Toyota Camry Facelift Launched!
Toyota has launched the facelifted Camry in the Indian market. The new Camry comes in 4 variants, W1, W2, W3 and W4 and features subtle changes to the interiors and exteriors both.
The Camry still remains a CBU which means that its still costly compared to the competition. The prices start from Rs 21.26 Lakhs going all the way upto Rs 23.43 Lakhs for the top end automatic. Everything remains the same mechanically which means that it still has the same suspension aggregates and the same 2.4 Litre 4 Cylinder VVTi engine.
Interiors:
* New Instrument Panel
* Optitron Meters With Multi Information Display Ala Corolla Altis
* 60/40 Split Rear Seats
* iPod Connectivity With AUX In ports.
* 6 CD/MP3 Changer
* Cruise Control (Only With Automatic Transmission)
* 8 Way Power Driver Sea
* 4-Way Power Passenger Seat
* Dual Zone Plasmacluster A/C
* Rear A/C Vents
* Auto Anti-Glare Mirror
* Auto headlmaps and Rains Sensing Wipers
Exteriors:
* New Chrome Grille
* Reprofiled Front Bumper
* Chrome Ringed Foglamps
* Multi-Reflector HID Headlamps With Retractable Washers
* LED Turn Blinkers Mounted On The Side Rear View Mirrors
* Moon Roof
* 10 Spoke 16″ Alloy Wheels
* Printed Antenna On The Rear Glass
* Aero Wiper Blades
With the facelift Toyota has also introduced some new colors for the Camry - Super White II, Silver Metallic, Black, Beige Mica Metallic, Dark Green Mica Metallic
[Via: CC]
Schumacher back in F1
In a turn of events that is set to eclipse every thing else that has occurred in F1 2009 , the recent BMW pull out news included, seven-times Formula One champion Michael Schumacher is to make a shock return to the sport at the European GP in Valencia.
The German will stand in for Ferrari's Felipe Massa, who is recovering in hospital after sustaining life-threatening injuries in a freak accident during qualifying for last weekend's Hungarian GP.
Schumacher had been linked with the return since it became Massa would not be able to return in time for the race, which takes place after F1's summer break, on 23 August. But as recently as yesterday, Schumacher's manager Willi Weber was denying that a comeback was being considered.
However, this afternoon, in a prepared statement, Schumacher said, "It is true that the Formula 1 chapter has long been closed for me. The most important thing first: thank God, all news concerning Felipe is positive, and I wish him all the best again.
"This afternoon I met with team principal Stefano Domenicali and Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo and together we decided that I will prepare myself to take the place of Felipe. As the competitor I am, I also very much look forward to facing this challenge."
The carefully worded statement does not make specific reference to the number of races that Schumacher will contest, so it is conceivable that he will complete the remainder of the season in Massa's car, allowing the Brazilian to make a full recovery before deciding whether or not to return to the sport himself. Michael has implied that the final decision to race is dependent on the fitness tests and routine that he will carry out over the coming days.
Schumacher's return could be the former champion's greatest challenge yet; he has not tested this year's Ferrari F1 car and has not driven an F1 car at all since April last year. F1 fans across the world will be planning to head for the remaining grand prixs to make the most of the opportunity to see the master in action, one last time.
[Via: Autocar]
Hero Honda posts Rs 500 crore profit for April-June
Hero Honda, India's largest two-wheeler manufacturer, has reported a net profit of Rs 500.1 crore for the period April-June 2009, an 83% increase over the profit for the corresponding period in 2008. This increase in profit is, according to the company, on account of lower input costs and better sales figures.
Hero Honda's sales for April-June 2009 amounted to Rs 3,811 crore, a 34% increase over last year's figure. Gross profit stood at Rs 604.5 crore, a 97% increase over the figure reported in the year-ago period.
With Bajaj Auto lagging far behind at a distant second spot, Hero Honda is currently the undisputed no.1 two-wheeler manufacturer in India. The company is expected to launch a new 'premium' motorcycle - the Karizma ZMR - in the domestic market over the next few weeks, with which it hopes to take on bikes like the Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS-i and the Yamaha R15.
[Via: indiaautomotive]
Ferrari 458 Italia Unvieled
The new upcoming Ferrari 458 Italia is a completely new car from every point of view: engine, design, aerodynamics, handling, instrumentation and ergonomics, just to name a few.
