More stories

  • in

    2022 Yamaha Nmax 155cc Scooter Gets Traction Control From R15 V4

    In production since 2015, Yamaha Nmax 155 is available for sale in China and South East Asian markets like Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia and ThailandNew Yamaha NMAX 155cc Scooter With Traction Control SystemBased on Aerox 155 that is available for sale in India, Yamaha Nmax 155 has received its 2022 update in China. The entry-level maxi-scooter has also been updated in select South East Asian markets. The updates are largely functional in nature, aimed at improving overall ride experience for users.Yamaha Nmax 2022 updatesFor improved safety and better control and handling, 2022 Yamaha Nmax 155 has been equipped with a traction control system. This feature will be available with Nmax ABS variant and is same as the one on offer with the latest R15 V4. The system has sensors that can detect loss of traction in rear tyre, which can happen on slippery surfaces or when pushing the accelerator during cornering.Working with the ECU, the system works to reduce rear wheel slip. With traction control, users can achieve faster acceleration on slippery surfaces, all while reducing the risk of a crash. Negotiating sharp corners will also become a lot safer and smoother with traction control.Another key update for 2022 Nmax 155 is gas-charged rear suspension with pre-load adjustability. This should help improve overall ride experience, especially when negotiating rough patches or unpaved roads. The earlier model had standard spring-based dual shock absorbers.New Yamaha NMAX 155cc Scooter With Traction Control SystemNo other updatesApart from traction control and new rear suspension, 2022 Nmax remains largely the same as earlier. It is powered by a 155 cc motor that churns out 15 PS of max power and 13.9 Nm of peak torque. It is mated to a V-belt automatic transmission.Aerox 155 has this same engine. It is also in use with other Yamaha two-wheelers such as MT15 and YFZ R15 V4. The motor is equipped with VVA tech that ensures strong torque delivery at low speeds and optimal power at high speeds. It also helps achieve smooth acceleration when starting from a stop position.Other key features available with Nmax 155 include engine stop and start system for improved fuel efficiency, smart key system for touchless ignition, hazard lamp, mobile charging port and 23.3 litre underseat storage. It has an all-LED setup with cool designs for the headlamp and taillamp.New Yamaha NMAX 155cc ScooterNmax has a multifunction full digital speedometer that displays a range of info such as fuel gauge, speed, clock and real-time fuel economy. Users can access a range of connectivity features via Yamaha Y-Connect app. It includes maintenance recommendations, malfunction notification, fuel consumption tracking and parking location.As India already has Aerox 155, it is unlikely that Nmax will be launched here. However, it is possible that some of the updates introduced with Nmax could eventually make its way to Aerox 155. Cost of the upgrades will be a key factor that will determine whether Yamaha chooses to introduce new features for Aerox 155. In its present form, Aerox 155 is available at a starting price of Rs 1.39 lakh (Ex-showroom, Delhi). More

  • in

    Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Modified Bobber With Single Seat – Looks Dope

