Mercedes-Benz showcase

Mercedes-Benz India stall at the 11th Auto Expo will be largest among luxury car manufacturers spreading over 3600 square metres

Pursuing the tremendous success achieved in 2011, Mercedes-Benz India is all set to further unveil the sporty and dynamic attributes of the Three Pointed Star, at the 11th Auto Expo. Mercedes-Benz India will be introducing its new fascinating design language that invokes excitement and reflects dynamism of the brand. The company will set the pulse of the new generation racing by showcasing the concept A-Class, which is globally acclaimed for its expressive design and technological marvels. Among the main highlights for Auto Expo 2012, Mercedes-Benz India for the first time in India will also be showcasing its new generation compact cars, future technology like the Fuel-Cell that will define the future of automobile, and also an array of exciting product range that is hallmark of the state-of-the-art innovations in automobile manufacturing, synonymous with the company.

The Mercedes-Benz stall will see the presence of more than 10 cars that includes stunning cars like the SLS GT3 and the DTM car, and also a range of performance cars from the AMG stable. The Auto Expo will also provide the motorsports enthusiasts of the country, the opportunity of enrolling for the soon to be launched Mercedes-Benz- JPSI Performance Driving Academy, a first of its kind platform for nurturing racing talent in India.

Peter T Honegg: Managing Director& CEO, Mercedes-Benz India said; “Our showcase at the Auto-Expo this year will be impressive both in terms of presentation and display vehicles. The Mercedes-Benz Arena located exclusively at Hall 15 will feature the company’s new design language; it will also showcase the pulse of a new generation, the concept A-Class and the equally acclaimed Fuel Cell technology. There will be a lounge area to offer an exclusive experience, special accessory outlets besides opportunities to offer networking possibilities for patrons and representatives. There will be several show-stoppers including the launch of the stunning SLS AMG Roadster. Besides these there will be technology demonstrators as well as an array of exotic Mercedes-Benz cars that represents automotive design and technology at its best.”

Mercedes-Benz India Pvt. Ltd. has had very successful 2011 with a growth of 31% (January – November 2011  6698  units sold as compared to  5110 units for January – November 2010).

New Audi Q7 3.0 TDI S Plus Specification

A new lead-in 204 PS V6 TDI version of the popular seven-seat luxury SUV has arrived with a lavish new range of S Plus specification

204 PfderStarke at 3200 to 4400 rotations per minute with Quattro® four wheel drive and adaptive air suspension for genuine off-road capability make this seven-seater a menacingly fast yet practical car to have. Taking the lower ouput V6 TDI engine seen first in the A6 is being used in the three litre Q7.

Despite the combined efficiency of 16.6 kilometres to a litre, the new Q7 is quite powerful. The new S Plus specification includes metallic paint, 21 inch-alloy wheels, Verano leather upholstery, privacy glass, hard disc-based navigation with Google Earth mapping, in-car Wi-Fi hotspot, Audi Music and Interface iPod connection , powered tailgate operation, Audi Parking System Advanced with reversing camera and running boards.

To strike the impressive balance between performance and economy, the timing of the three litre engine’s camshafts, its turbocharger and its advanced common-rail system with an injection pressure of 2000 bar, have been optimised specifically with fuel efficiency in mind.

Also adding the help of a DSG eight-speed tiptronic transmission, the latest V6 TDI uses its 204 PS and its 450 Nm torque reserve to power the Q7 to 100 kilometres from rest in 9.1 seconds, and enables it to reach a top speed of 204 kilometres an hour, provided conditions allow. The four wheel drive Quattro ® is channelled in a 40 percent front and 60 percent rear ratio. And both on -and off- tarmac, the standard five mode air suspension with its variable ground clearance of between 180 mm and 240 mm helps to iron out the most imperfect of surfaces.

Four specification levels are available for the Q7 – Standard, SE, S line and the new S line Plus and it is the latter which enables the imposing seven-seater reach its boldest visual statement. The starting price in the UK for the Audi Q7 3.0 TDI is £39,995.

Audi Q7 for Bodyguard Salman Khan

German car manufacturer Audi India handed over a brand new Audi Q7 to Bollywood's bad boy Salman Khan on spectacular success of his latest flick, Bodyguard.

 The recent past has seen some of the biggest Bollywood blockbusters from Salman Khan. Starting from Wanted, London Dreams, Partner, Dabangg and now Bodyguard which beating Dabangg's record gave Bollywood its biggest week with more than Rs.100 crore in just five days of its screening in India.

Looking at this spectacular success, Mr. Michael Perschke, Head, Audi India handed over the key of the Audi Q7 to Salman Khan.

Both these style icons Salman Khan and Kareena had extensively used the Audi Q7 and Audi A8L in the movie; cars with unmatched in terms of style, performance, safety, comfort and driving dynamics providing customers and now Salman Khan, the complete driving experience.

One can't beat the car's presence for its sheer size is daunting in the flesh. Among all top end SUVs in the country, the Q7 is of course the best equipped and turned out, no doubts on this front at all.

