The trip I now narrate happened about 4 yrs back during my college times , this one is the first of the many night trips we made to Vagamon.

Part-1

That night was a very boring night, we didnt had any means of entertainment nor did we had the money to buy liquor(studying was not in the equation ). Me and my buddy Nikhil was looking at each other and thinking how are we going to survive this freakingly boring night.

I said “buddy we are the only souls left in this hostel, every one has gone home. If there was some one left we could have borrowed some money for liquor”.

“Ya even Deepu has gone home, if he was here we could have borrowed some money from him” NiKhil replied.

After some time Nikhil said “we can watch a movie on your desktop, Man do you have any CDs around? “.

Actually I had a lot of film CDs around but the problem was that most of them where sratched or their pairs where not available. After some searching we found a CD of the movie Ananthabhadram . It was a super hit movie directed by Santhosh Sivan and had scintillating scenes by Riya Zen. Excited to see the scenes of Riya Zen we started to play the cd.

After the about one hour when the villain Manoj K Jayan was giving a superb dialouge disaster struck .. the cd crashed. It was too much for us. We had found the CDs after about 1 hr of searching and we had also spent another 30 mins cleaning the CD so that it may not crash in the middle. But the Cd crashed.. fucking CD it had to crash in the middle of the movie and that too when one of my favorite actor was giving his lifes best performance. I wondered the why didnt the CD crashed in the begining of the movie , I felt it was the work of my desktop as a revenge to the abuse I gave it for 3yrs.

The feeling we two had that night was not only disappointment but a mixture of anger and  disappointment.”God what did we do why are you punishing us like this?” I thought.  With the CD gone our only source of passtime for that night was lost. The only thing now left was to go to bed and try to sleep. Just then an idea struck my mind “Why cant we go to Vagamon, a night trip to Vagamon would be very exciting”. With out thinking twice I presented my idea to Nikhil. To my surprise he atonce agreed, actually I dint expect Nikhil would digest the crazy idea of having a night trip that too to such a lonely place like Vagamon!. I asked him once again “Hey are you sure?” . “Sure as hell ” Nikhil replied.

Preparations for the trip was done swiftly because time was now 10.30 pm and vagamon was about 30km from here and of that 30km 15km was steep roads with about five or six hairpin turns. The bike we used was a Rx135 owned by one of my best friend Manoj Thomas. The bikes engine was in utter chaos because its piston was very worn out and was due replacement. This was a great risk because if the bike breaks down in the middle of the journey we would we stranded and no help would be available till next morning. I asked Nikhil “You sure this bike can handle the 15 km steep hill ?? I think we should use your bike”. “My bikes engine is perfect but the problem is it  headlight is very faint , we wont be able to see anything in the fog. Better to have a broken bike than to have our bones broken” Nikhil replied.

Our next problem was finding a Petrol pumb that was open at that time. Luckily we had a petrol pumb in pala town open. We filled 3 liters of petrol and about 30rs worth two stroke oil. Nikhil was the one to drive from there as we had agreed early.

Part-2

Unlike his usual way of just blazing through the night Nikhil was keeing the speed of about 40 km/hr. We had decided before starting the journey that we would not exceed the speed of 40km/hr because of the engine condition. Even at that speed I was getting cold and the two shirts and one sweter I wore was of no use. “If it is so cold in pala .. hoo what would it be like in vagamon?” I thought.

Nikhil is a exerienced biker who has thousands of km on his belt. But even he found it difficult when we started to climb the 15 km uphill. The fog was affecting our vision , the bike somehow pulled us even though there was some strange sounds from its engine. One funny thing I noticed while climbing the hill was that Nikhil was never able to make the bike go on a straight line.

“hey man are u drunk? try to follow a straight line ” I said

“I can’t do anything. The wind is very strong.” Nikhil replied

I had noticed the wind but dint believe that it could affect a 100 kg bike with  about 170 kg load. Nikhils riding was becoming unstable by the minute he was having difficulty balancing the bike and his vision had started deteriorating. So after some time I had to become the rider.

Boy it’s an experiance to ride through a cold pitch black night on a rusty bike  with the wind whorling around you like daemons. What Nikhil said was true the wind was strong and was destabilizing the bike. Even for a well-built man like me it was difficult to control the bike. But somehow I managed to reach our destination “The waiting shed in Vagamon”.

