Monthly Archives: February 2010

Mercedes SLS AMG gets five confirmed Indian bookings

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India in recent times has weighted against its counterparts in the west by becoming one of the preferred destinations for luxury car makers. We have heard of Aston Martin searching for opportunities to sell its wares in India, and Porsche outselling the quota of Panameras reserved for India, Rolls Royce planning to sell over 60 Ghosts in India and so on.

But what actually catches our eye is Mercedes-Benz, one of the first luxury car makers now trying hard to regain its lost numero uno position to BMW. Mercedes-AMG GmbH, commonly known as AMG, which is a subsidiary of the Mercedes-Benz car company specialising in high-performance luxury cars, is betting big on the Indian market. AMG models typically have more aggressive looks, higher performances, better handling and better stability also comes with a much costlier price tag than their regular Mercedes counterparts.

As per a report in popular news daily, Mercedes Benz has managed to bag as many as five confirmed bookings for the Rs2. Crore SLS-AMG within days after it was showcased in the 10th Auto Expo held in New Delhi. For those who came in late, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG was showcased in the Mercedes Benz pavilion under the concept of ‘Pure Fascination” at the Auto Show 2010. This car which is a spiritual successor to the 300L has been developed by AMG, the performance division of Mercedes Benz.

Following its world premiere at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt in September 2009, series production of the SLS AMG is now commencing in Sindelfingen, the largest of the Mercedes-Benz production plants. It is to be mentioned that the assembly lines and production facilities in Sindelfingen were brought up to the very latest standards for final assembly of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. This is where specially selected, highly qualified specialists produce the gullwing model substantially by hand. Premium quality is not only ensured by continuous monitoring of the ongoing production process. At the end of the production process, the entire vehicle is subjected to further, extensive quality checks.

The unrivalled technology package of the SLS is an alluring proposition: aluminum spaceframe body with gullwing doors, AMG 6.3-litre V8 front-mid-engine developing 420 kW (571 hp) peak output, 650 Nm of torque and dry sump lubrication, seven-speed double-declutch transmission in a transaxle configuration, sports suspension with aluminums double wishbones and a kerb weight of 1620 kilograms based on the DIN standard – this superlative combination guarantees driving dynamics of the highest order. With a front/rear weight distribution of 47 to 53 per cent and the vehicle’s low centre of gravity, this extraordinary combination guarantees performance figures at the highest level. The gullwing model accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, and has an electronically limited top speed of 317 km/h. A fuel consumption of 13.2 litres per 100 kilometres (combined) makes it one of the best in the competitive line-up.

A heavy emphasis on hand-production is a characteristic feature of the SLS – for the aluminum spaceframe, the engine and during final assembly. The chassis and aluminum bodyshell are produced by Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik GmbH in Graz/Austria. This highly respected system partner is able to look back on many years of cooperation with Daimler, as the Mercedes-Benz G-Class has been in production there since 1979.

Innovative joining techniques are used in the lightweight spaceframe of the SLS AMG, which tips the scales at only 241 kilograms. Hand-production is also the order of the day at the AMG engine workshops in Affalterbach, where the 420 kW (571 hp) AMG 6.3-litre V8 power unit is assembled on the ‘one man, one engine’ principle.
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Bladon Jets signs deal with Jaguar Land Rover

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micro gas turbine Remember we had written a blog pondering if the Jaguar XJ will be first hybrid car to be fitted with turbine jets just a couple of days ago? Well, it seems that the truth is out and Jaguar XJ will be fitted with the turbines.

In a recent development Island-based micro gas turbine company, Bladon Jets has announced a partnership with Jaguar Land Rover to develop a device fitted to hybrid petrol/electric cars that charges batteries on the go.

This is a good news for us auto enthusiast in India as the Jaguar Land Rover group is now owned and controlled by Tata Motors of India and the day may not be far when Tata Motors brings this technology to India built in their cars for us to experience the feeling in the near future.

