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      in Electric Cars

      New Electric Rickshaw With Honda Battery Packs – Powered By Tork Motors

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      Componentry for Lith Pwr Mobility’s e-PRO is sourced from Tork Motors and Honda Power Pack Energy India Pvt LtdLith Pwr Mobility Launches Electric 3Ws in IndiaRight now, you might have seen that most 3W auto rickshaws are run by either petrol or diesel. Yes, there are CNG ones too and slowly, electric auto rickshaws are creeping up too. But still, petrol and diesel still dominate this segment. Contributing to air pollution and sound pollution.Last mile connectivity services are just as important as intracity public transport and hence this is an important segment. So, Lith Pwr Mobility PVT LTD has launched e-PRO electric 3W rickshaws in India under the EEEVV brand. That’s the brand, okay? So, do two more Es and one extra V make a better EV?Lith Pwr e-PRO Electric 3W RickshawLith Pwr Mobility and EEEVV were so keen on establishing the fact that they had sourced their componentry from well-known OEMs like Tork Motors and Honda Power Pack Energy India, that they seem to have forgotten to establish its product’s very name. I kid you not. A name is not mentioned anywhere. But the front of electric rickshaws says e-PRO and that is likely to be its name or the name of the series.On this occasion, Manish Agarwal, Founder of Lith Pwr said, “With the support of our associate partners who have vast expertise & experience in electric automotive, we are contributing to nation building. At the same time, the three-wheeler (auto-rickshaw) industry is considered a major source of pollution in last mile connectivity services. Our mission is to provide eco-friendly rides for daily commutes in metro cities with zero downtime on a swappable battery pack.”These electric rickshaws get powertrain from Tork Motors and Honda’s swappable battery packsUnder this partnership, powertrain for electric 3-wheelers will be sourced from Tork Motors’ & Honda will provide the battery swapping solution. Commercial operations benefit from the fact that cities like Bengaluru already host multiple swapping stations. Lith Pwr Mobility claims that it has already executed its pilot project in Thane, Maharashtra in 2021 itself.Lith Pwr electric 3W gets an axial flux motor from Tork and it is supported by CAN Bus-based controllers boasting an overall efficiency of 94%. It also gets a 2-speed gearbox that offers flexibility too. This partnership promotes battery swapping policies by NITI Aayog. This e-PRO electric 3W benefits from quality componentry from Tork & Honda to jointly provide the most advanced technology and highest efficiency for the Electric 3-wheeler segment.CompetitionRight now, if we look at the electric 3W segment, YC Electric Vehicles dominate by a small margin. YC products are not properly homologated as 3W rickshaws and come off as an after-thought. Then comes Mahindra with its Treo range of electric 3W which is designed from the ground up by a mainstream manufacturer. We should also see Bajaj’s RE EV electric 3W rickshaw soon enough.Lith Pwr Mobility and EEEVV have a lot of competition to tackle and establish themselves. But, given the swappable battery from Honda and powertrain from Tork, e-PRO looks like an attractive option in the sea of electric 3W startups. Also, swappable battery tech is looking like the future of last mile connectivity, B2B platforms, intracity transportation and intracity logistics too.  More

