Motorcycle fanatics around the world are patiently waiting for February 5th to arrive. The reason is pretty evident. Suzuki is going to showcase its 2021 Hayabusa. The moniker is legendary and remains unmatched in terms of the emotions it invokes in one’s mind. The Peregrine Falcon has garnered a cult status over the years and is one of the best-selling big bikes in India, owing to its VFM quotient and not to forget, the ‘Dhoom’ factor. Suzuki recently dropped a bombshell on us, by releasing a teaser video of the new Hayabusa.

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And now, the ‘Hyperbike’ has made an appearance before its official debut. The leaked image seems to be taken from a slide sent out to dealers before the bike is launched.

The most prominent thing you would notice is, it has carried forward its silhouette but if you look with a set of keener eyes, you would notice that the front end appears to have a sharper fascia. The fairing too, looks heavily redesigned. The glimpse of the new Hayabusa does reveal that it is going to be a bit sharper than before and that might translate to better aerodynamics too. Not to forget, at the time when it was launched and even after many years of its production, the Hayabusa was one of the most aerodynamically efficient motorcycle. Just what you need to clock 299 Km/h on the speedo, right? The exhaust cannisters too, are heavily revamped and now are finished in chrome.

The teaser video which was released earlier, also shows the analogue speedo (don’t worry there is a TFT in there too) being forced past the 180mph mark, as the bike is ridden in what can only be described as its natural habitat. It’s a very neat looking unit and it gives us some clues as to the bike’s electronics. We can expect Suzuki to throw in a comprehensive suite of electronics which might include 6-axis IMU with cornering ABS, several riding modes, power modes, wheelie control, engine braking modes and a bi-directional quickshifter.

Although rumours did suggest that Suzuki might go the supercharged way with the new Hayabusa but the latest developments suggest otherwise. It is, most probably, going to retain the same 1,340cc inline-four-cylinder DOHC liquid-cooled engine but will now comply with Euro 5 / BS6 emission norms. In its outgoing avatar, the Hayabusa pumped out 195PS and 155Nm. In order to the current crop of superbikes, Suzuki might squeeze out a bit more ponies to make the Hayabusa relevant, once again! However, whether it manages to regain the title of being the fastest motorcycle or not, that remains to be seen!

This article was first published on Motoroids - Is This The New 2021 Suzuki Hayabusa Which Is Set To Debut On February 5th? - Auto News From India.

Faired sportsbikes, however uncomfortable or aggressive they might be in their intent, are marvels of motorcycle engineering. We might have gotten more inclined towards naked roadster or ADV-tourers in the past few years, but there’s no denying to the fact that we want to own a faired sportsbike at some point in our lives. There are some legendary names which continue popping up in a motorcyclist’s wet dreams and the Triumph Daytona is one of them. Triumph had to pull the plug on it, in favor of its naked counterpart, the Street Triple.

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To this day, we catch ourselves becoming a little nostalgic about the Daytona. Despite being a middleweight, it was a widespread assumption that it could give a litre-class sportsbike a run for its money, in the hands of a skilled rider.

Triumph did bring back the Daytona 765 but it was limited in numbers and the void is still yet to be filled. Triumph recently rolled out the Speed Triple 1200 RS and according to the maker itself, it is the most powerful iteration of the ‘Speed Triple’ series to be ever introduced. And that makes us wonder, should we rekindle the possibilities of getting a Daytona based on the Speed Triple? A digital artist named Kardesign Koncepts did the same, went ahead and came up with a render of a Daytona based on the Speed Triple 1200 RS.

The render should convince the lot of us that it won’t be such a bad idea to receive a faired sportsbike from the House of Hinckley. The front fairing of the rendered sportsbike takes some design cues from the Daytona Moto2 765’s design, but also integrates the 1200 RS’s LED lighting and air intake. The top clamp-mounted handlebars are replaced with clip-ons and the mirrors are moved up to the front fairing. Lastly, the digital designer routed the exhaust pipe up to expose the single-sided swingarm.

Talking about more numbers, the Speed Triple 1200 RS pumps out 180hp at 10,750rpm and 125Nm at 9,000rpm (8Nm), which is 30hp and 8Nm more than the predecessor’s motor. If Triumph actually goes ahead and blesses the world of motorcycles with the revival of the Daytona, it would incite a freaking riot in our automotive circles. And to be very honest, we want just that!

This article was first published on Motoroids - This Digitally Imagined Triumph Daytona Brings Back The Craving For The British Faired Sportsbike - Auto News From India.

Similar to cars, motorcycles have been recovering from the COVID-stricken 2020 to post some solid numbers towards the later stages of 2020 and have seemingly continued the momentum in the first month of 2021 as well. Following is the detailed break-up of the sales figures as reported by various manufacturers.

Hero

India largest 2-wheeler manufacturer, Hero MotoCorp Ltd. reported a slight drop of 3 % in its total wholesale figures, which stood at 4,85,889 in January 2021, down around 16,000 units from January 2020, when it clocked 5,01,622 units.

Hero reported a 9.18% decline in sales in terms of its motorcycles for the first month of 2021. Total figures stood at 4,49,037 units, down some 45,000 from 4,94,432 units reported in January 2020. The scooter segment, however, witnessed a whopping 400 % growth clocking 36,852 units as against a lowly 7,190 in January last year.

Honda

Honda 2-wheeler India reported an 11.39% rise in domestic sales clocking 4,16,716 units, up almost 43,000 units from 3,74,114 units reported in January 2020 last year. Interestingly, Honda reported a massive 72.16 % growth on MoM basis, up 1,74,670 units from December 2020, when it registered 2,42,046 units.

Domestic sales stood at 4,16,716 units, coupled with 20,467 units of exports down 30% or 8,825 units YoY and up by almost 5% MoM.

