Ford Holds Competition to Design Futuristic Ford EcoSport

Ford Motors recently held a university competition in Brazil asking designing engineer students to envision what the Ford EcoSport would look like after 10 years. The initiative by Ford Brazil was received enthusiastically and a flood of entries were received by the event organizers. Such events are usually conducted by major corporations in order to boost creativity amongst the upcoming engineers but also as a way of spotting creative talent for the company before their education is even complete.

The event received a lot of creative and diverse entries and here are some of best ones. The competition was won by a Mr. Eudes Rocha Fernandes, student of College of Goias who was given the prize of a brand new Ford Ka. His entry featured a futuristic looking Ford EcoSport with massive tyres bulging out, sleek front fascia design and a steeply shaped windshield with the large sunroof.

The second prize was grabbed by the entry that showed off a white or chrome looking body colour body with a domed windshield that escaped into the roof. The design looked similar to a Renault Twizy and was voted as the most popular realistic version of the EcoSport after a period of 10 years. The entry was designed by Mr. Hugo Hisamatsu.

The second prize winner along with the runners up was handed out electronic gadgets and a free course on image editing. Now the question is, what would the results be like in Ford India were to hold such a competition in India?  

Maruti Suzuki Ritz Automatic to Launch Soon

Maruti Suzuki has updated their official Ritz website to include an upcoming automatic variant of the Ritz. This is an indication that the company is prepping itself for this launch, quite possibly within the next few days. The Maruti Ritz diesel facelift was launched 2 months back with the petrol facelift waiting in the wings. Well, the wait is over and the petrol facelift will probably be out in a few days. Most of the details regarding the new variant are up on the website. The Ritz automatic will be available only in the Vxi petrol variant and will house the same 1.2 litre K-Series engine mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission. This is the very same transmission currently being used in the Maruti Suzuki Dzire and A-Star.

The Ritz automatic will process out 83bhp along with 114Nm of peak torque. Maruti Suzuki claims the Ritz automatic mileage to be 17.16kmpl which is fairly impressive considering that the Ritz Vxi manual hands out 18.5kmpl. From what we can see the rest of the car is completely similar to the Ritz Vxi manual variant.

However the new Maruti Suzuki Ritz is being offered in 3 new shades namely; Mystique Red, Breeze Blue and Granite Grey. Since the car is yet to be launched the Ritz Vxi automatic price is still being kept under wraps but we can safely assume the new variant will probably cost an additional Rs. 50,000-52,000.

New Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series Revealed

Mercedes-Benz has finally revealed/teased the all new SLS AMG Coupe Black Series, developed by the in house performance vehicle specialist, AMG. The vehicle is making its global debut at the Los Angeles motor show later this month. Inspired by the SLS AMG GT3 racing version, the fifth Black Series model from Mercedes-AMG boasts a fascinating mix of outstanding design, driving dynamics and lightweight construction in accordance with the "AMG Lightweight Performance" strategy.

With a DIN kerb weight of 1550 kilograms, the SLS AMG Black Series achieves a power/weight ratio of 2.45 kg/bhp. The AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine generates a power output of 631bhp at 7400rpm and accelerates the most dynamic gull-wing model of all time to 100kmph in 3.6 seconds. The coil-over AMG RIDE CONTROL performance suspension, the AMG ceramic high-performance composite brake system and the weight-optimised forged AMG light-alloy wheels with newly developed sports tyres combine with the electronically controlled AMG rear-axle differential lock and the AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission featuring a great shift and response times to raise the SLS AMG Black Seriesto a new level. The AMG Aerodynamics package is optionally available to further boost the vehicle's driving dynamics.

"The new SLS AMG Coupé Black Series is a perfect study in the one hundred percent transfer of technology and engineering from motorsport to the road. We have drawn inspiration from the worldwide success of the SLS AMG GT3 customer sport racing car on both a conceptual and a technological level. Boasting numerous lightweight components and fantastic driving dynamics, our fifth Black Series model guarantees pure, unadulterated 'Driving Performance'. The SLS AMG Coupé Black Series is the ultimate choice for fast laps and highly emotional driving experiences", says Ola Källenius, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

"The most dynamic gull-wing model of all time goes by the name of the SLS AMG Coupé Black Series. Fans of high-performance super sports cars will be fascinated by its high-tech package. The basis for passionate performance and supreme driving dynamics is provided by numerous new developments in the area of the engine, power transmission, suspension and aerodynamics – also according top priority to our "AMG Lightweight Performance" strategy. Great efforts in the field of lightweight design have resulted in a DIN kerb weight of 1550 kilograms," notes Tobias Moers, head of overall vehicle development and member of the management board of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

Honda Brio Sedan Diesel Officially named Honda Amaze

So here comes the big news, the Much awaited Honda Brio Sedan (Diesel and Petrol) now gets an official name, Honda Asia today unveiled that the proposed Sedan will be called the “AMAZE,” and will be launched in Thailand and India. More details on the car will be announced later this month on November 23, 2012 in Thailand, and India will get the vehilce in the next financial year 2013-14. Honda plans to introduce this model to accommodate the diversifying needs of customers in automobile markets in Asia where competition is intensifying.

The model will be equipped with a gasoline engine in Thailand. In India, the Honda Amaze will be available with a petrol engine and a newly-developed diesel engine and will be positioned in the entry level sedan segment for the Indian market. These models will be introduced to the market at affordable prices realized by increasing cost competitiveness through local sourcing and production.

