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5 cruiser motorcycle alternatives for those who DON’T like Royal Enfields: Bajaj Avenger to UM Renegade

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We Indians love big, burly cruisers. With the noise they make, complete with all the bling they carry, cruisers definitely have something that’s hard to resist. Our love for cruisers is reflected in the sales charts of the 200-300 cc bikes too, in which the first two spots are taken by cruisers. Many more are present in the top 10 of the sales chart. But most of the people utter ‘Royal Enfield/Bullet’ and ‘Cruisers’ in the same breath, considering them to be synonymous, which is definitely not the case. If you love cruisers but are not a big fan of Royal Enfield, you are in the right place. We have compiled a list of five cruisers under or in the same price bracket as the Royal Enfield. Lets take a look at them.

Bajaj Avenger Street 180/220

Rs. 86,829 for Street 180, Rs. 95,923 for Street 220

This street-smart bike is one of the zippiest cruisers around. The Bajaj Avenger Street trades chrome and bling for matte and blacked out panels. The Avenger Street is available with two engine options, a 180-cc motor and a 220-cc motor. The 180cc DTS-i engine gives out 15.3 bhp power and 13.7 Nm of torque and the 220-cc DTS-i engine gives out 19 bhp power and 17.5 Nm of torque. Both the bikes come with a 5-speed gearbox and are a breeze to ride through the city. Prices start at Rs. 86,829 for Street 180 and Rs. 95,923 for Street 220. If most of your riding is done in the city itself, this one is perfect for you.

Bajaj Avenger Cruise 220

Rs. 95,923

As the name suggest, the Avenger Cruise gets the proper cruiser treatment unlike its Street counterparts. It all shiny and has chrome in abundance. That coupled with a low-slung seat, long wheelbase, tall windshield and swept back handlebars, this bikes commands proper attention wherever it goes. It also gets attractive headlamps with LED DRLs and a digital instrument console to boot. The bike gets the same engine as on the Street 220, which in fact is the tried-and-tested Pulsar 220 DTS-I mill. Prices start at Rs. 95,923 and if you want a decent cruiser at an affordable price, this is the bike for you.

Suzuki Intruder

Rs. 1 lakh

The Intruder is an iconic name in itself. The original M1800 is one of the largest and most powerful cruiser bikes out there. This however is a 150-cc iteration with the same family DNA. It is important to note here that the Intruder is basically a Gixxer in disguise. It shares the same chassis, swing arm and engine with Gixxer. The Intruder has a 155-cc petrol engine mated to a 5-speed gearbox, churning out 14.6 bhp power and 14 Nm torque. Prices start at Rs. 1 lakh and it comes equipped with an ABS. Also, its look may not appeal to everyone, but there’s no doubt it’s a head turner.

UM Renegade Commando

Rs. 1.82 lakh

UM Motorcycles is an American brand, which started its Indian innings in 2014. The Renegade Commando is its Renegade series bike which has many other models. It gets low set seats and forward set foot pegs along with swept handlebars, which translates into a good cruising experience. This bike features a 280-cc engine mated to a 6-speed gearbox. The engine produces 24.8 bhp of power and 23 Nm of torque. This bike rivals the Royal Enfield Thunderbird and does so quite efficiently. The bike looks quite good and has excellent street presence. It, however, does not come with ABS even as an option which is a letdown. Prices start at Rs. 1.82 lakh and it makes for a pretty good choice if you want something different.

UM Renegade Classic

Rs. 2 lakh

A true blue cruiser the UM Renegade Classic is the true competitor of the Royal Enfield Classic 500. It commands a price of Rs. 2 lakh which is a tad higher than the Classic, but again it justifies every extra penny in its price. It gets the same engine as the Renegade Commando which is a 280-cc engine mated to a 6-speed gearbox. The engine produces 24.8 bhp of power and 23 Nm of torque. It gets an additional saddle bag and windscreen to boot and looks really good with all that chrome. This bike really shines on a highway but feels a bit cumbersome in the city because of its tall gearing ratios. The ride is very comfortable thanks to a good suspension set-up. If you are ready to shell out a bit extra, the Renegade Classic is an excellent choice.

All prices listed are ex-showroom prices, Delhi.

Also Read: Royal Enfield Himalayan ABS bookings open


Indian cricket captains & their cars: MS Dhoni’s Hummer to Saurav Ganguly’s Ford Endeavour

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If there is one sport India is crazy about, it its cricket. Be it cheering the national team or cheering for your city’s franchise, in the IPL, there isn’t a sport on the planet that captures the nation’s imagination like cricket. It’s not just the game; Indians love their cricketers as well, including some illustrious captains. Cartoq takes a look at the rides of the men that have been the guiding light for Indian cricket over the past four decades, and have bought two world cups to India.

Sunil Gavaskar

[Image courtesy Mid Day]
Sunil Gavaskar was the original little master. He dominated the fearsome West Indian pace attack without a helmet when others around him fell like nine pins. Sunny was the first person in the world to make 10,000 runs in Test cricket, and he can be found these days in the commentator’s box critiquing matches and modern cricketers.

So what does this former test captain of the Indian cricket team and 34th president for the BCCI use to commute? The answer is an E60 BMW 5-Series. Yes, the one designed by Chris Bangle.

Kapil Dev

[Image courtesy GoBollywood]
Kapil Dev led the Indian team that lifted the World Cup for the very first time, in 1983, beating the all-conquering two-time defending champions, the West Indies Cricket Team, at Lords.

Kapil Dev is perhaps the best all-rounder to have ever played for India and he once held the record for the most wickets taken in a test career at 434, before it was broken by Courtney Walsh in the year 2000. His innings of 175 against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World cup showed the world how destructive he could be with the bat, and his brilliant catch to dismiss Vivian Richards during the final is something people who watched that final still remember with fondness.

Kapil ride of choice is a first-generation Panamera, the first-ever four-door luxury sedan from German sports car maker Porsche. Prices for the four-door Porsche Panamera sedan start at Rs 1.16 crore.

Mohammed Azharuddin


Mohammed Azharuddin was one of India’s most popular and successful captains in both test and one-day matches. With his collar turned up, the stylish batsman from Hyderabad captured the hearts of the cricket fans with his elegant strokes. Unfortunately, he was forced out of cricket after being implicated and convicted in the infamous match-fixing scandal in 2000. 13 years later and aged 49, Azhar saw his ban overturned by the Andhra Pradesh High Court. He joined politics with the Congress party and was a member of Parliament from 2009 to 2014.

The former MP now drives around in two BMW cars, a 5-series sedan and a 650i coupe. Azhar also owns a Honda CR-V SUV.

Sachin Tendulkar

Considered to be the God of cricket, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, is now an MP. However during his playing days, in a career spanning over 24 years, 200 tests and 463 One Day Internationals (ODI), Sachin amassed a total of 34,357 runs and 100 international hundreds.

