With the recent unveiling of DC Avanti, there is optimism in the air that this is not the last time that Indian manufacturers are able to produce their own brands of sports cars. DC Avanti is developed to take advantage of the shift in consumer preference. In the recent years, the economy of India has developed dramatically. More and more people in the country are earning enough money to be able to afford better cars. With a culture that does not hold back in expressing passion and beauty, the DC Avanti is a reflection of how Indians live their lives. Strong, loud, and colorful, the DC Avanti truly embodies the sentiments and aspirations of every Indian. As early as today, many Indians look forward to the day that Indian sports cars start winning world races.

The Datsun 120Y was the third generation Datsun Sunny and featured an all new styling, now very distinctly Japanese looking.

Initially there was little difference from the previous Datsun models, as underneath the suspension and drive train were the same – even the 12″ wheels were carried over. Not that much of an improvement overall.

The body and interior, however, were all new. A little more exciting than the bland 1200 interior . Available as a two or four door sedan, a coupe, a wagon or a panel van, called Runner there were also three door wagons available in some markets. Utilising A series engines initially of 1200cc, this was later upgraded to 1400cc. American 120Y’s also came with the A13 engine.

Enormously popular in many countries throughout the world, the 120Y underwent undercarriage modification in 1975 when the front suspension was changed, 13″ rims fitted and the later type A12 engine with a 5 bearing crankshaft were used.

Never a glamorous car in its hey-day, the perennial 120Y can still be seen on the highways of today and, due to its poor road manners is not particularly collectable.

But, as with all cars that have been out of production for over 20 years, they are becoming more scarce and an extremely good condition vehicle could just make a good buying decision.

Add to this the public’s love of re-cycled kitsch and the Datsun 120Y could, just maybe, make a come back. Read more on the Datsun 120y

The Honda Accord has moved up in the Top 10 ranks even though its sales are virtually flat compared with a year ago, because sales have fallen for the Dodge Ram pickup, which outranked the Accord last year. The Honda brand is advertising its gas mileage; the four-cylinder Accord gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city/31 highway. The V6 Accord, which shuts off two or three cylinders while cruising, gets 19 mpg city/29 mpg highway, which is respectable for a 268-hp engine. A redesigned Accord debuted in September, 2007.

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The 2008 Smart ForTwo is dynamically excellent in almost all respects compared to its predecessor. It rides well, it holds the road, it maneuvers as if it’s controlled by a video-game joystick, and its performance is quite respectable. The U.S.-spec model we drove in Madrid is powered by a 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine that produces 70 hp and 68 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough to push the 1654-pound featherweight from 0 to 60 mph in about 13 seconds and on to a governed top speed of 90 mph. Smart expects the car to earn EPA combined fuel-economy ratings of about 40 mpg. Read more »

The new 2008 Audi R8 is the first ever sports car mid range engine from Audi. This coupe sports a very sporty interior and very glossy and stylish exterior.  It has a 420 horsepower high-revving V8 engine and all-wheel-drive. The Audi r8 makes use of the mid-engine Lamborghini Gallardo platform. Standard and manual transmission to suit your preference.

The Audi  R8 sports a choice of LED or Xenon headlamps surrounded by LED running lights and indicators. Numbers show that it can run from 0 to 62 mph time is 4.6 seconds. At 7,800 rpm the 4.2-litre engine delivers 309 kW (420 bhp) of power output. Peak torque is 430 Newton-metres from 4.500 to 6,000 rpm.

MSRP: $118,000

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Rolls Royce’s 2008 Phantom Drophead Coupe convertible is a two-door, four-seat convertible, a less formal interpretation of classic Rolls-Royce design. Using the lightweight rigidity of an all-aluminium spaceframe, it combines modern technology to a sleek, streamlined convertible body.

The Phantom Drophead Convertible is a complete innovation of RR’s 100EX concept car, which was shown at 2004′s Geneva show. The key elements of the 100EX stays on this model: the thin LED headlamps, rear-opening “suicide” doors, brushed steel hood and A-pillar, and teak decking aft of the passenger compartment.

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