VW and Suzuki Reportedly Planning to Develop $4300-$5300 Low Cost Small Car for India and Europe

The newly forged Volkswagen Group - Suzuki alliance plans to develop a new low cost small car for India as well as Europe and other markets, the Economic Times reported on Friday. The business daily said that the new vehicle, which will act as a replacement for Suzuki's Alto, would cost between 200,000 and 250,000 rupees in India, which comes to about $4,300 - $5,300 or €2,900 - €3,600 at today's exchange rates.
This means that the projected price for the VW/Suzuki model, is double the price of Tata Motor's Nano, which is the world's cheapest automobile.
"We will need a car in the Rs 2.5-lakh apiece range. First we had the M800, then the Alto. At some point we will need a replacement for the Alto. That price range is the entry level for Indian customers today, so we can't leave that segment open," Maruti Suzuki chairman RC Bhargava told the newspaper.
The Economic Times reported that in Europe, the car would fit right under Volkswagen's forthcoming Up! model.
"Volkswagen will be greatly interested in a car below the price segment of the Up, which we have already displayed in India, and that is something we will need to check in our future together with Suzuki," VW spokesman, Fabian Mannecke, told ET.
The newspaper added that in Europe, the VW/Suzuki small car would be priced well under the still under development Up! (which it claims will carry a price tag of around $8,800 or €6,000 in Old Continent), at around $4,000 to $5,000 or €2,700 to €3,400.
We're assuming that ET made some sort of typo in the price range as there's no way that the VW / Suzuki small car will be priced lower in Europe that in India.
And while Tata Motors proves that everything's possible in India, somehow we find it hard to believe that the two automakers will be able to develop a car that meets the strict emissions and crash standards in Europe and at the same time carry a price tag of around €3,000...
Via: Economic Times - Car Pictured Above: 2009 Suzuki Alto Concept

2011 Upcoming Cars BMW M5 With Specification And Prices

2011 Upcoming Cars BMW M5 With Specification And Prices With Reviews and Images

BMW M5 Car Specifications


Trim M5 5.0 L V10
Transmission: Manual
Configuration: V10
Configuration Size: 4995 cc
Power (hp): 500.1 hp
Power (kW): 372.9 kW
Torque (ft/lb): 383 ft. lbs.
Torque (NM): 520 nm
Maximum Speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
0-60 acceleration 5.3 sec
Urban fuel consumption: N/A
Extra Urban fuel consumption: N/A
Combined fuel consumption: N/A
Miles Per Litre: Variable Miles
Fuel Cost Per Mile N.A
Cost Of Full Tank: N.A


Lumma is one of hundreds of German car tuners who take everyday cars and make them unique. The M5 could never really be termed as an 'everyday car' thanks to its strong performance credentials, yet asglobal sales of the BMW M5 eclipse all predictions, even prompting the development of a family-friendly wagon version, maybe this term isn't so out of place?


Taking the BMW M5 as its base, Lumma has made various modifications that result in the CLR 500 R-S.

Range Rover 2011

2011 Upcoming Cars BMW M1 With Specification And Prices With Reviews and Images

2011 Upcoming Cars BMW M1 With Specification And Prices With Reviews and Images
The original M1 was built between 1978 and 1981, powered by a 3.5-litre inline 6-cylinder engine.

In the '80s, it was was a very attractive vehicle designed by Giugiaro, and to this day is one of the rarest BMW's ever with less than 500 cars ever built.

Over the weekend BMW surprised everyone at the prestigious Concorso D’Eleganza Villa D’Este event near lake Como in Italy with an intriguing M1 remake.

"For a company as for a product, it is important to be aware of one's roots," said Chris Bangle, director of design at BMW.

"In the spirit of Giugiaro and Bracq, the BMW M1 Homage unites the BMW values of design and technology in a highly emotional and exciting interpretation."


