A little more than a year ago, General Motors, which used to sell Chevrolet cars in India, announced that it would no longer sell any of its cars in the country. Since then, the American carmaker giant has been present in the country as an export-only brand. Sales of Chevrolet cars were finally terminated on 31st December 2017. Some of you would remember that GM started its Indian operations with the Opel cars, which were later replaced with models that had the bow-tie badge. Here’s a look at as many as 10 forgotten Chevrolet and Opel cars from GM’s 18 years of presence in the country.

Opel Astra

The Opel Astra was GM’s first-ever C2-segment car for India. It was launched here in 1996 and came with a comfortable cabin with many high-end features. The Astra is responsible for introducing the highly respected German build quality to the mass market. While the Astra did manage to find some takers, it could never become as popular as the Honda City or the Mitsubishi Lancer. The Astra was available with both petrol and diesel engines. The Astra Club, which offered a sunroof, was the most popular variant of this sedan.

Opel Corsa

The Corsa, which went on sale in the C1 segment, was among the last cars from Opel India. The Opel Corsa was a direct rival to the Maruti Suzuki Esteem and the Ford Ikon. It offered an amazing ride quality and came with two petrol engine options – 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre. The Corsa couldn’t ever become as popular as the Esteem or the Accent but had its own set of followers.

Opel Corsa Swing

The Corsa Swing came at a time when many manufacturers were trying to woo the car buyers with a station wagon. The Corsa Swing was basically an estate version of the Corsa sedan and offered a more spacious cabin. Like the sedan, it had an amazing ride quality. While its sedan sibling offered 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre petrol engines, the Swing was available with the 92 bhp 1.6-litre engine option only. Thanks to its powerful motor, the Swing was capable of hitting speeds in excess of 170 km/h.

Opel Corsa Sail

The Opel Corsa Sail was the third body variant in the Corsa lineup. Basically a hatchback version of the C1-segment sedan, it went on sale at an affordable price of Rs. 4.39 lakh. The car offered many features and came across as a very premium offering. The Sail had a 1.4-litre engine that offered 86 bhp. There was also a Sail Sport variant that was powered with a 1.6-litre motor with 103 bhp on offer.

Opel Vectra

Launched in India in 2002, the Opel Vectra was a D-segment sedan that was pretty much ahead of its time. The sedan was powered by a 2.2-litre motor that offered 146 bhp. While the Vectra offered really high comfort levels and many features, it couldn’t find many takers. Opel even tried to lure some buyers by coming up with a minor facelift that was significantly cheaper but the Vectra could barely manage to find roughly 500 owners.

Chevrolet Forester

The India-spec Forester was essentially a rebadged Subaru that was launched here in 2003. Akin to the Vectra, the Forester was ahead of its time. It was powered by an excellent 2-litre Boxer engine that offered 120 bhp and 178 Nm. The crossover was a premium offering that came with a price tag of Rs 16 lakh. Needless to say, it couldn’t find many buyers.

Chevrolet SR-V

The SR-V was basically a large hatchback based on the Optra sedan. It had a really gorgeous posterior and offered the same 1.6-litre engine that powered the Optra sedan. While the SR-V was on sale for almost 5 years, it never sold in great numbers. Back in the day, the car commanded a pretty high price tag of Rs 7 lakh, which made it a tad too expensive as compared to other hatchbacks of its time.

Chevrolet Optra Magnum

Easily the most powerful mid-size diesel sedan of its time, the Optra Magnum came with a 2.0-litre oil burner that offered a respectable 125 bhp of maximum power and a whopping 305 Nm of peak torque. The Optra Magnum was launched in India in 2007 and was on sale till 2012. While the Magnum did find some takers, it lost the limelight to the Cruze D-segmenter.

Chevrolet Aveo

The Aveo was a C1-segmenter that can be termed as the logical successor to the Opel Corsa. Akin to the Corsa, even the Aveo offered 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre petrol engines that made it pretty powerful. It also offered a comfortable cabin. While the Aveo didn’t excel in any department, it was the jack of all trades. Also, it was a pretty good option for those wishing to buy an Optra but had a lower budget.

Chevrolet Trailblazer

The Trailblazer was Chevrolet’s bid to bring American big bad SUVs to the Indian shores. The car was very potent with a powerful 2.8-litre diesel engine that generates 197 BHP of maximum power and a huge torque of 500 Nm. The car came with gadgets like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It was the fastest car in the segment.

Also Read: MASSIVE discounts of up to Rs. 2.25 lakhs on cars & SUVs: Maruti Ciaz to Jeep Compass

The much-awaited Ather S340, which is the first smart scooter in the Indian market, will be launched on 5th June. The electric scooter is one of its kind and gets many high-tech features. Ather recently announced its smart charging network in Bengaluru where the Ather scooters can be charged. Ather wanted to give the customers an optimum experience and the brand says the charging network can be used by non-Ather customers too to charge their electric scooters and cars.

Bengaluru-based Ather Energy was set-up in 2013. They have developed over 55 prototypes of the two-wheeler over the years and have tested the bikes for over 50,000 km to reach the production-ready stage of the scooter. Earlier Ather announced that the pre-production testing had begun and the production of the scooter will start in July 2018. The brand has already started receiving components from the suppliers and the vendors. This will be a made-in-India scooter and will be assembled in Whitefield, Bengaluru.

The Ather S340 is powered by an IP67 waterproofing rated lithium-ion battery pack that can take the scooter to up to 80 km on a single charge. It can reach a top speed of 72 km/h but at higher speeds, the range comes down. The 80 km range is applicable only if the scooter is ridden constantly at 40 km/h speed. The battery pack itself is quite advanced and Ather says that the battery has a life of 50,000 km and a lifespan of 5-6 years. Ather also offers the fast charging feature that can take the charging level to 80% in an hour. Regular charging takes 3 hours to charge the battery fully.

The smart scooter gets a high-tech LCD console, which is a first of its kind in India. The console shows various data from the scooter and is also cloud-connected, which means it uploads real-time data to the servers that can be accessed by the customers later. The scooter also gets Over-The-Air (OTA) updates. The price will be officially announced on 5th June and the deliveries will start in July.

