The Fastest and Most Fuel-Efficient Sports Cars

It doesn’t take market research to determine that with gas prices still hovering around the $4.00 mark, fuel economy remains of paramount importance among new-car buyers. But what if your vehicular preferences run more toward the fast and the furious – can a true sports car be both entertaining to drive and fuel efficient?

The answer, surprisingly, is yes.

While the sports car market is still populated with plenty of gas-guzzlers, there are a number of models – some of which are among the quickest rides on the road – that boast downright decent fuel economy.

Take, for example, the 2013 Porsche 911 Carrera S, which can leap to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds, yet is rated by the Environmental Protection Agency to achieve an estimated 20 mpg around town and 27 mpg on the open road. While that’s not exactly Toyota Prius territory, it’s far more respectable than such notorious fuel swillers as the Aston Martin V12 Vantage and Lamborghini Aventador, each of which gets a combustible 11/17-mpg city/highway.

And while it could be said that anyone who’s able to afford a costly sports car could well absorb sky-high gasoline prices, consider the environmental effects of choosing a “greener” alternative. According to the EPA’s figures, the aforementioned 911 Carrera S will burn an average 10.3 fewer barrels of oil and spew 4.6 fewer tons of greenhouse-gas emissions annually than will either the comparably performing Lambo or Aston Martin. Such emissions include carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane, which are said to be major contributors to global warming. (For fuel economy and emissions ratings for all vehicles, check the EPA’s website at www.fueleconomy.gov.)

Eberhard Kern, MD, Mercedes-Benz India says that the six months since he assumed charge were full of challenges such as the slump in overall auto sales and the depreciation in the rupee .

The fall in the value of the rupee against dollar has started to impact margins and highlights that a decision will be taken to change revise pricing by July or August.

The growth of rivals Audi and BMW do not disturb Kern who says that he remains focused on establishing a sustainable and profitable business at Mercedes-Benz India

This particular video gives you all the relevant information because it contains the interview of Eberhard Kern, MD, Mercedes-Benz


Acc. to him ,"The euro is much more important to us than the dollar as we import most of our products, kits or parts from the euro zone. In December 2012, the euro was around 70 and we established a defensive strategy for the year after taking into consideration a probable rise of the euro to rise to 74 against the rupee. But now it is at 78-79.

This of course directly impacts our costing which involves purchasing in the euro and selling in the rupee. Our  profit margins will start to face some pressure. So far, we have been able  sustain the price level, but if the rupee continues to wobble over the next few weeks or months, we may have to re-examine our pricing as well."

He also adds ," We have been in this business for years. The E-Class, as you mentioned correctly, is one of our most important models today. Of the over 2,000 cars we sold in the first quarter which was 5 percent better than last year’s Q1 sales, the sales of the E-Class contributed 40 percent. So it is one of our most important models.

Overall, we are the leaders in all the segments that we are present in. There are also segments in the market that we were able to develop quite successfully in the last one-to-two years such as the mid-sized luxury SUV and the small-sized luxury SUV. As we do not have any products in those segments right now, we are not able to participate in them."

His future planning :-

In the mid-sized luxury SUV segment, we have the Mercedes-Benz GLK, but unfortunately the only model on offer is the model with the left hand drive.

We hope this will change with the successor model we plan to introduce in two year's time. Though we do not have a product in the small-sized SUV segment right now, you may recall that a few months ago at the Shanghai Motor Show we exhibited the Concept GLA.

This model had a very, very positive response in the Indian market as well. So I am quite confident that we will be able to launch this model into India in one-and-a-half year's time.

BMW i3 officially unveiled, priced at $41,350

BMW has officially unveiled the production model of its i3, which it claims to be the world’s most intelligent zero-emission electronic vehicle (EV). The model, built in Leipzig, Germany, has been priced at $41,350 in the US and £25,680 in the UK.

Announcing the company’s official entry into the EV market, BMW claimed that the rear-wheel drive i3 will go from zero to 100kmph in 7.2 seconds. It uses lightweight carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) for the passenger cell to cancel out the extra weight contributed by the high voltage lithium-ion battery.

It is expected to be rolled out in the European market in November and in the US in the second quarter of 2014.

The electric motor generates output of 125 kW/170PS and peak torque of 250Nm, which is on tap from the word go.

The lithium-ion battery enables the BMW i3 to achieve a range of 130 to 160 km in everyday driving. This rises by around 20 km in ECO PRO mode and by the same distance again in ECO PRO+ mode. If desired, the BMW i3 is also available with a range-extender engine, which maintains the charge of the lithium-ion battery at a constant level while on the move as soon as it dips below a specified value. This role is performed by a 650cc two-cylinder petrol engine developing 25 kW/34PS and mounted immediately adjacent to the electric motor above the rear axle. The range extender increases the car’s maximum range in day-to-day driving to around 300 km.

