The Yamaha R15 V3 is easily the sportiest low-displacement performance-oriented motorcycle on sale in the country. The latest iteration of the R15 is the most powerful R15 till date. However, thanks to a high price tag, the R15 has always been a direct rival to motorcycles with a bigger engine. One such competitor of the R15 V3 is the Bajaj Pulsar RS200. Here is a video of a drag race between the two motorcycles.

In the first round, the R15 enjoys half a bike’s length of lead over the RS200, at least in the initial few seconds of the drag race. However, the RS200 zips past the Yamaha by the time the latter is doing roughly 80 kmph in fourth gear. There on, the RS200 continues to widen the gap between the two motorcycles. The Pulsar is clearly a few meters ahead of the R15 by the end of the race. Also, while the R15 is seen hitting a speedo-indicated V-max of 146 kmph, the RS200’s speedo displays 151 kmph for a few moments. The RS200 is the clear winner of the first race.

For the second round, the riders exchange the motorcycles. In this round, the RS200 establishes a clear lead over its Japanese rival right from the word go. This time around, the Bajaj is clearly a few bike lengths ahead by the time the motorcycles reach 80 kmph. It continues to enjoy a great lead over the Yamaha till the end of the race. For the last round, the R15 gets a new rider. However, once again, the RS200 quickly establishes a huge lead over the R15 V3. Again, the RS200 manages to hit a V-max of 150 kmph on the speedo.

The results of these races aren’t really surprising. The Bajaj RS200 is powered by a 199.5-cc single-cylinder, fuel-injected engine that offers 24.5 PS-18.6 Nm. On the other hand, the R15’s 155cc, four-stroke unit churns out a maximum of 19.3 PS and 14.7 Nm. That said, the R15 has a kerb weight of 139 Kgs, which is significantly lower than RS200’s 165 Kgs. However, as is evident from the above video, the performance advantage that the RS200 enjoys is more than enough to make up for a slightly higher weight.

Via Ayush Verna on Youtube

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

The rich and famous are mostly seen using some really expensive cars. These rich industrialists or celebrities can easily splurge on really expensive sets of wheels. However, there are some well-known billionaires from around the world that seem to live a modest life, at least when it comes to the cars they use on a regular basis. Here are 5 HUMBLE cars of super-rich personalities from around the globe.

Mark Zuckerberg

Founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, is among the richest persons in the entire world, which is quite a mean feat if you consider that he’s just 34-years old. Mark can easily buy some pricey car but instead loves to use a Honda Fit, which is basically the other name for the Jazz hatchback that we all know of.

Mark uses the last generation of the popular large hatchback from Honda. The US-spec Jazz, or the Fit, is powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine. The US-spec four-cylinder petrol engine outputs a maximum power of 117 bhp. Mark has also been seen using a VW Golf GTI and the Acura TSX, which are pricier than the Fit but are still nowhere close to the exotics that most such high-profile entrepreneurs drive.

Warren Buffett

Warren Buffet is one of the most renowned American businessmen in the world. He is the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. Buffet is the third-richest person in the world, which means he can easily buy a super expensive sedan like a Rolls Royce. However, he prefers to use a Cadillac XTS, which is a fairly common car in the States.

The Cadillac XTS costs only about Rs. 30 lakh in Indian currency. The business tycoon loves to drive himself and is often seen driving around in his XTS. This American sedan offers a pretty spacious interior and is powered by a 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine. The engine is available in two states of tune – 304 bhp (for naturally aspirated) and 410 bhp (with twin-turbo setup).

Steve Ballmer

Steve Ballmer stepped down from the position of CEO of Microsoft in 2014. His net worth is USD 31.4 Billion, which makes him pretty wealthy. Ballmer has come a really long way – he was one of the first employees of Microsoft and was hired by Bill Gates as a business manager. Back then, he received an 8% stake in the company.

While Steve has made it really big, he drives a humble Ford Fusion hybrid. Actually, he was gifted this car by Ford Motor Co. to commemorate the one-millionth car to have the SYNC infotainment system. The 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid variant is powered by a 2.5-litre petrol motor that outputs a maximum power of 156 bhp. The engine is assisted by an electric motor that offers 106 bhp. The two power sources have a combined output of 191 bhp.

Roman Abramovich

Roman Abramovich is a renowned Russian business tycoon who is among the wealthiest people of Russia. Roman is the owner of the popular English Premium League club, Chelsea Foot Club. He has a pretty lavish lifestyle. While he owns many exotics, he has been seen driving an electric vehicle in France. It’s said that Roman spends a lot of time in France, where he has been seen driving this electric vehicle on many occasions.

Steve Wozniak

Also known as Woz, Steve Wozniak is one of the founders of the premium electronics company, Apple. Steve Wozniak is known as the designer of the first-ever Apple computer. Wozniak has been one of the key members of the popular computer company. Wozniak owns several electronic companies and even has a popular baseball team. He has a net worth of USD 100 million.

However, he drives a Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle. The Bolt EV is powered by an electric motor that outputs a maximum power of 200 bhp.

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

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

The Willys Jeep is an iconic SUV that has inspired many modern SUVs. The CJ5 was one of the many Willys-inspired Jeeps that was launched in the market and it stayed in production for the longest. The CJ5 entered production in 1954 and was available in the market till 1983. There are many beautiful examples of the Willys Jeep in India. Here is an exquisite Willy CJ5 from Jaipur that is up for sale.

The CJ5 seen here gets an original headlamp case but with LED lamps. The tail lamps have been updated with LEDs too. The CJ5 also gets Hella auxiliary lamps for better visibility at night. In addition, there is an HID kit from Phillips. All in all, the SUV has enough power to light up the roads. It gets aftermarket rims and Mud Terrain tyres from Silverstone. The vehicle is powered by a 1.8-litre MPFI engine from Isuzu that gets a 5-speed transmission. The power is distributed to all the four wheels making the CJ5 quite capable. On the outside, the CJ5 also gets a jerrycan holder for storing fuel for long distance rides.

The vehicle has also been modified to increase capability. It gets a 3,600 kg capacity electric winch in the front along with an off-road spec bumper. The beautiful green paint scheme makes the CJ5 look pristine. On the inside, the CJ5 gets new dials from Auto Gauge while the original speedometer has been retained with the new parts. The vehicle looks extremely good and can easily steal attention from many modern-day SUVs. The advertisement posted online says that the vehicle is available for Rs. 6 lakhs. The advertisement also says that the car has been fully serviced and is in excellent condition.

