Iconic Italian scooter brand Vespa relaunched in India

The 'Vespa' name isn't new to India. With a partnership with Bajaj first and then with LML, Vespa is a household name in India with a lot of fond memories associated with it. Now, after more than a decade since it left India, Vespa is trying to recreate the old magic. Piaggio Vehicles Pvt. Ltd., the wholly owned subsidiary of Piaggio Group of Italy has launched the Vespa LX125 recently to compete with other automatic scooters like Honda Activa, Aviator and TVS Wego. As the suffix suggests, the LX125 is powered by an all-new single cylinder, 125cc, 4-stroke engine that was specifically developed for the Indian market. This 3-valve, air-cooled engine that comes with a Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT), produces a maximum power of 9.92 bhp @ 7500 rpm and a maximum torque of 10.6 Nm at 6000 rpm.

But, just look at it and the Vespa makes you forget all the statistics and specifications. Who needs power and speed when there is so much style and substance on offer? The classic, timeless design of the original Vespa that vowed people across the world many decades back continues to do the same, thanks to the LX125 following a sincerely retro theme. Starting with the round headlamp up front to the stubby rear, everything on the Vespa LX125 shouts 'retro'. Thankfully, the design stays true and pays tribute to the original Vespa of yore. The vintage 'Vespa' fonts and badges all around and the overdose of chrome will ensure that you get envious stares wherever you go. While Piaggio has got the Vespa's design spot-on, the same can't be said about its standard features.

The absence of disc brake and telescopic suspension at the front is a blunder, given that every other worthy competitor offers them as standard. With production only recently flagged off at a spanking new manufacturing facility at Baramati in Maharashtra, the build quality and reliability of the Indian Vespas are still suspects. Though the classy styling may make you forget all these, the price wouldn't let you do that. At INR 66,661 ex-showroom Maharashtra, the Vespa LX125 will prick and hurt you where it matters the most. Scooters like Honda Activa and TVS Wego offer much more for much less money and the Vespa might have a tough time convincing buyers once the initial hype around its fantastic design subsides. Now, that's really bad, as we wish to see more of these 66 year-old Italian beauties roaming our roads.

Maruti 800 all set to become history by end April, 2012

"And it is my desire that this motor car will serve the ordinary people of India and they will have no complaint about it. I hope it will contribute in every aspect of the nation building", said the late Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi at the launch of Maruti 800 on December 14, 1983. The launch of the car marked the fulfillment of her late son's dream of a "people's car" for India. Suzuki came into the picture after Maruti's earlier attempts of forging a partnership with Volkswagen and Daihatsu for making an affordable car for the Indian masses failed. Looking back at it, we are pretty sure Volkswagen and Toyota (parent of Daihatsu) would be regretting that decision now. That is because the production run of the car that was born as a result of that partnership, the 800, is going to come to an end by the end of this month.

Yes, April 2012 will go on record as the car that revolutionized the Indian automotive industry finally retires after a 29-year long production run. In an industry where a 5 year old product is seen as outdated, that's quite an achievement. When it was launched, the only other cars in India were the Hindustan Ambassador and Premier Padmini, that were not only expensive and long in the tooth but also came with huge waiting lists. The 800 came and massacred those two relegating them to history slowly but steadily. We strongly believe that the ascent of the Maruti 800 sort of fueled the descent of the Ambassador and Padmini. Since the very first year of its launch, Maruti 800 has been the best selling car in India, a title that it held until 2004 when its own sibling, the Alto took over the top spot after Maruti slashed prices massively.

With over 2.7 million families having spent their hard-earned money to own one, we know that it is going to be one emotional farewell to the 800 from each one of them. For its price, the 800 was as complete a car as it can get. Compared to the competition, it was quick, luxurious, contemporary, nimble, reliable and the best of all cheap. It is those qualities that has endeared the 800 to its owners till date. Most of the men and women who grew up in 80's and 90's would have, by default, learnt driving in this car. Stop someone by the roadside and they will definitely have a story to share with the iconic 800. It really was the car that put India on wheels and something that we can call our own like what Fiat 500 is to Italy and Volkswagen Beetle is to Germany. The 800 is a legend, for sure!

As a tribute to the iconic little car, we drove a 1984 Maruti 800 earlier this year, one of the initial lot that came with imported components. And we have to admit that it was massive fun piloting the car around. Read about that drive experience here. And, last but not the least, just like thousands of fellow Indians out there, I also learnt driving in a Maruti 800, the one in the picture to the right.  I can't really wind this post up without saying that, can I?

Altius Scimitar 670 Diesel Motorcycle spotted in Chennai

Altius Automotive Technologies, a new company spearheaded by Mr. B.V.R.Subbu, the former President of Hyundai Motor India Ltd. made it to headlines last year announcing plans to launch a muti-fuel motorcycle that also runs on diesel, in the Indian market in collaboration with Hayes Diversified Technologies (HDT) of USA. After the initial splash however, nothing really materialized and the 2012 Auto Expo, where Altius was expected to showcase the Scimitar 670 to the public, also came and went by without any news. Enthusiasts across the country were disappointed as the Scimitar 670, with its on/off-road capabilities and ability to run on diesel, promised so much fun and frugality on our roads. Powered by a 670cc indirect-injection diesel engine with a maximum power output of 33 bhp and a maximum torque of 53 Nm, the Scimitar 670 has the potential to become the best tourer bike in our country.

