Top 5 Sedans of 2012

The Indian automotive industry today is one of the world's most rapidly progressing industrial sectors of the world. This, combined with the notable increase in the number of millionaires in India over the recent years, has caught the attention of celebrated auto-makers from across the globe to enter the Indian auto-market. These international brands are merging with the native brands to bring forward cars that are revolutionary in design and futuristic in style. Particularly, the sedan segment has currently been thrown into an absolute turmoil with everyday launches of world-class sedans.

Hyundai Elantra Fluidic

Price: Rs 12.51-15.85 Lakh (Ex-showroom New Delhi)Built along the lines of the all-too-famous fluid design of the Korean manufacturer, the elegant curves and cuts of this new sedan from the stables of Hyundai have turned the heat straight away on the front-runners like Chevrolet Cruze, Volkswagen Jetta and Skoda Laura. With an efficient petrol-fueled 1.8L 4-cylinder VTVT engine and a powerful 1.6L VGT diesel engine, Hyundai Elantra Fluidic is going to be rivaling some of the most fuel-efficient cars in the market. Laying immense focus on the safety and comfort of the occupants, the makers of Elantra have incorporated ABS, front and rear airbags and traction and stability control together with fully-loaded music and climate control systems in a luxuriously-furnished chamber.

Maruti Swift Dzire

Price: Rs 4.88-7.34 Lakh (Ex-showroom New Delhi)

Enjoying the position of India's best-selling sedan ever since its unveiling back in 2008, Maruti Cars made a fresh come back to the segment in February 2012 with the latest model of Dzire shortened to the level of a sub-four metre with an intention of cost-cutting. Rolled out in a fleet of 7 (4 petrol and 3 diesel) variants, the petrol version of the new Dzire is driven by a 1.2L 1197cc K-series engine while a 1.3L 1248cc DOHC mill drives its diesel counterpart. With a longer wheelbase achieved at the cost of a smaller boot, the new Maruti Swift Dzire houses quite roomy and comfy interiors while boasting several renewed stylish outer features.

Nissan Sunny

Price: Rs 5.93-8.93 Lakh (Ex-showroom New Delhi)

Having already been released in 3 petrol and 2 diesel-fueled versions, an automatic petrol version of the classy sedan Nissan Sunny is being anticipated to be launched in 2013. Majorly admired for its upstate and glitzy outfit adorned with a beautiful hexagonal front, large headlamps and body-colored accessories, harmonized with lavish interiors complete with an impressive audio set, key-less entry and start/stop and automatic climate control, Sunny has been blessed with quite an efficient security mechanism as well. Meanwhile, powerful 1.5L 4-cylinder engines have been employed to power both petrol and diesel variants.

Hyundai Verna Fluidic

Price: Rs 7.11-11.26 Lakh (Ex-showroom New Delhi)

Being the one to introduce the revolutionary fluidic make of Hyundai to the world, Hyundai Verna Fluidic has used this individualistic touch completely to its advantage. With sales curves on an all-time rise, Verna Fluidic, with its sporty yet elegant style, has been leading the C segment ever since its launch, an year ago. Even its plush interiors are considered to be the best in the segment. Voicing a tone of futuristic approach not only in style but also in safety, Verna integrates a streak of new and innovative safety features including six airbags, reversing camera, doors fitted with impact and speed sensors and rear disc brakes. All this, combined with mighty 1.4L engines make Sunny a complete package deal.

2012 Chevrolet Cruze

Price: Rs 13.85-15.67 Lakh (Ex-showroom New Delhi)

The recently unveiled face-lift of the Chevrolet Cruze, titled the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze has been rolled out in 3 fantastic models named Cruze LT Manual, LTZ Manual and LTZ Auto. Tweaked and honed to deliver a better fuel-efficiency, its spanking new power-trains paired with a 2.0L engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission gearbox, produce a magnificent 163bhp and 360Nm torque. While on one hand, its eye-catching looks including a sturdy grilled front, smartly fashioned fenders and a handsome bonnet add charm to this brilliant machine. On the other hand, special features like Cruise control, emergency exit and quick-thinking LAN bus make it stand out even amidst stars like Honda Civic and Volkswagen Jetta.

