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      in Electric Cars

      Tata Sanand Plant To Start EV Production Soon – Curvv, Harrier, Safari EVs Spied Together

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      Along with Harrier EV, Tata is also planning the launch of Curvv EV and Safari EVTata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd, a unit of Tata Motors, had acquired this Sanand facility from Ford India in January 2023Tata Motors, with an extensive range of electric vehicles in its portfolio, is planning to commence production from its new Sanand plant from April 2024. This plant was acquired from Ford India early last year and it is from this manufacturing unit that Tata Motors also produces the ICE versions of Nexon.Tata to make EVs at Sanand PlantThe Sanand plant which has been acquired from Ford India at Rs 725.7 crore, has a current capacity of 3 lakh units per annum though production capacity can be extended to 4.2 lakh units. Even as the company has announced that production of the Nexon EV will soon commence, Tata Motors also plans launch of the Curvv EV and Harrier EV, all of which will be produced from the same plant.[embedded content]There is also the Safari EV in the making. All three of these new EV SUVs were spied together recently in Pune. Targeting a 5 percent growth in the passenger vehicle segment, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles MD Shailesh Chandra revealed the timeline for launch of the Curvv EV and Harrier EV. The Curvv EV is planned for launch in Q3/Q4 of CY 2024 while later this year the company will also launch the Harrier EV.Earlier this week the company introduced Punch.ev. It comes in at a competitive pricing of Rs 10.99 lakh to Rs 14.49 lakh, ex-showroom and booking open at Rs 21,000. It competes with the Citroen eC3 and upcoming Hyundai Exter EV and Kia Clavis. Punch.ev is being offered with two battery packs. The standard model gets a 25-kWh battery pack offering a 315 km range while the Long Range (LR) variant sports a larger 35 kWh battery pack with a 421 km range.Tata Safari EV spied in PuneTata Curvv has been spied on test and prices are likely to be announced by June 2024. It enters the compact SUV space and will have both ICE and electric powertrains. The ICE variant will take on the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos along with the Maruti Grand Vitara while the electric version of Curvv will compete with the upcoming Creta EV, Maruti eVX and Mahindra BE.05.Tata Harrier EV spied in PuneTata Harrier EV, Safari EV Design Patent LeakedTata Harrier and Safari EVs will be the company’s flagship electric vehicle. Design leaks show off a more futuristic design with extensive exterior updates along with a host of interior features. These include a twin spoke steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, touch based HVAC system, a 360 degree camera and ADAS. Cabin comforts also extend to automatic climate controls, wireless charging, ventilated seating in the front and ambient lighting.Tata Harrier EV and Safari EV will be positioned on the company’s Gen II EV architecture, an improvement over the Gen I platform seen on the Nexon EV. It will likely draw its power via a 60 kWh to 80 kWh battery pack to offer a range of around 500 kms on full charge. Expect prices to be in the Rs 25-35 lakh range upon launch. More

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      2024 Toyota Mirai FCEV Receives Updates, Including a New Badge

