Honda CEO : " Hyundai is awesome "

Honda’s CEO Takanobu Ito has said he sees Korean manufacturer Hyundai as a huge threat to the future of Japanese automakers.

The Korean firm has seen strong sales growth across the world in the last few years and it is currently the top selling manufacturer in Britain for retail sales.

                            Hyundai Ix-onic concept car

“Hyundai is awesome,” said Takanobu. “They are undoubtedly a threat because their products are cheap, and the quality is improving.”

Hyundai and its sister firm Kia have been successful across Europe and America in various scrappage incentive schemes. Smaller models such as the i10, i20 and i30 have proved particularly popular.

                              Hyundai Genesis 2010 model

Takanobu’s comments have also been echoed by designer Shiro Nakamura from Nissan.

                               Hyundai HDC8 Concept car

“Hyundai is the biggest threat for the Japanese automakers,” he said. “They have the technology, but they seem to have cheaper labour.”

Ratan Tata and his Cars.......

The world knows Ratan Tata as the chairman of the Tata Group, India’s largest business conglomerate. Quiet and unassuming, Tata is a very private person and there aren’t many people who know that his life away from the office has a different dimension.

It’s a life that makes you understand why he is so emotionally involved with Tata Motors and why he single-handedly achieved the impossible with the Indica and the Nano. It’s also a life car enthusiasts would die for. Quite simply, Ratan Tata is crazy about cars. He can’t help it. Born a Parsi, the passion is deeply embedded in his DNA. Over the years Ratan has acquired quite a collection of cars and the pristine manner in which he maintains them explains why the term ‘Parsi owned’ fetches a premium. True to his clan, he is particularly possessive about his cars —
no one other than himself can drive them — and his gleaming collection, tucked away in a basement, is pampered to look nothing less than showroom-fresh.

Each car has its own bespoke cover made of a special material that doesn’t scratch and keeps moisture out. Trickle chargers keep the batteries topped up (as there is no time to drive during the week) and just in case Ratan misjudges how close the garage wall is when he slots nose first into the parking bay, there are wooden chocks in front of the front wheels to stop him short. Such is his attention to detail!

Tata spends most Sunday mornings behind the wheel of each of his cars, taking them out one after the other, for a short spin around South Mumbai. His latest pride and joy is a Ferrari California, probably the first in the country. Always happy to oblige a fellow enthusiast, it didn’t take much to convince Ratan to take me for a ride in it. The California looks absolutely stunning in ‘Rosso’ red (the colour all Ferraris should be) and beige leather interiors.

I can now see what keeps the 71-year- old Ratan Tata going in what must be a pressure-cooker environment at the top of his Rs 3,65,000 crore empire. There’s nothing like the gorgeous lines of a Ferrari and the sound of a quad-cam V8 to wash away the worries of Corus or Jaguar Land Rover. What a great way to unwind!

Ratan Tata on his cars

Ferrari California: “It’s the most exhilarating car I have. The sound is fantastic and it turns heads.”     Maserati Quattroporte: “It’s softer than the Ferrari and is also terrific to drive.”      Cadillac XLR: “This roadster is one of my favourites. The acceleration is impressive and the suspension is quite stiff by American standards.”     Chrysler Sebring: “I just love the colour of this car. In fact, the Indica we first showcased in Geneva in 1998 was painted the same colour.”     Land Rover Freelander: “It drives quite well and I love the red upholstery.”     Mercedes 500 SL: “When I got it, it was terrific but it’s now just another car.”      Mercedes S-class: “It’s for normal use and after the sports cars it feels like butter and goes like a glider!”      Indigo Marina: “I’ve removed the backseat and put a mattress to take my dogs in it.”

Abhishek Pasricha.

Maruti Launches new WagonR.......

Maruti Suzuki has raised the curtain on its blue-eyed-boy, the all-new WagonR. Maruti now prices the hatchback in par with its competition, with the base version priced at Rs 3.28 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), rising up to Rs 4.12 lakh for the top-end (Vxi) variant with ABS and airbags.
 
