Toyota's new Auris

Toyota has launched a new diesel-powered Auris, the SR180.



The car is powered by a 175bhp 2.2-litre diesel engine which takes the car from from 0 to 62mph is 8.1 seconds. The engine is mated to six-speed manual transmission.



Features of the car includes lowering springs with double wishbone rear suspension and rear spoiler. The wheels are carried on five-spoke 17-inch alloys



The SR180 will be in UK showrooms early next year and is available for bookings from £17,995.

New Mini dealership in Coventry

Just found out that the biggest Mini dealership in the midlands is in Coventry. Sytner Coventry Mini opened their doors in October this year.

Here's the Address:
128 Holyhead Road
Coventry
West Midlands
CV5 8NA

Tel: 02476 600 700

Jaguar XF on Top Gear tomorrow

James May tests the new Jaguar XF on Top Gear tomorrow (Sunday) at 8pm on BBC Two. Really looking forward to watching it.

Mahindra & Mahindra entering the US market

I was talking to a few guys about the expected take over of Jaguar and Land Rover by Indian car maker, Tata. While doing so I mentioned the other Indian company who was bidding for the same - Mahindra. It was no surprise that no one had heard of them.

I just found out that they are planning to enter the US market soon.



Found this interesting slide show - Mahinda: An American "Hosehold Name?" narrated by David Kiley.

Latest car test results from Euro NCAP

Test results for 6 cars were released by Euro NCAP yesterday:

In the Supermini category, the Daihatsu Materia and the Mazda 2.

In the Small Family Car category, the Honda Civic

In the Large Family Car category, the the Mercedes Benz C Class, the Renault Laguna and the Volvo V70

Out of these, four cars received five stars in adult occupant protection. These were the Mazda 2, the Mercedes Benz C Class, the Renault Laguna and the Volvo V70.


Mazda 2

During the trest, delay in the deployment of airbags was detected in the Mazda 2 and the Volvo V70 even though they were not part of Euro NCAP tests.

In the frontal impact test of the Mazda 2, a small disturbance shortly before impact led to a delay in the firing of the airbags and protection of the front seat occupants was compromised. Although these disturbances are not part of Euro NCAP’s tests, they could occur in real life accidents. In the case of the Volvo V70, curtain airbag deployment was delayed in the side pole test.

Both manufacturers have taken steps to rectify the problems.

Read the full press release here: "Euro NCAP - up to speed on testing".

Tata set to take over Jaguar, Land Rover

Tata Motors, a subsidiary of the Indian Tata group is set to take over British luxury marques Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford.

Ford stands to make around £1 billion (about $2.05 billion / Rs 8,000 crore) from the sale.

Tata won over two other bidders , namely, Indian car company, Mahindra & Mahindra and American private equity group, One Equity.

If it works out, this will be the first time ever that an Indian company has taken over a Western auto company.

Jaguar dealers in the US are worried that the take over might hurt the brand image. Ken Gorin, chairman of the Jaguar Business Operations Council, reportedly said:

I don't believe the US public is ready for ownership out of India of a luxury car make...

Read "Tata hits image problems in the U.S."

Proton BLM concept

One of my friends forwarded these photographs of the Proton Base Line Model (BLM) concept. Apparently LG CNS Design Studio helped to design the model. Not sure it got leaked and not sure whether you can call it a spy shot. Really looks muscular but the thing I really like in the photographs are the sports rims.





Read more about it in Wikipedia and Paul Tan''s blog.