Taj Hotel Teams Up With Jaguar For a Jaguar-Themed Suite

Source: Living Proper

Location: The Jaguar Suite is located at 51 Buckingham Gate, Taj Suites and Residences, on a side-street between Buckingham Palace and Westminster Cathedral, London.  The Jaguar suite is a newly added feature to the already known Taj property, and will be available from September on.

Accommodation: This five star TATA enterprise Taj hotel has collaborated with another TATA company Jaguar, and has added two suites in the hotel that are sleekly-designed 1,832 square foot suites, inspired by Jaguar’s timeless style and technological innovation, which will be the first of its kind in the world.  The bedroom is evidently designed with the inspiration from the Jaguar models of cars of legendary 1960’s E-type to the state-of-the art C-X75.  The rooms are designed by the Jaguar Design Director Ian Callum and his in-house design team, each rooms featuring the custom-built auto motivated artwork.  The material used in the decor and the furnishings are leather, metal and high gloss veneers.  The rooms are equipped with super king sized beds, grand sized bathrooms and marble floored showers.  The suite is also decorated with subtle Jaguar motifs and artwork, and includes a dining area able to accommodate 10 people, a fully ready gloss black kitchen and a number of gadgets including TV’s, Blu-ray players and sound systems.  The room also features the unique wall that is covered in Italian leather, and is embedded with a 42 inch television with minimalist clean-fuel fireplace.  There is no word on the tariff as of now.  Apart from these two suites, the hotel features 86 contemporary suites from one to nine bedrooms, including the Presidential floor, separate living room, fully-equipped kitchens and luxurious bathrooms.


Fine Dinning: Apart from the Jaguar room which has a dinning space for 10 people, the hotel has three separate restaurants and three bars for the suite’s guests.

Other Highlights: The hotel is built in a true English style and  the architecture offers a glimpse of the history of England.  The award-winning Courtyard garden holds a beautiful ornate cherub ordained fountain (allegedly a gift from Queen Victoria).  Another highlight of the hotel is the Michelin starred Quilon Restaurant which serves southern coastal Indian cuisine.  The hotel has an array of rejuvenating spa options with a bespoke treatment range designed by Anne Sémonin.

Source:  Living Proper

2012 Jaguar XJ sports sedan available in New Zealand

 

Jaguar’s NZ distributor has just landed the updated 2012 version of its luxury flag ship – the XJ sports sedan. With new equipment and pricing for 2012 the XJ apparently allows for greater personalisation and flexibility of use, with the first models  available in New Zealand now.

Prices for the 2012 model start from $155,000 and the new XJ now offers the Rear Seat Comfort pack. This feature allows the electric adjustment of the backrest recline angle, four-way lumbar support and a massage function. Increased comfort is also provided by new winged headrests and rear seat footrests. The Rear Seat Comfort pack is standard on the long wheel base Supersport model and an option on the others in the XJ range.

There are new interior colour combination for 2012, available with both the Premium Luxury and Portfolio trim levels. There’s a Jet/Ivory option that features ivory seating with contrast jet stitching, piping and upper surfaces while the headlining is available in either colour, according to customer preference.

“An XJ should be the ultimate in comfort, design and refinement. The bespoke interior changes  incorporated for the 2012 model make it an even more special car to drive or be driven in,” said Paul Ricketts, the brand manager for Jaguar New Zealand.

There’s a unique full-length panoramic glass roof that floods the cabin with natural light adding to a sense of spaciousness while retaining the sleek coupé-like profile and lithe stance for which Jaguars are famous.

In terms of construction the XJ uses a lightweight aluminium structure – 50 percent of which is made from recycled materials, this helps with improved fuel consumption and reduced emissions. The weight saved by the use of Aluminium – an average of 150kg compared to its rivals – also has benefits for performance and agility.

Under the bonnet there is a choice of three litre turbo diesel V6 engine and V8 five litre, with or without supercharging. All engines are coupled to a shift-by-wire, six-speed automatic transmission controlled by the JaguarDrive Selector or steering wheel-mounted paddles.

The cabin of the XJ blends chrome and piano black detailing with leather and wood veneer surfaces. There’s 30cm high-definition virtual instruments with a clever dual-view 20cm touch-screen that allows the passenger to view DVD movies or TV programmes while the driver is provided with vehicle functions or satellite-navigation directions.

Premium surround sound options include a 1200W Bowers & Wilkins system and advanced infotainment features also include hard-drive based audio and navigation systems and comprehensive connectivity for portable audio and video devices via the powerful Media Hub.

Range Rover Evoque in India from December?

2011 Range Rover Evoque

We just found that the Jaguar Land Rover dealers started taking orders for Evoque in India. Most likely deliveries will start from December.

3 Diesel Models and 1 Petrol Model (Most probably 3 Door) will launched in the first batch.

Estimated prices are

1. Diesel 190 HP - Pure -------------- 50 Lakhs.
2. Diesel 190 HP - Prestige --------- 55 Lakhs.
3. Diesel 190 HP - Dynamic -------- 58 Lakhs.
4. 2.2 L Petrol 240 BHP - 3 Door - 63 Lakhs.

Source for this information is:  *Rumour* : 2011 Range Rover Evoque To INDIA!!

Tata Safari Merlin launch on Sep 27th 2011?

We have heard from some sources that the New Tata Safari (Tata Merlin) will be launched on 27th Sep 2011. Earlier we heard that Tata Safari Merlin will be launched around end of September. (Read: Tata Merlin (New Tata Safari) may be launched around September End.)

Important Points:

1. We also came to know that the Merlin will be priced starting from 10.5L Ex-Showroom. 
2. There will be two variants of Tata Merlin which will replace Tata Safari GX and Tata Safari VX. 
3. The top end Merlin will overlap with Arix 4x2 Pleasure. 
4. All versions of Tata Merlin will have read disc-brakes.
5. Tata Merlin will co-exist with Tata Safari for at least an year. 
6. Tata Safari GX and Tata Safari VX will be discontinued with the launch of Tata Merlin.

Hope the rumor about Tata Merlin launch by September end comes out true. What do you guys says?

