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    Toyota Keeps GR Corolla Circuit Edition Around for 2024

    Toyota will keep the GR Corolla’s Circuit Edition trim around for another model year.Originally, the 2024 lineup was limited to just the base Core and the hopped-up Morizo editions.It’s unclear if the Circuit will continue into 2025.Originally, the Toyota GR Corolla’s mid-tier Circuit Edition was supposed to exist for the hatchback’s inaugural model year alone. But now, buyers will continue to choose between three possible trims for at least one more trip around the sun.Toyota has announced that it will bring the GR Corolla Circuit Edition back for the 2024 model year. Only 1500 examples of this trim were made available in 2023, and according to a brief press release, Toyota says customer demand shifted the company’s strategy. “When Toyota GR fans speak, we listen, and our plans are to increase GR Corolla volume and continue offering the Circuit Edition as part of the GR Corolla lineup in 2024,” a Toyota spokesperson said in a release.Small Cars, Big CharacterEvery corner of the GR Corolla lineup is an absolute hoot, but the Circuit Edition really hit the sweet spot for us. It rings in some $7000 above the base model, but it’s also $7000 cheaper than the hardcore Morizo edition. The Circuit variant lacks the tighter gearing and additional torque of the Morizo, but it still carries plenty of driver-focused goodies, like a pair of Torsen limited-slip differentials, a carbon-fiber roof, and heated sport seats wrapped in suede and leather. No matter the trim, the GR Corolla’s 1.3-liter inline-three makes a stout 300 horsepower.Car and DriverThanks to a raft of changes under the skin, the GR Corolla feels better than a simple sum of parts. During our testing, we gushed over its chassis balance, which reminded us of ’90s BMWs. Whether slow or fast, there’s always plenty of fun to be had in this hot hatch.However, it’s unclear what changes Toyota has planned for 2024. In the release, it mentions that the 2024 Circuit Edition “will carry over some of the standard features of the 2023 model,” but it declined to get specific at this time, saying only that we’ll get more information later this year. Don’t take the Circuit Edition’s existence as a permanent guarantee, either; Toyota said 2025 model-year production is “still under consideration.”Car and driverCar and driver Lettermark logoSenior EditorCars are Andrew Krok’s jam, along with boysenberry. After graduating with a degree in English from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2009, Andrew cut his teeth writing freelance magazine features, and now he has a decade of full-time review experience under his belt. A Chicagoan by birth, he has been a Detroit resident since 2015. Maybe one day he’ll do something about that half-finished engineering degree. More

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    2023 Royal Enfield 650 Twins Alloys, New Colours – Launch Soon

