Automobz.com Unofficial Blog

Regulatory authorities in the automobile sector has always been a mere puppet and in some cases questions can be raised about their pro activeness while you are watching a plume of smoke from certain vehicles choice words do follow. Especially since most commercial vehicles have no concept of routine checks and environmental courtesy. These vehicles run for long durations too, so their impact on the environment is very harmful. Automobiles too sometimes fall into this bracket where there is no one to check and enforce stringent rules that sadly remain only in theory and paper. But now, SIAM – Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers has thought of some initiatives to bring about a more ecologically friendly environment as the automobile population is only set to grow further and the need of the hour is more stringent laws and their habitual enforcement. SIAM is an apex body that represents 40 leading vehicle and vehicular engine manufacturers in India. Most of us recognise SIAM because of the leading role they play in organising the biennial Auto Expo series of trade fairs along with Confederation of Indian Industry(CII) and Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India(ACMA). They also act as a medium between the Automobile Industry and Government and also other national and international automotive related organisations. They have been striving hard to be on par with the international stand and practices in terms of technical capabilities as well as emission standards.

Seeing the rise in the number of automobiles over the years, SIAM has proposed many projects that should kick off soon. One would be the Fuel Efficiency Stamp that was supposed to come into effect from January this year but due to reasons unknown the date now stands at January 2009. An unbiased fuel efficiency figures on every single vehicle manufactured in India and would be made as a mandatory requirement by all vehicle manufacturers in India. SIAM has now been asked to proceed with this initiative. All new vehicles from January 2009 would be expected to have this stamp. Since many countries have adopted this system where a standardised and more importantly unbiased authority would check the fuel efficiency of the vehicle making it easier for the customer. The mileage tests will be carried out by the manufacturers and the data will be certified by a proper testing agency such as ARAI(Automotive Research Association of India), VRDE(Vehicles Research & Development Establishment or NATRIP(National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project). The manufacturers do have the option of getting a second opinion but are liable for that data to be accurate. The manufactures are more than willing to co-operate as the customer will have be the one to benefit the most. The implementation plan is on its way.

There is also a plan to revamp the way the PUC centres function here and exhume out the corruption that is rampant in these centres where the certificates have no significance when it comes to the environment. A pilot project is ensues as we speak with 27 PUC centres being run by SIAM to check the corruption. These centres are connected to a localised server situated in the transport department which has all the correct data on emission norms for all the varieties of vehicles available. The certificate issued at the centre itself while the data is examined at the transport office. A person with the server will be able to spot discrepancies if any in the rendition of data from the PUC centres and can pin point the centre for a random check. This should in a way clean out the possibility of getting false certificates and catch the centres that are encouraging such practices. Emission norms are visibly being flaunted around us and its about time some one takes a stand and what is even better is that an apex body like SIAM is driving forward such initiatives. Everyone wants more and better models to come into the Indian market and they surely will in the coming years increasing the importance of such norms have to be put into working order as a sign of progress and balanced growth of the industry as a whole.

General Motors, celebrating 100 years of its presence, unveiled the much awaited Chevrolet Volt and more importantly a production version was showcased. Even though production is scheduled to begin in late 2010, the anxiety and anticipation surrounding the Volt is one of the main reasons for this unveiling. The first look tells you that it is much different from the concept that was shown at the Detroit Motor Show. This has been done so as to achieve the primary target of the Volt – to reach 65 kilometres without a charge or using other fuel. There was a study conducted to recognise the average distance driven by an American based upon which GM came up with this target. Thus, the designers came up with one of the most aerodynamic designs to complement that target.

The interiors of the Volt is also fitted with cutting edge gadgets such as driver-configurable liquid crystal instrument display and a touch-sensitive infotainment centre with integrated shifter. Then there is the standard seven inch touch screen vehicle information display, touch screen-style climate and infotainment controls, standard Bluetooth for cellular phone and USB/Bluetooth for music streaming and optional navigation system with on-board hard drive for maps and music storage.

