Lamborghini Bangalore recently organized a drive for its customers, in which 18 Lamborghinis participated. However, there was a peculiar incident, during the drive, where they had to stop traffic on both sides of the road in order to clear a speed breaker. A video of the same can be seen below.

From the video above, you can see that even though some of these cars have a lift kit option, it would have been very tough to clear that speed breaker and hence they had to resort to going off the road. In doing so, they caused a massive jam. It is great to see that owners are driving their cars, even on roads like ours. But that also reflects on how tough it is to own such a car in the country.

8 reasons why supercars and Indian roads don’t go together

Rough and narrow roads: Some cities in the country have decent roads, but that is not the case across all the cities. The tarmac is broken in most places and it is tough to drive such a car, especially due to the stiffly setup suspension. Narrow roads in many cities make driving wide-bodied supercars very cumbersome.

Ill-designed speed breakers, and massive pot holes: As can be seen in the video above, a supercar can’t go over most of the bumps that our roads have. Some of them come with expensive front splitters that will get damaged thanks to the speed bumps. Unfortunately, not all cars have the option of a nose lift.

Gawkers on the road: This is a major problem on Indian roads. Since people aren’t used to seeing supercars, they get really excited and want to come up close to the cars. This is highly irritating for all supercar owners since the gawkers also try to drive like maniacs to keep up with them.

Dust and dirt on the road: Slippery roads plus a car that makes a lot of power is a recipe for disaster. Especially those that aren’t 4wd.

Chaotic traffic: India has a lot of traffic, which includes a lot of people who don’t obey traffic rules. This leads to a lot of chaos on the roads. Most supercars lack good all-round visibility, and this just makes driving them very challenging on city streets.

Lack of proper service backup: Most supercar companies have only a single service station in some prominent city, which means that going in for a service does become a difficult task. Also, it takes time to get parts.

Fuel issues: India doesn’t have the best fuel quality due to mixing issues. Also, only a few pumps across the country offer 97 octane which means that supercar owners have to make do with speed or even normal petrol, which is below the rating of what the manufacturer claims.

Water logging issues: Yes, if you happen to take your supercar out in the rainy season, you will certainly experience the problem of water logging. It is better to park your car at home or a place, which is high enough and doesn’t get flooded.

Image source: Link, Link

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

The Jeep Compass Trailhawk is all set to be launched in India soon. The Trailhawk is the much-awaited version of the car that will be much more capable than the regular variants that are available in the Indian market. The American brand, Jeep has demonstrated the capabilities of the upcoming SUV at the Moab, Utah and here is a video that shows what all the SUV can do.

Jeep Compass Trailhawk

Trailhawk-rated Jeep SUVs are extremely capable and can do some insane stuff. The video explained by Audrey Moore, Chief Engineer, Compass Trailhawk and Nena Barlow, Precision driver.

What makes the Compass TrailHawk a lot more capable than the regular Jeep Compass SUV?

The Jeep Compass Trailhawk comes with various modes that makes off-roading much easier. There is Auto, Snow, Sand, Mud and Rock mode in the Trailhawk. The regular version does not come with the Rock mode.

The video shows dune bashing with the Jeep Compass Trailhawk with the driver using the Sand mode to do so. Sand mode puts the vehicle in the permanent 4X4 mode with transmission holding revs to a higher RPM so that the engine produces more power and torque to drive through sticky surfaces like sand.

The Compass Trailhawk also gets a low-ratio transfer case. Putting it in different mode changes the final drive ratio to 4.334. It multiplies the torque output by 4.334 times, which makes it much more capable.

The Compass Trailhawk also comes with an increased ground clearance of 225 mm, which is 20 mm higher than the regular variant of the SUV. The higher ground clearance along with redesigned bumpers makes it capable enough to take on rough terrains without any underbody scrapes. The redesigned bumper also provides a better approach angle and break-over angle of 24.4 degrees. The revamped rear bumper increases the departure angle to 33.6 degrees of the vehicle.

Jeep also provides different treads on the Trailhawk-rated vehicles. These dual-purpose tyres offer a better grip on loose surfaces like snow and sand making the vehicle more fitted for off-road trails. The video also shows the Compass Trailhawk in rock climbing sessions that display the performance of the vehicle. The Trailhawk-rated Compass can do some extreme articulation. The computers in the Trailhawk constantly senses the terrain to provide adequate torque and power to each wheel.

It also gets the hill-descent feature. This feature engages the front brakes of the vehicle and the driver only has to focus on the steering wheel. The car also gets underbody skid plates that protect it from any scrapes and rock hits during off-roading trails.

The Compass Trailhawk in India will come with just a diesel engine. It is the same 2.0-litre Multijet diesel engine that produces a maximum power of 173 Bhp and 350 Nm of peak torque. The car gets a 9-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and it will be available in only one variant. The price is expected to be around Rs. 32 lakhs, ex-showroom. It’s likely to be launched within the next couple of months.

Source

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

Salman Khan-starrer Race 3 promises a lot of Fast and Furious type of action. Other than Salman, this film also features Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Jacqueline Fernandez, Daisy Shah and Saqib Saleem. It’s being said that director Remo D’Souza has left no stone unturned in filming some really action-packed sequences involving exciting cars from Ferrari, Maserati and Rolls Royce. Most of these action sequences have been filmed at Formula One race circuits.

Talking about this, producer Ramesh Taurani said, “Salman has a great rapport with the members of the Formula 1 race in Abu Dhabi. That helped us get the required permissions. The Formula 1 race tracks look grand and provided a perfect backdrop to shoot the action scenes with high-end cars. Our action team (action director Tom Struthers) did a great job in filming the sequences. The shots look amazing. It was a great experience, even production wise.” It’s said cars from as many as 15 car brands, including Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and Aston Martin, have been shown in the action sequences of the upcoming movie.

CHECK OUT – Race 3 movie trailer & its EXOTIC cars 

Speaking about the many high-end cars that are shown in the movie, director Remo D’souza says, “As a kid I used to put up pictures of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and Aston Martin on the walls of my house and I have used the real version of each and every car that was put up on my wall, in this movie.”

