Today, Indian start-up, Ultraviolette Automotive, unveiled its first all-electric performance motorcycle, the F77. This fully-faired bike will be available in three variants: F77 Lightning, F77 Shadow and F77 Laser. The registrations for this bike are now open, while deliveries will commence in the third quarter of 2020. Initially, the bike will only be available in the city of Bangalore, as the company plans to expand its reach to other cities by the end of next year. Prices for the Ultraviolette F77 range start from INR 3 lakh for the base variant and go up to INR 3.25 lakh for the top-spec variant. (All prices, on-road India).

Mechanically speaking, the bike is powered by an air-cooled motor that produces a maximum power output of 33.5 HP (25 KW) at 2,250rpm and a peak torque of 90 Nm. This motor is powered by a 4.2 kWh battery, that takes almost 5 hours to fully charge using the standard charger, while the fast charger can charge the bike in just 1.5 hours. On a full charge, the F77 will offer a range of around 130-150 kms and in terms of performance, the bike can achieve a 0-60 kmph time of 2.9 seconds, 0-100 kmph in 7.5 seconds, and a top speed of around 147 kmph. The F77 also gets three power modes: Eco, Sport and Insane. In the Eco mode, the bike can travel for a long distance at a slower speed without draining the battery much, while in the Sport mode, the bike gets maximum power from the battery to travel at a significantly higher speed when compared to the Eco mode. On the other hand, the Insane mode will remind you of Tesla’s Ludicrous mode, as it will provide the motor with maximum power right from the start while draining the battery substantially.

Also Read: Revolt Commences First Phase Of Deliveries Of The RV400 Electric Bike In Delhi

Talking about dimensions and chassis components, the F77 gets a steel trellis frame and a set of USD forks at the front and a pre-load adjustable monoshock at the rear, while the anchorage duties are managed by a 320 mm front disc and a 230 mm rear disc, which is then governed by Dual-Channel ABS. In terms of features, the bike gets a TFT display which can be connected to an app on your phone using Bluetooth, an integrated e-sim for smart connectivity, adaptive dashboard brightness with Ambient Light Sensor (ALS), auto headlamp, a 9-axis IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) and many more. Some of the important dimensions of the bike are as follows:

• Wheelbase: 1340 mm
• Seat height: 800 mm
• Front Tyre: 110/70 R17
• Rear Tyre: 150/60 R17
• Kerb Weight: 158 kgs.

Established in August 2014, the Toyota Mobility Foundation was envisioned to support the development of a more mobile society. The Foundation aims to support strong mobility systems while eliminating disparities in mobility. It utilizes Toyota’s expertise in technology, safety, and the environment, working in partnership with universities, government, non-profit organizations, research institutions and other organizations to address mobility issues around the world. Programs include resolving urban transportation problems, expanding the utilization of personal mobility, and developing solutions for next-generation mobility.

Over the last few decades, India has witnessed a fast-paced urban growth of its cities accompanied by population and economic growth. This rapid urbanization has led to multiple social and environmental issues that are currently being faced by several metro cities in the country, including those related to satisfying the mobility needs of its people. As per reports by the United Nations, India is projected to add four new megacities by 2030 and its urban population is expected to grow to 814 million by 2050. The current scenario has resulted in various challenges of congestion and pollution, but conversely, has created a great opportunity for OEMs and innovators to develop viable and sustainable modes of transportation that are cost-effective, convenient and easily accessible for all.

Keeping in mind the challenges and opportunities arising out of this rapidly growing urbanization, Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) in collaboration with WRI India Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, jointly initiated Station Access and Mobility Program (STAMP) focusing on high-quality first and last-mile connectivity solutions to urban mass transit, namely the Metro. It was an attempt to support the Government initiatives to enable mass transportation by increasing ridership and seamless mobility for the public.

Also Read: Toyota Has Confirmed Plans Of Launching A Compact Electric Vehicle In India

So far, this multi-city initiative has worked with the metro rail agencies and other partners in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kochi and most recently in Mumbai, to improve the first and last-mile connectivity and making it easier for the public to access mass transit metro stations. They both have also agreed to work together to enhance metro accessibility through multi-modal mobility solutions in seven Indian cities by 2021 (which will be over half of the operational metro networks in the country).

Additionally, TMF and WRI have been working closely with other innovative mobility operators in India such as Bounce, Mobycy, Bykerr, Quickride & Constapark, to support their initiatives to deliver innovative solutions for a hassle-free urban commute. At a recent event held in Bangalore, TMF in close cooperation and collaboration with WRI, conducted an interactive session with Toyota’s Japan R&D Center experts, along with Bounce, Red Bus and HopOn, to discuss mobility challenges in Indian metro cities and their possible solutions.

Twenty Electric Chetak’s made it back to their birthplace in Pune, after travelling more than 3,000 kilometres through North and Western India. The Chetak Yatra, which was flagged off in Delhi by Mr Nitin Gadkari, Hon Minister for Road Transport & Highways, was welcomed and felicitated by Mr Rahul Bajaj, Chairman, Bajaj Auto Ltd at its Corporate office in Akurdi. The electric scooter travelled from Delhi to Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, the Chetak Samarak in Chittorgarh, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Panaji, before reaching base.

