Yearly Archives: 2012

Suzuki Motorcycles India has launched its mass market product the Hayate.  Hayate has been translated into English as ‘Fresh air, Gentle breeze and even Tornado’.  Kawasaki pulled out of MotoGP and called its team and motorcycle Hayate after Dorna threatened to take them to court for not fulfilling contractual obligations.  So they raced as Hayate and the world was told it was the equivalent of tornado Suzuki has been using the more gentle translations.

The Suzuki Hayate features a 112.8 cc engine and the styling is generally reminiscent of the 125cc Sling Shot which has not been setting sales charts on fire.  In fact, Suzuki post its split with TVS has tasted success only with its Access scooter (and preliminary reports suggest that the Swish, which is a sportier looking version of the Access is also doing alright) and its motorcycles the Heat and Zeus (both of 125cc capacity) have had to be withdrawn from the market due to their being complete non-sellers.  The 150 cc GS – R is also a rare sight on the roads.  The Sling Shot too has not really set markets on fire and if the trend is anything to go by, the Hayate is not likely to turn into a block buster.  But we hope for Suzuki’s sake that the Hayate will turn things around because it is a company that makes solid and reliable products that need more success than they have seen.  Suzuki seems to have at least got the pricing right with prices starting from Rs. 40,162 (kick start, ex showroom Pune) and Rs. 42, 162 for the electric start version (ex showroom Pune).Suzuki Hayate

Renault Pulse Review 05

Renault India has quietly launched the petrol variant of the Pulse powered by a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder 79bhp motor mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.

Prices stand as

RXE: Rs. 4.25 lakhs

RXL: Rs. 4.99 lakhs

RXZ: Rs. 5.55 lakhs

All prices are ex-showroom, Delhi

Unlike the diesel variant which was available only in two variants, the RxL and the top end RxZ, Renault has introduced a more stripped down variant – the RxE – for the petrol Pulse.

Renault Pulse Reviewed : French Aggression?

The RxE loses the power windows, the entertainment system, the remote locking ( and related safety features like the speed sensing auto door lock), the 12V power outlet, the tachometer,rear wiper, and stakes claim firmly to being the ‘base variant’.

The RxL gets all that’s missing in the RxE, but misses out on the frills that make living with the Pulse easy.Surprisingly though, the disel RxL gets the boot lamp, electrically adjustable ORVMs, rear defoggers, all of which are missing on the Petrol RXL.

The top end RxZ gets all the bells and whistles, including the Smart Access Key, Engine Start/Stop button, electrically adjustable and auto folding ORVMs, lots of chrome, leather on the steering wheel and gear knob and so on.

Passenger airbag is available only on the RxZ variant, as is the ABS/EBD. Well, that’s the petrol. ABS isn’t available even on the top end diesel RxZ which was one of the gripes we had with the Pulse.

Officially confirmed news has emerged that Bajaj Auto will be unveiling a brand new motorcycle on the 14th of May, 2012.  Speculation is rife that this is the all new Discover which has been spotted testing.  A new bike has been testing but it is media speculation that it is the brand new Discover, and that would be strange because Bajaj has only just taken out one cog out of the Discover’s gear box and called it the Discover 4G.  Is it possible that Bajaj will vacate the 150cc space with the Pulsar and fill it with the all new Discover of 150cc capacity?  Nothing will be revealed on Bajaj’s strategy on the 14th of May, of this we are sure.  Only time will tell the story of Bajaj’s game plan for the Pulsar and Discover brands.

Recently news had emerged that Fiat and Tata were in the process of phasing out their distribution, dealer and service partnership, though this would not impact on their manufacturing collaborations.  Within a few days of the emergence of the news, the first independent Fiat dealership has been set up in Hyderabad in the posh Jubilee Hills area by Tejaswi Motors.  The location of the dealership indicates that the Fiat will want to be seen as a brand for the rich and the famous.  Interestingly enough Tejaswi Motors is also a Tata dealer and it remains to be seen if it continues as dealer for both brands operating from separate locations.  At the dealership inauguration, when questioned about expanding the Fiat model range answers were of the usual diplomatic variety. ‘ We are open to introducing new products if there is demand but for now we are concentrating on the Punto and the Linea and consolidating our brand presence’. We hope Fiat are not in hurry to introduce the Punto Evo facelift and the Linea facelift both of which have turned beautiful cars into ugly ones.

