Mahindra, leading Indian carmaker has announced the new range of the Bolero camper. This new range includes the addition of a number of features with the range starting from INR 7.26 Lakh. The main highlight here is the addition of a new, premium variant christened Camper Gold ZX. Apart from this new top-of-the-line variant, the camper will also be available in Gold VX, 4WD, Non-AC and Cash Van variants, suiting a number of different applications. All these variants are powered by a tried and tested 2,523cc m2DiCR diesel engine, delivering 63 hp of power and a peak torque of 195 Nm. The whole range of this camper comes with a warranty of 3 year or 1 Lakh kilometres along with 24×7 roadside assistance for one year, whichever comes earlier, offering complete peace of mind to builders, small and medium enterprises owners and farmers. 

The top-end Gold ZX variant comes with a double cabin, with enough space for easy ingress and egress. The interiors follow a dual tone theme and get a new centre console. Features such as the Faux-leather seats with headrest, recliner and slider seats, which help to improve its ergonomics and reduce driving fatigue, power windows, central locking, power steering and retractable seat belts for enhanced safety & convenience. On the Outside, the car gets new body graphics, enhancing the looks of the car. Talking about the exterior, the car gets a new fascia, stylish front grille, and reflector headlamps offering a smart, chiselled look. Moreover, the Bolero Camper will come with all safety aids required to comply with the AIS 145 safety norms.

Also Read: Mahindra To Update Its Entire Range Of Personal Cars With New Safety Features

Veejay Ram Nakra, Chief of Sales and Marketing, Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said “Mahindra has been the leader in the Pickup segment for over a decade. We always strive to understand and address the evolving needs of our customers, thereby developing innovative and relevant products. True to its belief ‘Khaas logon ki khaas gaadi’, the Camper Refresh Gold ZX enhances the customer’s value within the business environment. Our Bolero brand continues to retain the basic tough and rugged DNA associated with Mahindra vehicles”.

A few days ago, Renault unveiled the brand new Triber. This 7-seater car is placed in the sub-4 metre segment, making it one of the most affordable MPVs in the Indian market. The car gets three rows of seats, which can be adjusted, removed or installed easily, providing the ability to change the seating to suit the requirements of the customers as and when they want to. The Triber also offers AC vents for all three rows, an AMT type automatic transmission, cooled storage and a class leading boot space of 625-litres in the 5-seat configuration. Despite being a sub-4 metre MPV, the Triber has a lot to offer. Let’s have a look at the top-5 features of the Renault Triber:

Attractive Design

The car gets a new engaging design that provides the small MPV with a sporty SUV look. The top-end variant of the Triber gets a couple of projector headlamps, stylish roof rails and a set of LED DRLs, while the ultra-modern triple edge chrome front grille further adds to the Triber’s road presence.

Dual-Tone Interior

The Triber gets a stylish new Deep Black and Greige dual-tone interior which provides a warm and cosy feel, while the new centre fascia gets a set of sleek chrome edges that adds to the premium and sophisticated feel of the car. This super spacious sub-4 metre also features a smart dual-tone dashboard with silver accents.

Different Seating Configurations

The Renault Triber is specially designed to accommodate comfort and convenience. The car comes with the most spacious passenger cabin in the sub-4 metre segment. The seating space is smartly optimised with over 100 seating configurations, a boot space of 625-litres and interior storage of up to 31-litres. The car also gets new first-in-class EasyFix Seats for the 3rd row. The main seat combinations feature four exciting modes: the 5-seater Life Mode, the 7-seater Tribe Mode, the 4-seater Surf Mode and the 2-seater Camp Mode.

Sporty Stance

The Triber gets a ground clearance of about 182 mm along with SUV Skid Plates that provide the car with an impressive sporty-offroad stance while offering extra protection to the underbody of the car on rough terrains.

Feature-Rich Cabin

The top-end variant of the Triber is equipped with an LED Instrument Cluster and Twin AC outlets. While the easy-to-use MediaNAV Evolution gets a 20.32 cm Touchscreen system that includes Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Push-to-Talk and Video Playback. The other smart technologies also include a Smart Access Card with keyless entry and a Push Start/Stop Button, to further enhance the driving experience.

Unveiled at the Paris Motorshow earlier last year, the seventh generation BMW 3-series has been spied undergoing tests in our country on multiple occasions already. One of the more popular offerings of the German brand, the 3-Series seems to have completed its testing and homologation and is ready to be launched in our market. The car is scheduled to be launched on the 25th of July, almost a month from today. This new generation sedan would be competing against the likes of the Mercedes Benz C-Class, the Audi A4 and the Jaguar XE. Expect a price tag north of INR 40 Lakh when launched.

Measuring 4,709 mm in length, 1,827 mm in width and 1,441 mm in height this new generation model is 76 mm longer than the previous generation model, and the wheelbase increases by 41mm. This would translate to more space for the occupants in the rear. The overall weight of the car too, has gone, as much as 55 kg depending on the variant selected. Other features on offer would include BMWs latest laser light technology with a larger kidney-shaped grille than before.

The insides too, will come with a few changed. The international spec models get a digital screen for the instrument console, which is very likely to make its way in the Indian spec model as well. Moreover, expect BMW to add a touch and gesture controlled infotainment screen, angled slightly towards the driver. The smart key, which comes with a small screen, controlling a number of functions of the car can also be expected to be on offer in higher trim levels.

Also Read: Rudratej Singh Is The New President And CEO Of BMW India Group

Under the bonnet, expect BMW to offer one petrol and one diesel motor. The former engine, to be offered with the 330i model, will use a 2-litre turbocharged petrol motor, which generates 258 PS of peak power and 400 Nm of twist. The diesel, to be offered with the 320d model will also use a 2-litre, turbocharged motor, generating 190 PS of peak power and 400 Nm of twist. Both these engines will come with an 8speed automatic gearbox as standard. Keep looking at this space for more updates o the German sedan and coverage of the launch event.

