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    in Electric Cars

    Mahindra BE 6e Vs. XEV 9e – Base Variant Features Compared

    Mahindra BE 6e and XUV 9eWhile the base variants of BE 6e and XEV 9e are well-equipped, they lack features such as panoramic sunroof, Level 2 ADAS, self-parking function, etc.
    With ambitious plans to dominate the EV segment, Mahindra has introduced two of its born-electric SUVs. While BE 6e is priced at Rs 18.90 lakh, the XEV 9e starts at Rs 21.90 lakh. Multiple new models will be launched in the coming years.
    Mahindra BE 6e Pack One – Features, safety kit
    As of now, Mahindra has revealed the details of only the base variants of BE 6e and XEV 9e. ‘Pack One’ terminology is being used to refer to the base variants. Talking about features, the BE 6e Pack One base variant gets an all-LED lighting setup. It has 18-inch wheels with aero covers and exterior cladding in glossy black finish. A 150-litre frunk provides extra storage space in addition to the 455-litre rear boot.
    Mahindra BE 6e base variant features list
    High-tech equipment is one of the key USPs of Mahindra’s born-electric SUVs. Even the base variant of BE 6e is fully loaded. It has dual 12.3-inch screens for the infotainment and a customizable instrument cluster. The carmaker is using its proprietary Mahindra Artificial Intelligence Architecture (MAIA) to power the various tech systems. One of the fastest Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets has been used to ensure a seamless experience.
    A comprehensive range of connectivity and remote functions are available with Mahindra BE 6e. There’s OTA updates, 5G connectivity, pre-installed OTT apps, built-in Amazon Alexa, social media apps and external device support for rear passengers. BE 6e Pack One base variant has four speakers and two tweeters. It has push button start/stop, fabric upholstery, keyless entry, auto climate control and rear AC vents. Other highlights include a cooled glove box, 65W Type-C charging ports at front and rear, tilt and telescopic steering adjustment and cruise control.
    Safety kit includes six airbags, rear camera and sensors, brake-by-wire tech, rear disc brakes, tyre pressure monitoring system and auto headlights. There’s rain sensing wipers, electronic parking brake and driver drowsiness detection system.
    Mahindra XEV 9e Pack One – Features, safety kit
    Most of the features listed above for BE 6e are common for XEV 9e. There are only a few differences in the equipment and safety package. For example, an electronic parking brake is not available with the Pack One base variant of XEV 9e. Other missing items include 5G connectivity, push button start/stop and pre-installed OTT, news, social media and shopping apps.
    Mahindra XEV 9e base variant features list
    Mahindra BE 6e Pack One, XEV 9e Pack One – Powertrain
    Both models share the same powertrain. The 59-kWh battery pack connects to an electric motor that generates 231 hp and 380 Nm. Both SUVs have a range of 542 km (MIDC). Other features common to both SUVs include virtual engine sounds, single-pedal drive, variable ratio power steering and drive modes of Range, Everyday and Race. BE 6e Pack One base variant gets Boost function with the Race drive mode. It also has low rolling resistance tyres.
    Mahindra BE 6e Pack One, XEV 9e Pack One – Desirable features
    Base variants of BE 6e and XEV 9e miss out on safety features such as 7-airbags, ADAS Level 2, blind spot monitoring, a 360° camera and self-parking function. Other items missing include a panoramic sunroof with integrated ambient lighting and a premium 1,400W, 16-speaker sound system by Harman Kardon with Dolby Atmos. BE 6e and XEV 9e base variants also do not have a head-up display with augmented reality. To access these features, users will need to choose the higher variants of BE 6e and XEV 9e.
    BE 6e Pack One and XEV 9e Pack One base variants are available at Rs 18.90 lakh and Rs 21.90 lakh. However, users will need to pay an additional amount for the charger and any installation required. Users will be able to choose from a 7.2 kW and a 11 kW charger. More

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    in Bike

    Upcoming Royal Enfield Motorcycles With New 750cc Engine – Himalayan, Interceptor, Conti GT

    Royal Enfield’s New 750cc EngineTest mules of Himalayan, Interceptor and Continental GT have surfaced online that may be powered by Royal Enfield’s new 750cc engine
    Ever since Royal Enfield unveiled their 650 Twins, (Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650), the company has redefined multi-cylinder motorcycle segment. That is because Royal Enfield launched them at a jaw-dropping starting price of Rs 2.34 lakh (Ex-sh). Thus re-writing the VFM quotient in the multi-cylinder motorcycle segment.
    Today, the starting price of RE’s 650cc portfolio is Rs 3.02 lakh (Ex-sh) and it still holds the crown for being VFM. But there is a new 750cc powertrain rumoured to be under development and test mules donning the same, are spotted on multiple occasions. Here’s what we can expect out of this new 750cc powertrain.
    Royal Enfield Continental GT750 Spied
    Royal Enfield’s New 750cc Engine
    When Royal Enfield came up with their 650cc lineup, powertrain was the main talking point as it was unlike any Royal Enfield from the recent past. Owing to its twin-cylinder engine architecture, it was substantially smooth and vibe-free, something which couldn’t be said about any of the Royal Enfield offerings of that time.
    Even today, Royal Enfield’s 650cc portfolio is arguably the smoothest and the most vibe-free. This vibe-free character is likely to be a strength of 750cc engine as well. Just like the 650cc mill, this 750cc unit will have a parallel-twin architecture. When compared to V-twin architecture, parallel-twin is cheaper to manufacture and will be priced reasonably.
    Bigger Himalayan Spied : Image – Motorbeam
    There is a good probability that this 750cc motor is a modified version of the current 650cc motor. An increase in displacement could either be in favour of a bigger bore, extracting more power or in favour of a longer stroke, extracting more torque. Both bore and stroke may be increased at the same time as well. Throttle body might be bigger too.
    Updated Interceptor : Image – Overdrive
    Royal Enfield is likely to stick with the relaxed character of the current 650cc engine with oodles of torque in reserve. We can expect an increase in performance with this new 750cc motor. More advanced technology, such as ride-by-wire throttle, could be used for smoother on-off throttle transitions.
    More Stopping Power
    With an increase in performance, there needs to be an increase in stopping power too. Royal Enfield is tackling this with the help of dual disc brakes at the front that should provide more stopping power than what is currently on offer with the 650cc portfolio. Test mules of Himalayan 750, Interceptor 750 and Continental GT 750 all have dual disc brakes.
    Considering Royal Enfield takes a long time in research and development, we can expect the launch of the 750cc portfolio by the end of 2025 and it could even extend to 2026. These 750cc bikes will be global products, rivalling other premium and legacy brands with price competitiveness. More