It’s said that all the stunts shown in the movie have been designed by Hollywood action director Tom Struthers. Speaking about the cars, Salman Khan had said that the team bought 15-16 brand new cars for shooting the action sequences in Abu Dhabi. The actor thought he would get to keep some of these cars but the high-octane action led to these cars suffering colossal damage.“The cars were blown up in 200 parts, which made it impossible to bring the cars back,” the actor said.

“The makers have revealed very less in the trailer, through the film there will be more than 15 ‘supercars’ that will be a treat for all car lovers. To top it all, we have also shot at real Formula One race track,” a spokesperson for the upcoming movie said in a statement.

Race 3 will be released on 15 June 2018.

Source – DNA

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

An engineering student sold his car to a Ghaziabad-based artist only to steal it back. A well-known Ghaziabad-based sculptor, Sarfarazudin has registered a case against Manoj Singhal for allegedly stealing the Audi A4 sedan that he sold to the victim.

A senior police commissioner said Sarfarazudin registered a case at Hazrat Nizamuddin police station saying Manoj drove away with the car that he bought in January 2017. He bought the Audi A4 sedan for Rs. 17.5 lakh and had paid Rs. 50,000 as down payment to the accused. After the down payment, the car was handed over to the victim. An additional payment of Rs. 14 lakhs was made in instalments over the next few months through Internet banking. However, Manoj refused to transfer the registration certificate to Sarfarazudin’s name until the full payment was made.

On March 15, Manoj Singhal called the victim for the final payment at the Delhi National Zoological Park. Sarfarazudin went with his wife to meet Manoj and sat in the canteen for payment. However, after discussion, both the parties could not settle on the final price. Post-discussion, Manoj used the duplicate key of the Audi A4 and drove away with the car. Manoj allegedly did not hand over the duplicate key to the buyer at the time of handing over the vehicle.

After the complaint, Manoj was called in for questioning but he did not help in the investigation. After the accused did not cooperate in the investigation, a non-bailable warrant was issued against Manoj on Friday and a technical surveillance was mounted. A day after the surveillance, Singhal was arrested from Kashipur in Uttrakhand and the car was recovered from Bidanpur in Karol Bagh, where he had a mobile phone shop. Manoj Singhal is a B.Tech graduate who is pursuing M.Tech while operating the shop. The Audi A4 that was sold to the artist was being used as a cab in Delhi.

Selling or buying a used car? Be careful

One has to be extra cautious while dealing directly with buyers and sellers of automobiles. There have been many cases in the past where the buyer or the seller has been duped while dealing with a used car or bike. It is important to take care of a few things while dealing with used cars and bikes.

• See the deal through; if it is too good to be true, it could be a scam.
• Always keep receipts of the payments that you make. Never deal in cash; a payment without any paper trail can prove to be costly.
• Never meet a buyer or seller at a secluded place to hand over money. A public place is the best location to conduct such dealings.
• Always ensure that car registration is transferred as soon as the vehicle is handed over.
• Always take the duplicate keys. Insist on changing the locks if the seller says that the duplicate key is lost or stolen.

Source

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

Hyundai launched the updated Creta earlier this month. The new facelifted SUV comes with a number of exterior and interior changes. Mechanically, the Creta remains the same. However, Hyundai has fine-tuned the suspension and both the petrol and diesel engine options of the car. The compact SUV now handles much better than the outgoing model, while the engine has been tuned to churn out stronger torque at lower RPMs. Here is an image gallery of the new Hyundai Creta that displays all the features in detail.

Hyundai Creta front-quarter low angle

Hyundai Creta front

Hyundai Creta rear quarter

Hyundai Creta rear

New grille and front bumper of Hyundai Creta

New Bi-functional projector lamps of the new Hyundai Creta

New DRL surrounding the fog lamps of the new Hyundai Creta

New LED side indicators on the new Hyundai Creta ORVMs

New shark-fin antenna of the new Hyundai Creta

New Hyundai Creta side view

New rear skid plate of the new Hyundai Creta

Tail lamp of the new Hyundai Creta

New tail lamp of the Hyundai Creta

Dashboard of Hyundai Creta

New infotainment system of the new Hyundai Creta

The AC of the new Hyundai Creta gets an ionizer that keeps the air odour-free.

Factory-installed fast charger in the new Hyundai Creta

The new Hyundai Creta gets a cruise control system.

Quick charge adaptor in the new Hyundai Creta

New wireless charging in the new Hyundai Creta

Driver information display in the new Creta

The top-end variants of the new Creta get a 6-airbag system including dual front, side and curtain airbags.

Under armrest storage space of new Creta

Rear seat space of the new  Hyundai Creta

Steering mounted phone control of the Hyundai Creta

Keyless Start/Stop of the new Hyundai Creta

Transmission lever of the Hyundai Creta

Electrically powered adjustable mirrors of the new Hyundai Creta

New diamond-cut alloy wheels of the new Hyundai Creta

The steering wheel of the new Hyundai Creta

Headlamp stalk of the new Hyundai Creta

Cup holders of the new Hyundai Creta

The new Hyundai Creta is powered by the same engine options.

It has a 1.4-litre diesel engine, 1.6-litre diesel engine and a 1.6-litre petrol engine.

Both the 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines get an automatic transmission option.

The alloy wheels of the new Hyundai Creta look extremely sporty

The new Creta handles quite well

And with 190 mm of ground clearance, the new Hyundai Creta can take on rough roads easily.

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

Volvo India has just announced that the XC40 compact luxury SUV will be launched in India on the 4th of July, 2018. While media drives of the SUV are now on, Volvo has also started taking bookings for the XC40 from today. All Volvo dealerships across India have begun accepting pre-bookings for the XC40 SUV for a booking amount of Rs. 5 lakh. Pre-booking the SUV will allow buyers to jump the queue, and get a faster delivery. However, test drives will begin only from early July, when test drive vehicles reach dealerships in India. Even variant details and pricing will be revealed only on the day of launch.