    2023 Royal Enfield 650 Twins Continental GT and Interceptor gets all black treatment – Alloys, New colours, LED headlight, USB charger2023 Royal Enfield 650 Interceptor – Alloy, New ColourWire-spoke wheels are a perfect match for Royal Enfield 650 twins, owing to the elegant neo-retro profile of these bikes. It explains why alloy wheels were never offered as an option with Interceptor and Continental GT 650. However, things are set to change with the 650 Twins will soon get alloy wheel variants with new colour options. Now launched in Europe, Royal Enfield will soon be launching these in India.2023 Royal Enfield 650 TwinsAlloy wheels help achieve a sportier, aggressive profile for a bike. However, with the easy-going vibes of 650 twins, alloy wheels may seem a bit out of place. But in terms of practicality, alloy wheels with tubeless tyres can be advantageous.For example, fixing a puncture becomes a lot easier. Unlike wire-spoke wheels with tubed tyres, there is no need to take out the wheel to fix the puncture. As the puncture problem is quite widespread with the roads strewn with various types of debris, alloy wheels with tubeless tyres are a better choice.Another benefit of alloy wheels is that they are largely maintenance-free. Off-roading capabilities are limited with alloy wheels, but it won’t even be needed in case of folks whose usage will be limited to city streets and highways. In comparison, wire-spoke wheels may require periodic inspection and maintenance.2023 Royal Enfield 650 Continental GT – Alloy, New ColourWire-spoke wheels also tend to corrode faster on the inside, especially when exposed to water or humid conditions over a prolonged period. Internal corrosion of the wheels can itself cause punctures quite frequently. Alloy wheels with tubeless tyres don’t have such issues.New Colours, OBD-2 complianceAlong with the alloy wheels, Royal Enfield 650 twins will get cosmetic updates as well. As can be seen in the leaked photos, RE 650 Twins alloy wheel variant comes in new colours and graphics. Continental GT650 is seen in Silver colour with Orange stripes and Black colour with Blue stripes.Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 alloy wheel variant is seen with Navy Blue colour with Orange / Yellow dual tone finish. In addition, these motorcycles get blacked out finish on the engine, exhaust, front forks – giving it a meaner look.2023 Royal Enfield 650 Continental GT – Alloy, New ColourOBD-2 compliance is another update that 650 twins will be getting. The deadline for the same is March 31, 2023. Under OBD-2 compliance, the bikes will be fitted with an on-board diagnostic system. It can monitor and report emission levels in real-time. OBD-2 will be more effective in controlling pollution in comparison to the existing 6-monthly PUC system.Updated Royal Enfield 650 twins are expected to be launched in the coming days. With the updates and OBD-2 compliance, it is likely that prices will be bumped up slightly for Interceptor and Continental GT. Interceptor 650 current model is priced in the range of Rs 2.9 lakh to Rs 3.14 lakh. Continental GT 650 retails in the range of Rs 3.05 lakh to Rs 3.31 lakh. (ex-sh prices). More

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    New Ather Electric Scooter Spied – May Get Under Rs 1 L Price

    With a steel tubular frame, smaller battery and a less powerful motor, Ather’s new affordable scooter might be priced under Rs. 1 lakhNew Ather Electric Scooter SpiedIn the first phase of EV revolution we saw manufacturers launching loaded, feature rich variants. In the next phase, we are seeing introduction of more affordable variants. Lower pricing is achieved via installing a smaller battery pack, fewer features, etc.Ola has successfully entered step 2 with S1 Air. As announced recently, Ola is offering S1 Air with 2 kWh, 3 kWh and even 4 kWh battery options. Prices range between Rs. 84,999 and 1,09,999 (ex-sh). Ola’s rival, Ather is getting to launch a more affordable version of their electric scooter.Ather’s New Affordable ScooterA new test mule of Ather electric scooter has been spied in BTM Layout, Bangalore. Hat tip to automotive enthusiast Thushar for sharing the exclusive spy shot. It is likely to be of the upcoming entry variant of Ather electric scooter. The new test mule is starkly identical to existing Ather 450.Battery size is likely to go down as opposed to the 3.7 kWh unit on existing 450X Gen 3. With Gen 3, Ather promises a 146 km range and a 105 km true range. Ather’s new affordable scooter might promise slightly lesser range, albeit with a less powerful motor. Expect the 7” touchscreen with Google integration will be retained.New Ather Electric Scooter SpiedLast month, Ather launched Gen 3 of their electric scooters. Under this, the 450 Plus is priced at Rs 1.9 lakh while the Ather 450X is priced at Rs 2.13 lakh. These are ex-sh prices excluding FAME-II subsidy of Rs 55,000. With the subsidy, prices come down to Rs 1.35 lakh and Rs 1.58 lakh, ex-sh. The upcoming new Ather electric scooter is likely to get a price tag of under Rs 1 lakh, ex-sh, inclusive of subsidy.Phase II Of Battery Safety NormsPhase II of the new battery norms set by MoRTH will come into effect from April 2023. The enforcement is due to the high number of EV fire incidents reported, likely due to improperly designed batteries. Come April 2023, EV manufacturers have to meet Amendment-3 proposed to AIS 156 and AIS 038 Rev.2 across L, M and N categories.Amendment-3 of the said AIS, as issued by MoRTH, was in two phases. Phase I was in effect from 1st December 2022 and Phase II is set to take effect from 31st March 2023. Electric scooters fall into L category and should meet the new battery norms set forth by a panel under Amendment-3.Ather Electric Scooter Prices – Feb 2023Since the new changes to battery tech will add cost, Ather might strike out some elements on this upcoming budget scooter. Main among those will be 450X’s aluminium space frame. New chassis features a tubular frame that is more economical to fabricate.The chassis has seamless tubes of steel bent and welded to form a simple tubular frame. Battery placement is still in the floorboard. With FAME II subsidies expiring from March 31st 2024, EV manufacturers have to work towards expanding their scale of manufacturing to bring prices down. More

