Politicians take every chance of trolling each other in recent times. In the latest such incident, Shashi Tharoor and BJP minister – Kannathanam trolled each other while test driving the Nissan Leaf electric car. The trolling made it to a report on MalayalaManorama. Both the ministers were present to inaugurate Nissan’s first ever Global Digital Hub in India.

The first-of-its-kind hub is located in Trivandrum and would be critical in Nissan’s overall development in the digital world.

A number of ministers were present during the inauguration and a Nissan Leaf, which is one of the most popular electric cars around the world was also present at the spot. BJP minister Kannathanam and Congress minister Shashi Tharoor took turns to test drive the vehicle at the spot. Kannathanam had stopped the vehicle when he realized that he’s not wearing the seatbelt and came out of it. Shashi Tharoor, who was standing and waiting for his turn said:

“See, BJP is making way for Congress”. Kannathanam replied “Don’t go and crash anywhere” to which Tharoor replies “But you’ve crashed so many times”. The quirky conversation goes on and Kannathanam announces: “the car is not safe (with Shashi Tharoor driving) and everyone should escape if they care about their lives”. Later Shashi Tharoor was asked about the colour choices available in the Nissan Leaf and he replied by saying “Kannathanam knows a lot more about colours”. The changing colours comment hints at Kannathanam’s changing alliance in the past where he changed a lot of political parties.

It is interesting to know that Nissan was one of the bidders for the ESSL contract to supply 10,000 electric vehicles in India. However, due to the lower bid prices, Tata and Mahindra had won the bid. There are strong chances of Nissan Leaf being launched in India in the future as its first-ever fully electric vehicle. Earlier, a Nissan official said that the Leaf 2, which is the same vehicle that is being test-driven by Shashi Tharoor would be launched in India in this fiscal year.

Reportedly, Nissan has already started the homologation process and few units of the Nissan Leaf 2 would be stationed at their Chennai plant. The vehicles would be sold as Completely Built Units (CBU) at first, which will invite a high amount of tax. India imposes more than 110% tax on the import of completely built units of vehicles, which increases the price of any vehicle substantially. Looking at the price, Nissan is not expecting it to be a high-volume product but it sure would be a start for the Japanese brand.

The Nissan Leaf 2 is a second-generation model of the vehicle. It is a 5-door, 5-seater vehicle and looks quite good on the roads. The Leaf 2 follows Nissan’s global design language and gets a signature V-Shape grille at the front.  It gets powered by an AC synchronous electric motor that generates a maximum of 148 Bhp at 3,283 Rpm and 320 Nm of peak torque at 3,283 Nm. It gets an automatic transmission. The vehicle gets a 350V, 40 kWh lithium-ion battery that can be charged to up to 80% in just 40-60 minutes. It can go for 378 km in a single charge. The Leaf can get a price tag of around Rs. 40 lakhs when launched in the Indian market.

Also Read: All-new Jawa 42 & Classic: Hear the exhaust note [Video]

The Tata Harrier is just weeks away from being officially launched in the Indian market. A flagship vehicle from Tata Motors, the Harrier is expected to be priced in the Rs. 15-20 lakh bracket. At these price points, the SUV will compete with a wide range of vehicles ranging from the Hyundai Creta to the Jeep Compass, with the Mahindra XUV500 in between.

The Harrier is already on its way to Tata showrooms. Here is one such example seen near a Nexon and Mahindra XUV500.

Images courtesy Team-BHP

Here is a Tata Harrier standing behind a Nexon. From the picture, we can clearly make out that the Harrier is a couple of sizes larger than the Nexon, and has much better street presence.

The Harrier looks like a Range Rover from certain angles, with more curves added for differentiation. The SUV is all set to have great street presence, something that prospective owners will love.

In comparison to its direct competitor – the Mahindra XUV500 – the Harrier does manage to hold its own in terms of street presence but in terms of size, the XUV500 clearly is larger here. Also, the Harrier looks more like an SUV while the Mahindra XUV500 has a more crossover-ish appearance from the sides. It’s a shame that Tata Motors isn’t offering an all wheel drive layout on the Harrier given how SUV-ish the design is all around.

The Tata Harrier that will be sold in India will get a single engine and transmission option at launch. The engine is a 2 liter Fiat Multijet turbocharged diesel option that is called Kryotec by Tata Motors. This motor makes 140 Bhp-350 Nm, and comes mapped with multiple driving modes that vary torque delivery. The gearbox is a 6 speed unit that drives the front wheels.

A 6 speed torque converter automatic gearbox is on its way, and should be made available sometime in the middle of 2019. An all wheel drive layout is not a part of Tata Motors’ immediate future plans. The automaker claims that the various driving modes that the Harrier is equipped with is enough for most purposes, and given how the SUV performed in sandy stretches during the media drives, we’re inclined to believe Tata.

Since the Harrier is Tata Motors’ flagship offering, it will be loaded to the brim with features. The top-sped variant will offer 6 airbags, ABS+EBD, reverse parking camera, ISOFIX child seats, digital instrument cluster, floating touchscreen infotainment unit, a 9 speaker JBL stereo set-up, projector puddle lamps, multiple cubby holes on the inside, black-brown interior colour scheme, rain sensing wipers, cruise control and automatic headlamps.

The SUV will not have a sunroof though. This is a feature that could be added by Tata Motors in a few months’ time, through a new top-end trim for the Harrier. We have seen similar things happen with the Tiago and Nexon, which received XZ+ variants after a while. A similar strategy could play out with the Harrier. The official launch will happen in early January 2019. Bookings are already open.

Also Read: All-new Jawa 42 & Classic: Hear the exhaust note [Video]

The Hyundai Santro has taken the hatchback market by storm. Even before its launch, the car bagged about 15,000 bookings and now it is among the top 10 selling cars of India. That’s quiet  a feat for a car that has been launched just two months back.

As the car is new in the market, a wide range of accessories are still not available for the car. However, we bring you some cool aftermarket accessories that are now available in the market for the Santro. To buy them, you an get in touch with Romi Motors.

You might remember having seen big ‘FORD’ written over grilles of modified Endeavour and the Ecosport. This Santro here does something similar but has its own name embossed over the grille instead of Hyundai. Surprisingly, this looks quite good unlike what we had expected. The red on black Santro marking looks very good and same is the case with the other design which sees black on silver marking. The grille has also been replaced by a mesh unit and comes with two colour options to choose from, black and silver..

There is also a variety of floor mats out in the market now which are made for the Santro. The orange one seen below looks quite premium along with being easy to clean. On the other hand, there is a black colour option with white markings available too. Floor mats are among the cheapest accessory you on can buy for the car and still, they can make a lot of difference to the overall interior feel. Modern mats are quite easy to clean also and don’t gather as much dust as the older ones did.

Talking about the Santro, the car comes powered by a 1.1-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 69 PS of power along with 99 Nm of torque. It is the same engine that was used in the i10 but it has been thoroughly updated and tuned to meet the latest emission norms. Talking of mileage, the Santro returns an ARAI-certified fuel economy of 20.3 km/l, which is lower than most of its rivals like Maruti Celerio, which returns a maximum of 23.1 km/l and the Tata Tiago.

