Hyundai Veloster: Turbo hatch arrives just in time

Hyundai Veloster: Turbo hatch arrives just in timeVeloster gains a turbo boost to help it compete against Toyota's GT 86

Less than a month before Toyota introduces its GT 86 sports coupe, Hyundai New Zealand is releasing a rival - a turbo version of the Veloster.

Hyundai's hatch-coupe will be priced from $49,990 for the six-speed manual. A six-speed auto version will also be available.

The 1.6-litre engine will benefit from turbo and the Veloster's power output leaps nearly 50 per cent to 150kW. Torque increases 60 per cent to 262Nm.

To cope with the extra performance, the SR Turbo gets ventilated front disc brakes that are 20mm bigger than those on the non-turbo models, recalibrated suspension, a quicker steering rack (2.78 turns lock to lock) and revised calibration for the motor-driven power steering.

It is distinguished from less-powerful Velosters by a more aggressive grille, round front fog lamps, 18-inch alloy wheels with chrome inserts, side skirts, a rear diffuser, rear spoiler and twin circular exhaust outlets.Standard equipment includes a panoramic glass sunroof and sports seats upholstered in a mix of leather and leatherette.

The Veloster has been the top-selling sportscar in Australia since it went on sale in February - although its lead will certainly be chopped back with the arrival of the GT 86.

Volvo's heroic warhorse

Neil Lyndon applauds the Volvo XC90, a good-value, luxury 4x4 that is also an excellent tow car.Before the internet, filling in a tax return was a riot of fun compared with the browbeating effort of finding the right match between a car and caravan.

But now, dozens of websites can do that job in a trice. You enter the details of your car and the websites list the caravans that it would be capable of towing. Or you enter the name of your caravan and up pops a selection of the cars that would be right for that model.

When, therefore, I had the offer of a family-size Hymer 485 Sporting caravan for a holiday in Central Europe, I tapped its name into these matchmaker sites and they all agreed that the Volvo XC90 would be “perfect” to tow it.

Volvo has announced some changes to the XC90 and, not having driven one since it was introduced nearly 10 years ago, I was eager to try it again.

So it was that I embarked in a new XC90 that took me from Scotland, where I live, on a 2,300-mile round trip across Holland, Germany and the Czech Republic, then home to Britain. In both directions, I nestled gratefully and comfortably in the billowy bosom of DFDS Seaways across the North Sea. I picked up and returned the caravan to Hymer’s factory in Bad Waldsee, but my family took the easy approach and flew both ways.The twin purposes of this trip were to visit distant Czech members of my family and to introduce our two young daughters to Germany, in the fond hope that they will eventually come to understand that country’s history, grasp its importance and speak its language.

To that high-minded end, we spent time in the ancient university town of Freiburg and in Munich, which may be the most civilised city in Europe. To leaven the dry dust of Dad’s lecture tour, we also took the children to Europa-Park (Germany’s biggest theme park) and for a short stay at the new Legoland, near Günzburg.

A good car and caravan were perfect for this roundabout trek. Hymer caravans are among the more expensive, but a minimalist and resolutely functional approach to interior design makes them look and feel more like an Ikea home than a show house on a Wimpey estate, which is the invariable approach of British caravan makers.

No chintzy curtains or moquette upholstery here, although the eyeball-searing white of the 485’s exterior proved, yet again, that my campaign to see caravans painted in more earth-loving colours has so far succeeded by zero per cent.

Volvo’s XC90 remains a heroic warhorse. Along with Toyota’s Land Cruiser, it is the big, luxury 4x4 for customers who don’t fancy themselves as the Duke of Edinburgh and don’t fancy paying a duke’s ransom for a Range Rover. The £44,500-plus price of the D5 SE Lux version I borrowed might be tens of thousands less than an equivalent Range Rover or Discovery.

Long in the tooth now – with an entirely new model expected soon – the XC90 recently got a cosmetic makeover to gussy-up its frumpy body. Body-coloured bumpers, LED daytime-running lights, metallic mouldings for the wing mirrors, dabs of faux metal around the cabin and white lighting for the instrument display are all standard tools in designers’ boxes when they are tasked with wringing a few more sales out of a model that is coming to the end of the line.

That turbocharged, all-aluminium, five-cylinder diesel engine of Volvo’s deserves to continue for many more years though. While dragging the Hymer around Europe, it was averaging more than 20mpg. When that burden had been cast off, it was often propelling the XC90 at a relaxing 120mph or more on unrestricted stretches of Germany’s autobahns.

Nobody who valued the stability of their stomach would want to throw this big lump of a 4x4 into a corner, but for covering 300 miles in a single morning, few cars are better.

Review: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Sport

Review: Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Sport

In just one generation, the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class has gone from dull to delightful. It has a sporty and radical design based on an all-new front-wheel-drive architecture, one which the five-door hatchback will eventually share with other body styles such as a coupe and a crossover. The new A-Class has a lower centre of gravity, thanks to Merc's decision to ditch the previous sandwich floor construction. The car is also bigger at 4,355 mm in overall length with a wheelbase of 2,699 mm but with a height of just 1,433 mm.

Its interior is equally funky. The groundbreaking design has a trio of centre air vents punched into the smooth one-piece dashboard fascia. The centre console is shaped as a module below them, while the free-standing colour screen for the Comand audio and navigation system is above.

The brand with the three-pointed star says that all trim elements have been electroplated for genuine metal surfaces that are cool to the touch.

Under the bonnet, the petrol engines driving the front wheels through a new seven-speed 7G-DCT dual clutch transmission are available with three output levels - the A180 with a 122 hp 1.6-litre turbocharged engine; the A200 which is also a 1.6 but producing 156 hp; and the A250 with a 2.0-litre turbo and 211 hp.

