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    2023 Honda HR-V Shows Off Its New Look

    Honda has revealed the first photos of the redesigned 2023 HR-V.The new model is larger than before, with a longer wheelbase. It now shares its platform with the Civic.More info will be coming soon and the new HR-V is scheduled to arrive at U.S. dealerships over the summer.Honda’s smallest SUV is entering its second generation, and there are some notable changes in store for the new 2023 HR-V. These are the first official photos of the redesigned model that’s headed to the U.S., which is larger than before and distinct from the smaller, hybrid-only Europe-market model revealed last year.

    Honda

    While the HR-V previously used the same platform as the now-discontinued Fit hatchback, Honda says that the new subcompact SUV rides on the same platform as the Civic. It has a longer wheelbase than before and now features an independent rear suspension.

    All Honda claims about the powertrain is that it will be powered by a “more responsive engine,” and we’d guess that the Civic’s 180-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four will be under the hood to replace the old HR-V’s 141-hp 1.8-liter inline-four. The naturally aspirated 158-hp 2.0-liter inline-four from the Civic’s lower trim levels may also be offered as the HR-V’s base engine. Front-wheel drive will likely be standard, with all-wheel drive optional, and a CVT automatic should be the only transmission choice. An HR-V hybrid is likely to join the lineup, too, although it may launch later than the gas-only version.

    Honda

    Honda has yet to release photos or information about the HR-V’s interior, and we’re wondering what the new platform will mean for the packaging. The previous HR-V, like the Fit, featured a remarkably low cargo floor thanks to its fuel tank being mounted under the front seats. So we’re not sure if the old HR-V’s highly configurable rear seat that could fold in multiple configurations will carry over to the new model.
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    The current model’s LX, Sport, EX, and EX-L trim levels are likely to carry over, and Honda released a video showing the new HR-V in several colors including red, grey, silver, black, and white. Expect pricing to rise slightly from the current HR-V’s $23,095 starting price, with loaded AWD models costing over $30,000. More information will be coming within the next few months before the 2023 HR-V goes on sale in the summer.

    Honda

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    1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Cruiser Is Our Bring a Trailer Auction Pick of the Day

    Bring a Trailer

    Bring a Trailer

    • This 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Cruiser station wagon is a pitch-perfect example of GM’s once-ubiquitous A-body family of cars.• Its exquisite banality stopped us in our tracks as we scrolled through listings of supercars and other mega-priced exotica.• This highly original wagon is for sale right now on Bring a Trailer, and the auction ends on April 6.In the 1980s and well into the 1990s, GM disgorged onto the marketplace hundreds of thousands of copies of its A-body line of front-wheel-drive intermediate two-door and four-door sedans and station wagons—sold variously as the Chevrolet Celebrity, Pontiac 6000, Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera, and Buick Century. Most have long since been crushed into a cube, but the later models’ popularity with the senior set (particularly the Buick and Oldsmobile versions), means you occasionally run across a well-kept, low-mileage example. That appears to be exactly what we have here in this 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Cruiser that has turned up on the Bring a Trailer auction site—which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos—and we couldn’t help but linger over it.This Cutlass Cruiser has racked up just 54,000 miles. Included documentation shows that it was sold new in San Francisco, and it appears to be a lifelong California car. Critically, the selling dealer has included paint meter readings, so you know that the Light Adriatic Blue finish is original, as sprayed by the UAW’s finest.

    Bring a Trailer

    Bring a Trailer

    The completely color-matched interior presents nicely. With a split-bench front seat and a vestigial, rear-facing third seat (!), this wagon boasted seating for eight (people were smaller then). It’s well-equipped for the era, with power windows, power door locks, air conditioning, and a tilt steering wheel. The display for the Delco AM/FM stereo has seen better days, so maybe just play your mix tapes.

    Bring a Trailer

    Bring a Trailer

    GM’s corporate L82 3.1-liter V-6 sits sideways under the hood and spins out 160 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of fury, channeled to the front wheels via a column-shifted four-speed automatic with overdrive. Impressively, the car passes California emissions. It also benefits from relatively recent new valve cover gaskets and a new serpentine belt and tensioner. Per the commenters, the new owner might want to preemptively replace the intake manifold gasket. It was round about this era when Oldsmobile, desperate to shake off its old-man image, fielded the ad campaign “Not your father’s Oldsmobile.” Even then, the A-body Cutlass—which lingered in showrooms for more than a dozen years—was exactly the model that undermined the attempted image overhaul. If you’re of a certain age, it likely was your father’s Oldsmobile. In my case, it was my father-in-law’s, and he swore by his “Olds sport wagon”—he had two of them—until he ultimately had to switch to a Silhouette minivan. I think maybe it’s time he cruised in one again.

