Europeean GP Valencia 09

546

acrylic on paper 7x10"

a happy sunny colorful day

for Barichello and his fans

you go Rubinho!

Maruti Udyog Limited / Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, and the New Lunching Model Cars

Maruti Suzuki India Limited is a well-known and popular automaker in India. You can say that the Maruti Limited is a leading four-wheeler automobile manufacturer in South Asia. The Suzuki Motor Corporation of Japan and Government of India jointly had explored as it became the first company in India to mass-produce and sell more than a million cars. Maruti Udyog Limited (MUL) was established in February 1981, though the actual production commenced in 1983 with the Maruti 800. This venture is largely credited to bring an automobile revolution to India. Through 2004, Maruti has produced over 5 Million vehicles. Marutis are sold in India and various several other countries, depending upon export orders. Cars similar to Marutis (but not manufactured by Maruti Udyog) are sold by Suzuki in Pakistan and other South Asian countries.
Until recently, 18.28% of the company was owned by the Indian government, and 54.2% by Suzuki of Japan. The Indian government held an initial public offering of 25% of the company in June 2003. As of May 10, 2007, Govt. of India sold its complete share to Indian financial institutions. With this, Govt. of India no longer has stake in Maruti Udyog.
It is the market leader in India. On 17 September 2007, Maruti Udyog was renamed to Maruti Suzuki India Limited. The company's headquarters remain in Gurgaon, near Delhi.
The company annually exports more than 30,000 cars and has an extremely large domestic market in India selling over 500,000 cars annually. Maruti 800, till 2004, was the India's largest selling compact car ever since it was launched in 1983. More than a million units of this car have been sold worldwide so far. Currently, Maruti Alto tops the sales charts.
Due to the large number of Maruti 800s sold in the Indian market, the term "Maruti" is commonly used to refer to this compact car model. Till recently the term "Maruti", in popular Indian culture, was associated to the Maruti 800 model.
Maruti Ltd has established its manufacturing units located at two facilities Gurgaon and Manesar south of New Delhi. Maruti’s Gurgaon Unit has an installed capacity of 350,000 units per annum. Where the Manesar Unit started in February 2007 comprise a vehicle assembly plant with a capacity of 100,000 units per year and a Diesel Engine plant with an annual capacity of 100,000 engines and transmissions which combined to produce over 700,000 units annually.
More than half the cars sold in India are Maruti cars. The Suzuki Motors Corporation of Japan, which owns 54.2 per cent of share of Maruti and the rest is owned by the public and financial institutions of India. It is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange in India.

Lunching Milestone of Maruti Suzuki

Maruti 800: Launched 1983. Largest selling car in India, until 2004. Cheapest car in India.
Maruti Omni Van: Launched 1984. Till today the Van is running is India roads.
Maruti Gypsy : Launched 1985.
Maruti Wagon-R:Launched 1999
Maruti Alto: Launched 2000. Currently the largest selling car in India.
Maruti Versa (2003)

Maruti Grand Vitara Launched - 2004

Maruti Suzuki Swift: Launched - 2005
Maruti Zen Estilo (2005)
Maruti Suzuki Swift (2006)
Maruti Suzuki SX4 (May 2007 )
Maruti Grand Vitara Sports Utility Vehicle Launched in (July 2007).
Maruti DZiRE Sedan Version of swift launched in (March 2008)

Maruti A-Star: Lunched 2008

Maruti Estilo: Launched - 2009

Maruti suzuki Ritz: Launched - 2009
Future Maruti Suzuki Plans

Suzuki Splash
Maruti Omni Face-Lift in 2009
Maruti RIII in AutoExpo
Maruti EECO in Auto Expo
New Mini-SUV in 2010 Likely to be a four-door Jimny.
New Luxury Sedan in 2010 Likely to be a production version of the Kizashi.
New Swift in 2011
New Alto

Audi to enter EV race with electric R8 supercar

By MARTON PETTENDY

Plug power: Audi is set to unveil a "very, very sporty" electric car at the Frankfurt motor show. Digital image: Chris Harris.

