HM Ambassador

Hindustan Motors launched Ambassador in India in 1957. Based on Morris Oxford model, the four-door sedan is perfectly suitable for the harsh Indian roads. Although the automobile doesn't flaunt stylish design, as seen in other vehicles in its class, which appeals the present day consumers, it is much preferred by those Indian consumers who look for sturdiness in their vehicle. The car is primarily used by the politicians in India. Hindustan Motors currently manufactures Ambassador in its Uttarpara facility near Kolkata, West Bengal.

Engine
Hindustan Ambassador comes with three engine options for its variants. The Grand 2000 DSZ, Classic 2000 DSZ AC PS and Grand 2000 DSZ PW CL variants of the car are powered by 4-cylinder engine, which generates a power of 52 PS @ 4200 rpm and a torque of 106 Nm @ 2200 rpm. The Classic 1800 ISZ, Classic 1800 ISZ MPFI PS and Grand 1800 ISZ MPFI PW CL variant of Ambassador are powered by MPFI with 4-Cylinder OHC, which pumps out a power of 75 PS @ 5000 rpm and a torque of 130 Nm @ 3000 rpm. Avigo 2000 DSZ variant of Hindustan Ambassador gets 2000 DSZ diesel engine, which generates a power of 56 PS @ 4000 rpm and a torque of112 Nm @ 2500 rpm. The CNG variants of the car - Grand 1800 ISZ and Classic 1800 ISZ - are equipped with 4-cylinder OHC engine, which generates a power of 75 PS @ 5000 rpm and a torque of130 Nm @ 3000 rpm. The 1800 ISZ MPFI petrol engine of Avigo 1800 ISZ MPFI produces a power of 75 PS @ 5000 rpm and a torque of 135 Nm @ 3000 rpm.

Design And Comfort
Hindustan Ambassador features a distinctive design, with smooth lines flowing from the front to the rear end. The design of the hatchback represents old world elegance. Its muscular stance is complemented by its round halogen headlamps and simple-looking taillights cluster. Ambassador comes with the seating capacity for five people and offers a comfortable ride to its occupants.

Interiors
The seats of Hindustan Ambassador are supportive and comfortable. The Classic 2000 DSZ AC PS is fitted with an air conditioner and gets power steering. Power steering is also present in Ambassador Classic 1800 ISZ MPFI PS. Power windows are available in the Grand 1800 ISZ MPFI PW CL, Grand 2000 DSZ PW CL and Grand 1800 ISZ MPFI PW CL CNG variants of the car. Apart from air conditioning system and power windows, Avigo 1800 ISZ MPFI and Avigo 2000 DSZ feature leather-upholstered seats.

Ride And Handling
Hindustan Ambassador is equipped with independent suspension, with torsion bar springs and anti roll bar, with hydraulic telescopic double acting shock absorbers, at the front. The Semi-elliptical leaf springs, with hydraulic telescopic double acting shock absorbers in the rear end, work in combination to absorb the bumps and potholes on uneven Indian roads

Variants, Price And Color
The eleven variants of Hindustan Ambassador are Grand 2000 DSZ, Grand 2000 DSZ PW CL, Classic 1800 ISZ CNG, Classic 1800 ISZ, Classic 1800 ISZ MPFI PS, Avigo 2000 DSZ, Avigo 1800 ISZ MPFI, Grand 1800 ISZ MPFI, Grand 1800 ISZ MPFI PW CL, Classic 2000 DSZ AC PS and Grand 1800 ISZ CNG. The car comes with a price tag ranging from Rs 4.5 lakh (approx) to Rs 6 lakh (approx). Hindustan Ambassador is available in vibrant colors, including Kilder Green, Francoise White, Sherry Red, Symphony Gold, Crystal White, Ivory, Black, Grotto Blue, Forest Green and Thurston Grey.

Review By

Tata Indica Vista

Tata Motors launched Vista, the next generation car in the Indica series, in August 2008. Vista is nothing, but the revamped version of the Tata's first passenger car - Indica. The automobile comes with refreshing looks, capacious interiors and attractive exteriors. State-of-the-art technology has been used in its engineering. Tata Indica Vista truly fulfills the needs of those Indian buyers who expect their cars to be spacious, stylish, and graceful.

