Here’s an excerpt:

A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 1,400 times in 2011. If it were a cable car, it would take about 23 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Nissan Townpod
Nissan just can’t get enough of making small electric cars. Its latest, the Townpod, is a tiny van aimed at homebound business folk. Why that is we’re not sure

SEAT IBE
The SEAT IBE first appeared in white at March’s Geneva Motor Show. Now it’s painted red and has iPhone compatibility, both of which make it slightly cooler, but not necessarily new.

BMW 6 Series Concept Coupé
The only things ‘concept’ about this 6 Series are the wheels and the tailpipes, and even those are hardly harbingers of future wheel and tailpipe design. Nope, aside from the name this is the 6 Series you’ll be able to buy from 2012.

MINI E Scooter
MINI has a cool, British heritage to uphold. And what’s cooler and more British than a mod-inspired scooter, right? Well, here it is. The electric MINI E Scooter features plenty of detailing inspired by the cars, but no word on production.

Smart Ecoscooter
Like MINI, Smart liked the idea of an electric scooter to youth-ify the brand in a very eco-conscious way. Smart’s electric two-wheeler does 62 miles on a charge and has an airbag, just in case it’s involved in a very specific type of frontal collision.

]]> http://automotivnews.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/world-mot-expenive-car/feed/ 0 vraval007 bugatti-veyron1-revise.jpg lamborghini-reventon-side-view-thumbnail.jpg mclaren-f1-doors-open-thumbnail.jpg ferrari-enzo-track-turn-thumbnail.jpg pagani_zonda_c12_f_revise.jpg ssc_ultimate_aero_rank_1_revise.jpg saleen-s7-twin-turbo-white-thumbnail.jpg 2006-koenigsegg-ccx-rear-and-side-grey-thumbnail.jpg mercedes-benz-slr-mclaren-roadster-front-side-view-thumbnail.jpg porsch11211111 http://automotivnews.wordpress.com/2010/11/18/hot-new-cars-coming-soon/ http://automotivnews.wordpress.com/2010/11/18/hot-new-cars-coming-soon/#comments Thu, 18 Nov 2010 17:54:18 +0000 vraval007 http://automotivnews.wordpress.com/2010/11/18/hot-new-cars-coming-soon/ ]]> Paris picture special: Hot new cars coming soon

The glitzy concept cars may have taken most of the limelight at the Paris show, but they’re not the whole story. Motor shows have traditionally been places where car manufacturers can display their current and future wares – and that’s still the case today. Yahoo! Cars has picked the top cars revealed at the recent Paris Motor Show that you will be able to buy in showrooms shortly.

Audi A1 1.4 TFSI S Line
On sale date: 2011
We thought it would be called the S1, but Audi proved us wrong. The hottest A1 yet is known as the A1 1.4 TFSI S Line – which is a bit of a mouthful. Even so, it features a 183bhp 1.4-litre engine, which makes it capable of 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds, and a top speed of 141mph.

BMW X3
On sale date: November
The latest BMW X3 impressed us when we drove it earlier in the year in pre-production format. It’s much more spacious than the outgoing model and better looking. Prices are lower, it’s better to drive and you get more for your money.

Citroen C4
On sale date: Early 2011
Citroen has its work cut out for it with the C4, as it has to go head-to-head with the Ford Focus, VW Golf and Vauxhall Astra. It looks sharp though, and there’s an e-HDi ‘micro-hybrid’ version boasting 109g/km and 64.2mpg.

Citreon DS4
On sale date: 2011
The second new-generation DS model is the DS4 crossover. It’s a distinctive-looking car and promises buyers a smart, upmarket interior. It will have to be good to steal sales from the popular Nissan Qashqai, though.

Ford Focus
On sale date: 2011
An all-new Focus will replace the incredibly successful existing model next year, so it has big shoes to fill. The Focus ST hot hatch also made its debut at Paris and will go on sale in 2012 – it’s powered by a 2.0-litre 247bhp EcoBoost engine.

Honda Jazz Hybrid
On sale date: Early 2011
Honda claims to have invented the world’s first hybrid supermini in the Jazz Hybrid. It uses the same 1.3-litre engine and electric power system as the Honda Insight and promises 62.4mpg and 104g/km.

Range Rover Evoque
On sale date: Summer 2011
You can’t have missed the Range Rover Evoque. In front-wheel drive guise it will offer 58mpg and less than 130g/km, rendering it the most efficient Range Rover ever, but it will still be just as plush inside.

