Ford Figo launched!

B-segment scorcher priced aggressively, starts at Rs 3.5 lakh for the petrol and Rs 4.48 lakh for the diesel

  I quite liked the Ford Figo when chanced to drive it just last month, and my verdict for the car was certainly positive albeit if Ford India managed to price the car sensibly. Pricing for the new hatch has just been revealed, and Ford seems to have gone for the jugular - the Figo will start from Rs 3.49 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for the base version 1.2 petrol. The 1.4-litre diesel engine option will start from Rs 4,47,900 (ex-showroom Delhi).
Pricing is at par with the respective new benchmarks for hatchbacks. The 1.2 petrol Figo will equal the smaller but newer Chevrolet Beat in its pricing, while the 1.4 diesel is almost at par with the Maruti Suzuki Ritz. The diesel variant will also undercut the newly launched Volkswagen Polo 1.2 diesel by almost half a lakh of rupees.
Deliveries for the new car will begin immediately, in fact we have already spotted the car on display at various Ford dealerships already. The company has also ensured that its sales and service network has been suitably ramped up to accommodate the initial demand for the Figo. The company currently has 167 dealerships in 97 cities ? 28 of these dealerships were opened in one day. Clearly, Ford India seems geared up for the bringing the Figo on the streets in a large way.

Figo 1.2 Petrol	Figo 1.4 TDCi Diesel
Lxi - Rs 3,49,900	Lxi - 4,47,900
Exi - Rs 3,81,900	Exi - 4,72,900
Zxi - Rs 3,99,900	Zxi - 4,96,900
Titanium - Rs 4,42,900	Titanium - 5,29,900

Porsche Panamera V6 revealed!

 

Porsche four-door tarmac buster goes for glory with a new V6 engine version for the Beijing Motor Show.
Buoyed by the worldwide success of the Panamera, Porsche is all set to launch the base version of the Panamera, the Panamera and the Panamera 4. Up until now the Panamera has only been available with normally aspirated or turbocharged versions of its V8 engine. Both the Panamera and Panamera 4 models will be available with a brand-new Porsche-designed 3.6-litre V6 featuring Direct Fuel Injection developing maximum output of 300 hp and peak torque of 400 Nm. That's about 111Nm per liter of displacement, while a lot of other engines barely touch 100Nm per liter. Normally you only get 400Nm from well-tuned 4.0 liter engines.
Featuring a 90 degree V-angle, the V6 engine sits snugly beneath the sleek bonnet and, following the Porsche tradition, the Panamera transmits its power to the road via the rear wheels, while the Panamera 4, as its name suggests, comes as standard with active all-wheel drive. The V6 engine will be mated to Porsche's PDK gearbox and will also include Auto Start/Stop aiding fuel consumption figures. As you'd expect with its smaller-engined saloon, Porsche's big noise is about the V6's cleanliness emitting just 218g/k of CO2.
Like the V8 versions, the base versions offer steel suspension as standard with optional variable dampers, adaptive air suspension with additional air volume is also available as an option and provides an even wider range of suspension settings to extend the driving qualities further still. The Panamera and Panamera 4 will be making their world debut at the Beijing Motor Show on 23 April 2010.

Safety Tips

1. SEAT BELT
   Seat belt is made for the safety of a person using vehicle in case of an accident. It saves the person from a grievous injury. Regular use of safety belt may save a person at the time of crises. In case of sudden stop the vehicle, driver may go forward and hit the steering wheel or windscreen may cause a severe injury. This goes for everyone in your vehicle.
   
   
2. CELL PHONE
   Using cell phone is dangerous while driving the vehicle to the driver as well as public on the road. It is distract the attention of driver, which is most dangerous. It is an offence.
   
   
3. HELMET
   Helmet is not made for fashion. The use of the helmet is not to impress others while riding two wheeler. It is most important safety gear, which saves the head injury and brake the scull in case of a serious accident. Helmet is must for safety of a two wheeler rider.
   