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    in Bike

    350cc to 450cc Motorcycle Sales Oct 2024 – Royal Enfield, Triumph, Honda, Bajaj, Harley, Aprilia

    New RE Guerrilla 450 – Gaadi StartThe 350cc to 450cc motorcycle segment in India recorded impressive growth in October 2024, with total sales rising by 26.51% year-on-year (YoY)
    The segment reported sales of 1,14,979 units compared to 90,888 units in October 2023. Dominated by Royal Enfield, the category has shown significant momentum, driven by a mix of established favourites and new entrants. Royal Enfield continues to lead the pack with its Classic 350 emerging as the top seller, clocking 38,297 units, a 20.06% growth YoY. The recently updated Bullet 350 witnessed a remarkable 57.32% YoY growth, with 22,491 units sold, making it the fastest-growing model in the segment.
    350cc to 450cc Motorcycle Sales Oct 2024 – YoY Comparison
    Similarly, the Hunter 350 maintained its popularity with 21,350 units, reflecting a 20.40% increase over the same period last year. The Meteor 350 also contributed with steady sales of 11,136 units, registering a modest 9.81% growth. Additionally, Royal Enfield’s newest entrant, the Guerrilla 450 registered sales of 1,584 units, further strengthening the brand’s hold in the market.
    350cc to 450cc Motorcycle Sales Oct 2024 – YoY Comparison
    Jawa Yezdi brands under Classic Legends recorded robust growth of 50.58% YoY, with sales of 4,180 units. Triumph’s entry into the segment with the 400 model also performed well, achieving sales of 4,005 units, reflecting a 17.52% growth. On the other hand, Honda had a mixed performance. While the H’Ness 350 experienced a slight dip of 3.88%, selling 2,771 units, the new CB 350 registered 1,838 units sold, highlighting Honda’s potential to expand its footprint in this segment.
    Harley-Davidson’s X440, which had shown promise earlier, saw a decline of 11.82% YoY with sales of 2,200 units. Among the new entrants, the Aprilia RS 457 managed to record 351 units, while the Hero Mavrick began with 196 units. However, some models faced challenges, such as the KTM 390, which saw a significant decline of 67.37% YoY, selling just 513 units compared to 1,572 units a year ago. Bajaj Dominar 400 also posted a decline of 29.17%, while the Husqvarna 401 registered sales of 46 units. The Ninja/Eliminator 400 struggled with only 7 units sold, marking an 85.42% drop YoY.
    350cc to 450cc Motorcycle Sales Oct 2024 – MoM Comparison
    350cc to 450cc Motorcycle Sales Oct 2024 – MoM Comparison
    Following the year-on-year analysis, a month-on-month (MoM) comparison of the 350cc to 450cc motorcycle segment in October 2024 further highlights the dynamic growth of this market. Total MoM sales surged by 27.95%, with 1,14,979 units sold in October compared to 89,865 units in September 2024. This impressive growth can be attributed to increased consumer enthusiasm during the festive season and the strong performance of key models.
    Royal Enfield continued its market dominance with robust MoM growth across most of its lineup. The Classic 350, the segment leader, recorded a 15.82% increase, selling 38,297 units. The updated Bullet 350 saw an exceptional 74.34% rise in sales, with 22,491 units sold compared to 12,901 in September. The Hunter 350 grew by 22.66%, while the Meteor 350 achieved a 28.52% rise in sales, reflecting strong demand across Royal Enfield’s portfolio. However, the Guerrilla 450 experienced a slight dip, with sales down by 4.41% compared to the previous month.
    Jawa Yezdi’s performance was particularly noteworthy, nearly doubling its sales MoM to 4,180 units, a remarkable 96.71% growth. Triumph’s 400cc model also posted a healthy 17.41% increase with 4,005 units sold. Honda’s H’Ness 350 and CB 350 both showed strong growth, with sales increasing by 35.30% and 47.99%, respectively. Harley-Davidson X440, despite earlier challenges, saw sales climb by 52.57% to 2,200 units, while the Royal Enfield Himalayan grew by 21.22%, registering 2,199 units.
    Among newer entrants, the Aprilia RS 457 continued to gain traction, with a 31.46% MoM growth, selling 351 units. Hero Mavrick and Husqvarna 401 also posted growth figures of 15.98% and 24.32%, respectively. Even Kawasaki’s Ninja/Eliminator 400, though in small numbers, saw a 40% increase in sales MoM. On the flip side, Bajaj Pulsar 400 and Dominar 400 struggled, with sales dropping by 37.70% and 37.91%, respectively. KTM 390 also witnessed a 26.19% decline in sales, reflecting challenges for these models amidst increasing competition. More

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    in Electric Cars

    Mahindra XEV 9e First Drive Review – Mid-Size SUV With Bonkers Performance!

