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    2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan New Variant Leaks Via Clay Model

    2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan. Image – Nikhil Renunathan (@69_thewanderlust)Besides the road-biased Himalayan, Royal Enfield is also developing a new Himalayan with a more powerful 650cc parallel-twin motor
    Towards the end of last year, Royal Enfield claimed that it will be launching one model every quarter for the next four years here on. The company has been testing prototypes for upcoming new models round the clock throughout the year. This indicates that the bikemaker has plenty on its plate to cover.
    Recently, another updated test mule was caught on camera. This prototype is likely to be a road-biased version of Himalayan. Now, another image of this variant has gone viral which brings its design to light. This prototype of road-focused Himalayan is a clay model and shares a lot in common with the current off-road capable Himalayan.
    2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan – Updated Styling & Features
    While the overall design is more or less similar, the new model also features noticeable styling variations which makes it distinct. For instance, the upcoming road-biased model misses out on a large windscreen. Also, Himalayan’s signature exoskeleton has made way for newly designed tank shrouds. Further, tank shrouds are seen imprinted with ‘411’ signifying that it will continue to be powered by the same engine.
    Like the test mule spotted earlier, this clay model stood on a smaller 19-inch front wheel. The regular Himalayan gets a 21-inch front wheel. Both modes however get similar wire-spoked rims shod by block pattern, dual-purpose tyres. The tail section also seems to be redesigned with the relative positioning of its taillamp and rear turn indicators appearing slightly different from the current bike. It also misses out on its signature luggage rack.
    2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan New Variant Clay Model Leaks.
    Another interesting piece of difference is that the road-biased model gets revised front and rear mudguards. It also misses out on a traditional beak-like fender as seen in the current Himalayan. A redesigned headlight mask has been added for a cleaner look. It is also being speculated that Royal Enfield will be offering a slightly smaller and simpler instrument console in this road-biased Himalayan which will include Tripper Navigation as well.
    Less Components, More Value
    Additionally, the tail section also gets a new grab handle and a new single-piece seat. The recently spied test mule did not feature fork gaiters which this clay prototype features. In a similar manner, the clay model did not showcase side pannier boxes which were spotted in the testing prototype previously. This suggests that these components are more likely to be offered as optional add-ons from the official accessories package.
    With components such as the windscreen and luggage rack removed, a simpler instrument cluster and a smaller front wheel on offer, this road-biased version of Himalayan could be more affordable than the current model on sale. This would make it accessible to a larger section of consumers.
    As mentioned earlier, this new road-biased Himalayan will likely be powered by the same 411cc single-cylinder air-cooled SOHC that returns an output of 24.3 bhp and 32 Nm of peak torque. There might be a little tweak to its suspension setup which would focus more towards on-road dynamics.
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    Hero MotoCorp Starts Retail Ops In Mexico – Xpulse 200, Hunk 190, Ignitor, Dash

    Hero Hunk In Mexico. Image – SamuelHero MotoCorp begins retail ops in Mexico through distributor network
    As part of Hero Motocorp’s aggressive expansion plans in furthering global business, the auto manufacturer has started retail sales in Mexico. Business in the key market had been announced earlier in the year. And now sales channels have been set up to see the growth plan come to fruition.
    Product portfolio that has been currently introduced includes motorcycles and a scooter. This helps reach out to a diverse segment of customers. Vehicle range includes Xpulse 200, Xpulse 200T, Hunk 190, Hunk 160R, Hunk 150, Eco 150 TR, Eco 150 Cargo, and Ignitor 125, and Dash 125 scooter.
    Distributor, agencies and dealers
    The company has been able to offer these products at competitive prices through the retail arm of the distributor, agencies and dealers. This extensive network helps have control over distribution costs. Products will be distributed through an extensive retail distribution network encompassing dealer and consumer outlets, and service centres.
    The distribution agreement introduces a good range of products for Mexican customers. Alongside, customers can benefit from attractive financing options. With this development, buyers can now pick from a range of stylish and affordable two-wheelers. Vehicles are available with a warranty of three years or 30,000 kilometers. The products compliment Hero’s aim to improve its market share in the international market.
    Hero Dash. Image – hirudov
    Over time, Hero MotoCorp has reported phenomenal growth spurt in sales owing to their wide variety of high-quality products at efficient price points. In addition to this, they have built upon market reach that is envied by most other companies.
    Growth in exports
    Hero MotoCorp being a multinational conglomerate has a wide array of operations in many different countries around the world. The company has grown considerably over the years. In recent years, we can see its ever-growing presence an international level, and not just from its ever-growing revenues.
    Growth in global operations can be evidenced by volumes which have increased year on year. Amidst difficulties through the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Hero MotoCorp registered its highest-ever monthly dispatch to global markets in March 2021. Growth has been reported in the current financial year (FY22) too.
    Sanjay Bhan, Head of Global Business, Hero MotoCorp, said, “This is an important development in our international business growth story. Mexico will be a key market for us in the future and this is the first step in this direction. The range of products that we have introduced here should excite and cater to a wide segment of customers.” More

