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    in Motor News

    Ferrari Daytona SP3, Latest Limited-Edition 'Icona' Car, Is a Stunner

    Ferrari revealed the Daytona SP3 during an event at the Mugello racetrack in Italy today; it’s the latest in an ongoing series of “Icona” ultra-limited-edition cars.The Daytona SP3 has the iconic look of the sports-prototype racers that won the 1967 Daytona 24 Hours and features Ferrari’s equally iconic naturally aspirated mid-mounted 829-hp V-12.Only a few clients and collectors will be able to buy this Ferrari, and very likely at a seven-figure price. There is no such thing as a commonplace Ferrari, but some are definitely more special than others. The Italian company reserves its best efforts for the limited-run “Icona” specials that sit high up in its hierarchy, the cars that only the brand’s most loyal (and wealthy) customers are allowed to buy. The Daytona SP3, which has just been unveiled at Ferrari’s Finali Mondiali event at the Mugello circuit in Italy, is the latest of these—and it looks absolutely stunning.

    The combination of the words “Ferrari” and “Daytona” is likely to turn thoughts to the 365GTB/4 coupe and GTS/4 Spider from the late Sixties. Both of these were commonly known as Daytonas, a name inspired by Ferrari’s famous 1-2-3 finish at the 1967 Daytona 24-hour race, but the title was never official—and that car had its engine at the front. The new, fully sanctioned Daytona has been inspired by the famous victory, specifically the trio of sports prototypes that took the podium places: a 330P3/4, a 330P4, and a 412P.

    330P4s that took 1st and 2nd place at the 24 Hours of Daytona, 1967.
    Ferrari

    The car’s design pays obvious tribute to the muscular contours of those sports-car racers, and the SP3 shares their mid-engine layout with a mighty V-12 mounted behind the passenger compartment.

    Ferrari

    Ferrari

    The engine is based on the 6.5-liter unit fitted to the 812 Competizione, but with a new induction and exhaust system for its changed position within the car. Internal upgrades include titanium con rods. Piston pins, camshafts and sliding finger valve followers have all been treated with what is described as a Diamond Like Carbon treatment to reduce friction. Together with other modifications to the direct injection fueling system—with twin pumps supplying four separate fuel rails—the Daytona’s engine now produces 829 horsepower, 10 hp more than the Competizione. That makes it the most powerful Ferrari road-car combustion engine. Drive reaches the rear wheels through a seven-speed double-clutch gearbox.Although clearly inspired by the company’s ’60s sports prototypes, especially with the wraparound windshield and the heavily defined wheel arches, the Daytona SP3’s bodywork is thoroughly modern. The monocoque tub and all exterior panels are made from carbon fiber, with Ferrari claiming a dry weight of 3275 pounds.

    Ferrari

    Aerodynamics have been carefully considered, especially given the cooling requirements of the hugely powerful engine, but the Daytona looks much more subtle than the supercar norm, without aggressive wing elements. We’re told that the car does produce positive downforce, with much of this created by carefully optimized underbody ducting creating ground-effect assistance. We were particularly taken by the strakes on the rear. These, according to the company, are intended to “create the impression of a light, radical, structured monolithic volume that lends the Daytona SP3 a look that is both futuristic and a nod to signatures from Ferrari’s DNA.” We get strong 512 Testarossa vibes.

    Ferrari

    The new Daytona’s interior skews modern: retro ratio further to the left than the outside, using the same digital dashboard and UI as the SF90 Stradale. Seats are integrated into the body, and driving position adjustment is by a movable pedal box. The way the fabric for both sides links over the center tunnel is another nod to the way the ’60s sports cars were designed. Although these official images only show it without a roof, the SP3 features a clip-in targa panel and so should be more usable than its predecessors in Ferrari’s Icona series, the roofless and screenless SP1 and SP2 Monza.

