100 Octane!

VDO: Terminator Salvation Trailer

2008-12-15T14:15:00.002+05:30

Terminator 4 is about to hit theatre screens soon. The latest version of the movie features even more advanced machines as the last movie, Terminator 3: RISE OF THE MACHINES signified. One of these machines is an advanced motorcycle called the MotoTerminator with the trademark Red Eyes of the Terminator as its headlights. Sony Japan recently showed the teaser of the upcoming movie and features glimpses of the MotoTerminator. Just push play:

VDO: Valentino Rossi / 2009 R1

2008-12-15T14:12:00.002+05:30

Here's a new advertisement featuring the MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi and the 2009 Yamaha YZF-R1:

Indians still like subtle colours...

2008-12-10T20:12:00.005+05:30

According to a latest study by DuPont regarding the most preferred colours for cars throughout various countries, it was proved that 'White' (Solid/Pearl) still tops the list. And India is no different as 28% of the votes prefer White cars, with Silver finishing a close second at 27%. Red, which is considered auspicious by many throughout our country lies at 3rd with 12% votes. Goes to show that the subtle shades are what people prefer in today's market. If you go to think about it, aren't all our politicians roaming around in White cars as well? Maybe they contributed to these 'votes' a lot....

For a detailed view, click on the image for a larger view:

First Pics: 2009 Mercedes Benz E-class

2008-12-10T19:57:00.003+05:30

The internet, as we always harp, is an unsafe place. A few shots of the 2009 Mercedes Benz E-class ( E500) have leaked onto the net. Click on the pics for a NOT-SO-LARGE view...

Suzuki unveils its imports...

2008-11-26T14:49:00.007+05:30

Suzuki joins the CBU bandwagon following Yamaha and Ducati and now becomes the third bike maker to launch its high capacity bikes in India. The Japanase manufacturer has today launched its flagship model - the Hayabusa along with the much hyped cruiser, the Boulevard M190R (also known as Intruder M1800R in some markets). The bikes are priced at an ex-showroom price of 12.5 lakhs Rs. (2 lakh more than the YZF-R1).
On sale? NOW!

VDO: 2009 ZX6-R Commercial

2008-11-24T15:00:00.002+05:30

VDO: 2009 Honda CBRs

2008-11-24T14:58:00.001+05:30

CBR600RR:

CBR1000RR:

Sorry for the delay :(

2008-11-24T14:56:00.002+05:30

Thousand apologies to all our readers for the delay in updates. Had been ultra busy for the past few days and hence the slack. Anyway, we are back now, and the updates will follow soon. Till then, feast you eyes on the videos above!

Dr. Vijay Mally strikes deal with Mclaren...

2008-11-10T19:22:00.004+05:30

Force India ended their partnership with Ferrari as the 2008 season came to an end. Though Ferrari gave them great support throughout the season, Force India decided to look elsewhere in the pitlane for technology under the hood for 2009. And while doing so, it seems they have decided to enter the Mclaren backyard for the 2009 VJM02!

The deal includes a supply of gearboxes, hydraulic systems and the KERS, apart from the basic engine. The deal will also give Force India an access to Mclaren's other vendors for rest of the components if needed. This would be the first time in the history of Mclaren that the company will support a satellite team with their technology. Talking to the media, team boss Vijay Mallya said, "We are absolutely delighted to be able to announce a technical partnership with McLaren Applied Technologies and Mercedes-Benz HighPerformanceEngines, and also our plan to expand the composite manufacturing capability and drawing office within our Silverstone facility."

F430 Scuderia goes topless!

2008-11-10T19:13:00.003+05:30

Ferrari put the outstanding F430 on a crash diet and gave the world an insanely fast F430 Scuderia. But now, to celebrate their championship victory of the 2008 F1 season, the Italian manufacturer has launched a topless version of the 430 Scuderia in the form of a 'F430 Scuderia Spider 16M'. The car uses a 4.3-litre V8 producing a stagerring 530PS! It uses a 6-speed F1-g'box and manages a 0-100km/h run in less than 3.8 seconds! Only 499 units will be made with bookings starting now!

Audi R8 coming tomorrow!

2008-11-06T18:40:00.003+05:30

Yes, Audi's ultimate sports car is coming tomorrow! At an estimated price of 1.17 crores, the car will be on the 'to-buy' list of many rich blokes in the country. More info will follow....

Ducati unveils new logo and the Street Fighter!

2008-11-04T12:15:00.004+05:30

The ultimate Italian marquee has unveiled a new logo on the eve of the EICMA show.
The new logo for their street exotics continues the evolution of the historic brand and now unites the word 'Ducati' and the 'Ducati Corse Shield' - seen first time for their street bikes. The logo will be officially unveiled at the EICMA along with the new 'Street Fighter' motorcycle (below).

More info HERE.

VDO: Fireblade vs. Fireworks vs. Golf Ball!

2008-11-03T12:26:00.004+05:30

One of our favorite Top Gear presenters, Richard Hammond, takes on a cracker rocket and a golf ball with his 300 km/h Fireblade! Let the video do the rest:

F1: Title decider today!

2008-11-02T13:42:00.004+05:30

Its been a great F1 season this year, as yet again, the title battle has come down to the last race. Hamilton currently leads the standings with a 7 point lead of Massa. The Brazilian however, will race on his home turf today and has already cemented his confidence with a pole position at yesterday's qualifying.

Hamilton is on the second row of the grid with a fourth position in qualifying. However, for Massa to take the title, he'll not only have to win, but will also have to pray that Hamilton finishes is 6th or worse to negate the points advantage Hamilton holds. With Kimi Raikonnen in 3rd place on the grid, its but understood that team orders will come into play and the Finn will try his best to hold back Hamilton and let Massa increase the distance.

We are all geared up for the grand finale tonight...are you?

Catch the action live on Star Sports at 2130 hours tonight!

More 370Z! - NFS:UC Trailer

2008-10-30T18:18:00.002+05:30

EA has released one more trailer of theit upcoming NFS: Undercover game. This one marks the debut of the 370Z in the virtual world!

Game On!: Flatout Ultimate Carnage Review

2008-10-30T18:13:00.002+05:30

When we got our hands on the Flatout: Ultimate Carnage DVD, we thought it was just another racing game. But while the game was installing itself on our hard drive, we went through the manual and it quickly suggested that the game was anything but ordinary racing – it’s a blend of destruction derbies, circuit racing and a lot of stunts. The moment we played the first event, we were hooked on. Flatout starts off with the plain vanilla race mode, where the gamer races across three different tiers of difficulty with the most basic being derby cars and the highest being ultra-fast supercars. The victories and destruction earn the racer ‘credits’ which can be used to buy more cars.

The ‘Carnage’ mode engages the player into four non-traditional racing types – Carnage, Deathmatch Derby, Stunts and Beat-The-Bomb. This mode stresses on earning as many credits as possible by destroying everything in sight – from fences and bridges to starting poles and fellow racers. The racer’s position isn’t relevant; it’s the credits that decide the standing.

The ‘Stunts’ is what the Flatout franchise is acclaimed for on the consoles. With the use of Rag-doll Physics, the developers have created a unique arcade experience where the gamers crash their cars in order to send the driver flying into various arenas like basketball, baseball curling etc.

