Earlier this week, we reported about a Suzuki Hayabusa that has been ridden to the harsh and challenging terrain of Ladakh. Today, here’s a video of a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R that has been ridden to the rough terrains of Khardung La. The riders claim that this is the first time that a Ninja ZX-14R has been ridden to this mountain pass in the Ladakh region.

While the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R is an accomplished long-distance cruiser, a hyper sportsbike like the ZX-14R is not tailor-made for the rough terrain. The Ninja ZX-14R weighs a massive 269 KGs. Also, its maximum power of more than 190 horsepower makes it extremely tough to control this motorcycle in such highly challenging conditions. It’s noteworthy here that anyone who’s driving or riding to this mountain pass needs to cross many water streams and even has to deal with treacherous black ice.

This Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R was ridden to the high-altitude mountain pass by Jeep Singh and Sunit Ghosh. Both of them belong to a Gujarat-based group called ‘Bikers of Baroda’. The duo started their journey from Kolkata and rode till Khardung La, clocking a distance of more than 2,500 kms. The above video shows an overjoyed Jeet Singh talking about his adventurous and record-breaking ride to the mountain pass.

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R is one of the most powerful production motorcycles around. It was the flagship model from its Japanese bike manufacturer until the advent of the Ninja H2. The Ninja ZX-14R is also one of the only few motorcycles to have been a worthy competitor to the legendary Suzuki Hayabusa. Powering the ZX-14R is a 1441-cc, four-cylinder motor that outputs more than 190 hp of maximum power and 158 Nm of peak torque. Like we said, the motorcycle weighs 269 KGs. Handling all that power and weight on the challenging terrain of the Ladakh region requires great riding skills.

There have been some really powerful cars that have travelled to the Ladakh region. For example, the RedBull Formula 1 car was driven to Khardung La a few years ago. However, they had a professional support crew with them. Furthermore, the car was transported in a truck over dangerous stretches. There was no such support for Jeet Singh’s Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R.

Video source- Jeet Singh on Facebook

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Maruti Suzuki S-Cross has picked up the pace on the sales chart after a facelifted version of the car was launched. The S-Cross is sold as a premium crossover on the market and the car has picked up a lot of buyers in the past few months. The S-Cross has become so popular on the market that it is now outselling the once-popular Renault Duster by four times on an average. In the month of June, Renault sold 1,165 units of the Duster, while Maruti sold as many as 4,128 units of the S-Cross, which is a huge difference. What are the real reasons behind the popularity of the S-Cross on the market? Let’s find out.

Looks radical now

While the pre-facelift version of the S-Cross looked quite alright and average, the newer version of the vehicle catches a lot of eyes on the road. The new S-Cross gets updates like a new vertical slat chrome grille that adds a bulky look to the vehicle. Also, the new front bumper and headlamp with crystals inside give it a premium look. The overall shape of the vehicle stays the same but the new changes make the new S-Cross a head-turner, which attracts a lot of customers to it.

Reliability factor

One of the biggest reasons why Maruti Suzuki is the top choice of the customers in India is the wide service network of the brand. Maruti Suzuki started the Nexa showroom network when the S-Cross was first launched in India. Even though the car is available at only the Nexa showrooms, the vehicle can be serviced at any Maruti Suzuki India showroom. The wide support network gives a peace of mind to the buyers that also makes the S-Cross so popular in the segment.

Price tag

Price is an important factor in the success of vehicles in India. The new Maruti S-Cross is priced at Rs. 8.62 lakhs, ex-showroom, which is much cheaper than the Hyundai Creta base petrol version, which is priced at Rs. 9.44 lakhs, ex-showroom. Even the diesel version of the Renault Duster is priced at Rs. 8.95 lakhs, which is higher than the S-Cross. This makes the S-Cross a very value for money product on the market and increases its popularity.

Premium features

The new S-Cross gets a much premium cabin that comes with features like a SmartPlay infotainment system that gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The S-Cross also gets projector headlamps with LED DRL, chrome inserts and an all-black dashboard. It stays simple, yet feels quite premium. The S-Cross also gets a solid build quality, that makes it a top choice for the people who love tough cars.

Hybrid system

The new S-Cross offers the Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki (SHVS) system that increases its fuel efficiency. It is the most fuel-efficient car in the segment when compared to the cars like Hyundai Creta and Renault Duster. The 1.3-litre diesel engine returns a maximum fuel efficiency of 25.1 km/l compared to the Creta diesel 1.4, which returns 22.1 km/l. The Renault Duster returns a maximum efficiency of 19.72 km/l, which is much lower than the S-Cross.

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Bajaj Auto has yet again hiked prices of the Dominar 400. The latest price hike makes the motorcycle pricier by Rs. 2,000, Notably, this is the third time that the prices of the Dominar have been raised in the last 6 months, and the motorcycle has gotten pricier by Rs. 6,000 in 2018 alone. Since its launch 19 months ago, the Dominar has become pricier by a whopping Rs. 12,000, making it nearly 10 % pricier from the time of launch. The Bajaj Dominar stunned the market with its launch price of Rs. 1.36 lakhs, ex-showroom, Delhi. The motorcycle’s new entry price is Rs. 1.48 lakhs for the non-ABS trim and Rs. 1.62 lakhs for the ABS-equipped variant.

