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      Ola Scooter ADAS Feature Teased – Front Forks Upgrade Starts

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      Ola testing ADAS tech for its scooter lineup might come off as overkill for a city scooter, but will be useful to deal with chock-a-block trafficOla Electric Scooter ADAS TestingThere seems to be a theme that most 2W EV manufacturers are following. This theme is a culmination of two different things. One is a distinctive design and the other is a bucket load of features with respect to regular ICE 2W vehicles we are familiar with. This theme is immediately evident too as almost all manufacturers are following it.Ola follows it too. It has a distinct retro-futuristic design that screams EV. In terms of features, helpful or gimmicks, Ola has a plethora of them that regular ICE scooters just miss out on. Now, there is a new feature under testing which is an absolute novelty in 2W vehicles. It is ADAS and is teased by CEO Bhavish Aggarwal on Twitter. Let’s take a look.Ola Electric Scooter ADAS TestingOla Scooter ADAS Tech Testing Starts – Launch Expected SoonCurrently, there are just a handful of 2W vehicles with ADAS tech onboard. These are the creme-de-la-creme of motorcycles commanding more than just a kidney. In scooters, this is unheard of. Even in big buck touring scooters, manufacturers haven’t bothered with offering ADAS and enthusiastic CEO of Ola Electric, Bhavish Aggarwal has teased it on Twitter.Yes, we’re talking about the same ADAS tech which is currently the hottest thing in the 4W vehicle realm. Most recent vehicle to launch with ADAS in India is Hyundai Verna, Tata Safari and Harrier and Honda City facelift. We’re not yet sure what Ola is trying to accomplish in terms of functionalities with its ADAS tech, but it is coming, nonetheless.Will share more in a tech demo soon! pic.twitter.com/8GVirNMOAP— Bhavish Aggarwal (@bhash) March 18, 2023In a video posted by Aggarwal, we can see an Ola test mule trundling around in Bengaluru city traffic. Only, this is equipped with a camera at its front and a digital display, replacing its left ORVM housed inside a weather-proof case. On the screen, we can read OpenADAS, which might be the name of this project internally.The system is found tracking objects in real-time and also monitoring test mule’s speed in relation to traffic. Even though ADAS might come off as overkill for a city scooter, Bengaluru’s chock-a-block traffic might suggest otherwise. We can see it being a useful safety net to glide through traffic with minimal rider inputs.Ola is highly likely to be using camera-based ADAS tech, something similar to Honda’s Sensing suite found in the City sedan. To enable ADAS to have adaptive cruise control, Ola needs to have an actuator for brakes as well for emergency braking. Or engineering a stronger regen, bringing the scooter to a complete halt might come off as less complicated as well. It is not yet sure whether existing customers can retrofit this on their scooters, but we have to wait for Ola’s tech demo.Ola front forks upgrade post recallFront Single-Sided Forks ReplacedOn the onslaught of front suspension break-downs, Ola has issued a voluntary recall. Replacements of said single-sided front forks are currently underway. It was earlier speculated that Ola would replace it with a double-sided fork, found on Ola S1 Air, but this doesn’t seem to be the case. They are getting replaced by updated single-sided forks. More

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      New Harley Davidson 350cc Detailed – First Look Walkaround

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      If launched in India, Harley-Davidson X350 will primarily go up against 650cc bikes from Royal EnfieldHarley Davidson 350cc – X350 WalkaroundAs part of its plan to target emerging markets, Harley-Davidson recently launched X350, a new 350cc motorcycle. The bike was launched at a starting price of 33,388 Yuan, which is approximately Rs 4 lakh, as per today’s exchange rate. This is the smallest Harley bike in production and marks a shift in the company’s growth strategy.To reduce development and production cost of its low-capacity bikes, Harley has teamed up with local manufacturers. In China, X350 will be produced in collaboration with QJ Motor. Harley has a similar tie-up with Hero MotoCorp in India.Harley Davidson 350cc – X350 WalkaroundHarley-Davidson X350 WalkaroundOne of the notable aspects of Harley-Davidson X350 is its neo-retro profile. Some key features include round headlamp and rear-view mirrors, all-LED lighting, circular semi-digital instrument pod, USD front forks, sleek fuel tank, sporty graphics, golden exhaust pipes, offset rear suspension, step-up seat, alloy wheels and underbelly exhaust.Much of the machinery is fully exposed, which ensures a rugged look and feel for the bike. Colour options include Dazzling Black, Joyful Orange and Bright Silver. Take a look at the detailed walkaround video shared by Lang Thang channel.[embedded content][embedded content]Cockpit section of X350 is pretty basic with standard switch controls and a semi-digital instrument console. Users can access information such as speed, time, odometer, trip meter, etc. The bike has an ergonomic riding stance with wide handlebar and centrally mounted foot pegs. Saddle thickness has been minimized in order to achieve a sportier look. However, there shouldn’t be any discomfort, as high-quality foam material has been used.Harley X350 utilizes cast aluminium front and rear frame, integrated with 41mm inverted rebound adjustable front forks. At rear, the bike has rebound damping and preload adjustable suspension. X350 has 17-inch wheels at both ends, shod with 120/70 front and 160/60 rear tyre. Braking duties are performed by petal disc brakes at both ends, with ABS. Dry weight of X350 is 180 kg, with fuel-tank capacity of 13.5 litres.Harley-Davidson X350 performanceEquipped with a 353cc, in-line twin, liquid cooled motor, X350 churns out 36.7 PS of max power and 31 Nm of peak torque. It is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. Harley-Davidson’s next parallel-twin bike will be X500. Both X350 and X500 will share a number of hardware components to reduce production costs.Harley X500 has conventional design aesthetics and is targeted at solo riders. The engine is likely to be borrowed from Benelli 502C that makes 45 bhp and 46 Nm. It is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. Considering X350’s price, its larger sibling could be costlier by around Rs 1 lakh. More

