2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid

Back in the fading years of the earlier millennium, the Toyota Prius was born, becoming the 1st Toyota hybrid. Since then, of course, many other Toyota and Lexus hybrids have hit the roads, as have many from nearly every other automaker. But it’s the Prius—thanks to distinct styling and industry-leading fuel economy—that remains the unofficial green mobile for Toyota and the world.

Naturally, then, the Prius is set to become the 1st Toyota to make the next big leap in fuel effectiveness for 2012 by going plug-in with the new Prius PHV, or “plug-in hybrid vehicle.” And since 2012 is a long way off—in our impatient minds, at least—we jumped at the chance to drive one of the 150 powder-blue preproduction Prius PHVs bound for the U.S. in 2010. All are part of Toyota’s Prius PHV pilot program that places these vehicles with various utilities and government agencies to gather data on vehicle performance.

So how exactly does it differ? Other than silver paint on the mirrors, door handles, and tailgate, the blue-and-white “PLUG-IN HYBRID” lower door decals, and a cutout in the left front fender that houses the plug, there are no visible distinctions between the regular Prius and the PHV. Ditto the interior, where a few PHV-specific info displays and a slightly raised cargo floor for the PHV’s larger battery pack represent the only notable changes.

The Prius PHV doesn’t differ much from the regular Prius from a dynamic standpoint, either. No surprise, really. The Prius PHV is essentially just a Prius whose nickel-metal hydride battery pack has been swapped for a far pricier, far heavier, and far more potent lithium-ion pack. (How potent is unclear, as Toyota won’t tell us how much it improves on the regular car’s 1.3-kWh capacity.) The new batteries can be fully charged in three hours from a simple household 110-volt outlet or an hour and a half from a 220-volt plug. The battery swap allows for more miles on electricity alone and a commensurate boost in real-world fuel economy.

And so the parallel-hybrid powertrain design, the squishy suspension setup, and the puny 15-inch wheels remain, giving the PHV the same lackluster driving characteristics as its non-plug-in sibling. That includes the way-overboosted electric power steering and a brake pedal that has yet to deliver anything close to accuracy.

Going Farther, Faster on Electrons

The most palpable difference between the standard and PHV Priuses, then, is how a judicious right foot can direct the PHV to achieve and maintain speeds of up to 62 mph using electricity alone. Like a regular Prius, though, the PHV will fire up its internal-combustion engine if you’re not careful. The PHV’s threshold is slightly higher than the regular car’s, but anything more than genteel pressure on the go pedal—say, as might be required to enter the freeway or accelerate up a slight hill—and the 98-hp, 1.8-liter four-cylinder stirs with a decidedly unsexy moan.

Thanks: http://www.caranddriver.com

TVS launches 2012 Star City

TVS Motors has initiate the 2012 edition of its well-known 110cc bike, Star City at a starting worth of Rs.38,650 (Ex-Delhi/INDIA). The upgraded Star City now looks more stylish holding supervisory segment features like an all-new stylish headlamp and the dual tone body colours. The bike also gets clear indicators and also will be offered in six new colour combinations. The new dual tone graphics of the bike includes Gold Spark, Red Blaze, Bold Blue, Electric Green, Crimson Flash and Silver Strike.

The engine of this new bike uses the company’s CVTi knowledge for offering superior pickup and also to improve the performance of the bike. The dominant engine of the new Star City will offer a remarkable ARAI mileage of 83.9kmpl. The other styling factors of the bike include an all black alloy wheels and a comprehensive backlit speedometer. The bike also gets an econometer for ensuring optimal mileage and high performance shock absorbers which offers lofty quality ride handling and easy maneuverability.

Regarding the fresh Star City, Mr.H.S Goindi, TVS Motor Company’s President–Marketing commented that this new motorcycle is a winning combination of executive class facial appearance and vibrant styling. The backing of high fuel competence and toughness will make TVS Star City a much sought after motorcycle.

