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Saturday, April 28, 2012

New Ford Mondero-Zhisheng impressive powertrain and Fuel efficiency - Test drive by Chinese Media


Ford's Mondeo-Zhisheng lived upto the expectations of Chinese media thus delivering a huge respect in turn for the Michigan based automaker. A total of 19 persons from Chinese media which included local newspapers, websites and TV stations from Wuhan, Changsha, Nanchang and Zhengzhou – attended the test drive in Wuhan, the capital of central Hubei province, on October 12-13. It followed two fleet test drives in Qingdao and Tianjin.

The event named "More Power-Less fuel" was aimed at living upto consumes expectations and was divided into three sessions: product introduction, a fuel efficiency contest, and a vehicle display and photo shoot. "Though it is a 2.0L model, it has a much better fuel efficiency than competitors of the same class," said Liu Donglin from the Xiaoxiang Morning Post. It delivered a mileage of 7.9 L/100km.

The Mondeo-Zhisheng is the first vehicle in the Asia Pacific and Africa region equipped with the new Ford EcoBoost GTDi engine and PowerShift dual clutch transmission, both of which delivered beyond expectations in the fuel efficiency contest

Shahrukh Khan gifts BMW 7 Series to Rajnikant, Arjun Rampal and Anubhav Sinha

Though it wasn't a great success for Ra.One, but Bollywood Baadshah Shahrukh Khan is overwhelmed with his Ra.One collegues. Shahrukh Khan will soon be gifting five BMW 7 Series sedan worth Rs 1 crore to superstar Rajinikanth, Arjun Rampal and Anubhav Sinha as a gesture of thanks. The orders for the BMW with a local dealer has been made.


Shahrukh khan has earlier also known to be generous when it comes to gifts. He had on earlier occasion gifted Mercedes Benz E Class to Farah Khan and Hyundai Terracan to Om Shanti Om Director on the release of the movie.

Shahrukh certainly knows to maintain his dosti with his B-Town collegues. Even earlier when Main Hoon Na was released, Shahrukh Khan had gifted a Hyundai Terracan SUV to director and friend, Farah Khan. Later when Om Shanti Om was released, Shahrukh gifted Farah a brand new white Mercedes Benz E Class. Well SRK, dosti nibhaana toh koi aapse seekhe.

Luxurious Audio Gear - Ferrari head phones for uber rich


Ferrari has unveiled a new range of Headphones for the car freaks. The new range of two collection audio gear which includes headphones and speaker docks all themed - Ferrari. The Scuderia collection is inspired by Ferrari GT drives and used the iconic shade of red. The Cavallino collection is a little more subtle, and uses more muted colours and metallic accents.

You can get the metallic shaded headphones for Rs 6,000 and the red colored Scuderia collectioned headphones for Rs 38,000. Choice is yours !!!

Ferrari NA launches free seven-year maintanance on back of record sales


There's no question that buying a Ferrari is an expensive proposition. But so is owning one. The cost of insurance, fuel, tires and maintenance can be crushing, but it now becomes much easier, as Ferrari announces a free seven-year maintenance program for newly purchased vehicles.

The program is being launched in markets around the world, and has just been announced for North America. It covers regularly scheduled annual maintenance at the dealership, including labor, replacement parts and lubricants.

That makes it a no-brainer for owners to keep their cars in peak condition, but should also give some peace of mind to future buyers of used Ferraris dating back to this point, knowing that the vehicle has been properly maintained by Ferrari-trained staff. Curiously, however, while the program encompasses the 458 Italia, FFand California, the 599 appears to be left out.

The announcement comes on the back of the most productive and profitable half for Ferrari, whose net profits climbed by nearly a quarter, based on delivery of 11.8 percent more cars than the first half of last year.

Yamaha FZ-S now available in Fiery Orange shaded


Yamaha Indian has been updating the FZ-S with new colour options. The company has just launched the FZ-S with a Fiery Orange colour option. The tag line now says Tame the Tarmac.

The other colour options on the FZ-S are: Black Cyber Green, Sunset Red and Competition White.

The FZ-S is powered by the same 153cc Air cooled engine which also does duty on the Fazer and FZ-16.

