Bluetooth Intercom Connects Bikers of a Group

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There can be nothing like spending the weekend on long motorcycle journey. Being seated on the saddle of your favorite auto craft and driving out on hurdle free roads, leaving behind the conventionalities of daily life and letting the mind relax over the plainness of tarmac does mean a lot to every biker in the world. But how often is this journey enjoyed when riding alone? Since it is more fun when couple of people take part in this journey, today we find many such groups which have likeminded people who get together to take part in these trips. Calling themselves bikers, the people of these groups take their rides out on one weekend morning, geared up with accessories for a safe and comfortable journey.

Bluetooth Intercom for BikersEverything about the journey would be great when it comes to group biking except for the fact that one rider will not be able to communicate with the other, during the ride. This lack of communication often leaves each rider isolated from the other. But the world which has gifted people with some marvellous pieces of auto crafts has not turned its back for this communication gap. The answer is in the form of a gadget named Bluetooth Intercom which can be used by different riders to talk to each other as long as they are separated a distance which falls under the limits of the technology.

Bluetooth Intercom Connects BikersBluetooth Intercom uses radio signals of the range 2.4 GHz to 2.48 GHz to create wireless mode of communication between riders who are within certain range of accessibility. The range of these devices varies from one product to the other but usually comes to about 900 metres to 1.6 km. The device has a simple headset which can be fixed to the helmet and can be used to interact with other bikers on road. The headsets can be connected to iPhones, mobile phones, MP3 players and other Bluetooth enabled devices to listen to music and also make phone calls. The headsets which are fixed to helmet are designed to work in the presence of wind noise, with the noise not affecting the communication process. Some companies have come up with headsets which are intelligent enough to sense wind speeds and adjust their volumes accordingly. Further, companies have also made these devices water resistant so that a rider can use the devices while riding in rain.

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Honda Treats Brio to Renew Its Presence in Small Car Arena

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For the last one year, diesel engine and Amaze were the only two words coming out from the big men of Honda. Adding fuel to this were the facts that this is the first diesel car of Honda in India and the expectation for a competitive price tag. The car was launched during mid-April 2013 and with bookings over doing the company’s production capacity Amaze seems to have gained a spectacular response from customers. Honda Amaze may continue with this growth trend, threatening the position of other sedans which currently dominate the market. With things going well in sedan segment, Honda has now turned its attention towards its small car Brio. The company has launched new variants to the list of Brio by adding new features and spreading out some features which were available in the top-end variant of this model.

New Honda BrioThe new variant added to the list is VX which is available in both manual transmission and automatic transmission options. While the variant gets new features like rear windshield defogger, antenna and seat adjustment for driver, other features like tilt steering, front seatbelt pretensioner with load limiter, ABS with EBD and airbags are spread across the added models. With these variants, Honda Brio price now ranges between Rs. 4.12 lakh to Rs 6.12 lakhs.

On the inside, Honda has given a silver finish to door handles and seat back pockets on both driver and passenger seats. Dual tone beige upholstery makes the interior feel warmer and more engaging compared to base level variants. The exterior of Honda Brio VX cars get alloy wheels and fog lamps at front. The Japanese auto giant has not made changes to the powertrain and retains its fuel efficient i-VTEC engine.

After Amaze, Brio is among the cars from Honda which is expected to come out with a diesel engine. But recent statements from top officials of the auto marque indicate lesser probability of Honda Brio diesel when compared to Accord and Jazz models coming out with a diesel powered motor. Honda is yet to make its presence in MUV segment. The company will be looking forward to fill this void in coming years and its mere presence would make things more interesting in Indian auto space.

