CAR.......all in its name: January 2008

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Hyundai Accent

4:58 AM Reporter: Bharath Mandava 1 Response

Accent.......Luxury car from Hyundai.

The Hyundai Accent (sold in some regions as the Verna and until 2000 in Australia as the Excel) is a subcompact car produced by Hyundai in South Korea, India, Russia, Pakistan, Turkey, and Iran.

The Accent is produced for the Chinese market by Beijing Hyundai Co., a joint venture with Beijing Automotive Industry Corp. For Russian market it is assembled by TagAZ plant in Taganrog. In Mexico, the Accent is marketed by Chrysler as the Dodge Attitude, previously Verna by Dodge. In Venezuela, Chrysler marketed the Brisa de Dodge until 2006. The Brisa is assembled by Mitsubishi Motors at its plant in Barcelona, Venezuela. Since 2002, the Accent had been the longest-running subcompact sold in North America. In Puerto Rico, it has been sold as the Hyundai Brio.

The redesigned 2000 Accent (LC) sported a more angular body and increased dimensions. It received a minor facelift in 2003, and was given the model code LC2. When the Accent sedan underwent a 2006 redesign, the hatchback continued on sale during 2006 only in Canada, since the hatchback skipped the 2006 model year for the United States. But for Korea, it was the first model with the new nameplate: Verna.

The Accent got new 1.5-litre 12-valve SOHC and 16-valve DOHC engines: the 1.3 continued unchanged. A 1.6-litre replaced the 1.5 engine for 2000. This Accent was also the first to get a diesel version, with a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder direct injection turbodiesel, which was badged CRDi. In Europe only the 12-valve SOHC 1.5 and 1.3 were sold.

Trim levels were GSi, CDX and MVi: this was standard on most export versions, although some European markets had their own designations with names like DynamicVersion etc. Some markets used LS and GLS.

In North America the Accent was available in GL, GLS and GT trim levels only, with the 1.5-litre engine at first, then the 1.6-litre engine from 2003. The GT version was similar to the MVi version marketed in Europe and Australia.
During 2003 in Canada, the hatchback was offered as a GS or GSi with a 1.5L or 1.6L engine, respectively.

Engines:

1.5 L 12-valve SOHC Alpha I4, 92 hp (69 kW) @5500 rpm and 97 ft·lbf (132 Nm) @2900 rpm
0-100kmh: 12.0 sec., top speed: 181kmh

1.5 L 16-valve DOHC Alpha I4, 101 hp (75 kW) and 98 ft·lbf (133 Nm)
0-100kmh: 11.6 sec., top speed: 185kmh

1.6 L 16-valve DOHC Alpha I4, 104 hp (78 kW) and 106 ft·lbf (144 Nm)
0-100kmh: 10.9 sec., top speed: 189kmh

1.5 L CRDi Alpha I4, 108 hp (78 kW) and 106 ft·lbf (144 Nm)
0-100kmh: 11.8 sec., top speed: 179kmh

Hyundai introduced a new-generation Accent (MC) at the 2005 New York International Auto Show. A new exterior, larger interior, and CVVT engine are the notable features.

A single trim level, GLS, is available in the United States for the sedan. This sedan includes 6 airbags, air conditioning, power steering with tilt, four-wheel disc antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, and a 6-speaker CD stereo. Pricing starts at US$12,665, nearly $2,000 more expensive than a base 2005 model. A premium sport package, priced at $1,350, includes air conditioning, 15 in. alloy wheels, power windows and heated mirrors, and remote power door locks. An automatic transmission retails for $1000, bringing the price of a loaded Accent to $15,015.

Hyundai began selling the 3-door hatchback in the United States during the spring 2006 as a 2007 model year vehicle. The 3-door is available in two trims - GS and SE. The GS is equipped much like the GLS sedan, with some equipment deleted for a base price of US$10,415. The SE replaces the former Accent GT, offering a sport-tuned suspension, 16 in. alloy wheels, and other sporting features, along with available dealer-installed performance parts such as a cold-air intake and suspension stress bar. The SE is sold as the Verna Sport in Korea. The Hyundai Accent SR is exclusive to Canada and only 500 have been made, this version is like the Accent SE, but in addition has the fender flares, front lip, rear lip, and exhaust tip. Also included with the SR version is the Clarion sound system with , 4channel Amplifier with 400 Watts, 7 speaker Audio System, with 10-inch Subwoofer in a custom made box. Dash also has a Carbon Fiber Trim Kit added to it.

