Electric two wheeler to become more cheaper

The prices of electric two-wheelers in India are likely come down by Rs 1,800 to Rs 2,400 after government’s decision to waive off 8% excise duty on them. Electric two-wheelers are priced at around Rs 20,000 and high-speed models at around Rs 36,000. This reduction in price will them competitive with the petrol two-wheelers.

Picture of YObyke YO smart

UK-based electric vehicle maker Ultra Motors’ Indian subsidiary Ultra Motors India’s director (marketing) Deba Goshal said:

“It will help make the electric vehicle viable and help the industry grow. We had been facing a pinch after the excise on petrol two-wheelers were brought down to 12% from 16% while there were no changes for the electric vehicles. The 12% difference with the petrol vehicles will make a sizeable difference and boost demand in the market.”

About 1.3 lakh electric vehicles were sold in the Indian market in FY08,and the market has been growing.
With top speeds around 25 to 30 kmph and a maximum range of about 60 km, these vehicles are restricted to travel shorter distances within the city. These limitations of low vehicle speed and travelling distance had hampered their growth.

source:-ET

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Mitsubishi Outlander India: Price, Pictures & Specifications

After the positive response from the customers in the Auto Expo 2008, HM Mitsubishi Motors have decided to launch Outlander in August.
Outlander will be one of the cheapest compact SUVs on road priced at around Rs 15.5-16 lakh. It will compete with the costlier Honda CR-V, which is the market leader and priced close to Rs 20 lakh.

pictures of the Mitsubishi Outlander
pictures of the interiors of Mitsubishi Outlander

In terms of pricing, the two SUVs that will be closest to the Outlander are the Grand Vitara and the Endeavour. The Outlander will be powered by a 2.4 litre MIVEC petrol engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifting and will have host of other power packed featires.

It will also have an electronically controlled four wheel drive (4WD system) based on a common all wheel control (AWC) philosophy.

Outlanders will be assembled in Chennai, which will help in keeping the cost low and saving on high import duties.

Other offerings in the SUV portfolio in India are Pajero and Montero.

Technical specifications of the Mitsubishi Outlander:-

Engine Type:		2.4L DOHC MIVEC I4
Engine Block:		Aluminum
Cylinder Head:		Aluminum
Displacement (cc):		2,360
Horsepower @ rpm (BHP) (Fed./Cal.):		168 @ 6,000
Torque @ rpm (lb-ft):		167@ 4,100
Redline rpm:		6,500
Bore x Stroke (mm):		88.0 x 97.0
Compression Ratio:		10.5:1
Valvetrain:		DOHC 16-valve
Fuel System:		MPI
Front-wheel Drive or:		FWD
Full-time Four-wheel Drive (4WD):		4WD
Alternator (amps):		120
Emissions:		Fed: Tier 2 bin 5 Calif.: LEV2-LEV

Unibody Chassis:		•
Front Suspension:		MacPherson struts
Rear Suspension:		Multi link
Stabilizer Bar (mm., front/rear):		22/20
Variable Power-Assist Rack-and-Pinion Steering:		•
Steering Wheel Turns, Lock-to-Lock:		3.16
Turning Circle – Curb to Curb (ft):		34.8
4-Wheel Power-Assisted Disc Brakes:		•
4-Wheel (ABS):		•
Wheels:		16 X 6.5JJ Aluminum alloy
Tire Size:		P215/70 R16

Wheelbase (in.):		105.1
Length (in.):		182.7
Height (in.) [with roof rails]:		66.1 [67.7]
Width (in.):		70.9
Track (in., front/rear):		60.6/60.6
Curb Weight 2WD (lb):		3,395
Curb Weight 4WD (lb):		3,538
Weight Distribution 2WD (%, front/rear):		56/44
Weight Distribution 4WD (%, front/rear):		55/45

Headroom (in., front/rear) [with sunroof]:		40.3/38.3 [39.8/37.5]
Legroom (in., front/rear ):		41.6/39.6
Shoulder Room (in., front/rear):		56.4/56.1
Hip Room (in., front/rear):		52.2/51.9
Passenger Volume (cu. ft.):		100.4
Cargo Volume (cu. ft., behind front seat):		72.6
Seating Capacity:		5

Cover story by Indiacar

Cng - Lpg version of Mahindra-Renault Logan

Mahindra-Renault will be introducing the CNG and LPG variants of the Logan in the next 3-4 months.

"We have had a great year of Logan, cornering about 12 per cent of market share in the 'C' segment. In the next 3-4 months, we will be launching the CNG and LPG variant of the car"

Mahindra-Renault's Chief Operating Officer Nalin Mehta told PTI.

The CNG and LPG variant of Logan would be on the platform of 1.6 litre petrol version, and will be costlier by about Rs 50,000. In the last fiscal, the company sold 25,984 units of Logan. Due to the increased input costs, especially that of steel, plastic and copper, the company had raised the prices of Logan, both petrol and diesel variants, between Rs 4,000-Rs 5,000.

Mahindra Renault Logan, thanks to its wide body, competitive pricing, better mileage and availability in all fuel options is one of the most preferred car to be used as taxi. Entry-level sedan like Logan helps taxi players to provide competitive services due to low operating costs as compared to high-end cars.

First Nanos roll out from Tata's Uttarakhand plant

The first two test units of the Tata Nano have just rolled out from a new assembly line at Tata Motors’ Uttarakhand plant that is now nearly ready, suggesting that commercial production of the small car will actually begin at Pantnagar nearly a month before it begins at Singur.

These are the first units of the small car to be actually made on the assembly line. Nano, the World's cheapest Car, will be subjected to extensive testing before trial production will begin, to be followed by commercial production by September.

Source:- Sify

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Chauffeur driven ...... Bike!!!

At the unveiling ceremony at the 9th Auto Expo in New Delhi, Mr. Ratan N. Tata said:

“I observed families riding on two-wheelers – the father driving the scooter, his young kid standing in front of him, his wife seated behind him holding a little baby. It led me to wonder whether one could conceive of a safe, affordable, all-weather form of transport for such a family.
We are happy to present the People’s Car to India and we hope it brings the joy, pride and utility of owning a car to many families who need personal mobility.”

But the fact is, traffic conditions are becoming worst everyday, with no signs of improvement. Bikes are easy to maneuver in traffic, easy to park, hence ideal for getting from one place to other in a city like Mumbai. (Please note the Nano is yet to hit the streets.)

Yeah sounds weird and funny but that was the story last week in Midday. But to be honest, that was so much practical. On multiple instances in the past, I went for my bike keys instead of the car keys considering that I have to reach a certain location on time and I was already late. I am sure many would agree with the idea and it makes perfect sense.
The only reason I would prefer a car over a bike is because its a little bit safer, I get air conditioning in summer, protection from rain and most important my white shirt remains white and not turned into some shade of Grey when I reach the destination.

"Chaufer gaadi niklo"

Ironically as the poor and middle class are waiting for Nano the more privileged are probably realizing the benefits of the two wheelers.

Now I wonder if Mr Tata or Mr Bajaj would find something like this as a more practical solution:


Post your comments:-

Would you go for a CHauffer driven bike?
Will the situation become worse after launch of cars like Tata Nano.