The BSA Bond 50 was a motorcycle manufactured by the same company responsible for the Brook Bond Red Label tea leaves that have been a part of the Indian kitchens since 1903. The BSA Bond 50 was produced in the early 1980s and became a favourite for motocross riders in India. The BSA Bond 50 we are showcasing in this post has been lovingly restored by Bangalore-based vintage motorcycle collector Vishal Agarwal.

Vishal also owns a Royal Enfield Explorer minibike and the step through Silver Plus along with a 1977 Bullet and three Yamaha RD 350s among many others. The BSA 50 is the latest old-school motorcycle to be restored by Vishal and it is one of the best examples of this 80s mini bike that can be found in India.

It took Vishal a year and a half to fully restore his BSA Bond 50 to its glorious Papaya Orange self. The primary reason it took so long to restore the Bond 50 was due to the lack of available spare parts for the motorcycle. However, he persevered with the restoration and after spending quite a lot of man-hours and Rs 40,000, he ended up with his immaculately restored Papaya Orange BSA Bond 50.

Vishal has made no cosmetic or mechanical modifications to the bike, so everything you seen on this 1985 Bond 50 is stock. Vishal has retained the Bond 50’s cantilever mono-shock suspension setup at the rear. The Bond 50 was the first bike to be offered in India with a monoshock rear suspension setup. A dual-shock absorber setup was also offered.

The iconic Bond 50 highlights, like the original graphics with the Bond on the fuel tank and the stylised BSA branding on the side panel, have been retained. The restored BSA Bond 50 retains the circular headlamp with the black surround along with the chrome front bumper. Other chrome bits on the bike include the exhaust and the housing for the indicators. Wire spoked wheels and the rectangular tail lamps add to the retro look of this classic mini bike.

The BSA Bond 50 is powered by a 49.3cc single cylinder two-stroke engine that was paired to a 4-speed gearbox and like the rest of the restored bike, this too has been kept stock.

Brooke Bond also made an offroading version of the Bond 50, which was called the Brigand. The BSA Brigand featured the same mono shock suspension but sported taller mudguards and an exhaust that vented out near the end of the rear seat.

Also Read: New Maruti Ertiga MPV launch delayed: New timeline revealed

Mahindra’s latest product in the market, the Marazzo, has caught a lot of attention. The all-new vehicle from the brand offers a long list of new features and a refreshing design. At the launch, Mahindra revealed that there will be a range of official accessories available for the new vehicle.  Here is a rendered image of the vehicle that shows the rugged, rough-and-tough side of the vehicle.

The image shows that the Marazzo has been given a very protective look with thick plastic cladding around. The front bumper gets a skid plate with a thick plastic protector. There is cladding on the side of the Marazzo too that saves the body from any damage. At the front, the vehicle features a larger lower intake with chrome elements and repositioned fog lamps. The vehicle also gets bold decals on the bonnet. The fender flares and the new ORVM caps with colour-coordinated design make the Marazzo really good-looking. To complete the looks, the Marazzo runs on wider tyres in new alloy wheels. To carry all the adventure equipment, the rendered Marazzo also gets a closed-type top box mounted on the roof rails.

Officially, Mahindra offers Premium and Executive body kits. These custom kits make the Marazzo unique and very much different from the crowd. The Marazzo gets powered by an all-new diesel engine. The 1.5-litre, four-cylinder engine produces a maximum power of 151 Bhp and a peak torque of 300 Nm. At the moment, Mahindra only offers a 6-speed manual transmission with the Marazzo that powers the front wheels of the vehicle.

The MPV comes with a long list of features too. It gets projector headlamps, LED DRLs, 17-inch alloy wheels, roof-mounted air vents, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment with GPS navigation and Android Auto. It also gets disc brakes on all the four wheels and dual airbags as standard across all the variants. The Mahindra Marazzo is priced from Rs. 9.99 lakhs and the most expensive version is priced at Rs. 13.9 lakhs.

Source: IAB

Also Read: New Maruti Ertiga MPV launch delayed: New timeline revealed

Toyota Etios Liva is a humble family hatchback with good cabin space and efficient engines. Generally the choice of people with small families seeking a no-nonsense, reliable hatchback, the Etios Liva is usually driven sedately. Exceptions always exist, like this 250 Bhp monster of a Toyota Etios Liva.  Race Concepts – a Bangalore-based tuning company, has built this radical example.

Image courtesy StayTunedIndia

How did they do it?

The Etios Liva is known for its light yet strong build and neutral handling.  Race Concepts took this solid platform to create an exceptionally powerful example. The engineers at the facility swapped out the 1.2 litre stock engine, and replaced it with a completely rebuilt 1.5 petrol engine with upgrades such as:

1. Race Concepts engine internals
2. Stage 3 turbo spec cylinder head
3. Garrett turbocharger
4. Race Dynamics standalone ECU
5. Race Concepts induction kit

The engine has been tuned to produce power of 250 Bhp with 12 psi boost. The boost is limited due to stock clutch assembly which will be soon upgraded to a motorsport spec. As fast as the car takes off from standstill, it stops just as fast too thanks to Race Concepts Motorsports grade carbon brake pads. The handling of this hatchback has been spiced up with a custom suspension set-up.

Cost?

While Race Concepts is yet to reveal the price of this racy turbo build, expect to pay close to Rs. 4-5 lakhs for a similar build that will smoke every other budget/premium hatchback in the country. For more details, you can directly get in touch with Race Concepts.

