2013 Honda Accord official images unveiled

2013 Honda Accord images have been finally hit internet. The upcoming Accord is ninth generation model and will go on sale from next year in US. The new model is a continuation of the outgoing model in styling. But Honda claims that the new Accord is more luxurious and spacious compared to the existing model. In the front, the grille looks similar to new Honda CR-V. A section of honey comb mesh  forms the lower half of the grille. The headlights are slimmer but now come with a stripe of LEDs. Overall the front looks bolder but not so aggressive.

The 2013 Honda Accord has an all new character line which runs from front fender to tail lamp. The line accentuates the styling of new Accord. In the rear, Honda has opted for a very conservative design. The tail end looks very clean in the image but looks strikingly similar to Hyundai Genesis sedan’s tail end. The  new Honda Accord is  smaller compared to current model.

New Honda Accord will be available in three engine options including a hybrid variant. The 2.4ltr “Earth Dreams” four cylinder engine and an upgraded 3.5ltr V6 engines are the most probable choice of engines for 2013 Honda Accord. The engines will be  mated to either a six speed manual gearbox or an auto box. A plug-in hybrid version of 2013 Honda Accord is also in pipeline. The hybrid version will get a 6 kwH lithium-ion battery and a 120 kW electric motor combination. The Plug-in version of Honda Accord will have a range of  17-20 Kms and can touch 100 Kmph. According to Honda Motors, the plug-in version of new Accord can be recharged from 240V outlet in few hours. The new Honda Accord plug-in hybrid will get  a 2.0liter four cylinder engine  which is mated to a CVT box.

We expect 2013 Honda Accord India launch will happen by end of next year. So stay tuned for further updates.

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10 Luxury Cars I Admire

Having a car is almost everyone’s dream, if not atleast mine. Luxury cars have become the fad in today’s world. They are expensive and classy. Luxury cars are sheer pieces of wonderful art. Right from the way they are designed to the power of their engine, they are admired almost by everyone. Here is the list of some cars which I feel would win your heart at the first glance.

1. 2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4: This is the newest flagship super car of Lamborghini. This stunning looking model is capable of reaching speeds of 217 mph on the top end, breaking to 60mph in a blinding 2.8 seconds. Everything from the wheels to the back replaces the Lamborghini Murceilago as Aventador remains unmatched.

2. Ford EVOS Concept Car: Ford has always been known to have a bubbly and chirpy yet classic look to their luxury car, but EVOS breaks all the rules, with a stunning aggressive look to it. The Ford EVOS features a cloud-focused information system that customizes itself to the owner’s driving habits, gathers Intel on local weather and traffic. This design is very catchy with sharp edges and gull wing doors, which would make one lust for this car.

3. Bugatti Veyron Pur Sang: Known as one of the fastest cars, Bugatti EB Veyron 16.4 Pur Sang had sold six cars in its first public sale itself. Having a body shell made of an extremely pure aluminum alloy, this appealing and attractive car will grace the skin of the most exclusive car in the world. This car is anything but not disappointing with its exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail.

4.  Lamborghini Reventon: This is one masterpiece among all other Lamborghini supercars. Only 20 pieces of Reventon was manufactured, sold each at a million euro. It is a Murceilago with improved designs and characteristics. It is a super class car with improved aerodynamics and excellent acceleration features. Though limited pieces of this car was witnessed, it still remains truly revolutionary.

5. Rolls Royce Phantom: The Rolls Royce phantom is an ultra luxury sedan with classy looks and advanced technologies. This sedan built on an aluminum space frame, has a number of unique features. These include reverse-hinged rear “suicide doors,” pop-out umbrellas hidden in the doors, a retractable hood ornament and much more to it. Painstakingly manufactured, this car has ensured a high quality service and being very appealing in it look, it has lived up to an unmatched exotic car status.

6. Pagani Huayra: The Huayra is a new flagship of the Italian car manufacturer Pagani. With its style bordering on the eccentric, it has a classy serious yet smart look to it with excellent aerodynamics. .  It’s not your overly angular Lamborghini, it’s not your curvy Porsche, it’s not your bulbous Bugatti, it is just a genuine Pagani, a wonderful one of a kind piece.

7. Mercedes SLR McLaren: One of the most iconic supercars in the recent history, Mercedes SLR oozes with appeal. It has a fascinating front hood design with double headlights, making it very eye catching during the evenings and nights. The set of alloy wheels add even more of a stylish substance to what is  already one of the finest and awesome looking cars on this planet.

8. BMW i3 Concept: Driven purely by electric power, it serves ts main purpose of an emission free mobility and sustainability. Being the World’s first premium electric vehicle, this car embodies an intelligent form of commuting in the urban areas. The design reveals the car’s qualities the first time you set eyes on it, as t is purely dynamic, stylish and attractive.