This new generation of four-cylinder engines already meets the stricter Euro 6 emission standard before it comes into force.

One of its innovations is Camtronic, featuring early intake closure and variable intake valve lift - the first for a direct-injection engine with forced induction.

So when the engine is under partial load, the amount of fresh air is limited to reduce fuel consumption by up to 10 per cent.

The A-Class can be ordered in a variety of trim levels, with the highest being AMG Sport. AMG is the tuning division of Mercedes-Benz and the A250 AMG Sport comes with several high-performance modifications.

The most obvious are the diamond grille, aggressive aerodynamic kit and 18-inch alloy wheels. In the cabin, there are red accents and white dials for the meters. But beyond the cosmetic differences, the AMG Sport variant gets a 15 mm lowered sports suspension and Direct-Steer variable steering system.

AMG input has also resulted in a dedicated front axle. The wheel carriers and linkage points have been modified to increase understeering behaviour for lower lateral acceleration situations, thus boosting straight-ahead confidence at high speeds. As for the rear axle, it gets shorter links for higher lateral acceleration.

Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Sport

Engine: 1,991cc turbocharged Transmission: 7-speed 7G-DCT dual clutch Max Power: 350 Nm @ 1,200-4,000 rpm Max Torque: 680 Nm @ 1,500-5,750 rpm 0-100kmh: 6.6 secs Top speed: 240 kmh CO2 emissions: 143 g/km Distributor: Cycle & Carriage 6866-1888

What this does is reduce stability to encourage sportier behaviour at medium speeds of 100 to 120 kmh. On the race track, the Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Sport's power allows it to enter a fast curve enthusiastically. In keeping with the Mercedes philosophy, the suspension setting is still relatively comfortable.

As a result, there is noticeable body roll but the A250 still manages to inspire confidence with its reassuringly precise steering. Manual gear changes are quick and crisp, with the software for the 7G-DCT gearbox coming from the SLS AMG sports car.

With the A250 AMG Sport, Mercedes-Benz has managed to overhaul its image in one fell swoop. And as if that's not enough, look out for the A45 AMG with a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine driving all four wheels in the first quarter of 2013.

Mercedes Benz launches new car in Kochi

KOCHI, AUG. 5: 

Rajasree Motors Pvt Ltd, the exclusive dealer of Mercedes-Benz in Kerala, has launched the new Mercedes Benz B-Class 180 in Kochi. The new car was jointly unveiled for the Kerala market by cine actors Rima Kallingal and Remya Nambisan.

Elaborating the features, Sivakumar, Managing Director, Rajasree Motors said with a very strong customer base in Kerala, the company thought it’s only appropriate to move closer to our customers by launching young and trendier models. It is a booming market and we intend to serve our customers better in every way, he added.

Besides the outlets in Kochi and Kozhikode, he said the company is coming up with a 3S facility at Kozhikode on the Kannur road. The showroom and service centre in Thiruvananthapuram will be further expanded.

MERCEDES S class offroad(by UPTV)

BENTLEY CONTINENTAL V8

Audi A6 3.0 BiTDI Tuned by MTM 

The brand new 3-liter, twin-turbo diesel V6 from Audi is an engine that deserves to be taken very seriously. This unit is making headlines under the bonnets of various models. And why wouldn’t, when we’re talking about a 313 ponies, something which only petrol engines were capable of achieving.

Now, the A6 Avant powered by this mighty diesel has been targeted by German tuner MTM, who have boosted it in stages. The first stage costs €1,700 and brings the output to 365 PS and 560 lb-ft (760 Nm) of torque. But pay the full €1,800 and you can have your V6 BiTDI making 381 PS and 575 lb-ft (780 Nm).

Other available upgrades include a brake upgrade kit as well as MTM’s custom wheels sized from 18 to 20 inches.

"One MTM achievement principle is that the cars should be strong in accession and beautiful in appearance and this explains why there is such a variety of offers on bimoto rims in every size," MTM says. For nearly €1730, you can have 18-inch wheels, and for €5230 you can have 20-inch ones that suit the A6 3.0 BiTDI well 

Jaguar Land Rover to launch a number of fuel-efficient sports cars in next 2 years: Ratan Tata

NEW DELHI: Tatas-owned British subsidiary Jaguar Land Rover would launch a number of fuel-efficient sports cars in the next two years, group Chairman Ratan Tata has said.

In Tata Motors' Annual Report for 2011-12, Tata said Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) was developing higher-powered and more fuel-efficient engines to attract more customers.

"The company has undertaken its most ambitious product development programme in its history and will be launching several new sports sedans and sports cars in the next two years in order to provide dealers with a more competitive and wider product range," he added.

Face-lifts and new models of the Range Rover as well as a competitively-priced new line of "rugged, lifestyle vehicles under the Land Rover brand are also scheduled to be launched," Tata said.

He, however, did not share details such as how many new models will hit the roads or how many will be under each of the two brands - Jaguar and Land Rover.

JLR had earlier announced to roll out 40 new products in the next 4-5 years.

Talking about JLR's performance, Tata said: "Jaguar Land Rover's operations have shown impressive growth in sales and profitability. Sales have increased by 37 per cent and 29 per cent respectively in value and volume over the previous year."

The company is currently considering to set up a new manufacturing facilities in China to meet market demand for the two luxury brands in the region, he added.

For 2011-12 fiscal, JLR's profit after tax stood at 1,481 million pounds (over Rs 12,900 crore) against 1,036 million pounds (over Rs 9,020 crore) in FY'11, up 42.95 per cent.

Its revenue went up by 36.89 per cent to 13,512 million pounds (over Rs 1,17,800 crore) from 9,871 million pounds (over Rs 86,020 crore) in the previous fiscal.

Earlier in March this year, JLR had said it would invest 3.5 billion yuan (over Rs 2,800 crore then) in its recently-announced joint venture with Chery Automobile in China to commence local assembly there.

