Auto Buff: March 2008

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Live webcast of Maruti Suzuki DZIRE, Swift Sedan

Live webcast of Maruti Suzuki DZIRE, Swift Sedan in an hour at :-
http://www.marutidzire.com/

Related:-

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Maruti Swift Dzire - First ever Video Footage

Maruti Swift Dzire - First ever Video Footage

A decent quality video footage of the rear and side of the Dzire. Looks good, god knows why it always reminds me of the Amby.

A promo video of the Dzire, Looks like a TV commercial:-

Related:-

Friday, March 21, 2008

Yamaha Gladiator Type-SS Promo Video

Another Yamaha Gladiator Type-SS Promo Video:-

Shared on youtube by Gladicool.

Related:-
Yamaha's New Gladiator Type SS & RS
Yamaha Gladiator Type SS/RS TV Commercial
Honda CBF Stunner new 125 cc motorcycle from Honda
Yamaha to introduce DiASil cylinder in India
Pulsar Mania- Awesome TV Commercial of Bajaj Pulsar
TVS Flame 125cc to be relaunched with single spark
Details of new Bajaj XCD Sprint

Yamaha Gladiator Type SS/RS TV Commercial

Yamaha Gladiator Type SS/RS TV Commercial, link mailed by Shivanand Mohanty, posted on youtube by Payeng.

Related:-
Yamaha's New Gladiator Type SS & RS
Yamaha Gladiator Type-SS Promo Video
Honda CBF Stunner new 125 cc motorcycle from Honda
Yamaha to introduce DiASil cylinder in India
Pulsar Mania- Awesome TV Commercial of Bajaj Pulsar
TVS Flame 125cc to be relaunched with single spark
Details of new Bajaj XCD Sprint

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Maruti Suzuki unveils Swift sedan 'Swift DZiRE'

Earleir Post:- Swift Sedan

Pictures of Swift Sedan DZiRE

Update:- Maruti Swift Dzire - First ever Video Footage
Maruti Suzuki today unveiled a new sedan, Swift DZiRE, which is expected to be launched on March 29 priced between the company's existing cars Swift and SX4.

"The image of a hatchback and styling of Swift is carried forward to the Sedan. The new car will be available in both petrol and diesel variants,"

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd Executive Officer (Marketing and Sales) Mayank Pareek told reporters here.

According to the company sources, the petrol variant is expected to be priced between Rs 4.75 to Rs 5 lakh, while the diesel variant would be available for above Rs 5.5 lakh.

The company is also expanding the capacity of its plant in Manesar to three lakh units per annum by 2010, up from the existing about 1.4 lakh units in an year.

Official website:- http://www.marutidzire.com/

Where you can also register for an exclusive preview of the car. (reminds me of Fabia)

Detailed pictures, features, specifications of Swift DZiRE will soon follow.

Related:-

source ET.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Honda CBF Stunner new 125 cc motorcycle from Honda

The sales of 125cc+ motorcycles grown by almost 15% over the period of April 2007-January 2008. Lot of action has been seen in recent past in the 125cc segment as the consumer focus is gradually shifting towards 125cc+ segment from the dominating 100cc segment.

The segment has recently seen new additions like Bajaj XCD, Gladiator SS and RS, TVS Flame and soon to follow is Bajaj XCD Sprint. Manufacturers are increasingly turning to the (so called premium)125cc segment for profit.

With a strategic move by Honda (HMSI) to augment the 12% market share it holds in this segment, the company is like to introduce an all new motorcycle in125cc segment in addition of its existing 125cc Shine. The new bike was earlier expected to be showcased at Auto Expo as the so called sportier version of the Shine, but that didn't happen. But Honda did showcase the CBF concept supposedly based on the unicorn.

Update :- HONDA CBF Stunner will be launched on 30th June

Pictuire of the Honda CBF concept from Auto Expo (taken from xbhp)

Update:- Honda 125 CBF Stunner now launched.

