Skoda unveils new engine 1.2 TSI for Octavia

Skoda Octavia is going to get a new engine - the existing line of petrol units will be extended with the turbocharged four-cylinder 1.2 TSI/77 kW with direct injection that has been used in the Yeti.

With its performance and maximum torque of 175 Nm at 1,550 – 4,100 revs/min-1, this extremely responsive new engine is an ideal solution for both city and motorway driving. Optionally, the unit can be combined with a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed automatic DSG.

Pursuing the downsizing trend, i.e., lower volume & excellent power, this modern engine makes it possible to combine economical operation and environmental friendliness with impressive driveability. With a combined consumption of 5.7 l/100 km, the Octavia 1.2 TSI complies with the EU5 and is now the most economical petrol model of the Octavia line. Furthermore, its low emission record (134g CO2/km) helps significantly in reducing Skoda's average emissions profile. The vehicle will be available from February 2010.

"We are really proud of our smallest engine in terms of volume, because it provides an ideal combination of state-of-the-art technology, economical operation and environmentally-friendly driving. It is an advanced unit that offers excellent driveability under every circumstances," said Dr. Eckhard Scholz, Skoda Auto BOD member responsible for technical development.

The new engine continues Skoda's tradition of over 110 years of excellence in engine manufacturing. The Mlada Boleslav plant started producing this unit in 2009. Planning to reach 1,000 units/day this year, the facility employs 600 people in engine manufacturing and produces as many as 2,800 engines in total every day. Besides the 1.2 TSI, the plant produces two versions of the 1.2 HTP (two different power levels) and performs the finish assembly of the 1.4 MPI and the diesel units 1.4 TDI PD, 2.0 TDI PD, 2.0 TDI CR.

Mercedes-Benz India rolls out S-350 L and CDI L BlueEfficiency in New Delhi

Mercedes-Benz formally announced the arrival of its iconic sedan and a global favourite - the All-New S 350 L and the S 350 CDI L BlueEfficiency in India. With state-of-the-art technology for even greater safety, as well as trailblazing innovations in comfort and drive technology, the Mercedes-Benz flagship is all set to reassert its leading position as the brand's innovation platform and benchmark for luxury sedans. For more than five decades, the Mercedes S-Class cars have signified a special aura, showcased intelligent technology and delivered the highest quality. The new S 350 L is priced at Rs. 82 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), while the new S 350 CDI L BlueEfficiency comes at Rs. 80.50 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Dr. Wilfried Aulbur (managing director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India) said, "The all-new S-Class is the perfect embodiment of the brand's core attributes of safety, comfort, quality and innovation. Its uncompromising standards have made it the preferred choice of the world's most powerful and influential people. Continuing the legacy, the all-new S-Class not only displays outstanding driving dynamics, but is a fitting testament of our technological expertise. Globally the S-Class is the overwhelming market leader in its segment; in India as well, the S-Class is the clear leader with over 53% share of the market. The new S 350 L & S350 CDI L will carry forward the S-Class leadership in this segment."

The 2010 S-Class is the only car in its category to offer a unique combination of ultra-modern assistance and protection systems. The new assistance systems turn the new S-Class model into an "intelligent" partner for the driver. The car is able to see, feel, respond reflexively and act autonomously to prevent accidents or mitigate their effects.

The 2010 S-Class offers features designed to provide highest levels of comfort and safety to its occupants. Features like Advance Parking Guidance with ultrasonic sensors, Multicolour Ambient Lighting, LED Light Package, Climatised seats, Massage function for rear seats, Attention Assist, etc are standard. As an exclusive world first for the 2010 S-Class, Splitview technology is being offered. With two views on a single screen, both the driver & the front passenger can view different functions simultaneously on the screen. A wireless headphone with remote ensures that the co-passenger does not interfere with the driver's focus while on the road.

Great attention has been given to the Rear Seat comfort & entertainment package for the rear-passengers. New introductions include redesigned rear entertainment screens with remote control & 2 wireless headphones as well as standard massage function for the rear passenger.

With typical Mercedes attention to detail, the designers have also given great attention to the interior of the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class, ensuring that every feature appeals in both emotional and functional terms with its form, colour and material. The result is a harmonious whole - an atmosphere in which the car's occupants immediately feel safe and protected, and long journeys can be taken without any feeling of effort or stress. 

Blogger Ajay Jain to undertake Great Himalaya Drive from Kashmir to Arunachal

In the first sponsorship of its kind in the online travel space in the country, TripAdvisor and Yatra.com have partnered with noted travel blogger and photographer Ajay Jain for an ultimate driving challenge that covers the entire span of the Himalayas from Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh. 

The journey will take place in two phases. The first leg, starting January 29, will commence from Nepal and end in Arunachal Pradesh and last 8-10 weeks. The second leg will start from Kashmir and end in Uttarakhand, ending where the first leg started. This will take place in May & June over 6-8 weeks. The drive is is being split into these two phases keeping weather conditions in mind.

