2012 AUTO EXPO - Ducati Monster 795 launched

Ducati has launched the much-awaited Monster 795! Essentially, it's a de-specced Monster 796 so it loses the single-sided swingarm, to start with. More details will be coming in shortly. It is excitingly priced at Rs 6.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai) - way off the sub-6 Lakh pricing we were expecting, but it's still a whopping 2.3 Lakh off the 796's pricing

In terms of power and torque output, the 795 is the same as the 796 - 85.8 bhp@8250 rpm and 8 kgm@6250 rpm. The front tyre is a 120/60 ZR17 while the one at the rear is a 160/60 ZR17. The 795 has a twin-disc setup at the front and a single disc at the rear. At 167 kg (dry), the 795 (like the 796) will be a fantastic motorcycle to ride both, in the city and in the twisties.




While it's hard to tell from the images, it isn't known yet how the Rs 2.3 Lakh price cut has come about. A safe guess would be to point at that swingarm and some other details. Still, it's a smashing looking motorcycle, a proper Ducati replete with a Trellis frame and glossy red paintwork! We'll keep you updated!

2012 AUTO EXPO-UNVEILED NEW TATA SAFARI STORME

Tata Motors has showcased their new Tata Safari Storme at the 2012 Auto Expo. The Safari Storme is based on the Tata Aria platform and has new underpinnings. The size and outward appearance of the SUV, however, remain largely unchanged

Tata Motors has showcased their new Tata Safari Storme at the 2012 Auto Expo. The Safari Storme is based on the Tata Aria platform and has new underpinnings. The size and outward appearance of the SUV, however, remain largely unchanged

Tata Motors has showcased their new Tata Safari Storme at the 2012 Auto Expo. The Safari Storme is based on the Tata Aria platform and has new underpinnings. The size and outward appearance of the SUV, however, remain largely unchanged.

Onto the engine, then. The Safari gets a 2.2-litre 16-valve common-rail DiCOR engine that makes 138 bhp and has 32.4 kgm of peak torque on offer. This is mated to a 5-speed gearbox, same as the one on the Tata Aria. This gearbox was upgraded from the one on the older Safari. The car also has rack and pinion steering, dual SRS airbags.

While the car is 85 per cent new, due to the mild changes to the exterior, it does look like all that has happened is a facelift, however.