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    New Hero Xtreme 160R Spied Testing – Pulsar, Apache Rival

    New-gen Hero Xtreme 160R could get some first-in-segment features to improve competencies against Pulsar and Apache 160New Hero Xtreme 160R spied in production guiseOne of the popular choices in 160cc segment, Hero Xtreme 160R will be getting its new-gen version soon. It was first spied on test in October last year. Now, production ready test mules have been spied. The updated bike could debut later this year, around the festive period. Both Pulsar and Apache 160cc motorcycles have been updated, requiring Hero to introduce the required set of changes to Xtreme 160R.New-gen Hero Xtreme 160R is likely to get cosmetic updates, along with some new colour options. Major design changes are unlikely, as the bike already has a sporty profile. Some premium hardware and new features could be among the key highlights of new-gen Xtreme 160R.New Hero Xtreme 160R SpiedNew Gen Hero Xtreme 160R – Updated features, More techEven in its current format, Hero Xtreme 160R is a well-equipped bike. It has all-LED lighting and an inverted LCD console with adjustable brightness. There are 5 brightness levels, allowing the user to choose as per their needs. The LCD panel displays a range of information including gear position indicator. New-gen Xtreme 160R could get an updated instrument console.Some new connectivity features could be introduced with new-gen Xtreme 160R. As of now, connectivity features offered with the bike include live tracking, speed alert, vehicle start alert, geo fence alert, hero locate, topple alert, tow away alert, driving score and trip analysis.New Hero Xtreme 160R SpiedTest mules of new-gen Xtreme 160R can be seen with telescopic forks, which is likely to be the same as that of current model. At rear, the bike has 7-step rider adjustable monoshock suspension. The bike uses 17-inch wheels at both ends, shod with 100/80 front and 130/70 rear tyres.Braking duties are performed by 276 mm and 220 mm petal disc at front and rear, respectively. Single-channel ABS is offered as standard. The bike’s weight is 139.5 kg, which is the lowest in segment. Fuel tank capacity is 12 litres.Engine likely to deliver improved performance, more mileageWith rivals getting performance upgrades, it is important for Hero MotoCorp to upgrade the performance of Xtreme 160R. Currently, it is powered by a 163cc, air cooled motor that generates 15.2 PS of max power and 14 Nm of peak torque. It is mated to a 5-speed constant mesh gearbox. Expect the new 160R to deliver better acceleration as well as mileage figures.New Hero Xtreme 160 Spy Shots from last yearWith the updates, new-gen Xtreme 160R could witness a slight bump in prices. Existing prices start from Rs 1.18 lakh and go all the way to Rs 1.3 lakh. A total of 4 variants are on offer. In comparison, Pulsar N160 which was recently updated with USD forks, is priced at 1.27 lakh while the TVS Apache 160 price ranges from Rs 1.18 lakh to Rs 1.23 lakh. All prices are ex-sh.Apart from this, Hero is also working on a new 210cc range of motorcycles with full fairing (Karizma) as well as naked street (Hunk / Xtreme). They also have a new 420cc Xpulse and 420cc Xtreme / Xpulse in the making along with Harley Davidson 420cc.Source More

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    Two Wheeler, Electric 2W Retail Sales Mar 2023 – Hero, Bajaj, Ola, Ather, Yamaha