    Ferrari

    Two details are conspicuously absent from the official release: price and proposed production numbers. This is one of those Ferraris that only the company’s elite customers will be invited to buy. It is hard to imagine that many of any of them will grumble at what will certainly be a seven-figure price tag, and it seems likely that volumes won’t be higher than the 500 limit of the Monza SP1 and SP2. As the official release puts it, this is a car “aimed solely at Ferrari’s top clients and collectors, proud ambassadors for the Prancing Horse marque.” That would be a fine club to be a member of, but also a very expensive one.
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    KTM India Sales, Exports Oct 2021 – Duke, RC 125, 200, 250, 390 ADV

    Image – BIKEMANIAC PKKTM registered a total volume of 60 percent MoM growth in the domestic market
    KTM is currently at a stage where it will be revamping its entire lineup in the coming future. The bikemaker has already upgraded RC 125 and RC 200 in India and will soon be introducing the new generation RC 390 in the country. This will be followed by the introduction of the new-gen Duke range of motorcycles.
    KTM India Sales Oct 2021
    Meanwhile, the Austrian brand continues to generate decent sales volume both in domestic and overseas markets. The company registered a total domestic volume of 7,126 units in October this year as opposed to 6,757 units sold in October last year. This led to YoY growth of 5.46 percent.
    MoM growth of 60 percent was registered since KTM was able to dispatch 4,454 units across the country in September this year. The 200 Series of KTM was the most popular range last month with 4,696 units sold as opposed to 2,326 units sold the previous month. This led to MoM growth of 102 percent. YoY growth stood at 74.25 percent since, during October last year, KTM dispatched 2,695 units of the 200 range.
    The 390 range accumulated a volume of 1,171 units last month as opposed to 373 units sold in September which translates to YoY growth of 214 percent. During the same period last year, 1,038 units of the 390 range were dispatched with a YoY growth of almost 13 percent. 1,162 units of the 250 range were sold in October this year which is 11 units less than the volume recorded the previous month.
    KTM India Sales, Exports Oct 2021 vs Oct 2020 (YoY)
    This led to a marginal MoM decline of 0.94 percent. The YoY growth stood at 63.20 percent with 712 units sold during October last year. The entry-level 125 range could manage to sell only 97 units which resulted in big YoY and MoM drops of 95.80 percent and 83.33 percent.
    KTM India Exports Oct 2021
    As far as exports are concerned, a total of 7,126 motorcycles were exported by KTM outside India last month. During October last year, this figure stood at 3,658 units which have resulted in YoY degrowth of 27 percent. The Austrian brand shipped a total of 3,693 motorcycles abroad in September this year which translates to an MoM decline of 29.41 percent.
    The exports chart was topped by the 390 range with 1,154 units shipped abroad in October 2021. This was 378 units less than what was recorded during the same month last year which resulted in a negative YoY of 24.67 percent. However, the bikemaker reported a positive MoM growth of 29.23 percent since it was able to sell only 893 units in September this year.
    KTM India Sales, Exports Oct 2021 vs Sep 2021 (MoM)
    KTM shipped a total of 1,103 units of the 200 range in October this year which is 360 units less than October last year resulting in a YoY decline of 24.61 percent. The company managed to ship only 348 units of the 250 series and only 2 units of the 125 range. More

