Fiat Grande Punto Car Pictures @ Rs 3.99-6.11 lakh

New Delhi: Italian car major Fiat on Wednesday launched its much-awaited premium small car Grande Punto in both petrol and diesel variants in the Indian market, priced between Rs 3.99 lakh and Rs 6.11 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

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The launch of Grande Punto marks a new milestone for Fiat in India as we bring the quintessentially Italian designs to Indian shores,' Fiat India Automobiles Ltd (FIAL) Chief Executive Officer Rajeev Kapoor told reporters here.

The company believes that the small-car segment is under-tapped and customers are increasingly looking forward to international brands on Indian roads, he added.

Grande Punto, which was first launched in the European market in 2005, would be rolled out from the company's plant at Ranjangaon in Maharashtra in four variants each in both petrol (1.2 litre an 1.4 litre) and diesel modes (1.3 litre).

The petrol variants would cost Rs 3.99-5.61 lakh, while the diesel cars would be offered at Rs 4.85-6.11 lakh.

FIAL, a 50:50 joint venture between Italy-based Fiat SpA and domestic auto major Tata Motors, plans to position the car in the premium hatchback segment along with Maruti Suzuki's Ritz, Hyundai's i20, Skoda's Fabia and Honda Siel's Jazz.

The company said Grande Punto would be retailed through over 100 Tata-Fiat dealers network across the country.

The company's Ranjangaon facility has a production capacity of two lakh cars and three lakh engines per annum. It produces Palio Stile and Linea from the plant.

2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage | Review | Photos | Videos | Price | Safety | Reliability

First Drive Review: 2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage

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Cologne, Germany — For sports and grand touring cars, often the manufacturers' marketing centers on its racing heritage or the intense attention to the racetrack-tuned development process. But rarely, if ever, does a company CEO talk up his newest sporty car one day and then jump into a similary equipped machine the next day and go racing, and for 24 hours to boot!

Well, that's exactly what happened for Dr. Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin. At a small gathering just days before the famed 24 Hours of Nürburgring enduro in Germany, Dr. Bez talked about the improved 2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage and shared his enthusiasm for racing the Vantage N24 in the classic German endurance event. In fact, Dr. Bez — after celebrating the Aston Martin's class 1-2-3 podium sweep — probably drove his own Vantage (parked all weekend in the paddock) back to the office on Monday.

As the Aston Martin V8 Vantage N24 (named for Nürburgring 24 Hours) teams were busily preparing for the race, we had a chance to sample the new 2009 road-going model in nearby Cologne on the Autobahn and some twisty roads. The baby Aston retains the same beautiful exterior styling as before, but now it comes equipped with technical improvements that make the driving experience much more exciting.

First on the upgrade list is the V-8 engine. The new 4.7-liter powerplant (up from 4.3) is rated at 420 bhp and 347 lb.-ft. of torque. All this is made possible by bore and stroke increases, intake manifold changes, and new forged steel crankshaft, connecting rods and cast-aluminum pistons. To ensure proper lubrication under extreme cornering conditions, the oil pick-up points have been moved from the ends to the sides of the sump. According to the factory, the new engine has increased fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions (by 13 percent fitted with the Sportshift automatic transmission).

Other welcome changes to the V8 Vantage are driveability improvements to the 6-speed manual and the optional Sportshift transmissions. For the manual, the clutch pedal effort and rotating mass are reduced to ease gear engagement and bolster engine response. For the automatic, a dual throttle map is available in Comfort and Sport modes to accommodate those who wish to cruise at a relaxed pace, or aggressively attack winding mountain roads. These transmission modifications may seem minor, but when you are driving the Vantage, the added precision in gearchanges and the readily available power on tap turn the baby Aston into a serious sporting machine.

To keep up with the added power, the Vantage's suspension has been stiffened, and the steering geometry tightened to improve response and handling. Bilstein shocks are now standard on the Coupe and Roadster. A Sports Pack is available for more spirited driving dynamics; it includes forged lightweight alloy wheels, retuned shocks, up-rated springs and a revised anti-roll bar (Coupe only). There are noticeable differences between the standard suspension fitment and the Sports Pack. On turn-in, the sportier Vantage with stiffer springs and shocks holds the line better with minimal roll, while the standard model's rear tends to lean a bit more. Overall, the new Vantage exhibits tighter steering feel combined with crisper and smoother cornering abilities.