Also Read: MASSIVE discounts of up to Rs. 2.25 lakhs on cars & SUVs: Maruti Ciaz to Jeep Compass

Dr. Pawan Goenka has just given us an indication of how poor the sales of the petrol version of the Mahindra XUV500 have been in India. Since its launch in December 2017, Mahindra has managed to sell only 45 units of the petrol powered XUV500. In contrast, over 10,000 units of the diesel powered XUV500 variants have been sold in the same time period.

This is what Dr. Pawan Goenka, the Head of Mahindra’s automotive business, had to say about the poor sales of the XUV500 Petrol.

“(Since launch,) we have sold 45 petrol XUV500, which is available easily, but everybody wants diesel.”

The Mahindra XUV500 petrol is powered by a 2.2 litre mHawk turbocharged petrol engine with 140 Bhp of peak power and 320 Nm of peak torque on tap. The power and torque figures of the XUV500 petrol are similar to those of the diesel version prior to the recent facelift. The 2.2 litre petrol engine of the XUV500 is paired to a 6 speed torque converter automatic gearbox. A front wheel drive layout is standard. The XUV500 petrol is sold in a single G variant, and is priced at Rs. 15.5 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi. The petrol engine is available even in the facelifted version of the XUV500.

There are multiple reasons why the petrol powered XUV500 is not very popular in India. For starters, a heavy SUV such as the XUV500 takes a big hit in terms of fuel efficiency while running on petrol. This, combined with the rising fuel prices, makes the petrol variant particularly unattractive. Adding a torque converter automatic gearbox to the equation means that the already low, real time fuel efficiency of the vehicle takes a further hit. It’s not uncommon for the petrol powered XUV500 to return well under 10 Kmpl, which makes it quite expensive to run as petrol prices are now edging over Rs. 85/liter in most parts of India.

The recent facelift to the XUV500 saw Mahindra boosting the power and torque outputs of the 2.2 litre mHawk turbocharged diesel engine, which now produces 155 Bhp-360 Nm. This makes the diesel powered XUV500 more attractive than the petrol model and the sales figures confirm this. Mahindra sold 10,198 units of the diesel powered XUV500 in the last 6 months, compared to 45 units of the petrol powered variant.

Via IAB

Also Read: MASSIVE discounts of up to Rs. 2.25 lakhs on cars & SUVs: Maruti Ciaz to Jeep Compass

While we have featured many modified examples of the Mahindra Thar on Cartoq, the custom Mahindra Thar we have here today carries some of the most extreme modifications we’ve seen on this lifestyle SUV. This custom Thar comes from Pune-based Grizzly Motor Works and the major highlight here is the 6×6 configuration. Other than this, it also sports many other modifications that work together to make this SUV look totally menacing.

This modified Thar looks very bold and has a huge street presence. The canvas top of the stock Thar has been replaced with a hard top for a half cabin look. At the rear, it gets a covered loading bay. The front-end is characterized by a set of custom LED headlamps. Also, there’s an LED bar mounted on the front bull bar. Other highlights include a custom bumper that sports an antenna and an electric winch. The custom fenders sport a pair of auxiliary lamps. The fenders also get a huge indicator each. There’s also an external roll cage and a pair of high-set rear view mirrors. There’s also a custom hood that sports an LED bar. There’s another LED bar mounted above the windscreen.

This modified Thar has been given a widebody kit, which has been done to accommodate the extra pair of wheels at the rear. The increased width plays a vital role in giving this Thar a planted and a slightly sporty stance. Other than having an extra pair of wheels mounted on the rear axle, the Grizzly Custom Works’ Thar 6×6 also has custom taillamps, a pintle hook, a pair of fuel canisters, and a custom tyre carrier. The original wheels have been replaced with aftermarket multi-spoke alloy wheels that are shod with wider rubber.

Like we’ve been saying, this modified Mahindra Thar 6×6 from Grizzly Custom Works has a huge street presence and looks really aggressive. It’s really among the most menacing looking Thars we’ve seen so far. While the 6×6 configuration plays a huge role in giving this Thar a daunting stance, the numerous other custom bits it carries make it look nothing like anything else on the road.

Images Courtesy – 4×4 India on Facebook

Also Read: MASSIVE discounts of up to Rs. 2.25 lakhs on cars & SUVs: Maruti Ciaz to Jeep Compass

Czech carmaker Skoda has launched their first-ever armoured car. The Skoda Superb Estate-based bullet-proof car has been finally launched after three years of planning, development and testing. The new car is bullet-proof and blast-resistant, which make sure that the occupants of the vehicle stay safe.

The Skoda Superb is known for its handling capabilities and a strong build. The new Bulletproof model is based on the Skoda Superb Estate that is available in the UK market. The car has been designed in such a way that it does not give away the additional weight that it carries because of the armour. It looks exactly the same as the regular version of the car. The new vehicle is priced at Rs. 1.06 crores and is available for 118,688 British Pounds in the UK market.

The armoured station wagon is powered by a regular 2.0-litre diesel engine that produces a maximum power of 188 Bhp. Skoda has not released any details of the vehicle but a few features like strengthened passenger cell, run-flat tyres and various other things have been added to the vehicle to make it stronger. It meets the PAS 300 requirement for ballistic and blast protection. The certification was carried out by an independent agency and the car was subjected to various types of ammunition and blast fragments at the test facility.

The heavier weight of the armoured car makes it difficult for the stock suspension and braking system to work properly. Skoda has upgraded the suspension and the brakes to ensure that they work properly with the increased weight. It also gets camouflaged sirens and flashers in case of an emergency escape. The tyres are designed to run even after deflation, which allows a safe escape for the occupants. It also gets an 8-inch touchscreen system with GPS, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay system.

German luxury car manufacturers like Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz have been offering armoured vehicles for a long time. The vehicles are used by many politicians and businessmen around the world, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The new Skoda Superb Estate will also target similar profiles to offer the armoured car at a much lower price.

