BMW develops safety
BMW has developed an eco-friendly and safety concept based on the C1 enclosed scooter but featuring several safety features and power coming from an electric motor.The C1-E is part of the European Safer Urban Motorcycling eSUM project aimed at reducing accidents especially in cities with a high concentration of motorcycle traffic.In the one-only concept the driver is strapped to the seat and protected by an energy-absorbing crumple zone in the nose over the front wheel. Including front windscreen and roof integrated into the rollover bar the design sets itself apart from the typical scooter look. A luggage storage space is positioned behind the driver.The electric motor is powered by a lithium-ion battery offering range and performance suitable for most inner city trips, according to a BMW press statement. However, the vehicle can also be fitted with a low-emission combustion engine.
Suzuki Swift with Plug-In hybrid
Suzuki is unveiling at the Tokyo Motor Show a Swift with a Plug-In hybrid and a Suzuki SX4-FCW hydrogen drive under the slogan: “Small Cars for a Big Future.”The Swift Plug-In is designed for short city trips with a petrol-driven generator in addition loading the battery of the electric engine to prevent the vehicle from stranding without energy at the side of the road. The battery can also be connected to an electric household socket that gives the car a range of 20 kilometres on one charge.Suzuki is also showcasing the SX4-FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle) with a a fuel cell unit designed by General Motors. The high-pressure hydrogen fuel tank has been designed by the Japanese manufacturer with additional energy coming from brake regeneration.Suzuki is currently carrying out field tests with the SX4 for possible serial production.
Fiat third quarter trading
Fiat third quarter trading profit down 62 per cent Turin, Italy – Italian industrial group Fiat which earlier this year took control of US car giant Chrysler, reported Wednesday a 62 per cent drop in trading profit for the third quarter compared to the same period in 2008. The Turin-based Fiat said in a statement that the third quarter trading profit – earnings before interest – came to 308 million euros (460 million dollars), down from 802 million euros a year earlier.The company said the figure was achieved “notwithstanding extremely weak economic conditions,” a reference to the worst crisis to hit the car industry since World War II.The group, Italy’s largest private sector employer and Europe’s sixth-largest carmaker, said it confirmed its target of a full year tradingprofit in excess of 1 billion euros and net industrial debt below 5 billion euros.Fiat reported a net profit of 25 million euros for the 2009 third quarter, compared with 468 million for the same period a year ago. Revenue fell to 12 billion euros, from 14.3 billion euros.At 1100 GMT Wednesday Fiat shares on the Milan bourse were down 3.31 per cent at 10.87 euros.
Honda CBR
Honda one of the top motor company had introduced numerous sport devils. The famous models are interceptor and CBR versions. These CBR are sport bikes are classified mainly on the basis of the Horse power and CC. Though there are 1000CC bikes the bets one falls under the category of 660 CC. This bike looks giant and gives a daring appearance. The performance of this bike hits the mark. Compared tp other sports versions in Honda this one has been recognised as a best creation. I am not a bike geek but i am interested in updating information on this bike so if any bike freek looks at this post might desire get one of the best. To talk about honda bikes, style is uncomparable and unique. Style added to power added to performance makes this CBR 660RR special. Dare to have one. . .
Ford 2009 launch
Ford launched a new F 150 series in the year 2009. It is a high comfort Sports utility car and looks huge. Its is one of the cool series of ford. It can be classified under trucks. The advanced version of this series are ford f350 and the other is named heavy duty model. Ford is one of the achievers in motor industry and can be rated as one among the best in commercial automobile designers.
BMW 530D Features
Displacement :2993cc 16, diesel
Bore * Stroke : 90 * 84 mm
Compression Ratio : 17:1
Max Power : 232bhp@4000 rpm
Max Torque : 50.5 kgm@1750-3250 rpm
Value gear : 24-value, DOHC
Specific Output : 77.5 bhp/litre
Power to weight : 145 bph/tonne
Torque to weight : 31.5 kgm/tonne
Tranmission : 6-speed auto
STEERING
Type : Rack and pinion with variable power assist
Turning Radius : 5.7m
SUSPENSION
Front : Double-joint tiebar, spring strut axle,subframe,anti-roll bar
Rear : Integrated multi-arm axle, subframe, anti-squat, anti-dive
TYRES : 245/40 R18, runflats
BRAKES :
Front :ventilated Discs.
