Wannabe cars. As quite evident by those words itself, these are the cars which were born in regular middle-class families but had the aspirations to touch the sky one day. Practically speaking, the owner of these cars had such aspirations but it’s the cars that carry the burden of those aspirations on their shoulders. Some of them became Audis while some of these cars turned out to be some other high-end exotic brand car, though mostly the only difference is a grille and a logo. Here then are 5 such cars that can be termed as ‘Wannabe car’.

Audi Ciaz

Audi may not rank that high in the desirable brands list as compared to some of its rivals but it does have a strong fan following across the world. This is made evident by the owner of this first generation Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, who was not satisfied with the Suzuki badge in front of his car. Instead, he got a lowrider body kit, installed a new grille and completed the whole look with his beloved Audi logo at the front. The perfect recipe to have an Audi for cheap has been finally discovered folks, go ahead and be benefitted by it.

Lexus Fortuner

Among all the other cars on this list, the Lexus Fortuner featured here is one of the most common badge swaps in India. That’s right, converting a Fortuner into a Lexus is a fairly popular trend and there are various examples of such cars in our country. The Toyota Fortuner Above gets a Lexus style grille up front along with matching bumpers and LED DRLs. It is based on the LX 570 SUV, which costs nearly 7 times the cost of the Toyota Fortuner.

Mercedes-Benz Scorpio

The Mahindra Scorpio is one of the best selling SUVs in India and is looking for a generation update next year. Some chap here, however, wasn’t too happy with Mahindra’s decision to bring the new generation model next year and hence went on to give his ride a facelift. And a face’lift’ is indeed what it is because this Scorpio now proudly wears the German tri-star badge on its grille. The Mercedes-Benz logo on the car gets two matching grille slats so that no one mistakes the SUV as a Mahindra car.

Lexus Camry

The Toyota Camry is in itself quite a luxurious car with spacious and comfortable interiors and stately exteriors. It doesn’t come cheap either, with the current generation model crossing the Rs. 40 lakh price mark in our country. But what happens when you have enough money to buy a Camry but not enough to get a Lexus car. A Lexus Camry! What’s more, Lexus is actually a brand that is owned by Toyota and so the badge here rests not far from home. This modified Camry looks good but that Lexus badge takes matters to a whole different level.

Mercedes-Benz Dzire

Mercedes-Benz is making a second appearance on this list which hints towards its popularity in our country. Earlier we saw it on a Mahindra Scorpio but now it has moved on to a sedan in the form of the Dzire. The owner of this car was not satisfied with just placing a Mercedes-Benz logo on his car and hence he customised the logo itself. Now that what is known as a proper DIY job. We guess that is a Mercedes-Spyker logo mixed in one.

Image Source – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Also Read: 5 new wannabe cars from around India: From Lexus Camry to Mercedes Scorpio

Cars can develop several queer problems over time which can even make the most skilled mechanic go dizzy with his spanners. However, every once in a while there are cases that do not require the intervention of a mechanic but rather some other skilled personnel. The same happened with the people in this Hyundai Xcent who were having just another regular noon until a huge 8-foot long python decided to make their day. The video below by Polimer News shows how the snake was taken off from the car and how long it actually was.

As seen in the video, the python was curled up in the engine compartment of the car quite cosily until it was found and taken care of. The case happened in the town of Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh, where the famed Tirupati temple of Lord Balaji is situated. The occupants of this white Hyundai Xcent had gone to visit the temple and had parked the car in the parking lot of the temple premises. They were back after a few hours and started their journey back to Chennai, which is when they heard some strange noises while the car was on the move. They then got off the car to check the matter but were taken aback to find a huge python in the engine bay.

Now this is a situation no one would want to be caught in. To let you know, the temple of Lord Balaji is situated atop a hill and is surrounded by jungles beaming with wildlife. Snakes, leopards, bears, deer are quite common in those jungles as most of the jungle area is closed off to the public
and hence the wildlife still thrives. This is from where this python came from and nestled under the car’s bonnet.

When the Hyundai Xcent’s occupants found about-about the new wild companion that was sharing the ride with them, they immediately got off the car and alerted the nearby people. After this, the snake catcher of the temple was called who later on rescued the snake. It was let off in the nearby jungles, which is its natural habitat.

The python caught here was about 8-feet long, which is quite big by all standards. Usually, such cases of a snake curling up in a car’s engine bay happen during the winters as the hot engines provide them with warmth in the chilly season. Another reason for snakes to get attracted to a car is the soy-based wire coatings and insulation that is added to a car’s components. Thankfully, a professional snake catcher was present on the scene and hence any unlikey incident did not happen.

Also Read: Royal Enfield Bullet Electra modified into a bobber in just Rs. 55,000

Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt are among the latest lovebirds of B-Town and both of them had openly accepted their relationship sometime back. While they share a common profession and might have several other common interests, one thing we know about is their shared interests in cars. Both Ranbir and Alia have a garage consisting of several high-end luxury sedans and SUVs. Let’s take a look at what this loving couple prefers when it comes to automobiles.

Ranbir Kapoor

Land Rover Range Rover Vogue

The Range Rover is currently the most popular vehicle of Bollywood and almost every famous celebrity owns one of these SUVs by Land Rover. Ranbir Kapoor also owns one, which is the Vogue model to be particular. He earlier owned an older generation Range Rover Sport too. The luxurious SUV is priced at around Rs. 1.6 crores and is powered by a 6-cylinder engine that develops a maximum power of 240 Bhp and peak torque of 600 Nm. It gets an 8-speed automatic transmission and a full-time AWD system.

Audi R8

One of the most well known Audi R8s of India, it is also one of the only two supercars in the Kapoor family. This last generation model of the popular sports car was powered by a 4.2-litre FSI V8 petrol engine that churned out 414 Bhp of power and 430 Nm of torque. The car has a top speed of 323 kph and can hit 100 kph from standstill in just 4.2 seconds.

Mercedes G63 AMG

One of the few G63 AMGs of the Bollywood, this white monster of an SUV also finds a place in Ranbir’s garage. For the uninitiated, the Mercedes G63 AMG is known as the ultimate off-road vehicle along with being a very comfortable vehicle. This SUV features a 5.5 litre V8 twin-turbocharged petrol engine that puts out a massive 544 Bhp of peak power and 760 Nm of peak torque. With that amount of power going to its wheels, the G63 AMG can go from 0 km/h to 100 km/h in just 5.3 seconds while its top speed is limited to 210 Km/h. 240 km/h) when equipped with the driver’s package,

Audi A8 L

The super luxurious Audi A8 L is the top-of-the-line Audi sedan in India. The car is mostly used by chauffeur-driven owners but the massive 6.3-litre W12 naturally aspirated engine makes it an enthusiast’s choice too. The engine generates a maximum power of 500 Bhp and 625 Nm.

