News

Subterms

    More stories

    • 125 Shares149 Views

      in Bike

      Vespa Electric Scooter India Launch Planned – Ola, Ather Rival

      by

      Image for reference.Vespa, a subsidiary of Piaggio, had earlier revealed the Elettrica electric scooter in India at the Auto Expo 2020A significant rise in popularity of electric mobility, especially in the two-wheeler segment, has led to the advent of numerous electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing startups in the past couple of years. This has forced even established auto brands to dive into the EV space and create a separate strategy for future electric mobility.Piaggio is one such brand that is looking to dive into the EV space in India. As per a recent report, the Italian automaker is planning to develop an electric scooter specifically for the Indian market.Piaggio currently manufactures three-wheelers in the country but is actively involved in the two-wheeler business through its subsidiary brands- Vespa and Aprilia. It is very likely that the upcoming made for India electric scooter could be launched under both brands Vespa and Aprilia.India-specific Vespa electric scooter from PiaggioIn an interaction with ET Auto, Diego Graffi, managing director of Piaggio India, revealed that the company is planning to establish an EV ecosystem in India that will sustain even without subsidies. It should be noted that FAME II subsidies provided by the Central Government and subsidies offered by various state governments across the country are responsible for bringing down prices of EVs by up to 40 percent.Vespa Electric Scooter Elettrica At 2020 Auto ExpoPiaggio wants to offer EVs that attract consumers for their practical benefits, beyond the benefit of subsidies. However, the two-wheeler manufacturer isn’t venturing into the EV space immediately and there is still some time before the first electric two-wheeler offering from Piaggio rolls on Indian roads. Graffi revealed that the supplier ecosystem in India is unprepared to support a massive transition to electric mobility.Expected DebutWhile the country has the technical expertise related to EV technologies, manufacturing capacity for EVs in the supplier ecosystem is still not present. Piaggio already retails electric scooters in developed markets of Europe, however, the India-specific model is expected to take around 18-24 months of development and testing before it is launched in the market.Therefore, the upcoming electric scooter from Piaggio is unlikely to make its India debut before the end of 2023. Piaggio will solely focus on developing electric scooters for the Indian market and not motorcycles. Hence, it is likely that the scooter will be retailed under the Vespa brand.Vespa Electric Scooter – ElettricaEV offerings by PiaggioThe e-scooter from Piaggio will be at par with the high-speed performance electric scooters present in the Indian market and priced accordingly too. It will also boast all the latest connectivity features seen in modern EVs. At present, the two-wheeler EV space in India is dominated by premium offerings like Ather 450, Ola S1 series, Bajaj Chetak and TVS iQube.Last year, Piaggio revealed the first electric scooter under its own brand named ‘One’. Earlier, Vespa had also showcased the Elettrica electric scooter in India at the Auto Expo 2020. However, neither of these two models will reach Indian shores, though the India-specific model could borrow some components from the models mentioned above.Source More

