Mini Cooper D countryman launched, price starts at Rs. 25.60 lakh

Finally, the iconic Mini Cooper Countryman is launched in India with a starting price of Rs. 25.60 lakh. You might wonder that this is not the first time that a Mini Cooper is launched in the country. Yes, but this time around the German automaker BMW Group has brought this vehicle with diesel engine option. This makes the all new Mini as the first ever Mini to host a diesel engine. This time around the vehicle is brought to India as a CKD unit and it will be assembled at the BMW's Chennai based manufacturing facility. Launched in overall two variants, the all new BMW Mini Cooper Countryman price starts at Rs. 25.60 lakh and it goes up to Rs. 28.90 lakh (ex showroom price Mumbai). There is already the petrol variant of the Mini is being sold in India and now with the introduction of diesel variant, Mini's India portfolio has got increased. This new vehicle however, is not as powerful as its petrol version but it is surely a target to the Indian car enthusiasts. The all new Mini Cooper D Countryman sports a powerful 1.6 litre diesel beast that has the capability of producing 112Bhp of maximum power and 270Nm of peak torque at 1750Rpm. Its engine is paired with a 7 speed automatic transmission gearbox and it enables the car to produce 16.6Kmpl of maximum mileage. 

The all new D Countryman has the top speed of about 180Kmph and it can accelerate from 0-100Kmph speed in just about 11.3 seconds. The company has made a wise move by introducing the vehicle through CKD route, which would bring down the price. Perhaps it is the only vehicle that is competing with itself in the Indian domestic markets. However, it could face challenges from the upcoming Mercedes Benz A class hatch in the domestic markets but Mini has the edge over rest of the models. Although, it is small and compact, it offers comfortable seating space for about 4 people inside while providing lavish comfort and convenience features. The all new Mini Cooper countryman features some of the most advanced and innovative features such as automatic stability control tranction control, anti lock braking system with electronic brakeforce distribution. This new car also features a DSC (dynamic stability control that stabilizes the driving situations. Apart from these, the car comes with some of the standard features like AC, music player, multifunction steering wheel, ABS, central locking and few other important features. It has a total 47 litres of fuel tank capacity. 

If it comes to the discussion about the appearance and style of the car, the new Mini has got the iconic looks. It comes with the same classy and sporty body design that has caught the attention of many individuals. By looking at the Mini Cooper Countryman pictures provided in the official portal, the car has got a stunning front fascia while the rear part looks to be very sporty. You can also notice that there is a lot of chrome finishing at the front that gives a premium feel. The front chrome grill brings the aggressive look to the front while with tail lamps bring the sportier appearance at the rear. The overall look of the vehicle is far more than impressive. 

This post has been written by Shweta Aggarwal.

The Ultimate Starting Guide For Car Mods

Street-rods were founded upon "bigger is better". These days, with innovation being at the vanguard of automobile performance, bigger is not automatically better. Nowadays it comes down to adding power through an aggressive motor in addition to a light-weight frame.

Plan your modifications

Many people choose parts on a feel-good factor. We would like that intake or desire that exhaust since we want the motor to sound great, and deliver more punch. However then we discover that we are considering going a separate path, suddenly the exhaust is not big enough or too big, and the intake doesnt work now. At this stage we have found that we squandered cash and really should have come up with a strategy based on the objective of the car.

Choose your individual staging

If haven't got the vehicle, you need to establish which platform you will be going to go for prior to your mod plan. This relates to determining which type of racing or functionality you prefer from the vehicle. For flat-out muscle, practically nothing will beat starting with a factory turbo or a V8 motor.

Drag-Racing

The mission of drag-racing is to speed down 1320 feet as swiftly as you possibly can. Consequently your vehicle should be as light as achievable, start as rapidly as is possible, and have as very much usable power available as possible. If the car has front wheel drive, you should have a set of slicks and a limited slip-diff. If the car is rear wheel drive, you could potentially pull off using street-slicks, then again this won't work for dedicated drag racers.