Alia Bhatt

Audi A6

Alia owns a number of SUVs like her love interest but she also owns a few luxury sedans like the Audi A6 here. Hers is an older generation model which she bought quite a few years back. The Audi A6 rivals the likes of the BMW 5-Series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class among others in its segment and is one of the most luxurious options in its price range. It is powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine that produces a maximum of 187 Bhp and 400 Nm of peak torque.

BMW 7-Series

The BMW 7-Series is one of the most luxurious sedans that come out from Bavaria. Alia Bhatt is a proud owner of one that she bought a couple of years ago. It is the 740 Ld variant finished in black and is powered by a TwinPower turbocharged 6-cylinder engine. This 3.0-litre engine produces a maximum power of 261 Bhp and 620 Nm of torque.

Audi Q5

The mid-size Audi luxury SUV was the car Alia used when she started her Bollywood career. She is still spotted with the Q5 at a number of occasions. Alia mostly takes the co-driver seat of the Q5 as the rear seats are not as spacious as her other cars. This older generation Audi Q5 SUV is powered by a 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine that produces a maximum of 170 Bhp and 350 Nm.

Audi Q7

The Audi Q7 was once the most popular car in B-Town and hence Alia owns one too. Before the actress bought herself a Range Rover SUV, the Audi Q7 was one of her most preferred vehicles. The older-generation Q7 she owns has a dark blue paint shade and has been with her for a long time now. It is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine that produces 241 Bhp of power and 550 Nm of torque. It gets an 8-speed automatic transmission and full-time Quattro permanent drive layout.

Land Rover Range Rover Vogue

This Range Rover Vogue is the latest SUV in Alia’s garage and just like Ranbir, she also uses it quite often for her daily runs. It is also the most expensive vehicle in her garage and the actress has gone for a rather unconventional colour as compared to the regular black and white Range Rovers of B-Town. The luxurious SUV used by Alia is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine that generates a maximum power of 240 Bhp and a massive torque of 600 Nm. There is an 8-speed automatic transmission that transfers the power to all the wheels through the full-time AWD system. The SUV carries a price tag of around Rs. 1.6 crores, ex-showroom.

Also Read: Royal Enfield Bullet Electra modified into a bobber in just Rs. 55,000

Fresh off the launch of the Hector SUV, MG Motors is working hard towards its future models in India. As of now, the company plans to launch as many as three new SUVs in India along with a possible fourth non-SUV model. According to a report by TOI, Rajeev Chaba, president and MD of MG India, said that the company hopes to gain traction in the Indian market as it launches new models in the country while also expanding its retail presence. As of now, MG has 120 touchpoints across the country and is working on increasing that count to 250 by the end of this year.

Talking about the upcoming new vehicles by the British origin-Chinese owned brand, the first among them will be the eZS EV. It is expected to be unveiled in India during the festive season with the launch following by the end of this year or start of next year. It will be priced around Rs. 15 lakh to Rs. 20 lakh price mark where it will sit below the upcoming Hyundai Kona EV. Internationally, the MG eZS get powered by a 110kW electric motor that offers around 150 PS of maximum power along with 350 Nm of peak torque. This electric SUV can do 0-50 km/h in 3.1 seconds and offers a range of 350 km. Like the Hector, the eZS will also feature quite a few segment-first features including a 10.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and embedded eSIM among others.

Next up will be the seven-seater version of the Hector, which will be launched after the eZS EV. Both these vehicles will be available for sale before April 2020, which is also the deadline for BSVI emission norms. The 7-seater version of the Hector will challenge the upcoming Tata Cassini, which is the seven-seater version of the Harrier and will be launched by the end of this year. The seven-seater Hector will essentially be the same car with the same engine-gearbox options and the same kit level, the only difference being an added row of seats at the rear and lesser boot space.

The third SUV that MG plans to bring here is a compact SUV that will sit below the Hector in the brand’s model lineup. It is not yet It is expected to be a Hyundai Creta challenger but will be priced a bit lower than the Korean SUV. The compact SUV segment is one of the most popular segments in the Indian auto market and hence MG will not want to miss out on getting big sales from the segment. The next vehicle could be a hatchback that could be launched by 2022. However, the company has not yet decided on this and hence the plans of a hatchback could also be shelved if the market conditions are not found to be appropriate. What can be confirmed is that the brand will launch three new SUVs in the coming time, which includes the eZS, seven-seater Hector and a Hyundai Creta rival.

Also Read: Royal Enfield Bullet Electra modified into a bobber in just Rs. 55,000

Harley Davidson is one of the biggest and most admired names in the motorcycle fraternity across the world. Be it their big bulky cruisers or lightweight bobbers, the guys at Milwaukee do know how to create magic. However, the price of Harley bikes in India is astonishingly high, the main reason behind which is that most of them come as CBUs. The most affordable Harley Davidson bike in India costs around Rs. 5.5 lakhs and the range goes up all the way up to Rs. 50 lakhs. What to do then if you want a Harley like motorycle in cheap? The video below by Vampvideo answers just that.

As seen in the video here, a Royal Enfield motorcycle has been converted into a Harley Davidson lookalike motorcycle. This custom bobber started its life as a 2015 model Royal Enfield Thunderbird but has been completely revamped now into this hot looking avatar. Almost every part of the bike has been replaced with new aftermarket parts to give it a custom Harley-Davidson inspired bobber look. The tank has been painted in red and gets a Harley Davidson sticker on it while the rest of the body has been draped in black, including the engine.

Coming to the changes made on the bike, let’s first talk about the front section of this hot looking bobber. The headlight has been replaced with an aftermarket full-LED unit that looks great and throws a brilliant beam. The instrument console now is a single pod circular unit which is fully digital and displays all relevant information. The triple tree and handlebar have been replaced too with custom made units in order to give this bike the perfect low slung bobber look. The tires on both the front and the back have been replaced with thicker units while the rims too are aftermarket units. In true bobber style, the fenders at both the ends have been chopped short and are painted in black.

Unlike most of the mod jobs we come across, this bobber themed bike comes with a pillion saddle as well. This means that a long ride can be enjoyed on this bike by not only the rider, which is usually the case with such bikes, but also the rider’s companion. Both the seats are custom made units with ribbed leather outer cover. The ride height of the bike has been lowered substantially in order to achieve the typical bobber look while the handlebars and footpegs have been positioned so as to make the riding triangle comfortable. Completing the whole package are those twin pipe wrapped silencer pipes that give out a throaty exhaust note. As for the total cost of this mod job, i is upwards of Rs. 1 lakh but when compared to the cost of a Harley bike, that is not much of a price to pay.

Also Read: Royal Enfield Bullet Electra modified into a bobber in just Rs. 55,000

The 2020 Honda Jazz premium hatchback will be officially revealed at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show but the car’s pictures have already hit the internet courtesy HeadlightMag. The leaked picture of the 3rd generation Honda Jazz TypeR shows that a lot has changed in terms of the car’s design. The Jazz seems to have gotten smaller from the picture but it could be the angle that’s making it look smaller and stubbier than the current version. If anything, cars get larger each passing generation and the next-generation, 2020 Jazz is expected to be no different. The premium hatchback gets curvier, and Honda is likely to have maximised interior space with a bigger cabin than the outgoing version. The headlamps are narrow,swept back units that do have some similarities with the ones on the new Maruti Suzuki Swift.