The Electric drive in the Volt churns out 150 hp and 370 Nm of torque. The heart and soul of which is the 16 kWh lithium ion battery. The range extenders kicks in when the battery power is low which is automatically done by the on-board thinker, that starts of a gasoline or E85 (ethanol, gasoline combination – widely used in Sweden and fast gaining popularity in the USA and the rest of the world) powered engine generator supplies power to the electric drive while simultaneously charging the lithium ion battery. This cycle enhances the range of the Volt considerably and with a top speed of 100mph, the Volt would be far from sluggish.

There was a time when the Pulsar, during its launch was termed as a stunner and immediately people fell head over heels with the image of bulbous tank and low riding position that finally made the Indian youth feel like what any biker should feel like, one with the machine. The muscular look is all that one can talk about the bike. The CBZ brought out the sporty side of the bike market here and there were a lot of takers. The foot pegs to the headlamp cluster was new but more importantly accepted very well. This made Bajaj, of all the other manufacturers take notice of a new market that was emerging that they could capitalise on, and capitalise they did with the Pulsar. This opened up the 150cc and 150+ segments that now suddenly seemed to emerge out of nowhere and if history has taught us anything it is that the first bite of the cherry is all important. The Pulsar continues to be the one that competitors have to deal with and whose sales figures gives them sleepless nights. But the rival technicians are subjected to slight doses of insomnia because of the shoddy set up of the bike and ponder on its success which to them is as difficult to comprehend as things without nuts and bolts. The clutch and the transmission is not the smoothest, nor is the ride quality. The sorry part here is that it would be wrong to say that the market at that time was nascent and was totally enamored by the bike, since it continues to be the leader, thanks to Bajaj and its regular upgrades and slick marketing strategy. Where is the competition?

Here is the competition, the new Yamaha FZ-16, 150cc street legal monster. But before we dwell into this, lets take a moment to think about the TVS Apache and the Honda Unicorn, since we are debating about competition. One thing that is certain, is that looks play a massive role in the purchasing decision in the 150cc segment. Even though many would deny it and say that the mileage and maintenance does take top priority, the sales chart totally negates their argument. The Honda Unicorn without a shadow of a doubt has the best clutch and transmission in the market whereas the Apache does have the looks and the feel of a poised machine. Needless to say, in the looks department is where the Unicorn loses out. Most of these bikes are driven around in crowded streets and stop and go traffic where there is continues shifting involved. So the best bet would be the Unicorn if you are looking in the 150cc segment. The engine is smooth and responsive when push comes to shove. This reminds me of a conversation, wherein I was playing devil's advocate and defending the Pulsar against the Unicorn and my father nonchalantly waltzes in and says that you cannot have a sane argument that involves the comparison of a Honda engine with that from Bajaj. That was the end of that discussion. Case rested.

Another reason for the Pulsar's popularity could be the time at which it was launched. There was this sudden rush of money into the pockets of the anti-fit jeans of the barely 20 something, stretching his vocal chords in a call centre. This purchasing power and acquired accent now needed some wheels that would make him stand out in a crowd and the Pulsar fit that bill completely. It is such a ruthless and superficial world out there!

To those who have a slight hint as to where this is going, I will try and make it simpler. What the Indian audience needs a 150cc bike with the looks of the Pulsar (what a benchmark!) and the performance and refinement of the Honda Unicorn (what a benchmark!). The Yamaha FZ-16 is your answer and not the R15 because the at a price of 65,000 INR it is worth every rupee. What is even better is that we are getting more than we asked for! It looks light years ahead of the Pulsar and one would be a fool to question the engineering standards of Yamaha and especially a 150cc offering! But for those who really want to know, it has a 153cc, 4 stroke, single cylinder engine that has been tweaked for low range torque for city cruising and for the over eager, sorry to disappoint but the torque value is for one to feel. Numericals followed by units do not do true justice. The overall packaging is simply stunning, right from the macho silencer to the unique headlamps. In my opinion the frame is what sets this bike apart from the rest. It blends the design cues with the engine layout perfectly. The best part is the price which makes it even more tantalising and Yamaha has christened this the lord of the streets. I think its time the bike fanatics bow down and also wonder as to why it has taken so long for salvation to arrive! Like all bikers, we have been good, haven't we?

