A Very Happy New Year 2012

Autonly.blogspot.com wishes you a very joyful New Year 2012.We're grateful to all our readers as we bring the best out of Automobiles every year and much more.

Keep Rocking,
Cheers!

Comparison Between Maruti Suzuki Swift 2011 & Existing Maruti Suzuki Swift

New Maruti Swift Engine & Transmission Vs Existing Swift Engine & Transmission

The new Suzuki Swift comes with the K12 Suzuki K series engine which is a 1200cc K series engine which is same as in the existing generation of Maruti Swift. The transmission may or may not be changed as well the existing cable shift transmission and gear ratios are working out well in the existing generation.

New Maruti Swift Exteriors Vs Existing Swift Exteriors

The new Swift 2011 is taller than the existing Swift by about 155mm. This is a good increase to new length of 3850 mm (compared to existing length of 3696mm) which still helps to keep the New Swift in small car category in terms of tax rules by keeping is less than 4 meter in length. This increase in length will add to more space inside swift and make it more appealing car to buy.
The width has also been increased from 1690mm to 1695mm which is not a considerable change. The height of the new Swift is 1510mm compared to 1530 mm of the existing swift which is slightly lesser in height. The wheelbase has been increased to 2430 mm compared to 2390 mm which will add to a better handling & performance.
The new tail light design extending to the sides and a much more attractive rear makes the visual appeal of the New swift much better. The clear crystal lamps at both front and rear makes it a beautiful looking car.
The interiors of the new style steering with improved central console, Integrated audio system, better interior space owing to the increased length of the car. The car will have better leg space for rear passengers. The quality of the plastic is also expected to become better to compete with rival cars of the same segment. The new seat fabric and door trims will give New Swift a new and more classy look compared to the existing swift.

HYUNDAI AVANTE

India's largest auto exporter and second largest auto manufacturer, Hyundai Motor Co. plans to launch Hyundai Avante in the Indian market very soon. Hyundai Avante is the fourth generation sedan model of D segment that will replace its discontinued model Hyundai Elantra. Hyundai Avante offers an excellent choice for drivers who need a stylish economic compact car with a handsome body.

Initially, the Hyundai Avante might be equipped with a 1.6 litre Gamma petrol engine and a diesel engine variant may follow. The 1.6  litre, DOHC, VVT, 4 cylinder, petrol engine is believed to pump out a top power of 118 bhp at 6200 rpm and churn out a peak torque of 156 Nm at 4200 rpm. The diesel variant of the car is reported to be loaded with a 1582cc, CRDi power-train that belts out a max power of 115 bhp at 4000 rpm and generates maximum torque of 260 nm at 1900 rpm. Both the mills are to be mated with 6 speed automatic gearbox. For better fuel economy, the petrol engine is reported to have intelligent Gasoline Direct Injection technology (GDI). This technology will ensure around 10 per cent increase in the fuel efficiency as compared to its peers.

Honda Accord V6

The New Honda Accord was completely redesigned in 2008 boasting more power and passenger space. It comes with all new styling and even better quality interiors. It was initially launched in 3 variants with an uprated version of the 2.4 litre i-Vtech engine which delivers 180 PS of power alongwith an 8% increase in fuel efficiency. Now, Honda India has come up with much more powerful Accord V6 which comes with 3741cc, 6 cylinders, V6 engine which generates maximum power of 271 Bhp at 6200 rpm and maximum torque of 344 Nm at 5000 rpm.
The 5-speed automatic may not be the most advanced gearbox on the market but it pairs well with Honda's high tech 3.5-litre V6 engine, and the shift action from the gear lever between drive and park and reverse etc. is remarkably short and sweet for an auto slushbox. Honda Accord V6 has an angular design with a touch of the BMW 5 Series about it, and the new styling is a big improvement.

Toyota Etios sedan changes the game

With over 21,000 bookings for Toyota Motor Corporation’s Etios sedan in over one-and-a-half months of its launch, industry observers see a realignment of market share in the entry-level sedan segment. The car, being delivered to customers from December, 2010, has a waiting period of seven months — the highest in this category.Maruti Suzuki DZire, which has a waiting period of two to three months, accounts for one out of every two cars sold in the entry-level sedan segment (A3-), saw sales slide by around 1,000 units last month. Tata Motors, which straddles the space with the Indigo range, also saw sales dip to 5,234 units in December. This is the lowest sales figure that the company has registered for the Indigo range in 2010.


