Renault DeZir

Under the leadership of Laurens van den Acker, Renault’s Design Department took inspiration from the brand’s new signature ‘Drive the Change!’ and explores Renault’s styling roots to express the company’s powerful human dimension via a new strategy founded on the notion of the ‘life cycle’. This vision also builds on the bonds that are gradually forged between the brand and its customers at watershed moments of their lives, such as when they fall in love, start to explore the world, found a family, begin to work, take time to play and attain wisdom.

The DeZir was the first implementation of this strategy based on the human life cycle. The first step involves falling in love, an experience that is perfectly illustrated by DeZir’s powerful, sensuous styling and bright red finish; red being the colour associated with passion. The ‘Z’ in the name DeZir is a direct reference to Renault’s Z.E. signature, and several features of its design are suggestive of two qualities readily associated with electric mobility, namely advanced technology and light weight.

If you were wondering what is up with the pulsing red light in the seat, well, as Renault put it , the white benchseat seems to float on a red-hued bed of light which, symbolises passion. This lighting gently pulses to a rhythm that suggests a beating heart.

Deep huh? We love it!

Renault Duster

Renault Megane Trophy V6

Formula 1 Lotus Renault GP

Renault Pulse

Renault RS27 Engine 2011

Renault 1.5 dCi Engine

Chevrolet had on display the en-v, short for Electric Networked-Vehicle, a personal mobility vehicle that can seat two. GM says it was designed to alleviate concerns surrounding traffic congestion, parking availability, air quality and affordability for tomorrow’s cities. The EN-V models were first unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show in 2010. In line with the theme for this year’s Auto Expo, ‘Mobility for All’, which is essentially sustainable motoring, GM must have decided to have the year old concept on display.

The EN-V’s platform has evolved from the platform of the Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility (P.U.M.A.) prototype that was developed by Segway and debuted in April 2009. Segway has worked collaboratively with GM to develop and deliver multiple copies of the drivetrain platform that seamlessly connect to and power the various EN-Vs.

EN-V is propelled by electric motors in each of its two driving-mode wheels. Dynamic stabilization technology gives it the unique ability to carry two passengers and light cargo in a footprint that’s about a third of a traditional vehicle. If we understood the press briefing correctly, the EN-V can turn in a zero circle radius.Everything in EN-V is drive-by-wire, supporting its ability to operate autonomously or under manual control. The motors not only provide power for acceleration, but also bring the vehicle to a stop.

The EN-V uses Global Positioning System (GPS) with vehicle-to-vehicle communications and distance-sensing technologies to operate autonomously.

The body of the EN-V is constructed from carbon fiber, custom-tinted Lexan and acrylic, materials that are more commonly used in race cars, military airplanes and spacecraft because of their strength and lightweight characteristics.

Chevrolet Volt

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

Chevrolet Camaro

Chevrolet Cruze

Chevrolet Cruze WTCC

Chevrolet Beat

An electric Beat, and a Beat that participated in the Raid De Himalaya .

Chevrolet Bel Air

DC Design unveiled the Avanti at the 11th Auto Expo. DC says the Avanti will be powered by the 2.0 L EcoBoost engine making 265 hp to be sourced from Ford, and later a Honda V6 making 400 hp.

Most of the components will be imported, while the body and the interiors will be fabricated in the DC plant at Talegaon. DC is also supposedly setting up showrooms to sell this car, the first of which will be in Hyderabad. Though DC is making ridiculous statements like selling 200 cars a year, and going all the way to 2000 annually, we would like to know what kind of infrastructure is in place for production on such scale. Though we have our doubts, we wish them the very best and hope the Avanti does catch the eye of the consumer.

Also on display were a couple of other concepts. One is a concept based on a Toyota Fortuner and the other, probably a Mahindra Thar.