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      in Bike

      2023 TVS Apache 160cc Spied For First Time – New Exhaust, Features

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      TVS Apache RTR 160 is already the most powerful bike in the segment and is very performant with TVS’ racing pedigree2023 TVS Apache 160ccEver since the updates Apache RTR 160 4V received last year, TVS Motor has been quiet for a while. But now, the company seems to be making some noise again in the form of 2023 Apache RTR 4V. It is one of the most performance-oriented machines in this segment and given TVS’ racing pedigree, it is quite a sporty boy in its segment.The 160cc motorcycle segment is one of the hottest right now as we are witnessing more and more entrants. This segment offers a decent balance between 150cc and 180cc segments. Manufacturers are taking advantage of this segment’s potential to the fullest by launching more products. But OG players of this segment have to better themselves to stay in the game.2023 TVS Apache 160cc SpiedStaying relevant in the segment is exactly what TVS seems to be doing. 2023 Apache RTR 160 4V seems to be following this principle and is likely to get minor changes. In terms of design, Apache RTR 160 4V is a good-looking machine except for its face. Headlight design looks like the face of a Decepticon who’s angry at the bottom and happy at the top with smiling eyebrows.Except for that, though, everything else is bang on the money. It has the right amount of funky, sporty and also maturity about it. Same design will be carried over to 2023 Apache RTR 160 4V as well. In terms of changes, not a lot has changed. Okay, nothing has changed apart from a new exhaust.2023 TVS Apache 160cc – New ExhaustBut there are speculations in place that it might be a prototype exhaust and production model will get the same exhaust unit as outgoing model does. But 2023 TVS Apache 160 can also get this exact exhaust which might be more of a free-flow design. The changes likely are in engine. The outgoing model has a screamer of an engine and lacks a bottom-end punch. So, with tuning and tweaking the engine slightly, TVS can easily fix that. Also likely are the same set of colours too, a Matte Black and Racing Red.Specs & Features2023 TVS Apache 160 will get the same features like ride modes namely Urban, Sport, and Rain. It will also get a gear shift indicator, a radial rear tyre, GTT (Glide Through Traffic), a one-touch start and a wave bite ignition key. It’s instrument console is equipped with TVS’ SmartXonnect Bluetooth connectivity system that offers a wide range of features too.Engine will still be the same 159.7cc single-cylinder engine producing 17.39 bhp and a peak torque of 14.73 Nm. It is paired with a 5-speed gearbox. 2023 model will get a slightly different character, though. Suspension units are the same telescopic forks at front and a mono-shock at its rear.With the recent launch of Bajaj Pulsar N160, and incredibly agile Hero Xtreme 160R, this is a tough segment. Apart from the above, 2023 TVS Apache 160cc will also compete with Pulsar NS160, and Honda X-Blade. With new model, we can also expect a slight price hike too. As changes are negligible, a launch is likely in coming months.Source More

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      in Bike

      Upcoming Hero 300cc Motorcycles Spied Up Close – New Spy Shots

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      Hero MotoCorp seems to be launching 300 cc versions of all of its current 200 cc bikesUpcoming Hero Motorcycles 300cc segmentHero has been synonymous with budget commuters in India crashing sales charts month after month like a pawn in a chess game. But at the upper end of its price spectrum, Hero doesn’t enjoy much action like say, Royal Enfield enjoys. Currently, Hero has XPulse 200 off-roader, 200T tourer which will soon get a 4V head and Xtreme 200S.It is not that Hero doesn’t know how to make faired bikes or ADVs. Hero had the Karizma ZMR on which Hritik Roshan nullifies a freaking tornado with a 20 bhp bike weighing 157 kg. I mean, it was corny. But hey, we’re Indians and we love corny stuff.Hero also had the brilliant Impulse 150 ADV with 245mm ground clearance. With XPulse 200, Hero has taken its off-roading game literally a notch above with recently launched Rally Edition. So, they have a pedigree and with the upcoming 300cc platform, Hero is likely to shine bright. Also, Hero gets its pricing spot on, pretty much every time and a vast dealer network with maintenance costing peanuts doesn’t hurt either.Upcoming Hero 300cc MotorcyclesWhen Hero launched its 200cc platform, XPulse 200 off-roader rose to fame instantly owing to its brilliance. 200T tourer and Xtreme 200S didn’t receive much love from Indians as they were not as appealing as the former. But with 300cc platform Hero should work on making all three products equally appealing.Upcoming Hero Motorcycles 300cc segmentLast time, we saw three Hero motorcycles on test which was just two before. New set of spy shots also has three test mules and confirms that Hero is set to launch XPulse 300 Off-roader, 300T dual-sport and Xtreme 300S sport bike. Hero’s developments come at a time when mid-size segment is seeing steady growth with Royal Enfield leading the sales charts.Currently, XPulse 200T gets alloy wheels and mostly looks like a naked bike. But looking at the XPulse 300T, it seems to get a bikini fairing like we saw with Bajaj AS series and also a small front beak. It gets spoked wheels instead of alloys on 200T and gets block pattern tyres that are fatter than XPulse 300 off-roader. It also seems to get a stubby exhaust which is a lot smaller than XPulse 300 off-roader.Coming to the star of this show, we have an XPulse 300 off-roader which is what I’d bet my money on. It gets a split seat layout and looks like a much more substantial product in terms of size. It also seems to get a space frame like Himalayan to mount jerry cans. The tyres are skinnier than 300T and are visually a much taller machine. But the front wheel doesn’t look to be 21” as seen on XPulse 200. It might just be the angle in the picture, though. Take a look at the spy video below, credited to Unboxing Oneself.[embedded content][embedded content]Xtreme 300S Sports BikeComing to Xtreme 300S, it seems to embody the spirit of Karizma ZMR instead of 200S. We say this because Karizma ZMR was a thicc boi with a fat fairing. It was disproportionate from most angles too. 300S has a big fairing too, but it doesn’t look disproportionate as the bigger platform gets fatter wheels and other components. It is the only one to get alloy wheels too.When it comes to similarities between all three test mules, they have a few. For starters, let’s cover ‘first for a Hero’ components which are a trellis frame, a 300cc engine with around 30 bhp and 25 Nm, a 6-speed gearbox, liquid cooling, and front USD forks, to name a few. Other notable updates include a larger and squarish display for instrumentation and we can expect slightly better switchgear too. All three of these bikes will lock horns with similar motorcycles from TVS, Bajaj, Royal Enfield, Jawa, Yezdi and more. More

