Indian Car Blog - Carazoo.com

The Beijing Auto Show 2010 has already begun and we bring to you the latest info from the auto show. There were around 2,100 companies from 16 nations and regions exhibiting their products.
Today is the day. Yes, today, the event is open to the press. The auto exhibition area's 200,000 square meters are literally adorned with cars, including plenty of concept cars.

A new variant of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class will be launched after this China auto show in Beijing. Car makers have already begun targeting emerging markets like Brazil and India. How can China be left behind? The new vehicle launches have already begun at the Beijing auto show in a race to capture China's fast-growing market among loose sales elsewhere.

Till around 1995, there were hardly any private cars in China. But now, the scenario is different. The explosive sales growth in the emerging markets has become the highest. Watching the new long-wheelbase sedans from leading luxury brands like Audi and BMW at the Auto Show 2010 is sure going to be a treat to the eyes. An all-new high-powered Ferrari 599 GTO and a V6-powered Porsche Panamera are also going to add excitement.

Lamborghini is all set to showcase the special model that it has made exclusively for the Chinese market. Ford is not going to stay behind. It will present its all-new global concept that could be sold in China, Europe or the US. We will wait for this car to make an entry in India. Chinese home brands like BYD, Chery and Geely will also geared up with their new models for an international audience. The show is going to enhance their confidence too.

Chinese auto makers have come up with plenty of hybrid, electric and fuel cell models. While SAIC Motor Corp has come up with the Roewe 550 plug-in hybrid, Roewe 750 hybrid and E1 electric concept car, FAW Group is showcasing its EV electric concept car, the Besturn 70 and Besturn 50 hybrid cars. Changan Automobile Group will be displaying its Benben electric car, S469 hybrid minivan, Zhixiang and the Yuexiang hybrid car. Chery Automobile is all set to flaunt the S18 electric car, the electric version of QQ compact car, the hybrid version of Riich G5 sedan and the M11 hybrid car. BYD Co is geared up to show off the E6 electric car, F3DM and F6DM plug-in hybrids. Brilliance Auto, Geely Automobile Holdings and Lifan Group too will be displaying their innovations.

China's auto market tore down the global economic disaster and sales shot up by a huge difference of 45 per cent last year to 13.6 million vehicles. This goes to say that China is quite ahead of the 10.5 million vehicles sold in the United States last year. This year has been great too. Sale of the units in China has increased rapidly and growth has accelerated to 11.9 per cent in the first quarter. A conference is also going to take place to discuss the growth and other factors.

GM will be unveiling its all new electric Volt MPV5 concept car, a Chinese-made minivan and a compact sedan at the auto show. Whoa! That’s quite a lot from the world's largest automotive manufacturer. Meanwhile, Ford's latest Focus sedan gets an Asian debut and the company is unveiling a new concept car.

Toyota too is on the same page and will be showcasing fifty vehicles including the new stylish gas-electric hybrid concept car. Toyota is trying its best to leave its footprints on the market by providing numerous vehicles. The car recalls will soon be forgotten and the launches will probably last longer in everybody’s mind.

                   &n bsp;     Add New Post

Somewhere, BMW India is being all smug. Here is the explanation. Mercedes Benz is following the strip down trend that was started by BMW India.

A few months back, BMW India launched a stripped out version of the BMW 320D and priced it attractively at Rs 24 lakh. As was predicted the BMW 320D Corporate Edition registered a never-before like sales and gave its rivals, Audi and Mercedes, many a sleepless nights. And all this happened even when the BMW 320D was in a stripped out guise.

Mercedes feigned nonchalance and said that it was content to see BMW launching cheaper variants which would help it retain the “Premium” status in India. But that was a long time ago. Mercedes-Benz India has finally given a thought to the ‘Special Edition’ trend. Mercedes, in an effort to get a piece of the Indian pie, has announced the launch of a stripped out Mercedes Benz C220CDI.

Named as the Executive Edition, the Mercedes Benz C220CDI has rid itself of a number of features. The Executive Edition C220CDI will not have the panoramic sunroof, Paramatric Steering Wheel, Multifunctional Steering Wheel and Mobile pre-installation. A few of the exterior features have been stripped too, including the xenon headlamps and the LED turn indicators. The Executive Edition has also excluded the Anti-theft Package, though the internal motion sensor & tow away protection are present.

There have been a few replacements in Executive Edition C220CDI, including single CD changer, 7 spoke 16″ alloy wheels and Artico man made leather. But, the best part of the Executive Edition deal is the common rail diesel engine that can churn out 400 Nm or torque. And though, it is no match for the BMW 320D, it still makes for a powerful ride. The Blue Efficiency tag in the Executive Edition C220CDI carries a lot of value too.

The constant competition (or rivalry) between these German luxury car manufacturers has always brought out the best results. And every time, the customers are the ones to benefit. So no one would hear us complaining.

Brand name carries a lot of value for Indian car buyers and car manufacturers seem to have caught wind of that. For many Indians, the Merc logo carries more value than the actual features of the car. What about you? Would you buy a car just for the brand or for the features that should be there in a premium luxury car?

                   &n bsp;     Add New Post

Mini had celebrated its 50th anniversary in a very fashionable way. The Coupe Concept was exposed. The 2009 Frankfurt show will be remembered for this reason. The automotive brand owned by the BMW Group had revealed the Coupe and Roadster concept at the auto show. The Coupe sure was a model that redefined the Mini’s design language. It will probably become Mini’s flagship model in future. Don’t you think so?