Sharat Dhall, managing director, TripAdvisor India said, "TripAdvisor's vision is to help people around the world plan and have the perfect trip on any budget by providing them with unbiased reviews by real travelers. Driving across the full length of the Himalayas is a daunting task and we're proud to Sponsor Ajay in this endeavour. Ajay will use TripAdvisor hotel reviews in making his choices of stay along the road trip – a testimony to the India specific content of the site. Ajay will also share his hotel stay & travel experiences on TripAdvisor – making them available to millions of travelers across India and the world. We wish Ajay all the best and a safe trip!"  

Speaking on the occasion, Pratik Mazumder, marketing head, Yatra.com, said, "Yatra has always proven to be a travel/destination pioneer, therefore, we take pride in joining hands with Ajay for this thrilling expedition and wish him success for this long journey. This step reinforces our travel expertise and we keenly look forward to seeing Ajay after 120 days to know his diverse travel experience, which would be shared with our audiences to educate them on our successful association with this voyage."

Full Throttle:The Automobile Conclave organised by IIM Lucknow

The Annual International Business Conclave of IIM Lucknow organised ' Full Throttle: The Automobile Conclave'. The conclave discussed issues like in recent times global automobile conglomerates have crashed while the Indian sector has seen an opposing trend with acquisitions and innovations galore. The growth opportunities in this sector are seamless and every day presents a newer challenge to the industry with extremely dynamic requirements and demands. The theme of the conclave was 'Moving into top gear: getting India on the road ahead'.

Dr. Wilfried Aulbur, CEO Mercedes Benz India, D.P. Singh, VP S&M Goodyear India, Rajeev Kapoor, president and CEO Fiat India, Dilip Chenoy, director-general SIAM and Dilip Chhabria, founder, DC Design. These are the names which glittered at the conclave at IIM Lucknow. The sizeable audience gathered at the conclave was a mix of B-school students from across the globe, industry stalwarts, IIM Lucknow alumni among others. It was an enriching 2 hours of discussions which touched upon several relevant issues in the automobile industry in India. 

 "There is a right to drive/hire/rent a car in Europe. It would be great if we have such a concept in India", said Dr. Wilfried Aulbur. Dilip Chenoy shared his views on the correlation between the auto industry and global warming "Research in fuel efficiency is highly important. This is a step which the entire automobile industry has to take in unison"

The discussion provided an insight into the working dynamics and thriving factors of the Automobile industries. It provided a critical analysis of the current position of the sector and the various opportunities for expansion. The conclave was pivoted around the Indian scenario and aimed to investigate the governing equations of the in-context industry, and attempt at answering the question regarding potential sustainability.

 

Chevrolet Aveo RS debuts at 2010 Washington Auto Show

General Motors'the new Chevrolet Aveo RS makes its Washington, D.C. debut this week at the 2010 Washington Auto Show. It features a European-inspired hot hatch look designed to appeal to young enthusiasts, and hints at the next-generation Aveo. Longer, wider and more spacious than the current production Aveo, the Aveo RS showcases the car's upscale-looking design cues both inside and out, and presents the many personalization options potentially available on the next-generation car. Its 1.4L I-4 Ecotec turbo engine delivers exceptional fuel economy with performance when it's needed.

"We hope the Aveo RS show car will demonstrate that we are as serious about redefining the Aveo and its place in the small-car segment as we were about reinventing the Malibu," said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet general manager.

The Aveo RS show car, finished in electric Boracay Blue, wears global Chevrolet design cues such as the dual element grille, round taillamps and fender flares, but designers turned up the attitude on the show car with low openings and a lower mouth trimmed in a combination of brushed and polished aluminum. Outboard fog lamps are integrated into an exaggerated brake-cooling inlet that flows into the front fender flares, creating an aggressive-looking face.

Exposed headlamps, with their brushed aluminum structural surround, are inspired by the designers' affection for motorcycles. The sleek side profile is characterized by uninterrupted body side lines, a high beltline and low roofline. The side mirrors with amber-colored turn signal indicators carry the same shape as the car and seemingly disappear into the profile. At first glance, the car actually looks like a three-door hatch because the rear door handles are discreetly located in the "C"-pillar area.

"The Aveo RS show car demonstrates how progressive design can inject personality into a small car," said Michael Simcoe, executive director, North American Exterior Design. "We want customers to see it and have an emotional reaction to it."

The Aveo RS show car's wheels are 19-inch, five-spoke with a gun metal metallic finish Chevrolet logo. The wheel openings reveal large Boracay Blue brake calipers. The rear of the show car continues the sport theme, with an integrated spoiler that flows from the roof, a center-mounted exhaust and chrome exhaust tips. The exposed motorcycle-inspired rear taillamps feature tinted aluminum housings and a discreet Bowtie logo. With its matte black interior highlighted by gloss black, metallic and blue accents, the Aveo RS show car reflects as much attention to detail as the exterior. The Boracay Blue theme continues inside, with accent stitching across the dual cockpit instrument panel, front and rear door insert, steering wheel rim, gear shift boot, parking brake, leather seat bolster and even the floor mats. The integrated center stack holds the gearshift, HVAC controls and the sound system, including a USB port. Ice-blue backlighting on the audio display, telltale indicator screen and knobs augments the blue stitching.

