Yearly Archives: 2011

Ford’s F-Series Super Duty Trucks are Ford’s commercial pickups that have heavier/stronger components to enable higher payload, towing capacities than other F-Series trucks. These trucks are primarily sold in the US market where they compete with the Chevy Silverado HD and the Dodge Ram HD. Now it seems Ford has decided to take the supposedly ‘green’ path by deciding to adopt Hybrid technology for the its Super Duty trucks, starting with the F-550, Ford’s market leading F-Series Super Duty cab and chassis, sometime early 2013.

2012 Ford F-Series Super Duty

The plug-in Hybrid technology will be provided by Azure Dynamics, a world leader in the development and production of hybrid electric and electric components and powertrain systems for commercial vehicles. The agreement provides for Azure to integrate its plug-in-hybrid technology on other Ford F-Series Super Duty cab and chassis, including the F-350 and F-450.

The Azure/Ford agreement includes a ‘ship-thru’ provision that permits Azure to place vehicles in the Ford transportation system and allows qualified Ford Commercial Truck dealerships to sell and service the product in key markets in North America.

“We are extremely pleased to expand our relationship with Ford and launch our PHEV technology on the F-Series Super Duty platform, which is the largest and most successful cab and chassis brand in North America,” said Scott Harrison, Azure’s CEO. “This is an ideal outcome for Azure and our customers.”

Azure and Ford teamed up in 2009 to bring the innovative Transit Connect Electric to market in just 13 months after the program was first announced. The new PHEV F-Series program further expands the Azure/Ford business relationship which, in addition to the Transit Connect Electric, also markets the E-450 BalanceTM Hybrid Electric Step Van and Shuttle Bus.

“As interest in alternative energy products continues to grow, consumers are looking for more powertrain options that are both environmentally friendly and fit their driving needs,” said Rob Stevens, Commercial Vehicle Chief Engineer, Ford Motor Company. “The flexibility of our vehicle platforms and chassis allows Ford to develop our own alternative fuel products or work with partners, like Azure Dynamics, to deliver consumers with the power of choice when purchasing a greener, more fuel efficient vehicle.”

The market outlook for the move to Hybrids has never been greater thanks to the interest in fuel efficient cab and chassis alternatives due to rising and unpredictable fuel costs. Enthusiasm for eco-friendly technologies that began with the largest national commercial fleets, is spreading to smaller, regional fleets that increasingly understand that alternative energy technologies do not require a sacrifice in performance or durability.

Regardless of whether Hybrids are really environmentally friendly, the increase in Fuel Efficiency is something that we cannot doubt, so it does make sense for CVs to go this way. Wonder when India will see hybrids and other alternative fuel technologies being adopted by commercial vehicles!

Riot Engine has brought to you articles on design concepts from Renault. This new design identity of Renault has yet to trickle into its range of production cars. The new Renault Twingo is the first mass production vehicle to be inspired by the new design identity of the brand.

New Renault Twingo

The front end expresses most this stylistic renewal. On the bonnet, the Renault logo has been enlarged and notably verticalised. Following the first generation of Twingo, New Twingo ties up again with the traditional front end which Renault says is particularly captivating and expressive.

“You live and you learn”, goes the old saying.  Wheelsunplugged .com has come with a sensational piece of news regarding Mahindra planning “LUXURY TRACTORS” to be sold to customers only by invitation.  The prices of the tractors will range from any where near Rs. 14 lakhs to Rs. 16 lakhs and these will be custom built for customers with bells and whistles such as air conditioning and power steering.  We are wondering if they will have ABS-EBD, parking sensors and other such things.  We truly are gob smacked in a very positive way.  Wow!!!