Electric version of the R8 super-coupe is almost certain to be Audi’s first EV

AUDI has confirmed it will finally enter the electric vehicle (EV) race at next month’s Frankfurt motor show, where the German luxury car-maker now appears almost certain to unveil both plug-in and convertible versions of its R8 supercar.

The Volkswagen premium brand, which has hitherto dismissed petrol-electric hybrid technology as an interim measure that is also inferior to its modern TDI turbo-diesel engines, has previously denied long-running speculation that it is working on an R8 EV.

However, Audi’s global sales and marketing chief has now confirmed the company will enter the electric car arena with a “very, very sporty” model to appear at Frankfurt on September 15, in a “top-down” approach that is expected to see the ‘R8E’ debut alongside the new A5 Sportback and convertible R8 Spyder, which has been spied in testing at the Nurburgring.

“I’m not confirming R8, but at the top end and something very, very sporty, we are going to show in the upcoming Frankfurt motor show in September what we think the right way is of getting into the electric era is,” said Audi AG board member Peter Schwarzenbauer yesterday.

Speaking at the opening of Audi Australia’s new $50 million ‘Lighthouse’ dealership and national headquarters in Sydney, Mr Schwarzenbauer questioned the small EV strategy adopted by its most direct luxury rivals in BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

Left: Audi A1 concept. Below: VW Up! concept.

“If you go back to the past all major new technology was introduced top-down. I have a hard time to understand that now the only discussion about electric cars is very small cars,” he said

“BMW has 500 Minis running around with batteries, Smart on the Mercedes side will have a battery in it and I have a hard time to understand what the business case should be in all of this, because if you look around the current battery package to really drive a car around costs roughly €12,000-15,000 ($A20,700-$25,900) – just the battery package.

“So now if you take a small car, which also costs around €12,000-$15,000, that means you are doubling the price, just by putting a battery (in it).

“I don’t know how much environmentally you have to be convinced that you spend the double of the money to drive electric. So I don’t see that this is a real business case and I think the electric car technology has to be introduced like all the other technologies in the world – top down.

Mr Schwarzenbauer said Audi’s EV rollout would differ markedly from both its premium German competitors and its parent company, which he revealed would showcase a small EV at Frankfurt. Volkswagen has committed to releasing its first EV, likely to be based on the Up! concept, in 2013.

“Our approach (to EV) will be a completely different one – we will start at the top-end,” he said. “We are going a different way.

“Volkswagen is going the direction of bringing a small car to the market and we think for a premium brand it makes much more sense to start a top-down approach, so our approach is to start at the high end.

“The one we are launching in Frankfurt, or showing in Frankfurt, will be for the Audi brand and I’m sure that Volkswagen has also something around electric in Frankfurt.”

Audi’s most senior salesman said the company’s EV plan would not require government assistance of public subsidies because buyers of top-shelf vehicles like the R8 would more readily pay the price premium for a battery-powered vehicle than small-car purchasers.

“I think that the price sensitivity at this end of the market – where we talk about a car which is in the range of an R8 – it is easier percentage-wise to put a battery in for €12,000 to €15,000. It is easier to compensate and accept by the consumer than putting it in at the low end.

“So we think that this might be more successful to introduce such a technology than going on the smaller car. We think it’s safer to go on the high end. We can launch this without any government incentive.”

Mr Schwarzenbauer’s comments came the day after the German government called for financial incentives starting in 2012 to support the sale of electric cars, which are expected to number one million in that country by 2020. Details of the plan proposed by German chancellor Angela Merkel’s cabinet are due to be discussed in the next legislature period in spring.

As we’ve reported, Audi Australia managing director Joerg Hofmann last week fuelled speculation the mid-engined R8, which is now available with a Lamborghini-sourced 5.2-litre V10 in Australia, could come with electric power when he suggested it would be the perfect platform on which to introduce new technologies.

