Maruti suzuki splash in 2008

                        Maruti  Suzuki Motor Corporation, the world leader in the compact car segment, introduces Splash, an all-new compact model aimed at building on the success of the loveable Swift. Following Swift, Grand Vitara and SX4, Splash is the fourth all new Suzuki model within just three years, and it epitomises Suzuki’s ‘Way of Life!’ philosophy, underpinning its strategy of building cars that excite customers all over the world.

Splash for Europe will be built in Esztergom, Hungary, by Magyar Suzuki Corporation, a Suzuki subsidiary that already builds Swift, SX4 and Ignis. Suzuki will also be manufacturing the second generation Agila for Opel/Vauxhall at this plant. With identical engineering, the main visual differences between Splash and Agila include different styling at front (bonnet, wings, headlamps and bumper) and rear (tailgate, tail lights and bumper). 

Suzuki is targeting annual sales of approximately 60,000 units throughout Europe. Opened in 1992, the Esztergom factory has produced over one million Suzukis to date. 

Splash cannot be considered to be the successor of the Wagon R+, the enlarged version of the Wagon R which in 1993 was originally developed for the Japanese market, and later also introduced in Europe. “Based on completely different criteria, Splash’s design is mainly tailored to the requirements of European customers,” explains Toshihiro Suzuki, the project’s Chief Engineer. Splash comes with attractive styling, compact dimensions, responsive handling, very good build quality and a high degree of environmental compatibility.

While the focus of Phase One of Suzuki’s “World-Strategy” was on sportiness, Splash is the first model in Phase Two which will focus on young families as its main target group. Apart from fresh and sporty styling, young couples with and without children attach great importance to attributes such as spaciousness, flexibility and economy. 

Rather than a purely functional box shape, the designers have endeavoured to provide Splash with styling that lives up to its name, epitomising youthfulness, freshness and zesty, energetic performance.

Styling and the design philosophy

The styling team for Splash was headed by Akira Kamio (44), who also played a big part in the styling of Swift. As early as 2003, he began to analyse the necessary characteristics for a future European mini-MPV. 

It soon became clear that whilst it should not look like a shrunken version of a full-sized MPV this car must keep all of its advantages: the high seating position and resulting good all-round visibility, the pleasant feeling of space and great flexibility allowing the rear compartment to be easily turned into a substantial stowage space.

In order to get up-to-date information, a group of 10 Suzuki designers from Japan travelled to Germany in January, 2004 to spend a period of six months there. They analysed European trends in cars, fashion, lifestyle and design. 

Out of their impressions and findings, they finally distilled three models, which, in so called ‘car clinics’, were then presented to audiences of owners of compact cars and small MPVs. In the end, these audiences favoured the model offering the optimum combination of dynamic sportiness with youthful styling, implying a positive attitude to life and maximum suitability for everyday and recreational use. 

At the Paris Motor Show in late September 2006, Suzuki presented ‘Project Splash’, a concept car showcasing a taste of the styling of the future production-version Splash. The extremely positive response of the audience confirmed to Akira Kamio and his team that they had taken the right path for Splash. One thing is certain: Splash will be a major player in the mini-MPV segment. While ideally suited to tight parking conditions, the 3.72 m-long car nevertheless offers sufficient space for up to five occupants plus plenty of sports and leisure equipment.

Apart from attractive styling, a cute minicar also requires the best engineering. This includes safe and precise handling, outstanding ride comfort, a high degree of environmental compatibility, and optimum passive and active safety. Hence Splash uses a 30 mm shorter wheelbase version of the Swift’s platform, Suzuki’s current best seller. 

The chassis, steering and brakes were adapted to the new parameters in extensive tests, which included tens of thousands of miles of testing over various types of European roads, from English cobblestones, through twisty southern Spanish tracks to fast German autobahns.

Choice of three engines

Splash will make its debut at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in September, with sales commencing in Spring, 2008. Customers will have the choice of three engines – two petrol and a diesel. The petrol units are 100% Suzuki designs, a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder unit producing 65 PS (48 kW) and a 1.2-litre 4-cylinder engine developing 86 PS (63 kW). Both are of advanced four-valve-per-cylinder design, offering a sophisticated combination of smoothness, low-end torque and fuel efficiency.

Diesel fans can choose the 1.3-litre common-rail direct injection engine available with a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter). Producing 75 PS (55 kW), this 4-cylinder unit is manufactured by Suzuki at its new diesel engine plant in India under licence from Fiat Group Automobiles. 

All three engines are combined with a 5-speed manual gearbox. The 86 PS petrol version can also be ordered with a 4-speed automatic transmission. Given the stricter standards now being demanded with respect to environmental compatibility, all engines are Euro4-compliant, with CO2 emissions between 120 and 140 g/km in combination with manual transmissions.