The CJ5 was one of the first new vehicles that was produced after Kaiser took over the Willys-Overland brand. The vehicle became so popular in the market that the production continued for around three decades while the brand launched new models in the market.

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

Dealers and brands tend to steer clear from crashed cars as such vehicles are said to negatively impact the image of the brand.  However, a Toyota dealer in Surprise, Arizona, has a completely different take on this. Toyota of Surprise, Phoenix -Arizona,  is displaying a mangled Camry sedan, in order to showcase the car’s excellent safety levels and crash worthiness. In fact, the Toyota dealership has placed the crashed Camry as a centre exhibit, and is directing  prospective customers towards the crashed car in order to highlight how well the vehicle took the massive impact, and  managed to keep the passenger cabin intact.

What happened here?

Here’s an account of what happened to the car from a Toyota of Surprise, Arizona, dealership staff member,

Let’s hear it for the Toyota Camry. This is a 2018 Toyota Camry LE. This vehicle was an innocent victim on I-10 in  Phoenix during morning rush hour. Ramon Suarez, one of our Toyota of Surprise Team Members, was heading to Sky Harbor Airport to pick up a customer flying in from California. In route, Ramon was slammed in the back by a semi-trailer, which pushed him into another big truck in front of him. The picture demonstrates the force with which the Camry was hit. Here’s the great news: Ramon walked out of the vehicle because the Toyota did everything it was supposed to do. The entire passenger cabin is intact, and all four doors still work properly. So impressive! If you ever wonder which are the safe vehicles out there, here’s an easy answer. Thanks for taking a look.

Modern day cars are built to absorb impacts from crashes, both from the front and rear. Crumple zones engineered into the cars’ structures allow them to absorb impacts, isolating the passenger cabin. This helps the occupants of the car walk away from high impact crashes. This is also a reason why modern day cars look heavily damaged after a crash while passenger cabins remain intact.

In case of this Toyota Camry, the latest generation of the sedan is built on the Toyota New Generation Architecture (TNGA) platform. The same car, in hybrid form, is sold in India as well. An executive sedan is priced at Rs. 37.46 lakhs, and is positioned as a comfortable, large car meant for those who want a chauffeur-driven, super reliable car. The car is a hybrid, and uses both a petrol engine and an electric motor. Combined outputs are rated at 202 Bhp-213 Nm. A CVT automatic gearbox is standard. The car gets nine airbags, ABS, ESP, traction control and hill-hold assist as standard fare. It’s assembled in India through the CKD (completely knocked down) kit route.

Via Toyota of Surprise

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

Royal Enfield has just released a video detailing it’s latest limited edition motorcycle – the Classic 500 Pegasus. The motorcycle is inspired by the Flying Flea, from the World War era. The Flying Flea was a motorcycle that Royal Enfield built in order to support England’s war effort. The light weight, two-stroke motorcycle was built to be air dropped into battle fields. It was meant to give England’s soldiers last mile connectivity. The Pegasus is a celebration of the Flying Flea but is based on quite a heavy motorcycle that Royal Enfield currently builds – the Classic 500. Here is a video that details the Classic ‘Pegasus’ 500, Royal Enfield’s latest limited edition motorcycle.

While the Flying Flea weighed just 59 kilograms, the Classic 500-based Pegasus weighs more than three times this weight, at 180+ kilograms. The Classic 500 is also a lot more powerful. It’s powered by a 499-cc, four-stroke engine with 27.2 Bhp of peak power and 41.3 Nm of peak torque. This engine gets hydraulic tappets but features an old school, overhead valve layout. The engine’s modern bits include fuel injection and an automatic decompressor. A five-speed manual gearbox is standard fare. The Classic 500-based Pegasus can reach a top speed of 120 Kmph.

The Pegasus Limited Edition motorcycle will go on sale in India on the 30th of May, 2018. It’ll be offered online to buyers on a first-come-first-save basis. While Royal Enfield will produce 1000 units of the Pegasus 500, only 250 units of this motorcycle will be allotted to India. It’s essentially a period-styled motorcycle that features some old school styling bits. It also gets a new paint scheme. In terms of pricing, the Pegasus 500 is likely to be pegged slightly above Rs. 2 lakh. If you want to buy one, keep an eye out for the price announcement, which will happen on 30th May, and be sure to register online quickly.

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

Mahindra sells the facelifted Scorpio Getaway pickup truck in South Africa, under the Scorpio Pik Up brand name. Here’s one such truck that has been tastefully modified to look absolutely mean and muscular. The vehicle in question gets a slew of minimal but tasteful changes, enough to make it look absolutely menacing. It’s currently on sale in South Africa. Here’s a quick walkaround on the various changes effected on this Mahindra.

The front end gets a new metal bumper that completely transforms the vehicle’s character, from being one of a regular pickup truck to something that screams aggression. There’s a black wrap on the hood that adds to the overall muscular character of this vehicle. At the rear, the bumper is an all-metal unit, replete with a tow hook, again adding to the purposeful nature of this vehicle.

Other changes in the vehicle include Cooper Discoverer all-terrain tyres shod with alloy wheels and a working snorkel. The Scorpio pickup truck that has been customised is a single cab unit. What this means is, it has space for two adults. The Scorpio pickup truck sold in South Africa gets a four-wheel drive layout, ABS and twin airbags as optional extras. It’s also available in a twin cab layout, which accommodates five people in the cabin.

Talking of the engine, this particular vehicle is powered by a 2.2 litre-4 cylinder mHawk unit with 140 Bhp of peak power and 320 Nm of peak torque. Notably, the same tune has been recently introduced in the Scorpio Facelift sold in India. This engine is paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox that drives the rear wheels. The optional four-wheel drive system operates through a shift-on-the-fly rotary knob placed on the center console. While Mahindra is yet to launch the facelifted Scorpio pickup truck, aka the Getaway, in India, it’s just a matter of time before this pickup truck arrives here, to take on the hot selling Isuzu V-Cross.

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

The KTM Duke 200 is one of the most successful motorcycles in its segment. While there’s a lot going for this motorcycle, one of the highlights is its aggressive streetnaked design. This modified KTM Duke 200, however, takes things several notches higher with its very tasty neo-retro design.