The Accent is presently the third-bestselling subcompact in the United States, trailing after its rivals the Chevrolet Aveo and Toyota Yaris.

In Europe, this model was heavily promoted by the motoring press, and even Hyundai themselves, as a "stopgap" model - that it was intended merely to plug the gap in Hyundai's range until a brand new small family car was launched in 2007. This new car, the Hyundai i30 fills the void left by the Accent and the larger Hyundai Elantra. The name change came about so as to help distance the i30 from the budget reputation of the Accent, and also to highlight that the new car can truly compete in the small family hatchback sector - something the Accent was slightly too small to do, and the Elantra too large. The Accent will continue to be sold in the U.S. in 2008 with an instrument panel overhaul and standard rear cupholders in the SE model.

Engines:

1.6 L CVVT Alpha II I4, 112 hp (82 kW) and 107 ft (33 m).-lb. (146 Nm) (for the North American market)

1.5 L D I4 turbodiesel, 110 hp (81 kW) and 174 ft (53 m).-lb. (235 Nm), fitted with common rail direct injection and variable geometry turbocharger

In Mexico, this is marketed as the Dodge Attitude: trim levels are 1.4 GL and 1.6 GLS. Hyundai does not have any official representation in Mexico.

Interestingly, in India, it is marketed as Hyundai Verna. Previous generation is also under production and that is marketed as Accent.

Hyundai Accent 2006 road test:

The new Accent is available with two chaps and two engines(1.6L DOHC engine 112 hp/1.4L DOHC engine 97 hp)

4-Door sedan with 1.6L DOHC engine, 112 hp. 0-100 km/h: 10.8 sec., 12.4sec. Top speed: 192 km/h, 185 km/h. MT, AT respectively.

3-Door hatch with 1.6L DOHC engine, 112 hp. 0-100 km/h: 10.1 sec., 12.0sec. Top speed: 188 km/h, 180 km/h. MT, AT respectively.

Photo Gallery :

STANDARD FEATURES
http://hyundai.co.in/accentwebsite/newaccent.asp?pagename=features

COLOURS
http://hyundai.co.in/accentwebsite/newaccent.asp?pagename=colors

PRICES
http://hyundai.co.in/accentwebsite/newaccent.asp?pagename=city

Hyundai Getz-Prime

6:39 AM Reporter: Bharath Mandava 0 Responses

Hyundai Getz Prime - new Getz version

The Hyundai Getz Prime will have two petrol engine options - a 1100 cc and 1300 cc. Towards the end of the year, Hyundai will introduce a CRDi version to capitalise on the demand for small diesel cars in India.Hyundai said that the price of the Prime will be very competitive. What is very competitive in the current market scenario? We would say that to qualify as 'very competitive', the Getz Prime will have to be priced at the same level as the Suzuki Swift - and this is highly unlikely. If Hyundai could hit the Swift with a lower price, they would have already done it and now allowed the Swift to run away with the market. So we can guess that the car would definitely be priced lower, but not close enough for anyone to consider it on price alone.

Looks are a different matter altogether. The Getz has a bigger glasshouse, and this may be attractive for some - and a slightly lower price and updated looks in the new Getz Prime might push them towards a buy decision. The Getz Prime is overall a bit more rounded than the current Getz, and looks a bit more modern.Hyundai recently introduced a C segment car for Europe 'i30', and is looking at the possibility of bringing it to India as a replacement for the Elantra.

PHOTO GALLERY :

STANDARD FEATURES
http://www.getzprime.co.in/GetzMain.asp?pagename=feature

COLOURS
http://www.getzprime.co.in/GetzMain.asp?pagename=colorsp

PRICES
http://www.getzprime.co.in/GetzMain.asp?pagename=city

Descriptions |

Hyundai Getz

6:02 AM Reporter: Bharath Mandava 0 Responses

The Hyundai Getz diesel is here to take hatch performance to the next level. Giving it some serious competition is the Swift diesel. The two battle it out for top spot.