Safety

Suzuki has paid great attention to safety measures in the design of Splash. Active safety features include ABS, brake assist, electronic brake-force distribution and ESP. Passive safety features include six airbags (dual front side and curtain airbags), a crash-optimised, rigid passenger cell, plus seatbelt-force limiters and seatbelt pretensioners for the front seats. For enhanced pedestrian protection the front end of Splash is fitted with energy-absorbing structures carscoop.

Expect in 2008 in India

We can expect this car to be launched in india by this year end.

The engineering shows a judicious use of space. For example, the rear seats of the Splash can be folded back to make a flat load floor and a compartment below for storage. Cute and affordable, the Splash is very likely to make a huge splash in the Indian market.

Honda FCX at Newdelhi Auto expo-2008

                It’s the name Honda has given its production fuel cell car, and it’s a name you’ll want to remember. After years of having fuel cell prototypes in the hands of fleets and even paying customers, Honda makes good on its commitment to a hydrogen future. The 2008 NewDelhi Auto Show was the venue for the introduction of the FCX , an Accord-sized sedan with styling based on the FCX Concept from a few years ago that promises to “enable levels of performance room, comfort and dynamic styling previous unattainable in a fuel cell car.”

Why it Matters

Notice the price of gas lately? Sure, hydrogen isn’t cheaper – yet – but some day those oil wells will be sucking air, and so will 99.99999 percent of cars on the road today. Hydrogen is abundant, but difficult to get at. It’s no news that hydrogen holds great promise for the future as a fuel. But exactly what the future might look like was a mystery until this morning, when Honda’s FCX  was unveiled. As it turns out, it looks good, and promises to be good for those who can get one.

What’s Under the Hood

The V Flow fuel cell powering the FCX features several advances over the one in the smaller FCX prototype that you may have seen before, the one that looks a little like an old Civic. It will be the first production car to feature lithium ion batteries, which gives it a pack that’s 50 percent smaller and 40 percent lighter than the one in the prototype. The overall powertrain, including the fuel cell and electric motor, is 40 percent smaller, putting it roughly the size of a hybrid powertrain. The output is impressive: 100 kw (that’s 134 horsepower to you and me) and a 270 mile range on a tank of fuel. It’s the equivalent of 68 mpg.

What it Looks Like

The FCX  looks a lot like the Concept that Honda debuted two years ago at the Tokyo Motor Show. Obvious concessions have been made to production of course, but overall it’s a clean, sharp looking sedan that falls somewhere between the Civic and the Accord on the Honda styling tree. But while somewhat futuristic, it’s also conventional enough that it won’t scare off buyers who don’t want to feel like George Jetson. The fuel cell components are distributed evenly through the car for better weight distribution.

What’s Inside

The interior is a departure for Honda. Rather than the usual conservative lines, the FCX features a “floating” dash and center stack, which seem at first to be disconnected from the car. It’s a cool effect. Dig deeper though and the control layout is quite conventional, and any Honda driver will likely feel right at home behind the wheel. Because customers will be paying $600 per month on a lease, it’s also more luxurious than a conventional Honda, with rich materials and upscale features. The interior materials deserve special mention: Like the rest of the FCX, they have been designed with the environment in mind, using Honda Bio-Fabric, a plant based material that offers carbon dioxide reductions in production.

What Honda Says

As you can imagine, Honda has a lot to say. According to Tetsuo Iwamura, American Honda president and CEO, “The FCX  is a shining symbol of the progress we’ve made with fuel cell vehicles and of our belief in the promise of this technology. Step by step, with continuous effort, commitment and focus, we are working to overcome obstacles to the mass-market potential of zero-emissions hydrogen fuel cell automobiles.” Honda also notes that the FCX  will be available for $600 per month three-year leases in Southern California, where there are three hydrogen refueling stations available. It will also cover collision insurance and maintenance for the life of the lease.

What We Think

Honda one upped everyone else with the promise of a production fuel-cell car, and by making good on that promise, it may even out-green Toyota in the near future. There are obstacles of course: you can’t just run down to the corner gas station and get hydrogen, you can’t go as far as you can on a tank of fuel as you can in a regular car, and who knows what sort of maintenance problems there may be. Still, this is a promising car, and seeing it is as close as we’ll probably get to a crystal ball view of the future.

FCX's concept

At the 2006 Detroit Auto Show, Honda announced that it would make a production version of the concept FCX it had shown at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show. On 25 September 2006 this new version was unveiled. The updated four-door sedan version looks much sleeker and more futuristic, and has a high focus on comfort and interior space. It has a much more spacious interior with a mixture of plastic, wood and leather.[6] Production is expected to begin in 2008 in Japan and the U.S.[7] The production version will closely resemble the concept, although it is unknown if some of the concept's more radical features, such as a tilting instrument panel, will be included.

