Ducati and the LEGO Group today revealed their latest Technic model, the LEGO Technic Ducati Panigale V4 R. The model is the result of a licensing agreement recently signed between the LEGO Group and Ducati Motor Holding. The Lego kit of a sleek superbike comes with 646 pieces which make up the motorcycle’s Technic core and a red exterior. The Ducati Panigale V4 R is also the first motorcycle model in LEGO Technic history to include a gearbox.

The new set combines LEGO Technic DNA with that of Ducati, recreating in brick a reproduction of the Panigale V4 R, which identifies the maximum expression of Ducati racing bikes homologated for road use, technological excellence, and Italian design worldwide. The most powerful and high-performance Ducati of all time, the Panigale V4 R comes powered with a 998 cc engine that generates 221 horsepower delivered at 15,250 rpm.

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The LEGO version of the Panigale V4 R features realistic steering and both front and rear disc brakes. The model also includes details that mirror its real-life counterpart including the shaped kickstand, exhaust pipe, windshield and dashboard. Inside the model, one can see the new 2-speed gearbox which activates the V4-cylinder engine, a first for any LEGO Technic motorcycle. The makers have also incorporated the original front and rear suspension, to simulate a GP ride and feel like an official Ducati rider.

Commenting on this development, Alessandro Cicognani, Ducati Licensing Director said,” We have all been children fond of LEGO bricks and I think it is easy to understand that this new licensing agreement between Ducati and the LEGO Group is like a dream come true. Two excellences that share the same values of dedication, passion and attention to detail come together to give life to a unique experience. Our hope is that the Ducati Panigale V4 R LEGO Technic can bring together, excite and entertain children and parents, but also all the fans who ride their motorbikes every day.”

The LEGO Technic Ducati Panigale V4 R measures 32 cm in length, 16 cm in height and 8 cm in width and is the first motorcycle model in LEGO Technic history to include a gearbox to simulate different speeds and riding techniques. In comparison to the actual Ducati Panigale V4 R racing superbike pictured below, it is clear that LEGO Technic designers hit the nail on the head. The model is the first set to be created after a licensing agreement was recently signed between the LEGO Group and Ducati Motor Holding. The LEGO Technic Ducati Panigale V4 R comes with 646 pieces and will retail at a price of 59,99 EURO at the LEGO BRAND Retail Stores from June 1st.

Many automobile launches have been delayed because of the COVID-19 outbreak. In what could become the new normal, manufacturers are now taking the virtual route to launch their products by sending out invites for their virtual releases. Triumph India too had to postpone the launch of their much-awaited 2020 Street Triple RS because of the outbreak, and this time around, they are finally going to launch the Street Triple RS on 22nd April at 11:30 AM.

Also read: Upcoming Premium Motorcycles From TVS-BMW, Bajaj-Triumph And Hero Motocorp – What We Know So Far

The Street Triple RS will continue to get powered by Moto2 derived engine but in a different state of tune. The new tweaked engine is expected to deliver more power and torque than before and Triumph claims that the rideability has improved as well.

The Street Triple RS has received some cosmetic upgrades too, in the form of newly designed sharper headlamps. The changes don’t end here as there’s also new bodywork, new graphics and to improve the overall aerodynamics, the 2020 Street Triple RS is going to get a new flyscreen too.

One of the key highlights of the Street Triple RS has always been its 765 cc triple-cylinder engine which also does duty for Moto2 machines. In the street-legal version though, it comes with a different set of tune. The updated engine now makes 9 per cent more power but the peak power output remains the same at 121 bhp at 11,750 rpm and 79 Nm of peak torque at 9,350 rpm. More power in the mid-range will improve the riding experience which was already good before. Street Triple RS is critically acclaimed for its day to day practicality and now with more power in the mid-range, it gets even more desirable. The throttle response is said to be better than before too.

Triumph is particularly famous for using top of the line components while developing their motorcycles and that doesn’t seem to change with the new 2020 Street Triple RS as well. It will continue to use the top-spec M50 four-piston Monobloc front callipers so that braking is sorted. It will also come with a quick-shifter as standard while there will be riding modes on offer which can be switched on the fly. The 2020 Street Triple RS will be available in two colour schemes, namely matte jet black with aluminium silver and yellow decals, and silver ice with diablo red and aluminium silver decals. The outgoing iteration of the Street Triple RS is priced at Rs 11.13 Lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) and we can expect a hike in the price when the new model comes.

Starting April 20th, India’s economy will be cranked for a gradual restart after the wheels had stopped turning since the current lockdown was enforced. Following notifications and addendums from the Home Ministry which lay guidelines for specific industries which can start operations, today, the Reserve Bank of India made an announcement about measures which will support the economy through these unusual times. Industry leaders have voiced their opinions about the measures and TVS Motor Company’s Chairman, Mr Venu Srinivasan has come out in strong support of the regulator’s announced measures.

After the RBI Governor’s press conference today, Mr Srinivasan said, “I strongly support the measures announced by the RBI today to support the economy in this period. It is a sign of their continued efforts to stimulate economic activity and protect jobs. The LTRO for NBFCs and micro-lenders is a good tool to ease liquidity without tinkering with policy rates and Rs. 50,000 Crore is a substantial amount. This should restore confidence, especially among the MSME sector which provides a significant portion of the country’s jobs and is integral to all supply chains. That coupled with a cut in the reverse repo rate will incentivise banks to actively lend to those most in need of funds and make it affordable for businesses to borrow, address their working capital needs and get back into action as the country opens.”

