BMW displays Vision EfficientDynamics concept car in India

Coming soon: Diesel Honda City

Ferrari makes India debut, prices start from Rs. 2.2 cr

Italian luxury sports car Ferrari on Thursday officially entered the Indian market with popular models such as the California, 458 Italia, 599GTB Fiorano and the latest FF at prices starting from Rs. 2.2 crore onward.

"Till yesterday, Ferrari was present in 57 countries. Now we are in the 58th country, which is India. We should have been in India much before and we expect to sell more than 100 cars in the next 2-3 years," Ferrari SpA Chief Executive Officer Amedeo Felisa said.

The company has appointed the Shreyans Group as its official importer in India. Bookings for the cars start today with the opening of the first dealership in the national capital. The second showroom is scheduled to open in Mumbai in the second half of 2011.

The Ferrari range which will be sold in India includes the Ferrari California priced at Rs. 2.2 crore, 458 Italia at Rs. 2.56 crore and 599GTB Fiorano tagged at Rs. 3.37 crore. All prices are ex-showroom in Delhi.

Ferrari's latest model the FF, which was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, will also be available. It carries a price tag of Rs. 3.41 crore.

Explaining the late arrival of Ferrari in India, Felisa said it was waiting for the right time to enter the market.

"We are in India for the long run and we wanted to be here at the right time after testing the market," he said. In 2008, Ferrari had conducted a 'Magic India Discovery Drive' in India, covering more than 13,000 kilometres and touching 57 cities over 74 days as part of a market testing exercise.

Felisa said globally, Ferrari sold 6,500 cars in 2010 and this year, the company expects to do much better.

"This year, we expect to beat our best ever sales of 6,700 units achieved in 2007," he said. The US is Ferrari's biggest market, accounting for about 30 per cent of sales, followed by Germany, while Japan is the biggest in Asia.

He said the Great China region, comprising China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, also has great potential and could become the company's second-largest market. The company sold about 600 units in the region last year.

Yamaha SZ R

With the aim of adding a new credo for the biking aficionados in India, Yamaha had launched the SZ R in Dec. 2010 and has since then witnessed a phenomenal response from its customers. Bestowed with the archetype Yamaha DNA of Performance, Innovation & Design, Yamaha SZ R is a modern, sporty, stylish yet comfortable commuting vehicle. The bike provides a pleasurable riding experience to its customers as the features are very user friendly and appeal to the sports oriented interests of the Gen Y bikers. The bike is designed in a way that would give the rider the sensation of “High Speed”.

The muscular 153 cc SZ R comes with a front disc brake, tachometer and has tank protector added to the fuel tank which gives it a larger look. The shroud of the standard Yamaha SZ X 150 model is replaced by an aerodynamic spoiler that extends out boldly and is given the same silver colouring as the side covers. Other prominent features of the bike include clear lens flasher, coloured handle grip bar and painted muffler end caps along with special graphics.

Yamaha SZ R is available in 3 stunning colours- Quality Black, Quality Red and Quality Blue. The engine of SZ R generates the maximum power of 12.1 PS at 7,500 rpm with maximum torque of 12.8 Nm at 4,500 rpm and helps to provide more power and comfort. The aesthetically designed bike definitely has the equipment to match the extra premium it demands. The SZ R is available at an Ex-showroom (Delhi) price of Rs 55,500/-.

With its sporty and streetfighter-like demeanour, the SZ R is definitely upmarket and bold in its appeal with its pronounced design lines with a well done mishmash of curves and edges. Overall proportions and dimensions of the SZ-R are very well-executed giving it a placid feel of a commuter motorcycle yet the solid bearing of a punchy 150cc machine.

Needless to say, with the SZ R, Yamaha has provided the Indian riders a chance to experience true “Art of Engineering”.