    • 150 Shares199 Views

      in Bike

      Royal Enfield Sales Breakup Jan 2022 – Classic, Meteor, Himalayan, 650 Twins

      by

      Modified RE 650cc. Image – Rebellious GarageRE Classic 350 led domestic sales charts while 650 Twins were in greater demand in export marketsRoyal Enfield January 2022 sales data shows that while domestic sales ended on a not so positive note, its exports increased significantly, boosted by launch of several new products including the Classic 350.Royal Enfield posted a 22.75 percent YoY de-growth in January 2022. Sales stood at 49,726 units in the past month, down from 64,372 units sold in January 2021. It was also a 23.73 percent MoM de-growth over 65,194 units sold in December 2021.Royal Enfield Sales Breakup Jan 2022 – Classic 350 tops listIt was the Classic 350 that stood at the top of sales lists last month despite a 34.49 percent YoY de-growth. Sales were at 26,775 units in January 2022 down from 40,872 units sold in January 2021. The Classic 350 commands a 53.85 percent share, marginally higher as compared to 53.26 percent held in December 2021 when sales stood at 34,723 units.At No. 2 was the RE Meteor 350. Sales growth was at 66.77 percent on a YoY basis to 8,460 units, from 5,073 units sold in January 2021 while MoM sales dipped 22.93 percent over 10,977 units sold in December 2021. The company is also testing a 650cc version of the Meteor. This upcoming Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 is likely to be launched in India sometime later this year.Royal Enfield Sales Breakup Jan 2022Bullet 350cc sales dipped 36.44 percent YoY to 7,354 units, down from 11,570 units sold in January 2021 while MoM sales fell 8.77 percent from 8,061 units sold in December 2021. Electra (2,651 units) and 650 Twins (1,238 units) saw sales dip both in terms of YoY and MoM.RE Himalayan sales surged in domestic markets last month. What stood at 34 units in January 2021 increased to 3,248 units last month, relating to a 9452.94 percent increase. It was however a 29.56 percent MoM de-growth over 4,611 units sold in December 2021. The brochure of the RE Scram 411 has also been leaked ahead of launch which is slated to be a more road-oriented version of the Himalayan displaying better highway cruising features.RE Exports has 650 Twins at top of listIn export markets, Royal Enfield noted a 101.82 percent growth on a YoY basis and 6.55 percent MoM growth to 9,112 units. 650cc Twins have seen outstanding demand in global markets. Sales increased 209.67 percent YoY to 3,716 units from 1,200 units shipped in January 2021 while MoM increase was at 106.79 percent from 1,797 units sold in December 2021.Royal Enfield Exports Breakup Jan 2022The RE Meteor 350cc and Classic 350cc followed with 2,304 units and 2,042 units shipped respectively last month. This was a growth of 1152.17 percent and 84.46 percent respectively over 184 units and 1,107 units shipped in January 2021. MoM shipments also increased marginally by 1.23 percent and 2.98 percent respectively.Exports of the RE Himalayan increased 42.28 percent YoY to 1,050 units, up from 1,819 units sold in January 2021 but dipped 57.78 percent from 2,487 units sold in December 2021. The RE Electra, Classic 500 and Bullet 500 exports were down to 0 units in the past month. More

    • 175 Shares189 Views

      in Motor News

      1989 VW Vanagon Camper Is Our Bring a Trailer Auction Pick of the Day

      by

      Our Bring a Trailer pick of the day is this 1989 Volkswagen Vanagon GL Syncro Camper conversion.This rare beast features a pop-top roof for extra sleeping space and an all-wheel-drive system to make easier work of navigating to off-grid camping spots.The seller has replaced several key items, including tires and the air conditioning compressor, so this adventure mobile comes ready to hit the open road.Like many other auto enthusiasts, we can easily find ourselves lost for hours in the car-auction dreamland that is Bring a Trailer. This weekend we found this 1989 Volkswagen Vanagon GL Syncro camper conversion that got our car-nerd juices flowing and also gave us a serious case of wanderlust. It’s up for auction on the Bring a Trailer auction site—which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos—with bidding open until Saturday, February 26.

      Bring a Trailer

      The Vanagon was sold in North America from 1980 to 1991, and those models are becoming increasingly rare these days due to their age. This 1989 model is rarer still, in that it comes with Volkswagen’s Syncro all-wheel-drive system and has been converted for camper use. Given the explosion in interest in camping and overlanding in recent years, this gem seems like a perfect way to get into the hobby. Of all the Vanagon trim levels, the GL was the most luxurious, although that word is relative since we’re talking about a late-1980s van. According to the enthusiast site Vanagons.org, the GL added features such as front-seat armrests and a padded steering wheel rim. How fancy. The owner of this one splurged, not only on the optional Syncro system, but also on 14-inch five-spoke alloy wheels and air conditioning.

      Bring a Trailer

      Bring a Trailer

      While Volkswagen sold a factory-built pop-top camper version of the Vanagon in 1989, this particular one was actually converted and had its pop-top roof installed by Country Home Campers of Santa Cruz, California. The company is still in business, too, which means if you need replacement parts or want to further customize this Vanagon you can.

