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    Svitch Electric Motorcycle Launch By Aug 2022 – 120 Kms Range

    Svitch CSR 762 e-bike launch scheduled for July-August 2022, draws inspiration from Gujarat’s Asiatic LionsSvitch Electric Motorcycle CSR 762As it stands, India finds itself in a unique position in regard to electric two-wheelers. In recent times, a large number of new-age manufacturers have entered the space. In fact, electric two-wheeler manufacturers have now far exceeded the number of traditional two-wheeler brands operating here. Volumes too are growing, especially when FY22 is considered.Svitch MotoCorp Pvt. Ltd. is ready to launch their new electric motorcycle called CSR 762. The company says CSR 762 is for ‘young biking enthusiasts’. And is set to be launched by July-August 2022. The soft launch of the bike was held in November 2021.Svitch CSR 762 features a 3kW Motor that peaks at 10kW at 1300 RPM. A PMSM motor with a central drive system is being used. Battery capacity ranges upto 3.7kWh Li-ion, nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC). It goes without saying, the e-bike is aligned to be pollution free.Svitch Electric Motorcycle – certification and testingSvitch CSR 762 design language draws inspiration from Gujarat’s Asiatic Lions. The bike embodies the ‘spirit of pride, power and personality very sportingly’. CSR 762 is at certification stages. Internal testing has concluded. The brand says it has a stronghold over tier-1 cities. And now aims to make its presence felt in the city commute segment. CSR 762 target audience is the ‘middle-class automobile demographic’.Svitch Electric Motorcycle CSR 762 Top speed is pegged at 110KM/h. On a single charge, the e-bike goes 120 kms depending upon riding mode. Wheelbase stands at 1430 mm. Curb weight and weight capacity are stated at 155 kg, and 200 kg respectively.The rake is 24 degrees, and trail is 136mm. Seat height is 780 mm. 6 ride modes include 3 driving modes, 1 parking mode, 1 reverse mode, and 1 sports mode. Company growth plans include setting up battery swapping stations as per government policies.Svitch CSR 762 priceSvitch CSR 762 electric motorbike is expected to be available at a launch price estimated at around Rs 1.65 lakhs (tentative). Post subsidy, the electric motorcycle will cost about Rs 1.25 lakhs (tentative) basis upto subsidies worth 40k (tentative) offered as per GoI policy. Currently, the company is seeking channel partners to amplify the reach of its CSR 762 project. For this, the company has already put together a dedicated specialzied team.Rajkumar Patel, Founder of Svitch said, “We aim to revamp the Indian automobile sector with electric change and encourage Indians to re-think our way to commute, luxury, and recreation because we believe in precision and quality. The CSR 762 packs in a complete on-road riding experience which lays out a very strong notion that it is indeed a luxury for the layman. The vision to create CSR 762 is aimed at providing luxury, style, and sustainability all together for the biking enthusiasts.” More

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    Hero Vida Electric Scooter To Be Exported – Europe, South America

