The new Hyundai Santa Fe is out

The new Hyundai Santa Fe is out. Not in India yet, but in Korea. And it's looking more aggressive and purposeful than the one that's doing duty on our roads here. Hyundai's popular SUV is longer, taller and wider than its predecessor, and with its increased wheelbase, offers more legroom all round.

An all-new diesel engine makes its debut in the new Santa Fe. The 2200cc common-rail turbodiesel delivers 152 bhp at 4000 rpm and a promising 35 kgm at 2000 revs. The oil-burner is paired with new five-speed manual and automatic transmission options.

The faithful 188 bhp 2700cc V6 petrol is carried over in the new Santa Fe, while the North American markets are lucky to get Hyundai's new 3300cc V6 too as an option. The newness does not end there.

A fresh electronically controlled all-wheel drive system, with a selectable 4WD lock with continuous 50/50 torque split, also makes an appearance here. The Santa Fe's chassis has been revised to offer more sedan-like behaviour, with a multi-link rear suspension setup replacing the rear double-wishbones.

Besides Hyundai has loaded the new Santa Fe with a host of electronic goodies for safety and comfort. We can't wait to check it out, Hyundai Motor India!

Day in, day out

Here's a much awaited treat for the cognoscenti for all the 365 days of 2006. The 2006 Pirelli Calendar has just been unveiled, and this time, it has some famous gorgeous women featured in it.

There's Jennifer Lopez, who's making a Pirelli Calendar debut. And there are supermodels like Gisele Bundchen and Kate Moss, plus other Pirelli Calendar veterans like Karen Elson and Natalia Vodianova. The photography is by the British-Turkish duo, Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, and all the pictures are in black-and-white, evoking a 60s/70s mood.

Shot at locations around the French Riviera, the 2006 Pirelli Calendar, like all the 42 ones before it, is sure to find itself in collectors' hands across the world.

As everybody knows, the Calendar is, um, not for everybody, and only a limited number gets printed.

We're sorry we cannot print the er, highly artistic images in a respectable financial newspaper. So why don't you check out what you're missing at their new portal, www.pirellical.com. Pirelli also makes some fabulous tyres, by the way.