With the Mumbai rains lashing out with full force, there are numerous commuters who get stuck due to the flood-like situations on the roads. There have been numerous mishaps with the commuters due to the rain and here is an incident that has been caught on camera.

The dramatic footage shows the rescue of the family who was trapped in their vehicle being pulled out to safety. The video shows a few people helping the family by throwing a rope and pulling them out of the submerged car. The incident happened in Taloja in Navi Mumbai and the footage was captured from a bridge. Two women and a man were rescued safely from the drowning vehicle.

The car slipped off the bridge due to the heavy rainfall and got trapped in the rapidly flowing water. Many reports suggest that the water level started rising suddenly after the car fell, which trapped the occupants completely. Locals came to the rescue and all the members of the family were saved without any injuries. It would have turned into a much worse situation if the locals did not give a helping hand to the victims.

It is important to be extremely careful during the rainy season and the car should be in top-notch condition to avoid any such incidents. The vehicle slipped from the bridge and fell into the water. It is not known if the vehicle was being driven at a high speed. During the rainy season, the condition of the tyres become very important. If the tyres do not have deep enough treads, it can slip off easily when it rains. Also, a phenomenon called aquaplaning becomes quite common during the rainy season. The tyre pressure is very important too. If the tyres are underinflated, the chances of aquaplaning increases while overfilling the tyres causes a loss of grip.

Driving at high speed over water can cause the water to form a thin film over the tyres and there is no direct contact between the road and the tyres. This causes a loss of grip and the vehicle can slide uncontrollably.

Also Read: NGT to Volkswagen: Why haven't you recalled all Dieselgate affected cars in India?

Many of us accessorize a new car immediately after buying it. Actually, it’s really not a bad idea to use some accessories to give your car a slightly more premium look. Mostly, these accessories don’t cost a bomb and when used wisely, can help your car look better than the non-accessorized models. But what if we tell you that Florida-based Kris Sing, a businessman who owns an Aston Martin Valkyrie worth Rs 20 crores, has painted his car with a special paint that costs as much as a luxury sedan from BMW! No, we’re really not kidding. Read on to know more.

Wait! What?

Believe it or not, Kris Singh has painted his car with real moondust! As per the calculations by Jalopnik, the moondust brought to Earth by the Apollo space mission is valued at about 50,000 USD per gram. At this price, painting an Aston Martin Valkyrie completely with moondust would cost north of Rs 25 crore. However, buying/selling moondust bought by the Apollo space mission is illegal. Hence, the only other way to obtain moondust is from the chunks of the moon that very occasionally drop on the Earth. As per Geology.com, the lunar meteorites cost at least $1,000 per gram. Even by very conservative estimates, it would have cost Kris at least 85,000 USD (over Rs. 58 lakh) to source the required moondust from these meteorites.

Basically, a paint shop prepared a special paint by mixing pulverized lunar material into the Lunar Red paint. The Aston Martin was then painted in the bespoke Karosserie Lunar Red colour. Even if you consider the lower estimate, Kris has spent almost the same money that one requires to buy an entry-level model of BMW 5-Series in India. CRAZY, right?

The Aston Martin Valkyrie is a hypercar, which, at 1,030 kgs, weighs almost the same as a B2-segment hatchback. The lightweight is courtesy of the extensive use of carbon fibre. Powering this hypercar is a race-ready Cosworth-sourced 6.5-litre V10 motor that outputs a whopping 1,130 bhp. And yes, this engine is a naturally aspirated unit. Basically, this car can make a Bugatti Veyron or even a Bugatti Chiron look rather ordinary in comparison.

News Source – Jalopnik

Also Read: NGT to Volkswagen: Why haven't you recalled all Dieselgate affected cars in India?

The facelifted Renault Kwid hatchback has been spied without camouflage, indicating that the launch isn’t far away. The hatchback is expected to be launched during this festive season. Changes to the car’s exteriors aren’t many. The front grille gets the chrome treatment, in keeping with India’s obsession with chrome.

The side strips on the doors get the Kwid name emblazoned while the hatch lid sees a reverse parking camera getting neatly integrated into the Renault diamond logo. These changes apart, the facelifted Kwid looks more or less similar to the one on sale currently.

As for features and changes on the inside, a 12V charging socket for passengers at the rear and chrome-finish for the door handles are the differences that are immediately apparent. Renault may add a few more features to the facelifted Kwid, whose sales have been tanking for the past few months. The latest facelift should give the car a little more appeal among buyers.

As for the mechanicals, the 800cc and 1 litre, 3 cylinder petrol engines will be retained, along with 5 speed manual gearboxes as standard. The larger engine will continue to get a 5 speed AMT as an option on the top-spec trims. As for pricing, expect it to be more or less unchanged considering the minimal changes on offer.

A power steering and air conditioning will be standard across most variants except the base model, while a driver airbag will be offered on the top-end trims. ABS is not likely to be offered even as an option. Ever since it was launched in India a couple of years ago, the Kwid has been Renault’s best-selling car in this part of the world. Competition for the Renault Kwid comes from the likes of the Maruti Alto and the Hyundai Eon. The upcoming Hyundai Santro is another car that’s expected to give the Kwid stiff competition. For now though, Renault will be hoping that the changes make the Kwid a better seller than before.

