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      TVS Raider Super Squad Edition Teased for Launch – Marvel Melody

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      TVS Raider 125 Marvel Edition TeasedTVS Raider Super Squad Edition Heroics – Likely to launch as a top-spec SX-clusive MarvelCommonly known as Marvel Edition or Avengers Edition, TVS’ Super Squad Edition with Ntorq 125 scooter is one such offering that folks are familiar with. Popularity of Marvel Universe characters is unmatched, and offers a unique proposition to buyers to express their interests and affiliation.Now, the company is trying to bring the same ethos with its Raider 125 premium commuter motorcycle. TVS has teased the same on its social media platforms. We can see two variations in the teaser, but there could be up to five Super Squad Editions with Raider 125.Marvel’s Prelude – TVS Raider Super Squad MystiqueAs per the Super Squad routine with Ntorq 125, we can expect up to five variations with Raider 125 as well. Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Black Panther and Spider-Man inspired liveries and colour schemes could be the main attraction with Raider 125 Super Squad Edition.TVS doesn’t call them Iron Man Edition, Spider-Man Edition, Thor Edition, Captain America Edition and Black Panther Edition. This could be owing to licensing of word trademarks and only licensed character designs and other symbol trademarks.TVS calls Iron Man edition as Invincible Red, Thor edition as Lightning Gray, Captain America edition as Combat Blue, Black Panther edition as Stealth Black and Spider-Man edition as Amazing Red. Base colours will replicate respective character’s costume colour scheme. And respective colours will get decals of that character’s special attributes.Other than visual enhancements, Raider 125 will remain mechanically identical to outgoing model. This way, TVS offers proven mechanicals along with a dash of individual expression with the integration of Marvel Universe characters.Mechanics – similar to outgoing modelTVS Raider 125 is the most feature-loaded offering in its segment. Tech-savvy too. In June 2023, TVS sold 34,309 Raider 125 motorcycles in India and shipped 4,434 of them abroad. Raider 125 shares its 3-valve 124.8cc single-cylinder engine with Ntorq scooter. Instead of a CVT, Raider 125 gets fixed ratio gearbox with five cogs.Currently, Raider 125 makes 11.2 bhp of power and 11.2 Nm of torque. It gets conventional RSU telescopic front forks and a 5-step preload adjustable rear mono-shock. Front disc brake and a rear 130mm drum brake are standard. As of now, TVS is offering three variants and two colour options.Only the top-spec SX trim gets a TVS-proprietary SmartXonnect connectivity suite. This package includes a 5” TFT screen, Bluetooth connectivity with notification alerts and even turn-by-turn navigation. TVS Raider 125 Super Squad Edition is likely to only launch with SX trim. A slight price bump is evident too. More

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      Super Meteor 650 Spotted With Panniers – New Variant Launch Soon?

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      Super Meteor 650 Spotted With PanniersNew panniers for Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 ensure the classy bagger profile, something that the bike rightfully deservesWhen it comes to long hauls, Super Meteor 650 can be one of the best options for optimal comfort. Now, it appears that Royal Enfield is working to further improve the overall experience for Super Meteor 650 users. It will come via some new accessories that include new panniers.A test mule has been spotted with the new bagger-style panniers. These panniers were seen earlier as well at the 2022 Rider Mania event. Prices were revealed at Rs 13,500. However, the panniers are yet to be included on the company’s Make It Yours (MY) personalization platform. As testing is currently underway, the new panniers for Super Meteor 650 could be launched later this year.Super Meteor 650 Spotted With PanniersSuper Meteor 650 new panniers – detailsCut into a shape that closely resembles a quadrant, the new panniers sit snug with the broad rear fender. The top section closely follows the curvy design of the fender. The bottom section runs parallel to the exhaust, with an adequate gap to avoid the heat coming from the exhaust. The panniers are broader in the middle and they taper towards the end. The rear ends sit around 2-3 inches below the rear turn indicators.While it may appear that the fender is taking the full weight of the panniers, a user will need to buy additional rails to support the panniers. When the prices of the accessories were revealed, the rails were quoted at Rs 4,500. So, overall cost for the panniers is Rs 18,000. However, it has been several months since the prices were revealed. It is likely that the panniers will have a slightly higher pricing at the time of launch.As of now, Royal Enfield offers a range of accessories for Super Meteor 650. These include both cosmetic and functional accessories. They are available across various categories such as protection, controls, seats, bodywork, engine and electrical. Luggage and security and maintenance categories are currently blank for Super Meteor 650. One can expect multiple new accessories for the bike in addition to the bagger-style panniers.New panniers for Super Meteor 650 improve usability, all while enhancing the bike’s touring character. Their aerodynamic shape should ensure the least wind resistance. It will help avoid any wobbly feel that comes with inappropriately placed luggage items. This is especially true when riding at high speeds in windy conditions.Super Meteor 650 performanceIn terms of performance, Super Meteor 650 is equipped with a 648cc parallel twin motor. It generates 47 PS of max power and 52.3 Nm of peak torque. It is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. This engine also does duty on the 650 twins. It is popular for its effortless throttle response, strong low-end acceleration and seamless gear shifts. Other key highlights of the bike include LED headlamp, USD front forks, digi-analogue instrument panel with built-in Tripper navigation and dual-channel ABS.Source More

