News

Subterms

    More stories

    • 113 Shares149 Views

      in Electric Cars

      Tata Electric Cars May Get Tesla-Like Autonomous Driving Feature

      by

      Tata Motors could offer self-driving autonomous technology on future EVs based on the Avinya concept underpinned by a new Born Electric platformNew Tata AvinyaTata Motors has been on a roll as far as electric mobility is concerned. The homegrown carmaker has laid down its grand vision for the electric vehicle (EV) space for India and overseas markets as well. The carmaker’s electrification strategy will be headed by the Tata Passenger Electric Mobility (TPEM) division which is responsible for all EV-related developments.In this regard, the company has recently unveiled pre-production concepts Curvv and Avinya which are going to form the base of upcoming Gen 2 and Gen 3 EVs from the brand respectively. The Avinya concept is based on a new ‘Born Electric’ skateboard platform purely dedicated to future EVs.Autonomous Driving in future EVsIt has also come to light that Tata Motors is envisioning autonomous driving technology for models based on the Avinya Concept. Anand Kulkarni, VP- Product Line and Operations, TPEM, revealed that Tata Motors is looking into this aspect. The architecture is fully capable of incorporating Level 3 or even higher levels of autonomous technology.He further added that fully autonomous driving is also possible for this platform but there needs to be enough demand in global markets. Currently, there are a few car manufacturers who offer higher levels of autonomous driving features. One of them is Tesla, who also has plans of launching their electric cars in India.New Tata AvinyaAvinya Concept Based On Full EV platformThe Avinya Concept measures 4.3 metres and the platform can accommodate cars between lengths 4.1 metres to 4.5 metres. This architecture is versatile in adopting a wide range of body styles as well as drivetrains. Models based on this platform can be front-wheel driven, rear-wheel driven or all-wheel driven. According to Kulkarni, it is important that this architecture meets all safety regulations for autonomous driving. This platform will be laced with modern connectivity features that will play a crucial role in autonomous tech.He further highlighted that there is nothing common between this Born Electric platform and internal combustion engine (ICE) platform. In his words, it is a pure ground-up EV only platform and cannot ever take an IC engine. This skateboard architecture has been created by moving the wheels to the farthest points and creating a space in the middle to fit in the battery pack.Expected Range, Battery Swapping tech & moreTata Motors is working on its elaborate plans that include launching ten new electric cars by 2026. The company isn’t working on a battery swapping technology in this segment as of now, however, this platform offers a provision of such a setup to be added later. Large EVs based on the Avinya concept are likely to have a claimed range of 500km on a single charge that should translate to a real-world range of around 370km.It also came to light that Tata Motors isn’t looking to dive into hybrid powertrains and will instead work to provide a ladder to customers for EVs with a specific range and features built into them according to market demand. The first product based on this new Born Electric platform is expected to be a large SUV which is likely to be an electric equivalent of Safari or Harrier. More

    • 113 Shares99 Views

      in Motor News

      Loki Basecamp's XL Coach Series Is an Adventure-Ready RV

      by

      The Loki Basecamp XL Coach Series is based on the Prevost X3-45 VIP.Loki Basecamp calls the model the “ultimate motorhome for active adventurers.”Motivation comes courtesy of a Volvo-sourced D13 six-cylinder engine with 1850 pound-feet of torque.In 1973, Led Zeppelin and Elton John each started world tours. Each band calculated that it was more cost-effective to rent a jumbo jet with a fireplace, a bed covered in fur, an electric organ, and a stocked bar topped with cocaine mirrors than flying, taking a bus, and booking hotels. Maybe, in fact, the “Starship One” was cheaper.

      It’s also arguably better to camp in a 45-foot coach bus with a deployable outdoor grill and 203 gallons of diesel than sleep on top of a Subaru Outback. Let’s face it, sometimes the numbers don’t have to add up. This converted Prevost X3-45 VIP—itself a tour bus used by the likes of musicians—is one of the ultimate rigs for recreational vehicle enthusiasts.

      Loki Basecamp

      Modified by Loki Basecamp, a Québécois outfitter of pickup truck campers, the XL Coach Series is the “ultimate motorhome for active adventurers.” Hence, there’s a rooftop light bar blasting 76,000 lumens to help the adventurer avoid tree limbs and bridges. The bus is nearly 12 feet high, after all. When parked, the real woodsy people can pitch a tent on the roof deck next to a 2.0-kilowatt solar array—assuming the two queen beds and double bunks within the bus are already occupied. The interior design is either disappointingly sordid—almost as if it were a college dorm suite—or minimalist chic. We’ve tested RVs and little Airstream trailers with insides that look more luxurious, though admittedly none of the offered a rainfall shower inside a full-sized bathroom, had a washer/dryer combo, or heated floors.

