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    Hyundai Files for ‘N74’ Trademark, Hinting at Possible Sports Car

    Hyundai has filed a trademark for the “N74” nameplate within the European Union’s intellectual property office. The trademark is the best clue yet that Hyundai is serious about a production version of the N Vision 74 concept car from last year. While the automaker itself still hasn’t confirmed a production version, the prototype is a 670-hp rear-drive sports car powered by hydrogen fuel cells and batteries. Sometimes dreams do come true and automakers choose to green light the fancy concept cars they show off. Last year, Hyundai’s N Vision 74 made made quite the splash when the manufacturer debuted the car in South Korea. It wasn’t long before many fans (Car and Driver staff included) were asking what it would take for Hyundai to produce it. While Hyundai still hasn’t confirmed a production version of the car, the online forum 7th Mustang spotted that the automaker did file a trademark application for “Hyundai N74” with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). HyundaiThe trademark request was filed on September 20, and the classification covers “automobiles, sports cars, vans, motor trucks, motor buses, and electric vehicles,” meaning the filing is for more than just naming rights. According to the EUIPO, the application is still under examination.We had the chance to drive the engineering prototype version last year, and it was enough of an experience to get us excited for a roadgoing version. That version was Hyundai’s “rolling lab” test bed to allow the manufacturers N performance division to experiment with future powertrain development. HyundaiWe spoke to Albert Biermann about it at the time, and the former Hyundai-Kia R&D boss turned executive technical advisor told Car and Driver, “It is hard for me to see us doing it; at this moment we don’t need such a car.” Fortunately Biermann isn’t calling all the shots over at Hyundai-Kia, and Till Wartenberg—Hyundai’s vice president of N brand management and motorsport has other ideas. In an interview earlier this year, Wartenberg told The Autopian that he wants to see the Vision 74 in production. “My personal wish is to produce this vehicle,” Wartenberg said. “It’s at first probably an investment, but if we could see this vehicle really out there and people buying it, I would be very happy.”More on the N Vision 74 PrototypeDoes Hyundai filing this trademark mean that some version of the N Vision 74 will enter production? Not necessarily, but between Wartenberg’s statements and the recent trademark application, things are looking up for fans who want to see some version of this car on the road. This content is imported from poll. 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.Associate News EditorJack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. More

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    Watch a Corvette Z06 Take a Tumble off Service Lift at Dealership

    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.Some Chevy dealers apparently still struggle to understand that the weight distribution of the mid-engine C8 Corvette is different from the previous front-engine Corvettes. As a result, we see here another example of a new Corvette being lifted improperly and getting destroyed when it falls off the lift. A YouTube video posted on September 15 by Jason Grubb shows a Torch red Corvette Z06 convertible sitting majestically in the air on top of a dealer’s lift. However, it seems that the technician did not use the proper lift points. A few seconds after the video starts, we watch in horror as the flat-plane-crank LT6–powered Z06 comes crashing to the ground. The good news is that nobody appears to be injured in the mishap. The bad news is that the world might’ve just lost a Z06 convertible because of a stupid mistake. It’s unclear what dealer this incident occurred at.It is bad enough to see the Corvette crash to the ground. But to add even more insult to injury the video shows one of the lift arms ripping through the side of the car as it falls. Because of that, it seems safe to assume the car is a total loss. Writing off a Z06 while it is being pushed to the limit on a racetrack is one thing. But losing one while it is in the hands of the people in charge of keeping these on the road is enough to make any Corvette fan cry.The C8 Z06 was launched with much fanfare. It is a track weapon—becoming the fifth-fastest car around VIR in our Lightning Lap testing—that can best cars from more exotic brands. Some folks have been on a waitlist for years waiting for their car. Many have had to pay tens of thousands of dollars above MSRP in order to put it in their garage. We don’t know anything about the owner of this particular Z06. However, we can be sure they will not be happy when they get the call from the dealership about what happened. If you are the owner of a C8 Corvette, you might want to review page 230 of the owner’s manual with the shop where you get your car serviced. That is the page that illustrates the proper jack points. That conversation just might save your car. More on the Z06 More

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    2024 Toyota RAV4 Now Available in Army Green

