More stories

  • in

    KTM 390 ADV R Showcased In Camo Version Ahead Of Global Debut

    KTM 390 ADV R ShowcasedThe highlight equipment seen on KTM 390 ADV R are present on Hero Xpulse 200 4V Pro, but missing on Royal Enfield Himalayan 450
    Expanding its 390 lineup, KTM has been working on an updated 390 Adventure along with two entirely new models – 390 Enduro R and 390 SMC R. These motorcycles are expected to debut at EICMA show set to happen next month. Ahead of that, KTM has showcased a camo version of upcoming 390 Adventure R at a rally in South Dakota, USA. Let’s take a look.
    KTM 390 ADV R Showcased
    Ahead of their global debut, KTM has showcased two of their upcoming models during the 2024 KTM Adventure Rally happening in South Dakota, USA. One was a 1390 Adventure R, which is a top-tier product from the brand. But the most interesting for Indian market is 390 Adventure R, which is a more off-road worthy version of 390 Adventure.
    KTM 390 ADV R
    The just debuted 390 Adventure R is a more off-road-worthy version of 390 Adventure and looks like it gets a lot of equipment as seen in the images credited to Simon Cudby. It is not yet confirmed whether 390 Adventure R will be launched in India. Regardless, it will be manufactured in India by Bajaj Auto.
    What are the upgraded features?
    It is no secret that KTM is developing an update to 390 Adventure and has been testing in India for a very long time. However, this is a regular 390 Adventure which is focused to be a tourer and take on the rough stuff, when needed. This version is likely to come with 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wire-spoke rims.
    KTM 390 ADV R Adjustable Suspension, Handlebar Risers
    These wheels are wrapped with fatter tubeless dual-sport tyres to suit its dual nature. However, a more off-road-worthy version of 390 Adventure was spied testing abroad and it had a larger 21-inch front wheel and looked like it had an 18-inch rear wheel. These are wire-spoke units too and will probably get tubeless tyres. But they are skinnier and more off-road friendly.
    Where equipment is concerned, 390 Adventure R packs more than standard 390 Adventure. Apart from larger wheels and off-road tyres, we can see fully adjustable WP USD front forks. These will allow riders to adjust compression and rebound as per their needs. Not just that, rear suspension is adjustable too, as confirmed in the images.
    KTM 390 ADV R Side
    More features with R
    Other than these, we can see a few elements on 390 Adventure R, which are not seen on 390 Adventure test mules in India. These include round ORVMs, chunky knuckle guards along with handlebar risers. Looks like KTM has equipped 390 Adventure R to take on the Royal Enfield Himalayan, which currently lacks these aforementioned features. These features are seen present on Hero Xpulse 200 4V Pro, though.
    Where powertrains are concerned, KTM 390 ADV R will be equipped with the 399cc DOHC 4V liquid cooled single-cylinder engine with around 45 bhp and 40 Nm. It will be loaded with electronics and advanced instrumentation enabled with a 5-inch TFT unit with smartphone connectivity suite.
    KTM 390 ADV R More