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      Ford Says It Will Lose $3 Billion on EVs This Year, but Sales Are Rising

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      Ford expects to lose roughly $3 billion from the electric-vehicle arm of the company this year. The increased losses are expected due to money being spent on manufacturing facilities in Tennessee and Kentucky, as well as the addition of alternate battery chemistries. Ford issued the bleak forecast in a Thursday morning call with reporters. Ford is projecting an increase in losses from its EV unit, labeled Model e, up from $2.1 billion last year to total nearly $3 billion in 2023. The increase in losses is expected to come even as sales of the Mustang Mach-E electric crossover and F-150 Lightning full-size electric pickup truck grow and the company invests further in increased production. The forecast came in a Thursday morning call with reporters where Ford outlined a new financial-reporting structure. The company announced a new reporting structure broken into Ford Blue (gas/hybrid vehicles), Ford Model e (breakout EVs), and Ford Pro (commercial vehicles). Ford”We’ve essentially ‘refounded’ Ford, with business segments that provide new degrees of strategic clarity, insight and accountability to the Ford+ plan for growth and value,” CFO John Lawler said. “It’s not only about changing how we report financial results; we’re transforming how we think, make decisions and run the company, and allocate capital for highest returns.”Losses from the EV division will be covered by an expected increase in profits for the other two Ford divisions, with Lawler projecting $7 billion in earnings before interest and taxes this year for Ford Blue, and roughly $6 billion for Ford Pro. Speaking to reporters, Lawler explained the reasoning behind the expected losses for the Model e arm of the business.More Ford Stories”Ford Model e is an EV startup within Ford,” he said. “As everyone knows, EV startups lose money while they invest in capabilities, develop knowledge, build volume, and gain share.”Those mounting losses will come as Ford continues to invest in ramping up EV production numbers. The company is planning the construction of two new battery-cell factories in Kentucky and a third in Tennessee, along with the $3.5 billion lithium-iron-phosphate battery plant it will build in Marshall, Michigan. 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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      Aston Martin DB11 Facelift Will Be Called DB12, Trademark Application Suggests

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      Aston Martin has filed a trademark in the U.S. for the nameplate “DB12,” as first reported by CarBuzz.The DB12 is expected to be revealed this year as a refreshed version of the DB11, which has been on sale since 2017.We expected the DB12 to retain the twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8, but it may gain a 48-volt hybrid system.Aston Martin’s aging sports-car lineup is due for a major overhaul, and a new trademark filing—first reported by CarBuzz—suggests that this update will usher in a new nameplate. The British automaker has filed for the name DB12 with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which will presumably be applied to a heavily refreshed version of the DB11 expected to make its debut later this year.Jessica Lynn Walker|Car and DriverLast year, Aston Martin chairman Lawrence Stroll said that all of the company’s sports cars—the Vantage, DB11, and DBS—would be overhauled in 2023. Stroll revealed that the changes would be so drastic that they would essentially be “all-new cars,” and the new trademark seems to confirm that. This would be the first time since the DB6 went out of production in 1970 that one of Aston Martin’s DB series of sports cars would bear an even-numbered badge. More Aston Martin NewsAlong with revised styling, the update is expected to bring a more modern infotainment system that will scrap the touchpad setup and be better differentiated from the Mercedes-Benz system on which it is based. The DB12 will likely retain the twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8—also borrowed from Mercedes—although it could gain a 48-volt hybrid setup like in the Mercedes-AMG GLS63. It’s unclear if the V-12 will live on in the DB12. More details should arrive later this year.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 EditorCaleb 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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      Ford Has Patented an All-Wheel-Drive EV Line Lock Burnout Mode

