2016 Ford Mustang GT-H: The Hertz Rent-A-Racer That You Definitely Shouldn’t Race

In 1966, Ford and Carroll Shelby teamed up to produce a special run of rental cars. This would be an odd footnote in automotive history had the two companies gussied up a few Falcon sedans with stickers and a special weekend rental rate, but that’s not what happened. Instead, the Shelby GT350-H was created from the Mustang and dubbed the “Rent-A-Racer.” Offered through select Hertz rental locations, the GT350-H was an actual Ford Mustang Shelby GT350, only with a black paint job with gold stripes. We even rented one that year—$17 per day, $70 for the week!—and beat on it, er, we mean “tested” it. Fifty years later, Ford and Hertz are back at it, with a new Mustang GT-H.
Before your eyes mist over with nostalgia for the good ol’ days when you could rent a legit race car from Hertz and sneakily track it for a weekend, returning the car on Sunday with Hertz none the wiser, you should know a few things. First, most of those tall tales were just that; second, even if they were true, Hertz has long since wised up. In 2006, when Ford reintroduced the Rent-A-Racer (like this GT-H, it, too, was based on the Mustang GT, not a real Shelby), we rented a few and took them to Virginia International Raceway. This put us in a gray area with regard to the rental agreement, which explicitly forbade any “SPEED TEST, SPEED CONTEST, RACE, RALLY, SPEED ENDURANCE CONTEST OR DEMONSTRATION.” Lacking timing equipment and not wishing to demonstrate anything, we’re pretty sure we cleared Hertz’s test. The point is, the restrictions—and Hertz’s tabulation of all the special GT-H components fitted to the car when you return one after a rental—made clear that Hertz wasn’t about to let its retro-styled Rent-A-Racers be anything more than Rent-A-Racer-Lookalikes.

That stance likely hasn’t changed. So you can’t race the 2016 Mustang Shelby GT-H or steal parts off of it, but then, why would you need to? The GT-H’s transformation from a regular, V-8–powered Mustang GT includes a Ford Performance cat-back exhaust, a Ford Racing Handling Package (with lowering springs, new dampers, anti-roll bars, and 19-inch staggered-width wheels), and carbon-fiber front and rear spoilers. All of these items are available through Ford’s performance-parts catalog, leaving the paint job, the Shelby hood, and the various Shelby-branded badges and doorsill plates as the only GT-H–specific components. And the temptation to put one of these on a racetrack would be stronger if Ford actually furnished Hertz with today’s track-ready, yowling Shelby GT350. If there’s a race this special-edition Ford will win, it’s the collectibility race. Just 140 GT-Hs will be built and provided to select Hertz locations nationwide starting this Memorial Day, but we expect that, as it did with the 2006 GT-H, Hertz will eventually sell the cars to private owners.

BMW confirms three new electric 'i' models

BMW is betting big on the future of automobiles going all-electric, with a slew of new models lined up for the next few years

In a massive strategic shift, the BMW Group has announced its plans to invest in new technology to head off upstart competitors from Silicon Valley which threaten to upend the global auto industry. In a bid to fend off the rapid rise of companies like Uber, Tesla, Google, and possibly, Apple, BMW has announced a new era of carmaking which will be spearheaded by electric cars.

The first vehicle in this electric onslaught is the new BMW iNEXT. Calling it a "revolutionary new BMW i model that will raise premium individual mobility to previously unknown levels," BMW states that the iNEXT will feature some form of autonomous driving capability, an electric powertrain, and a "trailblazing interior design." It's unclear whether the iNEXT name will make it to production, but by all appearances, this car is going to end up as BMW's electric flagship — possibly a 7 Series or even fancier equivalent but packed with a bunch of next-gen tech and Tesla-like propulsion.

This will be followed by a convertible version of the i8, called the i8 Roadster, in 2018. It has already previewed by two separate concept cars, one in 2012 and another - the i-Vision Future Interaction Concept - at January's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

No serious details have emerged, but the show car from 2012 is expected to closely reflect the final production version, which will use the same three-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine mated to an electric motor for around 360 PS, giving a performance similar to that of the coupe's 4.4secs 0-100 kmph time and a top speed of 250 kmph.