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      in Bike

      New Bajaj Pulsar Spied Testing – Is It 125cc Or 150cc ?

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      After launching biggest 250cc Pulsar and new-gen N160, Bajaj is in the process of introducing similar design aesthetics across the Pulsar rangeNew Bajaj Pulsar N125 or New 150cc?It is likely that the next in line to get cosmetic updates and possibly some performance boost will be the bestselling Pulsar motorcycles. In that sense, the preferred candidates will be Pulsar 125 and Pulsar 150. As of now, more than 80% of overall Pulsar motorcycle sales are contributed by smaller capacity Pulsar 125 and Pulsar 150. The former is the largest contributor with more than 50% share in Pulsar sales.A test mule spotted recently can be seen with front and rear disc brakes. This increases the likelihood of Pulsar 150. As compared to existing Pulsar 150 that has dual gas filled rear shock absorber, the test mule can be seen with monoshock rear suspension.This feature is already available with NS125. Another key difference can be seen in the underbelly exhaust, as compared to a standard-looking upswept exhaust used with current Pulsar 150.New Pulsar N125 and Pulsar 150 featuresWhile test mules of N125 / new-gen Pulsar 150 have been spotted wearing heavy camouflage, it is easy to notice that the core design language is similar to Pulsar 250 and N160. Some of the key features include aggressive headlamp design, sporty rear view mirrors, beefy tank shrouds, telescopic front forks, prominent engine cowl, sleek turn signals and sharp tail section.New Bajaj Pulsar N125 or New 150cc?While Pulsar 250 and N160 and even NS125 have split-seat design, it is likely that Pulsar N125 and new-gen Pulsar 150 will be getting a single-piece seat. NS125 already has an underbelly exhaust, which will be visually largely the same with N125. Both N125 and new-gen Pulsar 150 will have a comfortable riding stance, with centrally placed foot pegs and ergonomically placed handlebar.Pulsar N125, Pulsar 150 performanceIt is possible that engines for N125 and Pulsar 150 can be updated, as per new architecture used for Pulsar 250. Recently launched N160 also utilizes an updated engine that offers improved reliability and faster acceleration.It has segment-best torque availability and fastest passing acceleration in 3rd, 4th and 5th gear. Gear shifts have been smoothened and noise and vibrations have been reduced. Similar set of improvements can be expected with the Pulsar N125 and new Pulsar 150.New Bajaj Pulsar N125 or New 150cc?When launched, Pulsar N125 will work as a replacement for current NS125. In its current format, NS125 generates 12 PS of max power at 8,500 rpm and 11 Nm of peak torque at 7,000 rpm. It is mated to a 5-speed constant mesh transmission. In case of Pulsar 150, power and torque output is 14 PS and 13.25 Nm.Sensing more opportunities in 125cc segment, Bajaj is also readying CT125X. It will be a sportier version of the entry-level CT motorcycle, with features like rugged headlamp design with metal guards, V-shaped DRL, fork gaiters, tank pads, quilted seat design and rear rack. Engine could be same as the upcoming Pulsar N125. Launch price of Bajaj CT125X is likely to be around Rs 80k. It will take on rivals such as Hero Glamour, Hero Super Splendor, Honda Shine and Honda SP125.Source More

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      in Motor News

      GMA T.33 Supercar Will Be Fully Street Legal in the U.S., and More Variants Are Coming

