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    • 125 Shares199 Views

      in Bike

      New Honda 300cc Scrambler Debuts – Royal Enfield Hunter Rival

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      Honda CL300 will be fun to ride on the streets and also seems ready for some mild off-roadsNew Honda 300cc Scrambler – CL300After showcasing CL500 scrambler at 2022 EICMA, Honda has now unveiled its smaller sibling CL300. For now, CL300 is a China exclusive motorcycle, where it has made its global debut. New Honda 300cc scrambler will be launched in China first, later this year. It will be manufactured by Sundiro Honda.In the near future, CL300 could also be introduced in other international markets, including India. When launched in India, it could take on the likes of Royal Enfield Hunter 350, Yezdi Scrambler, etc. Honda has already trademarked CL300 in other countries such as Thailand, New Zealand and Australia. European markets could also get this bike at a later date.Honda CL300 stylingHonda CL300 has a bare bones design, with round headlamps and rear-view mirrors. Other key highlights include all-LED setup, fork gaiters, a circular fully digital instrument pod, sculpted fuel tank with grip pads and flat seat in quilted pattern. Most distinguishable feature is the high-mounted exhaust with perforated heat shield cover in metallic finish.Riding stance is fairly comfortable with centrally placed footpegs and pulled-back handlebar. The bike’s design supports riding standing-up, which comes handy in no-road environments. Even shorter riders shouldn’t have any issues with this bike, as it has a low seat height of 790 mm. Tackling mild off-roads would be fun with ample ground clearance of 165 mm. Another advantageous factor is a lightweight 172 kg body, which is around 19 kg less than Honda Rebel 300.New Honda 300cc Scrambler – CL300CL300 is being offered in two variants, a Standard and a Premium version. The latter gets some additional goodies, which will appeal to folks who want their rides to carry a lot more flair and attitude. Honda CL300 Premium variant gets features such as compact body-coloured windscreen, raised front beak, body-coloured knuckle guards, side mounted tracker number plate and tan leather seat.Colour options for Honda CL300 include black, white and light grey. In case of the Standard variant, differentiation is pretty basic with the respective shade applied only on the fuel tank. Rest of the bike has a largely blacked-out profile. Visible metallic finish is seen on the headlamp casing, front suspension and exhaust heat shield.Honda CL300 engine, specsHonda CL300 borrows the 286cc, single cylinder motor from Rebel 300. This unit is also in use with Honda CB300R. However, on-board CL300, power output is at 25.7 hp. That’s 5 hp less, as compared to CB300R. The engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox.New Honda 300cc Scrambler – CL300CL300’s main chassis is the same as Rebel, but it gets a different rear subframe that is taller. This change was necessitated to accommodate CL300’s flat single-piece seat. Suspension duties onboard Honda CL300 are performed by telescopic forks at front and a monoshock unit at rear.The bike has single disc brakes at both ends, integrated with dual-channel ABS. As compared to Rebel that has 16-inch wheels, Honda CL300 has 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels. These are shod with dual-purpose tyres, with a fatter unit at rear for enhanced traction. More