Also Read: MASSIVE discounts of up to Rs. 2.25 lakhs on cars & SUVs: Maruti Ciaz to Jeep Compass

Electric motorcycles are still at a very primary stage of development. Many manufacturers and start-ups in India and abroad are working to develop electric superbikes. One such start-up from India is Mankame and it will soon release a new electric superbike in the market.

The details of the new upcoming bike named as EP-1 have surfaced and according to the manufacturer, it can do a massive 500 km on a single charge. This is more than any of the electric performance bikes that are available in the market right now. That’s not all, it can reach a top speed of 251 km/h!

The EP-1 has the longest range when it comes to electric two-wheelers. The manufacturer based in Hubli, Karnataka, announced the new bike and on paper, the electric bike seems unreal. The electric motor develops a maximum of 40 kW or 54 Bhp and 432 Nm of torque at the wheel. It draws power from an 18.4 kWh battery that can keep the superfast bike up and running for 500  km. As per the website, the bike can reach a maximum speed of 251 km/h, which is quite high for regular bikes too. The website says that the bike gets 180 Nm of torque from the PMSM Motor at the shaft. We are not sure how the belt-driven bike gets a massive 432 Nm at the rear wheel.

The bike gets a high-density battery pack from Samsung. It is a liquid-cooled battery pack with a dedicated Matrix BMS system. The high-tech system monitors and controls individual cells in the battery that in turn provides highly efficient charging and a high-level of safety. It also gets regenerative braking system that charges the battery as soon as the brakes are used to slow down the bike.

The EP-1 gets a fully-adjustable Ohlins upside down suspension with 120mm of travel. The rear gets a Showa pressurised shock absorber but enthusiasts can choose the high-performance Ohlins TTX GP rear shocks which are optional. The EP1 weighs only 160 kg and gets an aggressive power to weight ratio. There are three modes available – Economy, Sport and Race. In the Economy mode, the bike is restricted to 120 km/h. In the Sport mode, the speed limit increases to 180 km/h and in the race mode, the bike can do 251 km/h. The launch details of the bike are not known yet, but the website says that it is coming soon.

Also Read: MASSIVE discounts of up to Rs. 2.25 lakhs on cars & SUVs: Maruti Ciaz to Jeep Compass

The months immediately after the new financial year usually remains quite slow in terms of car sales. Manufacturers use this opportunity to provide discounts on the new cars to push the sales. What are best deals that you can get if you’re out in the market to buy a new car? Let’s find out.

Hyundai Grand i10

Discount: Rs. 1 lakh

The Hyundai Grand i10 competes directly with the Maruti Suzuki Swift in the Indian market. The mid-size hatchback currently gets a discount of up to Rs. 1 lakh on select variants. The Grand i10 is known for its spacious interiors and a long list of features. Hyundai offers the car in both petrol and diesel engine options. The petrol variant also gets an automatic torque converter option.

Honda Jazz

Discount: Rs. 1 lakh

The Honda Jazz kick-started the premium hatchback segment in India. Honda launched the all-new Jazz in the Indian market and offered it with both petrol and diesel engine options. The Jazz gets roomy interiors with an option of magic seats that allows the seats to be configured in different ways to fit the needs of the customer. While the premium hatchback is available in both petrol and diesel engine options, Honda is offering an up to Rs. 1 lakh discount on the diesel only model. The 1.5-litre diesel engine of the Jazz produces a maximum of 98.6 Bhp and 200 Nm. It is only available with a manual transmission.

Ford Figo

Discount: Rs. 75,000

The Ford Figo has been around for quite some time in the Indian market. Soon, Ford will update the Figo with a minor facelift and a new petrol engine. To push the sales of the current model, Ford is offering an up to Rs. 75,000 discount. The car is currently available with a 1.2-litre petrol engine, a 1.5-litre petrol engine with automatic transmission and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. The automatic version is offered with a state-of-the-art dual-clutch transmission. The new Figo will get the 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder Dragon petrol engine replacing the current 4-cylinder unit.

Maruti Ignis

Discount: Rs. 65,000

The Maruti Ignis is the most affordable vehicle that you can buy from the Maruti’s premium Nexa dealerships. The car is targetted at the youth with its quirky design language and a long list of features. The Ignis is quite loaded and comes with an automatic AMT option with both petrol and diesel engine options. Currently, Maruti is offering an up to Rs. 65,000 discount on the Ignis based on the variants.

Honda CR-V

Discount: Rs. 2.25lakhs

Honda CR-V is the flagship SUV of the brand in the Indian market. The SUV is known for its powerful engine and a high-level of comfort. Honda will bring in the all-new 7-seater CR-V to the Indian market later this year. The current model is available with a cash discount of up to Rs. 2.25 lakhs. The CR-V is available in 2WD and 4WD options in India. The 2.0-litre version gets a smaller 2.0-litre engine while the 4WD version gets a more powerful 2.4-litre engine.

Toyota Innova Crysta

Discount up to Rs. 55,000

It is quite rare to find a discount on India’s highest selling MUV. However, Toyota is offering a discount of Rs. 55,000 on the Innova Crysta petrol variant. The petrol version is not as popular in the market as the diesel version. The car is available with a 2.7-litre petrol engine that generates a maximum of 166 Bhp and comes with an automatic transmission option.

Jeep Compass

Discount up to Rs. 50,000

The Jeep Compass SUV has captured a big portion of the segment to become one of the largest selling SUVs in the segment. Jeep is currently offering a discount of up to Rs. 50,000 on the petrol only variants. The petrol variants do not get the 4WD option, but the engine is quite powerful. It is powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates a maximum of 163 Bhp. It is also available with a dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Hyundai Xcent

Discount up to Rs. 1 lakh

The Hyundai Xcent is the sedan version of the Grand i10 and competes with the likes of Maruti Dzire and Honda Amaze in the market. The stiff competition has bogged down the sales of the compact sedan and to push the sales, Hyundai is currently offering a massive discount of Rs. 1 lakh on the car. It gets both petrol and diesel engine options and the petrol engine also gets an automatic transmission as an option.

