Drifting Away: U.S. D1 Grand Prix Canceled

TORRANCE, California The sport of drifting, an import from Japan that has a strong cult following here, was dealt a major setback in the U.S. with the cancellation of the 2008 D1 Grand Prix USA series. Series organizers said "the official word from Japan" was that the Japan D1 series is to take precedence, at least for now.

D1 Grand Prix held its first All Star Invitational at Irwindale Speedway in California in 2003, sponsored by Yokohama Tire Corporation. The 2008 season would have been the second annual points series administered in the U.S. by D1 Grand Prix. Organizers blamed "issues and timing from the Japan series." The November All Star World Championship will still happen at Irwindale, the organization says. Details are at the D1 Web site.

Drifting is a "high-energy motorsports spectacle that features amazing tuner machinery" in "intense, action-packed battles for drifting supremacy," says a somewhat breathless explanation on the D1 Grand Prix Web site. Japanese teams had built cars specifically for the U.S. series, says the organization.

Since D1 Grand Prix has canceled its season, the other drift series appears to have consolidated its dominance in U.S. drifting. Formula Drift starts its U.S. season on April 12 at the Grand Prix of Long Beach (California) Street Course and has seven events planned in the 2008 season. Details are at the Formula Drift Web site.

The new TATA SUV : Safari?

The pictures doing the rounds of the net lately have created a lot of rumors. Well, give me ten days, and I shall reveal it all right here.

Is this the new Safari? Is this the new TATA SUV? Is this the new TATA Xover showcased at Geneva Motor show? Or this is not a TATA SUV?

Well, a lot of surprises will be coming your way. The countdown begins. 10 days to go...

2008 FIAT 500 ABARTH pics and video

These are the first images of the Fiat 500 Abarth, which will be unveiled at the Geneva motor show next month.

The performance version of the 500 will go on sale this summer, and the pictures show how Fiat has given it an aggressive restyle.

The bodykit includes new bumpers, side skirts, larger alloy wheels, a roof spoiler and additional decals. Inside, the front two sports seats are red.

The 500 Abarth will be powered by a turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol engine developing 135bhp and 151lb ft of pulling power.

Prices are expected to start at £14,000.

Sales of TATA SUMO GRANDE begins

Tata Motors on Thursday announced the commencement of sales of its latest passenger vehicle offering, the Sumo Grande, in the domestic market. Sumo Grande, unveiled at the Auto Expo in January this year, will be commercially available from dealerships located in metros and select large cities from February 22, and progressively across the country in a phased manner, said a release from the company. The Sumo Grande will be available in 3 variants all of which have two seati ng configurations – 6+1 and 7+1. The vehicle is priced in the range of Rs 6.55 lakh to Rs 7.49 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). It comes with a warranty of 2 years or 75,000 km, whichever is earlier. An additional two years’ warranty can be availed through the extended warranty option.

Ford Endeavour Thunder+

Ford's Hulk SUV, the Endeavour gets more muscle with the launch of the new Ford Endeavour Thunder+ in the Indian market. It was only recently in June 2007 that Ford launched the new Endeavour with updated styling, interiors and a new engine. The SUV market is moving fast and thus the new Endeavour Thunder+ comes in with even more power from its 3 litre 16 valve VGT turbo diesel. An earth shattering torque of 380Nm @ 2500rpm (up from 330 Nm) and max power of 156PS @ 3200rpm would make the new Endeavour a rapid SUV, ready to mud plug to your hearts content.

This new engine has resulted in the price tag bloating by almost Rs. 2 lakh and the new Endeavour Thunder+ retails at Rs. 17, 32,000 (Ex-showroom, New Delhi) up from Rs. 15,52,000. The price is the result of the import duty as the Endeavour Thunder+ is imported from Fords Thailand plant as a completely built unit (CBU).

The fuel efficiency of the new 3 litre engine is stated to be on par with the older 2.5L TDCi unit. Apart from the engine other new features include bigger ORVMs with turn indicators and puddle lamps, body cladding, two tone exterior paint, front bumper over rider and a rear ladder. Amenities on the inside remain the same as does the safety equipment.

Ford should not have upped the price on the new Endeavour as it is not worth shelling out around Rs. 2 lakh more for only a little increase in power and some cosmetic changes. Normally new variants are brought in at or close to the existing price of the existing vehicle. The guys are Ford are also talking about getting a military version of the Endeavour for the Indian army. How in the world would they be able to match the price effectiveness of lets say Mahindra, which is keen on military contracts as well and has developed the indigineous Mahindra AXE especially for mulitary use.