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      in Electric Cars

      Mahindra XUV400 Electric Sets New Record – 751 Kms, 24 Hrs, Sub 0 Temp

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      Agility and smoothness of XUV400 on Manali-Leh highway reveals that driving dynamics could be even better that powerful ICE-based SUVsMahindra XUV400 ElectricMahindra has been creating one bestseller after another and the next big launch is XUV400 Electric. It debuted last year in September and prices are expected to be announced sometime this month.Base-spec variants of XUV400 could be offered at around Rs 17 lakh or even lower to improve competencies against primary rival Tata Nexon EV. XUV400 technical specs are better than Nexon EV across dimensions, range, battery capacity, etc. A tough battle can be expected ahead and it will be interesting to see who wins eventually.Mahindra XUV400 Electric – New RecordMahindra has revealed that the XUV400 Electric has set a new record. It has become the first ever electric vehicle to cover a distance of 751 kms within 24 hours, in sub-zero temperatures. The drive started from Kyelang, Lahaul Spiti, Himachal Pradesh and covered a distance of 751kms in 24 hours.Automotive enthusiasts who saw XUV400 in the steep inclines of the sub-zero terrain said that the electric SUV can be seen effortlessly zig zagging across steep inclines. It is quite remarkable, as negotiating inclines at high altitudes is a challenging task for any vehicle. XUV400 can be seen smoothly accelerating and overtaking other cars without any jerky motions. It goes on to show its power and refined performance.Mahindra XUV400 Electric – New drive record in sub-zero temperaturesXUV400 will be utilizing a 39.4 kWh battery pack that has 112 Ah capacity rating. The battery pack has NMC (nickel, manganese and cobalt) electro-chemical composition. Gross vehicle weight is 1,960 kg, of which, the battery pack itself weighs 309 kg. But as evidenced with the spotted test mule, XUV400 has impressive acceleration.Mahindra XUV400 Electric – New drive record in sub-zero temperaturesOfficially, XUV400 can achieve 0-100 kmph in 8.3 seconds. This makes it the fastest passenger vehicle to be produced in India, excluding the non-luxury segment. XUV400 has a top speed of 150 kmph, which is applicable in both laden and unladen conditions. Dimensionally, XUV400 is 4,200 mm long, 1,821 mm wide, 1,634 mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,600 mm. These numbers are higher than XUV300, although both SUVs are based on the same platform. Users can expect roomier interiors for all passengers. Boot space is also pretty good at 378 litres.XUV400 range, specsXUV400 has a certified range of 456 km, as per AIS 040 (Rev. 1) standard. In comparison, Nexon EV Max has a certified range of 437 km (ARAI). As there’s not much difference between the two in terms of certified range, it’s the real-world range that will determine if XUV400 can triumph over Nexon EV. Powering Mahindra XUV400 is an AC – synchronous motor that churns out 110 kW (147.5 hp) of max power at 5,500 rpm and 310 Nm of peak torque. In terms of 30 minutes peak power, XUV400 is rated at 60 kW (80 hp) at 4,000 rpm.Mahindra XUV400 Electric – New drive record in sub-zero temperaturesTo keep costs in check, XUV400 will be using in-house manufactured batteries. These will be manufactured by Mahindra Electric Mobility Ltd. in collaboration with Mahindra. However, the battery controller and electric motor will be imported from China. Valeo Siemens eAutomotive (Changshu) Co. Ltd. will be manufacturing the electric motor and battery controller for XUV400.To ensure it succeeds, XUV400 will be getting a range of segment-first and best-in-class features. Some key highlights include a large touchscreen infotainment system, sunroof, dual zone climate control, 7-airbags and adjustable steering wheel. There will be drive modes of Fun, Fast and Fearless, which will utilize unique combinations of throttle, steering and regen. Another interesting feature is ‘Lively’ mode, especially designed for negotiating heavy traffic. More

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      in Motor News

      Tesla Makes a U-Turn as Regular Steering Wheel Returns to Model S and X

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      The Tesla Model S and Model X are once again available with a regular steering wheel.A yoke is still offered, but a steering wheel (pictured above)—now with capacitive buttons versus stalks—returns as a no-cost option. Already yoked Model S or X EVs can have a steering wheel retrofitted for $700, but the Tesla service isn’t available until March.The tried-and-true steering wheel returns to the Tesla Model S and Model X. While the steering yoke that has been mandatory since the cars’ 2021 redesign is still offered, people who order a new S or X can once again drive with a normal wheel at no extra cost.Unlike before, the new steering wheel in the Model S and Model X doesn’t have stalks that control the blinkers, windshield wipers, or gear selection. Instead, all of those functions are now handled through capacitive buttons and controller balls, just like those found on the yoke.One of these is not like the other.TeslaTeslaWhat about all the folks who bought a Tesla Model S or X with the yoke-style setup and are unhappy with it? Well, Tesla is letting those customers swap it out for a real wheel with a retrofit option through its online store. It won’t be available until March, and it costs $700, which is said to include installation through Tesla service.The return of a regular steering wheel to the Model S and Model X represents a symbolic U-turn by Tesla—and, more specifically, by CEO Elon Musk. Back in 2021, in the months after the company stirred up controversy by only offering both models with a yoke, Musk tweeted that there was no chance a traditional steering wheel would return, even as an option. The irony is that eggs have a yoke, and Musk may have a little on his face.Tesla In the NewsWhile Tesla’s yoke-style tiller has its fair share of detractors (including us), it’s still better than a steering wheel that flies off in your hand while you’re driving. 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