Considered by many as the best batsman after Bradman to have stepped foot on to the crease, Sachin holds the record for the most number of runs scored in both test and ODI matches and was the first man to score a double hundred in a one day match. Sachin finally achieved his goal of winning a World Cup in 2011, when Dhoni sent the ball into orbit over Wankhede.

His car collection has been one that has always been in the public eye and currently includes a Nissan GT-R, numerous BMWs including an i8 supercar and the M5 seen above, along with a Porsche Boxster, and a Mercedes C63 AMG among others.

Saurav Ganguly

Saurav Chandi Ganguly is the captain that made India believe that it could win big tournaments, test and ODIs again. The aggressive batting style of the Prince of Calcutta reflected in his captaincy and he used it to his advantage forcing Steve Waugh’s all-conquering side of 2001 to forget about the final frontier. He also led India to the finals of the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.

Ganguly grew up in a massive house in Kolkata with his extended family. The palatial family home features 48 rooms and a fleet of 32 cars. However, Ganguly, who now works mainly as a commentator can be seen in a Mercedes CLK or a Ford Endeavour. Dada, as he’s affectionately called by his fans, has usually been spotted in his two daily rides – a Honda City ZX and a C-Class convertible seen above.

Rahul Dravid

The cricketer they called the Wall for his impregnable defensive technique captained India after Ganguly fell out with Greg Chappell. Like his performance off the field, his performance on it saw Stokes join in on some T20 fun. His daily rides, an Audi Q5 luxury SUV and a BMW 5-Series luxury sedan, are both known for their space inside.

Anil Kumble

2002 Ford Endeavour A.k.a Everest

Jumbo, the former coach of the Indian cricket team, is the second man to takes 10 wickets in a game of test cricket. Kumble is mobbed by fans wherever he goes. While still interested in cricket, Jumbo can be seen clicking images of birds in their natural habitat. Kumble’s small fleet of cars includes a Ford Endeavour and a Mercedes E-EClass.

Virender Sehwag

[Image courtesy BollywoodMantra]
Virender Sehwag was the first Indian batsman to hit 300 runs in a single innings of a test match. Known for his swashbuckling style of playing on the pitch, Sehwag has a good collection of cars to travel in when he’s not trolling everyone on Twitter. His car collection includes the Bentley Continental Flying Spur, four-door version of the Continental GT, which is where his bodyguards prefer him to be.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni

MS Dhoni bought the World Cup back to India when he gave the Sri Lankan bowling attack a proper hiding in the final. Better known for his bike collection, Dhoni’s collection of cars include the Hummer H2, Mahindra Scorpio, a GMC Sierra, a Land Rover Freelander2, an Audi Q7 and the Mitsubishi Pajero SFX. Dhoni also has a 599 GTO supercar, which he uses from time to time but his daily rides include the Toyota Corolla and the Maruti Suzuki SX4.

Virat Kohli

India’s current man in charge is known for his fiery temperament on the field. The Audi R8 V10 is just the car that suits Kohli’s temperament. Kohli’s R8 though is a rather special one and is part of Audi’s LMX branded supercars.
Other exotics in Kohli’s garage include the Audi A6 sedan while the cars he uses regularly include the Toyota Fortuner and the Audi Q7.

Also Read: Royal Enfield Himalayan ABS bookings open

‘Santro’ emerges favourite name in Hyundai’s naming drive for new tall-boy hatchback

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The crowd favourite clearly seems to be the ‘Santro’ badge, for Hyundai’s upcoming hatchback, so far. Over 1.5 lakh people have taken part in Hyundai’s ‘Naamkaran‘ contest that seeks to crowd source the name of the upcoming, AH2 code-named, entry level hatchback. The contest will run until September 15th, and the car will be officially unveiled in early October. The actual launch including the price announcement will happen by the end of October, just in time for this year’s Diwali. Hyundai expects to close the contest with at least 5 lakh responses by September 15th, and it’s highly likely that the new car will be called the Santro considering the high demand for the name.

2018 Hyundai Santro render in red

Puneet Anand, Senior General Manager and Group Head for marketing at Hyundai India said,

“It is clear that Santro has emerged the top favourite among respondents and takes up the single largest chunk of the entries received thus far.”

The Santro was Hyundai’s first-ever car in India, and was launched way back in 1999. This car was promoted by Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan, and soon became a household name in India. Hyundai’s MD YK Koo has conceded that both dealers and customers want the Santro badge to be brought back in the AH2 code-named entry-level hatchback, which will eventually replace the Hyundai Eon in India. Initially though, both cars will sell side by side. The all-new car will be much larger than the Eon, and is expected to have a size similar to that of the previous generation i10, which Hyundai discontinued from the Indian market a few years ago.

The all-new Hyundai Santro (AH2) will be the first car from the South Korean automaker to have an automated manual transmission (AMT), which will eventually filter down to more affordable Hyundai cars. The car will be powered by a petrol engine, with petrol-CNG and petrol-LPG options for specific markets of the world. It’ll have a tall-boy form factor, just like the original Santro. As for pricing, expect it to start from close to the Rs. 3 lakh mark. Power priced variants are expected to be launched in a few months from now. The new entry-level car will also meet Bharat New Vehicle Safety Assessment Program (BNVSAP) norms, and is expected to get ABS and airbags.

Via HinduBusinessline

Also Read: Royal Enfield Himalayan ABS bookings open

Mahindra XUV700: 10 things that you DON’T know about the Toyota Fortuner rivaling luxury SUV

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Mahindra is quite busy these days. The Marazzo MPV is to be launched on 3rd September, and the company has two more vehicles to launch before it can rest – the S201 and the XUV700. The S201 will be a compact SUV and the XUV700 will be the new company flagship. As the XUV700 will spearhead the company’s line-up for the next few years, let’s take a look at 10 things you may not know about it.

Not developed by Mahindra

The upcoming XUV700 is a rebadged version of the SsangYong Rexton G4. It was displayed at the 2018 Delhi auto expo with a SsangYong badge on it. Mahindra will use its own branding upon launching the vehicle in India. SsangYong is based in South Korea and is a subsidiary of Mahindra. It has already made a mark in the Indian market with the Rexton. However, due to the low popularity of the brand, Mahindra has decided to launch a rebadged product, which will have a much bigger brand appeal. This car is originally a SsangYong Rexton G4.

Will launch this year

Mahindra is planning to launch the XUV700 before the end of this year. The Ssangyong-based model is ready to roll out but Mahindra is testing and tuning the vehicle according to the needs of the Indian market. The company is also eyeing the coming festive season to launch the vehicle. It hopes to get a head start during the festive season in terms of sales.