CBF Stunner are available in three variants -- Self Disc Alloy (Rs 51,655), Self Drum Alloy (Rs 49,820) and Kick Drum Alloy (Rs 47,070).

The bike is available in two colours Sports Red and Black.

According to Economic times, the Japanese two-wheeler giant is currently testing out a new motorcycle at its factory in Maneswar, Gurgaon. Codenamed KWFA and christened the CBF Stunner, the new bike is most likely to be launched by August 2008 and is expected to be priced at around Rs 52,000 ex-showroom. With a 125 cc mill, its expected to pump 11 bhp and looks like a ‘baby Karizma’.

Now this remains to be seen how the CBF Stunner actually turns out to be and if it can compete with the XCD Sprint, Galdiator RS / SS, Flame etc.

Related:-
Honda Aviator: details, specifications, pictures & features
TVS Flame 125cc to be relaunched with single sparkplug
Details of new Bajaj XCD Sprint
Yamaha's New Gladiator Type SS & RS
Yamaha YZF R15 and FZ unveiled at Auto Expo

Source:- ET

Friday, March 14, 2008

Yamaha to introduce DiASil cylinder in India

Parallel to a slew of launches, Yamaha Motor India is aiming to demonstrate its technological prowess with the launch of DiASil Cylinder in the Indian market. Yamaha “DiASil Cylinder” is used on the new 150cc YZF-R15 which was unveiled at Auto Expo 2008 and will be released in the market later this year.

Developed in 2002 by Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd, Yamaha “DiASil Cylinder” is an all-aluminum die-cast cylinder with 60% better cooling performance and 30% cheaper production cost than a conventional cylinder (*1). Yamaha “DiASil Cylinder” (*2), is the world’s first all-aluminum die-cast cylinder and it achieves cooling performance equivalent to that of a nickel-plated cylinder, which is currently recognized as the best in the industry, but at a significantly lower production cost than a nickel-plated cylinder.

DiASil, an abbreviation for "Die-casting Aluminum-Silicon", is a technology which brings together an ideal combination of material, manufacturing technology and environmental friendliness. The material used is a 20% silicon content aluminum alloy, the manufacturing technology is the Yamaha CF Aluminum Die-cast Technology (*3), which enables the production of an all-aluminum die-cast cylinder. It is Yamaha’s exclusive CF Aluminum Die-cast Technology that enables the mass production of a die-cast cylinder made completely of 20% silicon content aluminum alloy, something that could not be done with conventional die casting methods.

According to Mr. Sanjay Tripathi, Head of Dept- Product Planning & Strategy,

“Conventional engine cylinders have a steel liner to reduce the friction resulting from the piston's movement. The "DiASil" cylinder is made by the exclusive Yamaha Aluminum Controlled Forging (CF) technology. Because the "DiASil" Cylinder is all aluminum, it has excellent heat dissipation qualities and reduces engine weight at the same time. In comparison to cast steel liner type aluminum cylinders, the DiASil cylinder has 60% better cooling performance at 30% lower manufacturing cost and enables 30% lighter design which results in better power to weight ratio besides excellent recyclability”.

“Considering the environment-friendly nature of aluminum, we have made aluminum technologies part of our core technology and actively increasing the use of aluminum in our products. Our CF Aluminum Die-cast Technology enables the mass production of die-cast aluminum parts that are both thinner and larger than was possible in the past. This same technology has been applied to the manufacture of engine parts. This is also a technology that can be easily transferred to overseas Yamaha manufacturing bases. Yamaha also plans to apply to new areas automobile and outboard motor engine parts”

he added.

This next-generation technology promises to contribute to improved function and product quality for the majority of Asian market motorcycles and automobiles that presently use conventional pistons with cast steel liners.

*1 Compared to conventional cylinder: Refers to cylinders that have a cylindrical cast steel liner (or “sleeve”) inserted along the inner wall of the cylinder to reduce friction resulting from the piston’s movement. Used on many motorcycle engines.