While this modified KTM Duke 200 is from Indonesia, it gives a glimpse of the endless possibilities one has while modifying the D200. The video above gives us a quick look at the several customisation processes involved in the making of this motorcycle. The customisers started with stripping off the entire bodywork. This Duke 200 came with wider dual-purpose tyres.

The original frame was suitably modified to accommodate the custom panels. The high-set custom rear fender is one of the first parts to find their way onto the motorcycle. Soon, the custom tank was put into place. Basically, the video goes on to show how these panels are carefully crafted by the skilled workforce behind this mod-job. The customisers also came up with custom badges and stickers for this D200.

Finally, the motorcycle was given a custom paint job. It was unveiled in public at what looks like a local motorcycle show. As you can see in this video, the customised Duke 200 looks almost nothing like the factory-spec motorcycle. Up front, it gets a chunky dual-purpose tyre along with a sleek fender. The original headlamp and bikini fairing have been replaced with a round unit that seems to carry LED fixtures.

Moving on, the motorcycle gets a custom fuel tank that has been painted in metallic red. It gets a black stripe running across its side. It also gets a pair of custom badges. The original twin-seat setup has been replaced with a flatter unit. There’s also a new engine cowl. The rear gets a high-set fender and a tiny round tail lamp. The orange pinstriping on the wheels has been given a miss.

Overall, this modified KTM Duke 200 looks every bit like a world-class scrambler motorcycle. While its peanut-shaped fuel tank and the long, flat seat give it a major retro touch, the LED headlamp and the USDs make it look pretty modern. Details of the performance modifications aren’t available. In its stock form, the KTM Duke 200 comes with a 200-cc single-cylinder engine that delivers 25 PS at 10,000rpm and 19.2Nm at 8,000rpm. The engine comes mated to a 6-speed gearbox.

Via Atenx Katros on Youtube

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

Ford has been around for a long time in the world of automobiles. The brand entered India in 1996 and it has become the sixth largest selling brand in the Indian market since then. Being a manufacturer with an international portfolio, Ford did launch a lot of vehicles in the Indian market. Some cars did well but others were largely forgotten. Here are 5 such forgotten Fords of India.

Ford Escort

The Escort was the first car that appeared in the Indian market with the Ford logo. The large sedan was the first car of the brand that was launched after Ford and Mahindra tied-up in the Indian market. The Escort was launched with a long list of features that included powered ORVMs, power steering, music system, air conditioning and front power windows.

It was also quite a spacious car with a large boot space and ample room in the rear. The Escort did not gain momentum in the market. It was offered with two engine options: a 1.3-litre petrol and a 1.8-litre diesel.

Ford Fusion

The Ford EcoSport enjoys the status of making the sub 4-meter compact SUV segment popular in the Indian market. Many years ago, Ford launched the Fusion, which is the first ever crossover in the Indian market. The Fusion became popular among the enthusiasts but looked like a large hatchback, which meant that SUV buyers stayed away.

The Fusion was offered with 1.4 liter and 1.6-litre petrol engines, and a 1.4 liter diesel engine. The Fusion was regarded as extremely practical and was favoured by big Indian families. The car is quite rare on Indian roads now.

Ford Fiesta S 1.6

The first generation of the Ford Fiesta gained a lot of popularity in India. Later, Ford launched a special S variant of the sedan for the enthusiasts in the market. The Fiesta was already known for its good handling and with the S variant, Ford took it to the next level. The Fiesta S had better suspension, a body kit and also received a new special colour. Ford did not change the engine though, it was powered by the same 1.6-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that produced a maximum of 100 Bhp and 145 Nm. The car has become so rare that only a few enthusiasts have them now.

Ford Fiesta facelift

Ford’s latest family design was introduced by the facelifted Fiesta in India in 2014. The sedan had the hexagonal Aston-Martin inspired front grille. The sleek design of the vehicle gathered a lot of eyeballs on the road. However, the car did not become popular in the segment due to the stiff competition, especially from Honda.

The car offered top-class handling through its sharp steering set-up that made car lovers happy. And the 1.5-litre diesel engine that produced 89 Bhp – 205 Nm did put a smile on the driver’s face due to minimal turbo lag. However, the car was not captivating enough for the mass segment buyers in its time.

Ford Mondeo

The Mondeo stays in the heart of many enthusiasts in India. It was the first time that Ford decided to enter the luxury segment in the Indian market. The Mondeo was launched in 2002 and attracted a lot of attention in the market. However, the heavy price tag it came with was a repelling attribute of the vehicle. The car was powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine that produced 142 Bhp of maximum power and a diesel engine that produced 128 bhp of maximum power.

Also Read: 2018 Mahindra XUV500 Facelift: Details about most-in-demand variant REVEALED

The Himalayan region in India has some extremely dangerous roads. A group of motorcycle riders on a Royal Enfield Himalayan, KTM 390 Duke, Harley-Davidson Street 750, Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight and Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic decided to take on the dangerous roads to the last Indian village in Uttarakhand.

This part of the video shows the riders taking on extremely challenging terrains when the group was going towards the China border after crossing the Mana village. Mana is the last Indian inhabited village towards China in Uttarakhand, The unpaved roads throw up quite a few challenges to the biking group.

The videos show most of the footage from the Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic and the Duke 390 and both of the bikes can be seen struggling on a few parts. However, the Harley-Davidson being heavier, it can be seen that the rider was struggling to take it out of the water crossings.

The unpaved roads throw up various challenges like loose dirt, landslides, snow surfaces, rain and slush too. As per the video, the biker claimed that the road conditions were so bad that they could only reach a top speed of 15 km/h, which is crawling speed. The video also claims that they were riding at about 13,000 feet.

Riding at this height can be challenging as the air pressure drops down and oxygen level goes down too. But all the bikes in the group had fuel injection systems. The fuel injected engines get the right amount of fuel that is regulated by a sensor in the injection system and ensures that there is no misfiring or power loss. This is a common problem in carburetted bikes.

All the bikes seen here were in stock condition and the video did not report any problem with any of the bikes. All the bikes were from different segments but together all of them worked quite well to cover the treacherous roads. It shows it is not all about the bikes and the riding skills while riding through such terrains. After the continuous rain, the group of riders decided to head back to the base. While coming back, the group shows the Mana village before heading to the hotel.