Meanwhile, for those interested in a stock Toyota Etios Liva, the car is offered with petrol and diesel engine options. The diesel engine is a 1.4-litre unit which produces around 68 Bhp of peak power and 170 Nm of peak torque. The petrol engine is a 1.2-litre unit which churns out 80 Bhp of peak power and 104 Nm of peak torque. Both diesel and petrol engine come paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. There’s a butch version of the Etios Liva, badged the Etios Cross. This variant gets a higher ground clearance.

Also Read: New Maruti Ertiga MPV launch delayed: New timeline revealed

The Maruti Ertiga is one of India’s favourite MPVs in segments under Rs. 15 lakhs. Maruti is all set to launch an all-new model of the MPV in India later this year. Earlier, it was expected that Maruti would launch the new Ertiga around the festive season. Those planning to buy the new version around Diwali will be disappointed to hear that the automaker will now launch the new Ertiga in the middle of November to avoid the huge bookings rush that is likely to happen during Diwali. Maruti has scrapped the plan of festive season launch to reduce the waiting period.

The Ertiga is the only 7-seater MPV sold by the Japanese giant in Indian market. The new Ertiga’s higher variants will rival the recently launched Mahindra Marazzo, but other variants will be priced much lower. The new MPV will be based on company’s new lightweight HEARTECT platform, which is also used by cars like the new Swift and Dzire. This new platform is lightweight, making for better pick up and fuel efficiency. The new MPV will be larger than the current model, and this is expected to result in more cabin space.

Powering the new Ertiga will be the new K15 K-Series engine which made it Indian debut with new Ciaz recently. The new petrol engine is a 1.5-litre unit which produces 104 bhp and 138 Nm of peak torque. Maruti will offer a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed automatic gearbox with the petrol engined variants. Thanks to new HEARTECT platform, new Ertiga will return a mileage of 18 Kmpl on the manual and 16.5 Kmpl on the automatic version.

The diesel variants will get the same 1.3-litre diesel engine that’s doing duty in the current Ertiga. This engine will produce a maximum power of 90 Bhp, and 200 Nm of peak torque. The engine is mated with a 5-speed manual gearbox. Maruti is developing a 1.5-litre diesel engine in-house, which will be offered with the MPV later. This engine will be paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox.

In terms of design, the new Ertiga will look similar to its Indonesian avatar and will get updated features. Automatic climate control, a 7.0 inch touch screen with Apple Carplay and Android auto, dual front airbags, ABS with EBD are few of the key features that will be offered on the new car. Maruti is expected to launch the vehicle in a price range of Rs. 7 lakhs – 10 lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi).

Also Read: New Maruti Ertiga MPV launch delayed: New timeline revealed

Royal Enfield motorcycles are not always in news because of their speed records. Most Royal Enfield buyers are not thrill-seekers but people do expect a decent top-end speed from a 499cc-powered motorcycle. Here is a video that shows a Royal Enfield Bullet 500 owner trying to hit the top speed on a highway.

The video shows that the Royal Enfield motorcycle is using an aftermarket fully digital speedometer instead of the stock analogue one. The stock speedometers are known for having a huge error while the digital speedometer used here shows results closer to the accurate readings. The test has been done on a relatively empty highway and according to the rider in the video, he tried his best to reach the top speed. However, on the speedometer, the top-speed showed only 114 km/h and even after several tries, it did not go beyond that. Even if we add the speedometer error of 5%, the top speed comes out to be around 120 km/h, which is still quite low. TVS Apache RTR 200 has a VBOX indicated top-speed of 117 km/h while the Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS has a true VBOX indicated top-speed of 125 km/h.

The Royal Enfield Bullet 500 is powered by a 499cc, single-cylinder, fuel injected engine that produces a maximum of 27.2 Bhp and 41.3 Nm. The air-cooled engine is mated to a 5-speed transmission that uses a final chain-drive to transfer the power to the rear wheel. The Royal Enfield Bullet has been around for a long while in the market now and is also one of the best-selling bikes in the segment. However, the bike’s selling points include its vintage looks and its image in the market. Speed has never been the talking point among the Royal Enfield owners.

The indicated top speed of 114 km/h on the speedometer is much lower than what most 200cc bikes can achieve in the market. There can be a few reasons behind the low speed of the bike.

• The condition of the Bullet 500. It is possible that the engine is not working at its peak or there can be something wrong with the transmission. Also, other factors like tyre pressure, the condition of the chain and clutch play an important role.
• Windblast can also be a reason behind the restricted speed as wind friction plays a major factor when attempting top-speed.
• The long-stroke engine used in the Royal Enfield bikes are quite laid-back and are not high-revving ones, which are meant for high-speed.
• Royal Enfield bikes are also quite heavy, which anchor them down from reaching a very high speed.
• There is a huge power loss from transmission to the rear wheel. Only 80-85% of the power is transferred from the crank to the rear wheel.

Source

Also Read: Star kids & their cars: Akash Ambani's Bentley Bentayga to Siddharth Mallya's Mercedes S-Class

The 2018 model year Aprilia SR150 has been launched by the Italian manufacturer at a price of Rs. 70,031 (ex-showroom). Aprilia has also launched SR150 carbon edition and SR150 race edition scooters at prices of Rs. 73,500 (ex-showroom) and Rs. 80,211 (ex-showroom), respectively. Notably, the Aprilia SR150 is the fastest scooter sold in the Indian market.

Earlier, the Aprilia SR150 was sold only in two colour options, which has now been increased to 4. The new scooter also comes in a race blue shade and a grey shade. The carbon edition of the new automatic scooter gets carbon-fiber lookalike graphics on the body panel and will be sold in limited numbers.