There is also an AMT transmission option made available on the Santro by Hyundai. According to the company, one among every third Santro to be sold in India is an AMT equipped model. This goes on to tell the shift people are making from manual gearbox to automatic gearbox. The affordability of the AMT also plays a role in this as now cheap hatches also come with one. The Santro starts at Rs. 3.89 lakhs for the base D-lite model and goes all the way upto Rs. 5.64 lakhs for the CNG equipped Sportz trim. As of now, not many accessories are available for the Santro but the coming time will see a lot new accessories being offered for the hatchback.

Also Read: All-new Jawa 42 & Classic: Hear the exhaust note [Video]

The Hyundai Creta is the best selling SUV in its segment and the only Rs. 10 lakh plus vehicle to be in the top 10 selling car list. The stylish SUV looks good, has decent engines and is quite feature laden vehicle. It is  also enough comfortable and spacious, all of which leads to the large amount of Cretas on road today.

There are also a lot of modification jobs and aftermarket kits available for the Creta owing to its popularity. However, most of these are limited to small exterior tweaks rather than proper SUV treatment. However, today we bring you a modified Creta that is a perfect example of how wild mod jobs can be done on any vehicle. Take a look to see this transformed Hyundai Creta.

This Hyundai Creta belongs to Eddie Tabreez and is the 1.6 litre diesel variant. The reason why most of the Cretas are not done in this way is because in India, the SUV gets only the front wheel drive option. However, this one here looks quite different and probably the only one of its type in India. The wild off road spec tyres are the chief highlight of this mod job and give a intimidating stance to the SUV. The whole work took around one month for completion. The total cost for the mod job was Rs. 2.5 lakhs, which is justified by the final result.

The picture above is of the time when the mod job was halfway between completion. In order to fit those huge tires, the fenders were chopped off and so were the bumpers. The front doors too were dismantled during the mod job as seen in the picture. The air filter on the SUV was made small and the water storage unit for the wiper/washer was also shifted a bit so as to make some space. Wheel spacers have also been fitted to accommodate the tires.

As the Dynapro MT tyres are the protagonist of this mod job and hence they deserve a special mention. The butch units are made by Hankook, which is form the same place as is Hyundai, that is, South Korea. The tires are big 33 inch brutes and are shod to 15-inch rim.

The Creta in question is the pre facelift version and gets powered by a 1.6-litre CRDi diesel engine. The engine churns out 126 bhp of max power along with 260 Nm of torque. It comes paired to a 6-speed manual and an automatic transmission option is available too. While it may still not a be an off road beast as other AWD or 4WD SUVs in the market right now, this Creta for sure will turn heads like no other while city driving.

The current generation Creta has the same powermills under its hood as in this varinat. This means that the 1.6 litre petrol, 1.6 litre diesel and the economical 1.4 litre diesel still power the SUV. However, it gets updated looks and tons of features. The features include electric sunroof and 6-way powered driver seats, smart key band and wireless phone charger. speed sensing auto door lock, sliding front armrest and height adjustable driver’s seat, cruise control, a new 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink are among the other features on the car. Prices start at Rs. 9.50 lakhs for the Hyundai Creta.

Also Read: All-new Jawa 42 & Classic: Hear the exhaust note [Video]

Jawa has made a comeback in the Indian market in an all-new form. The brand has launched three all-new bikes and of them get the same engine while the Perak gets a bigger bored engine Here is how the all-new Jawa bikes sound like.

The video shows the Jawa line-up getting ready for the official media test-drives in which the CarToq team is present too. The video shows how a four-stroke engine with dual-exhaust sounds on the Jawa bikes. Even though the engine is exactly similar to the Mahindra Mojo, the exhaust note is quite different. Jawa has tried to recreate the original two-stroke sound of the Jawa bikes and the low-end idling sound of the bike gets a thick note. However, at higher RPMs, the engine sound becomes anything like the most regular bikes. The dual exhaust set-up of the Jawa bike helps it to remain somewhat distinguished.

Jawa has announced that the motorcycles are starting to reach the dealerships and the official test rides would begin on 15th December this year. The Jawa Classic and Jawa 42 iterations are powered by the same 293cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine that is available with the Mahindra Mojo too. The engine produces a maximum of 27 Bhp and 28 Nm. The Perak, which is a higher powered bike gets a bigger bore set-up on the same engine. It gets a 334cc, single-cylinder unit that produces a maximum of 31 Bhp and 32 Nm. All the three bikes are paired to a six-speed manual transmission. The engine is Bharat Stage 6 ready, which means it is quite advanced and can be upgraded to meet the new emission norms whenever needed. All the three bikes get fuel-injection as standard.

It should be noted that only Jawa 42 is present at the media test drives. Initially, Jawa would only offer the Classic and the 42 in the market. However, at a later stage, the Perak would be made available in the market too. The Jawa 42 is priced at Rs. 1.55 lakh while the Jawa Classic is priced at Rs. 1.64 lakhs. The Perak, which will be available at a later stage is priced at Rs. 1.89 lakhs.

All the three bikes use telescopic front forks but the Perak gets a mono-shock in the rear, which gives it the signature Bobber look. The other two bikes get the regular twin-shock set-up in the rear. The Jawa Classic and 42 models get front disc brake and single-channel ABS as standard while the Perak gets disc brakes on both the wheels and dual-channel ABS as standard

Classic Legends, the owner of Jawa brand in India will set-up 105 dealerships of the brand across India. Jawa has already started taking official bookings for the bikes and the deliveries are expected to happen by late January 2019. The bikes are being produced at the Pithampur factory in Madhya Pradesh.

Also Read: All-new Jawa 42 & Classic: Hear the exhaust note [Video]

KTM 390 Duke and RC 390 are entry-level performance bikes that are known in the global markets for their value-for-money, performance and power. KTM launched the all-new 390 Duke last year but the fully-faired version of the 390 Duke is yet to receive such extravagant updates. KTM has been spotted testing the all-new RC 390 and it is expected to be launched in the global markets by mid-2019.

While the 390 Duke received a long list of updates including a new TFT console among many other things, the RC 390 only received a ride-by-wire throttle and a new belly pan. The new RC 390 that has been seen testing will get an expansive list of updates. The entry-level track bike is expected to get a new body fairing that would be quite different from the current version and would make the RC 390 much more aggressive. The bike would also get a new one-piece clear windshield that is quickly becoming a signature mark of the KTM bikes. The front head unit of the new RC 390 would get new LED headlamps and coloured TFT console, which are already available with the KTM 390 Duke.

The size of the windscreen is quite big and would save the riders from any windblasts while riding on the tracks. It is not clear from the pictures but the new RC 390 might get a larger fairing and a slightly bigger tank. It is not known if the overall dimensions of the bike changes and become larger but it sure would be more accommodating for the taller riders.

Other details that emerge from the spy picture is the newly designed subframe. While it looks quite different from the current version, KTM may put up a different type of subframe in the production version of the RC 390. The WP suspension may also get updated alongside the brakes. The engine is expected to remain same as the current one but with updates to make it cleaner. India has already announced that the BS VI norms would be enforced from 2020 and it would make some drastic changes in the market. Manufacturers who have their upcoming products line-up for the market are working to make the engines compliant to the upcoming pollution norms.

The RC 390 has remained one of the top-selling products in the segment in India. The value-for-money price tag makes it one of the top choices of the enthusiasts. While there are no direct rivals of the RC 390, motorcycles like the Yamaha YZF-R3 and Kawasaki Ninja 400 are the closest rivals in the Indian market.

The 390 twins are made in India and are exported to the markets around the world. Whenever the global launch of the new RC 390 happens, the Indian market would see the launch simultaneously. With the added features, the price is expected to go up by a bit too.

