Nissan Micra

In the small car range, Nissan unveiled Micra at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show and in India, the car is expected to be launched in mid – 2010 .Nissan is Japan’s third largest automaker company and the model is designed to be compact and have the all-new V-platform, to provide the fourth generation features.

The design was initially rolled out from the UK based plant at Sunderland but now the new design have been launched specifically for Indian roads ,in which, the overall design is made compact and the new technology makes the car fuel efficient. The Renault - Nissan group planned to invest Rs 4000 crores in the Chennai based plant, which will be produce 400,000 cars.

External look and design

The car is launched in seven shades: orange, green, beige, blue, red, white and black.

The prominent features of the small car are its clear lens tail lamp and oval shaped headlamps. The wheelbase is longer and height is low as compared to other Indian cars. The car has wheels at the corners and it provides extra space inside. The bonnet is designed short and it looks strong, having a crease in the centre. Fog lights can be spotted on the sides and front grille has the horizontal strip to give the car a modern look. The bumper is designed with an air dam in the centre.

The fog lamp features the chrome ring outside the front fog lamp and rear is kept small as per the Indian standards. The rear tail lamp has the reverse lights and integrated turn indicators. Dual colored rear view mirrors can be seen designed in black having the shade of the body color. Body colored bumpers and alloy wheels are also significant features of the car, and bumpers, handles, rear view mirrors, rear washer, rear wiper, rear defogger and rear spoiler, are designed in body color.

Interiors of Nissan Micra

Nissan has a connected cocoon design, which resembles the twin bubble theme and the design has circular instrumentation binnacle and a glove-box on the side of passenger seat. Interiors of the car is high class and it is one of the top Nissan Model, which has the Automatic Climate Control system, power windows, power steering, remote control locks, Mp3 system, steering mounted control, ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution) and Dual SRS Airbags. The AC attachment space of Micra is circular in shape and it has a chrome outlining .The door of the car is circular and it has a chrome finishing .Top of Micra has steering mounted audio and controls for phone calls.
The European model of the car has few more features such as intelligent keys, glass roof, reversing sensors, drive computer, push button to start and stop, wipers and speed –sensitive door locks, which may or may not be present in Indian model.

Engine and suspension

The model will have all new HR 12 1.2 – liters, three –cylinder petrol engine, which will have the valve timing control to generate a maximum power of 6000 rpm. The car offers 1.2 liters of direct injection iteration, which will have a stop-start system as found in most of the European models .Stop-start system helps to reduce the emission of CO2 by at least 6% and it enhances the output by 98 Bhp and a torque by 142Nm.The emission is reduced to 95g/ km for the petrol engine model.
Other features of the car are its Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) which allows a wide gear ratio and the new model designed using CVT ,which makes the car lighter by 10% .The gear coverage allows the engine to get an economy of 1.0 liters and also have slow acceleration. The vehicle combined the features of refinement, poise and agility to get the buyers an easy ride and handling.
V- platform: The suspension is designed to make the car appear compact and to reduce intrusion at the rear and to allow a high trunk space.

Models of Nissan, which are expected to hit Indian roads:

1. Nissan Micra Base (Standard Model)
2. Nissan Micra High( Top end model featuring Airbags, ABS, EBD)
3. Nissan Micra Turbo Base (Standard Model )
4. Nissan Micra Turbo High ( Top end model featuring Airbags, ABS, EBD)

Plus points:

1. Keyless entry
2. Robust outlook, highly powered motor (1198ccc three-cylinder)
3. Push button to fire motor / keyless start
4. Drag coefficient = 0.32
5. Shape of light and rear attachments
6. Power steering / power wind-pad /spacious cabin

Minus points:

1. Glove compartment is small of the Indian version.
2. Vibration as the motor starts and the car is idle.
3. Steering is dull but is designed tight to make it tough to turn ( as per the Indian city roads needs)
4. No Climate control in Indian model.
5. Rear seat too low.

