Mahindra Roxor is a big hit in the USA market. It is only available in the USA right now and is being sold as All Terrain Vehicle (ATV). It is not road legal in the United States but it has been picked up on the radar of many modders and custom vehicle makers. There are quite a few examples of modified Mahindra Roxor ATVs in the USA. Here is one such modified Roxor that has been tuned to produce much more power than the stock.
The Mahindra Roxor is powered by a 2.5-litre turbocharged direct injection engine that produces a maximum power of 62 Bhp and a peak torque of 180 Nm. The engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission and a 4X4 system. It also gets a low-ratio transfer case that makes it much more capable on the off-roading trails. The 2.5-litre engine is the same engine that powers the Mahindra Bolero in the Indian market.
Dirt Legal, a USA-based modification house has re-tuned the Mahindra Roxor’s ECU to make it produce more power. The ECU has been flashed and new software has been installed on it so it produces more power. While the engine of the Roxor produces a maximum of 62 Bhp, the power reaching the rear wheels of Roxor is only 52 Bhp due to the various power leaks like transmission loss and drivetrain loss. As per the Dyno readings, the Roxor’s rear wheels in 2WD mode gets only 52 Bhp of maximum power and 180 Nm of peak torque. After the ECU tuning was done, the Roxor produces a whopping 115 Bhp of maximum power and 339 Nm of peak torque in the rear wheels. This is a massive increase in power and torque figures.
We are not sure if anyone has tried doing the same in India with the Bolero’s engine but the engine itself has the potential to produce much more power than the stock. However, ECU tuning changes a lot of things other than the power output of the vehicle. ECU, which stands of Engine Control Unit controls the way engine works. All modern vehicles come with an ECU. The ECU controls the combustion of the engine by controlling the opening and closing of the valves. It takes input from the accelerator pedal and makes the engine behave as it is supposed to.
Re-tuning the ECU means that modifying the software of the ECU with new values that causes the valve to open more and the injectors to spray more fuel, which increases the power output of the vehicle. It is basically a way of pushing the engine to its limit. It produces much more emissions than the stock ECU and also decreases the fuel efficiency by a great deal.
Honda announced the launch of the CB300R in the Indian market earlier this year. The Japanese manufacturer has already started taking bookings for the all-new bike in the Indian market it is expected to be launched soon. Honda has announced that the all-new bike would be attractively priced and the price tag will be below Rs. 2.5 lakhs. It will take on the KTM 390 Duke, which is priced at Rs. 2.44 lakhs, ex-showroom. However, it is less powerful than the 390 Duke.
The upcoming bike will be the new flagship of the brand and will be powered by a single-cylinder, 286cc, 4-valve, liquid-cooled engine. It churns out a maximum power of 37 Bhp and a peak torque of 27.5 Nm. The bike is already available in many international countries and here is what it sounds like in real life. The Honda CB300R sounds like a typical single-cylinder engine. It gets a single exhaust set-up and has a very deep and throaty sound. It actually sounds quite similar to the Honda CBR 250 present in India but in the video, it seems a bit louder.
The all-new CB300R bookings started on 15th January and the price announcement is expected to happen next month. The deliveries will also begin by next month in the Indian market. The bike will be imported as Completely Knocked Down (CKD) unit and will be assembled in India to keep the price competitive. The all-new bike’s design is inspired by Honda Neo Sports Cafe and it gets a very strong and muscular design.
Honda CB300R gets tubular and pressed steel frame. The swing arm is made up of an irregular steel plate, which has been shaped uniquely in the cross-section to give the bike a minimalistic look. The Honda CB300R uses an upside-down front fork and a 7-step fully adjustable rear mono-suspension. To give a comfortable and unique seating posture, the Honda 300R gets tapered handlebars, which are set at 40 degrees. This also makes the turning radius better and allows the bike to be manoeuvred easily on the crowded roads.
The all-new Honda CB300R also gets a fully digital console that gives a long list of information to the rider. Honda has designed the instrument cluster in a way that it is visible even under the direct sunlight. The bike also gets full LED headlamps, which is also present in the KTM 390 Duke. All the other lamps in the bike including the turning indicators, parking lamps, stop lamp are LEDs. The headlamp also gets a horseshoe inspired LED element, which forms the DRL of the bike.
The all-new Honda CB300R is available in two different colours – Matte Axis Gray Metallic and Candy Chromosphere Red. The bike will be available only at the Honda’s flagship Wing dealerships across India.
Maruti Suzuki Alto is one of the most popular cars in Indian Market. This entry-level car from Maruti Suzuki is one of the highest selling cars in the country. News is coming that this small hatchback is all set to get an update this year. According to ET Auto, Maruti Suzuki is modernising the hatchback with a new BS VI engine, enhanced safety features, exterior and interior upgrades. The new Alto is likely to be launched by the end of this year.
Maruti Suzuki had launched Alto in 2000 and it has been the best-selling car for the brand for many years. It later lost its crown to the bigger sibling Maruti Dzire. It was brought in as a more spacious and comfortable alternative to the then entry-level car Maruti 800. Over the years, Alto has replaced 800 and has become company’s entry-level model.
The design of the Alto has also gone through a major overhaul over the years and looks quite different from the original design. More than 35 lakh Maruti Alto’s are sold so far. Maruti is under pressure to give the Alto an upgrade as the design of the outgoing model feels a bit outdated and the competitors in the segment have either upgraded the existing cars or have come up with new models.
Ever since its launch, the Renault Kwid with its SUVish looks and modern features like touchscreen infotainment system is giving the Maruti Alto tough competition. Maruti officials have said “With a lot of customers coming from younger generation, the company wants to upgrade the model with modern specs, including modern in-car entertainment.”
They have also said that heavy changes will be made in Alto’s design in view of growing competition in the hatchback segment. The new Alto will also be more safe and secure and will comply with the latest crash test norms.
The current generation Alto is powered by an 800-cc three cylinder petrol engine producing 448 Bhp and 69 Nm of torque.
Maruti Suzuki also sells a CNG version of the same. It competes with cars like Renault Kwid, Datsun Redi-Go and Hyundai Eon. Maruti Suzuki will also try to keep the price of the upcoming Alto similar to the existing line-up. As for pricing, the new Alto is expected to be positioned similar to the outgoing model. The new car will continue to be Maruti’s least expensive model, and one of India’s most affordable cars.
