Skoda's 2009 Superb Coming to India

The new generation Škoda Superb is most likely to reach Indian shores by early 2009. Longer and wider than the earlier generation Superb , the car features an aggressively styled front end with BMW inspired headlamps and design cues borrowed from the Volkswagen Passat which is already on sale in India . The Superb’s long list of features include adaptive cornering headlamps, a new electronic air conditioning system, automatic parking assist and nine airbags along with Skoda's new 'Twindoor' design for the boot which offers users the standard boot opening of a saloon or the fully opening rear of a hatch.

It would be interesting to see which engine variants make it to India as the Skoda Superb featues a varied range in international markets which include the 1.9 litre and 2.0 litre turbodiesels , 1.4 and 1.8 litre petrol engines, and a 3.6-litre V6 topping the range with standard four-wheel drive and six-speed DSG automatic gearbox. The new superb is most likely to be sold alongside the current generation model albeit at a higher price, being Skoda’s latest offering in the luxury D-segment of the Indian car market.

If priced right (Rs. 18-20 lakh) the new Superb could turn out to be more popular alternative to the just launched 2008 Honda Accord which is set to dominate the D segment sales as of now.

New Mercedes C230 'Avantgarde' Coming Soon

Mercedes in India has been under assualt from BMW's 3 series and the new Audi A4. Never in its history in India has Mercedes faced such stiff competition. The new C class is brilliant and a lot going for it loses out on power and as a result performance which buyers expect by the bucketloads in this segment. The 200K petrol produces a paltry 178 bhp as compared to BMW 325i's 218 bhp and the upcoming Audi A4 3.2's 250 bhp! Mercedes wants to up the game and is launching the C230 'Avantgarde' soon. The C230 produces 200 bhp from its V6 unit and looks sportier thanks to larger wheels, wider tyres, optional AMG parts and a new grille with a large three pointed star in the center. The C230 would come only with an Auto box and woud cost about Rs. 3 lakh more than the C200k.

Ferrari 612 Scagliettis with F1 Transmission Recalled

Ferrari has announced a US recall of MY 2005 – 2007 612 Scaglietti vehicles equipped with F1 gearbox. Altogether, 366 of the vehicles are being recalled to replace a faulty clutch sensor in the transmission as well as a related cable holder and magnet that might cause problem in gear shifting or even complete inoperation. Only model year 2005-2007 612s are affected.

Recall Summary
Make / Models : Ferrari / 612
Model/Build Years: Scaglietti 2005-2007
Recall Number: 08V214000

Summary:
Ferrai is recalling 366 MY 2005-2007 612 Scaglietti vehicles equipped with F1 transmissions. A nonconforming clutch sensor in the transmission could malfunction under normal operating conditions due to the heat produced by the vehicle. Such sensor malfunction may inhibit the proper function of the clutch assembly making the shifting of the gears very difficult. The vehicle system immediately detects the clutch sensor failure and causes the warning light to illuminate.

Consequence:
This clutch sensor malfunction may render the vehicle inoperable and possibly, resulting in a crash.

Remedy:
Dealers will replace the clutch sensor. In addition, the cable holder and magnet will also be replaced. The recall began On May 19, 2008. Owners may contact Ferrari at 1-201-816-2600.

Hyundai Elantra the best in Consumer Reports 2008

One more reason why we should be angry with Hyundai India.They are keeping away from us the car which even beat rivals like Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla in the latest ranking by Consumer Reports,USA for the best car in the USA in its segment.

Hyundai have been gaining steadily on the Japanese rivals and there is not much to choose between the two now[an i10 owner could vouch for that].They have come a long way from being the also present to being the best now.The only difference between the Japanese and Hyundai seems to be the time taken,where Hyundai is making progress at a much rapid rate than what the japanese took to achieve its present number one position.Beware Honda,Toyota,Nissan Hyundai is not very far away and its not long before Hyundai could even beat them at their own game.

Skoda to launch C-segment sedan in 2009

Autocar UK reports that sources in Skoda have revealed that by 2009 end we would see a c-segment sedan from skoda which would compete with the likes of Chevrolet aveo,Honda city,Suzuki sx4 etc..When it would come to India[if at all] is unknown but given the importance skoda is giving to the Indian market this new c-segment saloon is a very likely possibility.This sedan is an all new platform and VW plan to share the platform for its sedan for the US markets.

Remember skoda have talked about launching eight new models in our markets in the next five years and a c segment sedan is a major opportunity for increasing sales especially a diesel.And with Skoda not launching the Fabia sedan version this new C-segment sedan makes all the more sense.

Another car which I am not sure if it would head to the Indian markets is the Sharan seven seater MPV from Skoda which is expected by 2010.But such a vehicle does make sense even for the Indian market.

While I have talked about the Fabia combi in previous posts,there is talk that the skoda yeti could also be in India by 2010.Apart from that there is the new small car[placed lower than the fabia with a price tag between Rs. 3-5 lakhs] and based on the VW Up concept platform also expected in a couple of years[around 2011].

One car which is expected in the Indian markets the skoda roomster is all set for a major makeover in 2011.Hopefully skoda decide to give us the newer version not the two cars fixed together with glue version.

All in all by 2011 Skoda is expected to be a major player in the automobile sector.

2009 Honda Pilot Live @ NAIAS

Spied! 2009 Acura TSX

The 2009 Acura TSX was spotted and caught with a cell phone camera.

As you can see in the picture, the car is more rounded and is larger than the previous model. Would this mean the TL and RL will also move and become larger for the 2009/2010 redesign/revisions? Could be.

Although the side looks a lot in favour of a Ford Fusion, the front end has a little in line with the Jaguar XF, although not bad, but this wasn't what I was expecting.

Do you like it? Comment!