Thanks: http://www.vicky.in/straightfrmtheheart

Nissan’s truly spacious Sunny

Nissan Sunny

“Caarr” is absolutely stretching the tip but the Nissan Sunny is surely the roomiest saloon in its price range. It may only be a centimeter longer than the Tata Indigo Manza but has an eight cm longer wheelbase to give it valuable extra inner space. It is also 14.5 cm taller so there is a much greater feeling of space. As the little Dutch boy, with his finger in the dyke, might have said a few centimeters can make a huge difference.

As a late entry into the Indian market, Nissan has had to go the extra mile with better products and better prices to get customer attention in a fiercely competitive market. In size it compares with formidable brands like the Honda City, Hyundai Verna, Ford Fiesta Fiat Linea, Maruti SX4, Skoda Rapid and Toyota Etios. As Japan’s third largest car company and the world’s eighth largest it is pulling out all the stops to also make a mark in India.

It offers two excellent 1500cc petrol and diesel engines offering 99 and 86 HP respectively. Although these engines are the same as are fitted to the Nissan Micra hatchback they are big enough to give a big car feel with outstanding fuel consumption of 17 and 21 kmpl respectively under ARAI test conditions.

This will translate into roughly 13 and 15 kmpl under normal driving conditions. Although the peak HP is not too great both engines have good torque to provide good pickup and smooth acceleration even from low engine speeds. With its effort to look and feel big the looks are undoubtedly a bit bulky and the big heavily chromed grille is very much in your face. It looks a bit bold for some but has a look that cannot be missed on the street.

Thanks : http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/lifestyle

Five-door up! joins Volkswagen’s new family of ultra-compact city cars

Volkswagen has exposed the newest addition to its "New Small Family" series of ultra-compact city vehicles based on the first Volkswagen up! Concept car that debuted at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Since then we've seen plentiful up! Concept cars such as the up! Lite, the E-up! And the Space up!, and even before the production launch of the three-door up!, which hit showrooms last December, Volkswagen had already hinted a five-door model was in the works.

Now the company has revealed that this new addition will be available in Germany from May and the rest of Europe by mid-year.

Volkswagen recalls 300,000 diesel engined vehicles

Volkswagen on Monday (16/Jan/2012) said a recall of cars prepared with a 2 litre diesel engine would now involve 300,000 vehicles.

The explanation for recalling the vehicles was potentially leaking fuel lines to the fuel injector system, Volkswagen said.

In October Volkswagen's American division said it was recalling 168,275 Golf, Jetta and Audi A3 cars in the United States for possible fuel leaks that could lead to an engine fire, according to U.S. safety regulators.

According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) website, an injector line could develop small cracks that could lead to fuel leakage under certain conditions.

At the time, VW told the NHTSA it was not aware of any fires, crashes or injuries related to the issue.

VW will install an improved fuel injector line and vibration dampers, according to the NHTSA documents.

Thanks: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com

Hydrogen-powered 3-wheeler at expo

The world's 1st hydrogen-powered 3-wheeler, 'HyAlfa', was showcased at the Auto Expo . Part of a growth project dubbed 'DelHy 3w', a fleet of 15 HyAlfa 3-wheelers will run on an experimental basis at Pragati Maidan, where a hydrogen refuelling station has also been set up.

India Trade Organisation Promotion ( ITPO) will use the vehicles on an investigational basis. The HyAlfa has been developed under a joint project by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation ( UNIDO) International Centre for Hydrogen Energy Technologies ( ICHET), Mahindra & Mahindra and IIT-Delhi, with support from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. "The aim of this project is to convert vehicles so that they can carry and use hydrogen - a carbon-free fuel - and thus remove all pollutants," Mahindra & Mahindra president (automotive) Pawan Goenka said.

He said the vehicle is not yet ready for commercial production and further fine-tuning will be required before moving in that direction. "Moreover, we also have to look at commercial viability of running a hydrogen-powered three-wheeler as the cost of hydrogen will be around Rs 250 per kg, which is not affordable at all," he said.

Thanks: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business