Maruti, on an average, sells 9,000-9,500 Dzire units and another 1,800-2,300 units of SX4 in the mid-size segment (A3) on a monthly basis. In December, the company’s sales in the A3 segment fell to 9,362 units, compared with the 11,115 units that Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) had sold a month earlier. A senior company executive, however, attributed the fall to constraints in production capacity. “We sell as many Dzire units as we produce. There is a waiting list on the product. Even this month, the bookings for Dzire have been good.” The waiting period for the DZire is around 2-3 months.
An industry expert said, “With Toyota coming in, competition is bound to heat up in the space. Toyota has a good brand image in the country. Etios is an aspirational product. It is expected to sell well in India.”
Toyota Etios, which is priced between Rs4.96 lakh and Rs6.86 lakh, was launched in December last year. The company developed the Etios platform exclusively for the Indian market where it hopes to double sales to 140,000 units in the course of this year. The Etios is pitted against the likes of Maruti Suzuki DZire, Hyundai Accent, Tata Indigo and Mahindra Logan. Around 18700 cars are sold in the A3- category every month.
According to reports, the country’s largest car manufacturer is working on introducing a shorter version of sedan DZire to cash in on cuts in excise duty. Frost & Sullivan Senior Director (automotive practice) V C Ramakrishnan added, “Till now, there have largely been two volume players in the A3-segment. Now with Toyota coming in, we would definitely see a realignment of market shares in the category.”
Pricewaterhouse Coopers Leader (automotive practice) Abdul Majeed said, “Usually, when the waiting period is more, bookings slide. We have to see how the car does over the next three months.”
According to government regulations, a small car (less than four metres in length) is liable to an excise duty of 10 per cent, compared to the 22 per cent duty levied on larger cars.

By making the DZire smaller, MSIL would be able to avail of benefits in excise duty and also price the DZire aggressively.

Audi A8

One of the biggest name in the luxury cars in India, Audi is bringing a brand new piece of art named Audi A8 for the Indian buyers.The rear of the car resembles a bit of Audi A4 but the fronterior has a look of its own own and very stylish.
Audi A8 Models
Audi A8 3.0 TFSI :It is a petrol version of Audi A8 which gives 25...0 PS of maximum power at 4000-4500 rpm while it churns out 420 Nm of peak torque at 2500-4850rpm.

Audi A8 4.2 TFSI :It is also a petrol model but it is equipped with more powerful 4.2L, TFSI quattro petrol engine that gives 372 PS of maximum power at 6800 rpm while it gives 445 Nm of peak torque at 3500 rpm.

Audi A8 3.0 TDI :It is a diesel version of Audi A8 gives 290 PS of highest power at 4850-6500rpm and 550 Nm of peak torque at 1500-3000 rpm.

Report: Aston Martin to build Maybachs?

Aston Martin and Daimler are apparently becoming chummy right now. According to The Financial Times, the two automakers are chatting about a possible relationship centered around Daimler's super-luxe Maybach sedan. Aston Martin is reportedly looking to glean some powertrain knowledge from the German automaker (for a possible Lagonda revival?) and Daimler could use help reviving a car that few are buying.

An exotic luxury sedan crafted as a joint venture between the Brits and the Germans sounds like an intriguing concept. As a matter of fact it should sound intriguing because Bentley and Rolls-Royce figured out the formula a few years ago. Though few out there can actually afford any automobile in this category, it would be nice to see new life breathed into the Maybach nameplate.

Ford: Yes, Camaro will outsell Mustang this year

It's true. For the first time since 1985, the Chevrolet Camaro will outsell the Ford Mustang in 2010. Besides giving the Bowtie Boys something to crow about, it also makes us genuinely intrigued to watch how 2011 unfolds, considering that Chevy plans to unleash its convertible and Z28 Camaro editions.

