Well, it looks like the Bajaj Dominar and Royal Enfield comparisons won’t end anytime soon. The flagship product from Bajaj is squarely targeted at the old-school REs, with Bajaj even openly challenging Royal Enfield motorcycles in a series of advertisements. Frankly, there’s enough going for both these motorcycles. However, here are a couple of videos that highlight the off-roading capabilities of the two motorcycles.

Both the videos have been shot at Off Road Adventure Zone (ORAZ), near Gurgaon. This is the same place where we conduct most of our off-road trials. It offers a series of obstacles that test the off-roading capability of a vehicle. The video we have above shows a Royal Enfield struggling on an incline. Finally, it manages to make its way out of the obstacle after being pushed out of it. The video then goes on to show the motorcycle struggling on other articulations. Soon, the rider of the Royal Enfield loses control and crashes. Clearly, the rider is unable to manage the weight of the motorcycle on the tough terrain. The video shows another RE that is struggling on an incline. Even this motorcycle has to be pushed out of the ditch.

In the second video, you can see a Bajaj Dominar effortlessly tackling the same set of obstacles. Unlike the REs, the Dominar doesn’t require any assistance on the inclines. It’s very clear that the motorcycle can tackle the off-road terrain much better than the Royal Enfield motorcycles. Here are few reasons for this –

Suspension – The Bajaj Dominar 400 comes with a better-tuned suspension. The Dominar can easily take to the rough terrain and deal with most of the obstacles. Even the Royal Enfield is sufficiently rugged off the beaten tarmac but here, in this video, it’s pretty apparent that the D400 has a better suspension in such usage conditions.

Tires – Both the motorcycles come factory-fitted with MRF rubber. However, the Dominar gets wider rubber. The Royal Enfield Classic 500 gets 90/90-spec tire at the front and 110/90-spec rubber at the rear. In comparison, the Dominar gets 110/70-spec rubber at the front and 150/60-spec tyre at the rear. The wider tires help the Dominar on challenging off-road courses. Moreover, the MRF Revz on the Dominar is grippier than the Nylogrips on the RE.

Lower frictional losses – If you compare the specifications, the Dominar 400 is clearly more powerful than the 500cc RE. This difference in power gets wider if you factor in the transmission losses. The Bajaj Dominar offers 27.5 bhp on the crank. More power comes in handy while dealing with tough obstacles. The second video on this page shows the Dominar effortlessly making its way through all the obstacles. In comparison, the 500cc Royal Enfield makes only about 19 bhp on the crank. There’s a higher transmission loss here. Hence, a lot of torque goes wasted.

Gearing – The Dominar gets shorter gearing, which is another factor that helps the Dominar on such off-road courses. Thanks to a shorter gearing, the Dominar easily powers its way out of the obstacles.

Video credits – Ride with Urus on Youtube

Also Read: Indian government's plan of all vehicles running on electric power feasible only by 2050, says Toyota

The KTM 390 Adventure is one of the most awaited motorcycles in the Indian market for a long time now. Ever since KTM announced the adventure version of the extremely popular 390 Duke, the enthusiast fraternity is waiting for the bike to arrive in the Indian market. Even though the KTM 390 Adventure is quite far away from its launch date, someone has already modified the bike into an insane Adventure bike. Here is all you need to know about it.

What are the changes?

The modified bike was spotted at a KTM service centre in Vikhroli, Mumbai. Even though the owner was not present at the service centre, the person who is making the video shows all the details of the modified bike. The modification is based on the previous-generation Duke and it gets completely revamped with a list of new accessories.

Specific details of the changes are not available but from the video, we can make out that the bike gets a new gas-charged rear suspension. A new front fork increases the overall ground clearance of the bike by a good amount. The bike also gets an aftermarket exhaust that now is positioned below the seat instead of the underbelly exhaust that was available with the last generation 390 Duke.

Other changes include a new larger rear sprocket that increases the acceleration, new headlamp set-up, new handlebar and new brake callipers from Nissin. The bike has been modified with off-roading in mind and it also gets a front radiator guard, knuckle guards, brake levers and off-road spec foot pegs. The spoked wheels and the tyres have been changed to knobby ones for better grip on loose dirt and slush.

It is not known if the power output of the bike has changed. But looking at the modifications, we can safely say that performance modification is a possibility. The stock 390 Duke produces a maximum of 43 Bhp and 37 Nm, which is more than enough for a street bike in India. This modification job can serve as an inspiration to many who do not want to wait too long for the arrival of the KTM Adventure 390.

Source

Also Read: Indian government's plan of all vehicles running on electric power feasible only by 2050, says Toyota

Liquor smuggling in India is a major offence and every month numerous culprits, who use vehicles and other means to smuggle liquor, are caught by cops. Here is a high drama video from Rajasthan that has captured a Mahindra Scorpio running away from the police trap that was laid to catch the smugglers. Here is what happened.

What’s happening here

The video shows a white Mahindra Scorpio coming down on the leftmost lane of an unidentified toll plaza. As the car entered the lane, the cops in civilian dress start to block the lane with the help of barricades. The cops put barricades at the front and the rear to box the Scorpio. The video also shows two Mahindra Boleros positioning themselves to block the Scorpio.