Value for money

The XUV700 is expected to carry a very value-for-money price tag, which is a Mahindra specialty.The base variant of the car is expected to be priced at around Rs. 22 lakh, which is almost Rs. 4 lakh cheaper than the Toyota Fortuner. Mahindra will try to sell the XUV700 with value-for-money as one of its best attributes. Even though it will be the most expensive vehicle in Mahindra’s line-up, it will get enough features to offer great value for money.

Most luxurious Mahindra ever

The XUV700 will be most expensive Mahindra car ever. As the new flagship, Mahindra will try to make it the best car in its line-up, so expect luxurious interiors. The car will get wooden inserts on the dashboard and leather trims on the doors. The seats will come with diamond stitch pattern adding to the luxurious feel of the cabin.

Will get first-in-segment features

Being an Indian manufacturer Mahindra knows its customer base really well. One of the reasons why its cars sell so well is because it offers the right options for the right value. As was the case with the XUV 500, the Mahindra XUV 700 too will get a few segments-first features like ventilated and heated seats, an 8-way electrically adjustable driver seat, a 6-way adjustable passenger seat and an electric tailgate.

With a host of other features too

The competition for the XUV700 is tough and Mahindra knows that. Even when it will position the car in a lower price bracket than its competition, the company is not cutting any corners. There will be projector HID headlamps, a touchscreen infotainment system, LED cornering lamps, supervision cluster with customisable MID, flat folding rear seats, 20-inch wheels, ambient lighting, LED lamps on the exterior, LED interior lamps and so on. It can be said that the XUV700 will be loaded to the brim.

A strong safety net

The Indian auto market is at last taking passenger safety seriously. Consumer awareness and government policies have turned the tide and now manufacturers are following suit. Accordingly, the XUV700 will get a host of active and passive safety features to keep its passengers safe. The top-end variant of the car will come with 9 airbags. Other safety features include ABS, EBD, hill-start, hill descent, ESP, Traction Control, Anti Roll Program and so on. The International model also gets automatic emergency braking, high beam assist and forward collision warning. These features, however, are unlikely to be seen in the Indian market.

Engine and transmission

Mahindra will use a 2.2-litre diesel engine in the upcoming XUV700 mated to a Mercedes-Benz sourced 7-speed automatic transmission. However, it is not same as the 2.2-litre mHawk that powers the XUV500. The diesel engine in the XUV700 will produce a maximum power of 179 Bhp and 420 Nm. Word is that Mahindra may not offer a manual transmission even with the base variant of the XUV 700.

Will be assembled in Chakan

As it is a SsangYong model originally, it will come all the way from SsangYong’s South Korea Plant to India. The car will be imported to the Indian market through the Completely Knocked Down (CKD) route and it will be assembled at Mahindra’s Chakan plant. This will ensure minimal taxes and will enable Mahindra to price the vehicle competitively.

Will not be a hardcore off-roader

Though it is imposing and menacing to look at and includes 4WD option, the car however will not be a tough off-roader. This will be because the Mahindra XUV700 it will miss out on a low-ratio transfer case. The low-ratio transfer case is something that hard-core off-roaders rely upon for usage on difficult terrains. It is available with the Toyota Fortuner and the Ford Endeavour, both of them being quite good off-roaders. The XUV700 will then be a soft-roader that will take on slippery terrains like ice and slush with ease, but will not be able to cross serious obstacles like steep climbs or deep ruts with ease.

Also Read: Royal Enfield Himalayan ABS bookings open

Hyundai Carlino compact SUV spied testing: Looks like a baby Creta

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Hyundai showcased a sub-compact SUV concept called Carlino at the 2016 Delhi Auto Expo. It had us asking about the car and its release date. Well, now we have some news for you regarding the same. The Hyundai Carlino will be made available in the second half of 2019 with a new name probably. The car had recently been caught testing in India. Although it is heavily camouflaged as seen in the spy shots, we can still make out some of its details.

2019 Hyundai Carlino Suv Spyshot 1

The new Hyundai Carlino’s design seems to be inspired by its big brother – the best-selling Creta. It’s a far cry from the actual concept which showcased a boxy design language. The side profile and front hexagonal grille of the car are similar to that of Hyundai Creta, but no final word could be put out now. The front-end also gets LED DRLs, projector headlamps and foglamps along with a silver skid plate. The rear is neatly concealed and we can’t say much about it, but expect traditional Hyundai design language all over.

The Carlino SUV is reported to use a 1.0 litre turbo charged petrol engine with about 110 Bhp on tap.  It will also get a 1.4-litre U2 CRDi diesel powertrain. The 1.4 diesel oil burner pumps out a max. power of 88.7 bhp and a peak torque of 220 Nm. There will be a 6 speed manual gearbox and a 4 speed automatic gearbox as an option. The new compact SUV from the Hyundai stable is based on the i20 platform.

2019 Hyundai Carlino Suv Spyshot 2

Expect the car to have typical Hyundai-styled interiors and instrument cluster. It may even share some interior bits with the i20 as it is based on the same platform. In the spy shots, the car looks production ready, so expect the launching to be done in the later half of next year. As this is the first time the car has been seen testing in India, the automaker is expected to continue testing the car to make it more Indian market friendly. Pricing will be kept in the range of Rs. 6.5 lakh to 10 lakh to make it competitive with its rivals. The subcompact SUV segment has some good vehicles like the Tata Nexon and Maruti Vitara Brezza and it remains to be seen how the Carolina fares against the competition.

Spyshots courtesy Rushlane

Also Read: Royal Enfield Himalayan ABS bookings open

Tata Safari Storme + Toyota Fortuner vs Tractor in a tug of war: Who wins? [Video]

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We recently covered a video in which a Toyota Fortuner was in a tug of war with a Mahindra Scorpio. The result was however a draw, contrary to what many had thought. Now, we bring you another similar video which adds an interesting challenger to the group.

In the first part of the video, we see a Toyota Fortuner tied to a New Holland tractor. One thing to note here is that the Fortuner is not using the stock rims, but an aftermarket low-profile set. After a few seconds, both the vehicles start to rev and then release the throttle. The tractor quite easily pulls the Fortuner away. It looks effortless on the tractors’ part.

In the second part, we see a Tata Safari Storme joining forces with the Fortuner. Both the SUVs are tied in a series style. Again, the revving begins and the throttle is released. This time, there’s a short delay before the tractor begins to pull them away. That’s mainly because of the added bulk and power now. But the tractor goes on pulling and dragging the SUVs like a boss and proves who’s the real king of the field.

2 Suvs Vs Tractor Featured

It is still somewhat logical that the tractor won against the Fortuner. But two proper heavy weight SUVs being dragged around like it’s nobody’s business? What just happened? Let us explain what could be the reasons for this result in the tug-of-war contest.

