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    2022 VW Taos Is Not Much Cheaper Than the Tiguan

    VW has announced pricing for the new 2022 Taos subcompact crossover.It starts at $24,190 and ranges up to above $35,000 for a fully loaded SEL Premium 4Motion model.The Taos will go on sale in the U.S. in June.Volkswagen’s new entry-level crossover, the 2022 Taos, carries a starting price of $24,190 for a front-wheel-drive model in its base S trim level. Not coincidentally, that’s the exact same starting price as the soon-to-be-discontinued 2021 Golf hatchback that it effectively replaces. We were also surprised to see that certain Taos models are close in price to the larger Tiguan SUV. The Taos SE, for instance, starts at $28,440, which is just $150 less than the more spacious, more powerful 2021 Tiguan SE.

    All 2022 Taos models come standard with a 158-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four, front-wheel drive, and an eight-speed automatic transmission. 4Motion all-wheel drive is optional on all three trim levels and costs between $1450 and $2045 extra, and it necessitates a switch to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.The top SEL trim level starts at $32,685 and comes in at $35,440 with the boxes checked for all-wheel drive and a $1200 panoramic sunroof. Other options for the lower trim levels include a driver-assistance package called IQ.Drive that costs $995 for the S trim and $895 for the SE trim.VW says that the Taos will go on sale at U.S. dealerships starting in June.
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    2023 Cadillac Lyriq Signals End of Internal-Combustion Cadillacs

    Strikingly similar to the concept revealed last year, the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq will arrive in the first half of 2022, priced starting just under $60,000. Reservations open in September.As part of the announcement, Cadillac vice-president Rory Harvey said we will not get another new Cadillac model with an internal-combustion engine. It’s all electric from now on, in North America at least.More than 300 miles of range on a full charge, a 19.2-kW onboard charger, Super Cruise, and a 33-inch screen put the Lyriq right in line with other upscale EVs being offered in the coming years.The 2023 Cadillac Lyriq won’t just be the brand’s first all-electric vehicle; it is also the Cadillac that most clearly signals a complete transition away from internal-combustion engines in favor of EVs. According to Rory Harvey, vice president of Global Cadillac, during an announcement for the Lyriq: “Every new Cadillac that we introduce from this point on in North America will be a state-of-the-art luxury electric vehicle.”While no one at the company is eager to talk about the low sales figures for Cadillac’s first plug-in vehicle, the short-lived ELR, it’s a different story when looking forward. The current Cadillac stable is “one of the freshest lineups in luxury,” Harvey said, and one that Cadillac thinks will give the brand time to make a complete powertrain switch here in the U.S.
    The oldest vehicle in Cadillac’s lineup is the XT4, which was launched in August 2018, and the flagship Escalade just got a new, fifth generation for 2021. The current lineup of gasoline-powered Cadillacs will continue to get mid-cycle refreshes in the coming years, but don’t expect to see any new product announcements about ICE models. Instead, look for more launches like the Celestiq, which debuted at CES this year, and the new Lyriq.”It is public record that we said we would enter this decade as an ICE brand and we would leave this decade as an EV brand,” Harvey said.

    The Lyriq was first revealed in concept form last August. The production model will arrive in the first half of 2022 and, according to GM, it’s going to be awfully similar to the concept. The concept car used slightly bigger wheels than the production model, for example, and the door construction is slightly different, but other than that there aren’t many exterior changes, said Andrew Smith, executive director of Global Cadillac Design. There are two main differences in the interior: five seats in the production model instead of the four seen in the show car and, of course, more cupholders in the production model.
    From the outside, though, the Lyriq keeps both the overall design as well as a choreographed lighting sequence presented by the slim-line LED headlamps. Since the black crystal grille didn’t need to focus on conducting airflow through an engine bay, designers used its futuristic look to cleverly hide the many sensors the car needs for its high-tech features, Smith said. Exterior colors include Satin Steel Metallic and Stellar Black Metallic, while the inside can be had in Sky Cool Gray or Noir. “We will also introduce the Juniper at some time in the near future, which is the color you saw in the show vehicle itself,” Smith said.
    Cadillac said the 2023 Lyriq will have a range of over 300 miles from a 100.0-kWh battery pack. The rear-wheel-drive Ultium platform that the Lyriq will ride on will produce 340 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, Cadillac said. A “performance” all-wheel-drive version is expected later as well. The new EV will offer an onboard charging module capable of up to 19.2 kW, which will allow up to 52 miles of range for each hour it’s connected to a compatible Level 2 charging station. The 19.2-kW onboard charger will be a standard feature on the First Release trim and an optional feature on other trims, said Lyriq chief engineer Jamie Brewer. DC fast charging will also be available, and at a 150-kW station, the Lyriq will fill up 76 miles of range in about 10 minutes. Once they’re back on the road, drivers will be able to control the way the EV slows down through variable regenerative braking levels that can offer one-pedal driving.

