After teasing us for weeks with multiple teasers of the brand new car, Tata Motors has just unveiled the  eVision sedan concept at the Geneva Motor Show. The car uses the new, Impact 2.0 design language of the brand. It’s based on a new electric version of the Omega platform (shared with Land Rover) that’s modular, which means that a lot of cars – hatchbacks, SUVs, MPVs and more – can be spun out from this platform.

The unveiling marks 2 decades of Tata Motors’ participation at the Geneva Motor Show. Ratan Tata and N Chandrasekharan joined Guenter Butschek and Mayank Pareek at Geneva to do the unveiling honours. In terms of design, the eVision gets a coupe-ish roofline that plunges down to the boot.

The eVision concept looks more like the Tigor than the Honda City in terms of the overall profile, and if launched in India, will be quite a unique car as there’s nothing like it currently in the C-Segment sedan space. For now though, it’s a design study.

The car – based on the Impact 2.0 design language – uses front end and rear end styling that’s similar to that found on the 45X hatchback. Slim LED headlamps, wraparound LED tail lamps and a brushed aluminium grille are some of the highlights.

The car rides on 21 inch wheels, features flush-fitting door handles, futuristic wing mirrors and uses plenty of brushed aluminium to to really stand out on the showfloor. The interiors – with a minimalist design – look more production ready than the 45X premium hatchback concept.

Little is known about the specifications of the car, except for the fact that it can do the 0-100 Kph run in a very quick 7 seconds, and go as fast as 200 Kph. The car features an advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) features and a futuristic, predictive energy management system.

Apart from the eVision sedan, Tata took its 15 minutes of Geneva show space to showcase the H5X and 45X concepts to a global audience. Both cars were unveiled just prior to the eVision concept. Tata Motors, like most other automakers in the world, is betting big on an electric future.

In fact, Tata already supplies the Tigor EV to the government of India, and is expected to soon launch the Tigor and Tiago EVs for private car buyers in India. The RaceMo sportscar, which was unveiled at Geneva last year, is also set to take an electric route. The latest eVision sedan concept shown at Geneva could translate into a production car sometime in future although details are sketchy for now. We’ll update this space as and when more pictures and details of the eVision are out.

Also Read: Most spacious hatchbacks in India: Datsun Redi Go to Honda WR-V

In the car world, the future of diesel seems bleak. Toyota is the latest, and the biggest among car makers who have recently dumped diesels for specific markets of the world. The Japanese automaker has just announced that it would no longer sell diesel powered passenger cars in Europe. However,commercial vehicles from Toyota including pick up trucks such as the Hilux and LandCruiser will continue to be available with diesel engines even in Europe.

This decision from Toyota has to do with multiple factors. Tightening emission norms is just one of them. Governments around the world are making emission norms so tight that car makers have to use expensive emission cutting technology on diesel cars, making them expensive and more complicated. This is prompting automakers to look at hybrid propulsion options for their cars. For Toyota, the hybrid approach is yielding good results.

41 % of the passenger cars that the automaker now sells in Europe is hybrid. Also, the market share of diesel has fallen further, to well under 10 %. Since car manufacturing requires volumes of scale in the mass market, diesels are becoming unviable for Toyota. The automaker will dump diesels on its most popular cars such as the Corolla hatchback and sedan. This also means that the company may stop developing new, small capacity diesel engines for such cars.

What about India?

Even in India, Toyota is moving away from diesels. For example, the upcoming Yaris C-Segment sedan will be a petrol-only model, in a segment where almost every hot selling car offers both petrol and diesel engines. The next-generation Corolla will also be sold with a hybrid and petrol engines rather than a diesel option.

Just so you know, Toyota makes the cleanest burning diesel engines in the world. The 2.4 liter and 2.8 liter GD diesel engines found on the Innova Crysta and Fortuner are among the cleanest diesels, with a thermal efficiency of nearly 44 %. Toyota India is likely to continue with diesel for larger vehicles, and petrol/hybrid options for smaller vehicles.

Via AutoNews.Europe

Also Read: Most spacious hatchbacks in India: Datsun Redi Go to Honda WR-V

Suzuki Motorcycle India has just introduced 2018 model year versions of the Gixxer and Gixxer SF, two popular motorcycles in the sporty-commuter segment. The naked-street styled Gixxer is priced at Rs. 80,928 and the fully faired Gixxer SF is priced at Rs. 90,037, ex-showroom, Delhi. Both motorcycles are now available with a new dual-tone colour scheme – Candy Sonoma Red/Metallic Sonic Silver. Apart from the introduction of the new dual tone paint job, nothing has changed on both motorcycles.

Both bikes use a 155cc, four stroke engine with a peak power output of 14.5 Bhp at 8,000 rpm and a peak torque output of 14 Nm at 6,000 rpm. On the Gixxer, this engine use a carburetor while on the Gixxer SF, it’s available with carburetor and fuel injection options.

Both motorcycles get disc brakes on both wheels while only the Gixxer SF is offered with a single channel ABS option. By April 2019 though, even the Gixxer 150 will get a single channel ABS as the Indian government has mandated that all two wheelers with engine capacity of over 125cc be equipped with ABS.

The Gixxer weighs a light 135 Kgs while the Gixxer SF, thanks to its fairing, is heavier at 141 Kgs. Both motorycles use a 5 speed manual gearbox, and have similar suspension set-ups. There are telescopic front forks and a gas charged monoshock rear. 12 liter fuel tanks are standard on both motorcycles and effective range on a full tank is over 500 Kms. The Gixxer and Gixxer SF compete with the Bajaj Pulsars, Yamaha FZ and Fazer 160s, and the Honda CB Hornet 160R.

Both motorcycles have been well received by the Indian market, and are big sellers for Suzuki. Mr Sajeev Rajasekharan, EVP – Sales and Marketing, Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt Ltd, said,

Gixxer is the perfect embodiment of sportiness and the spirit of youthfulness that the brand stands for. As a product, both the Gixxer and Gixxer SF are known to be meant for those who believe in riding ahead of the pack; and are a benchmark for the segment. With the new 2018 series, this exciting ride is set to continue.

Also Read: Most spacious hatchbacks in India: Datsun Redi Go to Honda WR-V

Honda will soon launch the 4th generation CR-V SUV in India. The company showed this vehicle at the Auto Expo 2018, where it announced that it’ll be available with a diesel engine for the first time in the Indian market. A new report on Autocar says that the CR-V’s diesel engine will be tuned to output 118 Bhp and 300 Nm in the Indian market. The 1.6 liter i-DTEC turbocharged diesel engine is built in India, and is available with two states of tune: 118 Bhp-300 Nm and 158 Bhp-350 Nm. The more powerful state of tune of the engine is offered in European markets.

The reason why Honda is going with a conservative tune for the CR-V Diesel in India has to do with the costs involved. The 1.6 liter i-DTEC diesel making 118 Bhp uses a single turbocharger while the 158 Bhp tune requires twin turbochargers.