Buyer’s Guide: 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

 

An all-new model for 2012, the Range Rover Evoque is the company’s smallest and lightest model. Available as a four-door called the Evoque 5-Door, or a two-door called the Evoque Coupe, it is based on a heavily-modified version of the platform used by the Land Rover LR2.

The Evoque uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Its all-wheel drive system runs primarily in front-wheel drive under normal conditions but can send up to 70 per cent of power to the rear wheels. It uses the company’s signature Terrain Response system with settings for various road and off-road conditions: General, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud & Ruts, and Sand.

The 5-Door comes in six trim levels, while the Coupe comes in three levels.

Features on the 5-Door Pure include 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, driver-configurable ambient lighting, hill start assist, gradient acceleration control, rear park distance control, black tailgate badge, Bluetooth connectivity with streamed audio, eight-inch high-resolution touch screen with voice control, CD/MP3 stereo with USB connector, automatic headlamps with manual levelling, LED taillamps, heated leather-wrapped tilt and telescopic steering wheel with shift paddles, tire pressure monitoring system, auto up/down windows, six-way driver and four-way passenger power-adjustable heated partial-leather seats with memory, auto-dimming rearview mirror, rear fog lights, rain-sensing wipers with heated washer jets, satin aluminum interior trim, keyless entry with pushbutton start, privacy glass, illuminated vanity mirrors, and puddle lamps that project the Land Rover logo.

The Pure City adds 19-inch alloy wheels, chrome entry and tailgate strips, power tailgate, front parking aid and rearview camera.

The Pure Plus adds full leather seats, garage door opener, panoramic glass roof, headlamp washers and front fog lights.

The Pure Premium adds adaptive auto-levelling xenon headlamps with LED technology, five-camera surround system, automatic high-beam assist, premium sound system with hard disc drive and navigation, ten-disc CD changer, passive keyless entry, and load space storage rails.
The Dynamic Premium adds unique 19-inch alloy wheels, red tailgate badge, Dynamic Exterior trim colours, perforated leather steering wheel, illuminated sill plates, perforated leather seats, unique texture aluminum trim and metallic pedal finishers.

The Prestige Premium adds unique 19-inch diamond-turned alloy wheels, silver tailgate badge, Luxury exterior trim package, wood and aluminum interior trim, premium floor mats with leather bindings, premium leather upholstery with twin needle stitching, and eight-way driver and six-way passenger power seats.

Features on the Coupe Pure Plus include 19-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, black tailgate badge, rearview camera, trailer stability assist, driver-configurable ambient lighting, hill start assist, gradient acceleration control, electronic parking brake, front and rear park distance control, chrome entry and tailgate strips, power tailgate, Bluetooth connectivity with streamed audio, eight-inch touch screen with voice control, CD/MP3 stereo with USB connector, automatic headlamps with manual levelling and washers, LED taillamps, auto up/down windows, tire pressure monitoring system, six-way driver and four-way passenger power-adjustable heated full leather seats with memory, auto-dimming rearview mirror, garage door opener, front and rear fog lights, rain-sensing wipers with heated washer jets, heated leather-wrapped tilt and telescopic steering wheel with shift paddles, satin brushed aluminum trim, panoramic glass roof, keyless entry with pushbutton start, privacy glass, illuminated vanity mirrors, and puddle lamps that project the Land Rover logo.

The Pure Premium adds adaptive auto-levelling xenon headlamps with LED technology, automatic high-beam assist, five-camera surround system, premium sound system with hard disc drive and navigation, ten-disc CD changer, passive keyless entry, and load space storage rails.

The Dynamic Premium adds unique 19-inch alloy wheels, red tailgate badge, Dynamic exterior trim package, perforated leather steering wheel, illuminated sill plates, perforated leather interior with twin needle stitching, unique texture aluminum interior trim, and metallic pedal finishers.

Related Posts:

1. Test Drive: Range Rover Evoque
2. Range Rover Evoque Review: Telegraph.co.uk
3. Range Rover Evoque is a winner: CarAdvice

Tata Motors resumes production of Tata Nano at Sanand

Earlier today, Tata Motors released a press report stating that the production at their unit in Sanand near Ahmedabad has resumed. About a fortnight back, Tata Motors had shut down the production at the Sanand unit completely.

Though Tata Motors is now saying that the Sanand unit was shutdown in order to carry out some urgent maintenance activity. According to Tata Motors spokesperson, "Production at Sanand plant has resumed after a temporary suspension for about a fortnight."

Tata Motors is the 3^rd largest car manufacturer in India currently. So by shutting down their entire manufacturing unit for 2 weeks they in a way slowed down their growth rate in the country. According to the spokesman, the reason behind shutting down the unit was done due to , "This (suspension of production) was done for maintenance and to rationalise and align inventory."

But we do not think that Tata Motors would have suffered huge losses due to the shutdown as sales of Tata Nano are already on a decline. Tata Nano sales as the month of July, declined by 64%, compared to sales made in July 2010.

Review: Jaguar XF 3.0 Diesel S

Model: Jaguar XF 3.0 Diesel S

Bodystyle: four-door saloon
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel
Transmission: 8-speed auto

What is it?

We recently tested the 2012 Jaguar XF 2.2D, the new four-cylinder Jaguar diesel whose lower CO2 figure will help it chase big sales. Jaguar hasn't neglected its performance buyers, though. Despite the launch of the 2.2D, one in four XF buyers will still choose the 3.0-litre Diesel S.

This uses Jaguar's 275hp V6 diesel engine, which helps the XF saloon reach 60mph in 5.9 seconds, and go on to an electronically-limited top speed of 155mph. It is a potent diesel engine that takes on the might of models such as the BMW 535d and Audi A6 3.0 TDI quattro.

But while the former version went well, it didn't look particularly sporting. The Jaguar XF is a lovely design but sports versions were arguably too 'soft' before. Not anymore: Diesel S models get a series of styling enhancements to give them the visual clout equal to a BMW M Sport or Audi S-line.

All Diesel S models now come with standard Jaguar Adaptive Dynamic System suspension, also featured on the Jaguar XFR. This promises extra driving ability, to be enjoyed from a new R performance-style interior. Available in Luxury, Premium Luxury and Portfolio trims, the Diesel S is now an additional sub-brand to those trims.

Where does it fit?

