Somewhere in Sweden two idiots took to the streets in a SL63 AMG and a Yamaha R1 at speeds dropping not below 250 kph. Unsafe, stupid and not something we recommend you try, but, it is pure bliss to hear the R1 being red lined for more than a few seconds while he tries catching up with the speck that is the SL63 AMG.
Formula 1 heads to Suzuka this weekend for the 15th round of the Formula 1 world championship, 2013. Ferrari talks about the significance of this track to the Ferrari Formula 1 team.
Suzuka hosted it’s first ever Formula 1 GP in 1987, nearly 10 years after the previous edition of the Japanese round, held at Fuji Speedway which was mired with controversy.
Ferrari won the inaugural round of the Japanese GP at Suzuka, piloted by Austrian racer Gerhard Berger. But a further decade passed before the prancing horse saw the top step of the podium again, this time courtesy of Michael Schumacher. Michael won the race in 1997 which also promoted him to the top of the championship table. But the final round, the European Grand Prix, taking place at Jerez turned out to be disastrous for Ferrari, as Schumacher lost the championship in one corner. Schumacher was being challenged by Villeneuve for the lead and had almost got the lead just as they entered the corner, when Schumacher tried to turn into Villeneuve, which ended up in Schumacher being beached in the gravel trap. The following two seasons didn’t bring any cheer for Ferrari at Suzuka either. But the Suzuka bad luck run ended in 2000, as Schumacher won there for the third time, and also managed to win the world championship, his first of the five he would go on to win for Ferrari. Michael also went on to win in 2001, 2002 and 2004. But in 2003 weather conditions during qualifying forced Schumacher to start 14th, but he went on to finish in 8th position despite an unscheduled front wing change, but that was enough to win the championship as his nearest rival Raikkonen failed to win the race.
A relatively uneventful Suzuka came and went in 2005, but in 2006, Schumacher came back to Suzuka with a chance to win the world championship, it looked like Shcumacher would be able fightback and win the title but the engine on schumacher’s car failed and ended all hopes of a farewell world title.
Ferrari’s Suzuka bad Luck doesn’t seem to have ended even with new drivers, as shown last season when Fernando Alonso’s ferrari survived for just 370 meters of the entire Grand Prix after a collision with his future team-mate, Kimi.
All in all, Ferrari has won here seven times, with nine pole positions and on five occasions, one of its drivers has set the fastest race lap. There are a total of 21 podium places. But this year’s GP does not look promising as they lack in pace, which was very evident in the Korean Grand Prix. But you can never discount Alonso from pulling a surprise. And could massa, who finished on the podium here last year, repeat it this season too?
The CLA-Class is said to be Mercedes-Benz’s most potent weapon in its arsenal to conquer the US market. “We did not come to a volume price point to do niche volume,” Steve Cannon, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA said in an interview. “As we ramp up, we see the volume potential of at least 30,000 over the course of time.
With such lofty targets, one would expect Mercedes-Benz to play all its cards and bring in the entry level diesel with its phenomenal fuel efficiency figures. If reports from Car And Driver are to be believed it might turn out that the diesel variant of the CLA will never make it to the USA.
The additional cost of homologating the diesel variant and the addition of a tank for urea injection might not be justifiable enough for the numbers the diesel variant would do in a market dominated by gasoline engines. Urea Injection is the process where Diesel Exhaust Fluid ( a solution of urea and de-ionized water) is injected into the exhaust in order to lower Nitrous Oxides concentration in the diesel exhaust emissions in a process called selective catalytic reduction (SCR).
The engineering hurdle faced is the space required to mount a tank huge enough for the DEF so that the consumer does not have to replace the fluid every month.
Car and Driver further speculates that the same fate might fall the GLA compact crossover. While the GLA will have enough space for a large tank, the additional cost might make push the GLA out of the volumes price point.
The CLA-Class is already setting the sales charts on fire in the USA and in Europe as it has shortened the gap for the typical consumer aspiring for a luxury brand. Now the Sport variants of the various new compact models from Mercedes-Benz will go on sale.
The A 250 Sport 4MATIC priced at close to € 40,000 , the CLA 250 Sport at € 42000, the CLA 250 Sport 4MATIC at € 44500 will go on sale starting 7th October 2013. All these models share the 1991 cc four-cylinder engine that makes close to 155 kW (211 hp) and maximum torque of 350 Nm between 1200 rpm and 4000 rpm. 7G-DCT dual clutch transmission is standard equipment, and customers have a choice between front-wheel drive or 4MATIC all-wheel drive with fully variable torque distribution.