This development was confirmed by the Managing Director of Volvo India, Charles Frump, who said,

“Volvo Car India is gearing up for the launch of the All-New XC40, an entry luxury SUV. After winning the European car of the year, it will soon be available in India. Media drives is currently underway in Hyderabad. The company expects all of its first lot of 200 units to be pre-booked before the launch as the SUV promises to bring freshness in the segment with a host of features unique to the XC40. Customers can reach out to our dealers to pre-book their Volvo XC40. Specifications, features and price will be announced on the day of launch but bookings can be secured at our dealerships before launch at INR 500,000 as deposit.”

The Volvo XC40 will be the Swedish luxury car brand’s entry level offering. The SUV will be imported into the country as a completely built unit (CBU). Local assembly could take place in future, through the completely knocked down (CKD) kit route at Volvo’s assembly unit near Bangalore. The XC40 will be sold with a 2-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine with a  twin scroll turbocharger. This engine outputs 190 PS of peak power and 400 Nm of peak torque. The SUV gets an 8-speed automatic gearbox as standard. Even a four wheel drive system is likely to be offered as standard. Prices are expected to start from Rs. 40 lakhs. In India, the XC40 will take on vehicles, such as the Audi Q3, the BMW X1 and the Mercedes Benz GLA crossovers.

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

BMW Motorrad’s least-priced motorcycles are just weeks away from being launched in India. Both the BMW G310R and the GS 310R will be launched simultaneously in India, by the end of June 2018. While some BMW Motorrad dealers are said to be taking pre-bookings unofficially for Rs. 50,000, official bookings are likely to start from the date of launch. Deliveries are expected to begin from August 2018. Both motorcycles are manufactured in India by TVS Motors. Both share parts with the TVS Apache 310 sportsbike, and this includes the 310-cc engine and various other cycle parts.

However, styling, branding, pricing, ECU tuning and suspension tuning on the BMW G 310R and GS 310R will be different from that of the TVS Apache 310. The BMW motorcycles are expected to be priced at a premium of at least Rs. 1 lakh above that of the TVS Apache 310 in order to capitalize on the BMW badge value.

However, both motorcycles will have heavy amounts of localization as TVS Motors builds the motorcycles ground up at its Hosur factory, with a lot of local content. The price of the BMW G 310R is likely to start from around Rs. 3.3 lakh, while that of the GS 310R could start from around Rs. 3.5 lakh, both prices on-road Delhi figures.

The BMW G 310R and the GS 310R will be powered by a 310-cc, four stroke petrol engine. The engine gets liquid cooling, fuel injection, a four valve head and twin overhead camshafts. The motor makes 34 Bhp of peak power and 28 Nm of peak torque. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard.

The motorcycles get disc brakes on both wheels and dual channel ABS is standard. Suspension consists of upside down front forks and a monoshock rear. While the G 310R is a street bike with more aggressive ergonomics to encourage spirited riding, the GS 310R is a on-off dual purpose motorcycle with a more upright riding position. The GS 310R is also expected to offer softer suspension with longer travel.

Via Overdrive

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

Beach driving can be an amazing experience, but it needs preparation and caution. One mistake, and the whole beach experience can turn upside down. What are the common mistakes that people make while driving on the beach? Here are ten such mistakes that can turn a great experience into a disaster.

Know the beach

The beach sand from different areas have different properties. There are many types of sand that are quite hard and well settled to form a good base where heavy things can move. On the other hand, there are many beaches where the car can sink and get stuck. It is important to know the type of beach before you take your car on it.

While your vehicle can get stuck in the sand, in most beaches, there are a few pre-designated beaches where you can drive your vehicle. Muzhappilangad beach in Kerala is one such beach where you can take your vehicle legally. It is the longest beach in Asia and it allows cars inside for a small entry fee. If the beach is not marked for driving, do check with the locals or cops first, if driving is allowed there.

Parking near the shoreline

This is one the biggest mistakes that most people make. It is quite possible that the dry beach is hard enough to support the weight of the vehicle but the surface under water is not. Also, when the waves come, it takes away a large amount of sand with it that can further sink your vehicle on the beach. Also parking the vehicle near water when it is idling can force the water to enter the exhaust muffler that can cause damage to the vehicle. Salty water is very corrosive and can reduce the life of the metallic parts of the vehicle.

Know the tides

When the tide comes in, the water level rises very quickly. Even if you have parked a little away from the shoreline, high tide can quickly bring the water near the vehicle and it can drown the car too. It is always better to check the tide timings first and also keep an eye on the shoreline all the time when you’re at the beach.

Be light

A heavy vehicle can sink quickly on the beach because heavy vehicles put high pressure on narrow tyres that can cause the car to sink. Always remove heavy items from the vehicle and if possible, drive with fewer people in the car.

Entering deep water

Yes, it can be fun and it produces some spectacular water splashes but venturing deep into the water can be extremely dangerous. Underwater surfaces may have ditches or soft spots that can turn your vehicle upside down if you hit it at high speed. Always steer clear of deep water and enjoy the area outside the shoreline as much as possible.

Not being prepared

Always prepare for the worst. Even though it may seem like a good beach to drive and the surface is hard enough, any unforeseen event can happen. If anything unexpected happens and the beach is secluded, you may get into deep trouble. If you go to an unknown beach, ensure that there is a rescue vehicle waiting for you. Travelling in a group also ensures that help is always at hand.

Be smart, not brute

Even if your vehicle gets stuck, accelerating the vehicle without thinking could make things worse. If the wheels are moving at one place, accelerating can make the vehicle dig deeper. It is always a good idea to change the direction of the front wheels and try slowly. The best way is to get an external force to push your vehicle out. The external force can be being towed by another vehicle or a few numbers of people pushing your vehicle, but it is the surest way of getting out of trouble.

