Audi @ Auto Expo

AUDI'S ACE - HEAVEN: Audi's luxurious and powerful new A7 on display at the 10th Auto Expo in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

10th Auto Expo: Concepts and cars

Horse power ran with horse-sense at the 10th Auto Expo, in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. A dazzling array of cars showcased the zenith of motoring technology. It was a stage where concept cars sported a racer's edge, dressed in jaw-dropping luxury. A few images from the Expo.

RIDE THE PAST, AT 250KMPH: An Audi Front 225 Roadster is displayed at the 10th Auto Expo in New Delhi.

New stuff at New Delhi Auto Expo 2010

Crowd surrounding the new Honda unleashed model in the New Delhi Auto Expo

Global automobile giants converged here as the 10th edition of the Auto Expo opened on Tuesday, rolling out an array of cars mostly the small ones with a green theme.

In the world’s second fastest growing economy, commercial vehicle manufacturers too want their pie of the market and would unveil their product lines during the week-long auto fair, billed as the biggest in the world in terms of footfalls.

Close to two million auto enthusiasts and business visitors are expected to throng the fair, which is about to witness 50 new launches, including 10 of them global.

Giants like Toyota, Honda, Suzuki and General Motors are all here but most of them are unveiling their small and concept cars, high on fuel efficiency.

“The Indian Auto Expo has been gaining stature with international original manufacturers launching their global models as they do in other auto shows in the world,” Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) President Pawan Goenka said.

Honda and Toyota launched their concept small cars with an eye on growing Indian market. They also want to use India as their global manufacturing hub, mostly for small cars.

Toyota unveiled concept small car ‘Etios’ specially developed for the Indian market. The company which has a joint venture with the Kirloskar Group, is investing about Rs. 3,200 crore to set up its second manufacturing facility in Bangalore to roll out the car by early 2011.

“Our tagline represents the choice of India for the global premiere of Etios concept, following which, export to other countries will be evaluated,” Toyota Motor Corp Vice Chairman Kazuo Okamoto said.

He said the Indian market, expected to grow to 4 million units by 2015, is important for the Japanese auto major.

Maruti Suzuki unveiled a small multi-purpose concept vehicle (MPV) as India’s number one car manufacturer wants to create a new segment. The concept vehicle has been developed by Maruti Suzuki at its research and development centre.

German auto major Volkswagen introduced small 1.2 litre car Polo with a promise to launch sedan version on the same platform in the second half of this year. “The Polo stands for German engineering and top technology. It is lively young cosmopolitan made in India car,” Volkswagen AG Member of the Board of management Jochem Heizmann said.

Two-wheelers were not to be left behind. Iconic US motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson announced a plan to bring 12 motorcycles in the Indian market priced between Rs. 6.95 lakh and Rs. 34.95 lakh (ex-showroom New Delhi).

Munjals-promoted Hero Electric launched three electric scooters priced between Rs. 17,900 and Rs. 32,796.

New Volkswagen POLO

The Volkswagen has started its own bit of playing the role in the Indian market by introducing its new POLO, which is going to be manufactured at its first manufacturing plant in Chakan near Pune in India. plant. The company had landed only two of its models, the Passat and the Jetta in India, which often we don't really see too much. But, they have a hand full of dealers. The Volkswagen really needs something to kick-start its Indian innings.

By the end of the year, when the brand new facility comes on line, the POLO seems to be the stuff that's going to roll out. This is the all new 5th generation POLO.
Like all Volkswagen designs, the POLO too shares the strong expressive nose. Simplicity has been the main styling theme of the Polo. It has an elegant and expressive styling.

In my own words, what I could say is that, Polo is not a cute car, this is not a cheesy car. It is a handsome, muscular and a solid car. For my eyes, this is considered to be one of the most handsome among the small cars that exist today.
There are a number of interesting details regarding the Polo. For instance, consider its hatch, if you hold and press the VW round, the hatch gets opened. This is in a similar fashion to the Passat. It's boot space exists in two layers. So, you can hide some expensive and important stuff under the tray separating the two layers. The boot volume is 280 liters, which is smaller when compared with the Skoda Fabia, and the space inside is also a little tighter.

Finally, it can be considered as having Best in class interiors. The Indian variants will alo get the dual toned dashboard, including the features like ABS, twin air bags, and the Electronic stability control, which is generally found missing in the Indian cars. The company plans to launch Volkswagen Polo in highly competitive price range of Rs 4 to 5 lakhs. So, be ready to move on a POLO.

