Maruti Swift vs Nissan Micra

Nissan kinda tested our patience before rolling out the Micra. But they didn’t disappoint. A competitively priced and versatile Micra has been rolled out into an overcrowded B-segment. Although there are more than five hatchbacks that the Micra faces tough competition from, the most challenging contender is none other than the emperor in the segment, the Maruti Swift.

Swift has been here for a while, without receiving considerable facelifts. We all agree Swift is a supercool cart, however, like most cars in the car world, after a while some of its freshness is lost. At this juncture, Micra storms in with very retro, bubbly-cute looks, great quality and fit-finish, very well-appointed interiors and a handful of unique features such as self-folding mirrors, key-less entry, push start/stop button on the top-end version and airbags even on the base variant.

The most alluring feature of the Micra is its incredible interior space. Micra, which is 20mm longer than Swift, offers better legroom, shoulder room and boot space. The twin-bubble dashboard of the Micra benefits from micro grain technology, which reduces the plasticky feeling. However, the Swift’s dashboard is commendable and better than Micra, although it is just a hue of black on the inside.

Under the bonnet, The Micra is powered by an 1198cc three-cylinder motor that develops a maximum power of 75bhp at a whooping 6,000 rpm. Three-cylinder engines are infamous for idle vibration but Nissan has come up with a unique technology (oval rotation of the crank pulley) which has considerably cut down idling vibration. Moreover, the Indian version has been tweaked for optimum fuel efficiency and lesser emissions. The Swift on the other hand has a four-cylinder 1.2-litre K Series unit that is refined, torquier and more powerful than the Micra. Micra accelerates from standstill to 100kph in just under 15 seconds and onto a top speed of 160 kph. Meanwhile, the Swift’s acceleration is more swift and 0-100 is just 13.5 seconds. Top speed is better too, at 165 kph.

When it comes to ride and handling, Micra outshines the Swift, thanks to its 60 mm longer wheelbase, wheel-at-each-corner chuckability and good aerodynamics realised by the uniquely shaped cabin with a slightly raised roof end. The compact suspension built for the V-platform absorbs plenty of punishment handed out by our roads although there is some amount of body roll. Yet, when compared to Micra, Swift has more engine refinement and it’s more happy to cruise at top speeds in highways with minimum NVH levels. Again, Micra emerges as a champion in the city as third gear offers a wide enough power band. However, Micra’s gear shifting is slightly rough when it’s much slicker on Swift. Braking on both cars is good, but it’s the Swift that tends to brake with more confidence.

In short, the Swift has better dynamics, a better engine and is more refined. Moreover, for dependability and after-sales support, no one can touch any car from Maruti stable. But it’s the Micra that appears to find the sweet-spot with its brilliant ride quality, unique features and interior space. Micra is more efficient too, 14.05 kpl as against 13.05 kpl for the Swift, overall.

If you have questions, you can ask me on Twitter

Also read:

• 2010 Suzuki Swift Spied On
• Nissan Micra: Road Test And Review

How to Find the Best Used Car

In the earlier post we discussed how to clear up your car buying confusion. Most of us have agreed that buying a used car is often the best and most financially efficient choice. However, out of the excitement of getting a car, many used car buyers don’t look close enough at the pre-owned vehicle or they look at the wrong things. I don’t want your story included in the list of used car tragedies, so here are ten commandments on examining a pre-owned car.

