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Ducati Multistrada on the Road to Success
by Aman ChaudhryNo Comments
The new Ducati Multistrada has already proved to be a remarkable success with sales for 2010 expected to exceed previous sales forecasts by more than 20%.
Despite the Multistrada only being on the market for a few months, demand has often outstripped supply as bikers have flooded dealers with orders for this unique motorcycle. Ducati has worked closely with the factory to make sure that dealers receive bike allocations on time. Despite the increase in forecasted sales Ducati has been able to keep pace with orders and fulfil customer expectations by securing an additional 100 bikes for the market to be delivered in September.
For Ducati the Multistrada has not only been a sales success but also has successfully converted buyers from other brands with many purchasing a Ducati for the first time. Early indications suggest that over 40% of Multistrada buyers are new to the brand.
It is not only the design and quality of the bike that has brought new riders to the brand it is also the competitive service costs and service intervals throughout the range that has contributed to Ducati bucking the trend, with year on year growth in a very tough market.
The Multistrada is a new biking concept which combines sports performance while still providing an extremely comfortable ride and unrivalled versatility. The four-bikes-in-one concept uses three technologies which interact to instantly change the chassis set-up and character of the Multistrada 1200. Fitted as standard equipment on all versions, the electronic ride-by-wire system administers three different engine mappings to change the character of the engine, while Ducati Traction Control (DTC) uses eight levels of system interaction to enhance control. For the ‘S’ version, Ducati Electronic Suspension (DES) instantly configures the suspension set-up to suit ‘rider only’, ‘rider with luggage’, ‘rider and passenger’ or ‘rider and passenger with luggage’. It is the ‘S’model which has been responsible for 70% of all Multistrada sales with the ‘S’ Touring version proving the most popular.
Although ‘S’ models are still in high demand, customers can expect to order one now and take deliver by September/October. Base models in standard version or with ABS and are now available subject to individual dealer stock levels.
Press data & images: Ducati
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2011 Nissan Juke priced at $18,960*
by Aman ChaudhryNo Comments
Nissan North America has recently released pricing for the 2011 Nissan Juke sport cross. The all-new Juke is the company’s CUV that goes on sales in October starting at MSRP of $18,960 USD.
“We believe JUKE’s unique combination of motorsports-inspired exterior and interior design and unexpected levels of technology – along with a starting MSRP under $19,000 is going to propel JUKE into the heart of the fast-growing compact hatchback/crossover market,” said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc.
The Nisaan Juke will be offered in eight different variants powered by a standard 1.6-liter Direct Injection Petrol Turbo engine, which results in producing 188 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. This engine comes in two transmissions – an advanced Xtronic CVT with S-mode or a 6-speed manual transmission (SV FWD and SL FWD models only), which will start at $20,260. Nissan has claimed fuel efficiency figures of 27 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.
This baby CUV is a nice blend of sporty and sleek looks. The car looks powerful, bold and is ready to attract the young drivers. Interiors look almost comic like with a center console inspired by a motorcycle fuel tank in high-gloss plaint.
With low pricing, many on-board equipments, youth-oriented styling, Nissan is making sure that we see enough of Jukes on the road post October.
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Aston Martin Design Director to make Vantage GT4 Racing Debut
by Aman ChaudhryNo Comments
Aston Martin’s Design Director, Marek Reichman is to embark on his maiden race in a Vantage GT4 competing in the Aston Martin GT4 Challenge of Great Britain at Oulton Park on Saturday 21 August.
Marek, who is a keen motorsport enthusiast and regular competitor in historic club racing, will share driving duties with Aston Martin Engineering Manager, Chris Porritt; himself an experienced GT4 racer for the 90-minute race on the notoriously challenging Cheshire circuit later this month.
Speaking ahead of the race, Marek said: “The design team has been closely involved in the design of all our race cars, from the works LMP1 prototype to the Vantage GT4, but I’ve always longed to get even more closely involved and the Aston Martin GT4 Challenge provides the perfect introduction to GT4 racing for me.”
The Aston Martin GT4 Challenge of Great Britain is a one make series exclusively for owners of the Vantage GT4 and the Vantage N24. The races are between 90 and 150 minutes in length with practice, qualifying and the race all in the same day. The series is the perfect opportunity for owners of Aston Martin racing cars to compete on a level playing field on some of the very best racing circuits with the full support of the factory.
Marek’s co-driver, Chris Porritt, added: “Most of my GT4 experience with Aston Martin has been at the Nürburgring, but Oulton Park is my home track and while I’ve raced my own cars there many times, I’ve never had the opportunity in an Aston Martin. The standard of racing in the series so far has been extremely high so Marek and I will have our work cut out to keep up with the front runners.”
The Aston Martin Vantage GT4 is a production-based race car eligible for all FIA GT4 races as well as other race series around the world. 2010 successes to date include class wins in the Dubai, Nürburgring and Spa 24 Hours, numerous class wins in the Nürburgring VLN endurance series and four wins out of six in the FIA GT4 European Cup.