Honda will be betting on the 300 Nm torque figure of the engine and shorter gearing to make the CR-V 1.6 Diesel fast enough in India. The claimed 0-100 Kph timing of the CR-V Diesel even in 118 Bhp state of tune is pretty impressive at 11.2 seconds. For most buyers, this kind of performance will be more than adequate.

The new CR-V, like all other versions sold previously in India, will be assembled through the completely knocked down (CKD) kit route. The SUV will also pack in 7 seats, for the first time in the Indian market, and globally as well. The other engine on the CR-V will be a petrol.

We have to wait and watch to see if Honda offers the 9 speed automatic gearbox on the diesel CR-V, which will get a 6 speed manual gearbox as standard. The petrol CR-V will get 6 speed manual and CVT automatic gearbox options. In petrol guise, the SUV is expected with front wheel drive and all wheel drive layouts. It remains to be seen if the diesel also gets an all wheel drive mode in India.

Also Read: Most spacious hatchbacks in India: Datsun Redi Go to Honda WR-V

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, the largest car manufacturer in India, recently took the entire car market by quite a storm with the launch of the all-new Swift hatchback. On sale at a starting price of Rs 4.99 lakh, and going all the way to Rs 8.29 lakh for the top-end model, the new Swift offers a variant and a trim to suit all needs. However, a wide range of prices also puts the Swift at loggerheads with two of its own siblings – the Dzire and the Ignis. While none of these are direct competitors of the other two, there’s a definite price overlap between the trio. So, which one of these should you buy? Let’s find out in new Maruti Swift vs Dzire vs Ignis comparison here.

New Maruti Swift vs Dzire vs Ignis – Similarities

Prices of these three are mostly similar. Prices of the new Swift start at Rs 4.99 lakh, whereas the prices of the Dzire start at Rs 5.56 lakh. On the other hand, the Ignis is up to Rs 30,000 cheaper than the Swift.

• New Swift – Rs 4.99-8.29 Lakh
• Dzire – Rs 5.56 -9.43 Lakh
• Ignis – Rs 4.65-8.11 Lakh

Another major similarity lies in the specifications of these cars. All three cars here come with the same set of petrol and diesel engines. The petrol motor in question here is a 1.2-litre K-series motor that has won plenty of accolades for its refinement and frugality. The Petrol engine outputs a maximum power of 81.80 bhp along with a peak torque of 113 Nm. The Diesel engine, on the other hand, produces a maximum power of 74 bhp and a peak torque of 190 Nm. Moreover, all the cars here offer a 5-speed manual transmission as standard and an optional 5-speed AMT on both the Petrol and Diesel engine variants.

The three Maruti cars we have here are based on the same new, lightweight generation HEARTECT platform that made its debut on the Baleno. The new Swift, Ignis, and Dzire also offer same levels of equipment. All the three cars here offer bits like a touchscreen infotainment that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a push-button start, automatic climate control, DRL LEDs, and projector headlamps. The Dzire also offers rear aircon vents, but the new Swift and the Ignis offer many customization options to jazz up the interior and exterior styling.

New Maruti Swift vs Dzire vs Ignis – Differences

A major difference between these three cars lies in their design. The Ignis is for you if you want something different to stand-out among a crowd of millions of compact sedans and hatchbacks that dot our roads. The Ignis will definitely appeal the young and the fashion-conscious. It offers many in-house customization options to make sure your Ignis looks nothing like any other Ignis out there.

The new Swift is just the right mix of funkiness and sportiness. We are just too happy with the way the design of this hatchback has evolved over the last few generations. The latest Swift looks modern and very fashionable whilst retaining the DNA of India’s first-generation Swift. However, keep in mind that the new Swift will soon become a very common sight on the road and hence, lose some of its charms.

The new Dzire gets the same DNA as the new Swift. It looks modern and sufficiently sporty, too. However, it’s the first time that a generation of the Swift and the Dzire has been designed in a parallel fashion. Hence, you don’t get the quirkiness associated with the design of the earlier Swifts.

While the interior of the Dzire and the new Swift are somewhat similar, the Ignis has a different-looking cabin. Even between the Swift and the Dzire, the two cars get different color themes and slight variations in the dashboard. The Swift, true to its sporty exterior, gets an all-black interior to keep up the sportiness quotient. Also, the central aircon vents on the dashboard are round in shape. In comparison, the Dzire gets rectangular central air vents and a beige interior to compliment the slightly more premium feel of a sedan. The Ignis, on the other hand, gets a cabin that complements the crossover-ish exterior. You get a flatter dashboard with a dashboard-mounted handlebar for the passenger. You also get exterior color-coordinated interior trims. In terms of space, the Ignis offers the least real estate.

All the cars here drive in totally different ways. You can pick up the Ignis if you’ve been looking for a go-kart like driving experience. It offers sufficiently powerful engines and predictable road handling. The Ignis is pretty agile and you also benefit from a commanding view of the road thru a high seating position.

The Dzire also drives pretty well. It feels pretty nimble, which is mainly due to the lightweight platform and the re-tuned motors. The steering is pretty light but never feels disconnected from the wheels. You also get powerful set of brakes. The ride is pretty comfortable as the suspension is set slightly towards the softer side.

The Swift, in spite of sharing in plenty with the Dzire, offers a sportier driving experience. Its suspension isn’t as softly-sprung and a shorter overall length makes it even easier to make your way through the traffic. The steering is sufficiently light but isn’t lifeless. Here, too, the brakes are pretty powerful.

New Maruti Swift vs Dzire vs Ignis – Verdict

While the three Maruti cars here have a lot in common, they target a different set of buyers.

Maruti Dzire for Value-conscious family man

The Dzire offers a good mix of performance, space, and features. You get a comfortable and an upmarket cabin and the same engines as the Swift. The Dzire is for all those who want the biggest car for their money – you get a larger boot and some extra features like the rear aircon vents.

New Maruti Swift for the teenyboppers and small families

The new Swift will impress all those who are somewhat passionate about driving and want a small car that is modern, sporty, and sufficiently feature-laden. The new Swift is almost a hoot to drive and comes loaded to the brim with many comfort- and convenience-enhancing features.

Maruti Ignis for the fashion conscious

Want a car that offers many crossover-traits and still looks fashionable enough? The Ignis is the one for you! It offers many customization levels and the high ground clearance makes it more practical than the other two cars here.

Also Read: Most spacious hatchbacks in India: Datsun Redi Go to Honda WR-V

Let’s admit it, we all aspire to buy a luxury car. However, thanks to the exorbitant prices, which are courtesy of some crazy import duties, it becomes almost impossible for most of us to drive home in a Merc, Audi, or BMW. Right? Wrong! Buying a luxury car is a lot easier if you take the used-market route. Consider this hypothetical situation – You are about to spend over Rs 10 lakh + taxes on a brand-new Honda City. What if I tell you that you can easily afford a used luxury car for the slightly lesser money? Interested? Read on!