  • in

    Hyundai To Launch 4 New EVs For Mass Market – All Under Rs 20 Lakhs

    2024 Hyundai Inster EVAlong with the Creta EV, Hyundai will also launch an Inster-based EV and possibly all-electric versions of Venue and Grand i10
    Hyundai has big plans for the Indian market, as evident with its massive IPO worth Rs 27,870 crore. In the coming years, Hyundai will be looking to boost growth by expanding its EV portfolio. Four new EVs for the mainstream market are planned, the first of which will be the Creta EV.
    Hyundai Creta EV – What to expect?
    In the compact SUV segment, electric options are already available such as Tata Curvv EV and MG ZS EV. Upon launch, Hyundai Creta EV will also take on BYD Atto 3 and upcoming Maruti eVX and its Toyota rebadged version. As evident with recent spy shots, Creta EV is largely the same as the ICE Creta in visual terms. Even the interiors and several of the features are common. This will help the Creta EV leverage the immense popularity and fan following associated with its ICE model.
    Hyundai Creta EV Interiors
    Similar looks and equipment list will also help reduce development and production cost. Creta EV is expected to be offered at a starting price of Rs 15-18 lakh. In comparison, the Curvv EV starts at Rs 17.49 lakh. The MG ZS EV is priced higher at Rs 18.98 lakh, whereas the BYD Atto 3 starts at Rs 24.99 lakh. It will be interesting to see what type of pricing strategy Maruti deploys for the upcoming eVX. The company has always focused on competitive pricing, something that could be applicable for its electric cars as well.
    In terms of performance, Creta EV is expected to get a 45-kWh battery pack. While certified range could be around 450 km, real-world range is estimated around 350 km. With an advanced regenerative braking system, users should be able to maximize the mileage from the EV. The electric motor onboard Creta EV will deliver 138 hp and 255 Nm.
    2024 Hyundai Inster EV
    Inster-based EV
    After Creta EV, Hyundai will be introducing a localized version of the Inster EV (codenamed HE1i) sold internationally. It will primarily challenge the bestselling Tata Punch EV.
    Hyundai Inster Interior
    Hyundai Inster-based EV is based on the company’s born-electric E-GMP (K) platform. It is expected to be available at showrooms in the second half of 2026. Competitive pricing can be expected for the Inster-based EV. Rival Punch EV is currently available with a festive offer, starting at Rs 9.99 lakh. Earlier, the starting price of Punch EV was Rs 10.99 lakh.
    Venue EV and Grand i10 EV
    While the Creta EV and Inster-based EV have been confirmed, Hyundai is also evaluating the possibility of electric versions of Venue and Grand i10 Nios. Venue EV will be based on the next-gen ICE model that will debut next year across global markets. The EV version of Venue will be launched sometime after that.
    2025 Hyundai Venue New-Gen
    Venue EV will be an important product for Hyundai, as it will directly challenge the bestselling Nexon EV (priced from Rs 12.5 lakh). Another key rival will be the Mahindra XUV300 EV. Similarly, the Grand i10 Nios-based EV will target Tata Tiago EV. The latter is currently available at a starting price of Rs 7.99 lakh.
    In addition to the domestic market, Hyundai will also aggressively target export markets. India will be developed as a key manufacturing hub for mass-market EVs. Initial production targets are around 26,000 units for Creta EV and 65,000 units for Inster-based EV. A significant percentage of the production will be allocated for export markets. Helping with increasing production capacity will be their new manufacturing plant in Talegaon near Pune.
    Source More

  • in

    2025 MG ZS EV Revealed – Radical New Design Over Next-Gen Astor

    New 2025 MG ZS EV Revealed as ES5When compared to the recently debuted new-gen Astor (ZS HEV), the new 2025 MG ZS EV (ES5) bears a unique appearance
    ZS EV is among the first electric cars in India to offer a larger realistic range and bring more buyers onto the EV train. This is the first electric offering from MG and has received one major facelift since launch. Now, the next-gen 2025 MG ZS EV has broken cover and looks significantly radical than it did before.
    2025 MG ZS EV Revealed
    There is a new generation of ZS EV, which the company is calling ES5. It may potentially launch in India, replacing the current model. ZS EV, currently on sale, and Astor look identical except for a closed-off grill on the former as opposed to that on the latter. This is to reduce costs by sharing most of their components and sheet metal.
    However, that isn’t the case with just debuted ES5 (ZS EV) and recently debuted ZS (Astor). That is because they seem to be two different vehicles. It has to be noted that Astor is known as ZS globally and ZS EV is an electric version of it called, well, ZS EV.
    The just debuted ES5 will replace MG’s ZS EV and is likely to be positioned as a new vehicle rather than being called ZS EV. Hence the deviation in naming strategy and vastly different design language and sheet metal used. More information will be revealed officially soon.
    New 2025 MG ZS EV – Front
    Dimensions are different too. For context, New ZS (Astor) measures 4.43m long, 1.81m wide and ES5 (ZS EV) measures 4.48m long and 1.85m wide. Just from the pictures, we can see that ES5 looks a lot more sportier, yet sophisticated in its own way.
    Radical new design
    It is yet to be confirmed if ES5 will take ZS EV name in the future or will be called ES5. Design-wise, we can see a complete departure from recently debuted ZS. We get split headlight design with triple LED DRL signature on top and headlamps positioned below them. ES5’s grill is of a closed design as it doesn’t need a lot of air flow.
    ORVMs on ES5 are new and so are the alloy wheels. ES5 also has different sheet metal than the recently debuted ZS and window line is unique as well. At the rear, ES5 gets a new and sporty spoiler design, while ZS’ appear plain. ES5 is the only one to get connected rear LED tail lights with a much sportier design.
    New 2025 MG ZS EV
    Powertrain details are not known yet. Speculations suggest the same electric underpinnings will be offered on ES5 as MG 4 electric hatchback. This means an LFP battery pack of up to 77 kWh promising around 520 km of range on a single charge. Powering the new ES5 (2025 MG ZS EV) might be either a 168 bhp motor, or a 201 bhp or even a 241 bhp unit. More