    EV exports will play a crucial role in helping Hero MotoCorp achieve its ambitious global sales targetImage for referenceWhile the likes of Bajaj and TVS currently dominate export markets, Hero MotoCorp is stepping up focus in this space. The company already has a presence across Latin America, Africa and Asian countries like Nepal and Bangladesh. Hero MotorCorp EVs can be introduced at these locations and newer geographics like Europe as well.EVs to boost overseas businessAccording to Hero MotoCorp, its upcoming EVs will power the next phase of growth in overseas markets. Mature markets like Europe will be among the ones that will be targeted. There’s greater awareness about climate change at these locations and growing preference for EVs. Setting up charging and battery swapping infrastructure will also be more convenient in European countries.By 2025, Hero MotoCorp has plans to generate 15% of its overall sales from overseas markets. The strategy seems similar to Bajaj and TVS, which have been able to establish themselves as global two-wheeler brands.Export numbers of FY22 have been encouraging for Hero, as growth has zoomed to 57%. As compared to sales of 191,609 units in global markets in FY21, the numbers were at 300,624 units in FY22. This is the highest ever overseas sales numbers for the company.Hero MotoCorp First electric scooter under brand VIDAOne of the effective strategies Hero has deployed in overseas markets is to launch products that specifically suit local needs and preferences. For example, there’s Hunter 100 for Nigeria and Hunk 150 for the Middle East. Similarly, Hunk 200 has emerged as a popular choice in Latin American countries. There are also bikes such as Xpulse 200 and Xtreme 160R that have emerged as bestsellers across multiple geographies.Battery swapping infra pushHero MotoCorp will be launching its EVs under Vida brand. First Vida EV, which will be an electric scooter, is planned to be unveiled on July 1, 2022. The event marks the birth anniversary of the late Brijmohan Lall Munjal, the original founder of Hero MotoCorp. Vida electric scooter will be manufactured at the company’s production unit in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh. Deliveries are expected to commence later in the year.Aiming to offer something truly unique, Hero MotoCorp will be replicating the Taiwan model in India. EVs with swappable batteries are the most preferred in Taiwan and much of the business is owned and operated by Gogoro. Hero has forged an alliance with Gogoro to develop similar battery swapping infrastructure in India. This collaboration is likely to be utilized for global markets as well.Gogoro has also played a role in the development of the Vida electric scooter. Much of the work has been carried out at Hero’s in-house R&D centres. Inputs have been sourced from Ather Energy as well. Hero MotoCorp has consistently increased its shareholding in Ather and currently holds 34.8% stake. However, there doesn’t seem to be any plans for a merger. Ather will continue on its journey as a separate EV brand. More

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    2022 Tata Nexon Electric Testing Continues – Launch Nears

    Tata Nexon EV has been a runaway success and now a more powerful version is about to be unveiled2022 Tata Nexon ElectricKnown unofficially as extended-range Nexon EV, the vehicle is likely to launch on April 29. It features a 40kWh battery, which will increase the SUV’s range to over 400 km in ideal test conditions. The present Nexon Electric has a 30.2kWH battery which is 30 percent less powerful than the new Nexon’s battery pack.The new Nexon EV’s floor pan will be enlarged to accommodate the larger battery and this will result in boot space getting smaller but that is a small sacrifice to make given that range will substantially improve. The existing Nexon Electric has an ARAI-tested range of 312 km. However, in real world conditions, Nexon EV manages to cover around 180 to 220 km on a single charge while extended-range version is expected to have real-world range of over 300 km.Tata Motors will not discontinue the present Nexon Electric once the new one is launched but will continue selling it giving customers choice in terms of price and range. Test mules of the upcoming Nexon Electric have been spotted going through the paces since the start of the year. Latest spy shots are credited to automotive enthusiast murthyksk, who spotted the EV when it was testing near Cubbon Park in Bangalore.2022 Tata Nexon Electric ChangesSpy pics of test vehicles have revealed not many exterior or interior changes but it is under the skin where most of the changes have happened. The new Nexon EV will get different regeneration modes, which would allow drivers to dial-up/down intensity of regenerative braking, which charges the battery. The existing Nexon Electric has a milder, non-adjustable variable regeneration system.2022 Tata Nexon ElectricThe new version will also get cruise control, ventilated seats and electronic stability control among other features. With these updates and a larger battery, expect the new Nexon to be around Rs 3-4 lakh more expensive than the current one.Value For MoneyNexon Electric is well liked by buyers and as a result it has become one of the most successful electric cars on sale in India at the moment. In this price sensitive segment, what has wowed buyers is the impressive range they get out of the vehicle for not that much money. As an intra-city runabout, Nexon EV is ideal making it more value for money than higher priced rivals.As charging infrastructure is slowly but surely improving along highways, more and more people have started venturing out of cities in their electric vehicles and this is generating demand for longer-ranged EVs. This is the segment Tata Motors will target with the 2022 Nexon Electric.The new Nexon Electric will go up against MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona EV, but will be cheaper than both. However, rivals are upping the game with MG recently launching spruced up 2022 ZS EV with a larger 50.3kWh battery along with refreshed exteriors and interiors and a comprehensive equipment list. Hyundai is also planning to launch the facelifted Kona EV this year. More

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    2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 Is a 402-HP Four-Cylinder AMG C-Class

