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    Ather Electric Scooter Sales Jan 2022 – 2,825 Units Sold, 366 Percent Growth

    Ather Electric Scooters Jan 2022 SalesAther sales could have been higher, but production was impacted due to supply chain challengesIn terms of sale volumes, Ather Energy is currently ranked third in the list of electric two-wheeler manufacturers. While Ather is ahead of Ampere, TVS, Revolt, and Bajaj, it trails behind Hero Electric and Okinawa. This could change in future, as the company has accelerated its network expansion across the country.Ather Electric Scooter Sales Jan 2022Ather sold a total of 2,825 units in January 2022. This is YoY growth of 366%, as compared to sales numbers in January 2021. According to Ravneet S. Phokela, CBO at Ather Energy, the company has been witnessing increased demand for its scooters. However, shortage of auto components such as semiconductor chips continues to pose challenges. As and when the supply chain situation improves, Ather should be able to boost production to meet demand.As of now, the company has a strong order book. In January, new experience centres were opened in Nagpur, Lucknow, Chennai and Trivandrum. Several more cities are expected to be covered in coming months. Ather is also expanding its network of fast charging stations known as Ather Grid Points. These are crucial in terms of ensuring greater acceptability for electric two-wheelers.Ather currently has 29 retail stores spread across 24 cities. More than 300 fast-charging Ather Grid Points are available across these cities. By March 2023, Ather has plans to expand its footprint to 100 cities. Around 150 experience centres will be set up.Ather plans Feb 2022Ather second factoryAs demand for its scooters is expected to increase significantly in the future, Ather is working proactively to boost production. A prominent move is the setting up of a new manufacturing facility in Hosur. This will be in addition to the first facility in the same city. When the second plant is fully functional, production capacity will increase from the current 1.20 lakh units to 4 lakh units per annum.In addition to scooters, the new facility will also focus on battery manufacturing. It is to note that Ather has around 90% localization for its 450X and 450 Plus scooters. It includes the lithium-ion battery pack.The company currently has 13 patents related to design and manufacturing of its battery packs. Manufacturing battery packs in-house not only reduces cost, but also allows more freedom in terms of developing the powertrain and other components.Ather and Hero MotoCorpAther is among the well-funded EV startups in the country. Regular inflow of funds has helped the company to focus on R&D and come up with world-class products. Ather recently received Rs 420 crore from Hero MotoCorp that has been one of the first investors in the startup.It will be interesting to see how this partnership shapes up in the future. There could be a possibility that Ather could merge entirely with Hero MotoCorp all while retaining its unique brand identity. Even before this investment, Hero MotoCorp had 34.8 percent shareholding in Ather Energy. A significant percentage of fresh funds are likely to be utilized for expanding retail and fast-charging networks. More

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    All the 'Gran Turismo 7' Details: Music Rally, 3D Audio, Starry Skies

    Gran Turismo 7 releases on March 4, 2022 with over 400 cars and 34 locations with more than 90 different layouts.Music Rally and Music Replay are new modes that bring driving and music together in a fun and relaxing gameplay experience.A new Cafe location will feature conversations with car designers of some of our favorite cars from automotive history. As its March 4, 2022, release date draws nearer, Sony is spilling more information about the highly anticipated Gran Turismo 7 racing game coming to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles. Polyphony Digital CEO and Gran Turismo producer Kazunori Yamauchi says the 25th anniversary of the GT Series is the biggest yet, and GT7 will be a return home for longtime fans of the driving simulator that debuted in 1997 on the original PlayStation.

    At launch, GT7 will have more than 400 cars; 34 locations with over 90 different layouts; and completely new modes and features that highlight historically significant cars, details, and people from automotive culture. On certain tracks, GT7 uses meteorological data from NASA to produce beautiful starry-night skies as you’d see them from that location in person. Moons and other planets will be visible. More cars and tracks will arrive after launch, though details on an additional content schedule haven’t been released yet.

    Sony Interactive Entertainment

    Remember the kickass intros from previous GT games? The computer-generated look inside a combustion chamber followed by Lenny Kravitz from GT3? Or the emotionally charged orchestral ‘Moon over the Castle’ introduction to GT4? We do, and music is the theme of two new modes in GT7. Music Rally and Music Replay. Music Rally is a relaxed gameplay experience where players drive to the beat, instead of their limits. It’s just you versus the music, in a harmonious battle to make it to the very end of the song. Yamauchi hopes this lighthearted mode will pull some of the seriousness out of the simulation and get new players interested in driving cars.