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    in Bike

    Bounce Infinity Electric Scooter Launch Date 2nd Dec – Booking At Rs 499

    Bounce Electric ScooterWith a dense battery swapping network, Bounce Infinity users won’t have to worry about things like range or charging
    A pioneer in smart mobility in the country, Bounce is all set to launch its first electric scooter named Infinity. A ‘Made in India’ product, Infinity electric scooter will be equipped with advanced equipment and intelligent features. Today, launch date of the Bounce electric scooter was announced. It will launch on 2nd Dec 2021. Pre-bookings will commence from same date at Rs 499. Deliveries will commence from early next year. Exact date for start of delivery has not been revealed.
    Bounce Infinity Electric Scooter details
    Bounce Infinity has an elegant, aerodynamic profile with features such as round headlamp, retro-styled front fender, LCD instrument console, single piece seat, sporty alloy wheels, prominent grab rail, and edgy tail lamp. The scooter is likely to be offered in single-tone colour options.
    Bounce Infinity utilizes a hub-mounted motor. The scooter has been spotted with telescopic front fork and dual rear suspension. It has single disc brakes at both ends. More technical details are expected to be revealed in coming weeks.
    Bounce Infinity ownership options
    There are two options for users who may want to buy Bounce Infinity electric scooter. First is the conventional way, wherein users pay the full price including the cost of the scooter and battery. In this option, users will have the freedom to remove the Li-ion battery and charge it as per their convenience. This is likely to be preferred by city dwellers living in multi-storeyed buildings. The flip side is that this option will increase overall ownership cost.
    Bounce Electric Scooter. Image – Powerdrift
    Second option is ‘Battery as a service’, wherein users don’t need to pay for the cost of battery. Whenever they need a fully charged battery, they can swap batteries at any of Bounce’s battery swapping hubs. This system brings the overall experience closer to that of refuelling at a standard fuel station. It not only saves time but also eliminates range anxiety and the hassles of charging an electric scooter.
    Choosing ‘Battery as a service’ option will reduce acquisition cost by as much as 40-50%. Users will only be charged when they swap their battery. With reduced acquisition cost, Bounce Infinity electric scooter will become accessible to a larger customer base. It could also be preferred over rival products that come with non-removable batteries.
    Improving battery swapping infrastructure
    To ensure users can easily find a battery swapping station, Bounce is working to expand its battery-swapping network. The network will cater to both retail customers as well as the company’s ride-sharing business. As of now, Bounce has battery swapping stations at more than 170 locations. This will be expanded all across India in the coming years. Till date, Bounce’s EV fleet has clocked 2 crore kilometres. More than 5 lakh battery swaps have been successfully executed.
    Bounce electric scooter will be manufactured at a plant in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan. This plant was earlier owned and operated by 22Motors. Bounce had acquired this company in 2021 in a 100% stake sale deal. Along with the plant, Bounce has access to intellectual property of 22Motors. The facility can manufacture 1.80 lakh electric scooters per year. Based on demand, Bounce could also setup up its second facility in southern India. More

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    in Bike

    Top 10 Motorcycles Oct 2021 – Splendor, Pulsar, Apache, Platina

    New Yamaha R15. Image – MRD VlogsSales volume is expected to pick up pace gradually with the semiconductor crisis likely to improve soon
    Sales of two-wheelers in recent months have witnessed a significant drop thanks to the shortage in semiconductor chips globally. The decline in sales is even witnessed in the motorcycle segment where the top ten selling bikes have contributed to a monthly volume of 8,43,622 units in October this year.
    Top 10 Motorcycles Oct 2021 – Splendor leads sales charts
    During the same month last year, this figure stood at 10,72,685 units which has resulted in a YoY decline of 21.35 percent. The top-selling motorcycle was Hero Splendor which recorded a volume of 2,67,821 units last month as opposed to 3,15,798 units sold in October last year. This translates to a YoY drop of 15.19 percent.
    Splendor was followed by its sibling HF Deluxe at the second spot after the latter registered a volume of 1,64,311 units last month. In October last year, 2,33,061 units of HF Deluxe were dispatched by the company across India which has resulted in a YoY decline of 29.50 percent.
    Honda sold 1,13,554 units of CB Shine which is almost 5,000 units lesser than what was recorded in October 2020. This led to a YoY decline of 4.21 percent. Below is the detailed sales table of the top 10 motorcycles sold in India for Oct 2021.
    Top 10 Motorcycles Oct 2021 vs Oct 2020 (YoY)
    Pulsar, Apache Witness Decline
    Bajaj dispatched a total of 86,500 units of Pulsar-branded motorcycles in October this year, which translated to a YoY decline of 37.42 percent. During the same period last year, the bikemaker sold 1,38,218 units of the sports commuter motorcycle across India. Pulsar was closely followed by Platina with a monthly volume of 84,109 units in comparison to 60,967 units dispatched in October 2020.
    Platina was also the only motorcycle on the list to record positive YoY growth of 38 percent. TVS sold 39,799 units of Apache bikes to occupy the sixth spot and witness small YoY degrowth of 2.79 percent. During the same period, the Hosur-based bikemaker sold 40,943 units of Apache. Hero was able to sell 25,663 units of Glamour in October this year which is a YoY drop of 67.28 percent.
    Dream, Sport, Classic round up list
    Last year, the largest two-wheeler manufacturer dispatched 78,439 units of the 125cc motorcycle. Honda sold 22,407 units of its entry-level bike Dream in October which recorded a marginal YoY growth of 0.60 percent. TVS sold 19,730 units of Sport last month which is 2,487 units less than the volume recorded in October 2020. This resulted in YoY growth of 11.19 percent.

