Yearly Archives: 2012

Shell GameChanger DRIVEN – “Design of Relevant and Innovative Vehicles for Energy Needs”

The Challenge: Design a vehicle that could be produced in the next 5-10 years for one of five chosen locations: Amsterdam, Bangalore, Basra, Houston, or Sao Paolo. Your vehicle design should use locally sourced energy and materials, and should help address social challenges that each of these locations are currently facing.

1st Prize $2000 and the winner of each of the 5 DRIVEN competitions is entered to win $5000 Grand Prize as determined by Shell GameChanger panel of Judges

Submissions were opened on the 24th of January 2012 and will continue till until February 7, 2012 EST (-4 UTC). The week after will be spent voting for the winner.

Listed below are the links to the Shell GameChanger DRIVEN contest pages. You will find the ‘Start an Entry’ button that should help you get started!

Amsterdam
Bangalore
Basra
Houston
Sao Paulo

Some of the entries for the Bangalore contest.

Local Motors Shell GameChanger DRIVEN contest entry by Ajay Rao

Local Motors Shell GameChanger DRIVEN contest entry by Imran Othman

Local Motors Shell GameChanger DRIVEN contest entry by Mushtaq Anis

Peugeot RCZ

The Peugeot RCZ is and compact 2+2 Coupé, designed to be an exclusive vehicle in the Peugeot range. Peugeot even went so far as to defy the usual naming convention at Peugeot, using zero or double zero numbering system and christened it as simply the RCZ. The RCZ was also Peugeot’s first showcase for the Marque’s ‘new identity’ the redesigned Lion.

Peugeot RCZ Coupe at the 11th Auto Expo 2012 : Front

After the initial preview of the 308 RCZ concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2007, in a space of two years, Peugeot had 200 units of the Limited Edition RCZ on sale, all of them sold in a span of 48 hours.

Peugeot RCZ Coupe at the 11th Auto Expo 2012 : Rear

There is the slightest chance that we might see this baby on our shores as a CBU.

Peugeot RCZ Coupe at the 11th Auto Expo 2012 : Interior Peugeot RCZ Coupe at the 11th Auto Expo 2012 : Steering Wheel

The RCZ is built on Peugeot’s “platform 2” architecture (MacPherson type front suspension, rear suspension with deformable crossmember). The RCZ in addition to the 1.6 litre THP 115 kW (156 bhp), 2.0 litre HDi FAP 120 kW (163 bhp) can also be specified with the THP 147 kW (200 bhp) engine. For the 200 bhp version, the front suspension incorporates a special lower anti-collision bar to give more agile handling response.

Peugeot RCZ Coupe at the 11th Auto Expo 2012 : EnginePeugeot RCZ Coupe at the 11th Auto Expo 2012 : Pedals

Peugeot RCZ Coupe at the 11th Auto Expo 2012 : Rear ClosePeugeot RCZ Coupe at the 11th Auto Expo 2012 : BootPeugeot RCZ Coupe at the 11th Auto Expo 2012 : Engine, Air damPeugeot RCZ Coupe at the 11th Auto Expo 2012 : Badge

Peugeot 508

Peugeot 508 at the 11th Auto Expo 2012

The 508 sedan will probably be assembled in Peugeot’s plant in Gujarat.

Peugeot 508 at the 11th Auto Expo 2012 : Rear

Peugeot 508 at the 11th Auto Expo 2012 : DetailsPeugeot 508 at the 11th Auto Expo 2012 : Badge

Peugeot 3008

Peugeot 3008 at the 11th Auto Expo 2012

Peugeot 3008 at the 11th Auto Expo 2012 : RearPeugeot 3008 at the 11th Auto Expo 2012 : Tail lamps

Peugeot 908 HDi FAP Racing Car

Peugeot 908 HDi FAP at the 11th Auto Expo 2012

A detailed post on the 908 HDi FAP to come soon!

