Ford Fiesta Automatic has launched

Ford has launched an automatic variant of its Fiesta saloon. Available only in petrol variant, the Fiesta Powershift automatic comes with a new dual clutch automatic gearbox (Code: DBS6) which is a segment first. The gearbox boasts of tech features like hill start assist, which keeps the brakes engaged for 2.5 seconds after you lift off the brake pedal & neutral coast down which disengages the clutch when the brakes are applied for greater efficiency & precise clutch slip, providing torsional damping of engine vibrations at low rpm (enabling lower lugging limits for improved fuel economy). According to Ford, the Fiesta Auto will deliver an overall fuel economy of 16.97kpl. There are two variants on offer, a base “Style” version,...

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Review and test drive of new Volvo S60 D3

Despite having been in India for over four years, Volvo hasn’t really featured on most luxury car buyers’ shopping lists. Ironically, the company’s pursuit of high safety standards isn’t something that really registers with the Indian buyer. And brands like Audi, BMW & Mercedes offer more snob value, which Volvo just doesn’t seem to. However, as unrelenting as the Indian buyer is, there is no denying the fact that we have a nose for value. It is with this very reason in mind that Volvo has introduced a new D3 diesel engine across its range, accompanied by a price drop. & by a drop in price we mean the ‘chucked out of an airplane without a parachute’ variety. How does an ex showroom price of Rs 23.99 lakh for the base S60 Kinetic...

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Review and Test Drive of New Hyundai Sonata

We’ve just been driving the new Hyundai Sonata in Chennai & initial impressions are very promising. Hyundai hopes to emulate the success of its first generation Sonata with this car and, going by the looks alone, it is on the right path. The car really is quite stunning. Look at the nose & you can see channels flow outwards from the base of the grille in waves, the heavily raked windscreens allow the cabin to rise & fall gently, & even the heavy crease on the doors seems to be caused by the arc of fluid emanating from the front wheel. The Sonata, known as the i45 abroad, looks even more attractive from the rear, those beautifully detailed tail lights & the spot on proportions of the boot making it look really pleasing...

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Kobayashi is fastest as the Barcelona test ends

Kamui Kobayashi put Sauber at the top of the timesheets as Formula 1's second pre season test closed. The Japanese driver managed a 1m22.312s on Pirelli's soft compound in the final hour of the morning, the fastest time set over all four days in Barcelona. Having ended the morning fastest, Kobayashi's time came under little threat in the afternoon as teams followed the established pattern of focusing on long runs. The same was true of Pastor Maldonado, who got within a quarter of a second of Kobayashi in the morning before focusing purely on long runs in the afternoon   in the process racking up 131 laps over the course of the day. Paul di Resta was the only driver to move up the order in the final session, as a switch to supersoft...

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Ducati 1199 Panigale review, test ride

 We’ve just stepped off the impressive 1199 Panigale at Abu Dhabi’s sprawling Yas Marina racing facility, where the desert grit is only just settling after successful conclusion of the world launch for this, Ducati’s important new flagship. The Panigale is proudly named after the Italian region that is Ducati home ground, in Bologna, Italy. The compact, purpose built 1199 looks amongst the most seductive production motorcycles on the planet, its aggressive race-track bred lines and fairing cloaking a bike that pushes the envelope in terms of technology, performance and handling. The sleek 1199 Panigale looks handsome from every angle, it’s taut, fairing skin thoughtfully sculpted with aggressive, flowing lines, and neat detailing. The...

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Maruti Ertiga preview

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New Mercedes SL63 AMG revealed

Mercedes-Benz used today’s F1 test session at the Barcelona circuit in Spain as the backdrop for the unveiling of its latest performance car, the Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG.Set to go on sale in June, the new two seat roadster was revealed before a throng of international press representatives in an uncharacteristic low key presentation in the Barcelona pitlane alongside the German car maker’s new F1 car, the MGP W03, by Mercedes AMG Petronas drivers, Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg.Building on the developments brought to the standard SL shown at the Detroit motor show back in January, the SL63 AMG is based around a lightweight aluminium and magnesium structure that is claimed to reduce weight by 125kg over its predecessor.Power comes from AMG’s latest M157 engine. The twin-turbocharged...

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Review and Test Drive of New Mercedes C220

‘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, & 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, & take attentive notice. The tussle between Mercedes Benz & 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...

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Mahindra & Mahindra does not rule out SAAB buyout

As part of its aggressive growth strategy, which includes acquisitions like SsangYong & Reva, Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) could acquire an automobile company that may not be in the SUV space. Speaking to Autocar India, Pawan Goenka, president – automotive & farm equipment sectors said, “A strategic fit doesn’t mean it has to be an SUV company. A strategic fit may come in different ways like technology, distribution, infrastructure, & assets also”. Goenka was responding to a query on the reported interest of Mahindra & Mahindra in buying bankrupt Swedish car company SAAB. “The most important thing for us to look at is what would we do that others before us couldn’t do to turnaround a company”, added Goenka. He did not...