Road Racing

Road racing demands power and all around amazing handling and stopping power. Road racing means approx 30mins of continued punishment. Vehicles that are light-weight and control well could easily have much faster lap times compared to cars generating double the power, and so it's actually a game of harmony. For competitory use, you should get a set of road-racing-tyres and a set of rims to match.

Auto X

Auto X especially wears down tyres from parking-lot racing. You need, first-rate torque, and a functional power-band as a lot of of the time your speed is going to be below 60 mph for typically nearly 1-2 mins each time. Most crucial will be your tyres and the suspension setup. Therefore you'd have to get tyres which are capable of handling well on gravel and heat up swiftly.

Car Modification planning

Not all the mods need to be complete simultaneously, however, many will require a modification prior to moving to the next stage, and so plan that too.
Intake System

If you have no turbo but you plan to add one later, skip the intake. The intake will be redone when you add the turbo. Additionally, should you opt for a turbo kit, nearly all come with an intake kit.

Exhaust System

The more boisterous the exhaust the greater power it delivers, right? Wrong. Simply since an exhaust is noisy does not mean that the car is creating greater power than an equivalent vehicle with a less noisy exhaust.

Turbo Kits

If your own vehicle did not include a turbo from the factory, then this is first on the list. Then, when you buy your exhaust, you can also get the whole system re-tuned. Do it all at once and you will inevitably end up getting accustomed to the power far too early, and will want more.

So to conclude

There are so many mods available its impossible to cover everyone in one article. But, I wanted to cover the most important for beginners. Modifying vehicles is fascinating, and incredibly satisfying, and it also does not have to be rocket-science to get the ideal set-up.

I�m a car enthusiast with a passion for old, new, fast and slow! Whether it�s private, commercial, car, buggy or van? If it comes on four wheels it rocks! I currently work in Citroen Vehicle servicing and love the opportunities to work with a variety of vehicles - old and new!

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R, Chevrolet Sail and Hyundai i10 � Diesel Cars in Demand!

As soon as one enters the New Year, all the auto enthusiasts wait for all the auto maker giants to launch the best of all cars. Due to the soaring rates of petrol, the demands for diesel cars too have been on the rise recently.

In order to meet these rising demands of the car buyers, the Japanese auto giant Hyundai and the US auto giant General Motors have planned big to launch the hatchback of i10 and the refreshed sedan Chevrolet Sail respectively, powered by diesel engines. On the other hand, the market leader of India, Maruti Suzuki being in direct competition, introduced the all new revived diesel version of Wagon R.

After a lot of postponing in terms of the launch, Chevrolet Sail is one of the most anticipated cars in the Indian market. Likely to hit the Indian roads in 2013, US auto giant has put in much effort in order to cater to the diesel demands in the Indian market. Appearing to be strong and muscular looks-wise, this capable diesel sedan by the US auto giant General Motors, has been successful in becoming the eye candy of many car buyers in the Indian market.

Being powered by a 1.3L TDI engine, the all new Chevy Sail will be encountering one of the established and distinguished sedans like Toyota Etios, Honda Amaze and Tata Indigo face to face. It is being rumored that the refreshed Chevy Sail will probably be the best replacement for the present edition of Chevrolet Aveo. Being available in the diesel variant, the all new Chevy Sail stands a grand chance to be the best car to buy in the diesel variant category.

As a result of an instant reaction, Maruti Suzuki, the country�s largest auto maker has launched the all new edition of its best selling Wagon R. The all new refreshed Wagon R comes with an introductory price tag of 3.58 lacs. Being one of the best selling cars of Maruti Suzuki India and the top model of the company, the all new edition of Wagon R will be a bit costlier by a margin of just 10,000 bucks.

Boasting to be 8 percent more fuel efficient, the all new Maruti Suzuki Wagon R is likely to average a maximum mileage of more than 20 kilometers per liter. As compared to the 15.3 kilometers per liter of the outgoing model, the current model�s mileage way impressive. As for the fuel options, the new Wagon R will be made available in petrol variant, CNG and LPG variant. The much expected diesel edition is likely to hit the Indian market soon in near future.