KTM 200 Duke launced in India : Mr. Rajiv Bajaj, MD Bajaj Auto and Mr. Stefan Pierer, CEO of KTM-Sportmotorcycles AG at the launch

KTM 200 Duke launced in India : Mr. Rajiv Bajaj, MD Bajaj Auto and Mr. Stefan Pierer, CEO of KTM-Sportmotorcycles AG at the launch

The KTM 200 Duke has been launched at a price of Rs. 1,17,500/- (ex-showroom Delhi). KTM Merchandise will be sold under the KTM PowerWear brand and accessories for the katooms as KTM PowerParts.

The 200 Duke will be powered by a single cylinder, 200cc, liquid cooled, DOHC, four valve engine churning out 25bhp and a maximum torque of 19Nm. Low weight components give the 200 Duke best in class power to weight ratio of 184 PS/ton. A trellis frame wraps around the engine, while upside down (USD) forks up front add to the butch looks.

34 Probiking showrooms in the country have been rebranded as KTM stores and will sell the 200 Duke. The bookings have begun simultaneously with the launch.

On the occasion of the launch Mr. Stefan Pierer, CEO of KTM-Sportmotorcycles AG, said “We are delighted to have the Duke 200 in India and are very positive about the prospects of KTM in the Indian market. With our unique design and engineering philosophy, we have managed to develop our unique brand identity which we are confident that our customers in India will appreciate”

Mr. Rajiv Bajaj, MD Bajaj Auto, said “The launch of the Duke 200 is one of the many steps in Bajaj Auto’s association with KTM over the last five years. Between the Bajaj Pulsar and the KTM Duke we intend to further strengthen our dominant position in the sports motorcycle segment in India. The KTM 200 Duke is meant for people who are young at heart and like to be different”

KTM Duke 200

Bookings for the KTM 200 Duke begin tomorrow (24th January, 2012) from 1.00 p.m.

A number of Bajaj Probiking showrooms all over the country have been branded in the signature KTM orange and are expecting the 200 Dukes to be in the showroom soon.

Peugeot has announced that it is shutting down all endurance racing programmes for 2012 and will not be taking part in the next Le Mans 24 Hours.

Peugeot 908 HDi FAP at the 11th Auto Expo 2012

908 HDi FAP

Peugeot says the decision has been taken “against the backdrop of the challenging economic environment in Europe coupled with a particularly busy year for the Brand in terms of new vehicle launches“. Peugeot will deploy its resources towards ensuring the brand’s commercial success.

Peugeot has very important launches lined up for 2012, including the 208, 3008 HYbrid4, 508 RXH, 508 HYbrid4 and 4008. The company has said that they would like to concentrate on the successful launch of these products.

Peugeot has been the most promising competitor to Audi in the LM P1 category with 14 victories in the last 16 races, including a double at the Le Mans 24 Hours 2009 as part of the ILMC championship won by Peugeot two years running, in 2010 and 2011.

The 908 endurance prototype is the third in the line, after the 905 (1991 to 1993) and the 908 HDi FAP (2007 to 2010) pictured above. Development on the new 908 was started after the Le Mans victory in 2009, in preparation for new regulations in 2011. It is saddening to see Peugeot withdraw this year, having given the 908 just a little more than a year on the track.

We sure hope they come back in 2013.


In keeping with its social responsibility obligations and as part of the GPEC (forward management of jobs and skills) agreement, all of the employees concerned will be offered redeployment solutions within the Group thanks to a special system set up to oversee and lead occupational training/retraining as well as internal mobility.

DC Design Showroom in ChennaiDC Design Showroom in Chennai : Stretch Limo on display

Walk into the showroom and the cavernous space is an inkling of the good things to come. DC Design, in a joint venture with Lalitha Motors, the automotive arm of Lalitha Jewellers intends to have 15 models from its portfolio on sale.

Click here for the location on Google Maps.

The showroom will be officially inaugurated on the 6th of Ferbruary, 2012.

Until then, you can drop by and check out the stretch limo on display.

DC Design Avanti : Front 3/4

The showroom has already received 8 promising enquiries for the Avanti.

Head to DC Design’s Contact page if you are interested in purchasing the Avanti.