    Mahindra XEV 9e First Drive ReviewWith 286 PS of peak power and 380 Nm of peak torque and RWD architecture, Mahindra XEV 9e offers unmatched performance among mid-size SUVs
    At their Unlimit India event held in Chennai, Mahindra launched two new Electric Origin SUVs. Called BE 6e and XEV 9e, these electric SUVs are poised to revolutionise the Indian automotive market and make a much bigger splash in many global markets than Mahindra did before. Being the bigger of the two, XEV 9e holds more potential to appeal to more premium buyers who need a style statement and performance to match.
    The proposition of an XEV 9e is very straightforward. Currently, it is a one-of-a-kind offering with no real competition until Tata Harrier EV and Safari EV arrive. XEV 9e doesn’t follow the generic FWD monocoque high-riding SUV formula but offers RWD excitement. Mahindra provided Rushlane with an XEV 9e at the ‘Unlimit India’ event for a first-drive review. After driving it in the city, on the highway and on Mahindra’s curated tracks at MSPT (Mahindra SUV Proving Tracks), here’s what we think about this SUV.
    Mahindra XEV 9e First Drive Review
    Starting with the price, Mahindra XEV 9e base Pack 1 costs Rs 21.9 lakh (Ex-sh) and it is a mid-size electric SUV. Mahindra provided us with top-spec trim in Desert Myst and Tango Red shades. Of all the colours, I think Stealth Black looks the best on XEV 9e, highlighting its sporty credentials and sophisticated personality. If the smaller BE 6e is inspired by a fighter jet, XEV 9e is inspired by a private jet with more sophistication.
    We can see that in its exterior design. XEV 9e doesn’t look wild like BE 6e does. There’s grace in its design, that establishes a commanding road presence. We get a closed-off grill at the front, flanked by vertically arranged LED projector headlights accompanied by and commanding connected LED DRLs. There’s no aerodynamic front spoiler on XEV 9e like there was on BE 6e. Muscular creases on bonnet define car’s personality further.
    Mahindra XEV 9e
    At the sides, we can see the lovely coupe profile with sloping roofline merging in a flat end. Mahindra has given XEV 9e the same ORVMs as XUV700. Front door handle is flush and pop-out type, while rear door handle is nothing fancy, but positioned at the pillar. Chunky body claddings painted in gloss black along with chrome window belt line highlight the sporty character. Wheels are massive and could go up to 20-inches in size.
    Mahindra XEV 9e
    At the rear, we can see the illuminated Electric Origin SUV logo, a conventional (relatively) roof spoiler, a shark fin antenna, connected LED tail lights and a sporty bumper painted in gloss black with a chrome strip. Rear tailgate is electrically operated and front bonnet is hydraulically assisted to reveal a sizeable frunk (front trunk). Putting numbers on XEV 9e’s size, it measures 4,790 mm in length, 1,905 mm in width, 1,690 mm in width and has a 2,775 mm long wheelbase. Trunk space is 663L and frunk space is 150L.
    Mahindra XEV 9e Frunk
    Business-Class Interiors
    While BE 6e’s interiors looked like a fighter jet, XEV 9e’s interiors were less sporty and more sophisticated looking. Like that of a business-class jet. If you look closely, you will realise that XEV 9e’s interiors are very closely related to the interiors of an XUV700 under the skin, which is not a bad thing. Here, Mahindra has given new soft-touch finishes and touches to make it appear more premium and sophisticated, which it does.
    Steering wheel is unique to XEV 9e and is not the same unit as seen in BE 6e. While the shape is unique, its functionalities match that of BE 6e. There are tactile buttons and toggles along with dedicated + and – toggles for regen control. Centre console on XEV 9e is reminiscent of XUV700, except for the new and fancier gear selector. The main difference is the unmistakable and attention-grabbing triple 10.2-inch screen layout.
    Mahindra XEV 9e Dashboard
    Mahindra calls it 110 cm wide Cinemascope setup. These displays are crisp in resolution and are run by 6th Gen Adrenox UI and MAIA (Mahindra Artificial Intelligence Architecture) powered by Qualcomm SnapDragon chipset. Centre infotainment screen supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay while instrument screen for driver shows a host of information including a large-format navigation module and blind-spot assistance module when turn indicators are activated.
    Mahindra XEV 9e Interior Camera
    Presence of a third screen is the most interesting aspect in this entire setup and it aims to offer a dedicated display for front passengers. This screen is capable of streaming videos and even video calls with the built-in camera inside XEV 9e. Mahindra calls this camera EyeDentity and it is primarily used to monitor driver fatigue and send alerts. For rear passengers, there is no dedicated entertainment package.
    Mahindra XEV 9e Interiors
    However, Mahindra does offer a docking facility for tablets behind the front seats as a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) approach. When docked, the rear devices can be synced to car’s UI and get a unified experience. Dedicated entertainment package would have been nice, but we can appreciate Mahindra’s efforts to achieve price-wise competitiveness. Driver seat is powered and has a memory function with buttons elegantly placed on door. Seats are large and accommodating, but they’re sporty and bolster your body in place like BE 6e’s seats do.
    Mahindra XEV 9e Interiors
    Rear seat occupants get a lot of space as the wheelbase is 2,770 mm long. Seats here recline for added comfort and there is genuine support for optimum comfort. Floor is flat and we even have Boss Mode for the rear master seat. Boss Mode adjustments are manual, though, and not electric. We felt like the headroom was sufficient too, for a car with a sloping Coupe roofline. There are three individual headrests and a centre armrest along with fast-charging capable Type-C ports, a manual sun shade and a wireless charging pad.
    Mahindra XEV 9e Interiors