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      High Gas Prices Helped Along by High Heat Records

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      Heat-related refinery outages helped shut down some petroleum refining capacity in the U.S. last month, and drivers are noticing the changes at the pump.The national average gas price for a gallon of gas shot up to $3.82 this week, the highest since October 2022.Other factors contributing to your paying more to fill up are rising prices for a barrel of oil and lower gasoline inventory supplies. And if more hurricanes arrive soon, they may cause prices to climb again.If you’re still pumping your car full of liquid energy, you’ve probably noticed a higher price recently. You’re not alone. Gas prices have reached a nine-month high nationwide, thanks to both familiar and unexpected causes.During the last week of July, the average price of a gallon of gasoline shot up 16.5 cents, to $3.72 a gallon, according to GasBuddy. Diesel fuel also shot up 15.5 cents to an average of $3.99 per gallon. On August 3, GasBuddy saw the national average rise to $3.82 a gallon, the highest since October 2022.Do Your BestThose price spikes were due to three main factors, GasBuddy’s head of petroleum analysis, Patrick De Haan, said in a statement: heat-related refinery outages, strong summer demand for gasoline, and gasoline inventories that were at their lowest July level since 2015.Strong demand and low inventories are classic high-gas-price triggers, but heat-related outages are less common. AAA, which tracks gas prices, said the extreme heat we’re all experiencing this summer meant some U.S. refineries, especially those near the Gulf of Mexico, had to cut back. Due to the high heat, the U.S. refined around 500,000 fewer barrels a day than usual.Hottest Month EverJuly was the hottest month in all of recorded human history. The transportation sector, including personal cars and trucks as well as commercial vehicles, airplanes, and trains, is one of the most significant contributors to anthropogenic U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which contribute to climate change. Transportation accounted for almost a third (29 percent) of all U.S. GHG emissions in 2021.Gas station in Austin, Texas, on August 3, 2023.Brandon Bell|Getty ImagesThe heat wave is only partly responsible for the high gas prices, however. The cost of a barrel of oil started climbing in July from the high-$60s to mid-$70s that we saw in May and June to more than $80. AAA said the recent increase was due to the end of releases from the strategic petroleum reserve and “concerns over cuts in supply from Saudi Arabia and Russia, the second- and third-largest oil producers in the world.” GasBuddy said gasoline inventories are also down 2.8 percent from a year ago and 6 percent below the five-year average for this time of year.So, what happens next? AAA said in a statement this week that the good news is that the price hikes have started to level out and that further price decreases could be on the way. Gas could also get more expensive if this year’s hurricane season puts further strains on gasoline production. As De Haan said, “Drivers may want to brace for potentially higher prices yet.”Contributing EditorSebastian Blanco has been writing about electric vehicles, hybrids, and hydrogen cars since 2006. His articles and car reviews have appeared in the New York Times, Automotive News, Reuters, SAE, Autoblog, InsideEVs, Trucks.com, Car Talk, and other outlets. His first green-car media event was the launch of the Tesla Roadster, and since then he has been tracking the shift away from gasoline-powered vehicles and discovering the new technology’s importance not just for the auto industry, but for the world as a whole. Throw in the recent shift to autonomous vehicles, and there are more interesting changes happening now than most people can wrap their heads around. You can find him on Twitter or, on good days, behind the wheel of a new EV.  More

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      Roll Like an Actual King in This 1987 BMW M5, Our Bring a Trailer Auction Pick

