Saturday

Special edition Yamaha Fazer launched in Spain


Yamaha Fazer, Yamaha Fazer 16
Yamaha introduced the Fazer in India back in 2009 and since then it’s been exported it to many markets. Spain turns out to be one place that loves the touring spirit of the Fazer. Sales numbers are not available, but the country’ interest in the mini Fazer (called Fazer 16) has grown since the introduction.

Yamaha Fazer, Yamaha Fazer 16
To give the Yamaha lovers something special and unique, a limited run Racing White Fazer 16 has been introduced. Yamaha will make only 600 units of the motorcycle and will sell it across all dealerships in Spain. If you recollect, Yamaha offered the same bike in India in limited volumes.

Race Concepts presents performance kit for Yamaha FZ16


Race Concepts, Yamaha FZ16, Yamaha FZ16 Race Concepts
Yamaha took the Indian two wheeler industry by storm in the year 2008 when they launched their best two replica models ever for the Indian market. The Yamaha YZF-R15 and the FZ16 (smaller iterations of the R1 and Fazer bikes) revived their fortunes in the Indian market and helped the company regain its lost reputation.

But soon after the launches Yamaha fans realized both models deserved larger engines with better power and torque figures which would have complemented their looks well. Some felt Yamaha had chosen fuel economy over power, right from the company’ and industry’s perspective, but criminal according to Yamaha aficionados who seek thrill even when commuting for a carton of milk.


In order to fulfill this breed of young customers Yamaha tried out the Daytona kits for both R15 and FZ16 but there were not road legal and were reserved for racing tracks. Soon after other after-market racing and performance enhancement kits came by but none are impressive as Race Concepts’ package.

Race Concepts, Yamaha FZ16, Yamaha FZ16 Race Concepts

Race Concepts will be launching a Big Bore kit for the FZ16 which enhances the cubic capacity of the bike to almost 20% making it a 180cc motorcycle. On top of the Big Bore Kit a free flow muffler increases power by 10-15%. The combination of the Big Bore Kit and the free flow muffler raises overall torque and power figures by 30%.

Joel Joseph, the founder of RaceConcepts and the man behind these performance enhancement kits has also tried to improve the fuel efficiency of the FZ16.

If demand for performance kits on Yamaha R15 improves, will Yamaha offer factory-installed kits for the FZ16 and R15 in the future?

Will Yamaha scooters be as exciting as its bikes?

India is one of the biggest two wheeler markets in the world with an ever growinghttp://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=8813374625555198017 thirst for fuel efficient commuters which promise to deliver strong and run more. With over 12 million units per annum to be had in the two wheeler sector, this is undoubtedly not a market to ignore or play safe with.

Yamaha Fino, Yamaha Neo, Yamaha scooters India, Yamaha Spark
The geared scooters era has certainly come to an end – there’s no better proof to this allegation than the fall of two extremely capable products in the last few years – the iconic Bajaj Chetak and the Honda Eterno. Companies making them decided to end them and moved on to the gearless family.

For a couple of years now Yamaha has been wanting to enter the scooter market which is dominated by the Honda Activa, Hero Honda Pleasure and TVS Scooty. In recent times scooter sales have shown tremendous double-digit growth holding about 18% of the overall two wheeler market which is on the lower side but is rapidly increasing with new and improved products.

Yamaha which internationally sells scooters like the Neo, Fino and Spark on first glance look close to competitor offerings, but will not be launched here. The scooters for India will be developed exclusively for our market in Japan. This is similar to the approach the company took with the FZ16 and R15.

Yamaha Fino, Yamaha Neo, Yamaha scooters India, Yamaha Spark
Yamaha has always been boastful of their advance technology and would continue the same trend with their new scooter as well. “The scooter would be the most advance in its class and would take the likes of the Activa and Wego head on” a source has revealed to Business Standard. The model is undergoing development and it will take Yamaha till the end of 2012 to show a finished product.

Yamaha India posts encouraging sales figures


Yamaha Fazer 150
India Yamaha Motor has registered a staggering 28.5 % growth over July last year. In comparison to the 22,899 units sold in July 2010, this year the company has posted a sales figure of 29, 021.

Correspondingly the exports of the company have also risen. This is due to the inclusion of the new variants in the FZ and SZ series and has led to the highest ever monthly sale the company has achieved this year.

A very pleased Hiroyuki Suzuki, CEO & MD of India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd. has also mentioned that the company is involved in marketing and dealer expansion agendas, especially in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. Backed by this will be reinforcement of customer relations by initiating consumer –centric marketing initiatives like the R 15 One Make Race, the Yamaha Safe Riding Science and Yamaha Service camps.

The ‘YESYAMAHA’ campaign is the company’s initiative towards the existing customers in terms of sales, service and spares. Not only that, Yamaha will approach the festive season with a very optimistic step.