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      Toyota has given the hydrogen-powered Mirai a few updates for 2024, most notably the new Beyond Zero badge first seen on the Prius.The Mirai had its best sales year in 2023, but Toyota still only moved 2737 examples of its fuel-cell sedan.While the Mirai handily outsells its only challenger, the Hyundai Nexo, it will soon be joined by a hydrogen version of Honda’s popular CR-V.Amidst Toyota’s broad lineup of mainstream cars and crossovers and enthusiast-focused sports cars and off-road SUVs, there’s one model that is often overlooked: the hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered Mirai. For 2024, Toyota is reminding us that it still builds this unconventional sedan, giving the Mirai a few upgrades before it prepares to face new competition in the minuscule hydrogen segment in the near future. ToyotaThe most noticeable change for 2024 is the addition of new Beyond Zero badging. First seen on the 2023 Prius, Toyota has been applying the small circular blue logo to its latest hybrid and electric vehicles, such as the Grand Highlander Hybrid Max. On the Mirai, it’s accompanied by “FCEV” lettering, for fuel-cell electric vehicle. Along with the new emblem, the Mirai is also now offered in a new color called Elemental Silver. The 2024 Mirai gains the full Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite, which includes driver-assistance features such as adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and pre-collision emergency braking with pedestrian detection.Mechanically, the Mirai is unchanged. The hydrogen fuel cell powers an electric motor that sends 182 horsepower to the rear wheels. While the trip to 60 mph takes a sluggish 9.1 seconds, the base XLE model is able to travel 402 miles on a tank of hydrogen. Upgrading to the fancier Limited trim sees the range fall to 357 miles. Toyota also provides $15,000 worth of hydrogen for those who take the fuel-cell plunge with the Mirai. The base price rises slightly to $51,215, with the Limited coming in at $68,180.ToyotaAll told, the changes are minor. But the Mirai, which entered its second generation for 2021, doesn’t have to do much to capture the few buyers interested in experimenting with hydrogen. It is one of just two fuel-cell vehicles currently on sale in the United States. Like its only challenger, the Hyundai Nexo, the Mirai is exclusively offered in California. Last year, Toyota sold 2737 Mirais, and while that number may be small, it was the sedan’s best sales year ever and represented a 31 percent increase over 2022. The Nexo, meanwhile, found just 241 homes, a 41 percent drop versus 2022.Soon the Mirai will face new competition, with Honda set to launch a hydrogen-powered version of its popular CR-V crossover this year. The vehicle will be built at the Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio that formerly built the Acura NSX. Honda said last year that the new fuel-cell system is more durable and costs two-thirds less to build than the setup in its previous effort, the Clarity Fuel Cell. With the recent announcement that General Motors and Honda’s joint venture to build fuel-cell systems in Michigan is underway, the next hydrogen competitor to the Mirai is just around the corner. More on Hydrogen CarsCaleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan. More

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      TVS Sales Breakup Dec 2023 – Jupiter, Raider, Apache, Ntorq, iQube, Ronin

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      MS Dhoni taking delivery of his new motorcycle – TVS RoninTVS Motor reported a YoY growth in domestic sales and exports in December 2023 with most models showing off positive growthTVS Motor Company, a leading two and three wheeler manufacturer in India, has reported increased sales in December 2023. Total sales (domestic + exports) stood at 2,89,253 units in the past month up from 2,26,390 units sold in December 2022. It was however a MoM decline as the company had sold a total of 3,15,365 units (2,87,017 domestic sales and 64,348 exports) in November 2023.TVS Domestic Sales December 2023Domestic sales in December 2023, grew by 33.32 percent YoY to 2,14,988 units up from 1,61,369 units sold in December 2022. This was a volume growth of 53,619 units. TVS Jupiter and Raider topped the domestic sales list with a 46 percent combined share. Jupiter sales stood at 59,538 units in December 2023, up 49.41 percent when compared to 39,849 units sold in December 2022. The Jupiter along holds a 27.69 percent share in the company’s domestic portfolio and was the 2nd bestselling scooter in the country during the past month.TVS sales breakup Dec 2023Raider sales also saw outstanding demand in December 2023 with 39,443 units sold, up 51.34 percent YoY over 26,063 units sold in December 2022. TVS XL moped also saw its sales go up by 47.49 percent YoY from 25,961 units sold in December 2022 to 38,290 units last month. This was a volume growth of 12,329 units with a 17.81 percent share.TVS Apache at No. 4 saw its sales dip 3.04 percent YoY to 21,506 units, down from 22,181 units sold in December 2022. In December 2023, the company launched the new TVS Apache RTR 160 4V. It will rival the likes of Honda CB Hornet 2.0 and Hero Xtreme 160R in its segment. Lower down the order was the Ntorq with a 16.43 percent YoY growth. The company sold 18,851 units of the Ntorq last month, up from 16,191 units sold in December 2022. It was followed by the iQube with a marginal YoY growth of 1.45 percent to 11,232 units. Both the Ntorq and iQube also found mention on the best-selling scooter list last month.TVS exports breakup Dec 2023TVS also had the Sport (9,128 units), Radeon (7,128 units), Zest (5,275 units), Star City (2,792 units) and Ronin (1,332 units) on this list with each posting YoY growth. However, it was the TVS 310 that has seen the most percentage growth of 121.03 percent YoY to 473 units in December 2023 from 214 units sold in December 2022.TVS Exports Led by Star City 125 in December 2023TVS exports were up 14.26 percent YoY in December 2023 to 74,296 units, up from 65,021 units shipped in December 2022. It was the Star City 125 that saw the highest exports last month. There were 47,041 units exported in December 2023, up 107.78 percent from 22,640 units shipped in December 2022. The Star City 125 currently commands a 63.32 percent share on this list.TVS Apache at No. 2 had 8,024 units exported last month, up 80.97 percent over 4,434 units exported in December 2022. Jupiter sales also went up by 103.59 percent to 5,381 units in December 2023 from 2,643 units shipped in the same month last year while Raider exports grew by 112.61 percent to 5,311 units.Exports dipped for the TVS Sport by 11.56 percent YoY to 4,821 units in December 2023, down from 5,451 units shipped in December 2022 and was the only model on the list to post a YoY de-growth. The export list also included Ntorq (2,834 units, XL (558 units), Ronin (174 units), RR310 (96 units) and iQube (56 units). More