Know your vehicle

It is important to know your vehicle and its limitations when driving in challenging conditions, such as driving on a beach. A lot of times, owners of 4X4 vehicles do not engage the AWD mode until they are stuck. It is imperative to engage the AWD mode before entering the beach to ensure that the car does not get stuck in the first place. Once the car is stuck, the chances are pretty slim that you will be able to rescue the car. Also, do not push the vehicle too much. Every car has its limitations and it is important to know that.

Lower the air pressure

To increase the traction, lowering the tyre pressure of the vehicle helps a lot. Lowering the pressure increases the contact area between the tyre and the surface. Larger surface means that the weight is dissipated to a larger area, which means less pressure on the surface. Lowering the pressure to up to 10-15 PSI increases the contact area by a large amount and the vehicle does not get stuck easily.

Let the salt water rest on the body

The sea water is extremely corrosive and can damage the paint and even rust the body quickly. Saltwater can leave marks on the vehicle’s body. It is important to get a professional to clean the car after a beach trip. A car coming out of the beach should be washed from every corner properly including the underbody. If there’s no professional car washing centre nearby, one can always do it at home with a couple of water buckets or a long hose.

Also Read: Royal Enfield Classic 500-based Pegasus limited edition motorcycle launched in India

Audi India recently announced huge discounts on some of its popular models. As a part of the latest offer, Audi cars are now available with discounts of up to Rs 9,70,000. Called the ‘”You blink. You lose” campaign, the latest offer is available on the Audi A3, Audi A4, Audi A6, and the Audi Q3.

The Audi A3, which is the entry-level sedan in the company’s product portfolio, can be bought for as low as Rs 27.99 lakh (ex-showroom). The lower price is courtesy of a discount of Rs 5 lakh on the entry-level trim, which used to have an ex-showroom price of Rs 33.10 lakh (ex-showroom). The Audi A4 is available with a discount of Rs 6.47 lakh, which leads to a lower starting price of Rs 35.99 lakh (ex-showroom). The Audi A6, which has an ex-showroom price of Rs 56.69 lakh, is available with a discount of Rs 9.70 lakh. This brings down its starting price to Rs 46.99 lakh. The Q3, which is the entry-level crossover in the company’s line-up, is on sale with a discount of Rs 2.70 lakh. With this, the smallest Audi crossover on sale in India is available at a starting price of Rs 31.99 lakh.

Buyers of the Audi A3 can choose from two powertrain options – a 1.4-litre TFSI turbocharged petrol that outputs 150 hp & 250 Nm and a 2.0-litre TDI turbocharged diesel motor that outputs 143 hp & 320 Nm. The Audi A4 gets the same engine options as the Audi A3. However, the diesel motor outputs a slightly higher power-torque output of 188 hp-400 Nm. The Audi A6 offers two options – a 1.8-litre TFSI turbocharged petrol engine that outputs 188 hp & 320 Nm and a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine that outputs 188 hp and 400 Nm. The Q3 is available with a 2.0-litre TDI turbocharged diesel engine and a 1.4-litre TFSI turbocharged petrol motor. The diesel motor outputs 181 hp and 320 Nm while the petrol engine offers 148 hp and 250 Nm.

Other than these discount offers, Audi India will also allow its customers to purchase a car this year and start paying its EMIs from 2019. The company is also offering a buyback assurance of 57% on select models.

Also Read: Royal Enfield Classic 500-based Pegasus limited edition motorcycle launched in India

The Bajaj Dominar 400 and KTM RC 390  are two famous motorcycles in the Indian market. The Dominar 400 is a power tourer while the KTM RC 390 is a track-spec bike. However, both of them are powered by the same 373.3-cc engine block developed by Bajaj and KTM. But which one is likely to win in a tug of war? Let’s find out.

Bajaj Dominar 400 Vs KTM RC 390

Bajaj Dominar 400 is the flagship bike of the Indian manufacturer in India. Bajaj promotes the bike as a power cruiser to take on the Royal Enfield bikes. The KTM RC 390 is an entry-level track bike for people who want to learn track skills professionally. Both the bikes are from different segments and are built in a different way but they are powered by the same 373-cc engine block.

Both the bikes get the same 373.3-cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected engine. However, both the manufacturers have tweaked the bikes according to their usage. The engine in the Bajaj Dominar churns out a maximum of 35 Bhp power and 35 Nm at 8,000 rpm of peak torque at 6,500 rpm. The Bajaj engine gets triple-spark plug technology too. On the other hand, the KTM RC squeezes out a maximum of 43.5 PS at 9,000 rpm and 36 Nm of peak torque at 7,000 rpm. Both the bikes get a slipper clutch and 6-speed transmission.

However, the difference arises in other parts. The Bajaj Dominar 400 weighs a whopping 182 kg, while the RC 390 being a track bike weighs only 160 kg. This affects the power-to-weight ratio massively. However, the video says that the weight of the riders almost even out the weight factor, and both the bikes weigh almost the same.

The video shows 5 rounds of tug of war, in which the KTM RC 390 wins each one of them easily. Even when the riders changed their bikes for the last two rounds, the result was the same. The RC 390 easily pulls the Dominar 400 in all the five rounds.

Why does this happen?

The engine of the KTM seems to be reaching the higher RPM quicker than the Bajaj Dominar. A higher RPM means that the engine reaches the power band earlier than the Dominar, thereby overpowering it. One more important reason is the tyres. The KTM RC 390 gets Metzeler tyres that are extremely sticky, soft-compound rubbers meant for track use. The Bajaj Dominar gets MRF Revvz tyres that are highway-spec tyres, which are meant to be long-lasting. In the last two rounds, we could see the Dominar’s rear tyre losing grip and spinning. It could have been a different outcome if the Dominar had more stickier tyres.

The Bajaj Dominar is priced at Rs. 1.42 lakh for the non-ABS version, and Rs. 1.6 lakh for the ABS version. The KTM RC 390 is priced at Rs. 2.25 lakh for the non-ABS version and Rs. 2.37 lakh for the ABS version. Both the bikes are manufactured at the same plant in Chakan.