    Three stalwarts – Hero MotoCorp, Honda and TVS Motor commanded this segment, which has seen a double digit YoY growth in total retail salesOla maintains lead as No 1 electric scooterTwo wheeler retail sales in March 2023 saw a total of 14,45,867 units sold, up 12.42 percent from 12,86,109 units sold in March 2022. This was a 1,59,758 unit volume growth. It was also a MoM growth from 12,67,233 units sold in Feb 2023. Retail sales in FY 2022-23 grew 18.54 percent to 1,59,95,968 from 1,34,94,214 units retailed in FY 2021-22.Two Wheeler Retail Sales March 2023Top sellers in the past month were Hero, Honda, TVS and Bajaj, each of which saw significant increase in YoY retail sales. The same could not be said for Hero Electric, Okinawa and Classic Legends and Piaggio that have all posted YoY de-growthTwo Wheeler Retail Sales March 2023 vs March 2023 – YoY AnalysisHero MotoCorp was the best-selling two wheeler ORM in March 2023. Retail sales stood at 4,66,963 units in the past month, up from 4,14,869 units sold last year. Market share improved marginally to 32.30 percent from 32.26 percent YoY. Honda retail sales were at 3,23,901 units in March 2023, up from 2,81,936 in March 2022. Market share improved to 22.40 percent from 21.92 percent YoY.At No. 3 on the list was TVS Motor with 2,37,920 units sold last month. This was a YoY growth with market share going up to 16.46 percent from 15.34 percent YoY. TVS iQube electric scooter is what contributed significant numbers to total sales. Next up was Bajaj Auto Limited with 1,63,926 units sold in March 2023 from 1,42,790 units sold in March 2022. Chetak electric scooter sales are listed under Chetak Technologies Limited. It posted retail sales at 2,332 units last month with a 0.16 percent market share.Two Wheeler Retail Sales March 2023 % ShareRetail sales growth was also reported for Royal Enfield with sales at 69,791 units in March 2023 up from 53,233, taking up market share to 4.83 percent from 4.14 percent on a YoY basis. It was also Suzuki Motorcycle that saw retail sales improve to 64,304 units in the past month. India Yamaha Motors sales were up to 46,987 units in March 2023 from 44,187 in March 2022 though market share dipped to 3.25 percent from 3.44 percent YoY.Electric 2W Retail Sales March 2023Electric two wheeler retail sales saw significant growth. Ola Electric was the leading electric two wheeler maker in terms of sales with 21,274 units sold last month, up from 9,145 units sold in March 2022. This took up market share to 1.47 percent from 0.71 percent held in March 2022. Ola has reported its best ever sales in March 2023.Ather Energy sales in the past month stood at 12,076 units, up from 2,233 last year. Ampere, which offers a diverse range of products such as the Zeal, Magnus and Primus has seen retail sales at 9,334 units in March 2023, up from 6,341. Market share improved marginally to 0.65 percent from 0.49 percent YoY.Two Wheeler Retail Sales March 2023 vs Feb 2023 – MoM AnalysisRetail sales of Hero Electric dipped to 6,652 units in March 2023 from 13,029 in March 2022. There was also Okinawa Autotech that posted YoY de-growth in retail sales to 4,507 units in March 2023. Classic Legends (Jawa / Yezdi) retail sales dipped to 3,253 units last month from 4,265 units sold in the same month last year. Piaggio also reported a YoY de-growth in retail sales to 3,072 units in March 2023 from 4,543 sold in the same month last year. More

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    Harley Davidson 420cc Render – A Bold New Take on the Classic Cruiser

