440kph Y2K hyperbike India-bound

Manufactured by Marine Turbine Technologies (MTT), the Y2K can outrun a Bugatti Veyron!

Meet the MTT Y2K. It will outrun a Bugatti Veyron Supersport, rev three times more than a Formula 1 car and make the mighty Suzuki Hayabusa feel like a Hero Honda Splendor.

Made by South Louisiana-based Marine Turbine Technologies (MTT), the Y2K has nothing less than a Rolls-Royce Allison 250-series gas turbine engine, usually found in, erm, helicopters.

Unleashed on the world way back in 2000, the original Y2K hyperbike, the yellow one in the inset, had a 320-horsepower engine that, the brochure claims, made peak power at no less than 54,000rpm (compressor speed) and churned out more torque than a Lamborghini Gallardo. All in a motorcycle that weighed 30kg less than a Hayabusa! It even had 200-section rear tyres mounted on carbon-fibre wheels.

Performance, as you might have already guessed, was off the charts. In the time it takes a Veyron to do 180kph, the Y2K would do 320kph (5.4sec, and we’re wondering how the rider hung on!) and top speed was an eye-watering 402kph.

Then, since that absurd top speed and 320bhp simply wasn’t enough for everybody, MTT introduced a 420bhp version called the Y2K Streetfighter. This one had a larger swingarm, wider 240-section rear tyres, bigger fuel tank and an enhanced cooling system.

Cut to the present and MTT is working on the red bike you see. Due for its launch in the United Kingdom in mid-2013, it’s the latest version of the Y2K that uses a Rolls-Royce 250 C-20B gas turbine engine rated to 420bhp and a claimed, if yet unproven, top speed of 440kph. It is currently undergoing wind-tunnel testing in the UK to determine what changes should be made to allow the bike to run at such speeds without, you know, taking off.

The new bike, when it’s out, will resemble the exclusive rendering pictured here. 

The best bit is that MTT is currently thinking of selling it in India. It has, in fact, imported one example of the Y2K here via its distributor, Viva Motorsports, to gauge Indian interest. It will be on display at The India Bike Week in Goa on the 2nd and 3rd of February 2013, so us mere mortals can eyeball it and hopefully hear its fighter-jet-like exhaust note as well.

As for the money, the Y2K retails for Rs 1 crore in the US of A, so expect it to cost roughly twice that  if and when it comes to India.

A word of advice: If you do see one on the road here, keep your distance. The jet wash just might melt your bumper off!

GAS IT UP

The Y2K, unlike other jet-propelled, land-bound vehicles, doesn’t use pure thrust to get it to move. No, the Y2K’s engine is connected to the rear wheel via a proprietary two-speed automatic transmission. To adapt the engine to run on the ground, MTT has turned it upside down so the exhaust can exit downwards. Also, it has the necessary hydraulic pump that allows it to be mated to the transmission.

The whole shebang is controlled by MTT’s engine management system, which protects the engine from hot starts (vaguely  similar to a meltdown in a piston engine) and continuously 

monitors the powertrain to help prevent engine and driveline failures. It runs on kerosene, but has been adapted to run on  diesel or Jet A1 fuel as well.

 

Not too many details have been released about the new bike,  but the engine of the Y2K Streetfighter sits in an aluminium alloy frame, carbon-fibre fairing, inverted forks at the front and 

a monoshock at the rear. Brakes are via saucepan-size discs front and rear. You can expect more-or-less the same underpinnings for the new bike.

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SCOOP! New top-end trim for Honda Brio

New VX trim with added features for Honda Brio coming this April.

Honda is expected to introduce a new top-end VX trim-level for the Brio. As a hatch, the Brio makes a strong case for itself as a decent overall package, but has a few glaring omissions in its features list. The new variant will address these issues and include additional equipment like a rear de-fogger and driver seat height adjustment. A rear wiper however, will not be seen, as the Brio’s glass hatch lacks the provision to accommodate it. 

 

Honda currently averages a modest 2,000 units for the Brio every month and the introduction of a new variant should only make things better for the manufacturer.

 

While we have been eagerly awaiting a diesel-powered Brio, the launch has been shelved for the moment as Honda is not able to price it competitively. The carmaker will test the waters with the new 1.5-litre diesel motor in the Amaze saloon. If the Amaze saloon strikes a chord with Indian buyers and sells in massive numbers, it would lead to much better economies of scale, which could, in turn, result in a lower unit price for the new diesel engine. This would make the diesel Brio more affordable and feasible for market introduction. 

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Mercedes announces ‘Performance Drive’

Mercedes performance drive to feature training sessions by certified professionals.

Mercedes-Benz India today announced the launch of ‘Mercedes-Benz Performance Drive’. The company is offering motoring enthusiasts an opportunity to hone their driving skills through programmes conducted by certified global trainers.

