The New 2012 Peugeot 107

Peugeot’s new 2012 107, that was shown at the Brussels Motor Show, has been given a facelift that brings it in line with Peugeot’s new aesthetic. The new model is the first major change to the Franco-Japanese city triplets for the 107 that was jointly developed with Citroen and Toyota.
Exterior modifications include a tight-fitting look with a sculpted-out area of the bonnet with the combative lion badge. The grille and bumper graphics are lightly retouched too, while the nose has been fitted with LED day-running lights. The model is available as a three or five door.

Under the hood, the 998cc triple has 68bhp and 70lb ft of torque and if pushed far enough, the driver can reach 62mph in just 14.2 seconds. The three-cylinder petrol engine has been adjusted to nudge emisisons under 100g/km by a single digit of CO2
The 107 has also received a technology boost with Bluetooth connectivity and USB plugs for music access.
Priced from just £7, 995, the new 107 will be available in the UK from February the timing of which is perfect to compete with VW’s new Up.
Source: Car Magazine

Hero Ignitor Price – Stylish 125cc bike

Hero Ignitor is the new 125cc engine bike launched by the Hero Motocorp , the Munjal groups bike company which recently separated from the HeroHonda joint venture . It is a stylish bike which looks somewhat similar to the the Hero’s own style machine Hero Hunk . It is powered by the new generation 125cc ATFT engine with 11 PS power .

Hero Ignitor bike specifications :

• New 125cc ATFT engine
• 11PS power at 8800 RPM
• C.V Type Carburettor
• 5 Speed constant mesh Gear box
• Analog-Digital speed panel
• Split seat like the CBZ Xtreme
• Fluidy front
• Dual tone rear view mirrors
• Tubeless tyres
• Maintenance free battery
• Front Disc brake

Hero Ignitor Price in India : coming soon .. Around Rs.45,000 .

Hero Passion XPro Price – 110cc bike

The new Hero Passion XPro is a daily commuting bike and upgrade version of the popular Hero Honda Passion Pro with new graphics on the body .

Hero Passion XPro bike specifications :

• 110cc engine 4 stroke , Aircooled SI engine
• 8.7PS of power @ 7500rpm
• Self/Kick starting
• 4-speed constant mesh transmission
• 4 gears – 1 down , 3 up
• First vertical engine
• Digital-analog combo meter with service due indicator
• Tubeless tyres : front and rear
• Brakes : front disc , rear drum
• Stylish fuel tank shrouds
• Battery : 12V , 3.0 AH maintenance free
• 6 color options
• APDV ignition
• Wider seat

Hero Passion XPro Price : coming soon ..
Hero Passion XPro Mileage : NA

Mercedes Benz India Launches India’s first Performance Driving Academy at Buddh International Circuit

Mercedes Benz, in collaboration with Jaypee Sports International Limited has launched its renowned AMG performance driving academy at the Buddh International Circuit, Greater Noida. The academy will be officially known as JPSI-AMG Performance Driving Academy. Present on the occasion were Peter Honegg, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, Sameer Gaur, Managing Director & CEO, Jaypee Sports International Limited (JPSI), Bernd Maylander, Official Formula One World Championship Safety Car Driver and Reinhold Renger, Chief Instructor, AMG Driving Academy.

image – Inauguration of India’s First Performance Driving Academy at Buddh International Circuit

Speaking at the event, Peter Honegg, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India said,

“With Buddh International Circuit, we have laid strong foundations together for Motorsports in India.  The F1 debut was just the beginning. JPSI and Mercedes-Benz take this step further by offering India’s first performance driving academy. Under the guidance of expert instructors who are themselves former race drivers and champions, our patrons will now have an opportunity to hone their driving skills. Performance driving has come of age in India and the popularity of AMG is testimony to that.”

The experience of Mercedes-Benz in training enthusiasts for performance driving spans decades. And, at the launch of the academy in India, MB brought the former Mercedes-Benz DTM Driver and now the Official F1 Safety Car Driver Bernd Maylander in India. Along with him, the chief instructor of the AMG Performance Driving Academy, Reinhold Renger was present to give the very first drive experience and personalized hands on training to the Indian Media.