Lexus CT 200h
On sale date: March 2010
Starting price: £23,485
Toyota’s luxury arm, Lexus, has developed an entry-level hybrid model that’s set to rival the Audi A3 and the BMW 1 Series. Expect 134bhp from the 1.8-litre engine and hybrid system, along with 68.9mpg and 96g/km,

Mercedes Benz CLS
On sale date: 2011
Merc’s four-door coupé has been given a new body after seven years in production. It’s still a great-looking car and offers the same mix of svelte looks and saloon car-style practicality.

Peugeot 508
On sale date: early 2011
The 508 saloon will replace Peugeot’s existing 407 and 607 when it goes on sale next year. An eco-friendly e-HDi version will feature, along with a four-wheel drive HYbrid4 variant.

Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4
On sale date: Spring 2011
This is the very first diesel hybrid car. It’s powered by a 163bhp 2.0-litre HDi diesel engine and a 37bhp electric motor at the rear. That also makes it four-wheel drive and means 74.4mpg and 99g/km.

Volkswagen Passat
On sale date: January 2011
It’s not hugely different to look at in comparison to its predecessor, but the VW Passat is a big seller, so a new version is always important. A 1.6-litre BlueMotion variant will offer 69mpg.

Porsche 911 Speedster
On sale date: January 2011
The latest Speedster is an homage to the namesake Porsche launched in 1953. The double bubble roof cover and black stone guards hark back to Porsches of old and it features a 402bhp 3.8-litre engine.

Ferrari SA APERTA
On sale date: Sold out already!
Essentially a convertible version of the Ferrari 599, the SA APERTA is no less a stunner and pumps out an incredible 661bhp. Don’t get too excited though, as only 80 will be made and they’ve all been sold already.

We had been impatient to get our hands on the Nano the entire month. Calls to Tata Motors, calls to the dealership, calls to the plant — we’d done it all, and daily status checks attained ‘ritual’ status. When THE day arrived, the office witnessed a mini-riot. This would be one of the first Nanos on the road and excitement was high. Some staffers volunteered to come along to take ‘official’ pictures, while others said they’d come to check out the paperwork, but most wanted to just be there.

The chaos at office led to us finally sneaking out to the dealership feigning a trip to the john. And yet, there were five of us! But first the price. It wasn’t even close to the all-important and much-hyped one-lakh figure but more like two. With a whopping 14 percent slapped onto cars for company registration (for individual, it is seven percent), the on-road figure with all taxes and insurance soared to Rs 2.19 lakh for the top-of-the-line LX version. What gave us some consolation was that the Nano worked out Rs 47,000 cheaper than a company-owned Maruti 800.
Arriving at the dealership before time, we expected a long wait. But Tata Motors’ corporate showroom snapped to attention and delivered the car with a level of professionalism that surprised us all. Our Nano made an entry that would put any bride to shame, with garlands, coconut and other puja paraphernalia, and the papers all in order. Tata Motors has a tall order of Nanos to deliver, so we guess it helps to be quick.
Papers signed, car checked, coconut broken and swastika drawn on the bonnet, we left the dealership for our first taste of Mumbai city traffic in the Nano. Would it sink or swim? Would it feel totally out of depth and too basic, or would it take to the cut and thrust of Mumbai traffic like any other small car?
The first couple of kilometres tell us a lot. For a start, we don’t feel as vulnerable in this car as in a Maruti 800. There’s something more substantial to its build and since you’re seated higher in the Nano, you don’t get the feeling that you are about to be mistakenly run over by someone twice your size. The next surprise is how much peppier the Nano feels in the midst of the city traffic as against out on an open track or highway. Despite its lack of outright power and a rev limiter that’s meaner than an executioner working a guillotine, the Nano has more than enough pep to keep it running alongside the rat pack. The short gearing and responsive motor allow the little Nano to dart forward when you put your foot down and you can even overtake once you figure out exactly when to up-shift. And for once, this Tata gearbox is really nice to use, its metallic ‘clack-clack’ feel and compact throw are quite sweet.
So yes, initial impressions are that the Nano can cut it quite easily with the Swifts, i10s and Altos. Even the air-con works pretty well when the car is on the move. But it’s not summer, so let’s wait and see how bad it gets when you are waiting at one of the city’s really long traffic signals. Of course, this car comes with its fair share of compromises, most of which are more severe than those made on other cars. This means there are quite a few areas where the Nano feels more austere than a regular car should. The unassisted steering feels a bit heavy at parking speeds and large bumps tend to upset its composure, causing the front to bob and the rear to kick. The engine and transmission tend to groan and grumble at times. And while the Nano has a lot of space for its passengers, the absence of a glovebox means your papers get tucked into the sun visor. It’s also difficult to hide your bag in the car when you step out for a bit, because you need to flip the rear seat to access the little boot below the parcel tray.
The cute-as-a-button Nano draws more attention than even a Porsche and this means we still haven’t mustered enough courage to leave our little one unattended in a parking lot — we fear the dreaded souvenir hunters. Everyone who’s anyone, including Peter Kronschnabl, president of BMW India, and Kevin Costello, Haymarket UK MD, has taken our little star for a spin around the block. And our Nano can already boast its first big adventure, a 2512km drive across India.

