Lascelles Linton
Filed under: India

In the video above, Ratan Tata, chairman of the Tata Motors, responds to critics who say the Nano is not safe and pollutes. Here’s what he said yesterday:

Let me assure you and also assure our critics that the car we have designed and that we will be presenting to you today will indeed meet all the current safety requirements of a modern day car. Of late, when it became known that we will in fact be making such a car, the attention has moved to questioning the pollution it would create. Let me again assure those who have concerns for the environment, that the car we present you today will meet all current legislated emission criteria and will have a lower pollution level than even a two-wheeler being manufactured in India today.

Concerns are also now being expressed about the congestion that could be caused by the existence of our small car in large numbers. I believe this needs to be put in the right perspective. There is no doubt that India is woefully behind its neighbors in infrastructure. The government is now endeavoring to address this situation with its new road policy. Looking ahead, five years from today, were we to produce and sell 500,000 small cars every year, we would then, at the end of five years, constitute approximately 2.5 percent of all passenger vehicles in the country. This could hardly be considered the nightmare of congestion that is being raised today about our new small car.

Below the fold is another video where Ratan explains that he made the Nano because of unsafe driving on scooters by families. Also below the fold is a video where Ratan says the Nano will indeed retail for 1-lakh because “a promise is a promise.” What do you think, readers? I have to admit, I still have doubts but I’m really impressed and excited with what he says.

Related:

• Here’s the $2,500 Tata Nano, the Indian peoples car
• VIDEO: Live reveal of the $2,500 Tata Nano
• The World chimes in on the Tata Nano

[Source: YouTube]

Source: Videos: Ratan Tata responds to ctiticisms of the Nano’s safety, emissions

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Nissan has announced that it will not hold a press conference next week at the North American International Auto Show, and has no big plan for the Chicago show either. Instead, Nissan is focusing on the New York Auto Show in March.

Nissan plans to unveil its all-new 2009 Maxima sedan at the New York show. "We'll show the next Maxima in New York and a couple of other things — but not concepts," Nissan North America spokesman Darryll Harrison told Inside Line. Harrison failed to give any details on the Maxima — or on what other vehicles to expect at the show — but it is known that the next-generation Maxima will have a diesel engine option. It has also been reported that the 2009 Maxima will take on a four-door coupe body style, similar to the Mercedes CLS.

The Maxima's last overhaul was in 2004.

Despite Nissan's lack of a press conference, the Japanese automaker will show its Forum concept at the Detroit show.

Source: Nissan to unveil 2009 Maxima at New York show

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just go with it

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Supplier sources familiar with the product cycle plans at Chrysler tell that the automaker is “trying to move investment up” in the effort to improve the Sebring, Avenger and Sebring Convertible even earlier than originally planned.

Look for interiors on those three key vehicles to be redone in time for the 2010 model year or shortly thereafter. “The interiors are too cheap,” said one highly placed industry source. “We call it ‘the Sebring problem.’ That vehicle is dying on the vine and it’s only a year old. They got cheap on everybody and said ‘the customer doesn’t mind hard plastic and ugly grain [in the cabin].”

Sources said Chrysler is moving resources away from other vehicles to fix the Sebring, Avenger and Sebring Convertible, which originally were scheduled for a redesign in 2011 or later.

In the meantime, a major revision, inside and out, is on tap for the big Chrysler 300 sedan in the 2011 model year.

With new owner Cerberus accounting for every penny, there apparently is mounting concern about the future of the Dodge Viper. Sources say Chrysler is prepared to “make an instantaneous decision” to discontinue the Viper, especially if it “no longer can deliver the desired halo effect.”

Source: IL Insider: Chrysler Moves Up Timetable for Redesign of Sebring/Avenger

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Simona Alina
Filed in: Nissan | 2008 | sedan | New York Auto Show | Nissan Maxima

Nissan does not have big plans for the Detroit Auto Show. It seems the company saves all the strengths for the New York Auto Show, where they will unveil a completely redesigned 2009 Maxima, a Nissan spokesman confirmed on Thursday.