The company is currently investing 355 million pounds in an engine plant in the UK. It also planning to set up an engine manufacturing facility in India.

In April 2011, JLR had said it would invest 1.5 billion pounds every year for the next five years, mainly on product development as it looks to catch up with global luxury car makers and position itself as a top premium brand.

Wheels of fortune: Land Rover's Evoque has helped to boost a once-ailing brand

Four years ago it would have been hard to imagine that a money-losing Birmingham manufacturer that had endured five owners in 40 years (and was about to have its sixth) could become in a short period of time a great success story – turning a £1.5bn profit for its group, mentioned in the same breath as Apple for its design, and its Coventry-born designer turned into a "How To Spend It" centrefold.

Yet that is precisely what has happened to Land Rover after Indian giant Tata bought it (and Jaguar) from a cash-strapped Ford in 2008, and to its design director, Gerry McGovern, who now sits on the Jaguar Land Rover board.

So successful has it been that "every- one in the company wants to be a designer now," laughs McGovern, who "by placing design at the heart of everything we do" seems to have with just one model transformed Land Rover.

While the "small, light, feminine and urban looks" of the Range Rover Evoque, launched in June 2011, may not be to everyone's taste, they are certainly appreciated by the 80,000 people who have bought it (75 per cent of whom are outside the UK) as well as the judges who have garlanded it with more than eight major awards. Its success also no doubt contributed to last week's announcement that JRL is creating over 1,000 new jobs at its West Midlands plant.

More importantly for the future of the company, says McGovern, with "80 per cent of people who bought an Evoque never having bought a Land Rover before, it shows that we can produce new designs that can mean new things to new people" – whether in London, Beijing or Delhi. He admits, though, that "a few of our more traditional customers want to gun me down" – a sentiment doubtless encouraged by the Posh Spice Evoque Special Edition launched at Beijing's Auto China motor show in April this year.

Now his new cultural revolution is about to face its toughest test: the launch of the rest of the next generation of Land Rovers, from the flagship next-generation Range Rover in the autumn to his take on the 4x4 that started it all in 1948, the Defender, in 2014–15. "It is massive challenge but no one else is quite like Land Rover, so we will have a killer combination if we can continue to reconcile the production of the best off-roaders in the world with designs that are desirable and resonant with people today."

This isn't the first challenge that he has had to confront in his fight to transform a company world famous for "engineering-led design to one where design leads the engineering". For McGovern nothing illustrates this better than his battle to turn the Evoque LRX prototype into the vehicle that made it into the showrooms.

"We showed the LRX concept for the first time at Detroit and it really hit the spot, and then when we brought it back to the development centre our engineers instantly started talking about the changes that they would have to make it to maintain its 4x4 capability."

And in June, Land Rover engineers won the Royal Academy of Engineering's McRobert Award (the top UK engineering award) for the innovative engineering of the Evoque. For McGovern, these were the fights that he had to win. "Land Rover had become a byword for functionality, where all that mattered was capability. So that our design bible was full of things that came to make a Land Rover a Land Rover, such as a short overhang or high sill" – elements that were originally important for its 4x4 off-road capability. "And while I respect all that heritage, and understand the need to maintain the integrity of the brand in the modern world, we can't be trapped by it, as we need to create relevant, resonant products."

Key to this culture shift was getting "more joined-up thinking" by engineering, manufacturing and design based on "mutual respect for each other's part of the business" as well as "a common desire among them all to create desirable products that sell".

McGovern does admit that he has been helped by the market for SUVs fragmenting, a wider culture shift that has seen "design come of age", and an owner – Mr Tata – "who is keen to be involved in a supportive way".

David Leggett, director of automotive services at Aroq (publisher of motor industry bible just-auto.com), is sceptical of corporate-speak such as "culture of innovation", but he accepts that the Evoque has given the company a major boost. "They have managed to create the perception that Land Rover is a fashionable and up-market brand and have hit a demographic that has a lot of money and is attracted by this," says Leggett – even if they have been helped by market geography that has left them with few direct competitors.

"Ultimately, it was a canny buy for Tata as Ford had already done much of the hard work when they where in charge and so they have been able to turn what was a loss-making company into the main driver for growth in Jaguar Land Rover." And where Ford had run out of money, "Tata have funded a whole new product programme and become a very effective steward of the company, leaving the management to manage".

David Bailey, a professor and motor industry specialist at Coventry University Business School, puts their success down more to "R&D [research and development] innovation" than to marketing, as they have started to reach out to such companies as Williams for access to Formula One technology.

Like Leggett, Professor Bailey feels that this transformation can be overstated as under Ford "Land Rover had already started to make an operating profit". Unlike Leggett, however, who feels that Tata-owned Land Rover could be seen as a "car manufacturer in Britain," he argues that as Land Rover (and Jaguar) are responsible for 80 per cent of the UK's motor industry R&D expenditure, "it is the closest thing that we have to a Great British car company".

For Professor Bailey, the challenge that Land Rover now faces is that it "needs to do a BMW", by doubling sales from 300,000 to 600,000 in 10 years to ensure that the company has a long-term future. That is going to depend on a lot of investment in new models that are "all their own work" as well as facing up to the challenge to develop more energy efficient cars.

McGovern claims that the plans are already far advanced for the programme of new cars that Land Rover is betting its future on. While he admits that the Range Rover has been more difficult to design than the Evoque "as no one wanted it changed, just made better," the new Range Rover Sport that follows has been easier as he feels he has "more permission to stretch it further"; and a lot of the decisions have already been made for the new Defender that, like the DC100 concept shown last year, is going to be "thoroughly modern and utterly relevant".

