Monday, 1 April 2013




BRIO

 

Honda has made a fresh entry in the Indian hatchback market and that too with the best - a small car christened Honda Brio.Honda Brio was launched in India in September 2011; it is welcomed well and is tagged to be a kind of car that has the capacity to revolutionize Honda small car sales. In India, Honda Brio is the second hatchback offering after Honda Jazz in the already competitive small car market. It is the lowest priced and most affordable Honda car in India and has simply outstanding crease on its body and a stunning forward inclined stance to woo car buyers. This styling is something that is going to drive car buyers crazy and it will also help increase its demand exponentially in the country. Honda has launched Honda Brio in striking color options. Honda has projected Brio as a car worth loving . Tagged as ‘I am made for you’ car, Brio has loads of features that you will surely fall in love with. ‘Because I want your love at first sight,’ tags Honda furthering its publicity campaign for Brio. In all, Honda has put in features and colors that one is sure to fall in love with it. And it seems to be worth it at this price.

The rear is one of its kind and would be one of the selling feature of the car as it further steps up its looks. Honda Brio has back lights placed at lower end and the rear is all made with glass. This concept of all glass back is something rarely seen in the segment and that is what makes its looks unique in the market. Honda Brio is going to surely compel people to admire those little detailing done with its rear glass with smoked out effect and low lined lamps. As per the official information about Honda Brio it is powered by 1.2 litre engine that currently also powers Honda Jazz. This same engine is expected to get a 1 litre motor in the near future as well. The wonderful car has a displacement of 1198 cc which is one of the best in terms of engine in the hatchback segment. The engine used in Honda Brio runs on petrol and give a peak power of 86.8bhp  at 6000 rpm and a beating torque of 109Nm at 4500 rpm.

The length of the car is under-four meter and measures 3.6 metres which also assures roomy interior and decent boot space. With this size, the car is easier to control and is reliable as is the Honda Jazz. With its up market feature, Honda Brio is going to make a unique identity in market and will surely be a hit in the Indian market. The new Honda car comes equipped with 5 speed manual transmission. The steering wheel is electronically powered. The suspension system is Macpherson Strut for front. The front wheels have disc brakes which are ventilated disc type while the rear brakes are Drum type. The wonderful car also has with ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) which makes its braking system more powerful and reliable. The ABS system helps in case of sudden brake application as it controls the car and avoids skidding. The ABS system in Honda Brio is also accompanied with Electric Stability Program (ESP) and Electronic Brakeforce distribution (EBD) which makes the car safe while driving on slippery roads. The straight competitor of Honda Brio in market is none other than the sensational Toyota Etios Liva besides other offerings by Maruti, Tata, Hyundai and others. The first low ranged car from Toyota stable is already creating magic in market and with the launch of Honda Brio, the two products will compete head on in the market. Other than Etios, Honda Brio is now also in tough competition with Nissan Micra and Volkswagen Polo.

The four-door hatch Honda Brio is the second small car by Honda, first being Honda Jazz, which was admired a lot for its superior engine and comfort. The model though was not a big success in market as the company was not able to price it competitively. Honda has high expectations from this hatchback and thus the company has glittered exceptional features in it so that it can outrun others in terms of sales. Honda Brio is given superior designing and is capable of seating five people. Overall, it has a small car looks. Among the front features, the upper grille is simply attractive and the rear look makes it stand out in the segment. The designing of this car bears some touch of its senior Honda Jazz. The B segment car has rear side bigger and alluring. The looks from front and rear shows the tremendous work done on the designing of Honda Brio. The B segment hatchback is given superior interior with comfort features without compromising safety. Apart from this, the car has two airbags for front passengers. It also comes loaded with projector Halogen Head headlamps, and push button keyless start.

