The Indian Car Review

BMW Launches Sports Activity Coupé in India!

2009-03-18T02:33:00.002+05:30

BMW India launched the BMW X6 at Infinity Cars, a new dealership facility in Mumbai. The BMW X6 will be available on the Indian roads in two variants – X6 xDrive50i (petrol) and X6 xDrive30d (diesel). These cars are available in the country as Completely Built-up Units (CBU) and can be ordered across all BMW dealerships in India.

The new BMW X6 has all the agility and elegance of a coupé plus the impressive versatility of an SAV. The BMW X6 draws its strength from two exclusive automotive worlds to create a new one. The first Sports Activity Coupé. Equipped with BMW Dynamic Performance Control, this is a coupé that knows no limits, especially in terms of driving dynamics.

The ex-showroom prices of the new BMW X6 in INR are as follows.
BMW X6 xDrive50i: 82,90,000
BMW X6 xDrive30d: 65,90,000

PS: Ex-showroom price excludes RTO registration charges, tax, insurance, handling charges; Octroi and entry tax (if applicable).

The all-wheel xDrive system provides better traction, higher stability and more safety. If the sensors detect that the car is about to drift off course the system reacts in milliseconds. By adjusting the amount of power that goes to the front and rear wheels, xDrive effectively nips over or under steering in the bud.

For the first time in a BMW, Dynamic Performance Control gives the BMW X6 unique new cornering qualities. Seamless drive distribution to the left- and right-hand rear wheels improves track stability, allowing the driver to enter bends more precisely and cross-accelerate faster with optimised grip when accelerating out. On slippery or uneven surfaces, Dynamic Performance Control provides the further advantage of an even safer and more stable traction.

And when xDrive and Dynamic Performance Control join forces, the result is a whole new dimension in driving dynamics.

The new V8 power unit with Twin Turbo technology and direct injection in the BMW X6 makes it the most powerful drive unit ever seen in a BMW X Model. The new eight-cylinder is impressive not only through its outstanding thrust and pulling force, but also through its compact dimensions.

To the very last detail, the BMW X6 offers a unique synthesis of exclusive luxury, sporting dynamics, and powerful style. A wide range of colours and materials highlight the sporting character of the BMW X6 and add to the individual style and personality of this unique vehicle.

Reigning Discounts!

2008-12-09T02:02:00.000+05:30

Automobile companies in India are enticing their customers by offering them great bargains on their cars. December is usually a month of discounts/great deals, but this time around the bargains seems to be even juicier considering a sharp drop in sales last month and a pile up of inventory at the showrooms.

Here's a run down on what's on offer:

Toyota Motors:
Innova - a price cut of up to Rs. 32,780.
Corolla - a price cut of up to Rs. 40,750.

Maruti Suzuki:
Wagon R - increased discount to Rs. 25,000 plus insurance vs. Rs. 12,000/insurance in November.
M-800 - a price cut of Rs. 6,500 plus insurance vs. Rs. 2,000 in November.
Alto - concession up to Rs. 7,000.
SX4 sedan - will go down by Rs.23,000 to Rs.760,542

Hyundai Motors:
Santrol GL (solid) - offering this version at Rs. 2.99 lakhs, the price that was when this model was launched 10 years ago.
Santro non-AC - free insurance plus car accessories worth Rs. 7,000
Santro GLS - free insurance plus car accessories worth Rs. 15,000
i10 - will be cheaper by Rs.11,247 and Rs.18,381 depending on its models.
Sonata - will see a drop of Rs.44,792
Also, loyalty benefit of up to Rs. 20,000 on select models of Getz, Accent & Verna.

Ford Motors India:
Ford Fiesta EXI (petrol) - a discount of Rs. 90,000, thus bringing down the sticker price from Rs. 6.2 lakhs to Rs. 5.29 lakhs.
Ford Fiesta Diesel - a discount of Rs. 51,000, thus bringing down the sticker price from Rs. 7.10 lakhs to Rs. 6.59 lakhs.
Offer valid only till Dec. 12, 2008.

Audi Inaugurates New Exclusive Showroom

2008-12-07T14:04:00.000+05:30

Audi, the German luxury car manufacturer, today announced the opening of a new exclusive showroom in Ahmedabad.

‘Audi Ahmedabad’ will be the first in the state of Gujarat and the third showroom in the western region.

‘Audi Ahmedabad’ showroom is spread over an area of 5,000 square feet, will display six cars and will have a total strength of 12 employees, extensively trained by Audi. The exclusive Audi workshop is specially built to service all Audi models with the latest and most advanced equipment brought in directly from Germany.

Built in accordance with the latest international standards of Audi Corporate Identity ‘Audi Ahmedabad’ will give its customers the progressive Audi brand experience. For the showroom opening the exclusive super sports car Audi R8 will be on display.

The Audi R8 that has won several awards in Germany and Europe, along with the double victory at the famous 2008 World Car of the Year awards, winning both the ‘World Performance Car” and “World Design Car of the Year’ awards, was launched in India in November 2008.

The Audi R8 is available along with the entire Audi model range in India consisting of the new Audi A4, Audi A6, Audi A8, Audi Q7 and Audi TT at twelve dealerships across the country: in Ahmedabad, Delhi, Gurgaon, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ludhiana, Chennai, Kochi and Kolkata.

Superman's Two Wheeler!

2008-11-11T19:39:00.001+05:30

BSA Motors Launches Largest Range of eScooters in India

2008-11-11T19:34:00.000+05:30

BSA Motors, a Strategic Business Unit of Tube Investments of India (TII), part of the Rs.9582 crore (USD 2.4billion) Murugappa Group, launched five models of BSA eScooters today in the city. The eScooters are manufactured at the BSA Motors new plant in Ambattur, with an investment of Rs.200 million for the first phase. The Ambattur plant has an initial production capacity of 150 eScooters a day which can be ramped upto 300 units per day as and when required. The first batch of eScooters would be rolled out from Chennai on 10th November 2008.

BSA Motors announced Actress Tamannah, the rising star in south Indian movies as the brand ambassador for BSA eScooters, to create strong linkage with the target audience of the age group between 14 to 30 years. She has acted in trendsetting films like ‘Happy Days’ in Telugu and ‘Kalloori’ in Tamil.

Mr. M A Alagappan, Executive Chairman, Murugappa Group launched the product range. The management of BSA Motors comprises of Mr. M M Murugappan, Chairman, Tube Investments of India, Mr L Ramkumar Managing Director, Tube Investments India, Mr. Arun Alagappan, Senior Vice President, BSA Motors and Mr. K B Srinivasan, General Manager, BSA Motors.

The five models of the BSA eScooters are,

Smile - The most competitively priced e-Scooter in the country for the age group of 13 to 18 years; 250 W, top speed of 25kmph. License and Registration is not required for riding this eScooter

Diva - First e-Scooter designed exclusively for girls in the age group of 16 to 20 years; 250 W, top speed of 25kmph. License and Registration is not required for riding this eScooter

Street Rider - Unisex sportz model from teen to twenties; 250 W, top speed of 25kmph. License and Registration is not required for riding this eScooter

Roamer - For working men and women for the age group of 18 to 25 years; 500 W, top speed of 40kmph, requires license and registration.

Roamer+ - The Family eScooter; 800W, top speed of 45kmph, requires license and registration

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. M M Murugappan, Chairman, Tube Investments of India said, “We see our entry into the electric two wheeler market as a logical extension of our current business, from bicycles to electric two wheelers. The eScooters is presently a Rs.450 crore market in India and the industry is expected to double in a year’s time. BSA’s foray into the eScooters category helps us to expand our portfolio in the two wheeler market. He also added, “BSA eScooters will undoubtedly be the next big success from TII.”

The Ambattur plant will have facility for painting, assembly and testing of eScooters. Key parts like motor, controller, battery, lamps, wheel discs, tyres & tubes have been sourced from reputed automotive vendors. The plant is equipped with State-of-the-Art technology with comprehensive full vehicle performance testing with a test track, motorized conveyor assembly line with modern assembly tools.

The BSA eScooters are certified by Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) to be used in public roads in India. Maintenance free batteries and motors make BSA eScooters 100% trouble free. The BSA eScooters have an efficiency of 82-85% in comparison to petrol run vehicles which has an efficiency of 35-38%.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Arun Alagappan, Senior Vice President, BSA Motors, said, “BSA Motors, a Strategic Business Unit was consciously formed to ensure focus and attention to the growing eScooter market in India. The BSA marketing team is constantly tracking leading style and fashion trends among the youth and their way of life. Hence, care has been taken on every aspect of the marketing mix to suit it to the target group. He also added, “Our initial thrust will be in the south Indian market and would be accessible with wide range of dealership network shortly.”

BSA Motors has carried out extensive market research to understand customer preferences in terms of features, colours, graphics and product names. The products have been specifically designed to suit Indian conditions. Every model has gone through extensive tests and validation to suit to the Indian roads and weather.

Each eScooter will have four colour options with the exception of Diva which will have five colour options. The unique features of these eScooter models are its protective safety switch, twin passenger foot rest, ergonomically designed seats, great storage space, side reflectors and many more innovative features that are not currently available in the market. The forte of BSA Motors lies in product design and top notch quality. Out of the five models, three models are in 250 watts, one in 500 watts and one in 800 watts.

Press advertisements of BSA Motors calling for 40 dealerships in South India had an overwhelming response from 400 applicants. Strict criteria were applied for dealer selection and the best 45 applications were selected for the launch phase. BSA Motors initially plans to set up 45 exclusive dealerships before December 2008 in states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Puducherry and Goa. All BSA Motors showrooms in the country will also have service centres with best in class equipment to provide complete service and satisfaction to the BSA customers.

For effective after sales service, BSA Motors plans to set up a centralized customer care call centre. BSA Motors’ customers can shortly call on GSM and Toll free VSNL number or SMS for product queries, test rides and service related issues.

Audi R8 - Super Car Launched in India

2008-11-11T19:26:00.000+05:30

Audi, the German luxury car manufacturer, today launched its Audi R8, the exclusive, mid-engine super sports car with a high degree of day-to-day drivability. The stylish and progressive Audi R8 is priced at 1,17,00,000 INR (ex-showroom Delhi without C.S.T., transportation, etc.).

“The Audi R8 is not only a strong statement about the brand, but also about Audi’s direction for the future – to be the most successful premium brand by 2015. It embodies the philosophy of “Vorsprung durch Technik”. It will revolutionise the Indian automobile space and will offer an experience of a lifetime to discerning customers in the country,” said Mr. Benoit Tiers, Managing Director Audi India.

The much-awaited Audi high performance super sports car, the Audi R8 was officially unveiled at the splendid lawns of the German Embassy in New Delhi along with two Audi racing legends: Auto Union Type D and the Audi R8 Le Mans Prototype, both chosen for their link to ground-breaking technologies of their time. These cars were introduced to the public in a rare display, after which in a stunning presentation eight Audi R8’s moved in a convoy to the historic India Gate through streets of New Delhi.

“We decided to launch the Audi R8 in the Indian market based on the enthusiastic response received from our select customers. India is a very crucial market for Audi and we are very keen to expand our presence in the country through expansion of the dealership network and bringing in our international range of models,” added Mr. Tiers.

With its technical precision and superior performance, the Audi R8 took the lead in the most demanding automotive sports car segment from the moment it was launched. The Audi R8 4.2 V8-FSI is equipped with an engine displacement of 4,163 cc, a power output of 309 kW (420 hp) at 7,800 rpm and a maximum torque 430 Nm between 4,500 and 6,000 rpm. The Audi R8 can attain a top speed of 301 km/h with 0-100 km/h in impressive 4.6 seconds.

The super sports car is endowed with a drivetrain combination of quattro permanent all-wheel drive with manual six-speed transmission or six-speed R tronic and an all-aluminum Audi Space Frame body. Its perfection in quality and finish, only to be expected of an Audi product, place the Audi R8 in a formidable position worldwide.