    When we’re talking about a Mahindra, there won’t be a deficit of features. XEV 9e is Mahindra’s flagship Electric Origin SUV and the features list goes on and on. Notable features are 360-degree camera, NFC key card, driverless self-parking feature, remote parking, ventilated front seats, cooled glovebox, LED interior lighting, multi-zone automatic climate control, auto-dimming IRVM, air purifier with PM 2.5 air filter, 1400W 16-speaker Harman Kardon setup with Dolby Atmos, tuned by music industry stalwarts like A R Rehman, slidable sun blinds with vanity mirrors and lights, among others.
    Mahindra XEV 9e Interiors
    The Harman Kardon system had excellent sound output, but very heavy on base, overpowering the mids. Nothing you can’t fix in equalizer. XEV 9e also features an Infinity Roof (a fixed glass roof) with a powered sunblind which is synced with the car’s 16 million colour ambient lighting. Mahindra’s new VisionX HUD system shows vital information like navigation, ADAS-related infographics, vehicle speed, traffic sign recognition data, cruise control data and music.
    Mahindra XEV 9e Interiors
    Exhilarating Performance & Plush Ride
    Mahindra XEV 9e is now a benchmark in performance within the mid-size SUV segment. There is nothing out there to match XEV 9e in outright performance in any sense of the imagination. That is courtesy of a large battery pack that goes up till 79 kWh in capacity. This large battery powers an electric motor with 285 PS of peak power and 380 Nm of peak torque ensures instantaneous acceleration sprinting to 100 km/h from standstill in just 6.8 seconds and has a top speed of 202 km/h.
    Mahindra XEV 9e Boot
    This electric motor is positioned at the rear for best driving feel. No generic FWD nonsense here, thanks to the born electric INGLO platform where Mahindra engineers seem to have had complete freedom. Because of the motor at the rear, there’s no torque steering and it feels like a proper SUV. The heavy batteries ensure a low centre of gravity and a supple ride. As demonstrated by the ‘Great Indian Wine Glass Challenge’ by Mahindra, XEV 9e has an incredibly cushy ride that almost feels like you’re driving on a magic carpet.
    Mahindra XEV 9e
    That’s thanks to rear independent suspension along with semi-active dampers, first-in-segment. XEV 9e has a noticeably more comfortable ride quality than BE 6e, which is set up at a sportier setting. This means body roll is very evident on XEV 9e, something which is not in BE 6e’s equation. XEV 9e handles Indian roads like a champ. It absorbs bumps, potholes and bad patches very effortlessly. It is an incredible feat considering XEV 9e can be specced up with up to 20-inch alloy wheels.
    Mahindra XEV 9e
    Braking setup consists of all-wheel disc brakes along with Mahindra’s new Brake-by-Wire technology for lowest reaction time. Result of all this is excellent stopping power from XEV 9e with good initial bite and progression. Mahindra quotes a range of up to 656 km on a single charge (ARAI Certified) and even quotes a 780 km figure from an in-house test. In real life, Mahindra promises the XEV 9e will do 500+ km on a single charge with AC on.
    Mahindra XEV 9e
    XEV 9e has three driving modes – Range, Everyday and Race, altering performance, feedback and even top speed. For example, top speed maxes out at 162 km/h in Everyday Mode and can reach 202 km/h in Race Mode. There’s adjustable regen modes that even allow for one pedal driving, which rival brands are yet to implement. Because of the variable gear ratios in steering, turning radius of XEV 9e was impressive as well, considering its size. DC fast charging is supported and can go up to 175kW quoting 20% to 80% in 20 minutes, if you can find a 175 kW charger in India. There’s unlimited battery warranty too, but only for the first owner.
    Safety-wise, there is no reason for concerns as the badge on this vehicle says Mahindra. XEV 9e comes equipped with up to 7 airbags and is highly likely to score a stellar 5 star crash safety rating at any of the NCAP agencies across the world. There’s a Level 2+ ADAS suite with 5 radars and 1 camera, acting as a guardian angel, protecting the occupants. Mahindra also demonstrated the structural integrity of INGLO platform batteries by performing crush test, immersion test, fire test and even a drop test.
    Mahindra XEV 9e
    Some Reservations and Conclusion
    1. Just like on BE 6e, XEV 9e’s HUD goes out of sight when you take the seat height all the way down to a sporty feel.2. The tiny rear windscreen situation in XEV 9e is even worse than BE 6e as this vehicle has a centre headrest for 2nd row bench.3. We wished the doors went over the running boards to prevent soiling of the occupant’s clothes during ingress and egress.4. There’s a missed opportunity here as Mahindra could have made it a compelling 2nd-row vehicle by offering features like electrically operated Boss Mode, rear seat ventilation among others.5. The third display on the dashboard can stream videos which could prove a distraction for driver. Mahindra could have implemented a dimming function when viewing from a certain angle to prevent driver distractions. This tech is more than a decade old already.
    Mahindra XEV 9e
    Concluding Mahindra XEV 9e review is slightly trickier, only because the BE 6e exists. XEV 9e aims to be a more sophisticated and larger offering than BE 6e with a much larger boot and frunk. The premium quotient is higher on XEV 9e, no doubt. But for owner/drivers, BE 6e appears as a far more exciting alternative as it packs a sporty edge. We say this because Mahindra could have worked more on curating rear-seat experience for it to be a chauffeur-driven vehicle.
    XEV 9e emerges as a status symbol that sets it apart from other mid-size SUVs out there, while costing more or less the same OTR. At the same time, it offers unmatched performance and an exciting package. If you’re not smitten by BE 6e or find BE 6e’s design polarising, you should go right ahead and buy the XEV 9e. Because there’s nothing like it in the mid-size SUV segment with similar overall packaging. More