The car has proven to be trouble-free as well as very efficient all through. Initial fuel economy figures in Mumbai’s stop-start traffic also tell us that this car is easily the most fuel-efficient petrol car in India. We got an impressive 15.5kpl and we expect this to improve once the motor has run in fully.
What I’m itching to do, however, is to swap the narrow front and wide rear wheels and have a bit of fun with this rear-engined rear-wheel-drive car in an empty parking lot.

The fascinating thing about cars is that they are a balancing act. It’s all about juggling a set of parameters, which are often conflicting, to come up with the right compromise that works equally well in the city and on the highway; on good and bad roads; at low and high speeds. There isn’t a silver bullet to achieve perfection under all conditions and car makers often have to choose which environment they want their cars to excel in.

It’s immediately obvious that the Ritz has been engineered to come out trumps in the cut and thrust of urban driving. In fact, Maruti makes no bones about the city focus of its latest supermini which has just entered our long-term fleet.

It’s also apparent that the Ritz is an outstanding city commuter. The generous and comfortable front seats with a high seating position translates to hours of stress-free city travel. It’s amazing how much an extra couple of inches of height boost your confidence. Sitting in the Ritz’s lofty seat, you have a much better view of the traffic and feel less intimidated by BEST buses which have a nasty habit of snuggling right up to you at traffic lights  Sitting high up is so much easier to judge how close other cars are. This allows for hours of stress-free city travel, and the light steering and conveniently located gear lever make the going easier still.

A key part of the Ritz’s extremely user-friendly nature is Suzuki’s all-new 1.2-litre K-series petrol motor that’s a revelation among the new crop of engines. It is incredibly smooth and responsive and except for a slight shortage of low-down poke (you only notice this after you drive the Swift), the engine is so willing that it makes the Ritz a joy to dart in and out of traffic.

The gearbox too is superb with short, snappy shifts via the console-mounted gear lever. The light clutch and easy steering all do their job in making the Ritz a zero-effort car to drive. It’s not all perfect though. Rear visibility is a bit of an issue, especially in Mumbai where all sorts of vehicles can hide inside your blind spot and that’s particularly tricky while reversing. The culprit here is the car’s styling; it’s the oddly angled rear doors and pillars which support those gorgeous-looking boomerang tail-lights that create the massive blind spot. Otherwise, the cabin is remarkably airy thanks to large windows. The seats too are more comfortable than the interior space suggests, thanks to an upright seating position and loads of headroom.

Elected to be the ‘sober’ driver on Saturday nights has meant that everyone jumps into your car for a lift home. It’s on such occasions that I learn that the Ritz is a very comfortable four-seater and, at a pinch, even five can ride in decent comfort in a way that would feel cramped in the Swift. The good thing is that even with a full load, the Ritz doesn’t feel underpowered and keeping the engine above 3000rpm always ensures there’s enough overtaking grunt.

The best bit really is the suspension set-up which is softened for low-speed trundling over uneven roads. The monsoons have already torn up swathes of tarmac in Mumbai city and the Ritz has been thumping through potholes with remarkable aplomb. The cushy ride makes me wonder why all cars can’t be equally pliant. We got our answer on the first highway outing to Pune. The Ritz’s soft suspension, which is its greatest asset in the city, becomes a weakness on the highway. The tall proportions exacerbate the soft damping and the Ritz’s straight-line stability is not very inspiring, especially in crosswinds. You quickly learn to motor at speeds a notch lower than you would in another hatch. On the Mumbai-Pune highway, the K-series engine is so willing that it tempts you to press on but a rocking motion through sweeping corners or the buffeting created by a larger vehicle quickly gets you to back off. It’s best to stick to the speed limit!

With all the photo shoots and comparison tests the Ritz was involved in, it hasn’t been in a routine to give a representative figure for fuel consumption in the city. Still, with all that running around, the Ritz managed to squeeze out 14.0kpl which is truly impressive and again a reflection of the superiority of the K-series engine. Now only if Maruti would quickly plonk this motor in the Swift.

