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    Royal Enfield Electric Motorcycle Testing Starts – 2025 Launch Plan

    OEMs with cult following such as Royal Enfield face the big question regarding their acceptability in electric formatRoyal Enfield Conti GT 865 – Image for illustration purpose.Disruptive technologies have always been a challenge for established brands and something similar is happening in automotive space. EV tech is decades old, but it’s only now that it is gaining momentum and going mainstream.Most profound changes can be seen in two-wheeler segment that has witnessed multiple new EV brands launched over the last few years. Bestsellers in this space are startups and tech companies, which presents significant challenges for established OEMs like Royal Enfield.Royal Enfield electric bikeIn view of the inevitable shift to an EV ecosystem and related challenges, Royal Enfield has started testing its EV prototypes. These tests are being conducted at various locations across the globe. Investments have been made for creating dedicated infrastructure, as needed for testing electric two-wheelers. Royal Enfield has also been hiring relevant people for its technology centres located in India and UK.While it has stepped-up focus on developing its electric bikes, the first Royal Enfield electric motorcycle won’t be launched before 2025. That’s because the company wants to come up with a differentiated product offering. The brand is all about the joy of motorcycling and it has consistently delivered with a wide range of options in 350cc to 650cc segment. Royal Enfield naturally wants to achieve similar results when it comes to its EV range.Royal Enfield Electric Motorcycle. File photo.Working with partners and suppliers, Royal Enfield has the wherewithal to quickly launch an electric bike. However, that’s not the primary goal for the company. Royal Enfield is working to first understand what exactly are the requirements of buyers in EV space. It will allow the company to develop well-rounded products, just like its current range of petrol-powered motorcycles. Royal Enfield will develop multiple EV platforms to ensure a diversified portfolio of electric bikes.Although there’s limited info, expect the first of Royal Enfield electric bikes to have capabilities similar to that of a 250-300cc ICE bike. It will be suitable for city commutes. Electric cruisers and ADVs could be launched at a later date. However, if there’s any major breakthrough in battery technology in next two years, a longer-range product can also be considered.2k crore investmentWhile not much may be visible on the surface, the fact is that Royal Enfield is working proactively to develop its EV range. Evidence to that can be seen in PLI scheme application, wherein both Royal Enfield and its parent company Eicher Motors have indicated investments worth Rs 2,000 crore. These investments will be spread over a period of five years. Preference for PLI scheme shows that Royal Enfield is getting ready to play the numbers game in electric two-wheeler segment.While it is getting ready for EV space, Royal Enfield will continue to focus on ICE-based motorcycles. Some of the most awaited Royal Enfield bikes include Himalayan 450 and Super Meteor 650. A 650cc scrambler is also under development. More

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    2023 Auto Expo Participants And Not – Maruti, Hyundai, Tata, Mahindra, Kia

    Auto Expo 2023 could be a lot smaller considering manufacturer participation looks alarmingly reducedShah Rukh Khan with the new 2020 Hyundai Creta at Delhi Auto Expo.Auto Expo, a biennial event is one that has for years been indulgent, filled with chutzpah, and indulgent of big names. Where automobiles dare, it’s the biggest showcase in the country. However, things are starting to look different. Scheduled for January 2023, the next Auto Expo already looks like its missing participants.  After the initial media days, Auto Expo is filled with activities, games, engagements, and showstoppers on two-wheels, and four. This to cater to the footfalls expected during the week. And as such, having a larger-than-life manufacturer presence is crucial to drawing in crowds.Auto Expo 2023 DatesFebruary 2022 was a miss owing to Covid-19 pandemic. The buildup to today’s problem isn’t one that cropped up overnight. Initially, Auto Expo was held at Pragati Maidan, in Delhi. This meant more footfalls. However, early in the last decade, the venue was shifted to India Expo Mart, Greater Noida.A newer structure that decidedly offers more parking space for visitors. Efforts have been made to run special bus services through the duration of the expo, as well as promo events to encourage Delhiites to use the Metro and visit.2023 Auto Expo Participants List – Not finalThe event was shifted to February at about the same time to reduce the chances of an event hidden within a fog, and to avoid the nail-biting chills. Increased traffic snarls owing to visitors was also listed as a reason. Well, this year, the event has again been preponed to January. Dates are 13-18 Jan 2023. Last time the Auto Expo was held in January, it was 2012.Two wheelers at Auto Expo 2023For those familiar with Auto Expo, there’s always the allure of a large two-wheeler display. Well, it now seems like not anymore. As strange as it sounds, Hero MotoCorp, Honda, Bajaj, TVS, and Royal Enfield are set to give the great auto extravaganza a miss. And since Hero won’t show up, neither will Harley Davidson. As a visitor, this already sounds like a big disappointment that will dampen enthusiasm.There is always a possibility that many newer electric two-wheeler companies attend but chances are slim. Paying for a stall at the Auto Expo is an expensive affair for manufacturers. In addition is the cost of logistics. And no, this isn’t part of a budget allowance that smaller electric 2W companies have. One can however still expect a large showing of independent e2W sellers with 1-2 scooter/bikes on display in the open stall halls.Cars at Auto Expo 2023As it stands, car manufacturers will show up in greater strength. But no, not all names we’re familiar with will participate. The big 3 in luxury, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi will skip. And so will Skoda, Volkswagen, Renault, Nissan, and Mahindra. Yes, Mahindra will not be present at the 2023 Auto Expo.Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Kia, Tata Motors and Toyota will show up. So will Lexus. There’s MG too. And folks will get a glimpse into BYD. CV manufacturers expected at the show are Ashok Leyland, Eicher, JBM, and Isuzu. SIAM and CII could be working with manufacturers over the next few weeks in attempting to coax them into participating at Auto Expo 2023.  More

