Porsche 918 Super Car Price | Feature | Specification

Porsche 918 official render of production car

Porsche had showcased the 918 Spyder concept at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show and now almost a year later, the company has put it up on sale. The new Porsche 918 Spyder supercar is available at an overwhelming price of $845,000. After all its a hypercar that will replace the Carrera GT.

Porsche 918 official render of interior

According to Porsche, the first year out of the three year development period of the car has culminated and the car will roll out of Porsche’s Zuffenhausen unit in 2013. The German sports car maker has already started taking bookings for the car and only 918 examples will ever be made over a period of two years and all of them will be left-hand-drive.

The mid-engined hypercar from Porsche features a V8 hybrid powertrain with two electric motors on each axles and a stack of lithium-ion batteries. The electric motors alone provide 215 bhp. Porsche claims that the batteries take three hours for a full charge (n Germany) and the car can go 16 miles on a electric power alone.

Porsche 918 official render

The combination of the V8 and the electric motors produce more than 500 bhp which result in a 0-62mph time of 3.2 sec and top speeds in excess of 199 mph.The most astonishing bit is the fuel economy. The 918 spyder hybrid does 94mpg (40 kmpl) and emits just 70 gm/km of CO2.

Honda CBR250R 2011 Super Bike Price | Feature | Specification

2011 Honda CBR250R

Finally, Indian motorcyclists’ long and tiresome wait for an affordable 250cc sports motorcycle comes to an end with Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India(HMSI) officially launching the 2011 Honda CBR250R in India. The motorcycle, whose launch has been long anticipated with more than 20o0 eager Indian motorcyclists booking the motorcycle has been priced very competitively at INR 1.43 Lakhs for the non-ABS version while the ABSspeced version will sell for INR 1.68 Lakhs, both prices being ex-showroom Nrew Delhi.

The Honda CBR250R will feature an all new four stroke single cylinder DOHC, four valve, liquid cooled, fuel injected engine that Honda has developed from scratch, specially for the CBR250R. The engine will pump out 25 Bhp of power and is expected to give the Honda CBR250R enough muster through a six speed gearbox to have a top speed of close to 160 kph with a zero to hundred sprint coming up in under 7 seconds.

The 2011 CBR250R will be available in three color options, red, black and silver. Indian motorcycle enthusiasts will have to wait for a little longer before getting Honda brings down that delectable looking CBR250R in Honda Racing colors. That said, remarkable performance at an affordable price tag is what the CBR250R is all about. With that, Honda’s big one for the Indian market is now go!

E-Type concept car from Jaguar

Growler E concept car

One of the most desirable sports cars of the post-war era has been the Jaguar E-Type. The classic Jaguar topped the list of “100 most beautiful cars” of all time by the Daily Telegraph. Even Enzo Ferrari termed it as, “The most beautiful car ever made”. The car first debuted in 1957 and went out of production in 1964 with the Lightweight E-Type.

The classic curves of the gorgeous E-Type have returned in the form of a concept that will be put into production, according to the makers. In this case, it is not Jaguar, instead, Visualtech, a Swedish design firm has confirmed it will build a very limited run of production cars based on its Growler E (modern Jag E-Type incarnation).

Growler E concept car render

The limited production run will include just three or four cars however, depending upon demand the company might put it into short serial production with the help of Steyr or Valmet from Finland. The Growler E is powered by a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 from the current Jaguar XK-R. Thus, the re-incarnated E-Type has a 600 horsepower heart under its long slopping bonnet. The car is light thanks to use of modern materials like carbon fibre.

Prices will range from $700,000 to a hefty $1.4 million depending upon response from customer. A limited run of just a handful of cars will attract an asking rate in millions.

Yamaha FZ16 2011 Bikes Price | Features | Specification

2011 Yamaha FZ16

Once upon a time, as a little boy, I had access to only source of everything on two and four wheels: Auto India. In that Indian auto magazine, they always carried a particular page with annual sales of manufacturers once every year. Going through the sales figure was fascinating for me at that moment, which was topped by Bajaj Auto, with the then Escorts-Yamaha following a close second and the current market leader Hero Honda coming last.