Also Read: TVS Motor Company Shows Interest In Taking Over British Motorcycle Brand Norton

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das announced measures to boost the financial sector, which included injecting Rs 50,000 crore via targeted long-term repo operations so that banks can provide more liquidity to small and mid-sized NBFCs and microfinance institutions. For banks to lend more, the RBI has also announced a cut in the reverse repo rate from 4 per cent to 3.75 per cent. An additional INR 50,000 crore finance facility will be provided to financial institutions such as NABARD, SIDBI and NHB. The total amount will be divided into amounts of INR 25,000 crore, INR 15,000 crore and INR 10,000 crore, among the three, respectively. Harping on the need to conserve capital, the Governor announced that scheduled commercial banks and co-operative banks cannot declare dividend till September-end 2020. To enhance liquidity, the RBI announced a reduction in LCR (Liquidity Coverage Ratio) for banks from 100% to 80%. These are just some of the measures announced and you may visit the RBI website to know about the announcement in its entirety.

A legendary, British motorcycling brand is now under the ownership of an Indian company. TVS Motor Company has announced the successful acquisition of one of Britain’s most iconic sporting motorcycle, “Norton”, in an all-cash deal for consideration of GBP 16 million by acquiring certain assets of Norton Motorcycles (U.K.) Limited (in administration) through one of TVS Motor’s overseas subsidiaries. This will be one of the most interesting acquisitions of a storied motorcycle maker in recent times and will reflect TVS Motor Company’s and India’s rapidly rising prominence in the international two-wheeler market. The acquisition was undertaken under the guidance of financial advisors, Rothschild and Co, and legal advice for the transaction was provided by Khaitan & Co, and Slaughter and May.

Also Read: TVS Apache RR 310 Imagined As A Streetfighter

Founded by James Lansdowne Norton, in Birmingham, in 1898, Norton Motorcycles is among the most popular British motorcycle brands of all time and is one of the most emotive marques today. Since the 20th century, Norton Motorcycles is renowned for their classic models and eclectic range of luxury motorcycles ranging from authentic retro classic reboots of the famous Commando to their contemporary 200 bhp, 1200cc V4 super-bikes.

TVS Motor Company is excited about the existing and upcoming products at Norton Motorcycles including Commando, Dominator and V4 RR. Confident of the strong synergy between both the brands, they believe that Norton Motorcycles can leverage TVS Motor Company’s global reach and supply chain capabilities to expand to new markets.

Commenting on the acquisition, Mr Sudarshan Venu, Joint Managing Director, TVS Motor Company said, “This is a momentous time for us at TVS Motor Company. Norton is an iconic British brand celebrated across the world and presents us with an immense opportunity to scale globally. This transaction is in line with our effort to cater to the aspirations of discerning motorcycle customers. We will extend our full support for Norton to regain its full glory in the international motorcycle landscape.”

He added, “Norton will continue to retain its distinctive identity with dedicated and specific business plans. TVS Motor will work closely with customers and employees in building the success and pre-eminence of the Norton Motorcycles brand and we look forward to growing together globally in the years to come.”

The scare of covid-19 has evidently taken a heavy toll on the society. The pandemic seems to be outgrowing every day with the number of people affected with the infection rising exponentially. In these moments of crisis, auto companies haven’t forgotten their responsibilities towards their customers. Many manufacturers have come with initiatives to ease their customers’ challenges. Nissan India is the latest to join this list.

Nissan Motor India has launched a package of special services to help its customers through the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. The new services offered include emergency roadside assistance during lockdown and extended warranty for customers who were unable to use the benefits of the standard warranty or free service. Those customers whose free service, warranty and extended warranty were coming to an end during the lockdown period will be able to avail these benefits for one month after the lockdown is lifted.

Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Rakesh Srivastava, MD, Nissan Motor India Pvt. Ltd.(NMIPL) said, “We realize the importance of supporting our customers during these uncertain times. Nissan is putting its best foot forward to ensure seamless communication and hassle-free processes. While social distancing in such unpredictable times is our collective responsibility, we want to ensure that our customers do not face any hurdles and are able to avail our services for the interim period as well as once operations resume.”

Also READ: Automobile Manufacturing Excluded From List Of Allowed Activities After April 20

The ongoing pandemic and the spur in the number of infected people has resulted in the Central Government to extend the nation wide lockdown to May 3,2020. Many industrial sectors have been allowed to function in a limited manner post April 20 subjected all the protocols regarding social distancing are followed. However, auto industries have not been included in the list of allowed activities which was a surprise to many experts. This may lead to companies incurring further heavy losses.

On the business side, after discontinuing a few models altogether in the BS6 era, Nissan will launch a sub-4 metre compact SUV, tentatively named Magnite, which will rival the likes of Maruti-Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Hyundai Venue and Tata Nexon. It will be underpinned by the same platform as the upcoming sub-4 metre compact SUV from Renault(codenamed HBC). It is scheduled to arrive somewhere around the festive season later this year.

VW’s best-seller, globally, an updated Volkswagen Tiguan should be out soon. Volkswagen has shared a teaser image of the same, giving the Tiguan some styling changes and additional features. The intricate details are still sparse but we get a good look at the front from the teaser sketch.

Also read: Volkswagen Announces Contribution To PM Cares Fund

Facelifted Tiguan will depart from the current styling and will out as a sportier offering as compared to the outgoing model. The fascia seems to be entirely new and resonates with the current line-up of their cars including the Jetta and Atlas Cross Sport. the facelift will swap in thinner, more aggressive lighting elements and a deeper, almost shield-like grille. Front end of the teased facelifted Tiguan features a redesigned front grille and bumper along with twin LED headlamps and Daytime Running Lights on either side. The large VW badging finds a prominent space in the grille which has chrome surrounds.

