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Oh fish!

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BS Motoring Mumbai
Last Updated : Feb 06 2013 | 9:09 AM IST
There has been talk of things being a bit fishy at Mercedes-Benz for sometime now. Though we didn't quite know that 'being fishy' was to be taken literally.
 
Because at the Impact on America event held last week in Washington DC, Daimler-Chrysler executives unveiled their Bionic diesel-powered concept car.
 
Mercedes-Benz says that the car , inspired by the Boxfish, is a blend of biology and technology and will seat four. And despite the boxy appearance, it's supposed to be an aerodynamic ideal. Well, we'll believe anything they say, except if they claim it's good-looking.
 
Anyway, a drag coefficient of 0.19 does confirm that the car is very aerodynamic. Any lower and they would have to classify it as an aircraft.
 
Apart from this, the car boasts of lightweight construction and an advanced diesel powertrain that is said to lower nitrogen oxide emissions by 80 per cent.
 
It does this by spraying 'AdBlue', an aqueous urea solution, into the exhaust system to convert nitrogen oxides into harmless nitrogen and water. And thought that's brilliant, we just hope that the car doesn't smell the way it looks. Hmm... maybe next time the engineers at Daimler- Chrysler should go easy on the sushi.
 
On the Indian Trail
 
Nissan has finally announced their plans for India. No, they aren't setting up a manufacturing facility just yet. Instead, they have begun their Indian operations by setting up Nissan Motor India Private Limited "� their Indian subsidiary.
 
NIMPL will be responsible for the import of Nissan vehicles and and at the moment employs 11 people. Well, at least it's a start, and going by Yoshie Motohiro (managing director of NMIPL), the Indian market is being looked upon as an important contributor for Nissan's future growth.
 
In other news, Nissan has yet another dealer outlet in the country taking their total dealer tally to five. Courtesy Aquest Auto which opened its outlet in Mumbai this week. Aquest is responsible for sales and service in the western region.
 
Nissan's model range in India is currently a bit lean with just one car in their line-up "� the X-Trail. Powered by a 2184cc , 137 bhp diesel, it gives 14 kilometres to the litre and currently retails at around Rs 23 lakh (ex-showroom) in Mumbai. Here's hoping that their next model carries a 350Z tag on the boot.

 
 

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First Published: Jun 18 2005 | 12:00 AM IST

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