About Author :

Shweta Aggarwal is Guest Author and writes on gadgets and automobiles. Sometimes she writes about nature and it's creativity. Now in this Article, she is sharing the very important news about Top 5 sedan cars in India, 2012 such as Hyundai Elantra Fluidic, Maruti Swift Dzire, Nissan Sunny, Hyundai Verna Fluidic and 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. Follow her at Google+.

Hemi 426 Rebuilds - Are They Right For You

Car Modification - Hemi 426 Engine Rebuild

 
When Chrysler first introduced the hemispherical combustion chambered engine in the early 1960s, it was groundbreaking.   Originally designed for performance on the racetracks, the Hemi 426 proved so successful at its original intent � in its first appearance at the Daytona 500 in 1964, Richard Petty used a Hemi engine to take the checkered flag � that soon there was a sizable demand for street machines with Hemi engines.

While the racing success came early and often, and dealers were able to sell a respectable amount directly to street consumers, the early 70s marked the end of the Hemi 426, as most racing circuits outlawed the engine and Chrysler discontinued production in 1971.

Fast forward almost 20 years, and the Hemi made a comeback, albeit in a slightly different form.  Seeking an engine with ample power and torque, Chrysler reinvented the timeless engine and began installing the Hemi engines in their Dodge pickup line, sparking new interest in the classic model.

Since that time, classic Hemi vehicles have become highly sought-after; there were roughly 10,000 Hemi cars produced between 1964 and 1971 at a cost of $3000 to $4000 each, and now they are among the most valuable collector vehicles in existence.

Meanwhile, restoration enthusiasts and engine builders have increasingly turned their focus on the original Hemi 426, not just for its racing prowess, but also as a durable and reliable engine for cars, trucks, boats and hot rods alike.

For many gearheads, nothing can match the flair and performance of having a classic Hemi under the hood. However, there are some considerations that a builder must make before embarking on a Hemi 426 rebuild.  Perhaps the most crucial consideration is cost; Hemi rebuilds are generally more expensive than other 1960s engines, owing mostly to the difficulty in obtaining the specific parts needed.

The cost can vary wildly, however, and some Hemi rebuilds can be done for a few hundred dollars.  Others, however, can cost as much as $1,500.

The disparity has to do with the adaptability of the original 426s.  While stock Hemi 426 parts are widely available and generally reasonably priced, modified versions can be more of a chore to deal with.  And many of the original Hemi 426s were modified, whether for racing or a customized street version.

Original Hemi 426 parts can still be found with minimal effort, both for stock engines and modified versions � with one notable exception being the DeSoto models, for which parts are extremely scarce.  However, knowing which specific parts are needed when dealing with an engine that has been modded (and often machined) is the tricky part, and while many parts are interchangeable between the various versions, care must be taken to ensure that all parts are compatible.  The good news is that interest in restoring the 426 has led to an upsurge in manufacturing parts specifically designed for rebuilds � the downside to this is that there are so many parts available, it can be difficult to determine which one is correct for your rebuild.

Because of the extra knowledge needed to effectively study the engine components and ensure part compatibility, and the potential for bigger costs to find a rare part, Hemi 426 rebuilds are recommended primarily for those that have experience restoring other classic engines.   The difficulty of actually rebuilding the engine is not so great, but failure to properly match parts can ruin the experience, so proceed with caution.

The Hemi 426 is one of the greatest production engines every produced, and its staying power in the collector/rebuild world is staggering.  Many builders are specifically seeking out the Hemi because of its rediscovered reputation as a classy and powerful engine.  If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding restoration project � one that will ensure that your friends and family can give you no guff � then it is hard to go wrong with an engine that has had such a huge influence (despite limited early production) as the Chrysler Hemi 426.

Author Bio:

Roger Morrison is a classic car enthusiast and an off-road aficionado that has recently taken to blogging to share his passions with others.  His current project is as an online publisher for Chrysler Australia.