9.  Scion FR S Concept: It stands for “front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sport”. FR S’s design is apparently inspired from Toyota’s 2000GT. This car has a superb poise and balance without having to use too much of power. Being immensely light weighted, this model with sleek curves is totally eye catching and worth being called as one of the best luxury cars in the world.

10. Lexus 2011 LFA: Not the fastest, quickest or the powerful car, yet this car takes one into bewilderment with its exquisite design and the supreme driving experience it offers. Lightweight, powerful and balanced, its production is limited to only 500 models worldwide. It has a very clean, muscular and athletic look to it, making Lexus one of the most sought after cars in the world.

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Top 10 midsized sedans of 2010-2011 (5 lacs – 15 lacs)

Volkswagen Vento

The German car manufacturers set the ball rolling after the launch of Volkswagen Vento, much like the Polo in the front, the sedan has best space in its class i.e the mid-size segment. Available in both petrol and diesel, the elite German car sets about 15 Km/pl with a petrol engine and about 20.5 Km/pl in a diesel one! It is available in 5 different variants ranging from 7 lacs to 9.5 lacs.

Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire

After the immense success of Swift, the hatchback; Maruti Suzuki, the common man’s car makers made a successful attempt to revamp the swift.  Swift Dzire, the compact sedan was launched, available in 6 different variants; both petrol and diesel engines, producing a mileage ranging from 13 km/pl to 19.5 km/pl. Maruti achieved a great success in refurbishing the rear areas, making it a longer swift, Swift Dzire in  the compact car segment.

Honda City

Honda, the Japanese car manufacturer made its debut of City in 1996. Since then it has been an enormous success in the Indian markets. It has been recreated several times in the last decade, successful every time! The current face lifted version has been the best when it comes to prefere3nce of people, in terms of all, the power of petrol engine, the design language and many other variants. In early 2012, Honda has promised yet another face life to the City, it will be filled with plush interiors, better colors/trims and the ‘ECO mark’, initiated in the Brio, will also be available in the City soon. And many of us have the query of Honda coming up with a diesel engine. Yes! They are coming up with a diesel engine in early 2012, made available in the Accord.

Toyota Etios

Toyota, known for its great drive quality came up with the concept car named, Etios. Etios, the sedan was launched and promoted strictly based on their front grill. Designed as if a smile of a human, widely captured the Indian audiences, was available in petrol earlier, at a much later stage the diesel engine was also launched. Between 5.5 lacs to 8 lacs, this midsized car impressed many! After the launch of Etios, came the Etios Liva, the hatchback with the same concept. Giving a tough ride to Swift. Made available in both, petrol and diesel.

Hyundai Fluidic Verna

What a masterpiece by the Korean car manufacturer! Pure genius’s design language when compared to the older designs of Verna. Totally revamped in terms of design, the engine and performance! Wow! Available in 6 variants, 3 petrol & 3 diesel engines. It gave a tough one to Honda City, VW Verna and Fiat Linea. Ranging from 8.0 lacs to 10.30 lacs, it serves you with a treat of great mileage varying from 15 Km/pl to 21 Km/pl.

Nissan Sunny

The Japan car manufacturer made us realize that the new Nissan Sunny is not a car but a caaaaaaar! The greatly spaced sedan was made available to the Indian markets in the latter half of 2011. With a petrol engine, ranging from 5.50 lacs – 7.50 lacs; it was a treat to the Indian audiences. A big car, medium budget, impressive design and mileage that is a combination Indians need! The diesel version shall be available in early 2012. This one gave a tough competition to Honda City, Fiat Linea and VW Vento.

New Ford Fiesta

After a huge success with Ford Fiesta launched in 2006, it now gets better! A lot better! With the new design language, even if it stands, it appears moving. So, the whole new kinetic design to the sedan makes it sporty and ready to roll! Totally revamped exteriors and interiors, speech recognition feature makes it a best in class midsized car! With petrol and diesel engines, the German car manufacturers also tried to make a successful attempt to make an automatic version of the petrol, successful; though high on pockets. Expectations of Fiesta hatch to launch in mid 2012!

Skoda Rapid

Skoda Rapid also widely named after the VW Vento, after all siblings they are, aren’t they? Looks like Fabia from the front and a Vento from the rear! Interiors definitely give that Skoda feel to it! Have to! Moreover, available in both petrol and diesel gives people an option to choose from. Too bored with the Vento? Opt for Rapid! Available between a price tag ranging from 6.50 lacs – 9 lacs is a good treat to Indian buyers.

Renault Fluence

Trust them if you must! The French carmakers finally arrive in India! The new European edge to the design of Fluence reminds us of a European car running on the streets of India. The brand in India, definitely appears promising and they are leaving no stone unturned to match up the requirements of Indian audiences. Available between a price tag of 12 lacs to 14 lacs, petrol and diesel variants.