The Chetak was unveiled in New Delhi on 16th October 2019. A nostalgic event for the bikemaker, the electric Chetak marks Bajaj’s return to the scooter business and resurrects a name which found more than 1.3 crore owners when it was on sale. Back to the electric Chetak, its design romances retro with its simple lines and smooth surfaces to create a classic style. Built using premium materials, the electric scooter will be available in 6 colours. It features a horseshoe-shaped LED headlight with DRLs, feather touch-activated electronic switches and sequential scrolling LED blinkers. A large digital console displays vehicle information.

Also Read: All-New Bajaj Chetak Electric Scooter: Top-5 Highlights

At the heart of the new Chetak is an IP67 rated high-tech Lithium-Ion battery with NCA cells, the battery is charged using a standard household 5-15 amp electrical outlet. The on-board Battery Management System (IBMS) controls charge and discharge for the batteries which power a 4kW motor. Additionally, a home charging station is available at a nominal cost. The Chetak offers 2 drive modes (Eco, Sport) and a reverse assist mode. Regenerative braking via an intelligent braking system converts braking heat into kinetic energy to help maximise its range. The scooter offers a claimed range of 85 or 90 kilometres depending on the mode it is ridden in.

The Chetak offers a fully-connected riding experience with solutions like data communication, security and user authentication. The Chetak mobile app gives the rider a comprehensive overview of all aspects of his / her vehicle and its ride history. The scooter is built upon a rigid frame clad with sheet metal body panels and a tubular single-sided suspension. The powertrain employs a unique single-sided cast aluminium swingarm which houses the traction motor that drives the wheel through an automated gearbox. The new Chetak is made at a state-of-the-art dust-free, temperature-controlled facility at Chakan which boasts of a workforce comprising 80% women. Bookings for the Chetak will open in January 2020 and we expect the price to be anywhere between INR 1 lakh to INR 1.35 lakh.

After being launched in Delhi, the Bajaj Chetak Electric recently concluded its 3,000 kilometre-long journey, across North and Western India, at its birthplace in Pune. At the press conference held to commemorate the event, Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director, Bajaj Auto confirmed that the Chetak Electric’s platform will be shared with KTM and Husqvarna, who will, in turn, produce their respective performance electric scooters.

Discussions are underway between the Austrian brand and Bajaj to share the new platform, who are partners and already manufacture KTM-branded motorcycles at Bajaj Auto’s facility in Pune. Once the formalities are complete, the scooter platform will be used by KTM and Husqvarna to develop a sporty electric scooter which should at least take another two years to see the light of the day. Back in September this year, KTM had confirmed the plan to develop and launch performance electric two-wheelers by 2022.

Also Read: Bajaj Auto Relaunches The Iconic Chetak Scooter In An Electric Avatar

Coming back to the Chetak, the electric scooter will be introduced in January 2020 in Pune and Bangalore first. Expected to be priced between INR 1 lakh – INR 1.35 lakh, the Chetak is being built at a state-of-the-art, dust-free, temperature-controlled facility at Chakan which boasts of a workforce comprising 80% women. The scooter’s construction is full of premium materials and it will be available in 6 colours. It features a horseshoe-shaped LED headlight with DRLs, feather touch-activated electronic switches and sequential scrolling LED blinkers. A large digital console displays vehicle information.

The scooter is built upon a rigid frame clad with sheet metal body panels and a tubular, single-sided suspension. The powertrain employs a unique single-sided cast aluminium swingarm which houses the traction motor that drives the wheel through an automated gearbox. At the heart of the new Chetak is an IP67 rated high-tech Lithium-Ion battery with NCA cells, the battery is charged using a standard household 5-15 amp electrical outlet. The on-board Battery Management System (IBMS) controls charge and discharge for the batteries which power a 4kW motor. Additionally, a home charging station is available at a nominal cost. The Chetak offers 2 drive modes (Eco, Sport) and a reverse assist mode. Regenerative braking via an intelligent braking system converts braking heat into kinetic energy to help maximise its range. The scooter offers a claimed range of 85 or 90 kilometres depending on the mode it is ridden in.

With many states introducing various policies and initiatives, the year 2019 saw a total EV sales of more than 7.5 Lakhs in India, including electric two-wheelers, electric three-wheelers and electric passenger vehicles. To carry forward this green momentum, BYD, a Global player in providing clean energy solutions has partnered with ETO Motors to deploy a fleet of electric cargo vehicles comprising.

ETO Motors announced its plans to introduce a fleet of Electric 3W & 4W Cargo vehicles to strengthen its clean mobility solution offerings. These vehicles will be designed and manufactured with BYD’s power battery, motor, motor controllers & powertrains. Electric 3W fleet deployment will include electric-rickshaw, electric-cart, electric-auto (L5M & L5N category) and electric three-wheeler cargo, while Electric 4W cargo includes electric 4W commercial freight /cargo vehicles.

ETO motors have already placed an order for 50 number of T3’s – the 4W cargo EVs from BYD to be deployed immediately. Over the next one-year, ETO Motors is expected to deploy 4,000 electric vehicles across 20 cities to service the logistics need to online as well as brick and mortar retailers. Businesses are looking to reduce their carbon footprint across their supply chain and electric cargo vehicles offer them an excellent option to be included in their sustainable practices.