The XF Diesel S is a slightly less powerful alternative to the BMW 535d, offering more power than the current Audi A6 3.0 TDI but set to be topped by next year's twin-turbo TDI. In short, it is a high-performance diesel that's pretty much a match for the German opposition.

It tops the three-engine diesel line-up Jaguar now offers in the XF range. Petrol engines very much play a bit-part role in the range these days, taking just 3% of sales. That's why the Diesel S has been refocused - today, it plays the role of performance sidekick to the mighty XFR.

Is it for you?

If you like stylish and contemporary British design, the XF will appeal. The facelifted style, with new headlights, grille, lower air intake blades, bumper and bonnet is already very appealing: the Diesel S features further enhance this.

Jaguar has fitted an even more aggressive front bumper to the Diesel S, along with a black grille, side sill extensions, rear spoiler and revised rear valence, all to help set it apart more strongly from less powerful models.


The smallest alloy wheel size is 19-inch, and even this is only fitted to the base Luxury. All other versions get 20-inch wheels, along with soft grain leather R Style seats inside that are virtually identical to those in the XFR.

All this, along with the more powerful engine, comes for a £6,000 premium over the 245hp 3.0 V6 diesel Luxury and Premium Luxury, reduced to £3,900 for the Portfolio. Prices are also around £1,000 less than the comparable competition: even on the balance sheet, it makes sense.

What does it do well?

The V6 diesel's performance is very impressive. It responds to the accelerator with a strong surge, proving extremely swift and willing to rev. The rush is a combination of power and that very meaty torque figure, and it makes the XF Diesel S feel very swift and effervescent.

The engine also revs incredibly smoothly and willingly, almost like a performance petrol V6. The woofling, elegant V6 noise is sporty and appealing, with a complete lack of resonance adding to the appeal (and the 8-speed auto, with paddleshifters, is deeply impressive).

The sportier and more focused chassis setup of the Diesel S means it is poised and feels more sharply focused. Body motions are tighter which makes it more wieldy and better-controlled in bends. This allows you to take full advantage of the clean steering's crisp accuracy.

All this is enjoyed from a simply wonderful driver-focused interior, full of special-touch details. Overall, the XF Diesel S is a rapid, driver-pleasing machine that loses none of the XF's cultured feel yet still manages to give a crisper, more sportscar-like feel behind the wheel.

What doesn't it do well?

Dynamically, it is hard to fault the Jaguar XF Diesel S. At first, a jigglier feel to the ride (particularly on the test car's 20-inch wheels) rouses concerns about harshness, but these are not realised on the move. The ride is more taut, but it is barely any more severe.

The eagerness of the diesel engine, particularly its immediate response to the throttle, can take some by surprise, while those used to BMWs will have to recalibrate to the Jaguar's more fingertip-touch handling characteristics. These aren't criticisms though, just traits to tune into.

    

What's it like to live with?

The XF is OK for space inside, no more. Rivals offer bigger rear cabins and more practical boots: the Jaguar is passable but does not indulge like the latest Audi A6. Nor does it (yet) offer a load-lugging estate alternative.

It is a very satisfying car to live with though. The engineering feels top-drawer and the XF, in terms of design, quality, craftsmanship and attention to detail, just seems that bit more personal and tailored than its rivals. It is warm and welcoming, charismatic and cultured.

How green is it?

Despite its performance, the Jaguar XF Diesel S returns 44.8mpg and emits 169g/km CO2. These are both near-identical to class rivals and very impressive results for a car that can also reach 60mph in 5.9 seconds. The economy is double that of the Jaguar XFR as well.

Jaguar fits a particulate filter as standard, of course, but the Diesel S model has yet to get the stop-start system of the smaller 2.2D. As the 8-speed automatic gearbox is designed to take such a system, expect it to come in time - which will help make it even more fuel-efficient still.

Would we buy it?

We would strongly consider the Jaguar XF Diesel S if we were in the market for a performance executive car. It has searing pace and an appealing engine which, thanks to great depths of torque and eye-opening economy, only offers benefits from being diesel-powered.

Others are more practical, while a BMW 535d is a might faster and the future Audi twin-turbo TDI will offer the USP of four-wheel drive. But our heart would take the Jaguar - and our head wouldn't regret it. That's how able the sporting new XF Diesel S is.

Tata Aria - New Commercial and Making of it

Watch the new commercial of Tata Aria



Now watch the making of the above new commercial



Watch out the Review, Prices and Specification of the new Tata Aria 4x2:

Road Test and Review: Tata Aria 4X2

New Tata Vista - Videos

The new Tata indica vista is about to be launched on 1 Sep 2011. Check the video of the new Tata Indica Vista below:

Tata Vista Facelift - Front

Tata Vista Facelift -Rear

Tata Vista Facelift - Interiors

Check the review of new Tata Vista at the following links:

1. 2012 Tata Indica Vista Test Drive Review : MotorBeam
2. Tata Vista Refresh Review : Carwale

Check the Price and Specification of the new Tata Vista

New TataVista, creates a sedan class segment among hatchbacks : Official announcement

Tata Merlin (New Tata Safari) may be launched around September End

 

With the Force One SUV already launched and the Mahindra W201 World SUV set for a launch around the end of September, Tata Motors Limited is all set to usher its own challenger in the Indian premium SUV space with the Tata Safari Merlin SUV. According to reliable sources, this SUV is all set to be launched at the end of September and from the sheer timing of the launch, Tata seems to ensuring that the Mahindra W201 World SUV gets some stiff competition.  

As has been the trend with Tata cars recently, The Tata Safari Merlin SUV might be christened as Tata Merlin to ensure some differentiation for the new SUV model from the Tata Safari brand. This practice was followed for the Tata Manza and then for the recently launched facelift of the Tata Vista. Similarly, the Tata Safari Merlin, which essentially is an upgrade to the Tata Safari SUV, might be called the Merlin. Coming to what is new on the Tata Safari Merlin, first of all you get completely worked on looks.