The Sport variants do not have the powerful engines of the AMG variants, but do benefit from the technical know how of AMG with front axle developed by Mercedes-AMG, AMG sports suspension plus AMG speed-sensitive sports steering.
The entry level diesel Mercedes-Benz CLA 180 CDI priced at € 31,000 will also go on sale as will the Drive Kit Plus for the iPhone 5 which enables better integration of your iPhone with your Mercedes ( have neither? Welcome to the Club!).
Mercedes-Benz has updated the COMAND system with Live Traffic Information drawn from anonymised data recording the movements of TomTom navigation system users and mobile phone users.
To celebrate one year of the Alto 800, Maruti Suzuki has announced an anniversary edition of the Alto 800. As you would expect there is of course new body graphics, new ‘dome’ decal, body coloured mirrors on the outside, new side moldings and finally the B-pillar is blacked out for the look-cool effect.
The Alto 800 will also be available in a new Purple Haze shade. Inside new seat fabrics make an appearance as does a rear parcel tray.
Mr. Manohar Bhat, Vice President (Marketing) Maruti Suzuki India, said “Alto has been India’s favourite car since its launch. The anniversary edition is our way to celebrate success with our customers in this festive season. The new exciting package of the anniversary edition will bring joy and value to customers in this festive season.”
Nissan demonstrates what it’s Fully Autonomous car is capable of at the Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies (CEATEC) show. The demonstration featured Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn and Toyota CEO Akio Toyodo also having a taste of the Leaf’s Autonomous Drive technology.
Check out the video that Nissan has released, which shows what the Autonomous Drive can do.
She is one of the fastest , well behaved hatchbacks that I have driven. She is compact, but mean. She takes to the corners with ease. She is quick, but also stops on a dime. She has been around for 36 years. She is an epitome of German engineering. She is the Volkswagen GOLF GTI.
I personally never thought she would impress me, before I drove her in 2010 now even in 2013 she’s one hot lady.
Words & Photography : RD
It would seem its a bit pricey for its segment, but then again, if you are looking for a cheap alternative for the super car adrenalin rush, then this car serves the purpose just right. This beauty comes with a 2.0 Litre turbocharged 210 PS petrol engine which is the reason behind the thrills,its quick but also fairly economical as well. When compared to my Subaru Impreza WRX this surely saves on fuel. Astonishingly it gives 11 Kmph per litre in the city. The engine revs eagerly past the red line of the tachometer and have pushed her from 0 to 100 in just under 7 seconds.
Even though its a front wheel drive assembly, it has minimum wheel spin when floored at the starting line. One thing Volkswagen got it right with this machine is the braking, whatever speed , when you brake, you can stop on a dime. And with the usage of the XDS tech,which is a extended electronic differential,in fast corners, it applies slight brake pressure to the inner wheel, which sends more torque to the outer wheels which enables the understeer to be subtly reduced, and in turn the corner-exit speeds improve. Uniquely, this enables the hatchback to have the handling abilities of an all wheel drive. When pushed, the electronic stability kicks in softly, and still lets you enjoy the play, but once the breaks are touched the ESP reengages.
2.0 Litre TSI making 210 PS..
Although VW offered me an optional DCC (adaptive chassis) suspension I stuck to the original, for if I wanted an everyday car comfort I would drive a Toyota. The GTI has inclined towards a stiffer ride to enhance its sporty gene. The rear suspension is a bit harder than the front , but wont complain. Even though I prefer manual transmission, the Dual Clutch Direct Shift Gear Box(DSG) entices me. It upshifts early, to save fuel on crowded city roads, and once the roads are free, and you slip it into the S mode and with the help of the paddle shifts, the GTI rips the road apart. But whatever mode you are driving, the GTI gives out a pleasant rumble every time it upshifts. The exhaust sound is sporty inside and out, but never crude.
Its astonishing how VW managed to pack so much space into this hatchback. The boot is spacious enough to go for trips to the country side. Even with the driver seat fully pushed back, there is still space for an average sized person to sit comfortably. The driver and front passenger seats, are semi racing seats, which give ample lumbar support, and arrests movement of the driver when taking tight turns. The designers at VW have substantiated the cost of the car by using rich interiors, that look and feel rich. The leather wrapped multi functional steering wheel comes with a flat bottom racing style finish. The driver seat has electronic lumbar and thigh adjustments.
The GTI comes loaded with 10 airbags, ABS ,Electronic stabilization program(ESP), Traction control system(TCS) hill hold control, automatic rain sensors and the irresistible Bi- Xenon headlights that bend at corners with LED daytime lights. These features along with Park Distance control (PDC) make this car very safe. The media console is well laid out and comes with touch screen, aux in, and blue tooth mobile connectivity.