Also Read: BYD T3 All-Electric 7-Seater And Minivan With A 300 km Range To Be Launched In India

There are over 3 million cargo vehicles plying on Indian roads and there is an additional influx of these vehicles to the tune of 0.70 million every year. Introduction and adoption of EV cargo will ensure that the emissions levels can be controlled significantly and can have a positive impact on the environment over time. Annual reduction in emission for a cargo minivan averaging 200 KMs travel a day is around 13,500 kgs saving 5,000 litres of diesel a day.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr Ketsu Zhang, Executive Director, BYD India, said, “Developing and promoting a strong EV ecosystem and cultivating consumer awareness and confidence to adopt clean technology is our goal in making the planet better. Logistics segment is one of the largest users of transportation and resultant addition to the emissions is significant, the usage is only increasing over time with improved road infrastructure and rapid urbanization and increasing consumer demand for retail products. Companies now have a ready solution to help them with their own sustainability goals without having to invest in vehicle ownership.” 

The much-awaited Jawa Perak bobber is being launched in Mumbai today. Our man is at the event and this post will be updated live with all the information. For the uninitiated, the Jawa Perak is a single-seater factory custom. The Perak was initially announced at a price of INR 1.89 lakh (ex-showroom) when it was first revealed a year ago. Compared to its other two cousins, the motorcycle is powered by a larger, 334 cc engine, which is a bored-out version of the same motor seen on the other bikes. This larger engine will be tuned to produce 30 bhp and 31 Nm of torque and come fitted with disc brakes at both ends with dual-channel ABS. Keep that F5 button handy as we bring you all the details.

3:45 PM: Launched at a price of INR 1,94,500 (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Some product highlights:

• Longest wheelbase
• BS-VI, 334cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, four-stroke, DOHC engine
• 30 Bhp Power and 31 Nm of torque

• 145mm Ground Clearance, 20 mm lower than the Forty Two
• Exhaust pipes are chopped for authentic bobber stance
• Tweaked chassis with all-new swingarm
• Frame and swingarm stiffness has been tuned for a linear feel and enhanced stability

• ABS specially tuned
• Phased launch – for bs6 fuel
• Mid-December – all dealerships will have Perak available for test rides; From tomorrow morning where BS6 fuel is available

• 95 Octane fuel in cans for some extra dealerships
• Bookings to begin online from 1st January 2020
• Will be built on a separate production line

3:41 PM: Here’s the first set of images of the production-spec Jawa Perak

3:18 PM: Anand Mahindra takes the stage with the Jawa team

If you are a citizen of Mumbai or have visited this city recently, whichever way you look while taking any road, you will for sure be greeted with a “Your City Is Being Upgraded” message. Roads in the entire city are either dug up or its lanes eaten by barricades for the Metro work. No wonder then, the financial capital of India has earned itself the reputation of being the worst city to drive in the World.

The study, 2019 Driving Cities Index, was conducted by European car parts retailer Mister Auto, a part of the Peugeot Group. Among the 100 cities that the study focused on, Mumbai stands at the 100th position and Kolkata stands at 98th position on the list. While the study was being conducted, aspects which were considered as those impacting the driving conditions include, infrastructure, Safety and Costs, which were then broken down into 15 sub-categories. While Mumbai ranked last, a similar port city, Karachi in Pakistan fared better at the 96th position. Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia took the 99th place while Lagos in Nigeria was one place above Kolkata at 97th.

The Canadian city of Calgary was declared as the best city for driving considering low congestion, fatalities and affordability. Dubai entered the list in second, Ottawa, Canada took third, while Bern in Switzerland and El Paso in Texas completed the Top 5 list. The Japanese city of Osaka has been ranked as the best city to experience the least incidents involving road rage.

Most Indian cities have been experiencing a huge increase in the number of vehicles, while the infrastructure has failed to keep up. To make matters worse, existing public transport options are being used at their full capacity and for being the second-most populous country in the World, the lack of planning in the public transport sector and numerous delays are now posing a problem, where the infrastructure is always a decade behind the needs of an exploding population.

Bajaj Auto has officially started its electric journey with the new Chetak. However, the bikemaker is yet to fit a motor and a battery on one of its bikes. Called Indian Creative, a channel on YouTube has managed to do just that and has converted an ICE-powered motorcycle into an entirely homemade, electric Bajaj Pulsar. The DIY effort still retains the combustion engine’s crankshaft (with the connecting rod gone) and the cylinder head is replaced with a 500-watt electric motor. The conversion results in no other modification to the chassis or any other area of the motorcycle, although the exhaust system, as expected, was no longer required.

The end result of it all is that original gearbox and the clutch system still work and this electric Pulsar can even hit a top speed of 50 km/h. If you think that is low, it is still higher than many factory-made electric two-wheelers out there. The bike has been fitted with a 48v 24Ah battery, which ensures the motor finds its juice to spin. The maker suggests that this electric Bajaj Pulsar can run with two onboard and cruise at a decent speed. The power system delivers without lag and can propel the bike up a slope while carrying loads. The entire conversion was executed within 7 days.

Also Read: Bajaj Chetak Electric Platform To Be Shared With KTM And Husqvarna

Coming back to Bajaj’s official electric product, the Chetak completed its post-launch, 3,000 kilometre-long journey across Northern and Western India before returning to base in Pune. The scooter will be introduced in January 2020 in Pune and Bangalore first. Expected to be priced between INR 1 lakh – INR 1.35 lakh, the Chetak is being built at a state-of-the-art, dust-free, temperature-controlled facility at Chakan which boasts of a workforce comprising 80% women. The scooter’s construction is full of premium materials and it will be available in 6 colours. It features a horseshoe-shaped LED headlight with DRLs, feather touch-activated electronic switches and sequential scrolling LED blinkers. A large digital console displays vehicle information.