The Merlin SUV will feature a lot of cues from Land Rovers including the flatter front end with flared headlamps. The rear end too is a marked departure from the Safari along with the disappearance of the spare wheel, which perhaps finds it way into the boot. The engine though will continue to remain the tried and tested 2.2 Liter DICOR turbodiesel unit producing 140 Bhp and 320 Nm. On the inside, the interiors are said to be a significant step up from the Tata Safari to make for a more premium look and feel. A few of the Aria’s interior bits might just make an appearance in the Merlin SUV.

The Merlin will be loaded with all the other bells and whistles along with ABS, EBD and Airbags being the de-facto safety bits on the SUV. The pricing of the Merlin will just begin where the Tata Safari SUV’s range ends and being typically Tata, expect it to be very competitive at just a shade under or over INR 10 Lakhs. The Merlin SUV is expected to be available both in 2 wheel drive and four wheel drive options although an automatic gearbox is still not a part of the equation.

Source: Tata Safari Merlin SUV to be launched around end September!

2012 Range Rover Vogue On Sale In Australia

 

Land Rover has announced Australian release of the updated-for-2012 Range Rover Vogue, bringing a number of modest styling tweaks, two new option packs and a new wheel design.
For 2012, the Range Rover Vogue gets a new gloss-black finish to its tail-lamp and headlight back-plates, and the front grille gets a new Narvik Black finish.

Door handles and side vents are now colour-coded to the body; down below are new 20-inch V-spoke alloy wheels.

Inside, the Grand Black wood veneers have a new 'Range Rover' inlay, while the Autobiography model gets a choice of Burr Maple Prussian Blue, Anthracite Lined Oak or Ash Burl veneers.

Features for the two option packs - Silver and Black - include Blind Spot Monitoring, Surround Camera System, Automatic High Beam Assist, Illuminated Sill Tread plates and an eight-inch Dual View infotainment screen.

The Range Rover Vogue and Autobiography engine line-up remains unchanged for 2012.
Land Rover's 3.6 litre TDV8 was replaced last year by a new 4.4 litre TDV8, producing 235kW and 700Nm of torque - a 15 percent boost over its predecessor.

Paired with a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, the engine offers a 0-100km/h time of 7.5 seconds.
Despite the increase in power and capacity, the 4.4 litre V8 lists fuel consumption figures of just 9.4 l/100km, bettering the 11.1 l/100km of the old 3.6 litre engine.

The supercharged LR-V8 remains in the line-up, producing 375kW and 625Nm of torque and pushing the big Range Rover to 100km/h in 6.2 seconds.

Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, the big supercharged V8 lists fuel consumption figures of 14.9 l/100km.

Lastly, the naturally-aspirated LR-V8 produces 276kW and 510Nm, with a 0-100km/h time of 7.2 seconds. Fuel consumption for this engine is listed at 14.0 l/100km, with a six-speed auto.

Availability

Deliveries of MY12 Range Rover Vogue and Autobiography models will commence from October. Pricing commences at $160,500 for the Vogue 4.4L TDV8.

Jaguar recalls 130 X-Types

 

A recall has been issued for the Jaguar X-Type diesel sedan.

Jaguar has recalled 130 of its turbodiesel X-Type vehicles - from the 2006 to 2010 model year - for a fault with the cruise control.

The recall notice said there was a fault within the cruise control system that prevented the vehicle speed cannot be reduced through the activation of the cruise control speed adjustment wheel, only by turning off the car's ignition.

The recall involves fixing a system error that disables the cruise control.

"Should one of these error states occur whilst the cruise control is engaged, it is not possible to cancel cruise control using the cruise control cancel button, brake pedal operation or change of gear," the notice said.
Jaguar Australia is contacting owners in writing but suggests owners of affected vehicles to contact their authorized Jaguar dealership for an update to the engine management controller software.

Jaguar E-type celebrates 50th anniversary

Jaguar E-Type

The 50th anniversary of the Jaguar E-type will be celebrated next month with a display of some significant cars from its history at the Royal Chelsea Hospital.

Set to be included in the September 4th parade is the 12th E-type roadster constructed - which has the registration 848 CRY and appeared in the movie The Italian Job and the Graham Hill driven ECD 400 - which was the model's first race winner in 1961.

Famous faces from the vehicle's history will also be in attendance and Chelsea AutoLegends chairman Eric Verdon-Roe stated the event was "delighted" to welcome Norman Dewis, who was a test development engineer for the car.

"He helped make the E-type the icon that it is and it is only right that he should be a special guest at our 50th birthday celebrations for the car," he said.

Earlier this month a number of classic cars were on display at Nostalgia, which took place on August 6th and 7th at Croft Circuit and has already confirmed it will be returning next year.

Nano gets a big lift within Tata Group firms

Tata Motors, India’s biggest automobile company, is launching limited-period promotional offers for its small car Nano, including sizeable discounts on the car to the employees of various companies under the Tata Group.

Higher price tag and soaring fuel costs have swayed buyers away from the ultra compact car over the months.
The automaker recently concluded an offer to the employees of Tata Consultancy Services, India’s top software exporter, allowing them to buy the small car for a discount of Rs 25,000 on the top-end variant.

Tata Motors also said the response from the 10-day offer from end-July to early August had been overwhelming from TCS.

While a similar promotional offer was launched by the company for its own employees late last year, more such offers are expected to pour into other group companies.

According to sources, Tata Motors will extend a similar offer to the employees of Tata Steel in the coming days followed by other group companies. Along with heavy cash discounts, the company has also offered cheaper finance schemes.

Other features of the Nano sold to TCS employees included a signature of Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata, near the instrument console on interiors of the car. The Nano sold to TCS employees was termed as a ‘TCS edition’ car, sources added.

“From time to time, on all our products, we work with sister companies in the group to create exciting offers for colleagues and their families, just like we do for our own colleagues,” a Tata Motors spokesperson said.

“As for the Tata Nano specifically, as for any prospective customer, it is equally an aspirational car for colleagues across the group. In the Tata Group, companies offer colleagues in other companies special offers on their products. As for the special offer on Tata Nano for TCS colleagues, the response incidentally has been overwhelming,” he added.

Tata Motors is aiming to tap into the potential yet sizeable consumer base for the Nano within all group companies where more than 200,000 people are employed in India.

While promotion of its own vehicles amongst the employees of its mother group is not new for Tata Motors, it can potentially bring in added sales for the Nano whose demand has started to dwindle once again.

