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    New BattRE Electric Scooter Plant To Help Double Production

    Battre Electric Scooter
    BattRE currently has dealerships in cities such as Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Gujarat and UP

    The advent of new technologies in the electric vehicle (EV) segment has given birth to new EV startups looking to change the mould of Indian automotive industry. Several small startups especially in the two-wheeler EV segment have come up in the country in recent years knowing that future mobility highly depends on electrical energy.
    Small-scale startups have further been encouraged by several benefits provided under the Central EV policy and various state EV policies which facilitate manufacturers to upscale their operations and help them reach a wider consumer base. Similar is the case with Jaipur-based EV startup BattRE.
    New Factory
    The company will soon start operations at its new manufacturing facility in Jaipur through which it expects to double the rate of its production. The current facility in Jaipur has a production capacity of 1,000 units per month.
    This new facility is expected to commence operations from June this year which would help the brand’s upcoming flurry of new electric motorcycle launches. The startup was built with the vision of providing sustainable mobility for short-distance commutes especially for daily travellers.
    Battre Electric Scooter
    It harps on its specialisation of building futuristic, minimal and confident commutes for urban environments and backed by internet and GPS connectivity. The company is the first to manufacture the country’s first LFP powered electric scooter with up to 42ah capacity and 110 km of single-charge and is capable of 2000 recharge cycles.
    First launched in June 2019, the brand now boasts of more than 120 dealerships and over 100 charging stations across the country. It currently retails fourBatt:RE ONE; Batt:Re LO:EV; Batt:RE IOT; Batt:RE gps:ie and Batt:RE E-Cycles. e-scooters and one electric bicycle model namely. On the occasion of this development, Nishchal Chaudhary, Founder of BattRE, said that the brand envisions building more efficient and powerful vehicles going forward.
    BattRE: IOT and GpSie
    BattRE’s flagship offering is its top of the line e-scooter offering IOT which is the manufacturer’s first internet-connected scooter. It was launched in January last year and is retailed at a price of Rs 79,990 (ex-showroom). The electric scooter is offered with features such as navigation assist, voice-enabled app, ride statistics, SOS alerts, anti-theft alarm and lock, call alerts, ride pattern-based AI suggestions and more.
    This was followed by BattRE GPSie which is a little lighter than IOT and priced at Rs 64,999 (ex-showroom). Like IOT, it also receives a bunch of connected features with App-based user interface. It gets an embedded sim card which is accessible through a smartphone app. The scooter draws its power from 250 watt BLDC hub motor which is paired to a 48V 24 Ah lithium-ion battery pack weighing just 12 kg. It offers a single-charge range of 65 km and can clock a top speed of only 25 kmph. More

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    Yamaha Fascino, RayZR Scooter Prices Increased By Up To Rs 3,000

    Image – DashboardGuru
    Yamaha currently has only two scooter offerings in India, both in the 125cc category

    Yamaha Motor India has hiked prices for both its scooter offerings- Fascino and RayZR. Both scooters have witnessed a price hike in the range of Rs 2500 and Rs 3000. This is not the first time this year that Yamaha has increased the prices of its products.
    Earlier this year, the Japanese bikemaker incremented the price of YZF R15 V3.0 sports bike by Rs 1200 and is now offered at a starting price of Rs 1.49 lakh (ex-showroom). Other than the hike in prices, there have been no updates on any of the scooters whatsoever.
    Price Hike
    Starting With Fascino, the drum brake variants now start at Rs. 72,030 and go up to Rs 73,030, making it Rs 2,500 costlier than before. The disc brake variants are also Rs 2,500 dearer than before. Prices start at Rs 74,530 and go up to Rs 75,530.
    Coming to RayZR, the base drum brake will cost you Rs 73,330 while the disc brake variant costs Rs 76,330 making them more expensive by Rs 3,000 each. For the top-spec Ray ZR Street Rally, one has to shell out an extra Rs 3,000 as it has been pegged at a price of Rs. 77,330. All prices are ex-showroom.
    Yamaha Fascino and RayZR Prices – March 2021
    Yamaha has not released any official statement stating the reason behind the latest price hike. However, one can assume that the increase in prices is a result of an increase in input costs brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic and the global slowdown in the economy. This significant hike in prices might not impact the brand’s sales of scooters in India. Almost every auto maker has plans to increase prices in the coming weeks.
    Specifications
    Mechanically, both scooters are identical as they feature the same powertrain and hardware setup. Suspension duties on both scooters are handled by telescopic forks at front and a mono-shock unit at rear.
    Both scooters are offered with drum brakes at front and rear ends along with a combined braking system for better handling on the roads as standard. There is also the option of a disc brake at front on both offerings.
    Yamaha Fascino and RayZR share the same 125cc, air-cooled, fuel-injected engine which pumps out 8.04 bhp at 6,500 rpm and a peak torque of 9.7 Nm at 5,000 rpm. This unit is linked to a CVT automatic gearbox. Even though both scooters share identical mechanicals, they wear unique top hats. While Fascino is a more looking scooter meant for a mature riding audience, RayZR is a sportier looking scooter primarily meant for the younger audience. More

