VXi trim.The ARAI-certified fuel efficiency of about 24.07km/l and 32.26 km/kg is drawn from the petrol and CNG variant respectively.

At the exterior portion,it features larger,sharper headlamps with a dual grille.From its base Alto 800,the new model gets a taller stance and a more upright rear that houses tail lamps getting integrated with flatter boot-lid.Inside the cabin,one could feel the presence of premium that spread across the instrument console,steering wheel and dashboard in the form of black and beige colour scheme and piano black finish.Further,budget friendly nature gets reflected in the front seats that gets the fixed headrests.The intrinsic features like power steering, front power windows, fog lights and internally adjustable wing mirrors are found in the  the top-end variant.Further a 2-DIN music system with intgrated USB and AUX-in ports that has Radio,CD and MP3 functions are also present for the sake of entertaining the passengers.For safety concerns,driver airbag has also been provided as a standard.When you probe deeply into the features of each variant ,the following are the changes which are as follows.

When it comes with the LX variant,it gets manual AC with heating,while the airbags,power steering,integrated audio system are found to be a miss.Regarding LXi variant,features like power steering,bootlid opener,child lock and internally adjustable right wing mirror are to be present.Whereas,prominent features of VXi variant are Audio player with USB support,front power windows,central locking,buzzer warning for headlamps,tachometer,rear parcel tray,wheel covers and digital clock.Driver airbags,front fog lamps and keyless entry are found with the VXi(O)..Being the most affordable automatic car in the country,it is likely to compete with Datsun Go,Hyundai Eon 1.0L.