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      BMW enthusiasts revere the E28 generation as the starting point of the M5.As a Europe-spec car, this example wears cleaner-look small bumpers and has a host of rare options.This Bring a Trailer online auction ends on Wednesday, August 9.Car and DriverYou might think that, as the reigning monarch of Sweden, King Carl XVI Gustaf would choose as his personal car a Volvo or a Saab. But King Carl, who ascended to the throne in September 1973, evidently has more sporting tastes. His Majesty the King has cultivated a decades-long fascination with BMW, and when he ordered himself an M5 in the late 1980s, he got the spec absolutely right.Bring a TrailerThat car, a 1987 M5 with a royal touch, is currently up for auction on Bring a Trailer, which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos. Reportedly, the king of Sweden owned three of these ultimate ’80s sleeper sedans, and this one is tricked out in an ideal spec.Bring a TrailerFirst, we’ll point out that Euro-spec bumpers on an E28-generation 5-series look so much better than the protruding U.S. ones. Second, the color palette is absolutely on point. Malachite dark green with gold basketweave 16-inch BBS wheels and a thin gold pinstripe is super tasty. Exhibiting characteristic Swedish understatement, the King also chose Shadowline trim rather than chrome and had the rear badging removed.Bring a TrailerThe interior is all-business black, in contrast to the tan interior typical of U.S. E28 M5 models. Further, it’s tricked out with additional leather throughout: on the door panels, steering column, even the sun visors. And whereas today’s M cars often are awash in carbon fiber, here we find subtle M stripes on the steering wheel and shifter.Bring a TrailerAs for the big-stick part of this quietly speaking sports sedan, that’s provided by a 3.5-liter inline-six good for 286 horsepower in European tune. This golden-age BMW three-pedal throne room makes the case: It’s good to be king.More BMW M goodnessContributing EditorBrendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki’s half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels. More

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      Mahindra Thar Electric Official Teaser Confirms New Design

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      Mahindra Thar.e name teasedMahindra is getting ready to unveil exciting new concepts later this month at an event in South AfricaWith over 50,000 bookings pending, Thar is one of the most popular SUVs in India right now. Popularity is off the roof and most of the newfound demand is due to the newer RWD model. One could only imagine how much more popular a new version of Thar might be.We’re not talking about 5-door Thar, which will debut in 2024. Instead, we’re talking about Thar’s electric version that will debut on August 15th in South Africa. Latest teaser reveals that Mahindra is calling it Thar.e and the company is highly likely to showcase it in concept form.Mahindra Thar Electric ?? teaser ? pic.twitter.com/hpvdseO4yJ— RushLane (@rushlane) August 5, 2023Mahindra Thar.e Concept Global DebutFrom the teasers we can see a new design language on board. This will help Mahindra market their Thar as a global SUV and not restricted to a few countries, as is the case with current Thar. In the teaser we can see a concept vehicle with a lot of design flamboyance. It is likely to get Mahindra’s new INGLO EV platform shared with BE and XUV.e series of future electric vehicles.As of now, Thar gets a rugged ladder frame chassis. Electrifying a ladder frame chassis is tedious and poses production challenges, but it is not impossible. Mahindra is reportedly working on a cost-efficient and feasible way of electrifying a ladder frame vehicle. Toyota is at it too, with electric Innova Crysta.Mahindra Thar.e name teasedMahindra Thar.e could feature either a monocoque or ladder frame. Teasers confirm the Thar.e name and nothing more than that. The company will reveal more details on August 15th. It will be India’s first fully electric lifestyle vehicle. Until MG’s Yep eSUV arrives, of course.2023 Mahindra Scorpio Pickup renderScorpio N PickupApart from Thar electric, Mahindra will also be unveiling Scorpio N pikup truck at the same event on 15th August 2023. This will be a global product and will feature a longer wheelbase than standard Scorpio N to accommodate a load bay. Scorpio N pikup could be launched in global markets before India. Engine options will be similar to Scorpio N while prices could be comparatively lower than its SUV counterpart. More

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      Two Wheeler Sales July 2023 – Hero, Honda, TVS, Bajaj, Royal Enfield, Suzuki

