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      Honda Activa Owner Pays Rs 15.4 Lakh For Regn No 0001

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      This fancy number plate cost the bidder Rs 15.4 lakhs which is Rs 14,69,000 more than the cost of the new Honda ActivaNew Honda Activa 6G. File Photo.Buying a vehicle could become news. Recently, a man from Tamil Nadu purchased a Bajaj Dominar at Rs 2.67 lakhs with Rs 1 coins. He was saving money for 3 years to buy his dream motorcycle. This news was all over the internet, even Bajaj Auto had shared it on their social media.Now comes a story where a man who spent more than Rs 15 lakhs for a fancy number plate. Yes, Rs 15 lakhs, and that too on a scooter. Usually, fancy numbers are bought for expensive cars or bikes. But this one here, is for a Honda Activa. The no is CH01- CJ-0001.Honda Activa Fancy Number Plate at 21:1 RatioIn a recent auction held by the Chandigarh Registering and Licensing Authority, 378 fancy registration numbers and leftovers were sold for Rs. 1.5 crore. Among these was the fancy number plate which was picked up at Rs 15.44 lakhs for a Honda Activa that cost the buyer Rs 71,000.This was against a reserve price of Rs 50,000. This is a ratio of 21:1 and something rarely seen as fancy number plates are usually purchased for luxury cars in the sedan or SUV segments, which cost many times over. This was earlier the case with a 0001 number plate for which an owner of a Mercedes Benz S-Class had bid Rs 26.05 lakhs in 2012.Honda Activa 0001 NoBrij Mohan, the bidder of the fancy number plate from Chandigarh, runs an advertising agency. He states that initially this no will be seen on his Honda Activa, but it will be migrated to his new car, which he plans to purchase during the upcoming Diwali festival. 0001 number plates are the most favoured and often auctioned at exorbitant prices. CH01CH had fetched Rs 24.40 lakhs in an earlier auction, while in 2012, the CH01 AP series was picked up by a bidder at Rs 26.05 lakhs.This auction comes at a time when Haryana Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar opened up fancy number plates to the general public for numbers such as ‘0001’ for their vehicles. This announcement was made by Khattar, at a Cabinet meeting held in Chandigarh. Such numbers are allotted via e-auction.As on date, there are 179 state government vehicles using the 0001 number plate in Haryana and the aim was to generate added revenue from the e-auction with bidding starting from Rs 5 lakhs. As per estimates, revenue of Rs 18 crores could be collected via e-auctioning of these fancy number plates.Honda Activa Price HikeHonda has recently hiked prices of the Activa range from 1st April 2022. Both the Activa 6G and Activa 125 get priced higher by Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 respectively and now carry price tags of Rs 71,432 and Rs 74,898. Apart from this price hike, the company has not introduced any other visual changes while it continues to be powered by the same engine lineup. Honda Activa 125 competes with the Suzuki Access 125 and TVS Jupiter 125. More

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      Bajaj Motorcycle Prices April 2022 – Pulsar, Dominar, Avenger, CT, Platina

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      Bajaj Auto has increased prices of their motorcycles with effect from April 2022New Bajaj Pulsar 250For the second time in this calendar year, Bajaj Auto Limited has announced a price hike. Pressure has been building for manufacturers with rising input costs. The last time prices were increased by Bajaj, was back in Feb this year.The recent price hike comes at a time when Bajaj has registered a 40.97 percent YoY decline in two-wheeler sales in domestic market in March 2022. Bajaj cites the shortfall on semiconductor supplies as reasons for reduced sales though the company is hopeful of supplies to improve in the first quarter of FY 2023.Bajaj Motorcycle Prices April 2022Prices of Bajaj Auto Limited are across its models such as the CT, Platina, Avenger, Pulsar, Dominar. Prices have been increased from Rs 819 to Rs 4,913 or by a percentage increase of 1.22 to 3.14.Starting with the Bajaj CT, the CT 100 sees a price hike of Rs 819 from Rs 53,696 to Rs 54,515. CT 110 price has been increased by Rs 850 to 59,775 while CT 110 X KS and CT 110X ES are up Rs 832 and Rs 860 respectively to Rs 59,104 and Rs 64,668.Bajaj Motorcycle Prices April 2022Bajaj Platina range also sees a price hike from April 2022. Platina 100 ES Drum price has been increased by 1,267 to Rs 60,576 from an earlier price of Rs 59,309 while Platina 110 ES Drum and Disc are now higher by Rs 832 to Rs 64,678 and Rs 69,216 respectively.Bajaj Avenger, Pulsar, Dominar – New PricesPrice hike from April 2022 for Bajaj Avenger series is by Rs 2,560 for the Avenger 160 to a new high of Rs 1,11,462. The Avenger 220 gets a Rs 4,192 price hike to Rs 1,37,805 from an earlier price of Rs 1,33,613. This is the second highest price hike for any Bajaj Auto model in April 2022 after the Dominar 400.The latest price hike has also affected the Bajaj Pulsar range which is now priced from Rs 84,877 to Rs 1,68,979. Pulsar 180 and 220F are no longer listed on the official website. Bajaj Dominar 250 and 400 are now priced at Rs 1,66,355 and Rs 2,22,386 respectively, higher by Rs 2,048 and Rs 4,199 over old prices of Rs 1,64,307 and Rs 2,17,473.Bajaj Auto is about to introduce the updated Dominar in Malaysia. It will be retailed in Malaysian markets with extensive touring features as seen on its Indian counterpart with taller windscreen, handguards, luggage rack and accessories such as smartphone mount with USB charging and bungee cords located under its seat. More