The 2-seat concept vehicle had been inspired by the classic Mini. As its name suggests, it had a coupé body and made use of the engine used in John Cooper Works vehicles. It had the very attractive chrome radiator grille from the Cooper S. The inner sections of the grille, however, were finished in the body colour. The cargo space in the coupe is quite commendable with 250 litres.

The Mini Coupe will be packed with a 1.6-liter twin-scroll turbocharged power unit carried over from the MINI John Cooper Works. The power-packed engine will deliver 211 bhp and a peak torque of 260 Nm. The beautifully carved Mini Coupe is 3,714 millimeters long and 1,683 millimeters wide. The Coupe’s stunning appearance and advanced features may prove to be a weapon against competitors. It may take some time for the final beauty to hit the roads and then we’ll know which car gets to stay on top.

The all-new car comes with an invigorated look with the windshield laid back making the car look less boxy. Great design must say. The Roadster concept that was unveiled at the same time as the Coupe at the Frankfurt Motor Show gets its power from a 1.6 Liter twin-scroll turbocharged engine, the same power plant that is used in the MINI Cooper S. The advanced mill produces a maximum output of 175 bhp and a peak torque of 240 Nm.

The Coupe and Roadster, both seem to be chasing closely to the forward momentum Mini is trying to acquire in order to spread out its market and enhance sales. The very fact that Mini is using John Cooper Works engine in its models further illustrates this point. It certainly looks Mini has been using this model to appeal to the male portion of the population.

Hopefully, both models will be reasonably priced and sales may begin next summer. When will the new car finally reach the Indian road? Let’s wait for some time. It will probably not take too long.

                   &n bsp;     Add New Post

On Friday, Carazoo said that Force India, staying ahead of the Williams and STR, had seen its best season opener so far and would want to continue the excellent performance. Just three days, and we see the difference. Force India returned empty-handed from the Chinese Grand Prix yesterday. The team’s point-scoring streak encountered a sudden end in a messy Chinese Grand Prix. While Adrian Sutil finished 11th, his teammate Vitantonio Liuzzi retreated after an opening lap brake problem.

Force India saw a real good start and achieved three positions in just the first corner. The way conditions panned out, it could have been a very interesting race. The drivers had to gamble with the rains. The tyres and positions kept changing because of the unstable rain conditions. Only 17 drivers brought home the car, the last being Hispania's Karun Chandhok. Great job, Karun Chandhok!

Karun, who started from pit lane, was delighted, and had to be, to finish yet another race. Because of a necessary change of hydraulic components on the car, he had to start from the pit lane and this change was profitable. The car remained fully operational until the end of the race. Karun said that it was a good outing for Hispania since both the cars made to the chequered flag. Despite having a difficult debut in Bahrain and the rains this time, Karun had finished his race yet again.

Vijay Mallya, the Force India chairman was extremely disappointed. He wanted the team to make more of the weather conditions and was saddened when the run of points ended suddenly. But, that is what happens; when the weather is so unpredictable, the game becomes unpredictable too. The adrenaline rush had finally slowed down.

Mallya hasn’t lost hopes though. He says, “We've got some work to do now that Renault has opened up a sizeable advantage but we have some developments in the pipeline and the season has a long way to run. We'll regroup and come back strongly in Spain I'm sure”. Now, that’s the spirit.

Sutil felt that strategy was crucial and thought things could have been a little different but for the last pit stop which cost him a couple of extra seconds. The sudden rains and sudden dry tracks made it very difficult to predict which the best tyre to be on was. It was all a game of strategy.

Sutil lost a couple of positions in that final stop. He dropped back to 13th. He just ran out of laps to get past Michael Schumacher when they were actually close to within a second of Schumacher. That's how it is. You sometimes win in these races, and sometimes, it just doesn't go your way.

Liuzzi too was upset after seeing a premature end to his race. He spun his Force India into Kamui Kobayashi's BMW Sauber and Sebastien Buemi's Toro Rosso, bringing out the safety car. He had a problem warming up the brakes on the formation lap due to the cold and the rain. And then, unfortunately, the rear completely locked when he went into corner four on the first lap and braked. He lost control of the car and went off.

The nail-biting race saw the McLaren team at the top. While McLaren’s Jenson Button won the race, teammate Lewis Hamilton trailed close behind finishing second. Jenson Button took his second victory of the year by controlling a hectic, wet Chinese Grand Prix. He kept his head in tricky conditions and even stretched away from McLaren teammate Lewis Hamilton in the closing stages when it came down to who had looked after their tyres the best.

Rosberg couldn't quite challenge for victory, but racing ahead of Fernando Alonso, he had no trouble coming third. The Spaniard managed to finish third despite five pitstops, including a drive-through for jumping the start.

                   &n bsp;     Add New Post

Well, when the whole world is shifting its preferences towards everything green, car manufacturers are following a similar trend in their technologies too. Major global car manufacturers have been showing an all-time high interest in manufacturing environmentally friendly vehicles, be it a hybrid system or a fully electric vehicle.

Ok, we will cut the fuss and get to the point. BMW had earlier announced that it will launch its first-ever full production vehicle, MegaCity, to run solely on electricity stored in a battery. And now, BMW says that the MegaCity urban electric vehicle will be built of carbon fibre.

BMW has partnered with the composites expert SGL Group to construct a new plant in Moses Lake, Washington. This plant will manufacture lightweight carbon-fiber materials for the auto industry applications. The total cost of the plant will likely exceed $100 million.

