Hero MotoCorp launches 110 cc Passion X Pro, a 110 cc masculine scooter, Maestro, and a new 125 cc bike, Ignitor. All the three models have been launched under the new “Hero” brand name.
Mr. Pawan Munjal, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Hero MotoCorp, said “The calendar year of 2011 was a watershed year for us at Hero MotoCorp. We not only made a successful transition into a new entity during the year, but equally importantly, we also raised the bar several notches higher to significantly improve upon our earlier performance. The launches that you see today are not just new products, these models reflect the company’s intent and vision for the future, and a clear strategy to further consolidate our leadership position. We have a positive outlook towards the New Year as we work towards our plans in the domestic and overseas markets.”
Speechless. Be back with more pictures. Whoa.
Sources from the industry also tell us that the vehicle might not come to dealerships until late in April. Of course, as all unnamed sources go, do take this information with a grain of salt.
Again, the vehicle looks stunning!
Of interest is also the fact the the footprint of the 1.0 L ecoboost engine in the EcoSport is as small as a sheet of A4 paper!
Of course, the global vehicle has to be the Ecosport. Watch this space as we get you live updates from the event. We are as desperate as you are for more details. What we’ve seen of the vehicle till now, we love!
Touting a supposed global benchmark in CO2 emissions of 60 gms/km, and a fuel efficiency of 35 kpml and a top speed of 70 kph, the RE 60 is 2.752 m long, 1.312 m wide and 1.65 m tall and can be ordered in either 2+2 or 1+3 configurations.
The RE 60 is developed in house and is being positioned as a commercial urban people carrier. Bajaj Auto has repeatedly stressed this is not a car, thwarting any attempt by people to compare it with the Nano.
“At Bajaj Auto, we believe the people of this planet deserve much better, much faster” says, Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director, Bajaj Auto. We, therefore, decided to focus our efforts on developing vehicles powered by engines using available natural resources and infrastructure. We are very excited with the outcome of our efforts and, in the RE60; we believe we have an excellent solution for the mobility challenges arising from the rapid urbanization of India.”
He further added, “In the RE 60 we have an immediate solution to pollution that doesn’t need new infrastructure, huge subsidies or time”.
The first step for any vehicle attempting to be ‘greener’ and Bajaj has employed a light weight monocoque Metal-polymer hybrid structure frame, driven by a water cooled DTSi 4 valve engine with a closed loop fuel injection system for high performance and good fuel efficiency. Minimizing frictional and transmission losses is the next step.
Mr. Rajiv Bajaj stressed “We are presenting an optimized solution for intra-city passenger transport. This vehicle has been designed for intra-city use keeping in mind the intra-city duty cycles and safety requirements.”
Mr. R.C.Maheshwari, President, Commercial Vehicles, Bajaj Auto Ltd. said “The vehicle presents a small, simple solution to combat pollution and inflation. It does not need investments in infrastructure, does not need subsidies and does not need time”
He added “It retains a small footprint – nearly the same as our Autorickshaw, is highly maneuverable and can keep pace with the moving traffic. At the same its limited top speed makes it intrinsically safer for pedestrians, cyclists and two wheeler riders”.
“Front and rear seat belts, doors and hard top are its other features. Not only are the CO2 emissions remarkably low, its CO, HC and NOx emissions also are much lower than the Euro IV norms for cars less than 2,500 kgs”.
He said “Our RE brand has, for years, stood for affordable transportation for its passengers and instant livelihood for its owners. Values that have made it the world’s number 1 brand in its category. RE 60 will continue with this tradition.”
Bajaj Auto Ltd., has announced new decals for the Pulsar 135LS. After the Pulsar 220 was streaked with ‘Speedlines’ the youngest sibling of the Pulsar family gets similar treatment.
We have to say, Speedlines look stunning on the 135LS.
Bajaj has also announced a new colour for the Pulsar 135LS, Plasma Blue/Long Beach Blue. We will have to see the vehicle in flesh or wait for the brochure to find out which of these Bajaj blues the 135LS will be clothed in.
Tata Motors launched the Tata Divo and the Tata Starbus Ultra on the 20th December, 2011.
Mr. Ravi Pisharody, President – Commercial Vehicles Business Unit, Tata Motors, said, “Tata Motors has always been at the forefront in revolutionizing passenger transportation in the commercial vehicle segment. With the introduction of the Tata Divo and the Tata Starbus Ultra the company will more comprehensively address the burgeoning need of public transportation. These two buses are sure to migrate the world of passenger transportation to a completely new level of class and technology coupled with comfort and convenience.
The Divo, is a luxurious long distance inter-city travel bus and the and the Starbus Ultra a modern and practical offering for commuting within the city.
Tata Divo Luxury Coach
The Divo’s design comes from the Hispano brand from Spain, now a fully owned subsidiary of Tata Motors.
From the press release :
The sleek body and the luxurious interiors are a treat to the eye. Tata Divo offers customised interior features such as different seating layouts in semi-sleeper and seater configurations, wide seats with upto 135 degree recline with head flaps and armrests, generous saloon space with high roof, hat-racks with personalised controls for AC and reading lights, large luggage space, making it the ultimate luxurious coach. In addition, an entertainment system with DVD player and 2 LCD screens, on board refrigerator, mobile charging points, destination board, public address system, enhance the travel experience.
The BS III compliant, Tata Divo’s drive-train is engineered by 285 HP powerful Cummins engine, a break-through in terms of technology and reliability. Mated with a 6-speed overdrive gearbox for higher fuel efficiency, larger 430 mm diameter clutch for enhanced life, exceptional braking performance with a hydrodynamic retarder, and a superior independent front axle for better maneuverability. All this translates into superior performance.