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    Ola S1 Vs Bajaj Chetak Vs Ather Electric Scooter – Hill Climb Test

    While Ola S1 Pro got the best 0-40 kmph kick down acceleration, it failed to reach top of the hill even in Sport modeElectric Scooter Hill Climb TestThere has been a raging ongoing debate about performance of electric scooters which are key to future mobility solutions. Many electric scooters have faced scrutiny regarding their battery management system which often fail to respond in tough conditions.While it is very true that EVs are very quick off the block, many e-scooters fail to keep up the performance in challenging terrains. The latest video from Asardar Reviews on YouTube is a clear example of battery-powered scooters not being able to perform up to the mark in certain cases.Electric Scooter Hill Climb TestIn this particular video, the vlogger has cited three well-known examples in the form of Ather 450, Bajaj Chetak and Ola S1 Pro. Here, all three electric scooters are tested separately on hilly terrain and their performance is scrutinised. The vlogger reveals that this test has been conducted specifically for people living around hilly areas who are planning on buying an electric scooter.All electric scooters seen here have been tested with a pillion sitting behind the rider, at least initially, giving a real-world simulation. The test starts with Bajaj Chetak since it’s the oldest of all three models seen in this video. The vlogger slots Chetak in Eco mode initially. It started off well with some promising performance and managed to make some sharp turns relatively easily.[embedded content][embedded content]After a couple of tricky hairpins, Chetak automatically switched to Sport mode when it realised that the scooter might need more power while climbing up. Here the scooter has clocked a top speed of around 45 kmph on its upwards journey with fair ease. Next up is Ather 450 which has been a revolutionary model in the electric mobility space.Ather Performs BestLike Chetak, Ather 450 gets multiple ride modes, however, unlike the former, ride modes on this one have to be manually toggled. In this case, as well, the vlogger started out in Eco mode and after a couple of hairpins it was realised that it loses momentum, especially with 2 people sitting on it. When slotted in Warp mode, Ather 450 is able to reach the top of the hill fairly easily while attaining an impressive top speed of 60 kmph.Ola S1 Pro DisappointsOla S1 Pro was kept last since, it is the latest offering in the two-wheeler EV space and claims the best performance, at least on paper. When started in Eco mode, S1 Pro offers the quickest 0-40 kmph acceleration. However, when it comes across its first hairpin, speed of the scooter drastically reduces until it comes to a complete halt. The scooter refuses to respond to throttle twists.It remained the same, even after the pillion disembarked. The Ola e-scooter started climbing uphill once switched to Sport mode, however, it once again came to a sudden stop when the AI in the scooter notified that the battery has heated and needs to be cooled. Vlogger had to push the scooter before reaching the top. More

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    Bajaj Auto Sales March 2022 – Pulsar, Dominar, Platina, Chetak, CT100

