More stories

  • in

    Okinawa, Ampere To Increase Electric Scooter Production – Set Up New Plant

    Okinawa Electric Scooters
    Tamil Nadu has grown into a promising hub for EV manufacturing in India with 100 percent tax exemption

    Electric Vehicle (EV) revolution has surely kicked in recently with many EV startups and manufacturers scaling up their operations in recent times. This has been boosted by the fact that the central and many state governments have drafted in respective EV policies that offer incentives to companies as well as buyers in order to encourage sales of EVs.
    Tamil Nadu, like many other states, has been trying to pitch itself as a potential EV manufacturing hub. Hence it is on radar of several EV brands and startups who are looking to expand their production capacity with tax concessions in picture. The latest brands in line are Ampere Electric and Okinawa.
    According to a report, Ampere and Okinawa are looking to make fresh investments in Tamil Nadu. Both brands have demonstrated immediate or long term interest in investing in the Southern state. Principal Secretary of Tamil Nadu, N Muruganandam, recently stated that the state government is under discussions with several EV manufacturers including Ampere Electric.
    Ampere, Okinawa look to invest in Tamil Nadu
    Ampere, a subsidiary of Greaves Cotton, is planning to invest around INR 400 crore in order to expand its existing capacity to 2.50 lakh units per annum. Currently, the company is running a facility with an annual production capacity of 50,000. The company will decide on the investment depending on incentives offered by Tamil Nadu government.
    Ampere Electric Scooters
    Other than Ampere, Okinawa as well is thinking of investing in Tamil Nadu as 60 percent of its sales come from the southern states of which Tamil Nadu itself accounts for 20 percent alone. The company is seriously considering setting up an assembly line in Tamil Nadu, its second in the country after the Bhiwadi-based plant in Rajasthan.
    Other prospective brands in line
    Tamil Nadu government recently announced its decision to offer a 100 percent tax exemption to all electric vehicles. This has attracted many other EV as well as charging companies to set up their business here.
    In a few years time, Hyundai Motor Company and Groupe PSA, which have their respective Hyundai and Citroen manufacturing facilities in the state, could also assemble EVs here. The former could also announce investments to manufacture EVs under its Hyundai Smart EV project in future here in Tamil Nadu.
    At some point American automaker, Ford could also manufacture EVs at its Tamil Nadu facility with platforms and powertrains licensed from Mahindra Electric. More electric mobility solutions providers such as Sun Mobility which is known for installation of charging infrastructure and swappable batteries will also look to set up its operation in the southern state.
    Source More

  • in

    Yamaha Fascino, RayZR, FZ, FZS Prices Hiked – Nov 2020 Price List

    Yamaha Scooters
    Yamaha India has been enjoying a steady growth in sales post the lock down and is poised for yet another strong result in November