The Audi R8 has distinctive exterior and interior styling that offers the feel of a luxurious sports car with exclusive equipment coupled with a wide variety of customized interior options.

The Audi R8 has won several awards in Germany and Europe, along with the double victory at the famous 2008 World Car of the Year awards, winning both the ‘World Performance Car” and “World Design Car of the Year’ awards.

The Audi R8 is available along with the Audi model range in India consisting of the new Audi A4, Audi A6, Audi A8, Audi Q7 and Audi TT at twelve dealerships across the country: in Delhi, Gurgaon, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Ludhiana, Chennai, Kochi and Kolkata.

-- Grand launch event held at the exclusive environs of The German Embassy

-- Audi brings exclusive racing fever to India with the R8 Le Mans and Auto Union Type D race car

-- Audi R8: a pure super sports car and a high degree of day-to-day drivability

-- Audi R8: Winner of 2008 “World Performance Car” and the “World Car Design of the Year” awards

AUDI AG

AUDI AG sold a total of 964,151 cars in 2007 and thus achieved its twelfth consecutive record year. With revenue of €33,617 million and profit before tax of €2,915 million, the company attained its best figures ever. Audi produces vehicles in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm (Germany), Györ (Hungary), Changchun (China) and Brussels (Belgium). At the end of 2007, production of the Audi A6 started in Aurangabad, India. The company is active in more than 100 markets worldwide.

AUDI AG’s wholly owned subsidiaries include Automobili Lamborghini Holding S.p.A. in Sant’Agata Bolognese (Italy) and quattro GmbH in Neckarsulm. Audi currently employs around 57,000 people worldwide, including 45,000 in Germany. The brand with the four rings invests more than €2 billion each year in order to sustain the company’s technological lead embodied in its “Vorsprung durch Technik” slogan. Audi plans to significantly increase the number of models in its portfolio by 2015 to 40.

In 2007 Audi India, based in Mumbai, commenced its business activities. The Audi model range in India includes the Audi A8, Audi Q7, Audi A6, Audi A4 and Audi TT.

Toyota Small Car for India

2008-04-15T08:45:00.000+05:30

Toyota is building its second plant in India to increase production in a growing market. The plant, which will cost more than $340 million, is to open in 2010 with an initial annual production capacity of 100,000 vehicles, including the Corolla subcompact.

Toyota already has one plant in India, on the outskirts in Bangalore, that produced 52,000 vehicles last year. It was set up in 1997 as a joint venture with the Kirloskar Group.

The People's Car - Tata Nano!

2008-01-10T14:22:00.000+05:30

"Since, promise is a promise the standard dealer version will cost Rs 1 lakh" announced a beaming Mr. Ratan Tata in front of thousands of journalists amid cheers from the crowd.

And sitting in front of the television, zipping past news channels showing "live & exclusive" pictures, I was as animated as I've been as a kid to get a glimpse of the car, now christened Nano.

How will it look? Will it be more spacious than M-800? Will they be able to price it at Rs.1L? These were the questions running through my mind.

I had predicted earlier to my friends that it will look similar to the 3-wheeled load-carrier of theirs, Tata Ace, which was launched a couple of years ago. When they launched Tata Ace, I had a gut feeling that Tata was testing its waters with this load-carrier. Well, I believe I was right, the Tata Nano has an uncanny front-end resemblance to Tata Ace....

Now let me stop bragging and get into the finer details. The TATA's will launch Nano in different variants and only the standard variant without A/C and other amenities will cost Rs. 1 lakh. Keep in mind that one has to dishout transportation charges and VAT separately. So, at this point, it looks like that will be an additional 20 grands. The car is expected to hit the roads in October '08. The prices of the other variants are not known at this time.

Now to the big question.. How will they make money out of it? Aint' the margins too thin? Well, their answer at this point is that there can be a lot of variants to it which you can customize at different price levels. Check out this link from their website where you can actually customize the Nano the way you want it (Highly Recommended!). And going by the options available in it, there's scope for a lot of alterations!! A few options that can be customized are the Scoop Trims, Decals, Alloy Wheel, Fog Lamps and Color variants of course.

Environmentalists have already raised their eyebrows and there's a section of the population which beleieves this car will crowd the cities. Yes, there's every possibility of that, but you cannot take it away from a common man who wants to take his family in a safe environment away from the harsh weather conditions!! If you really want to save the environment, ask automakers to stop making fuel-guzzling SUVs.

What the TATA's have in the Nano is a sure-shot winner and this will bring in a paradigm shift in the worldwide auto industry.

Here's some exclusive pictures of Nano -

The Deluxe/Luxury Version

The Standard Version

Interiors!

PS: More reviews will follow. Cross posted in Car India blog also.

BUGATTI - EVERYONE'S DREAM CAR!

2007-10-17T02:57:00.001+05:30

My bro-in-law who is in Sharjah fwded me these "amazing" pics of a Bugatti Veyron which is worth 5 billion pounds!!

It is owned by Sheik Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum of UAE. And it's probably the most expensive car with the most expensive number plate in the UAE!!!

A few stats:
V16 engine
1000bhp
9 radiators…
Top speed 405km/hr

Chevy Spark!

2007-04-19T04:09:00.000+05:30

Finally, the much awaited car on Indians roads is ready to roll out from the spanking new showrooms of GM in India. The erstwhile Daewoo Matiz in its new awatar as Chevrolet Spark packs a lot of punch. Chevrolet Spark is equipped with a 1000cc petrol engine and is be available in four models and has been priced in a range of Rs 3.09-3.89 lakh -- nearly Rs 12,000 cheaper than Maruti Zen Estilo.

"We have not been represented in the small car market in India and we want to increase our presence in this segment, which is the fastest growing segment in the country," General Motors Corp Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rick Wagoner said.

PS: Will be only available in July for Tamilnadu and Kerala :-(

BMW 3 is here!

2007-03-22T15:30:00.000+05:30

From next week, BMW's very own Made in India cars will roll out from its Chennai plant in Mahindra Global City.

According to ET:

“Trial productions have started since the third week of February and cars have been rolled out to achieve stabilisation of assembly process. To begin with, the company intends to roll out six cars a day. At present, well over 90% of the components, except for seats and few other parts, are imported as part of the CKD kits. However, this is expected to be gradually reduced,” the sources added. Meanwhile, the company has also expanded and strengthened its dealership network in time for the roll out from India.

F1 Fun2Watch Crashes!

2007-03-19T02:16:00.000+05:30

The F1 2007 season is here and what better way to start it than by watching this compilation of funniest of funniest crashes!

How to play havoc in the traffic....

2006-11-22T03:11:00.000+05:30

A few weeks ago, when I was coming to the bank inside our campus, I chanced upon this huge traffic block created by an idiot truck driver who tried to turn the truck near our "akka mess"... The trucks tyres got jammed in the slush and he couldn't manoever it anywhere around, resulting in huge traffic jams for hours... Watch it now!

Video 1 -

Video 2 -

Better Fuel Economy!

2006-05-11T02:23:00.000+05:30

As the weather warms up, more families plan to hit the road for vacation. But with petrol prices at about Rs. 50 a litre and expected to peak pretty soon, those road trips are becoming more expensive than ever before. What can be done to improve petrol mileage?

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Experts say conservative driving and proper maintenance can improve your car's fuel economy. That means driving at posted speed limits and keeping your tires, engine and transmission at their peak condition.

Designers are also making vehicles more fuel efficient. More streamlined cars are being made, which will drag less at high speeds and consume less energy. New engines, such as the cylinder deactivation technology used in the latest Chevy Tahoe, also conserve fuel by running on fewer cylinders when necessary to save power. Experts say these new innovations, along with proper driving and maintenance, can save a tank of gas every other month.

Lexus LS 600h L

2006-05-10T02:20:00.000+05:30

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Hybrids are going where they've never been before. Lexus introduced the first "full" hybrid paired to a V8 engine for the best in luxury, performance and efficiency. The 2008 Lexus LS hybrid sedan was introduced to the world at the New York International Auto Show.

The hybrid version of the brand's fourth-generation flagship sedan combines a traditional gasoline engine with electric motors to produce outstanding performance, while improving fuel efficiency and producing dramatically fewer emissions. Combined with Lexus' hallmark luxury features, this car will be at the pinnacle of the luxury car market.

Knowledge and acceptance of hybrid vehicles continues to grow. This new Lexus hybrid comes to the market at a time when one-third of consumers are now considering purchasing hybrid vehicles.

2007 Volkswagen Touareg

2006-04-21T20:31:00.000+05:30

World's most expensive cars

2006-03-24T04:45:00.000+05:30

They are stuff dreams are made of. Wheeled dreams of most men and women. Metal beauties, which fill the fantasy of most and lives of rare miniscule.

Bugatti Veyron, Pagani Zonda and SSC Aero are few of the world's most expensive automobiles. A benchmark in design, technology and what say you. Here’s a peek. Check out

Fuel Challenge!

2006-03-17T19:39:00.001+05:30

Today, John and Helen Taylor begin the North American leg of their historic pursuit to set a Guinness World Record for Fuel Efficiency by circumnavigating the globe in a standard car, across 18,000 miles and 25 countries -- using as little gasoline as possible.

The Taylors, arguably the world's most fuel efficient drivers with 34 fuel economy driving achievements between them, started their journey on January 17 in London. To date, they have tackled the roads across Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, encountering everything from ice storms, flash floods and a tornado to dancing camels and donkey carts. The Taylors have driven 12,700 miles to date and have been averaging 51 miles per gallon by using Shell fuel and employing Shell FuelStretch principles, which includes driving and vehicle maintenance tips.

The Taylors and crew spend up to 14 hours a day on the road, driving both day and night, while adhering to strict health and safety guidelines. They also follow a strict and limited eating regime to minimize the risk of illness that could affect achieving the record. One break for the couple, however, came mid-journey, when they stopped at home in Melbourne, Australia, to attend their daughter's wedding.

The U.S. Route

The North American leg begins in San Francisco at the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, followed by the Taylors and their support crew driving south to Los Angeles, and then heading east across the country through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Missouri, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Canada and New York. The Taylors expect to fill up about five times along the route, before ending in New York City on March 24.

The Taylor's attempt to set the best fuel efficiency record possible will be challenged by mountainous roads, gridlock around major American cities and potentially challenging winter road conditions. However, they have every confidence they will achieve their goal of 35 fill-ups or less for the global journey, which ends in London in early April after crossing Portugal, Spain and France.

"Given the United State's reputation for a wide variety of terrain, traffic congestion and road conditions this time of year, the U.S. leg will continue to test our ability to get the best fuel economy possible," said John Taylor. "However, by implementing FuelStretch driving tips, which any driver can use, we believe we are on our way to setting a Guinness World Record that will be tough to beat!"

Teaching Drivers About FuelStretch Driving Principles

Drivers looking to get the most out of every gasoline purchase can get helpful hints from Shell "FuelStretch," a new program being offered at Shell stations nationwide. Designed to help drivers save money and get the most out of their car choice, FuelStretch offers motorists money-saving driving tips, a credit card that helps drivers earn gasoline rebates on every purchase they make, and innovative fuels that are specially formulated to help keep engines clean.

As part of their attempt to achieve the Guinness World Record for fuel efficiency, the Taylors have been practicing Shell FuelStretch driving principles. The FuelStretch tips for vehicle maintenance and driving techniques have helped the Taylors decrease overall fuel consumption, including actions such as using cruise control on major roads and in free-flowing traffic, avoiding idling and higher speeds and minimizing vehicle drag.

"Shell wants to help drivers make the most out of every purchase, which is why we recommend they incorporate FuelStretch driving techniques into their daily routine," says Mark Ferner, Shell Fuel Economist. "We hope the Taylor's journey through the U.S. demonstrates that whether you're attempting to set a Guinness World Record or just running errands around town, incorporating Shell FuelStretch principles is a simple way to be more fuel efficient."