Speaking about the event, Eberhard Kern, managing director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India said, “Mercedes-Benz has been a performance brand and committed to performance driving since the beginning of motorsports. Being a performance brand our engagements are not limited to race drivers alone but encompass motoring enthusiasts as well. In India, the ‘Mercedes-Benz Performance Drive’ will address people across interest levels and skill sets through multitude of engagement opportunities and further the spirit of motoring and performance driving. We are happy that this platform will address the needs of motoring enthusiasts and hope to be a catalyst in heralding the culture of performance driving in India.”

The performance drive constitutes six different programs:

Young Star Driver Program: This event will be conducted in association with the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India. Top performers will have an opportunity to undergo advance training in Germany then the PRO training and finally the masters SLS AMG GT3 training.

Star Off-Road Experience: Participants in this program will be invited to Pune to test Mercedes SUVs on a specially created off road test-track. A chauffeured Mercedes for ground transport and a visit to the plant are additional highlights of the program.

Track Day Experience: Corporate professionals will get an opportunity to drive a range of high performance AMG cars at the Buddh international Circuit. The event will include qualifying rounds over two days and an opportunity to get trained by professionals on performance driving techniques like cornering, braking and slalom, among others. There will also be a Corporate Track Day and programs for team building activities around performance driving.

International Driving experiences: Participants will get opportunities to drive in exotic locations across the world like the Arctic Circle through this program.

AMG Driving Academy: Motoring enthusiasts will be able to experience track driving in AMG cars and will be trained under race veterans and professionals about the different nuances of performance driving.

Star Drive experience: Participants will be able to test the capabilities of the Mercedes cars and SUVs through specially created driving situations. 

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KTM eyes BMW’s Husqvarna

Austrian bike specialist KTM could buy into Husqvarna.

Recently crowned European bike market leader KTM is in talks with German two-wheeler giant BMW Motorrad to acquire its subsidiary off-road bike company, Husqvarna. The last time Husqvarna changed hands was with BMW taking over the brand from European bike major MV Agusta, in 2008.

A possible joint venture at this stage is certain to spell good times ahead for Indian bikers. Indian two-wheeler giant Bajaj Auto owns a major stake (47.18 percent) in KTM and a tie-up is likely to result in cutting edge motorcycle technology filtering back to Indian roads.

There isn’t yet any official confirmation yet as to what stage the possible deal is at, but watch this space for updates on any further developments.

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SCOOP! Honda CB150R coming this Feb

Honda to launch promising new naked 149.4cc streetbike.

Honda recently announced an Indian offensive, promising to launch new bikes and scooters every quarter of 2013. Staying true to their word, Honda recently introduced the Dio, Activa and Aviator scooters with revised engine technology. There’s now news the next Indian Honda is going to be the CB150R streetbike, set for launch in just a few days, in February 2013. 

 

The CB150R was first seen at the Jakarta Motorcycle show late last year, and is purpose built to suit Asian markets. This is a naked version of the CBR150R currently sold in India, inspired by the impressive CB1000R superbike. The CB150R houses the same engine as used by the CBR150R, a four-stroke, 149.4cc, liquid-cooled and fuel-injected engine that deploys a six-speed gearbox. Minor engine tweaks have been carried out to suit the new role, the CB150R generating 16.8bhp at 10000rpm, with peak torque being 1.33kgm at 8000rpm. 

 

The CB150R uses a similar frame and front and rear suspension as the CBR150R, deploying a monoshock at rear. Ergonomics are altered and upright as expected on a streetbike, for better comfort.

 

The 150cc class is a hotly contested space in the Indian market, with every bike manufacturer putting their best foot forward in their attempt to gobble up more market share. The CB150R makes good sense for Honda to bring to India, and should prove an agile, refined and sporty motorcycle capable of urban commutes, with some measure of thrill offered on the open road. 

 

Honda needs to price the CB150R affordably though, given the CBR150R is overpriced. 

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New Skoda Octavia coming this year

Skoda Laura replacement will be called the Octavia. We take a detailed look at whether it has what it takes to shake up the established order.

Skoda created nothing short of a sensation when it launched the Octavia in India back in 2000. The Mark I Octavia came to India at a time when the only real luxury car present was a Mercedes E-class, and its combination of size, build quality, price and incredible fuel economy meant customers made a beeline for it. And Skoda hasn’t looked back since.

Today, 12 years down the road, the company has five distinct model lines on sale here, and though not all of them are resounding successes, the Rapid, Superb and to some extent the Laura have sold in sufficiently large numbers. Look closely at the success these cars have enjoyed and an interesting trend emerges. Both give you an incredible amount of space and size for the money and Skoda now, logically, wants to apply this simple but very effective formula for success to the new Octavia.

 

 

Built on VW’s new MQB variable platform that allows for almost infinite variations in length, wheelbase and width, the new Octavia is 90mm longer and 45mm wider than the Laura. The wheelbase now stands at 2686mm, and that is just shy of the one used for the VW Passat.