“I believe there is plenty of scope (for further drivetrains to appear in the R8),” said Mr Hofmann at this month’s launch of the R8 5.2 FSI quattro. “With the R8 you can do quite a few things. There is a lot we can do in the future.”

It is unclear whether the topless R8 Spyder will emerge with the coupe’s existing 309kW/430kW V8 or 386kW/530Nm V10 at Europe’s largest motor show, where Mercedes-AMG will debut its all-new gullwinged SLS supercar, initially powered by a 6.2-litre V8 before becoming available as a petrol-electric hybrid.

It is also unknown if the R8 EV will be an all-electric plug-in vehicle, which is unlikely, or whether it will be an electrically assisted hybrid with an engine/generator to charge a battery that provides additional drive to the rear wheels or, as with the SLS, to power electric motors that drive the front wheels.

Mr Schwarzenbauer reiterated Audi’s stance that hybrid is an interim step in the march to the all-electric vehicle that was yet to match the efficiency of its own turbo-diesel engines.

“I think hybrid is a technology where you have to get engaged in it, not because we think hybrid is the solution but hybrid is a step towards fully electric driving, so you need the experience.

“On the other hand if you look at purely the facts of what fuel consumption is all about then you see that some of our competitors, especially here in the Australian market, they have one model offering a hybrid.

“We have currently 21 models in the Australian market with a fuel consumption below 7.0L/100km, so I think it is always sometimes more interesting to write about new technology like hybrid, but the facts are different.

“The facts are that not one hybrid can really achieve what we can do today with a modern TDI engine.

“We have done a mileage marathon in the US driving from New York to Los Angeles driving across the country with hybrid technology and TDI technology and there was not one hybrid model – I won’t mention any names – which even came close to the consumption of what a TDI model can do.

“But of course the public perception is that diesel is an old technology. Maybe we’re not good enough in communicating how modern today’s diesel really is,” he said, adding that conventional internal-combustion engines had still more to offer.

“Not only on the diesel but on the petrol side, we still think that the combustion engine still has additional potential. We have committed ourselves to reducing the consumption by another 20 per cent by 2012, so we still see potential in the combustion engine.”

Multi-million dollar Ferrari 250 TR crashing at Monterey Historics

by Jonny Lieberman

Some of us weren't able to attend the Monterey Historic races over the weekend, but the first thing we heard once the laptop spooled up was that a very expensive Ferrari 250 TR smacked into a bunch of tires at Laguna Seca. This has turned into the crash heard 'round the world for a few simple reasons. Make that thirty four reasons, to be exact. That's right Ferrari only made 34 250 Testa Rossas from 1956 to 1961. Actually, let's just make that 21 reasons, as the 250 TR is the preferred version of the car, and only 19 customer cars and 2 racers were built between 1958 and 1959. And while a 1957 250 Testa Rossa just sold this past May for $12,200,000, making it the most expensive car, well, ever -- the 1958 TR that cashed this weekend is "only" worth about $8 million.

Our own meraviglioso photographer Drew Philips had Nikon in hand near Laguna's famed Corkscrew and was able to capture the tragic off-track excursion -- which is why we have these amazing photographs. In fact, Autoblog reader James Iovino was so smitten with Drew's work that he took all the individual photos and video-ized them. Which is not only a word we just made up, but pretty dang cool to watch. That is if watching a near-priceless Ferrari jump across gravel and slam into a bunch of dirty old tires can ever be cool. But hey, at least the TR got beat up on a race track instead resting in a garage during an earthquake. Besides, everything ought to buff right out.

Auto Union C-type

545

.

acrylic on paper 8x12" sold

.
Hans Stuck,Berg Meister
in the 6 wheeled hill climber
Auto Union C-type...
crazy!

Bugatti 35b

544

acrylic on paper 8x12" sold

.

