The latest edition of the popular SUV is an all new product. However, the first word that comes to the mind when glanced at is – ‘Bland’. Though Mercedes seems to have solved the space issue which made the previous M-Class a hassle to sit in. There is a visible change in the size of the car and looks like the 2012 M-Class will come with an extended wheelbase taken from its elder sibling the GL-Class. The 2012 M-Class also features a huge panoramic sun-roof which will make the cabin come alive with fresh incident light. There is also the wrap around rear windscreen which makes the M-Class stand out of the crowd.
The insides are typical Mercedes top notch standard quality with a lot of wood used to give that upmarket feel. The ML 350 CDI will be laucnched first. The motor here pumps out some 258bhp and churns out 63.2kgm of pulling power. The motor is mated to a seven-speed 7G-Tronic gearbox along with permanent four-wheel drive as a standard feature.
The car could be priced in INR 65-70 lakhs bracket.
The FZ-S is now being offered with a choice of as many as 4 colors to chose from- Black Cyber Green, Sunset Red, Competition White and the new Fiery Orange.
The FZ series in India also gets a revised pillion seat. This is owing to the feedback the FZ users have been providing to the bike manufacturer. It is no secret that the FZ’s pillion seat isn’t the most comfortable around. Now, the rear seat has been elongated and widened a little.
FZ series also gets a new grab rail. Yamaha says,“The grab bar not only acts as a backrest but is something the pillion rider can hold on to if the road is bumpy”. The FZ also gets a new chain cover to cover both the upper and lower portions of the chain.
Unfortunately, the engine has remain untouched. The good bit here though is that the prices remain unchanged. While most of these changes might go unnoticed, I am quite sure that the better half will surely enjoy the revised seat.
SPECIFICATIONS:-
Engine type Air-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC
Displacement 153.0cc
Bore & Stroke 58.0 × 57.9mm
Compression ratio 9.5:1
Maximum output 14PS / 7500 rpm
Maximum torque 13.6 N.m / 6000 rpm
Starting method Electric & Kick
Lubrication type Wet sump
Fuel Supply Carburetor
Clutch type Wet, multiple-disc
Primary/secondary reduction ratio 3.409 / 2.857
Transmission type Constant mesh 5-speed
Gear ratio 1st=2.714 ,2nd=1.789, 3rd=1.318
4th=1.045,5th=0.875
Cylinder layout Single Cylinder
Ex-Delhi prices-
FZ Rs. 67,000
FZ-S Rs. 69,000
Fazer Rs. 74,000
Among the car to be launched includes EcoSport, Kuga and Explorer while the sole car is the new worldly Ford Focus ST five-door hatch.
“We are working hard to secure the avid interest of Chinese car enthusiasts with these new and exciting Ford vehicles loaded with green and smart technologies,” said Joe Hinrichs, president of Ford Asia Pacific and Africa. “With the opening of our latest state-of-the-art brand new manufacturing facilities in Chongqing and the continued, rapid expansion of a family of vehicles in every class that Chinese consumers want and value, Ford is committed to China. We are ready to demonstrate aggressive growth this year in China, the most exciting car market in the world.”
We’re already familiar with the Explorer and the Focus. The EcoSport on the other hand is one of Ford’s latest global products. It was first revealed in India, but this time around, it gets its debut in China. The EcoSport is an ultra-compact SUV crossover that Ford hopes will provide affordable, modern motoring for the Asian masses.
The EcoSport is the latest ‘One Ford’ global product, a vehicle designed to help expand Ford’s footprint in the world’s fastest-growing auto markets, including India. It will be the second of eight products Ford plans to bring to India by mid-decade for which the company will invest US$ 2 billion in the development and production of the new vehicles.
The five-door EcoSport gets chunky, technical styling, and a very space-efficient interior. A large trapezoidal front grille dominates the front end, while the front headlights are slimmer and more technical than on the Fiesta.
