Monthly Archives: September 2009

Volkswagen at the Frankfurt

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Volkswagen Cars at Frankfurt Motor Show
German car behemoth Volkswagen has presented an update on its present and future launches at the 63rd International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt. The car company has showcased a range of nine cars at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Volkswagen will be introducing an eco-friendly car in the year 2013. This green car is named E-UP! and this will be an exciting city car with a electric motor. The E-UP will give a zero emission as well. The L1 concept car from Volkswagen is a two-seater with TDI hybrid that consumes only 1.49 litre of diesel to run 100 kilometres and emits only 39 grams of CO2 per kilometre. This car too will be hitting the roads in 2013. The Volkswagen L1 is so far the most fuel economic car of the world.

A three-door version of the Polo, which is much awaited in India, will now come in a new base version that will cost only € 12,150 in Germany. This three-door Polo is a smaller version of the five-door bestselling Polo model. The three-door Polo will be available with six engine choices and three equipment levels including Trendline, Comfortline and Highline.

Moreover, an automatic 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) will be available for the first time in the Polo lineup with this car. The BlueMotion version of the Polo also comes in three-door. This car is low on fuel consumption as well and uses just 3.3 litre of diesel to travel 100 km. The car will be powered by a 73 bhp diesel engine.

In the same way, the Volkswagen Golf can run 100 kilometres on 3.8 litres of fuel. The Golf R, an edition of the VW Golf, will carry the same 266bhp 2.0-litre turbo engine found in the Audi S3. It’s the fastest Golf ever that can propel the four-wheel-drive to 100 km in 5.5 seconds. The R stands out from the Golf crowd with a black version of the small car’s horizontal grille, as well as black side mirrors and a black rear diffuser housing dual exhaust pipes that are a signature of R-badged Golfs.

The Volkswagen Scirocco R is a sporty compact coupe with good fuel economy. The coupe will be driven by a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with direct fuel injection. The Passat CC of the R-Line package will come with modification in the inside and on the outer body. The new Passat CC will show a fuel efficiency of 4.4 litre of fuel per 100 km. A customised version of the Volkswagen Exclusive (Golf Estate) has been displayed along with the Volkswagen Bulli that comes with a good mileage tag.

It seems Volkswagen has been busy trying to set records when it comes to CO2 emissions and fuel-efficient technologies.
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Ford to Display Its Small Car This Week

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Ford Motor Company will be unveiling its much-awaited ‘small car’ in this week. This will happen as soon as in two-three days.

The US car major had launched the Ford Fiesta sedan in 2005. Since then, Ford India has not had a new product launch in India, while the company has continued to upgrade its existing product line in the country.

Ford India will launch its small car, code named B517 in March 2010. This car will be launched in an attempt to secure its presence in the country. The small car, which is expected to compete with the Hyundai i20 and the Suzuki Swift, was also showcased to its dealers in Chennai recently.

This small car will be a four-door hatchback that will be powered by an indigenous diesel and petrol engine. The engine of the small car will be manufactured at its Chennai plant.

Ford India has invested around $500 million (Rs 2,400 crore) to double the current capacity by one lakh cars and 2.5 lakh engines. Recently, the company has seen an increase in primary sales (sales from company to dealers), with the Endeavour and the Ikon maintaining their leadership positions in the premium SUV segment and mid-size segment, respectively. Ford India’s existing line-up includes the Ikon, the Fiesta, the Fusion and the hulky Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), Endeavour.

The US car major is keen to accelerate focus on emerging markets such as China and India with fuel-efficient products. Globally, consumers are seen to be moving towards fuel-efficient small cars and Ford India is currently offers cars in mid-size segments and SUV segments.
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Tata Successful in Attaining Loan from the British Government

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It seems like nothing in the world is capable of stopping the Tata Motors from its objectives and ambitions and if you have such an opinion this piece of information that you will be reading on, will give you a reason to rejoice thinking you are in the right lane of thoughts.

Tata Motors, one among the major automakers of India has been successful in attaining a loan of amount £10-million from the British Government.And the most amusing part is that it is the first time the British government is lending a loan under the British government’s £2.3-billion automotive assistance programme.

Now, the loan is for the company’s new electric car project in UK. Thinking about all possible reasons, which would have made the British government feel comfortable, and secured too, to lend Tata Motors a loan, the first few things came into mind is its plans to launch Nano in the European and American car market and its buy out of Land Rover and Jaguar.

These initiatives have surely called for global attention and now have helped the company to create such an achievement.

The company will manufacture electric cars in the UK and apart from the £10-million loan from the UK government, the company is also investing an amount of £25 million. It is said that the company is thinking about setting up a factory in the UK.