Scooters have become increasingly popular since the last few years. Now, almost all two wheeler manufacturers have at least one scooter in their lineup. Ease of use and unisex appeal are some of the reasons why they have become a regular feature of roads. However, there are some scooters that are leading the change or are spearheading the market in some way or the other. Here’s a look at six such scooters that are the leading the market in some way or the other.
Honda Cliq
The Honda Cliq is a simple and affordable scooter mainly aimed at the sub urban and rural areas of India. Its main USP is its price, as it starts at just Rs. 44,664 (ex-showroom, Delhi) which makes it among the most affordable scooters sold here. The Cliq is powered by a 109.19 cc motor that puts out a decent 8 Bhp of power along with along with 8.94 Nm of torque. It has a kerb weight of just 102 kg and gets a claimed fuel efficiency of 60 km/l. While its styling may not suit everyone’s taste, the Cliq is one value for money package for sure.
Honda Activa
The Honda Activa is the best selling scooter in India and rivals the sales figures of even top selling bikes like the Hero Splendor. First launched in 2000, it is among the oldest running scooters of India. The reason why we are keeping the Activa on this list is because of the peace of mind factor that is attached to it. It is built quite solidly and is powered by a tried and tested 109 cc motor which produces 8 Bhp of power along with 9 Nm of torque. Reliability and trust are the two main factors which are responsible for Activa’s success.
TVS NTorq
The TVS NTorq is probably the most tech laden scooter in the country. It is also a great all rounder, with all the boxes ticked right. The Smartxonnect feature lets you connect your smartphone to the scooter via an app and access all the details and data among many other functions. It is powered by a 124.79 cc engine that produces 9.1 Bhp of power along with 10.5 Nm of torque. Also, it is among the best looking scooters of India which match its sporty nature.
Piaggio Vespa
The Piaggio Vespa is the ultimate retro-chic scooter and that is its main USP. The Vespa sports a mix of modern and retro scooter designs and looks pretty cool while at it. Behind that pretty face is a powerful 150 cc motor that produces 11.4 Bhp of power along with 11.5 Nm of torque. The Vespa also has a 125 cc variant, and it is also quite a attractive scooter in its segment. The unisex appeal along with the unique colour options it comes with ensure that the rider will be the centre of attraction wherever it goes.
Suzuki Burgman Street 125
Maxi Scooters are not something that were very popular in India. The Kinetic Blaze was the first maxi scooter to be launched in India but it was not successful. However, Suzuki tried the formula again with the Burgman and it is quite a good scooter. It is designed to be comfortable over long rides and even gets a proper windshield for the purpose. The comfortable and wide seat along with large and wide foot area ensure that long distance travel is never a pain for the rider. Though it is a 125 cc scooter, the Burgman is a good start for the maxi scooter segment in India.
Aprilia SR150
Scooters were not considered to be sporty or enthusiasts focused until Aprilia launched the SR150 in India. One look at it and it was clear that this scooter means business. It is powered by a 154.8 cc motor that churns out 10.25 Bhp of power along with 11.4 Nm of torque. Coupled with its light weight of just 122 Kg and good handling, the SR150 is a hoot to drive. Aprilia has defined that scooters can be fun to and has brought back the joy of riding into the scooter fraternity.
Mahindra is all set to begin its 2019 innings with the launch of the new XUV300. The launch date is slated to 14th of February, 2019. Thanks to some clever TVCs and campaigns, the upcoming Tata Nexon competitor has gained popularity much before its launch.
To get people more interested in the vehicle and to provide them a one-on-one interaction platform with the XUV300, Mahindra has planned to showcase it in public before the official unveiling. This will happen at Sujana Mall, Hyderabad in an openly conducted event.
The same strategy has been used by many brands in past, the latest of them being MG. Mahindra will showcase the XUV300 on 26th and 2th of January from 11 AM onward. Such interactive events let people know the car better and often help brands to culminate reactions and feedback on the vehicle before its formal launch. For people, it is a great chance to have a hands down experience of the car much before it makes it way to the market. Malls are quite populated places and easily accessible by anyone, which is the reason why these events are being help in malls of lately.
Talking about the car, the XUV300 has been touted to be the most feature rich car in its segment by the company. It comes with many segment first features that include dual-zone climate control system, front parking sensors, seven-airbags and disc brakes on all four wheels. There are many other features on the car too including the sunroof, 8.0-inch touch-based infotainment system, cruise control, leather seats, projector headlamps with LED and more. Dimension-wise, the all-new XUV 300 will get the longest wheelbase and widest body in the segment. This is because the XUV300 is based on the SsangYong Tivilo which is longer than 4 meter. The overhangs have been cut to bring the vehicle under the 4 meter criteria. However, the wheelbase has been left to be the same.
The all-new XUV 300 will be powered by both petrol and diesel engine options. There will be a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine that generates about 200 Nm while the diesel variants would be powered by the 1.5-litre engine that debuted with the Mahindra Marazzo in the market. On the Marazzo, this engine produces 121 Bhp of power along with 300 Nm of torque. Both the engine options would be offered with a 6-speed manual transmission but Mahindra is expected to add automatic transmission soon after the official launch of this Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza rival.
In its segment, the Mahindra XUV300 will rival the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and Tata Nexon. Currently, the Vitara Brezza is the best selling vehicle in the sub-compact SUV segment, followed by Tata Nexon. The XUV300 is a feature rich car with good engines and its success now rests in the hands of the official price reveal by the company, which will happen on 14th of February.
The 2019 Bajaj Dominar is just weeks away from launch. Here’s a video shot by one of the stunters who was involved in making the TCV of the new motorcycle. This video is from September 2018, and it lists out the various changes on the 2019 Bajaj Dominar, and is more of a short ride review on a pre-production version of the motorcycle.
As the video reveals, the 2019 version of the Bajaj Dominar is a facelifted model that has a host of improvements mainly made after listening to existing Dominar owners. The motorcycle gets upside down front forks, a larger radiator, revised instrument cluster, twin barrel exhaust, revised rear view mirrors and a new side stand. Smaller but significant changes include a new fuel tank and a revised headlamp design.