Apart from styling changes, the new Aprilia SR150 gets a bigger front windshield and a new phone connectivity option – “Aprilia connect” app, which offers features like navigation, distress button and vehicle tracking, available on both iOS and Android. The new digital instrument cluster shows vital information like fuel level, odometer and trip meter. However, the speedometer is still in classic, analog form.

Body dimensions of the new SR150 remain similar to the predecessor with 14” alloy wheels. The new Aprilia SR150 gets a fuel tank capacity of 6.5-litres while ground clearance is rated at 165 mm. It’s very fast off the line, with the 0-60 Kmph time of just 7.2 seconds. The scooter takes around 29.5 seconds to reach the 100 Kmph mark.

The new SR150 gets power from the same 154 cc single cylinder petrol engine, which produces 10.06 Bhp and 11.2 Nm . The engine comes mated with a CVT transmission. This motor gives the Aprilia SR150 legs, making it the fastest accelerating scooter in the market. Top speed is equally impressive, at a rated 103 Kmph.

The suspension has been updated with new preload-adjustable springs at the rear, while the front set-up remains similar. The braking department remains unchanged with a 220 mm disc brake at the front and a 140 mm disc brake at the rear.

The Aprilia SR150 has no direct competition as such but in price terms, rivals the the newly launched Suzuki Burgman which is priced at Rs. 68,000 (ex-showroom). The Suzuki Burgman is a much more bulkier scooter though. The Suzuki Burgman is also less powerful, with a 125cc engine.

Also Read: Star kids & their cars: Akash Ambani's Bentley Bentayga to Siddharth Mallya's Mercedes S-Class

Superbikes can be mega fun on tarmac-topped roads but can be extremely difficult to handle on loose surfaces, like sand or gravel. While there are many videos of the Suzuki Hayabusa zipping along well-built roads, not many take their superbikes or sports tourers to off-road stretches. Here is one video that shows a group of riders, including one on a Suzuki Hayabusa, taking on a rough terrain.

What is happening here?

The video comes from a group of rides in Jaipur, Rajasthan who are out for their weekly Sunday ride. Exotic bikes like the Ducati Scrambler, Suzuki Hayabusa and two Triumph Tigers can be seen in the video. While there are other powerful bikes, the Hayabusa, in particular, is the most difficult one to handle in such terrains. The Hayabusa can be seen going through extremely rough terrains during the ride and surprisingly, the rider controlled the sports tourer beautifully through the whole off-road section.

The video has been taken from a helmet-mounted camera and it can be seen that the Hayabusa needs special attention and efforts through such extreme terrains. Towards the end, the road becomes even worse with deep holes and big gravels. While the Suzuki Hayabusa rider took the terrain very cautiously to keep the bike in control and reach the top, the Triumph Tiger rider lost his balance at one point but got saved by the Hayabusa’s support. The Triumph Tiger is an extremely tall bike and needs a lot of control.

The Suzuki Hayabusa too can be seen losing the rear wheel traction at one point but the rider ensured that it came out clean. All other bikes, including the Ducati Scrambler, did the same stretch without much problem.

The Suzuki Hayabusa is NOT built for off-roading

The Suzuki Hayabusa is an exemplary long-distance touring bike but a lot of factors make it an extremely bad off-roader. Such sportsbikes have a very stiff suspension with minimal travel, which make the ride extremely difficult. Also, the aggressive riding position is not suitable for rough terrain.

Unlike the Triumph Tiger, which is made for such roads, the rider cannot stand on the footpegs to negotiate the extremely rough surfaces on the Hayabusa. Also, the extremely heavy weight with road-biased tyres make it extremely difficult for the bike to find traction and balance on such surfaces.

On the other hand, bikes such as the Royal Enfield Himalayan and the Triumph Tiger find off-roading a lot easier due to commanding seating, upright seating posture and various aids like long-travel suspension. The Suzuki Hayabusa rider has shown some great skills to control the extreme machine in these extreme conditions, and has also set an example of why such bikes are unsuitable for rough terrain.

Source

Also Read: Star kids & their cars: Akash Ambani's Bentley Bentayga to Siddharth Mallya's Mercedes S-Class

It’s an established fact that the upcoming Tata Harrier SUV will have plenty of commonalities between expensive Land Rovers. In fact, the Harrier uses the localized version of the Land Rover D8 platform, which is expected to give the SUV many benefits. For one, the platform has been engineered by Land Rover for quietness, and great performance off the road. Both these qualities will come through on the Tata Harrier as well.

Talking of good off-road performance and driving dynamics, the Harrier will share the floorpan, steering gear, and an all-independent suspension with the Land Rover through the D8 platform. This is expected to result in some really impressive levels of performance.

To keep costs low, Tata Motors will replace the aluminium bits that are standard on the Land Rover D8 platform with steel bits. Also, the D8 platform has been renamed OMEGA for use in cheaper Tata SUVs such as the Harrier, and its upcoming 7-seat sibling, the H7X.

The word OMEGA expands into Optimal Modular Efficient Global Advanced Architecture, or in other words, an Indianized version of the Land Rover D8 platform. Meanwhile, a high level of quietness will be achieved on the Tata Harrier through the usage of auxiliary isolation panels, a technology generally seen on more expensive cars.

The Harrier will also be one of the safest new SUVs from Tata Motors, with extensive use of high strength steel and efficiently designed crumple zones. The SUV will be offered with twin airbags, ABS, ISOFIX child seat mounts, seat belt indicator and reverse parking sensors as standard fare.

