TVS Jive: TVS Jive Price in India - Price, Features, Reviews & Specifications

The all new TVS Jive is the result of seeking the best option for daily commuting. The painstaking long rides become so much smoother with the TVS Jive. TVS Jive bike is equipped with an 110cc engine with innovative T-Matic technology and automatic clutch which makes it very easy to drive in congested roads.

                                           TVS Jive picture

TVS Jive offers a mileage of around 60 km/Liter on Petrol. The bike also offers anti-stall mechanism which offers smooth riding at lower speeds and in high gears and without the engine shutting off. The new bike also offers an auto clutch technology that has never been put to use on a motorbike, in India before. The impressive technology is touted to reduce stress on the left hand owing to the automatic clutch which allows one to ride the bike without actually operating it anymore. Equipped with apt technology, TVS Jive promises to offer ‘peace of mind’ for commuters.

TVS Jive Features include:

- Innovative T-Matic technology with rotary gear technology
- Automatic clutch system
- Anti-knocking technology for low speed driving

TVS Jive Technical Specifications include:

- 110cc Four Stroke engine with T-Matic technology
- First Bike in India with Automatic Clutch
- Max Power of 8.1 Bhp @ 7500 rpm
- Torque: 8.1 Nm @ 5500 rpm
- Front & Rear Alloy Wheels (1260 mm Wheelbase)
- Drum Brake
- Mileage: 60 km/Liter on Petrol
- Optical for Electric Start (Standard fitment)
- Under seat storage space
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 12 Liter
- Weight: 110 Kg

TVS Jive Price in India: Rs 46,500 Ex-Showroom for the self-start version

TVS Jive also has an anti knocking system that offers a smooth ride, even at the lowest of speeds and high gears. The inbuilt rotary gearbox allows the rider to attain neutral from any gear. TVS Jive also boasts of contemporary styling, a 15 liter fuel tank, alloy wheels and the very handy under seat storage. TVS Jive is embellished with practicality and comfort as the main forte behind this bike. TVS Jive will be priced at Rs 46,500 Ex-Showroom, for the self-start version. Geared to impress the rider, TVS Jive is available in 3 shades namely Blue, Black and Red.

                                                     TVS Jive Bike Pictures:

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Bajaj Pulsar 220cc-DTSi - Bajaj Pulsar 220cc DTSi Price in India

Bajaj Pulsar 220cc DTSi is Bajaj's latest power bike in the market. Though the Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTSi looks very close to the previous 220 DTSi Fi, the improvements are significant for any biker.

The Bajaj Pulsar 220cc DTSi has got rid of the fuel injection technology without any loss of power or efficiency, but a cost reduction close to a whopping 10, 000 rupees. And that is considerable. The Bajaj Pulsar 220cc DTSi costs close to rupees 70, 000/- ex-showroom at Delhi.

                                                Bajaj Pulsar 220cc DTSi photo
Instead of fuel injection, the Bajaj Pulsar 220cc DTSi now has India's biggest 32mm Ucal UCD 32 venturi carburetor. The changes are evident and more feel-able than visible.

Bajaj Pulsar 220cc DTSi has an engine with the same dimensions as the previous DTS-Fi and has the same torque of 19.12 Nm. But that's where the similarity ends. The engine can now chug along at 8000 rpm easily. Officially, the Bajaj Pulsar 220cc DTSi is the fastest bike on Indian roads.

Bajaj Pulsar 220cc DTSi Features Include:

1. India's biggest 32mm Ucal UCD 32 venturi carburetor

2. Torque-19.12 Nm at 500 rpms more than the fuel injected version.

3. While the piston and cylinder dimensions are the same as the DTS-Fi, the piston now comes in a graphite based Malycote material which significantly reduces friction between the piston and the cylinder walls and improves engine efficiency.

4. The combustion chamber now has an oval shaped roof ensuring maximum combustion even with lower air-fuel ratios.

5. There has been a radical increase of 33% in the cooling area again improving overall efficiency.

6. The new ignition system comes with engine temperature sensors built into the cylinder head to glide over difficult patches without any loss of torque.

7. The bike now has an auto choke to prevent starting failures in cold climate, a common problem of carbureted bikes.

8. The clutch assembly is new and supplied by FCC Riko.

9. The gearbox has been radically overhauled and improved.

10. The soft compound tubeless tires provide super road grip and guard against puncture related issues.

11. The Bajaj Pulsar 220cc DTSi also comes with a catalytic converter sufficient to meet the standards of soon to be enforced Bharat Stage 4 Pollution Norms.

Bajaj Pulsar 220cc DTSi has excellent mileage, powerful road grip, superb acceleration, fastest speed, - its time to go riding the Bajaj Pulsar 220cc DTSi.

Bajaj Pulsar 220cc DTSi Price in India: Rs. 70,000 (Ex Showroom Price Delhi)

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New Wagon R CNG And Alto CNG Launch in August 2010 - Maruti Suzuki India

                                              New Wagon R CNG Photo
After giving Indian customers the Wagon R LPG, popularly known as the dual fuel king, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd will be launching the Wagon R CNG and the Alto CNG this August say confirmed sources.