The rider suggests that the 2019 Bajaj Dominar feels vibration-free and a lot more refined than the older version. The noise from the engine is said to be reduced while the typical first gear clunk than the older Dominar used to suffer from has been eliminated in the new model. The motorcycle’s handling is also said to have gotten better thanks to the upside down front forks. All in all, the 2019 Dominar is a big improvement over the current version.
According to the Youtuber, the 2019 Bajaj Dominar is likely to be priced about 20,000 rupees higher than the older version given the number of changes it features. The launch is just around the corner and Bajaj dealerships across India will soon start pre-booking the new motorcycle. The 2019 Bajaj Dominar will not just be sold in India but also exported to many countries around the world where Bajaj has significant presence.
The engine of the motorcycle is expected to retain the 373cc capacity, and 35 Bhp-35 Nm outputs. The focus on the 2019 Dominar has been on increasing refinement levels all around rather than making it more powerful. The 6 speed manual gearbox has also been refined, and the slipper clutch is retained as is. The Dominar will continue to be Bajaj Auto’s flagship motorcycle, sitting right at the top of the variant line up.
The non-ABS version of the 2019 Bajaj Dominar will not be made as the Indian laws now mandate ABS on all two wheelers that have engines bigger han 125cc. The new Dominar will be pitched as a sports tourer that’s a lot more powerful than the other option that buyers have – 500cc Royal Enfields. We’ll have to wait and watch if Bajaj Auto continues to make TVCs poking fun of Royal Enfields. The new motorcycle is also aimed at growing sales of the Dominar 400, which by Bajaj Auto’s own estimates, has fallen short of targets.
Tata Motors have announced a price hike for on the Hexa lineup. With this, the Hexa is back as the current flagship vehicle of the company before the H7X takes the honour to itself. The reason for this price hike is said to be an internal company decision, taken in a bid to reinstate the Hexa as the flagship vehicle of the company. The price hike has seen a uniform increase of Rs. 19,000 across all variants from previous prices. However, the base XE variant’s price has seen a increase of Rs. 42,000.
Tata Hexa Variants
Old Price
New Price
XE (7-Seater)
Rs 12.57 lakh
Rs 12.99 lakh
XM (7-Seater)
Rs 14.19 lakh
Rs 14.38 lakh
XM + (7-Seater)
Rs 15.27 lakh
Rs 15.46 lakh
XMA (7-Seater)
Rs 15.43 lakh
Rs 15.62 lakh
XT (6/7-Seater)
Rs 16.64 lakh
Rs 16.83 lakh
XTA (6/7-Seater)
Rs 17.80 lakh
Rs 17.99 lakh
XT 4X4 (6/7-Seater)
Rs 17.97 lakh
Rs 18.16 lakh
All prices listed are ex-showroom, Delhi
Tata launched the Harrier on 23rd of January and has placed it with a start price of Rs. 12.69 lakhs. This was Rs. 12,000 more than the asking price of the base Hexa, which retailed at Rs. 12.57 lakhs. Therefore to make the Hexa their most expensive vehicle again, Tata has increased the prices of the SUV crossover. It is possible that there may be other reasons also for this sudden price hike but seeing the timing and amount of hike, this angle is quite evident.
For those of you who might be thinking that why is the company not making the Harrier as flagship, we have an answer for you. Actually, the flagship vehicle of a company is the one that is the most expensive. With the Harrier, Tata is aiming to place it as an affordable option against all the SUVs in the segment and therefore does not want the flagship status to fall in its lap. Therefore, it has pushed the pricing of the Hexa so as to make it the flagship vehicle again. However, with the launch of the H7X by the end of this year, the Hexa will lose its flagship status to the former.
Talking about the Hexa, it comes with comfortable and feature rich interiors apart from a boxy but smart exterior design. The feature list on the car includes smoked projector headlamps, LED DRLs, 19-inch alloy wheels, Benecke-Kaliko upholstery, ambient mood lighting (8 colours), 10-speaker JBL sound system, 8-way adjustable driver’s seat and cruise control.
The Tata Hexa is powered by a 2.2 lotre diesel engines that comes with two tune levels, the Varicor 320 and Varicor 400. The Varicor 320 engine produces 148 Bhp of power along with 320 Nm of torque. The Varicor 400, on the other hand, develops 154 Bhp of power and 400 Nm of torque. The Hexa is available with both 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmission choices. A Borg Warner-made AWD system is available only upon selecting the Varicor 400 engine and the 6-speed manual transmission variant.
Ford EcoSport is actually one of the vehicles that kick-started the trend for compact SUVs in the country and ever since then, the popularity for such vehicles have kept on increasing in India. It is also one of the best selling models for Ford in India. Ford is now working on the next generation of the EcoSport and sources suggest that the next-gen EcoSport is likely to be called Puma.
The Ecosport’s successor will be based on the new International Fiesta platform and is likely to have a similar design as that of the hatchback. The new EcoSport has been caught testing many times under heavy camouflage. Ford might showcase their new SUV at the upcoming Frankfurt Auto Show in September.
Talking about the design language, the new SUV gets a drooping roofline that gives it an aggressive look. It would get a sleeker looking headlamps and LED tail lamps. Another change that can be expected in the new SUV is that it might not have a spare wheel mounted on the tail gate like the current generation Ford EcoSport.
The current Ford EcoSport has been a big success in emerging markets such as India and Latin America. However, the compact SUV has been a slow seller for Ford in developed markets including North America and Europe. The shift from the SUV stance to the crossover stance for the next-generation EcoSport seems to be a tactic employed by Ford in order to make the vehicle more popular in developed markets. It remains to be seen how emerging markets react to the new design though as it has none of the butch-ness associated with the EcoSport nameplate.
What also remains to be seen is whether Ford will have two designs for the new EcoSport – a butch version for emerging markets including India and a crossover-ish version for developed markets. This also explains the new name that’s doing the rounds for the next-gen EcoSport.
The next-generation EcoSport will continued to be powered by a 1.5L Dragon series engine which is BS VI compliant. The 1.0L Ecoboost engine will also remain on offer but, Ford may drop the 1.5L diesel engine eventually due to stricter emission norms.
Ford even offers a different variant for the EcoSport in the International markets with 4WD system. The 1.5L Dragon petrol engine produces 120 Bhp and 150 Nm torque. The 1.0L turbocharged Ecoboost engine generates 125 Bhp and 170 Nm of torque and the 1.5 TDCI diesel engine produces 98.6 Bhp and 215 Nm of peak torque. Ecosport offers a 6 Speed Automatic transmission with Dragon series petrol engine variant.