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      Okinawa Electric Scooter Fire Incident – Results In Recall To Check Battery

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      Electric scooter fires are catastrophic, and the need of the hour is a huge improvement in battery management systemsOkinawa Praise Pro. Image – sansCARi sumitNo doubt, all new processes have niggles that are sorted sooner or later. However, electric vehicles aren’t altogether new. With electric scooter sales on the rise, a major concern that comes to the fore is fire. With multiple videos of such incidents having surfaced, there’s no doubt that such fire incidents need scrutiny.Auditing vehicle fires is a complex and time-consuming process. Especially when determining if a critical flaw has led to the fire. This requires manufacturers to rectify known flaws on all models with a faulty part as an immediate corrective measure.With electric scooter sales only just beginning to gain any real momentum, it’s a crucial time for the growing industry. As such, a fire scare can do more damage than imaginable. While customers today are keen on EV knowhow, a lot is still left to imagination. And the current spate of fire incidents isn’t good for customer sentiment. Government policy must pave the way for better battery management systems.Okinawa Praise Pro recallIn a first, Okinawa Autotech a topselling electric two-wheeler company has announced a recall. This extends to 3,215 units of its Praise Pro scooters. The company will ‘check and fix any issue related to batteries with immediate effect’. This is part of the company’s comprehensive power pack health check-up camps.Okinawa Electric Scooter production starts at new plantBatteries are to be checked for loose connectors or any damage. Repairs will be carried out at Okinawa dealerships at no cost to the customer. Dealerships will contact customers and carry out checks and repairs at customer convenience. ‘This voluntary campaign is in the wake of the recent thermal incident and in line with the company’s long-standing commitment to customer safety,’ the company said.  Electric Scooter Fire – How To SaveIn most videos of e-scooter fires seen recently, vehicles have burnt to the ground. Chances are it’ll be a rapid fire owing to a catastrophic battery failure. This puts focus on lithium-ion batteries in use in most e-scooters sold in India. And lithium ion batteries without cooling systems sound grave. Putting out a battery fire isn’t easy.A raging fire is next to impossible to put out with water. A foam extinguisher or other alternatives are rarely at hand, which results in vehicles being burnt to a crisp. And while battery units are removable, it isn’t likely one would be able to remove a rogue unit in time. With such dangers attached to an e-scooter battery fire, it’s high time manufacturers and fire departments issue safety warnings around such untoward events.The Okinawa scooters website does have a blog regarding care of a li-ion battery. Among a range of things to do’s and don’ts is point number 3 – ‘Please do not charge the li-ion batteries within 1 hour after use of the scooter.’ The write-up even elaborates on what to do in case of battery exposure to water, but ain’t no mention of what to do in case of a fire.There’s obviously a rigorous process of extensive development and testing before such products are approved for the market. However, the focus must shift to the unregulated battery cell manufacturing process on priority. The Centre for Fire Explosive and Environment Safety (CFEES) has already been tasked with probing the number of growing e-scooter fires, and suggesting remedial measures. In recent years, India has set targets on an electric push where personal mobility is concerned.  More

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      Porsche’s Rennsport Reunion Returns in 2023

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      The seventh edition of the massive celebration of all things Porsche will return next year following the longest hiatus of the event’s 22-year history.Porsche isn’t yet saying where or when it will be held, other than that it will take place next year. Previous Rennsport Reunions have been held at Lime Rock Park, Daytona International Speedway, and Laguna Seca.The last Rennsport took place in 2018 and attracted 80,000 fans and 2500 vehicles, including the 356 Speedster, RS Spyder, 959 Dakar, and 919 hybrid.If you’ve been awaiting signs that things are slightly returning to normal, look no further than Porsche’s Rennsport Reunion VII, which will take place somewhere at some point in 2023. That’s all the information Porsche is announcing at the moment, but now we know the longest pause in Rennsport Reunion history is coming to an end.

