The New BMW 7 Series

BMW India launched the new 2013 version of their flagship 7 Series with much fare in Mumbai with minimal and subtle exterior changes. With the clear objective of being market leaders in both Growth and Profitability, Mr. Philipp von Sahr (President, BMW Group India) made it clear and loud that BMW would continue to aim at offering Indian consumers ‘the best product’ without compromising on pure luxury and lead the next phase of growth in luxury car ownership in India. With most of the changes either under the hood or inside the car, notably, the new 2013 BMW 7 series, takes into account the safety of passengers and the Indian market demands for better fuel efficiency very seriously. On the outside, the changes include: new Adaptive LED Headlights and Chrome Inserts to the Front and Rear Bumper.

While, driving comfort is never compromised, the following features highlight BMW’s focus in enhancing the safety of the passengers:
 

1- BMW Night vision – Enables the driver to see anything on or along the vehicle path even if they are located outside of the area illuminated by the head lights.

2- Active Protection – Recognizes the collision risks and tightens the front seat belt and closes the window and the sunroof to significantly reduce injury risk.

3- Attention Assist – Recognizes if the driver is increasingly distracted or tired and issues a notification via the control display suggesting the driver take a break.

While BMW has clearly thought of the Indian market needs by eliminating the Hands Free Trunk Feature (an American market offering), BMW has clearly upped the ante in Fuel Efficiency this time around by offering various innovations in increasing fuel efficiency:

• ECO Pro Mode – Extra Efficient and Economy Conscious mode reduces fuel consumption by 20%
• Auto Start/Stop – makes sure that fuel is used only when the vehicle is actually moving (else the engine shuts itself off automatically)
• 8 Speed Automatic Transmission – enables maximum use of optimum rev range.
• Brake Energy Regeneration – Cars redundant kinetic energy is transformed into storable electrical energy as soon as the driver takes his/her foot off the accelerator (Thus less engine power is needed to feed the battery)
• Aerodynamics – Under floor paneling and Air Curtains in the front Apron significantly reduce air resistance around front wheels
• Electronic Power Steering – The electromechanical steering only operates and consumes energy during the actual steering process (resulting in upto 3% fuel savings)

2013 BMW 7 Series Price (ex-showroom, India) is as follows:

BMW 730Ld – INR 92.9 lakhs (INR 9.2 Million)
BMW 740Li – INR 1.1 crores (INR 11 Million)
BMW 750Li – INR 1.2 crores (INR 12 Million)
BMW 760Li – INR 1.7 crores (INR 17 Million)

Tata Motors and ISRO developed India's first fuel cell bus

Tata Motors and ISRO (Indian Space Research organization) in their first ever success have developed a completely environment friendly bus which will run on Hydrogen as a fuel. It's a CNG-type bus. Hydrogen in bottles at high pressure is stored at the top of the bus and there would be zero pollution.

ISRO has a very rich technology in producing, storing and handling gaseous and liquid hydrogen in the last three decades. Its expertise is also in safety. An ISRO team had generated technical specifications for all the elements and general specifications for the bus.

Gandhi, a Padmashree awardee and retired scientist from ISRO, and Dr M Raja, DGM of TML made the announcement the two organisations have developed fuel cell bus for the first time in India, which will run on Hydrogen.

 
"This is a leap for automobile industry for future transportation. In this vehicle there will be zero pollution since the product of cold combustion is water. This is a result of great team work of Tata Motors and ISRO specialists with contributions from DSIR ( Department of Scientific and Industrial Research) and PESO ( Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organisation)," Gandhi told PTI here.

 

Nissan Terrano coming soon

Nissan Terrano to be costlier than Renault Duster, to be positioned in premium segment. 

Nissan India has officially confirmed that, its Renault Duster based SUV Terrano will be unveiled on 20th August. Nissan Terrano has been tested in and around Nissan’s factory in Chennai, spy photos of which have been posted on the net. Nissan had earlier released two sketches of the Terrano SUV, which though is a facelifted Renault Duster, looks different and better than it.

In the sketch we see the front end getting typical Nissan look with broad grill and sharp headlamps. The rear gets additional lamps on the tail gate giving a broader look to the vehicle. Apart from minor exterior changes there will nothing significant in the Terrano. However expect a lot of changes in the interiors, as Nissan aims to position Terrano in a premium segment.

 
Nissan will price the Terrano Rs. 50,000 higher than the Renault Duster, which is a reversal of the trend currently going on in Renault Nissan alliance in India.

Next Generation Honda Jazz

Following the release of first official sketech of the upcoming Brio based MPV, Motor trend has now revealed the pictures and other details of the next-geneation Honda Jazz on its official website. The car wears the 'Fit' badge, as it is called by the same name in Japan.

It has also marked debut of a new hybrid with a dual-clutch Intelligent drive system, used in the Fit. Expected to be launched by September in Japan, the new Jazz will come to India by early next year, however Honda Cars India has still to confirm details.

Maruti Wagon R Stingray India launch soon

Maruti will launch the sportier version of Wagon R named Stingray in India soon. The Wagon R Stingray was spied during a photo shoot which suggest the car launch is around the corner. The Wagon R Stingray will be positioned above the current Wagon R and sold along with it.

This is a desperate effort to bring back the attention of buyers to the brand. In spite of having a good brand value, the sales of Wagon R has suffered, thanks to the competitors who are offering a diesel variant almost at the same price. Wagon R has been one of the successful model from Maruti, which has helped the company in maintain its market share.

The Wagon R Stingray features a sleek and clear lens headlamp. The grill is sleek and sportier as well giving a new look to the car. The front bumper also has been re-designed to give a sportier look to the car. In the rear, the tail lamps get clear lens treatment and the re-designed bumper now houses the number plate. The side profile looks to be similar to the current wagon R. The Wagon R Stingray is expected to come with upgraded interiors with different colours for upholstery. Expect to have minor tweaks in the interiors as well.

The Wagon R Stingray will be powered by the same 1 liter K10 series petrol engine with 67 Bhp of power. It is likely to be priced with a premium of Rs. 50,000 over the current model.

Highlights of the Wagon R Stingray

    Projector headlamps
    Flat front bonnet
    Chrome grille
    New bumper with bigger air dam
    Restyled fog-lamp housings
    Brushed grey finish alloy wheels
    Tail-lamps with clear lens units
    Black interiors
    Chrome strip ( a feature now common in many car to portray Premiumness)
    1.0 K-Series engine carried from the existing car
    Available with safety features like ABS, Dual airbags

Hyundai Eon Facelift model coming soon (spied photos)

Hyundai's smallest Indian car coming with new face. The company didn't publish new EON's photos at officially.

Force Motors launched Traveller-26

Force Motors launched its new Traveller-26 as a part of its festive season a couple of minutes ago at "The Westin" , Koregaon Park in Pune. The 26 seater is powered by a 129 PS, 295 Nm common rail diesel engine which is made under license from Daimler AG, Germany. The Traveller-26 packs in a plethora of segment firsts to set itself apart from its rivals.