In India, Mahindra and Ford have entered a wide encompassing joint venture which will not just involve co developing cars for the future but also sharing distribution networks. For the first time ever, Mahindra dealers in smaller towns of India have begun retailing Ford cars. This move is meant to expand Ford India’s reach into smaller towns of India.
Maruti Suzuki Arena was launched last year when all the regular, non Nexa showrooms of the manufacturer were rebranded to Arena. Maruti Suzuki has launched a new TVC that shows all the services provided by Maruti Suzuki Arena. The video shows all the services starting right from buying the car and through the life cycle of the vehicle.
Maruti Suzuki Arena allied services consist of various different features for the customers. The video first talks about the finance program of the Maruti Suzuki, which provides instant car finance and loans. Customers can walk into any Maruti Suzuki Arena dealership and get the loan approved for their purchase. The video also talks about the Maruti’s “iCreate” customisation service. Maruti Suzuki allows customers to pick and choose customisation accessories for their vehicles including body kits, accessories, alloy wheels, and various other things like floor mats, speakers etc.
The iCreate service is aimed to give a unique experience to the owners and get a unique looking car on the road. Further, the video shows extended services like extended warranty and Maruti Suzuki Loyalty Points program too. The Loyalty Program allows the customers to buy genuine accessories and gather points on the card. The points can be used against getting discounts on new accessories.
The video also talks about the Maruti Suzuki Insurance and how easy and hassle-free it is to get the vehicle repaired when something unforeseen happens to the vehicle. Maruti Insurance allows customers to do cashless transactions and get the approvals for repairs quickly. Maruti Suzuki Arena allied service also consists of the Maruti Suzuki Road Side Assistance. The roadside assistance is a pretty handful, especially if the car has broken down on a secluded stretch of a road or the fuel is empty. Maruti Suzuki Road Side assistance can be requested from the Arena app itself. The roadside assistance also provides tyre replacement and towing services. It is very important for people who travel late at night or travel often on highways.
Maruti Suzuki also has driving schools around India and that is the next thing highlighted on the video. The video shows that Maruti Suzuki Driving schools use modern and scientific techniques like driving simulators to teach the learners and also provide them with completion certificates. The program is 21 days long and anyone above 18 years old can join it.
Maruti Suzuki is one of the few manufacturers in India who provide home servicing of the cars. One can book the services on the app and the authorised personnel will come to the home to service the vehicle. The video then shows the Maruti Leasing Services and refer a friend program. Customers can refer friends and families to gain points and use them as a discount to upgrade to a new Maruti Suzuki car.
The KTM Duke 390 is scarily fast, and very affordable too. This combination has made it the king of Indian streets, when it comes to traffic light GPs. The latest upstart in the high-performance motorcycle segment that’s still within the reach of enthusiasts is the Kawasaki Ninja 400. The motorcycle was launched in India last year. And here’s a drag race between the Duke 390 and the Ninja 400. Has the Duke finally met its match? Watch, to find out!
As the video clearly reveals, the Kawasaki Ninja 400 simply demolishes the KTM Duke 390 over multiple runs. What’s also clear is that the KTM Duke 390’s low end torque gives it that initial push, which makes it keep its nose ahead of the Ninja 400 for a few seconds before the top-end rush and extra displacement help the Ninja race past the Duke 390.
Now, for some numbers. The KTM Duke 390 clearly starts out with a displacement and power disadvantage. The motorcycle’s 373cc, single cylinder engine puts out 43 Bhp-35 Nm, which is lower than that of the Kawasaki Ninja 400s 48 Bhp-38 Nm pumped out from a 399cc, parallel twin engine. While the Duke 390 makes its maximum torque at 7,000 rpm, peak torque of the Ninja 400 comes in at 8,000 rpm.
While the KTM Duke 390’s engine has the rev limiter kicking in at 10,500 rpm, Kawasaki has allowed the Ninja 400 to rev right up to 13,000 rpm. This allows the Ninja 400 rider to stay in a single gear for longer, and this is critical in a drag race as gear shifts – however rapid – do tend to lower times. The Duke 390 has one big advantage in its arsenal though – kerb weight.
At 154 kilograms dry, it’s nearly 20 kilos lighter than the Ninja 400. In this particular drag race, the Duke’s combined weight is about 220 kilograms including the rider while that of the Ninja 400 is about 260 kilograms. So, that’s a massive 40 kilo difference that more or less negates the higher power and torque advantage of the Ninja 400.
So what makes the Ninja 400 faster despite being evenly matched?
1. The ability to stay in a single gear for longer thanks to the higher rev limit is simply the factor that seals the deal, or rather drag, for the Ninja 400, helping it win.
2. Age. The Kawasaki Ninja 400 used in this drag race is brand new. The KTM Duke 390 is 5 years old, and this more or less blunts it performance slightly. The newer Duke 390, with 37 Nm of torque on tap, is likely to run the Ninja 400
much closer.
Which motorcycle is better for the street?
The KTM Duke 390. Yes, the motorcycle is slightly slower than the Ninja 400 when it comes to an outright drag race, and even in terms of the top speed, it’s likely to be slower. However, what really matters on the street is not the ability to rev really high but to stay light and nimble, and shoot through gaps that open up in traffic.
The Duke 390 really excels on this front and the Ninja 400 is more of a high speed highway bike that can do track days. As for pricing, the locally manufactured Duke 390 is priced at Rs. 2.43 lakhs, which is nearly half of the CKD import Ninja 400’s 4.69 lakh rupee price tag. The pricing makes it a no-brainer.
Rajiv Bajaj had earlier revealed that the next line of scooters they will manufacture will be electric scooters and not conventional gasoline powered ones. This will be done under the brand name of Urbanite, a marque that the company has been working on since long. While the last bit of information we told you was in public domain since long.
However, he has revealed further about the future plans of his company during the recent unveiling of the brand’s new identity, ‘The World’s Favourite Indian‘.
