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      in Bike

      Kinetic Luna Electric Launch Soon – Chassis Production Starts

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      Primary target should be B2B companies for the 2023 Kinetic Luna in an electric guise with around 70 km of rangeImage – Slimline Customs, For Reference OnlyRemember the Luna moped? A 50cc moped that was extremely popular once? Rings a bell, doesn’t it? In fact, it was so popular that people started calling every other moped, a Luna. Like every scooter is a scooty in India or every ladder frame car is a Jeep or every Royal Enfield is a Bullet and every photocopying machine is Xerox.Such was the pull of Luna back in the day. It was manufactured by Kinetic Group in India with a 50cc engine. It was frugal, practical and aided a lot of small families and business owners alike. There was a time when Luna would sell around 2,000 units a day, making it the most popular Moped in India with prices starting at Rs. 2,000 back in the day.2023 Kinetic Luna ElectricIt was in production since 1972 and after 50 years of its inception, Kinetic Group has announced a revival of this iconic moped legend with a twist. The twist is that it will only be offered in an EV guise. It won’t be priced at just Rs. 2000, though. Let’s take a look.Fast forward to December 2022, there is a monopoly in moped market by TVS right now. With XL100 being the only ICE moped in the country, it sells around 30K to 40K units per month. Kinetic Group is not planning to revive Luna as is with its 50cc engine. Instead, Luna is set to be an electric vehicle.2023 Kinetic Luna Electric – E Luna chassis production startsThere are a lot of electric scooters springing up regularly that are solely targeted at the B2B sector. Even Honda is in the line to launch EVs for the B2B sector. A recent patent of an electric moped has surfaced and Benly-e test mules are getting prevalent as well. The time is now for Kinetic Group to revive its iconic Luna moped in India.2023 Luna Moped will be manufactured by Kinetic Green Energy & Power Solutions, a sister brand of Kinetic Group. Kinetic Engineering Limited has even commenced production of chassis and subassemblies as well. Kinetic is setting a separate assembly line for Luna electric at a production capacity of 5K units per month. As per the announcement, it will likely be called E-Luna upon launch.Kinetic E-Luna – What To Expect?For 2023 Luna electric, Kinetic seems to be betting big. The company has installed 30 new welding machines in its new assembly line, and is kept exclusive for upcoming Luna. Even the paint shop and fabrication shops have been upgraded at the company’s manufacturing plant in Ahmednagar.Technical specs are not yet known. That said, Kinetic is sure to play the affordability card and design the product accordingly. This should definitely appeal to the target audience. A relatively small and purposeful moped with a range of around 70 km should suffice for intended use. More details will be revealed further down the line. Kinetic E-Luna launch price expected to be under Rs 50,000. More

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      in Motor News

      Watch the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla in Action

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      The 2023 Toyota GR Corolla just won our 10Best award, but so too have two other fun-do-drive cars that wear similar badging: the GR86 and GR Supra. It’s remarkable that Toyota’s three most recent sporty cars have all been knockouts in their respective segments. That’s why each one is on our 10Best list, after all. But read between the lines and you’ll find something even more interesting. The GR86 and GR Supra were made in partnership with other manufacturers: Subaru and BMW, respectively. The fact that the Supra’s new six-speed manual transmission feels even better than BMW’s version hints at Toyota’s expertise in creating a satisfying driving experience. The GR Corolla confirms it.All the Details and SpecsThis content is imported from OpenWeb. 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. More