Somewhat surprisingly, Ford doesn't seem too bothered. According to Ford sales analyst George Pipas, "If that was important, we wouldn't have taken a shift off at Flat Rock," which is where the plant that assembles the Mustang is located. That's a somewhat dubious statement, since building too many vehicles in one model year only leads to problems for the next... In any case, this is a trend worth monitoring.

Track Automobiles Using Automatic Vehicle Location System

Automatic Vehicle Location System refers to process of locating the geographical position of a particular automobile and to pass this message to the corresponding receiver. This manner any automobile could possibly be discovered easily irrespective of its location. Even if someone steals your vehicle and tries to flee from the place then this method can be very useful to catch both the thief and car. The tracking mechanism is done using the radio that is mounted in the car. The sign of it is found utilizing the satellite and the corresponding message is sent to the receiver where you may find the exact website of the vehicle. Automatic Vehicle Location System is extra influential because of its various helpful purposes. It might be used by cops to spot the thief. Automatic Vehicle Location System could be installed at any car like vans, emergency automobiles and even on buses, trains. The enterprise which includes many cars with numerous drivers and serving individuals on name, they can make the most advantage of this system. If a person calls up for service then the closest vehicle is found then it is rushed to the place as soon as possible for fast service.

THE BMW 6 SERIES CONVERTIBLE

One second and 28 metres. This is the time required to take your eyes off the road and read 100 km/h on the speedometer. The Head-Up Display projects the current speed or navigation instructions directly into your field of vision while your eyes stay on the road. 

The clear, distinct colours make it easy for you to recognise important information, such as the pedestrian warning from BMW Night Vision or the instructions from Lane Change Warning. If required, the currently applicable speed limit and route directions from the navigation system can also be displayed. Particularly helpful at complicated motorway exits or confusing junctions is the clear display showing the correct lane to take.

For the first time the information is projected onto the windscreen of the BMW 6 Series Convertible in full colour and is clearly legible in all lighting conditions. To ensure that the information is at the driver’s eye level, the height of the Head-Up Display can be adjusted. All in all, it enables you to register information much faster, without having to take your eyes off the road.

NISSAN MICRA

The Nissan Micra is an important car for Nissan in India and the company has a lot resting on the success of the Micra. Nissan India have gone to great lengths by doing a lot of marketing activity in shopping malls and key consumer touch points to promote not just the upcoming Micra, but to also spread awareness and visibility of the Nissan brand.
They have also managed to cross over a thousand bookings for the Nissan Micra last week and since Nissan India started production of the Micra in May earlier this year at their swanky facility in Chennai, they should be able to cope with the initial demand spike and deliver the cars quickly.
Now, Nissan will launch the sedan hopefully by the end of the current year. The Nissan sedan should be available with a diesel engine from the Renault stable, the same engine that was used on Logan.
Design: The Nissan sedan will be based on the same Micra platform and will have parts in common. We have seen the Indica/Indigo, Swift/Swift DZire, Polo/Vento hatch/sedans combinations. Now, even Nissan joins the bandwagon.
Power train: The Nissan Sedan will be powered by a 1.5-litre dCi, which is basically the same oil burner that powers the Renault Logan. Renault and Nissan have jointly invested in the Chennai plant, and the duo already have a joint venture and to share technology.
Nissan already uses Renault engines on its X-Trail. This diesel power plant is a 8-valve 1.5-litre dCi engine (code name K9K) and is Renault's top selling engine with almost 900,000 units manufactured in 2008 (only in Spain and Turkey) and this engine is available with several power ratings (65bhp to 110bhp) in other markets.
Renault claims the engine design to be simple, low friction and have a superior cost-to-performance ratio. The Nissan sedan dCi engine powering the Mahindra Renault churns out 65bhp and a torque of 160Nm@2000rpm.
Competition: The Nissan sedan will compete with the Mahindra-Renault Logan, Maruti Suzuki Swift DZire and the Tata Indigo Manza. All its competition are great value for money products, and are being offered in petrol and diesel variants.
Overall Evaluation: The Nissan sedan will be offered with a diesel engine. No questions can be raised on the efficiency of this engine, and the build quality of the Micra has been good. So, the sedan should be a great product to own if Nissan prices it correctly.