Of course, we understand that a brand-new non-luxury car, like the Honda City, won’t be as flashy but will be much less expensive to maintain. Also, they come straight from the factory and hence, start out in a very fresh condition. On the other hand, maintaining a used luxury car requires at least 3-4 times more money. The only saving grace here is that these German cars are a lot better built and chances of something going really wrong are fewer. Also, one simply can’t ignore the high road presence and brand image of these vehicles. Once again, we would like to remind you that buying a used luxury car is not a problem as long as you are prepared to pay for higher maintenance in lieu of driving a more premium vehicle. Here, in this post, we have details of 5 REAL pre-owned luxury cars that are cheaper than a new Honda City!

2010 BMW 3-Series 320d – Rs 9.25 Lakh

The previous-generation 2018 3’er you see above has run only 39,000 kms, which isn’t much by any stretch of the imagination if you take into account the lakhs of kilometres these cars can run without any major repair. Also, the images reveal that both the exterior and the interior are in pretty good condition and don’t require any immediate attention. While the 3-Series isn’t too spacious, one simply can’t overlook the high driving pleasure it offers.

2011 BMW 3-series 320i – Rs 9 Lakh

With just 30,000 kms on the odo, this 3-series is for all those who are looking for a sparingly used petrol-powered luxury sedan. While fuel efficiency isn’t really this car’s forte, you do get sufficient power and high levels of refinement. Also, this one’s cheaper to maintain than its Diesel-sipping sibling. Definitely worth a good look, this one.

2009 Mercedes C-Class 200 K Elegance AT – Rs 10 Lakh

Is the 3-series too performance-focussed for you? Do you want a car that comes with a really cossetting interior and a badge that announces you’ve arrived in life? Here’s a 2009 Mercedes C-Class that has run less than 50,000 kms. While not too powerful or sharp in the corners, it’s a really very comfortable car that comes with a long list of features. Of course, maintenance will be high but you get the highly revered three-pointed star! There’s something really special about the Mercs, right?

2009 Audi A4 2.0 TDI S Line – Rs 10 Lakh

With roughly 65,000 kms on the odo, this last-generation A4 Diesel is for all those who want a mix of comfort and performance. While maintaining one of these is many times more expensive than a Honda City, that famous badge will get you attention anywhere you go. The previous generation A4 is for you if you want a well-built German sedan that is comfortable and has a punchy motor.

2011 BMW x1 sDrive 18i – Rs 9.30 Lakh

Here is a 2011 BMW x1 that has run 75,000 kms. While the mileage is slightly on the higher side, let’s not forget that these things are built like they’ll last a lifetime. This SUV is for you if you think owning a luxury SUV makes more sense than a luxury sedan. Unlike some of the cars on our list here, this X1 comes with a Diesel engine, which means running costs remain under a check. However, don’t forget that an annual routine service will cost upward of Rs 30,000.

Also Read: Most spacious hatchbacks in India: Datsun Redi Go to Honda WR-V

The Indian car segment has grown by many times in the last few years, driven mainly by the many new small cars that are now available in India. Most first-time car buyers buy a hatchback, which is primarily due to budget constraints. Other factors include a high practicality, ease of parking and the fact that most such buyers have a small family. However, this doesn’t mean the buyers don’t have a problem with the cramped interior spaces many hatchbacks offer. Luckily, we finally have some cars that offer airy cabins that are spacious enough to offer enough space for four occupants and their luggage. Let’s have a look at the most spacious hatchbacks in India from every segment of the mainstream car market. –

Most Spacious Hatchbacks in Segment A1

Datsun Redi Go

While the Redi Go shares in plenty with the Renault Kwid, it offers a slightly more spacious cabin. This is a result of a tallboy architecture and more legroom for the rear occupants. While the boot space, at 222-litres, is lower than what the Kwid offers, the Redi Go is easily the more spacious in terms of occupant space on offer.

Renault Kwid

Talking about the space on offer, the Kwid comes in at a close second. As we said, the Regi Go and the Kwid share the same platform and there is a lot in common between the two cars. No surprise, then, that even offer a lot of interior space. You get a best-in-segment boot space of 300-litres and a lot of space for the front occupants. Those in the rear, however, are likely to wish for slightly more legroom. Still, this is easily among the most spacious hatchbacks you can buy in this segment.

Most Spacious Hatchbacks in Segment A2

Maruti Celerio

In this segment, the three cars that are pretty closely matched in terms of spaciousness are – Maruti Celerio, Maruti Wagon R, and Tata Tiago. Out fo these, the Wagon R offers a lot of headroom but the legroom is nothing to write home about. Also, shoulder room is a concern at the rear. The Celerio, on the other hand, offers sufficient legroom, decent shoulder room, and enough headroom. It also offers a big boot, which, at 235-litres, is only 7-litres smaller than what the Tiago offers.

Tata Tiago

The Tiago doesn’t offer too much headroom and the tallest occupants might not be too comfortable in the rear. However, it still offers a good mix of all the parameters. The legroom is decent and so is the shoulder room on offer. Also, at 242-litres, it offers the largest boot in its segment.

Most Spacious Hatchbacks in Segment B1

Hyundai Grand i10

The Grand i10 has to be the most spacious hatchback you can buy in this segment. While the Grand i10 rivals some really well-sorted products, like the Maruti Swift, there’s really. no other car that offers the kind of space that this Hyundai’s interior has on offer. You get a decent legroom along with good shoulder room and a lot of headroom due to the tallboy architecture. Also, the boot space, at 256-litres, is only marginally (1-litre) lesser than the segment-best that the Ford Figo offers. The Grand i10 is easily the most practical hatchback you can buy in this segment.

Ford Figo

While the Figo’s cabin doesn’t feel as airy as that of the Grand i10, it still manages to grab the second place due to the ample legroom and shoulder room it offers. Also, its best space of 257-liters is slightly better than that of the Grand i10. There are many storage spaces around the cabin, which enhance the practicality of the car.

Most Spacious Hatchbacks in Segment B2

Honda Jazz

The Honda Jazz might be getting a bit long in the tooth now, but it is still the most practical and the most spacious hatchback you can buy in this price bracket. Thanks to a tallboy architecture along with a cab-forward design, the Jazz ends up offering a lot of cabin space. Also, it offers 354-liters of boot space, which is substantially more than what the Maruti Baleno, the segment-leader, offers.

Maruti Baleno

While the Baleno hatchback simply can’t offer the kind of headspace that the Jazz does, it still offers a decent legroom and shoulder room to all the occupants. Also, at 339-liters, the boot space is enough to easily swallow your luggage for the upcoming weekend trip. The Baleno offers the cabin space and spaciousness that is a match to what some sedans have on offer.

Most Spacious Hatchbacks among Pseudo Crossovers

Honda WR-V

The WR-V is basically a more rugged version of the Jazz. No surprise, then, that it offers a similar level of cabin space. Moreover, its boot space, at 363-litres, is even higher than what the Jazz offers. The WR-V offers the kind of spaciousness that is befitting of some sub-4-metres SUVs on sale today.

