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    2022 Kia EV6 Boasts a Bold, Sleek Design

    Kia has unveiled the design of the upcoming 2022 EV6 electric vehicle. the first of 11 EVs promised by the automaker by 2026.
    It will be the first Kia built exclusively to be an electric vehicle using the Hyundai Motor Group’s Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP).
    Kia will share more details about the EV6 during an online event later this month.
    Kia is in the middle of a design transformation, and the first vehicle to emerge from its fresh “Opposites United” philosophy is the EV6, which is also the automaker’s first dedicated EV. Based on the Hyundai Motor Group’s Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the electric compact SUV will get a more thorough unveiling event with more details about the vehicle’s specs later in March.

    EV6 Will Be First of 11 New Kia Electric Cars

    Hyundai Unveils EV Platform, Says 23 EVs Coming

    2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Kicks Off EV Lineup

    The new design direction is bold, to say the least. The EV6’s sleek roofline and pronounced haunches give the vehicle a sporty and aggressive feel when combined with what Kia calls its Digital Tiger Face front. The rear window slopes down to a spoiler that houses a light bar that extends across the entirety of the back of the vehicle. It might not bode well for cargo space, but it does set the vehicle apart visually.
    The automaker notes that its design is meant to realize “ultimate aerodynamic performance.” How that plays out in the wind tunnel is yet to be seen. Hopefully, Kia will share a drag coefficient number during a more robust online reveal later this month.
    The EV6’s interior is more traditional but with bold angles and lines, especially in the center console, where the start button breaks up the path of a 45-degree angle piece of trim along the center stack. Unlike Hyundai’s 2022 Ioniq 5, the EV6 will not have a center console that slides back and forth or available footrests for the driver to use while waiting for the vehicle to charge.

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    Kia

    When asked about any concerns about straying too far from mainstream automotive design for the EV6, Karim Habib, senior VP and head of global design for Kia, told Car and Driver, “This is an opportunity that we have right now to redefine transportation and mobility.” He continued, “I think our designs need to show that. I think our designs need to be quite confident about their orientation toward the future.”
    While we don’t have specifics about the vehicle ahead of its larger launch, based on what we know about the Ioniq 5 that’s built on the same E-GMP architecture, we expect the EV6 to make close to 215 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. On the battery front, we anticipate a 77.4-kWh-capacity battery pack with a target range between 258 and 290 miles. Also like the Ioniq 5, pricing will likely start in the $45,000 range.
    Kia’s new Opposites United design philosophy will inform all future vehicles from the automaker. Whether all those new Kias will have a design as bold as the EV6’s is unknown, but the company has said it intends to bring 11 EVs to market by 2026.
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    2021 Nissan Rogue to Add Turbo 1.5L Three-Cylinder for Better MPG

    The 2021 Nissan Rogue will gain a new engine, a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder.
    Nissan says it’s part of a “small pilot program” to evaluate new technology.
    According to the EPA, the new engine is significantly more efficient than the Rogue’s 2.5-liter inline-four.
    The 2021 Nissan Rogue will soon add a small-displacement turbo engine, according to the EPA website. FuelEconomy.gov lists official ratings for a 2021 Rogue with a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-three gasoline engine that provides a boost of between 2–4 mpg over the current naturally aspirated 2.5-liter inline-four. Nissan told C/D that this new engine is part of a “small pilot program” to evaluate this potential new powertrain, and we think it will eventually become part of the lineup for good.

    Tested: 2021 Rogue Ratchets Up Its Visual Appeal

    Nissan Retrofits 2021 Rogues to Boost Crash Rating

    Nissan Sending RAV4s to Dealers for Test Drives

    The 1.5L engine in the front-wheel-drive Rogue is rated at up to 30 mpg in the city, 33 mpg combined, and 37 mpg on the highway. With all-wheel drive, the highway number drops by 1 mpg. The EPA also lists a separate, slightly lower rating for the three-cylinder Rogue in SL and Platinum trims, as it does for the 2.5L model. The three-cylinder is listed as having a continuously variable automatic transmission.
    We don’t yet have any power or torque specifications for the new 1.5-liter engine and it’s the first we’ve heard of this new powertrain from Nissan. A spokesperson said that the company is planning a pilot program for this engine but did not share any more specifics on how it would be rolled out.
    Look for more information to come in the near future about this new engine, which may eventually be found in other Nissan models as well.
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    CFMoto Electric Scooter Planned For India Launch – Ather 450X Rival