    Music Replay creates camera positions, video cuts, and movement influenced by music rather than using predetermined cameras following car positions. This means the cinematic replay from your most intense races will have several different compositions depending on which song you’ve chosen.Haptic feedback and adaptive triggers while using the PlayStation 5 DualSense controller will give extra input while driving to simulate the real thing. Yamauchi said players will be able to feel the different racing surfaces, curbing, tire slippage, and effects of tire wear and weather. In previous GTs, ABS was just a light that would flash in the interface under braking; now it’s a sensation felt through the controller, and players can also experience simulated locked-up brakes through the adaptive triggers. We hope this mode is more than just loud vibrations and delayed input, but it sounds promising—especially for people playing without a steering wheel and force feedback.

    Sony Interactive Entertainment

    It’s Educational! The academic side of GT is now expanded in a new Café location. Players will learn more about the cultural significance of cars and hear automotive designers talk about their creations, like the Audi TT’s Freeman Thomas, original Miata designer Tom Montano, and others. These instances are earned through completing challenges and collecting cars.If you’re a person who plays games just to remove the wing from cars like the Honda Civic Type R, you’re in luck. There are more than 60 types of performance parts per car, including wings, widebody kits, roll cages, wheels, and of course an exhaustive number of paint-color choices. To the relief of folks who have made amazing re-creations of racing liveries in GT Sport, Yamauchi said that stickers and liveries created there can be migrated to Gran Turismo 7. That means we won’t have to wait long for the epic GEAR Racing Lamborghini Huracán GT3 livery that someone has already made in GT Sport.

    Sony Interactive Entertainment

    Tuning Is a Game within a GameYamauchi described the mechanical tuning capability as a “mini-game within a game.” The goal is that it will become a learning tool for people curious about how changing or adjusting specific parts of a car immediately affects things like acceleration, weight, horsepower, grip, and top speed. GT7 uses a new Measure feature, which will allow you to make adjustments, and the game will quickly simulate the areas in which the car’s performance has either improved or decreased. We spotted a few interesting tuning options in the preview trailer that include nitrous oxide, an exhaust silencer, and an anti-lag system.The more than 300-person team at Polyphony Digital, once just a group of 15 at the start of the series, are eager to show off the 3D spatial audio they’ve cooked up for GT7. Experienced best with headphones, 3D audio better imitates how the sound we hear in reality bounces off various objects before reaching our brains. It’s more than just making the exhaust louder in tunnels: the sound will react differently depending on the surface it hits, such as raindrops hitting glass versus puddles or tires over grass versus curbing. 3D audio makes it possible for you to identify where the noise is coming from instead of just flooding your ears with raw audio.

    Sony Interactive Entertainment

    The World Map, teased earlier, brings back some of our favorite GT modes that were otherwise skipped in GT Sport. License, Used Cars, and the Tuning Shop have returned. Yes, that means the gang of yellow-polo-shirted garage crew members is back to clean your car, change your oil, and, in one cute animation, pull at either side of a car to illustrate the installation of a widebody kit.The hyperrealistic photo mode, Scapes, will have more than 2500 locations where you can photograph cars. Yamauchi explained that replay and photo mode are the only two areas with ray tracing capability, to preserve performance while racing. The reflection of headlights off plastic rear bumpers, individual rain droplets running down the window glass, and tiny etches and imperfections around the gauges of the historic cars look stunning in this preview. It has become somewhat difficult to quickly tell a real photograph and a rendering from GT7’s Scapes mode apart. Just make sure you have a 4K or HDR TV display to support these promised visuals.

    Sony Interactive Entertainment

    Used-Car and Legendary DealershipsThe Used Car Dealership also makes a return. The dealership features cars with mileage, used oil, and vehicles that would otherwise be inappropriate to see for sale in the new car dealership GT7 calls Brand Central. These vehicles are more affordable, and the variety will change daily. A Legendary dealership will feature the most expensive cars. To buy something in the Legendary dealership is to obtain a piece of significance to car history.For us, GT7 sounds like the biggest excuse to grab a Sony PlayStation 5, even if they’re still somewhat difficult to source. We look forward to getting more hands-on with GT7 before its release on March 4.