Hyundai launched the Getz with the same CRDi engine found on the Verna, which makes a whopping 110bhp. This engine on the Getz, which is 36kg lighter than the Verna, gives it a power-to-weight ratio of 96bhp per tonne. A Variable Geometry Turbo, or VGT has been used to extract this power from Hyundai’s new range of diesel motors. In contrast, the Swift uses a Fixed Geometry Turbo or FGT and has Fiat’s 1248cc Multijet motor, which is smaller than the Getz’s and produces a much lower 75bhp. The power-to-weight ratio for the Maruti is 69bhp per tonne. This difference is clearly seen in the performance also, with the Getz being much quicker than the Swift in terms of speed and time taken from 0-100kph. The Getz reaches a top speed of 171kph whereas the Swift goes only as high as 160kph. 0-100 in the Getz takes a mere 11.3seconds while the Maruti takes 13.8seconds. This margin is even wider when figures go up to 140kph; the Swift taking five seconds longer than the Getz. However, what the Swift has going for it is that despite the lack of power, its performance is more than better for everyday driving.

In fact, the Swift beats the Getz when it comes to driveability. In traffic, due to turbo lag, one has limited acceleration unless one downshifts to a lower gear and into the powerband. For good low speed responses and high speed thrust, the Getz uses a VGT and has tuned the turbo to deliver closer to the maximum thrust resulting in a bit of lag when you ask the engine to accelerate from 1000 to 1200rpm. Depending on which gear you are in, this lag continues till 1800 to 2000rpm. Comparatively, the Maruti also has some amount of lag but despite the limitations of the FGT, its driveability is better than the Hyundai.

Once you pass the 2000rpm on the Getz is when there is a surge in power and performance that leaves you amazed. In fact, you might be tempted to keep driving the Getz above the 2000rpm mark just to feel that power. This is especially true in third gear, where the gearing allows you to surge forward from 60 to 100kph in just six seconds. The Getz’s best trick is the way in which it smokes its inside wheel, coming out of a rapidly-driven second gear corner. Still, this is nowhere near as fluid as driving a petrol car hard. As this is a direct injection diesel, the powerband isn’t all that wide, with power tailing off around 4200rpm. And this means bursts of power in first and second are somewhat truncated, as you run out of revs. The Swift, in comparison, has a slightly wider powerband that allows the motor to rev till 5000rpm. The Swift scores higher than the Getz in terms of mileage as well. The Swift diesel 14.4kpl in the city and 19.1kpl on the highway and the Getz delivers 12.6kpl and 16.2kpl on the city and highway respectively.

Besides the motors, the two cars are very similar to their petrol powered versions. The Swift has more comfortable front seats that are wide and offer great support to the back and thighs. The Maruti also offers the best driving position, which is an added benefit if the car is used on a daily basis. In the rear seats however, the Getz is the winner – the seats are comfortable and the boot is decent sized as well as bigger than the Swift’s boot.

Verdict

The Hyundai Getz CRDi is the ideal example of how diesel hatchback performance is only getting better. The Getz diesel is a great performer, is comfortable and is a fast car that is as good as any petrol-powered vehicle. What’s more it isn’t as expensive to own or maintain as a petrol would be. Still, despite the advantage, it is Rs. 70,000 more expensive than the Swift and given it is a diesel, doesn’t have brilliant fuel economy figures either. In addition, for the price, the Getz does not come very well equipped; it does not even offer ABS as optional. The Swift on the other hand, is already hugely successful, offer good enough performance and really saves precious money owing to its superb fuel economy. These reasons leave us little choice but to proclaim the Maruti Swift winner.