Friday

The Ultimate Motorcycle Calendar 2012

It's reaching the end of the year, and we need to start thinking about calendars; ones we want, and ones we want to give as a gift. In both categories, there's really one if you love classic and custom made motorcycles; BikeEXIF calendar.

2012 BikeEXIF

The 2012 BikeEXIF Calendar runs for 13 months (so until January 2013), and every month thsi wall calendar has a fantastic and high quality photo of a motorcycle. Photos from motorcycles such as BSA, Brough Superior, Ducati, harley, Honda, Husqvarna, Guzzi, Triumph and Yamaha will look great on any wall.

2012 BikeEXIF

The calendar is not expensive, since we're talking major art here. US$14.99 will get you this wall adornment.


Thursday

Nissan Sunny Diesel Launch In India In January 2012 Expected

Nissan India has launched its global sedan Nissan Sunny in India on Sep 20, 2011 which is a car based on the versatile V-Platform on which Nissan Micra is also based. Nissan Sunny has been launched only in the petrol variant in India with the Nissan Sunny Diesel still few months away from its official launch in India. With a spectacular  starting price of just Rs. 5.78 Lakhs, Nissan Sunny seems to be a strong competitor to most of the cars in the entry level sedan segment. The Diesel option of Nissan Sunny, even if priced at up to Rs. 80,000 more than the petrol counterpart, will be priced at an approximate price of Rs. 6.6 Lakhs approximate price, which is a very aggressive price.

Nissan Sunny Diesel
image- Nissan Sunny Sedan

The USP of the Nissan Sunny is the quality and space of the Interiors at an affordable price tag. The diesel engine variant of the Sunny is expected to add fuel efficiency and low running cost to the Sunny. As per some sources close to Nissan, the Nissan Sunny Diesel is expected to break covers around January 2012, which will most likely take place at the Indian Auto Expo 2012 in new Delhi India.
Nissan Sunny Diesel Specifications In India

The expected specifications of Nissan Sunny Diesel to be launched in India in January 2012 are:

    * 1.5 Litre K9K CRDI Diesel Engine
    * Max power of about 85 BHP
    * Max torque of about 200 Nm
    * Fixed geometry turbocharger
    * Expected mileage of close to 20 KMPL (estimated

Mercedes Benz S- Class Art Edition Unveiled In Mumbai India

In a unique initiative, Saffronart, India’s leading art auction house and Mercedes Benz India, the global premiere automobile brand have partnered for promotion of the arts in India. The result is an exclusive industry partnership inspired by the vibrant art, design and jewelry traditions of India.

Mercedes Benz S- Class image – Mr. Peter Honegg- Managing Director and CEO Mercedes-Benz India with Mr. Dinesh Vazirani, Co-Founder and CEO of Saffronart with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Art Edition

Mercedes-Benz is supporting the Saffronart Autumn Online Auction of Modern and Contemporary Indian Art being held online at www.saffronart.com on September 21-22, 2011. Celebrating the launch of this auction, today an event was held at ‘Tote on the Turf’ in Mumbai to showcase a selection of lots in the auction, including a wide variety of artworks of exceptional provenance and quality. The event featured modern works by M.F. Husain, S.H. Raza, Arpita Singh and Jehangir Sabavala alongside those of contemporary artists like Atul Dodiya, Shibu Natesan, Anju Dodiya, Subodh Gupta and Surendran Nair.

A special highlight of the partnership was the unveiling of a customized Mercedes-Benz S-Class ‘Art Edition’ at the event, one of a limited edition of two cars specially made to commemorate the alliance between Saffronart and Mercedes-Benz at a special price of Rs 1.14 Cr (Ex Showroom Mumbai).



Dinesh Vazirani, Co-Founder and CEO of Saffronart commented on the association, “Both Saffronart and Mercedes-Benz deeply value aesthetics and have constantly endeavoured to innovate to serve their customers. Through our partnership, we explore and engage with the changing face of aesthetics in India today, as influenced by both its long-standing traditions as well as contemporary trends and forces. Together, we hope to expand and enrich the understanding of the finer aspects of Indian art and aesthetics, and help people set out on new and exciting journeys as informed collectors.”

“Mercedes-Benz is indistinguishable from a refined and luxurious lifestyle, and we have consistently set newer benchmarks for style, quality and luxury for our connoisseurs. We are delighted to be associated with Saffronart and to support creativity and excellence in art. It is a proud moment for us where our wealth of innovation in the creation of automobiles has merged with the unique and imaginative world of art and culture. With our rich heritage and culture we lend our support and dedication to the growth of art in a unique way”, said Mr. Peter Honegg, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India.

Nissan-Renault Bajaj Ultra Low Cost Project Not Seized Yet

Nissan – Renault and Bajaj went into a joint venture to build an ultra low cost (ULC) vehicle for the Indian market but after months of discussions, the two foreign automakers were not happy with the Indian two wheeler manufacturer.

