Renault Duster

Renault has launched its new Duster SUV in New Delhi at a base ex-showroom price of Rs 7.19 lakh for the 1.6-litre petrol, Rs 7.99 lakh for the 85PS diesel and Rs 9.99 lakh for the 105PS diesel engines. The Duster is available in eight trim levels and is available for immediate sale.

The 1.6-litre petrol engine produces 104PS of power while the 1.5-litre dCi engine is available in two states of tune – 85PS and 110PS. The Duster will compete with the Tata Safari and Mahindra Scorpio.

Specifications:

Options	Petrol RxE	Diesel 85 PS RxL	Diesel 110 PS RxZ
Price	7.19L	7.99L	10.99L
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
Engine Code	1.6 K4M	1.5 dCi K9K HP	1.5 dCi K9K THP
Displacement (cc)	1598	1461	1461
Engine Type	4 Cyl in-line	4 Cyl in-line	4 Cyl in-line
Max Power : PS @ rpm	104 PS @ 5850 rpm	85PS @ 3750	110 PS @ 3900 rpm
Max Torque : Nm @ rpm	145 Nm @ 3750 rpm	200 @ 1900	248 Nm @ 2250 rpm
Fuel System	Multi-point Fuel Injection	Common rail direct injection (dCi)	Common Rail Direct Injection (dCi)
Transmission Type	5-speed Manual	5-speed Manual	6-speed Manual
DIMENSIONS & CAPACITIES
Overall Lenth (mm)	4315	4315	4315
Overall Width (mm)	1822	1822	1822
Overall Height- with Roof Rail (mm)	1695	1695	1695
Wheelbase (mm)	2673	2673	2673
Front Track (mm)	822	822	822
Rear Track (mm)	820	820	820
Ground Clearance (mm)	205	205	205
Minimum Turning Radius (m)	5.2	5.2	5.2
Trunk Capacity (Litre)	475 & 1064 (with rear seats folded)	475 & 1064 (with rear seats folded)	475 & 1064 (with rear seats folded)
Fuel Tank Capacity	50	50	50
Gross Vehicle Weight (kg)	1740	1758	1781
BRAKES
Type	Hydraulically Operated Diagonal Split Dual Circuit Braking	Hydraulically operated Diagonal Split dual circuit braking	Hydraulically Operated Diagonal Split Dual Circuit Braking
Front	Ventilated Disc	Ventilated Disc	Ventilated Disc
Rear	Drum	Drum	Drum
SUSPENSION
Front	Independent McPherson Strut with Coil Springs & Anti-Roll Bar	Independent McPherson Strut with coil springs & anti-roll bar	Independent McPherson Strut with coil springs & anti-roll bar
Rear	Torsion Beam Axle with Coil Springs & Anti-Roll Bar	Torsion beam axle with coil springs & anti-roll bar	Torsion beam axle with coil springs & anti-roll bar
STEERING
Type	Hydraulic Power Assisted	Electro Hydraulic Power assisted	Electro Hydraulic Power Assisted
TYRES & WHEELS
Tyres	215/65 R16 Tubeless	215/65 R16 Tubeless	215/65 R16 Tubeless
Wheels	16 inch Steel	16 inch Steel	16 inch Alloys

Maruti Ertiga

Maruti’s first foray into the MPV segment, the Ertiga has been launched in India at a price of Rs 5.89 lakh for the base petrol variant, ex-Delhi. The Ertiga is being offered in six variants – three with a petrol engine and three with a diesel and will square off against the Innova and Xylo. It will be available in seven colours.

The Ertiga uses familiar parts and bits from the Maruti kitty. Its swept back headlamps project a family look which has been inspired from the Swift while the bonnet and grille are taken from the Ritz. The interiors feature three rows of seating with dual tone upholstery with the steering wheel having audio controls on it. The middle and third row of passengers have air vents embedded in the roof liner above the front row. With a turning radius of 5.2m and being lesser in length and width than its competitors, the Ertiga has nimble dynamics.

Maruti is offering two engine options for the Ertiga. An all new 1.4-litre K-series petrol engine which produces 95PS and the trusted 1.3-litre DDiS engine which makes 90PS. Both the engines use a traditional 5-speed manual box to put power down to the road. Maruti claims a fuel efficiency of 16.02kmpl for the petrol and an incredible 20.77kmpl for the diesel powered Ertiga. ( Courtesy - Maruti & Overdrive)

Maruti Ertiga variants and prices, ex-Delhi

Variants	Price (in lakh)
Ertiga Lxi	5.89
Ertiga Vxi	6.60
Ertiga Zxi	7.30
Ertiga Ldi	7.30
Ertiga Vdi	7.90
Ertiga Zdi	8.45

 

Honda CBR150R

The 2012 Auto Expo had all the biking enthusiasts excited when Honda unveiled the CBR150R. That it wasn’t expected, added to the lure.

