Indian car insurance companies

Indian car insurance companies

 Car insurance companies in the UK and other places have always charged a higher premium for red colour cars. Now you may wonder why, but according to general perception among insurance companies abroad, red car owners are more aggressive drivers and hence more prone to accidents.

Indian car insurance companies

 This concept was unheard of in India, however insurance companies here are now waking up to this idea. Hemant Kaul, CEO & Managing Director of Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company  said, "The thinking in our company is the risk of accident comes out of the nature of the car and also the driver. Certain cars are seen as more risky than others. For example, red cars are typically driven by people between 18 and 24. So, the premium could be higher, as the accident rate is higher in this age group." 

He added that they are looking at charging premiums based on factors like age group, profession and behaviour type.

Red colour is associated with fast sports cars, high energy, raging bull and everything that ups the excitement levels. In foreign countries, car insurance premiums rates are also based on the owner’s lifestyle, profession and various other factors. Say for instance a person who is a doctor will be considered as a safe driver and may get additional discounts.Sudipta K Sen, Regional Director, South East Asia CEO & MD, SAS Institute (India) Pvt. Ltd,  said that a person buying a red car may possess the best of driving skills and this is where further profiling of the person takes place. So, based on the findings of different sophisticated analytical reports, private insurers are trying to build data sets that would enable them introduce customer profile-based pricing for private motor insurance.It appears that Indian insurance companies are now taking cues from the experience of foreign insurance companies. Looks like car insurance owners may have to rethink the colour of their car in an effort to save money on premiums.

Indian made cars

Indian made cars

Electric vehicles are nothing new. They actually pre-date the petrol and diesel cars that have been allowing oil sheiks and their concubines to glut themselves on veal and Verve Clicquot for the last century. But modern variants haven’t exactly had the word “cool” stamped all over them. Take the REVA, an Indian-made electro mobile, for example. With just enough room for two adults and two kids, it’s a dinky affair that’s classified as a “heavy quadricycle” in Europe. On paper, it’s not even a real car! A top speed of 80km/hr and a maximum range of 80km off one battery charge might suit you fine if you’re the greenest of city dwellers doing short runs to fetch organic aubergines from your local health store. But let’s get real here.

If the Joule is all it’s cracked up to be, it could well become one of the coolest kids on the electric car block. Optimal Energy, the Capetonian company responsible for the battery-operated cabbie, claims the silent six-seater will have a range of 400kms and will post a respectable top speed of 130km/hr. Which is still enough to get you a speeding fine, but won’t help you outrun the hijackers, or the cops. The hep exterior should ensure drivers don’t get laughed out of the car park. But the true allure lies in being able to stare into the face of a 4×4 driver at the robots, whilst entombed in your Zen-like bubble of quiet, and shake your head with utter disdain – “How could you kill the  planet like that, bru?”

There are no noxious green house gasses chunneling out of the exhaust pipe, but the Joule is not entirely pollution free. To get the full 400kms worth, it’s required that each of the two lithium-ion batteries is plugged into a wall socket to charge for seven hours. This is going to chow a fair bit of electricity, which ultimately results in more coal burning at Eskom HQ, or a fair bit of nuclear fission with no real solution to where we dump all that radioactive waste. But, according to Optimal Energy, electric vehicles are estimated to be about five times more energy efficient than regular cars, which means that regardless of the energy source they are only responsible for a fifth of the pollution. One could always turn off the idiot box and cutback on the Desperate Housewives intake to offset the electricity usage. Or install that solar panel you’ve been talking about for aeons.The price has not yet been fixed, but based on current ‘08/’09 terms a Joule will retail in the region of R200 000 large. Let’s hope Eskom keeps their side of the bargain. Being late for work ‘cos you couldn’t charge your car during a black-out might not fly with the big chief. 

Toyota iq

         Toyota iq

Toyota has given the production design of the new iQ its world premiere at the Geneva motor show. First presented as the Concept Car iQ at the Frankfurt motor show last year, the new model will go into production late in 2008 with UK sales scheduled to start in spring 2009.