    • 125 Shares129 Views

      in Motor News

      $1000-a-Month (or Higher) Car Payments Are Distressingly Common Right Now

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      A new set of data shows what we’ve been seeing over several months: monthly payments on new-car loans are hitting and exceeding four figures at a distressingly high rate.One reason is rising interest rates, which in turn are affected by supply-chain issues and inflation.Another reason: a growing number of customers tend to owe more on the vehicle they’re trading in than it’s worth, tempting them to roll the negative equity into the next purchase.The share of new-car loans with a monthly payment above $1000 hit a record high last year, new data from Edmunds shows. The company says 15.7 percent of buyers who financed a new car in the fourth quarter of 2022 signed on for four-figure monthly payments.That’s up from 10.5 percent in 2021, a nearly 50 percent increase in the overall share. Supply constraints and inflation put upward pressure on prices, while that same inflationary crisis led to much higher interest rates. Consumers attempted to account for rising prices by spending more money upfront, bringing the average down payment up to $6780. Markups—which usually cannot be financed as easily as money toward a vehicle’s MSRP—likely contributed to that rising average down payment. How to Pick OneBeing Upside Down Makes It WorseEdmunds also sees rising car payments and an inflated market as a potentially dangerous combination. In the fourth quarter of 2022, 17.4 percent of new car purchases with a trade-in had negative equity rolled into the new loan. That means they still owed more than the car they traded in was worth, forcing them to roll the owed money into the new purchase. In the event of a market collapse, if a higher percentage of owners owe more than their vehicles are worth, that could at worst, cause a crisis. At best, the market would likely see a slowdown in new-car purchases. “Vehicle equity is really a tale of two gears for consumers over the past few years,” said Ivan Drury, Edmunds director of insights. “At the onset of the pandemic, consumers benefited from low-interest rates and elevated trade-in values, helping shield even the more questionable financing decisions from resulting in negative equity. This unique confluence of market forces resulted in some vehicle owners being able to take advantage of positive equity on their loans and even their leases. But as we shifted toward an environment with diminished used-car values and rising interest rates over the past few months, consumers have become less insulated from those riskier loan decisions, and we are only seeing the tip of the negative-equity iceberg.”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