The electric Chetak is built upon a rigid frame clad with sheet metal body panels and a tubular, single-sided suspension. At the heart of the new Chetak is an IP67 rated high-tech Lithium-Ion battery with NCA cells, the battery is charged using a standard household 5-15 amp electrical outlet. The on-board Battery Management System (IBMS) controls charge and discharge for the batteries which power a 4kW motor. The Chetak offers 2 riding modes (Eco, Sport), a reverse assist mode and boasts of a claimed range of 85 or 90 kilometres depending on the mode it is ridden in.

They say when the plane starts to fly like it shouldn’t, up in the air, every atheist begins to believe in God. Flying might be the safest means of transportation, but that isn’t enough information for a nervous flyer to breathe easy. Then there are those who imagine all kinds of one in a billion situations. One of them is where everyone in the plane is somehow incapacitated and the only person left alive has to somehow fly and then land the plane. Thankfully, the Cirrus Vision Jet has accounted for these possibilities.

A personal jet designed to be flown by the owner, the aircraft’s fuselage is made out of carbon fibre which is lighter, stronger and can withstand cabin pressure changes for a seriously long time. Fitted with a “piggyback” engine, the Vision Jet’s V-tail design is penned that way to reduce cabin noise. However, the biggest draw is the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System which has already saved over 100 lives in the SR20 and SR22 aircraft. The Parachute System is designed to protect occupants in the event of an emergency by lowering the aircraft to the ground after deployment.

Also Read: The All-Electric Lilium Jet Will Make You Feel Excited About The Future Of Mobility

In the event of an in-flight emergency, pulling a red handle on the ceiling inside the cockpit deploys a solid-fuel rocket out a hatch that covers the concealed compartment where the parachute is stored. As the rocket carries the parachute rearward from the back of the airplane, the embedded CAPS airplane harness straps release from the fuselage. Within seconds, the canopy will unfurl, controlling the aircraft’s rate of descent. The final landing is absorbed by the specialized landing gear, a roll cage and Cirrus Energy Absorbing Technology seats. No other certified general aviation aircraft manufacturer in the world provides this safety feature as standard equipment.

Cirrus has gone a step further and added a new layer the Vision Jet’s safety features. Called the Safe Return emergency autoland system, it allows passengers to land the Vision Jet with the simple touch of a button in an emergency situation. Developed in partnership with Garmin, once activated, the system avoids inclement weather, terrain, takes control of the autothrottle, follows a gentle and steady descent towards the nearest airport and then lands and brings the aircraft to a halt, all by itself.

The Jawa Perak Bobber was launched yesterday as an affordable, single-seater, lifestyle motorcycle. A factory-custom, it asks for INR 1,94,500 (Ex-showroom, Delhi). For that money, it has a lot going for it, although some who are smitten by its looks are worried that they won’t be able to ride it with a pretty co-rider behind. Here are five hits and misses about the bike:

The Good

Unique styling

Draped in matte black all around and with the exposed rear fender and that floating saddle, there’s no doubt to the fact that the Jawa Perak is a looker. For those looking for a motorcycle as a style statement, the Perak will definitely make heads turn. It looks like the perfect motorcycle when you just wish to ride out by yourself in the dead of the night to clear your head under a sodium-lit sky. Oh, they’re all LEDs now, isn’t it?

Power & Hardware

It’s not all show and no go as the 334cc, liquid-cooled engine develops a healthy 30 hp and 31 Nm of torque, paired with a six-speed gearbox. The makers have also paired the rear monoshock with a rigidly-built rear swingarm which extends for a longish wheelbase. It should, in turn, result in good stability and aid ride characteristics. Then there’s dual-channel ABS which checks the safety box.

BS-VI compliant

While bookings for the Perak will begin in January 2020, the bike will only be delivered in April, which is when BS-VI fuel will be dispensed at pumps, nationwide. Until then, test rides will be available at places where the fuel is available as of now. For dealerships in cities where BS-VI fuel isn’t available yet, Jawa will ensure they stock 95 Octane fuel in jerry cans. The good thing about this is that potential buyers won’t have to worry themselves with this transition in emission norms and think what might happen to their machine due to the change.

Also Read: Comparison – Jawa Perak Vs Royal Enfield Classic 500

Separate Production Line

Jawa is still trying to fulfil the overwhelming demand for the Forty Two and the Jawa. A separate production line for the Perak will ensure that buyers of this new machine don’t have to queue up in an already long line.

Nobody Will Ask You For A Lift

If you’ve got that one colleague in the office who is always ready to ride pillion for that ride back home, you can now ride back in peace, all by yourself, and enjoy the ride. Your mother won’t ask you to take her to a place of worship or drop that annoying family at someplace.

Not So Good

You Won’t Be Able To Give Anyone A Lift

Forget the disadvantages of a pillion seat. You will never be able to live that fantasy of helping a stranded woman/man reach home from a bus stop when it’s raining heavily. For those who have made their choices and are happy, they won’t be able to go for a bike ride together. You’ll have to leave the bike in the office parking lot if you’re working late with your favourite colleague and you guys are the last ones to leave the space. If you are still in college, well, we don’t have to tell you about the disadvantages of a single-seater motorcycle. For the way it looks, everybody will want a ride, but there’s nothing you’d be able to do. But hey, that’s wicked too. This way the situation will be, “You want it? Do you want it? But you’re not gonna get it.”

