Go Fida over the Figo! -UPDATED

IntroductionFord began its real innings in India just over a decade ago with its Ikon, which was launched in the last quarter of 1999. (We’re not counting the Escort here, which was a product of the JV between Ford and Mahindra in the mid-nineties.) The Ikon was one of the...

Feb 28, 2025

A Tall Order

First Drive It has been over ten years since Maruti launched the first of the tall boy’s in the Indian market and although the car has had an excellent run so far, it has become slightly long in the tooth. So in a couple of hours from now, Maruti will...

Feb 28, 2025

Style and Substance

Introduction The Mercedes-Benz E-Coupe made its official arrival on the Indian shores on the 8th of April, 2010. A few years ago, who would have thought that India would get a variety of coupes in 2010 – for the very simple fact that it’s an extremely niche market. First came...

Feb 28, 2025

Mahindra Xylo vs Tata Sumo Grande MK II

Overview Mahindra and Tata, both big names in the utility vehicle market, have two rather upmarket people movers in their lineup. We pit the recetly refreshed Sumo Grande Mk II against the Mahindra Xylo You are a middle class individual and your family consists of six people. You need a...

Feb 28, 2025

The owner's 'Manual'

The owner's 'Manual'The Skoda Superb was always available with the 1.8-litre turbo charged petrol engine with a useful 160bhp, but pushed out to the wheels through its seven-speed DSG transmission. Now, this Czech manufacturer has launched a six-speed manual transmission variant bolted on the same 1.8-litre engine. This is the...

Feb 28, 2025

Clean Conscience

Clean Conscience Since the Bharat-Stage IV norms were implemented across thirteen major Indian cities earlier this year in April 2010, all the auto makers had to tweak their engines to comply with the new emission standards. Most did this simply by altering their engine manifold and timing or by adding...

Feb 28, 2025

Green Peace

Green Peace The Prius is the second ‘real’ hybrid to make it to our shores after Honda’s Civic Hybrid. The Prius has also been possibly the one real success story in the world of Hybrids and has adorned many a Hollywood celebrity’s driveway. But just how good is it in...

Feb 28, 2025

That's all Volks?

That's all Volks? Volkswagen has been on a car-launch spree and this formidable German auto-giant has launched four new cars since December 2009, and has now updated its existing models – the Passat and the Jetta with new engines and some cosmetic changes. The Passat is now available only in...

Feb 28, 2025

Diesel Dilemma

Diesel Dilemma We've always been a fan of the VW Jetta diesel ever since the day we got behind the wheel of one. However we were really smitten when we spent a little more quality time with the car when it became part of our test vehicle fleet for a...

Feb 28, 2025

Devilish Delight

Devilish Delight Audi has been steadily launching all their models in India and are ensuring that the Indian consumer gets the very latest as soon as will allow. Okay, so one does tend to wait a couple of months for the cars to be shipped in from abroad, but then...

Feb 28, 2025

Slow and Steady...

Slow and Steady...Tata Motors have been advertising rather heavily for their ‘freshened’ up Indica Vista over the last few weeks and have been asking everyone to go and surprise themselves on their website in a fun interactive manner so people can understand what all has been changed or modified.  The...

Feb 28, 2025

For a few Grand(e) less

For a few Grand(e) less Fiat launched the Grande Punto in June last year with three engine variants— 1.2 and 1.4-litre petrol and the 1.3-litre multijet diesel engine. The 1.2-litre at that time was only being offered in a base version (which is basically the Active trim) and now with...

Feb 28, 2025

Chevrolet Beat vs Ford Figo vs Maruti Suzuki Ritz

OverviewLooking for a value-for-money (VFM)petrol hatchback? The choices don't get better than the three contenders here. We look for the new VFM champBetween the diesel versions of the Ford Figo and the Maruti Suzuki Ritz, the Ford makes for a better buy as we found out over a month back...

Feb 28, 2025

v/s Competition - Hatch-ing a Plot -VIDEO

Introduction The year 2010 has witnessed the launch of many new hatchbacks in India – the Chevrolet Beat, Ford Figo, Volkswagen Polo and the Fiat Grande Punto 1.2 (recently launched in new trim levels). All the four cars have a 1.2-litre petrol engine and come within the Rs 3.5 lakh...

Feb 28, 2025

Sweet Fifteen

Sweet Fifteen Fiat India had showcased the sumptuous looking Grande Punto Sport at the Auto Expo’10 held in Delhi earlier this year in January. The Grande Punto Sport on display had a 1.3-litre, 90bhp multijet engine; which is basically the Fiat Linea diesel engine with Variable Geometric Turbocharger, rather the...

Feb 28, 2025