Engine
The petrol-driven models of Tata Indica Vista are powered by 1.2L CVCP Safire engine, which produces a maximum power of 65 bhp 5500 rpm and torque of 96 Nm @ 3000 rpm. The two diesel variants of Tata Indica Vista are 1.4L turbocharged inter-cooled TDI engine and 1.3L Quadrajet Common Rail diesel engine. With 71 bhp @ 4500 rpm of power, the TDI engine delivers a maximum torque of 135 Nm @ 2500 rpm. The Quadrajet engine delivers a higher torque, of 190 Nm @ 1750 rpm, and churns out a power of 75 bhp @ 4000 rpm. All the engines of Tata Indica Vista have five-speed manual transmission.

Design And Comfort
The contemporary exteriors of Tata Indica Vista make a bold style statement. Adding to the beauty of the vehicle are its new central character line on the hood and sharp crease lines on the door below the beltline. The petal shaped headlights also look stunning. The 'trademark' smiling front grille and tall taillights make the car stand out from the crowd. A comfortable ride for five people is assured by Tata Indica Vista.

Interiors
The dual tone grey and beige interiors of Tata Indica Vista are elegant and spacious. The instrument cluster is positioned in the centre of the dashboard. This enhances the in-driving passenger involvement and improves driving visibility. There is a utility space in the floor console under the seat. The deep glove box is spacious enough to store a number of small items.

Ride And Handling
The driver's seat of Tata Indica Vista is height-adjustable, while the steering wheel is tilt-adjustable, ensuring an effortless driving experience. Transverse stiffness is enhanced by a sub-frame construction. A better ride, comfortable drive and improved handling are facilitated by the new twist beam suspension and gas-filled shock absorbers. High strength steel panels have been used in the body of the car, to enhance the bending stiffness

Safety
Although Tata Indica Vista is not equipped with safety features such as airbags and ABS (Anti Brake locking System), the vehicle offers a safe and comfortable ride for its occupants.

Variants, Price And Color
Aqua, Terra and Aura are the three variants of Tata Indica Vista. Each of these three variants is powered by a different engine - TDI, Safire, and Quadrajet. Tata Indica Vista is available in a variety of vibrant colors, including cavern grey, infinity Black, Noble Blue, Arctic Silver, Solar Orange, Marine Silver and Gala Red. The variants of the automobile are priced between Rs 3.49 lakhs and Rs. 4.88 lakhs.

Review By

Maruti Suzuki Alto

Maruti Alto is a city car that was launched, by Maruti Udyog Ltd., in India six years ago. All through the years, the vehicle has maintained its position - of being one of the 'best selling' city cars in the country. The high fuel economy, good mileage, marvelous features and affordable price - all contribute to make Alto a premium compact car every Indian would love to buy. Maruti Alto Standard and its variants - the LX and LXI - are also exported to foreign countries, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Chile.

Engine

Maruti Alto is powered by 796 cc MPFI engine. With three cylinders, and four valves per cylinder, with 32bit ECM, the maximum power output of the car is 47 bhp @ 6200 rpm. The vehicle accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in approximately 20 seconds and delivers a top speed of 138 km/h. The maximum torque of Maruti Alto is 62Nm @ 3000 rpm. Low engine friction makes the car fuel-efficient as well.

Design And Comfort

Maruti Suzuki Alto car is 3495 mm long and 1475 mm wide, with the overall height being 1460 mm. Its wheelbase is 2360 mm and ground clearance is 160 mm. The dynamic front grill, with Suzuki logo, and beautiful bumper enhance the front view of the car. The trendy fabric, clear lens, and artistically designed head and tail lamps further add to the overall appeal of the car. A family of four can comfortably fit into this compact car.

Interiors

Interiors of Maruti Alto car are specially designed for utmost comfort of its occupants. A long drive is a pleasurable experience, thanks to the easy-to maintain fabric seat upholstery. The vehicle is equipped with electronic trip meter that helps you to calculate the distance traveled. All the important documents can be neatly placed inside the front door pockets. Cabin lamp serves as the source of illumination for the interiors of the car.

Ride And Handling

Riding Maruti Alto comes across as a very comfortable experience. The cooling system is quiet effective and keeps the cabin temperature pretty cool. The electronic power steering of Maruti Alto LXi reduces the driving effort and makes it easy to maneuver the car on crowded roads. Parking is the least thing to bother about, when it comes to Maruti Suzuki Alto, because the compact car can be parked in a very limited space as well.

Safety

The front and rear seat belts and head restraints of Maruti Alto provide considerable protection to passengers. The integrated Intelligent Computerised Anti Theft System (iCATS) is a thoughtful addition to the vehicle. The side door beams of the car are built with high tensile steel, which safeguard its occupants against the impact of front, rear and side collision. Apart from this, the vehicle is equipped with collapsible steering column and side-impact beams that act as shock absorbers.