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      GMA showed its T.50 and T.33 supercars for the first time in the U.S. at The Quail during Monterey Car Week, where the T.50 also took a few laps around Laguna Seca with Dario Franchitti at the center helm.While the T.50 won’t be street legal in the U.S., GMA’s second car, the T.33, will be, meeting all emissions and crash standards.Although both cars are sold out, there are two more cars in the pipeline with additional models to follow.According to founder and supercar visionary Gordon Murray, it took a deep breath plus a $33 million investment to make his company’s T.33 supercar meet all requirements to be street legal in the U.S. Its first car, the 641-hp T.50 that revs to a stratospheric 12,100 rpm, isn’t, and it will instead be brought in under the show-or-display provision, just like Murray’s landmark first supercar, the McLaren F1. GMA T.50 at The Quail.Rolex/Tom O’NealThe sizable extra investment means Gordon Murray Automotive’s second car, the marginally less extreme 592-hp T.33, meets all of the lengthy Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), including all crash requirements. Creativity and novel solutions are not rewarded, and the T.50’s center driving position is a no-go, which is why the T.33 has a standard two-seat arrangement. Both versions of the 4.0-liter Cosworth V-12 that power the two cars meet U.S. emissions standards, but drive-by noise and crash requirements are two key areas where the cars differ from a certification perspective, according to CEO Phillip Lee. We talked to Murray and Lee at The Quail, an event during Monterey Car Week where many a supercar purveyor was in attendance to capture the attention of the notoriously wealthy attendees, who might just decide to buy one on a whim. This was the first time the T.50 and T.33 were shown in the U.S., and GMA also announced it is opening a U.S. headquarters in an unspecified location in eastern Florida that will be up and running in 2024.Dave VanderWerp|Car and DriverDave VanderWerp|Car and DriverThat coincides with T.33 deliveries, which will also start in 2024, following a switch to a new production facility that will take place in 2023 after T.50 production has ended. Yes, the company is literally picking up and moving all its equipment from its Dunsfold, U.K., plant just down the road to a new facility in Windlesham, which will be roughly a three-month process.Murray says that the company will limit production on each of its cars to no more than 100, and both the $2.5 million T.50 and $1.9 million T.33 sold out almost immediately. But there will be more opportunity to buy one of Gordon Murray’s wonderfully obsessive supercar creations, as he says they have another two cars in the pipeline, and a product cadence mapped out well into the next decade. How obsessive? In addition to the incredibly light weight, mega revs, and supreme focus on the driving experience, they didn’t stop there. Murray says “every single thing on the motor car of the car is a piece of engineering art, even stuff owners will never see” and then citing an example of spending more than 12 months and £1.3 million ($1.5 million) optimizing the feel of the analog knobs and eradicating slop.Even supercars need to spread out the cost burden, with Murray suggesting that if they had done only the 100 T.50s that the price would need to be £10 million apiece, or nearly five times more expensive.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

      BMW M Is Testing a Quad-Motor EV Drivetrain in a Widebody i4

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      BMW M announced it is testing an all-electric high-performance prototype based on the i4.The vehicle has a new all-wheel-drive setup with four electric motors.Virtual testing and bench testing have already taken place, and this new testing will put the prototype through more realistic scenarios on the road.BMW’s M high-performance division is moving further down the path toward electrification, if this i4-based prototype with a new quad-motor drivetrain is any indication. The prototype’s all-wheel-drive setup with four electric motors suggests that future M EVs could be significantly more powerful than the current M-badged electric offerings, the 536-hp i4 M50 and the 610-hp iX M60. Both of these have dual-motor setups.

      BMW has not yet said exactly which form a future M EV could take, but the test mule is based on the i4 M50, with widened wheel arches to fit different front and rear axles. It also uses structural components from the M3 and M4 to improve torsional rigidity. Testing began in virtual models and on test benches before being put on the road.Beyond providing more power, BMW says that having a motor at each wheel will also open the door for more precise tuning, with the ability to instantly send power to individual wheels. The four motors are connected to one central control unit which determines where to send power based on factors like pedal position, steering angle, longitudinal and lateral acceleration, and wheel speeds. We don’t know yet exactly when this new powertrain will go into production, but EVs have already begun to disrupt BMW’s performance hierarchy. Although the i4 M50 is not meant to be a full-bore M model on the same level as the M3 and M4, it is already nipping on the heels of its gas-powered siblings in our acceleration testing. The electric i4 M50’s 3.3-second sprint to 60 mph beat the rear-wheel-drive M3 Competition and was only a half a second behind the all-wheel-drive M4 Competition xDrive’s result. So it goes without saying that we’re looking forward to finding out what a quad-motor BMW M EV could be capable.
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      in Motor News

      2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Gets a Price Bump and a New Night Edition

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      Hyundai has announced some updates for the Santa Cruz compact pickup for 2023.The base price is up $1010, but there are newly standard driver-assistance features.A Night model with black trim joins the lineup and starts at $37,105.Hyundai’s compact pickup truck, the Santa Cruz, is entering its second model year with a few updates and new, higher pricing. The base SE model rises $1010 and now starts at $26,745, but benefits from some newly standard driver-assistance features. And a Night trim level joins the lineup with a blacked-out appearance, starting at $37,105. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are now included on the base SE; these features were previously available only on the SEL and above. The 2023 Santa Cruz SEL ($29,085) trim is up by just $150, while the SEL Premium ($37,425) is up by $1220 and the top Limited ($41,615) is up $150.

