Over the years, the TVS Apache motorcycle has become a brand in itself. The Apache-branded motorcycles were first launched in 2006 and ever since, have gotten more popular, gained on power and features. Currently, TVS offers as many as 8 variants of the Apache in India, and each of them has a unique character. People often get confused about which Apache will suit their need perfectly. If you’re out in the TVS showroom to choose an Apache, but aren’t sure of which one to pick, this post will make it easy for you.

TVS Apache RTR 160

People who’re on a tight budget

Price: Rs. 78,018, ex-showroom, Delhi

TVS recently launched the all-new Apache RTR 160 4V in the Indian market but the older version of the motorcycle is still available in the market. The price of the RTR 160 is much cheaper than the newly launched Apache RTR 160 4V. That’s because the bike gets only a 2-valve engine as against the 4-valve unit of the RTR 160 4V.

Even though it is the most affordable Apache available on the market, it is still quite powerful and has enough juice to keep a young biker on his toes. The bike is powered by a single-cylinder 159.7 cc engine that generates a maximum of 14.8 Bhp and 13.03 Nm. TVS offers the bike with single-disc, dual disc and special colour editions.

TVS Apache RTR 160 4V

People who want latest features on a tight budget

Price: Rs. 81,490, ex-showroom, Delhi

The TVS Apache RTR 160 4V is the newest launch from the manufacturer. It is an all-new bike and as the 4V suffix in the name suggests, it gets a 4 valve engine. The Apache RTR 160 4V also looks quite aggressive and the design is inspired by the RTR 200 4V. It gets meaty tank extensions and a sharp body design too.

It will fit people who are on a tight budget but want the latest bike. The 4V engine is similar to the regular Apache but it produces marginally higher power at 15 Bhp. However, the torque output is much higher at 14.8 nm. TVS does not offer ABS with the bike but it is available in single disc, and dual disc variants.

TVS Apache RTR 180

People who want higher power on a budget

Price: Rs. 81,968, ex-showroom, Delhi

The Apache RTR 180 is now the only bike that is available with the motorcycle’s last-gen look. The motorcycle still manages to look quite sharp and offers a high-performance engine. The Apache RTR 180 is perfect for buyers seeking a higher powered bike on a tight budget.

It is powered by a 177cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that generates a maximum of 16.5 Bhp and 15.5 Nm. The Apache RTR 180 offers high performance with its race-inspired design. The price is almost similar to the Apache RTR 160 4V.

TVS Apache RTR 180 ABS

People who want a high-performance bike with a safety net

Price: Rs. 90,204, ex-showroom, Delhi

The TVS Apache RTR 180 was one of the first bikes in the market to offer ABS on a budget bike. The Apache 180 offers optional dual channel ABS. The specifications of the bike remain same but the dual channel ABS makes the bike extremely safe for Indian road conditions. If you are someone looking for performance and safety on Indian roads, then this bike is for you. This variant is perfect for people who want an entry-level performance bike with safety.

TVS Apache RTR 200 4V

People who are looking for an aggressive bike with good power and are on a tight budget

Price: Rs. 93,685, ex-showroom, Delhi

TVS Apache RTR 200 4V was the flagship bike of TVS for a long time. The Apache RTR 200 4V looks extremely sharp with tank extensions and sleek body design. The Apache RTR 200 4V also gets LED DRLs and W-shaped grab rails. If you’re someone who is looking for an aggressive looking bike with good performance, then this is it.

The Apache RTR 200 4V is powered by a 197.3cc, single-cylinder engine that generates a maximum power of 20.3 Bhp and 18.1 Nm of peak torque. The bike also gets an Anti-reverse Slipper Clutch (A-RT). The Apache gets sharp graphics that makes it stand out in the crowd.

TVS Apache RTR 200 4V FI

People who want a smooth engine but can miss out on the safety

Price: Rs. 1,06,385, ex-showroom, Delhi

TVS Apache RTR 200 4V FI gets a fuel injection system but everything else stays the same. Both motorcycles look similar but because of the fuel injection system, the Apache RTR 200 4V FI is much smoother than the carburetted version of the bike. It also gets a similar instrument console as the RTR 200 4V, with a lap timer and an acceleration timer, both things that make it more suited for enthusiasts.

TVS Apache RTR 200 4V ABS

People who want good performance with good safety

Price: Rs. 1,07,485, ex-showroom, Delhi

The Apache RTR 200 4V also gets an optional ABS feature but it is only available with the carburetted version. The RTR 200 4V ABS looks the same as all other Apache 200 4Vs, but it gets dual channel ABS. The bike is for those who want high-performance with good safety. It is one of the only bikes in the segment that gets ABS, and this makes it much more interesting for the youngsters.

TVS Apache RR 310

People who want an advanced bike which is a track-tool and a highway tourer

Price: Rs. 2,15,000, ex-showroom, Delhi

The Apache RR 310 is TVS Motors’ flagship offering, and was launched last year. The Apache RR 310 is basically a fully-faired version of the BMW G310R. The bike is the most advanced TVS product in India. It gets a reverse-inclined engine that allows the bike to have a short wheelbase but longer swingarm. This allows the bike to be sharp around the corners, yet rock solid on the straights.

The bike is powered by a 310cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that generates a maximum power of 33 Bhp at 9,700 rpm and a peak torque of 27.3 Nm at 7,700 rpm. It gets a 6-speed transmission. It also gets a vertically stacked console that shows a lot of information like lap timer, acceleration timer and more such features. It is for those who want a track-tool that can also do highway trips on the weekend.

Also Read: Bentley Continental GT owner pays Rs. 60 lakhs for new registration plates

Skoda and Volkswagen have still not given up on the idea of a partnership with Tata Motors, to develop a new, budget car for the Indian market. This is because Volkswagen and Skoda are both working out a strategy to build low cost cars for the Indian market but haven’t zeroed in on a method yet. Both automakers have noticed Tata Motors launching a slew of successful, well built cars such as the Tiago, Tigor, Nexon and Hexa, prompting them to take a relook at a partnership with Tata.

Bernhard Maier, chief executive officer of Skoda Auto, said

Cooperation with the owner of Jaguar Land Rover is possible “in principle” in the future. We’ve been analysing the Indian market in great detail. It’s highly, highly competitive. We’re taking a decision on how to enter this market shortly.

Skoda India has been given the task of developing a low cost version of the MQB platform specifically for emerging markets such as India and Brazil. Called MQB A0, this platform will underpin new cars such as the next generation Polo, Vento, Ameo and a compact SUV that will challenge the Hyundai Creta. These cars will be badged Volkswagen and Skoda in India but it won’t be before 2021 when they first start arriving into the Indian market. However, Volkswagen and Skoda are not likely to use the MQB A0 platform for a sub-Polo hatchback.