Low Ground Clearance

The Jawa Perak sits low to maintain its appeal. In fact, at 145mm, the bike’s ground clearance is 20 mm lower than the Forty Two. Given the state of our roads, you’ll have to be careful over some monster bumps, potholes, the odd rock, and all those amazing things we find on our roads.

Ceat Rubber Instead Of Pirelli

When the Perak was first displayed in its pre-production form last year, its wheels were wearing premium Pirelli rubber. For the production bike, they’ve got Ceat tyres which might be nice but those Pirellis could’ve been nicer we think. Also, the mirrors on the bike displayed last year were inverted. The ones on the production bike, although still the bar-end type, are the right way up. But because of what we’ve seen already, these don’t look right anymore.

You Can Only Ride It In April

A motorcycle is an exciting machine. Excitement and wait don’t go well together. We understand that waiting for another month and a half, just to be able to book, then waiting some more for another 3 months to begin riding will be difficult for those who are really excited about this motorcycle.

No Colour Options

To be honest, we wouldn’t like it more in any other shade than what it already comes draped in. However, there are those who can cancel a purchase only because that particular machine isn’t available in their colour of choice.

Recently, French President Emmanuel Macron conducted the Paris Peace Forum, which is the annual international meeting of all important global representatives. In this meeting, different people from different parts of the world discuss and showcase their innovative solutions for a better future. The meeting also involves discussing matters like destabilizing societies and the need for better solutions to tackle these problems. So, this year, out of 116 solutions from 100+ countries that were selected for the forum, the Indian Road Safety Campaign managed to become the only Indian organization to get selected and honoured at the international platform.

Talking about the organization, the Indian Road Safety Campaign is a road-safety initiative by the students and alumni of IIT Delhi. This group has gradually grown to be the largest youth leadership organization that got the chance to represent India at this Global forum. The forum was held from the 11th of November to the 13th of November 2019. This year, the Paris Peace Forum received over 7000 participants from 140 countries, 33 heads of state, 12 leaders of the International organization and many more. All of these people specially came together to push the case for global governance and discuss serious issues like climate change, cybersecurity, biodiversity, health, and many more. The main reason for these discussions was to bring all the participants together to focus on developing smart and innovative solutions to improve the situation for future generations.

Also Read: Mumbai Earns The Reputation Of Being The Worst City To Drive In The World

Mr Amar Srivastava and Mr Deepanshu Gupta were the ones who represented India at the Paris Peace Forum. Also, Dr S Jayashankar, Honourable Minister of External Affairs, Government of India appreciated their work and encouraged them with his kind words. India’s innovative solution to road safety was also appreciated by many eminent personalities like Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic; Ursula Von der Leyen, President of the European Commission; Félix Antoine Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Wang Qishan, Vice President of the People’s Republic of China. These global personalities also gave a speech during the opening ceremony of the 3 day-long event.

Hero MotoCorp hosted its off-road riding event, XTracks – Live the Thrill, in Kolkata. Over 250 riders and enthusiasts participated in the activity. The event provides riders with an opportunity to experience the XPulse 20 on a specially-curated off-road zone. In addition to showcasing the capabilities of the XPulse 200 on multiple terrains, the sessions also aim to impart critical skills to the enthusiasts, thereby enhancing their riding abilities.

At the XTracks Experience, participants were first provided with product and safety briefings that help them understand the capabilities of the bike and inculcate safe riding habits. Following the briefings, riders are led on a specially curated on-and-off-road track by expert riders from Hero MotoCorp. The tracks included obstacles that help the riders test the characteristic features of the XPulse 200. Kolkata is the fifth location to host the multi-city event after Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Delhi/NCR. The XTracks experience will now move to Kochi and Pune in the coming weeks.

Also Read: Hero Xtreme 1R Concept And Xpulse Rally Kit Introduced At EICMA 2019

India’s first affordable adventure motorcycle, the Xpulse 200 is targeted at riding enthusiasts who are scouting for a comfortable and capable riding companion for adventure excursions. The bike is offered in two variants of the 200cc engine – CV Carburetor and Fuel Injection – delivering 18.4 PS Power and 17.1 Nm Torque. The bike is based upon a High Tensile Steel Frame, which is protected by an Aluminum skid plate. It runs a 21″ front wheel and an 18″ rear wheel with dual-purpose tyres, offers 220 mm ground clearance, an upswept exhaust, and a Mono shock with 10 Step adjustability.

The XPulse 200 comes with features, such as ‘Turn-by-Turn Navigation’, LCD instrument cluster with Bluetooth connectivity, Gear Indicator, Trip meter and service reminder. It also offers full-LED headlamps and taillights, under-seat USB charger, protective windshields and luggage plate with bungee hooks and single-channel ABS. A Rally Kit which offers taller front forks, smaller sprockets, a flat seat and proper off-road rubber will be available in dealerships, allowing enthusiasts and young racers to practice off the road. The kit is not homologated for street use and can only be used in a competitive environment or off the road.

After launching four new motorcycles in India in the month of July, CFMoto will open its dealership for the Mumbai region in Thane. The dealership will be inaugurated on the 20th of November, 2019. Post the event, CFMoto’s CEO and Assistant Manager for Global sales will share details on CFMoto India’s progress so far in terms of bookings received deliveries, factory status, dealerships and network. The duo will also share details about the company’s BS-VI readiness, upcoming models and growth plans. The Chinese manufacturer has collaborated with Bengaluru based AWM Motorcycles for its operations in India. All the bikes would be imported as CKD kits and assembled in India for better pricing.