U.S. drivers interested in following the Taylor's journey and learning how they too can drive more efficiently can visit http://www.fuelchallenge.com . The Web site chronicles the journey, providing daily statistics, highlights, and mileage records, daily blog entries from the Taylors and crew, photos, and links to the FuelStretch tips.

The Expertise and Tools Behind the Record Attempt

The Taylors approached Shell in 2004 to see if the company would participate in the world's biggest fuel-efficiency record attempt. They chose Shell to be their exclusive gasoline provider after testing several commercially-available fuels.

By supplying the Taylors with fuel for their Fuel Economy World Record attempt, Shell is demonstrating its commitment to fuels research and development. The Taylor's journey is the ultimate opportunity for Shell to test its fuel technology under real-world driving conditions, and the results will help Shell develop future fuels for drivers around the world.

The Taylors are driving a Volkswagen Golf FSI 1.6. It is VW's standard Golf model, which is representative of cars you can find on the road today. Per the Golf VW's Owner's Manual, the standard is 34.4 U.S. miles per gallon. The Taylor's car is accompanied by a crew trailing in two Volkswagen Passat Estates. The crew includes an independent witness, a videographer to document the journey, a writer to help chronicle the Taylor's adventures, and two Volkswagen support personnel.

The Guinness World Record attempt requires one gasoline type throughout the journey, so the Taylor's are using a European fuel formulation that is compatible with the European Volkswagon Golf they are driving. Shell gasolines currently available in the U.S. have important similarities to the European fuel the Taylor's are using -- both contain powerful detergents that can help keep critical engine parts clean, which can help improve engine performance.

For the attempt to qualify as an official Guinness World Record, the Taylors must travel in one direction, covering a distance of at least 18,000 miles, but no more than the full length of the Equator. The car needs to be a standard production model. There are 18 other strict rules covering antipodal points, East/West co-ordinates, independent adjudication, log books, witnesses, pre-travel engineering checks, and driving times.

"We're excited about this new challenge as it represents the most ambitious global fuel efficiency record attempt to date," says Craig Glenday, editor of Guinness World Records. "It's a timely representation of what attempting a Guinness World Record is all about -- pushing the boundaries of human and technological achievement while carrying along with it some helpful tips to demonstrate how every driver can save money on fuel."

PS: They also went throuhg India, click here to read the excerpts of that journey!

Exotic Cars

2006-03-17T00:20:00.000+05:30

BMW Manufacturing Produces One Millionth Vehicle

2006-03-06T17:20:00.000+05:30

The millionth vehicle, which came off the line on February 28, 2006, is a Z4 M Roadster in Interlagos Blue with a Champagne Leather individual interior, custom Ash-Walnut wood trim, 18-inch alloy wheels and an engine that takes the vehicle from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds. Due to its historical significance to BMW and the South Carolina factory, the roadster will remain at the factory in the Zentrum museum as part of the BMW Mobile Tradition Collection.

This year also marks the 10th anniversary of roadster production. BMW was the first automaker to reintroduce a luxury roadster to the public with the Z3 Roadster in 1996. The Z4 Roadster, the first next-generation vehicle launched at the Spartanburg plant, began production in October 2002 and the 100,000th Z4 was built in November 2004.

The updated Z4 Roadster and the new Z4 M Roadster, the latest additions to the roadster family, were showcased at the Chicago Auto Show last month. Production of the updated Z4 Roadster began in January. Production of the all- new Z4 M Roadster, Z4 Coupe and M Coupe will begin this spring.

Women & Automobiles!

2006-02-15T02:39:00.000+05:30

Believe it or not, research shows women buy more automobiles than men and have more influence over the kind of vehicle that will be purchased for a family. That research has led automakers to re-think their design process. In fact, the Pontiac G6 was designed by a team made up entirely of women. But even vehicles considered more male-oriented are getting a considerable amount of female influence. For example, the recently introduced 2007 full-size SUV Chevrolet Tahoe has dozens of standard female friendly features.

John Cena in India!

2006-02-10T17:59:00.000+05:30

For people who are huge fans of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), John Cena, is an instant recognition coz he is the current WWE World Champion.

Thanks to Ten Sports, guys like me, who are hardcore fans of WWE, get to watch him every week, though it's a taped version and is aired 2 weeks after the actual date.

John Cena is currently touring India as part of a promotional show courtesy Ten Sports. Click here to read about his India visit!

Cars!

2006-02-10T17:29:00.000+05:30

From the manufacturers of "The Incredibles" & "Finding Nemo", here comes, The Car!

Cockpit of the Future

2006-02-02T17:18:00.000+05:30

The latest in car design and exteriors gained rave reviews at recent auto shows over the past few weeks, but what about car interiors? The latest in cockpit design allows car owners to configure their car exactly as they like it – right from the factory.

New modular cockpit technology gives more flexibility in the design and features available in a car. For instance, the driver can choose to put touch commands on the steering wheel or the heads-up display. Car owners can even choose where to put multimedia devices like navigation systems, radios and televisions.

If you want a new configuration - even years after you own the car - the modular design allows the dealer to reconfigure the components to give the car a new look and feel anytime you like. The design also uses less space for components and weighs less than other designs - freeing up more space for leg room and giving better gas mileage.

GM launches Aveo in India!

2006-01-19T19:04:00.000+05:30

General Motors Corp. on Wednesday unveiled three new cars in India, including a hatchback model, in a bid to boost sales in one of the world's fastest growing automobile markets.

The hatchback model, the Chevrolet Aveo U-VA, is powered by a 1.4-liter petrol engine, while the second model, the Chevrolet Aveo sedan, has a 1.6-liter petrol engine.

The third car is a sportier version of the sedan it currently sells in India, the Chevrolet Optra, that has a 1.8-liter petrol engine. The company would announce the prices of the three models later.

World's First Car Celebrates 120th Birthday

2006-01-13T23:13:00.000+05:30

The automobile celebrates its 120th birthday on January 29. On this date in 1886, Karl Benz applied for a patent for his "vehicle with gas engine operation." Patent DRP 37435 for the Benz Patent Motor Car granted in November of the same year is regarded as the birth certificate of the automobile. In later years the Benz organization and the company formed by fellow automotive pioneer Gottlieb Daimler would merge to form Daimler-Benz. Karl Benz is, therefore, credited as co-founder not only of Mercedes-Benz but also the automotive industry itself.

Seven months after Benz filed his patent for the automobile, Daimler with his master engineer Wilhelm Maybach attached his Daimler engine to a four-wheeled coach producing the first "horseless" carriage. Following Daimler's death in 1900, his largest distributor, Emil Jellinek, asked Maybach to design a car more advanced than any other; it will be named for Jellinek's daughter, Mercedes. The resulting Mercedes of 1901 defined the car as we essentially know it today.

Unlike other inventors, Benz did not merely install an internal combustion engine into an existing coach chassis. His design extended to the entire vehicle: it was quite clear to him that a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine was subject to engineering principles quite different from those applying to a horse-drawn carriage.

Benz created innovative technology with classic engineering methods: a small horizontal, single-cylinder four-stroke engine running on gasoline, electric ignition, carburetor, water-cooled radiator, steering and tubular frame. With these features, the first motor car came into being in 1886. The vehicle was an absolute original. All automobiles produced since that time stand as heirs of the Patent Motor Car.

The rest of the Patent Motor Car story belongs to history. Three vehicles were completed by 1888. One of them was secretly taken out by Bertha Benz, the inventor's wife, who drove it with her sons 53 miles from Mannheim to Pforzheim. Thus Bertha Benz became the "first woman driver." The journey gained much publicity for the vehicle, and Benz sold a number of cars to customers as a result.

A four-wheeled vehicle, the Benz "Victoria," followed in 1893. This again incorporated numerous innovations, including double-pivot steering, which is still employed in today's automobiles. And so it continues: with each new vehicle, the automobile improves just that much more -- to this very day with the introduction of the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class which exemplifies the essence of generations of innovative technology from Mercedes-Benz, the world's first car company.

In addition to the original patent for the automobile, further Mercedes-Benz "firsts" include: development of the safety car body with rigid passenger cell and front and rear crumple zones (1951); electronic anti-lock brake system "ABS" (1978); and Electronic Stability Program "ESP" (1995).

Ashok Leyland to enter luxury bus segment

2006-01-13T17:26:00.000+05:30

COMMERCIAL vehicles manufacturer Ashok Leyland today said it would enter the luxury bus market with the launch of its top end vehicle `InterCentury Luxura' by the second quarter of the next fiscal.

``The plan is to launch the Luxura from the southern market by the second quarter of next fiscal. While the metro cities would be the preferred markets, we have also identified cities such as Pune,'' the Ashok Leyland Special Director (Vehicle Sales), Mr B. Khaitan, told reporters at a preview of the company's new product offerings ahead of the upcoming Auto-Expo here.

He said the Luxura would be competitively priced at around Rs 50 lakh. Mr Khaitan added the company is eyeing a 50 per cent share of the luxury buses market, which is about 1,200 units a year.

The company is also showcasing its concept heavy commercial vehicle Newgen Aero at the Auto Expo.

Source: The Hindu

Chrysler Unveils Groundbreaking Vehicles @ Detroit Auto Show

2006-01-11T20:48:00.000+05:30

Chrysler opened 2006 by introducing its first SUV and a unique new compact car at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Chrysler opens 2006 by introducing its first SUV and a unique new compact car at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

With a design inspired by the Chrysler 300 and Crossfire, the Chrysler Aspen features a fuel-saving HEMI V-8 engine, the most powerful engine in the full size SUV class, which uses more or less power depending on driving conditions. The Aspen also includes premium amenities such as a full-screen navigation radio, heated seats and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system – all of which Chrysler hopes will allow the SUV to challenge higher priced luxury competitors. Chrysler says the Aspen is more fuel-efficient and maneuverable than large SUVs, includes an Electronic Stability Program which gives the driver more control over the vehicle, and has more interior space and hauling capability than full-size SUVs.

Chrysler also unveils the compact Dodge Caliber. The Caliber features a crossover design that combines a small car with a sport-tourer. Dodge says the Caliber has the versatility of an SUV with the affordability and fuel-efficiency of an entry-level compact car. It includes a front passenger seat that folds forward, a rear seat that folds flat for versatile interior room, and stain-resistant seat fabric. The Dodge Caliber will enter the U.S. market priced below the outgoing Dodge Neon, while offering more features like standard side-curtain air bags.

The 2007 Chrysler Aspen will be available in U.S. dealerships in the fall of 2006. The 2007 Dodge Caliber will be available in the first quarter of 2006.

Concept To Reality

2006-01-11T19:57:00.000+05:30

America’s premier auto show – the North American International Auto Show in Detroit – is taking place this week. And no doubt, the most anticipated cars introduced at the show aren’t for sale – they’re concept cars.

Maruti hikes prices

2006-01-11T02:56:00.000+05:30

Maruti's price hike becomes effective today after announcements were made in December last year. Price hike ranges between Rs 3,000 and Rs 15,000.

Maruti has increased prices for maximum number of models in a price bracket of Rs 3,000. This includes Maruti800, Alto, Esteem and Baleno. While M800’S variants will cost between Rs 2,03,850 and Rs 2,26,754, Alto’s variants will vary from Rs 2,46,430 to Rs 3,02,317. Maruti’s C+ offering Baleno’s variants will now cost between Rs 5,83,173 and Rs 6,65,556 while its C segment offering, Esteem is now priced between Rs 4,44,968 to Rs 5,10,520.

Maruti’s aggressively priced model, Swift will be costlier by Rs 3,500 to Rs 10,000. Swift‘s variants are now priced at Rs 3,99,524 to Rs 5,06,076. Both Zen and Wagon R’s price have been raised by Rs 5,000 and while Zen will cost between Rs 3,49,796 to Rs 4,01,617. Wagon R will now cost between 3,44,582 to 3,96,890.