 

 

As a result, the new Octavia is likely to set the benchmark for interior space. Climb into the car and the feeling of spaciousness is what appeals to you first. And this is especially true of the rear seat, which feels almost as spacious as that of a Mercedes E-class. The seat back is perfectly angled, support for your lower and upper back is really good, and legroom is huge. The seat squab is a bit short, which may detract from thigh support to some extent though. Skoda has, however, softened the seat cushioning considerably; the seats are much more comfortable and not extra hard as on the Laura.

 

The fit and finish on the inside has also been stepped up. Seams are almost invisible, the quality of plastics is improved for the most part, and the neat and simple design of the dash is quite appealing.

Skoda’s new design language is clearly visible on the new Octavia. Sharper, cleaner and more technical, the SK371 (its internal codename) has also been designed to have a long shelf life. The detailing is fatigue free, the bold, confident lines on the bonnet give the snout a chiselled look, and the kick up towards the end of the rear door gives the car a new identity. And this is an Octavia, so it gets a hatch at the rear and an incredible 590 litres of boot space. LED tail-lights, drawn out in the shape of a ‘C’ of course, complete the look, which without a shadow of doubt looks as clean-cut and fresh as anything from Audi. 

The new Octavia is also full of new and interesting safety systems. There’s a lane assistant that warns you if you stray out of your lane, an automatic braking system that helps you avoid multiple collisions, a fatigue detection system and up to nine airbags. There’s adaptive cruise control, an intelligent light assistant that switches automatically between low and high beams, and traffic sign recognition as well.

 

 

The Octavia III is also around 85kg lighter than the old model thanks to the use of higher-strength steels, and this impacts both performance and economy. Lower-powered Octavia models will get a lower-spec beam axle rear suspension, which, though not as dynamically adept as an independent setup, also happens to save another 16kg of weight.

 

 

The new Octavia is expected to hit Indian shores by the middle of this year. Though the car has a much larger footprint, prices are expected to be even more competitive than they are now (the Laura currently starts at Rs 12.9 lakh for the 1.8 TSI). The EA888 1.8 TSI engine will be upgraded and will now make around 175bhp in India. There will also be a new automatic version that is sure to attract a whole new set of customers. The base petrol, however, will be a 140bhp version of the 1.4 TSI, the engine seen on the VW Jetta, and is likely to be even more affordable. As earlier, there will also be two diesel versions. Both will use the same 2.0-litre TDI engine, but power outputs could be upped to 120 and 150bhp, respectively. Other engine options for the future include a 105bhp 1.6 diesel and possibly a 200-plus-bhp petrol vRS version, which could hit a top speed of 250kph. A diesel vRS is also likely to make it to Indian shores later.

 

Skoda is keen to kick start sales of the new Octavia in India and it is pretty bullish on the prospects of the new car. And that’s despite the fact that the segment it competes in is shrinking. However, after getting up close and personal with the car, we have to say it looks like Skoda is onto yet another potential winner. The car appears to be just what Indian car buyers want.

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New sub-four metre Verito spotted

Mahindra's sub-four metre Verito seen testing, likely to get a 1.5-diesel motor.

After the launch of the sub-four metre Quanto, Mahindra looks all set to launch its next offering in the segment. We found evidence of this as our alert reader Senthil Kumar spotted the Verito-based compact being tested in Chennai and sent us spy photographs.  

The sub-four metre Verito is expected to sport styling cues similar to the recently facelifted Verito. We expect the front bumper of the car to be altered a bit. It will use the same basic structure as its bigger sibling, though Mahindra’s engineers have chopped off a large chunk of the boot while having retained the wheelbase. As seen in the photos, the tail-lamps have been moved upwards on the D-pillar. 

As far as mechanicals are concerned, unlike the Verito saloon which is powered by 1.4-petrol and 1.5-diesel motors, the compact version may come with only a 1.5-diesel motor.

With the sub-four metre Verito, Mahindra will be ready to take the fight to Maruti's Dzire and Tata's Indigo eCS. The sub-four metre variant will be sold alongside the existing saloon.

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Volkswagen Polo vs Hyundai i20

Can the updated VW Polo match and better the stylish and feature-rich Hyundai i20? We find out.

Overview

Ever since its inception, the Hyundai i20 has had a smooth run due to its stylish looks, feature-rich cabin and myriad trim levels to suit varying needs. Hyundai even gave it a mid-life update in March, 2012 to freshen up the appeal of its premium hatchback by giving it the carmaker's fluidic sculpture design treatment. Its rival, the Volkswagen Polo, has now also been updated and makes a compelling case for itself with typically understated styling, a premium-looking cabin and almost as much kit as the feature-rich i20. So, of the two premium hatchbacks, which makes for the better buy?