Despite all these price hikes, the Bajaj Dominar 400 continues to retain its value proposition. The motorcycle offers a lot more than competition, be it in performance or for that matter features. The motorcycle is powered by a 373cc, four stroke engine with liquid cooling and fuel injection. This engine operates with a single overhead camshaft that drives four valves. The motor puts out 35 Bhp of peak power and 35 Nm of peak torque. The gearbox is a 6 speed unit with a slipper clutch. Claimed top speed of the Dominar is 145 Kph although the motorcycle has been clocked exceeding this top speed on multiple occasions. The 0-100 Kph sprint comes up in about 8 seconds.

Bajaj Auto has positioned the Dominar 400 as a sports tourer, as a high-performance alternative to Royal Enfield’s retro styled motorcycles that are used by many riders for long distance touring. To this end, the Dominar comes with a powerful LED headlamp, high levels of safety thanks to dual channel ABS, and an aggressive yet mostly upright and comfortable riding position. While Bajaj has been aggressively advertising the Dominar 400, sales continue to be tepid, with Dominar sales settling at about 2,000 units each month. In the coming months, Bajaj Auto will start selling touring-focused accessories for the Dominar 400 that will include a headlamp fairing and other bits and bobs.

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Suzuki Motor Corporation recently unveiled the all-new Jimny. The new Jimny has gone on sale in the Japanese Domestic Market and is expected to make it to the European markets very soon. There’s strong speculation that the new Jimny is India-bound to replace the Gypsy. The new Suzuki Jimny is available in two variants – a Kei-spec version for Japan and the Jimny Sierra, which is basically the version that everyone else will get. The all-new Suzuki Jimny is a thoroughly modern SUV that has many safety features. Also, as demonstrated in the video we have here, the new Jimny is sufficiently capable off the road. In Japan, the Jimny has a base price of 14,58,000 JPY (approx Rs. 9.08 lakh).

The above video starts with an expert technician highlighting some features of the new SUV. He clearly points out the high ground clearance and the sufficient space between the tires and the fenders. He also highlights the manual 4×4 transfer case. The expert also shows the Jimny’s suspension arrangement and the anti-sway bar. He also talks about the design of the new offering. He even shows a Jimny Sierra that sports all-terrain tires. Furthermore, he seems to have highlighted the styling differences between the two models.

The JDM-spec Jimny is powered by a 0.66-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine that produces a maximum power of 64 PS along with a peak torque of 96 Nm. The Jimny Sierra comes with a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder motor that outputs 101 PS of maximum power and 130 Nm of peak torque. Both the engines come mated to a 5-speed manual transmission as standard and 4-speed automatic transmission as optional.

Finally, the same technician takes the Jimny off the road. He starts by driving on a rocky surface. The Jimny also tackles some small inclines as it trots along the rocky path. Towards the end of the video, the Jimny can be seen climbing up a heap of stones. The driver even manages to demonstrate the high approach angle in the reverse gear. Unfortunately, the video is in Japanese and hence, we might have missed out on some details. However, we’ll update you with more info on the Jimny’s off-roading capabilities as soon as an English video surfaces online.

Video courtesy – Dress Up Navi on Youtube

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It has become fairly well-known that the Suzuki Burgman Street will be launched in India on July 19. The maxi-scooter has already started reaching authorized dealerships and a new report claims that the on-road price of the Burgman Street will be roughly Rs 76,000. This will make the Burgman Street the most expensive Suzuki scooter in India.

The Suzuki Burgman Street 125 made its public debut at the Auto Expo 2018. The latest automatic scooter will become the only maxi-scooter in India. The Burgman will become India’s second maxi-scooter, after the highly likeable but the now-defunct Kinetic Blaze. The front-end of the Scooter is characterized by an aggressively-styled apron that carries a big headlamp. The scooter also gets a small visor along with sharp apron shoulders. It gets a rather chunky handlebar that has a plastic encasing. The instrument console has been positioned behind the visor. The Burgman 125 offers a really large seat, which should make it fairly comfortable for well-built riders.

The Burgman Street 125 is in line with the international Suzuki Burgman range of scooters. It gets a similar maxi-scooter design. However, while the India-spec Burgman gets a 125cc engine, the international line-up comprises of 200-cc, 250-cc, 400-cc and 600-cc models. The Burgman Street 125 shares in plenty with the Access 125, which means that the upcoming scooter will be a fairly reliable offering. Powering the Burgman Street 125 is a single-cylinder, 124cc engine that produces a maximum power of 8.5 bhp at 6,500 rpm and a peak torque of 10.2 Nm at 5,000 rpm. This is the same motor that also powers the Access 125. As the upcoming maxi-scooter is a tad heavier than the Access 125, Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt Ltd is likely to re-tune the motor accordingly. The engine will come mated to a CVT.

The Burgman Street will be a sufficiently feature-laden model. Its features list will include LED headlamps, LED tail lamps, fully digital instrument cluster, rear monoshock, front disc brake, 12V charging socket, best-in-class under seat storage space, front telescopic forks, tubeless tyres, multi-function key slot, and a Combi-Brake System.

Here is the official video of the new Suzuki Burgman Street 125

Source – Financial Express

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Tata Motors showcased the upcoming concept vehicle named as the H5X at the 2018 Auto Expo. The SUV has been caught testing numerous times on Indian roads and will be launched in the market soon. The H5X is a much-awaited car and here are all the things that you should know about it.

Not H5X anymore!