Via MotorOctane

Also Read: NGT to Volkswagen: Why haven't you recalled all Dieselgate affected cars in India?

Force Gurkha has always been known as one of the most capable vehicles in the segment. The Gurkha competes with the likes of Mahindra Thar and many prefer the Gurkha because of its sportier looks and extreme capability. How capable is the Gurkha in real life? Here’s a video that shows just that.

What is happening here?

The Force Gurkha can be seen entering a waterbody and crossing it effortlessly. The water level rises quite high and almost reaches the top of the bonnet. The Gurkha comes out of the water and heads straight to the stairs on the side. The SUV then crosses all the stairs leading to the waterbody and comes out without breaking a sweat.

The Force Gurkha is quite capable and is powered by a 2.6-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine that produces a maximum power of 85 Bhp and a peak torque of 230 Nm. It gets a 4WD system with a low-ratio transfer case that makes the vehicle even more capable. The low-ratio transfer case multiplies the torque output of the vehicle, which can make it go through sticky surfaces like slush, mud or snow. The vehicle effortlessly climbs the stairs too, which shows the big approach and departure angles of the vehicle. The Force Gurkha seen in the video is in stock condition and belongs to the pre-facelift era of 2013.

Force Motors also offers a factory-fitted snorkel with the Gurkha that enables the Gurkha to go through a depth of 550mm without any problem. It also gets differential locks that help the vehicle get out of challenging situations. The differential lock supplies power only to the wheel that is not moving freely.

The Gurkha’s G-Wagen-inspired design also wins a lot of customers. The vehicle gets a straight boxy design similar to the Mercedes-AMG G-Class. Many customers in the past have transformed their Force Gurkhas to G-Wagens in India.

Can other SUVs do it too?

Yes, if the vehicle has deep water wading capability and high approach and departure angles, crossing such terrains is not a big problem. The low-ratio transfer case also comes into play and provides enough power to the vehicle to go through any such terrain.

Source

Also Read: NGT to Volkswagen: Why haven't you recalled all Dieselgate affected cars in India?

You might not be aware of it but the Indian traffic rules have been constantly evolving. As per the latest set of changes, there have been many new additions to the list of offences under the Motor Vehicle Act. Here are as many as ten new ways in which you can lose your driving license.

Playing loud music

Correct, you can really get in trouble for playing loud music in your car. As per the new rule, the playing of loud music can be fined by the traffic police. While the law doesn’t talk about the exact volume, the traffic cop present at the location can issue a challan as per his discretion. There’s a challan of at least Rs 100. This amount increases in case the cop feels that the volume of the loud music imposes a threat to other road users. Even your driving license can be seized.

Crossing speed limit in school areas

Children are more vulnerable to road mishaps, agree? Hence, next time you drive past a school, make sure you’re adhering to the speed limit. In case the speed limit sign isn’t visible, make sure that you don’t drive at anything more than 25 kmph. Not following the speed limit near a school and near the construction sites can even lead to the seizure of your driving license.

Using phone other than navigation

Using the phone while driving is a strict no-no. Hence, if the cop sees you using your phone while driving, he can slap on a fine on you. As per the new laws, the driver can’t use the phone for anything but navigation. Hence, next time a cop catches you and asks you to show your phone, make sure the screen has the navigation app running on it.

Talking on phone via Bluetooth

Yes, all car manufacturers offer you this feature on their costlier cars. However, it’s still illegal to talk on the phone using Bluetooth. Basically, using the phone to talk in any form in a car is a traffic offence and can land you in trouble. Even if your vehicle comes equipped with the Bluetooth feature, it’s best to pull over and complete the phone call. A cop can even seize your license in case he catches you talking on the phone through Bluetooth.

Skipping pedestrian crossing

There are millions of people who don’t use a vehicle to commute. They commute by walking on the road as pedestrians. Now, the zebra crossings are marked on the road to help the pedestrians cross the road easily. It’s really important for a car driver to stop before the zebra crossing. You can be fined in case a traffic cop catches you blocking the pedestrian crossing at a stop light. Even your driving license can be suspended for the next few months.

Driving on the footpath

While a footpath is generally not large enough for a car to be used on it, motorcyclists very often decide to ride on the footpath to skip a long red light or some traffic congestion. Obviously, the footpath is meant for pedestrians and not for motorists.

Using pressure horns

Pressure horns not only cause a lot a noise pollution but can also startle other road users. No surprise, then, that pressure horns are totally banned. Basically, your car won’t even remain road-legal in case you end up installing such horns. If caught, your license can be seized and a heavy fine can be imposed. Even multi-toned horns aren’t allowed.

Lane splitting at high-speed zones

Many motorcyclists love to cut lanes and squeeze between the spaces. If you are one such two-wheeler rider, it will be a good idea to keep an eye on the speed limit. Cutting through the lanes is only allowed on sections of the road that have a speed limit of 40 kmph. At other places, if you are even just 15 kmph faster than other vehicles while overtaking the, you can be fined.

