The oldest bikes manufacturer of the world, Harley Davidson plans to launch bikes in India soon. American brand Harley Davidson bikes will be launched in early 2010 at price tag around 7 - 10 lakh rs.

As per the speculations that Harley Davidson was already got permission in 2007 to launch Harley Davidson bikes in India but company try to reduce import duty on Harley Davidson bikes which can help customers to buy cheaper Harley Davidson bikes with low import duties.

Harley Davidson Motor Company president and COO Matt Levatich told ET: "The high tax burden is a disadvantage to our products, but we are looking at the vast opportunity in the world’s second-largest two wheeler market. Gradually, we expect the niche bike segment to grow with infrastructure improvement and a buoyant economy."

India has biggest market of bikes buying & selling. In this automobile environment Harley Davidson will surely get fitted with good range of bikes. We all know that bike lovers will surely accept Harley Davidson as a big brand in India too.

Harley Davidson will have to face tough competition with Honda, Suzuki & Yamaha with their sports bikes. Harley Davidson has good line-up models to introduce in India. Indian people will surely get some good bikes from Harley Davidson.

- Maruti Suzuki launches Estilo with K-series engine and bold new design
- BSIV compliant, more fuel efficient and a new transmission

Maruti Suzuki India Limited, country's leading car maker, launched the Estilo with all-new overall looks and advanced technological features at a glittering ceremony here today.

The Estilo represents Maruti Suzuki matching pace with the changing taste and lifestyle of 'Vibrant India'. The bolder new Estilo, designed to meet the aspirations of the Indian customer, is a heady-mix of sculpted features, bold designs, new exciting colours.

Leading the advanced technological features on the new Estilo are a new engine and a transmission system. Equipped with the popular 998cc K-series engine, the Estilo delivers a superior fuel efficiency of 18.2 kmpl (ARAI test results). This BSIV compliant engine makes the Estilo the second car in Maruti Suzuki stable that meets the BSIV norms much ahead of the effective date, April 2010.

The new Estilo comes with new efficient transmission technology and advanced 'Detent pin' gear shift mechanism for smooth and precise gear shift feeling for the customers.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Shinzo Nakanishi, Managing Director and CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited said, "The new Estilo, with a new technology engine and a new transmission, is sure to delight the customer. We are confident that the new Estilo with its bolder new design and interiors will add to the competitive edge of Maruti Suzuki in compact car segment."

On the refreshed Estilo, that packages contemporary features and style with next generation technology, he added, "Product upgradation is an integral part of Maruti Suzuki's business strategy and future plans. This is a way to include feedback from the customers and offer better products that match their tastes."

The compact hatchback new Estilo is a part of the growing A2 compact segment where Maruti Suzuki is the established market leader with a market share of 58 per cent.

Superior technology Engine:
The Maruti Suzuki new Estilo houses the K-series 'K10B' engine under the hood. The 998cc three-cylinder engine delivers a power of 68 PS@ 6200rpm and a higher torque of 90Nm @ 3500rpm. The improved engine technology enables more power, low NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) and the lighter weight of the engine helps to increase the fuel efficiency with lower emissions. The new Estilo comes with ARAI certified fuel efficiency of 18.2 kmpl.

Technical highlights of the K10B engine include DOHC (Double Overhead Cam shaft) with offset crank shaft, resulting in better volumetric efficiency, improved power and FE, high compression ratio, plastic intake manifolds for reducing weight and suction losses, Smart Distributor-less ignition (SDLi) system with dedicated plug top coils and advanced injector for superior atomization. The engine oil in the new technology K10B engine is required to be changed only after 10,000 km thus lowering the running cost.

Environment Friendly:
The new Estilo is the second model from the Maruti Suzuki stable which is BSIV compliant, thanks to the K series engine. The Estilo is also ELV compliant and 89% of the parts are environment friendly meeting ELV norms. Further, to take on the forthcoming norms of 10% Ethanol blending of petrol, the new Estilo is also E-10 compliant. Maruti Suzuki is bringing these environment-friendly features to its range of cars much ahead of the industry adopting these norms.

Superior Transmission:
A new transmission technology and a number of innovations make the new Estilo a combination of power and pleasure.

The new Estilo comes with a new Cable-type transmission technology. The five-speed manual gear with synchromesh is now changed to Cable type as against Rod-type, mechanical transmission earlier. This new transmission reduces the gear shifting effort in the new Estilo, by reducing mechanical losses.

The new Estilo has been fitted with an advanced 'detent pin' gear shift and select mechanism. This mechanism eliminates the sliding friction (or line contact) between parts and provides rolling friction (or point contact). This technology, in turn, facilitates smoother transition of gears, and is a first among all Maruti Suzuki products.

These engineering changes, based on customer feedback, provide gear shift assistance for the driver (the gear smoothly goes into its position with minimal effort of the driver). The mechanism reduces the friction and hysteresis losses, thereby proving smooth and precise shifting of gears. It also removes the feeling of stickiness during gear shift process.

Safety, Security & Comfort:
The new Estilo is high on safety, security and comfort.

Improved occupant safety in the form of increase in the frontal impact absorbing area, as the distance between steering wheel and front bumper is increased.