Some of its features are mentioned below:-
New TDI and TSI engines, coupled with a 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DSG)
Seven different engines on offer – four petrol and three diesel (power range from 44 kW/60 Bhp to 77 kW/105 Bhp)

A new 1.2 TSI turbo-charged four-cylinder direct injection petrol engine produces 77 kW / 105 PS consumes 5.5 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (129 g/km CO2) – 19 percent less than on the previous generation model.

A 1.6 TDI with 66 kW/90 Bhp: when combined with a Blue moon package, returns an average fuel consumption of 3.6 liters per 100 kilometers and 96 g/km CO2 making it the “most fuel efficient and lowest emitting five-seater diesel in the world”.

Blue moon package consists of,

• weight cut down to 1,080 kilogram

• uses an advanced engine start/stop system, also benefits from a regenerative braking system

• 15-inch alloy wheels fitted low rolling resistance tires

10mm reduction in ride height, a slightly modified front end, aerodynamically efficient underbody

Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion is expected to roll out next year globally; Indian debut still a question mark.

Designed to attain the recently established, stricter and more comprehensive, 5-star EuroNCAP rating.
Standard ESP electronic stabilization program with Hill Hold Control.
Body weight reduced by 7.5 percent, for better dynamics and higher efficiency.
Static turning lights integrated in the front fog lights.
Side curtain airbags (head airbag system for front and rear passengers).
Integrated Stereo and radio-navigation systems.
Integrated hands-free telephone systems.
Panorama sunroof and bi-xenon headlights.

.......Ride the Karizma-ZMR.......

In the present days, competing with time is considered to be the most common criteria. The same goes on with the context of high speeds of the newly emerging bikes. The 2-wheeler segment based companies are moving forward accordingly and are also considering the tastes and craze of the present youth as the main criteria.

Keeping the views on trends of the current generation youth, "Hero Honda", one of the largest 2-wheeler manufacturer in India, has at last unveiled its new Karizma(FI)-ZMR into the market.

The routine carburetor has been replaced with the fuel injection technology, which is shortly called as the FI. This bike can achieve a speed of about 0-60kmph just in 3.7 seconds. This is because of its "Spark plug Transistorized Ignition System".

The ZMR has undergone many changes when compared with its prior model, Karizma-R. Both the wheels are having Disk brakes. The Kick start option has been deceased and is only available in "self start". The old Air-cooled engine has been replaced with the Oil-cooled engine. Finally, this lead to the increase in the weight of the bike.

The IGRS shock absorbers are considered to be one of the peaks in the technical aspects of the bike, and also can be adjustible.

While the Hunk, and CBZ-Xtreme reviels 13.15 KW (17.6 bhp/17.9ps) of power at 8500 RPM, the new Karizma can achieve such at 7000 RPM itself. Thus, the engine life factor is 1.59, which is said to be greater than the counterparts in Hero Honda. Hunk and Xtreme are having only 1.29 as their life factor. Achiever is having 1.37.

Karizma-ZMR is available in 5 variant colors. They are Moon yellow, Pearl white, Vibrant blue, Panther black and Sports red. Its Ex-showroom prize is approx.. Rs.91000/-.

Specifications:-

Dimensions

Length: 2125.00 mm
Width: 755.00 mm

Height: 1160.00 mm
Wheelbase: 1355 mm
Ground Clearance: 150 mm
Kerb Weight: 150 kgs
Engine and Transmission Specifications
Displacement: 223cc
Engine: 4 Stroke, PGM-Fi
Maximum Power: 17.6 Bhp @ 7000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 18.35 Nm @ 6500 rpm
Gears: 5 Speed
Clutch: Multiplate Wet
Bore: 65.5
Stroke: 66.2
Cylinder Configuration: NA
Engine Block Material: NA
Chassis Type: Tubular Single Cradle, Diamond Type
Cooling Type: Air Cooling
Carburetor: NA
Suspension(Front): Telescopic Hydraulic Shock Absorbers
Suspension(Rear): Swing Arm with 5 Step Adjustable Type Hydraulic Shock Absorbers
Brakes and Wheels
Wheel Type: Die Alloys
Wheel Size: 2.75×18 – 100/90 mm
Tubeless: NA
Brakes: Disc
Brakes(Rear): Disc (Expected)
Stand Alarm: False
Other Specs
Headlamp: 35W/35W – Halogen
Horn: NA
Ground Clearance: 150.00 mm
Fuel Tank: 16.00 ltrs; reserve: 2 litres

Electrical System: 12V – 7 Ah – 188 W Alternator