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      If you’ve ever driven one of the newest Ford Mustangs, you’ll know that there is a mode that enables line lock, essentially a way of keeping the brakes on the front wheels while letting the rear wheels do a burnout to heat the tires for the optimum drag strip launch.Now, Ford has patented a system for EVs that’ll allow a different sort of line lock, one that’ll work on all-wheel-drive models. It’ll brake the front wheels to spin the rear tires, and then it can brake the rear wheels to spin the front tires. The patent, published March 2, specifies it’s for track use only, of course, and for tire heating. It’s also said that this is achievable with current hardware, so it could be a software update that makes it function.U.S. Patent and Trademark OfficeThe patent drawing shows a Mustang Mach-E, so perhaps the GT model would be the first recipient of a mode like this.Of course, Ford did make a drift-ready Mach-E, which had seven motors and 1400 horsepower, so it wouldn’t be the first tire-smoking electric crossover from the brand.World of MustangsEditor-at-LargeTravis is an editor at Road & Track. He was previously the Editor-in-Chief of Jalopnik.com and is a little too fond of the Mazda Miata. More

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      in Electric Cars

      EV Blocks The Way – Electric Car And Gearbox: Myth Or Reality?

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      The gearbox of my Nexon EV Max has suddenly stopped working – Electric Car Gearboxes: What You Need to KnowEV got stuck – Blocking the way. Image – Akash BhangreThe positioning of an immobile car is a part of the intrigue of this viral post we saw. While someone drew a parallel to the Ever Given situation, what caught our attention were queries regarding the gearbox in electric cars. Does an EV have a gearbox? Do electric cars have/need transmissions? Gear box in EV? EV with gearbox? You get the gist.Akash Bhangre’s situation as mentioned on Twitter, “The gearbox of my Nexon EV Max has suddenly stopped working and the car is currently stuck in this position blocking the whole lane. This has created a big scene in my society. ‘I am located in Thane. I have contacted Tata Motors helpline and they are sending a towing car from Wadala. The wait time for the same is 1.5Hours as per the towing car vendor. Why can’t you send someone from Thane, Mulund or some other nearby location. I need your urgent help here.”Tata Nexon EV got stuck – Blocking the wayTo Gear or Not to Gear: The Evolution of Electric Car TransmissionElectric cars generally do not have transmission in the traditional sense. This is because the electric motor can provide power directly to the wheels without the need for a complex system of gears. Instead, electric cars typically use a single-speed or fixed-gear transmission that is optimized for a specific speed range.This type of transmission is less complex than the multi-speed transmissions found in petrol / diesel powered cars. In turn, this can reduce maintenance costs and increase efficiency.Tata Nexon EV got stuck – Blocking the wayThe Gearbox Conundrum: What happens when it stops working in an EV?The gearbox of an electric car can suddenly stop working due to a variety of reasons. Modern electric cars rely heavily on electrical and software components. And a failure in these systems can cause the gearbox to stop working.Electric motors generate a lot of heat during operation, and if the gearbox is not adequately cooled, it can overheat and fail. Moreover, the gearbox in an electric car can wear out over time due to regular use, just like any mechanical component, and this can cause it to stop working.Gearbox Failure in Electric Cars: Causes and ConsequencesIf the gearbox of an electric car suddenly stops working, the car will likely become immobile or have difficulty moving. Symptoms such as difficulty in changing gears, strange noises, or the car not moving at all may be experienced. To address the issue promptly and ensure safety and longevity of the vehicle, it’s best to take the electric car to a certified repair shop or dealer to have it diagnosed and repaired. Depending on extent of damage, repair could be as simple as a software update or as complex as a full gearbox replacement.Electric cars are generally reliable and have fewer moving parts than traditional cars. But they are still complex machines that require regular maintenance and care. Regular servicing and keeping an eye out for any unusual noises or performance issues can help catch potential problems before they become more severe. More

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      2024 Hero Karizma 210cc Launch Planned – Pulsar 200 Rival