And BMW has further emphasised on its green preferences by choosing to build the plant in Washington. BMW says that the energy to be consumed comes from hydroelectric generators, which makes it far more environment friendly than in other locations. Nevertheless, various components for the MegaCity are transported from other countries. The raw feedstock to make carbon fibres is coming from Japan. The carbon fibres are then fabricated at the Moses Lake plant after which they're flown to Germany, where they're processed into lightweight fabrics in Wackersdorf.

Carbon fibre is lightweight and hence it can radically reduce the energy consumption of a vehicle. Building the tiny MegaCity electric car on carbon fibre will enhance its green quotient, but what about the carbon footprint of transporting the materials across three continents and the various plants. BMW won’t say anything on that topic yet.

The MegaCity is likely to be launched in mid-2013 as a 2014 model, and sold as a "sub-brand" of BMW. It will be sold primarily in over-crowded cities. The MegaCity is expected to be a four-seat, three-door hatchback.

All MegaCity cars will run solely on electricity stored in a 16-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. Cells come from a joint venture of German parts maker Bosch and Korean conglomerate Samsung.


BMW has now produced two electric cars: the two seat Mini E, which is currently going through tests in the US, UK and Europe, and the new Active E Concept which was unveiled at the last month's Detroit Auto Show.

                   &n bsp;     Add New Post

Towards the end of last year, after economic recession hit the world badly, General Motors tasted the bitter pill called bankruptcy in the U.S. The company then decided to start off with a fresh approach and innovative strategy. It wanted to see a new dawn for a brighter future. Any guesses what the strategy was? Yes, General Motors planned to set up its used car business. Chevrolet OK was the name and it would sell used cars from General Motors alone as part of the project. Now what? BMW wants to follow.

BMW saw other leading market players rejoicing success with their used car wings. It wants to get a similar feel. We heard that the company will open its first used car showroom in Chennai. When? The inauguration will happen very soon, in April this year. That’s not all. It has plans of opening a second used car showroom in Gurgaon sometime during the second half of this year. Isn’t that a great step to move ahead? The car industry is already enjoying success with the increase in sales it has seen since January this year. February was the best month ever in the history of many car makers.

BMW’s used car business venture, BMW Premium Selection would soon spread the virus to all major cities in India. Who knows, you may soon see one in your city. Isn’t that great? It is indeed going to be a quality business. The proficient BMW engineers and technicians will select cars eligible for resale. The selection would be only after a thorough inspection. Also, the used BMW cars will be sold on warranty. It is probably going to be a comprehensive 2-year or 40,000-km warranty whichever is earlier, 24-hour roadside assistance, test driving, and also individual financing.

What do you think BMW has in mind about the business? BMW expects the used car business to contribute to 30 per cent of the total sales. The company, however, is not new to the used car industry. It sells used cars in the U.S., Europe and Russia under the BMW Premium Selection programme. With the care that the company takes during the selection of used cars, it sure seems like the new step is going to be a success.

The company will be focusing on the car’s health. The engineers will check for details like visible signs of accident damage, defects in paint and tyres, and complete examination of the brake system, shock absorbers, battery and electrical components. Even the mirrors, windows, sunroof, central locking and interior lights, seat belts, fluid levels, clutch, brakes and transmission, wiper blade and washing system will be taken care of. A test drive for performance and noise will be tested.

BMW set up shop in India in 2006. Till date it has successfully sold over 8,000 cars in the country. Its sales target for the year 2010 is over 4,000 units. In addition to the pre-owned car business that it plans to start next month, BMW India will also kick off its financial services. This programme is also expected to drastically reduce the financial burden on car buyers. It will certainly guarantee a well-maintained, first-class automobile with a comparatively low price tag.

                   &n bsp;     Add New Post

Cutting edge technology, world class luxury and comfort, that’s luxury cars for you, courtesy Germany. German auto giants, like Audi, BMW and Mercedes, have always had the upper hand when it came to the luxury car needs of the Indian. And as British marquees Jaguars and Land Rover arrive to India, German carmakers are bracing themselves for the fierce competition. After setting up their assembly operations in the country a number of them are now planning to enhance their total output.

Anticipating on the upcoming competition and growing demand, Mercedes has already taken necessary steps to beat the competition heat. Mercedes Benz India (MBIL), which is in its tenth year of running operations, is planning to ramp up production at its Chakan plant by moving into double shift operations to meet the growing demand for its luxury cars. Mercedes believes that the SUV segment is growing faster than the luxury car segment and that it plans to penetrate the segment at a much deeper level.

When the Mercedes spokesperson was contacted, he refused to comment. He said, “Right now, we are assembling variants of the C, E and S-Class here, and has an installed capacity to make 5,000 cars annually with single shift operations. At the moment, we have no plans to increase capacity. But if the market booms, we may think about it”.

Now, let’s talk about another German brand which is a hot favourite among the Indians. Yes, we are talking about BMW. BMW has resolved to reach a target of selling about 4000 units in 2010 and in order to achieve it, BMW is all set to enhance production capacity at its Chennai plant.

BMW India is planning to have a double digit growth in this year but its Chennai plant has a production capability of about 3000 cars a year. With its sales target being more than the production capacity, BMW is looking at investing more at their plant, however, the final figures have not been worked out yet. This brings good news for all the people in who are looking for jobs in Chennai. BMW is launching its SUV X1 next year and to cater to the needs of assembling the SUV X1, it is planning to increase the manpower by about 30 per cent.