The KTM 390 Duke is a street naked bike that is powered by a 373cc engine generating 43 Bhp and 36 Nm. The Royal Enfield Himalayan is an adventure bike that is powered by a 411cc engine that generates 24.5 Bhp and 32 Nm. All the three Harley-Davidsons are cruiser bikes and are powered by different engine options. The Street 750 is the most affordable Harley-Davidson in India and is powered by a 749cc V-Twin engine, which makes 60 Nm. The Heritage Classic is powered by a 1,745cc V-Twin engine that generates 144 Nm of torque. The Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight is powered by a 1,202cc twin cylinder engine that generates a maximum of 96 Nm.

Source

Also Read: 2018 Mahindra XUV500 Facelift: Details about most-in-demand variant REVEALED

MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings recently lifted the IPL trophy for the third time by becoming the winners of the latest IPL season. Chennai Super Kings outclassed as many as seven other teams to once again become the champions of the Indian Premier League. The winning team comprises many cricketers who have been in the limelight for their good taste in cars. Here’s a look at the cars of some of the top players in the IPL-winning Chennai Super Kings team.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Hummer H2

While MS Dhoni is known to be a big fan of powerful motorcycles, he also has some remarkable SUVs in his garage. His car collection includes the rather humble Mahindra Scorpio and Mitsubishi Pajero SFX. However, the main highlight of Dhoni’s garage is a Hummer H2 that the cricketer has been seen driving on many occasions. Dhoni’s Hummer H2 is a private import that he bought a few years ago. Powering his SUV is a gigantic 6.2-litre V8 petrol engine that outputs a maximum power of 393 bhp. This mammoth SUV weighs 3 tons and turns heads wherever it goes.

Mercedes-Benz GLE

Another premium SUV in Dhoni’s garage is the Mercedes Benz GLE. The GLE is basically an SUV-equivalent of the E-Class, which means you get similar levels of luxury along with go-anywhere capabilities. It’s said that Dhoni uses this Maharashtra-registered GLE for his travel requirements in Mumbai. The GLE replaced the successful M Class in India and is on sale in as many as three engine variants – 2.1-litre diesel with 201 Bhp and 500 Nm, 3.0-litre diesel with 255 Bhp and 620 Nm and 3.0-litre petrol with 333 Bhp and 480 Nm.

Suresh Raina

Porsche Boxster

Suresh Raina is another popular cricketer from the Chennai Super Kings team. He drives a yellow Porsche Boxster. It’s said that the cricketer uses this beautiful sportscar to drive to the IPL team’s home ground in Chennai. What’s more, the yellow colour of the Boxster even matches the uniform of the CSK squad. The cricketer also gets his car transported to places where he has to stay for long periods. The Porsche Boxster is powered by a 3.4-litre, flat-6 engine that outputs a maximum power of 326 bhp along with a peak torque of 361 Nm. The engine comes mated to a 7-speed dual clutch PDK or a 6-speed manual transmission.

Land Rover Range Rover Vogue

Another car in Suresh Raina’s garage is this white Land Rover Range Rover Vogue. Raina’s Vogue belongs to the previous generation. The Land Rover Range Rover Vogue has been the choice of many sports stars and celebrities.

Mercedes-Benz GLE

Akin to MS Dhoni, Raina also owns a Mercedes GLE. The GLE is the latest addition to the cricketer’s garage and comes in the beautiful Cavansite Blue colour. This SUV is reportedly used by Raina’s parents. Raina’s GLE comes in the 350d trim, which means it’s powered by a 3.0-litre diesel engine that generates a maximum power of 255 Bhp along with a peak torque of 620 Nm.

Ravindra Jadeja

Audi Q7

Cricketer Ravindra Jadeja was gifted this Audi Q7 luxury SUV by his father-in-law. The most expensive Audi SUV combines the luxury of a stately sedan with the off-roading prowess of a rugged SUV. Jadeja has often been seen driving his SUV. In India, the Q7 has been on sale with many engine options. The cricketer’s car is powered by the 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine that outputs a maximum power of 245 bhp along with a peak torque of 600 Nm.

Harbhajan Singh

Hummer H2

Another famous cricketer from the CSK team to own a Hummer H2 is Harbhajan Singh. ‘Bhajji’ played for Mumbai Indians for a long time before he joined CSK. Harbhajan seems to love luxury cars and SUVs; his wedding car was a Rolls Royce! Harbhajan’s Hummer H2 is powered by a 6.2-litre engine that produces a maximum power of 393 Bhp.

Mercedes-Benz GLS

Another highly luxurious and capable SUV that the cricketer owns is the Mercedes Benz GLS Class. The GLS Class is the flagship SUV in Mercedes India’s product portfolio. It’s a highly comfortable offering that’s also known as the ‘S Class of SUVs’.

Shane Watson

Volvo XC60

Another famous cricketer who is a part of the CSK squad is Shane Watson. Shane owns a Volvo XC60, which is a feature-laden, capable SUV from the Swedish car marque. The Volvo XC60 is one of the safest SUVs in the world and looks bold and modern. It’s available in India at an ex-showroom price of Rs 55.90 lakh.

Audi Q5

Another mid-size-premium SUV that the cricketer owns is the Audi Q5. Even the Audi Q5 is on sale in India and has a starting price of Rs 53.25 lakh.

Source: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Also Read: 2018 Mahindra XUV500 Facelift: Details about most-in-demand variant REVEALED

Ford India recently launched the new Freestyle CUV in the pseudo-crossover market. The company will also launch an updated Aspire within a couple of months. Even the Figo facelift will be launched in India, this year. These three cars should help Ford consolidate its position in the B- and C-segments of the Indian car market.

As per latest reports, the Ford Figo facelift will be launched in October this year. The facelifted Figo will likely become a stronger rival to the Hyundai Grand i10 and the Maruti Suzuki Swift. The Figo facelift is already on sale in certain international markets, which means we know about most of the new bits it will carry. The upcoming Figo facelift will have an updated front-end and rear-end. The front facade will carry a new grille and a new bumper. The rear will also have a new bumper while the tail lamps will see some minor updates.

On the inside, the Figo facelift will get a handful of updates. The dated SYNC infotainment unit will make way for the much more modern SYNC3 system. The new infotainment unit will offer a touchscreen interface along with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The interior will also get an upholstery change and some new features.

Other than the host of cosmetic changes, the upcoming Ford Figo will offer an important mechanical update. The current 1.2-litre TiVCT petrol engine, which hasn’t been received too well owing to its lacklustre low-end performance, will make way for the all-new 1.2-litre Dragon series engine that debuted in the Freestyle. The new 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder, petrol engine offers 95 bhp and 120 Nm. This makes it much more powerful than the K12 motor of the Swift. It comes mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.

