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      in Bike

      Yamaha FZ-X Name Registered – New ADV To Rival Xpulse, Himalayan, KTM

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      Yamaha FZ-X Adv Render by Yogi Sejwal Design
      Yamaha FZ-X is most likely to be based on the 250cc platform

      Small and mid-segment adventure motorcycles have been slowly but surely gaining prominence over the past year or so. Sales number back this fact as well. In November 2020, Royal Enfield retailed 1,550 units of the Himalayan whereas Hero Motocorp witnessed sales of 1,372 units of Xpulse 200.
      About a month ago even KTM launched its entry-level 250 Adventure. Suzuki has plans to launch a Gixxer based adventure tourer sometime in coming years. Therefore, it does make good sense for Yamaha to introduce an all-new product in a relatively new space.
      Yamaha’s ADV for India
      Now, Yamaha has filed a trademark application with the name ‘Yamaha FZ-X’ in India. This name could be utilised by the Japanese brand for its upcoming adventure motorcycle, based on the FZ25 platform.
      The company had earlier revealed its intentions of making its entry into the small-capacity adventure segment of bikes. This new adventure tourer is likely to be based on the existing 250cc platform of Yamaha. This is because this platform is relatively new and affordable and is versatile enough to be used for an adventure bike.
      Yamaha FZ-X Name Registered In India
      Even the engine used in the 250cc Yamaha bikes is suited for an ADV since it has a fairly simple construction and a torque low and mid-range performance. Since it will be built on an already developed architecture, the cost behind its development will be less and, therefore, it could be competitively priced. Although Yamaha would have to make some changes to its steering setup to rework the geometry with longer travel suspension.
      Expected Design & Features
      The 250cc platform currently underpins Yamaha FZ-25 and FZS-25. Design of this upcoming adventure bike will be different from what seen in the naked street racer twins although certain design cues might be borrowed from them. FZ25 and its naked twin come with a sharper looking front face thanks to a bi-function LED headlight flanked by LED DRLs. It also features a new engine cowl.
      In terms of equipment, this upcoming adventure bike is likely to borrow features such as a multi-function negative LCD instrument console, a side stand with an engine inhibitor switch and more. Additionally, the ADV is likely to be equipped with a switchable anti-lock braking system (ABS) and Yamaha’s latest Bluetooth connectivity suite. Also, instead of alloy wheels, it is expected to be offered with wire-spoked wheels.
      Expected Powertrain Specs
      Coming to its powertrains, it will be powered by the same 249cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled SOHC engine which also powers FZ25. This unit returns an output of 20.6 bhp and 20 Nm of peak torque and is linked to a 5-speed gearbox. Suspension setup is likely to be a little different with more travel at both front and rear ends.
      As far as pricing is concerned we can expect this Yamaha FZ-X to bridge the gap between Hero Xpulse 200 and Royal Enfield Himalayan with the former priced at Rs 1.13 lakh whereas the latter is offered at a starting price of Rs 1.91 lakh (both prices are ex-showroom).
      It could also be loaded with tech and features, to be a worthy rival to KTM 250 Adventure. Recently, TVS Motor also registered a trademark application with the name ‘Raider’ which is also suspected to the brand’s upcoming adventure tourer motorcycle.
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      in Bike

      Husqvarna Blapilen (Blue Arrow) Cruiser Rendered – On The Anvil?

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      Husqvarna Blapilen Render
      The Husqvarna Blapilen cruiser family with multiple engine variants could bring in a whole new class of audience under the brand’s umbrella

