Indian Car News

Concept CS shows new design direction - Bigger than a Bentley, lower than an Aston DB9 - Production version could get 6.0-litre V12 We were expecting a two-seat sports car, but instead BMW pulled off a major coup by unveiling its new design language in a saloon concept at the recent Shanghai Motor Show. And it could also be a pointer to a forthcoming M7. The Concept CS is a large four-door, four-seat sports saloon in the mould of the Aston Martin Rapide and Porsche Panamera. But there’s more to it than that. It gives us a look at the beginning of a new design direction for BMW as it starts to move away from the look pioneered by design director Chris Bangle and first featured on the current 7-series. The car’s heavily sculptured look will set the tone for the next generation of BMWs. “We wanted to do a big, sporty car without making it appear heavy,” said BMW design boss Adrian van Hooydonk. BMW puts a lot of emphasis on the car’s sporting potential, saying it “combines the qualities o...

All-new 10th-generation Toyota Corolla coming to India in August 2008. Toyota is likely to launch the all-new 10th-generation Corolla in India in August 2008. Built on an all-new platform, with new objectives and goals in mind, the saloon version of the world’s most popular car has, this time around, been given special treatment from the world’s most successful carmaker. A car that was sent back to the drawing board, this all-new Corolla sedan showcases Toyota’s new-found love of class-leading and forward-thinking design. A trend that began with the new Camry, the strong acceptance of its car in global markets has Toyota very bullish on the design front. Differing considerably from the hatchback version sold in other markets, the saloon will be targeted at emerging economies as well as markets where compact saloon cars are finding greater acceptability, like Europe. The new Corolla’s silhouette is much sportier than the current one. The overall height may be the same, but Toyota design...

By 2010, all cars in the UK will be fitted with 400 pounds worth aircraft-style black boxes which will automatically call emergency services after a violent crash. The palm-sized electrical devices will activate an SOS distress signal only if the crash is serious enough to trigger an air bag release or flip the car. The device will dial 112 - the pan-European emergency number - and send a digital text message with details of where and when the accident happened. A voice link to the driver will allow paramedics to find out details about injuries, while a "panic button" linking the driver to a central control room will also be installed. Authorities have said investigators could use the information to work out the causes behind crashes and to ensure that emergency services reach victims sooner. EU Commissioner Viviane Reding has claimed the eCall scheme could save about 2,500 lives every year across Europe. But motoring groups fear the technology could be developed to spy on dr...

Ford-owned premium car brand Volvo is planning to drive into India the S80 and the SUV XC 90 by the end of this year, reports CNBC-TV18. Volvo Car India may have lost time in the homologation process, or road worthiness test, but it is now gearing up to entice Indian customers with the S80 and the SUV XC 90 by the end of this year. These models will have six engine options, with two petrol and one diesel for each model. And then, the S60 or the smaller S40 might follow. Paul de Voijs, MD, Volvo Car India, says “It looks like a sedan will be the next car.” In addition to its current three dealerships, Volvo plans to add another 7 to 9 in 2008, almost all of them in the South. Volvo is building the infrastructure as it sees strong growth in the premium segment. Voijs adds “Normally in developing markets, the premium segments grow faster in terms of percentage. We expect this segment to double in 2-3 years.” Of course, as the new German brigade of Audi, BMW and Volkswagen make its way on ...

The Indian car market is now manufacturing and producing cars with more safety measures. A growing number of cars, even the low end ones are being souped with global safety measures. It is great news, not just for the common man but even for the IT companies. Safety features that earlier only came with high-end models are now being introduced in small cars. The recent introduction of factory fitted engine immobilisers in Maruti cars and anti-lock brakes in an entry-level car like the Chevrolet Spark are examples. The electronic content in a car in western countries that are safety obsessed could be as high as 40 per cent and Indian Indian companies are trying to catch up to that level. President of Automotive Sector M&M, Pawan Goenka, says that the Indian car companies will move up the value chain and though they may not be able to reach 40 per cent in two years time, they will definitely move from the level that they are in today. Indian Software giants like WIPRO are doing what t...