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      in Bike

      Bajaj Sales Breakup Nov 2022 – Pulsar, Platina, CT, Chetak, Avenger

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      Bajaj Auto noted a de-growth both in domestic and export markets in November 2022Bajaj PulsarBajaj Auto Limited has seen sales dip significantly on a YoY basis in November 2022. Domestic sales fell 15.29 percent to 1,19,367 units in the past month from 1,40,909 units sold in Nov 2021. This was a 21,542 unit volume de-growth. Exports on the other hand, fell 30.50 percent YoY from 1,87,561 units shipped in Nov 2021 to 1,30,364 units in the past month leading to a 57,197 unit volume de-growth.It was the Bajaj Pulsar that topped sales charts in Indian markets last month. Total sales stood at 72,735 units, up 17.48 percent from 61,913 units sold in Nov 2021. The Pulsar commands a 60.93 percent share in the company lineup. It was the Pulsar 125cc that was most in demand at 45,173 units, up 6.67 percent from 42,311 units sold in Nov 2021.Bajaj Sales Breakup Nov 2022 – DomesticThere were also 13,535 units of the Pulsar 150cc sold with a 3.45 percent YoY growth along with 13,557 units of Pulsar 200cc relating to a 130.80 percent YoY growth and 470 units of Pulsar 250cc which was a 27.02 percent de-growth over 644 units sold in Nov 2021. Bajaj Platina sales dipped 44.43 percent YoY to 33,702 units from 60,646 units sold in Nov 2021 commanding a 28.23 percent share.There were also 7,471 units of the Bajaj CT sold last month, a 43.38 percent YoY de-growth from 13,196 units sold in Nov 2021. Of the CT range, Bajaj CT 125X, launched in India in August 2022 at Rs 71,354, saw sales of 3,962 units while there were also 3,509 units of CT 110cc sold last month relating to a 73.41 percent YoY de-growth from 13,196 units sold in Nov 2021.Bajaj Domestic Sales Breakup Nov 2022Bajaj has been noting outstanding demand for the Chetak e-scooter. Sales in the past month stood at 3,346 units, a 554.79 percent YoY growth from 511 units sold in Nov 2021. The Chetak rivals the Hero Vida V1 electric scooters, Ola S1 and S1 Pro as well as the Ather 450X. The Bajaj Avenger and Dominar both saw reduced sales in Nov 2022 down to 1,300 units and 813 units leading to a 51.18 percent and 58.94 percent YoY de-growth respectively.Bajaj Boxer tops Export List in Nov 2022Bajaj Boxer was the most exported model in November 2022 despite a 35.67 percent YoY de-growth. Exports stood at 80,500 units in the past month, down from 1,25,128 units shipped in Nov 2021. The Boxer commands a 61.75 percent share. Of the Boxer range, it was the 110cc model that commanded most attention with 66,556 units shipped last month while there were 4,488 units of Boxer 125cc and 9,456 units of Boxer 150cc also exported out of which it was only the Boxer 125cc that saw a 29.86 percent YoY growth.Pulsar exports grew marginally by 1.83 percent YoY to 24,286 units from 23,850 units exported in Nov 2021. Global sales were led by the Pulsar 200cc model with 11,588 units shipped in the past month along with 5,856 units of Pulsar 150cc, 3,448 units of Pulsar 250cc and 3,394 units of Pulsar 125ccBajaj Exports Breakup Nov 2022Exports of Bajaj CT dipped 7.22 percent to 18,764 units from 20,224 units sold in Nov 2022. This included 10,964 units of CT 125cc and 864 units of CT 150cc. While4 Dominar exports increased 10.92 percent to 3,148 units (2,056 units of Dominar 500cc and 1,092 units of Dominar 250cc).Discover exports also fell 73.77 percent YoY to 2,740 units from 10,448 units sold in Nov 2021 out of which there were 1,440 units of Discover 110cc and 1,300 units of Discover 125cc shipped. The maximum de-growth was seen in the case of Bajaj Platina, down 87.16 percent YoY to 576 units from 4,485 units shipped in Nov 2021. Avenger exports also fell 40.48 percent from 588 units to just 350 units last month. More