    Other driver-focused technologies including Super Cruise, active noise cancellation, and KeyPass digital vehicle access will all be part of the Lyriq experience. A 33-inch-diagonal advanced LED display and a 19-speaker AKG Studio audio system with headrest speakers should handle infotainment requests. Twenty-inch alloy wheels will be standard, while 22-inch Reverse Rim alloy wheels will be optional.Cadillac will start taking Lyriq reservations in September, with the first vehicles going to customers in early 2022. The Lyriq is priced starting at $59,990 and will be built in Spring Hill, Tennessee. GM recently announced its Ultium Cells joint venture with LG Energy Solution will invest $2.3 billion in a new battery cell manufacturing plant in Spring Hill.
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    Bajaj Pulsar NS 125 First Look Walkaround And Exhaust Note

    Image – Biker Prakash ChoudharyBajaj Pulsar NS 125 is the third iteration and an entry level offering in the NS segment after the NS 200 and NS 160
    Bajaj Auto Limited has extended its Pulsar lineup with the new NS 125. Launched in India at Rs.93,690 (ex-sh), this entry level sportsbike costs about Rs 15-20k more than the regular Pulsar 125 currently on sale in the country. At the same time, it is cheaper than the Duke 125 by about Rs 70k.
    The new Pulsar NS 125 is offered in colour options of Beach Blue, Fiery Orange, Burnt Red and Pewter Grey while its body gets a high gloss metallic paint finish and it rides on bronze coloured alloy wheels.
    Segment First Features
    Several segment first features make their way onto the Pulsar NS 125. These include a rigid perimeter framework relating to added stiffness while low flex offers better handling facilities. It also receives a Nitrox mono-shock absorber aiding better stability at varying riding speed and on different road conditions.
    Targeting a younger and more adventurous segment of buyers, the Pulsar NS 125 gets sporty features with a signature wolf eyed headlamp cluster with twin pilot lamps, twin strip LED tail lamps and a split grab rail. Below is a first look walkaround video of new Pulsar NS 125 along with exhaust note. Video is credit to Biker Prakash Choudhary.
    [embedded content]
    New NS 125, likes its elder sibling, gets similar styling and is heavier than the regular Pulsar 125 by around 4 kgs. It has a total kerb weight of 144 kgs. Dimensions stand at 2,012mm length, 810mm width and 1,078mm height with a 1,353mm long wheelbase. It gets ground clearance at 179mm, saddle height at 805mm and rides on 17 inch alloy wheels with the tyre size 80 section at front and 100 at the rear.
    Technical Details
    Bajaj Pulsar NS 125 gets its power via the same 125cc, single cylinder, air cooled, fuel injected DTS-i engine that also powers the Pulsar 125 which offers 12 PS power at 5,500 rpm and 11 Nm torque at 7,000 rpm mated to a 5 speed constant mesh gearbox. Braking is via 240mm front disc and 130mm rear drum with CBS. Suspension is via telescopic front and mono shocks at the rear.
    Bajaj has been noticing huge increase in sales of Pulsar, post the launch of the 125 cc range. With the NS125, they aim to increase sales of Pulsar range even further. They aim to target young bikers who want a stylish entry level motorcycle in the 125cc segment.
    Bajaj Auto also offers the Pulsar NS series which includes the NS 200 and NS 160. The NS 200 was launched first as a new age and stylish Pulsar. The NS 160 came in with class leading power, advanced features and stylish looks at a highly competitive price point. Now the new entry-level NS 125 model comes in with class leading features, a powerful engine and sporty accents to strengthen the brands position in the entry level sports bike segment. More

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    Top 10 Motorcycles FY2021 – Hero Splendor Leads With 24.6 Lakh Sales