    Upcoming made-in-India Harley-Davidson will primarily go up against the likes of Royal Enfield Classic 350 and Honda H’ness CB350Harley Davidson 420cc motorcycle for India – RenderAs part of its renewed global strategy, iconic Harley-Davidson is aggressively targeting emerging markets with smaller capacity, single-cylinder bikes. The company has formed partnerships with local OEMs to achieve a competitive price point. For example, Harley is working with QJ Motor in China, whereas the partner of choice in India is Hero MotoCorp.Made-in-India Harley bike will be a neo-retro roadster. Based on recent spy shots, here are some digital renders created by Pratyush Rout. Expected to be a 400+ cc bike, new Harley 420cc bike has a sharp profile, more comparable to RE 650 twins. It’s quite distinct from the fleshier 350ccc bikes like Classic 350 and CB350.Harley Davidson 420cc Leaked Images. Credit – IamabikerHarley-Davidson roadster styling – Render based on spy shotsHarley may be looking to avoid a direct confrontation with the core strengths of RE bikes. Instead, the objective could be to target folks who may want a more agile machine for their everyday commutes. Even Royal Enfield has the slimmer Hunter 350, which has emerged as the second best selling RE bike.Some of the key highlights of Harley-Davidson upcoming bike include round LED headlamp, vertically positioned LED DRL, circular rear view mirrors, sculpted fuel tank, sleek seat, rugged engine guard, slightly upswept exhaust and short tail section. Riding stance seems fairly comfortable with centrally mounted foot pegs and wide, ergonomically positioned handlebar. Harley’s new bike uses a fully digital instrument console, which could be either TFT or LCD.Harley Davidson 420cc motorcycle for India – RenderHarley-Davidson roadster specs, performanceIt is likely that an entirely new platform is being used for Harley’s new small-capacity bike. While the roadster will debut first, Harley could later introduce other versions such as scrambler, adventure, etc. Hero may also use this new platform to launch its own versions. However, there is no official confirmation on such possibilities.Harley Davidson 420cc for India – RenderHarley’s new 420cc motorcycle can be seen with USD forks at front and twin gas-charged shock absorbers at rear. While a monoshock could have been used, the dual shocks look a lot more elegant. The bike has dual-tone alloy wheels and Bybre disc brakes at both ends. Dual-channel ABS is expected to be offered as standard. Wheels are shod with 100-section and 140-section CEAT Zoom Cruz tyres, at front and rear, respectively.Powering Harley’s upcoming bike will be a new air and oil-cooled single-cylinder engine. HD 4XX lettering on the number plate most likely indicates a 400+ cc bike. It is likely to be a 420cc machine. As revealed in spy shots, the bike looks production ready. While an official timeline is not available, the motorcycle is expected to be launched in coming months. Festive season will probably be the best time for the Harley 420cc launch. It could be priced at around Rs 2.50 lakh.Harley Davidson 420cc for India – RenderHarley Davidson Vs Royal Enfield – Round 2It won’t be an easy road for Harley in middleweight segment, as this space is dominated by Royal Enfield. It will be interesting to see the face-off between two legendary brands, both of which are more than a hundred years old. Earlier too RE and Harley had competed, in the 500cc-750cc twin cylinder segment. In that round of competition, Royal Enfield came out on top as their 650cc range turned out to be a global success, while Harley Davidson had to discontinue their Street 500 and Street 750 due to low sales. Time will tell if Harley manages to beat RE in the 350-450cc single cylinder segment or not.Disclaimer – Design renders presented in this blog are solely for illustrative purposes and have not been commissioned, approved, or endorsed by the manufacturer. Designs presented here may not reflect the final product or the manufacturer’s intentions. The renders are provided as conceptual designs or artistic interpretations only, and their accuracy or feasibility cannot be guaranteed. More

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    2024 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X Adds Torquey Duramax Diesel Engine

    The 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X now comes standard with GM’s Duramax diesel 3.0-liter inline-six.While it has less horsepower, the diesel’s 495 pound-feet of torque is 35 more than the optional 6.2-liter V-8.GMC also tweaked other Sierra 1500 models for 2024 by adding a newly available active exhaust and two fresh paint options. Last week, Chevy announced the 2024 Silverado ZR2 will adopt the Duramax diesel 3.0-liter inline-six as its base engine. Now it comes as no surprise that GMC is following suit by making the downsized Duramax the new standard engine on the 2024 Sierra AT4X.GMCThe oil-burning straight-six generates less horsepower than the massive 6.2-liter V-8 option (305 versus 420 hp, respectively), but it turns the tide by providing an additional 35 pound-feet of torque. The diesel produces 495 pound-feet compared with the V-8’s 460 pound-feet.GM and Duramax updated the diesel 3.0-liter by adding a retuned turbo compressor, new fuel injectors, new steel pistons, and improved temperature control features that together help the engine squeeze out the higher torque figure, which was previously 460 pound-feet. We haven’t yet tested the updated Duramax option, but we loved how refined and quiet the previous version was.More Sierra 1500 AT4XAs one might expect, most of the other changes made to 2024 models of GMC’s half-ton pickup truck mirror those of its Chevy counterpart. The Sierra now offers power-retractable side steps and an active exhaust system available on upper trims. Two new wheel options are also added, as are two fresh paint colors (Downpour metallic and Thunderstorm Gray). The base 2.7-liter turbo four from the Sierra 1500’s base trims stays the same mechanically but is now referred to as the “TurboMax.”This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Associate News EditorJack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. More