    • 138 Shares189 Views

      in Motor News

      VinFast, Vietnamese Startup, Says Americans Can Get Its EVs This Year

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      VinFast, a Vietnamese startup automaker, announced it will start taking orders for its VF6 and VF7 electric SUVs starting in March. The company had previously announced it would start delivering its larger VF8 to the U.S., but customers have not received them as of the beginning of January.The subcompact VF6 is expected to have a WLTP range of up to 248 miles, which could translate to a 200-mile EPA rating.The compact VF7’s WLTP range is estimated to top out at 280 miles, or as much as 224 EPA-rated miles.Following up on the reveal of the VF6 and VF7 electric SUVs at the 2022 Los Angeles auto show, Vietnamese automaker VinFast said it will open the reservation process for these two models in March. Speaking at the 2022 CES show in Las Vegas, VinFast CEO Le Thi Thu Thuy said that deliveries are expected to begin at the end of the year and into early 2024. More Details and SpecsVinFast also updated the specifications for each SUV with an estimated range. The 174-horsepower Eco version of the subcompact VF6 is expected to go 248 miles on the WLTP test cycle, while the 201-hp Plus trim is slightly lower at 237 miles. As a rough estimate, that converts to somewhere between 190 and 200 miles on the EPA test cycle, but the final numbers might be lower. The VF8 goes 293 miles on the same test but will initially have an EPA-rated estimated range of 179 miles. A VinFast representative claimed that the VF8’s range is expected to increase following an upcoming over-the-air update, and the official rating will be revised after recertification. VinFast had promised delivery in late 2022 to U.S. customers but most recently has said its first customers in California will start receiving this model this month,The compact VF7 is targeted to go 280 miles on the WLTP test in 201-hp Eco trim, and the 348-hp, two-motor AWD Plus version will go 268 miles. That translates to somewhere between 170 and 224 miles of EPA-rated maximum range. The company did not mention the overall battery capacity for the VF6 or VF7.How Much?Pricing for both models will be announced sometime in the next month or so. The VF6 is estimated to start around $30,000, while the VF7’s estimated base price is under $40,000. Reserving the VF8 and VF9 requires a $200 deposit on the VinFast website, so customers should be able to claim a place in line for the same amount when the VF6 and VF7 reservation system opens.Also speaking at VinFast’s CES press conference, Gareth Dunsmore, Deputy CEO for sales and marketing, said that the first reservation holders for the VF6 and VF7 will have “additional rewards with meaningful benefit” with details to follow. The “VinFirst” program for the VF8 and VF9 included an NFT allowing special access to the Vingroup Metaverse, along with discounts of $3000 and $5000, respectively. VinFast had initially promised U.S. deliveries of its larger VF8 before the end of 2022, and while a ship carrying the electric crossovers arrived in the United States in late December, those planned deliveries did not happen before the new 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.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

      Honda Activa Hybrid Launch On 23rd Jan ? New Launch Teaser Out

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      There is a very high possibility that Honda 2W showcasing smart hybrid tech branded as H-Smart on January 23rdImage for illustration purpose.Honda 2W is currently the No 1 scooter manufacturer of India. Sales easily hover around 1.5 lakh units per month and peak at up to 2.5 lakh units per month during festive seasons. Honda markets Activa brand unlike anything else. We recently saw a glimpse of it in a billboard war between a few delivery apps.Honda 2W just dropped a new teaser on social media. According to this, Honda is planning to introduce a new tech on January 23rd, 2023. With words like H-Smart stealing the spotlight in the teaser, there is a lot to look forward to.Honda Activa Smart Hybrid Scooter?For years, Honda 2W used to come slapped with HET stickers on their scooters and motorcycles. It is abbreviated to Honda Eco Technology. This sticker used to be on almost every 2W that came out of the Honda factory in the BS4 era. Now, it is eSP. Honda says that eSP is a globally acclaimed technology to reduce friction and improve combustion.This eSP sticker is slapped on almost every Honda 2W post-BS6 transition. Based on Honda’s new teaser on social media, it seems like there is a new tech that the company is working on. This teaser clearly indicates a curated harmony between man and machine. In this case, a machine is not a literal machine. Instead, it is AI.New Honda Smart Hybrid Launch TeaserWe can also see a new term on top. It is H-Smart. The name indicates that Honda is developing a new kind of hybrid system that is aimed at improving efficiency and lowering the carbon footprint and running costs for owners. On the surface, it can be speculated that Honda is developing a new smart-hybrid system that has a separate battery and is recharged with regenerative tech like found on an EV.The hand of a machine and AI words indicate that Honda is using self-learning AI algorithms to observe and record user riding patterns and deploy best possible methods to recharge batteries via regeneration. Stop/start feature can also be a part of upcoming H-Smart tech. Considering Activa is their best-selling scooter, it could be the launch of Honda Activa Hybrid on 23rd Jan 2023.What To Expect?Something similar is found on Yamaha Fascino and Ray ZR. Yamaha claims 60 km/l fuel efficiency on these and few users swear by it as well. All Honda motorcycles with this new tech will get H-Smart branding on them to signify it.There is a possibility of Honda showcasing a high-voltage strong hybrid architecture as well. With around 0.5 kWh of battery and a starter motor/generator, Honda can offer around 10 to 15 km of pure electric range at around 40 km/h speed. For longer commutes, ICE is always at the user’s disposal. This would be a halo tech that won’t probably make it to budget vehicles.Whatever it is, is likely to be offered with budget commuters and scooter lineups to increase fuel efficiency figures. There would be a price hike accompanied with this new tech as well. Before introducing EVs, Honda seems to be keen on bringing hybrid tech to their 2W lineup. More