Rajiv Bajaj talked about Urbanite and said that it is coming soon. In his own words:
Most of you are here with the expectation that electric scooter is going to appear on stage. I am sorry to disappoint you that’s not going to happen today! But it will happen soon…
The company has been working on it since some time and many important decisions have been taken for the same till now. A separate business unit dedicated to the electric vehicle division called as UBU (Urbanite Business Unit) has been created. It is in addition to the existing MBU (Motorcycle Business Unit), IBU (intra-city business unit), EBU (export business unit) and PBU (Probiking Business Unit) divisions.
During one of his older conversations, Mr. Bajaj said that they are working very strongly on electric two-wheelers and the focus is more on the aesthetics of the product. In his own words, :
People are not buying Tesla because of its batteries, they buy because it is beautiful. So our way to approach electric mobility is not to make a battery on two-wheels (but) it is to make the most beautiful two-wheeler in the world.
During one of his more recent interviews with Forbes, he touched upon the subject of Tesla again. According to Rajiv Bajaj,:
When we develop an electric two-wheeler, whether bikes or scooters or mopeds or bicycles, it will be a Tesla-like business. This brand will be purely electric. The best solution is when the brand itself is electric. Toyota is not an electric brand. it’s a petrol, diesel brand also making electric vehicles. But with Tesla, it’s not the case. you would be aghast if tomorrow Tesla launches a petrol Tesla.
Electric scooters have been around in India since long but have not gained popularity as of yet. The initial state of electric scooter journey began with the likes of Hero Yo-Bike along with many other players. However, the recent launch of the Ather electric scooter brand has brought some serious attention in the segment.
Recently, Mahindra’s GenZe electric scooter was also caught testing in India and we expect a launch in the coming time. With the government already pushing for electric vehicles, many other players will also jump into the electric bandwagon. Bajaj too is planning to same with the Urbanite’s e-scooter, before this electric thing gets popular among public
Car buying can be a tiresome process for many. The whole process of narrowing down to the car of your choice, securing the right deal, getting the formalities among others can be a daunting task for some. However, if you know the right choices to make and follow common sense, the whole process will just go like a breeze. For the same, we today bring you 10 mistakes to avoid while buying a new car.
Pre-delivery Inspection
Now this is one of the most overlooked thing while buying a car. Pre-Delivery Inspection or PDI is the final and through checkup of your car before handing it over to you. Dealers sometimes try to skip this step and hand over the car without a PDI certificate. Many people are not aware of this and overlook this important process. However, one should always ensure they have the PDI certificate before taking delivery. Also, if the dealer is showing some hesitance, insist on getting it done. This way, any manufacturer defect would not become your headache.
Not playing dealer against another dealer to score the best deal
This is one of the older tricks in the book. Playing the dealer vs dealer card can yield amazing deals and discounts on the car you are interested in. What this means is that you should get quotes from multiple dealers of the same company and use them against the price suggested by another dealer, stating that the other dealer is offering a better deal. While it may not be that successful sometimes, it mostly yields pretty good deals.
Resale value
A pink or similar shade car is a strict no-no if you plan to sell it within 3-4 years
Resale value is a factor that should always be kept in mind while buying a new car. It is immaterial if you plan to keep it for say 8-10 years but for people who want to change their vehicle within 3-5 years, it matters. Therefore, choose the right car, brand and also go for popular colours like white silver etc. As already said, resale value is not of much importance if you plan to use the car for a long time or if you are enthusiasts. Otherwise, always keep it in mind while buying a new vehicle.
Not knowing the best time to buy a car
Another simple way to improve the savings on a new car is by getting the car at the right time. There are several time periods during which companies give big discounts on cars. Year end and festive season are among some of the good times where there are big discounts being offered by manufacturers. Also, month ends and quarter ends can also be a good time to buy a car, though the discount at that time would majorly by given by the dealerships.
Actually, every month end/quarter ends, sales guys have targets which they have to meet. If you can do a bit of bargaining, the dealership discounts can go up quite a bit. So make sure that you bargain when you are buying a new car, who knows you might land up with a pretty decent discount.
After sales CRITICAL
Buying a good car does not mean that you are now free from all things. After sales service is an important aspect to be kept in mind while making the final decision. Check and make sure that the car you buy has a its company’s service center that’s accessible. Some brands don’t have after sales service centers within 150 km of some cities. So avoid such brands, and instead buy from the brand that has a service centre that’s in your geographic reach. Getting your car regularly checked and serviced means less problems in the long run but for that, you’ll need a service centre that’s somewhere within your reach.
Petrol or Diesel
This is a dilemma faced by many people as they get confused between the fuel efficiency offered by a diesel and the power and performance of a petrol. First of all, don’t buy a diesel powered vehicle if you drive less. If you mostly use the your vehicle for city commuting and occasional highway strolls, petrol is the way to go. However, if do a lot of highway driving or else your work requires a lot of driving and travelling, you should buy a diesel car. In fact, going by the average usage data, about 80% of the people in India need to buy petrol vehicles.
Buying without test drive totally STUPID
Taking a test drive before buying any car is an absolute must and should not be skipped. It’s a hands on experience of the car and gives a fair bit of idea how it is in real world. No matter what spec sheet a car has, real world usage always puts out a better story than what is presented on paper. Also, choose your own path while taking a test drive rather than going by the route suggested by the dealership representative. Take the car through some rough patches among other road features as it will give you a better idea about the car’s handling and suspension than when driving on a plain stretch of tarmac.
Dealer add-ons selecion
Now once you are done with all the steps mentioned above, you need to focus more on avoiding dealer scams. For example, don’t go for Teflon coating, anti corrosion finish etc as they are not worth the price quoted by the dealers. Also, most companies already include anti corrosion coating among other things while manufacturing. Teflon coating and other aesthetic enhancements can be done at way more affordable prices from reputed garages across any city. Manufacturer provided accessories can be considered but choose them wisely. Always question yourself if this thing will really be useful or provide some sort of aesthetic/physical function or is just a piece of gimmick that will loose its value in some time.
Say no to handling charges
Dealerships have been infamous for the various dodgy antics they indulge in. One of them is handling charge, which they include in the total bill of unsuspecting car buyers. If you find this in your bill, firmly ask the dealership to remove these charges. In fact, the handling charges have been deemed illegal by the law and a dealership can be fined for the same. If your dealership insists upon levying them, talk/mail to the customer care department of the brand and they will step in to ensure everything goes fairly.