CFMoto’s current portfolio for India consists of four motorcycles. The entry-level bike is 300 NK Streetfighter which asks for INR 2.29 Lakh.  The bike is offered with features like LED illumination and a TFT display for the instrument console. The bike uses a trellis frame and is powered by a 292cc single-cylinder, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled engine which makes 34 PS of peak power and 20.5 Nm peak torque, sent to the wheel via a 6-speed transmission. The bike also comes with two riding modes, offers USD fork in the front and a mono-shock at the rear. Disc brakes are offered on both ends and dual-channel ABS is offered as standard.

Another streetfighter-styled motorcycle they offer is the 650 NK, which asks for INR 3.99 Lakh (Ex-showroom). The bike is powered by a 649.3 cc, parallel-twin, 8 valves, DOHC, liquid-cooled engine. This motor is tuned to generate 60 hp at 9,000 rpm and 56 Nm of twist at 7,000 rpm. The power is sent to the rear wheel via a six-speed transmission and CFMoto claims the bike to have a top speed of about 180 kmph.

The 650 range also includes the MT and GT Adventure Tourers. The CFMoto 650 MT asks for INR 4.99 (Ex-showroom) and is fitted with an In-line 2-cylinder, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled 649.3cc engine which can produce about 71 HP at 8,750 rpm and around 62 Nm of peak torque at 7,000 rpm. On the other hand, the GT asks for INR 5.49 lakh and is fitted with the same engine as the MT, however, in a different state of tune for this bike, it makes 61 hp and 58.5 Nm.

Royal Enfield’s Classic range of motorcycles is about to be overhauled and the updated bikes are expected to arrive before the new BS-VI norms take effect on the 1st of April, 2020. In the meanwhile, the bikemaker has introduced an online configurator for the Classic range of motorcycles, where potential buyers can customise their bikes with official accessories and also preview their purchase in their favourite colour. In addition to the Classic, a configurator for the 650 Twins is also functional while a similar option for the Bullet, Himalayan and the Thunderbird range will be available soon.

Accessories chosen by customers will be fitted as factory parts and won’t create an issue with warranty. The list of genuine accessories for the Classis 350 includes touring mirrors, 16 different exhaust pipe options, touring saddles for the rider and the pillion, machined oil reservoir caps, soft panniers and mounting frames, different types of engine guards and machined alloy wheels in case someone doesn’t like the spoke-type wheels the bike comes fitted with as standard. For the 650 Twins, prospective owners can pick from a number of genuine accessories and preview the motorcycle online from different angles.

Royal Enfield was expected to reveal their BS-VI bikes at the EICMA 2019 earlier this month, however, we think the new bikes will now be revealed early in the upcoming year. The Classic range and the Thunderbird will get massive updates, both cosmetic and mechanical, while the 650 Twins will only get mechanical updates to make the new engine meet the stricter norms. We are yet to see any test mules of the BS-VI Himalayan till date, which does raise a question as what kind of upgrades will RE’s adventure bike receive.

Also Read: Comparison: Jawa Perak Vs Royal Enfield Classic 500

The bikemaker’s war-era styled motorcycles have to slug it out with new, similarly-styled products in the form of the Jawa twins, the Benelli Imperiale 400 and the recently launched Jawa Perak Bobber. RE’s fans are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the updated bikes and it’ll be interesting to see what kind of changes the motorcycles do go through. We’ll keep you posted with all the updates. Stay tuned.

Mahindra & Mahindra has won the coveted global ‘Golden Peacock’ award for excellence in Corporate Governance at a high profile awards ceremony in London held on November 14, 2019. The award titled ‘Golden Peacock Global Award for Excellence in Corporate Governance – 2019’ was received by Mr V S Parthasarathy, Group CFO and Group CIO, on behalf of the US$ 20.7 billion Mahindra Group.

The award was presented to the Mahindra Group at a distinguished gathering of business leaders during the Institute of Directors 19th Annual London Global Convention on Corporate Governance & Sustainability. The Awards are regarded as a benchmark for Corporate Excellence, worldwide. It aims to promote business excellence by providing a framework or criteria for assessment that is based on similar principles as other awards throughout the world and contain all the requirements of the ISO 9001:2000 standard series. Commenting on the occasion, Mr Parthasarathy said, “M&M has consistently held itself up to the highest standards of corporate governance practices. We consider compliance to be our rule book and governance our gospel.”

Also Read: Next-Gen Mahindra XUV500 Caught Testing With Flush-Fitting Door Handles

On the business side of things, Mahindra & Mahindra, which owns a 51% stake in Peugeot Motocycles, is now looking to acquire full ownership of the French brand, by buying out the remaining 49% share. Until now, Peugeot and Mahindra had unveiled a ‘Performance 2020’ plan in 2018, as a part of which, 7 new Peugeot two-wheelers would be launched between 2019 and 2021. The plan also outlined the company’s growth, where it would be introduced in new Asian markets and its position strengthened in existing ones. Peugeot’s current range includes scooters in the 50cc – 200cc space and the Metropolis 3-wheeled scooter. France will continue to remain a major market for  Peugeot and even after this acquisition, it will still be headquartered at Mandeure in Eastern France.