    New Hero Splendor. Image – Consumer ABSTop 10 motorcycles report cumulative sales de-growth of 10.49 percent in FY21
    In the new environment of the COVID-19 era, when the need for personal means of travel is at an all-time high, motorcycle sales in India have suffered a negative impact. Taking into account the top 10 motorcycles sold in FY21, it may be noted that sales dipped 10.49 percent to 84,27,562 units, down 9,87,331 units as against 94,13,893 units sold in FY20.
    Hero MotoCorp and Bajaj Auto ruled the list while Honda, Royal Enfield and TVS Motor also made their contributions. Among each of these offerings, only Honda CB Shine and Bajaj Pulsar noted positive sales while each of the other motorcycles in the list posted de-growth.
    Hero Splendor at No. 1
    It was the Hero Splendor at No. 1 that commanded a 29.19 percent share in top 10 motorcycle sales in FY21. The Hero Splendor, an entry level commuter bike that boasts of high mileage and lower cost of maintenance saw sales of 24,60,248 units in the past year, down 6.55 percent as against 26,32,800 units sold in FY20.
    Hero MotoCorp had the HF Deluxe at No.2 but also suffering a de-growth, down 19 percent to 16,61,272 units sold in FY21 as compared to 20,50,974 units sold in FY20. Hero MotoCorp has just launched the new HF 100 in India priced at Rs.49,400. It is the most affordable model in the company lineup, positioned below the HF Deluxe with which it shares some styling cues.
    Top 10 Motorcycles FY2021 (April 2020 to March 2021)
    There was also the Hero Passion and Glamour on this list of top 10 motorcycles sold in FY21. Positioned at Nos. 5 and 6 respectively, both bikes saw de-growth in the past year. Passion sales dipped marginally by 2.95 percent to 4,87,455 units, down from 5,02,264 units sold in FY20. Sales of the Glamour motorcycle on the other hand, suffered a relatively high percentage of de-growth at 23.18 percent to 4,62,912 units as against 6,02,623 units sold in FY20.
    Honda CB Shine recorded the third highest sales in FY21. The CB Shine is a popular buy in the premium commuter segment and posted positive sales in the past year at 9,88,201 units, up 4.20 percent as against 9,48,384 units sold in FY20.
    Bajaj Pulsar Posts Sales Growth
    Sales of the Bajaj Pulsar range of bikes also noted positive growth. It was positioned at No. 4 with 10.51 percent growth to 9,45,978 units, up from 8,56,026 units sold in FY20. Bajaj Auto Limited has recently added to the Pulsar range with the new NS 125, an entry level model priced at Rs. 93,690.
    The Bajaj CT was also on the list at No.10 with the most de-growth among each of the top 10 motorcycles sold in FY21. De-growth stood at 41.06 percent with 2,83,027 units sold in FY21, down from 4,80,204 units sold in FY20. Platina sales dipped 21.89 percent to 4,51,685 units commanding a 5.36 percentage share.
    Royal Enfield and TVS Motor also featured on this list. RE Classic 350 was at No. 8 with 3,61,140 units sold down 9.29 percent as against 3,98,144 units sold in FY20. TVS Apache was at No.9 with 3,25,644 units sold, de-growth of 10.84 percent as compared to 3,65,237 units sold in FY20. The company has recently hiked the prices of the Apache range. Apache RTR 200 4V and 160 4V prices have been hiked and prices of the RTR 160 and RTR 180 have also increased by Rs 1,295. More

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    TVS iQube March 2021 Sales Highest Till Date – Beats Bajaj Chetak Electric Scooter

