Top 5 Small Cars That May Launch Soon

The Ford Figo, Volkswagen Polo, Nissan Micra, Hyundai i10 and many more new small cars have been sales boosters for their respective car makers. Gauging the success in this segment, the scenario looks like many more car makers in India would love to enter it. The strategies have already been planned and the pace at which the small car market in India is moving, it looks like success is certain. This article contains a note on the top 5 small cars that may launch in the Indian market very soon.

Toyota EtiosToyota EtiosThe Toyota Etios concept was showcased at this year’s Auto Expo in New Delhi. The introduction of this car will mark the entry of the car maker in the small car segment which accounts for over 70 per cent of sales in the Indian car market. If priced right, this car can boost Toyota’s sales figures significantly. Etios is believed to be entering the Indian roads by end of this year or early next year.

Not many details are available about the features the car may flaunt, although speculation is rife that it will carry a 1.2-litre 74-bhp petrol engine. The new car may be priced at Rs 4.5 Lakh.

All New Ford FiestaAll-new Ford Fiesta SedanThere’s a new Ford Fiesta hatchback that’s India bound. India must be lucky to get this one as it is one of the most beautiful models in the hatchback class sold in Europe today. A sedan version of the next-gen Fiesta may also enter the Indian market sooner or later. It will most probably sport a 1.4 Duratec petrol engine and the diesel variant may be powered by a 1.4 Duratorq diesel motor. While the petrol Fiesta may deliver 94.6 bhp, the new diesel Fiesta may expel 67 bhp.

The Ford Figo has been introduced to the Indian roads with a worthy tag. So, there shouldn’t be a problem with new Fiesta’s pricing too as Ford would be bringing it as a mass selling car. Those really interested could also hope for a higher variant with added power and features that may be launched at a later stage. Read the rest of this entry »

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Volvo Cars Based on Racing Concept

The Volvo car manufacturing company has announced it will produce three automobile models with features inspired by the Volvo Ocean Race, the prestigious around-the-world yacht race that attracts internationally respected sailors to compete for top honors.

The special models were announced by Volvo at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, the highly regarded annual car show held in Switzerland.

The new models, to be known as Volvo Ocean Race Editions, will be associated with the V60, the XC60 and the XC70 in the Volvo lineup. Orders for the special editions are slated to begin in April 2011 with delivery scheduled to start in July.

Volvo company officials have not yet released details on the cost of the special-edition models.

Design details of the new Volvo models are inspired by sailing, the marine lifestyle and the challenge and exhilaration associated with high-level yacht sailing. Volvo offers two specially created colors in the new line, known as Volvo Ocean Blue II and Electric Silver. The Volvo Ocean Race logo will appear in strategic locations on the back of the cars’ front seats. Leather upholstery in the cars’ interiors comes in soft beige and off-black, according to Volvo. The logo will also appear in various spots on the exterior and interior of the special editions of the cars.

The new editions of the cars will also feature attractive chrome detailing and unique aluminum wheels.

Volvo is targeting an audience of professional and amateur sailors as well as sports fans who appreciate skilled athletes and dramatic competition and drivers who respect the seafaring lifestyle.

Volvo officials said they expect to sell 7,500 of the special-edition autos, with many of the customers coming from Germany, Sweden, Great Britain and Italy.

Karin Backlund, the director of global sponsorship for Volvo, said in an official statement: “With the Volvo Ocean Race, we have a fantastic opportunity to reinforce the brand and highlight specific characteristics such as design, dynamic performance and innovative technology. It enables our effort to move the brand towards more emotive values.”

Based in Gothenburg, Sweden, Volvo manufactures, markets and distributes buses, trucks, heavy construction equipment, marine and sailing equipment and aerospace items as well as passenger automobiles. Volvo Cars, the company’s automobile subsidiary, is famous for its demanding safety standards as the cars’ tendency to record extremely high mileage totals.

It is no surprise that safety is also an important consideration in the Volvo Ocean Race, which was established in 1973 under a different name and has been owned and operated by Volvo since 2001. The race takes place once every three years.

All boats in the Volvo Ocean Race are equipped with global positioning satellite systems so that the sailors can relay their precise location in the event of an emergency. Each entrant in the race is required to successfully undergo a training course in safety precautions before the event.

The next edition of the race is scheduled to begin in Alicante, Spain in October 2011 and finish in Galway, Ireland, in July 2012.

I bet you that the Canadian car insurance quotes for these types of vehicles will be extremely expensive. However with the tried & tested safety of Volvo in the past, maybe this might soften the blow.

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The All New Audi R8 E-Tron Concept Car

With the Frankfurt motor show’s press days underway, Audi revealed a technical study that examines what its R8 sports New Audi R8 E-Tron Concept Car 2car might be like if powered by four powerful electric motors. The answer is E-Tron. The four motors fitted under the hood produce a modest 313 horse power but an astronomical 3,319 pound-feet of torque. Isn’t it amazing!

The total torque produced does not come at once. Such a quantity of twisting force usually found in the M47 Patton tank would turn all the tires into rubber vapor at the first throttle. The E-Tron is equipped with an electronic version of torque-vectoring system that is found in some of the Audi cars which are already on the road. This electronic version distributes the required torque to each wheel as needed to maximize traction the cornering ability. As Audi says it takes 4.8 seconds to get to 100 Km/h (62 Mph) from 0. This may not be termed as spectacular when compared with other super-cars. But once the rolling sets to go, the plot quickens – 37 Mph to 75 Mph in just 4.1 seconds, the extra torque stepping into defeat the mountain forces of friction and the resistance by wind. Read the rest of this entry »

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