The discontent continued for months and the project was said to come to an end soon but at the launch of the Nissan Sunny sedan, one of the officials spoke to the media and at last threw some light on the news.

After the launch of the Nissan Sunny sedan, Vice-President Corporate (India, Africa & Middle East) of Nissan Motor Company Mr. Giles Normand said, “We have been holding discussions, the next round of the announcement will be a joint announcement.”

Nissan-Renault Bajaj
Inquiring on the time line for the project, Mr. Giles Normand said, “We will let you know at the right time.”

Interestingly just after this Nissan Motor India Managing Director Kiminobu Tokuyama said that the company is planning to launch a new small car for the Indian market, the second fastest growing market.

He said, “We, at Nissan, are committed to offer a good and wonderful product to any segment. Currently we are studying the project of launching a small car but it is too early to predict and comment about the exact timeline of launching the car.

Nissan Sunny Petrol Vs Honda City Petrol- Which Is Better And Why?

Nissan Sunny Petrol is a new entrant sedan into the Indian automobile markets and holds good potential of sales with an aggressive pricing by Nissan India. In our car comparison series on Car Blog India, we have recently compared the Nissan Sunny With Maruti Dzire and also compared the Petrol Variants of Nissan Sunny and Maruti SX4. In continuation of this series, lets compare the Sunny with one of the highest selling sedans in its segment, the Honda City IVTEC. Although the City is priced on the higher side in the sedan segment, but the two cars do overlap in their price band with the high end model XV of Sunny overlapping with the low end Honda City Sedan.
Nissan Sunny Exteriors Vs Honda City Exteriors

Honda City (left) and Nissan Sunny (right)
image – Honda City (left) and Nissan Sunny (right)

There is one basic difference between the styling of the Honda and Nissan, which is that Honda has more straight and sharp lines all over the exteriors and Nissan is very rounded and curvy. While the Honda City gives modern and high-tech look, Nissan gives a cute and retro style of look.

I appreciate both design languages and find both these cars to be attractive in their own right. Honda City, which is updated or facelifted very frequently compared to other Indian sedans, has a large fan following who love the way it looks. Some like the older generation City better, while some love this one. There is another minor facelifted lined up in a few months, it will include some minor touch ups at front, grill, alloy wheels and rear, while the shape of the City will largely remain the same. City has sharp, low riding position with ample interior space and a fairly long wheelbase.
Nissan Sunny Dimensions

    * Overall Length: 4425 mm
    * Overall Width: 1695 mm
    * Overall Height: 1505 mm
    * Overall Wheelbase: 2600 mm

Sunny on the other hand is slightly longer, same in width and taller than the City. Sunny also has an even longer wheelbase. Both City and Sunny have rear sloping roof line which give these cars a sporty look. While the Sunny is more on the elegance side of the aesthetics, City is more on the dynamic and sporty side of it.
Honda City Dimensions

    * Overall Length: 4420 mm
    * Overall Width: 1695 mm
    * Overall Height: 1480 mm
    * Overall Wheelbase: 2550 mm

Picking between Nissan Sunny and Honda City based on exteriors is a very tough choice to make, so I think I will call it a tie and leave it on you which one you like better in terms of exterior looks.
Nissan Sunny Interiors Vs Honda City Interiors

Nissan Sunny Interiors
image- Nissan Sunny Interiors

When it comes to Interiors, the Sunny is slightly more spacious, comfortable and gives a good quality of Interiors and feels nice inside the cabin. The major plus point of Sunny is the rear seat space which is very spacious for the price segment which Sunny belongs to.

Honda City Interiors
image-Honda City Interiors

Honda City on the other hand is even more premium and high quality on the inside. Honda is known for its good quality fit and finish, high quality of interiors, premium feel and comfort. It gives a more lavish feeling to be inside a City than Sunny.

In this case, my vote goes to City for its premium quality and finish, which is slightly better than the Sunny.
Nissan Sunny Petrol Engine Vs Honda City Petrol Engine
Nissan Sunny Petrol Engine Specifications

    * Type: HR15DE, DOHC 16 Valves, 4 Cylinder
    * Displacement(cc): 1498
    * Maximum Power: 98.6 BHP @ 6000 RPM
    * Maximum Torque: 134 Nm @ 4000 RPM
    * Transmission: 5 Speed Manual
    * ARAI Certified Mileage of 16.95 KMPL
    * Kerb Weight = 998 Kg to 1027 Kg
    * Power to weight ratio of 97.6 BHP / 1000 Kg