      The idea of race car driver Brian Redman and a Porsche Cars North America spokesperson, Bob Carlson, the first Rennsport Reunion was held at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut in 2001. Since then it has been held every three to four years at Daytona International Speedway in Florida (2004 and 2007) and then at Laguna Seca in California (2011, 2015, and 2018). The last Rennsport Reunion drew a crowd of more than 80,000 fans and 2500 vehicles.”We’re all excited to be able to announce the return of the Rennsport Reunion, which is always a highlight of Porsche motorsports enthusiasm and heritage,” Kjell Gruner, president and CEO of Porsche Cars North America, said in a statement. “Rennsport Reunion has grown quickly over the years into a truly one-of-a-kind experience of sight, sound, and emotions. For a few days, it feels like everyone thrilled by the brand is united in one place, on and off the track, as one Porsche family.”

      Porsche

      Porsche said it will announce the theme, date, and location of Rennsport Reunion VII “soon.” Given that Porsche does not mention Laguna Seca at all, we wouldn’t be surprised if it will be held somewhere else. The Porsche-related blog Flatsixes notes that Porsche has been in discussion with the owners of that track to make important upgrades, like a new bridge over the track at the start-finish line.Some of the vehicles that showed up at the 2018 event included the 356 Speedster, RS Spyder, 959 Dakar, and 919 Hybrid. The theme that year was “Champions,” and Porsche didn’t forget to mention that, “with over 30,000 race wins, the sports-car manufacturer from Weissach is by far the most successful brand in motorsports worldwide.”
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      Ather Electric Scooter Gets New Ride Mode Via Latest Update

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      New SmartEco ride mode for Ather will make it easier for users to achieve the scooter’s true range with limited impact on performanceAther Electric ScooterOne of the many benefits of electric scooters is that performance and overall experience can be improved via OTA updates. New features can also be introduced at regular intervals. There is no need to visit the service centre and everything gets done in a few minutes.Ather SmartEco OTA updateAther’s latest update includes a new SmartEco ride mode that is designed to dynamically adjust range and performance. To get SmartEco ride mode, Ather 450X and 450 Plus users need to download the latest version of Atherstack software. In Ather app, users need to activate the Ather Labs option to become eligible for this update.Ather Labs provides early access to new features and seeks feedback from users. Earlier also, a number of new features were made available through Ather Labs such as Trip Planner and Savings Tracker. Latest SmartEco ride mode will be available to users who have Ather Connect Pro subscription plan.If all such conditions are satisfied, users need to choose ‘Update Now’ option via settings on the scooter’s touchscreen display panel. The battery has to be at least 40% to get the update. The update takes around 5 minutes, post which users can select SmartEco mode via settings.Ather Electric ScooterWhen selected, the existing Eco mode is replaced by SmartEco on the screen. Users can return to standard Eco mode anytime they want. Other ride modes of Ride, Sport and Warp remain unchanged.Ather SmartEco ride mode benefitsSmartEco ride mode essentially aims to achieve a midway between Eco and higher speed ride modes. In a conventional system, the Eco mode does maximize range. However, it significantly limits the options available to the user. For example, if the user needs to overtake, they will have to switch to a different mode.SmartEco works differently, as it can sense the exact requirements at a given point of time. It can factor variables like user riding style, total load on scooter, terrain, etc. Based on these factors, SmartEco makes dynamic adjustments to acceleration. Simultaneously, it also keeps an eye on power consumption to ensure the scooter can achieve its true range.In SmartEco mode, a power bar is displayed on the dashboard. When the power bar is blue, it indicates that there is ample power available. Users can accelerate as per their needs. When power bar turns red, it means less power is available. At these times, users should not accelerate or speed up. If they need to do so, they can switch to Ride mode.It is to note that this update is being rolled out gradually. It may not be available to all users simultaneously. Users also need to ensure that their Ather App has been updated to the latest version. More

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      Hot Wheels Legends Tour Winner Is Smokin' 1969 Volvo P1800 Gasser