TECHNICAL DATA

Hyundai Getz CRDi

Price : Rs 5.97 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai)

Engine layout : 4 cyls in-line, 1493cc

Max Power : 110bhp at 4000rpm

Max Torque : 24kgm at 1900rpm

Top Speed: 171kph

0-60: 4.91secs

0-100: 11.32secs

CFE: 13.75kpl

Fuel tank capacity: 45litres

Boot capacity: 294litres

Length: 3825mm

Width: 1665mm

Height: 1515mm

Wheelbase: 2455mm

Weight: 1137kg

Ground clearance: 160mm

PHOTO GALLERY :

Descriptions |

Hyundai Santro-Xing

12:20 AM Reporter: Bharath Mandava 1 Response

Hyundai Motor India launched its Santro Xing exclusively manufactured in India, and announced plans to increase exports to 30,000 units this fiscal. The new car sports several design changes in bodylines and interiors. There will be five variants of Santro Xing with prices varying from Rs. 3.30 lakhs to Rs. 4.31 lakhs, almost the same as those of earlier Santro models.

B. V. R. Subbu, President, Hyundai Motor India, said the weight of this car had gone up by 30 kg, but there was no mechanical change. This new `sunshine' car is ready for Europe, he added. The company exported 8,000 cars during the last fiscal. This would go up to 30,000, including Accent, this year, he said with confidence. The Santro Xing would be the mainstay of the company's global export hub plans, he said.

Hyundai Motor India has increased its production capacity to 1.50 lakh cars annually. Hyundai Motor Company of Korea, the mother company, will stop regular production of Santro.

He said the company would introduce the sports utility vehicle, Terracan, in the last week of July, which would be priced on a par with top-end SUVs like Pajero while the next offering from the HMIL stable would be Getz.

DIMENSIONS

Overall Length (mm) : 3565
Overall Width (mm) : 1525
Overall Height (mm) : 1590
Wheelbase (mm) : 2380
Ground Clearance (mm) : 164 (M/T)146 (A/T)
Front Track : 1315
Rear Track : 1300
Min Turning Radius (m) : 4.4Kerb
Weight (Kg) : 854(M/T)868(A/T)
Fuel Tank capacity : 35

ENGINE

No.of cylinders : 4
No. of valves : 12
Valvetrain (type ) : SOHC
Displacement (cc) : 1086
Fuel : Petrol

Maximum Torque (Kgm@rpm) : 9.8 @ 3000

PHOTO GALLERY :

COLOURS
http://www.santroxing.com/santromain2.asp?pagename=colors

STANDARD FEATURES
http://www.santroxing.com/santromain2.asp?pagename=features

PRICES
http://www.santroxing.com/santromain2.asp?pagename=city

Descriptions |

Honda CR-V

12:00 AM Reporter: Bharath Mandava 0 Responses

CR-V redirects here. It is also a shorthand referring to chromium-vanadium alloy tool steels.

The Honda CR-V is a compact crossover SUV manufactured by the Japanese automaker Honda since 1996. It was loosely derived from the Honda Civic to satisfy a public demand for a sport-utility vehicle from Honda. There are discrepancies as to what "CR-V" stands for, with Honda sources in different markets citing different meanings. Though Honda sales literature in UK reportedly makes references to "Compact Recreational Vehicle", other Honda references (including the official Honda Japan CR-V Fact Book [1] and Honda Worldwide [2]) cite "Comfortable Runabout Vehicle". It is available in both all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive, although in many markets such as the United Kingdom, only all-wheel drive is offered due to lack of demand for lower specification vehicles and higher consumer expectations.

Honda produces CR-Vs in the United Kingdom and Japan for worldwide markets, and as of 2007, North American CR-Vs are produced in East Liberty, Ohio. The CR-V is produced for the Chinese market by the Dongfeng Honda Automobile Company, a joint venture with Honda. Starting in fall 2007, North American CR-Vs will also be produced in Jalisco, Mexico in addition to the US, Japan, and Britain due to high demand. Honda executives considered making the CR-V as one of the first vehicles to be produced at Honda's new facility currently under construction in Greensburg, Indiana that will open in fall 2008; however, the facility will initially exclusively produce the Civic, which may free up space in East Liberty for CR-V production from the 2009 model year onward. Elsewhere, the CR-V is Honda's smallest SUV other than the related Element sold in the United States and Canada, and the HR-V sold in Europe. In size, the CR-V slots between the Element and Pilot.