The new Wagon R which has been approved for Taxi use will gain popularity amongst taxi drivers and consumers on account of its frugal engine configurations and the easy ingress and egress that the car allows.

The re-designed Wagon R and the CNG combination should definitely add to the company’s soaring sales figures.

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Tata Venture launch in August 2010 - Tata Motor India

Tata Motors, India’s biggest automobile manufacturer, on Friday, at a five year celebration for selling five lakh units of the Ace said that they planned to introduce the Venture in August 2010.

Based on the one tone Ace platform, the Venture, which was displayed at the Auto Expo in Delhi, earlier this year, is a 5,7&8-seater people mover and comes strapped with the tried and tested Indica diesel engine (475 IDI Turbo Diesel) that belts out 70bhp.

                                            Tata Venture Photo

Expected to be priced between 4.5 -6 lakh, Tata Motors sure seems to be on its way to capturing a niche space in this segment, as currently there are no players besides Maruti whose vehicles the Omni and the Eeco, both, come with petrol engines only. Tata’s diesel powered engine should definitely prove advantageous as this comes at a time when there’s hardly any competition for the giant automobile manufacturer.

Besides thanking customers for creating various applications for the Ace and dramatically changing the customer profile, Tata Motors also said that the Magic IRIS would be introduced around September-October 2010. (The Magic IRIS is based on the original 750 kilo Tata Ace platform)

Tata Motors also added that they plan to get into the pre-owned vehicle business as there is a great demand for pre-owned vehicles in the country. This business would be called “Tata Certified”.

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Tata Aria To Be Launched in India 2010 - Tata Motors

Tata Motors is gearing up to launch the all new Tata Aria. Tata Aria will be its brand new crossover vehicle in the Indian market. Tata Motors announced the all new Tata Aria at the Delhi Auto Expo 2010, in January this year.

Tata Aria is a cross between an MPV and an SUV. Tata Aria will be powered by the 2.2L Direct Injection Common Rail Diesel Engine which currently powers Tata Safari and Tata Sumo Grande.

                                                       Tata Aria photo
Speaking on the entry of Tata Aria into the Indian market, an official spokesperson said "The Tata Aria should be launched most likely in May or June. We are going according to our plans. As for exporting it, we will make all our cars available outside the country depending on their need or relevance".

Tata Aria will employ a 2.2-liter direct-injection common-rail diesel engine and it will work with 138 horsepower. The engine will offer up to 320 Nm of torque. And despite sprint times, the weight and top speed have not yet been revealed. The much in news Tata Aria is optionally available in an all-wheel drive unit which delivers the torque, variably to each wheel, depending on driving conditions.

Tata Aria will be equipped with a seven-seater with sufficient height, such that passengers can walk into the Tata Aria rather than climbing into it. The rear seats can be folded to increase the cargo room. Tata Aria was first shown five years ago in Geneva and is slated for a domestic launch this summer. Although the launch date is nearing, Tata Motors has not revealed the final price or specifications of the model. It is likely to be priced between Rs. 12-15 lakh in the Indian market. Tata Motors will also introduce the model in the domestic market. But the all new Tata Aria will not be restricted to the domestic markets alone and plans for export to overseas market, at a later stage are also reported.

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Hyundai Santa Fe slated for launch in india 2010 - Hyundai Santa Fe

The Korean leading automobile maker Hyundai Motor Limited announces the launch of one of its most popular brand 'Hyundai Santa Fe' in the Indian market. Hyundai Santa Fe is the well-liked sports utility vehicle of Korea, under Hyundai.

Hyundai Santa Fe was introduced into the International market in 2001 and it was the first car from Hyundai in SUV segment. After the Tuscan failed to make an impact in the Indian market, Hyundai is set to launch its best selling SUV Hyundai Santa Fe to the Indian market as well.

                                          Hyundai Santa Fe photo


Speaking on the proposed launch of Hyundai Santa Fe by December 2010, H W Park, managing director, HMIL said "We will launch the Santa Fe in India this year. Hyundai Santa Fe will be a completely-built unit (CBU). We will consider manufacturing it as completely knocked down (CKD) unit; may be after two to three years. But, that will be done after proper feasibility studies."

Speaking on the launch of Hyundai Santa Fe, in the Indian market, HMIL Marketing and Sales Vice president Arvind Saxena has revealed that it is altogether a new entrant to the market. He added that the all new Hyundai Santa Fe would not be competing with the existing SUV 'Tuscan' from the same company.

Although Hyundai is gearing up to launch the Hyundai Santa Fe, it will not phase out Tucson, nor is it considering giving a facelift to the existing platform. Officials have also announced that both the models will not compete with each other as both will be built on different platforms. In addition to Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai is also planning to introduce an 800cc car in the Indian market by 2011. It is planning the launch of a face-lifted Hyundai i20 model in the domestic market.