The updated fascia also reveals a larger air intake and a new fog lamp housing. Though they haven’t revealed any images of the rear, it would be safe to assume that it will appear sportier too, complimenting the same design philosophy this facelift will follow.

They haven’t revealed any specific details regarding the updated cabin but it is expected to feature a new infotainment system, called MIB3. Volkswagen said sometime back that the new Tiguan will feature over-the-air software updates, and it’ll continue to offer in-car Wi-Fi connectivity. One can expect a departure from physical buttons and a more clutter-free cabin will be incorporated in the new Tiguan to lend it that upmarket feel.

It is not sure whether they will make any changes to the engine options currently available. Like the 5+seater Tiguan, the Allspace should get these updates too.

Renault has confirmed that its non-electric passenger cars will no longer be sold in China after the brand withdraws from its joint venture with Dongfeng Motor Group Co. owing to poor sales. Renault will instead focus on existing joint ventures with Brilliance Jinbei Automotive Company, eGT and the Jiangxi Jiangling group to dish out light commercial and electric vehicles. As per reports, the venture sold only 18,607 cars in 2019, well below its annual capacity of 110,000, and posted an operational loss of around $212 million.

The French carmaker will transfer its 50 per cent stake in the Dongfeng Renault Automotive Company to the native Chinese brand. All “Renault brand-related activities” will be halted across China, although electric Renault cars and light commercial vehicles will continue to be sold. Renault said the change in strategy would focus on its competitive advantages in order to sustain a long-term presence in the Chinese market. “We will concentrate on electric vehicles and light commercial vehicles, the two main drivers for future clean mobility and more efficiently leverage our relationship with Nissan,” said Francois Provost, Renault’s chairman for the China region.

Renault’s light commercial vehicle business in China will be operated through Renault Brilliance Jinbei Automotive, which plans to roll out five new models before 2023. Conversely, the electric vehicle business will be developed through its existing joint ventures with eGT New Energy Automotive and Jiangxi Jiangling Group Electric Vehicle.

Also READ: TVS Motor Company Successfully Acquires Norton Motorcycles In All-Cash Deal

Nevertheless, Renault will continue to provide after-sales service through Renault dealers for 300,000 customers in China. Further, Renault and Dongfeng will continue to cooperate with Nissan on new-generation engines and components. The companies will also co-operate in the field of hi-tech intelligent connected vehicles. Chinese automobile sales are likely to deteriorate further this year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, which has escalated pressure on carmakers that were already struggling to establish a significant presence in China. Renault, which had entered the Dongfeng JV in 2014, is one of the few global carmakers to quit a big project in China in recent years.

In India, Renault is expected to launch a sub-4 metre SUV, codenamed HBC and rumoured to be called Kiger, towards the end of the year. Apart from that, the company showcased the Kwid-based City K-ZE EV at the 2020 Auto Expo earlier this year alongside the all-electric Zoe. At the time of the lockdown, the carmaker was in the process of upgrading its model line-up to meet the more stringent BS6 emission norms in tandem with preparing to launch the Triber AMT and Duster turbo-petrol in our market.

KTM is well known for its menacing, fun-packed motorcycles. But they also make cars and almost 10 years ago, released a track-only X-Bow in partnership with Kiska Design, Audi, Reiter Engineering GmbH, and chassis maker Dallara. They have now followed it up with a new model, called the X-Bow GTX.

Also read: The ‘Super Scalpel’ KTM Duke 890 R Could Be Headed To India In 2021

When KTM first introduced the X-Bow, it was a fun little package with amazing on-track capabilities. It used a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, TFSI petrol engine from Audi which made 354 bhp and a massive 500 Nm of peak torque. Couple it with a feather-light chassis and you have an astounding power-to-weight ratio. The X-Bow GTX takes the madness even further as it now features an extra cylinder and uses a 2.5-litre five-pot TFSI motor, again sourced from Audi.

The five-pot motor is good enough for 600 bhp in GT2 spec and cranks out about 500 HP for the homologated GTX version. If this doesn’t excite you, let this sink in, despite the considerable bump in power figures, it weighs two kilograms lighter than the model it replaces. It is really astonishing because the same motor which does the duty in the likes of Audi RS Q3 and TT RS, produces 395 bhp. KTM sprinkled some of its own brilliance to churn out this level of performance from Audi’s five-pot motor. The GTX has a closed cockpit, although under all that fancy new bodywork is the same Dallara-designed carbon-fibre monocoque.

KTM is looking to enter this example into a few racing series because the X-Bow GTX will be available for sale but will also be GT2 homologated. It’ll be eligible for various different series, including the newly established SRO GT2 class, in which Porsche and Audi also have entries. The GTX is the first car that offers the combination of a homologated monocoque, a homologated GT cage, and a homologated advanced seat. KTM plans to make 20 examples of the GTX this year and will follow it up with a one-make series for the car in 2021.

Feeling bored under the lockdown? Worry not, Nissan has brought in something to keep all auto enthusiasts engaged. Nissan’s global design team has a message that says “it all starts with a single line” as it looks to connect a worldwide community of artists through their new #DrawDrawDraw social project.

Nissan is offering 23 newly created, downloadable colouring pages featuring beloved Nissan classic cars, current models, futuristic concepts and even some “cult classic” models, such as the Nissan Figaro and ChoiMobi. Nissan designers from around the world created the pages over the last few weeks, a time during which many people have been staying home because of the global coronavirus pandemic.