As soon as the driver inside the Scorpio realises that he is being blocked by the cops, he takes the SUV in reverse and finds enough space to take a U-turn and run away. Even though the Bolero starts trailing the Scorpio, it is not known if he was caught. But the Scorpio is more powerful than the Bolero and it has a higher speed and acceleration that make it easier to get away on the open roads. However, the cops can always call for reinforcements to set-up roadblocks in such cases.

Liquor smuggling is quite common in the dry states of India. Gujarat is a dry state and smugglers use vehicles and other means to bring in alcohol from the neighbouring states, like Rajasthan. This looks like a similar case where the cops were tipped off about the movement and the vehicle and they wanted to capture the smugglers red-handed. Catching smugglers with the liquor is an easier way to put them behind the bars as there is enough proof of the crime.

It is also not known if the operation was carried out by the Rajasthan police or the Gujarat police. Often such operations are jointly conducted by state cops to ensure better coordination and catch such smugglers easily.

Source, news

Also Read: Indian government's plan of all vehicles running on electric power feasible only by 2050, says Toyota

Think budget motorcycle and chances are that the Hero Splendor will be the first motorcycle that will come to your mind. The highly popular entry-level motorcycle is a hot favourite amongst many first-time motorcycle buyers. However, performance modifications are the last thing on the minds of the owners of this motorcycle, right? Wrong! Today, we have images of a modified Hero Splendor that has a twin-cylinder engine! Yes, you read that right. Here are all the details –

This modification has been done by a young mechanic named Akram. He lives in a small village called Babra, which is 70 KMs off Rajkot, Gujarat. Akram has installed a parallel twin-cylinder engine on a Splendor Pro Classic cafe racer-style motorcycle. Akram is only 25 years old but is definitely no noob when it comes to motorcycle engines. Our source has informed us that this modified Hero Splendor is in fully-working condition and can even touch speeds of 120 kmph. Clearly, the modified engine has a higher power output than the stock powerplant. Akram will also work on the gearing to further optimize the performance. The young mechanic is willing to sell this motorcycle. He is also willing to take orders for such modification jobs.

While the power figures of this modified engine aren’t available at the moment, we are pretty sure it offers significantly more power and torque than the stock powerplant. In its factory-spec state, the Splendor Pro Classic features a 97.2cc, single-cylinder, carburettor-fed motor that outputs a maximum power of 8.2 bhp at 8,000 rpm along with a peak torque of 8.05 Nm at 5,000 rpm. The engine comes mated to a four-speed transmission. Basically, Akram’s engine uses two cylinders (instead of one) that have their pistons connected to a common crankshaft. Twin-cylinder engines are more refined than single-cylinder motors. Of course, a twin-cylinder format and a higher displacement must have made this engine much less fuel efficient than the stock motor, but there are good chances of this engine offering a significant power advantage.

Like we said, details on the specifications aren’t available at the moment. However, the fact that this motorcycle can go much faster than the stock motorcycle hints at a considerably higher power output. We would like to congratulate the young mechanic on his modification.

Also Read: Indian government's plan of all vehicles running on electric power feasible only by 2050, says Toyota

Hyundai India soft-launched the i20 Elite hatchback’s automatic variants a few days ago. Today, the South Korean automaker has officially launched the i20 Elite CVT Automatic hatchback in the Indian market. The premium hatchback’s automatic variants are available in Magna and Asta trims. The Hyundai Elite i20 Magna Automatic starts from Rs. 7.04 lakhs, while the Asta Automatic trim is priced at Rs. 8.16 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi.

These prices make the Elite i20 Automatic the most affordable car in its segment, cheaper than both the Maruti Baleno CVT Automatic and the Honda Jazz CVT. Bookings for the i20 Elite CVT are now open at all Hyundai dealerships across India. Talking of the various changes in the car, the Hyundai Elite i20 AT is based on the petrol variant. It is powered by a 1.2 litre VTVT petrol engine with 82 Bhp and 115 Nm.

The CVT automatic gearbox offers seamless torque transmission to the front wheels of the car, and makes driving very smooth and convenient. The automatic variant is based on the recently facelifted Elite i20, which means that it gets revised front and rear styling. On the inside, it gains the same features that the Elite i20 manual variants received through the facelift. Here is a full list of the stylistic changes and feature additions on the car.

• Premium Cascade Design High Gloss Front Grille (New)
• Projector Headlamps with LED DRL, Positioning and Cornering Lamps (Best in Segment)
• Stylish 16” Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels (New)
• Dual Tone Exterior Colour (First in Segment)
• Air Curtain (New)
• Dual Tone Rear Bumper (New)
• DRL (Near Fog Lamps) (New)
• Tail gate Design (New)
• Rear Lamp Design (New)
• Glossy C Pillar
• 6 Airbags (Frontal & Side Protection) (Best in Segment)
• ABS & Dual Airbags – Standard13. ISOFIX
• Speed Sensing Auto Door Lock – Standard
• Impact Sensing Auto Door Unlock
• Reverse Parking camera with Dynamic Guidelines (Best in Segment)
• 17.77 cm AVN with IPS Display (Best in Segment)
• Smart Phone Connectivity & Arkamys Premium Sound (Best in Segment)
• FATC with Cluster Ionizer (Best in Segment)
• Rear Armrest w/ Cup holder (First in Segment)
• Sliding Front Armrest (Best in Segment)
• Rear AC Vents
• USB Charger (Best in Segment)

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Mahindra has just soft launched the TUV300 Plus multi utility vehicle (MUV) in the Indian market. The MUV is available in a single T4 trim, and is priced at Rs. 9.7 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi. It’s not yet known as to whether Mahindra dealers across India are taking bookings for this MUV, which is an extended version of the TUV300 sub-4 meter compact SUV. Apart from the extended body and longer jump seats, the TUV300 Plus also gets a more powerful engine and a manual gearbox with an extra cog. A rear wheel drive layout is standard while safety features such as airbags and ABS are absent.