Maruti Ciaz

Discount up to Rs. 65,000

The Maruti Ciaz sedan competes with the highly popular Honda City and the Hyundai Verna in the Indian market. It was the first car in the Indian market to offer a mild-hybrid system that increases the fuel efficiency of the vehicle and benefitted a lot from the government benefits to promote the sales of hybrid cars. However, the government withdrew the benefits and the price of the Ciaz soared up. To compensate for the price increase, Maruti is offering an up to Rs. 65,000 discount on the diesel variants of the car.

Honda City

Discount up to Rs. 65,000

Honda City has remained as one of the best-sellers in the segment for a long time now. The highly popular sedan has been around for more than 20 years now and is a well-recognized brand in India. The City faces stiff competition from the likes of Hyundai Verna and the newly launched Toyota Yaris. To attract the customers, Honda is offering a discount of up to Rs. 65,00 on both the petrol and the diesel engine options of the car. The City petrol gets a CVT automatic option with paddle shifters.

Source

Also Read: MASSIVE discounts of up to Rs. 2.25 lakhs on cars & SUVs: Maruti Ciaz to Jeep Compass

Modern cars have many hidden features that are ignored by many. One such feature is an emergency exit in the vehicle that can be used in various situations like central locking malfunctioning or an accident. Here are three Indian cars and videos on how to reach the tailgate and open it from inside during emergency situations. Remember, a manual has all the information and one should read the manual thoroughly to understand the vehicle better. These emergency exits are common in many cars available in India including some sedans.

Volkswagen Polo

The Volkswagen Polo hatchback is known for its German build quality. The Polo is also quite popular for its handling capabilities. Being a European car, the Polo gets many sophisticated features like automatic hazard lights on under heavy braking, opening and closing of all the four windows from the key and so on. The car also offers a knob on the tailgate that can be used to open the door from inside and escape the car.

To access the rear hatch, one needs to remove the rear seat first by pulling it up. It has a locking mechanism and pulling it up will unlock the bench seat. One can then keep the bench aside and fold the backrests completely by pulling a knob on the shoulder of the seat. Always remember to retract the headrests before folding the backrest, else it will get in the way and it will be difficult to fold down the seat completely.

Once the seat is folded completely, one can access the rear hatch door of the vehicle. As shown in the video, there is a small tract that can be accessed by the key or any sharp object. There is a small switch inside the opening that has to be pushed towards the left and the lock on the rear hatch opens and a simple push will open the door. Now, one has to remove the parcel tray to get free access through the hatch.

Honda WR-V

Honda WR-V has become quite famous in the Indian market. The most popular RV model in India gets a long list of features including the sunroof. The WR-V also gets an emergency boot opening feature that can release the tailgate from inside the vehicle. To access the tailgate, one should first fold down the rear backrests by pulling both the levers placed on the extreme corners of the backrest. Once the backrest is folded, the tailgate can be accessed easily.

There is a small lever in the tailgate that can be accessed with a sharp object like a pen. One needs to first remove the white cover from the lever and then use the tip of the sharp object to push the lock to the right. It releases the tailgate and a mere push opens the door completely. One can simply slip under the parcel tray or remove it to get out of the car.

Maruti Suzuki Swift

One of the best selling cars in the Indian market also gets the emergency boot exit feature. The Maruti Swift shown here is from the last generation but the lever should be present in the current version of the car too. To access the rear hatch door, one needs to fold down the seats by pulling the straps on the backrest’s shoulder. Once the seat is folded down, the metallic locking mechanism is exposed. One can easily pull the metal lever and open the rear door to get down from the car. It is a rather simple mechanism in the Maruti Suzuki Swift.

Source

Also Read: 6 million Suzuki Swifts sold worldwide; India is BIGGEST market

Ford Mustang, the muscle car that will be officially sold in India, has gained a lot of attention in the market. An iconic muscle car, with an affordable price tag, the Mustang is one of the best selling sports car in India. With the increasing number of Mustangs on the road, many customers have customised their rides to make them look different from the rest. This is one such Mustang that has been customised and looks quite unique.

Joker Mustang

Ford Mustangs reflect the true blue American muscle car history and enthusiasts world over recognise it. The same goes for the super villain Joker from the Batman comic series of the DC universe. The owner of this Mustang decided to bring both the icons together to give it a quirky look. Here is the Joker Mustang from Hyderabad that has been wrapped brilliantly by The Wrap Team.

The Joker has always been known for his flashy clothes, and in his most iconic role he wore a purple jacket. The Mustang seen here gets a matt wrap in the identical colour with the Joker’s most expressed words “HA HA HA HA” on the front fender and bumper of the muscle car, in neon colour. The Mustang also gets racing stripes in the middle with the same neon outlines and a thick stripe in between, in glossy black. The neon highlights can also be seen on the stock front and rear splitter that adds an expensive and sporty look to the Ford Mustang. Even though the car is in stock form, it looks quite different and much sportier than the stock car.

The Mustang is available in only a single variant in India. It is the top-of-line-model in the USA market and is powered by a 5.0-litre V8 naturally aspirated engine. It generates a maximum power of 396 Bhp and 515 Nm of peak torque. The engine has been de-tuned for the Indian market because of the lower quality of fuel available here but even the 396 Bhp feels more than enough for Indian roads.

Source

Also Read: 6 million Suzuki Swifts sold worldwide; India is BIGGEST market

Royal Enfield motorcycles are the first choice of all those looking to come up with a custom bobber or chopper motorcycle. We have seen many examples of Royal Enfield Bobber and Chopper motorcycles in the past. However, the modified Royal Enfield Bobber you can see in the video below is among the neatest modifications we have seen so far.

The front-end of the motorcycle is characterized by a cleaner look, which is courtesy a sleeker fender and a revised rake angle of the front forks. The headlamp housing and the instrument console have been binned and this modified RE gets a custom high-set handlebar. The side profile is characterized by a custom fuel tank and a single-seat arrangement. The side boxes have been replaced with a new cylindrical-shaped unit.