    CFMOTO ZEEHO Electric Scooter
    Upon its launch, Zeeho Cyber e-scooter will compete against the likes of Ather 450X and Bajaj Chetak Electric

    CFMoto had been out of the news for over a year until it recently made its comeback with the BS6 updated 300NK. This will be followed by its faired sibling 300SR which is expected to be launched in India in the coming months. In fact, the Chinese automaker has planned to launch a new product every eight months.
    The company has revealed that the 650cc trio is also expected to arrive in India soon. However, the bikemaker isn’t only looking to bring in new conventionally IC-powered two-wheelers in the country. The brand is also looking ahead in future and developing electric mobility solutions that would also make it to the country.
    Zeeho Cyber e-scooter
    At the end of last year, CFMoto launched its new subsidiary brand Zeeho which will spearhead the company’s electric mobility division. It also revealed the Cyber concept electric scooter which reports suggest might be launched in India in the near future. Like the petrol-powered two-wheelers from CFMoto, the upcoming electric two-wheelers under the Zeeho brand will also be designed by Kiska Designs.
    Concept Design
    Zeeho Cyber concept sports a futuristic design although the production-spec model is expected to be a lot different. At front, the e-scooter concept gets an LED headlamp which is flanked by two wing-like LED light panels.
    CFmoto Zeeho Cyber Electric Scooter Concept
    Its front fairing is sporty and muscular yet sleeker than its rear end. The side fairing extends backward to meet the LED taillights which are essentially facing sideways. The seat looks exceptionally small to accommodate a pillion.
    Specifications
    Coming to its specifications, the concept featured a pouch-style 4kWh lithium-ion battery manufactured by Farasis Energy that is paired with Zeeho’s indigenously developed Cobra 10 kW water-cooled motor. This powertrain is capable of producing an output of 13.4 bhp and a humongous 213 Nm of peak torque.
    This torque figure helps the e-scooter sprint 0-50 kmph in just 2.9 seconds while its top speed has been capped at 110 kmph. The company claims a range of 130 km on a single charge as per NEDC (New European Driving Cycle).
    CFmoto Zeeho Cyber Electric Scooter Concept
    There are three driving modes on offer as well namely- Eco, Street and Sport which clearly reveal their utility. The company claims a lifespan of 2,500 cycles which roughly translates to eight years of normal usage or 3 lakh kilometres. The battery could be rejuvenated from 0 to 80 % using a fast charger for 30 minutes. The battery pack can operate in temperatures ranging from -20-degree to 55-degree celsius which makes it suitable for most countries.
    As per the company, the India-spec model has slightly different specifications than its international version. Zeeho will also be looking to extend its lineup to electric bikes as well which should also be introduced in India. According to reports, CFMoto intends to launch Zeeho Cyber in India towards the end of this year following its international debut in June 2021.
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    Hero Destini, Maestro Scooter 100 Million Edition Launched – First Look

    Hero Destini and Maestro – 100 Million Edition
    Limited edition models are introduced to add more zing and uniqueness to consumer choices