Currently, the BASIC-Training course is available In India. In this course, one builds the ideal foundations for the safe and masterful use of an AMG Mercedes with its range of features- for increased safety and better enjoyment of driving. In theoretical and practical training units, professional instructors show drivers how to exploit one’s driving potential to the fullest and that of the vehicle in the future. The BASIC-Training course is offered to enthusiasts for INR 75,000 per participant. However, Mercedes-Benz customers are offered special privileges & the course is offered at a special price of INR 50,000.

image – Mercedes Benz SLS AMG at Buddh International Circuit

Around 50 participants had an opportunity to drive the AMG range of performance cars to drive on the track; C 63 AMG, E 63 AMG, SL 63 AMG and SLS AMG. The popularity of AMG in India was a further enabler in the establishment of JPSI-AMG performance driving academy, as explained by Ola Käellenius, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

image – Driving Instructors- Reinhold Ranger, Bernd Maylander, Norman Simon

The AMG Driving Academy employs a total of 21 instructors globally. The permanent team around chief instructor Reinhold Renger includes high-profile racing drivers: Bernd Schneider with five DTM Championships under his belt, plus an ITC and FIA GT Championship title for good measure, ranks as one of Germany’s most successful racing drivers.

Maruti Suzuki New Swift Dzire 2012 / Swift 3.99 With Automatic Transmission

Maruti Suzuki will launch the new Maruti Swift Dzire 2012 in February 2012. The new Swift Dzire or Swift 3.99 will be based on the new Maruti Swift 2011 with improved exteriors, interiors and better tuned suspensions. Apart from the changes which will be equivalent to the upgrades made in the new model of Maruti Swift, the new Dzire or Swift 3.99 will also come with automatic transmission option.

image – Maruti Swift 2011 for illustration only

The automatic transmission system to be used in Maruti Swift Dzire 2012 or Swift 3.99 will be same as the Maruti SX4 automatic transmission which is a 4 speed automatic with conventional torque converter system, however, the gear ratios will be adapted to suit the drivability needs of the Maruti Swift Dzire. On the downside, the option of automatic transmission on new Model of Swift Dzire 2012 will only come with the top of the line Zxi Petrol variant only and not with the diesel, just like with the SX4.
The fuel efficiency of the automatic transmission cars is usually around 10 % to 15 % lower than the corresponding manual transmission variants because of lower mechanical efficiency of a torque converter compared to a dry or wet clutch system, so we can expect an mileage of between 12 KMPL to 15 KMPL for the automatic transmission model. More details will emerge around the official launch. Stay tuned for more updates on Maruti Swift Dzire 2012 or Swift 3.99

Hero MotoCorp Launches Hero Passion X Pro, Hero Ignitor and Scooter Maestro–Specifications & price

Hero MotoCorp has launched three new two wheelers just before the beginning of the grand Auto Expo 2012 in New Delhi India. The three new launched includes two bikes (motorcycles) and one gearless scooter. The two bikes are Hero Passion X Pro and Hero Ignitor which is a new bike with 125 CC Engine. The Hero Maestro is a gearless scooter which was first unveiled at the rebranding ceremony of Hero MotoCorp in London. The Maestro comes with a 109 CC Engine which seems to be the same fitted in the Honda Activa gearless scooter.

image(L to R) – Hero Passion X Pro, Hero Ignitor, Hero Maestro (image  Credit)

Hero Passion X Pro Specifications Features and Price In India

Hero Passion X Pro is powered by the same 110 CC engine with 8.6 BHP of peak power. The engine is a single cylinder air cooled carbureted engine with APDV technology and its mounted vertically on the bike. The instrument cluster is a combination of digital and analogue console with an indicator for service reminder. Other improvements include tubeless tyres for hassle free and comfortable ride comfort. It comes with sporty looking 5 spoke alloy wheels coated in black. The battery is also a sealed VLRA battery which does not require any maintenance. The fuel tank shrouds have improved and there is disk brake at front for improved braking performance.  The Passion X Pro will be available in 6 colour options  compared to the existing 5 colour options. The official price has not been revealed as yet, we expect it to be priced at Rs. 52,000 on-road Delhi.