According to Honda, the new fuel-cell stack is 20% smaller, 30% lighter and has a higher output of 100 kW (129 hp). The new powerplant is 180 kg lighter, 40% smaller in volume and has a high energy efficiency of 60%, compared with 20% for most internal combustion engines, 30% for most hybrid powerplants and 50% for the previous generation FCX.[8]

The new powerplant utilizes three electric motors: one front-drive motor with an output of up to 80 kW, this motor's shaft is coaxial with the gearbox for a more compact front-end, and two smaller motors with a maximum output of 25 kW driving one of the rear wheels each. This layout makes the FCX technically an all-wheel-drive vehicle. The updated FCX has a maximum speed of 160 km/h (100 mph).

The new FCX utilizes several interesting new features. The new V Flow fuel cell stack can operate at temperatures as low as −30 °C. This is achieved by allowing the gas to flow vertically in the fuel cell stack. The tanks can store up to 5 kg (171 litres) of hydrogen at a pressure of 350 atmospheres, thanks to the new hydrogen absorption materials used. This allows a longer range of up to 350 miles (570 km).

To support the hydrogen fuel-cell technology, Honda also introduced the Home Energy Station (HES). This home solution can convert natural gas to electricity, heat and hydrogen to refuel fuel-cell vehicles. This allows consumers to refuel vehicles with hydrogen at home, important until hydrogen stations become widespread. Alternatively, the hydrogen can be used in the HES's built-in hydrogen fuel cell, providing up to 5 kW of normal or backup electricity and/or hot water for the home. According to Honda, this solution is highly efficient and reduces running costs of electricity, gas and vehicle fuel by up to 50%.
         

Dilip chhabria's DC: S

Dilip Chhabria's firm DC Designs has launched the DC S sports car under it's own brand at the Auto Expo 2008. The DC S is an inhouse design and has a 3 litre V6 twin turbo engine which belts out a stomping 440 bhp @ 6100 rpm. This power lends the DC S with a a high power to weight ratio which enables it to accelerate to 100 kmph in 3.7 seconds and hit a top whack of 300+ kmph. DC's design expertise is world renowed and he has been involved in designing prototypes for the likes of Aston Martin etc and has also been making body kits which are retailed in the domestic Indian market. According to Chhabria the newly designed 'S' sports car will bear the DNA of a Ferrari or Lamborghini with similar supercar performance. From its looks it certainly plays the part.

All this at what price, only Rs. 25 lakh, that's make it one of the cheapest super cars in the world. The low price is not entirely a good thing as certain areas of the DC-S have been neglected. Note in the picture of the interiors the under dash area and the pedals appear crude and utilitarian, not fit for a car like the DC-S. Also the bonnet release lever looks like it has been taken from the Maruti 800. Lets hope DC fixes these odd issues in an otherwise great looking car. Only 200 cars would be made annually, each customized for the owner. Service centres are being set up in select metros for after sale service of these affordable sports cars.

DC will homologate the product and launch it in the domestic and certain overseas markets investing Rs 60 crore into the venture. The company plans to source critical parts like engines, transmission, suspension and the brake system from various global manufacturers but will develop the chassis, body frame and lighting indigenously along with the cars design. DC hopes that there would be a substantial latent demand for such a product and at this price making the 'S' a success and enabling DC to enter into the niche car business under its own brand.

Dilip Chhabria's Dc: Ambierod

An investment of a lifetime know-how, a desire to be a class apart, a philosophy that causes disruption, a statement that will set the precedent for the industry to follow…. That’s Dilip Chhabria’s Luxury Car Ambierod … a dream truly personified, and an Indian designer to create history in the world of car design, with several firsts to his credit.

Driven by his passion to build something unique that will redefine Luxury, India’s ace car designer Dilip Chhabria (popularly known as DC) will soon bring to the world Ambierod. The Ambierod will be unveiled at the 9th Auto Expo in New Delhi. Infact, Ambierod’s unveiling will be a big-ticket aspect that Auto Expo would have ever witnessed.

Ambierod is sure to create history. It’s a perfect confluence of Luxury, Technology and of course drop-dead gorgeous Looks. There has never been a car designed so evocatively and is totally futuristic and perhaps exceeds the best in the world.

Ambierod is an intelligent, retro futuristic car that has been designed from the iconic Ambassdor. Its bound to create a Disruption and a flutter in the market place and will change the way the cars are perceived to be designed… Ambierod’s unveiling will be a defining moment in the Indian Automobile Industry. It has the design and development input of 50,000 Man Hours. DC’s obsessive & overwhelming passion for designing cars makes him do it.
“In keeping with the brawn and brain design philosophy of the car, it was only fitting that someone like Sanjay Dutt unveils the car at the Auto Expo on 10th January at 4pm”, smiles Dilip Chhabria.