New Jetta

With Audi’s design head coming in Volkswagen, it is clearly seen in the new Jetta. The German car manufacturer goes luxe with the new Jetta! Available in a price tag of 12.5 lacs to 150 lacs, it is likable by the Indian audiences! Loaded with features it is a premium compact but a low budget sedan in its class

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How to prolong the life of your Car’s engine

It makes perfect sense to keep your vehicle in good condition by driving it well and taking care of it. If you do not want to spend on your car too much then you have to make sure that it remains in a good condition. You can do so by maintaining your cars routine servicing like oil change and other services to avoid mechanical failure in the future. Also something that you should always keep in mind is the fact that your vehicle’s life spam and fuel economy is directly affected by the way you drive. As you know a new engine costs a lot and if you take care of your current engine well it will surely be worth it in the long run. Here are a few tips on how to drive in way so that your engine will remain in good condition: -

• Initial stages – You should be gentle with a newly manufactured vehicle, at least until the first 2,000 km get over. The time during the first 2000 km of a car are known as break in period. Of course everyone would like test their new car and see what it can do on the high way. So try to stay in a low RPM range but keep changing your driving speed from time to time. Do not stay at one gear or speed and try to utilize the entire engine’s performance. Also read the owner’s manual very carefully before you start driving. If you are good and gentle to your car’s engine, you will not end up spending a lot in a long run and your engine will even last much longer.

•  Keep it light – small cars with small engines do not have a good towing power so keep your vehicle light while driving. If you keep heavy and big objects in the car, you will create an extra strain on the engine which can damage your car and reduce its life spam. Also remember not to take in more than 5 passengers.

•  Shifting gears – If your car has a manual gear transmission then you should learn how to shift gears properly.  It is very important to keep your car in the right gear while driving. Do not put too much pressure on the car by staying at one gear. You should also learn how slow a car down without using the break. You can do so by making a downshift and removing your foot from the accelerator. This will lower your RPM and slow your car down.

•  Speeding – By speeding you are not only putting your life and other’s lives in danger, but destroying your engine slowly. High speed is bad for engine as it makes it work harder and faster than its normal routine which is very bad for it.

•  Warm up on cold days – If your car has been out all night and it was cold, after starting your car, let it warm up and then proceed to driving.

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Automatic Cars vs Manual Cars

Facts are always helpful in a discussion and often drive us towards a valid conclusion, but this battle between Automatic cars and Manual cars has never seemed to lose its steam for over 3 decades now. It is important to understand how these two types of cars are technically different, manual transmission cars being solely under the driver’s control, meaning the driver has to operate the gear, clutch, and break or accelerator for the car to function. Automatic transmission cars cut out these chores and let you drive the car as easily as a go-kart, with you just having to control the break or accelerator.

If you’re planning to buy a car and not sure with what to settle for, make sure you keep the following points at hand to draw a conclusion.

• One of the foremost things to consider is how passionate you are about driving in general, and the car you’re going to get your hands on to. There’s hardly a doubt in the automobile industry about the kind of essence felt while driving a manual car, which is unmatched to its counterpart, as an automatic car does not let you get involved with the car’s functioning apart from playing with other inbuilt features like the music system etc. You just have to control the breaks and the accelerator, making it look like child’s play. If you’re a beginner, it is recommended you learn driving with a manual car, as it lets you establish your control over cars from your very first ride and knowing how a car functions under your control would definitely make you a better driver.

•  Be sure of the car’s purpose for you. If you’re the kind of person seeking maximum output from your car’s engine, manual cars would suit you best. They let you test the full potentialities of your car and produce better fuel efficient results if handled well, than automatic cars. You would also save up on power as the driver takes up the responsibility of controlling the gears and clutch. Automatic cars hardly let you test your car’s limits and pulls down the fuel efficiency focusing the power on controlling the change in gears and speed.

•  Manual cars are priced lower than automatic cars, with the difference in price ranging from over Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 70,000 majorly due to the technological aspects involved in an automatic car. On busy streets, handling an automatic car is a lot easier than driving a manual car as the stop and go system requires the driver to be alert and agile all the while. This kills the driving comfort and also takes a toll on the fuel efficiency of the car, making manual cars optimum for highways and automatic cars fit for moving within the city. Another major concern for car owners is the cost of maintenance of the vehicle once purchased. Manual cars for the simple mechanics involved makes it a cheaper option than automatic cars which make you pay more in case of any break downs or even regular maintenance to get the system back in place.

The auto industry keeps on advancing at a very rapid pace and we’re already witnesses to the new kind of transmission available in cars: semi-manual and semi-auto transmission cars which claim to have balanced off the two extremes by making the clutch electronically controlled and gears to be handled by the driver. These pointers with a proper test drive should be enough for you make the right choice!