This is where Tata Motors can come into the picture. The automaker has developed a new architecture called the Advanced Modular Platform (AMP). Like VW’s MQB platform, AMP will involve a lot of parts sharing. The upcoming 45X premium hatchback will be the first Tata car to use AMP, and the platform will eventually be used for smaller hatchbacks as well. A Tata-VW partnership could see the latter use AMP to build a new sub-Polo hatchback for the Indian market. For now though, everything is fluid.

Via ETAuto

Also Read: Bentley Continental GT owner pays Rs. 60 lakhs for new registration plates

The new Maruti Suzuki Swift is setting sales charts on fire, in India. The new Swift really has a lot to offer – it’s attractively priced, offers very frugal and sufficiently powerful engines, a modern design, a comfortable cabin and is pretty fun to drive. We’ve already seen many new Swift-based mod jobs from abroad. Finally, there’s an Indian mod-job that has made us sit up and take notice.

The highlight of this modified Swift is its very sporty stance. The car has been substantially lowered and rides on custom multi-spoke alloys that have a negative offset. The larger rims are shod with wider, low-profile rubber. Other than this, the front grille gets a red pinstripe, much like what the RS variant gets.

The car also gets a black roof and black-painted ORVM caps. At the rear, it gets a black-painted roof spoiler and all the badges have been removed to give the car a very neat look. Apart from these changes, the exterior remains much like that of the stock model. However, this modified new Maruti Suzuki Swift goes on to show that the hatchback can be made to look HOTTER and much sportier simply through a handful of not-so-radical modifications.

It’s not known if this Swift carries any performance modifications. However, we’re hoping it would’ve got at least some minor performance mods to make up for the drop in performance due to the wider tires. The new Swift is available with both petrol and diesel engines. The petrol Swift is powered by a 1.2-litre, naturally-aspirated, four-cylinder engine that outputs a maximum power of 81.80 bhp and a peak torque of 113 Nm. The diesel-sipping Swift is powered by a Fiat-sourced, 1.3-litre, turbocharged unit that produces 74 bhp of maximum power and a peak torque of 190 Nm. Both the engines come mated to a 5-speed manual transmission as standard and a 5-speed AMT as optional.

Images courtesy – bsp995 on Instagram

Also Read: Bentley Continental GT owner pays Rs. 60 lakhs for new registration plates

Robert Downey Jr. is best known for playing the fictional character, Tony Stark, and its superhero avatar – the Iron Man. Robert’s on-screen character, Tony Stark, is known to live life lavishly and drive exotic cars. In real life too, Robert is known to spend extravagantly on his cars. Here are ten cars from the movie star’s garage. The movie star’s latest action flick Avengers: Infinity War is playing on movie screens across India.

Audi R8

Robert Downey Jr. promotes Audi products in the USA. He is mostly seen in Audi cars to promote the brand, and most space in his garage is taken up by Audi vehicles. Seen here is a 2014 Audi R8 in white colour.

The R8 is known as one of Robert’s favourite cars. The mid-engine, rear wheel drive R8 is offered with two engine options – 4.2-litre V8 producing 430 Bhp and 5.2-litre V10 producing 525 Bhp engines.

Bentley Continental GT

Robert received the Bentley Continental in lieu of back-end payment for Iron Man 3. The gorgeous matte green Continental GT is used by Robert and his family members. The Continental GT is powered by a twin-turbocharged V8 aluminium engine.

The 4.0-litre engine produces maximum power of 500 Bhp at 6,000 rpm and 660 Nm of peak torque at 1,700 rpm. It comes with 8-speed automatic transmission. The car also gets a cylinder deactivation feature which turns off four cylinders to make the vehicle more efficient.

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

The G-Wagen is an iconic vehicle just like the character of the movie star. Robert uses the G-Wagen for his daily chores. The silver colour SUV does not stands out from the crowd and is used only when Robert wants to stay from the paparazzi. The G-Wagen is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 engine. The bi-turbo engine produces a maximum of 245 Bhp – 600 Nm.

Nissan GT-R

The Nissan GT-R is a hard-to-resist vehicle, and even the Iron Man fell for it. Robert Downey Jr owns a 2010 Nissan GT-R and is seen quite often in it. The black sports car is powered by 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 engine that generates a maximum of 528 Bhp.

Ferrari California T

The Ferrari California is one of the most beautiful cars produced by Ferrari. Robert Downey Jr owns a blue coloured Ferrari that looks magnificent. The convertible sports car is powered by a 3.8-litre V8 engine that gets an extra boost from twin-turbochargers. The engine produces a maximum power of 553 Bhp and 755 Nm of peak torque.

Picture Source: 1,2,3,4,5

Audi A8 L

Robert Downey Jr loves to drive his cars, but if he wants to be chauffeured around, he is seen in the Audi A8. The flagship saloon from Audi has a long list of luxury features.

The 2012 A8 was powered by eight engine options in the USA market. The A8 owned by Robert was powered by the top spec 4.2-litre V8 petrol engine that generates a maximum of 371 BHP and 445 Nm. The car is limited to a maximum speed of 249 km/h.

1967 Corvette Stingray Convertible

This is the most exclusive vehicle in Robert’s garage. The beautifully maintained vintage car is made of fiberglass. Robert enjoys leisure drives in the convertible during weekends. The Corvette Stingray was one of the most desirable cars in its time. It is not clear if Robert bought this vehicle, or if it was inherited from his family.

2014 Audi R8 Convertible

The Audi R8 Convertible is one of the most beautiful cars, and Robert owns many of them. Seen here is a red Audi R8 with his fictional character’s name – “Stark” on the license plate. The car was used in the movie Ironman and was then gifted to him by Audi. The R8 Spyder seen here is powered by 5.2-litre V10 engine that generates a maximum power of 525 BHP. It can do 0-100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds.

Cadillac Escalade

It was one of the first vehicles that Robert owned. The full-size SUV looks brutish and is used by many USA politicians. The 2003 Cadillac Escalade was in second-generation and was powered by two engine options. This car has a 5.3-litre V8 that generated a maximum power of 285 Bhp. The more powerful engine option is a 6.0-litre engine that generates a maximum of 345 Bhp.

2009 Audi R8 Spyder

This Audi R8 Spyder featured in Iron Man 2, and was later gifted to the movie star. The convertible was built on Audi’s spaceframe chassis. The vehicle is powered by 5.2-litre V10 engine that produces a maximum of 525 Bhp. Robert is often seen with his wife in the R8 Spyder.