    Toyota is introducing a few updates to the 2024 RAV4, most notably a new color.Army Green is now available for the Woodland, Adventure, and TRD Off-Road trim levels.The 2024 RAV4 starts at $29,825 for the base LE, while the Woodland hybrid starts at $36,045.Army Green, a paint color already seen on several of Toyota’s bigger trucks and SUVs, is making its way onto the Toyota RAV4 compact crossover for 2024. The cool new hue will be offered on the RAV4’s more rugged-looking trim levels, including the Woodland Edition hybrid, the Adventure, and the TRD Off-Road.The color itself will be a no-cost option on the Adventure and TRD Off-Road models, but on the Woodland Edition Army Green will require a $500 option for a two-tone setup with a black roof. The two-tone option is also offered on the Adventure and TRD Off-Road, and on those models you’ll be able to choose between either a white or a black roof. You can also now pair the Woodland’s Ice Cap exterior color with a black roof. We particularly like how the green looks in combination with the Woodland Edition’s bronze 18-inch wheels.The Woodland Edition also gets an activity mount as standard that Toyota says can accommodate a bike rack or cargo carrier, and it’s now available with a Weather package for $925 that adds heated front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.There aren’t any other notable changes for the 2024 RAV4 lineup—which also includes XLE, XLE Premium, and Limited trim levels—other than slight price hikes of a few hundred dollars depending on model. The base RAV4 LE now starts at $29,825, the Adventure starts at $36,020, the TRD Off-Road is $39,445, and the hybrid-only Woodland is $36,045. 2024 RAV4s will start arriving at dealerships late this year.More on the RAV4Senior EditorDespite being raised on a steady diet of base-model Hondas and Toyotas—or perhaps because of it—Joey Capparella nonetheless cultivated an obsession for the automotive industry throughout his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee. He found a way to write about cars for the school newspaper during his college years at Rice University, which eventually led him to move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for his first professional auto-writing gig at Automobile Magazine. He has been part of the Car and Driver team since 2016 and now lives in New York City.   More

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    Honda Repsol Edition Launched With Hornet 2.0, Dio 125

    Honda Repsol Edition range with Hornet 2.0 and Dio 125Mechanically, Honda Repsol Edition of both Hornet 2.0 and Dio 125 remain identical to their standard models respectivelyHonda Motorcycles and Scooters India (HMSI) has launched special Repsol Edition variants of their popular Hornet 2.0 and Dio 125. Both motorcycles now get special liveries with Repsol branding. With Repsol Editions, Honda intends to celebrate India’s maiden MotoGP event – Moto GP Bharat.Hornet 2.0 Repsol EditionHonda recently updated the Hornet 2.0 and made it comply BS6 P2 emission standards along with RDE norms and E20 fuel compatibility. This naked street commuter is one of the sportiest and most appealing motorcycles in its segment. Hornet 2.0 holds quite a pull on prospective buyers with its captivating design and appearance.Hornet 2.0 Repsol Edition costs Rs. 1.4 lakh (ex-sh), which is Rs. 1,000 more expensive than standard model. Repsol Edition gets a new stylish and dual-tone livery. Primary colours of choice are Ross White and Vibrant Orange. The Ross White elements extend from rear subframe body panels through side body panels and into its fuel tank.At the fuel tank, this Ross White livery lends the look of a perimeter frame, even though Hornet 2.0 gets a diamond frame. Hornet 2.0 Repsol Edition gets red pillion grab handles and red pin striping on alloy wheels. The 184.4cc single-cylinder engine gets 17 bhp of power and 15.9 Nm of torque. Slipper clutch, petal disc brakes, single-channel ABS, full LED lighting are notable elements.Hornet 2.0 Repsol EditionDio 125 Repsol EditionIn Honda’s extensive scooter lineup, Dio 125 is the newest. Range starts from Rs. 83,400 and the Repsol Edition costs Rs. 90,000 (both prices ex-sh). Dio 125 shares the design and body panels with 110cc Dio and packs new and modern features. Smart key and fully digital instrument cluster are new and highlight elements.Repsol Edition of Dio 125 gets the same Ross White and Vibrant Orange colour livery. As opposed to black wheels on Hornet 2.0 Repsol Edition, Dio 125 Repsol Edition gets alloy wheels painted in Vibrant Orange. There are multiple brandings and other visual highlights exclusive to Repsol Edition.The 123.92cc engine on Dio 125 generates 8.2 bhp of power and 10.4 Nm of torque. Dio 125 Repsol Edition features 12-inch alloy wheels, disc brakes and CBS as standard model.Dio 125 Repsol EditionWords from the manufacturerIntroducing HMSI’s latest offerings, Mr. Tsutsumu Otani, Managing Director, President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “Racing is the heart of Honda. The pinnacle of motorcycle racing, MotoGP, is happening in India for the first time ever and there is a lot of enthusiasm among the Indian fans to witness history in the making. To further amplify their excitement, we have launched the 2023 Repsol Editions of Hornet 2.0 and Dio 125. We wish the upcoming BharatGP to be a great success.”Commenting on the launch of the 2023 Repsol Limited Edition models, Mr. Yogesh Mathur, Director, Sales and Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “We are excited to launch the new 2023 Repsol Edition of Hornet 2.0 and Dio 125.Both these models have delighted customers in their respective segments and with the launch of these Limited-Edition versions, we are happy to transform Honda’s racing DNA on Indian roads for the MotoGP fans in India. We also extend our best wishes to the Repsol Honda Team for the maiden BharatGP.” More