Stunning isn’t it? Well, this was how the motorcycle market was in the early 1990s when the Yamaha RX100 was a legend that sold very big. Times changed, Bajaj hit the dust as the two stroke scooter market was blown away by the four stroke brigade  led by Hero Honda and with the two strokes taking a mighty hit, so did Yamaha, whose portfolio didn’t feature a single four stroke motorcycle until the YBX125 arrived in 1998.

Needless to say, Yamaha was teetering on the brink and soon split up with Escorts to go it alone. But, never did it recapture the magic of the good old times of the RX100 selling by the truck load, instead turning out to be a fringe player in the Indian market.  Yamaha’s big comeback to modern times was the Yamaha R15, which put the Yamaha brand what it is originally stood for, performance.

But the real bread and butter offering followed close on the heels of the R15, the Yamaha Fz16. ever since it’s launch, the Yamaha FZ16 has sold very strongly and steadily with Yamaha finally being able to recapture some of the old magic. So, here we are, with an eager reader of IndianCarsBikes, Melroy Alphonso, taking us through his experience with the Yamaha Fz16. Take it away, Melroy!

Melroy Alphonso’s Yamaha FZ16 User Review

2011 Yamaha FZ16

I’ve always wanted a Yamaha bike. I loved the brand so much but sadly though, they didn’t have a 150cc offering that was affordable too. When I finally heard the news that a 150cc motorcycle named the FZ16 was launched by Yamaha in India, I was thrilled. I went to the showroom but couldn’t help but continuously stare at it. It was one of the best looking bikes till date offered in India. When I saw the bike in the flesh, it was nothing like any Indian bike I had ever seen before. It looked like an imported sports bike. I took  ride on the bike and was amazed by it’s pick up and handling. It didn’t feel heavy at all.

It was well balanced and I felt comfortable on it right away. Immediately, I paid the down-payment for the bike and I eagerly began waiting for the bike’s delivery. Son, the bike was delivered to me and ever since, I have been riding this bike, and I even did a saddle sore on it, covering 1,600 kms in under 24 hours. I rode all the way from Mumbai to Eklinji and back to Mumbai in 24 hours on this very motorcycle. I was very impressed with the ride quality and the overall quality of Yamaha motorcycles, the FZ16 is particular as I have the personal experience of owning one.

2011 Yamaha FZ16

The engine has a slightly larger displacement of 153cc compared to the other 150cc motorcycles in the market. The power delivery is smooth and so is the gear shifting. I felt very much comfortable riding the FZ in the city. The most striking part of the Fz16 is it’s looks. It has a massive tank that is very imposing and has a 140 section rear tyre that is the widest I have seen on an Indian motorcycle. The build quality is one of the best offered in the segment and so is the fit and finish of other components. The bike comes equipped with a 41mm front fork, which helps in the handling and balancing of the bike on rough roads and potholes.

The MRF tyres offer good road grip and are also tubeless. The instrument panel is completely digital which offers all the information like tripmeter, tachometer, odometer and fuel gauge. I found the engine kill switch to be a useful feature which helps me turn off the engine at traffic signals without taking my hands off the handlebar. The pass light is also a very useful feature while overtaking. The FZ16 does triple digit speeds comfortably when shown the open road. It feels very stable doing such speeds.  Personally, I have managed to take the bike to a maximum speed of 115 Kmph on an open road with minimal traffic.

2011 Yamaha FZ16

Coming to the braking, the bike comes equipped with a large 267mm front disc brake which is very good at stopping the bike even from high speeds. The only downside of the bike is he low fuel efficiency of about 40 Kmpl which I get in the city and in normal riding conditions. I feel Yamaha has done a very good job with their 150cc offering. It’s good market sales figure also seems to reflect that.  All in all, the Yamaha FZ16 will please the younger generation of Indian motorcycle buyers who want a blend of looks and performance without having to rob a bank. I hope you enjoyed reading my review. 

Suzuki Swift S-Concept Car Price | Feature | Specification

Suzuki Swift S-Concept

Suzuki had teased the latest concept that was to be showcased at the Geneva auto show a few weeks back. Back then, we only knew that the car in question was to have sporty credentials. Well, now the Swift S-Concept is in front of us and it sure does look sporty. The concept looks much like a S2000 rally car.

