Automobile Blog

The iPad: A Great Car Accessory?

The most obvious use for an iPad in the car is the Google Maps application. For this to be effective you’ll need to purchase one of the iPads with 3G and GPS and give AT&T $15-$30/month. The maps application works just like the iPhone’s, but it’s bigger and faster with a terrain option. There is also a compass which makes navigation and the higher definition street view that much more functional. GPS software makers like Tom Tom and Garmin might also make special versions of their current iPhone apps for the iPad, otherwise, you can get by with the iPhone formatted versions.

But there are many other uses for the iPad in the car.

Videos. Rather than install LCDs in the headrests of cars for thousands of dollars, why not just get a few iPads? While they won’t play TV without some third-party equipment, they do have 16-64GB to fill up with videos. If you have the 3G option, Youtubing in the car becomes a real possibility. What’s better for kids — interacting with a device or staring blankly at a screen for a few hours a day? (more…)

Car scrap turned into modern office

Hyderabad, Mar 11(ANI): K. Sudhakar, the famed car designer and enthusiast of automobiles
from Andhra Pradesh, has conjured up scrap materials from various sources for a unique office set up, with almost every facility shaped as a vintage car. (more…)

Honda offers Accord variant

Honda Siel Cars India on Thursday launched its latest version of flagship sedan Accord 3.5L V6 that comes with an electric sunroof and additional luxury features such as ambient light, footlight and two sets of keyless entry for added convenience to customers. The new Accord is priced at Rs. 26.15-lakh, while the base model is available at Rs. 18.52-lakh. In addition, Honda Accord 3.5 litre V6 and Honda Accord 2.4L now have a provision for mobile phone with Bluetooth interface.

Accord’s V6 3.5-liter i-VTEC engine with 275 PS makes it the most powerful Accord ever built and provides driving performance on a par with luxury vehicles from higher segments. The V6 3.5-liter i-VTEC engine features an advanced variable cylinder management (VCM) system for better efficiency and power.

Nissan to launch new car, MICRA

Auto Major Nissan has announced that it is planning to launch its new and ultra modern car, Micra in the Indian market soon in a motor show in the Swiss city of Geneva.

The car is build on the V-Platform with a curved shape along with an accented waistline and is already tested in Japan. Nissan wants to triple sales of the car and is aiming at leading markets like India, China, Mexico and Thailand for higher growth.

The model comes with 5 speed manual transmission and is also available in the CVT segment. It is powered by 80 HP 1.2 liters engine with an alternative 1.2 direct-injection three-cylinder engine to generate 98 HP. The engines are designed to be very fuel efficient.

Even as the car now offers added features the prices have been brought down. The car will come in the price range of 3.8 – 5 lakhs. The car is aiming to compete with the likes of Maruti Alto, Wagon R, Chevy Beat, Ford Figo and Hyundai Santro in the Indian market. (more…)

Nissan Micra To Hit Indian Roads Very Soon

Japanese auto major Nissan has uncovered its latest ultra modern car model, Micra at the Geneva Motor show. The latest model is expected to be manufactured in the Chennai unit of Nissan.

Nissan Micra is built on the V- Platform and has been tested in Japan. The company has eyed in tripling the sales of this unit in more than 160 countries including the leading markets like India, China, Mexico and Thailand.

The new Micra has a rounded shape with accented waistline. It has a 5 speed manual transmission and is also available in the CVT segment. The car is run with an 80 HP 1.2 liter engine. There is also an alternate 1.2 direct-injection three-cylinder engine to generate 98 HP. These engines have been designed superbly to save fuel. Apart from that it has also special safety features to protect the driver in case of a crash.

On the design front, the model looks stronger than the previous model. It has Boomerang-shaped grooves on the roof to reduce resonance in the cabin. The interior part has also more space. (more…)

Tata Motors’ electric vehicle Nano makes a splash at Geneva Motor Show news

After the shock and awe it generated by producing the the world’s lowest-priced car, its creator Tata Motors has now unveiled the electric version of the Nano, called Nano EV, at the ongoing 80th Geneva Motor Show.

The Nano EV Concept is an electric version of Tata Motors’ Nano, the world’s cheapest car, which Ratan Tata, the chairman of Tata Motors had launched commercially in September last year. (See: Ratan Tata launches Tata Nano)

India’s largest automobile company, Tata Motors had said in August 2008 that it planned to produce an electric-drive version of the Nano, barely seven months after he had unveiled it at the New Delhi Auto show in January. (more…)

Honda is on its way to adopt Hybrid systems

Honda is on its way to adopt Hybrid systems : Hybrid systems in the next five years will come in first place among alternative fuel technologies used in the automotive industry. This conclusion has drawn through recent study by KPMG’s Global Auto Executive survey 2010: industry concerns and expectations to 2014.

According to the forecasts of most automakers and auto dealers who participated in the KPMG study on a global scale, this year will be sold from 1 to 2.5 million vehicles running on alternative fuels (not including hybrid cars), while sales of hybrid cars range from 750 to 1.25 million .

Honda has also plans to enter in Hybrid systems and in the middle of summer the sale of hybrid sports car Honda CR-Z – c i-VTEC engine volume of 1.5 litres (114 hp), auxiliary electric IMA (14 hp) and six-speed manual will hopefully start internationally.

The main advantage of hybrid car in front of petrol and diesel engines is the ability to use the energy generated at the least the brake pedal to charge the batteries, which are then in the mode of traction motor helps the car accelerate.

The main technical drawback of hybrid systems is the need for additional cooling of the batteries. In addition, the cost of hybrid cars exceeds the cost of analogues, working on internal combustion engines, at 7-47%.
Growth in sales of hybrid cars is expected to a greater extent due to popular brands, rather than the opportunity to save on fuel and reduce emissions into the atmosphere, car market. Experts say so