    Yamaha India has increased the prices of its automatic scooter range and its popular 150 cc FZ series. The price increases for are marginal but this is not the first time the Japanese two wheeler maker implemented a price hike. The latest round of price hike comes when the entire two wheeler industry is enjoying a significant improvement in demand during this festive season.
    Yamaha India price hike
    The Yamaha FZ-FI and FZS-FI are now dearer by INR 1,000. The base FZ-FI is now retailed at INR 1,02,700 lakh while the sportier FZS-FI is priced at INR 1,04,700. The FZS-FI Dark Knight edition carries an updated price tag of INR 1,07,700 (both prices are ex-showroom, Delhi).
    Yamaha Price List Nov 2020 – Fascino, Ray, FZ, FZ-S
    Yamaha’s BS6 family of automatic scooters which received a brand new 125 cc fuel-injected engine has been doing pretty well in the post-lockdown rush. The Fascino 125 FI and RayZR 125 FI witnessed a price hike of INR 800. Depending on the variant, the Fascino is priced between INR 69,530 and INR 73,060. The sporty RayZR ranges from INR 70,330 to INR 74,330 (all prices are ex-showroom, Delhi).
    Specifications at a glance
    The Yamaha motorcycles and scooters which received significant updates earlier this year continue without any recent changes or additions for the festive season. The FZ-FI and FZS-FI twins are powered by a 149 cc air-cooled engine which puts out 12.4 hp and 13.6 Nm of torque. Transmission is a 5-speed unit.
    Yamaha FZ-S FI
    The duo is equipped with telescopic front fork, rear monoshock, alloy wheels with 100/80-17 front and 140/60-R17 rear tubeless tyres, 282 mm front disc and a 220 mm rear unit. Feature highlights include a negative LED instrument console, single-channel ABS and LED headlight.
    The Yamaha Fascino 125 FI and RayZR 125 FI are propelled by a fuel-injected 125 cc air-cooled motor which is good for 8.2 hp and 9.7 Nm of torque. The scooters employ a V-belt CVT. They are also equipped with Start Stop Sytem (SSS) and a Smart Motor Generator.
    Yamaha India sales
    Yamaha India witnesses an impressive YoY sales growth of over 30% in October 2020. The company has been posting increased sales for four consecutive months and is poised for yet another strong result in November and December, thanks to Diwali and Christmas.
    Yamaha’s track record in highly competitive 100-125 cc commuter motorcycle segment has been forgettable to say the least. The company’s strategic shift in focus from commuter motorcycles to premium motorcycles and scooters seems to have worked well in its favor. More

  • in

    TVS Raider Name Registered – Apache ADV To Rival Hero Xpulse 200?

    Image for reference
    The Hosur-based bikemaker has already filed four new trademarks which suggest that TVS might be planning on a number of big launches in future

    TVS Motor Company is currently on a spree to file trademarks for its upcoming products in future. These include Zepplin R, Fiero and Retron. The first one is most probably based on the Zeppelin cruiser concept presented at the 2018 Auto Expo. The latter two are still very uncertain as lots of options in terms of body style and segments can be considered for them.
    TVS has also filed a trademark named ‘Raider’, suggesting that the company might use it for its upcoming adventure motorcycle. If it turns out to be true, then this would be the first ADV bike in the Hosur-based bikemaker’s lineup.
    TVS’ Plans for the upcoming Raider
    Although there has been no official information shared by the brand, it is likely that TVS has been planning to develop a rugged off-roader or in other words an ADV bike for a long time now. It will be wrong to say that TVS has no experience in building an ADV.
    TVS has a rich legacy in motorsports including cross-country rallies like Dakar rally. The TVS motorsport team has won many laurels in national and international motorsport events.
    TVS Raider Registered
    In addition, they have also been manufacturing the BMW G 310 GS for the German automaker for some time now. The latest iteration of it was launched a couple of weeks back. Therefore, an adventure motorcycle does make very good sense for the company to widen its range of bikes and portfolio.
    Expected Powertrains
    Unlike the G 310 GS, the TVS Raider could be positioned as an entry-level ADV to compete against Hero Xpulse 200 and KTM 250 Adventure. This is an interesting segment for ADVs, and is expected to get good demand in coming years. Apart from Hero, Honda has also suggested to launch Hornet 2.0 based sub 200 cc adventure motorcycle in this segment.
    In all probability, the Raider ADV could be powered by a 198cc single-cylinder four-valve oil-cooled motor which generates 20.2bhp of power at 8,500rpm and 18.1Nm of peak torque at 7,000rpm. This unit will be paired with a 5-speed gearbox. This same unit also powers Apache RTR 200 4V which recently got an update.
    It will be easier to launch Raider 310, since there is already a platform for this engine which is utilised for an ADV (BMW G310GS). Raider 310 will be powered by the same engine used in the Apache RR 310 and BMW G 310 Twins. This motor cranks out 34 PS and 27 Nm of peak torque. The new ADV from TVS is expected to get a more off-road biased chassis with large spoked wheels, knobby tyres and high ground clearance. It is expected to feature functional styling with more focus on utility than flair.
    There is quite a bit of ambiguity regarding the specifications of this upcoming two-wheeler. In time, we expect TVS to share a few more details regarding its upcoming projects. If things do materialise then this ADV is expected to bridge the gap between Hero Xpulse 200 and Royal Enfield Himalayan. More