Picture Source: 6,7,8,9,10

Also Read: Bentley Continental GT owner pays Rs. 60 lakhs for new registration plates

TVS Motor Company, the popular South-India based two-wheeler manufacturer, today announced that its Apache RTR 200 4V has made it to the Limca Book of Records. The TVS Apache RTR 200 4V has posted a record for the “Highest Altitude ever reached by a Motorcycle.”

This mean feat was achieved by a team of six members who were a part of the company’s ‘Quest for Highest’ campaign. The team rode on four TVS Apache RTR 200 4V motorcycles to scale a height of 21,524 feet in the Rupshu Valley in Ladakh. This team comprised of – Santanu Roychowdhury, Manas Sen, Subrato Boral, Indradeb Chatterjee, Achinta Saha and Srikrishna Biswas. This team shattered the previous record of 21,233 feet, which was set in the Atakama range of Mt. Andes.

The team covered as many as 1,612 kms during the ride to post a new world record. The riders covered Manali, Sarchu (14,700 feet), Tsokar (14860 feet), Korzok (14,836 feet) and set up their base camp in Kyirchu (15,110 feet). Finally, on August 29, 2016, the team rode to 21,524 feet and hoisted the Indian tricolour at Chamser Kangri in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir.

The TVS Apache RTR 200 4V motorcycles that were used for this ride were equipped with off-road tires to easily take on the rough terrain. Moreover, the mag wheels were changed to spoke wheels of 18 inches (front) and 16 inches (back). Even the suspension was tuned to tackle the harsh terrain. The submission to Limca Book of Records was made in December 2016 and a jury adjudged them the winner of the new world record in April 2018.

Powering the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V is a 197.75-cc single-cylinder engine that comes mated to a five-speed transmission. The engine is available with both carburettor and fuel injection systems. The motorcycle comes with disc brakes on both the wheels and an optional ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System). Prices of the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V range start at Rs 95,685 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Also Read: Bentley Continental GT owner pays Rs. 60 lakhs for new registration plates

The Fiat Punto Abarth is India’s most powerful hatchback available for sale. Fiat India dealers are now taking orders for the 2018 edition of the Abarth Punto. Meanwhile, here’s the most powerful modified Punto Abarth, done up by Pete’s. The hot hatchback puts out 170 Bhp and 270 Nm, a massive jump in outputs. The stock Punto Abarth does about 145 Bhp and 212 Nm from its 1.4-litre, 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. This huge bump up in power and torque is thanks to a custom remap that gives turbo boost pressure a good raise. This modified example also runs on Bilstein suspension for sharper handling and wears 205 section Yokohama S-Drive tyres for better grip levels.

The Punto Abarth is the fastest car in India priced at under Rs. 10 lakhs, with a sub 9 second timing for the 0-100 Kph sprint. Solidly built and a sure footed handler, the Abarth Punto does have its share of fans. Sales have been far from inspiring though, and Fiat often has had to revert to building this car on order.

In fact, the car is back in limited production after many months, and if you’re looking for a brand new, hot hatchback, it’s a good time to buy the Abarth Punto. Some Fiat dealers even offer large discounts on this slowselling car from time to time. Get in touch with your local dealer for specific details on bookings, and of course, prevailing discounts if any.

Fiat has put the 140 Bhp, 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine in two other cars – the Avventura Abarth and the Urban Cross. Both cars have different styling and considerably more ground clearance than the Punto Abarth, the hatchback with which they share their underpinnings.

The engine, in a lower, 125 Bhp state of tune is available on the Linea S. For the purest driving experience though, nothing can beat the Punto Abarth. A suspension swap for stiffer units such as the Bilstein B6s are recommended. A remap of course is another way to squeeze even more power out of this motor. Do remember that the remap will come with a significant fuel efficiency penalty when the car’s driven hard.

Via ACI

Also Read: Bentley Continental GT owner pays Rs. 60 lakhs for new registration plates

Following a strict drive to seize out of the state registered vehicles in Kerala, the Kerala state government announced an amnesty scheme. The scheme, which is valid till 30th April 2018 allows people to pay the road tax for Kerala if the vehicle is registered in any other state but is plied on Kerala roads. Most luxury car owners from Kerala and neighbouring states get their vehicle registered in Puducherry as it is a union territory and charges much lower road tax on cars. The move comes after numerous luxury cars were seized by the Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) for tax evasion in recent times.

One of the first car owners to take advantage of the scheme is Sayed Nazeer who drove in his Bentley Continental GT to get re-registered in Kerala. His luxury car is worth Rs. 3 crore and is registered in Puducherry in his wife’s name. Kerala officials have collected a sum of Rs. 60 lakhs, which is 20% of the total cost of the vehicle and soon it will get a new Kerala state registration number. The Bentley will now lose the PY number after getting a No-objection certificate (NOC) from Puducherry RTO where the car was registered for the first time.

It should be noted that driving a car registered in another state is illegal if road tax is not paid even after 11 months of the vehicle moving permanently into the new state. Different states have different policies for the matter, and if an out-of-the-state registered vehicle moves permanently into another state, one should re-pay the road taxes in the new state within 11 months of moving. This can be done by getting a NOC from the RTO where the vehicle was registered for the first time.

Due to high taxes in states such Maharashtra, Kerala and Karnataka, many people take houses on rent in Union Territories to show that they reside there and get the car registration at a much lower rate. This is illegal if the owner does not stay in that house. The new move from the Kerala government is expected to add Rs. 100 crore to the coffers of the state. At the moment, MVD has estimated that around 1,500 luxury vehicles and 2,000 other vehicles are plying on Kerala roads with Puducherry registration plates. After 30th April, the drive to catch such people would intensify and such cars will be seized until registration amount is paid according to the Kerala Motor Vehicle laws.

Source: 1,2

Also Read: Bentley Continental GT owner pays Rs. 60 lakhs for new registration plates

Ford recently launched the all-new Freestyle hatchback-based crossover, in India. The Freestyle was launched considering the rising popularity of SUVs in the Indian market, and this entry-level hatchback-based crossover is likely to attract a lot of customers. Even though there is quite a price difference between the Freestyle and the EcoSport, many prospective customers are likely to take a look at both the vehicles in Ford showrooms while making a buying decision. If you’re one such customer facing a hard time deciding between the two, we try to simplify the decision making process for you, here.

Want a crossover on a tight budget?

