The 1963 Volkswagen Beetle was seen in the second and third movies of the Herbie franchise.

The Dream Factory auction held in New York by Bonhams and Turner Classic Movies saw the original 1963 Volkswagen Beetle auctioned for $86,250. It is the most expensive VW Beetle to be auctioned yet. The bug earned the fame it enjoys today through a series of Hollywood movies – the Herbie franchise. First introduced in The Love Bug (1968), the car sold at the auction was the original one featured in Herbie Rides Again (1974) and Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo (1977). It is only car in the world to leave its tyre print at the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

After disappearing for several years, the famed Beetle was found four years ago in a warehouse in Florida and was sold less than a year ago on eBay for $55,200.

Confirming the authenticity of the car is the steering column installed under the front seat connected by a series of sprockets and pulleys that allowed the stunt driver to drive from the back, making it look like Herbie was driving himself in the movies. The car auctioned also features the iconic livery, with the red, white, and blue racing stripes and the '53' decals on the hood and doors of the car. The buyer's details are unknown and  the car is currently not in pristine condition and will need a proper restoration to get its Hollywood charm back. 

Courtesy : Autocar

Heavy rains and the resultant floods in the city of Chennai have forced automobile manufacturers such as Ford, Hyundai and Renault-Nissan to suspend operations at their plants. This is the second time in a fortnight that the auto majors have had to take this step.

Ford claims that it has stopped production at its assembly and engine plant in the interest of its employees' safety. The floods have rendered many roads in the city unusable.

Hyundai said that it has suspended three shifts at it main plant is likely to resume operations only when the conditions permit.

The Renault-Nissan Alliance has also kept it plant closed and will restart operations only after the conditions improve.

Ford's plant has an annual rolex replica watches production capacity of 3.4 lakh engines and 2 lakh vehicles. The Hyundai plant has the capacity to roll out 6.8 lakh vehicles annually and the Renault-Nissan facility can produce 4.8 lakh vehicles per year.

Courtesy : Team BHP

Under the Polestar badge, Volvo is looking at developing high-performance versions of the sedan and estate with focus on electrification.

 Volvo revealed the all-new S90 on December 2, 2015. The sedan, based on the SPA platform underpinning the new XC90, is set to replace the ageing S80 in the company’s line-up internationally. An estate version, to be called V90 is also being developed and is expected to be revealed sometime in 2016.

Following the global reveal, Volvo boss Håkan Samuelsson stated that the company is planning on developing performance versions of the flagship sedan and estate under the Polestar badge with hybrid powertrains.

Samuelsson also suggested that Polestar’s future direction would include hybrid models and the brand is definitely going to focus on electrification.

Volvo’s R&D head, Peter Mertens added that Polestar aimed to offer sophisticated performance in place of ‘boy racer’ models with large engines. He said that Tesla had legitimised electric performance and Polestar aimed to offer greater sophistication along with “performance without regrets”.

On the topic of Polestar models, Nick Connor, MD, Volvo UK, said that there was a clash of ideals currently between the brand’s environmental-led image and its performance model, and the use of hybrid powertrains could help to tie the two sides together.

“Polestar optimising the T8 hybrid powertrain would be very interesting,” he said. “That would present a very interesting technical solution, with the ultimate power being combined with an environmental powertrain.”

Courtesy : Autocar

Could be badged i5; BMW is in the final stages of deciding the type of model to add to its 'i' line-up.

BMW board member for sales and marketing, Ian Robertson, has revealed that the company has nearly confirmed a third ‘i’ model to slot in between the electric-drive only i3 and the i8 hybrid. Likely to be badged i5, the new car could either be a mini-MPV version of the i3 or a sedan that could rival the upcoming Tesla Model 3.

“You will see more i products,” said Robertson, “and we are in the final stages of deciding what the next car will be and when you’ll see it.” The unveiling of the new ‘i’ model is expected coincide with the German automaker’s centenary celebration in early 2016.

Robertson also revealed that while the i8 had been a success in the internationally markets, the i3’s modest sales were down to low demand for the model and not production-related problems that plagued the model at the time of launch. “We see lots of outside factors involved,” he said, “including range anxiety, incentives in some countries but not in others, and the price of fuel [in the United States]. But sales of the i3 are up 60% year on year and it’s the third best-selling EV in the world. We’re convinced the i steps have been right.”

Courtesy : Autocar