It seems Tata has foreseen this helping hand and it has developed a four-seater electric car in partnership with Norwegian group 20Miljo Grenland/Innovation and with is huge financial from the British government, the company will start the production of this car later this year in Norway.

This will surely be a give and take process as both the parties, Tata and the British car industry, will gain from it. With the help of the British government itself, Tata will soon fully overpower the fast growing green car industry.
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RR Ghost Unveiled at Frankfurt

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Rolls Royce Ghost
Ghost will haunt you day and night as it has already been launched! There is nothing supernatural about it; it is about the Rolls Royce Ghost that we are speaking about here as the it has been officially launched at the ongoing Frankfurt Motor Show.

The Ghost is a production model from Rolls Royce, which has a much informal presence than the Rolls Royce Phantom.

It is really a triumphant task to more explain about the Rolls Royce Ghost which is designed to perfection and will be subject to awe and inspiration with its prevailing, focused proportions. And it seems to surely make the whole Rolls Royce folks really proud of their creation.

The Ghost will be available in a latest, 6.6-litre twin-turbo V12 that produces 563 horsepower and 780Nm of torque and has an eight-speed shift-by-wire automatic transmission from ZF. And it will pick up the pace from zero to 100km/h in just 4.7 seconds and strike an electronically governed top speed of 248 kilometre in an hour.

The Rolls Royce Ghost rides on double-wishbone (front) and multi-link (rear) suspension and it works with an intellectual air-suspension system and electronic variable damping.

The interior of the Ghost is a perfect blend of the premium features and materials. It has the finest and highly expensive wood, leather, and other materials used for style and comfort. The interior is also fitted with the latest, entertainment and navigation electronics that is available in the car market, making this proud machine a truly supreme car.

India is now among the most promising luxury car market, and the Indian car buyers need not feel miserable, though in limited numbers, the Ghost will also be coming to the Indian car market in 2010. As the company has not mentioned about how much will it be priced in the India, there are plenty of speculations about its price.
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Fiat Grande Punto ‘Evo’lves at Frankfurt

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What would be rejoicing you the most? Reading about a car, liking it and then getting to know that it will not be launched in your car market or getting to know that it will be available in the native car market, of course it is the latter which interests you the most right? But this is not the governing factor for you to read about a new car. And now you have to read on and know more about the new Fiat Grande Punto Evo, keeping your fingers crossed and expecting it be launched in India, as you will surely love this one.

The new Fiat Grande Punto Evo, unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2009, has minor changes. On the exterior, it has a new front and rear bumpers, and the larger trunk space, improved seats and stylish dashboard in the interiors, the Punto Evo will be looking better this time. True to its name, the ‘Evo’ with its technology design and other features is readied to satisfy those customers, who will not settle even for the best.

The 1.3 second generation Multijet diesel and a 1.4 petrol engine with the revolutionary MultiAir technology are just two of the many Euro 5 engines available for the model. The Punto Evo with its Blue&Me-TomTom feature combines navigation, telephone and other functions into a colour touch screen.

With the second generation Multijet engine, the car will provide, by consuming less fuel, ten percent more power, fifteen percent more torque. The Punto, similar to that of Fiat Bravo and Fiat 500, is installed on a start-stop system.

With superior Italian designing and most modern safety features the Fiat Grande Punto Evo is a new era, evolutionary car.
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All-Electric Volvo C30 BEV

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The Swedish luxury auto manufacturer Volvo has revealed its C30 BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The car company is presently working on launching its first plug-in hybrid car by 2012. As a result, Volvo is evaluating the commercial and technological viability of the all-electric C30 BEV, which is fitted with a lithium-ion battery that can be fully charged in eight hours.

The Volvo C30 BEV has a range of 150 km. The automotive major has built a few prototype units of the C30 BEV this year, which it has been testing extensively. In addition to focusing on performance and safety, research has also been carried out on the integration of the electric propulsion system with the rest of the car.

The C30 car is the first model of Volvo that runs on electric power. The Volvo C30 BEV is excellent for driving in the city traffic and its relatively low weight makes it particularly suitable for this driving condition. As electric cars are primarily expected to be used in and around cities and for daily commuting, Volvo has paid special attention to the weight of the car and its performance in congested city conditions.

Volvo perceives that car buyers must feel that the car should be attractive both to drive and own. In order to ensure this, Volvo ensures that its electric car is comfortable and safe and offer similar levels of performance as cars that run on other power sources. The C30 BEV project will help Volvo develop more electric cars in future.