  • in

    Electric 2W Sales Sept 2024 – Ola, Bajaj, TVS, Ather, Hero, Revolt, Kinetic

    New TVS iQubeElectric two wheeler sales are reporting YoY growth, but the growth rate is not the same as a few months ago
    The two-wheeler segment continues to remain the biggest volume driver in the EV arena. Total retail sales in the past month stood at 90,007 units. This was a 40.45% YoY growth over 64,086 units sold in Sept 2023. MoM sales improved albeit marginally by 1.74% from 88,472 units sold in Aug 2024. The segment, now impacted by reduced subsidy, and declining demand has resulted in many players offering attractive discounts.
    Electric 2W Retail Sales Sept 2024 – Ola Leads
    Ola Electric, though in the midst of much controversy, has seen the highest sales in this segment. Sales stood at 24,679 units in Sept 2024 which was a 31.90% YoY growth from 18,711 units sold in Sept 2023. MoM sales however, declined by 10.31% from 27,517 units sold in Aug 2024. Consumer complaints have surged and Ola Electric faces several issues in terms service complaints and battery malfunctions.
    Electric 2W Sales Sep 2024 – YoY Comparison
    Bajaj Chetak numbers improved to 19,137 units which was a 169.27% YoY. This was over 7,107 units sold in Sept 2023. August 2024 sales had been at 16,706 units which related to a 14.53% MoM improvement. TVS iQube was No 3 in Sept 2024 with sales of 18,108 units. This related to a 15.96% YoY and 3.22% MoM growth. There had been 15,616 units and 17,543 units sold in Sept 2023 and Aug 2024 respectively.
    Ather Energy has seen the relatively new Rizta electric scooter boost its EV sales to 12,718 units in Sept 2024. This was a 76.76% YoY growth from 7,195 units sold in Sept 2023. MoM sales growth was at 17.43% when compared to 10,830 units sold in Aug 2024.
    Electric 2W Sales Sep 2024 – MoM Comparison
    A 708.63% YoY growth in electric 2W sales was reported by Hero MotoCorp Vida with 4,310 units sold last month. This was over 533 units sold in Sept 2024. MoM sales however, suffered a decline by 9.11% when compared to 4,710 unit sales of Aug 2024.
    Greaves Electric (Ampere) suffered a YoY and MoM decline in electric 2W sales last month. Sales figures dipped to 2,777 units, 23.14% decline from 3,613 units sold in Sept 2023. MoM sales also fell by 1.38% over 2,816 units sold in Aug 2024.
    BGauss Electric Posts YoY and MOM Growth
    BGauss Electric has seen sales improve tremendously in this segment. Sales stood at 1,237 units last month, a 32.30 growth from 935 units sold in Sept 2023. MoM sales were also higher by 11.44% when compared to 1,110 units sold in Aug 2024. Bounce was another electric 2W OEM that has been receiving added attention from buyers in India. Sales grew by 687.58% YoY and 52.34% MoM to 1,205 units in Sept 2024.
    Revolt electric 2W sales on the other hand declined by 21.46% YoY and 3.05% MoM to 699 units. The list also included Wardwizard Joy eBike (645 units), Kinetic Green (467 units), KLB Komaki (402 units), Quantum Energy (336 units) and Okaya (316 units) of which only Wardwizard and Okaya posted YoY sales decline., though each of these OEMs, with the exception of Kinetic Green, have suffered from lower MoM sales. Other electric 2W OEMs added 2,971 units to total sales, recording a 56.78% YoY and 12.36% MoM de-growth. More