                   &n bsp;     Add New Post

After losing the battle to Mercedes during January 2010 in the luxury car segment, BMW has pulled up its socks and ready to roll out new 5 Series. BMW India has said it is quite happy with its Indian operations and is looking to regain its top spot with the launch of new 5 Series Sedan.

The new 5 Series will have an assortment of new technologies, new engine and an optional 8 speed automatic gearbox. The new 5 Series is likely to hit the Indian roads by July 2010 and will have a price tag, in all probability, of Rs 44 – 55 Lakh. The new 5 Series will be assembled at its Chennai plant.

BMW 5 Series features the same vehicle architecture that you can see in the BMW 7 Series luxury sedans. The new 5 Series has the longest wheelbase (2,968mm), a sleek engine compartment lid, and a very graceful coupe-like roofline. It also has an optional 40:20:40 split folding rear seats and 520 litres of boot space.

The new BMW 5 Series Sedan has an Adaptive Drive encompassing Dynamic Damper Control and Dynamic Drive stability control and BMW’s Integral Active Steering.

The new BMW 5 Series Sedan is coming to India in eight-cylinder and three six-cylinder petrol engines as well as two six-cylinder diesels. The range will also include a four-cylinder turbo-diesel with an aluminium crankcase and common-rail direct injection.

The driver assist systems featured in the new 5 Series include Parking Assistant, Surround View, collision warning with application of the brakes in conjunction with Active Cruise Control plus Stop & Go, and a new Speed Limit Device. Other features that further enhance its appeal are Lane Change Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Night Vision with detection of individual persons, and a back-up camera.

All that we want to say is Audi and Mercedes are going to have a tough time figuring out a strategy to counter the frenzy that the new BMW 5 Series will create.

                   &n bsp;     Add New Post

Have you heard of the new BMW? The BMW 3 series sedan has come out in 2 new variants; 1 petrol and 1 diesel variant. The cars were launched on 25th of Feb, 2010. The proud car makers are very confident about the vehicles’ quality, safety and performance. The complete package of the 3 series vehicles that includes the fresh technology, fuel-efficient engines, chic interiors, athletic performance and refined style make them the most widely selling premium vehicles in the world.

If you want the price, here it is. The BMW 320d diesel car is priced at Rs 23,95,000 and the 330i petrol variant is going to cost Rs 33,40,000 (All India Show-Room ). Choosing the colour will not be a problem when BMW has 6 striking colour list in its portfolio for these cars like that of; Alpine White, Sapphire Black, Monaco Blue, Space Grey, Platinum Bronze and Titanium Silver. The upholstery designs in Dakota leather are believed to be exotic too. The design of the car is simply too good and for those looking for an exhilarating driving experience; this BMW seems to be the best.

It is not surprising that most sporty compact models desire to be like the BMW 3 series car. The 330i has an in-line six-cylinder petrol engine with high-precision injection that delivers fuel exactly where it is needed. The car features a 2996cc engine with maximum output of 255 bhp at 6600 RPM and maximum torque of 300Nm at 2500-4000 RPM.

As for the new diesel variant, the 320d has a four-cylinder engine with an aluminum crankcase and third-generation common-rail direct injection. Electronically controlled injectors deliver fuel to the cylinders. The third-generation common rail operates at pressures of up to 2000 bars and is more precise in the amount of fuel injected. The BMW 320d features a 1995cc engine with the maximum output of 175 bhp at 4000 RPM and maximum torque of 350 Nm at 1750-3000 RPM.

Any takers yet? The company seems to be doing really well in India. Headquartered in Gurgaon, BMW India had invested Rs 1.1 billion initially. Right now, the company has spread its wings all over the country with 17 locations. Did you know that just the Chennai plant has a capacity of making 3000 units per year on a one-shift basis? Amazing, isn’t it? They are now challenging other car makers by providing quality service to all its customers. At the moment, trying to set higher standards seems to be the name of the game.

If anyone wants a BMW, but is not too interested in the 3 or 5 series, don’t get disappointed. BMW also has the 6 Series, 7 Series, X3, X5, X6, Z4, and the BMW Gran Turismo. All these cars are available in the country as completely built-up units. Interested? If you visit the BMW dealers, there are some other cars that will just mesmerize you. You just can’t get your eyes off the BMW M3 Coupé, M3 Convertible, M5, M6 Coupé, M6 Convertible, X6 M, 6 Series Individual and BMW 7 Series Individual cars.

So, which one draws your attention? Will you buy a BMW at all? If I can afford it, I will surely go for it. Let’s see how well the German auto makers succeed in impressing the Indian buyer.

                   &n bsp;     Add New Post

Mercedes-Benz India certainly is soaring up high. After Beating BMW in the month of January 2010 in terms of sales volumes of cars, the Mercedes juggernaut rolls on. To capitalize on the new found Numero Uno position, Mercedes-Benz on Monday launched its new luxury limousine called S-Guard in India with a whopping price tag attached to it.

This new Mercedes-Benz-S-Guard Limousine has been targeted at corporate and industry leaders, government officials and celebrities. This car comes with integrated Protection and can withstand ballistic and firearms attach and is fitted with a 12 cylinder 5.5cc petrol engine. Now for the best part, the price or the cost of this limo is Rs 6 crore (ex-showroom).

