Driveblog

Two-wheeler maker India Yamaha Motor today launched three new variants of its FZ series bikes in the country, priced between Rs 67,000 and Rs 74,000 (ex-showroom Delhi). "India Yamaha Motor has introduced new variants of the FZ, FZ-S and Fazer bikes of its popular FZ series with a complete makeover," the company said in a statement. The new FZ will be available at a price of Rs 67,000, FZ-S at Rs 69,000, while the Fazer will be priced at Rs 74,000 (ex-showroom Delhi), it added. The new models will now have a kick start option and will be available in several colours, sporting new logos and graphics "to match the changing tastes of the discerning customers", the company said. "The FZ series has gained immense popularity among youngsters since its launch in September 2008. [Source: PTI ]

The BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car was unveiled today at Deutsche Motoren by Praful Patel, Honorable Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises. The German Ambassador to India, Thomas Matussek was present as the Guest of Honour. BMW Vision EfficientDynamics is a road ready, four seater concept sports car that combines the performance and emotional character of a BMW M Car with extraordinary fuel economy and emission management. BMW Vision EfficientDynamics with its outstanding fuel efficiency of 26.5 kilometres/litre and an exemplary CO² emission rating of 99 grams/kilometre is far superior to all conventional hybrid cars. It is capable of achieving a top speed of 250 kilometres/hour with acceleration from 0 to 100 km/hr in just 4.8 seconds. The car is powered by ground breaking BMW ActiveHybrid technology and cutting-edge drive systems. Praful Patel, Honorable Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises said, “The Indian automobile market is one of the ...

Audi has launched its much-awaited sports coupe - the Audi A7 in Delhi today. The car comes priced at Rs 64 lakh onwards, ex-showroom Delhi. It will be available in showrooms within the month. The A7 comes powered by a 3-litre TDI V6 engine that makes 245 bhp and puts out 500 Nm of Torque. The car comes with S-Tronic and Quattro as standard. The Audi A7 is a stylish 5-door executive sports coupe, that has a sportback design. The car comes with optional LED lights and does a zero to hundred run in 6.3 seconds. It also comes with options such as head-up display unit, front seats that have optional ventilation and massage features and LED lights. The A7 is available with a petrol option. The TFSI is priced the same as the diesel version. The Audi A7 was unveiled by Deepika Padukone. Audi has also launched the 440 bhp RS5, which is its BMW M3 rivalling coupe. The car is priced at Rs 76 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi. The 4.2-litre V8 on the RS5 is an updated version of the one found on t...

When an international firm joins hands with a local company it's always a matter of who holds whose hands and who steers the way. At times things don't go as planned and we see splits which could have been done without. Though Renault has been in India for the last five years, we won't be surprised if they would wish to forget the past and take the launch of their sedan, the Fluence, as a fresh start. The Fluence would look to compete against Honda Civic , Toyota Corolla Altis and the extremely sporty Chevrolet Cruze . But can it stand up to these cars and make people forget about Renault's story with Logan and Mahindra? Read on to find out.  There is no dearth of sedans in our country-there is something that will suit every need. From sporty looking beasts to those with futuristic designs to really sober looking luxury machines... The choice is innumerable. But one aspect is missing. In their rush to be different, carmakers have forgotten to make attractive looking ma...

The country's second largest car maker Hyundai Motor India today launched the new version of its sedan 'Verna', in both diesel and petrol options at an introductory price between Rs 6.99 lakh and Rs 10.75 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). "We are confident that all new 'Verna' will create a new benchmark and raise the bar for the upper mid-size car in India. The company had first introduced the Verna brand in India in 2006. "The launch today further reinstate our commitment to provide the best in class, design, quality and technology to our customers," Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) Managing Director and CEO H W Park told reporters here. The company will offer the car in 1.4 litre and 1.6 lire engine variants with both petrol and diesel options. The ARAI Fuel Economy Figures:   1.4 petrol 17.43kmpl, 1.4 Diesel 23.5kmpl , 1.6 petrol 17.01 kmpl & 1.6 Diesel 22.32 kmpl.  Hyundai expects to sell around 45000 units of new Verna in a Year.  [S...

BMW plans to drive in its 1Series hatchback and the Mini compact within two years to stay ahead of archrivals Mercedes Benz and Audi in the booming Indian luxury car market.  "The Indian market is evolving fast and, as the leader of luxury car, we are looking at our compact range of cars to meet varied preferences of customers," BMW India President Andreas Schaaf said on Tuesday.  "We are doing everything to stay ahead of the competition and drive into new segment that would keep the customers delighted," he said.  Last week, Mercedes Benz India MD & CEO Peter T Honegg told ET that his company will bring its compact car range of A Class and B Class by 2013.  BMW tops the luxury car market, which grew a record 70% last fiscal to more than 15,000 cars, closely followed by Mercedes and Audi. Other contenders include Porsche, Jaguar & Land Rover.  The list would include the new concept, the Efficient Dynamics. The car delivers fuel efficiency of 26.5 km/lit...

Luxury car maker BMW India today said it has started assembling engines of 3 and 5 Series sedans and sports utility vehicle X1 at its Chennai plant from April to avoid the higher 30 per cent customs duty, following the new norms on completely knocked down units in the Budget.  "At this point of time, our completely knocked down (CKD) operations are fully fulfilling the new regulations. We are paying 10 per cent duty... There will be no price hike," BMW India President Andreas Schaaf told reporters here.  For pre-assembled engines, transmissions and gearboxes, customs duty was fixed at 30 per cent in the 2011-12 Budget as against 10 per cent earlier. However, other parts continue to attract a customs duty of 10 per cent.  "In our engines, about 50 per cent of the assembly is done in India. So it is considered as locally produced," he said, adding, the company will gradually shift to complete manufacturing of vehicles once it reaches a sizeable volume.  The company ...