The Nano’s country-wide sales so far this year has posted six per cent growth, outpacing the growth of the entire car segment which has grown by one per cent during the same period. However, monthly sales over the last two months have nearly halved to 8,712 units compared to the corresponding months a year earlier.

The entry price tag of the Nano is at Rs 1.53 lakh, while the top-end variant costs Rs 2.11 lakh (both prices ex-showroom, Mumbai).

The company is making attempts to revive sales of the small car including expanding dealer base in the interiors of the country. Tata Motors Finance, the financing arm of the company is providing loans at lower rates.

2012 Jaguar XKR-S Review - Forbes

It’s hard to write about a 550 hp luxury performance coupe without resorting to clichés. In fact, it may be impossible, so I beg your indulgence now. It’s also hard to design and build a 550 hp luxury performance coupe without indulging in a few clichés, but the 2012 Jaguar XKR-S comes very close. With a base price of $132,00 ($132,875 as tested with a $875 destination charge), the XKR-S packs plenty of punch, including Jaguar Platinum coverage with free scheduled maintenance, roadside assistance and new vehicle limited warranty for 4 years/50,000 miles and EPA fuel economy estimates of 15 mpg city/22 mpg highway.
 
2011 represents the 50th anniversary of the iconic Jaguar E-type, and Jaguar would like us to see the XKR-S as the natural successor to that car’s rich legacy. I recently had the opportunity to drive a 1965 XKE Roadster around the streets of Pebble Beach (I know, rough life). I had to remove my right shoe in order to fit my foot between the brake pedal and the transmission tunnel, and my left knee was jammed between the steering wheel and the door every time I released the clutch. Still, the XKE was awesome to drive, and even with 4″ wide tires, performed beautifully on the curves. The 2012 XKR-S forces no major compromises on the driver — and does a great job of maintaining a real sense of class and fun that hearkens back to its ancestor in all the best ways.

The exterior of the XKR-S is breathtaking in its own fashion. Low and swooping, the XKR-S tops out at 52.1″ tall, which doesn’t sound that low until you stand next to it. The front end is elegantly expressive, with a small horizontal grille opening and a low carbon fiber splitter. Functional hood vents serve as a reminder of the potent engine that lurks beneath the lightweight aluminum hood. Out back, there’s a carbon fiber wing that attaches to the hatchback trunk. Four big round polished steel exhaust pipes poke out beneath the rear fascia. The entire effect is contemporary, elegant and completely vicious, in a good way.

Inside, luxury and sportiness abound. I have to admit that I had a little bit of trouble bending my 6’2″ frame to get behind the wheel — probably more due to my lack of flexibility than anything else. Once ensconced in the driver’s seat, I took careful notice of my surroundings. Familiar Jaguar luxury surrounded me, complete with a leather headliner, sport front seats with 16-way power adjustment and carbon patterned leather. The pop-up JaguarDrive Selector and red pulsing Start button beckoned me to stop admiring, and start driving.


Depressing the brake pedal and touching the Start button results in some lovely growly engine sounds. Race the engine, and the supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine snarls with challenge. Without getting too bogged down in the statistics, the powerful engine is tuned to deliver 550 hp and 502 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters that help blip through the gears in Sport mode. Jaguar claims that the XKR-S can pounce from 0-60 in 4.2 seconds, and it sure feels that way behind the wheel. Peak torque is available from 2,500 rpm all the way up to 5,500 rpm, which means that you can mash down on the accelerator almost any time and get a very satisfying response.

XKR-S benefits from some substantial suspension upgrades that result in very precise steering feel at all speeds. Adaptive damping and an active differential add to the precision. The vehicle’s controls allow you to select suspension settings, and there’s a competition mode that stiffens everything up nicely. I spent most of my time behind the wheel with the competition mode selected, and I never found the stiffer suspension performance fatiguing or harsh.

I didn’t get to test the XKR-S on the track, only on public roads, so I can’t report on its competition dynamics at speed. What I can say is that this is a vehicle for a grown up driver with great self-control, because all that potential is quite tempting. I would have a hard time holding on to my license if I owned an XKR-S.

The really amazing aspect of XKR-S’s performance isn’t actually its great agility or its breathtaking speed. The amazing performance capability comes at low speeds and in heavy traffic. Many high-powered engines surge and strain at walking speeds, making bumper-to-bumper traffic a nightmare. XKR-S is positively serene in all driving conditions, and seems just as happy to crawl along with the herd as it is to leap with the predators.

If you’re thinking of buying a 2012 Jaguar XKR-S, there are several other vehicles to consider in the price range. The Germans do a great job with the front engine/rear drive performance coupe, from the BMW 650i to the Mercedes-Benz CL63. Maserati’s GranTurismo challenges Jaguar on style points, while Ferrari’s new FF loses that battle in a landslide. Bentley’s Continental GT brings British heritage to the table, but approaches the performance coupe from a completely different angle.

The Jaguar XKR-S is a stunning vehicle, with performance and luxury to match its appearance. Time will tell whether or not it will have the impact and enduring appeal of the E-type. Given the choice of which vehicle to drive on a daily basis, I wouldn’t hesitate to choose the modern edition, and I’d gladly drive the wheels off of it. My XKR-S would be an excellent candidate for restoration in 50 years.



Source: 2012 Jaguar XKR-S Review - The Spirit of the E-Type Lives On

New TataVista, creates a sedan class segment among hatchbacks : Official announcement

Tata Motors today launched the new version of its premium hatchback, the Tata Vista. The new Tata Vista delivers a sedan-like experience, with its powerful engine options, stunning new look, state-of-the-art features and segment leading interior space which has always been its signature. The new range will be available at Tata Motors dealerships from September 1, 2011.

The new Tata Vista comes with a new front chrome grill, complemented with a new triple barreled head lamp, for excellent visibility in low-light conditions. The car has generous chrome package on the exteriors, sporty new alloy wheels and a new signature color, Summer Sparkle. A mirror polished garnishing below the rear windshield adds to the distinctiveness of the exteriors.

