Renalut Pulse coming on January

Ever since Renault Pulse was unveiled in October, the hatchback is one of the most sought after cars and hotly awaited in the market. However, January 6th is the date the auto major has come up with to launch the Renault Pusle hatchback which is basically the rebadged Nissan Micra. If you begin to figure out the major differences between the two hatchbacks it boils down to the all-diesel engine in the Renault Pulse against the Nissan Micra’s presence with both petrol and diesel engines. Nevertheless, it’s going to be the Nissan’s K9K engine that will power the small car with a decent power and torque numbers of 69 Bhp and 160 Nm.

The strong lines along the exteriors endow the car with much more character the Nissan Micra is devoid of, which carries more of softer look in comparison. The interiors again look more like Nissan Micra’s with the same dashboard and central console layout, though it is rumoured that Renault might come up with a sport kit for the Renault Pulse as a pacifier to calm down any protests in that direction. Anyhow, it will be interesting to see how the auto giant strategizes on the Renault Pulse price. Undeniably, Renault must have benefited at least to some extent with this brand engineering where sufficient amount of component sharing might have taken place. But, will Renault use this to keep the costs down to avoid the fate of Nissan Micra, is the question that only Renault could answer.

Force to dislpay two more variants of Force One SUV

Force Motors is back into the news once again. Only in last August, who was branded as a commercial vehicle manufacturer made a foray into the passenger car segment with its Force One SUV. Force Motors will bring two more variants of the Force One SUV at the 2012 Auto Expo. With one passenger vehicle in hand, it obviously doesn’t look to wipe out its carefully built career in commercial vehicle segment. The Force Motors will have a 16-18 seater vehicle apart from a 26 seater vehicle to showcase at the Auto Expo. Remember, back then Force Motors had promised to bring a 4x4 variThe consumers might have forgotten, but not the auto major.  Force Motors is among the ones to keep their promises efficiently. What we have now is that Force Motors has two more variants of Force one SUV up for display at the 2012 Auto Expo. The Force Motors had moved the heaven and earth to keep the costs down to come out with an economic Force One SUV price. In the process, the key features that are expected from an SUV more than anything else are missed out. As essential as ABS, was dropped out of the equation. But, as mentioned, the Force Motors intended to introduce a new variant with additional features at the nearest possible opportunity. True to its word, like any other car manufacturer, hopes to bring the two new interesting variants at the upcoming Auto Expo. aint of the Force One SUV which was then launched as a 4x2 variant alone.Force One is the one with an amazing road presence with its imposing personality. It is the Dailmer AG sourced 2.5 L diesel powertrain that powers the car with a 140 Bhp peak power and a remarkable torque of 315 Nm. If the two variants do carry what we think it would have, then there is going to be some competition in the SUV segment to look forward to. It will be interesting to see who takes the prize this time, the Force one or its closest rival Mahindra XUV500.

IMOTY 2011 Award for Pulsar 135LS and Pulsar 220 in Indonesia

The coming festive season of Christmas followed by New Year Event is going to bring various reasons of celebration for leading automobile company Bajaj Auto’s. There  are reports that Bajaj’s prestigious flagship Bajaj Pulsar has been honored with two leading awards in segment of 125cc to 150 cc segment and 151cc to 250cc in sports bike, at Indonesian Motorcycle of the year (IMOTY) 2011. Bajaj Pulsar 135LS and Bajaj Pulsar 220 were honored with best sports bike their respective segment of 125 to 150cc and 151 to 250cc category.

The contenders in these segment were Honda CBR 150R, Yamaha Byson (Yamaha FZ in India), Honda CBR 250R, Minerva Migelli 250, Yamaha ScorpioZ. In January Bajaj Auto also is expected to launch modified version of Bajaj Pulsar 220 in the segment of superbikes in India to compete with Honda CBR 250R. Tandju Rizal, PR and Marketing Manager of PT Bajaj Auto Indonesia, said that this award vouches that Bajaj Pulsar bike has received an overwhelming response by customers in Indonesia. Features like stylish, sporty, light weighted, fuel efficient and superior performance adorned in Bajaj Pulsar 135 LS and Bajaj Pulsar 220  played a dominating role in grabbing the attention of customers in Indonesia. Mr. Rizal further added that this award is gift for subsidiary of Bajaj Auto’s in Indonesia.

These two awards have proven that Pulsar is highly acclaimed bike in global market. To receive this award in Indonesia has its own recognition as Indonesia is considered as world’s third largest two wheeler market after China and India, which are mainly controlled by Japanese auto manufacturers. At present only Bajaj Motors and TVS Motors are two Indian auto manufacturing companies located in Indonesia. Let us hope that launch of Bajaj Pulsar 222 also revitalizes the same success history that erstwhile siblings of Bajaj Pulsar had created.