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Best Cruiser bikes in India

Cruiser is actually the term which is used for bikes that are originally of the style American bikes such as Harley Davidson, Indian and Henderson. Currently there are only two companies in India which produce Cruiser motorcycles with reasonable prices and those are Bajaj and Royal Enfield.

Bajaj Avenger 220 is an India cruiser bike which is in quite a reasonable price range and it looks absolutely brilliant. As there are not too many available choices in the market for cruises bikes in India, Baja Avenger 220 has quite taken over. Bajaj Avenger 220 comes with an engine of 219 cc air cooled single, power of 19.03PS at 8,400rpm, 17.5Nm at 7,000rpm torque and 5 speed manual transmission. This bike has an acceleration of 0-100 kmph in just 15.8 seconds with a top speed of 122 kmph with a fuel efficiency of 47.2 kmpl.

Bajaj Avenger 220 is the only cruiser bike that is produced by Bajaj and it is the most popular cruiser bike in India. There are also many cruiser bikes produced by a company called Royal Enfield. Royal Enfield has a series of bikes such as Royal Enfield classic, bullet, Thunderbird, Electra, Machismo, Fury etc.

Each of these bikes normally has two different powers which include a 350cc and a 500cc.

Royal Enfield Classic – This bike comes in two series which includes Royal Enfield Classic 500 and Royal Enfield 350cc and both are with single cylinder, 4 stroke, OHV, SI engine and they are both air cooled. There are many more qualities to these bikes which completely separate them from the other bikes. Royal Enfield classic is most definitely the most favorite and popular cruiser bike in India.

Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark – Twinspark comes with a 346cc and an engine power of 19.8 bhb at 5250 rpm.

Other bikes produced by Royal Enfield include Bullet 350 UCE, Electra Twinspark, Machismo 350, Machismo 500, and Fury 500.

Other than These two companies Bajaj and Royal Enfield, there are two other companies who provide the Indian market with cruiser bikes and they are Harley Davidson and Suzuki who is going to launch its two new cruiser bikes in India. But as I said, I’m sure that people are just going to stick with Royal Enfield and Bajaj as they are trusted Indian companies that have been producing bikes India for many years. They offer the people great bikes with reasonable prices.

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Top 10 Fastest cars in the world

Many a times we all wonder, especially if you are a gut, “which is the fastest car in the world”. Well, speed of a car does not only depend on the engine and the vehicle itself but it also depends on the driver. However here is a list of world’s fastest cars.

1. Bugatti Veyron Super Sport

This super car comes with Aluminum Narrow Angle 8 Liter W16 engine with horse power of 1200 and a max speed of 267 mph. This is also one of the most expensive cars with the base price of $2,400,000. This car currently holds the title of the fastest car in the world.

2. Hennessey Venom GT

This car comes with a 6.2 liter LS9 Turbocharged V8 Twin Turbo V8 Engine that produces a horse power of 1200. This is definitely a tie with Bugatti Veyron Super Sport. It comes with a price tag of $950,000 and the max speed of 160 mph (0-60 in just 2.5 seconds).

3. Koenigsegg Agera R

With a max speed of 260 mph (0-60 in 2.9 seconds) is the third fastest car in the world. It comes with a V8 engine, twin turbo that makes a horse power of 1099. It’s price starts at $1,600,000. Agera R has been Bugatti’s enemy for quite a few years.

4. SSC Ultimate Aero

With a Twin turbo V8 engine and horse power of 1193 this is the world forth fastest car so far. Its maximum speed is 257 mph and it reaches from 0-60 in just 2.7 seconds. SSC Ultimate Aero’s base price is $645,400.

5. Saleen S7 TwinTurbo

This car has a max speed of 248 mph (0-60 in just 2.8 secs). This car comes with a twin turbo aluminum V8 Engine that produces a horse power of 750. It has a price tag of $555,000.

6. Koenigsegg CCX

This super car, with the max speed of 145 mph, 0-60 in 3.2 seconds, 90 degree V8 Engine that produces horse power of 806, has a base price of $545,568.

7. McLaren F1

This car comes with BMW S70/2 60 degree V12 Engine that produces horse power of 627. It has a max speed of 240 mph ( 0-60 in 3.2 seconds) and its base price tage is $970,000. McLaren F1 is also considered as the fastest car in the 20th century.

8. Lamborghini Aventador

217 mph max Speed (0-60 in just 2.9 sconds ), Aventador comes with a V12 engine with 700 HP and a base price of $379,700.

9. Ferrari Enzo

This super car has a max speed of 217 mph and acceleration of 0-60 in about 3.4 seconds comes with a V12 engine producing 660 horse powers.

10. Jaguar XJ220

This car has a max speed of 217 mph (0-60 in just 3.8). Twin Turbo V6 Engine with 542 hp and a base price of $650,000 are the feature of this car. This car was made in the year 1992.