The interiors, with soft feel dash board and door pads, too match the experience of a sedan. The 4-spoke steering wheel now sports audio controls, which controls a fully integrated 2-DIN music system. It offers connectivity via USB, Auxiliary input and Bluetooth using the Blue 5 technology that helps pair upto 5 mobile phones. Outer rear view mirrors can be adjusted electrically using the joystick on the drivers side door pad and electrically operated HVAC controls add style and convenience.

Besides, it allows adjustable driving positions with tilt-adjustable steering wheels and height adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support. In the rear, the 60:40 flip and fold rear seat makes room for luggage.

The car will be powered by the internationally acclaimed 1.3 litre common rail direct injection Quadrajet diesel engine and 1.4 litre MPFi Safire petrol engine with variable valve timing technology. The diesel engine delivers 75PS of max power at 4000 RPM, while the petrol engine delivers max power of 90PS at 6000RPM. The new Tata Vista delivers a mileage of 22.3 kmpl for diesel and 16.7 kmpl for petrol.

The other major addition is the Clutch-to-Start feature which ensures that one cannot crank the engine unless the clutch is fully pressed, hence there is no risk of re-crank if engine is on.

Other driveability pleasures include:

• Lower pedal clutch effort and smoother clutch operation.
• Improvement in braking efficiency by 15% owing to the bigger brake booster.
• Lighter and more responsive steering
• Smoother gear shift due to improved shift mechanism.

Four top of the line safety & security features like ABS with EBD, dual airbags, crumple zones and side intrusion beams complete safety of the passengers. Features like engine immobilizer and remote keyless entry complete its sedan like experience.

The Tata Vista will come in 4 trim levels- LS/ GLS (base version), LX/ GLX, VX/ GVX and ZX/ GZX (top-end version) and will be offered in 6 colors, Summer Sparkle, Porcelain White, Arctic Silver, Spice Red, Brilliant Blue and Cavern Grey.

The new Tata Vista, despite its premium features, has been competitively priced, starting from Rs. 3.88 lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi) for the Safire petrol range and from Rs. 4.79 lakhs for the Quadrajet diesel range (ex-showroom, Delhi).

For more information, please visit www.tatavista.com
 
About Tata Motors
Tata Motors is India's largest automobile company, with consolidated revenues of Rs. 1,23,133 crores ($ 27 billion) in 2010-11. Through subsidiaries and associate companies, Tata Motors has operations in the UK, South Korea, Thailand and Spain. Among them is Jaguar Land Rover, the business comprising the two iconic British brands. It also distributes Fiat cars in India, and has an industrial joint venture with Fiat in India. With over 5.9 million Tata vehicles plying in India, Tata Motors is the country's market leader in commercial vehicles and among the top three in passenger vehicles. It is also the world's fourth largest truck manufacturer and the third largest bus manufacturer. Tata cars, buses and trucks are being marketed in several countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, South East Asia and South America.

Source: New TataVista, creates a sedan class segment among hatchbacks

Williams wants to become Jaguar's Racing partner

 

The Williams Formula 1 team has a long and somewhat checkered history at the pinnacle of motor sports, and like some of its competitors, have delved into the business of sports cars. Williams was full at hand with the development of the Renault Clio Williams from the early to mid ’90s, and had even developed a concept van called the Renault Espace F1, which was a minivan with a Renault engine taken from an F1 race car.

While on the motor sport side, Williams is still doing business with Renault (with whom they have just signed on with again for the 2012 season), however it is also working with Jaguar on a very special road car.

The car in question is the C-X75 supercar that Jaguar has decided to put into production. This hybrid supercar will use kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) similar to the ones used in Formula 1 racers, and Williams is responsible for perfecting this technology for use in this super Jaguar.

Williams chairman Adam Parr wants to take thing even further, saying; “We would like to become the competition and sporting side of Jaguar.” In other words, Williams could become the AMG of Jaguar road cars.

Williams has been on hand with the C-X75 from the very beginning. Parr said; “When the C-X75 was first envisaged it was powered by two turbines manufactured by Bladed Jets, which is part owned by Jaguar owner Tata Motors. But we have concentrated on adopting a path that will make the C-X75 the cleanest and more environmentally friendly supercar of all time. “So at the moment we are concentrating on a downsized internal combustion engine combined with some pretty amazing kinetic energy recovery systems.”

This partnership could lead to this technology trickling down to more Jaguar road cars, and could also spawn the return of Jaguar in competitive racing.

Time will tell what more this partnership will bring. For now, expect to see the production C-X75 to hit the showrooms in about two-years time.

Jaguar XJ : Sharper Claws - The Hindu

 

The new Jaguar XJ is a well-rounded car that oozes styles and is exciting to drive

This new Jaguar XJ is a deeply impressive car, one that has strong character and plenty of appeal as we found out. Taking on the Mercedes-Benz S-class, the BMW 7-series and the new Audi A8 is no small task after all.

This big Jag oozes presence, lots of it. The way school kids point excitedly and supercar-hardened people's gawp tells you they like the XJ's overall design stance. And, unlike the long wheelbase versions of its German rivals which look a bit too stretched, the XJ's long bonnet and swooping roofline make it look like it was designed to be stretched in the first place.

It is entirely convincing as a luxury car on the inside as well. There's a nice cockpit-like feel created by the high centre tunnel when you slide into the accommodating seats. Thumb the starter button and, like the smaller XF, the gear selector rises out of the centre console as the 3.0-litre twin-turbo diesel hums to life.

Leather and well finished wood adorn most surfaces and there is a new-to-Jaguar digital dashboard display, in place of conventional, real analogue dials. Its resolution is fabulous and there are some neat graphics: speeds closest to the car's current velocity are beautifully highlighted while the rest is dimmed, and the manual gearchange selection shows up superbly. We especially like the old-school air-con vents that look and function brilliantly.

The rear seats, an important selecting criterion in India, are fantastic. The almost 3.2-metre-long wheelbase ensures there is plenty of legroom and more headroom than the swooping roof-line suggests; the rooflining is scooped out to make this possible. And, the seats are wide and comfortable – maybe not as nice as an S-class but impressive nonetheless. Equipped with the rear seat entertainment package, the car gets a gaming-console-like touch-screen remote to control the headrest-mounted screens. If anything, it's the low seats and the rather small rear windows that you could complain about – the XJ's rear seats don't give rear seat passengers the commanding view outside that a Merc S-class does.