BMW also plans to upgrade the i8 Coupe before the i8 Roadster arrives. Included in the planned changes is a reworked driveline featuring more powerful electric motors and larger capacity battery – developments the German car maker is already trialing on the i8 Coupe Safety Car used at Formula E events around the globe.

Finally, the BMW i3 will receive an updated battery pack with 50 percent of additional capacity, as well as a refreshed design. All-electric range will now total about 195 kilometres with upgraded internals to the lithium-ion battery pack, although the current battery offering 130 kilometres of range will continue to be available as a lower-priced option. BMW has declined to comment on whether existing i3 owners will be able to retrofit their vehicles with the updated battery tech.

BMW celebrates its 100th year anniversary in 2016, and it has some big plans to mark the occasion. From mid-2016 onwards, customers will be able to choose from a total of seven BMW models that are either fully electric or fitted with a plug-in hybrid drive.

Top 10 Concept Cars of 2015

Since the start of 2015, Gizmag has racked up plenty of sky miles chasing stories about the latest cars and in-car technology at the world's major motor shows and beyond. From American heroes at the LA and Detroit shows to the latest from German powerhouses in Geneva and Frankfurt, we've seen all manner of concept cars. Some were brilliant, while some would've been better if they'd stayed on the drawing board. 
As usual, some of the best concepts of the year were high-end sports cars that point to the future of performance driving with clever power trains, slick aerodynamics and dramatic styling. Here are our picks for the best of 2015.

10. Aston Martin DBX

 Aston Martin might be best known for creating drop-dead gorgeous sports coupes, or even for its work with James Bond's Q-Branch, but the concept that has made it into our list this year is actually an SUV. The DBX made a surprise appearance at the Geneva Motor Show. According to Aston CEO Dr. Andy Palmer, "it envisages a world, perhaps a world not too far away, when luxury GT travel is not only stylish and luxurious but also more practical, more family-friendly and more environmentally responsible."

Beyond the CEO's slightly ambitious wish list, Aston Martin's engineers are very clear the DBX should be packing a high-tech drivetrain. Power will come from motors in all four wheels, which allows the car to operate in all-wheel drive and frees up space under the hood for storage – important when bootspace is heavily impacted by that sloping roofline. In Aston's vision for the DBX, the motors draw power from lithium-sulfur cells that replenish through an F1-style kinetic energy recovery system (KERS).

9. Yamaha Sports Ride Concept

 Yamaha may be a brand known for its motorbikes and musical instruments, but in 2015 it gave us something special on four wheels.

Built around an iStream carbon fiber monocoque designed by Gordon Murray, the Yamaha Sports Ride Concept features a chassis made up of two carbon skins sandwiched around honeycomb core, a method designed to cut the cost and time currently involved in creating carbon fiber for cars. Because of that lightweight carbon core, the MX-5-sized Sports Ride Concept weighs just 750 kg (1654 lb).

There's no word on what might be powering the car, or if it will ever reach production, but the thought of a carbon-tubbed car powered by the motor from the bonkers YZF-R1 is an enticing one.

8. Toyota S-FR

While it may not be pretty to look at, the S-FR is on our list because of what it stands for in the world of sports car motoring. Launched at the Tokyo Motor Show, the tiny Toyota has been designed as a small, rear-drive sports car to slot in underneath the GT86.

Exactly what could slot in under the bulbous hood has not been disclosed, but Toyota was at pains to explain the car has been designed with sharp, responsive handling in mind. The engine is set back in a front-mid mounted configuration for better weight distribution, and there's independent suspension at each corner to help keen drivers keep control on the road or track.

7. Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo

Gran Turismo has spawned some of the most exciting concept cars of the past few years, but none are more exciting than the Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo. That's because this Bugatti isn't just a flight of digital fancy – elements of its design preview the Chiron that will debut in Geneva.

Whereas a lot of the cars conceived for Gran Turismo bear no resemblance to road cars, Bugatti has made a real effort to make sure every element of the design serves some practical purpose. For example the NACA duct on the roof has been designed to channel air to the engine without creating turbulence, and the central fin on the roof of the car contributes to dynamic stability.