The car on display, a bright yellow S-Concept gets a distinct body-kit with wide wheel arches and a roof spoiler. The front and rear wheel arches have vents to let air pass freely. This reduces the air pressure inside the wheel arches and helps in increasing downforce. At the rear of the car, twin exhausts and a small diffuser complete the overall sporty appeal of the new car.

Suzuki Swift S-Concept

The chassis has also been tweaked to give the Swift S-Concept a taut, predictable handling. Power comes courtesy of a 1.6 litre engine to suit the aggressive looks of the car. Big multi-spoke wheels are shod with meaty, low-profile tires. To sum up then the Swift S-Concept is a toned down version of the Swift S2000 cross-country road racer for the masses and especially speed freaks among us.

Gumpert Tornante Car Fatures | Price | Specification

Gumpert Tornante

Gumperts of the past had been primarily designed for those who like to spend their weekends, not in Casino Café de Paris in Monte-Carlo but on the streets of the city where Formula 1 cars have been screaming past the terrifyingly close crash barriers, each time tweaking the ride height, camber, downforce to shave those vital seconds off every lap time. The car itself looked incredibly ugly with each and every surface designed to make the car as slippery as possible. Looks actually don’t matter for the average Gumpert owner and why would he bother when the 4.2 litre V8 produces 700 horsepower.

Gumpert Tornante

Now though, there is a new Gumpert out. The Tornante is what the new car is called and for the first time, designers seem to have given it an aesthetic touch. Gone are the humongous air intakes that used to push the car to the ground and so has gone the big, in-your-face spoiler. You still get gull-wing doors which probably was the only cosmetic feature on the Apollo.The twin-turbocharged 4.2 litre V8 still churns out 700 bhp but, unlike the old Apollo it uses paddle shifts in place of a sequential shifter. The TT40e transmission is also the one seen on the Apollo.

Gumpert Tornante diffuser

The Tornante scores more on the desirability scale over the Apollo. How this car handles without that huge wing at the back is something that will be clear once someone gets to drive it. But for now, there are rumors that the German supercar maker has plans for an even more powerful machine for the future. No doubt, its going to be insane!

ABT R8 GTS Car Features | Specification | Price

ABT R8 GTS

Swiss tuning house ABT had earlier shown us how their engineers can transform a sublime Audi R8 into a mental road-runner in the form of the R8 GT. This time they have gone a step further to create a uniquely insane R8 GTS. This could undoubtedly be crowned as the show-stopper of the 2011 Geneva motor show.

ABT R8 GTS

To start with, ABT engineers were provided with a standard Audi R8 V10 Spyder and what transpired could only be described as mental. They finished the car in blood red chrome and carbon fibre. The engine cover has been raised and a carbon fibre spoiler has been added. The company also throw in BR 20 inch or super lightweight 19 inch rims.

ABT R8 GTS

Front and rear bumper have been replaced with aftermarket pieces with huge air-intakes. The rear bumper bulges out slightly and also houses quad exhausts. The interior is also finished in black and red to match the exterior. The R8 GTS is fitted with multiple carbon fiber reinforced plastic elements, including the front skirt, rear skirt, windscreen frame cover, red air scoops, engine bonnet and mirrors.

ABT R8 cockpit

Moving on to the most important bit, the engine. The standard R8 V10 produces 525 bhp. Apparently, for some reason the ABT boffins thought that 525 horsepower would be insufficient to power their mad creation and hence decided to tune the V10 to 620 horsepower. All this shove now catapults the R8 GTS from 0-62 mph in under 4.0 sec or 3.6 sec to be precise and on to a top speed of 200 mph (320 kph). They have also played around with the suspension a bit in order to cope with the mental power. So, the R8 GTS is not just fast in a straight line but around corners its as precise as the original or even better.

ABT R8 GTS engine cover

“Red is the colour of love – and the Spyder ABT R8 GT S is on display in an elegant, (self-confident red chrome tone at the Motorshow Geneva. A contrast is provided by the middle section of the car with carbon dominating from the bonnet to the rear wing. When designing the car, the Motorsport Department of ABT Sportsline paid attention to weight reductions and the perfect distribution of weight,” stated the press release.