Ford Freestyle

The Ford Freestyle’s competitive pricing came as a surprise to many. The base petrol version of the car is priced at Rs. 5.53 lakh on-road Delhi, which is about Rs. 1.1 lakh cheaper than the base variant of the EcoSport. However, the Freestyle is quite equipped in this price range too.

The Freestyle offers a ground clearance of 190 mm, which is only 10 mm lower than the EcoSport. Both vehicles also offer the same diesel engine, and the base variants of both the vehicles offer dual airbags with ABS and EBD. This makes the Freestyle quite well-equipped, and the new Ford car can turn heads even at a much lower price.

Want a city car?

Ford Freestyle petrol

If you are looking for a car that will be used strictly inside city limits, then the Ford Figo Freestyle petrol makes a lot more sense than the EcoSport. The Freestyle petrol comes with the all-new 1.2-litre Dragon engine that generates a maximum power of 95 Bhp and 120 Nm. It is the most powerful petrol car in the segment. The smaller dimensions of the Freestyle will be more suited for city driving. It gets a 5-speed manual transmission and it returns a maximum of 19 km/l as certified by ARAI. The Freestyle also gets good ground clearance and a pliant yet firm suspension, which is perfect for driving on bumpy city roads while still offering sharp handling.

Want a convenient car?

Ford EcoSport Automatic

Of the two, only the EcoSport offers an automatic transmission with the petrol engine option. The new EcoSport is powered by an all-new three-cylinder 1.5-litre Dragon series engine that generates a maximum power of 121 Bhp and 150 Nm. It gets a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The EcoSport is the only vehicle in the segment to get paddle shifters, and this makes it an enthusiast’s delight. As Ford cars have always been known for being a driver’s choice, paddle shifters give more control to the driver as there is no need to lift the hand from the steering wheel to shift the gears.

Want a highway-focused car?

Ford EcoSport diesel

While both cars get the similar 1.5-litre diesel engine that churns out similar 99 Bhp-215 Nm outputs, the EcoSport is slightly more suited for highways as it offers features like projector lamps, which are much better in the night, than the Freestyle’s halogen set-up. The EcoSport also offers a higher seating posture that gives a commanding view of the highway to the driver.

Want good rear seat comfort?

Ford EcoSport

While the Freestyle offers segment-leading rear space, it just cannot beat the space management of the EcoSport. With both vehicles measuring under 4-meter in length, it’s the EcoSport that offers better rear seat comfort and also allows the rear seat to recline for an even more comfortable journey. The EcoSport is the only vehicle to offer a rear seat recline in the segment. If you’re looking for expansive use of the rear seats, then you should go for the EcoSport.

Want a feature rich car?

Ford Freestyle and Ford EcoSport

When it comes to features, both the cars are evenly matched. The top end versions of both the models get the floating type SYNC3 infotainment system. The EcoSport gets an 8.0-inch system while the Freestyle gets a 6.5-inch screen but the functions remain the same and both support Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Emergency assistance. Also, both the cars offer a 6-airbag system, ABS + EBD and traction control. However, the Freestyle also gets Anti-Rollover-Prevention (ARP) which prevents the car from rolling over with up to 50 kg of load on the roof.

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Indians are now buying fewer cars in the bigger cities, and now there are numbers to support this. In the last 12  months between April 2017 and March 2018, car sales in Mumbai dipped by a whopping 21%, 11% in Bangalore and 4.5% in Chennai. In Delhi, which has India’s highest car penetration, sales grew by just 1.6%. So, why are Indians living in big cities buying fewer cars? Here are some reasons.

Rise of Ola and Uber

Cab aggregating apps such as Ola and Uber have made the second car that most families used to buy now an unnecessary expense. A lot of younger buyers are now preferring to use Uber and Ola instead of buying a new car as these services are now widespread across most large Indian cities, with very good penetration in most localities. Hiring an Ola/Uber cab is a lot cheaper than buying and maintaining a car, especially for those who use a car only for a few days of the month.

Improving public transport

Public transport networks are improving in many Indian cities thanks to the rise of the metro train services. This is  making people buy two wheelers for last mile connectivity rather than opting for a car. Also, a lot of people who use  office transport during the weekdays rely on cab aggregator apps during the weekends, making a private car redundant in many cases.

 Traffic congestion

Traffic congestion has increased exponentially and road infrastructure has not kept up in most cities. This is  forcing people who had plans of buying a second car to drop the idea and instead relying on cab aggregators.

Parking is getting more time consuming, and expensive

Space in most Indian cities comes at a premium, both in residential complexes and business establishments.  Also finding a parking spot takes time during rush hours. Many people don’t want the additional hassle of finding a parking spot eating into their lives. This is prompting them to look at public transport and cabs.

Via TOI

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Husqvarna will officially enter the Indian market later this year with two new offerings – the Vitpilen 401 cafe racer & the Svartpilen 401 scrambler. Both bikes are entry-level motorcycles from the Swedish manufacturer and are based on the KTM 390 Duke. Both motorcycles get the same chassis and engine as the 390 Duke but the retro-modern styling is what makes the Husqvarna twins different. International motoring journalists have already ridden the upcoming bikes and have shared their thoughts through videos and text reviews. We bring you five such reviews to give you an idea of what the world thinks about the upcoming Husqvarna motorcycles.

Road Show

Road Show’s reviewer Kyle Hyatt says that both bikes are extremely lightweight, and that this makes them very flickable, fun and super easy to ride on the road. The tester also says that between both the bikes, the Svartpilen has a more relaxed riding position and even though it gets dual purpose tyres, it is more suited for daily riding than the Svartpilen.

Excerpts from the review:

The Svartpilen, with its much more upright and relaxed riding position, is my personal favorite of the two bikes. The wider, upright handlebars allow you to really push the bike around with ease and makes corner-to-corner transitions an absolute pleasure.

For everyday riding or commuting, the Svartpilen is the one to have. And don’t let its knobby Pirelli tires fool you into thinking it’s a dirtbike. The Svartpilen would be super fun on a dusty fire-road or a bit of gravel track, but you’d quickly run out of suspension travel on anything more challenging.

Source

Bike Exif

Bike Exif says that both the new bikes look like factory-custom options and they attract a lot of attention on the road. The review adds that both bikes get a very clean design and even in the flesh, they do not disappoint onlookers. Both motorcycles get identical looks including the tank, subframe, wheels etc but a few parts set them apart from each other. Bike Exif explains that both the bikes offer an exquisite LED headlamp and a tail lamp that make them look extremely good. However, they did not like the buttons to control the round digital console.

Excerpt from the review:

We’ve ogled photos of the Vitpilen 401 (above) and Svartpilen 401 (below) since day one, and seeing them in the flesh doesn’t disappoint. The lines are clean, the stance of both bikes is flawless, and the finishes are on point.