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      in Motor News

      This Rare 1986 Suzuki RG500 Gamma Walter Wolf Is Today's BaT Auction Pick

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      • Here’s a big-bore two-stroke GP bike that’s barely streetable and extremely rare.• Finished in the dark blue, gold, and red racing livery of the Walter Wolf racing team, this bike pays tribute to one of the most interesting characters in motorsports.• This BaT auction ends on December 28.If you’ve never heard of Walter Wolf, then strap in for a wild ride. A deep-sea oil rig driver who arrived in Montreal as a near-penniless immigrant from post–World War II Slovenia, Wolf struck it big in the 1970s oil speculation market, to the point that he could afford to campaign his own F1 team. That team won him a Ferrari 512BB on a handshake bet with Enzo on the outcome of the 1977 Monaco Grand Prix, although he might be seen driving around on the street in stuff like a Le Mans–spec Porsche 935 with a leather interior and air conditioning. Oh, and he issued his own Wolf-branded cologne and cigarettes. By comparison, the fictional Dos Equis “most interesting” guy might as well be a tax accountant.Bring a TrailerWolf somehow found the time to develop a partnership with Suzuki and set up a motorcycle racing team. In 1982, rider Masaru Mizutani raced a Wolf-sponsored Suzuki RG500 in the 500cc All Japan Championship and won. Suzuki decided a tribute bike was in order. It was built for just two model years, 1986 and 1987.The performance of this 498-cc motorcycle is still bonkers in modern terms. Thanks to a twin-spar aluminum frame, it tips the scales at just 340 pounds, about as much as a modern Honda CB300F. However, with 95 horsepower at the crank, it’s roughly triple the power of the Honda, a blue-smoke-puffing death machine with four silencers, four Mikuni carbs, and an 11,000-rpm redline.Bidding Ends December 28This example is currently up for sale at Bring a Trailer, which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos. With only a few days to go until the December 28 deadline, bidding sits at $12,300. That’s a trifling amount for a machine that will run quarter-mile times in the mid-11-second range.Bring a TrailerBring a TrailerAnd it’s absolutely peanuts compared to the other vehicles that bear the Wolf signature. Walter Wolf is probably best known for under-the-table-funded prototype Countachs, one-off cars with engines handbuilt by Gian Paolo Dallara. Three were made, and they hinted at the fender flares and wild wing excess of the 1980s. All are worth six or seven figures today.A Wolf-liveried motorcycle will outperform these exotics by most performance metrics, but for pennies on the dollar. And motorsports cognoscenti would lose their minds if you were to show up at a meet riding this thing. Wolf Racing employed the likes of F1 champions James Hunt and Jody Scheckter, and he was right at the center of the Formula 1 circus of the late 1970s.Bring a TrailerBring a TrailerThere’s no better way to outclass a modern 911 in a tired and entirely predictable Gulf Oil livery. The Porsche is just Steve McQueen cosplay. This Wolf-branded motorcycle has both a vicious bite and the genuinely motorsports-derived backstory to go with it. Before December 28, we’d advise you either to run like the Wolf or scurry back to the paddock with the rest of the sheep.This content is imported from OpenWeb. 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. More

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      in Motor News

      Tesla Stock Tanked in 2022, and Now They're Offering $7500 Discounts on EVs

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      It’s been difficult to escape the news regarding Tesla CEO Elon Musk these days. Ever since he purchased Twitter two months ago, the news hasn’t stopped—and it hasn’t stopped Tesla’s share price from taking a massive tumble. It’s down 45 percent since Musk bought Twitter and around 70 percent since the start of the year.Amid rumors of softening demand, Tesla has started offering incentives to new buyers. Some current owners are getting a 30-day trial of some Enhanced Autopilot features, which are usually a paid upgrade.Tesla is also offering various discounts around the world, including $7500 for Model 3 and Model Y buyers in December, along with 10,000 miles of free Supercharging.Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s long, strange trip to purchase the social media site Twitter continues to get longer and stranger. As the auto industry watches what’s happening to the microblogging site under the world’s most-famous automaker CEO, Tesla shareholders aren’t exactly enjoying the ride. The price of one TSLA share price would cost you just under $200 at the start of 2022. Today, the price is just over $123.More CommentaryThere are a number of reasons for that almost 70-percent drop, but the most obvious recent impact has come from Musk’s public display on Twitter. Since Musk bought Twitter two months ago, the stock has fallen 45 percent. The fact that Musk sold $3.6 billion of Tesla stock last week—and almost $40 billion since late 2021—hasn’t helped. Musk has since promised not to sell any more Tesla stock for two years, but he has contradicted himself in the past.Of course, Tesla is impacted by non-Musk-related factors, and tech stocks have been in an overall decline this year. Still, ABC News notes that the tech-heavy Nasdaq only fell around half as much as Tesla has since January 1, 2022.Specs and Details for the ShopperAnother factor impacting Tesla’s stock price is lowered demand for its all-electric vehicles. In response, Tesla has lowered prices on some models and has started offering some current owners of its EVs free trials of the company’s Enhanced Autopilot, an advanced driver-assistance version of its Autopilot, for 30 days. Enhanced Autopilot features include navigation with Autopilot, automatic lane changes and automatic parking and summoning. These features are usually paid upgrades and require specific sensors to be installed. As Electrek notes, Tesla is shifting away from installing ultrasonic sensors in every vehicle but hasn’t updated its software to operate some of these Enhanced Autopilot features (Autopark, Summon and Smart Summon) in Tesla vehicles that only have camera sensors.As for price changes on Tesla, the automaker started offering a $3750 discount to U.S. customers on two models, the Model 3 and the Model Y, at the beginning of December. This amount doubled, to $7500, last week for customers taking delivery this month. Tesla also added another incentive—10,000 miles worth of free energy at Tesla Supercharging stations—for EVs delivered in December. Tesla buyers in other countries are also being offered various discounts, Reuters notes, including $5000 in Canada and around $850 in China.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.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. More