Ambierod - Key Features

DC’s philosophy of creating designs that strikes an emotional chord are apparent in the car. The car has been designed using the advanced digital mapping process, which ensures a class leading accuracy and quality of fidelity. While having an Indian identity of an Ambassador, the looks are a takeoff and inspired by the American Hotrods and beyond. On the outside, pure nostalgia. On the inside, pure luxury.

1. It’s a real world car with .85mm steel body in white, with hydro pneumatic suspension and 3-seat configuration.
2. Large powered Gull Wing doors, 22-inch wheels, all lend an immensely masculine visage coupled to a V-12 engine.
3. Ambierod has interiors like that of a first class Jet Liner.
4. The IP (Instrument Panel) has an advanced ‘carputer’, which automates the driving functions using satellite navigation system.
5. Ambierod has 3 LCD TV screens, varying from 10 inches to 19 inches, and has the facility of internet mobility and videoconferencing. Music and movies can be had on demand. There are live engine sensors, which updates on the engine rpm, fuel capacity, efficiency etc.

The car has a leg space of 4 feet that gives a wide room feeling. Infact, the rear seat is king sized that can be converted into A 180 degrees LUXURY BED, like in a 1st class of a Jet Airplane. The car has a rear vision door camera and Xenon and Led lighting and Mood Lighting.
Many of the above features are also first in the world!

All in all, it is a luxury car, which combines shocking looks from outside, with European luxury within, and a car, which in many ways, surpasses the best in the world.

Dilip Chhabria also plans to start the DC College of Designs in August 2009 on the outskirts of Pune.

The luxury segment is the fastest-growing category in India with a growth rate of 26% in 2007. Chhabria has been quoted in a report saying that the custom-design vehicle market is experiencing a boom with Indian customers ready to spend about Rs.4-Rs.6 million ($100,000-150,000) for a custom-designed car, while customers abroad are willing to pay more than Rs.10 to Rs.20 million ($254,000-500,000).

About Dilip Chhabria:

Dilip Chhabria is today one of the most celebrated automobile designers in India and has his fan following across the globe. He has to his acclaim a distinction of designing 600 unique cars in 14 years a world record by any standards. His design studio DC Designs in Pune is the country’s most advanced design studio and currently employs 350 engineers and technicians.

yamaha Fz 150cc in India

Yamaha which plans to make a comeback this year has introduced four new models at the Auto Expo. With this Yamaha has unleashed its strategic intent to offer product line that demonstarates the global yamaha image and live up to the true Yamaha DNA i.e. performance,innovation and design. FZ 150cc is inspired from FZ1000cc bike. FzZ 150cc bike is expected to be released in India by dec-08. Also unlike the YZF R15, FZ 150 will have only an air cooled engine but that means it is friendly to your wallet. Is yamaha india is back to its roots what it is known for? Catch the interview with Mr.Sam Head, Marketing and Sales.

But my lethargy was due to the fact that I wanted to cover those bikes first, which are production ready. The memory of the Yamaha Gladiator 150-165 cc "Prototype" is still fresh in my mind. The Gladiator 150-165 cc "Prototype" was another concept which was shown in Auto Expo 2006 but sadly never saw the light of the day. The other Yamaha product shown at the Auto Expo 2008, the YZF-R15 seems almost production ready and therefore I chose to cover that before the FZ-150.

The only change that Yamaha India needs to make in the FZ-150 is change the rear tyres from the impossibly fat (for a 150 cc) to normal ones for a 150 cc bike..
The FZ-150 "Prototype" shown in the Auto Expo 2008 has a 150 cc engine, carburettor (instead of fuel injection), fat rear tyres (about as big as Pulsar 200/220 rear tyres), air cooled engine (not liquid cooled like the YZF-R15), 5 speed gearbox (insted of a 6 speed one on the YZF-R15) and also the FZ-150 doesn't have the "delta" frame of the YZF-R15.

In November, Yamaha will launch the naked FZ, which uses an air-cooled engine, and lots of styling elements from the international FZ range (naked bikes from Yamaha). The engine, once again, is a 150cc unit, but torque rather than top-end glory is the aim here. So expect an effortless, likeable machine. Once more, the small bits are of a very high quality, high enough to make the RTR 160 look a bit under-designed. This one should be a more normal price, say Rs 65,000 on-road. Both FZ and the YZF-R15 have monoshocks, mind you.

Maybe the only change that Yamaha India needs to make in the FZ-150 is change the rear tyres from the impossibly fat (for a 150 cc) to the ones found on the Pulsar 150's and the Apache's. Apart from the tyre change the looks of the FZ-150 should be left untouched.The FZ-150 would look stunning even without that leggie "firangi" model on it.

I don't see a reason as to why Yamaha India shouldn't launch it. The FZ-150 easily will easily overshadow the Pulsar, Apache RTR, CBZ Xtreme or the Hunk in the looks department.And if performance if the name of the game, then the YZF-R15 should take care of it.On inquiring about when can we expect the FZ 150 to appear in the market, the Yamaha Officials at the Auto Expo said that they had no clue.