Performance and refinement

The 1.2-litre, three-cylinder engine under the hood of the Polo makes 74bhp, which means power is adequate. In the city, you will find a slight lack of responsiveness at low engine speeds, but this improves as the engine starts spinning faster. Performance after 4000rpm is good and the engine pulls in a linear, predictable fashion. The gearbox is slick and the short-throw gearlever is a joy to use. The sound of the three-cylinder engine gets a bit intrusive when you rev it though.

The i20’s 1.2-litre engine makes slightly more power at 83bhp, and has one more cylinder than the Polo’s. So it is slightly smoother and quieter, and quicker flat-out as well. But press harder on the throttle and you will find a curious lack of extra urge, and you have to downshift to get going fast again. The i20’s clutch and gearbox actions are slightly lighter than the Polo’s as well, so drivers might find it a bit easier to drive. Those looking for an effortless car to drive may prefer this.

Ride and handling

No question about this, the Polo is the one to go for if you love driving. The steering is more direct and weighty, the car has more grip and it feels more secure at speed as well. The ride isn’t bad either. You do get the occasional whack from the suspension, but it is generally pliant at low speeds and a lot more composed at higher speeds, and it has that all important big-car feel. If we had to nitpick, it would be about the tiny bit of pitching thanks to the soft-ish front suspension.

The i20’s low-speed ride is good, it absorbs bumps without transferring too much to the occupants. However, go faster and the car gets skittish and doesn’t handle bad bits with the authoritativeness of the Polo. It gets thrown off by bigger bumps as well, and this forces you to exercise caution. Even when it comes to driving pleasure, the i20 simply doesn’t make the cut. The steering is too light, it runs out of grip faster and the brakes aren’t as good as the Polo’s. 

Interiors

The Polo’s dashboard is very straightforward and a bit boring. Still, the plastics used and the fit and finish are much better than the i20’s, and there’s a certain tactile feel in the way the switchgear works. Finding a comfortable driving position is easier as well, thanks to a steering that is adjustable for reach and rake, and the reasonable amounts of adjustability the front seats offer as well. The Polo’s high dashboard may hamper visibility for shorter drivers though. 

The i20’s dashboard is certainly more extroverted than the Polo’s. The splashes of silver and the blue backlighting for the dials and the two screens on the centre of the dashboard make for a far younger design than the Polo’s. However, none of the controls work with the same heft as the Polo’s and nothing in here has the same build quality as the VW. We did like the front seats more though - they are really supportive. The i20’s steering adjusts for reach and rake as well.

Space and practicality

The Polo’s biggest drawback is its rear seat, which is short on headroom and legroom, especially if you are on the taller side. This makes it primarily an owner-driven city car. The front seats, however, have plenty of space and the cabin has quite a few big cubbyholes for storing stuff. Massive front door pockets that can easily hold full-size water bottles add to its practicality. The Polo’s 294-litre boot is usefully big and it’s well shaped too.

The i20 has more space, front seats and rear. There’s more legroom, headroom and it feels wider than the Polo as well. Its 295-litre boot is slightly bigger than the Polo’s and the cabin has plenty of storage space as well. Where the i20 has a decided advantage is with its longer rear doors, which make accessing the rear seats even easier –handy when you have to ferry elderly people around. It is the better all-rounder in this respect and the better multi-purpose car. 

Equipment

The Polo in its top-end Highline trim costs Rs 5.84 lakh. For this price, it is reasonably well equipped, with two airbags, ABS, alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, electrically adjustable mirrors, a trip computer, remote locking and USB connectivity. It has Bluetooth connectivity as well, but it’s an add-on system unlike the i20’s integrated system. It misses out on features like climate control though, and there’s no aux-in port either, which is a small disappointment.

Like all Hyundais, the i20 is very well equipped. This Sportz variant’s Rs 5.85 lakh price tag is comparable to the Polo Highline and it gives you everything the VW has and then some. It gets electric folding mirrors, climate control, a reversing camera, six speakers and an aux-in port. The only rather essential feature it lacks is a rear wash-wipe function, which the Polo has. Sure, neither car is particularly cheap, but the i20 simply gives you everything a saloon would.

Verdict

The Volkswagen Polo, then, comes across as a hatchback that is nice to drive, is well built and has a more premium feel to it compared to the i20. It is even reasonably well-equipped and, for Rs 5.84 lakh, comes with almost as much kit as the feature-rich i20. It misses out on features like automatic climate control and aux-in capability. Its rear seats are also quite cramped, making this primarily an owner-driven city car.

The Hyundai i20 on the other hand, has more space, front seats and rear. It is loaded with features and, at Rs 5.85 lakh for the 1.2 VTVT Sportz petrol trim, has a price tag that is comparable to the Polo. The downsides are its lacklustre engine and bland driving experience. That said, it gives you almost everything the VW has and then some, making it a car that has practically everything Indian car buyers want.