There are a couple of other things to nitpick. I dig the digital speedo’s layout and design, and it packs in way more info than you’d expect for a little bike. But the buttons (located on the side of the dial) are really fussy to use. The mirrors look like cheap replacement parts—but my money’s on those being replaced within hours of purchase.

Source

Carole Nash

Carole Nash says that the 373-cc engine feels more than adequate on both the bikes and both of them pack a good punch. However, the Vitpilen feels a little compromised due to its aggressive riding position. The engine feels well connected to the chassis and it gives a real feel whenever the throttle is used. Carole Nash adds that the seats lack enough padding to make the rider comfortable. Apart from the seats, the reviewer does not find any other shortcomings in both the bikes.

Excerpt from the review:

Considering they share so many components with the 390 Duke, it should come as no surprise the Husqvarnas ride well. The 375cc single cylinder motor has bags of punch with an excellent throttle connection and real feeling of drive while the chassis is also very accomplished. The Svartpilen with its high bars and chunky tyres is the more relaxed bike and is wonderfully suited to urban riding thanks to its more upright riding position. The Vitpilen is a little bit compromised by its lower bars, which are pretty uncomfortable in town, but get it on the open road and it is better in bends thanks to that focused riding position and road tyres. However both bikes suffer from a seat unit that is woefully lacking in padding, making distance work a right pain in the bum. Maybe fashionable people have more padded bums than me, I suspect not due to skinny lattes being their preferred drink over a full-fat coke, so this is one area Husqvarna really need to address on their new bikes. And sales is another…

Source

Bloomberg Quint

Hannah Elliot from Bloomberg Quint rode the Svartpilen 401 and says that it could be her first love. The bike is perfect for first-time riders and the low weight and the perfect seat height is a bonus. She says that the Svartpilen will be perfect for people who want something stylish and fun to ride and that it looks uber cool too.

Excerpt from the review:

For the urban rider who appreciates uber-cool style and who can afford it, the Svartpilen bike is an unexpectedly great option. (Its name comes from the Swedish for “black arrow,” after all.) Seventeen-inch spoked wheels and grip-happy Pirelli tires complete a stylized look that is minimalistic, aggressive, and dark, without being clunky or morose.

Source

44Teeth

Click on video to play!

This reviewer from the UK echoes the thoughts of the others, reinforcing the point that the Svartpilen is much more comfortable to ride than the Vitpilen. He says that the bikes have enough power to pull wheelies even in the second gear and the video shows a few wheelies being pulled by the other reviewers. He also says that the bike feels much different than the Duke and is much sportier with the heavier front-end. However, he adds that the seat comfort is not great at all. He also says that the gearbox feels smoother than the 390 Duke. He says that smaller riders may struggle due to the high seating posture.

Source

Also Read: Check out this Royal Enfield Himalayan with the official 'Explorer' kit [Video]

Tata Motors is heavily promoting the Nexon compact SUV during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 20-20 cricket championship. The Nexon is one of the key sponsors of this year’s IPL and the man of the series will drive home the compact SUV. Apart from promoting the Nexon through ads during IPL telecasts, Tata Motors has also come up with special edition models that have been modified to reflect IPL team liveries. While the Mumbai Indians IPL edition Nexon was revealed last week, we now have two more IPL editions of the compact SUV – Sunrisers Hyderabad edition and Chennai Superkings edition. The special edition models have already reached Tata showrooms.

The modified IPL edition Nexons cost Rs. 75,000 more than the regular variants of the compact SUV, and are based on the top-spec XZ+ variants. The various changes on the IPL editions of the Nexons include new colour schemes for the front bumper, a wrap for the headlamps, contrast colour wing mirror housings, team colours for the wheel arches, highlights on one spoke of each of the alloy wheels, CSK/Sunrisers logo on the front fender, and decals on the door panels, side skirts and rear bumper. The IPL edition of the Nexon can be purchased with either a petrol or a diesel engine.

The Nexon’s petrol variants use a 1.2-litre turbocharged unit with 110 PS of peak power and 170 Nm of peak torque. The diesel variants are powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged motor with 110 PS and 260 Nm. Both engines get 6-speed manual gearboxes as standard, which power the front wheels. Within a few days, an AMT option will be offered on both the petrol and diesel variants of the Nexon. The AMT variant will also be a 6-speed unit, and the most advanced in the segment. Tata Motors will also offer a new Etna Orange paint scheme on the AMT variants, which are likely to be the least priced automatic compact SUVs in the sub-4 meter category.

Via VinayKapoor on Instagram

Also Read: Check out this Royal Enfield Himalayan with the official 'Explorer' kit [Video]

While the Indian car market has been abuzz with many new car launches, it’s bound to get even hotter in the near future. There are many new cars that will launch here before the end of the current fiscal year. Here are details and speculative renderings of 10 HIGHLY anticipated cars & SUVs. These renders are based on calculated guesswork and the design features revealed by spy images, which means the upcoming cars & SUVs would look a lot like these images.

New Hyundai Santro

The new Hyundai Santro will launch in August. It will be based on the last generation i10’s platform. Our sources in the company have revealed that the new Santro will be larger than the last-gen i10. Also, the spy images have clearly revealed a tallboy architecture, a large greenhouse and the rear quarter glass. Moreover, the new Hyundai Santro’s design will be based on the company’s Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language. All this means that the new car will offer a cascading effect grille, some bold styling touches and a sleek pair of headlamps. Hence, there are good chances of the actual car looking a lot like the one you see in our exclusive render above.

Toyota Baleno

Suzuki Motor Co. and Toyota have agreed to supply each other with some of their vehicles. These vehicles will be sold thru the partner’s retail channel and will even have a slightly different look. Our speculative render above shows how Toyota can easily infuse its design theme with the Baleno. If you look carefully, the only new bits that this car carries is a new grille and an updated bumper to accommodate it. A sleek, wide grille is Toyota’s typical design feature and hence, there are good chances that the Toyota-ised Baleno would look a lot like the car you see in our exclusive render.

Toyota Brezza

Even the Brezza compact SUV will be sold by Toyota. Therefore, it is likely that the Japanese auto giant will want to give the hot-selling sub-4-meter SUV its own distinct identity. Here too, it can be done by giving the compact SUV a stylish front-end that carries a bolder grille and a larger air-dam.

Mahindra S201

The S201 compact SUV will be nothing but a Mahindra-ised Ssangyong Tivoli. The upcoming sub-4-m SUV will share its underpinnings with its Korean cousin. However, it will have a slightly different look. As you can see in our exclusive render above, the S201 will have a seven-slat grille that’s a typical design feature of any Mahindra. Also, it will have a different set of alloys. The new grille will give the S201 the traditional Mahindra look.