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      Hot Wheels has unveiled a 1:64-scale die-cast of the 2021 Hot Wheels Legends Tour-winning 1969 Volvo P1800 Gasser, built by Lee Johnstone of the United Kingdom. The model debuted at Classic Car Club Manhattan earlier this week, on the eve of the annual New York auto show.Johnstone, 71, is a motor mechanic by trade and was the first international Legends Tour winner. His P1800 Gasser emerged victorious from a 25-stop international Hot Wheels Legends Tour spanning five continents. He and his daughter, Victoria Upham, were on hand for the global unveiling and were truly astonished at the treatment given by Hot Wheels to their family passion project.
      The Gasser, monikered Ain’t No Saint, was officially inducted into the Hot Wheels Garage of Legends, a collection of the brand’s most iconic and celebrated designs existing both in 1:64 and life-size scale that was also on display at the clubhouse on Manhattan’s West Side. Ain’t No Saint joins previous champions including the inaugural 2018-winning 2JetZ from New Jersey (whose owner, Luis Rodriguez, drove the street-legal jet-powered vehicle straight through the Lincoln Tunnel to CCCM), the 2019 winner, THE NASH, and the 2020-winning 1970 Pontiac Firebird as the next permanent fixture in Hot Wheels history.

      Jon Langston

      In addition to the legendary cars that have been turned into Hot Wheels Legends die-casts, the epic Hudson River-fronted venue was decorated to showcase examples of how Hot Wheels has influenced popular culture far beyond cars and toys. A replica Gucci-owned custom Cadillac Seville and a Super73 Hot Wheels-branded e-bike to an IWC watch and a working RC car of the Tesla Pickup that apparently does 30 mph were all on display.
      Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the unveiling event was a presentation by members of the Hot Wheels design team. The designers walked attendees through the entire 18-month process of bringing an idea to a blister pack on a shelf.

      Jon Langston

      Fifty-four years after Hot Wheels launched its “Original 16” vehicles in 1968, the process of transforming life-size cars into 1:64-scale has changed dramatically. Beginning with CAD scanning, the Hot Wheels team digitizes every aspect of every vehicle, before additional rounds of 3-D modeling and printing help designers determine the vehicle’s final shape.Once approved, the final design must also undergo a rigorous series of Hot Wheels track tests to ensure it performs as well on those iconic orange tracks as it looks. Ted Wu, vice president and global head of design for vehicles at Mattel, announced the 2021 Legends Tour winner one week prior to the start of the 2022 Hot Wheels Legends Tour presented by Mobil 1.“The Legends Tour began in 2018 as a way to celebrate and engage the car builder community around the world,” said Wu. “Lee Johnstone’s 1969 Volvo P1800 proved to be a truly awe-inspiring Gasser interpretation that captivated the entire Hot Wheels team. As the first international Legends Tour winner, we can’t wait to share his dream with Hot Wheels fans in more than 150 countries around the world.”

      Jon Langston

      The 2022 tour kicks off with virtual live streams in New Zealand and Australia on April 14 and April 21, respectively, followed by the first North American live event in Miami on April 30. In collaboration with Mobil 1, Walmart and Dickies, the 2022 Legends Tour will culminate in November with a live streamed Global Grand Finale event to crown a historic fifth champion.As in the past, all fan car submissions throughout the tour will be judged on the basis of creativity, authenticity, and garage spirit. Anyone can compete in the Hot Wheels Legends Tour. See all the Hot Wheels Legends Tour die-cast cars at Walmart

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      New CFMoto 450cc Motorcycle Debuts – KTM RC390, Ninja 400 Rival

