Honda Civic to get Reloaded

Yes, the news from Honda Siel Cars India (HSCI) is that the Honda Civic, which we all love for its trendy looks, is getting more trendier with a whole new lot of features. The new Honda Civic SMT is now going to get innovative and will be equipped with enhanced technical features like steering mounted cruise control system, which would be a great advantage on highways where you just want to cruise along the way.

The riders will feel the magic of this new system as you will get the desired speed. It will be fun to use the one-touch operations on the console and the new model consists of ORVM turn indicators to make the ride more convenient.Other versions, VMT and VAT are equipped with back up sensors that gives the drivers the specific views while reversing and parking, hence giving maximum comfort and hassle free driving.

Honda Civic has received high appreciation since its introduction in India because of its unparalleled driving pleasure, contemporary styling, and advanced features. We are now delighted to introduce value added features that will make it even more desirable

- is what Mr. Tatsuya Natsume, Director Marketing, Honda Siel Cars India Ltd, had to say when asked about the car.Safety is given considerable amount of attention.
New Civic will have features like:

• ABS with EBD
• Dual SRS airbags
• Brake Assist

Technical Features:

• G-CON
• Survival Zone with High Integrity

Talking about the engine, Honda does not disappoint here as well.
Leave the disappointment aside; you will be all rejuvenated when you hit the roads.This 1.8L i-VTEC engine is said to be the most superior thing in its segment of cars.The VTC technology provides with better fuel efficiency and you would be amazed by the powerful ride. The fuel economy results are great at 15.5kmpl as per provided by ARAI in Pune, and thus the Civic evolving in this section.Its known by all that the Civic launched in 2006 was a new venture in the then segment of cars. Honda gives its customers a total of 4 years warranty and also 24 hour roadside assistance for people who want to be its proud owners.
Pricing :

Honda Civic is priced at (Ex showroom Delhi):

• Honda Civic 1.8 SMT: 12.2 Lakhs(INR)
• Honda Civic 1.8 VMT: 13.07 Lakhs(INR)
• Honda Civic 1.8 VAT: 13.81 Lakhs.(INR)

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FAQ about CARS (Car Allowance Rebate System)

How do I find out when my vehicle was manufactured?

The month and year of manufacture (e.g., 1-96 (January 1996)) appear on the safety standard certification label that is located on the frame or edge of the driver’s door in most vehicles.

Do I need to get a voucher or sign up for this program?

No. You do not need a voucher and you are not required to sign up or enroll in this program. Participating new car dealers will apply a credit, reducing the price you pay at the time of your purchase or lease, provided the vehicle you buy or lease and the vehicle you trade in meet the program requirements. The dealer will then obtain reimbursement from the government.

May I receive or use more than one credit under the CARS program?

No, the CARS Act specifies that not more than one credit may be issued to a single person, not more than one credit may be issued for joint registered owners of a single eligible trade-in vehicle, and that only one credit under this program may be applied toward the purchase or lease of any single new vehicle.

What is the amount of the credit?

The amount of the credit is $3,500 or $4,500, and generally depends on the type of vehicle you purchase and the difference in fuel economy between the purchased vehicle and the trade-in vehicle. Different requirements apply for work trucks.

What is the amount of the credit?

The amount of the credit is $3,500 or $4,500, and generally depends on the type of vehicle you purchase and the difference in fuel economy between the purchased vehicle and the trade-in vehicle. Different requirements apply for work trucks.

What is the value of the credit for the purchase or lease of a new van, pickup truck or SUV?

The value of the credit given for the purchase or lease of a category 1 or 2 truck also generally depends on the difference between the combined fuel economy of the vehicle that is traded in and that of the new vehicle that is purchased or leased. If the new vehicle is a category 1 truck that has a combined fuel economy value that is at least 2, but less than 5, miles per gallon higher than the traded-in vehicle, the credit is $3,500. If the new category 1 truck has a combined fuel economy value that is at least 5 miles per gallon higher than the traded-in vehicle, the credit is $4,500.

If both the new vehicle and the traded-in vehicle are category 2 trucks and the combined fuel economy value of the new vehicle is at least 1, but less than 2, miles per gallon higher than the combined fuel economy value of the traded in vehicle, the credit is $3,500. If both the new vehicle and the traded-in vehicle are category 2 trucks and the combined fuel economy of the new vehicle is at least 2 miles per gallon higher than that of the traded-in vehicle, the credit is $4,500. A $3,500 credit applies to the purchase or lease of a category 2 truck if the trade-in vehicle is a category 3 (work) truck that was manufactured not later than model year 2001, but not earlier than 25 years before the date of the trade in.

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WHAT IS SALVAGE TITLE or REBUILT TITLE?