The VXi variant comes equipped with front and rear fog lamps, rear wiper and washer. Safety features like Airbag (driver side) and ABS are provided as option in the VXi variant.

In terms of vehicle security the VXi variant comes with i-CATS integrated keys, five-door central locking and anti-theft alarm.

Rear parcel shelf adds to the passenger convenience and comfort in the VXi variant. Based on customer feedback, the suspension of the new Estilo has been fine tuned to provide improved ride and handling.

Compact and Convenient:
The new Estilo has got a minimum ground clearance of 165 mm and wheelbase of 2360 mm. The tight turning radius of 4.6 meters makes the Estilo a favored car in tight parking and driving conditions.

Vibrant design, styling and looks:
In its refreshed avatar, the new Estilo flaunts expressive, bold frontline looks owing to new swept-back headlamps, dynamic front and rear bumpers, sculpted fog lamp surrounds and a new hood design with crease lines. The rich chrome detailing in the grille and the stylish wheel covers add to the premium feel and the overall appeal of the vehicle. The side door mouldings and ORVM's have been given a new design to add to the bold looks.

The interiors of the new Estilo have been done up in a posh-looking two-tone beige/chocolate brown complimentary combination, which adds to the refreshing feel inside the vehicle. The seat-covers, embossed with new organically designed geometric patterns heighten the posh looks of the car's interiors.

The dash-board is in a dual tone chocolate brown and beige combination with new attractive and bright silver accent prominently on the center console, instruments cluster, steering wheel, AC louvers and gear knob. The instrument panel has an all new design speedometer, digital fuel level indicator and multi-function display.

Vivacious New Colours of New Zen Estilo:
The new Estilo is available in three exciting variants: LX, LXi and VXi in four brand new colours:

New Zen Estilo: Ecru Beige, Emerald Blue, Dusky Brown, Quantum Orange
Existing Zen Estilo: Silky Silver, Superior White, Bright Red, Midnight Black

New Car Price: Introductory Prices of New Maruti Suzuki Zen Estilo in NEW DELHI are:

Model City Ex-Showroom (Rs)
Zen Estilo Lx New Delhi 3.12 lacs
Zen Estilo LXi New Delhi 3.40 lacs
Zen Estilo VXi New Delhi 3.66 lacs

Source: Maruti Suzuki India Limited

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd. launched its new Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) Toyota Fortuner in Delhi.

New Toyota Fortuner SUV Car priced at Rs 18.45 Lakh ex-showroom in Delhi. Toyota Fortuner will be available in diesel variant in India.

Akira Okabe, senior managing director of Toyota Motor Corp, told reporters during the launch that Fortuner has sold 250,000 units in more than 60 countries since its launch in 2005. The SUV, he said, would be assembled at its plant in Bidadi near Bangalore.


Source: IANS

Myung Jin Jung a student at hongik university designed 'honda zeppelin', a luxurious futuristic car as his final year thesis. tha car's form was based on that of an airship.

The 2030 honda's luxury sports sedan, zeppelin concept, was designed with a design direction of 'high-tech dynamic', by applying design elements of aerodynamic form. the car features an asymmetric styling line running from the hood to the rear. a slit like windscreen is attached to a video display to allow the driver a greater field-of-vision.

There is no dashboard in zeppelin. all the necessary information and other elements needed for driving is displayed on the inter panel of the car, and everything is controlled with only the minimum physical movement due to the use of voice recognition technology. the seat position can be changed freely. the front row seat can rotate 360 degrees and so when the car is not moving, the front row seat and the back row seat can face each other. this makes it possible for a brief meeting, enjoying tea and even working in the car.

Content Source: designboom.com

New Ford Ikon iKool Car Launched in IndiaA new Ford Ikon iKool variant has been announced by Ford India which claims to be a feature - rich blend of advanced hi-tech features, sophisticated design and unmatched drive performance that customers would love to flaunt. Starting 12th August the Ford Ikon iKool will be available at all Ford dealerships across India at a price point of Rs. 4.82 lakh for petrol and Rs. 5.42 lakh for diesel version (ex-showroom New Delhi).

The Ford Ikon iKool comes loaded, the exterior features new Ford Ikon iKool badging, chrome deck lid appliqué, Black BSPM and spoiler that define the exterior with crisp, sculpted lines and a confident stance for an overall stylish look.

"The Ikon iKool is a fun to drive yet economical car. Its new feature rich persona along with legendary driving characteristics will appeal to the upwardly mobile and ambitious customers who want their car to complement their active lifestyles." said Nigel Wark, executive director, marketing, sales and service, Ford India.

The highlight of the interior is the iPod compatible Mp3 audio system which, along with the remote keyless entry anti-theft system and matching seat covers enhances the comfort and safety.

It has also be reported that for the first time since its decade-old presence, Ford India has begun exporting its cars in huge volumes from Chennai. Although it has shipped out only 158 units to Durban, the Indian arm of the Detroit-based automaker is drawing up plans to export more models in the future, including its upcoming small car. It is highly likely that the company will be exporting its models to various Asia-Pacific nations and Africa by next year.

Source: wheelsunplugged.com