Automobile Technology

Ok, its been a daunting task but I have finally narrowed down to three sedans and a hatchback. The reviews from AutoPortal and AutoCar took a toll on me. Honestly though, I think I am loving the reviews of AutoPortal more than AutoCar as I feel it is more elaborate and covers most aspects of a car. Maybe it is also because most reviews on AutoPortal starts with the boot space; one of the most important criteria for me in a car ;-). Anyways, my list stands at the new Honda Jazz 2015, Hyundai Verna NS, Honda City and Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, all petrol versions. I mainly considered Jazz and Ciaz for the CVT option. The other two cars offer automatic transmission as well, but way out of my budget. I am ok with a manual on Ciaz too. If its Jazz, then its got to be automatic for sure. Honda claims a better mileage in the automatic version, so it does not hurt to spend those extra bucks.  Lets get to the cars. Ciaz: Ciaz is definitely loaded with a tonne of features. In fa...

Should I buy this? I am getting confused... I need something that is automatic, small and comfortable. I like the Jazz for its looks, space and descent interior. The only thing that puts be off is the Turbo Lag, is it that bad...? More info on the working of CVT.

It looks like S-Cross might be failure. To start with, it looks horrible. Ok, let me put it softly... it does not stand out with its design in this segment. Overall exterior design is definitely a let down. Please go back to the drawing board Suzuki. You give us an awesome sedan like the Ciaz and then go back several years in your design on the S-Cross. It does not make any sense. More review from Autoportal above.

Sorry.. I am going a little off topic here.. but I could not resist marketing the campaign of my first design on JackOfAllThreads. Like it? You can buy it by clicking on the link below... http://jackofallthreads.co/Look-at-me

Creta looks like a smaller version of the Sante Fe and was first launched in China as ix25. In other words, if you like the design of the Sante Fe, you will like Creta too. It falls in the segment of compact SUVs. Yup, another fancy term for marketing. I guess people like it when they know it is big. Anyways, basic specs below Engines - 1.6 litre Petrol, 1.4 litre / 1.6 litre Diesel (from Verna) Mileage - 15 to 17 - Petrol, 19 to 21 - Diesel Variants - 10 Transmission - 6 Speed Automatic and Manual Seating capacity - 5 Price - 9 to 12 lacs A review from CarDekho.com below And one more from Autocar India

It is evident that one of the reasons for the Jazz to have failed in the Indian market is its price tag. Wasn't it close to 8-10 lacs range? You could buy a Duster or Ecosport or maybe even a high end i20 for that price. Striking the right note with the price seems to be the key criteria for manufacturers selling their models in the Indian market. Honda has now ticked all the right boxes with the new Jazz 2015; it is all jazzed up and more importantly Honda has made the price very competitive. It now challenges the Duster, Ecosport, Ertiga and other mid-sized vehicles in the segment. The exterior and interior design is refreshing with the sporty headlamps, chrome finish in the rear, LED rear tail lamp, lots of utility space, Aerodynamic design and a very spacious boot / back row seating. And finally, it starts at 5.3 lac ex-showroom price. Overall a very good package. For more info on specifications and features check out the Honda Jazz website. 

It is very clear with the RS 200 that Bajaj is thinking a level above most bike manufacturers in the Indian market. I must admit now after being a fan of the TVS apache and owning one myself that TVS has a long way to go in terms of technology, design and performance of their bikes. I was impressed with the Apache and even more when they started marketing the RTR, but now... it is a totally different story. Compare the Apache with the RS 200 and suddenly you feel like a kid. I mean, has TVS done anything different in the past year or two since the Apache was launched? So, I had the chance to experience the Bajaj RS 200 my colleague had recently purchased and here is what I think. Firstly, it is the looks; smart pillion handle neatly tucked in with the design of the rear, eye-catching tail lamps, chunky exhaust, and the awesome projector head lamps to name a few. To me, the lamps is the highlight in this bike; everything else is fancy.. a little overdone.. I think. The ride w...

I have always dreamt of a bike but like a car, but how do I prevent the vehicle from toppling at turns? Toyota has the solution.. absolutely brilliant.

From BBC "BMW lists many milestones throughout its near-100-year history, though one stands tall amongst the rest: the rescue of the entire company by a short bubble car. You see, though BMW was very good at making aircraft engines during WW1 and WW2, and produced some iconic cars including the stunning 507, by the end of the 1950s it was facing financial ruin, teetering on the brink of being sold...." Check out the concept cars : BMW concept cars

There is no doubt that Sonata is an exceptional car.  Boasting a stunning design and lots of features it is definitely miles ahead of its predecessors in all aspects. And now, Hyundai becomes the first car maker to offer Google's Android Auto System and exclusively in its Sonata model. Basically, a smartphone inside the car. Google and Apple compete with each other to offer smartphone services with leading automakers in the world. Apple has signed deals with BMW and Honda to promote its system called CarPlay.