An intelligent car

The BMW i3 is also the world’s first fully networked EV. A SIM card fitted as standard in the BMW i3 is the key that unlocks the BMW ConnectedDrive services available to the new electric model.

For example, it introduces navigation services specially developed to enhance electric mobility. Drivers can use the BMW i Remote app to share information with their car at any time using their smartphone. The pedestrian navigation function guides the driver from parking place to final destination and back, while BMW ConnectedDrive also offers unique intermodal route guidance as a world first, which incorporates local public transport connections into journey planning.

The Range Assistant is engaged both for route planning and during journeys already under way. If the destination programmed into the navigation system is beyond the car’s range, the system suggests switching to ECO PRO or ECO PRO+ mode and calculates a more efficient route. If the driver needs to charge the battery at a public charging station, a list of available stations in the area is displayed.

The BMW i3 is also available with an array of other innovative BMW ConnectedDrive driver assistance systems developed specifically to enhance convenience and safety in urban conditions. These include Driving Assistant Plus, Parking Assistant, a rear view camera and Speed Limit Info.

http://overdrive.in/news/bmw-i3-officially-unveiled-priced-at-41350/

Turbocharged lightweight technology for M3 Coupe successor, coming your way 2014

You know the type. The type that stands in the corner, speaking in muffled tones and rattling off BMW 3-Series chassis codes, while voicing the benefits of ‘Avus' suspension over standard. This type is officially Hard To Please. BMW knows it.

"I think a lot of purists look at the M3 all the way back to the E30, so there's obviously a challenge there for people to accept it," says Matt Collins, product manager for BMW's small to medium cars. We're sitting at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and he's talking about the new 4-Series Coupe (pictured above), and thus, the next M-powered 4-Series Coupe. The M4.

That's because when BMW announced that it killed the ‘3-Series Coupe' badge, people quickly cottoned on to the fact that actually, there will never again be another BMW M3 Coupe. We even showed you pictures of the very last one being built.

"If you look at the way the M brand has evolved over the years," says Matt, "there are a lot of things that people have had to get used to, for example, going from naturally aspirated to turbocharged engines." He's referring to the M5 and M6, of course. "I think the essence of what M stands for - high performance motoring - will always be there, even if the individual components change."

From a brand perspective, it's quite a big change to kill off the M3 Coupe name, but then BMW is very aware that the new M4 carries with it huge responsibility, and is taking the upcoming M car very seriously indeed. "It's not something we're in a rush to market just to get it out," he tells me, "because it's got to be as good as it can possibly be."

What it will ‘be' is of great interest - and potentially, a solid chunk of Good News for the driving gloves brigade."What we'd like is more focus on lightweight engineering," he says. "The philosophy will be around delivering performance through improved used of materials - lightweight alloys, lots of carbon fibre etc - rather than simply trying to make the engine more powerful to move the same kind of car, or scaling it back too far so that it loses its M3 roots.

"We really want to focus on lightweight engineering. Plus we've got the technology in our ‘i' cars - carbon fibre, reinforced plastic and so forth - so that's where we're really looking to position it. Slightly more lightweight. I wouldn't say ‘racer', but more of a dynamic focus."

You can't help but get excited by this, not least because when the E92 M3 Coupe came out, it wasn't exactly a Slim Fast graduate. That said, he couldn't comment on the specific engine configuration, but confirmed the induction. "I can say it will be a turbocharged engine. From an emissions perspective, but also because our turbocharging technology is sufficiently strong, that you can still deliver a very good, high performing engine and the kind of driving dynamics that people are used to."

He points to the latest versions of the M5 and M6, both sporting a monster 560bhp 4.4-litre twin turbo V8. "How did people accept those cars? Maybe there was some initial apprehension, but the owners of new M5s and M6s told us they appreciated the increase in power (of a turbo engine) and the higher levels of torque at lower rev ranges."

Our money's on a straight-six, to keep in line with this pared-back approach; an approach that could yield a hardened CSL version. He smiles when I ask the inevitable. "There are no plans at the moment to build a lightweight CSL version of the M4, but there weren't any plans to do the last generation CSL either. We have to see what the customers think, and if there's potential for an even more lightweight version, we'll do it. 

"But I think we're really focusing on making this car as light as we can. We're not going to go halfway house with the ‘real' car, because we'd like to get it as low as possible in the first place. The proper car will showcase a real reduction in weight."