    Royal Enfield Meteor 350 gets converted into a classic bobber by Volcano GarageRoyal Enfield Meteor 350 BobberRoyal Enfield motorcycles going under the knife at an aftermarket workshop is a common sight not just in India but across the world as well. Over the years, we have come across numerous examples of stock RE bikes being converted into fancy machines. The latest example comes from Europe and involves a Meteor 350.The cruiser has once again shown its true camouflage nature as it takes the shape of a custom-built bobber. This project has been undertaken by Volcano Garage and showcases the versatility of Royal Enfield’s robust architecture.Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Modified BobberAs seen in traditional bobbers, the custom-built Meteor 350 gets a single rider’s saddle held by twin springs underneath and a quilted pattern on top for added comfort. The fuel tank remains stock and so does the handlebar although the latter gets new bar-end mirrors which gives it a fresh appeal.The unit used in this project is a Fireball variant of Meteor hence all internals and running gear of the motorcycle are already blacked out. Fenders at both ends have been chopped short to give it a signature bobber look.Royal Enfield Meteor 350 BobberBlack alloy wheels with the same rubber profile have been kept intact although side panels have been custom-built. Also, the headlight unit uses an aftermarket LED assembly inside the same round encasing with black bezels. Adding flair to the setup is an aftermarket exhaust setup with a short bottle canister.By the looks of it, changes have been made to the cycle parts of the motorcycle as well, especially on its swingarm but we do not have exact details of it. The swingarm also gets a new custom-built mount for the registration plate. The stock taillamps have been replaced by a pair of aftermarket units and uniquely attached to the rear shock absorbers.Specs & FeaturesFork gaiters up front enhance the bike’s retro charm while the all-black theme adds a sporty touch to the overall characteristic of bobber. There is no report of any change made in the powertrain department of the motorcycle. Meteor 350 is powered by a 349cc single-cylinder, air-cooled engine that kicks out 20.2 bhp and 27 Nm of peak torque. The engine is paired with a 5-speed gearbox via a slipper and assist clutch.Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Bobber – Pillion seat can be added if need arisesHardware parts on the stock cruiser consist of a suspension setup with conventional telescopic forks up front and twin shock absorbers at rear. There is also an option to add a pillion seat, if need arises. Braking duties are handled by single disc brakes at both ends aided by a single-channel ABS. In its stock form, Meteor 350 weighs 191 kilos and has a fuel tank capacity of 15 litres.In terms of features, the equipment list is thin, comprising a side-stand engine kill switch and a semi-digital instrument console. It is also offered with a Tripper Navigation pod that provides turn-by-turn navigation when paired with the Royal Enfield App via Bluetooth. However, this feature is now available only as an optional accessory.Source More

  • in

    4 Automakers Ask U.S. Government to Lift Cap on $7500 EV Tax Credit

    Ford, GM, Stellantis, and Toyota have all signed on to a letter asking the federal government to do away with the cap on consumer incentives for buying an electric vehicle—which are currently limited to 200,000 vehicles per automaker.The four companies say the number of credits should be increased because the pandemic and supply-chain problems have raised prices, potentially preventing customers from being able to afford a new EV.GM and Tesla are the only automakers that have hit the threshold thus far, but Ford and Toyota could reach the limit this year, Reuters noted.Four major automakers are asking the U.S. government to expand the $7500 federal tax credit for electric vehicles, citing rising prices and economic turmoil as reasons to allow more than 200,000 qualifying sales per company. Ford, GM, Stellantis, and Toyota North America have sent Congress a letter, first reported on by Reuters, signed by the respective CEOs asking for the extension. The letter was not released publicly.

    When the U.S. federal tax credit for electric vehicles was passed back in 2008 under President Bush, the message was that the 200,000-vehicle limit would give companies selling their first EVs a price cushion to help make them cost-competitive with gas-powered cars. Once a company has sold 200,000, the thinking went, it would have reached some sort of economies of scale, and thus be able to lower their prices. This plan is working, in some instances. GM, for example, ran out of credits in early 2019 and recently announced prices for the 2023 Bolt EV and Bolt EUV that were around $6000 less than for the 2022 models.But now we’re in 2022, and the auto industry is asking for the government to rethink that 200,000 limit. The reasons lie in the off-kilter world around us. “Recent economic pressures and supply chain constraints are increasing the cost of manufacturing electrified vehicles which, in turn, puts pressure on the price to consumers,” the CEOs wrote in the letter.Overall, the automakers are basically asking for more time, saying that they’ve collectively pledged to spend $170 billion through 2030 to make EVs a reality in the U.S. and want the tax credit to expand in order to attract more customers.

    2023 Toyota bZ4x.
    Toyota

    Ford, Toyota on the Verge The four automakers are in quite different stages of hitting the limit of 200,000 vehicles sold. GM, as stated, has already passed it. GM and Tesla are the only automakers that have hit the limit so far. But they are likely to be joined by others, and soon. We don’t know when, since automakers do not have to release qualifying EV sales numbers, but based on company statements and outside calculations, Ford and Toyota are likely to hit the level later this year, Reuters said, with Stellantis picking up the rear.

