Ford Figo prices start at Rs 3.50 lakh

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The Ford Figo seems to be excellent value for money, but will it sell…?

Ford India has announced prices for its new hatchback, the Figo. The petrol-engined base model is priced at Rs 3.50 lakh, while the diesel costs Rs 4.48 lakh. ‘We wanted to offer all the features of a B-Segment car at a sub-B price. We’ve accomplished that with Figo,’ said Joe Hinrichs, President of Ford Asia Pacific and Africa.

With 1.2-litre, 71bhp petrol and 1.4-litre, 69bhp diesel engines being offered on the Figo, the car will be available in LXI, EXI, ZXI and Titanium trim levels. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on all models.

The top-end Ford Figo Titanium models are priced at Rs 4.43 lakh for the petrol and Rs 5.30 lakh for the diesel. ‘We are committed to setting new benchmarks with the Figo in this segment. The Figo offers more features, interior space, technology and durability than other vehicles at this price in the segment,’ said Michael Boneham, President and MD, Ford India.

With the Figo, Ford could possibly get a significant sales boost in India. Had the company chosen to also offer automatic transmission as an optional extra, things might have turned out been even better for the company, since no contemporary automatics are currently available in India in the small cars segment. A CVT or even a conventional automatic could have given the Figo an extra edge over its competitors.

Speaking of competition, the Figo is going to have plenty of it. Apart from the existing players (Maruti Swift and Ritz, Hyundai i20 and the Tata Indica Vista), there’s the new VW Polo, the upcoming Nissan Micra and the Toyota Etios. And while the Figo is likely to be a reasonably all-around-competent machine, it doesn’t seem to be particularly brilliant at anything and might even be a bit underpowered – though we’ll refrain from saying anything more on that until we’ve really driven the car.

In any case, we like Ford and we like some of their cars – the Ikon 1.6 ‘Josh Machine’ was one of the best handling cars ever sold in India and we loved that. Whether the Figo can emulate the Ikon’s success tale remains to be seen, but we wish Ford all the best!

Genelia in Imtiaz Ali’s next?

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After working with two hottest actresses of Bollywood Kareena Kapoor in JAB WE MET and Deepika Padukone in LIKE AAJ KAL, it seems the self effacing filmmaker Imtiaz Ali now plotting to work with, yet another B-town hottie, the effervescent Genelia D’souza.

Buzz is that, recently the director-actor duo were spotted at a suburban coffee shop absorbed in a detailed conversation. But nothing has been confirmed yet, but the chances are quite bright about Genelia being a part of Imtiaz’s film.

Genelia’s last superhit film was JAANE TU YAA JAANE (2008), since then it has been more than a year she delivered a hit. Though she was a part of 2009’s average hit, the multistarrer LIFE PARTNER, but it didn’t provide much visibility to her. And working with Imtiaz Ali will only give a boost to Genelia’s career, which she desperately needs.

Well it would be nothing less than a treat to see Genelia in Imtiaz Ali’s film.


Nityanand Disciple shot sting to unmask

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It is one gurudakshina Swami Paramahamsa Nityanand might remember for
life.

The godman’s former disciple, Nitya Dharmananda alias Lenin
Karuppan, has claimed he filmed Nityanand’s sexcapades “ to unmask the
man masquerading as a spiritual leader”. The videos showed Nityanand in
compromising positions with actress Ranjitha. According to Dharmananda,
she served as Nityanand’s personal attendant during her frequent,
dayslong visits to his ashram.
The former disciple is said to have told the police more about the godman’s ‘ sexcapades’ and other murky happenings at his ashram. “ He had intimate relationships with many other heroines too,” Dharmananda said.
He added that his suspicions about the godman’s activities were aroused with the death of a devotee from Canada at the ashram. They were deepened when another devotee attempted suicide.
Dharmananda is also said to have handed over to the police two CDs believed to contain Nityanand’s dalliance with other tinseltown beauties.
The former Nityanand disciple said he had joined the godman’s staff as a driver. He went on to become Nityanand’s trusted lieutenant and settled down in the Bangalore ashram in 2006. He had free access to the godman’s private rooms and he said he made the tapes December last.
“ Sensing I had done a sting operation, Nityanand and ashram functionaries threatened me on February 18 during a visit to Salem. I escaped,” Dharmananda said. He has sought police protection.
But, Dharmananda’s claims have raised doubts about the motive behind the release of the sleaze tapes.
In the meantime, Nityanand has said the videos were “ morphed” and that it was “ a conspiracy to defame” him. In an appeal through his website, he has urged his followers not to be carried away by the tapes.


Toyota FT-86: A modern classic?

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Toyota FT-86Toyota FT-86
With the FT-86, Toyota is sticking to the classic sportscar ethos of rear-wheel-drive, combined with light weight, balance, simplicity and responsiveness…
Toyota FT-86Toyota FT-86Toyota FT-86

According to Toyota, its new FT-86 Sports Concept, which made its European debut at the currently ongoing Geneva Motor Show, has been designed and engineered to capture the spirit of the Toyota Corolla AE86 of the 1980s. With its front-engine, rear-wheel-drive format and compact, lightweight and aerodynamically efficient body, the FT-86 is supposed to have been modelled after legendary Toyota sportscars like the Celica, MR2, Supra and Corolla AE86.

