The 8th generation Honda accord is here

Generally one does not tend to associate value for money with Honda but if you are shopping around in the premium sedan segment and have a petrol in mind you need to look no further than the latest genertion Honda accord which is available at a bargain if compared to its competition[Camry,teana].

Three variants have been launched the Accord 2.4,Accord 2.4 Elegance and Accord 2.4 Inspire with prices starting from Rs 16.49 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) and going up to Rs 18.14 lakh for the top variant.

After success with paddle shifts in the Honda civic,Honda now are offering the accord with paddle shift five speed automatic transmission.What powers the car is a 2.4L ,180 ps @6500rpm and 222Nm @6500rpm, E10 petrol engine which is euro 4 compliant.Sadly we do not get the V6 with VCM[ Variable Cylinder Management ].The plus point is fuel efficiency has now improved by 8% compared its predecessor.


If there is one area of concern its the looks department although I am told in real life things are a lot better than what the pictures suggest.In terms of dimensions the overall length and width of the car has increased by 80 mm and 25 mm respectively.


Honda have thankfully not skimped on the safety equipment and the new accord comes with 6 airbags.When it comes to interiors its a Honda do I have to even write more.For the drivers comfort you get 8 way power adjustable seats with lumber support[lucky chauffeurs].The audio system comes with a USB slot.

All in all we have a winner once more with Honda raising the bar when it comes to luxury and performance but at the same time showing the way in terms of pricing[wow I never thought I would write that about a Honda].

[Source:Economictimes]

[image source:Hondacarindia]

Next generation Nissan Teana

Thanks to the internet once again a car is out in the public domain well before its launch date.The internet is full of scanned pictures from a car dealers brochure of the next generation Nissan Teana.


The Teana would have an official launch at the Bangkok motor show[2008] and is based on the Nissan Intima concept car.Its an either you love it or hate it kind of design and you certainly cannot say it looks like they have taken bits from their rivals design.Clearly the teana has once again established a distinct identity for itself amongst itself.Inspite being a car for the middle class[ok not in out markets] it gives you that premium car feeling.Take the wood for instance,toyota have come under severe criticism for the wood they use in their cars which has too much of a cheap feel to it with the teana however you certainly feel that its straight from the forests.


The interior looks well appointed once again,the centre console requires special mention with a laptop like flat keypad.


When will it be in India,probably not atleast till second quarter of 2009.Its competition the accord is all set for a makeover and the new accord comes to our market this june[2008].The hyundai sonata is due for a small facelift and the new model should be out in India by next year[2009].As for the camry after the new corolla launch it would lose its distinct identity.


[source,image source:bkkautos]

Ps:In case you are interested in the new sonata[which would be known globally as the i40] here is a link you could look at
2009 Facelifted Sonata[i40]

Whats keeping Lexus Away from the Indian Markets?

Each month you hear Mercedes and BMW say sales have overshot expectations by a huge margin.BMW now say they could well achieve 10000 units per annum by 2010 easily[and then you will again hear they have exceeded this target].Its the same with the others as well be it Mercedes,Volvo,Audi.

Then why does one of the hottest brands as far as the Premium badge is considered prefer to stay away from the Indian markets.Yes Lexus has well and truly been accepted as a luxury brand throughout the world and its no different here in India.We have imports here in the Indian market and the SUV's especially seem to be quite popular.Why does Toyota want to deprive itself from one of the hottest markets.Even the Camry which is imported from Japan and attracting those huge duties is still doing pretty well considering its ridiculously high price in the Indian market.So the excuse that a Lexus imported as a completely built unit will not attract customers does not real stand firm ground.And surely if BMW and Mercedes can do it so can Lexus it too should start assembling cars in India there is definitely a big enough enough market in India.

Toyota is simply giving the first mover advantage to these already well established brands and letting them set up a good enough network in India.This was the best time to catch these big boys on the back foot no point taking them head-on when they are well established in India[leaving aside Mercedes which is already well established and the darling of the premium car buyers in India].

But then isn't this the case with the whole Toyota brand in India.It is ridiculous that Toyota just has two vehicles in the mainstream market in India[4 overall in India] after more than 10 years in the Indian market.Yes Toyota is approaching the Indian market with caution after the DCM Toyota fiasco but does it really have to be so extreme.We know you have some of the best vehicles for markets like ours,but please get them here first.

[Image source:Wikipedia]

Also read:
Lexus to be sold in the Indian markets soon

Toyota claim the next generation corolla is the hottest ever-Here's some of the reasons why

The new corolla is going to hit the indian shores and we have talked about its camry like exteriors,now a bit more with regards to the interiors and features.

AB-i is standard on all new Corolla models, and delivers uncompromising stopping power in virtually any conditions.AB-i braking system combines Anti-skid Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD).



Now heres something the new corolla owners would like to show around a bit,


The Smart Entry and Start System -No need to physically use your key to unlock and start the car. Simply have it on you, and the car unlocks when you use the door handle, and starts at the push of a button.



The top end corolla will come with HID Auto-levelling headlamps, headlamp cleaners, rain-sensing wipers,16” alloy wheels and a flat rear floor, multi-function trip computer and anti-glare electro-chromatic interior mirrors,lexus like optitron combimeter, 6 speaker MP3 compatible CD player,Aux-in, steering wheel audio controls, Bluetooth compatibility.7 Airbags wonder how many that will become to when it comes to India.

It would have a six speed manual but auto -gearbox enthusiasts may be in for a disappointment with a 4 speed auto-gearbox.



Probable engines[for India]:
Diesel
2.0L D4D
Power-126bhp
Torque-300Nm

Petrol
1.8L Dual VVT-i
Power-130bhp@6,000rpm
Torque-173Nm@4400rpm

Dual VVT-i meaning valve timing is adjusted on both intake and exhaust valves,toyota claim this improves fuel efficiency and this car could even give the honda city[a C segment car] a run for its money in this area at the same time it is very powerful as D segmenter's should be.

For india however expect a lot more beige in the interiors:


Now thats a lot of toys ,have to see how toyota manages the pricing for India without compromising too much on the features cause toyota really need the corolla to click this time round.There's a car very much in this mold the skoda laura now again and again I ask would toyota do a skoda[sell both older generation and newer generation cars side by side].

Update 1:The dual VVT-i engines will not make it to markets like India.

Update 2:
Expect toyota to be miserly with the toys it gives in the Indian corolla.

Exterior pics here:
New toyota corolla to head to India