Ferrari 458 Spider by Mansory revealed

According to Mansory, only three units of the Monaco Edition will go on sale, but the tuner is saying that the Ferrari 458 Spider upgrade package is the same as the Siracusa 458, which was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year. Mansory says that the Monaco Edition’s bodywork has been made out of carbon fiber and it’s coming with a restyled front apron, a new hood, modified side skirts with integrated ducts, an integrated diffuser, a rear wing and carbon blades to replace the rear window for an additional 60 kg saved in weight.

The Ferrari 458 Spider modified by Mansory is also getting a power boost, thanks to the sports air filer, the sports exhaust system and the remapped ECU. All these changes are helping the Italian supercar to develop a total output of 590 horsepower and a peak torque of 560 Nm (413 lb-ft), which is allowing the Monaco Edition to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds, before reaching a top speed of 330 km/h (205 mph). Other improvements include the new shock absorbers and 20mm lowering springs, forger rims with central locking wrapped in Michelin PS2 tires 245/35R-20 and 305/40R-21.

PORSCHE 918 SPYDER

Porsche starts testing the 918 Spyder prototype

The Porsche 918 Spyder has entered the driving trials stage. After unveiling the concept at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, Porsche has been testing the components to finalise the production version of the concept. The 770bhp piece of art will go into production by September 2013 and is expected to reach its first customers by the end of 2013.

Porsche is looking forward to redefine the performance, fun and efficiency equation with this hybrid hyper car. Engineers at Porsche have coupled two electric motors, one powering the front wheels and the other powering the rear axle, with a 12-cylinder 770bhp petrol engine. The car only consumes about three litres for every 100 km covered – that's 33kpl, around 8kpl more than the most efficient car on sale in India today – and it is thanks to the hybrid technology.

The monocoque body is built using carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) technology with fully adaptive aerodynamics and an upward venting exhaust system. With Porsche's renowned handling and driving pleasure, the car will be a handful for speed enthusiasts.

The prototypes, seen in the black and white colours, remind of the stellar car-making history of Porsche that includes iconic cars like the 916 and 917.

A-Z of WORLD'S FAVORITE BRAND, BMW M5

BMW M5

In the world of performance cars, the brand ‘M' commands a special respect. Tested and tuned to perfection at the world famous Nurburgring race circuit, these are models that are picked out from BMW's regular road cars and reworked to also become track ready.

These are cars with ‘Jeckyll and Hyde' style split personalities – being extremely capable on the race track, while also offering the comfort and luxury that are part of a relaxed driving experience. BMW M GmbH, the subsidiary which manufactures these fiery clones has by now picked up pretty much all the model lines from BMW's stables for its special treatment.

Like the name suggests (M for Motorsports), much of the technology and expertise that is put into BMW M cars have been honed from the company's racing experience. The division also manages to give each of its cars a special, unique character. The M3, based on the 3-Series and one of the favourite originals from BMW M, is the brat of the pack. Seriously fast and capable of embarrassing a bulldog to whimper in a growling match, the M3 is the youngster with a bit of reckless streak.

The M5 on the other hand is based on the 5-Series sedan and is the more suave, gentlemanly car with a wild other side. Both the cars have been benchmarks in the performance, sports cars segment that has two other German marques as competitors – Mercedes AMG and Audi Quattro.

BMW introduced the new M5 late last year and has within a matter of months brought it to India too. The new M5 is based on the F10 – sixth generation 5-Series. It is even more of the Jeckyll and Hyde when compared to the M3, because it manages to camouflage its racing abilities until you stamp on the throttle. You can take your partner to the concert in it and also put it through some really hot laps on the track.

With no concert to attend, I decide to take it on a spin at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida to get a feel of this Executive performance sedan.

Design and build

The M5 essentially uses the same structural parts of the regular 5-Series, only different materials to reduce weight and improve performance. Dimensions too are marginally different due to the use of special front and rear bumpers etc. An intelligent mix of materials, with a high proportion of high-tensile and ultra-high-tensile steels, as well as aluminium, help in reducing the car's weight. The bonnet and front side sections and the doors are also made from aluminium, as are virtually all the chassis components. Despite many other weight saving efforts, due to the level of equipment that has been added the new M5 is about 4 per cent heavier than its predecessor.