      Loki Basecamp

      Power shades and thick R16-rated insulation keep the party sealed (there’s a thumping Paradigm stereo and three televisions, too). Loki Basecamp reserves the Prevost’s underfloor storage for the slide-out grille and mountain bike racks. There are more L-Track rails inside the bus to hold gear.As for off-road performance, there’s no treading lightly with a 31,000-pound curb weight. The front overhang is six feet long, so Prevost hides any mention of approach and departure angles. However, the vehicle’s 11.0 inches of ground clearance bests that of a standard Ford Bronco, and the Volvo-sourced D13 six-cylinder engine belts out 1850 pound-feet of torque at 1050 rpm. The price is undisclosed.According to Loki Basecamp, when a customer asked for the company’s biggest and best camper, “we simply could not resist.” Who could?
      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

    • 163 Shares99 Views

      in Bike

      Top 10 150cc To 200cc Motorcycles Mar 2022 – Apache, Pulsar, FZ, R15

      by

      Motorcycle sales in the 150-200cc category suffered a YoY de-growth of 26.15 percent in March 2022 while MoM figures showed off a 23.21 percent growthNew Yamaha R15 V4150-200cc motorcycle segment had been seeing lower sales over the first two months of this calendar year. Sales which had stood at 89,509 units in January 2022, dipped to 85,470 units in February 2022.However, there was an increase in demand in March 2022. Even as YoY sales dipped 26.15 percent to 1,05,308 units in the past month from 1,42,605 units sold in March 2021, it was a MoM growth of 23.21 percent over 85,473 units sold in February 2022.150cc To 200cc Motorcycles Mar 2022Motorcycles in this segment saw every model in the top 10 list post a YoY de-growth except for the Yamaha FZ and Hero XPulse 200. TVS Apache was once again at the top of this list with 27,439 units sold, down 17.26 percent over 33,162 units sold in March 2021. This was a 5,723 unit volume de-growth with the Apache currently commanding a 26.06 percent share. MoM sales saw a 67.25 percent growth from 16,406 units sold in February 2022.At No. 2 was Bajaj Pulsar with a 35.37 percent YoY de-growth top 25,121 units, down from 38,871 units sold in March 2021. This was a 13,750 unit fall in volumes while the Pulsar commands a 23.85 percent share. MoM sales improved 11.80 percent from 22,470 units sold in February 2022.  Bajaj Auto is also keen to expand the Pulsar range in India and has recently filed two trademarks – Pulsar Elan and Pulsar Eleganz though no further details have been revealed.Motorcycle sales 150cc to 200cc segment – March 2022 vs March 2021 (YoY)Yamaha FZ saw a YoY growth of 38.96 percent to 23,121 units, up from 16,563 units sold in March 2021. MoM sales growth stood at 71.83 percent from 13,395 units sold in February 2022. This saw its share percent to increase from 15.67 percent in February 2022 to 21.86. Yamaha has increased prices from April 2022. The maximum price hike for FZ 25 and FZS 25 strands at Rs 4,500 and are now priced at Rs 1,43,300 and Rs 1,47,800 respectively.Honda Unicorn 160 and Yamaha R15 saw sales de-growth by 44.53 percent and 17.46 percent YoY to 12,889 units and 5,768 units respectively, even as R15 sales improved marginally on a MoM basis by 0.60 percent from 12,812 units sold in February 2022.Hero XPulse 200, KTM200 and Bajaj AvengerLower down the order were the Hero XPulse 200, KTM200 and Bajaj Avenger. Of these, the XPulse 200 has seen a YoY and MoM growth of 83.62 percent to 4,563 units in March 2022 while MoM sales improved 6.86 percent from 4,270 units sold in February 2022.Motorcycle sales 150cc to 200cc segment – March 2022 vs Feb 2022 (MoM)KTM 200 (Duke + RC) sales dipped YoY and MoM to 1,943 units while Bajaj Avenger 160 also posted de-growth of 48.54 percent YoY to 1,582 units while MoM sales improved 79.98 percent from 879 units sold in February 2022. Bajaj Avenger 160 price increased in April 2022 by Rs 2,560 to Rs 1,11,46.Thereafter, every bike in this list suffered a YoY de-growth. Hero Xtreme 160R sales stood at 1,321 units while Gixxer sales dipped to 663 units. Honda Hornet 2.0 and XBlade sales were at 368 and 224 units respectively. XBlade sales however, improved MoM by 49.33 percent from 150 units sold in February 2022. More

