BMW’s Vision? This is it!

The Mission? To get it to production!

Well, I did hence this post. I remembered I first saw this cute car in my FFO friend’s post, saying, it is supposed to be launched in India for Rs 130,000 or US$ 2,300 or DHS 12,000. Renault Yeni was supposed to compete with some budget cars already cruising the streets of India. If it did pushed through, India will no longer be commuting on bikes!

2010 is almost half through but the automobile industry has so much in store for all of us. From world-class automakers like Mercedes Benz to custom fast cars manufacturers Bertone and Weismann, the year is still young. In fact, here are some of the best auto models yet to hit the display rooms:

Following Saab’s independence from General Motors, it is rumored to share parts with BMW. Although it is not yet confirmed, but two insiders have unveiled the idea that BMW is considering to provide engines, transmissions, and platforms to Saab. These parts will be used in the production of the tear drop shaped Saab 92 that went to production way back in 1949 and 1956. This is seen to be the response of the automaker to the growing small cars market around the world.

Victor Muller, Spyker CEO and new owner of the marquee, told Bloomberg that the concept of sharing technologies will lower their production costs. In fact, they are looking at alliance to various parties and did not single out BMW.

BMW spokesman, when asked, said that there is no standing contract at the moment with Saab.

More on the story at Auto News

Owning Mercedes Benz these days means you have the ‘bucks’ and the guts. Did you know that in the old days, they are not as ‘cool’ as they look today? These expensive, grand imported cars were once simple carriages with motors.

I’m meant to persuade you so I included the history of the automobile marquee. Here it is:

Paint perfect! That is the Trident Iceni Sports car, and is bettered with its topnotch specifications: a biodiesel engine that can generate 550 bhp and 950 lb-ft torque! In 3.7 seconds, this cool car sprints to its first 60 miles per hour speed that actually reaches a massive 200 miles per hour!

Too impressive for a 2-seater car, we might as well play some numbers to extract the facts. With the figures above, it is clear that Iceni can go for 70 miles per gallon or 108 miles per gallon at 30 miles per hour. Now that is besides the total of 2000 uninterrupted miles for a full tank. Now, that’s remarkable and worth the dime…

898 horsepower and 811 pound-feet at 5100 rpm, Koenigsegg Agera is definitely among the greatest cars ever heard. Those figures are expected to make a top speed of more than 390 kilometers per hour. This car is also tested to achieve its first 100 kilometers per hour speed in just 3.1 seconds and 200 kilometers per hour in 8.9 seconds. This sleek car sports a 4.7-liter V8.

The curvaceous Koenigsegg Agera will be the next collectors’ item in the industry with just 20 units to be built each year. Suggested retail and the prevailing prices are yet to be revealed.

Even the giants in the automotive industry are going gaga for the production of small cars. This time, it is the General Motors (GM) producing small cars to meet the growing demands of practical commuted. And they are expanding! From the United States, GM has expanded its territories. Recently, their small cars and even the newest Beat have already invaded the streets of India. This cute but able commute is available in 1.2-litre and 1.4-litre petrol engines, generating 75 bhp; and 1-litre and 1.3-litre diesel engines. The Beat is priced at Rs 4 to 5 lakhs.

Coming in India as a fully built import is the Volkswagen Phaeton. It is one of the maker’s high-end luxury cars, featuring more improved engine and transmission units. Choices in V6, V10, or V12 engine configurations as well as 4.2-liter and 6.0-liter are expected. The unit is expected to boast of its luxurious interiors and was proven for the first time when it came out in the market last Mach 2010. The Phaeton is priced at Rs 58 lakh

India gets the lead on small, economy automobiles huh? Here is a more interesting car already careening the streets of Indians, the Maruti Suzuki Kizashi. The crossover sports sedan, which was out in the market last January 2010, is available in two variants: the 2-liter turbo diesel and four-valve turbo-fired two-liter petrol. These engines will mate with a 6-speed transmission. Both variants will careen the streets with 21 inches alloy wheels.

Although first seen in the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2007 as a concept car, its entry to the Indian market last January sets the start of Maruti Suzuki India in the D segment of automobiles.