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Top 10 fastest bikes in the world

There are many bike lovers who wonder which is the fastest bike in the world. Amongst the fastest bikes there is a vast variety. But the pick up as well as the speed of a bike not only depends on the engine and other parts of the bike, but it depends on the person who is riding it. Based on the trial of one rider, here is a list of fastest bikes in the world.

BMW S1000RR

Positioned at number one fastest bike in the world, BMW S1000RR is powered by 999 cc inline-4 engine. It produces 193 bhp or power and it is redlined at 14,200 rpm. This bike produces 133.6 horse power at the rear wheel with a top speed of 305 kmph (0-100 in 3.1 sec)

Suzuki Hayabusa

Positioned at number two fastest bike in the world, Susuki Hayabusa is pretty much a tie with the BMW S1000RR. Hayabusa is considered as the world’s most powerful bikes. Suzuki Hayabusa, also known as GSX1300R has a top speed of 303 kmph. The first generation of this Japanese sport bike used to run with a top speed of 325 kmph which is why they were called as death machines.

Kawasaki Ninja ZZR1400

Powered with a 1400 cc engine, this bike develops a 190 bhp of power at 9500 rpm. This bike has a top speed of 300 kmph but it is mostly known for its pick up. It has a pick up of 0-100 in just 2.8 seconds.

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R

Positioned at number four, this bike is powered with a 998 cc inline four cylinder engine. It produces 198 Bhp with a top speed of 288 kmph. This bike is one of the most desired bikes in the world.

Suzuki GSX-R1000

Positioned at number five, this Japanese bike is powered with a liquid-cooled 1 liter inline four-cylinder, four stroke engine. This bike produces power of 192 bhp at 12,100 rpm with a top speed of 285 kmph.

Yamaha YZF-R1

This bike was popular amongst the bike lover since its production in the year 1998. With its 999cc engine, 4 cylinders and liquid cooling technology, Yamaha YZF-R1 has a top speed of 284 kmph. It reaches from 0 to 100 in just 3 seconds.

MV Augusta F4 R312

Positioned at number seven, It produces a power of 183 bhp at 12,500 rpm with a top speed of 282 kmph.

Honda CBR1000 RR

Honda CBR1000 RR is positioned at number 8 fastest bike in the world with a one liter 4 cylinder liguid cooled engine produces a power of 178 Bhp at 13,000 rpm. It has a top speed of 277 kmph.

Ducati 1098S

Positioned at number nine, Ducati 1098S is a suitable bike for both race courses as well as road use. It produces a power of 160 Bhp with a top speed of 275 kmph.

Suzuki GSX-R750

With an engine of 750 cc 4 cylinder, Suzuki GSX-R750 develops a power of 148 bhp. This bike has a top speed of 268 kmph.

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Are Automatic Cars The Future of Auto Industry in India

The auto industry is a swiftly advancing industry with new changes and improvements brought in daily with high investments from all ends. Each country has its unique perspective towards its auto industry and their history contributes a great deal in the kind of outlook a citizen has before buying a car. The Indian population is primarily built up by the rural population who almost have negligible part in the auto industry’s sales. The auto industry in India is nurtured and supported by the upper class, upper middle class and the emerging middle class who now seem to fancy themselves into unknown territories.

The primary investment a customer makes for a manual car in India would cost him/her Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 70,000 less, compared to an automatic car. This difference in initial price itself gives automatic cars a heavy leg as Indians are well known to be very conscious about their investments and ready to settle for anything priced lower. The next major concern on their minds is fuel efficiency of the car. On the not-so-well-known Indian roads, troubled by potholes it is impossible for any car to perform decently to be highly fuel efficient. The lag is always evident, however if manual cars are maintained and handled well, they prove to be more fuel efficient than automatic cars on highways as drivers have the full authority to push the car to its performance limits with control over the gears and the clutch.

Automatic cars spend most of its power on handling the gears and clutch while the driver just has to handle the breaks or accelerator. This consumption of power by the car to operate takes a toll on its fuel efficiency, although systemized controlling of the parts ensure long term functioning of those parts without any trouble. On a busy Indian street you’ll have to give up on fuel efficiency as both these types of cars fail to out match each other. Automatic cars provide a comfort and convenience option as the driver need not manage the gear, clutch and break at the same time on a busy road, as the car takes up these responsibilities with you just having to decide what speed to accelerate or break onto.

An interesting shift to witness is how many young Indians are trying to seek this convenience factor while driving as this eases up their responsibility and ensures a smooth ride through the city. Even the elderly in India have started to fancy automatic cars for the comfort it provides. Certain studies by Frost and Sullivan suggest that Indians are now gradually preparing themselves to shed the extra cash for comfort and like the rest of the world, will support manufacturing of more automatic cars in the future.

