Tata Motor new Vista D90 hatchback launched; price starts at 5.99 lakh

The car you see here is no ordinary Vista, it’s the sportiest hatchback in its segment which can play a role of your daily car as well. At least that’s what Tata wants us to believe its new Vista D90 is.

Although the Vista first hit our roads in 2008, it was never a benchmark in the premium hatchback segment. Cosmetic and mechanical updates too didn’t help its case much. Now Tata says, with the Vista D90 it has pushed the envelope to the next level by offering more power and better performance than its rivals. No, the Vista doesn’t get a V8 yet, instead makes do with the 89bhp 1.3 Quadrajet motor from its Manza sibling. Although both cars used the same basic engine, the sedan uses a variable geometry turbo while the hatchback so far had a fixed geometry turbo.

 
For the Vista, which is 100kg lighter than the Manza, Tata has re-tuned the engine, tweaked the suspension set-up and improved NVH levels. But when it comes to exteriors, nothing much has changed and the D90 looks identical to the ordinary Vistas. The new model only gets Quadrajet 90 and Vista D90 badges, and a slightly altered Tata logo on the front grille. However, in comparison the cabin gets bigger a change, which is a Manza-inspired dashboard. It means the instrument cluster now proudly sits right behind the steering wheel, exactly where it was supposed to be in the first place. This is only a D90-specific modification and the rest of the Vista variants will continue to sport the centre aligned dash.

Like the Manza, the centre console in the top-end ZX+ variant comes with a touch screen infotainment system with in-built sat-nav and Bluetooth connectivity. The D90 also gets a trip computer with a dedicated display, and fully automatic climate control. The lower-spec VX variant only gets a 2-din music system, manual AC, and misses out on sat-nav.

So how does the “new” engine in the Vista feel? Obviously different. The 89bhp, 200Nm 1248cc turbo-diesel engine feels better than the FGT-equipped motor, but it’s not mind-blowingly quick. The initial pick-up isn’t exhilarating, but once you get around 3000rpm in the second gear and beyond, the motor comes into its own. Tata has improved low-end driveability and the motor now offers a small spike in power at around 1800rpm and a greater boost in performance at 2500rpm, that’s when the turbo kicks in. The motor pulls smoothly till 4500rpm before limping to its 5000rpm redline where the needle turns red to indicate ‘stop being too optimistic’. The D90 is coupled to a 5-speed gearbox, a unit that feels good to use, and comes with a light and progressive clutch that helps while driving in the city.

Although the oversized steering feels on the lighter side, it offers enough feedback for you to throw the Vista around corners at speeds. But don’t get too carried away. The carmaker has worked towards making the Vista feel sportier and a stiffer suspension setup echoes that. The Vista now handles better than before and the body roll is less. However, the sportier setup has compromised the ride comfort to some extent and you do feel the bumps on broken surfaces. The D90’s brakes have enough bite in them and the VX+ also gets an additional aid in the form of ABS.

Tata claims a combined fuel efficiency figure of 21.1kpl (ARAI tested), which is only 1.3kpl down on the 75HP motor. Impressive!

From the onset, the Vista was a good product and offered great value for its money. Now the D90 offers more power and better dynamics, but it still isn’t your 0-60kph car. What you will like it for is space, comfort, value-for-money and now improved dynamics. And if you wondered, it costs Rs 5.99 lakh for the VX variant, and Rs 6.83 lakh for the fully-loaded ZX+ version (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi).

The numbers
1248cc 4cyls turbo-diesel, 89bhp, 200Nm, 5M, 21.1kpl (claimed)

The cost
Rs 5.99 lakh (VX), Rs 6.83 Lakh (ZX+) (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Tata's Planning For Hike

Tata Motors ups SUV prices by up to Rs 11,000

Tata Motors has announced that it has reduced the prices of its hatchbacks and sedans by Rs 29,000-50,000, while the automaker has increased the prices of its sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) by up to Rs. 11,000.

The cut in prices of its vehicles – Indica and Manza – is an effort by the automaker to attract the customers and overcome the decline in sales in recent months.

The hike in SUV prices comes in the wake of the rise in excise duty in the Budget presented by Indian finance minister P Chidambaram.

 

 

VolksWagen Tguan coming to India

Over View
If you are looking for a performance oriented compact SUV which is reasonable good on gas and that would confidently venture off-road then the Volkswagen Tiguan is a deserving candidate. It is known to perform particularly well on highways from merit of its soft suspensions and torque steering experience. Overall it offers a smooth right, competent handling and excellent size for parking and moving in tight spaces. It will also feature a 3D viewing angle from its high-tech navigation system that you will find on the dashboard.

The VW Tiguan stands out with its sportiness with all the features of a standard comfortable SUV. It will sport fully automatic sun roof at your option. It will feature a sophisticated off-road all-wheel drive experience. It is supported with 16 to 18 inch alloy wheels for impressive road grip. Standard powered and heated side-view mirrors will also add to a good long-drive experience. The interior fit and finish is first rate and the quality exhibits well when you notice that every switch and button comes with a backlit light. Higher models will offer richer quality fabrics for seats and dashboard. Rear passengers get adjustable seats as well with headrests. The cargo area may not be the largest in its class, there is plenty of space for groceries and out-door gear. The rear seats will also flip down to create more space for cargo. Other visible features include fog-lights, 12 way adjustable seats, xenon headlamps, dual zone automatic air-conditioning, backup camera, SRS airbags, choice of manual and automatic shift mode and electronic stability and traction control among many other features.

