Indian Autos blog

Performance upgrades for the FZ and R15 are not cheap by any standards

In order to extract more power and performance from your Yamaha R15 or FZ series bike, you don’t have to look very far these days. All you need is to do is go for the Daytona racing kits from Yamaha.

The two reasons that might not make you very happy -

1) it’s a costly affair

2) the kits are allowed to be only used on tracks.

Built by Yamaha Engineering Corporation and Daytona, these parts are exclusively for racing purpose in a closed circuit only. The YZF-R15 engine kit includes a new ECU, high-lift camshaft and performance exhaust which cost around Rs 31,000 (ex-showroom, India). You also have an option to buy a tuned length exhaust system as a separate unit which will cost Rs 16,000. The body kit, which includes a 298mm front petal disc, upgraded front brake master cylinder, braided brake hoses and HID headlamps is available for Rs 20,000.

On the other hand, the FZ series bikes (FZ-16 and FZ-S) has a tuned length exhaust for Rs 16,000. It also has a body kit consisting of the HIDs and disc brake for Rs 20,000.

Apart from the performance kit, if you want to enhance the looks of your R15 or FZ, there are genuine Yamaha accessories available at the Yamaha dealerships across the country. These accessories have been in the market for quite sometime now. These accessories consists of a wide range of items from as small as the number plate bolts to the dashing Billet clutch and brake lever, LED flasher sets and more.

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The Land Glider is one of the three EVs Nissan’ displaying at Tokyo

Japanese car manufacturer Nissan revealed it could be launching electric vehicles in the Indian market in the next few years as part of its global plan to sell cars that were cleaner and used alternative sources of power.

On the sidelines of the Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan Motor Corporation CEO Carlos Ghosn-

If there is a market, yes sure. There is absolutely no limitation for where the car will go.

Nissan is showcasing three electric vehicles at the show. Nissan is making a foray into the EV segment in the US, Japan and European markets next year. Nissan has already said the Leaf EV could arrive in India as CBU in the near future.

I saw a similar test mule yesterday near the Hyundai factory, but I cannot confirm the make or model.

Some of you might be wondering why we have not been posting regularly in the last one week. While Diwali came and went, visitors, friends and relatives filled my home, preventing me from doing anything other than gossiping, bursting crackers and eating junk food. I’ve just come out of the festive mood and to make it easier on myself, I did something no other blogger could think of doing – test mule (prototype) hunting!

While it might sound crazy, I can’t wait to do it one more time. Using help from my sister, I traveled to the Sriperumbudur stretch, which is about 40 km from I live. This stretch has plenty of automotive suppliers. But the important point is Ford and Hyundai produce their cars from plants which are separated by a short distance.

While I was driving towards a suitable spot, I spotted a Tata Ace-like small-sized truck albeit a bulkier cabin and larger loading area but speeding in the opposite direction. I had just one look at it and I got a feeling it was either from Ford or Hyundai. Despite having three cameras on board, I could not manage any images, but the vehicle looked like what you see above. It sported a red number plate with white letters. I don’t know if it is a Hyundai, Ford or a product from some other brand clocking test miles on the road. But it certainly looked like the truck shown above (Hyundai H100).

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The competition will be closely watching the market reaction towards this new technology

If sources are to be believed TVS is planning to launch a bike with automatic clutch system within a few months. This means the rider would be free from applying the clutch while shifting the gears. The gears would be shifted without the use of a clutch and the company also claims that there would not be any impact on the bike’ performance such as its pickup and top speed.

Although TVS isn’t willing to disclose much info about this product at this point of time, insiders say this project has been in the pipeline for the last 18 months or so.

This bike would be placed in the executive segment which is ruled by Hero Honda at present. It would be interesting to see how TVS positions this bike as far as its cost is concerned and what mileage it would be capable of.

As in case of gearless scooters, this bike could lure women riders as well who have keen interest in motorcycles but couldn’t find an appropriate product for their commute till now.

This bike will bring with itself a new technology in the biking world in India and it would be interesting to assess its performance.

The third generation Toyota Prius needs to be assembled in India if it has to find success

Business Standard is reporting that Toyota is presently conducting feasibility studies in India for its hybrid car Prius. It is understood that Toyota will not stop with just offering petrol and diesel powered variants in the country.

In March this year, to estimate the reaction of the general public, the Toyota Prius was put on display at the 18th International Engineering and Technology Fair (IETF )in Bangalore.

Toyota could take the CBU route but that will bump costs into head-spinning levels. The Indian government does not offer any duty slashes for imported hybrid vehicles. The Honda Civic Hybrid had no takers when its price tag was around 20-25 lakh rupees. When the price was brought down by 8 lakh rupees, the consignment was sold in just a matter of days.