Hyundai i20 Active

The only other pseudo-crossover that offers the kind of interior space that the WR-V does is the i20 Active. While the legroom and shoulder room it offers is comparable to what the WR-V provides, this Elite i20-based pseudo-crossover falls short in terms of boot-space and headroom.

Also Read: Most spacious hatchbacks in India: Datsun Redi Go to Honda WR-V

Malayalam movie star Prithviraj is known to be a keen car enthusiast. The actor’s latest acquisition is a 3 crore rupee Lamborghini Huracan supercar. Prithviraj just spent a whopping 7 lakh rupees for a ‘fancy registration number’ for the supercar.

The registration number: KL 07 CN 1, was recently put on auction at the Ernakulam RTO, and bidding began at Rs. 10,000. The movie star, through his representatives, outbid others to drive home with the CN 1 number. The Huracan in question was delivered to the movie star late last year.

The Huracan that Prithviraj now owns is the LP 580-2 model. 580 stands for the horsepower (580 PS) the Huracan’s V12 petrol engine makes. 2 stands for rear wheel drive. Yes, the Huracan is among the few Lamborghinis that are available in a rear wheel drive layout.

The Huracan LP 580-2 is priced at Rs. 3.25 crores, and is the least priced Lamborghini supercar on sale in India. The car is also available in higher power versions, with peak power going up to 610 PS and the price going up to Rs. 4.07 crores. All versions of the Huracan use a 7 speed twin clutch automatic gearbox. Both rear wheel drive and all wheel drive variants are on sale.

RTOs across India are taking the lucrative auction route for ‘fancy numbers’. While some Indians choose such numbers for numerological purposes, others opt for them to make their rides totally unique. Many movie stars, and other rich and famous people often have the same number on multiple cars.

For example, Sanjay Dutt uses 4545 on all his cars, from his Rolls Royce to his Ferrari. Salman Khan, on the other hand uses 2727 on multiple cars. As for Shahrukh Khan, the Badshah of Bollywood, uses 555 on his cars, and has revealed that he does it for style rather than superstition. Down south, Mammootty and his son Dulquer Salman use cars with the 769 number plate, making their cars instantly recognizable.

Also Read: Pravin Togadia's Mahindra Scorpio hit by a truck; he alleges conspiracy

Bangalore’s NICE (Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise) road is notorious for high speed accidents, mainly caused by human error. Here’s a perfect example of the Indian moron driver, caught on video no less. Watch the Maruti Celerio driver brazenly drive on the wrong side of the high-speed highway, with total disregard for his personal safety, and the safety of fellow road users.

As the video indicates, the driver of the hatchback has switched on hazard lights, as his way of warning oncoming traffic. There are heavy vehicles such as trucks and buses plying this route, many in the direct path of the small car, which will be crushed to a pulp in case of a head-on collision, as would be the case with most such cars. Moreover, hazard lights are not meant to be used on a moving car. This is likely to confuse oncoming traffic, adding to the risk of an accident.

Why is driving on the wrong side so dangerous?

Wrong way driving/riding surprises other drivers. And a surprised driver at high speed is just the perfect recipe for an accident. To stay safe on the road, it’s important not to put yourself in a position where other road users don’t expect you to be in. This includes wrong way driving as most drivers driving on a road with a divider assume that nobody’s going to be coming from the opposite direction. So, they let their guards down a bit, and when suddenly someone comes from the wrong way, drivers tend to panic and go into a crash situation.

On a side note, there’s minimal policing on the NICE road, a prime reason why road rules are routinely flouted. From top speed runs to high speed drags, everything happens here. It’s about time that the authorities wake up and enforce traffic rules strictly even on the NICE road.

Also Read: Pravin Togadia's Mahindra Scorpio hit by a truck; he alleges conspiracy

TVS has launched a new version of the Apache RTR 200 4V in India that is equipped with a slipper clutch. The bike is available in three variants – Rs. 95185 (Carburetor), Rs. 107885 (EFI) and Rs. 108985 (Carburetor with ABS), (Ex-showroom Delhi).

The motorcycle is termed as Race Edition 2.0 and gets new striking body graphics and a new fly-screen. The new fly-screen looks quite aggressive and it is said to enhance the aerodynamics of the bike. Visually, the changes are limited to these two additions only.

TVS has also added an Anti-Reverse Torque (A-RT) slipper clutch. This is first in the segment feature. The addition of slipper clutch increases the performance of the bike. TVS claims that there is 22% reduction in clutch force for the upshifts, which will allow the rider to post better lap times. The slipper clutch also reduces wheel-hopping while doing high-speed downshifts.

The engine remains untouched with the update. The bike is powered by a 197.5cc, single-cylinder engine that is mated to a 5-speed transmission. In carburetted version, the engine develops a maximum of 20.5 PS while the Fuel Injected version develops 21 PS. The power maximizes at 8,500 rpm. The torque output remains same in both the engines. A maximum of 17 Nm torque at 7,000 rpm is generated.

Arun Siddharth, Vice President (Marketing) – Premium Two Wheelers, International Business & TVS Racing said,

“We build race machines for performance enthusiasts – the TVS Apache series is a testimony to our 35 years of racing heritage.  Over the years, we have been at the forefront of setting benchmarks in bringing racing technology to performance motorcycles.  The new TVS Apache RTR 200 4V Race Edition 2.0, takes the racing experience up by a significant notch as it is enabled with the ‘A-RT Slipper Clutch’ – a first in this segment.  The entire TVS Apache RTR 200 4V range will don the dynamic racing-inspired decals along with a stylish and exclusively designed fly screen which is sure to accentuate the racing stance of the motorcycle thus making it a racing machine like no other.”

Interestingly, TVS recently launched the Apache RR310, which misses out on the slipper clutch. The Apache 200 4V is the first bike from TVS to get a slipper clutch. Now that the brand has launched the slipper clutch-equipped motorcycle, we can expect the Apache RR 310 to get the slipper clutch in the future too. TVS is said to be working on the Apache RR 310 Race edition, which may get slipper clutch and updated body graphics.

Also Read: Pravin Togadia's Mahindra Scorpio hit by a truck; he alleges conspiracy

DC Design is one of the most popular design houses in India. The brand also offers sportscars like Avanti and TCA in the market. They are more popular for their modification work on vehicles. We bring you 10 modifications based on the regular hatchbacks in India.

Maruti Swift

The Maruti Swift is very popular in India. The last generation of the hatchback has been modified by DC with extensive changes. The car now gets LED DRL at the front, a new air dam and a new grille. At the rear, a similar air dam has been added. The interiors get new red and white theme on the dashboard. The bumper gets a contrasting colour insert. The car does not look as outrageous as some of the other DC modified cars.

Volkswagen Polo

The Volkswagen Polo has a very strong design. The car modified by DC Design gets new stronger wheel arches, new bumper with contrasting colour and new headlamp. The rear doors have been removed from the vehicle and it gets a very sporty 3-door look. The car also gets larger tyres and a completely redesigned rear.