    The 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 has been revealed, pumping out a peak 402 horsepower from its turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four.The C43 features a 48-volt electrical system that powers a belt-driven motor/generator and an electric motor nestled within the turbo that reduces lag.Mercedes claims a sprint to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 165 mph.UPDATE 4/26/22, 6:30 p.m.: Mercedes has clarified that the 13 horsepower boost occurs at lower rpm and therefore doesn’t increase the overall output. This makes the Mercedes-AMG C43’s peak output 402 horsepower.Mercedes-AMG just teased a performance-oriented C-class, and now its already here. Meet the 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43, which uses an innovative, turbocharged inline-four with hybrid assist that makes 402 horsepower and comes standard with all-wheel drive. The C43 will eventually be surpassed in terms of performance by a new C63, but for now it represents the top of the C-class lineup.

    Mercedes-AMG

    The powertrain is shared with the Mercedes-AMG SL43, which has not yet been confirmed for the United States. That means the C43 is powered by the M139 2.0-liter inline-four—also found in the CLA45 and GLA45 AMG models—and has a turbocharger with an electric motor plus the typical exhaust-gas plumbing. The electric motor, about 1.6 inches thick, is attached to common shaft between the turbine and compressor wheels, so the motor can spin the shaft before the exhaust gases do. Mercedes says this will reduce turbo lag, improving response when the driver hits the accelerator, and will also maintain boost pressure on throttle lift. The turbocharged 1.6-liter V-6 hybrids used by the Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 team feature the same technology. In the C43, the four-cylinder engine is good for 402 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, with a 48-volt, belt-driven starter-generator can add 13 extra horses for a quick boost. The 48-volt electrical system also powers the motor in the turbocharger, and the 48-volt motor/generator can also recoup energy under deceleration and provides a smooth stop-start function. Like in the SL43, the 2.0-liter engine is mounted longitudinally. Mercedes says the C43 will hit 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, with an electronically limited 155 mph top speed when equipped with the standard 18-inch wheels. Upgrading to the optional 19- or 20-inch wheels raises the top speed to 165 mph.

    Mercedes’ rear-biased 4Matic all-wheel-drive system is standard, and the transmission is a nine-speed automatic with a wet clutch pack in place of a torque converter. The C43 rides on steel springs with adaptive dampers, which can adjust their response based on whether they are set to Comfort, Sport, or Sport+. The C43 also comes with rear-wheel steering as standard. At speeds up to 37 mph, the rear wheels will turn in the opposite direction to the front wheels at up to 2.5 degrees, while above 37 mph, the rear wheels will move in tandem with the front wheels at up to 0.7 degrees. The upgraded braking system includes 14.6-inch discs and four-piston fixed calipers up front and 12.6-inch discs with single-piston floating calipers at the rear.

    Mercedes-AMG

    The C43 doesn’t look all that different from the standard C300, gaining the AMG grille with vertical slats and a “diffuser-look” rear bumper with vents behind the wheels and round, quad exhaust tips. The interior gains a flat-bottom AMG steering wheel wrapped in Nappa leather with aluminum shift paddles. The seats get Mercedes’ MB-Tex faux leather and red stitching, matched by red seat belts. The pedals, floor mats, and illuminated door sills are also new for the AMG model.Mercedes says the C43 will go on-sale late in 2022. There is no word yet on price, but given that the C300 starts just under $45,000, we predict that the C43 will start at around $60,000 when sales begin.
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    2022 Ford F-150 Lightning, Already Sold Out, Starts Production

    The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning is starting production, meaning the electric pickup truck is heading to customers.Ford has already closed retail orders on all 2022 Lightning models, citing high demand.The Lightning is built at Ford’s new Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Michigan.The hotly anticipated 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning finally starts production today at the company’s new Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Michigan. The launch should be welcome news for customers who already reserved a 2022 Lightning, but those who haven’t will have limited opportunities to get their hands on one.

