2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 Coupe

I'm a big fan of Mercedes' newly redesigned rear-wheel-drive E-Class sedans and coupes, and I'm not the only one. The E is the only class of Mercedes that has shown a sales increase in the U.S. market this year. Total sales soared 113.1% in November, to 4,828.

A major reason for the E's success is obvious: It's reasonably priced, at least by German standards. The new E-Class sedan is actually cheaper than the outgoing model, and the coupe is cheaper than the CLK coupe it's replacing. The E350 coupe starts at $48,925 and the E350 sedan at $49,475. The higher-end E550 coupe starts at $55,525, the E550 sedan at $57,175. Add an extra $2,500 for all-wheel drive in either sedan. (AWD isn't offered in the coupe.)


In redesigning the E-Class, Daimler (DAI) did what it does best. The V6-powered E350 and V8 powered E550 sedans are classic luxury cars that fall in the middle of the product range in terms of price and size but have traditional styling, solidity, and high-tech options reminiscent of the top-of-the-line Mercedes S Class. The sedan gives Mercedes a clearer alternative to the BMW (BMWG:IX) 5 Series and Volkswagen's (VOWG:IX) Audi A6, one that's more comfort-oriented without making big compromises on performance.

The new E-Class coupe (the version of the car I test drove) is smaller and sportier than the sedan—nearly seven inches shorter, six inches narrower, three inches lower, and 200 lbs. lighter. About the size of the Mercedes C-Class, the E coupe competes more directly with the BMW 3 Series than with the 5 Series. It's a marvelous vehicle if you can get past the fact that it isn't available with a stick shift. A seven-speed automatic with manual shifting function is the only transmission in both the E sedan and coupe.

As with other German cars, one appeal of the E-Class is the wide variety of niche models it comes in. For speed-lovers, there's the E63 AMG (powered by a 518-hp V8) that competes with BMW's M5, VW's Audi S6, and General Motors' Cadillac CTS-V. A four-seater E350 Cabriolet with a new sound-dampening soft top is due out next May. The following month, a diesel-powered E350 Bluetec is due out. A new E-Class station wagon, designed to compete with models such as the Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon, will also hit showrooms next June.

The available engines provide plenty of power. The E350 coupe has a 3.5-liter, 268-horsepower V6 under its hood while the E550 is powered by a 5.5-liter, 382-horsepower V8. The E350 Bluetec sedan comes with a 3.0-liter, 210-horsepower diesel V6 that generates an incredible 400 lb.-ft of torque.

As with other sport luxury models, fuel economy isn't great. The E350 coupe is rated to get 17 miles-per-gallon in the city and 26 on the highway for an average of 20; the E350 sedan does slightly better, at 18 mpg city and 26 highway, for an average of 21. The E550 Coupe and Sedan are both rated at 16 city and 24 highway, for an average of 18. (The Bluetec isn't yet rated.)

VW Beetle and Touareg launched

Volkswagen has launched its super-successful New Beetle in the Indian market today. The car has been introduced with a price tag of Rs 20.45 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi. The car will be available as a CBU through Volkswagen dealerships.

The New Beetle has been launched with 115 bhp, 2.0-litre petrol engine. Adding to the comfort and ease of use will be the 6-speed automatic gearbox. The charm and appeal of the New Beetle nevertheless remains with its classic styling, inspired by the original people?s car that went on to become the best selling car of a single design in the world in its decades long run.

The New Beetle was introduced internationally in 1998 and has been a success ever since. In fact it was the car that can be credited with kicking off the retro-chic segment, in which modern and comfortable interpretations of long standing classic cars are making a rapid resurgence as fashion statements. Amongst these are the MINIs, and the Fiat 500 which is already on sale in India.

2010 VW Beetle Coupe and Convertible "Final Editions"

2010 is the year that Volkswagen is saying farewell to today's generation of the Beetle legacy as they introduce the new 2010 Beetle Coupe and Convertible "Final Editions." Only 1,500 units of each model will be available in the U.S., beginning spring 2010.

To set the new, more exclusive Beetles aside from the rest on the road, each individual car has its own numbered "Final Edition" badge located on the exterior of the car and the steering wheel. Matching the interior, the convertible comes with a white top that coordinates with the "special exterior paint scheme." Fog lights have been incorporated into the bumper to complete the look.

Both models are equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels and a sport-tuned suspension. Powering the final new Beetles is the 150hp 2.5 liter five-cylinder engine with 170 lb–ft of torque—good for 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.

The Coupe comes in either a five-speed manual, or the optional six-speed automatic while the Convertible comes with the auto as standard equipment. The "Final Edition" Coupe and Convertible will be priced at $20,240 and $27,170 respectively.

Honda to unveil new small car at India auto fair

Japanese automaker Honda announced Monday it would unveil a new small car targeting emerging market consumers at an auto show in the Indian capital next month.

