Jaguar C-X16 Getting Ready for Production

Jaguar C-X16 in White color from 2011 LA Auto Show

There’s nothing better than a fast cat that combines the tradition of the British mark with the modern technology they are starting to focus on nowadays. While more economical diesels or an AWD XJ are coming to bring market success to Jaguar, it’s the spiritual successor to the E-Type that people really want.

A Jaguar insider has today confirmed to Teamspeed that the UK car maker is currently preparing the mass production of the two-seater C-X16 Concept. The wonderful looking concept was released at the 2011 IAA Motor Show in September and got a refreshing new white paint job at the Los Angeles Motor Show two weeks ago.

No time frame has been set for the car’s launch, but Jaguar’s engineers are on the case, meaning anyone waiting for the British marque’s Porsche fighter can certainly start getting excited.

Some test mules based on the XK have previously been spotted, proving the worth of the new V6-powered drivetrain, Jaguar Engineers are now instead focusing on the safety aspects that will make the C-X16 road legal.

The car is likely to be called the Jaguar XE and will be a direct competitor for Porsche’s offering. The drivetrain consists of a supercharged V6 with a hybrid flywheel systems that provides extra go-power. No date of arrival has yet been announced, but the car could be revealed in production trim as early as next year.

The two-seater concept marks a new future for Jaguar with respect to technique and design and show a model positioned under the XK-lineup. A next-generation supercharged V6 petrol engine producing 380hp and 450Nm of torque is combined with a Formula 1-inspired hybrid boost system with a steering-wheel mounted button for on-demand acceleration.



Source: GTSpirit & Auto Evolution

Tata Motors enters deep mining space with the new Tata Prima 3138.K

Tata Prima 3138.K range

Tata Motors has launched a range of construction and mining trucks which are more productive, fuel efficient, easier to operate and maintain.

"We used to sell vehicle chassis for many years, now we are focusing on fully built trucks. The segment is doing very well. It constitutes around 25 to 30 percent of the trucks sold in Tata Motors. The demand for vehicles in mining and construction is very strong. The infrastructure spend is driving demand in this sector. The tipper is going to become a larger part of our tuck business," said Ravi Pisharody, President, Commercial Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors.

These trucks come with powerful & fuel efficient engines with reliable transmissions, drivelines, axles and hydraulics. All the aggregates have been optimised to ensure maximum performance and the improved efficiency comes with enhanced ease of operation and reliability, thus, significantly reducing the lifetime operating costs, per tonne.

The company displayed seven vehicles from the Construck range – Tata Prima 3138.K – 19 cum scoop body tipper with auto transmission, Tata Prima 3128.K – 20 cum box body tipper, Tata Prima 2528.K – 16 cum box body tipper, Tata LPK 3118 – 8 cum RMC, Tata LPK 3118 – 18 cum tipper, Tata LPK 1616  - Ergo Pack, Tata LPK 3118 - 27 cum Bulker.

"The 3138 is a new product with automatic transmission. This is the first time Tata Motors is getting into deep mining. The 3138, in addition to the Tata LPK 3118 – 8 cum RMC, Tata LPK 3118 – 18 cum tipper are being showcased for the first time. Commercial production will start in the next few months," said Vinod Sahay, Head – Sales; Marketing, Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicles, Tata Motors.

The Tata Prima 3138.K is a 4 axle, 31-tonne GVW tipper with Allison automatic transmission. The 8X4 tipper is powered by Cummins ISLe (CRDi) engine, which has maximum power of 370HP. The product features include new generation brakes, ABS and hub reduction axle, specially designed for off-road applications with robust Metalsa chassis frame, heavy duty suspension that can overcome any terrain with its high gradeability. The tipper comes with a robust frame, dual reduction axles and a 19cu .mt rock body for better payload and faster tipping time.



The tipper has spacious air-conditioned non-sleeper cabin that includes pneumatic suspended driver seat, adjustable steering wheels for enhanced driver comfort. The driving comfort enables the driver to operate for long hours each day, thereby offering faster turnaround time.

The Tata Prima 3138.K tipper is ideal for carrying overburden in coal, iron, limestone and other applications involved in heavy mining industry as well as similar off-road applications.

Source: Machinist.IN

Land Rover achieves Environmental Certification for Range Rover Evoque

Land Rover has received certification from the VCA (Vehicle Certification Agency) for a comprehensive ‘cradle-to-grave’ study which analyses the environmental impact of its new Range Rover Evoque.

