Red Hot Wheels

Auto Expo 2008 :: Bajaj Discover 150 | Blade | XCD Sprint

2008-04-14T08:42:00.000-07:00

Bajaj will surprise us at some point this year, or not !!

Blade DTSi
This is a rather neat looking scooter, but appearances do not suggest that it is mould-breaking in any visible fashion. It is good looking, very European in the lines and promises good performance. The engine, as you've already read is a four-valve DTSi 125cc. Using a four-valve engine would suggest that the Blade is more powerful than its 125cc scooter competition. Expect a 10 bhp-odd power claim, which should give the scooter a fair bit of performance. Also expect the scooter to manage 10-15 per cent greater fuel economy on average. The wheels are 12-inchers, like the new Honda Aviators, which should bring stability and more handling ability to the package. Bajaj return to the telescopic fork on the scooter (last seen briefly on the Saffire) and there is even a disc brake on the front hub. No idea whether the brake would be standard or not. I'd be thrilled if it were, for the record. The show bike was caged off, so don't know about the storage space. Will buy a beer if you can actually stuff a full-face lid under the seat and then close the seat also. I didn't have the time to spot whether the tyres were tubeless or not, but again, if they were, I'd chase that beer down with another one. But again, will the average scooter buyer be willing to shell out for the goodies? Somehow, I don't think so. No launch dates were specified as far as I can tell, but I think the Blade is the first of the Bajaj launches this year.

Bajaj Discover 150 DTSi
This is Bajaj, once more, playing the game it's learnt, offer more products and profit from the slight overlap and consequent cannibalisation. This is good thing, mind you. The Discover chassis grows up a little to host the Pulsar 150 DTSi engine, giving rise to a machine that is clearly a stylistic evolution of the Discover school of design. I'm not convinced about the XCD-ish shape of the tank extensions, but I do appreciate the LED tips that will replace the stalk-type indicators. Similarly, I don't know if the ultra-sleek tail design is a production-ready design or not, but it looks good. In terms of positioning, the Pulsar 150 is likely to evolve into a more serious machine, with a clear sporty intent and therefore, a higher price tag, marginally, of course. According to Rajiv Bajaj, the P150 will become more of a sport-tourer (yes, I know the press release says the exact opposite) of sorts, while the Disco 150 will be the commuter. He also mentioned that other companies had tried to engineer this stratified approach to the 150 commuter/specialist, but he hopes that Bajaj is the company that gets it right first.

Bajaj XCD Sprint
The XCD also evolves. Many people at the show said, 'ALREADY?' Bajaj is ready with the four-valve engines, and I am a bit surprised that it is the Disco and the XCD that appear to be getting them first. Or maybe, the four-valve Pulsars will debut in June, just ahead of the stonkingly-promising Yamaha YZF-R15. Any way, the 125cc four-valve DTSi engine is likely to hike power output almost to the edge of the 150cc segment, and I, for one, would not be surprised to find a sporty, enthusiastic motor that has loads more character than the civil XCD.

Pulsars
So what happens to the Pulsars ? I guess, now the four-valve DTSi engine should, in theory, allow bigger peak power outputs and turn the Pulsar into a more sporty machine.

Geneva 2008: The Tata Nano Gallery

2008-04-06T20:54:00.000-07:00

The Geneva Motor Show provided our first opportunity to get up close and mildly personal with Tata's potentially revolutionary Nano. Overall, we're pretty damned impressed. The squat dimensions and short overhangs lend themselves well to the Nano's protuberant proportions, and as much as we tried, we had a hard time finding where Tata really skimped on the exterior elements.

There were two models rotating on stage, the $2,500 "basic" version that's garnered more press than Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan combined, and the lesser-known "luxury" version that gets an enhanced interior, some color-keyed body panels, fog lamps and larger wheels with an additional bolt (the lesser model only sports three lugs versus the upgraded model's four).

Gallery

Tata World Takeover : Indian automaker may buy stake in Ferrari

2008-03-22T01:09:00.000-07:00

It's becoming increasingly apparent that India's largest automaker Tata cannot be stopped. On the verge of finalizing a deal to acquire Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford, Tata is now rumored to be interested in buying a stake in one of the most beloved performance marques of all time: Ferrari. We stress that this is a rumor, because it stems from a quote given by Tata's chief Ratan Tata to Italy's L'Espresso in which he reportedly said that he's always dreamt of being a fighter pilot (takeover of Bob Lutz?) and participating in the shareholding of Ferrari.

The reason this rumor has some legs is that Tata already has an established relationship with Ferrari's parent company Fiat. It's on the board of Fiat and has some engine supply deals with the Italian automaker. Fiat owns an 85% stake in Ferrari with an option to purchase an additional 5%. Could Tata, the maker of the world's least expensive auto, one day have a stake in the company that builds some of the world's most expensive and exotic autos? We wouldn't bet against Tata at this point.

Suzuki A-Star Concept

2008-03-22T00:41:00.000-07:00

Suzuki A-Star Concept

It’s well known Suzuki is striving to build an imminent world car in India (built by Maruti Suzuki). It was also well known that Suzuki wanted a utilitarian little hatch with a 1.0 liter aluminum petrol engine and manual transmission with super low CO2 emissions – lower than 109g/km. What was unknown, and even took many by surprise, was just how beautiful the Suzuki A-Star concept would be.