The Figo might even get an automatic transmission along with the 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder, Dragon engine from the Ford EcoSport facelift. The 1.5-litre motor offers 122 bhp and 150 Nm. The current diesel engine, which is the tried-and-tested 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged TDCi motor, will be carried over unchanged. This engine offers 98.6 bhp and 215 Nm. It comes mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. Once again, this engine is more powerful than the Maruti Suzuki Swift’s 1.3-litre diesel engine.

We also expect the Figo facelift to get some price revisions. Going by the prices of the Freestyle, it looks like the Figo will receive a substantial price cut. This should make the hatchback a great value for money offering.

Source – Autocar

Also Read: 2018 Mahindra XUV500 Facelift: Details about most-in-demand variant REVEALED

India’s most important man, Prime Minister Narendra Modi moves around a lot for inaugurations, speeches and various other events. Modi’s security is handled by the SPG (Special Protection Group) during all his Indian and foreign trips. To keep Narendra Modi safe on the road, the SPG uses a motorcade with armoured vehicles. Which are these vehicles used by Narendra Modi’s convoy? Let’s find out.

BMW 7-Series High Security

The BMW 7-Series High Security is a high-end, bullet-proof armoured sedan that replaced the humble Mahindra Scorpio from the PMO’s fleet. The car costs around Rs. 10 crores in India and Modi’s convoy uses three of them. While Modi travels in one of the BMW 760Li High Security cars, the other two cars that look exactly the same are used as decoys.

The armoured car gets a VR7 certification that means that it can withstand close range firing from AK47s, high-intensity blasts of up to 17 kg and roadside bombs. The sedan gets added reinforcements and heavy sheet metal making it weigh around 4 tonnes. It also gets its own air circulation system with an oxygen tank. The car can move at a speed up to 80 km/h even with punctured tyres.

BMW X5

Narendra Modi’s convoy has 8 black coloured BMW X5s that forms a security perimeter around the 7-Series when Modi is on the move. The BMW X5s are also armoured and are used by SPG officials who travel with Modi. The SUVs are unmarked so that they can blend into traffic easily, but they get camouflaged flashers that are used to clear the way when the convoy is moving. It is not known which engine powers the BMW X5 but even the entry-level variant of the SUV draws power from an inline 6-cylinder engine that generates a maximum of 258 Bhp – 560 Nm.

Land Rover Range Rover Vogue

The Land Rover Range Rover Vogue is seen as the ultimate luxury SUV. Prime Minister Modi has started using the SUV quite often as it is easier to get in and out of the vehicle. He also uses the sunroof of the SUV to get out and greet the public. It is an armoured SUV and just like all other cars in the convoy, it gets the stealth black colour. Modi has been spotted numerous times using the Range Rover for road shows. The Indian ownership of the British brand is also an added point for using the Range Rover.

Toyota Land Cruiser 200

The Toyota Landcruiser 200 is one of the new cars in which Modi can be seen in recent times. The Toyota Landcruiser 200 is a tried-and-tested SUV from the Japanese manufacturer, Toyota. It has a massive stance and is used by many other politicians and industrialists in India. The LC 200 used by Modi gets a huge sunroof that allows the prime minister to get out and greet the crowd easily. The roof is quite big and one can even stand in the second-row seat to get out of the vehicle. It is not known if the Toyota Landcruiser LC200 is armoured, but if the Prime Minister of India is using it, there are high chances that it is an armoured vehicle.

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado

Modi’s convoy also gets the smaller version of the Land Cruiser 200 in the form of Prado. The Prado does not move as a part of the main motorcade but it is often seen trailing the convoy. It is quite possible that SPG officers or tactical teams travel in the Land Cruiser Prado to tackle any situation that may come up on the way.

Toyota Fortuner

The Toyota Fortuner is the best-selling SUV in its segment, in India. The new generation Fortuner looks quite sleek and modern, and is quite popular in India. Modi’s motorcade gets numerous black coloured Toyota Fortuners that form the outer ring of the security perimeter. The black Toyota Fortuners form a perimeter that keeps the cars in the middle safe from any attacks. These cars do not look armoured though. Toyota offers Fortuner with both petrol and diesel engine options in the Indian market but it is highly likely that these SUVs are powered by diesel engines.

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

Trailing the motorcade is a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van that has been modified as a mobile ambulance. The Sprinter stays in close proximity of the convoy wherever the prime minister goes. The Sprinter comes with powerful engine options that allow it to stay near the high-speed convoy. It is either powered by a 161-Bhp or a 188-Bhp engine.

Tata Safari

The good old Tata Safari is an indispensable vehicle when it comes to politicians in India. The Safari is the main choice of politicians since the past few years. In Modi’s motorcade, the Safari is used as a signal jammer and stays in close proximity of the prime minister’s car. The Safari gets high-tech jammers mounted on the roof that ensures no one can use remote control bombs when the convoy is passing through.

Mahindra Scorpio

The Mahindra Scorpio used to be the official vehicle of the Prime Minister of India before it got replaced by the BMW 7-Series High Security. The rugged and tough SUV can be seen in Modi’s motorcade at the end. The black-coloured Scorpio is not armoured and ferries Narendra Modi’s support staff wherever he travels.

Toyota Innova

The Innova is the best-selling MUV in India and is used by the police forces of various states. In most of Narendra Modi’s motorcades, a Toyota Innova that belongs to the state police leads the way. There are also quite a few old-generation Toyota Innova MPVs, at the end of the convoy, for the support staff travelling with the prime minister.

Source: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10

Also Read: 2018 Mahindra XUV500 Facelift: Details about most-in-demand variant REVEALED

Suzuki Motorcycle India has launched the new Gixxer, equipped with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), in India. With the deadline for the mandatory ABS on two-wheelers coming up in 2019, manufacturers are slowly updating their line-ups. Suzuki has launched the new Gixxer with a single-channel ABS, a feature that was already available with its full-faired sibling, Gixxer SF. The bike is priced at Rs. 87,250, ex-showroom, Delhi.

Suzuki has not made any cosmetic changes in the bike. It looks exactly the same as the non-ABS version of the naked bike. The features remain unchanged too. The inclusion of the ABS adds Rs. 6,321 to the price of the non-ABS version of the naked bike’s dual-disc version and is Rs. 10,235 more expensive than the rear-drum version. The ABS will be available with both the variants of the bike.