The original exhaust pipe has been replaced with a custom unit that gets some insulation wrap to complete the old-school look. The rear-end is as clean and bare-basic as the front. As mentioned above, this modified Royal Enfield has a single-seat setup, which means the rear fender is totally exposed. The motorcycle also gets a custom grab rail with a rather small, round tail lamp mounted on it. Another highlight of the rear is the side-mounted registration plate.

Other than the custom exhaust and a performance air intake, which are likely to have made a slight improvement in the bike’s performance, it’s not clear if this motorcycle sports any other performance modification. This modified Royal Enfield seems to be powered by the company’s Twinspark motor. In case of the 346-cc version, the dual sparkplug-equipped engine outputs a maximum power of 19.8 bhp at 5,250 RPM along with a peak torque of 28 Nm at 4,000 RPM.

The 499-cc version offers 27 bhp and 41.3 Nm. The engines come mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. The motorcycle gets telescopic forks up front and dual gas-charged shock-absorbers at the rear. As shown in the video, this modified Royal Enfield comes with aftermarket dual-purpose tires. Overall, this modified Royal Enfield Bobber impresses us with its neat design and tonnes of old-school charm.

Video – Milton Dubai Se on Youtube

Also Read: 6 million Suzuki Swifts sold worldwide; India is BIGGEST market

It wasn’t very long ago that a car’s headlamps used to be rather simple components that didn’t require much thought on the buyer’s part, before they made purchase decisions. Even the pricier cars came with simple, reflector-type headlamps that didn’t feature any hi-tech, expensive technology. Now, however, there are at least four types of headlamps that are commonly found on modern-day cars. Here, in this post, we have tried to differentiate between these four headlamp technologies.

Halogen Reflector

The Tata Tiago runs the good old halogen-reflector set-up.

Reflector headlamps are your standard units that are available even in the most basic cars. Basically, a reflector headlamp has a bulb in a steel enclosure. This enclosure also has mirrors that act as reflectors. Today, most reflector headlamps feature halogen bulbs. Halogen bulbs combine low cost along with a work life of up to 1000 hours and a stronger beam than regular tungsten bulbs. Halogen bulbs typically consume approximately 55 watts of power. However, the efficiency is pretty low. Much of this is wasted as it’s converted to heat rather than light. Advantages of halogen reflector headlights include the following:

• They are inexpensive. A major reason most manufacturers use reflector-type headlamps is their low cost of production.
• They are smaller than projector units as the latter are deeper and, hence, take more space.
• Halogen bulbs offer sufficiently bright light. Hence, in most conditions, there’s sufficient illumination without spending a lot of money.

Projector

The Maruti Suzuki S-Cross runs projector headlamps, with LEDs!

These headlamps were launched in luxury cars back in the 1980s and have now trickled down to cheaper cars. In most ways, projector headlights are similar to reflector headlights. Even these headlamps carry a bulb in a steel enclosure with mirrors that act as reflectors. However, there’s also a lens that acts like a magnifying glass. This increases the brightness of the headlight. There is also a cutoff shield to make sure the beam is directed towards the road. Advantages of projector headlights are:

• They are much less likely to blind oncoming drivers. This is because projector headlamps are directed towards the road and don’t shine in the eyes of the drivers in front.
• They have a more even spread of the headlight beam.
• One can use Xenon HID bulbs with projector headlights.

Xenon

The Maruti Suzuki Baleno has these headlamps.

Xenon headlamps are usually three times brighter than halogens. These headlamps are mostly offered in high-end cars. However, in spite of being brighter, these lamps consume less power. Generally, they consume approximately 35 watts of power. The Xenon gas in these headlights, which are commonly known as High-Intensity Discharge (HID) lights, prevents the beam from flickering when they are switched on. The gas also ensures there’s enough illumination before the headlights reach their maximum brightness. They have a cool white glow along with a slightly blue tinge. Advantages of Xenon headlights are:

• Improved brightness
• Better visibility in poorly lit conditions

LED

The current Honda City has these headlamps.

Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) have finally made it to car headlights. LEDs are not only efficient and effective but also add to the aesthetics as car designers seem to love their small size. Their diminutive size helps designers give them thin and distinctive shapes. While LEDs aren’t as bright as Xenon HIDs, they reach their peak brightness level many times faster. Also, they have a much higher life than other headlights. Generally, they have a lifespan of 15,000 hours. They have very high efficiency levels as they convert most of their power intake into light energy. Hence, they don’t heat up. LED headlights are mostly restricted to very expensive cars. However, this technology is expected to trickle down to more mainstream cars in coming times. Advantages of LED headlights are:

• They have a long lifespan of 15,000 hours. Hence, they don’t need to be replaced often.
• They are very efficient. While halogen bulbs waste 80% of their energy, LED lights convert most of the energy they use directly into light.
• LEDs produce a much more penetrating, illuminating white light.

Also Read: 6 million Suzuki Swifts sold worldwide; India is BIGGEST market

The new, facelifted 2018 Hyundai Creta compact SUV has gotten off to a flying start. In just 10 days of its launch, Hyundai’s latest car, for the Indian market, has clocked 14,366 bookings, and Hyundai dealers across the country have received over 70,000 enquiries for the new Creta. The Creta, which was first launched in India during 2014, has already found 400,000 homes in India alone. Hyundai also exports the Creta to many countries around the world. The facelifted version comes nearly 4 years after the Creta was first launched here.

The facelifted version of the Hyundai Creta comes with many new, interesting features. Three such prominent features include an electric sunroof, a power adjustable driver’s seat and a smart band that is meant to be worn by the driver. The smart band allows the driver to get into the car and start operating it without having to even bring the key out of her or his pocket. This seamless feature was first seen on a mass market car a few months ago, in the Tata Nexon. Thus, the Creta Facelift is the second mass market car in India to offer such a feature.

The facelifted Hyundai Creta gets a few stylistic changes, which makes it look fresher, and more aggressive than before. The front gets a new cascading grille, now a regular styling feature on most Hyundai SUVs. The bumper is also a new item. Skid plates are now offered on the front and rear bumpers. At the rear, the bumper is a new item. The interiors of the Creta get new colour schemes, and a key new feature addition in the form of wireless charging – a best-in-segment feature.