No off-roading tyres on the SUVs

Both the Toyota Fortuner and the Tata Safari Storme were running on road tyres. The Fortuner even had low-profile tyres to further ditch the game. On such loose surfaces, proper tyres can make a huge difference. Engine power is not of much significance here, what matters is the traction. The better grip a vehicle has, the better is the chance that it’ll hold its own in such conditions.

Torque factor

The New Holland tractor used in the video may be low on power, but these beastly machines have mountain loads of torque, low down the rpm band. When compared to both the SUVs combined, it may be 4-5 times power (horsepower) deficient. But those earth-shattering levels of torque, combined with typical tractor tires, made sure that the tractor won. Tractors are engineered so as to produce high levels of torque because they are meant to be used in fields and similar conditions.

Also Read: Royal Enfield Himalayan ABS bookings open

Royal Enfield Himalayan ABS bookings open

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Royal Enfield has just introduced dual channel ABS on the Classic 350 Signals Edition, and is all set to introduce this life-saving safety feature on more motorcycles. The Himalayan is one such Royal Enfield that will soon benefit from the addition of ABS, and Autocar reports that dealers have already begun taking bookings for the same. Notably, the Royal Enfield Himalayan ABS is already on sale in Europe, which means that the bike’s ABS is already tried and tested. People opting for the Himalayan ABS needn’t be worried about being beta testers, and can go ahead and book the motorcycle.

We expect the Royal Enfield Himalayan ABS to be priced about Rs. 20,000 more than the non-ABS version. This puts the Himalayan ABS’ starting price at about Rs. 1.9 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi. It remains to be seen whether Royal Enfield will go for a switchable ABS on the Himalayan considering that it’s an on-off road motorcycles. Such motorcycles need ABS to be switched off under certain off-road conditions, and such a system would be good to have. In fact, many on-off road motorcycles do have his feature, and we hope that Royal Enfield also offers it on the Himalayan. Apart from the addition of dual channel ABS, the Himalayan is not likely to get any other change.

The motorcycle will continue to operate with a 411cc, four stroke engine that’s air and oil cooled. A newly developed motor for use specifically on the Himalayan, this engine dumps Royal Enfield’s traditional pushrod set up for a more conventional, single overhead camshaft operated two valve set up. The engine is fuel injected, and makes 24.5 Bhp-32 Nm. A 5 speed manual gearbox is standard. The Himalayan gets a 220 mm ground clearance, long travel front and rear suspension, a large fuel tank and also luggage tie-down points. An upright riding position and comfortable ergonomics make the motorcycle an excellent long distance tourer.

Also Read: Royal Enfield Himalayan ABS bookings open

India’s 10 BEST selling ‘premium’ motorcycles: Royal Enfield Classic 350 first, Bajaj Dominar last

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The Indian bike market has seen quite a few launches this year, with many more lined up for launch during the festive season. The entry level sports bike segment (200 cc-500 cc) is expected to get many new bikes in the coming months. It is also the hottest segment for motorcycles in India now, with most of its buyers still in their youth. We have made a list of best selling premium bikes (June-July) in the entry-level sports segment. Lets check it out.

Royal Enfield Classic 350

The Classic 350 maintains its superb form again. Royal Enfield sold 44,054 thousand units of the bike in July. While that’s a dip of 13% in sales as compared to June (50,426 thousand units), it still is a good number. The dip can be attributed to the oncoming monsoon season of July, which tends to affect the Enfield bikes quite harshly. Still, its sales figures are over three times better than the second bestselling bike.

Royal Enfield Bullet 350

The good old Bullet 350 outsold many of its modern competitors to be the runner up in the list. Royal Enfield sold 13,016 thousand units of the bike in July. This is almost the same as the company’s June sales figures of 13,029 thousand bikes. It shows that people still like its old school styling and aesthetic touches, such as hand-painted pinstripes on the fuel tank.

Bajaj Pulsar 180, NS 200 & RS 200

bajaj-pulsar-ns200

The Bajaj Pulsar models under 200 cc saw a drop in sales during the month of July. The company sold 8,897 thousand models in July. Compared to June, when the company sold 12,045 thousand models, there is a dip of 26% in July. Powered by identical engines, both the RS and NS 200 are quite capable bikes but are growing old for the competition.

Bajaj Pulsar 220

2018 Bajaj Pulsar 220F

The Pulsar 220 was the first proper performance bike to roll out of the Bajaj stables and there’s been no looking back ever since. The bike sold 6272 thousand units in July. In June 7259 units were sold. This shows a decrement of 14% in terms of sales but again, the monsoon season could be a factor. Its still powered by the 220-cc DTS-i engine churning out 21 bhp and 19 Nm torque.

Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350

 

The Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350 is the third RE bike in the top five. That goes a long way to show how the company has created a large dedicated user base, which trusts the company. The company sold 6154 thousand models in July. This is in stark contrast to 5232 thousand models sold during June, a growth of nearly 18%. Among all the top ten selling bikes, this is the highest growth rate among all.

Bajaj Avenger 180 & 220

Bajaj’s comfortable budget cruisers have posted decent sales figures. The company sold 5,215 models in July which is a bit low than June. June saw 5463 thousand units being sold. That’s a meagre 5% drop in sales rate. The bikes are a good option for anyone who wants a comfortable cruiser without the bulk of a Bullet.

KTM Duke 200 & RC 200

KTM saw a dip of 10% in overall sales of the 200 duo. July saw 2538 units being sold which is a decrement compared to June sales. KTM sold 2830 units in June which as mentioned already is 10% change in sales. Both the 200 cc bikes are quite capable but are in dire need of an ABS upgrade, which maybe is conveyed by the buyers in terms of sales.

Royal Enfield Classic 500

Royal Enfield’s sales game seems to be going quite strong. The Classic 500 is the fourth Enfield bike in the category of top 10 sellers. The company sold 2152 units in July and 2328 units in June. It shows that there is a dip of 8%, but sales have always slumped a bit for Royal Enfield, in the monsoon, so that could be a reason for the dip.

Yamaha FZ25

The Yamaha FZ25 is quite a capable, but underrated, bike. It sold 1708 thousand pieces in July. June saw a better figure of 2088 thousand pieces being taken. The dip of nearly 18% should be quite alarming for Yamaha. The company could employ ABS and make better use of the engine displacement to get ahead of the competition.

Bajaj Dominar

The Bajaj Dominar is the most value-for-money bike in this list if we talk about engine power, and customers are taking notice of this. The company sold 1381 thousand unit in July. In June, 1277 thousand units had being sold. This increment of 8% is definitely good news for the company.

Also Read: Honda, Hero MotoCorp, Bajaj, Royal Enfield, TVS Motors motorcycles/scooters to get nearly 10% COSTLIER from September 1st: We explain!


Upcoming Mahindra Marazzo MPV: Fully REVEALED!