    Beyond simply lifting the cap on the number of qualifying sales per automaker, previous ideas to expand federal incentives for EVs have included allowing the credits to continue until EVs reach a predetermined market share threshold for a predetermined length of time (so, for example, the credits could end once EVs make up 25 percent of the new cars sold for six quarters, or something like that). During discussions about potential changes to federal EV incentives during negotiations over some of President Biden’s infrastructure and Build Back Better plans, a number of ideas were floated. One would offer credits for used-EV purchases, while another would change the tax credit to a point-of-sale rebate, and yet another would have increased the amount of the maximum tax credit from $7500 to $12,500. Some of these ideas have been proposed before, like when President Obama tried to change the credits into at-dealer rebates a decade ago.
    This content is imported from {embed-name}. 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 created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io More

  • in

    2023 Chevy Corvette Z06 with Zany Green Paint, Matching NFT to Be Auctioned

    A 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 with exclusive Minted Green paint is headed for a charity auction next week.The custom Z06 is accompanied by a color-matched NFT, and they can only be bid on with Ethereum cryptocurrency.The auction is open to eligible bidders from June 20 to 24, 2022, with all proceeds going to the DonorsChoose organization.What a time to be alive. It feels like not that long ago a mid-engine Corvette was a future fantasy. Now, they’re in Chevy showrooms, with a new 670-hp Z06 version on the way. And that’s not even the craziest thing. That distinction goes to the custom-painted 2023 Chevy Corvette Z06 and its matching one-of-a-kind non-fungible token (NFT) that’s about to be auctioned off for charity next week.

    We can already imagine all of you right now who are firing up the Google machine to find out just what the heck is an NFT. Well, we sort of explained it in our recent comparison test of full-size luxury SUVs, also known as “Nice F—ing Trucks.” For the TL;DR crowd, an NFT is a “unique digital identifier that cannot be copied, substituted, or subdivided, that is recorded in a blockchain, and that is used to certify authenticity and ownership,” as defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary. Still confused? Welcome to 2022.

    Chevrolet

    In this case, the NFT was designed by xsullo, and it features artwork depicting a Z06 racing through the streets of what appears to be a futuristic city. The illustrated Z06 wears the same zany green color as the physical ’23 Corvette Z06, which Chevy says is called Minted Green. It also says the car that’s being auctioned is the only 2023 production model that will wear the exclusive hue. The exact spec includes the Z07 package and carbon-fiber wheels, along with a commemorative plaque and a VIN that’s inspired by binary code—the language of computers. At least attention to detail isn’t out of style in these unprecedented times.So, if all this talk of a new Z06 in a crazy color complete with a matching NFT makes you interested in bidding, the charity auction will be live around the world from June 20 to 24, 2022, to those who are eligible. However, there’s an M. Night Shyamalan–like twist: bids can only be placed with Ethereum cryptocurrency. For the unfamiliar, we’ll direct your attention back to Google. All the crypto proceeds go to the DonorsChoose organization that’s aimed at helping teachers in need. Because if this cryptocurrency and NFT business has taught us anything, it’s that our youth need a good education that’ll prepare them for even more weirdness that’s sure to come in the future.
    This content is imported from {embed-name}. 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 created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io More