Porsche Cayenne Turbo S

2006-01-05T20:29:00.000+05:30

A supercar that seats five, the Cayenne Turbo S packs the wallop of 520 turbocharged horsepower. Combined with chassis dynamics tuned for enthusiasts, and sophisticated all-wheel-drive underpinnings, the Cayenne Turbo S sets the performance benchmark for SUV's.

In addition to boosting power output, Porsche engineers also modified suspension components, revised software controls for the Porsche Active Suspension Management system and beefed up the braking hardware. An optional SportDesign exterior body kit, developed in conjunction with Porsche's styling studio, is also available for the Cayenne Turbo S.

In the Cayenne Turbo S, engine output gets a 16 percent boost over the 450-horsepower Porsche Cayenne Turbo, to an impressive 520-horsepower peak at 5500 rpm. The torque generated by the twin-turbocharged, 4.5-liter V-8 engine grows to 530 lb.-ft. -- a 15-percent increase over the 2006 Cayenne Turbo.

The torque curve for the Turbo S model is better described as a plateau, with maximum torque delivered from 2750 to 3750 rpm, and more than 510 lb-ft maintained from 2500 past 5000 rpm. The horsepower-per-liter figure for the Cayenne Turbo S is an amazing 115.4, compared to 99.7 for the already impressive Cayenne Turbo.

Flowing through intelligent all-wheel-drive and stability management systems, the additional power of the Cayenne Turbo S produces a standing start to 60 miles per hour (96 km/h) time of just 4.8 seconds. And on the test track, the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S is capable of achieving 167 miles per hour (270 km/h).

To provide such performance, Porsche engineers revised the engine control system's throttle map, and installed larger intercoolers that improve volumetric efficiency by lowering the temperature of the air entering the V-8 engine's intake tract. Thanks to the increase in the system's cooling efficiency, engineers increased turbo boost pressure by 4.3 psi (0.3 bar) to a maximum of 27.5 psi (1.9 bar).

Providing further control of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, the braking components have been upgraded. Up front, six-piston aluminum monobloc calipers clamp down on 1.5-inch-thick internally vented discs measuring 14.96 inches (380 mm) in diameter. At the rear, four-piston aluminum monobloc calipers bite onto internally vented 14.09-inch (358 mm) discs. The Porsche Cayenne Turbo S rides on standard 20-inch Cayenne SportTechno wheels. Optional are 20-inch Cayenne SportDesign wheels. Whether standard or optional, the 20-inch wheels are wrapped in size 275/40 high-performance tires.

Like Porsche's Boxster(R), Cayman S and 911(R) sports cars, the Cayenne possesses amazingly athletic capabilities, and thanks to technologies such as Porsche Traction Management, these capabilities are not limited to paved roads. While many SUVs have an inherent tendency towards nose-heavy handling characteristics, Porsche engineers direct the majority of the engine's torque (62 percent) from the Cayenne's powerful engine to the rear wheels. This provides the Cayenne with handling dynamics more in line with Porsche's rear- drive sports cars, and sets the Cayenne apart in the SUV marketplace. These traits are so sought after by enthusiast drivers that the Cayenne has become the best selling of all Porsche models.

The 2006 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S goes on sale today in North America. U.S. and Canadian pricing for the new model is $111,600 (USD) and $157,000 (CAD). Complete information on all Porsche models can be found at in the 2006 Model Year Press Kit section.

Volkswagen launches the GX3!

2006-01-05T01:09:00.000+05:30

In a world premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Volkswagen presents the GX3 - a completely new type of motorcycle. The GX3 was conceived by the Moonraker team and VW's Design Center in California, exclusively with the U.S. in mind, to bring an exciting idea to a fully functioning concept. With its three wheels and unique design, this Volkswagen opens up a new driving dimension.

A motorcycle with VW features: Light, fast, and environmentally friendly, the GX3 shows that conceptually it is much closer to a motorcycle than to a classic type automobile. This two-seater Volkswagen is one of a kind - bold, young, and affordable. It opens a new driving dimension, turns even the daily commute to work into a small trip to freedom, allows you to cruise in the carpool lane, even if you're driving solo (the GX3 is a motorcycle, after all!) and with its keen handling it opens up completely new horizons for recreational driving.

Amazing dynamics for less than US$17,000: The GX3 will be driven by a VW 1.6 liter engine. The four-cylinder delivers 92 kW / 125 hp. So far, so good. However, the GX3 is a pure driving machine, a motorcycle with two seats positioned side-by-side. And that's why you can find 125 hp and 112.5 ft-lbs (152 Nm) in a mere 1,257 lbs (570 kg) Volkswagen. This results in a power-to- weight ratio of 10 lbs/hp 4.56 kg/PS). In just 5.7 seconds, the GX3 can reach a speed of 62.5 mph (100 km/h) and the possible lateral acceleration reaches 1.25g - values typical of sheer performance cars but delivered from a vehicle under the US$17,000 price range. No comparable sports machine in the world, however, can come even close to the low fuel consumption of the GX3: 46 mpg. Fact is: a production counterpart of the GX3, could be on the market very soon. It all depends on the American driver's feedback.

Tradition of the exceptional: Conceptually and visually the Volkswagen GX3 differs from anything currently on the roads in the U.S. And that's a tradition at Volkswagen. It was with exceptional and unique products - today all of them legends - that Volkswagen propelled itself to the top in the USA during the 50's and 60's. Whether the Beetle, the Thing (Type 181) or the Microbus, all were the cult cars of their time and still are. In 2006, with the GX3, Volkswagen once again presents something totally unexpected and exceptional, a VW in every sense. VW - Being different.

Moonraker: The GX3 was designed in close collaboration between VW's Design Center California (DCC) and an international, cross-functional group of young engineers, designers, manufacturing and marketing experts, also based in California. The team started its work in the US in early 2005. The job: To convert the wishes, dreams and needs of American drivers into mobility. The goal: highest possible customer satisfaction. Background: In addition to the models developed in Germany and sold in the US, in the future Volkswagen will be building more models catering especially to the needs and requirements of U.S. customers. One of the most dramatic and tangible early results of Moonraker: the GX3. Responsible for the design of the new Volkswagen is the Volkswagen Design Studio in Santa Monica. The team there will be working in the future in close cooperation with the product strategy staffs in the U.S. The GX3 offers a look into the exciting and comprehensive spectrum of totally new motor vehicles which are currently being conceptualized by Volkswagen of America for the US market.

Design dynamics: The focus for Volkswagen's design team in California was to create a quintessential and pure driving machine. Inspired by the minimalist design language often expressed in contemporary GP motorcycles and F1 race cars, the GX3 has a true feeling of authenticity. These influences are seen throughout the exterior with an exposed single sided swing arm, aggressive central exhaust, open front wheels and stealthy matte finishes. The progressive dynamic on the GX3 is emphasized with a strong graphic dividing the body as it wraps up to the aggressive forward leaning roll hoops. Anodized gold and black suspension components and LED lighting are further examples of track inspired designs. The GX3 interior is all about business with nothing to distract from the absolute driving experience. The driver's cockpit is equipped with five point racing harnesses; "moto" style instruments and a GTI inspired stainless shifter. Most distinctly, the rear boasts a massive single 18"x12" back wheel dressed with 315 rubber. The front end proudly displays a bold V graphic consistent with Volkswagen's vehicle lineup, most notably the GTI. The GX3 in no way denies that it is a motorcycle, but rather plays it up as a unique design advantage.

Space-Frame: The basic structure of this driving machine is formed by a high-density, warp-resistant, steel construction space frame. The paneling of the interior and exterior parts of the space frame is made of high density fiberglass. A 2.83 tf3 (80 l) trunk is located behind the seats.

Advanced chassis: The 215/45 R17x8J front wheels are controlled by a double lateral steering axle. While the front axle resembles the layout of an automobile, the rear axle shows more parallels to a motorcycle. The right side of the vehicle also makes use of a monoswing arm. The engine's power is delivered via 6-speed transmission and chain drive to the rear wheel, which has a tire size of 315/30 R18x12J - a new super bike dimension. And that suits the GX3. A Volkswagen that breaks away from the conventions and that redefines driving fun and freedom of mobility.

2005-12-06T01:58:00.000+05:30

The Castrol Autocar Performance Show 2005, India’s first ever display of high end, super performance cars kicked off on December 1, at the Nehru Centre in Worli, Mumbai. The four-day long show was inaugurated by India’s racing champion Narain Karthikeyan. Spread over two floors of the sprawling Nehru Centre, the Castrol Autocar Performance Show 2005 features over 36 motor manufacturers, designers and leading accessory manufacturers.

Speaking with media persons shortly after inaugurating the show, Narain Karthikeyan, ‘the fastest Indian in the world’ said, This is the first time that a collection of high end, super performance cars has been put together in India. Besides being a treat for enthusiasts, the show offers a fascinating glimpse at some of the most advanced vehicles in the world and is set to become the benchmark for automotive shows in India”.

The star attraction of the show was the Castrol World Rally Championship Simulator where a driver navigates the Castrol World Rally Championship winning car one of the rally courses, whilst sitting in Mumbai! This is the first time that a simulator of this sort has been brought into India.

“Castrol has had a long standing association with motorsport and Formula One and our association with this show is a natural extension of Castrol’s brand promise of superior performance. High performance cars and bikes demand superior lubricants and Castrol is uniquely poised to meet the grueling performance needs of automobiles in motor sport and high end cars. We are delighted that car and bike lovers will get this unique opportunity to get a close, up-front look at some of the most powerful automotive machines in the world”, said Sudhanshu Vats, Vice President-Marketing, Castrol India.

The thousands of people who thronged to the show during the day were treated to a great display of performance cars, including the Porsche Boxster, the Roadster, the Cayenne SUV the Porsche 911 Coupe, the 500bhp BMW M5 Sports Saloon the Rolls Royce Phantom, the 385bhp Range Rover Sport, the 286bhp Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX, the Polaris All-Terrain-Vehicle, the Chinkara ATV, amongst others. The bikes on display included the Suzuki Hayabusa-the fastest bike in the world, the green devil, the Kawasaki ZX 12R, the Moto GP-bred Yamaha R1, Honda CBR 600RR and the Harley-Davidson V-Rod.

Sharing the motivation behind the launch of the show, Hormazd Sorabjee, Editor, Autocar India, the organizers of the show said “This show is the ultimate destination for those who have a passion for cars and bikes. It is an excellent platform for the automotive industry to showcase exciting products and new concepts to a knowledgeable and influential group of enthusiasts. The show has received excellent support from all sections of the industry and it is heartening that in its inaugural year, it lives up to its promise of being the ultimate show for high performance cars in India”.

First Look - Ford Fiesta!

2005-12-02T21:44:00.000+05:30

The base model of the Ford Fiesta petrol is priced at 5.59 lakhs. The Fiesta 1.6-liter petrol (ZXI model) would be priced at Rs 6.29 lakhs and the 1.6-liter petrol Fiesta (SXI model) at Rs 6.89 lakhs. The diesel Ford Fiesta with a 1400 cc engine would be available at Rs 6.99 lakhs (ex-showroom).

Xclusiv - Mercedes Factory!

2005-11-03T01:30:00.000+05:30

Merc's SL56 AMG!

2005-11-02T03:53:00.000+05:30

Merc's award-winning SL convertible sports car lineup has yet another trophy to add to its cabinet -- the SL65 AMG was voted "The Fantasy Convertible" by the New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA). NEMPA members, consisting of New England-based automotive journalists, tested the limited-production, high- performance hardtop convertible during its annual Ragtop Ramble convertible driving event from Boston to Kennebunkport this summer.

"Why fantasy?"

"Because it would be a fantasy to own one, never mind be lucky enough to secure seat time behind the wheel of one."

