X1 crossover is a hit, even before BMW puts the compact 1-Series into production

You know you’re doing well with your marketing when demand for a crossover of a car that hasn’t been produced yet is gaining steam.

That’s the scenario BMW finds itself in when the BMW X1, which will be released in introduced in Europe at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, is now scheduled to have a US version to be released in 2011.

It’s a good place to be in for the guys at BMW, considering the way the ongoing economic crisis has slowed own auto sales all over the world. Before it was officially released by BMW, photos of the X1 were already being circulated in the Internet where it has received a string of positive reviews from auto aficionados everywhere.

2011 Alfa Romeo Giulia

What you see pictured above is an artist's impression of the Alfa Romeo 159 replacement that is reported to revive the Giulia nameplate as the Italians are swapping their current system of numeric names for more personal ones (e.g. the 147's successor will be named Milano). The CGI, courtesy of Motorionline, is apparently more of a wild guess on the Guilia's styling than anything else, but in any case, we'll let you decide if you like it or not.

The Giulia, which isn't expected to surface on the market before the second half of 2011, will make use of Fiat Group's new versatile C-Evo platform that will also underpins the forthcoming Milano hatchback.

And yes, unfortunately this means that the Giulia will not make the transition to rear-wheel drive. Instead, Alfa's 3-Series challenger will be offered with front-wheel drive with the option of the Italian firm's Q4 four-wheel drive system.

It's too early for any official information on the engine range, but we suspect that the Giulia will most likely be offered with Alfa's 1.75-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol as well as with a V6 petrol and numerous turbo diesels.

And how about a GTA variant? Well, that's a tough one especially since Alfa abandoned its plans for a 'hot' 159, but hopefully the Italian automaker will make it up with the presentation of the Giulia GTA.

Ferrari 458 Italia Unveiled

The curvy accomplishment sitting before you is the newly-unveiled Ferrari 458 Italia, which will replace the F430. While the car won’t be shown in public until the Frankfort Motor Show in September, Ferrari has released the details and given us an intimate glimpse of what to expect with these stunning renderings. “Designed for owners for whom the priority is uncompromising on-road performance with occasional track day capability, but who still demand a car that is useable in day-to-day driving”, the 458 Italia features a direct-injected, mid-rear V8 good for 562 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque. A seven-speed dual clutch gearbox provides seamless shifting and control while a steering wheel with integrated controls keeps nearly every necessary adjustment at the driver’s fingertips. The 458 tops out at 9000 rpm and Ferrari redesigned the gear ratio so that 80% of its torque is available at the low 3250 rpm. The powertrain combines with the compact, aerodynamic shape and lightweight aluminum structure to provide a 0 to 62 time of 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 202 MPH. The 458 gives us just one more thing to look forward to at Frankfort.

Adorable Audi: 2009 TTS Roadster

For a mid-summer run on the Berkshire back roads to a Saturday evening performance by the Boston Symphony at Tanglewood, it would be difficult to beat my TTS roadster. The top was down, the stereo was pumping out classical tunes from Sirius satellite radio, and the brilliant red TTS was the best looking car on the road — though not so good looking as to attract the attention of any Massachusetts state police, who were anyway otherwise engaged directing concert-going traffic.

The “S” designation identifies the sport version of the well-known TT roadster. An $8,200 bump in the base price gets you a pumped-up version of Audi’s 2.0 liter turbocharged engine that puts out 265 horsepower (vs. 200 hp in the TT) as well as a host of appearance features like 19-inch 7 twin-spoke wheels. Audi doesn’t make any ugly cars, and the front end, with a body-colored bar bisecting the iconic horseshoe grille, is the brand’s best looking.

The Quattro all-wheel drive system keeps the TTS planted through the tightest curves, and acceleration at higher revs is impressive. There is one important performance exception, though: The turbo is slow to spool up at low engine turns, creating sponginess underfoot and uncertainty before you attain cruising speed. I eventually discovered that a slow, even throttle advancement produced better results than an impulsive stab. But I missed the feeling of power under pedal I remember from a Porsche Boxster.

With its stubby but refined bubble shape, the TT is a modern design classic whose looks are only improved in this latest version. And thank goodness Audi didn’t follow BMW by adding a power retractable hardtop. The TTS’s convertible fabric roof is as tight as it needs to be and raises and lowers in seconds, never impinging, needless to say, on the surprisingly commodious trunk.