The latest XJ uses aluminium for its body panels and chassis, an expensive process but one that, in the luxury class, only Audi's A8 shares. Unencumbered by the A8's four-wheel-drive system, however, the rear-wheel-drive XJ is one of the lightest cars in this class. Even this long-wheelbase version, at 1813kg, weighs just 13kg more than the smaller XF diesel!

This light weight means the 271bhp and 61.18kgm of torque don't work too hard to make the XJ get to 100kph in 8.5sec and even this figure doesn't tell you how effortlessly the XJ diesel adds speed in real-world use. What that figure also doesn't effectively communicate is how satisfying the diesel powertrain is to use. Throttle response is accurate, power delivery is linear and the six-speed auto 'box is intuitive, so you know exactly how much throttle to feed at all times. In Sport mode, the gearbox holds gears for longer and the shifts are quicker (and a little less smooth). Flicking the steering wheel-mounted paddles activates a manual mode which, if the car is set to Dynamic mode, will hold gears to the limiter. The powertrain is so refined that you can hear some tyre roar over course surfaces.

The other happy corollary of the Jag's light weight is that it simply doesn't feel its size when you feel like driving hard. Jaguar engineers developed both the short wheelbase and long wheelbase versions alongside each other with the chassis development of the LWB version even taking precedence at times. This shows in the way this 5.2-metre-long saloon changes direction with the agility and precision we've not seen on any other car this size, including the BMW 7-series.

The steering is light but accurate and the balance is impressively neutral for a car this long. And, unsurprisingly, with its long wheelbase, it feels supremely stable and planted at high speeds. This is one of those cars that shrinks around you the faster you go.

Switch the adjustable dampers to their softer setting and you'll find a car that rides with aplomb over most surfaces with the occasional shudder over lumpy surfaces. It doesn't have the same authority over bad sections as a Merc S-class but then again, the S doesn't have the XJ's low-profile 245/45-R19 tyres.

The long wheelbase and ground-hugging stance mean you have to be extra careful over speedbreakers. There's also that rather narrow boot aperture that will make loading bigger pieces of luggage a bit of a task.

The XJ diesel in Portfolio spec costs Rs. 83 lakh. It is a well-rounded car that is so full of character. But the downside is the relatively small dealer network, which means it won't be practical to own. 

Source: www.thehindu.com

Discounts, Easier Finance on offer for Tata Nano

Mumbai: Tata Motors Ltd is offering heavy discounts and attractive finance schemes to revive sales of the Nano, the world’s cheapest car.

The company is offering a cash discount of up to Rs. 20,000 and has also reduced the down payment on financed cars to Rs. 15,000 from Rs. 35,000 for the base model.

This is nearly equivalent to what one pays when buying a motorcycle, said a Delhi-based dealer, who did not want to be identified.

The company is also offering high tenure financing of up to 60 months through special arrangements with major financiers.

The ex-showroom price for the base model of the car after the discount is Rs. 1,25,880. The discounted price brings it nearly at par with its launch price of July 2009, Rs. 1,23,360.

“As families, in state after state, get ready for the festive season, despite high fuel prices and interest rates, this is a limited-period offer.” Debasis Ray, a spokesperson for Tata Motors, said in an email.

Sales of the Nano dropped two-thirds to 3,260 units in July from the same month a year ago because of high fuel prices, repeated hikes in interest rates, and new, attractively priced models from rivals.

The contraction in July sales numbers for the Nano has worried the top management of Tata Motors. In an 8 August meeting in Bombay House, the company’s headquarters in Mumbai, the top brass—including Ravi Kant, the company’s non-executive vice-chairman; Carl-Peter Forster, the Tata Motors group chief executive, and Prakash M. Telang, managing director of India operations—discussed the pricing of the car, according to one of the officials who attended the meeting and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Dealers and analysts are sceptical whether these efforts will translate into sales. “The discounts and schemes have not been able to increase sales even for company’s diesel models like Indica and Indigo. I doubt it will help Nano, which is already priced competitively,” said Vineet Hetamasaria, an analyst at PINC Research.

At these discounts, for every five cars, the company “will have to sell two more or else it will have an impact on profitability”, said Mahantesh Sabarad, an analyst at Fortune Equity Brokers (India) Ltd.

Poor Nano sales may not have a big impact on the company’s overall profitability, but slow growth in sales will result in a higher break-even target for the model, according to Sujeet Arora, an analyst at brokerage Prabhudas Lilladher Pvt. Ltd. “Ideally, the monthly sales run for the car should be 20,000 per month. That’s nowhere in sight. The schemes will not push it beyond 10,000 units,” he added, attributing the higher break-even volumes to higher costs in the Nano project owing to the expenses incurred by the company while shifting machinery to Sanand in Gujarat from Singur in West Bengal.

2012 Tata Indica Vista Test Drive Review : MotorBeam

 

Tata Motors unveiled the Indica Vista for the first time at the 2008 Auto Expo. Since then, alot has changed and new competitors have emerged in the competitive hatchback segment. The Vista has received a much needed facelift to keep it fresh amongst new rivals. The company has not done drastic changes on the Indica Vista, but subtle ones, which have been done after factoring in feedback from existing customers. With the new India Vista, Tata Motors’ expects sales to rise by 20-22% and feels that the LX and VX variant will be the most popular one. With 4 engines on offer across 4 variants, we find out if the Vista is a worthy hatchback amongst global alternatives.

Exteriors 

One look at the new Indica Vista and you immediately realize the generous addition of chrome on the car. The front is very reminiscent of the Indigo Manza and has been done intentionally. The company wants people to associate the Vista with the Manza, rather then with the Indica. The new three barrel headlamps and chrome grille go along well on the new Vista. Chrome has been added to the side as well, along with the addition of new 14-inch alloy wheels. The rear gets a pearl black finish strip, along with changes in font size for the TATA and Indica Vista logo. Overall, the design of the Indica Vista remains very similar to the old model, with slight changes to keep things looking fresh. The company is offering the new Vista with two new colours – yellow (from the Indica Sport at the Auto Expo) and blue.