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    in Bike

    Honda Sales Breakup Oct 2024 – Activa, Shine, Dio, Unicorn, Dream, Hornet, CB 350

    Honda CB 350Honda two wheeler domestic sales grew by double digits to 5.53 lakh units with best-seller Activa commanding a 48% share
    Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) reported robust sales growth in October 2024. The company sold 5,53,120 units in the said month, a 19.53% YoY growth from 4,62,747 units sold in the same month last year. It was also a marginal 3.12% MoM improvement from 5,36,391 units sold in Sep 2024. A healthy lineup of 16 models across various segments had held the company in good stead.
    Honda 2W Domestic Sales Oct 2024
    Honda Activa was once again the highest selling model in the company lineup in Oct 2024. Sales stood at 2,66,806 units, a 21.91% YoY growth from 2,18,856 units sold in Oct 2023. This related to a 47,950 unit volume growth with the Activa scooter commanding a 48.24% share on this list. Activa sales also improved albeit marginally on a MoM basis by 1.71% over 2,62,316 units sold in Sep 2024. With the new Honda Activa electric on the horizon, sales will be further augmented in the months ahead.
    Honda 2W Sales Oct 2024 – YoY Comparison
    Honda Shine 125+SP125 also showed off positive sales growth last month. Sales were up 20.22% YoY and 3.25% MoM to 1,58,471 units. This was well over 1,31,816 units and 1,54,476 units sold in Oct 2023 and Sep 2024 respectively. Shine 100 was also high in demand with 37,817 unit sales with double digit YoY and MoM growth at 19.03% and 33.35%.
    Sales of the Honda Dio improved by 2.45% YoY to 33,179 units while its MoM sales suffered a 6.19% setback when compared to 35,370 units sold in Sep 2024. Honda Unicorn, at No. 10 on the list of best-selling motorcycles in India in Oct 2024, featured at No. 5 on this list with 31,768 unit sales. It also showed off a 1.32% MoM growth from 31,353 unit sales of Sep 2024.
    Honda 2W Sales Oct 2024 – MoM Comparison
    Honda suffered lower YoY sales for the Dream (8,511 units), SP160 (5,274 units), Livo (3,774 units) and Hness (2,771 units). Of these, the SP160 and Livo also saw its MoM sales decline quite significantly. Hness sales on the other hand rebounded with a 35.30% MoM growth.
    Honda CB Sales Oct 2024
    With 1,838 units of the Honda CB350 sold last month, demand improved by 47.99% MoM over 1,242 units sold in Sep 2024. Hornet 2.0 sales declined to 1,259 units suffering a 65.51% YoY and 27.97% MoM decline. The CB range also includes the CB200X, CB300 and CB500. CB200X sales declined to 987 units, a 45.47% YoY degrowth while it was an 11.15% MoM improvement.
    CB300 saw 17.47% higher sales on a YoY basis to 511 units while it reported a massive 546.84% MoM growth. The CB500 had 133 units sold last month relating to a 923.08% MoM improvement from just 13 units sold in Sep 2024. In the 500cc range, the company is also working on a new GB500 in the middle weight motorcycle segment. It is headed for a Europe launch with plans to bring this bike to Indian markets sometime in 2026.
    Honda also has the XL750 and GL1800 in its portfolio with 18 units and 3 units sold respectively in Oct 2024. The XL750 suffered a 57.14% MoM decline. However, the Honda Gold Wing GL1800 saw a 62.50% YoY decline from 8 units sold in Oct 2023 but a 200% MoM growth over just 1 unit sold in Sep 2024. More

