After having stopped production of its new small car Brio, Honda is now taking steps to ensure that things get back on track by the beginning of the New Year. The company plans to source the components for Brio from China and hopes to return to normal production by February or March next year.

The biggest problem that Honda faces with the Brio is that it is made only in two countries, India and Thailand. This meant that there was no possibility of diverting parts meant for other countries to India as has been done by Toyota earlier.

Even though bookings have not been put on hold for the Brio, Honda is also having production issues with all its cars with bookings being suspended for its Jazz hatch. With the pending launch of the new City and the new sourcing plans for its smaller cars, we hope things get better for Honda and that they get back on track soon.

Lexus Concept designed by Calty, Lexus' design studio in California, to be unveiled at Detroit Motor Show 2012

Lexus will unveil a new concept vehicle at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 9, 2012. Designed by Calty, the company’s design studio in Newport Beach, California, the concept showcases the new design direction embraced by Lexus.

The stacked barrel headlamps might be a tad too brave for Lexus, but we will reserve our opinions until the Concept is fully unveiled. After the sleek LFA, we cannot help but wait with bated breath for Lexus to unveil their new concept.

Lexus also showcased the LF-Gh Hybrid Concept at the 2011 New York International Auto Show which was an exploration into Lexus’ future direction with aggressive and bold spindle-shaped front. Lexus has previously said design features from he LF-Gh will be carried over to future Lexus vehicles.

Lexus LF-Gh Concept

BMW has aggressive plans for India, part of which is the launch of the MINI brand in India. We’ve known for sometime now that it would happen in 2012. From this countdown page at mini-soon.in we assume the launch will happen on the 5th of January 2012. Bang on the first day of AutoExpo 2012.

MINI India : Countdown

If you’ve been hearing roaring engines on our site today, blame it on the aggressive ad campaign MINI India has launched. There is also the ‘Be Creative’ contest that has been running for sometime now. The contest is about choosing an appropriate image to fit in the iconic MINI silhouette with the grand prize being that it will be painted in real life and showcased to the world.

BS Motoring reports that pricing of the Mini range won’t be cheap and at Rs 22-23 lakh for the basic model, going up to Rs 30-odd lakh for the Countryman. The company will begin with two dealerships in Mumbai and New Delhi with 3-4 more dealerships in 2013 and another three in 2014 with plans eventually to have 12 dealerships across the country.

Mahindra Duro DZ

Mahindra 2 Wheelers, a part of the US $ 14.4 billion Mahindra Group, has launched the Mahindra Duro 125 DZ – a tough, powerful, fuel efficient 125 cc scooter, designed specifically for the challenging Indian roads – in Hyderabad.

It is, the Mahindra 125 DX that we recently reviewed. Mahindra Two Wheelers has decided to call the facelifted Duro the DZ now. Launched today at Hyderabad for an ex-showroom price of Rs. 44,640 (Andhra Pradesh) Mahindra is counting on the Duro DZ to continue to strengthen M2W’s presence in the scooter market.

“The Mahindra Duro DZ is a tough and powerful scooter designed specifically for Indian road conditions.. The Duro DZ is the result of our R&D team working closely with consumers and extensive testing. The Duro DZ has been reviewed by the leading experts in the industry some of who have termed it the best scooter on Indian roads. We have also created an interesting new marketing campaign with actor Kareena Kapoor which we will be unveiling soon” said Mr. Viren Popli, Senior V.P. Marketing, Strategy & Market Development, Mahindra Two Wheelers.

The ex- showroom prices announced are: Andhra Pradesh – Rs 44,640/-, Kerala – Rs 44,908/-, Tamil Nadu – Rs. 45,235/ and Karnataka – Rs. 44,760/-, respectively.

The Tamil Nadu ex showroom price has risen by just Rs. 1214 , which does seem to be fair considering the additions in the Duro DZ.