      Under the ownership of KTM AG, Husqvarna evolved from making niche motocross and enduro models for competition to also making road bikes. The Vitpilen and Svartpilen family of motorcycles mark the beginning of a new era for the Swedish motorcycle brand.
      Husqvarna to explore more product segments
      While KTM continues to focus on sharp sportsbikes and adventure tourers, it will be using its subsidiary to expand its reach into hitherto unexplored territories. For starters, Husqvarna will debut a new electric scooter sometime next year with a 4 kW platform which will be derived from Bajaj Chetak. The stylish urban runabout will be made it India for global consumption. There will also be an electric motorcycle by the name of E-Pilen.
      Husqvarna Blapilen cruiser
      With demand for cruisers on the rise, what if Husqvarna decided to launch a cruiser motorcycle, christened Blapilen – Swedish for Blue Arrow. Our in-house design expert Pratyush Rout gave it a shot and this is the end result.
      If at all the Husqvarna Blapilen cruiser is to become a reality, we reckon it will derive its design inspiration from its street fighter siblings with a circular LED infused headlight, an unconventional fuel tank design with extruded badge-carrying elements, and a minimal tailpiece with a compact LED taillight.
      Husqvarna Blapilen Render
      It is reasonable to assume that the Blapilen cruiser would continue to employ a trellis frame but with altered geometry and a lower rear sub-frame. To keep the costs in check, such a product is most likely to share its suspension, wheels and braking system with the Vitpilen and Svartpilen families. As the rendering suggests, a Husqvarna cruiser could be a very interesting proposition.
      Powertrain
      Just like the existing Husqvarna road motorcycles, the cruiser could be available in 200, 250, 401 and 701 avatars depending on the market. If this project attains fruition, the first three are likely to have India as their production base.
      Husqvarna Blapilen Render
      We think the Husqvarna Blapilen cruiser has the potential to bring a whole new class of audience under the brand’s umbrella. The cruiser family will cover a wide range of rivals such as the Honda Rebel, Kawasaki Vulcan, Harley Street, and so on. Even the Royal Enfield’s to an extent.
      It is to be noted that Husqvarna has not officially confirmed the existence of a cruiser named Blapilen in its pipeline. If at all there is such a project underway, we don’t expect such a motorcycle to be ready for a couple of years. More

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      in Bike

      Bajaj Sales, Exports Nov 2020 Break Up – Pulsar, Platina, CT, Avenger, Dominar

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      Bajaj Pulsar NS 200
      Bajaj reported growth for domestic wholesales and exports in November 2020

      Domestic sales growth for Bajaj in November 2020 was at 6.09 percent. Wholesales grew to 1,82,093 units from 1,71,641 units at volume gain of over 10k units. Comparatively, exports was even better. Bajaj Pulsar, the quintessential bestseller range was listed at 53.66 percent YoY growth.
      Wholesales were up at 1,04,904 units from 68,268 units at volume gain of 36,636 units. Consequently, at 57.61 percent share of total Bajaj wholesales, it literally kept Bajaj’s float afloat.
      Smaller displacement Pulsar range was most in demand at 56,549 units. This was followed by the 150cc segment offering at about 30k units. At the 200 cc threshold, wholesales was reported at 10,522 units. While the bigger under 250cc unit saw numbers listed at 7,114 units.
      Beyond Bajaj Pulsar
      There’s no denying that smaller displacement mass market daily commuters make up the majority of market demand. The same is true for Bajaj Platina. While sales stood at 41,572 units, it was noticeably lower than the 53,015 units reported a year earlier. Sales decline was at 21.58 percent. CT sales decline was even more steep. Wholesales fell to 29,046 units. Down 35.18 percent from 44,808 units. Like Platina, CT too aids Bajaj’s small motorcycle quest.
      Bajaj Domestic Sales Nov 2020 – As per motorcycle brand
      Avenger wholesales was stable at 4,616 units. But this is an easy feat owing too mall sales volume. In fact, Avenger only accounts for 2.53 percent of total domestic sales for Bajaj. Growth was reported at 10.54 percent, up from 4,176 units. The smaller displacement units was the sales star at 3,586 units. Dominar was once projected as the next big thing. Obviously that never came to fruition.
      However, sales did pickup last month. At 1,691 units, up from 311 units. YoY growth stood at 443.73 percent. Both displacement units were sold in similar volume. While all of Bajaj’s products are strictly motorcycles, the company did resurrect Chetak last year.
      Bajaj Domestic Sales Nov 2020 – As per motorcycle engine capacity
      For the most part in an all new electric avatar barring the familiar name. 264 units were sold. Eventually, EV sales will be big. For now, its contribution to total domestic sales last month was .14 percent.
      Exports grew in November 2020
      Doing the month, Bajaj Boxer punched its way forward, even stronger than before. Sales grew to 1,25,286 units. Up from 98,772 units at 26.84 units. It made up 65.17 percent of exports. The smallest displacement boxer takes the lion’s share of sales at over a lakh units.
      Bajaj Exports Nov 2020 – As per motorcycle brand
      However many boundaries it crossed, Boxer sales in India has long since stopped. In the overseas department, Boxer deafest Pulsar sales by miles. At 32,540 units, exports grew 29.09 percent, up from 25,207 units. For Pulsar, its the mid variants that triumphed collectively at a cumulative total at over 15k units.
      CT exports fell 37.51 percent, down to 13,566 units from 21,708 units. The 125cc units accounted for more than half of total sales. Discover exports dropped by almost 10 percent at 12,792 units from 14,208 units. Although once popular name in India, both variants were snipped at the start of FY21. They simply didn’t warrant a BS6 update.
      Bajaj Exports Nov 2020 – As per motorcycle engine capacity
      Dominar sales overseas was more than what the company achieved here. Exports grew manifold at 4,290 units, up from 579 units. Platina sales was stable at 3,578 units. Avenger continued its low volume run at 192 units. More