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    Volkswagen's High-Performance R Brand Cars Will All Be Electric by 2030

    Volkswagen says its performance R sub-brand will be an EV-only lineup by decade’s end, according to a report in the U.K.’s Autocar.The transition is planned to occur gradually, and on a new EV platform, with several unnamed electric R models in planning already, VW reportedly said.Volkswagen as a whole is targeting 2035 to be a fully electric brand.Volkswagen, like so many other manufacturers, bound by regulations, and driven by an arms race of sorts, promised future electrification across the brand. For Volkswagen, that date is 2035, the year that sales of new gasoline- and diesel-powered vehices will become outlawed throughout the EU. Unfortunately, that also includes Volkswagen’s R performance sub-brand. The company confirmed in a recent interview with Autocar that the R performance brand will make that switch a full five years before the rest of the brand—in 2030.R Themed CarsThe only R brand model currently on sale in the United States is the Golf R, although vehicles including the Tiguan R and Arteon R are sold in Europe. Volkswagen confirmed to U.K. publication Autocar that the company is currently in the planning stages for multiple electric R models. “One thing is certain: the future of R is electric,” a company spokesperson is quoted as saying. VW also said future electric R models will receive trickle-down technology much like their internal-combustion counterparts. We hope that means seeing performance figures anywhere in the same universe as the prototype I.D. R, which set a Nürburgring EV record in 2019.Volkswagen”In order to become a fully electric brand by the end of the decade, we’re already taking the necessary steps today for the forthcoming transformation,” VW’s Reinhold Ivenz told Autocar. According to this story, future R models will be built on a version of the Volkswagen Group’s Scalable Systems Platform (SSP), which is the company’s EV platform set to succeed the current MEB platform in 2026. What does that mean for the current Golf R? It indicates that it’s unlikely the Golf R as we know and love it will make a direct transition to an electric vehicle, and the same goes for R versions of any vehicles that are going to be sold as ICE in the shorter term. However, VW does say it has “several” of the new R models in the works, so we can likely expect to start seeing those before too long.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.This content is imported from OpenWeb. 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. More

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    2023 Honda Civic Type R Stickers with a Nearly $44K Base Price