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BMW 1 Series and Mercedes-Benz A-Class to Battle on Indian Grounds

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Two German giants are getting ready to battle it out at one of the most competitive auto space of Indian market. BMW and Mercedes-Benz finally have thought of rolling out their products into the ‘people favourite segment’ of the country, the hatchback arena. Small car costing over Rs. 20 lakh which was once supposed to be a lunatic thought has made it to reality in the 21st century. Thanks to auto marques, the gap between various segments like luxury cars, small cars, high-performance SUVs and various other segments is being cemented with some wonderful products which are coming out one after the other. With increase in number of models competition has increased which has blessed customers to experience newer technologies and equipment, leading to advancement in the industry.

Mercedes-Benz A-ClassAmong the two German brands Mercedes-Benz was the first to rollout a premium hatchback on Indian roads. Mercedes-Benz B-Class, which was launched in 2012, has received lukewarm response in the country. This touring car is big in terms of luxury and features some high-end equipment like ATTENTION ASSIST, Seat Comfort Package and Audio 20 CD with 14.7 cm TFT screen. Soon after the launch of this automobile in 2012 there was buzz about Mercedes A-Class in India. Rumors said that the small car of Mercedes’ portfolio might be launched by mid-2013. The rumors are about to be true since the new luxury hatchback is expected to be rolled out by the end of May, 2013. The auto marque is marketing this new car aggressively on the digital platform. The hatchback may get a 1.8L turbocharged diesel or a 1.5L diesel engine in its line-up and these engines feature ECO Start/Stop and BLUEFFICIENCY which are meant to increase fuel economy of the vehicle. The company claims that mileage of A-Class diesel version can be as high as 20 kmpl. To give an authoritative drive there will be a 7G-Dual Clutch Triple-shaft transmission working in the powertrain of the A-Class.

BMW 1 SeriesOn the other side BMW has confirmed the launch of its entry-level hatchback the BMW 1 Series in India which is expected to take place in the months to come. Competing against the contender from Merc’s court this high-end hatch is sold with 1.6L petrol and 2.0L diesel engines internationally. The engines are tuned to give different levels of power output and they have different fuel economy figures depending on the power produced.

Although these cars come out as smallest models from the respective portfolios of their parents, they are much bigger in terms of size, performance, comfort level and price when compared to other regular hatchbacks in India. When pitched against each other pricing can turn out to be an important factor for both Mercedes-Benz and BMW. With DCT and powerful engines the price of Mercedes-Benz A-Class in India may range between Rs. 19 lakh and Rs. 23 lakh as the basic. On the other hand Rs. 18 lakh to Rs. 22 lakh might turn out to be the ex-showroom price of BMW 1 Series in India.

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Tips for Summer Car Care

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The summer puts loads of rigours on your car. The prolonged heat affects the cooling system of the vehicle and also adversely acts on the tyres. Here are a few tips to keep your car in good condition even in the soaring temperature.

Park your car correctly

Car-CoversDo not park your car in direct sunlight as it can result in adverse consequences. Parking in sun reduces the life of the paint work leading to its premature fading and also makes the cabin hotter. The plastic or the faux leather used in the dashboard tends to get heated up and over time develop cracks. If you do not have any other option but to park your vehicle in the sun, it would be better to use car cover.

Keep the cabin clutter free

car-acIt is advisable not to keep irrelevant things in the cabin as they too absorb heat. The plastic and metal objects absorb heat and can affect the performance of the air conditioner. Cheap quality plastic can even melt and spoil the interior.

Roll the windows down

car-window-downIn summers, when you wish to start your car, roll the windows down so that the hot air inside the cabin goes out. If you do not let off the hot air and switch on the AC, the fuel consumption increases as the AC has to work harder.

Check the tyres

check-car-tyreThe tyre pressure tends to increase as the outside temperature rises. In hot weather, the pressure in the tyre increases so it is recommended to check the tyre pressure frequently. It is better to keep the tyre pressure level lower than the specified level in order to avoid sudden bursting of the tyre during summer.