Hyundai Santa Fe slated for launch in 2010, will receive a 2.4-liter base engine and a slightly tweaked exterior. The foray of Hyundai Santa Fe will be in built unit, while the company will focus on manufacturing, completely built units in the next two years time.

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Toyota Corolla Altis Diesel Car Price, Engine, Features, Specification

Toyota Corolla Altis Diesel Car Price,  Engine, Features, Specification - Upcoming Car in India 2010

Toyota Corolla Altis Diesel
Expected in Mid-2010
Estimated price: Rs 11-14 lakh
One of Toyota’s worldwide best selling Toyota Corolla entered the Indian car market more than half a decade ago. Sometime back, the Corolla got revamped to Corolla Altis. The Corolla Altis got a new front grille, hood, lights and a few more add-ons here and there, making it look more like the typical uncle’s car. Now, for diesel engine lovers

Engine:

Surprisingly, the Corolla Altis could use the 1.4 litre turbocharged diesel engine which rustles about 90-100bhp. The engine is torquey and Toyota claims it to be efficient.

Features:

The Corolla Altis diesel will have the same features like its petrol sibling be it exteriors, interiors or safety.

Competitors:

The Toyota Corolla Altis Diesel will compete with the Skoda Octavia, Skoda Laura, VW Jetta diesel variants. The less maintenance of Toyota could be vital here. With the Toyota known for its maintenance free cars, this could work in their favour.

Specification (Speculated)
Engine: 1.4 litre turbocharged
Power: 90-100bhp
Overall Length: 4540mm
Overall Width:1760mm
Overall Height:1480mm
Wheel Base: 2600mm
Ground Clearance: 176mm
Front Track :1530mm
Rear Track: 535mm
Boot Space: 475 litres

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Mahindra-Renault Sandero Car Price, Engine, Features, Specification

Mahindra-Renault Sandero Car Price,Engine,Features,Specification - Upcoming Car in India 2010

Mahindra-Renault Sandero
Expected in Late 2010
Estimated price: Rs 5 lakh
The Sandero is Renault’s next project for India after it launched the Logan, which is commonly sold in Europe as Dacia Logan. The Renault hatchback will feature petrol and diesel variants. The Sandero will compete with the current premium hatchbacks in the country.

Engine:

The Sandero will be available with a 1.5-litre dCI diesel engine, somewhat similar to the one available in the Logan. In case of petrol, the car should be powered by the 1.6-litre and 1.4 litre engines.

Features:

The Renault Sandero is built with the qualities of the Renault Clio and Logan. The feature will feature most of the features of a premium hatchback. Thisshould include safety features like airbags and other important features which are included in most of the premium hatchbacks.

Competitors:

The Renault Sandero will compete with the Maruti Suzuki Swift, Hyundai i20, Skoda Fabia, Fiat Grande Punto and the upcoming Volkswagen Polo. Now the question is how much the French company is capable of attracting large numbers.

Specification (Speculated):
Engine: 1.5-litre (Diesel); 1.6-litre (Petrol)
Length: 3474mm
Turning Circle:  5.25 mtrs.
Boot Space: 320.00 ltrs.
Front Suspension: MacPherson strut with wishbone arm
Rear Suspension: H-type torsion beam with programmed deflection and coil springs

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Nissan Murano Car Price, Engine, Features, Specification

Nissan Murano Car Price,Engine,features,Specification - Upcoming Car in India 2010

Nissan Murano
Expected in Mid 2010
Estimated price: Rs 35-40 lakh
The name ‘Murano’ originates from the region of Venice, Italy which is known for hand blown glass production. The Murano was nominated for the North American Truck of the Year award for 2003 and even named the best premium mid-size SUV by AutoPacific.

The Murano, when launched, will be one of the most unique crossover designs ever sold in India. The Murano has a powerful 3.5litre V6 engine that produces a potent 245bhp. The car is a front wheel drive (FWD) vehicle and is available with all wheel drive as an option. The  Murano is the largest vehicle to have a CVT (Continuously variable transmission).


Specification (Speculated)
Engine: 3.5l, 245hp V6
Transmission: CVT
Length: 4770mm
Width: 1880mm
Height: 1709mm

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Fiat Bravo Car Price,Specification - Upcoming Car in India

Fiat Bravo
Fiat Bravo Car Price,Specification
Expected in Mid-2010
Estimated price: Rs 18-25 lakh (estimated)
The Fiat Bravo is Fiat's new small family car that was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 2007. The car was designed by the Fiat style centre and Austrian automotive company Magna Steyr was involved in engineering most of the car’s body and fittings.

Once the Bravo is launched in India, it will the most expensive hatchback in the country. The idea behind launching this car is not to generate big sales numbers but rather to create a strong brand image with a high quality and truly world class product.