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      Kinetic Luna Electric Launch Price Rs 75,000 – Range 110 Kms, Full Specs

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      Kinetic Luna Electric LaunchKinetic Luna Electric will be opened for pre-booked on Kinetic Green website at Rs. 500 from 26th January 2024First produced in 1972, the Kinetic Luna is now set to make a comeback in an electric avatar. Kinetic Green has announced this new electric Luna which will officially launch in India in February 2024. Ahead of that, specs and prices have been listed online. It is priced from Rs 75,000 ex-sh. Depending on available bank offers, you might be able to avail it for as low as Rs 66,000.Kinetic Luna Electric – Key Features and Advancements2024 Kinetic Luna Electric boasts several features that set it apart in the electric two-wheeler segment. The digital instrument panel provides essential information, including vehicle speed, battery status, vehicle health, and a trip meter.Kinetic Luna Electric LaunchThe inclusion of a USB charging port caters to the modern rider’s connectivity needs, while the side-stand sensor adds an extra layer of safety. With a removable pillion seat, the Luna Electric offers versatility for riders who need extra storage space for luggage, enhancing its utility for daily commuting and short trips.Performance and EfficiencyPowered by a 2 kWh battery pack, the Luna Electric claims an impressive range of 110 kilometers on a single charge. The top speed of 50 kmph aligns with urban commuting requirements, making it an ideal choice for city dwellers. The peak torque of 22 Nm ensures a smooth and efficient ride, while the 4-hour charging time caters to the practical needs of riders.Kinetic Luna Electric SpecsIn the rapidly evolving electric two-wheeler market, the 2024 Kinetic Luna Electric faces competition primarily from no one as of now. The closest rival could be the petrol TVS XL moped, which is on sale in a price range of Rs 44,999 to Rs 59,695 (ex-showroom). TVS is working electric XL, which will be a more direct rival to the Luna Electric. The Luna Electric’s competitive pricing positions it as a compelling option in the market, offering an attractive balance of features, performance, and sustainability.Kinetic Luna Electric LaunchThe launch of the 2024 Kinetic Luna Electric marks a significant milestone in Kinetic Green’s commitment to sustainable mobility. With its blend of modern features, impressive performance, and competitive pricing, the Luna Electric is poised to capture the attention of environmentally conscious commuters. As the world shifts towards cleaner and greener alternatives, the Luna Electric represents a compelling choice for those looking to embrace electric mobility without compromising on style, convenience, or efficiency.Kinetic Green E-Luna Expected DemandSpeaking about the Kinetic Green E-Luna launch, Kinetic Founder and CEO Sulajja Firodia Motwani said “We have deployed about 1,500 vehicles for last-mile delivery in a pilot stage and we think we will get very good response from this segment as well. We are also going to sign an MoU for a very large quantity very soon.” The company expects demand for around 50,000-70,000 E-Lunas from the B2C segment and another 20,000-30,000 units from the last mile delivery segment.Kinetic Luna Electric LaunchSales will be effected across the company’s 300 dealers across the country while plans are afoot to extend dealership count to 1,500 over the next 3 years. With the prospect of electric vehicles seeming particularly bright, the company also plans investment of Rs 100 crores over the coming 2 years. Kinetic Green has also commissioned a new production line for the E-Luna which will have a capacity to assemble 5 lakh units per annum. More

