The shift is here.

• All those who love the feel of a shifting gear can now rejoice.
• Skoda Superb, the car that took the entry level luxury segment by storm last year, has now introduced manual transmission too.
• Powered by an 1.8 TSI, a petrol engine and geared with a manual 6 speed transmission that offers enhanced drivability and complete control on the engine's performance.
• The Skoda Superb is priced at Rs 18,28,563.

Audi Q7.

• Audi Q7 by its sheer looks is not only the most striking but also the SUV that I love to own some day. The design of the vehicle is too excellent to be beaten by any one in the near future. 
• The Audi Q7 no doubt also has a good fuel efficiency of around 6km/hr. 
• Another noticeable feature is the centre row with a theatre style seating system and a chiller in the middle. Comfort wise, it is pretty good as I love travelling in groups and hate any kind of boundaries. It also has a third row which is generally missing in other cars.

Volkswagen Touareg.

• The one thing I have always appreciated in Volkswagen Touareg is its subtlety.
• Even though the car was quite understated in Indian markets, it does not lack anything feature wise. 
• We never notice an Audi or a BMW or a Nano passby. But if a Volkswagen Touareg passes by it gets immediately noticed. The reason is obvious. If you wish to buy a car costing Rs 50 Lakhs plus you surely wishes to get noticed. Isn't it so?
• The major problem I faced with Touareg was its cornering ability. Unlike the M320 or a Q7,its body roll was too prominent for a car of its class.
• Out of these 3 cars the Touareg is the last one I would wish to be in when caught in a traffic jam. as its proportion simply stands in the way of easy manoeuvring.
• As far as comfort is concerned there is no doubt that the Touareg stands on top of the chart. Further its body is quite strong that it can handle any road terrain how so ever rough and tough it may be.

Carpuccino; a vehicle that runs on coffee.

• Jem Stansfield, a BBC presenter will drive from London to Manchester to test an experimental car which runs on coffee.
• The experimental drive is for around 210 miles fueled by coffee.
• The car was built by Stansfield to show how the harnessing of alternative energy sources.
• The car made from scrap needs to be refuelled every 40 miles.
• The vehicle features a system converting the ground coffee into flammable gases which fuels the engine instead of petrol.
• With this invention Stansfield aims to encourage the young people to generate energy from waste products and new sources.
• So if you are a coffee drinker don't be surprised if you have to miss your favourite morning coffee as there is a possibiliy of a shortage of coffee on account of the coffee consumption by the vehicles.

Honda Jazz-the new select edition.

• The select edition of Honda Jazz has managed to capture the Indian markets on account of its quality inspite of the steep pricing.
• The select edition Honda Jazz continues to use the 1.2 Litre i-VTEC engine with a 5 speed manualgear box .
• The changes are purely cosmetic which consist of inclusion of addition of alloy wheels, rear parcel shelf and front and rear mud guards.
• With these extra features the select edition of Honda Jazz now costs Rs 7.21 lacs, ex showroom, Delhi.
• The select edition of Honda Jazz is a large car which is stylish, fuel efficient, safe and offers a great drive experience and has alxo set off a new segment in the Indian market.

Mercedes Benz M320 CDI

• The Mercedes Benz M320 CDI is not surely a car for the young at heart with an attitude of let's rip nad roll.
• No doubt, the Mercedes Benz M320 CDI has great looks. But the rear seats are not adfustable and quite uncomfortable for long drives. Then why at all one should go for a luxury SUV.
• Another annoying factor of the Mercedes Benz M320 CDI is the funky interiors which need to be jazzed up a hood.
• Inspite of the harsh bits, the Mercedes Benz M320 CDI is the fanciest of cars with the tristar on its foot with unmatcheable road presence.
• The diesel version of the Mercedes Benz M320 CDI has a very good fuel effiency of 11km per litre even in tough road conditions.
• The driving comfort is very good and the outside looks are too good to be compared with any other luxury cars. Only if the rear seats are bit comfortable we can forget everything else.

Tata Nano EV, the electric version of the world's cheapest car unveiled.

• Tata Motors, the manufacturer of the world's cheapest car Nano has unveiled the electric version of the car Tata Nano EV at the 80th Geneva Motor show.
• The Tata Nano EV will be a 4 seater electric car with a range of about 100 miles. This means that the Tata Nano EV can travel about 160 km in one charge. This will be the one best suited for daily office commuting.
• The Tata Nano EV can accelerate from 0 to 60 km/hr in 10 seconds.
• The Tata Nano EV will be powered by super polymer lithium ion batteries which are very efficient in energy retention and the density is also quite higher as compared to other conventional batteries.
• The Tata Nano EV is built in co-operation with Milojoebil Greenland, the Norwegian Electric Car specialist, in which Tata Motors has a majority stake.
• The Tata Nano EV is still in its concept stage and Tata Motors is planning to launch the commercial version in Europe in 2012.

Yamaha upgrades its R1 bike to maintain World Superbike title.

Yamaha launches its upgraded version of the 2010 Yamaha R1 bike with a view to maintain its World Super Bike Title. Yamaha has laundhed its new R1 bike with a basket of upgrades as specified below:

• The engine power increased by 8bhp.
• The overall bike weight reduced by 3kg.
• The new Yamaha R1 bike is entrirely made of carbon fibre for increased cooling capacity and reduced drag.
• The new narrow desugn allows for easier heat dispersal.