Merc's Next Generation S-Class Named S550

2005-11-01T20:06:00.000+05:30

Mercedes-Benz last week announced new nomenclature for its flagship sedan. The model year 2007 S-Class will be named the S550, replacing the S500. In the U.S. market, the new S-Class line will be launched with an all-new 5.5-liter V8 engine delivering 382 horsepower and 391 lb.-ft. of torque, the first of a new-generation V8 engine family featuring four-valve-per-cylinder technology and variable valve timing. The "S" designation had long been used to identify top-of-the-line Mercedes-Benz sedans and coupes, and the S-Class has embodied the brand's flagship role for more than five decades.

The S-Class is a technological showcase that has pioneered significant safety and comfort features for the entire auto industry, including the first ABS anti-lock brakes, the first ESP stability control and the first PRE-SAFE system. The new S-Class made its world debut at the Frankfurt auto show in September 2005 and is set to arrive in the U.S. in February 2006. The successor to a long line of premium luxury vehicles, the 2007 S-Class sedan will debut with a significantly evolved design and a stronger presence. Sharper angles and cleaner lines frame a sedan that gains about 1.7 inches of length, almost an inch in width, and more than three inches in wheelbase over its predecessor.

TOYOTA to unseat GM as world's top automaker

2005-11-01T20:03:00.000+05:30

The Toyota Motor Corp. group is expected to boost its global automobile production to more than 9.2 million units in 2006, making it almost certain that the group will surpass General Motors Corp. to become the world's top automaker in terms of output. Toyota has decided to raise its global production volume 12% from its 2005 projection to 8.3 million cars next year, an increase of roughly 900,000 units, which is more than Mazda Motor Corp.'s entire annual domestic output. In contrast, GM's global production next year is unlikely to top its 2005 projection of 9.12 million cars.

Mercedes-Benz Unveils R-Class Grand Sports Tourer

2005-11-01T19:57:00.000+05:30

The Mercedes-Benz R-Class luxury vehicle is an entirely new type of Mercedes-Benz and a brand new way for six adults to travel. The new R-Class combines the distinct advantages of several disparate vehicles -- the sure- footedness of a permanent four-wheel-drive sport utility vehicle, the performance and comfort of a fine sports sedan and the versatility of a luxury wagon. Innovative design and useful technology now make possible an automotive decathlete -- a vehicle that can excel at an unprecedented range of owner needs.

Suggested pricing for the R-Class line begins at $48,775 for the R350, powered by a 3.5-liter, 268-horsepower V6 engine. The R500 is fitted with a 5.0-liter V8 producing 302 hp. Both models come with a seven-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive. The basic vehicle is loaded with standard equipment such as eight-way power front seats, leather seat inserts, birds-eye maple interior trim, split second and third row seats, load-leveling suspension and rain sensing wipers.

Is a Car 'Key' to Impressing a First Date?

2005-11-01T19:41:00.000+05:30

If there's one thing men and women agree with when it comes to dating it's that cars make an impression, this according to a Ford Fusion "Life in Drive" Dating Survey that polled more than 400 singles and revealed a whopping 89 percent of males and 95 percent of females said they were somewhat likely to notice their date's car.

The Ford survey revealed that it's not just your car, but the state of your car that can make an impression on your date, with 58 percent saying that the condition of their date's vehicle would at least somewhat impact their attraction to the person. Females felt more strongly about their date's car condition than males with 69 percent saying it would at least somewhat effect their attraction to their date compared to 47 percent of males.

When asked to recall their "most embarrassing car date moment," respondents chose being told by their date that they were a "bad driver" (22 percent) as tops overall with females (26 percent) outpacing males (18 percent).

BMW - Made in India

2005-10-22T01:44:00.000+05:30

BMW plans to build the 3 and 5 series at an assembly plant in Tamil Nadu, 25 miles (40km) from Chennai in South India.

The vehicles will be imported in completely knocked down kit (CKD) form from Germany through Chennai Port and assembled at the 22-acre Maraimalai Nagar site in the Mahindra Industrial Park.

Narain to race in Mumbai!

2005-10-14T02:18:00.000+05:30

Mumbaikars for the first time will be able to enjoy India’s ace Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan driving his Jordan at 300 kmph+ speed at Marine Drive on October 30. Read more

DC's new concept car!!

2005-10-08T01:12:00.000+05:30

No Daewoo deal, says GM

2005-10-07T20:22:00.000+05:30

General Motors has dropped plans to buy Daewoo Motor India’s car plant at Surajpur in Uttar Pradesh. What has prompted General Motors to call off the deal is the government’s inordinate delay in reaching an out-of-court settlement with the lenders to the beleaguered plant and Arcil, an asset reconstruction fund overseeing the sale, sources close to the development said. Read more

ICICI Mobile ATM

2005-10-07T02:31:00.000+05:30

Seen below is a prototype of a mobile ATM of ICICI designed by DC (Dilip Chhabria)!!

Festive Season Discounts!

2005-10-07T00:24:00.000+05:30

Maruti has come up with schemes for the whole range of their offerings, so have Tata Motors for their models of Indica, Indigo and Indigo Marina. Hyundai dealers have offers on the Santro and Getz and so has Chevrolet for Tavera and Optra Elite, its just-launched new variant on the roads. Toyota and Honda dealers have not been left behind either.

Maruti has come up with virtually free insurance for most of the models in its stable and is topping that offer with gift cheques. It is offering first year insurance at Re 1 for the Maruti 800. Its also offering first year insurance at 50% discount on the Alto. For Zen (P), Wagon R, Esteem and Baleno it is offering first year insurance at Re 1 along with gift cheques ranging from Rs 7,500 to Rs 15,000 depending on the model the customer buys.

Hyundai too is not lagging behind in this race to attract customers to its dealerships. With Santro it is offering first year free insurance along with a car stereo, fog lamps, a gold coin and some other accessories.

On Getz it is offering an MP3 player along with first year free insurance. Over and above this they are giving the customer Rs 10,000 as ‘exchange bonus’.

Tata car dealers are also offering free insurance and MP3 player with the Tata Indigo and Tata Indigo Marina. If the customer doesn’t want these then he can opt for a gift cheque of Rs 21,000 in lieu of the above. In case of Indica V2, the customers are given, along with free insurance and a stereo system, free security system and a gold coin. The customer can opt for a gift cheque of Rs 27,000 in lieu of the above.

Chevrolet Optra Elite is offering a gift cheque of Rs 10,000 with an introductory price of Rs 7.09 lakh. And on the Tavera, the company is offering free accessories worth Rs 15,555. The scheme on the Toyota Corolla (which has just been launched in a next-gen avatar) allows the customer to make a down payment of Rs 99,999 and the balance needs to paid with an EMI of Rs 17,999 for five years.

Ford Fiesta and Diwali Discounts

2005-10-07T00:21:00.000+05:30

This festival season, get ready to drive a new Ford christined Fiesta, a mid-sized C segment car filling the gap in its product portfolio currently existing between Ford Ikon and Ford Mondeo. This will be Ford India’s first car that will be launched in India simultaneously with some other countries in Europe and in Asia. Though the company hasn't announced the pricing yet, it is likely to be priced between Rs 6.25 lakh and Rs 7.50 lakh.

Did you noticed recent ads in news dailies about Ford offering a hefty discount of up to Rs. 55,000 on its flagship Ford Ikon?? Well, this is Ford's first step at launching its new 'premium aspirational car' Fiesta which will be complementing the Ikon.

PS: I believe getting Ford Ikon for a huge 55k off is a good bet!!

Rs. 1 Lakh car!

2005-09-27T21:45:00.000+05:30

Circa March, 2008; Venue: The Geneva Motor Show. Like every year, the 78-year-old automotive show is a big draw. More than 5,400 journalists, 750,000 visitors and 300-odd exhibitors have descended on the 114,000-sq. mt. exhibition ground. As usual, the automotive drool fest is spectacular: there are super-luxury cars on display that are bigger, shinier and faster than the ones year before; hybrid cars promise to become cheaper and even more environmentally-friendly, and a slew of nifty concept cars from the big manufacturers gives a peek into the automotive future-the small cars will rule. Yet, the biggest buzz is not about any of these cars. The talk of the show is the unveiling of the world's cheapest car, with a sticker price of $3,000 (Rs 1,32,000 at the current exchange rate). The manufacturer isn't Toyota, Suzuki or the French Citroen. It is a Pune-based company called Tata Motors, and the 6-feet-plus man standing next to it just can't stop beaming at the flashing cameras. Five years after he promised (incidentally, at the same show) to build the world's cheapest family car, Ratan Tata has delivered. Beating incredible odds once again, the Chairman of the Tata Group has built a car that could do to India what Henry Ford's mass production did to America in the first half of the 20th century. He's built Everyman's Car.

That's the first paragraph of the latest Business Today issue featuring Mr. Ratan Tata and the Rs. 1 lakh car. The issue is loaded with features that any auto enthusiast would love to read. I would say that Business Today has covered the current Indian auto scenario better than any other car or bike magazine in town.... So, go get your copies today!!

PS: If you want to read the online issue, please contact me.

Chevrolet Aveo

2005-09-19T19:30:00.000+05:30

Are you planning to buy a Suzuki Swift or a Hyundai Getz in the near future?? Well... I will ask you to wait till January 2006... Coz here comes Chevy Aveo!!

Drive back home!

2005-09-16T04:11:00.000+05:30

Canada took the unusual step on Wednesday of deporting a Vancouver man to India who was involved in a fatal street car race five years ago.

Bahadur Singh Bhalru, 26, was a passenger in a car that hit and killed 51-year-old Irene Thorpe during a street race in November 2000. He and his co-accused, Sukhir Singh Khosa, were convicted of criminal negligence causing death.

Bhalru served a two-year conditional sentence and is believed to be the first person in Canada to be convicted of being a participant in a high-speed fatal race, but not the driver.

He failed in his appeal to Canada's federal court for a stay of deportation on Tuesday. His lawyer, Zool Suleman, said he argued in court that his client was in danger of being harmed by corrupt police in India. Bhalru moved to Canada from India with his family in 1997 and lived in Vancouver with his parents and grandmother. He had no previous convictions.

At a press conference at Vancouver International Airport just before he boarded plane, Bhalru told reporters that although India was the country of his birth, Canada was his home, that he was a taxpayer and felt like a "political refugee." Khosa faces deportation at a later date, and is currently in the middle of appeals.

TVS' proposed 3-wheeler...

2005-09-13T03:42:00.000+05:30

Via: Sinoj's forwarded mail...

PS: As the mail says, Who Needs a Car now?

2007 Jaguar XK Sports Car

2005-09-09T21:27:00.000+05:30

Light and agile, the all-new Jaguar XK accelerates faster, stops quicker than the previous generation, steel-bodied XK8 and has exceptional dynamic abilities. The XK may be the epitome of sporting elegance but it is also a true driver's car in which we have managed to combine a very special balance of superb driving dynamics and comfort.

The 2007 Jaguar XK will be available from spring-2006, and it will be followed by a convertible version of the XK.

F1 dream over?

2005-09-08T02:59:00.000+05:30

In its efforts to identify its driver line-up for the 2006 season, Team Jordan on Wednesday announced it was roping in BAR Honda’s Anthony Davidson as a test driver, fuelling speculation over the future of India’s Narain Karthikeyan with the team.

Davidson, who currently fills up the third driver spot for BAR Honda, will test the Jordan Grand Prix (EJ15) car at the Silverstone circuit on September 13.

"As part of Midland’s process of identifying its driver line-up in the 2006 Formula One World Championship, we are pleased to announce that British driver Anthony Davidson will test a Jordan Grand Prix car at Silverstone on Sep 13," Colin Kolles, managing director of Jordan Grand Prix, said.

Analysts say that if Jordan is to dump one of its current drivers, it is more likely to be Karthikeyan than Tiago Montiero, thanks to his having completed just 11 of the 15 races this season, compared to Montiero’s all 15, and languishing on position 17 in the drivers’ championship, three positions behind his team-mate from Portugal.

DDAD!

2005-09-07T02:28:00.000+05:30

Thanks you Mr. FM

2005-09-02T19:51:00.000+05:30

If the reports in the media are to be believed, pretty soon prices of small cars will be so low that a person owning a two-wheeler can upgrade it to a car, thanks to the upcoming budget.... Read more

Harley Davidson coming to India!!