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    Weirdest Car Commercials: Window Shop with Car and Driver

    This content is imported from youTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.The sign at the start of Memory Lane advertises, “This Way to Kinder, Gentler Times!” What the marketers of nostalgia never tell you is that Memory Lane has some side streets and alleys that, like a Tijuana for the mind, contain reminiscences that should have been condemned and razed, their earth salted for the safety of future generations.The Internet won’t let that happen.This week’s Window Shop challenge started as an innocent, whimsical search for the strangest car commercial. Our esteemed panelists explored the bizarre and outlandish from Spain to Saturday Night Live. Just the kind of gentle, wacky fun our committed clique of viewers knows to expect.Then editor-in-chief Tony Quiroga introduced everyone to the dark side of strange—the mystifying, freakish kind. Does anyone remember when automotive marketers decided to combine Edgar Burrows’ science fiction and William Burroughs’ psychedelic enhancers to advertise a milquetoast Chevrolet sedan? Is anyone surprised that Quiroga remembered?Well, he gave it to us, which means we’re now giving it to you. Tune in to watch C/D feature maestros K.C. Colwell and Elana Scherr, Most Favored Nation contributor Jonathon Ramsey, and Road & Track’s resident Svengali John Pearley Huffman have their innocence taken from them. More Window Shopping More

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    2023 Toyota Prius Prime Is More Expensive But Has More Range

    Toyota has announced pricing for the 2023 Prius Prime, which starts $3580 higher than the outgoing Prime at $33,445.The top XSE Premium trim now starts above $40,000, representing a $4620 increase over the 2022 Limited model.Toyota is also estimating a 44-mile range for the base SE, versus the old model’s 25-mile range.The debut of the fifth-generation Toyota Prius in November brought flashy new bodywork, with the plug-in Prime model packing a beefier 220-hp powertrain. This week Toyota revealed pricing for the 2023 Prius Prime, with the improved performance and sharp styling coming at a significant price increase.The added power—which shaves the sprint to 60 mph from a 10-second trudge down to a claimed 6.6 seconds—sees the Prime rebranded as the sportier model, swapping the LE, XLE, and Limited nameplates for SE, XSE, and XSE Premium trims. The base SE now starts at $33,445, a $3580 bump over the outgoing base Prius Prime. Stepping up to XSE brings a $36,695 price tag, a whopping $5050 more than the previous XLE trim. The top of the lineup sees the Prius Prime crest $40,000, a $4620 hike over the 2022 Limited. More Toyota NewsAlong with pricing, Toyota revealed estimates for the 2023 Prius Prime’s all-electric range. Although Toyota’s original estimate was 38 miles, Toyota now says the Prime’s new battery pack—nearly double the size of the outgoing model’s unit—will net a 44 mile range for the SE model. Even the slightly lower 39-mile range Toyota claims for the top two trims is an impressive increase over the 2022 Prius Prime’s 25-mile figure. The XSE and XSE Premium grades sacrifice those 5 miles of range for 19-inch wheels, while the SE comes standard with 17-inch wheels. The first examples of the Prius Prime are supposed to reach dealers in May.This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Associate News EditorCaleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan. More

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    Toyota Three-Row Electric SUV to Be Built on U.S. Soil in 2025