Not giving way to ambulances

Is there an ambulance that’s stuck behind you? Not giving it way can land you in trouble. Many new ambulances now come with cameras that record the movement of the vehicles ahead. If a car in front is found blocking the way, the cops can issue a challan and seize your license.

Racing on public roads

Racing should be restricted to private roads and racetracks. If you’re someone who likes to race on the public roads, strict action can be taken against you. Hence, it’s best to keep your racing aspirations to the track. You can lose your license if you are caught racing on public roads.

Via TOI

Also Read: NGT to Volkswagen: Why haven't you recalled all Dieselgate affected cars in India?

Tata Motors has just launched a cheaper variant of the Nexon AMT, making the sub-4 meter vehicle India’s cheapest automatic SUV. Both petrol and diesel variants of the Nexon AMT are now available in the XM trim. The Tata Nexon AMT XM petrol is priced at Rs. 7.5 lakhs, while the diesel model is priced at Rs. 8.53 lakhs, ex-showroom, Delhi. The next cheapest automatic SUV in India is the Maruti Vitara Brezza AMT, which starts from Rs. 8.54 lakhs, ex-showroom, Delhi. The Ford EcoSport, another compact SUV which offers an automatic gearbox on the petrol option is much more pricier, selling for Rs. 9.75 lakhs while the Mahindra TUV300 Diesel AMT starts from Rs. 9.34 lakhs.

So, it’s quite clear that the Tata Nexon AMT continues to be the price warrior in its segment, even in the automatic category. Sharp pricing has been one of the biggest advantages that the Tata Nexon has had ever since launch and the range of new, well priced variants that Tata Motors has introduced periodically will only make the compact SUV even more popular. We expect the Tata Nexon to be a firm number 2 in India’s sub-4 meter SUV market, behind the best-selling Maruti Vitara Brezza. Expect monthly sales of the Nexon to start averaging about 5,000 units thanks to the constant variant addition.

The AMT unit on the petrol and diesel versions of the Nexon is a 6 speed unit. It has many class-leading features such as Multi-Drive modes (3 drive modes – ECO, CITY, SPORT), Forward & Reverse Crawl function for convenient parking and negotiating the ‘stop – and – go’ city traffic, and a kickdown mode that downshifts rapidly for instant acceleration. The petrol motor of the Nexon AMT is a 1.2 litre, turbocharged unit with 108 Bhp-170 Nm while the diesel motor is a turbocharged, 1.5 litre unit with 108 Bhp-260 Nm. The diesel motor is a class leader in terms of power and torque outputs.

Also Read: NGT to Volkswagen: Why haven't you recalled all Dieselgate affected cars in India?

Volkswagen dieselgate became a worldwide scandal sometime back. The German automotive giant, Volkswagen recalled vehicles around the world to fix the polluting diesel engine powered Volkswagen cars including India. However, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed Volkswagen to explain its actions for the Indian recalls.

NGT cites that the German brand has not recalled as many as 3.23 lakh affected cars in the Indian market. The brand has only recalled 64 per cent of the affected diesel cars in India and the rest 36 per cent of vehicles are still on the roads according to NGT.

Adarsh Kumar, NGT chairperson, who was also heading the bench asked the car manufacturer why it should not take penal action against it. The NGT was hearing pleas filed by a school teacher Saloni Ailawadi and a few others. The petitioners were seeking a ban on the sale of Volkswagen vehicles for alleged violations of emission norms by the brand.

The bench also comprising Justice R S Rathore said,

“The manufacturers are also directed to file the latest status report about the proceedings taken against them in other countries and explain reasons for not recalling the entire vehicles and why penal action be not taken. Based on further affidavits, the tribunal may have to determine the nature of directions which may need to be issued,” 

A copy of the Automotive Research Association of India’s (ARAI) 2015 report on the emission test conducted on the diesel cars will be given to all the parties according to a new directive from the bench. The tribunal also asked the ARAI department about the details of tests that it carried on the Volkswagen diesel cars. The tribunal was earlier informed that ARAI conducted the testes at the instance of the Ministry of Heavy Industries and examined 11 BS-IV compliant diesel vehicles of VW under different conditions.

Volkswagen earlier submitted a roadmap before the tribunal to recall over 3.23 lakh vehicles in India that are fitted with the ‘defeat device’. The software changed the emission of the vehicle after detecting a test-like condition. ARAI found their emissions to be 1.1 times to 2.6 times higher than the applicable BS IV norms.

Also Read: NGT to Volkswagen: Why haven't you recalled all Dieselgate affected cars in India?

Most of you would have seen several Royal Enfield-based custom motorcycles that have more than a passing resemblance with a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The modified Royal Enfield Electra we have on this page, however, looks almost exactly like the real deal. Basically, the following video shows how a bone-stock RE Electra has been converted into a Harley-Davidson Fat Boy replica. This modification has been executed by Delhi-based GM Customs.

As explained in the video, the first step in the modification process was to strip the motorcycle completely. Even the front forks were removed and only the engine, rear shock absorbers, rear wheel, and the frame were left. Next, the Royal Enfield was given a set of new wheels shod with wider tires. A custom swingarm was put in place to extend the wheelbase. The motorcycle also got a set of beefier front forks and an extended rake angle for the front suspension. Next, the front and rear fenders were installed. Also, the motorcycle was given disc brakes at both the ends. The twin rear shock absorbers were replaced with a monoshock. Suitable modifications were made to the frame to accommodate the new bodywork.

