New Ford Ikon Launched

Ford India has finally launched the new Ikon. We had posted earlier this year in March about Ford’s plan to launch the diesel Ikon. The new Ford Ikon is not only sporting a slightly spruced up look but has the Duratorq diesel engine which does duty in the diesel Fiesta and Fusion.

The new Ikon also boasts a freshened exterior design. The hood now has a sharper design and striking new headlamps along with an all new front bumper and larger lower grille.


The new Ikon comes with dual-tone beige interiors. The instrument cluster on the diesel variant incorporates new graphics, tachometer, LED needles and LCD odometer display.

The 1.4-litre Duratorq engine and 5 speed gearbox is developed jointly by Ford with Peugeot for a range of cars. The fantastic Duratorq oil burner has 68PS of power @ 4000rpm and 160NM of torque @ 2000rpm. The engine is light and this helps in better handling. The new sub-frame mounting for the engine-transmission assembly has helped in reducing the NVH. The steering and suspension have been retuned the to suit the diesel engine.

The Ikon weighs lesser then the Fiesta and thus should perform better in the Ikon. The Ikon diesel should give good fuel efficiency which was not the case with the petrol variant.

The new Ford Ikon comes with a two-year/100,000km warranty and is available in 7 colours - Diamond White, Panther Black, Moondust Silver, Paprika Red, Platinum, Brush Steel and a new colour Morello. The new Ikon is priced Rs. 4.59 Lakhs for the petrol and Rs. 5.19 Lakhs for the Diesel, Ex-Showroom, Delhi.

Volvo XC90 R-DESIGN Launched

Volvo India has launched a new variant of the XC90, the R-DESIGN. The Volvo XC90 R-DESIGN comes with a 4.4L V8 petrol engine producing 315hp of power and 440NM of torque. The R-DESIGN is a 7 seater and comes with 19 inch wheels. Its priced at Rs. 58 lacs ex showroom, Delhi.

VW Planning To Launch Caddy

Volkswagen is considering bringing its popular model Caddy into India as a low cost taxi for urban use. The commercial vehicle making arm of VW has also stated that it will come into India with a JV partner and it is close to incorporating that business in India. VW officials told reporters at the recently concluded Hanover International Automobile Exhibition (IAA) that Caddy would be slotted against Indica or Indigo.

“India deserves a good taxi. We are at a very advanced stage in our talks with a JV partner for this business.” Stefan Schaller, board spokesman for VW’s commercial vehicles business said.

Audi R8 November Launch

Audi will launch their super car R8 in November this year. The R8 will cost over Rs. 1.17 crore. The Audi R8 car will be an addition to the company's line of luxury sedans, including the A4, A6, A8, TT Coupe, and SUV Q7. Check out more pics and specs of the R8 here.

Audi has received orders for 15 units already, which would be delivered this year. Bullish on the fast growing luxury-car market in India, Audi has already posted a 200 per cent growth this year from that of last year.

"The whole segment is growing and we are growing even faster than the segment. We will sell this year about 1,000 cars in India," Vice-President Marketing Audi (India), Martin Birkner said, adding 350 units were sold last year.

Honda V4 Concept

Honda Motor Europe Ltd. exhibited the World Premiere V4 Concept Model at Intermot Cologne. The V4 Concept Model proposes a new, sensual design direction based on Honda's trademark 4-cylinder V- engine.

This year Honda celebrates its 60th anniversary as a company and next year the 50th anniversary of its participation in road racing, as well as the 30th anniversary of racing with an innovative 4-cylinder V-engine with oval pistons. Considering these milestones, Honda chose "The New Beginning" as its exhibition theme leading into 2009 and exhibited the V4 Concept Model which signifies the beginning of a new era.

For Intermot, Honda collected and exhibited successive V4 race machines as well as mass-market motorcycle products which were developed by feeding back the technologies cultivated through participation in challenging race competition, enabling visitors to review the lineage of 30 years of V4 engine technologies and see how Honda will take motorcycling somewhere it has not been before. The exhibition also offers an easy-to-understand introduction to various challenges Honda has undertaken in order to create joy for its customers, by utilizing its technologies that have been continuously advanced through Honda's 60-year history and by its participation in motorsports.

Honda understands the global trend today that motorcycle users see increasing value in more emotional and sensual performance during the real world riding experience rather than absolute performance measured in numeric specifications. On another front, user friendly features that meet with human sensibilities are also becoming important along with safety and environmental features, especially in mature markets.