    • 138 Shares169 Views

      in Bike

      Hero Sales, Exports Breakup Mar 2022 – Splendor, Passion, Destini, Pleasure

      by

      Hero MotoCorp suffered a de-growth in domestic sales by 23.62 percent while exports increased 5.44 percent on a YoY basisImage – Patna BikesHero MotoCorp, the world’s largest two wheeler manufacturer saw its domestic sales dip in the past month. Every model in the company lineup suffered a de-growth except for the Xpulse 200. Total domestic sales in the past month stood at 4,15,726 units, down 23.62 percent from 5,44,320 units sold in March 2021. MoM sales performed better relating to a 25.44 percent growth over 3,31,421 units sold in February 2022.Hero Domestic Sales Breakup March 2022Hero Splendor was the best selling model in the company lineup in the past month. Sales stood at 2,48,577 units, down 11.25 percent over 2,80,090 units sold in March 2021. The Splendor commands a 59.79 percent share up from 58.45 percent held in February 2022 when sales stood at 1,93,731 units. Hero Splendor was also the best selling motorcycle in India in FY2022 with sales of 26,65,386 units, up 8.30 percent over 24,61,172 units sold in FY 2021.Hero HF Deluxe sales at No.2 saw a 30.65 percent YoY de-growth to 1,00,216 units down from 1,44,505 units sold in March 2021. It was a MoM growth of 31.99 percent as against 75,927 units sold in February 2022 with share percentage increasing from 22.91 percent to 24.11 percent during the said months. These were the only two bikes in the company lineup to post sales above the 1 lakh unit mark.Next in line was the Glamour with 4.12 percent YoY de-growth to 31,037 units, down from 32,371 units sold in March 2021. MoM sales improved 13.25 percent over 27,406 units sold in February 2021. Domestic sales of Pleasure (15,498 units), Passion (6,751 units) and Maestro (4,938 units) also suffered a YoY de-growth while MoM sales improved for all except the Passion that also took a 6.18 percent dip in MoM sales from 7,196 units sold in February 2022.Hero Domestic Sales March 2022Hero XPulse domestic sales increased 83.62 percent to 4,563 units in the past month, up from 2,485 units sold in March 2021 while MoM sales improved 6.86 percent from 4,270 units sold in February 2022. Destini 125 (2,825 units) and Xtreme 160R (1,321 units) also saw a YoY dip in demand.Hero MotoCorp has also announced a hike in prices of its scooter range from April 2022. The company currently offers 4 scooters – Pleasure Plus, Maestro Edge 110, Maestro Edge 125 and Destini 125 and prices have been increased by Rs 2,000 depending on variant. Hero has not increased prices of the Xtec lineup of Destini 125 as the scooter was has only been recently launched.Hero Exports – Hunk, Splendor, HF DeluxeTotal exports in the past month stood at 34,390 units, up 5.44 percent over 32,617 units sold in March 2021. MoM exports improved 28.36 percent from 26,792 units shipped in February 2022. Hero Hunk was most in demand in global markets. Exports increased 317.14 percent YoY to 11,267 units, up from 2,701 units sold in March 2021. Currently holding a 32.76 percent share, MoM exports increased 19.13 percent from 9,458 units sold in February 2022.Hero Exports March 2022Hero Splendor also posted a YoY and MoM surge in exports to 8,913 units while HF Deluxe suffered a YoY dip by 16.73 percent to 7,570 units, down from 9,091 units sold in March 2021. MoM shipments increased 38.80 percent from 5,454 units sold in February 2022.Hero Glamour saw YoY and MoM increase in exports to 3,272 units while Xpluse 200 exports dipped 41.64 percent to 1,386 units. MoM exports of the XPulse 200 surged 3365 percent from just 40 units shipped in February 2022. The export list also included Hero Passion (810 units), Maestro (724 units), Destini 125 (328 units) and Pleasure (120 units). More