Replenish the fluids

Change-Radiator-FluidDuring summer, the rate of evaporation increases. Therefore it is advisable to fill in the windscreen wiper fluid and radiator with water. The radiator should free from clutters which enhances the air flow and exchange of heat. The flushing of radiator is commended at least once a year as debris can accumulate within the cooling system. Coolant should also be filled.

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Experiencing Quattro on the Icy Test Tracks of Arvidsjaur

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Getting a chance to sense the capabilities of one of the most advanced automobile equipment under extreme, yet safe driving conditions is a onetime experience in life. Nothing else matters to an auto enthusiast when he is given an opportunity to sit behind the wheels to experience such drives. Audi Ice Driving Experience based in Arvidsjaur, Sweden is one such track which the German marque has reserved to let people to test the caliber of its Quattro, the all-wheel drive system. I was exposed to the some new driving lessons after I drove the Audi S4 Avant Quattro on this track.

Audi S4 Avant QuattroThe first lesson that was taught to me before driving on the track was the basic difference in driving style between a rear-wheel drive car and an all-wheel drive vehicle. While driving a rear-wheel drive car, operating the steering wheel and pressing the accelerator pedal will just be sufficient to manoeuvre it. But for a four-wheel drive car, where power from the engine will be distributed to all four wheels, the same driving process happens through something called as dynamic weight transfer. When brakes are applied the weight of the car gets transferred to front wheels and increases traction at front while rear becomes lighter. Now, when the accelerator pedal is pressed lightly the rear wheels of the car tend to move sideways in the direction opposite to that of the steering. This normally happens when the car is driven on frozen lakes. A driver will be using more of power and brakes and very less steering input while driving all-wheel drive cars.

Audi S4 Avant Quattro ArvidsjaurUnder-steer and over-steer had to be cautiously taken care of in these driving conditions. Under-steer situations required braking first and then steering and finally a bit of power to keep going. Over-steer situations necessitated steering in opposite direction and some amount of acceleration before the car came back on track.

Audi S4 Avant Quattro Icy TrackThe Electronic Stability Programme working on wheels carrying Swedish Lappy metal studs gave superb road traction. But the drive was much enjoyable with the car spinning around when the active control systems were turned off.

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R8 – The Four-Ringed Luxury Car with Tremendous Performance

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R8, from the stables of Audi is the most alluring super sports car in India which depicts the perfect amalgamation of avant-garde technology, excellent luxurious features, amazing performance and colossal riding comfort. This car has won the 2008 World Car of the Year Award.

R8coupeR8 is available in two body styles – Coupé and Spyder and in two engine options – V8 and V10. The V8 can churn out 430 bhp whereas the V10 can pump out 525 bhp @ 6500 rpm. The engines are mated to dual-clutch seven-speed S tronic gearbox. The Quattro permanent all-wheel drive makes it stand out in its segment. The R8 has low mounted engine that gives it a low centre of gravity which enhances the stability. The R8 can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h within a span of 4 seconds making it one of the fastest cars in India. The R8 can reach a maximum speed of 300 km/h.

The weight of this car has been reduced by using lighter alloy. The light and stiff aluminium space frame weigh 210 kg. The aluminium wishbone makes the suspension lighter thus improving the handling. The chassis has been finely tuned for highly dynamic driving. The 19-inch wheels offer robust and aggressive look to the car. As soon as you switch to the ‘Comfort’ driving mode, you can feel the steering has become lighter and the suspension has softened which will encourage for a more relaxed journey.

The exterior gets some cosmetic enrichment, like the sweeping LED headlamps, single-frame grille, re-profiled diffuser, round tail-pipes and new tail lamp with dynamic turn indicators. In order to make the body light weight, the R8 is bestowed with optional bolt-on body parts that are made of carbon fibres. The four-ring emblem has been placed on the bonnet and the distinct side blades have been chopped off.

The interior is adorned with dandy material and the benchmark Audi craftsmanship. As soon as you enter into the car, you can feel the luxury that engulfs you, the chrome rimmed dials, high-grade nappa leather seat, ultra-fine material used in the cabin and classic gear shifter. The performance of Audi R8 V10 is breathtaking and is incomparable. It can defeat any of the sports cars.