Price

The cost of the car is expected to be in the range of 3.5 lakhs to 5.5 lakhs range.

Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi

The Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi is first Fuel injected bike from Bajaj. Introduction of Fuel injection technology to bikes increases the price of the bike but it offers a better performance and emission standards. The Bajaj Pulsar DTS Fi was launched in initial quarter of the year, in Mumbai and Pane, and later it was launched in other parts of the country.

Features of New Pulsar 220 DTS- Fi

The unchanged features of Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi:

The new Pulsar appears new from the front but the rear is similar to the previous models. The rear tail lamp and grab rail exactly match the previous models. It has the LED tail lamp, backlit type switches, split seats and sharp body panel and the digital speedometer taken from the previous models.

Additional features of Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi :

The new points in the bike are its new headlamp cluster , the fuel injected engine , the clip on handle bars , the rear disc brakes and the side cladding ,which makes the bike appear big. New arrangement of the bulbs and lighting in the front is attractive. Elliptical swung arms and the chains add to the new features.

Lamps, Fuel tank and instrument panel:

The bike retains the twin pilot lamps on the sides and the lighting of the low beam, and the high beam bulbs on the either sides but the three bulbs have been stacked on one panel and are protected under the glass shell instead of using the mirrored reflectors.

The halogen bulbs of 55 W are connected to the battery and there are no voltage fluctuations. The light arrangement helps it to get satisfactory illumination in night.

The bike has fuel tank wrapping in a unique way to make it appear strong and stylish, although, the fuel tank is same and the new panels on the bike cover most of the tank.

Instrument cluster is similar to previous pulsar model except that the new bike has warning lights , that provides timely information to the biker and it has extra – sensitive fuel injected engine .The instrument panel also shows the choked air filter readings and the oil temperature, along with the low battery indicators and engine oil warning lamp.Low fuel indicator is important for the bike because the bike can have an engine failure caused by low fuel.

Tyres and Brakes:

The bike has tubeless tyres that are heat resistant and long lasting .It gives you better performance that other bikes of the segment. The disc brake is 230mm for the rear wheel and 260 mm disc with the twin calipers in the front wheel.

Engine technology and power:
The engine uses the Fuel injection technology instead of the carburetion technology .The injectors injects the fuels into the combustion chamber and the electronic control unit, controls the functioning of the injector.

ExhausTEC resonator technology is used for increasing the engine RPM .The peak power is 20 PS and the maximum torque generated by the bike is 19.12Nm @ 6,500 rpm.

The Pulsar 220 DTS –Fi has five speed gearboxes and gear shift pattern is first down, rest up shift .The clutch is easy to use and the toe shifter also helps the biker.

What is not present in Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi ?
1. False neutrals are not present in the bike.
2. There is no heel shifter.
3. The front arrangement and side panels may not be comfortable for bikers at the start.

Price:
The Ex showroom price is Rs 80,000.

Hyundai Motors is planning to launch the luxury car Hyundai Genesis in India in 2010 and the car will be launched in the luxury sedan section. Hyundai Genesis is one of the most admired cars in North America and Canada and it is said to be a compact car that has all the features of luxury cars in one model.

The car will is known to be a perfect combination of luxury and comfort. It has three powerstrains 3.3 litres, 3.8 litres with V-6 engines and the all –new 4.6 litres Tau V-8 engine. The car manufactured by the Korean company will have the XM satellite feature and the company is also planning to launch a green car in a hybrid model.

Looks and Style:

Features of Hyundai Genesis include its electronic stability control system, adaptive headlights, 500 –watt 17 speaker Lexicon audio systems, electronic active head restraints and radar based active cruise control. Seats of the car are made up of high standard material .Heated and cooled seats can be provided in the car. The steering wheel is made of ultraviolet reflective leather material and the steering wheel remains cool even in high temperatures.