“We’ll show the next Maxima in New York and a couple of other things — but not concepts,” Nissan North America spokesman Darryll Harrison told Inside Line. Harrison described the ’09 Maxima as “all new” but would not divulge any other details.

Maxima was initially known as Datsun 810. The “Maxima” name was received in 1982. The last big redesigned was made in 2004.

Source:Inside Line

Source: 2009 Nissan Maxima to be unveiled at the New York Auto Show

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Simona Alina
Filed in: Alfa-Romeo | Alfa-Romeo Spider | car tuning

Autodelta has a long and proud tradition for creating cars that are individually hand crafted to the customers’ unique tastes and requirements. Each car is wrought to the owner’s specifications, from the maximum dynamic and performance capability to the exterior and interior finish. The Autodelta experience involves realising the customer’s deepest dream – and then exceeding it.

In the last few years all the leading auto manufacturers have made customisation a priority, offering reams of options in every area of trim and finish; however for Autodelta, this is a long-standing tradition, firmly at the core of our philosophy.

One such customer recently approached us recently to create the perfect Alfa Spider, his love and appreciation for the last generation model (Type 916) leading him to seek a special, individual version, with maximum performance capability and truly unique styling. The car of his dreams would combine the thrills of wind-in-the-hair motoring with flair and style.

The brief was to enhance the performance in every area, and to create new styling, unique from anything else we had done before, subtle yet distinct, and of course embedded with Alfa Romeo and Autodelta DNA.

Cutting Edge Engineering

Under the surface the changes were inspired by our bespoke V6 Spider version, with the fitting of the current generation Rotrex supercharger conversion, which raises power from 240 to 341 bhp. Engine changes included upgrading of the fuel injectors, engine mapping and a new free-flow stainless steel exhaust system, which was developed in conjunction with Ragazzon and finishes in distinct quad tailpipes. Autodelta’s bespoke Limited Slip Differential was fitted to allow the additional power to be smoothly and effectively transferred to the wheels.

Height adjustable coilovers from the Autodelta Sportline range were fitted to further cope with the major power increase, while bigger brakes (330 mm ventilated front discs) and larger 4-pot Brembo calipers stop the car effectively. Two more of our technical partners were involved in the project: the car rides on OZ Ultralight Botticelli wheels fitted with Dunlop Sport SP Maxx tyres, which have been developed for Autodelta.

Unique Styling

The styling for this particular Spider required a very personal touch. The car’s owner desired a very extreme look, which called for an individual custom styling project. “We thrive on creating a car this extravagant,” comments Jano Djelalian. The project perfectly demonstrates Autodelta’s ability to custom-build a car, tailor-designed to meet a single owner’s own, highly individual, requirements.

Autodelta’s styling team applied their talent on every conceivable area of the car. The front, side and rear received design changes, including the fitment of a high-quality Autodelta Detachable Hardtop.

This particular project was inspired by historical show-stopping prototypes such as the open-top Pininfarina Super Flow of 1956 (pre-study to the legendary ‘Duetto’ Spider model) and the Alfa Romeo Nuvola concept car of 1996. The form-language of the completely bespoke rear bumper and splitter, including the styling of rounded tail-lights, is an area which mostly ties in with the Nuvola. The rear splitter design also traces other extravagant models in Alfa Romeo’s illustrious open-top history, including the sinuous 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS “Flying Star” by Carrozzeria Touring.

In a tribute to the ground breaking Pininfarina Super Flow, and the huge impact it had on Alfa Romeo’s style thinking in the following decades, we have christened this unique one-off car the “Autodelta Spider Superflow”; with the ‘Super’ part of the name also being reminiscent of the traditional denotation for Autodelta’s supercharged cars.

The front of the Spider introduces a new splitter which enhances the form of the Alfa Romeo grille. An inverted “V” section in the centre adds to the dynamic thrust of the styling direction, providing an extra focal point at the base of the Alfa shield. This solution enhances the feeling of speed. Intake sections on either side of the V-form have been incorporated in the traditional Alfa Romeo style with a centre-section intelligently forming the aerodynamic spoiler.

New flank sections behind the front wheelarches include specially designed air vents providing a more technical appeal to this section of the Spider’s styling.