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INDIA’S 1ST SUPERCAR DC AVANTI

This news will go well with all the automobile lovers . Introducing India’s first ever supercar . The well known Indian automotive design house, DC Design has unveiled its supercar called the Avanti. According to reports, the car has been named after the Studbaker Avanti that appeared in Tintin comics. The idea behind the Avanti, which means ‘forward’ in Italian, is to make affordable supercars and the car is expected to be priced at Rs 30 lakh .

The car was unveiled by Amitabh Bachchan and will initially come powered by a 4-cylinder turbo petrol engine from Ford, and later a turbo V6 Honda engine. The 4-cylinder turbo petrol will make 265 hp, while the V6 engine will make 400 hp. The Avanti is expected to do a sub-seven second zero to hundred timing. These engines are mated to a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission system. According to the reports, the engines are being tuned in the UK and will be shipped to India in crates where they will be installed the cars. Much like the engines, most of the other components that go into the cars will also be imported into the country. However, the body and interiors are being manufactured at DC’s Talegaon plant in Pune. The body shell is made of aluminium, while the body panels are made of GRP

It was also reported that DC Design is also setting up showrooms across the country in order to sell the Avanti Supercar. The first of these showrooms will be launched in Hyderabad. The showrooms will also stock other DC products. The 1560 kg Avanti looks more along the lines of a Lotus Evora, rather than a full-fledged Ferrari 458-like supercar. DC Design aims on manufacturing 200 cars a year, which means it would produce one car every two days. They also have plans to slowly expand that number to 2000 cars annually, according to reports.
Speaking at the launch of the project very dear to his heart (and which he had nurtured for so many years), Dilip Chhabria, the guiding tour-de-force at DC Design said, “We are extremely ecstatic to present the DC Avanti and it is a manifestation of not just the burgeoning interest in high end sports cars but also as a calling card for our own capabilities which have now progressed from mere styling in the early days to full prototyping and bespoke one-off manufacturing. Every country which has written its name in the pantheon of automobile manufacturing has invariably distinguished itself with sports cars by its own nationals and I thought that India rightly needs to be in this exclusive club.”

“The Indian market for high end automobiles is on a steep uphill curve as witnessed year-on-year and our focus is at the top end of this rarified niche. The design is completely our very own as is the engineering and also the production process. Type approval and on-road tests would follow soon and we intend to simultaneously set up an all new facility at Talegaon near Pune to build this vehicle,” said Dilip.

“We intend to produce 300 units of the Avanti in 2013-2014 and if all goes well we could ramp up production to go into four figures per annum. Till now DC Design was noted for its design and customization but then we added complete engineering and prototyping to our roster of services and working for the world’s biggest names helped us understand and add to our expertise,” added Dilip.

“The Avanti is an ongoing culmination of all that we have learnt and we intend to give a sports car to a select new emerging breed of car buyers who value good taste without compromising on performance and who don’t need to spend a fortune on making the adrenaline flow.” He further added.
Text Courtesy : WheelsUnplugged, DC Design

Specifications of the car:  

• Engine

Type: 2.0L Four Cylinder
Maximum power: 240 BHP @ 5500 RPM
Maximum Torque: 270lb/ft of torque @3500 RPM
Transmission: MMT6 6speed
Turbocharged engine with direct injection and VVT DOHC Four valves per cylinder

• Chassis

Tubular space frame
Jig built
TIG welded

• Suspension

Unequal length double wishbones
Coil cover shock absorbers

• Steering and Brakes

Rack and pinion
330 mm ventilated discs (Front and Rear) AP racing calipers Wheels
Front rim size – 8.5J-19
Tyres – 255/35 19” x 8.5 J
Track – 1680 mm
Rear Rim size – 11J-19
Tyres – 295/0 19” x 11 J
Track – 1660mm

• Dimensions

Wheelbase – 2700 mm
Length – 4623 mm
Width – 1967 mm
Height – 1213 mm
Front Over hang – 993 mm
Rear Over hang – 930 mm
Ground clearance – 155 mm
Dry kerb weight – 1562 kgs

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10 Things You Must Keep In Your Car

Men spend almost one-fourth of their lives in their cars. And nowadays, coming out of the typology of patriarchal society, women are no behind. We all stay highly particular about interior decorating our houses because we think that’s the ultimate habitat. But, when so much our time goes in travelling, it’s utterly important to caramelise our cars in the aroma of “safe and joyous” driving mode. Also, it is a well known fact it is just inevitable to avoid the breakdown of cars. So, one must be fully prepared to aid their cars and themselves in such situations efficiently.

Peeping into the deep pool of personified car inhabitants, only the following few things topped the priority list and hence narrowed down as 10 things you must keep in your car.

1. Air freshener: An enigmatic scent can envelop the whole ambience of the car in a magical blanket. It spawns an ethereal essence thereby relaxing our mind, body and soul.

2. Owner’s manual: The owner’s manual comes as an inaugural guide which is usually not given much importance. But, in the toughest of times on road; it can prove to be the handiest technical know-how’s to get you back on road.