  • in

    New Bajaj Pulsar N125 Launch This Week – What To Expect

    New Bajaj Pulsar N125As evident with the spy shots, Pulsar N125 has the signature muscular profile seen across the Pulsar range
    It was a busy year for Bajaj Auto, as the Pulsar range has undergone a thorough update. In addition, the company also launched the Pulsar NS400Z and the world’s first dual-fuel CNG bike. There’s more in store, as a new Pulsar bike is set to be unveiled on 16th October.
    Bajaj Pulsar N125 – What to expect?
    Upcoming Bajaj Pulsar N125 has been spotted on road tests multiple times in recent months. It is possible that this is the same bike that Bajaj will launch on 16th October. Bajaj already offers the Pulsar 125 and Pulsar NS125. With more options, Bajaj can expand its presence in the 125cc segment that has been registering strong growth. Upon launch, the Pulsar N125 will primarily rival the likes of Hero Xtreme 125R and TVS Raider 125.
    New Bajaj Pulsar N125
    Similar to other Pulsar N series bikes, the Pulsar N125 will have sharp styling. Some exciting colour options and sporty graphics will be available with the bike. Spy shots have revealed a new LED headlamp, sculpted fuel tank, sleek tank shrouds and polygonal rear-view mirrors. Side section has a decluttered look and feel with the bike getting an underbelly exhaust.
    Other highlights include a split seat design, robust grab rail, short tail section and rear tyre hugger. Riding stance is quite comfortable with wide, pulled-back handlebar and centrally mounted foot pegs. The pillion seat appears to be a bit narrow, but should be fine for urban commutes.
    New Bajaj Pulsar N125
    Tech package
    Tech kit onboard the Pulsar N125 will include an all-digital instrument console. It could be the same or something similar to the new units seen onboard the updated Pulsar bikes. Riders will be able to access a range of information such as real-time fuel economy, average fuel economy, gear position indicator and distance-to-empty readout. The digital console is likely to get support for Bluetooth connectivity.
    New Bajaj Pulsar N125
    Various possibilities exist such as accessing mobile notifications on the digital console. With Bajaj Ride Connect app, users will be able to take calls, SMS and see missed call notifications. It remains to be seen if turn-by-turn navigation is part of the package with Pulsar N125. With the Bajaj Connect app, users can also access riding tips and owner’s manual.
    Bajaj Pulsar N125 performance, specs
    Powering the bike will be the 125cc, single cylinder, air cooled engine that can be seen with other 125cc bikes from Bajaj. Onboard the Pulsar 125, the engine delivers 11.8 PS and 10.8 Nm of torque. It is mated to a 5-speed constant mesh gearbox.
    Suspension setup of Pulsar N125 will comprise standard telescopic forks at front and a monoshock unit at the rear. Both ends have 17-inch wheels, with front disc and rear drum combo for the base variant. Top-spec variant of the Bajaj Pulsar N125 is expected to get disc brakes at both ends with single-channel ABS.
    Upcoming Bajaj Pulsar N125 could be offered at a starting price of around Rs 95,000. In comparison, the Pulsar 125 is available at a starting price of Rs 92,883. Pulsar NS125 is costlier, available at Rs 1,01,050. More

  • in

    Hero Xpulse 200 Pro ADV Review – Almost There!