When we received these images taken at a Honda car dealership in Chennai, we first couldn't figure out what it was. Internet provided the answers and helped us identify that it was indeed the Altius Scimitar 670, which obviously had us elated. Is Altius suddenly springing into life and the Scimitar is back on track for launch in 2012? Sadly, that doesn't seem to be the case and even the company's website is showing no signs of life. Meanwhile, browsing through Altius' website revealed that one of the promoters of KUN Auto Group is also a partner in the company. With this said dealership being a part of KUN network, we see the reason for the Scimitar 670 resting in their premises. Whatever it is, will we get to lay our hands on the strong, sturdy, powerful and frugal Scimitar 670 that looks like it can tackle anything that our roads can throw at? Only Altius knows the answer and, by the looks of it at the moment, we think it is 'No'.

Altius, please surprise us by proving us wrong.

Lamborghini's next model could be an SUV called Urus

These days, if an automotive manufacturer has to be profitable, they need to have a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) in their line-up. Its as simple as that. Manufacturers started realizing this trend a decade and a half back and there has been no looking back ever since. So much so that even Porsche, known for world's best handling sports cars until then, was forced to branch out into the SUV segment for survival. Much to the disappointment of its die-hard fans, the Cayenne was introduced in the year 2001. That it is Porsche's largest selling and most profitable model line now is an entirely different thing. The next model of Bentley, a brand known for some of the finest high-end luxury cars, is an SUV too and the EXP 9F Concept unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show previews it.

But, why Lamborghini? Yes, you read that right. Lamborghini is most likely going to make and sell an SUV and it is going to be called Urus if the reports circulating in the media are to be believed. With drop-dead gorgeous sports-cars like the Gallardo and Aventador in its portfolio, we least expected this Italian sports-car maker to jump into the SUV fray. But, it has and here are the first images leaked on to the internet. To describe its styling in a nutshell, the Urus incorporates all the trademark muscle that Lamborghinis are famous for, in a taller and wider profile. With its sharply-cut headlamps, massive wheels, raked-up and diminishing glasshouse in the profile and quad exhausts, the Urus looks the part. Die-hard fans of Lambo though might be disappointed with their iconic brand diluting its image with an SUV.

With Porsche, Bentley, Lamborghini and even Audi coming under the ownership of Volkswagen, the Touareg's platform and underpinnings would obviously be shared by Cayenne, EXP 9 F-based SUV, Urus and the Q7, resulting in massive cost saving and unprecedented economies of scale. The investment and development cost spent on a single platform would spring so many profitable models under different brands, which makes perfect business case for the already cash-rich German giant. Just like it happened to Cayenne, every existing Lamborghini owner could lap up the Urus as their present Italian Bulls can't take them anywhere apart from expressways and autobahns. What more? It could even bring in potential new customers to the brand. Talk about changing times.

Maruti-Suzuki launches Ertiga MPV priced between 5.89 to 8.54 Lacs

Forget its weird name, forgive its conservative looks and pardon the interiors that have been lifted straight out of the Swift. As Maruti-Suzuki pulled the wraps off the Ertiga yesterday, not many would have realized that this is yet another giant step taken by the company towards stamping its authority in the Indian market. As much as the company dominates the hatchback and entry midsize segments, it has not tasted success in premium segments and Multi Utility Vehicles (MPV). Especially in the latter, competition came and went but the Toyota Innova literally blew them away. All that could change with the Ertiga, Maruti-Suzuki's first proper MPV which the company strangely calls a Life Utility Vehicle (LUV).

As usual, Maruti has played the pricing game pretty well with the Ertiga too. The petrol variants starts from 5.89 Lacs and goes up to 7.30 Lacs while the diesel variants are priced between 7.30 Lacs and 8.54 Lacs, all prices being ex-showroom Delhi. That puts the Ertiga just below the Mahindra Xylo in terms of positioning and the top-end Ertiga is a whooping 5 to 6 Lacs cheaper than the top-end Innova. Maruti-Suzuki would be hoping that the looks, space and features of a MPV at the price and footprint of a midsize sedan would make the Ertiga a big success. And it has every reason to believe so. The Ertiga is just about bigger than a premium hatchback which makes it immensely practical inside the city. That's not all. It can also seat 7 if necessary, or can pack in the entire family's luggage on a vacation.

Though the Ertiga isn't revolutionary in terms of design, it doesn't offend too. The family resemblance to the Ritz and Swift is clearly evident when viewed head-on while the profile makes it look like an elongated Honda Jazz. The interiors are lifted straight out of the all-new Swift and are adequately equipped with good quality, fit and finish. What is particularly commendable is the presence of ABS in all but the base petrol variant. Apart from the regular 1.3 liter Multijet diesel engine that produces 90 PS pf maximum power at 4000 rpm, the Ertiga also has an all-new K14B petrol engine with a maximum power output of 95 PS at 6000 rpm. This is third in the series of Maruti's highly-acclaimed K-Series engines after the K10B and K12M.

With its conservative looks, adequate space, feature-loaded interiors and compact dimensions, the Ertiga is a sure-shot best-seller and, just like most other Maruti-Suzuki models, we foresee a waiting list to own one very soon. There's no stopping the Maruti juggernaut!