Toyota launched its first hatchbak in India, Etios Liva. Toyota Etios Liva features basic requirements of Indian car market and the most inportant, "highest standards of quality at competitive prices".

Toyota has launched Etios Liva only in petrol variant for now. Toyota also planning to release the Toyota Etios Liva diesel variant anytime soon, Indian consumers are awaiting release of another power packed machine from Toyota Stable.

Toyota Etios Liva is loaded with a 1197 cc engine. It has 4-Cylinder 16V, DOHC engine that churns out 80 bhp of power while generating a maximum torque of 104Nm and assuring high fuel efficiency of 18.31 kmpl in petrol version. The Toyota Etios Liva has 175 / 65 R 14 tyre which will simply improve Liva's looks. The front grille of the Toyota Etios Liva gives a look of smiling face with its upper grille, lower grille and headlamps taken together. Even the basic version of Toyota Etios Liva comes with standard specifications and luxuries like - Dual SRS Airbags, ABS, EBD, Driver Seatbelt Warning etc.

The ex-showroom price for Toyota Etios Liva starts from 4.12 lacks to 5.97 lacks. Toyota has rolled out Etios Liva in five variants - J, G, G+, V and VX. Toyota will now face some real experts like Maruti, which is India's most successful car maker, and not to forget Hyundai and Tata.

Logan facelift - Mahindra Varito

Mahinda launched the new sadan Varito recently. Varito is nothing but a facelift & rename to Logan. Varito is a outcome of the end of the Mahindra-Renault joint venture a year ago.

Mahindra has done some changes in the design such as new grill, roof railings, mini spoiler & of course the logo. However, the new Mahindra Verito will retain the 1.5 Litre DCi Renault turbo Diesel engine besides the petrol variant. The engine and other specifications would be the same as these were in the Mahindra Logan.  Mahindra Verito had been launched initially in three engine options – 1.4 L, 1.5 L & 1.6 L. Both 1.4 & 1.6 L engines come as Petrol type whereas the 1.5 L engine is a diesel type. But 1.6 petrol engine is not in production yet.

The Mahindra Verito 1.5 liter, 4 cylinder, 1500cc diesel engine gives out maximum power of 65 hp at 4000 rpm and returns maximum torque of 160 Nm at 2000 rpm through a five speed manual transmission. Where as 1.4 liter is very fuel efficient and delivers hassle-free performance with a Maximum Power of 75 hp at 5500 rpm and a Maximum Torque of 110 Nm at 3000 rpm.

Price for this joyfull ride starts from 4.85lacks to 6.62lacks (Ex-Showroom Delhi).

New Age - Hybrid Car

You all may be fade up by rising fuel prices. Now the new age of automative is not so far. Welcome to the world of hybrid cars. All the major car manufacturing companies are running in the race of making most fuel efficient hybrid cars.  Fiskar Karma is one of the innovative hybrid supercar.

Karma is driven by 'Q DRIVE' technology. This configuration consists of an internal combustion engine working in series with a generator and a Lithium-Ion battery pack to power the electric motor that turns the rear wheels. The Fisker Karma utilizes a 20 kW/h (200kW peak) Lithium-Ion battery with an extremely stable Iron Phosphate composition. Life on these batteries is 10 years or 100,000 miles. Charging time for these batteries varies with battery’s remaining charge capacity and whether 110v, 220v or 240v current is used. Time required to charge the batteries is between 6 hours and 14 hours. Fisker’s high-voltage charging station can easily be installed in homes with standard electrical service.

Apart from this electrical motor. This car consist of solar roof. The solar roof charges the lithium-ion battery to regulate the interior climate control systems. Can provide up to 200 miles (321km) of annual emission-free voltaic driving. In addition to this there is an internal combustion engine that serves only as a generator of sorts, to charge the electric motors’ batteries, it’s a 260-hp 2.0L GM Ecotec unit. Fisker claims even now, the Karma should be capable of 5.8-sec. 0 to 60 mph sprints and a 125-mph top speed.

This bundle of technology comes with the very high price tag. Price for Fisker Karma starts from $85000.

Hyundai Verna 'Fluidic'

Hyundai has finally launched its much awaited “new Hyundai Verna”, described as “Fluidic Sculpture”. This latest version of Hyundai Verna is available in eight  variants with different engine options namely – 1.4L petrol, 1.4L diesel, 1.6L petrol and 1.6L diesel and two SX models added with two optional variants. The 1.6L variants (both petrol & diesel) will be blessed with two different transmission modes i.e. manual transmission mode and auto transmission mode whereas 1.4L models will have only manual transmission mode.