Thanks to Bugatti's latest simulation models for dynamics and aerodynamics, we even know that the car should top 400 km/h (250 mph) in four separate areas of Le Mans.

6. McLaren MP4-X

Since swapping to Honda power at the start of this season, McLaren's fortunes in Formula One have taken a steep downturn. It's no surprise, then, the brand has decided to take a look beyond the current situation and do some blue-sky thinking about the future of motorsports.

The MP4-X is what happened when McLaren's engineers pondered the future of fuels, lubricants and power – including electrical power. This approach means the MP4-X's design integrates batteries into the crash structures of the car, and the body includes solar cells that provide extra charge, augmenting the energy recovered by KERS systems.

There's a lot more to the body than just solar panels. The most noticeable aspect of the whole design is the canopy, an idea discussed in the wake Jules Bianchi's death. For a full rundown of what the MP4-X can do, check out Aaron Turpen's in-depth look at the car.

5. Bentley EXP 10 Speed 6

The EXP 10 was one of the biggest surprises dropped on the world's motoring press this year. According to Bentley, the EXP 10 Speed 6 is designed to be the ideal "British interpretation of a high performance two seater using modern automotive design, highly skilled handcrafting, the finest materials and advanced performance technology."

While details about what's lurking beneath the car's British Racing Green exterior are scarce, Bentley has hinted that the EXP's powertrain will attempt to move the game on by incorporating hybrid power instead of simply taking the W12 or V8 from the Continental GT and plonking it under the hood.

The EXP also moves away from the current Bentley trends inside, eschewing pipe-and-slippers styling for a sporty design with a steeply rising centre console and digital gauges in front of the driver.

4. Mercedes Concept IAA

Okay, so the Concept Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile isn't a sports car in the traditional sense of the word. There's no fire-breathing engine under the hood, and it's not connected to the AMG engineers in Affalterbach.

What has pushed the Concept IAA up to number four on our list is the clever aerodynamics tech that kicks in at 80 km/h (50 mph). Eight segments built into the rear of the car extend the tail section by up to 390 mm (15 in), and flaps built into the front bumper protrude by 25 mm forward and 20 mm towards the rear of the car to improve airflow around the front.

By moving these elements, in tandem with the moving elements on the wheels, the car's drag coefficient drops from 0.25 to a super-slinky 0.19, helping to eke out a few extra miles of all-electric power.

3. Mazda RX-Vision

Launched at the Tokyo Motor Show, the Mazda RX-Vision is the result of the Japanese company's designers being let loose to explore its KODO design language in a front engine, rear-drive rotary coupe.

Just like any good Mazda sports car, there's a rotary hiding under that shapely hood. Although we don't know anything beyond the fact its called Skyactiv-R, the RX-Vision comes from a long line of legendary sports cars, including the RX-7 and the 787B which, in 1991, became the only Japanese car to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Unfortunately, heavy fuel and oil consumption killed the rotary over three years ago. But by badging this concept Skyactiv, Mazda has indicated a willingness to find an efficient solution to making the rotary work in the real world. Here's hoping it gets to production.

2. Porsche Mission E

Having been overawed by the Tesla Model S' incredible acceleration, Gizmag is well and truly convinced there's a future for all-electric supercars. So you can imagine our excitement when Porsche dropped its battery powered Mission E in Frankfurt.

Sitting beneath the car's curvy bodywork are two permanent magnet synchronous motors, which combine for a total output of 447 kW (600 hp), enough to silently transport it to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.5 seconds, and on to 200 km/h (124 mph) in under 12 seconds.

What's more, Porsche has committed to building the car before 2020, with a 500+ km (311+ mi) range and an 800-volt charging system that can boost the lithium-ion batteries to 80 percent in just 15 minutes. Look out Tesla!

1. Honda Project 2&4

The incredible Honda Project 2&4 dropped at the Frankfurt Motor Show, where it tantalized us with a motorcycle powered alternative to the Ariel Atom and BAC Mono. Power comes from the RC213V motorbike's 999cc V4 engine, which is mated to a six-speed dual clutch gearbox for lightning quick changes.