A few months ago Tata Motors proudly launched the Tata Aria Adapterra with high fan fare and high prices.  The luxurious Aria is actually well kitted out but it seems that the Indian consumer is unwilling to pay a high price for a Tata branded vehicle, something that is reflected in the small and dismal numbers that vehicle has been making.  Tata has now decided to drop the Adapterra which is a four while drive system and offer the Aria with only its rear wheels being driven.  Speculation is that prices maybe brought down in a big way, from Rs.60,000-Rs.1 Lakh.  That may mean that some other advanced features may also be dropped.  But that is still in the domain of speculation.  The Aria was so priced to take on SUV’s such as the Fortuner and Endeavour while offering the driving comfort of a sedan and to prevent it from becoming a taxi vehicle a la Sumo.  Whatever it was the strategy did not succeed and now Tata seems to be looking at other strategies  to make the numbers happen.

Picture courtesy: Motoroids.com

Force Motors may now be working on the launch of its SUV the Force One but it has not lost sight of other long term goals.  Force Motors did declare that it had intentions of making an MPV as well.  In order to realize its goal of making a solid and well engineered vehicles, Force Motors has sought the technical assistance from Daimler AG the makers of Mercedes Benz cars.  This agreement is in addition to the one that the company already has for the manufacture of the 2.2 litre diesel engine for the Force One SUV.  Force Motors has been a long time ally of Mercedes Benz in India, manufacturing engines for them from their Pithampur facility in Madhya Pradesh.  It has also used the OM 616 for its Trax and Traveller range of passenger vehicles.  We say “may the force be with Force Motors”.

The CR-V from Honda sold in decent numbers before becoming a victim to not having a diesel engine since petrol prices have long gone through the roof in India.  It is however one of Honda’s best products and it now seems that Honda may have given it a third row of seats, something that the bulbous back indicates.  If Honda can bring this into India with a diesel engine it could probably send other SUV makers back to their drawing boards.

Picture Courtesy: Indian Cars Bikes.com

GM India has launched the Chevrolet Beat Diesel in India with a pricing range of Rs. 4.29 lakhs to Rs. 5.45 lakhs ex-Delhi.  The highest rated model comes with all the bells and whistles such as alloy wheels, ABS and EBD.  The diesel engine of  936 cubic centimetres capacity  produces 58.5 PS power and 150 Nm of torque and has long service intervals of 15,000 kms or one and a half years.  The clutch and the transmission have been made hardy to cope up with the long service intervals.  The car also comes with an electrical power steering that is feather touch and takes away driver fatigue.  It has an ARAI certification for fuel efficiency of 24 kmpl.  GM has pinned big hopes on this car hopes that it can starting reeling in more numbers than it is doing now.

Picture Courtesy: Indian Autos Blog.com

It’s almost like car manufacturers they can have a kilometre long names for their cars simply because we drop our jaws to the floor and drool, and drool, and drool.

Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series Profile

Meet the Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series. The Hyde to your executive shuttling three point star sedan from Mercedes-Benz. Clad in this stunning red you cannot help but assume this has to be the pretty sister of the much more fearsome big brother of an SL65 AMG Black!

Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series RearMercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series Front 3/4

Mercedes-Benz would like us to believe that the C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series displays its ties with motorsport from every angle. Not too hard a claim to sell, we think. The arrow-shaped front section, the air intakes in the striking front apron that ensure reliable air flow supported by two openings in the aluminium bonnet to expel engine heat all pretty much send out clear signals of this beasts intent. The “6.3” logos are step one in letting the envying bystander know that this C-Class, claimed to be the most powerful C-Class ever, draws too many bits and pieces from the exotic SLS AMG. The 6.2L eight-cylinder high-speed naturally aspirated engine rests beneath the bonnet. Air outlets behind the wheel cut-outs, a black strip on the restyled AMG side skirts and widened rear wings and the air openings in front of the rear wheels, are other design features on this AMG.

Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series : AMG Bucket SeatsMercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series Dashboard

Two AMG sports bucket seats facilitate the best levels of lateral support and thus optimum vehicle control on the race track. The black DINAMICA microfibre upholstery on the centre panels of the seats and doors is a new type of synthetic fibre which is characterised by its high lightfastness, a term we’d have to talk to Mercedes-Benz about. AMG won’t let you have the luxurious rear bench seats in the name of saving weight, but instead as an option the C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series is also available as a four-seater with single seats in the rear.

