How to Choose a Car Insurance Company?

Investing on a brand new car and have not thought about car insurance! Sounds unbelievable, isn't it? Car insurance is very important for a car and hence the choice in looking for a car insurance company needs to be made very carefully. There are varied factors that should be kept in mind while choosing a car insurance company. From prompt customer service, online facilities to the reputation of the car insurance companies, there are various factors that can be the driving force behind choosing a particular car insurance company. Wanna know more standard factors for choosing a car insurance firm? Read here for more information.

Top 5 Upcoming SUVs in India

Gone are the days when sport utility vehicles or SUVs used be a rich man's passion and a poor man's fantasy. Now with economic buoyancy almost every middle-class elite Indian can afford a SUV in India. The domestic auto market is flooded with several new launches in the utility vehicle segment, and every automaker, both Indian as well as foreign, is trying to grab a pie of it. Following are the top 5 upcoming SUVs that are going to make debut in India in the year 2010:

Skoda Yeti

Skoda Yeti: Thought to be the missing link between Octavia and Fabia in India, Skoda Yeti is going to be the first crossover from the Czech manufacturer to hit Indian roads.

It will come in a 140 bhp 2.0L common-rail diesel and a 103 bhp 1.2- liter petrol engine. The SUV in India will also get the 4X4 transmission as standard.

Tata Indicruz : This much-awaited sports utility vehicle is a Tata crossover based on a brand new technology platform with a generous wheelbase of 2750 mm. It will carry a 2.1-liter Dicor engine that can generate a power of 140 bhp and a maximum torque of 320 Nm. This new SUV in India has highly sophisticated interiors and comfort features that are synonymous with all Tata vehicles.

Hyundai Santa Fe

Hyundai Santa Fe- Cars and sedans from Hyundai have always been quite successful in Indian subcontinent. Now, the ace Korean car maker is gearing up to introduce the Santa FE to Indian automobile market by mid-2010. A crossover SUV based on the Sonata platform, Santa Fe will be powered by a 2.2-liter diesel powerplant mated to a high definition 5-speed manual gearbox. This upcoming SUV model is expected to give Chevrolet Captiva, Honda CR-V and the recently launched Nissan X-Trail a tough time ahead.

Volkswagen Tiguan

Here comes another compact crossover SUV for Indian car lovers. Based on the A5 (PQ35) platform of the Mk V Golf, Volkswagen Tiguan will be available in two body styles and three specification levels: Tiguan Sport & Style, Tiguan Trend & Fun, and Tiguan Track & Field.

Volvo XC60

A “soft-roader” to be, this stylish SUV from the Swedish car maker Volvo will give BMW X3 and the Audi Q5 a tough competition in the years to come.

Top 5 Indian Cars to Hit Small Car Segment in 2010

Indian cars have been making news for quite some time now. The domestic small car segment, especially, is buzzing with the launch of a fleet of new car models. In the year 2010, many small cars manufactured by both Indian and foreign car makers are going to make debut in the Indian auto market. Following are the top 5 upcoming Indian cars in the small car segment that car lovers in India can look forward to:

Chevrolet Spark 800

Positioned below its elder sibling (also the bigger one in terms of engine capacity) the Spark, the new Chevrolet Spark 800 is expected to come with a lower price tag. Powered with a 800cc engine, this new entrant amongst Indian cars is said to be swanked with rich features to match the exquisite design and style of the existing Spark model.

Maruti Suzuki Cervo

Maruti Suzuki has gifted many versatile Indian cars to the car lovers in India. This time it is set to launch Cervo, the new small wonder of Indian car industry. Maruti Cervo, which is said to be arriving with a Suzuki 660cc engine competent of generating about 60 bhp speed, will give Tata Nano and the upcoming low-priced cars from Hyundai and Nissan, a tough time ahead.

Fiat Bravo

Hatchbacks are not uncommon in Indian cars, but as it is claimed by the Italian car maker, Fiat, the Bravo is going to be different. The small family car will be available in both petrol and diesel variants, and will enthrall car lovers with its sleek appealing exterior and sharply rising waistline. The most striking feature of Fiat Bravo is its suppressed noise levels- both wind and engine originated, which is sure to give a relaxed driving experience to all.


Nissan Pixo

Surging fuel prices and greenhouse emissions have become a curse to Indian automobile industry. All upcoming Indian cars are being designed keeping these problems in mind. Same is applicable for Nissan Pixo, which comes with a 1.0-litre fuel efficient engine competent of expelling low carbon dioxide emission.

Mini Cooper

Premium Indian cars in the small car segment have been in great demand for the last few years. Now, the all New Mini Cooper from is ready to hit the market. The small car from British Automotive Brand's stable (owned by BMW) is positioned to give the Beetle and the Fiat 500 a tough competition. It will be available in 3 variants: Mini One, Cooper, and Cooper S.