    Hero Xpulse 200 Pro ReviewThe front suspension on Hero Xpulse 200 Pro is adjustable for compression and rebound, while rear gets preload and rebound adjustment
    ADVs are currently a rage in India and many aspiring buyers look to this segment as an upgrade to their current premium commuter or a cruiser. Catering to this segment is world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer, Hero MotoCorp, with the Hero Xpulse 200. This is the most affordable off-road motorcycle in India and is a great weapon in the company’s arsenal.
    The word ADV has become a broader sub-segment and is being used lightly by OEMs too. Like SUV in the car world. However, Hero Xpulse is a true-blue ADV and an extremely potent off-roader as well. Hero MotoCorp provided Rushlane with an Xpulse 200 Pro set-up for off-roading for a real-world review. After testing the motorcycle in varied terrains, environments and road conditions, here is what we think about this motorcycle.
    Hero Xpulse 200 Pro Review
    Hero Xpulse 200 Pro Review
    Hero has priced this motorcycle very aggressively. For around Rs 1.55 lakh (Ex-sh), one can get a true blue off-roader with fully adjustable front and rear long travel suspension, 270 mm ground clearance and a lot of modern features. That is less than a certain smartphone with decent storage option ticked, these days.
    Where design is concerned, Xpulse is not much of a looker and it was not meant to be either. It bears a purposeful look and it gravitates more towards the function, than form. It has round LED headlights with H-shaped LED DRL signature, a decently sized windscreen along with a front beak. The White, Red and Black colourway is unique to the Pro variant and is appealing to look at.
    Hero Xpulse 200 Pro Rear
    There are knuckle guards on Xpulse 200 Pro, which are sturdy enough. They’re very inexpensive as well, if one needs to replace them after a fall, or something like that. I wish Hero hadn’t painted the ORVM in White shade as it looks gaudy. Personally, I think this motorcycle looks a lot prettier and like a neo-retro machine if it didn’t have a front beak. Maybe that’s just me.
    The first remark we had for this motorcycle was that it is a “tall” motorcycle. Like really tall. Because of that reason, it stands out in the crowd. Even though the Xpulse 200 Pro variant has been around for a long time and Xpulse 200 Rally Kit existed before that, this motorcycle still grabs a lot of eyeballs. It has a commanding road presence and sticks out around regular motorcycles. Especially when a tall rider is sitting on it upright, wearing an XL sized helmet.
    Hero Xpulse 200 Pro Size Comparison
    Standing next to regular commuter motorcycles, Xpulse 200 Pro makes them look like toys and the effect is quite hilarious. As seen in the image above, Xpulse 200 Pro looks humongous when parked beside regular motorcycles. Without Maxxis tyres, seat height is around 885mm and ground clearance is 270 mm. With the Maxxis knobby tyres, seat height goes 890mm+ and ground clearance is around 10 mm higher.
    Ergonomics and comfort
    I am a 182 cm tall individual and I did not face any issues swinging my leg around this tall motorcycle. Even with regular everyday shoes, I could easily flatfoot on both sides without any issues and the process was a lot more forgiving with taller riding shoes. The ergonomics of Xpulse 200 felt like they were tailor-made for a tall individual like myself. I had no fatigue on this motorcycle around my neck, back, shoulders and legs even after longer rides.
    Hero Xpulse 200 Pro Tall Stance
    Cushioning on the long seat can get slightly uncomfortable as you spend more time on it. Xpulse 200 has excellent ergonomics for standing and riding in off-road conditions. I could grip the motorcycle between my thighs for optimum control and the handlebar risers on Xpulse 200 Pro ensured easy reachability.
    I wished the seat was slightly wider and contoured for optimum support, but then it would intrude into the off-roading experience a narrow seat facilitates, especially when standing and riding. Because this review unit was set up for off-roading, it lacked rear foot pegs and centre stand for weight saving. So, it was not possible to test the pillion comfort of this motorcycle and how easy it would be for them to get on this motorcycle.
    Hero Xpulse 200 Pro Engine
    Powertrain and Components
    Hero Xpulse 200 Pro is powered by a 199.6 cc SOHC 4V oil-cooled single-cylinder engine. This engine is capable of around 19 bhp of peak power and 17.35 Nm of peak torque, mated to a 5-speed gearbox. The oil cooling radiator is positioned vertically and is a relatively smaller unit. But there doesn’t seem to be a need for a larger and more robust cooling system as heat is well controlled.
    Main highlight of Xpulse 200 Pro is that it is the most affordable motorcycle in India with fully adjustable suspension. It gets compression and rebound adjustability at the front, controlled by the two knobs positioned on its forks. Suspension travel is 250 mm at the front, which is up from 190 mm on standard Xpulse 200. Rear suspension is adjustable for preload and rebound offering 220 mm of travel as opposed to 170 mm of standard bike.
    Hero Xpulse 200 Pro Adjustable Front Suspension and Type-A USB Port
    Xpulse Pro got ABS modes last year and has three modes to control the single-channel ABS offered on front wheel. Hero has equipped Xpulse 200 Pro with disc brakes at both ends with single petal rotors. Both wheels are of wire-spoke type and with a 21-inch unit at the front and 18-inch unit at the rear, shod with tube-type Maxxis knobby tyres. The exhaust is up-swept in design to aid water wading.
    Where features are concerned, Hero offers a USB Type-A charging port with Xpulse. While it would be nicer if it was a Type-C port, Type-A is still relevant considering a few smartphones costing around Rs 1 lakh are still getting Type-A to Type-C cable in the box. There is a fully digital instrument cluster with gear position indicator, extensive trip computer and smartphone connectivity with turn-by-turn navigation.
    Hero Xpulse 200 Pro Oil Cooler