Honda believes that the challenge to create attractive products with an increased focus on sensual performance will be the key for the future. At the same time, safety and environmental technologies as well as future energy technologies will continue to become an important theme for the development of motorcycle products. Moreover, in order to offer a comfortable life with motorcycles for a larger number of customers, Honda will put increased focus on the human-fitting match of rider and machine. Conceived around the trademark 4-cylinder V-engine, the V4 Concept Model expresses functional beauty as well as a more sensual image to appeal more to the emotions of people. Embodying Honda's passion for motorcycle development, the V4 Concept Model expresses the unique characteristics of Honda for a new era.

The V4 Concept Model mobilizes the driving forces of Honda - dreams, challenges, and creating new value. Honda positions this model as "the new beginning" of Honda's motorcycles.

Porsche Panamera GT Interior

The Porsche Panamera is one of the most awaited car from the Porsche stable. We really don't think that the Panamera looks good but then looks are subjective. The interiors are very Porsche like. The instrument cluster seems to be straight out from the Panamera's siblings. This car will surely be cheaper then the Lamborghini Estoque but i would anyday prefer a EVO X, if i want a 4 door car that can go fast too.

Pagani Zonda R

The much awaited race version of the highly desirable supercar Pagani Zonda is not far away from being launched. Known as the Zonda R, it is the ambitious plan of founder Horacio Pagani to have a track special version with a limited run of just ten cars. This super super super car will have atleast 750 bhp of power and has pure carbon-fiber construction. Check out more pics and details of the Pagani Zonda R here.

Fiat Bugster Concept

Fiats new concept vehicle the Fiat Bugster will make its debut at the Sao Paulo Motor Show in Brazil. This greenish two-seater concept looks like a crossover between a KTM X-Bow and a Jeep Wrangler.


The concept vehicle has been developed by the Italian firm’s automotive engineering division in Brazil and features a zero-emissions electric engine while its outer body is made completely out of renewable natural fibers thus reducing the environmental impact of the vehicle.

Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Polizia

A private ceremony was held at the Viminale Palace where Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. donated a police version of the company’s newest super sports car, Gallardo LP560-4 Polizia, to the head of the Italian State Police, Prefect Antonio Manganelli. Check out more pics and details of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Polizia here.

Picture Gallery - Suzuki GS150R

The latest entrant in the 150cc segment, the Suzuki GS150R has the potential to upbeat the current segment leader Bajaj Pulsar. Check out the picture gallery of the Suzuki GS150R after the jump.

Toyota To Make $5000 Car

Toyota Motor Corp and its mini vehicle unit Daihatsu Motor Co are developing a new car for India that will likely sell for around $5,000 (Rs. 2.5 lacs).

Toyota, the world's biggest automaker, has lagged rivals in the race to win over India's cost-conscious consumers - a battle that promises to heat up in earnest with Tata Motors scheduled to launch its $2,500 Nano car soon. A venture of India's Bajaj Auto Ltd with Renault SA and Nissan Motor Co plans a similar car, while Hyundai Motor Co and General Motors Corp are also studying an ultra-low-cost vehicle.

Toyota has so far only disclosed plans for what it calls an "entry family car", which is scheduled to be produced in India and Brazil from 2010 and 2011, respectively. That car is expected to cost around $8,000, although Toyota has not officially mentioned a price. The Asahi said Toyota will likely build the $5,000 car in India, with sales also possible in Brazil. Toyota executives have so far denied any interest in developing an ultra-low-cost car, arguing that selling such a car under the Toyota badge could hurt its brand image.

Aston Martin One-77 Pictures

The much awaited £1 million super car from Aston Martin, the One-77 seems to be nearing its launch. Check out more pics after the jump.

Maruti Hike Prices

Maruti Suzuki has increased prices of select models owing to company's profitability being affected by rising input costs, specially that of steel. The price hike on select models would range between Rs 2,000 and Rs 6,000.

The price hike is as follows : -

• M800 - Rs 2,000
• Omni Van - Rs 2,200
• Alto - Rs 2,500
• Zen Estilo & WagonR - Rs 3,000
• Versa - Rs. 3,500
• Gypsy - Rs. 5,500
• Select variants of Swift - Rs 4,500
• SX4 - Rs 6,000

Maruti reported 36.52 per cent dip in net profit for the quarter ended September at Rs 296.1 crore, against Rs 466.5 crore in the same period last year. The Swift Dzire has been spared from the price hike.