Honda City Petrol Engine Specifications

    * Engine Type- 1.5 Litre 4 Cylinder SOHC Petrol Engine with I-VTEC (VVTI) Technology
    * Max Power- 116.3 BHP @ 6600 RPM
    * Max Torque – 146 Nm @ 4800 RPM
    * Transmission Options – 5 Speed Manual Transmission Or 5 Speed Automatic Transmission Option
    * Honda City with 1.5 Petrol Engine with manual transmission mileage is 16.7 KMPL
    * Honda City with 1.5 Petrol Engine with automatic transmission mileage is 15.5 KMPL
    * Kerb Weight = 1100 Kg (MT) and 1155 Kg (AT)
    * Power to weight ratio of 105.7 BHP / 1000 Kg

The 1.5 Litre iVTEC Engine of Honda is a very refined engine producing a power and torque rating much higher than Sunny. Besides being more powerful, the engine is fuel efficient and delivers almost same mileage as Sunny with the manual transmission option. The City’s power to weight ratio also beats Suuny’s by around 6%, so in terms of engine, my vote goes to Honda City.
Nissan Sunny Petrol Handling and Performance Vs Honda City Petrol Handling and Performance

Honda City is known for its good handling characteristic with its suspensions tuned towards more sporty side and steering wheel being well weighted. There is very low body roll at the high speed cornering, in handling department, Honda City is better compared to most cars in this price segment except for the new Ford Fiesta 2011.

Nissan Sunny on the other hand is also a very good handling car with quite stable cornering capabilities, but its tuned more towards comfort and the body roll in case of cornering is more compared to the City. Also the steering is on light side at the high speeds when compared to City, so it kind of feels less confident than City at high speeds.

So in handling department, City leads the Sunny.
Nissan Sunny Petrol Price Vs Honda City Petrol Price
Nissan Sunny Petrol Price In India

The ex-showroom Delhi price of Nissan Sunny Petrol in India are as follows:

    * Nissan Sunny XE Petrol is priced at Rs. 5.78 Lakhs
    * Nissan Sunny XL Petrol is priced at Rs. 6.88 Lakhs
    * Nissan Sunny XV Petrol is priced at Rs. 7.68 Lakhs

Honda City Petrol Price In India

The ex-showroom Delhi price of Honda City 1.5 Petrol in India are as follows:

    * Honda City 1.5 E MT Petrol is priced at Rs. 7.49 Lakhs
    * Honda City 1.5 S MT Petrol is priced at Rs. 8.19 Lakhs
    * Honda City 1.5 V MT Petrol is priced at Rs. 8.64 Lakhs
    * Honda City 1.5 V AT Petrol is priced at Rs. 9.37 Lakhs

Pricing is one area where Sunny seems to be on top with very aggressively priced low end variant. For a justified value for money comparison, lets compare the Nissan Sunny XV priced at Rs. 7.68 with the Honda City E MT which is priced at about Rs. 19,000 lower than it. The Sunny VX have wider tyres of 185/65 R15 size compared to the slightly less wider 175/65 R15 found on the City, however, the Sunny top end comes with alloy wheels while the City base variant comes with steel wheels with full wheel caps. Sunny comes with body coloured door handles and outside mirrors while City E MT has them as black. Nissan Sunny has a music system with Aux-input and 4 speakers while there is no music system as standard in the base variant of the City. The arm rest of City E comes without cup holders while the Sunny has armrest with cup holders. Apart from this Sunny packs keyless entry with intelligent key, and an automatic climate control system with air filter while the City comes with manual air conditioner. Sunny also features rear fan vents for comfort of rear passengers.
Car Blog India verdict – Nissan Sunny Petrol Vs Honda City Petrol

In terms of price, these cars are from different segment, but in terms of features and comfort, both come face to face. If you need a comfortable car for family or being driven at the rear seat, Sunny seems to be a more affordable and practical choice as it comes at much lower price for the base variants. The minor downsides for Sunny are its not-so-sharp handling and interior quality when compared to Honda City.

If you are a spirited driver and want a car with top notch handling, more power and sporty driving, you should shell out more money and get yourself a City. It more premium, comes with good finish and quality and has a status factor attached to it

Report – BMW X4 confirmed – X6 styling at little over X3′s price

Whilst the new generation X3 is now a CKD (complete knock-down kit) unlike the earlier CBU (complete built-up unit), and the X5 getting a fancy facelift in 2010, BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer now announces the X4. Due to the X6′s surprising success, BMW have confirmed that the X4 is on the way.
 
BMW X4
Now as the name suggests, we believe that the X4 is going to be a mutant brother to the X3 and the X5. Speculations are that the X4 will be at 4.65m length as compared to the X3 and X5 which are at 4.57m and 4.66 respectively. Also, the BMW X4 will be a director competitor to the Audi Q4 and the Porsche Cajun.

The appearance of the X4 is to be much like its big brother the X6, but with a smaller frame paving way for a layout of a 4 door SUV. As far as the powerhouse is concerned, the X4 will sport the same as that of an X3, including the new 2.0 litre turbocharged 4 cylinder engine and also BMW’s xDrive All wheel drive technology. This will give it somewhat off-road capabilities.