Commenting on this initiative  Alfonso Albaisa, Nissan’s senior vice president for global design said,” To draw, draw, draw, in our world, is one of the best ways to close the gap between wonderful creative impulses in your head and making it a reality – especially as we face this global pandemic together. Our team of designers, worldwide, are using this time to breathe, to draw, to dream creatively. I know that some of their best work will come from the challenges that we’re facing now. So we thought, ‘Why not give everyone a chance to express themselves creatively and share it with those who will appreciate it?’”

Albaisa has launched this effort with a video from his home, and with input from his two young sons, showing what he is currently drawing and why. Designers from his team will be posting additional videos in coming weeks to talk about their design inspirations, what they are drawing, how they became car designers, and tips for those looking to break into the business.

Albaisa also added that their inspiration for this project came from Nissan designer Giovanny Arroba who was the creative mind behind the recently unveiled Ariya Concept car. He conceded that Arroba was once asked for advice on how to become a car designer, to which Arroba replied simply, “Draw like crazy. Draw, draw, draw.”

Nissan is asking individuals to tag their drawings, from sidewalk art to napkin sketches to the downloaded colouring book pictures, with #drawdrawdraw. Albaisa also said that they are looking forward to celebrating passion and creativity and asked the participants not to be surprised if a Nissan Designer commented on their drawings and artwork.

The battle against the coronavirus pandemic rages on as large organizations and individuals keep on trying hard to curb its spread. We have been experiencing many large organizations joining hands together to defeat this ongoing health crisis. Hyundai Motor India (HMI) has partnered with Air Liquide Medical Systems Pvt. Ltd. (ALMS), a manufacturer of ICU Ventilators, to augment the production and supply of Ventilators. With this partnership, HMI and ALMS aim to achieve a target of 1000 ventilators in Phase 1 of production and to scale up subsequently.

Also read: Hyundai Motor India Hands Over Advanced COVID-19 Testing Kits To ICMR

Ventilators are medical devices which take over the work of breathing from patients who are unable to breathe on their own by delivering air with a high concentration of oxygen to their lungs. For patients severely affected by COVID-19, ventilators are critical to ensure continuous oxygen is supplied to overcome respiratory insufficiency.

Commenting on this arrangement with Air Liquide Medical Systems Pvt. Ltd., Mr SS Kim, MD & CEO, Hyundai Motor India Ltd., said, “Ventilators and other respiratory aids are critical devices in the fight against COVID-19 and to this end, Hyundai & Air Liquide Medical Systems are working together to ensure a steady supply of Ventilators in India. As a Socially Responsible and Caring Brand, Hyundai is committed to serving society in every way and will continue to support the Government in India’s war against COVID-19.”

Commenting on the Partnership, Mr Anil Kumar, MD, Air Liquide Medical Systems, India, said, “As a company that engages in supporting the healthcare professionals and systems worldwide, we have initiated a prompt response towards the fight against COVID-19 in support of the Government of India. We are confident that this collaboration with Hyundai Motor India will bring about a positive shift in this battle. We are one of the very few Global companies with dedicated R&D to manufacturing Ventilators in India. Air Liquide Medical Systems is employing all the resources available to manufacture innovative, easy-to-use and high-performing ventilators and will hold the reins to deliver quality service across the country during this time of need, and to spearhead the Make in India initiative.”

Enough has been said and written to praise the new Kawasaki ZX-25R – A motorcycle which has given the crazy formula of small-capacity, four-cylinder engines a new lease of life. A motorcycle specific to Asian markets, the chances of this mad four-potter making it to India are slim. Still, for what is one of the most fascinating machines in recent times, like most motorcycle enthusiasts out there, we just can’t get enough of this new machine. Watch it scream its lungs out in the video below:

Exact specs haven’t been revealed and the motorcycle’s launch has been delayed due to the ongoing crises. From what we know though, the motorcycle is powered by a 249cc, water-cooled, inline-four motor which like its old friends, rotates till it reaches a sky-high 18,000 cycles per minute. Expected to deliver about 50 horses or so, the engine is paired with a quickshifter for the rider to dance up and down the gearbox like a hyperactive child.

Also Read: Watch The Kawasaki ZX-25R Come Out And Play In The Real World

In terms of design, the Kawasaki ZX-25R takes inspiration from Kawasaki’s WSBK bike and other recently launched examples in the lineup. The bike is built upon a lightweight trellis frame, features Showa’s SFF-BP (Separate Function Fork – Big Piston) fork and a Horizontal Back-link rear suspension. Braking is via a radially-mounted monoblock calliper up front and rider support technologies on the bike include KTRC (Kawasaki Traction Control), Power Mode, and KQS (Kawasaki Quick Shifter). The motorcycle is available to be pre-booked in Indonesia, where it will go on sale in the coming weeks.

A race-spec version of this bike called the ‘Custom Racer’ has also been unveiled and will be used for a Japanese One-Make Series in 2021. The custom version makes extensive use of lightweight carbon fibre components and bodywork. The frame and swingarm are carved out of carbon fibre and Kawasaki has gotten rid of street components like all lights, as well as licence plates and mirrors. The bike also features a custom fuel tank, airbox, subframe, seat unit and fairings. Other performance upgrades include race-spec Dunlop Sportmax α-13SP tyres and a free flow NASSERT-R Evolution Type II exhaust. The front forks of the race-spec Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R are the same as the standard model while the rear monoshock has been borrowed from the ZX-10R. The bike gets rear-set footpegs along with the adjustable clutch and brake levers.

What do all the custom builders have in common? A creative head fuelled with passion. You don’t need to have a huge customisation house backed up with a professional crew to build a custom motorcycle if you have got the required technical know-how with a pinch of creativity. We came across this interesting build which uses a Royal Enfield Electra as a donor motorcycle. Aditya Balachandran from Admec Customs hails from Gujarat and is a mechanical engineer who built this custom Electra and transformed it into this funky bobber.