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    TVS Racing Electric Championship Announced – Apache RTE Race Bikes

    TVS Apache RTE Race MachineSpecially designed and developed Apache RTE motorcycles will race in TVS Racing Electric One Make Championship (e-OMC)Racing and TVS usually go hand in hand in a sentence. This is because of a profound vertical integration of racing DNA across TVS’ portfolio since its inception. Now, TVS has achieved a new milestone by announcing India’s first-ever electric racing championship for 2W vehicles. Say Namaste to TVS Racing Electric One Make Championship (e-OMC).TVS Electric Racing Championship AnnouncedFor the first time in India, a mainstream OEM is shedding new light on electric 2W racing. Not only is this a major milestone in TVS’ motorsport journey, but it also strengthens the company’s green credentials and commitment to eco-friendly and sustainable mobility solutions. This aligns with the brand’s intentions of spearheading 2W EV realm across multiple segments.TVS Racing Electric One Make Championship (e-OMC) will feature specially designed and developed thorough race-bred Apache RTE motorcycles. These Apache RTE bikes are for racing and are solely for e-OMC. They will be an embodiment of TVS Racing and the brand’s rich four-decade old racing heritage.On September 29th, 2023, TVS Racing Electric One Make Championship will make its debut at Indian National Motorcycle Road Racing Championship (INMRC) in the 4th round. TVS intends to redefine the future of e2W racing with this championship. There will be a total of eight handpicked riders who will race on all-new TVS Apache RTE (Racing Throttle Electric) bikes.TVS Racing Electric Championship AnnouncedApache RTE Race-spec Electric MotorcyclesThe 8 handpicked riders will race on race-spec Apache RTE electric motorcycles at the 4th round of INMRC. These RTE motorcycles are jam-packed with cutting-edge tech and top-notch build and construction. Both motor and motor controller are liquid-cooled and still boast highest power-to-weight ratio in their class.These racing electric motorcycles feature advanced battery chemistry and they get high-tech carbon fibre battery casing as well. Not only does carbon fibre battery casing save a lot of weight, but it also acts as a brilliant stress member for the chassis, owing to its incredible stiffness and structural rigidity.The BMS (Battery Management System) is custom-built and custom-coded for race-specific algorithms. In terms of componentry, TVS Apache RTE racing motorcycles feature bespoke Ohlins front and rear suspension and Brembo braking kit including 320mm front disc, calipers and master cylinders.TVS MD Sudarshan Venu With Apache RTE Race MachinePirelli Super Corsa tyres are wrapped on custom carbon fibre wheels, reducing unsprung mass. The carbon fibre fairing is sleek and boasts lowest drag coefficient in its class as well. The icing on top has to be TVS Racing Factory colours and livery.Words from the manufacturerMr. Sudarshan Venu, Managing Director, TVS Motor Company said, “TVS Motor has been championing racing ever since we started India’s first factory racing team. TVS Racing has been instrumental in making motorsports aspirational yet accessible for enthusiasts across the country. Many of the technologies that we pioneered in our racing machines have made way to our production vehicles, giving shape to our ‘track to road’ philosophy.In line with our vision of providing exciting and sustainable mobility solutions, we are thrilled to announce the debut of India’s first ever EV two wheeler racing. TVS Racing e-OMC will not only set new benchmarks in the racing segment but also demonstrate the potential of electric vehicles in delivering high-octane and thrilling racing experiences for the world to witness.”Vimal Sumbly, Head Business – Premium, TVS Motor Company said, “TVS Racing takes great pride in being the propagators of offering a platform for racers to hone and showcase their skills and following their passion for racing. We have been the frontrunners in the segment, whether it was pioneering the TVS OMC in India in 1994, and expanding it in women’s and rookie class, or being the first Indian manufacturer to foray with the Asia One Make Championship or participate in the Dakar Rally. With the TVS Racing e-OMC, we take a monumental step into redefining the future of racing.” More

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    Honda Motocompacto Mini Electric Scooter Debuts – Lighter Than A Suitcase?

