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    New Honda U-GO Electric Scooter Debuts With 133 Kms Range

    Honda U-Go Electric ScooterWhile Honda has no intentions of bringing the U-Go e-scooter to India anytime soon, it would make a very tempting buy considering all the benefits added
    Honda’s future in electric mobility especially in the two-wheeler segment has been a point of discussion in recent months. While the auto giant has filed multiple patents for electric two-wheelers in India, none of them are confirmed to reach production levels eventually as of now.
    On the other hand, in China, Honda has already marked its presence in the electric mobility space. Wuyang Honda, the Chinese arm of Honda Motor Company, has launched a new electric scooter named U-Go at a rather affordable starting price of CNY 7,499 (approx. INR 86,000) and is offered in two variants- regular and low-speed.
    Simple Design
    The latter is priced at CNY 7,999 (approx. INR 91,700). In terms of design, it does remind us a wee bit of Ather 450X but no, it isn’t a Chinese rip-off, especially with the scooter donning the brand name of Honda. The company has adopted a clean and minimalist design approach for this electric scooter. It flaunts a sleek LED headlight with triple beams on the front apron and an LED DRL strip encircling the main cluster.
    The turn indicators are neatly integrated on the sides of the handlebar. The rear flaunts a slim LED taillight along with a single-piece pillion grab rail integrated onto the body. It gets a generously sized 350mm long floorboard. The blacked-out panels on the handlebar, floorboard, underbelly, tail section, rear suspension and rear mudguard add a hint of sporty contrast. The single-piece flat seat promises fairly simple riding ergonomics.
    Honda U-Go Electric Scooter
    Features on offer
    In terms of features, U-Go e-scooter gets a fairly spacious boot with an under-seat storage capacity of 26 litres. Other features include all-LED illumination, a utility glove box, an anti-theft alarm and a USB charging port.
    More importantly, it gets an LCD instrument console that provides basic information like speed, range, battery status and riding mode. The scooter rides on 12-inch front and 10-inch rear alloy wheels.
    Specifications
    Coming to its specifications, U-Go is powered by a 48V 30Ah Lithium-ion removable battery pack which is coupled with a 1.2kW hub motor on the regular model. The low-speed variant gets a less powerful 800W motor. The powertrain returns a maximum range of 65km which can be doubled 130km by the addition of a second battery. However, the addition of the second battery comes at the cost of reduced under-seat storage.
    Honda U-Go Electric Scooter
    The regular variant offers a top speed of 53kmph. Suspension duties on the electric scooter are handled by telescopic forks at front and dual shock absorbers at rear with preload adjustability. Braking hardware comprises a disc brake at front and a drum brake at rear. It gets a very accessible seat height of 740mm. More

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    Harley Davidson Pan America 1250 Now In India – Unboxing By Himalayan Harley Dealer