As for mechanicals, they remain unchanged. The Creta Facelift is offered with three engine options – two in diesel and one in petrol. The petrol engine is a 1.6-litre, naturally aspirated 4-cylinder unit with 121 Bhp and 151 Nm. The diesel engines are turbocharged, and are sold in four cylinder layouts. The smaller unit displaces 1.4 lites and makes 89 Bhp-220 Nm. The larger diesel motor is a 1.6-litre unit, with 126 Bhp-260 Nm on tap. All three engines get 6-speed manual gearboxes as standard. The petrol and larger diesel motor get 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox options. Prices of the new Creta start from Rs. 9.43 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi.

Mr. Y K Koo, Managing Director and CEO, Hyundai Motor India Ltd. said,

“We would like to thank our customers for the overwhelming response and love to The New 2018 CRETA. As a Modern Premium Brand, we have created a Brilliant Ownership Experience of New 2018 CRETA by introducing many first and best in segment features along with Unmatched Safety. The New 2018 CRETA will create new benchmarks in the SUV segment.”

Also Read: 6 million Suzuki Swifts sold worldwide; India is BIGGEST market

Royal Enfield has just started offering ABS as standard on the Classic range of retro-styled motorcycles sold in the United States. Dual-channel ABS is now standard on all US-spec Royal Enfield Classic 500 motorcycles. Notably, Royal Enfield sells only the 500-cc variants of the Classic in the US market whereas the Indian market also gets the 350-cc variants. The Classic 500 with ABS will soon make it to India as well considering the fact that all existing motorcycles with engine capacity over 125 cc need to have at least single-channel ABS as standard. This is a mandate from the Indian government that all two-wheeler makers need to follow.

While the Classic 500 sold in the US gets a dual-channel ABS as standard, it remains to be seen if the same unit will be offered in the Indian versions as well, or if Royal Enfield decides to cut costs, and offers only a single-channel ABS. While a single-channel ABS will still allow Royal Enfield to meet statutory requirements in India, it would always be better for riders to have access to dual-channel ABS on their motorcycles as it’s simply more effective. While dual-channel ABS acts on both front and rear brakes, preventing skidding even under hard braking, single-channel ABS acts only on the front wheel.

The Royal Enfield Classic 500 range of motorcycles come with multiple paint schemes. These motorcycles use a 499-cc, four-stroke single cylinder engine with 27.2 Bhp-41.3 Nm. This old-school, long-stroke engine is an air-cooled unit and uses an overhead valve head actuated by hydraulic lifters. Fuel injection is standard in the 499-cc engine. Royal Enfield also offers the Classic in India, with a smaller 346-cc engine. While the general specifications of the 346-cc engine are similar to the 499-cc motor, the smaller motor makes only 19.8 Bhp-28 Nm. Both engines get 5-speed manual gearboxes as standard.

Via PowerDrift

Also Read: 6 million Suzuki Swifts sold worldwide; India is BIGGEST market

The Indian motorcycle market is set to see a number of new launches later this year. Some of these bikes are highly awaited by enthusiasts. Which are these “much-awaited” bikes that will be launched later this year? Let’s find out.

Royal Enfield Interceptor

Expected launch date: July 2018

Royal Enfield showcased the upcoming Royal Enfield Interceptor at the Ridermania in Goa earlier this year. Royal Enfield said that the 650-cc bike will be launched in India, this summer, but before that the bike will be launched in various international markets. This is a common route that Royal Enfield has taken with most of their products including the Classic.

The cruiser will be powered by the newly developed 650-cc parallel-twin engine. The liquid-cooled engine generates a maximum power of 46 Bhp and 52 Nm of peak torque. The Interceptor gets ABS, which will be a first for any Royal Enfield in the Indian market. The bike is expected to carry a price tag of around Rs. 3 lakhs and will challenge the Harley Davidson Street 750.

Royal Enfield Continental GT 650

Expected launch date: July 2018

Royal Enfield also showcased the Continental GT 650 at the Ridermania and this will be the second bike that will be powered by the all-new parallel-twin engine. This will be the most expensive Royal Enfield, in their India line-up, and will be placed above the Interceptor. Royal Enfield recently discontinued the Continental GT 535 to make space for this upcoming bike. It will be the flagship product of the brand and will be powered by the same 46 Bhp-52 Nm parallel-twin liquid-cooled engine.

Hero XPulse

Expected launch date: September 2018

The XPulse is a highly-awaited bike that was first showcased by Hero at the 2018 Auto Expo. The new bike will be the most affordable adventure bike in the Indian market and will address the small engine problem that the Impulse was criticised for.

The bike gets LED headlamps, long-travel suspension and dual-purpose tyres to make it off-road and expedition-ready. The bike is based on the Hero Xtreme 200 that will be launched soon in India. The 200-cc engine is expected to remain the same. It produces a maximum of 18.2 Bhp and 17.2 Nm in the Hero Xtreme 200. The gearing, however, may change.

BMW G 310R

Expected launch date: June/July 2018

The highly-awaited BMW G310R is already being manufactured in India and is being exported to many international markets. BMW will launch the naked street bike, which will also be the most affordable BMW bike in the market, soon. BMW has also officially started taking bookings for a payment of Rs. 50,000.

The G310R will take on bikes, such as the KTM 390 Duke in India. It will be powered by the same reverse-inclined engine that also powers the Apache RR 310. The 313-cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine produces a maximum of 33.6 Bhp and 28 Nm. Weighing only 158 kg, the G310R is a fun-to-ride bike. The bike is expected to carry a sticker price of Rs. 3 lakhs.

BMW GS 310R

Expected launch date: June/July 2018

BMW will also launch the adventure version of the G310R, the GS 310R, in the Indian market along with the G 310R.  The baby GS series bike is heavily inspired by the iconic BMW GS1200R adventure bike and gets a similar front beak, radiator shrouds, headlamp cowl and tank design.