Owning a TT is a very special experience these days. Only 951 new ones changed hands during the first half of the year, only a fraction of those were roadsters, and only a fraction of THOSE were ”S” roadsters. The $55,075 sticker price for my test car gives you one big clue why. Still, there is nothing else quite like it on the road, and I can begin to justify the purchase to myself if I think about it as an investment, like a mechanical Swiss watch, to be handed down to future generations.

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Porsche Panamera to cost Rs 2 crore

Porsche says that it plans to sell around 50 cars priced in the range of Rs 1.4 crore to Rs 2 crore.

You can get more details of this car from the official site.

If you are a car buff, you can also get some wallpapers here.

You can also get some interesting information from Wikipedia's page on the Panamera.

And if you want something offbeat, check out Top Gear's comparison of the Panamera with Britain's postal service.

Porsche Panamera luxury sedan

Porsche has announced to launch its luxury sedan Panamera in the Indian market at a price tag of Rs 1.4 crore.

The Carrera GT was phased out in May 2006. A high performance luxury saloon/sedan, the Panamera, was launched on Monday, 20 April 2009.

At launch, all Panameras will be powered by 4.8-liter V8s based on the Cayenne GTS motor. The engine can be had with or without turbochargers. Both engines get direct injection that helps improve power while reducing fuel consumption.

The base version spins out 400 hp at 6,500 rpm and a healthy 369 lb-ft of torque from 3,500-5,000 rpm. The force-fed versions add a turbocharger to each exhaust manifold, which boosts the output to an even 500 hp.

More importantly for fans of instant thrust, the torque goes to 516 lb-ft between 2,250 and 4,500 rpm.

Porsche is among top car brands in the world. In a May 2006 survey, the company was awarded the title of the most prestigious automobile brand by Luxury Institute, New York.

It questioned more than 500 households with a gross annual income of at least US $200,000 and a net worth of at least US $720,000. The current Porsche lineup includes sports cars from the Boxster roadster to their most famous product, the 911.

The Cayman is a hard top car similar to the Boxster in a slightly higher price range. The Cayenne is Porsche’s mid-size luxury SUV.

Spy Shots Porsche 911 mule

No automaker is immune to global environmental pressures to reduce pollutants and limit carbon dioxide emissions. Even Porsche has gotten into the green game with both diesel and hybrid options for its Cayenne along with an expected hybrid powertrain for its Panamara range. Could that fuel-saving technology make a move closer to Porsche's sportscar roots? If so, would the battery pack go under the front hood in the rear-engined car?

According to a series of spy photos from our friends at NextAutos, the answer to those questions may be yes and yes. Although there aren't any logos on the car – save for some awesomely well-placed Batman stickers (Are we looking at the next Tumbler?), the bodystyle undoubtedly screams 911 while the details have us scratching our heads. What's with the oddly shaped bulge (complete with what appears to be a lightning bolt graphic) on the hood, or the fact that the photogs claim the car made virtually no noise as it sped away at high velocities?

For what it's worth, in addition to the hybrid Cayenne and Panamera programs, we also know that the German automaker is keenly interested in electric vehicles, including its iconic 911. In other words, these are spy shots that have our interest piqued even more than usual.
[Source: NextAutos]

Lexus takes a new design direction

If you asked the car-buying world to applaud the history of Lexus, the ovation would be solid, deferential and short, since that's the kind of response respect and appreciation always earn.

There would be no chance of one of those sustained and heart-felt ovations that we lavish on the people and things we really love and hold dear.

This reality is clear to the folks at Toyota and Lexus, and they have been trying for some time to create cars that have more emotional resonance with buyers. This may be because most people prefer to be loved than respected, or it may be because there's a better business case to be made for attracting buyers who absolutely have to drive a Lexus than for buyers who think a Lexus is a good idea. And what if you could combine the two and create a perfect vehicle that was highly desirable?

Whatever the motivation for Lexus, these attempts have largely failed and maybe always will as long as the company is run by people who believe that "the relentless pursuit of perfection" is a slogan to warm the heart of the car-buying public. To me, it's always sounded like a threat.

But here's Lexus once again with a new direction to its lineup, given first form by the GS sport sedan models for 2006, and the company once again wants to form a deeper psychic bond with the public.

The Canadian public will get its first chances to examine the new Lexus design direction this winter, when the GS turns up at the Montreal auto show in January and the Toronto auto show in February.

