Monthly Archives: February 2010

Extra Power for Fiat Linea from T-Jet

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Fiat Linea T-JetFiat India which is in India on its second outing has truly swept the Indian car market of its feet, thanks to the launch of the generation next models of Linea and Punto. Fiat India has been associated with the Indian car market ever since the advent of the Premier Padmini days. But now Fiat India has come out in open with all guns blazing.

Fiat Linea and Punto changed the landscape for Fiat India fortunes in India. But now Fiat has changed its strategy for India and sees Indian market as a cash cow and wants to get the best out of the market and therefore Fiat India though had launched the Fiat Linea about a year back has come out again with a new powerful engine called the T-Jet.

The Fiat Linea T-Jet was launched during the just concluded 10th Auto Expo 2010 held at New Delhi. Fiat India by launching this variant silenced the critics who had always maintained the underpoweredness of the Fiat Linea. For those who admire Fiat Linea certainly would vouch on the T-Jet.

Fiat Linea T-Jet has a 1.4 liter T-Jet Turbo charged engine which can produce the outstanding power output of 110 bhp and can generate a torque of 200 NM. Fiat Linea also will be available with a new colour shade in blue which makes the car just blue blooded. Though nothing has been changed drastically in the car appearance front Fiat Linea T-Jet surely showcases an Italian look which has been seen in Fiat Punto.

Fiat India always sticks by their motto of comfortable drive and that’s just what they have glorified with the Linea. The generously spacious interior of the Linea is a boon for the driver as well as the passengers. Fiat Linea T-Jet offers a pleasurable driving experience with its position of pedals, designing of arm rest, footrest and steering wheel alignment. The much praised “Blue&Me” system which is based on Windows Mobile Technology has been installed in this car. Five passengers may sit inside this car quite comfortably.

For the safety of the passengers parking sensors, fog lamps, ABS, EBD, two airbags and rear seat belts are present in this car. The AC is offered in this car along with climate control function. Fiat has kept the comfort and safety in mind while designing this car. Fiat Linea T-Jet is certainly the more powerful version of Fiat Linea. At around 9 Lakhs INR, this car offers a great deal.
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Delta Wing for Formula One cars of the Future

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Honda Indycar Delta wingWe have come across many fictitious gadgets or technology much ahead of its time that is shown in movies being brought out to suit our everyday needs. For example, we have seen Bond movies which has helped the evolution of many gadgets that we see around, like that of a jet pack, GPS and so on.

Well, if you are a follower and a fan of the batman series, you might be familiar with Batman’s car Batmobile. It has this huge wing which again aides its agility and again transforms this agility into speed. This again comes straight from the aircrafts which uses these wings.

In due course of time future Formula One cars also might be using these wings called Delta Wing. Delta Wings are being seriously considered as the model for a new Indaycar Formula starting in 2012.

If we go by the reports of “The Sun”, the world’s second most important single-seater series is desperate for a unique and radical new look to reinvigorate the racing, attract new fans and win back lost supporters.

Delta Wing has the support of most Indycar teams, including the Chip Ganassi Racing squad of Britain’s reigning champion Dario Franchitti. If things just go right you might see these Delta Wings in the Formula One cars in future.

The super-streamlined car, which has enclosed wheels and no aerodynamic appendages, will be capable of topping 235mph at the Indianapolis 500. Its reduced drag and light weight means it will only need a small four-cylinder 300 horsepower engine to propel it to such speeds, making it leaner and greener than the current conventional Indycars.

Yet, safety will be enhanced as the risk of cars getting airborne through interlocking wheels will be reduced. Overtaking should be easier as racers will not be trapped by turbulence caused by the wings of the car in front.

The biggest resistance in an Indycar is the drag of the exposed wheels, Delta Wing designer Ben Bowlby said. At Indianapolis, 54 per cent of the drag is from the wheels. By fairing them there is a huge efficiency improvement and today’s car is an aerodynamic brick with a huge engine that spends its life burning fuel and components,” he opined.

“It just shows how inefficient today’s cars are – and that’s not surprising because the regulations have mandated inefficiency for decades,” he added. “If this car had 500 horsepower, it would run 270mph around Indy,” he added.
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Tata Motors Foreys Into Defence Sector

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Tata Mine Protected VehicleTata Motors on Tuesday announced the launch of a Mine Protected Vehicle, as part of its strategy to enhance the scope of its defence business right up to frontline combat vehicles. The company has displayed the vehicle at the ongoing DEFEXPO India 2010.