Tata Nano Launch Delayed

The scheduled launch of Tata Nano in the last quarter of this calendar is likely to be pushed back to the first quarter of next calendar year. The diesel version will face a domino delay. The delay in shifting the mother plant, the resultant financial loss and the current market turbulence has pushed back the petrol and diesel launch date.

At its Auto Expo unveiling in January this year, Mr Ratan Tata had indicated that the company was planning diesel and hybrid versions of Nano. “By and large we’ve always been a diesel company, so we will have a diesel version that will follow this variant soon after,” Mr Tata had said.

Vendor sources say work on the world’s smallest CRDi diesel engine had progressed to an advanced stage. The diesel engine will have fuel injection systems developed by Bosch, but the rest of the platform is being developed by Tata Motors and FEV, an independent engine and powertrain systems research, design and development company, based in Aachen, Germany. Sources say the 800cc, turbo-charged, CRDi diesel engine will be two-cylinder and crank out at least 30% more mileage compared to 800cc petrol cars.

Mitsubishi Motors To Cut Production

Mitsubishi Motors Corp will cut production at its factories in Japan by up to 100,000 units in five months from November due to slow sales.

The automaker will cut the production of cars, such as sports utility vehicles, and is expected to revise down its planned global sales from the current 1.39 million units in the business year ending in March 2009.

Vehicles sales have slumped more than expected in all major markets in the past months amid weak consumer confidence and a slowing economy, hitting automakers everywhere.

Even Japan’s Toyota, considered the healthiest automaker as reflected by its AAA debt rating, is expected to post its first quarterly sales decline in seven years because of the downturn in the US market.

2009 Mercedes E-Class

Autobild had published pictures of the 2009 Mercedes E-Class and now German car magazine Auto Zeitung has spotted the E-Class.

This 2009 E Class looks very much like what Autobild had published and we feel this car looks kind of boring. Yes its a Mercedes-Benz but whats wrong with Mercedes who seem to have made a hybrid of the C and S Class. I mean just look at the 2009 E and compare it to the BMW 5 Series and you will know what i am talking about.

Williams Confirm 2009 Lineup

Williams Toyota have confirmed an unchanged driver line-up for the 2009 Formula One season, with Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima retained as the team’s race drivers, while Nico Hulkenberg will take up duties as the team’s official test driver for a second year.

It will be worth mentioning that as long as Toyota is supplying the engines to Williams, Nakajima’s future as a race driver is pretty much secure.

Japanese Drivers have been hugely supported by Japanese engine suppliers and teams such as Honda, who supported Takuma Sato with Super Aguri. Drivers such as Nakajima and Sato have done exceptionally well in Formula 1 when it comes to bringing the excitement into the race by some aggressive rally style driving and frequent calls to the safety car with an occasional incident involving a few cars. Sato is linked to return to F1 in 2009.

Such was the euphoria created by Sato, that even all time greats like Micheal Schumacher have humbly bowed down to him. (See Pic)

Nissan To Launch March

Japanese auto major Nissan Motor Co will make next generation March model at its Orgadam plant built in partnership with French car maker Renault. The joint venture company Renault Nissan Automotive India Ltd (RNAI) is investing around Rs.40 billion ($833 million) in the plant, which has a total capacity of 400,000 units.

“We will roll out the small car from our Chennai plant while the plant in Thailand is the mother unit for that model,” RNAI managing director Shouhei Kimura said. “The foundation for stamping unit and paint shop has been laid. Excavation work for constructing other units are on,” Kimura added.

Nissan Motor India Ltd has tied up with Hover Automotive India Ltd to take care of the car distribution in the country. The company plans to have 55 dealers by 2012. Expected to start commercial production by 2010, Nissan plans to ship out 110,000 cars, primarily to Europe from 2011 through the Ennore port.

Ferrari V4 Superbike

The concept motorbike is the work of Israeli designer Amir Glinik, who centered his design around the theoretical application of the Ferrari Enzo's V12 engine, chopped down to four cylinders and modified to drive just one wheel in a motorcycle frame.

Around the V4 engine, Glinik has designed a fluid shape that may appear more futuristic in its styling than inspired by current roadcar designs, but certainly catches your attention. Glinik has even planned out the theoretical controls, which blend elements from an F-16 fighter jet (more common in his home country than Ferraris, anyway) and the Scuderia's high-tech Formula One steering wheel, supplemented by a weatherproof touch-screen LCD atop the fuel tank.

Jeeps Could Be Made In India

Chrysler’s Jeep the WWII-era General Purpose military vehicle that helped win the war for the Allies could soon be built in India. All current Jeeps are made in the U.S. and Argentum Motors might build some of the Jeeps in India.