      Bring a Trailer

      Because the stock water-cooled flat-four is only rated at 90 horsepower, a lot of these older Vanagons have had their engines swapped out for more powerful and more modern Subaru flat-fours, but this example has been preserved with the original engine. We also love that it has a five-speed manual transmission. When we tested an example back in 1980, it needed 17.9 seconds to reach 60 mph, and that one didn’t have all the camper accoutrements that this one has. So yeah, it’s probably extremely slow, but this is the kind of vehicle that encourages you to enjoy the journey as much as the destination. Speaking of the journey, to prepare the Vanagon for sale, the seller apparently put new tires on it last year and also made several other repairs, including replacing the air conditioning compressor. Summer fun, here we come! Bidding is already up to $27,000 with five days to go before the auction closes.
      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

    • 113 Shares179 Views

      in Motor News

      Ferrari Purosangue Leaked Images Show the Super SUV's Styling

      by

      An image circulating on social media purports to show the new Ferrari SUV.Called the Purosangue, this new model is slated to begin production later this year.We’re expecting a turbocharged V-8 engine to be standard, with a possible hybrid setup.Just the idea of Ferrari producing an SUV has created plenty of controversy on its own, and this first glimpse of the upcoming Purosangue is sure to get people talking all over again. A few leaked images making the rounds on social media purport to show the new Ferrari SUV from the front and rear angles on the factory floor. Whether it’s the camera angle, the poor image quality, or some combination therein, they don’t paint the most flattering portrait of the Purosangue’s proportions.
      This content is imported from Instagram. 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 imported from Instagram. 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.

      The overall shape seen here lines up with what we’ve seen in spy photos of the Purosangue. It appears to have a long nose, four doors, and a sloping roofline not entirely unlike the GTC4Lusso shooting brake’s. A sharp cutline runs from the hood and creates a scooped-out portion of the front door, while black plastic body cladding around the wheel well ensures that it will look the part of an SUV. The rear appears to have a full-width light bar connecting two sets of taillights.

      A turbocharged V-8 engine, possibly with assistance from an electric motor, is the most likely choice for the Purosangue’s powertrain. But it’s possible that Ferrari could stuff a hybrid V-12 setup under the hood, or a V-6 hybrid powertrain for the base model. We should learn more later this year when the Purosangue makes its official debut. Ferrari has confirmed that production will begin in 2022, with customer deliveries starting next year.
      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

    • 138 Shares169 Views

      in Bike

      Bajaj Avenger Electric Hybrid Motorcycle – Modifying Kit Price Rs 28k

      by

      Bajaj Avenger Modified into an petrol electric hybrid motorcycleThe EV conversion kit used in Bajaj Avenger 220 has been sourced from GoGoA1 which is available for sale online at a price of Rs 27,760With the rise in demand for electric mobility in India, especially in the two-wheeler segment, the market has also seen a spike in the demand for EV conversion kits. While we recently saw a Maruti Dzire EV and a fully electric Hero Splendor retrofitted with an electric conversion kit, this time a Bajaj Avenger is seen running on a battery-powered source.Bajaj Avenger Modified Electric Motorcycle HybridUnlike the previous two models mentioned above, this EV kit allows the rider to choose between petrol power or battery power mode depending on circumstances. In essence, this is a pure petrol-electric hybrid kit that has the convenience to switch between pure IC engine and pure EV mode.A video of the process of converting this petrol-powered Avenger 220 Cruise has been uploaded on YouTube by Creative Etc. This EV conversion kit has been sourced from GoGoA1 which is available for sale online at a price of Rs 27,760. The kit comprises components like a 2000W, 17-inch Brushless Hub Motor, a Regenerative Controller, a Wrist Throttle, disc with catcher, mounting plate and a coupler.Modifications MadeDesign of the stock Avenger has been kept intact in this modified hybrid prototype for most parts barring a new 17-inch front wheel that houses a brushless hub electric motor. Along with this, it gets new mountings installed on the rear fender to carry the battery pack and a small switch on the right side of the handlebar that lets one turn on electric power.[embedded content][embedded content]Although the video says it’s a DIY (Do It Yourself) Project it will take more than a skilled mechanic to carry out all the complicated stuff to follow. For starters, to incorporate the new front wheel with a hub motor, front forks have been re-fabricated. Also, the front disc brake needs modification in order to collaborate with the new front wheel successfully.Next up, the battery pack needs to be encased within a small metallic box that has to be fabricated through cutting and welding. After this, the battery is installed on the mounts of the rear fender but in order to do that, the bike’s rear turn indicators have to be repositioned. Speaking of the battery, this conversion kit consists of a 72V, 35A Lithium-ion pack.The controller is installed by making some minor changes to the electrical system. Finally, a switch to engage and disengage the electric motor is added near the original switchgear. After the complete modification, the IC engine drives the rear wheel through the in-house transmission system, whereas the electric hub motor drives the front wheel.SpecificationsIn pure electric mode, Avenger 220 is able to touch a top speed of 60kmph which is decent enough whereas it claims to offer a range of 40-50 km on a full charge. The system also comes with a reverse mode. While this is a very attractive conversion kit, its legality still remains a question since nowhere has it been mentioned that it is an RTO-approved kit. More