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    TVS Sales Breakup Jan 2023 – Apache, Raider, RR310, iQube, Jupiter

    TVS Domestic Sales and Exports in January 2023: Top-selling TVS two-wheelers in IndiaImage – MRD VlogsTVS Motor’s domestic sales and exports for January 2023 is a mixed bag result. Domestic sales improved while exports were just shy of having halved. While there were top gainers and losers, most bikes from TVS ended in the green YoY. Jupiter remained the best-selling model for TVS in January 2023, with a total of 54,484 units sold. XL followed closely behind, with 36,723 units sold. Apache, Raider, and Ntorq completed the top five best-selling models for TVS in January 2023.It’s worth noting that the Raider saw a massive jump in sales, with 27,233 units sold, up from 11,377 units sold in January 2022, representing growth of 139.37 percent. Apache Series sales were 28,811 units. Total domestic sales were up at 2,16,471 units.TVS Sales Breakup Jan 2023TVS Raider and iQube saw the highest growth in January 2023, with sales of 27,233 units and 12,169 units, respectively. Raider sales grew by 139.37% YoY. TVS’ electric scooter, iQube saw significant increase in sales, with 12,169 units sold in January 2023, up from just 1,529 units YoY. iQube e-scooter sales improvement has been consistent in recent months. And just like that, iQube sales has already overtaken the Sport, Radeon, Zest, and Pep+ in terms of sales.The Star City was the worst-performing model for TVS in January 2023, with just 3,203 units sold, down 35.48% from the same period last year. The Pep+ was the only other model to see a decline in sales, with just 4,581 units sold, down 0.89% from January 2022.TVS Sales Jan 2023Despite exports contracting, total sales hasn’t suffered to the same extent due to improved domestic sales. The manufacturer has maintained its position as one of the top two-wheeler manufacturers in India. TVS Raider, which was updated in November 2022, is one of the top-selling TVS two-wheelers. iQube electric scooter has also gained a lot of popularity, with sales growing by almost 700% YoY. This is in tandem with current e-scooter sales trends.Jupiter and XL continue to be the most popular TVS two-wheelers, just like in January 2022. Raider and iQube are gaining momentum. Monthly sales indicates that TVS is well-positioned in the Indian two-wheeler market. Its diverse range of two-wheelers continues to appeal to different segments of consumers. The company had a good start to 2023 in the domestic market, in line with the wider trends in the Indian two-wheeler market.How TVS Motors fared in exports in January 2023TVS Motor Company exports in January 2023 showed a decline compared to January 2022. Exports dropped to 46,255 units in January 2023 compared to 85,528 units exported in January 2022. This reflects a decrease of 45.92% in exports. Star City125 and Star City models recorded the highest exports in January 2023 with 35.45% and 26.73% share, respectively. On the other hand, the RR310 and Radeon models had a negligible share of 0.08%.TVS Exports Jan 2023However, it’s interesting to note that TVS Jupiter witnessed tremendous growth at 3,357 units in January 2023 compared to only 118 units exported in the same month last year. While Victor and XL also recorded growth, other models like Apache and Ntorq witnessed a decline in sales. Exports fell to 46,255 units from 85,528 units. More