What they will see is a new direction for the brand, says Ken Tomikawa, the president and CEO of Toyota Canada Inc., to keep up with its new crop of buyers, who bring different demands to the table.

"Once, a Lexus was a very visible statement to others of its owner's success," says Tomikawa. "It was, and often still is, a status symbol for the affluent. But increasingly, affluent buyers are looking inward, desiring brands that reflect their own sense of values. Lexus is responding to this important shift in its customer base with a refocused emphasis on design and technology to create unique Lexus sophisticated performance."

In Tomikawa's view, the new design is "strikingly different from previous Lexus models." From an "architectural standpoint," the GS is supposed to mark a "move towards a more sculptural direction . . . that is artistic, dynamic, simple . . . yet intriguing."

A wheelbase that's 51 mm longer results in short overhangs on the new GS, and that is supposed to "create a wide, powerful stance.''

There will be two versions of GS on sale in Canada some time in 2005 -- the GS 300 with a new 3-litre V-6 and the GS 430 with the 4.3-litre V-8.

From the smaller engine, the GS will develop 245 hp and 228 lb-ft of torque. With the V-8, buyers can expect 300 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. Both engines will send power to the ground through a six-speed automatic with a sequential manual-shift mode.

For the first time, GS buyers will be able to add all-wheel-drive to the mix, but only as an option in the GS 300. The base model of the GS 300 and the GS 430 will be rear-wheel-drive.

Tomikawa thinks the introduction of all-wheel-drive on a Lexus sedan for the first time is a big deal in Canada, "because it makes the GS 300 the luxury car for all seasons."

As the power trains suggest, the GS is about more than just style. Stuart Payne, the director responsible for Lexus in Canada, says, "From a technology standpoint, the GS employs a sophisticated array of advanced safety, comfort and convenience features that will cause even the most enthusiastic driver to take notice."

The power train combinations provide "faster and substantially smoother acceleration for even better performance," Payne notes, and -- isn't technology a wonderful thing? -- improved fuel economy.

An Adaptive Variable Suspension "allows the driver to fine-tune suspension damping with four settings ranging from normal-mode for everyday driving to a sport-mode for a tighter, more precise feel."

Payne also says that both engines will "offer the performance enhancements and advanced vehicle control of the Lexus Vehicle Dynamic Management (VDM) system.

"Monitoring a variety of sensors, the system is capable of anticipating vehicle stability problems and correcting them with a combination of braking and throttle control," he explains, adding that the "new VDM system is less intrusive than conventional Vehicle Stability Control system, but ultimately more effective."

While all this go-fast technology is happening behind the scenes, the GS's occupants will be able to enjoy a passenger compartment that is said to be "central to the new Lexus design direction."

The interior of the new GS has "a precision, luxury feel with real wood, polished metal and leather accents," says Payne. "Everything inside the GS is designed and styled to create a haven for peaceful comfort and relaxation, from contoured and supportive front seats with optional climate control to the standard 10-speaker audio system with simple steering wheel controls.''

The new GS offers numerous standard features, such as keyless SmartAccess that allows the driver to lock, unlock and start the car simply by touching the door handle (as long as the key fob is nearby) and then, with the brake pedal depressed, simply pressing a push-button to start.

An advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring System can notify the driver of a "significant" loss in pressure in one or more tires, a condition that Payne notes "could potentially lead to premature tire wear and loss of control."

The GS will also feature optional Adaptive Front Lighting System, which helps illuminate a turn or curve as the driver steers into it.

The overall goal with regard to technology in the new GS, Payne explains, "was to make it more intuitive, more intelligent and more relevant to the needs of its driver."

The GS 430 will also offer an optional Pre-Collision System that Payne claims "can help reduce collision injury and damage." The system uses a millimetre-wave radar sensor to detect obstacles in front of the car and a pre-collision system computer with vehicle speed, steering angle and yaw rate inputs that help to determine in advance whether a collision is unavoidable. If a collision is indeed deemed unavoidable, the system then retracts front seatbelts and prepares Brake Assist for increased braking force to help reduce collision speed.

All in all, says Payne, "nearly every feature on the GS makes this sports sedan more manageable and more engaging to drive." That of course remains to be seen, as does consumer reaction to the latest styling direction from Lexus.

VIA

2010 Lexus Hybrid Car

The Toyota luxury division has released pricing for its new 2010 Lexus Hybrid car. The Lexus HS 250h is one of the most affordable and economical luxury cars on the market. The vehicle will debut late summer with a starting price of $34,200.