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    Kawasaki Ninja 300 Arrives At Dealer Showroom – First Look Walkaround

    2021 Kawasaki Ninja 300 BS6. Image – Vinod Nareshan
    The updated Kawasaki Ninja 300 will rival the likes of TVS Apache RR 310, Suzuki Gixxer SF250 and the upcoming KTM RC 390

    Ninja brand of motorcycles from Kawasaki holds a very special place in the hearts of all speed-loving biking enthusiasts from India. The updated Ninja 300 has started reaching dealerships across the country.
    In the latest pics, a dealership in India is shown formally revealing the latest iteration of baby Ninja. Its launch price has been set at Rs 3.18 lakh (ex-showroom) which is Rs 20,000 more than the previous BS4 model. On road Mumbai price is Rs 3.68 lakh.
    2021 Kawasaki Ninja 300 BS6
    Overall Styling
    The updates on the new Ninja are very limited, subtle and only limited to minute cosmetic variations. In terms of design, there is not much difference between the BS6 and BS4 models. Most design elements of the previous version of Ninja 300 have been carried forward to the recently launched iteration of the bike.
    This includes a twin-pod headlight cluster, a muscular fuel tank, split-style seats, aggressive split headlamps, a chrome heat shield on the muffler, upswept exhaust and front blinkers on the fairing. The unveiling at dealership and a short video walkaround of the new Kawasaki Ninja 300 can be seen below. Video is credit to Vinod Nareshan.
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    Large ventilation holes on Ninja 300 are inspired by the brand’s flagship ZX-14R. It also gets three new colour options which give the motorcycle a fresh appeal. These are- Lime Green, Candy Lime Green and Ebony.
    The first one is our pick since it gets a white engine cowl on its underbelly with red accents which are definitely the highlight to watch out for in the new Ninja 300. The riding stature is as usual leaning forward and it sports a minimalist design at the tail section.
    Mechanical Specs
    Mechanically, the new Ninja 300 is every bit identical to its predecessor. It is built on a tube diamond steel frame which is suspended on 37 mm telescopic forks at front and a preload-adjustable mono-shock at rear.
    2021 Kawasaki Ninja 300 BS6
    Stopping duties are carried out by 290mm and 220mm petal disc brakes at front and rear with power delivered by dual-piston calipers on both ends. Safety net is provided by dual-channel ABS as standard. It retains the semi-digital instrument console.
    Coming to its powertrain, the faired race machine draws power from a BS6 compliant 296cc, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled engine that could push out 38.4 bhp of power at 11,000 rpm and 27 Nm of peak torque at 10,000 rpm. It is paired with a 6-speed gearbox with a slip and assist clutch for quicker and smoother gear shifts. The same engine-gearbox combination is also likely to be offered in Versys X300 which is expected to be the Japanese bikemaker’s next big launch. More

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    TVS Apache 200 Single ABS Variant Gets Ride Modes – Priced Rs 1k Higher

    Image – The Bengal Rider
    Apache RTR range is among the bestselling performance oriented motorcycles in the country