Also Read: Royal Enfield Classic 500-based Pegasus limited edition motorcycle launched in India

Ever since Hyundai launched the Creta in 2015, it has been the segment leader in terms of monthly sales. After all, this was a product that catered to the SUV needs of an average Indian buyer – a well-proportioned body line, spacious interiors, high quality cabin and excellent engine options. The new 2018 model is more than just a facelift and ensures that newer options like the cheaper EcoSport and the more expensive XUV500 do not displace it from its throne.

Exterior changes

Let’s start with the design first. It is as good as before, but has been tweaked substantially to give it a fresh appeal. Up front, this includes the Bi-functional Projector Headlamps which are ‘functional‘ too as they provide a better throw at night. Next up are the new LED day time running lights (DRLs) and positioning lamps. The front end also benefits from a new dual-tone bumper and new skid plates. I particularly like the new shape for the 17″ alloy wheels for the higher trim levels. These look bling at standstill and even better on the move as visible in our video below.

At the rear, changes are less and limited to the new profile for the tail lamps, new dual-tone bumper and skid plates. Hyundai has also introduced two new colours for the 2018 Creta, Marina Blue and Passion Orange. The latter is visible here and makes the car look bigger than what it actually is.

On the inside?

When launched in 2015, the Creta set new benchmarks in terms of fit and finish inside the cabin and continues to do so even today. The dual-tone theme works well and for 2018, the new Creta has more kit than ever before. First up is the sunroof that is fast becoming a must have for modern day buyers. Next is the powered driver seat which just makes your life easier in terms of getting into that perfect driving posture.

Third is the addition of wireless charging – this is located in front of the gear lever and eliminates the need to carry your adapter and wire. Talking of which, the Creta also comes with a factory-fitted, high-speed charger up front – just in case your phone does not support wireless charging. All these three features – the sunroof, powered seat and wireless charging – are segment-first offerings.

The Creta also gets cruise control, which is I personally feel is a great add-on. This is highly usable on open roads and even early morning commutes when traffic is thin. The front arm-rest now gets a sliding option and this along with a driver seat height adjust are standard fitment across the line-up. The infotainment system also gets an update and now supports Auto Link that helps you keep a check on your car’s health, keep an eye on your driving patterns, book a service etc. Likewise, the driver information display now gets the ever important fuel economy indicator, something that was surprisingly missing till now.

Another cool feature is the smart key band – this allows hands free access to the car, including engine start/stop, and also works as your personal fitness track with features like sleep monitoring, step counter and calorie counter etc. Neat! Apart from the add-ons, the Creta continues to provide a good environment for passengers on the inside. Space and visibility is great up-front and the same goes for rear passengers. That said, the rising window line at the back can be an issue for shorter passengers. Rear air-con vents, 60:40 rear seat split, and climate control with cluster ionizer continue to be offered. However, we do miss the ventilated seats that are now offered on the cheaper Verna.

How does it drive?

The three engine options are a carry over from the earlier version. This means you get the same engine options that include a 1.4-litre diesel with 90 PS / 220 Nm, a 1.6-litre diesel with 128 PS / 260 Nm and a 1.6-litre petrol with 123 PS / 151 Nm. Both the 1.6 units come with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard and optional 6-speed auto ‘box too. The engines have always been the Creta’s strong point and continue to play an important role.

Though power and torque figures remain unchanged, Hyundai has re-tuned the graphs to make sure performance comes in early in the rev range, which in turn helps you in city driving. We drove the 1.6 petrol for this test, and this was the first time I was driving the Creta with this engine. It turned out to be a nice experience with good part throttle response, though I was left wanting for more between 2500-4000 rpm. Beyond that, the engine becomes impressive and rewards you with a good drive. The diesel too gets the torque coming in early, which should erase that minor turbo-lag. The icing on the cake are the improved economy figures, up by 3% on the petrol and 4% on the diesel.

How does it ride?

Like the engines, the suspension set-up also remains largely unchanged save for some re-tuning. The light steering has always been a boon for the Creta and now at triple digit speeds, the extra firmness comes into play. This is even more apparent when driving with a load of four passengers. This apart, the Creta remains as easy to drive as ever, thanks to good visibility, light steering and sharp brakes. So nothing much to talk about here.

Summary

To summarise, while the pricing for the entry-level models remain more or less unchanged, features have increased. Hyundai has also made the mid-level versions cheaper and the top end is more expensive due to add-ons, such as a sunroof, powered driver seat and wireless charging etc. The Creta also gets 3-year unlimited mileage warranty along with 3-year roadside assistance to complete the package.

The Creta continues to remain a solid choice in the Rs. 9-14 lakh bracket and if there is one thing that I could ask for, it has to be an optional 4×4. This one driver aid would further increase its appeal in my opinion. Do go through the video above.

Also Read: Royal Enfield Classic 500-based Pegasus limited edition motorcycle launched in India

It’s no secret that many Indian car drivers manage to get a driving license without taking proper training. Mostly, such drivers learn driving from other members of their family and end up repeating the mistakes of their teachers. It’s not uncommon to see people honking unnecessarily or resting their foot on the clutch pedal all the time. It really won’t be wrong to say that many Indian drivers have some really stupid habits when it comes to driving a car.

Ford Motor Company carried out a survey that covered 9,500 drivers in 11 countries of the Asia Pacific region. Out of these, 1,023 were Indian respondents. Based on the findings of this survey, here are 8 STUPID things Indian drivers believe about fuel efficiency –

1. Harsh acceleration doesn’t have an effect on fuel efficiency – This is something that as many as 40% of Indian drivers believe in. Many of us aren’t aware that harsh acceleration or unnecessary revving the engine has an adverse effect on the car’s mileage.

2. Keeping the engine on while idling doesn’t affect the fuel efficiency- It has come to light that a whopping 26% of Indian drivers believe that keeping the engine on idle is as good as turning it off. However, in reality, turning the engine off saves more fuel than keeping it on idle for anything more than 15 seconds.

