New Ford Ikon Launched

Ford India has finally launched the new Ikon. We had posted earlier this year in March about Ford’s plan to launch the diesel Ikon. The new Ford Ikon is not only sporting a slightly spruced up look but has the Duratorq diesel engine which does duty in the diesel Fiesta and Fusion.

The new Ikon also boasts a freshened exterior design. The hood now has a sharper design and striking new headlamps along with an all new front bumper and larger lower grille.


The new Ikon comes with dual-tone beige interiors. The instrument cluster on the diesel variant incorporates new graphics, tachometer, LED needles and LCD odometer display.

The 1.4-litre Duratorq engine and 5 speed gearbox is developed jointly by Ford with Peugeot for a range of cars. The fantastic Duratorq oil burner has 68PS of power @ 4000rpm and 160NM of torque @ 2000rpm. The engine is light and this helps in better handling. The new sub-frame mounting for the engine-transmission assembly has helped in reducing the NVH. The steering and suspension have been retuned the to suit the diesel engine.

The Ikon weighs lesser then the Fiesta and thus should perform better in the Ikon. The Ikon diesel should give good fuel efficiency which was not the case with the petrol variant.

The new Ford Ikon comes with a two-year/100,000km warranty and is available in 7 colours - Diamond White, Panther Black, Moondust Silver, Paprika Red, Platinum, Brush Steel and a new colour Morello. The new Ikon is priced Rs. 4.59 Lakhs for the petrol and Rs. 5.19 Lakhs for the Diesel, Ex-Showroom, Delhi.

Volvo XC90 R-DESIGN Launched

Volvo India has launched a new variant of the XC90, the R-DESIGN. The Volvo XC90 R-DESIGN comes with a 4.4L V8 petrol engine producing 315hp of power and 440NM of torque. The R-DESIGN is a 7 seater and comes with 19 inch wheels. Its priced at Rs. 58 lacs ex showroom, Delhi.

VW Planning To Launch Caddy

Volkswagen is considering bringing its popular model Caddy into India as a low cost taxi for urban use. The commercial vehicle making arm of VW has also stated that it will come into India with a JV partner and it is close to incorporating that business in India. VW officials told reporters at the recently concluded Hanover International Automobile Exhibition (IAA) that Caddy would be slotted against Indica or Indigo.

“India deserves a good taxi. We are at a very advanced stage in our talks with a JV partner for this business.” Stefan Schaller, board spokesman for VW’s commercial vehicles business said.

Audi R8 November Launch

Audi will launch their super car R8 in November this year. The R8 will cost over Rs. 1.17 crore. The Audi R8 car will be an addition to the company's line of luxury sedans, including the A4, A6, A8, TT Coupe, and SUV Q7. Check out more pics and specs of the R8 here.

Audi has received orders for 15 units already, which would be delivered this year. Bullish on the fast growing luxury-car market in India, Audi has already posted a 200 per cent growth this year from that of last year.

"The whole segment is growing and we are growing even faster than the segment. We will sell this year about 1,000 cars in India," Vice-President Marketing Audi (India), Martin Birkner said, adding 350 units were sold last year.

Honda V4 Concept

Honda Motor Europe Ltd. exhibited the World Premiere V4 Concept Model at Intermot Cologne. The V4 Concept Model proposes a new, sensual design direction based on Honda's trademark 4-cylinder V- engine.

This year Honda celebrates its 60th anniversary as a company and next year the 50th anniversary of its participation in road racing, as well as the 30th anniversary of racing with an innovative 4-cylinder V-engine with oval pistons. Considering these milestones, Honda chose "The New Beginning" as its exhibition theme leading into 2009 and exhibited the V4 Concept Model which signifies the beginning of a new era.

For Intermot, Honda collected and exhibited successive V4 race machines as well as mass-market motorcycle products which were developed by feeding back the technologies cultivated through participation in challenging race competition, enabling visitors to review the lineage of 30 years of V4 engine technologies and see how Honda will take motorcycling somewhere it has not been before. The exhibition also offers an easy-to-understand introduction to various challenges Honda has undertaken in order to create joy for its customers, by utilizing its technologies that have been continuously advanced through Honda's 60-year history and by its participation in motorsports.

Honda understands the global trend today that motorcycle users see increasing value in more emotional and sensual performance during the real world riding experience rather than absolute performance measured in numeric specifications. On another front, user friendly features that meet with human sensibilities are also becoming important along with safety and environmental features, especially in mature markets.

Honda believes that the challenge to create attractive products with an increased focus on sensual performance will be the key for the future. At the same time, safety and environmental technologies as well as future energy technologies will continue to become an important theme for the development of motorcycle products. Moreover, in order to offer a comfortable life with motorcycles for a larger number of customers, Honda will put increased focus on the human-fitting match of rider and machine. Conceived around the trademark 4-cylinder V-engine, the V4 Concept Model expresses functional beauty as well as a more sensual image to appeal more to the emotions of people. Embodying Honda's passion for motorcycle development, the V4 Concept Model expresses the unique characteristics of Honda for a new era.