As of today, the KTM 390 twins offer the best bang for the buck in the sub-Rs. 3 lakh motorcycle segment, along with he recently launched Royal Enfield 650 twins.

Source

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The Mahindra Roxor has been making waves in the utility vehicle segment lately. The vehicle, which is only limited to the US markets, recently got entangled in a lawsuit by FCA over copyright issues. It has been marketed as a tough off road utility vehicles and its affordable price tag is the main USP Mahindra is riding on.

In the US market, it rivals the likes of Polaris Ranger and Honda Pioneer which are both proven off road vehicles. While there have been many reports and videos on how the Roxor performs, we today bring you a video by TFLoffroad which pits it against the competition. Take a look at the video to see how it fairs against the other utility vehicles.

The long video is very descriptive and shows the real life performance and usage of the Mahindra Roxor. The reviewer emphasizes on the fact that the vehicle feels very planted and takes a bit of muscle to drive as well. Compared to the Honda and Polaris offerings, the is longer but has the same width along with being equipped with 16 inch stock tires.

The first challenge it faces is in the form of a splash pit laden with ice. The Roxor, due to its low grounds clearance is unable to cross during the multiple attempts. however, the testes note that this does not have to do anything with power and it struggled because of a bit traction loss and poor approach angle due to the lower ground clearance. The Polaris Ranger and the Honda Pioneer cross the pit easily owing to their higher ground clearance along with better off road tires. The last attempt sees the Roxor also complete the challenge, although the traction loss still appears to be an issue due to open differentials.

The interiors are totally spartan compared to the other two, with functionality being the main focus. It gets a lot of space and decent seats but that’s that. The gear and clutch functionality is also pretty good and the Roxor is not very easy to stall in gear, which is actually a pretty great thing for off roading. The leaf springs means that the ride is quite bumpy as opposed to the other two which provide a cushioned ride. Next they run all the three vehicles through a rut to test articulation. The Roxor did fairly well and had it’s wheels on the ground for most of the time. The Honda Pioneer put on the best show and easily walked through the rut. The Polaris Ranger, on the other hand didn’t actually struggle but articulation was an issue for sure.

Crawling speed is lowest on the Polaris Ranger, followed by the Mahindra Roxor and then the Honda Pioneer. The Ranger’s lowest crawling speed was about 2 km/h, Roxor was at about 4 km/h and the Pioneer had a crawling speed of 4-5 kmph. While the Ranger and the Pioneer have CVT and DCT transmission respectively, the Mahindra Roxor has a more conventional manual gearbox. As for the pricing, the Pioneer is the cheapest, followed by Mahindra which is a shade expensive and then the Honda Pioneer.

The Mahindra Roxor gets powered by a  2.5-liter inline-four turbo diesel engine which churns out 62 Bhp of power and 195 Nm torque. It comes mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. It comes with a four-wheel-drive system as a standard fitment. The top speed is limited to merely 72 kmph as it falls in the off-highway category and is not street legal. Box steel frame, solid front and rear axles and leaf springs type suspension on all the four tyres are some other details that define the Roxor.

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Sports Utility Vehicle. This is a well abused term in the Indian car market with various manufacturers marketing their ‘grown up hatchbacks’ as SUVs. While we understand a 4×4 or an AWD is an expensive add-on and there aren’t too many takers, the vehicle itself should look big for the price, have enough street cred and most importantly, come with well sorted dynamics.

With these pointers in mind, I flew to the North West part of India, close to the Indo-Pak border to sample Nissan’s latest offering.

Stylish enough? 

It’s called the Kicks. Not a new name for Nissan as this is a famous name plate globally. For India though, given the cut throat competition and ever demanding trends, Nissan pulled up their socks and worked hard to get through some major changes. And it shows. This one is a stylish large crossover (or an SUV) and the raised stance works well to massage the driver’s ego. Its high off the ground too, delivering class leading ground clearance of 210mm. Partly responsible for this are the massive 17 inch diamond cut alloys that also look nice in the process. The lamps by the way get LED projectors with cornering lights.

The front is nice. But chrome is definitely overdone – it will work though as we Indians want our cars to be ever shiny. Matt black cladding is all around, the roof mounted rails are robust and can take a load of upto 100 kg, the wrap around tail lamps gel in nice – overall, its a nice design and the contrasting roof adds to the bling factor. As a factory production model, an owner won’t ask for more. Its that good. It even gets an aluminium plate at the lip of the loading bay of the boot with ‘Kicks’ branding. Dimensionally, its longer, wider and taller than the Hyundai Creta.

A cool cabin? 

Getting into the Kicks isn’t as easy a process as the Creta though. However once inside, the cabin design makes you smile – this is clearly the best interior ever seen on any Nissan product sold in India. Thankfully, there are no light coloured panels here but instead you get a mix of black and dark brown. Before I move on to the feature list, lets talk about the space first. At 6 feet tall, I still had about 2 inches of space left in terms of headroom and given the width, two well built adults up front won’t be rubbing their shoulders at all. As a driver, your vision level is way above the steering or the front wipers and this simply fuses more confidence into you in crowded spaces. The front seats also offer good under thigh support though the seat back isn’t too long for tall adults.

In terms of features, the Kicks is a bag of mixed beans. Don’t get my wrong – the 8-inch interface gives you bragging rights with the 360 view camera and the best audio quality in the segment. Climate control is standard across all trims, you get as many as four airbags and a cool speedometer display with an informative MID (multi-info display). Even the leather quality is really nice and the same soft touch leather extends to the central fascia and door pads of all four door. However, at the same time, there are clear shortcomings. If Nissan aims to lock horns with the Creta, they need to have essentials like a sunroof, powered driver’s seat and wireless charging in place. Even other features like a dead pedal, sunglass holder, or storage space under the arm-rest is missing. Even the cruise function activation button isn’t on the steering – but located on the right side on the fascia panel. Ergonomic flaw? Before I move to the second row, do note that the Kicks does not offer cup holders up front. There is however a deep storage space ahead of the gear lever.

The 2nd row of the Kicks is a good place to be. Feels nice in terms of space and comfort – the recline angle of the rear bench is nice for example. However, floor isn’t flat and the central hump will definitely intrude into the privacy of the middle passenger. You do get a dedicated charging outlet at the back along with a wide arm-rest. Two large sized, 6 feet tall adults can sit one behind the another and yet the rear occupant will have about 2-3 inches of knee room. Lastly, given the angular rear of the car, there is more than generous space above the parcel trays behind you. Trays, as there is not one, but two in here!

The boot space, at 400 litres, is less than the Creta’s and just over what the compact SUVs offer. But this is on paper – in reality, you can slot in a couple of large suitcase and still have ample space for 3-4 night strollers if you take off the parcel tray.

Does it have the punch? 

Though the Kicks will be sold with a pair of engines, one each for petrol and diesel, we could only sample the latter on the drive and I had no regrets. This is the same 1.5 dCi motor that we have seen in everything from the Micra to Sunny to Terrano and even the large Evalia. World over, the motor is known for its reliable nature. As expected, it is paired to a 6 speed manual ‘box and surprisingly, no automatic on offer. When the Duster can use the same engine with an AMT, why not you Nissan? Likewise, the petrol motor too gets a manual and no CVT, again, unlike the Duster.

