Swift X-ITE Launched in Germany

Suzuki Germany has announced the Swift X-ITE special edition is now available from 15,490 euros. Previously only offered as individual accessaries, the three-door hatch gives prospective owners increased value for all of the sporty styling options plus some additional features on the inside.

The X-ITE has following features-

a sporty body kit which includes add-on front and rear bumper spoilers and side skirts along with matching graphics sets. The graphics kits are available in three colors: Superior white exterior with red graphics, Ablaze Red Pearl Metallic with black, or Cosmic Black Pearl with white.

Special matt black X-ITE 17-inch alloy wheels having a 12-spoke design fitted to 205/40R-17 tires.

Matte black lug nut covers and matching hub caps with a silver X-ITE logo.

Aluminum shift knob, black leather shift boot, two-piece sill-set in polished stainless steel and black floor mats with silver stitching and embroidered logo.

Air conditioning with pollen filter, a height-adjustable driver's seat, a height-adjustable leather steering wheel and an MP3-compatible CD radio with steering wheel controls as standard

The Swift X-ITE is powered by a 1.2-liter petrol engine producing 94 PS (69 kW / 93 bhp) and achieves a fuel consumption of 6.1L/100km (city), 4.4L/100km (highway), 5.0L/100km (combined) and a CO2 emissions of 116 g/km.

 

Bookings for XUV 500 Re-opens on 8 June

Mahindra is going to re-open bookings for its superhit SUV 'XUV 500' from 8th June 2012.  This vehicle was introduced by the company through selected dealers in 5 cities initially. Within a week of the launch it attracted around 8,000 bookings and soon waiting periods for this vehicle jumped many folds.

In the second phase the XUV500 was made available in 19 cities and saw an impressive 25,000 registrations. A lottery system, called “XUV500 Draw” was introduced to select 7,200 winners who would be allocated their new vehicles. This draw was introduced to deliver cars in a timely and transparent manner as Mahindra did not have a production line that could manufacture cars in such a huge number.

Now from the 8^th of June 2012, customers would be able to book their XUV500 across the country from Mahindra showrooms.

In a press release, Pravin Shah, Chief Executive, Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said, “It has been an incredible journey so far for the XUV500 and we are pleased to take the product national. We have been inundated with requests for re-opening of bookings not just from existing cities but also from cities where the XUV500 was not available. Now that we have ramped-up our production capacity significantly, we are confident that we will be able to take care of the growing all-India demand for the XUV500.”

In order to meet the demands, Mahindra has ramped up the production capability to produce around 4000 units per month at its Chakan plant.

Leno Goes for Nano

Jay Leno, a television actor and a stand-up comedian, has now added the world’s cheapest car – the TATA NANO to his collection of cars and bikes. And that’s not all as Jay Leno made the NANO addition quiet an event with a typical Indian flavour.  Leno is a huge fan of cars and bikes. In his garage he has many cars - vintage cars, super cars, big and small. Leno is also a collector of bikes and is often spotted at Pebble Beach at Harley Davidson rallies.

Dressed in an ornate Shervani designed by Manav Gangwani, Leno kept the affair absolutely Indian style and even had dancers doing the Bollywood steps as the NANO with Tri-Colour stripes rolled in to his garage. The man bowed down in front of the world’s cheapest car with a traditional Namaskar. 

So, Leno gets Nano.

THE NEW PEUGEOT 301

The new Peugeot 301 is a clear illustration of the Marque’s internationalisation and demonstrates its desire to conquer new markets. It has been specifically designed to appeal to a wide customer base attracted by four-door saloons which are both accessible and present an enhanced level of status. In keeping with Peugeot’s desire to introduce cars for specific markets, the 301 is not intended for the UK market.