    First Harley Davidson Pan America 1250 In India. Image – Himalayan Harley Davidson, Chandigarh.Harley Davidson Pan America 1250 adventurer tourer will rival the BMW R 1250 GS and Ducati Multistrada V4 series in India
    Harley Davidson unveiled their all new motorcycle, the Pan America 1250 a few weeks ago in the USA. Now, the company is getting ready to unveil the motorcycle in India this Sunday, on 8th August 2021. That is also the day when Harley Davidson India’s Virtual Hog 2021 2.0 is scheduled.
    Ahead of that, the new Pan America 1250 has started arriving at select dealerships across India. One of the first units is now on display at the Himalayan Harley Davidson dealership located in Chandigarh. The dealership has now shared an unboxing video of the new Pan America 1250, which can be seen below.
    Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 – Features
    The new Harley tourer receives several adventure centric styling cues with a tall windscreen, split seating, side slung exhaust, semi fairing design elements and a 21 liter fuel tank. It will ride on alloy wheels as standard and receive tubeless tyres with cross spoke wheels as an option.
    On board features will also include LED lighting, a 6.8 inch colour TFT touchscreen display unit with Bluetooth, heated grips, steering damper, electronically adjustable semi active suspension and a tyre pressure monitoring system. An industry first feature will also include Adaptive Ride Height system which will be offered as an option. The bikes ride on 19 inch front and 17 inch rear alloy wheels.
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    The new Pan America is powered by a 1,252cc, Revolution Max V-Twin engine that offers 150 hp power at 9,000 rpm and 127 Nm torque at 6,750 rpm. These higher RPM figures are achieved due to a short stroke design in place of a long stroke one that offers a two fold increase in rev limit over that seen on Harley’s other V Twins.
    The engine also gets liquid cooling with variable valve timing, double overhead camshafts and 4 valve cylinder head. It gets mated to a 6 speed transmission with slipper clutch. Being built on a front frame, mid frame and sub frame bolt on, this results in lower overall weight standing at 242 kgs and 254 kgs on Standard and Special variant respectively.
    Suspension and braking is via fully-adjustable SHOWA USD fork and monoshock and radial mono-block four piston calipers with 320mm dual front brake and 280mm single brake at the rear.
    Price
    Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 is being presented in two variants of Standard and Special. These priced between Rs 16.90 lakh to 20.26 lakh (ex-showroom, India). It may be recalled that in October last year, Hero MotoCorp and Harley-Davidson announced a partnership for the Indian market. As per the agreement, even as Harley had announced its exit front the country, Hero MotoCorp has taken over distribution rights for all Harley Davidson bikes, parts and merchandise.
    Hero MotoCorp has set up 12 exclusive Harley dealerships and increased its touch points. Around 100 Harley bikes constitute the first batch and also include the new Pan America 1250 adventurer tourer. The other models include Softail, Fat Bob, and Street Bob. The booking process has commenced for all models, which are priced from Rs 10-35 lakh and have been completely pre-booked, showing the outstanding demand that Harley bikes still command in the country. More

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    Ford BlueCruise Removes the Hands from Highway Driving

    Do not confuse it with Blue’s Clues, the children’s education show, or a booze cruise, the young adult adventure that’s happens when you combine a boat with tons of alcohol. No, this is BlueCriuse, Ford’s hands-free driving feature and answer to GM’s Super Cruise and Tesla’s Autopilot. It is available on some 2022 F-150s and Mustang Mach-Es.Long story short: it works as advertised. Ford isn’t promising commuters the chance to catch up on Instagram on their drive to work. But it is giving drivers the chance to lessen fatigue on the slog that is many Americans’ rush-hour drive home. BlueCruise may be able to keep the car in a lane and a safe distance from traffic in front, but that doesn’t mean it is driving. The driver still needs to pay attention and be ready to resume control if any number of virtually infinite possibilities arise that the computer can’t compute.

    BlueCruise, much like Super Cruise, is geo-fenced and limited to divided highways. Ford calls them Blue Zones, but know that it includes over 100,000 miles in all 50 states and southern Canada. Activate adaptive cruise control and BlueCruise takes over once it has a good sense of its surroundings. Ford leveraged the digital instrument cluster to totally change its appearance when BlueCruise is active. This is one of the best uses of a digital cluster and it avoids any confusion. There’s a camera and two infrared light emitters in the cabin to keep track of what you’re keeping track of. If your eyes wander too long from the task at hand, which is driving, BlueCruise will shut down.

    Ford

    The system worked great for us. Only when we wore a mask and sunglasses did BlueCruise think we weren’t paying enough attention. In addition to tracking eyes, the camera tracks the whole face. (We had a minder from Ford in the car with us and we were trying to be respectful.) Once we removed the mask, there wasn’t a single warning to pay better attention.We got to sample the Level 2 autonomy system in Dearborn, Michigan, while behind the wheel of an F-150. The camera and dual IR emitters are totally integrated with the pickup’s dash. In the Mach-E, however, there is a camera wart on the steering column. There is no relative limit as to what speed you can set BlueCruise to maintain. We didn’t confirm that the F-150 could achieve it, but we did set the system to 106 mph while cruising at 55 mph behind a tractor trailer on the Southfield Freeway. We’re guessing the top speed of the pickup is 106 mph. If you have a 2021 F-150 or Mach-e with the ADA prep pack, you can pay a one-time $600 fee to upgrade your car to BlueCruise spec. This can be done over the air or at a dealership. Another over-the-air update—Ford calls them Power-Ups—that includes an automated lane-change feature will roll out at some point in the near future. For now, drivers will have to signal and initiate the lane change themselves.This is just one step of many more that need to happen on the path to full autonomy. Ford is confident it will be put more than 100,000 BlueCruise equipped cars on the road in the next year.
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    New Royal Enfield Classic 350 Launch Date 31st Aug – Unofficial Bookings Open