2005-09-01T20:39:00.000+05:30

The big boy from the world of biking is revving on the passage to India. America’s cult bike brand Harley Davidson is exploring the opportunity of riding into the burgeoning Indian motorcycle market through the direct import route.

Harley Davidson is in the process of assessing the feasibility of entering the Indian market with its range of high-end performance bikes.

“We do not have a presence in India yet and are keen on entering this market. We are now exploring the opportunities for our entry into India,” Harley Davidson Inc vice-president Timothy K Hoelter told The Times of India.

Though the finer modalities of its maiden ride on the Indian roads is yet to be chalked out, Hoelter — who is on a week-long visit to the country — said the bikes would be directly sourced from its American plant.

“India is among the few motorcycle markets in the world that’s growing at a fast pace and we are surely looking at a presence here. Whenever we enter the Indian market, it will be through the sourcing route. Harley Davidson buyers identify our bikes to be an all-American brand and they want to buy the bikes that are produced in US,” he said.

Hoelter, however, said the detailed plans — including product shortlist — for its India entry are yet to be worked out.

According to industry watchers, the Harley bikes would range between Rs 4 lakh to Rs 14 lakh in India, including the 60% import duty.

“As India’s economy takes bigger strides, a younger population with expendable income are embracing luxury as never before. With the demand for high-end bikes like Kawasaki Ninja and Suzuki Hayabusa from India growing by the day, it comes as no surprise that Harley Davidson is also finding this market very attractive,” said an analyst.

Harley-Davidson produces heavyweight motorcycles and offers a complete line of merchandise.

Source: ET

Not Fat, Says Mercedes

2005-08-31T22:20:00.000+05:30

A German court has ruled that Mercedes must release a man from a car lease deal after a dispute over whether he was too heavy to drive the luxury vehicle, Bild newspaper reported Tuesday.

Mercedes refused to release the insurance salesman from a lease agreement on his S-320 CDI model, arguing the multiple car breakdowns caused by his weight were insufficient grounds to break the deal.

But the Stuttgart court ruled in favor of the salesman, named only as Frank S., apparently on the grounds that the car should have been able to take his weight.

Frank S. was told that at 160 kg (352 pounds) he weighed twice as much as the average driver, Bild said.

"They told me that I was too fat for the car because the seat was broken," he told Bild, in a story next to a picture of the east German squeezing behind the steering wheel of the model Bild said was worth 65,000 euros.

"I could hardly fit behind the steering wheel ... Then I had to take the car back to the shop for repairs 13 times for 21 different malfunctions in the first 20,000 km."

The 37-year-old said he got fed up and wanted to return the car but Mercedes refused to release him from his lease contract.

A court in Stuttgart ruled that DaimlerChrysler had to let him out of the agreement.

The salesman, who switched to a Volkswagen, would sue to get back the leasing payments he made, Bild said.

Mercedes-Benz Vision R Concept

2005-08-26T03:54:00.000+05:30

It's official: Every automaker on the planet now builds a crossover vehicle!

After the success of Toyota's crossover Innova, here comes the latest incarnation from Mercedes. "An automotive decathlete that excels at an unprecedented range of owner needs without sacrificing aesthetics." - According 2 Mercedes.

Top 10 Ways to Prevent an Accident

2005-08-26T03:17:00.000+05:30

It's so much easier to prevent accidents than to deal with the painful consequences of a chance encounter. However, most motorists spend very little time learning how to drive more safely. Everyone is in such a rush to arrive that we cut corners and take chances. We would like to put a stop to that by providing a list of commonsense safety reminders. Following the tips below — and incorporating them into your driving habits — will greatly increase your chances of safely arriving at your destination.

1. Carefully look both ways — twice — before entering an intersection. It's easy to miss an oncoming car at first glance because it's hidden by your car's windshield frame. A second look only takes a second and it might avoid a serious collision.

2. Don't accelerate into an intersection the instant the light turns green. This is a good way to get rammed by someone running the red light who's coming from the other direction.

3. Look right before pulling out. After waiting for traffic from the left to clear before you make your right-hand turn, don't forget to look to the right again just before you proceed. Pedestrians or cars may have suddenly materialized in your path while you were waiting to turn.

4. Anticipate unexpected changes in traffic. For example, if you're in a fast-moving lane with empty road ahead and the next lane over is backed up, be prepared for impatient motorists to dart into the lane in front of you.

5. Know your blind spots. Find out where your blind spots are when checking the road behind you in your mirrors. You might have to turn to look directly into the lanes beside you to avoid missing something left undetected by your mirrors. This is particularly important when changing lanes — don't just rely on your mirrors.

6. Watch other drivers' blind spots. Practice extra caution when passing large vehicles, such as semi trucks, which have less maneuverability and even larger blind spots. If you can't see a truck's mirrors, chances are its driver can't see you.

7. Watch for children and pets. Pay special attention to posted speed limits around schools and in residential areas; children and pets may unexpectedly dart into the street.

8. Don't tailgate. Leave enough space between yourself and the car ahead of you, when traveling and when stopped. On the highway, this may save you from a fender bender. Remember to leave even more room if the roads are slick. If you stop on a hill behind a car with a manual transmission, the extra room may save you from being rammed if the car slides back. Leaving yourself extra room can also help you make a quick exit if you're approached by a carjacker in a dubious neighborhood.

9. Keep your car operating safely. Don't procrastinate about performing safety maintenance and repairs on your car. Check tire tread depth and pressure regularly. Have your brakes checked and wheels aligned as soon as they need it.

10. Go back to school. Go to a high-performance driving school to learn accident avoidance maneuvers and how to control skids. Understanding how to make your car do what you want it to do in emergency situations could save your life.

Source: Edmunds

Toyota's small car

2005-08-25T03:31:00.000+05:30

Describing its extent of growth in the country so far as not satisfactory, Toyota Motor Corp today said it was impossible to attain a substantial presence without a compact car in its stable.

Toyota started production in India in December 1999 and in nearly six years, it could secure (only) five per cent of the one million a year passenger car market in India which was not satisfactory, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Managing Director Atsushi Toyoshima told reporters here.

Toyota operates in India through TKM, its joint venture with the Kirloskar group.

Toyoshima said Toyota was seriously studying proposals to set up its second plant and also to launch a compact car in the country but insisted that no final decision had been taken either on the location or the launch time.

Japan's biggest carmaker has made no secret of its ambition to capture ten per cent marketshare in India by 2010 and 15 per cent by 2015.

Asked if by 2010, small car project would be a reality, Toyoshima said: "Definitely, we should. Without that (small car), it's impossible to gain substantial presence in the Indian market".

He said his "gut feeling" is that the Indian passenger car market would double every five years and by 2015 would be four million units annually.

Via: ET

Mitusbishi Sportback

2005-08-25T03:15:00.000+05:30

This is Mitusbishi's latest Concept Sportback show car, which will receive its public debut at this year's Frankfurt motor show in September.

The Sportback previews the look of the new Lancer, which will appear as a five-door hatchback to rival the Ford Focus in 2007, and brings with it a new platform which Mitsubishi claims will be flexible enough to build a range of new models upon.

Next to come will be a replacement for the four-wheel-drive Outlander, which will be unveiled at the Tokyo motor show in October alongside the first appearance of a concept version of the Lancer Evolution saloon's tenth incarnation.

Infiniti G35 Coupe

2005-08-24T04:48:00.000+05:30

The 2005 Infiniti G35 Coupe is a 2-door, 4-passenger luxury sports coupe, available in two trims, the Base and the 6MT.

Upon introduction, the Base is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter, V6, 280-horsepower engine that achieves 18-mpg in the city and 26-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard. The 6MT is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter, V6, 298-horsepower engine that achieves 19-mpg in the city and 26-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard.

The 2005 Infiniti G35 Coupe is a carryover from 2004.

Tata Ace

2005-08-23T00:57:00.000+05:30

Tata Motors recently launched its new mini-truck the Tata Ace, powered by a twin-cylinder, 16bhp, 700cc IDI diesel engine (basically the Indica diesel engine split in half). The Ace, which Tata claims would provide fuel efficiency of 18-20km per litre, has a maximum payload capacity of 745kg and a stylish all-steel cabin, which provides some of the comforts of a regular car. With this model, the company hopes to create a totally new 'small commercial vehicle' category and has priced it at Rs 2.25 lakh (BS-II) and Rs 2.35 lakh (BS-III).

The New Tata Safari...

2005-08-19T03:05:00.000+05:30

Gotcha Getz!

2005-08-19T02:51:00.000+05:30

One day after announcing that prices for Accent and Getz will be hiped in September, Hyundai Motors has done a U-turn by announcing a price cut of Rs. 35,000 for the entry level Hyundai Getz.

Apart from this, Getz now comes with a variant (GLE) that costs exactly the same as that of a Swift Vxi @ Rs. 4.15 lakhs... !!!

The Getz GLE, which has an AC and power steering as standard features, is understood to be part of Hyundai’s efforts to increase its share of the fast-growing premium hatchback segment, where Maruti Udyog retails the three variants of Swift in a price band of Rs 3.95 lakh and Rs 4.95 lakh.

3,500,000,000

2005-08-18T15:32:00.000+05:30

If you are boggled by the number of zeroes, well, that figure is 350 crore, and happens to be the annual income in Indian rupees of one gentleman by the name of Michael Schumacher!!!

Face lift for Honda City

2005-08-18T15:29:00.000+05:30

Honda Motors is planning to give a minor facelift to its flagship City by this November. Additionally, Honda is also planning to launch an all new Civic in June 2006.

TVS to launch new bikes...

2005-08-18T04:22:00.000+05:30

Rumours are afloat that TVS Motors, the makers of TVS Victor, are planning to launch two new 150 cc bikes in this fiscal year to counter the stiff competition that is brewing in the 150 cc market by the likes of Bajaj and Honda...

Will post more on this as I get more info.

Sad News!!

2005-08-15T12:09:00.000+05:30

General Motors has been itching to launch its small car, the Spark, in the indian market and was expected to do so this year.

However, un-ending legal wrangling over its purchase of Daewoo India's plant has put these on ice.

Original launch date: early 2005.
Revised launch date: Late 2008.
Reason: Surajpur plant acquisition:
Expected price: Rs. 3.5 to 5 lakhs.

Scoop!!

2005-08-15T12:06:00.000+05:30

Inspite of strong sales of the top-end version of the Toyota Innova, some multi-brand car dealers are offering discounts of Rs. 10,000-30,000 on slow-selling lower-end variants. This figure could rise if you opt for a financed purchase.

Maruti is currently offering discounts of upto Rs. 40,000 on its Zen and Wagon-R models that are under pressure from rival Hyundai. Baleno is being offered at a massive discount of Rs. 80,000 to boost sales.

Hyundai is offering discounts of Rs. 15,000 on its Getz hatchback (either free insurance or an MP3 player) to counter competition from the hot-selling Maruti Swift. This figure could swell to Rs. 30,000 if you finance your buy.

In the news....

2005-08-15T12:03:00.000+05:30

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd hopes to garner a 10% share of the overall domestic market for cars by 2010. Towards this end, the Co. is open to the idea of embarking on the manufacture of a small car variant, according to Toyohiko Ino, Director of Marketing, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd.

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, Ino said the proposed small car variant would be `market-driven' and belong to a new segment altogether. By 2010, the company hoped to sell 200,000 car units, which would account for around 10 per cent of the domestic market for cars at that time.

In 2004, Toyota Kirloskar Motor sold 46,000 vehicle units. In the current calendar year, the company hopes to sell around 65,000 vehicle units comprising the Innova, Corolla and the Camry.