That leaves us with just one feasible option – CKD kits.

Only if priced well, will the Prius find buyers in India. Maybe Toyota could run an introductory offer so that Indian customers get familiar with the technology and added benefits of a hybrid car. Later on, as the word spreads, it could hike prices according to the level of demand.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to how many hybrid vehicles Toyota wants to sell in India

We have only questions with respect to this car and the Indian market

Is this the next generation Chevrolet Aveo hatchback? Is it coming to India? If it comes to India, what happens to the existing Aveo?

We’re not really clear about what this car is, perhaps one of you reading this article could use the comment box below to put in your thoughts. The next generation Chevrolet Aveo hatchback was caught testing in China. While we know the existing Aveo is getting long in the tooth, common sense dictates a refreshment exercise is bound to take place, especially after news about a CNG and even a possible diesel variant on the cards next year in India.

Or the answer could be this – The hatchback you see above is based on the same platform as the Chevrolet Cruze/Beat.

The Chevrolet Aveo is not doing very well in the market, and people blame it on the lack of a diesel engine option. The confusion is only going to step up another level with the introduction of a new Aveo as the Beat is said to be positioned around 4 lakh rupees. The existing Aveo hatchback range also begins at that point. So at least three cars, bumper to bumper, in a road called ‘price tag’.

On a lighter note, is GM slowly transforming into the next Maruti?

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Monocross suspension provides more travel and hence better ride quality

A motorcycle’s suspension system has gone through many changes over time. There were stages when motorcycles had no rear suspension and could only rely on the damping of the tire and possibly the coils in the saddle to provide the cushioning effect. As technology progressed, the importance of motorcycle suspension was realized and the manufacturers started working on improving it.

The motorcycle suspension has gone through changes equal to any other important part of a bike.

When you talk about the features and technology of a bike, the suspension type plays a major part in determining the bike’s performance. These days monocross suspension is much talked about, so I thought why not I check the advantages of this type of suspension and share it with you.

The biggest advantage with Monocross suspension is that it can be positioned close to the center of gravity of the bike thereby improving the concentration of mass. Not only it provides optimum rigidity but also improves the balance of the bike.

Monocross suspension provides plenty of rear wheel travel which makes the ride even more comfortable. Another major advantage of monocross suspension is that improves the handling of the bike. By enabling a better concentration of mass, this suspension helps achieve good handling characteristics and you will get better cornering performance.

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The Toyota SAI is based on the Lexus HS250h. It is meant only for Japan.

167bhp engine for Fiat Punto

For a minute you must have related the 167bhp to the higher spec Punto which Fiat is developing for India. Sadly, I’m not talking about the Indian Punto or customer. This totally pertains to the Abarth version of the Punto Evo which was shown at the Frankfurt show last month. The Abarth version of the Punto Evo will receive a 167bhp version of the Multiair engine, which is only applicable to the petrol unit. Abarth is the tuning arm of Fiat, for those in the dark.

Toyota Sai

Toyota has unveiled a new hybrid sedan christened “Sai” for the Japanese market. Toyota intends to sell 3,000 Sais monthly. It uses a 2.4-liter petrol engine producing just below 150 horsepower and 187 Nm of torque. Mated to an electric motor, powered by a nickel-metal hydride battery, an additional 140 hp and up to 270 Nm of torque is available to the wheels.

AuSTARlia – A-Star going to Africa, i20 to Australia

With the curtains coming down on the scrappage scheme in European countries, production levels in Indian manufacturing plants are not where they were before. To keep the plants operating in full swing, Suzuki is looking at exporting the A-Star to Africa, while Hyundai is looking to push the i20 down under. The companies hope both these markets will create enough demand and the production levels will be maintained higher.

A house full Geneva Motor Show 2010

Authorities charges with managing next year’s Geneva Motor Show have issued a statement that all auto manufacturers will take part in the 2010 edition of the show. This year’s shows saw a lot of absentees, and even the Japanese Motor Show that’s happening as you read this, has only two foreign brands participating. Let’s not forget Geneva is where Nissan will show the all-important next generation Micra.

Skoda’s 178bhp Fabia vRS is coming early next year

In early 2010, Skoda could introduce a 178bhp Skoda Fabia in UK. Wearing the vRS badge, this Skoda will boast of a maximum speed of 140mph. It will go from a standstill to 60mph in less than 7 seconds! Powered by a 1.4-liter ‘Twincharger’ unit, this Skoda will take its position as one of the insane variants, second only to the rally-bred Fabia S2000.