M-brand characteristics have been built into the M5, but when I view it on the pit lane at the race track, it clear that they are subtle and overall it is very closely set next to the regular 5-Series in terms of design. The V-shaped contour lines on the bonnet, the wide spread black slats on the grille, the more muscular wheel arches, 19-inch M light alloy wheels and the hallmark M gills on the front side panels are all special features that are unique to the M5. Onlookers will also notice the M5 doesn't feature fog lamps, because the space has been taken up for providing more air vents to cool the brake pads.

A slightly different take to the BMW trademark LED light rings, the special twin pipe exhaust system at the rear and the subtle gurney-style rear spoiler on the boot lid are the other pointers to the M5's racing prowess.

Tightening environmental legislation and the need for improved efficiencies are big influences on new product development for the automobile industry. It is even more of an issue for performance car makers. So, while there are a number of fans of the brand who are upset that BMW chose turbocharging for the new M5 (over the traditional naturally aspirated engines), the choice seems to have obviously been dictated by the need to meet new legislation. While output has increased by around 10 per cent and maximum torque is up by more than 30 per cent, the new BMW M5 burns 30 per cent less fuel than its predecessor.

Performance

The engine is a high-revving V8 unit compared to the V10 unit of the previous gen M5. But, all the proprietary BMW Efficient Dynamics measures like auto start-stop, regenerative braking, can't quite hide the engine's true colours. Twin turbocharging boosts power, and valvetronic (for valve control) and double-vanos (for camshaft control) manage to boost torque to new highs.

This engine brings in the most power output for a BMW M car ever. The 4.4-litre engine develops a top output of 560 bhp at 6,000 to 7,000 rpm, nearly twice as much as the 535i currently in sale in India. Peak torque generated by the new M5's engine is 680 Nm available on tap between 1,500 to 5,750 rpm. The rev limiter kicked in only at about 7,200 rpm. The outgoing model's engine also produced loads of low-end torque, but the new M5 offers a high acceleration band that is three times that of the old one.

On the track, the M5's sheer acceleration becomes evident on the straight between turn 3 and turn 4. The nifty heads up display was a good addition – you don't want to take your eyes of the track at 200 plus kmph. The 0 to 100 kmph run comes up in 4.4 seconds. In comparison the 535i takes a lazy 5.9 seconds to reach that speed.

I try out the new M5 in full auto and manual modes and the new seven-speed double clutch transmission is delight to use. The M DCT Drivelogic system ensures quick and clean shifts. The new M5 also offers a launch control function, when stability control is switched off.

The new M5 also gets the Active M Differential for maximum rear wheel drive performance. The system optimises stability with the help of an electronically controlled multi-plate limited-slip differential. After quite a few laps with quite a few other cars too, for me some of the most difficult turns on the Buddh circuit are 5,6,7,8 and 9. Turns 8 and 9 are deceptive, often egging you to try them at higher speeds than you can manage. The M5's precise steering and optimal stability control interferences make it possible to take on the turns faster.

Earlier on the track, I had the chance to test the braking prowess of the new six-piston fixed-caliper brakes.

Electronically controlled dampers also come as part of standard equipment. There are three damper settings to choose from. The DSC mode, performance characteristics of the engine, Dynamic Damper Control mapping, M Servotronic responses and M DCT Drivelogic shift program can all be adjusted independently. This allows drivers to put together a detailed set-up configuration for their car and store it by holding down one of the two M Drive buttons on the multifunction steering wheel.

With two M Drive buttons now available, drivers can use the M1 button, for example, to input a sporty configuration within easy reach and the M2 button to keep a comfort-biased option.

Bottomline

That is so much like the trait of the M5, offering the potential for a mix of both racing and comfortable driving, and all the while doing it in luxury. The cabin reflects the same character. Bespoke M sports seats, Merino leather upholstery, the iDrive control system, auto soft close doors, heated and ventilated seats and even a rear view camera are comfort features that will be appreciated by drivers while driving on regular roads.

Targeted at the demanding, young-at-heart performance car buyer, this ‘athlete in a business suit' as BMW puts it, is priced at Rs 96 lakh (ex-showroom).

Audi's E-Bike (latest news)

Audi Shows Off Performance 

E-Bike Concept

Audi is presenting, starting today, the Audi e-bike Wörthersee – at Wörthersee in Carinthia, Austria.

Wörthersee is the location of a sizeable Volkswagen-Audi culture show being held every year in the region of this Austrian town. This year marks the show’s 31st year.