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    in Electric Cars

    Mahindra BE 6e First Drive Review – Putting ‘Sports’ Back In SUV

    Mahindra BE 6e First Drive ReviewWith BE 6e, Mahindra is offering a RWD high-performance electric SUV that looks like it was spawned out of a cyberpunk world
    Indian automotive market has always favoured budget mass-market offerings. With changing times, there is a shift in buying trends. Mahindra has sensed this perfectly and has formulated BE 6e with everything they have. 95% of vehicles launched in the mainstream market with an SUV tag follow a generic formula of being high-riding monocoque FWD offerings with little to no feeling of being sporty or an SUV.
    That’s changed with the launch of BE 6e as Mahindra is putting ‘Sports’ back in SUV. The company launched it at their Unlimit India event held in Chennai on 26th November 2024. Mahindra provided Rushlane with a BE 6e at Unlimit India event in Chennai for a first-drive review. After driving it in the city, highway and curated tracks at MSPT (Mahindra SUV Proving Track), here’s what we think about BE 6e.
    Mahindra BE 6e First Drive Review
    What is an SUV? Definition stands for Sports Utility Vehicle. If a vehicle is sporty to drive with large engines and good performance and provides utility with space and all-terrain capabilities, it is termed an SUV. In recent times, any vehicle with high ground clearance and body cladding has been slapped with an SUV tag even though they’re just jacked-up FWD normal vehicles.
    Mahindra is taking a great initiative for buyers who crave a proper SUV in traditional terms. Starting at Rs 18.9 lakh (Ex-sh), Mahindra is offering quite a lot with BE 6e. For enthusiasts, this is now the most affordable vehicle that is high on performance and is not just a jacked-up FWD hatchback. For that reason alone, Mahindra BE 6e is now my default recommendation. I hope more OEMs also ditch the generic FWD high-riding hatchback formula. It is high time.
    Mahindra BE 6e Exteriors
    At the launch, I gravitated more towards XEV 9e than BE 6e as I thought it was a more rounded and mature product. The more time I spent with BE 6e, the more it grew on me and I started to appreciate just how much thought and excitement Mahindra has put into this vehicle. Overall looks are slightly polarizing, but I loved it more than I thought I would. If Mahindra offered frameless doors with BE 6e, it would have sealed the deal for me.
    On the outside, it looks like a certain high-end cutting-edge Italian sports SUV. Especially in the Firestorm Orange shade, Mahindra provided Rushlane. It looks like nothing else on sale in India, which is a good thing to establish a unique and lasting identity. BE 6e is a wordplay for ‘Be Sexy’, denoting that this vehicle might be a means for individuals to flaunt their style and taste to the world and BE 6e delivers in that regard.
    Mahindra BE 6e Exteriors
    BE 6e is defined by a strong silhouette with a sloping roofline. It looks like it is the definition of ‘Wild’ in automotive sense. Massive C-shaped LED DRLs and matching LED tail light signature, LED headlights, LED fog lights, painted chunky body claddings and split roof spoiler are notable elements. Massive 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped with 245-section rubber were another delight that we never saw in the mainstream SUVs around 4.3m in length. Front doors get flush handles that also pop out, while rear gets door handles on pillars. The aerodynamic spoiler on the bonnet is a very cool feature too.
    Mahindra BE 6e Exteriors
    Pictures don’t justify just how wide BE 6e is in real life as it is wider than 1900 mm and has a 207 mm ground clearance. Mahindra’s exterior lighting elements can also sync in tune with music like Tesla’s Celebration Mode. Charging port is on the left rear quarter panel, which should have been at the front centre or rear centre, in my opinion. BE 6e comes with a new key fob that we have never seen with any other Mahindra vehicle before and it comes with a remote parking feature too.
    Mahindra BE 6e Dashboard
    Just like the outsides, BE 6e’s interiors look like it is out of this world. Mahindra calls it Race-Ready Cockpit and it has a pronounced split, lending a cockpit-like feel. Initially, we thought this split could cause some hampers in the in-cabin experience to what we are used to. But it doesn’t. BE 6e doesn’t have a transmission tunnel, liberating space for storage below the floating centre console. This centre console is special as it has a new touch-based start-stop button, a thruster-like gear selector and a dedicated magnetic slot for key fob.
    There’s also an i-Drive-like dial to control infotainment screen along with a centre armrest with a storage box beneath. Driver’s seat is powered and it gets memory function along with adjustable lumbar support. The main highlight of BE 6e’s seats is that they are sportscar-like and hug the occupant tightly while looking futuristic and offering excellent cushioning and support. The panel containing switches on the roof are of toggle type too, contributing to aircraft theme that Mahindra is going for in BE 6e.
    Mahindra BE 6e Interiors
    Steering wheel on BE 6e is an all-new quadrilateral one wrapped with leather and padded to perfection. It has tactile buttons and even toggles for regen control. Horn pads are easily accessible with either palm, which is how it should be in all cars. Driver’s seat can go very low and the dashboard is long, lending a sportscar vibe. Also sportscar-like are straps replacing interior door handles. Mahindra has given generous soft-touch materials on the dashboard and door pads for a plush feeling.
    Features include NFC key card, 360-degree camera, twin wireless charging pads, ventilated front seats, cooled glovebox, LED interior lighting, automatic climate control, auto-dimming IRVMs, PM 2.5 air filter, slidable sun blinds with vanity mirrors and lights, among others. Dashboard has twin free-standing 10.25-inch screens that are crisp in resolution and bright enough in all lighting conditions. There’s wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay too. The infotainment system is coupled with a banging 1400W 16-speaker Harman Kardon setup with Dolby Atmos, tuned by music industry stalwarts like A R Rehman and others.
    Mahindra BE 6e Interiors