    Performance and Ride
    Xpulse 200’s performance metrics of around 19 bhp and 17.35 Nm are not exactly on the lower side, but larger 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels contribute to making this motorcycle feel slow. While city rides were fine, the lack in grunt is noticeable on highways as the engine runs out of breath quite early and lacks vigor to push the envelope and clock higher cruise speeds. Lack of a 6-speed gearbox is a contributor here.
    Highway cruising has been a chink in Xpulse’s armour since its inception and was significantly improved in 4V model. However, it is still not up to the mark and is the only hindrance for Xpulse 200 to be one’s only motorcycle in the garage. Acceleration is brisk and the engine is vibe free in the engine’s low-end and mid-range. At higher revs, vibes do kick in and make their presence known on pegs, handlebar and fuel tank.
    Hero Xpulse 200 Pro Switchgear
    Xpulse 200 Pro weighs 161 kg and is very manageable to ride even in chock-a-block Pune traffic. What impressed me the most in the city is that the clutch is rather light and my left wrist was very thankful for this fact. Something which can’t be said about its rival costing more than twice in price. Combination of low weight and light clutch made sure I enjoyed riding the motorcycle in city and highways, rather than feeling punished for doing so.
    Thanks to large 21-inch front and 18-inch rear tyres, Xpulse glides over everything. Because the suspension is adjustable for rebound and compression, rider can adjust the bike’s characteristics on the fly to suit road conditions they are on. These adjustable suspension are not gimmicks and genuinely help rider in setting up the motorcycle based on their needs. While front suspension is easily adjustable on the fly, rear suspension adjustment is very difficult to access.
    Hero Xpulse 200 Pro Tail Light
    Because of the immense suspension travel, there is some nose dive under hard braking, which can be reduced by stiffening the front suspension. Handling-wise, Xpulse is not a corner carver, especially with the skinny off-road tyres our review unit had. The 21-inch front wheel makes sure steering is rather lazy and is not apt for quick maneuvers. Handling is something Xpulse is not advertised for and we can forgive it for that reason.
    Maxxis Tyres Not For Road Use
    The Maxxis knobby tyres, however, are not recommended to use on road. They are road legal, as confirmed by Hero MotoCorp. Just not recommended for extensive road use and I found out the reason for this during our testing. These tyres don’t like tarmac a lot and craves soft ground to dig into. When riding on the road, abnormalities can unsettle these tyres and kick the tail out in some cases. Stock tyres are fatter and will be a lot more stable.
    Hero Xpulse 200 Pro Maxxis Knobby Tyres
    Another aspect of these Maxxis knobby tyres offered with Xpulse is that they’re loud. They might be louder than the actual engine. When riding on the road at higher speeds of around 60 km/h or above, these tyres make a lot of noise. They are so loud, I often felt like there was a big truck tailgating me on the highway, only to realize this noise was not from the truck’s tyres, but Xpulse’s.
    I took Xpulse to a few beaten paths in and around Pune and also to farms and wastelands outside the city. This is where Xpulse absolutely felt at home. It will do everything you can ask of it and does it in such grace. Xpulse’s low kerb weight is a godsend in off-road conditions and is very forgiving if there are rider errors. In the event of a fall, there is hardly anything to break on Xpulse, which is a good thing. Even if something does break, it is very economical to replace.
    Hero Xpulse 200 Pro Long Seat
    Maxxis knobby tyres rose to occasion in off-road situations and shines bright as it makes light work of everything I threw at it. I even tried a few jumps on the Xpulse and it handled everything like a champ. One can fine tune the suspension to suit their individual preferences. Seasoned off-road riders can even switch front ABS off, for complete nanny-free manual mode.
    Conclusion
    While Hero Xpulse 200 Pro is a brilliant motorcycle, concluding it for this real world review is slightly tricky. There are a few niggles with this motorcycle we encountered, which could have been improved. For starters, the smartphone app to connect to Xpulse did not validate the bike’s chassis number and engine number even after multiple correct entries. So, I couldn’t connect my phone with Xpulse to enable navigation, which was a big bummer.
    Hero Xpulse 200 Pro Instrument Cluster
    The switchgear on the right side containing the engine kill switch, was finicky to operate. There was some fogging in the instrument cluster after it rained. Also, the LED headlights were nothing to write home about, despite Hero promising reworked lighting elements. These niggles aside, the best thing about Hero Xpulse 200 Pro is that it didn’t have any deal breakers. Any shortcomings are forgivable if we bring pricing into the equation.
    Motorcycling enthusiasts who are looking at the Xpulse as their second or third motorcycle, Pro variant is an easy recommendation and we encourage them to buy one right away. There’s unmatched off-roading prowess for its price and fully adjustable suspension is the icing on a very serious and potent cake. This motorcycle is made for tall riders and being one, I loved Xpulse 200 Pro more than I should.
    Hero Xpulse 200 Pro Rear Adjustable Suspension
    For buyers who are looking for that one motorcycle to do everything including high-speed touring, Hero MotoCorp is cooking a new Xpulse with the same 210cc DOHC 4V liquid-cooled engine from Karizma XMR 210 with a 6-speed gearbox, slipper clutch and probably dual-channel ABS. Combining Xpulse Pro’s spectacular chassis and off-road prowess with the more powerful engine with a 6th gear might just yield the next best thing in the premium motorcycle segment. A prospect so good, I might consider buying an Xpulse 210 Pro for myself.
    Hero Xpulse 200 Pro LED Headlight More