1. Carefully examine the body, look for fresh paint jobs or different colors of paint on the body panels. Open the bonnet and look at the paintwork so that you can make out if the car has been repainted or not.
2. Under the bonnet, look for oil leaks and use the dipstick to check the amount of oil. If the level is low, the car hasn’t been looked after properly. Examine the surroundings of the oil filler cap, if you find a white substance it is an indication of a damaged head gasket, replacing which is going to be darn expensive.
3. Check the tyres and the spare tyre to ensure they’re in good condition with plenty of tread. If the tyres are bald, you can bargain up to Rs 1000 per tyre. Worn tyre edges indicate problems with the wheel alignment.
4. Check for acid wear and tear around the battery areas. If the battery is not new, there is another chance of decreasing the price of the car by Rs 2,500.
5. Another very important thing to assess is the suspension. Push down on top of the wing each side just once and release, the vehicle should go down and come back up once and stay put. If the car bounces up and down and appears soft, the shock absorbers are faulty. While test driving the car, listen for any ‘thud’ sound coming from the shock absorbers. Replacing them is going to be incredibly expensive, so what I would suggest is, try another car if the suspension is defective.
6. Get inside, check the kilometre reading of the car and calculate with the year of manufacture. There is always a possibility of Odometer tampering irrespective of the meter being mechanical or electronic.
7. Personally speaking, clutch is the most challenging part of a used car. Because, if the car has done more than 50,000 kms, you don’t know when the car is going to break down in the middle of the road due to clutch failure. Unfortunately, there’s probably no practical way to measure the degree of clutch wear. Yet, you can refer this link to get an idea on How to Diagnose a Slipping Clutch.
8. Check ALL electrical components, lightings, dippers, cabin lights, indicators and tail lamps, stereo, windshield washer and wiper and especially, Air Conditioner.
9. Start the engine. It should start at the first attempt without any hiccups. The engine should idle seamlessly without clattering or metallic sounds. With the engine idling, turn the steering wheel right and left and ensure there’s no play in the wheel before the tyres start to turn.
10. Test drive is the most important part of examining a used-car. Drive it for 4-5 kilometers in different road conditions, paying attention to the synchronization of the steering wheel, brake pedals, clutch, and the gear shifts. Drive with AC on/off while climbing a slope, there shouldn’t be an abnormal drop in power when the AC is on.

These Ten Commandments can be condensed into one single dictum: Hire a good mechanic and have the car inspected by him.

Got queries? Let’s discuss on Twitter

The following video will give you a better and comprehensive idea of how to inspect a used car.

NB: An ideal used car is less than five years old and has less than 50000 miles on the odometer.

2010 Suzuki Swift Spied On

Auto spies never cease to amaze me; this time with the spy shots of the 2010 Suzuki Swift prototype. Slated to break cover at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, the refurbished version of Suzuki’s best-selling model is expected to be Swift by name and swift by nature. In spite of the heavy camouflage, it’s very clear that the new Swift will retain its curvy looks. The stylishly revamped head and tail lamps are clearly evident in the spy shots.

These spy shots have been doing the rounds since mid 2009. Now, a Hungarian website has released more revealing shots of the new Swift [see the gallery below]. A curvier rear, a pronounced slot for the license plate and the ‘waterfall’ tail-lights and more rounded rear-view mirrors are easily recognisable.

According to Autocar, the new Swift is expected to offer more passenger space, with an increase in the wheelbase very likely. The car, however, still sports a non-independent suspension at the rear. The engine that powers this car is also likely to be carried over – it’s an evolution of the K-series (K12) motor that powers the current Swift and Ritz. Variable Valve Timing is expected on the European car, and this could come to India as well, just like it did with M16A on the SX4. Suzuki will also continue with the very successful 1.3-Multijet from Fiat, or DDiS. What is clear, however, is the fact that Suzuki seems to have gone the VW way – its new model is very evolutionary.

Got queries? Let’s discuss on Twitter

Vespa All Set To Re-enter Indian Market

The iconic Vespa, which made waves on almost every Indian road for many years, is set for yet another comeback, with unmistakable appeal and practicality combined with comfort and modern design. After its first entry into Indian soil 50 years back, Vespa surely has had a lot of fame on its side before ‘Hamara Bajaj’ spoiled its party.

The board of Piaggio & Co has announced its plan to invest nearly €30 million over two years to set up a 1.5-lakh capacity plant that will produce a model specially developed for India, the world’s second-largest market for motorcycles and scooters. Most probably, the model will be from the LX125 model range and the cute little wasp (Vespa means wasp in Italian) will be making its presence felt in the domestic circuit in its new avatar by 2012.

See more Vespa LX125 pictures on Flickr

Welcome To The New Era Of Affordable Mercs

We’ve all oohed and aahed over the iconic three-pointed star. But how many of us have been lucky enough to get behind the wheel of one? Guys, and gals of course, your dream to own a Merc could soon materialise, thanks to a completely new, front-wheel-drive architecture or MFA (Mercedes Front wheel Architecture).

The move to MFA will radically cut production costs and enable the company to bring vehicles that are cheaper than the A-class models. Dr Bharat Balasubramanian, VP, Group & Advanced Engineering, Daimler AG, confirmed that the “MFA will usher in a new era of affordable Mercs.” He also confirmed that models spun of the MFA platform “would be more suitable for India”.