PHOTO GALLERY :

SPECIFICATIONS
http://www.hondacarindia.com/crv/Technical%20Specifications/Technical.aspx

FEATURES
http://www.hondacarindia.com/CRV/Features/Features.aspx

COLOURS
http://www.hondacarindia.com/CRV/Colors/Default.aspx

Descriptions |

Honda Accord

11:42 PM Reporter: Bharath Mandava 0 Responses

Nothing Common - The new Accord looks completely different from the car it is replacing

The Honda Accord first came to India in 2001 and the latest offering from Honda; the eighth-generation Accord, will be the third-generation that Indian customers will see.
The car is expected to be priced Rs. 2 lakh more than the outgoing model. The new Accord comes loaded with more features than the older model, is larger than its predecessor and what’s more, it looks completely different from the model is replaces.

The Accord is an important car for Honda, which has been getting stressed over the Toyota Camry. However, the latest Honda might just change this scenario.
In India, the Honda will be locally assembled so the company can enjoy a price advantage that Toyota won’t have as the Camry is imported.
To make sure that the newest Honda passed every test of perfection, engineers at Honda’s R&D centre in Tochigi, Japan, have put in a lot of effort to come up with this all-new car.

In fact, this facility is the birth place of all Hondas so it wasn’t surprising that we weren’t even allowed to take a photographer with us.
Though Honda believes in staying ahead and keeps it models’ lifecycles short, lets see just how well-suited is the new Accord for India? As mentioned earlier, the new Accord shares nothing in common with its predecessor, at least in the looks department. The new Honda’s design is more edgy and chiselled.

The thick nose and larger dimensions that are on the new car lend it an air of maturity and the new Honda’s grille, sharply cut and raked headlights and the flared fenders with the wheels puffing out of them make the older car seem quite scrawny.
Additionally, wing-like rear lamps set into a wedge-like rear, finally make the Accord’s rear look good as well. We weren’t particularly crazy about the earlier car’s rear.

Redone interiors

The interiors of the new Accord have also been redone even though the older car’s interiors left very little to complain about. The new Accord’s multi-layered dashboard flows into the door-pads in one seamless sweep. The layout of the centre console is also different from the older car though it has the same V shape. In addition, as on the older model, the new car has several cubby holes as well, so storage isn’t a problem. Another convenient touch is the relocation of the door locks, which have moved from the rear edge of the front door, by the window, to inside the recess of the door handles. The best feature of the new Accord’s interiors though is the amount of space and the seats. As the wheelbase of this Honda is longer, it means more space for passengers. Five adults can easily fit into this car and enjoy the seats which have the most supreme levels of comfort to be found on a car seat. Not only are there masses of head and legroom but the seating position is superb.

A pair of new petrol engines will power the eighth-generation Accord; a 2.4-litre 4-cylinder and a 3.5-litre V6. Though the 2.4 is similar to the older Accord’s motor, adjustments have been made to it so that it now produces 177bhp, which is 35bhp more than before. This engine will use Honda’s proven i-VTEC technology. Honda’s four-cylinder motors are renowned for their smoothness and ability to rev but this motor was so smooth, I found it hard to believe this is a four-cylinder. And, if this is smooth the 268bhp V6 is velvet and, coupled with the thumping 22.3kgm of torque, the 3.5 Accord glides forward effortlessly.

And, there’s more good news; the new V6 comes with cylinder de-activation or Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), which means effective fuel consumption. Depending on the load, the engine can run on all six, four or even just three cylinders. The idea is to cut off the supply to those cylinders when they don’t need it. The tricky part here is to counter the vibrations when the engine switches to either of the fewer-cylinder modes.

Silent ride

Active engine mounts and an active noise control system come into play to make it as smooth as running on all six. The VCM system is so smooth; it’s hard to tell the number of cylinders you’re running on. Honda claims this is the first time such a system has been introduced in the Asian market. The Indian-made Accords should be in showrooms by mid-2008 and we can’t wait to test it on our roads.

Technical Data

Honda accord 2.4/3.5 V6

Price : Rs 18-20 lakh (est.)

Length : 4930mm

Width : 1847mm

Height : 1476mm

Wheelbase : 2799mm

Turn : circle dia 2799mm

Kerb weight : 1468/1633kg

Engine : 4-cyls, in-line, 2354cc/6-cyls in Vee, 3471cc

Installation : Front, transverse, front-wheel drive.