The Mahindra TUV300 Plus is powered by a 2.2 litre mHawk turbocharged diesel engine borrowed from the Scorpio SUV. This engine produces 120 Bhp and 280 Nm on the MUV, and is paired with a 6 speed manual gearbox. The MUV measures 4,398 mm in length but retains the 2,680 mm wheelbase, which it shares with the TUV300 compact SUV.

The additional length has allowed Mahindra to use longer jump seats, increasing the total capacity to 9 adults. The TUV300 Plus rides on 16 inch steel wheels shod with 215/70 section tyres. Alloy wheels are not available even as an option. The MUV is targeted at cab operators rather than personal car buyers.

As for features, the TUV300 Plus gets the following as standard fare: power steering with tilt function, standard power windows for all four doors, central locking, air conditioning, internally adjustable wind mirrors and two 12V charging sockets. The MUV is available in a choice of four colours: Bold Black, Majestic Silver, Dynamo Red, and Glacier White. Stylistically, it remains similar to the TUV300 compact SUV, and save for the extra length, is visually similar to its sub-4 meter sibling.

Also Read: Indian government's plan of all vehicles running on electric power feasible only by 2050, says Toyota

Toyota is clear that the Indian government’s plan of electrifying all vehicles plying on roads here by 2030 is a target that is not possible to achieve. The automaker feels that the government should focus on encouraging hybrid vehicles instead. Toyota feels that vehicles in India will shift to electric power completely only by 2050, and until then hybrids could be a bridge technology that helps all stakeholders make the shift from petrol/diesel powered vehicles to all-electric vehicles. Presently, Toyota sells two hybrid cars in India – the Camry and the Prius. The Japanese automaker plans to launch more hybrid cars in the coming years.

Here is what Shekhar Viswanathan, the Vice-chairman and whole-time director at Toyota Kirloskar Motors said about the government’s plans to electrify all vehicles in India by 2030,

The central government itself has backtracked on the 100 per cent e- vehicles by 2030 target. They realised that you can’t have electric charging infrastructure in place by 2030 to achieve that target. I think this is going to become a reality only by 2050. Second we (TKM) are well positioned to introduce all types of technology products whether electric, hybrid hydrogen and any other technology that may come up in the next five years. Our message for the Government of India is we don’t have charging infrastructure today. It will take 20 to 30 years to build that charging infrastructure. In the interim period we believe that the ideal solution is hybrid vehicles. This is what we told the Government. And the Government will not have to spend a single penny in creating charging infrastructure.

Clearly, Toyota thinks that the lack of charging infrastructure in India will be a major limiting factor when it comes to electric cars. The automaker feels that India needs at least 2-3 decades before electric charging stations become as prevalent as petrol and diesel fuel stations. Hybrid cars, which emit far lower emissions than petrol/diesel cars, while also saving a lot of fuel, could be what India needs as an interim solution. It remains to be seen if the Indian government takes Toyota seriously and encourages hybrid vehicles by providing incentives that are currently earmarked for electric vehicles.

Via ETAuto

Also Read: Indian government's plan of all vehicles running on electric power feasible only by 2050, says Toyota

India’s richest man Mukesh Ambani and his family get the highest security cover in India to keep him safe. The Z+ security fence around him ensures that whenever he is on the move, he is kept safe from any kind of threats. He even uses a bulletproof Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7-Series when he’s travelling. Being a businessman, Ambani has to move around a lot and to keep him in sight, his Z+ cover uses a lot of cars and SUVs. Which are these SUVs that are in the convoy whenever Mukesh Ambani and his family are travelling? Let’s find out.

BMW X5

Mukesh Ambani’s security detail consists of several BMW X5 SUVs. They are the most expensive SUVs used by any Indian Police forces. However, the X5s do not belong to the government. It is Ambani who decided to get the X5s for his security so that they can move as fast as their personal cars and probably make up for a picturesque frame wherever they arrive.

The white X5s seen here get the CRPF logo and flashers on the roof. They are the xDrive 30 variants, which is the entry-level variant of the model that is priced around Rs. 70 lakhs, ex-showroom. The SUV is powered by a 3.0-litre inline 6-cylinder engine that gets twin-scroll turbo. It produces a maximum of 258 Bhp and 560 Nm of peak torque.

Ford Endeavour

To protect the family of five, who often travel separately to different locations, the security needs more vehicles. Ford Endeavours are the second-most expensive car used by the cops in the Ambani family’s convoy. The white coloured Endeavours also get the CRPF stickers on the side with flashers on the top. The Ford Endeavour is powered by a 3.2-litre engine that generates 197 Bhp and 470 Nm. There is a lower spec powered Endeavour available in the Indian market too.