The lower front bumper and side sills get cladding, while there are also muscular wheel arches and a fixed spare wheel at the back to further emphasise its off-road intentions. The roof gets chrome rails and the rear side windows have the familiar Ford upwards kink in the window line.
Ford will debut a new 1.0-litre, three-cylinder, direct-injection turbo-petrol motor in the EcoSport – a world debut – that will be capable of developing power similar to a bigger, 1.6-litre motor. It will also deliver class-leading fuel economy. The car will also get the 1.5-litre diesel engine that currently does duty in the Fiesta.
The EcoSport, which cleverly combines the charm of an SUV, the frugality of small engines, cutting-edge styling and a very affordable price tag somewhere in the region of Rs 7-9 lakh, has the makings of a winner. At that price, it will provide a genuine alternative to a midsize car or even a premium hatchback.
Popular German auto component manufacturer Bosch has been given the ‘most admired’ motor vehicle parts supplier title by the US magazine Fortune. Based on responses from 3,855 executives, directors and analysts from as many as 698 companies at 58 industries and 32 countries, Bosch was ranked as the No. 1.
This is not all as the parts manufacturer ranked fifth ‘most admired’ among all German companies. The company ranked 11th in India and 14th among companies in the European company category.“Fortune's ranking is a tremendous honour for our company, associates, customers and suppliers,” said Franz Fehrenbach, chairman, Board of Management, Robert Bosch GmbH. “Bosch remains committed to providing excellent service, high-quality products and leading industry advancements. This honour demonstrates our associates' dedication to our industry and our work.” Fortune magazine's ‘World's Most Admired Companies’ is the most popular company ranking list since it was introduced in 1997.
Scout version of Skoda cars are rugged and strong looking versions of Skoda car with bigger wheels, more SUV-like visuals, enhanced ground clearance and in some cases, bigger engines too. The Skoda Fabia Scout too belong to the same category. Its robust good looks add to this practical small car, thanks to its evocative, specially designed bumpers and off-road design. Black and silver roof rails and protective plastic coverings along its flanks make the Škoda Fabia Scout a particularly characterful car.
Distinctive Scout styling also features in the passenger compartment: The Scout comes with new leather upholstery and stainless steel pedals. In essence, the Scout, inside and out, is a more rugged and bolder variant of the Fabia.
Fabia Scout Price (Ex showroom, Delhi):
1.2L MPI: Rs 6.79 Lakh
1.2L TDI: 8.10 Lakh
Today at 2012 Beijing Auto Show Fiat revealed Viaggio, which is first car to be locally produced in China. Well fiat as no immediate plans to sell outside china.
Fiat Viaggio is fiat version of Dodge Dart, it is available with a range of turbo engines including a 120-hp 1.4 liter T-Jet and a 150-hp T-Jet. Transmission choices include a 6-speed automatic and a 5-speed manual. The Fiat Viaggio measures 4,679 mm long, 1,850 mm wide and sports a 2,708 mm wheelbase. It is in a segment higher than the Linea and competes with cars like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. Viaggio will be positioned in the C-Segment, which is China’s best selling segment.
According to Fiat “Viaggio is positioned in the most competitive mid-class segment in China’s automotive market, targeting potential consumers with a passion for life. Enthusiastic, responsible, daring to dream and persistent: they are young and styling, having grown up in the cities and set to become the backbone of Chinese society.”
Indian bikers are all set for a treat! India finally gets a bike fest of its own. Big engines roaring, smell of burning fuel in the air and finding like minded souls will never be easier. Pune will be seen hosting the India Superbike Festival on 28th and 29th this month.
Just in case the bikes are not enough for you, the fest will also have some aftermarket parts, riding gear and other accessories on show. And what is a fest without some groove setting muzik? The performances of some renowned rock bands and DJs will be seen making many dance to their beats. Again, we bikers are a hungry lot and the festival will have a lot of food joints and some more from a barbeque festival that will be held.