Fire up the motor and all that effort that has gone into keeping the NVH levels low is visible. I mean, audible. The cabin is surprisingly very quite – be it on the move or at idle. Full marks to Nissan for this. Slot into first and the same 6 speed manual feels a lot better here – shorter throws & smoother shifts. And while there is a hint of turbo lag at about 1500rpm, post that, the Kicks flies and how. Our drive from Bhuj towards the border had its own share of empty stretches and this diesel version did kick some, err, dirt, in the process.

For numbers, the engine revs all the way to 5000rpm and in the process takes you to just over 40 in the first gear, 76 in second and 114 in third. The initial gears are short (gearing) for better city usage while the tall 6th ensures that at 2000rpm, you are doing a very healthy 92 km/h. Even at 80 km/h, there is enough torque on avail for overtaking slower moving traffic without a downshift. The engine then is definitely one of the strongest points about the Kicks – not in the league of the 1.6 Creta, but surely rewards you with a good drive. And oh by the way, in case you like being chauffeur driven, the Eco mode will come handy to extract the most from each litre of fuel.

And dynamics? 

Complementing the engine is the suspension set-up. For starters, ride quality is extremely good and even comfortable over broken tarmac. We drove to our camping site at the White Rann in the dark and thanks to blinding lights of oncoming traffic, crashed into pot holes and broken sections at almost triple digit speeds. The Kicks never lost its composure and this a big boost in terms of confidence while driving off the road. Likewise, the steering, though on the heavier side at parking speeds, weighs up nicely as speeds increase. Its still not very direct for highway runs, but given the minimal body roll, makes the Kicks a dynamically sorted vehicle.

Another point I need to make here is that on the move, noise insulation is terrific and its only once you are past 100 km/h that wind noise starts creeping in. Otherwise, its very easy to have a quite conversation among fellow passengers. Good work there Nissan. The Kicks also comes with what Nissan calls as “Intelligent Trace Control” – their own version of Vehicle Dynamics Control. Also, its got the best in class turning radius of just 5.2 m.

Should you buy one? 

The only remaining piece in the entire puzzle is the pricing. While bookings will be open later this week, prices will only be out next month. Dimensionally larger than the Creta and with slightly better (stylish) design, the Kicks offers a premium cabin but lacks a few essentials. The engine and ride quality are its USPs and so is the silent cabin. But to mark its territory in the 4m+ SUV segment, one that falls in the Rs 10-15 lakh bracket, Nissan will have to price this lower than its main rival, the Creta. Do we see a starting price of Rs 9 lakh for the petrol and Rs 10 lakh for the diesel version? There, I said it!

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Indian Motorcycles has officially launched the FTR 1200 S in the Indian market priced at Rs. 14.99 lakhs and has started taking official bookings for the bike. The motorcycle is available in two different variants – 1200 S and 1200 S Race Replica.

The Race Replica version is little pricier and costs Rs. 15.49 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi. All the Indian Motorcycle dealerships across the country are taking the bookings at a payment of Rs. 2 lakhs. The deliveries are expected to start from April 2019.

The motorcycles were first showcased at the 2017 EICMA show. Both the bikes have taken design inspiration from the FTR 750 race bike that won the American Flat Track championship series in 2016. The FTR 1200 S would be quite different from the other models in the cruiser-centric line-up of the manufacturer.

The FTR 1200 offers a race-inspired design and exquisite handling with an upright riding position. It would be perfect for people who want to do long-distance touring and ride enthusiastically too. It gets a ProTaper flat tracker aluminium handlebars that ensure maximum comfort and great looks.

The FTR 1200 draws power from 1,203cc, V-Twin engine that generates a maximum of 120 PS and generates a peak torque of 115 Nm. The engine gets 12.5:1 compression ratio, high flow cylinder heads, and dual throttle bodies. The engine itself gets a lot of magnesium parts that lower down the overall weight. For a free-revving engine, the engine uses a low-inertia crankshaft that ensures that the engine reaches the redline limit quite quickly. To give greater power of control to the rider, there are three ride modes – Sport, Standard and Rain with various systems like throttle response traction control intervention. There are also other features like Bosch six-axis inertial sensor that sends data to the central unit of the motorcycle.

The Indian FTR 1200 is based on a trellis frame and inverted front suspension with radially mounted Brembo brakes. The motorcycle has been designed by keeping racing enthusiasts in mind. Design elements like fuel tank under the seat for a lower centre of gravity. As the FTR 1200 is inspired by the race bikes, the airbox has been positioned directly above the engine to optimise the airflow.

The lower centre of gravity gives better handling capabilities to the FTR 1200.  For the ease of use, the FTR 1200 gets a 4.3-inch touchscreen instrument console that shows all the information in an easy way to the rider. Also, the rear swingarm and suspension are designed identically to the race bike FTR 750. It provides a race-look to the bike as well as gives it the capability to get maximum grip out of any surface. The motorcycle gets newly-developed Dunlop street tyres that come with unique flat track bikes-inspired tread.

The Indian FTR 1200 doesn’t have direction competition although buyers of the Ducati Diavel could be the target segment of this motorcycle. In the past, we had a similar motorcycle sold by Harley Davidson – the XR 1200 Sportster. It remains to be seen if traditional cruiser motorcycles opt for something that’s a lot more sportier.

Also Read: Hero MotoCorp may launch the XF3R to take on the TVS Apache RR310 in India

Cops in Ahmedabad recently caught a Mercedes Benz car under a drunk and drive case. The car in question, which is a Mercedes Benz GLA crossover, was seen driving around erratically which aroused suspicion. To let you know, Gujarat is a liquor free state and consuming liquor is a crime there, leave along drinking and driving.

One can only get and consume liquor if they have a liquor permit which is not easy to procure. The red Mercedes is registered in Ahmedabad.

The incident took place during last week’s Sunday night, and the Police arrested the people in the car under liquor prohibition charge and also seized the Mercedes car. There were reportedly two people in the car at the time of the incident. Bhargav Patel (24), resident of Nirnaynagar in Ranip and Timir Patel (44), resident of Sola were the two occupants who were taken under prohibition act laws and Motor Vehicles Act. Bhargav was the one who owned the Mercedes Benz GLA.

going by the FIR lodged with Vastrapur police, police first suspected something unusual when they saw a the Mercedes being driven irregularly and weirdly. The policemen then chased the car and intercepted it to check on what was going on. Upon opening the windows, they got welcomed by strong smell of liquor from inside the car. This led the police to check whether the occupants were drunk which tuned out to be positive.

In fact, both the guys were so drunk that they were not even able to speak properly and had slurred speech, unable to tell there names properly upon being caught. They did not even have a liquor permit which led the police to confirm the case of drunk driving and they booked the occupants for consuming liquor illegally, stated the FIR. The cops checked the car and later seized it for further investigation, said the FIR of the case.

The red Mercedes Benz GLA involved in this case is a high end vehicle. It starts at Rs. 32.33 lakh and goes all the way upto Rs. 80.67 lakh. It is positioned above the Mercedes Benz A class hatch in India but below the C-Class sedan. The five crossover is a mix of a hatch as well as an SUV and aims at being an alternative to big luxury cars by being compact for city usage and yet come with all the features and comfort of the premium offerings.

Drunk driving is a practice many people involve themselves into. India has a very high death by accident rate in which drunk driving is a significant contribute. One not only endangers his own life when he drives after or during consuming liquor but also a lot of other people to who are sharing the road. Never drive after drinking and if you have to, ask someone in your group who is not drunk to drive. If you are riding solo, it’s always better to park your car some where safe and get a cab or else, avoid drinking at all if you have to drive.