Under the hood, the 2020 Honda Jazz is likely to pack in the 1.2 liter i-VTEC petrol engine paired with a full hybrid powertrain for most developed markets of the world, where it will be sold as the Fit. For the Indian market, the 1.2 liter i-VTEC petrol engine is likely to be accompanied by a mild hybrid powertrain. Honda is also likely to carryover the 1.5 liter i-DTEC turbocharged diesel engine after Bharat Stage 6 emission norms compliance.

Manual gearboxes are likely to be standard on both engines, and CVT automatic options could also be offered on both engines. This is similar to what Honda offers on the 2nd generation Amaze compact sedan, and we have no reason to believe why the 2020 Jazz won’t get a similar set up. On the Type-R trim, the Jazz is likely to get a 1.5 liter-4 cylinder turbocharged petrol engine borrowed from the Civic TypeR. This motor makes serious horsepower – 220 Bhp, and will make the new Jazz TypeR seriously quick, enough to take on the Volkswagen Polo GTI and Mini Cooper S. Torque will also be high, at 250 Nm. The TypeR variant of the Jazz is not likely to make it to Indian though.

As for the interiors, a major once over is likely and Honda is expected to continue its ‘man-maximum-machine-minimum’ philosophy for the design of the hatchback’s interiors. Apart from a fresh layout and colour schemes, the car is likely to get a slew of new features that make it more appealing to premium hatchback buyers, who’re now used to a rich feature set on cars such as the Maruti Baleno and the Hyundai Elite i20. The Baleno and i20 Elite will continue to be the Jazz’s chief competitors in the Indian market, and the upcoming Tata Altroz will also target the Jazz. The 2020 Jazz is likely to get slightly pricier than before and Honda is likely to persist with a premium pricing approach for the car in the Indian market. The 2020 Indian Auto Expo could be the location for the new Honda Jazz’s India premiere, and the car is likely to be launched at the same event.

Also Read: Royal Enfield Bullet Electra modified into a bobber in just Rs. 55,000

Mahindra will launch the XUV300 Diesel Automatic next month. The sub-4 meter compact SUV’s 1.5 liter diesel engine is paired with a 6 speed Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) sourced from Magneti Marelli, the same company that supplies AMTs to Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors for use in SUVs such as the Vitara Brezza and Nexon respectively. The Maruti Brezza and Tata Nexon are the diesel SUVs that offer an AMT option currently. ACI reports that Mahindra dealers have begun taking bookings for the new variant of the XUV300 Diesel, which is now the third best selling SUV in its class.

Initial impressions of the Mahindra XUV300’s 6 speed AMT suggests that the unit is smooth shifting and well integrated to the SUV, much unlike the Ricardo AMT unit on the TUV300, which has proven to be very problematic, so much so that Mahindra has discontinued the TUV300 AMT. The Mahindra XUV300 AMT is expected to be about Rs. 50,000 pricier than equivalent manual gearbox equipped variants. What this means is, the XUV300 AMT will be the priciest diesel compact SUV in its segment.

It does offer a slew of features for that price tag though, and is good value-for-money. While we’ll come to that in just a bit, the mechanicals of the XUV300 Diesel will be carried over from the manual version and except for the addition of the AMT unit, nothing really changes in the SUV. The engine is the 1.5 liter-4 cylinder turbo diesel unit that’s also found on the Mahindra Marazzo, but is offered on the XUV300 in 115 Bhp-300 Nm state of tune. This makes the XUV300 the most powerful compact SUV in its segment. The petrol version of the Mahindra XUV300 is also likely to get the 6 speed AMT option but that’ll happen in a few months’ time. For now, the SUV will only get a diesel AMT option.

Coming to the features available on the SUV, it is easily the safest SUV in its class. 7 airbags including a driver’s knee airbag, tyre pressure monitoring system, disc brakes on all four wheels, seat belt reminder for all five passengers, ABS, EBD, traction control, hill hold, ESP, anti-roll over protection, reverse parking camera and sensors, front proximity sensors and cruise control are the various safety features offered on the SUV. Creature comforts on the XUV300 include an electric sunroof, leather-clad seats and interior trim, automatic climate control, automatic headlamps, rain sensing wipers, segment leading wheelbase for maximum leg room for rear passengers and rear AC vents.

Also Read: Royal Enfield Bullet Electra modified into a bobber in just Rs. 55,000

South Korean automaker Kia Motors unveiled the Seltos SUV in India a few days back. The SUV will be launched on the 22nd of August, 2019, and bookings for the same are likely to commence sometime next month. Kia has even released a TVC for the Seltos starring Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff to build up anticipation for the hot, new SUV. Ahead of the launch, Kia Seltos SUVs with dual tone roofs were spied in Bangalore, India. It’s not clear if these SUVs are meant for dealerships, or if they’re display models heading for high footfall areas such as malls and airports. This is the first time in India that the Seltos has been spotted without studio lights on, and the SUV looks quite good even from the rear.

Images courtesy Kia Seltos Club

The Kia Seltos will be the first vehicle from the South Korean brand for the Indian market. It will be built at a new factory that is already up and running at Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh. Although the Kia Seltos shares its platform with the Hyundai Creta – India’s best selling 4 meter+ compact SUV, it’ll be sold through separate Kia dealerships across India. Service centers will also be different.

From the styling, it’s clear that the Seltos doesn’t have any resemblance to the Hyundai Creta. Even the dimensions of both SUVs are different, with the Kia Seltos longer both in terms of length and wheelbase. Even the engines that the Kia Seltos will be launched with will be different from what’s currently available with the Hyundai Creta.

However, once Bharat Stage 6 (BS6) emission norms come into force, the Kia Seltos’ engines will find their way into the engine bay of the Hyundai Creta. That’s right, the Seltos will be BS6 compliant right from launch, and this means that it’s likely to be pricier than the Creta by at least Rs. 50,000, if not more. We expect the Kia Seltos’ pricing to start from around Rs. 11 lakhs for the base petrol version, going all the way up to 16-17 lakhs for the top-end diesel and GT-Line turbo petrol automatic trims. The Kia Seltos will be offered with 3 engines: a 1.5 liter naturally aspirated petrol with 115 Bhp-144 Nm, a 1.5 liter turbo diesel with 115 Bhp-250 Nm and a 1.4 liter turbo petrol with 140 Bhp-244 Nm. All three engines will get 6 speed manual gearboxes as standard. The naturally aspirated petrol will get a CVT automatic option while the diesel engine will get a 6 speed torque converter automatic gearbox option. The turbo petrol motor will get a 7 speed twin clutch automatic variant.