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      As opposed to the 223cc air-cooled engine with 20 bhp in its pocket, upcoming Hero Karizma with a liquid-cooled 210cc engine will be more potentImage for illustration purpose onlyIndian motorcycle manufacturers seem to be going back to their roots. Products that seem to be the next big thing, often disappoint where sales are concerned. Products that they replace, often come off as the more prominent and popular. We always crave what we can’t have, right? We observed this pattern with Pulsar 220F re-launch. Now, Hero is at it as well.Remember the Karizma series of faired motorcycles from Hero. How can you not? For, they were so memorable. We’re not talking about facelifted models launched in 2014, but the OG Karizma R and Karizma ZMR. Get ready to hear about them again, as they are reportedly making a grand comeback with a new liquid-cooled 210cc engine.Hero testing a new fully faired motorcycle – New Karizma?2024 Hero Karizma New Gen – 210cc Engine With Liquid CoolingEver since they were launched, Karizma series offered a lot of bang for the buck and were some of the most sought-after in its segment, rivaling Pulsar 220. Hero priced them right and even marketed them right. Bollywood star Hritik Roshan even nullifies a freaking tornado in a Karizma ZMR. I remember this because it was effective and memorable marketing.Facelifted models designed by EBR (Erik Buell Racing) were the sole holes in the ship as they single-handedly took down Karizma brand into an abyss. Hero did launch Xtreme 200S, which was supposed to be Karizma’s replacement, but really wasn’t. Now, Hero is set to bring in a new platform on which the upcoming Karizma will be based.Hero Xtreme 300S Fully Faired Motorcycle?We’re talking about a brand new frame, housing a brand new 210cc liquid-cooled engine and coupled to a brand new 6-speed gearbox. Exact specifics about this new engine are not yet out. But 25 bhp of power and 30 Nm should be reasonably adequate for this motorcycle. It would be launched as a fully faired motorcycle. Good thing about the upcoming 2024 Hero Karizma lineup is they are reportedly being designed with inspirations from OG Karizma series and not facelifted models. Phew!More Tech, More Power – Faster Than Ever BeforeGiven that Hero Karizma line represented value for money in the past, competitive pricing is likely to be the main strength. In favour of competitive pricing, Hero might skimp on USD forks and other fancy hardware like slipper clutch, ride-by-wire and more. However, we should expect disc brakes at both ends with dual-channel ABS (at least as an option).LED lighting, Bluetooth connectivity with turn-by-turn navigation, side stand sensor with engine cut off are features that are highly likely to make it to production. Elements like 6-speed gearbox, oil-cooling and USD front forks are firsts for any production-spec Hero MotoCorp offerings. It might be launched around the all-important festive season. 2024 Karizma price could be in the range of Rs 1.5 lakh.We really hope Hero would install the same engine in Xpulse 200 as well, breathing new life into an already potent platform. With 25 bhp and 30 Nm, Hero Xpulse would absolutely fly in trails and off-roading situations. We are likely to see more “KariPulse” too, plonking this new 210cc engine in Xpulse chassis.Source More

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      2002 Chrysler 300M Special Is Our Bring a Trailer Auction Pick of the Day

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      The 2002 Chrysler 300M Special was the most performance-oriented of the LH cars. The Special isn’t much more powerful than the standard 300M, though, with just five more horsepower and three more pound-feet of torque, but the overall package stands out. This well-preserved example is up for sale on Bring a Trailer, and the auction ends on March 26. Bring a TrailerWhen Chrysler released the 2002 Chrysler 300M Special, our foredrivers felt it was an obvious effort to win back their adulation after our affection for the 300Ms began to wane. The model made our 10Best list in 1999 and 2000, then fell off as more potent competitors appeared on the scene. The Special’s smidge of extra horsepower and torque weren’t quite enough to totally do the trick, however. Still, the 300M’s “cab-forward” design was advanced for its time, and it’s aged well. This fine-looking example, currently up for auction on Bring a Trailer (which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos), could turn heads even today.As recounted by one of the commenters, the 300M was a last-minute addition to the Chrysler brand’s LH lineup. Supposedly, the car was designed as the second-gen Eagle Vision, but when the Eagle division was dropped, Chrysler ended up with the model, to sell alongside the Concorde and the LHS. Compared to those two, the 300M was a more tidy, international size, at just five meters long.Bring a Trailer Chrysler put a slightly more powerful version of the 3.5-liter SOHC V6 engine in the Special than it did in the standard 300M. The Special version produced up to 255 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, compared to 250 and 255, respectively, in the standard 300M. The Chrysler 300M Special also came with a stiffer suspension, and the four-speed automatic transmission had a shorter final-drive ratio (3.89 compared to 3.66). There was also a Special-specific dual exhaust system. And, unusual for a front-wheel-drive car, the engine was mounted longitudinally in the 300M, which helped create a roomy and comfortable interior.Bring a TrailerThis car features a retro-tastic four-disc in-dash CD player and a factory cassette stereo, and its Light Taupe leather interior appears in fine shape. This Chrysler is also equipped with a power sunroof, heated and power-adjustable front seats with position memory, and HID headlights. The exterior is painted in Bright Silver Metallic, and the car has 18-inch alloy wheels with 245/45 Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season 3 tires.Chrysler 300, from the Late 20th CenturyThe example up for auction has seen some use, with around 60,000 miles on the odometer and a repainted front bumper cover. It was originally sold in California and has a Pennsylvania title. It also has a clean CarFax record, but there is some corrosion on the exhaust and suspension components. At the time of their debut, the LH cars were a big deal, and even the second-generation models were well ahead of their domestic competition, at least in terms of design. This car is the sportiest of the bunch and would have been a stylin’ ride in the post-Y2K era.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