Tata Nano Twist

If there was one feature the Tata Nano, could do with – it would have to be power steering. Nobody in this day and age appreciated the fact that you have to wrestle the steering wheel to point the car in a certain direction, especially while parking.

But that has changed. Tata has now addressed that issue with the newly launched variant of the little city slicker  - the Nano Twist. With the Twist, Tata Motors has sought the assistance of Bosch, and German automotive engineering giants ZF Friedrichshafen AG, and installed a brushless electric power steering motor into the Nano with the intention of making the car easier to drive and park. And boy, has it made a difference.

In essence, the Twist is the refreshed Nano that’s powered by the same 34.5bhp and 51Nm producing 2-cyl, 624cc motor the company came out with mid-2013, with the addition of Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) and a new information display cluster.

Visual differences that separate the Nano with power steering's exterior from the ones that don’t offer the feature are the ‘XT’ and ‘Twist’ badging on the rear of the car. There’s also a new colour on offer as well – behold, the Damson Purple.

Inside the Twist, the centrally-located information cluster is all-new. It houses a digital clock, LED fuel and engine temperature gauges and distance to empty display, in addition to the standard fare of trip meter, warning lights and an analog speedometer.

Thanks to the EPAS, manoeuvring the Nano in traffic isn’t a problem and you can tell of the tremendous difference from the non-power assisted Nano variants when driving at low speeds, while parking, or even at attempting to quickly make use of its 4-metre turning radius in tight situations.

Company has reconfigured the positioning of the clutch pedal, which now feels a tad better to use. What's evidently clear is that Tata have refined the NVH levels of the new Nano variant, with the Twist no longer sounding like you’re pottering a lawnmower around town.

Tata had previously improved on the Nano in the last refreshed version - the revamped the cabin with plusher interior cladding, Bluetooth entertainment system, twin glove boxes with fewer panel gaps, a new gearshift console which makes the power window switches more accessible, and the seats actually having some cushioning and don’t give you the impression that you’re seated on plastic chairs wrapped in thick cloth.

At Rs 2.36 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the Twist is priced approximately Rs 13,000 more than the previous top-of-the-line, LX variant that doesn’t feature power steering. Post the refresh and the addition of power steering, the Nano now feels more user-friendly and a more complete package at tackling inner city commuting.

The numbers
2-cyl, 624cc, 34.5bhp, 51Nm, 4M, Top Speed: 105kph (limited), Fuel Tank Capacity: 15litres, 25kpl (claimed), Rs 2.36 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)

The verdict
The Twist variant makes the Nano come across as a neater package than before, for an entry-level city commuter vehicle.

Hoover Bike "The Flying Machine" who'll change the future..!

• A revolution in aviation:
• The Hoverbike is the result of years worth of 2012. They combined the simplicity of a motorbike and the freedom of a helicopter to create the world’s first flying motorcycle.When compared with a helicopter, the Hoverbike is cheaper, more rugged and easier to use – and represents a whole new way to fly.  The Hover bike flies like a quad-copter, and can be flown unmanned or manned, while being a safe – low level aerial workhorse with low on-going maintenance.

Meet the Man who built a Hoverbike with Sacred Geometry

Maruti Celerio's your own Bugdet

Maruti Suzuki's new 793cc diesel engine is all set to hit the Indian market. The Celerio is the first hatchback to get 0.8-litre diesel engine and at the moment it is undergoing its final stage of testing in Japan. The Celerio and a new commercial vehicle from Suzuki will be available with this new diesel engine. Maruti Suzuki Celerio will come with three trims, LDi, VDi and ZDi. The VDi will come with an option of ABS too. This is Suzuki's first in-house developed diesel engine and it will be the smallest diesel engine in India. The 793cc diesel engine will churn about 50bhp of power and it will be coming with common rail diesel technology

Upcoming Benz GLA Class

Mercedes-Benz India is now prepping to bring its GLA compact crossover in the country. Expected to launch in the festive season, brand's dealerships across the country have already started taking the pre-booking orders, and the booking amount is said to be INR 2 Lakh.he premium German auto-giant Mercedes-Benz was first shocased at the 2014 Delhi Autyo Expo against the likes of Audi Q3 and BMW X1. The GLA crossover is based on A-Class hatchback platform and gets ultimate styling. Especially, the facia looks exceptional with the most contemporary headlamps, grille, bumpers and hood that give it a class SUV appearance. The GLA crossover will be offered in 2.2 Litre diesel engine, derived from the A Class and the B Class and another 1.6 Litre petrol engine.

Upcoming BMW M Series

 BMW, the German manufacturer launched its performance version of its 6 series- 2014 M6 Gran Coupe at Rs 1.75 Crore. The car lock horns with the Audi RS7, and Porsche Panamera Turbo S. Powered by the enormous 4.4-litre, twin turbocharged, V8 engine, the car churns out 560bhp and torque of 680Nm. To ease the driving, the car comes with the different driving modes such as Ecopro, Comfort, Sport and Sport+. The engine comes mated to 7-speed M-dual clutch transmission with paddle shifters. The Coupe can reach naught to 100 barrier in just 4.2 seconds

Maruti Suzuki prepare to brake the roadwar with 25 models

Maruti Suzuki in order to enhance its market share is now eying on doubling the number of models the automaker produces. The company looks to tap the sales of compact SUV and LCV segment. In a bid to retail 30 lakh cars a year, Maruti is planning to increase its model lineup to 25 from the current 14 and to achieve this, the carmaker is days away from the launch of its C segment saloon Ciaz.