Also Read: Royal Enfield Bullet Electra modified into a bobber in just Rs. 55,000

Tata launched the Aero Edition kits for the Nexon sub-4 meter SUV at the Delhi Auto Expo last year. The Aero Edition kits included four different exterior / interior kit that customers can purchase from the showrooms. Later on, Tata came up with a customisation option named ‘Imaginator’ for the Nexon through which buyers could customize their ride as per their preferences online. The video below by Power Stroke PS shows one such similar Tata Nexon SUV that has been configured using the Imaginator tool.

As seen in the video, this Nexon has received a host of changes both on the outside as well. Painted in white with red and black detailing, the paint detailing on this Nexon cost around Rs. 2,000 according to the video. The Aero kit, when it was launched, was brought in three levels. This one here seems to be equipped with level three kit. It gets various special additions like illuminated front grille badge, illuminated door sills and custom upholstery among others.

The basic Level 1 kit comprises of exterior body customizations. This includes Aero badges and front fog lamp garnish. This kit is priced at around Rs. 31,000 along with additional labour charges as labour charges for painting and installation of the kit. This kit is available for all variants. Next up is the Level 2 Aero kit, which is available in two options and is priced at around Rs 41,000 and Rs 47,000 respectively. The fully loaded Level 3 Aero kit also has two options priced at around Rs 56,000 and Rs 62,000. Tata launched this customization programs after other major players like Maruti Suzuki started offering customization options on their cars.

Talking about this particular customized Tata Nexon Aero, it gets several changes including a complete body kit, new seat covers with sporty linings, custom floor along with a piano black roof wrap. There are several other changes made on the car too like Aero badging across various parts of the car along with red detailing on key areas like side skirts and from bumper among others. This kit, which has been configured through Tata Motors official Imaginator page, costs Rs. 59,000 according to the video. Though the cost of all these customizations may seem a bit high, it is a better option to get it done from the company itself as the car remains completely legal and there is a warranty on all customized products.

Talking about the Tata Nexon, it is powered by both petrol and diesel engine options. The petrol engine is a 1.2-litre turbocharged unit which produces 108 Bhp of power and 170 Nm of peak torque. The diesel engine is a turbocharged 1.5-litre oil burner producing 108 Bhp of power and 260 Nm of peak torque. Both the engines come with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6 speed AMT unit.

Also Read: Royal Enfield Bullet Electra modified into a bobber in just Rs. 55,000

Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar is a known car nut and even has an impressive collection of cars in his garage. The man is currently in and Wales for cricket match analysis and commentary for the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. It is there where he recently drove a car and had a, in his own words, an experience that he’ll always cherish. He, along with his wife, took a 119-year-old vintage car for a quick spin in London and also visited the Royal Automobile Club in London. The video below from his Instagram account shows him driving the car along with a few other light moments.

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Drove the 119 year old Veteran Car, thanks to @royalautomobileclub, Jeremy Vaughan and my dear friend @hormazdsorabjee An experience I shall always cherish.

A post shared by Sachin Tendulkar (@sachintendulkar) on Jun 26, 2019 at 5:48am PDT

Sachin’s love for cars is well known and the cricketing legend recently shared his experience of driving a Formula racing car for the first time. Now we know what all of you are getting curious about, that which car is being driven by Sachin in the video. It is a 1900 model Daimler car and one of these cars was also owned by the Prince of Wales, who at that time was Albert Edward (later King Edward VII). This car is powered by a 1,526-cc twin-cylinder aluminium engine.

It had a four-speed transmission along with a chain drive and it could reach a top speed of around 24 mph (38.62 km/h). An interesting fact about this car is that it came with dual ignition. What this means is that apart from the regular spark start tech, it also featured open flame heated hot-tubes which could be used if spark ignition failed. Earlier models o this car had tiller steering but this one was equipped with a regular steering wheel along with a foot-operated accelerator pedal rather than a hand-throttle (Don’t be surprised, we are talking about 1900 here, folks).

It really would have been an experience for the Master Blaster to get to know a car which was among the first combustion engine powered cars in the world. As seen in the Instagram video above, Sachin is guided by a gentleman on how to operate the gear levers and other intricate parts of the car. Automobiles before 1910 were very different from what we are used to today, both in terms of design as well as engineering and functioning. The Benz Motorwagen is widely considered to be the first modern internal combustion engine powered automobile and it only had three wheels and no steering wheels.

Talking about Sachin Tendulkar, he also had a look at a lot of other vintage beauties and experienced the glorious past of automobiles at the Royal Automobile Club. Back in India, he is the brand ambassador of BMW India and drives around in several high-end cars. He once also owned a Ferrari 360 Modena, which was gifted to him by Fiat and presented by Micheal Schumacher but he sold it off later.

Sachin’s garage currently holds a customised BMW i8, BMW X6M, BMW 7-Series, BMW 5-Series, BMW M5, and a BMW M3. He reportedly still has the Maruti 800, which was the first car he bought. He also owned a Nissan GT-R Egoist for a few years after he sold his Ferrari but later sold off the Godzilla too. We wish the man good luck for his current stint at the cricket world cup and expect him to bring to his garage a few other exotic beauties.

Also Read: Royal Enfield Bullet Electra modified into a bobber in just Rs. 55,000

The Bullet Electra was introduced by Royal Enfield way back in 2001 and had a decent run until it was finally discontinued in 2016. The major difference between the Electra and the Bullet models was of the advanced electrics the former came equipped with, including an electric start later on. As with almost every Royal Enfield bike out there, the Bullet Electra too was fairly popular with modifiers un both the cast iron guise as well as the UCE guise. Why we are talking about the Royal Enfield Electra today is because of the video below by Modified junction which shows a Royal Enfield Bullet Electra that has been modified into a bobber. Take a look at the video and get a better look of the bike before we discuss the changes made on it.

The most important or highlighted element of this bobber themed mod job is that it is done at a cost of around Rs. 55,000 to Rs. 60,000. Compared to how the bike looks, that is quite a decent price to pay as we have seen much expensively modified bikes looking the same. The bike used here is a 2016 model Bullet Electra 350 but according to the video, such modification can be done on any bike with a powerful engine. Let’s now take a look at what all has been done on this bike to give it a bobber look.

The build has been kept minimalist which contributes to the low modification cost of this bike. Most of the bodywork here like the tank, fenders and battery box has been custom fabricated for this bobber build. The rims on both ends of the bike have been blacked out while the fenders have been chopped short too. The handlebar is a new aftermarket piece and is quite a stretched unit, giving the rider the typical bobber feel. The instrument cluster along with the headlight has been replaced by better and more functional aftermarket units.

A custom single piece saddle with tan finish completes the bobber look and so does the side mounted brake light. The silencer, however, has been kept stock, though it has been painted black. Called the Meteor, it gets a blue and white paint job across its body while the engine and gearbox have been draped in black. All in all, the bike feels quite a value for money product at the low price tag which is being asked for it. Talking about the Bullet Electra 350 UCE, it was powered by a 346cc, unit construction, four-stroke petrol engine that churned out 19.8 Bhp of peak power and 28 Nm of peak torque. The engine is paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox and gets a carburettor for fueling.

