Overdrive December issue

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This December, OVERDRIVE has got itself in what is Toyota's most important model: the Etios. But first - we've had fun on two wheels - we've ridden the world's first dual-clutch motorcycle, the Honda VFR1200F. We've also swung a leg over it's baby brother, the CBR250R that will have lots of Indian enthusiasts happy with its value. We've also enjoyed the smooth, torquey Suzuki Bandit 1250S. We then hopped on to the Hyosung GT650R sportbike and ST7 cruiser. And rounded things off by riding through Rajasthan on an Enfield Classic 500. But we haven't got to four wheels yet - Harriet's taken a ride on the 3-wheeled Piaggo MP3.
Life is no less exciting on four wheels this month - the Etios promises much, and we've driven it. Another city car that offers a lot is the i20 Automatic, and we've driven that, too. A little further up the ladder, we see if the Vento AT has what it takes to usurp the City AT. If it's out in the woods that you want to be, then there's no better issue - we've driven the brawny Ford Endeavour 3.0 TDCi 4x2. Then we've got Skoda's much-awaited Yeti, with its on-road manners a different SUV approach to the Endeavour's muscle. We hop into the Volvo XC60 for a full road-test; should the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 be worried? We take a look at VW's new Passat, a sea change from the outgoing model. The hard work done, we've gone for a relaxing wine-tasting trip to Nashik in a Camry. You read about them, but can you afford them? We give you the dope on buying a luxury car.
For our poster, we've got the devil itself: the Ducati Diavel...

Bajaj bikes against Piracy

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Bajaj Auto has started a campaign against piracy in the country. The Police have conducted raids on few automobile spare parts shops in Balaram Street, Mumbai, which were packing & selling counterfeit parts of Bajaj spare parts packed in non-genuine packing.
These criminal actions not only  infringe ‘Bajaj brand ‘ affecting brands credibility, but also cheat the customer who gets a substandard part, which when fitted in vehicle will not give proper service, besides possibly creating safety issues. The government also loses precious revenue in terms of taxes.
In order to contain this social menace, Bajaj Auto Ltd has initiated action against such counterfeiters & following shops in Balaram Street, Mumbai were raided with the help of EIPR Mumbai & Mumbai Police & the named persons were arrested.
1) M/s. Satkar Automobile (Mr. Sarvinder Sarvansingh)
2) M/s. Perfect Scooters (Mr. Sarbajit Santuksingh)
3) M/s. Raj Ratan Automobiles (Mr. Kantilal Pukhrajji Bohra)
4) M/s. Dilip Auto Agency (Mr. Dilip Babulalji Bafna)
Above offenders have been arrested & FIR has been filed against them under Trademark act. 4000 pieces of Counterfeit parts, fake packing material, worth Rs. 3 lacs were seized from their premises.
Bajaj Auto has taken elaborate steps to ensure that its genuine spare parts are easy to identify. A holographic strip with special characteristics is a part of every packaged part. The details of the security measures are detailed on the Bajaj Auto website: www.bajajauto.com under the Service section.
Bajaj Auto has conducted similar raids in Pune & will conduct such raids in all other cities across the country to protect Bajaj brand & the customer.

Mercedes Benz launches M-class new edition

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Mercedes-Benz today launched the M-Class Grand Edition in two attractive variants – Grand Sports & Grand Executive for the Indian market. The Sport Edition is priced at Rs. 54.11 Lakhs while the Executive Edition is priced at Rs. 47.91 lakhs Ex-showroom Pune.

The New M-Class introduced in India in 2009 offers the best of both the worlds: the highest levels of luxury, comfort and on-road refinement combined with excellent off-road capabilities and best-in-class safety standards. Its incomparable status can be attributed to its characteristic dynamic, stylish design, a combination of compelling performance both on and off-road, the ride comfort and ease of operation of a saloon, along with a high perceived value. This stylish SUV has been very well received in the Indian market and buyers have come to appreciate the outstanding qualities of the New M-Class. With its exceptional popularity and acceptance garnered over the years. The New M-Class has today become the segment leader registering 24% growth in the mid size luxury segment.
This New M-Class Grand Edition takes this success and magnificence of the New M-Class a step beyond. The Grand edition of this dynamic, stylish SUV now has even more distinctive characteristics, and looks sportier exuding aggression & power. The front end of this off-roader is now defined by redesigned attractive darkened headlamps, LED daytime driving light integrated with the front bumper and the eye-catching 19" light-alloy wheels in 10-spoke design. Stylish fine-tuning and new high-grade materials which are pleasing to the eye and touch combine with a new two-tone colour scheme to add fresh highlights to the interior. Additionally the interiors flaunt an AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel which is eye-catching along with an impressive Grand edition badge on the central console completes the look. It also has its spare wheel placed in its boot.
With a very attractive sub fifty lakh price point, this Grand Edition M-Class along with its compelling package of innovative features & styling elements will appeal to the wider spectrum of SUV aficionados.
In terms of technology, the M-Class Grand Edition, boasts of exciting features like permanent four-wheel drive and 4ETS traction systems while incorporating functions such as Downhill Speed Regulation, Acceleration skid control (ASR) and the off-road ABS system. The AIRMATIC air suspension significantly improves ride comfort while the Adaptive Damping System (ADS), adjusts shock absorber response to suit driving situations. The rear axle has a four-link suspension system. Standard-fitted 19” light-alloy wheels in 10-spoke design emphasize the sporting pedigree of this stylish SUV.  Additionally the M-Class Grand Edition also features as standard - Heated seats, PARKTRONIC & NECK-PRO luxury head restraints as well.
“The M-Class has been a popular model series in India. The “Sports Edition” and the “Executive Edition” are very aggressively priced considering the loadings and features of this marquee. We are confident that customers who expect highest standards from their vehicles will find the M-Class a vehicle that exceeds their expectations- both on and off the road.” stated Dr. Wilfried Aulbur, Managing Director and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India.