The FZ-S features a rear mono-shock, 140/60 rear tyre the second widest tyre available on Indian bikes. The bike now also gets a kick and electric start option as standard.d

FZ-S highlights the style quotient and has more flesh to flaunt with purely European international design like new colours & graphics, aerodynamic chiseled windshield, stylish & sporty carbon pattern meter console, and more aggressive looking headlight. The new FZ-S is for stylish and attention seeking Macho man.

FZ-S scores high in looks not only in its segment but beyond and is designed to satiate the need for style and fashion by riders. Etched with style and geared to today’s fashion conscious customers, FZ-S is a fusion of machismo and fashion.

FZ-S overflows with dynamism and originality. The running performance brims with thrust that overpowers all others with its unprecedented torque. Dubbed as “Lord of the Streets,” FZ-S is designed and engineered with the potential for active and even aggressive enjoyment of around-town street riding and styling that brings pride of ownership and makes any rider look like they own the road.

With the Triple Macho concept projecting the Muscular silhouette, muscular body parts and muscular chassis, FZ -S is an object which reflects visual expression of performance on the streets.




Volvo cars opens new dealer in Chennai


Swedish luxury car maker Volvo Auto India announced the opening of its new showroom in Chennai at the Express Avenue Mall – The first car showroom in one of Chennai’s most plush shopping mall. The showroom isregistered under the name of Artemis Cars and is located at the ground floor in the LUXURY ATTRIUM.

Spread over an area of 3500 square feet, the new showroom will bring alive the Volvo brand value experience for its customers.  The ‘designed around you’ showroom will complete the luxury experience for Volvo car buyers.

Volvo’s current model line-up in India comprises the XC90, XC60, S80 and S60. The company recently launched S60, S80 and XC60 models with a 2.0-litre, five-cylinder, turbo-diesel engine option that delivers 165PS of power and an impressive 400Nm of torque at a starting price of Rs. 23.99 lakh, Rs. 31.99 lakh and Rs. 33.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

TVS Apache RTR 180 facelift images leaked , launch soon








We bought the teaser image of the new TVS Apache and expected it could be a glimpse of the new 250cc bike which the company is planning to launch for some time now. However thanks to our friends at IAMBIKER who posted the images of the RTR 180 facelift, clearing all speculations of the new bike.

Some fans will definitely be disappointed as many are early waiting for more Racing Spirit from TVS.

Tag lined as New Beast, Same Bloodline the new Apache will get new faring and headlamp cluster with LED DRL (Daytime running lights). Carbon Fibre look alike sticker job which definitely looks great. The tank largely remains same with sport extensions and RTR badge. The rear taillight will also get some rework.

We hope changes under the tank with some engine upgrades and hopefully some power boost.

The Apache RTR 180 comes with a rear disc brake and also has a ABS variant a first by any Indian bike maker.





 


Skoda introduces the Fabia Scout variant


Skoda Auto India introduced the Fabia Scout variant to the Fabia model line. The all new Fabia Scout will start at Rs 6.79 lakhs ex showroom Delhi and will allow greater extension to the very dynamic Fabia product range. While extending the model line, Skoda has retained its value for money proposition and class leading values in safety, comfort and efficiency.

Customers looking for a unique proposition will favour the new Skoda Fabia Scout for its distinctly individual look and rugged urban appeal. It will be aimed at urban, self-driven individuals who are evolved and informed consumers.

Unique in segment features:
  •     Projector headlamps
  •     Front bumper with spoiler
  •     Rear bumper with diffuser
  •     Peripheral protective cladding
  •     Front and rear door sill trims
  •     Stainless steel pedal set

The Fabia Scout firmly establishes itself as a benchmark for spacious interiors, quality materials and value proposition. Visually, it differentiates itself from any other hatchback with substantial peripheral body cladding and bumper spoiler & diffuser. Both of which, convey solidity of purpose, the ability to stand out and above conventional designs.

Projector headlamps and a stainless steel pedal set further reinforce the distinct elements that set the new Skoda Fabia Scout apart, while the small leather package builds upon the appraised quality of the Skoda Fabia.

Other high level equipment – such as dual airbags, integrated audio player, power windows, remote locking, tinted glasses are also fitted to this version. The Fabia Scout is an extension of the successful new Skoda Fabia with a distinct, tough and sporty offering to the customers from the Skoda Family.



