| |
| PORSCHE
CAYMAN S |
 IF
THEY CAN make a sports car with a heavy engine slung out over
the rear wheels as friendly to handle as a Labrador, if they
can make a convertible handle as well as a car with a rigid
roof, imagine just how good a proper mid-engined coupe from
Porsche will be! That the Cayman is eagerly awaited is an
understatement.
Expect blistering Porsche performance from the 3.4-litre,
295bhp flat six motor, razor-sharp handling from the perfectly
balanced chassis and oodles of grip from the tyres and approachable
handling of course.
If the Cayman manages to live upto all it promises and if
Porsche as promised makes it affordable, keep the axe ready
for the piggybank.
|
| Model
Porsche Cayman Engine 3386cc flat 6 petrol
Power/Torque 295bhp/34.7kgm Kerb weight
1430kg Dimensions (L/W/H) 4330/1800/1300mm
Expected price Rs 55 lakh |
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|
| |
| NEW
SKODA OCTAVIA |
 ONCE
AN UNKNOWN, now very famous, the Octavia has had a dream run.
And it’s about to get another serious shot in the arm
with the launch of the new model, known as the A5.
Sharp rakish headlights support the prominent Skoda grille,
a longer nose, longer cabin and that characteristic kink in
the ‘C’ pillar help identify the car. The good
news is that there is considerably more legroom in the rear,
build quality is as solid as before and the new 1.9-litre
Pumpe Duse diesel is a gem. Interior quality and fit and finish
are also improved. But the new Octy will be more expensive.
Still, it may be one of the best all-round saloons. Worth
a wait.
|
| Model
New Skoda Octavia Engine 1781cc turbo-petrol
1896cc turbo-diesel Power/Torque 150bhp, 103bhp/21.4kgm,
25.4kgm Kerb weight 1510kg Dimensions (L/W/H)
4572/1973/1462mm Expected price Rs 14 lakh.
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|
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| SKODA
SUPERB DIESEL |
 THE
BIG LIMO from Skoda, built on a stretched VW Passat platform
is another car that has won loads of respect. Its comfortable
ride quality, acres of space and top spec have made it one
of the best budget limos around. Skoda has been selling a
steady trickle of petrol-engined Superbs and now wants to
introduce its excellent diesel V6 motor, something it should
have done in the first place. The 2.5-litre TDi motor has
bags of toque and pulls hard from a low engine speed. Also
expect a revision in price, meaning it will be more attractive
than ever.
|
| Model
Skoda Superb Diesel Engine 2.5-litre V6 turbo-diesel
Power/Torque 155bhp/31.6kgm Kerb weight
NA Dimensions (L/W/H) 4803/1756/1489mm Expected
price Rs 22 lakh. |
|
|
| TATA
INDIGO LWB |
 The
Tata Indigo is at the receiving end of the cutting knife.
A longer wheelbase version is expected. As is obvious, this
exercise is merely to improve interior space and comfort
in the rear. The car will continue to be sold with the 1.4-litre
petrol and diesel engines. A common rail version of the
current turbo-diesel will replace the oil-burning engine
at a later stage.
|
| Model
Tata Indigo LWB Engine 1405cc petrol,
1405cc turbo-diesel Power/Torque 85bhp,62bhp/11.2kgm,
12.7kgm Kerb weight NA Dimensions (L/W/H)
NA Expected price Rs 5.0-6.2 lakh. |
|
|
October 2005