Well getting back to the story this Ultra Lightweight Range Extender (ULRE) battery charger allows a hybrid vehicle to travel further without the inconvenience of stopping to charge the vehicle’s batteries. The ULRE could be a significant piece of technology in the evolution of the next generation of electric vehicles.

Bladon Jets is leading a consortium that has been awarded funding from the UK government’s Technology Strategy Board to develop the ULRE. The objective of the consortium, which includes luxury car maker Jaguar Land Rover and leading electrical machine company SR Drives, is to produce the world’s first commercially viable ULRE.

Backing for the project was secured in a hotly contested £15 million funding competition organised by the Technology Strategy Board to support the advancement of the mass adoption of low carbon vehicles and is a key part of its wider programme to stimulate technology-enabled innovation and to help boost UK growth and productivity.

The ULRE will incorporate a Bladon Jets’ patented axial flow gas turbine engine coupled to a high speed generator utilising SR Drives’ technology. Design of the ULRE’s packaging for vehicle integration will be overseen by Jaguar Land Rover.

This exclusive technology if goes right in every which ways, will not only lead to the renaissance of the British automotive industry but also the global automotive scene. This could be the future of low carbon vehicle development.

Bladon Jets is a world leader in the development of micro gas turbine engines. Its patented breakthrough axial flow technology enables the production of highly efficient, small gas turbine engines that are ideally suited for use in hybrid electric vehicles. The SR Drives Group is based in Harrogate UK and comprises two operating companies which are Switched Reluctance Drives Ltd (SRDL), and SR Drives Manufacturing Ltd (SRDML).

Both companies are wholly owned subsidiaries of Emerson Electric Co of St Louis, Missouri – the world’s largest manufacturer of electric motors. The Technology Strategy Board is an executive non-departmental public body established by the UK government in 2007 and sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). The activities of the Technology Strategy Board are jointly supported and funded by BIS and other government departments, the devolved administrations, regional development agencies and research councils.
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11,111,111th Polo rolls out of the Volkswagen’s Assembly Plant in Chakan

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11,111,111th Polo rolls out from the Chakan plantVolkswagen Group India has created a milestone in India with it’s yet to be commercially launched hatchback Volkswagen Polo. The 11,111,111th Polo which was produced in VW’s plant in Chakan, India was rolled out on Thursday.

Prof. Dr. Horst Köhler, President of the Federal Republic of Germany who is in India on a state visit visited the Volkswagen plant in Pune to do the honours with Prof. Dr. Jochem Heizmann, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG who is also responsible for ‘Group Production’, and Jörg Müller, President and Managing Director of Volkswagen Group India, at the celebrations to mark the roll-out of the 11,111,111th Polo ever produced.

The Chakan plant in Pune was opened in 2009 and is a key element in Volkswagen’s growth roadmap in the Indian subcontinent. Prof. Heizmann speaking at the event said “The scale of investment to date and the sustainable employment opportunities for people from the region underscore Volkswagen’s long-term commitment to India. The VW Polo built at the Pune plant demonstrates that excellent vehicles are created when German engineering prowess interacts perfectly with Indian skills.”

“We are determined to bring the Polo’s European success story to India. Volkswagen will tap its opportunities in India with vehicles like the Polo, our modern plant in Pune and a highly-motivated workforce,” Heizmann continued.

It must be remembered that Volkswagen Polo was bestowed upon the rare honour of Europe’s “Car of the Year 2010” just a couple of weeks back. Volkswagen began building a hatchback version of the Polo specially designed for the Indian market in December 2009.

At the event celebrating the roll-out of the 11,111,111th Polo, the German President toured the new Volkswagen plant in Maharashtra State accompanied by a delegation of 30 high-ranking representatives from politics and industry. The group found out about the training programs for the newly recruited employees and the innovative production processes at the plant.