   
4. DEVELOP GOOD HABITS IN BEST BUS
   Be in "Q" at the bus stop. Enter in the bus from the rear door and get down from front door. Always stand in one side and keep a passage for the conductor. Offer your seat for the senior citizen or woman. Take exact change for the fare. Hold firmly while travelling, to avoid a serious accident if bus stops suddenly. Do not take out your hands out of the bus. if you find any unattended item in the bus, report to conductor or driver immediately.
   
   
5. THE ROAD-USER ON FOOT
   * Where there is a footpath, you must use it.
   * Where there is no footpath, walk on the extreme right of the road to face oncoming traffic. Walk in
      single row and be constantly alert.
   * Do not walk on cycle tracks.
   * Do not step onto the road without ensuring that it is safe to do so.
   * Do not loiter on the roadway and be particularly careful at blind corners.
   * Before you step on the road stop at the kerb. Look right, if clear look left, if all clear look right again.
      If all clear, cross and keeping a careful lookout all the time.
   * Where available always use pedestrian crossings, central refuges, subways and footbridges.
   * Do not step out from behind a stationary vehicle or slow moving bus or cars without making sure
      the road is clear.
   
   
6. CROSSING THE ROAD
   * Do not cross the road diagonally. Always cross at right angles. Walk briskly. Do not panic and run.
   * Watch your step on wet and slippery roads. A fast moving vehicle will take longer to halt on a wet
      road.
   * When crossing at cross-road look out for vehicles coming round the corner.
   * Do not cross until you have the "Cross Now Signal" or "Green Signal", even then look out for the
      rash driver.
   * Do not cross the road until the policeman directing traffic beckons you to cross. The signals given
      by a policeman controlling traffic must be obeyed.
   
   
7. Never place the shoulder belt under your arm. Broken ribs can cause serious internal injuries.
   
   
8. The back seat is the safest place for children to ride. Child passenger safety seats should be properly installed in the middle of the back seat.
   
   
9. Secure loose articles throughout the car. Flying objects during a collision can cause injuries.
   
   
10. Be sure the car is in good mechanical condition. Check tires, hoses, fluid levels and batteries.
    
    
11. In case of an emergency during a long road trip, keep a first aid kit, a blanket and some food and water stored in your trunk.
    
    
12. Allow plenty of time for the trip. Be prepared to stop frequently for rest, food, exercise and restroom visits if you are traveling with children.
    
    
13. Provide children with a new activity (coloring book, crossword puzzle book, cassette tape) to keep them entertained.
    
    
14. Always STOP to rest if you feel tired. Don't wait for your chin to hit your chest. Also, stop if you feel agitated or are near an aggressive driver to give yourself a minute to calm down.
    
    
15. Consider refueling when you are down to 1/4 a tank of petrol in case the next petrol pump is far away.
    
    
16. If driving, sit at least 12 inches from the steering wheel to give the air bag room to inflate.
    
    
17. Obey the speed limits. Speeding tickets are expensive. Speeding also can cost us our lives.
    
    
18. Avoid becoming distracted while driving. Common distractions include talking on a cell phone, eating and applying make-up.
    
    
19. Do not drive under the influence of certain medications (read the warning label or ask your doctor). NEVER drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
    
    
20. If you have vehicle trouble, pull onto the shoulder of the road away from traffic. No one in your family should accept a ride with a stranger.

Driving Safety

Safe driving habits can protect you, your passengers, and your vehicle. Learn more about how accidents, cell phones, road rage, and drinking and driving can affect your driving safety. We'll also tell you about steps you can take to ensure the driving safety of your kids.


Good driving safety habits

• Accidents
  When safe driving habits fail, accidents happen. Car accidents can be very stressful -- it can be difficult to think clearly. Read the tips below to learn what you should do to minimize the damage after a car accident.
  1. Make sure you and your passengers are OK.
     Move as far off the roadway as possible, but stay at the scene of the accident. Warn oncoming traffic by activating your hazard warning lights or setting flares.
  2. Call the police to report the accident.
  3. Contact your Insurance Company / Agent if you are insured or your vehicle is insured.
  4. Do not admit fault for the car accident or discuss the car accident with anyone other than the police and your claims representative. Stay calm and resist the temptation to get upset or argue with the other driver, even if you believe the car accident was his or her fault.
  5. Exchange vital information with the other driver involved in the car accident. Write down the name, address, phone number and license numbers for all drivers and witnesses, particularly those who were not riding in a vehicle involved in the accident. Ask for the insurance companies and policy numbers for drivers involved in the car accident.
     