Jeeps have been built in many other countries in the past but if Jeeps are made in India that would be a real boon for Argentum Motors.

“Right now the work is going on to augment the assembly lines which were made to manufacture small cars,” said Colonel Bhagwati Prasad Suman from Argentum Motors. “Soon they would be big enough to handle an SUV. Any foreign car company would save at least 15% in the production cost if we manufacture their vehicles. Early birds would have the best deal as we are ready to work on a cost-to-cost basis,” he added.

Maruti Suzuki Commissions KB Series Plant

Maruti Suzuki India on Tuesday commissioned its next generation KB Series engine plant as part of its strategy to achieve sales of one million in the domestic market by 2010-11. The KB series Engine with a displacement of 998 cc will power the company’s forthcoming model A-Star, which is expected to be launched next month.

“The new engine series is an important step towards attaining the target sales of a million units in the domestic market by 2010-11. The operational capacity of our pant have reached the million mark,” Maruti Suzuki India Managing Director Shinzo Nakanishi said. “This new engine is highly fuel efficient while also offering best in refinement and performance. It will take engine technology to the next level in India,” Nakanishi added.

The new plant spread over an area of 20,300 sq metre has a capacity of producing 2.4 lakh engines per annum. It has been set up as part of the investment of Rs 9,000 crore that the company had announced earlier.

After A-Star, the KB series engine will be progressively introduced to other models over a period of 3-5 years. The new engine will also power the export version of A-Star and the company plans to commence overseas shipment by early next year.

Mahindra Launches Scoprio & Bolero Micro-Hybrid

Mahindra & Mahindra has launched new variants of the Scorpio and Bolero with micro-hybrid technology. The new varaints are priced between Rs 6.5 lakh and Rs 6.97 lakh, around Rs. 3800 more then the standard variant.

“This is the technological innovation which we have developed with the support from Bosch. This will give an average fuel saving of about five per cent from the normal vehicles,” Mahindra & Mahindra President (Auto Motive sector) Pawan Goenka said.

The micro-hybrid technology enables vehicle engine to turn off automatically when idle or in neutral gear. The engine restarts once the clutch is pressed. The company is planning to make this technology available in all of the company’s high-volume products, including Mahindra Pick-up and other engine series such as the M-Hawk.

The company is also considering to use the technology in its yet-to-be launched Ingenio SUVs. M&M has also applied for a patent for a specific sensor, which it has developed as part of this technology. The company is considering to focus on the hybrid vehicle development but “is taking time due to certain issues.
The Mahindra FuelSmart system with Micro Hybrid technology switches off the vehicle’s engine after it has come to a complete halt. For example, if the vehicle comes to a halt at a traffic signal and is in neutral, the engine will shut down automatically after 10 seconds. Just before stopping, the indicator light located in the instrument cluster will blink, indicating that the engine is going to stop shortly. Once the signal turns green and the driver presses the clutch pedal, the engine starts immediately for continuing the journey.

In addition to fuel efficiency, the system also has other advantages. Since the engine is switched off during traffic signals / traffic jams, release of a considerable amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere is avoided. This mitigates the adverse effects of global warming, thus helping to provide us with a cleaner environment to live in.

The system also monitors health of the battery, safety requirements and the engine temperature, etc. for a trouble-free performance.

Hero Honda Sales Up

Country’s largest two-wheeler maker Hero Honda today reported a 22.47 per cent jump in sales in September at 3,85,262 units as against 3,14,567 units in the same month last year. Policy planners may be burning mid night oil to tame inflation and overcome surging oil prices, but Hero Honda seeks to capitalise on this by pushing cost effective and fuel efficient vehicles in the market.

“While it is true that double-digit inflation of 11-12 per cent would certainly upset household budgets and postpone certain purchases, the rise in auto fuel prices might actually turn out to be a blessing in disguise for the two-wheeler industry,” Hero Honda Chairman Brijmohan Lall Munjal said in the company’s Annual Report for 2007-08.

“Since fuel prices are not expected to soften in the near term, fuel-efficient industries such as ours could be beneficiaries. Infact, I will not rule out the possibility of a number of car-owning homes actually buying an additional two-wheeler to reduce the impact of the monthly fuel bill on the household budget,” Munjal said.

The company took control of over 54 per cent of the country’s motorcycle market and led its nearest competitor by over 10 lakh units, Munjal said, adding its share in the premium segment increased to 24 per cent from 15 per cent.