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      Royal Enfield Hunter 350Two wheeler sales were on the ebb in July 2023 though TVS, Suzuki and Royal Enfield posted improved YoY salesTwo wheeler sales for the top 6 automakers in India have been released for July 2023. These 6 leading automakers have seen lackluster sales specifically where domestic sales are concerned. Exports, though lower on a YoY basis, improved MoM but poor performance in terms of domestic sales took total sales down both YoY and MoM.Two Wheeler Domestic sales July 2023Total sales of two wheelers in domestic markets in July 2023 stood at 12,05,662 units. This was a 7.76 percent YoY de-growth from 13,07,132 units sold in July 2022 relating to a 1,01,470 unit volume de-growth. MoM sales also fell 4.18 percent when compared to 12,58,192 units sold in June 2023.Two Wheeler Sales July 2023Hero MotoCorp topped the list with 3,71,204 units sold last month. This was a 13.81 percent YoY de-growth from 4,30,684 units sold in July 2022. It was also a fall by 12.19 percent MoM over 4,22,757 units sold in June 2023. Hero MotoCorp also saw its market share come down to 30.79 percent from 33.60 percent held in June 2023.Honda followed at No. 2 with its two wheeler sales at 3,10,867 units in July 2023, down 22.80 percent Yoyo from 4,02,701 units sold in July 2022. MoM sales increased by 2.68 percent over 3,02,756 units sold in June 2023. The company currently commands a 25.78 percent share in this segment and hopes to see better sales in the month ahead with the new Dio 125 scooter launched at the end of July 2023. The new Dio comes in with improved features and new colours and is priced at Rs 83,400 (ex-showroom).Two Wheeler Exports July 2023TVS domestic sales grew by 16.48 percent YoY to 2,35,230 units from 2,01,942 units sold in July 2022. MoM sales however, dipped marginally by 0.26 percent from 2,35,833 units sold in June 2023. The TVS iQube electric scooter has recorded healthy growth having found increased demand by EV buyers in the country. At No. 4, Bajaj Auto reported both YoY and MoM de-growth in July 2023. The company sold 1,41,990 units in the past month, down 13.62 percent YoY and 14.61 percent MoM.Two Wheeler Total July 2023Suzuki (80,309 units) and Royal Enfield (66,062 units) have both posted positive sales in July 2023. Suzuki sales increased by 31.89 percent YoY while RE sales jumped 41.98 percent YoY. Suzuki also saw a MoM growth of 27.36 percent while RE sales dipped 2.12 percent MoM.Two Wheeler Exports July 2023In export markets, two wheeler sales dipped 12.92 percent YoY to 2,86,058 units from 3,28,488 units sold in July 2022 while MoM sales improved by 10.54 percent from 2,58,790 units sold in June 2023. Here it was Bajaj Auto that posted the most sales at 1,26,850 units, down 15.81 percent YoY and 0.40 percent MoM. It was followed by TVS Motors with exports of 77,077 units in the past month, down 21.12 percent from 97,716 units shipped in July 2022. Mom sales performance was somewhat better with a 12.41 percent growth over 68,568 units exported in June 2023.Exports of Suzuki increased substantially both YoY and MoM to 27,527 units in July 2023. There had been 15,338 units and 17,678 units sold in July 2022 and June 2023 respectively. Lower down the list was Honda (27,443 units), Hero MotoCorp (20,106 units) and RE (7,055 units) exported. Hero MotoCorp was the only one out of these three automakers to post YoY and MoM growth in exports.Total 2 Wheeler Sales July 2023Total 2 wheeler sales stood at 14,91,720 units in July 2023, down 8.80 percent YoY and 1.67 percent MoM. There were 16,35,620 units sold in July 2022 and 15,16,982 units sold in June 2023. Hero MotoCorp led the list with 3,91,310 units sold last month with a 12.18 percent YoY and 10.45 percent MoM de-growth.Honda total two wheeler sales were at 3,38,310 units in the past month with a 23.73 percent Yoy de-growth but a 4.39 percent improvement on a MoM basis. TVS Motor sales increased YoY and MoM to 3,12,307 units while Bajaj Auto sales were at 2,68,840 units relating to a 14.67 percent YoY and 8.45 percent MoM de-growth. More

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      Tyre Killer Speed Bump Fail – Wrong Side Drivers Have No Fear