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    Bajaj Dominar 400 Biggest Discount Ever – Clearance Sale At Rs 1.99 L

    At Rs 1.99 lakh, Bajaj Dominar 400 comes across as an irresistible deal; can help boost salesImage – Shahrukh AkhtarTowards the end of the financial year, it is common to see auto companies launching special offers and discounts. The obvious reason is to improve the year’s balance sheet as much as possible. Many consumers wait for such opportunities, something that has potential to boost sales.In 2023, the mandatory compliance to BS6 Phase 2 emission norms is another reason why auto companies may be looking to clear old inventory. A relevant example is Bajaj Dominar 400, which is being offered by select dealers at huge discount of Rs 25,000.Discounts to boost salesWith the discount, Dominar 400 is available at just Rs 1,99,991 at select dealers. Dominar 400 has always been one of the most affordable bikes in its class. At the time of its launch in 2016, Dominar 400 was available at Rs 1.36 lakh. Over the years, prices have increased multiple times. The bike has also evolved in terms of its features and equipment list.However, even though it is affordably priced and loaded with hi-tech features, Dominar 400 has been an underperformer. This is especially true when compared to the 10k per month sales target that was initially set for the bike. Apparently, those goals haven’t materialized. In comparison, Dominar 250 has better numbers to show. Another interesting aspect is that Dominar 400 exports have been higher than domestic sales.Bajaj Dominar Discounts 2023But Dominar 400 does have a niche fan following. And folks who may have had Dominar 400 on their wish list will surely be looking to make use of the Rs 25k discount being offered. It is unlikely that such huge discounts will be offered anytime soon. As there will be limited inventory, the discount will be offered on a first come first serve basis.A case of price correction / slow demand?There are suggestions that recent discounts being offered by auto companies could be a case of price correction. As may be recalled, prices of two-wheelers have increased multiple times over the last two years. Moreover, there was a significant spike in demand post the pandemic. Things have now become close to normalized in terms of input costs and demand.So, in case of low volume products, it may be a good strategy to launch discount schemes. A good example is that of Honda CB300F, where prices were reduced by Rs 50k last year in December. This was a significant price cut, making CB300F available at around the same price point of bikes like Dominar 250 and Suzuki Gixxer 250.With BS6 Phase 2 norms coming into effect from April 01, 2023, there are speculations that other OEMs may also introduce special offers and discounts to boost sales. Whether or not that is true remains to be seen. It can work in case of bikes that have high inventory and slow sales. In case of Dominar 400, the discount could also be due to upcoming rivals such as TVS Apache RTR 310. More

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    2023 Jeep Wrangler Adds Optional Weatherproof Seats and Washout Floors