    Having reached the 100 million production milestone, world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer Hero MotoCorp is celebrating the joy with customers by launching 100 million limited editions of its popular motorcycles and scooters. The 100 millionth unit produced was a Hero Xtreme 160R motorcycle. This milestone was achieved earlier this year in January.
    After launching 100 million limited editions of Xtreme 160R, Splendor Plus and Passion Pro, the company has now introduced 100 million editions of its popular scooters – Hero Destini 125 and Maestro Edge 110. The limited editions of both scooters have cosmetic updates and there are no changes to engine or features.
    Hero Destini 125 100 million edition
    Destini 125 100 million edition gets dual-tone paint scheme of white and red. While the outer body panels have the white shade, the floor board area gets the red paint. The Destini logo on the side panel also has the red paint. Another change is the 100 million edition sticker on the front panel. Apart from these, there are no other changes.
    If we look at colour options for standard Destini 125, the choices include Matt Grey Silver, Noble Red, Pearl Silver White, Panther Black, Chestnut Bronze and Candy Blazing Red. Take a look at the detailed walkaround video by Gear Update below.
    [embedded content]
    With the updates, Destini 125 100 million edition costs Rs 72,250 (ex-showroom, Delhi). In comparison, the standard LX and VX variants are priced at Rs 66,960 and Rs 70,450, respectively. Hero Destini 125 is powered by a 124.6 cc air-cooled engine that is capable of generating 9 bhp of max power at 7,000 rpm and 10.4 Nm of peak torque at 5,500 rpm.
    Hero Maestro Edge 110 100 million edition
    While design and styling is the same as earlier, the 100 million edition of Maestro Edge 110 gets new grey and white decals. This creates an exciting contrast with the red coloured body panels. The 100 million edition sticker has been placed on the front panel.
    Colour options for standard Maestro Edge 110 include Midnight Blue, Seal Silver, Candy Blazing Red, Pearl Fadeless White, Panther Black and Techno Blue. Customers going for Maestro Edge 110 100 million edition will have to shell out Rs 65,250 (ex-showroom, Delhi). In comparison, the standard VX and ZX variants of Maestro Edge 110 are available at Rs 61,950 and Rs 63,450, respectively. Engine is the same as earlier, a 110.9 cc, air cooled unit that makes 8 bhp at 7,250 rpm and 8.75 Nm at 5,750 rpm.
    100 million editions of both scooters are priced Rs 1,800 more than their respective top-spec standard models. Folks who want to add some level of uniqueness to their rides can certainly choose the limited edition. On the other hand, price-conscious customers are unlikely to be willing to pay more for cosmetic enhancements. More

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    It's Time to Talk about Privacy and License-Plate Readers (Again)

    A discussion about massive data collection by cameras that can automatically read vehicle license plates (LPRs) has been going on for years, but the Wall Street Journal reports that this is one issue that politicians and the public are not talking about enough.
    There are some laws about LPRs, but they’re often relegated to questions about how long law enforcement can keep the data, not if they should be vacuuming up all the information in the first place.
    Both the ACLU and the Electronic Frontier Foundation have been calling on the public to speak out against the practice, saying it can be used to determine much more than when a particular vehicle was in a particular place.
    When you’re driving on a public road, your license plate is public information. You could legally sit on your front porch and write down the plate numbers of every car that drives by, then put all of that information into a spreadsheet and track when people leave for work and who gets pizza delivered every Tuesday. One question that isn’t being asked loudly enough, according to the Wall Street Journal, is whether it’s a good idea for the government to automate being such a nosy neighbor.

    They’re known as license-plate readers, or LPRs, and it’s not like this technology has been flying completely under the radar. In fact, automatic LPRs have been a subject of contention for about a decade now, ranging from police in Washington, D.C. holding on to automatically collected license plate data in 2011 to the FBI wondering if such data collection was legal in 2012. The Post’s story noted that as long as 10 years ago, one private vendor of the scanners, Vigilant Solutions, already had a database of 450 million plate scans and was adding 35 million new plates per month.
    Law enforcement, unsurprisingly, is generally in favor of automatic LPRs. Chicago police said in 2020 that LPRs could help them solve more expressway shootings. In 2018, a Florida sheriff’s office said it used LPRs to recover stolen cars and a person wanted for sex crimes in another state. In a more recent case, the Journal noted, LPRs were used to arrest “a number of suspected rioters” who attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6.
    Cameras used as LPRs can be mounted on stationary infrastructure like traffic lights or on things that move, like police cars or garbage trucks. In 2019, we noted that most states do not have any explicit regulation on LPRs, which means their use was fairly wide open. Things haven’t changed much since then, but the National Conference of State Legislatures has collected a list of state-based laws regarding LPRs. What limits exist usually set maximum length on how long law enforcement agencies can keep LPR data, but not on the original collection. In 2012, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) asked for, and obtained, thousands of documents from local and state police departments related to how this technology is used around the country.
    “The documents paint a startling picture of a technology deployed with too few rules that is becoming a tool for mass routine location tracking and surveillance,” the ACLU said on its website. “As the technology spreads, the ACLU calls for the adoption of legislation and law enforcement agency policies adhering to strict privacy principles to prevent the government from tracking our movements on a massive scale.”
    The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) takes a similar view, noting that drivers don’t have a choice here. The government requires vehicles to have license plates, and the government is now using that public information to track people.
    “Taken in the aggregate, ALPR data can paint an intimate portrait of a driver’s life and even chill First Amendment protected activity,” the EFF said on its website. “ALPR technology can be used to target drivers who visit sensitive places such as health centers, immigration clinics, gun shops, union halls, protests, or centers of religious worship.”
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    2021 Bajaj Pulsar RS 200 New TVC Released – Racing Thrill Unleashed