The 301 was developed to adapt to all conditions of use, and extremes (hot countries, cold countries, and poor roads). With an overall length of 4.44 metres it sets itself apart with an optimised and generous structure which puts it a step ahead of the competition. So, it will have benchmark characteristics in its segment:

 Class leading occupant space in the rear due to a wheelbase of 2.65 m
 A best in class boot volume of 506 dm3 (VDA 210)
 Safe handling combined with high levels of comfort, the result of Peugeot’s chassis expertise and thus guaranteeing excellent driving pleasure under all conditions
 A wide range of safety equipment available: ESP, ABS, up to four airbags, emergency braking assistance, ISOFIX, etc.

The range of latest generation petrol and diesel engines on the 301 is perfectly suited to the expectations of target markets, with power values ranging from 71 bhp to 115 bhp and manual, piloted or automatic gearboxes:

1.2 l VTi 52 kW (71 bhp) (1) with manual or EGC ( electronic gearbox control) 1.6 l HDi 68 kW (92 bhp) with manual gearbox 1.6 l VTi 85 kW (115 bhp) with manual or automatic gearbox A symbol of modernity, the 301 therefore will become the second car in the Peugeot range, after the 208, to benefit from the new range of 3 cylinder petrol engines (1.2 l VTi) which, due to their advanced technology, combine driving pleasure and reduced fuel consumption.

The 301 incorporates modern comfort equipment (electronic air conditioning, MP3 audio system with Bluetooth hands-free kit and USB connection, remote opening of the boot, rear parking assistance, etc), all of which guarantee an excellent level of comfort on board.

The new Peugeot 301, manufactured in Vigo (Spain), will have its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in September. It will then go on sale from 1st November 2012 in Turkey then into Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Greece, The Middle East, Gulf and African States, as well as in certain Latin American markets.

Honda Starts Testing the Diesel Engine in Brio

Honda has started the road testing of its diesel engine in Brio in India.  Some of the reports from various sources have stated that Brio cars were seen around Delhi testing the diesel engines.  Honda in India is having only petrol car models which, considering the high prices of petrol (now touching Rs. 73.14, i.e. US$1.35 per liter) are facing decreasing demands when compared to cars running on diesel which is highly subsidised.

It is estimated that Honda will launch the diesel variants of Brio/Jazz/City by the end of this year. 

Google Gets Licence to Be Driven

Google has received the first licence in the USA to test self-driving cars on public roads in Nevada.

Officials of the Department of Motor Vehicles in Nevada, California, said they have issued Google the nation's first licence to test an autonomous vehicle that does not need a driver on its public streets.

It is the first licence issued in the United States under new laws and regulations.

The new licence plate is red and features the infinity symbol and the letters AU, for autonomous vehicle. All such cars on the road are "test" vehicles for now, though the state signaled it may grant regular licences.

"I felt using the infinity symbol was the best way to represent the 'car of the future,'" state DMV Director Bruce Breslow said.

"When there comes a time that vehicle manufactures market autonomous vehicles to the public, that infinity symbol will appear on a green license plate."

Google, known to dive into other big ideas such as space elevators to Internet-enabled glasses, was the first company to apply to test its self-driving system in Nevada, the press release said.

It also indicated that "other auto manufacturers have indicated their desire to test and develop" such technology in the state.

In a 2010 post on Google's official blog, engineer and Google X founder Sebastian Thrun said that the self-driving vehicle project aims "to help prevent traffic accidents, free up people's time and reduce carbon emissions by fundamentally changing car use."

He noted that the "automated cars use video cameras, radio sensors and a laser range finder to 'see' other traffic, as well as detailed maps ... To navigate the road ahead." There is no driver needed, though one is typically in the front seat ready to take control if need be, Thrun was quoted as saying by CNN.

Earlier this year, Google said it had "safely completed over 200,000 miles of computer-led driving."

Source : BS Motoring

Heavy Discount on Petrol Cars

The subsidised diesel in India is killing petrol cars.  While people are ready to wait for as much as 10 months just to get a new diesel car, petrol cars are just waiting for the customers.  Result is clear - heavy discounts are raining everywhere, from every car producer on petrol models.  While the biggest car maker Suzuki is promising to secure the customer of petrol price hike for a year, other car companies like Toyota has announced free insurance and 3 years maintenance free package with its hatchback Liva.  Honda has announced chance to win free foreign trips for people taking test drive of its latest hatchback Brio.  Other manufacturers are also doing this or that to clear their petrol car inventory either with cash discounts and/or free insurance with maintenance package/road side assistance etc.

