The giant Panda

Pitstop

The Panda is dead, long live the Panda. Fiat's old supermini, which has been around since 1980, will be no more.

Coming in its place is this, the car which was called the Gingo when it was previewed at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year.

The loveable old Panda gives way to a brand new interpretation of the supermini, which is tall, flexible and highly functional. It will initially be powered by a 1300 CC Multijet 16 valver using common rail technology. Interesting enough for an Indian debut, what?

Back on track

After the Sriperumbudur track was foreclosed by the banks, India has been suffering from a lack of road racing action.

Well, enthusiasts can breathe easy, for around the corner lies a brand new race track, called Kari Memorial Speedway near Coimbatore. It will be a 2.1 km FIA Formula 3 spec track and will also include a certified 1.2 km track for go-karts.

Work on the project is in progress and should be completed by early October. And in a happy synergy between FMSCI and MAI, the track will also host two-wheeler road racing, which too has been absent for a while now.

The Speedway is looking for corporate advertising to support its cause and plans to host driving schools, safety schools and corporate programmes to keep the track functioning. For a more detailed track layout diagram, log on to http://www.bsmotoring.com

Centra station

TVS Motor Company has just opened the second phase of its two-wheeler plant at Mysore. A number of ministers were present at the occasion which also saw the roll-out of TVS' latest motorcycle, the Centra.

The Centra is expected to be launched in a month's time and while TVS' press release claims it will be an executive segment contender, it is believed to have a 100 CC horizontally-mounted engine which will be one of the most fuel-efficient engines in the market today. We'll update you on the Centra soon.

Micro vanity

Did you know that Opel calls the Agila "� our very own Suzuki Wagon R "� a micro van? We would call it a B-segment car. Anyway, the Agila gets a makeover and new engines. The facelift includes a larger front grille with chrome trim and wider bumpers.

A three-spoke steering wheel and fresh upholstery basically constitute the inside changes. What's special are the engine options. It features the first diesel in the segment, a 1300 CC CDTI 70 bhp engine, which is the smallest four-cylinder common rail diesel motor in the world.

Amongst petrol options, the Agila gets a fuel-efficient 1000 CC 60 bhp engine featuring their Twinport technology. How about a reverse technology transfer to India, folks?