The CBR150R is manufactured in Thailand and was first introduced in 2002. It’s a part of many one-make racing championships that Honda organises across Asia, including India. The Honda CBR150R looks exactly like its bigger engined twin, the CBR250R, save for its scaled down look and the black alloys.

The CBR150R has a 149cc engine with fuel injection, an O2 sensor with air induction and a 6-speed transmission. It produces 18PS of power and 12.6Nm of torque. In terms of suspension, the 150R has telescopic forks at the front and a monoshock at the rear. Disc brakes at both the ends handle retardation duties. The bike has a twin tubular frame which increases stability. The ground clearance is 185mm, which should allow it to take on the Indian roads aptly. Honda will be selling the 150R in two variants – standard and deluxe. While the CBR250R is available in dual tone colours, the CBR150R will be available in two shades – black with pearl sunbeam white and sports red with pearl sunbeam white for the standard variant. The deluxe variant will have sporty graphics on both the black with candy palm green as also vibrant orange with pearl sunbeam white colors.

With the CBR150R, Honda are looking to draw away customers from Yamaha’s YZF-R15 V2.0 which will be its biggest competitor. While the CBR250R was considered an expensive option when compared to the R15, the CBR150R, expected to be priced around Rs 1.1 to Rs 1.3 lakh, ex-showroom, will offer an excellent alternative. This will also put it in the same price range as the KTM Duke 200. But we don’t know the price of either. So we will wait before we start our elaborate comparison tests. Honda haven’t revealed when they will be launching the CBR150R but when it does, this one seems to be another winner from the HMSI stable. (Courtesy-Overdrive Team)

Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500

Royal Enfield India unveiled the Thunderbird 500 at the Auto Expo 2012. Not only has the Thunderbird got an engine upgrade but it also gets a host of new features which is sure to attract more customers.

The Thunderbird was first introduced as a brand in 2000 with a 5-speed gearbox and a 350cc AVL engine. In 2009, the Thunderbird was given a 350cc unit construction engine (UCE) with twin spark plugs. And after that it is now in 2012 that the Thunderbird gets another engine upgrade - a fuel injected 500cc UCE with 27.2PS of power at 5250rpm and 41.3NM of torque at 4000rpm. Apart from the bigger engine, the Thunderbird now sports Bybre 280mm front and 240mm rear disc brakes.

Ergonomically, the foot pegs have been re-positioned which RE claim results in a better riding position. The pillion seat, which is separately mounted, can be removed to make way for additional luggage. Not something that your partner would be too excited to hear about. RE have also provided the Thunderbird 500 with bungee hooks to tie down the luggage and make those long distance trips more secure.

The Thunderbird now has an LED tail lamp whereas the headlight gets a 55w projector lamp for the low and 55w halogen for the high beams respectively. A separate switch for the hazard lamp, a first for a locally manufactured bike, has also been provided. The fuel tank is now 20 litres, enabling riders to ride to their destination without frequent stops for refueling. The Thunderbird 500 also has twin digital trip meters. The mirrors and turn indicators are also a new unit.  The bike now features 41mm forks in front and an oval section swingarm at the rear to enhance its handling.

RE aims to project the Thunderbird 500 as an affordable alternative to the Harley-Davidsons and the newly launched Triumph range of bikes. To be sold only in shades of black - midnight black, matte metallic black and arctic winter black, the Thunderbird 500 will be launched by June-July 2012. The pricing details haven’t been divulged yet but the recently launched Desert Storm costs Rs 1.32 lakh ex-showroom Delhi and taking into consideration the features that the Thunderbird 500 comes with, we expect it to be priced around Rs 1.5 lakh. The 500cc Thunderbird will not replace its 350cc sibling but will be sold along with it and RE have informed that based on the feedback from customers, they will apply the changes to the 350cc too.

Along with the Thunderbird, Royal Enfield also displayed its Cafe Racer 500cc concept which will most likely make it to production by 2013. This striking bike has garnered a lot of attention with its styling. The clip-on handlebars which sit low, very unlike any other Royal Enfield bike, the twin pod console, the rear view mirrors mounted on the handle bars, the long fuel tank and the short seat all make for a very attractive package. Displayed in sporty red at the Auto Expo it was quite the head turner. Now the wait for the pricing details to emerge. (Courtesy - Overdrive Team)