The all-new WagonR that replaces the existing car model is the fourth generation and is based on a completely new platform. The WagonR will now be powered by the peppy 1-litre K-series motor, the same engine powering the Estilo and A-star.

Under the skin the car is all-new. The latest WagonR is underpinned by a brand new chassis that is leagues ahead of the outgoing model. Tailored blanks are used all over and these specially treated, sandwiched and layered pieces of steel help provide stiffness without adding wasteful bulk.

On the outside, substantial styling changes have been made. The square edges of the car are rounded out, particularly at the front end. The new WagonR gets a prominent nose with large lights, a wide grille and a massive, stretched air intake below the bumper. The ‘smiling’ grille, as Maruti calls it, is part of the company’s new-found styling language also seen in the face-lifted Estilo.

The passenger cabin has improved and now sport dual tone interiors with alluminum touches all around. The WagonR’s dashboard is embellished with silver-accented surrounds for the air vents and vertical and horizontal strips. The interiors feel much more upmarket than before.

Maruti hasn’t messed around with the car’s strength; the tall roofline, high seats and ‘spacious for a hatchback’ interiors promise to keep this car on the top of the charts.

New Maruti WagonR
Variant	Prices (ex-showroom, Delhi)
Lx	Rs 3.28
Lxi	Rs 3.57
Vxi	Rs 3.81
Vxi with ABS, Airbags	Rs 4.12

Abhishek Pasricha

Competent city SUV with killer price !!!!!

Toyota has launched the Fortuner SUV in India. The single variant vehicle will be retailed at Rs 18.45 lakh ex-showroom, Delhi. In competition with other city SUVs like the Honda CR-V, Mitsubishi Outlander, Ford Endeavour and Chevrolet Captiva, the Fortuner's pricing beats that of all these vehicles and comes as a proper surprise, given Toyota's brand standing in the country which could have had them price the vehicle a little higher too. With such competitive pricing however, it is clear that Toyota is here to weed the rest of the competition out.



With genuine 4x4 capabilities, the Fortuner is just not another city slicker and has fairly good off-road capabilities when it comes to getting out of sticky situations, making it a proper Sports Utility Vehicle as opposed to being just a large car. Its torquey engine is supported by a very smart all-time 4WD system, but what also makes the Fortuner a genuine city vehicle are its great interiors, space and ride comfort. With airbags for the driver and passengers and Toyota's acclaimed Global Outstanding Assessment design for crash impact, the Fortuner also comes across as a very safe vehicle.
It will be interesting to see how the market warms up to the Fortuner, and how the competition reacts to it. We will be here covering the developments as they happen.

Car with competitive price and killer looks

Technical Specifications

Engine:

• Type: D-4D Diesel with Intercooler Turbocharger, 4 Cylinders In-line
• Valve Train: 16 Valve DOHC
• Displacement: 2982 cm3 (cc)
• Fuel Supply System: Common-Rail type
• Max. Output: 126 kW @ 3600 rpm (171 PS @ 3600 rpm)
• Max. Torque: 343 Nm @ 1400-3400 rpm (34.98 kg-m @ 1400-3400 rpm)

Chassis & Tranmission:

• Suspension Front/Rear: Double Wishbone / 4-Link with Lateral Rod
• Brake Front/Rear: Ventilated Disc / Leading-Trailing Drum
• Tyres: 265/65 R17 Tubeless Radials
• Transmission: 5 Speed Manual
• Drive Type: Full Time 4WD

DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT:

• Overall L x W x H: 4695 mm x 1840 mm x 1850 mm
• Wheel Base: 2750 mm
• Tread Front / Gear: 1540 mm / 1540 mm
• Minimum Ground Clearance: 221 mm
• Minimum Turning Radius: 5.9 m
• Fuel Tank Capacity: 80 litres
• Seating Capacity: 7-Seater
• Max. Kerb Weight: 1955 kg
• Gross Weight: 2510 kg