The new iQ is a sophisticated car, delivering a refined mode of urban transport. Thanks to ingenious and revolutionary packaging, it measures less than three metres long, but has a flexible interior that allows up to three adults, plus a child or luggage, to travel in comfort.

The name iQ represents what the car embodies: “i” stands for individuality, innovation and intelligence and “Q” for quality.

DESIGN
iQ is designed for buyers who want more than just urban mobility, but who are also looking for space, refinement and a vehicle that is kinder to the environment.


Its revolutionary packaging is achieved through six space-saving, interlinked engineering innovations that represent a break-through in Toyota’s vehicle development.

“The iQ story started a few years ago when we at Toyota began thinking about the environmental impact of automobiles,” explained Kazuo Okamato, Executive Vice President in charge of Research and Development at Toyota Motor Corporation.

“We concluded that, in order to ensure a sustainable future, there was a need for a radical change in vehicle packaging. We needed to create a breakthrough, away from the traditional belief that small is basic. Our answer is the Toyota iQ.”

Robust and refined for the urban environment

iQ has a self-assured “super stance” with the four wheels positioned at the extremity of each corner, with robustness further enhanced by tough-looking bumpers and five-spoke, 16-inch alloy wheels that fill the bold wheel arches.

The exterior styling blends dynamism and stability: prominent crease lines define the high belt line, while the V-line of the A-pillar creates tension across the wheel arches. Smooth lines flow from the front bumpers, curve smoothly up through the front pillars to meet the roof and sweep back down towards the rear hatch where they are replaced by edgier, well-defined lines. The rear is defined by strong vertical lines, with bold lamp lenses cut into three segments by horizontal lines.

At the front, smoked headlamp units are set deep into the bonnet and wings. Refined appeal is further reflected in the door mirrors with integrated turn indicators.

Techno-organic Interior Styling

Toyota has created a “techno-organic” design for the interior, which fuses geometric precision with inner beauty. This is demonstrated in the floating “V” centre console that dominates the asymmetrical dashboard and the matt silver door handles, which have a flowing, manta ray shape.

The steering wheel has a flat bottom to give the driver greater legroom and audio controls are positioned on the wheel to save space on the centre console and make operation easier for the driver.

The ultra-slim seatbacks are formed in a one-piece moulding that enhances iQ’s edgy feel, while also helping free up additional passenger space. A storage tray is concealed below the rear seat, another feature that does not sacrifice cabin space. For extra luggage room, the 50:50 split rear seats can be folded flat.

TECHNOLOGY
Creating more passenger space in such a compact vehicle was a key challenge for the Toyota design team. iQ’s interior is surprisingly spacious, made possible by six interlinked engineering innovations.

Achieving this milestone in vehicle development required a drastic change of mindset. The engineers have to reconsider the location of various components, rather than simply redesigning parts to a smaller size.

The result is a breakthrough in “small yet spacious” packaging, which at the same time has been designed to meet Euro NCAP’s top five-star safety rating.

iQ is 2,985mm long and 1,500mm high. Its compact ingenuity lies in its comparatively long, 2,000mm wheelbase.

New differential saves engine compartment space

A newly developed differential allows iQ to have a more compact engine compartment and front wheels placed at the very corners of the car, with very short overhangs. This yields more than 100mm extra cabin length, compared to Yaris.

Flat Under-floor Fuel Tank and Rear-angled Shock Absorbers

Designing a flat under-floor fuel tank has allowed shorter rear overhangs to be developed, helping reduce the car’s overall length.

A flat fuel tank has traditionally been considered difficult to engineer, because of the variance in fuel surface levels depending on the angle of the vehicle. Persistent engineering efforts to downsize and find the best position for functional parts have enabled such a tank to be developed, delivering significant space savings.

