Mercedes-Benz brings Pure Fascination to Kochi

Mercedes-Benz today set off a high-octane start to the year for the South Indian luxury car market by bringing the ‘Pure Fascination’ to Kochi. This theme was highlighted during its participation at the Auto Expo 2010 reflected the company’s strategy in the near future for Indian market.


It is to be mentioned that ‘Pure Fascination’ is an interplay between all the brand values of the company. The hallmarks of the brand: Passion, Perfection and cutting-edge Technology are values incorporated in its theme ‘Pure Fascination’, reflected by the mesmerizing array of products on display, experience offered and world-class infrastructure established. As the inventors of the automobile and the world’s most valuable premium car brand, Mercedes-Benz continues to remain the benchmark for vehicle quality, safety and refined motoring.
Read more: Mercedes-Benz brings Pure Fascination to Kochi - WheelsUnplugged Automobile Industry News
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

Toyota Verso is the only one to receive the latest Euro NCAP five star ratings

Euro NCAP has released the crash test results for five new cars - the Citroen Nemo, the Kia Venga, the Nissan Cube, the Seat Exeo and the Toyota Verso. And one car, the Toyota Verso, receives Euro NCAP’s maximum five star rating. New Euro NCAP rules and further demands in European legislation in 2010, means this year carmakers face even tougher challenges. Euro NCAP has raised the bar for carmakers to achieve five stars across three areas of safety protection. Performance thresholds for Adult Occupant Protection and Child Occupant Protection rise from 75% to 80% and from 70% to a 75% respectively. However, it is in Pedestrian Protection where the difference is felt the keenest increasing the minimum level required from 25% to 40%. The Toyota Verso is the only car to receive a maximum five star award in today’s results, with good scores achieved in all areas and a worthy 69% in pedestrian protection.


Read more: Toyota Verso is the only one to receive the latest Euro NCAP five star ratings - WheelsUnplugged Automobile Industry News

Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

Hyundai to accelerate European market expansion through UEFA EUROTOP 2010-17 sponsorship

Hyundai Motor Company will serve as the official sponsor of the UEFA EURO 2012 and UEFA EURO 2016.A strategic sponsorship agreement with UEFA was signed today by Steve S. Yang, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor, Hyoung-Keun Lee, president of Kia Motors Corporation, and Michel Platini, President of UEFA, Union of European Football Associations, at the company’s headquarters in Seoul, extending the company’s sponsorship to cover the 2012 and 2016 UEFA European Football Championship.


Read more: Hyundai to accelerate European market expansion through UEFA EUROTOP 2010-17 sponsorship - WheelsUnplugged Automobile Industry News

Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

Ford's small car Figo to be launched at New Delhi on March 9th

Despite being absent from the high-decibel 2010 Auto Expo, Ford India is gearing up to introduce its first semi-compact car-Figo- on the 9th of March this year. As per the media invite disseminated by the company, Michael Boneham, president and MD of Ford India, and Joe Hinrichs, group VP, Ford Motor company would be gracing the occasion at Hotel Taj Palace in New Delhi.


Read more: Ford's small car Figo to be launched at New Delhi on March 9th - WheelsUnplugged Automobile Industry News

Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

Skoda presents Fabia RS and Fabia Combi RS at the 80th Geneva Auto Show

Skoda Auto is presenting the new Fabia RS and Fabia Combi RS at the Geneva Motor Show, its second sports-tuned car after the Octavia RS. The properties of both Fabia RS versions are indeed impressive: for the first time ever, Skoda Auto is using a double-supercharged four-cylinder petrol engine providing 132 kW of power, despite just 1.4 litres of its volume. A sophisticated compressor-and-turbo combination increases the engine power smoothly and harmonically, and the maximum speed of 224 km/h (Combi 226 km/h) and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.3 seconds in both versions no doubt guarantee a sporty driving experience. With fuel consumption of 6.4 l/100 km, the Fabia RS offers high power, maximum fuel efficiency, as well as excellent environmental parameters.


Read more: Skoda presents Fabia RS and Fabia Combi RS at the 80th Geneva Auto Show - WheelsUnplugged Automobile Industry News

Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

Bentley Continental Range now fully fuelled for the future

At the Geneva Auto show, Bentley Motors today announced that its FlexFuel technology, pioneered on the Continental Supersports Coupe in 2009, now extends across the complete 2011 Continental range, including the new Supersports Convertible. The W12 6-litre power unit now has the technology to run on petrol, E85 bioethanol or any mix of these two fuels – all from a single tank.


Bentley announced its environmental strategy at the Geneva Motor Show in 2008. The three-fold strategy committed the Company to reduce overall CO2 emissions by 15 per cent by 2012; to introduce a new powertrain which will, by itself, deliver a 40% saving in fuel economy; and a commitment that the entire model range would be compatible with renewable fuels, also by 2012.