The waiting shed is the first pit stop for any vagamon tourist. We reached there at about 12.30 am. By that time most of our adrinalin had drainded away and fear was creeping in. In the daytime waiting shed is a very beatiful place but in the night we noticed it had a different ambience the ambience of a ghostly place. May be the sound of the wind ,shreiking of the tree or the cry of the owl made me feel that way or was it the ghosts of the people who have died in the cliff of vagamon!. But I was not alone my buddy was near me,  if I had come to this place alone I would surely  have peed on my pants due to fear.

We lit up a cigarret and started the enjoying the enigmatic beauty of the place. The hill opposite to waiting shed had a lots of houses in it and it was lit up like a christmas tree. We two stood there enjoying the view of the hill. After some time Nikhil said “Im going to lie in the center of the road. Wake me up if some vehicle comes up”.

About five minutes passed, Nikhil was lying on the road and I was still enjoying the view of the hill. Suddenly there was a increase in the strength of the wind and was followed by a large sound. I looked around but could not find anything. Nikhil was also looking for the source of the sound.

“Hey man what happened?” I asked

“Dont know. Any way lets return. It’s becoming very creepy out here!” he replied

With that we both went to our bike to start our return journey. There we found that our bike had fallen down due to wind and was leaking petrol all over. We picked up the bike quickly so as to prevent further loss of petrol. With a few kicks we started the bike and started the return journey.

by,

Martin Jacob

Initially, the engine choice is between a new 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine which uses some of the design features of the latest Mercedes V6 and V8, and a 1.8-litre version of the familiar CDI diesel from the C-class adapted for transverse installation. The B-Class will be luxurious and will deliver high performance along with unmatched quality. The B-class sports a more mature design than the earlier version and features signature Mercedes Benz design elements. Interiors have been improved to offer better space. Other features include Blind Spot, Pre-Safe and Lane Assist. Transmissions will either be a 7G-DCT dual-clutch or a six-speed manual. The B-class is a tall car but with lower floor meaning that the seats can be more upright and increases available cabin space. Outside, the dimensions are much the same as that of its predecessor. The Mercedes Benz B-Class claims to be the most aerodynamically efficient family car.

The Mercedes Benz B-Class features most of the safety features including Airbag, Parking Sensors, Fog Lamp, EBD, ABS, ESP and Rear Seat Belts. Other features include Power Windows, Central Locking, Remote Fuel Filler, Rear Wiper, Rear Defogger, Tinted Glass, Folding Rear Seats, Sun Roof, Auto Viper and Auto Head Lamp. The Mercedes Benz B-Class will be available in the Indian Markets later this year. Most delightful among the features is the Collision Prevention Assist. This feature is standard on all versions of the B-Class. A radar system, using a transmitter situated behind the three-pointed star in the grille, it works with Adaptive Brake Assist to warn of too high a closing speed with the vehicle in front and modulate braking using the space available, thereby reducing the possibility of being hit by a following vehicle. The Mercedes Benz B-Class is expected to cost around the 25 lakh mark.

]]> http://www.carsbikesonline.com/mercedes-benz-b-class/feed/ 0 http://www.carsbikesonline.com/the-new-2012-maruti-suzuki-swift-dzire-in-february-2012/ http://www.carsbikesonline.com/the-new-2012-maruti-suzuki-swift-dzire-in-february-2012/#comments Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:31:11 +0000 SPV http://www.carsbikesonline.com/?p=2094 When Maruti Suzuki launched Swift way back in 2004, it was the beginning of a change in the Indian Automobile market. Now being one of the most popular vehicles currently available in India Swift has grown more from its initial version launched 8 years ago. The Swift DZire, the Sedan version of Swift is one of the first choice cars for many. The Sedan version of Swift gained popularity banking in all the impression the Hatchback ‘Swift’ made. The Swift DZire is now getting new looks and features. The new model will be launched soon and Maruti hopes it would continue the success its predecessor brought 4 years ago when it was launched. The new Maruti Suzuki Swift DZire is scheduled to be launched by February 2012.