The interior of New Hyundai Verna is packed with comfort, luxury and safety measures. The top end variants of the new Verna are fitted with push button start as standard along with keyless entry. Auto folding mirrors are also standard on this variant along with auto dimming center rear view mirror which are a segment first. The cabin of the new Verna has all the storage bins spread around for cans, sunglasses and other stuff; we sorely missed out on the rear door bottle holders. Six Air-Bags are standard on the top end variant of the new Verna which is again a segment first. The Standard version of New Hyundai Verna comes fitted with sturdy and impressive 16-inch alloys rims. However, with turning circle of 10.4m, Verna is capable of getting out of dense places without hardships and is easy to maneuver and park. This new Hyundai Verna is also loaded with excellent 2 DIN audio system that plays everything from CDs to MP3s and holds excellent accessories baggage. With audio and Bluetooth controls mounted on steering, new Hyundai Verna assists in keeping your mood contented throughout the journey.

Hyundai Verna 1.4L petrol engine delivers a mileage of 17.43 kmpl,  the 1.4L diesel engine offers some relief on customer’s face as it delivers an average of 23.50 kmpl. Furthermore 1.6L petrol engine provides an average of 17.01kmpl whereas 1.6L diesel engine Hyundai Verna delivers 22.32kmpl.

Honda CBR250R

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India has finally launched its much-awaited CBR250R motorcycle in India and also disclosed the official pricing

It is powered by a single cylinder 250cc DOHC engine. The engine of CBR250R is light and compact and gives smooth and vibe free performance reflecting the sports character, and also retaining great mileage and sheer power of 25 Bhp, the company says.

The company claims that CBR's PGM-FI technology facilitates easy starting even in cold weather. Apart from reducing emissions, it also enhances performance and ensures great mileage, it says.

The ABS version of the motorcycle is priced at Rs 1,68,001 (ex-showroom Delhi) while the STD model would cost  Rs 1,43,001. The bike is available in three color options-red, silver and black.

Honda have already created enough buzz around this motorcycle that they have already received close to 2000 bookings and all these without even a test ride. That speaks volumes of this product and riding on the same crests, Honda plans to sell about 30,000 Rs  Honda CBR250R in India in 2011. However those who have booked this bike now, would have to wait another full month for deliveries.

Have a look at the stunning beauty in action.

Ford Fiesta 2011

Ford has launched its latest generation Fiesta saloon in India. The company hasn’t revealed the prices yet, but as per our sources the new Fiesta will be slightly cheaper than its main rival and the segment leader, the Honda City.

The new Fiesta gets a more powerful 1.6-litre petrol motor producing 120bhp. The diesel gets 90bhp of max power from its 1.6-litre motor, up from the current 1.4’s 68bhp and it will have a very useful 20.7kgm of torque, giving it a very petrol-like feel.

The car will be targeted at the premium end of the midsize market and will take on the Honda City for price. Ford is banking on technology to push sales of the new saloon. The car comes with plenty of features including voice control tech with Bluetooth to pair with mobile phones. It also features pull drive compensation, a suspension feature that helps reduce understeer in a front wheel drive car. The Fiesta will also get rear parking sensors as part of the features list.

More information is available here

Hyosung superbikes

South Korean two-wheeler manufacturer S&T Motors Corporation, in collaboration with Pune-based Garware Motors, launched its Hyosung brands of 650-700 cc superbikes India at a price range of Rs 4,75,000 to Rs 5,69,000 (ex-showroom-Delhi).

The superbikes on offer include GT650 R and ST 7. The GT650 R is a 650cc sports bike which is priced at Rs 4,75,000 for single tone colour and Rs 4,90,000 (ex-showroom-Delhi) for dual tone color. The ST 7 model is a 700cc cruiser bike priced at Rs.5,69,000 (ex-showroom-Delhi).

Initially, the bikes would be available only in Pune, Mumbai, National Capital Region, Bangalore and Goa. The company plans to open five more dealerships in Hyderabad, Cochin, Chennai, Ahmedabad and Chandigarh within the next 2 months.

Garware Motors will gift a special welcome kit comprising of performance t-shirt, cap, helmet, glares, and leather key chain to the first 500 customers. The company is also planing to launch the GT250 and street version of the GT650 in the country.

By the end of first year, the company will produced 2000 units. Garware Motors has tied up with HDFC bank for financing the bikes for its customers. A riding club has been performed for owners of Hyosung bikes, it is called as Hyflyers. Spares will be easily available for both the bikes and mobile service vans will do service at the doorstep of the bike owner.