Hero Ignitor Specifications Features and Price In India

Hero Ignitor seems is a modem looking bike which somewhat resembles the Honda CB Twister quite a lot. The engine cowls and faring resemble the Hero Honda Karizma and the overall appearance is very dynamic. The bike is powered by a 125 CC ATFT single cylinder air cooled Engine with peak power of 10.85 BHP and is fitted with modern CV Carburettor. The instrument cluster on the Ignitor consists of a digital and analogue meter. To make it more sporty, there is a split seat for rider and pillion passenger. The engine is all black coated which merges very well with the faring of the bike. The rear View mirror are also dual-tone with body-colour and black colour in sharp pointed hexagon design. Just like the Karizma, the front headlamp is mounted in a fixed manner at the front of the petrol tank and it does not turn with the handle. It features sporty 5 spoke alloys to merge well with the overall sporty tone of the bike. Ignitor also gets tubeless tyres and a maintained free VRLA battery for better reliability. There is also an option of disk brakes at front. The Hero Ignitor is expected to be priced around Rs. 60,000 on-road Delhi.

Hero Maestro Specifications Features and Price In India

Just like the Ignitor seems to be based on the Twister, the Maestro seems to be a re-badged Activa. The Maestro comes with 109 CC engine with 8.1 BHP of peak power and Variometric (CVT) automatic transmission gearless system. It also features the combi-brake technology which we find in the Activa Deluxe which combines the front and rear brake application in one brake lever. It also has the same magnetic shutter covering the keyhole for added security which is also found on many gearless scooters these days. There is a digital and analogue instrument cluster with service sue indicator which probably first on a gearless scooter in India. The Maestro comes with a toughed up tube just like Activa which makes it puncture resistant and the battery is also maintenance free. The Hero Maestro comes in 6 colour Option. Hero Maestro is expected to be priced at Rs.50,000 on-road Delhi.

Hyundai Eon Petrol-LPG Dual Fuel Car

Hyundai Motors India Limited has already started the production of Hyundai Eon small car in Petrol-LPG Dual Fuel variant. The dual fuel variant comes with a standard 32 Litre petrol tank and an LPG container which is of the shape of the car’s wheel and fits inside the space of the spare wheel in the boot compartment of the car. The addition of LPG makes the EON more economical and less polluting to run. Specially in India, where the petrol prices are quite high, any alternative cheaper fuel is always welcome. Hyundai India has started the export of Eon LPG and the Indian launch is expected to take place in a few weeks. The starting price of Hyundai Eon Petrol is about Rs. 2.69 Lakhs ex-showroom Delhi. The Hyundai Eon Petrol LPG variants are expected to be priced about Rs. 30,000 higher than the Petrol only variants which means an approximate starting price of Rs. 3 Lakhs ex-showroom Delhi. It is not known whether the LPG variants will come in all trim levels or selected trim levels.

image- Hyundai Eon

Generally most cars which come with factory fitted LPG kits have intelligent microprocessor controlled LPG units which are connected with the car’s central ECU for a smoother  efficient engine operation. The fuel can be selected easily in just the press of a button from inside the car. The Petrol – LPG Eon can be run on either Petrol or LPG at any time. The car can be easily used at placed where Auto LPG is not available and can be run using Petrol only.

image- Hyundai Eon Engine Compartment

Adding an LPG container uses up some of the boot space in the car and is expected to make the boot little cramped, however, compared to CNG Cylinders, the toroidal shaped LPG containers consume much lesser boot space. The Eon delivers an ARAI tested mileage of 21.1 KMPL on petrol, the addition of LPG option will make it even cheaper car to run.