Rene Dreyfus Bugatti 35b
i always feel honored,

painting cars like these

Fly Saudia

543

.

acrylic on paper 8x12"

1977 a wet day at Zolder,
Patrick Neve driving a March 761 at the back of the race.
on first sight nothing special,
but a very significant time for Williams Grand prix Engineering

Hungarian GP 09

542

acrylic on paper 7x10"

back on track
Lewis and Mclaren
at the Hungaroring

The Honda, an alternate name of Technology and Innovation , the dream of one man Soichiro Honda. The Honda Jazz, The Best Car for India

Honda Jazz

Next Honda Accord

Why serious when you can smile? Why plan when you can be spontaneous, carefree with a hum or sing a song with a comfortable and safety drive.
The Honda Motor Company , the brain child of Soichiro Honda and his dream was personal mobility for everyone. He founded the Honda Motor Company in 1948. In the same year, he designed and engineered the first product - a 50 cc motorised bike on a bicycle frame - in his small shed at Hamamatsu.
'Challenging the Limits' is a common and popular target of its founder, Soichiro Honda, to keep one step ahead from all other competitors and in order to survive.

Honda's Vision
Soichiro's vision towards technology was international in character. And its signifies that most of the products of Honda has arrived with making a difference. Whether it was the CVCC engine in the sixties or the solar powered car of the nineties, they all have in lead in their fields.
The Honda has kept emerged in motor sports, from where his engineers learnt to accomplish more than they ever dreamed possible within limited amounts of time. They become quicker at responding to the technological challenges that arise in the commercial world. For the purpose the company has invested millions of dollars in building two world-class racing circuits.

In the matter of innovation Honda is achieved in the development of the world's first humanoid robot. Christened ASIMO, it is designed on the presumption that if a robot could walk like a human on two legs, it may be able to work like one. Honda is also taking to the skies with its very own aircraft technology. It took a 30-man team only six years to develop a prototype. Typical of Honda, the project leader was not quite 30 years of age when the experimental aircraft was first unveiled in 1993. Together, these diverse ideas prove the one central maxim that is dear to everyone at Honda - Challenging the Limits.

HondaJet is an advanced light jet with revolutionary technology and design attributes that help it achieve far better fuel efficiency achieving its limit of 43,000 feet , (420knot), more available cabin and luggage space, and higher cruise speed of 778km/h than conventional aircraft in its class.

Not surprisingly, millions of people worldwide often respond to Honda's spirit of innovation with a sense of delight and amazement. Honda's obsession for technology that continuously improves upon the performance and safety of all Honda vehicles is what sets it apart from other names in the car industry.

Honda jazz, a Car to your life, which is the melody that flows in the veins of Honda’s youngest one. When it was first launched in Japan and has swept automotive awards across the world including the "Japan Car of the Year 2008". Topping the list is the most recent ‘Japan car of the year’ award, which the new Jazz won in the year 2007-2008. 10 Best by Car and Driver (USA) won in the year 2007. You can share the global recognition the Jazz has received till date with a Honda Jazz.

Concept Car : Hyundai Nuvis 2010

Hyundai Nuvis Concept makes its world debut at the 2009 New York Auto Show. The Nuvis is the eleventh signature concept car to be designed at the Hyundai's California Design Centre.

Source: Hyundai

Concept Car : 2010 Pontiac G8 ST

The 2010 Pontiac G8 ST concept car in the picture looks remarkable. Is it a Sedan? Is it a light truck? Is it both? Whatever it is, it’s ready for SEMA. We’re going to see it later down the road, read 2009, in various dealerships too.

Here are some of the features this G8 ST will include:

• Liquid Hot exterior color with enhanced clear coat
• Lowered ride height
• Custom 20-inch wheels
• Leather-trimmed seats with red inserts
• G8 GXP steering wheel with red inserts
• G8 GXP shift knob with red inserts
• Custom interior trim kit (proposed GM Accessories part)
• Hard tonneau cover (proposed GM Accessories part)
• 6.0L small-block V-8
• 361 horsepower (269 kW)
• 385 lb.-ft. of torque (522 Nm)
• Active Fuel Management technology
• Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic.

