2009 Toyota Corolla XRS
2009 Toyota Corolla XRS
2009 Toyota Corolla XRS Interior
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
2010 Bentley Continental GTC
2010 Bentley Continental GTC
2010 Bentley Continental GTC Speed
2010 Bentley Continental GTC Interior
2009 Bentley Brooklands
2009 Bentley Brooklands
2009 Bentley Brooklands
2009 Bentley Brooklands Interior
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Audi A7 Sportback Concept
Audi A7 Sportback Concept
Audi A7 Sportback Concept
Audi A7 Sportback Concept
2009 Chevrolet Traverse AWD
2009 Chevrolet Traverse AWD
2009 Chevrolet Traverse AWD
2009 Chevrolet Traverse AWD Dashboard
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
2010 Cadillac SRX 3.0 V6 AWD
2010 Cadillac SRX 3.0 V6 AWD
2010 Cadillac SRX 3.0 V6 AWD
2010 Cadillac SRX 3.0 V6 AWD
2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid Pic
2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Force India to get assistance in aerodynamics from CRL
Developing CFD designs for F1 cars is a very complicated process which requires the usage of very high computing powers in order to come up with absolutely correct results. Apart from engine power the aerodynamics play an important role in enhancing the overall performance of the car making it go faster.
Going through the various CFD solutions allows engineers to understand the various airflow patterns by viewing the ways in which air flows around the car virtually. This helps the engineers to set up an aerodynamically efficient car. The designs will now be developed and processed on Eka which is currently our country's fastest supercomputer which is also ranked as the fourth fastest computer in the world in 2007.
Speaking to the media after the fomal agreement was signed, Dr.Vijay Mallya, Force India owner and liquor baron said that the team needed the speed and accuracy of a supercomputer to develop its car as the performance of racing cars get measured in one-hundredth of a second. He further said that we are happy to have found a partner right here in India and this partnership with CRL will help us access the best of technology at a much lesser cost.He admitted that Force India always had tremendous straightline speed but the problem area were the turns and curves. Mallya is hoping his team to overcome that problem with CRL's high speed computing strength.
This deal with CRL will reduce the time taken by Force India team in aerodynamically enhancing its cars as the simulations will now be developed by a supercomputer. Basically engineers get a two week gap before the next race to sort out the car's problems. If the CFD designs are developed by a supercomputer in a short time then the guys get more time to play around with the other issues of the car like tyre worries, engine or gearbox issues etc.
When questioned by the media about the possibility of an Indian driver in the Force India team, Mallya first asked the reporters why the particular question is always their primary focus. He then calmly said that the possibility of an Indian driving for Force India can come true only by virtue of a systematized program. He admit that a mission to find people is on.
Voicing his opinion about that the continual flak that he and his team faces for not having an Indian driver on board, Mallya commented that had he done something rash like allowing an Indian to drive with an incapable then also he would have come under major criticism.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
GM India to showcase 6 vehicles
Commenting on the display of vehicles, Mr. P. Balendran, Vice President, General Motors India said, "The Auto Expo in Delhi is the most ideal platform in India to highlight our new product range that will showcase GM’s technological advancement and innovation. The theme of our stall entitled "Inspiration to advance" will have Chevrolet brand of vehicles displayed under three categories like Performance series, Mini series and the Green series. The recently launched Chevrolet Cruze, Optra Magnum, alongside a special preview of the Captiva Extreme will set the tone, with their inspirational technology, which has been modified to suit the Indian roads. The World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) Cruze will also be something to look forward to. The research and the technical knowhow exhibited through the demonstration of Cruze and beat engines at the stall alongside the vehicles will connote the brands promise to deliver world class service inspired by technology.
Making the green statement will be the Chevrolet Volt, Chevrolet Spark- LPG, all new Aveo CNG and Spark Electric prototype which is scheduled to make its commercial launch later this year. The Chevrolet Volt is an electric vehicle with extended-range capability. It is designed to drive up to 40 miles on electricity without using gasoline or producing tail-pipe emissions. Also on display would be the fun, efficient and the 21st century sports car- The Chevrolet Camaro, which has recently been launched globally.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Nissan confirms 370Z launch In Jan 2010!
Speaking to the media, Suresh Rangarajan, spokesperson for Nissan, said that the 370Z will be introduced in India from January and shall be third in the series of fully imported cars launched here after the X-Trail and Teana. He also said that the company has plans to introduce a fourth model in India through the CBU route but is yet to finalise the model. He did not reveal any details about the pricing of its sports coupe.
When quizzed further about how Nissan intends to utilize its Chennai plant, Tokuyama said that the facility shall initially be manufacturing premium hatchback cars in the B+ segment and shall be the hub for global sourcing. He also confirmed that Nissan has taken a decision to end production of its small car Micra at its manufacturinf facility in UK and shift its production at the upcomming Chennai plant.
