Yearly Archives: 2012

Chevrolet Captiva Facelift unveiled at the 11th Auto Expo

The Chevrolet Captiva facelift will be exclusive to the 2.2L A/T variant. The 2.0 L variants will continue to retain the previous design

The Chevrolet Captiva facelift gives the SUV a strong dose of aggression. The Captiva 2.2 A/T gets the Chevy family grille, redesigned clear lens projection headlamps, new alloys and a sharp feature line across the length of the SUV. The Captiva’s rear is defined by the vertical tail lamps and large tailgate, in addition to the chrome tipped twin exhausts.

Chevrolet Captiva Facelift 02

The Captiva 2.2 A/T includes a powerful 2.2-liter engine that delivers 186.5bhp @ 3800 RPM and 424Nm @ 2000 RPM torque along with a six-speed automatic transmission.

The Captiva 2.2 A/T also gets the level ride suspension system, which automatically maintains nominal ride height under differing load conditions.

Chevrolet Captiva Facelift 09

The Captiva is a 5+2 seater with a cargo volume of 1,565 liters with seats folded down. The interior gets the jet-black treatment, with a number of cubby holes including a large area beneath the load compartment floor, a glove box cooler, a deep centre console bin, a rear centre console storage area and handy door bins. Other convenience features include bottle holders, small item/coin and cup holders, a parking ticket holder, an overhead sunglasses compartment, seatback pockets and a dual-compartment sliding driver’s armrest. The Captiva also features three 12-volt power outlets that are accessible to all passengers.

Chevrolet Captiva Facelift 06

The Captiva offers an all-leather seating with an integrated 2-DIN CD/MP3 player with six speakers power mirrors, an eight-way power adjustable driver seat and an electronic climate control system with particle filter as standard. The third row gets an air conditioning vent. The Captiva 2.2 A/T also has rain-sensing wipers and a stylish sunroof.

Chevrolet Captiva electric Parking Brake

The Chevrolet Captiva 2.2 A/T also gets a electric parking brake.

Chevrolet doesn’t skimp on the safety features for the Captiva 2.2 A/T with 6 Airbags – Driver and front passenger airbags, Seat side and Roof side Airbags, front seatbelt pre-tensioners and load limiters, and height-adjustable front seatbelts that come standard.

Mr. Lowell Paddock, President and Managing Director of General Motors India, said: “The Captiva has been warmly welcomed in markets around the world due to its combination of distinctive styling, refinement, best-in-class safety, comfort and versatility and powerful yet frugal diesel powertrain. In India, it has established a clear niche for itself in the premium SUV segment. The Captiva is everything our customers across India have come to associate with the Chevrolet nameplate.

Prices are as follows

Captiva 2.0 MT INR 18,74,062/-
Captiva 2.0 Xtreme INR 19,48,347/-
Captiva 2.2 AT AWD INR 24,59,000/-

While the Thailand version gets headlamps that turn on automatically in low light situations the Indian version skips on this feature. We also wonder if GM India will give us the 7″ touch screen infotainment system. Check back for more updates.

Facelifted Chevrolet Captiva India

Qualifying European GP Valencia 01

Photo by Ker Robertson/Getty Images

Sebastian Vettel once again got that little bit extra out of the car in the final moments of the final qualifying session of the 2012 Formula 1 European Grand Prix. Vettel did a single run in the final qualifying session, did a perfect lap, and went half a second quicker than the then pole sitter Romain Grosjean. Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button and Pastor Maldonado were all on the track behind Vettel, but could not beat his time. Lewis occupies the 2nd slot alongside Vettel. Lewis said he was surprised by the result and that he had expected to be further down the grid. Maldanado was 3rd. The lotuses looked very fast throughout the weekend, kept true to their pace with Romain and Kimi in 4th and 5th place respectively. Nico Rosberg who was in the only Mercedes which made into the final qualifying session was in 6th place. He had been complaining that Lewis Hamilton had held him up, but after a stewards inquiry into the incident, it was found that Hamilton had not slowed down deliberately, and he was found to be in no breach of any of the rules. Kamui Kobayaschi was in 7th place, Nico Hulkenberg was in 8th place, and had it not been for a small error in the final corner, he could have been much higher. Jenson Button, who looked good in the final practice session after copying Hamilton’s car setup, could not do anything spectacular, and ended up in 9th place. Paul DiResta in the other Force India completed the top 10.