2011 Upcoming Cars BMW M12011 Upcoming Cars BMW M1BMW M1 Homage ConceptBMW M1 Homage Concept2011 Upcoming Cars BMW M12011 Upcoming Cars BMW M12011 Upcoming Cars BMW M1

Top Sports Cars of All Time

When it comes to cars, especially sports cars, you have your favorites and I have mine. The question of what constitutes the best is a hot button issue, especially among truly knowledgeable enthusiasts, because we all have a different set of criteria to work from.

The Sports Car
The best sports cars are defined by their driving and mechanical performance. As a group, they are "open, low built, fast motor cars". They are dedicated high performance machines and they take many forms, depending on the manufacturer and market. But the sports car is more than just a fast car. It hugs the road, shifts responsively, accelerates quickly and can break on a penny all the while being street legal. It is no wonder then, that we love them and we love to talk about them almost as much as we love to drive them. So while this list may not match yours, it does reference some of the best sports cars of all time.

10. Mercedes Benz 300SL Gull Wing

The first production car to use fuel injection and a testament to German engineering in 1954. 215 bph. Top speed 135 mph.

9. Jaguar E-Type

Produced in 1961-1964. 265 bph. Top speed 240 km/h. 0-60 in 7 seconds.

8. Chevrolet Stingray Corvette

The first American sports car and maybe the only American sports car. Produced in 1966. 425 bph. Top speed 245 km/h. 0-60 in 4.8 seconds.

7. Nissan Skyline


Banned from the streets of North America and some racing competitions in order to even the playing field. 480 bph. 0-60 in 3.3 seconds.

6. Ferrari Enzo

Introduced in 2002. 660 bph. Top speed 350 km/h. 0-60 3.3 seconds.

5. Lamborghini Miura

The car that popularised the mid engine design. Produced from 1967-1969. 350 bhp. Top speed 277 km/h.

4. Bugatti Veyron

A road worthy luxury grand tourer. Introduced in 2005. 1001 bhp. Top speed 407 km/h.

3. Ferrari 250 GTO

The best Ferrari of all time and the most beautiful car of all time. Produced from 1962-1963. 302 bhp. Top speed 280 km/h. 0-60 in 5.8 seconds.

1. Porche 911

The 2010 Porche 911 is a 2 door, 2 seat sport coupe with rear engine and 435 bhp. Top speed 194 mph. 0-60 in 4 seconds.

Detroit Auto Show: 2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe Concept


Honda has unveiled its 2012 Civic Si Concept at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, previewing the production versions of the popular small car and targeting a growing number of competitors with an aggressive new look and multiple engine choices.

With a series of revamped elements at the exterior and improved interiors, the Honda Civic Si Sedan and Coupe Concepts features 19 inch alloys, and while he four-door model looks pretty much similar to the current generation Civic, the 2-door seams heavily inspired by the current Accord Coupe.

Meanwhile, four-door buyers can expect an exterior design very similar to the 2011 Civic. Though the sedan's front-fascia wears a little bit more menace than the current design, the carried-over grille and headlights are more than a little familiar. Out back, new tail lamps and a re-sculpted trunk deck dominate the view.

Under the hood, power will be provided by the "widest array of engine choices available in its class." Options will include conventional petrol units, a natural gas variant, and a hybrid. The latter is slated to adopt the newest Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system which will be powered by a lithium-ion battery - a first for a Honda.

The new 2012 Honda Civic will go on sale in Spring 2011.

via: carscoop


2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe Concept2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe Concept2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe Concept2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe Concept2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe Concept2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe Concept2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe Concept2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe Concept2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe Concept2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe Concept2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe Concept2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe Concept2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe Concept2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe Concept2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe Concept2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe Concept2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe Concept2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe Concept2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe Concept


Press Release

Honda Debuts Sleek and Sophisticated Concepts for All-New 2012 Civic Si Coupe and Civic Sedan Models

The Honda Civic Si Concept coupe and Civic Concept sedan are making world debuts at the North American International Auto Show today, providing the first official glimpse at the styling direction of the all-new, ninth-generation 2012 model set to go on sale this spring, the company announced.

"The Civic is known for providing a balance of 'just-right' packaging, fun-to-drive character and outstanding fuel economy, at a price that even first-time buyers can afford," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. "The redesigned Civic builds on this legacy and promises to be the best Civic yet."

