How important the Indian market is to the leading car manufacturers all over the world is becoming increasingly evident as they launch cars that are designed and built specifically for the Indian conditions and market requirements. The Vento from Volkswagen is the first such car to hit the Indian roads among the many to follow suit soon. The Vento India premiere took place in Delhi last month. Some cars look good the moment you behold them and the Vento lived up to this maxim the moment I saw it for the first time. The clean and classic lines give the car a fresh and elegant look. The Volkswagen engineers have merged the Polo and the Golf platforms to make the Vento. It may look similar to the Polo from the front, but is, actually, completely different from its sibling as the A-pillar is more steeply raked compared with the Polo. The front fender and the two doors are also slightly bigger to get the proportions right. The Vento does not give you the slightest feeling that it started out originally as a hatch and has now inherited a boot. As a matter of fact, it looks like a well-designed sedan.

A new car in the ever burgeoning B-segment always causes ripples. This is by far where most of the action in the Indian car market is. The latest entrant to the club, albeit a bit late, is Nissan with the all-new fourth-generation Micra. So, does it get only the last waltz or will the Micra’s entry kick the party into high gear? It’s a car designed by committee, of that there is no doubt. A lot of research and extensive consumer feedback has gone into this car. Is this the vehicle of the proletariat? Maybe, but do too many cooks spoil the broth? In the styling department, Nissan is at pains to point out that the new Micra has a ‘gender-free’ design. In an increasingly politically correct world, maybe it wants to be seen as a maker of cars which appeal to both men and women. Of course, a lot has been written about ‘men’s cars’ and ‘women’s cars’ so whether this is merely marketing spiel is for you to judge.

According to a popular proverb, ‘Boys are known for the toys they own’. For those who believe in the saying, it’s time to get famous as your dream of owning a finely crafted European luxury sedan can finally come true. BMW has launched the 3 Series Corporate Edition (CE) for individuals at a price that will make you rub your eyes in disbelief. Previously, the CE variant of the 3 Series was only available for fleet purchase with a minimum order of three vehicles. But now this fine piece of machinery can be bought by individuals at a mouth watering price of Rs 29.5 lakh (OTR Pune). That’s a whopping Rs 10 lakh less than the 3 Series Highline variant! Alright, now please stop rubbing your eyes.

BMW challenges the mighty Audi A4 3.2 FSI by gaining more power and of course offers more thrills. Bunny Punia plays judge as the two Germans battle hard, smoke rubber and push their electronic stability controls to the max. This is the 500 plus horsepower bash that involves two top of the line premium saloons with enough juice to satisfy every power hungry owner it will ever see in India. While for some time Audi ruled the roost with the 3.2-litre FSI motor plonked into the little A4, BMW has now decided to hit back with the replacement of the 325i (and its 2.5-litre straight six) – the new 3.0-litre 330i. Number crunchers rejoice as the new model, in addition to an extra 500cc, adds 44 horses and 54Nm of torque. With just 35 kilos extra to lug around, the 330i seems ready to set a benchmark in this class. Or does it? Before you wonder on the exclusion of a Mercedes-Benz in this comparison, the fact is that, as of today, they really don’t have a petrol engine on offer larger than 2.5-litre. In all respects, it would be unfair to pit the C250 with these two hair raising performers. Right then, let the battle begin...

One of the most anticipated cars of the year, the new 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 comes with more powerful engine, better performance as well as better fuel economy.

Ford has taken drastic design changes in the new Shelby. The engine is now made of aluminium engine, allowing the car to drop 102 pounds off the nose. This makes the Shelby a lighter and more balanced car, and weight distribution is no longer an issue. Technically though, it’s still quite heavy — in coupe form it weights in a whopping 3,820 pounds and in convertible form it is 3,969 pounds.

Also contributing to the weight loss is the SVT Performance Package, which delivers lighter tires and wheels. The Performance Package, which is first introduced in the 2011 model, offers better and track-day capable tires co-developed by SVT and Goodyear called the Goodyear F1 supercar tires. Shelby is also equipped with 19-inch front wheels that are 4.7 pounds lighter than those used by previous models, as well as 20-inch rear wheel that are 2.8 pounds lighter. The SVT Performance Package is available on both coupe and convertible models.

The 2011 Shelby comes with a higher axle ration, better shocks and stiffer springs (up to 20.5 percent). Handling is greatly improved, and driving is a breeze with the new electric power assist steering that are claimed to be highly accurate.

Continuing its predecessor, the Shelby sports a powerful 5.0-liter supercharged 32-valve V8 engine that produces 550 HP and 490 pound-feet of torque. The car goes from standstill to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds. The car comes with the standard 6-speed manual transmission and an optional 6-speed automatic transmission.

Each Shelby will come in the traditional white colour and decorated with Shelby Guardsman blue Le Mans stripes. It will go into production Spring this year and should be available by summer.