TVS

TVS Motor Company registered a 31 % increase in total sales YoY to clock 3,07,149 units in January 2021 as against 2,34,920 units reported back in January 2020. Domestic motorcycle sales grew by 45% clocking 136,790 units of sales in January 2021 as against 94,367 units reported in January 2020. Scooter sales TVS reportedly grew by as much as  36 % clocking 98,319 units in January 2021 as against 72,383 units in January 2020.

Total exports grew by 43%, from 70,784 units in January 2020, to 1,00,926 units in January 2021. TVS clocked 12,553 units of 3-wheeler sales, down 13.3 % from 14,481 units in January 2020.

Royal Enfield

Royal Enfield registered an 8% total growth YoY to clock 68,887 units of sale in January 2021, up from 63,520 units reported in January last year. Exports grew 103%, from 2,228 units to 4,515 units. Domestic figures stood at 64,372 units, up 5% from 61,292 units reported in January last year.

Suzuki

Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt Ltd reported a total sales figure of 64,869 units in January 2021. Domestic sales stood at 57,004 units while the exports accounted for the remaining 7,865 units for the opening month.

This article was first published on Motoroids - January 2021 Two-wheeler Sales Report - Auto News From India.

TVS Racing – the factory racing team of TVS Motor Company, finished the 2020 Indian National Rally Championship (INRC) on a high note.  The team won the championship in all categories, showcasing stellar performances throughout the race season.  The final round of the season took place in Hampi, Karnataka, witnessed the team racer Rajendra RE secure the top spot in the Group A up to 500cc Class, Samuel Jacob placed at P1 in Group B SuperSport up to 260cc, and Karthik N finished P1 in the Group B Scooter Class.  In the Group B Ladies Class, Aishwarya Pissay finished the Rally at P1.

Winning the overall championship, TVS Racing rider, R Nataraj won Group A up to 500cc category, and teammate Samuel Jacob won the SuperSport Group B up to 260cc category (and in overall).  Pinkesh Thakkar won the Group B Scooter Class and Aishwarya Pissay won the Group B Ladies Class.  The team also won the Tuners Trophy in all classes.

Commenting on the team’s performance, B Selvaraj, Team Manager, TVS Racing said, “I am extremely happy that TVS Racing had a hundred percent race win in 2020 INRC.  Nataraj and Samuel have maintained a consistent performance throughout the Rally and proved their dominance in their respective categories.  Pinkesh’s performance was remarkable this year and I am glad that he secured top position in his class.  Aishwarya also maintained her pace in the Rally and finished at podium.  I would like to thank all the TVS Racing team members for their relentless hard work in keeping the motorcycles and scooters at its best form and supporting the team in every step.”

This article was first published on Motoroids - TVS Racing Ends INRC 2020 On A High Note - Auto News From India.

The Union budget was introduced in the parliament yesterday, the 1st day of February 2021. While everyone has different opinions and takes on what is good and what is not about the budget, here’s what the auto industry had to say.

Volkswagen

Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars said “The Budget 2021 as announced by the Hon’ble Finance Minister has the potential to revive the economy at large. The focus on the six pillars, with greater impetus on healthcare, infrastructural & connectivity development and rural economy will have a positive impact on the businesses. With respect to the auto sector, increase in customs duty on certain auto parts would impact the input cost, although we’re yet to assess the financial impact. On the voluntary scrappage policy, strict governance on the fitness test would determine the benefit on the environment and pollution reduction.”  

FADA

Mr Vinkesh Gulati, President FADA ( Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations ) said “FADA is happy to note that the Hon’ble Finance Minister has finally announced the much-awaited Scrappage Policy, though voluntary to phase out old vehicles. If we take 1990 as the base year, there are approximately 37L CVs and 52L PVs eligible for voluntary scrappage. As an estimate, 10% of CV and 5% of PV may still be plying on road. We still need to see the fine prints to access the kind of incentives which will be on offer and thus have a +ve effect on retail. The 6,575 km Highway works proposed in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal and Assam and another 19,500 km work for Bharat Mala project will definitely add fillip to the much-needed revival of Commercial Vehicles especially M&HCV segment.

Government’s reduction of customs duty on steel products to 7.5% will benefit Auto OEMs. We hence expect the benefit to trickle down to end customers thus helping in boosting demand. While we expected disposable income for individuals to increase with the enhancement of IT slabs and depreciation benefit on vehicles for individuals, the same has not been taken into consideration.”

CARS24

Ruchit Agarwal, Co-founder and CFO, CARS24 said “The 2021 Union Budget is a big booster for spearheading the economy’s growth. We are glad the Government has announced an investment in road infrastructure coupled with the announcement of scrappage policy. These will bode well for the auto industry as they will help it achieve the twin objectives of boosting demand whilst recycling old and polluting vehicles in our country. While we look forward to the minute details of the policy, ensuring seamless execution will be key. Additionally, with the government allowing one-man companies and increasing the threshold for the definition of small companies, we expect and hope that used car dealers in India will consider shifting from a sole proprietorship to companies. This will make them further organized and open up different forms of financing markets for them. Extension of one year tax holiday will also prove to be a welcome move for start-ups in India. We are sure that the announcements made under 2021 Union Budget will help sustain the pace of growth witnessed in the last few months in the auto industry.” 

Cyril

L Viswanathan, Partner, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas said “The announcement of the Scrappage Policy is expected to significantly boost the auto industry as also contribute to a clean India. It is expected that this policy would nudge electric vehicles which would also be a boost for manufacturing in India and will trigger investment in clean technology. The success of this policy would be felt on multiple fronts, from giving a fillip to the automobile sector, boosting manufacturing in India and also reducing our fuel import bill.”

Tata Motors

Guenter Butschek, CEO & MD, Tata Motors said “Budget 2021 is a progressive statement of intent and action that aims to both stimulate and sustain growth following an unprecedented year. The significant increase in overall allocation towards capital expenditure has been complemented with comprehensive measures to catalyse multiple levers- focus on rural, infrastructure investment, the impetus to manufacturing, social welfare, entrepreneurship and digital – to enable overall holistic development.