    Image for reference. Credit – Bullet Tower.New Classic 350 will share most of its mechanicals including chassis and engine with Meteor 350
    After a long wait, new-gen Royal Enfield Classic 350 will be available at showrooms soon. It is expected that new Classic 350 will continue to delight users, just like its predecessors. Even though there have been new rivals like Honda CB350, Jawa and Benelli Imperiale 400, Classic 350 continues to lead with a comfortable margin. New-gen Classic 350 will have to take on new rivals including upcoming retro-styled products from Suzuki and Yamaha.
    New-gen Classic 350 design and features
    New Classic 350 continues with the signature retro elements such as round headlamp, tear-drop shaped fuel tank and turn indicators, and broad rear fenders. The motorcycle offers a comfortable riding stance with its mid set foot pegs and ergonomically shaped handlebar. The seats are expected to offer superior comfort. New-gen Classic 350 will be available in both single-seat and dual-seat variants.
    Updated Classic 350 will get new colour options. Based on the theme, the motorcycle could sport a blacked-out look or have chrome-heavy styling. Parts that qualify for chrome finish include the headlamp cowl, turn indicators, handlebar, front and rear suspension, rims, engine and exhaust. Exact details will vary based on the variant and colour.
    In other updates, new Classic 350 gets semi-digital instrument console. It combines an analogue speedometer and a digital display for odometer and fuel indicator. The bike has also been equipped with Tripper navigation system, which displays navigational arrows to the destination. It works when paired with the user’s smartphone via Bluetooth.
    New Gen Royal Enfield Classic 350 Launch Date 31st Aug 2021. Image – Power On Wheel
    New-gen Classic 350 engine and specs
    In terms of performance and ride quality, new Classic 350 will be far superior in comparison to its predecessor. The motorcycle utilizes an entirely new engine and J1D platform. These were first introduced with Meteor 350, which was launched in November last year. The new platform and engine will be used for upcoming new/next-gen 350cc products as well.
    The new 349cc, air-oil cooled, long stroke motor is capable of generating 20.2 bhp of max power at 6100 rpm and 27 Nm of peak torque at 4000 rpm. It is mated to a 5-speed constant mesh transmission. The engine is known for its smooth power delivery and adequate amount of bottom-end torque. With the use of a counter balance shaft, engine vibrations have been reduced significantly.
    New platform for Classic 350 comprises twin downtube spine frame integrated with telescopic forks at front and twin tube emulsion rear shock absorbers. The motorcycle is expected to get option of disc-drum (with single channel ABS) or disc brakes at both ends (with dual-channel ABS).
    Launch date of the new gen RE C350 is set for 31st Aug, 2021. Ahead of that, unofficial bookings have opened at select dealerships for a payment of Rs 10-20k – depending on the dealer. Official bookings have not opened yet. More

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    Royal Enfield Continental GT Electric Motorcycle – Powered By Saietta