Hyundai i20

This modification job is based on the previous generation Hyundai i20. The fluidic design of the car has been replaced with DC’s work. The car gets a new, larger grille at the front with red boundary. The red accents can be seen on the front bumper that has been changed too. The fog lamps also get big red housings.

Tata Nano

The Nano’s simple design with rear engine set-up made it quite unique. DC modified the Nano with some sportscar in mind. The front bumper gets huge air dams that even big SUVs would not be able to carry off. The Nano also gets bigger air-intakes on the rear wheel arch.

Hyundai Santro

The first generation of the Hyundai Santro was not a good looking car as many would suggest. DC Design modified the car to something else altogether. The yellow coloured body of the modified car makes it really stand out. After that, the body kit of the vehicle is another design element that will get people talking. Also, the car becomes two-door with a sharply angled window line. All in all, it’s more of a two-seater with two-doors.

Mahindra Reva

The Reva was the first fully electric car in India. We all agree to the fact the car carried a very odd shape. Then DC added another layer of oddness. Meet the Reva based spaceship car. The pod gets headlamps inspired by the Audi R18 sports car. The tyres get a full cover with design plates outside that mimics the drive shaft. It sure is a creative design but we’re not sure how many people will actually like it.

Tata Indica

The Indica was one of the first passenger cars from Tata. The car looks nothing like the Indica now. It has been painted in the yellow-greenish paint. The front grille has been replaced with a plastic one with DC logo replacing the Tata logo. The headlamp units have been updated with projector headlamps with black outlining. The alloy wheels have been updated too. The rear of the car receives a new tail lamp unit that has a beam running through it. To finish it all, there is a proud DC logo sitting on the tailgate.

Maruti WagonR

Almost all the manufacturers now have a cross version of their hatchbacks in India except Maruti. DC did the job for them with this WagonR. The car gets thick plastic cladding all around. The cladding material has been also used for the front grille. The headlamp unit has been replaced with multiple lamps that are used as an indicator, fog lamp and headlamp.

Maruti 800

While the full form of the acronym B.T.S. is not known, the modified vehicle is based on the Maruti 800. DC has ripped apart the original car has put a newly fabricated body on the chassis. The B.T.S. is now a two-seater coupe and gets modern styling features. The wheel arches are flared while there are rear air-intake vents. The headlamps have been upgraded to sleeker ones and get projector lamps too.

Maruti WagonR

This is another modification based on the Maruti WagonR and is called Devago. The car was modified in 2001 and is based on the Maruti WagonR chassis. The Devago gets a newly fabricated body in yellow colour. Only two people can now occupy the vehicle instead of four.

Also Read: Pravin Togadia's Mahindra Scorpio hit by a truck; he alleges conspiracy

Bajaj Auto has come up with yet another video ad that takes a dig at the Royal Enfield range of motorcycles. The latest Dominar ad video highlights the powerful LED headlamp that the motorcycle is equipped with. The ad also says that headlamp illumination on Royal Enfields isn’t all that great by showing two riders on elephants (meant to be Royal Enfields), struggling in the dark.

While it’s true that the Dominar 400 has advanced LED headlamps, the headlamp illumination that Royal Enfield offers on its motorcycle is one of the best in the motorcycle industry in the affordable segments. This is because all Royal Enfields feature a round headlamp, which is best for throw. The motorcycles also use powerful 50/55 watt bulbs, which are more than sufficient for daily use. The Thunderbird twins are also equipped with projector headlamps.

Talking of the Dominar, the motorcycle is selling around 2,000 units a month. The motorcycle is sold as a power tourer, that manages both city commutes and highway rides with equal aplomb. The Dominar is powered by a 373cc four stroke engine with 35 Bhp of peak power and 35 Nm of peak torque. The engine gets liquid cooling, fuel injection and a four valve head with triple spark plug ignition. The motorcycle is offered with tubeless tyres and alloy wheels as standard.

Disc brakes are also standard, and dual channel ABS is offered as an option. The motorcycle without ABS is priced at Rs. 1.44 lakhs while the one with ABS costs Rs. 1.58 lakh. In contrast, the 350cc Royal Enfield motorcycle range starts from Rs. 1.16 lakhs, while the 500cc range starts from Rs. 1.69 lakhs. None of the Royal Enfields sold in India offer ABS, even as an option. By April next year, Royal Enfield will have to mandatorily offer ABS on all its motorcycles sold in India as government regulations require it.

Also Read: Pravin Togadia's Mahindra Scorpio hit by a truck; he alleges conspiracy

Hyundai India CEO YK Koo has just confirmed that the Kona Electric SUV will be launched in India by the middle of 2019. Instead of importing as a completely built unit (CBU), Hyundai is planning to assemble the Kona Electric at Chennai through the completely knocked down (CKD) kit route. This is expected to push down the final price of the Kona Electric, which is likely to retail at around Rs. 25 lakhs. This is similar to the starting price of the Toyota Fortuner SUV, a much larger vehicle but one that’s not electric powered.

Here’s comment from Mr. Koo,

We are not looking at big sales numbers with the Kona, but we want to make a technology statement and show our commitment to an EV future. Since there are no tax incentives for hybrids, we are looking at concentrating our efforts on pure EVs

The high cost of Kona Electric mainly is to do with the cost of the Lithium Ion batteries that the vehicle packs. Hyundai is not looking at big volumes for the Kona Electric. Instead, the brand wants to sell the electric SUV as a brand builder, highlighting its ability to produce an everyday electric car that can go long distances on a single charge.

The Kona Electric sold in India will be equipped with an electric motor generating 134 Hp and 395 Nm. It’ll offer a battery range of 300 kilometers, and will have a top speed of 155 Kph. The 0-100 Kph sprint will be achieved in just 9.7 seconds, making it one of the fastest SUVs from Hyundai in India.

The batteries will take 6 hours and 10 minutes to charge fully while the fast charge option will allow the battery to be charged to 80 % from empty in just 54 minutes. The Kona Electric is a five seat SUV and in terms of dimensions, the vehicle measures similar to the Hyundai Creta. Hyundai hopes to sell 50-60 units of the Kona Electric in India each month.

Via AutocarIndia

Also Read: Pravin Togadia's Mahindra Scorpio hit by a truck; he alleges conspiracy

India will see a great influx of cars in the recent future. The rollout of new safety standard – BNVSAP and new pollution norms – BS VI will see a lot of updates of current vehicles and a breed of all-new vehicles. What are the vehicles that are worth waiting for? Let’s find out.

Tata H5X

Why should you wait for it? Tata stays very close to the concept models when the production version comes out. The H5X looks stunning and can be feature-rich.

The H5X concept was revealed at the 2018 Auto Expo and it was quite a stunner. Tata’s head designer claims that the car production vehicle will be about 80% similar to the concept. It will be underpinned by Land Rover Discovery Sport’s L8 platform. The SUV is also expected to get a long list of features, similar to the Tata Hexa. It will be powered by the same 2.0-litre Multijet engine that powers the Jeep Compass but it will get a different state of tune. It will take on the likes of Hyundai Creta in the market and is expected to be launched by 2019.

