Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX

For 2006, the Lancer Evolution’s generational odometer rolls over from the current Evo VIII, on sale since 2003, to the Evo IX. Accordingly, this rigid, noisy, Spartan, all-wheel-drive son-of-a-rally-car gets new front and rear bumpers, aero tweaks, nattier seats, and lighter alloy wheels. And along with that it gets a 10-hp boost to 286, mostly from a new-to-Evo variable-valve-timing system. The maximum acceleration of Evo IX MR is 60mph in 4.6 seconds and the quarter-mile in 13.4 seconds at 104 mph. Inside are aluminium pedals and redesigned seats. A faux-carbon-fibre panel adorns the dash. Cloth is gone, pseudo-suede centre panels are now bordered by leather bolsters. All-leather seats are an option. Outside, a new front bumper fights aerodynamic lift with an available chin spoiler that increases the low-pressure zone under the nose. Two oval nostrils in the bumper help the intercooler by ramming fresh air around its input and output pipes. In back, the carbon-fibre airfoil can be had with a Gurney flap, a thin wing extension that increases down force to the rear. An old devil with one new horn is the iron-block turbocharged 2.0-liter DOHC 16-valve inline four known as the 4G63. Upstairs, the intake can now spins with an adjuster that advances or retards the cam as needed for best power. The Evo IX’s larger turbo-impeller housing supplies an easier pathway for exhaust gas, shrinking turbo lag by five per cent. Peak boost pressures actually drop slightly even as torque rises from 286 pound-feet at 3500 rpm to 289. Other changes: new piston oil rings to cut oil burning by 10 per cent and a stouter nylon-reinforced timing belt.

Maruti Suzuki Swift

The Maruti Suzuki Swift is more eye-catching, spacious, refined, user-friendly, and a whole lot more enjoyable to drive in the compact-car category The newly-launched Suzuki Swift is a result of hard labour of almost five years and is based on a brand new platform and a lot of inputs have been taken from Suzuki’s two wheeler counterpart. The Swift has a robust, muscular look, typical of German automobile manufacturing traditions. It comes with an upgraded 1.3-litre petrol engine that generates 87 bhp of maximum power at 6000 rpm, with a max torque of 113Nm at 4,500 rpm and the usual five-speed transmission. The engine has been tuned with the emphasis on performance at low and mid-range speeds. The Swift is offered in eight vibrant colours. The automatic climate control system is a distinctive feature in Suzuki Swift along with use of CAN (controller area network) system, a communication system that enables the various on-board computers to communicate with each other rapidly.

Arun Intercontinental Trading Pvt Ltd, the authorized dealer of Maruti Suzuki vehicles in Nepal is soon introducing the car to Nepal.

Citroen C1

This, the littlest in the Citroen range and sister model to the Toyota Aygo and Peugeot 107, rounds off Citroen’s trio of town cars. With C1 joins C2 and C3 (and C3 Pluriel) in the made-for-city segment, Citroen reckons it’s the only carmaker to have four models in this smallest class of cars. Three and five-door variants are offered. Rear doors on five-door models extend all the way to the rear lights. The cheapest C1 in the range, the three-door Vibe, uses the same 68bhp petrol engine as the Peugeot 107, and the Toyota Aygo, which arrives in July. The C1 Vibe trim includes stability control, twin front airbags, power steering and a CD player. However, there are no side airbags, front electric windows or 50-50 split-folding rear seats - all of which is standard kit in the entry-level Peugeot 107. The Rhythm is only available in five-door form and comes with the petrol engine. Remote central locking and ISOFIX child seat mounting points are also standard kit on the Rhythm, while optional air-conditioning.