Mercedes-Benz B-Class diesel to be launched today

Mercedes-Benz is all set to launch the diesel-powered B-Class in India on July 11, 2013. The diesel motor doing duty under the hood of the B-Class is the same that powers the diesel Mercedes-Benz A-Class, C-Class and the E-Class. The 2.2-litre turbocharged oil burner will feature the same state of tune in the B-Class as it does in the A-Class hatchback, which means that it will churn out 109PS of power and 250Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox that sends power to the front wheels of the car.

The Mercedes Benz B-Class diesel will be launched in one variant only that will feature most luxury and safety features of the top-end B-Class petrol, however, it will miss out on kit like the a dual sun-roof and will ride on smaller 16-inch alloy wheels. The premium interiors of the B-Class including leather upholstery, the COMAND interface and the array of safety features such as ABS, Collision Prevention Assist, seven airbags are all expected to remain standard on the diesel B-Class.

Prices of the Mercedes-Benz B-Class petrol models range between Rs 21.90 lakh and Rs 25.60 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), hence, expect the price of the diesel B-Class to fall within the bracket.

Mercedes is expected to price the B-Class diesel a shade under the entry-level petrol model that currently retails at Rs 21.90 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The B-Class will continue to be sold as a CBU in India till 2014 after which the car will be assembled from CKD kits at the company's Chakan plant in Pune.

Adil Jal Darukhanawala Photography : Kunal Khadse 11 Jul, 2013

-
Source: http://www.zigwheels.com/news-features/news/mercedesbenz-bclass-diesel-to-be-launched-today/16812/
--
Manage subscription | Powered by rssforward.com

Peugeot RCZ R : In Pictures

Adil Jal Darukhanawala Photography : Kunal Khadse 10 Jul, 2013

-
Source: http://www.zigwheels.com/gallery/slideshow/peugeot-rcz-r-in-pictures/16810/1
--
Manage subscription | Powered by rssforward.com

Hyundai Elantra gets the DC Design touch

Only the best is good enough is more an attitude with positive connotations and while applying it to the automobile one could either go about achieving it sensibly (which is rare) or go right to the other extreme by being OTT (over the top).

Many a time it is also the lure to gild the lily, the costlier the better but then there comes along someone trying to aim for the middle ground. That someone in the Indian automotive scenario is DC Design which has just come up with an exquisite take on the Hyundai Elantra, done on a modest budget that also delivers exclusivity and in the process highlights how tastefully done minimalism can deliver big.

The key to the Elantra by DC Design is now in the way it has that terrific accent running the length of the car on its side. To many it might look like a masked tape job but in fact using traditional skills allied to the latest computer tools, there has a pure sheet metal swathe inserted along the character crease, raised sufficiently enough to deliver that 3-dimensional look and feel to it.

It is striking from afar but come close and let your eyes rove over it and you will be gobsmacked at the detailing and the craftsmanship That all red strake on the matt black surface, like a rapier on the fluidic design of the base Elantra really sets this car up as a very exciting sporty automobile rather than just being a stylised family sedan.

The front end gets the same red highlights with inserts having been tastefully added to accentuate the front grille without messing up the car's basic hardpoints, meaning in effect every bit of original sheet metal has been retained as have the original headlights. What we could find was a delicate balance that Dilip Chhabria has tried to incorporate into this very edgy design which now tries to be even sportier while yet showing new found maturity.

The interior has another detail which might not be ground shaking to many who would term it just as a showpiece but move away from the all-red rosso corsa leather upholstery and you will find bits and pieces of carbon fibre generated and baked here in India for the first time

DC Design has been playing with new age lightweight materials and while there is more happening with this material on its showpiece Avanti mid-engined sports car (set to hit the roads later this year), the dashboard and other detailing on this Elantra are the first manifestations of carbon fibre being employed.

I am sure that just as DC did with his fibreglass add-ons over a decade and a half ago for standard road going Marutis, there will now be a move into the carbon fibre craft being progressively increased in many of his bespoke creations. The present Elantra is a one-off but if user reviews are positive, DC expects to make many more of these on the same lines as his successful production runs of Innovas, Fortuners, Dusters et al.

Adil Jal Darukhanawala Photography : Kunal Khadse 11 Jul, 2013

-
Source: http://www.zigwheels.com/news-features/news/hyundai-elantra-gets-the-dc-design-touch/16813/
--
Manage subscription | Powered by rssforward.com

Fords limited edition kit for the Figo

Ford is offering limited edition versions of the Figo hatchback along the lines of the car's three-year anniversary celebrations in India. No doubt, in the current slow automobile market Ford is also hoping to rack up the numbers with the limited edition Figo.

The 'limited edition' title has added a few goodies to the Figo across all petrol and diesel variants. The extras on the limited edition Figo include cosmetic enhancements such as a rear spoiler, seat covers, 'Figo' branded scuff plates and celebration badging and decals. Added functional features on the Figo include reverse parking sensors and a satellite navigation unit.

As aforementioned, any variant of the Figo can be specced with the limited edition goodies. However, only the white coloured Figo gets the celebration badging and exterior decals. Buyers will have to dish out an additional Rs 23,040 over the on-road price of the white colour Figo to spec it as a limited edition model, while Ford Figos in all other colours ask for Rs 27,000 over the on-road price of the car.

The petrol powered Figo has a 1.2 litre petrol engine that develops 71PS of power and 102Nm of torque while the diesel Figo is powered by a 1.4 litre engine that develops 69PS of power and 160Nm of torque. Both engines are mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. Prices of the Ford Figo range between Rs 3.89 lakh to Rs 6.00 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

Adil Jal Darukhanawala Photography : Kunal Khadse 10 Jul, 2013

-
Source: http://www.zigwheels.com/news-features/news/fords-limited-edition-kit-for-the-figo/16811/
--
Manage subscription | Powered by rssforward.com

Jaguar Project 7: In Pictures

Adil Jal Darukhanawala Photography : Kunal Khadse 10 Jul, 2013

-
Source: http://www.zigwheels.com/gallery/slideshow/jaguar-project-7-in-pictures/16808/1
--
Manage subscription | Powered by rssforward.com