Audi Introduces R8 GT – The Fastest Road-Going Supercar

Weight loss + power gain = lightning pace is the new equation for the recently unveiled Audi R8 GT. After the phenomenal launch of Audi R8 in 2006, Audi R8 GT is now here to enthrall car lovers across the world with a fantastic blend of functionality and everyday practicality.

The all new GT version of Audi R8 has shed loads of weight. It is lighter than the previous version by 100 kg, and at 1,525kg, offers a better road performance with 552bhp and 398lb/ft of torque. The V10 engine configuration is capable of producing an amazing speed of up to 320 kph, and an acceleration of up to 0-100 kph in 3.6 seconds. No wonder, it is said the fastest road-going Audi ever! The supercar also boasts of a state-of-the-art R-Tronic sequential manual transmission.

Coming to the bodywork, Audi engineers has left no stone unturned to make this V10 powered coupe look stunning. They have put in some top-class sinister touches to it, and added the new carbon fiber ‘sideblades’, carbon-fibre splitter, and customary rear diffuser to rightfully set it class apart. Revamped side air ducts, smaller mirrors, and a superbly reworked rear design with a fixed wing and larger diffuser are some of the other striking features of this new Audi R8 GT car.

Audi R8 GT will be available in the following four colors:

- Samoa Orange metallic
- Suzuka Grey metallic
- Ice Silver metallic
- Phantom Black pearl

For the time being, only 333 units of the new GT version of Audi R8 will be made available to the markets worldwide. So, car lovers be on your toes. Grab a GT for yourself before they fly off the (t)racks!

Top 8 All-time Favorite Family Cars in India

A car is an asset that once driven home for the first time, it no longer remains only your passionate buy, it becomes a part of your family. A sense of belonging for the car starts seeping in amongst all your beloved family members. So, when it comes to buying a family car, it becomes a really difficult situation.

In India, automobile market is filled with a bunch of attractive cars, but not all of them are suitable for a big family, say of six - you, your spouse, your kids, your parents and may be your pet! While buying family cars one has to consider certain things- whether it is big enough to accommodate all your shopping bags, comfortable to go on frequent long commutes, whether it is child-friendly and safe, and whether it is affordable.

There are certain family cars in India, which caters to all these needs and much more. Here are those all-time favorite family cars of India:

Tata Sumo – a flagship family car from Tata Motors, Tata Sumo is known for giving an impressive mileage
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Tata Safari - on-road performance of this highway cruiser is next to nothing.

Toyota Innova – One of the most popular of all family cars, Innova is known for its high-end engine technologies like VVT-i and CRDi

Maruti Eeco – Looking to maintain a perfect balance between price, performance, and functionality? Go for this family car.

Mahindra & Mahindra Xylo – with a spacious cabin and folding rear seats, this family car is simply the best for your near ones.

Mahindra & Mahindra Scorpio – one of the most sophisticated family cars with fire-retardant upholstery.

Mahindra & Mahindra Bolero – this is looked up to as one of the most true-value family cars for having the highest ground clearance.
Chevrolet Tavera – like most luxurious Chevrolets, this SUV is sufficiently spacious and can accommodate ten passengers.

Tata Aria to be Launched in India Soon!

Tata Aria is raring to set the Indian roads on fire. Slated for a May/ June launch this year, the all-new seven-seater SUV-MPV crossover is going to be one of the most sophisticated vehicles from Tata Motors. Though the exact price of this latest Tata launch has not yet been finalized, it is expected to come with a price tag of around Rs 12 Lakh-Rs 14.5 Lakh.

Tata Aria comes with a 2.2-liter direct injection common rail diesel engine that currently powers the Tata Safari and Fiat Grande Punto. The engine is capable of generating a maxaimum power of 140 Bhp with maximum torque of 320 Nm. The newest SUV model from Tata Motors wil be the world's first utility vehicle to feature all wheel drive option, ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution), Six SRS Airbags and Traction control with Cruise control.

Tata Aria will be available in three variants:

- Tata Aria EX to be priced around Rs. 12,00,000.00
- Tata Aria GX to be priced around Rs. 13,00,000.00
- Tata Aria LX to be priced around Rs. 14,00,000.00

Tata Motors will offer four-wheel and two-wheel drive options in all its variants.

With an array of advanced features that stylize other vehicles like Ford Endeavor, Chevrolet Captiva, and Toyota Fortuner, Tata Aria promises to give all its contemporaries a tough competition ahead. Tata Motors plans to roll out this flagship SUV model in markets of the U.S., the UK and Europe in the next ten years. For the European markets, the company would be catering to a wide range of power-train options.