3. Cruise control has nothing to do with fuel efficiency- This is something that 78% of Indian drivers believe in. Cruise control is a tool by which you can maintain a constant speed, which means that the engine doesn’t waste any fuel efficiency via unnecessary acceleration.

4. Only 27% of drivers know how to check GPS – It’s always a good practice to check GPS before leaving home. Through GPS, you can plan alternative routes to escape traffic. Getting stuck in traffic or moving at a snail’s pace is a sure shot way to waste a lot of fuel. Hence, it’s best to check GPS before heading out and plan the route accordingly.

5. 52% of drivers didn’t know that driving on mountain roads can affect fuel efficiency- Mountain roads, which comprise mainly of uphill and downhill sections, has a direct effect on the car’s fuel efficiency. This leads to a higher consumption than what the car would have consumed on the plains.

6. 73% people were unaware that cold weather affects the mileage of the vehicle, while 63% did not know that hot weather can play a role in fuel efficiency – Every engine has an optimum temperature at which it can perform its best. During winters, an engine takes more time to reach this temperature, which, in turn, reduces the mileage. On the other hand, in summer, car users tend to use the air conditioning, which in turn, reduces the fuel efficiency.

Also, driving at high speeds leads to higher wind resistance, which lowers the fuel efficiency. That said, the wind resistance can be minimized through rolling up the windows and using the AC to maintain a favourable cabin temperature. At low speeds, however, if possible, switch off the AC and roll down the windows to aid fuel efficiency.

7. 65% of drivers did not know that removing heavy items from the car make it more fuel efficient- Higher the weight your car has to carry, lower the mileage it will offer. Hence, it’s best to remove unnecessary objects from the car. A lower weight will help you extract a higher mileage.

8. Only 33% of drivers are aware of the fact that regular servicing can help in saving more fuel- While it’s obvious that regular servicing is an easy way to ensure that your car remains in good health, only about one-third of all car owners adhere to this practice. Regularly servicing a car can reduce the wear and tear of many parts and ensure that high mileage is delivered.

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The Tata Nexon compact SUV has gained massive popularity in the Indian car market. To capture new generation customers, the manufacturers are offering many dealer-level accessories and customisation kits with many new cars. The Nexon also gets a lot of options that can make it look different from the stock model. However, this Coimbatore-based Tata dealership has unveiled a customised model with their own creative idea and it is called the SRT Frozen edition.

What is it about?

After Tata revealed the official IPL edition the Tata Nexon for the Mumbai Indians team, many dealerships and customising houses have started making new models for the various IPL teams. The dealership has used a matte yellow colour all over the body while the roof gets black paint. The window beltline gets a grey colour that makes the overall Nexon quite handsome.

The Nexon shown in the picture also gets the same grey colour on the fog lamp housing, grille, and lower radiator grille adding a very unique shade to the vehicle. It also gets a body kit with side skirting and front bumper underlip spoiler. Rest of the vehicle stays the same and it has not been changed mechanically too.

While the visual changes do not void the manufacturer’s warranty, one has to get the new colour endorsed on the registration certificate of the vehicle. We are not sure if the dealership helps the customer to get the new colour registered on the Registration Certificate of the sub 4-meter SUV.

The engine, however, remains the same. The Tata Nexon is powered by both petrol and diesel engine options. There is a 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel engine that produces a maximum power of 108 Bhp and 260 Nm. The turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol engine produces a maximum of 108 Bhp and 170 Nm. Both the engine options get standard 6-speed manual transmission and an optional 6-speed AMT automatic transmission.

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While the Indian Government has been rather bullish with its moves to popularize electric vehicles (EVs), it has come to light that the authorities have pushed back a deadline to put thousands of electric cars on road by almost a year. This is being seen as a setback of sorts to the Govt’s ambitious plan of having a major portion of its fleet electrified by 2030.

State-owned Energy Efficiency Services Ltd., the Government body that has been tasked with replacing Govt-owned petrol and diesel vehicles with EVs, will be able to roll out the first batch of 10,000 electric-powered cars only by March 2019. It may be noted that EESL had earlier planned to roll out the first 500 cars by November last year and the remaining by June this year. However, now, it looks like the agency is almost a year away from meeting the deadline.

“The need for building more charging points for 10,000 electric cars and states being slow in taking deliveries are the reasons for the delay,” said Saurabh Kumar, the agency’s managing director. There are roughly 150 electric cars in New Delhi and about 100 in Andhra Pradesh. So far, only about 200 charging stations have been made for the recently procured vehicles. Of this, more than 100 are in Delhi.

Speaking on the Government’s plan of procuring 10,000 electric vehicles to replace petrol and diesel cars in its fleet, Allen Tom Abraham, a BNEF analyst, said,“These tenders are the largest drivers for EV demand. If these large procurement programs falter, auto-makers would prolong any plans they have to introduce mass-market EVs in India.”

It may be noted here that Tata Motors Ltd. and Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. have bagged EESL’s tenders for supplying electric cars. Speaking on this, Kumar said,“I have demand for 19,000 cars today and if I don’t get more, there won’t be a third tender.” It now remains to be seen if the state-owned agency would be successful in putting 10,000 EVs into use by March 2019.

Source- The Economic Times

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The BrandZ survey is considered to be one of the most important global brand value surveys across the world. For the first time since its inception, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, the country’s largest selling car manufacturer, has made it to the top 10 automobile brands as per the latest edition of this survey.

As per the BrandZ survey, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd is ranked no. 9 in the auto sector, which makes it one of the most valuable automobile brands in the entire world. Currently, Maruti Suzuki is valued at USD 6,375 Billion, which makes it more valuable than Volkswagen (company and not the group), which is rated lower at USD 5,986 Billion. Also, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd is the only Indian automobile company to have made it to the list of top 10 most valuable auto companies as per the BrandZ survey.