While the internal codename given to the vehicle was H5X and even the concept model carried the same name, Tata has officially revealed the name of the upcoming SUV. Interestingly, Tata will name it the Harrier. Tata has officially revealed the name today. Tata has always been known for naming their concept models with bird names but with the Harrier, Tata has gone a step further and has named the production version of the SUV as Harrier, which is a bird species.

MAJOR Jeep Compass connection

How is that? Well, Tata will power the upcoming Harrier with the 2.0-litre multijet diesel engine supplied by Fiat. Currently, only the Jeep Compass is powered by the 2.0-litre multijet diesel engine on the Indian market and the Harrier will become the second SUV on the market to get the engine. However, the 170 Bhp – 350 Nm output of the engine with the Compass may change due to re-tuning.

And MASSIVE Land Rover connection

The Harrier will be the first-ever SUV from Tata that will get the Land Rover LS550 platform. The same platform also underpins entry-level JLR SUVs like the Discovery Sport. The platform will make the Harrier very capable. This is the first time that a Tata-branded vehicle will use the platform of its subsidiary.

Official reveal just 4 months away!

Tata will officially reveal the production version of the Harrier in November, 2018. After showing the concept version at the start of this year, it will be a very fast development cycle for the SUV. The pre-production version will be officially revealed by Tata with features and specifications.

Production to begin soon

Tata has been testing the upcoming Harrier in various terrains across India. The testing phase seems to be in final stages and Tata will soon begin the production of the SUV in India. Tata is expected to start the production by the end of this year.

But launch will happen later

The SUV is expected to be extremely high on demand once it is launched in the market. To keep enough stock of the SUV, the production will start by the end of 2018 and the official price will be announced in early 2019. This will ensure that Tata has enough stock of the SUVs to meet the high demands.

Flagship product!

The Tata Hexa is currently the most expensive product from the brand. The Harrier will be positioned above it in the market, which means it will become the new flagship of the brand. The 5-seater SUV will take on the likes of Jeep Compass, Hyundai Creta and will also compete with the 7-seater Mahindra XUV 500 on the Indian market.

Will retain H5X looks

Pratap Bose, the head designer of Tata Motors, revealed that the Harrier will retain as much as 80% looks of the concept model. It will follow the same path as the Nexon concept and the production version. Tata released teaser pictures of the Harrier today. It gets a sleek front and rear just like the H5X concept. We can safely assume to see a very aggressive-looking final product from the brand.

Will be a capable SUV

All the Land Rover platforms have the 4WD feature and the Harrier will utilise the same. Tata will launch the upcoming SUV in both 2WD and 4WD options, taking full advantage of the Land Rover platform. It is not known if it will get a low-ratio transfer case but it is confirmed that the Harrier will get the 4WD option.

A larger version awaited

Tata is also working on a larger version of the SUV that gets the H7X codename. It will be a long wheelbase version of the Harrier and is yet to get a name. The H7X will get seven seats and will share a lot of parts with the Harrier. However, the big brother is scheduled to be launched at a later date, which can be by the end of 2019.

Will be built in Pimpri

Tata Harrier will be built at the Pimpri-Chinchwad facility of the brand. The facility is the hub for the Tata commercial vehicles. Tata used the facility to make Indica and Indigo but both the vehicles have been discontinued now and it will be used for the production of the Harrier. It is not known if Tata will export the Harrier to the foreign markets but given the modern looks and popularity of the vehicle, it is certain the Harrier will be available in various foreign markets.

Also Read: Honda CD 110 Dream DX launched in India: Hero Splendor challenger

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India has launched the 2018 CD Dream 110 DX in India. The commuter segment bike is priced at Rs. 48,461, ex-showroom, Delhi. It will take on the best-selling commuter bike in India – Hero Splendor. With the update, Honda now offers the bike with new golden graphics and new chrome muffler protector. There is also a new heavy-duty carrier at the rear.

The CD Dream is Honda’s one of the first commuter bikes in India. It was first launched in 1949 in the Japanese market and is specifically targetted at the buyers from Tier II and Tier III cities. It gets a single-piece comfortable seat and a very high ground clearance of 179mm. The bike gets a key lock utility box too that can be used to store small things.

Mr. Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Senior Vice President – Sales and Marketing, HMSI. said,

“The iconic CD brand has been winning the trust of millions of customers globally since 1966. Taking forward its legacy, 2018 CD 110 Dream DX offers the same level of trust and reliability. We are confident that the new edition too will garner good response from our customers especially when there are sentiments in rural demand.”

The 2018 CD 110 Dream is powered by the tried and tested 110cc Honda Eco Thurst (HET) engine. It produces a maximum of 8.31 Bhp and a peak torque of 9.09 Nm. The engine gets mated to a 4-speed manual transmission. The bike has claimed top speed of 86 km but it gets a high fuel efficiency of 74 km/l as per ARAI certification. In the real world, the bike returns around 68 km/l, which still is pretty high. The much more popular Hero Splendor iSmart 110cc version returns a maximum fuel efficiency of 85 km/l.  However, the Splendor 110cc iSmart comes with the start/stop system and is priced higher at Rs. 53,000, ex-showroom, Delhi.

The Dream 110 DX gets a front telescopic fork and twin suspension set-up at the rear. It gets alloy wheels and drum brakes on both the wheels. There is no disc brake even as an optional feature. Honda has also added the new Black with Cabin Gold colour to the bike. There are three other colours available in the form of Black with Green Metallic, Black with Grey Silver Metallic, Black with Red and Black with Blue Metallic.

