Blog Posts by Clint Thomas

I could hear the distant sound of tyre squeal while paying attention to the safety rules of the Circuit. That reminded me of the fact that the XUV uses a race-bred suspension system tuned by Lotus, a world renowned name in motorsport. That was confidence-boosting enough; I put on the helmet and walked into the third car in the convoy of ten XUVs, sandwiched between a pace car and a sweep car. Abiding by the pit-lane speed limit of 15 kmph, I hit the track and followed the pace car for a lap to get to know the circuit.

Having completed the introductory lap, the cars were slowed



Continental AG has developed a technology that changes the driving dynamics of the car, out of a choice of three pre-configured modes - Comfort, Eco and Sport. The system called 'Simplify Your Drive' enables drivers to exploit their vehicles' full functional potential, rather buy one car and experience many different ones.

Continental has integrated the technology into a Volkswagen Passat. The car doesn't look any different, cosmetically. However, the motor, chassis and suspension settings can be configured to fit any situation on the road. Although many other carmakers offer sport, comfort and eco settings, I must say Continental has the most appealing system so far, thanks to simple yet appealing Human Machine

The pictures suggest introduction of the company's 'fluidic sculpture' to the hatchback. Stylists at Hyundai have modernised the i20 with the company's signature hexagonal grille, new headlamp units, a more contemporary front and rear bumpers and freshly sculpted bonnet and fog lamps.

Although details on the interior are not revealed yet, the same design language should undoubtedly extend to the interior as well.

After the official unveiling at Geneva, the new i20 will soon make it to Indian shores.

When you think Hyundai, the word 'style' pops unbidden to mind. Whether it's an i10, Verna, Sonata or Santa Fe, the company never compromises on style and seamless finish. Underscoring this fact is Eon, the latest offering from the Hyundai stable that is expected on Indian roads in October, priced around 2.5 lakh.

The Eon has a very intricate design accentuated with the fluidic lines we saw on the 2011 Verna. According to Autocar, the wheel arches and shoulder line are so complex that you'd have to go all the way up to a Mercedes-Benz CLS to see anything similar — and that's no overstatement.

Generally, A-segment cars disappoint on the interior. But Eon, unlike any other in the segment, gets a neatly finished and spacious interior.  Also on offer are USB-supported music system, remote locking and even tiltable steering.The Eon will be powered by an 814cc IRDE petrol engine developing 56bhp, which is definitely zippy on a car that weighs at 715-795kg. To add joy, Hyundai is claiming

The scenic, boulder-strewn seaside village of Mahabalipuram was the backdrop for a firsthand experience of Sunny, Nissan’s premium sedan for India. Home to cave temples, sculptures and monolithic carvings, Mahabalipuram stands testament to the architectural excellence of the Pallava dynasty. Like the sculptures of Mahabalipuram, the Sunny catches the eye with well-sculpted exterior; every line is carved to perfection.

Attractive and sleek, featuring Nissan’s signature grille and jewel-like headlamps, the Sunny displays a pronounced high running beltline that slopes from the headlamps, with the roof inclined elegantly to the rear, giving it the appeal of a coupé. Out back, the trunk offers a healthy 490 litres of luggage room but doesn’t look bulky at all. Thanks to the flowing lines and tail lamps that sweep back into the rear fender, you might even mistake it for the luxury model Teana at a quick glance.

Inside, the Sunny’s USP is space, especially in the backseat. You can cross your

Read it -- Tata Vista. The Indica badge at the car’s rear has shrunk. So has its Indica-ness. The car’s first major makeover in three years is Tata’s clear attempt to get deep into the premium hatchback segment and make it a popular choice among those who hesitate to proudly say, ‘I drive a Tata Indica’.

Styling

The new Vista shares its front fascia with its elder sibling Manza. The chrome grille and larger triple barreled head lamps make its face more belligerent – and upmarket. The chrome lines that extend to the C-Pillar don’t go all the way to the rear. Instead, there’s a mirror-polished black garnishing below the rear windshield; a chrome variant of the same would have looked better there.

The interior is where the new Vista makes the real difference. Available in four trims, the car offers integrated six-speaker music system with steering-mounted audio controls, USB support and Bluetooth connectivity on all but the base variant. Steering-mounted controls on the lower variants –