Friday 14 September 2012

Conquest launches Evade SUV in India

The Evade SUV is available with petrol and diesel powertrain options and a 4x4 system. Prices start from Rs. 8.5 Crores including duties. View the slideshow for more details.

Toronto-based Conquest Vehicles Inc has launched EVADE, the company’s first unarmored SUV in India.
Evade

The Evade SUV is available with petrol and diesel powertrain options and a 4x4 system. Prices start from Rs. 8.5 Crores including duties.
Evade

The new body style, design and aesthetic of Evade includes new headlights and taillights sleekly wrapping around the sides of the vehicle, narrower fender flares, a redesigned grille, hood scoop, the addition of a third tandem sunroof and a wider backdoor to accommodate Evade’s wider body frame to allow for exit/entry of executive security though the rear of the vehicle.
Evade

The rear bumper now features an integrated step to simplify this access. Evade will be built on a Ford F550 Super Duty Chassis and its massive unarmored skin will be made from an aluminum-mild steel blend, making it significantly lighter then the Knight XV.
Evade

Conquest Vehicles mandate of `hand crafted’ once again is populated throughout Evade whereby elements including the vehicle’s steering wheel, proprietary hinges, running boards and even the key itself are machined out of solid stainless steel. The vehicles’ handles are machined out of a solid block of aluminum.
Evade

Evade’s luxurious interior cabin space will provide over 400 cubic feet and will carefully blend military inspired design cues with elegant and rich finishes.
Evade

Evade will house a new ergonomically designed cockpit and cabin and the entire vehicle will offer both driver and passengers touch screen technology.
Evade

We wanted Evade to set a new standard for our company in terms of pushing the boundaries from engineering to design to incorporating new user experiences without compromising the integrity of some of the key highlight design features offered by our armored Knight XV. The result speaks for itself in terms of the final product and we couldn't be happier,” said William Maizlin, President, Conquest Vehicles.
Evade

Similar to the Knight XV, EVADE is offered in newly designed ergonomic 2+2 limousine-style seating. Also available are 2 electronic executive style reclining seats with the option of either a driver partition or retractable flat screen television.
Evade

The interior will also offer lap top trays, a third sunroof and more cabin space. In addition, some of the vehicle’s exterior design cues, layers and angles will be seamlessly incorporated into the interior of the vehicle’s cabin design without losing the feel of being in a luxury SUV.
Evade

Evade will also offer as standard features including front and rear commercial grade air ride suspension, power windows, and 360-degree roof mounted, joystick controlled searchlights.
Evade

The vehicle is offered in 4x4, and is available with either a gasoline or diesel engine. Evade will also come equipped with FLIR night vision camera systems in the front and rear of the vehicle.
Evade

Thursday 13 September 2012

Meet the world's smallest production car

At a mere 54 inches long and just 41 inches wide, the legendary Peel P50 currently holds the record for the smallest automobile to go into production.
p50

It has no reverse gear thus proving difficult to maneuver in tight situations.
p50

Having only one headlight, door and powered by a diminutive powerplant, its design stands as a symbol of automotive minimalism.
p50

Originally manufactured in the 1960s on the Isle of Man, the Peel P50 was the Brainchild of serial inventor and Peel Engineering Company’s owner Cyril Cannell.
p50

He envisioned an ultra compact, exceptionally small commuter car capable travelling at 40 mph while comfortably seating one adult carrying a briefcase.
p50

Production ceased in 1964 with only fifty Peel P50s ever being produced. In 2010, production of a replica version was started by a newly formed company, called Peel Engineering Ltd based in England.
p50

Externally this car was very similar to the original but with many major mechanical differences in the suspension, steering and drivetrain.
p50

Every Peel P50 is hand built in Great Britain. Each one individually constructed to their owner’s personal requirements just as they did it back in the 1960s.
p50

Peel P50 has a rack and pinion steering, an automatic gearbox, fully independent suspension, all wheel braking, and perfect 50/50 weight distribution.
p50

They come equipped as standard with an electric windscreen wiper, windscreen washer and a leather seat.
p50

P50 is powered by a small single cylinder 49cc 2 stroke engine that produces 4.2bhp @ 6,600rpm.
p50

The speed is usually restricted from the factory at 45 km/h (28 mph) by a computerized system, but can be increased at the buyer's request.
p50

p50

p50

p50

p50

p50

p50

p50

p50

p50

Wednesday 12 September 2012

It’s raining MPVs in India

Seven-seater people movers seem to be the need of the hour. Here are a few of them that will be heading your way soon

HONDA FREED - Though the Honda Freed is currently being sold in other Asian markets like Malaysia under the same name by the Japanese car giant, there’s no denying the fact that it is much awaited in the Indian market. Based on the Jazz platform, the Freed will surely bring along the smart exterior and interior design that the brand is known for, but might do away with sliding doors and may come with regular hinged ones. As their entire portfolio does, this one will also come with enormous cabin space
MPV

Talking of the engine, along with the City’s 1.5-litre iVTEC in a tuned state, the Freed may also come with the option of a diesel mill that the company is reportedly working on.

MPV
Expected to be launched by 2014, the Freed is most likely to be priced between Rs 7 and 8 lakh.

