Fiat Punto facelift spied in India

A test mule of Fiat Punto facelift was spied near its factory at Ranjangaon. As seen from the picture, the Punto facelift features a redesigned headlamp, front and rear bumpers and a new set of fog lamps.

This is the first major facelift for Punto in India since its launch. Fiat has been struggling right from the beginning to make a mark in India. Though being a good car Fiat Punto has lost its ground to its rivals Swift, i20 and Figo. Fiat last year decided to go solo in their dealer network, ending a long partnership stint with Tata Motors.

Apart from exterior changes there could be minimal changes inside. The new dashboard from Linea could be a possibility in the Punto, but do not think of any changes under the hood. Fiat might carry on with the current 1.2L & 1.4L petrol and 1.3L diesel engines. 

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Skoda Superb facelift 2014 prices

Skoda Superb petrol facelift 2014 prices

Ambition 1.8 TSI MT – Rs. 18,87,000

Elegance 1.8 TSI MT – Rs. 20,65,000

Elegance 1.8 TSI AT – Rs. 22,27,000

Skoda Superb diesel facelift 2014 prices

Ambition 2.0 TDI AT – Rs. 23,43,000

Elegance 2.0 TDI AT – Rs. 25,20,000

*All prices ex-shwroom, New Delhi at the time of the launch.

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Mahindra Thar Midnight Edition showcased at Auto Expo 2014

Mahindra showcased Thar Midnight Edition at the ongoing Auto Expo 2014. The Thar Midnight Edition is a highly accessoriezed version of Thar with rugged go anywhere look. 

The tough looking Thar gets a matte-black finish. In the front there is a bull bar on which additional lights have been mounted, a tow hook and an electric winch. The hood gets an air scoop and a ‘Midnight’ decal. There is also a snorkel place on the driver’s side. 

Mahindra Thar Midnight Edition Specifications

Engine Type: Diesel

Displacement: 2498cc, CRDe

Transmission sytem: 5 Manual

Maximum Power: 105 Bhp at 3800 rpm

Maximum Torque: 247 Nm at 1800 rpm

Seater: 6

Tyre Size: 235/70 R16

Shock absorber: Torsion bar and stabilizer bar

Turning radius: 2.12 mtrs.

Steering type: Power

Front & rear Brakes: Front Disk, Rear: Drum

Ground release: 200.00 mm

Kerb heaviness: 1750.00 kgs.

Fuel Tank capacity: 60.00 litre

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Bajaj RE60 quadricycle details revealed

Bajaj Auto showcased its RE60 quadricycle at the Auto Expo 2014. The company revealed the technical details of the RE60 including its fuel efficiency.

The RE60 quadricylce is powered by a 216cc liquid cooled, 4 valve, triple spark, fuel injection engine. The engine is mated to a 5 speed manual transmission and the gear lever mounted on the dashboard like that of the Tata Ace Zip. Three fuel options – LPG, CNG and gasoline(petrol) will be on offer.

The most impressing fact of RE60 is it delivers 37 km/l of petrol and emits 60 grams of CO2 per Km. It has a top speed of 70 Km/h. Bajaj Auto was however tight lipped about the launch of RE60. 

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Ford Figo 2014 launched at Rs. 4.03 lakh

Ford Figo 2014 launched at Auto Expo 2014 with built in WiFi system

Ford India Ltd. has launched an updated version of its hatchback Figo at the ongoing Auto Expo 2014. The updated Ford Figo 2014 comes with a built in WiFi system and audio systems on EXi, ZXi and Titanium variants.

Apart from built in audio system, the ZXi variant now gets driver side airbags and electric mirrors. A new colour shade, ‘Mars Red’ carried over from Ecosport is in the offer. Ford say the earlier ‘Paparika Red’ can be ordered as a request from the customer.

Apart from these changes, Ford has decided to stay with the Figo 2013 facelift which got a refreshened front and rear ends. The price of the Figo 2014 has been hiked, Rs. 10,000 for the EXi, Rs. 20,000 for ZXi and Rs. 10,000 for Titanium model.

Ford and its dealers say the WiFi system is available to the Figo cars with a price of Rs. 10,000. Ford with its darling – the Figo is trying reach the young customers with next generation connectivity technologies. The base petrol variant of Ford Figo 2014 starts at Rs. 4.03 lakh ex-showroom, New Delhi. 

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Ecclestone says double the points for the last three F1 races

Formula 1’s boss Bernie Ecclestone has said he wishes to go even further with his already controversial double-points system by extending it to the final three races of the F1 season.

This has gone down like a lead balloon with most constructors and drivers. The new scheme had already been brought in for the last grand prix of the forthcoming season in Abu Dhabi. But now Ecclestone wants to add in the previous two grands prix in America and Brazil.

This really puts the cat amongst the pigeons for the betting market – particularly when you consider the sweeping changes now required for the F1 new season. And it could spell good news for those of us who like to spice things up a little with a wager.

Of course, the new suggestion to make all three races double is an attempt to keep this interesting for as long as possible in the drivers’ championship race. In this way, it’s testament to the dominance of Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel. The Red Bull German ace had won two of the last three F1 drivers’ championships with three or more races remaining.

But things could be very different this year and the points system changes could make it even more so. So if you’re looking for a punt on a Formula One season bet on an outsider – now seems the ideal time to do it because frankly – anything is possible under the new technical regulations and potential points system.

If ever a team was going to end Red Bull’s dominance, this is the big chance to do it – yet Vettel still dominates the betting with the world’s largest betting exchange, Betfair. This seems to make little sense – so it’s time to pick out a lively outsider thanks to Ecclestone’s changes.

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