According to Autocar, from now on, all small Mercs will be based on the flexible MFA platform that can support a wide range of wheelbases and configurations. The MFA has also been designed to support a fuel-cell power train and clearly green technology can easily be incorporated. The MFA will spawn a wide range of models. The next-gen A and B-class, expected in 2010/11, will use the MFA and be made in Hungary. Other body styles on the MFA include a coupé, cabrio, MPV and a small SUV.

So people, let’s all have our fingers crossed for a feature-filled, yet affordable Merc. However, the question is, will Mercedes-Benz which is synonymous with luxury ruin its brand identity with the move to launch cheaper cars. Post your comments below.

Got auto-related queries? Let’s discuss on Twitter

Funniest Automobile Commercials Ever

While contemplating my next post, it occurred to me that we’ve been a bit serious throughout the previous posts. So why not some fun now? And for us automobile enthusiasts, nothing else can be as laugh-inducing as hilarious car commercials. So, get ready to tickle your funny bone, here goes 10 funniest car ads ever.

What is so annoying as a bicycle rider chasing you and ‘rhythm-padding’ your bonnet at every other traffic signal?

We all agree Toyota is synonymous with technical excellence, innovation and quality. But have you ever seen a broken down Toyota?

Passion towards cars is a male genetic trait that can appear even at the earliest stage of life…

Cars are often considered as objects of masculine desire. And what about pet dogs? Here’s where the two meet…

Anyone who has ever shared a single car with a significant other can only sympathise with this couple…

Creativity knows no limits, but it is not possible to include all funny commercials here. So guys, after watching the remaining five, don’t forget to suggest any ads that I might have missed, we’ll have a good laugh together…

Maruti Bets Big On The Alto

Maruti’s decision to phase out the iconic 800 had left a lot of fans emotional, and some even watery-eyed. But India’s current largest selling passenger car Alto has now kind of replaced the 800, and now, is getting ready for a face lift. The company is planning to give a whole new 1000cc engine from K-Series to its favorite and hottest selling car that clocks sales of 17,000 to 18,000 units per month on average.

The plan to introduce Alto with a new engine is part of the carmaker’s tactic to fit its models with the latest K series engine. Maruti Suzuki India Chairman R C Bhargava said, “Alto needs a face-lift. It has been there for quite a while.” However, he declined to comment on the specifications of the engine.

With a bigger K-series engine, the new Alto will obviously be costlier than the current BS IV compliant model with 800cc F-Series engine. The existing Alto is priced between Rs 2.29 lakh and Rs 2.8 lakh.

At a time when the small car segment has become very competitive with new models arriving from Ford, GM, Nissan and Volkswagen, do you think Maruti’s decision to revamp its hot stuff is a good move? Post your views below.

Got queries? Let’s discuss on Twitter

Tata Nano Goes ‘Topless’!

Big revolutions start with small ideas. That’s what Ratan Tata proved with the introduction of the people’s car, Tata Nano.

Ever since Mr Tata conceived the idea of the one lakh car, the Nano managed to grab headlines for some reason or the other, sometimes good and sometimes bad. From the Singur fiasco to spontaneously combusting Nanos, controversy has always been Tata Nano’s middle name. Back-to-back incidents of Nanos catching fire have been reported putting a question mark on the safety of the world’s cheapest car. Yet, Nano continues to be a fine example of the idiom ‘owner’s pride and neighbour’s envy’.

Forget all that, the latest buzz in the auto world is that Tata has plans for Nano convertible. It all started after an open roof Nano was spotted ferrying visitors inside the automaker’s new Sanand factory.

Before jumping to any conclusions, we should consider the practicability of a convertible on Indian roads. Apart from the fact that chopping off the roof might affect the frame integrity, Indian climate is not very favorable to drive a convertible in India and Tata can’t just ignore the conditions and the preferences of Indian car buyers for whom air-conditioning is not a luxury.

Will Tata pave the way for convertibles in India which is still a virgin area when it comes to small budget cars? Let’s wait and watch.

But come to think of it, it would be easier to jump out of a roofless Nano in case it catches fire, right?

What’s your take on the convertible Nano? Post your comments below.