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    2022 Yamaha R15 V4 Front Look Spied – Gets More Sporty And Aggressive

    Yamaha F 155 Concept Image For Reference
    Yamaha YZF-R15 rivals the likes of Suzuki Gixxer SF, Pulsar RS200, KTM RC 200 and TVS Apache RTR 200 4V
    R15 is among the popular entry-level sports bikes in the country. It has consistently featured in the top ten list of bestselling 150cc – 200cc motorcycles. Yamaha YZF-R15 has been in service in India since 2008. Over the years, it has received two generation updates, the last being V3 in 2018. To keep it fresh and relevant to evolving market dynamics, Yamaha will soon be launching the fourth generation model R15 V4.
    Yamaha YZF-R15 V4 key updates
    While the core silhouette remains unchanged, Yamaha YZF-R15 V4 gets an updated front fascia. Changes at the front appear to be inspired by R15’s elder sibling R7. As may be recalled, R7 had received significant enhancements earlier this year.
    One of the key changes is a single LED headlight setup. This replaces the dual-LED headlamps of the current model. The single LED headlight will be accompanied by integrated LED DRLs. The single LED unit in the front seems like the same unit which also powers the headlight of MT15 in India.
    It is also possible that front fairing may also sport a refreshed look. Other update includes USD front forks. The international spec R15 V3 already gets USD forks in the front. An updated digital instrument cluster could be another key change for Yamaha YZF-R15 V4.
    2022 Yamaha R15 V4. Image – iwanbanaranblog
    Apart from above, other visual aspects and hardware are expected to be the same as earlier. Riding posture is largely the same, a mix of comfort and forward-leaning stance. The bike has small clip-on handlebars and slightly rear-set foot pegs. Riding stance is sportier, yet comfortable enough for everyday commutes in city conditions.
    2022 Yamaha R15 V4. Image – iwanbanaranblog
    Yamaha YZF-R15 V4 engine and specs
    Powering YZF-R15 V4 will be the same engine as the current model. It is unlikely that Yamaha will fiddle with engine output. The 155cc, liquid cooled, SOHC motor is capable of generating 18.6 ps of max power at 10,000 rpm and 14.1 Nm of peak torque at 8,500 rpm. It is mated to a 6-speed constant mesh transmission.
    The engine comes with Variable Valves Actuation (VVA), which ensures ample torque delivery even at low rpm. The bike is also equipped with assist and slipper clutch. It reduces the effort required for clutch pull and ensures smooth downshifts during fast deceleration.
    New Yamaha R15 V4. Image – Abhinav Bhatt
    Yamaha YZF-R15 utilizes a deltabox frame that ensures superior rigidity balance. It has telescopic forks at the front and monocross rear suspension. Braking duties are performed by 282 mm disc at the front and 220 mm disc at the rear. Dual channel ABS is offered as standard. Other key features include multi-function LCD instrument cluster with gear shift indicator, side stand engine cut-off switch, and dual horn. More

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    New BGauss Electric Two Wheelers Launch In 2021 – Made In India