The company, which has been a supplier to India’s defence and paramilitary forces since 1958, already offers an extensive portfolio of troop carriers and logistics vehicles. The launch of combat and tactical vehicles and equipment will allow it to leverage the entire defence mobility spectrum.

The Tata Mine Protected Vehicle is based on modular flexibility and integrates V shaped hull blast protection technology, ideally suited for counter-insurgency operations. The two roof-top hatches for observation, 9 firing ports and a 360-degree roof mounted rotating turret for an LMG/HMG weapon ensures maximum fire power. Its combat survivability comes from all round NIJ Level 3 BP protection and customer/mission specific underbelly blast protection.

The air-conditioned crew cabin also renders itself to multiple configurations for different combat roles, like a command post, emergency evacuation ambulance or a troop carrier. Crew and seating layouts from 8 to 12 troops can meet these varied operational requirements.

The 245 PS diesel engine generates a top speed of 100 kmph and a gradeability of 60%. The 860 mm ground clearance and fordability of 1000 mm ensures mobility even in the toughest terrain. Space for appropriate communication equipment and ADNAV system makes it operational even at night and in adverse weather conditions.

Besides the Army, Tata Motors will also offer the vehicle to paramilitary and police forces. The company has the ability to mobilise adequate manufacturing capacity, and will deploy its dealer/service network across the country for maintenance and service.

Apart from the mine protecting vehicle, Tata Motors also displayed the Tata 8×8 Weapon Platform which is a unique and versatile high mobility platform, capable of being configured to a host of military applications like missile/artillery and air defence weapons, surveillance equipment, communications and electronics warfare. It is already becoming the platform of choice to various weapon / missile system integrators in the role of a cost effective launcher, carrier, radar pedestal, generator van and command post.

Its 380/420 PS engine generates a speed of over 80 kmph and gradeability of up to 60%. With a fordability of 1200 mm, trench crossing ability of 2 metres, ground clearance of 400 mm, a compensating bogey suspension, wide wheel tracks it can operate under severe terrain conditions. The tiltable military cabin, compatible to up-armouring and NBC protection on demand, and traditional chassis frame ensures free accessibility to all major aggregates and lends itself to easy maintainability. The wide cabin windscreens ensure good all-around visibility.

Tata Light Specialist Vehicle (LSV): The LSV is a single platform to undertake diverse missions such as reconnaissance, counter-insurgency operations for special forces and even as an ambulance. It has an adaptive automatic transmission, 60% gradeability, 750 mm fordability, 300 mm vertical obstacle climbing ability, 45% approach angle, 45% departure angle, 250 mm ground clearance and a top speed of 100 kmph. The vehicle can operate in a temperature range of –20 degree to +55 degree Celsius.

Tata Light Armoured Troop Carrier (LATC): The LATC is designed for movement of troops for counter insurgency operation, with protection against small arm fire, floor protected against hand grenade blasts, and fuel tank bolstered with explosive suppressant material.

Armoured Tata Safari: The air-conditioned Armoured Safari, offering NIJ Level 3 protection for VVIPs, is equipped with features like hand grenade protection for underbelly, run flat tyres, five exit doors, explosive suppressant material in the fuel tank, extra wide footsteps for escorts and RYG (Red Yellow Green) indicator for escort vehicles. It comes with comfortable interiors, plush seating, and a fine-tuned suspension.

Armoured Tata Sumo: The Armoured Sumo can carry six troops for counter-insurgency operations especially in hilly off-road terrain. Six firing ports and a roof hatch ensure maximum fire power. It can move from 4×2 to 4×4 mode whilst on the move. It too offers NIJ Level 3 protection, with underbelly protection against hand grenades, run flat tyres, and five exits.


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Kudos to Volkswagen India

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Hats off to Volkswagen’s Pune plant! Being the recent recipient of the ISO 9001:2008 certification, it has set a new record for the mile. Volkswagen’s supreme quality management system has earned the award for its Pune plant. From Volkswagen‘s side Mr. Joerg Mueller who is Volkswagen Group Chief Representative, India and Managing Director and Mr. Anil Rairikar who is Managing Director, TUV India Private Limited, received the award. Mr. Muller said that the certification was yet another milestone for Volkswagen’s quality philosophy.