Commenting on the launch, Mr Sajeev Rajasekharan, EVP, Sales and Marketing, SMIPL, said,

“Ever since its launch, the Gixxer has emerged as a benchmark for the segment, managing to ‘Stay Ahead of the Pack’ in terms of technology and performance. The ABS option allows us to improve on an already exciting riding experience for our Gixxer customers. The Gixxer series is an important cog of our India product-strategy. With enhancements like ABS, we will continue to improve on the value-proposition we offer to our customers.”

Suzuki has kept the mechanicals, including the engine untouched. The bike is powered by a 154.9-cc single-cylinder, air-cooled engine that churns out a maximum of 14.5 Bhp at 8,000 rpm and a peak torque of 14 nm at 6,000 rpm. It comes mated to a 5-speed transmission. At the front, there is a telescopic suspension while the rear gets a monoshock.

The Gixxer gets Auto Headlamp On (AHO), a mandatory feature on the two-wheelers, an LED tail lamp, a fully digital speedometer, a twin-exhaust muffler, and a two-piece rear fender. The ABS version of the bike is only available in three colour options – Metallic Triton Blue/Glass Sparkle Blac, Candy Sonoma Red/Metallic Sonic Silver and Glass Sparkle Black.

Also Read: 2018 Mahindra XUV500 Facelift: Details about most-in-demand variant REVEALED

The Bajaj Dominar 400 has been aimed squarely at takers of the 350-cc offerings from Royal Enfield. This sports tourer, which is also the flagship model from Bajaj Auto Ltd, is a direct rival to the Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350. While the T’bird 350 is a relaxed mile muncher, the Dominar is for those looking for a power-packed, long-distance tourer.

A Youtube channel recently decided to hold a tug-of-war competition between the two motorcycles. You can check out the video here to see the results.

Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350 vs Bajaj Dominar

A total of five rounds of tug of war were held between the Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350 and the Bajaj Dominar 400. As mentioned by the vlogger, both the motorcycles are in bone stock condition. As can be seen above, the Dominar 400 is the clear winner of this tug of war. While some of you might argue that the rider’s weight plays an important role in such competitions, the vlogger makes sure neither of the motorcycles enjoys any sort of undue advantage by exchanging his Dominar with the Thunderbird for the final two rounds. In the first round, the Thunderbird is seen outclassing the Dominar, but the vlogger mentions that the RE was able to do so only because of an error by the Dominar rider.

It’s not surprising to see the Dominar win this competition. Here are some reasons for the upper hand that the Dominar enjoys over the RE T’bird 350.

Punchier engine –  The flagship Bajaj is powered by a 373-cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected engine that outputs a maximum power of 34 Bhp along with a peak torque of 35 Nm. The Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350, on the other hand, is powered by a 346-cc, single-cylinder engine that outputs a maximum power of 19.8 bhp along with a peak torque of 28 Nm.

Better Tyres – While both the motorcycles come with MRF tyres, the Dominar gets wider, stickier tyres. The Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350 comes with a 90/90-spec tyre at the front and 120/90-spec rubber at the rear. The Bajaj Dominar 400, on the other hand, gets 110/70-spec rubber at the front and a 150/60-spec tyre at the rear. Thanks to the wider tires, the Bajaj flagship enjoys better traction. Also, the Dominar gets stickier MRF Revz rubber instead of the Zappers on the T’bird.

Lower frictional losses – To start with, the Bajaj Dominar 400 has a more powerful engine than the 350-cc T’bird. To make matters worse for the RE model here, it experiences higher transmission losses. The Dominar 400 offers 27.5 bhp at the wheel. On the other hand, the T’bird 500 manages to offer only about 14 bhp at the wheel. This makes the Dominar almost twice as powerful.

Source – Indian Stuff on Youtube

Also Read: 2018 Mahindra XUV500 Facelift: Details about most-in-demand variant REVEALED

The latest season of the Indian Premier League concluded recently with the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings lifting the championship trophy for the third time. Tata Nexon was the official partner of this season of the Indian Premier League. Sunil Narine of Kolkata Knight Riders bagged the Super Striker award for his impressive performance in the nail-biting match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders. The cricketer has been presented a Tata Nexon SUV along with a trophy.

Sunil Narine struck 29 off 10 balls to give KKR’s chase a flying start against Hyderabad Sunrisers. While KKR couldn’t make it to the finals of this season of the IPL, Sunil Narine’s high strike rate helped him bag the Tata Nexon Super Striker title. Sunil recorded a strike rate of 190. Like we said, Tata Nexon was the official partner of the IPL 2018 season. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Tata Motors recently entered a new partnership, as per which the Tata Nexon sub-4 meter compact SUV has become the official partner of the Vivo Indian Premier League for the next three years.

It’s after a really long time that Tata Motors has associated itself with cricket. The Nexon has already been quick with establishing itself in the market, and its association with IPL is sure to help it grab more eyeballs. Highlights of the Nexon SUV include an attractive design, modern engines, a long list of features, and a fairly spacious cabin. IPL, which has been a fairly popular format of cricket, should help the Nexon gain popularity.

Speaking on the Nexon’s association with IPL, Mayank Pareek, President Passenger Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors, said,

We are delighted to have our Level Nex performing brand Tata Nexon be associated with IPL, one of the biggest sporting event in the country that gives brands a very effective, large-scale platform to connect with its consumers. Cricket is the most celebrated sport in India and the IPL is all about Superlative Performance, which is also the mantra for the Tata Nexon. We are on an aggressive growth curve currently and would like to ride on the cricket wave to further strengthen our brand among the younger customer groups. We have big plans to capture the audience attention On-ground, On-Air and across Digital and we hope drive value from this association. 

Image source – IPLT20

Also Read: 2018 Mahindra XUV500 Facelift: Details about most-in-demand variant REVEALED

Porsche India has started taking orders for the third-generation Porsche Cayenne Turbo at its authorized dealerships across the country. The new SUV will hit showrooms next month and is likely to garner a more positive response than its last iteration. The third-gen Cayenne Turbo offers a new engine, lightweight construction and a handful of smart assistance systems.