Straight from the press release, a refresher on the good things about the Duro

The new Mahindra Duro DZ comes loaded with:

  • A superior, powerful 125 cc engine which provides better instant pick-up and multi-terrain acceleration, making it easier for you to carry loads, even on steep inclines and in tough road conditions.
  • Dual Curve Digital ignition system which delivers a mileage superior to other 125 cc scooters
  • Advanced Telescopic Suspension which ensures a smooth ride on the toughest terrain.
  • Superior ground clearance which enables manoeuvrability over speed breakers and rough roads with ease and comfort.
  • Long wheelbase and improved braking system offering better safety & stability on the road.
  • A broad halogen lamp to provide wider range and depth in visibility.
  • An under seat storage capacity of 20L, one of the largest in its segment in addition to built in front storage.
  • Rear Brake lock lever for safety & parking on inclines

You can read our review of the Mahindra Duro DZ here.

You’ve probably seen this video, but for those of you who haven’t, sit back, hold tight and click ‘Play’. This is the in car video of Team Chapman Racing from the Prodsports 1 Hour Enduro Series at Philip Island Circuit, Australia in class E racing the #66 Mazda MX-5 and boy is the Mazda stunningly quick. Which makes what happens next all the more unbelievable.

That was Barton Mawer driving that crazy Lotus Exige in class A, if we’re not wrong, trying to catch up with Alan Simonsen in a Lamborghini Gallardo. Here’s the in car video from Mawer.

Ridiculously insane eh?

BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe

At the Mahindra Duro DZ unveiling in India, Mr. Popli, Senior VP at M2W, put to the media the question, ‘How many options do you think the Indian consumer has if he wants to buy a car?’. The fact that we were talking about cars, at least for a moment at a scooter launch really shows that the fragmentation in the car market today is something that deserves a 3000 word article on its own. You have hatchbacks, hatchbacks with a slapped on boot, compact sedans, slightly larger sedans, really large sedans, huge SUVs, small SUVs, GTs, crossovers, GT crossovers, MUVs, and variations of the previously mentioned sedans in their coupe, convertible and GT forms. Why? Well, the more the choices you offer the consumer, the higher the probability of him/her picking up a car from you, or so believe manufacturers.

BMW 6 Series Gran CoupeBMW 6 Series Gran Coupe

This time though, we aren’t cribbing. The recently unveiled BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe is a thing of beauty, and stands out from its coupe cousin without having to try real hard. A four door coupe is a first for BMW and this baby is bound to come up at pub conversations between enthusiasts debating whether a four door can actually be called a coupe.

Pitted against the likes of the all new Mercedes-Benz CLS and the Audi A7, the 6 Series Gran Coupe definitely needs a lot of ammo to entice the buyer. BMW thinks the high-quality interior with generous levels of space and impressive seating comfort, the third rear seat (4+1-seater) and a split/folding rear seat backrests that allow boot capacity to increase from 460 litres to 1,265 litres is a good start.

BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe Rear

The 6 Series Gran Coupe will be  powered by engines with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. The BMW 640i Gran Coupe will have a six-cylinder in-line petrol engine (235 kW/320 hp), twin-scroll turbocharging, direct injection and VALVETRONIC, BMW 640d Gran Coupe (230 kW/313 hp) will have variable sequential turbocharging and common-rail direct injection available from launch, and finally the flagship BMW 650i Gran Coupe will have a new eight-cylinder engine (330 kW/450 hp), two turbochargers, direct injection and VALVETRONIC. All model variants will have as standard an eight-speed sports automatic transmission and Driving Experience Control switch.

The front end design is based on the BMW 6 Series identity with the Gran Coupe’s individual character embodied by model-specific electroplated bars between the air intake and foglamps.

BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe : electroplated bars between the air intake and foglampsBMW 6 Series Coupe : Front detail

On the left is the Gran Coupe, with the electroplated bar between the air intake and the fog lamp, and on the right is the two door Coupe.

BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe : ProfileBMW 6 Series Coupe

The Gran Coupe is longer than the coupe by 113mm with a wheelbase of 2968mm

The twin round headlights with three-dimensional light rings, optional adaptive LED headlights and the distinctive silhouette with flowing Coupe-style roof line are other attractive design features. BMW has played with the Hofmeister kink, giving it an elegant look as opposed to the slightly aggressive curve seen on the two door Coupe.

BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe : Hofmeister KinkBMW 6 Series Coupe : Hofmeister Kink

If all these distinctions aren’t clear enough, BMW has also been kind enough to label the car with “Gran Coupe” lettering on the C-pillar. BMW, this year is emphasizing the width of their cars using lots of horizontal elements at the rear. The LED rear lights are in an L-shape – like in the BMW 6 Series Coupe and BMW 6 Series Convertible. A full-length third brake light is also placed above the rear window.

BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe Rear Full length brake light

BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe : Twin round headlights with three-dimensional light ringsBMW 6 Series Gran Coupe : Twin round headlights with three-dimensional light ringsBMW 6 Series Gran Coupe : Twin round headlights with three-dimensional light ringsBMW 6 Series Gran Coupe : Twin round headlights with three-dimensional light rings

BMW is also offering the xDrive on the menu with the flagship 650i Gran Coupe. State-of-the-art chassis technology including Electric Power Steering and Dynamic Damper Control as standard, Integral Active Steering and Adaptive Drive can be ticked as options.

BMW has stressed on intelligent lightweight design. Aluminium doors with frameless side windows, aluminium bonnet, chassis technology including spring supports made largely from aluminium, thermoplastic front side panels, glass fibre composite boot lid all work towards reducing the weight of the behemoth.

BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe : L Shaped Rear LED LightsBMW 6 Series Gran Coupe : Sunroof

Standard equipment list includes eight-speed sports automatic transmission, Auto Start-Stop function, Dynamic Damper Control, Servotronic, 18-inch light-alloy wheels, xenon headlights with LED daytime running light rings, cruise control with braking function, electrically operated, automatically folding and heated exterior mirrors, BMW Parking Assistant, Speed Limit Info, camera-based Collision Warning with braking function (in conjunction with Active Cruise Control).

BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe : Exhaust TipBMW 6 Series Gran Coupe : xDrive

BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe : Boot

460 litres boot. Can be increased to 1,265 litres by folding down the rear seats.

 

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Romain Grosjean, who drove for the Renault team after the ejection of Nelson Piquet Jr., and subsequently lost the drive at the team, finds himself coming back to the team which is Lotus from the year 2012.  Grosjean is to partner Kimi Raikonnen who is also coming back to racing after an absence of two years.  This means that only Force India is yet to announce both its drivers and Williams one of its drivers, since Pastor Maldonado has already been confirmed.  HRT has confirmed only one driver, Pedro De La Rosa and Scuderia Toro Rosso also has to finalize its line up.

After Ferrari and Red Bull Racing, Sauber F1 has become the third team to quit the Formula One Teams Association.  It is being said that it is only a matter of time before Red Bull Racing team’s sister team Scuderia Toro Rosso will also quit the FOTA.  Though the reason for quitting the FOTA by these teams is being given as a disagreement over the Resource Restriction Agreement, some journalists are speculating that these teams have quit in order to individually sign the new Concorde Agreement which is highly secretive.  Ferrari has always had a special position in the Concorde Agreement due to it being the only team to have been on the grid since F1 came into being.

According to the latest reports coming from Honda Siel Cars India Limited, it seems that the production of the Brio has come to a complete standstill due to the shortage of parts required for the assembly of the car.  The flooding of the Honda Thailand plant from where a crucial number of the parts come to India, is the reason for the non-availability of parts and the halting of the production of the Brio.  But surprisingly Honda is gearing to launch the facelifted version of the City on the 14th of December, 2011.  We say surprising because many of the components of the City also come from the same plant in Thailand which has been hit by the floods.  It is possible that Honda had already built up some inventory in India prior to the flood in Thailand and is therefore in a position to launch the very mildly facelifted City soon.