Automobiles Review

Tag: delhi auto expo 2014

  • Renault KWID Concept And The Flying Companion

    Renault-KWID-Concept-shadowRenault-KWID-Concept-mediumWouldn’t you know it, the playful-looking KWID actually does have a complementary drone with it. Not that Renault are planning to actually really make it in the near future, but we are quite stumped. Unveiled at the Delhi Auto Show, this is the French company’s first ever concept outside of the European continent. It had to be good, then. And it is. By good, of course, we mean outlandish.

    It was sort of designed locally: input from Renault Design India played a big part in the process. It’s pretty short and has almost no overhangs and thus Renault describe it as a “bouncing vehicle”. Add the freakishly big tires into the equation and you’ve got yourself a buggy-like car. It’s still two-wheel driven though.

    The one that can be seen at the Auto expo has a 1.2-liter turbocharged petrol engine and a dual-clutch EDC transmission with a touch pad for shifting gears (yuck). The original idea, however, is to slot in the company’s Z.E. (electric) drivetrain. There’s place for the batteries and a plug behind the Renault logo.

    Inside, the KWID is appropriately fitted with an electrically operated front bench seat, electric opening doors, LED lighting, and -instead of a dashboard – a vertically-mounted TFT touchscreen display offering the latest in connectivity.

    And speaking of connectivity, we can’t neglect the fact that the KWID has a drone mounted on its top. It’s called the Flying Companion and it has two modes of operation. One is the automatic mode that uses a pre-progarammed flying sequence and GPS location to keep itself out of trouble. The second mode involves a tablet and you as a pilot. Renault say that the companion can be used for scouting traffic, taking aerial pictures and detecting obstacles, but wouldn’t that be a bit distracting from, you know, the main act of driving?

    “Customers in new markets are much younger. Their expectations are different and customers are basically gamers. They tend to take a closer interest in technology and want to enjoy themselves. This concept car meets those needs in a variety of ways, but mainly thanks to the Flying Companion which makes driving both safe and fun. This is the very first time in the long automotive history we can drive on earth with an eye in the sky. It’s an amazing feature!” says Serge Mouangue, Brand Manager and Innovative Cooperative Laboratory Manager.

    Apparently not.

    Renault KWID Concept
    Renault KWID Concept
    Renault KWID Concept
    Renault KWID Concept
    Renault KWID Concept
    Renault KWID Concept
    Renault KWID Concept
    Renault KWID Concept
    Renault KWID Concept
    Renault KWID Concept
    Renault KWID Concept
    Renault KWID Concept

  • Volkswagen Taigun First Time in Asia

    Volkswagen-Taigun-Concept-shadowVolkswagen-Taigun-Concept-medium-1Today the Auto Expo 2014 in New Delhi kicked off and here’s what’s hot: The Volkswagen Taigun – ever so close to production – is making its Asian premier. This time, however, beside being rather orange, it has a new backside with an exterior-mounted spare wheel. Apparently, that was the feedback the company received ever since the Taigun made its world debut at Sao Paulo. How do you get customer feedback on a concept vehicle?

    Just a quick reminder: the Taigun is a compact-SUV (sigh) concept that carries Volkswagen’s 3-cylinder 1.0-liter TSI engine: a blatant take on Ford’s EcoBoost range. It develops 110hp at 5000 rpm and has an average fuel consumption of 4.7 l/100km. Probably, the fact that the Taigun is really, really small helps.

    How small is it? 3,859 mm long without the spare wheel, 1,728 mm wide and 1,570 mm high. Still, it has a relatively big wheelbase at 2,470 mm (the front and rear overhangs stretch out 708 mm and 681 mm respectively). Total weight: just bellow a ton.

    The new rear end, as we said, boasts a mounted spare wheel. By the way, all five wheels measure at 17-inches and have 205/50 R17 tires on them. Hinged on the driver’s side, the boot lid, which holds the mounts, swinges outwards when opened (the handle is cleverly integrated into the right taillight). The rear window, with the roof spoiler integrated above it, opens independently outwards. Both ends of the underbody make use of a rugged metal protection panel.

    Inside, the Taigun offers as much cargo space as it can. With no modifications whatsoever, you get 280 liters of boot to spare. Fold the rear seats and that number grows to 996 liters. There are also storage compartments in the tailgate.

    It’s a simple, convenient, and easy-to-use everyday car that still holds some off-roading merit. Let’s see how they come along with the actual production of it.

    Volkswagen-Taigun-Concept-medium-2

    Volkswagen Taigun Concept
    Volkswagen Taigun Concept
    Volkswagen Taigun Concept
    Volkswagen Taigun Concept
    Volkswagen Taigun Concept
    Volkswagen Taigun Concept
    Volkswagen Taigun Concept

    Source: Volkswagen

  • Datsun Offers Glimpse At Forthcoming Concept Car

    Datsun-Concept-Car-shadowDatsun-Concept-Car-mediumJust a quick reminder that Datsun is back. The Nissan-sourced brand will be hitting the markets from this year on in specific areas such India, Indonesia, Russia and South Africa. So what better way for the company to start gaining media attention than appearing on the Delhi Auto Expo 2014 which kicks off on the 5th of February and will last until the 11th

    And here is a sketch of what you should find at the expo when the time comes. It’s a concept car that’s supposed to show the brand’s future design direction.

    Frankly, we don’t know how to feel about it. It sort of looks like a sub-compact crossover, and we’ve never been fond of these. Then there’s the styling itself. There seems to be a bit of Ibiza in there, a Ford Fiesta as well; it just doesn’t feel that fresh. Then again, it’s supposed to be accessible and simple. Agree to disagree?

    We’ll just have to wait and see the real thing…which won’t be the real thing because it’s a concept, but you know what we mean.

    Source: Nissan