The motorcycle inspiration also carries inside, with a round, analog tachometer set within an asymmetrical LCD readout also trimmed in milled metal with round cutouts; and round, aluminum-trimmed side vents. The interior is as functional as it is stylish, with storage compartments in the center stack and doors. The rear seats fold flat for carrying larger items.
The Aveo RS show car is powered by the same highly efficient 138-horsepower (103 kW) 1.4L I-4 Ecotec turbocharged engine that will be available in the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze. A six-speed manual transmission is designed to ensure the car will provide a spirited driving experience.

For the show car, designers created a special engine cover in graphite silver with a brushed aluminum insert. The coolant and power steering fluid fill caps are rimmed in ice blue, and the honeycomb vents flanking the center of the cover are matte-finished in shadow chrome and designed to match the wheel color.

Chevrolet has previously announced the new Aveo will be built at Orion Assembly in Orion Township, Mich., in 2011, a move that will restore 1,200 jobs to Southeast Michigan. Timing for retooling Orion Assembly for Aveo production is anticipated to begin in late 2010.   The Aveo is an important member of Chevrolet's family of small cars, positioned between the upcoming Cruze compact sedan and the Spark five-door mini car in size.

ICICI Lombard offers add-on covers for motor insurance policies

ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Ltd., the country's largest private sector general insurance company has announced that it will now offer customers zero depreciation add-on and consumable items add –on, which is a unique add on covers for motor insurance. Customers through zero depreciation add ons can limit their liability towards depreciation in case of an accident claim which results in partial loss / damage to the insured vehicle.

Customers benefit from this add on as they do not have to bear any cost of depreciation, which otherwise gets reduced from the claim amount at the point of claim settlement. Customers can enjoy complete cashless service at the network garages, all that they have to do is to quote their policy details and they can get their vehicle repaired.

The consumable Items add on comes with unique coverage of consumable items like nut and bolt, screw, washer, grease, lubricant, clips, A/C gas, bearings, distilled water, engine oil, oil filter, fuel filter, brake oil and the likes which otherwise get reduced from the claim amount at the time of claim settlement.

According to Ajay Shah, head, Customer Service Motor, ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Ltd., "Motor Insurance is the largest product category contributing almost more than 50 per cent of ICICI Lombard's gross retail premiums. ICICI Lombard has continued to provide best of offers to its customers in the motor Insurance space. Add on covers like Zero Depreciation and Consumable items are designed such that a customer paying full premium, gets a full claim too. In a regular scenario, in case of a claim, an insurance policy covers only part of the spare part expense and certain deductions are made by the company on the total parts cost admitted."

VW Polo sedan to follow hatchback launch this year

On the sidelines of inaugurating its new dealership outlet in Secunderabad, Volkswagen India has also informed that it is all set to launch the hatchback model of Polo in the first half of 2010, followed by its sedan version in the second half of this year. The Indian arm of the German carmaker has confirmed that the sedan would be based on Polo's platform and will be positioned in the C-segment.  Once launched it would be pitted against models like Hyundai Verna, Honda City, Toyota's upcoming Etios sedan, Maruti Suzuki Sx4, Ford Fiesta, etc. The company, however, didn't reveal the possible price range of the model. It is widely believed that the proposed C-segment sedan would be available in both petrol and diesel versions.

"Polo attracted huge numbers  at the recently-held auto show  in new Delhi. And, as the product portfolio expands, we hope to reach out to the mass audiencethrough new cars-Polo and the new sedan. We also hope that our volumes would swell through the launch of Polo," member of the board and director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Neeraj Garg, told reporters in Mumbai.  He also said, "This year the B-plus segment will be around 300,000 units in size. The entry of new players will further expand the market."  The Volkswagen Polo, would have both petrol and diesel versions," he said.  

It may be recalled that during late April, it has already begun the pre-series production of its mid- the new Polo at its Chakan plant in Pune, where currently Fabia is being rolled out. Volkswagen Polo will be available in both petrol and diesel models and will be rolled out at the 500-acre manufacturing unit at Chakan near Pune which has an annual capacity of 110,000 units. It will have 50 per cent localisation which will be enhanced further to 70-75 per cent in phases. However, the company refused to divulge the details of the localisation and the components to be sourced from Indian vendors.

Addressing a press conference in Secunderabad, Garg said, "The company sold over 3,039 cars in all during 2009, which includes 2004 Jettas, 600 Passats and other models. With the automotive sector projected to grow by about 17-20 per cent this year and the la This year, it is targeting more than 5,000 cars and is pinning hopes on Polo to ramp up the numbers, though Garg won't reveal the pricing strategy just yet.

When asked about the company's network expansion, Garg said, "Gearing up to the launch of our high volume model Polo, the company is in the process of further expanding its dealership and service network, which has already gone up from 14 to 40 by December 2009. This move will enable us to tap into Tier II and III cities across the country."