    • 138 Shares159 Views

      in Bike

      RE Himalayan, Meteor Prices Likely To Reduce – Tripper Navigation Discontinued

      by

      Royal Enfield will not be offering Tripper Navigation as a standard feature in any of its modelsRoyal Enfield Meteor 350 – Tripper Navigation Discontinued As Standard FeatureRoyal Enfield is constantly busy providing small updates to its lineup. The latest piece of update is not expected to sit well with Royal Enfield fans and prospective buyers. The Chennai-based bikemaker has discontinued the standard feature of Tripper Navigation from Meteor 350 and Himalayan.The cruiser and the adventure tourer were offered with this feature as standard across all variants. After the latest update, Tripper Navigation on these bikes will only be available through Royal Enfield’s MIY configurator on the official website as an optional accessory.Tripper Navigation deleted from Meteor, HimalayanExact reason for deletion of this feature isn’t known but it could be due to the global shortage of semiconductor chips. Sources tell RushLane that prices of both Meteor and Himalayan are likely to be reduced by about Rs 5,000, because of the discontinuation of Tripper Navigation. In other models like the new-gen Classic 350 and Scram 411, Tripper Navigation has been offered as an optional accessory from the beginning.The Tripper pod displays turn-by-turn navigation when paired with the Royal Enfield app on the rider’s smartphone via Bluetooth. Recently, Royal Enfield added three new colour options in the Meteor 350 lineup. These included a green and blue paint in the base Fireball variant and a new red shade offered in the top-end Supernova variant. All in all, the cruiser is now available in a total of ten paint schemes with three variants on offer.New Royal Enfield HimalayanBooking Amount IncreasedIn another update, Royal Enfield has decided to increase booking amount from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 for all its models. The revised booking amount will come into effect starting from 1 May 2022 onwards. The company currently has seven offerings under its belt including Bullet 350, Classic 350, Meteor 350, Himalayan, Scram 411, Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650.Upcoming Models from Royal EnfieldRoyal Enfield is also busy developing multiple new models for the coming future. In the 350cc category, it is developing Hunter 350 and the new-gen Bullet 350 that will be underpinned by the new J series platform. On the other hand, the company is also developing multiple new models in the 650cc category including Super Meteor and Shotgun.A more powerful 450cc iteration of Himalayan is also under development. All these models have already been spotted testing on multiple occasions in recent times. Royal Enfield is expected to launch at least two new models in the remainder of this year. One of them is likely to be Hunter 350 while the other is expected to be a cruiser based on the 650cc platform called Super Meteor 650.The former is expected to be powered by a 349cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine that kicks out 20.2 bhp and 27 Nm of peak torque. This unit is paired with a 5-speed gearbox. The latter, on the other hand, will be powered by a 648cc parallel-twin, oil-cooled engine that dishes out 47 bhp and 52 Nm of peak torque. This motor will be mated to a 6-speed gearbox. More

    • 125 Shares99 Views

      in Motor News

      Fun Convertibles for $30,000: Window Shop with Car and Driver

      by

      Depending on where you are in the country, spring might be in bloom, or it might be in hiding. We expect Earth’s fickle climate will have to set Persephone and her sunny bounty free at some point, hence this week’s challenge: convertibles for under $30,000.Our Window Shop panelists almost never make the obvious choice, and this week’s challenge resulted in the expected tossed salad of picks. Road & Track senior editor John Pearley Huffman reached back to 1985 for a maximally expensive, minimally sporty, not-quite-factory droptop. The cohort thought he might have channeled Hall & Oates’ biggest hit of that same year: “Out of Touch.”There’s nothing obvious about deputy editor Carlos Lago’s ragtop choice. He admits to skipping right over the the Mazda Miata because it would be too easy and instead wanders deep into Chrysler’s left field. His find meets the challenge, but while everyone wanted to talk about its unique design and engineering, no one wanted to drive or own it. Not even Lago. Kentucky resident and contributor Jonathon Ramsey selected a two-seat convertible made in the Bluegrass State, but it’s not the fiberglass Chevy you’re thinking of. The last time Ramsey drove a car like the Cadillac he chose, a bartender who surveyed declared it hot enough to shed undergarments for. The crew points out that each taillight costs $3000, but the real takeaway here is getting to hear Pearley say “Drop trou” twice.Deputy testing director K.C. Colwell preferred the springtime sun in southern Germany in his also-not-exactly-factory ragtop. He landed on derExplosionsfußpunkt, which is German Ground Zero for one of the 1990’s best convertibles for a mid-life crisis. Finally, editor-in-chief Tony Quiroga went to England for drophead that comes with a sweet engine, horrible infotainment, gorgeous lines, and free a colonoscopy. Insert joke about sunshine and where the sun don’t shine.Voting is compulsory in Window Shop, so someone had to win. Like all but one of the choices, victory wasn’t pretty, but this episode was all about the bad takes and the surprise tangents we made along the way.