Tata 45X

Why should you wait for it? The 45X concept looks stunning. Will be a value for money product.

Tata, for the first time, will enter the premium hatchback segment in India. The 45X will take on the likes of Hyundai Elite i20 and the Maruti Baleno in the Indian market, which is quite competitive. The car will be launched by late-2019. The car will be powered by petrol and diesel engines borrowed from the Tiago. However, we may see variable geometry turbocharger that will increase the power output of the vehicle. The car will get manual gearbox as standard while there can be a twin-clutch automatic transmission on the offer.

Hyundai Santro

Why should you wait for it? The all-new car will offer a longer list of features and will be a fresh product in the segment.

Internally named as AH2, the Santro hatchback is all set for a comeback in the Indian market. The all-new car is expected to be launched in the Indian market by August and will be priced under Rs. 3 lakh. The car will fill the void left by the i10 in the market. It will get the same platform and will also use the same petrol engine. The engine is a 1,086cc engine that generates a maximum of 70 Bhp and 100 Nm. It is also expected to get AMT.

Honda Amaze

Why should you wait for it? All-new product from Honda that looks quite good in its segment. First diesel CVT.

The new compact sedan will take on the likes of Maruti Dzire and Hyundai Xcent in the market. The Amaze gets a new platform and a new coupe-like look. The car now looks draws inspiration from the Honda Civic and Honda Accord. The car will be powered by 1.2-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engine options. The petrol engine produces a maximum of 87 Bhp – 110 Nm while the diesel engine produces 98.6 Bhp – 200 Nm. It will be the first affordable diesel car in India to get a CVT automatic gearbox.

Toyota Yaris

Why should you wait for it? It will offer a good number of features plus Toyota’s reliability.

The Maruti Ciaz, Hyundai Verna and Honda City rival, Toyota Yaris was revealed at the 2018 Auto Expo. This is the first time Toyota will launch a vehicle in this segment and the expected price is around Rs. 8 lakh. The Yaris is powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine but the power output and not known yet. It will get a 6-speed manual transmission and a CVT too. The sedan will get 7-airbags, ABS, EBD, ESP, reverse parking sensor, TPMS, hill hold, and unique features like roof mounted AC vents.

Mahindra XUV 700

Why should you wait for it? Mahindra’s flagship SUV will offer many first-in-segment features. Will be extremely value-for-money.

The seven-seater SUV gets a Mahindra family grille and Mahindra logo on the body. It will take on the likes of Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour in the market. The rebadged version of the G4 Rexton, the XUV 700 will be powered by a turbocharged diesel engine with 2.2-litre displacement. This engine has been developed with SsangYong and it develops a peak power of 178 Bhp – 420 Nm. It gets a 7-speed automatic transmission sourced from Mercedes-Benz. The launch is expected to happen by the year-end. The price is expected to be around Rs. 21 lakh.

Ford Figo Freestyle

Why should you wait for it? Powerful engine and looks solid.

This is Ford’s contender against the likes of Hyundai i20 Active, Cross Polo and the likes. It will be launched later this year. It is based on the upcoming Ford Figo that will also get a facelift later this year. The car is the rugged version of the Figo hatchback and gets a high ground clearance of 185mm as against the 170mm of the Ford Figo. It will be powered by an all-new 1.2-litre Dragon petrol engine while the 1.5-litre diesel engine will continue to be the same.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Why should you wait for it? The best-selling MUV in an all-new avatar would be a great deal!

Maruti did not showcase the upcoming Ertiga at the 2018 Auto Expo but the car will be launched later this year. The brand will update its only seven-seater MPV in India with a host of changes The all-new version will be launched somewhere around August 2018 and it has been already spotted testing in India. The new Ertiga will grow in size on the outside but will continue to remain shorter than the Innova Crysta. The new Ertiga will also utilise the HEARTECT platform and will lose significant weight. The new MPV is expected to be powered by the new 1.4-litre engine that is being developed by Maruti Suzuki. The petrol engine will also be an all-new 1.5-litre.

Maruti Suzuki Swift Sport

Why should you wait for it? Swift Sport will be quick, affordable and will get the Maruti’s trusted network.

India is slowly becoming a market for enthusiasts with the launch of Abarth Punto, Polo GT, Baleno RS and upcoming Tiago and Tigor JTP. Data shows that the Baleno RS is quite popular and is selling in good numbers. The Swift Sport can re-create the magic in a much better way. This will be the first Swift Sport to come to India and will be launched later this year. The new Swift Sport will be powered by the 1.4-litre turbocharged Boosterjet engine that develops a maximum of 138 Bhp and 230 nm of torque. The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions.

Mahindra S201

Why should you wait for it? Most powerful engine in the segment. Will be a hoot to drive.

This will be Mahindra’s answer to the sub 4-meter compact SUV segment that comprises of Ford EcoSport, Maruti Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon and the likes. It is the rebadged version of the SsangYong Tivoli and will be Mahindra’s third offering in the segment after NuvoSport (Quanto) and TUV 300. The SUV will be powered by an all-new turbo-petrol engine that generates 140 Bhp and a new turbo-diesel engine that generates 125 Bhp. The car will be available in long wheelbase version to rival the Hyundai Creta too.

Also Read: Pravin Togadia's Mahindra Scorpio hit by a truck; he alleges conspiracy

The Geneva Motor Show always brings the best out of Tata Motors and 2018 was no different. The Indian car and truck giant unveiled the eVision sedan concept at Geneva, a preview of what its electric future would look like. Here are fresh images and even a video teaser of the hot, new Tata.

The eVision, as its name suggests, is an electric vehicle concept that could go into production sometime in future. While some say that it could be as early as late next year, others are saying that it won’t be until 2022 when we see something based on the eVision roll onto Indian roads. The eVision uses the Omega platform derived from Land Rover, which also underpins the H5X SUV. This platform has been modular and scalable to accommodate a wide range of electric cars in future.

While Tata is tightipped about the eVision’s mechanicals, er electricals, the car is said to pack enough punch to hit a top speed of 200 Kph, with the nought to 100 sprint coming up in just 7 seconds. Well, that’s BMW  3-Series territory, and a place where no Tata car has ever been before, and for just this, the eVision has our full attention.

The new electric sedan concept uses Tata Motors’ Impact 2.0 design philosophy, and it looks ravishing to say the least. Think, Indian Tesla. Well, that’s how sharp the car looks, and if Tata manages to put this into production as is, it’ll probably be the classiest design that’s come out of Tata Motors, ever! On the outside, you’ll notice that the eVision looks like the next logical design step from the Tigor, and that’s a good thing. Like the Tigor, this car even gets a conventional boot lid.

Among other things, the eVision sedan has a flat floor, and acres of space. The all-glass panoramic sunroof adds to the roomy feel. The interiors are a mix of leather and wood, and Tata’s designers have keep it minimal. Very classy. The concept packs in quite a punch when it comes to technology.