The adventure bike will be the most affordable GS series bike from the brand and will get the long-travel suspension. The motorcycle will be the powered by the same 313-cc, 34 BHp-28 Nm engine and will get a six-speed gearbox. The motorcycle just weighs 169.5 kg and, with the GS DNA, it will be one of the best affordable touring motorcycles available in the country.

Also Read: 6 million Suzuki Swifts sold worldwide; India is BIGGEST market

Toyota Fortuner is the largest selling SUV in the segment, in India. There are many reasons as to why the Fortuner has an advantage over its competitors. Apart from the Toyota brand value, the Fortuner’s sleek looks and no-fuss maintenance makes it the king of the segment. But can it really be the king when it comes to hardcore off-roading? Here is a video of Jeep CJ3B, Toyota Fortuner 4X4 diesel automatic, a modified Mahindra Thar, Isuzu D-Max V-Cross and a modified older-gen Ford Endeavour with ARB air locker, that offers a comparison.

What’s happening here?

The video shows all the five cars facing different obstacles and challenges. While all the off-road spec SUVs are put through their paces, it is the Toyota Fortuner 4X4 automatic that completes all the challenges successfully. Even the old-gen Ford Endeavour that gets the ARB air-locker gets out of the game after the front differential conks off. But the new-generation Fortuner completed all the challenges without any problem whatsoever.

The Indian version of the Toyota Fortuner does not get a rear differential lock, which can be a major downside while doing hardcore offroading. But as seen here, even without the rear differential lock, the Toyota Fortuner manages to complete all the challenges whereas the other SUVs face problems in various obstacles.

The Fortuner gets the A-TRC system, which is an Active Traction Control system instead of the rear-wheel differential lock. The A-TRC system senses the traction loss in a wheel and applies the brake on that wheel automatically. This allows all the power to go to the other wheel of the axle. This works similar to the differential lock but the power delivery is not as smooth.

A lot of credit has to be given to the driver of the Toyota Fortuner too. The constant and smooth throttle input ensures that the car has enough power to overcome the challenge without digging holes at one spot. The Toyota Fortuner that we see here is in stock condition, which makes it even more interesting.

The car is powered by a 2.8-litre diesel engine that generates a maximum of 175 Bhp and 450 Nm. Interestingly, the engine produces 30 Nm more torque than the manual version. It gets a 6-speed automatic transmission with a low-ratio transfer case.

Video courtesy Anshuman Bishnoi

Also Read: 6 million Suzuki Swifts sold worldwide; India is BIGGEST market

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, the country’s largest selling carmaker, recently announced that it has sold more than three lakh units of AMT-equipped cars since this technology was first launched in 2014. The first Maruti car to get an AMT (AGS in Maruti speak) was the Celerio hatchback. Today, Maruti offers an AMT on as many as seven of its cars – Alto K10, WagonR, Celerio, Swift, Ignis, Dzire, and Vitara Brezza.

As per the data shared with us by the company, a large number of buyers of the aforementioned Maruti cars opt for an AMT. As per the official figures, as many as 43% of Celerio hatchbacks that are being sold have an AMT. Even 28% of Ignis hatchbacks and 17% of Dzire compact sedans are equipped with AMT. Moreover, the company claims that the popularity of AMT-equipped Maruti Suzuki cars has tripled in FY 2017-18, as compared to FY 2014-15. The company now aims to sell more than 2 lakh AMT-equipped cars in the current fiscal.

Maruti Suzuki was the Indian car manufacturer to have introduced an AMT on a mass-market model. The Celerio AMT was followed by AMT-equipped cars from other manufacturers, which included Tata Nano, Nissan Terrano, Renault Kwid, Mahindra TUV300, et al.

Commenting on the success of the Auto Gear Shift technology from Maruti Suzuki, Mr R S Kalsi, Senior Executive Director (Marketing and Sales), Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “At Maruti Suzuki, we believe in providing our customers with the best of technology and convenience. The revolutionary Auto Gear Shift technology is one such innovation that offers comfort and ease of driving to the customers with no compromise on fuel efficiency. It has achieved wide acceptance among customers. Crossing 3-lakh retail sales mark within five years of its introduction is a reflection of the success and consent of the customers for the two-pedal technology. With enhanced awareness and deeper penetration, we aim to sell over 200,000 cars with AGS in 2018-19.”

Also Read: 6 million Suzuki Swifts sold worldwide; India is BIGGEST market

6 million Suzuki Swift hatchbacks have been sold across the world, with India being the car’s biggest market. In India, the Swift is sold with the Maruti Suzuki badge, and is in its third generation. Across all three generations, the Swift has been a super hit in the Indian market. In fact, even the recently introduced 3rd generation model has become the best seller in its segment right from the first month of its launch in February 2018. India has been the biggest market for the Swift, across generations of the car. Currently, waiting periods for specific variants of the all-new, 2018 Maruti Suzuki Swift stand at many months. The all-new Swift starts from a price tag that’s a little under Rs. 5 lakhs.

The Suzuki Swift was first introduced in Japan 14 years ago, during December 2004. It made it to the Indian market in early 2005 when production commenced at Maruti Suzuki’s Gurgaon factory. The first-generation Swift was sold in India until 2011, when an all-new, second generation model arrived. 7 years down the line, Maruti Suzuki has introduced the third generation version of the Swift, a car that is the lightest and quickest Swift ever. It’s also the most fuel efficient Swift ever built. Based on the HEARTECT platform, the 3rd-gen Swift gets twin airbags and ABS as standard safety features across trim levels.

It’s sold with two engine options – a 1.2 liter K-Series petrol and a 1.3 liter Fiat Multijet turbocharged diesel. Both engines are in-line four cylinder units. The petrol motor makes 82 Bhp-113 Nm, and is paired to a 5 speed manual gearbox as standard. The diesel engine, which also gets a 5 speed manual gearbox as standard, makes 74 Bhp-190 Nm. 5 speed AMT options are offered on both engines. The top-sped Swift gets LED headlamps, daytime running lights, keyless entry, a start-stop button and automatic climate control. The car can be extensively customized at the dealer level through Maruti Suzuki’s iCreate program.