Marking its debut in the Indian market, MG Motor is all set to launch their Hector SUV on the 27th of June. The car has already been unveiled but the pricing of the car will be out on the same date. To be offered in 4 variants, starting with the entry-level Style followed by Super, Smart and Sharp, the Hector will come with 3 engine options. Pre-bookings of the car are currently open across 120 centres of the brand as well as online, on the official MG website. Expect a price tag of between INR 13 Lakh to INR 19 Lakh when the car is launched later this month.

Tested for more than one million kilometres on our roads, the Hector has been built to withstand extreme road conditions. The car would be offered with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine delivers 143 PS power at a peak torque of 250 Nm and will be available in both manual and automatic transmissions. Its 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine will deliver 170 PS at a peak torque of 350 Nm. Moreover, the car will also offer a 48 volt, mild hybrid system. This system would use a 48-volt lithium-ion battery to store energy and provide extra torque assistance of up to 20 Nm when required, paired with the petrol motor. Further electronic systems – Engine Auto Start-Stop, Regenerative Braking and E-Boost – ensures a great driving experience while reducing emissions by up to 12%.

Also Read: Paper Fight: MG Hector Vs Tata Harrier

Other features on offer with this SUV include the connected iSmart system, which provides a host of features, working in conjunction with a built-in eSim card. This smart technology will be controlled by a 10.4-inch touchscreen which is placed vertically, just like your phone. This screen will also be responsible for controlling every function of the car including climate control, sunroof operation and more. Apart from touch, the screen can also be controlled by voice commands which are powered by a self-learning algorithm. Also features like a powered tailgate, panoramic sunroof, infinity sourced speakers, cruise control, cooled glovebox and much more. To know more about this SUV, do watch our detailed, in-depth review of the same which is linked below.

One of the pioneers in the India motorsport scene, Volkswagen motorsport takes another step showing its commitment to the same. The company shall be entering the MRF MMSC FMSCI Indian National Car Racing Championship 2019 in the Indian Touring Championship (ITC) Category as a factory team. With this, former one-make series winners a platform to compete and further up their game. Volkswagen will be participating with their Race Vento car, which uses a 1.8-litre TSI engine mated to a 6-speed sequential gearbox with a manual gearshift lever. The car produces 215 HP peak power and 350 Nm peak torque.

Piloting this Vento race car would be one-make series winners, Karthik Tharani, Ishaan Dodhiwala and Dhruv Mohite. listed below are the achievements of these ace drivers.

• Karthik Tharani:
  • 2018: Formula Euro JK18 National Champion
  • 2017: Drag Racing Unrestricted National Champion
  • 2016: MRF Formula 1600 National Champion Runner Up
  • 2015: MRF Formula 1600 National Champion
  • 2014: Volkswagen Polo R Cup National Champion

• Ishaan Dodhiwala:
  • 2018 ITC Turbo Class Runner Up
  • 2017 MRF Formula 1600 Rookie Runner Up
  • 2016 Volkswagen Vento Cup Champion
  • 2015 Volkswagen Vento Cup Runner Up
  • 2014 Volkswagen Polo R Cup Junior Runner Up
• Dhruv Mohite:
  • 2018:  Volkswagen Ameo Cup Champion
  • 2017: 2nd Runner Up Champion at Volkswagen Ameo Cup
  • 2015: 2nd Runner Up Champion at J.K. Tyre National Rotax Challenge
  • 2014: 2nd Runner Up Champion at J.K Tyre National Rotax Challenge: Senior
  • 2012: Runner-Up Champion at J.K Tyre National Rotax Challenge: Junior
  • 2008: Champion in Micro-Max Category at JK National Karting Championship

Also Read: Volkswagen Ameo Class 2019 Round One Kicks Off From This Weekend

Commenting on the development, Mr Sirish Vissa, Head of Volkswagen Motorsport India said, “Over the last ten years, we have been strengthening our presence in Motorsport in India. Volkswagen is committed towards the cause and I am proud to announce our entry into India’s premier racing category with our very own factory team. We started developing our cars last year by participating in the Turbo class. But with the integration of the category into ITC, we are extremely happy to participate in a class that is at the pinnacle of racing in India.” He added, “All three drivers who represent our factory team are extremely talented and have proven their mettle through our one-make series in the past. By building proper race cars for the drivers, we are also providing them with an option to develop their career further.”

German luxury carmaker, Audi has teamed up with Sony Pictures Entertainment to promote its futuristic all-electric car in the upcoming Spiderman movie. The Audi e-tron GT was last seen in Avengers Endgame and was driven by none other than Tony Stark / Robert Downey Jr. The “Spider-Man: Far From Home is the latest instalment in the Spiderman solo movie series. The movie also includes other Audi vehicles like the all-new Audi A7 and Audi Q8. Have a look at the teaser below:

This latest digital teaser is titled “Science Fair” and it features Peter Parker (Tom Holland) and his best friend Ned (Jacob Batalon), who are facing serious competition at the school science fair. Even though the two characters are talented enough to build their own prototype, they ran out of time and the electric motor that they made wouldn’t make much of an impression. So, to increase their chances of winning the competition, Peter Parker arranges a last minute call to the Audi headquarters to ask for the Audi e-tron GT concept, which is the perfect example of the small powerful motor they made for their project.

This video clip is pretty realistic to the original movie that you might actually get the impression that it is an unreleased scene or an extra clip from the movie. For Audi, appearing in a movie is nothing new as their cars have already been a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Several Audi models such as the R8, A7, Q5, Q7 and even the Q4 e-tron have already been a part of the Marvel movies like Iron Man, Avengers, and Spider-Man: Homecoming. After Ironman’s demise, Peter Parker/Tom Holland will now be the flag-bearer for Audi, as the new e-tron GT, along with other Audi models will appear on the big screen along with the friendly neighbourhood Spiderman.