Source

Also Read: Hero MotoCorp may launch the XF3R to take on the TVS Apache RR310 in India

Every calendar year, manufacturers realign their prices to match the rising prices and other input costs. This year is no different and various manufacturers have already announced about the hike in prices of their vehicles effective from 1st January 2019. Tata Motors has also announced the rise of the price of its popular models including the Tata Tiago, Tata Tigor, Tata Nexon and the Tata Nexon. The exact price rise of each model of the Tata cars is not known about there will be a hike of up to Rs. 40,000. The new prices would be effective from 1st January.

Mayank Pareek, President, Passenger Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors, said,

“The changing market conditions, rising input costs and various external economic factors have compelled us to consider this price increase. We are optimistic on maintaining our growth trajectory in the coming year on the back of our robust portfolio consisting of segment-leading products like TIAGO, HEXA, TIGOR and the NEXON. “

Tata Motors currently has a wide range of products in its Indian portfolio. The Tata Nano, which now is only made on order is the entry-level vehicle of the brand and it starts at Rs. 2.36 lakhs, ex-showroom, Delhi. The Tata Hexa is currently the most expensive product in the line-up and the top-end version of the premium SUV is priced at Rs. 17.97 lakhs. Tata will also launch the much-awaited Harrier in January 2019. Tata has already started taking official bookings for the Harrier but the price has not been announced yet. It is possible that Tata Harrier’s top-end version would undercut the price of the Hexa as the Harrier only offers a 2.0-litre diesel engine with a 6-speed manual transmission. There is no 4WD option in the vehicle too.

Tata Tiago is the most popular and best-selling product of the Indian manufacturer. The small hatchback gets powered by both petrol and diesel engine options. There is a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated, three-cylinder petrol engine that generates a maximum of 85 Bhp and 114 Nm. There is a 1.1-litre turbocharged diesel engine too that generates a maximum of 70 Bhp of power and 140 Nm of peak torque. Tata offers an AMT automatic transmission with the petrol engine option. Tata recently launched the Tiago JTP that is powered by a 1.20-litre turbocharged engine that generates a maximum power of 112 Bhp and peak torque of 150 Nm. The Tata Tigor also comes with similar engine and transmission options including the JTP, high-performance version.

The Tata Nexon has also gained quite a lot of popularity in the market and has outsold popular models like Ford EcoSport in the market. The Nexon also gets powered by both petrol and diesel engine options. It gets a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine that generates a maximum of 108 Bhp and 150 Nm. The 1.5-litre diesel engine generates a maximum of 108 Bhp and 240 Nm of peak torque. Both the versions get AMT automatic transmission. Tata would also increase the price of other models in the line-up including the popular Tata Safari Storme.

Also Read: Hero MotoCorp may launch the XF3R to take on the TVS Apache RR310 in India

Driving in the mountains can be extremely fun for enthusiasts. The winding roads of the mountains give ample opportunities for the adrenaline flow for the people who love driving. However, mountain driving can be extremely dangerous and there are unforeseen things that can make the driving experience a nightmare. Here is one such video that shows how dangerous it can be driving on the mountain roads in India.

The video is from Himachal Pradesh and shows a landslide very closely. The video has been taken by a passenger of a bus which stopped after seeing the ongoing landslide. The video shows a few small stones falling down from the side of the mountain followed by a huge boulder that slid from its place and came down speeding on towards the road. The huge boulder can be seen falling in the ridge and it would have been disastrous if a vehicle was passing at that point.

Such landslides become very common in the Himalayan region during the monsoons. As the Himalayan range is still very young, such landslides are very common, especially when it rains heavily. One can get caught in such landslides if not being attentive towards the road. Landslides always start with small stones falling first followed by bigger chunks of dirt, stones and rocks falling. One should keep an eye on the road to see signs of possible landslides. It becomes quite difficult at night to spot such landslides.

Mountain roads throw various challenges to the road users. If driving in cold conditions, black ice can quickly form on the road that can cause the vehicles to slip. Black ice is crystalised form of water that form soon after the sunset. They make the road look like a wet surface and are difficult to spot. They can be extremely dangerous to any kind of vehicle, especially if driving at a high speed. It is always important to slow down and drive carefully when a wet surface is spotted, especially after the sunset.

Flash floods are also one of the major dangers in the mountains but they do not happen as often. Most mountain roads also serve as drainage for the places situated at a higher altitude and if it remains extremely heavily, the water can flow down on the roads sweeping the vehicles. However, it happens very rarely.

There are many dangers of mountain driving but one if one is more careful while driving, it can turn out to be an experience of a lifetime. Mountain driving needs much more concentration and one of the first and foremost rules is to drive in your own lane. Most mountain roads are undivided and new drivers often sway into the opposite lane while driving and it can cause massive accidents. Also, one needs to take care while overtaking. Overtaking on the blind corners can cause massive accidents.

Also Read: Hero MotoCorp may launch the XF3R to take on the TVS Apache RR310 in India

Mahindra has been developing its compact SUV since some quite now. Dubbed as S201, the compact SUV is based on the SsangYong Tivoli which is on sale in international markets. We have brought you many leaks and spyshots of the vehicle in the past, apart from renders that gave a pretty decent idea of how the car could look in production form.

However, today we bring you a spyshot courtesy Team-BHP. The spyshot clearly shows the headlamps and DRL design. Take a look on the pic to see if its similar to the rivals or different from them.

As seen in the picture, the S201 surprisingly feels familiar thanks to that design which seems to be a mix of Hyundai Creta and Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza. However, as these are not production ready vehicle and is seen here with heavy decoys, the final production version would be different. The L-shaped DLRs look quite stylish and are place on the top portion of the headlights. The end corners of the headlights away from the grille house the indicators and the whole headlamp unit is rectangular in shape.

Talking of the engine, the S201 is expected to be the most powerful SUV in the segment. It would get both petrol and diesel engine options. To be more particular, the petrol would be a 1.2-litre turbocharged unit that would produce around 135 PS of power. This makes it the most powerful vehicle in the segment, a position currently held by the Ford EcoSport. The EcoBoost engine on the Ecosport produces a maximum of 125 PS power.

The diesel engine would be also quite powerful and the company would use the Marazoo’s 1.5 litre turbocharged unit. However, Mahindra has not officially confirmed the diesel engine that would be used in the upcoming S201 but the Marazzo motor is likely to come in the car and tuned accordingly. In the Marazzo, the diesel produces a maximum of 122 PS power and 300 Nm torque. Currently, the Tata Nexon is the most powerful diesel compact SUV and it produces 110 PS of power along with 260 Nm of torque. A 6 speed manual would do the transmission duties on both the engines. Also, Mahindra is expected to equip the car with an AMT transmission to take on the rivals.

Talking of interiors and features, the new S201 is expected to come loaded with features. It will get a dual-zone climate control system, cruise control, sunroof and a large touchscreen unit for the infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple Car Play connectivity. Projector headlamps and 17-inch alloy wheels are some of the other things the SUV will come equipped with.

Mahindra has already launched the Marazzo MPV and the Alturas G4 SUV this year in India. The company has managed to keep the prices quite competitive and we expect the same for the S201. After all, pricing is one of the main aspect in a vehicle’s success in our country and Mahindra knows that quite well.