It’s raining MPVs in India
NISSAN EVALIA - Another upcoming MPV showcased at the Auto Expo in the capital this year and soon to come into production is the Nissan Evalia. Previously called the NV200, the Evalia is a rather simple looking people-mover, with a tall, upright stance, short bonnet area and sliding doors.

MPV
Built on the company’s B-platform, the car would be a little over four metres in length and with a wheelbase about 95 mm longer than the company’s SUV, the X-trail. The Evalia will be powered by a 1.5-litre dCi turbo diesel engine, the same mill that runs under the hood of the Sunny.

It’s raining MPVs in India
HYUNDAI HEXASPACE - Showcased at the Auto Expo 2012 in New Delhi this year as a concept, the Hexa Space might soon come into production. Bearing the Korean car-maker’s latest scheme with most latest launches, the ‘fluidic’ design, the Hexa Space is surely the best looking MPV of the lot, with its pulled-back LEDs and pillar-less rear.

MPV
Expected to come with a 1.2-litre turbocharged Kappa petrol engine mated with a six-speed automatic gearbox.

MPV
Hexa Space, if it turns out to be as good as the concept, will surely take the game a level higher for its competition.

It’s raining MPVs in India
CHEVROLET ENJOY - After a sudden shower of hatches in the Indian four-wheeler market, the trend seems to veer towards MPVs, with many major car-makers readying their products for a grand début. One such new-comer that has been seen doing rounds under camouflage in a number of cities is the Chevrolet Enjoy.

MPV
Actually a Chevrolet-budged Wuling CN -100, a part of GM-SAIC ’s Chinese portfolio, the Enjoy is due to come with the options of a 1.4-litre petrol engine or a 1.3-litre diesel mill (Multijet).

MPV
It promises to be more spacious than the recently launched Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, which, if true, would be a big bonus for the car.

It’s raining MPVs in India
MINI XYLO - As the name suggests, a compact version of the company’s popular MPV, the mini Xylo will get shrunk to fit into the sub four-metre segment. Using the excise benefit that the company would get for the compact size, this rugged MPV is expected to be priced very competitively from Rs 7 lakh onwards.

MPV
This Mahindra offering will be a five-seater people-mover, which will come equipped with a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder CRDi engine. The company was hopeful of cashing in on the mini Xylo by starting a new segment, but the party was spoilt by Maruti Suzuki’s Ertiga, which is similar in size and price.

It’s raining MPVs in India


MPV


Tuesday 11 September 2012

Pictorial review: Piaggio Vespa 125

The Vespa has made its third re-entry in India, but this time the parent company Piaggio has gone solo. The scooter is positioned as a life-style product and is available in only one variant - LX125.
vespa

The Vespa scooter doesn't look like other conventional scooters. The design is iconic and retro. In order to maintain this styling, the company has gone for form over function but that seems to have worked very well.
vespa

The Vespa uses a monocoque steel high rigidity body structure. The vehicle has very good paint quality and there is high use of chrome as well. There is no excessive bulging at any angle.
vespa

The round headlights, round mirrors, swooping body lines and the Vespa emblem are all a work of art. Thus the Vespa grabs a lot of attention on the roads and is a eye magnet of sorts.
vespa

While the styling of the scooter is retro, the instrument cluster is very modern. The console houses a speedometer (marked till 120 km/hr), fuel gauge, indicator, hazard and headlight warnings. There is a digital clock too, which works even after you remove the key.
vespa

If you want to go shopping on the Vespa, you won't be disappointed. Other than the under seat storage (which can keep a full sized helmet), there is also a front storage, enough to keep small things.
vespa

The flat seat is comfortable but takes time getting used to. The sitting position is upright and due to the seat height, you sit higher than any other scooter. However your feet will still touch the ground.
vespa

Power comes in from a 124cc, single-cylinder, 4-stroke engine which has 3-valves. This engine produces 10.06 PS of power and 10.6 Nm of torque. There is some amount of vibration initially but the vibrations settle down as you reach 20 km/h.
vespa

The 3-valve motor performs very well. The mid-range performance is fantastic and the Vespa has almost bike (125cc) like performance, pulling cleanly to almost 100 km/hr. Post 45 km/h, the scooter comes in its own
vespa

The Vespa's performance is easily the best in scooters sold in India. It is the most powerful scooter on sale today. However even with such performance, the Vespa is very efficient and will easily return 45 km/l in city riding conditions
vespavespa

The ride quality of the Vespa is very good. The scooter absorbs all the irregularities on our roads with utmost gusto. The coil springs and dual effect shock absorbers do their job very well.
vespa

The Vespa doesn't handle as well as one would expect. The puny tyres don't inspire confidence and the Vespa is best left for sedate riding. Brakes are good though but a front disc brake is sorely missed.
vespa

Piaggio could have offered much more for the price as the Vespa is heavily localized. There are some places where quality could have been better, like the side stand, seat lock and panels
vespa

Piaggio has priced the Vespa LX125 at Rs. 78,300 (on-road price, Mumbai), which is not cheap by any means. Similarly powered scooters come for atleast Rs. 25,000/- cheaper and offer similar features too.
vespa

However, no scooter offers the stunning looks and performance that the Vespa does. Thus, if you have the budget, there is no better way to travel on 2-wheels than on the iconic Vespa.
vespa