  • in

    Royal Enfield Sales Breakup May 2022 – Classic, Bullet, Himalayan, 650 Twins

    Royal Enfield has posted a notable YoY increase in domestic sales while MoM sales dipped marginallyRoyal Enfield 650ccRoyal Enfield sales for May 2022 showoff encouraging YoY performance in both domestic and global markets. Domestic sales stood at 53,525 units in May 2022, up 166.65 percent over 20,073 units sold in May 2021 (a month bogged down by the second wave of the Covid – 19 pandemic). MoM sales dipped marginally by 0.61 percent over 53,852 units, a difference of 327 units.Royal Enfield Sales May 2022 – Classic 350 LeadsIn domestic markets, it was the RE’s 350 range that commanded the most attention. The Classic 350 saw sales of 29,959 units, up 224.27 percent over 9,239 units sold in May 2021. It had a volume growth of 20,720 units with 55.97 percent share. RE Classic 350 MoM sales however, dipped 8.03 percent over 32,575 units sold in April 2022 when share percentage was at 60.49.Next up was the Meteor 350 with sales of 8,209 units in May 2022, up 143.23 percent over 3,375 units sold in May 2021 commanding a 15.34 percent share in the company lineup. Sales in April 2022 had stood at 4,617 units relating to a 77.80 percent MoM growth. The third best-selling model was also in the 350cc segment. Bullet 350 sales improved 52.69 percent YoY to 6,958 units, up from 4,557 units sold in May 2021. This was a 2,401 unit volume growth with a 13 percent share. MoM sales however, dipped 7.39 percent from 7,513 units sold in April 2022.RE Electra 350 also saw a YoY growth of 78.46 percent to 3,769 units from 2,112 units sold in May 2021 while MoM sales dipped 3.80 percent over 3,918 units sold in April 2022. Share percentage also dipped from 7.28 percent to 7.04 percent MoM.Royal Enfield Sales May 2022Next up in the 350cc segment, Royal Enfield gears up for their next big launch in India in August 2022. The Hunter 350 will be offered in two variants, J1C1 and J1C2, with the latter being the most affordable bike in the company lineup.Royal Enfield’s Himalayan (3,273 units) and 650 Twins (1,357 units) also posted a YoY growth of 606.91 percent and 314.98 percent respectively. MoM sales improved 6.61 percent for the Himalayan over 3,070 units sold in April 2022 while it dipped 37.15 percent in the case of 650 Twins as against 2,159 units sold in April 2022.RE Exports May 2022Royal Enfield exports improved 40.12 percent YoY to 10,118 units in May 2022, up from 7,221 units shipped in May 2021. MoM exports increased by 21.86 percent from 8,303 units sold in April 2022.Royal Enfield Exports May 2022In export markets, it was the 650 Twins that saw most demand. Exports stood at 5,178 units in May 2022 up 172.24 percent over 1,902 units shipped in May 2021. This was volume growth of 3,276 units with a share percent of 51.18 up from 33.17 percent held in April 2022 when exports stood at 2,754 units, a growth of 88.02 percent MoM.While exports of the RE Classic 350 increased by 392.73 percent YoY to 2,779 units, that of Meteor 350 dipped 25.15 percent to 2,161 units. Both these models posted a MoM growth of 54.65 percent and 89.89 percent respectively. Exports of the Himalayan, Bullet 500, Classic 500 and Electra 350 were down to 0 units even as there were 7 units of the Bullet 500 shipped in April 2022. More

