Audi Opens Biggest Luxury Car Showroom in India

India has been getting quite a bit of press lately in regards to the automotive industry. First there was the buzz about building the world's cheapest car - and now I've found out that Audi has opened the largest car dealership in India.

The showroom spreads over 13,684 sq ft and has 14 cars in display where the customer will have a complete Audi experience - the whole Audi model range with different equipments and the “Audi world” with the international standards of Audi Corporate Identity. Its interior is designed with unique and exquisite materials from different countries: furniture from Germany, lights from Japan, the floor from Austria and tiles from Italy.

The Audi Gurgaon dealership is the biggest luxury car showroom in India. The showroom has a total strength of 65 employees along with the separate modern Audi workshop to service all Audi models.

“The opening of the new dealership Audi Gurgaon is the commitment to a great future for the brand in India”, says Benoit Tiers, Managing Director of Audi India. “We will expand to ten exclusive and luxurious Audi dealerships in India by the end of 2008 and give customers the possibility to experience our models, the Audi world and premium service.”

The Audi model range includes Audi A8, Audi Q7, Audi A6, Audi A4 and Audi TT and is available at present in seven dealerships across the country: in Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chandigarh and Gurgaon. The Audi A6 for the Indian market is locally assembled in Aurangabad.

Audi R8, a TDI with Balls

23 MPG, 500 HP, and 738 lb-ft of torque with Lamborghini DNA running through its veins. Damn, sign me up. The 2008 debut of the updated Audi R8 with the all new 6.0L V12 from their Q7 concept from last year was all but subtle. I believe it will make a large splash on this side of pond. With a target price of some where just over $100k there is now an eco-friendly option for those with the cake and the want to eat it too. The R8’s power delivery system will even surpass 2014 EuroVI emissions standards and is proving that diesel is not just for large trucks and heavy equipment any more. This is a great step between normal petrol driven dreams and the eventual rise of hydrogen powered vehicles (even though BMW has already proven hydrogen as a viable power source). Good job Audi, now send one my way for an in depth review.

New Camaro could be a Hybrid

The artist who sketched out this piece of art just a couple of years ago where he had just finished up this years Motor Trend car of the year, the 2008 Cadillac CTS sedan. Cadillac has finally stepped back up to the coupe scene since it sent the dismal Eldorado to the big junk yard in the sky. The new CTS is slated for a 2010 model year and expect a production vehicle very close to this “concept”.

Almost everything you see will make it into the real car according to Cadillac. It shares design elements from a couple vehicles. The dramaticly raked back windshield sits at the very limit of GM standards only rivaled by that of the Corvette’s. Also from the Vette are hidden electric door buttons which should make it into production as well. Engines will include the current CTS’ optional 3.6L V6 which is rated at over 300 hp and Europe gets a 2.9L turbo diesel version. Both a six-speed manual and automatic are likely to be available.

Of course this opens the door for a CTS-V coupe with a supercharged 550 hp monster under the hood…mmmm. But the question is how will Cadillac maintain the coupes sales. Mr. Dean over at Cadillac promises that a flow of special versions will keep the folks salivating for more and who knows with a profile like that of the CTS coupe its very likely that convertible could be in the works.

Hats off to you Cadillac for reviving a brand long thought to be aging with its client base.

New Camaro could be a Hybrid

Detroit over the past few years has been on a Jurassic Park style mission to revive the late 60’s. Ford has reinvented the Mustang, Dodge has the Challenger, so it is only right that Chevy bring back the Camaro.

Since its departure a few years ago many have thought there was a hole missing from Chevrolet’s line-up. Sure they still had the Corvette, but the Camaro was just as iconic. With Chevy playing Dr. Frankenstein, the Camaro is getting a new shot at life.

There are slated to be a couple of engine choices. There will be a 6 cyl version to act as an entry level option and of course a high output V8 for those baby boomers with a little extra disposable income. BUT WAIT, could it be? News has floated around that Chevy may include a version of its two-mode hybrid motor currently found in the new Tahoe and Escalade hybrids.

Why not? Ford and Dodge seem stuck in the 60’s and this would be a huge leap for the Big 3 of Detroit. We are in the 21st century and engineers at Chevy realize that the new Camaro fits the profile of a vehicle who could use their new hybrid drive-train. Also accorinding to GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner, Jr., they plan on releasing a new hybrid every three months for the next 4 years. WIth new techonologies such as their hybrid system, ethanol, and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, GM is positioning itself to be the worlds leading producer of gasoline-electric hybrid vehilces by 2012.

Could the new Camaro be a step forward for Detroit or will the Big 3 sluff it off and slowly become the next passenger pidgeon?