2012 Honda Civic | 9th generation Honda Civic launched

Prices start from Rs1.969 million for i-VTEC manual transmission to Rs2.319 million for VTi Oriel Prosmatec transmission. PHOTO: FILE      

 LAHORE: Honda Atlas Cars Pakistan launched the much awaited, most competitive new model of 9th generation Civic at a ceremony attend by a large number of people here on Tuesday.

Chairman, Atlas Honda, Yousaf H Sherazi and President and CEO of the Company Takeharu Aoki expressed company’s long lasting commitment with Pakistan in economic growth and induction of new modern technology vehicles every time in Pakistan.

The new civic was introduced by the General Manger of the company Ayaz Hafeez in his detailed presentation in which he expressed about enhanced aerodynamics, elegant simplicity of exterior design and enriched ergonomically designed sophisticated interior.

It brings with it an armory of innovative features. Intelligent multi information display (i-MID), Steering wheel with audio and cruise control functions, automatic climate control air conditioning, ECON mode for fuel efficiency, immobiliser with alarm security system and a unique jackknife key with trunk opening function are salient. Industry leading Euro 4 emission standard on all Honda cars and Dual SRS (air bags) on all civic models have also been equipped, he briefed the audience about the features of the new 9th generation Civic model.

Chairman Honda Atlas cars Yusuf H Shirazi reiterated his confidence in Pakistan and its economic potential. He underlined that the Honda Atlas quality is an attitude aimed at winning customer acceptance, trust and goodwill, gains being a long term objective. A direct contribution of 19 billion to government exchequer by the grouping addition to indirect was mentioned. He drew attention towards the inconsistent government policies, pointing out import of used cars which not only fleeced the customers but also retards industrial development. He said that the used cars import fill pockets of a few opportunists against the long term investments made by the automobile industry. He emphasised that Honda is all about accepting challenges, but let the challenge be fair, even and contributive in nature.

Takeharu Aoki, President and CEO, gave an overview of Honda and its attention to creating technology that is at the forefront of innovations. He spoke about the milestones attained and hardships faced by Honda Atlas cars. We were proud of producing the 200,000th car in July this year, he said. Inconsistent government policies and the retarding effect of used cars import had affected the company, Aoki added. “We are not in any competition as we know that our standards are not being touched by any other company”, Aoki said.

New Honda Civic is available in seven different colors. The price range started with Rs1,969,000 for i-V TEC manual transmission and goes up to Rs2,319,000 for VTi Oriel Prosmatec Transmission.

             2012 Honda Civic Sedan: Exterior Pictures

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Urban Titanium Metallic Exterior

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Polished Metal Metallic Exterior Night Time

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Polished Metal Metallic Exterior

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Exterior Alloy Wheels

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Exterior Color Accent Door Handles

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Exterior Color Accent Mirrors

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Exterior Engine

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Exterior Head Lamp

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Exterior Tail Light

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Polished Metal Metallic Exterior Front

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Polished Metal Metallic Exterior Rear View

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Urban Titanium Metallic Exterior Front (2)

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Urban Titanium Metallic Exterior Front Angle

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Urban Titanium Metallic Exterior Front View

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Urban Titanium Metallic Exterior Rear

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Urban Titanium Metallic Exterior Rear Angle

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Urban Titanium Metallic Exterior Rear View

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Urban Titanium Metallic Exterior Side

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Urban Titanium Metallic 1

2012 Honda Civic Sedan: Interior Pictures

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Interior

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Interior 160 Watt Audio System

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Interior Center Console

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Interior Climate Control

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Interior Cockpit

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Interior Console Storage

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Interior Dashboard

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Interior Digital Speedometer

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Interior Door Storage

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Interior ECON Button

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Interior Five Speed Automatic

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Interior Front Seats

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Interior Gauges

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Interior Hands Free Link

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Interior i MID

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Interior Power Controls

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Interior Steering Wheel

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Interior Steering Wheel Control

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Interior Steering Wheel Controls

2012 Honda Civic Sedan Interior USB Audio

BMW Group opens largest showroom worldwide in Abu Dhabi

The expansive facility in Umm Al Nar houses separate showrooms and sales areas for the three premium automobile brands, BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, and for BMW motorcycles

 

We’ve heard the name Umm Al Nar before. In fact its BMW’s very own super luxury automobile subsidiary Rolls-Royce that introduced us to the facility in Abu Dhabi when it inaugurated its lavishly laid out 900 square-meter showroom there in early 2011, making it the largest in the world.