Variants, Price And Color

Standard, LX and LXi are the three variants of Maruti Suzuki Alto. The powerful car comes with the most affordable price. The current price of Maruti Alto Standard is Rs. 2, 48,810 (approx), while the LX and LXi variants are priced at Rs. 2, 83,902 and Rs. 3, 02,476, respectively. The fuel efficient and affordable car is available in vibrant colors including Caribbean blue, superior white, pearl silver, bright red, wine red, brilliant yellow, midnight black and silky metallic silver.

Click to see more of Maruti Suzuki Alto

Review By

Fiat Linea

Fiat Linea is the perfect combination of dynamic styling and powerful performance. The mid-size sedan is much talked about in the international automobile industry and promises to stand up to the expectations of buyers in India. Based on Fiat's Grande Punto, Linea is an outstanding example of Italian design. It offers the customers a unique blend of luxury and comfort, with arresting looks and a powerful engine.

Engine
Fiat Linea comes with three engine options - 1.4L FIRE and 1.4L 16 V T-Jet and 1.3L 16v Multijet. The engine delivers a maximum power of 78 PS @ 6000 rpm, with peak torque of 115 Nm @ 3000 rpm. The car promises to deliver a good mileage and top speed of 220 km/hour. Linea accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 14.6 seconds flat.

Design And Comfort
The elegant design of Fiat Linea is a definite crowd puller. The design team of 'Fiat Style' center has carved out this sedan to suit the specific needs of Indian buyers. The car sports smooth flowing bodylines. Its fascia is adorned by large projector type headlights, muscular front grille and clear lens fog lamps. The rear side of Linea is dominated by a simple, yet attractive boot and sparkling tail lamps. The five-seater luxury sedan offers high level of comfort to its occupants.

Interiors
The interiors of Fiat Linea are as attractive as its exteriors. The cabin of the sedan is roomy, which offers its driver and passengers a comfortable environment. Top quality materials are used in its finely-toned interiors. A trendy instrument cluster is neatly integrated on the well-organized dashboard. Rear seats have headrests, for added comfort of its occupants.

Ride And Handling
Fiat Linea comes with one of the most advanced suspension systems in its class. The sedan promises to offer superior handling and drive easiness. The shock absorbers assure enhanced travel comfort, by absorbing impact from the unevenness of bumpy Indian roads. It is fun to drive Linea, mainly because the steering wheel is very responsive.

Safety
Fiat Linea is fully loaded with active and passive safety features. The active features, providing safety to the occupants, include Antilock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD). Adding to the protection of passengers are the passive safety features of Linea, such as side and roof air bags, air bags for the driver and co-driver, front racked seat belts and Fire Protection System (FPS).

Variants, Price And Color
Fiat Linea is available in three variants - 1.4 L 8v, 1.4L 16v T-Jet and 1.3 Multijet 16v. The dazzling color options for the sedan are Cool Jazz Blue, Tecno Grey, Flamenco Red, Lullaby Blue, Fox-Trot Azure, Minimal Grey, Rockabilly Black, Breakdance Green, Ambient White and Indie Ivory. The car is priced between Rs.7 and Rs 8 Lakhs

Click to see more of Fiat Linea

Review By

Ford Ikon

Ford Ikon was initially rolled out in India in 1999. The automobile saw its latest model, by the name of 'Flair', being launched in 2006. A product of Ford India, the car is very youthful, with sporty features in the interiors as well as exteriors. Packed with advanced safety features, the mid-size sedan offers its occupants a high level of comfort. The responsive engine delivers good fuel efficiency as well. Ford Ikon Flair is quiet stable at high speeds and stands out from the crowd, for its unique styling.

Engine
Ford Ikon Flair is powered by 1.3L ROCAM (Roller Finger Camshaft) petrol engine that generates a power of 70 PS @ 5500 rpm and a maximum torque of 105 Nm @ 2500 rpm. The car is best suited for Indian city roads. A unique chain-drive Single Overhead Camshaft (SOHC) technology is used in the vehicle, which keeps it free from rattles. The fear shifting of Ikon Flair is seamless.

Design And Comfort
Ford Ikon Flair is designed to attract the attention of young car buyers in India. The exteriors of the sedan are appealing, while its fascia is adorned by trendy headlamps and a sleek front grille. Flair's rear side sports sparkling taillights. Even the build quality of the automobile is strong, with perfect finishing in the exteriors. Ford Ikon Flair offers a comfortable ride to its occupants.