Mahindra Scorpio

The Mahindra Scorpio is a good-old Indian SUV that is used by the police forces of various states. This one belongs to the Maharashtra Police who has to ensure the road safety whenever Ambani is travelling. The Mahindra Scorpio mostly sweeps the convoy or stays in the middle of it. The state police also provides cover for the family along with the CRPF, who takes the charge of the Z+ cover. This is the last generation Scorpio that gets tall tail lamps and is powered by a 2.2-litre diesel engine that churns out a maximum of 118 Bhp and 280 Nm. The car gets all the state police decals and flashers on the rooftop.

Toyota Fortuner

The king of the segment, the Toyota Fortuner, also provides safety and security to the family. The cavalcade of the Ambani family uses both new and old generation Fortuners but the new ones are aplenty. There are some half a dozen of new generation Toyota Fortuners in his security detail. The new generation Fortuner is quite a looker and is powered by two engine options. There is a 2.4-litre diesel engine that churns out a maximum of 147 Bhp – 400 Nm and a 2.7-litre petrol engine that produces a maximum of 161 Bhp and 242 Nm. All the Toyota Fortuners in the convoy are of white colour and do not get any stickers or decals.

Honda CR-V

The CR-V is the flagship SUV of Honda in India. It has many fans and is known for its extremely comfortable seats. The unmarked CR-V in the convoy can be seen as the pilot car on many occasions. The CR-V in India gets two petrol engine options. The 2WD variant is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that generates a maximum of 154 Bhp – 190 Nm. The 4WD model is powered by a 2.4-litre engine that generates a maximum of 187 Bhp – 226 Nm.

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The Ducati Panigale 899 is a high performance sportsbike that’s the pinnacle of engineering, developed on the racetrack but on sale for road use. The flagship Ducati is also frightfully expensive, making it a dream too pricey for most people. A bunch of enterprising bike modifiers from Vietnam have just converted a Benelli TNT 300 into a Ducati Panigale 899. Of course, this replica job has to do mainly with the aesthetics, leaving the 300cc, twin cylinder engine of the Benelli TNT 300 unchanged. Not many would complain considering how sweet the Benelli TNT 300 sounds.

Talking of changes, the motorcycle uses the fairing, headlamps, tank and virtually all the body parts of the Ducati Panigale, and gracefully melds it onto the chassis of the Benelli TNT 300. What this also means is the motorcycle retains the stock frame, suspension, engine and other cycle parts of the Benelli TNT 300. Visually, giveaways to the fact that the Ducati Panigale 899 replica is actually a Benelli under the skin include the smaller brake rotors and the side-mounted monoshock rear suspension. Apart from these changes that only enthusiasts will be able to connect with, the exhaust note of the TNT 300 is different from that of the Ducati Panigale 899.

The twin cylinder, liquid cooled engine of the TNT 300 produces 38 PS of peak power and 26.5 Nm of peak torque. The fuel injected engine is paired to a 6 speed manual gearbox. The Benelli TNT 300 is capable of hitting speeds of up to 160 Kph, making it more than quick for everyday use. Of course, the Ducati Panigale 899 is a different animal altogether. The superbike is powered by an 899cc, twin cylinder V-Twin four stroke engine with 146 Bhp of peak power. Peak torque at 99 Nm is also significantly higher than what the Benelli makes. The Panigale 899 can reach speeds in excess of 250 Kph.

Via MaxAbout

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Volkswagen may not bring the next-generation Polo hatchback to the Indian market. While the German giant has entrusted development of the low cost, MQB A0 platform with Skoda, the platform may be used only to produce sedans and compact SUVs in the Indian market. This decision could have to do with cut-throat competition in the hatchback segments in India, making it hard for most automakers except Maruti and Hyundai to churn out profits in these segments.

An unnamed executive from Volkswagen whom ETAuto spoke to had this to say about the German car giant’s future plans for the Indian market,

The small car market is very crowded, instead the company can make deeper inroads into the relatively under penetrated sedan and SUV market, where VW or Skoda can stick to their DNA and yet make money.

Until 2022, Volkswagen is unlikely to introduce a new Polo hatchback in the Indian market. After 2022, a decision on relooking at the hatchback space could be taken. For now though, both Volkswagen and Skoda plan a sedan-SUV approach. Both brands will launch one sedan and one compact SUV each. The sedans and SUVs will be based on the MQB A0 platform, and will replace the Volkswagen Vento-Skoda Rapid. The compact SUVs will be all-new products, meant to challenge the Hyundai Creta.

Bernhard Maier, the CEO of Skoda Auto, said,

Skoda was commissioned by the Volkswagen Group to develop a platform for cars in the emerging markets, initially focusing on India. We have come a long way, and the final decision should be taken by the middle of this year.

Volkswagen’s Chakan factory is likely to be the central focus of the group’s new plans for the Indian market. The sedans and SUVs will be built at Chakan, not just for the Indian market, but also for developing markets across the world. Volkswagen and Skoda will continue to focus on export markets as well. A new assembly line for the MQB A0 platform cars will come up at the Chakan factory.

Via ETAuto

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While most of the enthusiasts opt for a Thar, there are some connoisseurs that swear by the old school Jeeps. Fortunately, there are many Jeep owners across the country, who treasure these vehicles for their iconic image and loads of charm. Some even modify their vehicles to enhance their visual appeal. Here are five crazily modified Jeeps of India –

Jeeprod

A Jeep Rod is essentially a Jeep that has been modified on the lines of a hot rod. Hence, these vehicles offer a lowered stance, an exposed engine, and a minimalist approach towards the design. The video you see above is of a Jeeprod from Hyderabad. Based on a Jeep Willys model, this Jeeprod is powered by a six-cylinder petrol engine that comes from the 1st-generation Toyota Supra. The JZA70 six-cylinder carbureted engine from the original Toyota Supra comes mated to an automatic transmission and produces 280 PS for the first-generation Supra. For this Jeeprod, the engine benefits from a cold air intake and a sports muffler.