    The 2023 Honda Civic Type R has a starting price of $43,990—about $5k more than its predecessor.The redesigned CTR is still about $1000 less than the limited-production Limited Edition from the previous generation.Honda says the 2023 Civic Type R will start hitting dealerships in the U.S. tomorrow.Those who want to live fast and furiously with the 2023 Civic Type R will have to shell out at least $43,990. That’s the starting price—before any dealer markups—that Honda is asking for its hottest hatchback, which the company says will start hitting U.S. dealer lots tomorrow.The redesigned CTR’s raised base price means it costs about $5000 more than its predecessor, which opened at $38,910 for the 2021 model year. Still, the ’23 Type R isn’t the most expensive Type R ever sold in America. That title goes to the previous-gen Limited Edition that cost around $45k during its limited production run.HondaWith today’s news, the new Civic Type R is now in the same monetary territory as the all-wheel-drive 315-hp 2023 Volkswagen Golf R and its $45,385 base price. Obviously, the big difference between the two hatches is the mightiest Civic only comes with front-wheel drive. In that regard, the 2023 CTR costs just over $10,000 more than the front-drive-only 286-hp Hyundai Elantra N.R-equired Type R ReadingLike the outgoing model, we don’t expect the 2023 Honda Civic Type R to offer many options. However, we’re told its standard Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer rubber can be swapped for an even stickier set of Cup 2 tires. We just don’t yet know how expensive of an upgrade that will be because Honda hasn’t said.For anyone who cares, the ’23 Type R’s EPA fuel-economy figures have also been released. It’s rated at 22 mpg city, 28 highway, and 24 combined. Those ratings are almost identical to the previous generation which had a higher combined estimate of 25 mpg.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.This content is imported from OpenWeb. 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. More

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    2023 Ford Super Duty Can Tow up to 40,000 Pounds with as Much as 1200 LB-FT

    Ford announced towing capacities for its Super Duty heavy-duty truck lineup, with the top-spec F-450 able to haul 40,000 pounds with a gooseneck trailer.Ford also says the Super Duty has a payload rated up to 8000 pounds, besting its competition from Chevrolet and Ram.Horsepower and torque figures were also revealed for the new 6.8-liter V-8 and the High Output version of the Power Stroke diesel, which makes 500 hp and 1200 pound-feet.Ford recently took the wraps off the 2023 Super Duty pickup trucks, revealing a fresh design with a squared-off face and bold grilles, as well as upgraded interiors with an available 12.0-inch touchscreen. The Super Duty also arrived packing a new 6.8-liter gas-powered V-8 that joins the gas-fed 7.3-liter V-8 and diesel-sipping 6.7-liter V-8. Now Ford has announced the official towing ratings for the 2023 Super Duty lineup, blasting its competitors out of the water with a maximum available 40,000 pounds of towing capacity. FordThat 40,000-pound figure is for the largest Ford F-450 pulling a gooseneck trailer. This puts the Blue Oval well ahead of its heavy duty competition, with the Chevrolet Silverado HD topping out at 36,000 pounds and the Ram HD maxing out at 37,090 pounds. Even stepping down to the Ford F-350 allows you to haul 38,000 pounds via a gooseneck trailer. Ford also claims to be best in class with a conventional towing setup, topping out at 30,000 pounds, and says the Super Duty maxes out at an 8000-pound payload, several hundred pounds higher than its competitors from Chevy and Ram. FordFord has also unveiled the horsepower and torque ratings for the 2023 Super Duty. The new 6.8-liter starts things off with 405 hp and 445 pound-feet, while the beefier 7.3-liter carries over with 430 horses and 485 pound-feet. But the real towing king is the 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 diesel, offered in two outputs. The standard version still makes 475 hp and 1050 pound-feet, but a new High Output specification ups that to a massive 500 hp and 1200 pound-feet of torque. A 10-speed automatic is the only transmission choice, and four-wheel-drive is standard starting on the XLT trim.More Ford NewsThe Super Duty trucks will come packed with tech to make towing easier, such as Pro Trailer Hitch Assist to help you affix the hitch ball to the receiver, and an optional 360-degree camera and on-board scales to help even out the weight distribution. There is even a specific trailer navigation setting that chooses the easiest route for towing. Deliveries of the 2023 Super Duty will start early next year, and Ford has now announced that the truck lineup will start at $45,765.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.This content is imported from OpenWeb. 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. More

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    Gogoro Electric Scooters Planned For India Launch – Via Hero MotoCorp ?