Also read: Pune-Based Ace Customs Attempt To Transform Two Bajaj Avengers

This custom build does look busy but makes use of quality components. It features a front suspension setup sourced from a Royal Enfield Thunderbird, which is 41 mm telescopic unit which offers 180 mm travel. You got to have a clear and resourceful head to put a build together and this is exactly what Aditya has done. The front rims are sourced from KTM and wrapped in 140 section 60/R17 rubber from Ralco while the stock front brakes have made way for bybre front disc callipers. Most of the customs that we come across often feature round headlamps and this one is no different. He has used the headlamp unit of Bajaj Avenger but he claims that different headlight setup can be opted too, depending on customer’s requirements.

The speedometer is retained from the stock Electra which is not a bad thing at all because it has a certain retro touch to it. Moxi adjustable levers are used instead of stock ones to offer the rider some more convenience. The tank too is sourced from a Thunderbird from a local scrap dealer. Like we said earlier, talk about being resourceful! Some serious efforts have been put into building this custom as he went ahead and redesigned the swing arm too. The rear swing-arm is custom made and is designed in such a way that it can be used to put wider tyre up to 160 section 70 R17 and is 5 inch extended to give this custom a mean look. The Rear shock absorbers are Paiolis from the Continental GT.

According to the claims, the whole project can be pulled off in INR 60,000 and requires 15 days to finish the job. A custom build is only good when all the different parts sourced are put together to form a rather ‘Complete’ motorcycle and this one ticks all the boxes.

To keep the numbers rolling, Hero Electric has announced an exciting online sales scheme on its entire range of electric scooters (excluding Flash lead-acid low-speed model). The scheme is limited to all online bookings made, starting from 17 April till 15 May 2020. The booking amount is fixed at INR 2,999, irrespective of the model, which is non-refundable, except, if the national lockdown extends beyond June. Customers can take delivery of vehicles any time after the lockdown opens and up to June end.

Also read: The Hero Electric Trike Is Fighting The Authorities To Be Classified As A Two-Wheeler

All customers who book any Hero Electric scooter would avail an instant cash discount of INR 5,000 while customers of Glyde and e-Cycle would get a cash discount of INR 3,000. In addition to this, a cash benefit of INR 1,000 will be offered to existing customers for reference purchase. This scheme is only available for bookings made online. The current portfolio of Electric scooters from Hero Electric includes Flash, Nyx, Optima, Photon, Flash, Dash and also the ER (Extended Range) variants along with Glyde and E-Cycle, which are also powered by high- quality lithium-ion batteries.

In the current scenario, while people maintain physical distancing, the environment is slowly healing itself. The most significant change that India has seen in the environment is the improvement in air quality due to less dust and air pollution. In its endeavor of making the country greener with ‘Zero Pollution’ transportation, Hero Electric saw this opportunity to further urge people to switch to electric mobility to maintain a healthy and sustainable environment.

Talking about the offer, Mr Sohinder Gill, CEO, Hero Electric said, “Covid’s unfortunate crisis has revealed how quickly a microscopic virus can play havoc with the life and health of citizens whose lungs are already compromised due to air pollution. The few days of absence of polluting vehicles have also had a pleasing effect of clearer sky and nature bouncing back with rare birds chirping. I strongly believe that customers are now tending to switch to cleaner transportation, and we are adding a little sweetener through the “Online” offer to gently nudge them to do so. As pioneers of electric mobility in India, our mission is “No Emission” transportation and this exclusive scheme echoes our decision to keep our mother nature clean and green.”

With the implementation of BS6 emission norms from April 1, 2020, many auto manufacturers had to rethink their product portfolio in the new emission regime. Manufacturers have worked hard on upgrading their model lineups to ensure their portfolio meets the upcoming emission norms. While petrol engines go through minimal updates, diesel engines require extensive changes to meet the upcoming norms. This would’ve resulted in higher costs which would reflect in the vehicle’s overall price. Fearing lack of sales due to high costs, certain manufacturers have pulled the plug on diesel variants from their lineups. In this article, we take a look at all the diesel engines that failed to make the cut in the BS6 era.

Fiat 1.3 litre DDiS Multi-jet

Unofficially termed as the national engine of India, Fiat’s 1.3-litre Multijet has powered a dozen cars from Fiat, Tata, Chevrolet and Maruti Suzuki, the major user of this engine. Despite being a Fiat make, it was best tuned in Maruti cars. The engine was available in two states of tune: 75PS/190Nm and 90PS/200Nm while mated to a 5-speed manual and the option of a 5-speed AMT. It was known for its free-revving nature and punchy performance but was most popular for its impressive mileage (ARAI: 28 kmpl for Swift). It was offered in a host of vehicles such as Maruti-Suzuki Swift, Vitara-Brezza, Dezire, Baleno, Tata’s Bolt and Zest, and Fiat’s own range of Punto, Linea and Avventura.

Also Read: Cars With The Most Comfortable Rear Seats Under INR 10 Lakh

Maruti-Suzuki 1.5-litre DDiS 225

Indigenously developed by Maruti, the 1.5-litre DDiS diesel engine was the carmaker’s second attempt at making an oil-burner after developing the DDiS 125 motor which powered the Celerio. The 1.5-litre DDIS unit developed 95PS and 225Nm, 5PS and 25Nm more than the 1.3-litre DDiS motor. The bigger engine was easier to live with and scored high on driveability. During its short-lived existence, it powered the S-Cross, Ertiga and the Ciaz.