“Product placement is an important part of our marketing strategy at Audi. The collaboration with Sony Pictures Entertainment and Marvel Studios gives us a great opportunity to present our brand in a truly spectacular way,” explains Sven Schuwirth, head of digital business and customer experience at Audi. “Films like Avengers: Endgame or Spider-Man: Far From Home attract a great deal of attention, and that allows us to reach a large audience of fans, customers and potential customers.”

Also Read: Audi’s All-Electric E-Tron Gets A 5-Star Rating In The Euro NCAP Crash Test

“Teaming up with Sony Studios gives us an ideal opportunity to stage Audi´s electric offensive in a spectacular environment and to customize this important technology for a highly engaged audience. Therefore product placement plays a significant role in our new brand strategy“, said Sven Schuwirth, Head of Brand Audi, Digital Business and Customer Experience at AUDI AG.

Entering the record books once already, by doing the longest non-stop performance show, TVS Apache, a premium motorcycle brand, breaks another record. This record too, involves stunts and skill of talented and brave riders, who pushed the Apache motorcycles to the limit. This new record has been awarded for performing stunts at the highest altitude for the longest period of time. As part of the Apache Pro Performance X (APPX), three stunt riders from TVS Apache performed for 1 hour 30 mins at an altitude of 14800 ft astride TVS Apache RTR 200 4V motorcycles. The record-breaking show was held in a controlled environment.

The stunt riders enthralled the audience with their skills and manoeuvrability on their Apache motorcycles. The riders showcased stunts like the Jesus Christ pose, pillion thrill-ride, 360-degree front wheelie, synchronized flower burnout, suicide burnout and a mega bike burnout as the grand finale enthralled the spectators. The audience was indeed entertained by the stunts and were indeed thrilled to be witnessing such an event take place. These stunts also showcased the prowess and capabilities of the TVS motorcycles, which supported these riders. This record-breaking show was held as a part of the second edition of the North Chapter of Apache Owners Group (AOG) ride from Chandigarh to Spiti Valley. This 12-day AOG ride flagged off on 15th June from Chandigarh with 25 Apache customers across the country will end at Spiti Valley on 26th June, 2019.

Also Read: TVS Now Becomes The Official Sponsor Of The Bangladesh Football Team

TVS is no stranger to record books. In 2017, the TVS Apache stunt team entered the record books with a non-stop 5-hour stunt show on the TVS Apache series of motorcycles.  This activity was dubbed as TVS Apache Pro Performance X – a step up of the popular property – Apache Pro Performance (APP).  Recently, on 9th June, 2019, the team broke their own record and created a new record with a non-stop 6-hour stunt show on TVS Apache series of motorcycles in Pune.  An initiative driven by TVS Racing, APP promotes the performance prowess (in a controlled environment) of the TVS Apache RTR Series motorcycles amongst its audience and helps them connect to the essence of the brand – ‘Racing DNA Unleashed’.

The most sensibly sporty scooter one can buy in India, the TVS NTORQ is now available in a new shade of Matte Silver. The new colour is a celebration of the NTORQ becoming the most awarded scooter in India for FY 18-19. It is accompanied by the debut of ‘Scooter of the Year’ emblem which will be sported by all models going forward. This new Matte Silver addition will be available in disc brake variant. Other pain options the scooter is available in include, Matte Yellow, Matte White, Matte Red, Metallic Blue, Metallic Grey and Metallic Red.

Launched in February 2018, the TVS NTORQ has witnessed immense response from its target audience and has swept 9 automotive industry awards in India, including the coveted ‘Scooter of the Year’.  This has been achieved through positive response from all stakeholders including customers and enthusiasts which led to the brand crossing the 2-lakh sales milestone in less than 1 year since launch. India’s first connected scooter, the TVS NTORQ comes equipped with TVS SmartXonnect which is paired to an exclusive application and allows pairing your phone with the scooter’s all-digital instrument display. Powering the NTORQ is a CVTi-REVV 124.79cc, single-cylinder, 4-stroke, 3-valve, air-cooled SOHC engine, that churns out 9.4 PS @7500 rpm and 10.5 Nm@5500 rpm.

Also Read: TVS Launches The 2019 Jupiter ZX, Prices Start From INR 56,093

The TVS NTORQ 125 joins the likes of the very popular Jupiter, Wego, Scooty Zest and Pep+ in TVS’ scooter portfolio. Where the NTORQ is now a very popular scooter with the young and the young at heart and still savvy, the Jupiter is for those who seek comfort, style and fuss-free commuting experience. On the other hand, the Wego is due for an upgrade and should come out as an updated product sometime soon.

Like most other big players, TVS could also be exploring the electric space and if the products displayed at the Auto Expo which went by are an indication, the Hosur-based bike maker could be one of the first mainstream players to introduce a non-ICE product. On the motorcycling front, the bike maker’s flagship, the Apache RR 310 was updated with a slipper clutch and a new colour option, taking its appeal a few notches higher.

The recently launched RV400 is Revolt Intellicorp’s all-electric, eco-friendly 2-wheeler and also India’s first AI-enabled sportbike. After being revealed to the public last week, the Revolt RV400 is now finally available for booking. The online pre-bookings for the RV400 begin today at 11 am and the bike will be available for a booking amount of INR 1,000. The pre-booking is currently only open in Delhi and Pune but will reach other cities soon enough and deliveries will commence by August 2019. To make the RV400 available in your area you can visit the Revolt Intellicorp website and vote for your city.

Talking about the bike, the exact details and specifications haven’t been revealed yet, however, the all-electric motor on the RV 400 is capable of providing a range of around 156 kilometres on a single charge and a top speed of 85 kmph. The bike also gets a conventional body and looks like a basic millennial sportbike. The other simple yet modern features include a set of LED Headlamps and Taillamps, rear seat grab rails and a streetfighter body, which means that the RV 400 is designed to be a stealth bike with a zero-emission, electric powertrain for instant torque to decimate its rivals.