Driver comfort has been taken to the next level as the bus has a pneumatically suspended seat for more comfort, electronic accelerator pedal and precision gear shifting for minimizing driver fatigue, and a new aesthetic dashboard and instrument cluster with on-board diagnostics.
We are curious about this hydrodynamic retarder which Tata says ensures better safety. Expect us to update you as soon as we hear from Tata. Customers canalso personalise the Tata Divo by choosing a preferred colour scheme and styling options. Tata Motors says the Divo will be available at all dealerships from January 2012 onwards.
The Tata Divo (BS III version) price range starts from Rs. 66 lakhs, ex-showroom New Delhi.
Tata Starbus Ultra
This offering from Tata is meant primarily for intra-city transport.
From the press release:
The Tata Starbus Ultra is available in Luxury, Standard, School and Deluxe variants. These are available in different seating configurations (22 – 46 seater), on different wheelbases, thereby providing the customer with a whole range to select from.
The Tata Starbus Ultra has an outstanding aerodynamic body design and aggregates which conform to the Bus Body Code. The Tata Starbus Ultra is the first bus in its category with the front door ahead of the front axle, resulting in more seats for the same length of bus and subsequently better returns for the operator. The advanced parabolic suspension, wider aisle width and super comfortable seating ensure that commuters have smooth and peaceful ride.
The Tata Starbus Ultra is designed using the reliable Tata 497 engine along with a viscous fan (used for the first time in this class of buses), resulting in higher fuel efficiency and lowest NVH levels in its category. The 6-speed gearbox with overdrive and cable shift mechanism ensures higher mileage, more speed selection options and a higher maximum speed, while also providing 30% more life. The high strength chassis and stronger rear axle enhance the life of the vehicle, while the wider tubeless radial tyres give a longer running life. The service interval has also been doubled for more on road availability and to significantly reduce maintenance costs for the operators.
The wider track axle and lowest in class turning circle diameter help in vehicle stability and maneuverability for the driver. Tiltable and telescopic steering with a high capacity power steering pump, dashboard mounted gear lever with car-like gear shifting leaves reduces driver fatigue.
The luxury variant comes with engine-driven individual AC vents, for each passenger. The modular hat-rack is integrated with AC vents and reading lamps. Push-back seats with upto 135 degree recline with arm-rests and footrests make the travel heavenly. The Deluxe variant has hi-back reclining seats for extra comfort. Rear and side luggage booths give ample space for storage. LCD screen fitment and CD / DVD player provision on request completes the delightful experience. The School variant is equipped with 25 safety features along with all the comfort features for children.
The Tata Starbus Ultra (BS III version) price range starts from Rs.15 lakhs, ex-showroom New Delhi.
Our apologies for the lack of pictures, trust us to do justice when we’re at the AutoExpo.
The 64 year old brand has filed for bankruptcy in its home country Sweden. Saab also recently announced that it will not honor warranties in North America.
Saab Cars USA CEO Tim Colbeck hopes to offer a solution. Speaking to The Detroit Bureau, he said:
“We’re committed to develop a way to handle warranties for all owners of 2010 and 2011 Saab models. [The goal is to] reinstate (warranty coverage) as quickly as we can.”
As Autoblog reports, this is again just a plan, and nothing has been done to make it happen. Saab customers in the US will be footing the bill, in all probability.
Swedish Automobile N.V. (Swan) announces that Saab Automobile AB (Saab Automobile), Saab Automobile Tools AB and Saab Powertrain AB filed for bankruptcy with the District Court in Vänersborg, Sweden this morning.After having received the recent position of GM on the contemplated transaction with Saab Automobile, Youngman informed Saab Automobile that the funding to continue and complete the reorganization of Saab Automobile could not be concluded. The Board of Saab Automobile subsequently decided that the company without further funding will be insolvent and that filing bankruptcy is in the best interests of its creditors. It is expected that the Court will approve of the filing and appoint receivers for Saab Automobile very shortly.
Swan does not expect to realize any value from its shares in Saab Automobile and will write off its interest in Saab Automobile completely.
After the teaser Lexus released recently, the company has now given us an official image of the Concept. The concept will be called LF-LC and will be a 2+2 sport coupe. The Concept will be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit at 1:25 p.m. Eastern time on January 9, 2012.
“Crafted from a clean sheet of paper at the request of Lexus headquarters in Japan, the LF-LC blends both high technology and organic shapes to connect the driver to the machine,” said Mark Templin, Lexus group Vice President and General Manager. “The clean lines of the vehicle emphasize motion, creating a distinctive look for this futuristic sport coupe.”
Lexus says the LF-LC is a design exercise to explore the future of Lexus design. The Concept was designed at Lexus’s Calty design studio in Newport Beach, California.
The first teaser of the sport coupe concept from Lexus.
Say hello to the MINI family. A huge, happy and really fast family.
MINI India’s website now shows the first of the MINI family to come to India, the MINI Hatch Cooper and Cooper S. The Cooper tames 122 horses whereas the Cooper S corrals 184. As you must have realized already, the JCW Hatch ( John Cooper Works ) is unlikely to land here, which is unfortunate considering the delicious 211hp on tap.
MINI Cooper
Output: 122 hp (90 kW) @ 6,000 rpm
Acceleration (0-100 kph): 9.1 s
Top speed: 202.7 kph
Fuel consumption (combined): 22.23 km/L
CO2 emissions: 127 g/km
Max. torque/revs: 160 Nm @ 4,250 rpm
MINI Cooper S
Output: 184 hp (135kW) @ 5,500 rpm
Acceleration (0-100 kph): 7.0 s
Top speed: 228.5 kph
Fuel consumption (combined): 20.7 km/L
CO2 emissions: 136 g/km
Max. torque/revs: 240 Nm @ 1,600-5,000 rpm
Ah, the good times are here.