     
  6. Cell Phones
     Studies show that using a cell phone can put your driving safety at risk. Learn how to use your phone safely.
     1. Place calls when you are not moving or before pulling into traffic.
     2. When available, use a hands free device.
     3. Position your wireless phone within easy reach.
     4. Do not take notes or look up phone numbers while driving.
     5. Do not engage in stressful or emotional conversations that may be distracting.
     6. Use your wireless phone to help others in emergencies.
     7. Get to know your wireless phone and its features such as speed dial and redial. 
        
        
     8. Drinking & Driving
        Avoid driving after drinking. Let someone else like your friend / spouse drive the car if you have been drinking. Pursue the drunk driver to let someone else drive the vehicle.
     9. Road Rage
        Does your blood pressure rise with every minute you spend in traffic? See if you have developed aggressive habits that could threaten your safety, the safety of your passengers and others driving on the road. You can also learn how to reduce the stress of dealing with the aggressive driving habits of others.
        1. Overtake other vehicles from the right
        2. Avoid blocking passing lanes
        3. Maintain appropriate distance when following other motorists, bicyclists, motorcyclists, etc. Provide appropriate distance when cutting in after passing vehicles
        4. Use headlights in cloudy, rainy, and other low light conditions
        5. Come to a complete stop at stop signs
        6. Stop for red traffic lights
        7. Approach intersections and pedestrians at slow speeds to show your intention and ability to stop
        8. Drive below posted speed limits when conditions warrant. Drive at slower speeds in construction zones
        9. Use vehicle turn signals for all turns and lane changes
        10. Use your horn sparingly around pedestrians, at night, around hospitals, etc. Avoid unnecessary use of highbeam headlights
        11. Make slow, deliberate U-turns
        12. Avoid challenging other drivers
        13. Focus on driving and avoid distracting activities (e.g., smoking, use of a car telephone, reading, shaving). Avoid driving when drowsy
        14. Avoid taking more than one parking space, Avoid parking in a disabled space (if you are not disabled)
        15. Avoid stopping in the road to talk with a pedestrian or other driver