    Honda Motocompacto e-scooterWith its compact, lightweight profile, Honda Motocompacto can fulfil a variety of last-mile commuting needsGoing beyond the compulsions of range and performance, Honda Motocompacto mini electric scooter creates its own niche market segment. It perfectly suits last-mile commuting needs across large campuses, offices and industrial hubs, urban centres, large fairs and exhibitions and tourist hotspots. With foldable parts, this suitcase-sized mini scooter can be easily carried and used anywhere.Honda Motocompacto features, specsWhen folded, Honda Motocompacto can be easily mistaken for some sort of hi-tech luggage carrier. The handlebar and seat can be neatly tucked away when the scooter is not in use. There’s a dedicated carry handle to make it easier to lift the mini scooter. Side stand and foot rests are fully concealed when not in use. The scooter also has a small LED headlight and tail lamp.There’s storage inside the scooter for the charger. The charging port is located at the front, just below the headlamp. The scooter can be charged with any 15-amp socket. It takes around 3.5 hours to achieve a full charge from 0% to 100%. The battery pack is rated at 6.8Ah and seems to be a non-removable unit.The scooter is equipped with a 490-watt electric motor that generates 16 Nm of peak torque. Honda Motocompacto can achieve a top speed of 24 kmph. Accelerating from 0 to 24 kmph will take around 7 seconds. Motocompacto offers a range of 19 km. Considering a two-way trip, any destination within a radius of 7-8 km should be easily reachable.[embedded content]Of course, range won’t be an issue in places where charging ports are easily accessible. While being lightweight and compact, Honda Motocompacto can support heavyset individuals. Rated load capacity is 265 lbs (approx. 120 Kg).Motocompacto has a small digital instrument console that displays info such as battery level, speed, etc. Next to it is a small on/off push button switch. The size of the wheels looks pretty small, which can limit the usability of the scooter. Hopefully, a good suspension setup has been used to compensate for any inconveniences created by the small wheels.Honda Motocompacto priceWhile it looks unique, Honda Motocompacto is not necessary an original idea. The original version was conceptualized a few decades back by Honda as an ICE-based 49cc two-stroke mini scooter. However, the new version of Motocompacto looks a lot more sophisticated and environment-friendly. Honda Motocompacto has already received 32 patents.Honda Motocompacto stored in a carAlthough Honda Motocompacto can be useful, it may not be accessible to everyone. Price in the USA is $995, which is approximately Rs 83,000. Going forward, Honda has plans to introduce more features with the Motocompacto mini electric scooter. A dedicated phone app is being developed, which will be available for both Android and Apple devices. Users will be able to access a range of features such as personalization, ride modes, remote battery status, navigation, etc. More

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    Ola Electric Motorcycles Trademarked In India – 4 New e-Bikes