In terms of innovative features, the RV 400 is equipped with many unique additions, such as a Geo-Fencing feature which will restrict the bike’s usage up to a certain radius, Bluetooth connectivity for better user experience, USD forks and rear monoshock for additional comfort, front and rear discs, an AI system that will assist you in various situations and will be able to learn and understand from your riding style and help in improving the range of the bike and a removable battery with a battery swapping system to improve customer satisfaction and service.

Also Read: Revolt RV 400 Electric Motorcycle – Top 5 Features

A Revolt RV 400 rider will also get to choose from a wide range of exhaust notes to make your riding experience even more thrilling and fun. The different sound modes are Revolt, Roar, Rage and Rebel. All these sounds are inspired by different high-end motorcycles, which combine to produce one interesting and powerful exhaust note. All these incredible and innovative features combined with the perfect battery range and service network of Revolt Intellicorp lead us to believe that the electric revolution is finally here.

Delivering lovely motorcycles with a wave of nostalgia, the Jawa brand has now taken the next step. The company has now unveiled its list of accessories and merchandise. The company has now listed a list of accessories that would be made available for the two bikes the company is currently selling. Moreover, the brand is also selling some accessories to enhance the appearance of the bikes, while offering protection. The brand soon would be expanding the range of these accessories, which are currently on sale on their website and dealers across the country. Listed below are the accessories along with the prices.

• Riding Gear:
  • Helmet – INR 2,349
  • Jawa jacket (KNOX® CE Level 1) – INR 7,499
  • Riding gloves – INR 2,499
  • T-shirt – INR 899
• Bike Accessories
  • Grab rail – INR 749
  • Crash guard (Chrome or Matte Black) – INR 1,599
  • Rear spoiler – INR 999
  • Bar end mirrors – INR 1,499

The company currently has two motorcycles on sale. The first one called the Jawa and the other is called the 42. As standard, the motorcycles come with a single channel ABS module with a drum brake at the rear. For an additional sum of INR 8,000, Jawa also sells a dual disc, dual channel ABS module. Deliveries of the latter will start from the end of this month, as confirmed by CEO Anupam Thareja on his Twitter account.

Also Read: Jawa Motorcycles Unites Indo-Pak War IAF Veterans Called The ‘Hell’s Angels’

Both these bikes, the Jawa and the Jawa 42 use the same engine. This liquid-cooled, DOHC, single cylinder, 293 cc engine is rated to produce 27 hp of maximum power and 28 Nm of maximum torque. Great effort was put in to mimic the sound the 2-stroke motors from the past produced. The power is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed transmission. Suspension duties are taken care of by conventional telescopic forks in the front and twin shock absorber at the rear. While a single channel ABS is offered as standard with both bikes, customers can pay a little extra to get a dual disc variant with dual channel ABS. Price of the Jawa 42 is INR 1.55 Lakh and that of the Jawa is INR 1.64 Lakh, whereas the dual disc variant of both these models attracts a premium of INR 8,000.

The ever so popular Compass SUV from iconic American manufacturer Jeep now has a new top-of-the-line variant. Called the Trailhawk, this new variant is priced at INR 26.80 Lakh, ex-showroom, Pan-India. It exceeds the current top of the line model, the Limited plus 4×4 by INR 3.7 Lakh and does justify that hefty price tag by offering quite some additional features over the same. Competing with the likes of the Tata Harrier and MG Hector, in the Trailhawk avatar, the Compass can also give the likes of the Ford Endeavour and the Toyota Fortuner a run for its money by covering up for the lack of space, in terms of size, with equally good, if not better, off-road capabilities.

The first major difference between the two is the introduction of the BS – VI engine, which makes the car future proof for when the new emission norms would kick in from next year. Moreover, the car also comes with a 9-speed automatic gearbox as standard, this combination of a diesel motor with an automatic gearbox was sorely missed in this segment. Other additions include a larger touch enable infotainment screen, with built-in navigation, Engine Stop / Start, Cruise Control, Hill Descent Control, higher ground clearance with better approach and departure angles, and an additional rock mode along with Auto, Sand, Mud and Snow. 

Commenting on the Trailhawk’s price announcement, Kevin Flynn – President and Managing Director, FCA India said, “We are offering a lot more of the Jeep DNA in the Trailhawk which we believe Indian customers will appreciate and enjoy. Our Trail Rated All-wheel Drive SUV has all the core ingredients that a Jeep SUV should have, and additionally delivers to the Indian’s customer’s aspirations of intelligent driving aids and equipment for both the urban and adventurous, prioritises the safety of occupants and makes you a part of a long lineage that the global Jeep community is proud of.”

Also Read: This 1969 Jeep CJ-5 Has Been Restored For More Action On the Road

To know more about this SUV, which can tackle almost any challenge thrown at it off-road as well as on-road, do watch our in-depth review of the car which is linked below. If you still have any questions, do post them in the comment section, we shall try to answer them.

Ducati successfully conducted its second DRE Individual Racetrack Training Sessions in India. A one of its kind training session, it was spread over two days – 21st and 22nd June 2019 at Madras Motor Race Track, Chennai and saw participation from Ducati owners. Four Ducati owners including Janak Deb, Shree Krishna, Balaji and Vinayak Shetty were certified with a DRE certificate of completion after undergoing individual training on the racetrack.

Also Read: Ducati Hypermotard 950 Launched! Prices Start From INR 11.99 Lakhs

The DRE Individual Racetrack Training Sessions provide a rider with an opportunity to train and learn from a DRE Certified Trainer who only imparts individual training to one rider, throughout the day. This focused attention from a dedicated trainer throughout a day gives valuable insights and feedback to a rider who wants to learn the art of going fast on a race track.