Refusing to be the spectator, Hyundai Motors India too rolled out its special version of the much famed hatch, i10. Currently trending and famed as i-Tech, the special edition was introduced in March 2013. Being available in 1.1L and 1.2L diesel powered engine variants, the all new i-Tech will be tagged with a starting price of 4.25 lacs.

As the demands for best diesel cars in India keeps soaring, every auto giant will keep working hard in order to provide the buyers with the best car to buy in the market. Offering such assorted option of cars, it will be fascinating to see which of these cars will be best car to buy in India, eventually.

About Author:

I am John , a content writer and have great passion for new cars. I have written and published lots of article for blogs. Here I have shared my experience  and knowledge for best car to buy and about diesel cars in India.

Car rental in New Zealand

Heading to New Zealand and looking forward to getting out on the open road? There's nowhere better for it. But before you set off in your rental car, make sure you know what you're doing on New Zealand's roads.

Renting a car whilst on holiday can be a great experience, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace. And there are few places on earth more perfect than New Zealand for taking to the road and discovering spectacular and secluded sights. However, there are a few things to bear in mind whilst driving down under�

�         Licence- You must have your current valid driver's licence with you at all times when you're driving in New Zealand. If your licence is not in English, make sure you carry an English translation or an International Driving Permit with you. As long as your licence remains valid, you can drive in New Zealand for a maximum of 12 months from the date you arrive using this permit.

�         Stay left - In New Zealand, people drive on the left. If you're an Aussie or a Brit, this is perfect - but if you're travelling from anywhere else, remember to take extra care when pulling out. It's easy to slip into autopilot.

�         Turning right? Give way - At an intersection, give way to all vehicles that are not turning. If you've driven in New Zealand before, bear in mind some of the rules have changed and drivers turning right should now give way to oncoming traffic.

�         No left turn on red - In some countries you may be used to turning left on a red light as long as the road is clear. In New Zealand this is not allowed - red means stop, no matter what way you're going.

�         Look out for pedestrians - When turning at traffic signals, give way to pedestrians - the green man will come on at many intersection crossings at the same time as the lights will turn green for you to turn.

�         Hang up - it is illegal in New Zealand to use a mobile or cell phone whilst driving, unless the device is completely hands free.

�         Travel times - New Zealand may not look that big, but travel times can be long, with many narrow, unsealed and hilly roads to negotiate on your way to some of the country's best sights. Plan your route in advance and think about where you'll stop to rest for the night.

�         Watch your speed - Speed limits in New Zealand are in kilometres rather than miles, with 100km/h being the limit on most motorways and main rural roads. Unless a sign says otherwise, the speed limit is usually 50km/h in urban or built- up areas.

�         Park wisely - Make sure you park in the direction of traffic flow on your side of the road. You could end up with a fine, or worse, having your car towed for parking on the wrong side of the street.

�         Know where you stand - Thoroughly check your rental agreement and ask any questions before you drive away. What kind of insurance do you have? Are you covered for minor scrapes or unforeseen necessities like windscreen repair? Taking a few minutes to read the small print could save you getting landed with a hefty bill - money that could be spent on experiencing more of New Zealand's spectacular scenery and activities.

Have you ever rented a car in New Zealand?

The 5 Best Fuel Efficient Modern Cars

In these times, having a car is a need rather than a want. We all need our own cars so we have something to use whenever we need to run some errands and attend to life's emergencies. With lots of cars available, you can surely find the latest brands at its best quality most especially if we are looking for a stylish or a brand new model with a cost-effective feature. These cars are popularly known as fuel-efficient cars. To get the latest of these cars, scroll down below.

The 5 Best Fuel Efficient Modern Cars 

� Mitsubishi i

This is the best fuel-efficient car out in the market today. It is labeled as the "Greenest Vehicle of 2012". This vehicle is said to let you drive around for just 3.6 cents per mile. Does the car you have right now do it for you? This electric vehicle will surely give you zero emissions, no sound while driving, no tailpipe, nothing but just a clean and green drive anywhere you want to.

� Toyota Prius c One

This brand is Toyota's smallest hybrid vehicle to date. It is also its best-seller in the category. You can surely get great features this car has to offer for everybody. While using the vehicle around town it gets 53 mpg, while on the other hand when you use it on the highway, it gets 46 mpg. When full-tank, you can travel this car for approximately 475 miles.

