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.