Car News - Latest Indian Car News & Views | CarWalehttp://www.carwale.com/news/Latest news updates on Indian car industry, expert views and interviews exclusively on CarWale.Copyright 2012 CarWaleCarWale RSS Generator8918<![CDATA[The CarWale Daily Fuel – May 11, 2012]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/8918-the-carwale-daily-fuel-may-11-2012.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/8918-the-carwale-daily-fuel-may-11-2012.htmlCarWale Team5/11/2012 11:06:00 AM1058http://img.carwale.com/ec/8918/img/m/8918_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/8918/img/m/8918_lFord India's Midnight sales drive preponed, Cruze facelift on the cards, Porsche to take on Mercedes E-class with 'Pajun' while a Ferrari enthusiast gets the rare 15 million pound '62 250 GTO on his garage door.

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  • The Renault Pulse petrol base version has been launched at Rs 4.25 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi, while the top-end Pulse will retail for Rs 5.55 lakh.
  • Fiat has opened its first Fiat-only dealership and service setup in Hyderabad. Fiat India hopes to open at least 20 such dealerships all over India by the end of this year.
  • Ford showrooms will be open till midnight this Sunday luring customers with special discounts and perks like goodies, special interest rates and assured gifts for every booking. The promotional scheme, generally on offer from December to May, has been brought forward to improve sales in the otherwise dull pre-monsoon period.
  • The Chevrolet Cruze facelift will be announced soon by GM; more details as and when they become available.
  • Jaguar will start assembling the XF diesel in India from 2013. This is very good news for prospective XF customers - wait until the price reduction kicks in before booking your XF.
  • Mumbai Taxi and Auto-rickshaw union leader Sharad Rao is mulling an agitation against new car registrations to de-congest Mumbai roads.
  • The all-German three way battle for the crown heats up as Audi beats BMW with a narrow margin to gain the top spot in the luxury car sales, internationally.
  • The Suzuki Splash, known as the Ritz in India, has been rated as the most reliable car by 'honestjohn' in the UK and the least likely to fail the MOT (a fitness test conducted on all cars annually from three years of age onwards.) It is a hit in Europe due to its low ownership and running costs.
  • Porsche has another 'Pajun', meaning 'wait for it', for a Mercedes E-class rival. Mercedes only recently announced its intention to go up against the 911 with its SLC. The smaller Cayenne, now known as the Macan, was named 'Cajun' before.
  • The Volkswagen Passat has undergone the R-line treatment for its European model. The Passat R-Line has a sportier look and an upgraded suspension but  no engine modifications.
  • Italian exotic car maker, DeTomaso looks highly unlikely to rise from its current state of bankruptcy. There were recent hopes that it would revive the Pantera after it displayed a concept on the auto show circuit not too long ago.

    • The CarWale Daily Fuel is your quick daily dose of automotive news from India and around the world. If you want to know whatever's in the news but want it short and sweet, here's your solution.

    ]]>    8877<![CDATA[The CarWale Daily Fuel – April 26, 2012]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/8877-the-carwale-daily-fuel-26-april-2012.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/8877-the-carwale-daily-fuel-26-april-2012.htmlCarWale Team4/26/2012 11:11:00 AM588http://img.carwale.com/ec/8877/img/m/8877_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/8877/img/m/8877_lNissan plans to be the biggest exporter from India, Mercedes confirms the Porsche 911 rival, cars to get cleaner than rail transport by 2020, Prince Charles' 14 year old Aston to go under the hammer at Bonhams while Volkswagen is looking for reasons behind falling sales.

    ]]>    Nissan, the second largest car maker in Japan, plans to make India the manufacturing and export hub after the global success of the 'Made in India' Micra. Nissan's manufacturing plant in Chennai has a strategic advantage for exports to Africa, latin America and Europe. With Datsun also coming to India, Nissan is betting big on the Indian success story.

    Volkswagen India sales in first quarter showed slow growth. The company is evaluating the situation to ensure a better experience for the customer with the car as well as the after sales service. Expect Volkswagen to dole out sops in the future.

    Car-makers in India are wary about the diesel price deregulation. It is the lack of clarity from the government regarding the extent or time-frame is what bothers them the most. The existing policy paralysis of the Congress led, scam marred government is not helping the car-makers in any way.

    LPG price hike has affected the gas-car users. The LPG prices have been revised twice in the last few months making it not so cheap to run the gas fueled cars. IOC claims that the prices are expected to reduce in May.

    Aston Martin has finally confirmed the sell out of its limited edition One 77. If you were thinking of booking the rumoured last one anytime soon, you have ran out of time. But, not to worry, say Aston Martin, as they wil be out with the V12 Zagato, 150 to be built, priced roughly around half a million dollars.

    More about Astons, Prince Charles' Aston Martin is up for auction at the Bonhams. The 1994 Virage Volante with the 6.3 litre V8 engine was driven by the Prince for 14 years.