    Ford has closed retail orders on all 2022 models due to high demand, according to a disclaimer on its consumer site. The company recently made a similar move by closing orders for the 2022 Mustang Mach-E, again citing high demand. However, as CarsDirect reported yesterday, people will still have the chance to buy Lightning models that are in stock on dealer lots, but it’s possible they’ll have a price markup. The other option is to wait for 2023 models, with orders expected to open this summer.
    The 2022 F-150 Lightning is the second electric pickup truck to hit the market after the Rivian R1T went on sale late last year. The Lightning starts at $41,179 for the entry-level Pro model with the 426-hp dual-motor, all-wheel-drive powertrain and standard-range battery, which Ford CEO Jim Farley said will be EPA-rated at 230 miles of range. The EPA has not yet published these official ratings on its website. The Lightning’s estimated range is said to rise to 320 miles with the available extended-range battery, which also brings more powerful electric motors with a combined 563 horses. The top-of-the-line Platinum trim level is only available with the latter configuration, and it starts at $92,669.

    Ford

    The Rouge Electric Vehicle Center where the Lightning is being built was recently constructed as part of a $700 million investment in the Ford Rouge Center. Ford also invested $250 million in the Van Dyke Electric Powertrain Center and the Rawsonville Components Plant. The former will supply the electric motors and transaxles for the Lightning, while the latter will assemble the batteries. At the Lightning’s launch today, Farley addressed the crowd at the Rouge Center and those watching via a livestream on YouTube, saying that Ford plans to produce 150,000 Lightnings per year. He also claimed that the company will produce 600,000 EVs per year by the end of 2023 and 2 million annually in four years. Farley said Ford is eventually planning to build more electric trucks at its new BlueOval City complex in Stanton, Tennessee.
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    Mercedes Teases Upcoming Four-Cylinder AMG C-Class

    Mercedes-AMG released a brief teaser video for the next C-class performance variant.It isn’t clear if its the C43 or C63, but given the subdued bodywork, the C43 seems more likely.Both the next C43 and C63 will come with a hybrid inline-four powertrain, instead of the current V-6 and V-8 setups.Mercedes-AMG has given us the first taste of a hotter C-class variant, although it isn’t yet clear whether this new teaser video shows a C43 or the full-fledged C63. While the previous C63 packed a 503-horsepower twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 engine and the lesser C43 came with a still heady 385-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6, we have known for some time that the new successors will instead utilize a hybridized inline-four setup.
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    The teaser shows a small portion of the front fascia, with the performance-oriented C-class sporting the “Panamericana” grille with vertical slats that all modern AMG variants wear. The lower air intakes look essentially identical to those on the standard C300, making us think this might be the C43 instead of the top-dog C63. Still, without a V-8, the C63 might not have significantly different cooling needs than the other four-cylinder-powered models.

    Both the C43 and C63 are expected to have a hybridized, turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four. Despite the smaller engine, the C63 is still expected to produce over 500 horsepower. Mercedes has already managed to eke out 416 horses from the four-cylinder engine in the CLA45 S, which isn’t sold in the U.S. The C43 won’t have quite as much power as the C63, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see it move closer to the 400 hp mark. The Mercedes teaser didn’t provide any dates, but we expect to find out more about the next AMG C-class soon.
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    Elon Musk Buys Twitter

    Tesla CEO Elon Musk has bought Twitter for $44 billion.As a result, Twitter will become a privately held company.Twitter says the transaction is expected to be completed this year, pending the approval of shareholders, regulatory approval, and other closing conditions.Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, has agreed to spend $44 billion to buy the 15th-biggest social media network in the world. That would be Twitter, a company that has made a profit in two of the past 10 years. To scrape together that pile of money, Musk leaned heavily on Tesla, a company that has turned a profit in two of the past 19 years. In the first quarter of last year, most of Tesla’s profit came from selling Bitcoin and emissions credits. Nonetheless, at year end, Tesla made a record profit of $5.5 billion. And if it does that for eight more years in a row, that will generate enough money to pay for Twitter. Or, looking at it another way, $44 billion would buy 907,403 Model 3s. Last year, Tesla delivered 936,172 cars worldwide. Of course, Mr. Musk also owns SpaceX and the Boring Company, which digs tunnels. So those are worth some money, too—about $100 billion for SpaceX and $5.7 billion for the Boring Company. And to raise the $33.5 billion that Musk is contributing personally, he’ll likely have to sell off some part of his stake in either of those. But $12.5 billion is coming from a margin loan against Musk’s Tesla’s stock, and if Tesla’s stock drops by 40 percent, he’ll have to repay that $12.5 billion. Will that factor into any decision-making at Tesla? Between Nov. 5, 2021 and March 11, 2022, Tesla stock dropped by about 35 percent. Until yesterday, it was novel to see car company CEOs on Twitter. Going forward, it’ll be interesting to see how Musk’s free-speech ideals jibe with competitors using his own platform to promote their products. When @jimfarley98 boasts about the Ford F-150 Lightning on Twitter, how will that sit with the guy behind the Cybertruck? And how will the guy behind the Cybertruck pay enough attention to that project while running yet another company that has more than 7000 employees? Guess we’ll find out!In other news, Tesla will introduce no new models in 2022.