            Safety Equipment Seat belts, air bags, and head restraints can keep you safe when used properly. Air Bag Safety Automotive air bags are supplemental passenger restraint systems designed to cushion the contact between a vehicle passenger and the steering wheel, dashboard and, in some cases, vehicle doors. Air bags do not restrain the passenger in the seat, nor do they prevent backseat passengers from being thrown forward during a front-end collision. Clearly, air bags save lives. Unfortunately, some drivers assume that air bag safety reduces the importance of seat belts. This simply isn't true. In fact, the lack of seat restraint can actually reduce the air bag safety due to the increase in the potentially damaging impact force between the vehicle occupant and the deploying air bag. Remember, air bags are deployed with explosive power. To practice good air bag safety, place children 12 years and under in the rear seat, with seat belts securely fastened. The Science of Seat Belts The modern three-point automotive seat belt was the brainchild of Swedish aircraft engineer Nils Ivar Bohlin, who, ironically, spent the early years of his career designing aircraft ejector seats. Nevertheless, Bohlin's invention - a three-point combination lap and diagonal belt positioned across the pelvis and rib cage - has saved thousands of lives since its introduction in 1959. Seat belts today, of course, are an accepted part of routine vehicle operation for millions of drivers and passengers. Unfortunately, millions of other vehicle occupants continue to put their lives at risk by ignoring these critical restraint systems. Seat belts are a marvel of complexity and simplicity. They combine Bohlin's strong three-point harness with a relatively simple pendulum and ratchet mechanism that locks the belt in sudden-stop situations. This design helps improve the comfort of belt wearers, as the belt is not locked in position under normal operation. As with any safety system, however, seat belt performance is dependent on proper use and fit. If the belt is not positioned correctly on the vehicle occupant's body, it can fail to provide adequate safety in the event of a collision or rapid deceleration. Here are some tips to ensure that your belts provide the safety you and your passengers deserve Always wear your seat belt, and insist that your passengers do the same. One non-restrained passenger can seriously injure others in the vehicle. Seat belts help prevent internal injuries by spreading the force of a collision across two of the human body's strongest areas - the pelvis and upper chest. To ensure the proper distribution of force, the lap belt should be positioned across the upper thighs, and the diagonal belt across the chest. Never slip the diagonal belt behind your body; the lap belt alone cannot prevent you from being thrown forward and out of the vehicle. The lap belt also must be used at all times. Without this restraint, your body would simply be thrown under the diagonal belt and into the dashboard or steering wheel. Make sure your belt fits snugly against your body; if it is too loose, you could be injured by being thrown against the belt itself. If your seat belts don't seem to operate correctly, or you cannot adequately adjust them, return the car to a dealership or qualified repair shop for assistance. If your vehicle is fitted only with lap belts (pre-1974 models), contact a dealership for an upgrade to a three-point harness. Aftermarket kits are available for many vehicle makes and models. Facts Three of five people killed in vehicle accidents would have survived their injuries had they been wearing their seat belts. (Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) Seat belts save an estimated 9,500 lives in the United States each year. (Source: NHTSA) Every 13 minutes, someone is killed in a traffic accident. (Source: NHTSA) Knowing About Head Restraint    Five Simple Steps to Adjust Your Head Restraint Whether you're the driver or passenger, check out your head restraint before getting into the car. Get to know how it works. Does it adjust up and down? Does it tilt? Does it lock into place? This will help you find the best position for you. Once you're in the car, be sure your seat back is in an upright and comfortable driving or sitting position. Facing forward, reach behind you to adjust the height of your head restraint. In the optimal position, the top of the head restraint should be as high as the top of your head and no lower than 2 ½" below the top of your head. If your restraint locks into position, make sure it is locked in after you've found the right height for you. Still facing forward, feel how close the head restraint is to your head. In the optimal position, it should be as close as possible to the back of your head, no farther than 2 ½" away. If your restraint tilts, this can help you find the right distance. Adjusting the height of your seat can help too. To be sure you've positioned your head restraint properly, you or someone in the car with you can use a ruler to measure the height and distance. It's important to note that not all adjustable head restraints can be locked into place or positioned properly for all drivers. In these cases, do everything you can to protect yourself, such as adjusting your seat back to achieve proper head restraint position. Facts about head restraints and neck injuries Nearly two million rear-impact vehicle crashes occur each year. Industry data shows that more than 20 percent of drivers in rear-impact crashes report neck injuries. A 1999 IIHS study of rear-end crashes shows that the risk of neck pain can be reduced by more than 40 percent when a head restraint is properly positioned. A recent Progressive survey found that Only 14 percent of drivers know the optimal positioning of a head restraint. 40 percent of drivers do not adjust their head restraint when driving a newly purchased vehicle. 18 percent of drivers think all vehicles come with head restraints already properly positioned.

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            Tips for safe driving with your kids