For many who have shed their teenage attire and got themselves strangled into the nine-to-five routine, the day ends on a hectic note. But amongst all this, if you were to keep your passion for gaming alive, you definitely wouldn’t want a game that needs you to put your brains to work. You need a game that helps you relax, bust all the stress out of you and give you the chance to destroy everything in sight – something you wish to do every time your boss cribs. Flatout is definitely that kind. It’s the ultimate blend of Quake-style mayhem packaged with arcade racing into a game that also looks visually appealing. And at a legit price of INR 999, the game is definitely the cheapest stress therapy you can buy!

Official Pics: Nissan 370Z

2008-10-30T11:05:00.003+05:30

Following the Z-series of sports cars that Nissan is famous for, the 370Z would be the newest offering for 2009. While there were a lot of spy pics and videos floating around the net, a lot of artist gave us their impressions on what the car would look like. Since the car wasn't of much relevance to India, we didn't post the spy pics earlier. But since its once of the hot favorites amongst the enormous NFS fans we have in the country, and the fact that the 370Z is going to be one of the most significant cars in NFS:UC, we decided to post the first official pictures of the car. Here you go then:

2010 Porsche Boxster and Cayman

2008-10-30T10:56:00.005+05:30

Auto Week claims these photos to be the official 2010 Porsche Boxster and Porsche Cayman. They dont exactly look like a rendering and might just be the real studio shots. Upon global launch, expect a 6-month gap before these entry level Porsches come to India.

2010 Porsche Cayman:

2010 Posrche Boxster:

Leaked: Sketches of future Audis

2008-10-30T10:51:00.002+05:30

The internet is definitely an unsafe place. Recently, the sketches of Audi's future models leaked onto the net and show the brief designs of the A5 Cabriolet, A7 four-door coupe and the 2010 A8 luxury sedan. Here you go:

New Toyotas coming your way....

2008-10-29T20:00:00.009+05:30

A few ago, we scooped you on Toyota's plans for India with the new Yaris hatch, Yaris sedan and RAV4 softroader. Though there has been no further news on the RAV4, the Car India magazine has confirmed this month that the Yaris sedan is coming soon.

The other news though is Toyota's plan to finally get the Fortuner to India after a long internal debate. The SUV will be imported as a CKD and will be assembled locally. Since they are targeting the CR-V with the Fortuner, the RAV4 plans for India look a little meek now. The Fortuner will most probably hit showroom floors by mid-2009.

Also on the cards is the diesel variant of the Altis. Unfortunately though, the engine mountings for the 2.0-litre diesel mill that is already sold in the Altis in the UK are different than the petrol. Toyota hence is considering a tuned version of the 1.4-litre mill from the Yaris sedan in the diesel Altis. This will further help reduce costs due to the platform sharing.

The hottest news though, is that of two low-cost cars that Toyota are working on.

An entry level sedan, which is said to be based on the Yaris platform again, is being developed with a $8000 (INR 4-lakh) figure in mind. The car is in its final stages of development and will be produced in India by 2010 and in Brazil by 2011. Both the countries will play as a mass production hub for this car to export to the rest of the world. Another low cost car is a hatch which is being targeted at $5000 (INR 2.5-lakh) to penetrate into the fast growing ultra-low-cost-city-car segment which will soon see TATA, Hyundai and Nissan-Relnault-Bajaj as the major players. The car though will be launched ages after the others come out into the market, with the most probable year being 2015. Since the two cars will be ultra cheap as compared to other Toyotas, it may harm their brand image, and hence the Jap firm is considering a new brand for these apart from its current siblings - Lexus and Dihatsu.

Ferrari may write off F1 by 2010

2008-10-28T16:10:00.002+05:30

The most prominant livery on the F1 enviorns - the scarlet red Ferrari, may soon disapprear from the grid, come 2010. Max Mosley's latest brainwave of using a similar engine on all the race cars to drop produciton costs, has led to this debacle. While most F1 teams are against this rule, Max seems pretty stern on implementing this rule.

Ferrari amongst all other teams believes that such a rule will question the very basis of Formula 1 - which in iteself is an engineering challenge. If the FIA goes ahead and implements the rule, the Italian marquee will walk out of F1 and find solace in some other motorsport. The official statement from Ferrari is as follows:

"The Board of Directors of Ferrari SpA met today under the chairmanship of Luca di Montezemolo, to examine the third quarter results. The Board of Directors also examined the proposed changes to the Formula One regulations, in the light of the current global economic crisis.
"Whilst reiterating its wholehearted commitment to a substantial and needed reduction in costs in Formula One, starting with propulsion, the Ferrari Board of Directors expressed strong concerns regarding plans to standardise engines as it felt that such a move would detract from the entire raison of a sport with which Ferrari has been involved continuously since 1950, a raison d’etre based principally on competition and technological development.
"The Board of Directors expressed the opinion that should these key elements be diminished, it would have to re-evaluate, with its partners the viability of continuing its presence in the sport."

100 posts and Happy Diwali!

2008-10-28T16:05:00.003+05:30

We have reached a 100 posts in the last 5 months. Thanks to everyone for all the support and appreciation. We will continue to serve in the times to come. Keep checking the blog and post your comments! It will only help us get better.

Oh yes, and Happy Diwali to all our readers! Have a great time this week....

Suzuki's 150cc bike launched

2008-10-23T14:55:00.004+05:30

As we scooped you before, the new 150cc bike for Suzuki has been launched today. Christened the GS150R, the bike takes clues from the GS150 sold in South-East Asia. Design-wise, a lot of clues come from the Gixxers - especially the tail end and the basic layout of the headlight, which resembles the '07 GSX-R1000. No fuel injection for this bike yet, as it uses 26mm carbs to feed the 150cc engine. However, a stylish digital console gives it a modern edge.

The bike was launched in Delhi today, however, it will be available in all showrooms before Diwali. It is not a performance contender at all, as the 13.8 PS engine is tuned for city riding and coasts of a strong mid-range grunt.

Further specs are as follows:

Engine:
Engine: 149 CC four-stroke, air-cooled, single-cylinder, 2 valves, SOHC
Power: 13.8 PS @ 8,500 RPM
Torque: 13.4 Nm @ 6000 RPM
Gearbox: 6-speed
Fuel System: 26mm CV Carb
Wheels, Tyres and Brakes:
Wheels (F/R): 5-spoke 18" die-cast alloys
Tyres(F/R): 100/90-R18, 2.25/R18
Brakes(F/R): Single cross-drilled ventilated rotor with 2-pot calipers / Drum
Suspension:
Front: Telescopic Forks
Rear: Gas Charged type
Electricals:
Headlight: 12V 35W Halogen with Multifocal Reflector
Exhaust System:
Side mounted
Tank Capacity: 15.5 litres

Price:
Rs. 59,000 ex-showroom

French toast for India

2008-10-21T18:56:00.003+05:30

PSA Peugeot Citroen are finalizing plans to enter the Indian market once again. The French carmaker had entered India more than a decade back but failed to capture the market. This time around the company plans to follow a similar route they followed earlier - that of importing the vehicles to the country and finding local partners for sales and service. They may also consider multi-brand car showroom chains like the upcoming 'Carnation' for setting up their Indian network.

