Showing posts with label test. Show all posts
Showing posts with label test. Show all posts
Saturday, April 5, 2014
BREAKING NEWS Robert Kubica to test Mercedes Benz DTM car in Valencia
Robert Kubica - Photo : yallaf1.com
- First test drive for Robert Kubica in the DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé
- Return to circuit racing at Valencia’s Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Mercedes DTM car
Kubica sustained multiple injuries in an accident on the 6th February 2011 whilst rallying. He has taken part in various national rallies during the past few months in preparation for a possible return to motor racing. This test drive with Mercedes-Benz in the world’s most popular touring car series represents his first proper outing on a racetrack under actual test conditions since his time in Formula 1.
Kubica was a member of the Mercedes-Benz motor racing family right back at the start of his career; during the 2004 season, the Polish driver lined up in a Dallara-Mercedes on the Formula 3 Euro Series grid for Mücke Motorsport. Kubica took three podiums and 53 points running a Mercedes-Benz Formula 3 engine. That same year, he took second place on the podium in the prestigious Formula 3 Grand Prix at Macau’s Guia street circuit. Before his serious rallying accident in early 2011, Kubica had contested 76 Formula 1 races, winning his first grand prix – the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix – in Montreal.
Robert Kubica: “I’m really pleased that Mercedes-Benz is giving me the opportunity to test their DTM car and I’m looking forward to getting acclimatised to a race car again. It will be in proper testing conditions, on a permanent circuit, and it’s important because the DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé has good levels of downforce. It’s still too early to make any statements about my future because of this one test. I’m just looking forward to tomorrow and we’ll see what happens after that.”
[Source : DAIMLER]
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Tata Vista D90 review test drive
Tata plonks a more powerful diesel motor in the Vista. We find out how good it is.
With Tata carrying out extensive exercises to constantly improve its range of cars, we’ve seen quite a few updates, facelifts and upgrades on several of the manufacturer’s products like the Manza. The latest in the line-up to get a new avatar is the Indica Vista with a 90PS (89bhp) diesel engine. It is powered by the 1.3-litre Fiat Multijet diesel engine that is shared with the likes of Maruti Swift and the new Chevrolet Sail. It makes the extra power (and pulling power) thanks to a different turbocharger and different engine tuning. The company claims this turbocharger, known as a variable-geometry turbo, improves the car’s low-speed responsiveness as well.
Apart from the engine, a whole host of other changes have been carried out on this car to improve driving performance, ride and handling. The D90 has a new sound-deadening package to cut down on in-cabin noise when the car is on the move, and Tata has also tweaked the suspension to help the car handle the extra power.
The good thing about the new engine is that it’s perfect for driving around in traffic – it’s responsive enough and has adequate power. However, if you want a sudden burst of power to, say, shoot into a gap in traffic, the engine will leave you wanting. There is quite a bit of throttle lag, but rev the engine past 2500rpm and a big burst of power comes in, which can get irritating.
On the highway, the D90 will hold three-digit speeds quite comfortably and the engine is pretty refined as well. Other plus points include the light-action clutch and gearshift, and the way that it is rather easy to drive. Interestingly, the Vista D90 is slower getting to 100kph than the lower-powered Swift diesel. At 13.9sec, the Tata takes 0.3sec longer than the Maruti and we think this is because of the extra 150kg on the Vista over its competitors. Tata puts down the extra weight to the Vista’s extra-strong reinforced steel body shell. But it is a lot faster than the 75bhp Vista which takes 16.3sec for the same run.
And if the engine impresses you, the cabin’s insulation from noise will completely bowl you over. Even at 140kph, the cabin is hushed, and you can actually have a conversation with your passengers without having to raise your voice. The tweaks to the suspension mean bad roads are dealt with comfortably and almost noiselessly. These improvements and the spacious cabin give the impression of being in a bigger car.
Tata says the handling has improved, and this is true to a certain extent – the D90 does feel safe in the way it handles and high-speed stability is excellent – but it would be pushing things a bit to call it a sporty handler.
Tata has also added new equipment to the Vista D90. In addition to the power windows and electric mirrors, the Vista gets a touchscreen audio system that includes voice-guided navigation, Bluetooth connectivity and an input for any possible form of media that you might feel like using (USB, aux-in, SD card and DVD). It’s also got climate control.
The manufacturer has also done a thorough job with the interiors, having upgraded a lot of the plastics, seat materials and even the air-con switches. Of course, close scrutiny will still reveal a few patchy bits – the volume knob on the audio system, for example. However, the Vista D90 is testament to the fact that Tata has come a long way in improving the interiors of its cars.
The rest of the car remains as is. Good bits like the spaciousness and practicality are intact. The new two-tone dashboard is also nice. The beige lower cabin enhances the feeling of space and the smart (if a bit hard to read) dials lend a touch of sophistication. That said, the boot could definitely have been a bit bigger.
At around Rs 6.6 lakh for the ZX+ trim and Rs 6 lakh for the lower-spec VX, the Vista D90 is a whole lakh cheaper than the Fiat Punto 90HP. It’s much better value than the Punto as well, simply because it’s got a lot more equipment and is a lot more practical.
Fact File
Price Range (in lakhs)*
| Ex-showroom price | Rs 5.99 lakh VX, Rs 6.83 lakh ZX (ex-showroom, Delhi) |
Engine
| Fuel | Diesel |
| Installation | Front, transverse |
| Type | 1.3-litre common-rail turbodiesel |
| Power | 89bhp at 4000rpm |
| Torque | 20.4kgm at 1750rpm |
Transmission
| Type | Front wheel drive |
| Gearbox | 5-speed manual |
Dimensions
| Length | 3795mm |
| Width | 1695mm |
| Height | 1550mm |
| Ground clearance | 165mm |
Chassis & Body
| Wheels | 14 inches |
| Tyres | 175/65-R14 |
| Spare | Full size |
Suspension
| Front | MacPherson struts |
| Rear | Twist beam |
Brakes
| Front | Ventilated discs |
| Rear | Drums |
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