As per BrandZ, a large role in making Maruti Suzuki one of the most valuable auto companies has been played by the NEXA chain of premium dealerships. Nexa has played a vital role in changing the perception that Maruti makes only budget cars. Also, the presence of Maruti Vitara Brezza, a popular compact SUV, has helped the company make it to the top 10 most valuable car manufacturers.

The most valuable brand as per the latest survey is Toyota, which has retained its numero uno position for the sixth year now. Toyota is valued at a whopping USD 29,987 billion. The second slot on the list is occupied by Mercedes-Benz, which has been valued at USD 25,684 billion. The third place has been occupied by BMW, which has been valued at USD 25,624 billion. Another auto company to have retained its position in the top 10 list is Ford, which has been valued at USD 12,742 billion. The list also features electric luxury car maker Tesla, which has been valued at USD 9,415 billion and occupies the 8th position, just above Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. Honda, Nissan and Audi occupy 5th, 6th and 7th slots respectively.

via Car and Bike

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Admit it, we all want to attract every eyeball on the road in a really swanky car. Sadly, however, hardly some of us can afford a drop-dead gorgeous set of wheels to live this dream. That said, some take the replica car route and make their rather ordinary ride stand out by making it look like a much more desirable model. Here’s a Lamborghini Aventador replica that started life as a 2007 Honda Accord V6.

Modded by Mumbai-based Executive Modcar Trendz, this Accord-based Lamborghini Aventador replica costs Rs 25 lakh (excluding the cost of the donor vehicle). While this modified Honda Accord doesn’t look exactly like the mighty Aventador, there’s enough resemblance with the highly revered supercar. To an untrained eye, this car will look as special as the real deal. This modified Accord wears a very Lamborghini-ish orange paint scheme and has a similar two-door coupe body form. Like we said, this Accord doesn’t look completely like the car it’s trying to replicate. Much of this has to do with the proportions. An actual Aventador is lower and wider than this copy.

That said, the customizers have successfully managed to capture the essence of the famous Italian supercar. Every panel of this replica bears a passing resemblance to the Aventador. It gets similar looking headlamps and tail lamps and even gets largely similar bumpers. Akin to the original, this Aventador replica offers scissor doors. Like we’ve been saying, the new body makes this Accord look a lot like the actual supercar. It’s mostly the proportions that make the car look slightly different from the real deal.

Even the interior of this Accord has been given a thorough makeover. You get a similar dashboard layout and even a similar centre stash. The original seats have been replaced with sporty racing seats and the new steering wheel looks much sportier. Like the exterior, even the interior isn’t an exact replica. However, it looks a fair bit like that of the real supercar. While the Aventador comes equipped with a 6.5-litre V12 engine that outputs 690 bhp, this Accord has a 3.0-litre V6 engine with only 244 bhp on offer. The motor doesn’t get any kind of performance modifications except for a new end-can for a meatier exhaust note.

Video Courtesy – Imzy All in One on Youtube

Also Read: Royal Enfield Classic 500-based Pegasus limited edition motorcycle launched in India

Retro-motorcycle maker Royal Enfield has just launched the Classic 500-based Pegasus limited edition motorcycle in India. The Classic 500-based Pegasus is priced at Rs. 2.4 lakhs, on-road Delhi, making it the most expensive motorcycle on sale in India by Royal Enfield. The Pegasus shares its mechanicals with the Classic 500 Stealth Black. Key changes are limited to the cosmetics, which are inspired by the Flying Flea, a super lightweight motorcycle that Royal Enfield produced for World War ll. The Flying Flea, which weighed under 60 kilograms, was meant to be air dropped along with soldiers, giving them a means of last mile connectivity to war torn regions.

While the Flying Flea weighed less than 60 kilograms, the Classic 500-based Pegasus is quite a heavyweight, with a kerb weight of over 190 kilograms. The only real connect that the Pegasus shares with the Flying Flea has to do with the cosmetic changes.

The motorcycle that is sold in India gets a Service Brown colour, while international buyers get to choose between Service Brown and Olive Green colours. This is because of the fact that the Olive Green colour is reserved for military use in India, and is disallowed for civilian vehicles. Only 250 units of the Pegasus 500 will be sold in India. The motorcycles will be numbered between C50001 and C50250, with the numbers stickered on the fuel tank.

The Pegasus 500 is powered by a 499cc, four stroke air cooled engine. This long stroke engine gets hydraulic valve lifters, and makes 27.2 Bhp-41.3 Nm. A 5 speed manual gearbox is standard, and so are disc brakes on both wheels. As for changes, the Pegasus 500 gets a Pegasus logo on the fuel tank, canvas panniers, leather strap with brass buckles on the battery box, brown handlebar grips, an ‘RE’ tank badge and blacked-out elements such as the exhaust muffler, engine, rims, handlebar and headlight bezel. You can order the motorcycle only online on the 10th of July 2018, at 2 PM IST, when the Pegasus 500 will be sold through the Royal Enfield website on a first-come-first-serve basis.

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TVS Motors has tasted success with the Apache 310 sports bike. The fully faired motorcycle is becoming a strong seller since its launch, with monthly sales nudging the 1,000 units mark. TVS Motors planned to sell 10,000 units of the Apache RR 310 in the first year of production, and the motorcycle maker seems well on course to achieve that.

First unveiled in December 2017, deliveries of the Apache RR 310 began from January 2018. The motorcycle has sold about 3,000 units until April 2018, and sales momentum has now picked up further to 1,000 units/month. TVS expects sales to further increase due to the various customer engagement activities the brand has lined up over the next few months.

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

We are happy with the positive response to the TVS Apache RR 310 in the last few months. The feedback on the motorcycle has been very good and we believe that this positive response will continue and the Apache RR 310 will establish itself as a strong player in the super premium motorcycle category. Today, the Apache Owner’s Group (AOG) has an active rider base of over 3,000 owners. These groups of racing enthusiasts that we have created for TVS Apache will grow further as we expand our base of owners. Another unique initiative to reiterate the brand’s racing legacy is the TVS Apache RR Cup, where professional racers ride and compete in five rounds on race-tuned TVS Apache RR 310 motorcycles.