As you'd expect of a motorbike engine, the 2&4's motor does its best work at high revs. Although Honda says the it has been tuned for use on public roads, the engine still produces its peak 158 kW (212 hp) at a screaming 13,000 rpm. The car's maximum 118 Nm of torque is on tap from 10,500 rpm, making it the perfect antidote to today's focus on low-rev torque and turbochargers. If you want to get somewhere quickly, that engine demands you keep your foot in all the way to its 14,000 rpm redline.

In keeping with the car's pure, motorcycle inspired design there's hardly any bodywork to get in the way. In fact, there's very little in the way of an interior, with the driver sitting just centimetres off the ground on a lightweight seat. Instead of a traditional instrument binnacle, there's just a small display attached to the steering column.

Interestingly, the car's seat can be moved from side to side: it was launched in left-hand drive at the Frankfurt Motor Show, but the seat was moved to the right hand side for the Tokyo Show later in the year.

We've got our fingers and toes crossed in the hope Honda will put Project 2&4 into production.

Honorable Mention: Ford GT

Given that Ford has made it abundantly clear that the GT is destined for production, it's not strictly a concept car – but it looks so radically good that we feel it deserves an honorable mention here.

Packing a twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 under its clear engine cover, Ford is promising the GT will have "one of the best power-to-weight ratios of any production car." It will also take advantage of active aerodynamics thanks to a rear spoiler that adjusts its height and pitch angle depending on speed, driver inputs and road conditions.

To keep weight down, Ford engineers have taken a leaf out of McLaren's book and given the car a full carbon passenger cell. The front and rear subframes are made of aluminum, while carbon has been used for certain structural body panels as another weight saving measure. 

And that's it! What gets your vote for the best concept car of 2015? Let us know in the comments below.

General Motors announces price hike of Chevrolet Cars

Following other carmakers like Mahindra and Tata, General Motors too, has increased prices of its models. The price hike ranges from Rs. 3,500 to Rs. 51,000 and is a result of the additional infrastructure cess levied on automobiles in the recently announced Union Budget 2016-17. The raised prices are effective immediately.

“We are undertaking price adjustments on the entire range of Chevrolet vehicles due to increase in cess and additional luxury tax announced in the Union Budget. The amount ranges from Rs.3,500 to Rs.51,000 depending on the model and the variant,” said Mr. Hardeep Brar, vice-president sales, General Motors India. 

Chevrolet is the only brand under the General Motors umbrella, that is functional in India. Chevrolet, sells the Beat, Sail, U-VA, Enjoy, Cruze and the Trailblazer in the country. The brand also plans on introducing the Spin MPV, a rival to the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga in the country.

Thankfully, there is a silver lining too. The carmaker recently launched the new Cruze and it plans to keep the price of its base variant unaltered. “As part of our commitment to provide customer delight to new Cruze customers, we are retaining the strategic price positioning of entry-level LT variant at Rs. 13.95 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi),” Mr. Brar said.

Mercedes recently announced a similar increase in costs. The hike ranges from 3 percent to 5 percent for its models and plans to implement the same from March 15, 2016. Maruti Suzuki, Honda and Hyundai too, have made similar announcements.

2016 Mini Cooper Convertible Launched at Rs. 34.9 lac in India

The year 2016 has commenced on a good note as auto manufacturers have launched some of their much-awaited products in India; and BMW has added to the loaded bandwagon yet again. Continuing its launch streak this year, BMW India has released the 2016 Mini Cooper Convertible in the market today. The new version has been launched at the base price of Rs. 34.9 lakhs (ex-showroom). The car will be brought into the country through CBU (Completely Built Unit) and will be placed against the Volkswagen Beetle and the Mercedes Benz A Class in the performance-cum-luxury hatch category.

The 2016 Cooper Convertible is built on the new UKL platform that has spruced up the aesthetics and dimensions of the car. The vehicle is now 3,821mm in length, 1,727mm in width and 1,415mm in height, while the wheelbase has been stretched by 28mm compared to the previous version. The car’s unique selling point is, of course, the soft-top roof that is electronically controlled and can be open and shut up in mere 18 seconds, at the speed up to 30kmph. Not to forget, a new safety feature besides the regular ones is the inclusion of rollover protection system, a kind of safety cage that deploys automatically in case of a rollover. For the first time, the convertible will be offered in optional MINI Yours version sporting a uniquely woven Union Jack graphic.

