Pixel Magic - by aditi » Automobile

Tata Motors’ People’s car Nano to hit headlines on March 23rd

Tulz — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 11:12:00 +0000

The much awaited $2000 priced Nano is to hit the Indian roads on March 23rd, bringing an end of year long speculation and criticism after the Auto Expo in January 2008. Speculation as to whether at all Tata Motors would be able to deliver to the promise made by their chairman Ratan Tata with severe problems plaguing the original Singur plant and criticisms on the forefront from adding congestion to the Indian roads to being a cheap vehicle to accelerate further pollution and global warming.

But, I beg to differ here with regards to criticisms meted out against Tata Nano from environmentalists, media people to anti-industrialization intellectuals. This is because Ratan Tata’s Nano is just not the car of Tata Motors, it’s a people’s car and quite importantly India will once again reiterate its stand as a power to recon with in the international arena with quality standards. The launch of Tata Nano calls for a celebration as it is going to make a paradigm shift in the auto industry.

Tata Nano is criticized on the grounds of consumerism and congesting of roads. Why can’t our anti-globalization leaders also take into account the benefits from trickle-down hypothesis? With the launch of Nano and its subsequent manufacturing, it will trigger demand and help create job opportunities for many especially in this time of recession. The job creation will not remain restricted to the auto industry, it will be created in infrastructure sector too as India will require more roads and flyovers.

Many speak of Nano adding to pollution. But then, do you know that Tata Motors’ Nano is Euro IV compliant and moreover aren’t there too many government buses running on the Indian roads in dilapidated condition adding fuel to further carbon-dioxide emissions? So, why blame Nano that is already complying with International pollution control norms.

Moreover why not appreciate that it will help realize the dreams of many in this land of billion populations. Tata Nano will help many to experience a four-wheeler ride for whom driving was a far cry as it is only riding.

So, if you are convinced of buying a Tata Nano, cough up Rs 70,000 as the advance booking which is scheduled to begin in April. The standard model of Tata Nano will be available at Rs. 1 lac while the other two variants is expected to be priced at Rs. 1.24 lacs and Rs.1.34 lacs.

Tata Nano booking- Where you can do?
State Bank of India has gone into an agreement with Tata Motors and it is expected that initially 100 branches of SBI will cater to Tata Nano booking besides the Tata Motors dealers. The online booking of Tata Nano is yet to take off.

Further reading on Tata Nano… check the links

http://topics-today.blogspot.com/2008/08/big-issue-for-small-car-in-west-bengal.html

http://topics-today.blogspot.com/2008/01/auto-expo-2008-peoples-car.html

Maruti Swift v Hyundai i20

Tulz — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 06:25:00 +0000

In response to a blogger’s comment I just thought to share in some tit-bit details about Maruti Swift to help one make an informed choice as whether to spend few bucks more to upgrade pleasure driving with Hyundai i20….

Here is the car of the era, compact yet spacious, technologically advanced yet environment friendly from the pioneer of small car manufacturers Maruti Suzuki, christened as Maruti Swift. But then as Maruti was making inroads into the mindset of compact-car category, Hyundai made no mistake to capitalize on Maruti’s success with launch of Hyundai i10 and now with more advanced and spacious Hyundai i20. If spacious is synonymous with Maruti Swift, Hyundai i20 promises value for money with no compromise on comfort and space.

In the mini-car segment, both Maruti Swift and Hyundai i20 comes with 5 door hatchback but Hyundai i20 comes with an extended wheelbase measuring 2525mm. This aspect gives greater stability to Hyundai i20 as compared to Maruti Swift with wheelbase of 2390mm. And the size does matters and rightly so Hyundai i20 stands with 3940 mm in length and 1710 in width in comparison to Maruti Swift overall length of 3760mm and overall width of 1690mm. In height you might see our Hyundai i20 a bit shorter to Swift but in its look Hyundai i20 reflects sturdier appeal. With increased overall length and width, I feel that the interior space of Hyundai i20 is always greater thus enhancing comfort with style. When it comes to voting for spaciousness, I felt that spending few extra bucks will help you enjoy a better leg space with roomy interiors in a Hyundai i20 than in Maruti Swift. However, check the performance statistics before you make your choice.