It was only in the year 2007 that Volkswagen started establishing its plant in Pune, India. Within a relatively short span of 17 months the plant was ready. Super cool, isn’t it? That was actually a record. To add to this, the ISO 9001:2008 certification process was started even before the complete existence of the plant. They started off with the process as early as September 2008. That again was the shortest time for a company to achieve this kind of certification.

The ISO 9001:2008 specifies the requirements for a quality management system according to which an organization has to show its ability to consistently fulfill applicable statutory and regulatory requirements along with consistent supply of products that meet customer needs. This certification definitely demonstrates Volkswagen’s quality commitment to its Indian customers. Employees at Volkswagen must have worked real hard to achieve this milestone by setting the record. The certification assures the quality of Volkswagen’s products as well as of the processes followed in the plant.

Hard work does pay, doesn’t it? Attracting fresher customers towards the Volkswagen plant will surely be much easier now, won’t it? By the way, have you heard the sizzle and the fizzle? The sizzling hot news hit my ears just a while ago.

Volkswagen Polo is all set to hit the Indian road by April this year. February 23rd happens to be the most auspicious day for disclosing the price of the hatchback, Volkswagen Polo. Let’s hope that the Polo comes with a competitive price tag. It will have to, if it wants to sustain the tough competition of the compact hatchback segment. The bottom line, however, remains that the award will prove to be a plus point. It will also provide an edge to Volkswagen’s other upcoming models over competitors that plan to launch their cars by this year end.

Recently there were rumours that big shots of the automobile industry were under fire due to quality and safety related issues in their cars. Thanks to the award, Volkswagen will not have to face any of it. Was it Volkswagen’s own growth or the enthusiastic devotion to its customers that drove the plant to achieve the award? That’s something we don’t need to bother. All that matters is that both, the manufacturers and the end customers are happy.
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2011 Nissan Juke Crossover

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2011 Nissan JukeNissan Motor Corporation aims for its new Juke crossover to at the very least, match the success enjoyed in Europe by its top-selling Qashqai. The Juke will premiere at the Geneva Motor Show next month and will be launched in Europe at the end of September.

Nissan Design Europe in London created the car with intent to merge the ruggedness of an SUV with the looks and lines of a sports car. Pierre Loing, Nissan Europe vice president of product planning, described the Juke to be “roomy yet compact, robust yet dynamic and practical yet playful.” Loing said that these seemingly contradictory qualities come together in the Juke. Nissan’s factories in Oppama, Japan, and in Sunderland, northeast England, will create the Juke.

The Nissan Juke raises the question: is this an SUV..? Especially since the lower part of the new model gives it the looks of an SUV, with bold shapes, large wheels and black moldings around the wheel wells and on the door sills. Its off road image is enhanced by big round head lights, that might make you think the Juke is bound for the Monte Carlo Rally.

Alfonso Albaisa, vice president of Nissan Design Europe, based in London, said: “We did not want to do something that is evident in this segment, like a copy cat. What we wanted was to create a design that is not common in this segment, bold and sporty. Something that people will like at first sight.”

So, the bottom part of the Juke was combined to a sporty upper part with a dropping roof line, broad shoulders and boomerang tail lights, that all hint to Nissan’s popular 370 Z. So in total, we can just sum it as a crossover.

Albaisa points at the upper section of the doors with their somewhat convex shape and says: “This is not only a styling cue taken from the Z, but it also provides more interior space. The interior looks fresh and the materials used for the seats are contemporary with mesh in a contrasting color on the outsides of the seats and back rests.

The new thing in is the soft cover for the luggage compartment that is attached to the hatch and moves upward when the hatch is opened. The advantage of using soft material is that it will not rattle when the trunk is completely full. Another new feature is de luggage floor: you lift it up and by moving it vertical, it slides out of the way between the back rests of the rear seats and the trunk. That way you can use the depth of the luggage space that under the floor panel is divided in smaller compartments.
2011 Nissan Juke
The official premier of the new Juke will be at the Geneva Motor Show on March 2, while the North American debut will be at the New York Auto Show in April. The Juke will hit the European markets in September and can be expected in North America in fall. During our first test drive, we will find out if the driving experience is as exhilarating as Nissan promises.
Well, Nissan Juke might take a while to make an entry to the Indian shores if at all it’s coming.
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Nissan Brings out its 2011 Nissan Patrol

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2011 Nissan PatrolThe image you see here is of the all new 2011 Nissan Patrol which was unveiled recently and is bound for the Middle-East to begin with. It clearly shows the shift of the design directions of the Japanese manufacturer, Nissan. The Nissan Patrol name is synonymous with ruggedness and is considered a legendary off-roader capable of going anywhere, anytime.