The 3-door convertible hatch will carry forward the traditional Cooper design elements. The car sports signature circular headlamps with daytime running LEDs, chrome outlining on grille, sporty alloy wheels, and chrome treatment on the tail lamps as well. The interiors have their own charm, with the cabin adorned with a combination of fabric and leather, a 6.5-inch infotainment and reverse parking. One can also opt for bigger 8.8-inch screen with Touch Controller and Bluetooth connectivity in the optional Wired Package.

For more comfort, the company is offering MINI Excitement Package featuring LED interior and ambient lightning as well as the projection of the MINI logo at the bottom of driver's side when the door is opened. The new MINI will be available with some of the exciting optional features like MINI Head-Up Display, Harmon-Kardon hi-fi music system and LED head lights with cornering function.

The 2016 Mini Cooper Convertible is a must for fun-loving, wallet-heavy drivers who want to flaunt a powerful hatchback with the provision of a drop-top. Going by the above statement, the new avatar is powered by 2-litre 4-cylinder mill with Twin-Turbo technology, producing 192bhp and peak torque of 280Nm. The engine come paired with 6-speed sports automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The proficient combination enables the car to go from 0-100kmph in just 7.1 seconds, reaching the top speed of 233kmph. New MINI also provides different driving modes that enables the driver to switch to ride comfort, efficiency or sportiness, according to his wish.

The company is also expected to launch the next-generation MINI Countryman which was recently spied in China. The launch will happen sometime in 2016.

Renault Kwid Racer and Climber to Be Put into Production

What if I told you that the amazing concepts which you saw during the 2016 Indian Auto Expo might just make their way into your driveway? Sounds too good to be true, isn't it? Well, that's because it is. Not all the concepts showcased at the 2016 Indian Auto Expo will be up for takes, but the Renault Kwid Climber and the Racer will be available to Indian consumers as special editions.

During a recent media drive organised for the Renault Duster facelift, Renault’s vice-president of sales and marketing, Mr. Raphael Treguer confirmed that the Renault Kwid Climber and the Racer concepts will be sold to public as limited-edition models. This comes as a result of the positive reception garnered by these concepts during the public days of the Expo, alongside other accessorised versions of the entry-level hatchback.

Both these concepts are poles apart. For instance, the Renault Kwid Climber features a high ground clearance, short overhangs, off-road tyres, protective mouldings on the side, and big bumpers. All these characteristics will appeal to any individual who likes to throw his car around on the toughest terrains nature has to offer.

Juxtaposed with the Renault Climber is the Racer concept, which features 18-inch alloy wheels, wrapped in low-profile tyres. The car also flaunts a sporty metallic blue colour scheme, spoiler, rear diffuser, bucket seats, aerodynamic bodywork, roll cage, wider intakes and Alcantara upholstery. So, basically, this concept comes with everything to make it a striking performance-oriented boy racer.

I personally am looking forward to the materialisation of the Renault Kwid Racer concept, which in all probability will make its way to us soon. The reason behind this assumption is the fact that the French automaker might introduce the Racer as a special edition of its Kwid 1-litre variant, which is slated to be launched in June 2016.

Mercedes-Benz S550e

Between instrumented tests and first drives, we’ve published 12 reviews of the latest-generation Mercedes-Benz S-class in the past two years, spanning the bread-and-butter S550 to the opulent S600 Maybach and over to the sinister S65 AMG coupe. Let’s take that to lucky number 13. Enter the S550e, a plug-in hybrid for those who think the Cadillac ELR is a joke and the plug-in Panamera a bit too, well,Porsche. The added electro-tech is a no-cost option: A 2015 S550e will run you $95,325—exactly the same money as the V-8 car.