Visually, the new Cayenne Turbo has an all-new design that is in line with the company’s latest design language. Highlights of the exterior styling package include LED headlights, standard 21-inch alloy wheels, flared wheel arches with painted trims and twin tailpipes. On the inside, the new Cayenne gets the Porsche Advanced Cockpit high-resolution touchscreen display, a 710-watts BOSE Surround Sound System, 18-way electrically adjustable sports seats and a multi-function steering wheel.

Powering the third-generation Porsche Cayenne Turbo is a four-litre V8 bi-turbo engine that outputs a maximum power of 550 hp along with a peak torque of 770 Nm. As per company figures, the new Cayenne Turbo can sprint from zero to 100 kmph in just 4.1 seconds and has a top speed of 286 kmph. The new Cayenne Turbo offers rear-axle steering technology that has been taken from the 911. There’s also a new three-chamber air suspension and an active roll stabilisation. The SUV now offers as many as five pre-programmed drive and chassis modes for off-road usage.

Commenting on the commencement of bookings, Pavan Shetty, Director, Porsche India, said: “The new Cayenne Turbo represents the start of an exciting introduction phase for us, with the Cayenne and Cayenne E-Hybrid also set to arrive in showrooms later this year. The Cayenne has been one of our most popular models to-date and I am sure that the third generation, which offers greater versatility and more performance than ever before will continue the success story, starting with the Turbo derivative. It is a highly anticipated model and as such we are delighted to offer customers the opportunity to order the latest generation of Porsche’s flagship SUV in India.”

Also Read: 2018 Mahindra XUV500 Facelift: Details about most-in-demand variant REVEALED

Mahindra and Mahindra launched the updated XUV500 in April this year. The 2018 Mahindra XUV500 facelift carries several styling updates and new features, which work together to make the highly popular SUV a more attractive proposition for SUV buyers. It has come to light that among all the variants of this SUV, it’s the top-end W11(O) trim that is in most demand.

The W11(O) variant of the 2018 XUV500 is cheaper than the top-end W10 trim of the pre-facelift model by Rs 4,000. However, in spite of being slightly cheaper, it comes with premium features such as electric adjustment for the driver’s seat, an electric sunroof and smartwatch connectivity. Also, it’s the only variant to offer 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. Thanks to these high-end features, buyers of the XUV500 are going for the top-of-the-line model. The updated design and a more luxurious cabin are other major reasons for the updated SUV’s high popularity.

According to dealers, the 2018 Mahindra XUV500 facelift has been performing significantly better than the previous model. As per the official sales figures, sales of the flagship Mahindra SUV took a hit in the last financial year. However, the advent of the updated model seems to have brought the XUV500 back into the limelight. As per dealerships, monthly bookings for the XUV500 have gone up from 30 units per dealership to 35 units in Tier I cities. In Tier II cities, there’s an even bigger growth, with average monthly sales per dealership growing from 8 units to 15 units.

It has also been observed by dealership executives that prospective customers who visit the showroom now feel more confident about putting their money on the XUV500. “Bookings for the XUV started almost 20 days ahead of the launch, but have almost doubled after the car’s gone on display,” said an executive at a Delhi-based dealership.

Source – Autocar India

Also Read: 2018 Mahindra XUV500 Facelift: Details about most-in-demand variant REVEALED

Here are as many as 10 features that you should always opt for when buying a new car. These features are very important for enhanced safety and convenience.

One-touch driver-side window

In almost all cars equipped with electric windows, the switch for the driver-side window has an auto up/down feature. This is a highly practical feature that enhances convenience immensely. One can simply roll down or roll up the window completely just by a small press of the button. This feature comes in handy, especially at toll plazas.

Adjustable steering wheel

Top-end variants of many mainstream cars offer tilt and telescopic adjustments for the steering wheel. This is a highly important feature as it can help you get just the right driving position. Having a comfortable driving position is important to avoid fatigue. Hence, a steering wheel that can be adjusted for height and reach makes a lot of sense. This is one feature that is totally important.

Central locking

Another extremely important feature is central locking. Central locking systems make life a lot easier as you can lock all the doors of the car just by a push of a button. This is also a very easy way to ensure that all the doors are locked properly while the car is on the move. Hence, this feature enhances both safety and convenience.

Remote boot release

Remote boot release is another very important feature that greatly improves convenience. Nowadays, security guards at most malls, offices and residential complexes ask the driver to open the car’s boot for a quick security check. It’s quite a hassle to switch off the car and hand over the key to the guard to open the boot. Instead, the remote boot release enables you to quickly open the boot without going through the aforementioned highly inconvenient procedure.

60:40 Split seats

One often needs to transport large goods in a car. A 60:40 rear split seat feature can be used to free up a lot of space inside the cabin. There are many cars that even offer flat-folding seats, which further help you load and easily transfer large goods. Hence, this is one feature that one should always have in his car.

Internally Adjustable ORVMs 

Outside Rear View Mirrors or ORVMs are an important safety feature that help the drivers keep a check on the car’s surroundings. They also come in handy while reversing into a tight parking space. However, a driver often needs to make adjustments to the ORVMs for their optimum usage. While many cars have started offering internally adjustable ORVMs, this feature remains conspicuous by its absence in some of them. This means that the driver ends up having to roll down the mirror and use his hand to adjust the mirror. Too much inconvenience, no?

Reverse parking sensors

Reverse parking sensors are very important features that help park cars safely. This feature is even more useful to drivers who aren’t very comfortable while reversing the car. The reverse parking sensors warn the drivers of an approaching obstacle through warning sounds. It’s a very useful feature to help you prevent hitting any sort of object while reversing your car.

Day/Night Mirror

The internal rear view mirror (IRVM) is of great importance as it helps you judge the distance of vehicles behind you. Unfortunately, in India, many drivers use high beam almost all the time. This becomes really irritating as the IRVM of your car ends up developing a glare due to the high beam of the car right behind you. Hence, it’s best to have a day/night IRVM, which can be adjusted to minimize the glare just by a flick of a finger. This is another feature that enhances the safety and convenience of the car.

ABS

ABS or Anti-lock Brake System is a very important safety feature that all cars should have. ABS ensures that the wheels of a car don’t lock during hard braking. This, in turn, prevents a car from skidding and losing control. ABS becomes all the more important on wet surfaces, where chances of skidding are even higher. Fortunately, soon, it will be mandatory for all car manufacturers to offer this feature.