Insurance Policy Selection
Last and the most important bit, don’t solely rely on your dealership to get you the best insurance deal. Take multiple quotes, and also don’t skimp on return to invoice cover. Also get flood protection cover if you live in a water logging prone area. Generally, dealers charge exorbitantly for insurance and and most customers don’t know about this. Visit website like Policybazaar and Coverfox etc to get solid deals and save some of your hard earned bucks.
The Tata Harrier was launched last week, and Tata Motors stunned everyone with some really competitive pricing for the SUV. Starting from Rs. 12.69 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi, the Harrier will affect a wide range of SUVs, not to mention sedans. Prime competition for the Harrier include the Hyundai Creta, Mahindra XUV500 and Jeep Compass. Over the past few weeks, we have seen the Harrier mainly in the orange paint scheme. Here’s one in silver.
Silver is a very understated colour in the car world, and it’s precisely for this reason why people opt for this colour. If you want to maintain a low key, silver is a perfect colour to opt for. In fact, the Harrier’s curvy design in orange may be a little too loud for many, which is why Tata offers the much more plainer silver paint scheme on this SUV.
Resale value of a vehicle in silver is also higher than those in brighter colours such as red and orange. The other colours available with the Harrier are Orange, White, Grey and Gold.
Bookings for the Tata Harrier have been open for a few weeks now, and Tata Motors is said to clocked over 12,000 bookings for the SUV. The first deliveries of the SUV have already begun, and you’ll soon be able to see the Harrier on the road. Meanwhile, the Tata Harrier has begun arriving at Tata dealerships across India, and test drives of the SUV are now open.
The SUV is available in 4 variants – XE, XM, XT and XZ. The XE variant is the stripped out, bare-bones version of the SUV, mainly meant to bring customers into Tata showrooms. Dealerships are likely to upsell the SUV to most customers walking in to book the XE variant given the fact that showrooms are bound to have the top-end XZ variant as the display vehicle, and also as the test drive vehicle.
In EMI terms, the monthly difference between the XE trim and the higher XM and XT trims may not be much. Most people buying cars in India’s bigger cities go for financing, and for such people, buying the higher variant for a small EMI difference makes sense. The XT variant is a well rounded option that should suit most buyers, and we recommend this variant as well. This variant is priced at Rs. 14.95 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi.
Meanwhile, all variants of the Tata Harrier will use the 2 liter Fiat Multijet turbocharged diesel engine in 140 Bhp-350 Nm state of tune. The gearbox is a six speed manual unit, and there’s no automatic option on offer. By the end of this year, Tata Motors will offer a 6 speed torque converter automatic gearbox on the Harrier. Sourced from Hyundai, the 6 speed automatic gearbox is expected to make the Harrier more appealing, and costlier.
Tata Motors is said to have plans for a petrol hybrid version of the Harrier, which is expected to arrive sometime in 2020. For now though, the diesel-manual variant is the only mechanical combination on offer with this SUV. The Tata Harrier will be joined by a 7 seat sibling, code-named the H7X. The H7X will be launched later this year, and will different styling from that of the Harrier. It’ll sit above the Harrier in terms of price and positioning.
Maruti Suzuki all-new Swift has caught a lot of attention in the Indian market. The shape of the Maruti Suzuki Swift has always been compared to the MINI Cooper. Here is a video the all-new Maruti Suzuki Swift that has been converted to look like a MINI Cooper.
The Maruti Suzuki Swift looks quite inspired by the MINI Cooper. The changes can be seen on the outside and the inside of the vehicle. While the exteriors do not many changes, it is the interior that has been transformed completely.
On the outside, it gets matte black aftermarket grille with a red line across the grille, giving it a Maruti Suzuki Swift Sport look. The hatchback also gets headlamp inserts, and tail lamp inserts that add a very interesting look to the vehicle. It also gets a MINI Cooper inspired paint job with red body and contrasting white roof.
Most of the changes have happened inside the vehicle. The vehicle was stripped down completely and new features were added to it. The seats of the all-new Swift have been updated and customised. The seats get side bolsters with the added memory foam on the side and the top.
It is much more comfortable than the stock version of the car. The seat covers are faux leather and get dual-tone red and black shade. There are white piping on it that further makes the design look quite good. The seats get double stitching, which adds a touch of premium feeling.
A lot of carbon fibre texture has been used on the interiors too. The central console, which houses the cup holders and the gear lever has been given a carbon-fibre finish look. Even the panels in the dashboard and the infotainment system get carbon fibre finish. There is a white enclosure for the central AC vents. Even the steering wheel gets the same carbon-fibre treatment. The steering wheel has been customised with the same red and black leather that has been hand stitched on the wheel.
There is an aftermarket armrest installed between the front two seats. The armrest has been customised with paint to make it go with the theme. Even the rear seat bench has been given the same treatment as the front seats. There is an aftermarket infotainment system that can play videos and looks quite good.
The custom car maker has also added beautiful starlit roofline that can be seen in the Rolls Royce cars. Small lights have been used using fibre optic cables that add a very luxurious look to the interior of the vehicle. It also gets ambient white lighting. Other additions include aftermarket floor mats and aftermarket gear knob.
The exact cost of the modification job is not known but it is said to be around Rs. 1 lakh. You can contact the Prix Auto directly for any further information.
The Mahindra XUV300 compact SUV will be launched in India during the middle of February 2019, and bookings for the same are already open at Mahindra dealers across the nation. A late entrant to the sub-4 meter compact SUV segment, the Mahindra XUV300 is loaded with features, both in terms of creature comforts as well as safety. Here’s a video that Mahindra has just released, which shows what the compact SUV will offer in terms of safety.
Class leading safety is what the Mahindra XUV300 will offer, and this is the theme around the promotional video. From a segment leading 7 airbags including a driver’s knee airbag to front parking sensors and hill hold assist, the XUV300 does manage to offer a lot more than every other compact SUV in its segment including the Ford EcoSport, Tata Nexon and Maruti Brezza.
Just rounding up the safety features that will be on offer in the Mahindra XUV300, the SUV will offer ABS+EBD, 7 airbags, front and rear parking sensors, disc brakes on all four wheels a parking camera, ESP, hill hold assist, ISOFIX child seats, speed alert and a seatbelt reminder system. These safety features will be standard on the top- spec variant of the SUV.