    Aiming to provide more options to customers, TVS has introduced ride modes for Apache RTR200 4V single-channel ABS variant. Earlier, the ride modes were offered only with dual-channel ABS variant. The 2021 variant is available at a starting price of Rs 1.28 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). That’s Rs 1k more than the outgoing model.
    Ride modes
    New Apache RTR200 4V single-channel ABS gets ride modes of Urban, Rain and Sport. In all these modes, the motorcycle’s top speed and ABS are adjusted to ensure optimal performance in the specific environment.
    In Rain mode, ABS response is maximum whereas top speed is curtailed. Sport mode is the other extreme where top speed is maximum while ABS response is reduced. Urban mode is somewhere in the middle, in which both top speed and ABS response is limited. Apache RTR200 4V is powered by a 197.75 cc, oil cooled, Fi engine. It is mated to a 5-speed gearbox with integrated multi-plate slipper clutch. Power and torque output vary based on the ride mode selected.
    In Sport mode, the motorcycle’s max power and torque output of 20.82 PS and 17.25 Nm is available for use. In Urban and Rain mode, power and torque is reduced to 17.32 PS / 16.51 Nm. Talking about top speed, users get 127 kmph in Sport and 105 kmph in Urban and Rain mode.
    TVS Apache 200
    Other updates
    In addition to the ride modes, Apache RTR 200 4V single-channel ABS variant gets adjustable levers and pre-load adjustable front suspension. For customers in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Gujarat, Goa & Puducherry, TVS is offering complimentary TVS XPOD Helmet for its entire RTR range.
    Features that will be the same as earlier include the aggressive LED headlamp with long range and enhanced visibility, race-inspired graphics with decals, aerodynamic claw mirrors, sculpted fuel tank and race-inspired seating profile.
    RTR 2004V is equipped with Bluetooth enabled SmartXConnect technology that allows users to access a range of features. When used with the SmartXConnect app, the system displays all the details of the ride such as total time, top speed, average speed, lean angle, etc. Users can access turn-by-turn navigation as well. SmartXConnect also has a crash alert system that automatically notifies the rider’s location to their emergency contacts in case of a crash.
    In terms of performance, RTR 2004V is equipped with first-in-segment Glide Through Technology. This comes handy when negotiating heavy traffic in an urban environment. Other equipment that are designed to boost performance include race-tuned slipper clutch, racing-spec radial tyre, split cradle chassis for optimal riding dynamics, and race-tuned double barrel exhaust. More

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    Bajaj Chetak Based Husqvarna Electric Scooter Debut Postponed To 2022

    Husqvarna electric scooter render
    Besides an electric scooter, Husqvarna is also developing an electric motorcycle tentatively named E-Pilen

    Husqvarna’s parent company, Pierer Mobility has announced that it has deferred the launch of its first electric scooter offering to 2022. Internally codenamed E-01, the e-scooter was earlier expected to make its debut this year itself. Furthermore, the company shared that it would first be launched in a European market.
    While the company hasn’t revealed the exact reason for this delay, we suspect the Covid-19 pandemic and global shortage of semiconductor chips to have played a major role in affecting its launch timeline. Earlier it was revealed that this upcoming e-scooter would likely be based on Bajaj Chetak electric scooter’s platform.
    Development of E-01
    Although its underpinnings will be borrowed from the Indian manufacturer, it will wear a completely different top hat. It will be designed and configured in line with the needs of and preferences of European consumers. It will be categorised as an L3e-A1 EV as per EU regulations and hence its power output will not be more than 11 kW and its power to weight ratio won’t exceed 0.1 kW/kg.
    Pierer Mobility aims to tap into the electric two-wheeler segment in Europe which is expected to be a $10 billion market by 2025. The company claims that existing European motorcycle and scooter segments between 50cc and 125cc will turn 50 percent electric in the low voltage range on short distance by 2030.
    Bajaj Chetak
    At the conclusion of Chetak electric Yatra in Pune, Bajaj had confirmed that the Chetak Electric platform will also be extended to a performance model which could be branded as a KTM or Husqvarna. Within a few weeks of this announcement, Pierer Mobility confirmed that it was developing a common 48V electric two-wheeler platform planned for mass consumers in India.
    Developed under the ‘Urban E-Mobility’ strategy, the Swedish brand is working towards introducing an electric two-wheeler which would be the stepping stone n the PTW segment (Powered Two Wheeler segment). Bajaj recently announced the setup of their new plant in Pune, which will be exclusively used to manufacture new KTM, Husqvarna two wheelers as well as Chetak electric scooter.
    Expected Specs, Design & Features
    In terms of specifications, Chetak e-scooter features an electric motor that generates 4 kW and 16 Nm of peak torque. This motor is paired to an IP67-rated 3 kWh air-cooled battery pack. Initially, the new Husky e-scooter was intended to be powered by a 10 kW motor, however, it seems that it will be offered with the same 4 kW unit itself in order to be more competitively priced.
    As mentioned earlier, E-01 will sport a very different design as compared to its distant Indian cousin. It will feature sleek body panels and will be offered with creature comforts such as an all-digital console, smartphone connectivity, LED DRLs, etc. Husqvarna has not mentioned any modular battery system on E-01, therefore, it is safe to assume that buyers would have to charge their e-scooter through wall-mounted chargers just like Chetak. More