The new variant of M-class 2012 is spotted

Mercedes Benz recently asserted that it will assemble two of its models, M-class and  in India for the first time at its Pune plant. What the German car manufacturer hasn’t confirmed is the exact time lines for the assembly. However, the assembly of Mercedes Benz M-class is expected to begin from 2012 onwards, while the assembly of the GL Class might not begin until 2013. A mere coincidence is that, while we are on the subject, a new M-class was spotted in Mumbai. 2012 Mercedes Benz M Class gives us a hint at how the new SUV will look like. The new SUV seems to have undergone a sea change in every aspect
it is the same 3.0L V6 diesel engine that powers the car this time as well. But, it is the fuel efficiency that is worth mentioning.

This means the mileage will be over 16 kmpl, which is class-leading by any standard especially in the luxury car segment. The power generated by the car has always been exemplary at 240 Bhp and 510 Nm peak torque with assistance from the 7 speed automatic gearbox. Moreover, the 7-speed automatic gearbox can be adjusted according to the users’ preference in six different drive select modes. 

Which one will you prefer, Micra or Punto?

Nissan Micra

Exterior

Roof Antenna

Body Coloured Bumper

Rear Wiper and Washer

Body Coloured Outside Door Mirror

Body Coloured Outside Door Handles

Radiator Grille Chrome Plating

Electric Park and Fold Mirror

Door Mirror Electric Adjustment

Rear Defogger

15 Inch Alloy Wheels

Body Coloured Roof Spoilers

Interior

Drive Computer

Cup Holders 3

Bottle Holders 2

Digital Clock

Adjustable Front Headrests

Techometer

Parcel Shelf

Integrated Audio System With 4 Speakers & Aux-In Port

Auto AC

Interior Colour Scheme - Greige

Leather Wrap Stering Wheel & Gear Knob

Comfort & Convenience

Power Steering

Steering Tilt Adjustment

Luggage Lamp

Power Windows: Front and Rear

Driver Side Front Window With Autodown & Anti-Pinch Function

Central Door Lock

Intelligent Key With Push Button Ignition

Safety

Engine Immobilizer

Driver and  Airbag

Front fog lamps

Price-  410500- 617300

Fiat Punto

Exterior

Roof Antenna

Body Coloured Bumper

Rear Wiper and Washer

Body Coloured Outside Door Mirror

Chrome platted Outside Door Handles

Radiator Grille Chrome Plating

Electric Park and Fold Mirror

Door Mirror Electric Adjustment

Rear Defogger with timer

15 Inch Alloy Wheels

Body Colored ORVM

Interior

Cup Holders 3

Bottle Holders 2

Digital Clock

Adjustable Front Headrests

Techometer

Rear Parcel Shelf

Integrated Audio System With 4 Speakers & Aux-In Port

Steering mounted audio controls

Auto AC

Dual tone Dashboard

Leather Wrap Stering Wheel & Gear Knob

Blue And Me

HVAC

Programmed service reminder

Comfort & Convenience

Power Steering

Steering Tilt Adjustment

Boot Lamp

Power Windows: Front and Rear

Driver Side Front Window With Autodown & Anti-Pinch Function

Central Door Lock

Safety

Engine Immobilizer

Driver and pessenger Airbag

Front Fog Lamps

3- Point ELR seat belts with pretensioners & load limiter

Fire prevention system

Price-  441480- 698268 INR

KTM will reduce the price

The speculated price may fall in range of Rs 1.25 lakh to Rs 1.31 Lakh. The KTM Duke200 bike will be sold via Bajaj's Probiking showroom that will be adhered to carry KTM Logos on their showroom. These showroom will be entitled to not sale the existing models of Bajaj Pulsar and therefore for distinction between KTM and Bajaj vehicles KTM Duke 200 will not embed any logo of Bajaj on its body surface. The first infant of KTM, i.e., Duke 200 is anticipated to churn the power of 26 Bhp at 10,000 rpm and torque of 20 Nm at 8,000 rpm. With an objective to cut down the price, Bajaj Auto has introduced wide array of domestic cosmetics like switchgear, tyres and plastic. 

At present, manufacturing of Duke 200 is in progress at Bajaj’s Chakkan manufacturing unit. There are rumours that KTM Duke is designed on same platform as introduced in Bajaj Pulsar 200 while designing brakes and switchgear. Distinctive features adorned in KTM Duke 200 include daytime running pilot lamp, small storage space below seat followed by rear tyre hugger as some features which are revealed for fist time in KTM Duke 200.