Toyota FT-86: A modern classic?

With the FT-86, Toyota is sticking to the classic sportscar ethos of rear-wheel-drive, combined with light weight, balance, simplicity and responsiveness...

According to Toyota, its new FT-86 Sports Concept, which made its European debut at the currently ongoing Geneva Motor Show, has been designed and engineered to capture the spirit of the Toyota Corolla AE86 of the 1980s. With its front-engine, rear-wheel-drive format and compact, lightweight and aerodynamically efficient body, the FT-86 is supposed to have been modelled after legendary Toyota sportscars like the Celica, MR2, Supra and Corolla AE86.

Back in the 1980s, the rear-wheel-drive Corolla AE86 did very well in rallies and closed circuit racing and its compact dimensions, light weight, balance and strong power-to-weight ratio made it a favourite with many racing teams. Toyota aims to recreate that package with the driver-focused FT-86, which has been engineered to deliver precise, instantaneous responses to even the smallest throttle and steering inputs.

In keeping with the modern-day green ethic, Toyota has avoided the use of a big, heavy engine on the FT-86. It has, instead, fitted a 2.0-litre petrol engine to its new sportscar, along with a six-speed manual gearbox. For the interiors, too, Toyota has used very lightweight components in order to maintain a high power-to-weight ratio.

Toyota hasn’t done a light, simple, rear-wheel-drive sportscar in ages and the FT-86 will probably make a lot of enthusiasts very happy indeed. While it follows a completely different path compared with the awe-inspiring Lexus LFA, we still quite like the FT-86 and sincerely hope it makes it to India within the next one or two years.

Ford to launch five electric vehicles by 2013

Ford is now extensively testing its battery-powered electric vehicles in Europe and will launch a range of new EVs - including cars and vans - by 2013...

Ford, which seems to be getting increasingly serious about launching battery-powered electric vehicles, has now announced that it will launch as many as five new full electric or hybrid vehicles in Europe, by 2013. These five EVs will include passenger cars as well as vans/light commercial vehicles.

‘We recognise that one technology does not work for all our customers,’ says Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president of Global Product Development. ‘Our electrification strategy and plans include hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles to best meet our global customers' needs. Leveraging our global platforms is also central to this strategy and allows us to build on our strong product line-up in the most customer-driven, affordable way,’ he adds.

‘Our goal is to provide consumers with access to significant fuel economy improvements and reduced CO2 emissions to meet their functional needs and without compromising their driving experience,’ says John Fleming, Chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe. ‘There is increasing interest among a number of customers in Europe for electrified vehicles and we are responding by stepping up our efforts to bring these models to the marketplace alongside our latest-generation, fuel-efficient petrol and diesel powered models,’ he adds.

Ford is also developing a range of other environmentally focused features, including advanced electric power steering, weight reduction and aerodynamic improvements and biofuel-capable vehicles. ‘Thanks to the global economies of scale afforded to us by our ONE Ford initiative, I am delighted we are able to make the commitment now to deliver these vehicles to customers in Europe, particularly as the demand for hybrid vehicles grows,’ says Fleming.

We only hope the same ‘economies of scale’ will also allow Ford to bring – sooner rather than later – its range of hybrids and electric vehicles to the Indian market as well!

2010 Toyota RAV4 unveiled in Geneva

The new Toyota RAV4 gets some cosmetic updates for 2010...

Toyota has released pics and specs of its revised, 2010-spec RAV4, which made its debut today at the currently ongoing Geneva Motor Show. Toyota’s bestselling compact SUV gets new front-end styling, new bonnet, bumpers, headlights and front grille. The interiors have also been updated with new leather and Alcantara trim materials.

The new RAV4 continues to be available with 2.0-litre petrol and 2.2-litre diesel engines, while transmission options include a six-speed manual, Mutridrive S (continuously variable transmission) and six-speed automatic. While Toyota already has compact SUV in India – the Fortuner – which is selling very well, it might still bring the RAV4 to India at some time in the future, perhaps for those want a bigger, plusher SUV.

Lotus Evora Carbon concept shown at Geneva

The Lotus Evora Carbon concept. We're speechless...

Here’s a look at some of the good things that we don’t get here in India – the Lotus Evora Carbon concept, which was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show yesterday. This exquisite little sports car concept rides on 19-inch alloy wheels and features carbonfibre and alcantara interiors, carbonfibre bodywork, aluminium bonded and extruded chassis and exquisite pearlescent paint.