Got automobile-related queries? Let’s discuss on Twitter

Hyundai Sweetens Verna Allure

Hyundai Motor India on Wednesday launched the all new Verna Transform, a ‘Dynamic by DNA’ luxury sedan. Loaded with dynamic features and a distinctive sporty styling, the all new Verna Transform aims to answer the customer’s need for dynamic styling by complementing the power-packed performance.

The exteriors of Verna Transform get a fresh, new look with features like ‘Sharp eye’ headlamps that provide better illumination and also complement the new bumper design. The stylish new front grille with body-coloured styled inserts gives Verna Transform a more aggressive look. The ‘cascade mesh’ air dam provides for a smooth yet dynamic look. New circular front fog lamps in stylish trapezoidal bezels make it much safer and easier to drive during the foggy winters. To complement the sporty looks, the Verna Transform has trendy LED Turn Indicators on Outside Rear View Mirrors that enhances visibility. A new set of rear combination lamps and dual tone chrome rear garnish along with two-tone rear bumper with smartly placed reflector gives the all-new Verna Transform an unmatched road presence and a distinctive sporty look. And as if all this was not enough, the exhaust tip with chrome finish adds to the overall sporty appeal.

The interiors of the Verna Transform have been changed to increase user convenience and driving comfort. With a view to enhance the interior appeal, a unique blue LED illumination has been introduced that gives the cockpit a refined and premium look and also makes it more soothing for the eyes. The luxurious interiors are complemented by a new instrument cluster with silver surround dials that is neatly arranged and is capable of giving vital vehicle information at a glance.

While the interior and exterior features have been given a completely fresh look, the Verna Transform retains the powerful & popular power-train of its predecessor. The petrol variants include – 1.6 VTVT & 1.6 SX VTVT – while the diesel variants include – 1.5 CRDi VGT, 1.5 SX CRDi VGT & 1.5 SX VGT (AT). In order to appeal to a larger target group, Hyundai will be offering the customer choice of factory-fitted or after-market audio system on the VTVT and VGT variants.

The 1.6 litre petrol variant develops an impressive power of 103.2PS@5500 rpm and torque of 14.9kgm@3000 rpm. The 1.5 litre diesel variant develops a whopping power output of 110 PS@4000 rpm and an impressive torque of 24kgm@1900 – 2750 rpm. The top end diesel variant will be available with both – a 5-speed manual and the unique to segment 4-speed automatic transmission.

Hyundai Verna Transform Prices:

Verna Transform Petrol without audio – 6.55 to 7.50 Lakhs (Ex-showroom Delhi )
Verna Transform Diesel – 7.87 to 9.21 Lakh (Ex-showroom Delhi )

View more Verna Transform pictures on Flickr

Got automobile-related queries? Let’s discuss on Twitter

Nissan Micra: Road Test And Review

A very intriguing vehicle. That’s how I would describe the Nissan Micra. This bubbly car has a quirky design inside and out like a bunch of soap bubbles stuck together, and some say you can’t call it a men’s car. But Micra was designed to woo a unisex crowd and it looks stylish and elegant, all set to face the ongoing tough competition in the B-segment. Built on a new versatile V-platform, Micra is designed to offer a broad appeal to customers in both emerging and developed markets.

Well, after months-long wait, I finally got my hands on this tiny car. Although it looks tiny, there’s incredible room inside than the exterior of the car suggests, thanks to its longer wheelbase and a ‘wheels-at-each-corner’ stance. The boot space and leg space for the back seats are also commendable, however, rear seats are flat and lack thigh support, which is something Nissan needs to re-look at.

Micra is a package of many ‘firsts’ in this segment of cars. The top variant comes with keyless entry and push start/stop button, which is an exciting feature with the next car being the Chevrolet Cruze to sport this function. Approaching the car with a handful of shopping bags and opening the doors without having to fumble for the key is great. All you need to do is keep ‘the intelligent key fob’ in your pocket, get inside, and press the start button; Micra growls into life. Interesting! It’s technology that works. Another attractive feature is the wing-mirrors that automatically folds and unfolds when you lock and unlock the car.

Nissan seems to have been increasingly concerned about the safety of Indian drivers. Micra is again the first car in the segment to feature SRS airbags on ALL models, but only on driver’s side on the lower variants. However, the question is, will a middle class customer be able to afford the high price of replacing the inflated airbag? Let’s expect Nissan to come up with a competitive price for replacing airbags as well.