Lewis Hamilton Qualifying Valencia

Home-Hero Fernando Alonso was in 11th place, with the ferrari failing to deliver in the qualifying session, after looking promising in the practice sessions. Michael Schumacher was in 12th place, Felipe Massa in 13th, Bruno Senna, being nowhere close to his team mate, was in 14th, Sergio Perez in 15th place, Heikki Kovalainen in 16th Place and the two Toro Rossos of Daniel Ricciardo and jean-Eric Vergne in 17th and 18th place.

Pastor Maldonado Williams F1 Qualifying Valencia

Pastor Maldonado, Photo by Glenn Dunbar/LAT Photographic

Mark Webber who had to miss most of the Final Practice session due to brake problems and they continued to haunt him in the qualifying session and he could do only one timed run, and after being held up by traffic, found himself in 19th spot. Vitaly Petrov in the other caterham was in 20th place, Pedro de la Rosa and Narain Karthikeyan in the HRTs were in 21st and 22nd spot. Charles Pic in the Marussia was in 23rd spot, and Timo Glock, who was suffering from a stomach bug since thursday could not run in the qualifying session, and did not set a time. He seemed to be doing well on friday, but he got worse on Saturday and the he decided not to run. The team are having him medically examined and it is still not clear as to whether he will take part in the race or not.

David Coulthard and Jake Shepard set a Guiness World Record

As David Coulthard put it, in his usual cocky, humorous style, ‘Make sure you have a world class golfer and an ageing ex racing driver, otherwise don’t bother!’. Professional golfer Jake Shepherd hit a golf ball at 178mph into a Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster, driven by the ‘ageing ex racing driver’ Coulthard at a speed of 120mph when it caught the ball 275 meters away from the tee.

David Coulhard And Jake Shepard Guiness World Record 01

Speaking about the astonishing catch, Coulthard said: “The only way to track the ball was to keep your eyes on it all the time: it’s a real adrenaline rush but it’s not the most comfortable thing to do because for a moment, you’re not watching the road!” He continued: “I was as happy as I’ve ever been winning a Grand Prix because I was so surprised quite frankly that it went in, and went in so solidly!”

The entire sequence was verified by a Guinness World Record adjudicator who confirmed the unbelievable achievement secured the title of ‘farthest golf shot caught in a moving car’.

David George, Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars Marketing Director, added: “The SLS AMG Roadster is an extraordinary car so we wanted to do something extraordinary with it to celebrate our association with the upcoming Open Championship, and what better way than to break a world record and create such an exciting film!”

Oh and if you’re wondering if the track looks familiar, it is the Dunsfold Aerodrome, Surrey, parts of which make up the Top Gear test track!

All three videos below!

The record setting successful attempt

The ‘almost got it’ attempts

Behind the scenes, a must watch!

BMW M6 Coupe 2013 02

Cars from the BMW M stable always seem to make the world a better place to live in. BMW has unveiled the M6 Coupe with the stunning contoured roof made from carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) and the BMW M6 Convertible with a soft top with distinctive “fin” architecture.

BMW M6 Convertible 2013 05

BMW M6 : 4.4-litre V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology

BMW M6 : 4.4-litre V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology

The M6 is powered by the 4.4-litre V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology, consisting of Twin Scroll Twin Turbo technology, cross-bank exhaust manifold, High Precision Direct Petrol Injection and VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control. BMW claims the highest output in the segment, around 560 hp at 6,000 – 7,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 680 Nm starting from 1,500 rpm. The 4.4 L V8 mill hits the redline at 7,200 rpm.