Lowrider Jeep

Seen above is a beautifully modified lowrider Jeep that gets a totally all-black theme all over. The customizer has taken the all-black theme so seriously that even the wheels are dipped in black. Based on the iconic Ford Jeep, this custom vehicle has no doors and is even without a soft-top. Moreover, the video even shows this Jeep in a windscreen-less format. Another highlight of this Jeep is its audio system. The audio setup includes components from Kicker. The lowered springs and the huge wheels shod with wide rubber gives a unique look to this Jeep.

6×6 Jeep

Here is a video that shows a 6×6 modified Jeep from Punjab. Six-wheeled SUVs are mainly used by the armed forces on really tough terrains. Mercedes even made a road-legal version of the 6×6 G63 AMG. Based on the same lines, there are a handful of 6×6 Jeeps from across the country. In this case, the Willys Jeep has been given a 6 wheeled format by a customizer in Punjab. Apparently, this vehicle was even on sale on an online classifieds website for Rs 7.0 lakh. Honestly, the asking price doesn’t look much if you factor in the effort that has gone into creating this highly desirable set of (six) wheels. The custom Jeep comes with a soft-top and a small loading area at the back.

Tumblebee

The attractive customized Jeep you see in the above image is from Made 4×4 Customs. The highlight here is the yellow paint job, which is probably the primary reason for a name that invokes memories of the ‘Bumblebee Camaro’ of the Transformers fame. Actually, Made 4×4 customs is a modification shop that specializes in off-roaders. This Jeep Tumblebee you see in the above image is a hard-core off-roader that gets a custom roll cage, new wheels, and a wider rubber. While there’s absolutely nothing radical about this Jeep, the various small mods it carries give it a distinct identity.

World’s smallest Jeep

Bawar Singh, a mechanic from Punjab, has designed what is probably the smallest Jeep in the world. The 60-year-old mechanic got the idea for a mini-me Jeep back in 1975, when he added two extra wheels to a scooter for a physically handicapped person. Bawar’s creation looks a lot like a scaled down Willys Jeep. It measures just about three-feet in height and is easily among the smallest four-wheelers on road today. Powering this mini Jeep is a scooter’s engine. The vehicle can hit a maximum speed of 60 kmph. The mechanic has already sold more than seven copies of this mini Jeep. He also has at least six more orders for this bespoke vehicle. Great things come in small packages, right?

Sources – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Also Read: Royal Enfield Classic 'Pegasus' 500 Limited Edition motorcycle launch date revealed

Just last week, Hyundai launched the facelifted Creta compact SUV in India. Now, the South Korean automaker has gone to town, promoting its latest offering in a big way. The TVC of the Creta Facelift has been released, and is already playing on television sets across the country. The TVC shows the various new features that the facelifted Creta packs in, apart from the design changes. Here, watch it for yourself.

As the TVC indicates, the Creta Facelift now gets a smartband key that we first saw on the Tata Nexon. The SUV now looks a lot bolder, with a waterfall grille, which is soon becoming a staple across Hyundai SUVs. Other stylistic changes include tweaked bumpers, day time running LEDs and cornering lights, revised alloy wheel design and integrated roof rails. There are scuff plates for both the front and rear bumpers.

On the inside, there are significant changes as well. There’s an electric sunroof, which is likely to be extremely popular among buyers. Wireless charging now makes it to the mass market through the Creta Facelift. Mechanically, the Creta remains unchanged. It’s offered with both petrol and diesel engines, manual and automatic gearboxes. The Creta continues to be a front wheel driven SUV.

As for the engines, the entry-level petrol motor is a 1.6 litre VTVT unit with 121 Bhp and 151 Nm. This engine is offered with 6 speed manual and automatic gearbox options. The diesel engines include 1.4 litre and 1.6 litre CRDI turbocharged units. The 1.4 litre motor makes 89 Bhp-220 Nm and is offered with a 6 speed manual gearbox. The larger, 1.6 litre unit produces a class leading 126 Bhp-260 Nm, and is sold with 6 speed manual and automatic gearbox options. As for pricing, the Creta Facelift starts from Rs. 9.43 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi. Compared to the outgoing model, prices have been revised upwards. The Creta is currently India’s best selling compact SUV and the recent facelift will ensure that the compact SUV remains there.

Also Read: Royal Enfield Classic 'Pegasus' 500 Limited Edition motorcycle launch date revealed

The Kia Grand Carnival MPV has just been spotted in Gurgaon, even as reports about the vehicle being launched in India as a Toyota Innova Crysta rival has started doing the rounds on the internet. The Grand Carnival is much larger than the Toyota Innova Crysta, with dimensions of 5,11 meters in length, 1,98 meters in width, 1,75 meters in height and a wheelbase of 3,06 meters. Internationally, the Grand Carnival is sold with 7, 8 and 11 seat options. It’s both spacious and premium. If sold in India, Kia is likely to position and price the Grand Carnival above the Toyota Innova Crysta.