The Bravo in India will have a 1910cc, 16-valve turbocharged multijet engine. Developing an immense 150bhp@4000 rpm, the car will cover 0-100kph in about 9 seconds. The Bravo is a luxurious hatchback, with interiors to match.

Specification(Speculated):
Engine location: Front
Positioning: Transverse
Engine: 1910cc, turbocharged multijet engine
Max. Power: 150bhp @4000rpm
Length: 4020mm
Width: 1750mm
Height: 1420mm
Wheelbase: 2540mm

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Upcoming Cars in 2011 - Honda Accord Diesel car price,Features,specification

Upcoming Cars in india 2011
Honda Accord Diesel car price,Features,specification

                                                      Honda Accord Diesel photo
Expected in 2011
Estimated price: Rs 20-25 lakh
The present day diesel engines are quick, silent and efficient; they are giving the petrol engines a run for their money. After manufacturing only petrol engines for decades, Honda has produced its first diesel engine to boost its sales. Honda Siel will use this engine in its Accord to boost its sales and compete in the current Indian market.

Engine:

Honda has developed a common-rail diesel engine, its all four cylinder displacing a total of 2200 cubic centrimetres. The engine’s 134 horses pull the Accord and produce a maximum of 347Nm of torque.

Features:

The Honda Accord diesel looks no different from its petrol sibling. The only difference between the two is the powerplant running them. The car interiors, and the rest of the features remain unchanged.

Competitors:
Honda Accord’s main rivals include the Skoda Superb Diesel, the Mercedes C-Class, BMW 3-series and the VW Passat. Considering the current sales of Accord petrol, the diesel engine could trigger its sales further.
 

Specification:-
Displacement: 2200cc
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 347Nm
Overall Length : 4950mm
Overall Width :  1845 mm
Overall Height:  1475 mm
Seating Capacity:  5
No of Doors:  4 door
Gears/Speeds:  5 Gears
Minimum Turning Radius:   5.6 metres
Tyres:   215 / 60 R16 Tubeless

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Nissan Motor India - Ranbir Kapoor Becomes Brand Ambassador of Nissan Motors

Nissan Motor India Private Ltd (NMIPL) today in an important milestone in the run up to the launch of its first locally made car - Nissan Micra announced the talented, young and rising Bollywood Actor, Ranbir Kapoor as its official Brand ambassador to represent the Nissan brand in India. The contract, which is for a period of three years, entails Ranbir to endorse the products and services of Nissan in India through promotion, advertising and marketing.

Says Kiminobu Tokuyama, MD & CEO, NMIPL, "We 'Rishi Chugh'are delighted to have Ranbir Kapoor as our brand ambassador. Nissan is a car company with a "Passion for Cars". Our brand heritage stands for producing cars that maximize life and provide the joy of everyday driving. Ranbir Kapoor is an extremely passionate, versatile and talented film star and he has shown his pedigree in a very short period. We believe Ranbir with his uber cool charm and mass appeal brings in a perfect connect with our brand."

                                                Brand Ambassador Ranbir Kapoor photo

"With the launch of the new Nissan Micra next month, Nissan will begin an exciting journey in India aiming to provide Indian customers with a full range of products and services. We are confident that Ranbir would act as a perfect catalyst to communicate our brand attributes and also enthrall the Indian customers bringing them alive through his persona and charm", adds Mr. Tokuyama.

Says Abhijeet Pandit, Vice President - Operations, Hover Automotive India, "We are thrilled at the prospect of having Ranbir Kapoor as the brand ambassador of Nissan in India. Nissan, though a late entrant stands for spirit of innovation, design leadership and bold thinking. Our product range symbolizes the talent, creativity and dedication of people who work at Nissan. In a very short period, Ranbir has appealed across a cross-section of the audience and received both critical and commercial acclaim. He is bold, cool, easy-going, yet intelligent and hardworking amongst his peers. We believe there is a strong connect of Ranbir with our brand and we hope you would share our enthusiasm for our brand Ambassador."

Speaking on the occasion, Ranbir Kapoor said, "It is an honour and privilege to be associated with Nissan, which is a leading global automotive brand. I have been a great admirer of Nissan cars during my days spent in Europe. Some of their cars like the GTR, 370Z, which has been introduced in India are all iconic products. I am happy to know that Nissan is very serious and commitment in their plans for India and they have an exciting range of products lined up beginning with the new Nissan Micra. The Micra is a class-defining product and I am particularly excited, as it has been designed for city driving. It boasts of many features that are first in its class. I am confident that this product will redefine mobility for many in India. I look forward to an exciting journey with them."

Nissan also announced the start of a multi-media campaign (print, digital, radio and TV) featuring Ranbir Kapoor starting June 10, 2010. The all New Nissan Micra is born out of the need of simplying city chaos. With a mix of convenience and high performance features, the Micra stands for simpler city driving and thereby better living. Ranbir as the smart and uber-cool urban dude will be seen in these commercials dispensing some advice on the art of city living with the Micra.