Inside, the ‘twin-bubble’ dashboard benefits from micro grain technology, which reduces the plasticky feeling. The interior of Micra looks more rounded and pleasing to eyes, with a round cluster of buttons on the central console, round AC vents, round speedometer and round steering boss. Overall, the interior quality is pretty good.

Before we move to the driving experience, let’s have a look at the extensive picture collection from the test drive.

You can also download these images here

Driving Experience

The Nissan Micra is powered by an 1198cc three-cylinder motor that develops a maximum power of 75bhp at a whooping 6,000 rpm. Three-cylinder engines are infamous for idle vibration but guess what, Nissan has come up with a unique technology (oval rotation of the crank pulley) which has considerably cut down idling vibration. Moreover, the Indian version has been tweaked for optimum fuel efficiency and lesser emissions. The result is evident – an Automotive Research Association of India backed figure of 18 kmpl!

Nissan Micra is the perfect car for city driving I’d say. The third gear offers a wide enough power band that makes driving in dense traffic child’s play. With a small turning radius of just 4.65m and excellent visibility, city driving becomes a pleasure. However, the gear shifting is slightly jagged, which is definitely not expected from Nissan.

On a straight line Micra is a champion and is surprisingly stable even at 150km/h, thanks to good aerodynamics realised by the uniquely shaped cabin with a slightly raised roof end. The compact suspension built for the V-platform absorbs plenty of punishment handed out by our roads although there is some amount of body roll. Although acceleration is not swift, its braking and cornering capabilities and steering responsiveness are praiseworthy.

Micra is not just another car in the B-segment. It is a good blend of practical design and a handful of new unique features and seamless technology ingeniously packed. It has managed to live up to the reliability that you expect form a brand like Nissan. Prices for the car are not yet finalised and we need to wait until July 14 for that. However, rumour has it that the estimated price is Rs 4.00 lakh for the base XE model, Rs 4.75 lakh for the XL, and Rs 5.25 lakh for the top-end XV variant. If competitively priced, Nissan Micra is going to be a game changer in the days to come.

Hot Wheels On Campus

The summer is gone and another academic year is upon us, with thousands of newbies restlessly waiting to leave the coop and fly out of the nest, to college. Most teenagers are thrilled as they are going to get their hands on their first car, or bike. While parents want safe and economical cars, boys give significant importance to a car’s style, sportiness, cool looks, performance, enough room for friends, accessories, scope for customisation etc.

Meanwhile girls prefer ‘cute’ cars and place less importance on performance than boys. Anyways, let’s discuss the subject of first vehicle from both points of view.

With auto makers getting more into affordable cars in the Indian market than ever before, college students don’t have to limit the search for a car just to pre-owned cars. There are an astonishing number of vehicles to choose from, with a base price under 5 lakh. Thinking from a campus point of view, the first car that pops into my mind is none other than Maruti Swift. At this juncture, I must mention my ‘confused’ friend who inspired my first blog post about confusion over buying a car. After many months of research and discussions, he is now a proud owner of a Swift. Sporty, mighty, cool, roomy and of course affordable, Swift is a great car for campus life. Furthermore, there is no other car in the B-segment that offers such a wide scope for customisation, too.

As far as parents are concerned, safety is of paramount importance. Here I’d suggest the Nissan Micra that we reviewed lately. Which other small car comes with an airbag even on the basic version? Moreover, being the latest entrant in the Indian car market, you’re sure to grab eyeballs behind the wheel of a Micra.

Nissan Micra Road Test and Review

While the bubbly Micra is equally loved by guys and girls, there are two other cars in the same segment that appeal more to girls – Chevrolet Beat and Hyundai i10. Both cars have abundant curves and bulges that give them the cute, sexy look. They’re compact and easy to handle making them the perfect choice for gals.

When it comes to budget, many of us are constrained to go for a used car. Buying a used car is not better than nor is it worse than going for a brand new car. We have already discussed the advantages and disadvantages of pre-owned cars and things to keep in mind while choosing one in previous posts. If chosen rightly, cars such as Mitsubishi Lancer, Suzuki Baleno and the third generation Honda City offer superior performance and greater scope for modification. Additionally, if you are new to driving, a used car is your perfect companion on the road to expertise.