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      Tyre Killer Speed Bump FailThe ones installed in Pune and Noida were removed soon and “tyre killer” speed breakers in Ahmedabad hardly workTraffic violations and virtually non-existent traffic discipline are plaguing all major cities in India. People usually resort to taking wrong roots to save time and fuel, not realizing that their lives are priceless. This puts them in grave danger of hurting themselves and putting other road-goers as well.Tyre killer speed bumps are a stunning idea to keep this activity in check. For all vehicles going in the right direction, this is just a regular speed breaker. But god forbid, if someone goes the wrong way, integrated spikes will penetrate tyres, making them unusable. But such speed bumps in Ahmedabad tell a different story altogether.Tyre Killer Speed BumpsWhat are tyre killer speed bumps?One has to understand how this system works. This type of speed breaker has integrated spikes in them. These spikes are spring-loaded and they contract when vehicles pass through them the right way. If someone stumbled on them from the wrong way or opposite direction, it will not contract and said spikes will stay put.These sturdy spikes should then pierce through tyres of said vehicles and render them useless. These spikes not just create a puncture that could be repaired. But looking at their size, could leave the tyre destroyed, once and for all. This should have created enough fear in civilians to not break traffic rules. Because tyres ain’t cheap.[embedded content]Pune was the first city to get these tyre killer speed breakers. Pune is a large city with a large repository of personal and commercial cars, motorcycles and other commercial vehicles. The first tyre killer speed breaker could be seen near Amanora.No damageSoon, Delhi-NCR jumped into this bandwagon with Noida implementing it at multiple locations at once. Ahmedabad followed too. This should have been an epitome of traffic rules enforcement in India. But instead, both Pune and Noida removed these breakers. The ones in Ahmedabad hardly work too.Tyre Killer Speed Bumps In Ahmedabad – Do they even work?As covered by News18 Gujarati, these speed breakers hardly work. When motorcycles, cars or trucks come from the opposite direction, the spikes in these speed breakers should stay put and cause damage to tyres. In reality, these spring-loaded spikes are retracting inside even when the vehicle is coming from the opposite direction.Close up of mechanismThis odd behavior has given road users the confidence that these “tyre killer” speed breakers don’t even bite, let alone kill. As seen in the video, we can see all sorts of vehicles going on these breakers like nothing and cross it with no damage. Even though this is a very good idea, there are a few drawbacks. If there is a newcomer to the city, who is not aware of these, he might potentially lose his tyres in the best case scenario. In the worst case scenario, there could be a fatal crash with casualties as well. More

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      V-8 to Return to Mercedes-AMG C-Class and E-Class Models by 2026

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      We hear that Mercedes-AMG is considering bringing the V-8 back to the high-performance C-class and E-class models.The twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 could possibly be combined with a hybrid setup, as in the AMG GT63 S E Performance and AMG S63.These V-8 models could arrive as soon as 2026, sources say.The AMG community is not amused. The most powerful AMG C-class, the C63, traded the V-8 for a hybridized turbo-four, and the next top-of-the-line E-class, the upcoming E63, will make do with an inline-six plug-in-hybrid setup. Some say that’s not good enough to do battle with the BMW M3, which has a twin-turbo inline-six, and the future BMW M5, which is slated to have a hybrid setup with a twin-turbo V-8. The upcoming Audi RS5 and RS7 will also be powered by a V-6 hybrid good for up to 640 horsepower.The only escape route out of this dilemma is the reinstitution of the M177 4.0-liter V-8 engine, which will return to the C- and E-class in 2026, two independent sources say. The eight-cylinder is currently being modified to meet EU7 emissions standards. This engine is currently used in the 831-hp AMG GT63 S E Performance and the 791-hp AMG S63, and it’s combined with a hybrid setup in both of those applications.Mercedes-AMGAccording to senior engineers directly involved in the matter, both the C-class and E-class need only minor bodywork changes to accommodate the twin-turbo powerplant, the PHEV battery plus electric motor, and the auxiliary equipment. Since the C- and E-class are under evaluation for a life-cycle extension beyond 2028, the hardcore AMG versions may remain in production well into the next decade.More New Mercedes ModelsThis 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.Contributing EditorAlthough I was born the only son of an ornithologist and a postal clerk, it was clear from the beginning that birdwatching and stamp collecting were not my thing. Had I known that God wanted me to grow to 6’8″, I also would have ruled out anything to do with cars, which are to blame for a couple of slipped discs, a torn ligament, and that stupid stooped posture behind the wheel. While working as a keeper in the Aberdeen Zoo, smuggling cheap cigarettes from Yugoslavia to Germany, and an embarrassing interlude with an amateur drama group also failed to yield fulfillment, driving and writing about cars became a much better option. And it still is now, many years later, as I approach my 70th birthday. I love every aspect of my job except long-haul travel on lousy airlines, and I hope it shows. More