Honda Brio Models

Honda Brio Models

Honda Brio V AT Honda Brio recently introduced the automatic variant in the Brio hatch. The Honda Brio V AT comes with body colored front and rear bumpers, halogen lights, front chrome grille, body colored ORVMs, alloy wheels, silver inside door handles and dual tone beige interiors.
Honda Brio E MT This is the base variant and is powered by SOHC i-VTEC petrol engine. This Honda Brio model has body colored bumpers, Halogen Head lights, Front Chrome grille and silver steel wheels besides an array of other exterior, interior and safety features. It has no ABS or EBD.
Honda Brio EX MT The only Manual transmission new variant, Honda Brio EX MT comes with safety features like engine immobilizer, driver seat belt reminder, day/night inside rear view mirror, high mount stop lamp, full size spare tyre, single tone beige interiors, 1 DIn Audio with coin box(AM/FM,MP3, USB with AUX IN), front speakers and luxury features like electric power steering, air conditioner with heater and central locking.
Honda Brio S MT It is the improved version of Honda Brio and is also powered by the same engine. It also has body colored ORVMs and door handles apart from audio system and keyless entry, rear power windows besides other stunning features.
Honda Brio S Option AT Honda Brio S Option AT is the other variant where Honda Cars India Limited has introduced the Automatic transmission. On the interior level the hatch ambience is accentuated with the single tone beige color scheme, Integrated Honda Advanced Audio(AM/FM,MP3, USB with AUX IN), steering mounted audio controls, front and rear speakers, 100% foldable rear seat back, Sporty Amber Color Illumination.
Honda Brio S Option MT This is the third level trim and has front and rear mudguards, ABS, EBD, driver and front passenger airbags, tilt steering, electrically adjustable ORVMs in addition to many other features. This is also powered by the same 1198cc engine.
Honda Brio V MT This is the high end model of Honda Brio that has alloy wheels, front fog lamps, silver inside door handles, ABS, EBD, two airbags, double horn apart from other features in the Honda Brio S (O) MT.
Compare Honda Brio Models

Honda Brio Mileage

Honda Brio TachoMeter Editor's take : Honda Brio is one of the most fuel-efficient hatchbacks in its segment, despite having such good performance.
 


The stunning model from Honda is loaded with a 1.2-litre, i-VTEC petrol engine with 4 cylinder 16 valves with Single overhead camshaft (SOHC). The 1198cc engine is capable enough to produce 88 PS of peak power at 6000 rpm (MT). While it churns 109 Nm of peak torque at 4600 rpm. Honda Brio is built on superior engineering that makes it fuel efficient and environment friendly. With the help of this and other engine technologies in place, the car returns a mileage of 19.4 kmpl for the manual transmission gearbox and 16.5kmpl for the automatic transmission one . It has a fuel tank capacity of 35 litres.

Power of Honda Brio

Honda Brio PhotosEditor's take : The Honda Brio with 88bhp of power is the most powerful petrol engine in its segment on paper. Honda’s are known for their engine refinement and the Brio is nothing different.



Honda Brio fitted with 1.2-litre, 4 cylinder 16 valves, SOHC, i-VTEC petrol engine with 6 speed manual transmission and 5 speed automatic. The top power of Honda Brio is 86.8bhp @ 6000 rpm and it has a peak torque of 109 Nm @ 4500 rpm. The power and torque figures are much impressive as against other hatchback in the segment . The powerful engine houses a SOHC system which avails comfortable breathing of engine leading to better fuel efficiency and more power.

Honda Brio Colours

These colors are available with all variants of Honda Brio
 
Alabaster Silver
 
Rallye Red
 
Emerald Blue
 
Titanium Grey Pearl
 
Tafeta White
 
Crystal Black Pearl

Acceleration & Pick-Up

Honda Brio Gear Editor's take : The i-VTEC 1.2-litre engine is a stonker of a performer and it has good acceleration.
 


As we mentioned earlier, Honda Brio has 1.2-litre, SOHC, i-VTEC petrol engine. The engine is capable of generates 86.8bhp of top power at 6000 rpm. The maximum torque is 109Nm at 4500 rpm. The powerful engine of Honda Brio promises easy handling and control along with zippy acceleration. With these spectacular figures and light weight body, the car has a decent acceleration. Honda Brio catches 100kmph speed in 16 seconds and has a top speed of 185kmph.

