Fabia in India!

At last, VW has finally decided to launch Skoda Fabia in India. The first model to get unveiled is the top end diesel version and the latest to the fleet is the petrol version. Just a single trim is available in both the fuel formats. Both has 1.4 litre engine, with diesel chunks out a healthy 64 bhp, and the petrol bumps a meaty 85 bhp. Will Fabia pose a threat to the segment leader shift? A wait for 2-3 months will tell the story. But I strongly believe that Skoda can't match Maruti's price. Cheaper versions of Fabia, might be 1.2 litre engines, are expected later this year.

I'm quite disappointed to see a top of the line petrol version costing over 7 lakhs on-road. Surely untouchable rate for me ;-) If Skoda releases 1.2 litre petrol version for under 6 lakhs, in fact with all the goodies like airbag, it will sure have less horses under the hood. Imm, let me wait for Honda Jazz before I finalize my next car as Swift ;-)

Honda vs Toyota Hatchbacks

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 ;-)

Suzuki Hayabusa Vs. Yamaha R1

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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

Lamborghini - the name says it all. Just watch this

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.

unicorn.........

I had a chance to ride unicorn after a long time. Wow! It's a damn smooth bike. Honda! These people are known for their quality, and it reflects in every part of the bike: engine, gearbox, speedo, ride, comfort. Being such an awesome bike, why do people prefer pulsar? unanswerable... Till now pulsar can't match unicorn's gearbox or top end performance. I rode this bike on 110 and it gives unbelievable stability. With pulsar I've crossed 115, but then the stability is a big concern here.

So, what to be done to give a facelift? Black bag wheels, change in body work, digital meters? Yes, this is a welcome change on unicorn. But, I don't think Honda can match pulsar's pricing. If they do, then honda will have a winner on their hand. Let us see...

dazzling new pulsar 150

Bajaj has done it again. It has simply kicked-off all its competitors with the launch of upgraded new P150 dtsi. The pulsar now sports a fresh look with a slight change in front lamp fairing, P220 dts-fi inspired rear and LED tail lamp. It also gets digital meters, self-cancelling indicators and illuminated switches. Surprisingly bajaj has modified the engine too. The engine now displaces 149cc and power is up from 13.5 to 14.2 bhp. This puts P150 on par with CBZ-extreme in power department. The price is hiked by 2k and the onroad price in bangalore is a whopping 65k. But still, with all the new goodies added, it is a great deal. Bye bye CBZ-X, apaches and unicorns ;-)

Pulsar Vs Unicorn Vs Apache

Relaunch of CBZ has heated up the 150cc segment leader war. Let us see whether HH could dethrone the pulsar king. Since CBZ extreme is so recently launched, let us compare the existing players - pulsar 150, unicorn and apache.

Pulsar being the oldest player among the three, could still manage as a 150cc leader. It has come through an array of modifications (dtsi, alloy, front lamp fairing, gearbox etc.) so far. Bajaj is still the trend-setter in looks department. P150 could beat both unicorn and apache on this. Also, it offers the highest 'real world' mileage. Handling, braking, looks, pick-up, cornering ability puts P150 as a sole leader. On the downside, the gearbox and component quality are not up to the standards of honda.

Unicorn has a stunning engine and gearbox. This bike should have been the segment leader. Unfortunately, small issues has pulled the leg of Honda. Poor styling, lack of trip meter, no side stand indicator, lean rear tyre, feeble horn, less pick-up than its competitors sums up its flaw. But then, if you just drive this bike once, you won't go for other 150s!

Apache has stunning looks, but I feel it is not as muscular as pulsar. The bike suits well for short guys and for those who can't handle pulsar or unicorn. Since apache's wheelbase is too short compared to its competitors, this bike becomes unstable after 80 kmph. But then, TVS still manages to sell more apaches than unicorn. Braking and gearbox are its downfalls.

The recent changes to P150 (digital meters, LED rear) makes this bike unbeatable in styling department. Let us see whether Yamaha and suzuki could do anything to bajaj when they release their 150cc bikes in future...

New Pulsar 150DTSi

I had a chance to drive new pulsar 150 dtsi. There is a minor change on it. They have modified the gearbox from 'all down' to 'one down-four up'. The gearbox really sucks. I fear bajaj might loose out its lead position in 150cc segment due to this stupid change. Though the 'one down-four up' is a universal gearing standard, the earlier 'all-down' was so simple to use in typical bangalore traffic. The worst thing on the new gearbox is, you should be really careful while switching from first to second gear or vice-versa. If not applied correctly, you might end up in neutral position. Obviously, it will put you in trouble. I hope bajaj will look on to this seriously while they come out with next major changes on 150