"The new Nissan Micra has created an unprecedented amount of euphoria and attention. We have been flooded with enquiries from the very beginning and we have received a very encouraging response on the confirmed bookings since we commenced the activity on May 25, 2010. We are confident and excited that with the onset of our multi-media campaign featuring Ranbir, there would be a far-reaching impact and greater awareness of our brand in the run-up to our launch," adds Mr. Pandit.

The nationwide Start of Sales (SOS) of Nissan Micra will commence around middle of July 2010.

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Upcoming New Cars in India 2010 - 2011

The Toyota Corolla Altis priced at Rs 13,00,000 will be fighting hard with other premium diesel sedans like the Jetta, Laura and Sonata Emberra.

The Ford Fiesta hatchback is a great car priced at Rs 6,50,000. The hatchback segment will have to careful about this fuel-efficient car which is every Indian driver’s dream.

The cost of the Hyundai i30 is slightly high, Rs 7,50,000. But the power of the car is equally high.
Volkswagen Phaeton, providing unrelenting standards of safety, comfort and dynamics, will be out with a tag of Rs 58,00,000.

The Mahindra Renault Sandero is more handsome and more comfortable than the Logan. The price is just Rs 5,00,000.

The Chevrolet Spark with a 3-cylinder 800cc engine is priced at Rs 3,00,000.

Next comes the Maruti SX4 diesel car costing its owners Rs 8,00,000.

For SUV enthusiasts, the Volkswagen Tiguan will be here. It is called the Touareg’s younger brother with a price tag of Rs 25,00,000.

The Toyota Yaris hatchback, priced at Rs 5,50,000, scores very high when it comes to looks, space and comfort.

April 2010:

The Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 bearing a tag of Rs 2.5 crore is all set to defeat the luxury car market.

May 2010:

The Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class is a stylish convertible with a 3.5 litre engine. With the body of a coupe the car still hangs on to the headlight design of the older W280 C-class. The price tag, Rs 75,00,000.
The Nissan Micra priced at Rs 4.5 lakh will be hitting the Indian roads this May.

June 2010:

Mitsubishi is planning to come out with a small car, the Colt. The car, with a 74 bhp, 1.1 litre petrol engine has smart looks too. It is priced at Rs 4,50,000.
The diesel variant of the Honda CR-V will be out this June. The fuel-efficient car will be priced at Rs 24,00,000.

The Hyundai Genesis, priced at Rs 35,00,000 will help those Indians with a yearning for luxury, fulfill their dream.
The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X with a 2-litre engine is extremely light because of the aluminum engine block below the hood. The car has a 4WD option and is priced at Rs 22,00,000.
The mid-size crossover SUV, Hyundai Santa Fe, will come to India with a tag of Rs 24,00,000. The car is powered with a 2.7L V6, 148bhp diesel motor.

July 2010:

The Volvo S60 priced at Rs 35,00,000 is simply smart. The car features a new collision warning technology with full auto brake.

Along with the sedan, Volvo will also bring out an SUV. This car, again, is a real beauty and is priced at Rs 30 lakh.
Skoda too wants to come up with a small car priced at around Rs 4 lakh. The car will first come to India and then will be unveiled in other parts of the world.

August 2010:

Volkswagen UP, a smart and friendly car, will make sure your head remains up with pride. The vehicle is priced at Rs 3,50,000.

October 2010:

The Skoda Fabia will be elongated a bit and brought to India as Skoda Fabia Combi. The car will be more spacious and comfortable than the previous version. It will bear a tag of Rs 10 lakh.
Another car with ample space and comfort will be the BMW X1. With a 6-cylinder engine, the car will be priced somewhere around Rs 30,00,000

November 2010:
The Skoda Roomster comes with enough room for everyone. Brilliantly styled and with the quickness of an aeroplane, the price of the car is unknown.

December 2010:

The Fiat Bravo with a 1.9L multijet engine has muscular exteriors. The interiors too are elegant and lustrous. It is priced at Rs 16,00,000.
The Maruti Kizashi is the first all-wheel drive sedan in the D-segment with an advanced turbo 2.0L petrol engine and 6-speed transmission. This family car costs Rs 15,00,000.
The ICML World Car is co-developing diesel and petrol versions of a 7-seater sports SUV and a 5-seater luxury car. It will be produced in Himachal.

January 2011:

Three car makers are planning to capture the Nano’s market share. Bajaj, Renault and Nissan have come together to produce a small car in India and hope to export it to other nations as well. The price is believed to be Rs 1,00,000.

August 2011:

The Volvo C70 has been turning heads everywhere and will soon come to India. It’s price would be Rs 35,00,000. The sleek and stylish car would be hard to resist.

Bentley too plans to get its Rs 2.1 crore Continental GT Speed into the Indian market. The classy coupe allows easy driving even at very high speeds. The car will give a maximum power of 600bhp.

Carazoo.com is the First Car Portal in India with Interactive Car Animations. Get more information on New & Used Car Loan Rates and Old or Used Car Insurance.