            Child Passenger Safety Car seats, seat belts, and other devices are essential to safe driving with your kids. Learn more about what you can do to keep your kids safe in case of an accident. Child safety seats and seat belts are essential for protecting your children in case of a car accident. However, these child passenger safety devices must be used properly to be effective. As a driver, you are responsible for child passenger safety -- we can help you understand how to keep kids safe while driving. Facts On average, seven children age 14 and under are killed in traffic accidents each day. (Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) Non-use of seat belts is a conscious, albeit life-threatening, decision by thousands of adult drivers and passengers. Unfortunately, children often are the unwitting victims of this behavior. In fact, research conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that when a driver is unbuckled, children in the same car are properly restrained less than 25 percent of the time. A recent survey of 423 grade school children conducted by Progressive found that 67 percent of children surveyed said they learn driving safety "from a parent." Only 47 percent of children surveyed, however, said that the first thing their parents do when getting into a car is put on a seat belt. Facts such as these have led Progressive to support programs like Operation ABC Mobilization: America Buckles Up Children, which proposes stronger enforcement nationwide of child passenger safety laws. Progressive also has developed television Public Service Announcements calling attention to the importance of the use of proper child safety restraints. Seat belt tips for child passenger safety: All children age 12 and under should be buckled up in the rear seat of the vehicle. Children should ride in an appropriate child safety seat until 8 years of age. Holding a child in your lap provides no additional safety. An unrestrained 10-pound infant would instantly be ripped from an adult's arms in a 30-mph collision. Don't place a single belt over yourself and a child. The child could be crushed by your body in the case of a front-end collision. A seat belt must be adjusted to the size of a child. As is the case with adults, the lap belt should cross the child's upper thighs and the diagonal belt should cross the upper chest and a point between the neck and the center of the shoulder. Children should continue to use a belt-positioning booster until the lap/shoulder belts fit properly and the child's legs are long enough to bend at the edge of the seat. Child safety seat tips: Safety requirements change as children grow. Learn the basic facts for proper use of child safety seats. Infants - From birth to one year or 20 lbs., infants should be placed in rear-facing child safety seats in the back seat of the car. The harness straps should be at or below shoulder level. Toddlers - From one year/20 lbs., to 40 lbs., toddlers should be placed in forward-facing child safety seats in the back seat of the car. The harness straps should be at or above the shoulders. Young children - Children over 40 lbs., but less than 4'9" in height should be placed in forward-facing booster seats in the back seat of the car. Lap belts should fit low and tight across the thights, and shoulder belts should fit snugly across the chest and shoulder to prevent abdominal injuries. Child passenger safety facts: Safety education is working. Car accident fatalities for childern under five dropped from 706 in 2000 to 668 in 2001. The number of fatalities for childern ages five to 15 dropped from 2,105 to 1,990 in 2001. (Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) Child safety seats save lives. Correct use of a child safety seat can reduce the risk of accident-related injuries and deaths by more than 70 percent. (Source: NHTSA) Seat belts can ensure child passenger safety. Six out of 10 childern who die in passenger vehicle crashes are unbelted. (Source: NHTSA)

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            Teen Drivers Teen drivers have the highest crash risk of any age group. Per mile traveled, they have the highest involvement rates in all types of crashes, from those involving only property damage to those that are fatal. The problem is worst among 18 year-olds, who have the most limited driving experience and an immaturity that often results in risk-taking behind the wheel. Speeding Eigthteen-year-old drivers have a higher rate of crashes in which excessive speed is a factor. Single-vehicle crashes More of 18 year-olds' fatal crashes involve only the teen's vehicle. Typically these are high-speed crashes in which the driver lost control. Passengers Eightteen year-olds' fatal crashes are more likely to occur when other teenagers are in the car. The risk increases with every additional passenger. Night driving This is a high-risk activity for beginners. Per mile driving, the nighttime fatal crash rate for 18 year-olds is about twice as high as during the day. Low belt use Teenagers generally are less likely than adults to use safety belts. What Parents of Teenagers Can Do When parents understand the risk factors involved in letting 18 year-olds get behind the wheel, they can act to improve the situation for their own children. Don't rely solely on driver education High school driver education may be the most convenient way to learn driving skills, but it doesn't produce safer drivers. Poor skills aren't always to blame for teens' crashes. Their attitudes and decision-making skills matter more. Young people naturally tend to rebel, and peer pressure influences them more than advice from adults. They often think they're immune to harm, which is why they don't use safety belts as much and why they deliberately seek thrills like speeding. Training and education don't change these tendencies. Restrict night driving Most nighttime fatal crashes among young drivers occur between 9 PM and midnight, so teenagers shouldn't be driving much later than 9 PM. The problem isn't just that late-night driving requires more skill. Outings late at night tend to be recreational. In these circumstances, even teens who usually follow all the rules can be easily distracted or encouraged to take risks. Restrict passengers Teen passengers in a vehicle can distract a beginning driver and/or lead to greater risk-taking. Because young drivers often transport their friends, there's a teen passenger problem as well as a teen driver problem. Almost two of every three teen passenger deaths (62 percent) occur in crashes with a teen driver. While night driving with passengers is particularly lethal, many fatal crashes with teen passengers occur during the day. The best policy is to restrict teen passengers, especially multiple teens, all the time. Supervise practice driving Take an active role in helping your teenager learn how to drive. Plan a series of practice sessions in a wide variety of situations, including night driving. Give beginners time to work up to challenges like driving in heavy traffic or on the freeway. Supervised practice should be spread over at least six months and continue even after a teenager graduates from a learner's permit to a restricted or full license. Remember you are a role model New drivers learn a lot by example, so practice safe driving. Teens with crashes and violations often have parents with poor driving records. Require safety belt use Don't assume that belt use when you're in the car with your 15 year-old means belts will be used all the time, especially when your child is out with peers. Remember that belt use is lower among teenagers than older people. Insist on belts all the time. Prohibit driving after drinking Make it clear that it's illegal and highly dangerous for a teenager to drive after drinking alcohol or using any other drug. While alcohol isn't a factor in most crashes of 18 year-old drivers, even small amounts of alcohol are impairing for teens. Choose vehicles for safety, not image Teenagers should drive vehicles that reduce their chances of a crash and offer protection in case they do crash. For example, small cars don't offer the best protection in a crash. Avoid cars with performance images that might encourage speeding. Avoid trucks and sport utility vehicles - the smaller ones, especially, are more prone to roll over.