The completely bespoke rear bumper also features dual circular lighting clusters with LED technology. These are the same units fitted to the awesome Maserati MC12 racing car. Additional units for the reverse and fog lights are positioned centrally in the lower section of the bumper in-between the quad exhaust outlets. The exhaust outlets themselves are housed within the bumper for an optimum finish.

In order to enhance the Spider’s rear stance, the number plate surround has also been significantly stretched over the entire width. A separate splitter underneath the bumper provides an interesting aerodynamic solution and further continues the outline of the number plate surround. A ducktail rear spoiler adds to the sportive feel of the rear styling.

New side mouldings have been developed and present a rising crease which is matched at the rear bumper. Autodelta’s Styling Centre provided much attention towards how the individual styling components cosmetically interact with each other, ensuring a logical cohesive design.

The Spider is also presented with Autodelta’s well-known Detachable Hardtop, which was developed specifically as a factory-quality accessory for the 916 Spider model. The Hardtop uses a state-of-the-art sandwich construction for maximum safety and strength, yet the Hardtop is light enough to handle with ease. The Hardtop also provides the following benefits to all-season Spider owners: Highly-effective thermal and noise insulation; improved chassis rigidity: less scuttle shake; protects fabric hood from harsh weather; tinted heated rear window for better visibility; optional protective cover stand for storage; optional buggy & stand; and colour-coded for perfect match and finish.

Made by Autodelta Styling Centre, the Spider Detachable Hardtop is produced to the most exacting tolerances using a variety of materials. The Hardtop uses high-quality components such as toughened tinted safety glass, hardware and Alfa Romeo original equipment rubber seals. The Hardtop is also colour-coded to match the vehicle colour.

Source: Autodelta Spider Superflow

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Simona Alina
Filed in: Lamborghini | 2008 | Supercars / Exotic cars | Detroit Auto Show

Automobili Lamborghini will present three brand-new examples of vehicle personalization, intentionally drawing inspiration from the most glamorous trends of the world of fashion, at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show on January 13-26, 2008.

The proposed individualizations are part of the Ad Personam personalization program. The vehicles are based on the concept of "think of the impossible" and offers Lamborghini customers the ability to create their own "original", perfectly tailor-made super sports car.

The Gallardo Spyder will be presented in an innovative Ad Personam matte brown paint, Marrone Apus, now available on standard vehicles in the wake of the enormous success met by the Reventón, the very first Lamborghini offered with a matte finish.

Marrone Apus, an elegant shade halfway between brown and black, gives off exquisite golden reflections in the sunlight due to a pigment able to imbue the paint with an iridescent look.

The interior also exhibits a new shade of brown Alcantara, named Marrone Gaia which is used to upholster the seats. The fabric is combined with Marrone Janus and Bianco Polar leather, with the addition of Pianolac used to cover the center console and steering wheel.

A new shade of light blue, Blu Cepheus, also joins the Ad Personam program. It is proposed for the exteriors of the Murciélago LP640 Coupé and Roadster in Detroit. This pale blue is reminiscent of the naturalistic environment and is deliberately inspired by the purity and transparency of polar ice, in addition to depicting one of the most glamorous shades in fashion today.

This shade also benefits from the same iridescent effects of the matte paint. The same pigment selected for Marrone Apus is used in this case to attain and exalt a more primary blue when reflecting sunlight. Blu Cepheus is iridescent in the light just like icebergs, although it maintains its monochromatic nature.

Another novelty of the Ad Personam program is the leather selected for the interiors of the Murciélago LP640 Roadster. This leather covers the elegant seats of this super sports car, an Italian leather, in keeping with Tuscany’s prestigious tanning tradition. It is untreated, inspired by the natural leather found on horse saddles and leads to natural changes in color over time, a tendency that confirms its natural state and total absence of treatments.

"Lamborghini is strongly focusing on the Ad Personam personalization program due to the importance of offering customers the widest range of possibilities for individualizing their cars. This allows them the ability to reflect their own personality and style," states Stephan Winkelmann, president and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini. "Many of our customers take advantage of this program as a tool for owning an even more exclusive Lamborghini."