BMW M6 Coupe 2013 01BMW M6 Coupe 2013 03

BMW claims the engine output is 10 per cent higher than predecessor models and maximum torque 30 per cent higher. The BMW M6 Coupe boasts a 0-100 kph time of 4.2 seconds, 0-200 kph in 12.6 seconds and a top speed limited to 250 kph or 305 kph with the M Driver’s Package. With BMW’s technologies branded ‘Efficient Dynamics’ in the car, fuel consumption has reduced by more than 30 per cent.

BMW M6 Convertible 2013 06BMW M6 Coupe 2013 07BMW M6 Coupe 2013 08BMW M6 Coupe 2013 09

Transmission duties are taken care of by the Seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission with Drivelogic. Automatic gear selection is tuned to deliver optimum traction. Launch Control is available as you would expect. There’s also something BMW calls ‘Low Speed Assistance’.

Power is sent to the rear wheels where the Active M Differential ensures fully variable distribution of drive between the rear wheels. BMW says this offers optimised traction and directional stability during dynamic lane changes and when accelerating out of corners. The M-specific chassis has custom front and rear axle kinematics. M-specific Dynamic Damper Control is standard There’s a host of other tech wizardry to be explored sometime in another story. DSC stability control including M Dynamic Mode; M Servotronic steering; body strengthening using special panels; lightweight compound high-performance braking system; available as an option are newly developed M carbon-ceramic brakes with optimum resistance to fade and wear, and lower weight.Adaptive LED Headlights fitted as standard.

BMW M6 Convertible 2013 03

Design features of note include the lower air intake with aerodynamically optimised flaps; new M kidney grille with black double slats, flared wheel arches; hallmark M gills with integrated direction indicator bars; aerodynamically optimised exterior mirrors and side skirts; BMW Individual High-gloss Shadow Line; exposed reflectors below the rear lights; aerodynamically optimised rear apron with diffuser between the right and left-hand pair of twin exhaust tailpipes; 19-inch (standard) or 20-inch (optional) forged M light-alloy wheels, each with a distinctive interpretation of the familiar M double-spoke design.

BMW M6 Coupe 2013 InteriorsBMW M6 Convertible 2013 Interiors

The interiors are luxurious, yet sporty as you would expect from a M car. There’s a bespoke M gear selector; newly developed M leather steering wheel with gearshift paddles. There’s also the exclusive M sports seats with integrated belt system; Merino leather upholstery with extended features; exclusive carbon-fibre interior trim strips; illuminated door sill finishers with model lettering; M-specific instrument cluster with black-panel technology; 2-zone automatic climate control with extended features, ambient lighting.

BMW M6 Coupe InteriorsBMW M6 : M-specific instrument cluster with black-panel technologyBMW M6: Bespoke M Gear SelectorBMW M6 Coupe 2013 13

Newly developed M leather steering wheel with gearshift paddles, Bespoke M Gear Selector

JRM Racing 24 Hours Of Le Mans, 2012 FIA WEC 02

We stayed up for a major part of the race watching Karun’s progress on the Livestream and brought you the updates in our rSeries.

There were a number of heart-in-my-mouth moments during the course of the race, with some spectacular crashes bringing out the safety car and on some occasions for a duration of half hour, something we are not used to seeing too often in the Formula 1 races.

“Driving for nine of the last 36 hours and sleeping for four makes for a pretty tiring ratio! I ended up doing the graveyard shift from 2 – 5am, which was very special and exhausting in equal measure. It made me really understand the unique, special nature of this race. Overall a very good race for us and it feels great to be the only Indian to have finished the Le Mans 24hr race. The whole team worked tirelessly and it is a great reward for all their hard work. We have all been flat out since the first test here. I am absolutely exhausted and look forward to taking a nice long break. To finish second amongst the privateer teams is huge so fantastic result all around.” said Karun Chandhok after the race.

Peter Dumbreck who did a phenomenal job of wielding the JRM Racing Honda HPD ARX-03a LM1 tweeted “It was like Christmas had come! Thanks Santa Stepney.”