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      Hero Xoom 160 ADV Scooter Showcased In India – Detailed Walkaround

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      Hero Xoom 160 ADV ScooterWhen launched, Hero Xoom 160 ADV scooter will be India’s first indigenous big-capacity scooter and it brings adventurous styling tooBeing world’s largest 2W market, the emphasis on scooters is just as important as motorcycles. Hero MotoCorp being India’s largest and highest-selling 2W manufacturer, is diversifying its scooter portfolio. We’re not talking about any boring commuter scooter. Instead, we’re talking about Hero Xoom 160 ADV scooter which is the company’s upcoming flagship scooter.Hero Xoom 160 ADV Scooter ShowcasedWhere sales numbers are concerned, Hero isn’t the big name in scooter market. The next scooter launch from Hero MotoCorp isn’t gonna ramp up scooter sales numbers in any way as it targets a niche. Instead, Hero Xoom 160 ADV scooter is to show the world that it can manufacture high-quality premium products, just like it has aced budget commuter segment.With Xoom 160, Hero will be launching India’s first indigenous high-capacity sporty scooter with ADV design language. Export potential with Xoom 160 is very huge too. Xoom 160 will be sold via Hero’s Premia dealerships. Xoom 160 surely is Hero’s halo scooter and will stay that way for a very long time. Hero debuted Xoom 160 at 2023 EICMA Show in Milan and it is being showcased in India for the first time alongside new Mavrick 440 and launch of Xtreme 125R.In the video below, we can see Bunny Punia doing a thorough walkaround of Xoom 160. Design screams sporty and follows similar sharp and edgy DNA as Xoom 125. The fascia gets twin headlight setup that wouldn’t look out of place on a fully-faired motorcycle. There’s a small beak to accentuate its ADV lineage.[embedded content]Features and specificationsThere’s a tall windshield and Hero has showcased an even taller windscreen at EICMA. Maybe it will be offered as an accessory. This is a non-step-through scooter and hence there is a spine on the floorboard. This is where Hero has placed Xoom 160’s fuel tank. Placing fuel tank here unlocks more space under the large single-piece seat.Bunny Punia mentions space seems to be enough to accommodate a full-face helmet and then more. Headlights are LEDs along with tail lights, while turn indicators are halogen. Hero Xoom 160 gets 120/70-14 block pattern tyres, wrapped on 14-inch alloy wheels. There is a fully-digital instrument cluster similar to one on Xpulse 200 and is highly likely to feature connectivity features including navigation.Suspension is taken care of by front RSU telescopic forks and twin rear shock absorbers. Both wheels get disc brakes and single-channel ABS is a probability. Keyless entry and i3S stop/start feature are notable attributes as well. The main talking point of Xoom 160 has to be its 14 bhp liquid-cooled 160cc engine which is a first for any indigenous scooter in India.Hero Xoom 160 InstrumentationLaunch could happen in the coming months and it will directly take on a similarly specced Yamaha Aerox 155 sporty scooter. Aerox starts from Rs. 1.47 lakh. If Hero MotoCorp priced Xoom 160 at around Rs. 1.2 lakh, they can pull more buyers towards their flagship scooters. More