  • in

    Royal Enfield Meteor vs Classic 350 Vibration Test – New vs Old Engine

    Credit – Nitin Autoroids
    Classic 350 is the most preferred cruiser motorcycle in the country and the primary volumes and revenue generator for Royal Enfield

    However, just like everything else, it is not completely perfect. One issue that has often been pointed out is the significant vibration that the motorcycle generates. This issue has acquired even more prominence in recent times, as rivals like Jawa and recently launched Honda CB350 seem to be doing relatively better in terms of vibration.
    Is Meteor 350 vibration free?
    To take on rivals and meet evolving customer expectations, Royal Enfield recently launched its Meteor 350 motorcycle. This is the first of the several next-gen products that the company will introduce in the coming years.
    While Meteor 350 comes with a long list of features, the basic thing that many people want to know is whether the vibration issue has been fixed. The answer to that is quite clear in this video uploaded on YouTube.
    While a vibration meter would have provided scientifically verifiable evidence, this test utilizes a more basic tool – a glass of water. However, this test methodology seems quite effective in comparing vibrations coming from two motorcycles. A plastic glass has been used in this test, which is more sensitive to vibrations as compared to other materials such as metal or glass.
    [embedded content]
    When kept on Meteor 350 rear seat (with the engine on), the glass of water creates just a few ripples on the surface. There is no movement of the glass or water drops bouncing off the surface. When the engine is revved up, the vibrations seem to be even lower. The test is then carried out on the front seat with similar results.
    Things change dramatically on Classic 350, as the glass of water kept on the rear seat starts to move as soon as the engine is started. When revved up, the glass takes just a few seconds to move and fall from the motorcycle. This clearly shows that Meteor 350 has significantly less vibration, as compared to Classic 350.
    Reasons for low vibrations on Meteor 350
    There are several factors that have helped reduce vibrations on Meteor 350. The motorcycle utilizes an entirely new J series platform and completely new engine with SOHC setup that generates smooth tractable power. The engine is also equipped with a counter balancer that minimizes vibrations.
    Another factor is the enhanced chassis setup, which is stiffer, more durable and stronger. High specification suspension and improved seat cushioning could also contribute to low vibration on Meteor 350.
    With close to zero vibrations, Meteor 350 will be a lot more enjoyable on long journeys. Royal Enfield will also update its other products including Classic and Bullet with the new engine and chassis. Features like integrated Bluetooth powered navigation system are also expected to be offered as standard with several next-gen Royal Enfield motorcycles. More

  • in

    2021 Land Rover Discovery Gets Updated Tech, New Powertrains

    Land Rover’s three-row Discovery SUV cruises into 2021 with new powertrains, updated infotainment, and freshened styling.
    Gone are last year’s diesel and supercharged V-6 engines; new engines include a turbo four and a turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt hybrid system.
    The Discovery inherits the new Pivi Pro infotainment system from the Defender and also gains a new midrange R-Dynamic trim level.
    While styling tweaks for the 2021 Land Rover Defender are fairly subtle, the brand’s three-row family SUV receives more meaningful updates under the hood and inside the cabin. Last year’s Discovery models were available with either a 254-hp turbo-diesel V-6 or a supercharged gasoline-powered 340-hp V-6 engine, but both have been tossed out in favor of a 296-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six. The six-cylinder engine makes 355 horsepower with help from a 48-volt hybrid system. The previously optional air suspension is now standard equipment.