Come 2012, 900 seems like a nominal figure as the BMW Group has just taken a gigantic leap forward and pretty much re-defined the meaning of a typically large automobile showroom by opening the world’s largest showroom for BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and BMW motorcycles at the very same expansive facility in Umm Al Nar in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.


Housing separate showrooms and sales areas for all of its premium automobile brands and BMW motorcycles, the group has employed over 450 staff members for the work at the 35,000 square-meter showroom. Here customers can view the brands’ entire model line-up in different colours and different option packages, with more than 70 automobiles and 10 motorcycles on permanent display.

Owing to its exceptionally large showroom area, the facility will also include an extensive range of newer pre-owned vehicles and a state-of-the-art service area equipped with the latest technology. Here BMW engineers can comfortably perform maintenance on up to 120 vehicles simultaneously.


At the opening of the BMW Group’s largest showroom worldwide, Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Sales and Marketing thanked the investors and owners for their strong commitment in completing the new building, and said “The Middle East is an important region for the BMW Group. The AED 300 million investment in this impressive and unique facility that makes the world’s biggest BMW Group showroom, is testament to the continued opportunities that lie ahead in Abu Dhabi and in the region.”

Yet to tap the full potential of this enormous retail opportunity BMW’s next focus will be the facility’s extensive shopping and boutique area, where it will eventually sell a wide selection of BMW and MINI fashion items and other merchandise, as well as original parts and accessories. A private cinema for new-vehicle presentations, a café and a Formula One racing simulator are among other visitor entertainment zones that should attract a lot of footfalls at this new facility.


The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has accounted for more than 47 percent of deliveries for the BMW Group in 2011, with a total of 18,657 BMW and MINI brand vehicles sold last year in the region’s 14 import markets. With an ever growing market for BMW’s products in this region, the presence of the world’s largest showroom at Abu Dhabi is more a celebration of the company’s unrelenting success in the Middle East.

2013 Audi RS4 Avant unveiled

The 2013 Audi RS4 Avant has not only grown up, it's also a lot more agile

Audi has recently unveiled its stylish, fast and practical RS4 Avant - a worthy addition to the Audi RS family. Everything about this car, from its sporty mesh grill, low ground clearance to the 10-spoke ground hugging rims and rear tail pipes that shoot out 8,000 revs per second, spell sport classic style that few other cars are able to pull off. 

Audi has a knack for coming up with beautifully virile headlights that just keep looking better and better with every new piece of breathtaking machinery they come up with. Notice, the entire glass house section when viewed from the side looks like one solid unit contributing to its aesthetic brilliance. Very classy indeed! The meaty front and rear wheel arches add to the muscular stance of the car.

The Audi RS4 Avant uses the same high-revving, normally aspirated V8 engine that powers the RS5 Coupe. The 4,163 cc power plant produces 450PS at 8,250 rpm and 430 Nm of torque at 4,000 to 6,000 rpm. The responsive V8 mill, with its red-painted cylinder head covers, allows the Audi RS4 Avant to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds while achieving a governed top speed of 250km/h, which can be increased to 280km/h upon request.  

Like the entire RS model line up from Audi, the RS4 Avant comes standard with Quattro permanent all-wheel drive. The critical point in this system is the crown-gear centre differential. The compact and lightweight component can vary the distribution of power between the front and rear axles smoothly and over a wide range, with up to 70 percent flowing to the front or as much as 85 percent to the rear. The default 40:60 ratio of the rear-biased configuration ensures sporty handling.

Mounted behind the large wheels are internally vented Wave Disc Brakes measuring 365mm in diameter up front. This concept reduces tensions, quickly dissipates heat and prevents transmission of temperatures from peaking high. Also the new shape of the friction rings shaves off roughly 3kgs from the total weight. 