Rear : ventilated discs
ABS : Standard with EBD & ESP
DIMENSIONS :
L/W/H(mm) : 4841/1846/1468
Wheelbase : 2888mm
Track(F/R) : 1558/1551 mm
Kerb Weight : 1600 kg
ROAD TEST :
0-60 Kph : 3.47 secs
0-100 Kph : 7.32 secs
Quater Mile : 15.4s/146.7 kph
Standing Km : 28.1s/191.4 Kph
80-120 Kph :5.1 secs
100-140 Kph : 6.5 secs
Top Speed :234 Kph
PET Time: 49.7 secs
Mileage(overall) :10kpl.
Maruti Swift- car of the year
The Maruti Suzuki Swift had taken the nation by storm but it was by a very narrow margin that it managed to get the overdrive car of the year 2009. Two of the judges gave it full points while only three of the others gave it their highest points which were seven for two jury members and eight for the third. The Swift was given a run for its money by the Fiesta, while none of the jury members gave it the maximum points, four of the jury members made the Fiesta their first choice with one of them giving it 9 points, two eight and the fourth seven. At the final count only four points separated the Fiesta from the Swift while the Laura came in third, a further 14 points behind.
Winners:
2009- Maruti swift
2008- Skoda Superb
2007- Honda City i-DSI
2006- Ford Mondeo
2005- Maruti Alto
2004- Honda City.
Mercedes GL class
Mercedes is determined to fill every niche in the car market and if necessary create some more niches to accommodate its proliferating model range. The latest addition is the GL-class, a seven seat SUV that is supposed to fit above the ML range and parallel the R-class as a high set and more capable off-roader. It has the same unitary construction as the ML and R. The GL made its debut at the Detroit show and will go on sale in America in the spring. The US will concentrate on the 5.5 litre GL500,4.6 litre GL450 and 4.3 litre GL420, all V8s, while the wider range will include V6 and V8 diesel engines.
The GL is 200in long and 72.4in high with a wheel base of 121in. The third row of seats lowers and stows electrically. Airmatic air suspension is standard. SUV will continue in production at Magna Steyr in Austria. The G-wagen was launched in 1979 and originally sold with both Mercedes and Steryr badges.
Honda City ZX
Honda’s hot-seeling City in for a facelift. The front now has a new grille with a new mesh and an additional chrome strip in the middle. The headlamp cluster too sports a fresh look as do the front fog lamps, which weren’t there on the current model. Even the tail lamps are different, with new ones being integrated into the boot lid to give the car a more plush, upmarket civic like look. The lights also ensure that the bulky looking boot is more compact and gives the car a more balanced look from behind.
The interiors, which have always been inviting and luxurious, remain largely unchanged with only subtle changes to the gauges. A new addition is the drawers at the bottom of the rear seats. All these changes are in keeping with the company’s efforts to water down the unconventional looks of the present car. Expected to hit Indian roads in time with Honda’s capacity expansion programme to reduce the waiting period.
Audi Q7 to roll in India
Audi’s answer to Porsche’s Cayenne and BMW’s X5 will set sail for India. Audi is hoping to make it big with the Q7. The first SUV from the makers of Quattro will be available in both the 4.2 litre FSi and 3.0 litre Tdi forms producing 355PS and 235PS respectively. In an SUV, torque is a selling point and it doesn’t disappoint with 440Nm for the petrol and 500Nm for the diesel engine. Both engines are combined to a six speed tiptronic as standard while a torque sensing differential spilts torque in a 40:60 ratio.
Other standard features such as MMI, adaptive air suspension, ABS, ESP, Electronic Lock Differential (EDL) with yaw control and electronic cruise control will be available for the Indian model. Audi belives that with its current technology it can maintain near identical power ratings despite poorer fuel quality in our country. With a price tag in the range of Rs 55-75 lakh it’s not cheap. But with Audi looking at selling 70,000 units worldwide in the first year, 40 units of which in India.