Maruti Ciaz Facelift

Maruti will launch a facelifted Ciaz later this year. The updated Ciaz will feature a new front-end that will carry a sleeker grille and an updated bumper. Other than this, it is also expected to have an updated pair of tail lamps. The changes will make the car look more attractive than before. While the Ciaz facelift abroad carries an Audi-ish grille, the India-spec model, in all likelihood, will feature a sleek grille like the one shown in our exclusive rendering.

Maruti Corolla Altis

While Toyota gets the Brezza and the Baleno, Maruti gets the Corolla Altis. The Corolla will enable Maruti to have a presence in the D1-segment. With a bigger-than-Ciaz sedan, Maruti will be able to target the likes of Hyundai Elantra. Here’s what the Corolla Altis can look like with a new Suzuki-ish nose.

Mahindra U321

Mahindra and Mahindra will launch a premium MPV to fill in the void left by the last-gen Innova. The upcoming U321 MPV has been spied on many occasions. The several small design details revealed during these sightings have led to the creation of the above rendering. As you can see here, the U321 gets the cab-forward design that’s typical of modern-day MPVs. It also gets projector headlamps, door-mounted ORVMs and flared wheel arches. The U321 MPV is likely to be in direct competition to the upcoming new-gen Maruti Ertiga.

Tata H5X

The Tata H5X is an upcoming Jeep Compass-rival that made its debut at the Auto Expo 2018 in a concept avatar. Tata has said that the production-spec H5X will look a lot like its concept, which means, in all probability, it will be a slightly toned down version of the SUV we saw at the Auto Expo 2018. Hence, the upcoming SUV can look a lot like the SUV you see in our speculative rendering above.

Mahindra XUV700

As seen at the Auto Expo 2018, Mahindra is planning to launch the new-gen Ssangyong Rexton with a new 7-slat grille and its own badge. In all likelihood, the India-spec Rexton will be called the Mahindra XUV700. It will look a lot like the SUV you seen in the rendering above.

Ford Endeavour Facelift

Ford is working on a facelift for the Endeavour SUV. The upcoming facelift has already been spied. Here’s a speculative rendering based on the test mule that has been spotted. The Endeavour facelift will have a new grille and a new set of alloy wheels. Other than this, the lower grille will be slightly different. The rest of the car will be similar to the current model.

Sources – 3, 7, 10

Also Read: Check out this Royal Enfield Himalayan with the official 'Explorer' kit [Video]

An Indian-origin Tesla driver is in the news for putting his car on autopilot on an expressway in the UK

Bhavesh Patel, 39, of Alfreton Road, Nottingham, has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving at St Albans Crown Court. How did he break the law? Well, it seems Mr. Bhavesh Patel switched the autopilot feature of his tesla S60 on and sat in the passenger seat! Apparently, the scene of this adventure was on the M1 motorway in the UK, between junctions 8 and 9, near Hemel Hempstead.

Apparently, the ban is for 18 months – after which, the adventurous Bhavesh Patel can go back to driving like many of us here in India.

How did the heroic Bhavesh Patel accomplish this feat? Well, apparently the car was moving, he was in the driver’s seat initially. Then he switched on the autopilot feature, jumped into the passenger seat while the car was moving. There, he sat back and put his hands behind his head. Amazing, no?

Apparently, it was this super cool pose that a witness caught on camera. The video went viral, reached the police, who did not appreciate Bhaveshji’s heroism at all. Now he cannot drive for the period of the ban, and has to do 10 days of unpaid work as punishment, and go through a ‘rehabilitation programme.’

Commenting on this incident, Bhavesh Patel has said that he was the “unlucky one who got caught” for letting his Tesla S 60 drive on its own on a busy expressway.

Patel has reportedly said in an interview that his actions were indeed ‘silly’ but his Tesla was capable of this ‘amazing’ feat. On the other hand, a statement issued by an engineer from Tesla reads that the autopilot feature of the Tesla offers assistance to a “fully-attentive driver”, which means that the human driver can’t simply relax in the passenger seat while the car drives on its own.

As is obvious from this incident, Tesla is not a very courageous company. Certainly not in the same league as Mr. Bhavesh Patel, for sure. Tesla actively discourages drivers from taking such risks. According to Tesla, drivers should “never depend on TACC to adequately slow down model S, always watch the road in front of you and be prepared to take corrective action at all times. Failure to do so can result in serious injury or death”. Has anyone ever achieved greatness without risking injury and death? Obviously not. Tesla has a long way to go, as is obvious to everyone now.

PC Kirk Caldicutt from Hertfordshire Police has said,”What Patel did was grossly irresponsible and could have easily ended in tragedy. He not only endangered his own life but the lives of other innocent people using the motorway on that day.” Thanks to this ‘stunt’, Patel has been disqualified from driving a car for as many as 18 months. Also, he has to do 100 hours of free social service. He also has to pay the Crown Prosecution Service a fine of £ 1,800. We believe not just Tesla, but also UK police themselves need to learn a lot about heroism and sacrifice. Perhaps Bhavesh patel could give them some lessons, once his ban and community service are over.

News courtesy – BBC

Also Read: Check out this Royal Enfield Himalayan with the official 'Explorer' kit [Video]

The TVS Apache RR310 is easily the most performance-oriented product from the Hosur-based two-wheeler manufacturer. The RR310 is based on the BMW G310R, which is the first-ever motorcycle form the TVS-BMW Motorrad collaboration. Today, we bring you a modified TVS Apache RR310 whose owner has clearly taken his motorcycle’s BMW Motorrad roots a bit too seriously.

As you can see in the image above, the modified Apache RR310 gets a paint scheme that is very similar to the one you find on the very tasty BMW S1000 RR. It gets a similar black-red-white paint theme and the quintessential ‘RR’ badging. While the S1000 RR gets some air vents on its side fairing, this 310RR gets some graphics to mimic the air scoops. The customiser has taken the whole BMW Motorrad theme so seriously that even this motorcycle’s key gets BMW branding.

Details on the performance upgrades aren’t available at the moment. However, from the looks of it, this motorcycle doesn’t carry any radical performance modification to speak of. Like we said, the TVS Apache RR310 is easily the most performance-focused motorcycle from TVS ever. It is powered by a 312.2-cc motor that comes from the yet-to-be-launched BMW G310R. The motorcycle offers a maximum power of 34 PS at 9,700 rpm and a peak torque of 27.3 Nm @ 7700 rpm. The stock TVS Apache RR310 offers a good mix of performance and fuel efficiency. Moreover, it comes with a mini-me superbike design, which gives the flagship TVS the proverbial ‘big bike’ looks.