But the point of concern here is that: going by the past track record of Sallu bhai on roads, we hope, Salman drives around Mumbai safely in his stunning new car without causing any harm to mankind.

Mercedes-Benz SLK350

Punchy, pugnacious and strikingly handsome, while giving enough hints of a return to traditional Mercedes-Benz strengths of a decade and a half gone by, the SLK 350 is impressive in all its avatars one wants to explore, says the Editor, after six glorious days gunning the wailing V6-engined roadster through town and dale

Ever since I got to be of an age where the visual wasn’t enough to impress me, form following function being more in sync with why I craved for something more, the automotive equivalent I first got to grapple with were Mercedes-Benz two-seat roadsters. The 300SL Gullwing had so ingrained itself in my psyche and while first it was for the flip open doors, it really got my heart pounding when one took in the tubular spaceframe chassis and its derived from racing 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine and impeccable sporting record. That it had the measure of most Ferrari GTs and could wallop them in a straight fight only added to the allure of the car for both heart and mind.

Things didn’t mean much then when one set eyes on the pert little 190SL roadster, seemingly the small entry level foil for the 300SL in Merc’s line-up in the late 1950s. A small four-cylinder Mercedes roadster never made sense to me then and doesn’t do much to stir the senses to this day. However, as time went on and the curvy 300SL and 190SLs gave way to the more angular and upright 230SL and onwards, one began to see a pattern emerging. The mighty 450SL and SEL coupes were a hint that Mercedes-Benz had gone back to its roots and come up with the goods – big, brawny roadsters in soft top and fixed hard top forms, large inline twin cam six-cylinder engines to begin with before climbing on to torque crunchers with 4.5-litre V8s which on sheer muscle many a time made Italian thoroughbreds seem puny.

However, this didn’t last long in the modern age – the 1990s and the first decade of this century but Mercedes-Benz carried on its tradition of two-seat roadsters. The SLK followed and it was a successful product but something still didn’t feel right. It was too feminine, too fashionable for macho males and also seemed to be caught up in a transitory phase as its maker grappled with forces within itself as to how it should go about making cars – the honest to goodness time tested engineering over all else approach, or trying to be frugal, if not value engineering, to cut manufacturing costs down. The results of this approach are all there in the public domain but thankfully a few things have happened for the better. Mercedes-Benz has seen that its future lies in what it used to do best – engineer cars better than most – and has gone back to this dictum. Secondly, it wants to be able to retain its position as the leading manufacturer of premium roadsters in the world and hallelujah, the new 350 SLK seems to be the new face of a company rediscovering its mojo.

The last two generations of SLKs have been decent cars and in fact the last generation version did appear to draw inspiration from the McLaren-Mercedes SLR form to hint at something special. It could have worked had the SLR been a genuinely proficient machine all round rather than just being a sledgehammer in straight line tyre-shredding acceleration. This time round though there is a better inspiration and a more successful one to boot with more character traits of the past – yes, you guessed right, I am bringing in the SLS AMG with its wide, low stance, rippling muscular turnout, the right sort of engine placed midships ahead of the cockpit and driving the rear wheels and yes, the gullwing doors came back. All of a sudden retro seemed great and Mercedes knew what was expected of it for its next generation SLK range.

  

The first thing which strikes you is how handsome, rather than how pretty the new SLK is! And that is a first big positive for the new model. Being sketched around the SLS AMG is no small thing but the new wedge-shaped roadster has had the large heavy nose job wrought well with the rest of the package to present itself as bold and bountiful with a classic long hood, short deck approach. Having seen the same car kitted out with tasty AMG body add-ons, the SLK surely looks even better but hey, I am not complaining even with the base offering which is even hornier than any previous SLK.

That snout is best looked at when the car is on full attack mode and zipping it hot through fast sweeping corners and the rest comes around with just a hint of tail sliding out for both effect and pleasure. The new SLK has been toughened up with more abrupt angles from the easily recognised upright Mercedes grille to a rear diffuser with integrated exhaust. The front end is wider with big air intakes at its lower outboard edges. Despite this more muscular front end, the co-efficient of drag has been trimmed from an already impressive 0.32 to 0.30. The car looks best with its top down but given that we were blessed with both rain and shine in Pune for the week we had the SLK with us, the folding hard top is a boon and comes with the MagicSky option, able to transform the glass panoramic roof from clear to tinted at the push of a button – magic indeed!

Aston Martin One-77 Production Video

The One-77's structural core is a lightweight and immensely rigid carbon fibre monocoque. Conceived and designed at Aston Martin’s Gaydon HQ, the monocoque, or ‘tub’, has been built in partnership with Multimatic (MTC). As world leaders in carbon composite technology, advanced vehicle analysis and dynamic simulation, MTC brings unrivalled specialist capabilities to the exacting challenge of the One-77 programme

Rolls Royce's 'Rankin: Spirit of Ecstasy Collection' unveiled

Rolls Royce Motor cars has unveiled the final three images from the company's year long collaboration with renowned Photographer, Rankin for the Rankin: Spirit of Ecstasy Collection and is on display at the Rankin Gallery and the Rolls Royce Motor Cars stand at LA Auto Show.