SAFETY & SECURITY:

• GOA Body
• SRS Airbags (Driver + Passenger)
• ABS
• Back Sonar
• Seatbelts (Front: 3-point ELR x 2 with Adjustable Anchor, 2nd Row: 3-point ELR x 2 + 2-point NR x 1, 3rd Row: 3-point ELR x 2)
• Immobiliser

COMFORT & CONVENIENCE:

• Dual Auto A/c (with Rear Air Conditioner Switch & Ceiling Vents for 2nd & 3rd Rows)
• Heater (Front Only)
• Power Steering with Audio & MID Control Switches on Steering Wheel
• Power Windows with Driver Side Auto Up-Down
• Tilt Steering Column
• 2 DIN 6CD Ch. (MP3, WMA), AM/FM Audio System with 6 Speakers
• Printed Antenna
• Keyless Entry
• Back Sonar (Beep Type)
• Power Door Lock

EXTERIOR FEATURES:

• 6-Spoke 17″ Alloy Wheels
• Chrome ORVM (Outside Rear View Mirrors) with Electrical Adjust & Retract
• Projector-type Headlamps
• Chrome Door Handles
• Front Fog Lamps
• Roof Rails
• Rear Spoiler with Integrated High Mount Stop Lamp
• Front Wiper with Mist and Intermittent function (with Variable Time Adjustment)
• Rear Wiper and Defogger
• Bonnet Scoop
• Side Steps

INTERIOR FEATURES:

• MID (Multi Information Display)
• Optitron Combimeter with Illumination control
• Chrome Inside Door Handles
• Wood Finish Panels
• Rear Console Box
• Day / Night Inside Rear View Mirror
• Lockable Glove Box
• Front Map Lamp with Overhead Storage Console
• Door Ajar Warning
• Seat Belt Warning (Driver + Passenger)
• Tachometer
• Tripmeter (2 Nos.)
• Cigarette Lighter with Illumination
• Power Outlet 12V DC (2 Nos.)
• Sunvisor (Driver Side with Ticket Holder, Passenger Side with Vanity Mirror & Lid)

SEAT & INTERIOR TRIM:

• Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel, Gear Knob and Transfer Case Knob
• Front Sports-type Seats
• 2nd Row Bench Seat with Armrest (60:40 Slide/Tumble)
• 3rd Row Bench Seat (50:50 Space-up)
• Seat Slide on Front and 2nd row seats
• Reclining Seats (All)
• Driver Seat Height Adjustment
• Leather Seats & Trim

Any Queries ???

Contact me :- abhishekpasricha@hotmail.com

Top 5 Hatchbacks in India.....Viewer Choice

Rank 1

                                                   Hyundai i20

Hyundai i20 Magna : Rs. 4,79,900 
Hyundai i20 Asta : Rs. 5,59,900 
Hyundai i20 Asta (O) : Rs. 5,81,900 

Rank 2

                                                     Hyundai i10

Hyundai i10 Price

Rs 3,47,842 - Rs 5,60,671

Technical Specifications of Hyundai i10

Dimension & Weight
Overall Length (mm)	3565
Overall Width (mm)	1595
Overall Height (mm)	1550
Wheelbase (mm)	2380
Ground Clearance (mm)	165
Front Track (mm)	1400
Rear Track (mm)	1385
Kerb Weight (Kg)	860-952(M/T)
Fuel Tank capacity (l)	35
Engine	iRDE 1.1
Configuration	In-line, 4 cylinder
Displacement	1086 cc
Maximum Power	66.7 ps /5500 rpm
Maximum Torque	10.1 Kgm /2800 rpm
Suspensions
Front Suspension	McPherson Strut with Stabilizer Bar and "I" type sub-frame
Rear Suspension	CTBA with coil spring
Rear Shock Absorbers	Hydraulic
Brakes
Front	Disc
Rear	Drum
Tyre
Size	155/80 R13
Type	Tubeless

Rank 3

                                                  Maruti Suzuki Swift

Price - Rs. 4,32,224 (approx).