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            Be prepared Often, we don't think about what we need in an emergency situation until we're in one. Whether you have a flat tire or another roadside emergency, you should have the following items in your car: Spare tire (be sure to have it checked each time you have your tires rotated) Jack, Scissors, Tool box with screwdrivers and wrenches, Small hammer, Jumper cables Car Owner's Manual Blanket Flares Fuses Snack food Sealant for small leaks in tires Duct tape Fire extinguisher Empty Petrol can, Can of motor oil Portable radio with spare batteries Emergency phone numbers of family and friends Insurance information Car registration Flash light with spare batteries First aid kit Bottled water, Pre-moistened towelettes Tire pressure gauge Paper and Pen or pencil Window scraper for ice Cellular phone Reflective vest

Tips for driving safely on a highway

Highways might seem like a fun, fast drive, but statistically they're the most dangerous roads to drive on. Average speeds are higher and a wrong move can mean a pretty nasty impact. Here are a few tips to keep you safe the next time you decide to go for a long drive down the highway

1. Lane Discipline
This is something most people neglect on our highways. If you're driving on a divided 4-lane highway, it's always a good practice to drive in the left-lane as much as possible. As far as possible, the right lane should be used only for overtaking other vehicles. On a 6-lane highway, the best bet for cars is in the middle lane, as the left-most lane would be used by slower moving trucks. While switching lanes, always check your mirrors first and then use the indicators to warn surrounding traffic of your intentions.

2. Overtaking
Possibly one of the most potentially hazardous situations one faces on the highway is overtaking another vehicle. Before you start any overtaking maneuver, ensure that you're at a safe distance behind the vehicle you want to overtake - don't tailgate. Check your mirrors and blind spots for any traffic that is around or approaching you. Shift down to a lower gear so that you have enough power on tap to do the maneuver swiftly. Switch on your right indicator and cautiously move into the right lane ensuring that there is no traffic in it. If the gap is enough, accelerate quickly to a good pace and ensure that you are past the vehicle in as short a time as possible. Don't cut too soon in front of the overtaken vehicle and use your indicators for pulling back into your own lane.

3. Merging on or off
Merging from a slow moving road on to a faster moving highway should always be treated with caution. If the highway has a proper merging lane, start accelerating as soon as you are on it to get up to traffic speed. If there is no merging lane, come to a complete stop and only merge on the highway when there is no traffic. While turning off the highway, stick to the left side and gradually slow down before the turn. Make liberal use of the mirrors and indicators in either case.

4. Stopping on the highway
Sometimes unavoidable circumstances might force you to stop by the side of the highway. First off, use indicators, or if the situation demands, hazard lights, while pulling over to the side of the road. Gradually move over to the side and slowly reduce speed. Ensure that you stop only on road shoulder, as far away from the highway lane as possible. Once stopped, keep hazard lights running and deploy the safety triangle.