*2 “DiASil”: A name created as an abbreviation of Die-casting Aluminum-Silicon.

*3 Yamaha CF Aluminum Die-cast Technology = Yamaha Controlled Filling Die Casting. This is a die-casting technology that utilizes precise control of the casting conditions (degree of vacuum in the die, die temperature, injection speed of the molten aluminum) to reduce the amount of gas bubbles in the finished cast piece to just 20% of conventional methods in order to produce higher quality cast parts. Introduced in Feb. 2002.

Related:-

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Fiat Palio Stile 1.3-litre multi-jet diesel: pictures, specifications and features

Fiat India Automobiles launched Palio Stile on March 11, which will comes with a 1.3-litre multi-jet diesel engine. The new Palio Stile Multijet comes packed with significantly greater power, fuel economy, smoother drives & friendlier emission. The plush new interiors, the attractive new front grills. A lovely choice of colours.

Pictures of the new Fiat Palio stile

Based on 178 platform, the Palio Stile multi-jet is designed by Idea Institute of Turin. The Aerodynamic shape is accompanied with Clean lines and fresh Styling. The car comes with plush new interiors and attractive new front grills housing Fiat’s new Red logo.

Pictures of the new Fiat Palio stile

Technical Specifications:

Engine of Palio Stile 1.3 Dsl

Engine Type : Diesel 4 cylinder multijet
Displacement (Cc) : 1248
Maximum Power : 75 PS (DIN) @ 4000 rpm
Torque : 184 Nm @ 2000 rpm
Valves Per Cylinder : DOHC, 4 valves
Fuel System : CRDI

Gear Box and Suspension on Palio Stile 1.3 Dsl

Gear Box : Manual 5 + R All forward speeds synchromesh, Overdrive on 5th
Front Suspension : Independent Wheel, MacPherson type with lower wishbone anchored to cross member, coil springs, stabilizing bar and telescopic dual effect shock absorbers
Rear Suspension : Torsion axle, coil springs, stabilising bar and telescopic dual effect shock absorbers

Brakes on Palio Stile 1.3 Dsl
Front Brakes : Ventilated discs
Rear Brakes : Drums (self adjusting type)
Brake System Hydraulic, Dual-diagonal split, Servo assisted

Steering on Palio Stile 1.3 Dsl
Type Rack & Pinion
Power Steering
Turning Radius (M) 5.1

Tyres on Palio Stile 1.3 Dsl
Tyres Tubeless 165 / 80 R13
Wheels 5.0 B x 13

Space in Palio Stile 1.3 Dsl
Length (mm) 3827
Width (mm) 1620
Height (mm) 1440
Wheelbase (mm) 2373
Boot Capacity (Litres) 260 - 950
Kerb Weight (Kg) 1065
Ground Clearance (Mm) 170
Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres) 47

Colors available for the Fiat Palio Stile 1.3-litre multi-jet:-
carbon black, ozone blue, magnesium Grey, artic white, furnace red.

Fiat Palio Stile 1.3-litre multi-jet price list:-

City	Palio Stile SD	Palio Stile SDE	Palio Stile SDX
Kolkata	444957	464959	484966
Mumbai	453243	473826	494413
Delhi-NCR	437960	457962	477968
Bangalore	440855	460859	480864
Chennai	439862	459864	479871

Related:-

Friday, March 7, 2008

Pulsar Mania- Awesome TV Commercial of Bajaj Pulsar

Mind blowing, superb, awesome, unbelievable ..... (other such adjectives).

Must watch.

Wish I could have done a few of those stunts

The video is aptly called Pulsar Mania. The video is the talk of the town and every body is discussing about it. All I get to hear is "have you seen that ad?", "wow", "awesome" and well also this "ads like this should be banned".

Well the last comment was by my mom for obvious reasons ;-)

In a country like ours where people see "KRISH" and jump from their buildings, anything can happen.