The full-day, one-on-one training was spearheaded by DRE – Certified Trainers Gurvinder Singh and Anand Dharmaraj who specialized in racetrack training. The full-day training had sessions each where the riders were taught about the important techniques of riding on track such as correct riding position, correct view, braking, acceleration, braking position, pace management, racing line, etc. The DRE Racetrack Training is not just for beginners but also for advanced riders. Riders get personal attention from DRE trainers which help beginners to learn the basic nuances of track riding in a safe environment and help advanced riders further enhance their strong areas with key techniques.

Talking about this initiative, Sergi Canovas, Managing Director of Ducati India said, “With DRE – Individual Racetrack Training, we are trying to build a foundation for riders who wish to ace it on the track. We did the first sessions at BIC, Noida for our community in the North and now, we’ve brought the training to MMRT, Chennai for our Ducatisti in South India as the idea is to make this a national initiative and give Ducati owners an opportunity to learn individually from experts. We have seen a major shift amongst riders towards motorsports and these trainings will continue to build exceptional skills according to the ability and needs of participants.”

The transformation in the mobility space has presented new and innovative options to those who seek to purchase a car. Broadening that spectrum of shared mobility in India, Volkswagen has partnered with self-drive, shared mobility platform Zoomcar. Under Zoomcar’s ZAP Subscribe model, potential customers can now subscribe to a Volkswagen Polo at a fixed monthly subscription fee, in addition to a host of other benefits. Two hundred Volkswagen Polos will be made available initially.

As the Indian automotive industry continues to evolve, consumers are gradually moving towards shared mobility and it is expected that India will be leading the shared mobility business by the year 2030. This is likely to occur owing to the country’s growing skilled workforce followed by increasing urbanization, rise in living standards and enhanced disposable income that has been a significant growth driver of this sector. Volkswagen and Zoomcar intend to deepen this partnership by offering other vehicles from their existing product portfolio in the future. Within this partnership, Volkswagen will offer Zoomcar customized financial, maintenance and repair services (4EVER Care) that will enhance the overall subscription experience.

The Volkswagen Group is currently working with a renewed focus for India, under the India 2.0 Project. Under this new plan, the group’s brand Skoda will take the lead for a planned model campaign for the Indian market. Volkswagen Group is investing one billion euros towards the implementation of the project, which will ensure the products are perfectly suited to the Indian market. Skoda Auto will also set up an engineering centre in the country. All models designed and produced locally in India in the future will be based on Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform, which already fulfils the stricter legal requirements for India that come into force in 2020.

Commenting on this announcement, Mr. Steffen Knapp, Managing Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars said, “Through this partnership with Zoomcar, Volkswagen India enters into shared mobility and subscription services. As a brand, world over, we intend to transform the mobility sector by participating in various business models that drive growth, offer convenience and heightened customer satisfaction. We’re delighted to offer our best-selling carline – Volkswagen Polo through this channel, which enables prospective customers the accessibility to a premium, safe and fun-to-drive hatch.”

Speaking on this partnership, Greg Moran, Co-Founder and CEO, Zoomcar said, “Zoomcar is thrilled to partner with Volkswagen to offer its vehicles on India’s only shared subscription marketplace, ZAP Subscribe. Given Volkswagen’s long history as an innovator within the automotive space, we felt they were a natural partner as we look to provide an affordable, flexible alternative to traditional vehicle ownership.”

Last week, Renault revealed its brand new sub-4-metre 7-seater MPV, the Triber. The car gets three rows of seats, which can be adjusted, removed or installed easily, providing the customers with the ability to change the seating arrangement to suit their requirements. As the Triber is now aiming to be one of the most affordable MPVs in the Indian market, let’s have a look at how it competes with the Datsun Go+, which is already the most affordable 7-seater in its segment.

Dimensions

In terms of width, height and wheelbase, the Triber is much larger than the Go+ but is still 5 mm shorter in length when compared to the Go+. The Triber also gets a larger 40-litre fuel tank and a better ground clearance than the Go+. However, the Go+ manages to be lighter by weighing in at around 865 kgs, which is about 82 kgs less than the Triber. Surprisingly, when the third row is folded, the Triber provides a boot space capacity of 625-litres, while the Datsun Go+ provides a boot space capacity of around 347-litres.

Design and Chassis

The Triber is much more sporty and adventure-oriented when compared to the Datsun Go+. The Triber also gets an increased ground clearance and a set of larger 15-inch alloys for a smoother drive. The front and rear suspension sets are the same in both cars, however, the drive feel is expected to be a lot different.

Features

The Triber gets many new exciting and advanced features that are missing in the Go+, such as a hands-free smart access card, a fully-digital instrument cluster, dual-tone seats, each-row air-conditioning, a start-stop button and a total of 100 different seat-configurations.

Safety

The Renault Triber is not only the most feature-rich in its segment but also one of the safest. The car gets a 4-airbag setup, 3-point seatbelts in all rows, along with a pretensioner and a load-limiter for the driver seat. The Triber and Go+, both get ABS+EBD as standard, along with rear parking assist sensors and camera.

Also Read: Renault Triber – Top 5 Features

Engine and Gearbox

In terms of engine, the Triber gets a smaller 3-cylinder, 1-litre petrol engine, while the Datsun gets a 3-cylinder, 1.2-litre petrol engine. Despite being small, the Triber’s engine is capable of producing about 72 PS of power at 6,250 rpm and around 96 Nm of peak torque at 3,500 rpm. While the Datsun’s 1.2-litre engine produces about 68 PS of power at 5,000 rpm and around 104 Nm of peak torque at 4,000 rpm. Both these engines are paired with 5-speed manual gearboxes, however, the Triber will also be available with a 5-speed EASY-R automatic transmission.