Completing the commission of 100 photographs inspired by the Spirit of Ecstasy, one of the world’s most famous symbols, a true icon embodying beauty, luxury, style and elegance and which has adorned the prow of Rolls Royce Cars in the past as well, Rolls Royce has unveiled the final three images for the collection.

It all began with Lord Montagu, founder of Car Illustrated, commissioned resident artist, Charles Sykes to sculpt a mascot for his 1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost. Eleanor Valesco Thorton, Lord Montagu’s personal secretary and lover from whose image this very British legend is believed to originate is the final and most important player in the story.

In the year that celebrates the centenary of the Spirit of Ecstasy, Rolls Royce offered Rankin full artistic license to create a modern and a personal interpretation of The Flying Lady. The final three images are based on The Whisperer, the earliest and the most personal of Charles Sykes figurines which include a confidential finger to the lips action, believed to be a sly nod to the long secrecy of Montagu’s 10 year love affair with Eleanor Thorton. As Rankin’s photography shows that even 100 years later the very sensual and evocative pose does not fail to excite and inspire.

A selection of images from The Rankin: Spirit of Ecstasy collection is being showcased to the public at The Rankin Gallery, Los Angeles, USA from November 16 to November 23 2011. A wider selection of these iconic images is on display on the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars stand at the Los Angeles Auto Show from November 18 to November 27 2011.

Skoda Rapid Launched

Just nine days after Skoda announced the start of its production at Chakan, the new Skoda Rapid has now officially been launched in India, starting at a price tag of Rs 6.75 lakhs for the base petrol variant all the way up to Rs 9.19 lakhs for the top of the line diesel spec model

As a part of Volkswagen’s aggressive game plan for global automotive domination by 2018, its Czech premium car brand Skoda recently announced the roll out of an all new product portfolio for India and the world, the most impressive of which so far is what we know call the ‘Mission L’.

But in the Indian context, the further expansion of India’s already eclectic assortment of international premium compact sedan offerings now sees worthy contribution once again, in the shape of the all new Skoda Rapid that shortly after starting production at Volkswagen’s Chakan plant near Pune, has finally gone on sale in India.

Despite being styled around the same platform as the Volkswagen Vento, the Rapid is a true Skoda in the making, and this becomes amply clear when Rapid’s exterior body lines and curves are looked upon closely. Targeted at a constantly growing customer base in a segment, where whims and fancies are pampered by sheer diversity of choice, the Skoda Rapid is surely no last minute compromise by the looks of it.

Starting with the performance potential on this urban Czech sedan for India, interested buyers have the choice of picking from either a 1.6 litre turbo diesel powerplant or an MPI petrol unit of the same capacity. Both units make the exact same power as well at 105 horses, but torque differentials are massive between the two models, with the TDI putting down 250Nm between 1500-2500rpm and the petrol making 153Nm @ 3800rpm.

Just like we saw earlier on the Volkwagen Vento the new Rapid will factor in both a 5-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic transmissions in its buyers wish lists, but the auto box will be features only for in the top petrol variant. 

The diesels will be offered only with the 5-speed manual gearbox and these are the ones you should really keep your eyes on. Pricing will be crucial and expect the Rapid to cost slightly lower than the Vento variant by variant. To sum it up, Skoda seems to have another winning product to add to their portfolio – this time courtesy the big guys at Volkswagen.

The Rapid from Skoda will come factory fitted with a 2-DIN audio player on the top of the line Elegance variant with AUX input as well as an SD/MMC card reader connectivity options. Top variants on this car also get electronically regulated climate control while the base Active and Ambition variants have to make do with a manually regulated air con.

Priced between 6.75 – 9.19 lakhs, the Skoda Rapid, like its name suggests could turn out to be fast paced contender in the current crop of premium sedans here in India. For a complete performance overview on the new Skoda Rapid read our first drive report

Rolls-Royce Ghost Extended Wheelbase Launched

Legroom is significantly enhanced with knee-room more than doubled compared to the standard Ghost. Priced at Rs. 3.05 crores, this ghost surely manages to turn your face white

 The already super luxurious Ghost just got a 170mm longer wheel base to cater to folk who want more legroom in the rear. Powered by the acclaimed Rolls-Royce Ghost 6.6 litre twin turbo charged V12 engine which produces an effortless 563hp and 780Nm of torque at just 1,500rpm, Rolls-Royce Ghost Extended Wheelbase accelerates from 0-100km/h in just five seconds. An intelligent, four corner air suspension maintains a perfect balance between ride and handling.

Ghost's ample interior space is further enhanced in the Extended Wheelbase variant by the addition of 170mm to the car's wheelbase, but with no detriment to the model's balanced proportions and stunning contemporary design. Legroom is significantly enhanced with knee-room more than doubled compared to the standard Ghost.

Increased cabin space in the rear passenger compartment and a panoramic sunroof sets new standards for interior ambience and light. Effortless entry and exit for passengers further reinforces Rolls-Royce Motor Cars' pinnacle position in the ultra-luxury segment.