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      in Bike

      Two Wheeler Sales Dec 2022 – Hero, Honda, TVS, Bajaj, Royal Enfield, Suzuki

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      The two wheeler segment saw YoY sales increase in domestic markets while exports took a significant dipImage – Throttle 98India has the largest two wheeler market in the world and Hero MotoCorp has been at the helm for some time now. Taking the leading 6 two wheeler makers into account – Hero MotoCorp, Honda, TVS, Bajaj Auto, Enfield and Suzuki, – sales in domestic markets in the past month increased by 4.70 percent YoY while MoM sales dipped. Exports on the other hand suffered a decline on both counts thus putting YoY and MoM wholesales into the red.Total two wheeler sales in domestic markets stood at 10,02,136 units in Dec 2022, up 4.70 percent from 9,57,189 units sold in Dec 2021. This was a volume growth of 44,947 units. MoM sales however, dipped 14.89 percent from 11,77,515 units sold in Nov 2022 relating to a 1,75,379 unit volume de-growth.Two Wheeler Domestic Sales Dec 2022Hero MotoCorp was at No. 1 in Dec 2022 with a YoY and MoM increase in sales. Sales in the past month stood at 3,81,365 units, up 1.84 percent over 3,74,485 units sold in Dec 2021. The company had also sold 3,75,839 units in Nov 2022 relating to a 0.40 percent MoM growth. The company commands a 38.06 percent share on this list.Honda two wheeler sales in the past month improved 10.70 percent YoY to 2,33,151 units, up from 2,10,612 units sold in Dec 2021. MoM sales on the other hand fell 34.05 percent from 3,53,540 units sold in Nov 2022. Honda has announced an upcoming electric two wheeler in 2023. It will use the same platform as seen on the Activa 6G and Activa 125 and is expected to be priced at around Rs 1.10 lakh (ex-showroom).Two wheeler sales Dec 2022 – DomesticTVS Motor also noted a rise in YoY sales by 9.95 percent to 1,61,369 units in Dec 2022 while MoM sales dipped 15.84 percent. The company had sold 1,91,730 units in Nov 2022. Bajaj Auto sales fell 1.62 percent YoY to 1,25,525 units from 1,27,593 units sold in Dec 2021. The company noted a MoM growth of 1.65 percent from 1,23,490 units sold in Nov 2022. Royal Enfield saw its sales dip 8.23 percent YoY and 9.03 percent MoM to 59,821 units while Suzuki domestic wholesales increased 25.67 percent YoY but dipped 35.23 percent MoM to 40,905 units.Two wheeler exports Dec 2022Two Wheeler Exports Dec 2022In export markets, total wholesales stood at 2,49,216 units, down 26.76 percent YoY from 3,40,253 units sold in Dec 2021. MoM exports also fell 5.07 percent from 2,62,525 units shipped in Nov 2022. In global markets, it was Bajaj Auto that led the segment with 1,21,499 units exported which was 50 percent of total exports. However it was a YoY de-growth of 36.45 percent from 1,91,176 units shipped in Dec 2022 while MoM exports also dropped 12.36 percent over 1,38,630 units sold in Nov 2022.TVS exports also fell YoY and MoM by 25.20 percent and 7.81 percent respectively to 66,297 units while exports of Suzuki grew YoY by 23.70 percent and MoM by 41.99 percent to 23,007 units. Honda exports were at 17,020 units, a 30.83 percent YoY growth while exports fell MoM by 13.52 percent. The list also included Hero MotoCorp with a 36.84 percent YoY de-growth in wholesales to 12,814 units while on a MoM basis, exports improved by 15.51 percent from 11,093 units exported in Nov 2022. Royal Enfield trailed this list with 8,579 units in Dec 2022 with a YoY growth of 0.32 percent and MoM growth of 71.37 percent.Two wheeler total Dec 2022Total wholesales in the past month thus dipped 3.55 percent to 12,51,352 units in Dec 2022, down from 12,97,442 units sold in Dec 2021. MoM sales also suffered a de-growth of 13.10 percent from 14,40,040 units sold in Nov 2022. Every two wheeler maker on this list posted a YoY de-growth except for Honda which improved 11.87 percent while on a MoM basis, it was Hero MotoCorp that posted a 0.83 percent growth in wholesales. More