Aston Martin’s Head of Motorsport, David King commented: “The Aston Martin Vantage N24/GT4 has been the outstanding performer in GT4 and other classes around the world since 2006. Whether in 24 hour races or short sprints, its performance, reliability and ease of handling deliver class wins and podiums time after time.
“The Aston Martin GT4 Challenge of Great Britain, in its first year, is providing a focal point for our customers to make a first step into GT4 racing with high quality events on challenging circuits with comprehensive organisation and technical support from Aston Martin Racing.”
Press data & images: Aston Martin
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The New 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 400R
by Aman ChaudhryNo Comments
Kawasaki is all ready to launch their new 400cc Ninja. This all-new 2011 Ninja 400R will easily be slotted in between the 250cc and the 600cc category. Kawasaki fans around the globe have been waiting for this bike for a long time and we aren’t sure when their wait will end as Kawasaki has not yet announced the marketing and sales plans outside Japan.
Going by the looks, the bike is a full-blooded Ninja sporting the classic paint scheme and full fairing looking, which is a Kawasaki Sportsbike trademark.
On the inside this Ninja 400 R has a liquid-cooled, four-stroke, parallel twin-cylinder DOHC four-valve engine. The beauty about this engine is that it is powerful at low- and mid-range speeds and that responds agilely at high speeds.
Along with a fuel-injection system, the bike also has sub-throttle valves to optimize the air intake. Kawasaki states that this results in excellent throttle response and smoother engine performance even at normal speeds and improves riding and handling incredibly.
Similar to the 2011 ER-4n, the Ninja 400R also sports a short silencer located under the engine’s belly and is also equipped with a built-in three-way catalyzer.
The full fairing of the Ninja 400R makes the rider feel protected at high speeds, while the position of the aluminum grab bars help in better riding position to ease fatigue.The 2011 Ninja 400R come with a futuristic multi-function LCD display with a digital speedometer, digital bar-style tachometer, fuel gauge, clock and odometer.
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100,000TH New VW Scirocco Leaves The Production Line
by Aman ChaudhryNo Comments
Since its market launch in 1974, the Scirocco compact sports coupé has been the most successful Volkswagen in its segment: 795,650 vehicles were sold up to 1992. Currently, the third generation is being manufactured.
On Friday, at the VW Autoeuropa – Automóveis Ltda. plant in Portugal, just two years after its market launch, the 100,000th third generation Scirocco rolled off the production line. Andreas Hinrichs, Autoeuropa Plant Manager, said: ‘The Scirocco is one of the most important cars that we produce. For myself personally, it was a moving moment.’
The celebrated model is a Scirocco R 2.0-litre TSI, in Rising Blue Metallic, with a Titan Black interior, radio navigation system, Park Pilot and a tilting sunroof. In southern Portugal, with 3,000 employees, Volkswagen produces the Eos, the new Sharan and, since 2008, the third generation of the Scirocco.
With its attractive design and sporty appearance, the Scirocco leaves a lasting impression. In 2008, it claimed the AutoBILD Design Award and was named Car of the Year by Top Gear magazine.
The Scirocco is looking just as good in motorsport as it does on the open road: already in 2008, the racing version of the new Scirocco occupied top ranks at the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring. In its first time at the competition in 2009, the Scirocco GT24-CNG (natural gas) won in the alternative-drive class.
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New Volkswagen Touran MPV
by Aman Chaudhry1 Comment
The new Volkswagen Touran compact MPV opens for ordering today complete with fresh styling both inside and out, a range of efficient new engines on the road. First deliveries are set to take place on 22 September.
Unveiled at the Leipzig Motor Show in April, the new Touran draws on the design language seen on the Polo and new Sharan with a mix of clean lines and a lower, wider appearance than the model it replaces. The changes extend to the front wings, bonnet and front bumper which are joined by new wing mirrors, rear lights and a restyled tailgate and bumper.
Inside the new Touran the entertainment and climate functions have all been revised and a new three-spoke steering wheel sits ahead of restyled dials. Fresh trim finishes are also available.
As with the outgoing car, the new Touran’s focus is on versatility, with the ability to carry seven adults with the third row of seats folding flat into the floor. In addition, air conditioning, alloy wheels, roof rails, a CD stereo system, ABS, Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP) and six airbags are all fitted as standard. A five-seat option is also available.
The second generation of Park Assist, a system that will also be available on the new Sharan, is offered. Not only does the new system require less space to perform parallel parking manoeuvres, it also allows the Touran to be parked in spaces at 90 degrees to the kerb.
Fitted for the first time to the Touran is the advanced new 1.2-litre TSI petrol engine. Despite a modest displacement of 1,197 cc, the turbocharged unit develops 105 PS and 129 lbs ft of torque while returning 44.1 mpg on the combined cycle and emitting 149 g/km of CO2. In BlueMotion Technology form, complete with Stop/Start and battery regeneration, the 1.2-litre TSI engine is capable of returning 47.9 mpg while emitting an estimated 139 g/km of CO2.
A further petrol and four diesel engines will be available, ranging in power from 90 to 170 PS. Three trim levels – S, SE and Sport – will be available with BlueMotion Technology variants being offered with each. The full range of engines and prices are detailed below or can be downloaded from Addidtional Documents.
Press data & images: VW