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Upcoming new Nissan Leaf electric car in 2011 - Nissan

The world's first mass-market electric car, the Nissan Leaf, will cost nearly £10,000 more than its equivalent petrol and diesel rivals.

Nissan, which announced the European pricing for the fully electric Leaf today, said that the five-door car would set consumers back £28,350, dropping to £23,350 when a UK government grant is included.

                                                 New Nissan Leaf electric car Photo

The Leaf hopes to change the eccentric image of electric cars, which have been dogged by safety fears and a lack of recharging points. Similar-sized conventional cars such as the Ford Focus cost just under £19,000, and the Leaf's obvious direct rival, the Prius electric-petrol hybrid, costs £19,500-22,500.

"At first sight it looks expensive," said Edmund King, president of the AA, "but we estimate a Ford Focus or similar car in that category would cost about 14p a mile, where the Leaf would cost something like 0.3p per mile depending on your electricity tariff. If you do 10,000 miles you save around £1,500 a year. Over three years you almost make your money back on the premium." The car is also exempt from vehicle excise duty and London's congestion charge.

With a range of 100 miles, the Leaf will be able to go without the plug socket for more than double what first generations of the iconic G-Wiz electric car managed and should avoid drivers being worried they will become stranded after running out of power.

"This is the first proper electric car on the market, and 100 miles is the minimum that serious drivers will be looking for," said King.

The first 50,000 cars, which go on sale in the UK in February next year, will be made in Japan, but when a Nissan factory in Sunderland opens in 2013 it will be one of the first major electric cars made in the UK. Nissan said even with today's relatively dirty energy mix it represents a 60% improvement in CO2 emissions against conventional petrol and diesel cars.

But there could be bumps on the road ahead, with a question mark hanging over the last government's plans to pay car buyers up to £5,000 towards the asking price of a new electric car from 2011. A Department for Transport spokesperson said they couldn't confirm if the grant would be retained until the government publishes its 'final coalition agreement'.

A commitment to the grant was conspicuously lacking from the otherwise relatively detailed environment section of the coalition agreement published last week, which talks of "mandating" a network of electric recharging points. There are currently only a few hundred such points in the UK, mostly in London.

Nissan projects that by 2020 one in ten new cars will be electric. But it is not yet clear how strong consumer demand will be. An Auto Trader online survey earlier this year suggested that, while nearly two-thirds of people have environmental impact in mind when buying a new car, only 8% ranked it as a key factor, making it the least important, below five other factors such as reliability and aesthetics.

Ben Lane, editor of What Green Car, said Nissan would likely be losing money on the first sales of the Leaf but said, "It could do for electric cars what the Toyota Prius did for hybrids." Toyota has sold over 1m units of the Prius since it launched in 1999.
   

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Upcoming new Smallest and Cheapest Car in India

Upcoming new Smallest and Cheapest Car, which is four feet in width, eight feet in length and 4 feet in height, is a new innovation of Bangalore-based mechanical engineer Narasimharaju. The car, developed in February 2009, has found its place in the Limca Book of Records as the National Record for 2010.

This little wonder, weighing only 150 kilograms, is equipped with a 175cc four-stroke petrol engine and has a maximum speed of 60 kmph. It is a uniquely designed two-seater car with a single door on top.

According to Narasimharaju, with a single door on top, the car is the solution for traffic congestion and parking problem in cities.

The car could also be altered and made to run on battery or on compressed natural gas, claimed Narasimharaju.

The car was displayed at Vahan Yatra held in August 2009 at Palace Grounds. Narasimharaju said that the car would cost Rs. 80,000 if it is produced commercially. With a wheelbase of 1.5 metres, the car has a ground clearance of six inches.

For the certification of Vehicle Research and Development Limited at Ahmednagar in Maharashtra, the design of the car has been applied for patent, he added.

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World's most coveted Ferrari 250 GTO car - Automobile Auction

Only 36 of the iconic 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO were ever made. On the rare occasions they come up for sale they can fetch millions

RM Auctions believes it has just sold the world's most coveted car - a rare 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO. The marque (chassis no. 4675 GT), in unmistakable Ferrari red and with the prancing horses emblazoned on the hood, has an excellent pedigree. One of only 36 250 GTOs originally produced and one of a limited few with Series II GTO bodywork, it left the factory in April 1963 and was subsequently raced by Guido Fossati, Jean Guichet, Oddone Sigala, Vincenzo Nember and Luigi Taramazzo, rarely finishing outside the top three in its class and achieving numerous race wins.

                                               Ferrari 250 GTO car Picture
"The exclusivity of Ferrari's 250 GTO cannot be understated. As they rarely come to market, new owners become part of a very exclusive 'club' and are welcomed with open arms at literally any of the world's great concours events, races and rallies," said Max Girardo, Managing Director of RM Europe.

"We are pleased to have been able to unite this exceptional car with a new and immensely enthusiastic owner. It's fantastic that this car will now be used in earnest on the classic car scene around Europe."