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BMW-Toyota confirm sports car plans

A proposal for a co-developed BMW-Toyota sports car is set to be completed by the end of 2013

BMW and Toyota have signed a binding agreement to co-develop a new sports car. The agreement is a joint venture first outlined in a memorandum of understanding in June 2012, which also includes fuel-cell development, research into lightweight technology, and lithium-air battery technology.

 

The two firms have agreed to “define a joint platform concept for a mid-size sports vehicle” by the end of 2013.

 

No further details on the sports car have been revealed by either party, but Toyota is known to be keen to launch a successor to the Celica as a bigger brother to last year's GT86. And by the time the co-developed model would make it to market, a replacement for BMW’s Z4 would be due. The recent mid-life changes to the Z4 were understood to be minor due to falling sales in the segment making little business case for substantial investment in the current model.

 

The sports car will make use of the lightweight technology development also outlined in today’s agreement. The research will look at vehicle bodies made of “cutting-edge materials such as reinforced composites”. The technology is also earmarked for other BMW and Toyota vehicles in addition to the co-developed sports car.

 

The fuel-cell development project is a long-term one, with the aim of getting the technology to market by 2020. The two firms will co-develop a fuel-cell stack, hybrid system, hydrogen tank, electric motor and battery as part of a complete system. Toyota and BMW also plan to jointly assess hydrogen infrastructure and setting industry standards.

 

The battery development outlines plans for the firms to co-develop lithium-air battery technology. This has a greater energy density than existing lithium-ion batteries, so the new fuel cells will be smaller and able to store more energy.

 

BMW and Toyota have a number of other agreements in place as part of their wide-ranging strategic partnership. These include BMW supplying diesel engines for Toyotas in Europe, and a long-term outlook to ”next-generation, environment-friendly vehicles and technologies”.

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KTM on top in Europe

KTM pass BMW Motorrad to lift European sales crown.

Austrian motorcycle giant KTM has overtaken BMW Motorrad to become Europe’s numero-uno motorcycle manufacturer. KTM sold 107,142 motorcycles through the calendar year 2012 to record its personal best sales, leading BMW Motorrad by a margin of 1000 bikes. KTM grew a respectable 32 percent in 2012 and increased their market share by 7.5 percent.

 

KTM has also worked closely with part Indian owner - Bajaj, who hold a 47.18 percent stake - to penetrate the Indian two-wheeler market, this contributing strongly to the European firm’s impressive global tally. The newly introduced 200 Duke has found firm footing here, selling over 8000 units this year. India is now set to be one of the first markets where the larger displacement 390 Duke will launch by mid-2013, to further bolster KTM’s growing success.

 

On another note, KTM is also soaring high in motorsports, having won the prestigious 2013 edition Dakar rally, where the top five riders rode KTM motorcycles. 

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Lotus launches E21 to kick off F1 2013

The E21 is visually similar to last year's car, but tech director James Allison said that certain areas of it have undergone a wholesale redesign.

Lotus has unveiled the new E21 Formula 1 car that it hopes will provide a springboard for it to become a top team in 2013.

After an encouraging 2012 campaign where Lotus delivered a victory in Abu Dhabi with Kimi Raikkonen, the Enstone-based outfit believes its evolutionary car can move it further forward.

Team principal Eric Boullier said: "I think it is fair to say that great things are possible. The leap we made from 2011 to 2012 showed what we are capable of.

"Add to this the continuity and potential of our driver line-up and we have a very powerful cocktail for the season ahead.

"Our ambitious plan to turn ourselves into one of the top teams in Formula 1 is coming to fruition and now we need to harness this with strong and regular podium results.

"We are lean and hungry. Enstone knows how to win championships, but it is a while since we have won so we are very eager to taste glory again."

Allison: Big changes under the skin

The E21 is visually similar to last year's car, but technical director James Allison said that certain areas of it have undergone a wholesale redesign.

"Depending on where you look, some parts of the new car are a ground-up redesign and in other areas we have further optimised the best bits of the design philosophy we've adopted for several seasons," he said.

"The front and rear suspension layouts are substantially revised to try and give us better aerodynamic opportunities. The front wing is a continuation of the concepts we have worked on since the 2009 rules were published.

"For the rear wing system, we've continued to try to work on having a satisfactory level of rear downforce stability whilst having maximum DRS switching potential."

The E21 will feature the passive double DRS that the team evaluated last year and the outfit has elected not to run with the 'vanity panel' that is allowed this year to hide the stepped nose.

Allison has high hopes for the new car, but is equally aware that its performance will only become clear once the outfit starts racing.

"The E20 proved itself to be an effective racing car, so there is an element of expectation from the E21," he said.

"We have continued with our design themes and tried to build a more efficient and faster racing car based on all the lessons we learnt last year. How successful we have been at this we will only know once we take to the track at grands prix."

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Tata Vista D90 review, test drive

Tata plonks a more powerful diesel motor in the Vista. We find out how good it is.