Hyundai 1.4-litre U2 CRDi

Known for its punchy torque and refinement, Hyundai’s 1.4-litre diesel was a charmer. It was also the more affordable diesel engine option for larger cars like the Verna and Creta. This 1.4-litre diesel engine produced 90PS and 220Nm and was only available with the 6-speed manual gearbox. This engine will be replaced by the Hyundai Group’s new 1.5-litre diesel engine, which will now power the entire Kia and Hyundai range in India.

Hyundai 1.6-litre U2 CRDi

This particular engine can be credited for setting the diesel-powered performance standard in the compact sedan and SUV segment. Like the 1.4 litre unit, this unit too was known for its refined nature. The Hyundai diesel powerplant was tuned to deliver 128PS and 260Nm with a 6-speed manual gearbox along with the option of a 6-speed automatic. It has been replaced by the 1.5-litre BS6 diesel engine (115PS and 250Nm) that does not offer the same kind of performance, at least on paper.

Tata Motors 1.05-litre Revotorq

This 3-cylinder, extremely small diesel engine was developed by Tata Motors to power its smaller offerings like the Tiago and the Tigor. The 1047cc diesel engine was only available with a 5-speed manual transmission and produced 70PS and 140Nm. The motor was extremely efficient and provided adequate performance for the kind of cars it was paired with. 

Mahindra 1.2-litre mFalcon

Surprisingly, Mahindra will be updating most of its large diesel engines to meet BS6 norms. But the 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder mFalcon D75 diesel engine offered in the KUV100 will not be available from April 2020 onwards. This engine produced 78 PS of power and 190Nm of torque, mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. The KUV100 Nxt mini-SUV is likely to continue being offered with the 1.2-litre mStallion petrol engine showcased at the AutoExpo 2020.

Volkswagen-Skoda 1.5-litre TDI

Volkswagen was and is a master in making diesel engines but henceforth, the VW Group will not be offering small-capacity diesel engines in India. Powering the likes of the Polo, Vento and the Rapid, the 1.5-litre TDI was offered in two states of tune. In the regular variants of the Polo and Vento, it was tuned to an output of 90PS and 230Nm with the 5-speed manual. However, in the Ameo, Rapid and GT Line variants of the Polo and Vento, the same engine produced 110PS/250Nm, mated to a 5-speed manual with the choice of a 7-speed DSG automatic.

Volkswagen/ Skoda / Audi 2.0-litre TDI

Offered in different states of tunes for different products, this engine powered the likes of Audi’s entry-level and mid-level sedans and SUVs and the Skoda Kodiaq and Superb, along with the Volkswagen Tiguan and Passat. Paired with a 7-speed DSG mostly, for Skoda and VW cars, the motor could be tuned to deliver either 150 PS and 340 Nm or 190 PS and 400 Nm according to the vehicle it powered.

Nissan-Renault 1.5-litre K9K dCi

This diesel engine was a true workhorse across most models sold by Nissan and Renault in India. The 1.5-litre diesel engine was offered in three different states of tune – 64PS/160Nm (Micra), 85PS/200Nm (Sunny, Terrano, Duster) and 110PS/245Nm (Terrano, Duster, Captur, Lodgy, Kicks). While the most powerful tune is mated to a 6-speed manual with an AMT option, the less powerful versions of the same engine are mated to a 5-speed manual only. The engine delivered great driveability in its 85 PS form and sucker punch in the 110 PS guise, once the turbo woke. It was efficient, reliable and one of the engines (110 PS version) we’ll miss dearly in the BS6 era for sure.

Toyota 1.4-litre D-4D

Toyota has now officially announced the discontinuation of its 1.4-litre diesel engine. This engine powered the likes of the Etios Liva hatchback, Etios Cross and the Etios compact sedan as well as the more premium Corolla Altis sedan. In the Etios models, this engine was tuned to produce 68PS and 170Nm while mated to a 5-speed manual. However, in the Corolla Altis, it was mated to a 6-speed manual and produced 88PS and 205Nm. All these models have been discontinued in India.

Ford 2.2/ 3.2 TDCi

Both these engines were exclusively offered in the Ford Endeavour. Where the 2.2-litre unit generated 160 PS pf power and 385 Nm of peak torque, the 3.2-litre unit churned out a healthy 200 PS of power and 470 Nm of peak torque. Both these engines have been discontinued and are replaced by a smaller, yet capable, 2.0-litre turbo-diesel unit which produces 170 PS of power.

To provide all the support in the nation’s fight to contain the spread of COVID-19, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. today announced that following the guidelines issued by Government of Kerala, few workshops in the state have resumed partial operations. So far, Honda workshops have served over 500 customers using Honda two-wheelers during their duty as part of engagement in essential services in the ongoing lockdown.

This is in line with the Kerala Government’s order dated 8th April 2020 which allowed two-wheeler workshops and spare parts shops to resume service-related work of immediate nature. Currently, over 50 authorized Honda service workshops across the state are serving customers with their immediate repair, maintenance and spare parts needs, every Thursdays and Sundays (from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm). As a socially responsible corporate, all Honda workshops are adhering to strict safety & health protocols and preventive measures for the safety of its customers and workshop staff as well, while ensuring social distancing between staff and customers to effectively ‘Break the Chain.’

Also Read: Honda CBR250R And Two 160cc Bikes No Longer Listed On Official Website

All Honda’s workshops with complete sanitization facilities are taking strict measures to ensure safety at all customer interaction touchpoints like vehicle receiving, repair bay, vehicle delivery area and common areas etc. All staff, including service advisors, technicians, cashier, security staff etc. wear masks and maintain minimum 1-meter distance at all times even while having meals and rest area. Putting safety first, all customers are requested to sanitize hands and wear face masks from the main workshop entry point itself and also maintain distancing while waiting in the customer lounge.