Hyundai Genesis has ultrasonic sensors located in the front and rear bumpers and it helps the driver to park easily in less space. Other luxury features include the push button starter, automatic electronic parking brake and power rear sunshade.

Safety Features

Safety features integrated to Hyundai Genesis are dual front airbags, roof mounted side curtain airbags and side impact airbag, ABS, tire-pressure monitor, brake assist and EBD. Hyundai Genesis uses the power fitted discs on all corners of the car and a speed sensitive steering wheel.

The front suspension is Multi-link setup in front and the rear suspension is an advanced 5-link setup. The other safety features are traction control and electronic stability control system.

Engine and Performance

The model is launched with three power-trains that include the 3.3 litres engine, 3.8 litres V6 engine and the new 4.6-liter Tau V8 that delivers a power of approximately 368 hp. The all-aluminum engines of powerstrains 3.3 litres deliver a high power of 268 hp and a torque of 233 pound-feet and 3.8 litres DOHC delivers a power of 290 hp and torque of 264 pound feet.

The engines are compact and light in weight because it is all aluminum and it is integrated with technologies Variable Valve Timing (VVT) and a Variable Intake System (VIS).

V6 engine of genesis uses the 6 –speed transmission and an overdrive lockup torque converter helps Hyundai Genesis to provide high fuel efficiency. A Shiftronic mode is also provided that offers a manual shifting.

The chassis structures assists Hyundai Genesis to distribute weight from front to rear in ratio 53 / 47 and that is the most advertised feature of BMW. The vehicle body is strong as compared to BMW 5 –series and the Mercedes E-Class.

Other features of Hyundai Genesis

• Powerstrains: 3.3-litre, all-new 4.6-litre Tau V-8, 3.8-litre V-6 engines
• Rack-and-pinion steering
• Rear Wheel Drive
• Curb Weight (lbs) : 3748
• City: 18 mpg
• Highway: 27 mpg
• Power: 290 @ 6200 lb-ft
• Torque: 264 @ 4500 lb-ft
• Wheelbase: 115.6 in
• Length: 195.9 in
• Width: 74.4 in
• Height: 58.3 in

Cost:

Hyundai Genesis is a rear- wheel –drive sedan and it has been priced at minimum $30,000 in American market .The premium model of the car was launched in U.S. at $60,000.The price of the luxury Sedan in India has not been decided.

Hero Honda has launched the self start version of Passion in the names of Passion Pro Power Start and Hero Honda Splendor NXG. Hero Honda has launched its new bike Hero Honda Passion Plus Pro with improved looks and improved features. 100 cc variant of Passion Plus is Passion Pro power Start.

New Looks of Hero Honda Passion Plus Pro :

Hero Honda Passion Plus Pro has both options available for the bikers either to have the electric start or the self start system. The new sporty look of the bike has been enhanced with additional stickers and graphics on the body panel and on the tank. The new bike has different color (a red) paint on the shock absorbers at the rear and the silencer is a new improved one.

The dials of the bike are designed in a way to have improved clarity and the design of the handlebar clamp has been changed. The pillion grab handle is also different from the previous models.

Engine and Power of Hero Honda Passion Plus Pro :

The bike offers a displacement of 97.2cc and maximum power delivered by the engine is 7.37 hp @ 8000rpm and Maximum Torque is 7.95 Nm @ 5000rpm.It has a Multi plate Wet clutch and Tubular Double cradle chassis. Suspension on the front is Telescopic Hydraulic Shock Absorbers and rear suspension is Swing Arm with Adjustable Hydraulic Shock Absorbers. For brakes - Internal expanding shoe brakes are present.

The new Hero Honda Passion Plus Pro has the black kick start lever and you can start the bike with the new push button. Engine is improved to reduce noise and vibrations. The bike has additional features like the aluminum die cast grip, heat protector and new dials.

Hero Honda Passion Plus Pro has been launched to be a better and more powerful bike in the range and some new changes have been made by the Hero Honda Motors such as the engine having the roller mechanism to reduces friction.