Interiors
The interiors of Ford Ikon Flair are designed with panache and are pleasing to the eyes. The cabin has sufficient boot space and offers ample leg space and headroom to its occupants. The car also provides a wide choice of small storage spaces inside the roomy cabin. The standard features of Ford Ikon Flair include power windows on all doors, fabric seats and CFC-free air conditioning tachometer.

Ride And Handling
The handling of Ford Ikon Flair is quiet impressive. Its responsive steering wheel is power assisted, which facilitates effortless navigation. Even the shift quality of the car has been improved. The sedan comes with an improved suspension design and a balanced chassis. Be it slow moving traffic or a highway, the car is stable at all road conditions.

Safety
Ford's Dynamic Safety Engineering facilitates even distribution of load, through specific stress paths. This leaves its occupants protected from the impact of collisions. The standard safety features of the car include laminated windscreen, childproof rear locks, front and rear side impact door beams, front and rear seat belts, centre high mount stop lamp, central locking and electric fuel cap release.

Variants, Price And Color
Ford Ikon is available in six variants - 1.3 LXi, 1.3 Flair, 1.6 EXi, 1.6 ZXi, 1.8 EXi, and 1.8 ZXi. The sedan comes in six colors that include Panther Black, Diamond White, Paprika Red, Silver Stone, Jewel Violet and Vitro. The starting price of the sedan is Rs. 4.83 Lakhs.

Click here to see more of Ford Ikon

Review By

Honda City

Honda City has been given a new lease of life. A product of Honda Siel Cars India Ltd, the third-generation City has started wooing the Indian consumers. The luxurious sedan has lot to offer to its potential buyers - new engine, new design, more grandeur, increased cabin space, and of course, top-notch performance. Honda City has been regarded a prestigious brand in India since its launch in 1998. It maintains a significant market share in its class and the latest model has taken it popularity to a much higher level.

Engine

The brand new edition of Honda City is powered by highly developed 1.5L, 4 cylinder new generation i-VTEC engine, which assures class-leading output and excellent fuel economy. The engine churns out a power of 118 PS @ 6600 rpm and a maximum torque of 146 Nm @ 4800 rpm. The engine is E10 compliant and has Euro IV emission levels, which reduce the negative impact on environment.

Design And Comfort

The refined aero-dynamics of Honda City heighten its presence wherever it goes. Its killer looks are sure to bowl you over. The new car is longer, wider and sturdier as compared to its previous model. The height of the new City has been lowered by 15 mm, with ground clearance remaining the same. The sleeker and sturdier body shape is enticing. Comfort has always been a priority for automobiles manufactured by Honda and this car is no exception. The increased cabin space of the new Honda City offers a luxurious ride for five people.

Interiors

The stylish interiors of new Honda City sport a trendy meter design. The color contrast of the dual-toned dashboard is soothing for the eyes. The car also features advanced integrated audio system. It boasts of featuring world's first car audio that offers its users the liberty to integrate it with any of the newer technologies like iPOD, MP3player, USB Memory, and cell phone with MP3 Player. The audio system comes with a remote control and its controls are mounted on the steering as well.

Ride And Handling

Riding is a different experience when it comes to the new Honda City. The engine of the car has been engineered at its best, to ensure effortless driving. The control of the automobile is solely in the driver's hands, thanks to its 5-speed automatic transmission, with paddle shift. A comfortable start is facilitated by its swift responsiveness. While its stress-free acceleration enables you to cruise along the silky-smooth highways effortlessly, the front and rear suspension provide supple riding comfort.

Safety

The new Honda City is fully loaded with advanced safety features, both active and passive, including ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System) with Brake Assist (BA), Dual SRS airbags, pre-tensioner seat belts, and G-CON (G-Force Control Technology) body with a crush-proof survival zone. Advanced pedestrian safety is assured by the front body structure of the car.

Variants, Price And Color
The brand new Honda City is available in three variants - 1.5E (MT), 1.5S MT and 1.5S AT. It comes in a range of spectacular colors, including Habenero Red Pearl, Alabaster Silver Metallic, Polished Metal Metallic, Bold Beige Metallic, Tafetta White and Crystal Black Pearl. The price of the new Honda City ranges from Rs 7.7 lakh to Rs 8.9 lakh.

Click here to see more of Honda City

Review By