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      in Bike

      2023 TVS Apache 160 4V New Exhaust Sound – Walkaround

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      In addition to the new Pearl White colour, the new 2023 TVS Apache RTR 160 4V Special Edition packs in some functional updates as well2023 TVS Apache 160 4V New Exhaust Sound. Image – MRD VlogsTVS Apache range has never failed to surprise enthusiasts, as design improvements, new features and special editions have been introduced at regular intervals. TVS Apache bikes like RTR 160 4V are ahead of rivals in terms of tech platforms and also offer segment-first and best-in-segment features.In the latest update, TVS Apache RTR 160 4V Special Edition has received a new colour option of Pearl White. This is in addition to the earlier colour options of Racing Red and Matte Black. A snazzier and lightweight Bullpup exhaust is another key update for MY2023 Apache RTR 160 4V Special Edition.Apache 160 4V Special Edition new exhaust soundNew Pearl White colour is essentially a dual-tone theme, with the white shade applied across the headlamp cowl, front mudguard, engine cowl, fuel tank and rear seat section. The white-black combo may not be that enticing in itself, but what makes this theme stand out is the use of contrasting red shade.Just a few brush strokes of red on the fuel tank and a small portion of the seat makes this new colour theme quite unique and exciting. The red bits have been introduced with other colour variants of Apache 160 4V Special Edition as well. Graphics and badging are the same as earlier, although there could be some minor variations as per the specific colour theme. Take a look at the walkaround video by MRD Vlogs below.[embedded content][embedded content]Rest of the bike has a blacked-out look with front alloy wheel, side panels, exhaust and engine assembly done entirely in black. While the red highlights on the fuel tank and seat enhance the bike’s sportiness, the red rear wheel seems to add clutter and dilute the purity of the new colour theme.New bullpup exhaustAnother key update for new 2023 TVS Apache RTR 160 4V Special Edition is bullpup exhaust. It is not only sportier, but also 1kg lighter in comparison to MY2022 model. It will effectively increase power-to-weight ratio, although the difference in performance will be too small to be noticed in real world conditions. The new exhaust is more refined and enables a unique aural experience.Most other features are the same as earlier. Some of the key highlights include ride modes of Sport / Urban / Rain, 3-step adjustable brake and clutch levers, roto-petal disc brake, single channel Super-Moto ABS and anti-theft wave bite key. TVS Apache RTR 160 4V has SmartXonnect connectivity platform that offers a range of features such as navigation assist, caller ID, last parked location and ride stats share.TVS Apache RTR 160 4V Special Edition is available at a starting price of Rs 1.30 lakh. In comparison, the base-spec drum variant is priced at Rs 1,21,790. The bike will continue to rival the likes of Bajaj Pulsar N160 and Hero Xtreme 160R. More

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      Bajaj Pulsar NS 160, NS 200 Gets USD Forks – Launch As Dominar In Brazil