IT’S EASY TO understand why Suzuki succeeded with the Wagon R. It made a list of all the problems associated with small cars, identified problem number one – lack of interior space – and then designed a small car with the biggest interiors possible. Needless to say, it was a runaway success in space-starved Japan, and Indian small-car owners, long habituated into folding themselves into their cars, fell hard for its charms too. The earlier model, however, failed to connect with owners on other levels. The quality and design of the interiors was dismal, the gearbox felt like it was made of flexible plastic parts and handling was as sloppy as wet spaghetti. What Maruti needed was a Wagon R with the same strengths but a much wider appeal – a car that was friendlier to live with and drive everyday.

This is just what we’ll be looking at in the long-term reports of our new WagonR. We’ll tell you what it’s like to live with on a day-to-day basis, how much we appreciate its practicality and space, how efficient it is, how much in demand the keys are among Autocar staffers and even how good it is for intercity jaunts. It is a family car after all, and many Indian families use their small cars for weekend breaks. We’ll even tell you if the looks happen to grow on us with time.

So while it’s early days yet, and we’re still in the process of understanding this car better, what is already very apparent to anyone who’s driven it is that this new version is a big step up from the earlier car. I found myself enjoying the crosstown commute – not something you could say of the earlier Wagon R. The suspension is very absorbent and stability at speed is good – this makes for relaxed commuting. And there’s acres of space in the rear as well, much more than on the older model, which actually comes as a bit of a surprise.

There’s no getting away from the thrum of the three-cylinder motor, however, and it’s not as perky from low engine speeds as we would have liked. But performance after 3000rpm is pretty good and there’s even a nice little kick in the top of the powerband.

We also feel the cabin insulation could have been better. The new gearshift, however, is much nicer and that goes a long way in adding to driver comfort. There’s no doubt about it – if you liked the earlier model, you’ll positively love this one.

Much more on the new WagonR coming up in future issues. Keep watching this space.

Mercedes Benz have themselves released a bunch of spy shots of its upcoming SLK. The pictures are shot in Death Valley, California, USA where the SLK is undergoing hot weather testing.

One of the One of the new features that Mercedes-Benz will debut on the 2012 SLK is its Magic Sky Control roof. This glass-paneled hardtop contraption can automatically be tinted to control how much light shines through the roof in an effort to keep the interior cooler on bright, sunny days when the top isn’t down. We’d expect this sort of technology to make its way onto the other models such as the SL after the SLK’s launch, and could even be used on side windows for the rest of Mercedes product line.

Mercedes will launch the upcoming SLK roadster in Geneva Motor Show next year. Expect Indialaunch shortly after global unveiling.

Bugatti launched the fastest and most powerful full production car in the world, the Bugatti Veyron in India. The Veyron is also the most expensive street-legal full production car in the world. The distributor for the Veyron is Exclusive Motors, located in New Delhi. Exclusive motors is also a dealer for Bentley and Lamborghini cars in India. The Veyron Grand Sport’s body structure is made up of a carbon fibre monocoque suspended via an aluminium frame at the front and carbon fibre/ stainless steel frame in the rear. T The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand sport is an even more lighter weight version of the existing Veyron. The B-pillars have been cross-stiffened using a carbon fibre support, and a central carbon plate has been positioned beneath the transmission tunnel to ensure the vehicle suffers from less torsional flexing than any other roadster. The model has been modified and the special feature added to this Bugatti is the removable roof. Bugatti Veyron 16.4 grand sport can reach the top speed of 407 km/h and speed of 360 km/h with the roof off. In case it rains, an innovative folding roof stored in the luggage compartment can be opened up like an umbrella at any time. When this folding roof is in place, the car can travel at up to 130 km/h. The doors of the new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport are made of carbon fibre, and house an integrated longitudinal beam. In the event of an accident, this transfers the load from the A to the B-pillar, thereby dissipating impact energy. Furthermore, the two redesigned air intakes for the 16-cylinder mid-engine now feature 10-centimetre wide carbon-fibre elements to offer protection in the event of a roll. There are a host of new features added to the Grand Sport including a reversing camera with 2.7-inch monitor integrated in the rear-view-mirror and the “Puccini” sound system with digital signal processor. Assembled by hand, at the company’s headquarters in Molsheim, Alsace, it will be limited to maximum 150 units; with the first 40 of these have gone exclusively to registered Bugatti customers. The Veyron is priced at Rs 16 crore in India.