Tuesday 29 January 2013

Fernando Alonso to miss first test of Ferrari's new car





Milan: Fernando Alonso will miss the first test of Ferrari's new Formula One car in Spain next month. Ferrari say Felipe Massa and recently recruited test driver Pedro de la Rosa will try out the new car in Jerez, while Alonso "will intensify his physical training."



Alonso will get behind the wheel for the first time at the Barcelona test, which starts February 19. The two-time champion will drive for the first three days before handing over to Massa for the final day.
The third and final test, also at the Circuit de Catalunya, will see Alonso and Massa get two days each.

Alonso finished runner up to Sebastian Vettel last season, same as in 2010.

'iVauxhall' for teens




A two-seater electric concept looks cool and will be cheap and fun to use. The car fights back against teenager indifference




Personal mobility 'solutions' are the rage - after all, why go on foot or on a bicycle when you can ride in a cigar-shaped podule controlled by a gyroscope? Mindful of such Luddite cynicism Vauxhall/Opel have arrived at the personal mobility party armed with a new target audience: teenagers.

Toyota launches new version of `Fortuner’





New Delhi: Toyota Kirloskar Motor has said it has launched a new variant of sports utility vehicle Fortuner in five—speed automatic transmission, priced between Rs 22.33 lakh and Rs 22.93 lakh (ex—showroom, Delhi)


“Further adding to Fortuner’s strength of unmatched road presence and luxury, we have now introduced the five—speed automatic transmission... The five—speed AT will further add to the drive quality and comfort,” Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) Deputy Managing Director and COO (Marketing and Commercial) Sandeep Singh said in a statement.



Besides, the car maker has also decided to produce the Fortuner TRD Sportivo regularly that was introduced as a limited edition in October last year, he added.

“Looking at the overwhelming response and its popularity, we have now regularised this grade for all those looking for a unique sporty image. The bookings will open starting January 18, 2013,” Singh said.

The TRD Sportivo variant is priced at Rs 21.97 lakh (ex—showroom, Delhi).

Parx Super Car Show 2013 draws Mumbai in hordes to its fifth successful edition



The event witnessed a tremendous turnout as thousands of people strolled into the venue over the weekend to watch some of the sleekest super cars including Ferrari, Mercedes, Lamborghini, Aston Martin and Bentley.



Mumbai : Parx Super Car Show 2013, organized by the Super Car Club (SCC), took off to a thundering start with thousands of enthusiastic Mumbaikars vying to catch a glimpse of the sleek line-up of super cars over yesterday and today at Polo Grounds, RWITC (Mahalaxmi Race Course). The roaring machines led by  Gautam Singhania paraded the city’s arterial streets this morning, amidst cheering by spectators. Legendary racer Hannu Mikkola was the Guest of Honour at the event, flagging off the parade.



The event witnessed a tremendous turnout as thousands of people strolled into the venue over the weekend to watch some of the sleekest super cars including Ferrari, Mercedes, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Bentley, Rolls Royce, Porsche and BMW at a single location. City folks also got the opportunity to watch these cars in action as participants covered major parts of the city spanning Marine Drive, Bandra Worli Sea Link and the Western Express Highway all the way to Santa Cruz before returning to the venue.  Gautam Singhania, Chairman & Managing Director of Raymond Ltd. and Founding Chairman of the SCC, handed over trophies to the most desirable cars at the end of the show.

According to Gautam Singhania, one of India’s pioneering super car enthusiasts, “Since its inception in 2009, the Parx Super Car Show has covered new grounds every year. From being the first and only super car show in India, Parx Super Car Show today has become the forum for leading super car manufacturers to launch their automobiles. While this is indeed a great measure of success for the Super Car Club, what is most gratifying is the increasing number of people who are visiting us. It’s very encouraging to see to more and more people coming to the show, and a correspondingly increasing number of super car owners participating in all our events. In addition to the Parx Super Car Show, the Super Car Club has been organizing expeditions like the Leh-Ladakh expedition, ice-driving expedition and several other drives.”


 Hormazd Sorabjee, Editor of Autocar India, said “As India’s leading auto magazine, we’re delighted to see such an overwhelming response to the Parx Super Car Show from car enthusiasts all over the country.  In only its 5th year, the show has grown leaps and bounds. It has become the leading platform for super cars in the country thanks to the ingenuity of the concept and presentation.”

A one-of-its-kind auto show held in Mumbai, the Parx Super Car Show was first conceptualized and organized by  Gautam Singhania in April 2009 to enable auto enthusiasts and general public to view some of India’s best super cars, including Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Ariel Atom, Bentley, Rolls Royce, BMW and Mercedes amongst others. Encouraged by the response to the show, he launched the Super Car Club in June 2009 together with  Hormazd Sorabjee, Managing Editor of Autocar India.

The Super Car Club, the brainchild of Gautam Singhania, CMD of Raymond Limited as the Patron and Founder and Hormazd Sorabjee, Editor, Autocar India as the Co-Founder of the Club, has grown significantly since inception in 2009. The Club has been initiating various activities to promote the popularity of these super machines in India. The Club, last year undertook a thrilling expedition to Leh-Ladakh. SCC, under the leadership of Mr Singhania, is promoting drifting as an auto sports in the country.

Lotus F1 team launches 2013 car




Oxfordshire: Lotus has become the first Formula 1 team to unveil its car for the 2013 season after curtains were drawn from the Renault powered E21 in an online launch at the team's Enstone base here

The car was revealed to team partners on site, streamed live on YouTube and broadcast live on Sky Sports News in the UK.

The E21 will contest the 2013 Championship with drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean. With only limited changes to the technical and sporting regulations from 2012, the car continues the design themes seen in its race-winning predecessor, the E20.




"However, it is pushing last year's concepts even further as well as incorporating some innovative technical solutions. The new car also features a slightly tweaked livery, incorporating an extra touch or red," said Lotus in a statement. Joining the team as third driver is reigning GP2 series champion Davide Valsecchi, whilst Nicolas Prost will perform development driver duties. Jerôme D'Ambrosio will continue with the team as a reserve.

Eric Boullier, Lotus team principal said: "I think it is fair to say that great things are possible from the team and the E21. The leap we made from 2011 to 2012 showed what we are capable of. Add to this the continuity and potential of our driver line-up and we have a very powerful cocktail for the season ahead."