They plan to initally enter the market with low-cast fuel efficient small cars and then add mid-size sedans to the Indian portfolio. If things work out on par with their planned roadmap, PSA Peugeot Citroen should be in India by 2011.

Hero Honda's new launches

2008-10-21T18:50:00.004+05:30

Every manufacturer likes to bank upon the festive season in India i.e. Diwali for new product launches and increased sales. HH is no different. The Gurgaon based company has launched fpur new models - Passion Pro Start, new Pleasure, new Splendor NXG and a new CBZ Xtreme.

The new Passion gets new stickers and an electric starter. The Pleasure and NXG get new graphics (yawn). The Xtreme gets an orange rear wheel, two-tone colours and clear-type indicators.

Mahindra launches new variants

2008-10-21T18:34:00.002+05:30

M&M has launched new variants of the Bolero and Scorpio flagship models. These are called the 'Micro Hybrid' models - where the SUVs will give the customers a 'start-stop' technology. This technology basically uses a electric micro motor which keeps the engine running when idiling at traffic signals, jams etc. thus returning better mileage. Both the models are priced in the 6.5-7-lakh price bracket and are on sale now.

Suzuki's 150.....

2008-10-21T18:27:00.002+05:30

We scooped you on some more news regarding the upcoming Suzuki 150cc motorcycle a few posts back. Well, some of our sources have told us that the bike will be called the 'GS150' and not 'GSR'.

Pics: Maruti Suzuki A-star/Alto

2008-10-21T18:24:00.002+05:30

Here are some real life photos of the Maruti Suzuki A-star which will be launched soon in India.

Has demotorization begun?

2008-10-21T11:43:00.001+05:30

The land that gave the world some of the best value-for-money cars till date is now turning its back on the four-wheeled marvel.

Japan, a nation that is home to some of the finest automobiles giants like Toyota and Honda, is currently on the brink of demotorization. The term ‘demotorization’ simply means ‘giving up on cars’ and instead moving to other means of transport.

According to various sources, today’s youth, which forms more than 40% of Japan’s population, are shifting focus towards spending their dough on the latest mobile phone, gaming device or a personal computer than saving up for a car. The Statistics Bureau of Japan claims that the average Japanese household income is approximately Rs. 1.7 lakhs out of which Rs. 24,000 are spent on consumer electronics every month. In spite of various features that an automobile offers, the youth considers a car to be nothing more than a ‘gadget’ from the 20th centaury, and by today’s standards, something that is obsolete.

Further, the Japanese demography shows that the urban population has grown by up to 20% in that last two decades. A vast number of these inhabitants prefer to use the mass transit options like the Japanese Railway for their daily travel instead of investing in a car. It is justified. According to Newsweek, owning and using a car in Japan on a daily basis can cost up to $500 (Rs. 20,000 approx.) per month. This includes the parking fees, vehicle insurance, fuel costs, tolls and other taxes. The subway network however, which is known to be one of the best in world, costs the residents as low as 300 Yen (Rs. 125 approx) a day, sans the hassle of traffic jams, parking space etc.

The country also happens to be the second largest automobile market in world by contributing to 18% of the global sales. But since 1990, the new-car market in Japan has dropped by over 33%. Though the country still holds some value for mini cars and high-end luxury brands, the decline primarily comes in the form of family cars, saloons and hatchbacks. Last fiscal, the sales dropped by 7.6% for the mid-size cars with an overall drop of 6.7% in the Japanese market. Analysts Standard and Poor predict a sharp drop this fiscal in U.S, Europe and Japan. They believe that declining sales in U.S and Europe would be primarily because tax hikes and rising fuel costs. Japan though is a more serious threat to automobile manufacturers as the decline comes due to lack of demand. Though not as drastic as Japan, analysts believe that Europe with its strengthening public transport may be next in line to embrace demotorization.

Japanese manufacturers have been able to counterbalance this decline to an extent with the rising exports (up by 8.1% in the 2007-fiscal) to the developing BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) markets. The rented car industry in Japan on the other hand is growing in yearly revenues with a 30% gain in the last decade - but that hasn’t helped the domestic sales in any way. The Japanese don’t aspire for the automobile lifestyle anymore and hence the ‘car’ has lost the charm of being a status symbol. Car-makers are hence striving hard to find alternative methods to market their ‘wares’ in Japan – from sponsoring Playstation titles to buying big spaces in mega-malls. But at the end of the day, the Japanese automobile market is getting harder to resurrect.

SEMA Motor Show preview

2008-10-21T10:47:00.005+05:30

With almost all major auto shows wrapped up, its now time for the tuner aftermarket to display wares that add the extra zing to production cars

2010 Chevrolet Camaro:

One of the most significant aspects of the 2008 SEMA Show will be the launch of the 2010 Chevy Camaro. The car has been formally announced as the ‘Official Vehicle of the Show’. This means that apart from its full bounty launch, the Camaro will also be seen in various avatars with aftermarket manufacturers displaying their own project vehicles.

Hyundai Genesis:

Hyundai has decided to go all out with its Genesis range not only in the luxury segment, but also within the tuner community. Seen at the SEMA show will be six project Genesis models – three saloons and three coupes. The coupes will be tuned individually by HKS, Rhys Millen and Street Concepts. While the prior two will boast of large turbo-induced engines, the latter will use the stock V6 engine with a cold-air induction kit mated to a tuned exhaust system by Magnaflow. One of the saloons will be worked on by the famous tuning house RKSport while the other two will be kept under wraps until the show starts. Hyundai aims at keeping all the six project vehicles as practical as possible to provide prospective customers an insight into the premium vehicle’s tuning capabilities.

Mercedes GLK:

Mercedes Benz’s GLK promotion tour will take a few days off at the SEMA show. On display will be four concept vehicles that adapt to the show’s theme. These include a hybrid Rally Racer show truck from RENNtech, a BRABUS tuned GLK300 Bluetec, a highly customized variant from Boulevard Customs and an off-road concept from Legendary Motor Cars.

Toyo Tires:

With ‘drifting’ gaining popularity by the day, thanks to events like Formula D, tyre manufactures have more than one reason to be a part of the SEMA show. Toyo Tires for one, has tied up with various tuning houses to make project vehicles that can highlight the application of Toyo’s tyres for drifting and track use. On display will be a Nissan GT-R tuned by Bulletproof Automotive running on limited edition BBS LM-DBK-P wheels shod with Toyo's 20-inch Proxes R888 tyres. Another highlight will be 650PS Lancer Evo X painted in Porsche GT3 RS colours.

Mopar/Dodge:

Mopar will showcase its fondness for the Dodge brand by showcasing some amazing project cars. Two of the most significant models however will be a Dodge Ram R/T concept and a Challenger. The Ram will display strength and aggression with a wide body kit, bed cover with a spoiler and lowered suspension over 22-inch muscle wheels. The Challenger on the other hand will get a Mopar Supercharger onto its SRT-8 engine with a boost to over 600PS of power. Expect the project vehicles to incorporate high flow exhausts, crazy wheels other intake options.