Porsche has revealed a teaser for the Panamera where you would see new car emerging out of the garage with the customary front end of any Porsche with a low profile. Then again it is a side view and if not indicated that it is marketing tool of the new Panamera you would confuse it with any Boxster that is on offer. This Porsche saloon, yes saloon, has generated a lot of interest from Porsche fanatics all over and the German giant has made full use of this anxiety and using it to launch an innovative marketing campaign. The Panamera is expected to seat 4 passengers comfortable with the power and agility of a Porsche sports car. One thing for sure is that it will be sometime before we get to see the complete car since Porsche has decided to bring out another such teaser on October 20th and also a claims that this one will be a sneak preview in selected markets. The Panamera has an interactive on-line magazine which looks very impressive and informative. A few details seem to have leaked with regard to the engines on offer. There would be a 3.6L V6 with 300 hp, a 4.8L V8 with 405 hp, and a 4.8L Turbo model with approximately 520 hp and capable of 300 km/h. The sport sedans market will have to face Panamera sooner rather than later and these teasers will have the competitors too on tenterhooks since the product looks to be a winner.

The Paris Motor Show, from October 4th - 19th will showcase many cars that would interest the Indian Automotive sector, unlike previous motor shows. This shows the growth of the Indian automotive scene and very much a player for the car makers to mull over. The fortnight will showcase the Hyundai i20, which is set to replace the Getz in the global arena, but will continue to flourish in the Indian market continuing the trend wherein manufacturers have two products in the same segment. The Indian launch will follow. More importantly the Kappa platform will continue with the i20. Then there is also the i20 i-blue concept with the all new 1.4 CRDi engine with a CO2 output of just 99g/km. There is also the petrol-electric hybrid on the Santa Fe platform, that has a new 30kW electric motor and a six speed automatic transmission with the existing 2.4L engine. There would be the new Audi A6 and the fifth generation BMW 7 series. The Ferrari California will be on show after its mixed responses that it received when it was first shown in May earlier this year. The classy and versatile city car, the Ford Ka will also be launched with a few changes and will have a lot to do to resserect Ford's fortunes. The new E-class will form a part of the Mercedes-Benz Fascination series which is sure to surprise many.

The hybrid and green brigade will be led by the much anticipated Chevrolet Volt. Honda Insight concept will also be on display along with a fleet of Volvo's showcasing their DRIVe technology with low rolling resistance tyres to gearchange indicators. There are host of changes on offer to increase efficiency. Then there is the new Golf BlueMotion whose figures are startling and Volkswagen is sure to go all out with this Golf, regarded by many as its bread and butter. The new Mini Crossman will also be on show. This 4X4 Mini is unlike any and has been dubbed as a SAV – Sports Activity Vehicle and it is more practical too with the B-pillar on the driver's side being dropped. The headlights too have been beefed up that seem to cringe toward the windscreen. And needless to mention the ground clearance too has increased.

Apart from the i20, for India, the 2008 Honda Jazz will also be showcased and also the Suzuki Alto. This will be known as the A-Star in India and will be contract manufactured by Maruti for Nissan for which it will be called the Pixo. It has been made clear that the A-Star has nothing to do with the existing Alto here and will continue. The Pixo will have a slightly different front end and badge. All of them would have the 1.OL K-series engine from Suzuki, but the European offerings will have the additional four speed automatic transmission. Even though the car would be the smallest premium hatchback here with dimensions of 3,565-mm length, 1,470-mm height and 1,600-mm width, with a 2,360-mm wheelbase but the efficiency of the design will accentuate the roomy interiors, head and leg room and the spacious boot. The car is expected to be part of the market from November and will hit the global showrooms by early next year. Many more cars are expected to create a ripple in the automotive industry in this showcase event, with the global slowdown in car sales and the rising fuel prices it would be interesting to see the strategy of many of the automotive giants and also the responses from the public on what they can expect in the coming months and years. For once the Eiffel Tower will not be the main attraction in the French capital.