Also Read: Hero MotoCorp may launch the XF3R to take on the TVS Apache RR310 in India

Force Gurkha is a very capable vehicle and can take on the most difficult terrains. The vehicle comes with a lot of advantages like a hardtop roof and a factory-fitted snorkel. However, the Gurkha has remained one of the most underrated vehicles in the Indian automotive market and not as many of them are modified as the close competitor Mahindra Thar.

Here is a highly modified Force Gurkha by Bimbra 4X4 that gets an inbuilt tent mounted to roof for all the camping needs! The total cost of the modification job is around Rs. 7 lakhs and you can contact Bimbra 4X4 directly for more details.

The modification list is long and the Force Gurkha seen in the video gets a lot of aftermarket equipment. The Force Gurkha looks strikingly similar to the older-generation Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen that gives it a unique look. The vehicle also gets aftermarket front bumper which can is made out of metal for off-roading use. There is an integrated bullbar in the front bumper itself. The bumper also houses and protects the winch, which is concealed in the front bumper itself.

The vehicle also gets auxiliary lamps mounted on the rooftop. Such lamps can be extremely helpful while doing off-roading in dark conditions. The sides of the Force Gurkha gets thick wheel arches that save the vehicle’s body from any scratches during the off-roading days. At the rear, the vehicle gets two high lift jacks that can be used to recover the vehicle from most challenging situations. There are extra lamps mounted facing the rear of the vehicle too. The whole vehicle gets an external roll cage that will save the occupants if anything goes wrong and the vehicle turns over while driving.

The Gurkha also gets changes inside and the seats get stitched up in pure leather to give a much better feel. The rear seats have been replaced with front-facing seats and a new armrest has been installed that gets a cooler box to keep any drink cold. Even the dashboard gets pimped up with leather upholstery covering it all through.

The biggest addition to the Force Gurkha is the tent mounted on the top of the vehicle. In folded condition, the tent does not look out of the place and keeps neatly tucked inside the roof rail. Opening it creates a space enough for three adults. There are windows in the tent and a ladder that supports the weight of the tent and allows people to climb inside it. There is also a canopy that opens up to create a shade for relaxing. There are enough lights around the vehicle that keeps everything well-lit.

While camping is not a very popular activity in India, there are many who love the wilderness and often take their vehicles to the secluded sites. This camp set-up is much easier to unfold and pack than the conventional camps that need a lot of effort.

The modification list goes as follows:

External roll cage
Front bumper
Rear bumper
Wheel arches
Ironman rooftop tent and awning
Procomp steel rims
Yokohama Geolander tyres
Waeco 26ltr refrigerator with compressor
ARB on-board air compressor
Musclelift winch
KC lights 3 sets
Shovel
Jerry can 20ltr
Roof carrier
Arora Amber led bars
Soundproofed roof and floor and doors
Power windows 4 door
Rear captain seats
Pure leather upholstery on seats
Pure leather on dashboard
Roof lining
Door panels
Floor mats
Carpeting
Interior under seat lights
Switches panel
Navigation entertainment system

You can contact Bimbra 4X4 directly on +91-9810003704 for further details.

Also Read: Hero MotoCorp may launch the XF3R to take on the TVS Apache RR310 in India

Hero MotoCorp, world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and two-wheelers is majorly present in the commuter segment bikes. However, Hero is trying to push itself into the performance segment motorcycles as the demands for such bikes are growing in the market. According to a report on NewsX, Hero MotoCorp is working on the production version of the Hero XF3R concept that it showcased at the 2016 Auto Expo.

No details of the launch timeframe have been revealed yet but it may take a couple of years before the production version of the XF3R makes it to the market. When launched, the production version of the XF3R would be the brand’s largest bike by engine displacement and would be the most expensive product too. The bike would be launched in around 2020 after the BS VI emission norms become mandatory in the Indian market.

The XF3R concept showcased at the 2016 Auto Expo looked extremely sharp and the production version of the car would share many design elements with the concept version of the bike. However, high-end features like the single-sided swingarm, under seat exhaust muffle may not make it to final production version as they would increase the cost of the bike by quite a lot. The naked bike will have a heavy front-end design, which will include a sculpted tank, sharp tank extensions, chunky looking forks and futuristic headlamps. Hero may even offer LED headlamp to add a premium feel to the bike. To add to the styling, the production version of the bike would a mono-shock transmission in the rear and a regular telescopic fork in the front.

The bike is expected to get a trellis frame underneath and many parts of the frame would remains exposed to give a sporty touch to the machine. The bike would look pretty modern with alloy wheels and disc brakes on both the wheels. The production version of the XF3R is also expected to get a very attractive colour scheme, which will target the youths.

In recent times, the 300cc segment became quite crowded. The latest entrant in the segment is the TVS Apache RR 310, which is co-developed by BMW and TVS. Even though the TVS Apache RR 310 is a fully-faired bike, the Hero’s product would be priced near to it. Hero is currently working to develop an all-new 300cc engine in-house. The liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine is expected to produce around 28 BHP and 25 Nm. It would get a 6-speed transmission, which would be a first by any of the Hero-branded bikes till date.

The bike is expected to get a price tag of around Rs. 1.8 lakhs. Currently, Hero is working to launch the XPulse dual-purpose bike that was showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo. It would be launched by the mid-2019.

Source

Also Read: Hero MotoCorp may launch the XF3R to take on the TVS Apache RR310 in India

The modification game in India is going strong these days with almost every type of mod available in the scene now. SUVs and Jeeps are among the hot favorite of modifiers and off-road enthusiast as they provide a wide array of customization options. We in past have brought you many examples of gorgeously modified vehicles which include lowriders, wild off roaders, sleepers and replica jobs among others.

Today we bring you an example which is arguably the best done replica-mod job of recent times in our country. Take a look below at the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, which started off its life as a humble Mahindra Bolero. That’s quite right, what you see below was once a good old Bolero which now has been given a complete transformation and looks radical.

To be precise, it is a 2010 Mahindra Bolero CRDe model. However, it has gone under the knife and come out as a proper heavy duty Wrangler. The mod job has been done by Green Army Motorsports, a tuner and custom builder house based out in Gurgaon (Gurugram), Haryana. While there is no dearth of Thars and Boleros being turned into Wrangler these days, this one here is on a whole different level. One might not even be able to tell that this SUV was once a Bolero. The attention to details is quite remarkable and almost every part of the vehicle has been replaced, save for the mechanical bits. Let’s now get into more detail and see what all has gone into the making of this beast.

The whole body kit has been developed in house for this mod job. The original engine and chassis have been retained but rest of the car is completely different from its former self. The front fascia has been revamped and features a typical Jeep raked seven slot grille. The front bumper is an all new unit too with tow hook and a LED bar in place. The front bonnet and the fenders are custom made and match Wrangler’s profile. The roof features multiple blinkers on all sides and also gets twin sunroofs. Moving to the sides, we see the typical Wrangler profile with big ORVMs, custom made door panes and handles, wide fenders and a squared out look.

The rear tells the same story with a custom bumper and a huge spare tyre taking a big chunk of space. Notice that this is not just another front rear bumper-head-tail light mod job but rather a full blown customization work. The Wrangler Unlimited here has been done in satin matte grey colour with gloss black highlights. It looks very intimidating thanks to raised suspension setup along with those monstrous Maxis bighorn LT 315/75R16 tyres.