Source: Lamborghini will unveil three personalized vehicles in Detroit

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Jonathon Ramsey
Aftermarket, UK

Proteus, maker of hand-crafted replicas of bygone sports cars, is coming to America. Recently purchased by Enduro Cars, Proteus plans to restart production of its carbon copy Jaguar XK120 C — the record-breaking Le Mans-conquering roadster — that you’ll be able to purchase for $133.000.

In addition to the XK 120 C, the company is looking at making a Lightweight E-Type and perhaps some early F1 cars. Last year, Proteus showed a C-Type coupe to the public to gauge reaction. No decisions have been made yet on that car, but the 21-year-old company is planning to begin fabricating three more Jags — the SS100, XKSS, and D-Type – as well as the Aston Martin DB3S and the racing version of the gullwing 300SL, the 300SLR.

The company builds about 150 units of the XK 120 C per year, and each all-aluminum car comes with a 5-year, 60,000-mile warranty. Sure, it’ll cost you $133,000, but that will get you a one of the most beautiful cars ever penned and cost a lot less in the long run than the original.

[Source: Gizmag]

Source: Buy a brand new Jag XK120 C for $133,000

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With official photos already finding their way onto the internet, Audi’s promotional video of the soon to be unveiled R8 V12 TDI has also been leaked - confirming that more than just the engine has been changed.

Source: Audi R8 V12 TDI Video

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Simona Alina
Filed in: Nissan | suv | TopGear | Nissan Qashqai

Nissan’s QASHQAI has picked up another gong, rounding off a great debut year for the compact crossover whose all round qualities have captured customers’ imaginations. The BBC Top Gear magazine team have named it best SUV in their 2007 Awards issue, on sale now.

They liked its sensible pricing and the great visibility made possible by its raised driving position. On the road they were impressed by the frugal and perky 1.5 dCi engine, the car’s agility and composure, light but accurate steering, supple ride and a body free from excessive roll.

But what shone through above everything else was the QASHQAI’s reassurance, as the team explain:

“The QASHQAI is your mum’s big hug outside the nursery school gates, it’s your dad palming you a tenner on your way out to the pub, it’s your girlfriend rubbing your head when you’ve been flattened by the flu. This is a car you can rely upon, that’ll take care of you, that makes you feel like the world is just that bit more manageable.”

The magazine was particularly taken by the solid and classy interior: “A car like this, duty bound to be aggressively bothered by children and wet dogs all its life, needs to be hard-wearing, but a modicum of luxury remains crucial. The QASHQAI really does seem to have it all covered.”

The Top Gear magazine viewpoint endorses Nissan’s own customer feedback which shows that buyers like the QASHQAI for bringing something new to the market, and for its strong, distinctive design which sits between a traditional hatchback style and a more robust elevated SUV shape. This is a fusion of the best of both worlds. Fusion is the idea and QASHQAI is the result.
 And buyers have consistently cited its premium quality interior as a key factor in changing brands to Nissan.

Top Gear magazine speculates that QASHQAI’s appeal may lie in the unique cultural symbiosis that gave rise to it – Japanese know-how, the London based design studio, engineering development in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, and produced at the “holier than thou” Sunderland factory. “It’s small wonder the QASHQAI seems to slot so well into the British psyche.”

It’s been a catalogue of good news for the QASHQAI since its launch last March, with sales outstripping forecasts throughout Europe, production at the Sunderland factory increased to
cope, and a maximum five-star rating for adult occupant protection awarded by Euro NCAP – with the highest ever recorded score for any vehicle.

And to cap it all, a team of drivers piloting a standard 1.5 dCi model from Land’s End to John o’Groat’s achieved an overall consumption of 67.35 mpg over the 867 mile run on a tank of fuel, leaving seven litres still remaining.

A final word from the Top Gear magazine jury: “Just concentrate on number one for a bit, think about what you want from a car, day after day after wet, crappy day, and – unless you’re fundamentally misguided, or five – you’ll always come back to the deeply reassuring QASHQAI.”

2007 Nissan Qashqai Picture Gallery

Source: Top Gear voted Nissan Qashqai best SUV

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