    Top 10 Motorcycles
    Oct-21
    Oct-20
    %

    1. Hero Splendor
    2,67,821
    3,15,798
    -15.19

    2. Hero HF Deluxe
    1,64,311
    2,33,061
    -29.50

    3. Honda CB Shine
    1,13,554
    1,18,547
    -4.21

    4. Bajaj Pulsar
    86,500
    1,38,218
    -37.42

    5. Bajaj Platina
    84,109
    60,967
    37.96

    6. TVS Apache
    39,799
    40,943
    -2.79

    7. Hero Glamour
    25,663
    78,439
    -67.28

    8. Honda Dream
    22,407
    22,542
    -0.60

    9. TVS Sport
    19,730
    22,217
    -11.19

    10. Royal Enfield Classic 350
    19,728
    41,953
    -52.98

    Total
    8,43,622
    10,72,685
    -21.35

    The list was rounded up by Royal Enfield Classic 350 which recently received a generation upgrade. The Chennai-based bikemaker was able to sell only 19,728 units of the retro-style motorcycle as opposed to 41,953 units in October last year. This translated to a YoY decline of 53 percent. More

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    in Bike

    New Jawa Cruiser Front Spied – Retro Styling With Contemporary Features

    New Jawa Cruiser. Image – IamabikerWith growing popularity of Jawa motorcycles, there’s scope to introduce more products in 350cc segment
    Mahindra-owned Classic Legends is working on an aggressive portfolio expansion strategy that will give rise to new Jawa motorcycles as well resurrected brands such as Yezdi and BSA. Jawa range will soon be expanded to include a new cruiser bike. This has been spotted multiple times on road tests near Pune, Maharashtra.
    Jawa cruiser styling and features
    Latest spy shots reveal the front, top and side section of new Jawa cruiser. Retro flavour is evident in the round headlamp, bar-end round rear-view mirrors, and tear-drop turn indicators. The bike has a chubby profile, as is evident with the rounded fuel tank and side panels. Other key features include compact windscreen, fork gaiters, spoke-styled alloy wheels, engine and leg guard and dual exhaust pipes.
    Most of the key components have been blacked-out such as engine casing, frame, exhaust, alloy wheels, and rear suspension. Based on colour options available at the time of launch, some of these components could have a metallic finish.
    Users can expect comfortable rides on Jawa cruiser, as it has upright, ergonomic riding stance. Footpegs are slight forward set, which should ensure optimal leg comfort even for taller riders. Wide handlebar will ensure hands can stay rested without any discomfort even during long distance touring.
    New Jawa Cruiser Spied
    The single-piece seat appears to pack in thick padding, which should further enhance riding pleasure. The seat is pretty wide as well, possibly larger than that of current breed of Jawa motorcycles. The seat will offer optimal comfort for both rider and pillion.
    In terms of features, Jawa cruiser will be getting an inverted speedo. Existing Jawa bikes already have this feature. Other contemporary features could include LED headlamp with LED DRLs. Bluetooth-based connectivity features could also be on offer.
    Jawa cruiser engine and specs
    It is likely that Jawa cruiser will be using the 334cc motor that is currently used with Perak. The liquid cooled, single cylinder, DOCH motor churns out 30.64 ps of max power and 32.74 Nm of peak torque. It is linked to a constant mesh 6-speed gearbox.
    Suspension duties will be performed by conventional telescopic forks at front and dual rear shock absorbers. While alloy wheels will be standard, the bike could also be offered with spoke wheels. Braking system will have disc brakes at both ends. Dual-channel ABS will be offered as standard.
    Jawa cruiser bike may not have a direct rival at the time of its launch. In terms of its pricing, it will continue to rival the existing range of Royal Enfield motorcycles. In the long-term, Jawa cruiser can face competition from new 350cc bikes being readied by Royal Enfield. Honda has also set aggressive plans for this segment. It too can introduce new bikes to rival Jawa cruiser. More

