What's new, What's hot /// East of your border!

[nickatnite]

The two top selling SUV's in the country based on February 2010 SIAM figures, the Endeavour and Fortuner.

[nickatnite]

Orgasmic!.

For the entire lineup and excellent pics, here's the link again, below:

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super-cars-imports-india/76938-parx-super-car-show-delhi.html

[nickatnite]

Good deals?. Enjoy the weekend!.

[nickatnite]

[LEFT]British High Commissioner to India Richard Stagg (L), Managing Director Exclusive Motors Satya Bagla (C) and Bentley Regional Director India Chris Buxton, pose during the launch of the Bentley 'Mulsanne' in New Delhi, 13 March 2010.


Bentley has debuted its most expensive and equisite flagship sedan Mulsanne in the Indian market today.

The car was unveiled by Sir Richard Stag, Britain’s high commissioner to India and Chris Buxtonm, Bentley’s regional director in a ceremony held at British High Commissioner’s residence in New Delhi today.

Mulsanne is the first Bentley to be designed from grounds up in a long time and comes with the craftsmanship, refined performance, luxury and coach building elegance and experience the marquee is renowned for.

Speaking on the occasion, Chris Buxtonm said that their expectations with Mulsanne are quite high.

“I think our expectations with Mulsanne has always been very strong. We don’t see the sales of the car but wait for its demand in the market. The moment I think would be strong we would probably be sold out, by the end of 2011,” said Chris Buxton.

“I think we have taken some interested parties, I showed some Indian customers the car last year. This market is a very strong market for our cars and it goes back to 1911 when we came into the market. So as I said there are about 700 big car drivers in India today,” added Buxton.

Production of the new Mulsanne will commence at Bentley’s headquarters in England in the second quarter of 2010.

Designed to compete with the best in the world in the luxury car segment, the new Bentley Mulsanne offers huge customization options which includes 114 paint colors, 21 carpet colors, nine wood veneers and 24 interior leather hide all of which would be tanned using a decade-old process to ensure that this future classic is retained. The result of all the attention to details and quality is that each Mulsanne takes more than 2 months to build since more than 50% of the car involves hands craftsmanship of the highest order.

Source: autoholiks
[/LEFT]

[m_waqas]

^ HOT.... india is the happening place...
thanks for sharing..

[nickatnite]

^ HOT.... india is the happening place...
thanks for sharing..

I was reading about the technical specs of the engine and it is mind blowing!. The engine is an all new 6750cc V8 @ 505bhp and 1020Nm of torque.This engine also debuts the two new electro-mechanical control systems technologies by the VW Group namely, cam phasing and variable displacement. The pioneering use of these two technologies in combination allows the Mulsanne's engine management system to not only adjust the V8's breathing but also to effectively throttle back four cylinders independantly of the others, when not required. I'm not a great fan of the styling, but the ride seems promising. Estimated price is approx. RS3 crores in India.

[nickatnite]

Today was a slow day compounded by a heavy buffet lunch that has rendered me null and void for the remainder of it. Despite that i did manage to capture a few of what ventured out on a slow gloomy day.

[nickatnite]

My 1st street spotting pic of the Chevy BEAT commences in this post!. This car has been eluding me for awhile and i managed to click the blue one as i stopped for a light!. Luckily, nothing passed me as has been the case with earlier spottings of the car!. More shall follow and better pics and some modified BEATs too. The Nano is another car that pops up everywhere. Both happening cars of the moment here.
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[Ducati]

@nickatnite can you post some real life driver feedback on the Nano ? while I've read a few test ride articles but havent really come read feedback from someone who is now using it for their daily commute. Any friends you know who own the Nano ?

[n4noaman]

That looks good (Y)

[nickatnite]

@nickatnite can you post some real life driver feedback on the Nano ? while I've read a few test ride articles but havent really come read feedback from someone who is now using it for their daily commute. Any friends you know who own the Nano ?

Not anyone personally , yet but i have seen a few in the office parking lot. I've test driven a Nano and i can say it is a competent city car, even with the a/c on.'Stop and go' acceleration is a bit sluggish but it starts moving fast in 3rd gear. I've posted pics of the test car in preceding pages in this thread. From what i've read of long term reviews, no one has major complaints, AFAIK. I'll ask around and post a more detailed response.

@n4noaman

The dash exceeds my expectation. I hope the exterior design of the new Swift lives upto the hype and there's a lot of it here. Maruti-Suzuki is also launching an all new 2010 Wagon-R next month or early May and there's double anticipation here re: these two car launches. Too many cars popping up everywhere!.

Nothing exciting on the road today here in Chennai.Just the tedium of long lines to deal with!.

[nickatnite]

All grown up and looking cool now!.

[Proverbial_Slang]

Very nice coverage as always. Thank you Nicatnite. And 0% interest for the C-Class? WOW!

[nickatnite]

Very nice coverage as always. Thank you Nicatnite. And 0% interest for the C-Class? WOW!