    The 2023 Jeep Wrangler offers two new factory-installed options: washout floors and weatherproof seats.The heavy-duty flooring ($995) and heavy-duty seats ($1695) are now available to order on certain four-door Wranglers.Jeep appears to be responding to similar features already available on the Ford Bronco.Jeep fans might want to start appreciating the Ford Bronco a little more. After all, it appears the Wrangler’s biggest rival is influencing the brand to introduce noteworthy features, such as the washout floors and weatherproof seats that are now available as factory options on certain four-door models.Weatherproofing the Wrangler When the Bronco debuted a couple years ago, it could be outfitted with factory-installed rubberized hose-it-out flooring and marine-grade vinyl upholstery—unlike its competitor. Fast forward to 2023, the Jeep Wrangler can now be ordered with similar add-ons designed to help its interior better withstand the elements and make it easier to clean. The newly optional heavy-duty flooring costs $995 and the heavy-duty seats add $1695.StellantisWhen the Wrangler’s top is off and the doors are removed, the cabin is obviously extra exposed. That’s where the optional vinyl seats come in handy, thanks to added protection against water, mildew, tears, and more. Jeep’s weatherproof seats come in any color you want as long as it’s black. They also feature Light Tungsten stitching and an adorable Wrangler grille embroidered on the seatbacks. Replacing the Wrangler’s standard flooring for the washout option does exactly what you’d expect: It makes cleaning the surface even easier and includes integrated floor drains. Along with its improved ability to get hosed out, the black heavy-duty floor has multiple layers that are said to also provide sound deadening and thermal protection.Unfortunately, these two new Jeep options aren’t compatible with every Wrangler. All the plug-in-hybrid 4xe trims and any two-door configuration are specifically excluded from the weatherproofing fun. The 470-hp Rubicon 392 is also left out.Keeping Up with the BroncosThis isn’t the first time Jeep appears to have taken a leaf out of Ford’s book. Not long after the Bronco was revealed with exterior mirrors mounted to the base of the A pillars rather than on the removable doors—like the Wrangler had always done—Jeep introduced an optional doors-off mirror kit installed by the factory.Jeep Wrangler with Xtreme Recon package.Car and DriverThe Wrangler Rubicon Xtreme Recon package that followed a year later also looked like a direct response to the Bronco’s available Sasquatch package, which notably included 35-inch-tall tires and other hardware that until then wasn’t offered on the Jeep.Read Our Wrangler ReviewsThis 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.Senior EditorEric Stafford’s automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual ’97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a ’90 Honda CRX Si. More

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    Mercedes MB.OS Is the Screen-Heavy Portion of an Ambitious Technology Plan

    Mercedes-Benz has announced it’s got a new operating system, MB.OS, that will start appearing on new vehicles underpinned by the company’s new MMA platform.Owners will see safety features such as road-scanning lidar thanks to the new operating system, and games like Angry Birds and social media such as TikTok will be available on the cabin-dominating screens.A long-term partnership with Google is said to add the latest data and navigation features such as Place Details.The old tech mantra of “move fast and break things” has been as present as a meme while we’ve lived through an era of rapid innovation in almost every aspect of our lives. There’s one place it doesn’t quite work: when it comes to safety and trust. In the automotive space, sometimes slow and steady is the right move, and as one of the oldest car companies, Mercedes-Benz has had plenty of time to evolve and develop.Today in Sunnyvale, California, Mercedes-Benz gave us a glimpse of its future, plotting its course through the next round of innovation. This naturally includes features for electric vehicles and automated driving, but also entertainment, productivity, and well-being. And it includes some wildly lit screens.Mercedes Moves ForwardMore to Do and See on Screen(s)Up first is the introduction of MB.OS, Mercedes’s new operating system that promises advancement in infotainment, safety, and the next generation of automated driving. It will debut in a few years on the first vehicle to use the new electric Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA) platform. NVIDIA will supply the software, data, and AI expertise, as well as chips that can process 254 trillion operations per second for automated driving.Other partnerships for other features include road-scanning lidar from Luminar, while Google will contribute to in-car data and more accurate mapping and navigation. Mercedes will also open its system to other partners to integrate entertainment options. These include TikTok, Zoom, a Vivaldi web browser, and even Angry Birds. Of course MB.OS will have over-the-air update capabilities to keep your system current and also to activate future features.Assisted Driving AdvancesThere’s also plenty of hardware to support all of this software, and going forward, all Mercedes-Benz vehicles will come with the equipment needed for Level 2 automated driving. That’s similar to what we have today, with a combination of adaptive cruise control and lane-centering to relieve a hands-on driver from some of the driving burdens. Customers will be able to order their higher-end Mercedes with Level 3 automation called Drive Pilot.Drive Pilot will be available on the 2024 EQS and S-class sedans and could be the first level 3 system offered in the U.S. It will operate on highways at speeds up to 40 mph, at least initially. The goal is to extend that to 80 mph. Unlike systems from GM and Ford, Drive Pilot will allow the driver to look away from the road, but they’ll still have to be prepared to take over driving duties at a moment’s notice. More significantly, Mercedes will assume liability for the vehicle when in Drive Pilot mode, which is a testament to their confidence in the system.Innovation is nothing new to Mercedes-Benz, and these latest advancements are proof that they’re pushing toward the vision of the future that’s been the stuff of fiction a decade or two ago. (Whether this is the kind of fiction you would like to come true is up to you, of course.)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.Contributing EditorWith a background in design and open-wheel racing, Mark Takahashi got his foot in the door as an art director on car and motorcycle magazines. He parlayed that into a career as an automotive journalist and has reviewed thousands of vehicles over the past few decades. More