This is something to watch out for. A perfect blend if you are looking for something more stylish than an X3 and cannot afford the X6. The X4 is expected to hit the roads in 2014.


Will the Premier Rio facelift be Multijet-equipped?

Back in late 2009, Premier launched its mini SUV Rio in India and with limited dealers, lack of a BS4 variant and brand visibility, its no surprise that Rio has not found too many homes. To pep things up, Premier is working on a facelifted edition of the Rio fitted with a Multi-jet diesel engine.

The petrol will be a 1.2 L engine producing 77PS and 104nm of torque while the existing diesel displacing 1.5 L engine producing 65PS and 152 Nm of torque is expected to carry on.

Premier Rio,Premier Rio Multi-jet

Note – Image used in the Zotye EV using the Rio as the donor model.

When we asked Premier about the Rio’s BS4 plan, this is what they had replied -

Mumbai-based Premier Automotive spokeswoman to Indian Autos Blog -

At this moment, we are in discussions with various engine manufacturers, including FIAT, for a Euro IV engine for the RiO. The outcome of these will be known shortly. Preliminary tests are currently being conducted to determine engine compatibility for the RiO. The current situation is that we are in a pre-production mode and a few vehicles have been seeded in the market to gauge initial market response. The feedback has been very positive, and based on this the product has now been fine tuned to meet customer expectations.

The Multi-jet Rio could give Premier access to crucial BS4 markets where a compact SUV concept is unheard of. If priced right, the Rio could experience a surge in sales. Premier has to work out a marketing campaign pulling into the frame factors like lack of parking space, high fuel cost, advantages of a high seating position, the Rio’s looks, features and the fuel efficiency of the award-winning Multi-jet diesel engine.

2012 B-Class breaks cover in Germany; Is it on MBIL’s 2012 Business Plan?

Mercedes has showcased the 2012 B-Class at the ongoing Frankfurt Motor show. The new design language on sheet metal is finally seen on the B-Class. This gives the car the ability to be more sculpted as well as efficient both in terms of overall weight and aerodynamics setting a ‘new benchmark in its segment.’

Mercedes Benz B-ClassMercedes Benz B-Class dashboard interface

Direct injection technology has also made it to the B-Class for the first time. The gasoline engine options include B180 with 122 hp and B200 with 156 hp. The common-rail diesel will produce 109 hp and 136 hp in two different states of tune. Transmission options are either a 7G-DCT dual clutch automatic or a six speed manual.

Mercedes Benz B-Class rear seatMercedes Benz B-Class boot space

Other firsts on the features list include Pre-Safe, Blind Spot, Lane Keeping Assist and Distronic Plus.
Will Mercedes Benz India drive the B-Class to India late next year?

New Suzuki Motorcycle: Urban X-Over Unveiled

Suzuki logoIt's strange that more and more motorcycle manufacturers are unveiling their new motorcycles at car shows.Recently BMW did it, and now Suzuki  unveiled their latest motorcycle at the Frankfurt, Germany car exhibition

 Urban X-Over Unveiled

Tuesday

First Look: Mercedes CLS 350 BlueEFFICIENCY

If you are a fan of the charismatic Ari Gold (a popular character from the HBO series Entourage), then it was a momentous day for you. Mercedes India has launched Ari Gold’s car – 2012 Mercedes CLS in India at a price of 67.67 lakhs (ex showroom Mumbai).

Mercedes CLS

Of course, the old CLS Clss was popular because it was the first 4 door sedan designed to look like a 2 door coupe. The idea was to blend practicality and space with sporty design and a powerful engine.

In 2005, when Mercedes launched the CLS, its disproportionate angles, drastically sloping roofline and unbelievable practicality sent the rivals back to their drawing boards.

Audi followed Mercedes’ philosophy by bringing the A7 to the market while BMW is said to be working on a 4-door coupe model on the 6 Series platform. 5 years later Mercedes is trying to redefine that magic of CLS.

So have they succeeded?

Mercedes CLS

Introduced in Paris Motor show 2010, the new 2012 CLS continues to be a 4 door sedan dressed in a 2 door coupe’s outfit. If you are successfully selling a concept for 5 years, you don’t change the recipe entirely. But the similarities stop right there.

Mercedes CLS

The front fascia of new CLS is inspired by Mercedes F800 concept. The new CLS ditches the small angular headlamps in favor of large rectangular ones. If you thought that the Germans are too obsessed with LEDs, the new CLS packs 71 LED lights making up front headlamps, running lamps, turn signals, and side lamps.


Mercedes CLS

Compared to the previous model, the new CLS gets a very aggressive and dominating stance. The bulbously sculpted wheel arches give it a very muscular presence. The preposterously long and wide bonnet is sure sign that the SLS AMG designer did his bit in the new design.


