The eagerly anticipated small car from Honda, the Brio has been launched with prices starting at Rs. 3.95 lakhs (ex showroom Delhi) and going up to Rs. 5.10 lakhs for the top end variant. The Brio runs on the same 1.2 iVTEC engine that the Jazz uses and has a controversial styling at the back which features low placed tail lamps and a glass hatch. Honda has learnt its lesson from the pricing strategy that it had of the Jazz which failed to take off and has had to take recourse to price correction. The base model price of the Brio should see that there are many takers for the car.
Picture Courtesy: Autocar India.com
We had brought you the news that Piaggo was bringing the LX 125 Vespa to India. Motoroids has now posted pictures of many mules being tested. So feast their eyes own the mules.
Picture courtesy: Motoroids.com
BMW seems to have finally decided to bring the Mini cars into India. The cars which are roughly the size of a Maruti Swift are supposed to be coming in from December, 2011 onward and prices are likely to start at a hefty Rs. 25 lakhs. The Mini was originally designed by the famed Sir Alec Issigonis and has been through many ownerships such British Leyland, Rover, MG before settling in with BMW who kept Mini after they sold off Rover and MG. The Volkswagen Beetle is roughly in the same league and has found buyers in India and that is probably what has given BMW the courage to launch the product.
Ford’s fortunes seemed to be turning post the launch of the Figo. The Figo was a success and seems to have assured buyers that Ford is serious about India. The new Fiesta too seems to following the Figo trend and it has found more than a thousand buyers in 45 days after its launch. If there are no niggles in the car, there is no reason why Ford does not have another best seller in their stable.
The totally new Ducati which will replace the existing 1198 was thought to be called the 1199 but breaking tradition Ducati has decided to call it the Panigale since the factory is located in Bologna- Panigale. Ducati will race this motorcycle in the Super Stock category in 2012 before it is debuted in the World Superbike series in 2013.
Nissan has denied that it is no longer interested in the low cost car that Bajaj is developing. There has been a lot of confusion about what is actually happening with many a report claiming that Renault-Nissan have lost interest in the project. Rajiv Bajaj has maintained that the platform will spawn even commercial vehicles that Bajaj itself will sell and that it is up to Renault-Nissan to evaluate the option of branding the car as theirs and marketing it under either Renault or Nissan brands. Now Nissan states that the car is yet to be evaluated and that it will reveal its decision only after that.
Team Lotus and Renault Sport F1 confirm extension of agreement and new KERS supply in conjunction with Red Bull Technology.
Team Lotus and Renault Sport F1 have confirmed that their existing engine deal is to be extended for a further year to the end of 2013 and the end of the V8 engine formula, with the aim to continue working together when the new engine regulations come into force.
Renault Sport F1 and Red Bull Technology will also provide the Team Lotus with KERS systems for the first time for the duration of the agreement.
Tony Fernandes, Team Lotus Team Principal: “Having established an incredibly good working partnership since the first days of our agreement we are absolutely delighted that Renault Sport F1 and Red Bull Technology will be playing such an integral role in the ongoing development of our team until at least 2013, and then we are aiming to keep working together when the new rules are introduced. They are both passionate, dedicated teams of people with whom we have a growing relationship that is creating a number of exciting opportunities for us for the future. They share our vision for where we want to take our team, and we are very proud to have their power pushing us forward.
“Not only will we be able to build on everything we have learnt through working with Renault and Red Bull Technology in 2011, but we will now have the added benefit of KERS for next year, which really is a major step forward for our team. We have done the very best job we can this year but without that extra power we are always competing on a different level to the teams ahead, so to give our drivers that boost is a key element of helping us catch the cars ahead, and compete with them when we do so.”
Jean-François Caubet, Managing Director of Renault Sport F1: “This year we have established solid foundations with Team Lotus and this latest agreement consolidates the relationship that we look forward to continuing for many seasons to come. Renault is in F1 to display the quality of its product, so we need to be associated with teams that clearly have potential. The steps Team Lotus has made on and off track with its technical structure and facilities have given us a confidence they will achieve their aims. KERS is now an essential part to a competitive performance in F1 today and we hope this supply will help the team continue its evolution. Furthermore a wider experience of using the KERS system at this point in time will help in the development of the powerful energy recovery systems that will be introduced under the future engine regulations.”
Overdrive has posted some exclusive images of the Eon on its website. It’s also reported that this sub Santro car will be priced marginally higher than the Alto. Fludic design has helped Hyundai sculpt one more good looking car for the street.