Also Read: Honda CD 110 Dream DX launched in India: Hero Splendor challenger

The best selling Maruti Baleno premium hatchback will get new competition from Tata Motors. In the festive season of 2019, which is essentially the last four months of the year, Tata Motors will launch the 45X code-named premium hatchback in India. The 45X was showcased at the 2018 Indian Auto Expo, and the car did get rave reviews for its sharp looks and classy, minimalist interiors. The 45X is expected to be a value priced alternative to cars, such as the Maruti Baleno and the Hyundai i20 Elite. It will be based on Tata Motors’ new Advanced Modular Platform (AMP), which is now known as Alfa.

The 45X is expected to borrow its petrol and turbocharged diesel engines from the Tata Nexon. What this means is, the petrol motor will be a 1.2-litre turbocharged unit, capable of putting out about 108 Bhp-170 Nm. The diesel engine will be a 1.5-litre unit with 108 Bhp-260 Nm on tap. These numbers will make the Tata 45X one of the most powerful premium hatchbacks in the country. Six-speed manual gearboxes are likely to be standard. While there’s been some talk about Tata Motors developing a twin clutch automatic gearbox based on the automated manual transmission technology, we’re not sure if this car will get the new gearbox at launch.

Notably, the car will also get a new name, with the 45X code-name making way for a different moniker on the production model. The Tata 45X is expected to be loaded with features, and much of the styling seen on the concept version is likely to translate into production. The car will measure under 4 meters in length to fit into India’s compact car regulations. What this means is that the larger dimensions of the concept version will be whittled down suitably on the production model. Test mules of the car have been on the roads for many months now. Expect a cracker of a price tag for this car at launch.

Via ETAuto

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BMWs are quite rare in India due to their prohibitive high prices. Yet, there are many abandoned luxury vehicles that can be found in various places. Either such vehicles are impounded by cops for various reasons or they are simply neglected by the owners when they upgrade to newer or premium models. Here is one such BMW X5 that is being used by roadside dwellers.

What is happening here?

This is the first-generation BMW X5 that was launched in India in 2008-09. The luxury SUV could accommodate up to 7 passengers with optional seats. The luxury vehicle has been spotted at Sundar Nagar in Kalina, Maharashtra, and is being used by pavement dwellers to support their shed. The BMW has been parked on the roadside, in a horrific condition. Ropes can be seen tied to the vehicle’s wipers and other parts.

This is pre-facelift BMW X5, which was priced around Rs. 50 lakhs, for the base model, when it was launched. It was quite an expensive vehicle as it came to India as a completely built unit (CBU). The vehicle’s current condition is cringe-worthy to car lovers and enthusiasts. It seems like an abandoned vehicle as the vehicles seized by cops remain in police custody.

The car body seems to be in a good condition but the front grille has been damaged. Other parts, such as the head lamps, windshield and wheels look alright too. The car was offered in both petrol and diesel versions. The V8 petrol engine produced a maximum of 407 Bhp and 600 Nm, while the 6-cylinder diesel engine produced 245 Bhp and 540 Nm.

As the cost of maintenance of such imported vehicles used to be exorbitantly high in those days, the owner must have decided to ignore it after a few years of use. Such luxury vehicles are extremely sturdy and can survive decades if they get proper attention. However, this is not the only luxury vehicle that has been found abandoned in India. There are quite a few rare vehicles that are rusting away as the owners have ignored it completely. Even in police compounds, many luxury vehicles can be found in dreadful condition.

Source

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The hot-selling Jeep Compass SUV has just received an attractive extended warranty and a new maintenance pack. New Jeep Compass buyers will be able to opt for this 5-year extended warranty program, priced at Rs. 50,000, which also covers regular service and maintenance costs for a full five years, and offers a road side assistance package for the same period. The new extended warranty and maintenance pack is called the ‘Freedom Pack’, and you can get in touch with your nearest Fiat-Jeep dealer for more details.

The Jeep Compass is nearly a year old in India, and is by far Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ most successful launch in the country, ever. The SUV has gone past the 10,000 units sales mark in India, and is clocking steady sales of about 1,500 units each month. Jeep is using the Tata-Fiat factory at Ranjangaon, off Pune, as a global production hub for the right-hand drive versions of the Compass, which are exported to multiple international markets such as Australia, England and Thailand. This strategy has allowed Jeep to localise the Compass extensively and price it attractively on the Indian market.

Prices of the Compass sold in India start from about Rs. 15 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi, for the base petrol variant. Jeep also offers diesel variants of the Compass. The Jeep Compass Petrol uses a 1.4 litre turbocharged engine with 160 Bhp-250 Nm. 6-speed manual and 7-speed twin clutch automatic gearboxes are on offer with this engine, which drives the front wheels of the SUV. The diesel motor is a 2-litre Fiat Multijet turbocharged unit with 170 Bhp-350 Nm. It gets a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard, while front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options are on offer. Soon, Jeep is expected to launch the Compass Diesel Automatic, which will get a 9-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. The off-road spec TrailHawk version of the Compass is expected to get this engine-gearbox combination.

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It has come to light that our Government has decided against purchasing 10,000 Tata Tigor and Mahindra Verito electric vehicles. A new report states that the State-run Energy Efficiency Services (EESL) has scrapped its second tender for procurement of 10,000 electric cars. This step has been taken as currently, there’s no clarification on specifications for the chargers that will enable the premium luxury vehicles to launch in India.