This is the first time that Land Rover has received VCA approval following a detailed life cycle study. The life cycle assessment (LCA) of the Range Rover Evoque was fully audited and approved by the VCA, making Land Rover one of only a few vehicle manufacturers to have completed an officially recognised study of the environmental impact of a vehicle – from manufacturing, through a lifetime of customer use, to ultimate disposal and recycling.

The report highlights many of the processes that make the Range Rover Evoque the brand’s lightest and most efficient vehicle to date. These include the use of recycled materials, lightweight components and stop start technology. The cradle-to-grave study also highlights sustainability measures that have been built into the manufacturing process such as such as the installation in the Paint Shop of the latest generation of fully flexible paint application equipment for Evoque’s contrast roof option, thus reducing paint consumption and solvent emissions.  In addition, the ventilation systems in body construction have been rationalised, giving a 25% reduction in electricity consumption.

The certificate was awarded by Paul Markwick, VCA CEO, at a ceremony at Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR’s) Gaydon engineering facility. Mr Markwick said, “I’m very pleased to have presented this certificate to the team at Land Rover. Operating in a sustainable way and producing products that reflect this ethos is clearly a very important part of business. Initiatives such as Life Cycle Assessment provide a framework that allows industry to assess the environmental impacts of a product from concept through to the end of vehicle life.”

“VCA has been supporting the automotive industry with its certification needs globally for approaching 40 years and there is no doubt that this extensive knowledge of the sector means that our audit teams understand the complexities of the vehicle design and construction process and the legislation supporting this.”

The study will enable Land Rover to identify more opportunities to improve the sustainability of their vehicles in the future, and highlights JLR’s progress in reducing the carbon footprint of its products.

“VCA certification for the Range Rover Evoque is a great achievement for Land Rover,” says Phil Hodgkinson, Director of Jaguar Land Rover Product Development.

“We are fully focused on maintaining our commitment to sustainable engineering and will learn lessons for application in future models. Life cycle assessment is a core part of our engineering practice and we have launched a new interactive website dedicated to life cycle assessment, so customers can better understand all of the sustainability attributes that Land Rover offers.”

JLR is committed to a sustainable business future and is working toward ambitious long term business targets for products and processes with an overall target of 25 per cent reductions in operational CO2, and waste to landfill by 2012, a 10 per cent reduction in water consumption by 2012, and 25 per cent reduction in tailpipe emissions by 2015, compared to 2007 levels.

Source:3d Car Shows

Tata Motors November sales at 76,823 nos. Up 41% YOY

Tata Motors total sales (including exports) of Tata commercial and passenger vehicles in November 2011 were 76,823 vehicles, higher by 41% over November 2010. The company's domestic sales of Tata commercial and passenger vehicles for November 2011 were 72,474 nos., higher by 44% over 50,419 nos., sold in November last year.

Cumulative sales (including exports) for the company for the fiscal are 544,492 nos. a growth of 9% over 499,510 nos. sold last year.



Commercial Vehicle

The company's sales of commercial vehicles in November 2011 in the domestic market were 44,737 nos. a 28% growth, compared to 35,079 vehicles, sold in November last year. LCV sales were 28,673 nos., a growth of 41%, compared to 20,376 vehicles sold in November, last year. M&HCV sales stood at 16,064 nos. a growth of 9%, compared to 14,703 vehicles sold in November, last year.

Cumulative sales of commercial vehicles in the domestic market for the fiscal are 326,585 nos., a growth of 19% over last year. Cumulative LCV sales are 197,465 nos. a growth of 26% over last year, while M&HCV sales stood at 129,120 nos. a growth of 10% over last year.

Passenger Vehicles

The passenger vehicles business reported a total sale and distribution offtake of 28,774 nos. (27,737 Tata + 1037 Fiat) in the domestic market in November 2011, higher by 76% compared to 16,363 nos. (15,340 Tata + 1023 Fiat) in November last year. Sales of Tata passenger vehicles for November 2011 are at 27,737 nos. a growth of 81% over 15,340 nos. sold in November last year. Sales of the Tata Nano were 6,401 nos. compared to 509 nos. sold in November, last year. The Indica range sales were 10,926 nos. higher by 91%, over 5,716 nos. sold in November, last year. The Indigo range recorded sales of 6,213 nos. higher by 3%, over 6,009 nos. sold in November, last year. The Sumo/Safari/Aria/Venture range accounted for sales of 4,197 nos. a growth of 35%, over 3,106 nos. sold in November, last year.