That said, there could still be an M3 saloon, so the name won't die out completely. But BMW isn't worried by the competition - step forward Mercdes C63 AMG and Audi RS5 - at all. "We think the M3 is the benchmark car; it's the iconic car, and it's the one that really defines the segment. Obviously, we look at the competition and we want to make sure we're as good as we can possibly be, but when developing this M4, it's certainly not a case of ‘this is the target'. It's about making what we think is the best car in the segment even better. It's not a competitor-focused development."

So when will you get to see this icon reborn? "Obviously you've seen the spy shots on the Internet, they're running around Munich," Matt says, "but I don't know exactly where they are in terms of chassis and tuning." Traditionally, the M-powered 3-Series Coupe has always appeared about a year and half after the standard car, and Matt confirms that "yes, you can use that as a good basis".

We'll have more on the new M4 as soon as we find out, but Matt assures me that, "when the car does arrive, rest assured it will be everything you expect from a BMW M car". Excited by the prospect of a lightweight, turbocharged 4-Series road-racer? We are, even if it does share its name with a dull motorway...

for further details : http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/bmw-m4-m3-4-series-coupe-2013-07-12

Ford gets dedicated parking space at Chennai Port

Ford India has been allotted its first dedicated car parking yard at the Chennai Port premises. The dedicated facility was jointly inaugurated by Atulya Misra, Chairman, Chennai Port Trust and Joginder Singh, president and managing director, Ford India. It is also a significant step to provide access and further accelerate exports of Ford vehicles manufactured in Chennai, including the new EcoSport.

The EcoSport has significant uptake since its launch and Ford has doubled its efforts to keep up with the sky-rocketing demand for its new product. Plans are also underway to make India an export hub. Ford first started exporting the Figo from India, and now the EcoSport has joined the ranks to be exported to 38 countries across the globe. Chennai Port Trust (ChPT) has agreed to let Ford have 7,000 sq. mt of land on a 11-month lease. This allotment is adequate for Ford to park about 500 cars at any one time.

The Ford EcoSport comes with three engine options – the 1.5-litre petrol, the 1.5-litre diesel and the much-awarded 1.0-litre turbocharged EcoBoost petrol. The 1.5-litre engines have directly trickled down from the Fiesta sedan.

The Ford Figo has done good business in foreign markets. Ford is now hopeful of repeating the sales success with the EcoSport.

for further details : http://overdrive.in/news/ford-gets-dedicated-parking-space-at-chennai-port/

Aston Martin and Mercedes-AMG GmbH enter technical partnership

Aston Martin has announced a technical partnership with Mercedes-AMG GmbH, a 100% subsidiary and high-performance brand of German corporation Daimler AG. A Letter of Intent to this end was signed today and both parties are working towards signing definitive agreements before the end of the year.

The proposed deal will see Aston Martin access significant resources from Mercedes, including its V8 powertrains, to develop a new generation of models. It will also look into certain components of Mercedes’ electronic/electric architecture.

As part of the deal, Mercedes owner Daimler will take a non-voting stake of up to 5 per cent in the 100-year-old maker of the DB9 and Vanquish sports cars.

The investment will help Aston Martin to compete better with Volkswagen’s Bentley and rival UK luxury car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover, which was bought by India’s Tata Motors in 2008 and has since achieved huge sales growth, especially in China, the Reuters reported on Thursday.

“The proposed deal will see Aston Martin access significant Mercedes-AMG GmbH and Mercedes-Benz Cars’ resources, allowing the development of bespoke V8 powertrains and the use of certain components of electric and electronic architecture,” Ian Minards, Aston Martin’s product development director, said in a statement.

“Aston Martin sources cutting edge technology from key suppliers around the globe and the opportunity to include content from Mercedes-AMG GmbH in our next generation sports cars is, clearly, good news,” Minards added.

Aston Martin sold 2,340 cars in the nine months to September 30 last year, down 19 percent on 2011.

“We are proud to work with Aston Martin and provide them with powertrain and e/e components for their forthcoming sports cars. This is proof of AMG’s technological and performance expertise and a real win-win situation for both sides,” said Ola Källenius, Head of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

For Further Details : http://overdrive.in/news/aston-martin-and-mercedes-amg-gmbh-enter-technical-partnership/

Bugatti reveals new Veyron GSV

Over the next 12 months, Bugatti will reveal six special editions of what is officially the fastest roadster... in the world. Meet the ‘Les Légendes de Bugatti'.

Translated as ‘Bugatti Legends', the brief is simple: six special editions commemorating six people that have played a crucial role in the history and ‘mystique' of Bugatti. The first name on the roster? Jean-Pierre Wimille.

This gentleman was one of the longest-serving test drivers at Bugatti, bringing home a number of race wins that included the company's very last number one: the 1947 Bois de Boulogne, where he drove a 4.7-litre Monoposto (single-seater) Type 59/50 B.