In the vehicle repair area, to maintain a safe distance between technicians on the job, only alternate service bays are open. All vehicles are washed before repair and there is zero sharing of common tools as well. Similarly, in the vehicle delivery area too, all vehicles are being sanitized at key areas that are likely to be touched (like vehicle key, handle grip, seat, brake lever etc) before final delivery to the customer. Furthermore, to minimize risk through contact, workshops are requesting customers to give preference to the zero-touch digital mode of payments. Honda remains committed to its customer-centric approach during the COVID-19 ongoing nationwide lockdown. To support customers whose free service/warranty/extended warranty was scheduled between 15 March till the end of lockdown, Honda has already extended the same till 30 th June 2020.

Ford is developing the seventh-generation of its famous muscle car, the Mustang, and like its compatriots Dodge and the Challenger GT, it might also be offered with an All Wheel Drive (AWD) variant as an option. According to a report, the next-gen Mustang is scheduled to drop in 2021 and an electrified variant of the Mustang will join the electric Mustang Mach-E a year later in 2022 as Ford’s electrification roll-out gathers momentum. Ford plans to launch 18 mild-hybrid and full-hybrid models by 2022, and the next Mustang is said to be one of those.

The report also says the new Mustang will ride on a modular architecture shared with other Fords, some of them SUVs. Which means that while core models will stay rear-wheel-driven, an all-wheel-drive variant is a strong possibility with either the release of the Hybrid Mustang or with the seventh generation, S650, release.

Also READ: In Fond Memory Of – Honda CBR250R

The patents released for the hybrid Mustang indicate that Ford is intending to use a set-up where the front wheels would be powered via an electric motor while the gas motor would provide power to the rear axle, making a hybrid AWD Mustang an exciting possibility. The only reason we can’t confirm Ford’s plan is because a patent doesn’t indicate an intention to build, just that they have the idea and want to make sure that they can build it if they choose to.

The firm is hoping for the new model to build on the success of the current, S550-generation car, which has been on sale since 2015 and was the first Mustang to be marketed and sold globally. This meant the first-ever right-hand-drive Mustang sales were finally made possible. Ford has shifted 55,000 examples of the current car across Europe – more than ever before in the Mustang’s history.

The new Mustang would have arrived far sooner were it not for a reversal of product plans. In 2017, Ford announced it would bring a hybrid Mustang to market in 2020. But that same year, Jim Hackett stepped up to the role of Ford CEO and decided instead to prioritise getting a Mustang-inspired EV, the Mach-E, to market as its long-awaited first mass-production electric car.

Now that the Mach-E has been developed and its launch is around the corner, attention has turned back to the standard coupé and convertible Mustang models, which are still expected to dominate sales of the nameplate for some time yet.

As far as India is concerned, the car received a facelift on the current generation last in 2017 and is available in a single variant. The Ford Mustang is powered by a 5.0 litre Ti-VCT V* petrol engine rated at 401 PS of power and 515 NM of torque. The Mustang offers four selectable drive modes: Normal, Sport, Sport+ and Snow/Wet.

Under the extended lockdown, people are stuck in different cities and are waiting to return home, while many are waiting to get essentials like medicines. Stepping in like a true hero, a police officer from Karnataka has set an example by riding his humble Honda Activa for 860 kilometres to deliver life-saving medicines to a cancer patient.

Also read: Mother Rides A Scooter For 1,400 Kilometres During Lockdown To Bring Her Son Back Home

The police officer, S Kumaraswamy is a 47-year old head constable in Bengaluru City Police Control room. He saw the news of a cancer patient named Umesh asking for help to acquire an essential drug. Umesh is suffering from cancer and he appealed to a regional news channel to help him acquire the required medicine. S Kumaraswamy saw the news and rushed to the head office of the regional news channel to know the complete story. He then asked Umesh directly about the medicine and decided to deliver it directly to him. What followed was an 860-kilometre long journey from Bangalore to Dharwad and back.

When he got the information that he needed, he enquired around to locate the medicine at the DS Research Centre in Indiranagar. He fired his Activa and reached the research centre to get the medicine. This lockdown requires special permission granted by the authorities if you have to urgently travel somewhere. He followed the protocol and got the required permission from ACP Ajaykumar Singh. Then began his journey to Dharwad, a city in Karnataka, about 430 km away from Bangalore. In the words of the man himself, he had never been on such an adventurous journey in his 22-year-long career with the police department. He was felicitated by the police officials when he got back. Just goes on to show that all’s not lost and we are still capable of setting the right examples.

Noble deeds are turning out to be the sharpest weapons against a novel virus and every passing day, we hear about those who open their hearts and pockets to contribute towards the fight. Besides importing high-quality testing equipment among other things, as part of Hyundai’s road map of giving back to the society, a series of initiatives have been taken to assist the Government in the battle against COVID-19. The range of initiatives now include:

• Donation of Rs 7 Crore to PM CARES Relief Fund
• Donation of Rs 5 Crore to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Relief Fund
• Hand Over of Imported COVID-19 Advanced Diagnostic Test Kits worth Rs 4 Crore
• Strategic Partnership with Air Liquide Medical Systems to augment the production and supply of ventilators; In-house Development of Ambu Bag Actuator
• Distribution of PPEs, masks and other safety kits in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Haryana
• Distribution of dry rations in Delhi and Tamil Nadu to adversely impacted sections of society

Also Read: BS6 Hyundai Grand i10 Nios CNG Launched

Commenting on the initiative, Mr SS Kim, MD & CEO, Hyundai Motor India Ltd. said, “The core values of our foundation inspire us to strive for the betterment of society. Our contribution to the PM CARES Fund stands testament to solidarity we hold with the people of India, amidst this crisis. In challenging times such as these, we are pledging to bring about ‘Progress for Humanity’ and will continue giving back to help India defeat this adversity.”