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Days ahead of the Mahindra Marazzo’s official launch in India, test drive vehicles of the MPV have been spotted at a Mahindra dealership. With this, we now have first clear, fully uncamouflaged images of the Marazzo, Mahindra’s first monocoque-bodied MPV that will slot in between the Maruti Ertiga and the Toyota Innova Crysta.

Mahindra Marazzo Mpv Uncamouflaged 2

The Mahindra Marazzo features a shark tooth grille with vertical slots – staying true to the automaker’s design language. The MPV also gets LED projector headlamps at the front, and the design including the proportions and profile looks quite classy. At the rear though, things seem a little overdone. The rising windowline is a nice touch that adds dynamism.

The Mahindra Marazzo MPV will debut as a diesel-only car with a petrol engine likely to be offered at a later time frame. For now, the MPV is likely to be powered by a brand new, 1.5/1.6-litre turbocharged diesel engine with expected outputs of 125 Bhp-300 Nm. These numbers put the Marazzo between the Ertiga and Innova Crysta, and the MPV’s prices are likely to start from under Rs. 10 lakhs.

Mahindra Marazzo Mpv Uncamouflaged 4

As for seating, the Marazzo will be sold in 7-seat and 8-seat layouts. the top-end variant with 7 seats will have four captain seats on the first two rows, with all seats having individual arm rests. The Marazzo MPV was developed jointly by Mahindra engineers in India, and the automaker’s US research facility. The Marazzo will be a global vehicle, and will be predominantly front-wheel driven.

Mahindra Marazzo Mpv Uncamouflaged 3

International variants could also offer an all-wheel drive layout. A 6-speed manual gearbox will be standard and it remains to be seen if Mahindra introduces an automatic gearbox on this MPV. The top-end trims of the Mahindra Marazzo promise to be quite luxurious, if the teasers are anything to go by. From leather seats to a beige-heavy interior colour scheme, the Marazzo will get ABS and twin airbags as standard across trims.

Here is a look at the interiors of the Mahindra Marazzo

Via Team-BHP

Also Read: Honda, Hero MotoCorp, Bajaj, Royal Enfield, TVS Motors motorcycles/scooters to get nearly 10% COSTLIER from September 1st: We explain!

Next-generation Hyundai Grand i10 hatchback SPIED testing in India

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Hyundai has started testing the next-generation Grand i10 hatchback, which is expected to make its India debut sometime in 2020. The all-new car will be the second generation of the Grand i10 in India, and will also form the  basis for the next-generation Xcent.

2020 Hyundai Grand I10 Spyshot 1

The all-new Hyundai Grand i10 will take on vehicles, such as the Maruti Swift and the  Ford Figo. In terms of size, it’s likely to get slightly larger. The design will get a major revamp with the new car getting Hyundai’s brand new design philosophy including the cascading grille. In fact, such changes have already been observed on the test car.

The Hyundai Grand i10’s current version has not acquitted itself well in the Global NCAP crash test, which pronounced that the car’s structure was not stable. The next-generation version is likely to fix this, and also meet the  upcoming Bharat New Vehicle Safety Assessment Program (BNVSAP).

Apart from the stronger body structure, twin airbags, ABS, reverse parking sensors, a speed alert system and seat belt warning light are the safety features that are likely to become standard on the new car. The new Grand i10 is also expected to get revised petrol and diesel engines that are Bharat Stage 6 (BS6) emission norms ready.

2020 Hyundai Grand I10 Spyshot 2

Another key mechanical change on the car will be the inclusion of an automated manual transmission option, which will be borrowed from the new Santro. Both petrol and diesel variants of the new Grand i10 are expected to benefit from AMT technology considering that the segment-leading Maruti Swift offers the same.

On the inside, expect Hyundai to make sweeping changes in terms of the interior design while also adding a lot of features. The new Grand i10 could possibly be the most feature-rich car in its segment. As for pricing, the new car is likely to start from a little under Rs.5 lakhs.

Via Rushlane

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Famous Ford Mustang owners of India: Saif Ali Khan to Dhanush

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In 2016, Ford introduced the pony car, the Mustang, in India. The Mustang proved to be an unlikely hit, selling over 250 units in the first 10 months after its launch. It still sells in good numbers for a sports car in India – five found new owners in July 2018. The Mustang is quite a hit among the rich and famous in India. Here is a list of some famous Mustang owners.

Hrithik Roshan

Hrithik Roshan Ford Mustang Classic

Actor Hrithik Roshan is still one of the most bankable names in Bollywood today. Roshan who made his debut in the hit movie Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai, the highest grossing Bollywood flick of 2000 and has never looked back since. Roshan is a fan of the Mustang but unlike most other celebs you’ll see on this list, his pony car is a real classic. Hrithik Roshan’s Mustang is from 1966, which was only the second year of production for the iconic pony car. Roshan’s 1966 Mustang is a painted in a shade of blue.

Saif Ali Khan

The current Nawab of Pataudi is another Mustang owner who bought his pony car before it hit Indian shores. His Shelby Mustang GT500 was imported into India in around 2008, a full 8 years before the pony car officially arrived in India. Saif’s Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 is finished in red and features white stripes. It is powered by a supercharged 5.4-litre V8 petrol engine producing 500 bhp and 651Nm of torque.

Rohit Shetty

Rohit Shetty Mustang
via Rohit Shetty on Instagram

While Saif Ali Khan’s Mustang may be an official Ford tuned car, the first modified Mustang of the new generation on sale in India belongs to Indian film director, producer and certified car nut Rohit Shetty.
Shetty’s Mustang GT features a new grille and bonnet with a massive air scoop and a custom wrap from Mumbai-based customizers DAD. This is a one-of-a-kind Mustang which certainly reflects the reputation of the cars in Shetty’s collection.

Karun Nair

Karun Nair Mustang

Cricketer Karun Nair is best known for his unbeaten 303 against England in the fourth and final test against England in 2016. He became just the second Indian to score a triple century after Virender Sehwag, and just the third cricketer to convert his debut century into a triple hundred. His 303 not out also saw him become the quickest batsman to a maiden triple-hundred in Test cricket history in terms of innings/matches played at just 3 innings.

To celebrate his record-setting triple ton, Nair purchased the Ford Mustang GT that is currently sold in India. Nair’s Mustang has the custom numberplate with the number 303 to pay tribute to his iconic unbeaten triple hundred. Nair’s Mustang GT, like every other one sold in India, is powered by a 5.0-litre V8 engine producing 396 bhp and 515 Nm of torque.

Ambati Rayudu

Ambati Rayudu Mustang

Another Indian cricketer who has picked up the Mustang is Ambati Rayudu who won this year’s IPL with the Chennai Super Kings. What makes Rayudu’s Mustang special is the fact that it was the first one to be purchased in Andhra Pradesh/ Telangana.