Concept Car : AUDI A1 2010

According to Autocar, a leaked Audi document has revealed that its baby A1 will be available in less than two years time.

Expected to go on sale in March 2010, were hoping it’ll look pretty similar to Audi’s funky Metroproject Quattro Concept, although it is expected to be more compact; think along the lines of its competitors – the MINI & Fiat 500.

Powerplants will include a (what’s the point?) 86bhp 1.2L, a 122bhp 1.4L and a 170bhp turbocharged unit. Diesel fans will be given a choice of 1.6L or 2.0L oil-burner.

[Source: Autocar]

Concept Car : Bugatti Royale

Bugatti has stated that it is not going anywhere, and that there be an entry-level model. (Never mind the fact that an “entry level” Bugatti could still cost $800,000.) What they haven’t stated is what kind of model it will be, except to say that it will remain the best of the best.

We aren’t sure who’s responsible for the rendering above, but if Bugatti were to go the sedan/limo route, this is one person’s idea of a new Bugatti Royale. From this angle, we are definitely in. It’s a car in which we could see going very fast, very comfortably, on our way to Biarritz with three of those damsels we met at the craps table in Monaco.

From the rear, however… well, things go less… winningly. We can understand the concept of a shooting brake — but a Bugatti Royale Wagon? Looking at that elegantly sloping expanse just makes us want to go shopping. Very quickly, still, and for very expensive stuff… but shopping nonetheless.

Concept Car : Jaguar CXC Coupe 2010

Designer Phillip Dean designed the new Jaguar C-XC concept, a coupe that is trying to keep the brand at the same time minimizing environmental impact.

As green designs go, tthe Jaguar C-XC cell is powered by hydrogen fuel, with unit mounted in the neighborhood. Improved aerodynamics are covered by means of wheels and a touch of glass on the body at the new Jaguar C-XC.

Flying Car Successfully Testes - Luxury cheap car

Flying Car Successfully Launched - Luxury cheap car

Its already huge traffic Jam on the roads, its better we have Flying car. The Flying car call name called as Transition Roadable Aircraft.

Brainchild of the US firm Terrafugia, it was showcased at an experimental aircraft as reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

And the price of Flying Car is 200,000dollars.

Concept Car : Suzuki is Going to Unveil the Kizashi

Next month Suzuki is going to unveil a new mid-level sedan concept car labeled the Kizashi. A production version of the sedan is expected to be released by 2010.

Suzuki released this official sketch of the car. Too bad the production version will look nothing like this. Currently Suzuki only has small budget vehicles and SUVs, but if this model is successful it could lead to more upmarket models.

Full Story: Autoblog

Concept Car : LOTUS EUROPA i6 MID 2010

This is a concept from South African designer Idries Noah the Lotus Europa i6 which looks a bit like the Elise/ Exige.
The Europa i6 concept study is a mid-engined, rear wheel drive sports car inspired in terms of design by the classic Europa and Elite as well as by the latest Lotus models. The independent designer supports that ideally, the Europa i6 would weigh in at about 2,030 lbs (920 kg) with power coming from a 2.0-liter supercharged inline six-cylinder engine.
In theory, he says that the sports car would sprint from zero to 100 km/h (62mph) in 7 seconds and on to a top speed of 165 mph or 265 km/h. Leaving aside the theoretical technical specs, Idries’ take on a compact mid-engined Lotus sports coupe hits the spot. Too bad it exists only in the digital world.
“I really liked the old classic Europa with the high rear section. It had character. The latest version looks very similar to the Elise/ Exige, not quite Europa. I decided to give it my own take. Inspired by classic Lotus cars, Europa and Elite. Also taking some current Lotus trends into consideration. It’s called the 2010 Europa i6.” Idries Noah said.

Concept Car : Nickey Chicago

My friends at Nickey Chicago will build me this car.... someday.