    Along with e-scooters, Gogoro brand will strive to set up battery-swapping stations across major cities, followed by tier-2 citiesGogoro Electric ScooterWe recently witnessed the launch of Hero MotoCorp’s Vida V1 series of electric scooters. The news surrounding that event mentioned a Taiwanese brand named Gogoro very often. This brand is likely to be providing Hero MotoCorp battery swapping tech that we now see on Vida V1.Gogoro brand also mentions that it will accelerate battery swapping infra in India. It will be made available to Vida products as well. Gogoro is yet to launch its products in India. We have seen Viva name trademarked by the brand as well. Recently, Gogoro announced that they will enter India on November 3rd. It is not yet known if there is a launch event or just a formal session to reveal further info. We’d bank on the latter.Gogoro Electric Scooters For IndiaOn that day, Gogoro is set to reveal its vision for smart energy, urban transportation, de-carbonisation of India’s urban mobility and last-mile sector. Since the company is mentioning the last-mile sector, a B2B product is highly likely. This maps out with the Viva name trademarked in October 2019 in India.Viva by Gogoro brand is a small and inexpensive electric scooter that is perfect for B2B applications. With a 3 kW (likely peak power) hub-mounted electric motor, it can traverse 85 km when ridden at a constant 30 km/h speed. Since it has a hub motor, it boasts 85 Nm of torque at the motor which will not be translated to real-world performance.Gogoro Electric ScooterIt gets a colourful and minimalistic body coupled with conventional cycle parts. The front design reminds me of Marilyn Monroe’s iconic picture. Just me? Okay. If Gogoro is launching it in India, we can expect a price tag of around Rs. 75K to 80K. It rivals Hero Electric’s Nyx HX and Okinawa Dual 100.Ola S1 Pro Rivaling Scooter?As seen with our 2W EV retail sales for September 2022, Ola Electric is currently the one to beat. The Indian company is expanding its portfolio aggressively and is even foraying into 4W EVs. Sticking with 2W EVs, Ola recently launched S1 Air which costs a hair under Rs. 80K.Gogoro brand is likely to come up with its S1 in India to rival Ola’s S1 Pro. When launched, it will bear a different name, though. This is a B2C product for the mainstream PV segment. It is quite a stunner to look at and incorporates a minimalist design. It is a cohesive design that comes together nicely to form one futuristic product.Gogoro Electric ScooterS1 by Gogoro gets all the features that one would want in a modern electric scooter. That being said, it is not lagging behind in terms of mechanicals as well (electricals in this case). It gets a 7.2 kW motor that is mid-mounted on an aluminium monocoque chassis. It is capable of 27 Nm of peak torque. Range is 150 km at a steady speed of 30 km/h.Parallelly, Gogoro brand will strive to set up battery-swapping stations across major cities, followed by tier-2 cities. These battery-swapping stations are highly likely to be shared with Hero MotoCorp’s Vida electric scooters. It is not yet known as to what the Taiwanese company has on the table for India. Whatever it is, will unravel on November 3rd. More

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    Desperately Seeking Dodge Charger/Challenger? Try Horsepower Locator

    Dodge muscle cars, in addition to their other virtues, have an irrepressible charm, and so does Dodge’s latest marketing idea, a “Horsepower Locator” at DodgeGarage.com.It’s an online tool to find one of the Last Call special editions that are being doled out in limited quantities to dealers around the country.There are about 4600 Charger and Challenger special editions, all of them preconfigured, but thanks to the Horsepower Locator, they’ll find their owners—and vice versa—soon.The writing is on the cardboard for the Dodge Challenger and Charger muscle cars as we know them—the end is near. And while their legions of fans have only a concept of what the next iteration will look as they dry their 93-octane tears, Dodge has given every 2023 Challenger and Charger a Last Call plaque under the hood to commemorate this final chapter. The automaker has also rolled out six special editions. But for those who want to buy one, finding it is is another matter. Dodge’s solution: the Horsepower Locator. This tool gives would-be muscle-car mavens the tools necessary to harass any dealership with an allocation and fulfill their insatiable desire for horsepower.Every Last Call Has an After Party:Shakedown, Super Bee, Scat Pack Swinger, King Daytona, and Black Ghost are all names that carry us back to the carbureted days of muscle. Dodge is divvying these special editions out to 500 of its top-selling dealerships. Supplies are limited to 12 special editions for the top 200, 10 special editions for the following 100, and the remaining top dealers will have access to just six.Dodge says these Last Call special editions come preconfigured, and that’s why the Horsepower Locator should come in handy for about as long as the available 4600 special editions are available. However, knowing Charger and Challenger fans, that tank shouldn’t take long to empty. StellantisHow to Use the Horsepower LocatorThe Horsepower Locator can be found at DodgeGarage.com. It doesn’t just track which dealerships will get which special editions, but how many of each remain available. This tool searches dealership allocations, giving buyers a head start on ordering as they’ve never had before. According to an earlier report from DodgeGarage, the Horsepower Locator will also allow you to specifically order from Dodge’s Power Broker dealerships, should you want to add more dynamite to your order from their factory-backed performance parts lineup.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.Last Call | 2023 Dodge Horsepower LocatorWatch onTo expand ordering options during this last and hoedown, all 2023 SRT models will receive the (including SRT Hellcat and SRT Hellcat Redeye). This expands the personalization limits for paint, interior trim, wheel options, and many others. B5 Blue, Plum Crazy purple, Sublime green, and Destroyer Gray are all back for 2023 as well. Charger SRTChallenger SRTpreviously announced Jailbreak designationPricing for each of the so-far-announced 2023 special-edition Last Call models is as follows:2023 Dodge Charger Super Bee: $63,4002023 Dodge Challenger Shakedown: $65,185 2023 Dodge Challenger Widebody Swinger: $67,785 2023 Dodge Charger Widebody Super Bee: $68,8952023 Dodge Challenger Widebody Shakedown: $69,085 2023 Dodge Charger Swinger Widebody: $71,285 2023 Dodge Charger King Daytona: $100,015 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost: $100,910Earlier this year Dodge announced the debut of its seventh and final Last Call edition, which was originally planned for November’s SEMA show, would be delayed due to supply problems. Mopar fans want the Super Bee wing with a Richard Petty paint option, but it’s really anyone’s guess as to what Dodge might have hidden behind closed doors. If they’re clever enough to make the MSRP of the Charger Swinger a not-so-innocent $69,690, we should all be in for a pretty spectacular goodbye. This content is imported from OpenWeb. 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. More