The Pune plant is one of the most modern in the Volkswagen Group and covers all stages in the production process from press shop through body shop and paint shop to final assembly. It has a maximum annual capacity of 110,000 vehicles. In addition to the Volkswagen Polo, the Pune plant also builds the Škoda Fabia.

With a total financial commitment amounting to 580 million euros, the Volkswagen plant in Pune is the largest investment to date by a German company in India. Volkswagen plans to employ some 2,500 people locally by the end of 2010.

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Aston Martin all set to tread Indian Shores

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Aston MartinAre you ready for the Bond Car’s assault as of yet? The new India just says yes and the British luxury sports car maker Aston Martin seems to have heard about it as they have planned to bring their goods to India pretty soon.

But Aston Martin’s foray to India certainly seems to be a welcome sign for all of us car lovers. Aston Martin is supposed to be in talks with the potential dealers in India but still has not appointed one as of yet. Aston Martin also are contemplating and evaluating the models it wants to launch in India.

It must be noticed that the Indian car market is growing bigger day by day and lot many global car makers have already rushed to India to set shop here and produce their products. India has all of a sudden become the luxury car hub after the global meltdown which affected the traditional luxury car market in the Middle-East, U.S and Europe.

Luxury car sales were the only bright spot for auto companies during the slowdown in 2009. Sales at BMW India Pvt. Ltd have risen 28 per cent this fiscal year to 2,627 units, while Audi India sold 977 units, a growth of 6 per cent. Mercedes-Benz India Ltd, however, saw its sales fall 2 per cent to 2,478 units.

Aston Martin plans to exploit the underdeveloped sense of loyalty among Indian buyers to luxury cars.

The car maker was a part of Ford Motor Company till 2007, when it was sold to a joint venture company co-owned by businessmen David Richards and John Sinders and Investment Dar and Adeem Investment of Kuwait for around Rs4,000 crore at present. Under the new management, developing markets have become a priority, with the company adding dealers in China, Russia and West Asia.
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Audi India registers growth in January

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It so much seems like the Good Times are here to stay. Since the dawn of this New Year we have seen that almost all the car makers in India are reporting good sales of their products which could also mean that this good run of auto sales might be there for the rest of the year as well.

The German luxury car maker Audi has just announced that it has made a great start to 2010 with an impressive 181 percent growth in India for January 2010. Audi India has sold 306 cars this January when compared to a mere 109 units sold last year during January. Audi India has also shown a record sale of 1,659 cars in 2009 which reds out a 58 percent growth for the calendar year 2009.

“Audi India posted continuous sales growth all through 2009 and we start the New Year with record sales. In January 2010 our sales more than doubled from last year. We look forward to keeping this momentum through the rest of the year. In keeping with our India strategy, our focus this year will be on network expansion and consolidation. We plan to expand our dealership network to mini-metro cities in addition to introducing new offerings. This reaffirms our commitment of superior performance and great value, to the Indian customer, which is at the core of our philosophy of ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’.” said Benoit Tiers, managing director, Audi India.

Audi India has already charted out its next growth target for 2010 at 40 percent more than the previous year which means Audi is targeting the sale of 2,300 cars by the end of this financial year. This does not seem like Blue Moon considering Audi India’s performance in the month of January itself.

Audi India’s current portfolio includes the Audi A4, the new Audi A6, the Audi A8, the Audi Q5, the new Audi Q7, the Audi TT and the super sports car Audi R8 which are sold in eight showrooms across the country: in Gurgaon, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Kochi. Early 2010 will witness the opening of new showrooms in Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai (West), Jaipur, Chennai, Ludhiana. Further developments include Lucknow, Coimbatore and Nagpur.
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Jeff Koons to create new BMW Art Automobile

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BMW Art CarsBMW always had a way of expressing its sentiments through arts. As it does every year, BMW has chosen internationally acclaimed contemporary artist Jeff Koons as the next in a renowned line of artists who will be creating BMW Art Automobile in what is the 35th anniversary year of the programme.