Tata’s loaded the car with some interesting features, many of which have never been seen in an Indian car. We’re impressed. Here’s a quick run through of what the eVision packs in, in Tata’s own words.

• Predictive energy management systems based on live traffic and routes (Stuff that makes sure your battery doesn’t run out.)
• Connected technologies such as cloud computing, analytics, geo-spatial mapping and increased human-machine interface. (You car will speak directly to the manufacturer/service center)
• Capable of Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) features. (Read, self-driving capabilities)
• Prognostics controller for forecasting of service requirements leading to life cycle management of battery packs, which will be extendable to full vehicle. (The car will look after itself)
• Comes with both slow charging (AC) / fast charging (DC) options (Well, almost every electric car has this!)

Also Read: Pravin Togadia's Mahindra Scorpio hit by a truck; he alleges conspiracy

India isn’t an enthusiast-focused market, sadly for us. On the brighter side, this means that enthusiast cars have poor resale values. Great deals, guaranteed. Here are 5 such used cars that are certainly good buys for enthusiasts. These cost 25-50% of their original prices today!

Skoda Octavia vRS

The Skoda vRS needs no introduction. When it was launched, it brought turbocharged petrol engines to the masses. Powering it was a 2.0 liter engine from the first gen Audi TT which made 150 Bhp and was mated to a 5 speed gearbox.

This in combination with the vRS body kit made the car a stunner not only to look at, but to drive as well. There aren’t many vRSs left though and it is tough to find one in a good condition. This one is certainly one that is there on bucket list of many enthusiasts.

We found one example of the same for Rs 2.25 lakhs here: Link. This vehicle has a lot of mod potential with people running close to 350 Bhp on this car.

VW Polo GT TSi

The hot hatch segment came back alive with the arrival of the Polo GT. The TSi continues to be a hatch that most enthusiasts want. Though it only comes with the 7 speed DSG, the vehicle has a lot of mod potential.

Remaps, exhausts, suspension, cosmetic mods, you name it and it is possible. For those looking for a cheap petrol project car, the GT is a good choice. Even in stock form the vehicle is pretty quick.

We found one for Rs 5.75 lakhs here : Link

If you want one, make friends with the local dealers, and keep an eagle-eye on the used car websites in India.

VW Polo GT TDi

While coming out with the GT petrol, VW decided that it would be fun to drop in the 1.6 liter engine from the Vento into the Polo as well. Now, the Vento has quite a punchy engine. So imagine how good the Polo felt with the same engine and the lesser weight.

The GT TDi also comes with a 5 speed manual gearbox unlike the petrol GT and this can take a lot more abuse. There are a few that are running close to 170 Bhp courtesy a turbo upgrade and well, if that isn’t reason enough to get one, we don’t know what is.

We found one for Rs 5.5 lakhs here: Link

Finding a good one is a bit tough but possible. Same rules as Gt TSi mentioned earlier apply.

Chevrolet Cruze

The Cruze is a risk, as General Motors is not selling cars in India anymore. But if you have a friendly neighbourhood garage, it is less so. The Cruze with its sporty and muscular looks appealed to a lot of enthusiasts who wanted a quick luxury sedan. When it was introduced, the vehicile was the most powerful in the segment and was also the quickest accelerating. Driving dynamics weren’t really bad either as the steering had a good amount of heft to it that gave confidence. GM however doesn’t have the best reputation for maintaining good resale value and hence there are a lot of Cruzes available at cheap rates.

Honda Civic

Honda got enthusiasts into showrooms in hoards when they introduced the Type Z City in VTEC form. However it has been a downward trip since then with the City brand name for enthusiasts. Luckily for Honda fans, the company came up with the Civic to appeal to the enthusiasts. The Civic is not only a great looking vehicle, it is also performs really well. Power comes from a 1.8 liter engine making 130 Bhp and 172 Nm. The engine came mated to a 5 speed manual and a 5 speed auto, which had paddleshifters. This car has a lot of mod potential as well. Today, you can find Civics, in great condition, that cost Rs 3 lakhs easily.

Also Read: Pravin Togadia's Mahindra Scorpio hit by a truck; he alleges conspiracy

Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Pravin Togadia had a close shave on Wednesday when the Mahindra Scorpio he was traveling in was hit by a truck. This incident took place near Surat, Gujarat. Togadia escaped unhurt. Furthermore, he has alleged that the mishap was a conspiracy to kill him. He also added that no escort cover was provided to him in spite of him being entitled to Z-level protection.

“I had informed the concerned authorities about my travel plan from Vadodara to Surat on Tuesday 5 pm. The two cars supposed to be provided as per Z+ security protocol were missing from my convoy soon after my car entered in Surat district. Only the pilot car was there ahead of my car. There was no security vehicle behind my car when the truck knocked my SUV from behind and did not apply brake up to some distance. My SUV ultimately got stuck in divider after which the truck stopped. I demand an independent inquiry. Some people are trying to topple me from VHP. Role of the truck driver should be investigated thoroughly.” he said. “This means that apart from one vehicle for security, another escort vehicle should have been provided in Vadodara, Bharuch and Surat districts. When the accident took place, only one vehicle was there. The escort vehicle was not present,” the VHP leader added.

The truck driver didn’t attempt to flee from the accident spot and has been taken into Police custody for interrogation. So far, he has maintained that he did try to stop the truck, but he hit Togadia’s car owing to a failure of the brakes. Hence, the truck could stop to a halt only after it came in contact with the Scorpio. However, Togadia maintains that the driver made no attempt to stop the truck. The leader went on to insist that the phone details of the driver should be checked to assure that there has been no conspiracy behind this incident. While he didn’t name anyone who could have harmed him, he said he has full faith in the in the Gujarat police.

On being asked to be specific about whom he thinks is responsible for this, the Hindu Parishad leader replied,“Hindus of Gujarat and India will decide for themselves who wants to get rid of me. But I will continue to fight for the cause of Hindus like I have been doing for 25 years now. Nobody can stop me from doing so.” Earlier this year, in January, Togadia had gone missing for an entire day and was later found in an unconscious state near an airport. Back then, the leader had alleged that all this has been due to a conspiracy against him.

via TOI

Also Read: Pravin Togadia's Mahindra Scorpio hit by a truck; he alleges conspiracy

The cryptocurrency Bitcoin was mentioned during the annual budget speed by Arun Jaitley, Finance Minister but they were not declared illegal in India. A Mumbai-based startup Truebil, which runs a used car marketplace has now started accepting bitcoins as payments for used cars. The start-up claims that it is a perfectly legal way of payment in India.

The start-up is not accepting the payments directly. Instead, Unocoin, a website that lets you trade cryptocurrencies is a partner of the start-up. Customer will have to pay Unocoin through bitcoin and they will deposit the similar amount in the start-up’s bank account, which will complete the transaction. Truebil will not display the car prices in crypto-asset form or accept any online payment.