Power : 177bhp/268bhp

Torque : 22.3kgm/34.3kgm

Gearbox :5-speed auto

Front suspension : Double wishbones

Rear suspension : Multi-link setup

Fuel tank 70 litres

Brakes (F/R) Ventilated discs/discs

Tyre size 215/60 R16/225/50 R17

Boot 400 litres

PHOTO GALLERY :

SPECIFICATIONS
http://www.hondacarindia.com/Accord/Specification/specification.aspx

FEATRUES
http://www.hondacarindia.com/Accord/Features/features.aspx

COLOURS
http://www.hondacarindia.com/Accord/Colors/Default.aspx

Descriptions |

Honda Civic

11:25 PM Reporter: Bharath Mandava 0 Responses

It is priced at Rs. 10.75 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) :

Plans to produce 1,000 cars initially
To raise output later to match demand.
Features aluminium engine with 1.8 litre capacity

Honda has finally launched its most popular car model worldwide, the Civic, in India. The eighth generation model, which was introduced globally , has been customised and altered to suit Indian conditions.

This was disclosed here on Tuesday by Honda Motor Company President and CEO Takeo Fukui. He said the launch of the latest generation Civic in India reinforced his company's commitment to the Indian market. The entry-level model is priced at Rs. 10.75 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The Civic is expected to compete with the Toyota Corolla and the Mitsubishi Cedia.

Mr. Fukui told newspersons that the heart of the new generation Civic was the aluminium 1.8 litre engine that gave more fuel efficiency. The company planned to produce 1,000 units initially at the Greater Noida plant and raise output later to match demand.

The President of Honda Siel Cars India (HSCI), Masahiro Takedagawa, said the car would be manufactured with 68 per cent localisation and this would be increased to 80 per cent within the next two years. The company planned to sell 63,000 cars of all models in this financial year, as compared to 43,000 cars last year.

Two variants

The Civic comes in two variants with the manual transmission costing Rs. 10.75 lakh, while the automatic variant would be for Rs. 11.45 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The model is said to be targetted at trendsetters and includes features like ABS (anti-locking brake system) and EBD (electronic brake force distribution system) and dual SRS airbags. It has an aero-dynamic and sporty body, with the interiors affording spacious leg-room.
Mr. Takedagawa said the company was considering the possibility of consolidating its holdings in different ventures in India under a single company, Honda Motor India (Pvt) Ltd. Initially, he said this company could take care of logistics for spare parts. He also disclosed that the Indian partner in the car business, Shrirams, planned to increase its stake in HSCI to five per cent.

PHOTO GALLERY :

SPECIFICATIONS
http://www.hondacarindia.com/civic/technology/tech_specification.html

FEATURES
http://www.hondacarindia.com/civic/features/tech_features.html

Descriptions |

Honda City ZX

9:24 PM Reporter: Bharath Mandava 0 Responses

The 10th anniversary edition comes with more features :

Marking ten years of its presence in India, Japanese car manufacturer Honda launched new variants of its flagship sedan, City, with more features.

The 10th anniversary edition of the Honda City ZX is packed with many safety and luxury features including advanced braking system and airbags, besides leather interiors.
The four variants of City are priced between Rs. 6.80 lakh and Rs. 8.65 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Except for the top-end ‘V-TEC,’ the rest of the three variants would be costlier by Rs. 3,000 from the existing ones.

Speaking on the occasion, Honda Siel Cars India President and CEO Masahiro Takedagawa said: “We have had a highly successful ten years in India. Buoyed by the customer response, we are now preparing for the second phase of our growth and will be expanding our production and dealer capacities. As we augment our product portfolio, we will extend our presence into Tier II towns and cities.”

“In the new variants, our customers will get extended features at a small price.
“We have added various safety and luxury features on the Honda City as per customer’s feedback,” Mr. Takedagawa said.

Honda Siel Cars India’s state-of-the-art manufacturing unit was set up in 1997 at Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh and the plant has producted 2.42 lakh cars, including City, Civic and Accord.

PHOTO GALLERY :