A salvage title is an automobile title with a notation that the vehicle has been damaged in excess of approximately 70% of its pre-accident market value. The exact percentage depends on the insurance provider and any applicable laws and regulations. This notation gets applied to a title when an insurance company pays a total-loss claim on a vehicle, but then sells the vehicle at an auction center. If the vehicle is kept by its owner through a buy-back program, then the vehicle will retain a clean title. A properly restored vehicle is still safely drivable even if it is technically considered a total loss by an insurance company, particularly with older vehicles where even minor cosmetic damage would cost more to fix than the vehicle’s pre-accident market value.
A “rebuilt vehicle” is a salvage vehicle that has been repaired and restored to operation. These vehicles are often damaged before they are rebuilt and new parts are typically used during reconstruction. In most states, an inspection of the vehicle is required before the vehicle is allowed to return to the road, to prove that it is road worthy.
There is no specific formula in most states that specifies when a vehicle is deemed salvage; this is typically decided on a case by case basis. Once the auto is involved in an accident, the insurance company then offers the vehicle back to the owner as an insurance buyback or the car is sold to insurance auction centers, such as IAAI or Copart. With an insurance buyback the owner is responsible for getting the repairs made and having the car inspected by the highway patrol or a state regulated inspection facility. At this point, the car still has a clean title, no matter of the degree of the damage done, because it was never owned by the insurance company. If the auto is not a buyback, it is towed to a salvage auction where it will be sold to an auto recycler or a rebuilder, and given a salvage title. A rebuilder can sell the car as-is or fix the car and resell it as a rebuilt salvage titled car.
Having a “Salvage” or “Junk” title only applies to the United States and Canada. All vehicles imported or exported to other countries will automatically obtain a “Clean” title, even if they have been involved in an accident.
Some companies in the United States, such as Carfax, sell title reports to prospective car buyers which, among other things, reveal these title statuses. The information, however, might be far from being complete because of the inability of these companies to check accident records in 23 states and because not all accidents get reported to the authorities (particularly when there are no injuries). In 2007, Carfax settled a nationwide class-action lawsuit and the company will now include prominent warnings that its reports may not be complete.
Industry standards followed by and noted in print by the National Automobile Dealers Association (N.A.D.A.) Appraisal Guides, Kelley Blue Book Market Report Official Guide, the International Society of Automotive Appraisers (I.S.A.A.) and additional automotive business entities within the United States of America, all devalue a motor vehicle that is in possession of a “Salvage Title”, by 20% – 50% of the normal, fair market retail value of the vehicle without a “Salvage Title”. The percentage variance increases with the younger age of the vehicle at issue and the retail value of that vehicle. Any vehicle that is more than 10 years old carries the 20% minimum devaluation to the fair market value of the vehicle. Once a vehicle is branded with a “salvage or junk” title of ownership, this type of tarnished history stays with the unit, even if the branded title is “washed clean” in another state to be free of the designation “salvage or junk”.

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BMW fanatic wants to take his car beyond the grave with him

the dead are becoming more and more famous here on Topspeed, and it’s not because of reasons you might think. After featuring a young Puerto Rican and the rather unusual way he was displayed at his wake, we now have another dead car-loving fanatic who still wants to remind people just how much he loves cars even after he has passed on.

Steve Marsh, who was affectionately called BMW Steve by those close to him, passed on last year at the age of 51. We don’t know if he specifically wanted this type of tombstone on his grave, but his family, after being granted permission by the local authorities, went out and imported a one-piece granite scale model headstone of a BMW M3 convertible, BMW Steve’s favorite car in the world. And just to make sure that the granite M3 has BMW Steve’s imprint on it, his family personally designed the car, including the customized silver-painted lights, a dashboard, BMW logos on the wheels, and even a personalized license plate bearing the name ’Steve 1’.

And the cost of the car? That would be £50,000, which, if you didn’t know, is about the same price as a real BMW M3.

Photo credits: Peter Lawson

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AutoWeek picks CTS-V Coupe and Grand Cherokee as Best of the Best for 2011

Nearly everyone else in the entire world may already have spouted off various year-end lists, but Autoworker waited for the 2010 dust to settle before announcing its Best of the Best 2011 car and truck award winners. The 2011 Cadillac CATS-V Coupe and the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee took home the respective top spots.
Rounding out Auto-week magazine's top five cars were the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Ford Fiesta, BMW 5 Series and the Audi A8. The rest of the top trucks included the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, Porsche Cayenne and Honda Odyssey. The Cadillac and the Jeep edged out the rest of the competition in categories such as ride quality, handling, exterior and interior design and fun. Feel free to hit the jump for the official press release.

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