Volvo V40 is the safest Car Volvo V40 has become the safest car ever tested by Euro NCAP. With a top rating of five stars in the Euro NCAP collision test, the overall result is the best ever recorded by the institute. Euro NCAP presents an overall rating for each model it tests and separate tests are carried out in four different sub-categories that include adults occupant protection, child protection, pedestrian protection and safety assist. Volvo V40 not just got record-high overall result but also the best result ever recorded in protection for adults, no less than 98%.

28/09/12

Mercedes-Benz B-Class Rs.21.49 lakes Mercedes-Benz has launched the B-Class in India, branded as India’s first Sports Tourer. The Mercedes-Benz B-Class has been priced at Rs.21.49 lakes for the B180 variant and Rs.24.87 lakes for the B180 Sport variant (prices are ex-showroom Mumbai). The B-Class is fitted with a 1.6 liter 4-cylinder petrol engine that produces a maximum power of 122 hp at 5000 rpm and maximum torque of 200 Nm at 1250-4000 rpm. With a top speed of 190 kmph, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class can accelerate from 0-100 kmph in 10.2 seconds.

28/09/12

Nissan launches Evalia Nissan Motor India Private Ltd announced the arrival of its 7-seater Multi Utility Vehicle the ‘Evalia’ in India. A couple of weeks ago we had brought to you the in depth review of the Evalia and now its launch reiterates the fact that Nissan is wanting to target the MUV segment with private customers in mind.

28/09/12

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars brings Phantom Series II, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars announced the arrival of Phantom Series II to North India. Priced between Rs. 4.5 to 5.10 crore, Phantom Series II is said to offer the best of the best in luxury. Since Rolls-Royce was reintroduced to North India in 2009, Phantom quickly established itself as the pinnacle car to own. The rich legacy of the marquee – which was Rolls-Royce cars participating in the historic Delhi Darbar of 1911 and being the preserve of Numerous Maharajas – has resulted in the brand equally sought after today”, said Yadur Kapur, CEO for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars New Delhi.

28/09/12

Audi India opens new showroom. Audi increase its network to 25 dealerships across India by the end of 2012, Audi India has opened a new showroom in Navi Mumbai. This is the brand’s 20th dealership in the country and 4th in Maharashtra. Spread over a total area of 5100 sq. ft. the Audi Navi Mumbai showroom is located in the Raghuleela Mall in Vashi. Audi Navi Mumbai will also house an Audi Shop and Audi Exclusive elements, where customers can order customized products and purchase a variety of Audi branded merchandise.

28/09/12

Chennai: Ashok Leyland and Nissan to invest around Rs 2,500 crore for setting up a factory near this city to manufacture light commercial vehicles (LCVs). The company would produce 150,000 vehicles as part of the phase-I plan from their existing facilities in the state, till the new factory goes on stream. The project will spread across 380 acres at Sriperumbudur (40 km from Chennai). All necessary approvals have been given. The project will attract around Rs 2,500 crore over four-five years. The company also plans to export its products to other Asian markets. However, its focus would remain on the domestic market. The first product will be rolled out from Leyland's at Hosur and the second from Nissan's, being set up with French partner Renault, at Oragadam (45 km from Chennai). The third product will again be from Leyland's facility. Both partners will manufacture 5-7.5 tonne capacity LCVs, with different specifications which would cater to passenger, bus and goods carriers, said Palmer. Of the 150,000 vehicles, 60 per cent will be manufactured by Ashok Leyland and 40 per cent by Nissan. The new factory was originally to go on stream in 2011.

10/07/12

Chennai: The Indian unit of US based leading car maker Ford is planning to invest an amount to the tune of USD 72 million in its Chennai plant. With this investment, the company plans to take the total capacity of this plant to 330,000 units as compared to the existing capacity of 250,000 units. The expansion phase of the plant will be completed by mid-2012. When the expansion is finished, a third production shift will be added at the engine assembly plant, creating more than 300 new direct jobs.

10/07/12

Chennai: PSA Peugeot Citroen, the French automobile manufacturer, is likely to set up a Rs 4,000-crore manufacturing facility close to Chennai. The company is to establish a manufacturing unit with the capacity to produce three lakh cars annually to cater to the domestic and export markets. The Indian company will be a 100 per cent subsidiary of the French parent company, which is the sixth largest automobile company in the world and the second largest European automobile major. It has selected a site near Sriperumbudur, about 45 km to the west of Chennai. The company hopes to set up a 400-acre facility but the actual extent of land to be allocated is yet to be announced. Including the project by PSA Peugeot, annual production in the vicinity of Chennai is set to grow to more than 1.5 million units a year.

10/07/12

BMW has announced U.S. pricing information for the M5, M6 and 6-Series GranCoupe. First up, the M6 Convertible will start arriving at dealerships in June with a price tag of $113,995. It features a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine with 560 PS (412 kW / 552 hp) and 680 Nm (502 lb-ft) of torque. It enables the model to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 4.3 seconds and hit an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). Later this summer, it will be joined by the M5 sedan and M6 coupe. The latter two models will cost $90,695 and $106,995 - respectively. Both cars feature the aforementioned engine which allows them to run from 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and 4.2 seconds. If the M models are a little too pricey, you might want to check out the 6-Series GranCoupe. It will go on sale in June and cost $76,895 for the 640i variant which has a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with 320 PS (235 kW / 315 hp) and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque. If that isn't powerful enough, the $87,395 650i has a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 with 450 PS (330 kW / 443 hp) and 650 Nm (479 lb-ft) of torque. It can also be equipped with an all-wheel drive system for an extra $3,000.

10/07/12