I just hope that the FZ-150 isn't just a "Prototype" but a mass production model to compete with the Pulsar 150, Apache RTR 150, CBZ X's and the Hunks.. and leave the YZF-R15 to take the niche position as the 150 cc performance king

yamaha YZF-R15 150cc bike in India

“A bike which can beat any production bike in India from any stable ,in a quarter mile, in a straight line, at the corners and in traffic” - The Yamaha YZF R15. This bike has been displayed at auto expo 2008 in Newdelhi.

Yamaha YZF R15 is a india specific bike hosting an 150cc engine which was designed for just one thing - Performance! A bike which can be said as the fastest in Indian Bikes. Although the engine details are secret YZF R15 have several first-in-Indian-bike features.

Packed full of state-of-the-art technologies, the new YZF-R15 boasts performance worthy of a supersport model and a body design that evokes the image of the YZF-R series and gives visual expression to the quality of its ride. It is truly an embodiment of Yamaha’s desire to bring customers a model to help them “Enjoy riding”.

The new YZF-R15 makes full use of the MotoGP race experience and YZF-R series supersport bike development technology and know-how acquired by Yamaha Motor over the years to create a 150cc supersport bike that offers users to truly “Enjoy riding” in a full range of situations, from around-town riding to touring on winding roads and even aggressive riding on the circuit.

Yamaha YZF R 15 is the first model for the Indian market designed in the true supersport image and featuring a high-level balance of enjoyable running performance on winding roads, enjoyable performance and riding comfort with a tandem passenger and agile handling through crowded city traffic. The body has been designed to show at a glance that this is a “R series bike” and to give visual expression to technology feedback from the 10 years of YZF-R series development since the series debut in 1998. In this way, it is a direct expression of Yamaha’s motorcycle development ideal of “Exciting Performance & Stylish Design” in the 150cc class.

YZF-R15 will be launched by middle of this year . Acknowledging the fact that Yamaha was not a very competitive player in the Indian market, the newly appointed chief executive officer and managing director, Tsutomu Mabuchi, said, “We are not strong and competitive player. We want to strengthen our presence here with the support from Yamaha (Japan).” “We plan to strengthen our dealership network,” he added. The company plans to take its dealership network from existing 375 to 500 in 18-24 months from now. It also plans to open 10 direct shops,owned and run by the company,in the next one year to come at New Delhi, Mumbai, among others.

It is based on totally race technology with which MotoGP bikes runs, technology with which R1 is built. It is India’s first 150cc 4 valve engine. It is India’s first Bike with forged pistons. It is India’s first Bike with a Diasil Cylinder. It is India’s first Bike with the Deltabox frame, again based on the R1. And it is India’s first Bike with a 6speed gear box.It is Fuel Injected and will hit the market in June 2008 .The rear tyres though are only a mere 100, MRF uses imported Soft compound to give it better grip than similar sized tyres.We can expect a prize of INR 80000/- for a beast like this. Never care for the CC. I hope it will have 20+ bhp and a top speed somewhere near 140kmph. I repeat , I HOPE!

Main Features

(1) A newly developed 150cc liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, single-cylinder fuel-injected engine

(2) An all-aluminum “DiASil Cylinder” produced by an exclusive Yamaha casting technology

(3) Eco-friendly performance that clears the next-phase Bharat 4 emissions standard(4) The “Deltabox frame” known for excellent rigidity balance

(5) Impressive “2-eye” multi-reflector headlight design in the YZF-R series image

Specifications for YZF-R15

Engine: 150cc,four-valve SOHC,Liquid cooled

Power: 22 bhp (guesstimate)

Gearbox: 6-speed (NC)

Fuelling: Six-hole injectors

FIFrame: [Steel] Twin-spar frame

Fuel tank: 12 litre

Length: 1995 mm

Width: 670 mm

Height: 1070 mm

Wheelbase: 1290 mm

Ground Clearance: 160 mm

Tyres: 80/90-17 (f), 100/80-17 (r) tubeless

Brakes: Front and rear disc

Cost: Rs.80,000-90,000.

maruti Suzuki A-star concept

India is an important market for Suzuki which outsold Japan in the first half of 2007. Recently Suzuki hinted its desire to holding the 50% market share in indian passenger car industry for eternal. It seems that suzuki is trying hard to make this true. “Our next world car will be made in India,” Chairman Osamu Suzuki told in New Delhi today(October 11th). After swift, Maruti has worked closely with Suzuki Motors to build a car, called as A-star, this hatchback will be the fifth global car for Suzuki but first to be produced in India. Swift sedan, splash hatchback and the new car A-Star will be the part of Maruti Suzuki’s ongoing efforts to protect its market share in India, which stood at 54 percent in 2006.