"The opportunity is great. We are selling 8,000 Defenders a year now. We could be selling 100,000." Yet however much he claims that the success of Land Rover is "never about one person, it's about having the right level of shared vision and passion," that's just a little too hard to believe.

LIVING 2 DRIVE: Audi launches powerful A8 L in India

LIVING 2 DRIVE: Audi launches powerful A8 L in India: Audi launches powerful A8 L in India Audi A8 L launched i India with a powerful and sporty 4.2-litre TDI engine. The new luxury car ...

Audi launches powerful A8 L in India

Audi A8 L launched i India with a powerful and sporty 4.2-litre TDI engine. The new luxury car from Audi has now sets new standards for luxury, with exceptional dynamics and efficiency. The car was launched by Mr. unveiled by Mr. Michael Perschke, Head, Audi India. On the occasion, Bollywood superstar Mr. Abhishek Bachchan took delivery of his customized Audi A8 L 4.2 TDI. The car will be available at all showrooms across India. The powerful car now generates 350 HP of power and delivers 800 Nm of torque.

Audi A8 L Mumbai Launch

Audi A8 L is very true to Audi brand philosophy of ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’, the Audi A8 L 4.2 TDI epitomizes a new level of sporty performance combined with technical intelligence and engineering art. The car is offered with a powerful diesel engine and symbolized true luxe mobility with its opulence, sophistication and aspirational value.

The Audi A8 L is offered with 4.2 TDI powerful engine and the A8 L family comprising of a V6 3.0 TDI q, V8 4.2 FSI q, and a W12 6.3 L q. The length and wheelbase have both been stretched by 13 centimeters versus the standard normal version wheelbase to measure 5.27 meters, offering increased comfort to rear seat passengers. It is available with an optional relaxation seat with power footrest. A number of seating options are available, including the massage function and rear seat entertainment.

The 4.2 TDI is a V8 engine. It generates power of 258 kW (350 hp) and delivers 800 Nm of torque between 1750-2750 rpm, making it the sportiest diesel saloon in the luxury class. The fuel consumption and CO2 emissions were cut on average by 15%. It accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds.  Audi A8 L is priced Rs 10075000 onwards (Ex-Showroom, Maharashtra).

Audi A8 L Features:

Body

• Lightweight and yet ultra-strong aluminum body with ASF design
• 13 centimeters longer than the standard version, measures 5.27 meters
• Timelessly elegant and harmonious lines, optional LED headlights
• Optional panoramic sunroof comprising two glass elements

Interior and controls

• Power-adjustable individual rear seats, with the luxurious rear executive seat package available as an option
• Craftsman-level fit and finish, generous list of standard and optional equipment
• Advanced MMI system including MMI touch with a pioneering character recognition, as standard

Assistance and safety systems

• Night vision assistant with pedestrian marking – Optional
• New Audi pre sense basic safety system for avoiding accidents and for minimizing their consequences

Infotainment systems

• Bang & Olufsen Sound System- optional
• Rear seat entertainment
• Audi Music interface

Drivetrain

• One gasoline engine: 4.2 FSI 273 kW (372 hp)
• Two diesel engine: 3.0 TDI 184 kW (250 hp) and 4.2 TDI 258 kW (350 hp)
• Newly developed, electronically controlled eight-speed tiptronic standard
• quattro all-wheel drive standard

Chassis

• Lightweight suspension, balanced axle load distribution
• Audi drive select driving dynamic system including standard air suspension and adaptive damping

Toyota to launch new version Camry in India on Aug 24

Toyota to launch new version Camry in India on Aug 24

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) is all set to launch its new premium version luxury car 'Camry' in the country on August 24.

The model would be assembled at the company's Bangalore facility.

"We are going to launch Camry on the 24th of this month in New Delhi...," TKM Deputy Managing Director (Marketing) Sandeep Singh told PTI here.

Declining to give out details on the features of the new car, he said its components would be imported and assembled at the Bangalore plant.

"We have enough space there to produce the car," he said.

TKM, a joint venture between Japan's Toyota Motor Corp and the Kirloskar Group, had introduced Camry in India as a Completely Built Unit from Japan. Camry is one of the largest selling cars for Toyota globally.

The company currently offers its popular Multi-Utility Vehicle 'Innova', hatchback and sedan 'Etios Liva' and 'Etios', 'Corolla Altis' and Sports Utility Vehicle 'Fortuner'.

TKM has two manufacturing facilities in India with a total capacity of three lakh units.

The first plant manufactures Innova and Fortuner and the second plant Etios, Etios Liva and Corolla Altis.

Replying to a query on market remaining sluggish, Singh said Toyota did quite well in terms of sales.

"We are doing quite well in terms of sales. We are targeting to sell 1,70,000 units this year, compared to 1,31,000 units (last year)...," he said.

TKM has reported a seven% increase in sales at 14,574 units during July, 2012. It had sold 13,592 units in July last year.

On TKM's proposed engine plant in Bangalore, Singh said it would begin production this month.

The plant would cater to Toyota's hatchback Etios and Etios Liva, with a combined investment of Rs 500 crore.

In addition to engines, TKM is scheduled to start producing transmissions for 'Etios' and 'Etios Liva' in early 2013. Exports of the transmissions are also being planned, a company official said.

Singh was here to flag off their first ever 'Etios Motor Racing' at the Irungattukottai race track here.

"We want to generate awareness about F1 racing in India... We have shortlisted 25 drivers who are trained by us. These drivers will participate in next year Etios racing," he said.

TKM Managing Director Hiroshi Nakagawa said in a statement, "We are very happy that EMR is seen as an ideal grass-roots category for young drivers to learn and make their way up in the motorsport ladder".

