Friday, 13 September 2013

Ford Ecosport

The highly anticipated production version of the ford Ecosport was unveiled at the Beijing motor show. The SUV maintains most of the styling cues that we saw on the concept car that was unveiled  at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo, except it nope comes with conventional headlights, tail-lights and mirrors. The interiors, which were revealed for the first time, focus on space efficiency  and it’s no surprise that dashboard design is almost identical to the Fiesta. The rear seats have an upright seating position with legroom that is better than Fiesta’s. The boot is not particularly generous by SUV standards, with luggage space that is only marginally more than in a hatchback. An interesting detail is the electrically operated boot release housed in the left tail lamp cluster.

It is now confirmed that the EcoSport will duck under the sub-four-metre bar to avail of crucial excise benefits. Despite its small size, the muscular wheel arches, large trapezoidal grille, black cladding, chrome roof rails and high stance give it an SUV look. However, the 16-inch tyres look quite small in proportion, and Ford has deliberately not offered chunkier tyres in the interest of fuel efficiency. But it is likely that 17-inch ones will be offered on some versions.
The EcoSport will be powered by Ford’s new 1.0-litre, three-cylinder Ecoboost turbo-petrol engine, capable of developing power similar to a conventional 1.6-litre motor. The small capacity promises class-leading fuel economy. Taking into account the demand for diesel cars in India, Ford also plans to offer the 1.5-litre TDCi engine from the Fiesta in the EcoSport. Now what’s left to see is Ford prices the EcoSport competitively, as this will ultimately decide the car’s success. We expect it to be priced in the Rs 6-8 lakh price bracket.

New Nissan Sylphy to take on Corolla




The Nissan's New Challenge To The World.

Nissan's upward and onward march in India continues with the new Sylphy. The Japanese giant has long been missing a Corolla competitor, but now it finally seems to have one. Fresh from the eowen, the new Sylphy(code name L12F) is a car Nissan only recently previewed at the Beijing motor show, but already we can tell you it should be here sometime is 2014.
                What's immedietely clear is that Nissan has done a stellar job as far as the design is concerned. Looking for all the world like a car from a higher segment, the sew Sylphy uses a plenty of impressive infiniti design cues and attractive details. What you notice first are the sporty, swooping lines that are similar to the aggresive contours of the infiniti M. A sharp crease rises and falls over the front wheel arch, the nose of the car is tripped forward high-mounted headlights and a strong bonnet 'V'. Gaping inlets under the bumper., tight skinny on the bonet and flanks, and a coupe-like roof furthur enhance the appea. This could be the first car in the segment to get LED elements in its headlights.
                Nissan says this is also a practical design; that the interior space is more than its competitors in the segment, the gently sloping roof actually hides a massive boot, and that the chasis has been made extra stiff to help it deal with bad roads in China and southeast Asia.
                The big curves and swoops on the outside are carried over inside too. The dash is full of gentle flowing lines, there are plenty of attractive looking wooden and brushed aluminium bits, and the Sylphy has a nice, chunky steering wheel as well. Largeair-con vents, a neat looking climate control system and leather seats carry  the feeling of quality over to insides. What is crucial, however, is just how much rear legroom there will be.
                The Sylphy will be powered by two engines- one petrol and one diesel. The new 1.8 litere MR petrol motor promises much in terms of technology. A long-stroke motor that focuses on effortles  torque rather than outright horsepower, it should produce about Nissan tunes it for India. This all-aluminium motor has been engineered in collanoration with Renault, and features some truly unique technology. The enginealso featur4es tumble-control valves for the intake manifold , mirror-finished crank and camshafts and 'beehive' valve springs, adapted from drag racing. For India, Nissan will also have a diesel. The Sylphy will use the same, recently updated 108bhp 105 DCi(internally called K9K) motor as the Renault Fluence. a new variable- geometry turbo, seven- hole Piezo injector spray pattern have improved the performance of the engine and reduce turbo lag, and these changes also bode well for the Sylphy. A part froma six-speed manual, the petrol Sylphy is also likely to get a CVT automatic - one of Nissan's thoroughly updated ones that uses a metal belt and suffers 30 percent less friction.
                With a competetive price and a good spread of variant, this could be Nissan's ticket to the Rs10 lakh-plus segment, a part of the market is yet to tap.

Sunday, 11 November 2012

New Audi Q5 upgraded


Refreshed Audi Q5 details out

                The face lifted Audi Q5 will be launched at the Paris motor show later this year.
                The update will be more than just skin deep. In addition to minor design upgrades, the Q5 engine get enhanced performance and will be more efficient as well.
                The Q5's entry-level model, the 2.0 TDI, now develops 4bhp more than its predecessor. The 3.0 litre V6 TDI gets a negligible 1bhp bump in power , but the 8kgm of extra torque over the outgoing model promises to improve acceleration considerably. The most noticeable upgrade goes to the 2.0 litre TFSI model that receives changes in the control of valves and their management.

Monday, 22 October 2012

Lamborghini Ankonian


The Lamborghini Ankonian Concept was done in my second term as part of the Lamborghini Raw Materials Project led by Prof. Dr. Othmar Wickenheiser, where all students at the school could take part in.
Following the Lamborghini tradition I named the car 'Ankonian' after the bull type which is famous for his black hair (that's why I chose black).
The concept is a mid-engined supercar that is not 'green', but yet shows environmental responsibility, and therefore is downsized.