While the Vantage's exterior is little changed, the car's interior gets a new center console made with cast zinc alloy wrapped in a graphite silver finish. The ignition key, which Aston calls the ECU, or the Emotional Control Unit, is constructed with glass, polished stainless steel and polycarbonate. To turn the car on, slide the ECU into a slot on the upper part of the center console. Push it in and the light turns from red to green to signal the car is ready.

The 2009 V8 Vantage should be in showrooms even as I write this, with a manufacturer's suggested retail price about 5 percent over last year's, which puts the Coupe's sticker starting at around $120,000.

Basic Results: (vs. sports cars)

Retail Price (MSRP): $119,500 (average: $52,630)

Horsepower: 420 hp. (average: 308.64 hp.)

Power to Weight Ratio: 8 lb/hp (average: 11.04 lb/hp)

Standout Results: (vs. sports cars)

Front Legroom: 44 in. (average: 42.69 in.)

Fuel Capacity: 21.1 gallons (average: 16.23 gallons)

Fuel Economy (Highway): 19 mpg. (average: 24.72 mpg.)

Fuel Economy (City): 12 mpg. (average: 17.37 mpg.)

Pricing (more)
	Coupe	Roadster
Base Retail Price (MSRP)	$119,500	$132,500
Base Invoice Price	N/A	N/A
Destination Charge	N/A	N/A
Engines & Power (more)
	Coupe	Roadster
Standard Engine	4.7L 420 hp V8	4.7L 420 hp V8
Horsepower	420 @ 7300 RPM	420 @ 7300 RPM
Torque (lb-ft)	346 @ 5000 RPM	346 @ 5000 RPM
Transmissions (more)
	Coupe	Roadster
6-Speed Manual Overdrive	Std.	Std.
Fuel Economy (more)
	Coupe	Roadster
City (mpg)	12	12
Highway (mpg)	19	19
MSN sponsors

Comfort & Convenience (more)
	Coupe	Roadster
Sunroof	N/A	N/A
Air Conditioning	Std.	Std.
Power Windows	Std.	Std.
Power Door Locks	Std.	Std.
Leather Seats	Std.	Std.
Power Seats	Std.	Std.
Max. Seating	2	2
Number of Doors	2	2
Entertainment (more)
	Coupe	Roadster
Cassette Player	N/A	N/A
CD Player	Std.	Std.
Nav. System	Opt.	Opt.
Safety (more)
	Coupe	Roadster
Airbags	Driver Passenger Side	Driver Passenger Side
ABS Brakes	Std.	Std.
Traction Control	Std.	Std.
Stability Control	Std.	Std.
Final Assembly
	Coupe	Roadster
Location	Great Britain Germany	Great Britain Germany

Model Warranty

	Coupe	Roadster
Basic (mo.)	36	36
Basic (mi.)	Unlimited	Unlimited
Powertrain (mo.)	36	36
Powertrain (mi.)	Unlimited	Unlimited
Rust (mo.)	120	120
Rust (mi.)	Unlimited	Unlimited

Safety Features & Specs

There is no crash test data available for this vehicle at this time.

When available, MSN Autos displays crash test data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Tata Indica Vista 2009 Review

Tata Indica Vista

Price Range : 349398.00 - 499661.00

Consumer Car Reviews
	Performance	7.0 out of 10
	Comfort	7.2 out of 10
	Fuel Economy	6.4 out of 10
	Fun to Drive	6.6 out of 10
	Interior Design	7.0 out of 10
	Exterior Design	7.6 out of 10
	Build Quality	6.6 out of 10
	Reliability	6.8 out of 10

2009 Toyota Corolla review

MSRP Price Range:	$15,350 - $20,050
Invoice Price Range:	$14,198 - $18,144
Price With Options:	8 Trims Available

Review: 2009 Toyota Corolla

General Pictures

Bottom Line:

With five well-appointed trims, the all-new Corolla delivers satisfying affordability.