Friday, April 27, 2012

Fiat to showcase Viaggio sedan at Beijing Show


Fiat presents the first official snap-shots of the Viaggio, a totally new model which will have its world preview at the Beijing International Auto Show on Monday 23 April this year. Viaggio (voyage in English and its Chinese name Fei Xiang meaning flying) is the first Fiat-Chrysler twin project which brings to life an all-new world class vehicle with high levels of refinement and craftsmanship that breaks the mould in China’s compact sedan segment.

We in India can only hope the Viaggio could make its entry in India. Chances are very very slim for its India launch.










Audi India signs on promising young driver Aditya Patel


Audi, the German luxury car manufacturer, today announced that it has signed a 3 year contract with promising young motorsport driver Aditya Patel. Via their well-established motorsport links, Audi has secured Aditya a seat with a team called Pro-Handicap e.V., in the challenging VLN endurance series in Germany. This series will provide him with much needed exposure to international racing and he will become the first Indian to race in the 24 hours of Nürburgring.

 Pro-handicap e.V is a highly experienced team and is renowned for the reliability of their car, the Audi TT (sport model), having completed the 24 hours of Nürburgring all 7 times that they have entered. Aditya has already successfully tested with them and will now participate in his first 4 hour endurance race on the 14th of April.

Commenting on the association, Michael Perschke, Head, Audi India said, “Audi has a rich history in international motorsport and has produced many greats over the years. The talent pool of race car drivers in India is growing rapidly and we plan to develop young racers by providing them with the right opportunities to make a career in international motorsport. Aditya is a talented racer and our support to him is a testament to that vision.”

Aditya’s motorsport career began at an early age with the JK Tyre National Racing Championship in 2001 when he was 14. Consistent performance and dedicated support from long term sponsors like JK Tyre, MAS Holdings and Petra Energy saw him rise through the ranks and later into more advanced formats such as the VW Polo R Cup and the VW Scirocco R Cup in Germany, where he finished 5th overall, in 2011.

Audi India and JK Tyre along with other long term sponsors are dedicated to defining a concrete development path for Aditya. This will provide him access to various international racing platforms in Audi performance models ranging from the newly (in India) launched Audi TT to the super sports car, the Audi R8.

Mahindra Adventure Clinches top positions in the Dakshin Dare Rally 2012



Team Mahindra Adventure took the Dakshin Dare 2012 Rally by storm, making a clean sweep at the top titles, in the 4th edition of the gruelling five-day rally that concluded in Bangalore recently.

The highlight of team Mahindra Adventure’s triumph, was the spectacular grit of the Mahindra  XUV 500 and the determination displayed by their drivers, especially National champion Gaurav Gill (co-driver Musa Sheriff) and Lohitt  Urs (co-driver Chipong Chiwan), who zoomed to the top two spots in the Ultimate (Extreme) category. This victory marked a triumph for the magnificent car which became the first diesel SUV to win an extreme category in the history of Indian rallying.

The other drivers who made this a memorable rally for Team Mahindra Adventure were Sanjay Takale (co-driver Musthafa) and Karthick Maurthi (co-driver Sankar Anand) behind the wheel of Mahindra Scorpios, which finished first and second respectively in the Endurance category. To top it off, K.S. Venkatesh (co-driver Chandra Sekaran) steered his powerful Mahindra Thar past the finish line, ahead of the pack, in the Corporate category.

 Commenting on the daring success of the Mahindra Adventure rally team’s performance, Mr. Vivek Nayer, Sr. Vice-President, Marketing, Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said, “This unprecedented clean sweep by Mahindra vehicles is a testimony to the tough and rugged ‘Mahindra DNA’.  Our vehicles have conquered the southern terrain with dogged determination and confidence, creating history in Indian motor sports.  We are proud to have won one of the toughest rallies, and our winning teams deserve special mention for their unstinted passion to take on challenges, their spirit of adventure and their exceptional desire to win.”

Skoda launches Superb Ambition variant



Skoda Auto India has introduced changes in the Superb model line. The all new Superb Ambition version will start at Rs. 17.6 lacs ex showroom Maharashtra and will allow greater accessibility to the Superb range. However, while making the model line more accessible, Å KODA has retained Superb’s class-leading values in safety, comfort and efficiency.

The Ambition variant will be powered by the award winning 1.8 TSI engine with a 6-speed manual transmission and 2.0 TDI CR with 6 speed Automatic DSG transmission. Both engines will aim to provide better fuel efficiency along with enhanced driving experience.
 