    Gran Turismo 7 25th Anniversary Edition – PS5 Disc & PS4 Entitlement

    PlayStation
    amazon.com

    $89.99

    Standard Editions are available for pre-order on PlayStation 4 for $59.99 and PlayStation 5 for $69.99. Preorder bonuses include extra in-game credits, a free car pack that includes the Mazda RX-Vision GT3 concept, the Porsche 917 Living Legend concept, and the Japanese Grand Touring Championship Castrol Tom’s Toyota Supra GT500 race car. An $89.99 Digital Deluxe Edition is also available for preorder and includes extra in-game credits, PS4 and PS5 dual entitlement, and a special Toyota GR Yaris painted in your country’s special livery, as well as the game’s official soundtrack.
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    Mercedes Reinstates Some 2022 V-8 Models, Including G63 and GLS600

    Mercedes confirmed that it will reopen orders for several V-8 models after previously suspending these models’ U.S. availability for the 2022 model year.Orders are now open for the G550, AMG G63, GLE580, AMG GLE63, GLS580, and Maybach GLS600, as reported by Motor Authority.A few models are still missing, including the AMG E63, the AMG GT63 4-Door, and the AMG GLS63.Several V-8–powered models will soon rejoin Mercedes’ U.S. lineup after being dropped for the 2022 model year. A Mercedes-Benz spokesperson confirmed to C/D that the company is reopening orders for certain versions of the 2022 G-class, GLE-class, and GLS-class SUVs powered by the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 engine.

    In addition to the Mercedes-Benz G550, GLE580, and GLS580, AMG 63 versions of the G-class and GLE-class—plus the Maybach GLS600—will be available again. But not the AMG GLS63, which is still missing from the lineup. The AMG E63 and AMG GT63 4-Door will also remain absent for the time being, and Mercedes said it could not provide any details regarding the availability of these models. The S-class sedan and new AMG SL-class convertible also use this same V-8 engine but did not appear to be affected by the same production issues.We assume that the easing of supply-chain issues is the main reason that these models are returning, although Mercedes has been relatively quiet throughout this ordeal. The suspension of these models was initially blamed on “various global, external and internal requirements, as well as several other factors, including but not limited to challenges in the supply chain,” which could also include emissions regulations.

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    Chevy Spark Discontinued, Production Ends This Summer

    The Chevrolet Spark will be discontinued later this year, with production lasting through August, a GM spokesperson confirmed.The Spark is currently the cheapest new car on sale in the United States, starting at $14,595.Chevy will not offer a direct replacement for the Spark, instead directing customers to its Trax and Trailblazer subcompact crossovers, both of which start over $20,000.If you want a brand-new Chevrolet Spark, you’d better act fast. Chevy’s diminutive hatchback—currently the cheapest new car on sale in the United States—will be discontinued later this year, a General Motors spokesperson confirmed to Car and Driver today.

    Chevrolet

    Production of the Spark will continue through August, at which point it will depart from the Chevy lineup after a 10-year run. The Spark is not expected to get a direct replacement, with the GM spokesperson saying that customers looking for a ride at “an approachable price still have strong options within Chevrolet’s family of compact SUVs.”

    If you want to get your hands on a new Spark before it goes the way of the dodo, you’ll have to cough up just $14,595 for the base LS model, around a third of the average cost of a new car, which has skyrocketed to $47,077. All Sparks use a 98-horsepower inline-four, crawling to 60 mph in 10.8 seconds but returning an EPA-rated 33 mpg combined. After the Spark departs, customers looking for a cheap Chevrolet will have to turn to the aging Trax, starting at $22,595, or the Trailblazer, starting at $22,795. Both subcompact crossovers cost substantially more than the Spark, which will leave customers seeking a sub-$20,000 car to consider other brands. The title of cheapest car in the U.S. will migrate to the Nissan Versa, starting at $16,105, with the $16,125 Mitsubishi Mirage close behind.
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    Suzuki Sales Jan 2022 – Gixxer, Access, Burgman, Avenis