    Mercedes have confirmed the SLC, evocatively designed two-door sedan, aimed to rival the Porsche 911. Developed with inputs from the performance division AMG, the car is expected to be launched in 2014 with a price tag of about Rs. 64 lacs (without taxation).

    Parry-Jones, one of the automotive industry's most respected engineers, has claimed that least polluting passengers cars by 2020, will actually be more greener than today's high speed electric trains.

    DRB-Hicom, Group Lotus's new Malaysian owners, are looking to find a chinese buyer for the troubled sports car maker and engineering group. The British politicos are also trying to find a way to revive the legendary racer in order to retain the 1200-odd jobs.

    General Motors has claimed that the 'semi autonomous' car that 'drives itself' will be on sale by the end of this decade. Probably, it will be a high end Cadillac filled with the latest cutting edge radio control technology.

    The next Mazda 6, based on the Takeri Concept, will be powered by 4-cylinder engines only. The 2.2 liter turbo-diesel engine making 173PS will be apt though.

    The CarWale Daily Fuel is your quick daily dose of automotive news from India and around the world. If you want to know whatever's in the news but want it short and sweet, here's your solution. 

    ]]>    7889<![CDATA[The new Porsche 911 Carrera]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/7889-the-new-porsche-911-carrera.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/7889-the-new-porsche-911-carrera.htmlCarWale Team8/23/2011 1:47:00 PM931http://img.carwale.com/ec/7889/img/m/7889_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/7889/img/m/7889_l 

    The completely redesigned generation of the sports car icon is stepping into the limelight with its flat, stretched silhouette, exciting contours and precisely designed details. Yet from the very first glance it remains unmistakably a Porsche 911. True to the 911 tradition, the distinctive Porsche design language with its tendons and muscles exudes power and elegance. 

     

    ]]>    The completely redesigned generation of the sports car icon is stepping into the limelight with its flat, stretched silhouette, exciting contours and precisely designed details. Yet from the very first glance it remains unmistakably a Porsche 911. True to the 911 tradition, the distinctive Porsche design language with its tendons and muscles exudes power and elegance. 

    The 100 millimetre longer wheelbase and reduced height combined with the up to 20-inch wheels underpin the athletic appearance. At the same time, the compact sports car exterior dimensions were retained. From a front perspective, attention is drawn to the wide-arched wings, the 911’s trademark, that highlight the wider front track making the new 911 Carrera models sit even more solidly on the road. The remodelled exterior mirrors are accommodated on the upper edge of the door and not as before on the mirror triangle. Not only is this aerodynamically advantageous, it also emphasises the new design line and visual impression of width. 

    The all-new, lightweight body is an intelligent aluminium-steel construction. It is responsible for a significant proportion of the weight reduction of up to 45 kilograms combined with significantly greater rigidity. Due to aerodynamic optimisation measures, including a wider, variably extending rear spoiler, the lift of the new 911 Carrera could be further reduced, while retaining a good Cd value. 

    Setting the standard in its class, as it has for generations, the new 911 Carrera and Carrera S raise the performance and efficiency bar yet another notch. All versions get by with significantly less than ten litres of fuel per 100 kilometres. Fuel consumption and emissions are up to 16 per cent lower compared to preceding models. Among other things, this result is achieved by systems and functions such as auto start/stop, thermal management, electrical system recuperation, the world’s first seven-speed manual transmission and the so-called “sailing” function, in vehicles equipped with the Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK). The new electro-mechanical power steering offers not only Porsche’s typical precision and response but also helps to increase efficiency and reduces the general fuel consumption. 

    The 911 Carrera with the new 350 hp 3.4-litre boxer engine and optional PDK consumes a mere 8.2 litres per 100 kilometres based on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), 1.6 l/100 km less than its predecessor. Also, with an emission level of 194 g/km CO2, it is the first Porsche sports car to make it below the 200 g/km mark. The new Carrera S features a 3.8-litre boxer engine delivering 400 hp. Its fuel consumption when equipped with the optional PDK is reduced by 14 per cent (1.5 l/100 km) to 8.7 l/100 km, despite offering 15 hp more horse power. That equates to CO2 emissions of 205 g/km. 

     

    At the same time several performance improvements have been implemented for both models. The Carrera S with PDK manages to accelerate from nought to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds. Pressing the Sport Plus button of the optional Sport Chrono package, cuts that to 4.1 seconds. The Carrera with PDK needs only 4.6 seconds (Sport Plus: 4.4 seconds) to sprint from a standing start to 100 km/h. The new 911 does not just offer better longitudinal dynamics but also a top performance at an unprecedented level in terms of transverse dynamics. In addition to the longer wheelbase, greater agility, precision and driving stability are mainly based on the wider front track, the new rear axle and the new electro-mechanical power steering. Depending on the model, there are other standard or optional active control systems available that further enhance the vehicle’s driving dynamics, including the optional Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) active roll stabilisation system which is available on the 911 Carrera S for the first time. The system reduces lateral inclination when cornering by ensuring that tyres are in an optimal position relative to the road surface and thus able to transmit higher lateral forces. As a result, maximum cornering speeds are increased; even faster lap times on racing circuits are possible. 