A custom fuel tank was installed. The new teardrop fuel tank looks a lot like the one on the real Fat Boy. The motorcycle also receives a new headlight, new side panels, and a custom engine cover that tries to mimic a V-twin motor in terms of appearance. Next, a slim, low-set seat was installed. The original exhaust has been replaced with a faux twin-exhaust setup. Of course, one of the two pipes isn’t connected to the engine and is there purely for cosmetic purposes. Finally, some more minor visual tweaks were made and the entire motorcycle was given a custom paint scheme.

As can be seen towards the end of the video, this Royal Enfield Electra looks absolutely nothing like what it used to be. Instead, it can easily be mistaken for a Harley-Davidson Fat Boy, which is one of the most well-sorted American cruiser motorcycles on sale today. The modification has been executed so well that only the most trained eyes will be able to notice the disparities between the original Fat Boy and this RE-based replica.

Video source- Abhishek Kalsulkar on Youtube

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Kerala MLA P.C. George is known for his outspoken behaviour. On Tuesday night, the MLA vandalised a barrier at a toll tax plaza near Thrissur. The whole incident was captured on CCTV.

What is happening here?

On CAM: Kerala MLA and his aides break the barrier at Paliyekkara toll plaza. The incident happened when the toll officials asked the MLA to pay the toll amount pic.twitter.com/alKA8PcGGC

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) July 18, 2018

The CCTV footage captured the vehicle at 11:30 PM at the toll plaza. The footage shows the MLA getting down from his white Audi A4 and trying to remove the toll barrier. He was joined by his aides who pushed away the toll barrier to open up the lane. The toll booth employee comes out of his cabin but did not say anything to the MLA. P.C. George then goes back to his car and drives away.

The incident happened after the toll officials asked the MLA to pay the toll tax to pass through. However, the MLA was reluctant to pay the tax and started verbally abusing the toll booth officials. Following the altercation, the MLA got down from the vehicle and pushed the automatic boom barrier to the side. The CCTV footage does not show the incident before the vandalism though. The MLA got infuriated after repeated requests for paying the toll by the booth officers.

There have been numerous such incidents when people in power or people who are connected to politicians have denied paying toll tax. Many incidents have involved shootouts and fist fights too. However, nothing of the sort happened here and the MLA left the spot as soon as the lane was open.

Toll tax barriers on highways create massive jams and increase travel time significantly. While the general public has to pay the toll tax, a few people are exempt from paying tax. Such people include the President of India, Prime Minister of India, Chief Justice of India and a few people in senior official posts who are allowed to pass the toll without any stoppages.

Toll tax is collected by contractors for maintenance of the road condition of the highway, provide basic infrastructure like toilets on the way and emergency services. Interestingly, Nitin Gadkari recently said that toll tax will never stop from being levied on Indian roads. However, the government has made the Fast Tag mandatory for all new cars sold in India, which decreases the waiting time at toll plazas.

Source

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The much-awaited BMW G 310R and the G 310GS motorcycles have been launched in India. The BMW G310 R becomes the most affordable bike from the brand and is priced at Rs. 2.99 lakhs. The BMW G310 GS is the most affordable adventure bike from the GS series of the brand and is priced at Rs. 3.49 lakhs, both prices ex-showroom, Delhi. BMW started taking the bookings for both the bikes a few weeks back and the deliveries will start today.

Both the bikes are a result of the joint venture between BMW and TVS to develop mass-segment bikes. The TVS Apache RR310 is the first bike from the partnership that was launched in India. The bikes from BMW will share a lot of chassis parts and the engine with the Apache RR 310. Both the BMW bikes have been developed in Munich, Germany. However, all the three bikes are manufactured at the Hosur plant of TVS and are exported all over the world.

The G310 R is a naked entry-level motorcycle from the brand and looks quite aggressive. The bike gets a very sharp looking headlamp with an all-digital LCD console mounted on the top of it. It also gets upside down forks, mono-suspension at the rear, and alloy wheels with tubeless tyres. The bike also gets disc brakes on both the wheels and dual-channel ABS is standard.

The G310 GS is the entry-level adventure bike that belongs to the GS-series of the brand. It is based on the same platform as the G310 R and gets a few off-road friendly traits like high ground-clearance, high exhaust position and rear to mount luggage. The bike gets the iconic beak-shaped front styling and shares the same full-digital console with the G310 R. It also gets upside down forks at the front and a mono-shock suspension at the rear.

Both the bikes draw power from the same engine. The 313cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, single-cylinder engine produces a maximum of 34 Bhp and 28 Nm. Both the bikes get a six-speed transmission unit. The engine is mounted in reverse on the frame. This allows the swingarm length to remain long to make the bike stable in a straight line, while the wheelbase can be kept short that makes the bike very agile. Both the bikes can accelerate from 0-50 km/h in just 2.5 seconds and can reach a top speed of 143 km/h.