    Royal Enfield Electric Motorcycle
    Climate change objectives can be achieved faster with conversion of existing vehicles to electric
    It’s good to know that electric two-wheelers are registering greater acceptability among users. However, sales of new electric scooters alone may take a long time to achieve the goal of 100% electric ecosystem. One also needs to focus on millions of fossil-fuel powered two-wheelers that continue to pollute the environment. The need of the hour is dedicated conversion kits that can be produced on a mass scale, are affordable and can be easily fitted in existing two-wheelers.
    Saietta electric motor for Continental GT
    UK-based Saietta Group specializes in developing electric drive systems for electric vehicles (EVs). It has come up with an electric motor that can be fitted directly onto Royal Enfield Continental GT. A number of tests are currently underway to assess overall performance and viability of converted Continental GT.
    Royal Enfield Electric Motorcycle
    The company has plans to mass-produce the motors, once everything has been fine-tuned and perfected. These motors will also be distributed to Indian OEMs through Padmini VNA. The latter is a leading manufacturer of advanced auto components.
    It is to note that Royal Enfield is in the process of developing its own range of electric motorcycles. These will continue to use the retro theme that can be seen on existing Royal Enfield motorcycles. However, it’s not certain when exactly these motorcycles will be launched. It’s also not certain if Royal Enfield will be able to dominate the electric segment, just as it does in 350cc to 650cc segment. It will be interesting to see how the king of thump performs in a green, silent world.
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    Hero Xtreme electric motor
    Targeting the commuter segment, Saietta has converted a Hero Xtreme with an electric motor. This too has been equipped with a swappable battery system. As compared to charging an electric two-wheeler, a swapping ecosystem offers multiple benefits.
    Hero Xtreme Electric Motorcycle
    Batteries can be swapped within seconds whereas charging can take several minutes even with fast charger. Another benefit is that customers don’t have to invest in buying the battery. They just need to pay for using the battery, which works out much cheaper.
    From a design perspective, it is obvious that converted Continental GT and Hero Xtreme will need some sort of a body kit. In their current form, the motorcycles come across as a work-in-progress unit.
    Hero Xtreme Electric Motorcycle
    Existing users of these motorcycles are unlikely to make the switch to electric until the visual shortcomings are take care of. Even though the motor is an innovative work and pioneering move by Saietta, one cannot completely ignore aesthetics associated with a motorcycle. More

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    TVS Apache Price Hike Aug 2021 – New Price RTR 160, 180, 200, 310RR

    TVS Apache
    TVS has increased prices of its two-wheelers at least twice this year; the first in January
    While price hikes are routine in auto sector, the frequency has been much higher this year. Most OEMs have announced price hikes multiple times since January 2021. Such price hikes have often been attributed to rising input costs and prevailing inflationary conditions. The latest announcement comes from TVS Motor that has increased prices across the range including its popular Apache motorcycles.
    TVS Apache new prices
    Starting with RTR 160, the entry-level Apache motorcycle, prices have been increased by Rs 3k. This is applicable for both drum and disk brake variants of RTR 160. Price of Apache RTR 160 4V has also been increased by Rs 3k. Here too, price hike is same for drum and disk variants.
    Moving up, TVS Apache RTR 180 and RTR 200 4V now cost Rs 4k more. This is applicable across all variants of these motorcycles. Highest price hike is for Apache RR310 that now costs Rs 5k more. New price is Rs 2.55 lakh.
    Even with the price hike, TVS Apache motorcycles continue to be competitively priced in comparison to rivals. Apache motorcycles are among bestsellers in their respective categories. It is unlikely that the recent price hike will have any major impact on sales. Prices of rival products have also increased, so price advantage available with Apache range is proportionately the same as earlier.
    TVS Apache Range New Price Aug 2021. Last price hike was in Apr 2021. All prices ex-Delhi.
    No updates
    Although the company has not provided any specific reason for this latest round of price hike, it can be attributed to rising input costs. There are no updates for any of the Apache motorcycles whose prices have been increased.
    The last price hike announced by TVS was just a couple months back in April. At that time, prices of Apache motorcycles were increased in the range of Rs 45 to Rs 1,295. RR310 was the only Apache motorcycle whose price was left untouched in April.
    RR310 prices have been increased twice this year, first in January and second time in February. In December last year, RR310 was available at Rs 2.45 lakh. As compared to current price, it’s an increase of Rs 10k in a span of around 7 months.
    In view of inflationary conditions, it will not be surprising if TVS announces another round of price hike in the coming months. RR 310 is most likely to get another price hike, as it will be receiving its yearly update. RR 310 primary rival is KTM RC 390, which will also be getting a comprehensive update soon. 2021 KTM RC 390 is expected to be priced at around 2.85 lakh. More

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    690-HP Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 Revealed, Only Six Coming to U.S.