Safety has become a major talking point in the sub-4 meter compact SUV space over the past few months. Global NCAP testing the likes of the Maruti Brezza and Tata Nexon for crash safety has put the spotlight on safety. Both the Brezza and Nexon performed well in the crash safety test, with the Brezza scoring 4 stars while the Nexon managed top honours with a 5 star rating. Both SUVs’ body structures were also rated as stable.
Coming to the other major offering in the segment – the Ford EcoSport – which is highly regarded for a solid build and wide array of safety features, Global NCAP us yet to test this compact SUV. Going by how the EcoSport has performed in the Euro NCAP ratings, we have reason to believe that the SUV will score at least 4 or 5 stars in the Global NCAP test as well.
Now, once the Ford EcoSport and the upcoming Mahindra XUV300 are put through the Global NCAP crash test, we’ll have a clear rating that allows buyers to know the safest SUV in the segment. For now though, the Mahindra XUV300 will confirm to the Bharat New Vehicle Safety Assessment Program (BNVSAP) crash test norms right from launch. Overall, the emphasis on safety in the compact SUV segment is a wonderful thing, and we hope that more segments – especially the cheaper ones – get the same level of focus on crash safety.
Talking of other things, safety is not the only area where the Mahindra XUV300 is expected to lead the segment. In terms of power and torque outputs, the SUV is likely to be the class leader. It’ll be offered with turbocharged 1.2 liter petrol and 1.5 liter diesel engines. The petrol motor will make 200 Nm of peak torque while the diesel motor will push out 300 Nm. Both these numbers are class leading figures. The actual launch of the Mahindra XUV300, along with the price announcement, will happen on the 14th of February.
Maruti has just launched the facelifted, 2019 Baleno premium hatchback in India. Over the past few days, the automaker had also begun dispatching the car to dealership stockyards across India, which is a reason why the car was revealed through spyshots even ahead of the official launch that happened earlier today. From one such dealer stockyard, we now have a walkaround of the Baleno Facelift’s Zeta variant.
The Zeta variant of the Baleno sits just below the top-end Alpha trim of the car, and is priced at Rs. 6.84 lakhs for the petrol-manual variant. The petrol-automatic trim of the Zeta variant is priced at Rs. 8.16 lakhs while the diesel manual trim is priced at Rs. 7.99 lakhs. Across variants, the facelifted Maruti Baleno has become pricier by about 20,000 rupees on an average. As for the Zeta variant, it’s pricier by about Rs. 16,000 for the petrol-manua variant, by Rs. 43,000 for the CVT automatic trim and by Rs. 21,000 for the diesel trim. All prices are ex-showroom Delhi figures.
Talking of the key changes on the facelifted Baleno, the hatchback gets a stylistic revamp at the front and rear, making it look fresher considering that it’s been around for more than 2 years. The interiors also get a refresh, with blue-black interiors and an updated touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The car gets a slew of safety features as standard. On offer are ABS+EBD, dual airbags, brake assist, pre-tensioner and force limiter seat belts, front seat belt reminder, ISOFIX child seat restraint system, speed alert system and rear parking sensors.
The petrol powered variants of the Baleno use a 1.2 liter K-Series petrol engine that’s tuned to produce 82 Bhp of peak power and 113 Nm of peak torque. This motor is paired to either a 5 speed manual or a CVT automatic transmission. The diesel engined variants use a 1.3 liter Fiat Multijet turbocharged motor with 74 Bhp of peak power and 190 Nm of peak torque. The diesel engine gets a 5 speed manual gearbox as standard. In the coming months, this diesel motor may make way for a larger, Bharat Stage 6 emission norms compliant 1.5 liter diesel engine.
While that is one possibility, another possibility is that Maruti may dump the diesel engine for its small car range, and instead go with a petrol engine and a petrol-hybrid option to replace the diesel engine. This is because of the fact that the upcoming Bharat Stage 6 emission norms could make diesel powered cars pricier by almost Rs. 1 lakh. This possibility makes a petrol-hybrid car make more sense on smaller cars. Also, Maruti is expected to bet big on CNG and LPG variants of its small cars from 2020. As of now, both CNG and LPG are much cheaper than petrol, and their running costs are comparable to that of diesel.
Tata Aria lived quite an uneventful life in the Indian car market and it was ignored by most of the customers. The flagship Aria suffered from extremely low sales in the market. Tata launched the all-new Hexa in the Indian market to replace the Aria. Apart from the silhouette of both the vehicles, nothing matches look-wise in both the vehicles. The Aria carried a very laid-back, simple design whereas the Tata Hexa has been designed with the Tata’s latest IMPACT design philosophy and has a powerful design. An owner of Tata Harrier transformed his Aria to the Hexa through extreme modifications and the result is fascinating.
Tata Aria to Tata Hexa
As per the video uploaded by Dikshit Shetty, the complete job took 15 days from start to finish. We are not sure about the cost of this extremely heavy transformation job though. The end product resembles the Tata Hexa SUV completely and it will take keen automotive knowledge and an eye for details to know that this is a modification job and not the real Hexa.
The rear three-quarters of the Aria has been completely changed. The Tata Hexa gets a different, more muscular design in the rear three-quarter. The pictures in the video reveal that the Hexa’s body panels have replaced the original panel of the Aria. Even the rear boot lid has been replaced with the boot lid of the Hexa. Next, the front panels of the Aria were removed to put in the parts of the Hexa. We are not sure what all parts have been changed but from the pictures, we can make out that the while front sub-frame has been replaced with the Hexa’s parts. Even the engine bay lid, front bumper and the grille have been replaced.
All the exterior lighting parts like the headlamp and the rear tail lamp are lifted directly from the Hexa, which adds the authentic look to the vehicle. Other parts like the wheel arch mouldings and the mirrors have been updated with the Hexa’s genuine parts too. To top it off, the Aria gets the original Arizona Blue shade, which is the flagship colour of the Tata Hexa.
In the past, we have seen minor updates in the base version of the vehicles to match the top-end trim of the model but this is extreme transformation. It needs a lot of time and effort. We can safely say that it is a job executed well.
