Hyundai’s uber-cool Veloster coupe snapped at a Delhi dealership

The Veloster Coupe’s presence in India is not breaking news as the car was unveiled at the Delhi Auto Expo this year. Hyundai has not outlined plans to launch this model in the Indian market though there are plenty of speculations in the media circles that Hyundai is studying the market with the intention to introduce it under 20 lakh rupees.

Bajaj to launch the all new Pulsar on the 14th of May

Bajaj has chosen the 14th of May to launch the all new Pulsar which has been ruling the sports segment for the last 10 years in the Indian market.

Bajaj has conducted a number of checks before the official launch and will give some much added tweaks to make the motorcycle a full proof product from day 1.

The tweaks include:

• A bump in wattage from the 45 watt bulb on the prototype to a 55 watt bulb.
• Tell-tale lights will get some enhancements for better daylight visibility.
• The rear mudguard could undergo some changes with regards to the texture changing from its glossy finish to a matte black treatment. 
• Optional tyre choice to the consumers who want quality rubber. 
• Host of other improvements too that will be visible on the production ready model.

At the heart of the new Pulsar is its cutting-edge engine which sets new benchmarks in performance, emission and incidentally also fuel efficiency. The DTS-i (Digital Twin Spark-ignition) technology launched in 2003 marked a unique first in the history of Indian Motoring.

The new Pulsar takes this technology altogether to another level with a SOHC 4-valve Triple Spark engine controlled by an advanced Electronic Control Unit for an absolutely unmatched performance. To support this exhilarating heart-pumping performance the bike comes with liquid cooling and a six speed gear box.

What’s more important to our readers is the price which will be announced on the 14th of May.

The new Pulsar will definitely give some heat to the Yamaha R15 and Honda CBR-150R which in positioned in the premium segment.

Jaguar to go local, build cars in India

Jaguar Land Rover the two British brands now owned by Indian auto maker Tata Motors is getting ambitious and plans to increase its share in the Indian market. To do so the company now plans to start local assembly of the Jaguar luxury cars in the Indian market. The comes almost a year after starting local assembly of the Freelander 2, its sports utility vehicle.

The first model under the Jaguar brand will the new facelifted Jaguar XF Diesel variant which is the main seller in the Jag portfolio. Beginning of next fiscal Jaguar will use the company’s facility in Chikhali near Pune, where Tata Motors has been assembling the Freelander 2 since May 2011. JLR will import kits from UK facilities and the final assembly will happen in the Indian plant.

Jaguar XF competes with the likes of Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class which have been selling in 100 units per month. The Jaguar XF does command a premium over the rivals in terms of price.

The company plans more models to be assembled in the Indian market. The next model most probably could be the Evoque SUV.

With the rising millionaires in the Indian market JLR is looking to up its ante and also target more units per month.

Volpe is world’s smallest electric car

As a weekend gift, here is the world’s smallest electric car. Italian automotive design house Zagato is making it and the car will go on sale in 2013. Price at $9,000, it’s a cute and clean car to have. Plus it is a utility car.

Though it is small it can easily seat two people, the passenger getting space right behind the driver in a motorbike kind of way. What stands out is the fact that it is a very narrow car and small but doesn’t compromise on quality. In a crowd of electric cars that look boxed up it has a very slick profile.

At 2.2m in length and 1m in width it is a very small car but the scissor doors are a great addition, as it is not looking just cool but also will let you get out in closed parking places.

As far as power is concerned two different versions will be available. One will be solely electric which will be powered by solar cells on the roof and the other one will be powered by gasoline or natural gas to recharge the batteries. The gasoline version has a top speed of 50 mph and a range of 236 miles while the electric one has a best speed of 30 mph.

Theo Paphitis wraps his Maybach with solid gold worth $57 million

Last year Cannes witnessed a Maybach studded with diamonds and a year after that the same car comes in a different avatar. This time shining again but with gold as the new element!

Enterprenuer and famous TV personality Theo Paphitis was recently spotted in his Maybach 62, which was completely smitten in gold. The yellow wonder would make anyone go mad with greed. Not only is the exterior in gold but each and every interior is shimmering with the priceless metal.


Though there are always two sides to a coin. With all the glam that this car carries, something had to be compromised and this time around performance pays for it. The golden can go to a max speed of 47 miles per hour while fuel efficiency lies low at 3 miles per gallon.

It just doesn’t add up to pay 35 million pounds for a car just to get it in gold. But it’s his money and also he donates quite a part of his money to the Theo Paphitis Charitable trust, so he does deserve some royalty if he wants to. Leaving everything apart ain’t this just an awesome car.