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      in Bike

      Ather 450x Electric Scooter New Colours, Bigger Seat – Details Leak

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      The new colours are different from what Ather is offering with 450X and 450 Plus in the form of Space Grey, White and Mint GreenAther 450x Electric Scooter New ColoursAther Energy was the first among premium electric scooters that are currently flooding the Indian EV market. Manufacturers like Ola, TVS and Chetak launched their products later. Ather Energy is forming a lifestyle-oriented product lineup with a lot of sporty characters.Ever since Ola scooters are launched in India, they have somewhat stolen Ather’s thunder of being the go-to EV manufacturer for premium electric scooters. Crashing Ather’s party further are TVS, Chetak and even upcoming Simple Energy. To stay relevant in the game, Ather continues to update their electric scooters with new features, larger battery, etc. They are once again getting ready to launch an update.Ather Electric Scooter New ColoursEarlier this week, Ather announced that on the 7th Jan, they have organized a Community Day. Apart from meeting their customers and fans, Ather is also expected to reveal their future plans about upcoming electric motorcycles, scooters, etc. Apart from that, they will be launching new colours for the existing range of 450x electric scooters.Details about new colour options with Ather 450x, have now leaked. They are Cosmic Black, Lunar Grey, Salt Green and a ravishing Red shade as well. These are different from White, Space Grey and Mint Green that are on offer with 450X. Hat tip to automotive enthusiast Jasmeet Singh for sharing these exclusive spy shots.Ather 450x Electric Scooter New Colours – Cosmic BlackEngine specs continue to be the same as before. Ather 450X Gen 3 gets a 3.66 kWh battery pack which is larger by 1.33 kWh than Ather 450X Gen 2’s 2.23 kWh battery pack. Gen 3 also gets a 3-phase Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor that makes 1 kW more peak power than 450X Gen 2.Ather 450x Electric Scooter New Seat – Bigger, BetterBigger Seat, More ComfortApart from the new colours, leaked images also show a revised seat. From what can be seen, it looks like the Ather electric scooter seat has now become longer, wider and offers better contour – designed to deliver improved comfort to rider as well as pillion.Later this year, Ather is expected to launch a more affordable electric scooter, which will sit below the 450x and 450 Plus in the company lineup. It will be aimed at taking on the recently launched Ola S1 Air, priced from just Rs 80k. With this upcoming budget electric scooter, Ather might offer a smaller battery, cast iron or steel space frame chassis, less range, less performance and less features than 450 Plus.Ather 450x Electric Scooter New Colours – Lunar GreyThere will be an attempt to match Ola S1 Air’s pricing strategy as well (launch price 80K, current price 85K). With Government subsidies coming to an end in coming years, EV makers have to start working on making tangible and less expensive vehicles to fit into the bright EV world. More details will be revealed on Ather’s Community day tomorrow.Ather 450x Electric Scooter New Colours – Salt Green More