Hyundai Motor India has partnered with Air Liquide Medical Systems Pvt. Ltd. (ALMS), a manufacturer of ICU Ventilators, to augment the production and supply of Ventilators. With this partnership, HMI and ALMS aim to achieve a target of 1000 ventilators in Phase 1 of production and to scale up subsequently. The carmaker has also handed over COVID-19 Advanced Diagnostic Testing Kits to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The globally proven Diagnostic Kits worth Rs 4 Crore have been imported from South Korea and offer high levels of accuracy, catering to the testing requirements of over 25,000 individuals. These Diagnostic Kits are also being exported to the USA, Europe and other countries.

The Maruti Eeco Cargo CNG has now received an update in the form of a BS6-compliant engine. Petrol-powered variants are also offered for the van’s PV form and have been upgraded to comply with the BS6 emission standards. As of now, CNG-powered versions are offered for commercial purposes and belong to the cargo loader segment only. Prices of the BS6 Maruti Eeco CNG have not been announced but are expected to be significantly more than those of the BS4 version.

As part of the BS6 upgrade process, the engine now runs cleaner. It is a 1.2-litre unit that pumps out 72 hp and 98 Nm. However, in CNG guise, the engine produces 62hp and 85 Nm. These numbers are the same as the BS4 unit. A 5-speed manual is the only transmission option. Maruti is yet to reveal the claimed fuel efficiency numbers of the Eeco CNG BS6. However, the company claims that the on-road fuel efficiency of both the BS4 and BS6 should be more or less the same because of the different method for calculating claimed fuel efficiency.

Also READ: Diesel Engines Discontinued In The BS6 Era

The BS6 Maruti Eeco Cargo CNG is available in solid colours and three trims: Cargo petrol, Cargo CNG and Cargo CNG with AC. The BS6 version borrows all the features from the BS4 model. Maruti offers reverse parking sensors, seat belt reminders, side reflectors and an 80kmph speed limit. There are no airbags or ABS on offer simply because the cargo section safety rules are separate from those of the passenger segment. The passenger Eeco version gets a driver airbag as well as ABS as standard. While prices haven’t been revealed yet due to the COVID-19 lockdown, one can expect a premium of Rs 15,000 over the BS4 CNG.

Maruti-Suzuki has updated all its models to conform to the BS6 emission norms, way ahead of the deadline of April 1, 2020 with the latest being the Vitara-Brezza which was launched during the AutoExpo 2020 with a mild facelift. The facelifted Vitara Brezza is powered by the 1.5-litre K-series naturally aspirated petrol engine and produces 105 hp of power and 138 NM of torque. This engine has also found its place in the BS6 updated Ciaz and the Ertiga and will soon fit itself under the S-Cross’ hood. 

In wake of the national lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic, Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) has been undertaking several initiatives to support employees and communities around its manufacturing facilities in Haryana. These efforts are aligned with the local government guidelines and directions to fight COVID-19. The company, through a media release, said that it is fully committed to using its resources to support the health challenge, as per government advisories.

The Company has been using its in-house canteens to prepare hygienic meals for the temporary workmen and student trainees staying in village communities around the Gurugram and Manesar plants. Maruti Suzuki has been distributing over 5,400 such cooked food packets every day for both lunch and dinner in the nearby communities. So far, the company has distributed over 120,000 food packets in the last three weeks.

In addition to this, the company is also supporting the Gurugram administration by providing nearly 500 kits of dry ration every day in association with the Indian Red Cross Society. These dry ration kits are distributed in the nearby villages and include daily use items like rice, wheat, flour, cooking oil, sugar and soap. The company has distributed nearly 10,000 such packets in the last three weeks.

Also READ: Automobile Manufacturing Excluded From List Of Allowed Activities After April 20

To maintain a clean and hygienic environment, the Company is carrying out waste collection and also supporting the sanitization activities in these villages. Besides, fresh and clean drinking water is available from Maruti Suzuki’s 17 Water ATMs installed across 16 villages. The access to the water ATMs is open to all and water is dispensed with strict social distancing norms at a nominal 35 paise/litre. Supported by the village community leaders, the consumption of water at the ATMs has increased by 4-5 times than previous months. It is estimated nearly 4,500 litres of clean water is dispensed daily at Aliyar village and 3,800 litres in Dhana Village at Manesar. Built on a self-sustaining model, water ATMs have a capacity to generate over 1,000 litres of drinkable water per hour. For 100% adherence to quality standards, the water ATM is fitted with a Water Quality display screen. The Water Quality display screen shows the purity of water in terms of TDS (Total Dissolved Solids), temperature and ph level for the users.

Speaking on these efforts, Mr Rajesh Uppal, Member Executive Board (HR, IT & Safety), Maruti Suzuki India Limited said “We are aligned with Government of India’s directives to fight the COVID19 pandemic and are working towards the safety and well-being of our employees and communities around our manufacturing units. Regular communication is being undertaken with all regular and outsourced employees through established employee communication channels.” He also added that in a unique initiative, they would also be connecting with family members of employees through video conferencing to engage and motivate them during lockdown days.

Using technology tools, the company has also launched an online Family Connect program to reach out to employees’ families over video conferencing. The unique online outreach program is being utilized to engage the families with continuous communication and motivate them during the lockdown.