Jaguar Land Rover sales in India continued their upward trend.

Cumulative sales and distribution offtake of passenger vehicles in the domestic market for the fiscal are 188,660 nos. (178,309 Tata + 10,351 Fiat), against 203,921 nos. (189,010 Tata + 14,911 Fiat) last year, lower by 7%. Cumulative sales of Tata passenger vehicles were 178,309 nos. lower by 6% compared to 189,010 nos. till November last year. Cumulative sales of the Nano are 39,646 nos. lower by 3% compared to 40,976 nos. till November last year. Cumulative sales of the Indica range are 63,021 nos. lower by 2%. Cumulative sales of the Indigo family are 44,683 nos. lower by 23%. Cumulative sales of the Sumo/Safari/Aria/Venture range are 30,959 nos. higher by 21%.



Exports

The company's sales from exports at 4,349 vehicles in November 2011 are higher by 3% compared to 4,203 vehicles in November last year. The cumulative sales from exports for the fiscal at 39,598 nos. are higher by 7% over 36,851 nos. in the same period last year.

Source: Tata Motors

Range Rover Evoque wins BBC Top Gear Magazine's "Car of the Year" Award

BBC TopGear Magazine has named the new Range Rover Evoque as their 2011 Car of the Year. The Evoque came top in the SUV category of the annual awards and was also picked by TopGear TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson as his favourite new car this year.



The Evoque beat stiff competition from the BMW 1 Series M, Mclaren MP4 12c, Ferrari FF, VW Up! and Kia Picanto to scoop the coveted Car of the Year title. The awards are officially announced in the December issue of BBC TopGear Magazine, which is on sale in the UK now. With 29 international editions, BBC TopGear is read by an estimated 12 million people worldwide.

To celebrate the award, TopGear took a Range Rover Evoque on an African adventure through the souks, deserts and mountain passes of Morocco to fully experience the superb all-round capability and outstanding performance offered by this year’s winning car. The full story is featured alongside the Car of the Year Awards in all 29 international editions of the magazine.

The judging panel, headed up by BBC TopGear Magazine Editor-in-Chief, Charlie Turner, comprised members of the magazine’s editorial and road testing team, together with the three TopGear TV presenters, Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond.

Commenting on the awards, Turner said: “Judging the TopGear Magazine cars of the year takes a lot of time, coffee and shouting. But, strangely, when it came to the choosing the overall winner, the yelling softened to agreement. Universal approval from the most opinionated minds in the industry is almost unheard of. Which gives you some idea of just how good the Range Rover Evoque, TopGear’s 2011 Car of the Year, really is.”

As well as triumphing in the SUV and overall Car of the Year categories, the Evoque was also chosen by presenter Jeremy Clarkson as his personal choice for Car of the Year. Summing up his decision, he says:”There have been many great cars launched over the last 12 months….But these are just one-trick ponies. The Evoque is more than that. Its a pony that is also a racehorse, a shire horse, a dray horse, a show jumper and an easy rosette-winner in the dressage competition. Its brilliant. And its the Top Gear Car of the Year.”

The Top Gear Award represents the 34th international award for the Range Rover Evoque since its launch earlier this year. Land Rover Global Brand Director, John Edwards, welcomed the news saying:



“The Range Rover Evoque has generated an unprecedented response in all of our global markets and has been particularly successful in attracting new customers to the Land Rover brand. The TopGear Car of the Year award is further recognition that the Evoque offers a unique combination of distinctive premium design and outstanding performance underpinned by Land Rover’s legendary all terrain capability. The car’s success is testament to the skill and commitment of the design and engineering teams in delivering a vehicle that meets the original product vision.

The TopGear Magazine Award is certainly one of the most coveted titles in the industry and we are naturally extremely pleased and excited that Evoque has been crowned overall Car of the Year 2011.”

The Range Rover Evoque has been on sale in the UK since September and is available in two body styles (five door or coupé), with a number of engine and transmission combinations. The Evoque also offers the opportunity for a high level of personalisation with three distinct design themes and a wide range of options, accessories and colour choice.

The Evoque has this month also been recognised by a number of external industry bodies in the UK including Euro NCAP, who awarded a 5* safety rating and Glass’s and CAP Monitor who have predicted outstanding residual values. The Vehicle Certification Agency has also awarded the Evoque LCA certification for the comprehensive lifecycle analysis study carried out by Land Rover’s environment and sustainability team.

Source: 3d Car Shows