Honda Brio Exteriors

Honda Brio is a four-door B segment hatchback which has simply outstanding style and contemporary looks. The front view of the car has elegant curves. The front is a little low-slung and seems serene. The nose of the car sports bigger and aggressive symbol of Honda. The head lights looks like sharp cat eye which makes the car look different and impressive . The upper and lower grille melts in a wonderful shape. This truly makes the car appealing. The indicators are again placed inside the eye shape headlamps making it a single assembly. The sides of this car are front falling and this is made far more attractive with elegant crease. The outside rear view mirrors are body colored but do not have LED turn indicator on them. These outside mirrors are electrically adjustable. The rear view of Honda Brio is upswing and wider which is certainly the characteristic feature of the hatchback. The rear lamps are not lying in traditional style but are placed on extreme corners with all glass rear giving it a beautiful finish. A view from side is beautiful as the windows are shaped in segment-first very peculiar way never seen before. The rear number plate is also placed in an elegant way in a little engraved portion made for it exclusively on the rear bumper.

The exteriors of the car are unmatched and seem almost perfect for a hatchback. Honda quotes Brio exteriors as ‘Because I want your Love at first sight.’ It has been designed on the ‘Double Triangle’ design concept. Brio has a wide stance that helps in the handling and better road grip. The characteristic chrome grille on the front is captivating. Besides, the large headlamps merge with the character line. The high end trims run on aerodynamically designed alloy wheels thus stepping up the sporty look of the car. Distinctive Character lines are a symbol of energy and liveliness of the car from the front to the rear. The rear has a composite design with the combination lamps that seamlessly merge with the rear hatch. The rear hatch made that comprises of rear windscreen is a futuristic design and is lightweight as well to give is functionality. It also adds to better rear visibility besides contributing to fuel efficiency as well.

Exterior Measurements of Honda Brio

Honda Brio is a four-door mid size hatchback which can seat five passengers. The car's overall length is 3610 mm, a width of 1680 mm and overall height is 1500 mm. This gives the car a wonderful and compatible look. Brio has a wheelbase of 2345mm. The compact size is going to imbibe in this car easy maneuverability in the city and performance on the highways. It has a ground clearance of 165mm and a kerb weight between 920 kg to 980 kg (depending on the variant).

Honda Brio Interior

Editor's take : The interiors of the Brio are well designed, although the fit and finish could have been better. The space is sufficient, despite the compact exterior dimensions. The boot is also sufficient considering its size.
 


The Japanese car maker is well-known in the industry for styling its cars in a unique way, especially interiors of the cars. In a similar fashion, Honda Brio is studded with many features to make it far more prominent than other Honda offering in India. Looking at the interiors of Honda Brio we can say is that it has not only outstanding interiors but also has high quality features . The car is designed to attract the Indian customers by keeping their needs in mind. The cabin sports beautiful and technologically advanced features with huge legroom and headroom inside the car. The interiors are clad in single tone beige in the initial three variants and dual-tone beige interior is there in the Honda Brio V MT. The electronically powered three-spoke steering wheel is beautiful and strong and has audio controls on it. The dashboard of Honda Brio gives a little retro hint and the music player is embedded horizontal on the instrument panel. The AC and other allied controls are there on a typically shaped central console that has a very mundane look. There are four AC vents on the dashboard. Contrary to other hatchs, the two centrally placed AC vents are away from each other and are there on the sides of the music system. The ORVMs are electrically adjustable with the help of a button. Honda’s tagline ‘My Love’s more than skin deep’ truly justifies the interiors of the new car. Dual tone beige interiors, stylish and ergonomic seats, steering wheel that has a sporty styling and silver accents and air vents with chrome garnishing all cumulate to make the interiors as stunning as the exteriors. The instrument panel is sporty and has three analog 3D meters that have enhanced visibility. There is an eco lamp near the speedometer that shows whether the car is running in economy mode or not. The AM/FM audio system in Brio is integrated with USB, AUX-in facility . The stereo has mounted control on it. There are front and rear speakers and the audio has an Amber colored illumination. The upmarket feel of Honda Brio comes from smattering of plenty of beige and chrome and silver accents. The company has given due attention to its storage space and other comfort features. The boot space is commendable in Honda Brio and the rear seats are of folding type. The front seats are also adjustable.