“When developing the Audi e-bike Wörthersee we drew on motor racing design principles for inspiration,” explains Hendrik Schaefers, one of the designers at Concept Design Studio Munich. “The e-bike appears incredibly precise, highly emotional and strictly functional. Indeed, the design effort focused on its function as a sports machine. All design elements are thus firmly aligned to the technical features.”

The airy frame boasts a low center of gravity and a compact overall volume. In this way, the e- bike is said to be superbly agile at the sporty handling limits. The lithium-ion battery is incorporated into the frame and needs 2.5 hours to fully charge. On long trial tours, only a few simple steps are required to remove the battery and replace it with a charged one.

The electric motor is located at the lowest point on the frame and drives the bottom bracket shaft directly. The maximum torque delivered to the rear wheel is 250 Nm (184.39 pound-feet). The electric motor generates a maximum output of 2.3 kilowatts. The complete bike excluding electrical components weighs in at 11 kg (24.25 pounds), equivalent to a power-to-weight ratio of 9 kg (19.84 pounds) per kilowatt, or 7 kg (15.43 pound) per horsepower.

The frame and the swingarm that holds the back wheel are made of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP). The same material is used for the 26-inch wheels, which feature an innovative “Audi ultra blade” design with broad flat spokes for an optimized transmission of pedal power. “We were able to demonstrate with the choice of materials just how closely design goes hand in hand with expertise in ultra lightweight construction,” Hendrik Schaefers comments.

Homogeneous LED light strips round out the frame and create the immediately recognizable Audi light signature. For extreme tricks and stunts the seat can be lowered to run flush with the frame itself. At the press of a button, the seat then rises up and the biker can adopt a comfortable position.

MORE POWERFUL Q7

Audi Q7 V12 TDI tuned by Fostla - makes the worlds most powerful diesel SUV even more powerful 

The German car tuning company has done it once again. Hannover based aftermarket specialist have taken the Audi Q7 diesel SUV under its wing to advertise the type of vehicles they can produce. This time round they have given the Audi Q7 V12 TDI Ingolstadt SUV wrapped it in diamond matte PWF foil to give it an up-to-the-minute look and superfluous performance.

Audi Q7 V12 TDI was first released in 2008. It is a highly functional vehicle primarily due to its V12 diesel engine. It has a 6.0 liter engine offering 500 hp and 1000 Nm torque with acceleration from 0 to 100 in 5.5 seconds and a top speed of 250 km per hour.

Fostla has given this Q7 matt black wrapping with 11x23 masonry C5 rims with 315/25R-23 tyres, front and rear 15mm and 30mm hub spaces and an ECU engine remap with offers 600 hp and 1150 Nm torque and costs €6000 extra. The matte black foil wrap on the body with tinting on sides and rear windows – 55% front and 85% rear and lights with 5% tinting comes for an additional €3,500. Finally Fostla has also added 23" powder coated wheels from Masonry with high performance tyres.

Fostla has made the worlds most powerful diesel SUV even more powerful. After the tuning, which costs $7,700 (Euro 6,000), this SUV now generates 600 PS and a torque of 1,150 Nm.

new Audi A4

The new Audi A4 arrives in India

Audi, the German luxury car manufacturer, recently announced the launch of the new Audi A4 – its longest selling sedan. The new Audi A4 with its newly acquired emotional appeal reaches out to a younger and much wider customer base. 

The new Audi A4 offers considerable advantages over its predecessor and combines powerfully dynamic design with outstanding handling characteristics.

Priced from Rs 2,822,000 onwards (Ex-showroom Karnataka), this sporty and stylish new model is now available at Audi dealerships across the country.

“The new Audi A4 with its progressive design, efficient driving dynamics and class defining interiors will take the driving experience to a new paradigm for all our customers.

The young and sleek looks will appeal to the younger generation who have arrived in lifeand are looking to affirm their status and positions among their peers. The engines with their superior technology will give better fuel efficiencies while the new and improved lines and interiors will certainly turn heads and add to the comfort and luxury that one expects from Audi. The outstanding sales performance in the first quarter of 2012 of its predecessor encouraged us to pre-pone the launch of the new Audi A4”, said Michael Perschke, Head, Audi India.

Audi continues to be the fastest growing luxury car brand in India. The brand with the four rings continues to be the market leader in the sports car segment with Audi R8, Audi RS5 and now Audi TT and in the luxury SUV segment in India with Audi Q5 and Audi Q7. 