The Eon will have a 814cc petrol engine working to make 56PS. The Eon will be available without power steering, without aircon as the base model and top out as the the fully loaded Sportz which will have a stereo with aux/USB, power steering, front power windows and a driver’s airbag. ABS has not been confirmed yet.
Hyundai claim an ARAI-certified fuel efficiency of 21.1kmpl which is slightly more than the Alto K-10’s 20.2kmpl. Overdrive also reports that the rear legroom is much better than on the Alto.
Peugeot wore a huge grin on its face (if it could) after having won three of the most famous events in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge calendar this year. Thierry Neuville driving the Peugeot 207 S2000 with co-driver Nicolas Gilsoul took the win on September 24th, 2011 after having been through the 13 grueling stages of Rallye Sanremo which included the 44km Ronde stage that is run at night. The win ensured Peugeot’s capture of the IRC’s trio of classic events, Rallye Monte-Carlo, Tour de Corse and now Rallye Sanremo.
The prestigious Colin McRae IRC Flat Out Trophy was awarded to Loix Freddy in a Skoda Fabia S2000. Florian Gonon won the IRC Production Cup in his Subaru Impreza with Davide Medici taking IRC 2WD Cup honours for the first time.
Peugeot’s Bryan Bouffier’s won the January’s Rallye Monte-Carlo and in May the Tour de Corse in May was won by Thierry Neuville.
“It really wasn’t easy,” said Thierry at the finish. “Last night, I dropped something like 15 seconds because of a brake problem. Thankfully, the balance of my Peugeot 207 S2000 was as near to perfect as it could be and I was able to keep up the chase by pushing it to its limits.”
Thierry Neuville and Nicolas Gilsoul were effectively fastest over four of the five stages contested in the course of Leg 2, and this allowed them to gradually bridge the gap that separated them from the lead with one stage remaining. They eventually went on to take the win, 1.5s clear of Andreas Mikkelsen who was driving the Skoda Fabia S2000 with Floene Ola.
More on Rallye Sanremo
Based in the Italian Riviera town on the shoreline of the Mediterranean Sea, the event is a modern day classic with the dramatic action contained within a 29-hour window on the tricky and narrow mountain roads of Italy’s Liguria province overlooking Sanremo.
The Ronde stage, a 44-kilometre ultimate test of car and crew, run at night, the route is often subjected to changeable weather conditions with rain a constant menace, meaning tyre choice is crucial for recording a top stage time.The Rallye Sanremo stages are characterised by fast and flowing sections, frequent changes of rhythm, and blind and open corners with rapid climbs and descents commonplace. The ability to find the optimum ‘racing’ line and maintain a high level of speed are essential for recording competitive stage times. Road surfaces are predominantly smooth, albeit with some sections of broken asphalt. The tests on day two are known for providing better grip than on day one. The undulating nature of the roads places a great strain on the cars with the engine, transmission and brakes all being subjected to heavy punishment.
About the IRC
Created in 2007, the Intercontinental Rally Challenge is an international rally series authorised by
the FIA and promoted by Eurosport Events. Now in its fifth season, the series is designed to bring rallying to a larger audience through a unique television, internet and mobile package.
The 2011 IRC season features 11 rounds comprising a mix of well-established events and exciting new rallies. This season includes three new additions to the calendar and visits to previously unchartered territories: France, Ukraine and Hungary. Eight rounds take place on asphalt, two on gravel and one on a combination of the two surfaces. The IRC is designed not only to showcase these unique events through the use of innovative LIVE television coverage, but also to provide manufacturers with an accessible promotional platform for customer competition.
Professional drivers up and coming talents, amateurs and privateers participate in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge titles, in the main IRC category, the IRC 2WD Cup and the new-for-2011 IRC Production Cup. The IRC in partnership with Colin McRae Vision, the charity established in memory of the rally legend will present the Colin McRae IRC Flat Out Trophy to the driver whose performance best embodies the spirit of the rallying legend. Colin McRae Vision will support initiatives and other good causes close to IRC events.
Aston Martin, has put up videos titled ‘Design & Engineering Masterclass’ for a number of the models, where Director of Design Marek Reichman and Product Development Director Ian Minards introduce the viewer to the design and engineering details of the car featured in the video. Find below the videos for the V12 Zagato, One-77 and the Rapide.
There’s more where these came from. Head to http://www.youtube.com/user/AstonMartin