Interior Comfort of Honda Brio

Honda Brio, a four door hatchback is designed to accommodate 5 passengers comfortably. The car assures best in segment boot space and overall interior comfort. To seat this number of passengers, the cabin is given a spacious design. Despite being a compact car, Brio has good space at the front. Little detailing like cup-holders and comfortable head rest is also there for better comfort during long journeys. The front seats are also given comfortable head and legroom area. The driver seat is adjustable for the convenience of the driver. Looking at the rear seats, one finds that there is good space and comfort there making the car also suitable for long journeys. Good attention is given to individual space through comfortable leg room and enough area for arms. Honda Brio is though a small car but is not low on comfort features inside. The steering is electric power steering for easy handling of the car besides air conditioner with heater as standard on all models. The steering is tilt adjustable type and there is a keyless entry feature on Brio’s higher trims. There are front and rear power operated windows apart from the Front power window auto down function. The ORVM is electrically adjustable. In addition to it there is also fuel consumption display that shows whether the Brio is being driven in an economy mode. There are front and rear cupholders in the central console for the convenience of the front passenger and the driver. There is also a headlight height adjuster features as standard on all the trims. Furthermore there is also a Headlight off and Ignition Key off Reminder on Brio that reminds if the headlights remain on and you are stepping out of the car.

Interior Measurements of Honda Brio

Brio is roomy on the inside with all necessary comfort features. When it is about Honda we can always rely on comfort and space at the same time. And keeping up to its image, Honda has inculcated many detailing in Honda Brio to make it the best choice of customers. There is a decent legroom, headroom and legroom for the front passengers while there is a comfortable seating for two people at the rear.

Honda Brio Engine and Performance

Honda Brio Engine Editor's take : Brio has one of the most powerful engines in its segment. The 1.2-litre i-VTEC is one of the most of the refined mills with linear power delivery.

 


The beautiful hatch back Honda Brio, is sure to make its own place in the small car segment in India as it is launched in India with great enthusiasm. The petrol powered car has an engine which is of 1.2-litres, 4 cylinder 16 valves, SOHC, i-VTEC petrol engine . The mill of the Honda Brio is capable of generating 86.8bhp of peak power @ 6000 rpm. The maximum torque output is 109Nm @ 4500 rpm. The fuel supply system of Brio is PGM-Fi type. The Brio has a 5 forward and 1 reverse manual transmission  and 5 speed automatic transmission system in place . The engine is sure to perform well in city due to its high torque at low rpm. The engine is based on the advanced i-VTEC (Intelligent Variable Timing and Electronic Lift Control) that assures high power and also consumes less fuel. The four cylinder engine’s fuel system is controlled by Programmed Fuel Injection System to deliver high performance. The engineering used in the engine assures a stand out performance and great fuel efficiency. The power and torque output from the engine makes it a powerful model to go for in a hatchback segment.

Wheels

Honda Brio Wheels Brio runs on 14 inch steel wheels with centre hub caps, full trim wheels and alloy wheels in the high end variants. The tyre size is 175/65 R14 82T. The high end trim Honda Brio V and V AT has 14 inch alloy wheels . The wheelbase of Brio is 2345mm which is a good level which is helpful in keeping a good control. The drive will be made not just fun but also safe with this good grip on road. It has a turning radius of 4.5m. With the 14 inches wheels, Brio ground clearance reaches to 165mm.

Braking & Handling

Honda Brio DashBoard Editor's take :  The handling characteristics of the Brio are fantastic. Despite the light steering wheel, it handles well.