For the automobile sector, which is a significant contributor to India’s GDP, there are multiple welcome announcements including a voluntary vehicle scrapping policy to phase out old and unfit vehicles, augmenting public transport system in urban areas, continuing focus on adoption of cleaner fuels, and enhancing outlays for developing road infrastructure and expanding the Swachh Bharat Mission.”

Euler Motors

Saurav Kumar, Founder and CEO, Euler Motors said This year’s budget is a directional push to move towards clean energy and transition towards a green economy. The outlays to tackle air pollution and boost to non-conventional energy sectors will be key to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and power the industrial sector and electric transportation. The announcement of the Hydrogen Energy Mission is a step closer for generating power through green sources and fulfil charging requirements of EVs in the future.

The auto industry welcomes the scrappage policy which will pave way for higher adoption of new vehicles to reduce emissions and contribute to sustainable mobility. In the commercial segment, there are large numbers of old vehicles and the scrappage policy will boost adoption of low emission and energy-efficient vehicles, by phasing out old models. We also look forward to the Government’s continued infrastructure push with a focus toward improving roadways in India. These will provide an impetus towards modernization and drive more consumption in the auto segment.

It is also heartening to the continued support to MSMEs and start-ups with measures to ensure ease of doing business, including a seed fund to support early-stage start-ups and an investment clearance and advisory cell to widen their scope and growth.  We are now excited to witness how the industry makes the most of these initiatives for entrepreneurship and drive innovation to further the Start-up India Vision.

This article was first published on Motoroids - 2021 Budget Reactions From Indian Auto Industry - Auto News From India.

Ford and Google announced a unique strategic partnership to accelerate Ford’s transformation and reinvent the connected vehicle experience. Ford has also named Google Cloud its preferred cloud provider to leverage Google’s world-class expertise in data, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML). As part of this new, six-year partnership—and beginning in 2023—millions of future Ford and Lincoln vehicles at all price points will be powered by Android, with Google apps and services built-in.

To drive ongoing innovation, Ford and Google are establishing a new collaborative group, Team Upshift. Leveraging the talent and assets of both companies, Team Upshift will push the boundaries of Ford’s transformation, unlock personalized consumer experiences, and drive disruptive, data-driven opportunities. This may include projects ranging from developing new retail experiences when buying a vehicle, creating new ownership offers based on data, and more.

Commenting on this new partnership, Jim Farley, President and CEO of Ford said, “As Ford continues the most profound transformation in our history with electrification, connectivity and self-driving, Google and Ford coming together establishes an innovation powerhouse truly able to deliver a superior experience for our customers and modernize our business.”

As its preferred cloud provider and starting later this year, Google will help Ford leverage Google Cloud’s AI, ML and data analytics technologies to accelerate the automaker’s digital transformation, modernize operations, and power connected vehicle technologies with Google’s trusted, secure, and reliable cloud. With Google Cloud, Ford plans to:

• Further improve customer experiences for customers with differentiated technology and personalized services;
• Accelerate modernization of product development, manufacturing and supply chain management, including exploration of using vision AI for manufacturing employee training and even more reliable plant equipment performance;
• Fast track the implementation of data-driven business models resulting in customers receiving real-time notices such as maintenance requests or trade-in alerts.

Ford and Google have a shared vision to bring enjoyable, safer and more efficient connected vehicle experiences built to minimize driver distraction and keep customers at the forefront of technology with over-the-air updates. Beginning in 2023, Ford and Lincoln customers globally will start to benefit from unique digital experiences built on top of the Android operating system and with Google apps and services built-in, which include world-class map and voice technology.

This article was first published on Motoroids - Ford And Google Team Up With An Aim To Reinvent Connected Vehicle Experience - Auto News From India.

French tyre major Michelin has announced a hike in prices for tyres it will sell in India, Africa and the Middle East. The company will increase its tyre prices by up to 8 percent across all segments. This price revision addresses the increase of raw material cost, natural rubber in particular, global transportation cost and other market factors. This increase is effective March 2021 and is applicable to all Michelin Group brands.

The company’s sales in India have been affected by a recent decision by the Government to restrict import of tyres. Availability has been an issue for those who swear by the brand. In an official statement which Michelin has released in response to the situation, it says, “Owing to the ongoing import restrictions for tyres we have experienced supply shortages recently. For Michelin India, Government of India has recently issued a limited import license, which will also be utilized for importing passenger car tyres to address very high demand for our tyres in a restricted manner for the time being.”

It further states, “Consequently, to streamline our supply chain in the current situation, Michelin India has decided to prioritize selling of these limited stocks only through its priority partners currently, who has equally invested in expanding our distribution footprint in the country. Michelin is committed to the Indian market and continues to significantly invest in Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ priorities through its Greenfield manufacturing plant for Truck and Bus radial Tyres in Chennai and a state of the art innovation hub in Pune. We continue to work with Government of India to address this issue and are hopeful of an early resolution.”

This article was first published on Motoroids - Michelin Hikes Tyre Prices For India, Africa And Middle East Region - Auto News From India.

Kia Corporation has begun to lay the groundwork for its innovative Purpose Built Vehicle (PBV) business, partnering with cold chain startup ‘S.lab Asia Inc.’ to break into Singapore’s last-mile delivery market. On January 28, the two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at launching a pilot project in Singapore using the Niro EV and evaluating the potential for a future PBV-based business model.

The Niro EV model optimized and modified for last-mile logistics service will be used in Singapore’s city center, in the process responding to the needs of the rapidly growing e-commerce market. In addition, the strategic model will also help strengthen the PBV capabilities and service operations of both partners.

Purpose built vehicles – the development of which forms the core of Kia’s mid- to long-term business strategy, known as “Plan S” – are vehicles that are designed for specific applications, such as last-mile delivery, autonomous shuttles and chauffeur-driven luxury vehicles. In terms of Kia’s pilot PBV venture, ‘last-mile delivery service’ refers to the last leg of a product’s delivery from a warehouse hub to a customer, with a focus on maximizing delivery quality and service differentiation. S.lab Asia is a startup that produces special boxes for cold-chain fresh product deliveries and offers advanced delivery services. It is currently building a logistics network that will sell and distribute fresh products to Korea and Southeast Asia.

