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Most of us know that Paul Valthaty, the surprise package of IPL 4 won the ‘Best Individual Performance’ Award for the tournament. The Kings XI Punjab cricketer got the keys of a spanking new Passat for his knock of 120 not out off 63 while chasing a score of 189 runs in the match against Chennai Super Kings. Now Volkswagen have released an official image of the cricketer with the car at his residence. Here’s the image. Enjoy, and pass to your cricket fan friends if you like!
We had shown you the spy images of the Audi R8 GT Spyder and speculated that it will be launched soon, and Audi has finally introduced the baby . The R8 GT when introduced was an instant hit and was sold out in no time. The R8 gave Audi a new perspective in terms on design and engine refinement which is best in class.
One thing that has become a necessity in the city life is a compact car due to all the traffic and scarcity of parking space. The executive city car enthusiast also faces these issues and would prefer driving a compact luxury car in the city rather than the acres of long sedan for a short trip to the mall. Studying the sales and demand of hatchbacks, the luxury auto car makers have taken notice of this and are going to introduce their own versions of luxury compacts. After Mercedes Benz and BMW, Audi has jumped onto the bandwagon.
Audi is planning to get their Audi A1 compact car here on the Indian land. Mr Anil Reddi, Head (Sales), Audi India said that “there is definitely a huge market in India for compact cars. Audi India is evaluating various options (to tap this segment). The important questions are what car, at what price and the target segment. Our customers in India are very demanding and want the latest. However there is no time line for the launching of the A1 compact but we can expect it around the same time as its rivals are planning i.e. around 2013-2014.”
The new Audi A6 which reported to be spied in Mumbai will be launched in the fourth quarter of 2011 and will be based on the previous version A6 platform. Speaking about the Audi Q3, which is the BMW X1 killer will be launched late 2011 or early 2012. The Q3 looks more promising than the BMW X1 and may end up eating the X1’s market share.
We reported to you earlier about BMW planning to enter the small car segment in India in the next two year or so with their 1-Series, BMW was keenly developing the 2012 version of their 1-series which is expected to make its way to the Indian shores by 2013. The 1-series 
was supposed to be showcased at the Frankfurt Auto Show but somehow the images are leaked in advance. The 2012 1-Series draws inspiration from its elder siblings such as the 5-Series GT and the 7-Series. The new model is substantially longer than the previous model which solves the rear passenger leg room issue. The car will also boast better quality interiors and a LCD iDrive display with speed limit detector and internet connectivity.
Engine options which we can expect 
on this small Beemer are the 1.6lit petrol with variable power figures options of 136PS\170PS\250PS on the other side the diesel will have the 2.0lit turbocharged engine which also will be offered in different power bands of 116PS\143PS\184PS, all these engines will be mated to a six speed manual or the eight speed autobox.
You can also spot the Start\Stop Button & regenerative brakes under the EfficientDynamics package. The 1-series is going to be pure executive city driving enthusiast’s car in India. BMW as a car is a dream for many enthusiasts and BMW can make use of this emotion keeping the pricing right. Not to forget that the other two rivals Audi & Mercedes is coming with their own small car version.
Honda City has been around for some time now, and we are now expecting a mid-life makover for the car, especially in the wake of increasing competition from new rivals. A few international blogs, including Noticias Automotivas of Brazil, is reporting that the Japanese company is planning a mid-life makeover for the car. The models selling in Thailand, Malaysia and of course India are due to get a refresh very soon. While no official word has come out on the changes to be made on the refreshed version, the upgrade should get a good bit of inspiration from the concept car shown above. Exhibited in 2008 Australian International Motor Show, the car sported LED lamps, sexy looking alloys and an array of cosmetic upgrades which made it look really sci-fi. For the face lift version the new City should get a new set of front and rear bumpers, new alloys, new headlamps and new taillamps. Minor changes to the grille could also be expected.
Inside the cabin, the car will get a new instrument panel, new interior trim, and hopefully a CD player. Engine and transmission will remain unaltered, until 2013 that is, when a 1.5-liter diesel engine may make it under the car’s bonnet.
When Audi introduced seven concept versions of the A1 at the 2010 Wörthersee Tour in Austria, it marked the A1’s introduction into the world of show cars. This year, the German automaker won’t be bringing as many concepts to Austria - the site of this year’s tour - but they are bringing one that effectively blows away just about every Audi A1 we’ve ever seen before.
Ladies and gentlemen, say hello to the Audi A1 Clubsport Quattro.
As a one-off show car, the A1 Clubsport Quattro is about the most powerful A1 we’ve ever laid our eyes on. Just how powerful is this vehicle? Try in excess of 500 horsepower under its hood. Yikes, indeed.
In addition to the monster engine under its hood, the A1 Clubsport Quattro was also designed as a preview model of the company’s new adhesive film decals that’s set to be released as future accessories for the A1 and all of its offspring models.
While we’d love to see this car out on the road - or the track, perhaps - in the future, it’s highly unlikely that it’s going to make it there considering its status as a one-off showpiece. But if the reaction to this car is what we expect it to be, we figure that Audi just may be tempted to get a production version out in the future. Unlikely, but hey, we can all dream, right?
UPDATE 06/03/2011: The Audi A1 ClubSport Quattro has been created officially for Need for Speed World fans and will only be available as a free in-game rental from June 1 until June 4, 2011. If you are interested in testing the car, log-in or register on Need for Speed World and go to the car dealer. Select Tier 2 and click on Audi for your 24 hour rental. Also, we have added a pretty cool video presenting the development of the car. Hit the jump to watch it.
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