    Bajaj Auto posted a 22 percent decline in two wheeler sales and exports in March 2022 to 2,56,324 unitsBajaj PulsarBajaj has reported a huge decline in domestic sales for March 2022. Bajaj Auto motorcycle range includes Pulsar, Platina, CT, Dominar, Avenger, etc. They also offer the Chetak electric scooter.Bajaj Auto Sales March 2022Bajaj Auto Limited has seen its two wheeler sales dip in the past month. Two wheeler sales stood at 2,56,324 units, down 22 percent over 3,30,133 units sold in March 2021. Domestic sales dipped 41 percent to 1,07,081 units from 1,81,393 units sold in March 2021 while exports remained flat at 1,49,243 units as against 1,48,740 units shipped in March 2021.Bajaj Two Wheeler Sales March 2022 and Q1 2022Bajaj performed better in terms of commercial vehicle sales with a 4 percent YoY increase to 40,864 units in the past month, up from 39,315 units sold in March 2021. Increased domestic sales led to a 15 percent growth with 19,671 units sold in March 2022 as compared to 17,158 units sold in March 2021. Exports on the other hand dipped 4 percent to 21,193 units from 22,157 units sold in March 2021.Total sales 2 wheeler (1,26,752 units) and CV (1,70,436 units) dipped 20 percent YoY to 2,97,188 units in March 2022, down from 3,69,448 units sold in the same month of the previous year. Here again it was the domestic sales that dipped 36 percent while exports remained flat.Bajaj Auto Sales March 2022Bajaj Auto Year-to-Date SalesThe company’s YTD sales (two wheelers and CVs) grew at 8 percent in March 2022. Total sales, which included two wheelers and commercial vehicles, stood at 43,08,433 units in the April to March 2022 period, up 8 percent over 39,72,914 units sold in the April to March 2021 period.Two wheeler domestic sales dipped 9 percent to 16,41,084 units from 18,09,375 units sold in the April to March 2021 period while exports increased 22 percent to 21,95,772 units from 17,96,292 units YTD.CV sales performed better in both domestic and exports. Domestic sales increased 47 percent to 1,60,723 units from 1,09,292 units. Exports on the other hand grew by 21 percent to 3,10,854 units from 2,57,729 units shipped in April to March 2021 period. Total sales of CVs stood at 4,71,577 units, up 28 percent from 3,67,021 units sold in the April to March 2021 period.Bajaj Auto Sales YTD FY 2022Two wheeler and CV domestic sales dipped 6 percent YTD to 18,01,807 units from 19,18,667 units sold in April to March 2021, while exports increased 22 percent to 25,06,626 units from 20,54,247 units sold in the same period lasts year.Bajaj Auto Upcoming PlansBajaj Auto Limited has ambitious plans for the years ahead, especially where its electric vehicle range is concerned. The company is seeking to increase its electric scooter range under the Chetak sub-brand with a new EV being introduced each year over the next 3-5 years. Bajaj has confirmed an investment of Rs 300 crores to roll out 5 lakh electric vehicles per year.The company seeks to roll out 50,000 electric vehicles in the financial year 2022-23 as against just 8,000 units in the existing fiscal. Bajaj Auto Limited has also been developing products in association with Bengaluru-based urban mobility startup Yulu. More

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    Hyundai Ioniq 5 Gets Sloganized by Artist Barbara Kruger

    Artist Barbara Kruger’s work is heavily type based and expresses a strong point of view, as does the wrapped Hyundai Ioniq 5 shown here.The car is part of an exhibition at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art that is part of an ongoing museum sponsorship by Hyundai.After running through July 17, the Kruger exhibition will later travel to the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.Barbara Kruger is one of the most influential living artists, having developed an intentionally didactic and cuttingly acute linguistic, graphic, and visual style that has been endlessly copied and commodified. (Shepard Fairey’s Obama HOPE posters and skate/streetwear brand Supreme’s logos would not exist without her.) Her type-based work has a strong cultural critique, founded in feminism, anti-racism, anti-capitalism, and anti-homophobia (among other things), and remains resonant to this day.

    LA County Museum of Art

    Kruger is currently the subject of a compelling survey at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Barbara Kruger: Thinking of You. I Mean Me. I Mean You, which will travel to the Art Institute of Chicago and the New York Museum of Modern Art in the coming years. Don’t worry, there’s a car angle. Hyundai is a major corporate sponsor of this show (and the museum itself). For the event, Kruger created a new work, Untitled (Car), wrapping a Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric hatchback in text, all in her signature style. As it turns out, this isn’t out of character. “Since the late 1990s, Kruger has wrapped city and school buses in New York, Los Angeles, and Cologne, Germany, with vinyl text works that address celebrity culture, art education, and power structures,” said Rebecca Morse, the co-curator of the exhibition and curator of the Wallis Annenberg Photography Department at LACMA. “This car wrap refers directly to the LACMA exhibition with the use of Kruger’s black and green title graphic Thinking of You. I Mean Me. I Mean You.”

    Public Art Fund/Marian Harders

    The car will appear, as it did on the day we visited the exhibit, in front of a vintage Airstream food truck in the museum’s courtyard, as well as in the museum’s parking garage. It will also drive throughout LA during the run of the exhibition. The core goal of this is to publicize the exhibit, and to simultaneously provide some visibility for the Ioniq 5, which we don’t mind at all since it happens to be one of our favorite new EVs. (Watch for it on the streets, Angelenos.) Kruger often surprises people with the locus of her work, so this mobility is aligned with her challenging and delightfully insidious practice. “From billboards to bus shelters, construction fences, and vehicles, Kruger often addresses the public in outdoor spaces,” Morse said. “By adopting sites that are used predominantly for advertising, Kruger challenges the viewer’s expectations and creates a powerful art experience.”Unlike her contemporary Jenny Holzer—whose work also uses aphoristic-style type as cultural critique—Kruger has not made a BMW Art Car. But can such a thing be far behind? We can only hope. Though as Barbara would say, Whose Hopes? Whose Fears? Whose Values? Whose Justice?The Kruger exhibition opened March 20 at LACMA and runs through July 17, 2022.