  • in

    MG Windsor EV Deliveries Start – New TVC Launched

    New MG Windsor EV Deliveries StartThe 38 kWh battery on MG Windsor EV promises 332 km of range and supports 45 kW DC charging enabling 10-80% SOC in 55 minutes
    With the launched of their Windsor EV, JSW MG Motor India has had a rather successful strategy to turn the tides around. Windsor EV has received excellent reception and it clocked over 15K bookings on the first day. The company has now commenced deliveries of MG Windsor to customers during the auspicious festive season.
    MG Windsor EV Deliveries Start
    The company has successfully cracked the code and introduced a whole new pricing strategy to accelerate faster adoption of EVs. Called BaaS (Battery as a Service), MG is offering battery rental schemes enabling extremely competitive Ex-sh prices. Soon, BaaS program was extended to incorporate Comet and ZS EV as well.
    New MG Windsor EV Aero Lounge Seats
    With BaaS as a potent weapon in their arsenal, JSW MG Motor India has successfully launched Windsor EV and has commenced deliveries of the same. At the same time, MG has launched “Live Business Class” campaign and released a TVC highlighting Windsor EV as the most comfortable vehicle in its segment.
    Windsor EV is a 4.3m long electric vehicle that starts at Rs 9.99 lakh (Ex-sh) with BaaS. The company is further sweetening the deal by offering one year free charging for Windsor EV buyers. Included in the package are comprehensive warranty and buyback plans that will appeal to prospective buyers.
    [embedded content]
    Without BaaS, MG Windsor EV prices are still attractive as it starts from Rs 13.5 lakh (Ex-sh). For the price, MG Windsor EV packs quite a lot of features and equipment along with offering unmatched comfort. Notable exterior features include pop-out flush door handles, 18-inch alloy wheels and all-LED lighting among others.
    On the inside, we get an expansive space with a lot of room for both front seat and rear seat occupants. There is a comprehensive package of features to cater to tech-savvy buyers and exceptional quality of materials used along with excellent fit and finish. The 38 kWh battery promises up to 332 km of range from a single charge.
    New MG Windsor EV Infinity View Roof
    New TVC
    The company has released a new TVC aligning MG Windsor EV ownership with Business Class travel where luxury and comfort is concerned. Thus associating Windsor EV with premium and elegant mobility solutions that target demographic will appreciate.
    The TVC shows a family consisting of a father, a mother and a child traveling in both a business class jet 33,000 feet above and draws similarities of that experience to the comfort and luxury offered by MG Windsor EV. Highlighting features like a panoramic glass roof, 135-degree reclinable Aero-lounge seats, ambient lighting and the 15.6-inch infotainment screen, among others. More