    BGauss Electric ScooterWith these two upcoming electric two wheelers, RR Global owned BGauss company portfolio will consist of four products
    As demand for electric two wheelers increase, automakers are keen to introduce new and improved products into this segment. It may be noted that such is the growing demand for electric two wheelers that more electric two-wheelers were sold in first half of 2021 than in all of 2020. Total electric two wheeler sales stood at 29,288 units in the first 6 months of 2021 as against 25,598 units sold last year.
    It has just been announced that BGauss, Electric Vehicle Arm of RR Global, will be introducing two new electric two wheelers in India by Q4 2021. Ahead of official launch, the company has strengthened its manufacturing facility in Chakan, near Pune.
    100% Made In India
    The company has also stated that these two scooters will be 100 percent Made-in-India products. Not only that, these have been completely designed in India and developed in-house from the ground up. Special attention has been paid to design and safety, performance and efficiency of the upcoming electric vehicles designed by the BGauss team. Both the EVs have been developed to aid faster adoption of electric two wheelers in India.
    These soon to be launched e-scooters from BGauss will be added to the company’s current lineup consists of two models both of which were launched in October 2020. It is growing demand for these to existing models that has spurred the company to introduce two new zero-emission and eco-friendly offerings.
    BGauss Electric Scooter
    BGauss Electric Scooters
    The company’s current models – B8 and A2 scooters cater to the high speed and low speed e-scooter space respectively. The flagship BGauss B8 is offered in three variants of Lead Acid (Rs 62,999), Lithium ion (Rs 82,999) and LI Tech (Rs 88,999). BGauss A2 scooter is available in two models of Lead Acid (Rs 52,449) and Lithium ion (Rs 67,999).
    B8 receives its power via a 1.9 kW motor with 94.6 Nm of peak torque to offer a top speed of 50 km/h and range of 70 kms. BGauss A2 on the other hand offers a range of 75 kms and top speed of 25 km/h. Both scooters are available with a choice between a lead-acid battery and a lithium-ion battery.
    Along with enhancing its product portfolio, BGauss is intent on expanding its dealership networks across the country and specifically in all Tier-I and Tier-II cities. The company targets a network 35 showrooms to be added to its current count of 13 dealerships by the end of this year. Plans are also afoot to expand to over 100 showrooms by March 2022.
    As per the upcoming electric two wheelers, not much is known. These could be mopeds or scooters or motorcycles. These could also be for B2B usage, as load carriers. No prices of the upcoming EVs have been announced but they promise to be highly affordable and yet of premium appeal so as to cater to demands of buyers in India. More

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    KTM RC 200 Modified With Custom Kit, New Colour – For Rs 52k

    KTM RC 200 ModifiedKTM is currently looking to overhaul its current generation lineup with next-gen models including a new-gen RC 200
    KTM is one of the most sought-after motorcycle brands in the aftermarket industry in India. The robust structure of the bikes gives tonnes of options to customisers to play with. We have another case of an RC 200 being modified into a custom bike which has been built for the purpose of taking it to the race tracks.
    The images are credited to biking enthusiast Adarsh Suresh and this particular MY2019 RC 200 is his personal possession. This custom motorcycle gets a complete styling overhaul by replacing the stock body panels with aftermarket panels. These aftermarket units have been sourced from Autologue Design, a customisation workshop based out of Pune.
    Modified Design
    The entire front fairing has been replaced by aftermarket fairing panels which are lighter and more aerodynamically enhanced. Front end of the bike wears an aftermarket wind visor which is larger than the stock unit.
    The stock dual-pod headlamp setup has been carried forward in the custom motorcycle. It gets a completely revised tail section with a rounded cowl and could now accommodate a single-seater saddle which can only accommodate a rider.
    KTM RC 200 Modified
    Like the stock RC 200, this modified bike also gets an underbelly exhaust. Even the front fender is attached to the front suspension forks. The underbelly engine used in this custom unit looks different and more sporty than the regular unit.
    The overall bike feels more sporty and aggressive thanks to aftermarket livery and body decals. The dual-tone colour scheme of red and grey is unique and would surely stand apart in a crowd.
    The exposed rear frame, subframe and alloys have been painted in black and not traditional KTM orange which goes well with the modified theme of the faired sports bike. Minor changes might have been done to its swingarm as well as its handlebar. Kit cost is Rs 35k (including KTM powerpart visor). Painting and graphics cost is Rs 17k. Total cost is Rs 52k.
    KTM RC 200 Modified
    Mechanical Specs & Features
    This means, mechanically this bike is identical to the stock RC 200 and with no change in configurations. The trellis frame sits on inverted forks up front and a mono-shock at rear. On the other hand, braking duties are handled by single disc brakes at both ends assisted by a dual-channel ABS as standard.
    The entry-level superbike is propelled by a 199.5cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine which pumps out 25.4 bhp and a peak torque of 19.5 Nm. This unit is paired with a 6-speed gearbox. On the features front, RC 200 gets an all-digital instrument console loaded with details like real-time fuel efficiency, average speed, gear position indicator, shift light and regular data. More

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    Okinawa Electric Scooter, EV Sales Cross 15k In Q2 2021 – iPraise And Praise Pro In Demand