Dhanush

dhanush ford mustang
Award-winning Tamil actor Dhanush is best known for singing the viral hit song, ‘Why This Kolaveri Di‘, which became the first Indian song to cross 100 million views on Youtube. Dhanush picked up his Ford Mustang GT in 2017. The shiny black paint job on the pony car makes Dhanush’s Mustang look rather menacing.

Anirudh Ravichander

Anirudh Ravichander Mustang

Another Mustang connection with the viral song ‘Why This Kolaveri Di‘ is composer Anirudh Ravichander. Ravichander composed the viral song for the movie 3 which marked his debut as a composer in the Tamil film industry. Ravichander’s Ford Mustang GT features a blue paint job, which is not a common colour on the muscle car, especially here in India.

Kalidas Jayaram

Kalidas Jayaram Mustang
via Kalidas Jayaram on Facebook

Kalidas Jayaram is a famous actor who has appeared in Malayalam and Tamil movies. The son of Malayalam actors Jayaram and Parvathy, Kalidas won the National Film Award for Best Child Artist for his role in the 2003 Malayalam film Ente Veedu Appuvinteyum. Kalidas bought his Mustang in November 2016 and its bright yellow paint scheme sure makes it stand out in the crowd.

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Tata Tiago/Tigor Electric to be launched in 2 months?

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Tata Motors has revealed that it’s been working on an electric car that’ll be launched in two months’ time. However, the automaker has not clearly specified the name of the car that will be launched. It’s highly likely that the Tata Tigor Electric compact sedan would make its debut as the first Tata electric car for private car buyers. This is because of the fact that Tata Motors has already been supplying the Tigor Electric sedan to the Indian government, which indicates that the car is road-ready. Technical specifications of the Tigor Electric sedan have not been revealed though, and it remains to be seen if the private car buyer version is the same as the one that Tata sells to the government.

tata tiago electric and tigor electric to launch soon
Production of Tigor EV is already underway at Sanand facility

Assuming that the Tata Tigor Electric sedan sold to private buyers will have the same specs as the government version, expect the car to have a range of about 130 kilometers per charge. A top speed of 100 Kph is also likely. However, government officials have been complaining that the real world range of the Tata Tigor EV is less than 100 kilometers.

This is something that the automaker will have to seriously look into considering the fact that such a short range would make the Tigor EV more or an urban runabout with very limited use. As for pricing, the car could retail at Rs. 9 lakhs considering the fact that government is all set to offer a 20% subsidy on electric cars.

tata tiago electric and tigor electric launch soon

Another car that Tata Motors could bring to the market, but at a lower price point, is the Tiago EV. Notably, the Tiago EV was showcased not only at the 2018 Indian Auto Expo, but also last year in an event held in the United Kingdom. This is another car that is a potential candidate for Tata Motors’ electric car foray in the Indian market. If launched, the Tiago Electric hatchback is expected to start from around Rs. 8 lakhs, and could feature similar specifications of the Tigor. Watch this space for more updates on Tata Motors’ latest electric vehicle plans for the Indian market.

Via TheHindu

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Future Safaris: 4 ways the next-generation Tata Safari SUV could look like

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The Tata Safari is one of the oldest Indigenous SUV to be in production. First launched in 1998, its been in good demand till now. As the competition is now building, its important for Tata to launch a new version of the Safari Storme. Lets now take a look at four Safari Renders, which show what the next gen car may look like.

Inspired by Land Rover but with an identity of its own

It’seems been confirmed that the upcoming Tata H5X and H7X will use Land Rover platform. As Tata owns Land Rover, the next-gen Safari Storme is likely to get a design that’s inspired by the Land Rover but with a distinct identity of its own. This speculative render by Vipin Vathooppan indicates just that. A wider stance with increased body width could make for a much more planted look. A wider look up front will also appeal to a larger audience along with that gorgeous headlamp assembly. Chrome detailing certainly will up the oomph factor, and LED DRLs will also enhance the Safari Storme’s look.

Totally boxy, totally old-school

Given the steady increasing interest of Indians in off-roading and leisure driving, Tata could come up with something as utilitarian as this. This design seems to be inspired by the Land Rover Discovery 3, especially the headlight assembly. A strong ladder-on-frame chassis, a torque-y turbo diesel engine, top quality interiors and plenty of features should characterise such a design. This CarWale render induces true Land Rover DNA into the car fused with traditional Tata design.

Inspired by the Ladakh concept

The Tata Safari Ladakh concept that was first shown at the 2014 Delhi Auto Expo was quite a surprise. Well, now if Tata Motors wants to keep costs low and keep the vehicle running with the help of a facelift, something similar to the Ladakh concept could be built. It will also prove to be very economical as only some parts would be added along with the butch tyres. Adding LED headlamps, DRLs and a few other design cues could make it fit right into the present. Pricing has always been a Tata strong point and it can prove itself again by positioning the new car aggressively.

An Indianised Land Rover Discovery

The new-generation Land Rover Discovery is a very capable off-roader and a stunner. Tata could use it as an inspiration for their new Safari as depicted in this Rushlane render. Apart from sharing the platform and design cues, what the car can learn from the Rover are proper off-roading manners. Though it is unlikely that Tata would copy the whole design, that front end for sure looks amazing and would be lovely to see on the original car. What Tata can do is to develop its own design inspired by the Discovery.

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Honda Activa engine powered CLiQ scooter gets a new TVC video

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Honda’s unconventional scooter offering, the CLiQ, gets a new television commercial video, which was shared by the company earlier this week. This new video, titled ‘Bade kaam ki CLiQ‘ showcases the USPs of the product and how a small town owner uses his set of wheels to deliver a projector to a rural school, in turn making the children feel special.

The 48 second commercial highlights parameters like a wider floor board, block pattern tubeless tyres, rear load carrier and the long and wide seat of the CLiQ. The scooter’s journey from the town to the village school includes broken roads, which highlights the rugged suspension and block pattern tyres. The rear load carrier comes handy while transporting the big projector for the school students. The video ends by showcasing the trust its owner has on it, something that is of utmost importance to Indian riders.

For the uninitiated, this scooter is powered by the same 109.19cc engine that is seen on the regular Activa, Dio and the NAVI. This is a tried and tested motor that has been powering Honda offerings for a decade now. It generates 8 bhp of power and 8.94 Nm of torque and delivers an easy 45-50kmpl in regular city riding. The CLiQ weighs just 102 kgs, which means the engine is good enough for most riding needs, including a pillion and the occasional highway run.

Priced at Rs 44,364 for the standard version and Rs 44,866 for the DLX variants, the CLiQ is among the most affordable 110cc gearless scooters in India. It is available in four colour options and is aimed at semi-urban and rural markets. The CLiQ also offers unconventional styling that goes down well with its rugged appeal. However, as compared to its siblings like the Activa 5G, Activa i and Dio, it isn’t really setting the sales charts on fire yet.