Riding on two wheels on an open road is an experience to cherish. The wind in your face is cliché. There is just something more. It is a balancing act and your skill is tested. While you are on the move, even gravity does not bother you too much. Once you stop you have to respect gravity and rest the bike. Terms like renegade and a rebel have always been associated with the motorbike. There is also a sense of freedom, not political but a poetic freedom that you associate yourself with. Facing the road, head on, you throttle along with pride and among all this sense of high, there is the Harley Davidson marquee that has stood by the biker image for 105 years now and will continue to do so.
Though 1903 maybe the year when this organisation came into being, but 1901 was when the dream was envisioned. At the age 21, William.S.Harley completed the drawing of an engine, designed to fit into a bicycle. Two years later, Arthur Davidson makes available the first production Harley Davidson motorcycle. After this, the word got out that about this extremely reliable motorcycle being produced from a wooden shed in Milwaukee which led to the formation of dealerships and more employees to sustain the demand. 1909 will be the next biggest landmark after its inception. This is the year, the V-twin, 49.5cc engine was introduced that would produce 7 Hp. The two cylinders, at a 45 degree angle has become the hallmark of all Harley Davidson motorcycles. After this the company was straight on its way up, with supplies to the police, which it continues to do so and also producing special motorbikes to assist in the war effort, just a testament to their rigidity and durability. Along with a Harley Davidson motorbike with an image to die for, you also walk out with a sense of assurance and devotion from the dealership. This is something that will continue as the stringent testing standards will never bring about the topic of reliability and you will also become a devoted Harley loyalist once you own one. It would be an understatement to say that this brand is iconic, especially once you come to know that 5-6% of its complete revenue comes from the marketing of the brand, logo and merchandising.
The concept of a tourer and a cruiser was borne by Harley Davidson, along with customisations which bring out the individual and the individuality of each bike. Then there was the origin of the choppers that was again heralded by Harley Davidson. They in turn brought about the differentiation between the riders and the racers in the motorcycling community. The riding community would cruise along the highway. Cruise is such an apt term and anyone who has done so will know. In the ideal setting your speed is secondary and you just coast along, one with the motorcycle and you, and the feeling accentuates your surroundings to the realms of metaphysics.
The bikers also enjoyed a bad boy image, and continue to do so to some extent. Harley Davidson did receive some slack for it and undue attention. A biker was compared to the outlaw. It was easy to get carried away since the rider did evoke some view. They were not associated with a neat and kept image. They seemed like they were on the move, living of the land, without a care in the world, even if they did not do so. It became stereotypical. A bar with a dozen or so Harleys parked outside always warranted for trouble later, in Hollywood. This was inevitable, but never did it deter Harley Davidson and such things are part and parcel of being distinctly American. The V-Rod welcomed brand Harley Davidson into the new era of biking. Overall it was an engineering masterpiece, right from the engine layout to the design. The Japanese manufacturers too, who dominated the motorcycle segment for such a long period, had to take a new look at the way the touring and cruiser markets had progressed with Harley Davidson at the helm. The Hell’s Angels had made their mark. The acquisition of Buell Motorcycle Company in 2003 and the recent purchase of MV Agusta which also includes the Cagiva brand. This might have to do with Harley Davidson trying to install a presence in other categories of motorcycling. These business deals sound as good as the V twin from any of their cruisers. 105 years at the helm is a remarkable achievement. The early 20th century saw many motorcycle manufacturers vying for production status, and many disappeared into oblivion and the smoke of the Harley dominance and as we would like to congratulate Harley Davidson and the bless the culture that they have created, hope it always remains live to ride and ride to live.

