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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
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.
