Indian Autos blog

It is Force India’s first ever points in their F1 career, and what a way to bring them in! Force India’s Giancarlo Fisichella finished the Belgium Grand Prix less than a second behind race winner Kimi Raikkonen in a dramatic race which even saw Rubens Barrichello’s car on fire moments after after he went past the finish line!

Ok..we’re off for a group happy dance for Fisi and his team.

Hello there IAB reader!

The IAB team has taken a short break. We felt it was better to take a slight breather before we overheat.

We got some good news to share as well. Quattro Rodas, one of Brazil’s largest Auto magazines, has featured IAB on the pages of last month’s edition. Our good friend Marcelo Moura even sent us a copy of this greek-and-latin (to me) magazine from Sao Paulo.

This short break has nothing to do with the above paragraph.

Transformers – Revenge of the Fallen review

What I felt as I came out of the room -

I went to the theater today to watch Transformers 2, and it was not fully worth the money. Apart from the two GM concept cars fighting each other out and not amusing anyone, I found the second half of the movie extremely lengthy, boring and sleep inducing. The film just kept rolling endlessly, unaware the characters had lost their charm and grip a long while back.

The best part of the movie –

The first half of this sequel was pretty neat. There was a small portion of comedy and the expectations were built up right from the first few minutes when there is massive fire, explosions and a ruthless invasion by the Decepticons in China. I loved the graphics and effects, which is why you should watch it too. The way in which these lovely cars transform into robots sent adrenaline rushing through my veins. The movie’s glamor quotient is roof-scrapping, thanks to Megan Fox’ glossy lipstick and skimpy clothes.

The last part –

The last part of the movie has been shot in and around the pyramids of Giza, where I spent vacationing in 2004. As I left the theater, a few of those memories crossed my mind, taking my judging off the extra-long climax.

This movie is no where comparable to the first part. I think the climax was its biggest feature. The whole movie was like an aeroplane taking off – it built up steam and by the time it hit the end of the runway, it took off and blasts into the sky. The one today continued to speed along the runway and managed to clear out adjacent land for airport extension.

Why the first movie remains the best –

Part of the reason as to why this one didn’t make it into everyone’ hearts was because there was a truck load of anticipation of how the world would react to an autobot invasion in the first movie. Only Sam, Mikeala and you know there is an invasion which added extra spice to the story. In this one though you don’t have that sensation.

Why should you watch this movie –

If you’re an autobot lover and love watching 3D Animation and graphics, then you should find a theater which is screening this movie at present.

Why was there injustice in this movie –

The Chevrolet Beat (Skids in the movie) should have been given a more meatier character with some unique abilities. Though not the core of the story, the new autobots have been distanced from the limelight they deserved, making them as influential in the storyline as the audience seated around me.

Additional reason to watch this movie –

Of course they’ve thrown in Megan Fox (who does a lot of bending, flexing and running) in there too, if that’s what sails your boat.

Not often we see at Indians Autos blog, torquey engines added with auto gearboxes driving all wheels. This is exactly what I’m piloting today – From behind the steering wheel of the Chevy Captiva Automatic AWD, which GM India handed us hours back, I can see everything on the road. What a view!

This is the only SUV at this price which offers a diesel motor along with the auto tranny. For the next four days I will be telling you about each and every aspect of this SUV.

Before going in for the test details let me put forth a brief history of the Captiva -

The Chevrolet Captiva is a crossover SUV derived from the Chevrolet S3X concept car of 2004. The Captiva is based on the GM Theta platform. It is also called as Daewoo Winstorm and is developed by General Motors’ (GM) South Korean subsidiary, GM-Daewoo.

click on the post’s title to continue reading

The Honda Jazz is not only helping it get valuable feedback from hatch buyers which it feels would be essential when designing the global compact car, but also resulting in boost of Honda City sales!

OK, we find this one a hard pill to swallow.

The Jazz is also helping the company gather key market inputs for the global small compact car scheduled to be launched during 2011-12.

Honda Official -

“Our market research tell us that there are a considerable number of customers who come in to have a good look at the Jazz and end up buying the City”

Does this mean a person who is bent on purchasing a Honda vehicle find the Jazz less VFM or worthy than the City?

Honda continues to support the Jazz’ ‘tall’ pricing, shall we call it? – the official remarks with its premium feel and high level of features, it is “unlike run-of-the-mill small cars” in India.

