Mahindra Renault Logan - A Solid Build & Technically Sound

Mahindra Renault Logan Expert Review

It might not be love at first sight with the Mahindra Renault Logan and you may not impress your neighbors either, but underneath that boxy shape are solid mechanicals that will live up to the Logan’s promise of low-cost motoring. However, the benefit is a car that is significantly cheaper than some of its rivals. We would opt for the diesel purely for its practicality. Renault Logan may not be the most exciting car in its class but it is certainly the most sensible.

Mahindra Renault Logan Specifications

Overall Renault Logan is a good car which is technically sound and has a solid built quality but when it comes to design, styling and features; it is far behind than its rivals like Ford Fiesta and Hyundai Verna.

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Fiat Grande Punto Review

Fiat Grande Punto is a beautifully crafted car with a host of practical features to ensure high levels of comfort and safety. The car is designed by the famous ‘Giorgetto Giugiaro of Italdesign’ who creatively designed the car to offer best to car enthusiasts.
It is the biggest car in its class that imparts a sensational feeling with its elegance, sturdiness, and a wide range of customization options. Even the interior of the car has class-leading space and is well appointed with ergonomically designed features and controls.

Fiat Grande Punto Specifications

Fiat Grande Punto is available in a choice of both Petrol and Diesel engines.
The range of petrol engine delivers thrilling driving experience without any compromise on performance and mileage. The Active is powered by a 1.2-litre engine that generates 85 bhp. Dynamic and Emotion is driven by a 1.4-litre engine mated to a variable valve timing technology to generate a power output of 90 bhp. All the three petrol variants channel power through a 5-speed manual transmission.

All the three variants in the diesel model are powered by an 85 bhp 1.3-litre multijet engine with variable geometry technology and a 5-speed manual transmission to accelerate the car from 0 to 100 km/h in 13.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 165 km/h.

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The styling of the Grande Punto stands out in the current automotive scene for the beauty of the exterior line, which is modern, elegant and distinctly 'Italian'. Designed by the "Car Designer of the Century" Giorgetto Giugaro, this Italian beauty compells you to go weak on your knees, the beautiful superbly shaped headlamps greets the onlooker when the car is viewed from the front, as you go on looking the subtle lines can take away your breath.

Fiat claim the interior represents the epitome of Italian style. It means being able to get in and out of the car easily and comfortably, and once you are sitting down, it means being surrounded by an airy environment, enjoying its generous space and greater visibility.
The cabin has a few storage areas and a luggage organiser can be bought as an accessory which also raises the floor of the boot so it becomes flat with the rear seats folded and also acts as a box to hide valuables.

Get full Fiat Grand Punto Review with Star Rating at Fiat Grande Punto Expert Review

Maruti SX4 to be launched with new more powerful engine

India’s largest car manufacturer Maruti Suzuki had stopped manufacturing it’s expensive mid-size sedan SX4 and planning to re-launch it with new 1.6 litre engine within 2 weeks of time. Maruti SX4 was first launch in May 2007 to compete with Honda’s best selling model City. With new SX4, Maruti will also bring Bollywood star John Abraham as a new brand ambassador for the sporty model.

The new Maruti SX4 will have an additional automatic variant and better power with Bharat Stage IV emission norm. Maruti already got some cars like Ritz, A-Star and new Zen Estilo which fulfills Bharat Stage IV emission norms.

Maruti Suzuki will pinch SX4’s engine by increasing the torque by 20-30 newton meters and it will deliver 165-175 Nm of power.

Land Rover's Freelander 2 launched in India

Tata motors-owned premium luxury car maker Land Rover launched its best selling compact SUV Freelander 2 in India. Freelander 2 came with the price tag of Rs 34 lakh to Rs 39 lakh. In India Freelander will have direct competition with Audi and BMW SUVs. Rohit Suri, head, of Premier Car Division, Tata Motors said: “The launch of Freelander 2 now complements the range which includes Discovery 4, Range Rover and Range Rover Sports.”

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Tata Motors also launched the Discovery 4, Range Rover and Range Rover Sports in June but able to sell just 20 units so far. Company got only one dealership that is in Mumbai and planning to open 6 by the June 2010.