Mercedes CLS

The side profile of the car is the most definitive aspect of the design and that has not been touched much. The roofline still continues its dramatic descent towards the rear. Two sharp lines on the side profile further enhance the muscular appearance


Mercedes CLS

Things go a bit downhill when we see the rear of the new CLS. The old one had concave tail lamps which used to gell well with the overall design. The new tail lamps bulge out of the overall design like a baboon’s butt.

Mercedes CLS

Just when you think things are going downhill, you step into the car and its sweeps you off your feet. The CLS greets you with a blend of high quality leather, premium wood finish and soft touch plastic all wrapped up as one package. The newly design steering wheel has an aluminum base and paddle shifters to add a bit of modernity. The gear stick is replaced with a small dial just like in the new Jags

Mercedes CLS

The center console has a lot of buttons to comprehend and at the same time a small analog watch add a touch of old school luxury. An 7 inch screen displays the relevant driver information as well as caters to your media demands. Music buffs will be happy with surround sound Harman Kardon music system. Mercedes COMMAND APS gives you a full control of the car’s mechanics.

Mercedes CLS

The back seats curve very deep to mitigate the sloping roofline so that you get adequate shoulder and legroom. Nonetheless, they haven’t managed to completely solve the problem.

Mercedes CLS

For the tech savvy rich mortals, the CLS is loaded with features that will exceed your expectations. Some features that managed to capture our attention were the Airmatic suspension, COMMAND APS, THERMOTRONIC climate control, electromechanical direct steer, active parking assist with PARKTRONIC.


Mercedes CLS

Don’t worry safety savvy guys, the CLS comes standard with attention assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, ADAPTIVE BRAKE to the PRE-SAFE Brake, Active Lane Keeping Assist and 9 airbags. It is like a balloon shop in there!



Mercedes CLS

Now we come to the really juicy (and my favorite part) POWER! The CLS is only available in a V6 petrol that pokes 225 KW/306 horsepower @ 6500 and stirs 370 Nm of torque at 3500-5250 rpm. The engine is mated to a 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission with paddle shifters. Sorry dieselheads look somewhere else.

Mercedes CLS

Mercedes has managed to keep the DNA of the old CLS alive in the new one. But at the same time brought the CLS up to speed with today’s technologies. The new looks (apart from the rear) suit the CLS very well and interiors are the icing on the cake.

Mercedes CLS

Have you started working hard to treat yourself with the CLS yet?

Mercedes Benz CLS Class Image Gallery

Thursday

New Jaguar C-X16 Concept Hints at a Porsche Cayman and 911 Rival

Jaguar C-X16
Jaguar is bringing a new sleek concept car named the C-X16 to the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, which opens its gates on September 13.

Jaguar C-X16
Following the release of a single teaser rendering, the British carmaker unloaded a slew of photos and information on the concept that is believed to lead to a production model sitting under the XK and aiming at the likes of both the Porsche Cayman and 911.

Billed as a true driver's sports car, the strictly two-seat C-X16 is the smallest Jaguar in terms of length since the 1954 XK120. The concept is built around a shortened version of the next generation XK's aluminium chassis structure and it measures 4,445 mm (175-in.) in length, 2,048 mm (80.6-in.) in width and 1,297 mm (51-in.) in height and has a wheelbase measuring 2,622 mm (103.2-in.).

Lurking under its long hood is hybrid powertrain that includes a next-generation 3.0-liter supercharged V6 petrol engine delivering 380-horses (280kW) and 332 lb ft (450 Nm) of torque and an electric motor generator integrated into the eight-speed automatic gearbox that transfers power to the rear wheels.

The electric motor draws power from a 1.6kWh battery pack mounted behind the seats that is charged through a brake energy regeneration system. The motor provides and additional 95-horsepower (70 kW) and 173 lb ft (235 Nm) of torque.

A Formula 1 Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS)-inspired hybrid boost system with a steering-wheel mounted button allows for on-demand acceleration using the electric motor.

Jaguar says the C-X16 tips the scales at 1,600kg (3,527 lbs) and has a perfect 50-50 weight distribution. According to the company, it is capable of accelerating from 0 to 62 mph (100km/h) in 4.4 seconds and from 50 to 75 mph (80-120km/h) in 2.1 seconds, while reaching a top speed of 186 mph (299km/h).

In addition, the British firm reveals that the C-X16 is able to travel at speeds of up to 50 mph (80km/h) using electric power alone and has CO2 emissions of 165 g/km.

The styling of the C-X16 is the work of Ian Callum. The exterior design mixes styling cues from both the XK (up front) and Jaguar's well received C-X75 hypercar study (at the back) from last year's Paris Auto Show, in a more compact form.