Volkswagen Beetle Diesel tuned by ABT Sportsline ,

ABT Sportsline, the motor racing and auto tuning company based in Germany have turned their attention to the new Volkswagen Beetle giving it a number of power upgrades along with cosmetic changes.  The tuners have given its engine various upgrades which enhances power from the new 2.0 TDI engine from 138 hp to 168 hp while torque is increased from 320 Nm to 370 Nm. This also contributes to better acceleration timing from 9.4 seconds to 8.8 seconds for 0-100 kmph.

Mechanical upgrades include lower suspension spring kit and double walled stainless steel rear silencers. In the front are headlight brows and front spoiler. Also seen are twin oval exhaust pipes, head and tail lamp covers and license plate insert.

Customers will be given an option between alloy wheels in 18" or 20" along with high performance tyres. The new 2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI is expected to hit company showrooms in August, prices are slated to begin from $23,295 onwards.

Porsche Panamera: White Storm Edition von Anderson

Porsche Panamera: White Storm Edition von Anderson

Als Porsche 2009 seinen Panamera auf den Markt gebracht hat, ist der Autobauer durchaus ein Wagnis eingegangen – vier Türen und ein Frontmotor passten auf dem ersten Blick so gar nicht zum Zuffenhauser Sportwagenhersteller. Der Panamera schlug allerdings voll ein und auch immer mehr Tuner machen sich an der Oberklasse zu schaffen. Mit der White Storm Edition des Veredlers Anderson auf Basis des Porsche Panamera GTS gesellt sich nun ein besonders spektakuläres Modell hinzu.

Mittels einer Softwareoptimierung und einer per Fernbedienung regelbaren Klappenabgasanlage kitzelt Anderson insgesamt 508 PS aus dem Wagen heraus. Allein die Anlage verschafft dem Porsche 17 zusätzliche Pferdestärken.

Optisch hat die White Storm Edition von Anderson ein ansehnliches Bodykit vorzuweisen, das unter anderem eine Frontschürze, eine Sportmotorhaube mit dezenten, seitlichen Lufteinlässen, Seitenschweller und eine Heckschürze umfasst. Die an der Front mit markanten Umrandungen ausgestatteten Scheinwerfer lassen den Panamera aggressiver aussehen. Die Heckleuchten und Scheiben tönt Anderson. Außerdem legt der Tuner den Porsche um 30 Millimeter tiefer.

Nicht zuletzt verpasst der Tuner seiner White Storm Edition eine seidenmatt-weiße Komplettlackierung. Damit soll der modifizierte Sportwagen wohl glatt als Fahrzeug der Sturmtruppen aus “Star Wars” durchgehen – die Namensgebung lässt Derartiges zumindest stark vermuten.

Damit nicht genug, kommen glänzend schwarze Felgen im Format 10×22 Zoll mit einer 265/30-22er Bereifung beziehungsweise in 11×20 Zoll mit 295/25-22er Pneus zum Einsatz. Wie Anderson verlauten lässt, sollen die schicken Felgen sogar im Dunkeln leuchten. Apropos Leuchten: Am Unterboden sind vier LED-Strahler angebracht!

Auch im Innenraum macht sich Anderson zu schaffen und spendiert jede Menge Leder und Alcantara mit vornehmen weißen Rautennähten. Ein besonderes Interieur-Paket in Weiß-Carbon umfasst des Weiteren veredelte Zier- und Einstiegsleisten, ein ergonomisch modelliertes Sportlenkrad sowie die Mittelkonsole. Ein besonderes Highlight ist sicherlich auch die weiße Fußraumbeleuchtung mit Dimmfunktion. Damit die Titelmusik von “Star Wars” in bester Qualität zu hören ist, installiert Anderson ein High-End Soundsystem mit Verstärker und Subwoofer.

MTM Power Boosts the Audi A6 3.0 BiTDI

The German tuners are back with another project based on the twin-turbo diesel A6.

MTM has been busy preparing aftermarket programs for the KTM X-Bow and the McLaren MP4-12C, however it was only a matter of time until the Bavarians got back to what they do best - creating powerful and stylish Audis. Their latest project is based on the 3.0-liter biturbo diesel-powered Audi A6. Two power levels are being offered by MTM for the 3.0 BiTDI, the first featuring an ECU revamp and stoking the engine's output up from 309 horsepower and 480lb-ft of torque to 365 and 560, respectively.

The first stage prices at €1,700 and for an additional €100, MTM says a further reprogramming of the ECU tweaks output up to 381hp and 575lb-ft.MTM has also made available two sets of aftermarket brakes to handle all of that added power. Smaller 380x34mm brake discs with 8-piston calipers will set you back €4,900 while bigger 405x26mm discs cost €6,400 and require wheels of at least 20-inches. The Germans offer alloys from 18- to 20-inches, each available for an additional fee. For those Audi owners who crave even more customization, MTM is offering an F-Cantronic ECU for the sporty hatch's air suspension system.

The system commands a further €1,740 and allows the front-end to be lowered by as much as 25mm and 20mm at the back.Check out the MTM power boost for the torque-happy Audi A6 3.0 BiTDI in the photos below.

Audi Rolls Out New A8 in India

NEW DELHI–Audi AG Friday introduced a refreshed version of the A8 L luxury sedan in India as part of a plan to try and power past German rivals Daimler AG and BMW AG in the Southeast Asian country by 2015.

Audi will sell the new A8 L for 10.08 million rupees ($180,404) at showrooms in Mumbai, its India unit said.

The model will compete with BMW’s 7-series sedan and the S-class sedans sold by Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz brand in India.

Audi also sells the A4, S4, A6, A7 and A8 sedans, and sports cars RS5, TT Coupe and R8 in India.

The Volkswagen AG unit’s sales in July rose 98% in July to 680 vehicles.