Read more: Bentley Continental Range now fully fuelled for the future - WheelsUnplugged Automobile Industry News

Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

At the Geneva Auto show, Bentley Motors today announced that its FlexFuel technology, pioneered on the Continental Supersports Coupe in 2009, now extends across the complete 2011 Continental range, including the new Supersports Convertible. The W12 6-litre power unit now has the technology to run on petrol, E85 bioethanol or any mix of these two fuels – all from a single tank.


Bentley announced its environmental strategy at the Geneva Motor Show in 2008. The three-fold strategy committed the Company to reduce overall CO2 emissions by 15 per cent by 2012; to introduce a new powertrain which will, by itself, deliver a 40% saving in fuel economy; and a commitment that the entire model range would be compatible with renewable fuels, also by 2012.







Read more: Bentley Continental Range now fully fuelled for the future - WheelsUnplugged Automobile Industry News

Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

All-new Volvo S60 to premier at 2010 Geneva Auto Show

The all-new Volvo S60 has its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show on the 2nd of March. It makes its entry into one of the automotive world's toughest segments backed by an extrovert attitude never before seen in Volvo showrooms. The all-new S60 is built at the Volvo Cars factory in Ghent, Belgium. The first cars will be delivered to customers in early summer 2010, with a roll out in India by early next year. The S60 with targets of 90,000 units worldwide in its first year of production should help Volvo chart a course to build and sell 500,000 cars a year within the next two-three years. In India, Volvo hopes to price the car under Rs 28 lakh for the base model and going up to Rs 32 lakh.

Read more: All-new Volvo S60 to premier at 2010 Geneva Auto Show - WheelsUnplugged Automobile Industry News
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

Tata Motors displays Electric Nano at the 80th Geneva Motor Show

Tata Motors today presented at the 80th Geneva Motor Show the Tata Nano Electric Vehicle (EV), based on the award winning Tata Nano platform. When launched, it will expand the company’s electric vehicles portfolio, which already comprises the Tata Indica Vista EV.


Ravi Kant, vice-chairman, Tata Motors, said, “Electrification will be an integral part of our initiative to launch environment-friendly vehicles. The Indica Vista EV will be introduced in select European countries, beginning this year. We will progressively introduce electric vehicles in all relevant markets.”

Read more: Tata Motors displays Electric Nano at the 80th Geneva Motor Show - WheelsUnplugged Automobile Industry News
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

Hero Motors ink JV with ZF Group to roll out chassis for cars

Hero Motors Ltd., a flagship company of the US$ 4.5 billion Hero Group and ZF-Lemforder, part of Euro 12.5 billion, German based ZF Group, today announced their partnership in founding the ZF Hero Chassis Systems Pvt. Ltd as a JV company. The new company is targeted to combine the strong role and reputation of Hero Motors in the Indian market with ZF´s technological expertise and their German know – how in the design and manufacturing of chassis – systems. The products of the new company are expected to play a major role in changing the driving performance for small cars in India.

Read more: Hero Motors ink JV with ZF Group to roll out chassis for cars - WheelsUnplugged Automobile Industry News
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

Gulf Oil to partner Kings XI Punjab for IPL 2010 for second year

Hinduja Group Company Gulf Oil, an internationally recognizable brand for over 100 years, has renewed their partnership with leading IPL 2010 team, Kings XI Punjab boasting of Kumara Sangakara, Yuvraj Singh, Brett Lee, Sreesanth and Irfan Pathan amongst others. Gulf Oil will be ‘Official Team Partner’ of the team and has entered into this association for the 2nd consecutive year to further enhance the equity of the Gulf brand. The Gulf logo – the iconic Orange disc – will continue on the KXIP jersey right chest.


Led by Kumara Sangakara, the team is one of the favourites for IPL 2010 to be held in India. The appeal of IPL and more so, Kings XI Punjab team, with its vibrant spirit and, the leading position that the franchise has been able to generate, is something that Gulf Oil sees as a great opportunity that can be leveraged to build its brand.

Read more: Gulf Oil to partner Kings XI Punjab for IPL 2010 for second year - WheelsUnplugged Automobile Industry News

Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

Nissan unveils Micra at 2010 Geneva Auto Show, to be launched in India in July'10

Carlos Ghosn, chief executive officer, Nissan Motor Co. unveiled the all new Micra, the fourth generation of the iconic city car, at the 80th International Geneva Motor Show. Boasting breakthrough packaging and small-car engineering, the all-new, fourth generation Nissan Micra (known as March in Japan) is on course to create a whole new set of industry standards. Unveiled today at the Geneva Motor Show, the Micra has consistently won praise and success for in Europe, Japan and other markets, gaining a reputation as a reliable, stylish, accessible compact car enjoyed by a wide cross-section of customers. The new Micra has been designed to build on that trend – in 160 countries.

Read more: Nissan unveils Micra at 2010 Geneva Auto Show, to be launched in India in July'10 - WheelsUnplugged Automobile Industry News

Under Creative Commons License: Attribution