RONN Scorpion:

One of the most awaited unveilings at SEMA would be the RONN Scorpion. The car is said to use an innovative technology wherein water from an onboard tank is broken down to produce hydrogen, which in turn is mixed with fuel to efficiently return a mileage of more than 14 kmpl. The manufacturer claims to achieve sportscar performance with high fuel efficiency figures. With such hype backing it up, its launch at SEMA will be a highly awaited one.

Suzuki's 150 to be unwrapped soon...

2008-10-20T12:34:00.004+05:30

Suzuki India will soon unwrap their 'new 150cc contender. The bike is said to be using the same 150cc enigne which revved under the Fiero F2. Since the licensing for the engine from TVS is now said to be expired, Suzuki will incorporate the mill in the new bike. And dont expect it to run for the R15 either, as the company is looking forward to a mass production commuter bike and not a performace machine. There is a word that the name 'Lanza' may also be dropped and 'GSR150' would be the new one - following Yamaha's footsteps for building on a known 'brand' like they did with the YZF series. The bike is said to be unveiled by the end of October (probably the 23rd) and will be slightly lesser in price than the TVS RTR carb.

NFS Scale Models!

2008-10-14T11:24:00.003+05:30

World leader of scale models, Maisto, has tied up with Electronic Arts to bring you a complete range of scale models from the upcoming game, NFS:Undercover. However, what we wonder is, if you buy stock cars in the game and then customize them later, whats the whole point of Maisto releasing the scale models specific to NFS anyway? We'll have to wait and watch....

Formula 1: FIA releases 2009 calendar

2008-10-10T11:11:00.002+05:30

2009 FIA Formula One World Championship:
29 March Australia
5 April Malaysia
19 April Bahrain
10 May Spain
24 May Monaco
7 June Turkey
21 June Great Britain
28 June France
12 July Germany
26 July Hungary
23 August Europe (Valencia)
30 August Belgium
13 September Italy
27 September Singapore
11 October Japan
18 October China
1 November Brazil
15 November Abu Dhabi

Honda Updates Unicorn GP Ed.

2008-10-10T10:35:00.004+05:30

Honda has replaced the 'Repsol' paintjob GP edition Unicorn with a 'Gresini' paintjob one. Again, no technical changes, only the new color scheme. In showrooms by next week.

RE takes you back the memory lane....

2008-10-08T13:57:00.003+05:30

RE has unveiled a 'new' motorcycle to add to their exsisting range. The bike is called the Bullet Classic and as you may expect, it looks even more retro than you can imagine. It uses a 499cc mill with a 27PS power output and 41.3 Nm of torque. Available in 3 colours, the the bike will go on sale soon.

Scale Model Colection

2008-10-06T18:06:00.002+05:30

Rash has posted an article on Mr. Praveen Sathaye and his scale model collection on his blog, the Sagittarian Angel. Check it out HERE.

The Interceptor lives...

2008-10-02T14:01:00.002+05:30

Many thought that Honda will discontinue the VFR800 Interceptor since a newer and larger VFR 1000 was under consideration (and to be launched later this month). However Honda has released info on the 2009 Interceptor. Well nothing new technically, the customers now have a chance to buy an all-black model for 2009.

VDO: Schumacher testing a 1000RR

2008-10-02T13:02:00.003+05:30

Schumacher recently tested a Hanspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR WSBK bike. Though he claims this was a one-off test, we are speculating that the ex-F1 champion is up to something! Here's the video:

Courtesy: MCN

Lambo's mystery car revealed!

2008-10-02T11:05:00.002+05:30

Well, its not a car but a concept. As we speculated, its a 4-seater GT study and has been unveiled to the media today at the Paris Motor Show. More images and press release will follow soon.

Skoda Laura Facelift

2008-10-01T15:50:00.006+05:30

Skoda has a new facelift coming for the Laura in India. The car will be officially unveiled soon, but here's a small preview of what you can expect.

The new design follows the aggressive theme of the new Superb and the Fabia with completely restyled front end and a significantly redesigned headlight unit. The tail end gets minor updates to the lights and the bumper. Interiors will get new colors and redesigned air-con vents, integrated audio and multi-info display. Customers will also get new alloy design options to match their taste. With minor testing and ARAI proceedings to follow, the new Laura should be available across the showrooms by mid-2009. Technically the car will remain the same for India.

Lambo's Fourth Teaser

2008-10-01T15:15:00.002+05:30

Lamborghini has released the fourth and final teaser of the new 4-seater GT concept that will be unveiled tomorrow. The latest image shows the headlight unit, which is completely different to the whatever designs we have seen so far. The image shows a much more subtle looking headlight assembly as compared to the aggressive units on the Gallardo and Murcielago.

For more images of the new concept, check back tomorrow evening.

For the earlier teasers, Click Here.

i20: Even more photos...

2008-09-28T00:56:00.003+05:30

Here are some more photos of the i20 in real life. The car however is left hand drive but it should give you an idea about the stuff you can expect in India.

VDO: NFS: Undercover gameplay

2008-09-28T00:49:00.000+05:30

More images of i20 released

2008-09-26T23:51:00.002+05:30

2009 Wagon R and variant

2008-09-26T17:57:00.005+05:30

Suzuki has unveiled the 2009 range of Wagon R models in Japan. The cars follow the same K-car philosophy as the earlier models, but with a longer wheelbase and new fascia. The car is expected to hit India too with the same engine options as the current model. Expect the new Wagon R to hit India by mid-2009.
The Stingray (above) variant is targeted towards the male audience and may also make it to India.

2009 Suzukis...

2008-09-26T14:12:00.008+05:30

Following the launches from Honda and Yamaha (and Kawasaki too, though we havent covered them yet |pl accept our apologies|), Suzuki has unveiled its 2009 line up too. New for the Supersport category in the GSX-R1000 with a new look, exhaust system and minor engine upgrade. The rest of the sports range get new paint schemes.

A significant launch however is the Gladius 650 street bike which is heading towards the Italian nakeds with its Japanese reliablity.

Photo Feature: Some of the best car keys

2008-09-26T13:34:00.002+05:30

Cars are definitely a form of great artwork (there are exceptions though), and their sheer presence can make a person feel special. However, the keys to these timeless beauties seem more or less the same across various makes and model, but they still induce similar feelings as the cars themselves.

Click here for selected images of such expensive key fobs...

Bajaj Launches Platina 125 DTS-Si

2008-09-25T15:44:00.003+05:30

To gain further marke share in the commuter segement, Bajaj has launched the Platina 125 with the same mill that powers the XCD. Priced at an attractive 39,000 Rs., the Platina 125 is gunning for a major chunk off the current 100cc segment.

Features are as follows:
1 DTS-Si Engine
2 125cc
3 Mileage of 111 kmpl (yeah right!)
4 Electric Start
5 Maintenance Free Battery
6 Auto Choke
7 Anti-Friction DU bushes in Front-Fork
8 Ride Control Switch
9 SNS Suspension
10 ExhausTEC
11 Twin pilot Lamps

Honda Seil launches the new Honda City!

