We loved the latest flick from the Transformers franchise. Just like any other Micheal Bay movie, it was all about larger than life stunts and mind numbing levels of accidents and explosions. We love the little yellow autobot Bumble bee as well. So we wanted to have one our own but sadly Chevy India does not sell the Camaro. So we found an alternative.
Chevrolet has been closely associated with Transformers franchise since the first movie. So clearly, they will be cashing in right now since the movie has is a box office success. We showed you a Transformer Beat earlier this morning now we have a Bumble Bee Cruze for budget-mindful Transformer fans.
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Last week we brought you a story on the Audi A4 facelift and now we have some more spyshots of the new (well sort of) A4. Audi is hard at testing the facelifted A4 in Germany because the launch is due later this year at the Frankfurt Motorshow. Along with spy pics, here’s a rendering posted on Automobile Magazine France.
The whole idea of the facelift is to arrange the A4 (sedan and estate) in line with the current generation of Audis such as the A6 and A8. The new A4 will derive considerable inspiration from the 2012 Audi A6. It will sport a restyled grille with chamfered edges. The headlamps will be derived from the A6 as well. The side profile will not change; however the rear will receive a minor cosmetic job. Two things that constitute the car’s rear – tail lamps and bumper – could be redesigned to create a mini A6 effect.
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The trio of German manufacturers (Mercedes, BMW & Audi), three very important auto manufacturers in the world, oddly are like a bunch of kids giving their school exams. Whatever one does, the other one copies. The latest case in point is the Audi Q6 which hopes to rival BMW’s X6 in the near future.
The BMW X6, touted by BBC motoring presenter Jeremy Clarkson as the most pointless car in the world, is a unique blend of a sportscar and an SUV. However, it doesn’t work as a sports car because the ride height is too high, nor does it work as an SUV because of the stiff suspension. Nonetheless, the product is very unique in the market with no competition whatsoever. But if Audi has its way, then it wouldn’t be unique for very long.
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Indians by nature like to own stuff than rent it. We grow up with an aspiration of owning our own house and even our own car. But things are a bit different internationally where many people prefer to lease their cars. The benefits are quite evident:
• You don’t have to take a loan to pay a huge amount upfront
• You don’t have to worry about the servicing the car or spend on maintenance
• You have the option of getting a new car when your lease is over
• The ownership experience is totally hassle free
Mercedes Benz India is planning to introduce the leasing concept in the luxury car market for the first time. They are preparing to commence leasing vehicles to consumers in the Indian market by the end of this year. However, if you are an individual then there is some bad news for you. Mercedes is only planning to lease to corporate companies for the time being. If the venture attains a certain size, then individuals will be considered.
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If you are kept in the dark about the Korean company’s ambitions and product line-up in India, Hyundai is indeed planning to launch the i45 here in India. There are three solid indications that a launch is near -
1) Hyundai’s head honcho last year told IndianAutosBlog.com that “one by one” they will bring recent international products (i45, Avante and new Verna) to India.
2) Hyundai featured the i45 in its television commercials three months back in India to show audience Hyundai’s new obsession with design and technology. Why will they show something that is irrelevant?
3) Hyundai is testing a virtually undisguised prototype near its plant wearing the i45 badge, caught on test by our reader Sarun earlier this year.
Now Hyundai has dropped a cosmetically different i45 (branded Sonata) in the Korean market.
Changes you ask? Blink and you’ll miss it.
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The Tata Nano has one eye crying and one beaming with joy. Let us explain.
In Nepal -
Tata Motors and Sipradi Trading, the official distributor for the Nano had started a country-wide rally, called ‘Nano Yatra Nepal’, on June 1 from Kathmandu. The Nano covered a distance of 40,000 km visiting in excess of 15 landmark destinations. The Yatra gave Nepal the first look at the little car that had already been doing rounds around the world using newspapers and internet for good and bad reasons. The Nanos returned to Kathmandu after completing the journey with a recorded mileage of 20.3 kmpl, the best for any petrol car in Nepal in that segment. The Nano costs three times what India pays due to their country’s lofty excise duties.
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Korean media reports inform us that GM Korea has sold off the planned consignment of 400 special edition Beat models in a few days. The Transformers-loving Korean car buyers didn’t wait for the right time to book a Beat decaled with Transformers emblems.
The special edition Beat did not have a redone engine or transmission. Changes were cosmetic with new wheels, a spoiler and Transformers written using the official font in upper case on the bonnet. The company planned only 400 units and they were gobbled up by Korea within days.
Meanwhile here in India, GM has no plans to introduce special editions riding on the success of the Transformers franchise. The diesel variant with a 1L engine emerges on the 25th of this month and we’ve been told that demo vehicles have reached some dealerships. The diesel model could be priced starting at 4.19 lakh rupees for the base model that comes with air-conditioning.
The Beat petrol was launched a day prior to the Auto Expo last year. It started off well, but weeks later Ford came, saw and conquered the buyer’s mind with the Figo. The Beat was forgotten and sales, in later months, were a far cry from the initially projected 5,000 units/month.
With the lowest maintenance costs, ARAI approved fuel efficiency figure of 24kmpl, an electrically-powered steering wheel, softer suspension setup and space-age design, could the Beat diesel beat rivals Maruti WagonR and Hyundai i10? Or will the fizz last only until the new Swift arrival next month with more features and on the back of a much greater hype?