Exterior package – identical to the Elegance (different alloy wheel design / same size)

Comfort & Interior: Ivory NAPA leather package / Wood décor / lounge step / retractable screens for rear windows & rear windscreen / dual zone climatronic / Electronically foldable mirrors / 12 way adjustable front seats /

Safety: Class leading 8 airbags / Corner function / Auto dimming interior & external mirro
r.

Braking: ABS / EBD / HBA / TCS / ASR / EDL

The Ambition will be available in the following colors: Amethyst Royal, Candy White, Magic Black & Rosso Brunello.

Mr. Kamal Basu, Head of Marketing, Å KODA Auto India said, “With the launch of Superb Ambition, we are now extending the model line with greater accessibility while retaining Superb’s class values in comfort, safety and efficacy. This variant will further consolidate the car’s dominating position in the segment and open the doors of opulence, for the uncompromising customer seeking excellence at a great price.”

Vespa launched in India, starts at Rs. 66,661

 
The Classic Vespa is back on the Indian roads. Piaggio has finally unwrapped the covers of the all new Vespa LX125 for the Indian market. Piaggio third and solo entry marks a new beginning in the scooter market and all new segment the lifestyle scooter.

Vespa LX125 is priced at Rs. 66,661/- (ex-Maharashtra). The Italian scooter maker Piaggio says one have to pay a premium for premium product.

Powered by a 125cc engine the scooter develops a good decent power of 10.06 PS@7500 rpm and healthy torque of 10.06 Nm@6000 rpm. 3 Valves with Aluminium cylinder head, Overhead cam & Roller rocker arms, MAP sensing & Variable, Spark Timing Management for high engine efficiency and a mileage of more than 60 KMPL is what the company promises. The engine is mated to a CVT transmission, weighs 114 kgs and has a tank capacity of 8.5-liters

The Vespa is built on a Monocoque full steel body construction with single sided trailing arm Front suspension with Antidive characteristics and dual effect hydraulic shock absorber Rear suspension.

Vespa is locally manufactured at the company’s Baramati facility, which has an annual capacity to produce 1.5 lakh scooters per annum.

Piaggio is also offering a range of accessories for this lifestyle scooter, which will be available at Vespa dealerships across India. The company’s focus is on brand building and not volumes initially.

Mahindra Bolero joins the million club


Mahindra’s flagship SUV brand Bolero touches a new milestone with annual sales of over 1,00,000 units. Mahindra Bolero becomes India’s highest selling SUV for the 6th consecutive year and has recorded its highest ever annual and monthly sales since inception. The Bolero now features in the 7th position among the top selling passenger vehicles in India.

This magical number has been achieved by only a few cars like the Maruti Alto, M800 and Swift a few to be named in India.

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M Ltd.), India’s leading SUV manufacturer, today announced that its flagship Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) brand, the Bolero touched a new milestone, having sold 1,00,686 units in FY 2011-12. This is by far its highest ever annual sales since inception.

The Bolero is yet again the highest selling SUV in India for the 6th consecutive year with sales of 1,00,686 units during FY 2011-12 as against 83,112 units during FY 2010-11, registering a growth of 21%. For the month of March 2012, the Bolero sold 10,026 units, which is the highest ever monthly sales, in the history of the brand. Further, all these have helped the Bolero notch up the 7th position among the top selling passenger vehicles in India in FY 2011 – 12, moving up from 9th in FY2010 – 11. What is significant is that the Bolero is the only SUV to feature among the top 10 selling passenger vehicles in India.

Speaking on this achievement, Pravin Shah, Chief Executive, Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra said, “The fact that Bolero has sold more than 1 lac units in FY 2011-12  signifies the confidence consumers have on the brand. Over the years, Bolero has evolved with the changing lifestyle aspirations of customers resulting in an exceptional CAGR of 26%. I am sure that the Bolero will continue to be as popular on Indian roads in years to come”.

Audi buys Ducati, plans to turnaround with new models


German Luxury carmaker Audi, has acquired Italian sports motorcycle maker Ducati for $1.12 Billion. With this new acquisition Audi becomes the 12th brand under the Volkswagen Group which so far had only Passenger cars, Luxury and Exotics brands and commercial vehicles under its portfolio.

Audi now joins the Peugeot, Honda, Suzuki and BMW brands which make cars and two-wheelers. Seems like Audi-Ducati combo will now give the BMWs some real heat. Ducati will be the third pillar for the brand: Lamborghini and Audi the other two.