If we’ve reviewed a car 13 times in the space of two years, there is one of two things going on: 1) We find the vehicle continually newsworthy, or 2) you readers click the high holy heck out of S-class stories. There’s undoubtedly some overlap there. Plus, with all of the amenities thrown into the current-generation S-class, can you begrudge a heap of stooped scribes their turn at the tiller of what is unquestionably one of earth’s great vehicles? Having read installments one through ten (you have, haven’t you?), you know that the S-class will offer you a hot stone massage, perfume the air, magically control both its body and the sky, largely drive itself, and generally treat you like the lord of a 206.5-inch-by-74.8-inch fiefdom.

So the story here is one largely of numbers. Let’s start with 18 miles. That’s the distance from the historic gold-mining town of Auburn, California to Foothill Farms, a census-designated place outside Sacramento. That’s also the distance the S-class carried us at 70 mph, using solely electric power, while steering itself. Our only intervention was to touch the steering wheel every 10 to 15 seconds to make sure the large sedan continued its autonomous, electrified undertaking. We should, however, qualify that accomplishment by noting that those 18 miles saw roughly a 1000-foot drop in elevation. As always, your mileage may vary, but if you have a 10-mile commute to work and a plug at the office, the S550e’s 8.7-kWh battery pack could put you, the VP of finance, on a carbon-footprint par with those quinoa-snorting Tesla drivers over in engineering.

With its turbocharged six-cylinder plus electric motor, the S550e is not exactly a Model S P85D. Still, a 13.6-second quarter-mile at 103 mph puts the plug-in only 0.2 second behind its lighter, twin-turbo V-8–powered sibling. On the drag strip, we found that the abrupt hit of power from the electric motor made it hard to launch, although it was a tad quicker than the standard S550 off the line and recorded an identical 60-mph sprint of 4.9 seconds. In our lateral-acceleration testing, the plug-in suffered mightily against the V-8 car, posting a mere 0.81 g to the regular 550’s 0.87. Sure, the 482-pound weight penalty hurts, but we’d lay blame at the feet of the Michelin Primacy MXM4 all-season tires. Compared with the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 summer rubber on the S550 we tested, the hybrid gives up a big chunk of grip.

Which brings us to the one major luxury bugaboo with this S-class hybrid. Picture yourself in the Savile Row suit of a London banker who works in the city’s congestion zone. As a man of means, you’ve purchased an S550e to be chauffeured to work in, while neatly avoiding the onerous fossil-fuel fees imposed upon you by city officials, thanks to the car’s ability to run solely on electric power. But every time your man Stanislav attempts to modulate the brakes to bring the car to a jerk-free stop, he fails.

You know the old boy’s got it in him. When you picked up your Phantom, you had Stan trained by Rolls-Royce’s White Glove specialists. He does a bang-up job in the Range Rover; not so much of a speck of jam or clotted cream has fallen on your jodhpurs during jaunts to the country place. But this Benz hybrid’s regenerative braking system simply won’t allow it. Certainly, during a spirited romp on a rural lane, they work nicely, but you’ve got Dad’s old XK140 for those sorts of days out. This ghastly old brake business! It’s enough to make a chap contemplate paying the congestion charge!

And unless you’re assiduously plugging in or saving mountains of cash on parking or congestion fees, the hybrid S simply doesn’t make much sense over the V-8 car. The last S550 we tested came in at 20 mpg. This S550e Plug-In? 20 mpg. The car’s EPA numbers suggest 24/30 mpg city/highway, while the nonhybrid S550 posts 17/26. We drove the S550e as if it were a normal car. The full charge we used for our 18-mile freeway cruise came courtesy of charging the battery via the car’s engine, which is a wasteful way of doing things. If you’re religious about plugging in, your numbers could be drastically different (note the car’s 58 MPGe rating from the EPA, which surpasses the plug-in Panamera’s 50 MPGe score while coming far short of the ELR’s 82 MPGe). But if you’re considering an S-class for everyday duty, might we steer you toward the quicker, lighter, and—under our feet, at least—just-as-efficient V-8 model?

Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE:front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

PRICE AS TESTED:$114,315 (base price: $95,325)

ENGINE TYPE:twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve 3.0-liter V-6, 329 hp, 354 lb-ft; permanent-magnet synchronous AC electric motor, 114 hp, 251 lb-ft; combined power rating, 436 hp, 479 lb-ft; 8.7-kWh lithium-ion battery pack

TRANSMISSION:7-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 124.6 in
Length: 206.5 in
Width: 74.8 in Height:58.8 in
Passenger volume: 101 cu ft
Cargo volume: 16 cu ft
Curb weight: 5273 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 4.9 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 12.4 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 25.4 sec
Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 5.1 sec
Top gear, 30-50 mph: 2.5 sec
Top gear, 50-70 mph: 3.3 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 13.6 sec @ 103 mph
Top speed (governor limited, mfr's est): 130 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 190 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.81 g

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 24/30 mpg
EPA electricty combined: 58 MPGe 
C/D observed: 20 mpg

Top 5 Car Insurance Companies in India

Today I gonna present a list of top 5 companies for Car Insurance in India via policybazaar.com. So lets start with the very basics of car insurance.

There are three types of Motor Insurance -

• Private Car Insurance        
• Two Wheeler Insurance       
• Commercial Vehicle Insurance

The public sector insurers have always enjoyed the customer’s preference over private sector insurers. Though, the pattern is bending in favour of private insurers since the last few years.

Overview of Top 5 Motor Insurance Companies:

ICICI Lombard General Insurance Co. Ltd.

Among the private players, ICICI Lombard GIC Ltd. is the largest general insurance company in India.

As per a survey performed by J.D. Power Asia Pacific, ICICI Lombard Auto Insurance leads all the auto insurance players in terms of customer satisfaction. The brand has also been recognized as the most Customer Responsive insurance company. It also boasts of a reputed award for customer and brand loyalty.

Why it rocks?

•   Doorstep surveyor facility
•   Towing assistance
•   Online purchase on EMIs
•   Digitally signed online policy
•   Cashless settlement at 2900+ network garages

Tata AIG General Insurance Co. Ltd.

Tata AIG General Insurance was incepted in 2011. Even being a comparatively younger company, TATA AIG managed to win over a major fraction of motor insurance market owing to its robust channels of distribution and hassle-free claims.

Last year, the brand bagged reputed awards for being the best employer and deployment of mobile application in insurance.

Why it rocks?

•   Free car pick up
•   Warranty on repairs
•   Cashless settlement at network garages
•   Claim settlement in 7 days
•   Unique add-ons

The Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd.

Owned by the Central Government, Oriental Insurance Company is one of the best companies to get a motor insurance. The brand boasts of winning the most reputed awards in the industry. The latest ones worth mentioning here are - ‘best public general insurance award’ and ‘best bank and financial institution award’. Oriental is one of the few insurance companies in India to get the iAAA rating by ICRA, indicating its strong financial framework.

Why it rocks?

•   One of the most reliable names in motor insurance
•   High claim settlement ratio
•   Fast claim settlement
•   Valuable add-ons

The New India Assurance Co. Ltd.

New India is wholly owned by the government of India. Backed up by a strong capital, infrastructure and human resource, New India is the leading auto insurance company in India. The brand has embarked an international presence and is well known for being a pioneer in introducing innovative insurance products.  

It has been rated A- (Excellent) by A.M.Best Co., becoming the only Indian insurance company to be rated by an international rating agency.

Why it rocks?

•  Claim decision taken within 3 days of application
•  Surveyor appointed within 48 hours of claim intimation
• Claim payment made within 3 days of discharge voucher receipt
•  Grievance acknowledged within 3 days of receipt
•  Grievance resolved within 15 days of receipt

HDFC ERGO General Insurance Co. Ltd

Bolstered by a robust channel of distribution and customer oriented approach, HDFC is the top notch brand for getting a motor insurance. HDFC boasts of having one of the highest claim settlement ratios among private motor insurers. HDFC ERGO is ISO 9001:2008 certified for its operations and claim processes and has been rated iAAA by ICRA. It was recognized as the best general insurance company in India by IAIR in 2013.

Why it rocks?

• Age and profession discount
• Zero documentation
• Fast claim settlement
• Cashless settlement at 1600+ network garages

Dedicated customer support team.