� Nissan Leaf

What's great about this vehicle is that it has lowered down it charge time from eight hours to just 4 hours. It surely gives you less charge time in times you needed to use this on your emergency cases. Its new features have reduced drags, longer driving distance, and an improved efficiency of the vehicle. Despite the fact that Nissan created a negative effect out of the previous version of the Nissan Leaf, consumers won't surely be unsatisfied with the new and improved version of the model this year.

� Honda Fit EV

If you want to have a vehicle with a fast-charging feature, then this is the best that you could ever find. For just three-hours of charging, you can already use its battery in full. Another thing is that, for a 100-mile drive, you can drive it for 29-kilowatt per hour. You can take advantage of its driving modes like normal, eco, and sport modes. If style is what you are looking for, then this vehicle will not surely disappoint you. It's exterior has a colour of Reflection Blue Pearl, just fit for any vehicle enthusiasts.

� Chevrolet Volt

This vehicle has a five-door hatchback and a front wheel drive. It's charging time depends on the type of volt outlet you use. If you are using the 120-volt outlet, then charging time is between ten to twelve hours. On the other hand, if you are using a 240-volt outlet, it will have a faster charging time of only four hours. It's design is just right for those looking for a spacious interior. Overall, Chevrolet is still one of the best fuel-efficient cars you can have today.

If you are planning to have a personalized private number plate, then you just need to get the DVLA contact number to get the information you need on how to get it like its registration requirements, etc.

4 Key Things To Look For When Buying a Used Foreign Car

Buying a used foreign car has its benefits and drawbacks. One of the major benefits of buying a pre-owned vehicle is the fact that you don't have to worry about falling victim to steep depreciation as soon as you drive the vehicle off of the lot. With this being said, finding a reliable used foreign car can be challenging. You'll need to be a resourceful buyer, do your homework, and look for the red flags before you buy if you want to invest in a vehicle that'll last. Here are 4 key things to look for when you choose to buy used:

1. Do Thorough Research On the Car's History

It's easy to get emotionally attached to a vehicle when you take it for a test drive. If you've always dreamed of owning a BMW, finding a used BMW in your price range can be enough to make you overlook important details. Get past your emotions and do all of your homework before you even see the car in person. If you're buying from a used car dealer, get the VIN of the vehicle at the top of your list and run a vehicle history report. This report shows you if the vehicle has been involved in an accident, if it's been maintained, and how many people have owned it.

2. See What the Consumer Reports Say

After you look at the report, you should do even more research to verify that the year, make, and model you are looking at doesn't have any serious recalls or consumer complaints. If a model has transmission problems, you want to know right? Sites like Edmunds have reviews on every vehicle you could imagine and checking these reviews could be the difference between buying a car that'll last, and buying a car that will be in and out of a shop specializing in BMW repair in Austin, TX. If the complaints are consistent across the board in forums and review sites, this might not be the car for you.

3. Don't Just Look Under the Hood, Inspect the Entire Vehicle

If you don't know much about cars, you might lift the hood up and take a glance just to let the seller think you know what you're looking at. You don't have to be a professional to spot some serious problems. Start by inspecting the sides of the front fender and the trim around the vehicle. If there's damage, the cars been in a serious accident and the frame hasn't been repaired. Look for rust under the car and around the wheel wells. If there's rust, run! When you look under the hood, don't just look, check fluids and look for leaks. If you really are inept with cars, you can always bring a mechanic with you to point out potential problems.

4. Check the Status of the Title and Registration

If you're buying from a private seller, you might just assume that the vehicle is registered and smogged. Don't assume this because it can cost you money. You should check the status of the registration through the DMV website with the license plate number, verify the title has no liens, and make sure there are no parking tickets or other fines that you'll be responsible for when registering. Make the seller pay for a passed smog and never sign the purchase agreement until the vehicle passes.

Buying a used foreign car is a big investment. If you want to make the right investment, do the research even if the seller seems trustworthy. You'll be happy you did in the long run.