2008-09-25T14:26:00.003+05:30

The class leader is back with a bang. The all new Honda City that has created such a big buzz around the Asian market has unveiled today in New Delhi by Honda Seil. While there is no word on the 1.3-litre variant that we expected, Honda Seil offers a 1.5-litre 118PS model in three trims - 1.5 E MT, 1.5 S MT and 1.5 S AT. The base model starts at an ex-showroom price of approximately 8-lakh, while the top end AT values close to 9.5-lakh.

The most significant aspect however is, the safety features like Airbags, ABS etc. are same across all variants - so no compromise on safety either. For a complete list of features and lisitings, visit the Honda Seil site HERE.

Lambo releases another teaser

2008-09-25T14:07:00.003+05:30

Lamborghini have realeased one more teaser image of the upcoming 4-door 4-seater GT concept which will most probably be christened the 'Urus'. Last week we showed you the teaser images that Lambo released prior to the one shown above. The concept will unveiled at the 2008 Paris Motor Show.

Ferrari Motorcycle Concept

2008-09-25T12:31:00.004+05:30

Any motorhead at some point of time is sweapt off his or her feet with the art, engineering or the form of a Ferrari! The same thing happened to a certain bloke called Amir Glinik, who actually went a step further to design his own Concept motorcycle based on the Ferrari lineage.

To understand the philosophy behind his project and to take a look at more images, CLICK HERE.

Bikes Better than Girlfriends?

2008-09-24T14:29:00.003+05:30

Accept it or not, many a times most bikers feel that their bike is much better to spend time and money on, than their girlfriend. Here are 50 reasons, why we think that the bike is better than the babe!

Once you are done reading the post, participate in the poll on the top right corner of 100 Octane.

Just a biker...

2008-09-22T14:28:00.009+05:30

The following words were sent to me by a friend over email, and I sincerely feel that it makes a lot of sense. Direct as many people as you can to this post...let's hope it can change some minds.

I saw you;
hug your purse closer to you in the grocery store line.
But you didn't see me put an extra £10.00 in the collection plate last
Sunday.

I saw you pull your child closer when we passed each other on the
sidewalk.
But you didn't see me playing Santa at the local Mall.
I saw you change your mind about going into the restaurant when you
saw my bike parked out front.
But you didn't see me attending a meeting to raise more money for the hurricane relief.

I saw you roll up your window and shake your head when I rode by.
But you didn't see me riding behind you when you flicked your cigarette butt out the car window.
I saw you frown at me when I smiled at your children.
But you didn't see me, when I took time off from work to run toys to
the homeless.

I saw you stare at my long hair.
But you didn't see me and my friends cut ten inches off for 'Locks of Love'.
I saw you roll your eyes at our Leather jackets and gloves.
But you didn't see me and my brothers donate our old ones to those
that had none.

I saw you look in fright at my tattoos.
But you didn't see me cry as my children where born or have their name written over and in my heart.
I saw you change lanes while rushing off to go somewhere.
But you didn't see me going home to be with my family.

I saw you, complain about how loud and noisy our bikes can be.
But you didn't see me when you were changing the CD and drifted into my lane.
I saw you yelling at your kids in the car.
But you didn't see me pat my child's hands knowing she was safe behind me.

I saw you reading the newspaper or map as you drove down the road.
But you didn't see me squeeze my wife's leg when she told me to take the next turn.
I saw you race down the road in the rain.
But you didn't see me get soaked to the skin so my son could have the car to go on his date.

I saw you run the yellow light just to save a few minutes of time.
But you didn't see me trying to turn right.
I saw you cut me off because you needed to be in the lane I was in.
But you didn't see me leave the road.

I saw you, waiting impatiently for my friends to pass.
But you didn't see me. I wasn't there.
I saw you go home to your family. But you didn't see me.
Because I died that day you cut me off.
I was just a biker. A person with friends and a family. But you didn't
see me.
I hope you never lose someone that rides.
EVEN IF YOU DON'T LIKE US, RESPECT OUR RIGHTS TO RIDE WHAT
WE CHOOSE AND TAKE A FEW EXTRA SECONDS TO BE SURE WE ARE NOT
IN 'YOUR' WAY.

If you do find the original source of these words, please email me the link to rohit.paradkar@gmail.com

Lamborghini to unwrap THE Italian car

2008-09-19T20:19:00.007+05:30

With the Paris motor show around the corner, a lot of exciting manufacturers are throwing sneak peeks at the enthusiasts. The buzz however right now are the two teaser images of the new Lamborghini sport/super car that will make a debut at the 2008 Paris Motor Show.

From what we see, the car is loaded with carbonfibre, proudly wears the Italian flag on the side air scoop and is all set to provide us with a wonderful soundtrack through those trapezoidal twin-pipes. The trademark yellow Lambo brake calipers now seem to traded for gloss black ones.

The car will be unveiled on the 2nd of October at the Paris Motor Show. So if you aint out of your senses on the 'dry-day', then come back and check 100octane of the images!

Till then, click on the images for a larger view of the teasers...

Yamaha India launches the FZ16

2008-09-15T11:29:00.003+05:30

The wait for India's most radical street bike is over! Yamaha India has finally unveiled the FZ16 at an ex-showroom price of 65,000. The specs are similar to what we revealed to earlier. Our contributor Rash will give you a first ride report soon...

Till then visit Yamaha's webiste for more info HERE.

Complete Specs HERE.

Hero Honda celebrates 25th Anniversary

2008-09-12T11:42:00.006+05:30

The much hyped Karizma-ad has been a disappointment for people who were expecting the FI version,or a higher CC variant or whatever else. The ad has been nothing but a publicity of Hero Honda's 25th Anniversary. Anyway, Congrats Hero Honda!

And it bites the dust...

2008-09-12T11:21:00.002+05:30

The Japanese are known for their aftermarket performance products - right from exhaust systems to modchips for the ECU. One of the most well-known names in this business has been 'Trust', better known outside Japan as 'Greddy'.

Sadly however, in recent times, where cheap Chinese knock-offs are plaguing almost every industry, Greddy too was faced the brunt. The company has now declared bankruptcy, after a five year decline in sales. We hope some investment firm or tuner makes an effort to revive the brand. However, knocking off the 60-million dollar debt wont be an easy task.

Image Source: www.dangeruss-industries.com

VDO: 2K9 Yamaha R1 Commercial

2008-09-11T09:46:00.001+05:30

2009 Honda City Launched in Thailand

2008-09-10T14:40:00.007+05:30

Thai Honda unveiled the 2009 Honda City eralier today. The car will only be available with a 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine, however for India, Honda will also offer a fuel-efficient 1.3-litre variant. The car is expected to launch in India by Diwali.

Image Source: Thai Honda via Paultan

Earlier posts on the new Honda City:

http://100octane.blogspot.com/2008/08/2008-honda-city.html

2009 Yamaha middleweights

2008-09-10T08:44:00.007+05:30

Yesterday we revealed the 2009 YZF-R1 to all our readers. But for people who prefer the smaller, more agile 600cc bikes, Yamaha has not one but two bikes on offer. Though not heading for India, they are still a treat for the eyes. The YZF-R6 gets new colors schemes - the Halloween inspired orange-black looks the best according to me. But the schemes are no where close to the kick-ass jobs on the 2009 Honda CBRs.