Also Read: 6 million Suzuki Swifts sold worldwide; India is BIGGEST market

There have been multiple instances when antics like pulling a tractor were recorded on video in the past. But most of the times, a Royal Enfield bike is involved in such situations when it comes to showing such muscle power. A Bajaj Dominar 400 owner has pulled a similar stunt. Here’s all you want to know about it.

Bajaj Dominar Vs Tractor

The Bajaj Dominar is secured to the tractor with a heavy-duty rope. The tractor is fixed with a trolley and the combined weight is estimated to be 2,300 kg, which is similar to the weight of most full-size SUVs. There is no one inside the tractor and the Dominar slowly starts to pull it. It covers a lot of distance too.

Later, the driver of the tractor also joins in to ensure that the tractor stays in a straight line. Even with the driver of the tractor on board, the Dominar was able to pull the heavy set-up without any problem. The rider says that he did not rev the engine above 2,500 rpm during the whole stunt.

While pulling heavier objects have been done by many cars in the past. SUVs have even pulled full-size planes and trains to show their power. Pulling heavy objects show how good the torque output is. The Bajaj Dominar 400 is powered by a 373cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that generates 35 Bhp at 8,000 rpm and 35 Nm at 6,500 rpm. As per the rider, the engine does not cross 2,500 rpm, which means the engine is not even developing the maximum torque it can generate when he pulls the heavy tractor. While pulling such heavy objects, features like the traction of the tyres also come into play and show the overall capability of the bike.

The Dominar 400 is one of the best value for money bike in the market. It gets a standard slipper clutch, LED headlamps, LED tail lamps and a fully digital console among many other features. Bajaj also offers optional ABS with the bike which is missing from all the Royal Enfield motorcycles in India.

Source

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki Brezza-rivaling Mahindra S201 sub-4 meter compact SUV's interiors revealed

While most car aficionados and driving enthusiasts in India add a free-flow exhaust to their cars, the owner of the first-gen Honda City, you see in this video, has instead gone for a flame-thrower kit. Yes, unlike a performance exhaust, a flame-thrower kit does little to improve a car’s performance. That said, it does help your car look cooler.

The first-gen Old Honda City, aka OHC, still enjoys a huge fan following. Hence, it’s fairly common to see some car enthusiasts modifying their OHCs to enhance their looks and performance. Like we said, a flame-thrower doesn’t improve a car’s performance. However, it does make it look funky to some. Here are some details about this device.

How does an exhaust flame-thrower work?

An exhaust flame-thrower system can be activated through a button-controlled electronic circuit that is wired to the car’s ignition. The system also consists of a spark plug installed near the tip of the car’s exhaust. On pressing the button that is wired to the ignition, the ignition spark plugs are temporarily deactivated. Hence, the air-fuel mixture that goes into the engine cylinder does not get ignited and is pushed out unburnt in the exhaust stroke. When this mixture reaches the tip of the exhaust pipe, the spark plug fitted at the tip ignites this mixture. The resulting flame is thrown out of the exhaust pipe.

What do I need to fit an exhaust flame-thrower to my car?

For an exhaust flame-thrower to work, the car should have a straight pipe without a catalytic converter. Also, the exhaust tip should have an adequately large diameter exhaust tip to make sure there’s a good amount of flame.

What about performance and fuel efficiency?

The flame-thrower kit doesn’t improve the performance of a car. Also, fuel efficiency takes a hit when using this system. Basically, the fuel burning in the exhaust pipe is wasted.

What does it cost?

Autobacs India Pits is selling the flame thrower kit for Rs 12,500. You can get it shipped to anywhere in India after paying the shipping charges. You can get in touch with the customiser by clicking the link below.

Video courtesy – Autobacs India Pits on Facebook

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki Brezza-rivaling Mahindra S201 sub-4 meter compact SUV's interiors revealed

Pick-up trucks have been around in India for a long time now. Manufacturers like Tata and Mahindra have been offering the pick-ups in India but until recently, the pick-ups did not gain much popularity. With the arrival of the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross, the lifestyle pick-up trucks have gained some traction among the enthusiasts and other manufacturers may see this as a chance to bring in new products to the market. Here is what the next-generation Xenon will look like if Tata decides to bring in an all-new model.

The Xenon XT, which is a pick-up truck for the individual customers, was discontinued by Tata Motors officially in 2017. It was based on the Tata Safari platform. The next-generation Tata Xenon will be based on the all-new Omega platform that will also underpin Tata’s upcoming H5X SUV. The render shows how the pick-up will draw inspirations from the H5X SUV concept that was showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo.

The production version of the all-new Xenon will look premium and will target the lifestyle market similar to the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross. It gets the new-age Tata’s humanity grille with similar arrow-design LED headlamps and DRLs. However, such sophistication may not make it to the production model to keep the price realistic.

To give it a masculine touch, the pick-up is expected to get a heavily creased front-end with a skid plate to protect the underbody. The flared wheel arches of the vehicle get matte finish to protect them from any scratches. It even gets a factory-installed snorkel that Tata may offer as standard or may offer as an optional accessory.

The next-generation Xenon is expected to keep the same four-door, five-seater layout as the current version of the vehicle. There will be a flatbed with sufficient capacity at the rear. Even though the render shows that the upcoming Xenon may get high-end Mud Terrain tyres, the stock production version will get All Terrain or Highway Terrain tyres to cater to all kinds of customers.

On the inside, the Xenon will get some advanced features but they are not expected to be as sophisticated and luxurious as the H5X as it will cater to the customers who are looking for ruggedness. Even with the rugged interiors, features like touch-screen infotainment, climate control and other such features can be expected.

Tata is expected to power the next-generation Xenon with the 2.0-litre Multijet diesel engine that also powers the Jeep Compass. The same will also be used in the Tata H5X SUV. It will get the 4X4 system with a low-ratio transfer case and the Terrain Response System that changes the mode of the terrain is also expected. Tata will launch the all-new H5X in 2019 and the Xenon based on it can be expected in 2020.

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki Brezza-rivaling Mahindra S201 sub-4 meter compact SUV's interiors revealed