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Marvellous Trio – The Performing Equipment of Audi Q3

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Getting a chance to drive an Audi is like being blessed to experience German engineering. Yes, Germany is known to be the home of automobile gods. It was our pleasure to get our hands on a mid-size SUV produced by one of these giants of automobile planet. Audi Q3 carrying the TFSI engine fell in our hands on a sunny morning and we were just waiting to see what the company had for offer in the small yet powerful 2.0L petrol motor.

Performing-Trio-of-Audi-Q3Firstly, this TFSI powered Audi was launched after the diesel version and hence the expectations were truly high during the time of its launch. For an SUV, the petrol engine was expected to be powerful and at the same time Audi also had the responsibility of maintaining good fuel efficiency. With the TFSI the company has made its way to success, if not best, in a good way. With a power rating of 207 bhp the engine performs well both in city and highway limits. The sound of this engine is barely audible most of the times and when it is heard it is truly pleasant and fluent. The car accelerates quickly and takes only few seconds to touch 100 km/h mark from mid-range speeds. This engine displays its full potential on highways where it could rev higher and reach top speeds of more than 200 km/h. The engine does these kinds of speeds comfortably and does not feel exhausted while doing so.

Audi-Q3-TFSI-EngineThe suspension system, steering and chassis form the second most important part of this powertrain. The suspension quickly suits itself to road conditions to eat away road irregularities and give a stable drive. The steering wheel on the other hand feels light most of the times which makes the car easily manoeuvrable within city limits. Though this lightness may feel uneasy sometimes, at high speeds the steering quickly becomes heavy leaving higher command under the hands of the driver.

audi-q3-suvThe S Tronic transmission completes the marvellous trio of Audi powertrain to form a superior force which provides a delightful drive whenever desired. The S Tronic transmission of the mid-size SUV is designed with perfect gear ratios which provide a smooth and flowing drive. The gear shifts take place quickly to keep the fuel economy high and after deceleration the transmission makes sure to shift to lower gears quickly such that there is enough power whenever the driver wants it at his wheels.

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One Journey to Understand Audi A6

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India Bike Week, the event that took place in Goa last month, put me into this memorable journey with Audi A6. Travelling between Pune and Goa could not have got better in the absence of this wonderful sedan. This trip was scheduled in a critical stage since I had plans to flyout to Sweden after I came back to Pune from Goa. There was hardly any resting time that was left for me during this journey.

audi-a6-journeyOn the day of my Pune-Goa trip I started off at 6:00 am from my residence. When I reached Shivapur toll booth, which is located in Pune-Satara road, I came across these three bikers who would play the ‘Catch Me If You Can’ game for the next half an hour of my journey. They dominated the ride for a while and the truck traffic made it difficult for me to lead the way. After a while the road got cleared out and now the Audi A6 took charge of the way to go past the 200 kmph mark. The bikes simply vanished off from the scene within a short period of time.

Audi-A6-Journey-Pune-to-GoaOnce I crossed Kolhapur and entered Karnataka, I was pleased by the quality of road and the absence of traffic let Audi A6 to cruise at high speeds. The scene changed soon when I took a right turn towards Amboli. This turn brought me to a single lane state highway which had undulating road surface. It is a known fact that high-end cars are superb performers when the path is uniform. But how many of us are aware about the way they drive on uneven road surfaces? Even on these wavy roads the Audi A6 managed to run at average at speeds of 140 km/h to 150 km/h. The behaviour of suspension of Audi A6 gave greater stability to the vehicle letting it cruise at these speeds.