The launch of the new Audi A4 will strengthen Audi’s A range of limousines and will further consolidate Audi’s leadership position in the segment.

The A4 is Audi’s bestseller for 39 years now and in its eighth generation. The A4 with more than 10 million vehicles sold since 1972 has a long and most successful history in the Audi fold. In the first quarter of 2012, the Audi A4 outsold its core competition in India and emerged as the best-seller in its segment.

The A4, with its elegance, sportiness and emotional appeal, forms the centerpiece of the Audi brand. The new look further accentuates the horizontal lines at the front end. The engine hood is more arched, the upper corners of the single frame grille are tapered, and the cross ribs and the Audi rings are highlighted three-dimensionally. 

The redesigned bumpers are striking with their angular air inlets, their revised grilles and the flat front fog lights.

The fuel efficiency on an average has improved by 10 percent on the new Audi A4.

Safe Driving Tips for YOU

Adjust Side Mirrors to See Blind Spot
Tilt side mirrors out away from your vehicle, to reduce your blind spot. “Most of us like the side mirrors positioned so we can see the edge of our vehicle,” says Andy. “Professional truckers keep their side mirrors positioned 90 degrees from the vehicle and tip their head to glance at traffic and catch site of their own vehicle.” Andy advised that if it’s too uncomfortable to adjust mirrors out all the way, then do it in stages. 

Using a Cell Phone while Driving = Driving under the Influence of Alcohol
Andy also shared that vehicle accident rates show that using a cell phone while driving is the equivalent to driving while under the influence of alcohol; the rates a virtually the same. This shocking fact caused a shuffle in the audience. VPSI, like California, does not allow drivers to use cell phones while driving. (California law does allow phone usage with a hands-free head set.)

mercedes benz ML 350 CDI

Mercedes Benz ML 350 CDI slated to launch on 15th May

Union Budget 2012 hurricane hit the auto majors badly; some even deferred the launch of their vehicles as the excise duty was raised by 2%. All new Mercedes Benz ML350 CDI, exemplifies this fact as the German automaker reworked its plan and delayed the launch of the car to May. Now as per the word on street, ML 350 CDI was supposed which to launch in the month of April is now going to drive in on 15^th May.

The SUV was unveiled at the 2012 Auto Expo, also the test mule of the SUV was caught on lenses numerous times going through test runs near Pune. ML 350 is going to powered by a 3L V6 diesel engine mated with 7-speed manual transmission that churns out 230 BHP peak power and a torque figure of 540 Nm. The propelling capacity of the car from 0-100 is 7.4 seconds and the top speed is marked at 224 kmph. If the demand surges, the company is going to amplify the SUV’s portfolio.

Mercedes Benz might add the smaller 2.2L diesel engine to ML350, which is one of the most frugal engines available in the market. Even after the excise duty hike, the ML350 CDI will drive in through CBU route only, the German manufacturer might start producing the car locally at their Chakan plant by the end of the year. At present, the C-Class, E-Class and S-Class models are assembled at the Chakan facility on the outskirts of Maharashtra.

2013 BMW X1 Arrives in US, May Soon See Indian Shores

BMW has shoot up its 2013 X1 compact crossover rocket in the US. BMW has overhauled the vehicle and introduced it as X1 for the MY 2013, although the crossover is initially launched in American market, it will soon pave its way in other markets as well.The smallest crossover from the top slot luxury carmaker is available in Europe, India and many other foreign market for quite a while now. 2013 BMW X1 crossover comes with all new headlamps housing, a revamped front bumper, split-grille and a lustrous mirror housing. The cabin is minisculely changed with the addition of new upholstery, hues and trim options and substantial helpings of electroplated trim on the console and the shifter.

BMW X1 is offered with both sDrive(rear-wheel drive) and xDrive(all-wheel drive) option with the petrol variant ; the German brand is on a generous mood and offers two engine options- the X1 i35 and X1 i28. The sDrive28i and xDrive28i derive its power from four cylinder 2.0L petrol engine that churns out 240 PS and 353NM of torque. Whereas the X1 i35 is a 6-cylinder variant that comes with the all-wheel-drive option only that generates 300PS power and 406 Nm torque. The whole line of X1 series comes with automatic transmission also the company will amplify the X1 portfolio with the addition of two separate lines xLine and SportLine as well as M Sport package in US.