Back in the 1980s, the rear-wheel-drive Corolla AE86 did very well in rallies and closed circuit racing and its compact dimensions, light weight, balance and strong power-to-weight ratio made it a favourite with many racing teams. Toyota aims to recreate that package with the driver-focused FT-86, which has been engineered to deliver precise, instantaneous responses to even the smallest throttle and steering inputs.

In keeping with the modern-day green ethic, Toyota has avoided the use of a huge, heavy engine on the FT-86. It has, instead, fitted a 2.0-litre petrol engine to its new sportscar, along with a six-speed manual gearbox. For the interiors, too, Toyota has used very lightweight components in order to maintain a high power-to-weight ratio.

Toyota hasn’t done a light, simple, rear-wheel-drive sportscar in ages and the FT-86 will probably make a lot of enthusiasts very pleased indeed. While it follows a completely different path compared with the awe-inspiring Lexus LFA, we still quite like the FT-86 and sincerely hope it makes it to India within the next one or two years.

Toyota FT-86Toyota FT-86Toyota FT-86

Ranjitha spent nights with lead actor

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Ranjitha, who is in news now for her alleged delight in with Nithyananda was quite a regular in the social circles in Chennai. A small birdie excitedly whispered to us that this 39 year ancient actress who is in fantastic shape for her age really has quite a reputation.
 
During the shooting of Mani Ratnam’s Raavan, where Ranjitha plays a small role, there was a particular schedule that spanned over five days and this actress was said to be having quite a excellent time with one of the lead actors who is acting in the Tamil version of the movie. Apparently the two were seen together all the time and she spent all the nights in his hotel room. Word has it that nearly all the men in the unit were hitting on this lady but it was only the actor who got lucky in the end.


2010 Toyota RAV4 unveiled in Geneva

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2010 Toyota RAV42010 Toyota RAV4
The new Toyota RAV4 gets some cosmetic updates for 2010…
2010 Toyota RAV42010 Toyota RAV4

Toyota has released pics and specs of its revised, 2010-spec RAV4, which made its debut today at the currently ongoing Geneva Motor Show. Toyota’s bestselling compact SUV gets new front-end styling, new bonnet, bumpers, headlights and front grille. The interiors have also been updated with new leather and Alcantara trim materials.

The new RAV4 continues to be available with 2.0-litre petrol and 2.2-litre diesel engines, while transmission options include a six-speed manual, Mutridrive S (continuously variable transmission) and six-speed automatic. While Toyota already has compact SUV in India – the Fortuner – which is selling very well, it might still bring the RAV4 to India at some time in the future, perhaps for those want a larger, plusher SUV.

It’s Not Spicy Style Of Meghna’s Sister

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A new buzz has been making rounds in the tinsel town and this was due to a rather bold picture of a very gorgeous bombshell.

Those who have seen her said that she happens to be the sister of the well-known seductress Meghna Naidu. Well, here is the right tale.
The girl in discussion happens to be Shashi Naidoo and reliable sources have confirmed that she has nothing to do with Meghna. The truth is Shashi happens to be some South African star and it is the surname aspect that got the gossip mills to cook up a tale.
But, her picture has bowled the minds of many movie makers and now they are genuinely trying to contact her to see if she would be willing to act in any of the Telugu movies. If that happens, the Telugu film circuit will reach an entirely different league. What say Shashi Naidoo?


Valentino Balboni drives the Lamborghini Gallaro LP 550-2 VB

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Remember the special edition Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni (see here)? Now here’s a video featuring the legendary test driver driving the car that bears his name…

…and while we’re at it, here’s a video of one of our all-time favourite Lamborghinis, the outrageously dramatic Countach. Valentino Balboni, incidentally, has played a part in the development of every Lamborghini car from the ancient Miura, Countach and Diablo to the current-day Murcielago and Gallardo!

Married Heroine In hot scenes

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It is not often that one gets to see a heroine after her marriage but slowly that trend seems to be changing.
But, it is next to impossible to see married heroine in a bra and bikini. The best that we know of is Malaika Arora or her sexy sister Amrita Arora who keep doing that on and off.

But now, someone from the south is going to challenge them and she is none other than the fleshy white beauty Arthi Agarwal. News is that the pretty girl has given her green signal to appear in bra and bikini and this has set the temperatures soaring among the movie makers.

As it is, Arthi will set the screen on fire since she would be seen smooching in her new movie ‘Neelaveni’. Now, with the bra and bikini on her milky white silky skin, it will make the masses go mad. Perhaps Arthi will set a new record by becoming today’s married heroine in bra and bikini.


Bollywood Actresses in Bikini

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Theatrical trailer of Akshay kumar’s upcoming movie Houseful.

The movie also stars Deepika padukone, lara dutta, Ritesh deshmukh, Arjun rampal and Jia khan. This is the photo from that movie, Deepika, lara and Jiah khan in bikini.