Mercedes Benz Launches E Class Coupe in India

Mercedes launched its E Class Coupe version today in India. The E class coupe is priced at Rs 54.83-lakhs onwards ex-showroom in Mumbai,. The stylized features of Mercedes E Cass Coupe includes pillarless side windows, long low stance and so new E-class coupe simply demands to be driven.

This latest launch Mercedes Benz E Class Coupe is loaded with many specialized features. Car comes equipped with the agility control suspension system, with the pre-safe system. A pre safe system is a brake feature that automatically applies the brakes in case of emergency, and attention assist that keeps the driver alert using about 70 parameters.

Engines and Models offered by Mercedes E Class Coupe are, the E250 CDI BlueEfficiency with 204bhp and 51.02kgm of torque and the E350 CDI BlueEfficiency making 231bhp and maximum torque of 55.1kgm.

Inspired styling elements include the distinctive V-shaped front end with its expressive twin headlamps and LED driving lights. A two-louvre radiator grille with prominent Mercedes star further enhances the car’s bold looks.

Hero Honda Pleasure Special Edition Launched

The leading two-wheeler manufacturer Hero Honda has launched a new special edition 'Pleasure' in India. The new Hero Honda Pleasure comes with impressive new colours Pearl White and red.

Hero Honda Pleasure Special Edition comes with exciting new body graphics, stylish white body colored rear grip and maintenance free battery. Along with new graphics, the scooter also boasts of a new elliptical meter console.

The special edition pleasure will be available at regular company authorised showrooms. This special edition is priced at Rs 37250 (Ex-showroom, Delhi).

Honda Launches Select Edition Jazz

Honda Motor Co. has launched a 'Select Edition' of the Honda Jazz car in India. The new model from Honda boasts of stylish interiors, superior styling and remarkable performance and fuel efficiency.

This special edition of Jazz comes with stylish alloy wheels, a rear parcel tray and front and rear mudguards. Honda Jazz is powered by 1.2L i-VTEC engine with 5-speed manual transmission and is fully loaded with unique safety features like ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System) with EBD (Electronic Brake-Force Distribution System), Dual SRS airbags and pre-tensioner seat belts.

Honda Jazz Select Edition will be available at the Honda dealerships from next week.

The Jazz select edition is priced at Rs. 7.21 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Tata Nano Prices to Increase Soon

If you thought your dream of owning Tata Nano will come true at a price of Rs 1 lakh, then this piece of information would shatter your dreams into pieces. The world’s cheapest car may no longer stay as cheap as Rs 1 lakh, the price at which this small wonder was launched. Tata Motors may increase the price of Nano.

Though the automaker has not disclosed the hike in price, the reason for the expected increase in prices has been made clear by Tata Motors. The increase in prices of commodities and logistics is the major reason that will affect the cost of Nano. Mr. Ravi Kant, vice-chairman, Tata Motors said,"Deliveries to the first lot of customers should be over by December. And prices of commodities and logistics have gone up, so we’ll look into the pricing of the car closer to the date of fresh bookings."

The other factor that may lead to increase in price is the commencing of Nano's production at Tata's plant at Sanand, Gujarat from April, 2010. The Sanand plant in Gujarat does not get tax concessions as the Pantnagar plant in Uttarakhand. This will lead to increase in tax outgo thereby affecting the 1 lakh price tag of Tata Nano.

The second phase of bookings for Tata Nano is expected to begin a couple of months later.

Nano Electric Vehicle at 80th Geneva Motor Show

We have said it earlier that its the age of Tata Nano. The small car from Tata Motors is hogging the limelight through out the world. Nano has now reached the ongoing Geneva Motor Show. Tata Motors, the automaker displayed its small car at the 80th Geneva Motor Show. But, the small car displayed by Tata was not the basic model, it was the Nano Electric Vehicle (EV).

The Nano Electric Vehicle is an eco-friendly car that uses super polymer lithium ion batteries, as in the Tata Indica Vista EV. The Electric Nano showcased at Geneva Motor Show gives an output of 160 km and an acceleration of 0-60 kmph in under 10 seconds.

GM Recalls 1.3 Million Compact Cars

General Motors Co. has planned to recall 1.3 million Chevrolet and Pontiac compact cars sold in the U.S., Canada and Mexico in order to fix the power steering assist that can break down due to faulty electric motors. GM has initiated this step after the U.S. started an investigation spurred by consumer complaints.

General Motors will change a motor in the power steering system of Chevrolet Cobalt small cars and three Pontiac models. The vehicles recalled are the 2005-2010 Cobalt, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2005-2006 Pontiac Pursuit sold in Canada, and the 2005-2006 Pontiac G4 sold in Mexico.

A solution to this problem is being developed and the customers will be notified when to come in for repairs.