The petrol variant boasts of the K12M VVT petrol engine which delivers 87PS of power @ 6000rpm and a decent 114Nm of torque @ 4000 rpm. Tuned to offer a spirited drive yet retain a decent mileage figure, the petrol Dzire is capable of going from 0-100 km/h in just 12.6 seconds and deliver a company claimed fuel efficiency of 19.1 kmpl. The diesel variant retains the tried and tested 1.3-litre DDiS engine that generates 75PS of power @ 4000rpm and a solid 190Nm of torque @ 2000rpm. Being a class leading engine in terms of fuel efficiency, the diesel Dzire offers a company claimed 23.4 kmpl and still manages to go from 0-100 km/h in just 14.8 seconds.

The interior features of the 2012 Dzire compact sedan will be somewhat similar to the new Swift. The major features include:

• Modern steering wheel design
• Integrated audio system
• Waterfall design centre console
• Auto climate control
• Wood finish inserts on the dashboard

Chrome inserts, silver accents and leather trim are few other new features incorporated in the model.

The new Dzire is reduced to less than 4 meters. The new Swift DZire unlikely to be cheaper than the current DZire, and may cost between Rs. 4.94 lakh and Rs. 7.29 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The New Innova showcases several new luxury features. The added attractions also include a 3-dimensional grille, new fog lamps, semi concealed wiper, new wraparound front headlamps, taillights, all new alloys, and redesigned bumpers.  The car looks are not only luxury but also sporty. The exterior looks stunning and so does the interior. Toyota has taken great care in the design.  The face lifted model of the New Innova will surely gain attention. Adding to the luxury is the interior of the New Innova.

The interior features are:

• Lighter color theme
• Dual tone cabin
• Touch screen on center console
• Multi Information Display
• Dark wood finish interior
• DVD, Display Audio with USB, Aux
• Rear Camera with Display (Top-end Models)
• Steering mounted controls

The Safety features are:

• Load sensing promotion valve (LSPV)
• SRS Airbags
• Theft Deterrent System (immobilizer)
• Toyota’s GOA Body
• Large Disc Brakes
• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
• Door Ajar Warning

The Fortuner sports automatic HID headlamps, alloy wheels, newly-designed bumpers, radiator grille, and rear combination lamps. Toyota started bookings for the new Fortuner in India on the January 7th with deliveries to commence in April. The Fortuner looks muscular as its previous version was. The face lifted model though looks more stunning with added features.

Both the models are all set to rule the Indian roads..!!

The interior, mirrors and dashboard styling are similar to the new Swift but will have beige interiors instead of black. It will have a twin air-conditioner unit. AS far as the safety goes, ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System) and dual airbags are available for the Diesel VDi and Petrol VXi versions. The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga is rich in features. The key features on the Ertiga include a 3-spoke tilt-adjustable electric steering, power windows, electrically adjustable mirrors, central locking system, keyless entry and twin AC. The car also has a USB compatible audio system and features a multi information display.  Then features like sun roof, chrome grille, Aluminium accents, concealed rear lamps and rain sensing wipers add to the list.

Ertiga will give a fuel efficiency of 20.77 kmpl for a 1.3-litre diesel variant and 16.02 km for the new 1.4 litre petrol variant. There are additional features for variants. The Ertiga comes in Petrol as well as Diesel variants. From the basic model to the higher variant the options available differs, but all in all the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga is a good buy. As with all Maruti vehicles the Ertiga will have low maintenance, higher fuel efficiency with improved spaciousness. Maruti India believes the car to be a definite winner in its class. And it is to be seen whether the car could actually impress the Indians. All we can do now is wait for the latter part of March 2012.

The 599 GTB Fiorano is Ferrari’s most powerful V12-engined production car of all time. It features a 6.0-liter V12 engine derived directly from the Enzo supercar, producing 620 hp at 7,600 rpm and 446 pound-feet of torque at 5,600 rpm. Dynamically adjustable MagneRide suspension feature enables the 599 to offer a smooth ride for cruising, while still taking corners with utmost ease.

The California is the newest Ferrari model. It has a 4.3-liter direct-injected V8, wailing out 454 horsepower at 7,600rpm. It will endow the car with a top speed of 193mph. California is reportedly the highest selling Ferrari today. It is claimed that the California goes from nothing to a ton in a seriously quick 3.9 seconds and tops out at 310 kmph.