The Kia Grand Carnival is powered by a 2.2 litre-4 cylinder turbocharged diesel engine that outputs 199 Bhp of peak at 3,800 rpm and 441 Nm of peak torque between 1,750-2,750 rpm. A 6 speed automatic gearbox is standard on the Grand Carnival. The MPV also gets a 3.3 litre petrol engine option in international markets.

With the Innova Crysta also offering a petrol engine option, Kia does have engines ready to deploy on the Grand Carnival. Currently, Kia is in the process of evaluating the Grand Carnival MPV for the Indian market, along with another vehicle – the Stonic compact SUV.

While the Grand Carnival is large, premium and powerful, it’ll have a very formidable challenger in the form of the Toyota Innova Crysta. The Innova Crysta has become a super hit for Toyota, and buyers blindly trust the MPV. Known for reliability, comfort and low maintenance costs, the Innova Crysta is extensively localized. To take on the Toyota MPV, Kia will need to heavily localize the Grand Carnival. A CKD approach may not work in the MPV segment, which mainly caters to the cab operator market, where vehicles run for lakhs of kilometers. Only localization will allow Kia to reduce the maintenance costs of the Grand Carnival. Will the South Korean automaker bite the bullet? Time shall tell.

Via GaadiWaadi

Also Read: Royal Enfield Classic 'Pegasus' 500 Limited Edition motorcycle launch date revealed

If you thought that the Aprilia SR150’s 11.4 Bhp peak power output was a big deal, take some time to consider the TVS NTorq SXR 160, a scooter that has 20 Bhp on tap. Forget scooters, the TVS NTorq SXR 160 can even belt motorcycles. Built for rallying, this scooter has some really solid specifications. It uses a 160cc, four stroke engine, rally tuned to produce about 20 Bhp. And this engine even uses a loud, free flow exhaust meant to boost low end and mid range torque. Top speed? About 120 Kph, making the NTorq 160 NXR a lot faster than most 150cc motorcycles sold in India. And lest we forget, it’s an automatic scooter.

But you won’t be able to buy one, for this scooter is built specifically by TVS Motors for rallying. It’ll take part in 2018’s INRC rallies around India, in the scooter category. To make this automatic scooter rally ready, TVS Motors has also fitted it with knobbly tyres and race tuned suspension. In terms of looks, it’s very similar to the production spec TVS NTorq. We just hope that at least a detuned version of this scooter is launched in India. It’ll make an ideal adversary to the upcoming Aprilia SR150 Storm, a scooter that’s got off-road bias. What say, TVS Motors?

Meanwhile, TVS Motors does sell the NTorq 125, an automatic scooter that’s the lesser powered, street going sibling of the NTorq 160 SXR. The NTorq 125 is one of India’s fastest scooters, with a 9 second timing for the 0-60 Kmph run, and a heady top speed of 95 Kmph. The scooter uses a 125cc, air cooled four stroke engine with a 3 valve head. This engine produces a peak power of 9.1 Bhp while peak torque is rated at 10.5 Nm. Telescopic front forks are standard and TVS Motors offers a petal disc brake on the front wheel. The scooter is one of the sharpest and peppiest offerings in India currently. Prices start from Rs. 58,750, ex-showroom Delhi.

Also Read: Royal Enfield Classic 'Pegasus' 500 Limited Edition motorcycle launch date revealed

While there have been many cases of cops flouting traffic rules and easily getting away with it, a new development has taken us by complete surprise. Seen below is an image of a cop’s Maruti Gypsy that has been locked with a wheel clamp for unauthorized parking. What’s more, the Gypsy belongs to none other than the DGP, Mizoram.

While it’s not known if the DGP has paid the fine, it’s rather heartening to see that action has been taken against a senior member of the force for parking in a no-parking zone. After all, it’s not every day that a senior traffic police officer gets fined for breaking the laws. Like we said, there have been many cases of cops clearly flouting the rules and getting away with it due to their position. The Municipal Corporation of Mizoram, however, seems to have no qualms about taking action against the DGP.

We are pretty sure that this incident will send a strong message to many cops who regularly violate traffic rules. It looks like being a police officer will no longer act as an immunity from being fined for a traffic rule violation. We believe that the conduct of police personnel should be of the highest order as they are the ones who need to set a good example for the citizens.

Earlier this month, the authorities in Mizoram were in the news for imposing the odd-even system to ease the traffic congestion in its capital Aizawl. This is the first time the odd-even scheme, which originated in New Delhi, has been put to use in a Northeastern state. For almost a year now, the Coordination Committee on Traffic Management has allowed the usage of private vehicles in rotation. This is also expected to make the city more pedestrian-friendly.

via Eric Son Tonsing on Facebook

Also Read: Royal Enfield Classic 'Pegasus' 500 Limited Edition motorcycle launch date revealed

Land Rover has launched the 2018 Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque luxury SUVs in India, with a new petrol engine. Both SUVs are equipped with the 2 litre-4 cylinder Ingenium turbocharged petrol engine. This engine produces 240 PS of peak power and 340 Nm of peak torque. It’s mounted transversely in both SUVs, and is paired to an eight speed automatic gearbox. The engine uses aluminium extensively to keep the weight low, and is equipped with twin scroll turbochargers that minimize turbolag and deliver consistent torque throughout the rev range. The SUVs also also available with turbocharged diesel engines.