    View Photos

    Land Rover

    Land Rover Defender 90 Is for Purists

    2020 Range Rover Evoque Looks Awfully Familiar

    Land Rover Disco Sport Is Offbeat but Imperfect

    New front and rear lighting elements include new matrix LED headlamps and an updated daytime running light design. The Discovery’s grille has been restyled to fit in better among newer Land Rover models. There are new 20- and 22-inch wheel designs, and the Discovery script on the rear liftgate has been relocated to a slightly lower position.
    Land Rover is also launching a new midrange R-Dynamic trim for 2021, shown in photos here. The R-Dynamic is expected to become the volume-selling model; it wears a sportier look with glossy black exterior accents, black wheels, and two-tone leather upholstery with contrast stitching.

    View Photos

    Interior of R-Dynamic model.
    Land Rover

    Inside, the Disco receives Land Rover’s new Pivi Pro infotainment system on a new 11.4-inch touchscreen display. Launched in the reimagined 2020 Defender, Pivi Pro boasts a more simplistic menu layout, quicker-responses, and over-the-air update capability. In our experience, the new system isn’t perfect, but it’s a huge glow-up over the older InControl Touch system found in previous model years.
    Pivi Pro offers more features at the driver’s fingertips as well, including handy controls for second- and third-row power-operated seats and a novel 360-degree camera system which also shows what’s directly under the Discovery’s hood. The camera system should be useful for off-road maneuvering, particularly when traversing difficult terrain.

    View Photos

    Land Rover

    Other interior updates include a new toggle-style shift lever, more heavily padded second-row seats, additional USB-C ports, and rear-seat air vents that have been moved to the back of the center console for better airflow. A wireless smartphone charging pad and a new cabin filtration system have also been added. Land Rover’s wearable activity key also receives an upgrade with the 2021 model year, featuring new touchscreen controls and options to lock, unlock, and start the Discovery remotely.
    The 2021 Discovery is expected in U.S. dealerships by the end of 2020 with a starting price of $55,250 for the base S model with the turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Upgrading to the midrange R-Dynamic moves the starting price to $57,750; the R-Dynamic with the more powerful inline-six engine starts at $63,250, and the top-spec HSE, which comes standard with the six-cylinder, costs $70,250.
    This content is imported from {embed-name}. 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 content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io More

  • in

    Chevy Shares a Video Sneak Peek of the 2022 Bolt EUV’s Interior

    Chevy shows off the upcoming 2022 Bolt EUV’s infotainment system, which has what the company is calling a Power Flow screen that gives information on power regeneration through braking.
    The interior of the upcoming Bolt is far darker than that of the current Bolt EV, with a more traditional layout and use of buttons.
    The 2022 Bolt EV and Bolt EUV will go on sale next summer.
    Chevrolet has shared a video on Twitter of the upcoming 2022 Bolt EUV’s Power Flow screen that gave us a peek at what to expect from the larger Bolt crossover that’s headed to market in late 2021.

    This content is imported from Twitter. 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.

    Chevy Teases Silhouettes of Upcoming Bolt EVs

    Deep Dive into the Chevy Bolt EV’s Infotainment

    Chevy Bolt EUV Will Be a New Electric Crossover

    In the video, we see the typical EV animation highlighting a vehicle’s battery either sending or receiving energy from the motor. The layout of the infotainment system is different from what’s in the current Bolt EV, with a more minimalistic array of onscreen controls below the Battery Power feature. For example, the large green band of color for Energy that took up the left-hand-side corner of the current Bolt’s display has now been replaced with a single leaf situated next to controls for navigation, phone, media, and the home button.

    Chevrolet

    Below the screen, the climate controls have been moved off the same angled plane as the display and have shrunk considerably from the large buttons and knobs found in the current Bolt.
    The controls and dash in general in the video no longer have the white and dark-gray color scheme, instead opting for a more subdued darker look. Off in the distance, we see the instrument panel which, like the infotainment system, has a darker color palette.
    What we see in this teaser is far from groundbreaking, at least in appearance. However, the Bolt EUV will be the first Chevy product and first EV to feature Cadillac’s Super Cruise hands-free driver-assist technology. GM says the 2022 Bolt and Bolt EUV will be in showrooms in the summer of 2021.

