Porsche Panamera Launched in India

After the great success of the 911 Boxter and Cayenne in the Indian market, Porsche has launched its very first 4-door, luxurious sports car Panamera in the country. The car was first launched at the 2009 Shanghai Automotive Show earlier this year. The new Porsche Panamera will be available in 3-variants : Panamera S, 4S & Turbo with the price tags of INR 1,44,00,000, INR 1,49,00,000 and INR 2,05,00,000 respectively. The Panamera Turbo is powered by 493 bhp 4.8L V8 twin-turbo engine and S & 4S are powered by 395 bhp 4.8L V8 engine.

Tata Indigo Manza

Let us first look interior of the Tata Manza. The steering wheel, thankfully, has nothing of the hideous design of the steering wheel of the Tata Nano. The Manza’s steering wheel looks substantial and serious. In the top-end version the Aura Plus, the wheel also encloses the driver airbag. The panel gaps that have plagued earlier cars from the company have vanished. The overall feel is that of a well thought-out car. Steering mounted audio controls are a nice touch too. You get USB and Bluetooth connectivity with the audio system – take that, owners of premium cars!

Rossi: This is a ‘great achievement’

Valentino Rossi claimed his seventh premier class world title in Malaysia – the ninth of his career across all categories – on Sunday, and acknowledged the magnitude of his feat. A twelfth podium of the season for Valentino Rossi – the 163rd of his career across all classes – secured the 2009 MotoGP World Championship for the Italian at Sepang, and he was understandably delighted with the achievement. In rain-soaked conditions and after falling to tenth place from pole position after a slow start, Rossi climbed the field to secure third behind Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa, and explained the problems that faced him before the start of the race. Having been pushed throughout the season to retain his crown by team-mate Jorge Lorenzo, who finished fourth, Rossi paid special tribute to the 22 year-old Spaniard’s efforts.

Rossi delighted with 'great' pole lap at Sepang

Valentino Rossi is extremely pleased to be starting the Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix in pole position. Defending MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi, who could clinch the 2009 title this Sunday at Sepang with a top-four finish, is thrilled not only with his qualifying pole position but also with the time he set to secure it. The Italian beat his own pole position record at the Sepang international circuit – which had stood since 2006 and was set on a 990cc machine – to record a new best time of 2’00.518.

Hero Honda New Karizma ZMR

Hero Honda has launched the revamped version of its performance motorcycle, the Karizma ZMR. Introduced at a price of Rs 91,000 ex-showroom Delhi, the new bike will go up against the likes of other performance bikes in the Indian market such as the Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTSi and the Yamaha YZF-R15. Hero Honda has ensured that the new bike is not just a cosmetic upgrade, but the changes in the exteriors and the design are major and will establish the Karizma ZMR as an all-new bike. The ZMR now features a full fairing that clads the entire engine to pronounce the big-bike feel. Redesigned rear quarter panels and an all new LED taillamp round up the design changes on the new bike. The engine sees a mild power upgrade from 16.8PS to 17.6PS, but now features fuel-injection that replaces the carburetor. Taking a cue from its competitors, the new bike has also been fitted with an oil-cooler, which should take some of the heat off the completely clad yet air-cooled engine. On the features front, the new bike sports clip-on handlebars and an all-new digital speedo-tacho unit. The bike seems well kitted for its price, but the competition seems to have a headstart in terms of technology and outright performance.

Burgess gives insight into Rossi relationship

Jeremy Burgess, Valentino Rossi’s Chief Mechanic at Fiat Yamaha, has explained the working dynamic between the two which has contributed to their sustained success. Valentino Rossi’s ability to co-develop his Yamaha YZR-M1 closely with his Chief Mechanic at Fiat Yamaha, Jeremy Burgess, has formed the basis of the pair’s success at the Japanese manufacturer, says the Australian. Ahead of the Iveco Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island on the weekend of October 16th-18th in his homeland, Burgess has spoken of the importance of Rossi’s input in turning his bike into a three-time world title winning machine to date. Burgess joined Rossi in his switch from Honda to Yamaha for the 2004 season, as they continued their winning formula, and Burgess maintains the six-time MotoGP champion’s input has been just as crucial as his own technical expertise.

Kawasaki Ninja 250R

The Kawasaki Ninja 250R which has been playing hide and seek with almost every die hard biker for a couple of years is finally making its foray into the Indian market. Bajaj had its plans of launching this bike a few months back but due to some internal issues this bike was withheld. The little monster from Kawasaki is being released on the 7th of October at around 1pm in an official launch party in Delhi. However, the bike would be available to the masses in limited numbers and could only be bought on advance booking through the Pro Biking outlets of Bajaj (only). The bike will be released in two colors, the scintillating green and the awesome black. Bajaj has still kept the pricing hidden from the market but according to our sources this bike would cost anything around Rs.2,50,000.