The Volvo C30 BEV is limited to a top speed of about 130km/h and it can accelerate from zero to 100km in less than 11 seconds.
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REVA Displays NXR and NXG

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India’s only Electric car maker REVA Electric Car Company has unveiled the two NXR and NXG at the Frankfurt Motor Show. It is the first time REVA has taken part in this prestigious Auto Show.

The electric car maker has revealed that the NXR (NeXt Reva) will go on sale in Europe in 2010. REVA has also announced the price of the NXR, at less than € 9,995 for the City model and the lithium-ion NXR Intercity version will be around € 14,995. But the price of the car will vary across Europe depending on taxes and subsidies. Customers will be offered the option of purchasing the car and batteries separately, or at an all-inclusive price.

Powered by a lithium-ion battery, the REVA NXR is a three-door, four-seater hatchback family car that is suitable for urban driving. The car can travel at the top speed of 104 km/h, with a range of 160 km per charge. If using the 90 minute fast charge (normal charging is eight hours), the REVA NXR offers an effective range of 320 km a day. A fast charge for 15 minutes will provide a 40 km range.

The NXR has keyless entry and operation, dual charge ports, intelligent digital display and a range of telematics. These include SMS alerts and commands such as distance-to-empty and time-to-full charge, remote cabin heat/cool, a monthly eco-drive check by email, service and insurance alerts, remote diagnostics and healing and REVive remote emergency charge. REVive is an exclusive technology of REVAthat acts like an invisible reserve fuel tank and addresses ‘range anxiety’.

If a customer runs out of charge, they can telephone or SMS REVA’s customer support centre. The advanced telematics feature will assess the car’s batteries remotely and activate a reserve amount of energy while protecting the battery life. Within minutes, a few extra kilometres of range are made available via the telematics and the driver can continue home or to a place where the NXR can be charged.

The REVA NXG (NeXt Generation) will have a range of 200 km per charge and a top speed of 130 km/h. It features the same telematics as the REVA NXR, including REVive and using the fast charge, it has an effective range of 400 kilometres a day. The REVA NXG will grace roads in 2011. The car will come with a price tag of € 23,000 excluding batteries plus a monthly mobility fee.

REVA Electric Car Company is committed to the creation of ultra low carbon cars and has only made Electric Vehicles (EVs). The REVA NXR and REVA NXG are the absolute ‘Green Cars’ that have lowest dust-to-dirt carbon footprints than any car in mass production.

The REVA NXR has been designed to use approximately 80% fewer parts than a conventional or hybrid car and will be assembled in REVA’s new ultra low-carbon assembly plant in Bangalore powered by solar energy and using natural light and ventilation and rainwater harvesting. Preparations have begun to create a ‘second life’ for the lithium batteries to optimise energy efficiency and reduce the cost to consumers via the creation of guaranteed residual values.

From 2010, REVA will publish the carbon emissions for the assembly and lifetime operation of both these new cars and by this environmental disclosure, customers can make an informed buying decision.

REVA will launch its Bangalore output with capacity of 300,000 units per year. Today, REVA is selling, or being test marketed, in 24 countries worldwide and has the largest deployed fleet of electric cars on the market with over 3,000 EVs on the road and more than 70 million kilometres of user experience.
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Greener Oils for your Engines

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The buzz at the moment, no matter whether it is the automobile sector or other industrial sectors, is going green or being eco friendly. And the haunting thoughts of a tomorrow, with so much pollution around are the reason why companies around the world are thinking ways to eradicate pollution, at least to some extent.

Enoc International Sales Ltd., a subsidiary of Emirates National Oil Company (Enoc) in United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced two new engine oils targeting a pollution-free tomorrow. The new engine oils, The Protect Green 5W 40 and Vulcan Green 10W 40 engine oils guarantees higher fuel efficiency and less pollution, and it seems to be the future of engine oils.

The engine oil could be used for both petrol and diesel engine vehicles and it is the first of its kind initiative from a UAE oil company. This engine oil will surely alter the industry standards and helps in pollution free tomorrow.

Talking about the engine oils in detail, both of them will have low content of sulphated ash and phosphorous. It takes care of the metals present in exhaust gas treatment. Even though these engine oils can be used in both petrol and diesel engine vehicles, it will be best suited for vehicles that are designed for exhaust gas emission controls and low sulfur fuels.

There have already been high praises coming up for the quality of the engine oil. According to the American Petroleum Institute (API) and major European and American original engine manufacturers’ specifications, the oils have long drain capability.

Both the engines oils are complying to the UAE emission control standards, but the Indian cars market may not have them very soon, they will have to wait a little longer to get lubricated with this Green engine oils. But whatever may, this is a really futuristic invention.
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Ford Could Bring Out its Small Car this Month

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The Indian car market is now in a glorious period. There is also a fast emerging luxury car market but the most expanding segment is that of the small car. Many companies, realizing the flowering love for the small cars in the country are coming up with new models or introducing new variants for the existing models, and so there is never a scarcity in this segment.