It came as an honour to work upon a BMW car for Jeff Koons who stated that it was always his dream to work on a BMW Art Car and he is looking forward to participate in the tradition set onward by great artists like Calder, Lichtenstein, Stella, and Warhol.

The Koons BMW Art Car will be revealed later in a year. Sum of the indication and preliminary design will be announced in due course. Koons will join the elite organisation of artists that include Andy Warhol, David Hockney, Jenny Holzer, Roy Lichtenstein, Frank Stella, Robert Rauschenberg, and Alexander Calder – each of whom has done a singular artistic matter about the coming and meaning of cars.

Koon’s attribute with BMW started more than dual decades ago when he first drove a BMW whilst living in Munich, home to the BMW Organisation headquarters. It was in 2003 that Koons first expressed his desire to create a BMW Art Car.

Frank-Peter Arndt, member of a Board of Management for the BMW AG and responsible for BMW Group’s international cultural formats, said: “You have been enormously pleased about Jeff Koons’ energetically expected contribution to the BMW Art Car array, celebrating its 35th anniversary. Art Cars are part of the DNA of BMW’s cultural engagement. As manifested in Koons’ ultimate sculptural work, what unites us is the belief which nothing is impossible. Our company and Jeff Koons are drawn to permanent creation and cutting-edge technology.”

Since 1975, artists from around the universe have incited BMW cars into art, signifying a particular duration, through the Art Car program. In 2007, the last monthly payment was revealed with Olafur Eliasson’s “Your Mobile Expectations: BMW H2R plan.” Across the globe many BMW Art Cars have been exhibited in eminent museums throughout the world including the Louvre, the Guggenheim Museums, as well as a Shanghai Art Museum. They have been displayed at the BMW Museum in Munich, since 2006 as well as many went on a world tour throughout Asia, Russia, Africa, India, a United States and Mexico.

With over 100 major projects worldwide, BMW Group cultural programs have been an integral part of the company’s contributions to society for almost 40 years. Besides contemporary art, architecture and pattern, classical music and jazz are key components of this rendezvous.
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Jaguar XJ to be first hybrid born out of Jet turbines?

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Jaguar XJThe adage “Born from the Jets” might be the slogan of the recently saved from death Swedish Saab car company, but guess what, the above mentioned adage will be more appropriate for the British car maker Jaguar.

We have a reason for that. Jaguar has been awarded funding from the U.K government to develop a small jet turbine as a range extender for a future hybrid Jaguar luxury car.

In stating the Jaguar luxury car, we mean the newly launched 2011 Jaguar XJ full-sized luxury sedan. This car which could get an extended-range electric model in its portfolio in a couple of years might also provide a platform for the innovative jet-powered range extender.

Yes, we call this innovative as the jet-powered turbine technology though was first developed by Rover Cars which developed JET1, the first-ever jet-powered turbine car, is one of the predecessor companies of Jaguar Land Rover, now owned by India’s Tata Motors. So the technology fits the Jaguar cars to the T.
Rover Cars JET 1
Rover Cars’ JET1 which is currently housed in London’s Science Museum, ran on petrol, diesel or kerosene and sped up to 88 miles per hour. This car also spawned a Le Mans racer developed with BRM Formula One that averaged more than 100 mph and topped out at 142 mph.

The cars that run on turbine technology is smaller, lighter and emits less CO2 which should be a welcome news for the green warriors. The British government awarded $1.8 million in development funds to develop the turbine-based range extender for electric vehicles to a consortium of Jaguar-Land Rover, Bladon Jets, and SR Drives. The highlights of the modern micro-turbine technology is that it saves more than 200 pounds over a petrol engine for onboard power generation to recharge an electric car’s battery pack, while slightly reducing CO2 emissions. The Bladon Jets turbine has just 5 percent of the weight and parts count of a typical four-cylinder engine.