The world of customisation is extensive. There are a number of options one can opt for. One particular style, called the Chopper, has been quite popular. This style of customisation first emerged in the state of California in the USA in the late 50s. Extended front ends, stretched frame and a larger front wheel are some of the characteristics of a conventional chopper. While many choppers emerge from a regular motorcycle, many people also do start from scratch to complete a build. Here is one video which showcases one such chopper based on the Royal Enfield motorcycle. This bike has a number of changes done, costing around INR 7 Lakh, the end product of this transformation simply screams for your attention.

In this video uploaded on YouTube channel VampVideo we see this modified motorcycle. One look at the side profile will confirm the fact that the frame of this motorcycle has been modified, made longer than before. There are some Rose Gold highlights around the frame, matching the shade of the lovely spokes on the wheel. The front end is done in a minimalistic manner, with a round headlight mounted in a conventional manner, with a cover on it. The handlebar is new too, which is rather long and lets the rider’s arms stay in a relaxed position.

Moving further ahead, one can spot the teardrop-shaped tank, with recesses on the side to accommodate the riders’ legs. The saddle is crafted from genuine leather and goes rather well with the whole bike. Beneath the seat, one can notice a lovely barrel, which holds all the electrical systems of the bike. The keyhole also is placed on this barrel, with a kill switch and start button. Going with the theme, the battery cover too, is made from leather and is a touch we rarely see on custom bikes.

Also Read: This Custom Royal Enfield Based Bobber Is Called Barrett

Coming to the engine, going by looks alone, it seems to be the 350 cc power plant from Royal Enfield which generates 19.8 bhp at 5,250 rpm and 28 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. However, this engine would generate a bit more due to the aftermarket custom exhaust it has been fitted with. Linked below is the video we have been talking about, do have a look.

Slotting itself in what is now India’s hottest and also crowded car segment, the MG Hector SUV will be launched in India today. A feature-loaded SUV, the MG Hector will also introduce brand MG in the Indian market while slugging it out against products like the Tata Harrier, the upcoming Kia Seltos, the segment-leading Hyundai Creta and some variants of the Nissan Kicks and the Jeep Compass. This article will be updated with all the information real-time once the event starts at 11 am. In the meanwhile, for a comprehensive review, do watch our video below.

Live Updates:

Mg Hector Price: 

11:36 AM: MG Hector cost of service

11:34 AM: Assured buyback plan 

11:32 AM: To offer 5-year/unlimited kilometre warranty!

11:27 AM:

MG Will begin operations with 120 centres, taking it up to 250 by September

MG Hector variant-wise feature list

Some stand out features

Also Read: MG Hector Unveiled In India – Specifications, Features, Variants And Images

To be offered in four variants – Style, Super, Smart and Sharp, the MG Hector will be offered with two engine options. The petrol option is a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine which delivers 143 PS power and peak torque of 250 Nm and will be available in both manual and automatic transmissions. Its 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine will deliver 170 PS at a peak torque of 350 Nm. Moreover, the car will also offer a 48 volt, mild hybrid system. This system would use a 48-volt lithium-ion battery to store energy and provide extra torque assistance of up to 20 Nm when required, paired with the petrol motor. All the engine options are paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox, but the petrol version is also available with the option of a 6-speed DCT gearbox.

To be a connected car, top variants of the Hector will offer as many as 6 airbags, whereas the base will offer only 2. In addition to that, the Hector features ESP, disc brakes on all four corners, ABS+EBD+Brake Assist, front parking sensors, 360-degree camera (top variant), Tyre pressure monitoring system, ISOFIX mounts on all variants and electronic parking brake (automatic variants only).

Some stand out features of the Hector are listed below:

• 7″ MID in the instrument cluster with Music, Navigation Calling and TPMS display
• Fatigue reminder setting
• Leather seats and application on door trim, dashboard, steering and armrest
• Front and Rear LED reading lights
• 8-colour ambient lighting
• 2nd-row seat recline
• Rear AC vents

• Cooled glove box
• 10.4″ Vertical HD display
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility
• Sound system tuned by Infinity. Gets subwoofer and amplifier for 8-speaker system
• Steering mounted audio controls
• rear seat armrest with cup holders
• Leather-finished driver armrest
• Dual-pane panoramic sunroof
• 6-way power adjustable driver’s seat, 4-way power adjustable co-driver’s seat
• Powered tailgate
• Rain-sensing wipers

• Heated ORVMs
• Front and rear fast-charging USB ports
• Auto headlamps
• Cruise Control
• 60:40 Split rear seat backrest with recline function
• Geofencing
• Embedded Sim (5G ready)
• Over the air updates
• Driver analytics (Harsh braking, running idle, drive time, routes taken etc)
• Remote vehicle control (ignition on/off, AC on/off, sunroof, tailgate, door lock/unlock through a mobile app)
• Online navigation with live updates

• Voice assistant with 100+ voice commands activated by saying “Hello MG”
• Pre-loaded entertainment content
• Built-in Ganna.com premium account
• Self-initiated emergency call sends a message and location to the pulse hub if airbags are deployed. Hub calls the car back for assistance

• Vehicle Status Scan
• Find my car
• Remote Light flashing and honking
• Stolen vehicle tracking assistance
• Tyre pressure check through app
• Send trip plan to vehicle screen feature
• Pre-loaded Accuweather app

MG Hector Colours

• Candy White
• Aurora Silver
• Starry Black
• Burgundy Red
• Glaze Red

Learning to ride a bike at a young age helps children develop core strength, motor skills, and confidence. US-based, Strider Bikes aims to do just that by providing the Strider Balance Bikes in the global market for the overall development of children across the world. Last month, Strider Bikes had announced its entry into the Indian market, and today they announce the launch of the Strider 14x Sport Balance Bike and the attachable Strider 14x Easy Ride Pedal Kit. The Strider 14x Sport Balance Bike is priced at INR 16,750 and the Strider 14x Easy Ride Pedal Kit is priced at INR 3,750. Both the products will be available on Amazon from the 26th of June 2019.