The V4 Concept Model mobilizes the driving forces of Honda - dreams, challenges, and creating new value. Honda positions this model as "the new beginning" of Honda's motorcycles.

Porsche Panamera GT Interior

The Porsche Panamera is one of the most awaited car from the Porsche stable. We really don't think that the Panamera looks good but then looks are subjective. The interiors are very Porsche like. The instrument cluster seems to be straight out from the Panamera's siblings. This car will surely be cheaper then the Lamborghini Estoque but i would anyday prefer a EVO X, if i want a 4 door car that can go fast too.

Pagani Zonda R

The much awaited race version of the highly desirable supercar Pagani Zonda is not far away from being launched. Known as the Zonda R, it is the ambitious plan of founder Horacio Pagani to have a track special version with a limited run of just ten cars. This super super super car will have atleast 750 bhp of power and has pure carbon-fiber construction. Check out more pics and details of the Pagani Zonda R here.

Fiat Bugster Concept

Fiats new concept vehicle the Fiat Bugster will make its debut at the Sao Paulo Motor Show in Brazil. This greenish two-seater concept looks like a crossover between a KTM X-Bow and a Jeep Wrangler.


The concept vehicle has been developed by the Italian firm’s automotive engineering division in Brazil and features a zero-emissions electric engine while its outer body is made completely out of renewable natural fibers thus reducing the environmental impact of the vehicle.

Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Polizia

A private ceremony was held at the Viminale Palace where Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. donated a police version of the company’s newest super sports car, Gallardo LP560-4 Polizia, to the head of the Italian State Police, Prefect Antonio Manganelli. Check out more pics and details of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Polizia here.

Picture Gallery - Suzuki GS150R

The latest entrant in the 150cc segment, the Suzuki GS150R has the potential to upbeat the current segment leader Bajaj Pulsar. Check out the picture gallery of the Suzuki GS150R after the jump.

Toyota To Make $5000 Car

Toyota Motor Corp and its mini vehicle unit Daihatsu Motor Co are developing a new car for India that will likely sell for around $5,000 (Rs. 2.5 lacs).

Toyota, the world's biggest automaker, has lagged rivals in the race to win over India's cost-conscious consumers - a battle that promises to heat up in earnest with Tata Motors scheduled to launch its $2,500 Nano car soon. A venture of India's Bajaj Auto Ltd with Renault SA and Nissan Motor Co plans a similar car, while Hyundai Motor Co and General Motors Corp are also studying an ultra-low-cost vehicle.

Toyota has so far only disclosed plans for what it calls an "entry family car", which is scheduled to be produced in India and Brazil from 2010 and 2011, respectively. That car is expected to cost around $8,000, although Toyota has not officially mentioned a price. The Asahi said Toyota will likely build the $5,000 car in India, with sales also possible in Brazil. Toyota executives have so far denied any interest in developing an ultra-low-cost car, arguing that selling such a car under the Toyota badge could hurt its brand image.

Aston Martin One-77 Pictures

The much awaited £1 million super car from Aston Martin, the One-77 seems to be nearing its launch. Check out more pics after the jump.

Maruti Hike Prices

Maruti Suzuki has increased prices of select models owing to company's profitability being affected by rising input costs, specially that of steel. The price hike on select models would range between Rs 2,000 and Rs 6,000.

The price hike is as follows : -

• M800 - Rs 2,000
• Omni Van - Rs 2,200
• Alto - Rs 2,500
• Zen Estilo & WagonR - Rs 3,000
• Versa - Rs. 3,500
• Gypsy - Rs. 5,500
• Select variants of Swift - Rs 4,500
• SX4 - Rs 6,000

Maruti reported 36.52 per cent dip in net profit for the quarter ended September at Rs 296.1 crore, against Rs 466.5 crore in the same period last year. The Swift Dzire has been spared from the price hike.

Tata Nano Launch Delayed

The scheduled launch of Tata Nano in the last quarter of this calendar is likely to be pushed back to the first quarter of next calendar year. The diesel version will face a domino delay. The delay in shifting the mother plant, the resultant financial loss and the current market turbulence has pushed back the petrol and diesel launch date.

At its Auto Expo unveiling in January this year, Mr Ratan Tata had indicated that the company was planning diesel and hybrid versions of Nano. “By and large we’ve always been a diesel company, so we will have a diesel version that will follow this variant soon after,” Mr Tata had said.

Vendor sources say work on the world’s smallest CRDi diesel engine had progressed to an advanced stage. The diesel engine will have fuel injection systems developed by Bosch, but the rest of the platform is being developed by Tata Motors and FEV, an independent engine and powertrain systems research, design and development company, based in Aachen, Germany. Sources say the 800cc, turbo-charged, CRDi diesel engine will be two-cylinder and crank out at least 30% more mileage compared to 800cc petrol cars.