Speaking about the acquisition, Rajesh Jejurikar, President – FES & Two Wheelers & Member of the Group Executive Board, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., said, “We are seeing positive momentum at Peugeot Motocycles. Kisbee becoming the largest selling 50cc vehicle in Europe, Peugeot Metropolis getting stronger in Europe and China, the positive market response to the new launch of the Urban GT connected Pulsion, are all cases in point. We fully support PMTC’s Performance 2020 and look forward to the future with enhanced optimism.”

One of India’s largest 4-wheeler exporter, Hyundai Motor, recently announced a new Mega ‘Experience Hyundai’ Camp for all its customers in the country. This camp will provide customers with a platform to experience Hyundai’s latest cars, service-related needs and evaluation of the existing car. Apart from this, the customers can also book a test drive of their favourite car during this experience camp. Also, the Mega ‘Experience Hyundai’ Camp will be available across 575 locations throughout the country, as it intends to further strengthen trust among its consumers.

Also Read: Hyundai Ranks Highest In Customer Service: JD Power Study

The main objective of this experience camp is to provide personalized assistance, free vehicle check-up and evaluation of old Hyundai cars. The camp will also give customers an opportunity to test drive their favourite Hyundai cars while getting their existing cars checked-up. Customers will also get discount coupons for future workshop visits. Apart from all this, Hyundai’s excellent service standards recently set the benchmark in the industry, by becoming the only brand to receive J D Power CSI No. 1 Rank for three consecutive years, 2017, 2018 & 2019 amongst other Mass Market Brands.

Commenting on the Mega ‘Experience Hyundai’ Camp, Mr S Punnaivanam, National Service Head, Hyundai Motor India Ltd. said, “Hyundai’s philosophy is to be the Lifetime Partner of its customers and Mega ‘Experience Hyundai’ Camp is a step towards achieving customer delight through innovative service led activations. We will continue to bring forth the best customer-centric service campaigns to make our customers’ life a happy life.”

Also Read: Hyundai’s Aura Sedan Has Started Its Test Run Across The Country

In other news, Hyundai Motor India flagged-off the all-new Aura sedan, to test its strengths and capabilities in persistent Indian weather and driving conditions, as the Korean carmaker is gearing up to take on the compact sedan segment in India. So for this, the Aura compact sedan will have to go through strenuous physical tests to prove its worth, which is why Hyundai will be sending an Aura (test vehicle) in a camouflage cover on a journey across India to test its endurance from the Indian Peninsular Region, covering the Deserts to the Great Himalayas and the Eastern Coastlines.

For those waiting to purchase that diesel-powered BS-IV vehicle, the time is now as most manufacturers will soon or already have stopped production to move into the BS-VI phase. Unlike the last emission norms transition period, the BS-IV to BS-VI switch this time is pre-planned and manufacturers are clearing inventory well before the new norms kick in. As a result, like many others, Isuzu Motors India has urged its prospective buyers to enjoy the price ceiling and scheme benefits of its existing range of D-MAX pick-ups and mu-X SUV.

Keeping in line with the upcoming regulatory mandate, the company will be closing production of BS-IV compliant vehicles by end-December 2019. The new BS-VI models of ISUZU passenger models – ISUZU D-MAX V-Cross and ISUZU mu-X SUV is expected to be dearer by ₹3 to 4 lakhs. The price of commercial range – D-MAX Regular Cab and D-MAX S-CAB will also increase by ₹1 to 1.5 lakhs (all on ex-showroom price).

Also Read: India-bound 2020 Isuzu D-Max Range Revealed In Thailand

Commenting on the situation, Capt. Shankar Srinivas, the Company’s spokesperson, said, “There is an air of uncertainty prevailing amongst vehicle buyers in the country. As per the government announcement, BS-IV vehicles purchased on or before 31 March 2020 will continue to run even after implementation of BS-VI norms coming in force from April 2020. ISUZU would like to notify its new and existing customers about the price hike next year and urge its customers to make appropriate vehicle purchase decisions whilst availing scheme benefits that come with the range of ISUZU utility vehicles.”

For those making a purchase, the company offers ‘D-Serve’ package at no additional cost for the Regular Cab model. The package provides Free Periodic Maintenance for 3 years / 100,000 kms (whichever is earlier) – includes PMS parts, lubricants, related labour costs and certain wear & tear items. This excludes accidental damage related repairs. This limited period offer is valid for all new purchases of Regular Cab models. For the mu-X, Isuzu’s ‘5ECURE’  package provides Warranty and Free Periodic Maintenance for 5 years or 150,000 km. This is in addition to discounts and offers being offered at the dealer level on all Isuzu vehicles.

The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) has released the Monthly Vehicle Registration Data for the Month of October’19. Commenting on October’19 performance FADA President, Mr Ashish Harsharaj Kale said, “We thank all our principals for taking stock reduction measures. FADA especially appreciates the actions taken by our 2W OEMs for delivering on their commitment, of reducing stock with festival retail growth. Although not at FADA recommended levels of 21 days, 2W inventory has reduced from an alarming level.”

The above numbers do not have figures from 352 RTOs mainly from states of AP, KL, MP & TS. AP, MP & TS are not yet on Vahan and KL comparative fig. for Oct’18 is not available, hence it has not been taken for Comparative Calculation. Vehicle Registration Data has been collated as on 11.11.19 and in collaboration with Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India and has been gathered from 1,197 out of 1,408 RTOs.