Also Read: Royal Enfield Bullet Electra modified into a bobber in just Rs. 55,000

Fuel efficiency is one of the most important factors that Indians look for when buying a new car. Our obsession with higher mileage cars is well-known and this is the reason why several manufacturers still sell underpowered cars. Many drivers also employ several ‘master’ techniques of fuel saving, like speeding the car up and then killing off the engine while the destination is still at a substantial distance. However, there are several things which most of the drivers in our country don’t know about fuel efficiency. Moreover, several drivers unknowingly perform actions that affect mileage negatively. Here are a few of such factors that really matter when it comes to the fuel efficiency of your vehicle, some negatively and some positively.

 Fuel efficiency is not affected by harsh acceleration

Harsh acceleration directly translates into more work for the engine, which in turn means increased fuel consumption. Therefore, plummeting your foot down the accelerator frequently results in a considerable drop in the fuel efficiency of a vehicle. A lot of Indian drivers believe that accelerating the car hard won’t affect its mileage much but the case is actually quite the opposite.

Idling the engine doesn’t affect mileage

While a lot of people believe that, it isn’t true. An engine that is idling is also burning fuel, though the rate of fuel consumption is less than when the car is running at a speed. It is a fact that turning the engine off saves more fuel than keeping it on idle, though the situation is quite different if the period is less than 15 seconds. Therefore, always turn off the engine of your vehicle if you have to stand at a spot for more than 15-20 seconds.

Filling at any bunk is cool!

One of the most common misconceptions among the people is that ‘fuel is the same everywhere, no matter where you get it from’. While the filling station’s company might be the same, they are owned by different people at different places. Several of these pump owners are involved in malicious practices like adulteration in fuel and lower fuel dispensing than what is being displayed. Therefore, if you think that your car isn’t giving the same mileage, maybe it’s time to change your filling station.

Cruise control is just a feature and has no relation with mileage

That is not the case and in fact, cruise control increases the mileage of a car. To let you know, cruise control is a feature that is used to maintain a constant speed and make long drives easier for the driver. What many might not know is that when a car is put in cruise control mode, the engine does not waste any fuel on unnecessary acceleration, which in turns results in better mileage.

Big tyres don’t affect mileage

Fitting huge tires on your can dramatically affect its fuel efficiency as well as driving dynamics. There is a reason why manufacturers fit tires of certain specification on cars. Every car goes through several stages of testing and R&D processes before it is passed for manufacturing. During the R&D stage, every minute detail about the car is noted and the car is finally designed accordingly. Hence, fitting larger rims or tires result in lower mileage. Larger wheels also cover more area every time they complete a revolution and along with their added weight, the fuel efficiency is reduced.

GPS is a fancy feature and can’t help with the fuel efficiency

Now many of you might think of it is a fancy feature but using GPS properly can result in better fuel efficiency. How? By preplanning your route through GPS based navigation services before leaving the home. One can easily avoid routes that have heavy incoming traffic, roadblocks and traffic jams and go via alternative routes proposed by the navigation services. Any car returns a much better mileage when it is run smoothly which is not possible when driving through a traffic jam. Therefore, it’s always better to check GPS before heading out and plan your route accordingly.

Driving on slopes and mountain roads can’t hurt the fuel efficiency

When your car has to climb slopes, the engine has to constantly work extra hard to make sure that power is delivered properly to the wheels. This, in turn, has a direct effect on the car’s fuel efficiency. As compared to plains, your car’s mileage drops drastically on mountain roads because of the reason explained above.

Braking and mileage are not connected

Brakes are applied in a car when one needs to slow down or stop. However, some drivers have a habit of constantly using brakes when even lifting off your foot from the accelerator can do the job. Unnecessary usage of brakes not only leads to wear and tear of brake pads but also lowers the fuel efficiency. This is because every time you apply brakes, the speed of the car reduces by quite a margin and the engine has to again work hard to bring up the speed when the accelerator is pressed. Therefore, only use brakes when required and try to learn other practices such as engine braking.

Weather does not affect mileage

It does, though not in a very big way. Every engine has an optimum temperature at which it can perform best. However, in winters, reaching the optimum engine temperature takes much more time than say in summers. Several other complicated bits inside and around the engine also don’t function well until the optimum temperature is reached and hence more fuel is burnt to produce the same amount of power that the engine usually develops at lower RPMs. Hence, fuel efficiency takes a hit during winters. Those of you who might be thinking summers to be the time of good fuel efficiency, think again. During summers, the AC is used which takes a toll on the mileage. High wind conditions can also affect fuel efficiency and so do other weather conditions like rain.

Weight and fuel efficiency are not related

Putting it simply, the lighter your car is, the less work engine has to do in order to move it. And the lesser work an engine does, the better is its fuel efficiency as the fuel consumption is less. Therefore, don’t overload your vehicle and also remove unnecessary heavy goods from your boot if you don’t need them. Creating a dump yard inside your car will only result in lower mileage.

Keeping clutch pressed while standstill does not affect mileage

Keeping your foot on the clutch lever even when the car is stationary (with the engine on of course) is another thing you are doing wrong. In fact, keeping your foot on the clutch is completely wrong in any scenario except when changing gears or when in heavy traffic. This not only wears down your clutch plate but also affects the fuel efficiency negatively.

Mileage has no connection with Regular servicing

Getting your car serviced regularly is very important for it to function at its best but sadly, many drivers neglect this fact. Regular servicing is one of the simplest ways to ensure that your car runs trouble free in the long run and its mileage is kept at optimum levels. This is because when all the components of a car including the engine and other bits are serviced, all oils checked and other checkups are done, the car is ready to perform at its full potential. When the engine is running problem free, its fuel efficiency automatically goes up.

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Renault India’s big launch for 2019 is a compact MPV called the Triber. Showcased days ago, the Renault Triber compact MPV will be launched next month. CarToq’s sources have revealed that the compact MPV will be priced very competitively. Prices of the Triber will start from Rs. 4.4 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi, for the base variant, going all the way up to Rs. 5.8 lakhs for the top-end trim. Also, the two additional seats that can be installed as the third row in this unique compact MPV can be purchased for Rs. 3,000 each. This is something that no other MPV in India offers. The Triber is aimed at younger car buyers who want a modern looking, spacious MPV that is very affordable as well.

The Renault Triber is the French automaker’s second MPV for the Indian market with the first being the slow selling Lodgy. Unlike the Lodgy, which is a diesel-only MPV that will be discontinued next year as the Bharat Stage 6 (BS6) emission norms come into effect, the Triber will be a petrol-only car. It will use the Kwid’s 1 liter-3 cylinder petrol engine tuned to produce 72 Bhp of peak power and 96 Nm of peak torque.