When the car hits production later this year it’ll face stiff competition in Europe, but that doesn’t matter really, the real appeal of Suzuki’s ‘world car’ is in Asia where consumers are comfortable picking a Suzuki over any number of competing small hatches. In fact, Suzuki has often singled out India alone for helping the car manufacturer stay afloat. Take a trip to India and you’ll see just how popular Suzuki Altos and Wagons are.

As a competitive and affordable product, the Suzuki A-Star not only has a quality design but broad appeal. If anything, it’ll do spectacular in Asia.

Full photo gallery :

Tata Sumo Grande launched - Priced at 6.6 lakh

2008-02-12T23:30:00.000-08:00

The new Tata Sumo Grande, launched at the Auto Expo 2008 in New Delhi. A probable enemy for Toyota Innova and Mahindra Scorpio.

The new version of the successful Tata Sumo, Sumo Grande, was launched by Tata Motors in New Delhi on the opening day of the Auto Expo itself. The Tata Sumo Grande will be priced between Rs 6.6 lakh and Rs 7.49 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The SUV is expected to be available in the market from February 2008 onwards. The Sumo Grande is a lot more good looking than the current Sumo variant . But we will have to wait a bit more to find how fit this variant is.

"The company has been trying to bring in the contemporary aspect in styling and technology by infusing new features," said Ravi Kant, ( MD ) Tata Motors.

The Sumo Grande will feature the Tata Safari's successful 2.2 litre DICOR engine but it will be detuned to produce 120 bhp instead of the 140 bhp in the Safari. The Sumo Grande still has the high stance of the Sumo. But we expect vehicle dynamics to be much improved. At this price point, the Sumo Grande is quite capable of taking the fight to the Toyota Innova and the Mahindra Scorpio.

Big size image :

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Tata Indigo CS at Auto Expo 2008

2008-02-11T03:15:00.000-08:00

Presenting the compact sedan( notchback version ) of TATA Indigo. The car is a hybrid of its brothers ( younger brother = Indica and elder brother = Indigo). The rear portion of the car is best looking, similar to Maruti SX4 and Hyundai Verna. The rear tail lamps are entirely different from that of Indigo Series.

Snaps from Auto Expo :

Tata has lauched the Indigo CS (Compact Sedan) with starting price tag of 3.79 lakhs ( Ex-Showroom ). This is the price for base 1.2 Litre petrol model and it will cost 4.19 Lakhs for the base Diesel model with the TDi Engine.

The Indigo CS comes in two versions GLE and GLS for the petrol and LE and LS for the Diesel. The base versions come without power steering with just AC as standard. The higher models will comprise power steering and HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Cooling) as standard. None of the versions come with Power Windows. Anyway, the higher CS diesel (TDI) undercuts the Swift LDi diesel with a price difference of Rs.25,000.

For complete specifications click here

For pricing in your city click here

TVS Launches New Auto

2008-02-06T19:13:00.000-08:00

TVS Launches New Auto

more pictures ...

Mahindra Renault Yeni - The 1.3 Lakhs Car

2008-01-20T18:47:00.000-08:00

Mahindra Renault Yeni could be made in collaboration with Mahindra & Mahindra and Renault. Its targeted price is set at $3,000 or about Rs 1.35 lakh. If the plan goes ahead, it would become the first potent rival to Tata’s under development Rs. 1 lakh car which is expected to cost around the same on road in India when it comes out sometime next year. Anyway this could be a great news for all Indians.

Skoda Fabia : Specification and Features

2008-01-18T17:55:00.000-08:00

VEHICLE SUMMARY
Name:	Fabia
Model:	Active TDi
Car Body Type:	Hatchback
Segment:	C Segment
ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS
Displacement:	1422cc, 1.4 PD TDi
Engine Type:	Diesel
Maximum Power:	68bhp@4000rpm
Maximum Torque:	155nm@1600-2800rpm
DIMENSIONS
Length:	3992 mm
Width:	1642 mm
Height:	1513 mm
OTHER SPECIFICATIONS
Seating Capacity:	5
Tyre Size:	185/60 R14
Steering:	Power
Brakes:	Front Disk, Rear Drum
Gears:	5 Manual
Ground Clearance:	146.00
Kerb Weight:	1090.00
Body Color Bumpers:
Tachometer:
Alloys:
ORVM Indicator:
Xenon Headlamps:
Trip Meter:	3
Headlamp Washer:

COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE
AC:	AC with Climate Control
Power Windows:
Central Locking:	Manual
Remote Boot:
Remote Fuel Filler:
Rear Wiper:
Rear Defogger:
Streeing Adjustment (Rake/Reach):	/
Driver Seat Adjustment:	Manual
Music System:	Mp3 CD player
Leather Seats:
Door Mirror:	Both Side
Tinted Glass:
Rear AC Vent:
Folding Rear Seats:
Sun Roof:
Buttons/Controls on Steering:
Auto Viper:
Auto Headlamp:
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SAFETY
Airbag:	2
Parking Sensors:
Fog Lamp:
Traction Control:
EBD:
ABS:
ESP:
Rear Seat Belts:	3

More Images from Stay Undefined !!

BAJAJ interior better than TATA Nano

2008-01-11T18:54:00.000-08:00

TATA Nano [ Standard version & Luxury Version ]

2008-01-11T00:13:00.000-08:00

TATA Nano Interior Pictures

2008-01-10T18:26:00.000-08:00

BAJAJ 1.2Lakh VS TATA 1Lakh - Pictures

2008-01-10T06:22:00.000-08:00

TATA 1 LAKH CAR ( Tata Nano)

BAJAJ 1.2 LAKH CAR