The TVS Apache RR 310 is the first motorcycle produced from TVS Motors’ partnership with BMW Motorrad. The motorcycle is built in India, and is based on a BMW-designed 311-cc, reverse inclined four-stroke engine. This liquid-cooled, fuel-injected single cylinder engine produces 34 Bhp-28 Nm.

The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. The suspension on the Apache 310 consists of telescopic front forks and a monoshock rear. The motorcycle offers twin disc brakes with dual-channel ABS as standard. As for pricing, the Apache RR 310 has been pegged at Rs. 2.23 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi. It competes with the KTM RC 390.

Via HinduBusinessLine

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Maruti Suzuki India Ltd plans to bring the Vitara SUV to India to taken on vehicles, such as the Hyundai Creta. The Maruti Vitara is expected to be launched next year and will come with both petrol and diesel engines. The upcoming Maruti Suzuki SUV is available abroad. Here is a detailed review from the Philippines.

The Hyundai Creta rival was launched in the Philippines last year. Currently, Suzuki produces the Vitara in Hungary, Europe, from where it is exported to markets like that of the Philippines. The latest generation of the Vitara SUV looks modern and youthful. The test car that is seen in the video gets a two-tone Bright Red 5 metallic colour that makes the SUV look pretty bold. The Vitara, as per the reviewer, isn’t bold and flashy but is ‘well-groomed’.

Highlights of the front-end include LED headlamps, LED DRLs, a massive air intake and a bold front grille. Highlights of the side profile include stylish diamond-cut alloy wheels, indicators on ORVMs and bold creases. Even the rear-end looks handsome, which is largely due to the stylish wrap-around tail lamps and a neatly sculpted bumper. However, the reviewer points out the ‘hole’ in the rear bumper, which should have ideally carried a rear fog lamp or at least a reflector.

As shown in the video, the boot, at 375 litres, is pretty spacious. However, it’s 25 litres lesser than what the Hyundai Creta offers. The boot offers a 12-volt electric socket, which should come in handy while carrying a portable refrigerator. The luggage space can be boosted by folding the rear seats. In the words of the reviewer, the interior plastics ‘are not very nice’. However, the highlight of the interior is the long list of features it comes with.

Features of the top-end GLX trim include cruise control, pedal shifters, a touchscreen infotainment system, reverse camera, panoramic sunroof, ABS and airbags. The long list of features should help the Vitara fend off the heat from the feature-laden Hyundai Creta. Sadly, however, there are no rear aircon vents. There’s not even a centre armrest for the rear passenger. The reviewer is quick to add that the aircon is strong enough to cool the cabin very quickly, which means the lack of rear aircon vents doesn’t create much of a problem.

Powering the Philippines-spec Vitara SUV is a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder, naturally-aspirated petrol engine that outputs 115 bhp of maximum power and 155 Nm of peak torque. The motor comes mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The reviewer managed to extract a maximum mileage of 16 kmpl. The engine is peppy and it’s only above 100 kmph that the NVH levels get a bit high. The India-spec Vitara will also offer a diesel engine, which is most likely to be the upcoming 1.5-litre turbo motor that Suzuki has been busy preparing.

The Vitara has a ground clearance of 185 mm. The reviewer does mention that there’s some body-roll at high speeds. The Vitara offers disc brakes at the front and rear and there’s enough stopping force to help this SUV shed speeds rather quickly. The reviewer concludes the video by saying that the Vitara isn’t really posh but is high on functionality. Moreover, it’s pretty capable, offers a lot of features and is attractively priced. So, are you waiting for the launch of this Hyundai Creta rival in India?

Courtesy – AutoDeal.com.ph on Youtube

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Royal Enfield motorcycles have been the favourites of many long-distance tourers and motorcycle enthusiasts in the country. Among all the Royal Enfield motorcycles, it has to be the Thunderbird series that has won many hearts due to the grunty engines and comfortable ergonomics. However, here’s a video that shows this popular motorcycle’s not-so-great performance on an off-road track.

As is clearly apparent, the Thunderbird struggles to tackle even some of the less challenging hurdles. The motorcycle gets stuck time and again and requires to be pushed manually in order to clear the obstacles. We agree, most of the Indian motorcycles will find it tough to clear such obstacles. However, it’s surprising that the Thunderbird, which is taken to the rough and harsh terrain by many tourers, pretty much fails to clear every obstacle on this off-road track. Here are the three biggest reasons for such a poor show –

Massive weight- The Royal Enfield Thunderbird motorcycles weigh a bit too much for their own good. Riding a heavy motorcycle means it gets harder for a rider to control it while tackling obstacles. Also, thanks to all the weight and tough riding conditions, the rider tends to lose balance. Moreover, the Thunderbird’s girth makes it hard to regain balance. A Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350 has a kerb weight of 192 KGs. The T’bird 500 has a near identical kerb weight of 195 KGs. Both these motorcycles are a bit too heavy for off-road use.

Unsuitable ergonomics for off-road riding– The Royal Enfield Thunderbird is a cruiser motorcycle, which means it is in its element on long, straight roads. On an expressway, riders of this motorcycle can ride comfortably for hours due to the very relaxed ergonomics this bike can offer. On an off-road trail, however, all the comfort goes for a toss. As you can see in the video, the rider finds it too tough to shift his weight while tackling the obstacle. Also, being a cruiser motorcycle, the saddle height is on the lower side and the handlebar is high-set. All of this makes off-road riding a bit too tough.

Poor ground clearance: Beaching on the obstacle- Another major factor working against the Thunderbird is the low ground clearance. While the RE Himalayan, a thoroughbred tourer, offers a ground clearance of 220 mm, the T’bird 350 and 500 offer a ground clearance of 140 mm and 135 mm, respectively. A low ground clearance leads to the T’bird getting beached on most of the obstacles. This makes life worse for the rider.

Video courtesy – Ride with Urus

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