Regardless of how affordable or popular cars turned out to be, two-wheelers never lose their allure in campus. There hasn’t been any other two-wheeler like Royal Enfield Bullet that conquered campuses and hearts of the youth alike. Bullet is not just a bike, it is a treasure to own. The latest Bullet Classic 500 is a spunky thumper that blends the retro design with state of the art technology and massive power. This monster easily catches people’s attention and moves pretty quickly.

Yamaha may have phased out the iconic RX-100 back in 1996, yet many youngsters love to have this stunner, just for its aggressive sound. Rumour has it that Yamaha has plans to resurrect the legend, and if it happens, this is going to be a terrific hit across campuses.

Scooters contend for attention with tassels, gleam, stickers and vivid colors. They crowd the parking lot, as proud owners beam over their machines. Scooty pep ruled girls’ world until a few years back. But now, the scooter market is abuzz with new players entering the arena, including electric scooters. Today there are many choices and choosing the right scooter for you is a challenge.

We hear a lot these days about the skyrocketing fuel prices, energy efficiency, eco-friendliness and the like. This is the right time to shift to the ultimate zero-emissions transportation technology – bicycles. Bicycles are great exercise and are probably faster, safer, more convenient than you think and not less stylish, too.

Finally, whichever vehicle you buy, always keep in mind that you are only in the wee hours of your life, so be safe and courteous behind the wheel of your automobile. Always wear a seatbelt/helmet, follow traffic rules, avoid cellphones while driving, don’t overspeed and never drive under intoxication or heavy stress. Have a rocking academic year ahead!

Hot Hatches Of 2010

As far as the automobile industry is concerned, 2010 has been an eventful year, especially after the Auto Expo that witnessed as many as 25 launches in various segments. Yet, hatchbacks rule the growing car market in India and the segment has been abuzz, with more foreign players entering the arena. From new launches by iconic brands like Volkswagen and Nissan to facelifts to the existing models, there were more than enough reasons for the middle-class car buyers to rejoice. Since the much awaited Nissan Micra is already here and there are not many launches slated for this year, this is the right time to have a quick analysis of the new and top five hatches of the year.

Nissan Micra

The Nissan Micra is the latest one to plunge into the already overcrowded B segment. Micra has enjoyed huge success across the world and now the Japanese carmaker is offering this bubbly car to Indian buyers with the latest generation technologies. Hope you all have read the road test and review of Nissan Micra already. What makes Micra different from its contenders are its unique features and commendable interior space. You will have to compromise on the ‘Maruti-ish’ gear shifting and lack of thigh support. However, Nissan is yet to announce the price and a lot will depend upon the announcement on July 14^th. If strategically priced, Nissan has a champ just waiting to reign Indian roads.

Road test and review | Picture Gallery

Volkswagen Polo

With flawless German engineering and an aggressive price tag of Rs 4.34 lakh for the base variant, Polo is giving its competitors sleepless nights. After the launch of Swift back in 2005, probably no other car in the segment has been able to tickle the male libido as vigorously as the Polo. Not many cars can beat the Polo for its best in class ride and interior quality. Although the rear leg room is less than what the exterior of the car suggests, the interiors are typically VW – top quality and functional. A pair of three-cylinder engines – a 1.2 petrol and a 1.2 turbo-diesel – power the Polo. A 1.6 four-cylinder petrol is also expected later in the year.

The Polo neither hesitates nor has a tendency to stall at slow speeds and the engine pulls cleanly from even low speeds. The midrange is the engine’s strongest bit and feels responsive. The light, crisp and short-throw gearbox has the best shift quality of any hatchback.

1200cc Petrol - Trendline: Rs 4.34 lakh; Comfortline: Rs 4.83 lakh; Highline: Rs 5.72 lakh || 1200cc Diesel – Trendline: Rs 5.32 lakh; Comfortline: Rs 5.81 lakh; Highline: Rs 6.70 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)

Read Review | Features

Chevrolet Beat

The Chevrolet Beat with its unconventional styling can be considered as the most unique model in the current crop of hatchbacks in India. The Beat scored a 4 star NCAP safety rating. The safety features include ABS, dual airbags, rear defogger, central locking, rear wash and wipe, front fog lamp, seatbelts with load limiters. Beat is a great car in the city and the refinement at low rpms is imposing. Beat can comfortably accommodate 4, but adding a 5th adult would be a little cumbersome.