Fiat Linea now with a discount of Rs. 236000

Fiat India is giving a whopping discount of Rs. 2,36,000 on Linea Tjet petrol.  This includes 100,000 as gift cheque, another 100,000 as exchange bonus and free insurance worth Rs. 36,000.  The is in line with general trend of diminishing demand for petrol cars in India.  Fiat is particularly affected by the low sales of its models, whether diesel or petrol.  None of its models i.e. Punto and Linea has been able to make inroads in the India market.  Now, Fiat has announced break up with the Tata Motors and intends to open its exlusive showrooms/service centres.

Top 5 Car Manufacturers in India - April 2012

Following is the list of top five car manufacturers in India on the basis of monthly sales figures for April 2012 (figures rounded off to nearest 100)-

1. Suzuki       90300
2. Hyundai    35000
3. Tata          22700
4. Mahindra   20000
5. Toyota       14400

Among these, Mahindra is a manufacturer producing only diesel vehicles. Suzuki has maintained its undisputable lead with 41 per cent share in the passenger car market. In the bottom three, there are Mitsubishi (266 units), Renault (615 units) and Fiat (1000 units).

Top Ten Best Selling Cars in India - April 2012

Following is the list of tep ten best sellers in India during the month of April 2012.  Figures have been rounded off to nearest 100 -

1.  Suzuki Swift (19500)
2.  Suzuki Alto (17800)
3.  Suzuki Dzire (15500)
4.  Suzuki Wagon R (10200)
5.  Hyundai Eon (8500)
6.  Mahindra Bolero (8200)
7.  Tata Nano (8000)
8.  Hyundai i10 (7900)
9.  Hyundai i20 (7600)
10. Suzuki Omni (7300)

Swift becomes the top selling car in India

Swift from Suzuki has become the top selling car in India after pushing Alto (also from Suzuki) to number 2 position.  Alto has been at the number 1 position since 2005 when it replaced another Suzuki hatchback Maruti 800.

Swift sold 19484 units against 17842 units of Alto during April 2012.  The decrease in the sale of Alto units is due to the fact that this car has only petrol variants while Swift has diesel variants also.  In India, the prices of diesel are highly subsidised which makes diesel vehicles very economical to run.  The ratio of petrol and diesel variants of Swift sold in India is approximately 20:80.

Honda India Grows by 252 % in April 2012

(Tuesday, May 01, 2012,New Delhi)

Honda Siel Cars India Ltd. (HSCI), manufacturer of Honda cars in India, posted a remarkable growth of 252% in April 2012. The company reported sales of 7,075 units in the month of April 2012 as against 2,012 units in the corresponding month last year. The company sold 28,731 units during January-April 2012 as compared to 16,789 units in the corresponding period last year recording a growth of 71%. Model wise sales break-up for April 2012: Brio 3590 Jazz 1300 City 2092 Civic 51 Accord 25 CRV 17

If You Drink, We Drive - The Skoda Way of Safety

Skoda has introduced 'If You Drink, We Drive', a value added service initiated for SKODA owners in Mumbai. An exclusive Chauffeur service for a drop at home will be extended to SKODA owners enjoying matches in clubs and restaurants located anywhere in the city. This unique initiative is available from 27th April – 27th May, 2012.

Designed to raise awareness on responsible and safe driving, this program will enable SKODA customers to enjoy the games to the fullest with their friends and families. However, this service is applicable only to those customers who will be driving to the venues in their SKODA cars. Followed by a stringent verification process, a Chauffeur will be made available for the customer, waiting to drive them home in the comfort of their own SKODA.

In India, there are many cases of accidents due to driving under the influence of alcohol.

To know more about the SKODA’s ‘If You Drink, We Drive’ program, log onto SKODA India’s website- www.skoda-auto.co.in