It’s noteworthy here that Tata Motors and Mahindra bagged an order to supply as many as 10,000 units of Tigor and Verito electric cars to Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL), which is a public sector unit that comes under the Ministry of Power. The two companies have already supplied 350 units of the Tigor and 150 units of the Verito EVs. As many as 9,500 vehicles were to be supplied in the next phase. However, it was recently reported that the Government officials have refused to accept these electric cars as both the Verito Electric and the Tigor EV have a poor performance and a pretty low range. It’s even rumoured that the performance of these vehicles is not in accordance with the tender specifications.

Many Government officials have claimed that neither the Tata Tigor electric nor the Mahindra Verito electric can run even 80-82 kilometres on a single charge. The reason for this is the small 17 kW battery. Globally, most electric car batteries range between 27-35 kW. At least on paper, the 17 kW batteries of the Verito and Tigor EVs can give them a range of 100-120 kms on a full charge. However, with no clarity on the required specifications and on the battery charging ports, the State-run EELS has scrapped the second order for 9,500 units. The Government will not float another tender until the necessary specifications become clear.

Other than the poor performance of the two electric vehicles, a lack of sufficient charging ports is another major reason for the scrappage of the order. As experienced by the Government officials, it’s really tough to charge the batteries completely without the availability of the fast charging ports. Both Tata Motors and Mahindra and Mahindra are yet to issue an official statement on the scrappage of the tender.

Source- ET Auto

Also Read: Tata Nano production stopped, but you can still buy one if you want: Here's how

Jeep Compass Trailhawk is one of the most-awaited SUVs on the Indian market. Following the success of the Jeep Compass in India, the Trailhawk version, which is much more capable than the regular variants, was scheduled to be launched in India soon. However, the launch has been delayed and now the Compass Trailhawk will launch by the end of this year or early 2019.

This comes after Jeep India officially showcased the vehicle at a private event to the dealership owners and prospective customers earlier this year. The sales of the regular Compass has dropped after the launch of the facelifted XUV500 on the Indian market. It is quite possible that Jeep may have decided to let the sales of the new vehicle settle down before bringing in the all-new variant on the market.

Jeep Compass Trailhawk is highly awaited because of the diesel engine and the automatic transmission combination. Jeep currently offers a 9-speed dual-clutch transmission with the petrol variant, but the diesel version only gets a manual transmission. With the rising demand for automatic vehicles in India, the Jeep Compass Trailhawk with the new engine combination could have made the model much more popular.

The Trailhawk variant is a much more capable variant of the SUV. It comes with Auto, Snow, Mud, and Rock modes. The Rock Mode specifically allows the vehicle to be driven in much more challenging situations. The Compass Trailhawk gets a low-ratio transfer case that multiples the torque output by 4.334 times, making it much more competent to climb slippery surfaces easily.

The Compass Trailhawk also gets increased ground clearance, i.e. 20mm higher than the regular variants of the SUV. The higher ground clearance is complemented with redesigned bumpers that make the approach and departure angle higher. The Trailhawk variant of the Compass can reach some challenging places where the regular variant will fail easily.

In India, the Compass will get the same 2.0-litre Multijet diesel engine that churns out a maximum of 173 Bhp and 350 Nm. It gets a 9-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and will be offered in a single variant. The price tag is expected to be around Rs. 32 lakhs.

Source

Also Read: Tata Nano production stopped, but you can still buy one if you want: Here's how

The Bollywood divas we have here today are the leading ladies of the Tinseltown. All of them charge a hefty acting fee and even earn from endorsing various products. No wonder, then, that they can splurge on really expensive cars. Here are all the details of the 11 most expensive cars owned by these pretty ladies.

Priyanka Chopra – Rolls Royce Ghost – 5.25 crore

Priyanka Chopra is the only Indian actress to own a Roller. She owns a Rolls Royce Ghost, which is basically a mini-me Phantom. It has a base price of Rs 5.25 crore. Powering the Ghost is a 6.6-litre twin-turbo V12 petrol engine that produces a max. power of 562 bhp along with a peak torque of 780 Nm. The motor comes mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Deepika Padukone – Mercedes Maybach S500 – 1.67 crore

Deepika Padukone is another Bollywood leading lady who owns an expensive sedan. She uses a Mercedes Maybach S500, which is said to have cost her Rs 1.67 crore. The S500 Maybach that she uses is a CKD import that was assembled in India. Powering the S500 is a 4.7-litre engine that outputs a maximum power of 453 bhp along with a peak torque of  700 Nm.

Aishwarya Rai – Mercedes S500 – 1.41 crore

Former Miss World Aishwarya Rai uses the latest-gen Mercedes S-Class. Her S-Class is in the S500 format, which makes it the most powerful Mercedes sedan, on this side of the ultra-luxurious Maybach versions. Powering her S-Class is a 4.7-litre V8 petrol engine that outputs a maximum power of 453 Bhp along with a peak torque of 700 Nm.

Alia Bhatt – Range Rover Vogue – 1.74 crore

Alia Bhatt has a pretty big car collection. However, the Range Rover Vogue you see in the above image is her most recent and even the most expensive purchase. Alia’s Range Rover Vogue is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine that outputs a max power of 240 bhp along with a peak torque of 600 Nm. The motor comes mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The Vogue has a full-time AWD system.