Furthermore, the paint scheme on the motorcycle you see in the pictures here makes this motorcycle look like a world-class fully-faired sportsbike. Of course, it’s no match for the very handsome BMW S1000 RR, but to an untrained eye, this modified TVS Apache RR310 can easily pass off as a much more expensive motorcycle.

via The Rider Tribe on Facebook

Also Read: Check out this Royal Enfield Himalayan with the official 'Explorer' kit [Video]

Days ago, Toyota launched the Yaris C-Segment sedan, in India, that will take on the Honda City. While reviews of the Yaris are already out, they focus on the top-end VX trim. Here is a video that shows what the cheapest, J variant of the Yaris looks and feels like.

Though the J is the cheapest priced trim of the Yaris, it does get an impressive feature list that includes 7 airbags, ABS+EBD and projector headlamps. Other key features on the car include body coloured ORVMs and door handles, powered wing mirrors, factory tinted glass, keyless entry, powered windows on all doors, cooled glove box, 60:40 split seats, 4 speaker stereo, rear armrest and a tilt adjustable steering.

The 1.5-litre petrol engine with 108 PS and 140 Nm is standard on all variants include the J trim. This engine gets variable valve timing and has adequate performance for both city streets and highway runs. 6-speed manual and CVT automatic gearboxes are on offer with this engine. Toyota doesn’t offer a diesel motor on the Yaris and the automaker has no plans of introducing one even in the future.

Meanwhile, the features that are missing in the J variant but are available on higher trims include smart entry, automatic climate control, push-button start, steering mounted audio controls, 7-inch AVN infotainment system with gesture sensing, roof-mounted rear AC vents, parking sensors, front and rear fog lamps, speed sensing auto door lock, 15-inch alloy wheels, auto headlamps with Follow-Me Home function, rain sensing wiper, cruise control, all wheel disc brakes, LED DRLs, paddle shifters, leather seats, 8-way power adjustment for driver’s seat, VSC, HAC and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System. The prices of the Yaris start from Rs. 8.75 lakhs, ex-showroom pan India.

The Honda City is the Yaris’ chief competitor in India. Top-end variants of the City offer a CVT automatic gearbox, 6 airbags, a sunroof and LED headlamps as key features. The City is also available with a diesel engine option. Top-end variants of the City are actually cheaper than the Yaris. The Honda City is one of India’s best selling C-Segment sedans.

Also Read: Check out this Royal Enfield Himalayan with the official 'Explorer' kit [Video]

Anand Mahindra, the bossman of Mahindra and Mahindra, is quite active on the micro-blogging social media site, Twitter. He recently posted about how the superstar Rajnikanth’s upcoming movie shows the Mahindra Thar as a chariot for the hero. He used a picture of the full-page advertisement of the upcoming movie “Kaala” where the Rajnikanth is sitting on the bonnet on the Thar.

What I saw first thing this morning on the front page of the newspaper.. No need for much comment.. The Thar is honoured to be the chosen chariot… pic.twitter.com/MkekW9OkSS

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) April 28, 2018

This is not the first time Anand Mahindra has tweeted about the Thar used in the movie. Last year when the poster of the movie first came out, Anand Mahindra posted online to know if he could acquire the Thar and put it in the brand’s upcoming museum. Dhanush, who is producing the movie replied to Mahindra’s earlier tweets and said that the Thar is currently being used for the shoots but he will ensure that the car reaches Mahindra once the shoot is over.

Now that the movie is ready for release, it seems that Anand Mahindra is very close to acquiring the Thar for his museum. The movie will release on June 7th, 2018 and has already become a hot topic. The movie will also see established actors like Nana Patekar and Huma Qureshi.

The Mahindra Thar is loved by many off-road enthusiasts. It is a reincarnation of the iconic Jeep and is a rugged off-roader with loads of customisation options. The Thar is currently powered by three engine options and the price starts at Rs. 6.27 lakh and goes up to Rs. 9 lakh.

This is not the first time Anand Mahindra has tweeted about a Mahindra branded vehicle on the social media platform. Before this, Anand Mahindra posted to offer help to a person who modified his three-wheeled auto-rickshaw with Scorpio’s rear-end. Mahindra’s team later tracked down the owner of the vehicle and gave him a Maxximo LCV and kept the auto rickshaw-Scorpio hybrid for the upcoming museum.

Also Read: Check out this Royal Enfield Himalayan with the official 'Explorer' kit [Video]

The Royal Enfield Himalayan is the only adventure motorcycle in its price bracket. No surprise, then, that it’s the choice of many long-distance tourers who need a sufficiently powerful purpose-built machine that can be used on varied terrains. Royal Enfield offers a set of accessories that make the Himalayan even more practical for touring. Here’s a video that shows a Himalayan owner getting the ‘Explorer’ accessory kit installed on his motorcycle.

Royal Enfield launched the Himalayan Sleet motorcycle some time back, with a limited run of 500 units. The Sleet came with a custom paint job and a pre-installed ‘Explorer Kit’. Later, the bespoke paint scheme became one of the regular paint options for the Himalayan. Furthermore, the same kit can be retrofitted to the regular Himalayan. The Explorer kit costs Rs 32,000. It includes –

• Aluminium Panniers – 26 Litres
• Pannier Mounting Rails
• Aluminium Handlebar with Cross Brace
• Handlebar End Weights
• Engine Guard

The kit is on sale at all authorized Royal Enfield dealerships. The video above shows a super-excited vlogger who claims to have become the first-ever Himalayan owner to get the official accessories kit installed. Apparently, he plans to ride to Bhutan and has got the kit installed to make his Himalayan more touring-friend. Of course, bits like aluminium panniers make the Himalayan more practical for long distance touring.

The Himalayan is the only motorcycle in Royal Enfield’s product portfolio to get its power from a 411cc, single-cylinder, overhead camshaft-equipped, long stroke engine. The engine is now BS4-compliant and benefits from a fuel injection and an external oil cooler. It pumps out a maximum power of 24.5 bhp along with a peak torque of 32 Nm. The engine comes mated to a 5-speed transmission. The adventure motorcycle weighs 191 KGs and has a seat height of 800 mm. Like we said, it’s adept at long distance touring and is basically the only true adventure tourer in its price bracket. Hence, it has become the obvious choice of many long-distance tourers. Moreover, the Explorer Kit makes it a lot more-touring friendly and seems to be worth every penny.

via SuperIndian Vlogs on Youtube

Also Read: Check out this Royal Enfield Himalayan with the official 'Explorer' kit [Video]

With the evolution of motorcycles, we have seen that a lot of modern-day motorcycles have become lighter while a lot more have become much heavier due to additional equipment offered. If you have ever ridden a heavy motorcycle, you will realise that they are quite stable on the straights, and can yet fall off easily at crawling speeds. Here is a video that shows how a heavy bike can get imbalanced if the rider is not paying attention, how it can overpower you and fall. Here are techniques that will help you handle heavy bikes properly.