With Tata carrying out extensive exercises to constantly improve its range of cars, we’ve seen quite a few updates, facelifts and upgrades on several of the manufacturer’s products like the Manza. The latest in the line-up to get a new avatar is the Indica Vista with a 90PS (89bhp) diesel engine. It is powered by the 1.3-litre Fiat Multijet diesel engine that is shared with the likes of Maruti Swift and the new Chevrolet Sail. It makes the extra power (and pulling power) thanks to a different turbocharger and different engine tuning. The company claims this turbocharger, known as a variable-geometry turbo, improves the car’s low-speed responsiveness as well.

 

Apart from the engine, a whole host of other changes have been carried out on this car to improve driving performance, ride and handling. The D90 has a new sound-deadening package to cut down on in-cabin noise when the car is on the move, and Tata has also tweaked the suspension to help the car handle the extra power.

The good thing about the new engine is that it’s perfect for driving around in traffic – it’s responsive enough and has adequate power. However, if you want a sudden burst of power to, say, shoot into a gap in traffic, the engine will leave you wanting. There is quite a bit of throttle lag, but rev the engine past 2500rpm and a big burst of power comes in, which can get irritating. 

 

On the highway, the D90 will hold three-digit speeds quite comfortably and the engine is pretty refined as well. Other plus points include the light-action clutch and gearshift, and the way that it is rather easy to drive. Interestingly, the Vista D90 is slower getting to 100kph than the lower-powered Swift diesel. At 13.9sec, the Tata takes 0.3sec longer than the Maruti and we think this is because of the extra 150kg on the Vista over its competitors. Tata puts down the extra weight to the Vista’s extra-strong reinforced steel body shell. But it is a lot faster than the 75bhp Vista which takes 16.3sec for the same run. 

And if the engine impresses you, the cabin’s insulation from noise will completely bowl you over. Even at 140kph, the cabin is hushed, and you can actually have a conversation with your passengers without having to raise your voice. The tweaks to the suspension mean bad roads are dealt with comfortably and almost noiselessly. These improvements and the spacious cabin give the impression of being in a bigger car.

Tata says the handling has improved, and this is true to a certain extent – the D90 does feel safe in the way it handles and high-speed stability is excellent – but it would be pushing things a bit to call it a sporty handler. 

 

Tata has also added new equipment to the Vista D90. In addition to the power windows and electric mirrors, the Vista gets a touchscreen audio system that includes voice-guided navigation, Bluetooth connectivity and an input for any possible form of media that you might feel like using (USB, aux-in, SD card and DVD). It’s also got climate control.

The manufacturer has also done a thorough job with the interiors, having upgraded a lot of the plastics, seat materials and even the air-con switches. Of course, close scrutiny will still reveal a few patchy bits – the volume knob on the audio system, for example. However, the Vista D90 is testament to the fact that Tata has come a long way in improving the interiors of its cars. 

 

The rest of the car remains as is. Good bits like the spaciousness and practicality are intact. The new two-tone dashboard is also nice. The beige lower cabin enhances the feeling of space and the smart (if a bit hard to read) dials lend a touch of sophistication. That said, the boot could definitely have been a bit bigger.

 

At around Rs 6.6 lakh for the ZX+ trim and Rs 6 lakh for the lower-spec VX, the Vista D90 is a whole lakh cheaper than the Fiat Punto 90HP. It’s much better value than the Punto as well, simply because it’s got a lot more equipment and is a lot more practical. 

Fact File

Price Range (in lakhs)*

Ex-showroom price

Rs 5.99 lakh VX, Rs 6.83 lakh ZX (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Engine

Fuel	Diesel
Installation	Front, transverse
Type	1.3-litre common-rail turbodiesel
Power	89bhp at 4000rpm
Torque	20.4kgm at 1750rpm

Transmission

Type	Front wheel drive
Gearbox	5-speed manual

Dimensions

Length	3795mm
Width	1695mm
Height	1550mm
Ground clearance	165mm

Chassis & Body

Wheels	14 inches
Tyres	175/65-R14
Spare	Full size

Suspension

Front	MacPherson struts
Rear	Twist beam

Brakes

Front	Ventilated discs
Rear	Drums

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Volkswagen hikes prices of Vento, Polo

Volkswagen has added features and hiked prices of the Vento and Polo.

Volkswagen today announced that additional features have been plonked in some variants of the Vento and the Polo. 

The Vento now gets a 2-DIN music system with USB, Bluetooth and AUX in the Comfortline and Highline variants. Also, the Vento Highline now gets automatic climate control.

 

The Polo Highline now comes with the new RCD 320 music system with USB, AUX and Bluetooth, while the lesser Comfortline variant gets the RCD 310 system with USB and AUX only.

 

Accordingly, VW has hiked the prices for these cars by about 2.27 percent. This should see an increase of about Rs 10,000-12,000 for the Polo and Rs 10,000-20,000 for the Vento.