Chevrolet Beat Price: 1.2 PS – Rs.341,989 1.2 LS – Rs.362,353 1.2 LT – Rs.399,899 1.2 LT (O) – Rs.443,808.00 (ex-showroom Delhi)

Quick facts about the Beat | Read complete review

Ford Figo

The Figo is one of the biggest B-segment cars in India. It’s longer than the Swift, has a longer wheelbase than the Ford Fusion. The Figo’s American genes spill over on the inside – roominess. The Figo is almost 300 mm fatter than the Polo and is also well equipped on safety with features like dual airbags, rear defogger, ABS with EBD, rear wash and wipe, engine immobilizer, central locking and 3 point seatbelts. Figo is powered by the all-new 1.2-litre Duratec engine. This all-aluminium unit meets the Bharat Stage IV norms and given its long stroke cylinder dimensions; as a result, the car is not just revvy but also pretty strong on torque, which is what matters in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Ford is also offering the Figo with the already acclaimed 1.4-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel. The turbocharged diesel engine develops 69PS at 4000rpm and makes a whopping 160Nm at 2000rpm, giving driveability an all new dimension among B-segment vehicles India. Prices start from 3,53,700/- for the Figo Lxi Petrol to 5,31,400/- for the Figo Titanium Diesel.

Read full Review

Fiat Punto

The Fiat Grande Punto is one of the few plausibly priced cars that will make both the common man and the petrolhead think dirty thoughts. Fiat claims that the 1.2-litre FIRE engine is now BS-4 compliant and is more fuel efficient (ARAI figure of 15.2kmpl, up by 0.9kmpl over the BS-3 version.) The Punto isn’t very spacious; its rear legroom at 670mm is the same as the Ritz meanwhile rear headroom is also poor at just 890mm. So, if you are the type who likes to be chauffer driven, then this is not the car for you. Yet, both petrol and diesel options offer a good mix of adequate power and fuel efficiency as well. The 1.2-litre Grande Punto now costs Rs 4.26 lakh for the Active variant, Rs 4.57 lakh for the Dynamic and Rs 4.87 lakh for the Emotion variant (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi.) Complete review here

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Iconic ‘Prancing Horse’ India-Bound

“Ferrari doesn’t sell really a car, it sells a dream.”

Let it be the launch of the world’s cheapest car or the acquisition of JLR, Ratan Tata never stops to amuse us; and this time, by bringing the iconic Ferrari to India.

BSMotoring reports that Ferrari is looking to open its first dealership in India in the next six to eight months and is likely to appoint Tata Motors or a sub-division of it as its sole Indian distributor and dealer. With Tata-Fiat joint venture in full swing in India and Fiat being the parent company of Ferrari, the move appears to be practical and convenient.

Speaking to BBC News, Ferrari Chairman Luca Di Montezemolo said that he is looking at opening a dealership here in India this year itself, although that might be a little premature. Ferrari is planning to open two dealerships in two of the largest metros in India, New Delhi and Mumbai with the latter most likely to be the first one.

Ferrari manufactures road-going sportscars, supercars and grand tourers and sells in excess of 6500 units a year. Its model lineup includes the California, 458 Italia, the 599 GTB and the 612 Scaglietti. “In the future we will sell a Ferrari with four-wheel drive but we will never sell a family Ferrari,” Mr Montezemolo states.

Micra Rolls Out, Finally

The cat is out of the bag. Prices of the widely talked about Nissan Micra have been announced for the Indian market – INR 3,98,000 – XE (entry), INR 4,69,500 – XL (Mid) & INR 528,800 – XV (Top) – all ex-showroom Delhi. Nationwide sales of Micra will commence from July 15.


Positioned in the B+ car segment, the new Micra is equipped with some key technological innovations, which are designed to simplify day-to-day life for its owners. It offers first-in-its-class Intelligent Key plus Immobilizer, push-button engine start-stop system and electric foldable mirror.

The company is planning to open 30 more dealerships by the end of this fiscal all over the country. Micra rolls out at a time when the B-segment is abuzz with new launches. So will this bubbly small car be able to withstand the formidable competition and turn out to be a champ on Indian roads? Let’s wait and watch.