The automobile can achieve an impressive 35 mpg combined EPA rating. Standard equipment on the base model includes leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, a ten-speaker sound system with subwoofer, and USB, iPod, and Bluetooth phone and audio interfaces. The car rides on 18-inch alloy wheels and includes rain-sensing wipers, heated mirrors, wood trim, and a comprehensive key fob memory system for each driver.

2010 Lexus Hybrid Dashboard

The vehicle features a great dashboard that projects speed, fuel economy, dynamic laser cruise control warning, an image of the steering wheel-mounted controls and turn-by-turn directions in the lower part of the windshield. The display is well designed and easier to read than some competitive systems. This system doesn't seem to interfere with the driver's forward vision like most.

The car can drive zero to 60 mph in just 8.4 seconds, according to the automaker. If this is true, it is approximately 1.5 seconds faster than the Toyota Prius. However, you really can't compare this vehicle to something like the Prius, because this car includes all the luxury components you would expect from Lexus conventional counterparts.

Luxury items in cars add weight, and therefore, you can't achieve the same mileage as compact cars such as the Prius. Even so, the 35 mpg rating is still impressive for a vehicle in this class. The HS250h could attract new customers if the automobile is perceived as the most affordable and economical Lexus.

The vehicle offers real-time adjustment of torque that helps improve fuel efficiency. In addition, a rear-mounted electric motor-generator enables all four wheels to perform regenerative braking while charging the battery. The automobile is certified as a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) in California, which means that it produces almost 70 percent fewer emissions than other vehicles.

To achieve greater mileage, the Lexus has a unique gull-wing-shaped roof panel design to reduce mass and to reduce wind drag. The front spoiler, rear spoiler, rear under spoiler, and diffuser fins all reduce turbulence. It is also the first Lexus vehicle to utilize carbon-neutral Ecological Plastic materials in a new futuristic cockpit and interior design.

Tata prepares for global roll-out of Nano

successfully launching world’s cheapest small car Nano on Indian roads, Tata Motors has now turned its attention to prepare for the global roll-out of the $2000 compact car. It is not only looking at markets like the U.S. and Europe, including Russia, but also banking on Latin America and South Asian nations to sell this fuel-efficient car.

Tata Motors, which has a tie-up with Fiat, is well-placed to leverage the marketing and sales network of the Italian car manufacturer across nations, particularly Europe and Latin America. Tata Motors believes that apart from India, developing South American economies like Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Venezuela could be a good market for Nano. For Fiat, Brazil is one of its biggest markets where it has strong dealership network and this may go in Tata Motors’ favour.

Tata Motors had already unveiled its Europe-specific model, Europa, in Geneva Motor Show, which it plans to introduce in 2011. Tata Group head Ratan Tata had said that though the European version of Nano would have different specifications vis-À-vis its Indian version, it will still remain a “people’s car” (in terms of pricing). Unlike the Indian model, the Europa model would be equipped with a sturdy bumper, a much rigid body, an air-conditioner, two airbags and power windows. Tata Motors already sells its models in Italy, Spain and Poland, and hence is comfortably placed to market its much-awaited model. It is also banking on Russia as a good market.

For Tata Motors, the good news came recently when Nano passed the crash test held in the U.K. recently. Interestingly, it was Nano’s Indian model and not Europa (the model designed specially for Europe markets) which passed the 40 per cent offset crash test at 56 kmph and the side-impact tests at a high-tech test facility at Birmingham. It is mandatory to clear these basic tests before a car is allowed to be sold in Europe. Similarly, Nano is headed for the U.S. market in the next couple of years. Tata Motors would have to get safety and emissions certifications before selling Nano in the U.S., where it can take advantage of the Fiat-Chrysler distribution network. Its superb mileage and emissions conforming to European standards would help it become a big draw in the Western markets, particularly Europe and the U.S. that have so far remained glued to fuel-guzzling SUVs and sedans.

Tata Motors is also looking at South Asia and African markets. While countries like Thailand and Malaysia offer good prospects for Nano in Southeast Asia, in Africa, where Tata Motors is fast progressing, Nano might run on the streets of Nigeria, South Africa, Congo, Senegal and Namibia by 2011.

Johnnie Walker gives away a Mercedes-Benz

INDIA. Johnnie Walker, the best-selling Scotch whisky brand, has announced the winner of its Win A Mercedes-Benz Contest, which ran for two months at Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport.