    This content is imported from {embed-name}. 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 content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io More

  • in

    Biden Presidency Likely to Mean More EVs, Auto-Industry Stability

    President-Elect Joe Biden is a car guy who has said he sees EVs as the future of transportation.
    Biden has stated the wish to swap government fleet vehicles with American-made EVs and create a system that offers rebates or incentives for consumers to replace gas cars with electric vehicles.
    Automakers seem to be onboard with Biden’s plans so far, as they look for regulatory stability in the United States.
    When President Donald Trump took office, some automakers were keen to have him take some of the heat off them when it comes to fuel-economy standards set by former President Barack Obama. Trump obliged but went further than anticipated and triggered lawsuits from California and other states and uncertainty in the industry as a whole. With Joe Biden announced as the winner of the 2020 presidential race, things are likely to settle but also head in the opposite direction, ecologically speaking.

    From 2016: See Biden Rip a Burnout in His Corvette

    What I’d Do Differently: Vice President Joe Biden

    Biden Announces Incentive Plan to Spur EV Demand

    Back in July, then candidate Biden announced a Cash for Clunkers–type plan to offer incentives or rebates to trade in less efficient vehicles for EVs made in the United States. Biden also wants to replace the government’s fleet of vehicles with EVs. That’s great news for automakers like Ford, Rivian, Tesla, Lordstown, and GM, all of which are building electric vehicles in America.
    Even if the trade-in scheme fails to materialize, migrating government fleets to EVs could be a huge win for EV investments automakers have made in the past few years and plan to make for the future. The Wall Street Journal reports that automotive executives are saying that if the president-elect does follow through to support EVs at a government level, it will help bolster investment in the technology.
    As for internal-combustion engines, Biden plans on working with states on stricter emissions guidelines. That means traditional vehicles will be cleaner but likely also more expensive. It’s also important that it would mean less uncertainty for automakers. If they have a single national plan to work toward, it reduces the anxiety of figuring out a patchwork of regulations.
    Ford, GM Express Support
    Ford told Car and Driver, “We congratulate President-Elect Biden and the newly and re-elected officials across all levels of government. It is our hope these leaders will focus on bringing the country together and pursue policies that encourage U.S. manufacturing, sustainability, and global economic stability.”
    During a call about its battery technology, GM’s vice president of electric and autonomous programs, Ken Morris, said about the Biden win: “We’re looking forward to working with the Biden administration in support of policies that will foster greater adoption of EVs across all 50 states and encourage investments in R&D and manufacturing.”
    Morris continued: “At the end of the day, climate change is a global concern. And the best way to remove automobile emissions from the environmental equation is an all-electric zero-emissions future.”
    The Biden administration will also likely relax at least some tariffs on international parts, which is good news for all automakers considering building a vehicle requires a global supply chain.
    As for concerns that the government might not see the value in older cars and forcibly replace them all with EVs, that’s highly unlikely from a guy who owns a 1967 Corvette Stingray convertible and uses it to rip burnouts and drag race former Secretary of State Colin Powell.
    This content is imported from {embed-name}. 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 content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io More

  • in

    2022 Hyundai Tucson Offers Daring Looks, More Power and Space

    With a daring design inside and out, the 2022 Hyundai Tucson grows significantly larger, gaining people and cargo space.
    It now offers a 10.3-inch infotainment screen and a digital gauge cluster.
    Gasoline and hybrid models will arrive next spring, with plug-in models available in summer 2021.
    Hyundai’s barrage of redesigned models continues. The Korean giant unveiled its new 2022 Tucson a few months ago, and we now have all the U.S. details about this new compact SUV. When it goes on sale next spring, it’ll still sit in the heart of Hyundai’s lineup of five crossovers, between the Kona and Santa Fe, but the U.S. is only getting the long-wheelbase version of the global platform, which is longer, wider, taller, and has a longer wheelbase than the previous generation.
    At 181.3 inches, the Tucson is 6.1 inches longer than before, and its new wheelbase of 108.3 inches has grown by 3.4 inches. It’s also about a half inch wider and taller. Without the optional panoramic sunroof, Hyundai says its passenger space increases by 6.0 cubic feet, to 108 cubic feet, and cargo volume is up to 39 cubic feet (80 cu ft with its rear seats folded). That’s 8 cubic feet more than the 2021 model.