The S-Guard are limousines from Mercedes-Benz and encompasses cumulative experience of 80+ years of manufacturing vehicles with factory-integrated special protection. The car has the Highest Protection status means that it has been engineered to resistance level B6/B7, as tested and certified by international organisations. Its armour resists military-standard small-arms projectiles and provides protection against fragments from hand grenades and other explosive charges. Additional safety features include run-flat tyres, a self-sealing fuel tank and a fire-extinguishing system.

“This car is basically targeted at corporate and industry leaders, government officials and celebrities. We want to tap the growing market for armored and protective vehicles in India,” said by Mercedes-Benz India Member of the Board of Management Suhas Kadlaskar.

The S-Guard will come as a CBU from the Germany plant. Kadlaskar said “the exact price of the car will be decided once the first order comes and will depend on import duties and other specifications”.

                   &n bsp;     Add New Post

The 2010 BMW 135i Coupe and Convertible will be offered with an optional 7-speed dual clutch transmission for the first time, helping to reduce fuel consumption and emissions while boosting acceleration times and overall performance.

Both cars stick with a twin-turbocharged 3,0-litre straight-six engine rated at 301 bhp at 5,800 rpm and 400 N.m of torque, which comes on as low as 1 200 rpm all the way up to 5 000 rpm. Additionally, the engine now features BMW’s Valvetronic valve adjustment system, which is the first time the system has been offered on a turbocharged engine.

With the addition of the 7-speed dual clutch transmission, the 2010 BMW 135i Coupe will accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 5.0 seconds flat while the slightly heavier 135i Convertible is understandably a bit off the pace, posting a 5.3 second run for the 0-100 km/h sprint.

The best part is that the fuel consumption of both the Coupe and Convertible equipped with the dual clutch transmission is better than the standard manual equipped models, as well as the former automatic models.

Both models come as standard with a modified M Aerodynamics Package and M Sports Suspension. Other standard features include DSC Dynamic Stability Control with an individualized set-up, an electronic limited slip differential, as well as model-specific control maps for Servotronic power steering and accelerator pedal.

Now with Nissan bringing in their 370Z, BMW also might see a lucrative market for their 1-series cars in India and might as well bring it in here in the late part of 2011.

                   &n bsp;     Add New Post

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.

                   &n bsp;     Add New Post

BMW 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.

                   &n bsp;     Add New Post

Get a load of this. Rolls Royce has taken 60 orders in November-December 2009 for its newly launched Rolls Royce Ghost in India. How cools is that? India is finally back to its old ways in the global business of buying Rolls Royce cars, punching above its weight. This fact certainly is a nostalgic-feel for the RR marquee.

India is back in track from where it started for RR market. The new breed of Indian business tycoons are following in the footsteps of the pre-war maharajahs in their quest for luxury cars, snapping up the new $600,000 Rolls-Royce Ghost at the fastest rate in the world. The first Ghost will be delivered to a Chennai based realtor next month.

Rolls-Royce, the iconic British carmaker now owned by BMW, is hoping for big things from the Ghost, a “baby” 2.4-tonne luxury sedan that is about 40 per cent cheaper than the company’s flagship Phantom range.

Rolls Royce’s global sales dropped southwards with just 1000 RR Phantoms being sold in 2009 when compared to 1212 in 2008 thanks to the Global recession. But RR is quite optimistic this year and targets selling 2500 units of Phantom and Ghosts this year. The Ghost, was unveiled at the September 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show as the new entry level Roller.

Though Abu Dhabi and Dubai were the top sales outlets for Rolls Royce in 2008, thanks to the global financial crisis, the Middle-East luxury car sales is now cooling off and the new markets for the RR is emerging from the Asia-Pacific particularly from countries like China and India. RR expects to sell over 400 units with China accounting for half of the sales while India, Japan and Australia raking the rest of RR units.

RR though is targeting the global market for its sales, Indian car market will always remain special to the Rolls Royce as the saga of RR in India dates back to 1907 when Maharaja of Gwalior, Madho Rao Scindia , imported the first example of the car to India , just three years after Rolls-Royce was formed.

India, pre-independence though predominantly a British Raj, was a royal mass of land with over 500 princely states in it. Most the maharajas and Royals of these princely states were avid buyers of the brand, customizing them to suit Indian conditions. The Nizam of Hyderabad, for example, had a fleet of 50 Rollers, while the Maharajah of Patiala had 44 in his collection.
But with the coming of Indian independence in 1947, royals and Maharajas were forced to abandon their ostentatious lifestyles and lead a life of austerity for many decades to come. Their Rolls-Royces were garaged or sold to private collectors, such as the industrialist Pranlal Bhogilal, who has a collection of 200-plus vintage cars on his estate near Ahmedabad.

Further financial privation for the royals came in 1971 when then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi abolished the Privy Purse system of payments to them. By this time Rolls Royce had withdrawn from the Indian market and it was not until 2005 that it returned, appointing Navnit Motors in Mumbai as first authorized RR dealer in almost 50 years. Navnit subsequently opened a showroom in Mumbai’s Atria Mall in May 2006, and this was followed by a second Rolls-Royce dealership in India in September 2008, when Select Cars opened a showroom in New Delhi.

Going by the reports of the latest world wealth published by consulting firms Capgemini and Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, India had 84,000 US-dollar millionaires at the start of last year, down more than 30 per cent from an estimated 123,000 at the start of 2008, when share markets were at their peak. Of the 84,000, about 1000 Indians are in the “ultra” high net worth category, with assets above US$30 million, while between 50 and 100 are billionaires. India has already become a land of modern new age Maharajas.

