2010 ICOTY & IMOTY Awards announced

Though the 2010 ICOTY & IMOTY titles have been announced almost a month back, constant traveling at the beginning of the year kept me extremely busy to post it on time. Nevertheless, it's an important event which couldn't be left out without posting either.

Modeled along the likes of the North American, European and Japanese Car of the Year awards, all the major automotive publications in the country, along with JK Tyre have instituted these awards which is now recognized in the international level. Now in it's fifth year of running, the 2010 Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY) and Indian Motorcycle of the Year (IMOTY) award-winners have been announced. No surprises in both the categories, as Tata Nano and the Kawasaki Ninja 250R have been selected for the top honors in the country. It's ironical to know the fact that the title-winning bike is costlier than the car selected for the title. In fact, you can get two Tata Nanos for the price of a Kawasaki Ninja 250R.
 

Tata's diminutive Nano has been on a spree of winning awards including Car of the Year awards from individual automotive publications like Autocar India, Overdrive and the like. The Nano is the height of Indian innovation and by developing this automotive icon, Tata has made the world to crane and look towards Indian engineering. Production constraints apart, there is absolutely no reason why the Nano will not succeed in the domestic level though I am skeptical about it's success in the international arena. (Pic Courtesy: Overdrive)

When Bajaj introduced the Kawasaki Ninja 250R in India, it presented Indians with a gift which they have not received before - "Affordable Sports Biking". Though people with very deep pockets had their choice when it came to sports bikes (Hayabusa, R1, etc.), others were forced to settle for something from the crowded 150cc segment or the monopolized 220cc segment. Hope Bajaj lives up to the hype created by the bike and does not discontinue this bike within months of launching it in the market like it does for most other models.

Ford Figo undergoing final rounds of Testing

It's raining news about Ford now. Till very recently, it seemed as if Ford and GM have exchanged their jobs in India from what is happening in the USA. When GM India was on a spree of launching attractive models one by one at competitive prices (Captiva, Cruze and Beat), Ford was in it's dormant best with no new models to boast of. This is just quite opposite to what's happening in USA (and rest of the world) where Ford is staging an amazing comeback.

Ford finally broke the shackles and woke up from it's slumber when it's CEO Mr. Alan Mulally himself unveiled the company's new big hope in India - the Figo hatchback. Though the Figo (and Ford) missed the limelight at this year's Delhi Auto Expo, it seems that Figo is getting ready to be launched very soon in the market. A friend of mine happened to spot a fleet of Figo test mules being tested in NH45. From the snaps, it's quite obvious that these are almost 99% production ready cars undergoing some final rounds of testing and tweaking before its let out in the market.

Meanwhile automotive media have already driven the hatch and have come out with good, positive reviews. Ford fans, rejoice. The Figo is here finally !!!

Ford sweeps 2010 North American Car & Truck of the Year Awards

Ford, the American giant which is on a stunning comeback trail across the world, has made a clean sweep of the 2010 North American Car & Truck of the Year Awards with it's Fusion Hybrid and Transit Connect taking home the titles respectively. Earlier, Honda in 2006 and General Motors in 2007 had won both the titles and this is the third time in the 17-year history of the awards that a single manufacturer becomes the recipient of both the titles.

Of the three car finalists, Ford Fusion Hybrid scored 241 points leaving behind the Volkswagen Golf/TDI/GTI (146 points) and the Buick LaCrosse (103 points). One of the jurors summed up the verdict as "Though not the first hybrid on the market, or even the second or third, The Fusion Hybrid is simply the best one ever built. In addition to delivering terrific mileage, it looks and drives like a regular car - and a very good one indeed."

Amongst the truck finalists, Ford's Transit Connect had 213 points followed by the Chevrolet Equinox (183 points) and the Subaru Outback (94 points). Jim Mateja, of the Chicago Tribune, said "A U-Haul that fits in your garage. Holds people and soooo much of their stuff - bikes, snowmobiles, lawn movers, skis, tents, boats, ladders, furniture, you name it. Defines multi-purpose and boasts a reasonable price even when you add side and rear windows and back seat."