Smaller heater/air conditioning unit

Toyota engineers have significantly reduced the size of the heater/air conditioning unit, without sacrificing performance.

As a result, the front passenger area can be moved forwards towards the base of the windscreen, freeing up additional cabin space.

Asymmetric Dashboard and Sliding Seat Configuration

iQ’s innovative asymmetric dashboard is designed to open up the passenger area. Its pushed-forward, step-like structure gives sufficient space for the front passenger when the seat is in its most forward position, while comfortably accommodating an adult in the rear seat.

Combined with a shoulder-to-shoulder distance between driver and passenger that is similar to a C-segment model, the unique 3+1 seating configuration creates enough room for three adults, plus either a child or luggage carried behind the driver.

Centre Take-off Steering Gear

Toyota has given iQ a centre take-off steering gear, positioned higher in the engine bay. The gear, engine and differential could then be repositioned, giving the car a shorter front overhang.

Slim Seat Design

The slim seatbacks release a further 40mm of rear passenger room at knee height. With an all new frame structure and optimal adjustment of ancillary parts, the designs save space without sacrificing comfort.

ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE
New iQ, together with the new Urban Cruiser, plays a key role in Toyota’s drive to reduce emissions. Both vehicles are essential to meeting the challenge of the Japanese Automobile Manufacturers Association’s (JAMA) 140g/km voluntary commitment by 2009.

iQ will be offered with a choice of two petrol engines and one diesel. These, together with the compact design, low weight and aerodynamic shape of iQ, will contribute to outstanding fuel economy and exceptionally low CO2 emissions, which are anticipated to start at around 100g/km.

Production will commence during late 2008, with 100,000 units expected worldwide in the first full year.

 Toyota iq

Toyota landcruiser prado for sale

Toyota landcruiser prado for sale

 Toyota landcruiser prado for sale

Toyota landcruiser prado for sale
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is a model designation used in Japan, Australia, South Africa, Middle East, Southeast Asia and Latin America as well as other parts of the world for light-duty, mid-sized four-wheel drive cars in the Toyota Land Cruiser line. They are produced by the Japanese car maker Toyota Motor Corporation. The car is marketed in many other parts of the developing world, such as the Caribbean and large parts of Africa.


In Europe it is sold as simply Toyota Land Cruiser, or with the number series designation (LC 70, LC 90 and LC 120). In North America it is not part of the Land Cruiser range, being instead sold as the Lexus GX 470, with nearly identical body panels and a V8 engine.


The current Prado is based on Toyota's J12 platform. Previous models were based on the J9 and J7 platforms. All models designated Prado feature front independent suspension, ladder frame, and a two-speed transfer case.


The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is available in GX, GXL and VX spec versions, with either short or long wheel base. The GX is the entry level model, while the VX is the more luxurious version. In most markets it is available with either a 4.0L petrol V6 and a 3.0L Diesel engine. In some European countries there are commercial van variants, based on the short wheel base chassis.

Toyota Hilux

Toyota Hilux

 Toyota Hilux

 Toyota Hilux

 Toyota Hilux

Toyota Hilux

Toyota fj cruiser

Toyota fj cruiser

We saw the spy photos for the new FJ and knew we had to have one. Tonka Truck looks and Toyota reliability are going to make the FJ the hot new truck for this summer. We've added our 16x9 Regulators with 285/75R16 Toyo Open Country M/T Tires so we can enjoy the off road coil over suspension from Donahoe Racing that gives the FJ a 3" lift. PIAA lights mount to the ARB bumper/brush guard, and give the FJ a mean look that is topped off with an electric Warn wench.