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    CFMoto 300SR India Launch Planned – Rival To KTM RC 390, Ninja 300

    CFMOTO 300SR
    Mechanically, the faired 300SR is identical to the naked 300NK with the same powertrain and hardware setup

    After being absent for the better part of 2020, CFMoto announced its re-entry to the Indian market by launching the BS6 iteration of its naked streetfighter 300NK. Now, the Chinese bikemaker wants its presence to be felt across the country on a larger scale. Hence it is contemplating on launching the faired sibling of 300NK.
    As per a report, CFMoto is likely to launch 300SR in India towards the end of this year; between October and December. The faired sports bike is expected to be made available in India as a CKD product which means it could be priced very competitively. It is expected to be priced at Rs 2.49 lakh (ex-showroom) which would make Rs 20,000 dearer than its naked sibling.
    Design & Features
    A few weeks ago, the motorcycle made its debut in Philippines. As its naked version, the 300SR has been designed by KISKA which has also contributed to the Duke range of motorcycles for KTM. It features a sporty, aggressive and proper aerodynamically designed fairing that is able to catch one’s attention at once.
    It gets a pair of slit LED headlights flanked by LED DRLs which give the bike an angry look. Other notable design highlights include stepped-up split seats, a raised windscreen, a muscular tank, lower-set clip-on handlebars and a dual-tone colour scheme.
    CFMOTO 300SR
    In terms of features, 300SR comes equipped with a TFT colour screen with two different modes and an all-LED setup for lighting. It has a kerb weight of 165 kg and can hold up to 12-litres of fuel in its tank. The Philippines-spec model is available with a new Nebula White color scheme which is a combination of white and teal.
    Mechanical Specs
    Mechanically, 300SR is identical to its naked streetfighter sibling. It is powered by a 292.4cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine that puts out 34 bhp at 8750rpm and 20.5 Nm of peak torque at 7250rpm. This unit is mated to a six-speed gearbox. As far as its dynamics are concerned, its suspension setup consists of a 37mm upside-down USD fork at front and a preload-adjustable mono-shock at rear.
    Anchorage is taken care of by a single 292mm disc at front and a 220mm disc at rear while a safety net is provided by a dual-channel ABS. It rides on 17-inch designed wheels shod by 110/70-section tyre at front and a 140/60-section tyre at rear.
    Upon its arrival in India, it will lock its horns against the likes of Kawasaki Ninja 300, TVS Apache RR 310 and the upcoming new-gen KTM RC 390. More details will be revealed closer to launch.

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    Honda Grom 125 Gets Updated With New Features, Colours – Higher Top Speed

    New Honda GROM
    2022 Honda Grom will be made available in two trims- Standard and ABS and goes on sale in the US by May 2021