    First for any Mahindra car on sale ever, BE 6e features an Infinity Roof, a fixed glass roof, with a powered sunblind. This glass roof is also synced with car’s 16 million colour ambient lighting. Another first for any Mahindra PV is a built-in camera on the inside called EyeDentity. It tracks driver fatigue, but Mahindra lets you use it to take selfies and do video calls too. Behind instrument cluster, there is Mahindra’s new VisionX HUD system that shows vital information like navigation, ADAS-related infographics, vehicle speed, traffic sign recognition data, cruise control data and music. MAIA (Mahindra Artificial Intelligence Architecture) acts as the brain for 6th Gen Adrenox software powered by Qualcomm’s SnapDragon chipset for a plethora of features.
    Mahindra BE 6e Interiors
    Even though BE 6e is all about the driver’s seat, rear seats and luggage carrying capacity have not been compromised. There’s more than enough space for rear seat occupants owing to the long 2,775 mm wheelbase and they get amenities like a centre armrest, rear AC vents, Type-C charging ports and others. Luggage carrying capacity is 455L on BE 6e and it is very accommodating with thoughtful touches like 12V socket multiple lights and there’s even a space-saver spare wheel underneath.
    Mahindra BE 6e Interiors
    Performance and Dynamics
    While Mahindra BE 6e is loaded to the brim with features, performance and dynamics are by far the juiciest attributes of BE 6e. At least for me. That’s because BE 6e drives like a big cat. Precise, nimble and agile while carrying a lot of speed with excellent response. All this is thanks to BE 6e’s new underpinnings. Debuting Mahindra’s new INGLO platform, BE 6e comes with either a 59 kWh or 79 kWh battery pack option.
    79 kWh battery, coupled with the higher-spec 286 bhp electric motor with 380 Nm of instantaneous torque is what we drove. Also, this is the combination you need to feel like you own a sportscar. Yeah. We are concluding BE 6e is a sportscar for the masses and there’s a good reason for that. For starters, BE 6e sprints from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 6.7s and hits an electronically limited top speed of 202 km/h.
    Mahindra BE 6e Boot
    Because it is RWD with a motor at the back, there is no torque steering and the weight distribution while accelerating provides a lot of traction for rear wheels. Hence the performance of BE 6e doesn’t feel scary, which is a weird statement to make for a vehicle that goes from 0-100 km/h in 6.7s. The second part of sportscar relevance comes from BE 6e’s drive and dynamics. Because of the heavy batteries, centre of gravity is low and it lends incredible dynamics. It darts around corners like nobody’s business, yet stays compliant around bumps and potholes and even pull off what Mahindra called ‘Great Indian Wine Glass Challenge’.
    That’s because Mahindra has given Be 6e independent front and rear suspension with semi-active dampers that optimise the suspension setup to be sporty and plush whenever needed. The ride quality is beyond impressive, especially considering that the unit we had was riding on 20-inch wheels wrapped with low-profile tyres. Braking was sure-footed too, with all four disc brakes lending great bite and progression. Mahindra’s new Brake-By-Wire technology does its thing.
    Mahindra BE 6e Exteriors
    There are three driving modes – Range, Everyday and Race. Performance and top speed vary with selected drive mode. Good thing is that there is ample oomph even in Range Mode and the adjustable regen further allows driver to fine-tune their vehicle according to their preferences. Mahindra has implemented variable gear ratios in steering geometry that allow BE 6e to have a turning radius of under 10m, which translates to real world, allowing for tight U-turns and other manoeuvres. The 79 kWh battery pack our unit had, is rated to cover up to 682 km on a single charge, as certified by ARAI. Mahindra’s in-house testing quotes higher figures of 828 km on a single charge in favourable conditions. Mahindra promises a minimum of 500+ km on a single charge with AC on in metro cities, allowing users to charge their car once a week.
    Speaking of charging, Mahindra BE 6e is capable of DC fast charging up to 175 kW. If you can find a charging station of that calibre in India, that is. If you do, Mahindra is promising 20% to 80% SOC in just 20 minutes and the AC charging is either through a 7.2 kW or 11.2 kW charger. Both of which have to be bought separately. Mahindra is also offering a lifetime warranty for battery pack for initial buyers and it is not transferable to a second owner.
    Mahindra BE 6e Dynamic
    Where safety is concerned, Mahindra has had an excellent track record for offering safe and crashworthy vehicles. The company even demonstrated a live crash test at MSPT, Chennai. There are up to 7 airbags along with all the expected active and passive safety features. There’s Level-2+ ADAS suite with BE 6e with 5 radars and 1 camera system. Mahindra also demonstrated the structural strength and integrity of battery with a crush test, immersion test, vibration test and fire test.
    Some Reservations and Conclusion
    Even though there were no deal breakers or real issues to address, Mahindra BE 6e gave us a few opportunities to nitpick.
    1. Because it is a sporty vehicle, one would be tempted to get the seat height to lowest position. Rightfully so. But doing that will result in HUD feed going out of sight, even for a 182 cm tall individual like myself.2. For a vehicle that has replaced interior door handles with straps to save on weight and lend sportscar vibes, it has a glass roof, which is significantly heavier than spot-welding a sheet of metal.3. The IRVM is frameless and is auto-dimming. But the only thing it will show you, is rear occupant’s faces. That’s because of how small the rear windshield is. ORVMs are your only option to see what’s behind.4. There were a few rough edges inside the vehicle along with many uneven panel gaps, which we hope are not carried over to production-spec units sold to the public.5. I wished the doors went on top of car’s running boards to prevent soiling of occupant’s clothes during ingress and egress.6. We also encountered a few rattles on the inside, which we hope is not the case with production units sold to public.
    Mahindra BE 6e Dynamic
    Concluding the Mahindra BE 6e is one of the easiest things to do. In BE 6e, we finally get a RWD fun vehicle that looks unique and drives exceptionally well, appealing to enthusiasts. For conventional buyers, it offers an exceptional range and a lot of tech and features to keep occupants entertained across the journey. If you are looking to buy an electric SUV and don’t mind the radical design, we would recommend you to just go ahead and buy it. If you are looking to buy a luxury car with similar performance metrics, shortlisting and considering a BE 6e is highly recommended too. BE 6e could easily be one of India’s landmark vehicles that redefined country’s automotive landscape. More