The Ingenium petrol engine equipped 2018 Land Rover Discovery Sport is available in SE and HSE trims, and prices start from Rs. 49.2 lakhs. The Evoque Ingenium petrol is also available in SE and HSE trims, with prices starting from Rs. 51.06 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi. Both SUVs are assembled at Jaguar-Land Rover’s factory in Chikali, through the completely knocked down (CKD) kit route.

As for key new features, both SUVs now receive features such as Wi-Fi Hotspot (with 4G access to up to eight devices) and Pro Services. The InControl-Pro Services gets key features like The Route Planner App, Commute Mode and Sharing ETA (expected time of arrival).

The Discovery Sport sold in India is the least priced Land Rover, and serves as an entry level model. The SUV gets an all wheel drive system as standard, and is a five seater. The Evoque is slightly pricier, and is sold as a high performance luxury crossover with its sharp design being the prime focus. Like the Discovery Sport, the Evoque is also a five seater. Range Rover also sells the Evoque Convertible in India, the country’s only such model. The Evoque Convertible features a two door layout, and is considerably more sporty looking than the rest of the Evoque range sold in India.

Also Read: Royal Enfield Classic 'Pegasus' 500 Limited Edition motorcycle launch date revealed

Royal Enfield will launch the World War inspired Pegasus 500 motorcycle on the 30th of May, 2018, in India. Bookings of the motorcycle will happen online, on a first-come-first-serve basis. The motorcycle was showcased last week. It’s built as a tribute to the Flying Flea, an ultra light motorcycle that Royal Enfield produced for use by British troops during the World War.

The Flying Flea was made light mainly to be air dropped during the World War, so that troops could use it for last mile connectivity in the war fields of Europe.The Classic 500 based Pegasus will be anything but light though. Expect the 500cc motorcycle to tip scales at well over 180 kilograms.

The motorcycle will use the same 499cc, four stroke engine that is found on the Classic 500 range that Royal Enfield sells in India and abroad. This air cooled engine produces 27.2 Bhp-41.3 Nm and is fuel injected. It’s paired to a 5 speed manual gearbox.

The motorcycle gets disc brakes on both wheels and will get twin channel ABS as standard for the European market. However, it remains to be seen if Royal Enfield offers ABS on the 250 units that have been earmarked for the Indian market. As for other changes, the Royal Enfield Classic 500 Pegasus will feature a unique war inspired paint job.

The dual tone paint job is carried over to the engine as well. While it’s sold in Service Brown and Olive Dab Green colours in Europe, it remains to be seen if the Olive Green colour will be offered in India considering the fact that this color is reserved for exclusive use by military vehicles here.

Other changes on the Royal Enfield Classic 500 Pegasus will include a leather strap with brass buckle across the air filter, blacked out silencers, rims, brown handlebar grips and headlight bezel. Other cycle parts will be the same as those offered on the Classic 500.

Also Read: Royal Enfield Classic 'Pegasus' 500 Limited Edition motorcycle launch date revealed

If we look back at the Indian automotive market till a few years ago, we will notice the lack of automatic options in the affordable segment. At present, the market is filled with automatic vehicles that are becoming quite popular thanks to the Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) that brought down the prices of automatic cars, and made them accessible to mass segment buyers. Here are 7 super affordable AMT automatic cars in India that are priced under Rs 5 lakh.

Maruti Celerio

Price: Rs. 4.96 lakhs, ex-showroom, Delhi

Maruti Celerio was the first car in the affordable segment to introduce the AMT automatic transmission in India. The Celerio remains one of the favourite cars in the segment and offers a lot of space. The car is powered only by a petrol engine, after the diesel option was discontinued by the company. It gets a 1.0-litre K10 petrol engine that generates a maximum of 67 Bhp – 90 Nm. It gets a 5-speed AMT transmission.

Tata Nano GenX

Price: Rs. 3.01 lakhs, ex-showroom, Delhi

The Tata Nano is the most affordable vehicle that you can buy in India. The AMT version of the vehicle is also the cheapest automatic available in the country. The Nano never gained popularity in India and remains one of the most underrated vehicles in the market. The Nano is powered by a 624-cc, twin-cylinder engine that churns out a maximum of 37 Bhp and 51 Nm. The rear-wheel mounted, rear-wheel driven Nano can be quite fun to drive. It gets a 5-speed automatic transmission with sports mode that holds on the gears till higher revs.

Maruti WagonR

Price: Rs. 4.91 lakhs, ex-showroom, Delhi

The Maruti WagonR has been around for a long while now and it remains one of the top-selling cars in the market. The tall-boy design gives it an extremely spacious interior that makes it quite popular among Indian families. The WagonR AMT is powered by the same 1.0-litre K10 engine that churns out a maximum of 67 Bhp and 90 Nm. It gets a 5-speed AMT transmission.

Maruti Alto K10

Price: Rs. 4.18 lakhs, ex-showroom, Delhi

The Alto K10 is the most affordable automatic option from the Maruti brand in India. The best-selling hatchback of the country is quite popular among first-time car buyers and youngsters. Maruti also offers the lower powered Alto 800 but the AMT automatic transmission is only available with the K10 model. It uses the same 67 Bhp – 90 Nm producing 1.0-litre K10 engine and gets a 5-speed transmission.

