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Showing posts from May, 2024

THE XTREME XENON

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The Tata Xenon  was a mid-size  pickup truck  offered by the  Indian  automaker  Tata Motors  since 1988.  In export markets, it has been sold as the Tata Mobile ,  or simply  Tata Pick Up .  Introduced in July 1988, the Xenon was designed and engineered by Telco (Tata Engineering and Locomotive Company) and was the first light commercial vehicle launched by Tata Motors after the heavy duty  Tata 407 . Developed in two years,  the pick up sold a total of 61,691 examples in India during the 1988 and 1989 model years and 64,941 vehicles between 1989 and 1990. With the Tatamobile 206, Tata Motors acquired 25% of the market share in the light commercial vehicle segment.  In 1990, Tata started exporting the Tatamobile to  South Africa  with the name  Telcoline  and in 1994, Tata introduced a facelift for the Indian market with revised headlights. Tata also began exporting the vehicle to Europe. In Italy...

THE ZODIAC ZEN

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The  Maruti Suzuki Zen  was a 5-door hatchback produced and sold in India by Suzuki’s Indian subsidiary Maruti Suzuki from 1993 until 2006. It is an expanded version of the Suzuki Cervo Model . The word “Zen” is an acronym standing for  Zero Engine Noise . It also stands for the Japanese word “Zen,” which means 'Complete’ The Zen was available in various variants and colors, with a 993 cc engine and manual transmission. The last recorded price ranged from ₹3.32 Lakh to ₹3.83 Lakh. It had a distinctively compact and boxy design, making it quite recognizable on the roads. Introduced in the early 1990s, it quickly gained popularity for its fuel efficiency, maneuverability , and affordability.  The Zen had several iterations over the years, with improvements in design and features. It became a favorite among urban commuters and small families.  The Zen underwent a facelift in 2003. A three-door version of the Zen in VXi segment w...

THE ELITE ESTEEM

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The  Maruti Esteem  was a popular car model in India, and it holds a special place in the country’s automotive history.  The Esteem traces its lineage back to the  Maruti 1000 , which was launched in 1990.  In 1994,  Maruti Suzuki introduced the Esteem by fitting the fabulous 1298cc all-aluminium engine into the Maruti 1000’s body, along with a few cosmetic changes.  The Esteem was a compact sedan with a seating capacity for five people.  The mileage of the Esteem was approximately 11.3 km/l.  The Esteem became a familiar sight on Indian roads and left a lasting impression.  The price of the Maruti Esteem started at ₹4.44 lakh.  It was produced from the late 1980s to the mid-2000s and was well-received in markets like Asia and Latin America. It was known for its reliability, fuel efficiency, and affordability, making it a popular choice for many drivers.    Although the Esteem is no longer in production after being s...

THE NITROUS NANO

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The  Tata Nano   was a small city car produced by the Indian automaker  Tata Motors . It was known for its compact size and affordability.  It was designed as an affordable rear-engine hatchback primarily for motorcycle and scooter riders.  The Nano was launched on January 10, 2008, with a groundbreaking starting price of ₹100,000.  It aimed to bring road transportation to the masses in India, especially those who had never owned a car before.  The Nano had a total length of 3.1 meters, a width of 1.5 meters, and a height of 1.6 meters, making it one of the smallest cars in the Indian car industry. The Nano’s compact size, tight turning circle, and easy parking made it suitable for city driving.  The Nano was powered by a 624 cc 2-cylinder engine which produced a mileage of  21.9-22.6 kmpl.  Tata Motors projected production figures of 250,000 annually at launch. However, this was not achieved, and various factors led to a decline in sale...

THE INDIGENOUS INDICA

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The  Tata Indica  was a popular hatchback car produced by Tata Motors in India. It  was the first Indian  hatchback to feature a diesel engine. It marked a significant milestone in the Indian automotive industry.  Prior to the Indica, Tata Motors had primarily produced station wagons and SUVs, making the Indica their first passenger hatchback.  The car came with a 1396 cc diesel engine and a five-speed manual transmission.  It offered comfortable interiors, good fuel economy, and reliable after-sales service.  The Tata Indica was designed as a compact hatchback with a focus on affordability and practicality.   The Indica was initially launched with a 1.4-liter diesel engine, which was later upgraded to a 1.4-liter turbocharged diesel engine.  Apart from the LS and LX variants, there were other variants like the  V2 ,   Vista , and   eV2   introduced over the years.  The Indica faced competition from other ...