    • 150 Shares169 Views

      in Bike

      TVS Sales, Exports Breakup Jan 2022 – Jupiter, Apache, Raider, Ntorq, XL100

      by

      New TVS Raider with aftermarket modifications. Image – Indian Throttle.TVS Motor Co registered de-growth both in terms of domestic sales and exports in the past monthTVS sales in domestic markets dipped 10.28 percent YoY while MoM sales were more positive. Exports on the other hand fell both on YoY and MoM basis. In domestic markets, sales dipped 18.28 percent YoY to 1,67,695 units in the past month, from 2,05,216 units sold in January 2021. MoM sales improved 14.26 percent over 1,46,763 units sold in December 2021.TVS Sales Breakup Jan 2022 – Jupiter, XL100 in leadIt was the TVS Jupiter that contributed most to sales, topping the charts at 43,476 units sold in January 2022, down 16.32 percent over 51,952 units sold in January 2021. MoM sales improved by 13.98 percent from 38,142 units sold in December 2021. TVS Jupiter currently commands a 25.93 percent share of total TVS domestic sales. It was the second best scooter sold in India last month, after Honda Activa.TVS XL 100 moped sales declined 39.35 percent YoY to 35,785 units, down from 59,007 units sold in January 2021. MoM sales improved by 7.16 percent from 33,395 units sold in December 2021.TVS also noted de-growth both in terms of the Apache and Ntorq in the past month, down 8.89 percent to 25,975 units and down 23.94 percent to 21,120 units respectively. These two bikes however, performed better on a MoM basis, up from 23,533 units and 16,859 units sold in December 2021.TVS Sales Breakup Jan 2022TVS Raider entered the list with 11,377 units sold in January 2022. This was a 4.92 percent increase over 10,843 units sold in December 2021. The 125cc commuter bike uses a 124.8cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled, engine offering 11.2 hp power at 7,500rpm and 11.2Nm peak torque at 6,000rpm mated to a five-speed gearbox.YoY sales de-growth was also reported for the TVS Radeon (8,640 units), Sport (6,478 units), Star City (4,964 units) and Pep+ (4,622 units) and Zest (3,453 units). However, each of these models, except for the Sport, posted a MoM growth. TVS iQube sales increased 624.64 percent YoY to 1,579 units from 211 units sold in January 2021 while MoM sales were higher by 26.16 percent from 1,212 units sold in December 2021. TVS RR310 trailed the sales list with 426 units sold last month from 412 units sold in January 2021 and 339 units sold in December 2021.TVS Exports January 2022Exports of TVS Motor Co dipped 3.12 percent YoY to 85,528 units, down from 88,284 units shipped in January 2021. It was a MoM de-growth of 0.44 percent over 85,904 units sold in December 2021.TVS Exports Breakup Jan 2022It was Star City that topped the list with 31,366 units up 18.42 percent YoY over 26,488 units sold in January 2021 while MoM exports fell 2.80 percent from 32,271 units sold in December 2021. Share in the company lineup currently stands at 36.67 percent down from 37.57 percent held in December 2021.At No. 2 was the Star City 125 with 28,049 units sold last month, down 6.72 percent over 30,070 units sold in January 2021. MoM exports increased 4.59 percent from 26,819 units shipped in December 2021.TVS Apache saw a de-growth of 37.43 percent YoY to 10,132 units from 16,192 units exported in January 2021 while MoM shipments increased 9.50 percent from 9,253 units sold in December 2021. Even as exports of Ntroq increased 33.98 percent YoY to 6,104 units, that of Sport (4,956 units),Victor (800 units) and Wego (158 units) along with the XL (144 units) and Jupiter (118 units) dipped YoY. Exports on a MoM basis saw de-growth for each of these models except for the Jupiter that increased 8.26 percent over 109 units shipped in December 2021.In view of the increased demand for electric vehicles in the country, the company will introduce a portfolio of electric vehicles both in domestic and international markets. TVS recently acquired a Switzerland based electric bike company called EGO Movement and Swiss E-Mobility Group (SEMG). More