The fact is that both are worthy winners from a deserving manufacturer which is doing almost everything right at the moment. Last year, the North American Car of the Year was the Hyundai Genesis and North American Truck of the Year was Ford F-150. My guess on the title winners turned out to be partially correct with the Fusion Hybrid hitting the bull's eye and the Chevrolet Equinox failing to make the cut.

The Legend (Schumi) is Back in Action

In what has turned out to be the biggest news in motor sport of the year, Michael Schumacher has confirmed that he is returning to what he did best over the years - Formula 1 Racing, in 2010. Mercedes-Benz has managed to pull a casting coup of sorts in it's line-up for 2010 - at one end, the very young and supremely talented Nico Rosberg and at the other end, the legendary, iconic Michael Schumacher. Add to it the Team Principal Ross Brawn and the line-up is incredible. Michael Schumacher and Ross Brawn share a very special relationship and it was this duo which brought the Ferrari team back to winning ways in F1. Also, Michael won all his seven F1 Championships under Ross Brawn.

Being a die-hard fan of Schumi like millions of others across the world, I was overwhelmed when the news of Michael replacing the injured Felipe Massa at Ferrari this year came out. But Schumi's neck injury ensured that the moment for which hordes of fans were waiting with bated breath did not happen. After all no one will ever forget the popular Schumi trademark - pumping his fists and jumping in air while standing in the podium even after making winning a habit over the years. I am sure it was Michael who made many people in India watch F1 and thus turned them into fans of the sport. Now that the legend is going to be back in action next year, competing with people almost half his age, he has made a world of good for the sport making sure that people across the globe will be glued to television sets during the 2010 F1 season. I wish Michael gets a good car and start the season directly challenging for the race victory and ultimately for the championship. Soon cometh March-2010!

Boeing's Dream takes Flight

After many agonizing hiccups and delays, Boeing's 787 Dreamliner took to the skies for the first time on Dec-15-2009 and successfully completed it's test flight which lasted for 3 hours. Ushering a new era in long, fuel-efficient air travel, the first commercial airplane from Boeing since 1994 took off before an estimated gathering of 12,000 employees and guests from Paine Field in Everett, Washington. The flight marks the beginning of a test program that will see six 787 Dreamliners flying nearly round the clock and around the globe, with the airplane's first delivery scheduled for 4th quarter of 2010.

"Today is truly a proud and historic day for the global team which has worked tirelessly to design and build the 787 Dreamliner - the first all-new jet airplane of the 21st century", said Scott Fancher, Vice President and General Manager of the 787 program. "We look forward to the upcoming flight test program and soon bringing groundbreaking levels of efficiency, technology and passenger comfort to airlines and the flying public". Powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines, the first Boeing 787 will be joined in the flight test program in the coming weeks and months by five other 787s, including two that will be powered by General Electric GEnx engines.

According to Boeing, the 787 Dreamliner will offer passengers a better flying experience and provide airline operators greater efficiency to better serve the point-to-point routes and additional frequencies passengers prefer. The technologically-advanced 787 will use 20 percent less fuel than today's airplanes of comparable size, provide airlines with up to 45 percent more cargo revenue capacity and present passengers with innovations that include a new interior environment with cleaner air, larger windows, more stowage space, improved lighting and other passenger-preferred conveniences.

The 787 program has been a much-delayed nevertheless truly remarkable journey for Boeing. The company claims that with 55 customers around the world having ordered 840 airplanes already, the 787 Dreamliner is the fastest-selling new commercial jetliner in history.

Milestones of 787 Dreamliner Program:

• Jul-08-2007: Unveiling of 787 Dreamliner
• Jun-23-2008: Power On
• Aug-11-2008: Gear Up
• Nov-17-2008: Wing Break Test
• May-05-2009: Move to Field
• Jun-09-2009: Gauntlet Test
• Nov-20-2009: Charleston Groundbreaking
• Dec-12-2009: High Speed Taxi Test
• Dec-15-2009: First Flight