Indian Car Blog – Carazoo.com

Long Waiting Period For Tata Nano is Dangerous

The saga of Tata Nano woes seem to be far from over. Even as the first batch of cars is being delivered to its customers, bookings in Punjab are being cancelled rapidly by its buyers. And the reason -these customers do not want to wait long to receive delivery of the Nano car.

Since, Tata Motors has a restricted production capacity of 1 lakh car annually, delivery of cars will be slow. It is expected to be in batches of a specified number. The delivery of first one lakh cars is likely to be completed by the end of this fiscal year by March 2010.

Tata Motors has sent letters to those who have been allocated the world’s cheapest car and has also given details about the delivery schedule. After the bookings were closed, Tata Motors had garnered 2.03 lakh bookings.

Those who are scheduled to receive their Tata Nano cars in the latter half of this fiscal year, are voicing their dissatisfaction. Some of those who had agreed to retain their bookings are also expected to cancel them as new car launches entice them with attractive offers.

If this happens the future of Tata Nano may be in danger. Tata Motors will have to soon overcome these drawbacks to provide quick delivery of the cars. It is not ease for the company as it will require huge investment and time before fruitition of its plans. It has none of them as of now.

The only way Tata Motors can come out of this maze is by some aggressive campaigning. It should ensure that people do not take Tata Nano lightly, despite its small price tag.

posted by admin @ Tuesday, July 28th, 2009 1 Comment » links to this post

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July 28, 2009

BMW Adds New Varients To Its 7-Series

The 7-Series luxury cars of BMW epitomize style, power, performance, and comfort. The next generation 7-Series can give any other car a complex with its smooth lines and wide, intimidating stance.

The German car maker has enhanced the BMW 7-Series lineup even more by adding two new varients such as the all-new 760i and the stretched wheelbase 760Li.

These new additions to the 7-Series will be powered by direct injected TwinPower Turbo V12 that displaces a huge 6.0 Liters. A brand new eight-speed automatic transmission is mated to the V12 engine to handle the robust power of 544 bhp.

The new BMW 760i and the BMW 760Li are decked-up with ground-breaking technologies like Dynamic Damping Control and Integral Active Steering that adds to the joy and comfort of driving.

Dynamic Damping Control as part of the Dynamic Drive Control system is just a slight push of a button away located on the centre console. The luxury cars will also flaunt anti-roll stability control as part of the Dynamic Drive system.

The new Integral Active Steering improves agility and performance of the car by controlling the steering on the rear wheels. These luxury cars will also feature speed-related Servotronic steering assistance to make things handy and comfortable for the driver.
There are much more to these! The longer BMW 760Li will come with high tech gadgets like air suspension with a self-leveling rear axle.

Coming to the exterior of the stretched Bimmers, the new 7-Series cars will run on a set of light weight 19 inch alloy wheels. The new BMW 7-Series will also come with a few chrome-plated elements like the grill, tailpipes and chrome bar that ties the taillights together.

The A combination of powerful engine technology, efficient suspension, and effective transmission enable the new 7 Series to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds. BMW 7-Series is available in three variants, 730Ld (diesel), 740Li (petrol), and 750Li (petrol), in India.

posted by admin @ Tuesday, July 28th, 2009 1 Comment » links to this post

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July 27, 2009

Skoda Auto Opens Boutique Showrooms

Skoda Auto has now chosen to gift its loyalists and patrons a new Skoda experience. Skoda has been one of the most successful luxury car brands in India. Skoda vehicles are a common sight in the Indian road.

Now the company wants to thank to customers in a unique way. By opening a Boutique Showroom – a customer oriented showroom, which offers them an ambience of luxury and style with a high level of functionality. It will take the experience of Skoda car purchase to another level.

The first Boutique Showroom was opened in Delhi. The first one on the entire globe! At least 10 more of such boutique showrooms are scheduled to be opened in Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata and other cities.

Skoda enthusiasts will also get to shop for Skoda retail merchandise. The entire focus of the boutique showrooms will be trained towards customer satisfaction. Car buyers will be treated with all information about a potential model, Interactive screens as well as assistance is available.

The shopping experience will be unique to unique and highly advanced on all levels. All these boutique showrooms will be fully owned by the Skoda Auto India dealers.
But will Skoda Auto be able to differentiate the boutique showrooms from the existing dealerships is something they did not elaborate upon.

Skoda currently sells Skoda Superb, Skoda Laura, Octavia and Fabia models here in India.

Will the staff, the quality of service be different from what exists today? Only time has an answer for that.

posted by admin @ Monday, July 27th, 2009 1 Comment » links to this post

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July 27, 2009

HM To Bring In James Bond-like Cars

Hindustan Motors, the manufacturers of the grand old Ambassador, has always been associated with the past. But the company now wants to change its image and cater to the niche market. This actually sounds great. Please keep the updates coming you might say. Alright folks!!! Here is more- The new vehicle is likely to be along the lines of James Bond- like automobiles!

So what is this James bond like automobiles? Can it be Aston Martins or Alfa Romeo or even sleeker cars? Many of James Bond movies feature Aston Martin Cars, because of its British origin like that of the country of origin of Bond himself.