For starters and learners, Yamaha has launched the FZ6R. Apart from the 'F-Z-6' letters and number, the bike doesn't share anything else with the FZ6 street bike. It uses a detuned version of the old R6 motor and mates it to a new chassis design and a low seating - making it an ideal choice for newbies and female riders. The bike boasts of killer paint schemes and comes at a price much cheaper than Yam's flagship R6.

For more pics of the YZF-R6, CLICK HERE

For more pics of the FZ6R, CLICK HERE

Technical Specs of the R6 and FZ6R, CLICK HERE

2009 R1 Unveiled!

2008-09-09T08:25:00.008+05:30

Yamaha has unveiled the 2009 YZF-R1 and for people who expected a stunner of a looker - well

you be disappointed! The bike has traded the 'high-beam' headlight units of the 2008 R1 for an air-intake and hence the only units providing illumination are the Projection Beams. Yamaha has also incorporated a host of new engineering to make the ride smoother and have a much better power delivery. Unlike its predecessor, the 2009 R1's console is much larger and incorporates a larger multi-information display as well. Building

further on the YCC-T platrom, Yamaha now has three rider modes as well - A and B. The “A” mode lets the rider enjoy sportier engine response in the low- to mid-speed range, and the “B” mode offers response that is somewhat less sharp response for riding situations that require especially sensitive throttle operation.

Unlike the competition, Yamaha has maintained the underseat

exhausts and a redesigned tail-light. Expect this bike to be quiter than the earlier models, unfortunately because of all the stringent emission norms. The R1 is launched at a premium for 12500$. At 215kg, the bike is still heavier than arch-rival Fireblade, but only the full blown track tests will show what the bike is worth.

For more images, CLICK HERE

For Technical Specifications, CLICK HERE

Photo Feature: Mercedes Benz Museum

2008-09-09T01:28:00.005+05:30

We bring you images from the one of the most exotic automotive institutions on earth - the Mercedes Benz Musem. Click the link below to view the breathtaking photographs:

The Mercedes-Benz Museum

___________________________________________

FIAT Linea spied again...

2008-09-08T08:51:00.004+05:30

We scooped the Linea some time back. Our 'spies' have got into the act again. Pics attached..

Innova Facelift for India

2008-09-07T08:07:00.005+05:30

The Toyota Innova has been doing well as a competant people carrier in India. With good styling and features to match, the Innova hasn't been written off as 'just another commercial vehicle'. But it high time the Innova got atleast a facelift, if not a replacement - thats thats exactly what Toyota's done. Changes include a new front/rear bumpers, grille, headlight and tail light. The interiors get new colors and twin-blower assisted A/C vents for all three rows.

Check the pics..

2009 Honda Sports bikes uncovered!

2008-09-05T23:18:00.007+05:30

(well Kawasaki, this is how greens are made!)

Honda has finally taken the wraps off the 2009 series of CBR Sports machines. As was told earlier, both the 600RR and the 1000RR now come with a CBS(Combined Braking System) variant and a variety of new kick-ass paint schemes. The CBR600RR now gets a new shape for turn indicators and added fairing panels that completely cover the engine - whether for cosmetic purpose or functionality, we'll find out soon. And whats more? The Repsol 1000RR is back!!

Click on the thumbnails for larger views:

CBR600RR:

CBR1000RR:

Yamaha's sledge-hammer on Indian Motorsport

2008-09-05T22:37:00.004+05:30

The Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), the National Sports Federation recognized by the Government of India and the International Federation viz. Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), has today announced that the Yamaha YZF-R15 has been homologated for motorsport purposes in India. The Technical Data Form has been approved and this gives racers to the permission to use the R15 the National Championship Motorsport events. With the R15 already proving its mettle has a potent track tool, this motorsport homologation comes in as a great threat for competitiors of the 150cc segment category.

It finally looks like Indian Motorsport is now heading in a positive direction - all we need are more race tracks...

Toyota launches the Altis

2008-09-05T21:09:00.003+05:30

Toyota launched the highly anticipated Corolla Altis today. All set to go head-on against the Civic and the Jetta, the Altis promises a lot of space and practicality. To know whether it really delivers, pick up you favorite automobile magazine for October...

FIAT aims at Jaguar/Land Rover

2008-09-05T20:17:00.003+05:30

FIAT has been selling more engines than cars, atleast in India - thanks to its OE applications like the Swift diesel and the Indica Vista. However, in a move to improve relations with the latter's manufacturer - TATA, FIAT has proposed an agrrement to produce engines and drivetrains for the Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles, once they the contract of both these brands with Ford is over. Fiat global CEO Sergio Marchionne said that Fiat wants to extend its alliance with TATA for architecture, design, platform and powertrain collaboration for Jaguar-Land Rover as well. TATA it seems though, hasn't commented on this proposal yet.

More info as news flows in...

Civic Facelift: Again

2008-09-05T20:01:00.003+05:30

Last month we told our readers about the Honda's plans to bring the Civic facelift to India, following a facelift treatment to the Civic in US.

Later we showed you a couple of photos of the changes you could expect for the Indian version in THIS thread.

Well, here are a couple more - should give an idea of how the new Civic will look. Click on the picture above or below for a larger view.

Vote Now...

2008-09-05T19:45:00.003+05:30

We have added a new feature on the blog - The Poll!

Every week we'll put up a pole that is in some way related to the automobile world. Take some time out and vote your pick from the options....

So whatcha waiting for, the first one is on the right hand side menu!

R15 Championship

2008-09-05T11:51:00.003+05:30

Yamaha India has gone all out with its R15. As is visible, Yamaha is heading back to its image of being a performance brand and its latest offerings have highlighted the fact. To emphasize further, Yam have announced the commencement of the 'R15 Championship' which allows owners of the permium bike to experiecne the power and handling on the place where it belongs - the race track. With the first race starting this weekend (6-7th September), Yamaha plans to organise similar events every month. The championship winner will get prizes worth 1 lakh INR apart from the thrill and excitement of the racetrack. The first event will be held at Irungattukottai Race Track at Chennai.

External Links:

Madras Motorsport Association

Yamaha India Website

Honda CB1300SF

2008-09-04T11:43:00.003+05:30

Riding on the success of their 'Super Four' series of street bikes, Honda has recently launched a commercial for the CB1300. Here it goes:

More FZ16 details

2008-09-02T22:26:00.006+05:30

100 Octane brings you more info on the soon to be launched FZ16.

Here they are:

Engine:

Engine: 153.7 CC four-stroke, air-cooled, single-cylinder, 2 valves, SOHC

ESTIMATED Power: 15PS @ 8,400 RPM

Gearbox: 5-speed

Fuel System: 26mm CV Carb

Wheels, Tyres and Brakes:

Wheels (F/R): 5-spoke 17" die-cast alloys

Tyres(F/R): 100/60-R17, 140-60-R17

Brakes(F/R): 267mm single cross-drilled ventilated rotor with 2-pot calipers / 130mm drum

Suspension:

Front: 41mm Telescopic Forks

Rear: Monocross type

Electricals:

Headlight: 12V 35W Halogen with Multifocal Reflector

Exhaust System:

Mid Ship type, side mounted

Tank:

Construction: 3-piece

Capacity: 13 litres

Additional info:

1. Fully digital console with digital readout for RPM, Speed, Trip and Odo.

2. YTPS: Yamaha Throttle Position Sensor, for better throttle response and fuel efficiency

Expected price:

Rs. 70,000 ex-showroom

Indian Motorsport: Rohit Giri

2008-09-02T15:52:00.003+05:30

Rohit Giri is a rising star for hte Indian Motorsport. With remarkable performance within a few races of the 600cc Novice Category of the Malaysian Super Series, he is definitely the racer to watch out for in the future. Here's a small promotional presentation on the racer (popularly known as Valentino Rohit).