According to Ino, Toyota Kirloskar has a 36 per cent share of the market segment it is currently present in. "That makes Toyota the largest-selling car in the executive segment in India", he said. The company would break even in the current year, he said, adding that global sales of the Corolla stood at 1.2 million units in 2004. In India, sales of the Corolla in 2004 went up to 10,195 units, clocking a growth of 25 per cent over sales the previous year.

As part of its customer-centric initiatives, Toyota has presented a pan-India `Top-of-the-World' offer for Corolla customers. Toyota customers who have bought the Corolla between June and July 2005 have a chance to win a holiday to a destination abroad through a lucky draw. Additionally, four couples will win a `Round-the World' trip each, Ino said.

Nissan X-Trail

2005-08-15T12:01:00.000+05:30

I happened to check out a Nissan X-trail parked in the highway enroute to my hometown this past weekend. Man o' Man... it was cool!!

The new Nissan X-trail which was launched recently is just a bit more than you expect from your SUV. The one I saw had a slide-and-tilt sunroof, auto airconditioning, and keyless entry with engine immobilizer.

The lower-end version, Comfort, has a price tag of Rs. 22 lakhs ex-showroom Chennai and the higher-end version Elegance has a price tag of Rs. 28 lakh ex-showroom chennai.

Concept Cars??

2005-08-12T06:07:00.000+05:30

Yamaha Fazer

2005-08-11T23:42:00.000+05:30

I checked out the new Yamaha Fazer recently when I visited the Yamaha showroom for a service of my bike... What to say, it's truly worldclass...

One of their advertisements claim that "Fazer brings alive the excitement of true biking. With its unique blend of International design trends and characteristic Yamaha performance, the Fazer will set your pulse racing and ignite your life unlike anything you've ever felt before." For

Features:
Air-cooled 4 stroke
125cc
SOHC engine type
8.0kw (10.8 bhp)

What's New?

New Design Headlight
Based on international style trends, the stunning dual headlight design features the latest multi-reflector technology for a powerful beam

Disc Brake
Disc brake ensures greater safety.

Combination Taillight
Integrated with flashers, the taillight adds a touch of class and gives a wide bright image.

Clear Indicators
Clear Indicators ensure visibility in all type of driving conditions

High Performance Engine
Counter balancer in the engine gives a smooth & vibration- free ride.

Yamaha Throttle Position Sensor (YTPS) equipped Butterfly Slide (BS) Carburetor
Yamaha Throttle Position Sensor (YTPS) with Butterfly Slide (BS) Carburetor ensures outstanding combustion efficiency. This in turn maximizes fuel economy and gives excellent pick up.

Spacious Seat Design
The rounded surface along with smooth lines makes the ride a powerful yet comfortable one.

New Tachometre

Toyota's New Concept Car

2005-08-11T22:43:00.000+05:30

Poor Man's Car

2005-08-10T22:27:00.000+05:30

The ambitious Rs.1 lakh car by Tata Motors would hopefully be launched between 2007 and 2008 even as the company said factors like inflation and cost of steel may make it difficult to maintain the price line.

"Tata Motors would go into tooling for the car, which would be launched in 2007-08," Tata Sons chairman Ratan Tata said on Tuesday.

Asked whether the company would be able to keep to the price announced, Tata said that hopefully, the car would be launched at the same price.

He, however, said that it could be difficult to hold the price in many ways like inflation at that time, value of the Rupee, and cost of steel and other factors.

Asked to comment on scepticism by other manufacturers, particularly relating to safety features of the Rs.1 lakh car, Tata retorted: "They were also sceptical about Indica".

Hero Honda Glamour

2005-08-05T22:34:00.000+05:30

Taken straight from the powertrain of Splendour, Hero Honda's new NextGen bike Glamour has got just the right ingredients to be another hit...

It comes with a horizontally-mounted 125cc four-stroke, single cylinder engine and the Co. says it will give 5kmpl extra than the Super Splendour... It's priced competitively around Rs. 46k range for the base model and the higher end one (with a disc brake and such) is available at around the 50k mark ex-showroom.

Please read!

2005-08-04T17:51:00.001+05:30

Sanjay, a rich guy, loved fast cars and he did have a few in his possession. He loved to speed and could not be bothered about breaking speed limits. Many a times he was caught by the cops and speed radars, fined, but still he never bothered until......

One day as he was driving at a very high speed as usual, he saw a cop following him. The cop overtook him finally and asked him to stop and checked his license. He then took out his pad and started Writing, and then handed over the sheet of paper to Sanjay.

How much was this one going to cost?!!!

Wait a minute......

What was this????

Some kind of a joke? Certainly not a ticket.

Sanjay began to read: "Dear Sanjay, once upon a time I had a lovely daughter. She was six when killed by a car. You guessed it - a speeding driver's car. A fine and three months in jail, and the man was free. Free to hug his three daughters. I only had one, and I'm going to have to wait until heaven, before I can ever hug her again. A thousand times I've tried to forgive that man. A thousand times I thought I had. Maybe I did, but I need to do it again. Even now. Pray for me.. And be careful, Sanjay, my son is all I have left."

Sanjay turned around in time to see the cop's car pull away and head down the road. He watched until it disappeared. A full 15 minutes later, he too, pulled away and drove slowly home, praying for forgiveness and hugging a surprised wife and kids when he arrived.

Life is precious. Drive Safely!!

TATA Indigo Marina!

2005-08-04T17:43:00.000+05:30

"Because we like to carry our world with us" is the famous tagline that suits perfectnly for this sedan version of Tata Indica.

Indigo Marina is a car that combines the luxury of a sedan and the convenience of a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV). Add to this, it has great looks, unique street presence, comfortable interiors and a large trunk space of 670 liters that increases to 1370 liters when the rear seats are flipped forward.

To sum it up, you can literally carry anything in this car -- your household shopping, oversized piece of luggage etc. etc.

Car specs:
1370 litres of storage space.
Independent 3-link rear suspension.
Gas shock absorbers.
85 PS MPFI petrol engine.
Retractable and removable parcel shelf.

Focus: Toyota

2005-07-13T06:28:00.000+05:30

Toyota, the brand synonymous with quality, has become the nightmare for US car manufacturers (read: GM, Ford) lately who are reeling under the pressure from Japanese competition in their own soil. The situation is no different in India where Toyota is creating its own market space. I believe Toyota is the only foreign car manufacturer in India whose line up of cars has raked in the moolah in an otherwise conservative country. And one has to admit that Toyota's brand name has the highest recall among auto enthusiasts in India and it just about launches the next big thing every time one doubts about its market share.

Take the case of Qualis for example. Even I was skeptic and a little sad that Toyota's first real offering in India was a match-box type, outdated model that looked awry. But history has it that Qualis was able to get the market share in no time and Tata's Sumo felt the pinch. Toyota Qualis was considered first among fleet owners and it became famous especially when call centers piled them in their offices to commute their employees (even my company sports one!)

And now Toyota has slowly phased out Qualis and has in place another winner in the name of Innova (India's first three-row seating passenger car). It offers the best of space, design and comfort with stylish interiors and can comfortably seat 7 or 8 passengers and comes at Rs. 6.69 lacs for its base model.

And if you think Toyota cars don't look sexy, just think of Corolla and Camry, the sexiest looking cars in their classes. Toyota has also recently launched its world famous Land Cruiser Prado in India with a price tag of Rs. 36 lacs.

Toyota has a JV partner in India in the name of Kirloskar Motors and they have been pretty aggressive in expanding their retail base across India.

Bottom line: Toyota doesn't believe in extravagance and it loads just the essential features in its cars, which sell like hot chocolate candies.

PS: I have just dotted down what I know of Toyota and am planning such write-ups for every major car manufacturer in India. As usual, feel free to comment, criticize, or give valuable advice.

Anything Karega!

2005-07-13T04:23:00.000+05:30

For an active family, the Ford Fusion is like a vehicle made to order. It will be game for anything you have in mind, be it running wild in a sanctuary, fishing at a river side, or even taking your kid's basketball team for a pizza...and hence the tag "Anything Karega" suits well for Ford Fusion.

Fusion has got more ground clearance than some SUVs, the flexi seating allows for amazing seating and storing options, and the Fusion is wider and taller than conventional cars....

Fusion has a price tag of Rs. 6.20 lakh and is India's first crossover car, a blend between a car and an MUV... Although positioned as a car in the B-segment, Fusion has created a segment of its own.

All said and done, is it a safe bet to buy?? Well, if you have a large family and is high on adventure sports, then go ahead and buy one. But I would suggest you to wait till they introduce the diesel version...

Italijet Pics

2005-07-12T19:51:00.000+05:30

I had blogged about Kinitec's new range of scooters called Italijet a few days back... many of you came and asked me if I can post some more good pics of it... So, here goes...

This is the Millennium, priced at Rs. 49,000/-. Available in black, red and grey.

This is the Euro. Will be available this Diwali.

PS: I would recommend those of you planning to buy scooteretts like TVS Scooty to definitely check this out before buying....

What's your octane?

2005-07-01T07:41:00.000+05:30

In the recent past, India has seen a rush in high octane quality petrol with premium prices and aggressive marketing by oil companies. Brands such as Speed, Power, and Xtra Premium are household names today. Two days back, a friend of mine, Peter, asked me which petrol am I using for my bike and car. When I said Speed, he asked me to check up with the mechanics to make sure it's okay to run on octane.... So, I did a little bit of research myself to understand what octane fuels are all about... now here's a run down what I found.

Octane levels:

Generally, engines with compression ratios of 9:3:1 or less can safely operate with regular unleaded 87 octane fuel. However, engines with higher compression ratios will require higher octane fuels.

Theoretically, each engine (even of the same make) will have a specific ideal fuel octane number right down to the decimal value. In the real world, however, engines of a particular make will all work perfectly in a given octane number range and it is advisable to match this manufacturer-recommended fuel octane number for your car.

Deposit formation

When one buys a new vehicle, its fuel injectors, intake valves and combustion chamber are completely free of deposits. With time, deposits accumulate on these parts, affecting the engine's performance. Deposits on the fuel injectors results in poor ignition, rough idling, reduced acceleration and higher emissions.

Now, high octane petrols not only removes the existing deposits in your engine but also prevents the formation of new ones.

Can someone help me??

2005-06-30T19:51:00.000+05:30

It's been nearly 1.5 years since I started dating with my cute little sweet heart (Maruti Zen) and I haven't yet given her the best gift she ever wanted....to sooth here ears... a car CD player... The thing is that I wanted to buy a CD player for my car with MP3 capabilities and if budget permits some good dolby kind of speakers... I've set my eyes on a pair of Sony speakers and audio player which costs around 16k in total... but am still not sure... because there are other loads of good bargains out there... There's this JBL, Pioneer, Kenwood, JVC etc. etc...

All the other major car stereo players in India dn't have a proper website and it's very difficult to assess their prices... Of course, I don't trust those dealers, they might put in some extras bucks...

So, if anyone knows anything about car stereo please help me out by commenting below or shooting me a mail -- radhakrishnanc (at) gmail.com

Couplix!!

2005-06-30T18:30:00.000+05:30

Couplix, a unique two-cum-four-wheeler concept designed by an Indian student, Aman Midha, was recently selected for the Michelin Challenge Design 2005.

The Couplix is a transportation solution for cities as a coupe-styled open two-wheeler, which can be coupled with another of its kind and thus can be used as a car as well!!

Couplix is completely drive-by-wire hence when coupled, either of the two Couplix can be used to control the accleration, braking, and steering.

3 pointed star!

2005-06-28T22:02:00.000+05:30

Mercedes-Benz purchases approx. 600,000 bonnet-mounted three-pointed stars per year. Not all mercs have them. The coupes, for example, have the star integrated into the grille. The supplier for the stars is a German company, Fingscheidt. The 600,000 only refers to serial production. The actual number increases further when the spare parts business is taken into account.

Xclusive - Vikram's Car!

2005-06-24T19:35:00.000+05:30

click the pic for a larger view

Given above is Anniyan star Vikram's Porsche 911. Picture taken at Tidel Park, Chennai when he came to Sify's office for an exclusive chat with Sify.com users on Wednesday

Hero Honda Glamour!