The car remains unchanged mechanically and features the same 276 horsepower V6 engine as the production-spec Evora. We suppose Lotus might do a small production run for the Evora Carbon, though no official announcement has been made to this effect.

Here are the Top Gear (above) and Fifth Gear (below) tests of the Lotus Evora

Audi A1 e-tron, A8 Hybrid shown at Geneva

The Audi A1 e-tron electric car (above) and the A8 Hybrid (below) are likely to go into production in 2011. Audi is definitely serious about its e-mobility program...

Audi, which is expanding its new e-tron range of electric cars step by step, is now showing the new A1 e-tron at the currently ongoing Geneva Motor Show. Fitted with a lithium-ion battery pack, the A1 e-tron has a full electric drivetrain and always drives on electric power alone. With the batteries fully charged, the car can be driven for 50km, after which a small, 254cc Wankel rotary engine kicks in as a generator and charges the batteries for extended use. The ‘range extender’ engine gives the A1 e-tron an additional 200km driving range.

The A1 e-tron’s electric motor produces 102 peak horsepower (61bhp continuous) and 240Nm of peak torque (150Nm continuous), and the car can accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 10.2 seconds and has a top speed of around 130km/h. The car could be ready to go into production by 2011.

Apart from the A1 e-tron, Audi is also showing the all-new A8 Hybrid in Geneva. With a 2.0-litre four-cylinder TFSI petrol engine and a powerful electric motor, the A8 Hybrid has a total of 243bhp and 480Nm of torque, which, according to Audi, offers performance that’s equivalent to what one would get from a large six-cylinder engine.

The A8 Hybrid utilizes a parallel hybrid system where the IC engine and electric motor work together to provide excellent performance as well as fuel economy. The car can accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 7.6 seconds and hit a top speed of 234km/h.

The A8 Hybrid is a full hybrid, which means it can be driven by either the petrol engine only, the electric motor only, or a combination of both. The hybrid drive can propel the car on electric power alone at up to 64km/h with a range of around 2km. The A8 Hybrid is also likely to go into production next year.

Hyundai i-flow concept, i10 Blue and i20 Blue shown at Geneva

The Hyundai i-flow concept (above) will form the basis for Hyundai's next luxury saloon, which will be ready by 2011. And the i10 Blue and i20 Blue (below) are the next step towards more efficient cars...

Hyundai has a range of new variants on display at the currently ongoing Geneva Motor Show. The cars being shown at the Hyundai stand include the ix35 SUV, and the i-flow concept, which is supposed to provide a preview of the next D-segment luxury saloon from Hyundai.

Apart from its remarkably striking styling, the i-flow also features Hyundai’s first diesel-electric hybrid powertrain, which uses a new 1.7-litre common-rail turbodiesel engine and an electric motor that feeds off a Lithium-Ion-Polymer battery. Expect a production-spec luxury car from Hyundai to use all these bits in 2011.

Hyundai is also showing the i10 Blue and i20 Blue versions of its popular hatchbacks, which employ the latest energy-efficient powertrain technologies for reduced fuel consumption and lower emissions. For these ‘Blue’ variants, Hyundai is using special low-friction engine oil to reduce driveline friction and continuously variable valve timing, improved combustion efficiency, gear ratio optimisation, engine control optimisation and stop-start technology to increase overall engine efficiency.

The Hyundai i10 Blue and i20 Blue will go into production later this year and will first be introduced in Europe, but might also come to India in 2011.

Tata Nano EV unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show

Above, from left: Ravi Kant (Vice Chairman), Prakash Telang (Managing Director- India Operations) and Carl-Peter Forster (Group CEO) with the Tata Nano EV at the 80th Geneva Motor Show 2010

Tata Motors unveiled the all-new Nano electric vehicle (EV) at the currently ongoing Geneva Motor Show today. Based on the regular Nano, the Nano EV is fitted with an electric motor that’s powered by super polymer lithium ion batteries. The car can accelerate from zero to 100km/h in less than 10 seconds and range, with the batteries fully charged, is around 160km.

‘Electrification will be an integral part of our initiative to launch environment-friendly vehicles. The Indica Vista EV will be introduced in select European countries, beginning this year. We will progressively introduce electric vehicles in all relevant markets,’ said Ravi Kant, Vice Chairman, Tata Motors.

Well, we think the Nano EV, like the regular Nano, will be a boon for commuting in crowded cities, and we hope Tata Motors will launch this car in India soon.