    2021 Bajaj Pulsar RS 200
    Bajaj Pulsar RS200 competes against other faired sportsbikes such as KTM RC 200, Yamaha R15 V3 and Suzuki Gixxer SF 250

    RS200 already received a mild facelift last year when it got upgraded to BS6 emission norms. It is offered in a solitary trim level at a price pegged at Rs 1.52 lakh (ex-showroom). There has been no change in its design ever since it first went on sale in the country.
    The bike continues to sport a fully-faired styling, the only one apart from the flagship Pulsar 220F in Bajaj Auto’s entire lineup. Other design highlights in Pulsar RS200 include a dual-projector headlamp setup, twin running LED DRLs and an odd-looking LED tail lamp.
    New TVC
    Bajaj has recently released a new TV commercial on its YouTube channel. The latest TVC shows two mules of the faired sporty commuter bike in the shadows. Tag line of the commercial is – Racing Thrill Unleashed.
    Currently, the flagship Pulsar is available with three paint options namely Burnt Red, Metallic Pearl White and Pewter Grey. Other than getting new colour schemes and BS6 upgrade, no new updates either cosmetic or mechanically have been made in Pulsar RS200 since launch.
    [embedded content]
    Features & Powertrain
    Coming to features, the sporty commuter motorcycle is offered with gizmos such as a semi-digital instrument cluster, LED turn indicators, a service-due indicator and nothing much. For added visibility at dark, Bajaj offers backlit switches in RS200.
    It has been built on a perimeter frame which is suspended on a chunky telescopic fork at front and a gas-charged mono-shock. Anchoring duties are handled by a single 300mm disc at front and a 230mm disc at rear while a safety net is provided by a dual-channel ABS as standard.
    Pulsar RS200 derives its power from a 199.5cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled motor which pushes out 24.2 bhp at 9750 rpm and a peak torque of 18.7 Nm at 8000rpm. This unit is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. The bike is rated to return a claimed fuel efficiency of 35 kmpl while it can clock a top speed of 141 kmph.
    Upcoming Pulsar Models
    The Chakan-based bikemaker is looking to expand its Pulsar range of motorcycles by introducing new models with different configurations. This includes a new bike in the quarter-litre segment.
    Specimens of the bike were recently spotted testing on roads although ambiguity remains regarding the expected powertrain on offer. Some experts believe that Bajaj might offer a new 250cc air-cooled motor while logic dictates that the company could utilise the 249cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine which powers Dominar 250 and KTM 250 series. More

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    Lease Three Classic Porsches for Just $20,000 per Month