“This car has been designed from first principles," says Callum. "It is an evolution of the design ethos of past Jaguar cars and defines the agenda for a future of dramatic, innovative sports cars. Purity of line and intent is what Jaguar does best.”

Like the exterior, the interior of the concept looks very close to production sans the trim and dramatic color choices. According to the British automaker, the inspiration for elements of its layout come from aeronautical ergonomics, such as the joystick-style gearlever and banks of toggle switches, which also refer to classic racing Jaguar cars.

2013 Lexus GS Officially Unveiled at the Pebble Beach Festival

Lexus, Lexus GS
Time is up for Lexus to pull the wraps off the third-generation GS luxury sedan that made its first outing today at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California.

Lexus, Lexus GS
Based on the LF-Gh concept we saw in New York, the new GS features much bolder lines that its predecessor. Key highlights include a prominent trapezoidal grille that the company says will be a trademark of all future models, deep-set headlamps with L-shaped LED daytime running lights and an aerodynamic body that brings to mind the smaller IS.

Lexus' Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class challenger is underpinned by a revised platform that is more rigid thanks to the increased number of spot welds as well as laser welds in specific locations.

The engineers also redesigned the suspension, which features aluminum upper, and lower control arms for reduced unsprung weight and an updated rear subframe that supports a new multilink suspension.

The mid-size sedan also features wider tracks (+40 mm up front and +50 mm at the rear) and different shock absorbers with lighter-viscosity oil, allowing for faster response to small driver inputs. Braking is taken care of ventilated discs all around with four-piston calipers up front.

In Europe, Lexus will offer the entry level GS 250 (we presume equipped with the IS's 2.5-liter V6 as the company did not reveal any specific details) and a GS 450h full-hybrid version, whereas in the US the line-up will include the GS 350 and the GS 450h.

The North American market GS 350 is motivated by a 3.5-liter V6 generating 306-horsepower and 277-pound-feet of torque, enough to propel the premium sedan from 0 to 60mph (96km/h) in 5.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 142mph (228 km/h). Acceleration from 30 to 50 mph takes 3.0 seconds. The V6 engine is linked to a six-speed sequential shift automatic transmission with paddle shifters and sport driving functions as standard equipment.

Lexus, Lexus GS
Lexus will offer the GS 350 in both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive versions. According to the Japanese automaker, the optional electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system can vary front-to-rear torque balance from 50/50 to as much as 30/70, depending on driving conditions.

Although its dimensions are almost identical to the outgoing model, the new Lexus GS offers improved space in the cabin, while boot capacity has been increased by 25%. Entry and exit are made easier thanks to wider door openings and the redesigned seat frame and steering column give the driver better visibility as well as increased comfort.

The dashboard’s design bears no relation to that of the outgoing GS, with the styling clearly inspired from the LF-A sportscar.

It features cleaner lines while highlights include the extra-large touchscreen (up to 12.3 inches) and the relocated controls for the audio (a 17-speaker Mark Levinson, if you tick the options box) and climate system. The latter uses a new, energy saving technology called S-Flow with an occupant-detection system to direct airflow only to the front area where passengers are actually seated.

In this class, a multimedia all-in-one control system is practically compulsory and the new GS has its own “next generation Remote Touch with one-push confirmation” as standard for “intuitive operation of climate, audio and phone controls as well as the navigation system” (Lexus’ words, not ours…).

In terms of safety, the new GS features a huge array of both passive and active safety features. There are 10 airbags in total, including knee ones for both driver and front passenger and side airbags for rear passengers.

The new GS can be equipped with a pre-collision system that uses the radar cruise control system to detect a probable accident and an infrared camera that monitors the driver’s eyes. If it detects that he is not looking forward when road circumstances suggest that an accident is probable, it sounds an alarm. If the driver doesn’t respond the system will automatically activate the brakes, reducing the severity of the impact.

Lexus said that it will also offer an F-Sport Package with styling and chassis upgrades.

According to the Japanese company, GS production will start in December with the first cars arriving in showrooms in February.




American Idol: U.S. Market Toyota Camry to be Built Exclusively in the Land of the Free

Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry has been the best-selling car in the US for nine straight years. Yet, in its home market, it is virtually non-existent: even though it sold 82,000 cars in 1990, last year Toyota couldn’t shift more than 1,100 units! That’s because Japanese buyers prefer either the more sporty Mark X or the more luxurious Crown.

Therefore, for its seventh generation, which was only recently unveiled, Toyota decided to phase out imported Camrys from Japan and instead manufacture all cars earmarked for the North American market at its own plant in Georgetown and Subaru’s factory in Indiana.

“North America will be self-sufficient. The current US production capacity is sufficient to produce the vehicles we plan to sell” says Yukihiro Okane, chief engineer for the new Camry which goes on sale later this month.