As Kia’s next-generation PBVs are currently undergoing final product development and optimization, Kia, in cooperation with S.lab Asia, will use the Niro EV with a modified interior for the ease of unloading and uploading S.lab Asia’s boxes with a maximum loading space. The operations will begin in Singapore in the first half of this year, during which Kia will assess and advance its PBV business model, including product and service aspects, by applying the real-world lessons learned from utilizing the modified Niro EV in Singapore.

Through the scheme, Kia will gain core PBV project competencies and experiences, including: developing EV-based PBVs that are optimized for last-mile delivery; advancing the Car as a Service (CaaS) platform for fleets and leasing needs; establishing an EV-charging ecosystem; and creating an EV fleet management services structure. Kia has selected Singapore as the optimal location for its next PBV project, taking advantage of the city-state’s world-class infrastructure, vibrant economy and rapidly advancing e-commerce. Instrumental in Kia’s decision was Singapore’s plans to gradually phase out internal combustion engine transportation by 2040 via a forward-looking set of eco-friendly mobility policies, including increasing subsidies for EVs.

This article was first published on Motoroids - Kia Begins Pilot Of Last-Mile Delivery Service In Singapore - Auto News From India.

It seems like the biggest automotive leak of the year 2021 has already happened. When Suzuki released the teaser video of the new 2021 Hayabusa, the whole internet went haywire. A few days later, an image got leaked, which was supposedly of the new ‘Busa and now, its official promo video has hit the internet, revealing the ballistic missile! What has brought a smile on our faces is the fact that the designers have managed to keep the spirit of the Busa alive and thankfully, it hasn’t gone down the same path as the 2021 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R!

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The overall look of the new model is unmistakably Hayabusa, but we can see that Suzuki has used some the current GSXR-1000 styling in the face as well.

Also worth noting here are the aerodynamic strakes hidden in the new Hayabusa’s fairings, which likely provide better engine cooling, but could also help with high-speed downforce depending on how they are implemented.

Not to forget, at the time when it was launched and even after many years of its production, the Hayabusa was one of the most aerodynamically efficient motorcycle. Just what you need to clock 299 Km/h on the speedo, right? The exhaust cannisters too, are heavily revamped and now are finished in chrome.

The official video also shows the analogue speedo (don’t worry there is a TFT in there too) being forced past the 180mph mark, as the bike is ridden in what can only be described as its natural habitat. It’s a very neatly laid out unit and it gives us some clues as to the bike’s electronics. We can expect Suzuki to throw in a comprehensive suite of electronics which might include 6-axis IMU with cornering ABS, several riding modes, power modes, wheelie control, engine braking modes and a bi-directional quickshifter.

Although rumours did suggest that Suzuki might go the supercharged way with the new Hayabusa but the latest developments suggest otherwise. It is, most probably, going to retain the same 1,340cc inline-four-cylinder DOHC liquid-cooled engine but will now comply with Euro 5 / BS6 emission norms. In its outgoing avatar, the Hayabusa pumped out 195PS and 155Nm.

In order to the current crop of superbikes, Suzuki might squeeze out a bit more ponies to make the Hayabusa relevant, once again! However, whether it manages to regain the title of being the fastest motorcycle or not, that remains to be seen!

This article was first published on Motoroids - Watch: 2021 Suzuki Hayabusa Official Video Leaked Ahead Of Launch - Auto News From India.

Tata Motors will mark its 75th anniversary this year. And to commemorate this special occasion, Tata Motors has unveiled Founders edition versions of its cars to pay a fitting tribute to their founder Shri Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata, popularly known as Shri JRD Tata. Tata has unveiled the founders’ edition for its Tiago, Tigor, Altroz, Nexon and the Harrier.

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Tata Motors was founded way back in 1945, the year in which the world war 2 ended. Back then, it was launched as Tata Engineering and Locomotive Company Ltd. and it made its foray into the passenger car segment in 1991.

Talking about the man Shri JRD Tata himself he was an aviator, industrialist, entrepreneur and chairman of Tata Group. Born into the Tata family of India, he was the son of noted businessman Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata and his wife Suzanne Brière. His mother was the first woman in India to drive a car and, in 1929, he became the first licensed pilot in India.

He is also best known for being the founder of several industries under the Tata Group, including Tata Consultancy Services, Tata Motors, Titan Industries, Tata Salt, Voltas and Air India. In 1983, he was awarded the French Legion of Honour and in 1955 and 1992, he received two of India’s highest civilian awards the Padma Vibhushan and the Bharat Ratna. These honours were bestowed on him for his contributions to Indian industry.

Talking about the founders’ edition, it will be available for Tata’s employees only. These models carry a newly designed logo and a special signage in honour. The Founders edition also offers an exclusive founders’ edition postcards from iconic series and a photo frame as well.

The bespoke JRD Tata signage can be seen on the fender creases, rear pillar and the dashboard. It also sports a new Tata emblem in blue background. January has been a busy month for Tata Motors. They first introduced the Altroz turbo petrol version, followed by the much-awaited unveiling of the Tata Safari further followed by the introduction of a limited edition Tiago.

Overall, a strong performance in January 2020 duly helped by as many as 3 new unveilings helped Tata Motors sit a comfortable 3rd in the list of largest auto market share for January 2021.

This article was first published on Motoroids - Tata Motors Rolls Out ‘Founders Edition’ Models Of Its Entire Product Range To Pay Homage To Shri JRD Tata - Auto News From India.

The 2020 Mahindra Thar has proven to be a runaway success for the homegrown carmaker. An indigenous off-roader which can also double up as a family car is the recipe which the new Thar has been banking on. Apart from being a potent machine off the road, the Thar is also wildly popular among customization circles. Big and burly tyres, accompanied with LED lights all around, which can light up the darkest roads ahead, are some of the key modifications that we see on the Thar.

