Honda CB Twister takes commuter bikes to new level laden with features and styled like CB1000R
With 9 bhp of power and a claimed mileage of 70kmpl, Honda’s new CB Twister promises to shake up the 100-125cc segment. The lion’s share of the 100cc market belongs to Hero Honda, and their bikes also boast of such credentials. The path Honda took with this motorcycle is entirely different to one adopted by its Indian partner.
The CB Twister looks everything but a Hero Honda Splendor or Passion. Many of us yesterday expected to see a plain and boring commuter with puny tires and no personality.
By making the move of introducing a lower capacity motorcycle, Honda expects to see a change in customer perception and expand this section of the market.
As the name denotes, the 110cc CB Twister is inspired by bigger the CB1000R. The core USP of this motorcycle is its style, but there are plenty of other reasons why customers would buy this product.
You get features which aren’t seen on this side of town. Tubeless tyres, maintenance free battery and viscous air filter improve performance and reduce maintenance cost. Other features like short muffler and half chain are attributes that define how stylish this motorcycle is.
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Now that I’m back from Delhi and back to business, updates will continue as usual on IAB. Later today, I will upload images and information shared by Honda’s boss on this new motorcycle as well as plans he has for India. Stay tuned. There’s a lot that will follow
The new Chevy Beat comes with innovative design outside and inside
While Autocar magazine reports prices of Chevrolet Beat would begin at 3.75 lakh rupees, Financial Express suggests the price would be between 4 and 5 lakh rupees. The Chevrolet Beat is powered by a 1.2-liter petrol engine with features such as climate control and alloy wheels on select variants.
General Motors will take extra care while deciding prices of this crucial small car.
Karl Slym, President and Managing Director, General Motors India -
We made a mistake with the pricing of Spark in the market. But Beat will be priced competitively and the price will speak for the product
The Chevrolet Beat is a replacement for the Spark in Europe, but it will coexist with the Spark here in India.
The Bajaj Pulsar 135LS is the first of many new Pulsars we’re going to see
You would have been wondering where today’s updates went. I apologize for not keeping you posted. Out of the blue, I decided yesterday afternoon to attend two important launches – the Bajaj Pulsar 135 LS which concluded today afternoon and the Honda 110cc motorcycles in Delhi which happens tomorrow (Thursday), and immediately backpacked and headed to the nearest airport in Chennai.
As I type this, the temperature here in Delhi is inching towards freeze zone, but the hot topics discussed during the launch of the new Pulsar this afternoon by Rajiv Bajaj and his team is keeping me warm.
I pitched questions regarding future of Bajaj that got Rajiv Bajaj talking. He did not shy away from questions and welcomed curiosity levels among journalists. I’ll come to those details in a bit.
click through to read more and view images taken at the Bajaj Pulsar 135LS launch
Honda’s 110cc commuter will be unveiled today; We’ll cover the show, so check back for updates
We have already seen the spy pics of Honda’s new 110cc motorcycle called ‘CB100 Twister’. Although the Twister series comprises of powerful engines of 250cc or 300cc but the one introduced in our country tomorrow would only be 110cc capacity. The high capacity Twister series bikes are operating very well in the Brazilian market.
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The loading area will be spruced up for it to sell as a lifestyle product
Contrary to the belief among car enthusiasts who have seen spyshots of the new Xylo based pickup truck, Mahindra will bring out the Xylo pickup truck as a lifestyle product.
After seeing the lack of demand for pickup trucks like the Xenon or the Scorpio Getaway, Mahindra, we’re told is looking at opportunities in other countries for this kind of product.
The spyshot shown here is only of the test mule. The production version’s loading area will be spruced up and will look stylish and civilized. Mahindra could use the M-Eagle 2.5 liter diesel engine with a 90hp diesel engine as reserve.
The next generation Swift comes with more space and more power
Suzuki is preparing the next generation Suzuki Swift for autumn launch next year. The existing model was launched back in 2005 and immediately went on to win the COTY award.
Viewing various spyshots captured over the last few months, one understands the new Swift will rely heavily on the outgoing model for inspiration. It doesn’t have look elsewhere for that. Swifts account to 40% of Suzuki sales in Europe and is the best selling model in UK.
The new face of Suzuki will feature on the Swift after it debuted on the Kizashi. Suzuki is also planning to use the Swift to provide the world with an affordable hybrid car. It has shown a mock-up of the Suzuki Swift plug-in hybrid at the Tokyo Motor Show last month.
For India, the new Suzuki Swift is expected to come with with the 1.2 K-Series petrol engine. Suzuki could continue the Multi-jet engine and supplement it with more powerful engines like the 1.5 liter CRDI unit.
Internationally, 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6L petrol engines are expected to make the cut. Japanese customers are used to AWD models and for that market, Suzuki will offer the 1.6L VVT engine delivering 125 bhp with AWD.
Suzuki has also introduced hybrid system on the Swift. Operated solely on battery, the hybrid Swift can travel 20 km. This model could come at a later date, possibly in late 2011 or early 2012.
Suzuki will formally launch the new Swift during the Paris Motor Show in the second half of 2010.
11 million bikes! Now how many can boast of such a feat?
While we were offline last month, Hero-Honda rolled out its 11th millionth Splendor motorcycle on 11th November from its plant in Gurgaon, Haryana. This is yet another milestone for the company which has been in the market for around 25 years and has bagged 8 consecutive ‘largest two wheeler manufacturer in the world title.’
The HH splendor was launched in the year 1994 and no one would have even imagined that this single product would take the company to such heights in the motorcycle industry. Even after 15 years of its launch this motorcycle is still in the market, continuously improving and achieving new accolades for itself. The bike is considered the most reliable product when it comes to the Indian commuter section.
With bikes like Splendor and Passion, the attitude of Hero Honda is easily determined. They portray the intent of selling a motorcycle for a long duration, earning the trust of buyers.