Under the banner of “The Hero Comes Home” the Patrol is back as an all-new seventh generation model built on a new platform, showing a radical new design, an enhanced interior comfort and luxury, new V8 engines, a 7-speed automatic transmission and a new 4WD system. According to its design director, the new Patrol is not as edgy and hardcore as its predecessor, it shows softer surfaces that add a sense of modernity to the design equation but still maintaining a ruggedness and commanding road presence.

The interior of the car features now some generous amounts of leather, polished aluminum and wood grain paneling. Nissan decided that customers need a better higher quality interior for the whole family because the car is driven off-road only 15 of the time. The new Patrol offers now over 100mm more legroom for second row passengers and a roomier third row of seats as well.

According to Nissan, the new SUV is now the most powerful vehicle in its class. Why is that? Because the newly developed ‘VK56VD’ 5.6-litre V8 engine with VVEL (variable valve event and lift) and DIG (direct injection gasoline) technologies delivers an impressive 400 hp and 550 Nm of torque. This engine is mated to the new 7-speed automatic transmission with a wider range of gear ratios than its predecessor which gives the off-roader the ability to deliver power faster.

The new Partol also employs a Hydraulic Body Motion Control System (HBMC), which keeps the car flatter with less body roll during lane-changing and cornering, while delivering a comfortable ride in city driving and superb stability on rugged and sandy tracks. The new suspension system, employs now 4-wheel independent suspension and is being upgraded from the previous rigid axle setup.

The newly developed ALL MODE 4×4 system incorporating a variable 4×4 mode package and it allows the driver to switch between four drive modes: sand, on-road, snow and rock, with the flick of a switch. Also, the car features a new Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control which can also be selected easily with the touch of a button. The new model employs a revised Tyre Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) with tyre inflation indicator which beeps the horn softly to inform drivers that a suitable tyre pressure has been reached. The car also offers a new braking system thanks to its new hydraulic brake booster and a 4-piston opposed front caliper setup with larger 358mm front discs.
2011 Nissan Patrol
Well, the all-new 2011 Nissan Patrol seems to be a true contender and competitor for the Toyota Land Cruiser. As mentioned earlier, the Patrol to begin with is just offered in the Middle-East where the rich oil-sheiks can have their part of the fun dune-bashing with this hulk and let’s just hope that Nissan also sees a lucrative market for its Patrol here in India so that Nissan brings it in here for us to write more on this beast in detail.
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Nano is Available Once More

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New Tata Nano Cars in IndiaHere’s some news on the Nano which was being sorely missed out for some days now.

The second round of bookings for The People’s Car has been re-scheduled. Well, some good news for the millions of eagerly waiting middle-class Indians. Tata Motors has decided to start the second round of bookings of its Nano in 3-6 months.

It is also learnt that the first set of customers will receive their new Tata Nano by September-December 2010. The car that would have brightened your outdoor space somewhere in Jan-March 2011 will now do it by the end of this year. Tata Motors that used to manufacture 150 units a day has already ramped up production and 180 units are being manufactured everyday at its Pantnagar plant.

Sanand, Gujarat will also begin putting together the common man’s car very soon. Mr. P M Telang, Tata Motors Managing Director, said that commercial production of the Nano at its manufacturing facility in Gujarat will begin in the next couple of months.

However, as announced earlier, only the first set of the Nano’s customers will be able to avail the special discounted price of Rs.1Lakh. New customers will pay a higher price. Not to worry, the car will arrive earlier than expected. The reason being, Tata Motors has re-scheduled the Nano’s bookings to an earlier date. We just have to wait for another 3-6 months. That’s it? How exciting!

Now, here’s the secret. Increasing demand of the World’s Cheapest Car may have led Tata Motors to start off with an early round-II of bookings.