47300 Hyundai Sonata Sedans Recalled

It seems the trend of recalling of vehicles by their respective automakers has not come to an end. This time it is Hyundai that has recalled its vehicles. The automaker on Wednesday recalled approximately 47,300 Sonata Sedans in U.S and South Korean markets because of faulty door locks.

The recalling of the cars is expected to begin from March. Recently, various consumers had complained of problems with door locks in Sonata sedans. Following which, various car dealers in US were ordered to stop selling Sonata models.

What is the problem with Hyundai Sonata Sedans?

Sonata Sedan has reported to have problem in the door lock. At times, the front doors of the car cannot be locked properly when someone simultaneously pulls the door latch and holds down the lock from inside.

1 Lakh Maruti Suzuki A-Star Recalled

Maruti Suzuki has recalled almost 1 lakh cars for replacing their fuel pump gaskets. The move came after Maruti Suzuki A-Star started reporting of anomalies in the fuel tank. Even before Maruti Suzuki, there are other automakers who have recalled their cars due to increasing complaints in various auto parts. Meanwhile, Maruti Suzuki is on its toes to recall the 1 lakh cars that were manufactured before 22nd August, 2009. The carmaker has been contacting the A-star customers through mails, SMSs and phone calls for replacing fuel pump gaskets in their cars.

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Costliest Car Ever in Country - This one is Mercedes Benz S-Guard!!

This latest launch is the talk of the town and moreover of the entire auto industry. Are you still guessing the reason? Seems you have missed the latest update that is - 'India has got its costliest car at a whopping Rs. 6 crores. It's Mercedes Benz S-Guard.'

This luxury limousine has been launched in India today on 22nd February, 2010. Heavily priced, Mercedes Benz S-Guard would definitely not be a common mass's car and thereby would be limited to top notch celebrities, industrialists and government leaders. Want to know more about this 'costliest car launched in India', read here...

Porsche Panamera V6 to Debut Soon!!

It's time for another base version of Porsche Panamera to be launched. Porsche plans to launch the base version of the Panamera and the Panamera 4 with a brand-new Porsche-designed 3.6-litre V6 featuring Direct Fuel Injection. This Porsche engine is capable of developing a maximum output of 300 hp and peak torque of 400 Nm. As compared to other engines, the 3.6 litre V6 engine with direct fuel injection has yields around 11 Nm per displacement more. While the other engines reach 100 Nm/ litre, Porsche Panamera's new engine - 3.6-litre V6 featuring Direct Fuel Injection touches 111Nm per liter of displacement.

The base versions of Porsche Panamera and Panamera 4 will be making their world debut at the upcoming Beijing Motor Show that starts on 23 April 2010. While that's about Beijing, but when will the sizzling version debut in India?? Guess, the Indian Porsche lovers need to wait long enough for it.

Nano in New York - Wow!!

When Ratan Tata started working on his brain child - Tata Nano, he must have never imagined that this small wonder would be such a success. The latest auto news is adding another feather into the cap of the Tata Motors, the automaker.

Tata Nano would be seen at the Hewitt National Design Museum, New York from Thursday. more at Tata Nano Being Displayed at Hewitt National Design Museum

Tata Motors Shining - Global Sales in January Up by 93%

What can be a better start for Tata Motors for 2010 than a 93% increase in the first month of the year. India's very own automaker - Tata Motors has recorded a 93% growth in the global sales in the month of January, 2010.

The immense growth in sales is a combined calculation for the entire Tata Motors Group that include Tata Daewoo, Tata, Hispano Carrocera and Tata passenger vehicles along with distributed brands in India, and Jaguar and Land Rover. The group sales for the month of January reached 85,714.

Vehicles	Sale (in January,2010)	% Growth
Commercial Vehicles	40,334	115%
Passenger vehicles	45,380	76%
Tata passenger vehicle(sold & distributed)	29,111	44%

Girl Models at the Chicago Auto Show 2010

Though, the ongoing Chicago auto show has not been received well by the auto industry and is being seen more like a repeat of the Detroit auto show, still all the auto news are somehow connected to the 2010 Chicago Auto Show. Talk about female models at the Chicago Auto Show 2010, the entire auto show area is full of prettier and friendlier girl models who are ready with a smile or an answer to any question one has.

Check out some more pics of girl models at cool pics here

Toyota Recalls Priuses, hybrids globally

Toyota Motors Corp. has planned to recall 437,000 Prius and other hybrid vehicles worldwide in order to fix the brake problems. Recently, the automaker had to face more than 200 complaints in Japan and the U.S. about a delay when the brakes in the Prius were pressed in cold conditions and on some bumpy roads.

Working on this complaint, the automaker has decided to recall about 437,000 Prius and other hybrid vehicles worldwide. Read more here