He added, “PV inventory already at reasonable levels has further reduced and now almost at the recommended level with all our principals taking strong and positive steps towards stock reduction. CV inventory has also reduced although with retail continuing to be weak, where further wholesale regulation is required to reach FADA’s 21 days recommended levels. Heading into the unknown territory of BS6 transition, more needs to be done towards inventory reduction to avoid dealer losses.

October retails were in the positive giving a much-needed respite to the auto industry and especially our dealer community after months of de-growth. The festivals saw very good footfalls at dealerships across most of the geographies, the consumer sentiment was positive, and purchase decisions were concluded as used to be during the growth years. Strong support from bank’s & NBFC’s helped convert the festive mood of the consumer into retails. With continued liquidity easing, the business appetite of banks & NBFC’s have grown and will surely aid the industry in the path to recovery as the consumer sentiment strengthens in the coming days. FADA requests both banks and NBFC’s to provide more support for a stronger recovery.

Also Read: LIST: Top-10 Best-Selling Cars Of October 2019

As the complete effect of the positive measures taken by the government plays out and banks and NBFC’s aggression continuing post the festive season, strengthening of demand is expected along with bottoming out of the de-growth. With a new normal now being more or less set, FADA expects the near term to be stable and consumer sentiment changing for the positive as the economy heads towards recovery with the government’s strong focus and actions towards it. FADA continues its recommendation to its members to tread with caution, especially with regards to inventory and costs during this dynamic time of fluctuating consumer sentiment due to overall weak economic situation and BS6 transition.

Hero Electric, today announced the 4th edition of One Race SuperSikh Run to promote humanitarian values & the concept of ‘Sewa’. Founded on four pillars – Sewa, Environment, Learning, Fitness (SELF), the SuperSikh Run is a Sewa inspired, professionally managed Half Marathon event which has had three very successful editions in Delhi in 2018, 2017 and 2016.

The event was addressed by Arjuna Awardee Boxer Mr Mandeep Jangra along with the face of the event and Chief inspiration officer, Major DP Singh, Kargil war survivors and India’s first amputee marathoner and Limca Record holder. One Race takes place annually in New Delhi starting at the heritage site of Gurudwara Rakabganj Sahib in Lutyens Delhi. The 4th edition of the race will take place on 8th December and is expected to witness participation from over 7000 runners across extraordinary men and women.

Also Read: Hero Electric introduces #CodeGreen initiative against Air Pollution

To channelize the raw talent of young athletes in India, Hero Electric along with SuperSikh Foundation have initiated the Sub3010KM project. Under this, participants will get the opportunity to prove their mettle with Speed and Endurance by breaking the 30-minute barrier for 10Km run. The winners to break the Sub-30-minute barrier for Men and Sub-35-minute barrier for Women will be awarded a Hero Electric Optima worth over Rs.65000/-.

Centred around the philosophy “ONE RACE HUMAN RACE”, SuperSikh Run is a half marathon organized for all participants beyond the feeble barriers of caste, creed, religion, sex, race and the challenges thrown by life. Earlier this month, Hero Electric flagged off the promo run ahead of ONE RACE SuperSikh run on 9th November. The run was flagged off from Hero Electric’s head office in Gurugram and saw participation from over 200 runners. Keeping in mind the rising pollution levels in Delhi-NCR and as part of Hero Electric’s #CodeGreen initiative, the company encouraged runners to wear face buffs and jerseys with the message ‘Beat Air Pollution’ and ‘Let’s breathe better, let’s go electric’ written on them as a symbol of protest against air pollution.

After winning the championship in the intermediate Moto2 category, Alex Marquez will share the Repsol Honda MotoGP team’s garage with his brother Marc for the 2020 MotoGP season. The young Spanish rider will join the Repsol Honda Team on a one year contract. Alex Marquez will be riding the 2020-spec RC213V and ignite a new kind of sibling rivalry since he’d be racing his seemingly unbeatable, 8-time World Champion brother aboard the same bike.

Alex Marquez will be joining team Honda after 5-time World Champion Jorge Lorenzo decided to hang up his leathers for good. The Spanish rider announced his decision to retire from the sport prior to the concluding round of the 2019 MotoGP season at Valencia in Spain. Lorenzo finished the race in a forgettable position. His tenure as a Honda rider was marred with problems related to serious injuries and a motorcycle, whose front end failed to inspire any confidence in the rider. His serious back injuries meant that he had to tread with caution through every race or risk aggravating his problems further. Known for his smooth and precise riding style, the champion rider was thanked by fans, riders on the grid and all the MotoGP staff members post his last race.

Also Read: 15-Year Old Mohamed Mikail Becomes First Indian Rider On The Asia Talent Cup Grid

Prior to Alex Marquez joining HRC, Johann Zarco was a hot candidate for the 2020 season. The talented French rider could now either fill the vacant seat in Moto2 in place of Alex or join the Avintia Ducati MotoGP team, which has gained from a fresh commitment from Ducati for enhanced support in the upcoming season. Zarco got out of a contract with the KTM Works team mid-season, as he failed to find his way around a new bike which is still in its development phase and is getting better with every race. For the fans, it will be an exciting new season next year as Marquez now faces some serious competition from the likes of Fabio Quartararo who will be aboard a 2020-spec Yamaha, the factory Yamahas, the Ducatis and his own baby brother on a similar bike.