Features of Hero Honda Passion Plus Pro:

• Displacement: 97.50 ccm (5.95 cubic inches)
• Engine type: Air Cooled, Single cylinder
• Power: 7.37 HP (5.4 kW)) @ 8000 RPM
• Torque: 7.95 Nm (0.8 kgf-m or 5.9 ft.lbs)
• Gears: 4 Speed
• Clutch: Multi Plate Wet
• Cooling Type: Air Cooling

Cost:

The new model of Hero Honda has been launched in a price range higher than the previous bike and the difference in cost is around Rs 2000.The cost of the bike in an Ex-showroom in Delhi starts from Rs 44,000.

2009 Mitsubishi Montero has been launched by Hindustan Motors and Mitsubishi Cars India as premium SUV in competition to Acura MDX, Volvo XC90 and Jeep Grand Cherokee. Mitsubishi Montero 2009 is a stylish sport SUV having the new chrome plated front grill and seven spoke 17’’ light alloy wheel. It is extremely comfortable to drive the SUV in any weather conditions and it will be comfortable to drive it on uneven roads or on extreme off road.

Look and style of 2009 Mitsubishi Montero: 2009 Mitsubishi Montero has been launched in the market in six colors that includes Black Mica, Sophia White, Deep Blue Mica. The Manual transmission feature has been incorporated to Cool Silver Metallic and Sophia White model and Automatic Transmission (AT) has been launched in six different colors.

The interiors front and second row seats are made up of premium quality leather of Beige & Black colors. Other features include the two speed transfer case, a power drive seat, a lumbar support, a Wood grain interiors system, Sportronic having 5 speed automatic transmission and rear differential. The 2009 Mitsubishi Montero has got a Cruise control, Dual SRS airbags and Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) body design construction. A multi information display is present in the front and a Rockford Acoustic sound system having 12 speakers is also attached to the vehicle. CD chargers and Audio control in steering is also present.

Engine and transmission of 2009 Mitsubishi Montero - Mitsubishi Montero 2009 has a 3.2 liters turbo charged intercooled diesel engine that provides a peak power of 164.5 ps and torque of 383 Nm. The engine has the Common Rail Direct Injection and it is a 200 hp V6 engine. The Active Trac drive system is also present in the vehicle and the rear passenger can also access air conditioning and heating controls. It delivers a torque of 235 foot-pounds at 3500 rpm and it is easy to control on intersections, climbing roads and steep rods.

Ride and comfort: Mitsubishi Montero 2009 has seats for 7 persons and the XLS version is a full luxury vehicle that has the part time 4WD having a two speed transfer case, side view mirrors, power windows and door locks. A security alarm and a remote keyless entry system is also present in Mitsubishi Montero 2009. A 10 way manual adjustable, two way adjusting driver’s seat and the third row bench seat with an under floor storage can also be found in the SUV.

2009 Mitsubishi Montero has the features like Common Rail Direct Injection (CRDi), Automatic Transmission and 5-Speed Manual transmission, Super Select 4WD (SS4-II) and the All wheel Independent suspension system. The SUV’s outward design follows the Monocoque design body construction and maximum speed offered is 174 km /hr.

Other features of 2009 Mitsubishi Montero:

• Engine: DOHC 16-Valve, 4-cylinder, in-line Tobercharged intercooled
• Displacement: 3200 C
• Maximum Power (bhp): 383/2000 PS (kw)/ rpm
• Equipped with Power steering, Adjustable Steering, Adjustable Seats, Front power windows, Rear power windows, Music player
• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
• Alloy wheels
• Safety Air bags, Remote fuel lid
• Length (mm): 4900, Width (mm): 1875, Height (mm):1870
• Turning radius (m):5.7, Wheel Base (mm): 2780
• Ground clearance (mm): 225 mm
• Kerb weight (kg): 2380 Kg
• Fuel Tank Capacity (L):88 L
• Tyres : 265/65 R 17

The SUV has Active Stability and Traction Control (ASTC) and dual SRS airbags for security. Front side airbag and 2 curtain airbags are also present. The vehicle has the Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) body design and front and disc brakes have the 4 – pot calipers.