         As Hyundai has launched its new Elite i20 and Volkswagen and Fiat too have upgraded their Polo and Punto Evo hatchs, the 2 box car competition cannot be summed up without the name of India’s largest passenger car seller Maruti Suzuki which will be introducing facelift of Swift along with the upgraded version of Swift DZire. But as we know, all the good things come at good time and proving that right, Maruti Suzuki will bring the facelift version of its Swift model around the festive season while the most awaited SX4 replacement Ciaz will be launched by the month end or by early September. Let's dig deep and find out, what the future holds in Maruti's stable. 

        First in the list is the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz which is slated for the launch in August last week or probably September first week. The concept version of Ciaz was first showcased at 2014 Delhi Auto Expo but the production version will be a bit different from what the company showcased. The increase in the sales of Honda City and Hyundai Verna has caused some worries to the Maruti Suzuki and thus the manufacturer is eager on bringing Ciaz to the Indian auto sector. Ciaz will look similar to Alivio concept which was showed at the 2014 Auto China. The production version is trimmed in size, but it will feature projector headlamps. The car will get multi-spoke alloy wheels while the rim size would be 15-inch, but one can expect 16 inch too. Mechanically, it's not yet confirmed what Ciaz will carry to power itself, but it is expected that it will house 1.4 liter K14 VVT powering the Ertiga and the 1.3 liter MJD VGT.
        The competition in the compact sedan is increasing day by day and with the launch of Hyundai Xcent, the grip of Swift DZire in the Indian auto sector is getting loose. With the revival of Swift DZire, the automaker looks to bring back the glory days. The facelift of DZire will be nothing but a sticker job with majority of changes coming as the cosmetic upgrades majorly embracing increased chrome work with bold chrome slat at the front. Inside the cabin, the automaker seeing Tata Zest, might bring a touch screen infotainment system and rear A/c vents. Under the hood, Swift DZire will remain same and will keep on carrying the 1.2-litre K-Series petrol and 1.3-litre multijet diesel engines. If media reports are to be believed, the manufacturer will launch the DZire facelift around the festive season of October or November.

        Many carmakers are upgrading their hatch segment, Volkswagen has already introduced the facelift version of Polo while Fiat too has joined the race of survival. But waiting is what Maruti does, it will wait till the festive season of Diwali-The month where Indian auto sector witness maximum sales.  The new Swift facelift is expected to get few exterior tweaks and interior upgrades and with this new styling, the facelift will be ready to robe the heart of Indian buyers. The facelift version supposedly gets new L-shaped LEDs, redesigned fog lamps, 16-inch alloy wheels as an option. The automaker may also introduce a new 'boost blue' metallic shade with 2014 Swift. Apart from all the touchups, the upgraded Swift will also embrace auto-up touch function for front passenger window, start-stop button, follow me headlamps and power ORVMs. The engine specification of Swift will too remain same. 

         Moreover, if media reports are to be believed, the company is also planning to launch an SUV to compete with Mahindra and Tata while seeing the recent success of Ford EcoSport and Renault Duster, the company will also introduce a compact SUV. Though its very early to say but as per the air around Maruti will bring the SUV in few months while a compact SUV under 4 meter would be launched by 2016. The company is also making its way to the Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) and for which the company has created an entire new network.
        Maruti Suzuki India chairman RC Bhargava said, "To sell 3 million cars (annually), we need to have at least 25 models. With 12 to 15 models we would not be able to sell 3 million cars." Currently, the market leader retails more than a dozen model right from the most sold Alto series to the Ertiga MUV.  He further added that only the market would determine by when the company could touch the 3-million mark.
         Mr. Bhargava also said, “We will be present in SUV segment in few months from now, a model which will be competing with Duster in that size. It has to be something which can compete with the Duster, and in 2016 we will have a compact SUV under 4 meter, so that it gets benefit of lower excise duty and which will be in the same segment as Ford EcoSport. Both the SUVs will be available in petrol, diesel and CNG options.” On the Maruti’s market share, Mr Bhargava said: "Last year we had a market share of 38.9 per cent, and this year till date we have 44.4 per cent, which is out of only 79 per cent of the total market as we are not present in the SUV segment now.

A Thing to Suzuki Vitara need fly in indian market

     The Japanese  automaker  recently unveiled  the  production version of the IV-4 concept SUV and it is certainly the   successor   of the Grand Vitara. The Grand Vitara has been running for so long and it now looks dated, the new gen shredded  the 'Grand'  name and  will  now adorn Vitara globally. Maruti Suzuki has been selling Grand Vitara from  almost  a  decade and  has  seen  two generation in India.  Grand  Vitara  is solely available in  a petrol powerhouse and that is certainly the  biggest  factor  leading to  downfall  of  this  product  beside the steep prices as the SUV is imported.

       Moreover,  the  new Vitara's  launch  in  India is  still  unknown  as  of  now but seeing that Maruti  Suzuki  is  still selling  Vitara in India expect the car to land here anytime soon. Now,  the  question arises will it still  continue  to  be a petrol driven SUV or a diesel mill will make way?  To be on  the brighter  side, we  think  Maruti  must  have understood  a lesson with the Kizashi and even  with  the Grand Vitara. That is to make this new 2015 Vitara a hit, diesel  heart is required along with  local  manufacturing.  Furthermore,  in  a  recent  report Maruti said that they will be  bringing  more  product in  India and their line-up would reach to 25 models in future. So we can expect this SUV to among those 25.

             Globally,  the   current  Grand  Vitara  is  sold  with  a  Fiat borrowed 1.9 liter Multijet – dubbed  as  1.9 DDiS. The  engine gathers nearly 130bhp while the torque  is  over  300Nm.  The  fuel   efficiency   figures   are   even  over  18km/lit.  This is would be a perfect combination for Vitara's revival in India.