Interiors  

Step inside the new Indica Vista and the first thing you realize is the sahara beige interiors. The doors too have been modified to be easy to open and close. The center console has been carried over from the Manza and the steering wheel now sports audio controls. Addition of features on the new Vista has been done to offer value to buyers and thus the new Vista now sports dual airbags, ABS, Blue 5 (BlueTooth system), electrically operated outside rear view mirrors, 2-way adjustable lumbar support and the likes. The good thing though is, that some of the features of the top end ZX model are being offered on the lower variants as well. For instance, the rear wiper is now called intelligent, because it automatically switches on (if the fronts are on), when you put the car in reverse.

The Indica Vista has excellent space and thus the company has given the new car the tagline – Sedan Class. Interior room is one of the best in the segment and the driver as well as co-passengers will have no issues in stretching out in the new Vista. However, this has led to a slightly compromise in boot space, which although is 232-liters, appears to be less due to the hump on both sides from the wheel arch. However, the rear seats have split folding function. Seats are comfortable and the quality has improved significantly. The switches feel a tad heavy to operate, while the buttons on the steering wheel are molded inside the steering, rather than on it, makes getting used to. The centrally mounted instrument cluster is not something we liked, and is quite distracting to say the least. Overall, one of the foremost reason for buying the Indica Vista would be the space it offers and it does it in abundance.


Ride, Handling and Braking 

Tata Motors’ engineers have improved the handling of the new Indica Vista. Earlier there was alot of body roll, but now the Vista corners with new found confidence. Steering feel too has improved significantly but high speed stability still remains alot to be desired from. Braking is good and the ABS works well. However the weight of the car becomes very apparent during braking. The company is working on reducing the weight of its cars in the near future. The foot well is very cramped and there is no dead pedal. Ride quality of the Indica has never been an issue and the new Vista continues with this trend. The suspension absorbs most bumps and rarely do you feel the terrible condition of our cratered roads.


Performance 

Tata Motors’ offers four engines on the new Vista range. The 1.2-liter Safire 65, 1.4-liter Safire 90, 1.4-liter TDi and 1.4-liter Quadrajet. Both the petrol engines are not segment leaders, neither in performance, nor in fuel economy. The 1.4-TDi is best opted for if your on a serious budget or want to run your car as a Taxi. We drove the new Vista with the Quadrajet engine and find it to be well suited for the car. Infact the Quadrajet motor is easily the engine of choice for the Vista and excels at its duty.

The Quadrajet (don’t be fooled by the name) is nothing but a 1.3-liter Fiat Multijet engine. Producing 75 PS of power at 4000 RPM and 190 Nm of torque at 1750-3000 RPM, the Quadrajet motor has very good performance and will easily revv to 5000 RPM should you please. Driving in the city is a breeze and the engine is tuned for driveabilty. Turbo lag has been minimized but not absent. The Indica Vista will easily do 150 kmph with this engine and returns a mileage of 22.3 kmpl (ARAI figures). The clutch is light and the gearbox is relatively smooth and easy to operate. NVH levels are very good and engine noise has been suppressed to quite an extent.

Conclusion 

Tata Motors has given the Vista a mild makeover to ensure it continues to sell decent numbers every month. The Vista had some minor niggling issues which seem to have been sorted now. This makes the new Vista easier to live with. Furthermore, the new Vista now gets new features which make it an attractive option for those who look at space and value for money. The quality has been improved as well and the rough edges of the old Vista have been addressed to a large extent. With prices set to be very competitive, the new Vista indeed offers more car per car. 

Whats Cool

* Space
* Value for money
* Features across variants
* Improvement in quality

Whats Not So Cool

* Petrol engines not the most fuel efficient
* High speed stability
* Centrally mounted instrument cluster

Source: 2012 Tata Indica Vista Test Drive Review

Tata Vista Refresh Review : Carwale

Introduction

 

Tata Motors has been expanding its current offerings and at the same time even giving facelift to its existing models. The Pimpri-based automaker launched the Aria 4x2 this month to fill in the price gap between the already existing Safari and the 4x4 version of the Aria. Now, they have facelifted the Vista gets a lot of gadgets from the Manza, giving it sedan-like features.

Highlights:

-The Vista is the only hatchback in the segment to get an in-dash music system and steering mounted audio controls across the range expect the base model. Other hatchbacks get this feature only in the top-of-the-line variant.

- Tata engineers claim that the clutch pedal is now lighter by 20% than before.

- The Vista will be available in six shades of which the Summer Sparkle and Brilliant Blue are new colours.

Looks & Interiors

 

The Vista now gets a Manza-like front grille as it sports the chrome grille with the triple barrel headlamps and the front fog lamps get chrome surrounds. A lot of chrome bits have been added to the side of the car, alloys and it now even comes with smoked tail-lamps.

 

On the inside, the Vista gets the dual black and Sahara beige interior shade, electric ORVMs and steering mounted audio controls. The quality of interiors on the Vista has been improved further and now it gets the soft-feel touch dashboard. The effort to open and close the doors has reduced, as the door handle and lever have become lighter than before.

Drive

 

  The Vista will be available with the same four powertrains and they remain untouched as Tata had recently upgraded them to meet the Bharat Stage IV norms. We drove the 1.3-litre Quadrajet engine. There’s not much to say about the Fiat powerplant – we simply love the engine! The turbo lag on the Indica Vista isn’t too much and the engine cleanly pulls from even low almost –walking speeds even in the second gear. Engineers at Tata have reduced the driving effort as the clutch and the steering wheel have become lighter reducing driver fatigue. 

 

The Vista has pretty good ride quality and Tata have really managed to get the Vista to ride even better well without compromising too much on the handling front. The suspension is well composed even broken tarmac road and as the suspension absorbs most of the road shocks. 

Verdict

Tata has gone about renaming its variants and included a lot of features in the lower variants. This will be the biggest advantage that Tata can boast of, as the second base model will come loaded with features like in-dash music system, steering mounted controls and Bluetooth, which are features normally made available in top-of-the-line variants of all the hatchback sold in India. So, with improved quality and addition of more frills makes the Vista even a better value for money hatchback that one can procure.

Features, Styling, space, ride quality

Resale value

Source: Tata Vista first drive : Hasta la Vista!