A people's car would be one that can occupy two adults and two children comfortably, along with place for a luggage in a boot and the most important feature of the car is that it must be affordable. Apart from easy to buy, affordable also implies that it must be easy to run and maintenance costs have to be at the minimum. Tata Nano? Maybe, but we are going to welcome the first people's car, the Volkswagen Beetle. The new Beetle is far from being a people's car, same as the new Fiat 500 and Mini Cooper. These cars were introduced as a cheap car to run, with cost as the main agenda. They were introduced for the middle class man just when transportation became an important criteria in society
The history of the Beetle is as interesting as its design. The car that was known as the Type 1 faced a lot of mass production hassles in war prone Germany, as it was intended to be priced just as much as a small motorbike at that time. Hitler wanted a car to available at that price and after World War 2 it was set into production as the Beetle. The designer of the car, a certain Ferdinand Porsche hated the official name – Kdf Wagen, it was the public that floated around the name of Beetle for obvious reasons pertaining to its shape and look. Porsche called them the Type 60 and the first production ready Beetle was showcased at the 1939 Berlin Motor Show. The 935cc, flat four rear engine sputtered out 23.5Hp which was deployed by a four speed manual gearbox. Then it was used for the impending was and many thought that it would be lost in obscurity. But post was, Industrial Revolution was heralded by the Beetle.
The new Beetle will be launched here in the middle of next year. It will be here via the CBU route from its manufacturing facility in Mexico. The Bug became an iconic people's car and now the Beetle will probably receive the luxury tag as it will be priced with the extra 113% surcharge as an imported car. The 1.9 TDi Diesel would be the one making its entry here.
The Beetle now will have all the gadgets that would somewhat fit its extravagant bill, which will include ABS, traction control, anti-skid system and front and side airbags, rain sensors and cruise control, along with acoustic rear parking sensors. The scope of such cars is not much in India, and also the launch of the Fiat 500 Cinquecento has not seen much sales. The price factor has played a very huge roll in such offerings, the same reason why BMW has abstained from bringing out the Mini. There are many Beetles still around here reminiscing those hay days with retired cavaliers strolling around the cities. One thing that deserves admiration would be the way they have maintained the opulence of the Type I, without losing the identity of the bug. The Mini, the 500 and the Beetle had been introduced keeping the roots firmly in mind and the looks dated with that slight touch of modernity to garnish the success. The Indian market as such is not yet ready for the new bug to infect the roads, but of the small target that Volkswagen has set, without the shadow of a doubt, the little number too will adorn the streets.

There are talks about making the batteries more efficient and then there are talks about how everyone is vying for the spot of Mr. Environment. But can there be such an organisation that can mould everything into one? We have the hybrid cars that seem to be catching everyone’s eye and just as you are reading this and criticising (good or bad) the Toyota Prius, someone has bought one. There are those performance junkies who just cannot come to terms with the fact that they would have to compensate on so much just for the environment. What has the environment done for them anyway? The compromise is too huge and just takes away all the years of progression of the four wheeled companion of many. All those long hours spent trying to tweak the engine, drilling it even to add turbochargers and superchargers, then reshaping the body and the wing mirrors, all to get those extra legs from the horses. All those hours gone and just when we were getting the hang of it and making tyre manufacturers cringe as to what they need to come up with next to harness such ruthlessness subjected to their offerings. Now it’s all about efficiency and gaining that extra kilometer from the fuel so as to make it last just one more day, or maybe if we could make all the roads at an incline so that we could all just ride in neutral. But then you need to climb up a slope for the free fall. For that we have the oil conglomerates that are beginning to invest in many alternate fuel options and stake claim again. So organisations have many new additions lined up for the coming years for us to choose from. Swing out the drawing boards!
Before we start looking at the hybrids that are going to be on offer, it is sad to note that the benchmark has been the Toyota Prius, which in engineering and technological terms nothing to marvel about. Atleast for those who have had the sensation of a little horsepower tingle their backsides. Maybe in marketing and sales terms, the Prius does score but technologically there are many others that have surpassed it. From its inception people have tried to prove as to how it is not what it claims to be – Efficient and Eco friendly. Self proclaimed analysts have gone to the extent of comparing it with normal fuel guzzling cars and also its eco friendly nature to the life time of many heavy bodied SUVs. I would also like to join this elite group by a worthy mention of the sixth generation Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion that is claiming to be more fuel efficient and emits lesser carbon dioxide than the Toyota Prius. The 1.6L CRDi engine thrusts out 105hp and more importantly delivers 26 kmpl compared to the 19.5 kmpl from the Prius. On the green scale, this Golf emits 99g/km of CO2, whereas the claimed green friendly car emits 104 g/km.But then again, Toyota has not made any changes as the product is selling. The downside is that now it is going to create a lineage when Toyota is getting ready to launch the new Prius in 2010, which in all probability will answer these questions. You would find many such trivia seekers and anoraks explaining how it is not what people think it is and can keep going on about it and the only way you could probably shut them up is by showing the sales figures! The shortcomings of the Prius has created a new market that is emerging and going full steam ahead to beat the launch of the new Prius and fill in the gap. One that has caught the attention of many is the Chevrolet Volt, slated to be out in a couple of years. Shocking to many as the people that shut down the production of their hybrid project, after which the market fell right into the hands of Toyota and everything else is history. This time General Motors has gone all the way and the Volt that was showcased at the Detroit Motor Show this year and they are very serious about it, the main reason being the response that they are getting. By response I mean, 34,520 people and counting from 60 countries would by one if they could in August 2008 and why? It is because GM calls the Volt a plug in hybrid.
The Volt will run on Lithium ion batteries and the three cylinder E-Flex engine that can run on hydrogen, petrol, ethanol or biodiesel churns out 160hp. This fuel will not be used to turn the wheels but in turn charge the battery if and when the situation arises. This is the technology adopted in a nut shell but the long hours of testing involved in terms of weight reduction and optimizing the battery usage is something that is delaying production. GM has said that the battery combination has been the biggest hurdle that they are coming across, and they seemed to have found the right combination to achieve their target of 64 km per charge after which the fuel can charge the 53-kilowatt generator. The other hurdles would be the integration of the fuel system with the battery. The Volt’s on board computer will decide when the battery should shut down and the alternate fuel should be used. The battery has been designed to operate within a temperature range of 30 degrees to 80 degrees. If this limit is crossed, it shuts off automatically and switches to other options while maintaining optimum performance. The prototype was sluggish with AC on, dealing with long distances and steep climbs. GM has claimed to have overcome these issues. The fuel tank can hold up to 45 liters of fuel. The batteries can be completely charged in six and half hours. GM claims that the Volt will be able to touch 60mph in 8 to 8.5 seconds. The price of the Volt has not been revealed as yet but it has been made clear that it would be the one for the masses and produced in volumes.
General Motors that originally shut down operations and testing of its eco friendly car in 2000, after trying for 4 years citing the lack of demand for such a car at that point of time. Toyota on the other hand continued and created the market with the introduction of the Prius which has sold really well and also been the standard upon which forthcoming models are being worked upon. The coming years will see the Honda Insight Hybrid, the Ford Escape Plug In, Infiniti Hybrid and of course the new Prius and the Chevrolet Volt. The Tesla group has also proved that performance is not necessarily compromised when we speak about electric cars. But an integration of both will be one to look out for as something that can smother the fuel guzzlers. Yes, smother.