Concept Car : Dodge Demon 2010

The Dodge Demon Concept is a “compact, nimble ‘roadster with attitude’” and “an attainable dream car,” according to its maker. To us, it was Chrysler’s answer to the Honda S2000, Mazda MX-5, Pontiac Solstice, and Saturn Sky. In early 2008, Chrysler announced the production version will use a front-wheel-drive chassis sourced from Chinese automaker Chery, so the Demon’s sporting pretensions may be in question.

As you’ve probably heard, former owner Mercedes-Benz sold a majority in Chrysler to Cerberus Capital Management. So it is not a complete surprise that the Demon’s mission may have changed along with ownership of the company. Assuming a best-case outcome, the general view is that your local Dodge Boys could be selling Demons by model-year 2010.

The 2010 Dodge Demon bowed in concept-car form at the 2007 Geneva Auto Salon in Switzerland, which observers took as a sign that the Demon would spearhead a major Dodge sales push into overseas markets, where the brand is largely unknown.

Chrysler has lately been trying to increase its non-U.S. business, no surprise given recent sales reverses at home. It’s not hard to imagine the Demon introducing Dodge as a sporty “performance” brand to Europe, as well as to fast-growing markets like China.

The 2010 Dodge Demon would be a “halo” vehicle to spark sales of mainstream fare like the compact Caliber hatchback and Avenger sedan. All of which explains why the Demon concept looks so realistic and producible compared to your average pie-in-the-sky show car.

Styling of the 2010 Dodge Demon borrows cues from the hulking V-10 Dodge Viper and would likely carry over with little change from the Demon concept. Ditto dimensions, which are very close to those of the Pontiac Solstice.

The Dodge Demon Concept used a 172-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed manual transmission. At this point it is unclear if the 2010 Dodge Demon will use an engine that is part of the U.S.-built Global Alliance family shared with Mitsubishi and Hyundai, or an engine sourced from Chery.

The Dodge Demon Concept sported 19-inch wheels, which could be a bit much for a showroom model. Expect 17s to be standard, with 18s optional.

Other concept features would likely survive with little or no alteration. These include the semi-retro cockpit design heavy on brushed-metal trim (or facsimiles); a manual-folding cloth top that hides beneath a hard cover just behind the cockpit; and a stubby rollbar behind each seat to protect occupants in case of a flip.

The rest of the 2010 Dodge Demon package will hinge on marketing decisions based heavily on competitors’ pricing, but standards should include modern must-haves such as antilock disc brakes, traction control, and seat-mounted torso side airbags. We also wouldn’t rule out a turbocharged Demon as a year-two addition with standard stability control, performance-tuned suspension and special trim.

One thing that might be changed is the name, a point missed entirely by press reports we’ve seen. Perhaps the writers are too young to remember, but Dodge used Demon way back in 1971-72 for its version of the popular compact Plymouth Duster, complete with logo decals of a cute little cartoon devil. It was all innocent fun, Dodge thought, but some people thought otherwise and wrote nasty letters, enough that Dodge adopted the prosaic Dart Sport handle. Such are the perils of modern automotive marketing.

Concept Car : BMW RZ-M6

A small independent body styling company, Racer X Design, decided to release some renderings of their BMW RZ-M6 concept based on the popular 6 Series and we believe, on the M1 Hommage also. If you recall, 2003 is remembered by the BMW fans as the year the 6 Series made its comeback as a production car.

Concept Car : BMW M1 supercar 2010

THERE I was packing my swag, grateful for the little shade provided by the Coolibah tree on the edge of the Billabong when my thoughts turned to BMW’s latest concept car. Probably not destined to be the subject of ADL scrutiny there is however an interesting story for which it provided the inspiration.

BMW’s original M1 supercar turns 30 this year and to celebrate the folks from Bavarian Motor Werks revealed their aptly named Hommage concept (pictured above) – clearly a modern day M1 in the making. It caused a stir to say the least, with obvious retro M1 cues and plenty of comic book styling – many applauded but not everyone appreciated the bold styling and crab-like face.