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Mahindra & Mahindra will ramp up the XUV 500 production

The stronger response to the XUV500 in the 2nd phase of bookings has encouraged Mahindra & Mahindra to contemplate raising the stunning XUV500’s monthly production capacity to 5000 units per month. The increased capacity should be installed by August & it will entail an additional investment of approximately Rs 100 crore. The initial installed capacity for the XUV500 was 3000 units in a month but with the current level of demand, that is clearly not enough. M&M has received over 25000 bookings in the 2nd booking window for the XUV500 across 19 cities. Mahindra & Mahindra is also planning a new low cost SUV which the company hopes to launch by Diwali this ye...

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Porsche's New baby SUV will be called as Macan

Porsche has revealed the name of new baby SUV. It will be called “Macan”. It was earlier referred by a working name “Cajun”. The German carmaker has also released a teaser image of the new Macan. According to Porsche, the name Macan is derived from the Indonesian word for tiger & combines suppleness, power, fascination & dynamics which will be the core characteristics of this new SUV.  The Macan is part of Porsche’s new model strategy known internally as “Strategy 2018”. The Macan SUV will be manufactured in Porsche’s Saxony production line in Leipzig, Germany in 2013. This plant is being expanded into a fully fledged production unit including body assembly line & paint shop with an investment of 500 million Euros. This...

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Honda has resumed the normal production

Honda Siel, the arm of Honda Motor Co in India have resumed normal car production after witnessing the lower output since November last year due to Thailand floods that resulted a shortage in supply of components. Honda has started acquiring the critical components from Japan & China in order to normalize the production at Greater Noida plant. The Japanese manufacturer is aiming to manufacture 370 cars in a day in a 2 shift operation which will increase to 440 cars much soon. As many as 1500 units of the new updated Honda City have been rolled out of Greater Noida facility. Production of the recently launched Brio hatchback has also resumed while Jazz will start rolling out by end of this February. Honda motors had stopped the production...

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An Updated Ferrari California is coming

Ferrari will showcase an updated version of its California droptop at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. The revised California is now lighter & more powerful. The engine  a 4.3 litre V8 now churns out 483bhp, up by 30bhp thanks to new exhaust manifolds & engine mapping. Ferrari has built a lighter, more powerful version of the California, & will show off the revised grand tourer at next month’s Geneva motor show. The torque curve has also been modified & is higher across the engine’s rev range, with maximum torque of 51.43kgm at 5000rpm. The updated car is lighter too as a result of new aluminium fabrication techniques & construction technologies being used in the manufacturing process of the chassis. According to...

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Test Drive and Review of New Safari Storme

Since Its launch 14 years ago at the 1998 Auto Expo, the Safari has soldiered on pretty much unchanged. Sure it’s had its fair share of upgrades – two engine upgrades, minor facelifts, more equipment – but it’s essentially remained the same under the skin. So, when the covers came off amid much fanfare at the Auto Expo, the first impression was one of huge disappointment. We were all expecting the new Safari to look, well… new. But sadly, the Storme’s looks are nothing more than a face lift, & it’s not a significantly more handsome one at that. More of the same wine, then? Dig deeper though & you will find serious changes. In fact, the underpinnings are all new. The old Safari’s ladder frame chassis has been ditched for a shortened...

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Review and Test Drive of new Toyota Camry

In the global scheme of things, the Camry is one of Toyota’s best selling models. It is seen as a sensible family car that is built to last an eternity. However, in India the Camry sells for its size & luxurious appeal. While the Toyota badge is a big draw for many, the lack of a diesel engine has always been the car’s Achilles’ heel. Moreover, being a CBU import, Camry prices have only risen over the years. Little wonder that Toyota has been unable to replicate the Camry’s global success here in India. While a diesel engine would have immediately brought the Camry back into contention, the fact is Toyota simply doesn’t have the right engine for the job. So if the Camry is to sell with only a petrol engine, it had better cost less. &...

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The new M6 unvieled by BMW

BMW has achieved supercar levels of performance with its new 552bhp M6 coupé & convertible. The two are BMW’s fastest ever two door road cars, with a top speed of nearly 305kph. They’re powered by a twin turbocharged 4.4 litre V8. The new M6 coupe will debut at next month’s Geneva motor show & the cabriolet will be revealed at the New York motor show in April this year. The latest M6 coupé & convertible are closely related to the recently introduced M5 saloon, sharing its potent twin turbocharged 4.4 litre V8 petrol engine & seven speed, dual clutch gearbox. With 552bhp & 69.4kgm of torque, the engine develops 52bhp & 16.8kgm of torque more than the naturally aspirated 5.0 litre V10 of the previous generation M6. It...

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Test Drive and Review of New Mahindra Xylo E9

What you’re looking at is a mid-life facelift of the Xylo & as you can see, there’s not much change to the basic shape. Still, the new look is easier on the eye  &  Mahindra has not messed with the Xylo’s strengths, which are its space, practicality  &  easy-to-use nature. The changes are mostly limited to the front of the MUV – the new grille, the less pinched bonnet  &  altered headlamps make the Xylo more pleasant to look at. The chin also gets tiny extensions in the form of bolt-on plastic bits  &  a different bumper. What makes this Xylo look a bit more upmarket are the black plastic wheel-arch extensions  &  there are chrome lined...

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