There are a few drawbacks which come imbibed with this technology as it is not so good for direct drive. As Chrysler learned a decade later, when it released 56 prototypes of its elegant Chrysler Turbine coupe for real-world tests by roughly 200 drivers, turbine technology proved too inefficient and expensive for production-car use.

Chrysler’s test cars suffered from throttle lag, lack of low-end torque, very high exhaust temperatures, and mediocre fuel economy (17 mpg) from their 97-kilowatt (130-horsepower) turbine engines, which powered the car through a standard automatic transmission.

Bladon Jets micro turbine
Turbines also aren’t particularly suited to the rapid acceleration cycles of varied driving. Using a turbine as a steady-speed source to generate electric power, on the other hand, lets it operate most efficiently and at close to its maximum output.

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Nissan Cube… Concept to Reality

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Nissan CubeWell like the earlier blog that we published on Rock and Roll star John Lennon’s psychedelic Rolls Royce, this blog is very much off-beat form our usual tone of writing blogs.

Nissan Cube is the epicenter of this particular blog. This car very much looks like our own home grown WagonR, but on a chubbier end. Nissan introduced its new Cube a few months ago in the European market. The car will go on sale in Spain this month. Nissan Cube comes in two engine options such as 110 bhp petrol with automatic and 106 bhp diesel.

The most striking feature of the car as you see in these images is the absence of sharp edges and the designer’s usage of curvy laidback retro design. But since this car is some sort of blast from the past as retro is very much in vogue. The Cube is unlike anything known for having an asymmetrical design, which is not very nice at first glance. The front is simple and the back has to optic, in my view, misplaced, since they are almost part of the rear bumper.

Cube has standard equipments like Bluetooth, browser, access and keyless start, and rear parking camera. The rear bench also has three positions for adjusting the backrest recline and is available in attractive colours such as military strategist, White pearl, turquoise sea and bitter chocolate. How does that sound?

We have to say that the model is very interesting and faithfully represents the spirit of the Japanese market, but by taking into account such as the European taste is to imagine not having the expected success. Anyway this is not the last word, so we expect to see the reaction of the audience, and the final price for both versions. The Nissan Cube is for sale in Japan since 1999, and it has reached the European markets only now after almost a decade.
Nissan Cube Rear end
But guess what? No candies for guessing as this car will not be India-bound any time sooner atleast.

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John Lennon´s psychedelic Rolls Royce

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John Lennon's psychedelic Rolls Royce Phantom VThe show business star’s taste for powerful and luxurious cars is well known.

As it would be expected, Rolls Royce is one of the most sought after car brands, not only because it possesses all of the above characteristics, but also because it offers its customers the opportunity of personalizing their car according to their every whim.

Among pop/ rock musicians, for instance, there have been numerous lucky car owners, from Elvis to Stevie Wonder to Freddy Mercury to rapper 50 Cent. They all share an air of sobriety, distinction and stature that this brand ensures them. However, there was one that was considerably less sober: Jonh Lennon’s fabulous psychedelic Rolls Royce.

The vehicle we are speaking about is the magnificent Rolls Royce Phantom V with the FJB111C license plate that was handed over to him in 1965. At that time, the car was still sober enough (although it was white in photographs from the time, it’s been said it was originally black), but Lennon wasn’t happy with it until he personalized it. He started by installing a radio-telephone, then a very special stereo system, a Sony television set, a fridge and a bed in the back seat. Only Lennon would remember to do something like this…

But the musician was still unhappy about the dull colour of his automobile that clashed with his extrovert and megalomaniac personality, so he ordered a psychedelic paint job from a group of Dutch artists, who filled his car with all sorts of cornucopias, multi-colour florals and yellow background. Lennon was stunned and paid 2000 pounds for it. Believe it after you see the picture above.