BODY TYPE
Body Type	Hatchback
Number of Doors	5

ENGINE
Capacity	1197cc
Number of Cylinders	4
Number of Valves	16
Bore x Stroke	73.0mm x 71.5mm
Compression Ratio	10.1:1
Maximum Power	85ps @ 6,000rpm
Maximum Torque	113Nm @ 4,500rpm
Fuel Distribution	Multipoint injection
Emissions	BS IV

TRANSMISSION
Type	Five-speed manual,  with synchromesh in all gears, one reverse
Gear Ratios	1st 3.545         4th 0.914 2nd 1.904 5th 0.757 3rd 1.280 Reverse 3.272
DIMENSIONS
Overall Length	3,760mm
Overall Width	1,690mm
Overall Height	1,530mm
Wheelbase	2,390mm
Track      Front               Rear	1,470mm 1,480mm
Ground Clearance	170mm
Minimum Turning radius	4.7 metres
Luggage Capacity	232 litres (with seatback raised) 368 litres (with seatback folded)
CHASSIS
Steering	Rack and pinion, power assisted
Brakes          Front                     Rear	Ventilated discs Drums
Suspension    Front                     Rear	MacPherson strut and coil spring Torsion beam and coil spring
TYRES	165/80 R14 / 185/70 R14 (tubeless)
WEIGHTS
Kerb Weight	980 kgs [LXi] / 1,000 kgs [VXi] /  1,010 kgs [ZXi]
Gross Vehicle Weight	1,415 kgs
FUEL TANK CAPACITY	43 litres

Swift Diesel

ENGINE
Capacity	1,248cc
Number of Cylinders	4
Number of Valves	16
Bore x Stroke	69.6mm x 82mm
Maximum Power	75ps @ 4,000rpm
Maximum Torque	190Nm @ 2,000rpm
Fuel Distribution	Common rail
Air Charging System	Fixed geometry turbo charger with intercooler
Emissions	BS III
Fuel Injection System	Common rail multi injection @ 1,400 bar
Drive Train	DOHC
Oil Filter	Green oil filter

Rank -4

                                                   Skoda Fabia

Skoda Fabia is available in 5 versions:

1.    Skoda Fabia Ambiente 1.4 MPI

2.    Skoda Fabia Classic 1.4 MPI

3.    Skoda Fabia Classic 1.4 PD TDI

4.    Skoda Fabia Elegance 1.4 MPI

5.    Skoda Fabia Ambiente 1.4 PD TDI

6.    Skoda Fabia Elegance 1.4 PD TDI

Skoda Fabia Price in Delhi

o    Skoda Fabia 1.2 Active Delhi Price – 5,02,600/- Indian Rupee

o    Skoda Fabia 1.2 Classic Delhi Price – 5,38,300/- Indian Rupee

o    Skoda Fabia 1.2 Ambiente Delhi Price – 5,97,900/- Indian Rupee

o    Skoda Fabia 1.4 Tdi Classic Delhi Price – 6,37,700/- Indian Rupee

o    Skoda Fabia 1.4 Mpi Elegance Delhi Price – 6,99,700/- Indian Rupee

Skoda Fabia Price in Mumbai

o    Skoda Fabia 1.2 Active Mumbai Price – 5,11,400/- Indian Rupee

o    Skoda Fabia 1.2 Classic Mumbai Price – 5,48,100/- Indian Rupee

o    Skoda Fabia 1.2 Ambiente Mumbai Price – 6,09,500 /- Indian Rupee

o    Skoda Fabia 1.4 Tdi Classic Mumbai Price – 6,50,400/- Indian Rupee

o    Skoda Fabia 1.4 Mpi Elegance Mumbai Price – 7,32,400/- Indian Rupee

Skoda Fabia Price in Chennai

o    Skoda Fabia 1.2 Active Chennai Price - 5,05,500/- Indian Rupee

o    Skoda Fabia 1.2 Classic Chennai Price - 5,41,619/- Indian Rupee

o    Skoda Fabia 1.2 Ambiente Chennai Price - 6,01,800/- Indian Rupee

o    Skoda Fabia 1.4 Tdi Classic Chennai Price - 6,41,900/- Indian Rupee

o    Skoda Fabia 1.4 Mpi Elegance Chennai Price - 7,04,500/- Indian Rupee

Skoda Fabia Price in Kolkata

o    Skoda Fabia 1.2 Active Kolkata Price - 5,46,800/- Indian Rupee

o    Skoda Fabia 1.2 Classic Kolkata Price - 5,56,000/- Indian Rupee

o    Skoda Fabia 1.2 Ambiente Kolkata Price - 6,06,400/- Indian Rupee

o    Skoda Fabia 1.4 Tdi Classic Kolkata Price - 7,08,200/- Indian Rupee

o    Skoda Fabia 1.4 Mpi Elegance Kolkata Price - 7,17,000/- Indian Rupee

Skoda Fabia Price in Bangalore

o    Skoda Fabia 1.2 Active Bangalore Price - 5,00,500/- Indian Rupee

o    Skoda Fabia 1.2 Classic Bangalore Price - 5,36,200/- Indian Rupee

o    Skoda Fabia 1.2 Ambiente Bangalore Price - 5,95,800/- Indian Rupee

o    Skoda Fabia 1.4 Tdi Classic Bangalore Price - 6,35,500/- Indian Rupee

o    Skoda Fabia 1.4 Mpi Elegance Bangalore Price - 7,15,000/- Indian Rupee

Skoda Fabia Price in Hyderabad

o    Skoda Fabia 1.2 Active Hyderabad Price - 5,05,500/- Indian Rupee

o    Skoda Fabia 1.2 Classic Hyderabad Price - 5,41,600/- Indian Rupee

o    Skoda Fabia 1.2 Ambiente Hyderabad Price - 6,01,800/- Indian Rupee

o    Skoda Fabia 1.4 Tdi Classic Hyderabad Price - 6,45,000/- Indian Rupee

o    Skoda Fabia 1.4 Mpi Elegance Hyderabad Price - 7,82,000/- Indian Rupee

Engine
Engine type	petrol engine, in-line, liquid cooling system, 12V DOHC, transverse in front	turbocharged diesel engine, in-line, liquid cooling system, high-pressure direct injection system, OHC, transverse in front
Cylinders	3	3
Displacement [cm3]	1198	1422
Max. power/revs [kW (bhp) at rpm]	51(70)/5400	51(70)/4000
Max. torque/revs [Nm at rpm]	108/3000	155/1600–2800

Rank -5

                                               Fiat Grande Punto

·         Petrol range starts at Rs 4.26^# lakhs

·         Diesel range starts at Rs 5.08^# lakhs

TITLE	1.2 FIRE Petrol	1.4 FIRE Petrol	1.3 MULTIJET Diesel
Family	FIRE	FIRE	MULTIJET
Displacement (cc)	1172	1368	1248
Max. Power (ps@rpm)	68 @ 6000	90 @ 6000	76 @ 4000
Max. Torque (Nm@rpm)	96 @ 2500	115 @ 4500	197 @ 1750
No of Valves	8 V	16 V	16 V
Camshaft	SOHC	DOHC	DOHC

A question asked by viewer of this blog.....Mr. Avinash Pal


Thanks for reading my blog Mr. Avinash......Keep Visiting.....


Please check all the technical specifications and other aspects shown on this post and then let me know which car you are finalizing.


Automobiles related Queries ???
Contact Me :- abhishekpasricha@hotmail.com