Airbags

Just like the ABS, airbags are a feature that are very important, at least for the passengers sitting in the front seats. The front occupants receive the maximum jolt when a car is involved in a frontal collision. Hence, front dual airbags can help prevent injuries. Airbags form a soft cushion between the dashboard and passengers, thereby reducing the impact by a great margin. Like ABS, even airbags will be soon made mandatory for every new car on sale in the country.

Also Read: TVS Apache 310-based BMW G 310R & GS 310R to be launched together; Timeline revealed

Modern cars come with many comfort- and convenience-enhancing features. Most of these features are highly important and can’t be done away with. However, there are some features that aren’t anywhere as important and have been totally overhyped. Here, in this post, we take a look at 10 overhyped features you can completely ignore along with 10 features that your car must have.

Overhyped features that can be totally IGNORED:

Keyless Push Button start

The Keyless push-button start feature has made it to even most of the B-segment hatchbacks. This feature is often reserved to the top-end trims of a car and has been highlighted by most car manufacturers as a must-have for enhanced convenience. Well, we feel that this feature doesn’t add much value to a car. While the feature allows a user to unlock his car without taking out the keys and even start it simply with the push of a button, it’s not something one can’t live without.

Most cars today come with remote locking and pressing the unlock button doesn’t take a large effort. Also, it’s no Herculean task to switch on the car’s engine by using a key. Hence, not having this feature on your car won’t make much of a difference.

Automatic Headlamps

Even the mainstream car manufacturers have started offering this feature in the top-end trims of B-segment hatchbacks and C-segment sedans. Automatic headlamps use a light sensor that switches on a headlamp in case it senses darkness. So, basically, this feature helps you by automatically switching on the headlamps in case it’s dark. Honestly, this is a totally unnecessary feature. One shouldn’t be driving a car in case he can’t sense the need to turn on the headlamps.

Switching on a car’s headlamp doesn’t require anything more than a flick of a finger. Hence, there’s no point in paying a lot of extra money for something that can be done so easily.

Sunroof

While many Indian car buyers are willing to pay extra for a sunroof, it’s a totally pointless feature that’s simply of no use in a hot country like ours. Indian climate conditions remain pretty harsh almost throughout the year in most parts of the country. Hence, there’s hardly a good time to open the sunroof and enjoy the weather outside. Moreover, pollution levels in most Indian cities are so high that it’s best to have the windows and the sunroof closed and AC switched on.

Beige interiors

While many Indian car buyers think that a beige interior can make his or her car look more premium, one should never forget that maintaining a beige interior requires too much of an effort. Beige interiors are a dirt-magnet and get soiled very easily. Moreover, one needs to spend considerable time and money on keeping the interior clean. Hence, it’s best to stick to grey/black interior.

Touch sensitive AC controls

Manufacturers have now started offering touch-sensitive AC controls on the top-end trims of many cars. While touch-sensitive controls do look cool, they are really not safe to use. While car users can use physical buttons and knobs even without looking at them, using touch controls requires more attention. Hence, one is prone to lose focus on driving and end up having an accident.

Proximity sensors

Many high-end vehicles come equipped with proximity sensors that trigger a sound alarm in case any object or person comes too close to the car. In a country like ours, where there’s almost never-ending congestion, this feature turns out to be highly annoying. There is simply no space to maintain enough distance from other road users. Hence, this feature gets really irritating.

Ambient light

Many cars offer an ambient lighting feature these days. Ambient lighting does make the cabin look cool by beautifully lightening it up. However, it’s a pretty useless feature as the driver can get distracted by the various lights inside the car. Having ambient lights in your car makes sense only if you want to use it as a mini discotheque.

Faux Roof rails

Most SUVs today come with a pair of faux roof rails. The role of this accessory, however, is strictly cosmetic. While they can add a touch of style to an SUV, they have no other use. On top of it, they aren’t cheap either. Hence, it won’t hurt to totally ignore this feature.

Voice commands

While voice commands may seem to be a very useful feature, they are pretty useless in a country like ours. Most of these systems can’t understand the Indian accent. Hence, the driver might even end up getting distracted in a bid to use this feature properly. It’s really okay to completely ignore this feature unless you are good at doing foreign accents.

Automatic wipers

Automatic wipers use sensors to detect water on the windscreen and turn on the wipers automatically. Again, akin to the automatic headlamps, automatic wipers are totally overhyped. It doesn’t take anything more than a flick of a finger to turn on the wipers. Hence, paying extra for automatic wipers can be totally avoided.

Also Read: TVS Apache 310-based BMW G 310R & GS 310R to be launched together; Timeline revealed

The Eastern Peripheral Expressway, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi a few days earlier, is being touted as the most advanced highway of the country. However, in what can be seen as a serious security lapse, some unidentified bikers were seen practising stunts on the highway just a few hours before its opening.

The video shows these bikers trying to perform ‘wheelies’ and ‘stoppies’ on Saturday night, merely a few hours before the Prime Minister inaugurated the highly publicized Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE).  The video of bikers performing stunts was recorded in Dasna in Ghaziabad on Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE). The spot where these stunts were performed is hardly a few kilometers away from the place where the inauguration ceremony took place. It’s said that the bikers must have gained unauthorized entry to the expressway through an under-construction portion. The incident has raised several questions on the security and surveillance on the newly inaugurated Expressway.

The latest expressway is country’s first smart and green highway. It is also the first-ever solar-powered expressway. The recently opened Eastern Peripheral Expressway, also known as EPE or National Expressway II, is a multi-lane highway in the National Capital Region that helps vehicles bypass Delhi on the eastern side. Also, this expressway provides connectivity between Delhi and the cities of Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Greater Noida, Baghpat and Sonipat. This expressway is a six-lane access controlled road from Palwal to Kundli near Sonipat, Haryana. The 135 kms long road can be divided into two sections – the 56 km-long Palwal-Ghaziabad section and the 49 km-long Ghaziabad-Sonipat section.

This expressway has been constructed at a whopping cost of Rs 11,000 crore. It is expected to de-congest the city of Delhi to a significant margin. This will, in turn, reduce the pollution level in the National Capital Region. Basically, commercial vehicles that want to move between Faridabad and Ghaziabad will no longer need to pass through Delhi. The Government of India gave approved funding for the Eastern Peripheral Expressway in August 2015 and was finally inaugurated on 27 May 2018.

Source – Times Now on Youtube

Also Read: TVS Apache 310-based BMW G 310R & GS 310R to be launched together; Timeline revealed