    Ola electric motorcycles trademarkedWith Diamond Head, Ola electric motorcycles could see a new direction in terms of engineering and can even break convention as wellWhen an automaker is at the peak of its intended success, branching out to different genres is one of the logical things to do. That is exactly what Ola Electric is doing. Ola recently launched its most affordable and ambitious S1 X range of electric scooters. At the same stage, Ola also showcased 4 new electric motorcycle concepts.Now, Ola Electric has trademarked the names of these upcoming electric motorcycles. As seen in the images below, these names are M1 Cyber Racer, M1 Adventure, M1 Cruiser and Diamond Head. Let’s take a look at finer details.Ola Electric Motorcycles Trademarked – A new era!The Indian startup brand, Ola Electric, is diversifying its portfolio like no other. The enthusiastic CEO Bhavish Aggarwal aims to venture into indigenous battery design and manufacturing, along with electric motorcycles and even electric cars. At the S1 X launch, Mr Aggarwal demonstrated working of its upcoming 4680 battery cells as well.With a mission to redefine electric motorcycles, Ola has been working relentlessly to have more outreach and penetration in the Indian market. Company’s four new upcoming electric motorcycles seem to be an important stepping stone in that direction. Ola has trademarked names for all four of its electric motorcycles.M1 Cyber Racer trademarkOf the four trademarks we see, only three have passed formality check, while one hasn’t. M1 Cruiser, M1 Adventure and M1 Cyber Racer trademarks were filed last month and all of them have passed formality check. Diamond Head is Ola’s flagship and flag bearer and the name has seen some objections.Which one will launch first?Names are pretty self-explanatory. M in M1 range means ‘motorcycle’ and M1 Cruiser is a low-slung electric cruiser, M1 is a dual-sport motorcycle with some off-road hardware, M1 Cyber Racer seems to be the roadster motorcycle that Ola demonstrated and Diamond Head is the flagship that will pack the new engineering direction.Of all the four, only M1 Cyber Racer seems to be a working prototype. This could be a good hint that Ola might launch its roadster before others. The most menacing and appealing of this bunch is definitely M1 Cruiser. Ola will launch all of these motorcycles in a phase-wise manner starting next year.Diamond Head trademark objectedPowertrains and specs are unclear at this point. But going with Ola’s approach to their S1 scooter lineup, performance should be one of the biggest priorities. Range, features and gimmicks will be in abundance as well. Faster EV adaptation will lead Indian electric motorcycle segment to new heights and there are a few examples like Ultraviolette F77 already on sale. More

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    RE Himalayan 452 Homologated Before Launch – Specs Leak

    Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 renderThe new 451.65cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine might generate 39.47 bhp of peak power at around 8,000 RPMADVs are one of the biggest rages in motorcycling world both here in India and abroad. Royal Enfield has tried to cater to this segment with Himalayan 411 and has found quite a success. There is a new Himalayan 450 on the horizon with a larger displacement, more kit and more performance. Finer details have leaked for the first time.Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 – More details leaked!There have been multiple spy shots of Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and we have a general perception of what to expect from this upcoming machine. However, it has now been homologated ahead of launch. Leaked report has divulged finer details about this upcoming ADV from Royal Enfield. These details include engine displacement, a few performance metrics, dimensions and more.Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Details LeakFor starters, Royal Enfield has homologated this new motorcycle as Himalayan 452. It will pack a 451.65cc single-cylinder engine. This engine is liquid-cooled and looks like it has a DOHC setup too. 4 valves per cylinder can be a reality as well. Peak power output is supposedly 39.47 bhp, accessed at a healthy 8,000 RPM.Dimensionally, Royal Enfield Himalayan 452 will measure 852 mm wide and has a 1,510 mm long wheelbase. Spy shots had revealed Himalayan 452’s long wheelbase and the leaked numbers seem to justify that. Royal Enfield is getting ready to launch the new Himalayan between October 30 and November 1 this year.Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 LeaksIs the name Himalayan 450 or Himalayan 452?Royal Enfield chose to call its scrambler motorcycle ‘Scram 411’, denoting its engine displacement. Going by that logic, the name Himalayan 452 is likely. For the first time, Royal Enfield is offering significant kit to their single-cylinder portfolio. Himalayan 452 will be the embodiment of this change, sporting many firsts for any single-cylinder RE bike or any Royal Enfield motorcycle in general.Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 LeaksWe’re talking about upcoming Himalayan being the first single-cylinder Royal Enfield to get USD telescopic front forks, fully digital instrument cluster, a 6-speed gearbox, active engine cooling of any sort, LED headlights and more. Upcoming Himalayan 452 is the first Royal Enfield motorcycle ever to get liquid-cooling, LED turn indicators and a fully digital instrument cluster.What will it pack?The new engine is of primary importance with this motorcycle. Other notable components include a trellis frame of sorts and off-road-worthy hardware like long travel suspension, switchable dual-channel ABS, engine protection, wire-spoke wheels, block-pattern tyres, luggage mounting points, tubular frame for jerry can mounts and more.There is scope for Himalayan 452 to be a good tourer as well. We say this because of the windscreen, upright riding posture, neutral footpeg positioning and provision to haul a lot of luggage. Pricing could be around Rs. 2.5 lakh mark (ex-sh). It will rival current ADV-styled motorcycles like 390 Adventure and the likes. But face stiff competition from upcoming Hero Xpulse 440. More