2005-06-24T18:06:00.000+05:30

Hero Honda Motors, india's No. 1 bike manufacturer has just launched a brand new bike christened Hero Honda Glamour!!

Though I haven't read much about it, Hindu came up with an article today saying that it's placed in the premium deluxe segment... and the price?? Rs. 45k ex-chennai!!

Going by the looks of the bike and it's new engine (125 cc `Quantum Core') courtesy Honda Japan promises a lot of goodies...

Will give out a full review once the bike hits the road!!

Mercedes launches its bicycle!!

2005-06-24T00:18:00.000+05:30

Mercedes Benz, the three pointed wonder, which manufactures the dream machine of every car enthusiast has just launched a brand new series of bicycles in India.

The cycles, imported from Germany, is targeted mostly at Mercedes car buyers. The cycles are made from aluminium brass and operates on 27 gears. While Automatic Bike is priced at Rs 1,56,746; Mountain Bike and Fitness Bike are priced at Rs 1,12,655 and Rs 74,958, respectively.

PS: Who will buy this?? Obviously, Junior Millionares!

Fiat Adventure Sport!

2005-06-22T22:04:00.000+05:30

Fiat India seems to be following sir Robert Bruce's dictum 'Try, try and try again'. It is now trying to crack open the Indian market with its latest launch, the Rs 5.58-lakh (ex-Mumbai) Fiat Adventure Sport. Paolo Castagno, the company's Managing Director, says it is important to communicate the car's many attributes to the customer. "We're offering a high-end (actually C segment) car and that's exactly what the positioning will be. This needs to be done since it is not a mass product," he says, adding that this time, the company will ensure that after-sales services are readily and easily available "because it is not enough if you just have a good product."

Ironically, despite an over 50-year presence in the Indian market, Fiat remains a bit player here. Its brand has been substantially eroded and it sells barely 200 Palios and Siennas a month. How does Castagno plan to revive the magic of the Fiat brand? "Customers here need a good mix of product and price. It is important for us to take one step at a time," he emphasises. Castagno's target for his new baby: though he was unwilling to share numbers on this, it is learnt that he is hoping to sell at least 200 cars a month.

It's been a rough ride so far. In 2004, Fiat India wrote off accumulated losses of Rs 1,300 crore and today, appears more focussed on the country. "We have taken a long-term view and our seriousness can be gauged from the fact that we have invested Rs 2,000 crore since 1997," Castagno says. How confident is he of pulling it off? "The challenges are different now and we will do our best to succeed here," he says, pointing out that though Brazil was a tougher market (than India), Fiat today has a 30 per cent share in it.

Source: BT

Italijet!

2005-06-22T19:56:00.000+05:30

Kinetic Engineering Limited, the makers of the famous Kinetic Honda, recently launched a brand new scooter called Italijet. The Italijet series, seven in all, will range from 50-250 cc and be priced between Rs 25,000 and Rs 75,000, for domestic consumers.

Bajaj Avenger!

2005-06-16T14:25:00.000+05:30

They've finally done it. Rumours about Bajaj plonking the feisty engine from the Pulsar 180 DTSi into the Eliminator had been doing the rounds for a while, and we can now confirm that they're true.

The new Avenger retails all the advantages of the earlier Eliminator bike and comes with the DTS-i engine and incorporates the ExausTEC for better low-end torque. It looks virtually identical to the machine it replaces, with Eliminator-spec mirrors, meters, lights, chrome console, brakes and wheels. The Pulsar engine's the same in terms of power output, only it's been tuned for more bottom-end torque in keeping with the cruiser character.

Given that the Avenger is about 30 kg heavier than the Pulsar, there's a drop in outright performance, but the increased torque makes for relaxed riding. The most significant change is in its price, at an estimated Rs 63,000 (ex-showroom), it's Rs 30,000 cheaper than the Elim, Rs 20,000 less than the Enfield Thunderbird and only Rs 4,000 more than the Yamaha Enticer.

PS: I own an Enticer folks!

Skoda's Kombi!

2005-06-16T12:14:00.000+05:30

After achieving sales of 20,000 units in three-and-a-half years, Skoda Auto India has drawn up aggressive plans for the Indian market, which include not only rolling out over four new products in the next 12 months, but also establishing India as an export hub for the region.

Skoda at present sells 10 premium car models in India, which include the top end Skoda L&K, Skoda Superb and the SkodaRS.

For the current year, Skoda has plans to roll out variants on the D5 platform as well as the Combi (station wagon variant). This would be followed by an Octavia on the bigger A5 platform in January and the Fabia in the latter half of 2006.

'Made in China' cars aim to conquer Russia, Europe and USA

2005-06-16T08:05:00.000+05:30

The number of cars in Beijing reaches 1.5 million - the need of export is vital

Buying clothes with a European label on, electronic appliances from Japan or air conditioners from Korea, people may often see another label stuck on the goods - "Made in China." The statistics is rather impressive: China makes 14.3 percent of world electronics and enjoys 21 percent of the global market of clothes. One may say that China makes everything that can be made. The car industry has been a weak point in the Chinese production, although the situation is changing for the better too.

The Chinese government said some 50 years ago that the development of the national car industry was the prime goal of the state. The share of the Chinese car industry in the nation's GDP already makes up 1.5 percent. Chinese automobile enterprises manufactured 5.07 million cars last year. The car output is expected to reach 5.64 million in 2005. Furthermore, China starts bringing its car industry to the European market, to Russia, first and foremost.

The history of the up-to-date car industry started in China in the middle of the 1950s. First car giants started appearing in the country with the direct participation of the USSR and Soviet specialists. China's largest car enterprise, First Automobile Group Corporation (FAW), was founded in 1953. Since the Soviet Union took an active part in development of the car industry in China, Soviet vehicles became the prototype of Chinese car models. It is noteworthy that some of FAW's top managers still speak very good Russian.

The Chinese car industry started flourishing in the 1980s. The government of China was buying licenses for its numerous car companies from largest Western corporations. Nowadays, China manufactures high-quality cars in cooperation with Japanese, European and North American companies.

The current year has become a crucial moment for the Chinese car industry. According to WTO requirements, the government canceled licenses and other restrictions for the import of cars. Duties on foreign cars had to be cut by 30 percent; a further reduction of 25 percent is to follow in the near future.

Chinese car makers reduced prices on their cars by ten percent in order to be able to resist the inundation of foreign-made vehicles. The practice will most likely continue in the future, for the specific weight of foreign cars on the Chinese market is lower than four percent.

There are 123 car-making companies in China nowadays. Only two of them can be considered large enterprises, producing over 500,000 cars a year. Eight Chinese car companies make up to 100,000 cars a year. The remaining 113 enterprises work at the capacity of less than 10,000 cars a year. The competition on the Chinese car market is rather tough, taking into consideration such correlation.

In the meantime, Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and other large cities of the country suffocate in exhausts. Beijing suffers from huge traffic jams, which could probably be described as the heaviest in the world. The number of cars in Beijing reaches 1.5 million.

The government does not hurry to restrict the production of Chinese vehicles. One job in the car industry gives eleven vacancies in industry's adjacent branches. It is a highly important factor for the country with permanently redundant labor force.

China prefers to solve the homeland sales crisis with the help of export. Ironically, Russian consumers do not even know about the existence of Chinese cars on the Russian car market. Chinese cars would make the best price-quality ratio at this point.

As soon as Chinese car makers conquer the Russian car market, they plan to move ahead to Europe and the USA. It is worth mentioning that Chinese car giants plan to build giant factories and organize the assembly production in Russia too.

Via: Kirishnan!

Getz vs Swift

2005-06-14T14:21:00.000+05:30

Suzuki Swift is touted as the answer to Hyundai's Getz.... Both are in the same league competing each other... While Getz was not a sensation, Swift definitely is... Getz came out with a mindblowing marketing blitz whereas Swift doubled it... So, who's the winner?? Read this Encounter between the two here

800 for less than Rs. 2 lakhs!

2005-06-14T08:04:00.000+05:30

This was expected for a long time and finally the Indian car major Maruti Udyog Limited has introduced the sub-Rs. 2 lakh car!! Now ou can get a base model of Maruti 800 for as low as Rs. 1.99 lakhs. In effect, Maruti has straight away reduced Rs. 16,286 from the earlier price.

Matiz is back!

2005-06-09T21:54:00.000+05:30

The new Chevrolet Matiz has just been launched worldwide and will be in India in 2006. The new Matiz, a comprehensive update of the Indian one, should be the perfect platform for GM's entry into the Indian small-car market, provided it can erase the memories of the Daewoo days.

The Daewoo Matiz was a good car, but with Daewoo’s failure, the Matiz disappeared. Subsequently General Motors bought over Daewoo worldwide and rebranded Daewoos as Chevrolets. Now, with the Matiz, GM finally has a city car to tap our market.

Now a Santro for Rs. 2.79 lakhs!

2005-06-09T19:18:00.000+05:30

It’s time for a price war in the car market. The markdown mayhem expected to kick in with the launch of the Swift has finally set in, just a day after Maruti raised prices on its star debutante.

Hyundai Motor India hit back today with a Rs 16,000-19,000 markdown on three new variants of its bread and butter Santro Xing.

The company has introduced the XK and XL variants at a lower tag of Rs 3,26,999 and Rs 3,45,999 respectively.

The new price variants are likely to give Maruti’s existing B-segment models, Zen and WagonR a run for their money. Hyundai has also launched a new non-AC variant of the Santro at Rs 2.79 lakh, a tad higher than what the existing non-AC Santro costs.

Auto industry sources said that the next offensive is now due from Maruti. With the Santro’s new price positioning, Zen and particularly WagonR may be due for a correction, or at least a limited-period subvention. “If that happens the domino effect will kick in across the B-segment,” said a big-volume car marketer.

For now, though, Maruti has adopted a wait-and-watch approach though nobody is ruling out an offensive in the near future. Sources say, the market leader feels Hyundai’s latest initiative simply cuts out some of the existing discounts on the Santro.

“Net net the difference of prices remains unchanged because the dealer will now offer lower discounts on the Santro,” said an auto analyst. As for the increase in the price of the non-AC Santro, the volumes there are too small to matter. Hyundai’s price offensive comes on the heels of Maruti’s announcement yesterday that it would end the invitation price on the Swift from June 9.

Thereafter the car will be available at Rs 8,000-10,000 more. The new Swift prices put a safe distance between the debutante hatch and Maruti’s other B-segment models WagonR and Zen.

The Swift’s base Lxi version will move from its introductory tag of Rs 3.87 lakh to Rs 3.95 lakh. The top end Vxi and Zxi variants will go up to Rs 4.15 lakh and Rs 4.95 lakh respectively from the earlier rate of Rs 4.05 and 4.85 lakh.

The hike increases the difference between the Swift base model and the Zen and WagonR Lxi which have a sticker price of Rs 3.65 and Rs 3.7 lakh but command a Rs 10,000-12,000 discount.

With the Santro’s price aggression its gap with the Swift would increase, putting pressure on the Zen and WagonR.

Hyundai is positioning its new variants on the tech platform. Strapped with 1.1 litre engine with eRLX Active Intelligence technology, the new variants also come with new colour-coordinated interiors, a new front grill and a 4-speed AC blower that makes the air conditioning more efficient.

Commenting on the move WS Min, executive director, sales & marketing, HMI, said, “Hyundai has a tradition of providing value for money to its customers. Each year, we introduce design and technology upgradations in our cars. The launch of new Santro variants is another step in the direction of constantly offering something new to our customers at affordable prices.”

Source: ET

The Indian Car Review!

2005-06-03T04:36:00.000+05:30

Am a big car & bike enthusiast and have always felt the need to write down what I felt about the latest cars and bikes in India....

So finally I created a place for myself in the big bad world of blogs to jitter down what I think of the Auto Industry in India....

Keep Clicking!