But again I would say hatts off to Bajaj and team.

Details about the video as uploaded by Dharam on youTube:-
Bajaj Pulsar has defined the performance bike category in India. Ever since its launch, Pulsar's communication too has always focused on building a distinct identity and attitude for the brand. After it's last "FreeBiking" campaign aired in April 2007, this new campaign is the most spectacular the brand has ever done. Tagged as "PulsarMania", the campaign demonstrates the Pulsar's power, aggression and grace in a never seen before manner. Shot in Cape Town, the stunt team comprises the best riders across the world including AC Farias (World No.2), Matte Griffin etc.

Client: Bajaj Auto Ltd.
Agency: Ogilvy & Mather, Mumbai
Creative Team: Abhijit Avasthi, Manoj Shetty, Rajneesh Ramakrishnan
Production House: Velocity Films, South Africa
Director: Lourens Van Rensburg
Music: Paul Norwood, Audio Militia

Related:-
Yamaha's New Gladiator Type SS & RS
Yamaha Gladiator Type SS/RS TV Commercial
Honda CBF Stunner new 125 cc motorcycle from Honda
Yamaha to introduce DiASil cylinder in India
Yamaha Gladiator Type-SS Promo Video
TVS Flame 125cc to be relaunched with single spark
Details of new Bajaj XCD Sprint

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Honda Aviator: details, specifications, pictures & price

Two-wheeler maker Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India has launched its latest 102 cc scooter 'Aviator' all over the country. The Aviator is available in two variants, standard and deluxe. Deluxe variant has front disc brake and 12" alloy wheels. It would be available in five colours and with proven 102 cc Honda engine.

The Aviator has a large multi reflector clear lens halogen head lamp and also clear lens side indicators. The body is a combination of metal and high impact resistant ABS parts. The Aviator has a 5 spoke 12" alloy wheels, a telescopic front suspension and swing suspensions at the rear. A 190mm front disc brake and 130mm drum brakes at rear provide sufficient braking . The 102cc 4-stroke honda engine produces modest 7 bhp and provides decent fuel efficiency. The rear has a large multi reflector tail lamp, indicators and an alloy grab rail. The Aviator has about 20 litres of storage space under the seat, which can be used to store not only bags, gloves, documents but also a helmet. The Aviator comes with a "tuff-up" tube which reduces chances of sudden punctures.

Picture of the Honda Aviator

Technical Specification of the aviator

ENGINE
Type: 4 Stroke, Single Cylinder, Air-cooled, OHC
Displacement : 102cc
Max Power: 7 bhp @7000 rpm
Max Torque: 0.8 kgm @5500 rpm
Transmission: V-Matic
Oil Capacity: 0.8 Ltr
Ignition: Self & Kick

ELECTRICALS
Battery: 12V, 5Ah
Headlamp: Multi-focal with 35w Halogen

WEIGHT & MEASUREMENT
Frame: High Rigidity Under-bone type
Dimensions: 1802 x 707 x 1162 mm (l x b x h)
Wheelbase: 1256 mm
Ground Clearance: 145 mm
Seat Height: 790 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity: 6 Litres

SUSPENSION
Front: Telescopic
Rear: Unit swing with Spring Loaded Hydraulic Damper

TYRESIZE
Front: 90/90-12 54J
Rear: 3.50-10 51J

BRAKES
Front: 130 mm Drum or 190mm Disc
Rear: 130 mm Drum

Price of the Aviator:-
Aviator Drum
City Ex-Showroom On-Road
Delhi Rs. 38,633 Rs. 40,793
Mumbai Rs. 41,638 Rs. 45,984
Pune Rs. 39,722 Rs. 43,906

Aviator Disk
City Ex-Showroom On-Road
Delhi Rs. 42,013 Rs. 44,289
Mumbai Rs. 45,184 Rs. 49,830
Pune Rs. 43,134 Rs. 47,607

Related:-
Bajaj Blade

Auto Buff