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The Thars featured here are modified by Bimbra 4×4, a Gurgaon-based firm, mainly popular for its body kits. The Black Thar seen here belongs to an owner while the Mystic Cooper one belongs to the firm itself.

Black Thar

Talking about the black Thar first, it looks stealthy to say the least. The front end is slightly redesigned and now features an aftermarket grille which looks similar to the one found on the Jeep Wrangler. The stock grille didn’t receive a positive response from the audience and this aftermarket grille seems like a huge step-up from it. The bumper is also custom-made and according to the firm, doesn’t hamper the functioning of the front airbags. The stock halogen setup is replaced by LEDs and the housing seems to be blacked out, which indeed makes the Thar look sportier. Other modifications include a Line-X coating on the front bumper and the side claddings.

The side profile looks much more butch than before, all thanks to the BFGoodrich all-terrain tyres on stock alloy wheels. A 30 mm spacer has been used in the black Thar to enhance the look of the Thar. The cabin too, has been slightly revamped and seems a little more luxurious than before.

This has been achieved by the use of maroon colour leather seat cover with yellow colour inserts at places. There is an armrest for both front and rear passengers.

Mystic Cooper

Talking about the Mystic Cooper Thar featured here, the angry-looking aftermarket grille makes the Thar look like it will eat anything which might come in its way. LED bar is installed on the front bumper with a yellow film to suit foggy conditions.

To enhance the utilitarian quotient of the Thar, Bimbra has also installed seat organisers for both row seats and a bass tube has also been placed at the rear. The sets are all black and this Thar also gets armrest, cup holders, grab handles and so on.

If you want your Thar to look as mean and menacing as the ones featured here, you can contact Bimbra 4×4.

Picture credits: Taran Bimbra 

This article was first published on Motoroids - These Modified Mahindra Thars Have Received The Bimbra 4×4 Magic - Auto News From India.

Honda Cars India Ltd. have once again announced a price hike across their portfolio. The reason(s) for the price hike is still pretty much unclear but it could boil down to the rising cost of manufacturing owing to the current pandemic. Almost every automaker across 2 and 4-wheelers have announced a price hike across their portfolio due to the same aforementioned speculated reason. Honda has gone one up.

Honda City

The highest hike in the prices is as much as INR 20,000 on the Honda City on select models and trims. Other than rising steel prices, the shortage of semiconductors has further pulled some manufacturers back a bit. This shortage has forced M&M to ship their all-new Thar without an infotainment system, which would be fitted on the dealer’s end and not the facility.

Honda Amaze and Jazz

Talking about the hike across Honda’s portfolio for India, starting with the most affordable Honda currently, the Amaze now starts at INR 6.22 lakhs, witnessing an increase of INR 5,000. Next, the premium hatch from Honda, the Jazz also undergoes a hike of INR 5,000 and starts at INR 7.55 lakhs ( all prices, ex-showroom ) 

Honda WR-V

Moving to the CSUV segment, the WR-V has also been handed a price hike of INR 5,000. The WR-V range now starts from INR 8.55 lakhs while Honda’s current flagship model for India, the 5th gen City undergoes a price hike of as much as INR 20,000 on some trim levels. The Honda City range starts from INR 10.99 lakhs ( all prices, ex-showroom ).

Recently, Honda discontinued the Civic and the CR-V in India much to the disappointment of many. Their decision to discontinue these 2 models comes after their decision to conclude vehicle production at its Greater Noida plant and move the production unit to Alwar, Rajasthan to the Honda Tapukara plant. While everything is shifted to Tapukara, Honda obviously would have needed more capital to continue selling Civic and the CR-V which didn’t turn out to be feasible.

Talking about some sales numbers, Honda Cars India Ltd. has reported a jaw-dropping 114% growth in January 2020 clocking 11,319 units of sales as against a mere 5,299 units in January 2020. 

This article was first published on Motoroids - Honda Cars Turn Even Costlier; Here’s How Much They Cost Now - Auto News From India.

SUVs today are as popular in India as ever. The concept and status quo of buying a car in India has changed from “Lambi gaadi” to “Badi gaadi.” The taller and the wider your car is today, the better. Speaking of which, does the definition of an SUV today apply to everything on 4 wheels that has a tall stance, boxy design, high ground clearance and a commanding driving position?

The answer is maybe unclear, but the perspective of seeing an SUV or what does it have to offer has definitely changed. SUVs or Sport Utility Vehicles were purpose-built machines, to take you anywhere, on all kinds of roads, across all terrains and provide you a king on the road feel.

SUVs earlier had a tall stance and looked bulky. Subtle isn’t the word that we can use to define the SUVs of yesteryears. They were plonked with engines which were big in displacement numbers. And not to forget, most of the SUVs were either RWD or had a 4×4 drivetrain. 

Two of the most loved, probably one of the best Indian SUVs ever made would be the Mahindra Scorpio and the Tata Safari, hands down. Both these products revolutionised the segment in their respective manners. It’s a shame that Safari was discontinued and the introduction of the new Safari further strengthens the discussion, are SUVs today losing their real essence?

Today, SUVs majorly mean a compact design, a monocoque chassis, front wheel drive, a relatively tall stance with a little more ground clearance than a regular sedan and loads of features and electronic assists on the inside. Today, sadly, the feel, the connection, the make, the real SUV persona don’t matter much to people. The Government has somewhat sparked this shift towards “Pseudo” SUVs by levying extra cesses beyond 4 m of length and 200mm of ground clearance.

Now, don’t get us wrong, we aren’t implying that the current crop of SUVs are bad or useless They are good in their own might and needless to say, are more modern than ever before. Today, we find ourselves pampered by the creature comforts these SUVs throw on the table. The long-list of features has overshadowed the mechanical feel that the old SUVs used to have. 

For a person who thinks of a car as a mere means of transportation, this might not make much sense but for the more enthusiastic lot who view their car as an extension of themselves, the above-mentioned fact stands true. 