It was a thing in the past that only the rich could afford exotic bikes like Harley or Yamaha VMAX and you would expect some class in the person riding these bikes. Basically, when you got lucky to see one on road, you had this 'wow' factor looking at both the bike and the rider. They are a perfect match, amazingly symmetric and appealing to the eye; a burst of excitement like you fell in love for the first time. And now, all of a sudden everyone is having one. I mean, how often do you get to see three Harley's (two street 750, one V-Rod) on a single stretch of road? I have no issues with the bike, but the sight of a someone with a bag, silly pair of shoes and formals riding a Harley just blows my mind. I think a 'wow' sight these days is a glimpse of suzuki 'Shogun', suzuki 'Samurai' or perhaps even the classic 'Yezdi'. Do you agree?

Few years to hit the market?? It would be awesome.

Yawn!!! Lodgy is a contender to the Ertiga and Honda Mobilio, but you will be disappointed with the looks. The vehicle is boxy and does not have the ergonomic design of the Ertiga or Mobilio. This is because most of its design is derived from its sibling, Duster, which was is not great in looks either. However, there are few good points inside the car. 1) Space. Lots of it. Lodgy gives you the option to disassemble the third row seats if needed. The second row has tumble option. 2) Seating in the second row is good, but not the case on the third row. There is no option to slide the seats. 3) Dashboard layout is similar to the Duster but feels a little premium than the Duster. For some reason their website gallery does not an image of the rear side of the car. Wonder why?? Everything else is as usual. It is priced at 8.1 lacs ex-showroom Delhi. It's going to be tough for Renault to sell this.. but who knows. I have seen few Nissan Evalia's on road :-) ...

The baddest and meanest bike from Bajaj! Stunning!!! Here is the first look from PowerDrift. One more from Overdrive

Some shots of the Suzuki Gixxer. Great bike, but errrrr!! isn't it pretty similar to my TVS Apache in terms of features that I purchased in 2008?

Saw the ad in the new papers and flipped to the next page within few seconds. Not sure why, but its become a habit for us to blame the company for its poor quality of build - engine, clutch, interiors and so on and also that it is one of the most preferred (or should I say was one of the most preferred..) brand by the cab services in the nation.  I commute to work by office cab and the owner has a fleet of Tata cars. The owner who is also the driver says that it is affordable for him to buy a Tata car taking into consideration the cost of maintenance. Once in a while we commute in his Tata Manza and I must say it is spacious, has good interiors and the engine seemed responsive. I had to change my mindset and re-think Tata Motors as a brand that now owns Jaguar and Land Rover and expect some level of richness in their vehicles. Looks like they have achieved this through Zest and it is going for the kill. Watch this video from AutoCar to know why. So, will you change your...

Help me! Duster or the EcoSport.... I am not able to make up my mind....

Ertiga! Ertiga! Ertiga! and as I was about to make my mind a new mini-SUV a.k.a  MPV renders on the TV screen.Yes! The new Honda Mobilio. But, seriously? Is that a Brio dashboard in Mobilio? And the front side of Amaze? My interest on this vehicle plummeted. Well, that is what I care about, but your requirements could be different. So lets see where the Mobilio is better than the Ertiga. It has a bigger boot space Is stylish; rear look inspired from the Civic Comes with 1.5 Petrol and 1.5 Diesel when compared to Ertiga's 1.4 Petrol and 1.3 Diesel variants. Has good knee room, legroom and headroom for all three rows; the second row can be folded Refined Honda i-DTEC Engine  Stable and refined driving Find the review from Autocar below

I am falling in love with Hyundai; more and more for its stunning design implementation. I saw an ad in the paper but in reality this SUV looks awesome! My friend and I were recently having an argument over Gionee ELife E5 smartphone vs the Apple ipad mini; obviously the comparison is between a phone and a tab, but our argument was about the features. While he boasted about the DTS sound, Super Amoled screen and 8 MB camera, I simply told him that I had a Skoda Rapid and he had the Hyundai Accent. Anyways, Santa Fe is not the old conventional looking SUV anymore. Its stylish and is loaded with chrome. The design of the vehicle from the front to rear is flawless and is miles ahead of the previous version launched in India. Watch this review from AutoCar.