  • in

    New Ather Electric Scooter TVC – Takes A Dig At Rivals Over Fire Incidents

    Ather taunts other EV manufacturers as it hasn’t encountered a manufacturing flaw yet resulting in EV firesNew Ather Electric Scooter TVCPersonally, I don’t like trash talks. But when automotive manufacturers do it to one another, I’ll be sure to grab a bowl of popcorn and hop on the couch. We have seen something of this sort from Tata Motors often.Time and again Tata Motors has taken a dig at rivals Maruti and Hyundai over safety rating. One of them was when Tata Altroz called Maruti Baleno and Hyundai i20 for a crash date on Valentine’s day. Crash date, get it? Because Altroz had an impressive 5-star safety rating and others didn’t. Hyundai i20 later scored a 3-star rating by GNCAP and Maruti Suzuki Baleno however, scored a 0 star safety in Latin NCAP.Ather Follows Similar FormulaAther seems to have followed the trend too as they just took a dig at other EV manufacturers for their fire hazards. In the video, we can see Shreyas Seethapathy, battery designer at Ather Energy, digging into his bowl of ice cream while sitting on an autoclave in which batteries designed by him, are baking.Ather Energy further adds that the company has delivered consistent performance and range with its batteries and not making any tall claims. It also states that Ather’s batteries are designed for monsoons, winter, wind, sandstorms and also hot summers. According to Ather, the reason why Seethapathy is sitting on baking batteries is that he is confident about his battery designs not catching fire even after being baked for 3 hours.[embedded content][embedded content]In terms of EV batteries, Li-ion batteries or Li-Po batteries are used on premium electric scooters and Lead-acid batteries are used on cheaper electric scooters. But even though a bunch of scooters gets the same Li-ion batteries, they’re not designed the same. And India of all countries has a biodiversity that only a few countries have. We have every type of extreme temperature, extreme altitudes, extreme terrains and extreme road conditions (or the lack thereof) too.Designing an EV for India is tricky and on top of it, most electric scooters we see here, are not designed for India in the first place. Take Ola for example, the banana-shaped battery pack was designed by its subsidiary company Etergo for Europe. Europe has a much lower temperature than India and has much superior road conditions too. Revolt motorcycles were designed for China. Most other small EV manufacturers source their EV components from China. This is where Ather Energy shines. The Bengaluru-based startup has designed its scooters completely from the scratch in India, for India; instead of outsourcing its parts from China.Ather Electric Scooter Fire IncidentRecently, an Ather scooter caught fire at Ather’s Chennai experience centre. The company was quick to respond that the scooter in question was subjected to an accident and the battery was compromised. When the scooter was washed at the service center, it caught fire.When EVs are subjected to accidents where batteries are compromised, they are prone to catch fire. We saw this when esteemed automotive journalist Richard Hammond crashed a Rimac Concept One when the car rolled down a Swiss mountain. Till now, Ather scooters hasn’t caught fire due to manufacturing defects like some others. Whatever Ather is doing, seems to be working for consumers in India. More

  • in

    Bajaj Pulsar 160 Modified Into A Quirky Cruiser At Home – For Rs 20k

    As only a few of the original parts of Pulsar NS160 have been used, this project is more like creating an entirely new bikeBajaj Pulsar Modified CruiserEverything has a limit, it’s said, but the law doesn’t seem to apply to the creativity of the human mind. A perfect example is this radical customization project where a Pulsar NS160 has been transformed into an eccentric cruiser bike. That it is capable of some off-roading as well goes on to show the creator’s focus on achieving an optimal balance of form and function.Most bike customization projects are built around the core frame. But in this case, even the stock chassis has been trashed. The project starts with taking apart the entire bike, starting with the fairing and moving on to dissemble the fuel tank, silencer, wheels, electricals and the engine.Bajaj Pulsar Modified CruiserNext step involves the making of an entirely new chassis using various types of metal bars and sheets. These are given the desired shape with the use of standard nut-bolts as well as welding the joints wherever needed. It’s quite a painful and time consuming process, as the chassis had to undergo multiple iterations before it was finalized.It’s the chassis design that provides the desired balance and handling capabilities for a bike. Even two-wheeler OEMs take several months to develop a new chassis from scratch. In this project, changes made to the chassis had to be tested each time. This meant assembling and disassembling the bike multiple times before it was rated road-worthy by its creator, Nitin Umbaranikar.[embedded content][embedded content]Once the chassis was finalized, the bike had to be disassembled once again to give a thorough coat of paint to the frame. Other key customizations in this project include a tweaked air filter and completely handmade steering system.Sporty fairingTo ensure it has an eye-catchy skin to go with its quirky internals, the modified bike gets entirely new fairing. It has been created using plastic sheets. The fairing covers much of the front and side sections as well as the fuel tank. For refuelling, a sliding mechanism has been provided that reveals the fuel tank opening.Instead of paint, the bike’s fairing has been wrapped in grey and white vinyl. This took a lot of time, as the bike has a complex fairing setup, placed at varying angles. Other ornamentations include dual LED headlamp, LED strip turn signals and LED lights on both wheels. Watching this bike on the streets at night is a real treat for the eyes.Bajaj Pulsar Modified CruiserSurprisingly, the cost of this project is just Rs 20k. It became possible, as many of the custom parts were made using scrap items. However, if one counts the amount of labour involved, this project’s cost will be much higher. It took the creator 120 days to complete this project, with endless hours almost every day. More

  • in

    New TVS Retron LED Headlight Leaks – Or Is It Zepplin R?