While high net worth individual numbers may have receded a little from early 2008, the return of strong economic growth in the second half of 2009 in both India and China points to strong sales ahead for sellers of luxury goods. China’s GDP growth in 2010 is likely to be around 9 to 9.5 per cent, while India should reach 7.5 per cent. That compares with just a 2.2 per cent outlook for the US and 3.5 per cent for the world overall.

This is what makes India a fertile hunting ground for Rolls-Royce and other luxury car purveyors such as Bentley, which is owned by BMW’s rival German maker Volkswagen. Maybach, the Mercedes-Benz luxury model, rounds out the trio of brands at the top catering to the “chairman” segment, where customization is the name of the game. Family crests, cocktail cabinets, special carpet trim and unique colour combinations are among the personal touches most often requested.

In addition to the “chairman” luxury-car segment, there is also strong Indian demand for sports-style “supercars,” where names like Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche dominate the market.

Source: The Australian

                   &n bsp;     Add New Post

German car maker BMW will be displaying the X1 in the upcoming Auto Expo in New Delhi. The car luxury car maker will also be displaying the Z4, BMW 3-Series and the BMW 5-Series.

BMW is currently India’s number one luxury car maker. It has launched the X4 in the Indian car market in October 2009. It has rolled out the 3-Series and the 5-Series sedans in the India.

The X1 is the most compact SUV from BMW. It will be pitted against the Land Rover Freelander 2. The BMW X1 will be available with a choice of three 2-litre turbo-diesel engines. The 18d can derive 143 bhp, the 20d 177 bhp and the 23d 240 bhp. A 6-speed manual transmission comes standard on the 18d and the 20d, while a 6-speed automatic gearbox comes standard in the 23d and as an option in the 20d. The BMW X1 is expected to hit showrooms in mid-2010.

The Z4 is yet to make a mark in India. But this convertible promises to make an impact among the speed lovers in the coming year. The Z4 is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre engine with 306 bhp and a 7-speed semi-automatic gearbox.

The 3-Series is available in 4 variants, 320i petrol, 325i petrol, 320d diesel, and 320d Highline diesel in India. The 320i and 325i are powered by 2.0L inline 4-cyl and 2.5L inline 6-cyl petrol engines respectively. A 2.0L turbocharged diesel engine powers 320d and 320d Highline variants.

On the other hand, the BMW 5-Seriesis a midsize luxury sedan that incorporates attractive appearance and state-of-the-art technology along with luxurious interiors. It comes in five variants, 525i, 530i (petrol) and 520d, 530d and 530d Highline diesel. The 5-Series has 2.5L, and 3.0L 6-cylinder petrol engines that power the 525i, and the 530i respectively. The 520d is powered by a 2.0L Inline 4 diesel engine, whereas 530d and 530d Highline are mated with a 3.0L 6-cylinder diesel engine.

                   &n bsp;     Add New Post

While we were speaking about Mercedes in the earlier blog, we also hit on this story that sounded equally amazing. Hope, you also will be amazed.

Green is in and HOW? Just like Mercedes-Benz, its compatriot BMW seems like it had been working very hard to give something clean in return to the nature. We have known that BMW is already working very hard on its new “EfficientDynamics” engineering philosophy which if simplified means cleaner vehicle technology.

BMW, in a move to make its cars more eco-friendly has announced that the upcoming 2011 BMW 7-Series luxury car will be available with a twin-turbo-six-cylinder engine in North America. This certainly is a big step ahead for BMW which has always vouched by its big V8 engine for 7-Series.

BMW 740i and 740Li of 2011 will be available with BMW’s universally acclaimed straight-six engine that produces 315 horsepower at 5,800rpm and 440Nm of torque at 1,600-4,500rpm. BMW claims the 740i and 740Li will be among the most powerful six-cylinder luxury sedans in the world with this all-aluminium engine doubled with twin-turbos, features high precision direct fuel injection and double-VANOS variable camshaft technology.

We guess, like the small cars which is gaining popularity amongst the people, smaller engines also is gaining popularity with the manufacturers of high-end luxury cars in Europe and America. This is in order to reduce fuel consumption and cut back on emissions, while still retaining the drivability that bigger engines offer.

                   &n bsp;     Add New Post

The world is acknowledging the word “Green” and how? Two of the world's largest car firms kicked off trials of their flagship electric vehicles in the UK as part of a nationwide pilot scheme backed by the Technology Strategy Board (TSB).

Mitsubishi's electric i-MiEVs and BMW's electric Mini were both distributed to participants in the trial, which is intended to inform both the development of the yet-to-be-released vehicles and the government's wider electric car strategy.

In the trial that began in Oxford, about 40 customers picked up their Mini electric car as part of a pilot scheme for six months that has seen a special charging points fitted at the homes of the successful applicants and data collection devices fitted to each of the Mini Es.
This was to evaluate the psychological, social and technical aspects of living with an electric car. The information will be collected by Oxford Brookes University and then made publicly available.

The Mini E is based on the Mini hatchback, but the back seat is converted to store batteries. The 35kWh lithium-ion battery powers a 201bhp electric motor, which provides similar acceleration to a standard mini.

BMW, which owns Mini claims that the overall CO2 emissions from the car equates to roughly 68g/km, which is around half the CO2 emitted by a 1.25l Ford Fiesta. It also adds that the emissions related to the vehicle would fall over time as more renewable energy plays a greater role in the UK's energy mix. It added that each full charge will give the vehicle a range of about 150 miles.

