Honda confirmed to showcase a new small car in India

The New Small Concept is Honda's proposal for a low-cost five-door hatchback in booming emerging markets such as India and it was introduced today at the Auto Expo 2010 in New Delhi. Honda was quite secretive about the five-seater supermini's underpinnings and mechanical hardware, but the company did reveal that it is planning to introduce a new model based on this concept sometime in 2011.


It is expected that the official launch of this new small car will be done by second half of year 2011. Not only India but other emerging countries are also expected to witness the launch of this new small car. Honda India launched its Honda Jazz model in the country though because of its high price failed to convince an average Indian hatchback buyer. The new small car of Honda will compete with other upcoming small cars like Volkswagen Polo and Ford Figo. Along with small car concept, Honda will also showcase its Hybrid Sports car concept, CR-Z also in this year's Auto Expo.


It goes without saying that the series model's styling will be toned down a notch or two compared to the concept, though some features such as the hidden rear-door handles could make it into production.



via:carscoop cardekho

Volkswagen unveils the new Polo at the tenth Auto Expo in New Delhi

While we've already seen the Polo at the Geneva Motor Show, this is the first time the car has been shown for the Indian market. Set to be launched in March, the Polo will be available with two 1.2-liter engines. The petrol unit produces 75 hp and a 110 Nm of torque, while the diesel churns out 75 hp and 180 Nm of torque.


New Delhi, January 5, 2010: Volkswagen, Europe's largest car maker unveiled its much awaited premium hatchback the new Polo at the New Delhi Auto Expo today. The company also showcased the Race Polo for the Volkswagen Polo Cup which will commence in India with the inaugural race event on June, 2010.

Speaking about the showcasing of the new Polo, Prof. Dr. Jochem Heizmann, Member of the Board of Management, Volkswagen A.G, with responsibility for Group Production said, "The Volkswagen brand plays an important role in our success story. The new Polo is a key player in our ongoing strategy. It is an outstanding model in the exceptional range of the Volkswagen Group."

He further added "The Polo stands for German engineering and top technology. It is a lively young and cosmopolitan car. This particular model has been designed with the expectations and wants of our customers in mind, making the Polo a new benchmark in the compact segment and even creating its own class -the Polo class" he concluded.
Commenting on the new Polo, Mr. Neeraj Garg, Member of Board and Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Volkswagen Group Sales India Pvt. Ltd said "The new generation Polo offers our brand's core values of innovation, value and responsibility. It is designed to offer the very best in comfort and drivability. It features all new interiors and its pure and powerful design makes the new Polo a bold styling statement.

The good news is that this hatchback from Volkswagen will be ready for sale at all our dealerships from March this year."


The new Polo:

The new Volkswagen Polo will be available with a petrol and diesel variant. The petrol variant is equipped with a 1.2 litre engine with an output of 75HP @ 5400 rpm and a Torque of 110NM @ 3750 rpm.

The diesel variant is also equipped with the 1.2 litre engine with an output of 75HP @ 4200 rpm and torque of 180 NM @ 2000 rpm.

It will be available in three trim levels including Trendline, Comfortline and Highline and is paired with a 5-speed manual gear box.

The interior is equipped with storage compartment in front doors for 1 litre Bottles, sunglass storage inside glove box, single folding rear seat backrest and the dashboard are proof of the sure instinct of high design quality which interprets the classic elements of the Polo in a contemporary way.

In exteriors too, the new Polo offers body coloured bumpers with green tinted heat absorbing glass, halogen headlights and galvanized Body with 6 years Anti Corrosion Warranty.

The Polo highline has large 15" alloy wheels, ensconced in their flared arches; give it a higher and more commanding stance.

In safety it is equipped with Advanced occupant safety with Dual airbags, driver and passenger side, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) and electronic Anti theft immobilizer.
On comfort the car has a number of unique, thoughtful touches. It is equipped with CD MP3 Player changer with 4 speakers, power steering for better drivability, central locking with unique boot opener in company logo, height adjustable driving seats with a steering wheel tilt which improves the drivability of the passenger.