    Putnam Leasing is offering a trio of Porsches in a lease deal that includes some highly revered models from the 1950s, 1970s, and 2010s.
    The leasing company is located in one of America’s richest per-capita areas: Greenwich, Connecticut.
    Why not just buy these cars? Two words: sales tax.
    Putnam Leasing, a private loan company in Connecticut’s Fairfield County, bankrolls the new exotics and vintage icons that original manufacturers won’t finance. So, instead of forking over nearly a million for a Porsche 918 Spyder—and paying sales tax, unlike lots of rich car collectors who “live” in Montana—Putnam will lease one for $7925 per month for 60 months and $175,000 down. If that sounds just as expensive as buying a 918 outright, that’s because it is.
    But think about it. At car meets, Porsches are like potting soil. They’re such an essential base to any sports car enthusiast’s garage that resale values continue to climb year after year—to the point where dirt-cheap throwaway 911s from the ’70s are now quarter-million-dollar investments. Suppose you’ve got play money and don’t know which classic models will get the most attention at the next Cars and Coffee. How about hedging your bets by getting three, on a lease?

    Leasing a Pagani Is Nearly as Expensive as Buying

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    Compare this extreme lease to the average person’s car loan. Even if you can afford to buy something outright, it’s often smarter to make partial payments at low interest and invest the remainder elsewhere. Say you’d only like the 918 for a year. Putnam will make that happen—and you’ll pay a fraction of the tax and total cost of ownership. With a Democratic-controlled Congress eager to overturn the previous administration’s tax cuts, there may be no better time to add one or three of these cars as a monthly expense.
    The dream lease also includes a 1958 356 Speedster ($3750/month and $67,000 down) and a 1973 911 2.7 RS ($5869/month and $110,000 down). Putnam says many of its customers buy the cars outright once their leases end, but the whole point of a lease is being noncommittal. All told with sales and property taxes, you’ll be easily spending 20 grand a month for three used cars after plopping down more than $350K at signing. To some wealthy car nut who’s fallen behind on the collector scene, this have-it-all lease might be like Mom making catch-up contributions to her IRA. No one wants to be left behind.
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    Microlino Two Seater Electric Car To Enter Production This Year

    Microlino EV
    The compact urban Microlino from Switzerland-based Micromobility Systems AG, borrows inspiration from the Isetta microcar

    Microlino EV is finally ready for the roads. It has been under development for many years and was set to be showcased at the 2020 Geneva Motor Show which got cancelled. Now the Microlino 2.0 is set to enter production, in Sep this year.
    It has received some modifications as against its earlier prototype for better safety and the company even released an image comparing the 1.0 with the updated and safer 2.0 model and a video that draws attention to its design and interior makeup. Below is the 2.0 Prototype of the upcoming Microlino EV.
    [embedded content]
    Microlino electric two seater weighs 513 kgs and has a maximum speed of 90 km/h. It is priced from 12,000 euros (approx Rs 10.42 lakh) and developed to offer just the right amount of space and range. The makers claim that their new EV can be charged in a matter of 4 hours from a domestic plug point.
    Microlino Design
    Having made its online debut in 2020, the Microlino EV borrows inspiration from the BMW Isetta, built from 1956-1962. It gets a single front mounted door and protruding headlamps. It gets a steel and aluminum body for better rigidity and rides on black steel wheels while suspension has been tuned to offer a comfortable ride.
    Microlino EV
    The cabin is kept simple and minimalistic. It houses a digital display offering vital information, a dashboard with a horizontal bar onto which phones and wireless speakers can be mounted and a bench type seat for two passengers.
    The steering column is fixed to the floor and not on the door as was seen on the Isetta. Due to the compact size of the Microlino EV, it will allow users to exit straight onto the pavement and parking can be made possible in the most miniscule of spaces.
    Production Plans
    Micromobility Systems AG plans to build 5 such models for testing before entering production. Pre-production is set to commence from Sep 2021. They expect to receive EU type-approval in August prior to commencing series production in September while deliveries could be made by the end of this year.
    Set to be priced at €12,000 (Rs.10.42 lakhs), the Microlino EV is positioned to compete with the Citroen Ami One. At this price point, it will be more expensive than the Renault Twizy (€7,350) but cheaper as compared to the Smart EQ (€22,000).
    Microlino EV could also be offered on urban car share basis as is seen in the case of Renault’s new Mobilize EZ-1 two-seater. Micromobility could sell this new EV in markets of Europe and China but not in the US markets where it is unlikely to pass US crash tests. More