5. Even before you start off
The most important steps you can take to ensure a safe highway drive should be taken before you even leave home. Ensure that the car has been serviced recently before attempting any long highway trip. Ensure all liquids - oil, coolant, brake fluid and even the windshield wiper fluid are all topped up. All tyres, including the spare, should be checked and inflated to the correct pressure. The first aid kit should be in place. A bottle of water and some duct tape can prove extremely useful.

Safety tips to drive this foggy season

It's the time of the year, when fog is creating havoc in every driver's life. Driving during this time of the night is like driving with a blindfold on. Perhaps the safest bet if you run into fog, is to move off the road and wait till the fog lifts up. But then, is this is practical solution? Perhaps not. Here we give you some tips as how to drive safe during this foggy weather.

Tip 1: Slow down and watch your speedometer - before you enter smoke. Smoke creates a visual illusion of slow motion than your actually speed. So watch your speed meter and take control. Most accidents occur because the driver is going too fast for the conditions.
Tip 2: Avoid passing or changing lane - Its always safe if you follow the car who is in front of you. You don't need to be act and feel like a super hero and change lanes.
Tip 3: Roll up your windows and put the heater on the recirculation mode to avoid outside air.
Tip 4: Use the right edge of the road or painted road markings as a guide. If you drive close to the painted marks, you will somewhat get to know where is the road leading to.

Tip 5: Signal turns well in advance and brake early as you approach a stop. Keep your windshield and headlights clean to reduce the glare and increase visibility. Use wipers and defrosters liberally for maximum visibility.
Tip 6: If you must pull off the road, signal (people tend to follow tail lights when driving in smoke), then carefully pull off as far as possible.
Tip 7: Put your high beam OFF. People have the tendency to put the beam on, thinking the visibility would be more. High beams direct light up into the fog making it difficult for you to see. Low beams direct light down onto the road and help other drivers to see you.
Tip 8: Remember that other drivers have a limited sight distance and that fog can leave roadways slick. Signal early, and when you use your brakes, don't stomp on them.

Skoda Laura Vs. Chevrolet Cruze: Stars and Czechs

The entry of the Chevy's new Cruze has just hotted up the mid-size segment even further. But does this teeth-baring entrant have what it takes to upset the segment favourite, the Skoda Laura?

Being at the top is great. You're way above the rest, you are popular and it mostly implies you are successful. No matter how delightful it may seem from down below, being at the top is always a struggle with the competition always finding ways to push you down. In the 10-15 lakh segment it's the Skoda Laura which has been reigning supreme for quite some time demolishing one challenger after another. This time however the Laura is up against its toughest competitor yet. A competitor who packs a mean punch yet wears a suave bow tie while at it. What we're talking about is the all new Chevrolet Cruze. The J300 as it is internally known as was introduced in 2008 and internationally served as a replacement to the Chevrolet Cobalt and the Daewoo Lacetti. Since the Cruze was developed by a global design and engineering team it definitely feels much more American unlike its rebadged Korean predecessor the Optra.

And it looks the part too. The Cruze has a chiseled, sophisticated exterior that gives nothing away to more established brands. The unusual double decker front grille treatment is particularly refreshingly. The swept back head lamps the muscular swage line gives it an extremely aggressive demeanor. The Laura was recently given a face lift wherein it received stylish new headlights, a slightly revised grille and other minute changes. Still placed next to the Cruze, the Laura looks pretty bland. And more so in white where the Laura looked like Vanilla next to Blueberry.