458 Italia is the latest mid-engined, high-performance Ferrari. The 458 Italia made its debut in 2009. The car made its debut with a 4.5L V8 engine generating a gob smacking power output of 562 bhp and 540 Nm of torque. 458 Italia is the successor to the very popular F430. Ferrari 458 gets a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox that directs power to the rear axle. Acceleration to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes just 3.4 seconds.

Now, the show stopper! Of the four cars to be showcased at the expo, Ferrari FF is the latest from Ferrari. The car is powered by a gigantic 6.3L V12 engine that generates 651 bhp and 683 Nm torque. FF has a topspeed of 335 kmph and accelerates from 0-100 kmph in just 3.7 seconds. Ferrari FF is the fastest four seater car on the planet.The Ferrari FF sports the first GDI V12 to be coupled with the seven-speed F1 dual-clutch gearbox. The V12 unleashes a massive 660 CV at 8,000 rpm, and maximum torque of 683 Nm at 6,000 rpm with 500 Nm already available at just 1,000 rpm.  The Ferrari FF intelligently distributes torque to each of the four wheels individually.

French Car maker Peugeot made its intentions of becoming a key player in the Indian auto market clear by making a strong presence at the 2012 Auto Expo. The French car makers showcased 508, 3008 Hatch, Hybrid and RCZ. The pavilion was amazing. Peugeot clearly indicated that it plans to launch the 508 sedan in India by making it the centerpiece of its Auto Expo Exhibit. The RCZ Sports Coupé marks a new stage in the lineup of Peugeot’s “leisure vehicles”, while also being the first product to benefit from the latest Peugeot Lion brand identity. The Peugeot 3008, with HYbrid4 technology, is the first diesel electric “Full Hybrid” production car to be marketed in the world.

The company showed the stylish 508 saloon which made its international debut two years ago. This will be the flagship model when it is launched and is expected to be powered by a 1.6-litre diesel engine. A decent raft of engine and transmissions is available in the earlier stages, with more to come in the later stages. For now there’s 1.6-litre petrol engine and diesels come in 1.6, 2.0 or 2.2-litre form, with the 2.2 HDi offering performance superior to that of the 407’s 2.7-litre V6. They’re all quiet, refined and gutsier.

Peugeot is ready to enter the hybrid race with a diesel-electric version of its 3008 crossover. This car is also unique for its clever configuration. The front wheels are driven exclusively by the HDi engine, while the rear axle is turned by a small electric motor sitting where the spare wheel would normally be. With 200bhp and 500Nm of torque available from low revs, the Hybrid4 is no slouch; either – 0-60mph takes a most 8.8 seconds. Mechanically simpler TtR hybrid drive allows Peugeot to produce a less expensive diesel hybrid. The 3008 Hybrid4 is rated at 61.9 miles per gallon (U.S.) on the EU combined driving cycle with CO2 emissions of just 99 grams per kilometer.

Peugeot RCZ marks a new chapter in the history of Peugeot “lifestyle vehicles”. Drawing inspiration from the passion and know-how of its designers and engineers, Peugeot instills its brand values in every vehicle it manufactures.  RCZ has a 1.6-litre engine that returns 200bhp. The RCZ is reasonably light at 1270kg and uses a wider-track version of the ‘platform 2’ chassis seen on the 308 and others.

Nissan GT-R was the main icon in the Nissan pavilion. Nissan GT-R offers wholesale performance from a lineage that includes the legendary R34 Skyline. With early versions, acceleration was as fast as 60 mph in 3.2 seconds, but a revision in 2010 reduced this to 3.7 seconds. The Nissan GT-R was developed with a new understanding and appreciation of the Earth’s natural forces gravity, inertial force and aerodynamics and translates those forces into a completely new design, maximizing tire grip and airflow. Under the hood, the Nissan GT-R features an all-new 3.8-litre twin turbo V6 VR38 engine, featuring plasma-sprayed bores and a special twin-turbo exhaust manifold system.

Designed as a replacement to the 350Z, the 370Z’s styling is evolutionary. Overall, the 370Z keeps the same general shape as the 350Z. The 370Z uses the same VQ37VHR powerplant found in the Infiniti G37 – a V6 displacing 3.7-liter – delivering 332 horsepower and 26 mpg on the highway. Those 332 horses will be sent to the 370Z’s rear wheels via either a seven-speed automatic or a six-speed manual gearbox. The car is priced above 70 lakhs in India.