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    New RE Scrambler 650cc Spied In India For The First Time

    RE Scrambler 650cc will be powered by a 648cc parallel-twin engine that generates 47 bhp and 52 Nm of peak torque, coupled with a 6-speed gearbox and slipper clutchRoyal Enfield 650cc Scrambler Spied In IndiaWe recently compiled a list of all the upcoming Royal Enfield motorcycles. There were 8 in total including a slew of motorcycles based on 350cc, 450cc and 650cc platforms. These include Bullet 350, Scram 450, Himalayan 450, Continental GT-R 650, Continental GT 650 Facelift, Super Meteor 650, Shotgun 650 and lastly, Scrambler 650.Please note that these names are widely referred to by the automotive fraternity and are not finalised by Royal Enfield. Out of all the 8 upcoming motorcycles mentioned above, Scrambler 650 was the only one that was not yet papped in India. That is now changed as we finally got to see one under testing on our soil as well.RE Scrambler 650cc Spied In IndiaWith immense popularity revolving around Royal Enfield’s 650cc platform, there is always scope to expand. This potent 650cc platform is so popular that it is single-handedly heavy-lifting the 500cc+ segment for a long time now. Right now, this platform is found only on Interceptor 650, a cruiser and Continental GT 650, a cafe racer.Royal Enfield is expanding its 650cc portfolio to include multiple new body styles. At the same time, bettering its existing 650cc vehicles as well. Even though the test mule spotted in India is starkly similar to the one found testing abroad, there are differences evident upon closer inspection.Royal Enfield 650cc Scrambler Spied In IndiaThe round side body panel found in test mules abroad, is discarded in the test mule found in India. This is replaced with a more conventional side body panel that we see in Continental GT 650. Another major difference is the seat. Newer test mule spotted in India gets a visually different seat cover and seat shape as well.Specs & FeaturesEngine will be the same unit found on Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650. However, Royal Enfield will tweak it to give a slightly different character to suit its Scrambler avatar. It is powered by a 648cc parallel-twin engine that generates 47 bhp and 52 Nm of peak torque. Coupled with a 6-speed gearbox and a slipper clutch, this platform has smooth power delivery.Dual exhausts are given a miss in favour of a single unit. This requires a different exhaust header to reroute gases. Weight will definitely go down as one of its exhausts is removed. It gets round headlights, tail lights and blinkers. At first glance, tail lights seem to be taken from Meteor 350 and turn indicators from Hunter 350. Braking hardware is likely to be borrowed from existing 650 twins.Tyres are of block pattern owing to scrambler avatar. The main difference in cycle parts for RE Scrambler 650cc seems to be its USD forks at front and wheel sizes. It still retains wire-spoke wheels and the front one looks slightly larger than the rear wheel. Launch timeline is not yet revealed. But the test mule looks mostly production ready.Image Source More