      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

    • 113 Shares99 Views

      in Motor News

      Mercedes-Benz T-Class Is a Stylish Compact Van for Europe

      by

      Mercedes-Benz has launched the new T-class van for Europe. It’s a passenger version of its compact Citan cargo van.The most powerful engine option is a turbocharged gas inline-four with 129 horsepower, and there are also two diesels available.The interior features faux leather, LED lighting, a 7.0-inch touchscreen, and smartphone integration.American consumers in search of a van with a prestigious badge can shell out for the full-size Mercedes-Benz Sprinter or the mid-size Mercedes-Benz Metris. In Europe, van shoppers also have a smaller offering, the Citan, which received a redesign in August of 2021. Based on the bones of the Renault Kangoo, the second-generation Citan has now morphed into a family-oriented passenger van bearing the T-class moniker, which Mercedes says is “bringing comfort into the private small van segment.”

      Mercedes-Benz

      Mercedes-Benz

      Measuring 177.1 inches long and 71.3 inches tall, the T-class has room for five passengers, although Mercedes says a long-wheelbase version with seven seats is on its way. Power comes from a range of inline-four engines, with two 1.5-liter diesel offerings and two turbocharged 1.3-liter gas options. The most powerful gas engine puts out just 129 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard, while the two diesels and more powerful gas engine can be had with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

      Inside, every T-class comes fitted with a 7.0-inch touchscreen, smartphone integration, keyless start, a 5.5-inch digital display in the instrument cluster, and LED interior lightning. Much of the cabin is decked out in faux leathers, while the dashboard is decked out in gloss black trim. The rear bench seat can fold flat to allow for more luggage space, and Mercedes touts the wide sliding door openings and low rear sill for added practicality. Buyers can opt for the Style or Progressive Line packages for even fancier interior and exterior trim. The T-class will start just under 30,000 euros, about $31,500 at current exchange rates—but we don’t anticipate Mercedes will bring this vehicle Stateside anytime soon.
      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

    • 125 Shares99 Views

      in Motor News

      Formula E’s Gen3 Car Is Faster, Lighter, and More Efficient

      by

      Formula E has revealed its Gen3 car, which is smaller and lighter while being capable of a 200 mph top speed, up 16 mph from the previous car.The car now features a front-mounted motor used exclusively for regeneration, and ditches rear brakes since the regenerative capability is so high.Formula E also says it made the car more sustainable, recycling carbon fiber from the Gen2 cars for the body panels and sourcing more sustainable tires that will also be recycled after the races. Formula E has been racing electric single-seaters around some of the world’s most iconic cities since 2014, and now the series has unveiled its third-generation race car. The Gen3 car brings myriad technical changes that will push the boundaries of electric-car performance, hopefully result in even closer, more nail-biting racing. We could possibly see some of these new technologies trickle down into electric road cars eventually.

      Formula E

      The Gen3 car, at 197.5-inches long and 66.9-inches wide, is about seven inches shorter and just under four inches narrower than its predecessor. The car’s height also shrinks by about 1.5 inches. The minimum weight, including the driver, has also decreased by about 132 pounds, to just 1852 pounds. Performance is significantly increased. The Gen2 car had a 335-horsepower electric motor on the rear axle, but Gen3 ups that to 469 horsepower. Formula E predicts a top speed over 200 mph, a sizable increase over the previous car’s 174 mph top speed. The Gen3 car also adds a second 335-hp motor to the front axle that’s used exclusively for regeneration. The new powertrain will be vastly more efficient, with Formula E expecting more than 40 percent of the energy used within the race coming from regenerative braking. The Gen3 car also becomes the first open-wheel formula car without rear hydraulic brakes; it still has hydraulic brakes in the front, but relies heavily on regen from the front and rear motors to slow the car down.

      Formula E

      Formula E claims up to 600 kilowatts of regenerative capacity and also 600 kilowatts of charging capability—significantly more than the charging capacity of today’s most advanced roadgoing EVs—although the series didn’t explain where it would procure such powerful chargers. The series has suggested that recharging during pitstops might happen in this new generation, but gave no specifics about how this would work.

      The Gen3 car is also said to be more environmentally friendly than before. Formula E says the batteries use sustainably sourced minerals and that the cells will be reused and recycled at the end of their life. Meanwhile, the body of the car is built from linen and recycled carbon fiber from the old Gen2 cars, which Formula E says reduces the carbon footprint of producing the body panels by more than 10 percent. The Gen3 cars’ tires will also be made up of 26 percent natural rubber and recycled fibers, and all tires will be recycled after being used in the race. The Gen3 car will debut for Season 9, which will likely kick off in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia in early 2023. So far, seven car manufacturers have signed up to race the Gen3 car for Season 9: Jaguar, Maserati, Nissan, Porsche, Citroen’s luxury arm DS Automobiles, India automaker Mahindra, and Chinese EV startup Nio. Three privateer teams round out the field.
      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