The logic is simple. The more control you have on what you are driving, the better you will relate to it. Something which is hard to experience owing to the modern-day SUVs’ lifeless steering wheels and a bucketload of electronic aids. There are only a select few ‘true’ SUVs left in the market today and to be honest, it feels good to see something like the Mahindra Thar selling like hot cakes. The latest iteration of this homegrown off-roader has successfully established the fact that one can have a true-blue SUV without compromising on the practicality front that much. We hope that SUVs like the Thar or the Endeavour and the Fortuner keep gracing our shores so that we don’t forget the real essence of SUVs.

This article was first published on Motoroids - Are SUVs Today Losing Their Real Essence? - Auto News From India.

For those who are fond of customized motorcycles, it has become a regular affair to come across a tastefully modified Royal Enfield Interceptor 650. Its minimalistic and retro styling translates to the fact that the custom builders don’t have to fiddle around much. And not to forget, the 650cc twin-cylinder engine is potent enough that the builders don’t need to figure out a way to extra a bit more oomph from the engine. The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 featured here is a bit special though as it derives inspiration from the MiG-21 fighter jet.

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This mad-mad custom job is pulled off by Bengaluru-based Bulleteer Customs. The folks over at Bulleteer Customs have been in the game for quite some time now and that reflects in their meticulously modified motorcycles.

The most visible mod-job has to be the finely-crafted semi-fairing. They have made sure to instil patriotism as well, as the tank proudly flaunts the ‘IND’ decal accompanied by MiG-21 decals splattered all around. The paint scheme also makes the ‘Fearless 650RR’ stand apart from the sea of modified Interceptor 650 we have come across in the past few years. Interceptor 650’s stock handlebar has been tossed away to make for proper clip-ons. The semi-fairing extends ahead to house the headlamp as well, which is now a LED unit. A small, smoked out fly-screen is also clearly visible.

The pillion seat is now covered in a seat cowl which also adds to its overall appeal. What adds to the overall visual flair of the motorcycle are the airbrushed rivets. The wheels have been changed from the stock 18-inch wire-spoke units to aftermarket 17-inch alloys wearing Apollo tyres. Another modification which is clearly visible is the aftermarket exhaust setup which should provide the required aural drama. MiG-21s are ultimate weapons of destruction and not to forget, they are also the epitome of mechanical engineering. This custom motorcycle captures the essence just fine!

There is no word regarding any changes on the engine front so we will have to assume that it’s the same 650cc air/oil-cooled engine that belts out 47 HP of max power and 52 Nm of max torque. Royal Enfield is soon going to roll out a cruiser based on the same platform which should prove to be yet another RE fit for custom jobs.

This article was first published on Motoroids - Bulleteer Customs Derive Inspiration From MiG-21 Fighter Jet To Modify This Interceptor 650 - Auto News From India.

There’s something very attractive and enticing about thorough-bred vehicles. They might not be do-it-all machines or as affordable as other vehicles but when it comes to their own element, they blow it out of the park! Be it a proper race car, a track-focused sportsbike or an all-terrain vehicle like the Land Rover Defender. The Defender is an iconic SUV and has a rich legacy to bank on. The company itself claims that it is the toughest Land Rover ever made. We have never doubted the Defender’s capabilities but the video featured here cements our belief even further.

Watch video

A transporter truck got stuck on the ice and later on, a Defender came to the rescue. That’s all that happened and yet, the video is a proof of the Defender’s prowess.

The transporter reportedly was transporting some Land Rover vehicles and then got stuck on the ice. Driving on the ice is really tricky because the traction levels are lower than our neighbouring country’s GDP. The tyres struggle a lot to gain a little bit of traction, the reason why snow chains come in handy. Stafford Land Rover, a dealership in UK, decided to bring in a Defender 110 to rescue the stuck transporter. At first, it might seem like the Defender was struggling too but then soon after, it did manage to pull the truck. It actually felt like the Defender summoned its ancestral power and its ancestors decided to bestow the Defender.

It has a max payload of 900 kilos and a massive wading depth of 900 mm along with a completely updated Terrain Response 2 system and air suspension. The all-new Land Rover Defender has an approach angle of 38 degrees, departure angle of 40 degrees and break-over of 28 degrees. Adaptive Dynamics is available with Electronic Air Suspension, allowing customers to fine-tune the driving characteristics. The system’s adaptive dampers monitor body movements up to 500 times per second and respond almost instantaneously to optimise control and comfort.

The Defender can be had with either a 3.0-litre turbo diesel engine producing 300 PS of max power and 650 Nm of peak torque, or a 3.0-litre turbo turbocharged petrol engine that makes 400 PS power and 550 Nm torque. Also on offer is a hybrid powertrain that uses a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine paired to a 143 PS electric motor, producing a combined 404 PS and 640 Nm.

This article was first published on Motoroids - Watch This Land Rover Defender Pull A Loaded Transporter Stuck On Ice - Auto News From India.

The premium hatchback segment in India is now witnessing some action again, now that we have the new-gen Hyundai i20 and the Tata Altroz. Another popular o9ffering in this segment is the Baleno. It might be popular but comparatively, it has started feeling a little dated. A test mule of the Baleno has been spied again with strain gauge apparatus on all 4 wheels indicating that this Baleno might be powered by a Hybrid powertrain. You see, the future of mobility is green, it is electric.

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A few months ago Maruti Suzuki had teased us an image of a Baleno which was said to come with some major updates as the image captioned, “A big surprise is coming soon!”.

Hybrid Baleno?

The only problem with switching completely electric now is the lack of charging infrastructure and the disposal of the components later. Until all that is set up, it’s difficult to go all-electric. Hence, a hybrid powertrain seems to combine the best of both worlds, right now. Although, a hybrid powertrain is something we see on high-end cars, Maruti being Maruti can pull off a mega trick especially with them dropping a bomb on social media a few days back about a product being based on Baleno but this is just connecting the dots, nothing is official.