Hummer H3 On Wooden Wagon Wheels

Hummer is known for sporting bling 22 inch wheels but Matthew Harrison thinks he has created a piece of art fitting wooden wagon wheels to the H3. This woody Hummer H3 is on show at the fifth Zoo Art Fair in London.


Harrison said that he combined the Hummer's off-road credentials with 'Wild West' wooden wheels to create 'a sculpture that is a mixture of art, engineering and motoring. But i am no quite sure whether the Hummer can go off road on these shoes.

Mitsubishi Launches The Outlander

Hindustan Motors and Mitsubishi Motors, launched The Mitsubishi Outlander, a technologically sophisticated and distinctive SUV. The Outlander is making a debut in India after receiving phenomenal success in North America, Japan, Australia, Canada and Western Europe, for its all-season, all-road capabilities, courtesy its unique Electronically Controlled All-Wheel Control System.

The Outlander’s All Wheel Control (AWC) is powered by 2.4 litre, 16 valve MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve Timing and Electronic Control system) PETROL engine. The car gives a maximum power of 170 PS/6000 rpm and has a flat torque of 226 N-m/4100 rpm. Its rigid body leads to superior handling stability with aluminum roof panels that are lighter. This reduces roll and ads to a sedan-like driving stability.

The manufacturers have given much thought on the safety aspect of the Outlander. The RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) body of the vehicle results in improved collision safety for all occupants, regardless of impact directions. For adventure lovers, it has INVECS-III (Intelligent and Innovative Vehicle Electronic Control System), CVT (Continuous Variable Transmission) with 6-speed Paddle Shifts on steering wheel, like those fitted on legendary Lancer Evolutions’, which are ideal for sporty operations. It also hosts the Electronically Controlled 4WD (Four Wheel Drive). The drive mode selector dial can quickly change the Outlander’s drive mode from 2WD to 4WD or 4WD lock mode to master even the most demanding off-road conditions.

Outlander’s Split Tailgate with Park bench can accommodate two adults and a child’s convenient seating for enjoying the great outdoors. Its interior has been designed for maximum ease of space and convenience, the Remote folding rear seats can be tumbled from the tailgate when loading large items, at the touch of a button. The vehicle can accommodate five occupants with relative ease. Its Smart Key enables locking or unlocking of the doors and tailgate, as well as turning on or off the ignition without inserting a key.

Mitsubishi has also made the product exciting for the music lovers. The SUV comes fitted with customized speakers and 650 Watts Rockford Fosgate Music System. Use of sound blocking and vibration absorbing devices enables high quality sound reproduction in the car.

Other features include dual stage front and co-passenger air bags, automatic climate control a/c, reverse parking sensors, cruise control, multi information display system, security alarm, power and heated seat and engine immobilizer and over a dozen big and small storage spaces. The safety features and ample capacity makes Outlander a complete family car.

Taking forward the ‘One Country – One Price’ policy, HML has priced Mitsubishi Outlander at Rs. 20.20 Lacs (Ex showroom Price) across the country. The Outlander is available in seven vibrant colors – Cascade White, Silver Dew, Sunrise Yellow, River Blue, Pasture Green, Twilight Red and New Moon Black at all thirty eight dealer locations. The vehicle will be assembled at Hindustan Motors Chennai Car Plant, situated at Tiruvallur at the outskirts of Chennai in Tamil Nadu.

Hero Honda Launches New Variants

Hero Honda has launched four new variants of its existing models with a target to sell about 6 lakh units during this period. The company has rolled out self start versions of 100cc bikes Passion, (Passion Pro Power Start) and Splendor NXG , a refreshed new CBZ Xtreme (150 cc bike) and refreshed Pleasure (100cc gearless scooter).

“These launches are part of our strategy to boost sales during the festival season. Last year during the festival period we sold about five lakh units, this year we are looking to better the mark,” Hero Honda Motors Senior Vice-President (Marketing & Sales) Anil Dua said.

The ‘Passion Pro Power Start’ is priced starting at Rs 44,000 (ex-showroom Delhi) and the newlook Pleasure would be priced at Rs 36,950 (ex-showroom Delhi). The company has, however, not disclosed the prices of Splendor NXG self and the new CBZ Xtreme.

The engine of the new CBZ Xtreme comes with ATFT technology similar to the Hunk. It also gets clear lens turn indicators and two tone graphics. The new pleasure has only cosmetic changes with the addition of stickers on the body panel. The new Splendor NXG also gets some graphics and black alloy wheels but the price of the Splendor NXG remains unchanged.