      Hyundai

      The Night trim level is new and, at $37,105, is now the cheapest version of the Santa Cruz with the optional 281-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four. The SEL Premium and Limited models also have this engine, and all turbo models come standard with all-wheel drive. As we’ve come to expect from these sorts of blacked-out appearance packages, the Night trim also includes tweaks such as dark grille trim, black 20-inch wheels, black mirror caps and door handles, and side steps.

      With its unibody platform shared with the Tucson crossover, the Santa Cruz entered into a new segment of compact pickups when it launched last year alongside its closest rival, the Ford Maverick. So far, the Ford is beating the Hyundai in the sales race, with the Maverick moving 38,753 units through the first half of 2022 and the Santa Cruz selling 18,203 units through the same time period. We’ll see how this rivalry continues to play out as both enter the 2023 model year; for its part, the Maverick also added a new trim for the new model year, the off-road-oriented Tremor.
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      in Bike

      Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 First Official Teaser – Launch Next Year

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      Royal Enfield’s consistent efforts to improve its product offerings will be evident once again with all-new Himalayan 4502023 Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 – RenderOne of the popular all-terrain bikes in the country, Royal Enfield Himalayan 411 is expected to be replaced with a more powerful 450cc model. New Himalayan will have better capabilities for highway cruising and extra torque for off-road environments. Launch is likely to take place in 2023.While the new Himalayan retains the core silhouette of its predecessor, there are quite a few changes that give the bike a unique identity. Expected to be launched next year, it has now been teased officially.Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 TeasedRoyal Enfield and their MD have shared an interesting new video on their Instagram accounts today. At first glance, it looks like a Himalayan that is crossing river somewhere in Ladakh region. It does not take long for one to realize that it is not the Himalayan that is currently on sale. But something else. The video has the caption – Testing 1, 2, 3..Well, this is the first official teaser of the upcoming new Himalayan, that is popularly known as the Himalayan 450. Though the teaser only shows the front LED headlight, earlier test mules that were spotted in full camouflage, revealed design tweaks. These include changes to the headlamp cowl, windshield, front beak, fuel tank and side panels. Himalayan 450 has been equipped with a stubbier exhaust, as compared to that of current model.New Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 teasedVideo @royalenfield pic.twitter.com/1mNE045xZl— RushLane (@rushlane) August 22, 2022Things like front and rear luggage racks will be largely the same. There could be some slight variations in line with the bike’s profile. In terms of functionality, the luggage racks could be made stronger to boost their load carrying capacity. Step-up split seats look familiar, so does the rear tail section.Ride ergonomics appears more or less the same, even though there could be some changes to the positioning of the handlebar and footpegs. Being an all-terrain bike, it’s a tad difficult for designers to balance the needs of highway cruising and off-road tracks. Himalayan has witnessed continuous improvements over the years and riding comfort can be expected to be better with the new 450cc model.Himalayan 450 engine and specsPowering new Himalayan will be a 450cc engine, capable of generating close to 40 bhp of max power and 45 Nm of peak torque. This makes it a more powerful machine, as compared to the likes of KTM 390 Adventure and BMW G 310 GS. In its current form, Himalayan produces a modest 24.3 bhp and 32 Nm. Another key update will be a 6-speed transmission, replacing the existing 5-speed unit.Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Side ViewEquipped with USD forks at front, new Himalayan 450 will have better handling and control at high speeds. At rear, the bike will have monoshock suspension. Riding on 21-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels, new Himalayan 450 will be dimensionally similar to the current model.Braking system will have disc brakes at both ends, integrated with dual-channel ABS as standard. As compared to manually switchable ABS offered with current Himalaya, the new model will have automatic function. Rear ABS will be switched off automatically as soon as the user selects off-road ride mode. There will be other ride modes as well such as road and rain.Other key updates will include features like ride-by-wire throttle. Heated grips could also be offered as an option. This will come handy when riding in cooler climes. Users will also be able to choose from multiple options for handlebar and handguards. Debut is likely to take place at EICMA 2022 in November this year, while launch can happen in H1 2023. A Scram version is also in the making. More