The AMG performance steering wheel in nappa leather/DINAMICA microfibre with a steering wheel rim featuring flattened top and bottom sections has aluminium shift paddles for manual gear changes. Red seat belts and red contrasting topstitching on the steering wheel, on the seats, door centre panels, armrests on the doors, the centre console and on the shift lever gaiter add some interesting highlights. An exclusive “Black Series” logo adorns the trim on the dashboard, which sports a high-gloss black piano-lacquer look. The dashboard with three autonomous round dials has a three-dimensional TFT colour display. On opening the vehicle door the driver is greeted by AMG lettering. Possible displays for the engine oil temperature, the ESP® mode or the gear selection are integrated into the AMG main menu. The rotary switch for the C, S, S+ and M transmission modes and RACE START is located on the centre console next to the selector lever with a DINAMICA microfibre cover.

Safety features include five airbags, belt tensioners and belt-force limiters for all seats are part of the standard specification, and ABS, the 3-stage ESP®, Headlamp Assist, the tyre pressure loss warning system and cruise control with SPEEDTRONIC variable speed limiter.

The standard specification also includes (selection):

  • AMG door sills in stainless steel, brushed, with AMG logo
  • AMG sports pedals in brushed stainless steel, with rubber studs
  • Audio 20 CD radio with double tuner, colour display, Bluetooth® interface, hands-free function, USB interface and eight loudspeakers
  • THERMATIC automatic climate control

Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series at the Track: FrontMercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series at the Track: Rear
More from the Press Release

The new high-performance vehicle is the most powerful C-Class of all time, boasting a maximum output of 380 kW (517 hp) and a maximum torque of 620 newton metres. The AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine impresses with its hefty torque, tremendous pulling power and responsiveness, and ensures high-calibre performance: the C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds (all data provisional). Exclusive fun at the wheel comes courtesy of the adjustable AMG coil-over sports suspension, the AMG high-performance compound braking system and the functional standard equipment. The AMG Track Package is available as an option to enhance driving dynamics even further. It boasts sports tyres and active rear-axle transmission cooling, plus the AMG Aerodynamics package including flics, a functionally tuned front splitter and an adjustable carbon-fibre rear aerofoil.

LML Limited the manufacturer 0f Vespa based scooters from Kanpur has decided to go through a phased launching of its products in the country according to a report on Wheelsunplugged.com  LML was forced to shut down due to labour unrest in 2005 but revived production on a contract basis for exports.  The PX series on which the LML scooters are based has a huge demand in Italy, but since Piaggio the makers of Vespa pulled the plug on the two stroke model, LML capitalized on the situation to sell Vespa scooters to Italians.  Recently however, Piaggio relaunched the PX scooter in Italy.  In the meanwhile, after Honda pulled the plug on the geared scooter Eterno, LML went to the rural heartland of Northern India where demand for geared scooters still exists with their two stroke scooter.  Emission norms in rural India are one cycle behind the urban areas. Very recently LML launched a four stroke scooter called the Select and has decided to relaunch motorcycles in the 110-125cc range along with a new 200cc scooter.  The new products will be launched first in the northern parts and by the end of the year spread to the eastern and western parts of the country.  However, the south will have to wait till 2013 for LML to return.  LML is embarking on this strategy to first build confidence and later capacity.  The south is known to be a CVT scooter market and LML does have the rights to a twist and go Vespa scooter of 125cc.  But Piaggio itself is entering the Indian market with possibly an updated version of the same scooter and this could queer the pitch for LML.  But we sincerely hope that the company can reinvent itself and once again become a player of consequence.

There is new spy pic of the Hyundai HA (that is the code name of the car) on the Indian Autos Blog.  This time the picture is taken from the side and has been sent to IAB by their reader Rohan Patil after taking the picture near Pune.  The HA is supposed to be slightly smaller than the Santro and will have an 800cc engine.  This Hyundai’s attempt to take sales away from the best selling Maruti Alto.

Picture Courtesy: Indian Autos Blog.Com