Tag Archives: automobiles

2010 Toyota Prius Hybrid Car Features

2010toyotapriuslive_05Toyota announced the launc of the all-new 2010 Prius hybrid car.Toyota Prius 2010 is powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with VVT-i offering 98 hp at 5,200 rpm and 105 lb-ft torque at 4,000 rpm. 2010 Toyota Prius’s magnet synchronous electric motor, on the other hand, provides 80 hp and153 lb-ft torque. It features a 50 mpg fuel economy.

2010 Toyota Prius offers three driving modes: EV-Drive Mode allows driving on battery power alone at low speeds for about a mile, if conditions permit. There is also a Power Mode, which increases sensitivity to throttle input for a sportier feel, and an Eco Mode, which helps the driver achieve their best mileage.

The  2010 Prius is 90 percent newly-developed with significant improvements over previous models.

  • The transaxle is lighter in weight and reduces torque losses by as much as 20 percent compared to the previous model.
  • The inverter, which converts direct current to alternating current, has a new direct cooling system to reduce size and weight.
  • Taken together, the inverter, motor and transaxle are smaller and 20 percent lighter.
  • A newly developed electronically controlled regenerative braking system has been adopted, with control logic optimized to enhance regeneration.

The price of 2010 Toyota Prius is notconfirmed yet.

Volkswagen Scirocco R20T Specifications

2009_vw_scirocco_images_18Volkswagen is now offering  its new Scirocco R20T coupe, a harder version of the new Scirocco. Volkswagen Scirocco R20T is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo engine producing 265bhp. The engine makes the Volkswagen Scirocco R20T the most powerful Scirocco ever.

Volkswagen Scirocco R20T will reach 0-60 mph in just 6 seconds and have a top speed of about 155 mph.The new Scirocco R20T will be released in early 2010, and should be available at a price of about £25,000.

Volkswagen’s new car in India

Volkswagen hadn’t released so many cars in India. But Now by 2009 they are going to hit the Indian market with two new cars. One is Passat and Jeta. These two cars comes in two different ranges. This Volkswagen Passat is having a very high range compared to Volkswagen Jeta. As we know that if the cost is higher the luxuory must also be very much advanced. Here are the reviews about the cars Volkswagen Passat.

Volkswagen Passat India Photo

Vokswagen has launched its lyxury car Passat for India with a 2000cc diesel engine and state of the art features. There will be two versions of the Passat, both diesels, powered by four cylinder TDi 2.0 litre Highline engines. Maximum power will be 103 kW (140 BHP) and torque of 320 Nm at 1750-2500 RPM. Top speed claimed for the Volswagen Passat versions in India is 209 kmph, while the car would reach 0-100 kmph in 9.8 seconds. It is also an acknowledgement to the realities in India that VW has launched the car without a petrol version to begin with.

Passat and the other models will be assembled at the Aurangabad plant of Skoda, a VW subsidiary, until its own Rs 2,450 crore plant coming up in Pune is ready.

VW Passat in India

In two variants priced at Rs 22.35 lakh and Rs 24.35 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), Passat will take on the likes of Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Skoda Superb. It will be available only in the diesel version through a dealership network of three, which is to expand to 10 by the end of the year.

“Passat will set the pace for our future product launches in India as it is the key market for our overall strategic growth plans,” said Joerg Mueller, managing director, Volkswagen group sales India. The Passat one one of Volkswagen’s most succesful cars in the world, notching up sales of 14 million units since its launch in 1973.

Two popular VW cars namely Phaeton and Touareg are already being imported by dealers. Passat will be imported in India as CKD kits.

Safety features in the Volkswagen Passat are impressive, including eight airbags, Anti-brake locking system (ABS) and electronic stabilisation programme (ESP).

The top end VW Passat for India will feature additional features such as front seats with electronic 12-way adjustment, rear and front parking sensors, bi-Zenon headlights with self-cleaning system, electric sliding/tilting glass roof, anti-theft warning system and a multi-function steering wheel with operating facility for gear change.