In addition to being considered one of the most beautiful cars ever built by Ferrari, the GTO, with 302bhp (at 7500rpm) and a top speed of 174mph, won many World Championships for the Modenese car-builder.

Over the years, this car has received many plaudits from the world's motoring enthusiasts. The car moved garages for an undisclosed figure.

As a motor auction house, RM doesn't do too badly, either. It has achieved many impressive motor car auction results at prestigious locations around the globe, including the sale of seven of the top 10 Ferraris ever sold at auction.

The company generates an average of US$50 million in private treaty transactions each year.

So, if you're bitterly disappointed about missing out on the 4675 classic, RM is looking for a buyer for an extremely rare, race-bred 1967 Ferrari 330 P4 (chassis number 0858). Another one for your collection?

No word on the price of the coveted Ferrari, but a recent event, the inaugural Sporting Classics of Monaco auction, reaped the following rewards.

Five automobiles fetched prices in excess of 2,000,000 euro (US$2,466,000) and two new world records were set. Bidders from 33 different countries made their intentions known on the telephone, over the Internet and assembled in the standing-room-only venue, and approximately 3,300 people watched the live streaming video coverage of the sale over the Internet.

The event's top seller was a rare 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Cabriolet Pininfarina SWB, s/n 3309 SA, setting a new world record for a Superamerica when it sold for 2,800,000 euro (US$3,799,600). A rare 1960 Maserati Tipo 61 'Birdcage', s/n 2470, also set a new world record for a Birdcage at 2,464,000 euro (US$3,343,648).

The sale's cover car, the 1937 BMW 328 MM 'Bügelfalte', s/n 85032, exchanged hands less than 24 hours after the sale's conclusion for a confidential sum.

Overall, 88 of the 105 pre- and post-war motor cars were sold for a total of 33,235,917 euro (US$45,101,139), making Sporting Classics of Monaco's debut one of the most successful automobile auctions ever held.

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Bajaj Kawasaki Ninja 250R Bike Launch in India - Coming Soon Kawasaki Ninja 250R

Bajaj has announced the launch of Kawasaki Ninja 250R in May this year. Kawasaki Ninja 250R is one of the best selling bikes from the Kawasaki stables. Speaking at the launch, MD Rajiv Bajaj said "The Kawasaki Ninja 250 will be launched by May or June". He added that the Kawasaki Ninja would be priced around   Rs 2 lakh. 

                                                  Bajaj Kawasaki Ninja 250R Bike photo
Kawasaki Ninja 250R bike is renowned for its splendid combination of power and fuel efficiency. Other features that make this bike a popular toy among the experience bikers is certainly its light handling and comfort. Kawasaki Ninja 250R can be considered to be an entry level sports bike although it can pass off for a good street bike as well.

Kawasaki Ninja will be introduced as a completely-built unit. Bajaj owns nearly 30% stake in KTM. The company plans to introduce more bikes from Austrian maker KTM and bigger bikes like Duke and RR will be assembled in the local facility, therefore they will be highly affordable.

However, Bajaj will be importing the Ninja as CKD (completely knocked down) units from Thailand to save on custom duties. DOHC 249cc parallel twin cylinder engine offering good mass centralization and improved handling are the main highlights of the new bike.

                                                       Bajaj Kawasaki Ninja 250R Bike picture

The dual overhead camshafts ensure that the bike offers good low and mid range torque. The overall design of the bike is very well balanced and wind tunnel tested. The trademark Ninja styling is carried from its bigger siblings. The Kawasaki Ninja 250R is equipped with all the desirable features which are a prerequisite for a good biking experience.

The Kawasaki Ninja is sure to do good business with its beginner friendly low-end grunt and a lively top-end rush. The compact size, outstanding pose value and low price tag are the enticing factors of the all new Kawasaki Ninja 250R.

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Toyota to recall Lexus in Japan for steering fix - Toyota Motor

TOKYO: Toyota Motor Corp, the world's biggest automaker, said it plans to recall four models of its Lexus luxury car in Japan due to steering problems, its latest move in a series of massive recalls.

The recall is likely to cover about 4,500 cars in Japan and the total could reach 11,500 worldwide, Toyota spokesperson Mieko Iwasaki said on Wednesday.
 

The models in question were sold in the United States, Europe and China as well as Japan.

The models covered by the recall are the LS460 and LS460L, and hybrids LS600h and LS600hL.

The move is the latest in a series of recalls and incidents that have tarnished Toyota's reputation for quality.

The automaker has recalled more than eight million Toyota and Lexus vehicles worldwide in 2009 and this year, including 6.5 million in the United States, mainly due to complaints about unintended acceleration.

On Tuesday, Toyota paid a $16.4 million fine to settle allegations by US regulators that it was too slow to recall vehicles with defective accelerator pedals.

Toyota shares ended morning trade down 1% at 3,495 yen, outperforming the Nikkei average, which fell 1.6%.