 Toyota fj cruiser

  Toyota fj cruiser 

 Toyota fj cruiser

Toyota fj cruiser

Toyota yaris

     Toyota yaris

 The Toyota Yaris Sedan is the new car launched by the company in the C segment market in India. This car will be available in India from July 2010. The car is designed to have a sophisticated and sporty look and at the same time deliver powerful performance. The news of the car’s launch has already generated a buzz of excitement in the market
The Toyota Yaris sedan review indicates that the car has a 1500cc petrol engine and this engine can deliver power of 106 bhp at 6000 rpm along with peak torque of 103 lb at 4200 rpm. The engine has variable valve timing feature with intelligence and drivers have an option of choosing from 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic transmission.
The length of the car is 4063mm and its width is 1600mm while its height is 1380mm. The car can seat 5 individuals comfortably. The suspension system of the car includes independent McPherson strut for the front along with torsion beam for the rear. The car has tilt steering with front and rear disk brake system.
The car has several features that offer complete comfort to the occupants. These features include air conditioning with climate control feature. The car also has front seats that can be adjusted in 6-ways. The car has rear seating with 60-40 split feature along with option of leather seats. Other options in the car include sport seat fabric along with leather steering wheel, tachometer and front as well as rear spoiler.
The car has several safety features and these include dual stage airbags in the front that inflate as per the intensity of collision. The car has front mounted side airbags and other safety aspects include fog lamp, parking sensors and traction control. The car has antilock brake system, electronic brake force distribution and electronic stability program
The price of the car is expected to be around Rs 8 lakhs and the car will be available in a single design variation which includes Toyota Yaris Sedan S

Cool Options

Toyota Yaris options include satellite radio or blue tooth capabilities so you can have a fully integrated hands free environment.  Despite its small size the Toyota Yaris has a large interior cabin-as large as they could fit in the small size of the frame, but enough to make riding comfortable. Up to five adults can ride comfortably inside the Yaris.

Great on Gas

The Toyota Yaris gets about 32 miles per gallon, meaning you get a host of features, all the upgrades you want for just a few dollars a day. Not a bad trade.

The 2011 toyota Yaris has just about every available safety feature as an option. Drivers say the Toyota Yaris handles like a sports car and has acceleration unmatched when it comes to a sub compact economy car.

Owners Love It

Unlike some sub compact vehicle owners, people who have driven and owned the Toyota Yaris say they like the way the car rides. They enjoy the ability to fit into just about any parking place, have speed and agility on the highway and pay a lot less to fill up at the gasoline pump.

The 2011 Toyota Yaris has front wheel drive which gives it superior handling. The motor is a little 1.5 liter engine with enough zip to zoom through city traffic and yet still get decent miles to the gallon.

A Quiet Ride

The peppy little engine is also very quiet and so is the cabin. With your blue tooth headset plugged in you can easily carry on a conversation with friends and family while tooling along in your little Toyota Yaris.

There is no substitute for a reliable car that is great on gas and looks good in the driveway!

Toyota yaris

Vw polo car

Vw polo cars

 oad Test: Volkswagen Polo TDI


By Damien Tomlinson - 20/Oct/2006


Volkswagen Polo TDIThe Volkswagen Polo is a very small car. It measures less than 4 metres long and only 1.65 metres wide, and competes for market share against similar sized vehicles like the Toyota Yaris, Peugeot 206, Mazda2, Holden Barina and Ford Fiesta. Unlike most of these cars however, the Polo has two very neat tricks up its sleeve.


The first is the GTI model, powered by a turbocharged 1.8-litre petrol engine. Feann reviewed this one and gave it an 80% score, which you can read about here. The second neat trick in Volkswagen Australia's Polo range is the TDI model. This cheeky little German car is powered by a 1.9-litre turbo diesel engine, giving the vehicle incredible fuel efficiency figures, an impressive cruising range and plenty of power. 


And at the time of writing it has no direct competitors. 


Until Peugeot releases it's new 207 model in Australia, which will include a diesel model, the VW Polo TDI has free reign in its market segment and unless you go up a level to the B-segment, where vehicles like the Fiat Punto, Peugeot 307, Holden Astra and Volkswagen Golf exist, you will not find any other diesel options.