This doesn’t mean that the mid-sized sedan won’t be manufactured in Japan anymore. It will still be produced at the Tsutsumi plant in Toyota City, albeit at a much reduced rate. Toyota aims to manufacture and sell 360,000 units annually in the US, while in Japan it will build 30,000 units, only 6,000 of which are destined for the local market.

Okane explains one of the reasons: “This Camry was developed in Japan, which means that production and design engineering originated here. So, at the moment, it’s most effective to manufacture it in Japan and, starting with Tsutsumi, deploy manufacturing globally.”

The second reason is the Camry’s hybrid version. Toyota aims to sell 50,000 hybrid Camry sedans per year in the US. They may be locally built, but all the hybrid components including batteries and electric motors, are manufactured in Japan. So it makes perfect sense, and is much more cost effective, to keep the domestic production line open.

Tuesday

Most Expensive Cars In The World: Top 10 List 2011-2012

World's Most Expensive Cars

What is the most expensive car in the world? The 1931 Bugatti Royale Kellner Coupe was sold for $8,700,000 in 1987. However, that car and many alike will not be included in this list because it is not available on the market today. It is hard to imagine someone would actually spend 8 million dollars on a car instead of using it for something more productive. However, if you had the money and opportunity, you would probably spend a small fraction of it on a collection of supercars for your private garage.

Here are the 10 most expensive production cars on the market; we will not include concept cars.

1. Bugatti Veyron Super Sports $2,400,000. This is by far the most expensive street legal car available on the market today (the base Veyron costs $1,700,000). It is the fastest accelerating car reaching 0-60 in 2.5 seconds. It is also the fastest street legal car when tested again on July 10, 2010 with the 2010 Super Sport Version reaching a top speed of 267 mph. When competing against the Bugatti Veyron, you better be prepared!




Bugatti Veyron

2. Pagani Zonda Clinque Roadster $1,850,000. One of the most exotic cars out there is one of the most expensive. It can go from 0-60 in 3.4 seconds with a top speed of 217 mph.

Pagani Zonda Clinque Roadster
We have a tie for 3rd place:

3. Lamborghini Reventon $1,600,000. The most powerful and the most expensive Lamborghini ever built is the third on the list. It takes 3.3 seconds to reach 60 mph and it has a top speed of 211 mph. Its rarity (limited to 20) and slick design are the reasons why it is so expensive and costly to own.


Lamborghini Reventon

3. Koenigsegg Agera R $1,600,000. The Agera R can burn 0-60 in 2.8 seconds, reaching a maximum speed of 260 mph. It has the parts to reach 270 mph, but the supercar is electronically capped at 235 mph. With the completion of certain paperwork, the company will unlock the speed limit for one occasion.

Koenigsegg Agera

4. McLaren F1 $970,000. In 1994, the McLaren F1 was the fastest and most expensive car. Even though it was built 15 years ago, it has an unbelievable  top speed of 240 mph and reaching 60 mph in 3.2 seconds. Even today, the McLaren F1 is still top on the list and outperforms many other supercars.

McLaren F1

5. Ferrari Enzo $670,000. The most popular supercar ever built. The Enzo has a top speed of 217 mph and reaching 60 mph in 3.4 seconds. Only 400 units were produced and it is currently being sold for over $1,000,000 at auctions.

Ferrari Enzo

6. Pagani Zonda C12 F $667,321. Produced by a small independent company in Italy, the Pagani Zonda C12 F is the 6th most expensive car in the world. It promises to delivery a top speed of 215 mph+ and it can reach 0-60 in 3.5 seconds.

Pagani Zonda C12 F

7. SSC Ultimate Aero $654,400. Don't let the price tag fool you, the 7th most expensive car is actually the 3rd fastest street legal car in the world with a top speed of 257 mph+ and reaching 0-60 in 2.7 seconds. This baby cost less than half as much as the Bugatti Veyron, yet has enough power to compete against the most expensive car. It is estimated that only 25 of this exact model will ever be produced.




SSC Ultimate Aero

8. Ascari A10 $650,000. This badboy can reach a tested top speed of 215 mph, zooming 0-60 in 2.8 seconds. The British car company plans to assemple 50 of these supercars in their factory in Banbury, England.

Ascari A10

9. Saleen S7 Twin Turbo $555,000. The first true American production certified supercar, this cowboy is also rank 4th for the fastest car in the world. It has a top speed of 248 mph+ and it can reach 0-60 in 3.2 seconds. If you are a true American patriot, you can be proud to show off this car.

Saleen S7 Twin Turbo

10. Koenigsegg CCX $545,568. Swedish made, the Koenigsegg is fighting hard to become the fastest car in the world. Currently, it is the 5th fastest car in the world with a top speed of 245 mph+, the car manufacture Koenigsegg has just released the Koenigsegg Agera R to compete against the Bugatti Veyron. The company is a tough contender and will continue to try and produce the fastest car in the world. Good luck with that!

Koenigsegg CCX