The Harrier sold in India will be powered by a 2 litre Fiat Multijet turbocharged diesel engine with 140 Bhp-320 Nm outputs. This motor will get a 6 speed manual gearbox as standard, and a Hyundai-sourced 6 speed torque converter automatic gearbox as an option. A petrol engine could be offered in the future.

Tata Motors will launch the Harrier in early 2019, and the official preview of the production version of this SUV will happen later this year. The Tata Harrier will take on the likes of the Hyundai Creta and the Jeep Compass, and will be Tata’s new flagship SUV. Expect prices to start from above Rs. 12 lakhs.

Also Read: Star kids & their cars: Akash Ambani's Bentley Bentayga to Siddharth Mallya's Mercedes S-Class

Indian Army has a range of vehicles in their official fleet. Sometime back, the official Army vehicles used to look very different and the JONGA was one of the many cars that served in the Indian Army. The Jonga was also sold to the civilians and there are only a handful of examples on the Indian roads today. Here is one such Jonga that is up for sale and can be yours for Rs. 10 lakhs.

The Jonga seen above is a Military-used vehicle from the Sikh Regiment, as per the advertiser. The 1983 model is powered by a 4,000cc turbocharged diesel engine and comes with a 4-speed transmission. The vehicle is quite capable and gets a 4X4 system too. The vehicle has spent some time at the WS Design and gets a range of modifications that make it extremely rugged with some modern-day touches too.

It gets a cage-type heavy duty front guard, a similar heavy duty rear guard, new Halo shaped LED headlamps, LED tail lamps, pick-up bed cover with an off-road rack, side step, front windshield bar, headlamp protection grille and power windows with plush interior. The vehicle also gets a functional air conditioner. The vehicle is available in Mumbai and is registered in Maharashtra. However, it is not known until when the registration certificate is valid. The front guard is hinged and can be opened to access the bonnet. Also, the vehicle has been painted and looks fresh.

It should be noted that the JONGA stands for Jabalpur Ordinance and Gun Carriage Assembly and is not a name. These vehicles were built in a factory in India for the Army. In 1960, Nissan launched the Patrol P60 in SUV, pick-up truck and various other body styles. The Indian Army bought the rights to build the truck in 1963 and it was built at the Vehicle Factory Jabalpur. It was given the official name Jonga in India and was sold in a pick-up truck body style too.

Jonga was initially available with the turbocharged engine that generated a maximum of 145 Bhp and 340 Nm. However, Jonga launched the vehicle with a non-turbocharged engine too as the transmission could not keep up with the high torque. The naturally aspirated diesel engine produced 110 Bhp and 280 Nm. Due to the extremely poor response from the market, Nissan finally decided to take the vehicle off the market.

Source

Also Read: Star kids & their cars: Akash Ambani's Bentley Bentayga to Siddharth Mallya's Mercedes S-Class

The Bajaj Pulsar has been around since 2001. The promise of performance at an affordable price tag has helped it gain a massive following among Indian customers. However, the current line-up hasn’t been refreshed in a bit, but there is good news around the corner as Rajiv Bajaj, the Managing Director of Bajaj Auto, has revealed when the all-new Pulsar line-up will be launched.

When asked about the evolution of the Pulsar line-up, Rajiv Bajaj, the Managing Director of Bajaj Auto, told Forbes India, “Though Pulsar has evolved nicely, it’s time for a complete refresh and an all-new Pulsar. I think in 2020 when new emission norms come, that would be a great opportunity to go to market with a product that is not only much greener but also in a new avatar. We are working on that. In 2020, we should have an all-new range of Pulsars and Avengers.”

Rajiv Bajaj’s comments confirm earlier reports that India’s second largest motorcycle manufacturer was going to refresh its Pulsar performance line-up to meet new emission and safety norms. The new Pulsar line-up will feature new 4-valve, fuel injected engines to meet BS-VI emission norms that go into effect in 2020. The new Pulsar line-up is expected to get more powerful and refined thanks to the upgraded engines.

Rajiv Bajaj also confirmed that the new Pulsar line-up would stick between 150-220cc, nixing any notions of the Pulsar name heading into the commuter segment. Speaking to Forbes India, Rajiv Bajaj stated, “The Pulsar is 150cc to 220cc now. We had a 135cc in the past, we don’t do it anymore. People might say that if the Kawasaki can sell the Ninja 150 and Ninja 1200, then why we can’t? If Mercedes can sell an A class and S class, so can we. We can. But the problem is that it has to be a Pulsar. Similarly, people would love to have a 125cc Pulsar, but for us, it won’t be very attractive. So we must create different brands in that space. What’s next for Pulsar, I can say that it is very well set now.”

Bajaj sticking to its guns for the Pulsar will ensure that the brand’s ideals of performance motorcycles will no longer be diluted. Rajiv Bajaj’s comments also mean the Pulsar 135 LS will be removed from the Pulsar line-up when the new bikes arrive in 2020, which would make buying into the Pulsar brand more pricey than before. And with prices expected to rise to help automakers offset costs of upgrading to new safety and emission standards, expect the new Pulsar line-up to get a hefty upgrade in terms of price when it arrives in 2020.

Also Read: Star kids & their cars: Akash Ambani's Bentley Bentayga to Siddharth Mallya's Mercedes S-Class

The Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 has been in news all this while. Its global launch is just round the corner too, expected to be on between 22 to 26 September. Meanwhile, some rather interesting photos of the Continental GT 650 have come up on social media. Take a look.