In fact, the association between the car and the character is so strong that, a mere mention of the suave cars immediately reminds Aston Martin and James Bond manning its wheel.

Hindustan Motors currently has an ongoing partnership with Mitsubishi Motors. The Japanese company has met with limited success in India. It offers imported models like the SUVs Mitsubishi Outlander and Mitsubishi Montero and Pajero and sedans like Cedia and Lancer.

But if we look back, Hindustan Motors has a track record of catering to the creamy layer of the society through its wonder car Ambassador. It has been on the face of wealth in India for many decades now.

Whatever Hindustan Motors has it in its mind, but we all are waiting with bated breath to see what the new offering from Hindustan Motors could look like? Did someone just say Aston Martin was on its way to India???

Watch this space for more!!!

posted by admin @ Monday, July 27th, 2009 Comments Off links to this post

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July 27, 2009

Details Of The Ghost Revealed

Don’t panic! We are talking about the Rolls Royce Ghost which is India bound. The upcoming luxury car also called the Baby Rolls Royce will be inaugurated in India by the end of 2009, a year marked by the maximum car launches in India till date.

Rolls Royce Motor Cars has recently announced the details of its luxury car, The Rolls Royce Ghost. The car will be powered by a brand new 6.6 litre turbo charged V12 engine which unique to the Rolls-Royce. The V12 engine will be mated to an 8-speed automatic ZF gearbox. This engine will produce 563 bhp and can accelerate to 100 km in 5 seconds. The Ghost can cover 249.45 km/h.

The Rolls-Royce Ghost will come with an intelligent four corner air suspension system that uses multi link aluminum front and rear axles. The fully integrated system allows each of the Ghost’s dynamic handling systems to work together in harmony, providing the optimum levels of refinement and comfort at all times.

Noise from engine, exhaust and even tyre has been engineered to be inaudible as far as possible, both internally and externally. The car will have significant levels of low down torque which makes driving experience comparable to the legendary “Magic Carpet” ride.
The Ghost will come with all the exclusive Rolls Royce features. This car termed as “Rolls you can drive everyday” will share paint, wood and leather workshops with the Phantom series of cars.

The luxury car is likely to get a price sticker between Rs 1.2 crore to Rs 1.4 crore. Rolls Royce currently sells the Phantom, the Phantom Coupe, and the Phantom Drophead Coupe in India.

posted by admin @ Monday, July 27th, 2009 Comments Off links to this post

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July 27, 2009

Hyundai i10 To Be Powered By Diesel

Kindled by the success of the petrol-driven Hyundai i10 here in India, the Korean car major, Hyundai, has scheduled a diesel version of the Hyundai i10 by next year.

The new diesel version of the i10 is likely to come with a 1.1 L CRDi engine. This diesel engine will be more fuel efficient and will offer improved drivability due to its higher torque output compared to the petrol. The diesel version of the compact car is expected to be expensive compared to the petrol-powered i10.

Though the car’s transmission will be built in its Chennai plant, Hyundai Motor India will be importing the engines from its parent company in South Korea. At present, the Indian arm of the Korean automaker has a petrol engine plant at Sriperumbudur near Chennai which makes Kappa and Gamma engine.

Hyundai is the second largest car manufacturer in India. Hyundai holds a market share around 20 per cent in the passenger cars segment. The Korean car company is counting to scale it up to over 25 per cent by 2012. In order to strengthen its hold further in the car market, Hyundai Motor Company has plans to launch new cars in India.

The i10 diesel is going to be the smallest diesel car in India. Hyundai has recently introduced the diesel variant of the i20 in India. It is also planning to roll out the entire i-series cars in Indian car bazaar.

posted by admin @ Monday, July 27th, 2009 2 Comments » links to this post

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July 24, 2009

Panamera to Debut in India by October

Porsche’s newest in the car; the Porsche Panamera will be inaugurated in India during mid-October.

The Porsche Panamera is a luxury sedan that was exhibited in 13th Auto Shanghai on 19th April, 2009. It marks the first ever four-door premium luxury sports car from the esteemed German luxury carmaker.

This upcoming sedan from Porsche will come with a 4.8 litre V8 direct fuel injection engine. The dynamic Porsche Panamera 4S, boasts of a 4.8-litre V8 that can power 400 bhp. The engine is mated to Porsche’s seven-speed PDK Doppelkupplungsgetriebe for all four wheel drive.

This sedan can accelerate to 0-100 km in 5 seconds and can reach a top speed of 282km/h. The Panamera Turbo is available in a 4.8-litre V8 twin turbo that can give a power output of 500bhp with power transmitted again by Porsche’s seven-gear Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK).

The Panamera features avant-garde technologies, world-class engineering and fascinating design to seduce new customers. The low-sleek silhouette of the high-end sedan is mesmerizing. There are five new cutting-edge technologies that make their world debut in the Panamera.

Some of them are the start-stop system in conjunction with automatic transmission, air suspension with additional air volume available on demand in each spring and active aerodynamics with an adjustable, multi-dimensional, extendable rear spoiler on the Panamera Turbo.