Truebil will use Unocoin’s point-of-sale applications in its stores to accept bitcoin payments. This will be done at their dealerships. Customers cannot pay the start-up directly or transfer the crypto-asset in Truebil’s account.

After the customer chooses a vehicle, Unocoin gives a barcode to Truebil. This barcode displays the price of a particular car in bitcoin value. The value stays locked for 30 minutes period and if the customer chooses to make the payment within in the lock-in period, the price will not change. If the payment exceeds the 30 minute lock-in period, the price will be updated with latest bitcoin price.

Shubh Bansal, co-founder, Truebil said to TechCircle,

“Once the customer decides to pay using a bitcoin wallet, the Unocoin PoS can be used to deduct the crypto-asset which will be changed into fiat currency and transferred to our account in 24 hours,”

Unocoin will not charge the customers or the start-up for the payment process. Both the parties will get the transaction and conversion services for free. However, a law firm has said that such transaction will be on the government radar. RBI has also issued a series of regulation indicating security-related risks related to the dealing of cryptocurrencies.

This is the first time a car dealership is offering such a dealing using bitcoin in India. There are a few restaurants in India which announced the acceptance of Bitcoins as payments. The crypto-currency is slowly getting accepted worldwide. As per Unocoin, this new arrangement will open new avenues for crypto-currencies in India. In the future, we may see more people doing transactions using the cryptocurrencies.

Source, image source

Also Read: Tata eVision Electric Luxury Sedan: Key details including launch timeline revealed

The Northern parts of India have some treacherous routes that open up to beautiful destinations. However, most people stay away from it because they believe that only a 4X4 vehicle will be able to take them across snow and bad routes. A car is as capable as the person on the driver’s seat. Any car, be it a 4X4 or a regular 4X2 hatchback, can go over snow without much problem. Here are five examples that will show you just that.

Maruti Alto

The Alto has remained one of the most popular vehicles on the market since its inception. The most affordable vehicle from Maruti sells in loads every month and in the mountain regions, there are plenty of Alto cars.

The car seen here is driven from Delhi to Chitkul, which is the last Indian village. The car has been driven around in heavy snow and pictures seen here are proof that front-wheel-drive Alto performs quite well in snow.

Chevrolet Beat

The now-defunct manufacturers, Chevrolet offered a range of vehicles in India including the Beat hatchback. The car seen here is a diesel version, which means there is a good amount of usable torque in the lower engine RPM. The picture has been taken on the Manali-Sarchu highway, which goes on till Leh.

The front-heavy heavy Beat does an excellent job on the slippery roads. No snow chains have been used in the picture and road is coated with black ice, which froze overnight.

Volkswagen Polo

This is the Volkswagen Polo GT TSI variant. This picture is a proof that even 4X2 automatic vehicles can very well go into the snow-clad roads without getting stuck. The Volkswagen Polo GT TSI is powered by a turbocharged petrol engine and gets a 7-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission.

There are no off-road modes available in the Polo, which means that the driver has to completely rely on brake and pedal to safely control the vehicle on the slippery surfaces. The Polo GT TSI allows the driver to manually choose the gear, which provides a better control.

Tata Nano

The Tata Nano is famed for its affordable price tag. The small little car is quite capable but is tricky to drive on the slippery surfaces due to its rear-mounted engine and rear wheel drive. However, these pictures show that the Nano can be very effective on slippery surfaces with the right person controlling the wheel.

Maruti Alto

Now, this video shows local people having pure fun in the fresh snowfall. This video comes from the Shimla part of the Himalayas and shows an Alto making hand-brake turns. If one has good control over the vehicle, pulling this stunt is quite easy when the surface is slippery.

How to effectively drive in snow?

1. Always remember, it is easier to drive on fresh snow than older snow. Older snow becomes hard and slippery.
2. Be gentle on the throttle and brake. Never accelerate or brake suddenly on snow.
3. Be gentle on the steering wheel, sudden movements can throw you out of control.
4. Always use engine braking while coming downhill in the snow. It gives you greater control over the wheels.
5. If the snowfall becomes heavy, it is always a good idea to park and wait for the snowfall to subsidise.
6. Always carry enough food and water supplies while venturing out in the snow. You may get stuck and it may take a few hours till the help arrives.

While it becomes very easy in a 4X4 vehicle to drive on slippery surfaces, the 4X2 humble hatchbacks can do it too but requires better skills.

Image Credits: 1, 4, 5

Also Read: Tata eVision Electric Luxury Sedan: Key details including launch timeline revealed

Royal Enfield rolled out the new Thunderbird X twins last week. Priced at Rs 1.56 lakh and Rs 1.98 lakh respectively for the 350x and 500x models, these bikes are now available across the country at Enfield showrooms. The company is promoting these as ‘factory customs’ and needless to say, both the model look smart enough. So which version should you buy and why? Without further ado, lets get down to business and talk about the similarities and differences between both the new versions.

Want to watch a video about this instead of reading? Scroll down and click Play!

Design

Both the 350x and 500x are mechanically based on the old Thunderbird models which will continue to sell alongside the new X twins. However, as visible, the design is quite different. Both the new versions look identical and there is no differentiation at all. This means both the 350x and 500x get a new shorter handlebar, all-black treatment for the parts and a contrasting color for the fuel tank.

The bikes also get alloy wheels with tubeless tyres, color coded rim stripes, a smaller rear mud-guard and a new single seat. So no matter which model you pick, the design remains same. However, as far as color options go, you can pick between Orange or Blue on the 500x and red or white on the 350x.

Features

This is another area where both the versions score equal marks. This means the 350x as well as the 500x come with front and rear disc brakes, semi digital speedometer console, projector headlamp with DRLs and electric start as standard. Alloy wheels, as discussed above, are also part of the package.

Engine

This is where both the models differ a lot. While the 350x comes with a 346cc engine belting out 19.8 bhp of power and 28 Nm of torque, the bigger 500x gets a larger 499cc engine that puts out 27.2 bhp of power and 41.3 Nm of torque. Both the bikes come with a 5-speed manual transmission.

As you can see, the difference in outputs is huge. The 500x get a 44% larger motor, 37% more power and 47% higher torque. Secondly, the 500x gets fuel injection as compared to a carburetor on the 350x. Fuel injection is able to adapt much quickly during changing weather conditions and helps the engine to perform much better at high altitudes and in cooler environments. Ditto for its ability to start the bike easily during winter mornings.

Pricing

Both the Thunderbird 350x and Thunderbird 500x have a price difference of about Rs 42,000 in terms of ex-showroom price. This means you have shell out a premium of 27% for the bigger 500x version. That said, if you are purchasing the motorcycle on a typical 3 year loan, the difference in monthly EMIs will be under Rs 1,400 and this is a small amount of pay for the extra performance.

To summarize, if you are planning to undertake multiple long trips and ride a lot with a pillion, pick the 500x. That said, you get the same design and features on the cheaper 350x – icing on the cake is the better fuel economy.

Also Read: Tata eVision Electric Luxury Sedan: Key details including launch timeline revealed