Thanks!. I'll call the Merc dealer here and ask about the details of this deal. Both the 3-series and C-Class cars are priced similar at around RS23-25lacs new, so this deal must be based on a large down payment, if it is a 60-month(5-yr) spread or slightly less down on a 84-month(7-yr) which is the farthest they can stretch an auto payment here. Still, a good deal for those on a high salary that can afford the 36K payment, but don't have cash in hand. Expect sales to increase as a result of easier payment options for these two brands this year, especially with the new 5-series due in April/May 2010.

I always like Autopsyche's mod jobs. This is his latest Skoda Laura do, below.

[nickatnite]

Some folks look better as they age. The Teana is one of them. She looks grand and is attracting younger buyers now acc. to the local dealer. The Micra hachback, due in the showroom May 2010 and on delivery to customers in June will be the crowd puller and also the start of Renault-Nissan's putsch into the Indian auto market. The Micra will be followed by atleast three new models in various segments from the Renault-Nissan stable. The Fluence sedan showcased at the New Delhi Auto Expo is an eagerly awaited midsize sedan if responses filled at the Auto Show are any indication!.
n

[Dot3]

This post was flagged by the community and is temporarily hidden.

[nickatnite]

Mumbai-15Mar, 2010. Fiat India, today launched the 1.2litre Punto Fire Dynamic and Emotion, taking the battle of B+ hatchback segment to a newer height. The new Punto Fire 1.2 petrol with features that would envy anyone was launched for start price of Rs 4,72, 284 (ex showroom Mumbai).

Punto has emerged as the hottest selling car for Fiat and has been on a roll since its launch. With the launch of Punto 1.2 Fire, the officials said they are “now” in the market for a tough competition. The Punto 1.2 Emotion will come at a price of Rs 5,04, 279 (ex showroom Mumbai).

The Punto Fire comes with a tilt steering, front power windows, fire prevention system and programmed service reminder in its entry level 1.2 Active variant. The 1.2 Dynamic will offer rear power windows and central locking system. As an introductory offer, Fiat is also giving away music system in the 1.2 Dynamic. Meanwhile, the 1.2 Emotion variant will come an integrated music system, fog lamps, electric mirrors, dual tone dashboard and split seats.

Ravi G Bhatia, vice-president, Fiat India said that Rs 4-5lakh category is seeing a lot activity and the automobile sector in India is growing at a tremendous pace. “Look at the number of cars that has come in the category, so it was imperative that we also be a part of the game. Fiat has been looked upon as an expensive car but with these two launches we want to change that image.”

On the image that Fiat has that cost of ownership is high, he said that that is also slowing changing and that the company has been doing some serious activity to see that spare parts are available easily. He added, “And since localisation has set in, the cost of ownership will also come down drastically for Fiat cars. We are also opening dealerships all over India which should also help us change the image.”

The Fiat Punto 1.2 comes in eight colours: Bossa Nova White, Exotica Red, Minimal Grey, Hip Hop Black, Medium Grey, Electric Blue and 2 new colours i.e. Fox Trot Azure and Tuscan Wine.

source: carwale

[nickatnite]

@Dot3

I agree.

Pity GM is shutting down Hummer, as the H3 is a consistent seller for GM(India).Even i have spotted quite a few on the road which can be seen in preceding pages!.

[nickatnite]

Chennai, March 18, 2010 – Renault-Nissan Alliance Chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn today joined more than 1000 guests in Chennai, India, for the inauguration of the first dedicated Renault-Nissan Alliance vehicle manufacturing plant.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by the representatives of the State Government led by Dr. M Karunanidhi, the Hon. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in the presence of Dr. M K Stalin, the Hon. Deputy Chief Minister. Also present were Mr. Yoshiro Mori, President, the Japan-India Association & Former Prime Minister of Japan and both the Ambassadors of Japan and France to India.

Representing an investment of 45 billion Rupees ($990 million) and with the capacity to produce 400,000 units per year at full ramp up, the new Chennai plant will initially employ 1,500 workers at start of production in May 2010. With a supplier park of six companies in Chennai, the company estimates a total of 6,000 jobs will be created in the region.

“Our plant in Chennai represents a key milestone for the Renault Nissan Alliance in India,” said Carlos Ghosn. “With the new Micra, we have the start of a product offensive in India that is supported by a localized manufacturing facility capable of making products for both Renault and Nissan.”

The first vehicle to be produced at the plant will be the new Nissan Micra, a global sub-compact. The Micra, production for which will commence in May 2010, is the also first vehicle derived from the new V-platform, is destined for the Indian market as well as for export to over 100 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In 2011, the plant will start production of the Renault Koleos and Fluence, both destined for the Indian market.

Chennai already plays host to the Renault-Nissan Technology and Business Centre India Private Ltd (RNTBCI) which is contributing to both partners’ global operations in the key areas of advanced research and development, advanced CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering), product development, digital vehicle development, information systems development and local and global parts sourcing.

Photo of Nissan's Chennai plant:

[AutoCrat]

Another billion dollar, green field, auto manufacturing facility in Chennai, no doubt why its called the Detroit of India. Makes me kinda envious coming form neighboring AP.