Hyundai i20 all set to strike Indian Market

Hyundai i20 is one of the car which is to  be hit the Indian market with a heavy storm. We know that as the hyundai i10 had released in India, there was a warm welcome for that. But as the i20 comes with much upgradable version of i10, it will be a sure hit for sure.

Here are some of the stills and previews about this car….


Hyundai i10 is doing great after its debut in India, now Hyundai India is coming up with another small car called “Hyundai i20″. Hyundai i10 targets A segment customer, all new Hyundai i20 will target B or B+ segment customers. Hyundai i20 has been developer under codename “PB” which will replace current Hyundai Getz globally but not in india. Hyundai i20 will positioned above Hyundai Getz.

Hyundai i20 had been designed especially to meet the european cunsumers. Since Hyundai India is shifting its small car plant from Korea to India, Hyundai India will offer all new Hyundai i20 as a bonus to the Indian Customers. Hyundai India already introduced Hyundai Santro which is known as Hyundai Atos globally followed by i10 and Getz. All new Hyundai i20 will line up the series soon. 30% of the Hyundai production will be done from Chennai plant only by 2009.

Hyundai i20 is a hatchback which is inspired by premium hatchback Hyundai i30 which is launched in korea and europe and doing great. Hyundai i20 front is designed with a low slung grille, good large headlamps and cool sporty round fog lamps. The steep raked wind screen which flows smoothly and then it merges with a novel tail section. Hyundai i20 have a upright tailgate which means more boot space for luggage too. Interiors are really of the top notch with really high quality plastics used in it. Hyundai i20 is very much flexible seating very much similar to Hyundai i10. Hyundai i20 will offer more space than from the spacious Hyundai Getz.

Hyundai is also developer a new small 1.1L CRDi engine. Hyundai i20 will be launched in 2008 with CRDi VGT i.e Diesel Engine and DOHC Petrol Refined Engine in India along with specifications, reviews, price and features.

Honda accord is in its full swing

The new Honda accord is in its full swing.We know the quality and performance of the Honda from the past 70′s.Now in this year also it has ruined the world.

Few vehicles over the past three decades have garnered as much respect as the Honda Accord. It hasn’t achieved this by being sporty, glamorous or sexy. Instead, it has, for every year, offered what most everyone want out of their daily transportation. Take an Accord for a test-drive, and you’ll find it comfortable, roomy, intelligently engineered and easy to drive. Research it, and you’ll find it backed by a solid reputation for reliability, a strong resale value and an emphasis on safety.

It is true that competing sedans or coupes hold certain advantages over the Accord. Some are faster, others are more prestigious or less expensive. What’s special about the Honda Accord, though, is its completeness. It scores well in all of the categories that people expect a family-oriented sedan or coupe to cover, not just a few. When examined from a holistic standpoint, it’s easy to see why this Honda car has become an automotive icon and one of our editors’ top recommendations.

Current Honda Accord

The Accord has been fully redesigned for the 2008 model year. This model is bigger than previous Accord models and boasts better engine performance without any loss of fuel efficiency. It’s available as a midsize coupe or sedan and a variety of trim levels to suit almost any buyer’s needs. Entry-level LX models have the basic necessities while top-line EX-L models feature items like leather upholstery and an optional navigation system. All models come with a fully array of safety equipment, including side curtain airbags and stability control.

As has been the case with the past few generations of the Accord, the newest eighth-generation model comes with either a four-cylinder or V6 engine. The base 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine makes 177 horsepower; an upgraded version of this engine makes 190 hp. For more power, a 268-hp, 3.5-liter V6 is available. The four-cylinder engine has a five-speed manual transmission as standard and a five-speed automatic as optional. The V6 typically comes with a five-speed automatic, though V6-equipped coupes are available with a six-speed manual.

In reviews, we’ve found the latest Honda Accord continues to excel as a family sedan or midsize coupe. The interior is very roomy and high in quality, though some might take issue with the car’s multitude of buttons on the dash. As a response to some Accords of the past, the latest model is a bit sportier to drive. We wouldn’t call the Accord a sport sedan exactly, but this newfound agility is a desirable addition to the usual Accord strengths of safety, reliability and comfort.