Nissan launched the Evalia, a fruit of the Ashok Leyland-Nissan JV. The Evalia is being positioned as an Urban Class Utility Vehicle. Best in class fuel economy, a versatile interior with multiple seat configurations and a rear view camera and Intelligent key are the good things about the Evalia.

The Evalia will be built in Chennai.

Nissan hopes to sell atleast 40,000 vehicles this year as compared tot he 13000 it sold in 2010. Nissan also plans to increase dealers from 50 currently to 110 next year and 150 by the end of 2012.

Godzilla, er.. Nissan GT-R

As with all Nissan GT-Rs, this one has somewhere around 500 bhp from the twin turbo 3.8 L V6 and has the wickedest electronics that let it beats mightier cars on circuits like the ‘Ring.

Nissan Compact Sports Concept ( CSC )

A one off concept, with a striking resemblance to the Micra, but is an entirely different beast.

Nissan 370Z

Nissan Leaf

To be in showrooms by April 2012, the new Touareg was on display at the 11th AutoExpo 2012, in New Delhi. Powered by the V6 3.0l TDI churning out 245 PS at 3800 rpm and 550 Nm torque at 1750 rpm the new Touareg can hit 100 km/h from standstill in 7.6 seconds. The Touareg is the world’s first SUV to have an 8 speed automatic transmission gearbox as standard feature. The 7th and 8th gears are fuel efficient overdrive gears.

The new Volkswagen Touareg is 41mm longer. 12mm wider and is equipped with 20 inch alloys, roof rails, panaromic sunroof, and bi-Xenon Headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights. The driver can also choose from either ‘Comfort’ or ‘Sport’ driving mode. All wheel drive is standard and in sport mode it tunes the ESP for off road conditions, activates hill descent assist and adjusts the shift points for the automatic gearbox.

A bevy of safety and comfort features complete the fantastic looking SUV.

XL1-most efficient concept car

A fuel efficient 0.8 litre TDI engine good for 48 PS, in a plugin hybrid configuration, with a DSG gearbox taking care of the transmission duties, the XL1 is the world’s most efficient concept car.

The 21st Century Beetle

A beetle designed for the 21st century, retains the signature lines, but looks slightly more powerful, masculine and dynamic.

Will be powered by the 1.2 TSI delivering 105 PS and stunning fuel efficiency. 0-100 km/h takes 10.9 seconds. Top speed close to 180 km/h.

The Beetle Sport also comes with a standard, factory fitted XDS electronic differential lock, which is an extension of the EDS. XDS improves handling by braking to prevent the unloaded wheel in the inside of the curve, in a fast corner, from losing traction.

Skoda’s worldwide sales have increased by 15% to around 875,000 cars in 2011 whereas the Indian sales are up by 50% to 30,005 cars in 2011, a very successful year in the company’s history.

Under its ‘2018 Growth Strategy’ SKODA aims to increase its global sales to at least 1.5 million per year and growth markets like India, China and Russia will play an important role.

“Skoda is on track for growth worldwide. In our view, the largest potential is mainly in growth markets such as India, Russia and China. Our plans are definitely fovussed on the Indina market says SKODA CEO Prof. Dr. Wilfried Vahland. “”We are putting out gas foot down in India and are set to keep on raising our sales here” he added.

In 2011, SKODA’s market share grew to 1.31% and SKODA is counting on the newly launched Rapid to take advantage of this growth trend in the Indian market.

SKODA had on display two special editions of the Fabia, the Monte Carlo and the RS 2000.

Fabia RS 2000

Inspired by the rally car the Fabia Super 2000, SKODA designers have created the RS 2000. A very wide car, the Fabia RS 2000 has enough room for 4 occupants. The low slung windows all around definitely set the RS 2000 apart from claustrophobic rear of other such performance cars.

Fabia Monte Carlo

Inspired by the Fabia S2000 success in the IRC (International Rally Championship) and SKODA’s 11 years of motorsport history, the Fabia Monte Carlo is stunning, to say the least. It is powered by the 1.2 TSI engine.