This engine will be offered with two gearbox options: a 5 speed manual and a 5 speed AMT. The Triber will be a front wheel driven MPV that is based on the Renault Kwid’s CMF-A platform. Apart from selling this compact MPV in India, Renault also has plans to export it to developing markets where the Kwid is quite popular.

The compact MPV’s dimensions are as follows. It’ll measure 3,990 mm in length, allowing it to qualify for excise duty benefits as it’s classified as a small car. Width stands at 1,739 mm while the wheelbase measures 2,636 mm. The MPV stands 1,643 mm tall and has a ground clearance of 182 mm, which is quite ample for most Indian conditions. A kerb weight of 947kg means that the 1 liter petrol engine should be peppy enough for everyday use.

Renault’s focus with the Triber has been to boost interior space and the compact MPV comes with decent shoulder room across all three rows: 1,356 mm in the first row, 1,330 mm in the second row and 1,216 mm in the third row. Airbags, reverse parking sensors and ABS will be standard on the top-end trim, along with a touchscreen infotainment system, keyless entry and many other creature comforts. Bookings for the car will commence shortly, and deliveries will start right from the launch date.

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Hyundai India will launch the 2nd generation Grand i10 hatchback by the end of this year, and the car has already been spotted under testing. The compact sedan version of the Grand i10 – the Xcent – will also move a generation ahead next year. The 2020 Hyundai Xcent is expected to look similar to the Grand i10 in terms of front end styling while the rear will see the addition of a three box style sedan boot. Here is a speculative render from IAB that shows what the 2020 Hyundai Xcent compact sedan could look like.

As the renders suggests, the 2020 Hyundai Xcent will look a lot sharper than the current version. The headlamps could get narrower while the front grille could ape the one on the Santro hatchback but with enough differentiation to give the new Xcent a distinct identity. The Grand i10 is likely to get similar front end styling. Since Indian car buyers love chrome, expect the higher variants of the car to feature plenty of chrome on the front end. At the rear, Hyundai is likely to make the new Xcent’s boot more flowing, unlike the bulbous lines of the current car. Boot integration is one of the biggest design issues when it comes to sub-4 meter compact sedans, and it’ll be interesting to see how Hyundai manages to make the new Xcent look better than the current version.

The new car will get fresh interiors, with a brand new dashboard design, a new infotainment system run through a touchscreen panel, additional features and possibly more space. As for mechanicals, the 2020 Hyundai Xcent is expected to share its engines and gearboxes with the new Grand i10. Petrol, diesel and CNG-Petrol engines are likely to be offered with the current line-up expected to be carried over with Bharat Stage 6 (BS6) compliance. The 1.2 liter-4 cylinder naturally aspirated petrol and the 1.4 liter-4 cylinder turbocharged diesel engines are expected on the new car, with better fuel efficiency, similar or slightly detuned power and torque outputs, and much better refinement levels thanks to BS6 compliance. Apart from manual transmissions being standard with both engines, AMT options are likely to be offered with both petrol and diesel engines.

The all-new Xcent is expected to be here by the middle of next year, and the 2020 Auto Expo could be the big event where Hyundai showcases the new car, either as a cooncept or near-production model. The compact sedan will continue to challenge the likes of the Maruti Dzire, Honda Amaze, Volkswagen Ameo, Tata Tigor and Ford Figo Aspire in the hugely competitive segment. Expect pricing for the new car to go up thanks to BS6 compliance, and the starting price figure is likely to be around Rs. 6 lakhs.

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Having a sunroof in the car was not something that used to be a priority for people in India until just a few years back. Jump to 2019, it has become a major attractive feature and several new age buyers want to have a car equipped with a sunroof. Though a country like India with a hot and humid climate along with a high amount of dust does not really need a feature like a sunroof, it feels good to have one nonetheless. Moreover, it provides an airy ambience to the cabin, though usually, only the top end variants come with one which means shelling out extra money for this feature. If you are looking towards buying a sunroof equipped car, here are the ten cars that come with it, arranged price wise.

Hyundai Venue

The recently launched Hyundai Venue carries forward the Korean manufacturer’s policy of filling the car to the brim with features. A sunroof then is something that can’t be missed and the Venue does not disappoint. Though only available on the top end variants, the Venue is currently the most affordable Hyundai car to offer a sunroof. Moreover, it is currently the most affordable sub-4 meter SUVs on sale in the country and rivals the likes of the Tata Nexon, Ford Ecosport, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, and Mahindra XUV300 among others.

Ford Ecosport

Next up is the Ford Ecosport, the vehicle responsible for popularising the sub-4 meter SUV segment in India. The Ecosport has always been a solid, well-rounded product and it continues to be the same, though its performance on the sales chart has been dipping of late. The Ecosport comes with a sunroof on its top end variants and at a point of time, was the only vehicle in its segment to have this feature.

Honda WR-V

Honda’s entry in the sub-4 meter SUV game, the WR-V is a crossover based on the Honda Jazz, that was launched back in March 2017. The quirky looking yet stylish offering from the Japanese manufacturer features a sunroof and is fairly popular in the segment. However, as with most of the cars in this list, only the top end variant of the car is equipped with a sunroof.

Mahindra XUV300

With the XUV300, Mahindra left no stone unturned to create a vehicle that would set the sales chart on fires and give a tough time to the popular players in the segment. It actually did that too and was doing fairly well in terms of sales until recently when Hyundai launched the Venue. It is the safest car in the segment taking into view the number of safety features it comes with. With so much going for it, the addition of a sunroof seemed quite obvious on this car, though again only available on the top end trims.

Hyundai Verna

Next in line is the Hyundai Verna, which is the most affordable C-segment sedan to get a sunroof. The stylish car is all set to receive a facelift in the coming time as it has been slipping down in terms of sales. This is due to the combined onslaught by the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz and the Honda City and hence, the next generation Verna will feature an all-new design as well as fully loaded interiors to take down its rivals.

Honda City

Second Honda car on this list is the City, one of the all-time best selling C-segment sedans of India. The City comes equipped with a sunroof on its mid and top end variants. To let you know, the previous generation models o the City also came equipped with a sunroof as Honda has always been generous with features on this popular car.  Apart from the Verna, it is currently the only car in its segment to offer a sunroof.

Hyundai Creta

The Hyundai Creta was an obvious addition on this list. The popular compact SUV comes with a plethora of features and hence the Korean manufacturer could not have missed when it comes to equipping it with a sunroof. It is currently the only vehicle in its segment to come with a sunroof but will be joined soon by the Kia Seltos.

Mahindra XUV500

The Mahindra XUV500 covers almost every factor a vehicle of its size and price usually deals with. Therefore, a sunroof is an obvious feature on the seven-seater SUV. This is one of its strengths against the Tata Harrier too as the latter does not come with a sunroof even as an option. Mahindra is currently working on the next generation model of the XUV500 that will be launched next year. Going by the rate at which the competition is heating up, it is expected that Mahindra could equip the next generation model with a panoramic sunroof.