VEHICLE SUMMARY
Name:    Tiguan
Model:    Diesel
Car Body Type:    SUV
Segment:    D+ Segment
Warranty:    NA

ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS
Displacement:    2000cc, 4 cyl
Engine Type:    Diesel
Maximum Power:    170 Bhp
Maximum Torque:    356 Nm

DIMENSIONS
Length:    4427 mm
Width:    1809 mm
Height:    1686 mm


Expected Price
Rs. 23,00,000
* Delhi. May vary.

JEEP CHEROKEE COMING SOON...

Jeep is an impressive SUV brand from an American multinational car market called, Chrysler Group. Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT is a world known SUV, which has been creating waves in the internal car markets since the time it has been launched. This SUV is also expected to hit the Indian car market very soon. However, the firm refused to give any exact launch date, but rumor has it that the SUV will come to the country anytime soon now. Looking at the huge demand for the diesel vehicles in the country, it would be the right move for the company to launch Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT in India. Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT is a five-seater SUV that promises a very smooth and bump-free ride even on the rugged terrains. The roomy interiors are well-equipped with numerous advanced gadgets. The superior suspension system and higher ground clearance further make the SUV a superb vehicle for any kind of road condition. The price of the car is expected to be around Rs. 40 lakh.

 Jeep has a legacy behind it and each and every vehicle produced by the company so far has done a good business and has been appreciated by the consumers world over. Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT is likely to be blessed with a powerful and sturdy 3.0 litre of diesel engine. This 2987cc of engine will deliver great power and torque and could be coupled with automatic transmission. This combination of 3.0 litre of engine with the automatic gearbox will give deliver a great performance on road and off road. Rolling out Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT with the diesel engine option in the India would certainly be a good move for the firm. The diesel car demand in the country is growing with a rapid rate as the petrol prices are going up with a supersonic speed. 2014 is the expected launch year for Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT. Hopefully, the firm will do an official announcement of the car launch in next couple of months.

DC Designed HM Ambassador

AUDI-S4 REVIEW

"The Audi S4 combines brutal power with superb ride and handling."

High performance luxury sedans are still limited in our country. The German threesome produce an array of products for enthusiasts. On one side you have the BMW M3, Audi RS5 and the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, but these are more suited for track driving and their daily usability is rather limited. On the other hand the entry level sedans like the Audi A4, BMW 328i, Mercedes-Benz C-Class don’t have enough juice to satisfy those with an appetite for adrenaline. Well, Audi has something up its sleeve for just this type of crowd, the new Audi S4. Strikingly similar to the Audi A4, it has taken more than steroids to set the S4 apart for its sibling with the real deal lying under the hood of this sports machine. The S4 was first launched in 1991 and was a high performance version of the Audi 100 sedan. 1997 onwards the Audi S4 was based on the Audi A4 and has evolved together since then. We get behind the wheel of the Audi S4 and find out if it is really an enthusiast’s delight!

Exteriors – Similar to other S models in the Audi line-up, the S4 features subtle exterior changes over the A4 sedan but the ardent eye is unlikely to confuse between the two. The front grille and the rear gets S4 signage with V6T boldly featured above both the front wheel arches. The external rear view mirrors get a classy aluminium finish and the S4 also gets a sportier alloy wheel design with meatier low profile tyres and bigger brakes. The most obvious difference is noticed from the rear profile with the quad exhaust pipes hinting that this vehicle loves to keep the engine on the boil.

Interiors – Step inside and the dimensions are in sync with the Audi A4 sedan. Whats different is the 3-spoke steering wheel which feels fantastic to hold and is a tad smaller too. The grey dials look classy and the aluminium inserts on the doors and dashboard set up the mood for a thrilling driving experience. The black seats have undergone a sporty transformation and are extremely comfortable.

The engine note ensures you take the S4 seriously with a 0 – 100 km/hr run coming in a mere 5.5 seconds. Top speed is limited to 250 km/hr. Audi Drive Select gives you various options such as efficiency, comfort, auto, individual and dynamic. For any reason, if your preferred choice is efficency, it’s best you stay away from this Audi, for one simple reason, this car is meant to be driven hard. Inspite of redline driving, we returned with an impressive fuel efficiency of 6.5 km/l.

Asianet auto expo 2013

  Asianet Satellite Communications Limited was conducted the largest automotive show in South India, Asianet Auto Expo 2013, at January 4, 5 & 6 ... in Kochi

  Asianet Auto Expo was mainly invited more than 50,000 visitors who are young and highly qualified employees in Technopark & Infopark, Lakhs of Asianet Cable TV, Digital TV and Broadband subscribers, Automotive entrepreneurs and more.

 The event Asianet Auto Expo was invited exhibitors of showcase products related with Automobiles like Cars, SUVs, MUVs, CVs, Two Wheelers, Three Wheeler Pickups, Electric Vehicles, Special Vehicles and automotive components such as Auto Components, Alternate Fuel Products, Audio Accessories, Auto Electrical, Design Engineering, IT for Auto Sector, Garage Equipments, Hand & Mechanical Tools, Oils and Lubricants, Safety Equipments, Testing and Pollution Control Equipments, Transmissio & Drive Line and Tyres & Tubes.