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Mercedes-Benz C200 CGI Launches in India - Mercedes-Benz C200 priced at Rs. 26.25 Lacs

Mercedes-Benz unveiled its roadmap for gasoline engine technology in India. "The CGI technology heralds a new era in gasoline engines with improved output, optimized consumption and even more impressive emission statistics" commented Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bharat Balasubramanian, Vice President Product Innovations & Process Technologies, Group Research & Advanced Engineering, Daimler AG, speaking to media persons at the launch event.

The CGI technology makes its debut in the C-Class. Dr. Wilfried Aulbur, Managing Director and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India explained the rationale: "The C-Class is in most cases the first touch point of customers with our brand. Mercedes-Benz stands for exciting products and cutting edge technologies; what better way to reinforce this promise than by offering the C 200 CGI as the harbinger of the CGI revolution in gasoline engines!"

                                                    Mercedes-Benz C200  Photo

The CGI technology is the first of its kind in the world to use sophisticated petrol direct-injection engine with spray guided combustion process. CGI engines use piezo-injectors (also seen on the global F700 DiesOtto concept presented by Daimler AG). With the new technology, the engine can run with high excess air and thus offer excellent fuel efficiency. Thanks to multiple injection, it is for the first time possible to extend this lean-burn operating mode to higher rpm and load ranges too.

Among the most important components of this innovative direct petrol injection system are the fast-acting piezoelectric injectors. They have nozzles which open outwards to create an annular gap just a few microns wide. This gap shapes the fuel jet and produces a uniform, hollow-cone-shaped spray pattern. The microsecond response times of the piezoelectric injectors provide the basis for delivering multiple injections per power stroke, and thus for lean-burn operation. By allowing flexible and efficient control of the combustion process they play a key part in ensuring the engine's outstanding fuel efficiency. The engine’s innovative injection procedure makes for much better fuel and thermodynamic efficiency than the wall-guided combustion process previously employed with direct injection.

Mercedes-Benz has replaced the previous 4-in-line KOMPRESSOR Technology with the world's first spray-guided direct petrol injection. Thus in the C-Class, the C 200CGI replaces the C 200 Kompressor in the model range. The C 200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY equipped with the new engine technology consumes just 11.4 km /litres of fuel knocking 0.78 litres off the values of the C200Kompressor. CO2 emissions are also reduced from 215g/km to 201 g/km. The debutante offers an output of 137kW at 5600rpm (approx. 5% increase over the C 200Kompressor). At the same time it offers increased bottom-end torque of 285 Nm at 2400-4000 rpm (C 200Kompressor = 240 Nm @ 3500 - 4500rpm ). Thus the C 200CGI is keenly tuned in with the environmental objectives of lower emission at the same time becoming even more pleasurable to drive, more sporty and quick.

As well as an exciting design and hallmark Mercedes refinement, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class displays state-of-the-art technology such as the AGILITY CONTROL package with selective damper control and the PRE-SAFE system with anticipatory occupant-protection measures. Furthermore, independent studies confirm that the C-Class has the highest resale value in the medium-size category, while the latest breakdown statistics compiled by the ADAC (German Automobile Association) reveal that it is the most reliable car in its class.

The Mercedes-Benz C200 CGI is priced at Rs. 26.25 Lacs Ex-showroom Mumbai. ( Ex Delhi is 28.98, Ex-Bangalore = 29.23 )

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New Bajaj Platina 125cc Bike in Indian Market - Bajaj Platina 125cc

Bajaj Auto claims to offer the best biking experience to Indian riders. In a bid to augment its market presence, Bajaj Auto has launched the Bajaj Platina 125cc at a price of Rs. 36,660.

The new Bajaj Platina will have a host of new features. The very useful electric start and 5-speed gear box form a part of the exclusive features. Bajaj Platina has also undergone some cosmetic changes and gets a dynamic and brand new body graphics. S Sridhar, Bajaj Auto Ltd CEO said "The new bike makes for easy commuting even on rough roads and provides amazing value for money." He added "we believe this offering would reinforce our presence in the entry level bike segment."

                                                          Bajaj Platina 125cc Photo

Bajaj Platina is positioned as the 'Dumdaar Sawari' equipped with features like convenient electric Start as standard, 5-speed gear box for smooth riding, solid graphics and all black solid styling. The telescopic Front Suspension and Patented Rear SNS, enhance the overall look of the bike which claims to offer the supreme suspension for a comfortable ride.


The new Bajaj Platina is slated to deliver 8.5PS of peak power at 7000rpm and 10Nm of peak torque at 4000rpm. The current version of Bajaj Platina developed 9.5PS of peak power and 10.85Nm of peak torque. The refurbished bike appears as if it has been toned down. Bajaj Platina is the ultimate answer for easy commuting even on roads that provide challenges. The new bike is an initiative by Bajaj to augment the biking experience for bikers and here`s hoping that the project appeals to Bajaj fans across the nation.

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