Attractions of 2009 Mitsubishi Montero:

• 2009 Mitsubishi Montero is a Completely Built Unit
• The luxury SUV has superior off-road capabilities
• It offers smooth travel on bumpy roads. Climbing ability is 35 degree and angle of inclination is 45 degrees.
• The vehicle is ideal for long distance travel on Indian roads.
• The Yokahama tubeless radials of the vehicle enable it to run smoothly on cross rocks paths, mud, snow and river waters.

Cost: Mitsubishi Montero 2009 has been launched for Rs 4,092,860 .Ex showroom cost is Rs 3,831,000 (without insurance) .The AT and MT versions are priced at Rs 41.94 lakhs in an ex-showroom.

Skoda Auto launched the model Skoda Superb 2.0TDI PD (diesel) and 3.6V6 FSI (Petrol) in Bangalore as the company wanted to introduce a luxury car against Mercedes in India. After getting an encouraging response for Octavia that was launched in November, the company decided to launch the new car at a low price in India. The car is available in market in colors Rosso Brunello, Black Magic, Cappuccino Beige, Platinum Grey and Diamond Silver and Candy White.

Looks of the Skoda Superb:

The looks of Skoda Superb are impressive and it is based on the original VW platform. The design of the car is extension of Passat version and an additional 95mm wheelbase is present in the new model. The interiors of the car are spacious and it has seats for five adult passengers. The car has a large load area and boot space. Twin door boot design is impressive. The car is longer than regular models and it provides extra leg room for rear passengers. The car is larger than the D –segment cars present in India and the company aims to sell it like Octavia.

The new Skoda model has a different bonnet, chromed grille and differently shaped headlamps. Superb is like Passat in the way that it has large wheelbase and large rear doors.

Engine and Performance:

Engine is 2.0-litre TDI diesel found in VW family and the speed of Superb is 128mph.The car goes from 0 to 62mph in 10.2 sec and fuel efficiency is high. The original model is the Classic one and it has the 1.9 L TDI turbo diesel engine that generates power of 74 kW and the 2.0l engine gives a power of 85 kW. Other models are V6 model that generates a power of 120 kW. Six speed transmissions are also present.

Ride and Comfort:

The car is excellent choice for long distance travel but on uneven roads the drive can be bumpy. It doesn’t have a rear tailgate wiper and shape of tailgate is poor. The 17 inch alloy wheel has powerful grip on road and electrically operated door mirrors have indicators integrated. Fog lights are present in the front and halogen headlights are also present.

Suspension is comfortable, remote central locking and split folding rear seats are present to augment space. Head rest for five passengers is present and the car has eight speaker systems. You have additional features like the electrically operated rear side windows and electronic stability system.

Specific Features of Skoda Superb:

• Engine: 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel
• Power: 140bhp, 320Nm from 1,800rpm
• Transmission: 6-speed manual gearbox
• Performance: 128mph
• Towing weight: 1,800kg

Advantages and Disadvantages of Skoda Superb:

Advantages:

• Good Interior space
• Twin door boot / Hatch
• Comfort and style
• High levels of specifications
• It has a different bonnet and differently shaped headlamps.

Disadvantages

• Engine gets noisy
• Bumpy drive on uneven roads
• Rear visibility is low
• Rear wiper not present
• Size is big and it is disadvantageous in case you need a small car easy to park.
• For floor mats, you need to pay extra

Cost:

Skoda Superb has been launched in following cost ranges:
Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI PD: Rs. 22,04,943 in Ex-showroom Delhi, Rs. 21,50,000 in Ex-showroom Maharashtra , Rs. 22,21,921 in Ex-showroom Kolkata , Rs. 22,00,697 in Ex-showroom Chennai, Rs. 22,00,697 in Ex-Showroom Bangalore.

