Which one would you rather have?? '69 Charger or the '70 Chevelle?
Monday, 25 January 2016
Some more muscles
Would you rather have the more modern LS power, or some old school Big Block power?
Sunday, 24 January 2016
Will cruze facelift worth your money
Chevrolet Cruze Facelift Review
The D-segment is a low-volume segment, but despite that, the competition is fierce. We look at what’s one of the most relevant cars, which also happens to have survived for a very long time without a huge update, the Chevrolet Cruze. To start with, it’s still the most powerful sedan in the segment, and with a mild facelift, it looks fresh, too.
The changes on the vehicle include a slightly redesigned fascia, and the inclusion of a boot spoiler and MyLink touchscreen infotainment system. Powering the car is still the 2-liter Z-Series diesel unit that makes 167 PS and 380 Nm of torque. While the manual gearbox is expected to be retained in the lesser variants, the top-spec car still gets a 6-speed automatic unit.
How’s it to drive?
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Given its credentials, the Cruze can easily be one of the few driver oriented options in the segment. It feels well planted on the move, and although it’s long, driving it in the city isn’t a problem. The steering is light enough for that, but stays stable at high speeds, too. The gearbox in ‘D’ mode is adequately quick, but the manual mode is better suited if you want to be in control. That said, the vehicle doesn’t upshift in manual mode, so that’s something that must be kept in mind. But even in the ‘D’ mode, the vehicle is a potential getaway machine.
Highway driving:
The primary reason people have started to opt for SUVs in the segment is that they can tackle bad roads and remain stable while doing triple digit speeds. Let’s talk about the latter first. The Cruze is made for the highway in that regard. Both the diesel engine and the chassis setup help it maintain decent speeds in straight line and its composure while cornering.
How’s the ride and handling?
Apart from the stability, the Cruze manages to offer a very good ride, too. There’s a fair bit of body roll but if you’re looking for something more engaging that way, the Octavia still feels superior. The Cruze also doesn’t feel as lively.
City driving:
Driving in the city is trouble free, since neither is there a lack of grunt nor is the vehicle too heavy. The gearbox works well at city speeds, and as far as fuel economy goes, the trip computer in our short rendezvous showed about 9 kmpl.
How’s the cabin?
While Chevrolet has been clear with emphasis on driving rather than being driven in, with the Cruze, but it offers good comfort at the rear, too. Sadly there are no AC vents at the rear.
The height adjustable driver’s seat and the adjustable steering (both for reach and rake) are a boon. The interior looks nice thanks to the brushed aluminium on the centre console, but plastics don’t feel the best. Seats are comfortable and the view all around is good, too. You are unlikely to feel claustrophobic inside the cabin, but in case you do, Chevrolet also offers a sunroof, too. Storage inside isn’t a problem, and the boot is flat and big – perfect for big bags and suitcases.
What else?
With the 2017 Cruze hopefully around the corner (yet to be launched in markets abroad), it remains to be seen how the market (knowing that a lighter, newer design Cruze is coming maybe in a year or two) responds to the facelift.
The muscular styling is still as appealing as it was back in the day. And unless you are looking for a sleeker or more stylish (or maybe younger) car, the Cruze makes perfect sense. Talking of age, the MyLink system doesn’t feel new-age, either. The touchscreen isn’t the most sensitive, and the interface is boring. Also, there’s no navigation functionality inbuilt, which is a shame.
Should you buy it?
Considering Chevrolet prices it close to the pre-facelift/current car, expect to pay about Rs 17 lakh for the Cruze (ex-showroom pricing). In comparison, the automatic gearbox version of diesel Octavia starts at Rs 19.19 lakh and the Jetta at Rs 20.18 lakh. There are no diesel automatics available on either the Corolla Altis or the Fluence. Looking outside the segment, and the XUV500 in the same configuration starts at Rs 15.33 lakh, while the fully loaded XUV is priced at Rs 17.37 lakh.
In comparison to that, the Cruze doesn’t feel about Rs 2 lakh cheaper than the Octavia, but it does feel a lakh more expensive than the XUV. And all that means, it’s still very much relevant. The question is whether the slight facelift is good enough to remind one that Chevrolet still sells one of the best cars in the segment.
Maruti 800 modified
The Maruti 800 did a pretty good job of bringing affordable motoring to the Indian masses, and goes down into the Indian automotive hall of fame as the best-seller that mobilized India. Not this one though. Because this is more special. We stumbled across this modified specimen which never, ever stopped dreaming of shedding its modest roots.
When you have a Maruti 800, but Lamborghini is life
Two door are way cooler than four, and hence the subject is treated to a neat two door layout. However, not content with just removing the rear doors and extending the front ones, the adventurous owner/modifier decided to apply the “scissor doors” treatment. The roof has been sprayed in white, which contrasts well with the red paintwork.
Changes to the bodywork include a completely revamped front fascia featuring Hyundai Accent sourced headlamps, a bigger mesh grill and a custom bumper with vertically aligned DRL strips. The 800’s humble mirrors have been sacrificed for fresher ones, while the footwear has been duly upgraded with blacked out rims wrapped with bigger, fatter rubber. Other notable embellishments include a sunroof and a hood scoop.
style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Behold the rear end, and taste starts fading fast. The new bumper has been neatly integrated with the body, and so have the VW Polo tail lamps. The new bumper itself is pretty badly resolved, especially the fake exhaust finishes, while the less said about the underwear like element bridging the tail lamps, the better. The rear spoiler doesn’t looks half as bad though.
Saturday, 23 January 2016
At chennai audi bmw porsche sell at throw away prices
Cars from Mercedes Benz, BMW, Audi, Jaguar, Porsche and Bentley are the dream of any car enthusiasts, but let us admit it, not everyone get to own one, mainly because of the price.
Hindustan Times
Well, here is some good news for you if you are looking to buy one of the monster-machines.
Head straight down south to Chennai... Thousands of cars, including Mercedes Benz, BMW, Audi, Jaguar, Porsche and Bentley, are going under the hammer, that too for as little as Rs 2 lakh.
No, these are not any faulty cars, the only defect they have are the 'damages' suffered during the recent floods in Chennai.
Volvo showroom in Teynampet, Chennai during the Flood/ Facebook
These cars are going under the hammer after they were declared “damaged vehicles” beyond repair by insurance firms.
The price of BMW 3 series starts at Rs 6 lakh, a 2015 Audi A4 is available at Rs 3.4 lakh, and a Porsche Cayenne (2012 model) is available at Rs 5 lakh.
Hindustan Times
Around 10,000 vehicles, at as low as 40 percent of its original market price is expected to be sold here.
According to claims filed to insurance companies, by dealers, as many as 30,000 cars were damaged in the flood.
If you are interested in buying one of these cars you can find them here.
Some photos
Gnarly Monte Carlo SS with some LS3 power under the hood
Who had the better Charger? The Dukes of Hazzard, or Fast and the Furious?
Interesting color combination with the red stripes on this '69 Camaro.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)