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    Bajaj Sales Breakup October 2024 – Pulsar, Platina, Chetak, Dominar

    Bajaj Pulsar NS : Image – Chassis No 9Bajaj Pulsar N125, the most recent launch, will boost sales as it takes on a prominent position in the sporty 125cc category
    Bajaj Auto Limited has suffered a year-on-year (YoY) and month-on-month (MoM) de-growth in October 2024. The festive season failed to stir up sales for the two wheeler major. Sales were adversely impacted, bogged down by various challenges in the domestic market and lower consumer demand.
    Bajaj Auto domestic sales dipped by 7.11% YoY and 58.77% MoM to 2,45,421 units in Oct 2024. There had been 2,64,198 units sold in Oct 2023 which related to an 18,777 unit volume de-growth. Sales had also stood at 2,47,118 units in Sep 2024 causing a very marginal MoM decline by 0.69%.
    Bajaj Domestic Sales Oct 2024 – Pulsar at No. 1
    Bajaj Pulsar once again topped sales charts by a huge margin even as its sales declined heavily. Pulsar sales stood at 1,11,834 units last month, a 30.78% YoY de-growth from 1,61,572 units sold in Oct 2023. This was a 49,738 unit volume decline with the Pulsar commanding a 45.57% share. MoM sales also fell by 19.62% over 1,39,128 units sold in Sep 2024.
    In the Pulsar range it was the 125cc model that commanded the most attention with 68,511 units sold last month while Pulsar 150cc had 21,438 units. Its 200cc counterpart had 14,898 unit sales in the past month along with 5,665 units of Pulsar 250cc. Each category saw sales decline heavily. The new Pulsar N125, launched could cause quite a stir in its segment as it takes on TVS Raider and Hero Xtreme 125R in this sporty 125cc category.
    Bajaj Sales Breakup October 2024 – YoY
    Bajaj Platina, another a relatively top seller in the company portfolio, also saw its sales decline to 61,689 units in Oct 2024. This was down by 17.24% over 74,539 units sold in the same month last year. It however, experienced a 23.94% MoM growth over 49,774 unit sales of Sep 2024.
    Rising demand has been seen in the case of the Bajaj Chetak electric scooter which was also the 3rd best-selling electric scooter in the country. Chetak sales went up by 152.48% YoY and 7.49% MoM to 30,644 units. There had been 12,137 units sold in Oct 2023 and 28,517 units sold in Sep 2024 with the Chetak currently commanding a 12.49% on the sales list.
    The relatively new Freedom CNG bike accounted for sales of 30,051 units in Oct 2024. This was a 53.02% Mom growth from 19,639 units sold in Sep 2024. The new Freedom, launched in July 2024, has been well received. This first-ever mass-market CNG motorcycle delivers 100 km/kg in CNG and 65 km/l in petrol model to a total range of 330 kms.
    Bajaj Sales Breakup October 2024 – MoM
    Bajaj CT, Avenger, Dominar – Sales Decline YoY
    Bajaj CT, Avenger and Dominar have been facing lack luster sales in recent months. CT sales declined by 28.46% YoY to 8,503 units in Oct 2024, down from 11,886 units sold in the same month last year. It however, did see a 33.05% MoM growth over 6,391 unit sales of Sep 2024.
    Bajaj Avenger suffered a 37.93% YoY and 28.77% MoM decline in demand in domestic markets. Sales fell to 1,651 units. The Dominar, offered in 250cc and 400cc, too suffered double digit de-growth to 1,049 units in Oct 2024, down by 25.28% YoY and 22.35% MoM. More

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    New Honda Electric Scooters Vs Rivals – Activa e, QC1, Rizta, iQube, Chetak

    Honda Electric Scooters Vs RivalsWith its twin 1.5 kWh removable battery packs, Honda Activa e has little to no under-seat storage space for practicality
    Indian electric scooter market has been booming and has emerged as a tempting proposition for many OEMs to explore. There have been quite a few players ranging from mainstream manufacturers like Bajaj, TVS, Hero and to startups like Ola and Ather. There had never been a Japanese mainstream OEM in this space. Until now.
    Honda has just unveiled their new electric scooters in India, the basic QC1 and the more premium and tech-loaded Activa e. Pricing for Honda’s scooters will be announced in January 2025. We compared these scooters with three of India’s top three best-selling family electric scooters, TVS iQube, Bajaj Chetak and Ather Rizta, and here’s how Honda’s offerings fare.
    Honda Electric Scooters Vs Rivals – Dimensions
    Honda Electric Scooters Vs Rivals
    Soon, Honda’s Activa e and QC1 will rival the well-established family electric scooters on sale in India. Both Activa e and QC1 come with Underbone chassis like Rizta and Chetak. Only iQube has a tubular chassis. Except for the Chetak, all electric scooters in this comparison come equipped with telescopic front forks.
    Only the iQube and QC1 have twin shock absorbers, while others get a rear mono-shock setup. QC1 is the only one to offer a drum brake setup at the front, while others, including Activa e, offer a disc brake. These family electric scooters are yet to offer rear disc brakes, something seen with sportier offerings.
    Except for the QC1, all scooters on this comparison offer 12-inch alloy wheels at both ends. Tyres are usually 90-section at both ends in this category. But Ather offers 100-section rear tyre and Activa e has a fatter 110-section rear tyre. Because of its removable battery, Activa e has little to no under-seat storage space, while Rizta promises 34L, highest in this comparison.
    Honda Electric Scooters Vs Rivals – Features
    Because of its budget nature, Honda QC1 misses out on TFT instrument cluster, even as an option and hence lacks any connectivity features as well. Honda and Bajaj are the only ones that come with smart keys for the keyless go function in this comparison.
    Where pricing is concerned, Chetak has the upper edge as TecPac range between just Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000. With larger battery, TVS is the most expensive, but Ather emerges as the least VFM as Pro Packs range between Rs 15,000 and Rs 20,000 and the battery size and corresponding range are nothing to write home about, either.
    Specs and Performance
    Activa e gets the highest peak power of 6 kW and QC1 has lowest peak power of just 1.8 kW. Rizta offers 4.3 kW, iQube 4.4 kW and Chetak 4.2 kW of peak power. Because of its hub motor layout, QC1 quotes 77 Nm of peak torque and it is 140 Nm with iQube. Where rated torque is concerned, iQube steals the show at 33 Nm.
    Honda Electric Scooters Vs Rivals – Specs
    Claimed range is 102 km with Activa e and 80 km with QC1. Rizta’s and Chetak’s claimed numbers are higher. TVS only quotes real range, going till 150 km with the 5.1 kWh battery. Speaking of battery, nothing beats TVS as iQube’s top-spec 5.1 kWh is the largest in capacity. Activa e has two 1.5 kWh removable units, while QC1 just gets one 1.5 kWh unit.
    Except for the QC1 with a lower top speed of just 50 km/h, others quote around 80 km/h. Activa e has a reverse mode with Honda RoadSync Duo, Chetak gets it with TecPac and Rizta gets it with Pro Pack. Because of its large battery, iQube is the heaviest, weighing up to 132 kg. More