A two-seater berlinetta, the Ferrari 458 Italia, as is now traditional for all Ferrari's road-going cars, benefits hugely from the company's Formula 1 experience. Once again input from Michael Schumacher - who was involved from the very start of the 458 Italia project - played an invaluable part.
The new 4499 cc V8 is the first Ferrari direct injection engine to be mid-rear mounted. It has a very low piston compression height typical of racing engines which contributed to achieving its compression ratio of 12.5:1. Maximum torque is 540 Nm at 6000 rpm, over 80 per cent of which is available from 3250 rpm. Specific torque is a record 120 Nm/litre. However, what is truly extraordinary is the amount of torque available while still maintaining high levels of power at low revs. The company claims the car has an efficiency of around 7km/l.
The 458 Italia is equipped with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission which increases performance whilst providing very smooth shifts even at full throttle. The engineers have developed specific, sportier gear ratios to match the power and torque curves of the new V8, guaranteeing high torque even at lower engine speeds and allowing the car to reach its maximum speed in top gear.
The Ferrari 458 Italia's performance: 0-100 km/h acceleration in under 3.4 seconds and a maximum speed in excess of 325 km/h. For the new chassis, once more in aluminium, Maranello's engineers incorporated various types of advanced alloys along with aerospace industry-derived manufacturing and bonding techniques.
[Via: CW]
Isetta roped in to promote BMW Museum in Munich
BMW's iconic micro-car from the mid-1950s, the Isetta has now been appointed 'welcome ambassador' for the BMW Museum at Munich. Last week, BMW arranged for as many 7,500 of these cars, which were driven all across Munich as moving advertisements for the BMW Museum.
Built in Munich from 1955 to 1962, the Isetta came in two versions - the Isetta 250, with 12bhp, and the Isetta 300 with 13bhp. BMW built more than 160,000 units of this tiny vehicle, which has now attained cult status among motoring enthusiasts worldwide.
[Via: indiaautomotive]
Mitsubishi Lancer to be facelifted soon in Malaysia
A new facelift for the Mitsubishi Lancer is scheduled to be released sometime this week and as a teaser, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia have posted a teaser image on the frontpage of their website. The teaser reveals the new Lancer through a moving shroud but I've managed to piece together the whole car so you can have a clearer view.
The Lancer has a new front end with a cleaner front bumper, somewhat like the cleaner look that the Lancer Evolution's bumper has. If you think it looks familiar, it's basically the same bumper that can be found on the 5-door Lancer Sportback.
The original Lancer bumper put more prominence on the bumper area that flows between the upper grille and lower grille. Given that so many people just loves to paint the center piece black to emulate the Evolution's style, Mitsubishi seems to have done this for them from the factory. The look is complete with a trim piece surrounding the grille as a whole, top to bottom.
[Via: paultan]
HM Plan Niche Vehicle From Mitsubishi Stable
Hindustan Motors (HM) is planning to launch a niche vehicle from Mitsubishi Motors stable soon. The new car is likely to be along the lines of a James Bond like automobile and is expected to fire up Mitsubishi Motors' portfolio in India.
"We are gearing up for the launch of a niche vehicle, hopefully, within this year, for which we are awaiting requisite homologation from ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India)," HM's managing director R Santhanam said.
[Via: motorbeam]
New Hyundai cars to be built in Czech plant
Hyundai Motor Company announced an investment of more than 130 million Euros ($183 million) in its European manufacturing plant located in Czech Republic (EU). The multi-million investment will boost production of new Hyundai cars from current 200,000 units per year to 300,000 new cars per year.
Along with increased new car production, Hyundai will also boost production of gearboxes that it builds in Czech Republic. Hyundai plans the gearbox output will rise from an installed 300,000 to 500,000 units in 2011.
Hyundai also manufactures gearboxes for Kia Motors, which also has a plant nearby. Kias plant produces a very popular cee'd hatchback and its two-door and wagon siblings. The cee'd shares its platform, engines and transmissions with Hyundai i30 and has been a major success for Kia. Since the car was launched in Europe, Kia sold more than 230,000 units.
[Via: hyundaiblog]