The 2012 Civic embraces the company's vision as a "Civic for all people," a phrase originally expressed in defining the goal of the first-generation Civic. With the widest array of engine choices available in its class, the 2012 Civic lineup intends to meet the needs of an increasing group of compact-vehicle buyers with a renewed vision of a "Civic for all people." The diverse vehicle range includes a sedan and a coupe with conventional gasoline models, two sporty "Si" performance versions, along with one hybrid and a natural gas alternative-fuel variant. Collectively the depth of the Civic line offers a compelling balance between fuel economy, low emissions and fun-to-drive performance unlike any other vehicle in the industry.

As a new interpretation of the current Civic's iconic "one-motion" mono-form shape, the upcoming, ninth-generation Civic conveys a more substantial, high-energy appearance. The exterior styling of both Civic concept models showcases the sedan's and coupe's clean-yet-powerful lines with steeply raked windshields, wide stances and pronounced character lines along the profile. The lower character line on both models broadens toward the rear fenders to enhance the dynamic feeling of forward energy. The front fender surface treatments form a complex, three-dimensional look to further enhance the image of sophistication and structural depth against the deeply set headlights.

The Civic Concept sedan takes on a sophisticated presence with a front grille defined by crisp lines and a solid bar that integrates a chrome Honda emblem. The look of the Civic Si Concept coupe conveys an aggressive demeanor with a more angular front fascia, mesh grille and a tapered rear roofline that flows smoothly into the trunk. The Civic Si Concept coupe is exclusively equipped with a rear air diffuser, a center-mounted exhaust outlet and a rear deck lid spoiler with dual vents. Each concept model has 19-inch machined alloy wheels.

Powertrain Technology
The Civic's family of engines with "intelligent" Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (i-VTEC®) technology become even more fuel efficient for 2012. The upcoming Civic Hybrid offers the latest generation of the compact and lightweight Integrated Motor AssistTM (IMATM) gasoline-electric hybrid system and features the first application of a lithium-ion battery in a Honda hybrid.

Building on its emphasis on fuel-economy, most upcoming Civic models receive Honda Eco AssistTM technology, already available in the CR-Z and Insight hybrids. The 2012 Civic is the first U.S. Honda model to employ Eco Assist technology in a gasoline-only powered vehicle. Eco Assist is just one example of how the new Civic can be customized and configured by the drivers to suit individual preferences.

Additionally, Honda is expanding retail sales of the natural gas-powered Civic GX model, which is the only OEM-built, dedicated CNG passenger car assembled in America. The increased availability of the Civic GX helps bring inherently clean-burning natural gas technology to an even broader audience while also supporting diversity in transportation energy resources.

Safety
The 2012 Civic continues to emphasize safety and is anticipated to score well in both the federal government's New Car Assessment Program1 (NCAP) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety2 (IIHS) vehicle evaluations. The 2001 Honda Civic Coupe was one of the first two passenger cars ever to earn the federal government's top 5-star crash safety rating3 for the driver and front- and rear-seat passengers in both frontal and side-impact crash tests.

All 2012 Civics are equipped with Vehicle Stability AssistTM (VSA®) as standard equipment. Additionally, the ninth-generation Civic continues to provide Honda's exclusive and innovative Advanced Compatibility EngineeringTM (ACETM) body structure for frontal collision energy management.

Accolades and Manufacturing
As a top-selling model for Honda, the current, eighth-generation Civic has sold more than 1.5 million units since the 2006 model went on sale in late 2005. The 2006 Civic earned both the prestigious Motor Trend "Car of the Year" and the North American Car of the Year awards.

The current-generation Civic continues to be a significant entry-point to the Honda brand for younger buyers, introducing on average more than 90,000 new-car customers under the age of 35 to the brand every year. More than 95 percent of all Civics sold in the U.S. as of calendar-year 2010 were made4 in North America at manufacturing facilities in either Greensburg, Indiana or Alliston, Ontario in Canada.