Suzuki GSX-R Vs Yamaha R1 Overdrive comparison drive

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Styling & design
Why should we be talking about styling in the beginning of a track test? Well, let’s face facts. Ninety nine per cent of litre-class motorcycles sold in India will never even see the parking lots of a racetrack. Fewer still will ever approach the distant peripheries of their vast performance envelopes. In that kind of riding cycle, looks become rather important.

And both manufacturers know that. The R1 has come a long way from its origins and many would argue that the company has lost the plot a bit with the latest model (2009-2010). What used to be the best looking Japanese motorcycle of them all only three years ago has become a menacing looking stubby thing with a plump fairing, stubby exhausts and a gaping front end that always seems either startled or intensely hungry.

The Suzuki on the other hand, has evolved nicely. You can trace some of the lines back to the original Gixxer Thousand but much has changed, the headlight shape being the most dramatically shifting element of the whole lot. The new one is neat, I like the interesting shape and the gaping intakes - the Suzuki has presence. And menace. Suzuki’s experiments with the exhausts and their shape, on the other hand, I will never fully comprehend. The latest are these gigantic, curved titanium units that look a bit bigger in the pics than they really are. Then again, it’s nothing a carbon fibre Akrapovic stub won’t fix, right?

Overdrive Tata Nano drive

On a happier note, Cherrapunjee’s record for the highest rainfall in a single day is more than two and a half times Mumbai’s worst nightmare come true. A deeply staggering 245.5cm. That’s just over eight feet of rain over a day. If your house was perfectly watersealed and was missing only a roof, that day in Cherrapunjee would see your house fill up with rain water to just below the ceiling.

In fact, Cherrapunjee is no longer regarded as the wettest place on Earth, it’s only famous for that now. A nearby hamlet of Mawsynram is now officially the title holder. Cherrapunjee, though, still holds the records for the highest recorded rainfall in a year and over a month. As good a reason as any to go there in the middle of the monsoon.

Our search of driving adventure led us far and wide around India and Cherrapunjee fitted right in. Just to add a twist to the tale, instead of the obvious choice - an SUV with eight-foot wading capability, an outboard motor and a direct satellite uplink in case we need to send out a mayday, we chose to drive up in a Nano. That too, the base version, minus all the frills. We were out to see the monoliths the town is famous for, its caves and of course, the rain would be the thread that tied the story together.

We set off from Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya for Cherrapunjee, a good 60km away. Shillong is fascinating

Overdrive India November issue

The big news is the big new Tata - the Aria, which promises a whole new dimension to the car-buying public. We pit the Tata Aria against the segment leader, the Innova, to see if it manages to best it. A little further up, the Santa Fe marks Hyundai's re-entry into the SUV segment and shows the Fortuner a thing or two. And near the top, the new BMW X5 has made its comeback against its rivals - we test the diesel xDrive30d. Audi's taking the fight to the Mercedes CLS with its four-door coupe, the A7; we drive it. Volvo is also bringing in their unique sense of style and safety in the S60, the 3-series rival. New hatchbacks continue their onslaught, with the Indica Vista Safire 90, A-Star Auto and Fabia 1.6 MPi. We also put the Fabia and Polo diesel into the ring to find out which is the better diesel hatch from the VW group. On two wheels, we've got two city bikes: one is the Mahindra Stallio, which marks the maker's foray into motorcycles. The other is the Ducati Monster 796, available at a remarkable price. We've also given you your fill of race reports including Sirish's podium in Rajasthan. We've gone to Bhutan in a Land Cruiser Prado for a holiday. And we've taken a look at what makes Honda's designs so appealling. All this and more in our November issue, out on stands now!