Automobile Blog

Honda CR Z Hybrid and Honda Insight Hybrid cars set for launch

One of the vital points of the Honda Hybrid is going to be its cheaper rate as comparable to Toyota. Honda is working up hard to launch its new Honda CR-Z Hybrid and Honda Insight Hybrid. It is being seen as a tough competition to Toyota’s full hybrid cars.

Honda motor company is coming with its new models, Honda Hybrid that is going to be a big completion to already cars in India.It is the know fact that Honda is the largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines and motorcycles. Honda Motors is proud producer of more than 14 million engines (internal combustions ones) every year. (Wow!!!!)

Change and evolution are not merely the words applied to human forms but also in the selling business and the cut throat competition (more…)

Audi A1 Supermini Not to be Launched in India

Audi India has said that it has “no plans to introduce the A1 supermini in next few years”.

This comes after it was recently reported that Audi India’s parent company had revealed the details of its A1 model, which was going to be unveiled at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show as well.

The initial 3-door A1 model is anticipated to be in the market in continental Europe in the summer of 2010, followed by the United Kingdom by September 2010. A 5-door A1 Sportback model is also expected to be launched.

The company spokesperson, when contacted, agreed that Audi is not considering X1.

He categorically stated, “We don’t see any market potential for A1 in the immediate future. Right now we are focusing on other models like refurbished A8, a new variant of Q7 and a host of other models. By any chance, if we think the market has matured, we will make an official announcement”. (more…)

India creates ‘bullet proof-golf buggy’ to battle terrorists

The Anti-Terrorist Assault Cart (ATAC), which has been described as a ‘golf buggy with attitude’, was inspired by the November 2008 terrorist attack on Mumbai when ten ‘fedayeen commandos’ held India’s special forces at bay for three days, and killed 166 people.

Its creators, Metaltech Motor Bodies (MMB), said it was borne out of the helplessness many Indians felt as terrorist commandos mounted a machine gun rampage through hotel corridors, bars and its main train station, killing 17 security personnel along the way.

One of the key obstacles Indian forces faced was getting men into narrow corridors without being shot. According to MMB, its new armoured ATAC vehicle is designed to wage urban interior warfare, and can operate in hotels, stadiums, and airports – confined spaces where cover is at a premium.

Weighing half a tonne, it can fit into a service lift and launch commandos into a terrorist siege without breaking cover. (more…)

2010 Suzuki Kizashi

The 2010 Suzuki Kizashi may be one of the more difficult car names to pronounce, but get used to hearing the name — it’s a flagship worth remembering.

The Kizashi (pronounced: Key-zash-ee) went on sale in December and comes chock-full of amenities.

Of course, Suzuki had to load it up. This is new turf for the carmaker better known for motorcycles.

This is the usual recipe a smaller brand follows when it’s trying to make waves in the bigger fish pond. If your reputation can’t win over new customers, toss in as many shiny trinkets as possible until they bite. Hey, it’s the same sales tactic that sold Manhattan.

Suzuki does a much better job than the Dutch and probably could have gotten all five boroughs with this new entry into the midsize car segment.

The Kizashi has the classic midsize looks: An aggressive front end that looks like a linebacker with black grease under his eyes, a well-proportioned profile with a sweeping roofline and slightly higher back end (that looks as if it’s going to jump), and then the piece de resistance, the Kizashi’s backside, which includes an arching decklid and two big oddly shaped exhaust tips.

Really, you’d think this car is packing a V-8 under its clamshell-type hood, but there’s only a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine in there.

But little engines produce some big numbers for midsize cars when it comes to gas mileage. The Kizashi hits 31 miles per gallon on the highway in the front-wheel-drive model with the six-speed manual transmission. The continuously variable transmission, which is offered instead of a gear-clicking automatic, can improve the manual’s city mileage from 21 mpg to 23 mpg. (more…)

Maruti Suzuki Kizashi New SUV Luxury Car ready for launch in India

Maruti has always been the brand icon for small and affordable cars. Can you believe that the company is all set and ready to roll out its first ever luxury sedan in India by the end of 2010? Yes, it is the new Suzuki Kizashi this time which is going to compete with some auto giants in the industry like Toyota, Honda, Skoda etc.

Suzuki released Kizashi in the US market in December 2009 and it is all set to be released in Australia this may, so Kizashi’s next destination is probably India but the exact date is yet to be announced. So if you are looking to buy a new luxury sedan, it is worth waiting as the Company’s official site has branded the Suzuki Kizashi as “one of the most exciting cars of 2010”.

Exciting or not is yet to
be realized but in the meantime it is worth looking into some of the exclusive features which we can expect for our Indian roads. First is of course the price as the Maruti Suzuki Kizashi is priced 10-13 lakhs. It has four wheel drive and comes with six speed transmission and CVT. It is fitted by Euro IV 2.4 liter engine and the colors and the looks are just great.

Suzuki Kizashi stole many hearts in the recently ended Delhi expo and this might just be the reason of its early release this year. Gene Brown, Vice President of American Suzuki Motor Corp. confirmed the Indian release this year in the Chicago Auto expo recently. In spite of the recession the motor sales in India were very promising and hence many manufacturers have decided to release their new models here in the Indian soil. Good news yet again for Car lovers and speed racers.

2010 M-class edition of Mercedes Benz in two options

Mercedes-Benz has planned to introduce two variants of its 2010 M-Class in India- sports edition at Rs55 lakhs and the Luxury edition at Rs60.9 lakhs. From the analysts’ view, M-Class versions are the safest in the segment, as confirmed by the Euro NCAP test results. The cars come with seven airbags, belt tensioners, belt-force limters, crash responsive NECK-PRO head restraints.

The SUV provides safety aspects regarding the accident occurrence. M-Class has the validity as the one with global standard of anticipatory occupant protection system PRE-SAFE. The system enables instant protective measures by sensing the trouble. M-Class versions have 4-wheel drive, 4ETS traction system, advanced Downhill Speed Regulation, Acceleration skid control and the off-road ABS. for comfortable drive and journey, AIRMATIC air suspension is provided enabled by Adaptive Damping System, adjustable shock absorber response system.

Added features are double-wishbone front suspension for reduced road roar and tire vibration. The aluminum wishbones provide excellent driving dynamics; there is a a4-link suspension system in the rear axle; standard 19” light-alloy wheels offer the sporty effect. M-Class poses with admirable design – lighting units as the front having bi-xenon headlamps, appealing front bumpers holding horizontal lines of fog lamps. There are three sub-divided radiator grille combined with chrome trim, LED based rear tail lights; discreet spoiler edge based rear tailgate; the sensation gets momentum with the wide rear windscreen. (more…)

Maruti Suzuki Kizashi priced Rs10 lakh plus

Maruti Suzuki debuts the luxury car Kizashi. Kizashi which has been earlier being showcased at the Auto Expo will set for sales soon. Kizashi will be placed in the Rs-10 lakh-plus price band and will battle with the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Sonata, Skoda Octavia and Volkswagen Jetta. Maruti Kizashi is probably the first all-wheel drive sedan in the luxury D segment. Maruti’s Kizashi will carry an advanced four-valve turbo-fired two-litre petrol, Euro V engine.

Maruti Kizashi is also likely to posses the first six-speed transmission from the Suzuki stable. A crossover sports sedan, Kizashi, which depicts an athlete in motion, sport 21” wheels.

Maruti Kizashi is anticipated to roll out from its Manesar plant. Maruti Suzuki is already selling various models in India, which includes Alto, A-Star, Ritz hatchbacks, Estilo, Wagon R, Swift, Dzire, SX4 and the popular sedan Swift D’Zire.