As of now BMW has rolled out  X1 with  petrol fuel option only, however the company is going to introduce other fuel options when the car hits other car markets .  The facelift variant will also get diesel mill when the X1 is launched in Europe and India which will likely to happen by end of this year. The India market also hopes that BMW rolls out the xdrive variants here to go against the likes of Audi Q3 that also offers its trademark Quattro (the all wheel drive) option. 

Range Rover Evoque Sport Version in Works

After grabbing the centre stage at the recently concluded 2012 Beijing Motor Show with the Victoria Beckham Special Edition, that was not enough to satisfy the expansion spree quench of the company, Land Rover is now working to develop a Sporty range of Range Rover Evoque. Land Rovers’s design director Mr. Gerry McGovern made an official statement at the Beijing Auto Show about this development. Range Rover sales have been soaring since its launch and the SUV has surpassed at its siblings to become the best seller for the brand.

India could not get enough of the model as the crossover was sold within days from its launch and the story is replicated in most of the markets across the world. The current Evoque version is one-step ahead of its archrivals like Audi in terms of sportiness and with the company planning a notch higher spoty avatar, it is certain to end up grabbing more eyeballs. With the style changes, the Bristish Marque is likely to pay a visit to the performance department where changes are going to be incorporated in both petrol and diesel variants to boost the power and torque figures. 

The ground clearance is likely to go on the downside by a few millimeters for a lower deportment and sportier handling. Land Rover might reveal the concept Evoque Sport soon, as the convertible version was displayed at Geneva Motor Show this year. Although, the company’s facility in Halewood is currently running at full capacity to meet the existing order of Evoque so the Evoque lovers will have to wait a while before JLR is able to release the new version of this high acclaimed model. 

Suzuki to Recall 109,000 Swift Hatchbacks Globally, No Effect on Indian Version

The Japanese auto giant, Suzuki Motor Corp has recalled around 109,000 units of the highly acclaimed Suzuki Swift hatchback for the detection of a possible petrol leak. According to a spokesperson of the company, Swift hatchbacks running in Japan would contribute to the half of this number. The global recall will impact the models that have been released between September 2010 and April 2012. This also comes as good news for the Indian owners of this much-favored hatchback as it has been confirmed by a spokesperson of Maruti Suzuki India that this global recall will not reflect on the Indian version of Swift compact car. The Spokesperson of Suzuki Motor Corp also revealed that 55,146 units from the total figure of recall belong to the domestic market of Japan. The rest 53,801 units being recalled are the ones sold in Australia, Mexico and European nations.

Reportedly, SMC stated that the possible petrol leakage can occur because of an inadequate connection on the rubber fuel filler hose. It has also been reported that around four such cases have happened in Japan and fortunately no accidents followed. The spokesperson of SMC also said that reports of such defects occurring abroad have also surfaced. Last year, Suzuki rolled out a new version of Swift hatchback globally; in India the new version of this premium compact hatchback is priced very competitively between Rs. 4.22 lakh and Rs. 6.38 lakh. The new version of Maruti Swift hatchback is built on a brand-new platform and the company along with the suppliers has spent more than Rs. 550 crore on the new version. The original Swift compact hatchback has been traversing Indian roads since 2005.

BMW X1

BMW X1 2013 Flaunts Mileage of 24 mpg in the City and 33 mpg on the Highway

The mileage figure for the BMW X1 2013 crossover has been revealed by this German auto giant and it seems that this powerful crossover is as fuel efficient as the new 2012 BMW 3-series sedan. The BMW X1 crossover is being sold in the European markets for quite some now but the brand refreshed it midcycle and released the 2013 version. The new BMW X1 will be affixed with two engines such as 2.0-liter four cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 240HP power and a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder turbocharged engine that generates a power of 300HP.

Both these highly efficient and turbocharged engines have been mated to eight speed automatic transmission. The 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine is bound to all-wheel drive only whereas the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is available with an option of choosing between rear and all-wheel drive. The six-cylinder 3.0 liter in inline turbocharged engine claims a mileage of 18 mpg for the city and 27 mpg for the highway.

The mileage of the BMW X1 sDrive28i rear-wheel drive has been indicated as 24 mpg for the city and 33 mpg for the highway. On the other hand the mileage for the all-wheel drive version of xDrive28i has been indicated as 22 mpg for the city and 30 mpg for the highway. The automatic version of the BMW 328i sedan is also powered by the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and the highway mileage is also same as that of the sDrive28i, however, the city mileage of 328i is 1 mpg less than sDrive28i.