Seen on the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 Facebook page, the motorcycle is adorned with accessories that were not seen before this sighting. Some of the major changes include a windscreen above the headlight at front (though a tiny unit) along with bar end mounted rear view mirrors that are now seen with a dual-tone finish which is quite good to look at.

Also to notice is the seat layout which now has a proper pillion seat instead of the usually seen cowl. The new single seat unit gets a small bump in the middle. The pillion seat also sports grab rails to increase passenger comfort. The bike now also features saddlebag bars on the side to aid in touring conditions.

The units are aimed to protect the luggage from getting in contact with the rear tyre. The bike also gets blacked-out crash guards that will protect the bike in times of crash situations. The accessory package, in short, lends a more retro felling to the bike and increases the practicality while at it.

We already mentioned that the global launch of the bike is very near. Talking about the Indian launch, the company is expected to bring in the models to our shores by the first quarter of 2019.

The Continental GT and its twin the Interceptor INT 650 will be powered by a new 648cc parallel twin cylinder, SOHC, air-cooled, fuel injected engine. The twin cylinder engine will produce 47 bhp of power and 52 Nm of peak torque at 5,200 rpm. The engine will come mated to a six-speed gearbox and will feature an Assist and Slipper clutch. Stopping power will come from a 320 mm disc up front and a 240 mm unit at the rear. The bike will also feature a dual channel ABS as per the new government rules.

There has been no word on pricing as of yet, but rumours are rife that Royal Enfield will place the products between Rs 3 to 4 lakh price bracket. Both the bikes will be the most powerful and expensive bikes by the company yet.

Via Royal Enfield Continental GT650 Fan Page on Facebook

Also Read: Star kids & their cars: Akash Ambani's Bentley Bentayga to Siddharth Mallya's Mercedes S-Class

Volkswagen India has issued an official recall for the Volkswagen Polo GT, Vento and the Jetta citing “necessary updates”. The affected models were manufactured between April 1, 2015 and March 31, 2017. The number of affected units have not been revealed.

The Volkswagen Jetta 1.4 TSI variants are affected and have been recalled for the replacement of the O-rings in the carbon canister. The recall is as per the Conformity of Production (COP) process agreed with the Automotive Research Authority of India (ARAI). The affected carbon canister is used to absorb the fuel vapour to prevent air pollution. The recall is a part of the dieselgate scandal where Volkswagen used a ‘defeat device’ to cheat the emission tests around the world. The updates on the Polo and Vento are not known.

On 1st April 2016, Volkswagen India issued a recall for 3,877 units of the Vento that was powered by the 1.5-litre diesel engine and manual gearbox. The earlier recall was made to rectify the inconsistent carbon monoxide emissions. At the same time, the sales of the model were stopped in the Indian market. ARAI found the carbon dioxide levels to be much higher than the permissible limits in India. As per the ARAI test, the on-road emissions were found to be 1.1 to 2.6 times higher than the applicable BS-IV norms.

Volkswagen Group recalled as many as 3.4 lakh vehicles in India from various sub-brands in December 2015. The recall affected brands like Audi, Volkswagen and Skoda that were sold between September 2008 till the end of November 2015. The EA h 189 diesel engines of the Volkswagen family were found to be much more polluting than the permissible limit and came with a cheat device that allowed it to pass the emission tests. In 2016, Volkswagen announced plans to update the engines of all the recalled vehicles with new software.

Dieselgate is one of the biggest scams in the history of automotives in the world. Volkswagen has announced a number of budget-cut measures to counter the losses faced by various lawsuits in the US.

Also Read: Star kids & their cars: Akash Ambani's Bentley Bentayga to Siddharth Mallya's Mercedes S-Class

Indian motorcycle manufacturer Royal Enfield launched its most expensive bike, the limited edition Classic 500 Pegasus earlier this year. However, the recent launch of Classic 350 Signals Edition has left many owners of the Pegasus quite unhappy. Now a report by Rushlane is claiming that Royal Enfield may be looking to buy back the Classic 500 Pegasus from owners left unhappy by the launch of the Classic Signals 350.

The reason for the unhappiness amongst the community of Pegasus owners is due to two major reasons. The first paint point for Pegasus owners is the design of the new Classic Signals 350, which looks very similar to the limited run bike. Both feature design elements like the bike’s production number on the tank along with military-inspired logos. Pegasus owners claim the similar design of the two bikes diminishes the value and exclusivity of their limited-edition motorcycle.

The second and bigger point of contention for Pegasus owners is the presence of dual-channel ABS on the Classic 350 Signals Edition. The Pegasus, which is the most expensive Enfield sold in India, was not offered with ABS. This information was made known to potential Pegasus owners before all 250 units of the bike for India sold out within 178 of being listed online.

The response to the launch of the Classic Signals 350 by the Pegasus community in India has been a heated one. Two owners went and dumped their brand new Pegasus bikes in the garbage, while others either refused to take delivery or returned the bike to the showroom. One owner even filed an RTI request asking the government why Royal Enfield was allowed to sell the Pegasus without ABS, despite new laws mandating its use on new bikes produced after April 1, 2018.

Rushlane claims that Royal Enfield is looking to put this issue behind them by offering to buy back the limited run bikes from their owners at a dealership level. Rushlance claims that only a few owners are unhappy and dealers will amicably deal with their issues by buying back the bikes. The Classic 500 Pegasus bikes bought back from disgruntled owners will then be used as display bikes and sold onto new buyers looking to own these rare bikes which were limited to a total of 1000 units worldwide out of which only 250 were sold in India.