3. Toolkit: Rapid deflation of tires or rough terrains often strands you in the middle of the road. A fully loaded toolkit then becomes your best companion.

4. First-Aid: A 54 piece first aid kit is a must carry for any measure of distance to be travelled. A famous saying, “Hope for the best and plan for the worst” asserts it all!

5. Edibles and water: Bottled drinking water and high energy snacks must always be a part of your car to quench your thirst and shoo away your hunger anytime and anywhere.

6. Cell Phone: An old cell phone with battery fully charged is the best to meet your emergency calls when in digressing trouble and your own phone cheated you mid-way. It surely bails you out of sticky situations.

7. Torch and road flares: If you don’t wish to be telecast in the next “most dangerous videos”, keep portable reflecting triangles and a flashlight along.

8. Miscellaneous Bag: A bag with a dust cloth along with a towel and a blanket can save you from drenching rains, blood-chilling winters, muddy anecdotes and sweaty summers all in one.

9. Portable air compressor: Facing a continually exhaling tire calls for a hasty solution. Moreover, getting rid of this problem on a move becomes a necessity. So, a foldable air compressor must always reside somewhere in the back of your car.

10. Maps: A detailed road atlas to navigate you in the entire state with accuracy and precision should be in the dashboard always. Make sure it is comprehensive enough to guide you rightly in road-confusing circumstances.

What are you still thinking??? Assemble your own cache now and deploy in a minimum possible volume of the bag to not just save the space in your car effectively, but also save your journey and its hurdles.

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8 Car Buying Tips

Choosing car is an important decision which merits careful and thoughtful planning. Before buying a car, buyers mostly face the question of the mileage, the budget of the car, the financial planning and much more. It then becomes difficult to decide because the factors of cost, finances depend on whether we intend to use the car for daily commuting, recreation, weekends and evenings out, driving in the city or on highways. Also keeping other factors in mind such as fuel efficiency, service network, safety, size of your family, seating capacity, it is a hectic task of choosing the right car with a reasonable budget and the right deal and finance. Here are some tips which could help a buyer choose the car he wishes also helping him decide the right decisions to make when it comes to finance and budgeting.

1. Identify the type of car you wish to buy. Relate these to the other factors accordingly as to how much you are willing to pay for your vehicle. Also, market surveys could prove to be very beneficial to help you choose the right kind of car.

2. The next step which would help you go ahead with choosing your car is the price. Prices can be misleading at times. Therefore, it becomes essentially important to confirm prices from the local dealers and locate them in order to minimize your cost as much possible at a very reasonable rate.

3.  Get hold of the right deal you have in front of you. Always choose cars with attractive incentives and rebates. Also, try researching on some hidden incentives which are sometimes unrevealed. Along thinking the lines of incentives, calculate the amount of the loan you will be taking and the amount you would have to pay in installments or interest. This would give a clear cut idea as to how reasonable the car would be according to your expenses calculated.

4. Check the quality of the car you want to buy. Check for the features and extra services the car offers. Also look out for the additional optional fitting because different cars come with different packages. The factors which are important to you should be present or accommodated in the car such as the look of the car, the mileage, safety and more.

5. Be updated periodically of the vehicle you are buying. Read expert reviews and comments on that vehicle and compare it with vehicles very similar to it, so that you can know the added benefits or disadvantages in the car you wish to possess. You can compare your car to some others on the basis of engine power mileage and other technical specifications.

6.  Always opt for the lowest interest car loan. Ensure that there is an extended warranty or service contract. This is help you protect your vehicles from any damages in the long run.

7. Ensure you have insurance for your vehicle. Automobile insurance is a must. Reviewing various insurance policies from different insurance companies will help you make the right choice and go ahead with the best plan. Also compare insurance rates and check the insurance policies with the companies before you make the choice with a particular insurance plan.

8. Test drive the vehicle before making the final decision of buying that car. It is just to make sure that the vehicle you have chosen matches all the characteristics you had expected and are looking for. Check for the basic operation of the car that is braking and handling, and acceleration. The interiors and exteriors of the car need to be properly analyzed for minute unsightly gaps. Buy the car only after having checked the details of the car thoroughly.

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10 Tips to Maintain Your Car

The owner of a car would know the value of the car he possesses in the very true sense. For some people, it gets very precious to handle. But, while you cannot always control its insurance rates, the cost of petrol or diesel and also its repair costs, it is important to know some tips as to how to make your car last longer and maintain its durability and value for a longer time. Either spend money on a new care every 3-4 years or maintain the same car and help it run great and look better and sharper. Here are some tips if you want to go for the latter.