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      CFMoto 450SR is not likely to reach Indian shores or any other international market anytime soonNew CFMoto 450 SRCFMoto has quite an understated presence not just in India but in the global market as well. The Chinese bike maker currently retails four motorcycles in our country namely 650GT, 650MT, 650NK and 300NK. With an aim to dominate in the global market, they have now unveiled an all new 450cc motorcycle.Last year, CFMoto unveiled the outlandish SR-C21 Concept prototype at the 2021 EICMA. The concept has now taken the form of a supersport bike named 450SR in its production guise. The bike will initially be on sale in the Chinese market only with a sticker price equivalent to Rs 3.82 lakh. At first glance, you realise that CFMoto has borrowed most of the styling of 450SR from its prototype concept predecessor.New CFMoto 450cc 450SR – DesignThat said, CFMoto has deliberately dialled down things a bit as far as overall styling is concerned. For instance, to make it more production friendly, 450SR gets a pair of larger twin LED headlamps with integrated LED DRLs that have been retained from the concept. The front fascia looks sharp and aggressive enough despite toning down its appeal.It flaunts a muscular profile featuring edgy side panels and sleek winglets. Unlike the radical-looking under-seat twin exhaust setup presented on the concept, 450SR gets a fairly simple single-sided upswept exhaust. It also misses out on a single-sided swingarm as shown in the concept and makes do with a traditional setup. Other visual highlights include split seats, a visor upfront and mirror-mounted LED turn indicators.New CFMoto 450ccHardware SetupThe Chinese brand has made use of cheaper cycle parts in order to make it more affordable. The Ohlins-sourced suspension setup shown in the pre-production concept has not been employed. Instead, CFMoto has made use of standard upside-down forks up front and a mono-shock accompanied by a dual-sided swingarm.Braking duties are handled by a single 320mm disc at front and 220mm at rear with M4.32 callipers sourced from Brembo and ABS from Bosch. The braking hardware is complemented by a dual-channel ABS. 450SR is also packed with some nifty features like a TFT instrument console and adjustable seat height.Powertrain SpecsPowering 450SR is a new 449cc parallel, liquid-cooled engine that dishes out 50 bhp and 39Nm of peak torque. This power mill with a 270-degree crankshaft is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. The company claims a top speed of 190kmph on the new supersport bike. With a kerb weight of 168kg, 450SR gets one of the best power-to-weight ratios in its category.Initially, 450SR will go on sale in China only and may reach other international markets only after a while. It will directly take on Kawasaki Ninja 400 and also bridge the gap between KTM RC 390 and Honda CBR500R. More

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      2023 Yamaha Fluo 125cc Scooter Debuts – Smart Key, Digital Speedo

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      Yamaha has launched multiple 125cc scooters across several international markets based on the same platform and engine2023 Yamaha FLUOYamaha has launched a new 125cc scooter in Brazil named Fluo. This scooter is essentially a rebranded FreeGo scooter that is offered by Yamaha in Indonesia. However, Fluo comes with subtle variations in comparison to its Indonesian sibling. Let us check out what Fluo offers to Brazilian consumers.2023 Yamaha Fluo- StylingFor starters, design of Fluo is identical to FreeGo. It retains the modern and sporty styling of its Indonesia-spec counterpart. The only noticeable change in its visual appearance is turn signals and brake lamps which are separate units in Fluo. In FreeGo, they are offered as an integrated unit.2023 Fluo is being offered with three colour options- black, blue and white. The last two options come as dual-tone paint schemes with blacked-out planes on side fairing, front apron, floorboard, alloy wheels and underpinnings to accentuate the scooter’s sporty appeal.Features & HardwareIn terms of features, new Fluo is offered ABS as standard, unlike its Indonesian twin which gets it as an option. Other features on offer in Fluo include a fully digital instrument console with blue lighting background, a 12-volt charging socket, full LED illumination, auto start/stop functionality and keyless entry via a smart key. It also receives a generous 25-litre under-seat storage.2023 Yamaha FLUOComing to dynamics, it gets a typical underbone chassis that sits on conventional telescopic forks up front and an offset mono-shock mounted on the rear wheel hub. Braking duties are carried out by a 200mm disc up front and a 1300mm drum at rear which are aided by a single-channel ABS. Fluo rides on 12-inch alloy wheels that should offer a comfortable ride experience given its seat height of just 780mm.Powertrain Specs & PricePowering 2023 Fluo is 125cc SOHC, 2-valve, 4-stroke, air-cooled engine that churns out 9.5 bhp at 8,000 rpm and a peak torque of 10.3 Nm at 5500rpm. The silent starter motor is paired with a CVT automatic gearbox. At 102kg, it is fairly nimble considering its category. It has a fuel tank capacity of only 4.2 litres.Yamaha has priced Fluo at 13,390 Brazilian Reals (approx. INR 2,16,587), translating to about 94,642 Baht, which makes it about 43,400 Baht more expensive than its Indonesian sibling. The price gap is a result of import taxes since Yamaha intends to directly import this scooter from Indonesia.2023 Yamaha FLUOThis scooter is unlikely to reach Indian shores anytime soon. Yamaha already retails two 125cc scooters in India in the form of Fascino and RayZR. Out of these two, the latter is a sportier-looking scooter that takes on the likes of other sporty 125cc scooters like TVS Ntorq and Suzuki Avenis. More