The greatest innovation in terms of lighter weight is the all aluminum engine and the Hyundai i20 is equipped with modern Kappa engine for optimum fuel efficiency and minimum gas emission. And the Maruti Swift too responds at the slightest touch in the all aluminum 1298cc engine with 16 valves that generates torque of 113Nm@4500rpm. The maximum speed of Maruti Swift is 160km/h and from 0-60 km, Maruti Swift takes just 6 seconds. The gearbox matches perfectly with the power and the torque curves. Whereas, the Hyundai i20 with differential gear ratio clocks 0-60km in 12.9 seconds. Hyundai i20 is good for the Indian roads but I know not how the car will perform in the highway.

Available in five variants and six shades of metallic hue, price of Maruti Swift ranges from Rs 4 lacs to Rs 5.6 lacs. While Hyundai i20, launched in eight vibrant shades is priced at Rs 4.79 lacs for Magna version, Rs.5.59 lacs for the Asta and Rs.5.82 lacs for Asta (O), New Delhi, ex-showroom.

So, just check out and drive with pleasure

Hyundai i20 review

Tulz — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 06:56:00 +0000

With the success story of Hyundai-i10 and inspired by instincts, Hyundai launched its latest hatchback variant Hyundai-i20 only to reiterate its tagline Drive your way with a difference. The heat is ignited with dynamic imagination, innovation and intelligence of the designers. These engineers and manufacturers of Hyundai who placed this new Hyundai- i20 a little higher up to Hyundai Getz thus giving a threat to market of the Maruthi Swift. Hyundai Motors have been innovating to provide innovative solutions to the busy Indian roads; the small car Santro, the smart Hyundai-i10 or now the latest and smarter Hyundai-i20 reiterate the same.

Designed and developed in Germany, Europe the company says that the manufacturing of Hyundai-i20 will be done in India and then exported to the other countries, adding up to the mini-car segment. Hyundai-i20 doesn’t differ too much with its younger brother Hyundai-i10. However, the plus one gets with Hyundai-i20 is that it comes with a 5-year warranty and three variants to chose from- the Hyundai i20 Magna, Hyundai i20 Asta and Hyundai i20 Asta (O). The difference between Hyundai-i20 Asta model and the Asta (O) is that in the latter, Hyundai-i20 comes with side and curtain airbags.

Look: The all new Hyundai-i20 reflects a unique blend of power, energy and luxury. The car is longer, wider and shorter than the Hyundai Getz with an overall appeal that is anytime stronger than Maruthi Swift. As the target segment being the upwardly urban clientele, Hyundai-i20 is stylish with perfect exterior paneling. It sports an athletic look than Maruthi Swift and bears spacious interior design and architecture so that Hyundai Getz pushes into nostalgia. Different from Hyundai-i10 as i20 comes with 5 door with expanded wheelbase. Available in myriad hues of black, blue, white, red, silver and beige, one can simply drive one’s way to an exciting lifestyle with Hyundai-i20. Good large headlamp coupled with sporty fog lamps further adds to its look while the raked steep windscreen merges with the tail section

Performance: All favorite Hyundai-i20 is also equipped with 1197cc Kappa engine-the all aluminum engine that provides with a whopping torque of 110 Nm and 79 bhp @4000 rpm, along with improved fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions keeping the air clean and green. This new generation futuristic engine generates all time low noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) making the environment eco-friendly. For initial speeding from 0-60 Hyundai-i20 takes just 12.9 seconds. Equipped with 5-speed manual gearbox, it responds swiftly and enthusiastically at the slightest throttle pedal. One can surely derive substantial amount of fun and excitement if not speed driving a Hyundai-i20 back home.

Additionally the interior storage space of Hyundai-i20 is anytime larger than its competitors with its upright tailgate, be it Maruthi Swift or Fabia. The adjustable and the foldable feature of the rear bench, makes Hyundai-i20 quite unique and helps in going for fishing with all its anglers and necessities. The allied comfort features are adjustable head rest (both front and rear), electrically adjusted rear view mirrors that are foldable too, integrated music system in the dashboard with 4 speakers and 2 tweeters while audio can be controlled from the steering. Drive Hyundai-i20 with additional comfort by adjusting the seat in accordance with height and that’s not all one can also adjust the steering for greater visibility.
Hyundai-i20 incorporates enhanced safety features too and that includes air bags, front seatbelt pretensioners, new generation anti-lock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution and electronic stability control.

Final Verdict: Even after writing this Hyundai-i20 review I would still say that wait before you go ahead to book it as come the first quarter of 2009, all variants of Hyundai-i20 will be fitted with ESP(Electronic Stability Program) and also with CRDi version engine.