Honda Brio is a beautiful hatchback from Honda and has to compete with the like of Maruti, Tata, Hyundai and Toyota. The vehicle is loaded with ventilated Front Disk and Rear Drum brakes. The braking system is equipped with Electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) along with the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) . Such a sophisticated technology in braking system of Honda Brio makes the drive not only safe but it also assures good control in case of sudden brakes on slippery roads. Honda Brio has McPherson Strut suspension type at the front and Torsion Beam Axle type suspension at the rear. These together make the ride in Brio a fun drive without compromising comfort.

Handling & Safety

Honda Brio Safety Editor's take : The Brio offers all the safety features are today available in most of the hatchbacks like airbags and ABS.
 


When it is about safety of Honda Brio, Honda has left no stone unturned. Continuing its ‘I am made for you’ theme for Brio, Honda tags the safety features as ‘Because our Love story is forever.’ The company is known for giving best to its customers in terms of safety. The broad wheelbase and compact body assures a full control over a ride. The car is blessed with two front airbags including one Driver’s side Intelligent SRS (i-SRS). The i-SRS has a gas release control valve that deploys it faster and keeps it inflated for long thus ensuring the safety of the driver. The car also has ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) with EBD and Brake Assist function to enhance vehicle control. Brio’s structure is based on Honda’s robust G-CON based on G-Force Control Technology which is crash resistant and has crumple zones for the safety of the pedestrian.

The seat belts are of pretensioner type that keeps the body in place in the event of a crash. The Brio designed has been finalized after rigorous crash tests at the Honda Crash Test Facility.

Stereo & Accessories in Honda Brio

Honda Brio Accessories Editor's take : Brio gets all the accessories like in-dash music system with iPod connectivity, alloy wheels, steering mounted audio controls.

Honda Brio is integrated with Amber color illuminated audio system with AM/FM, MP3 playback facility besides high quality four speakers. The music system is also integrated with USB and Aux-in facility so that the favorite numbers keep ticking on the go. Using the Aux-in and USB connectivity, iPod, and storage devices like pen drives can be connected to the music system. Apart from this, there are two Accessory Packages available viz. Active Package and Mode Package. In the Active Package, you get a tail gate spoiler, door visor, chrome exhaust pipe finisher , wood finish interior panel, illuminated side step garnish and Black or Beige floor mats. The Mode Package offers a side protector, front corner protector, rear corner protector, chrome door protector, illuminated side step garnish and rear cargo protector and Black or Beige floor mat protector.

Wednesday, 20 March 2013

2014 JAGUAR XK                                                      



The 2013 XK is a 2-door, 4-passenger luxury sports car, or convertible sports car, available in 8 trims, ranging from the XK Touring Coupe to the XKR-S Convertible.



Upon introduction, the XK Touring Coupe is equipped with a standard 5.0-liter, V8, 385-horsepower engine that achieves 16-mpg in the city and 24-mpg on the highway. The XKR-S Convertible is equipped with a standard 5.0-liter, V8, 550-horsepower, supercharged engine that achieves 15-mpg in the city and 22-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims.


Elegant, modern, and still very sporty, the Jagaur XK range offers a bit of something for a wide range of tastes.

For the performance oriented, there's the Jaguar XKR and XKR-S. The former is a 510-horsepower, 461 pound-feet of torque super sports car that'll knock off 4.6-second 0-60 mph runs, hit a top speed of 174 mph (with the Dynamic Pack), and look every bit the part all the way there. Aerodynamic enhancements like a front spoiler, rear diffuser, side sills, and other tweaks, including a lower, firmer suspension and 20-inch wheels add up to spell speed.

If you'd like a little more, that's the XKR-S. Rated at 550 horsepower through a more intensive tune on the same 5.0-liter V-8 engine found throughout the lineup, the XKR-S can hit 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 186 mph.
An adaptive suspension helps balance ride and performance (though the balance is still on the performance side), and an active differential aids forward thrust. The four-mode stability control system is remapped to allow more wheel spin, and hence more driving fun, while retaining a safety net.