Audi cars felicitated with awards in July 2012

Audi cars are known the world over. In the month of July, Audi various Audi cars have been felicitated with different awards. Audi A3 has been the recipient of three prestigious awards during the past month. The Best of the Best award was presented to Audi A3 for its spectacular interior design. The company has ensured that the new design seen in the Audi A3 is one of sporty elegance and exclusive quality. Audi A3 also received an award for its exterior design while the same vehicle received an award in the Connectivity category.

Besides A3, Audi e bike was also the recipient of an award for parts and accessories category. These awards will be handed over to the company in a formal event held as part of Automotive Designers' Night at upcoming 2012 Paris Motor Show.

Earlier in July Audi Q7 also received the 2012 Best Value Award from United Services Automobile Association. Audi Q7 offers best fuel economy, low insurance rates and budget friendly costs and is considered a best buy for auto consumers. 2012 is the second year in a row that Audi Q7 has been selected by USA.

Audi A1 Sportback received the award for Subcompact Car Champion over a total of 23 competitors. It was voted top in this category by a total of 32,000 readers while a ten member reader jury evaluated the finalists out of which Audi A1 Sportback emerged a winner.

Read the press release below for more information.

News Release

Awards for Audi in July 2012

Three awards for the Audi A3

At this year's Automotive Brand Contest, three of the awards went to the Audi A3. The highest accolade, the Best of Best, went to the new model for its interior design. Audi Head of Design Wolfgang Egger: "The award confirms the efforts our design makes in order to create an ambience that is full of sporty elegance, precision and quality." The A3 also received an award for its exterior design, while the Audi A3 connect options collected an award in the Connectivity category. The Audi e-bike Wörthersee was among the prizewinners in the Parts and Accessories category. The German Design Council organizes the Automotive Brand Contest, an international brand and design contest that is being held for the second time this year. Audi will collect the award officially as part of the Automotive Designers' Night to be held on the first press day of the 2012 Paris Motor Show.

Audi A1 Sportback is "Subcompact Car Champion"

In a comparison of subcompact cars conducted by "AUTO TEST" and "ZF Friedrichshafen AG", the Audi A1 Sportback won through against 23 competitors. In an online poll, around 32,000 readers voted it one of their top ten favourite subcompact cars. A ten-member reader jury then evaluated the finalists in the categories "On-road", "Static", "Dynamics", "Emotion" and "Purchase". The Audi A1 Sportback scored the most points in these tests, making it the "Subcompact Car Champion".

Double victory for the Audi A6 design

The Audi A6 Sedan was awarded one of the most prestigious design awards in the United States, receiving the International Design Excellence Award 2012 (IDEA) for its innovative product design. Audi Head of Design Wolfgang Egger: "The award demonstrates that our design idiom also goes down well in the United States."

Its dynamic looks and successful interplay of Audi design idiom and innovative technology gave the A6 Sedan the edge as far as the jury from the Industrial Designers Society of America was concerned. In addition to the IDEA award, the Audi A6 family also won the red dot award for its unique product design. The Audi Design Team collected the coveted benchmark of quality during the red dot presentation ceremony in Essen on July 2.

China: Audi very much in demand among new car buyers

In the "China New-Vehicle Intender Study 2012", J.D. Power Asia Pacific examined which new models customers intended to buy within the next twelve months. The survey, published at the end of June, included a total of 52 car brands with 171 models in eleven segments. Three Audi models came top in their segment. The Audi A4 L took first place in the entry premium segment. The Audi A6 L beat eight competitor models in its segment. In the premium SUV segment, the Audi Q5 succeeded in fending off twelve rivals. Audi is consequently the most popular premium brand among new customers.

Overall victory for Audi A8 in U.S. study "J.D. Power APEAL"

The Audi A8 was named the most attractive luxury-class saloon in the US "J.D. Power APEAL" study and is at the same time the most successful model across all categories. The Audi A6 also received a very positive response from participants in the study, and took first place in the upper midsize category.

The US study measures how satisfied customers are with a new car during the first 90 days – taking into account factors such as model design and performance. The Audi A8 received maximum points in this year's study, the 17th time it has taken place. APEAL stands for Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout.

Audi is the most popular car brand in Germany

According to a representative survey conducted on behalf of consulting firm "Brandmeyer brand consultancy", Audi is the second most popular brand in Germany, making it the top brand among car manufacturers. Number one spot in the survey was taken by sport and clothing brand Adidas. In the survey, market research institute forsa asked more than 3,000 individuals aged over 14 to name their favourite brand.

Audi keen to be leader in Indian luxury market

Launches Audi A8 L sedan priced at Rs.1.075 crore (ex-showroom Maharashtra)

German luxury car maker Audi is on track to achieve its target of 8,000 unit sales in 2012 in India and, in fact, expects to beat it.

Speaking at the launch of Audi’s latest offering for India, the Audi A8 L 4.2 TDi, Michael Perschke, Head, Audi India, said, “We have always said we will be the leading luxury car manufacturer in India by 2015 and we now feel that could be achieved by 2014.”

For the six months ended June 2012, the company sold 4,680 units, a 49 per cent growth over the year-ago period while in July, it sold 680 units, a 98 per cent jump over July 2011.

The Audi A8 L sedan launched on Friday has a 4.2 litre TDI V8 engine and is priced at Rs.1.075 crore (ex-showroom Maharashtra). It has an aluminium body and luxury interiors, assistance and safety systems, including optional night vision assistant and optional Bang & Olufsen sound system with rear seat entertainment.

“The growth in the first-half of 2012 puts India among the top three markets for Audi. We are now number two in the Indian luxury car market which offers huge long-term growth potential. We have already been the leader in China for 20 years.”

Mr. Perschke said there was no change in Audi’s strategy for India.

“It is working very well for us. Last year, we launched five products here and this year already we have introduced five more.” Growth for Audi India came from the Audi A6, Audi A4 and the Audi Q3, which was launched in June. It saw 500 bookings in five days and Audi delivered 200 in June and according to the Audi India head, 200 more will be delivered this month and the next due to supply constraints.