    Okinawa Electric ScootersSubsidies offered by many state governments across India on purchase of electric vehicles have given rise to EV sales
    Significant price cuts have been seen across the electric vehicle segment following subsidies offered by various state governments. This along with FAME II subsidy revisions by the Central Government along with ever escalating fuel prices, has led to increased demand in this segment.
    Especially talking about the e-scooter segment, Ola Electric has received resounding success for its electric scooter with 1 lakh bookings in 24 hours. Revolt sold out its entire lot for July in 10 minutes and sales of the Hero Optima electric scooter that once hovered around the 1,500 unit mark, escalated to 8,000 unit sales in the past month.
    Okinawa Sales Cross 15k In Q2 2021
    Ever since the new subsidies have been announced by various governments, the electric two wheeler market has received renewed interest. Okinawa Autotech claims to be the fastest going EV brand in India. They have now announced their sales numbers for Q2 2021.
    In April 2021, the brand sold 4,467 electric scooters, EVs while in May 2021, the numbers increased to 5,649. It went even higher in June 2021 to 5,860 units. This brought the total sales numbers for last quarter to 15,976 units. In the coming months, sales are expected to be even higher, thanks to economy opening up as well as increase in fuel prices.

    Month
    Okinawa EV Sales

    Apr-21
    4,467

    May-21
    5,649

    Jun-21
    5,860

    Total
    15,976

    Okinawa says, the company has expanded its presence with a huge customer base in the Southern states of India like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh & Maharashtra with the highest number of buyers in Madya, Bangalore, Kanchipuram, Nellore & Pune. Amongst its range of scooters, iPraise + along with Praise Pro were the most favoured EV two wheelers, built with style and high speed features. They topped the best seller chart leading to a great expansion in numbers.
    Subsidies and Related Price Cuts
    Incentives introduced by Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan Governments along with FAME II subsidy revisions by the Central Government has seen prices of electric scooters come down substantially. Premium offerings such as Hero Optima, Okinawa Praise Pro, Ather 450X, Ampere Magnus and Zeal are now cheaper by Rs 18,000-Rs 20,000 and in the past 4 weeks itself, sales have touched 18,000 units.
    Following these subsidies, e-scooters which were in the range of Rs 75,000-80,000 are now in a sub Rs 50,000 price bracket. For example, Ampere Electric has cut prices of its e-scooter by Rs 27,000 in Gujarat. Accordingly, Magnus scooter which as priced at Rs 74,990 has now come down to Rs 47,990 while price of Zeal scooter has been reduced from Rs 68,990 to Rs 41,990.
    Okinawa has noted a two fold increase in inquiries with most being for its top of the line Praise Pro variant. High demand is noted from buyers in Madya and Bengaluru in Karnataka, Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu, Nellore in AP and Pune in Maharashtra. Along with rising demand for e-scooters, Tata Motors has also received increased bookings for the Nexon EV and the company is in talks with suppliers to help boost production.
    Bajaj, TVS and Hero MotoCorp EV Plans
    Thanks to rising fuel prices along with government initiatives and revised FAME II subsidy, several mainstream automakers are revising their electric two wheeler plans. Two wheeler makers Bajaj and TVS have plans to set up electric vehicle plants. Hero MotoCorp also has plans to becomes the next major EV player with Rs 10,000 crore budget allocation over the next 5-7 years along with Gogoro of Taiwan. The company has also recently unveiled the eMaestro electric scooter based on the petrol powered Maestro range.
    Set to make a foray into this segment is also Suzuki India with the Burgman electric scooter. TVS, currently has the iQube but also plans launch of Creon e-scooter while Simple One electric scooter will be unveiled on 15 August. Honda’s Benly-e is also an upcoming launch while Hero Electric already has quite a few EV models but seeks to improve on its current fleet with the AE-29. More

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    Joy Electric Scooters, Motorcycles Get Internet Connected Features