    • 138 Shares119 Views

      in Motor News

      New Ford Broncos Are Reportedly Sitting Undelivered Due to Chip Shortage

      by

      KenStevens5150 via YouTube

      A massive number of Ford Broncos have been spotted parked up outside of Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant. The build-up of SUVs is directly tied to the global semiconductor shortage, Automotive News is reporting this week.Bronco fanatics may actually recall this parking lot, as it gained a bit of notoriety during last year’s hardtop-related delays. Back then it garnered the nickname Dirt Mountain, though Michigan’s winter weather has made it harder to see the large earth pile for which the lot is named. As such, some members of the various Bronco forums have begun referring to the area as Ice Mountain. Regardless of what you call it, recent videos uploaded to the Bronco6G forum confirm that Ford has once again packed the lot full of completed trucks.

      Thankfully for the frustrated Bronco fans out there, one dealership owner was more willing to speak on the matter. According to Ford dealer council chairman Tim Hovik, who owns San Tan Ford in Gilbert, Arizona, the production issues are related to ongoing chip shortages. Hovik told Automotive News that these issues are not exclusive to Ford or the Bronco, but that certain semiconductor chips have become more difficult to acquire from suppliers. Without official confirmation from Ford, there is no way for us to be entirely certain about the situation at hand outside MAP. That said, the act of parking completed vehicles while waiting for chips isn’t new in the pandemic era.
      This content is imported from YouTube. 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.

      While the auto industry as a whole continues to struggle with production and supply chain constraints, the visuals of this parking lot are tough to see. That is especially true when you consider the markup prices that have arrived as a result. Road & Track has reached out to Ford for comment and will update this story if we hear back.

      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

    • 100 Shares149 Views

      in Bike

      New KTM 390 Enduro Adventure Motorcycle Spied Testing

      by

      2023 KTM 390 Enduro21-inch front wheel, off-road tyres, new swing-arm mean businessKTM’s 390 Duke platform has been a cash cow since its birth and the two wheeler giant is not done milking it yet. In its second generation, the modular platform spawned an adventure tourer in addition to also underpinning Husqvarna products. Recent spy shots from Europe strongly indicate that the Austrian brand is working on a hard-core 390 off roader.KTM 390 Enduro – What’s new?Likely to be called KTM 390 Enduro, the new derivative appears to be in the early stages of development as evident by the maturity level of the prototype. The bodywork and equipment are tentative but they give a fairly decent idea on where KTM is going with this model. Having given shape to street fighter, supersports and adventure versions, a hard-core off-roader would nicely round off things.A close look reveals that the KTM 390 Enduro retains the trademark trellis frame. The rear sub-frame too has a familiar air to it but a new swing arm, 21-inch front spoke wheel, off-road tyres and sturdy belly highlight the motorcycle’s serious off-road intent.The shield for the inverted front forks further adds to the Enduro character. Both front and rear wheels are retarded by a disc each (mostly likely supported by switchable dual-channel ABS) We expect the prototype to evolve significantly as it inches closer to production ready state.KTM 390 EnduroThe signature Duke LED headlamp will be a part of the final design but with a sorted out mounting and fairing panels. The TFT colour instrument console is also likely to be on board.To be made in India?Bajaj Auto’s Chakan plant has been the home base of KTM’s compact and medium displacement family of products including the 390 series. We don’t see why this winning approach would change as far the new model is concerned.While Europe and USA are expected to be the primary markets for the KTM 390 Enduro, we think it could be an interesting proposition for India as well. We don’t have a purpose-built hard-core off-roader in the medium displacement category at the moment and a well-priced offering carrying the KTM badge would evoke a lot of excitement among the Indian enthusiasts.KTM 390 EnduroKTM 390 Enduro Launch When?As we mentioned, the KTM 390 Enduro still has a long way to go before it can hit the road. However, given that it is a derivative of a well-established platform, we expect the turnaround time to be relatively shorter. We reckon it will be ready by late 2023 or early 2024.Given the kind of beefing up required to endure serious off-roading, the upcoming model is likely to be the most expensive member of the 390 family. And, KTM may not just stop with one displacement option! A 250 could also be on the cards but let’s not speculate too much too early.Source More