This world-class company designs and manufactures a range of safe and durable balance bikes for children as young as 6 months. With this range of products, Strider not only aims to teach balance and improve dexterity, cognitive ability, and spatial awareness in toddlers but also inspire them to experience two-wheeled freedom. This launch announcement comes almost a month after the Strider 12Sport Balance Bike launch, which was Strider’s first product in the Indian market.

Talking about the products, the Strider 14x Sport starts off as a balance bike, which helps kids who either haven’t been on a bike before or are veteran Strider riders trying to gain confidence and improve their balancing ability on a bigger bike. Once the child is ready to pedal, the 14x Sport bundle turns into an adjustable pedal bike by just attaching the Easy Ride Pedal Kit. This add-on feature converts the 14x sport bundle from a balance bike to a pedal bike in absolutely no time, as the conversion process is super quick and easy-to-do with the wrenches included in the box. This ingenious design ensures that the child graduates from balancing to pedalling as soon as possible.

Also Read: Strider Sports Announces Its Entry Into The Indian Market

Ryan McFarland, President, CEO, and Chief Enthusiast, Strider Sports International Inc. says, “We are very excited about the growing interest from parents in India. Our products are innovative which makes it easier for children to learn how to cycle.  The 14x sport bundle is an exciting product for children between 3 years and 7 years of age. This bike will give Indian parents an opportunity to experience a whole new perspective on cycling for their children which is safe, easy and convenient.”

Recently, Maruti Suzuki India launched an innovative concept to help improve the skills and capabilities of employees. This unique “Skill on Wheels” mobile training centre will reach out to Maruti Suzuki dealerships located across Delhi NCR region to provide training, to their employees, at their doorstep. This initiative is conceptualized and executed by Maruti’s Center for Excellence (MACE), which is a society formed by Maruti Suzuki India Limited and 21 of its vendor partners.

This mobile centre will provide training in areas of Preventive and Predictive Maintenance, Low-Cost Automation and Energy Management. Additionally, the mobilized facility is also equipped to provide training in Safety, Quality and soft skills. Apart from the other benefits, the vendor partners have also majorly benefitted from this training initiative. At the end of March 2019, MACE had managed to train over 70,000 employees of its vendor partners, resulting in over 90,000 man-days of training. The training initiative has helped over 740 Maruti Suzuki suppliers spread across the country.

MACE was set up in 2004 as an initiative by Maruti Suzuki and a group of vendor partners. Its mission was to achieve world-class levels in Quality, Cost and Technology by upgrading the skills of the human capital of its vendors and dealer partners. MACE supports suppliers in the areas of Safety, Manufacturing System Development, Manufacturing Excellence and Human Capital Development, and Consultancy and Training. MACE has also designed several customized technical and behavioural training programs to facilitate the suppliers with the know-how to help them achieve maximum productivity.

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki Partners Up With Bank Of Baroda For Dealer Inventory Financing

Talking about the initiative, Mr Kenichi Ayukawa, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “We are pleased to start this unique initiative. Offering quality products and services to customers is of prime importance for us. The product and component quality levels can be met only if we have skilled manpower across manufacturing facilities, at Maruti Suzuki as well as our supplier partners. The new “Skill on Wheels” will reach locations across the automobile belt in Delhi NCR, to give an opportunity to train and enhance skill levels of employees of vendor partners. We are confident that our vendors will value this well-equipped training facility at their doorstep and benefit from this initiative. Such a customized mobile training centre shall make learning accessible to suppliers in remote areas and to those who are not able to relieve their personnel for such training in a normal routine.”

Last month, MG Motor revealed its first car for the Indian market, the Hector. This much-awaited SUV was unveiled on the 15th of May, 2019 in the city of Mumbai. The Hector offers internet connectivity, with next-gen iSMART technology which promises a safe, connected, and fun experience. The Hector will be competing against the likes of the newly launched Harrier and the well-established Compass. Today, MG Motors has finally launched the much-awaited Hector in the Indian market at a special introductory price of INR 12,18,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The Hector also gets a new, ownership package, called the “MG Shield”. It provides private owners free-of-charge 5-year comprehensive manufacturer warranty for unlimited kilometres, which is currently the best factory warranty for any vehicle sold in India. This package also includes round-the-clock roadside assistance (RSA) for a period of 5 years and no labour charges for the first 5 scheduled vehicle services. The Hector further offers prepaid maintenance plans starting as low as INR 8,000 for the first 3 years. The total cost of ownership (TCO) is the lowest in its segment, starting at INR 45 paise per kilometre for petrol versions and INR 49 paise per kilometre for the diesel versions.

Also Read: MG Hector To Be Launched In India Today: Live Updates From The Event

In addition, MG assures customers of the resale value of the Hector at a compelling value proposition under the “3-60” plan. Under this plan, MG has tied up with automotive portal CarDekho and the latter will have a special buyback option for the MG Hector at a residual value of 60% after 3 years of ownership. All these elements under “MG Shield” are aimed at enhancing the customer experience and providing complete peace of mind. The ‘Made in India’ Hector is available in a total of 11 combinations across 4 variants namely Style, Super, Smart and Sharp. It comes with 3 engine options: Petrol, Petrol Hybrid and Diesel. The petrol is available in both manual and automatic transmissions. The prices of all the variants are given below:

Commenting on the launch of MG HECTOR, Rajeev Chaba, President and Managing Director, MG Motor India, said, “As MG’s first product for the Indian market, the HECTOR comes with ‘MG Shield’, a first-of-its-kind package in the Indian auto industry which provides complete assurance to our customers, as we continue to remain focused on disruption & differentiation. With the very distinctive design that also packs in safety, best-in-class features and competitive pricing, the MG HECTOR will make an impact with buyers who are looking for something very different from the normal array of cars.”