The name “Amaze” is intrinsically linked to the Product Development Concept of this new model after extensive study of the diverse needs of customers. Every aspect of the new entry sedan seeks to amaze the customer by offering divergent and desirable values to expand customer delight beyond expectations.

The contemporary style of “Amaze” will entice customers with its amazingly spacious interior yet compact exteriors, which was designed while further advancing the Honda M/M (man maximum, machine minimum) concept*1. The car offers amazing power delivery yet with class leading fuel efficiency, while sustaining core Honda values to appeal to the growing base of middle class customers aspiring to own a Honda Sedan.

Honda Plans for New Honda Brio Centered MPV

We’ve often spoken of how Honda has suffered major setbacks due to the lack of a diesel option in its range of cars. Now with the Honda Brio diesel hatchback firmly in place and the upcoming Honda Amaze sedan, Honda is set on the path to heal its plummeting sales figures. However, that is just the tip of the iceberg. From the looks of it, Honda is planning to start work on the Honda Brio MPV once it is finished with the Brio sedan launch. And of course there is a very good chance that this same MPV will land on Indian shores once its Indonesian debut is over.

Now we all know that India is quite literarily a treasure trove for MPV manufacturers with the recent trend for UV and crossover purchases rocketing sky high. And that may be exactly what Honda plans to take advantage of with its new Brio MPV. Once launched, this MPV will offer competition to the current segment leaders, Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, Mahindra Xylo and Toyota Innova. Based It looks like Honda may well have some fruitful and exciting times ahead of them. Stay tuned to CarDekho as we bring you further updates on the possibility of a Honda Brio MPV

Jaguar Land Rover Records 29% Growth in Sales

The British luxury major, Jaguar Land Rover PLC has today reported its second quarter results for the 2012/2013 fiscal year (Q2 FY13) as £431m profit before tax, a 100% increase on the same period in the last financial year (2011/2012 fiscal year £216m). The positive result in the second quarter reflects a 29% increase in retail sales volumes (84,749 vehicles in total) globally. The company has generated revenues of over £3.2bn (an increase of £373m).

Commenting on the results, JLR Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ralf Speth said: "Jaguar Land Rover has delivered another quarter of positive results against a challenging economic backdrop. We continue to see strong sales across all of our key markets." "Jaguar Land Rover will continue to invest in its products, plants and will drive further growth by spending in the region of £2bn across the financial year." 

Dr Speth continues. "In the third quarter, we will see the first customer deliveries of the all-new Range Rover along with the introduction of the Jaguar XF Sportbrake and all-wheel drive versions of the Jaguar XJ and XF." Jaguar Land Rover has created over 8,000 new jobs in the last two years to support its ambitious investment and growth plans. This includes 1,100 new jobs at Castle Bromwich; 1,000 new manufacturing posts at the Solihull plant; 1,000 jobs at Halewood and 1,000 engineers.

Jaguar Land Rover moved to three shifts at both its Halewood and Solihull plants during the first half of the financial year to support the increased demand for its products globally. Jaguar Land Rover invests more in research and development than anyone else in the UK automotive sector and is in the top 10 across all sectors of the British economy.

New Modified Honda City with CNG Launched at Rs 9.54 lakh

HONDA has launched its new modified Honda City, which is compatible with CNG bi-fuel option in India to complement the lifestyles and needs of the customers who are looking for an alternative fuel vehicle with unmatched performance and outstanding fuel efficiency. A buyer will have to pay an extra sum of Rs 50,200 over existing prices to get the CNG kit installed.

The new modified Honda City will be available in V grade which will get retrofitted by a Honda approved CNG kit at all the 45 Honda dealerships located in 28 cities where CNG fuel option is available in the country. Rohan BRC has been appointed as the authorized dealer for providing the CNG kit. The modified Honda City will come with a 2 year warranty as standard value for all buyers. To enhance the performance, the modified grade of the City has an optimized 1.5L, 4 cylinder i-VTEC engine and the suspension has been modified to adjust the additional weight of the CNG cylinder to offer similar driving experience as that of the petrol City. The safety of passengers and pedestrians is a first priority for Honda and the new CNG ready City is fully loaded with various active and passive safety features including ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System) with Brake Assist (BA), Dual SRS airbags, pre-tensioner seat belts. The front body structure of the car ensures advanced pedestrian safety features.

“Interactive Intelligence” AVN grade

Additionally, new Option City 1.5V Leather with AVN(Audio Visual Navigation) has been introduced in the City line-up which will feature ultra-premium-one-class-above features - Touch Screen, Audio Visual Navigation, Bluetooth, DVD player in addition to CD Player, USB/I-Pod/Aux-in connectivity and Leather upholstery with Leather wrapped steering wheel and Leather wrapped Gear Shift Knob (in MT). The complete range of the City has been expanded to give more options to the customers and will now be available in the following: Corporate, E, S MT/AT, V MT/AT, V (Leather with Sunroof) MT/AT, V (AVN) MT/AT (new) and V MT modified for CNG kit fitment (new).

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Jnaneswar Sen, Sr Vice President, Honda Cars India Ltd. said “Honda City is one of the most successful car brand in the country and certainly the most desirable sedan in its category due to its unmatched values of performance, mileage and overall reliability. We are extremely happy to bring the City with a CNG option for our customers. Adapting the CNG technology is another step to keep low cost of ownership for our customers and will add to the appeal of the car, as it will not only be cheaper to run and maintain but also eco-friendly.“ “In line with the preferences of our customers, we are delighted to introduce the new variant with Audio Visual Navigation which makes the car even more desirable in its category”, he further added.