| |
| FERRARI
F430 |
 FINALLY
A CAR that can break the Porsche 911 into a sweat. Internationally,
these Italian and German sports cars have always been snapping
at each other’s heels.
Now, the battle will shift to our very own backyard as the
Prancing Horse is all set to ship its entry-level ‘budget’
car to Indian shores.
Ferrari can rest assured that prospective customers will be
queuing up the moment the sweet-sounding 4.3-litre V8 machine
finally gets here.
Sachin Tendulkar and his 360 will have some catching up to
do now.
|
| Model
Ferrari F430 Engine 4308cc, V8 petrol Power/Torque
490bhp/47.4kgm Kerb weight 1450kg Dimensions
(L/W/H) 4512/1923/1214mm Expected price
Rs 1.1 crore |
|
|
| |
| FIAT
IDEA |
 SOMEWHERE
IN BETWEEN a mini-MPV and a hatchback, somewhere in between
Latin quirkiness and genius, lies the Fiat Idea. And it’s
a good one. Simple neat details and perfect proportions give
this car a clean minimalist look.
On the inside, space and style have been given the full treatment.
It isn’t roomy enough for three abreast seating, but
the centre-mounted instruments are clever and nicely styled.
There is plenty
of legroom in the rear, the rear seats flip forward, split
and even slide forward and back for flexible boot space. The
1.3 Multijet would be the engine of choice along with a punchy
1.4 petrol motor. India is slated to get the Brazil-made Idea
model which is very similar to the European version. However,
the wheelbase, suspension, engines, headlamps and other components
have been developed by Fiat Brazil.
|
| Model
Fiat Idea Engine 1368cc Petrol/1251cc Multijet
Diesel Power/Torque 95bhp,70bhp/ 13kgm/18.3kgm
Kerb weight 1155kg/1200kg Dimensions(L/W/H)
3930/1698/1660mm Expected price Rs 8 lakh
|
|
|
| NEW
FIAT PALIO |
 THE
FACE-LIFTED Palio, the even prettier one with the
double-barrel headlamps and the ‘avant-garde’
grille, has been part of our new car list before.
Already on sale in Brazil, this attractive upgrade
has not made it to our shores due to Fiat’s
ongoing crisis. But as things settle down in Turin,
and as the Indian operations get back on track with
a new budget of Euros, expect the new look to pop
first from the product toaster.
Refreshed by Italian master Giorgetto Guigiaro, the
double barrel headlamps are a masterstroke and give
the car a fresh identity. Smarter and more modern
to look at, the Palio will also come powered by Fiat’s
own superlative 1.3 Multijet diesel engine. One of
the finest small capacity diesel engines in the world,
this is the same engine Maruti Suzuki will produce
in a dedicated plant in India. A new peppier 1.4-litre
petrol motor is also on the cards for the base version.
|
|
| Model
New Fiat Palio Engine 1.3-litre Multijet Diesel
Power/Torque 70bhp/18.3kgm Kerb weight
1050kg Dimensions (L/W/H) 3763/1620/1440mm
Expected price Rs 6.2 lakh |
|
| |
| FORD
B376 |
 THESE
HEAVILY DISGUISED images of Ford’s new car are not the
best for identifying its features, but there are the only
ones in existence. Designated B376, the car has been designed
specifically for developing markets like India and China.
Positioned to compete against the likes of the City, it will
be powered by both petrol and diesel motors giving it a crucial
advantage over its Jap rival. A tall saloon with Ford’s
distinctive ‘New Edge’ lines, it promises to be
a smart-looking, sharp-driving and, critically, a fuel efficient
competitor. The City better watch out.
|
| Model
Ford B376 Engine 1596cc petrol, 1.4-litre
common rail diesel Power/Torque 101bhp, 67bhp/16.3kgm,14.9kgm
Kerb weight NA Dimensions (L/W/H)
NA Expected price Rs 6-7 lakh |
|
|
October 2005