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    in Motor News

    Cars That Were Ruined by a Redesign: Window Shop with Car and Driver

    Hard-hitting, insightful and full of hyperbolic political tension, Window Shopping returns to YouTube this week with another inspiring challenge. The goal this week was to find examples of cars that, upon a redesign, practically destroyed that brand forever. That’s like, well, how the ’58 Chevy was worse than the ’57. Or how the ’58 Thunderbird pretty much wiped away the awesome of the ’57. But surprisingly, all five of this week’s august panelists picked vehicles of more recent vintage. Cars that sucked—in the recent past.Beaming in from España is contributor Jonathan Ramsey whose choice hails from an entirely different hemisphere than the one he’s in. Road & Track’s John Pearley Huffman hones in on a major mistake from a company that rarely makes mistakes. Senior editor Joey Capparella finds yet another silver (Actually, it’s red—Ed.) Japanese car as his nominee. Second Sub-Assistant to the Plenary of Objective Testing K.C. Colwell picks out one of the great betrayals in the history ovals that are blue. And finally, there’s our moderator, Poobah-elect Tony Quiroga who picks on a marginal car from a marginal manufacturer.You know you have an hour to kill. So kill it with this exciting—okay, exciting-ish—adventure in arguing about things that don’t matter. Because nihilism is a philosophical dead-end and Window Shopping is the antidote.

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    483-HP 2023 Genesis Electrified GV70 Is an EV in Disguise

    Genesis revealed the Electrified GV70 at Auto Guangzhou in China, and it’ll arrive in the U.S. soon. All Electrified GV70s have a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup with 483 horsepower. It looks identical to the gas-powered model except for the solid grille, charging port, and lack of exhaust pipes. Genesis is expanding its EV lineup with another model that’s nearly identical to one of its gas-powered offerings. Unlike the funky looking electric GV60, the new Electrified GV70 compact luxury crossover will look just like the gas-powered GV70, joining the G80 luxury sedan’s twin, the Electrified G80, in the Korean luxury automaker’s electric lineup.
    The key difference between the gas and electric versions of Genesis’ compact luxury crossover is the Electrified model’s solid textured grille that hides a panel for the charging port. And, of course, there are no tailpipes sticking out the rear. This example revealed for global markets is finished in a matte Atacama Copper paint job with a Glacier White interior. Its cabin is also identical to the gas-powered model with a large, widescreen display that rises up from the dashboard.

    All Electrified GV70s come standard with a dual-motor setup providing all-wheel drive, but they can disconnect the electric motor from the driveshaft to switch between two- and all-wheel drive, helping efficiency. The two motors produce 483 horsepower in a special Boost mode that will help it reach 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, according to Genesis. That claim is 0.4 seconds ahead of the 375-hp GV70 3.5T we tested. Genesis hasn’t announced details on the battery pack or range estimates, but it claims that while using 350-kW fast charging it will have the capability to replenish the battery from 10 to 80 percent in under 20 minutes.
    Look for more information on the Genesis Electrified GV70 in the coming months as the automaker releases more specs on the version that’ll be sold in the U.S. Expect it to have a significant price premium over the gas-powered model’s $42,045 starting price.
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    Lincoln Zephyr Sedan Revealed in Production Form for China

    Lincoln is introducing a new sedan model called the Zephyr for the Chinese market.It features a design based on a concept car from earlier this year and has a modern-looking interior.We don’t expect the Zephyr to come to the U.S. market anytime soon.While Lincoln has abandoned the sedan bodystyle in its home market, it’s forging ahead in that segment elsewhere as evidenced by the new Zephyr for China. Originally unveiled as a concept car earlier this year, the Zephyr has now made its production debut and will go on sale in China in early 2022. Its U.S. prospects are slim to none, but we think it’s still interesting to observe from afar.

    Lincoln

    With a wheelbase measuring 117.7 inches, the Zephyr is in between the previous MKZ and Continental in terms of size. Lincoln doesn’t say whether it has front- or all-wheel drive, but it appears to use a transverse architecture like those previous Fusion-based sedans did. It’s powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four and uses an eight-speed automatic transmission but we don’t know specific power figures.The overall design is modern and attractive, if not particularly distinctive, with a full-width light bar and prominent Lincoln badge at the front, a strong character line along the side, and angular taillights at the rear. Inside there’s a digital gauge cluster and a huge infotainment display that stretches across the entire dashboard to give the appearance of wall-to-wall screens.

    Lincoln

    Despite not being relevant to Lincoln’s current U.S. lineup, the Zephyr provides an interesting look at an alternate universe in which Lincoln still sold luxury sedans on our shores.
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