Mercedes Benz launches the GL 350 CDI and the S 500 l in India.

• The all new S 500 with a 5.5 litre V8 packs in 388 PS and gigantic 530 Nm of torque. It comes with a gadgets galore like the active cruise control, night vision camera adaptive high beam assist, lane keeping assist and the pre safe brake system linked to the proximity regulating radar, which intervenes autonomously before an impending rear end collision. The other highlights include the attention assist driver drowsiness monitor and active body control with automatic crosswind stabllization. On the exterior the most noticeable change is the addition of daytime LED running lights fitted fitted to the outer edge of the bi xenon lamp units. The rear end is also mounted with 52 distinctively arranged LEDs in the two tail lights.

• The much awaited GL classic has also been launched. The GL 350 CDI features blue blue efficiency technology. Under the hood the GL sports a 225 PS V6 with 500 Nm torque. The 7 seater GL is set take thefight straight to the Q7 and the porsehe cayenne. Priced at Rs 64.9 lakhs ex show room, Delhi. S 500 L has made its way in CKD form at Rs 95 lakhs ex show room, Delhi.
  

Harley Davidson brand motorcycles launched in India.

• The world's most iconic motorcycle brand Harley Davidson has finally entered the Indian territory with its elite range of motorcycles. The American bike maker has launched its products in India at the Auto Expo 2010, New Delhi. The company introduced 12 bikes starting from its street based Sportster series to its premium touring model, The Ultra Classic Electra Glide.The bookings for the Harley Davidson motorcycles will start from April 2010. 
• The bikes will be imported in CBU condition and sold through select Harley Davidson outlets in New Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hydrabad and Chandigarh. The deliveries will commence from June 2010 once the dealer networks start their operations.
• The company is also planning to provide good financial options to the buyers as the aim is to introduce the Harley Davidson brand in India. 
• The bikes will be competitively priced starting from 6.95 lakhs ex showroom, New Delhi.
  

Toyota showcases concept car Etios in Auto Expo 2010.

• Toyota's concept version of the Etios is near actual version of the production of this car.
• With the introduction of Etios, Toyota is entering for the first time into the competitive campact car segment.
• Apart from the hatchback version Toyota is also planning to roll out a sedan version of the Etios.
• The hatchback Etios will sport a 1200cc petrol engine and is likely to be priced around Rs 4.5 to 5 lakhs. Toyota is planning to roll out the car to the market in a year's time. 
• The hatchback Etios will be a rival to Hyundai 120, VW Polo and Maruti Swift and the sedan version of the Etios sporting a 1500cc petrol engine  will be a challenge  to the Honda City.

General Motors launched its small car Beat.

• General Motors has launched the Beat, its third small car in the Indian market.
• The Beat is competetively priced at Rs 3.5 lakhs ex showroom, Delhi.
• The Beat will provide a  stiff competition to Maruti Swift and Ritz and Hyundai 110.
• GM will offer a 1200cc petrol engine to begin with the launch of the Beat and will also offer a 1000cc diesel engine by the end of 2010.
• GM is looking at India as a market to revive its struggling operations.
• GM is also bullish that its new Chevrolet can be a real game changer.
  

Volkswagen to launch its compact car Polo in India.

• Volkswagen showcased in the Auto Expo 2010, tts polo compact, the first product of the company in the small car segment. 
• The Polo is likely to be launched wuthin three months in India with a price tag of Rs 4.5 to 5 lakhs.
• Volkswagen will produce the Polo at its factory near Pune and it shall belaunched with 1200cc petrol and diesel options. 
• Polo is likely to give a tough competition to Maruti Swift and Hyundai 120.
  

Toyota to launch the hybrid Prius car in India.

Image via Wikipedia

• Toyota the biggest car manufacturer of the world with good margins. The reason is they identify the needs of the customers well before other manufacturers do. Toyota is planning to launch the hybrid Prius car in India by January 2011. The hybrid Prius was launched in Japan somewhere around  May 2009 and is a great hit adding to the sales volume and margins of Toyota.
• The system basically involves a 1.5 litre 4 cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor to drive the front wheels. The car draws power from two sources of energy. 
• The Prius car also has another electric motor which only takes care of charging the batteries to enable long drives without worry of fuel shortage.
• The electric motor provides better torque with the same energy spent and is best suited for city slow moming traffic.
• At more criising speeds the petrol engine takes charge of the driving. The power from the engines is taken to the wheels through CVT technlogy that ensures smooth driving irrespective of the source from where power is drawn.
• The other progressive features of the Prius include keyless entry, touch screen display and steering and wheel cojtrols. The interiors of the car are sufficiently sci-fi to go with the "car of the future" appeal.
• The spce inside the car is quite different in the sense that it is designed keeping in mind the comvenience and comfort of the passengers. 
• With the rising cost of fuel in the market, no doubt fuel efficiency is of grear concern to the users. The aerodynamics used in  the Prius provides a combined fuel efficiency of 20km/litre.
• The petrol and the electric engine provide the Prius a 10bhp power to acheive the speed of 100km/hour from start in 10 seconds.
• Toyota is to commence the production of the Toyota Prius in India at its Bangalore plant from December 2010.