Needless to say, the car shocked Britain’s mentality at the time, for those of whom Rolls Royce was motive of national pride. Some say there was an elderly lady who was so shocked she actually hit the car with her umbrella… In spite of these nuisances, that obviously amused Lennon, the car became The Beatles’ main means of transportation until they split-up in 1970

When Lennon and Yoko moved to the USA, the car moved with them. Already on American soil, it was “lent” to other musicians, such as the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan, until it was placed in a garage and, later, donated to the Cooper-Hewitt Museum in New York, where it remained from 1978 until 1985, when it was finally auctioned. The winning bid reached the $2 299 000 USD and allowed Jim Pattison, a Canadian millionaire to become the proud owner of the famous automobile. Later, as an act of kindness, Pattison offered the car to the queen of England. Today, it can be found on display at the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria.
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Renault unveils R30 and presents Vitaly Petrov as new driver in Valencia

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Renault R30 F1 Car
The cloud of doubt on the other driver to race for Renault F1 alongside Robert Kubica has been cleared.

Vitaly Petrov, the 25-year old Russian will be racing for the Renault F1 Team this season alongside Robert Kubica. The trivia fact is next… This 25-year-old will become the first Russian to compete in Formula One when he makes his Grand Prix debut in Bahrain in March.

He joins the Renault F1 Team off the back of a successful GP2 career having finished as the Series runner-up last season. Renault F1 Team Principal, Eric Boullier, said: “This is a very special day for Vitaly and we welcome him into the team. As a rookie, we recognise that Vitaly will have a lot to learn this season, but his performances in GP2 last year were outstanding and confirmed that he is ready to make the step up to Formula One. With Robert alongside him, Vitaly has the perfect role model to learn from and I’m confident he will deliver on the promise he has shown throughout his career.”

Vitaly Petrov said that it is a great opportunity for him and he was really looking forward to working with the team this season. He said “I’ve always dreamed of racing in Formula One and so to make my debut with a top team like Renault is very exciting. The first race is just over a month away so I will make sure I spend as much time as possible with the team over the next few weeks so that I am fully prepared in time for Bahrain.”

The Renault F1 Team took the covers off its 2010 challenger, the R30, today in front of assembled media at the Valencia circuit in Spain. Renault F1 Team driver Robert Kubica was on hand to unveil the car and reveal the exciting new black and yellow livery – the iconic colours made famous by Renault in the 1980s.

After unveiling the R30, Team Principal, Eric Boullier, joined Robert and Vitaly for a photo call in front of the car, along with the team’s Third Driver, Ho-Pin Tung, and Reserve Driver, Jérôme d’Ambrosio. Czech driver Jan Charouz will also be a Reserve Driver for the team this year but was unable to attend the presentation.
Renault R30 F1 car being unveiled by Renault F1 drivers Robert Kubica and Vitaly Petrov
With stable aero regulations the R30 is a mixture of evolution and revolution, and is much more svelte and attractive than its predecessor. In particular the rear of the F1 car has been considerably reworked to allow the car to make the most of the ‘double-decker’ diffusers that were first seen last year.

Changes have also been made to the architecture of the chassis to adapt to the refuelling ban, which has required the installation of a much larger fuel tank. Renault F1 says that the R30 should be a competitive, strong and reliable car, and they have opted for an aggressive development strategy throughout the season.

Both Robert and Vitaly were thrilled to see their new car and spoke of their hopes for the season ahead: “The team has been working on the new car for a long time and it’s clear that we are moving in the right direction,” said Robert. “Now we need to maximise the winter tests to keep up this momentum and continue improving the car. Our priority is to make the car easy to drive because the new rules favour cars that are not too sensitive – we need a car that behaves consistently in a wide range of conditions.” Vitaly Petrov added: “The new car looks stunning and the colours remind everybody of Renault’s great history in the sport. I can’t wait to drive the car for the first time and start working with the team.”

The Renault F1 Team will remain in Valencia until Wednesday evening to complete the first pre-season test session.

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