    Toyota plans to build a three-row electric SUV in the U.S. starting sometime in 2025.The company also plans to introduce 10 EVs globally by 2026, with these next-gen electric models to have double the driving range.A mysterious new Lexus EV was also teased during today’s press conference that featured several prominent executives.Toyota appears to be working overtime to make up ground in the race to electrify its lineup. During a press conference today in Japan, the company’s executive leadership said the latest plan includes introducing 10 new EVs around the globe by 2026. Among them is a three-row electric SUV that’s slated to start production in the U.S. sometime in 2025.Built in AmericaBesides the fact it’ll be built in America—with batteries to be assembled in North Carolina—no other details were revealed about the brand’s future EV SUV. However, it could be similar to the three-row Toyota bZ5X concept that was shown back in 2021. The bZ5X debuted alongside myriad other Toyota and Lexus concepts and coincided with their announcement about plans to offer 30 electric models by 2030.toyotaSince then, Koji Sato has replaced Akio Toyoda as Toyota’s president and CEO. The move marked a change of direction for the automaker, who had been criticized over its general resistance to EV adoption. In February, Sato tapped Lexus to lead the charge in the company’s reformed plans to prioritize EVs.Doubling Electric RangeThe announcement also mentioned the introduction of a next-generation electric platform planned for around 2026, and today Toyota Executive Vice President Hiroki Nakajima said the company plans to double the driving range of its next-gen EVs. Unfortunately, it wasn’t detailed exactly how the range will double, other than Nakajima’s vague comment that it’ll be accomplished through “far greater efficiency.” Currently, the longest EPA-estimated range is 252 miles for the Toyota bZ4X; the Lexus RZ450e tops out at 220 miles of estimated range. That suggest future models will have between roughly 440 and 500 miles of range per charge.Toyota’s Future EV PlansNew Lexus EV TeasedWhile it wasn’t directly addressed during the presentation, one of the slides showed a mysterious electric Lexus model. The side profile teased a sharp angles and a rakish roofline, with a small Lexus badge located above the rear wheel arch. The design suggests something between a sedan, a hatchback, and a crossover.ToyotaWhatever the new Lexus EV may be (real or otherwise), it will surely be based on the next-gen platform. It could also feature an interesting new idea that was brought up by Nakajima regarding the ability for drivers to customize “ride feel” in the future. This was described as preferences around how the vehicle runs, turns, and stops. He went on to say this is part of the Toyota’s plans to “create cars that are more fun to drive in terms of both hardware and software.”This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Senior EditorEric Stafford’s automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual ’97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a ’90 Honda CRX Si. More

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    Tesla Model 3 Gets Price Cut as Reduced Tax Credit Looms

    Tesla dropped the price of the Model 3 sedan by $1000 on Thursday.The Long Range and Performance versions of the Model Y also received a $2000 price cut, with the base Model Y officially joining the lineup.The price reductions come as the $7500 tax credit for the base Model 3 will be halved on April 18.If you’ve been on the fence about buying a Tesla Model 3, now’s the time to decide. In anticipation of a reduced federal tax credit starting later this month, the company reduced the price of the single-motor rear-drive sedan by $1000 on Thursday.”Based on new IRS guidance, the $7,500 credit will be reduced for Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive on April 18 to $3,750,” the automaker said on a Federal Tax Incentives section of its website. More Tesla and EV storiesThe reduction comes because the lithium-iron-phosphate battery used in the base model 3 is the only battery from Tesla’s U.S. lineup that sources its cells from China. For a vehicle to qualify under the Inflation Reduction Act, it must be assembled in the U.S. even to be considered for qualification. On top of that, a percentage of its battery minerals must be sourced from a specific list of free-trade partners (not including China), and lastly, its battery cells must be assembled in North America. That means that from now until April 18, the Model 3 has a starting price of $43,630 and qualifies for the full $7500 credit. After that, the credit will be cut in half. As to what Tesla will do with Model 3 pricing—your guess is as good as ours. TeslaIn other Tesla pricing news, the Long Range and Performance versions of the Model Y also received a $2000 price cut on Thursday and now start at $54,630 and $58,630, respectively. Additionally, a base version of the Model Y with 279 miles of range was added to the lineup on Tesla’s website. The base model comes with a small discount to the Long Range model, and starts at $51,630. It was previously limited to inventory models and wasn’t listed next to the Long Range and Performance Models on the website, with Tesla opting for more of an In-N-Out secret menu approach. Tesla notes on its website that all versions of the Model Y will remain eligible for the full credit beyond April 18.This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Associate News EditorJack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. More