Maruti Suzuki’s A-star concept will be debuted at the forthcoming Delhi Auto expo and then it will be showcased in rest of international shows. For european market, A-star would be the Suzuki’s new Alto which is scheduled to debut at Geneva Motor show in March. For the first time, Maruti engineers in India have contributed to one of the Suzuki’s global project right from its inception.The production model that inherits some of the design themes of the Concept A-Star will be manufactured at Maruti Suzuki India’s plant. Like the already-launched Suzuki world strategic models(swift, SX4, new vitara and splash. ), it will prove that sporty and exciting performance can be enjoyed together with outstanding fuel economy.

It has almost become a rule for modern hatchbacks to feature low slung grille, A-star complies to that. Number plate will sit on the broad strip. Large front bumper and spruced up fenders gives a sporty chracter to this hatchback. The eye shaped headlamps is clearly a ‘wow’ factor. The size and front of A-star remind us the old Chevrolet Matiz, albeit with a more muscular and sporting than its competitors, at least in prototype. It seems Maruti suzuki is responding to the customer’s voice, unlike the swift the rear passenger will have more visibility. A-star’s large rear windscreen will facilate it. The only sorepoint in the concept, is the position of suzuki’s badge, could have been postioned better.

A-star will have a newly developed euro 5-compliant 1.0-litre aluminium petrol engine with CO2 emissions lower than those of European competitors (lower than 109g/km). The engine and the manual transmission for the A-star will be manufactured by Suzuki Powertrain India. Suzuki would consider making a version with a small diesel engine from its powertrain unit in India.

A-star, a five door hatchback woould fit into the A - segment (currently alto is the market leader of this segment). A-star is expected to be priced around the 3 lakh range($7500). Are u lured by A-star’s proportion & its dynamic lines and interested in getting one? if numbers are to be believed you dream of booking a A-star won’t be easy, it might be one of the toughest you have ever come across. Maruti will sell only 50000 A-star a year (atleast initially) though it will produce 2lakh A-star’s a year. The number of Swift being sold by maruti suzuki every month is in the range of 6000 to 7,000 units . Production of A-star will begin by october 2008. Regarding the launch, Maruti Suzuki will export the A-star first to Europe (from December 2008) and later it will be launched in india. Apart from the A-star, Suzuki will also produce a new platform(Model N) in India in alliance with Maruti.

Mitsubishi I-Miev an electric car

If there is any question about whether or not Mitsubishi is serious about the battery electric car, of course. Of all the vehicles that have been adapted from a conventional gasoline vehicle, the "i" MiEV is perhaps the closest to being not only a practical substitute for a family-sized electric runabout but also one of the neatest integrations of electric car technology I've seen. This vehicle is displayed at Auto expo 2008 in newdelhi.

Where the "i" normally would have a 660cc turbocharged gasoline engine and fuel tank, the MiEV instead sports a 47 kw permanent magnet synchronous electric motor mounted in the rear, above which is positioned the controller. Buried neatly into the belly pan of the vehicle is a lithium-ion battery pack consisting of 22 large format modules developed by GS Yuasa Corporation in Japan. The 330-volt system has an energy capacity is 16kWh, which is the same capacity as GM is planning for its own 4-passenger, range-extended electric Volt concept car. But where the i MiEV has a projected electric driving range of 100 miles (160km), the Volt's target EV-only mode is 40 miles, with a flexible fuel engine reserve of some 580 additional miles.

The i MiEV is no acceleration sluggard, either. It's electric motor provides 180Nm of torque. Acceleration is 31% quicker and its noise level is some 5db quieter than the typical gasoline minicar. Seating four, it weighs 1,080kg (2380 lbs) and has a top speed of 130km/h (80 mph). Using the Japanese 10-15 mode driving cycle and the country's current grid power mix, which is heavily reliant on nuclear power, the MiEV demonstrates a whopping 72% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to the gasoline "i".

In terms of operating costs, Mitsubishi estimates that using off-peak power at night means it will cost 1/9th the cost of fuel for the gasoline model; and even using daytime power rates, it is still one-third the cost of its petroleum-dependent sibling.

The car can be recharged using normal household current at 100 volts (taking approximately 14 hours to recharge), 200 volts (7 hr recharge time) and 3-phase 200 volt. In the latter case, it would take only 30 minutes to recharge the vehicle to 80 percent SOC (state-of-charge) using a Quick-charge system. The charger is built into the vehicle, the 100 volt female plug on the right rear, the 200 volt receptacle on the left rear (see photo below).

Mitsubishi has joint research programs evaluating the everyday practicality and quick-charge compatibility of these carswith three electric utilities in Japan: Tokyo Electric Power, Chugoku Electric Power and Kiyushu Electric Power. The company hopes that it can expand the number of vehicles in operation in Japan to as many as 30 in 2008. Assuming these tests are successful, Mitsubishi hopes to begin mass manufacture of the MiEV initially for the Japanese market in 2009. The company is also looking at offering the vehicle in England.