    Image – Auto Tech Zone
    Through an uncertain FY21, Bajaj Chetak electric scooter sales reach 1.4k units
    Being competitive in the electric two-wheeler segment is currently a small number game. For starters not everyone is participating yet. However, this doesn’t paint a complete picture. Grassroot level efforts are most oft not widely discussed, and patterns being enforced maybe difficult to understand.
    Nevertheless, the space will prove to be an exciting one as the push for electric vehicle adoption receives a timely impetus. For now, subsidy and rebate options exist under government policies if the vehicle qualifies as per set parameters.
    In India, both Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor are playing the electric scooter game through flagship models. Bajaj brought back its Chetak scooter in an all new electric avatar. Its the only electric vehicle in the company’s current portfolio. And TVS introduced iQube.
    Bajaj Chetak and TVS iQube
    There is no historic data when it comes to checking progress or growth on account of both e-ecooters being fairly new launches. And both were launched only months before Covid-19 pandemic rocked our world. Given that one can understand that sales plans and growth plans have all but gone awry. When sales came to an abrupt end in March, companies were only able to pick up on some activity in June.
    Bajaj Chetak vs TVS iQube – March 2021 Sales
    Through trials and tribulations when a trying fiscal ended, Bajaj Chetak came out n top at just under 1.4k unit sales. TVS iQube sales were clocked at 1,110 units. What’s interesting though is in March 2021, TVS managed to report iQube wholesales at a whopping 355 units. However given how logistics works, it’s most likely that both companies are still dealing with clearing the order books that were filled months earlier.
    Bajaj Chetak vs TVS iQube – FY 2021 Sales
    Electric scooter market
    When launched early in 2020, Bajaj Chetak bookings were said to be at 2k units. Even through the fiscal, the company has failed to sell that many units. And through the fiscal ended Match 2021, Bajaj has entertained bookings and has had periods where they haven’t accepted any.
    Where development and sales is concerned, Bangalore proves to be an important city for electric two wheeler manufacturers. The initial push came from Ather, which is associated with Hero Motocorp. The two wheeler manufacturing giant also sells its own electric scooters through its Hero Electric arm.
    Delhi has proven to be another important city in this regard. These set patterns can help determine that city based focus will mean that one can expect a more developed charging network in such focus cities. Bajaj Chetak sales will soon begin in Hyderabad and Chennai. More

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    New Yamaha FZ-X 150cc Retro Motorcycle Spied Undisguised

    2021 Yamaha FZ-X SpiedDespite being based on Yamaha FZ FI, the upcoming FZ-X will wear its own unique styling
    When a test mule of Yamaha was spotted in Yamuna Expressway a few weeks ago, it was presumed that the Japanese carmaker was planning to bring the XSR lineup to India. While later it was revealed that it won’t carry the XSR branding and instead will be named FZ-X even though the latter is also likely to be a retro-style bike like the former.
    Yamaha FZ-X will be based on FZ-FI V3 as revealed by a government approval document leaked a few days ago. It is speculated to share a lot in common with its international counterpart XSR 150 as far as styling and specifications are concerned. A new photo has now leaked, which shows the front quarter completely undisguised.
    2021 Yamaha FZ-X for India
    While underpinnings and powertrain are likely to be the same, the FZ-X roadster is likely to wear a different top hat in comparison to its naked streetfighter. When launched, it will create a new segment of entry-level retro motorcycles and will be positioned as a more affordable alternative to current entry-level retro-style classic motorcycles (300-400cc). This segment is currently dominated by Royal Enfield with rivals from Jawa, Benelli and Honda.
    Expected Design Elements
    This could turn out to be extremely beneficial for Yamaha as the bikemaker will try and utilise the first mover’s benefits to ramp up its sales volume. In terms of design, some of the highlights expected are a box-style fuel tank, fork gaiters, flat seat design, center-set footpegs, a comfortable riding position, upswept exhaust and a digital instrument cluster. The relaxed riding stance would be suitable for daily urban commutes as well as highway touring.
    2021 Yamaha FZ-X
    Expected Specs
    It will be powered by the same 149cc air-cooled SOHC engine that performs duties in FZ Fi and FZS Fi. This unit is rated to return an output of 12.2 bhp at 7,250rpm and 13 Nm of peak torque at 5,500rpm and will be mated to a 5-speed gearbox.
    Suspension setup will retain telescopic forks at front and a 7-step adjustable mono-shock at rear. Braking duties will be handled by 282m discs at front and 220m disc at rear assisted by single-channel ABS as standard.
    Dimension-wise, FZ-X will offer the same wheelbase of 1330mm as the naked street racer. However, in terms of length, width and height the former will outstretch the latter by 30mm, 5mm and 35mm respectively. This suggests that FZ-X will wear its own unique bodywork. In figures, the classic roadster will measure 2,020mm in length, 785mm in width and 1,115mm in height.
    When launched, FZ-X could be offered at the same price as FZ Fi which currently has a starting price of Rs 1.05 lakh (ex-showroom). Exact launch timeline is yet to be confirmed by Yamaha.
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    KTM India Sales, Exports March 2021 – Duke 125, 200, 250, RC 390, ADV