Reva joined hand with GM for Electric Cars

US auto maker General Motors and Bangalore-based Reva Electric Car Company have come together for developing an electric car. This new electric car would be launched within the next 12 months. The two companies are looking at both domestic and overseas market for the proposed electric small car based on the platform of Chevrolet Spark. Both companies are also planning to turn India into the electric vehicles hub.
"We are pleased to join hands with Reva to bring affordable small car platform-based electric vehicles to the market in line with government objectives to reduce fossil fuel dependence," General Motors India President and MD Karl Slym said.
Slym also said “Within 12 months from today, we will have the car on the roads. We are beginning our electric car venture with Reva on existing GM platform and the first car would be an electric Chevrolet Spark."
Speaking about this new tie-up, Reva Electric Car Company Deputy Chairman and Chief Technology Officer Chetan Maini said: "Each of the partners will use their strengths, with the aim of making India a global hub for the development and manufacturing of electric vehicles and related technologies."
With this tie up Indian consumers will get more options for the electric cars. We will see the new chevvy Spark with Reva technology with in a year. With these kind of steps we will see more green cars on the road and also help the environment.

Mahindra Renault launched Logan Play

Mahindra Renault have launched a new version of it’s Logan called as Logan Play in the Indian market. Mahindra did a some cosmetic changes to it’s new sporty Logan Play. New Logan Play got some nice features like USB enabled music system, deep black colored central console with the trendy red streaked interiors, leather upholstery, driver information system with average fuel consumption and speed display, parking sensors, alloy wheels (available in two colors – Red and Silver), body graphics, chrome finished muffler cutter and lip spoiler.

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There is no change in its engine. Logan Play will be available in two variants one is 1.4 litre petrol and other is 1.5 litre Diesel engines. The Petrol variant GLX will cost Rs. 5,44,894 and Diesel variant DLX will cost Rs. 6,74,694 (ex-showroom Bangalore).

World fastest car coming soon to India

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US based auto maker, Shelby Super Car (SSC) has decided to launch the world’s fastest car – ‘The Aero’ in India. This car will first launch in Mumbai in coming few months and follow it up with Delhi launch. The Aero is capable of reaching half the speed of jetliner. This new speed machine will cost over Rs. 6 crore that will make it the costliest car sold in India. India will be the third market where the car is sold after America and Russia.

The Aero is equipped with 6.35 litre twin-turbo charged V8 engine, capable of producing power of 1,183 bhp. This speed car is capable of reaching 0-60 kmph in just 2.7 seconds. The Aero is built of lightweight titanium and carbon fibre material. This car is two-seater with up-sky folding doors and comes with ultimate luxury features like customized supple leather seats, multi-speaker music system, on-board video and DVD screens, automatic backup camera and navigational backup. Aero will use only premium unleaded 91 high octane petrol which is available in some of India’s bigger cities.

SSC has decided to launch in India after seeing a sales growth of world’s top luxury car makers like BMW, Bentley, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz in Indian market. But this car will compete with other supercars like Bugatti, Ferrari and Lamborghini. India, the world’s second fastest growing car market (after China), has seen the fast growth of luxury cars sales despite a global economic meltdown.

New Santro Xing Review - CarSingh.com

Santro Photos

The Santro Xing has come a long way in less than the six years that it was launched. Santro is a affordable small car that makes great sense, the Xing is an outstanding package comprising a well-equipped car, superior technology, roomy interiors and the stamp of reliability. The Santro is one of India’s most popular ’B’ segment hatchbacks. Hyundai has launched the face lifted Santro on 1st September, 2009 but it is not a major face lift.

The New Santro Xing continues to be powered by the trusted 1.1 eRLX Epsilon engine that develops 62 bhp at 5500rpm as maximum power and 98 Nm at 3000rpm as maximum torque and has a proven fuel-economy, durability and power-efficiency. The eRLX gets another upgrade with minor tweaks to improve performance.

Santro Specifications

The car has a suspension powered by struts McPherson in front with an H torsion beam for the rear wheels. The car is equipped with ventilated disc brakes in the front and drum brakes for the rear wheels. Even in the absence of the anti-lock break system (ABS) the car manages to stop smoothly.