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      in Electric Cars

      Tata Nexon Electric Mileage Rally For Owners – Bangalore To Nandi Hills

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      Tata Nexon EV Mileage Rally
      Tata Motors and Dealers Adishakti Cars in Bangalore organized a mileage rally for the Nexon EV from the showroom to Nandi Hills

      Nexon EV owners congregated at Adishakti Cars, a Tata Motors Dealership in Bengaluru to put their cars to the test. A total of 12 Nexon electric cars lined up in a straight line and after a full charge, a complete check of each car, battery percentage and remaining range, the cars set off across the open road to test the range and performance of this electric vehicle launched earlier this year.
      All the drivers decided on switching off the AC as the weather in Bengaluru was pleasant. The cars, with their green and white number plates, caused some excitement on the roads among general public as it is not everyday that you get to see so many electric cars together.
      Nexon EV Mileage Rally
      The electric cars headed towards Nandi Hills across the National Highway, stopping at the first toll for all the cars to assemble and set off again together. Despite the fact that the local police had made sufficient parking space for the 12 Nexon EVs at the top of Nandi Hills, they could not proceed to the top due to the road being blocked.
      After a 64 km drive, a final stop at Nandi Upachar restaurant for a complimentary breakfast saw the winners being announced. Mr Jaysurya of Nexon EV Dept, Tata Motors announced the winner and runner up. The entire event was documented on video by Youtube channel Auto Town.
      [embedded content]
      Mr Shriram was announced as the Runner Up. He completed the 64 km drive with a 290 kms range remaining. His Nexon EV had consumed 22 percent of the battery power. The winner of the Tata Nexon EV Rally was Mr Arun Somyaji with the 304 kms range remaining and consuming just 21 percent of battery power.
      Tata Nexon EV Specs
      The Nexon EV, launched around 11 months back in January 2020 noted sales of 2,200 units as of November. The company claims a growing interest among buyers in the country. Tata Motors claims that the Nexon EV is the best selling electric car in India, leading the segment with as 74 percent market share.
      The Nexon EV offers outstanding performance, a connected drive experience, zero emissions and comes in at an attractive price while it also offers lower operating cost. Priced from Rs.13.99-16.25 lakhs, the Nexon EV is presented in three variants of XM, XZ+ and XZ+ LUX.
      This electrified vehicle gets its power via an electric motor with output rating at 129 hp and 245 Nm. It receives two driving modes of Drive and Sport and claims a range of 312 kms on a full charge of its 30.2 kWh battery pack. This battery can be charged from 0 to 80 percent in 1 hour via a DC fast charger.
      The Nexon EV is also available on a subscription basis in select cities and while it currently competes with the MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona Electric, it will soon get a third rival in the form of the Mahindra XUV300 electric set to go on sale in early 2021. More

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      in Motor News

      VW Previews Adorable EV-Charging Autonomous Robot

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      This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

      Volkswagen is teasing an autonomous robot that charges EVs in parking lots.
      The robot would tow batteries to individual vehicles and hook them up to begin charging.
      No word on when this will become a reality, but it does solve the issue of adding charging to a garage without placing individual charging stations at parking stalls.