The interiors of this SUV too have been customized with a redesigned dashboard, powered seats, two sunroofs as mentioned before along with a host of other changes. The whole mod job took around month to get complete and involved a capital of about Rs. 8.5-10 lakhs. That price might be a turn off for some but when you consider that you get a SUV that can rub shoulders with the original Wrangler, it is quite a deal.

Green Army Motorsport Contact info:

Instagram

Phone number: +91 97113 96749

Also Read: Heavy discounts on BMW G310R, GS310; still more expensive than Royal Enfield 650 motorcycles

The Indian motorcycle market is currently seeing some of the most awaited launches. The arrival of Jawa, twin-cylinder Royal Enfield, more affordable KTM 125 Duke has warmed up the market very well. Now many other manufacturers are planning to launch their products in the growing Indian market and tapping into the growing business.

Yamaha, one of the biggest motorcycle manufacturers in the world also has a good presence in the Indian market and to push forward, they may launch a new dual-purpose motorcycle in the Indian market.

CarToq reader Manigandan Rajesh caught a new Yamaha dual-purpose bike on test on the Indian roads. The uncamouflaged bike reveals all the details of the bike, which may launch in the future. Yamaha has not ever announced or hinted the launch of any such entry-level dual-purpose motorcycle in the Indian market but now that the motorcycle market has become mature, Yamaha may as well test the new segment with the all-new product.

The first glimpse of the Yamaha XTZ 125 would remind you of the Hero Impulse, which has been discontinued in the Indian market for a long time now. The XTZ gets long travel front suspension and a mono-shock suspension in the rear. It also gets spoked rims that are very useful while riding on the rough roads and off-road. The spoked wheels are sturdier and are extremely useful during the off-roading. Other off-road-friendly features include under-seat exhaust, which increases the capability in deep water crossings too.  The bike weighs only 118 kg, making it very nimble to handle in the city traffic and off-roading.

Even though Yamaha has remained tight-lipped about the launch of a dual purpose model, they had announced that new set of entry-level motorcycles in the Indian market and this could be the part of the same. The Yamaha XTZ 125 draws power from 124cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine that produces a maximum power of 12.5 Bhp and 11.5 Nm of peak torque. It gets a 5-speed transmission. The engine remains quite simple and gets a carburettor. Yamaha has not said anything about the launch of the all-new bike but is expected to be launched by the mid of 2019.

The XTZ 125 would take up the place of the Hero Impulse when launched. The Impulse was discontinued to the low demands in the market and the brand would soon launch Hero XPulse 200. The XPulse would be launched later in 2019 and would be priced competitively.

The Yamaha XTZ 125, however, would the most affordable ADV in the Indian market when launched. There are quite a few other adventure bikes that may get launched in 2019. Hero is expected to launch the XPulse 200R while KTM would also bring in the 390 ADV in the Indian market in late 2019.

The adventure motorcycle segment in India is yet to take off in a big way even though Indian roads offer almost perfect conditions for such bikes. The launch of a slew of new offerings in this segment may make such bikes more popular in the coming years.

Also Read: Heavy discounts on BMW G310R, GS310; still more expensive than Royal Enfield 650 motorcycles

Motorcycling is often terms as an emotion. And its true that in most scenarios, four wheels move the body but two wheels move your soul. I couldn’t have experienced this again in a better way than on the Jawa 42 earlier this week in Udaipur. They say you need a special machine to ignite the biker in you – this one did it.

The name Jawa needs no introduction. Their re-entry into the Indian bike market comes via Classic Legends Private Limited, a subsidiary of Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd. The bikes are being made at the Pithampur facility in Madhya Pradesh and while I had a chance to sample one of the 20+ pre-production units, the smile on my face as I boarded the flight back to Delhi said it all. You can either watch the video below or continue to read my review…

My dad had a Jawa (Yezdi) in the 1980s and still has fond memories of his ‘wind in the hair’ experience at 100. My first up close and personal moment with a Jawa however was in 2011 when I used to organise motorcycling meets for the country’s largest biking platform, xBhp. At one such meet I bumped into a Jawa owner – the tall Delhiite used a simple one liner to summarise his experience with the bike, “Motorcycling should be a pleasure, not a duty or means of transport”. With these memories fresh in my mind, I flung my right leg over the 42, thumbed the started and rode on towards the second highest place in Rajasthan, Kumbhalgarh.

I was glad I got the 42. Its more affordable, has less chrome and looks a lot younger than the regular Jawa. I am a fan of matt colours and the 42 likes to flaunt the same. Don’t get me wrong – it has not lost any of its old world charm. The round headlamp, spoke wheels, complete lack of any extra body panels, exposed rear fender and retro design lines – these all work in tandem and make the bike look uber cool. And then there is the off-set speedometer console with ‘opposite’ needle for the speed. Nice little touch.

The engine looks massive and easily fills up the space under the tank. The twin exhaust outlets along with the large radiator also add to the bulk of the bike. Likewise, the twin exhausts look neat and make the bike look ‘heavy’ and large. I like the black finish for the front suspension upper part, rear view mirrors and the single pod. Chrome on the 42 is reserved for the engine casing, rear shocks and the twin silencers.

Worthy of a mention is the fact that Classic Legends is proud of the brand and the same is visible across the bike at a dozen-odd places. Right from the headlamp glass to the handlebar grips, side panels and even the rear part of the seat. Also, the regular Jawa (or let’s call it the Classic) gets a slightly different and a larger headlamp assembly with an integrated speedometer, a lot more chrome and a different handlebar.

In terms of features, both the bikes come with a single channel ABS, front disc, rear drum, spoke wheels and an electric starter. There is no kick lever on offer if you may ask. The speedometer console, keeping in line with the simplicity of the bikes, gets only a fuel gauge and an odometer. No trip display here.

With the design and features done, lets talk about the most important part, or the heart of the matter here. It gets a 293cc single cylinder motor that shares its architecture or the foundation with the Mojo. But a lot is different and the engine is clearly tuned for low-end punch rather than outright kicks. At 27 bhp of power and 28 Nm of torque, it makes 35% more power than the Classic 350 and yet is 22 kilos lighter – more on this later. This motor is clearly inspired from the original Jawa 250 engine and hence retains the forward inclined oval crankcase. It is also the first liquid-cooled engine to sport machined exterior fins and Jawa confirms it meets the upcoming BS6 or Bharat Stage 6 emission norms.

At idle, it is a smooth unit. Rev it slightly and the twin exhausts mean business. I accept though, the thumb of the Bullet is missing. The Jawa, however, has its own charm in terms of the music it belts out. We have also uploaded a quick video of how the exhausts sound without the DB killers and this is what will tick the fantasy of lot of Jawa owners out there. The engine comes mated to a 6 speed gearbox, one extra cog as compared to the Bullet. And no complains whatsoever with the shift action or the clutch feel. This includes clutch-less shifts on a relatively brand new engine.

Our ride started with about 40 kms of well paved four lane highway that runs to Abu and gave all of us miles of empty stretches to see what this bike can do. I agree its not meant for flat out riding but nevertheless, it hits about 50 in 1st, 75 in 2nd and just under 100 in 3rd. Pin the throttle and 120 comes up easily. That’s what the Bullet 350 manages after a while. Bend down more and keep her pinned and slowly but steadily, the speedometer needles kisses the 140 mark and rises up further. To be fair, I had a gentle downwards slope but for the record, I weight over 100 kilos. A lighter 70 kg rider will require less work to get to similar speeds. The engine is fairly rev happy too, having being co-developed at Mahindra Racing’s Varese facility in Italy.