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    2024 Mercedes Benz E-Class Sedan's Interior Looks Comfy, Tech-Heavy

    Mercedes-Benz has revealed the interior of the upcoming 2024 E-class sedan.It features a gigantic Hyperscreen and many new technology options.The 2024 E-class will go on sale in the U.S. later this year.In advance of the unveiling of the new sixth-generation 2024 E-class, Mercedes-Benz gave us a preview of what to expect—at least from the interior. The cockpit appears to be an evolution of the striking Hyperscreen found in the EQS sedan, with the digital instrument panel protruding above. It’s accentuated by colored ambient lighting strips that encircle the dash and doors to reinforce the futuristic styling.Lurking underneath all of it is an abundance of new technology intended to enhance comfort, entertainment, and productivity. The new E-class uses the latest third-generation MBUX infotainment system, which could be thought of as a precursor to the MB.OS architecture that is due in a few years. As is the case with the EQS, the E-class dash can be optioned with an additional display for the front passenger. This allows the passenger to enjoy streaming content and games without distracting the driver. Cameras track the driver’s eye movements and if they drift over to the passenger screen, the content is obscured. Mercedes calls it image filtering.More on Mercedes’ FutureMercedes-BenzEntertainment and AudioWhen parked, the driver can make use of the many entertainment options. These include games such as Angry Birds, social media on TikTok, and a Vivaldi web browser. If you’re more about productivity, you can use Zoom to join meetings and there’s a built-in video and selfie camera atop the dash. Data transfer will also be helped by 5G connectivity.On the audio front, if you opt for the top Burmester premium audio, the interior ambient lighting can put on a light show for you. You’ll get either pulsing illumination that matches with the beat or smoother color transitions for more low-key music. We think it’s a fun novelty, but it may get tiring at night.Car and DriverSit Back and RelaxIn regards to relaxation, the existing Energizing Comfort system gets a clever addition. The system combines seat-massage functions with climate control, interior fragrances, music, and on-screen graphics to set specific moods. A new feature will pair the system with wearable monitors to detect stress levels and can activate relaxation and breath coaching to get you back to a more blissful state.Another new feature is something Mercedes calls routines. Users can select from several templates that can automatically activate seat heaters at a certain temperature along with the interior lighting. There’s even a Date Night routine that will set the mood with rose-colored lighting and your favorite slow jams. You also have the ability to create your own routines. In the future, Mercedes plans to include AI-generated routines based on your particular habits.Mercedes-BenzCombined with the long list of tech features that already exist, these new features increase the wow factor, but don’t represent the kind of transformation we expect from the forthcoming MB.OS system. It should nonetheless delight owners and passengers with its newest comfort and entertainment options.Mercedes says that the 2024 E-class will go on sale in the U.S. later this year, so we expect to see more of the new sedan revealed within the next few months.Our illustration of what the 2024 E-class could look like.Illustration by Christian Schulte|Car and DriverContributing EditorWith a background in design and open-wheel racing, Mark Takahashi got his foot in the door as an art director on car and motorcycle magazines. He parlayed that into a career as an automotive journalist and has reviewed thousands of vehicles over the past few decades. More