Guess the major reason for the quick bookings? Well, you guessed it right! As we have mentioned it in our car news around 20-25 per cent of the Nano’s original customers have backed out. Yes, a quarter of the total bookings have been cancelled.

Wait, there is more to it! Tata Motors is expected to launch two diesel variants of the Nano in June this year. Cool, right? The variants will come with a 3-cylinder engine. Moreover, it is rumoured that the Nano Europa will be strapped with a similar engine.
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Lamborghini builds 4,000th Murcielago

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4000th Lamborghini Murcielago being rolled out of the Sant'Agata factory lineThe image that you see here in this blog is that of the 4000th Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-3 SuperVeloce rolling out of the Automobili Lamborghini’s Sant’Agata production lines. That clearly means 3999 Lamborghini Murcielago has already rolled out of this plant in Italy. And the guys at Lamborghini call it as Low-Volume Super cars. That’s the irony of it.

Only around 2,900 of the previous V12 model, the Lamborghini Diablo, were built over eleven years of production – the Murcielago has been in production since 2001.

The car, a Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce, built at Lamborghini’s factory in Sant’Agata, in Italy, is destined for a buyer in Hangzhou, in China. There are no less than seven Lamborghini dealers in China, which has of late become an important market for supercar and luxury car manufacturers. The LP 670-4 SuperVeloce is fitted with a 6.5-litre V12 engine that produces 670 horsepower. The car accelerates from zero to 100km/h in 3.2 seconds and hits a top speed of 342km/h.

Only 350 SuperVeloce special series models will be produced, with each one’s soft contours and razor-sharp edges showing the features of an extreme driving machine.

Murcielago series number 4,000 shows off its carbon fibre body painted in orange Arancione Atlas, a luxurious cockpit in Alcantara and carbon fibre inserts, black sports bucket seats with orange contrasting trim and an imposing rear spoiler which improves vehicle stability at high speeds.

‘The enthusiasm our products incite makes us proud and confirms that the company’s product strategy and model range are a winning combination, producing exceptionally desirable super sports cars,’ said Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. President and CEO, Stephan Winkelmann.
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Lotus F1 Racing Launch the T127 in London

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Lotus T127 F1 CarTeam Lotus F1 on Friday lifted the covers of its new car T127 in London. Lotus team principal Tony Fernandes believes the iconic company’s return to Formula One after 16 years can help unlock untapped revenue streams in Asia.

Fernandes, who owns Air Asia airline, unveiled the Malaysian-backed team’s car that will start the 2010 championship in Bahrain next month. “Formula One has been really inaccessible and seemed elitist,” Fernandes said Friday at the London launch. “It’s a fantastic time to come into Formula One because it’s not a global sport yet — you can have tracks all over the world but it really is just a European sport. “And the revenue they are getting is primarily from Europe, North America hasn’t worked yet and Asia is a huge potential market. Having Lotus with Malaysian backing will really help to spread the sport in Asia,” Fernandes added.

While Lotus’ $86 million annual budget will be funded by a partnership between the Malaysian government and a consortium of the country’s businessmen, Fernandes is freezing plans to move the team from its car factory in Norfolk, England. Fernandes has revived the Lotus brand, which won 79 F1 races and seven constructors’ titles between 1958 and 1994 before the team collapsed because of money problems.
Lotus T127 F1 Car
“It will be great to take Lotus back to where it belongs,” said Italian driver Jarno Trulli, who finished eighth last season with Toyota. “We’ve got a very hard task ahead of us but that’s what we are here for.” With Trulli and former McLaren driver Heikki Kovalainen in the lineup, Lotus is returning as one of four new teams on the grid this season, along with Virgin, Campos Meta and USF1. Trulli and Kovalainen will be at the test sessions from Feb. 17-20 in Jerez, Spain, and at the Catalunya Circuit in Barcelona from Feb. 25-28.

Lotus is just hoping both of its drivers finish the season-opening race at the Bahrain Grand Prix on March after building a car in only two months. “We had to compromise in the design, you can’t make things as light as you want to because you just don’t have time,” said technical director Mike Gascoyne, who has held the same role with Force India, Toyota, Renault and Jordan. “One target we have set ourselves is to be the best of the new teams.
Lotus F1 Drivers and Team Principal
“At the end of the season, we need to be racing the second half of the established teams and maybe nicking some points to build for the year after,” he said.
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