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      Robots typically fall into two categories: a helpful friend like R2D2 or a killing machine like the T1000. While Volkswagen begins its video of its mobile charging robot with the percussion associated with the Terminator movies, it quickly pivots to R2D2-esque noises as it teases its rather cute solution to charging EVs in parking lots without installed charging stations.
      This prototype for the mobile charging robot is one of the concepts the Volkswagen Group is developing to help bring the charging infrastructure up to par with the number of electric vehicles the automaker is hoping to sell over the next few years.
      This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

      This technology uses car-to-x (a.k.a. V2X vehicle-to-everything) communications. In a second video, VW shows a driver pulling into a spot in a garage and using an app to tell the charging robot that their vehicle needs juice. The robot grabs the so-called “mobile energy storage” unit, which is essentially a battery on wheels, and tows it over to the vehicle and plugs it in to begin charging.
      The robot will then either return to its home base and wait to remove the rolling battery or grab another mobile energy storage unit and attach that to another vehicle. All of this is done without the need for a human attendant, according to Volkswagen. It’s less terrifying and more practical than the autonomous metal snake Tesla showed off in 2015.
      These types of systems could allow parking garages to have a charging infrastructure without the need to place a charging station at individual parking stalls. Instead, the rolling battery packs can be charged at a single location and deployed as needed.
      There’s no word on when the adorable robot car butler will become a reality. But in its release, Volkswagen stated, “The mobile charging robot has successfully reached prototype status and will now be comprehensively further developed.”
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      in Motor News

      Watch a Buick Grand National with 56 Miles Get Its First Wash in 34 Years

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      Professional detailer Larry Kosilla gets to play with some seriously cool metal. He’s been tasked with cleaning, detailing, and restoring countless classic cars, including our Road & Track deputy editor Bob Sorokanich’s two-door Jeep Cherokee. His latest project? A virtually new Buick Grand National barn find with just 56 miles on the clock.

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      A Trip to the Carwash Can Be Tricky in Newer Cars

      No, that’s not a typo. This 1987 Grand National was purchased by the original owner in Columbus, Ohio, driven home, and parked in a barn for 34 years. It was recently purchased by its new owner and trailered to Brooklyn, New York, where Kosilla picked it up.
      Despite its age and lack of attention over the past three decades, the car was in pretty good shape. There were neither rat nests nor excessive mold inside, and because it was kept inside a dry, well-kept building, there’s no rust or paint damage (aside from some scratches on the passenger side caused by the previous owner’s dog).
      Kosilla, with his array of pro-level tools and chemicals, is able to make quick work of the paint swirls and scratches, bringing the 56-mile Grand National back to showroom condition without ruining any of its originality. Every step of the process is documented in great detail, and it’s incredibly satisfying to watch.

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      Buick Grand National and GNX Made 1980s History

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      in Motor News

      Toyota Eases into EVs with an Ultra-Compact Two-Seater for Japan

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      The ultra-compact Toyota C+pod EV is currently available for corporate and local government fleets.
      Toyota plans to offer the 12-horsepower two-seater to consumers before 2022.
      Totota recently announced plans to bring 60 new electrified vehicles to market by 2025 including a solid-state-battery–powered EV.
      Toyota has long had the technology for battery electric vehicles. In addition to its highly successful hybrid vehicles, the automaker built and sold two generations of the very limited edition RAV4 EV back in 1997. Still, the company has been slow to adopt EVs for the masses. Even the automaker’s president, Akio Toyoda, believes that electric vehicles are overhyped and has warned against countries banning gas-powered automobiles.
      But that hasn’t stopped Toyota from announcing the diminutive C+pod for Japan. This tiny EV will initially be available for corporate and local government fleets during its current limited launch. Those looking for an eensy-weensy EV to cruise around Tokyo don’t fret, as the automaker intends to offer the vehicle to consumers by 2022.
      According to Toyota, the electric C+pod will have a WLTP range of 93 miles thanks to a 9.1-kWh battery pack. Its single 12-horsepower electric motor will push the tiny vehicle to a top speed of 37 mph, so don’t expect to see it on the freeway anytime soon. It’s smaller than a Smart Fortwo and lines up more with the weird but enjoyable Renault Twizy.

      Toyota

      The C+pod is part of Toyota’s desire to expand partnerships in the mobility and electrification world. In addition to making the C+pod a go-to vehicle for car-sharing programs in a dense urban environments, it’s also launching Toyota Green Charge with Chubu Electric Power Miraiz Co. to create a single point of contact for corporations to adding electric charging infrastructure.

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      Toyota has stated recently that it intends to introduce 60 new electrified vehicles by 2025 that include EV, hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles. We’re also expecting the company to unveil an electric SUV for Europe in 2021. The Japanese automaker has also stated that it intends to introduce a vehicle equipped with a solid-state battery sometime in the first half of this decade.
      So while its leadership isn’t keen on EV regulations, Toyota is making inroads to getting EVs on the road—even diminutive ones.
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