The hybrid powertrain in the Baleno could feature a pair of electric motors. Along with the engine in the front driving the front wheels, there could be 2 electric motors, one for each rear wheel so as to offer a hybrid solution and drive the rear wheels in case of going full-electric for around 20-30 Km on the motors alone. The motors could be charged while braking, that is regenerative braking and while idling. Currently, the Baleno is powered by a 1.2L, 4 cylinder, naturally aspirated, front-wheel drive front engine that puts out 82PS and 113Nm of peak power and torque outputs respectively, which is mated to a 5-speed or a CVT unit. The mild-hybrid version will be coupled with an electric motor as mentioned.

Or a BS6 Diesel Baleno?

The test mule seen here has a DDiS badging attached to its side fender. As per Vahan website, this vehicle is registered in the name of Maruti Suzuki India Limited and is powered by a BS4 diesel engine. Transitioning into the BS6 era post-April 2020, Maruti Suzuki decided to upgrade only the petrol line of its models in the portfolio, essentially not offering a diesel option at all. Many doubted that move back then but Maruti Suzuki had stated the cost of upgrading a diesel engine, which by the way is higher than upgrading petrol, to the be the reason to not continue diesel into the era of stricter emission norms.

But, they did, however, mention back then that a surging demand for diesel could make them ponder to overturn their decision, and that’s what has happened. Their aggressive CNG strategy and the Calculate Kiya kya initiative were all efforts to push their petrol and CNG models. But, in a country like India, diesel has played a huge role in personal mobility and although the future looks green and electric, diesels are irreplaceable, at least in the foreseeable near future. All that has combined Maruti Suzuki to overturn their decision and bring back the 1.5L DDiS back. Another part of the reason might also include the success of other OEMs on their diesel cars. Impressive sales figures for brands like Tata, Mahindra, Kia, Hyundai all suggest diesel power hasn’t lost its charm, and Maruti indeed took note of it.

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This article was first published on Motoroids - 2021 Maruti Suzuki Baleno Spied Again With Strain Gauge Apparatus; Is It Hybrid Or BS6 Diesel? - Auto News From India.

The Volkswagen Vento and Polo are one of the most fun-to-drive cars in their segment. The German carmaker hasn’t thoroughly updated the cousins in a very long time but VW makes sure to roll out subtle updates every now and then, accompanied with special edition models of both. And now, the company has launched the Turbo edition of Polo and Vento. Polo & Vento are now available in a Comfortline variant, powered by Volkswagen’s compact, powerful & efficient 1.0l Turbocharged Stratified Injection (TSI) technology mated to a 6-speed manual transmission.

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The Turbo edition Polo & Vento Comfortline TSI MT will be available to customers at an attractive offer price of INR 6.99 lakh and INR 8.69 lakh respectively.

Earlier, the most affordable trim for Polo Turbo petrol model came in the form of the hatchback’s TSI Highline Plus trim which is priced at Rs 8.34 lakh. Whereas, Vento’s base variant started with the Trendline trim with a price of Rs 9.09 lakh (all prices are ex-showroom). Now the German carmaker has rejigged the lineup of both models by introducing Turbo Edition of Polo and Vento.

The Turbo Editions stand out from the standard Polo and Vento variants, due to the new alloy wheel designs, a glossy black appliqué on the spoiler and wing mirrors, along with a ‘Turbo’ fender badge.

The Turbo Editions also get black and red seat covers. They also get climatronic air-conditioning feature. The new Turbo edition of the Polo and Vento is available in the Comfortline variant.

Both the cars are powered by the Volkswagen’s 1.0l Turbocharged Stratified Injection (TSI) engine which has been mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. This engine is known to push out 81 kW of maximum power at 5000-5500 rpm and 175Nm of torque at 1750-4000 rpm.

Official statement

Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars India said, “Accessibility is at the core of Volkswagen and it’s our constant endeavour to offer customers the ability to experience safe and meticulously German-engineered products coupled with a fun-to-drive experience. With the Turbo edition, our aim is to offer continuous & striking enhancements on our popular product offerings – Polo & Vento that appeal to the discerning Indian customers.”

Prospective customers can book the Turbo edition Polo & Vento online through the Volkswagen India website or through the nearest dealership.

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This article was first published on Motoroids - Volkswagen Introduces Turbo Editions Of Vento And Polo - Auto News From India.

Tesla is getting all prepped up to kickstart its operations in India. The American carmaker has hinted in the past, several times, that it is eyeing to enter India but nothing concrete ever happened until this year. Tesla recently registered a subsidiary company in India, after sitting down with state governments regarding the same. And now, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Saturday officially confirmed that Elon Musk-owned Tesla would set up an electric car manufacturing unit in the state.

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The announcement was part of the list of benefits promised to Karnataka in the Union Budget.

“American firm Tesla will open a electric car manufacturing unit in Karnataka,” the statement by Yediyurappa said. The statement came immediately after the CM said an industrial corridor was coming up at Tumakuru at a cost of Rs 7,725 crore that would generate 2.8 lakh jobs. Last month, Tesla registered its subsidiary Tesla India Motors and Energy Private Limited in Bengaluru. Yediyurappa had then tweeted that the electric car giant would open its R&D unit in the state capital before deleting it quickly.

Like we mentioned earlier, Tesla has also registered itself in India. According to a Registrar of Companies (RoC) filing, the new entity Tesla India Motors and Energy Private Limited is registered in Bengaluru, Karnataka and is classified as a subsidiary of a foreign company. It has also registered its office in Lavelle Road, a business district in the southern city, with paid-up capital of ₹1 lakh and an authorised capital of ₹15 lakh, according to the filing. Tesla has named Vaibhav Taneja, Venkatrangam Sreeram and David Jon Feinstein as the three directors in the newly formed entity in the country.