ABT R8 rims

Volvo V60 Diesel Plug-In Hybrid Car Feature | Price | Specifications

2011 Volvo V60 Diesel Plug-In Hybrid

With the Geneva Auto Show just around the corner, Volvo has pulled the wraps off it’s latest eco warrior, the Volvo V60 Plug-In Diesel Hybrid. Of all plug-in hybrid cars, of the diesel kinds, a station wagon pips all else to emerge as the world’s first production ready plug-in Diesel hybrid. The Volvo V60 is a station wagon based on the S60 Sedan and this very car will get a 70 Bhp plug-in electric motor to supplement it’s five pot 215 Bhp, 440 Nm, D5 Diesel engine. This latest move from Volvo will make the already frugal diesel option a lot more frugal and along with that will also translate into very low running costs and even lower emissions.

2011 Volvo V60 Diesel Plug-In Hybrid

It isn’t all frugal going though. When your right leg feels the need for it, the electric motor will pump out 200 Nm of torque and allied with the 440 Nm produced the Diesel engine, you have a station wagon that will be blisteringly quick. The driver will have the option of three modes on the V60: A pure electric mode that will propel the big Volvo to 50 kms on a single charge, a hybrid mode for alternating propulsion and last but not the least, a power mode with the electric motor operating in extra boost mode for a zer0 to hundred timing of just 6.9 seconds.

2011 Volvo V60 Diesel Plug-In Hybrid

The electric motor’s battery stack can be charged in as little as three hours time on a 16 Amp socket, making it a very convenient alternative to most other plug-in hybrids which needs to plugged in a whole night for enough juice the next day. Meanwhile, Volvo, known for it’s exemplary commitment towards safety will kit out the V60 Plug-In diesel Hybrid with enough safety wizardry to make it an ultra safe car for both it’s passengers as well as pedestrians and other road users.

2011 Volvo V60 Diesel Plug-In Hybrid

Since this Volvo uses lithium ion batteries, special tests to ensure collision safety with the batteries on board have also been conducted by the Swedish auto maker. Also, Volvo says that it will ensure the safe disposal of used up and unserviceable batteries as battery recycling is one grey area that needs to be addressed by auto makers and legislators alike as sales number of hybrid and electric cars sees an upward trajectory. Meanwhile, here’s a little video that explains what the volvo V60 Plug-In Diesel Hybrid is all about

Koenigsegg Agera R Cars Features | Price | Specifications

Koenigsegg Agera R

A feast of supercars will steal the limelight this year at the annual Geneva auto convention. Lamborghini will unwrap its Aventador LP700-4 and Pagani will reveal the Huayra for the first time. The other Italian heavyweight, Ferrari will drive in with the FF, two-door, four-seat hatchback with a huge engine and looks that will surely turn on a swine or a cow. With a flurry of Italian metal display, the Swedes have had to think of ways to grab attention of show-goers and they surely ain’t holding anything back.

Koenigsegg Agera R

Koenigsegg will showcase an insane and loud version of the Agera. Dubbed the Agera R, will feature a 5.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with a gut wrenching 1,115 bhp and 885 torques that would have the Italian exotics for breakfast. The 7-Speed dual-clutch transmission will haul this heap of carbon fibre upwards of 250 mph.

Koenigsegg Agera R-- interior

The car that will be on display has been built as per owner request and is outfitted with a custom carbon fiber roof box developed in conjunction with Thule and can be swapped with a standard Agera roof. However, the Agera R’s carbonfibre monocoque is so strong that it maintains all its rigidity even without the roof. The Koenigsegg Agera R comes fitted with Vortex Generating Rim (VGR) wheels whose spokes act as turbine vanes that help maximize downforce. Special Michelin rubber wraps over the rims and are the highest speed rated tires in the world, rated at 260 mph.

Jaguar XKR-S at Geneva Motor Show | Jaguar XKR-S Features & Specifications

UAR XKR-S AT 2011 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW

2011 Jaguar XKR-S coupe

Jaguar will launch a faster, meaner and even more desirable version of the XKR coupe at Geneva next month. Adding to the XK series of fast GT cars, Jaguar’s XKR-S will be the top of the line model from the XK series. The car features an uprated version of the thundering 4.2 litre supercharged V8, overhauled suspension and a new aerodynamically-driven design.