Ducati makes about 40,000 two-wheelers a year across its range of cruiser, supermoto, adventure, naked and superbikes that include the muscular Diavel and dual sport Hypermotard. By comparison, industry leader Honda sold over 16 million motorcycles last year.

Ducati is a globally active company and has manufacturing operations at its headquarters in Bologna and at its own factory in Thailand.

Official Press Release

AUDI AG is acquiring from Investindustrial Group the tradition-steeped Italian sports motorcycle manufacturer Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A., which has its registered office in Bologna. The transaction will be completed as quickly as possible once authorized by the competition authorities.

The Supervisory Boards of AUDI AG and Volkswagen AG approved the acquisition in Hamburg. Ducati is known worldwide as a leading brand in motorcycle manufacture, with outstanding expertise in engine development and lightweight construction.

Alongside the traditional Italian brands Lamborghini and Italdesign, Ducati is now a third pillar for AUDI AG in Northern Italy. Another building block in the Company’s growth strategy thus falls into place. Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, declared: “Ducati is known worldwide as a premium brand among motorcycle manufacturers and has a long tradition of building sporty motorcycles.

 It has great expertise in high-performance engines and lightweight construction, and is one of the world’s most profitable motorcycle manufacturers. That makes Ducati an excellent fit for Audi.” The progressive control systems and special combustion chamber process of Ducati engines, their resulting sporty character, and Ducati’s extensive know-how in lightweight construction thus offer great potential for AUDI AG and the Volkswagen Group.

Peter Mosch, Chairman of the General Works Council of AUDI AG, explains that the employee representatives of AUDI AG support the Company’s sustainable, codetermined growth strategy. “We must use the opportunities offered by globalization for Audi – and that’s exactly what we’re doing. Everyone at Audi is looking forward to working with our new colleagues from Ducati,” commented Mosch.

Ducati is a globally active company and has manufacturing operations at its headquarters in Bologna and at its own factory in Thailand. It maintains a series of importer companies in strategic markets. Experts predict that the motorcycle market will enjoy strong growth over the next few years, especially in Asia. In 2011, Ducati sold around 42,000 motorcycles and generated revenue of some €480 million, employing around 1,100 people.

The company was founded by Adriano and Marcello Ducati in Bologna in 1926. Known originally as Società Scientifica Radiobrevetti Ducati, it initially built parts for radios. It ventured into the manufacture of motorcycles in 1949.

Ducati has been actively involved in motorcycle racing for many decades through its racing division Ducati Corse. Its racing activities are currently focused on the Ducati official factory team in the MotoGP class of the Motorcycle World Championship and in the Superbike World Championship, supporting competitive private teams. Ducati won the manufacturers’ championship in this latter class 17 times in 21 championships and the pilots’ 14 times.

Lamborghini Urus SUV pics leaked before launch

Lamborghini is all set to unveil its next big project the URUS SUV at the upcoming Beijing Motor Show.

The Urus 4×4 concept pics have leaked early ahead of its planned debut at the 2012 Beijing auto show. These leaked photos of the Lamborghini Urus reveal a swooping, coupe-alike crossover – marrying the style of a Lamborghini Reventon or supercar with the stance of an SUV.

The Urus — the Latin name of an ancestor of modern bulls in Spain will be the second SUV under the Lamborghini brand. The Urus borrows design cues from the Aventador, Range Rover Evoque and BMW X6. The sloping roofline makes it look like more of a crossover as compared to a SUV.

The Urus SUV will share same chassis as the upcoming Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7 and Bentley SUV.

There no details of the specifications but powertrain options are rumoured to be either the V-10 currently used in the Lamborghini Gallardo or the twin-turbo V-8 from the current Audi S8 seem like likely options.

The SUV will mostly include 4 seating option with individual seats for each occupants. The Lamborghini URUS could be in showrooms as early as 2015 if the concept does go into production.








Lamborghini has opened its first showroom in the city of Gold: Mumbai. Autohangar has been appointed as the dealer which will help the Raging Bull to increase its presence in the financial capital of India.

Until now Lamborghini had only one dealer in the National Capital Exclusive Motors and will cater to North India while Autohangar will cater to West India.

Lamborghini is targeting to sell 40-50 cars in the Indian market by 2015 and is betting big on the Urus SUV which was unveiled at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show.

My First Experience with Maruti Suzuki ERTIGA in Bangalore