The BMW G310 R will take on the likes of KTM 390 Duke on the Indian market that is priced at Rs. 2.29 lakhs, ex-showroom. The Duke 390 is much more powerful than the BMW G310 R and has a lot of followers in the market. The G310 GS has no direct competitor on the market but it will take on the likes of Royal Enfield Himalayan. The Himalayan is priced at Rs. 1.68 lakhs. Price-wise, the BMW G310 GS will compete with the parallel-twin engine powered KTM Versys X-300 that carries a price tag of Rs. 4.6 lakhs.

Here’s an official look at the GS version 

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Sunroofs have gained enough popularity in the country in the last few years. In terms of practicality, sunroofs are quite pointless in a hot country like ours. However, a sunroof can enhance the aesthetic appeal of a car. However, most of our mainstream cars don’t offer the buyers an option of a factory-fitted sunroof. So, the only way for such vehicle owners is to opt for an aftermarket sunroof. Webasto, a popular brand of sunroofs, offers its full range in India. Here is a Mahindra TUV300 that has been fitted with their entry-level Hollandia 100 pop-up type sunroof.

The sunroof installed on this Mahindra TUV300 is a manual sunroof that can be opened or closed using a simple lever provided on the inside of the car. The cost of this sunroof is Rs 15,999 (including installation). This sunroof can be installed on any car in just a matter of a few hours. However, please note that a portion of the sheet-metal of the roof needs to be cut out to install this sunroof. A plus-point of this particular model is that installing this sunroof doesn’t require any kind of interference with the electricals.

The company says that the glass of this sunroof can resist UV radiation from the Sun. Also, one can remove the glass completely if he wishes to. Removing this glass doesn’t take much time and can be done using a simple screwdriver. It’s noteworthy here that this is the same sunroof that Tata Motors offers as part of the list of official accessories for the Tata Nexon compact SUV.

Like we said, sunroofs are highly unpractical in a country with extreme climate almost throughout the year. However, installing a pop-up type sunroof on the Mahindra TUV300 gives it a sporty look. The Hollandia 100 is a high-quality product that is available at all Webasto-authorized dealerships across the country. However, one needs to know that installing a sunroof permanently changes the roof’s structure. It might have a negative impact on the structural rigidity of your car’s roof. Hence, in case of an accident, the roof might not offer the highest possible level of protection.

Via Webasto Sunroof Delhi on Facebook

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The Mahindra XUV500 has recently got a facelift, which saw the vehicle getting new styling, more power and additional features. Sales improved by quite a bit and the XUV500 even beat the Jeep Compass in June. What this also meant was that the pre-facelift version of the Mahindra XUV500 found no takers as most customers preferred to wait for the facelifted model. Mahindra is now stuck with a lot of unsold pre-facelifted XUV500s, which are now being sold at massive discounts of up to Rs. 1.6 lakhs. The deal consists of a 1.33 lakh cash discount and a Rs. 25,000 exchange bonus, totalling Rs. 1.58 lakhs, which is more than 10 % of the ex-showroom price of the crossover.

The pre-facelifted Mahindra XUV500 is quite a competent car in most areas and if you can live with the older looks of the vehicle, the discounts make it an extremely attractive proposition. The pre-facelift XUV500 features the 2.2 litre mHawk turbocharged diesel engine in the 140 Bhp-330 Nm state of tune, with 6 speed manual and automatic gearbox options on offer. The monocoque, 7-seat crossover gets both front wheel drive and rear wheel drive options with the diesel. It’s also available with a 2.2 litre mHawk turbocharged petrol engine that puts out 140 Bhp and 320 Nm. The petrol engine is available only with a front wheel drive layout, with a 6 speed automatic gearbox coming standard.

As for the facelifted Mahindra XUV500, the crossover gains new looks at the front and rear. The grille is totally new and so are the tail lamps. These changes make the XUV500 look quite different from the pre-facelift model. The new XUV500 also gets a power boost. The 2.2 litre mHawk turbocharged diesel engine now makes 155 Bhp and 360 Nm, which is a modest but significant increase over the previous outputs. The petrol motor on the facelifted XUV500 continues unchanged. Prices of the facelifted XUV500 starts from Rs. 12.42 lakhs, and there are no less than 12 variants for the buyer to choose from.

Via Mycarhelpline

In the meantime, here is our review of the new model

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Here is a video that will send shivers down your spine! The video clip shows two men on a Hero Splendor riding through Chandrapur, in Maharashtra’s Tadoba wildlife reserve. As you might have guessed, the duo comes face to face with a wildlife animal. What’s even scarier is that there are not one but two animals, both rather menacing-looking tigers. This video has been recorded by safari-goers in a Maruti Gypsy and in another vehicle. Fortunately, the safari-goers intervened as soon as one of the two tigers came too close to the motorcyclists.

The video starts with the two bikers stopped in the middle of a forest trail. The rather blurry video shows a tiger walking near the motorcyclists. Actually, this kuccha road is one of the many such trails that pass through the Tadoba Andhari wildlife reserve near Nagpur, Maharashtra. It may be noted here that Tadoba has one of the highest tiger populations in the country. Many safari-goers have reported multiple spotting of tigers.

