Honda, Skoda hatchbacks

India is eagerly waiting for two premium hatchbacks. Both are from the automobile leaders: Honda Jazz and Volkswagen owned Skoda's Fabia. Both are tempting cars and I'm planning to get one when launched ;-)

Skoda plans to launch 1.2 (70 bhp) and 1.4 (85 bhp) petrol engines initially and then might introduce the 1.4 70 bhp diesel. Skoda cars are immensely popular in India and they have a luxury tag to them, though in european market they are known to be budget cars. Skoda always has excellent build quality and we can expect the same in Fabia. We can expect the pricing in the range of 4 to 5 lakhs.

Meanwhile, Honda's Jazz cannot be left unnoticed. It is the second most popular hatchback in Europe. We can expect 1.3 and 1.5 petrol engines producing 80 and 100+ bhp respectively. As expected, Honda won't be launching a diesel version but still this poses a serious threat to the segment leader, the Swift. Honda is known for its strategy of playing with both Dsi and VTEC engine as it did with City, and the same could be expected for Jazz too.

So, which one among these are going to be a hot seller. I guess it is going to be a tough competition between them. If I am asked to pick one among these, I'll go for skoda, which has excellent build quality and a decent mileage. I won't blame Honda either, but I stick to Skoda bcos it comes from the reliable German Volkswagen family :-)

i10.... tempting ten.....

Hyundai has finally unveiled its i10 (so called 'Pa'), without replacing the existing Santro. This time Hyundai has learnt from the mistakes it did with Getz, and has priced the i10 cleverly. The car looks extremely attractive. You cannot blame the car's look in any angle (Though the rear is bit cramped). The bubbly headlamps steals the show and it deserves a head-turn in traffic signals. The build quality is as good as other Hyundai cars and the interiors are crafted beautifully. Hyundai sticks with the same 1.1 santro engine, but tuned it to produce 2 bhp more. The cable shift transmission and the electric power steering are welcome additions to it. The gearshift is integrated to the front console, and this has given enough room to accommodate more cup holders ;-) The i10 is wider but little shorter than the Santro. The ride quality is good when compared to the bumpy Santro. The tunings to the engine helps it to deliver decent mileage and we can expect around 13-15 in typical city driving conditions.

A/C and power steering comes standard in all models and the starting model is priced 3.4 exshowroom price looks like a hot cake deal. With its excellent interiors, impeccable build quality and awesome styling, it is sure going to be a smashing hit...

Got the Santro!

At last, I managed to get my Santro! Got it for a bit expensive deal from used Hyundai division, but I'm extremely happy with the car's condition. Though it has some dents on the front and right door panels, it is fully loaded with rear wipers, rear spoiler, body color bumpers to name a few. The goodies in Santro are its slick gear shift and the awesome engine. It simply blows its competitor wagonR and estilo in these categories. Though the steering and ride quality are its downside, it has excellent build quality. I am eagerly waiting for Skoda fabia and Honda Jazz ;-)

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Used Santro

I am considering to buy an used Santro in a week or two. I come across a plenty of zens, altos and esteems. What impressed me in Santro is its smooth engine and the quality of plastic interiors. All the marutis disappoints in interior quality. I am very much new to cars and can't comment much on them. But still I feel maruti has to catch up a lot on these factors. Even Tatas and Mahindras are doing a nice job. Coming back to Santro, I liked its tall boy design, slick gearbox, light steering which is excellent for city traffic and far better looks compared to its competitor wagonR. Possibly I can get my used Santro in a week. Will post more on Santro soon...

Lamborghini

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Is RTR a better deal?

TVS has played a fantastic strategy by introducing a bike in 160 cc segment. This Apache RTR sports almost all the goodies we see in a typical top end bike: clip-on handle bars, fascinating front disc brakes, LCD meters, LED tail, etc. The engine's performance is hairy and it pumps out an impressive 15+ bhp. The wheel-base is well extended from the 150 apache. Now the bike looks bigger and longer. The gear shift is now single rod and feels sporty. Not to forget the front discs: No words to describe it. It's an eye-catcher. The tail lights is LED and the speedo, fuel gauge are all digital. Clip-on handle bars looks great. However, the biggest disappointment is the front light fairing. I personally wanted an improved fairing, which will clearly distinguish it as a new bike. From the front, you just can't guess whether it's an apache 150 or RTR. The road tests reveal the engine is top-class, ok to live-with gear shifts and amazing top speed. The only downside is its mileage. On city, it just manages 40 kmpl.

So, can RTR upset the current crop of 150s? I strongly believe it can, if people doesn't mind about mileage.