The interiors of the Avant are in plain black finish, but it’s the fit and finish that add to its charm. The solid black lumbar support; racing seats and grippy, black leather steering wheel exude class and elegance. 

A four-door grand tourer that is capable of going berserk with a blip of that throttle, we wonder if the Audi RS4 Avant will make it to Indian shores.

More Powerful Ferrari California to debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show

The baby Ferrari is all set to get a major makeover which includes more power and a "Handling Speciale" package

The Ferrari with a lot of firsts is finally getting its first major update since its launch in 2008. The Geneva Motor Show will see the official debut of the new version of the Ferrari California, production of which has already commenced, with a reduction of weight of 30 kg and an increase in power output as well.

More performance is thanks to the California’s GDI V8 which now delivers 490 PS with maximum torque of 505 Nm at 5,000 rpm, owing to new exhaust manifolds and engine mapping. The torque curve has also been modified and is higher across the engine’s generous rev range. Cutting-edge aluminium fabrication techniques and construction technologies have led to an overall reduction of 30 kg in the car’s weight without impinging in any way on its structural rigidity and performance.

These enhancements have improved the Ferrari’s California’s performance, reducing its 0-100 km/acceleration time to 3.8 seconds. This heightens its sporty feel without detracting from the mission and character of a car that has won universal acclaim for its performance and exceptional versatility resulting from its retractable hard top and 2+ seating.

For the more track focused, there is an optional Handling Speciale package has been developed which encompasses modifications to the suspension set-up that minimize body roll and make the car even more responsive to driver inputs. The Handling Speciale package includes Magnetorheological dampers controlled by an even faster ECU running patented Ferrari software. The package also features stiffer springs for more precise body control combined with a comfortable ride. Lastly, the California benefits from faster turn-in with smaller steering wheel angles thanks to a new steering box with a 10 per cent quicker steering ratio.

While the cars high-performance grand touring capabilities remain, the power increase and even more focused handling has made the California even more desirable than before

New Mercedes-Benz C220

The C-Class has been raking in cash for Mercedes-Benz ever since its launch, but its popularity had taken a hit in the face of stiff new competition. With a thorough refreshment though, things are bound to get better for the almost all-new car







‘Face-lift’ has grown to be a slightly disliked word at the Zigworks, essentially because of the liberties manufacturers have begun to take just to get their cars back in the public eye. Lightly changed bumpers, the addition of a few vinyls on the body in some cases, and hey presto!, an 'all-new' model emerges. so pardon us if we have grown skeptical. If there ever was an exception to this though, it has come in the form of the new C-Class, which has forced us to stand up, then sit inside, and take attentive notice.


The tussle between Mercedes-Benz and Indian luxury car market leader BMW has now even gone public, but clearly the marque from Stuttgart seems intent on reclaiming its place of prominence very quickly. While the new E-Class took the battle into Bimmer territory with improved dynamics and sportier intent, the real boost needed to come from the C-Class, which makes up more than half of the company’s sales in the country. The lacklustre interiors of the earlier C however made it feel fairly downmarket, and it was a Rs 30-lakh car that was easy to miss. Not any more though.








We’ll get to the exteriors later, since you can already see how the car has grown significantly more impressive from the outside in the pictures here. What has transformed the car however is the way it now drives, and the way it feels from the driver’s seat. The C of the past seemed very negligent in terms of the materials, and their use to create a plush design.

The beige interiors were uninspiring, and there were Japanese offerings in the market which could teach the German offering a thing or two about sophistication and packaging. We weren’t quite expecting this to get remedied, so imagine the force with which the car impressed us as we settled into the seats.









It’s all up to good speed when it comes to the interiors now, with a new design that is intelligent, ergonomic and plush. The materials are all sorted, Nappa leather and brushed aluminium making a smart black-meets-metal theme for the dashboard. The steering wheel gets 12 buttons mounted on it too, which is standard across variants. A whole bunch of cubbyholes all around the cabin make it a more user-friendly and feel good space in general.