In this case, the motorcyclists were confronted by tigers at both the front and rear. The bikers stood still for several moments, probably stunned by the sudden confrontation. Meanwhile, the tourists in the Gypsy recorded the whole incident on camera, with the forest ranger and the driver of the Gypsy shouting instructions to the bikers. After about three minutes, the tiger at the front starts inching towards the motorcycle. At this point, the Gypsy decides to drive to a point between the tiger and the bikers, thereby giving the motorcyclist some time to escape. It’s quite apparent that the timely action by the Forest Department driver saved the two motorcyclists. 

There have been many incidents of road users encountering wild animals. While the forest department officers are used to such wild animal spottings, such encounters can really scare the living daylight out of unsuspecting road users. Following are a few things that should be kept in mind after spotting a potentially dangerous animal.

• Don’t make loud noises or sudden movements. In case the animal has blocked the way, it’s advisable to stop completely and be still.
• Never panic in such situations. Doing so can startle the animal and it may attack you.
• Also, remember that it’s you who is in the animal’s territory and not vice versa. Hence, respect the animals and don’t do anything to make them feel threatened.
• Also, never ever offer food to the wild animals. These animals can develop a habit and can attack other road users in case they don’t get food from them.

Source – Ananyaa Mishra

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Hyundai India has released a touching video involving the Santro hatchback, its first car for the Indian market. The Santro was launched 20 years ago, in 1998, and over the past few weeks, Hyundai has been running a Youtube campaign. Through this campaign, the South Korean automaker is inviting Indians to send in memories they’ve had with the Santro hatchback and Accent sedan, two of Hyundai’s earliest cars for India. The best of these memories are being made into short films and put on Youtube. The latest such film involves the Hyundai Santro, where the car and its driver come to the rescue of a stranded Indian army soldier. Here, watch the video.

The Santro made Hyundai a household name in India, and was first launched here on the 23rd of September, 1998. Hyundai is readying up a brand new hatchback for the Indian market, and there’s talk that it will also be called the Santro. In fact, September 23rd is said to be the date that Hyundai will unveil the all-new Santro for India.

The new car will be positioned above the Eon initially but eventually is expected to replace the Eon in India. A 1.1 litre petrol engine is what the all-new Santro is expected to get. 5 speed manual and automated manual transmissions will be on offer with the car.

ABS and twin airbags are likely to be offered on the top-end trims. The new Santro is expected to be a tall-boy, just like the original model. Slowly but surely, Hyundai is building buzz around the new car through videos, and in the next couple of months, expect more such videos and other promotional activities in the build up to launch. The new Hyundai Santro is expected to be priced between Rs. 3-4 lakhs. It’ll sit underneath the Grand i10, and is expected to occupy the space vacated by the erstwhile i10. The car will be Hyundai’s biggest launch for 2018, and expectations are quite high.

Also Read: Tata Tigor Electric sedan heads to IT company Cognizant: Details

Ford India dealerships are reportedly offering massive discounts on the Ford Figo hatchback. Prices of the Figo hatchback start at roughly Rs 5.50 lakh for the petrol variant and Rs 6.11 lakh for the diesel variant. However, there’s a discount of over Rs 1 lakh on all the variants. This makes the Figo much more affordable than the Maruti Suzuki Swift, which has a starting price of Rs 4.99 lakh for the petrol model and Rs 5.99 lakh for the diesel version. These discounts are being offered to clear the stocks of the car. It may be noted here that both the Figo and the Aspire are about to receive a mid-cycle facelift.

Some dealerships are also offering a 0% interest finance scheme and free insurance with the pre-facelift Figo. It’s being said that these offers will run till the end of this month. This means that in all likelihood, the Figo facelift will go on sale in August. The upcoming Ford Figo facelift will come with several changes on both its exterior and interior. The front-end will have a new grille and a new bumper. The rear-end will have a new bumper, too. The tail-lights are expected to see some minor revisions.

On the inside, the Figo facelift will get an updated dashboard. The SYNC infotainment system will be replaced with a SYNC3 infotainment unit that will support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It will also have a touchscreen interface. The interior will also get an upholstery change and some new features. Other than the styling changes, the car will also get a new 1.2-litre motor from the Dragon series of engines. The new engine will replace the current 1.2-litre unit. This is the same engine that made its debut on the Freestyle. It offers 95 PS of maximum power, which is more than what the Swift’s K12 motor offers. The engine will come mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. The Figo is also likely to get the new 1.5-litre petrol engine from the EcoSport. This engine will come mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The current 1.5-litre diesel engine will be carried over unchanged.

Source – Indian Autos Blog

Also Read: Tata Tigor Electric sedan heads to IT company Cognizant: Details

In the recent years, Indian roads have become extremely crowded with SUVs. However, there are a few vehicles that can tower over the others on the roads. Here is one such SUV that was spotted in the busy streets of Mumbai.

What is this?

This is the Renault Sherpa Lite, which is a military-grade vehicle. It is used by the National Security Guard (NSG) and is often seen in different cities. The armoured personnel carrier (APC) was first showcased at the 2012 Defence Expo where manufacturers around the world show their products to the Indian Armed Forces. However, only the NSG uses the Sherpa in India.