At present the only rivaling model in the compact luxury crossover segment is the redesigned version of 2013 Acura RDX. The front-wheel drive version RDX 2013 claims a mileage of 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway and is thus surpassed by the four-cylinder X1. The six-cylinder BMW X1 on the other hand couldn’t surmount the figures for all-wheel drive version of 2013 Acura RDX. Other competitors all set to enter the segment include the Audi Q3 2014 and the Mercedes Benz sub-GLK-sized crossover that adopts the front-wheel drive architecture of the A-class. BMW will be rolling out the 2013 X1 by the fall of this year at a base price of $31,545.

PORSCHE 960

Porsche 960 codenamed 'Fefi' headed for 2015 launch

Porsche has set its eyes to join the four-door bandwagon, based on market reports the company is going to spawn a new model christened as Porsche 960 on the MSB platform from Volkswagen that will underpin all the rear wheel drive based cars of the Porsche group. Porsche Coupe 960 codenamed ‘Ferrari Fighter’, is a super saloon powered by the twin-turbo flat-six churns out 600 HP power is generally a legacy of the 911 GT2 . Porsche calling the car as Ferrari seems out of place as Ferrari does not have a four-door vehicle in its portfolio, seems like the German maker actually aims to turn the heat on Ferrari FF.

MSB Platform is a flexible system, and can spawn out a wide range of high performing models like Volkswagen Bluesport, Porsche Sppedster, Audi R5 and possibly the next gen Porsche Cayman and Lamborghini Aventador heir. The engine can be fitted in anywhere in the front or at the rear end or all wheel-drive in accordance to the car it is being used for. Porsche 960 will arrive in the year 2015,will sit above Panamera in the Porsche car lineup. Porsche 960 will carry a sticker price of at least $328,800.

Ultra Fast EV Charging System Wins Support From Automakers Across The Globe

Some of the German and American automakers have joined hands for the support of a new uniform system for charging the electric vehicles. This newfangled charging system which has triggered this very rare happening of Germans and Americans working in harmony is known as DC Fast Charging with a Combined Charging. This new system has various advantages and the most significant of all is that it integrates four types of charging and uses just one plug for that. The four types of charging include one-phase AC charging, fast three-phase AC charging, DC charging at home and super-fast DC charging at public charging stations. It is said that the ultra-fast DC charging at the public stations  can recharge almost all kind of Electric Vehicles in just 15 to 20 minutes. No good thing come without a price and so does the ultra-fast charging in 15 minutes, this is a risky business as many batteries used in the electric vehicles are incapable of withstanding fast charging on a regular basis.

General Motors has been contacted by the Motor Trend magazine who is seeking a response from the automakers about the possible solution of this problem. Mr. Kevin Kelly, Spokesperson of General Motors, mentioned that everything is dependent on the chemistry, design and capability of a battery and there indeed are some batteries that can tackle multiple quick-charges. This new EV charger would be a blessing for the owners of the electric vehicles as it allows easy and convenient charging at any charging station irrespective of the power source available. Another advantage of this system is its global nature as it has been designed for use across the globe; the electric vehicle owners will use the same plug everywhere. This system is also claimed to improve the charging reliability, to ensure lower maintenance cost and to alleviate the improvement of the charging infrastructure.Car majors supporting this system are Audi, Daimler, Ford, BMW, General Motors, Volkswagen, Chrysler and Porsche; also the system has bagged the approval of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). The European Association of Vehicle Manufacturers (ACEA) has made this system mandatory for all the new vehicles from 2017. The 26^th Electric Vehicle Symposium which is going to be held from 6^th to 9^th May in Los Angeles, California is going to witness the showcasing of this DC Fast and Combined Charging system by the aforementioned 8 automakers. This system will be used first by the mass-produced vehicles to be launched in 2013.

Jaguar Introduces New Powertrain ,

Jaguar Cars Ltd  is now going to bring in a new 3.0L supercharged V6 petrol engine and 2.0L four cylinder  turbo to its portfolio. Jaguar supercharged V6 petrol engine will come with a peak power of 375Bhp or 335Bhp, however the high power option will only be seen under the all new F-Type sports car. Apparently, the 335bhp model will come with the already available models like Jaguar XF, and Jaguar XJ hiking the sprint capacity of the car 0-62 mph in mere 5.7 seconds.

