How Are We?

The Honda HR-V which was first launched as a three-door version early last year, is now available as a five-door model as well. The HR-V came to be known as the `Joy Machine' in the US market, as it offered the typical Honda fun-to-drive attributes to an SUV. In fact, last year, SUVs overtook the traditional pick-up trucks to become the best-selling category in the US. With the larger five-door version, Honda expects to garner even more market share in this highly competitive market.

Despite its larger size, the five-door HR-V loses none of the urban chic captured by the innovative styling and fun-to-drive multi-purpose character of the three-door version. The new C-pillar design ensures that the side glass area flows seamlessly from front to rear. Thanks to an extended overall length and wheelbase, the five-door HR-V offers rear-seat passengers more room, and easy entry/exit through large doors. Plus there are the other passenger amenities like parcel nets, storage cubby-holes, an oddments tray, retractable cup-holders and what have you.

 

What is exciting is the new 1590 CC VTEC SOHC engine that can also be seen in the Civic Coupe. This 16 valve unit offers 124 bhp at 6600 rpm and around 14 kgm of torque at a high 4900 revs. This engine can be fitted into either of the two HR-V versions, matched to a manual transmission with Real Time four-wheel drive - a clever system which engages all-wheel drive only when extra traction is called for. With this unit under the hood, the larger HR-V touches 100 kph in 11.2 seconds, and a top speed of 170 kph, while the smaller sibling takes only 10.7 seconds.

Constructive business

Volvo India has made a foray into the construction equipment industry, with its launch of two powerful state-of-the-art excavators recently. The Volvo EC 290 with a tonnage of 29 and the EC 210 with a tonnage of 21 are capable of different earth moving applications like road building, dam construction and other infrastructure projects. Other applications include work at sand pits and quarries, waste disposal and coal mining.

These excavators offer a unique Advanced Control System, in which the operator simply selects a power mode and lets the system automatically set the most efficient positions. There are four power

modes on offer with nine engine speed settings and a power max mode. An Automatic Sensing Work

Mode hydraulic system controls the independent and simultaneous movements of the digging

equipment. This has been designed for high productivity, high digging capacity and high manoeuvring precision.

A 214 bhp unit powers the EC 290, while the EC 210 runs on a 160 bhp powerplant. Both these diesel engines are low emission, turbo-charged with aftercooler, and are exclusively designed for excavator use.