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Waiting for the new Maruti Ertiga Crossover? DON’T

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India’s largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki is gearing up to launch the next-generation of the Ertiga MPV in India. Earlier reports have suggested that the new Ertiga would be followed by a crossover variant a few months later. However, a new article by Indian Autos Blog (IAB) reports that the crossover version of the Ertiga doesn’t seem to be a part of Maruti-Suzuki’s plans for India.

When asked by Indian Autos Blog about the business case for a crossover version of the Ertiga, C.V. Raman, Senior Director (Engineering), stated that the segment was very small and that products in the segment sell ‘very little already’.

Mr Raman’s comments are based on some rather gruelling facts as attempts by rivals like the Honda BR-V started off quite well at launch and have now gone down to less than 700 units sold every month. The case is even worse for the Renault Lodgy, which despite having a crossover version called the Lodgy Stepway, has barely any takers in the market.

The reason for the low sales is rather straightforward, Indian buyers prefer buying SUVs to crossovers that try to look rugged. The top-spec Ertiga along with the mid to high-spec variants of the BR-V and the Stepway all sell for a price which puts them directly in the firing line of the Creta SUV from Hyundai. In July 2018, Hyundai Creta sold 10,423 units with the Ertiga being the closest MPV/crossover with just 4,764 units sold. Honda sold just 631 BR-Vs while Renault was even worse with just 97 units of Lodgy finding new homes.

However, sales of the Maruti Ertiga are expected to improve significantly with the arrival of the second-generation model during the Dusshera-Diwali festive season. The new Ertiga is based on Maruti Suzuki’s Heartech platform and will retain the current car’s 1.3-litre diesel engine (89bhp and 200Nm of torque) from Fiat.

However, the new-gen Ertiga will feature a new petrol engine under its bonnet in the form of the K15B 1.5-litre petrol hybrid power unit found in the new Ciaz which produces 104bhp and 138Nm of torque. The new engine comes paired with both manual and automatic transmission options while the diesel will only come with a manual gearbox.

Prices for the new Ertiga are expected to rise slightly from the current car’s price range of Rs 6.34 lakh to Rs 10.69 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The new MPV will be compliant with new BNVSAP safety rules that make dual airbags and ABS mandatory for all new cars and will also bring a host of new features including the new petrol engine.

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After China, Russia builds a COPYCAT Rolls-Royce Phantom

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China is famous worldwide for making copycat cars. Now it seems like Russia too is following suit. Russia’s new luxury car brand, Aurus, has launched its first models, the Senat and Senat Limousine, at the Moscow motor show. One glance at them and you’ll say it’s a copied design.

Aurus Senat 3

The Senat and Senat Limousine have apparently been inspired by the majestic Rolls-Royce Phantom. And we’re going light on the company when we say ‘inspired’. It’s actually ‘inspired’ so heavily that you would have a hard time telling the differences.

The vehicle is being produced by a new brand called Aurus, which is run by Russia’s Central Scientific Research Automobile and Automotive Engine Institute. Quite a long name eh, still a copycat. This is the same company which recently made Vladimir Putin’s new presidential Limousine. While that was a full-fledged armored version, the ones we’re talking about here are regular civilian models.

Aurus Senat 1

The Senat measures 5630 mm long and has a wheelbase that spans 3300 mm. For reference, the Rolls-Royce Phantom is 5762 mm long and has a 3552 mm long wheelbase. And the story doesn’t end here. The bigger twin, Senat limousine measures 6630 mm long with a wheelbase stretching to 4300 mm. This dwarfs the Phantom EWB which is a mere (yeah, that’s mere now) 5982 mm long with a wheelbase of 3772mm (12.3 feet). A bit more and it could even qualify as a 1BHK apartment in our country.

Jokes apart, this thing has got some serious firepower underneath that cricket pitch-rivaling bonnet. There will be two different engine options available, including a 4.4-litre V8 that is backed up by an electric motor. The powertrain produces 590 Bhp and is connected to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Acceleration figures are impressive with 0-100 km/h coming in less than six seconds. There is also an option of a 6.6-litre V12 engine. It reportedly produces 848 hp which is enough to set some blistering lap records, something which the car was never meant to do, though we wish it would. One interesting fact about the car is that it gets all-wheel drive, resulting in greater traction.

Aurus Senat 2

On the inside, you get the royal treatment. The interior has been focused on rear passengers, with rear seats that recline to 45 degrees. There is also a built-in refrigerator with Aurus-branded crystal glasses and fold-out tables with leather trim. It also features premium leather upholstery, wood trim and metallic accents along with a digital instrument cluster and a large infotainment system. There has been no word on the pricing yet, but Russia’s Minister of Industry and Trade, Denis Manturov, was quoted saying that the Senat will cost at least 20% less than similar models from Bentley and Rolls-Royce.

Also Read: Honda, Hero MotoCorp, Bajaj, Royal Enfield, TVS Motors motorcycles/scooters to get nearly 10% COSTLIER from September 1st: We explain!

Honda, Hero MotoCorp, Bajaj, Royal Enfield, TVS Motors motorcycles/scooters to get nearly 10% COSTLIER from September 1st: We explain!

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Prices of new bikes and scooters are set to get a whole lot costlier for all new two-wheeler buyers from September 1, 2018. The price hike comes after the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India directed all insurance companies to mandatorily offer third party insurance of five years for all new two-wheelers. The price hike will be applicable to almost every motorcycle and scooter sold in India, which includes ones from leading brands such as Honda, Hero MotoCorp, Bajaj, Royal Enfield and TVS Motors.

Pulsar NS160

Bajaj is the first bike maker to have announced price hikes on the on-road prices for its bikes come September 1. MoneyControl is reporting that prices of Bajaj motorcycles on sale in India will rise by at least Rs 3,000 due to the new insurance rules. Honda, Hero MotoCorp, Enfield, TVS Motors and other companies are yet to announce such moves.

Prices for new Bajaj Platina, which currently costs Rs 53,338 in Delhi are set to get hiked by nearly 9% with the on-road price set to go up by Rs 4,800. Prices for the NS160, Baja’s newest addition to the Pulsar lineup will rise by Rs 8,000, a hike of around 8.6% compared to its current on-road price of Rs 92,978. (All prices mentioned are on-road, New Delhi).

Bajaj will keep its dealerships open on August 30 and 31 till 11 p.m. for customers to avail an offer offering one-year free insurance on the Pulsar 150, Pulsar NS 160, the V range of bikes, Platina and the Discover. Bajaj will discontinue the offer on September 1.

The new price hike will only apply to new motorcycles and scooters bought on or after September 1, 2018. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India has not given any details about how this affects existing vehicles currently plying on Indian roads.