Even though the heavy-duty vehicle is used by the NSG, it does not belong to them. The vehicle is owned by the Uttar Pradesh government where the NSG is headquartered. This vehicle was first acquired by the Delhi government and was then transferred to the UP Government.

It can be noted that the vehicle does not carry any number plate. Well, the vehicle is used by the paramilitary specialist forces and they do not need to use a number on the public roads. Until recently, even vehicles of the President of India and the Prime Minister of India did not need registration numbers, however, a recent court rule made it mandatory for all these vehicles to get registration plates.

The Sherpa APC used by the NSG is a fully armoured vehicle that is meant for counter-terrorism operations. The vehicle is manufactured by Renault Trucks Defense, which is a subsidiary of the French manufacturer and specialises in building military-grade vehicles.

The mad-looking SUV is powered by a 4.76 litre, 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine that produces a maximum power of 215 Bhp and a mammoth torque of 800 Nm. It only gets an automatic transmission and the power goes to all the wheels through a 4X4 transfer case. The Sherpa has a payload of 2.2 tons and the vehicle is used by the NSG to carry up to 10 personnel in a 2+8 configuration. The vehicle weighs a massive 11 tons when fully loaded and can reach a top speed of 110 km/h. It can travel for about 1,000 km on a full tank of fuel.

Source

Also Read: Tata Tigor Electric sedan heads to IT company Cognizant: Details

Tata Motors has announced they will start supplying vehicles to the one of the biggest professional services company in India – Cognizant. The manufacturer will supply Tigor Electric Vehicles (EVs) to the company who will deploy the vehicles in their Hyderabad campus. Cognizant chose the electric vehicle to reduce their carbon footprint and as a commitment to a sustainable environment. Tata Motors has handed over 10 vehicles to the Cognizant officials today.

It should be noted that Tata Motors bagged a huge order from the government entity – ESSL. However, as per reports, the government officials are not happy with the range of the vehicles. The Tigor EV is has a range of about 85-100 km on a full charge. As Cognizant will be using the vehicles inside the campus, there would be enough charging points to keep the vehicles up and running whenever needed. However, the Indian roads do not offer any such facility and taking an EV far away from home can be a problem.

Mr. Ramkumar Ramamoorthy, Executive Director, India, Cognizant, said,

“At Cognizant, reducing our carbon footprint through efficient use of energy and protecting vital, irreplaceable resources are at the heart of our environmental stewardship initiatives. We are proud to lead by example and be one of the first companies in India to embrace the potential of electric vehicles as an innovative meeting ground of energy and mobility.”  

Mr Praveer Sinha, CEO & Managing Director, Tata Power said,

“With the deployment of the fast charging EV stations in Hyderabad we are happy to make the city more conducive towards a pollution free environment. This is in line with our endeavor to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles across the country by providing the much-needed mobility infrastructure to support EV growth.”

In the future, it may change as the government is planning to install electric chargers across the major cities of the country. In fact, Tata Motors installed the first-ever public electric vehicle charging system in Mumbai and in the future, we can expect such charging points coming up in various cities. Tata is expected to launch the vehicles for public use alongside the Tiago EV soon.

Also Read: Tata Tigor Electric sedan heads to IT company Cognizant: Details

Most of you would know that Akash Ambani, the eldest son of business tycoon Mukesh Ambani, uses a Bentley Bentayga luxury SUV. His Bentayga is painted in British Racing Green and has a powerful W12 engine. In India, the Bentley Bentayga W12 costs Rs. 3.85 crore. According to reports, the Ambanis have recently bought another Bentley Bentayga SUV. A look at the vehicle registration database reveals that the Bentayga was registered late last month. Also, rumours abound that this Bentayga was gifted to Akash Ambani and his fiance, Shloka Mehta, on their engagement day. Adding credence to this theory, Shloka has already been spotted using this SUV on a few occasions. Even on the day of the engagement, the Ambanis were seen using this SUV to ferry Shloka and her family members.

Going for the various optional extras can take the selling price even higher. So, basically, only the really rich can afford a Bentley Bentayga SUV. It’s really not surprising to see the eldest son of India’s richest man having not one but two of these SUVs at his disposal!

Unlike the green Bentayga, which has a W12 engine, this SUV has a V8 motor. In India, the Bentayga V8 has a base price of Rs. 3.78 crore, which is only a few lakhs lower than the price of the W12 variant. The second Bentayga in the Ambani’s garage is powered by a 4.0-liter V8 engine that outputs 542 bhp and 770 Nm. In comparison, the 6.0-liter W12 motor offers 600 bhp and 900 Nm. However, in spite of having slightly less peak power and torque figures, the V8 variant, akin to the W12 version, is the most luxurious SUV in the country.

Other than a really high base price, the Bentayga offers some really expensive optional accessories. The Breitling Mulliner Tourbillon watch, for example, costs roughly Rs. 2 crore! Even opting for the 21-inch alloy wheels will cost you more than Rs. 16 lakh. We’re not sure if the second Bentayga owned by the Ambanis gets any of the optional accessories. But the fact that the family owns not one but two examples of the country’s most expensive SUV speaks volumes about their wealth.