General Motors India (GMI) has launched the Tavera Neo-2, showing an importance to the Indian MUV market with subtle changes, incorporated to increase its appeal. The changes however is not one where it is a complete makeover and you get a ravishing and stunning looking utility vehicle akin to a reality show but more on the lines of functionality. The Tavera, since its inception, has never been in denial with the fact that it is an MUV. It is not screaming out trying desperately to be an SUV. This is where GMI have been very shrewd in their India campaign and have recognised the market well.
The Tavera Neo-2 will have a better looking center console that also betters the ergonomics, captain seats for passengers in the middle row enhancing comfort, leather seats, twin glove boxes in the dashboard and also a three spoked steering wheel. The hand brake also has been shifted to the more universal position, next to the gear lever. The front end is claimed to be redesigned but it’s just that the grille and the logo are more pronounced. It is not something that catches your eye but is definitely different. It will be priced at 9.54 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi.
The MUV market in India was at 94,000 units per year, growing at 20% every year in 2003-04 at the launch of the Tavera, the competition being mostly from the Toyota Qualis and the Mahindra Scorpio. The Scorpio still remains and the Qualis is replaced by the Innova, both strong contenders. Initially the target was at 10,000 units per year but now with the launch of the Neo-2, the figures aimed are at 2000 units per month. The Tavera was an idea drawn out of the Isuzu Panther and has been received well in India. The Qualis was not a great looker but flourished well and this is when the MUV segment, along with contributions from Tata, needless to say that they were not competitors in the looks department, grew. This is when GMI recognised that the Indian market needs a low cost MUV that would be a mover of the masses and not that would attract the upper middle class family, although the percentage of which cannot be neglected. Cost effectiveness and then mileage would be its USP. The Tavera fits these criteria really well. The ruggedness and its performance have been its strong points and this will continue with the Neo-2. The small car from the GM stable is the one that is eagerly awaited here that is expected in early 2010, which in all possibility could be exported to other markets from here.