Haresh Dayalani walks away with a Mercedes-Benz C-Class 200 Kompressor.

To participate, passengers had to buy US$58 worth of Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky products in the Arrivals or Departures DFS duty free stores at Mumbai Airport from February to April 2009.

Diageo Executive Director Marketing & Innovation Santosh Kanekar said: “Johnnie Walker has always been a symbol of personal progress and sophistication, and this offer aimed to raise the bar for consumer experiences in Indian duty free.

“Shopping in duty free offers customers a convenience and value advantage of a different kind. We at Diageo intend to leave no stone unturned in pampering and rewarding our valuable consumers for trusting our brands.”

"Today I feel truly rewarded by the brand," says lucky winner Haresh Dayalani: (L-R) Mumbai International Airport Ltd Vice President Commercial Shirish Kotmire; Mumbai Airport Commissioner of Customs Tarun Govil; Haresh Dayalani and his wife; DFS India CEO Vispi Patel; and Diageo India Director Travel Retail Shivam Mishra

DFS India CEO Vispi Patel added: “We at DFS are pleased to provide Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport with India's first truly world-class duty free shops that offer a wide array of duty free products. With this unique contest, DFS extends the luxury experiences to its consumers.”

An elated Haresh Dayalani said: “Winning the Mercedes-Benz C-Class 200 Kompressor is a dream come true. Johnnie Walker has always been my favourite brand, and today I feel truly rewarded by the brand.”

Diageo has previously run promotions that rewarded duty free consumers with prizes such as an apartment in Cochin, two kilograms of gold as well as packages to the ICC World Cup 2007.

Johnnie Walker has a global partnering agreement with one of the world’s most successful Formula 1 motor racing teams, Team Vodafone McLaren Mercedes.

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK [Spied again]

While the next generation Mercedes SLK is still 2-3 years away from its debut, we have photos that show Mercedes hard at work on new the SLK as it laps the Nurburgring. Insiders say the next SLK will debut sometime in 2012.


Though the prototype is still heavily disguised, it’s visible that front grille and headlights will be more upright and square than those of the current model. The new SLK will also lose the Formula-One-inspired nose the current model has.

Daylight driving lamps, Mercedes’ new door handles and the bigger mirrors “standing” on the door rather than being mounted in front of the side window will feature as well. And of course, the folding metal roof will be standard again.

It remains unclear what engines Mercedes will offer in the next-gen SLK, but a forced-induction four-cylinder is not completely out of the question. That being said, the SLK won’t be completely going green as the performance AMG model is said to be one of the last Mercedes models to use the company’s 6.2L V8.

Nissan to introduce electric SUV next month

Nissan says that it is planning to introduce three electric cars on August 2, at least one of which is intended to be assembled at the automaker’s Spring Hill, Tennessee, assembly plant – and that one is expected to be the rumored compact SUV sized a bit smaller than the Rogue.

Measuring in at 164 inches in overall length, according to Japan’s Best Car Magazine, the SUV will be capable of a range exceeding 100 miles, if the publication is to be believed.

Between the SUV and the two other variants – likely small cars, one of which will compete with the Mitsubishi i-MiEV and one of which will be sized about like the Nissan Versa, the Japanese automaker apparently intends to sell more than 5 million units on the mass market by 2012.

Fiat offers to buy Carrozzeria Bertone

While most of its competitors are busy tightening their pockets and trying to save as much money as they can, Fiat is taking the opposite approach and has been on a recent spending spree. After purchasing Chrysler last month, the Italian-based automakers have also thrown their name on the hat as potential buyers of GM’s European and Latin American divisions, which, incidentally includes Opel and Vauxhall.

If that wasn’t enough, Fiat also offered a non-binding bid to purchase the legendary Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Bertone. Fiat, however has a number of competitors in pursuit of the Italy’s oldest coachbuilder brand, including Domenico Reviglio - head of Gruppo Prototipo, Lancia CEO Gianmario Rossignolo, Chinese automaker FAW and an additional unspecified Spanish concern.

The specifics behind Kia’s attempt at purchasing Bertone are still being kept under wraps. However, word has leaked that the Italian auto-giants are interested in a specific division – the Carrozzeria Bertone SpA - of the Gruppo Bertone corporation.

Bertone has been relatively quiet for a while now, but if Kia does indeed win the race to purchase the Italian coachbuilder, then we might as well expect to see this legendary brand return to the streets.