Punto Gets Meaner With 90bhp Diesel Engine

While flipping through the reader comments on earlier posts, I realised there’s quite a number of Punto fans out there. And this time I’m here with good news for them.

Punto has received a new heart – the 90 bhp 1.3 litre Multijet diesel engine from Linea, making itself the most powerful diesel hatchback in India. The resultant performance is claimed to be about 3.8 seconds quicker acceleration to 100 kph and 10 kph higher top speed than the 75 bhp Punto. This has been realised by a tweaked engine that sports a Variable Geometry Turbocharger instead of the fixed geometry turbocharger on the 75 bhp Punto.

The new Punto looks just like any other Grande Punto, sumptuous and gorgeous, aside from chrome door handles, red border stitches on seats and of course, the inevitable 90HP badge at the rear.
Family MULTIJET
Displacement (cc) 1248
Max. Power (ps@rpm) 93 @ 4000
Max. Torque (Nm@rpm) 209 @ 2000
No of Valves 16 V
Camshaft DOHC

It comes with Dual Stage Airbags, ABS with EBD, Automatic Climate Control, Blue & Me technology, integrated CD/MP3 player with USB, alloy wheels with the widest tyres in the category, Chrome plated door handles and red stitching on the seats. Moreover, you have a wide range of accessories to choose from, which includes rear spoiler, chrome exhaust tip, stylish body decals, sporty aluminium pedals, leather seat covers and Punto branded door sill.

Prices for the new Punto – New Delhi: Rs 6.79 lakh, Mumbai: Rs 7.01 lakh, Bengaluru: Rs 6.88 lakh, Chennai: Rs 6.83 lakh, Kolkata: Rs 6.85 lakh.

With the 90 bhp edition, Fiat now expands the Grande Punto range to 10 variants with a choice of 1.2 and 1.4 litre FIRE engines in Petrol and 1.3 litre MultiJet 76 bhp and 93 bhp engines in Diesel, thus offering ‘a Punto for everyone’.

Will the new model be able to take the market by storm and add another feather in Fiat’s cap? Discuss your thoughts below.

Career Options in Automobile Industry

The Indian automobile industry has been on top gear ever since the complete de-licensing in 1991. Even when the global auto industry went into reverse gear in 2009, the Indian industry bucked the trend and is expected to become the world’s third largest automobile market by 2030.

In India, automobile jobs have been a catalyst of major employment for quite sometime. It is one or the main sectors to provide jobs to qualified people in manufacturing industries, production plants, service centres, govt transport corporations, private transport companies, insurance companies, motor vehicle departments and so on. Globalisation and robust growth of auto industry have resulted in abundant opportunities for automobile engineers abroad, too. Well, like any other organisation, automobile sector also offers plenty of employment opportunities including even receptionists and office boys. We’re not going to discuss all that junk here, but some of the leading and promising careers in the industry that ensure dignity and bright future.

Automobile Engineers are mainly classified into three streams like Product or Design Engineers, Development Engineers and Manufacturing Engineers. Product Engineers or Design Engineers are those who deal with the designing and testing of the components and systems of automobiles. Manufacturing Engineers deal with activities like how to create and assemble the whole parts of automobiles while development engineers are responsible for connecting all systems in a completed automobile. Automobile engineering calls for specialised training, a lot of hard work, dedication, determination and commitment.

Eligibility and Course Area | Here’s a list of colleges that offer Automobile engineering

Designer – Automotive designers handle the visual appearance or aesthetics of vehicles and contribute to the creation of concepts for vehicles. Automotive designers create exterior designs, interior designs, as well as color and trim designs of vehicles. The best institute that offers courses on par with international institutes in the west is the one by leading designer Dilip Chhabria.

Other institutes | How to Start a Career in Automotive Design

Officer-Accounts – If absorbed in this role in an automobile company, you will be required to prepare financial statements, MIS reports, profitability statement etc. You may also need to coordinate with consultants, bankers and statutory auditors.

Sales Executive – If you are interested in corporate sales and retail sales, you can opt for the role of a Sales Executive.

Management Trainee – Candidates in this role are required to create new business concepts.

Corporate communication – Corporate communicators and PR executives research, write, plan, edit, design, and implement everything from strategic communications plans, to employee newsletters. They create communications strategies that influence employee attitudes, shift stockholders’ opinions and tell the company’s or a new product’s story to the media. | Top communication institutes in India

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