Meanwhile, Mitsubishi's pilot scheme has seen 25 i-MiEVs, the electric version of its compact four-seat, four-door, rear-engined "i" city car, distributed to customers in the midlands.

The cars were distributed as part of the £15m Coventry and Birmingham Low Emission Vehicle Demonstrators (Cabled) project, which will ultimately see 110 vehicles trialed in Birmingham and Coventry. Under the scheme, Indian auto giant Tata Motors will contribute 25 electric Indicas, Microlab will provide 10 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, Land Rover is to supply five Range_e plug-in hybrids and LTI will provide five electric taxis.

E.ON, Birmingham City Council and Coventry City Council will also install electrical charging points for the vehicles and arrange access to the University of Birmingham's hydrogen refuelling station. The launch of the trials came as business secretary Lord Mandelson announced plans for a new £19m competition to help accelerate the development of electric vehicles. More details of the competition are expected to be announced in February.

                   &n bsp;     Add New Post

Mercedes-Benz cars are known for style, sturdy build and reliability. These cars come with safety features with notable exceptions.

Mercedes-Benz cars come with six driver and passenger airbags,4-wheel anti-lock braking system, Neck-Pro crash-responsive head restraints, 3-point driver and front passenger shoulder belts including height adjustment, emergency tensioning, adaptive belt force limiter, rear 3-point seat belts, including outboard emergency tensioning, outboard belt force limiter, and outboard automatic height.

Compared to Mercedes-Benz’s rival, Audi cars, do not have 4 wheel anti-lock braking system. Moreover, both Audi and BMW cars have head airbags where the Mercedes-Benz cars have airbags and crash-responsive head restraints. It has been found out that head airbags do offer extra protection during crashes by deploying between the head and window, but head restraints are reusable and can be reset after being deployed. Besides, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) provides extra control and improved safety in difficult braking situations.

For the price range it falls into, Mercedes-Benz offers the added value of a unique standard safety feature not offered in other similar C-class sedans, even higher-priced models. When considering C-class sedan style, price, performance, and safety, the Mercedes-Benz provides a safety advantage to drivers and passengers.

                   &n bsp;     Add New Post

Yes, the luxury car maker is on a spree! It’s on a dealership opening spree. Believe it or not it,Mercedes-Benz has been successful in opening three dealerships in just eight hours!

Looks like the one-time number one luxury car company in India is trying its level best to affirm its supremacy at the luxury car segment. Ever since its home-town rivals BMW and Audi appeared on Indian car market scene, the three-pointed star stumbled down from its first place as a luxury car giant in India and gave way to BMW to shine.

With three new dealerships in India, Pune, Delhi and Mumbai, the luxury car major is geared up with a whole load of initiatives. The car maker will introduce a wide of exciting new models in 2010 in India. The three-pointed star will shine bright in the upcoming 2010 Auto Expo with its new line-up of products.

With these three new outlets, Mercedes-Benz now has close to 50 touch points all over India. This will help the three-pointed star's appeal and availability as it gets ready to start flexing its muscles for the first time in it’s over a decade and a half existence in this country.

The company recently launched the advanced E-Class diesel BlueEFFICIENCY in India. It sells the C-Class, CL-Class, CLS-Class, E-Class, M-Class, S-Class, SL-Class and SLK-Class in India.

                   &n bsp;     Add New Post

It seems like Hyundai is on a roll. One year after promising to become the leading manufacturer in fuel economy, Hyundai delivered by topping the latest U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fuel economy report. Hyundai passed all major manufacturers in Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) including traditional leaders like Honda and Toyota.

The report demonstrates the effectiveness of Hyundai's value-driven fuel-efficiency strategy, which focuses on the intelligent application of cost-effective technologies. The report also substantiates Hyundai's leadership in the race to achieve the US government-mandated 2016 CAFE standard of 35.5 miles per gallon.

"Our thoughtful application of cost-effective, fuel-efficient technologies has helped us achieve our goal of leading the industry in fuel economy ahead of schedule," said John Krafcik, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. He also added that Hyundai hoped to extend that leadership with the launch of our new direct injection, turbocharging and lithium-polymer hybrid technologies, all of which will be a part of the 2011 Sonata lineup launching early next year.

Hyundai is aligning global R&D resources at its engineering centers in California, Michigan, Korea, India and Germany to develop the Blue Drive technologies needed to achieve fuel efficiency goals. Under the Hyundai Blue Drive strategy, technologies such as direct injection, turbo-charging, hybrid drive systems and a number of others will all play larger roles in powering future models to offer consumers lower emissions, enhanced performance and more miles per gallon.

Carazoo.com here gives the list of car makers who have scored high in producing fuel-efficient vehicles according to Environmental Protection Agency Fuel Economy Reports :

Group Fuel Economy (mpg)
----------------------------------
Manufacturer Overall (Cars/Trucks)
-------------- ---------------------
Hyundai 30.1
------- ----
Honda 29.7
----- ----
Volkswagen 29.6
---------- ----
Toyota 29.4
------ ----
Kia 28.0
--- ----
Nissan 27.2
------ ----
BMW 26.9
--- ----
Ford 25.7
---- ----
General Motors 24.5
-------------- ----
Chrysler 23.2
-------- ----

                   &n bsp;     Add New Post

BMW has a new reason for pulling the attention of the customers. This time it is for the vital drivetrain instrument cluster. The German luxury car maker earlier have always have had more than one reasons to bring its fans to showrooms. Its feat includes latest technology in engines, transmissions, chassis controls and cockpit infotainment systems.