I didn't choose the today's midengine supercar clichés (extreme width, cab forward, aggressive graphical elements), but a rather narrow body, cab backward classical GT silhouette, and complexity/combination of soft and angular surfaces. Instead of showing power and aggression through some wild graphical elements (for example headlights) I achieved the same through the complexity of the main body which is rather softly designed, (and has a flair of the Italian elegance), and the angular, stealthy and sharp elements which remind of shields.
Concerning the design language, I put the Reventòn style to the next level, even more aggressive and crazy, but yet elegant, and more harmonious.
The main themes behind the concept, which actually make the chosen design language even stronger, are 'underground' and 'hardcore'. This is achieved by the triangular forms, for example, but mostly with the color combination of shiny black and matt dark grey.
During the design process we brought back the tradition (we did it old school)-clay modeling instead of CAD modeling. It took approx. 6 months to actually build the model and it was a great opportunity to try different possibilities concerning the surface management and the proportions. This how the design doesn't look 'artificial', but mature, and due to the fact that we had constant support by Lamborghini and Audi Advanced designers, the final designs have professional touch.
Even though very crazy and on first glance complicated, all Ankonian lines and intersections work together. Due to the tension in the lines and the concave and convex surfaces there is an impression of a strong and dynamic body. The big canyons and the fact that the tail was put on a diet give it a very light appearance. In addition, the hot-rod stance gives it a push forward, and the symbolic presence of wings and the arrow-like door graphic make the car very dynamical, even when it is in standing position.
The Lamborghini Ankonian Concept was done in my second term as part of the Lamborghini Raw Materials Project led by Prof. Dr. Othmar Wickenheiser, where all students at the school could take part in.
By leaving the usual headlight graphics, and having very thin OLEDs embedded between the surfaces, an eccentric and mysterious feeling is achieved. The same principle was applied at the back too, by doing an alien-like face with two big exhausts as eyes, and diffuser as mouth. Again, the lights are put on a position man would not expect (read: shock value).
Following the Lamborghini tradition I named the car 'Ankonian' after the bull type which is famous for his black hair (that's why I chose black).
The concept is a mid-engined supercar that is not 'green', but yet shows environmental responsibility, and therefore is downsized.
I didn't choose the today's midengine supercar clichés (extreme width, cab forward, aggressive graphical elements), but a rather narrow body, cab backward classical GT silhouette, and complexity/combination of soft and angular surfaces. Instead of showing power and aggression through some wild graphical elements (for example headlights) I achieved the same through the complexity of the main body which is rather softly designed, (and has a flair of the Italian elegance), and the angular, stealthy and sharp elements which remind of shields.
Concerning the design language, I put the Reventòn style to the next level, even more aggressive and crazy, but yet elegant, and more harmonious.
The main themes behind the concept, which actually make the chosen design language even stronger, are 'underground' and 'hardcore'. This is achieved by the triangular forms, for example, but mostly with the color combination of shiny black and matt dark grey.
During the design process we brought back the tradition (we did it old school)-clay modeling instead of CAD modeling. It took approx. 6 months to actually build the model and it was a great opportunity to try different possibilities concerning the surface management and the proportions. This how the design doesn't look 'artificial', but mature, and due to the fact that we had constant support by Lamborghini and Audi Advanced designers, the final designs have professional touch.
Even though very crazy and on first glance complicated, all Ankonian lines and intersections work together. Due to the tension in the lines and the concave and convex surfaces there is an impression of a strong and dynamic body. The big canyons and the fact that the tail was put on a diet give it a very light appearance. In addition, the hot-rod stance gives it a push forward, and the symbolic presence of wings and the arrow-like door graphic make the car very dynamical, even when it is in standing position.
By leaving the usual headlight graphics, and having very thin OLEDs embedded between the surfaces, an eccentric and mysterious feeling is achieved. The same principle was applied at the back too, by doing an alien-like face with two big exhausts as eyes, and diffuser as mouth. Again, the lights are put on a position man would not expect (read: shock value).

Friday, 7 September 2012

Victory Motors

Victory Motorcycles expected

Polaris Industries, The parent company

of Victory Motorcycles, are already here with ATVs and Harley-Davidson is going great guns in India. So how can Victory Motorcycles be far behind?
    The makers of some of the most outrageous, advanced and comfortable touring machines in the world, Victory are expected to showcase their entire line-up in India.

Wednesday, 22 August 2012

The Vauxhall Ampera

Electric driving without compromise

Looking for a stylish way to save on fuel and cut emissions while still enjoying performance driving? The new Vauxhall Ampera brings clean, eco-motoring to the road.

Free of the usual restrictions of batteries, it offers lively electric performance and a range of up to 360 miles. Why not join us in an electrifying future?


   Redefining electric drive

 The heart of the Vauxhall Ampera is its E-REV   propulsion system – the world's first plug-in, electrically driven, extended-range system in a production vehicle – which gives the new car up to 360 miles of range

Up to £5,000 towards an Ampera

The Government is offering motorists up to £5,000 off the price of qualifying ultra-low emissions vehicles – including the Ampera. Now it’s even easier to start cutting costs and fuel consumption with Vauxhall.









Ownership and support

To support Ampera owners, we’ve ensured there are 24 specialist Ampera Retailers around the country. We’ve also partnered with British Gas, who will recommend the best charging solution for your home, at no cost – and implement it, if you choose.






Precise and powerful

Of course, the Ampera also delivers premium class road-holding and handling. And if you’re worried about keeping up with the traffic, don’t: with 150PS and 370 Nm of torque, the Ampera accelerates from 0-60 mph in under nine seconds.




Everyday usability

You can use your Vauxhall Ampera exactly as you do your current car. It’s easy to charge, seats up to four and has plenty of luggage space. You can also pre-heat or cool it while charging, ready for when you set off.