Lamborghini Aventador

Big on brutality is what the Lamborghini Aventador is - the rightful successor to the Murcielago's throne. And when you get to drive it around the brilliant Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, all hell breaks loose

“So this thing has a lot of power. It’s very quick – you think the corners are far away but they really leap right at you.” For David this was just another day at the office and he was in his usual work wear – navy blue Automobili Lamborghini tee and denims as we slithered down the pitlane. “No kidding.” That was me – also a usual day in the office wearing the usual tee and denims but accessorized with probably the widest smile my puffed up cheeks could afford.

“The pitlane speed limit here is 60 km/h, so you stay easy on the gas till just about now when you cross this white li……” And that was all I heard as the highly Americanised English-speaking Chinese Lamborghini test driver sitting at the controls beside me floored his right foot and the massive V12 snug behind my eardrums opened up in a brute symphony of thoroughbred Italian stallions – wailing in unison down to the last of the 700 ponies on tap. First corner. 3rd gear. Tight right hander. Hit the apex. Stay at the centre of the track. Squeeze just a little more power in on the exit as you brake hard again for Turn2. Still in 3rd gear.

Tight left leading on to the long right hander in 4th gear powering up for the short straight before braking hard for the tight right of Turn4. Another flowing section and you then brake for the tight left of Turn9, climbing uphill into another twisting section before hitting the back straight and then the tight left hairpin before the start-finish straight. The Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia had just been lapped and I had heard nothing but the wail of the Aventador’s engine, the odd lock-up under braking and the satisfying screech of wheelspin exiting the corners. But the buzz going through my brain had started way before I had even stepped into the white supercar.

The bus ride to the Sepang International Circuit had been uneventful – till the time we found ourselves just behind the pit building and stepping up to the briefing room. When you hear a car way before you can see it, you know it has to be something exceptionally special, and the Lamborghini Aventador truly is. An otherwise calm day at the track was broken by the distant echo of the V12 on full song bouncing off the empty grandstands that are usually packed to the hilt on a Formula 1 or MotoGP weekend. And then it rolled in – sinisterly sneaking up the pitlane before it gently parked out front. Mixed feelings of pure awe and intimidation followed turning into fascination and appreciation at the way Lamborghini’s flagship had evolved over past decades.

The supercar shape that we know today may have been engraved by the Miura, but it is the later generations of the Countach onwards that you really begin to see a connect that has now perfected itself in the form of the Aventador. From there to the Diablo to the Murcielago, Lamborghini’s styling division was probably living in a wind tunnel and feeding off a diet of physics textbooks for the main course and Michelangelo’s art for dessert followed by deep conversation with extra-terrestrial life forms when they came up with the Reventon in 2008. Or maybe they were all just trained pilots of the Lockheed-Martin F-22 Raptor! Either ways, the Reventon was what finally gave birth to the Aventador and it’s hard to think what the next Lamborghini supercar would look like if not the way this does.

But all’s not well in the land of the Raging Bull purists – dilution and adaptation to modern ways has in a way toned down the Lamborghini aura of yore. Having German bosses might be cause for that and we see the Aventador show off an Audi shadow in bits and pieces. Flamboyant interiors (for their time) have always followed Lamborghinis around and we thought the Reventon’s innards were straight out of a science fiction fantasy that merged aeronautics with automobiles, but the Aventador’s set also throws in practicality in that mix. Now that itself isn’t too much of a bad thing because it also means there’s high quality materials in there highlighted by an array of switches running across the centre console that cascades down the dash and between the seats. As if to warn whoever will be in the driver’s seat that he’s going to have his mind blown in the next few seconds, the ignition button comes with a red flip-open cover. 

Chevrolet completes 100 years on world streets

Celebrates its centennial milestone by saying thanks a million - literally to buyers of its top-selling Chevrolet Cruze sedan, that has reached 1 million sales in US alone

Having been the globally revered mass market arm of auto giant General Motors since time immemorial, Chevrolet may well be what President and Managing Director, GM India, Karl Slym’s recent press statement described it as, “A global cultural icon embedded in the customer’s most memorable life experiences.”

But as distant a thought as this may be to those having come in contact with the bow and tie logo only after its descent on Indian soil seven years ago, the 3rd of November rings a loud bell in the company’s prolific history as its celebrates 100 years in the business of making cars, trucks and crossovers across the globe.

Hundred years of making cars that today drive millions all over the world has been the sort of experience and engineering solidity that has earned Chevrolet the reputation of today being the fourth-largest auto brand on the planet, and its scale of operations here in India are growing by heaps and dozens, and this can only further augment its global reckoning as a nameplate that attracts international appreciation and respect.

Karl Slym, President & Managing Director, GM India, marked the company’s major milestone by saying, “Chevrolet is today GM’s global mainstream brand and the foundation of the company’s business in most major markets across the globe including India. We’ve sold more than 200 million Chevrolets in our first 100 years, and we’ve had a global presence for most of our history—just about everybody, everywhere, has a personal or family story involving a Chevrolet. Today, Chevrolet across the globe is much more than a manufacturer of cars, trucks and crossovers; it’s a global cultural icon embedded in the customers’ most memorable life experiences," added Mr. Slym.

Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 launched

Priced at Rs. 3.69 crores ex-showroom Delhi, Lamborghini has launched its flagship model in the country. 

  Lamborghini has launched the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 in India through Exclusive Motors Pvt. Ltd. The 6.5 liter, 700 horsepower, Aventador comes in with a top speed of 350 kilometers an hour with a zero to hundred kilometers an hour figure at 2.9 seconds. The independent shifting rods used for transmission gets the shifting time down to 50 milli seconds, a little higher than a Formula One car.

The Aventador comes with an entirely new technology package, showing the unique and powerful functional design. The carbon fiber monocoque, occupant cell, with tub and roof is made in one single unit giving the frame an enhanced level of rigidity and outstanding driving precision. The permanent all wheel drive with drive mode select for track and road capabilities makes this even safer and more precise. Also, inspired from the Formula One car is the pushrod spring and damper suspension to meet the needs of a high performance super sports car.

  

On the launch, James Page, Marketing Manager SE Asia and Pacific, Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A said, “With this launch, the innovation and design in the sports car segment has taken a leap of two generations. India is an emerging market for sports cars which is evident from the successful Formula One race event. The Aventador is a direct and consistent continuation of Lamborghini’s brand values. Excellence of the Aventador LP700-4 makes it unrivalled in the worldwide super sports arena. As we at Lamborghini decided that the Aventador should have no competitor.”

The power-to-weight ratio of the Aventador is 2.25 kilograms per horsepower with a dry weight of only 1575 kilograms due to the carbon fiber monocoque. The overall length of the Aventador is 4780 millimeters with the width of 2260 millimeters including ORVMs and the overall height if 1136 millimeters. The Aventador comes with carbon-fiber scissor doors, a feature that was first introduced in the Lamborghini Countach.

Satya Bagla, Managing Director, Exclusive Motors Pvt. Ltd. added, “We are extremely excited as we have achieved yet another milestone with the launch of the Lamborghini Aventador in India. It’s an exceptional package with futuristic design, unique and innovative technologies and an overwhelming performance. We are positive that the car will delight super car connoisseurs in the country with its revolutionary design and performance.”

The Aventador is priced at Rs. 3.69 crores ex-showroom Delhi.

Ferrari 458 Spider

Ferrari 458 Spider debuts at Frankfurt. New exclusive Tailor-made Programme also showcased

Frankfurt, September 13th 2011 – Ferrari’s exclusive new 8-cylinder, the 458 Spider has finally been unveiled to the public at the 64th Frankfurt International Motor Show. 

The latest addition to the Ferrari range is a mid-rear-engined two-seater featuring a fully retractable aluminium hard-top, a world first for a sports car with this layout. 

The 458 Spider’s innovative new hard-top is not only 25 kg lighter than a traditional folding soft-top, but is also quieter and thermally more efficient when raised. Aside from taking just 14 seconds to open or close, the hard-top was engineered to occupy a very small space when stored so that the designers were able to include a generous rear bench for luggage behind the two seats. 

The rear windscreen doubles as an effective wind-stop which is electrically adjustable. When the hard-top is folded away the wind-stop opens to the height that guarantees the most efficient aerodynamics, reducing buffeting in the cockpit. 

The 458 Spider is powered by Ferrari’s 570 CV 4,499 cc V8 which was named International Engine of the Year 2011. This is coupled with Ferrari’s class-leading dual-clutch F1 paddle-shift transmission which delivers 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in under 3.4 seconds and a maximum speed of 320 km/h. 

The all-aluminium chassis incorporates new alloys and castings, also adopted on the coupé, which ensure the 458 Spider already conforms to 2020 safety legislation. 

Its category-topping performance aside, the new car also boasts class-leading fuel consumption and emissions levels. Thanks to the HELE (High Emotion Low Emission) system, in fact, fuel consumption on the combined urban cycle stands at 11.8 l/100 km with CO2 emissions of 275 g/km. 

Tailor-Made Programme

Ferrari chose Frankfurt to introduce a new service, displaying an area of the stand dedicated to the Tailor-Made Programme which will enable owners to reach an even more personal level of distinctiveness with the specification of their cars. 

The Tailor-Made Programme provides clients with an extensive range of exclusive cloth trim, colours, finishes and technical materials for a final specification inspired by unique classic Ferraris and by motor racing. The selection is available in three innovative collections - Classica, Scuderia and Inedita – specifically conceived by Ferrari’s Styling centre. 

In creating a truly bespoke car clients will be assisted by their own Personal Designer throughout the decision-making process, right up until delivery. 

The Carrozzeria Scaglietti programme continues the range of personalisation options open to clients. 

The Ferrari range

Lining up alongside the 458 Spider is the entire Ferrari range, including the 458 Italia, the maximum expression of an extreme, high-performance driving experience. Today the V8 berlinetta is even more sporty. 