    With the new 911 Carrera the span of apparently contradictory attributes that have typified the Porsche 911, such as performance and efficiency, sportiness and everyday practicality has been even further extended.  That makes the 911 Carrera more of a 911 than ever. The new model celebrates its world premiere at the 2011 IAA Frankfurt Motor Show. 

     

     

     

     

    ]]>    6039<![CDATA[Q&A with Mr. Ashish Chordia, Director, Porsche India]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/6039-qa-with-mr-ashish-chordia-director-porsche-india.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/6039-qa-with-mr-ashish-chordia-director-porsche-india.htmlCarWale Team7/22/2010 6:27:40 PM2766http://img.carwale.com/ec/6039/img/m/6039_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/6039/img/m/6039_lWe got talking to Mr. Ashish Chordia, Director, Porsche India who gave us quiet a few pointers as to what we can expect from the brand and also how important India is for the brand.Q. After the launch of the Cayenne, can we expect anything more from the Porsche stables this year?A. Well, we’ve just launched the new Porsche Cayenne and we’re very excited about this brand new model. While we will not be bringing in anything else this year, you can look forward to something new in 2011.

    ]]>    We got talking to Mr. Ashish Chordia, Director, Porsche India who gave us quiet a few pointers as to what we can expect from the brand and also how important India is for the brand.

    Q. After the launch of the Cayenne, can we expect anything more from the Porsche stables this year?

    A. Well, we’ve just launched the new Porsche Cayenne and we’re very excited about this brand new model. While we will not be bringing in anything else this year, you can look forward to something new in 2011.

    Q. The Porsche Cayenne is your top selling model here in India. Considering Porsche is known for its luxurious sports cars why do we not see more Boxsters and 911s on the roads?

    A. Besides the Cayenne, we have sold several sports cars as well. It is just that the sportscars are not spotted much on the streets during the daytime. These cars rarely come out on city streets during the day.

    Q. What plans do you have for bringing the Porsche Club to India?

    A. The Porsche Club is a club for Porsche owners run by Porsche dealers in most countries and we definitely plan to bring it to India. For being able to do that, we require to have a certain number of Porsche car owners here in India.

    Q. Are you aware of any other unofficial Porsche Club in India?

    A. No, however ,there is the Super Car Club but that encompasses all Supercars and not just Porsches.

    (As told to Rachna Tyagi)

    ]]>    4112<![CDATA[Porsche Unveils The 911 Turbo S]]>http://www.carwale.com/news/4112-porsche-unveils-the-911-turbo-s.htmlhttp://www.carwale.com/news/4112-porsche-unveils-the-911-turbo-s.htmlCarWale Team2/8/2010 4:52:23 PM2226http://img.carwale.com/ec/4112/img/m/4112_mhttp://img.carwale.com/ec/4112/img/m/4112_lPorsche has unveiled its new top-of-the-range sports car - the 911 Turbo S to the world. Known for its powerful cars, Porsche is ready to take on competition head-on.

    ]]>    Porsche has unveiled its new top-of-the-range sports car - the 911 Turbo S to the world. Known for its powerful cars, Porsche is ready to take on competition head-on.

    At the heart of this most exclusive high-performance athlete is a six-cylinder boxer boosted by two exhaust gas turbochargers with variable turbine geometry, with an increase in power over the 911 Turbo by 30 to 530 bhp (390 kW). Maximum torque is a most impressive 700 Newton-metres (516 lb-ft). At the same time this new top model comes as standard with all high-tech components available only as options on the “regular” 911 Turbo.

    Despite the significant increase in power and dynamic performance, the new 911 Turbo S, at 11.4 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 24.8 mpg imp), does not consume any more fuel than the Porsche 911 Turbo.

    The 911 Turbo S comes exclusively with seven-speed Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) (Porsche’s Double-Clutch Gearbox) conveying drive power to Porsche Traction Management (PTM) all-wheel drive. Driving safety optimised to an even higher standard is ensured by Dynamic Engine Mounts and Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) including a mechanical differential lock on the rear axle. In conjunction with Launch Control on the Sport Chrono Package Turbo likewise featured as standard, 911 Turbo S accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds and reaches 200 km/h in 10.8 seconds

    Top speed is 315 km/h or 195 mph. Extra-light and fading-resistant Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) provide the same outstanding performance in terms of stopping power and controlled application of the brakes.

    The supreme level of standard equipment including Dynamic Bending Lights, 19-inch wheels in RS Spyder design with central locking, a three-spoke sports steering wheel with gearshift paddles, adaptive sports seats, cruise control, a CD/DVD changer and exclusive twin-tone leather upholstery in Black/Crema or Black/Titanium Blue additionally underlines the outstanding class and calibre of this first Turbo S in five years.

    The ex-showroom prices (INR) are as follows:















    Delhi



    Rest of India


    911 Turbo S

    911 Turbo S Cabriolet



    1,87,21,000



    1,99,95,000



    1,90,68,000



    2,03,65,000


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