Sonam Kapoor – Mercedes S400 – 1.28 crore

Anil Kapoor recently gifted a Mercedes-Benz S-Class to Sonam Kapoor. Sonam’s S-Class is in the S400 format. It’s powered by a 3.0-litre V6 engine that outputs 333 bhp of maximum power along with 480Nm of peak torque. The engine comes paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission.

Malaika Arora – Range Rover Vogue – 1.74 crore

Another famous Bollywood actress that owns a Range Rover Vogue is Malaika Arora Khan. Malaika’s Range Rover Vogue is in blue colour. It gets its juice from a 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine that outputs a maximum power of 240 Bhp and a peak torque 600 Nm.

Anushka Sharma – Range Rover Vogue – 2.27 crore

Another leading lady to own a Range Rover Vogue is Anushka Sharma. It’s said that Anushka Sharma prefers to use only one car on a regular basis. The Vogue seems to be her favourite as she has been spotted using it on several occasions. Anushka’s Vogue is powered by a 4.4-litre V8 diesel engine that outputs a maximum power of 335 bhp along with a peak torque of 740 Nm.

Mallika Sherawat – Lamborghini Aventador – Rs 5.01 crore

The Lamborghini Aventador costs a whopping Rs 5 crore and is the fastest car on our list here. It’s powered by a 6.5-litre V12 engine that outputs 690 bhp. The car has a top speed of 349 kmph.

Sunny Leonne – Maserati Ghibli – Rs 1.42 crore

Sunny Leone owns a Maserati Ghibli Nerissimo. It costs Rs 1.40 crore in India. Only 450 units of the Nerissimo Edition have been built, which makes Sunny’s car really special.

Kareena Kapoor – Range Rover Vogue – Rs 1.74 Crore

Yet another actress that owns a Vogue is Kareena Kapoor, who owns an earlier generation of the luxury SUV. Kareena has been spotted using the Vogue on numerous occasions. Currently, the Range Rover Vogue range starts at Rs 1.74 crore.

Jacqueline Fernandez – Range Rover Vogue – Rs 1.74 crore

Even Jacqueline Fernandez owns a Range Rover Vogue. Her luxury SUV has been fitted with a sporty body kit, which makes her Vogue look more stylish than the regular version. Even Jacqueline’s Vogue is from an earlier generation.

Image sources – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

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Regulars here must’ve seen our posts on the ‘tug of war’ competitions between two or more motorcycles. These videos generally involve some popular models from Royal Enfield, KTM or from the Bajaj Pulsar range trying to outclass each other in a tug of war. While these videos are quite fun to watch, a tug of war between two or more vehicles can have some serious implications on the vehicle’s performance. Today, we have a video that shows a vlogger explaining the effect of these competitions on his Bajaj Pulsar RS200.

The video starts with the vlogger talking about the poor performance of his motorcycle. He goes on to say that his motorcycle is in such a bad shape that it can’t achieve speeds of more than 20 kmph. Of course, the reason for the really low performance is the excessive wear and tear caused by the many tug of war competitions this RS200 has participated in. The vlogger demonstrates the totally worn out clutch plates of his motorcycle. He is also required to change the engine oil of his motorcycle. In the video, he is shown purchasing two cans of Motul fully-synthetic engine oil for his motorcycle.

It’s really not surprising to see the totally worn out clutch plates of this Bajaj Pulsar RS200. A quick look at the vlogger’s video channel reveals that this Pulsar has been used to not only compete with multiple 125cc motorcycles in a tug of war competition but has also towed a tractor. Such stunts are bound to cause excessive wear on the clutch plates and faster deterioration of the engine oil. Using a motorcycle in a tug of war competition leads to a lot of stress on its clutch plates. Also, the high revving causes the engine oil to deteriorate faster. In the worst case scenario, it can also cause permanent damage to the engine’s internals.

A sure shot sign of worn out clutch plates is that the increase in acceleration is not in accordance with the increase in engine speed (RPM). This will also lead to a lower top speed and higher fuel consumption. At times, even the gearshifts will become quite hard. In case of a motorcycle with a kick-start, even the kick may start slipping. Hence, it’s in the best interests of the motorcycle to avoid participation in any activity that causes faster wear and tear to the motorcycle components.

Source – Suraj Verma on Youtube

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Volkswagen India has launched the Sport edition of Polo, Ameo and Vento in India. All the three mass-segment cars have been updated with new visual features that make them look quite different from the regular models. No mechanical changes have been done to all the three vehicles. The Volkswagen Polo Sport is priced at Rs. 6.93 lakhs, Ameo Sport starts at Rs. 8.3 lakhs and the Vento Sports is priced at Rs. 10.7 lakhs, all prices ex-showroom, Delhi.

All the three Sport editions get visual updates like a black roof, roof-mounted rear roof spoiler, blacked-out ORVMs with a cap, and a Sport decal on the side. Apart from the visual changes, the features and the power output remain similar to the regular version.

The Polo gets a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine that churns out a maximum power of 75 Bhp and 95 Nm. The diesel variants get the 1.5-litre engine that churns out a maximum power of 89 Bhp and 230 Nm. The hatchback is also available with a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine with the GT variant. It also gets a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission.