New control software for the magnetorheological dampers improves body control, enhancing the feedback in sporty driving. 

With the manettino in RACE - in other words, at the highest level of performance with all the dynamic vehicle control systems still engaged - an evolved software for the F1 dual-clutch transmission makes gearchanges even more decisive, while there’s even faster acceleration out of bends thanks to an improved calibration of the F1-Trac traction control. 

Also being showcased on the Ferrari stand is the Ferrari California, the mid-front-engined V8 GT that melds performance, versatility and driving pleasure. The example on display is finished in an elegant two-tone Bianco Fuji with a Nero Daytona roof and bordeaux interior. 

It is flanked by the Prancing Horse’s two majestic 12-cylinder models. The FF is the revolutionary four-seater which, for the first time in Ferrari’s history, employs a Ferrari-patented four-wheel drive system to combine unprecedented levels of performance from its 660-CV engine with comfort and versatility. The 599 GTB is shown at Frankfurt with the HGTE Package. 

No Ferrari stand would be complete either, of course, without a Formula 1 single-seater to celebrate the most victorious team ever in this, the ultimate motor racing category.

Michael Schumacher

Interview: Michael Schumacher, Seven Times F1 World Champion

With the biggest motorsport event in the country, The Airtel Indian GP, ZigWheels gets a chance to what goes through the mind of Seven Times Formula One World Champion, Micheal Schumacher. This is what he had to say.

Adil Jal Darukhanawala (AJD): Welcome to India Micheal.

Michael Schumacher (MS): Thank you!

AJD: 20 years in the sport, and where do you still get your motivation from?

MS: Well, you know, it's very exciting to drive a Formula 1 car. There's so much thrill if you drive it on the limit, but particularly if you go for overtaking and battling, and I have a lot of experience of this in the last two years of this. Indeed, I was very tired after my first part, after 16 years of active Formula 1, a three year break that I didn't intend to call a break but it happened to be, and now I have refreshed motivation.

AJD: We saw the old Michael Schumacher back in action at Spa this year...

MS: Oh no. You saw it before but we drivers, we depend a lot on the machine and the car. It took a while for me to get back into the rhythm of Formula 1, to understand how to maximise the car. I have to say that maybe Spa, in a way you're right, it sort of made a transformation on things. But if you go back you find several other samples like Canada and so on where I was back in the fighting field as before.

  

AJD: It's good that you mentioned Canada because finally we saw that without DRS and KERS, you were on the same pace as the Red Bulls and the Ferraris. Do you think all these new innovations are good for Formula 1?

MS: Basically, yes. Because if you take the last racing in Korea, how interesting the race was, the battle between Webber and Hamilton for example, because of all these new features with DRS and KERS, otherwise it would have been a reasonably boring race I have to say. So, it's maybe not perfectly used, those two, but I think we take a lot of benefit from it.

AJD: You are the grand daddy for all German Formula 1 drivers. Sebastian Vettel was a kid and I believe you also gave out a trophy to him at your go-kart circuit. How does it feel to have an under-study come across and be world champion?

MS: It feels great. He's a good friend of mine, and I've known him since he was very little, 7 or 8 years  old, and to follow his career and be close to him is something I deeply enjoy. Now to see him second time world champion, I feel very proud of him.

AJD: You and he shared the driving for the Race of Champions for the last few years. How did you compliment each other?

MS: I think we sort of, always help each other somehow. And not for granted, not free that we have been given the title already, so often, and I'm looking forward to keep it in our hands this year.

AJD: You started with Mercedes. Will you finish with Mercedes?

MS: I'm pretty sure that my career is not for a long-term base. Yes, I have a lot of faith in Mercedes and the challenge to arrive back at the winning road, that's my challenge and that's with Mercedes.

Range Rover all set to unleash the Evoque

Range Rover all set to debut its smallest, lightest, most fuel efficient and not to mention stylish SUV yet, the Evoque

  

Think Range Rover and the first thing that comes to your mind is a big boxy luxury SUV that can haul you to places other vehicles can only dream of. The said mantra has been universal with all Range/Land Rover’s and they have been doing extremely well even in the face of more modern competition. Times however change and Range/Land Rover’s have evolved with time as well. One look at the all new Range Rover Evoque is enough to point out that the evolution has definitely been for the better.

New Jaguar XF

The new facelifted Jaguar XF will be coming to India by the third week of November, 2011

When launched back in 2008, the Jaguar XF was a real game changer for the Tata-owned British luxury car maker. After a sharp decline in recent years in the company’s image of making svelte saloons which are not only luxurious, but are brilliant to drive as well, the all-new XF represented a “going-back-to-its-roots” effort on part of the Coventry based auto company and signaled the beginning of a new era in Jaguar’s future.

The XF, which fights against other premium luxury sedans such as the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Audi A6, has been available in India for a little while now, and offers a great alternative in a segment which is otherwise only occupied firmly by the German auto giants. But as these three big German luxury car makers launched updated versions of their offerings in this segment recently, the task for upping the game fell back into Jaguar’s court. And so with this in mind, Jaguar unveiled a revised version of the XF at the 2011 New York Auto Show earlier this year. This updated and upgraded car went on sale around the world in the middle of this year, and considering that Tata now owns the JLR brands, it was always expected that this new XF would find its way to Indian shores soon enough.