But what if you're into luxury and comfort as much as you are performance? There's still the standard XK, which is no slowpoke, with a 385-horsepower version of the 5.0-liter V-8 under the hood.
The XK's 5.2-second 0-60 mph times marry with the six-speed ZF automatic transmission to deliver smooth, quick acceleration even in snow (there's a mode for it). Ride quality is controlled and taut without being uncomfortable, thanks in part to adjustable dampers. Easy, fairly light steering is quick to turn the car, and the brakes are not excessively grabby around town, while still providing ample stopping power.

Though you'll get a different interpretation in each, all models of the XK offer excellent accommodations. Beautiful design, quality materials, and some nice high-tech options are all present.
The touchscreen system could do with an update, however, as it tends to be laggy in reaction to inputs for climate, audio, and navigation controls. Those who like the extremes of both sport and luxury will be glad to know the XKR-S rolls up most of the list of optional upgrades into its standard equipment.

For the full details, including more about features, options, and gas mileage, check out the full review at The Car Connection.

Specs: Select a Trim

2dr Coupe (4)MSRPInvoiceMPG CityMPG Hwy
2dr Coupe Specs$84,500$77,7401624
2dr Coupe XKR Specs$97,500$89,7001522
2dr Coupe XKR-S Specs$132,000$121,3491522
2dr Coupe Touring Specs$79,000$72,6371624
2dr Convertible (4)MSRPInvoiceMPG CityMPG Hwy
2dr Convertible Specs$90,500$83,2601622
2dr Convertible XKR Specs$103,500$95,2201522
2dr Convertible XKR-S Specs$138,000$126,8691522
2dr Convertible Touring Specs$85,000$78,1571622



                                      

Saturday, 9 March 2013


        C Class


Mercedes-Benz C-Class Review

Green and clean fuels seem to be the mantra these days. Bio-fuels, hybrids and electric cars are what car manufacturers are leaning towards. The development costs of these technologies are high and the impact of this directly impacts customers. Mercedes-Benz too believes in saving our blue planet (as earth appears when viewed from the space) and recently we saw their BlueEfficiency technology being used in their new cars (Yes, BlueEfficiency won the CarWale Green initiative award). We first saw it on the E350 CDI, and now even the new C200 CGI has been badged with the BlueEfficiency tag. The BlueEfficiency cars have undergone changes in their aerodynamic design, powertrains and have made use of lighter construction materials in some cases.

Design:
The C200 CGI hasn’t undergone any cosmetic changes on its exteriors and interiors. The car comes with the same wide chrome horizontal slats on the front grille (more spaced on the Avantgarde trim with the large central star), sculpted bone line and flared wheel arches. The C-Class had scored a maximum of 5-stars in the EuroNCAP rating, in which the saloon scored these 5-stars in adult occupant protection.

Interiors:
The interiors haven’t changed either. We still miss the Harmon/Kardon Logic 7 music system and to our dismay, the rear seat space (for tall people) is a bit cramped, the left hand side mirror is too small and we also missed the USB port in the sedan. The interiors are well insulated from the outside resulting in barely any sound intruding into the cabin (at speeds in excess of 120kph there is some wind noise) and you don’t even feel speed in the car.

Powertrain:
Mercedes-Benz launched the C-Class with a new engine and badged it as the C200 CGI Blue Efficiency. This sedan replaced the old C200 Kompressor, which is basically a 1.8-litre petrol engine (code name: M271) with supercharger. Now, the new C200 CGI comes with the same 1.8-litre engine block (new code name: M271 Evo) and now has direct injection with spray-guided combustion and a turbocharger.  This new valvetrain has piezo-injectors which help to deliver multiple injections during a power stroke resulting in enhanced performance and the intake manifold can even supply excess air while cruising for improved fuel efficiency.
The 2496cc V6 musters 204bhp@6100rpm and a massive 245Nm from 2900 to 5500rpm. Open the engine bay and you’ll find everything is swathed under plastic, which makes everything look really neat, but will disappoint the people who prefer DIY work. That flat torque curve reflects in the way the car responds to every throttle input – not once did we feel that the car was underpowered. Of course, the A4 with the 3.2 V6 is much faster and has a 60bhp advantage, but that car is scary fast. The C never makes you feel like you’re biting off more than you can chew, it’s just a smooth surge to the redline and the next upshift.
It pootles along in the highest possible gear when driven carefully, never giving a hint of what it is capable of. Floor the throttle, however, and it will not snap your head back, but give you a strong shove in the small of your back, and before you know it, you’ll be doing silly speeds.