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    Bajaj Pulsar Elan, Pulsar Eleganza – New Motorcycle Names Trademarked

    Pulsar range of motorcycles from Bajaj compete against Apache brand of bikes from TVSModified Pulsar by Renovatio Motorworks for referenceWhile Bajaj has been a household name in India for many decades, the brand’s popularity grew in overseas markets when it introduced the Pulsar lineup. Along with Boxer, the Pulsar range of sporty commuter motorcycles is responsible for Bajaj Auto’s growth as a two-wheeler manufacturer in international markets.Launched back in 2001, the Pulsar brand has remained a mainstay in the motorcycle segment for more than two decades. Currently, Bajaj is in a rebuilding phase and is trying to reinvent the Pulsar series by introducing some new models under its belt. The first in this revamped lineup is Pulsar 250 twins- N250 and F250.New Range Of Bajaj Pulsar IncomingBoth these motorcycles made their debut in November last year and are spiritual successors to the discontinued flagship Pulsar 220F. While Pulsar bikes have always maintained a stronghold in the market, their sales volume has noticeably decreased over the last few months.Ever since Bajaj joined hands with KTM in 2011, the Indian two-wheeler brand has built similar engine-sized Pulsar motorcycles. These include Pulsar NS200 and Pulsar RS200 which despite initial successes haven’t been able to generate significant mass sales volumes. To boost sales, Bajaj is working on launching a new range of Pulsar motorcycles that will represent the original ethos of the brand.New Bajaj Pulsar names registered – Pulsar Elan and Pulsar EleganzBajaj Pulsar Elan and Pulsar EleganzIn relation to this, Bajaj has filed two new trademarks – Pulsar Elan and Pulsar Eleganz. These are likely names of their upcoming new motorcycles in the Pulsar range. It is not clear what these bikes will be like.Bajaj Pulsar ELANThese could sit under the current flagship Pulsar 250 or are the names of a more powerful Pulsar, based on the upcoming KTM 490 twin cylinder. Bajaj has also registered the name Twinner. There are no specific details attached to this development but the upcoming Pulsar Eleganz and Pulsar Elan are likely to follow the same philosophy as the original Pulsars.Original Pulsars have always been known for their low-end grunt that feature Bajaj’s stronghold technologies, DTSi and ExhausTEC. These motorcycles came with a unique engine characteristic and a sweet exhaust note. Though not packed with class-leading features, these bikes offered plenty of grunt for everyday sporty performance.Bajaj Pulsar ELEGANZBajaj Pulsar Sales, Pulsar 250 SpecsAt present, Bajaj retails multiple Pulsar models with varying engine displacements ranging from 125cc, 150cc, 160cc, 180cc, 200cc and 250cc. In March 2022, Bajaj was able to dispatch 67,339 units of Pulsar motorcycles which led to a YoY decline of 21.70 percent and an MoM growth of 22.54 percent. The Chakan-based manufacturer was able to dispatch 22,648 units of Pulsars to overseas markets last month.Pulsar 250 siblings are powered by a 249cc single-cylinder, oil-cooled engine with fuel injection technology that produces 24.1 bhp of power at 8,750 rpm and a peak torque of 21.5 Nm at 6,500rpm. The motor is linked to a five-speed gearbox that benefits from a slipper and assist clutch function. More