Past Honda Accords

Unlike most things from the ’70s — disco, green shag carpeting, ugly pants — the Honda Accord has not succumbed to being kitsch retro. It debuted in 1976 and multiple generations of success have followed since. Shoppers interested in a used Accord will likely find many seventh-generation models on dealer lots.

This Accord was sold for the 2003 to 2007 model years. As with the current model, it was available as a midsize coupe or sedan. Selecting a used Accord from this generation should be rather straightforward. Initially, there were three trim levels: DX, LX and EX. The DX was pretty frugal with features, so the better choice will be the LX or EX. Side and side-curtain airbags were typically optional on all trim levels.

Under the hood was a 160-hp 2.4-liter inline-4 or a 240-hp, 3.0-liter V6 engine. Four-cylinder engines could be had with either a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. A six-speed manual was available on the V6-powered EX Coupe.

In 2005, Honda introduced the Accord Hybrid. This model’s V6 gasoline/electric powertrain produced 255 hp and, in theory, the best fuel economy of the lineup. In real-world use, however, the car’s fuel economy was disappointing and people balked at its higher price. Very few Accord Hybrids were sold.

The most significant changes of this generation occurred in 2006 when the Accord received freshened exterior styling and more power for both engines. Stability control also debuted this year, as did minor modifications to trim level organization. In reviews at the time, we praised the car for its roomy and stylish interior, tight build quality, smooth ride and good crash test scores. Downsides included tepid handling and mediocre brakes. All said, however, this Accord was an excellent choice for a family sedan or midsize coupe.

The sixth-generation Honda Accord is also very popular in the used car market. Available from 1998-2002, this model came in coupe or sedan body styles and had either four-cylinder or V6 power. In a nine-car comparison test conducted by our Edmunds.com editors, this car finished in 2nd place. We noted that the car was not exactly entertaining to drive but was very user-friendly and competent in all areas. Buyers should feel relatively free to look at models throughout this generation as Honda didn’t make any drastic changes, though cars built after 2000 have expanded safety features.

Accords built from 1994 to 1997 should make for a smart choice for those on a budget. This model boasted the typical Accord attributes and, as a used car, should provide better than average reliability, assuming it’s been properly maintained by previous owners. This generation marked the first time that Honda used its VTEC variable valve timing system. A VTEC-equipped four-cylinder engine came with the EX trim level. Accord models from 1995 and upward also had a V6 available. This generation was also the last for the rare Accord wagon.

Consumers interested in an Honda Accord but limited to a smaller budget could also check out the fourth-generation Accord, which was available starting in 1990. As there is little price difference between these cars at this point, 1992 or ’93 EX or SE models are probably your best choices.

Here comes new generation folding helmets………..

There is a happy news for all types of two-wheeler riders…..

Flip, flap and zoom! Soon this would become the mantra for two-wheeler riders in the coming years. After all, they will have an all-new option of a helmet, compatible with the latest blue-tooth enabled gadgets. It’s light weight, transparent and can be folded and kept in a box as big as a goggle cover.

Helmets are very bulky and storing them is a difficult task. In cities where the driver and the pillion, both have to wear the helmet, the condition is worse. This new generation folding helmet is a perfect solution for this condition.

There are lots of benefits with this new generation folding helmet.

1) This is a product which gives a lot more flexibility, visibility , strength, safety and of course stylen than regular helmets . It is a multi-layered helmet which can be pulled out to give the shape of an helmet. For storing it, the layers can be slipped back to give the helmet a shape of nothing bigger than a goggle and can easily find place in a bag

2)In a regular helmet, if one falls the impact is on the only surface which is there. But here, since there are various surfaces, the impact of the hit is reduced to a great extent.

3)This helmet also allows a lot of air circulation which helps drying the sweat and keeps temperature inside the helmet lower etc….

This helmet will be brought into the market by  National Institute of Design (NID)’s Apparel Designing and Merchandising department . This helmet is considered to become a trendsetter itself.