Performance of its steering wheel was the next thing that was waiting to come to light as I reached Amboli Ghat. While drivers of other cars on the road were struggling to cross each curve the light steering wheel of Audi A6 made this task easy for me. Once I reached Sawantwadi, Goa was hardly 50 km away from me. It took five-and-a-half hours for me to reach Panaji from Pune. I left back to Pune on the second day of India Bike Week event. The journey was not tiresome, thanks to Audi A6 which let me sense the benefit of German engineering.

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The Struggle for Survival in Indian Accessory Market

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Although car manufacturers design automobiles, to satisfy aesthetics, performance, ergonomics and functional needs, it is possible that some additions in certain areas of the car tend to increase its value to great extent. This is something similar to beautifying the bride or adding feathers to the crown of a king. In the automotive circle these value boosters are simply called accessories. Manufacturers design these accessories to give a unique feel to the car, making it stand apart from other regular variants. Certain accessories available in market are capable enough to change the entire personality of the car. This factor has given accessories a paramount status in the automobile industry.

Indian-Accessory-MarketAutomobile Companies Vs Accessory Manufacturers – The Struggle for Supremacy:

In India, a market where multiple players fight for survival, car accessories play a crucial role for every car company. Since the market is highly price sensitive, automakers continuously face competition from local accessory manufacturers who often produce parts at lower prices. Amidst competition automobile companies manage to have an upper hand in accessory market because the parts produced by them are specifically designed for each of their car (for example: roof rails, side body skirts, spoilers etc.) and hence there is less possibility of mismatch. The second reason comes out to be that the parts produced from automakers are genuine and usually come out with a warranty.

car-audioEven though car manufacturers come out with very good quality equipment and materials for their cars, there are some accessory makers out in the market who manage to grab a considerably large share. Knock the door of their showrooms and a whole new world of creativity and value addition in automobile making welcomes you. Everything from upholstery to carpets, from entertainment equipment to alerting systems and from fancy lights to aggressive body kits are available with these third party manufacturers. The major advantage they have over automobile companies is that they can customise a car to the extent an owner desires for. A music lover can get amplifiers and large speakers fit into his car while rally enthusiast can get some sporty bumpers, side skirts and some attractive decals to be decorating his car. There is hardly any boundary or limitation for this customisation.

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Hyundai i30 – Superior Hatchback with Tremendous Performance

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The i30, from the stables of Hyundai, is all ready to hit the Indian roads. The big hatchback was unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 2011. It has been placed in the B+ segment. Hyundai i30 is the perfect amalgamation of power, style, space, safety and comfort. The larger wheelbase enhances the interior space. The car gets contemporary styling, innovative interiors and intelligent technology and has been rated five star ANCAP by the company.

Hyundai i30 Superior HatchbackEngine and Performance

Under the hood, the Hyundai i30 gets a splendid 1.6 litre engine that churns out 119 bhp @ 6200 rpm and a peak torque of 153 Nm @ 4200 rpm. The engine will be mated to 5-Speed manual transmission to deliver a refined and quiet ride.

The hatchback will get an electric motor driven rack and pinion steering wheel which will impart effortless driving. The engine is tweaked to provide dandy fuel economy of 12.1 kmpl in city and 18.5 kmpl on highways which seems to be the best in hatchback segment. The suspension system of Hyundai i30 gives precise handling even on uneven terrains. The brakes ensure efficient braking and enhance safety.

Build and Styling

The Hyundai i30 is an embodiment of bold and stylish character. The body coloured bumper adds to the aesthetic design of i30. The elongated headlights impart a classy look while illuminating the path. The rear look is enhanced by the combination lamps and the washer nozzle at the back of the car.

The interiors of Hyundai i30 is adorned with good quality upholstery. The seats are comfortable with lumbar support. The air conditioner enables good temperature and moisture control. The tilt able steering column, blue illuminated instrument cluster and enhanced audio system make the driving enjoyable.

Safety Features

Hyundai i30 is loaded with highest safety standards. The safety features present are Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Stability Control, stop lamp mounted on the rear roof; power assisted braking system, airbags, seatbelt pretensioner and night view mirrors.

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