Driving Dynamics:
The C200CGI like any other Mercedes-Benz has a smooth and composed ride at both low and high speeds. The seats are very comfortable unfortunately the front row seats aren’t completely electric (we had a similar complaint when we drove theE-Coupe). The lumbar support is adjustable manually. The C200 CGI is a good handler and the C-Class comes with Agility Control suspension which adjusts the shock absorbers according to driving conditions and driving mode. The Agility Control speed sensitive steering feels very artificial however, the car takes up most of the bends well at good speeds. The C-Class comes with either 16” or 17” wheels. The C250 CDI and C250 come with 17-inch tyres, while the C200 CGI is equipped with 205/55/R16 tyres. Our test car ran on Dunlop Sport 01 tyres which gripped well on dry as well as on wet surfaces, however, there was some tyre roar on concrete roads. The brakes on the C200 CGI were good and they bite progressively. The brake pedal felt a bit soggy, but the brakes did their job. In our brake test, the C200 CGI covered 32.2m from a speed of 80kph to come to a complete standstill.

Overall Evaluation:
The Mercedes-Class C200 CGI BlueEfficiency (the cheapest C-Class) costs Rs 28.44lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai) which is a little expensive considering its overall features, but let us not forget that this is also your passport into the elite Three-Pointed Star club. The C200 CGI is the most basic Mercedes-Benz sold in India. It is a perfect car for those wanting it merely to enhance their status in society. In India, Mercedes-Benz is considered to one of the biggest luxury car makers and has a better resale value than most its competition. If a chauffer drives you to work during the day and you are a boy racer by night, this is undoubtedly the Mercedes for you at this price tag.........















Thursday, 28 February 2013


  RAPIDE



There is an inherent correctness about the idea of a four-seat, four-door Aston Martin based on the excellent VH platform
Aston Martin Rapide
The Aston Martin Rapide’s only genuine ancestor is the Lagonda that Aston Martin made over a quarter of a century ago. The idea of a new four-door, four-seat Aston based on the company’s existing VH platform first saw the light of day at the Detroit show in 2006, shortly after Aston had been sold by Ford to its new band of shareholders, who green-lighted the car pretty much the moment they set eyes on it.
Aston Martin Rapide
Aston Martin describes the Rapide as “the most elegant four-door sports car in the world”. It’s a bold claim from an increasingly confident car company, but not one that can be dismissed as hyperbole. Because from the moment this car was announced there has been an inherent correctness about the idea of a four-seat, four-door Aston Martin based on the already excellent VH platform.
Nic

Cackett

Road tester
The biggest test the Rapide faces is whether it has sufficient luxury and presence to justify its startlingly high price
And in the metal the Rapide does not disappoint. It’s an unusually long car – more than a foot longer than the DB9 – but the fundamental proportions are certainly breathtakingly elegant. When people see this car they tend to smile and point.
Question is, does the Rapide work as a four-seater in practice and just how much of the Aston experience has been preserved in the transformation?
And the biggest test it faces is whether the Rapide has sufficient luxury and presence to justify its startlingly high price next to the likes of the Mercedes S-class, BMW 7-series and other rivals.
Aston Martin Rapide
The Aston Martin Rapide uses the same basic cabin and chassis architecture as all other Astons, known internally as the VH platform, and features the same bonded aluminium components to form a monocoque. 
The big difference, of course, is that the Rapide is more than a foot longer than any other current Aston in order to accommodate its new, individually tailored rear seats. Which means an awful lot of extra strengthening has had to be engineered into the car to maintain stiffness. Hence the rear door apertures aren’t anywhere near as big as you’d expect, while the hatchback-style boot opening is also a fair bit narrower and shallower than it appears from the outside. 
Steve