Spotted! Tata Nano Diesel

Tata Nano diesel has been in testing for some time and it is but obvious somebody would get the pictures before the company has the chance to reveal it. As I sad somebody must spoil the fun, finally it seems my prayers were heard.

The new diesel version is visually changed from the previous one in many ways, although most of it is same, like the rear engine layout has been kept the same. Among that the major difference comes out in the form of bumpers that are totally cool. An openable hatch is in talks and rerouted exhaust will make it a complete car.

The hatch and the bumpers design will soon be inculcated in the Petrol Version of the car also. A major improvement has been in the sound department. Now the Diesel version will have a tolerable noise.  All said and done, it is just a thought as of now and won’t be completed before 2013.

The Nano diesel will feature a twin cylinder 700cc Dicor engine which will be the 1,405 cc four port diesel engine. The engine will make its debut in the Tata Ace Dicor and then it will be used in Nano. Bosch will be providing the common rail direct injection system for the Nano Diesel.

The Nano Dicor comes of as a very fuel efficient car with a target of reaching 40km/l. Guess we have to wait and watch.

Eating while driving is more dangerous than using cellphone

Well, quit some of your focus from driving towards anything and you are in trouble. University of Leeds has recently published an Article titled “Two Hands Better Than One”. The aim of the articles is to raise awareness about the dangers of doing anything apart from driving while driving.

It includes talking on the phone, drinking and even the innocent eating.  Using a simulator, they found  that reaction times increased by 22% while drinking from a can of soda or a coffee and by as much as 44% when eating and driving. A 37% increase in the reaction time was also noted for drivers texting while at the wheel and, surprisingly, an 0.08 blood alcohol level only increased reaction times by 12.5%.

Now they have come up with some very hard facts and proofs and it all makes sense. Multitasking is not the best option always, while you drive try just to drive and enjoy it fully and remember “Two Hands Better Than One”.

Porsche Design Blackberry P’9981 dipped in 24 carat Gold

When Research in Motion teamed up with Porsche Design we saw how a normal looking Blackberry Bold 9900 can be transformed into something that looks amazing good and beyond this time frame. The futuristic looking phone with a black cover and split keys came at a price of £1275.

Since it was difficult to better their concept, they did a trick to make it more expensive. What’s the trick? Dip it in gold!! You heard it the Blackberry P’9981 is blinged with gold, that too 24 carat pure gold. Mission accomplished as the same phone costs £4799.99 now.

Brushed aluminum casing and the keyboard get the golden treatment, other than that it remains same as the old P’9981. Features include touchscreen, QWERTY Keypad, 1.2 GHz processor, 8 GB internal memory and a 5 MP camera with LED Flash.

Each of these phones is numbered and market for the authenticity and only 100 of these will be made for the rarity and exclusivity. Also 10% of the sales from each phone will be given to the 2012 Sports Relief charity. A noble cause in an expensive way.

It is being sold through eBay in UK only, but if you are too eager, which you should be, the company can be contacted through the site. The owner has to pay the price and it is quite a price to pay.

Park this stunning 911 Porsche Design entertainment center in your living room

A very innovative or rather stupefying attempt to turn the back of a Porsche 911 into an entertainment center has been made recently. Getting an entertainment center which looks like a 911 parked in your living room has been a little overplayed going by the materials that go into making of this car as a matter fact too, like wheels and brake calipers of this entertainment center. The reason why we want to overemphasize on it being only a place where your TV and media gadgets shall be present because it’s no super rich item that’s going to add to your utility.

However, what we percept may not be true for all the people and there too might be some people who have a fetish for this vehicle and looks at everything from its shadow. This device is only for the extreme admirers of Porsche and may look like utterly unnecessarily to others. So mind it readers, don’t say we didn’t warned you of this addictive machine.

The 42 inch LCD comes out of the center in the similar fashion as the convertible roof does by just pushing the button. However if someone calls you a crazy Porsche fan after seeing the entertainment center at your den, then don’t blame them. After all it’s just another testimonial to your breathing everything Porsche Style.

Mercedes-Benz to launch its stylish Furniture Collection in Milan

After designing the way you ride, Mercedes is planning to come closer to you. Mercedes will be coming with their first furniture collection which will be revealed at a world premiere at the ‘Salone Internazionale del Mobile’ which will be held at Milan, Italy from April 17 to 22.