Nissan is also increasing its dealership network in the country. It recently unvieled a new dealership outlet in Gujrat increasing its total count in India to nine.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Nano Europa Details Revealed
What you see here in the photos is the comprehensively spruced-up version of the world’s cheapest car the Tata Nano. The Indian spec Nano is far too basic for developed markets like Europe. Hence Tata will give it a bunch of upgrades before its expected debut in 2011. Judging by the fact that maximum demand for Nano in India has been for the top end variant, Tata will most probably launch it in the home market as well.
The Europa is expected to retail for a base price of £4000 (Rs. 3.2 lakh) and upwards in the UK. It will be powered by a 60 bhp, 1-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine coupled to a 5 speed manual gearbox. It will feature an all-steel body, an all-independent rear suspension, ABS, traction control, electric power steering and twin airbags, to make it compliant with Europe’s stringent safety norms. The Europa might also get a rear door hatch to take care of the practicality issues. Back home, it will go head on against age-old rivals like the Alto, the Santro and the Spark. Stay tuned for more details…
Friday, December 11, 2009
Volkswagen-Suzuki to develop Alto replacement
Speaking to the media, R.C. Bhargava, Chairman, Maruti Suzuki, said that the company will need a car in the Rs. 2.5 lakh price range. He admitted that earlier it had the 800 and now the Alto but at some point a replacement will be needed for the Alto. He also said that the above price range comprises the entry-level segment for Indian car buyers and they can't ignore that segment.
Volkswagen is likely to launch its hatchback Polo in the country at the upcomming Auto Expo in January. Both the companies are also chalking out plans to develop electric and small cars for India and Europe which will be launched under both brands. They are specifically looking at developing a new car in the $4500 price range. Currently, the cheapest offering from the Volkswagen stables for Europe is the Up which retails for under $9000.
The spokesperson for Volkswagen, Fabian Mannecke, told the media that Volkswagen will be greatly interested in a car below the price segment of the Up and it is something that they will need to check in their future together with Suzuki.
Suzuki is interested in sourcing diesel engine technology from Volkswagen. Suzuki lacks behind other manufacturers in terms of diesel engines and currently sources the engines powering its cars from Fiat. The companies are also looking at developing common platforms for their future cars.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
VW now owns $2.5 billion Suzuki stake
About six months ago, VW had revealed its interest in Suzuki due to its experience and dominance in the small-car segment. The move would also help VW to achieve its goal to be No.1 with the small-car segment being a key segment of competition in the present and future markets. On the other hand, Suzuki had announced that it would be very much happy to strike any sensible partnership. Before this announcement, Suzuki had lost its ties to General Motors Co. The Japanese firm initially took the GM support in the field of hybrid and next-generation technology. The firm, with the recent tie-up hopes to borrow Suzuki’s know-how for the development of s minicar platform for the Up! concept car.
Suzuki has well established its dominance in the Indian Market through “Maruti Suzuki”. On the other hand, it also dominates the unique 660cc minivehicles segment which is prevalent in its motherland, Japan. The firm is reported to have a market capitalization of $13.7 billion as compared to Volkswagen’s $45.7 billion. But however, Suzuki has been holding 20 percent of itself in treasury stock which it had bought back from GM during the years 2006 to 2008.
Volkswagen’s tie-up with Suzuki has not produced any kind of wave of surprise across the automotive industry. But however, the industry was left baffled after Suzuki Chief Executive Osamu Suzuki denied any talks of a tie-up just a month ago.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
GM wants India to drive volumes
General Motors is planning to grab a larger pie of the Indian car market by expanding its product portfolio and entering new sgments. The American auto major has recently launched it's new saloon Cruze at a competetive price which is also the only diesel powered car in its segment. It is just weeks away from unveiling its small car for India- 'Chevrolet Beat'. The company has also stated earlier that it looking into the possibility of entering the light commercial vehicle segment by launching a few products from its Chinese partner Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation's (SAIC) stables.
According to Karl Slym, President, GM India, the company is expecting to end 2009 with sales of around 70,000 units. Revealing the company's future strategy, he said that they expect to cross sales of one lakh units in 2010 while their target is to cross 2 lakh units in 2012.
General Motors has its eyes set on India to help itself successfully recover from the economic slowdown. The company is expecting India and China whose markets are still growing to drive up volumes. Owing to its tie-up with SAIC, GM is in a comfortable position in China and wants to concentrate on India. Well, as long as GM launches good cars people will buy them increasing sales. Otherwise the manufacturer will remain in its current state. Best of Luck GM!