Also Read: Star kids & their cars: Akash Ambani's Bentley Bentayga to Siddharth Mallya's Mercedes S-Class

India’s rich and famous are known for their love of cars. From bomb-proof S-Class sedans to extreme supercars and SUVs, they have them all. We have covered these cars and their owners extensively, it got us thinking about what the next-generation drive around in. So here’s a list of kids of India’s rich and famous and the cars they ride around in.

Isha Ambani

Isha Ambani was recently revealed to be the person who seeded the idea for Jio by her father Mukesh Ambani. So what does this Director at Reliance drive about in? Well, Isha Ambani has been spotted in a number of cars including this heavily armoured W221 S-Class.

Ms Ambani prefers the comfort of the back seat and has also been spotted in the back seat of a Range Rover multiple times. We aren’t sure which engine option her vehicle as the previous gen S-Class and Range Rovers were offered with a host of engine options (both petrol and diesel)/ Isha Ambani has also been spotted multiple ties in the back of a BMW 5 Series.

Akash Ambani

Akash Ambani, the oldest son of Mukesh and Nita Ambani recently bought a Bentley Bentayga luxury SUV. The Bentayga is one of the most luxurious SUV currently on sale in India. The Bentley Bentayga draws its power from a 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 engine making 600 Bhp and 900 Nm. The Bentayga is among the fastest SUVs on sale in India and is capable of sprinting from 0-100 in just 4.1 seconds. Akash also owns a Mercedes G Wagen and a Range Rover Vogue among many other cars.

Anant Ambani

Anant is the youngest Ambani son and the twin brother of Isha Ambani. While he has often been seen behind the wheel of the family S-Class, his other car of choice is the Range Rover Vogue. Both the Merc and Range Rover are offered with multiple engine options ranging from V6s to V8s in India.

Aryan Khan

Aryan Khan is the oldest son of Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan. The now 21-year old has been spotted earlier being driven around in his father’s 7-Series BMW or in a Mercedes GL SUV.

The GL seen with Aryan is a 350d variant which draws 258 Bhp and 620 Nm of torque from its 3.0-litre turbo V6 diesel engine. The massive SUV is also good enough to carry around 7 people with ease.

Sara Ali Khan

Sara Ali Khan, the daughter of actor Saif Ali Khan has often been spotted driving or being around in her father’s old CR-V SUV. Honda is set to launch the new-gen CR-V in India next month, but the model seen with Sara is an old-gen car that was only offered with either a 2.0-litre or a 2.4-litre petrol engines.

Navya Naveli Nanda

Navya Naveli Nanda is the granddaughter of the Shenshah of Bollywood, Amitabh Bachchan. Navya, who is an aspiring actress has often been spotted in the front row of an Audi A8, which features a unique red interior.

The current Audi A8 comes with a whole host of engine options in India, ranging from a frugal 3.0-litre V6 to a 4.2-litre V8 (both turbo diesel) to a 4.0 liter twin-turbo petrol with 429 Bhp and 600 Nm on tap.

Siddharth Mallya

Siddharth Mallya has not been seen in the limelight much since his father, Vijay Mallya fled the country a while ago. However, unlike his father, Mallya Jr isn’t much of a driving buff and prefers the comfort and luxury of the back seat. He has often been spotted in the back seat of a previous-gen S-Class and or in an E-Class.

Ananya Birla

Ananya Birla is the daughter of industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla but is writing her own name stardom thanks to her exploits as a singer, songwriter and entrepreneur.

Ananya’s ride of choice is BMW Z4 roadster. Her Z4 roadster features a hardtop rood and is powered by a 3.0-litre straight six engine kicking out 306 Bhp and 400 Nm of torque which is sent to the rear wheels via an automatic gearbox.

Sara Tendulkar

Sara Tendulkar is the daughter of India’s cricketing god Sachin Tendulkar. Sara has been spotted numerous times in her dad’s customised BMW 7 Series luxury sedan, which isn’t much of a surprise considering Sachin is the brand ambassador for the German brand in India. The custom 7 Series used by the Tendulkar family features the master blaster’s initials and was specially made for Sachin.

Anmol Ambani

The eldest son of Anil Ambani is one who prefers to stay out of the spotlight. However, when he does go out, he prefers to do so in style, in the backseat of the current W222 S500 luxury sedan from Mercedes-Benz. The S500 is powered by a 4.7-litre V8 petrol engine that produces 460 Bhp and 700 Nm of torque.

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The Hyundai Verna is the South Korean carmaker’s answer to cars like the Honda City and Maruti Ciaz. With its fluidic looks, the Verna catches a lot more eyes compared to its rivals. Gears & Fillets, a one-man customization house from Chennai, has given the Verna a custom wrap job, that gives the Hyundai sedan a rather sporty makeover.

Prakash, the owner and wrapper at Gears & Fillets, has given the Verna a rather minimal custom wrap that takes its sporty quotient to the next level. The changes, though minor, but combined together perfectly as in the case of the Verna featured here, can really change the look of any car.

The biggest change seen is up on the roof. Prakash has wrapped the roof in gloss black, which gives the Verna a dual-tone look that once seen from above really changes the way people think about the car. The shark fin antenna has also been given the same treatment to make it match the rest of the roof.

The next major change is the addition of the racing stripe that is offset towards the left side of the bonnet. The racing stripe looks painted onto the bonnet of the Verna and runs across its length into the grille of the sedan. However, just like the roof, the racing stripe too is a wrap, which just shows the amount of effort that has gone into getting the wrap down perfectly onto the car’s bodywork.