The new Santro Xing sports stunning design changes which include refreshing exteriors. It has got an extensive redesign with a more International and Contemporary look with flowing aerodynamic bodylines. The front has a new horizontal chrome grille, a large bumper, stylish new headlamps and large sporty tail lamps, more in keeping with Hyundai’s international design cues. The large headlamps add some cheer to the front; tail lamps are imposing and offer more safety while braking; and the new tailgate incorporates a glass section and a black strip, running parallel to the molding on the rear bumper.

Santro User Review

The interior of the Santro Xing is more spacious than it appears, with more than adequate head and leg room space. The seats are very comfortable compared to other cars of its class and upholstered in a very pleasant fabric rather than vinyl. Inside, the new Santro boasts of several significant design revisions with premium sophisticated new fabric in Dual Tone Beige & Brown with premium silver touches at multiple locations which adds significantly to the spacious interiors and enhances the visual appeal of the interiors. A Rear Parcel Tray has been added to provide convenient storing for utility items. The new sporty front seats add to the style and comfort factors.

The dashboard has a sunken to look and is provided with two oddment trays that are molded into it. This leaves many other cars in its class behind as they basically just have an expanse of plastic. The visual instruments such as the speedometer fuel gauge or the coolant temperature is all housed in an oval shaped binnacle. The revamped interiors look plush and feature a 3-spoke steering, new instrument clusters, power windows and premium upholstery. The new 3-spoke steering wheel has a thicker grip that makes handling easier.

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This tall boy has a stiff edge to the ride especially in the rear. At low speed you can feel sharp ridges like expansion joints. The stiff springs help as the handling for a tall car is good. The steering is precise, but becomes too light at speed.

For safety, Seatbelts are all you get across the range which isn’t good since most other cars offer ABS and airbags in at least one of their models. ABS is optional though.

The car gives a very impressive mileage of 12 kmpl In city and around 17 kmpl on highways which is one of the best in its class.

The New Santro is Very Refined, has Good rear seat comfort, has got Conservative looks and is very spacious but we experience a little Bumpy ride quality from it.
(Thanks to Vinay for his contribution)

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New Audi Q7 launched in India

Audi Q7

German car maker Audi announced the launch of New Audi Q7 in India. The New Audi Q7 is available in 3 variants, two petrol engine and one diesel engine. The petrol engines are 3.6L FSI Quattro which can generate power of 280 bhp and the 4.2L FSI Quattro that punch out a power of 350 bhp.

Audi Q7 Specifications

The diesel engine is powered by a 3.0L TDI Quattro engine that can generate 240 bhp. All these engines are very efficient and powerful. The new Audi Q7 is a full-size luxury Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV).

As expected from the Audi, it’s full of amazing features like adaptable headlights that switch on or off according to the movement of the car, voice control that can enable the driver to operate a cell phone or music system by just uttering the phone number or the name of a song.

Audi Q7 Prices

The new Audi Q7 is available in the showrooms from 3rd September 2009. The new Audi Q7 range starts at (ex-showroom Mumbai) Rs 53.4 Lakh for the 3.0 TDI Quattro, Rs 55.2 Lakh for the 3.6 FSI Quattro and Rs.29.9 Lakh for the 4.2 FSI Quattro (excluding the duties and taxes). New Audi Q7 comes in eleven colors gives customers a wide range of choice; it includes Ibis White, Teak Brown, Orca Black, Graphite Grey, Deep Black, Bahia Beige, Cobalt Blue, Condor Grey, Lava Grey, Ice Silver and Garnet Red.

The Audi Q7 is 5,089 mm long and has a 3,002 mm wheelbase. Q7 also provides decent interior comfort, huge cargo space of 2,035 liters. The customer can order an interior with six or seven seats. Many improvements down to the smallest details enhance personal comfort – including interior lights in the door linings, an inlay on the passenger side, and new colors as well as materials.

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Audi is also expecting to sell 1,700-1,800 vehicles and a growth of 70% by the end of this year. Audi India has achieved a growth of 62% in 2009 by selling 1,128 units so far.

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