Mercedes Benz Antos : Design Sketch 02

The bigger brother Actros lauded for its fuel efficiency and comfort now has a sibling in the Antos. The Antos is a purpose built truck for heavy-duty short-radius distribution transport use. With the introduction of the Mercedes-Benz Antos, Mercedes-Benz becomes the first manufacturer to have a truck series that has been specially developed for the very varied requirements of the short-radius distribution transport industry.

Heavy-duty short-range distribution involves regional transportation of commodities such as food, with the retail sector one of the key areas served. This industry has very specific requirements for the ‘optimum vehicle’ for heavy-duty short-radius distribution work. Mercedes-Benz sums up the requirements as a vehicle with good all-round visibility that is easy to operate and configured for single-day tours, a broad spectrum of engine power to cope with varying regional topography and different loads; many stops and the frequent need to change route make professional logistics management essential; and of course – on top of all this – the operator wants a vehicle that, as his ‘calling card’, conveys a representative image of his company. How better to do that than in a Mercedes-Benz.

Mercedes Benz Antos : Interior Design Sketch

While the design reminds you of the Actros, the very different requirements for the cab give it an unmistakable character of its own. The 2.30-metre-wide cabs, designed specifically for the short-radius distribution transport market, are available in either short ‘S’ or medium-size ‘M’ versions. Both offer a convincing combination of easy access, optimised ergonomics and intuitive controls says Mercedes-Benz.

Mercedes Benz Antos 01

The Antos series is powered by the latest Euro VI range of engines with “Blue Efficiency Power”, produced in Mannheim and launched in March of this year. With a total of 13 power categories, the Mercedes-Benz Antos covers a broad spectrum of engine power from 175 kW (238 hp) to 375 kW (510 hp). The new vehicles are available as either platform trucks or tractor units in a total of 67 different wheelbase lengths, with the axle spacing ranging from a minimum of 2650 mm up to a maximum of 6700 mm. Fully automated PowerShift transmission makes life easier for the driver. Active Brake Assist, which reacts to stationary obstacles is available as an option.

With an unladen weight of around six tonnes, the Loader is designed to maximise the payload, while the low coupling point and low frame height of the Volumer, together with an interior height of three metres, maximise the vehicle’s load capacity.

Georg Weiberg, Head of Truck Product Engineering (left) and Hubertus Troska, Head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks (Europe/Latin America) (right), “christen” the new Mercedes-Benz Antos - the heavy-duty short-radius distribution truck.

Georg Weiberg, Head of Truck Product Engineering (left) and Hubertus Troska, Head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks (Europe/Latin America) (right), “christen” the new Mercedes-Benz Antos – the heavy-duty short-radius distribution truck.

The Antos is currently undergoing testing and will be unveiled at Commercial Vehicle IAA in September.

Can’t get enough of trucks? Do read our Mercedes-Benz Actros design story.

“I got a shock from the way we started, as I was not expecting it. I had in mind a different scenario.” said Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo talking to the media on the day dedicated to the thirtieth anniversary of the death of Canadian Gilles Villeneuve.

Luca Di Montezemolo, President, Ferrari“There have been four races and we have won one of them. So we are thereabouts and now we have to make a leap forward in terms of quality to have a more competitive car. I have noticed the engineers seem more confident and now we will see what happens in Spain. I have said to those around me that maybe we have been too engrossed in ourselves in Maranello, without seeing what is going on around us, without bringing in some fresh air from other sources. These regulations which mistakenly make aerodynamics the key factor in determining who wins or loses, have convinced us to bring into the team some greater experience in this area of aerodynamics to try and change this situation.”

“We have significant updates for Spain, as indeed will our competitors and that means we have to think it will not be easy. We are not in an easy situation and we know we must do our best. However, the aim is to fight right down to the last lap. We will bring new parts, we will never give up and our aim is to win the World Championship.”