The Porsche Panamera is likely to be priced between Rs 1.42 to Rs 2.02 crore (ex-showroom Delhi) which is inclusive of VAT and import duty. The sedan will be positioned against the BMW 7-series and Audi A8 in the Indian market.

posted by admin @ Friday, July 24th, 2009 2 Comments » links to this post

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July 24, 2009

F2 Ace Henry Surtees Killed in Race Track

Formula 2 car racer Henry Surtees, son of the legendary F1 race champion and MotoGP champion John Surtees, was killed in a fatal accident at the Brands Hatch F2 race in England on July 19.

The 18-year old, Henry Surtees was injured on the tracks while racing when he was hit on the head by a flying wheel that dislodged from a spinning race car which went off track. Henry lost his control and hit the barriers before the vehicle came to a halt. He had lost consciousness and was rushed to a medical centre immediately. Unfortunately Henry Surtees succumbed to the injuries.

The event organizers called off the race immediately. Henry Surtees was a promising driver just like his father and had a promising race car career ahead of him. In fact Henry had secured the first podium finish with a third place in the new series on July 18. Fate had other things written for him.

Formula 2 or F2 was revived in 2009 to act as the main feeder series for the Formula One racing. Following an absence of about 25 years, F2 returned this year to give young drivers a chance to compete in the highest level of motorsports. The F2 car racing fall in between F1 and F3 racing events.

Henry’s father, John Surtees had an illustrious racing career with 6 wins and 24 podium finishes in the F1. He also has to his credit, 38 Moto GP wins and 45 podiums finishes. He is also the only man to have won world titles for four wheels and two wheels racing.

posted by admin @ Friday, July 24th, 2009 Comments Off links to this post

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July 24, 2009

Ferraris to Grace Indian Roads

It is time to rejoice, Ferrari fans!

It has been revealed that Fiat Group and Tata Motors are in discussion to bring in Ferrari and Maserati cars brands to India. The two proposed car brands come under Fiat’s portfolio.

The Italian car honcho Fiat, has joined hands with Indian car maker, Tata Motors, to venture into the Indian car market. The two big conglomerates are putting their heads together on “sharing new car platforms” and they also have an intention of bringing in the Iveco brand, Fiat’s truck and bus subsidiary, to India soon.

Tata Motors has recently joined the league of luxury car sellers by acquiring the British brands Jaguar and Land Rover from US automaker Ford last year. The Jaguar and Land Rover brands have been launched in India last month.

Moreover, the duo is taking into account the introduction of the world’s cheapest car Tata Nano in Latin America, where Fiat has already secured a foot hold. Tata Motors is considering exporting the Nano to Europe, South America and Southeast Asia.

Ferrari and Maserati are Italian car manufacturers involved in the production of sports cars and luxury cars. Fiat sold a 50 per cent share of Maserati to Ferrari in 1997 and two years later Ferrari took full control of Maserati, making it its luxury division.
It would not be long for us in India to see the gleaming Ferraris and Sporty luxurious Maseratis rule the Indian road space.

posted by admin @ Friday, July 24th, 2009 2 Comments » links to this post

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July 24, 2009

Mahindra Proves its Worth in Rally Dos Sertoes

Mahindra and Mahindra got an unexpected shot in the hand after its Mahindra Scorpio pick-up notched a much deserving third place at the tough Rally dos sertoes in Brazil recently. Mind you Mahindra Scorpio pick-up was racing against the mighty Mitsubishis, Fords and Chevrolets!

Before you fall off your seats, read this. Mahindra was not even an official entry in the rally. In fact a Brazilian Motors enthusiast, Ricardo Augusto De Souza Campos better known as Rasc in the Brazilian motoring fraternity purchased a Mahindra Scorpio pick-up in Brazil. Having been in rallies for over 25 years, this rally veteran knows a machine inside out.

The Rally dos Sertoes was the only rally he was yet to win. Rasc founded the Jeep Club of Brasilia (his home town) and so it was not lost on him that Mahindra vehicles have descended from this great brand.

The Rally dos Sertoes of Brazil is considered one of the toughest car rallying events in the world and comes second only to the legendary Dakar rally. This year the rally was spread over 11 days, 5045 km long distance. A total of 128 vehicles participated in the rally including 66 cars and seven trucks.

The Mahindra Dealership in Brazil, Govesa Mahindra helped Ricardo Augusto De Souza with service support and he soon got sponsorship to participate. The stock vehicle was completely prepared taking into consideration the regulations and mandatory safety and structural modifications demanded by the Motor sport association.

The vehicle was fitted with rally seats, a special safety cage as per FIA guidelines, a snorkel air intake, a plastic windshield, electrical safety gear plus, a sump and transmission guard. The chassis was strengthened to make the vehicle more stiff.
A larger 220 litre fuel tank was mounted on the vehicle to give it unlimited supply of fuel.

The result of the rally stumped everybody including the hardened experts. Everyone except the Campos and his son Rasquinho, who was a navigator, were surprised by the results.

Maybe we can now expect Mahindra to officially enter the Dakar rally for 2010. If that happens, it will be the first indigenously Indian built vehicle to participate in a world championship rally.