Image Sources – 1, 2, 3

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Suzuki India has launched the much-awaited Burgman Street 125. The maxi scooter carries a sticker price of Rs. 68,000, ex-showroom, Delhi and competes with the likes of Honda Grazia and Aprilia SR125 on the market. The Burgman Street 125 is the second 125cc scooter from the brand to be launched on the Indian market. It only gets a single variant. The Honda Grazia is priced at Rs. 59,662, ex-showroom, Delhi.

The Burgman Street 125 was first showcased at the Auto Expo 2018 and attracted a lot of enthusiasts. The scooter gets a unique styling and looks very aggressive. The Burgman gets LED headlamps and tail lamp giving it the premium looks. The scooter gets a very angular and sharp design and is targeted at the youngsters. The scooter is also one of the most spacious scooters in the segment. It gets a large floorboard, wide and comfortable seats, and multiple storage pockets in the apron. It also gets a small visor at the front to save the rider from windblasts on the highways. These features aren’t available on the Activa-based Honda Grazia.

The scooter also gets a fully-digital multifunctional instrument console. The display gets a digital clock, fuel gauge, oil change indicator, and a dual trip meter. Other features include a multi-functional keyhole that can be used to open the fuel lid, standard DC socket for putting car charger and a USB for charging phones and other devices. The scooter also gets an under-seat storage space of 21.5-litres. The scooter is available in Metallic Mat Fibroin Gray, Glass Sparkle, Pearl Mirage white and black colours.

Mr. Sanjeev Rajasekharan, Executive VP, Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt Ltd, said,

The 125cc segment in scooters is a very exciting place currently where we also enjoy a strong leadership position. Equipped with exciting features, Burgman Street redefines luxury and comfort in the scooter segment in the country. The new Burgman Street will not only help us strengthen our portfolio in this segment, but will also help us cater a new dimension of scooter customers, who seek luxury and joy of riding.”

The scooter gets the same 124cc engine that is offered with the Access 125. It generates a similar 8.7 PS at 7,000 rpm and 10.2 Nm at 5,000 rpm. However, it is 6 kg heavier than the Access, which will affect the performance of the scooter. Suzuki claims a maximum fuel efficiency of 53 km/l as per their global tests. It gets a front disc brake and a rear drum brake with Combi-Brake System as standard.

Also Read: All-new Hyundai Santro: Another render shows what the new hatchback could look like

The new Honda Jazz facelift has finally made it to India. Prices of the new Jazz start at Rs 7.35 lakh for the petrol variant and Rs 8.05 lakh for the diesel model. The updated Jazz comes with a handful of new features that should work together to attract more buyers. Here is a walk-around video that details the new vehicle.

The video shows the Honda Jazz VX AT version, which is powered by a 1.2-litre iVTEC SOHC engine. As can be seen, the car looks a lot like the version it replaces. It’s worth mentioning here that the Jazz facelift for India isn’t the same as the one on sale in several international markets. While the international-spec Jazz facelift gets a set of aggressive bumpers that increase the length of the car to 4.1-meters, the Indian version misses out on this update. Sticking to the sub-4-meter overall length allows Jazz to continue benefitting from a lower tax. The biggest change will be at the rear. The 2018 Jazz facelift gets an updated set of tail-lights that carries LED fixtures. There’s a thick chrome garnish that runs below the rear windscreen. Also, the door handles have been updated with the facelifted Jazz.

The new Honda Jazz facelift will be launched in three trims – S, V, and VX. The petrol version gets only V and VX trims while the diesel version offers all the trims. The new features that the S variant offers include – front center armrest, speed sensing auto door lock, driver and assistant side vanity mirror and rear parking sensor. The V trim also gets a handful of additions in the form of keyless entry, push-button start, smart trunk lock with keyless release (CVT and diesel only), cruise control (CVT and diesel only) and Paddle-shift (CVT only). The VX trim offers a 17.7-inch touchscreen infotainment unit, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Voice Command, Steering-mounted controls, IR Remote Control and Signature Rear LED extended tail-lights. The magic seats won’t be on offer any more. The new Jazz gets dual front airbags, parking sensors, and ABS and EBD as standard across all the trims.

Colour options for the new Jazz include- Radiant Red (new), Lunar Silver (new), Orchid White, Golden Brown and Modern Steel. Engine options are the same as before. Powering the petrol variant is a 1.2-litre petrol motor that produces 87 bhp and 110 Nm. The motor comes mated to a 5-speed manual transmission as standard and an optional CVT. The diesel version offers 98.6 Bhp-200 Nm. It comes mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. Here is the full price list –

2018 Honda Jazz facelift petrol prices –

• V MT – Rs 7.35 lakh
• VX MT – Rs 7.79 lakh
• V CVT – Rs 8.55 lakh
• VX CVT – Rs 8.99 lakh

2018 Honda jazz Diesel prices –

• S MT – Rs 8.05 lakh
• V MT – Rs 8.85 lakh
• VX MT – Rs 9.29 lakh

Video courtesy – Gyaani Enough on Youtube

Also Read: All-new Hyundai Santro: Another render shows what the new hatchback could look like