Gilles Villeneuve's 30th Anniversary : Jacques Villeneuve, Fernando Alonso, Piero Ferrari, Luca di Montezemolo, Felipe Massa, Stefano Domenicali

“Villeneuve was amazing in terms of momentum. But then, his temperament would cost him points and that would affect his standing at the end of the season.” said Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo on the day dedicated to the thirtieth anniversary of the death of the Canadian driver. “Gilles gave the public what they wanted. And he did not care about the championship, he drove each race as it came. Maybe I was less close to him than I was to my other drivers such as Lauda, Regazzoni or Reutemann.”

For Ferrari and millions of fans all over the world, May 8th 2012 was Villeneuve day, as Jacques drove his father Gilles’ 312 T4 at the Fiorano track where he spent so much time playing as a little boy. Ferrari wanted to mark the thirtieth anniversary of Gilles’ death in a special way, by bringing the names of Ferrari and Villeneuve back on track together again, and by assembling in Maranello a lot of the people who were in the Squadra Corse at the time, from the Engineer, Mauro Forghieri to the mechanics who knew Gilles well.

Gilles Villeneuve in his Ferrari 312 T4

“I recall when Enzo Ferrari told me he’d spotted a youngster with great temperament and talent who raced snowmobiles in Canada. He had a pre-contract with McLaren, but Ferrari wanted to bring a breath of fresh air into the team. He was an extraordinary driver and human being.” continued Montezemolo. “We must not be prisoners to the past, but if one looks at football, F1, politics, Italy back then, one can see that human relations were different and better. But we look ahead and to have Gilles’ old mechanics here alongside Alonso and Massa shows that Ferrari thinks of the future while looking to the past, which is unique in the world.”

Asked about the chances of hiring drivers who maybe lack discipline but have plenty of heart, Montezemolo replied, “With F1 the way it is today, there would be no place at Ferrari for an undisciplined driver”.

Amen to that.

Ford Ecosport Production Version Coming To India 08

Ford’s strategy of bringing 8 new models to India by 2015 will bring us the stunningly desirable Ford EcoSport this year, or early next year. The EcoSport which was unveiled on January 4th at the Auto Expo 2012 in New Delhi has garnered the interest of the Indian consumer and the production version unveiled at the 2012 Auto China only served to increase the interest. The production model stays true to the concept with the exception of the LED lamps. This much awaited launch from Ford deserves to be one of our rSeries, and will help you keep track of the updates as and when they come.

The most recent update is that Michael Boneham, President, Ford India has confirmed that the EcoSport will be a sub 4 metre vehicle that will take benefit of the excise duty cuts and price the compact SUV aggressively.

The 1.0 L EcoBoost petrol and the 1.5 L Diesel should be available as engine options.

At the event celebrating Ford India’s milestone of assembling 400,000 engines in the Chennai plant, Michael Boneham, President & Managing Director, Ford India had two important announcements with regard to the EcoSport. One, was that the EcoSport would be assembled here for the export markets too, second being that while there will be the petrol 1.0 L EcoBoost engine, there will also be a diesel variant, the details of which he did not want to divulge at the time. This might be a new engine built to give performance that will be comparable to that of the 1.0L EcoBoost petrol.

rSeries : 13 updates to Ford EcoSport launch in India : Price, Specs

Autocar India readers have pitched in with a couple more spy pics this time around. The website also reports that the red coloured Duster spotted till date has body-coloured wing mirrors, fog lamps and running boards, while the white car lacks all of those and is possibly a base variant.

Prices are expected to be around the 7-10 Lakh bracket.

It is reported that Renault will launch the Duster with five variants, starting with a base model at around Rs 7 lakh, powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine. Higher up the variant range will be the 1.5-litre diesel that powers the Fluence, available in two states of tune — an entry-level 85bhp version and the 110bhp variant better known as the dCi 110.

Renault Duster Spotted Chennai May 01Renault Duster Spotted Chennai May 02
Renault Duster Spotted Chennai May 03Renault Duster Spotted Chennai May 04

Renault Duster at the 11th Auto Expo : Side View

The interest generated by the Renault Duster is matched only by that generated by the Ford EcoSport. Renault couldn’t play it any safer than it will with the Duster for India, a nation that loves its SUVs. We present to you reader for the first time a new feature we call ‘rSeries‘. All stories related to the Renault Duster’s launch in India will be collated in this rSeries where you can find the stories in a chronological order for your easy reference.

rSeries : 10 updates to Renault Duster launch in India : Prices, Specs