Renault Kwid

Price: Rs. 3.88 lakhs, ex-showroom, Delhi

The Renault Kwid is the best-selling car from the French manufacturer in India. The Kwid is available in two engine options but the AMT option is only available with its more powerful 1.0-litre engine. The three-cylinder petrol engine churns out a maximum of 67 Bhp and 91 Nm and gets a unique rotary dial knob for the transmission. The Kwid’s transmission does not allow you to change gears manually.

Datsun Redi-Go

Price: Rs. 3.96 lakhs, ex-showroom, Delhi

The Datsun Redi-Go is a stylish hatchback that has been designed to attract youngsters. The sharp angular design of the Redi-Go makes it unique in the segment. The Redi-Go is powered by a 1.0-litre engine that generates a maximum of 67 Bhp and 91 Nm and gets an optional 5-speed AMT with creep function. The Redi-Go also gets a lower powered version but the AMT is only available with the 1.0-litre version of the car.

Tata Tiago

Price: Rs. 4.99 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi

The Tata Tiago has become a grand success for the manufacturer. The Tiago comes with a long list of unique features like Harman-powered speakers, navigation and even Eco mode that makes it popular in the segment. The Tiago is powered by both petrol and diesel engine options. However, only the petrol option gets the AMT version. The Tiago petrol is powered by a 1.2-litre engine that generates a maximum of 87 Bhp and 114 Nm of peak torque. It also gets the sports mode with the AMT automatic transmission.

Also Read: This is the BEST looking modified KTM Duke 200 we've ever seen [Video]

Domestic market-leader Maruti Suzuki and automotive giant Toyota joined hands last year. Toyota and Maruti decided to offer rebadged engineered vehicles in the Indian market that will help both the brands to enter newer segments quickly. While Toyota will sell rebadged Maruti Baleno and Vitara Brezza in the Indian market, Maruti Suzuki will enter the D-Segment sedan with the rebadged Toyota Corolla Altis.

A new development has revealed that Maruti Suzuki will utilise the Toyota production facility to produce cars. With Maruti’s plants running at full capacity, Toyota’s underutilised plants will ease the pressure. Only around 30% of Toyota’s plant in Karnataka is utilised to produce cars. The rest of the capacity can be used to produce Maruti cars that will be sold through the sales channels of both the manufacturers in India. Currently, Toyota’s production line is used for manufacturing Etios, Liva, Yaris, Corolla Altis and Camry Hybrid.

Image courtesy IAB

The plant has an annual production capacity of manufacturing 2.1 lakh cars. This will bring down the waiting period on Suzuki vehicles considerably and will also help Toyota enter the sub 4-meter compact SUV segment and premium hatchback segment.

Speaking about the development, Toyota President Akio Toyoda said,

Suzuki was the first (among Japanese companies) to enter India, and, together with the people of India, has been a presence for pulling forward India’s automotive society. Such represents the spirit of “Let’s do it” that I mentioned when announcing the conclusion of our memorandum of understanding on beginning concrete examinations for business partnership. Or, as I like to say, Suzuki is a company that puts into practice being “The Best in Town.”

The announcement did not say when the production of the Suzuki cars will start at the Toyota plant. Both the manufacturers also announced that Suzuki will develop a new ‘ultra-high-efficiency’ powertrain with the technological support from Toyota and Denso Corporation. The new engine will be an all-new product and will be available in both petrol and hybrid set-up.

The new cars made at the Toyota facility will also reach Africa and other markets around the world. These vehicles will be sold by Toyota and Suzuki’s respective outlets that will enable the manufacturer to target global markets.

Also Read: This is the BEST looking modified KTM Duke 200 we've ever seen [Video]

Mahindra Thar is one of the most modified vehicles in the Indian market. The rugged SUV’s Jeep CJ-inspired design and off-roading capabilities make it extremely popular among Indian off-road enthusiasts. Almost all the Mahindra Thars that have been sold by the brand are modified one way or the other. Here is one such Mahindra Thar that gets exemplary modifications.

A post shared by StayTunedIndia™ (@staytunedindia) on May 24, 2018 at 6:02am PDT

The silver colour Mahindra Thar gets a lot of visual and mechanical updates. While the owner retains the original soft-top roof, many other features have been added to the SUV that make it a head turner. The vehicle gets new off-road spec bumpers with an off-road spec winch mounted at the front. It also gets an aftermarket headlamp with DRL and two auxiliary lamps mounted on the bumper. There is also a single LED bar lamp from Python that makes the SUV look extremely good.

The SUV also gets 16-inch off-road spec rims wrapped in Cooper Discoverer tyres. To accommodate the new fatter tyres, the vehicle comes with customised fenders. There is also a snorkel that will be quite handy during Thar’s off-road ventures.

The stock Thar seen here is powered by a 2.6-litre CRDe diesel engine. It is a Direct Injection engine that produces a maximum of 63 Bhp and 195 Nm. To increase performance, it gets a custom performance remap and a customised exhaust system.

It gets Bilstein off-road spec suspension that makes it more capable for off-road stints. To complete the look, the Thar also gets rear tail lamps that look inspired by the Jeep Wrangler. It is a simple modification list that does not alter the vehicle’s structure at all and yet makes it look so powerful. The Thar has been around for a long time in the Indian market and there are many extreme and sophisticated examples of the modified models but this one grabs eyeballs on the road without being too loud.

Source

Also Read: This is the BEST looking modified KTM Duke 200 we've ever seen [Video]