    Joy Electric ScooterJOY E-Connect app brings together connected tech to Joy e-bike electric scooter customers
    WardWizard Innovations and Mobility Ltd (BSE Code: 538970) has now introduced JOY E-Connect. The cloud-based mobile app enhances overall riding experience. It’s compatible with the entire Joy e-bike product range. And can be downloaded on iOS and Android.
    Ensuring security and a smoother-riding experience, Joy E-Connect is laden with fantastic features like turning vehicles ON & OFF remotely through the mobile, navigation, battery percentage display, Geo- fence alerts, battery backup of the vehicle and estimated distance, along with raising alerts on battery voltage, and temperature, for a better-planned trip.
    Smart dashboard display
    Vehicle dashboard displays details related to trip analytics on a single screen. One can check info on total distance travelled, trip duration, geolocation status and over-speeding, and more. Rider behaviour analysis comes from data collected on speeding, number of breaks taken, frequent stopping, fatigued riding, etc. Environment protection data includes info an CO2 emission, and fuel cost saved per ride.
    Joy E-connect will combine the ecosystem of exciting features and offerings from across the market, designed specifically to enhance the riding experience for every individual. The user app connects with your device and provides info about the ride in real time.
    Joy E-Bikes Electric Motorcycles.
    This service (E-Connect application) is available from Google Play store or Apple App store. The app is part of the company’s mission to provide a seamless riding experience for customers. You can access personalized services which include providing you information about your vehicle, starting booking request, tracking device location in real time, trip history logs and much more through this app in a simplest manner.
    Smart tech and info
    In line with Joy e-bikes vision of providing sustainable mobility solutions to customers, they are working towards making the vehicles smart and ensuring that they are technologically advanced to help optimize energy consumption, and convenience. And now individual riders will find it much easier to keep track of their vehicles in real time.
    To achieve this, a combination of technologies is in use, and builds on the power of machine learning, and diagnostic evaluations. With smart tech that EVs afford, new age customers can be comfortable with their good and services.
    To provide for a seamless experience, auto manufacturers are bringing together multiple aspects of vehicle purchase and ownership. This means customers can book appointments with service stations, take a vehicle to an auto shop for diagnostics and necessary services. It eliminates the hassle of having to look for service stations, and all that will be visible is a list of service centres that are available.
    All you will need to do is select one and schedule an appointment. It ensures that you don’t have to waste time looking around just to find a station in your area. The user interface is simple and intuitive with a minimalistic design, which makes it easy and quick to use. More

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    Royal Enfield Electric Motorcycle Will Be Sold As Premium Modern Classic

    Image for reference. Credit – Neev MotorcyclesRoyal Enfield electric range will be offered in both domestic and international markets
    As automotive industry transitions to an all-electric ecosystem, OEMs are working proactively to target this space. Among home-grown auto companies, Eicher Motors, the parent company of Royal Enfield, is working to develop a new range of electric motorcycles. As of now, Royal Enfield leads in middleweight motorcycle segment. Its portfolio comprises bestsellers such as Classic 350, Meteor 350, Bullet 350, Himalayan, and 650 twins (Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650).
    Eyes on future
    In the company’s annual report, managing director Siddhartha Lal points to the increasing activity in electric vehicle segment. As this space is expected to witness exponential growth over the decade and beyond, Royal Enfield is developing its EV portfolio in a strategic manner.
    Royal Enfield electric bike range will continue using the signature retro styling that can be seen on existing petrol-powered bikes. The company will be utilizing its capabilities in product development, production and distribution for developing its electric range. These new motorcycles will be in line with the company’s focus on reducing carbon emissions. They will also support on-going global efforts to better manage climate change.
    As a complete shift to electric may take several years, Royal Enfield will continue to focus on improving its existing range of ICE-powered bikes. Those plans have been already put into action with Meteor 350 that was launched last year. Meteor 350 packs in a new engine and chassis, which have ensured superior performance and smoother rides.
    Royal Enfield Electric – Private Modification
    New-gen Classic 350 is also expected to be launched soon. It will share the same engine and chassis as that of Meteor 350. Other 350cc motorcycles will also be updated in the future.
    Can Royal Enfield dominate electric segment?
    Royal Enfield motorcycles currently command more than 80% market share in 200-500cc segment. The number is even higher if we consider only the 350cc space. Even though new products like Honda CB350, Jawa, and Benelli Imperiale 400 are available, Royal Enfield bikes continue to be ahead in terms of popularity and sales.
    But can Royal Enfield continue its domination in electric segment? Well, the company certainly has the resources and expertise to make it possible. However, it will not be an easy task. That’s because EVs are a lot different from their petrol-powered counterparts. The company will have to work really hard to ensure that their electric motorcycles do not lose the core essence that makes brand ‘Royal Enfield’ so popular.
    One also needs to consider the rise of startups in this space. Products like Revolt RV400 have already emerged bestsellers. These startups are expected to further solidify their position in the coming years. Creating something new that’s better that rival offerings will be another challenge for Royal Enfield in EV space. More