2010 Nissan Micra unveiled in Geneva, will be launched in India soon!

The new Nissan Micra will be launched in India later this year...

Carlos Ghosn, CEO, Nissan Motor Co. Ltd, unveiled the company’s all-new, fourth-generation Micra compact car at the Geneva Motor Show today. ‘Combine 25 years’ experience of designing compact cars for city driving, with a totally new, versatile platform and Nissan production know-how, and the result is modern, simple car that’s destined to be a serious competitor on the world stage,’ said Ghosn while revealing the new Micra.

The new Micra, which will be built at Nissan’s facility near Chennai and which will go on sale in India later this year, will be fitted with a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that produces 80 horsepower and 108Nm of torque. The car also gets a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), which should definitely reduce the hassles of driving in crowded cities.

Developed and built on Nissan’s all-new V-platform, the new Micra will be built at three other locations (Thailand, Mexico, China) apart from India, and will be sold in as many as 160 countries around the world. And while most of the car’s specs will remain the same everywhere, some European markets will get a supercharged version of the 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine, which produces 98bhp and 142Nm of torque. Some markets will also get a five-speed manual gearbox instead of the CVT and while we’re not sure which transmission is coming to India, we definitely hope it’s the CVT.

As you would expect, the new Nissan Micra comes with a host of safety features, including sophisticated crumple zones, ABS, dual front airbags, curtain and side airbags, ESP and pre-tensioner seatbelts. ‘The new Micra will continue to be the benchmark city car in Europe. Its appeal will be enhanced by its unique combination of compact exterior dimensions, with roomy interior, small and efficient engines, and user-friendly technology. Its continued icon status is destined to be be reinforced in its fourth generation,’ says Simon Thomas, Nissan’s European Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing.

More details on the Nissan Micra’s India specs, availability and pricing coming soon.

Honda CR-Z: Prices start at Rs 11.64 lakh in the UK

The Honda CR-Z hybrid sports coupe has been priced very reasonably, at least in Europe...

The Honda CR-Z, the world’s first hybrid sports coupe, has been priced fairly reasonably. With its 1.5-litre four-cylinder i-VTEC petrol engine coupled to Honda’s IMA hybrid system, the car will cost between £16,999 (base model CR-Z S) to £19,999 (top-of-the-range CR-Z GT) in the UK, where orders for this car are being accepted now and where deliveries will start in June this year.

This UK pricing for the Honda CR-Z hybrid translates into Rs 11.64 lakh for the base model to Rs 13.68 lakh for the top-end version. Of course, with more than 100% duty being levied on CBU imports, these prices might almost double, if the car were to be sold in India. Still, since Honda did sell some units of the Civic Hybrid in India last year, they might possibly bring in a few units of the CR-Z Hybrid as well, which would be simply fabulous!

Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera announced

The Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera boasts of performace that's at least as impressive as the car's aggressive supercar styling...

Lamborghini has announced the next iteration of the Gallardo – the lighter, more powerful and more dynamic Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera, which is now the new top model in the Gallardo line- up.

Compared with the Gallardo LP 560-4, the LP 570-4 Superleggera, which makes extensive use of carbonfibre components, is 70kg lighter and weighs in at just 1,340 kilos dry. The car’s 5.2-litre V10 engine now produces 570 horsepower and 540Nm of torque – the LP 570-4 goes from zero to 100km/h in 3.4 seconds, and hits a top speed of 325km/h.

No word on pricing yet, but regardless of that, we expect Lamborghini to bring a few units of this car to the Indian market later this year.

Škoda Fabia vRS unveiled at Geneva

The Skoda Fabia vRS is one hot hatchback...

Škoda is presenting the new Fabia vRS hatchback and estate at the currently ongoing Geneva Motor Show. The Fabia vRS features a supercharged and turbocharged four-cylinder 1.4-litre petrol engine that produces 180bhp, which pushes the car from zero to 100km/h in 7.3 seconds and on to a top speed of 225km/h.

The Fabia vRS rides on 17-inch alloy wheels and comes with height adjustable seats, a redesigned front bumper with integrated fog lamps and LED lights, red brake callipers, tinted windows, a new rear bumper with a diffuser and dual exhaust, and a roof spoiler. With safety features like ABS, ESP and ASR, as well as XDS electronic differential which improves the car’s cornering ability, the little hatchback is not only fast but also very safe.

This hope Škoda will decide to bring this hot hatch to India as well, in the near future.