With solid build quality, good standard safety systems, and having recently benefitted from a new exterior style, the Polo is an attractive proposition if you don't mind spending a bit more on your new car. Priced at $22,990, this model is more expensive than most compact cars, yet is the lowest entry price for a diesel passenger car in the Australian market. Worth the money? Follow me:


Make: Volkswagen
Model: Polo TDI
Price: $22,990
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Engine: 1.9-litre, inline 4-cylinder, turbo diesel
Seats: 5
Safety: 2 airbags (driver and front passenger airbags), ABS, EBD


Volkswagen Polo TDI


Volkswagen's Polo is a cost-effective way to
get into a diesel car, and is almost as frugal as
some hybrid cars, and more powerful to boot


Engine: VW Turbo Diesel 1.9-litre 4-cylinder


The transversely mounted inline 4-cylinder diesel engine has a 1.9-litre (1896cc) capacity, with dual overhead camshafts (DOHC) that actuate a total of 16-valves. The direct injection diesel motor has an 19.0:1 compression ratio and features a turbocharger to improve torque levels, and has a 45 litre fuel tank.


Claimed Fuel Consumption: 5.0L/100km (combined)


Max Power: 74kW @ 4000rpm
Max Torque: 240Nm @ 1800-2400rpm
Max Speed: 188km/h
0-100km/h: 10.7 seconds


Volkswagen's Polo TDI is the most cost effective way to jump on the diesel bandwagon and take full advantage of the economy and grunt these engines have. I reckon it is only in smaller-capacity diesels that you reap the benefits to the full, and the Polo's 1.9-litre 74kW engine is more than capable at pulling the car around at oh-so-low revs, albeit with that somewhat agricultural noise from the bonnet region.


The benefits of these engines can be markedly lessened when there is a bigger car attached. Take Audi’s A4, whose 2.0-litre diesel works so hard that its fuel benefits are almost negated in all but city driving.


But the Polo TDI is a wonderful city car, and the diesel is the perfect accompaniment for this bantam cruiser, weighing 1222kg. Here is a zippy small car that is practical for city applications, it is comfortable, refined and, with combined consumption of just 5.0 litres per 100km travelled, will only need a drink every 900km or so. 


This 5.0L/100km fuel efficiency rating is not far off the Honda Civic Hybrid's startling 4.6L/100km, which gives you a good idea of frugal diesel engines can be.


The TDI model gets none of the Polo GTI’s luxury or performance enhancements; it ships with 14-inch steel wheels with hub caps, cloth trim and grey rub strips. That said, it does gains solid rear disc brakes over the the base 'Club' variant's rear drum brakes, and benefits from braking aids such as ABS and EBD and gets a couple of airbags too, and is in fact the most expensive of the three 'normal' Polos.


But with its strong pulling power and efficient engine, this price is more than justified, and being a German designed car (built in South Africa) it's more likely to hold its resale value better than something like the Korean-built Barina and other vehicles built of its type.


Due to the diesel engine's low end power - it generates 240Nm @ just 1800rpm - this means you can leave the car in third gear when coming to a crawl in a traffic jam, and then just tickle the clutch and wind in the power and off she goes. It's pulling power is great, and overtaking at freeway speeds is much less frantic than trying to stir a 1.6-litre petrol engine into action.


The Volkswagen Polo TDI will race from 0-100km/h in 10.7 seconds on its way to its 188km/h top speed, which is pretty quick for such a small car. Inside the vehicle, the cloth seats are a little unsupportive and flat, and the shifter is a long drop down from the wheel, but you'll still have fun giving the diesel a workout.


Other than the flat front seats and low gear shifter, the interior of the Polo TDI is better than most compact cars. Everything is well polished, from the sporty blue-lit instrument cluster to general fit and finish, and though the boot has only 270 litres of space, it opens up to 1030 litres when the 60:40 splitfold rear seat backs are folded back. There's also a 4-speaker stereo with a CD player and climate control air conditioning to keep occupants happy on long, hot journeys.