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    1972 Lancia Fulvia 1600 HF Is Our Bring a Trailer Auction Pick of the Day

    Lancia is a storied Italian marque with more than 100 years of history, and the company’s Fulvia coupe was a frequent rally champion in its day, thanks to nimble handling and a reputation for reliability.This example has performed faithfully on long-distance classic-car tours and is a unique alternative to a contemporary Alfa Romeo.It’s up for auction right now on the Bring a Trailer auction site, with bidding set to end on Wednesday, April 6.Modern-day Lancia is a shadow of its former self, having been reduced to selling only a five-door hatchback that resembles a less-pretty Fiat 500. Before that were mostly Chrysler products rebadged for the Italian market, including the 300 (as the Lancia Theta) and the Voyager minivan. But wind the clock back far enough and you find cars packed with elegance and sophisticated engineering. And this 1972 Lancia Fulvia HF is one such rare machine. It’s currently up for auction at the Bring a Trailer auction site, which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos. With just five days to go, the top bid currently sits at $26,000.

    When it was introduced in 1965, almost everything about the Fulvia was revolutionary. It was a front-wheel-drive car with a canted narrow-angle V-4 under the hood, and it came with disc brakes at all four corners. The sedan was a bit of a shoebox, but the delicate coupe version was sufficiently winsome that it eventually captured the heart of none other than Car and Driver’s own editor-in-chief, Tony Quiroga.

    Bring a Trailer

    This particular example is a later S2 model with the larger 1.6L V-4 and a five-speed manual transmission. The HF designation is for “High Fidelity,” the appellation provided to the most sporting Lancias. In the same year this car was built, a Fulvia HF won the Monte Carlo Rally. It’s a tiny car, but it left big shoes to fill: Lancia’s follow-up act was the mighty Stratos.

    Bring a Trailer

    The characteristics that made the Fulvia a solid contender on rally special stages make for a classic car that stands up to regular usage. The owner of this one notes some recent servicing including replacement of the rear main seal, clutch, and engine and transmission mounts, but a bigger part of the story is the mileage. Far from being some garage-bound prima donna, this Fulvia has seen 12,000 miles added to its odometer over roughly five years of ownership. It’s a sorted example, ready for motoring con brio.Despite being only slightly longer than a first-generation Mazda Miata, the little Lancia is very stable at highway speeds. Handling in corners is deft and predictable, and the brakes are excellent. The V-4 puts out an unusual but satisfying soundtrack, and the upright driving position makes for clear sightlines. Reviewing a pair of Fulvias in 1967, Road & Track summed up, “The Rallye coupe is a car for anyone who wants a precision motorcar and engineering tour de force for less than $4000.”

    Bring a Trailer

    Adjusted for inflation, that figure will today land you a current Volkswagen GTI. That’s a perfectly sensible, modern choice for a front-wheel-drive machine with a dash of performance, but wouldn’t you prefer something with a touch more style? A little rally heritage? A small cup of espresso con Lancia?

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    Suzuki Two Wheeler Sales March 2022 – Burgman, Gixxer, Avenis, Access

    Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt. Ltd. (SMIPL) reports sales decline for March 2022, ends FY22 on a strong noteImage – MRD VlogsSuzuki 2W sales in March 2022 were somewhat of a mixed bag. Domestic sales were on a decline, and exports gained. Domestic sales last month were reported at 50,734 units, down from 60,222 units. Volume gain stood at 9,488 units at 15.76 percent decline. Of total sales, its domestic business accounted for over three quarters of volume.Last month, Suzuki Two Wheeler exports were on a high at 14,761 units, up from 9,720 units. Volume gain stood at just over 5k units at 51.86 percent growth. Total sales in March 2022 are reported at 65,495 units, down from 69,942 units.At 6.36 percent decline, volume loss stood at 4.4k units. Seeing current trends at Suzuki, March 2022 sales were the lowest for the quarter. Sales trend deviated a bit for the usual growth numbers Suzuki 2 wheelers has been reporting in recent months.Suzuki Sales March 2022 – MoM delineKeeping in mind the decline in March 2022, MoM sales too are reported at a decline. In February 2022, sales were reported at 58,603 units. MoM volume loss stood at 7,869 units at 13.43 percent decline. MoM exports improved 8.56 percent, up from 13,597 units. Volume gain is reported at 1,164 units. MoM total sales decline is reported at 9.29 percent, down from 72,200 units. Volume loss stood at 6,705 units.Suzuki Sales March 2022Through Q1 2022, Suzuki Two Wheeler domestic sales are reported at 1,69,960 units, down from 1,76,756 units in Q1 2021. Volume loss stood at 6,796 units, following a 3.84 percent sales decline. Exports in the last three months improved by over 25 percent.Cumulative export in Q1 2022 is up at 37,827 units from 29,717 units. Volume gain is reported at 8,110 units at 27.29 percent growth. For the quarter just concluded, domestic sales contributed to almost 82 percent of total sales. Total sales in Q1 2022 is reported at 2,07,787 units, marginally up from 2,06,473 units. Volume gain stood at 1,314 percent at less than 1 percent growth. Overall growth is attributed to improved exports.Suzuki FY22 sales growthFor the fiscal just ended, FY22 (April 2021 – March 2022), SMIPL reports cumulative sales at 754,938 units, up from 591,846 units sold in the previous financial year. Overall result is positive at 27.6 percent growth.Satoshi Uchida, Managing Director, Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt Ltd. said, “It is quite satisfying that despite the COVID-19 induced challenges and supply chain issues, we successfully registered a sales growth of 27.6 % in FY 2021-22. This growth reflects that our products have been well received by our consumers. Additionally, the sales response on our recently launched scooter, Avenis has been overwhelming. We are thankful to all our customers and dealer partners for their trust and belief in the brand, and making Avenis a successful product in just a couple of months.” More

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    2023 Chevy Silverado Police Truck Is Good for On- And Off-Road Pursuit

    For the first time, the Chevy Silverado 1500 is available as a pursuit-rated pickup truck for police departments.Known as the Silverado PPV (Police Pursuit Vehicle), it has huge 16.0-inch front rotors, a rear locker, and a 2.0-inch-lift option.Chevy’s police truck features a 355-hp 5.7-liter V-8 paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.Johnny Law is getting a new chase vehicle courtesy of Chevrolet that’s capable of pursuit on public roads, through the back woods, and everywhere in between. Enter the 2023 Silverado PPV. It’s the first time Chevy has built a pursuit-rated pickup truck, and it joins the Tahoe PPV that’s been a trusty steed to police departments since it debuted in 1997.PPV versions of the Tahoe and the Silverado share a lot of components, including a powertrain and other equipment. Both use a 355-hp 5.7-liter V-8 linked to a 10-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. They also share black 20-inch rims mounted on Goodyear all-terrain tires and massive 16.0-inch iron front rotors clamped by Brembo six-piston calipers. For comparison, the Silverado’s standard front discs are three inches smaller, measuring 13.0 inches in diameter.

    Chevrolet

    Every 2023 Chevy Silverado PPV is configured with a crew cab and the short five-foot-eight-inch cargo box. The truck’s tow rating maxes out at 9300 pounds, and that’s 1100 pounds more than the Tahoe PPV can pull. Unlike its SUV counterpart, the Silverado is available with a 2.0-inch suspension lift. This raises its ground clearance and approach angle to 11.4 inches and 25.9 degrees, respectively, so lawbreakers will have a harder time using treacherous terrain to hide.Even without the lifted ride height, the Silverado PPV comes equipped with some notable off-road hardware. There’s a skid plate for extra underbody protection, a set of Rancho shocks from the regular truck’s Z71 package, and a locking rear differential. The cops can also opt for a hard tri-folding tonneau cover for the bed or Chevy’s multifunctional tailgate.

    Chevrolet

    The Silverado PPV’s interior takes a no-nonsense approach that we dig. From its tried-and-true column shifter to its power-adjustable cloth seats and vinyl flooring options, there are few creature comforts. The front jump seat can even be removed by request, freeing up space for whatever else cops might want to put there.While we certainly don’t want to see a Silverado PPV in our rearview mirror, we’d love to see one in our driveway. In fact, the more we thought about the truck’s off-road chops, bare-bones interior, and all the other neat features, it made us wish the bow-tie brand would offer one to regular law-abiding citizens. After all, it’d be a fitting rival to the recently revealed Ford F-150 Rattler, which exists as an entry-level off-roader.Chevy hasn’t said how much the 2023 Silverado PPV will cost, but the company did say it’ll be available in the U.S. and Canada sometime later this summer.
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