The Jazz is a sub-4 meter hatchback and has a 1.2-liter engine which is spec-enough to avail benefits extended to small cars in the country. The car is pitched at the country’s younger generation and women who are on the lookout for a car.

The Jazz shares 60% of its parts with the City. In fact, one Honda’s staff charged with customer relations tells us Honda does not term or market this car as a hatchback or a close relative to the City. All the family matters end at the production line and in the showroom, the situation both cars in resemble an exam hall atmosphere.

Initial market feedback indicated the age profile of the Jazz user is five years younger to the typical City user – hinting Honda has succeeded in addressing a younger audience with this car.

True, but how many youngsters today in India, a country that looks for value, features and comforts more than anything else, afford a 7-lakh product? Honda says these people will be offered the more cheaper global small car scheduled for 2011-12.

Here’s a quick fact – Almost 45 per cent of Jazz buyers are existing Honda customers! cars, that is. This is a very encouraging sign which Honda believes is going to play a major role when introducing the small car. The brand is addictive, and the small car is going to recall all these people again in the future, it says.

If they really wanted to improve the Punto’s drivability in the dark, why didn’t they offer extra lights as part of accessories with the existing car, or source lamps from a better supplier?

That’s what I thought until I learned this car will come with Fiat’s new Multiair technology which was their key exhibit (apart from the Fiat 500 pink Barbie edition, if you were a girl) at Geneva earlier this year. The new Fiat Grande Punto Evo might not please the Japanese in Mitsubishi’s HQ, but with its bar raising gas mileage and lower emissions, this could beautifully compliment the present Grande Punto in markets where taxes and fees are levied based on what’s coming out of your tailpipe.

The Indian production plans of the VW Up! were discussed not once, but twice here before. With its two petrol and two diesel engine, this car is programmed to cave into the market of the ultra-light, ultra-small city cars that sip fuel and park in tight gaps.

Very soon, the Fiat Topolino is also said to join the pack the Toyota iQ and the Smart Fortwo are already serving right now elsewhere in the world. VW will utlize its facility in Pune to manufacture this car for select regions in partnership with the plant in Bratislava.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company will begin selling motorcycles in India in 2010, said its president and chief operating officer, Matthew Levatich. The company has begun the process of picking dealers and is constructing a subsidiary in Gurgaon, near the country’s capital Delhi.

Matthew Levatich said his mission was to lay a strong base in India to help play a long innings in the country. He said India is a vital part of the expansion plan for the company which is seeking a “global reach.”

Just like any other auto company, Harley will spend its initial time importing bikes, accessories and other rider gear until it gets a clear picture of its demands here. India’s booming economy and rapidly evolving infrastructure has evoked interest in Harley Davidson to set shop here.

The company’s initial approach is to import its motorcycles, accessories and riding gear, and it will then evaluate how best to evolve its approach as Harley-Davidson’s business grows here.

Although a lot of other things we discussed, frankly it was boring. He explained how Harley’s riding experience is magnificent and how unique his motorcycles were and how his motorcycles are going to lead India into its next era of motorcycling.

Not very realistic considering most motorcycles sold in the country are 100cc commuters. In the world of Nanos and Altos, it’s like saying the Rolls Royce brand with its CBUs is going to carry India forward into the next era of driving.

The company has begun the process of identifying initial dealers in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Punjab State.

Let’s see how they price it. It won’t be in the mid 60 thousands to take on the Bajaj Avenger. That is for sure.

Answer to the previous question – Suzuki A-Star concept

Winners -

Bala, Satish, rohan kumar, Harish Kumar, ?ushk@r, harsh, Pathik Dalsania, krishna, SRK, The Automotive India, Hapinder Harry, kantharaj, Amritaksha Deb, Mihir, frederic.E, Motorbeam.com, Adithya Arikere, sudarsanan, Romeo Midhun, navinroy, Fiat Fan, Jishnu Sasidharan V, vinayak, Jean Johny, Sushil, Ikveer Singh, Amit Bhalla, Nishant Lakhina, Prasanna Seshadri, Jijo Raj, Guravneet, Vedamurthy, Monty Singh, Happy, Manjunath D

Today’s challenge – Can you identify this car?

Click on the title of this post and enter your answer in the comment box that appears below. Come back day after tomorrow to verify your answer and a new challenge.