Following the launch of the new F850 GS adventure tourer, German bike manufacturer BMW Motorrad, has now launched it’s completely renewed flagship supersport model in India, the S1000RR. This litre-class motorcycle will now give the Yamaha R1 and Aprilia RSV4 a really tough competition, as the new updated model is claiming to be more powerful and lighter than its predecessor. The 2019 S1000 RR was launched in Europe earlier this year and has now finally made its way to India. Read ahead to know more about this revamped superbike.

The BMW S 1000 RR shaped the BMW Motorrad brand with its outstanding dynamics when it was launched 10 years back. The all-new ‘Double R’ features lower weight, completely newly developed chassis and suspension, lights, dashboard, design and a new engine with a BMW ShiftCam technology. The all-new BMW S 1000 RR is available in two colour options: a flashy Racing Red and a mixture of Light White/Lupin Blue Metallic/Racing Red with a Motorsport finish that sends a clear signal of sportiness, agility and dynamics. The S1000 RR is now also the first motorcycle to feature an M package, which is a combination of the power of M with Motorrad.

With the new M package, the all-new RR has been turned into even more of a racer and has become the ultimate racing machine. The M package gets many premium and sporty features such as carbon fibre wheels, a lightweight battery and a sportier M badged seat. However, the dynamic package isn’t far behind in terms of features, as it boasts of many exciting new technologies as well as practical equipment features. This package includes the latest generation of the electronic Dynamic Damping Control system, a set of heated grips and cruise control functions.

Design

The design of the all-new RR makes an unmistakable statement – light, fast and uncompromising. The proportions are compactly concentrated between the wheels. The athletic and focused design makes the RR instantly recognizable on the roads, as the clear razor-sharp fly-line and the front view form an extremely narrow and streamlined silhouette, while the low-level front section gives the all-new RR a light, athletic appearance. The LED headlights are now standard and give the bike a dynamic and aggressive look. The powerful surface styling also gives the dynamic side design an impression of visual unity. The dynamic flow is traced across the body of the motorcycle by the surfaces, with the BMW logo as the start and finish point. When seen from the rear, the RR dominates in terms of design and functionality. The number plate holder includes a plate lighting, LED turn signals, tail lights and brake lights. The slim rear gives the rider absolute freedom of movement. When viewed from above, new RR is lean and athletic, as a dynamic line flows from the fuel tank to the rear. The striking design of the fuel tank also attracts attention to the motorcycle’s length and sporty flair.

Engine and Performance

Mechanically, the new BMW S1000 RR is fitted with a newly developed 999cc, 4-cylinder in-line engine, which is now 4 kgs lighter and narrower, improving both, the handling and the ergonomics efficiently. The new engine is capable of generating about 207 HP at 13,500 rpm to deliver a supreme level of engine power. While the BMW ShiftCam Technology provides the bike with an excellent torque curve that is captivating even at low and middle speeds. The variable camshaft control BMW ShiftCam is an entirely new technology which provides supreme rideability along with an additional increase in power across the entire engine speed range. The other benefits of the ShiftCam include: reduced emissions, reduced fuel consumption levels, optimised running smoothness and engine refinement.

Chassis and Safety

The newly developed suspension has not only enhanced the riding dynamics but has also reduced the weight of the current model when compared to its predecessor. The new S1000 RR features a Flex Frame which is the optimum interplay between the frame design and the engine as a load-bearing element. It improves the aerodynamics of the motorcycle and helps keep the weight low. The new layout of the mainframe has a leaner fuel tank and seating area trim sections for further improved support and knee grip. The all-new RR is fitted with ABS Pro (Anti-lock Braking System), DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) and DTC Wheelie Function as standard. The optional DDC (Dynamic Damping Control) adjusts the electronic chassis optimally to the riding situation within milliseconds.

Features

The new RR is now equipped with a 6.5 MID (Multi-Information Display), using which the riders can have the perfect overview. The new multi-controller gives the rider quick access to vehicle and connectivity functions. Phone and media functions can also be used without having to install an app. For ideal adaptation to varied conditions of use, the all-new RR is fitted with the four modes ‘Rain’, ‘Road’, ‘Dynamic’ and ‘Race’ as standard. For the world of race tracks and motor racing, the Riding Modes Pro option offers additional three riding modes (Race Pro 1-3) that are freely programmable. These enable individual adaptation of the most diverse control functions such as Engine (throttle), Engine Brake, Traction Control, Wheelie-Control, ABS and ABS Pro to suit the rider’s own skill level and riding style. Another feature that comes with the ‘Pro Modes’ is Launch Control for perfect race starts.

Price

Prices for the standard variant of the S1000 RR start from INR 18,50,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi) and go up to INR 22,95,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the top M Sport variant. Have a look at the price list for all the variants of the all-new BMW S1000 RR:

Mr Dimitris Raptis, Head of Asia-Pacific, China, Russia, Africa, BMW Motorrad said, “No other bike can be a more authentic interpretation of the sports world than the BMW S 1000 RR. In 2009, we made a big entry into the market of high-performance sports bikes with the launch of the BMW S 1000 RR. It became the leader in its segment almost overnight and since then has set the benchmark in the field of performance sports bikes. For the all-new 2019 ‘Double R’ our goal was simple – ‘Make it even better’, and we did just that! Moving into its third generation, the BMW S 1000 RR has been enhanced in all disciplines. It is now lighter, faster, more uncompromising and more easily controllable than ever before.”

Dr Hans-Christian Baertels, President (acting), BMW Group India said, “The BMW S 1000 RR led to a revolution in the supersport motorcycle category right from the outset. In the time since the bike continued to be developed, it’s tried and the tested concept was being honed even further and the latest innovative technology was added for greater dynamics. Because of its impressive power and performance, one constant factor remains: it is still a trailblazer today! Whether in everyday use or for high-performance race track riding, the all-new BMW S 1000 RR leaves nothing to be desired and allows you to experience its performance with greater intensity and immediacy than ever.”