The next sections given the wrap treatment is the diffuser element on the front bumper of the Verna. However, unlike the roof and the stripe, which are in gloss black, the diffuser element has been draped in a black carbon-fibre weave wrap. The brake callipers have also been painted red and add to this Verna’s sporty look. The Verna also features aftermarket alloy wheels, but these were supplied by the customer and not Gears and Fillets.

The price for this sporty perfection – only Rs 13,000. Prakash from Gears & Fillets will also come and wrap your car for you at your doorstep and he charges Rs 35,000 for a full body wrap (for the Verna). Considering that this is a single person doing the job, rather brilliantly we may add, the price for one of Prakash’s Custom Wraps seems like a bargain.

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Indian roads are deemed as one of the most dangerous in the world, mostly due to the road sense of the users. In such situations, safety features like Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) come in handy to avoid accidents. But what about the times when ABS fails on a busy street? Here’s a video that shows the same.

What is happening here?

The rider on a KTM 390 Duke can be seen riding on a relatively empty road in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. As the biker gains speed, a sedan comes out of nowhere to the middle of the road to cross it. The rider applies the brakes but the rear tyre locks up and the motorcycle comes to a screeching stop just a few inches away from the vehicle. The car driver came in without noticing the moving vehicles and could have caused a massive accident but such incidents are quite common in India.

The rider seems to be doing around 40 km/h when he started braking and it took quite a long distance to bring the motorcycle to a stop. The KTM 390 Duke seen in the video comes with standard dual-channel ABS, which means both the front and rear wheels are modulated by the ABS.

The rider did not update on why the ABS did not work in that situation. It should be noted that the 390 Duke comes with switchable ABS that can be turned off by the rider. The feature provides greater flexibility to the rider and allows to turn it off while doing stunt riding or riding on slippery surfaces like snow where ABS can increase the stopping distance.

Safety features are not fool-proof

It is not known if the ABS was turned off by the user or it just failed during the situation but there are many reasons that can cause ABS to fail. The ABS senses a ring placed on the wheel’s hub to detect the wheel lock-up. The system is set-up with the exact rim and tyre size and any change in the wheel or the tyre size can affect the way ABS works. Also, the ABS wire can get damaged due to regular wear and tear or external factors like a dog bite, which can cause the system to fail.

Such systems are quite sophisticated and highly reliable but like all electro-mechanical things, can fail. There is a chance of ABS module failure, which is the brain of the whole system. ABS or any such other safety feature can give away during critical situations and it is all dependent on the rider or the driver to keep the vehicle under control. It is important to keep in mind that such systems can fail and one should be always cautious on the road.

Source

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Maruti Suzuki S-Cross was launched in a new avatar in the Indian market last year. The new S-Cross received a mild hybrid system with the 1.3-litre diesel engine. The new tech increased the fuel efficiency of the vehicle by a good margin and also made the vehicle quite popular in the market. The S-Cross is a global product and the next generation of the vehicle is currently under development. A report says that the next-generation S-Cross will get a plug-in hybrid variant.

The emission norms around the world are becoming stricter and to comply with the norms, manufacturers are choosing hybrid terrains. Suzuki is looking in the same direction for their future products. Dale Wyatt, Managing Director, Suzuki UK, said in an interview that the Japanese automaker will focus on the electrification of their products in the working years and will bring in the 12-volt mild-hybrid systems to the smaller cars. The bigger cars will get the 48-volt mild hybrid systems by 2020.

However, the next-generation S-Cross and the next-gen Vitara SUV will get a plug-in hybrid system. Suzuki has not put a date on the launch of the next-generation models but they are expected to be launched by 2020. These will be the first plug-in hybrid vehicles from the Japanese manufacturers.

With stricter emission norms, manufacturers are tilting towards phasing the diesel engines out. It is possible that the next-generation S-Cross and the Vitara may feature only petrol engines with a plug-in hybrid system for the extra power.

Suzuki is also developing a new 1.5-litre diesel engine that was expected to be launched with the new Ciaz but we may get to see it with the new Ertiga. The plug-in hybrid systems will exponentially increase the cost of the product and Suzuki may refrain from introducing such models in price-sensitive markets like India.

However, India will enforce BS-VI norms in 2020 and that may change a lot in the country. In a bid to fight pollution, the government is also expected to announce special benefits for clean cars like electric and hybrids and that may change the strategy of the car manufacturers in the growing market.

Source

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Royal Enfields. We Indians look at them in either shock or awe, whenever we see one passing by. There is something about these bikes that makes us want to either own one or stay away. However, if you are part of the crowd that drools after a Royal Enfield motorcycle, there are a few things that you should know before heading to the showroom to buy one for yourself. In this post, we list out five important things you should know before buying a Royal Enfield motorcycle.

Don’t buy them for speed/acceleration 

Royal Enfields are known as cruisers thanks to the way their engines deliver power. Enfield engines are known for their low-end torque. The Classic 350, for example, delivers a peak torque of 28 Nm at just 4,000 rpm, but don’t offer that much power (Classic 350 has only 19.2 Bhp) which doesn’t really translate into quickness off the line or a high top-speed as the engine is rotating at rather low speeds. However, if you want a bike that can cruise beautifully at around 70-80km/h in top gear for long periods of time then these are the bikes for you.