Vw polo cars

As far as driver's cars go, the Polo probably isn't going to make it into the top 20 most desirable cars in the world. It understeers often and the steering isn't communicative enough to inspire confidence through fast corners. But that's not its purpose. At $22,990, the Polo is only ever going to be a car for the missus or your daughter's first car, but it really deserves more than that. The plucky turbocharged diesel is a lot of fun to punt through the gears (5-speed manual only) and it's as comfortableand as stylish as anything else going around at the moment with a fairly smooth ride.  

New polo car

New polo car

First look at new Polo

All-new Polo is ready to tackle Fiesta.

Could this be Volkswagen’s strongest-ever Polo? The new car, which debuted at the Geneva Motor Show, promises to be the best built and most efficient supermini on sale– thanks to a redesigned body and range of new engines.

There will be a choice of three and five-door models, plus an ultra-frugal BlueMotion edition, as the fifth-generation Polo aims to keep pace with the reigning class leader, the Ford Fiesta. 

The newcomer certainly has a smart look, with lights and proportions inspired by the MkVI Golf.

A narrow grille framed by sleek headlamps mimics the larger car, while at the back, distinctive new lights and a wider track give a solid look from any angle. The lines are simple and straightforward compared with the Ford. 

Yet while the new Polo is larger than the car it replaces, it’s 7.5 per cent – or 76kg – lighter, weighing less than one tonne. The benefit of the larger dimensions is not only improved head, shoulder and legroom, but also more loadspace. 

With the rear seats in place, the boot offers 280 litres; fold them and it increases to 952. The structure is also stiffer, which should boost refinement and keep the handling sharp. Plus, VW is aiming to stay ahead of rivals with a pair of new forced-induction engines. The firm has downsized capacities to offer the power and torque of the old 1.6 and 1.8-litre units, while improving fuel economy. 

Star of the show is a new 1.2-litre TSI. Developing 104bhp, the turbocharged petrol engine produces similar amounts of power to a naturally aspirated 1.6-litre, but cuts emissions and boosts mpg. A non-turbocharged 1.2-litre engine will also be offered, while a brand new 1.6-litre TDI common rail diesel joins the line-up, available with either 74bhp or 89bhp. The quality of materials and finish is vastly improved inside, while white backlit dials add a sporty touch. The dash is constructed using soft-touch plastics, with splashes of aluminium trim applied tastefully around the interior.

Equipment is generous for a car in this class. Among the numerous options are a refrigerated glovebox, an MP3 input and, for the first time on a Polo, touchscreen satellite navigation can be ordered along with a multi-function steering wheel.

The newcomer is set to arrive in showrooms in June this year, but prices have yet to be confirmed.

 New polo car

 New polo car

 New polo car

New polo car

Polo car volkswagen

Polo car volkswagen

 Come 2009, and Volkswagen would lift the wraps off a new variant of its popular car, Polo. To be a competitor to Maruti’s Swift, Hyundai’s Getz and Tata Motor’s Indica, the new Polo variant will be designed and developed by Volkswagen internally for the Indian market.

 Post-pact with the Maharashtra government, the auto major would acquire 230 hectares of land in Chakan at Pune. The new plant would boast of an initial capacity of 110,000 units by 2009. The company is expected to invest around Rs 2,450 crore for the plant.  

 The carmaker, meanwhile, inked a pact with the Maharastra government for producing Volkswagen cars from Pune. According to a Volkswagen official, the company would go for the B segment of the passenger car market, which incidentally is the largest in the country. The company sees further growth in this segment. 

Further, according to reports, the car maker will also roll out its Passat model , which will don a price tag of Rs 30 lakh . The Passat would be rolled out of the Skoda Auto manufacturing facility at Aurangabad by mid-2007. Skoda officials, in the meanwhile, added that it would double production at Aurangabad from 12,000 units to 25,000 by next fiscal. He facility would manufacture Volkswagen cars and look for few models from the Audi stable.