Tata Hexa

The Tata Hexa is a solid product overall and stands as a butch crossover between an MPV and an SUV. Unlike its new sibling, the Harrier, it comes with a sunroof which is a nice addition to the already impressive specification list of the Hexa. The Tata Harrier misses out on this feature and has been constantly pointed for the same. As of now, the Hexa is the flagship vehicle of Tata’s model lineup in India and hence it is expected from the vehicle to feature a sunroof, though only on the top end variants.

Hyundai Elantra

The Hyundai Elantra was one of the most popular choices among the D-segment sedan but the onslaught by updated rivals like the Skoda Octavia and the Honda Civic have left it feeling outdated. A new model is already in cards and will be launched in India next year. However, being a Hyundai car, the current generation model also comes jampacked with features including a sunroof, ventilated front seats, and 10-way adjustable power driver seat with electric lumbar support.

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Renault India is weeks away from launching a brand new compact MPV for the Indian market but before that, the French car maker will give the Duster yet another facelift to help the SUV motor on for another couple of years. CarToq sources have revealed that the facelifted Renault Duster will be launched in India next week, and more importantly given us a price indication. The facelifted SUV will sell at the same prices as the pre-facelift/current version.

This makes sense considering the fact the Duster is nearly 7 years old in the Indian market, and no longer has the same appeal it used to have when newly introduced. The facelifted Duster will get stylistic changes inside out but will remain mechanically unchanged. The SUV was spied without camouflage during a TVC shoot in the Himalayas, and the spyshots nearly reveal everything that’s new about the facelifted model.

Changes on the facelifted model include a new grille with heavy chrome plating, revised fog lamp housings, new surrounds for the tail lamps that stretch across the hatch lid and new alloy wheels. On the inside, changes in colours for the seat fabric and interior trims are likely. Soft touch plastics are likely to be used in place of the hard plastic that is offered on the facelifted model.

Talking about the price, the current Duster’s prices range between Rs. 8 lakhs for the base petrol model to Rs. 13.14 lakhs for the top-end diesel AMT version. These prices will be maintained on the facelifted model as well. The Renault Duster will continue to operate with two engine options, both four cylinder units. The petrol engine will be a 1.5 liter naturally aspirated unit with 106 Bhp-140 Nm on tap, and two gearbox options: a 5 speed manual and a CVT automatic.

The diesel engine is the 1.5 liter K9K turbocharged unit in two states of tune: 85 Bhp-200 Nm and 108 Bhp-240 Nm. The diesel engine in the lower state of tune gets a 5 speed manual gearbox while the one in the higher state of tune gets 6 speed manual and AMT options. Moreover, the Renault Duster is the only SUV in its class to get an all wheel drive option on the top-end RxZ trim. The all wheel drive variant of the Duster also gets additional safety features, and independent rear suspension. It also gets a lower ratios on the first and second gear for better off road performance. The Duster will continue to rival the likes of the Maruti S-Cross, Nissan Kicks and the Hyundai Creta.

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For enthusiasts and thrill-seekers, superbikes are a perfect choice. The Superbikes are priced at a much more affordable price than the similarly performing cars and they are much cheaper to maintain too. In the used vehicle market, there are many superbikes available for a much affordable price, which makes them tempting for many. But, there are a few things that everyone should know before buying a superbike. Here are ten such things.

Excessive heat

Since the superbikes are powered by massive engines, they generate a lot of heat. However, if the airflow is not enough, the cooling system does not work properly, which makes the engine area extremely hot. This makes riding the superbikes a challenge, especially in the city traffic where the roads are clogged and there are numerous traffic signals. Superbikes can be extremely harsh in the slow-moving traffic and one should be aware of this fact before buying them.

Not easy to handle

Someone who can expertly handle a regular commuter segment bike, the superbike can be a different ballgame altogether. The Superbikes are extremely heavy and have a very aggressive riding position. At crawling speeds, the rider has to throw in a lot of effort to keep the bike moving and balancing. They cannot do split lanes like the regular bikes in the Indian traffic.

Fuel sourcing

While most superbikes can run on regular fuel too, there can be problems of miss firing. Superbikes use high-compression engines that work under high pressure. To move the parts efficiently, at least 95 RON fuel is required, which is not available in India. The next-best fuel available in the fuel pumps is the 97 Octane fuel, which has very limited availability in India. Many superbike owners use fuel boosters to make up for the low octane in the fuel available in India but it can turn out to be an expensive affair.

Tyres

Superbikes use soft compound tyres that ensure maximum traction, which in turn makes sure that power is properly utilised in the bike. However, these tyres are quite expensive and have a life of only around 10,000 km, which is quite low compared to the regular tyres available with the mass segment bikes. This is one of the hidden costs that can turn out to be an expensive deal for the owner.

Parking

Superbikes do attract a lot of attention on the roads and since they are not very common on the roads, a lot of curious onlookers can become a little touchy with the bike. When these people see a parked superbike get super excited and try to pose with the bike and even sit on them. There have been many incidents when such parked superbikes have fallen down due to the touching on the onlookers. It can be difficult to find a safe parking spot for the superbikes in public places in India.

Not many practical options

Well, there are a lot of options when it comes to the litre-class bikes but most superbikes are not fun-to-ride on the pothole-ridden roads. The best body-type of litre-class bikes is the adventure class motorcycles like the Ducati Multistrada, Triumph Tiger and the BMW RG Series. However, the sports bikes with their hard suspension set-up are not the perfect fit for the Indian roads.

Riding Gear

Indian roads can be unforgiving and the slightest mistake can turn out to be a fatal move on the road. There are many who ride such powerful machines with slippers and without helmets but it is not the proper way to ride the bike. One should always invest in a high-quality jacket, helmet, gloves, riding boots and knee guards and use them every time they take the bike out for a spin.

Developing riding skills

Motorcycle riding and controlling it requires an extremely high skill set and expert training. Without it, one is not able to utilise the full potential of a superbike. This is why training on superbikes is extremely properly. Internationally, California Superbike School is known for creating some world-class riders and they also hold sessions in India. In India, schools like IndiMotard give training on how to properly ride superbikes and utilise all its power while staying safe on the roads.

Unwanted attention

Riding a superbike is like holding a big sparkling banana in your hand that makes loud noises. Superbikes attract a lot of attention on the roads and you will find many with their intriguing questions and urge to touch the bike. Many of these onlookers also challenge the superbikers to race and ride rashly, which can cause accidents. Even cops love to pose with superbikes.

Maintenance

High-performance machines use fast-moving parts in the engine that can wear out quicker than the regular bikes. It should be noted that superbikes have shorter service periods, especially in the dusty road conditions like India. If a major accident happens, it may take weeks or even months for the replacement parts to arrive.