Jaguar XF and Jaguar XJ are going to derive energy from a new powertrain, the 2.0L four-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 274 bhp of peak power. With the arrival of this engine, the naturally aspirated 3.0L V6 that does duty in the current global line-up will go out of work. 

However, the new 2.0L four cylinder turbocharged engine will not see the UK shores. Ron Lee, Group Chief Engineer Powertrain, Jaguar Cars states that both the engines- the 3.0L V6 S/C and the 2.0L turbocharged engine make smart use of the forced-induction technology to churn out high-specific yield in an efficient way, while delivering the persuasive amalgamation of flexibility, refinement and driver reward that are the trademark features of all Jaguar engines.

Mercedes Benz GLA Class Crossover Set to Turn the Heat on BMW X1

Mercedes Benz is mulling to fill in the empty space of the compact crossover line up with the GLA trim. It was like a name chaos, the car was earlier named as BLK, then it was changed to GLC and now finally the company has named it 'GLA'. Mercedes Benz new crossover shares its platform with all new W176 A class hatch and W246 B Class, the platform is called Mercedes Front-Wheel Drive Architecture. In terms of Proportions the Merecedes Benz GLA will replicate the Mercedes Benz B class ; it will be 4440 mm long, with by and large width of 1800 mm and the height touching the 1500 mm figure.  The wheelbase of the car is also same with 2700mm.

With dimensions like these Mercedes Benz GLA can unnerve the Audi Q3 and Range Rover Evoque, interestingly BMW X1 Fighter is still bigger by 60mm. The GLA is expected to hold a range of 4 cylinder direct injection, petrol and turbocharged diesel engines that are found under the hood of the current A and B-Class models. The GLA will get a front wheel as well a four wheel drive transmission layout.  When you talk about the exteriors, the crossover again seems to have taken an inspiration from the A-Class and the B-Class models.  The amalgamation if audacious surfacing of the A class model and the cut edge styling of the Concept Style Coupe displayed at the  Beijing motor show 2012 are likely to be seen in the GLA Class Crossover.

BMW AND HYUNDAI TO JOIN HANDS

BMW, Hyundai to Join Forces to Produce new Powertrains?

The Auto world is on the verge to see an interesting JV between the German premium car maker BMW and Hyundai the South Korea's largest passenger car brand. The talks are out on the table but it is still an early to commit anything. Another source stated that the two companies had discussed a "comprehensive alliance," including jointly developing an engine and sharing development costs equally. He said he had no knowledge of whether the talks were still underway.  As per word in the market, the two companies are mulling to form a  broad ranging pact that encompasses the development of a powertrain whose production bill will be divided equally.

Reports are coming from Germany too that the BMW is exchanging words with Hyundai to helpmate 1-2 billion euros,the whooping production cost of  assembling the new engine families. Also Chung Eui-sun, the apparent successor of Hyundai Motor Group chairman Chung Mong-koo is said to have a hush-hush meeting with the BMW hot shot managers. Although, officially the company is saying that the reports are baseless rumors. The market evangelist reacting on the ongoing rumors say that this JV will be beneficially to both the companies; BMW can achieve economies of scale whereas the passenger car maker Hyundai gets entrée to the advanced gasoline engine used in the large sized vehicles by BMW.

These days the pressure is built up on auto makers to roll out full efficient, Go-Green vehicles as the regulations are stringing day by day.  BMW last year  hit the top slot with 11.7% operating cost, closely followed by Hyundai along with its partner Kia Motors who grabbed the second spot with 10.4% functional margin. BMW Chief Executive,poured water on the rumor that BMW would extend its partnerships beyond Peugeot, Toyota, Daimler and possibly GM, should the present talks with the US automaker turn fertile. The apparent ventures that BMW is going to form is with Toyota and General Motors; Along with the American brand, BMW is going to work to produce futuristic machinery like fuel cells and this JV may seek help from the PSA Peugeot Citroen on gasoline powered engines. However with the Japanese auto major the company is going all green, the pact states that BMW will supply diesel engines to Toyota from 2014 in Europe and the duo will join forces for R&D on lithium-ion battery for electric cars. BMW has broadcasted in March that the brand is working on brand new powertrain structural design that will help in improving the performance and mileage figures of three, four and six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. 