SML Isuzu LT134 Bus at the 11th Auto Expo 2012

Powered by a 230PS BSIII engine, the Isuzu LT134 intercity coach has a 7 speed transmission and is available as either a 40 seater or a 45 seater.

SML Isuzu IS12T Truck at the 11th Auto Expo 2012

Powered by a 150PS BSIII engine, the Isuzu IS12TE truck has a six speed transmission and optional air conditioning.

MAN AIROBUS at the 11th Auto Expo 2012

MAN Force launched their 45 seater, front engined AIROBUS at the 11th Auto Expo 2012.

The AIROBUS is powered by the 220hp BSIII MAN D08 engine up front, and is fitted with a 6 speed ZF Synchromesh gearbox, Meritor axles and an MAN design air suspension on both front and rear wheels.

Features include luxurious reclining seats, individual reading lights, individual AC vents, aisle seats which can be moved side-ways for class leading elbow room, ample leg room, large overhead storage racks and equally spacious underbody luggage compartment.

Extra Large windshield offers outstanding visibility, 3 way adjustable deluxe driver seat and intelligently placed outside rear view mirrors make driving the MAN Bus an effortless fatigue free experience,says MAN.

MAN AIROBUS at the 11th Auto Expo 2012 : Rear

MAN also assures prospective customers that the main dealers with sales, service and spare parts facilities are strategically located along the Golden Quadrilateral and the N-S, E-W corridors of the National Highway network. The associate dealers with service and spare parts facilities are located on the arterial routes and locations with high density of vehicle population.

Each dealer has a fully equipped mobile service van to render quick support in the unlikely event of a breakdown on the road. The dealers are equipped with company trained technicians, special tools and electronic diagnostic equipment and adequate stocks of spare parts.

AIROBUS is being manufactured at the company’s facility at Pithampur in Madhya Pradesh, where it has production capacity of 24,000 trucks a year.

MAN CLA 31.220

MAN CLA 31.220 at the 11th Auto Expo 2012 : Front

MAN CLA 31.220 at the 11th Auto Expo 2012 : RearMAN CLA 31.220 at the 11th Auto Expo 2012 : Badge

MAN CLA 49.220

MAN CLA 49.220 at the 11th Auto Expo 2012

Vibgyor Vehicles launched the 125cc scooter Vida at the 11th Auto Expo. Vibgyor also announced that a 325cc motorcycle will be launched next month.

Vibgyor Vehicles at the 11th Auto Expo 2012, FrontVibgyor Vehicles at the 11th Auto Expo 2012, Rear

Vibgyor Vehicles at the 11th Auto Expo 2012, Rear 3/4

Vibgyor Vehicles at the 11th Auto Expo 2012, Key slotVibgyor Vehicles at the 11th Auto Expo 2012, Key Slot closer look

Vibgyor Vehicles at the 11th Auto Expo 2012 : Meters

Vibgyor Vehicles 125 cc Scooter Vida on display at the 11th Auto Expo 2012

Vibgyor Vehicles 125 cc Scooter Vida on display at the 11th Auto Expo 2012 : LogoVibgyor Vehicles 125 cc Scooter Vida on display at the 11th Auto Expo 2012 : Front

Vibgyor Vehicles has also said it will launch four new motorcycles, including the 325cc next month and a 225cc sometime in the future. A 100cc scooter will complement the recently launched 125cc Vida.

Shark

The 150cc Shark shares space with the Vida at the Vibgyor stall.
Vibgyor Vehicles Shark and Vida on display at the 11th Auto Expo 2012

Hunter

125cc Hunter on display.

Vibgyor Vehicles Hunter on display at the 11th Auto Expo 2012 : Front

Piaggio apé City Paxx at the 11th Auto Expo 2012

To be available from July 2012, the Piaggio apé City Paxx will be powered by a 200cc engine currently under development.

With the launch of the Piaggio apé City Paxx, Piaggio Vehicles Pvt. Ltd., hopes to fill in the gap where a market opportunity of 150,000 units is available.

The Piaggio apé City Paxx’s 200cc engine has a peak power rating of 7.74 kW and torque of 16.28 Nm and will offer best in class fuel efficiency, says Piaggio.