Skoda Superb 3.6 V6 FSI 4×4 : Rs. 25,31,343 in Ex-showroom Delhi , Rs. 24,70,000 in Ex-showroom Maharashtra , Rs. 25,48,322 in Ex-showroom Kolkata , Rs. 25,27,098 in Ex-showroom Chennai and Rs. 25,27,098 in Ex-Showroom Bangalore.

The soft roader Mitsubishi Outlander is a compact SUV that will hit Indian roads by the year end. The vehicle will increase competition for Honda CR-V and Chevrolet Captiva. Outlander is sharply designed and it is easy to drive on Indian roads.

The company is preparing to launch the vehicle at a cost less than Rs 20 lakhs to capture market shares. Hindustan Motors were preparing to offer Mitsubishi Outlander with 2.4 liters, four pot petrol engines and the SUV will also be equipped with six speeds manual, CVT and paddle shift auto.

Looks of Mitsubishi Outlander

Outlander will be available in six colors - river blue, sunrise yellow, silver dew, cascade white, pasture green, new moon black and twilight red.

The vehicle has looks similar to Audi but the rear windscreen is positioned in a way to make use of space and the front windscreen has been made compact. It has huge wheel arches and a roof that turns down towards the rear. The headlights are deep seated and bumper is thick, deep inside the space. The overall look is like a sports car with LED studded chrome taillights that are mounted against the glass. The vehicle is 30mm longer than Honda and a thick black paint can also be found at the bottom of the car.

Interiors and Comfort of Mitsubishi Outlander:

In the interiors of Outlander, one finds soft black aluminum look and the roof of aluminums makes the vehicle appear light in weight. The roof has a mono tube shock absorber that reduces bounce of the vehicle improving speed and stability.

You find lots of space in the vehicle and the instrument pods are like Alfa Romeo or Merc SL500.The steering wheel is beautiful, slender and it has the three spoke design. The design of central console and dash and bottoms is similar to Toyota Land Cruiser. The seats are sporty and supportive. The rear seats are like Honda CR-V and it has good space at the back seat. The SUV has a third row of seats and lots of space in the rear and the second row of seats can be folded to increase space for carrying luggage. The SUV is fitted with four speakers.

Engine and Mechanics: The vehicle is equipped with coil spring and strut suspension to improve control of driver on vehicle in case of bad roads and the four wheel drive system is called All Wheel Control that is said to be a technology better than CR-V. The SUV is equipped with traction control device that prevents wheelspin that helps in case of tyre chow down.

Engine and Power:The motor of the vehicle is similar to ‘Theta’ motor that powers Sonata and the power generation is 170 bhp in normal conditions of tune and 10bhp with fuel. Mitsubishi Outlander has a duel camshaft engine and the valve timing and lift system is called MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve Timing Electronic Control System) that works on low, medium and high engine speeds.Power in the vehicle comes from six speed CVT that has paddle shift function for the benefit of the driver.

Technical Specifications of Mitsubishi Outlander

• Engine: 2.4L MIVEC with a six speed manual transmission
• Six speed paddle shift
• Power: 170PS at 6000rpm Torque: 226Nm at 4100rpm
• Tyres : 215/70R tyres with disc on all wheels
• Top Speed: 190km/hr.
• 5-seater outlander are 4640*1800*1680-length*width*height
• Wheelbase: 2670mm
• LED tail lamps and split tail gate

Advantages

• Better control on vehicle provided by All Wheel Control
• Speed maintained on slippery roads and sandy roads
• Shock absorbers for bad roads
• High fuel efficiency
• Comes with a stability control package

Disadvantage:

• Not fit for steep hills

Cost:

Outlander was showcased at Delhi Auto expo and it got many customers during the expo. The vehicle is expected to come in market by the year end and its cost may be below Rs 20 lakhs.