The new Polo will establish a leadership position in its class with category defining attributes of space, style, comfort, safety and fuel efficiency. It will be manufactured at Volkswagen's Chakan plant with an annual capacity of 110,000 cars and will be available through Volkswagen's 40 dealerships across the country.


Race Polo:

The Volkswagen Race Polo which will be seen racing for the first time on the Indian tracks at the Polo Cup comes with a 1.6L R4 common rail diesel engine with an output of 130 HP@4400 rpm and torque of 250 Nm@ 1500-2500 rpm.

It is equipped with a 6 speed manual gearbox, 17 inch alloy wheels with 200/605 R17 slick tyres. Adjustable Sachs race suspension, aerodynamic body kit with front and rear spoiler, side skirts and rear wing form the standard features of this car.

The interior is equipped with integrated head protection in the race seat, a 6 point seatbelt prepared for HANS System, safety net on driver side, additional display and data logger system with on board camera.

Safety and security in the Race Polo is enhanced with the provision of FIA approved roll cage, fire extinguisher system with internal and external release, electrical cut off system and a race brake system with four piston fixed caliper and ventilated 312 mm disk front and 232 mm disc brake rear. In other words perfectly loaded and ready for the Race.

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2011 Opel Meriva AKA Vauxhall Meriva Unveiled

• Unique-in-class FlexDoors offer unrivalled occupant access and convenience

• FlexRail and FlexSpace features bring new levels of cabin versatility to class

• Fuel consumption reduced by 15% vs current range; ecoFLEX version to be offered

Luton – These are the first official pictures of Vauxhall’s new Meriva, which is set to turn the conventional concept of family-car usability on its head with a combination of clever, rear-hinged back doors which radically improve access/egress, and a raft of unique cabin features that boost interior versatility.
The new Meriva, which will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March this year, is the first Vauxhall to feature FlexDoors, showcased in 2008’s Meriva design concept.
FlexDoors are rear-hinged back doors which swing open towards the back of the car at an angle of nearly 90 degrees, vastly improving the ease with which occupants enter and leave the cabin. Rather than having to step back, or to one side, as one would using a normal front-hinged door, the FlexDoor allows unimpeded forward access/egress to and from the cabin, enhanced further by the Meriva’s exceptionally high roof line.


For parents with children, there are further benefits. Due to the larger door opening and free space around the B-pillar, parents can lift small children forwards in to rear-mounted, second-stage child seats without having to contort themselves around a door. And with both the front and rear doors open (the fronts open at a similar angle to the rear FlexDoors) a ‘parent-friendly’ zone is created with no door barrier between front and rear occupants.
Crucially, the FlexDoors can only be opened by occupants while the car is stationary, an automatic lock engaging as soon as the car pulls away.
While the concept of two rear-hinged back doors is not new in the motor industry, the Meriva’s FlexDoor system is the first time it has been used on a family car in recent years. But unlike other rear-hinged door applications (Rolls Royce Phantom/Ghost and Mazda RX8), the Meriva benefits from front and rear doors that open independently, and does not require rear passengers to sit behind the door opening.


Class-leading in-cabin flexibility
Once inside the new Meriva, buyers benefit from two further groundbreaking innovations. The FlexRail adopts a completely fresh approach to the design of a car’s centre console, and provides owners with a variety of modular storage and comfort solutions that fix on to an ingenious dual-rail base. The new Meriva’s storage bin and cubby count has also increased, meaning that owners now benefit from one of the most practical cabins in class.
In addition, the current Meriva’s much-praised FlexSpace system has evolved with even greater practicality. Now more intuitive to use, the new Meriva’s FlexSpace allows easier fold-down of the rear seats, while moving the rear seats to create more boot, leg or shoulder room is simpler than ever.
The new Meriva’s seat comfort has also advanced, with the adoption of front seat technology from the Insignia and Astra. Like these cars, the Meriva offers the biggest range of seat adjustment in class, extending to 240mm in length and 65mm in height.