    View Photos

    Hyundai

    That rumbling sound is dozens of Toyota, Honda, and Nissan engineers pulling out their calculators. On the outside, the Tucson will now be about the same size as the top sellers in the space, the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, and it will basically match their cargo volume. But its wheelbase is considerably longer, and according to Hyundai the SUV will have more interior space, including 3.5 inches more rear seat legroom than the Toyota and about an inch more than the Honda. The Nissan Rogue is still about two inches longer than the Hyundai, but its wheelbase is nearly two inches shorter.

    2022 Hyundai Tucson Gets a Stunning Redesign

    Tucson Continues Hyundai’s Design Variation Push

    Hyundai’s design team, led by SangYup Lee, its senior vice president and head of Hyundai Global Design Center, has reshaped the SUV with bulging fenders, exaggerated wheel wells, a level roofline and short overhangs. The appearance is more rugged than before, but also more muscular, with wedged geometric angles and hard edges that appear borrowed from Lamborghini’s Urus. Unique touches include a chrome strip that increases in width as it follows the arc of its roofline and eventually forms the SUV’s C-pillar.
    Its large grille and stacked headlamps expand upon designs seen on the larger Santa Fe and Palisade, but things get more interesting out back. Incorporated into its full-width taillights are half-concealed triangular shapes. Visible only when illuminated, they echo the shapes of its front daytime running lights. Lee has also integrated the Hyundai logo into the glass and concealed the rear wiper beneath the crossover’s rear spoiler.

    View Photos

    Hyundai

    Inside, its pushbutton shifter and four-spoke steering wheel are shared with other models. However, the five-seater gets a broad new dash that wraps into its doors and features an available 10.3-inch infotainment screen and a hoodless digital gauge cluster. It’s all very minimalist and modern, with piano-black surfaces, silver trim, wireless phone charging and adjustable mood lighting in 64 colors and 10 levels of brightness. Navigation with split-screen functionality and an eight-speaker Bose sound system will be available. The standard 8.8-inch touchscreen will feature wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a new voice recognition system with expanded capability that will include control of the rear hatch, heated steering wheel and its heated and cooled seats.
    Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional. Gas models will get the same base engine as the Sonata, a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter inline-four with 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. That’s 23 horsepower more than the outgoing 2.0-liter and 5 hp more than currently optional 2.4-liter. Paired with a retuned eight-speed automatic with a broader range of ratios, Hyundai says it has targeted a combined fuel economy of 28 mpg with front-wheel drive.

    View Photos

    Hyundai

    The new hybrid and plug-in-hybrid models have a turbocharged 1.6-liter gasoline four-cylinder, a six-speed automatic transmission, and standard all-wheel drive. In the hybrid, which has the same 59-hp electric motor and 1.49-kWh battery pack as the Santa Fe hybrid, total system output is an estimated 226 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. Hyundai says the hybrid powertrain is 30 percent more fuel efficient than the standard gasoline engine and will provide for over 500 miles of range.
    When the plug-in version goes on sale until next summer, it’ll feature a larger 13.8-kWh battery pack for an estimated all-electric range of 28 miles. With its 7.2-kW onboard charger, Hyundai says it’ll recharge fully in less than two hours using a Level 2 charger.

    Hyundai Tucson N Line Could Have Nearly 300 HP

    A Tucson N Line is also in the works and will debut late next year. Hyundai says it’ll have an even more aggressive exterior and interior and appeal to enthusiast buyers.
    Many driver-assistance features will come as standard equipment, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and a park-assist system, which will park and retrieve the SUV from parking spaces for you, will be optional.
    Pricing hasn’t been announced, but the current Tucson starts under $25,000 and we expect Hyundai to stay below that threshold.
    This content is imported from {embed-name}. 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 content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io More