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Nissan, Mercedes and Ford team for fuel cell tech

Three brands want to speed up commercialisation of fuel cell tech and development

Ford, Nissan and Mercedes-Benz parent company Daimler have announced the formation of a partnership aimed at accelerating the commercialisation of fuel cell electric vehicle technology.

Together, the three car makers plan to develop a common fuel cell system to be used in what they describe as “highly differentiated, separately branded fuel cell electric vehicles” as early as 2017.

The companies say they plan to help define global specifications, component standards and develop the infrastructure solutions necessary to allow fuel-cell electric vehicles to be mass-marketed.

Powered by electricity from hydrogen and oxygen, fuel-cell electric vehicles emit only water while driving. Electricity used to power electric motors is produced on-board in the fuel cell stack where it is generated following an electro-chemical reaction between hydrogen, which is stored in a high-pressure tank, and oxygen from the air.


“We are convinced that fuel cell vehicles will play a central role for zero-emission mobility in the future. This co-operation will make technology available for many customers around the globe,” said Thomas Weber, head of R&D at Daimler, at today’s announcement.


Confirmation of the partnership between Ford, Nissan and Daimler for fuel-cell electric vehicle technology comes less than a week after BMW and Toyota announced they had entered into a similar joint venture.

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Jaguar's BMW 3-series rival inches closer

Jaguar compact saloon poised for production as planned crossover is pushed back.

Jaguar is close to giving the go-ahead to a range of compact and lightweight rear-drive models that will spearhead a significant sales expansion for the brand.

However, the new line won’t be an obvious rival for established premium cars such as the BMW 3-series and Audi A4, according to senior sources. It will attempt to outpoint the German opposition by emphasising its lightweight aluminium construction and cutting-edge, super-frugal four-cylinder engines.

The global market for compact premium cars of all body styles is heading for two million units annually, and Jaguar bosses have decided to chase serious volume by competing in this ever-growing segment. The British carmaker has sales of less than 60,000 units globally and is still an automotive minnow. It needs to more than double its output in the medium term to secure its future alongside sister company Land Rover.

The junior model range will be based on a new set of components that will also be scalable enough to be used for the next-generation XF and XJ models. This will allow the company eventually to produce “90 percent” of all production from one common components set, according to Adrian Hallmark, Jaguar’s global brand director.

Building all three model ranges on the same highly scalable Premium Lightweight Architecture (PLA) aluminium platform — which made its debut under the Mk4 Range Rover — will allow Jaguar to drive into sustainable profitability by running its Castle Bromwich plant at full capacity.

Although targeting the 3-series would be an expected move for the new small Jaguar, Hallmark said the company wouldn’t be taking the most obvious route.

“The 3-series is an easy simile for where we could go, but it’s not the only gig in town,” he said. “All the cars are good in that segment. All have the blend of performance and efficiency, as well as very sophisticated equipment.

“It took Audi 20 years to build up to where it is. For us to come in and go to the top of the league is impossible, so we have to find ways of expanding our business profitably and we’re well developed in that process. We are undergoing creative analysis of competitors and consumers.”

Hallmark pointed out that the competitiveness of this premium sector made the move very difficult.

“Trying to find a gap to exploit is a real challenge,” he said. “Nobody is waiting for another competitor to enter a segment. For us to enter… we have to have a winning proposition. It has to have a twist, something relevant to the consumer. But the Jaguar brand should define everything.”

He also hinted that the new model would expand into a full line-up of body styles. “All makers in that segment have a successful strategy of different versions: coupés, cabrios, estates, engines. You have to be flexible in that segment.”

The decision to forge ahead with the compact saloon means the proposed new Jaguar crossover has been put on the back burner.

“Even though the SUV market is growing, the saloon market is still twice the size, especially in the US,” said Hallmark. “A crossover would make more noise for us than a saloon, but we already have SUVs in the company and we’re not in a rush to add to that. You might not make as much profit on a saloon as an SUV, but you don’t expect the likes of Audi to stop making the A4.”

Hallmark also said that although the PLA can be spun into a front-wheel drive format, Jaguar did not have a front-drive car planned. “But there’s no reason why not in the future, as it’s totally scalable and flexible,” he said.

Ian Callum, Jaguar’s design chief, gave further clues about why Jaguar is zeroing in on a big-selling compact saloon. “The world is downsizing in many areas,” he said. “I think downsizing can only go so far. Then it comes down to the efficiency of the vehicle. Mass, rather than size, is something we have a big lead on with our aluminium construction. Downsizing is not off our radar and we have to take it seriously. But we’ve got the head start on mass.

“I think Jaguar has to do something different. The challenge is to do this across a whole range of vehicles. Some our rivals have four-door coupés, which we’d love to see. The Mercedes CLA could be a template for a smaller Jaguar, but that’s not what we’d do.