He died later in 1949 in a car crash in Buenos Aires, but his greatest achievement for Bugatti remains the two victories he scored at Le Mans; the first in 1937 driving the 57G Tank, the second in 1939 supported by Pierre Veyron (get the connection?) in a 57C Tank.

And thus, as it's the 90th anniversary of Le Mans this year, Bugatti has decided Jean-Pierre's race-winning 57G Tank from 1937 was ripe for commemoration. As we mentioned, each special edition is based on the bonkers-fast Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, and this first car gets blue clear-coated carbon fibre and a light Wimille Bleu paintwork finish, in honour of Wimille's blue 57G.

The blue theme continues inside, although Bugatti has neglected to fiddle with the meat underneath. A wise move, considering the GSV boasts an 8-litre W16 capable of around 1,200bhp, 1,500Nm of torque, a 0-100kph time of 2.6 seconds and a top speed of 408.8kph. Suffice to say, industrial strength adhesive may be required for any hairpieces/commemorative headwear when the roof is off.

Just three examples of this Jean-Pierre Wimille version will be built, set to be presented to the world and the Internet between 16-18 August at Pebble Beach. The other five names that will grace the remaining special editions will be revealed in the coming months. No word on price, but as a rough guide, the GSV ‘World Record Car' edition unveiled in Shanghai earlier this year - of which just eight will be built - costs just over Rs 18 crore (excluding taxes).

For Further Details : http://www.topgear.com/india/car-news/bugatti-reveals-new-veyron-gsv/itemid-50#prettyPhoto

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXIiGPWp6II

Mercedes-Benz India ranked #1 automotive company in the reputed "India's Most Admired Companies" Survey

Mercedes-Benz India has been ranked the #1 automotive company in the reputed “India’s Most Admired Companies” survey by Fortune India in collaboration with global management consultancy, the Hay Group. This achievement is special as it is underlined by the opinions of peers from the Indian automotive domain who were also part of the survey.

A total of 552 senior executives across selected companies, which included automotive companies, participated in the survey to rank their peers across a scale of ten parameters—corporate governance, endurance, performance, quality, innovation, financial soundness, leadership, corporate social responsibility, talent management, and global business footprint.

Mr. Eberhard Kern, Managing Director & CEO Mercedes-Benz India: “This recognition by Fortune India and the Hay Group is a great honour and gives a sense of achievement for us at Mercedes-Benz India. We would like to share this moment of success with our enthusiastic team, our supportive dealer partners, the brand enthusiasts, and our valued customers. We are most excited that our peers from the automotive industry also credited our hard work and recognized our dedication towards excellence. At Mercedes-Benz India, our core philosophy of ‘The Best or Nothing’ inspires us to fascinate our connoisseurs with a superlative brand experience and helps us remain the most aspirational luxury automotive brand in India. It will be our earnest endeavor to maintain the high esteem that our brand enjoys globally.”

Mr. Kern added, “The year 2013 is the year of offensive for Mercedes-Benz India, and the launch of exciting products reiterates our commitment to our discerning customers. This year, we launched products like the iconic G 63 AMG, the ultimate luxury off-roader GL-Class, pioneered the compact luxury segment with the A-Class, continued the trend by launching the most successful luxury sedan E-Class, and added a diesel offering to India’s only luxury tourer, the B-Class. We can assure customers that in the coming months we will remain true to our promises and will be fascinating them with newer products.”

This is the second edition of ‘India’s Most Admired Companies’ by Fortune India and the Hay Group. The study includes a unique peer ranking methodology, which covered 493 companies across the 16 key sectors. These industries were selected on the basis of size, contribution to GDP, growth rate, maturity, competition, a minimum number of sectoral players, and national presence. The survey was carried between March and June 2013.

The numero uno rank of “India’s Most Admired Companies” in the automotive sector by Fortune India and the Hay Group adds another feather to the company’s cap. In another reputed market study in January 2013, Mercedes-Benz India was ranked as the #1 auto brand in India amongst all automobile manufacturers by Economic Times’ “Brand Equity’s Most Exciting Brands”, in association with AC Nielsen. The respondents in the survey were between 18-24 years from across the country, and the verdict depicted the youthful image of the brand apart from the aspirations of the youth to own the coveted three-pointed star.

New Chevrolet Cruze Launch Delayed by One Year

Until very recently, American car giant General Motors planned to launch the much discussed next gen Chevrolet Cruze in late 2014. However, now it has emerged that the launch of the all new Cruze has been delayed by a year and will now take place in December 2015.

This revelation is being claimed to come from “people familiar with the U.S. automaker’s plans”. The reasons behind GM’s change of plan decision include last minute engineering changes. Also, it is being said that GM might be wishing to extract some more sales from the current car, before deciding to come up with an all new model.