But that might be earlier than one thought as, if sources close to JLR in India are to be believed, the facelifted XF will be available in India starting the third week of November this year. Apart from some new technology on board, the new XF features a fascia that seems to mimic its larger sibling, the XJ. Since this new model will be replacing this current XF, the pricing for the car should remain the same. What’s new on the new XF are slim new headlight units and distinctive LED lighting strips, which set it visually apart from the rounded twin cluster headlamp design of the previous model. The lower bumper section also gets bit of unique styling with a trio of airdams, the outside pair of which are now intersected by twisted chrome fins. While the rear of the car has been redesigned with LED technology the interior of the XF now gets a redesigned seats, a restyled steering wheel and an all-new colour central and dial-mounted screens relaying reprogrammed navigation and entertainment software.

Interestingly, Jaguar has also launched a new 2.2-litre common rail 4-cylinder diesel motor which develops 190 PS of power and is linked to a new eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox. An innovative Stop-Start system in the new XF model gives it a proposed economy in excess of 21kmpl and CO2 emissions of 149 g/km. When the facelifted car arrives in India, this new variant will likely be on offer as well, making it the most affordable Jaguar in the country.

BMW 3 Series

The best drivers compact executive car just got better as BMW unveiled the all new 3 Series

It’s been on the roads since 1975 and has been BMW’s best selling model accounting for over 30% of the BMW brand's annual total sales. What are we talking about? Arguably the best compact executive car in the market, the BMW 3 Series. And not without a reason.  Winning numerous accolades not only for being a fantastic product but also for having a renowned racing career.  

BMW has just unveiled the all new 3 Series and from what the company says, is a significant step above the current car. As it goes with most successors, the new car is lighter, quicker under most conditions, more fuel efficient, better handler thanks to enhanced agility and newfound nimbleness. Even the safety aspect has been improved. There have been big steps forward in style, quality, comfort and specification for only a minimal price increase. A wider choice of trim levels and an extensive personalization program will allow 3 Series saloon buyers to order virtually a tailored car.

Aggressive, that’s the first thing that comes to mind when you look at the new 3. In fact in some ways especially from the rear three quarter it pretty much looks like scaled down 5 Series. The body is stiffer and there is an all new chassis with longer wheelbase and wider track as well. Increased in overall length by 93mm, it has the characteristic BMW design proportions of short overhangs for maximum agility.

All versions of the new car will feature a drive mode selector called Drive Performance Control as standard equipment. What this basically does is allow the driver to swap between up to four driving modes, varying from sporty to extremely economical. The four modes are ECO PRO, Comfort, Sport, and Sport + (Sport + is included only on Sport models or with selected optional equipment). In ECO PRO, the throttle mapping changes so that a firmer push of the accelerator pedal is needed to extract the power that is delivered with a lighter touch in the other three modes, thus encouraging a more economical driving style. ECO PRO also alters the manual gearshift points advised by the Optimum Shift Indicator, modifies the gearshift strategy on models with automatic transmission and even adjusts the power consumption of features such as the climate control and heated mirrors and seats.

Handling transmission duties is an eight-speed automatic gearbox, giving a wider spread of ratios than the former six-speed unit without taking up any more space in the engine bay, is available as an alternative to the standard six-speed manual. It is also now offered with every engine to significantly improve efficiency. Then there is the EfficientDynamics technology which gave the previous BMW 3 Series Saloon such a competitive advantage and as a result comes in the new car as well and have been supplemented as well. Auto Stop-Start is fitted to all versions, manual and automatic, along with Brake Energy Regeneration, on-demand control of engine ancillary components and tyres with less rolling resistance. Weight has been reduced by up to 50kg compared with the previous model, while the drag coefficient (Cd) is down to as low as 0.26 thanks to optimized aerodynamics.

The 3 has always been the quintessential driver’s choice thanks to its rear-wheel-drive layout, near-perfect 50:50 front-to-rear weight distribution, agile chassis set-up and responsive engines. The new is no different and aims to appeal to the enthusiast even more. There will be a series of new engines with the BMW TwinPower Turbo technology while base engines will see a bump in power as well.

The 3 Series has been a runaway success here in India thanks to its blend of efficiency and performance and the new car is sure to take the legacy forward. Expect to see the first glimpse of the car in India at the 2012 Auto Expo with deliveries following soon after. As for the roadtest, watch out for an exclusive soon.