The differential is a compact gearbox which is housed in the recesses between an automobile’s drive wheels. It helps in making a smooth delivery of engine power while going around in turns. Its array of gears and shafts makes it possible for the left and right wheels to spin at different speeds even though they are geared together on the same axle.

The rear differential at the heart of the BMW xDrive all-wheel drive system used in the X6, X6M and X5M goes beyond maintaining forward motion in adverse weather. The new BMW xDrive is smart enough to lend a helping hand in extreme cornering manoeuvers.

The version of xDrive in these BMW cars includes a capability called Dynamic Performance Control whose purpose is to contribute what engineers call a ‘yaw torque’. Dynamic Performance Control pitches in once the hardest-working tyres have reached their traction limits. This added yaw torque is generated at the rear. By forcing the outside rear tyre to push forward while the inside-rear tyre pulls back a bit, a helpful turning force is generated about the imaginary vertical axis.

What accomplishes this execution is an ingenious collection of clutches and gears inside the differential. The beauty of this arrangement is that it works independently of the BMW’s propulsion system.

Whether the driver is accelerating, braking or coasting through a tight turn, this new differential is always on call to add a yaw-torque contribution.

                   &n bsp;     Add New Post

BMW has released the pictures and details of its sixth-generation 5 Series sedan, which now comes with a host of new technologies, new engines and an optional 8-speed automatic transmission.

With the first generation 5 Series having been launched in 1972, each successive generation of the car has upped the ante in terms of sheer technology as well as the driving experience, and the latest car pushes the envelope even further.

The new BMW 5 Series saloon now has the longest wheelbase in its class (2,968mm) which creates more room for its passengers. Also, with its (optional) 40:20:40 split folding rear seats, the car has 520 litres of boot space, which a lot of people will definitely find very useful.

The asymmetrically designed centre console is slightly inclined (by seven degrees) towards the driver, which ensures that all controls are comfortably within the reach. The multifunctional steering wheel has been simplified, putting all of the function keys in one hand and infotainment in the other.

The use of BMW’s ‘Black Panel’ technology on the instrument panel and centre console, as seen in the BMW 7 Series and the 5 Series Gran Turismo, adds a touch of luxury to the cabin.

Black Panel technology integrates the centre console into the trim of the car. High-resolution electronic displays are visible when needed, but when not in use, they discreetly blend in to form an elegant black band across the interior.

The new BMW 5 Series saloon is being offered with three diesel and four petrol engines. The diesel models include the 520d, fitted with a four-cylinder 2.0-litre engine, and the 525d and 530d, both of which get a turbocharged straight-six 3.0-litre engine. Petrol variants include the 523i, 528i and 535i, all of which get six-cylinder engines, while the range-topping 550i gets a 4.4-litre, 407-horsepower V8.

A six-speed manual transmission is standard on the new 5 Series, while an 8-speed automatic transmission is standard on the 550i. Also, for those 5 Series saloons specified with Variable Damper Control or Adaptive Drive packages, BMW's Drive Dynamic Control (DDC) chassis configurator is fitted to enhance ride and handling still further.

DDC allows for fine tuning of the chassis with the choice of normal, comfort, sport and sport+, with each mode changing the level of steering assistance, throttle response, gear change characteristics, degree of Dynamic Stability Control interaction and, courtesy of adjustable dampers, the ride and handling characteristics.

We expect BMW to launch the new 5 Series in India early next year, with prices starting at Rs 45 lakh and above.

                   &n bsp;     Add New Post

The decision of buying a car does not come overnight. An intelligent buyer will research well before he takes the plunge of buying one.

You might have all made plans for the ongoing festival season. And it also includes the plan of buying a car, and you are just blessed with so many new options. And these new cars will surely push you off into a deep sea of thoughts where it might take a few more weeks for you to make a peaceful and satisfied decision for which you will not regret about later.

There are a whole range of new car models that is being presented to the Indian car audience. And this has happened in a short span of one to one and a half months. To add on to the list of car launches are cars that has been launched with a minor facelift, or an upgraded version or new variant of the existing model.

For those who have settled their thoughts to buy an SUV has the large number of choices. As we have mentioned in a previous blog of ours, it was raining SUVs in India for the past few months. There was an upgraded Discovery 3 and Range Rover launched on September 23. And this launch was soon followed by the launch of Freelander 2, Ford Endeavour, facelifted Nissan X-trial, and the new Audi Q7.

The two most acclaimed models of Honda, City and Civic, came as new offerings for the Indian car crowd. The Honda City gets a new variant and a facelifted version of the Civic was launched. The two top luxury car makers of the country Mercedes-Benz and BMW also had gifts for its customers this festival season. Mercedes-Benz launched its new 2010 E-class and BMW launched a new Roadster, Z4.

The facelifted version of the existing Teana was also launched by Nissan. Porsche also made its presence through Porsche Panamera, a four seater sports sedan.

Chevrolet also launched its sedan Cruze this week, just days before Diwali. Finally yesterday, Tata launched its mid-size sedan, Tata Manza. And we are still waiting for the launch of the re-launch of Maruti SX4 and the new SUV from Premier motors.

Well, what do you think? A whole lot of cars, right, now it is up to you to take a clever decision.

                   &n bsp;     Add New Post