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      in Electric Cars

      Citroen eC3 Shine Launched – New Features To Rival Punch EV

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      Citroen eC3 Shine trim launchedCitroen eC3 Shine claims acceleration from 0-60 km/h in 6.8 seconds, a top speed of 107 km/h and DC charging facilities up to 80% in 57 minutesThe new top-spec Citroen eC3 Shine trim has been launched in India priced between Rs. 13.2 lakh and Rs. 13.5 lakh (ex-sh). It was earlier presented in two variants – Live and Feel, launched at Rs 11.50 lakh and Rs 12.13 lakh (ex-sh) respectively. With the launch of Punch.ev with its stellar packaging and fat brochure, Citroen is upping its EV game too.Citroen eC3 Shine LaunchedIts ICE counterpart, C3 Hatchback, was also offered in Live and Feel trims initially and added top-spec Shine trim later on. When compared to ICE C3 Shine Non-Turbo variant, Citroen eC3 Shine costs Rs 5.44 lakh more and Rs. 4.92 lakh more for Turbo variant. The eC3 Shine trim is also offered in Vibe Pack, Dual Tone and Dual Tone Vibe Pack priced at Rs 13.35 lakh, Rs. 13.35 lakh and Rs 13.50 lakh respectively (all prices are ex-showroom).The new Citroen eC3 Shine marks the company’s attempt to better rival against newly launched Tata Punch.ev. It goes up against the Tiago EV and MG Comet. But the apples to apples comparison points towards recently launched Punch EV. Deliveries of the eC3 will commence soon.Citroen eC3 Shine trim sports all the same dimensions and features as seen on its ICE counterpart. It measures 3,981mm in length, 1,733 mm in width and 1,586mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2,540mm. It boasts a ground clearance of 170mm too.Citroen eC3 Shine ColoursAdded features over Feel trimThe main feature additions have to be 15-inch alloy wheels, electrically adjustable ORVMs, rear washer and wiper, rear defogger, rear parking camera and a leather wrapping to its steering wheel. External design additions include front and rear silver faux skid platesOther features carried over from Feel trim include dual front airbags, manual air conditioning, remote locking, power windows at the front and rear and a height adjustable driver’s seat. It also sports onboard equipment such as a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, connected car technology and a 4 speaker sound system.Connected car tech is via the MyCitroen Connect app that offers users information on vital statistics such as charging status, location and navigate to the nearest charging station. Safety is via dual airbags, ABS with EBD.Citroen eC3 Shine infotainmentNo changes to powertrainCitroen eC3 Shine continues to draw power from a 29.2 kWh battery pack with a single electric motor offering 57 hp power and 143 Nm torque. It offers a 320 km range and fast charging via a DC charger that can charge the battery upto 80 percent in 57 minutes. It can also be charged from 10 to 100 percent via a home charger in 10.5 hours.Acceleration from 0-100 km/h is achieved in 16.88 seconds. The Citroen eC3 also gets two driving modes of Eco and Standard along with regenerative braking. Citroen eC3 is presented with a 7 year/1,40,000km warranty on battery pack, 5 year/1,00,000km warranty on e-motor and 3 year/1,25,000km warranty on the vehicle.Citroen eC3 Shine exteriors More

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      Tork Electric Motorcycle Owners Protest At Company HQ – Tork Responds