Cadillac CTS at Auto expo 2008 in Newdelhi

You're looking at the single most important car Cadillac Which is displyed at auto expo 2008. The new 2008 CTS will prove once and for all whether GM's luxury division can truly deliver on the promise of its radical "Art & Science" styling revolution and run wheel to wheel with the likes of Audi, BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz. There's a lot at stake for GM with this car: prestige, credibility, and the corporation's reborn faith in the primacy of product.

2008 Cadillac CTS

POWERTRAIN/CHASSIS

Drivetrain layout: Front engine, RWD
Engine type: 60 V-6 alum block/heads
Valvetrain: DOHC, 4 valves/cyl
Displacement: 217.5 cu in/3564 cc
Compression ratio: 11.3:1
Power (SAE NET): 304 hp @ 6300 rpm
Torque (SAE NET): 273 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm
Redline: 7000 rpm
Weight to power: 13.0 lb/hp
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Axle/final: 3.42:1/2.29:1
Steering ratio: 16.1:1
Turns lock-to-lock: 2.8 Brakes, f;r13.6-in vented disc; 13.4-in vented disc, ABS
Wheels: 8.5 x 18 in, cast aluminum
Tires: 235/50ZR18 97Y Michelin Pilot Sport PS2

DIMENSIONS

Wheelbase: 113.4 in Track, f/r 61.8/62.0 in
Length x width x height: 191.6 x 72.5 x 58.0 in
Turning circle: 56.2 ft
Curb weight: 3960 lb
Weight dist, f/r: 53/47%
Seating capacity: 5
Headroom, f/r: 38.8/37.2 in
Legroom, f/r: 42.4/35.9 in
Shoulder room, f/r: 56.7/57.4 in
Cargo volume: 13.5 cu ft

TEST DATA

Acceleration to mph
0-30: 2.2 sec
0-40: 3.3
0-50: 4.8
0-60: 6.3
0-70: 8.3
0-80: 10.7
0-90: 13.3
Passing, 45-65 mph: 3.1
Quarter mile: 14.8 sec @ 95.4 mph
Braking, 60-0 mph 109 ft
Lateral acceleration: 0.89 g avg
MT figure eight: 26.4 sec @ 0.66 g avg
Top-gear revs @ 60 mph 1900 rpm
Stability/traction control: Yes/yes
Airbags: Dual front, front side, f/r curtain
Fuel capacity:18.1 gal .

The CTS will initially be offered with three engines: a 210-horse, 2.8-liter V-6; a 258-horse, 3.6-liter V-6; and a 304-horse, 3.6-liter V-6 with direct injection. All three V-6s are versions of GM's all-aluminum, quad cam, 24-valve "high-feature" engine and come with state-of-the-art goodies such as a forged-steel crank and variable valve timing. The 2.8 is an export-only engine, destined for China, Europe, the Middle East, and any other markets where engines over 3.0 liters attract higher taxes. The 258-horse 3.6 is essentially a carryover from the current CTS. The big news is the new direct-injection-DI-version.

The new CTS deserves a creamy BMW six under the hood. Yes, it's that good. It has great road presence, thanks to designer John Manoogian's dramatically chiseled exterior, and the interior looks upscale without the cheesiness Detroit once specialized in. Fit and finish, inside and out, looked good on the early build cars we drove in Germany, though some hard plastics and visible parting lines (the thin strips of raised plastic you get where the pieces of the die join) were still evident. And though it rolls on the same wheelbase as the previous CTS, interior packaging is much improved: Thinner backrests on the front seats liberate about two inches of knee room for rear seat passengers.


More important, the CTS drives like a proper BMW rival. It's light and agile on its feet, with quick steering response yet impressive straight-line stability at speed, and a StabiliTrak system that's beautifully tuned to be almost unobtrusive in its interventions. The sporty FE3 suspension with the Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires is probably a bit too firm for most people-the ride can get jittery over broken pavement-but if you value handling above all else, that's the one to go for. The midlevel FE2 setup, which comes with the 18-inch-wheel package and all-season Michelin MXV4 tires, is probably the best compromise for most people, offering a good balance between ride and handling.