The next in the queue is Ford with its small car, codenamed B517. The company has been long working on the project and this seems to be the right time to make it public. The company is expected to showcase its small car in Indian this month. But the car will not hit the roads this year, it will be at least March next year for the car to get launched. After B517 gets launched in India it will also be exported globally including the African and Asia-Pacific countries.

The B517 will be available in both petrol and diesel variants. It was said that the diesel version of the car will have a 1.5-litre engine, but now it is expected to be launched powered by a 1.4-litre Duratorq engine, similar to the one used in Ford Ikon and Ford Fiesta. The other option will be a 1.2-litre petrol engine.

Chiefly designed for the Indian market, the car once launched will pose a good completion to models like the Volkswagen Polo, and new Chevy Spark. The pricing of the B517 is not yet revealed. This small car is expected to enter the Indian car market with really big promises.
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Nissan Launches Facelifted Teana And X-Trail

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The third-largest Japanese car major Nissan Motors have unveiled the facelifted Teana and X-Trail in India.



Nissan has much hope for its luxury sedan with a makeover in India. The new Teana carries a sweeping arch along the bodyline that reflects it’s graceful and distinguished image. The new Teana has bigger front grilles that impart a 3-D image. A sharp line climbs the fender from the wraparound headlamps to grab attention. The stylish integrated fog lamps on the bumpers add élan to the sedan. The exterior mirror contours are crafted to reduce wind noise. The Teana stands tall on 17-inch alloy wheels.

The new Nissan Teana sports retractable stylish glass sunroof with UV protection, which lets the rear seat passengers enjoy the sun, filling the cabin with an open air ambience. The sophisticated interior comes in convincing wood finish and simply laid-out, easy-to-use controls. The cabin gives a suite-like experience with supple leather seats, sofa-like armrests, wood grain trim and pampering ottoman-style leg-rest to support the lower legs.

The rear seats can rival any high-grade sofas with massive shoulder and back support and the space is more than adequate. There are rear air-con vents and the cabin has an airy feel. There is an LED indirect illumination on the center console that shines softly to create a more welcoming interior ambience. The soft-touch buttons and the LED indirect Illumination on front passenger and rear door grips take driving luxury to the next level.

The Nissan VQ engine series has made into World’s 10 Best Engines list for 15 years in a row. The new Teana is endowed with this reputed high performance engine. The 2.5-litre V6 DOHC engine is bigger than the old Teana’s 2.3-litre version. The engine can churn out a power of 180bhp. The new 2.5L, V6 engine provides quick response, smooth acceleration and abundance of low and mid range torque and high-end power. Moreover, the enhanced performance of the intake/exhaust system and a six-point engine mounting help to minimize noise.

The second generation model of the Teana comes in two variants in Indian market. The 2.5XL variant is priced at Rs. 21,03,000 and the 2.5XV comes with a price tag of Rs. 25,40,000 (Ex showroom, New Delhi)

The new Nissan X-trail SUV flaunts a tough, masculine, individualistic stance. The Open Window graphic with lower waistline ensures good visibility and the High Ground Clearance makes the SUV secure from all road conditions.



The Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) comes with a roof-rail with lamp that accentuates the body design of the X-Trail. The SUV sports a large sunroof that allows fresh air and bright light to come in. Coming to the interior, the new X-Trail is highly luxurious. The cabin comes in high quality beige interior finish with soft touch dashboard in chrome/silver that conveys a high quality finish. The interior is quite practical with a lot of cubby holes and cup holders and a bigger boot space with a removable drawer for added convenience.

The renovated X-Trail is fitted with the new M9R Diesel Engine under its hood. The 2L 4-cylinder in-line, turbocharged engine can tap 150 bhp. The engine ensures a smooth drive without vibration or strain like a petrol engine. The X-Trail can sprint 100 km in quick 10.88 seconds. Even though the X-Trail has been designed mostly for road use the intelligent four-wheel-drive system gives the X-Trail off-road capability too.

The new X-tail comes in three editions: LT, SLX and SLX. The LT and SLX come with a 6-speed manual transmission gearbox and the SLX AT is equipped with a 6-speed automatic gearbox.

The facelifted X-Trail is priced at Rs 20.81 Lakh for the LT, Rs 23.18 Lakh for the SLX variant and Rs 25.08 Lakh for the SLX AT (Ex-showroom, New Delhi). With a combination of a punchy and refined engine, practicality and good off-road ability, the new Nissan X-Trail is a very good buy.
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