Things weren’t easy for the JRM Racing team. Though they started 11th on grid and moved up the grid steadily thanks to the trio of fantastic drivers, we had a good scare on lap 114 when Peter had a puncture coming through the Dunlop Curves and went off into the gravel.  David Brabham took over from Peter for his second session, and joined the race after having been delayed quite a while in the pits when the position dropped to 17th overall.

The Australian made a charge through the LM2 cars and was back to 9th overall by the time he handed over to Karun Chandhok on lap 158. Karun soon went up to 8th and set about chasing the #44 Starworks car for 7thoverall. Then, on a stop on lap 169, Karun reported a problem with the clutch and was pushed into the garage. He rejoined in 12th overall but brought the car back to the pits in 9th when he handed over to Peter just before dawn.

The whole of Sunday was spent in front of the computer glued to the race hoping my home internet’s data usage wouldn’t cross the limits and leave me stranded on the interweb with 256 Kbps!

After subsequent uneventful and steady stints of driving by the team, Peter concluded the race for the #22 JRM Racing, crossing the line in sixth overall. JRM Racing proudly states that this is its first Le Mans race and only its third-ever endurance race and the entire team is celebrating their success. The British team, led by team principal James Rumsey and team manager Nigel Stepney, passed the flag after 24 hours of hard-fought racing, 357 laps and over 4,800km in an impressive sixth place and second of the privateers’ class.


James Rumsey, team principal

Before the race I said we would be thrilled to finish the race. That was an underestimation – we are absolutely overjoyed. It’s only our third ever event as a team and our first Le Mans so to finish, and to finish well, is almost indescribable. The drivers all drove very, very well and came together as a crew. David was invaluable in giving us his experience, Peter did a great job through the night – particularly after the puncture when things could have gone very wrong – and Karun did incredibly well to be so consistent on his first visit here. This week has tested everyone – we’ve had a lot of work, lots of late nights and yet everyone has pulled together to achieve this result. I am so proud of everyone and am sure that this is just the start of something very big. Watch this space.

Nigel Stepney, chief engineer and team manager

I’ve been in motorsport for longer than I care to remember, but this is a feeling that goes beyond anything I’ve experienced before. The sheer amount of effort that’s gone into the result in the months and weeks before this has tested everyone and it’s incredible that we have a result that justifies the workload. We’ve had more than our share of problems leading up to the race this week and a couple of minor issues in the race, but really reliability has been pretty good – the only issues we had were incidentals. There is a lot of luck in Le Mans and while we were lucky today, the preparation that’s gone in before has helped us get a bit of luck for ourselves.

David Brabham

What a journey we’ve had as a team today – and actually since the start of the year. We’ve done two races as a team and come to Le Mans for the very first time so to run in the top six and run as well as we have, with no real reliability issues, is an amazing achievement. Since the start of this programme the guys have been up against it as the car came so late, and even this week they’ve been working hard to get everything ready and prepared. There have been a lot of very late nights so I am very proud of everyone in the team who has worked so hard to achieve this result.

Peter Dumbreck

The last stint was so nerve-wracking; I kept listening to every noise, vibration and little twitch thinking what was it?! This result means so much to everyone that I was concentrating so hard at the end to give them the result they deserved. If anyone had anyone offered us that before this week we would have gladly taken it. We thought it would be a miracle to finish, so I think we have to thank someone up there… David and I have both had our share of ups and downs in Le Mans so it’s great to finally get a good result – it’s something to build on for next year! Karun did a superb job in his first 24 hour race as well – I think as a driving trio we couldn’t have done any more.

Karun’s third stint at the wheel of the JRM Racing LMP1 HDP seems to be going well. Karun moved upto position 6 as the #13 Toyota pitted for repairs.

Yesterday’s superhero Romain Dumas was stranded on the circuit, with probably a fuel problem. Karun would have moved up to 5th position had the Audi not been restarted, pitted, and put back on track in good time.

Alvaro Bautista San Carlo Honda Gresini Racing 01

Alvaro Bautista claimed his first premier class pole as rain during the last five minutes of the session made sure no other rider was able to better Bautista’s 2’03.303. Almost exactly a year since Marco Simoncelli’s last pole position at Assen it was an achievement full of emotion for Team San Carlo Honda Gresini.