The company expects to sell 400-450 units of A8 this year. “We will start assembling Q7 at end-2012 and we expect to sell a minimum of 1000-1500 units per annum. We will also start assembling the Q3 and have a pipeline of 2-3 more products over the next 18-24 months.”

He said that in terms of manpower, the company has around 600 employees but that number will cross 700 by December 2012.

Porsche 918 Spyder

Porsche 918 Spyder – now dressed in Martini livery

It’s a nod to the past with the return of an iconic livery. As Porsche’s development programme on its 918 Spyder continues, the company has decided to mix it up a little and give the car a new dress, in the striking form of Martini Racing colours.

The latest test vehicle is now turning laps in the getup scheme that graced many a historic Porsche race car, especially those from the 1970s, when Martini was the official partner of the Porsche factory team between 1973 and 1978. Implemented in a wide variety of forms, the memorable Martini Racing design was a familiar sight during that era.

Now, Porsche has signed an agreement with Bacardi, the folk behind Martini, to make a new edition of the livery available exclusively to the 918 Spyder. With the 770 hp hybrid continuing to undergo driving trials at the Nurburgring, those puttering about the 20.8 km-long Nordschleife should be well able to catch the new ‘un parading the blast from the past.

2013 Porsche Boxster S Full Test

Porsche's fully redesigned 2013 Boxster S is a little like agave nectar.

Agave nectar, to some ever-optimistic and relentlessly healthy people, is a substitute for sugar. A substitute. A gap filler. An imitation. But a viable alternative? Maybe. Maybe not.

The problem for Porsche and its Boxster is similar.

Genuine Article?
Placing the Boxster's engine between its wheels makes a statement. To those who consider such things carefully, it's the proper placement for leveraging physics for maximum performance. The Boxster's power output and position in the Porsche lineup, however, say something altogether different. More like, entry-level.

That the entry-level Porsche offers the most physically effective packaging seems at first like a mildly disguised blessing for enthusiasts. Problem is, Boxsters with even a few options are still far from cheap. Case in point: our test car and its $84,120 price tag. Nothing entry-level about that.

In fact, that sum will get you a freshly redesigned 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera. And even a stripper Carrera comes with 35 more horses and the status of being Porsche's premier sports car.

In fairness, this six-speed, 315-horsepower Boxster S is wildly over-optioned. Base price for the 2013 Porsche Boxster S is $61,850 including destination. Ours adds the $5,265 Premium package with adaptive sport seats, the $3,860 Infotainment package with Bose surround sound, plus 13 other wallet-hammering add-ons. Conspicuously absent, however, are the two most potent performance-enhancing options: the $7,400 Porsche Carbon Ceramic Brake package and the $3,200 dual-clutch PDK transmission.

Let that sink in. Meanwhile, let's talk about how it drives, shall we?

Drive It Hard
Release the Boxster's clutch for the first time and you'll immediately notice that its tall gearing demands deliberate inputs. Stop on a hill and — even with the hill-hold feature — you'll need a pedal full of revs to pull away confidently. This isn't a problem so much as it is a characteristic that defines the way this car — and all Porsches, for that matter — rewards a confident driver.

And reward it does. Once under way, there are few driving experiences as fully engrossing as the Boxster's. Even the new 911 struggles to provide this level of confidence, and we're not the first to observe that a Boxster or Cayman with equal power might prove to be a better overall package.

Drive the Boxster deep into a corner, release its brake at the last second and it ruthlessly follows steering inputs. Part of this is Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) selectively activating the brake on the inside rear to make the car's rotation precisely follow steering inputs. It's a little piece of magic that Porsche has tuned brilliantly to work with the mechanical limited-slip differential included in the PTV package.

But the simple confidence of mass centralization also does a large part of the work. Midengine cars, we're convinced, are a love-it-or-hate-it affair. You can either tolerate their immediate responses or you can't. You either like the microscopic adjustments they're capable of or you don't. Your hands are either fast enough or they're not.

If your hands happen to be fast enough, your confidence high enough and your foot heavy enough, the Boxster will eat up a technical road quicker than any car sold today. The steering response is mind-warpingly rapid, even though the electric assist robs some of the feel. Power, while not fear-producing, is substantial enough to land a novice in trouble. And even the standard steel brakes don't fade.

This, in other words, is very much a tool for serious drivers.

Striking the Right Balance
Here are two things you also might want to know about the new 2013 Porsche Boxster S. First, its lateral acceleration, at a nice even 1.0g, is better than the lightweight, wholly uncompromised, utterly focused, bikini-top-wearing 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder.

Second, its 72.8-mph slalom speed happens to be better than the last all-new 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S we tested. Clearly, this car is far from entry-level.

It also stops in 103 feet from 60 mph — within 1 foot of both the above-mentioned cars. That's not only a short stop, but the standard steel brakes hold up well even after repeated runs. Hard to imagine that the optional carbon brakes would be much better.

© Edmunds.com

BIKE ZONE

2012 Honda CBR150R vs Yamaha R15 v2.0

They say it never gets lonely at the top. In the entry level sportsbike segment the R15 was the undisputed king till the CBR250R came along. Being the more focused machine among the two, the R15 remained king of the ring and gave a lot of youngsters the chance to enter the motorsport scene. Then came the KTM 200 Duke and made the R15 feel insecure with its manic temperament and never-before-seen styling. Now there's yet another rival in the arena. It is Honda's attempt at eating some of the R15's pie. Say hello to the new Honda CBR150R .