    New Suzuki AvenisSuzuki Motorcycle India reports growth in domestic sales and exports in January 2022The Indian two-wheeler space is a busy one. The need for one is stable, and manufacturers, competitive. This need stems from the sheer number of people in this country. For most, a two-wheeler is an essential need.It’s no surprise that the three big names in the industry sell lakhs of units, month after month. But not all manufacturers operate on such a large scale or have products to meet wide ranging demand.Suzuki Sales Jan 2022Suzuki 2W sales improved both in the domestic front, and exports in January 2022. Domestic sales growth stood at 6.35 percent, up at 60,623 units from 57,004 units. Volume gain stood at 3,619 units.Sales in the domestic market accounts for the major share of the company’s total business at 86.49 percent. Exports grew at about 20 percent. YoY exports are up at 9,469 units, up from 7,865 units at volume gain of 1.6k units. Total sales are up at 70,092 units, up from 64,869 units at 8.05 percent growth. Total volume gain stood at 5,223 units.Suzuki Sales Jan 2022MoM total sales growth is much improved at 37 percent. Total sales in December 2021 was reported at 51,148 units, on account of which volume growth is up at 18,944 units. MoM domestic sales growth was even higher. Sales grew from 32,549 units at volume growth of 28k units. Exports were down 49 percent from 18,599 units in December 2021. Volume loss stands at 9,130 units. Best sellers from the company include Access, Gixxer, Burgman.Suzuki scooters in IndiaBack in 2018, Suzuki Motorcycle India had reported cumulative production over the years at a momentous 40 lakh units. At the time plans pointed to a sales target of 10 lakh units each year. This would resultantly improve market share here. Suzuki’s show of strength is derived from its scooters it sells.Following the success of Access 125, Burgman Street was launched. Recently, Suzuki Avenis went on sale to increase its growth potential. Despite sales being way behind where totals are concerned, on the scooter front, Suzuki Motorcycle India sits higher up the pecking order.Global semiconductor shortageSatoshi Uchida, Managing Director, Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt. Ltd. said, “We are delighted to announce that we have successfully registered over 8% sales growth in January 2022 as compared to January 2021. It is very satisfying that despite the global semiconductor shortage and difficulties thrown by COVID-19, the company recorded growth in the domestic and exports market.Despite the headwinds that the Industry has experienced we have been able to grow by 37.1% so far in the current financial year. This sales uptick was made possible with the support of all our customers, dealer partners, and staff members. With a cautious yet optimistic outlook, we are confident that we will continue to experience steady demand both from the domestic and overseas markets in the future too.” More

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    Bajaj Triumph Motorcycle Spied For First Time – RE Meteor Rival

    Bajaj Triumph Motorcycle SpiedTriumph and Bajaj have joined hands to manufacture entry level motorcycles in the 250cc to 500cc segment – rival Royal EnfieldIt was back in Jan 2022, that the official announcement was made. India’s Bajaj Auto and UK’s Triumph motorcycles had joined hands to manufacture motorcycles in the price range of Rs 2 lakh. Launch was expected in 2022, but due to Covid-19, it has now been delayed to 2023.Bajaj Triumph Motorcycle SpiedFirst spy shots of the upcoming Bajaj Triumph motorcycle have arrived. From the looks of it, the motorcycle looks like a rival to Royal Enfield Meteor 350, which is also priced in the Rs 2 lakh range. Debut is expected later this year, around Diwali 2022. Launch in 2023.Royal Enfield dominates the 350cc-500cc single cylinder motorcycle segment with over 85% market share. It is this segment that has been eyed by Bajaj for years now. They launched the Dominar brand to tackle RE, but failed. With Triumph, they are getting to take on Royal Enfield once again.Speaking about the upcoming Bajaj Triumph Motorcycle, it will be branded as a Triumph, and not a Bajaj. It will be sold in India, as well as global markets as a Triumph. Bajaj will be manufacturing the motorcycle at their plant near Pune.[embedded content][embedded content]Make In India BenefitsThe Bajaj-Triumph joint venture has been one of the most talked about partnerships in the Indian automotive market in recent times. The project has seen its fair share of delays which further got extended due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. But with businesses resuming full throttle, the JV is now looking forward to developing its first project for India.Bajaj Triumph Motorcycle Spied – LED headlights, USD forks at front, alloys, disc brakes, dual ABS, monoshock at rearThe main objective of the iconic British bike maker through this tie-up is to build more accessible ‘Triumph’ branded motorcycles in India. To achieve this, Triumph needed high levels of localisation to bring down the cost and hence required an Indian partner to carry out research, development and manufacturing of these bikes.New 250cc-750cc Triumph prototypes readyBajaj and Triumph have been working on the project since 2020. As per original plan, the first of new 250cc-750cc Triumph motorcycles were to be unveiled by 2022. However, the plans have been delayed due to the pandemic. Travel restrictions between India and the UK have been a major roadblock. Now that things have improved, the project is expected to gain momentum.Bajaj Triumph Motorcycle Spied – led tail lightsAccording to Miles Perkins (Head of Brand Management at Triumph), the project is on track and prototypes have been developed. Though a specific timeline for launch has not been provided, details about the bikes could be made available soon. The new Triumph bikes manufactured by Bajaj will be sold globally. It will not be limited to Asian markets that are known for their preference for affordable, small capacity bikes.There are multiple reasons why Triumph chose Bajaj for manufacturing its new 250cc-750cc range. A key factor is that Bajaj has a strong presence in both domestic and international markets. Plus, it has experience working with global brands like KTM, Husqvarna and Kawasaki.According to Perkins, the two companies have matching family-oriented leadership values and principles. Both teams are passionate about what they do and have displayed a high level of focus and commitment.Source More

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    Kawasaki Z650 RS 50th Anniversary Edition Launched In India