New Meriva adopts design language from Insignia and new Astra
The current Meriva effectively created the compact monocab sector when it was launched in 2003, but since then Vauxhall’s design language has evolved steadily, with big strides being made with the European Car of the Year-winning Insignia and more recently with the launch of the all-new Astra.
No surprise, then, that the new Meriva has adopted a more expressive and dynamic silhouette to its basic cab-forward monocab design. Like the Insignia and Astra, a ‘blade’ features down the side of the body, complementing a window line with a distinct ‘wave’ accentuating the FlexDoors, allowing panoramic views for rear passengers.
The design theme continues in the Meriva’s cabin, with cues taken from the Insignia and Astra enhancing the perceived quality of the materials.


Advanced chassis and more efficient powertrains
With a longer wheelbase and wider front and rear tracks, buyers will see a marked improvement in the new Meriva’s ride and handling qualities.
They’ll also see a reduction in running costs, since the engine line-up – which features six turbocharged units and power outputs from 75 to 140PS – benefits from an average fuel consumption/CO2 reduction of 15 per cent, or -25g/km across the range. A high mpg/low CO2 ecoFLEX model will also be available.
More information will be available closer to the Meriva’s debut at Geneva.



Source:Vauxhall

Detroit Preview: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe

This here is the ultimate iteration of Cadillac's brand-new CTS Coupe and it will make its first public outing at next week's 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. To the surprise of no one, the CTS-V Coupe packs the same 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine found in the sedan version. It produces a hefty 556-horsepower and 551 lb.-ft. of torque (747 Nm) propelling the 2+2 coupe from 0-60 mph (96km/h) in just 3.9 seconds.


The CTS-V coupe will debut at the Detroit Auto Show next week with everything that makes the CTS-V one our favorite super-sedans, albeit in a sexy new two-door shell. Aside from the sleek yet thick-of-beltline new suit, the only other real difference from the existing V is the one-inch wider track at the rear axle, which may or may not be noticeable when driving, and a marginally lower mass. The 556-horsepower supercharged LSA V8 engine and the choice of a manual or automatic six-speed gearbox carries over. We highly recommend that anyone considering a V regardless of bodystyle check the option box for the Recaro seats, they are worth every penny.


Cadillac says that the Coupe has the same wheelbase as the CTS-V Sport Sedan, but its overall height is about two inches (51 mm) lower and its overall length is two inches (51 mm) shorter while the rear track is nearly an inch wider than the four-door model.


There are no pictures of the interior, but Cadillac said that the steering wheel, seat inserts and shifter are covered in microfiber while the integrated center stack is trimmed in Obsidian black material that is also applied to the center console and door trim.


Available options will include an exclusive new Saffron color and special Recaro sport seats that are 14-way adjustable and include pneumatic bolster controls in the seat cushions and backrests.

We'll have more on the CTS-V Coupe after its official debut at the Detroit motor show next week.
Source: Cadillac

Suzuki Alto Dresses Like a Fish for International Green Week Fair in Berlin

Being the only car manufacturer that will participate at the forthcoming International Green Week in Berlin, Suzuki wants to make a splash at the fair with a custom made Alto.


The Japanese automaker covered its mini car in a vinyl wrap (or at least it looks like a wrap) with a design that imitates fish scales and to top it off, they also added a... tail fin.


Billed as the world's largest fair for food, agriculture and horticulture, the International Green Week runs from January 15 to 24 in Berlin.
Source:carscoop

Nürburgring: Porsche hybrid to campaign at 24 hours

If a report from Autosport Japan is to be believed, Porsche could be readying a hybrid version of its 911 GT3 for this May's 24 Hours of Nürburgring race.


With a gas-electric Cayenne on the way next year and a Panamera hybrid in development, the rumor of a race-spec hybrid doesn't seem that far-fetched considering Porsche's proclivity for migrating it's racing knowhow from the track to the road (although it's a bit backwards in this application).