1. Get it checked when in doubt: when you car acts up between maintenance or starts giving shocks just after you have got its regular and normal servicing done, don’t just hope and sit for the issue to go away. Even when the Check Engine button is not lit, it is always better to get it checked even if you sense the slightest odd behavior from your car. Better to get it auto checked and spend little time at the shop than putting in loads and loads of money for repairs later after the situation gets worsened.

2. Use the right oil: Never over think and apply your own genius brains when it comes to the oil to be used in the car. If the car manual asks you to go for a particular brand of oil, just realize that it is not some stupid advertising stunt but it actually means that your car would run best with that brand oil.

3. Know your car stats: It is very necessary to keep a tab of the fluid level and tire pressures of your car at regular intervals. You are less likely to get caught by surprise if you keep a proper regular check over your car’s lights and other minor engine automations.

4. Follow the manual: Follow the engine and transmission maintenance recommendations given in the manual as they would assure the long life of your car and save you money in the very long run. It would take little of your time regularly but following them would save money pouring out of your pockets later on in future.

5. Keep it cool: It is very important to maintain your car’s cooling level and making sure that the engine is well lubed and not so heated up as checking the welfare of your engine would help you save thousands of bucks in future. The minor activities like changing the air filter helps your car breathe easy and help the engine last longer.

6. Drive smarter: The way you drive your car also has a drastic effect over the performance of your car. It determines how long your car and the gas of your car would last, helping it to perform efficiently. Good driving habits always ensure the sustainability of the car in the long run, besides checking for the minor engine faults regularly in the car.

7. Keep your car clean: Taking care of the exterior of the car by regularly washing and waxing it is another way for a healthier life of the car. It not only makes it look cleaner and shinier, but the car also looks presentable once the interiors of the car is also cleaned and treated and get the spills out of the car carpets immediately as later they get difficult to remove.

8. Prepare for the seasons: Winters and summers are said to be most demanding on the car’s batteries, coolant, tires and other pressure areas. Therefore, it is important to keep your car ready, be it in the freezing winters, or the summer road trips.

9. Wash, Rinse and Repeat: Make it a regular and everyday schedule of washing the car and rinsing it. It would remove the everyday dirt that gets collected in the interior and exteriors of the car. Many people do wash their cars, but it is necessary to make this habit a routine and making a proper schedule for it.

10: Keep It covered: To save the car from rather more dirt and other upsetting activities, keep your car covered when not in use. Also, avoid keeping the car out in the harsh sunlight, and the car needs to be covered not only for bird dropping and tree sap, but it also minimizes the activities of theft. Also park your car in the garage or your parking space.

Keeping your car maintained will not only make it last longer but also will make it much more pleasant to drive  which will make you want to take better care of it.

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5 reasons to have a hybrid car

What is a hybrid car?

To break it down in simple words, it is a normal fuel-efficient car that runs on two motors – a gas powered motor and an electric motor.

Why use a hybrid car?

Although the initial cost is expensive, in the long run hybrid cars prove out to be a better option in the long run. Environmentalists do not only prefer them, but also the capitalists because of the amount it saves up on gasoline. The biggest advantage of owning a hybrid of that it charges automatically as you drive them.

Travelling in one of those new high-tech hybrids, cars that team up with the power of gas engine and an electric motor, reason being to control the radiation of carbon dioxide released in the atmosphere- may seem like something only an engineer or an environmentalist enthusiasm would get excited about but the fact is that hybrid cars contain a lot of advantages which is the society is unaware about. Here our five reasons why a hybrid may be perfect for your family.

 1. Boost your “coolness” quotient-

Driving a hybrid is a surefire conversation starter among relatives, coworkers, neighbours in fact even total random strangers for that matter. Cameron Diaz, Brad Pitt and the entire cool Hollywood hipster’s these days have a hybrid. Follow their trend maybe?

2. Be a socially responsible citizen.

Thinking in terms of environment for a change wont do you any harm.

Leave a better world for your children and by driving a hybrid you can totally prove your point. As parents, your actions speak louder than your words. Owning an environmental friendly car imparts values to your children rather than talking about pointless planet saving notions.

3. Comfortable to drive as convectional cars-

There is no difference between a hybrid car and a gas-powered car.

Most importantly, hybrid cars are super-quiet; sometimes you just can’t tell if the engine is on or not!

 4. You will save money on gas-

These days looking at the soaring prices of gas, this surely gives you a reason to switch to hybrid cars. In fact, hybrid cars can go on for more than 600 miles between fill-ups, which means you cut down on your visits to the gas station.

5. Hybrids require less maintenance-

Since hybrid cars are running only half the time, your car will require few oil changes and services for that matter.

Even though there are five reasons listed above, there are way too many advantages to go for a hybrid technology. Hybrid cars are a sound investment as they have an excellent resale value. In conclusion, hybrid cars look good;they are fuel efficient with low emissions. They have a tax rebate and give you extra mileage. Hybrid technology thee days come in trendy and fashionable models and offer the speed you want. GO GREEN!

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