New CTS in detail: The key stuff you need to know

Chassis tunes:

FE1. Available with RWD or AWD, and PFI engine only. Bilstein shocks; 24mm front, 18mm rear stabilizer bars (33mm front and 19mm rear on AWD); open diff(s); 17.4:1 steering ratio. 8.0 x 17-inch alloy wheels with 235/55R17 Michelin MXV4 all-season tires standard.
FE2. Available with RWD or AWD, and PFI or DI engine. Same spring rate as FE1, but stiffer-rate Bilstein shocks. 29mm front, 20mm rear stabilizer bars; faster16.1:1 steering ratio; limited slip diff(s). Larger, wider 8.5 x 18-inch alloy wheels with 235/50R18 Michelin MXV4 all-season tires. RWD gets FE1 brake package (12.4-in front rotors with aluminum calipers); AWD gets larger diameter FE3 brakes. FE3. RWD and DI engine only. Same steering, springs and bars as FE2, but uprated shocks (Bilstein front and Sachs Nivomat load leveling at the rear). Wheels are same as FE2, but standard tire is 235/50R18 Michelin Pilot Sport 2, and standard brake package includes 13.6-in front rotors with cast iron calipers.

Interior:

Three colorways: all black; black with gray; and cashmere with dark cocoa. All available with faux carbon fiber or real Sapele wood accents.

Standard equipment:

Leather-wrapped steering wheel with manual tilt and reach adjustment; eight way power seats; Bose eight speaker AM/FM/single CD/MP3 system.

Coolest options:

Pop-up hard disk sat/nav with real-time weather and traffic info; 300-watt, 10-speaker Bose 5.1 sound system that comes with a 40-gig hard drive that allows pause and rewind of up to one hour of live radio and can store tracks off your favorite CDs. Your iPod can be plugged in and operated via the car's controls.The enthusiasts' choice: DI manual FE3 rear-drive-fast and fun to drive. The all-arounder: DI automatic all-wheel-drive FE2-much of the extra 200-plus pounds burdens the front axle, numbing the steering a little, but you get great all-weather stability and grip.

15 Things You Must Know About The New Cadillac CTS

1. Grille was inspired by the extravagant Cadillac Sixteen concept unveiled at the 2003 Detroit show.
2. Optional high-intensity discharge Xenon headlights are computer controlled to turn with steering-wheel input.
3. Hood is aluminum to reduce weight and features sealing techniques normally used on doors for greater noise and vibration control.
4.Two 3.6-liter engines for the U.S: new 300-horse direct-injection model and carryover 258-horse version. Some export markets will get 210-horse, 2.8-liter.
5.Direct injection delivers 15-percent increase in horsepower, eight-percent increase in torque, and 25-percent reduction in cold-start hydrocarbon emissions.
6. Front fender vent is die-cast metal, not plastic. Achieving the complex form of fender at the base of the A-pillar was a major challenge for GM body engineers.
7. Sat/nav screen telescopes up out of center stack. When not in use (shown here) top portion of screen displays non-nav information.
8. 300-watt, 10 speaker Bose 5.1 Cabin Surround audio available. 40-gigabyte hard-drive music storage system with USB port for MP3 player is standard.
9. Roof panel is laser-brazed to the cant rails to ensure a smooth, uninterrupted surface. Double sunroof gives front and rear-seat passengers a sky view.
10. Intersection of sharp rear fender crease and base of the C-pillar is another design cue from the Cadillac Sixteen concept.
11. Vertical LED "light pipes" front and rear are designed to give the CTS a unique visual signature at night.
12. Perforated material inside tailpipes increases resonance and counters high-frequency noise. Dual exhaust outlets are 3.0-inch diameter.
13. 113.4-inch wheelbase is same as current CTS. Track is 2.0 inches wider front and rear; overall length is up 0.1 inch, and height up 0.7 inch.
14. Six-speed transmissions only. New Hydra-Matic 6L50 automatic gets steering wheel shift control; Aisin manual gets new short-throw shifter.
15. All-wheel drive available for first time on CTS. 18-inch wheels come with performance suspension package and premium brakes.

Auto expo 08

The Indian automotive industry is gearing up to stamp its authority on the international arena with the Auto Expo that will witness four global launches of new cars, including the much-touted Tata's Rs one-lakh car.

With around 2,000 participants and 1,20,000 square feet of display area, the 9th Auto Expo would be next only to the Shanghai Motor Show in terms of space occupied and is expected to host over 12 lakh visitors during January 10-17.

"This time around not only our display area has doubled but the participation has also increased considerably. There will be four global launches of cars out of a total of 25 new launches during the expo, which is inclusive of components," CII Deputy Director General Gurpal Singh told PTI.
In terms of business, he said, this year's expo is likely to generate double the amount from the last one. The 8th Auto Expo two years ago did a business of over Rs 10 crore.
He said of the 2,000 exhibitors, as many as 60 per cent are domestic while the remaining are global players. Adding a feather to its cap is the fact that the Auto Expo has received accreditation from OICA (Organisation Internatinale Des Constructeurs D'automobiles) of France.

Organized jointly by Confederation of Indian Industry, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers and Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India, the 9th Auto Expo would be open for general public from January 10-17 at Pragati Maidan here. Entry tickets have been priced at Rs 500 for business and Rs 150 for general public.

For more details visit official website of auto expo 08: http://www.autoexpo.in/