    Honda has globally revealed an updated version of its mini bike Grom. The facelifted third generation Grom made its first international appearance back in October 2020 as a 2021 model in Europe. The Japanese automaker also announced that this new Grom will hit showrooms in the USA by May 2021.
    Grom was introduced back in 2014 and since then has been a largely successful bike with over 7.5 lakh sales across the globe. The latest iteration of the mini moto will carry the same base price tag of USD 3,399 which translates to INR 2.49 lakh. Apart from the upgrade to Euro 5 compliance, 2022 Grom also receives subtle exterior redesign.
    Styling & Feature Updates
    The biggest highlight in the new Grom is its easily removable and swappable body panels that are held to its steel backbone frame by six fasteners. This has been done by Honda to provide extra flexibility to owners who wish to customise their bikes.
    It features a clean-looking bodywork and gets a lot of sleeker and straighter lines. It will be offered in four paint options- Matte Black Metallic, Queen Bee Yellow, Pearl White and Candy Blue (only on ABS model) that can be mixed and matched according to the customer’s preference.
    New Honda GROM
    Apart from this, the buyer also gets an optional SP colour package which adds unique body graphics and a yellow-coloured mono-shock spring along with golden brake calipers, alloy wheels and front fork. The seat is also not flatter and firmer which provides better cushioning. There are no major changes on its equipment front, just its LCD instrument screen gets updated and now also shows a gear position indicator.
    Mechanical Specs
    Its hardware has also been left untouched with its suspension setup consisting of telescopic inverted forks at front and a mono-shock at rear. Braking is handled by single disc brakes of 220mm and 190mm at front and rear respectively. Its fuel tank capacity has also been increased from 6.6 litres to 7.23 litres. The major change lies at its heart.
    2022 Grom is now powered by a Euro-5 compliant 124cc air-cooled single-cylinder which is now slightly more powerful due to an updated compression ratio of 10:1 against the previous iteration’s 9.3:1 ratio. In the process, it feels a little quicker and can now clock a top speed of 95 kmph which is 8 kmph quicker than the previous model. Honda has also made improvements in its rideability thanks to its 5-speed gearbox that offers a larger rear sprocket and a wider spread of gear ratios.
    New Honda GROM
    Grom in India?
    The new Grom has been made available in two variants- standard and ABS while the latter being priced at a premium of USD 200 over the base variant. A couple of months, it was reported that Honda has indeed filed a patent for the latest iteration of Grom in India.
    A few years ago, the automaker did the same but the bike did not reach our shores. Instead, the Indian market received a scooter-styled bike named Navi which did not find many takers and eventually got discontinued. We hope this time, Honda is seriously thinking of bringing it to India. More

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    2021 Bajaj Platina 100 Electric Start Launch Price Rs 54k – Ex Sh Delhi

    2021 Bajaj Platina Electric Start
    All new Bajaj Platina 100 Electric Start (ES) launched at under 54k, ex sh, Delhi

    Bajaj Auto has launched the all-new Platina 100 Electric Start (ES) at a price of Rs 53,920 (ex-showroom Delhi). This makes it the most affordable 100cc Electric Start motorcycle in the segment.
    New Platina 100 ES features a 102 cc, four stoke, single cylinder, SOHC, Air cooled engine. Cosmetic updates revolve around a refreshed look, new rear view mirrors for better visibility, and project new-age styling to the bike. New Platina 100 ES is available in two colours – Cocktail Wine Red and Ebony Black with Silver decals. Sales are underway with availability across all Bajaj dealerships.
    2021 Bajaj Platina 100 Electric Start (ES) features
    Apart from stressing on affordability, Platina 100 ES updates build on segment leading features. They include tubeless tyres for ride convenience. A 20 percent longer front and rear suspension makes for less jerks when manoeuvring potholes. The long seat is designed for rider and pillion comfort.
    LED DRL Headlamp makes for clear visibility while also being part of the style package. Wide Rubber footpads have been used for superior grip. Spring in Spring suspension paves the way for better shock absorption, making longer rides more comfy. And new mirrors are in-line with functionality and style improvement.
    2021 Bajaj Platina Electric Start
    Mass market 100cc segment
    The mass market commuter bike segment has greta potential in India. Cumulative sales are in lakhs on a regular basis. And because these motorcycles are valued for functionality, it’s essential that manufacturers are able to aptly cater to rider needs. An important parameter here is longer and regular daily rides.
    This puts emphasis on the need for a competitive price point, fuel efficiency. and comfort during regular long rides. Bajaj relies on segment leading comfort with ‘Comfortec technology’ of the Platina brand.
    For Bajaj, its Platina range is an important one. The series contributes to the most sales in the 100 cc segment after the winning Pulsar range. While with the Pulsar, Bajaj has offered a wide capacity range, Bajaj Platina as a brand is a lone warrior. It’s essentially a 100 cc motorcycle. As such, feature improvement keeping in mind market dynamics can help improve its value proposition in a segment where demand is unending.
    2021 Bajaj Platina Electric Start
    Narayan Sundararaman, Head of Marketing, Bajaj Auto Ltd said, “The brand Platina has an unmatched proposition of Comfort with over 7 million satisfied customers as a testament to its segment-leading attributes. The new Platina 100ES offers yet another compelling proposition at a ground-breaking price that allows the vast majority of Kick start riders to upgrade to the much sought convenience of self-start along with the Comfort-Tec technology.” More