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Learn to lift properly

Humans can lift heavy objects but if the technique is not right, one can get seriously hurt. In a few cases, the back can suffer from a muscle pull or bone dislocation. Even modern lightweight bikes weigh more than 120 kg and that is quite a heavy weight to lift. If you’re riding a bike, you should know how to properly pick up such heavy machines.

If you’re solo, this is one of the easiest ways to pick up the bike. The video shows how to find two points around the lower point of the bike and rest the chest against the seat and then push the bike to make it stand. It also shows two different techniques involving a helping hand to lift up the bike properly. If you own a heavy bike, this is something that you should learn and practice.

Lower the seat height

The average Indian height makes most of the internationally designed adventure bikes and sports bikes quite difficult to handle. That is because of the high seat height that comes with the stock bikes. However, there are official accessories and aftermarket solutions to reduce the seat height. It is extremely important that the feet of the rider reach the ground properly.

To make sure that the seat height is adjusted properly, one can check by hopping on it and placing the feet on the ground. While sitting, both the heels should touch the ground at the same time. A rider feels much more confident when both the heels reach the ground properly, and there are fewer chances of falling.

Attend a riding school

Adventure bikes have a lot of potential and they can be big fun when ridden with proper techniques. While riding schools are not abundant in India, there are many places like the Triumph Tiger Training Academy that teaches the riders to handle such adventure machines properly.

Such schools teach technique like handling the bike on different surfaces, how to brake properly to stop in minimum distance, how to take fast corners and how to ride properly without getting tired. Such techniques can be life-saving too. It is always better to be prepared for the worst.

Learn to corner

While riding a heavy bike on the straight line can be fun and easy, taking corners can be a tough job. If the speed is too low and the rider is leaning, the centrifugal forces cannot hold the bike upright. Always know what is a good speed to take corners. Taking corners at high speeds can throw you off the lane and can cause an accident. Taking at too low speeds can cause the bike to fall. Always stick out a leg in the direction of the corner while taking low-speed corners. This way, you can support the bike if it starts falling.

Use brakes judiciously

Heavy bikes need to be handled carefully and at lower speeds, always make sure that you apply the pressure to the rear brake more than the front brake. At lower speed, if you apply the front brake, it may come to stop suddenly that can throw the rider off balance. Using the rear brakes will give you enough time to stop smoothly and put the leg down.

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Also Read: Honda Activa-based NAVi NOT discontinued; To soon get a major upgrade

Honda has begun work on two new SUVs for the Indian car market. Both SUVs will be built on the 2UA platform of the new Honda Amaze compact sedan. This platform supports large wheel wells and tall wheels, the two major requirements of an SUV. One of the new SUVs will be a sub-4 meter offering, meant to compete with the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Ford EcoSport and Tata Nexon. The other will be a Hyundai Creta rival, and will measure between 4.2 to 4.3 meters in length. While the new, sub-4 meter compact SUV from Honda will be a 5 seater, a decision on whether to go with 5 or 7 seats for the larger, Creta-rivaling SUV is yet to be taken.

Both SUVs are at least 3 years away from a market launch in India, which means that they won’t be here before 2021. This will also give Honda the right timing, for both the WR-V and the BR-V would be around 5 years old by then, and ripe for replacement models. The smaller SUV is likely to use the same engine options that the WR-V offers – a 1.2 litre i-VTEC petrol and a 1.5 litre i-DTEC turbocharged diesel. Both manual and CVT automatic gearboxes are likely on both engines. The larger SUV could borrow the 1.5 litre i-VTEC petrol and 1.5 litre i-DTEC turbocharged diesel engines from the Honda City/BR-V models, again with manual and automatic gearbox options on both engines.

Honda is bullish about adding a hybrid option to its next generation cars beginning from the all-new City and Jazz models. What this means is that both new SUVs could also have hybrid options on offer with petrol engines. More details about this is likely to emerge in the coming months.

For now, we do know that Honda is betting big on the SUV segment in India considering the fact that the WR-V – a hatchback-based crossover – is now its second best selling car in India. SUVs make a lot of sense for the Indian market due to their high ground clearance and imposing street presence. It’s now time to look forward to Honda’s new SUVs for India.

Via ACI

Also Read: Honda Activa-based NAVi NOT discontinued; To soon get a major upgrade

Recently, the Indian market saw a wave of hot hatchbacks launching in the market. Volkswagen launched its internationally acclaimed Polo GTI in India in a limited number too, but the car did not get a suitable response from the market due to the expensive price tag. Now, according to a report, Volkswagen has not given up on the segment yet and is planning to launch the all-new Polo GTI in the Indian market.

To start with, the new Polo GTI has been updated thoroughly and it now gets an updated platform too. Now, the new GTI is based on the MQB platform. If the German manufacturer decides to launch the car soon, they will have to import the MQB platform that makes the vehicle very expensive. Just the like the current GTI, which carries a fat price tag of Rs. 26 lakh, the new GTI will carry an exorbitant price tag if the car is imported. That will make the vehicle inaccessible to many hardcore enthusiasts.

Even with the price tag, Volkswagen sold the initial 99 cars allocated for the Indian market quite quickly but the second batch of the vehicle faced grave problems and the company had to discontinue the vehicle when the market did not respond well to the second batch of the vehicles.

To overcome this, Volkswagen may decide to launch the car on the Indianised version of the MQB platform that is currently under development. The MQB A0 IN will form the base of many new Volkswagen cars in India but the platform will take at least two more years to develop and go into production. This would delay the launch of the new GTI by at least two years, which may just prove to be too long.

Even Volkswagen officials admit that the GTI cannot reach the potential customers due to its expensive price tag. The company believes that a more subtle price tag would make the vehicle much more popular in the market. Volkswagen is expected to import the new GTI initially to maintain the legacy and later, they may use the India specific platform to bring down the cost. However, there has been no confirmation about the plan and we would have to wait and watch for VW’s next move.

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Also Read: Honda Activa-based NAVi NOT discontinued; To soon get a major upgrade