Price: It could come at a price tag of around Rs 7 lakh (Rs 700,000).

NEW FIAT LINEA T-JET

THE POWER TO GUARANTEE ADMIRATION

Fiat Linea is the perfect combination of dynamic styling and powerful performance. The mid-size sedan is much talked about in the international automobile industry and promises to stand up to the expectations of buyers in India. Based on Fiat's Grande Punto, Linea is an outstanding example of Italian design. It offers the customers a unique blend of luxury and comfort, with arresting looks and a powerful engine.

Engine
Fiat Linea comes with three engine options - 1.4L FIRE and 1.4L 16 V T-Jet and 1.3L 16v Multi jet. The engine delivers a maximum power of 78 PS @ 6000 rpm, with peak torque of 115 Nm @ 3000 rpm. The car promises to deliver a good mileage and top speed of 220 km/hour. Linea accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 14.6 seconds flat.

Design And Comfort
The elegant design of Fiat Linea is a definite crowd puller. The design team of 'Fiat Style' center has carved out this sedan to suit the specific needs of Indian buyers. The car sports smooth flowing body lines. Its fascia is adorned by large projector type headlights, muscular front grille and clear lens fog lamps. The rear side of Linea is dominated by a simple, yet attractive boot and sparkling tail lamps. The five-seater luxury sedan offers high level of comfort to its occupants.

Interiors
The interiors of Fiat Linea are as attractive as its exteriors. The cabin of the sedan is roomy, which offers its driver and passengers a comfortable environment. Top quality materials are used in its finely-toned interiors. A trendy instrument cluster is neatly integrated on the well-organized dashboard. Rear seats have headrests, for added comfort of its occupants.

Ride And Handling
Fiat Linea comes with one of the most advanced suspension systems in its class. The sedan promises to offer superior handling and drive easiness. The shock absorbers assure enhanced travel comfort, by absorbing impact from the unevenness of bumpy Indian roads. It is fun to drive Linea, mainly because the steering wheel is very responsive.

Variants, Price And Color
Fiat Linea is available in three variants - 1.4 L 8v, 1.4L 16v T-Jet and 1.3 Multi jet 16v. The dazzling color options for the sedan are Cool Jazz Blue, Tecno Grey, Flamenco Red, Lullaby Blue, Fox-Trot Azure, Minimal Grey, Rockabilly Black, Breakdance Green, Ambient White and Indie Ivory. The car is priced between Rs.7 and Rs 8 Lakhs.

MARUTI LAUNCHES NEW ALTO K10

Alto-K10 also comes with improved suspension, new cable-type transmission for gears, superior brake system and more knee-room for rear seat passengers. The ex-showroom Bangalore prices are Rs 3.08 lakh for Alto-K10 Lxi and Rs 3.21 lakh for Alto-K10 Vxi.  

On a three-city (Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore) launch press conference held through live teleconference, Maruti Suzuki India MD & CEO Shinzo Nakanishi, said: The Alto’s package of performance, fuel efficiency and attractive cost of ownership have together made it India’s most popular car. Now Alto-K10 will take this forward.”

Giving reasons why Maruti decided to launch more powerful Alto, Nakanishi said that there are a growing number of first time buyers who seek more power and performance at a reasonable price. 

The company claimed that Alto-K10 will offer fuel efficiency of 20 km per litre. The car produces peak power of 68ps@6200rpm and high torque of 90Nm@3500 rpm. In terms of size, Alto-K10 is longer by 125mm (compared to present Alto) to accommodate the bigger K-series engine. The car has  a new aggressive front, with differently styled combination of dynamic hood, bold eagle-eye headlamps. 

Briefing reporters in Bangalore, Maruti Suzuki Managing Executive Officer (Marketing & Sales) Mayank Pareek said the company has spent about Rs 75 crore and its vendors another Rs 25 crore in developing the new Alto.

On Maruti Suzuki’s royalty payment to its parent Suzuki Motor Corporation, Nakanishi said the royalty payment will continue at the present level of 5.5 per cent of net sales and it will not be raised. In quarter ending June 2010 Maruti paid Rs 423 crore as royalty denting its net profit figure for the quarter significantly.