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Petrol powered cars are now becoming more popular than ever in the Indian market, especially in the affordable segments. In case of the Maruti Baleno premium hatchback, nearly 89 % of buyers are opting for the petrol engined model with only 11 % choosing diesel. As for the Hyundai Elite i20, 77 % of buyers are going for petrol powered cars with the remaining 23 % opting for diesels. Between April 2018 and March 2019, Maruti sold 212,000 units of the Baleno, of which 188,000 units were petrol powered and 24,000 were diesel powered. As for the Hyundai i20 Elite, which sold 140,000 units in the same period, the split between petrol and diesel was 108,000 and 32,000.

The growing popularity of petrol engined cars in the affordable segments has to do with multiple reasons, but first let’s examine what each car offers in terms of engine options.

The Maruti Baleno gets 4 engines: a 1.2 liter K-Series petrol with 82 Bhp-113 Nm, a 1.2 liter DualJet mild hybrid petrol engine with 90 Bhp-113 Nm, a 1 liter-3 cylinder turbocharhed petrol engine with 101 Bhp-150 Nm, and a 1.3 liter Fiat Multijet turbocharged diesel engine with 74 Bhp-190 Nm on tap. All four engines get 5 speed manual gearboxes as standard while the K-Series petrol is also available with a CVT automatic gearbox. As for the Hyundai Elite i20, the car is available with two engines: a 1.2 liter VTVT naturally aspirated petrol with 82 Bhp-115 Nm and a 1.4 liter turbocharged diesel with 89 Bhp-220 Nm. The petrol engine gets 5 speed manual and CVT automatic gearbox options while the diesel motor gets a 6 speed manual gearbox.

Coming to why petrol engines are popular than diesels in the premium hatchback segment, this has to do with the following:

1. The price gap between petrol and diesel has narrowed, and a diesel car buyer will have to drive upwards of 1,200 Kms each month in order to maximize the cost savings from diesel and recoup the higher cost of the diesel engined variant.

2. Traffic conditions in most Indian cities have gone from bad to worse, which makes driving long monthly distances a royal pain. This means that diesels don’t make sense for majority of buyers who opt to use their cars more sparingly, or for shorter daily commutes.

3. Uncertainty surrounding diesel engines is making buyers do a rethink as resale value could get affected in the years to come. Most buyers prefer to play safe rather than take risks.

4. Both the Baleno and i20 Elite are aimed mainly at city hatchback buyers. Worsening traffic conditions means that a large number of buyers are now looking for automatic gearbo options, which are unavailable with diesel engined cars. This is yet another reason why petrols are being overwhelmingly preferred by buyers.

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Maruti Suzuki declared sometime back that it will stop the production of diesel-powered cars in India after April 2020, which is the date when BSVI emission norms come into play. A few other manufacturers also have the same intentions once the new emission norms come into effect. However, the question asked by many is whether the sales of vehicles will be affected if diesel engines are put out of production. Today we take a look at the petrol and diesel sales of the top players in the C-segment sedan game, which includes the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Honda City and the Hyundai Verna.

In contrast to some of the other segments like sub-4 meter SUVs, where diesel sales are higher than petrol powered cars, the scene is quite the opposite in the C-segment sedan category. Almost 69% of the cars sold in this segment are powered by petrol engines. Talking about the Honda City, the Japanese manufacturer sold 34,647 units of petrol variants while the sales of diesel variants stood at 6,425 in the FY2018-19. This means that the petrol engine constituted 84% of the total sales of Honda City. In the same time period, Maruti sold 35,001 units of petrol powered Ciaz while sales of diesel-powered Ciaz stood at 11,168. Here also the petrol variants constituted 76% of the total sale during FY2018-19.

The Hyundai Verna, on the other hand, had a slightly different sales result. The manufacturer sold 19,823 petrol variants and 19.745 diesel variants, resulting in a nearly 50% distribution of sales. Overall, one could say that the non-availability of a diesel engine would not affect sales of C-segment sedans much. As for Maruti Suzuki, the company had said earlier that it could bring back diesel engine after April 2020 if the demand for it persists. However, it will only be limited to top end models like the Ciaz and S-Cross among others. Honda and Hyundai though are likely to continue offering diesel engines after BSVI emission norms are in effect, though the engines will be upgraded to meet the new regulations.

Talking about the cars here, both the Hyundai Verna and the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz come two diesel engines and one petrol engine options. The Honda City, on the other hand, gets one petrol and one diesel engine option to choose from. All of them also get automatic transmission options. However, the Honda City and Maruti Suzuki Ciaz only get an auto box with the petrol variants while the Verna gets an auto box only on the 1.6-litre diesel engine option. There is an all-new City sedan in the works for a 2020 launch, with a mild hybrid powertrain option. Hyundai is also working on the next generation model of the Verna sedan that will be launched here next year.

Sales Data Source

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Aftermarket equipment, parts and accessories for the Royal Enfield 650 twins have started appearing in the market, now that the bikes have been on sale for more than 6 months. Till now, most of the aftermarket parts available for the 650 twins consisted of aesthetic accessories and the market for performance-enhancing parts or other practical equipment was not quite big but now the scene has changed. Adding to the list of mod parts for the Interceptor 650 is Way2Speed performance who recently launched a new scrambler styled 2-1 high-level exhaust system for the Interceptor 650. Take a look at the video below by Melwin Daniel Nadar to hear its exhaust note.

As seen in the video, the exhaust note of this custom piece by Way2Speed is quite good. It is throaty and has a deep bassy rumble too. It comes with a baffle that which helps it meet the Indian noise regulations as well as several other international noise regulation guidelines. The baffle can be removed easily and the exhaust pipe then lends out a sporty deep growl. The bike in the video probably had the baffle removed which is the reason for its sonorous sound note. The exhaust can be fitted easily and comes fully kitted so that the buyers don’t have to work much on it.

It is made from high-grade stainless steel 304 and carries a brushed satin finish. Apart from the lovely sound it produces, another benefit of equipping your Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 with this scrambler styled exhaust system is that it reduces the total weight of the bike by around 11 kgs. This results in better handling and enhanced power to weight ratio. For those who are worried about high temperature and heating issues, this 2-1 high-level exhaust uses 3 levels of heat shield to protect the rider from heat exposure. This includes a stainless steel heat shield along with ceramic wool tape to insulate the heat the exhaust pipes carry.

The stock Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is powered by a 649 cc, parallel-twin, air-oil cooled engine that generates a maximum power of 47 Bhp and peak torque of 52 Nm. The engine comes mated to a 6-speed transmission with a slipper clutch and disc brakes on both the wheels along with dual channel ABS as standard. The overall performance of the bike is enhanced by these 2-1 scrambler style exhaust pipes as they make the bike lighter.

It also gives your bike a new scrambler look and is designed for all terrains. For those who are thinking of modifying their Interceptor 650 for dual sports use, this one makes for a great off-road tool. To get it fitted, no rejetting or remapping is required. Talking about the price of this exhaust system, it is priced at Rs. 25,000, excluding 28% GST. It is also available for shipping worldwide, though shipping charges will be added to the bill. To order, you can get in touch with the guys at Way2Speed via any of these methods:

WhatsApp – +91 88258 61835

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