The GTI has surely lived up to its name for decades, I dont look at it screwing up in the future.
Fantastic management of space inside!
While Honda soaks in all the compliments coming its way courtesy of the phenomenal growth of 88% in September 2013, Mr. Jnaneswar Sen, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing has confirmed the launch of the diesel Honda City next year.
“We are planning to create a new segment, we call it crossover utility vehicle. Also our most preferred car City will be launched in diesel variant it would hit Indian roads in 2014,” Jnaneswar Sen, senior vice president, sales and marketing said here, “It will be launched in Japan in November and will come to India in 2014.”
Honda Cars India is going no holds barred with ideas for the crossover vehicle, diesel mills throughout its entire range and maybe even a Hybrid, for the second time in India if the Government steps up and provides subsidies.
Source: Business Standard
Philipp Schiemer, CEO Mercedes-Benz do Brasil & Daimler Latin America, Andreas Renschler, Management Board member for Production and Procurement at Mercedes-Benz Cars and Mercedes-Benz Vans, Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff and Fernando Pimentel, Brazilian minister of Development, Industry and External Market (left to right).
Daimler has announced a new facility in Brazil specifically earmarked for the next C-Class and GLA compact crossover. Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff jointly signed the framework contract with Andreas Renschler, Management Board member for Production and Procurement at Mercedes-Benz Cars and Mercedes-Benz Vans, and Philipp Schiemer, CEO Mercedes-Benz do Brasil & Daimler Latin America, today.
An investment of around EUR 170 million will be made in the first round and the production facility is expected to go operational by 2016.
The new plant will facilitate 1000 jobs and an additional 3000 jobs at the suppliers’ end. The assembly plant will have a capacity of close to 20,000 vehicles every year. Daimler’s country company Mercedes-Benz do Brasil will soon complete the purchase of land for the future plant premises in Iracemápolis near São Paulo.
Daimler AG’s plant in São Bernardo do Campo is the largest outside Germany and the only one, in which trucks, bus chassis and assemblies such as engines, transmissions, axles and truck cabs are produced at the same location. The former passenger car plant in Juiz de Fora, has been producing the Mercedes-Benz Actros and Accelo light-duty truck for the Latin American market since 2012.
Brazil was chosen as the location for Mercedes Benz’s next plant thanks to the long-standing experience with local production, Mercedes-Benz do Brasil’s very good network and its strong position on the Brazilian commercial vehicles market were significant factors in the current decision for the location of the new passenger car assembly plant.
Andreas Renschler said “Brazil is an important future market. With our local production we accept the challenge and take on the competition. The new facility stands exemplarily for the expansion of our global production network – we thereby approach our customers even more.” Regarding the strategic importance of the future local production program, Renschler also said: “With the next generation of the C-Class and the GLA, we will be localizing two highly attractive products with top Mercedes quality, for which we see great potential in the Brazilian premium segment.”
“With the local production of cars, Mercedes-Benz stands out as the only company to act in all segments of mobility in Brazil, with cars, trucks, buses and vans”, said Philipp Schiemer, CEO Mercedes-Benz do Brasil. “The proximity of our production footprint in São Paulo and Minas Gerais will also allow us to have a greater integration among plants and exchange possibilities for the employees.”
Dr. Pawan Goenka, who has been with M&M since 1993 and has since been instrumental in making M&M’s Auto Sector R&D a ‘potent product development organization’ has been appointed to the M&M Board as Executive Director. Dr. Goenka was responsible for the development of several new products including the Mahindra’s juggernaut the Scorpio.
He joined M&M as General Manager R&D and has since then moved up the ladder to become Executive Vice President-Product Development in September 2001, then CEO of the Automotive Sector in April 2003. In September 2005 he was appointed President (Automotive Sector) and in April 2010 he became President (Automotive and Farm Equipment Sectors).
The appointment as Executive Director and President (Automotive & Farm Equipment Sectors) will come into effect from September 23, 2013.
Mr. Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group said, “Pawan has played an integral role in transforming the Group’s automotive product development capabilities, and has provided growth and strategic direction to both automotive and tractor businesses. I am confident that he will add tremendous value to the Board by providing fresh insights and invaluable guidance on key issues facing the Company.”
“I am truly honoured and delighted to join the Mahindra Board. I am fortunate to have been guided by one of the most respected Boards in the country, and have worked with an excellent team in my twenty years at Mahindra. I look forward to the future with a greater sense of responsibility, and will strive to contribute my best to meet the long term aspirations of all stakeholders” said Dr. Pawan Goenka, Executive Director and President (Automotive & Farm Equipment Sectors).