The Volkswagen Ameo is the first sub-4-meter sedan from the brand that has been developed specifically for the Indian market. The Ameo shares its engine with the Polo and gets the 1.0-litre petrol engine that generates a maximum of 75 Bhp and 95 Nm. The diesel variant of the Ameo is also powered by the same 1.5-litre engine but it is re-tuned to produce a maximum of 108 Bhp and 250 Nm. This is the same engine output that is offered with the Polo GT TDI. The diesel variant of the Ameo is also offered with a 7-speed dual clutch transmission. It takes on the cars like Maruti Dzire, Hyundai Xcent and the Ford Aspire on the market.

The Vento competes with the likes of Honda City, Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Yaris. The petrol version of the Vento is powered by a 1.6-litre naturally aspirated engine that generates a maximum of 103 Bhp and 153 Nm. The 1.5-litre diesel engine remains the same as the Ameo and generates a maximum of 108 Bhp and 250 Nm. Volkswagen offers automatic transmission with both petrol and diesel engine options of the Vento in India.

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Amitabh Bachchan’s Range Rover was on sale a couple of months ago, and it turns out that the luxury SUV hasn’t been picked up by anyone yet. We got in touch with the SUV’s second owner (the one who bought it from Amitabh Bachchan) to find out more. The SUV in question is the top-spec Autobiography variant, with 35,000 kilometers on the odometer. The seller is willing to part with the Range Rover for about 24 lakh rupees, which is actually Rs. 25,000 higher than what’s quoted in the ad. This comes as a bit of a surprise considering that the Range Rover has been on sale for a couple of months without any takers.

Too pricey?

Well, 24 lakh rupees is a lot of money for what is essentially a 13-year-old luxury SUV that’s no longer built. Also, it’s a petrol powered SUV, in a market dominated by diesels. And petrol prices haven’t exactly gotten any cheaper either. Diesels of similar vintage are priced at about the same figures, and of course, have run more since they’re more fuel efficient and cheaper to run. These are two major factors that may be weighing heavily in the minds of those intending to pick up this British luxury SUV.

Some other things to consider…

Other factors that buyers would consider is the spare parts scene. This particular example was imported into India long before Land Rover officially set shop here. What this also means is almost every part to maintain this SUV would have to be imported, making maintenance a costly affair. The SUV being out of warranty means the absence of another crucial safety net.

Now, for the good bits….

This Range Rover does come with ‘street-cred’ in the sense that a person as eminent as Amitabh Bachchan has used it. Moreover, it features a ‘VIP’ number, which again commands a premium in the resale market. Thirdly, the seller claims that it has a very detailed service history, and if there’s proof to back this up, the buyer does have a good opportunity to find out what exactly she/he’s getting into while purchasing the car.

It’s run only 35,000 kilometers, which is an average of less than 3,000 kilometers every year. A garage queen? You bet. This also means that many mechanical bits on the SUV could be quite pristine, and could last many more years considering how well-built this vehicle is, save for certain bits such as the air suspension.

Meanwhile, the seller also claims that the SUV has received an air suspension overhaul – a part that is quite costly to replace, and one that generally requires replacement after a few years of use. If the seller has taken care of this particular bit, it does make life of the buyer more simpler. Then there are the new set of tyres this SUV is running – an expense of about Rs. 1 lakh in itself.

Talking of what you get for Rs. 24 lakhs, you have a high-end, luxury SUV that can seat five adults in comfort. It runs on air suspension, which is highly regarded for excellent ride comfort. Street presence is impressive to say the least, and expect doors to be opened when you arrive in a Range Rover. This particular example as a 4.4 litre V8 petrol engine which puts out about 306 Bhp of peak power. A ZF automatic gearbox is standard and so is four wheel drive. And like all other SUVs, this one has plenty of ground clearance that gives it the ability to go anywhere. If you’re interested to check out this SUV, once owned by Amitabh Bachchan, you may get in touch with the seller here.

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Tata Motors has stopped production of the iconic Nano hatchback at its Sanand factory in Gujarat. However, you will still be able to buy a Tata Nano if you want it. Well, the Nano would be built-to-order going forward, which means that if customers can convince a Tata dealer into ordering the car, Tata Motors will still build the car on an order-to-order basis. However, this does make the future of the Tata Nano quite uncertain as the automaker could eventually stop making the car altogether if demand drops. For now, the Nano can still be bought, on special order, much like how very high end cars are sold. Who would have thought that the modern day Volkswagen Beetle equivalent would become a order-only car?

Be that as it may, Tata dealers across India have been clearing stocks of the Nano for the past many month. In fact, Tata produced only 3 units of the car in all of June 2018, raising apprehensions that the Nano’s end had finally arrived. When launched in 2008, the Tata Nano was the world’s cheapest car, and Ratan Tata kept his promise of pricing the car at just Rs. 1 lakh. The Nano wowed the world initially, and there were a spurt of bookings for the tiny city runabout. A few stray incidents of the Nano catching fire did dent its popularity in a big way, and the fact that Tata Motors could not commence production from the originally envisaged Nano factory at West Bengal did take away a lot of momentum from the car.

But what really went against the car though was the ‘cheap’ tag that was attached to it. This meant that a lot of first time buyers were willing to be seen in a used car but not a new Tata Nano. While the Tata Nano will go into marketing books as a case study of how marketing killed a fabulous product, the car remains one of the best examples of Indian frugal engineering. Key highlights of the Nano were its 624cc twin cylinder engine, a rear wheel drive layout, 4 speed manual and 5 speed AMT options, a very spacious cabin and in later models, Bluetooth connectivity and even a boot. The Nano going out of serial production represents the end of an era. Will the Nano rise like a phoenix and be remade into a electric car? Time shall tell.