The mandatory 5-year third party insurance order is the result of a recent decision by the Supreme Court of India directing insurers to provide long-term cover to vehicle owners due to a large number of vehicles currently plying uninsured on Indian roads. Third party insurance covers against liabilities if your bike or scooter is involved in an accident that results in death or injuries to someone else other than the owner of the vehicle that caused the accident.

While prices of bikes and scooter are set to go up by a substantial amount, the reason for the hike is something that should be applauded considering the number of accidents that happen on Indian roads every year. Is your nearby Honda, Hero MotoCorp, , Royal Enfield and TVS Motors dealer burning midnight oil to clear stock before the price hike? Do let us know!

Also Read: Honda, Hero MotoCorp, Bajaj, Royal Enfield, TVS Motors motorcycles/scooters to get nearly 10% COSTLIER from September 1st: We explain!

Maruti Suzuki AMT cars like Swift & Brezza OUTSELLING conventional automatics like Baleno & Ciaz

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When it comes to automatic cars in India, automated manual transmissions are ruling the roost. Maruti Suzuki’s own sales data is proof. Over the last 4 years, sales of Maruti’s AMT-equipped cars have hit the 3.6 lakh mark. In contrast, Maruti’s conventional automatic cars have sold only about 10 % of this numbers. Maruti introduced automated manual transmission technology to India through the Celerio, and currently cars such as the WagonR, Swift, Ignis, Dzire and Vitara Brezza come with AMT options. Maruti’s conventional torque converter automatic-equipped cars include the Ciaz AT, the Ertiga AT and the Baleno CVT.

So, what’s making buyers opt for the AMT option on the likes of the Swift, Brezza and WagonR over conventional  automatics on cars such as the Baleno, Ciaz and Ertiga? One critical factor is the cost. While AMT-equipped cars are priced just Rs. 50,000 more than manual gearbox-equipped cars, conventional automatics are nearly Rs. 1 lakh costlier. Moreover, AMTs offer better mileage than conventional automatics, and in India mileage is something that’s a make or break factor. In fact, all of Maruti’s AMT cars such as the Swift, Brezza and WagonR offer the same mileage as their manual counterparts. On the other hand, the Baleno CVT, Ciaz AT and Ertiga AT have mileage figures less than their manual counterparts.

Also, AMTs are simpler and lighter than conventional automatics as they merely involve automating the action of the clutch and gear shifter. Meanwhile, Maruti Suzuki isn’t the only automaker that is betting big on automated manual transmission technology. Tata Motors has a range of AMT-equipped cars such as the Tiago, Tigor and Nexon, and so does Renault, which offers this technology on the Kwid and Duster. India’s second biggest car maker – Hyundai – will introduce AMT technology later this year on the all-new Santro hatchback. More Hyundais will join the AMT bandwagon next year and beyond. AMTs are here for the long haul and Indians are buying them like never before.

Via NDTVCar&Bike

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BMW M3 sportscar & Kawasaki ZX10R superbike street racing on an Indian highway is MADNESS [Video]

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Impromptu street races between regular cars and bikes are common on Indian roads. Just the other day, we brought you a story about a KTM Duke 390 and a Hyundai Creta dangerously street racing on an Indian highway. Today, we have next level stuff – a crazy, dangerous street race between a BMW M3 sportscar and a Kawasaki ZX10R superbike. And the crazy race was caught on video.

As the video indicates, there’s a BMW M3 sportscar that’s dangerously weaving in between highway traffic that includes a mix of cars, trucks and two-wheelers. The BMW M3 can be seen doing high speeds, braking hard and swerving wildly. A group of superbikes are also seen on the highway and a rider on a Kawasaki ZX10R sends out a hand signal that he’s going to street race the BMW M3. This kind of signal  generally indicates to other superbike riders in the group that the BMW M3 would be ‘street raced and beaten’. Soon after this indication, the Kawasaki Ninja ZX10R rider tries to overtake the BMW M3.

For a brief period, it seems that the M3 has the measure of the Ninja ZX10R, but only until a gap in traffic opens up. The Kawasaki Ninja ZX10R, which is a superbike that’s more comparable to a supercar like the Lamborghini Huracan and a sportscar like the BMW M3, is seen blasting past the sedan. Of course, such antics are very, very dangerous and can easily result in a fatal accident. Just the other week, a Suzuki Hayabusa rider from Gurgaon was killed after colliding against a truck at high speed. Such risks are real, and for everyone watching this video, please do not try something similar. It’s just not worth risking your life for a few moments of adrenaline rush.

M3 Ninja Featured

Highways are meant for safe traveling, not for racing. If you want your thrills, please head to the race track, which will allow you to harness the performance of your vehicle in a much safer, controlled environment.

Also Read: Royal Enfield responds to ANGRY Classic 500 Pegasus owners about Signals Edition

Tata Nexon SRT Rose Gold Edition wants to match your iPhone’s colour

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A Tata dealer from down south, Coimbatore to be precise, has given the Nexon compact SUV the rose gold treatment. This new paint scheme is a one-off, dealership level modification job, and is not a regular variant that Tata Motors sells across India. Named the SRT Rose Gold edition after the dealership – SR Trans Cars – this custom Nexon also gets revised interiors to go with the new external paint scheme. Considering that Indians love the rose gold colour on the Apple iPhone, we won’t be surprised if the dealer gets a deluge of orders for this unique-looking Nexon. Notably, the Tata Nexon SRT Rose Gold is currently on display at the Coimbatore dealership.

Tata Nexon Srt Rose Gold Edition 1

Delving into the specific changes on the Nexon SRT Rose Gold edition, the exterior colour of the car is in rose gold, the grille, air dam, badges and wing mirror housings get blacked out, the window line gets a darker shade of rose gold while the alloy wheels and roof rails also get blacked out. On the inside, the compact SUV gets a black and rose gold dual tone scheme. The seats have also been finished in rose gold. The custom job is based on a top-end trim Tata Nexon, which means it’s a fully-loaded model. This customized example seems to be a petrol-powered variant, which means that it’ll host a 1.2 litre, turbocharged petrol motor with 108 Bhp-170 Nm.

This engine is now offered with 6 speed manual and AMT options. Notably, the SUV is also available with a 1.5 litre turbocharged diesel engine, with segment-leading power and torque numbers of 108 Bhp-260 Nm. The diesel motor shares its transmission options with the petrol.

Tata Nexon Srt Rose Gold Edition 2

This SUV is Tata Motors’ best-selling SUV, with steady monthly sales of about 4,000 units. Feature rich and sharply priced, the Nexon is the best value-for-money offering in the compact SUV segment. Prices start from Rs. 6.29 lakhs, and the SUV is available in 5 trims with both petrol and diesel engines.

Via GaadiWaadi

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