  • in

    2025 Yamaha FZ-25 Launch Price BRL 2.36M (Rs 3.5L) – Updated Features

    2025 Yamaha FZ-25In Brazil, Yamaha calls 2025 FZ-25 as Novo Fazer FZ25 Connected and comes with added features and new set of attractive colours
    Yamaha’s affordable quarter-litre street naked offering, the FZ-25, has just been updated overseas and it gets a host of new features and colours. In Brazil, Yamaha has just launched the updated FZ-25 for a starting price of BRL 2,359,000 which turns out to be Rs 3.5 lakh in today’s currency exchange rates.
    2025 Yamaha FZ-25
    Remember the Yamaha FZ-25 that was sold in India? It was the company’s quarter-litre offering in India and was poorly received in the market owing to a combination of factors. Slow sales prompted Yamaha to discontinue it in India and the stronger sales of R15 continued to bring in volumes.
    2025 Yamaha Novo Fazer FZ25 Connected
    In Brazil, however, Yamaha calls this street naked motorcycle as Fazer FZ25, which was not the case in India. Here, we got FZ-25 street naked motorcycle and a faired version of it as Fazer 25. The latter is regarded as one of the worst-looking motorcycles by Indian motorcycling fraternity and was discontinued in 2020.
    Sticking with the newly updated model, the company is calling it Novo Fazer FZ25 Connected, which sums up the update, to be honest. Apart from the feature upgrade, Novo Fazer FZ25 Connected is offered in four colourways – Branco Cristal, Magma Red, Racing Blue and Titanium Grey. Only Branco Cristal gets Gold wheels.
    2025 Yamaha Novo Fazer FZ25 Connected
    Yamaha seems to be selling the 2024 Fazer FZ25 as well, priced at BRL 2,290,000 (Rs 3.38 lakh) and is offered in Magma Red, Matt Grey, Matt Green and Racing Blue colourways. The 2025 model gets new graphics on body work too.
    What are the updates?
    Apart from the colourways and pricing, we can see a new ORVM design with 2025 Yamaha FZ-25 launched in Brazil. Along with that, there are LED turn indicators replacing halogen ones from MY24 Fazer FZ25. However, the main change is in the bike’s instrument cluster, which is a larger fully digital unit.
    2025 Yamaha Novo Fazer FZ25 Connected
    It features Bluetooth connectivity, for the first time. Flanked by tell tale lights, this digital cluster shows speedo, tacho, trip computer readings and average fuel economy reading, among others. When connected through the Y-Connect App, this display shows phone’s battery status along with call and message notifications. There doesn’t seem to be a navigation and gear position indicator features.
    The engine has been carried over with Yamaha Novo Fazer FZ25 Connected. This 249cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine is capable of developing 21.3 bhp of peak power, mated to a 5-speed gearbox.
    2025 Yamaha Novo Fazer FZ25 Connected
    Also read – New Yamaha R9 launched More