Regardless, Porsche hasn't confirmed the hybrid's participation in the enduro yet, but rumors have been circulating that the automaker will use the knowledge it gleans from the 'Ring race to campaign a GT3 hybrid in the 2011 ALMS season, with a possible running at the 24 Hours of Le Mans the same year.
via:autoblog

Chrysler 300C Receives Minor Updates for 2010MY [UK]

Chrysler UK Ltd has announced a new model line-up of its highly popular 300C range, designed to give buyers exceptional value for money. The new executive model line-up and prices take effect from Friday 1st January 2010.

Chrysler has researched exactly what customers want in today’s changing market, and the new range will focus more closely on these requirements.

With its refined interior, premium technology features and unmistakable design, the Chrysler 300C saloon continues to offer unmatched style, performance and excitement in the hugely competitive E-segment, plus it now offers very attractive and affordable pricing.


The new 2010 300C range will now offer four derivatives, the 300C SE, SR and SRT comes with an automatic gearbox and a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine, while the SRT-8 is coupled with a mighty 6.1-litre V8 HEMI® petrol engine.

The new entry-level diesel model, 300C SE, is available from just £23,995 on the road, and offers a very high level of standard equipment including leather trimmed seats, ESP, ABS, front, rear and side-curtain airbags, heated front seats, dual zone climate control, LED ambient lighting, front fog lamps, parking sensors (front and rear).

On the exterior, Xenon headlamps and rain-sensing windscreen wipers are also standard along with 18” aluminium wheels.

The in-car entertainment system features AM/FM radio with CD player and MP3 capability and a six speaker Boston Acoustics® sound system.

The fuel efficient and highly-refined 3.0 litre common-rail diesel (CRD) engine offers maximum efficiency, providing exceptional power of 215 bhp at 4,000 rpm and 376 lb.-ft of torque at 1,600 rpm. Top speed is 143 mph and the 300C can reach 0-62.5 mph in 8.7 seconds.


The 300C SR is priced at £24,995. In addition to the SE specification, SR models feature auto-dimming rear view mirror, upgraded Boston Acoustics® sound system including subwoofer and uconnect® gps satellite navigation system, uconnect® phone with voice recognition, a hands-free communication system using Bluetooth technology. Optional extras on the SR are the power sunroof costing £750 and heated rear seats costing £250.

The 300C SRT priced at £27,995, offers in addition to the SR models a mesh grille with chrome surround, body coloured door mirrors and door handles, wheel arch extensions, 20 inch aluminium wheels, leather and suede trimmed sports seats and carbon fibre interior details.
In a segment dominated by prestigious German marques; Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, the 300C is able to compete aggressively on price and standard equipment levels.

The top-of-the range performance model, the SRT-8 costs £41,795. Its legendary 6.1 V-8 HEMI® petrol engine generates 425 bhp of power with 420 lb -ft of torque. The rear-wheel drive Chrysler 300C SRT-8 is capable of impressive performance times - 0 to 62.5 mph in just 5.0 seconds, standing start quarter-mile time in the high 13-second range, a top of speed of 165 mph and 0-100-0 in the mid 16-seconds.


Extra SRT-8 specification includes high performance Brembo® calipers, power sunroof, performance tuned steering and suspension making the SRT-8 the ultimate Chrysler 300C and the most affordable performance car in the market place today.

Chrysler UK Ltd Managing Director, Federico Goretti, said: “The new 2010 300C range will assist us in gaining a competitive advantage in a fiercely contested segment of the market.
“ With an entry level price of under £24,000, Chrysler is also attracting customers from the D-segment who are looking for a car that stands out from the crowd and comes highly equipped. Customers can now get all the features and benefits of a 300C for less than a mid-range D-segment car.

“The Chrysler 300C remains a great looking, well equipped car and now offers an even more desirable package of power, performance and style combined with attractive and extremely competitive pricing.”
Source:Chrysler UK