    KTM DukeKTM India domestic sales and exports growth reported in March 2021
    Exports from India are important, and the Indian auto industry has great potential to be a force to reckon with at this front. Over time, manufacturers have found meaning in overseas business. Bajaj for one has been making strides at this front. Not only are Bajaj Auto exports creating a benchmark, but so are its KTM volumes.
    However Covid-19 pandemic related situation have reigned in business potential. And the fiscal ended in the red zone despite some efforts at recovery in recent months. KTM exports grew by almost a quarter in March 2021. Total exports are reported at 4,764 units up from 3,855 units units. Volume gain stood at 909 units at 23.58 percent growth.
    KTM India sales and exports – March 2021
    This of course on account of the fact that the first Covid-19 pandemic related lockdown was suddenly announced towards March 2020 end. This brought to a stop all auto manufacturing and sales accounting for low base sales.
    KTM 200 and KTM 390
    Considering growth in recent months, the company showed great heart in February 2021 with exports reported at 8,153 units. Given the volume, MoM decline in exports is reported at 41.57 percent. Volume contraction stood at 3,389 units.
    KTM India Mar 2021 Sales Break Up
    In the domestic market, wholesales in March 2021 are reported at 45.32 percent. Sales is up at 6,217 units, up from 4,278 units, at volume gain of 1,939 units. Sales growth stood at 45.32 percent. Of the KTM motorcycles sold in India, the 200cc range was able to consistently pack in the biggest punch accounting for the biggest share in sales. Last month 2,226 units were sold at 35 percent volume share. The KTM 390 range saw wholesales cross a 1,000 units.
    KTM India Mar 2021 Exports Break Up
    Total KTM sales in March 2021
    MoM sales growth is reported at 15.26 percent. Volume gain stood at 823 units, up from 5,394 units reported the month prior. At the time, KTM 200 wholesales were just below 2.5k units. Whole the unit sees great demand in India, globally, it’s the KTM 390 range that dominates KTM exports charts. In March 2021, 390 exports were reported at just under 2.4k units at 50 percent market share of total KTM exports. The month prior that number crossed 3k units. YoY 390 exports fell by 8.67 percent down from 2,619 units at volume loss of 227 units.
    In the domestic front, KTM reported growth in wholesales for all its offerings, barring the 125cc range last month. The later saw wholesales contract by just under 5 percent. The KTM 250 range saw sales pick up at 1,249 units, up from 375 units. In a MoM comparison, the KTM 200 range sold about 200 units lesser.
    Total wholesales in March 2021 is reported at 10,981 units, up from 8,133 units. Growth is reported at 35 percent at volume gain of 2,848 units. MoM decline stood at 18.94 percent. Wholesales fell from 13,547 units at volume loss of just over 2.5k units. More

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    Tesla Model S That Crashed in Texas May Not Have Been on 'Autopilot'

    Michael Simari/Car and Driver

    In a crash and subsequent fire of a Tesla Model S near Houston, Texas, over the weekend, police say they are certain there was no one sitting in the driver’s seat of the vehicle, implying it was using Autopilot at the time.Tesla CEO Elon Musk, however, said on Twitter that the car did not have the optional Full Self-Driving feature and that Autopilot could not have been engaged because the road did not have marked lane lines.Reuters reports that Harris County, Texas, police will subpoena Tesla for the car’s data to find out for certain.A crash and subsequent vehicle fire in Texas over the weekend has made major headlines for the fact that the 2019 Tesla Model S crashed at high speed with, police say, the two occupants sitting in the front and rear passenger seats with nobody at the wheel. Now police said they will subpoena the EV maker to get the car’s data and find out if its Autopilot feature was engaged.Tesla CEO Elon Musk insisted via Twitter that the car could not have been on Autopilot, saying it only can be engaged on a road with lane markings:
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    An important note about Autopilot is that it is designed not to stay engaged without regular steering-wheel input, so the occupants of this Model S could not have climbed into the passenger seat or back seat for any significant period of time and continued using Autopilot even if it were engaged—unless they were purposely trying to fool the system by taping a weight to the steering wheel.Reuters reported that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will both investigate this accident. The crash occurred on Saturday when the vehicle, traveling at what police described as “a high speed” in the Houston area, missed a curve and crashed into a tree, then catching on fire. The bodies of the two occupants were in the vehicle’s two passenger seats, and the car’s owner was the person found in the back seat, according to Reuters.

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