Sutcliffe

Editor-at-large
The elongated Aston logo suits the stretched design theme displayed throughout the car
The upside is that the Rapide’s rear-wheel drive platform is unusually stiff for that of a big saloon and provides an excellent basis from which the all-round double wishbone suspension system can operate. The chassis also benefits from an electronic adaptive damper system with anti-lift and anti-squat geometry as standard, plus dramatic 20in wheels wearing bespoke Bridgestone Potenza S001 tyres.
Flush door handles are now an Aston Martin staple and appear on all four doors. They feel exceptionally well made, much like the rest of the car.
The elongated Aston logo on the bonnet suits the stretched design theme displayed throughout the car and have to be the longest wings seen on any Aston so far. The chromed mesh grille is rumoured to be the design template for all Astons in the future. It looks good, although how long it’ll stay that shiny is debatable.
At the back, rear lamp infills can be had in Magnum Silver if you want — albeit for more money. Rapide badging on the tail is relatively discreet and can be deleted at no extra cost
Let’s cut to the chase and talk about the Aston Martin Rapide’s single biggest bone of contention: the relatively tight proportions of the rear seats. The fact is that if you are over six feet tall and the person driving is of a similar height, you will struggle to get comfortable in the back of the Rapide – despite the seats themselves being beautifully sculpted and trimmed in ultra-high-quality leather. 
Not even the ability to individually control the air conditioning system from side to side will make up for the lack of knee room if you are over six feet tall – and that could well be a defining issue for some owners.
Matt

Prior

Road test editor
Tall transmission tunnel means two kids can’t both get into the rear cabin from the kerbside
If you are shorter you will find the rear seats comfortably snug but still far from luxurious, which is a pity because the rest of the interior is absolutely outstanding. Build quality is, if anything, better than ever – while the combination of a very high standard specification and genuinely beautiful design touches mean the Rapide’s cabin is a hugely appealing place in which to find yourself.
In the end, the space compromise is one that will affect some buyers more than it will others – and it extends to the boot, which is an awkward shape and has a capacity of just 317 litres with the rear seats up (although this can be extended to 886 litres if you are prepared to fold the seats down). 
If there’s one other criticism it is that Aston’s standard dash layout, which features in the Rapide, puts form ahead of function. The jewel-like dials are beautiful to look at, but difficult to read.
But from a quality perspective the Rapide’s cabin has an awful lot going for it, especially beside the likes of the bigger but nowhere near as appealing Porsche Panamera.
Aston Martin Rapide
Although outright performance is far from the Aston Martin Rapide’s raison d’etre, it’s still an extremely quick car. Not as bombastic or obviously fast as a Porsche Panamera Turbo, perhaps, but still rapid enough to silence anyone lucky enough to climb aboard and experience its performance first hand.
Any car that can reach 60mph from rest in less than five seconds and 100mph in just 11.2sec is always going to feel impressive in a straight line, especially when enjoyed from one of the rear seats. 
Steve

Cropley

Editor-in-chief
The Rapide stops extremely well for such a big, relatively heavy car
Considering that the Rapide weighs two tonnes, the way it performs comes as a genuine surprise. And because it’s as refined as it is, you simply don’t expect it to accelerate with so much vigour in the mid-range. Yet that’s precisely where the Rapide is at its most effective. The way in which it gathers momentum so smoothly from 3000-4000rpm in the higher gears is testimony to the strong, even flow of torque that’s available; rarely does it seem necessary to venture much beyond this point in the rev range.
But when you do, another side of the Rapide’s personality is revealed. Between 5000rpm and the red line it becomes an altogether more aggressive, more responsive machine, emitting a fairly magnificent V12 sound from its previously subdued engine bay.
Better still is the way the paddle-shift gearbox works in conjunction with the engine to deliver either smooth, lazy shifts when left in D, or more urgent, sharper changes when in Sport mode and shifted manually via the paddles. 
It even stops extremely well for such a big, relatively heavy car. In the dry we recorded a 60-0mph time of just 2.44sec and there is plenty of decent pedal feel to go with the strong sense of retardation.