Nissan unveiled a new design study called Compact Sport Concept at the Auto Expo 2012. It appears that the aggressively styled concept is loosely based on the Micra, as it borrows several elements from Nissan’s supermini including the headlight and the two-part grille designs. The hot hatch sports heavily-sculpted bodywork, with bulged wheel arches, massive bumpers and a windshield that wraps around the center part of the roof.

Along with the super cars there was Evalia, Nissans first offering into the Indian Automobile markets in the year 2012. The car gained attention as well. It’s a proper 7-seater, with the front and last row being individual seats and the middle row being a bench. The Evalia sports twin sliding doors. On the engines front, the 1.5-litre dCi diesel motor is going to be on offer. It may either produce 86 bhp or 104 bhp.

Audi rolled out yet another e-tron concept, and what it lacks in power, it makes up for with efficiency, fuel economy and weight. This etron variant – based on the RS3 hatch – ditches the five-pot in favor of a turbo’d and direct-injected 1.4-liter four-cylinder that brings 211 horsepower to the party, and combined with another 27 ponies pulled from the 20kW electric motor, can propel the A3 etron to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds before topping out at 143 mph. A seven-speed dual-clutch S-tronic transmission is the only drivetrain component carried over from the concept’s RS3 roots, but combined with lithium-ion battery pack stored in the trunk, Audi claims the e-tron can putt along for up to 34 miles on electric power alone thanks to the plug-in hybrid drivetrain. This is certainly an impressive showcase by Audi.

2012 Audi Q7 TDI is a worthy competitor in the diesel luxury full-size SUV segment. The Audi Q7 V12 TDI SUV is one of the most impressive in terms of aesthetics is concerned. Audi has managed to give a distinctive touch with the addition of a radical aesthetic, which agrees more with the 500 hp V12 that generates its huge diesel. The engine has been modified to deliver 550 hp, 10% more than the original figure. The price of the SUV ranges from 56-72 lakhs.

The Audi Q3 is a premium SUV in a compact-class form. It is sporty, efficient and versatile. Audi are putting in All wheel drive or their famed Quattro system even into the base model of the 2012 Audi Q3. The 2012 Audi Q3 price in India would be around Rs 24 lakhs.

The Hexa Space is a multi-purpose vehicle concept showcasing how you don’t need to have big to get plenty of interior space. Indeed, this one rides on the same platform as the company’s compact ix20, and is only slightly wider. The HND-7, as it is codenamed, measures in at 4.3 meters long, 1.82 meters wide and 1.65 meters tall, and is powered by a Kappa 1.2 litre turbo GDI engine, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Other mod cons in the concept are a touch-screen centre console, a push-button shifter and a cluster ionizer air purifier, and storage spaces are tucked throughout the interior.

The new Veloster combines the functionality of a hatchback with the style and individuality of a coupe. Offering three doors, a dual clutch transmission and Hyundai’s newest Blue Link telematics system, the Veloster ushers the Korean automaker into a whole new era. Veloster comes powered by a 1.6-liter direct-injected gasoline four-cylinder that cranks out 138 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 123 lb-ft. of torque at 4,850 rpm. Buyers can choose between a six-speed manual transmission and Hyundai’s first dual clutch automatic transmission. Inside, the Veloster draws heavily from Hyundai Elantra. A navigation system with a rearview camera and backup warning sensors can also be added.

Hyundai took the wraps off the 2012 Sonata / i40 at the 11th Auto Expo in New Delhi. However, it was just the unveiling of the new Sonata and not a full-fledged launch, as you would expect. Hyundai is still holding the 2012 Sonata’s price tag close to its chest and will only let the figures out by the end of this month or in early-February. The price announcement will come with official launch of the car for India will bookings commencing almost immediately.

For the year 2012 Hyundai has essentially started from scratch with its fifth-generation Elantra. This new compact sedan features a new engine, transmissions, body and interior, and is set to be the most competitive and impressive model yet. Hyundai has also switched from three models to just two: GLS (base) and Limited (top-of-the-line).Differences between the GLS and Limited start with the basics, such as standard 15-inch wheels on the GLS, and 17-inch wheels on the Limited. The Limited also comes standard with an automatic transmission.