    TVS has not revealed much about this upcoming vehicle to be revealed on July 6thTVS Retron MotorcycleTVS recently revealed a new teaser stating that it was going to launch a new vehicle on July 6th. The teaser had a ‘T’ insignia that looked like a DRL of a vehicle. The invite also had a hashtag saying ‘New Way Of Life’. This had us scratching our heads because TVS somehow has the capability of sneakily getting a product launched without getting papped at all. We have seen this with TVS’ Raider launch.We previously predicted that it could be a Zeppelin R that was recently trademarked or a Creon electric scooter or a lifestyle adventure-tourer based on the RR 310 platform. But with the LED headlight getting leaked, we have a clearer picture about TVS’ upcoming launch on July 6th.TVS Retron Retro-Themed BikeDo you know what is common between Royal Enfield motorcycles, Yezdi motorcycles, Jawa motorcycles, Yamaha FZ-X, Honda H’ness CB350, Kawasaki Z650RS and Street Twins from Triumph? They’re all retro-themed modern motorcycles and they have one design element that is quintessential and screams retro, a round headlight.Round headlight is that design element that has stood the test of time. It is one of the most timeless design elements and will stay that way for centuries to come. TVS’ new headlight is also round and the way it is shaped and sized, makes us easily discard the possibility of it being on a scooter. We just don’t see it happening. It is, no doubt, a fitting element on a retro-themed motorcycle by TVS.TVS Retron MotorcycleTVS had trademarked the name Retron, likely for the launch of a retro-themed motorcycle. TVS has also trademarked the name Zepplin R. We have seen India’s thirst for retro-themed motorcycles and a cruiser bike like Zeppelin R is a hard sell in India. The hardships of a cruiser bike are visible as we recently saw Suzuki discontinue its Intruder 150 cruiser motorcycle in India.Considering the T shaped LED DRL, we think it makes more sense to be on a Retron. Additionally, in new TVS vehicles, there is this new design trend, where you get to see the shape of one of the letters from the name, inside the LED DRL. Happened with NTORQ, and more recently with Raider. Retron as the letter T, which is the shape of the LED DRL in a new leaked photo and the launch invite. Interestingly, sometime last year, a test mule of a TVS Retron was spied.New Way Of LifeTVS also has a hashtag saying ‘New Way Of Life’ and this could mean a lot of things for Retron. For one, it might get an adventure-tourer avatar like Hero XPulse 200, Royal Enfield Himalayan 411 and Yezdi Adventure or a scrambler avatar like Yezdi Scrambler, Royal Enfield Scram 411, or even the smaller FZ-X.New TVS Retron Motorcycle SpiedWe have seen the rise in popularity of adventure tourers and scramblers in India and a lot of Indian motorcycle manufacturers have jumped on this bandwagon. We can easily see a manufacturer like TVS in a segment like this as it never created a product catering to adventure-tourers or scramblers before.TVS currently has a lot of platform choices for basing the Retron on. But the most probable options are the 200 cc 4V engine found on Apache RTR 200 4V and its flagship 312 cc engine doing duties in Apache RR 310. If the upcoming adventure-tourer or scrambler version of Retron is based on the former, it will compete with the likes of Hero XPulse 200 4V and if based on the latter, it takes the fight to the big dogs like Yezdi and Royal Enfield bikes. Either way, July 6th will be one hot event from TVS.Source More