TOYOTA COROLLA ecotec XLi & GLi

New COROLLA ecotec XLi & GLi
Gas Inlet Gas Tank Protector Gas Tank Automatic Solenodial Valve Refill Valve Sequential Injection System Engine Cylinder Head Gas Tank 60 Liters High Pressure Tube		Indus Motor Company is pleased to introduce first time in Pakistan "Corolla ecotec". "Corolla ecotec" is the first Toyota Corolla which has factory fitted CNG system with Safety and Performance as per Toyota standards in 1.3 L grades. The vehicle has been specifically designed and approved by Toyota Motor Corporation for Pakistan. The development of this variant was in response to high consumer demand for factory fitted CNG in Toyota Corolla. "Corolla ecotec" features a 2 Year or 50,000km warranty with Toyota standards. It is also features driving comfort as rear coil springs are reinforced to handle the additional CNG load. ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY "Corolla ecotec" is 16 Bit ECU based technology with i-spark advancer which monitors VVT-I engine for better performance. This variant contains a Bi-fuel system which gives the driver the option of driving on either petrol or gas. SAFETY FIRST Gas Inlet located near fuel inlet with especially designed rubber shield to protect fuel or other liquid from entering luggage compartment. Gas Tank protector for effective use of space, good appearance and safety. Gas Tank with built in support to avoid gas tank shaking and leakage. Automatic Solenodial Valve to prevent gas leakage in high pressure tube. Refill Valve to avoid flow back of gas for safety. INTELLIGENT PERFORMANCE Sequential Injection System to Control CNG injection by ECU to provide optimum vehicle performance. Engine Cylinder Head designed by Toyota especially for CNG to improve durability. Gas Tank 60 Liters made from Chromium Molybdenum Steel and is capable of receiving high pressure. High Pressure Tube

Hona City 2011

See it coming, like an arrow. Striking good looks, cutting-edge design, sharply focused tension. See it shoot straight ahead. What is it? Discover the compact sedan breakthrough with strength to open a new era and outlast fleeting trends. Sleek styling and strong performance, with swift, gutsy response to the driver's pedal action. Class-leading* spaciousness and relaxing ride for outstanding comfort. Imagine the pride of driving and owning this distinctive new-generation standard. Get ahead in the new City. People will be watching. 

*1.3-liter compact sedan class

Euipments & Specifications may vary in some cases.

Engine

Type	Water-cooled 4cycle,L4 Cylinder Gasoline Engine
Combustion chamber type	BOWL-IN TYPE
Valve train	Chain drive SOHC,4VLV per Cylinder
Displacement (cc (cm3))	1,300
Bore and Stroke(mm)	73 x 80
Compression ratio	10.5
Fuel supply system	Electronic Fuel Injection
Emission system	EURO-4
Maximum Power(kw/rpm)	73/6,000

Transmission

M/T	Clutch type	Single plate dry, diaphragm spring
	Transmission type	Synchronized, 5-speed forward, 1 reverse
	Gear ratios
	1st	3.307
	2nd	1.75
	3rd	1.171
	4th	0.923
	5th	0.767
	reverse	3.307
	final reduction ratio	4.625
A/T	Clutch type	3-element torque converter with lock-up clutch
	Transmission type	Electronically controlled automatic, 5-speed forward, 1 reverse
	Gear ratios
	1st	2.995
	2nd	1.678
	3rd	1.066
	4th	0.76
	5th	0.551
	reverse	1.956
	final reduction ratio	4.562

Dimensions & Weight

Overall	Length(mm)	4,395
	Width(mm)	1,695
	Height(mm)	1,480
Wheelbase(mm)		2,550
Tread	Front(mm)	1,492
	Rear(mm)	1,475
Ground Clearance(mm)		160
Max. Permissible Weight (ibs(us)/kg)		1,450
Seating Capacity		5

Chassis

Suspension	Front	Mcpherson Strut
	Rear	Torsion beam axle
Stabilizer bar type / size	Front(mm)	19
	Rear(mm)	11
Brake	Front	DISK
	Rear with ABS	DRUM
Parking Brake Type		Mechanical
Disc Diameter	Front(mm)	262
	Rear with ABS(mm)	200
Steering system	Type	Rack & Pinion
	Overall ratio	15.89
	Turns, lock to lock	3.29
Turning Radius At Body (ft/m )		5.3
Fuel Tank Capacity(litres)		42
Tire Size	Front	175/65R15
	Rear	175/65R15
Battery capacity(V-Ah)		24（5）

Price

Ex-Factory Price (Pak Rs.)

Manual Transmission	1,389,000
Automatic Transmission	1,530,000

Value Added Features (Pak Rs.)

2 DIN Stereo & Rear Speakers	15,000
Navigation / Multimedia System	50,000

Important:
Prices mentioned above are ex-factory, Freight and octori will vary from city to city.

Sargodha	7,500
Hyderabad/ Peshawar	9,000
Islamabad/ Rawalpindi	8,500
Karachi	10,000
Lahore	3,000
Multan	7,700
Mirpur (AJK)	8,500
Sialkot/ Gujranwala/ Faisalabad	7,000

The unit price is subject to change without notice & at the discretion of Honda Atlas Cars (Pakistan) Limited.
Price prevailing at the time delivery of the vehicle will be charged.

Note:
Honda Atlas Cars (Pakistan) Limited reserves the right to change or modify equipment or specifications at any time without any prior notice. Details colors, description and illustrations are for information purpose only. For Further details please check your nearest Honda Dealer.