Let’s wait for the further details and  the new generation folding helmet to reach the market…..

New technology puts the brakes on stolen cars…..

New technology puts the brakes on stolen carsHigh-speed pursuits by police authorities involving stolen vehicles that claim several deaths a year could soon become a thing of the past, with the release of new technology by OnStar.

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), each year approximately 300 deaths occur as the result of about 30,000 police chases. Those numbers is expected to decrease with the use of Stolen Vehicle Slowdown technology.

“The Stolen Vehicle Slowdown service will allow our subscribers added peace of mind by possibly preventing their vehicle from being used as an instrument of harm if it happens to be stolen,” Chet Huber, OnStar president, told CNN.

The new technology is capable of transmitting a signal to a vehicle to reduce the fuel flow to the engine, which will decrease car speed. The technology is said to help cops cut down on high-speed chases, reduce accidents and increase public safety, as well as recover stolen vehicles more quickly.

Here is how it works: Car owners who subscribe the technology can report their stolen car to the cops and OnStar. When the cops locate the missing car and are in hot pursuit, the cops can request OnStar operators to slow down the stolen vehicle by reducing the engine power until it stops. This allows them to apprehend the thieves with a little danger to the public.

The technology will debut in 1.6 million 2009 model GM cars.

Review: Toyota Corolla Altis…

Whenever you talk about sport or politics or film stars or even cars, one tends to zero in on the two or three who keep on competing against each other making the competition even more fun and intriguing than the final outcome itself. In all these dogfights the one which has been played to a great extent continuously now for the past two decades has been the all-Japanese rivalry between the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla. These two have battled it out on their home turf, in the US (probably the largest and most important battlefield for this duo to perform on), in Asia and also in India. It is a fight that not one single car ever wins comprehensively, the duo exchanging places at the forefront while continuously sparring at each other and in the process delighting the millions of users who flock to buy one or both of them!

 
   
 

This is exactly the impression I got when Toyota Kirloskar gave us the exclusive use of a pre-production 10th generation Corolla Altis which was launched yesterday in New Delhi. It comes just about two years after Honda’s quantum Civic-leap and it promises to keep the executive segment slugfest simmering in all earnestness. Being Toyota the all new 10th generation Corolla is all evolution where the Civic was a barking mad revolution. However it depends on one’s point of view as whether evolution is the preferred taste of the hour or revolution is what is needed to light those latent desires. We’ll leave the Civic out of the picture now and concentrate totally on evolution and why it is good and great for the Corolla.

 
   
 

One cannot fault Toyota for their planning and their intense creed for detail and perfection. This is what makes the Corolla one of the most refined automobiles on the planet and at the price point it is pegged at, it makes for terrific value. Many a time I have myself mentioned the Corolla being a very boring car because it does things so perfectly well. Clinically efficient with nary a whimper or protest and that’s why it is the car of choice for the sensible and the staid. The 10th generation Corolla Altis is the modern face of the sensible and staid and you have to really look closely as to how it has advanced in generation.

Rolls-Royce, now available in Delhi

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has opened a new showroom in New Delhi. This is the second dealership in the country for this uber luxury marquee, and it also illustrates their commitment to the Indian subcontinent.

The new showroom is managed by Select Cars Private Limited, a company owned by the Kapur family.

Speaking at the inauguration of the new dealership, Graeme Grieve, Director, Sales and Marketing, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars said, “This is yet another milestone since our successful return to India in 2005, after an absence of 50 years. With India’s appreciation of luxury cars, a rich history of Rolls-Royce and a burgeoning economy, the Indian market has a healthy growth potential for us.”

The dealership, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars New Delhi, commenced operations earlier this year, and is headed by Chief Executive Officer Yadur Kapur. He commented, “Our investment in this new facility, customer service and aftersales has already been rewarded by orders and deliveries, even prior to the opening. The level of interest in the Rolls-Royce brand in New Delhi has been very positive.”

The new Rolls-Royce Motor Cars showroom in Delhi brings the company’s entire worldwide dealer network to a figure of 82 outlets. Talk about being elite!