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      Under the skin, Bajaj Dominar 200 and Dominar 160 are rebranded Pulsar NS200 and NS160 respectivelyBajaj Dominar 160 and Dominar 200Bajaj Auto may not be among the top three highest-selling 2W brands in domestic market, as those spots are occupied by Hero MotoCorp, Honda and TVS. Where exports are concerned, there is no beating Bajaj as it is the highest-exported 2W brand from India. Even the second highest 2W exporter, TVS, is shipping almost half the volume of Bajaj.Latin America is one of the markets where Bajaj is currently active in a big way. There are new developments when it comes to Bajaj’s portfolio in Brazil. Bajaj has launched two new motorcycles that are very familiar to Indians, but with different names. They are Dominar 200 and Dominar 160.Bajaj Dominar 200 And Dominar 160These are not new motorcycles. Instead, these are essentially the same as Pulsar NS 200 and NS 160 that are on sale in India. These get almost similar componentry, except for the addition of USD front forks. In India, the Pulsar NS 160 and NS 200 do not get USD forks.India-spec Dominar comes in two different engine specifications and is named accordingly, Dominar 400 and Dominar 250. Bajaj markets the Dominar range as power cruisers, a term which is inspired by Ducati Diavel. Both Dominar gets LED lighting, beefy and muscular proportions and powerful engines.Bajaj Dominar 160 and Dominar 200In Brazil, Bajaj has launched India-spec NS160 and NS200 as Dominar 160 and Dominar 200. Hat tip to automotive enthusiast Varun Murali for sharing the update. In India, Bajaj is headed in a new direction when it comes to the Pulsar range. We have seen it with Pulsar N250 and F250, N160 and recently launched P150.It is speculated that the NS lineup will be absorbed by the N lineup in Bajaj’s portfolio. We have seen the launch of N160 and N125 being tested and geared up for launch. Classic OG Pulsar lineup is said to be transformed into the P lineup as we saw with P150. With an extensive global portfolio, Bajaj might be rebranding the NS lineup as Dominar for Brazil.ChangesBrazil-spec Bajaj Dominar 200 and Dominar 160 get USD forks up front unlike regular telescopic forks found in NS lineup in India. Bajaj is offering 31 mm USD fork on Dominar 160 and 33 mm USD fork on Dominar 200. Even though most of the specs are similar to the Indian NS200, the Brazilian Dominar 200 gets 0.1 Nm more torque.Bajaj Dominar 160Other changes on Brazilian Bajaj Dominar 200 and Dominar 160 over Indian spec models are slightly refreshed graphics, Dominar 3D logo replacing Pulsar logo on fuel tank and a new front mudguard. Brazil-spec Bajaj Dominar 200 and Dominar 160 get Grimeca-branded brake calipers at both ends as well. More

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      in Electric Cars

      New Gen Tata Nano Electric Render – Reborn For Glory

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      While an official statement has not been issued, it is likely that Tata Nano Electric will be utilizing an entirely new platformNew Gen Tata Nano Electric RenderNano was an ambitious project, aimed at providing a safer alternative to families using two-wheelers. Two adults with two or more children packed in a small space and riding on two wheels has been a common sight on the roads. Nano wanted to bring about a change, but somehow it didn’t generate the numbers, as needed to be viable from a business perspective.Tata Nano was discontinued in 2018, even though it had garnered decent response at the time of its launch in 2008. While it failed to meet balance sheet requirements, it did manage to create a high brand recall. One can still find some of these on the streets and the car’s unconventional dimensions and cute profile are difficult to overlook. This is why there’s scope for Nano to be reborn in electric format.Tata Nano electric design – RenderWhile it may take some time for Nano electric to hit the road, automotive design artist Pratyush Rout has come up with an exciting concept design of the micro-EV. The silhouette is familiar, but overall styling looks a lot more modern and fluid. Use of large glass panels creates an airy, likeable feel for the car. An all-glass top could work even better, but it may not be viable from a cost perspective.Nano electric can be seen with large eyelid-shaped DRLs and compact headlamps. The bumper section has a smiley effect, which complements the car’s friendly vibes. Side panels have a sculpted look and feel and front doors have flush handles. Rear doors have the handles integrated into the C-pillar. Wheels are placed at the extreme edges, which ensures a longer wheelbase and spacious interiors.New Gen Tata Nano Electric RenderWith Nano electric, Tata may be aiming for the first-mover advantage in micro-EV segment. This space has been witnessing massive growth in international markets like China. Something similar can be expected for India, where currently entry-level hatchbacks dominate the numbers game.New Nano EV rangeTata has been successful in creating electric versions of its popular cars like Nexon, Tigor and Tiago. Nano EV could be part of the same strategy. Tata is also getting ready to launch electric version of Punch in 2023.However, with Nano electric, Tata may utilize a different approach. Nano electric could be based on a born electric platform and pack in more modern design aesthetics. Likely to be positioned as Tata’s most affordable electric car, Nano EV could have a range of around 200 km.It will primarily cater to city commutes and can emerge as a preferred choice for folks who care about the environment. If sales numbers meet expectations, Nano electric could also be instrumental in reducing some of the smoke from heavily choked cities like Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, etc. More