VDO: Drifiting with elegance...

2008-09-02T09:12:00.002+05:30

Agreed, 5-crore cars are the epitome of luxury. But they are not only about luxury, especially when the car is a rear-wheel drive with a 550 horsepower V12!

Source: iMotor

VDO:Knitted Ferrari

2008-09-02T08:56:00.001+05:30

A student of art from UK knitted the ultimate car cover for any petrol enthusiast. Check the video out:

@ Yahoo! Video

New Hyundais: Some launched, some coming

2008-09-01T20:26:00.004+05:30

Hyundai India, which has been marketing its 'Santro' as the 'ideal first car' for the Indian buyer, has in a way gone head on against the Maruti 800 which advertised on similar lines with their 'mera sapna meri maruti' campaign.

Now, in the run to make the Maruti 800 feel the heat, the Koreans are developing a 800cc engine for an entry level car which would be positioned below the Santro. To keep things competitive, the car will be priced below 2-lakh (on-road) for the the base model, with topper variants bridging the gap to the Santro. The car will follow the 'i' naming convention and will go on sale by early 2010.

The i20, which has been the talk of the town already, is set for a Paris Motor Show debut. Sales will commence in December.

Other launches for 2008 have been made this week in the form of the Santro LPG, a tweaked Accent GLE (now re-christened as the Accent Executive) and limited edition of version of the Verna 1.6 (with new interiors).

VIDEO: To Crash or not to Crash

2008-09-01T15:58:00.002+05:30

http://view.break.com/505730 - Watch more free videos

Why 'Rock On!!' is a must watch for bikers...

2008-08-29T14:49:00.002+05:30

Being a dyed-in-the-wool biker, all of you sometime, somewhere come across stories or movies or even incidents in your everyday life, where you can correlate them with your biking life. I’m no different and it happens to me a lot of times too. However, I somehow found the new bollywood flick, ‘Rock On’ to be one great story that a lot of bikers can correlate to.

To know why I say so, CLICK HERE!

CBR600RR: The Evolution

2008-08-29T11:16:00.004+05:30

Hi guys,

Rash here. All avid Bike India readers will recall the CBR600RR Evolution that was featured in the July issue. For all those who missed it, the article, along with some photos has been uploaded now on the Bike India website. While I handled the intro/conclusion and inputs about the 03-04 and the 07-08 600RR, my colleague Adhish Alawani gave his valuable inputs about the 05-06 model. The story talks about the evolution of the 600RR series from Honda and how the company transformed their 'sport-touring' kinda middleweights into one of the most poten track machines ever built.

To catch the story on the Bike India website, CLICK HERE.

Fazer name revealed!

2008-08-28T14:59:00.002+05:30

Yamaha India's R15 has taken off in a great style with great sales figures in three months of its launch. The R15's street-fighter sibling, the Fazer is eagerly awaited as well. Our sources have confirmed that the bike will be launched in September and the deliveries will commence by Oct. 2008. Whats interesting however, is that the bike is not going to be called a Fazer 150 or FZ15 or FZ150 as everyone speculated. The street fighter has been christened the FZ-16 - a pointer that the air cooled engine will be a 160cc!

As mentioned earlier, the new Yam will cost approximately 90K ex-showroom.

Movie Buff!: Hell Ride

2008-08-28T12:27:00.004+05:30

Quentin Tarantino, the celebrated name behind flicks like Kill Bill and Pulp Fiction, is back with his latest movie - Hell Ride. The movie is supposedly a 'biker-to-the-bone' kinda flick and is inspired by the popular Easy Rider movie which was released in the late sixties. The movie plot talks about a clash two biker gangs in the western deserts of America. While there has been no release date mentioned yet, here's a trailer for all bikers to enjoy:

2009 Honda Civic: More Updates

2008-08-27T22:19:00.007+05:30

A few days back we scooped you about Honda's plans to give the Civic a facelift. We have now got some more info regarding the same!
The list of changes on the facelift model are minor. One of the most significant changes is the new radiator grille design which now features a larger mesh as compared to the current one.
The other change is the Polygonal tail/stop light unit instead of the round ones currently found in the Civic's tail cluster.
The car will also a get new upholstery and a new Electric Blue exterior color option. The car is expected to be unveiled by this Diwali and will go one sale by December.

Fabia extends family

2008-08-27T17:52:00.017+05:30

Skoda India is on a roll with some successful models like the Octavia, Laura and the recently launched Fabia hatch. However, the car that created waves amongst the enthusiasts was the Skoda Octavia RS. The Czech company however put the 150bhp monster to sleep a couple of months back due to the lack of demand.

But it seems that the performance hungry enthusiasts have a new offering coming their way from Skoda - this time in a diesel flavor though. The Fabia's strong chassis will soon house Skoda's trusty ol' 1.9 TDI powerplant to introduce itself in a new variant - the Fabia Sport. The car is expected to be launched by the end of this year and the hot favorite RS Yellow color will be back on the brochure. The car will also feature side skirts, a rear roof spoiler and 16" alloys.

There are three other variants on the cards as well. The first being the Fabia Greenline - tweaked version of the diesel hatch which will supposedly return better mileage. The next in line is the Fabia Combi - an estate version (no idea why Skoda wants to gamble again considering the Octavia Combi never really sold) and last but not the least, is the Fabia Roomster - the car that Skoda displayed at the Auto Expo.

Movie Buff!: Fast and Furious (4)

2008-08-26T19:20:00.005+05:30

Universal Studios, who produced the earlier iterations of the three 'Fast and Furious' series are now ready with the fourth installment. The movie will be titled ‘Fast and Furious’ (sans the ‘The’) and will mark the return of Dom Torretto (Vin Diesel) and Brian O’Connor (Paul Walker). The plot revolves around a common enemy that the two will fight against together. The movie is slated for an American release in June next year. Considering the success of the series in India, the fourth iteration will reach the Indian multiplexes too. To kill time then, here a small teaser of what you can expect:

India Bound: Toyota Yaris Sedan

2008-08-26T12:07:00.002+05:30

We told you some time back about Toyota's plans to launch the Yaris hatch in India. From our sources we have also learnt that apart from the hatch, even the sedan version of the Yaris is being tested for India. The car should be launched closer to the Yaris hatch's launch. More info will come as our sources feed us in...