The furniture collection has been designed in collaboration with one of Italy’s leading designer furniture manufacturer Fomitalia Luxury Group but will be marketed under the Mercedes-Benz label.

Formitalia and Mercedes-Benz stand for top quality and exquisite workmanship which embodies luxury and passion,” says Gorden Wagener, Head of Design at Mercedes-Benz. “We are therefore extremely pleased to create the first Mercedes-Benz Style furniture collection together with Formitalia.”

A sofa, a chaise lounge, a dining table, various chairs, a sideboard, a shelf unit with integrated home theatre system and a range of drawers and bed are the elements of first collection. No need to say all of the furniture comes with the Mercedes-Benz Style logo.

“The various pieces of furniture reflect the progressive, dynamic design idiom of our current show cars and concept vehicles, offering an exclusive, emotional experience outside our vehicles as well,” Wagener explains.

Sale will commence in the later half of 2012 through select furniture stores, showrooms and interior design shops and prices will be announced somewhere around that time.

Fiat breaks free from Tata as distribution tie-up comes to an end

Till now Fiat was marketed and distributed in India by Tata through Tata-Fiat dealership but the Italian automaker looks set to take control from the Tata’s and take control of all the management functions in the Indian market. The takeover will include all the commercial and distributional services.

The Fiat-Tata joint venture started in 2006, and the venture also includes manufacturing activities located in Ranjangaon apart from the commercial and distributional activities. Through the venture both Tata and Fiat cs were manufactured as well as engines and transmissions were also made for both Indian and export markets.

However the dealership thing won’t affect the manufacturing venture between the two. They have produced 190,000 cars and 337,000 powertrains in their combined efforts. Hence the manufacturing deals remains intact.

“Development of the new Fiat dealer network for India will start progressively and the 178 existing Fiat-franchised Tata dealers in 129 cities will be encouraged to form the foundation of the future network,” Fiat said in a statement.

They have also said that they will establish a new company that will be taking over all the commercial and service related activities from the Tata managed team.

A Barber From Bangalore With A Rolls Royce—And 67 Other Cars

BANGLORE: Ramesh Babu is a Bangalore-based barber who gives customers a haircut for a modest Rs100 but owns a Rolls Royce Ghost worth Rs3.1 crore, and 67 other cars.

 Ramesh Babu with his prized possession, the Rs 3.1 crore worth Rolls Royce Ghost, for which he pays an EMI of Rs 7 lakh

Babu was nine when his father died in 1979, leaving the family with nothing. To make ends meet, they rented out his father’s saloon on Brigade Road (Bangalore) for a mere Rs5 per day. Forced to get a fulltime job, Babu dropped out of school after Class 10 and started working as a barber.

In 1991, he started his own salon, Inner Space, which gained popularity among the city’s trendy bunch. But the turnaround happened in 1994, when Babu purchased a humble Maruti Omni van and started renting it out.

Seventeen years later, his car collection is anything but humble. Apart from the Rolls Royce, his fleet includes four Mercedes, an equal number of BMWs and 50 Toyota Innovas — which he rents out. Renting the Rolls Royce for a day will set you back by Rs 50,000.

Losing his father at the Age of 7, made Ramesh the iron hearted he is today. Took over his responsibilities much earlier than ideal, but nothing could come in between him and his dreams. Took over the family business and started his journey to happiness. Started off with an Omni Van in 1993 and rented it out. The business clicked and in 2004 he had his hands on his first Luxury car, a Mercedes E class.

Ramesh bought one of the most prized possession of the Auto world, a 3.1 crore Rolls Royce Ghost recently. Put his hard-earned money and a huge bank loan to get the car, for which he pays an EMI of 7 lakhs per month. More than the business, it is his love for the cars that has been pushing him forward with his endeavours.

Even with such a lavish life, he is still rooted to his originality. Every day he visits his saloon for 6 hours, cuts hair of his customers and then takes care of his car thing. He still cuts hair for a meagre Rs 65. He firmly believes that his kids will also be a part of his family business. Some very high profile people including the likes of Bollywood stars Shahrukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bacchan have taken a ride in his luxury cars.  His future deals will be including a stretch limo to his collection costing around 8 to 9 crores.

Doing what he did takes a lot of courage and will power, and this story is not just about achieving your dreams, but doing it the right way, without any wrong to your name. He is an inspiration to me, for his attitude towards life and his achievements.

 Ramesh with his proud possessions - a Rolls Royce Ghost and a BMW

 Ramesh on his Suzuki Intruder, which costs a cool Rs 16 lakh