    This is the Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 customer race car that celebrates Porsche and Manthey-Racing’s 25th anniversary. It’s powered by a 690-hp twin-turbo flat-six from the 911 GT2 RS, and it has an adjustable racing suspension, carbon-fiber bodywork, a huge swan-neck rear wing, along with other equipment from Porsche’s racing cars.Only 30 units will be made, with six heading to the U.S. starting at $620,000. Porsche and Manthey-Racing are celebrating 25 years of their motorsports alliance with this limited-edition 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25. You might think that the GT2 RS is old news since the newer 992-generation 911 is now well into its production run (sans its own GT2), but Porsche reassures us that this special-edition race car “bridges the gap” of the two most recent 911 generations. Only 30 of them will be built with just six heading to the States, and they’ll cost $620,000.

    Porsche

    This special-edition customer race car, like the modern-day Porsche 935 that Porsche commissioned in 2018, is based on the Clubsport version of the 991-generation 911 GT2 RS, which was limited to 200 units. It uses the 911 GT2 RS road car’s 690-hp twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter flat-six and seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission. Like the other two customer race cars, the 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 has an adjustable racing suspension, carbon-fiber bodywork, a data logger, and Porsche’s Stability Management (PSM) system. Additionally, it has electric power steering with a variable steering ratio from the 935.

    Porsche says the new car’s livery, which includes those bright green accents that highlight its functional aerodynamics, was inspired by Manthey’s GT3 R—dubbed “Grello” by racing fans because of its color scheme. The Clubsport 25’s underbody is closed off, and the two large hood vents send air over the roof to the swan-neck rear wing. That small inlet in front of the two scoops is for the cabin’s air conditioning.

    Porsche

    The stripped-out interior is the same as the standard GT2 RS Clubsport, so it’s a single-seater with a Recaro bucket seat and a roll cage. It has the 991-generation 911’s overall dashboard shape with buttons to toggle the stability and traction control systems, and there’s a unique badge to show that this race car is exclusive. If you want to own one of the six U.S.-bound 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 cars, you’ll need $620,000, which is more than double the price of the 911 GT2 RS road car when new. However, although it will be rare (especially in North America), its price sits right between the $478,000 911 GT2 RS clubsport and the $829,000 modern-day 935.
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    2022 Lexus GX Arrives with Bigger Screen, Special Edition

    The 2022 Lexus GX gets a newly standard 10.3-inch touchscreen, up from 8.0 inches, and now has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.Other tech features such as parking assist, navigation, and power folding and heated mirrors are now standard on the GX as well.A new Black Line Special Edition joins the lineup, with blacked-out trim and a new color offering, Nori Green Pearl. Lexus has revealed a host of updates for the 2022 GX SUV, its mid-size, three-row luxury off-roader. The second-generation SUV, introduced back in 2010 and related to the global Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, soldiers on with a body-on-frame platform and a thirsty V-8 engine but for 2022 adds more modern technology and a Black Line Special Edition model.

    Lexus

    The biggest changes are found inside, where every GX now comes fitted with a 10.3-inch touchscreen, replacing the dated 8.0-inch unit from last year’s model. Crucially, the system also now supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. Lexus has also made its parking-assist system, navigation, and power-folding and heated mirrors standard across the GX lineup. Lexus’ Safety System+, which includes driver-assistance features such as lane departure alert and intelligent high beams, is also now standard.

    The GX also gains a Black Line Special Edition trim for 2022, based on the Premium trim level. Unsurprisingly, the Black Line consists of a lot of blacked-out trim, including the fog lamp housings, grille surround, and roof rails, although the door handles are painted body-color. The special edition rides on 18-inch wheels finished in, you guessed it, glossy black, while the theme continues inside with a black headliner and black faux leather upholstery. The Black Line is available in Starfire Pearl or Black Onyx, and is also offered with an Nori Green Pearl paint color that’s new to the GX. The 2022 GX is powered by the same 4.6-liter V-8 making 301 hp and 329 pound-feet of torque and it’s still somewhat of a workhorse, with a 6,500-pound towing capability, a Torsen limited-slip center differential, and a two-speed transfer case with low range. The 2022 GX goes on sale this month and pricing should be similar to the 2021 model, which started at $54,475.
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