We believe that Tesla is going to enter India riding on the Model 3. Tesla Model 3 is among the most affordable models of Tesla till date. The car was first rolled out in 2017 and has emerged as the world’s best selling all-electric car. Tesla will import the vehicles as completely built units, with the capability of charging in 15 minutes. Tesla’s Model 3, along with Model Y, accounted for nearly 89% of Tesla’s total sales in the third quarter of 2020.

This article was first published on Motoroids - Karnataka CM Confirms Tesla’s Plan Of Setting Up Manufacturing Unit In The State - Auto News From India.

It hasn’t been long since the H’ness arrived in our country. The latter half of 2020 witnessed Honda Motorcycles India launching the CB 350 in India and now, the company has launched the sportier version of it, christened as CB 350 RS. According to Honda, the RS in the moniker stands for ‘Road Sailing’. The CB 350 RS is priced at INR 1.96 Lakh making it dearer than the DLX Pro variant of the roadster by Rs 4,000.

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Recently, Jawa rolled out the funkier version of the Forty-Two and now, the CB 350 RS will carry the baton forward for Honda. Just like the CB 350, the CB 350 RS will be sold via Honda BigWing dealerships too.

So what sets it apart from the H’ness CB 350?

A lot of things, at least visually. While the CB 350 is an absolute retro delight with chrome elements splattered all around its bodywork, the CB 350 RS looks sportier of the two. This has been achieved by including blacked-out elements. The frame, chassis, and other mechanical components get this lovely all-black theme that intensifies the CB350RS’s sporty intentions. It gets the same round LED headlamps, fuel tank, and the underseat side-panels as the CB 350. CB350RS will be available in two color options – Radiant Red Metallic and Black with Pearl Sports Yellow.

Other changes include flatter single-piece bars which should provide a more aggressive riding stance as compared to the CB 350. The riding position might have become sportier but it will not be as uncomfortable as it misses out on clip-on handlebars.

The flat bench seat with ribbed pattern is new too and gels well with the approach of the motorcycle. Another major change includes the redesigned rear end with a differently styled tail lamp and fender.

The skid plate underneath provides extra protection for the engine so you can take on streets effortlessly. The muffler on the side gets smoky-black finish accentuated with the use of chrome. Fork boots on front suspension give a rugged look while the Sporty looking grab rail compliments the overall design of CB350RS.

The RS makes use of a different 19-/17-inch alloy wheel setup. These rims now come wrapped in MRF Zapper Kurve tyres. Despite the smaller rear tyre, ground clearance has increased by 2mm to 168mm, which should not matter that much. What might help its cause is that it is 2kg lighter than the CB350, the RS tipping the scales at 179kg.

The similarities

It gets the same 348cc air-cooled single that churns out 21bhp and 30Nm. The long-stroke engine features a balancer to keep vibrations in check. Its 5-speed gearbox is assisted by a segment-first slipper clutch which will make the gear shifts smoother while reducing clutch lever operation load ensuring less fatigue.

This new motor rests in a split half-duplex frame that is suspended by a chunky telescopic fork and twin shocks. It also comes with Honda Selectable Torque Control. It helps in maintaining rear-wheel traction by detecting the difference between front and rear wheel speeds, calculating the slip ratio and further controlling engine torque via the fuel injection. HSTC can be turned ON/OFF using a switch on the left side of the meter.

It also comes with Honda Smartphone Voice Control System which allows the rider to connect his smartphone with the motorcycle via Bluetooth through HSVCS application. The instrument cluster is a semi-digital unit where the speedometer has remained old-school and the digital display carrying the baton of all-things modern. The digital display includes a gear position indicator, Bluetooth indicator, fuel gauge, two trip meters, a clock and all the required tell-tale lights which also include a Battery health monitor, HSTC, ABS, side stand indicator with engine inhibitor, ECO indicator.

The ride experience is further enriched with fuel efficiency details displayed in 3 modes – real-time mileage, average mileage and distance to empty.

This article was first published on Motoroids - Honda CB 350 RS Launched At INR 1.96 Lakh And Here’s Everything You Need To Know About The New CB! - Auto News From India.

Unless you have been living under a rock for a long time, you know the electric revolution in India is well and truly on. And it is spearheaded by the 2-wheeler electric mobility startups and companies that are coming up each and every day. One such name now is Kabira Mobility which is based out of Goa and is said to have been in existence for 4 years now. The company has now launched 2 new motorcycles, KM 3000 and KM 4000.

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Kabira reportedly claims to have sold electric 2-wheelers in Goa’s local market thus far and that these motorcycles are it’s first.

The KM 3000 is a fully faired sports bike and its styling looks heavily inspired by the Kawasaki Ninja 300. There is no getting around that fact that it is a KM labelled Ninja 300. The KM 4000, on the other hand, is a naked motorcycle which again borrows its styling from the litre-class Kawasaki Z1000, while the front fascia is surprisingly similar to the Yamaha FZ S.

Surprisingly, the KM 3000 and the KM 4000 are not based on the same platform and hence feature a different set of hardware as well. The fully-faired KM 3000 features standard telescopic fork, single disc at the front and a disc at the rear. And surprisingly once again, the naked KM 4000 features a set of USD forks and dual discs at the front. Ironic, huh?

Talking about the powertrains, the KM 3000 is powered by a 6 kW BLDC motor drawing power from a 4 kWh battery pack while the KM 4000 is powered by 8 kW BLDC motor drawing power from a 4.5 kWh battery pack. The top speeds are 100 km/hr and 120 km/hr for the KM 3000 and KM 4000 respectively, achieved in the sport mode.

Furthermore, the claimed 0-40 km/hr of KM 3000 is 3.3 seconds and the same for KM 4000 is 3.1 seconds. The electric motor on this motorcycle is rated IP67, so its water and dust resistant. The max range in both these motorcycles are 120 km and 150 km respectively, while the battery can charge from 0-80 % in 50 minutes in boost charge while it would take 6 hours 30 minutes to charge from 0-100 % under eco charge.

This article was first published on Motoroids - Kabira KM 3000 And KM 4000 Are The Latest Electric Kids On The Block - Auto News From India.