On the inside as well the Cruze is as radical as its exteriors. The centre console is a mix of grey, silver and glossy black surfaces. The speedo console looks neat with overlapping ovals and the chrome rings around them. The seats are pretty comfortable and offer good support in all the right areas. At the rear however, the Cruze takes a back seat to the Laura. Not only does it have less legroom but headroom also suffers thanks to the sloping silhouette. A first in this segment the car also features Keyless start stop entry which is a welcome addition to the already loaded Cruze. Get inside the Laura and the first thing one notices is how much more airy and spacious the car feels. The ergonomics are spot on and so is the quality of materials, a hallmark of the Skoda brand. Getting to the rear, 3 adults can be seated abreast comfortably with more than ample legroom. On the hot summer days the Laura also has the distinct advantage of having a separate blower for the rear passengers. The Laura however is devoid of any kind of steering controls which is shocking for a car in this segment

The other shocker was provided by the Cruze. Floor the throttle and there is considerable lag till about 1800 rpm and then all hell breaks loose. The Cruze just rockets forward riding a huge wave of torque. The 100 km/h sprint is covered in just 11.6 seconds. Keeping the pedal nailed saw us through 200 km/h with us running out of road at 207 km/h. The performance is thanks to the brilliant motor lying under that chiseled hood.

The 1991 cc VCDi unit coupled with the variable geometry turbo pumps out a 150 PS and a stump pulling 327 Nm of torque. The Laura on the other hand has to contend with the dated Pumpe Duse engine which pumps out a relatively mediocre 105 PS and 250 Nm of torque. Performance as expected is not a patch on the Cruze. Pedal to the metal makes the Laura get to a 100 km/h in 13.26 seconds while she tops out at 181 km/h. Around town though it's the Laura that's easier to drive in bumper to bumper traffic due to the relatively less turbo lag. In the Cruze you're either out of the power band and once the turbo spools up, almost on the bumper of the car in front. The power delivery is anything but linear with the turbo kicking in wildly. So one really needs to modulate that throttle well. Gear shift quality is spot on in the Laura while the Cruze tends to get notchy at times. Braking is brilliant on both cars with both of them employing discs all around. The bite on the Cruz however felt slightly better. Dropping the anchors from a 100 km/h the Cruze managed to come to a halt in 46.77 metres taking just 4.11 seconds. The Laura did the same in 45.82 metres and 3.98 seconds.

Getting down to the fuel efficiency the Cruze returned 11.64 kmpl around town and a decent 14.73 kmpl on the highway giving an overall figure of 12.41 kmpl. With a 60 litre fuel tank the Cruze will easily mange 745 km. The Laura owing to its slightly better drivability managed a slightly better 13.44 around town and 15.8 kmpl on the highway. An overall figure of 14.03 kmpl and with a 55 litre tank gives the Laura a range of 772 km.
Cruising on the highways, the Cruze felt extremely compliant absorbing any and every undulations on the road with ease. Low speed ride is a bit firm but settle down nicely as the speed increases. Shod with traditional McPherson struts upfront with a stabilizer bar in the front and mini block coil springs at the rear, the Cruze is set up more for comfort than outright handling. Take it around your favourite twisties and the Cruze does not disappoint. There is ample grip and the steering is reasonably direct. On tighter corners there is a tad bit of roll with understeer setting in as you approach its limits. The Laura is an established performer in this area and offers one of the best compromise between ride and handling. The steering offers excellent feedback while the excellent set up suspension just goads to drive faster. Ride quality around town however is slightly on the stiffer side and sharp vertical movements can upset the passengers. So although the Laura has more space at the rear, it's the Cruz that's more comfortable of the two thanks to its brilliant ride quality.
The Laura is still a great buy. It has amazing build quality, huge amount of space coupled with excellent ergonomics. If you love to drive then the Laura makes even more sense thanks to its brilliant dynamics. But the Laura has been around since quite some time and needs more than a minor facelift. The latest contender in this segment, the Cruze on the other hand looks smashing and is one of the best lookers in the segment. Looks apart it is also high on performance thanks to the brilliant 2.0 L VCDi unit. Space on the inside is slightly lesser than the Laura but the Cruze fights back with better ride quality. The top of the line Cruze is also better equipped consisting of keyless entry, sunroof, leather seats, rain sensing wipers and the works. But what really tilts the verdict in the Chevy's favour is the price. At Rs. 13,40,592 ex-showroom Delhi it is almost a lakh rupees cheaper than the less equipped Laura making it brilliant value for money. The top spot has a new entry and it's taken by the Cruze.