The announcement comes days after Japanese rival Toyota, the world's biggest carmaker, said it would take the wraps off a new entry-level small car also aimed at drivers in emerging markets, at New Delhi's Auto Expo in January.

The "Honda New Small Concept" vehicle has been developed especially for India and other emerging nations, Honda said in a statement, giving no other details.

With sales in developed nations in the doldrums, global carmakers have been steering toward India to tap its rapidly expanding market where consumer incomes have been growing quickly.

The manufacturers have been focusing on India's fastest-growing small car segment as they seek to lure newly affluent middle class buyers.

French carmaker Renault and its Japanese partner Nissan announced in November they would seek to challenge head-on India's Tata Nano, billed as the world's cheapest automobile, which retails for around 2,500 dollars.

Honda already sells various cars in India including the City 1.5 V, Civic, Accord V6 and the SUV CR-V.

Toyota's low-cost compact car, which it aims to sell in such places as India, Latin America and Russia, is codenamed the "Entry Family Car" or "EFC" and is expected to be priced at well under 10,000 dollars.

Toyota has said it plans to start making the low-cost car at its Indian plant on the outskirts of the southern city of Bangalore.

Automakers doing business in India face stiff competition from Japanese-owned Maruti Suzuki which has 50 percent of the market.

Honda to unveil new small car at India auto fair

Japanese automaker Honda announced Monday it would unveil a new small car targeting emerging market consumers at an auto show in the Indian capital next month.

The announcement comes days after Japanese rival Toyota, the world's biggest carmaker, said it would take the wraps off a new entry-level small car also aimed at drivers in emerging markets, at New Delhi's Auto Expo in January.

The "Honda New Small Concept" vehicle has been developed especially for India and other emerging nations, Honda said in a statement, giving no other details.

With sales in developed nations in the doldrums, global carmakers have been steering toward India to tap its rapidly expanding market where consumer incomes have been growing quickly.

The manufacturers have been focusing on India's fastest-growing small car segment as they seek to lure newly affluent middle class buyers.

French carmaker Renault and its Japanese partner Nissan announced in November they would seek to challenge head-on India's Tata Nano, billed as the world's cheapest automobile, which retails for around 2,500 dollars.

Honda already sells various cars in India including the City 1.5 V, Civic, Accord V6 and the SUV CR-V.

Toyota's low-cost compact car, which it aims to sell in such places as India, Latin America and Russia, is codenamed the "Entry Family Car" or "EFC" and is expected to be priced at well under 10,000 dollars.

Toyota has said it plans to start making the low-cost car at its Indian plant on the outskirts of the southern city of Bangalore.

Automakers doing business in India face stiff competition from Japanese-owned Maruti Suzuki which has 50 percent of the market.

BMW Presented ActiveE: A 100% Electric Version Of 1 Series Coupe

In 2010, BMW will give for testing a limited number of electric cars, derived from the 1 Series ActiveE concept, presented by the German brand on Thursday. The 100% electric concept can be recharged for 3 hours at a plug, his autonomy being of 100 miles, and the acceleration from 0 to 60 mph is done in nine seconds, the automaker announces. The 1 Series Coupe derived concept wheighs 3968 pounds and develops 170 HP, and its electric motor gathers his energy form to lithium-ion battery modules. The automaker say that the car hits 60 mph in nine seconds, but that the top speed is limited at 90 mph to preserve the batteries’ energy.

It is said that the car will make its debut in the beginning of the coming year, at the Detroit Auto Show, and in Europe it may be presented in Fall, at Paris. The electric car will be available for testing on certain markets, just like it happens with the electric version of the Mini, which is currently tested in Great Britain.

Volkswagen Beetle to be Launched Soon in India

Volkswagen is all set to roll out the Volkswagen Beetle on the Indian roads, in the beginning of December this year. As per information provided by a senior company official, Volkswagen Beetle was meant to be a People's car, but its very high prices fail to live up to that. Volkswagen would import the Beetle as 'Completely Built Unit (CBU)' with a 110 per cent import duty from its Mexican plant, for sale in Indian markets.

Volkswagen is Europe's largest carmaker which already sells the Volkswagen Jetta and Volkswagen Passat sedans and the Touareg SUV in India. The Volkswagen owns Skoda and Porsche vehicles which have already done good sales in India. The group has two facilities in India at Aurangabad and Chakan which assemble cars of its three brands, Skoda, Audi and Volkswagen.

Talking about the proposed launch, a couple of months back, Volkswagen India (Passenger car) Board of Directors, Member Neeraj Garg told reporters "It is an iconic brand and people know more about the car than Volkswagen. It will be brought to India as a completely built unit." At that time, he failed to put any time line for the launch of Beetle, but indicated that it is certainly considering using the 'Beetle' as a brand building strategy for Volkswagen, in order to get into the competitive Indian compact segment.