Heavyweight

Royal Enfield bikes are in one simple way heavy. This is also one of the reasons why they don’t scream off the line or hit a high top-speed. The lightest Enfield bike on sale today is the Himalayan, which weighs in at 180 kilogrammes. Opt for the 500cc big boys and you’ll find yourself nearing the double ton mark.

So, ensure you know the proper way to lift up heavy bikes if you ever have a crash by viewing the video above before you think of getting an Enfield. Remember, lifting up an Enfield or any other heavy bike the wrong way could really mess up your back and end any dreams of riding again.

Hands-on bikes

While the days of Royal Enfields breaking down for the smallest reasons are long gone, these bikes still need quite a lot of attention paid to them. The saying that Royal Enfield riders ride along with their garages is still true in this day and age as their bikes can still be rather temperamental if they aren’t treated right. So if you want to get a Royal Enfield for yourself, remember to get a crash course in how every tool works, cause you never know when they might need them. Or better yet, become good friends with your local mechanic.

ABS is now available

Most Royal Enfield motorcycles may look like they belong in the past but they are now slowly but surely getting modernised. With the government placing greater emphasis on safety, even Royal Enfield has started offering its bikes with dual-channel ABS as standard with all models on sale set to get this safety feature as standard fitment by December.

So if you’re looking to buy a Royal Enfield, our advice is to wait a few months and get an ABS-equipped bike. Remember, ABS can save your life especially in cases of emergency braking and in slippery conditions by ensuring that the bikes don’t slip while under heavy braking.

Resale value

Royal Enfield bikes are some of the rarest vehicles around when it comes to resale value. Unlike most bikes whose resale value drops like a stone within a few months of purchase, Royal Enfield bikes hold their value as there is a high demand for them even during lean times thanks to the fact that most new bikes have long waiting periods.

I’ve seen this happen in real life as well when a friend of mine had to leave town for a new job. He sold off his year-and-a-half-old Classic 350 and got back most of the money he had invested in it. Also if you have an older and well-maintained Royal Enfield that is rather popular among enthusiasts, there is a chance that you could actually make money on the sale.

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The Bajaj Avenger can be termed as a revolutionary motorcycle in the Indian market. The most affordable cruiser bike in the Indian market has been around since 2005 and has a large fanbase. Bajaj first launched the bike way back in 2005 and since then the Avenger has grown a lot. The last major update came in 2015 when Bajaj introduced Street and Cruise variants of the motorcycle. Rajiv Bajaj, the bossman of Bajaj Auto Limited, has revealed that the company is currently working on the next-generation Avenger and it will be launched alongside the next-gen Pulsar in 2020.

The next-generation Avenger is expected to get expansive changes including a new engine. As the BS VI emission norms will be in place from 2020 in India, manufacturers are expected to upgrade their current range of products to meet the new standard. We can also expect standard safety equipment like ABS, which will become mandatory in India in 2019 for motorcycles above 125cc.

Rajiv Bajaj, the Managing Director of Bajaj Auto, told Forbes India, 

 Though Pulsar has evolved nicely, it’s time for a complete refresh and an all-new Pulsar. I think in 2020 when new emission norms come, that would be a great opportunity to go to market with a product that is not only much greener but also in a new avatar. We are working on that. In 2020, we should have an all-new range of Pulsars and Avengers.

The exact updates are not known but the Avenger has grown over time and the all-new model is expected to be thoroughly updated with new looks and features. However, high-end features like a fully digital console are unlikely to be offered on the next-generation model as such features would increase the price and the Avenger would lose its value-for-money tag.

Rajiv Bajaj also revealed that the Pulsar brand will continue to operate between the 150-220cc segment, which indicates that the Avenger will also continue to come with a similarly displaced engine. This eliminates the prospect of a high-displacement Avenger in the near future.

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Euro NCAP, a crash testing agency based in the European Union, has tested the latest version of the Suzuki Jimny and has given the off-roader a 3 star rating. The Jimny that was tested by Euro NCAP was found to offer weak protection for the driver as the steering airbag did not deploy properly, allowing the (dummy) driver’s head to come into contact with the steering wheel during the crash. This prompted Euro NCAP to come to a conclusion that the new Jimny had weak protection for the driver. The Jimny also performed poorly in the offset crash test, with the body deforming significantly.

All in all, the latest Suzuki Jimny off-roader has scored 73 % in adult protection, and has received a rating of 3 stars, which is considered to be poor. The off-roader is currently built only in Japan, and will soon be launched in countries around the world. It’s already on sale in its home market of Japan.

The Jimny is offered in two variants – Standard and Sierra. The Sierra variant of the Jimny is the off-road focused model, and is more powerful than the regular variant. Notably, the Euro NCAP crash test was conducted on the regular variant of the 2018 Suzuki Jimny.

The Jimny that was tested featured driver and passenger airbags, side airbags and also a knee airbag. As for other safety features on this off-roader, it features ABS+EBD, traction control, lane assist system, speed alert and a seatbelt reminder system.

The off-roader is a three door, four seater, and is sold as a petrol-only SUV. A 1 litre-3 cylinder turbocharged petrol motor is offered in the Japanese market, while the Sierra variants get a 1.5 litre K-Series petrol motor with 104 Bhp-138 Nm. The engines are offered with 5 speed manual and 4 speed torque converter automatic gearboxes.

The all-new Jimny is built on a ladder frame chassis, and gets a brand-new independent suspension system on all four wheels. While the engine drives the rear wheels in the two wheel drive mode, the part-time all wheel drive system with low and high ratios are offered across variants. Maruti Suzuki has ruled out the Jimny for India citing low demand.

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