Chevy Cruze Engine Details

2008-08-26T12:03:00.002+05:30

Chevrolet recently released the engine details of the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze. The petrol options include 1.6-litre, 112PS and 1.8-litre, 140PS 4-cylinder engines. A 150-PS 2.0-litre oilburner from the Captiva is also on the cards for the global launch but whether it will detuned for India is a matter of speculation. The car is based on Chevy's Delta II platform and will debut at the Paris Motor Show later this year.

Game On! : NFS: Undercover

2008-08-26T11:41:00.000+05:30

The latest installment in the popular 'Need For Speed' series is NFS: Undercover. The game sheds its legal racing 'ProStreet' history and goes back to the illegal street racing and cops chase action. This time though, they have added a whole new intense storyline to the game and with the alloted budget for each succesive NFS going higher, EA have also hired a host of popular Hollywood actors for the game. The game is expected to be released across all popular platforms by November this year. The expected price will be Rs. 1,999 and will be available across all popular malls/book/toy stores.

2008 Honda City

2008-08-24T17:23:00.003+05:30

While most magazines are busy creating artist impressions of what the new Honda City may look like, here are some actual photos that have leaked onto the internet.

**UPDATE: Found more images on the team bhp forum. Heres a link:

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian-car-scene/40346-scoop-all-new-3rd-gen-honda-city-caught-testing-edit-interior-pics-pg-39-a-39.html

APRC: Indians be proud!

2008-08-24T15:59:00.001+05:30

The Indonesian round of the APRC has ended today on a great note. Its a moment of historic significance for all Indian Motorsport fans, as Gaurav Gill, became the first Indian to ever win a Round at the Asia Pacific Rally Championship.

For more info, click here.

The 5yr old racing wonder

2008-08-21T09:55:00.000+05:30

Most of the good riders today started of pretty early. John Hopkins (Team Kawasaki, MotoGP) for instance started testing motor cycles at the age of 5. Following his footsteps to MotoGP is Karoon Moorthy from India. Karoon is the son of x-racer Kaushik Moorthy who raced with TVS Centigo Racing in the Indian racing scene.

Karoon is doing his first grade at Chennai in “GRT Vidhyalaya”. He is five years old and is easily the youngest competitor in our country. The lad’s closest competitor at present is twice his size and thrice his age. He owns two or more 30cc Pocket bikes (Two strokes) and rides them around the MMSC race track every alternate weekend. He is already a part of Gutzy Roadies Racing team which is based in Chennai. He is being trained by his father and other fellow racers. He has more than a 100 laps at the Chennai track and a few laps around the Kari-Speedway Coimbatore, tugged in as his experience. He holds the record for the Youngest Fastest Indian, and the youngest karting kid (covered by CNN-IBN and TIMES NOW). Karoon is also nominated for the Amazing kids award of 2008 by POGO. Witnessing him in action at the Kari Speedway, he was christened “The Indian Valentino Rossi” by UCAL & ROLON.

Now Karoon never shuts the throttle of the 30cc pocket bike at the tracks. This made Karoon long for more power on the straights and corner exits. Well everyone could notice the smile vanishing in his face when he saw the straights, and his dad made a note of it too. He was immediately presented with another pocket bike which runs on a 100cc mill. With his new bike, Karoon now evidently poses a threat to all the fellow racers in the Indian Racing scene.

- Varun Kumar.V

R15: the bike that will help biking

2008-08-20T19:42:00.001+05:30

Ever since its launch on the 11^th of June 2008, the R15 has been a target of appreciation as well by criticism all across the biking community. The appreciation has been for all the appropriate reasons, but the criticism is something that needs clarification. Here's my take...

CLICK HERE to read the full story!

FZ150 Pricing Revealed

2008-08-19T11:10:00.002+05:30

According to sources close to Yamaha, 100 Octane has learnt that the ex-showroom pricing for the Yamaha FZ150 is close 90,000. The high quality of materials and the expensive DIASIL 150cc engine are responsible for the high price. More info soon...

India Bound: Toyota Rav4

2008-08-19T01:06:00.001+05:30

Toyota India has big plans for the local market with some serious launches lined up for 2009. While the company is set to make waves int he small car segment soon with the Yaris hatch, Toyota is also planning to take its battle with Honda a step further. By Q3 2009, Toyota is expected to launch the Rav4 compact crossover SUV between a wide price bracket of 17 lakhs to 24 lakhs.

The variants that are most like to make it to the Indian market are the 2.0-litre front wheel drive model that produces a 165PS of power and a 2.5-litre 180PS variant with a 4WD. To heat up the battle further, the 2.2-litre four cylinder diesel will also be a lucrative option for the Indian market. With such a wide variety of options, the Rav4 will single handedly take on the CR-V/diesel, Captiva and the Endeavor.

2009 Honda Civic

2008-08-17T11:19:00.000+05:30

The facelifted version of the Honda Civic is expected to hit global showrooms soon. But the people at '8th Civic' forum have got their hands on the Showroom Brochure which will go into printing before the launch of the car.

The Indian version too is expected to undergo the facelift in order to stay up-to-date with the new Accord and the upcoming City. However, the headlights will be more or less the same as the current model and wont resemble the ones seen in the brochure images. The tail light though is expected to be an exact replica of the 2009 model shown in the images below. The engine options wont change and the same 1.8-litre petrol and the 1.3-litre hybrid will run under the new body. The facelift is expected to hit Indian showrooms by Q1 2009.

SOURCE: 8th Civic

For more images and discussions, follow this LINK

2009 Audi A6

2008-08-17T10:54:00.000+05:30

Audi has taken the wraps off the 2009 Audi A6 facelift, ahead of the Paris Motor Show. The new look A6 is expected to reach India by Q1 2009 at a price slightly higher than the current A6 that is sold in India.

For more images, CLICK HERE

For the complete Press Release, CLICK HERE

Pulsar 220: New Equipment

2008-08-16T13:19:00.000+05:30

220 owners rejoice! Bajaj has finally designed a set of mirrors for the 220 which can see what following you. The earlier mirrors were good enough to reflect your arms and nothing else really. But the new mirrors are now conventional ones :)

Apart from the new mirrors, the company has also changed the LCD backlight to a 'White' one now unlike the 'Orange' one we are used to.

Honda CBF Stunner

2008-08-16T13:06:00.000+05:30

Hey guys,

Rash here. I got a lot of mails and messages about the R15 story I wrote a while back. While I still havent posted the concluding part yet, I promise to do so soon. Alongside, I'll also be writing my report regarding the Honda CBF Stunner soon. Keep checking 100 Octane for further updates.

Regards

Rash

Honda launchs Civic Sport

2008-08-16T11:08:00.000+05:30

Honda India recently launched the Civic Sport limited edition model to celebrate a sale of 3,00,000 cars in India. Ironically though, the car doesn't have any upgrades under the hood and what ever you get is pretty much cosmetic or from the safety point of view. No paddle shifts for this limited edition either :(

For a list of the add-ons, CLICK HERE

For the Press Release, CLICK HERE

VIDEO: Drifting - Arab Style

2008-08-16T11:06:00.000+05:30

Here's a clip that we found on YouTube. Watch closely, there's also a Chevy Optra sliding around...