Pros:

• Excellent outward visibility
• Powerful yet quiet 2.4-liter engine
• Fit and finish
• Available navigation system

Cons:

• Only XRS gets rear disc brakes
• No coupe offered
• Flat bucket seats in base models

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The Corolla was Toyota's trailblazer when it led the then-fledgling carmaker to the shores of America in 1968. In an era of Detroit muscle, the economy-minded Corolla secured a beachhead for Toyota. Now in its 40th year on Toyota's roster, the all-new 2009 model is the 10th generation of the pioneering Corolla. The formula that gave it its staying power in the '60s, namely reliability, efficiency, comfort and affordability, is alive and well in the 21st century.

Tenth-Gen Updates
The new Corolla is the first to shed the "entry level" badge, since it's now a middle step between the Yaris and the company's best-selling Camry. Though the previous-generation car did exorcise some of its econobox demons when it came to market in 2003, designers knew styling would be key to the Corolla fulfilling its new role.

Unfortunately, for a clean-sheet design, the new Corolla looks too much like the old model, and is nowhere near as brave as the Honda Civic and Mazda3 designs it will be squaring off against.

The Corolla is available only as a four-door sedan in five different trims: Standard, LE, XLE, S and XRS. The new body was drawn up with a lower profile and a sleeker look, featuring more angular A- and C-pillars. A wider track delivers improved aerodynamics and stability, and increases interior volume. The up-model S and XRS add sporty appeal with a more aggressive front bumper treatment, integrated fog lights, a lip spoiler, side skirts and an upgraded rear fascia.

The driveline-engineers also got to flex their muscles. The 2009 Corolla is offered with two powerplant possibilities: an all-new 132-horsepower 1.8-liter four cylinder, and a 158-horsepower four that displaces 2.4 liters. These engines are also available in the Matrix and various offerings from the Scion brand. In the Corolla, Standard, LE and XLE versions are powered by the 1.8-liter unit with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.

The S and XRS trims back up their bark with the bigger 2.4-liter engine that can be coupled with a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic gearbox, the latter a first in the Corolla lineup. The 2.4-liter is optional on S trims and standard on the XRS.

Creature Comforts
The quality of the interior materials and the car's overall fit and finish are excellent. The roomy interior features a highly configurable center console, a tilt/telescopic steering wheel with optional audio controls, a 60/40 split-folding rear seating, an optional no-nonsense navigation system, an optional JBL sound system, a bright white gauge cluster and more storage possibilities than a bank vault.

On the safety front, the 2009 Corolla features six strategically placed airbags, and an innovative active front-seat head restraint system that provides additional whiplash protection. Other safety features include a tire-pressure-monitoring system, available traction control, anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution, and "Brake Assist" for emergency situations.

On the Road
Behind the wheel, the new Corolla feels far more upscale than previous models. The driving position and outward visibility are immediately noticeable, although the standard seats are a bit flat. The sport seats in the XRS should be standard issue in all Corollas. Unless you only listen to AM talk radio, we highly recommended the optional JBL audio system. The functionality and the overall quietness of the cabin at speed put the Corolla at the top of its segment.

The new engines are excellent companions. The XRS was the most engaging model with its 158 horsepower, manual transmission and 17-inch low-profile tires. When pushed, the now two-inch wider front track and 2.9-inch wider rear track provide a more solid foundation and smoother transitions for sharp cornering. Steering feedback is adequate, and the XRS is responsive as long as the engine is kept in the wide portion of its powerband.

The sporty S and XRS models are not pocket rockets, but they are also far beyond the "basic transportation" umbrella that the Corolla has lived under much of its four decades on the road. The Corolla's five different trims ensure that penny pinchers yearning only for Toyota's reliability and fuel economy can choose a more pedestrian trim, while the more fashion conscious or power hungry can land a Corolla that makes a more opinionated statement.

Although Toyota has sold 30 million Corollas worldwide, the 2009 redesign is a critical juncture for the car because Toyota research indicates that one out of every three Corolla buyers moves up into another Toyota. This segment is heating up with plenty of quality, well-targeted products such as the Honda Civic, Mazda3 and the all-new Ford Focus.

Pricing is expected to remain in the same neighborhood as the outgoing model, and the all-new 2009 Corollas is scheduled to roll into showrooms on February 11, 2008.

Evan Griffey served as an editor of Turbo & High Tech Performance, a pioneering publication about sport-compact tuning. Today Griffey freelances for Import Tuner, Sport Compact Car, Car Audio and Siphon.