Alvaro Bautista San Carlo Honda Gresini Racing 02

Ben Spies will start second on grid, his best this season while Stoner will settle for third.

Jorge Lorenzo will be fourth on grid after a hot lap where he erred on turn 6. Dani Pedrosa was next, and as another surprise for the weekend, Pramac Racing Team’s Héctor Barberá will be sixth on the grid, the fastest Ducati on the track today.

Nicky Hayden, Andrea Dovizioso, Stefan Bradl and Valentino Rossi complete the top ten. Best CRT finisher was Power Electronics Aspar’s Aleix Espargaró in 11th.

The Qualifying Practice did not include local rider Cal Crutchlow, as he crashed his Monster Yamaha Tech 3 machine in the morning practice, injuring his ankle. He underwent medial checks at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, which confirmed he did not incur any fractures, but that it was sprained. Crutchlow is undergoing treatment at the hospital, and will have a final assessment tomorrow morning to see if he is fit to race.

JRM Racing 24 Hours Of Le Mans, 2012 FIA WEC 02

Having handed over the car to Peter Dumbreck on lap 79, Karun settled down to get some rest. Peter meanwhile moved upto P7 after the two separate incidents involving Romain Dumas and Anthony Davidson. During the steady driving stint by Peter, Toyota’s #7 TS 030 – HYBRID racer had some issues and pit while Peter moved upto 5th, when the #13 Rebellion went into the pit. On lap 114 Peter Dumbreck had a puncture on the rear left tyre going into the gravel after the Dunlop curves and had to limp back to the pits, losing a lot of time and dropping to 17th position overall.

David Brabham took Peter’s place while the car was in the garage getting the tyres replaced. Brabham subsequently charged through the slower LMP2 cars and moved to 14th, 13th and was in position 9 before handing over to Karun on lap 159.

Karun soon went up to 8th and set about chasing the #44 Starworks car for 7th overall. However on a stop on lap 169 Karun reported a problem with the clutch and was pushed into the garage. He rejoined in 12th overall.

Karun Chandhok was in 9th position as he pulled into the pits handing over to Peter on lap 200 in the early hours of dawn. A successful stint for a first time driver at Le Mans during the night.

Peter then put in a long stint as the sun came up, completing 42 laps. When he came off shift a little after 07:30hrs the Scot had put the team back into 7th overall, clear of the LM2 cars and three laps from 6th. David Brabham took over from Dumbreck after 242 laps into the race.

As we finish this report at 9:52 Le Mans time, the team is planning on getting Karun into the car replacing Brabham.

Audi Sport Team Joest’s Romain Dumas had a shunt at the chicane and dropped places rapidly while he ripped damaged bodywork off the car and limped back to the pit. Karun gains one place as Dumas’ Audi R18 ULTRA pulls into pit.

Peter Dumbreck takes over from Karun Chandhok, just as another huge crash involving Anthony Davidson in the #8 Toyota and #81 Ferrari brings the safety car out.

JRM Racing, 24 Hours Of Le Mans Race Day: 2012 FIA World Endurance Championship

David Brabham started the race at the wheel of the JRM Racing LMP1 Honda Performance Development ARX-03a. After a very very wet warm up session, the weather was slightly better for the race and the track was seen drying up. Brabham who started 11th on grid moved upto 10th immediately, with Strakka Racing’s car having a gearbox oil leak. It is worth noting that the Strakka Racing is the only other HPD ARX-03a car on track and started 7th on the grid.

After 34 laps, during JRM Racing’s third pit stop, Karun swapped places with Brabham while the team also fuelled the LM P1 HPD and swapped the tyres. This would be recorded as the moment when Karun Chandhok makes history as the first Indian to race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

At the time of penning this update, Karun has completed two fuel stops car #22 having finished 69 laps. We are now 4 hours and 18 minutes into the race and Karun Chandhok’s team is in position 9 and Karun’s driving hard for position 8.