2011 Jaguar XKR-S coupe

The V8 workhorse churns out 550 PS of power and 680 Nm of torque hauling the sublime coupe to a top speed of 186 mph (300 kph). 0-62 mph is over in 4.2 sec and 0-100 mph in 8.6 sec. Lightweight aluminium body architecture ensures the car superb handling characteristics and economy. Handling is also improved by the bespoke suspension changes to the front and rear which offer ultimate precision. An Adaptive Dynamics system has also been thrown in to make the XKR-S even more agile.

On the occasion of the Geneva motor show, Jaguar will be marking the 50^thanniversary of the E-Type with the first in a series of celebrations that take place during 2011.

Nissan Esflow Latest Cars Feature | Price | Specifications

Nissan Esflow Concept Front View

After Nissan’s most respected zero emission vehicle Leaf, Nissan is getting it’s hands on a sports electric car. This one is to be unveiled at the 81st Geneva show next month along with Nissan’s current ZEV Leaf. The curvy Esflow is two seater with aluminium chassis and body.The design is inspired from Nissan’s Z series, but in small dimensions and with more detailing on head lamps and tail lamps. The rear notch back looks short and adds character to the car appeal.

Nissan Esflow Concept Side View

The electric motors are brought straight from the Leaf but powers the rear wheels. There are two battery packs installed in this car which are placed fore and aft to provide a balanced weight distribution. It reaches 100 kmph in 4 to 5 seconds and Nissan promises it will go 150 miles ( 241.5 km) per charge, even it is driven hard. Not bad since the current Leaf delivers about half of that range.

Nissan Esflow Concept Rear View

Recently Nissan created a buzz stating what type of person will drive this car. Here’s the description.

Erik Buell Racing 1190RS Bikes Features | Price | Specifications

2011 Erik Buell Racing 1190RS

As the story goes, Harley Davidson acted nasty with him but here is one of it’s most talented engineers, Erik Buell, back with one more product that is worthy of the Buell name, the Erik Buell Racing 1190RS. Buell, who started by shoehorning Harley Davidson Air Cooled motors into wonderful handling frames that handled better than any of Harley’s dinosaur lumps saw him being booted out of HD and Harley’s sportsbike division, Buell, being shut down for good.

2011 Erik Buell Racing 1190RS

After some time in the wilderness, Erik Buell is back with a road going version of the racing 1190RR Superbike. A Rotax V-twin is at the hart of the business and should be worth upwards of 160 Bhp, which allied to the sweet handling chassis should definitely be fun. The motorcycle has a lot of premium bits including magnesium wheels, Ohlins suspension all around and carbon fiber fairing. These exotic bits might push the price of the motorcycle to over $40,000.

2011 Erik Buell Racing 1190RS

But as the oil-in-the-frame Buells have always been expensive affairs compared to the jap rocket ships and this coupled to the sentiments of Erik Buell getting back to the motorcycle business should see the first batch of 1190RSs flying off Buell showroom shelves. All said, Erik Buell is back and back for good and if at all Buell grows from strength to strength and manages to arrive in India and other parts of the world, methinks that would be the biggest cock-a-snook moment to Harley Davidson.

Maruthi Suzuki SX4 Car Price | Features | Specifications

The new Maruti Suzuki SX4 price in India with features, review and full specifications are available here. A few hours ago we had you on a new Suzuki MPV R3 coming to the Hall of New Delhi, it did not come alone, come along to the new Maruti Suzuki SX4 Hybrid Concept, which is still in conceptual stage and it is estimated that by 2015 and this beginning stage of commercialization.

The Maruti has a unique technology; it has been developed in collaboration with the National Hybrid Drive in India, with the Ministry of Environment. It features a 1.2-liter internal combustion engine which is not yet known how many hp will.

The electric motor will be about 50 kW or 68 hp, plus a gearbox having five speeds. It is also said that apparently in the Commonwealth Games, the brand will showcase the best features of the new Maruti SX4.

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MARUTI SUZUKI SX4 PRICE IN INDIA

This Maruti Suzuki SX4 latest price in Indian rupee is near about Rs.8 to 9 Lakh