“A Jaguar needs to work as a Jaguar, with a set of components to match our mould,” Callum said. “Jaguars have a rational, pragmatic set of values. They are styled a bit differently but need to be conventional enough to be usable. It’s Jaguar’s turn [after Land Rover] to grow next. We will grow and could become formidable if all goes well and we get the planning done properly.”

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Vista-based crossover-like concept unveiled

104bhp, 1.3 Multijet diesel-powered D90 Xtreme showcases Vista platform's potential.

Alongside the recent launch of its Vista D90 hatchback, Tata Motors also showcased a concept for a crossover based on the Vista, called the Vista D90 Xtreme.

The concept is conceived in the same vein as the Skoda Fabia Scout and the upcoming VW CrossPolo, in that it is a standard hatchback with slightly raised suspension (25mm in this case) and a number of cosmetic touches, like a tailgate-mounted spare wheel, to give it the appearance of an SUV. For the D90 Xtreme, additional touches include black cladding on the bumpers and below the doors, roof rails, flared wheelarches and larger, 16-inch alloy wheels.

Interestingly, unlike most SUVs, which mount the wheel directly on the tailgate, the Vista D90 Xtreme’s spare is mounted on a swingarm that is hinged to the rear bumper, beneath the hatch. This was done to avoid tailgate rattle, and to keep the hatch door light enough to lift open easily. And since the spare wheel is not counted in the car’s overall length (which is the same as the standard hatchback’s) the car can still qualify for sub-four-metre small car excise benefits. 

On the inside, the car gets black leather seats with yellow stitching, and an aluminium-effect gearlever and pedals.

 

Under the bonnet, the standard Vista D90’s 89bhp, 1.3-litre, variable-geometry turbo-equipped Quadrajet engine has been modified to produce 104bhp. Our sources tell us the modifications have been carried out in-house by Tata Motors, with a little help from Abarth, Fiat’s performance division. The tweaks include a modified exhaust, a remapped ECU and an optimised turbocharger.

 

With SUVs having gained huge popularity in recent years, and the potential to cash in on the government’s small-car excise benefits, the sub-four-metre crossover segment is fast becoming one of the most popular. Mahindra’s Quanto has already seen a lot of success and Ford’s upcoming EcoSport is easily one of the most anticipated launches of 2013. 

 

A production version of the D90 Xtreme is possible, but there has been no confirmation. However, if confirmed, a production model could be ready by the end of the year, and we expect prices to be around Rs 80,000 more than a similarly specced Vista hatchback.

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Lamborghini Aventador Roadster launched in India

Drop-top Aventador can hit a claimed 350kph and sprint from zero to 0-100kph in just 3.0sec even with the roof off.

Lamborghini has launched the Aventador LP700-4 roadster in India. The Aventador roadster -  a 690bhp V12 open-top hypercar that is, the Italian firm claims, “the most exciting Lamborghini ever built”.

The Aventador Roadster uses a Targa-style two-piece carbon fibre roof, which weighs just 6kg. It can be removed by hand in “a few seconds” and stored in the front luggage compartment when not in use. The carbon fibre roof is made using Lamborghini’s own Forged Composite tech, which creates a material stronger than titanium but less dense.

The hard-top for the Aventador Roadster addresses the main problem with its open top Murcielago predecessor. With that car’s fabric roof raised, its top speed was limited to 160kph. The roof was also tricky to remove and store.

Just like the coupé, the Aventador Roadster uses a normally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 featuring cylinder deactivation technology, stop-start and a seven-speed automatic gearbox.

With the roof off, the new Roadster can hit a claimed 350kph and sprint from zero to 0-100kph in just 3.0sec. Lamborghini claims that the roof is “easy to handle, lightweight and simple to attach”, as well as being easy to store in the front.

Two aerodynamic aids have also been added. A powered rear windscreen controls the airflow over the car and the amount of noise from the engine that passengers can hear with the roof down. A removable wind deflector also features and sits on top of the front windscreen to “deliver almost complete calm” in the cabin with the roof off.

The new roof has brought with it some design changes to the Aventador Roadster over the coupé. The rear pillars have been redesigned to give the car greater strength when the roof is removed. They also offer rollover protection and supply extra ventilation to the engine.

The Roadster’s engine cover has also changed from the coupe’s. It features a ‘spinal column’ with two lines of hexagonal windows. The two scissor doors also get a chamfered edge for the frameless windows to ensure a flush finish into the new roof.

To further distinguish the Aventador Roadster from the coupé, the bodywork gets a two-tone finish. Gloss black is used for the pillars, roof and rear window area. A new Azzuro Thetis colour is inspired by the colour of the 1968 Miura Roadster, is also offered on the Roadster.

New 20-inch front and 21-inch rear lightweight alloy wheels, which reduce the kerb weight by 10kg, are another Roadster-only addition.

Lamborghini has priced the Aventador Roadster at Rs 4.77 crore (ex-showroom, Delhi). Bookings will start in February and first deliveries will commence by June 2013.

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