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      Tork Electric Motorcycle Owners ProtestNew products from startups risk facing teething troubles, something that is quite evident in the EV industryWith promised benefits such as fuel cost savings and low maintenance, many people have chosen to invest in electric two-wheelers. However, there have been many cases where the overall experience hasn’t turned out as expected. A recent example involves Tork Kratos R electric motorcycle that has multiple complaints reported by owners.Tork Kratos R – No fast-charging optionA group of early adopters of Tork Kratos R have staged a protest at the company’s headquarters in Pune. One of the primary complaints is the non-availability of fast charging. According to the early adopters, a fast charging option was listed as a feature. Also, owners were to get free fast charging for 2 years on the company’s fast charging network. The company had promised to provide fast charging port by March 2023. But the promise was not fulfilled.Tork Electric Motorcycle Owners ProtestTork Motors has responded by saying that there’s an ongoing standardization process for regular and fast chargers for Light EVs in India. This step has been initiated by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). New owners of Kratos R are being provided with a standard charger and a modified charger that complies with new standards.Early adopters of Kratos R are being given the same kit completely free of cost. Even when the market price of the entire package is around Rs 23,000 to Rs 25,000. The costs are incurred due to hardware and software changes including replacement of telematics and the ECU device. Dealers are contacting the early adopters individually to get the updated kit installed.Owners will only need to pay Rs 800 + Taxes towards labour and service charge. There can be some delay, as getting the required parts is a challenge. For the FC port, the company is waiting for BCA (Bharat Charge Alliance) to finalize the type of common port. Early adopters will get the FC port after BCA’s final decision.Kratos R chassis breakage issueKratos R chassis breakage issueSome users have reported chassis breakage issue with Kratos R electric motorcycle. Tork Motors has taken cognizance of the issue and has introduced modifications to the chassis design. This will prevent the issue from occurring in newer bikes manufactured by the company. For older models facing chassis breakage issue, the company has promised to provide free replacements.Kratos R chassis breakage issueNon-existent high beamKratos R users have reported non-existent high beam problem. Tork has responded by saying that the motorcycle has passed all the necessary tests as conducted by certifying authorities. However, the company will still look into the suggestions and comments of owners. And will try to find a solution.No portable chargers for early ownersEarly adopters were provided with a wall-mounted charger. New Kratos R model has the portable charger that costs Rs 19,999. But early adopters cannot use this portable charger even if they are willing to pay for it. This again is due to the port mismatch issue. Early adopters who protested at the company’s headquarters are demanding quick resolution of these issues. They allege that the response so far has not been satisfactory. It remains to be seen how fast and effectively such issues can be resolved.Source More

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      Bajaj Pulsar N160 Spotted With USD Front Forks – Digi Screen Expected?

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      Bajaj Pulsar N160 Spotted with USD forksWe don’t expect a whole lot of revisions with the new Bajaj Pulsar N160 spotted testing as it is a mild feature and equipment updatePulsar has been Bajaj’s highest-selling lineup and keeping them updated is very crucial for the company. MD Rajiv Bajaj has mentioned there will be new Pulsars launched by the end of this FY. In that regard, we get to see multiple test mules of updated Pulsars. Most recent of the bunch is N160 which has been spotted with USD front forks.Bajaj Pulsar N160 Spotted With USD Front ForksNot just the Pulsar N160 which has been recently spotted testing by automotive enthusiast Tejas WD, Bajaj is updating other vehicles in Pulsar N range along with NS range as well. Latest test mules spotted were of Pulsar N160 which is seen testing with USD telescopic front forks adding a lot of muscle to bike’s design.Apart from design and aesthetics, USD telescopic front forks offer more chassis rigidity that should ensure more dynamic handling characteristics. As of now, N range is Pulsar’s youngest lineup and has more headroom for evolution in the future. This lineup spawns a 150cc offering (N150), 160cc (N160) and a 250cc offering (N250).Bajaj has been teasing new updates with its Pulsae N range. Considering how similarly kitted they are in terms of features, we would wager these new updates Bajaj is teasing, will be on offer with all the N bikes – N150, N160 and N250. Primary addition will be USD front telescopic forks unlocking more agility to attack corners.New Pulsar N160Bajaj is also teasing call alerts and notification display on instrument cluster. Looking at how futuristic this teaser looks, Bajaj might offer a TFT display like we saw with new Chetak along with improved switchgear. However, Bajaj only teased call and notification alerts and not navigation. So, we can see more basic Bluetooth functionalities on existing instrument cluster too.What to expect?Most likely possibility is that Bajaj will offer a new instrument cluster that supports Bluetooth connectivity. This should unlock basic call and notification alerts, similar to what Yamaha has been doing. That said, the recent test mules confirm presence of USD telescopic front forks, but not presence of Chetak’s Digi Screen.Some time ago, a Pulsar NS160 test mule was spotted too showing improved switchgear and a camouflaged instrument cluster. When we say improved switchgear, Bajaj has only added a hazard light switch and not the whole array of buttons that new Chetak gets. As Pulsar NS line is slightly older, there is a possibility of Pulsar N line getting more features.Mechanically, we don’t expect any changes to engines or gearboxes. All Pulsar NS models (NS 160 and NS200) and Pulsar N models (N150, N160 and N250) should remain identical to current models, where powertrains are concerned.Image – TejasWD More