Indian Autos blog

A few months back, on an article regarding the Chevy Spark, we wrote how deeply GM India is obsessed with it, and in the future, it even awaits a diesel engine and smaller 800cc petrol engine. We never imagine this was in the roster – Chevrolet Spark with electric power train sourced from REVA.

Economic Times -

The two companies (REVA and GM India) will enter into a 50:50 joint venture (JV), which is currently awaiting the green signal from GM’s Detroit headquarters. If the JV goes through, it will be GM’s first deal since it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

P.Balendran, GM India’s vice-president of corporate affairs -

We have been pursuing opportunities for commercial application of alternative fuel options, including bio-diesel, jatropha arrangement with CSMCRI (Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute), electric, fuel cell, hydrogen etc, with many parties for quite some time.

Obviously, GM is interested in strapping vehicles with more than just petrol and diesel motors. Thus far, it has not come out with any prototypes or suspicious looking test mules have not been reported. GM will introduce the Volt in India as a fully assembled vehicle in the future, probably to take on the Prius, which is certainly coming to India sooner or later.

With Tata studying the possibility of introducing the Indica Vista EV in certain cities, REVA bringing in the next generation NXG, and Bavina Cars setting up a high capacity plant in Chennai, the EV scene in India is the one to watch out for. If not this Auto Expo, the next one in 2012 should have more contenders displaying their concepts and production EVs.

After the departure of Giancarlo Fisichella, questions on who would take up responsibility as the lead driver in Force India’s camp was answered gracefully by Adrian Sutil as he put fast lap after another to take 2nd position in the Italian GP qualifying.

His team mate Vitantonio Liuzzi, who is the replacement driver for Fisi, was not far behind. He’ll start tomorrow’s race from 7th position, making it the best ever start Force India have recorded in their stint so far with Formula 1.

At the Qualifying press conference -

Lewis Hamilton (in pole) – “Great to see Sutil here in the podium, interesting first corner, in best position to face it..we got KERS for help..hoping to get around the first corner and enjoy the rest of the race.”

Adrian Sutil (2nd position) – “A Great moment, great day..weekend is a success..car’s amazing..so good for the team after the success at SPA, enjoyed single moment, feel very good..”

“Fisichella says he does not have a strong car compared to ours..his dream was realized as he moved to Ferrari..he’s recovered, 14th postion is a strong position..we replaced the seat well with Liuzi..first qualifying session he comes into Q3.”

Kimi Raikonnen (3rd position) – “Tomorrow this (qualifying postion) will get us to do well..”

Spied here is the next generation Audi A6 (Code: C6) test mule in Iasi, Romania. Going by a leaked official report of Audi a while back, it’s rumored to be revealed Jan 2011.

The next-generation C7 A6 should employ an Aluminum Steel Space Frame, helping it shed significant amounts of weight, while enhancing the shell’s rigidity by nearly 50%. This will improve handling, braking, fuel efficiency and not to forget, 0-60 times!.

This scaled down version of the Honda Jazz looks crumpled. No, it has got nothing to do with the sheet metal quality.

Look closely – the model is actually made using paper, paint, glue and scissors!

Design by Liem Kou Phing from Indonesia, the website says its is his first paper model design. Imagine how realistic his 100th attempt will be!

The Honda Jazz Origamy edition is truly the most creative and cutest thing ever featured on IAB. It is a shame that there are no high resolution images or clearer pictures of this little creation, but if someone knows how to make it and have decent snaps, you’re work will certainly be featured on our front page.

click through for additional image

Usually, rain is associated with fun, love, colorful umbrellas, peacock dancing, hot tea (a cigarette if you’re a smoker) with some snacks sitting next to your loved one in the balcony. Kids make paper boats and youngsters take to their bikes to enjoy a splash of water on their face – these thoughts amazes and stirs one’s soul – and give a nice simper on our faces.

But when it does rain all these thoughts actually goes down the drain. What you see indeed is the opposite of what rain fraternizes in India, all the beauty love & feelings turns into traffic chaos, people abusing and fighting with each other, roads flooded and traffic stranded.

Yesterday Delhi registered 6mm rainfall and see for yourself what’s happening with DTC (world’s largest CNG bus service), 17 buses were stranded in a juncture of just 5 km, which resulted in hours of traffic jams.

Few kids lost their lives just because the water entered the school they studied in, which caused stampede.

Very very sad.

This situation is not limited to Delhi only, that’s the same in length & breath across the nation.

Why won’t the authorities lay proper roads and sort out traffic? Why are they in the list of main culprits every time there’s rain. Why can’t they allow us to purely experience the joy of a post-shower cruise along our favorite road?

The U.S market has another addition to its bouquet of special edition motorcycles this year. The Limited Edition Yamaha YZF-R1 Valentino Rossi replica, apart from having all numbers and doctor logos, will be signed by the star himself. Yes, every single replica will have Rossi’s signature on its fuel tank.

This Limited Edition motorcycle is part of the tribute to his outstanding achievements in the field of motorcycle racing. Available starting January 2010, it will set you back by $14,500 (If you’re in the U.S).

hit the jump to view the press release and image gallery

A one-on-one question and answer session yesterday with the top men from Ford India was arranged for Indian Autos Blog where the Ford management swiftly dodged questions on their small car.

But when asked about the Mondeo, Ford did not give a direct and clear reply. Instead, a cheeky smile on their faces conveyed something was cooking.

We get a gut feeling here – Don’t be surprised if the Mondeo makes it to the Auto Expo 2010.

Caught testing here is the facelifted 4th generation Mondeo with changes to its front-end and interiors. The design will be finished abiding Ford’s Kinetic Design philosophy. Under the hood, more fuel efficient engines are expected.

We don’t know whether Ford will assemble this car here. We’re not sure if they’ll bring it in through the CBU route. We don’t know much. All we know if Ford’s top brass were acting slightly funny when we pitched this hot question to them.

This isn’t coming to India right now, but the Jazz hybrid is a very important model overseas. Honda’s Insight, which is a direct competitor to the Prius, has not done well in the U.S. Sales figures tell the shocking story – the Prius outsells the Insight by 6 times.

The Honda Fit hybrid has two tasks to perform

a) Act as a backup model to the under-performing Insight

b) Serve as the Toyota Auris (Corolla hatchback) hybrid slayer, which debuts at the Frankfurt Show next week.

We’ve been receiving so many complaints on the Jazz‘ price, so the hybrid model (if it ever comes to India) will thrill the Indian hybrid vehicle lovers (if there’s such a group) with its practicality and fuel-efficiency.