The engine details have not been mentioned but most likely the Aria has carried the same engine. In fact, both the Aria and the Hexa are powered by the same engine options. The Tata Aria was sold with the 2.2-litre engine that produces a maximum of 150 PS and 320 Nm. It only came with a 5-speed manual transmission. The Tata Hexa gets the same 2.2-litre diesel engine that is available in two different states of tune. It produces a similar 150 PS and 320 Nm but the top-end versions get more power from the same engine. The 2.2-litre engine produces a maximum of 156 PS and 400 Nm of torque and gets a 6-speed manual transmission. Tata also offers a 6-speed automatic transmission with the Hexa, which was missing from the Aria.
Maruti released official details on the new updated 2019 Maruti Baleno earlier today but did not confirm anything on the sportier RS version. We did our ground research and thanks to a few sources, can now confirm that the updates will be carried forward to the RS version as well and it will be priced at Rs 8.76 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi. The dealer pricing below (K10C Petrol) confirms the same!
Like the normal Baleno, the RS version too sees a price hike. The outgoing model retails at Rs 8.47 lakh which means Maruti has hiked the price by Rs 29,000 in terms of ex-showroom figure. Like the conventional Baleno, the RS will also not see any mechanical updates and will continue to be powered by a 1000cc turbo-charged petrol motor belting out 100 bhp of power and 150 Nm of torque. The engine will continue to be mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. In contrast, the Baleno RS’ main rival Polo GT TSI gets a 104 bhp engine with 175 Nm of torque and gets a superior 7-speed DSG gearbox. However, it costs Rs 63,000 more.
The new Baleno RS will get a host of cosmetic updates in the form of a new bumper that looks sportier, new alloy wheels, LED lamps and a new grille. The cabin is also expected to get the same changes as the regular Baleno which means a blue-black colour combination and exclusive interior ornamentation. As the RS is sold in one trim only, it will come fully loaded with a climate control, smart entry with push button start and a 17.78cm touchscreen system with Android Auto and CarPlay. It also gets a display for the rear camera and supports voice recognition and has SmartPlay Studio app for navigation with live traffic updates.
The Baleno, sold via Nexa dealerships, continues to outsell all its rivals combined together. It consistently gets listed among the top 5 selling cars in India. Though the new models are expensive as compared to the outgoing version, they look better and have updated features. This is what will make sure the Baleno continues to fly off the showroom floors.
Off-roading vehicles are all about being big and badass. If you do not believe us, check out the RFC Rally vehicles you will be amazed by the monstrous sizes of the off-roaders. However, Zakir Khan, a car modifying expert from Bangalore, Karnataka made a mini Gypsy and it works perfectly on the Indian roads. Here are all the details.
This modified mini Gypsy gets the engine from the Sipani Dolphin hatchback. Now many of you may not be familiar with the name but the Sipani Dolphin was first launched in 1982 and was based on the Reliant Kitten. The Dolphin offered fibreglass body and initially came with only a two-door variant. While Sipani Dolphin did not live a popular life in the Indian market, the engine that once powered the Dolphin is now propelling this mini Gypsy ahead. The Dolphin was powered b an 848cc, 4-cylinder petrol engine and came with a 4-speed transmission. The engine has been modified for quicker acceleration but the exact modification details are not known. From the video, we can make out that it gets an aftermarket exhaust system.
Talking about the vehicle itself, it is only 3-feet high, which makes it such an attention-grabber on the public roads. The whole chassis of the vehicle is customised by Zakir Khan and the videos show that it can take a lot of stress. The vehicle gets a pick-up flatbed style body design and is a four-seater. There are two seats inside the cabin of the vehicle while the other two have been placed in the flatbed, in the open. The rear seats can be removed and attached as per the need and convenience.
As per the modder, the mini Gypsy can reach a top speed of 140 km/h on the open roads. Though it will take a lot of time to reach that speed. It can also do light off-roading. There is no 4WD system in the vehicle though. Zakir Khan will apply for the Guinness world record for making the smallest Gypsy in the world from Dolphin engine but that may take some time to get verified.
Zakir can be seen using the mini Gypsy on the open roads without much problem. The vehicle itself looks quite interesting. It gets looks inspired by the Maruti Suzuki Gypsy and a bright neon green colour to turn the heads on the roads. The vehicle rides on narrow tyres but spacers have been used to position them wider than the body of the vehicle to add the muscular look to the mini Gypsy. It also gets a Suzuki logo in the front grille and there are two round headlamps. The interiors are all red and look quite nice.
With the modification rules coming in, we are sure that such talent would get affected. But for the time being, all we can do is enjoy such heavily customised vehicles till they last.
The famous Italian exotic car manufacturer Lamborghini finally jumped on the bandwagon and had launched their first-ever SUV Urus couple of years ago. This modern-day SUV has already become a hit in the market. In India too Lamborghini Urus is selling like hot cakes.
Recently Lamborghini revealed an off-road package for Urus SUV which according to Lamborghini would make it easier to be handled in every road condition, and on different terrains and surfaces. The off-road package gets a bunch of functional elements. Elements in this package are shown in this video released by Lamborghini.
The Lamborghini Urus off-road package comes with steel reinforcement on bumpers with stainless steel skid plates both at front and rear along with brushed steel tailpipes. This offers higher approach and departure angle which will be useful when one takes the Urus off-road.
The SUV can be lifted further using the off-road package which will increase the overall height by 90 mm and the maximum ground clearance up to 248 mm. Lamborghini claims that with higher approach angle of 27.9 degree and departure angle of 28.3 degree Urus has a better off-road driving potential on steep slopes and over obstacles.
The Lamborghini off-road package rides on lightweight 21-inch alloys which are fitted with all-season tyres. The off road also comes with a practical roof-rail that can do a bit of weightlifting. It also offers a washing package with advanced cleaning of windshield, headlamps and the rear view camera to offer better visibility during off-road sessions. Lamborghini has not mentioned the prices of the off-road package.
Lamborghini Urus is a Completely Built Unit (CBU) product and is imported to India from Italy. Lamborghini calls it a Super Sports Utility Vehicle (SSUV) and it is one of the powerful SUVs in the world. The Urus is powered by a 4.0L Twin-turbocharged V8 engine.
This is also Lamborghini’s first-ever turbo charged engine as all the other engines were naturally aspirated. Urus generates 641 Bhp and whopping 850 Nm of peak torque. All the power is sent to the four wheels via an 8-speed ZF transmission. The Lamborghini Urus is an expensive car and it costs around Rs 3 crore.