But as I said, this is not what the 42 is all about. Can it cruise all day long as 90-95 without skipping a beat. Yes? And the moment we left the four lane for the state highway, the 42 came into its natural territory. With the ‘box in 5th and long flowing curves for company, I thumped along at 60-70 km/h, enjoying the countryside views while the sorted chassis took care of the bumps and undulations. This the real essence of the bike. Goan roads, empty Himalayan ghats or your lazy Sunday morning ride – the 42 is meant for such pleasures of riding. The amount of torque and power at lower revs is remarkable and so are the sorted NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) levels. Don’t rev her guts out and your palms will not be shaking at the end of an hour’s ride. The Jawa is that good.

The seat is clearly not. Its hard and most of us had a sore bum by the time we reached Kumbhalgarh. The upright riding stance is comfortable and so are the wider handlebars on the 42 (vis a vis the Jawa). 135mm of travel up front is excellent and the rear can be adjusted in five steps. Infact, I happened to carry my ‘Bruce Lee’ lid that has a black visor and hence crashed into potholes while riding in the dark but the 42 remain composed. The single channel ABS also kept the front in place the 1km off-road stretch to our hide-out the second day also proved how well tuned the suspension of the bike. I reckon they can make a proper dirt scrambler out of this. It will work. The brakes work well and Jawa confirms a dual channel ABS is in the works and that set-up will bring in a disc at the rear too. In terms of footwear, the Jawa rides on 18 inch spoke wheels up front and 17 at the back. The wheels come shod with MRF Zappers and grip during our ride was more than adequate. Until unless you want to scrap the pegs or the exhausts, the tyres will serve you just well.

For the pillion though, all is not well. The seat length isn’t generous and the two little grab handles on either side don’t help too much either. Your better half then will rely completely on your shoulders or your belly depending on the way they want to hold on to you.

At Rs 1.55 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the 42 is about 15k expensive than the Classic 350. For this price, the 42 offers you a single channel ABS and far better performance. It will turn as many (or even more) heads but what turns the tables in its favour is the ease of riding. It feels light on its feet, the suspension can take a lot of thrashing and this can hold 100 all day long without a stress. The twin exhausts will also earn you extra bragging rights. The dealerships are still not in place but the first ride experience was immensely positive. So, should you book one? I just did an hour back. ‘nuf said!

Also Read: Heavy discounts on BMW G310R, GS310; still more expensive than Royal Enfield 650 motorcycles

Nissan dealers have stopped taking fresh orders for the Terrano compact SUV, which indicates that the production has stopped. The Nissan Terrano is all set to be replaced by the Kicks, an SUV that shares its engines and platform with the former, but has completely revised looks. The Kicks will be launched in early January 2019, and bookings will open from the 14th of December, 2018.

The Nissan Terrano was the first badge-engineered vehicle that the Japanese automaker launched in India. The Terrano was based on the Duster and except for styling and interior colour scheme, the SUV was very similar to the Duster. This included mechanicals, and most of the features as well. However, Nissan had to price the Terrano higher as it was a badge-engineered vehicle.

This meant that the Nissan Terrano started off with a big disadvantage in the cost conscious Indian market and never really took off in terms of sales. Nissan did try to give the Terrano some freshness by facelifting it last year. However, even the facelifted model found few takers in a segment that continues to be dominated by the Hyundai Creta. The Terrano’s biggest strength was its ride quality, which was segment leading.

Given the fact that the Nissan Kicks shares its platform and most mechanical components with the Terrano, it’s likely that it will have great ride quality as well. The Terrano was offered with a choice of two engines. The petrol engine was a 1.6 liter, naturally aspirated unit with 104 Bhp-140 Nm. A 5 speed manual gearbox is standard. This engine has been carried over to the Nissan Kicks.

The diesel engine of the Terrano was a 1.5 liter K9K turbocharged unit, available in two states of tune. The lower state of tune was good for 85 Bhp-200 Nm while the higher state of tune offered 108 Bhp-240 Nm. Both engines get 6 speed manual gearboxes as standard while the more powerful tune also offered a 6 speed AMT option. On the Kicks, the same engine will be offered in 108 Bhp state of tune but an automatic gearbox won’t be on offer.

The Kicks will offer significantly more features than the Nissan Terrano, and is also expected to be costlier given all the additional features. However, Nissan will have to walk a tightrope in terms of pricing as the Kicks’ cousin – the Renault Captur – has been one of the biggest flops in the SUV segment in recent times, mainly due to its higher pricing. To avoid the same issue, the Nissan Kicks will need a very sharp price tag.

For now, Nissan India has not indicated a ballpark price figure for the incoming Kicks. We anticipate the SUV to start at a little under Rs. 10 lakhs, which means that it will rub shoulders with the Hyundai Creta. Since there’s no automatic variant on offer, the Kicks could be priced between 10-13 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi, for all variants.

Also Read: Heavy discounts on BMW G310R, GS310; still more expensive than Royal Enfield 650 motorcycles

Jawa recently held their first media drive and review session where we got the chance to ride the bikes in real life conditions. The company launched three bikes last month and created quite a hype among the masses. The Jawa made a comeback with three bikes, the 42, the Jawa and the Jawa Perak.

After the launch, one of the main complaint people were having with the Jawa bikes was that it did not come with a dual channel ABS or even a rear disk brake. However, the company is now set to resolve that issue and has revealed that the bike will be equipped with dual channel ABS system.

This will be done during the second quarter of 2019, before the new government rules become mandatory. The new law states all new two-wheelers displacing 125cc and above will need to be equipped with ABS from April 1, 2019 onward. This will make the already great Jawa bikes even more better.

However, the dual channel ABS equipped variants would get a price bump of around Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 15,000. The current prices of the Jawa are bang in middle of the Royal Enfield territory. The Jawa 42 is priced at Rs 1.55 lakh while the Jawa will set you back by Rs 1.64 lakh (both, ex-showroom Delhi).

The third bike in the company’s portfolio, Jawa Perak already has these features but it has not been made available yet. Also, it is priced at Rs. 1.80 lakhs and will be India’s first affordable Bobber motorcycle in regular production. Both the Jawa and the 42 are powered by a 293 cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that is tuned to produce 27 Bhp of power along with 28 Nm of peak torque.

The engine is paired to a 6-speed gearbox and is BS VI ready along with a catalytic convertor in place. The Jawa Perak, on the other hand, uses the same engine as the Jawa and the Jawa 42, but has a bigger bore. It displaces 332 cc and churns out 30 Bhp of power along with 31 Nm of peak torque.

The bike features a 280 mm disc brake up the front and a 153 mm drum brake set-up at the rear. Because there is no disc brake at the rear, the bike comes with only single-channel ABS. However, at its price point a dual channel ABS would have made more sense, especially since the bikes are powerful enough to do high speed runs.

Also, its main competitor Royal Enfield has updated the whole model lineup with dual channel ABS system. Therefore, it has  become a necessity for Jawa to do the same in order to stay competitive enough. If the company keeps the difference between single channel and dual channel ABS bikes at or under Rs. 10,000, it would lead to more people choose the safer dual channel setup.

Moreover, dual channel ABS set-ups are more safe than single channel ABS units, and are a lot more effective in real world conditions. It’s a good thing that Jawa is not compromising on one of the most important safety feature that a motorcycle can have.

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