Via Auto.NDTV

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The Renault Captur SUV is now available with a massive discount of Rs. 2 lakh, but there’s a catch. This huge discount is offered only on the MY 2017 Captur. Renault India is still stuck with many Captur SUVs built in the end of 2017 and wants to clear this stock. Notably, the Captur is not selling well, and the fact that Renault dealers still have 2017 built Capturs with them is indicative of this fact. Deal hunters can get in touch with their nearest Renault dealers to bag this large discount. The discount makes Captur great value for money, and prospective buyers of the Hyundai Creta may consider this French SUV.

Many buyers may be apprehensive about picking up a vehicle manufactured over six months ago, and rightfully so. There are a few important things to keep in mind while buying a car that has been sitting at a dealer/factory stockyard for such a long time. Make sure that the vehicle’s vital fluids, such as the engine oil and coolant are changed before delivery. Oil degrades with time, and this is the key reason why it needs to be changed even in a brand new vehicle that has been sitting idle for many months. Secondly, buyers also need to inspect the vehicle thoroughly and do a full pre-delivery inspection just to make sure that they don’t end up with issues later.

The Captur sold in India is based on the Renault Duster’s B-Zero platform. The SUV, which is priced and positioned above the Duster, was launched at Rs. 9.99 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi. It shares its engines and gearboxes with the Duster but unlike the latter, is not yet available with automatic transmission options. All variants of the Captur are front-wheel driven, which also means that the all-wheel drive option on the Duster is missing in this SUV.

The petrol Captur is powered by a 1.6-litre engine with 106 Bhp-140 Nm, and this motor is paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The diesel Captur uses a 1.5-litre K9K turbocharged unit with 108 Bhp-248 Nm. A 6-speed manual gearbox is standard. The Captur’s biggest selling point is its wonderful suspension set-up that offers excellent ride comfort. The SUV’s interiors are more upmarket compared to the Duster, and the Captur also gets more features.

Via MyCarHelpline

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While manufacturers are still figuring a way out to make driverless cars a success on roads, here is a video showing a Mahindra Thar off-roading without a driver. Kutub Kazi, an off-road enthusiast, has posted a video showing his Mahindra Thar going on an off-road expedition on its own. Is this something that would send Elon Musk into a tizzy? Let’s find out.

What is happening here?

The short video shows the Mahindra Thar climbing an incline without any driver in it. The car is travelling in a straight line climbing steadily. In the end, we can see Kutub Kazi, the owner of the Thar, running towards the vehicle.

Well, diesel engine-powered cars offer a good amount of low-end torque and they can move forward without any accelerator input. This is what makes diesel vehicles easier to drive in heavy traffic situations too. To crawl forward, most diesel cars do not need any accelerator input. Instead, the clutch can be released and it starts to move forward slowly. However, if it is on an incline or has to cross a speed breaker, the car may not be able to do it without any accelerator input.

The Mahindra Thar comes with a low-ratio transfer case that multiplies the torque output by several times. The extra torque output makes the vehicle much more capable, and even when the engine is idling, the vehicle can climb inclines and other surfaces.

Kutub Kazi has posted a video in the comment section that shows how he did it. He puts the vehicle in gear, sets it in motion and gets out of it with the steering aligned in a straight line. The Thar then goes towards the incline on its own and climbs it easily too.

However, it can be dangerous!

Such stunts can be dangerous if the vehicles goes out of control. It is always a good idea to experiment with such stunts in controlled environments like Mr. Kazi did. The steering of the vehicle can turn after hitting a pothole or uneven surface and the vehicle can spin out of control. It is also illegal to perform such stunts on public roads and you can be penalized for it.

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Suzuki Burgman Street isn’t the only automatic scooter that is about to be launched in India. Yamaha Motor India has released a teaser of a new variant of the Ray ZR automatic scooter. From the looks of it, the launch of the new scooter will take place in a few days from now. In all probability, the scooter in the teaser video is the Yamaha Ray ZR 110 Street Rally Edition that was showcased at the Auto Expo 2018. The scooter in the video clearly has the same set of decals as the Street Rally Edition. However, while the vehicle on display at the auto show had a gold-finish on the wheels, the production model in the teaser video sports black-painted alloy wheels.

The Ray ZR 110 Street Rally Edition is based on the standard Ray ZR and carries a handful of cosmetic upgrades. The highlight of these upgrades is the set of sporty decals the scooter carries. The Ray ZR Street Rally Edition looks much sportier than the regular variant. The scooter also gets black-finished six-spoke alloy wheels. Like we said, the show model had gold-finished alloys, but the same haven’t been carried over to the production version.

The show model also had a new all-digital speedo console, which fits in the same housing as the analogue unit in the regular variant. The scooter is also expected to offer aluminium footrests and a smoke-painted engine guard. The Street Rally Edition present at the Auto Expo sported a red-coloured gas-charged shock absorber at the rear. The shock absorber of the production model, however, has been painted in a white colour. In most probability, it’s the same non-gas-charged unit that’s found in the regular Ray ZR. Powering the Yamaha Ray ZR 110 Street Rally Edition will be the same 113-cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine that is found in the regular version of this scooter. This engine outputs 7 bhp and 8.1 Nm. It comes mated to a CVT.

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