Mitsubishi Motors unveils Lancer Sportback at Paris Motor Show
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation will unveil, for the first time at an international motor show, the Lancer Spor tback at the Paris Motor Show 2008 being held in Halls 1-8 of the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles from October 2 (October 4 for the general public) through October 19. The Lancer Sportback will have its European launch this fall with a phased introduction into the various countries in the region. The company will also be displaying the Lancer Ralliart and Lancer Sportback Ralliart models that are based on the Lancer. These models are powered by a turbocharged engine mated to Mitsubishi Twin Clutch SST (Sport Shift Transmission) and delivering power to all four wheels through an Active Center Differential.
GM may sale its Hummer Brand: M&M and Tata Prospective Buyers
After acquiring the Jaguar and Land Rover, Tata Motors is now eyeing the General Motors iconic brand - Hummer. General Motors has stopped producing the "BIG" Hummer as it closed production out of its four plants that construct pickup trucks and SUV. As per the latest reports floating in the market, India's leading Automakers - Tata Motors and the Mahindra (M&M) are interested in this "American" brand. Tata and Mahindra have also been in the hunt in the past for Jaguar/Land Rover and as reported, both the companies are presently bidding for MV Agusta too.
2008 AudiI A4 coming in July
Audi India will launch its latest generation A4 in India in July, a company press release has said. The car has been comprehensively reworked and it now 4.7 metres in length, meaning more legroom and luggage space. The engine options include the 2.0 TDI with a power output of 143 bhp and 3.2 FSI Petrol with a power output of 265 bhp. The considerably more powerful petrol engined car will also come with Audi's famous Quattro 4-wheel drive technology. The booking for the new Audi can be placed with any of its dealers in Delhi, Gurgaon, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad and Bangalore. The prices for the new A4 start at 2,900,000 INR Ex-Showroom Mumbai, CST and transportation charges are extra.
2009 Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed
Bentley has chosen to update its Continental Flying Spur super sedan for 2009 with the same model upgrades given to the Continental GT coupe last year, which means the sedan receives a more upright grille, larger lower air intakes, a new rear bumper, more sound deadening material, a new Naim for Bentley premium audio system, Adaptive Cruise Control, and a host of new hides and color choices for the interior.
Volkswagen’s Mark 6 will cost less to make
The Mark 6 Volkswagen Golf due to be unveiled by the end of this year will be immediately profitable for Volkswagen, unlike the current Mark 5 which only started being profitable 2 years after it was introduced in 2003. Volkswagen will make an operating profit of 5% on each Mark 6 Golf, which is apparently much more than what it makes on the current Mark 5 Golf. Volkswagen says this is thanks to savings in production costs of roughly Euro 1,165 per car, which is attributed to the abolition of a four day week, better materials purchasing, and higher planned production volumes.
General Motors continues to struggle, considers selling off Hummer to Tata or Mahindra
General Motors has approached Indian companies Tata and Mahindra regarding a possible offloading of the Hummer brand to either of the two companies. GM has seen Hummer sales fall as much as 60.2% in the past year, which is really not surprising at all considering the price of fuel and how much of the black gold it takes to get those giant trucks moving. Mahindra already has its own Indian version of the Hummer called the Mahindra Axe. Two versions are available, a 4.0 liter petrol version using a GM Vortec engine, or a 2.7 liter turbodiesel powered by a Mercedes-Benz derived Ssangyong engine, similiar to the one in the Rexton.
The diesel version can achieve between 8 to 9km per liter of diesel, while the petrol version achieves between 6 to 7km. The fully independent suspension Axe is currently for defense usage, but a civilian version is expected to arrive next year, and will come with an automatic transmission. In the big picture, General Motors continues struggling financially. The company lost US$38.7 billion in 2007, which completely overshadows whatever black or red that we've ever seen in Proton's books.
New Ford Fiesta Photos & Details
The current fiesta though a handsome looking car is a bit boring and bland to look at. The pleasant styling appeals everyone but doesnt bring out 'ohh' and 'aah' from the on-lookers. Ford Motor Company, India has unveiled the new facelifted Fiesta which changes all that and more. The front fascia is completely changed now. The new grille is placed lower and is shorter along with huge trapezoidal air dams and black inserts, give the front a very aggressive look . The new twin-pod headlamps with a circular arc kink just like the Palio looks great and changes the front end character from the earlier 'plain jane' and boring to sporty. The new round fog lamps are placed high up in the bumper, right below the headlights further enhance the frontal look.
The interiors have been revamped too with a new instrument cluster and the top of the line SXI model gets soft leather seats and mahogany wood central console as standard.
The 1.4 Duratec engine has been discontinued with the 1.6 Duratec and the 1.4 Duratorq being the only engine options now. Ford has also remapped the 1.6 litre engine and claims similar fuel efficiency as the discontinued 1.4 litre petrol. There is still no sign of the 1.6 litre Diesel that we have been hearing for sometime now.
Safety has been given through once over too with the top end SXI's having twin-front air bags, ABS, EBD and inertia reel seat belts as standard. There's an all new sports model 1.6 S too. with a subtle body kit and tweaked suspension which is tuned to give more feedback to the sportly inclined. The sports model also features fatter and lower 195/55 R15 rubber, chrome tipped exhaust, a rear spoiler and 15 inch alloys.
Source: Autocarindia
MARUTI 800 DUO LPG LAUNCHED!
Maruti has launched the LPG version of its one time bread and butter model, the 800 DUO. This is Maruti's third LPG offering apart from the Omni LPG and the Wagon R DUO. The 800 DUO costs Rs. 15,000 over the normal petrol variant. The car doesnt comes with torodial tank which fits in the space taken up by the stepney and comes with a normal LPG tank instead which eats up whatever precious boot space it has. The LPG tank's capacity is 19.2 kilograms which gives it a decent range.
HYUNDAI ACCENT CNG LAUNCHED!
Hyundai India has launched the CNG version of its popular mid-size sedan, Accent. The CNG version is priced at Rs. 554000.00 Ex-Showroom, Delhi. The Accent will be available in dual fuel mode - Petrol and CNG, the company said in a statement. The driver can also switch from CNG to Petrol at the flick of the switch. For CNG kits Hyundai has tied up with a korean company CEV, who will supply all components of the fitment.
M&M plans to buy MV Agusta and Cagiva
Days after the reports emerged that Indian multi utility and tractor manufacturer, Mahindra and Mahindra was looking to buy majority stake in Kinetic Motors, they are now looking to buy majority stake in Italian motorcycle manufacture, MV Agusta and Cagiva. While MV Agusta manufactures bikes in the 700cc to 1,100cc range, Cagiva mainly caters to lower end of the market with 125cc to 1,000cc offerings.