    2022 Kawasaki Z650 RS 50th Anniversary EditionThe 50th Anniversary Edition of Kawasaki Z650 RS gets identical features and specifications as the standard motorcycleA few weeks ago Kawasaki revealed the limited edition Z650 RS in India which has been developed on the occasion of completion of 50 years of the company’s iconic Z-lineup. This special edition 50th Anniversary model has been launched in the country at a price of Rs 6.79 lakh which is Rs 7,000 dearer to the standard Z650 RS.Only 20 units of this limited edition Z650 RS will be available for the Indian market and chances are by the time this report is published all of them will be booked. Bookings for the limited edition Z650 RS have commenced on the official website of Kawasaki India. Deliveries of the motorcycle will begin in March 2022.The neo-retro motorcycle, in its regular form, made its debut in India in October last year while deliveries of the motorcycle started in December 2021. In its standard avatar itself, Z650 RS is a handsome looking motorcycle with a neo-retro body style that is attracting both young and experienced riders alike nowadays.Kawasaki Z650 RS 50th Anniversary EditionIn the special edition model, the neo-retro charm of the bike is amplified a few notches higher. It is wrapped under a beautiful sparkly red livery named Candy Diamond Brown which borrows inspiration from the ‘Fireball’ colourway of the original 1972 Z1. White and black stripes are seen running across the length of body panels.2022 Kawasaki Z650 RS 50th Anniversary EditionEnhancing the bike’s street presence is a pair of golden-coloured alloy wheels and special ‘Z50th’ badging on the teardrop-shaped fuel tank. The seat cover also gets a different texture leather pattern which looks more premium.The rudimentary single-piece grab rail laced in chrome is the only piece of equipment that looks odd in this beautiful looking motorcycle. Apart from the cosmetic updates, this special edition model is identical to the stock Z650 RS.Powertrain, Hardware SpecsPowering the 50th Anniversary Z650 RS is the same 649cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin motor that performs duties on the standard model as well as other models in the Kawasaki 650 range. This unit pumps out 67.3 bhp at 8,000rpm and 64Nm of peak torque at 6,700rpm.Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a 6-speed gearbox with a slipper and assist clutch for smoother shifts. The bike is based on a light steel trellis frame which is suspended on 41mm telescopic forks at front and a horizontally-mounted link-type suspension at rear. Braking duties are handled by twin 300mm front discs and a single 220mm rear disc which are aided by dual-channel ABS. More

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    Polestar 2 Arctic Circle EV Is Outfitted for Snow Driving

    Polestar has built a special version of its 2 hatchback called the Arctic Circle, outfitted for driving in snowy and icy conditions.The Arctic Circle gets extra power and torque as well as studded tires, softer springs, and a prototype launch control system.LED rally-style lights are attached up front and Recaro bucket seats are found inside, but the Polestar 2 Article Circle will remain a one-off.Electric vehicle maker Polestar—spun off from parent company Volvo back in 2017—hails from snowy Sweden, and the company has used its familiarity with wintry conditions to create the one-off Polestar 2 Arctic Circle. Developed by Polestar’s chief chassis engineer Joakim Rydholm, who races rally cars in his spare time, the Arctic Circle turns up the wick on the Polestar 2 to help it better tackle icy roads at high speeds.
    Starting with a Polestar 2 Long Range dual-motor model with the Performance package, the car was raised by 1.2 inches and fitted with custom studded 245/35R-19 winter tires, with each tire bearing 490 0.16-inch metal studs. Polestar also increased power and torque, with the Arctic Circle putting out 469 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This is up from 408 hp and 487 pound-feet in the standard Polestar 2, although an over-the-air update for 2022 will see 476 hp and 502 pound-feet available for customers of the Long Range dual-motor.

    The springs in the Arctic Circle are 30 percent softer than those on the production Polestar 2, and the three-way performance Öhlins dampers were also retuned. Strut braces were added at the front and rear for better torsional rigidity and steering responsiveness. Polestar also introduced a prototype launch control system, activated via steering-wheel-mounted paddles.
    The Arctic Circle plays rally-car dress-up with white 19-inch OZ Racing wheels, four Stedi Quad Pro LED lights fitted up front, a carbon-fiber skid plate, and gold recovery straps front and rear. The interior features Recaro front bucket seats and a carbon-fiber snow shovel in the trunk for emergency situations. The Arctic Circle is wrapped in a slick-looking matte gray and white livery. Polestar noted that the Arctic Circle will not be put into production, describing it as a “unique showpiece.” Perhaps a determined Polestar 2 owner could re-create the electric rally car look with enough elbow grease.
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