NEW VOLKSWAGEN IN EUROPE

Volkswagen Intoduces new Lineage 'R-Line' to Passat, Estate in Europe

The pedigree "R" models, from the stables of German auto major Volkswagen already winning the race, now to keep things interesting Volkswagen is going to introduce a new lineage called "R-Line" in the European market to the refreshed version of Volkswagen Passat and Estate. The R-line trims of 2012 Passat sedan and Estate will sit between the mid variant 'Comfortline' and the high-end version 'Highline'. The silhouette of the Passat-R is different story from the customary model, as an all new front bumper has been bestowed upon the car featuring an enormous cooling inlet system and incorporated fog headlamps, side sills are adorned with chrome intonation. The Volkswagen Passat R-Line  comes with a new boot spoiler whereas the company has incorporated a roof spoiler in the Estate, both the cars have R-line badging also the rear has been refreshed with the infusion of a black diffuser and chrome tailpipes and trims.

The whole R-Line package is finished with the the 17"/18" Mallory alloy wheels shod in the flat run tires of 235mm, in addition the Estate model gets bejeweled with silver roof rails. The two R-Line models are en suite with  the sporty suspension that drops down the drive height by 15 mm. On the interiors, the sedan and the estate will lure you with the sport seat upholstery, silver trim lining adorned on the dashboard and the door panels, a run smooth flat bottom and the multifunction steering wheels that is leather trimmed along with the mirror-like stainless steel pedals and door sill plates.  And if you are a 'Comfortline' line or the 'Highline' fans, you can order the optional R-line Design Package being offered with the trims that embraces the front and the rear bumper, rear or roof spoiler and the R-Line badges. The base price for the German Volkswagen Passat R Line is €30,225 whereas the elective R-Line Design Package will only shell out €990 from your pocket. 

MARUTI RITZ, THE BEST

Maruti Suzuki Ritz crosses the milestone of 2 lakh

Mumbai: Maruti Suzuki’s Ritz car has successfully attained the 2 lakh sales mark in premium hatchback segment within a short span of 36 months of its launch. Ritz like its sibling Swift is one of the fastest models to achieve the 200,000 mark. During the fiscal it is one of the bestsellers in the premium A2 segment. The Company in FY 2011-12 sold over 64,000 units in the domestic market. Maruti Suzuki Ritz has been very popular car in Asian markets. Maruti Suzuki has so far exported over 8000 units to these markets. Some of the popular destinations include South East Asia and other neighboring countries.

On the achievement Mr. Shashank Srivastava, Chief GM (Marketing), Maruti Suzuki said, “We are happy that Ritz has found appreciation for itself among consumers across age groups. Launched in 2009, Ritz has indeed played a wonderful inning so far.  It is one of the finest offering in terms of technology powered by the two most successful engines 1.2 litre K-series petrol engine (first on Ritz) and DDiS 1.3 litre diesel engine providing the users with ample driving comfort. Ritz owners also, have always appreciated its driving comfort. In current context too, when market is skewed towards diesel, we expect Ritz to gain more volumes in the future as well.” Maruti Suzuki Ritz has been designed after carefully studying the premium A2 segment and the aspirations of car buyers of this segment. The contemporary styling, best in class features and European Design are contributing factors for its success especially amongst the young couples.

Its superior drive quality, engine performance and driving comfort secure its position as one of the best premium hatchback in the market. True to its motto, Ritz’s primary objective is to drive home in calm and comfort, thus the ergonomically designed interiors with its tall boy design is a clear winner. Ritz’s contemporary looks with best in class fuel efficiency along-with Maruti Suzuki’s reliability makes it one of the most coveted cars in its segment. Ritz is a popular choice amongst the premium hatchback category in the automobile industry with people not only loving to buy it but also follow it on Social Media. Ritz has more than 1 million fans on Facebook and was the 1st Indian Auto brand to achieve the milestone.
 
Ritz Awards and Milestones:

1.    Best Premium Compact Car in Initial Quality by India Initial Quality Study,2009
2.    Best Appealing Premium Compact Car by India Appeal Study,2009
3.    Premium Hatchback of the year 2010 by Autocar
4.    Compact Car of the year 2010 by Auto Bild
5.    Car of the year 2010 by BS Motoring
6.    India 1st Auto Brand to have more than 1 million fans on Facebook