Styling and Build

The R15 has been around since 2008. Even when the motorcycle had a midlife refresh last year, Yamaha decided to work primarily on the rear end. This means the bike still uses a four-year-old front end that we are all too familiar with. But this does not mean that the Yam is a bad looking motorcycle. It is one of the edgiest and most aggressive designs in the market today. The aggression is carried over to the rear as well with the version 2.0's R6-inspired tail section and split seat. The CBR is a fresher package with the VFR-inspired styling which has been carried over from the CBR250R but has undergone some minor changes. For example the plastic around the headlight has a small dip right in the middle, there is a shorter stubbier silencer and completely new graphics. Talking about colours, the CBR gets some very interesting options with the flagship orange and white, a green and black, a white and black as well as a red and white paint job. The R15 meanwhile opts for the tried and tested blue, red and black colours. There is also a very interesting red flame paint job and a 50th anniversary red and white livery that is now on offer. Both motorcycles are evenly matched in the build quality department and come with their own sets of flaws. The CBR for example has the same switchgear from the CBF Stunner and lacks an engine kill switch and a pass button. The R15 on the other hand does not have grab rails for the pillion which considering the high, split seat is a bit of a concern.

Engine and Performance

Both motorcycles use electronically fuel injected, liquid cooled four stroke engines that are 149.4cc (Honda) and 149.8cc (Yamaha). While displacement is pretty much similar the difference is in the bore and stroke. The CBR150R has a bore of 63.5mm with a stroke of 47.2mm. The oversquare layout of the engine points to a very high revving unit that makes its peak power of 17.82PS at a tall 10,500rpm. The R15 on the other hand has a bore and stroke of 57mm and 58.7mm. Unlike the Honda the R15 makes its peak power of 17PS at a very accessible 8500rpm. While you can argue that the high revving characteristic of the CBR makes it perfect for the racetrack, let's face it - not many of the people who buy the CBR will use it extensively at the track? The R15 with its powerband resting around 8500rpm makes for a much more usable motorcycle in real life.

The difference becomes even more apparent when you look at the torque figure of 12.66Nm that the CBR makes against the 15Nm that the R15 makes. The R15 even makes its peak torque at 1000rpm lower than the CBR. In real life this translates to fewer gearshifts and hence a more relaxed ride. In our performance runs the R15 managed a 0-100kmph run in 13.07 seconds while the CBR took 13.23 seconds. While the difference might not be much, the way the R15 delivers its power is where the difference lies. The moment you drop a gear the Yam instantly responds, making for a very involving ride. The CBR on the other hand feels sluggish and lazy. Coercing any kind of urgency from the motor is a task in itself. You need to work the gearbox and rev it right till the end to make it go quick. Ride it hard enough and you can post a quarter mile time of 18.62 seconds which is only marginally worse than the R15's 18.25 seconds. And it is not just in acceleration, even in our top speed test the R15 emerged victorious with a max velocity of 131.7kmph (130.74kmph for the CBR).

So far, the R15 has managed to best the CBR at everything from the fun factor to top speed and acceleration. But the one area where the CBR wins hands down is in engine refinement. Where the R15 is quite smooth though loud at higher revs, the CBR is a typical Honda - silky smooth. And it is not just in refinement that the CBR wins. The Honda is way more efficient than the R15. It returns 67.5kmpl on the highway and 44.8kmpl in the city making for an overall efficiency of 50.5kmpl. The R15 on the other hand returns only 53.4kmpl on the highway and 36.3kmpl in the city. This is a difference of almost 10kmpl in overall efficiency.

Ride and Handling

One of the most striking differences between the two motorcycles is in the way they handle. We tested both motorcycles in wet conditions so traction was at a premium. The very first thing you will notice is that going into corners, the R15's front end feels more planted. There is more confidence going in and coming out of corners. Especially in exits you don't have to keep the revs at the limiter to accelerate out. The CBR on the other hand feels front heavy and you cannot throw it into corners as easily as the R15. The fact that the Honda uses a 100 section tyre in front as against the 90 section tyre on the R15 is one of the reasons for this. Also, like Shumi said in the road test last month, there just isn't enough grunt to power out of corners and make a quick exit. Another point to be noted is the difference in tyres. Most entry level sports bikes in India now come with soft compound rubber. The first-gen R15 set the standard for this with its super sticky MRFs. The version 2.0 continues this tradition. The CBR however opts for more durable harder compound rubber from MRF and this hinders its handling a great deal. Especially in wet conditions, you can feel the tyres losing grip and almost washing out at the slightest hint of lean. So, where the R15 goes flying through corners in the rain (not as fast as it would have in dry conditions, but fast nonetheless) the CBR gets left behind. The lack of grip is evident under hard braking as well. Where the R15 takes 16.69m to come to a halt from 60kmph, the CBR takes 18.63m even though both use a 276mm disc at the front and 220mm at the rear. This is not only due to the fact that there is not enough grip in the tyres, but also because the CBR's brakes lack the kind of bite that the R15's have.

The CBR however is not sprung as hard as the R15 is. This means that the Honda has a suppler ride and will not rattle your bones like the R15. This, added to the fact that the R15 has a way more aggressive riding position, makes the CBR a very comfortable bike to ride. On the other hand the softer setup will mean that the Honda will not be able to keep up with the R15 when ridden right at the limit. Of course, we will only be able to say this with authority once we unleash them at the racetrack.

Verdict

The CBR150R costs Rs 1.27 lakh while the R15 costs Rs 1.25 lakh (both ex-Mumbai). Both bikes look good, even if the R15 is a bit dated. The build quality too is pretty much the same. When it comes to performance however, the R15 is clearly the winner. It accelerates harder, goes faster and corners better. The CBR150R on the other hand is more efficient and more comfortable to ride. Sadly for the CBR, these are not qualities we look for in a sportsbike, whether entry level or not. So essentially, if you buy an R15 you will have a quicker, faster, better handling bike for Rs 2,000 less than the CBR. A good deal if you ask me.