Why, you might ask, do someone want to replace his vRS look-alike Laura 1.9TDI with Bilstein suspension, Borbet alloys and a 220bhp remap. With parts costing nearly Rs.7 lakhs and after all that trouble sourcing them, it was indeed tough decision for Peter K Chacko of Pete’s Automotive Pvt Ltd. It has been his daily [...]
When it comes to car-like driving dynamics, there is very little to touch the Innova. You can take it to triple digit speeds and cruise all day or even take it to the ghats without breaking a sweat. In fact there is very little to complain about the Innova’s ride and handling characteristics until you [...]
This car literally doesn’t exist outside the rally scene in India. However hard you try to say it is an Evolution in pyjamas, the Cedia was underwhelming with its low specific output engine. Couple that to Mitsubishi’s aimless marketing as a luxury car and HM’s lack of enthusiasm and the product never caught on. Nevertheless, [...]
The G13B Swift was hot when it was launched in 2005 but now you probably would pass many off, as you see loads on the road with all possible body kits, projections beams and alloy wheels. It is even easier to miss this white Swift VXi of Red Rooster Performance as an ordinary Swift were [...]
On the face of it, it looks absolutely unnecessary. Raising the already tall Endeavour by almost a whole foot. Why did TDI racing pull a modification of this towering proportion? The answer is ‘Because they can’. The Endeavour Thunder belongs to Bangalore based business man Tahzeem Aga- a true blue off roader who owns a [...]
The Thar is top of every youngster’s wishlist. Despite its lack of practicality an open top jeep with go anywhere ability and lots of macho appeal would definitely be the choice of anyone young at heart, whether one is a jeeper or just a pretender. Add to that, a Scorpio derived engine, transmission and front [...]
We have driven several souped up Skoda Octavias in the past, but this arguably is the maddest of them all. The black RS you see here is not meant to set big lap times, but it will scare you with its uncivilized nature and raw aggression. Raj Paul Thomas, 24year old mechanical engineer wanted to [...]
The Chevrolet Cruze has everything you need in a family car. It has a reasonable amount of space, comfy seats, a sorted ride, an automatic option if you want it and the other bells and whistles you’ve come to expect in all cars these days. Some buy it just for the looks- the imposing front [...]
The scene was set in the empty roads behind Jakkur aerodrome in Yalahanka Hobli, some 12 minutes drive from Bangalore. Waiting for us was this red Octavia vRS that has seen some work under the hood. The hot sun, the dusty wind and a badly worn clutch not favouring, we emptied a jerry can full [...]
If you ask me, a Peugeot 309 GLD would probably be the last thing I want to take to a drag race let alone, win it. But that is what Team Mars, a group of enthusiasts from Hyderababd wanted to do – take a lateral approach at the project. They could have started off with [...]
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Okay, the Swift was not really short on handling and the new one is even better. Maruti engineers have worked to hard to strike a balance between ride quality and handling that it shows in the way it drives. But you never know, there could be just another way of improving it and we come [...]
Track test : Continental CEC5 and CSC5 : Part II
Fiat 500 Abarth Engine 1.4L, 4-cyl, 16v, SOHC, turbo-charged Transmission 5sp Manual Power 160 bhp Torque 206 N-m 0-100kmph 7.4 sec The Fiat 500 Abarth is an altogether different beast from the cute and cuddly 500, we have in India. On the track, the 500 Abarth would gamely hold on to its lines and change [...]
Track Test: Continental CEC5 and CSC5 Part I
“When braking counts, you can count on us”. That’s the European ad campaign for Continental tyres. More than just a marketing slogan it is something their engineers have been working day and night to live up to. With car manufacturers already driving towards reducing fuel consumption and C02 emissions with technologies such as Blue Efficiency, [...]
VW Polo Cup to have 1.4TSI racers !
Well, you complained about the lack of proper noise at the VW Polo Cup races, didn’t you? The drone of diesels wheezing by didn’t offer quite the aural pleasure enthusiasts had hoped for and left many petrol heads complaining. Well, someone at VW was paying attention and this year, VW Polo Cup will have three [...]
Mercedes-Benz India launched the GL-Class ‘Grand Edition’, a spruced up version of the popular GL. Visually, the Grand Edition can be distinguished by the dark-tinted headlamps, a radiator grille with black, high-sheen louvers, a redesigned front bumper with integrated LED daytime running lamps and new 20 inch alloys. The car also gets two tone leather seats [...]
Video: Juke-R humiliates supercars
After our first report with an amateur video a week back, we now have an official video of the Nissan Juke-R participating in a side show event for the Dunlop 24 Hours of Dubai, while and taking on a Lamborghini Gallardo, Ferrari 458 Italia and Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. Regardless of the poor conditions the Juke-R [...]
Volkswagen has released first photos and details of the Up! five-door, that will come to India. We first saw the five door in the Cross Up! concept from Frankfurt last year, but this is without the cladding, chunky wheels and other details. Overall vehicle dimension and cargo capacity stay the same as the three-door. Extra [...]
Maruti has finally taken the wraps off their most anticipated seven seater, the Ertiga, at the Auto Expo today. It is based on the Ritz platform and borrows generously from the newly launched Swift. The Ertiga measures 4265mm in length and benefits from a 2740mm wheelbase providing three rows of seating. The flexible seating allows one [...]
Tata Motors today unveiled the new Tata Safari Strome, the latest in the long line of facelifts for the Safari. It looks like a minor model update, with the headlamps, the new grille and front bumper following a sleek, more elongated profile. The side profile is characterized by larger plastic cladding and the redesigned rear is now [...]
Nissan has unveiled the Evalia better known as the NV200, in India. The Evalia is a seven seater with sliding rear doors and three rows of seating. Nissan insists the Evalia, despite its van-like profile, is very car like to drive. Powering the MPV is the 1.5litre dCi diesel from the Micra/Sunny/Fluence. But for the [...]
Finally, the Mini brand has made it into India. The Mini, a subsidiary of BMW will be touted as a premium small car brand and will be sold through exclusive Mini dealerships in Delhi and Mumbai. The model range comprises of four models starting from the Mini Cooper, the Cooper S, the Convertible and the [...]
Hyundai Hexa Space concept debuts in Delhi
Hyundai Hexa Space MPV concept made its world premiere at the Delhi Auto Expo. The MPV concept is targeted to young urban families in emerging markets who require their vehicles to serve many roles. Codenamed HND-7, the Hexa Space MPV concept attempts to re-invent the use of interior space by incorporating eight hexagonally shaped seats [...]
Suzuki XA Alpha Concept shown at the Auto Expo
Suzuki has unveiled the XA Alpha concept at the Delhi Auto Expo. Based on the new Swift, the concept previews an actual production model that will hit the market in 2014 Designed to be a small Urban crossover, the XA Alpha has a prominent five piece grille, massive wheel arches and front fender vents. There’s [...]
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