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      Mahindra Electric Pickup Truck To Debut On 15th Aug – Scoop

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      An electric pickup truck could finally be the right product for Mahindra to crack the elusive North American marketNew Mahindra Electric Pickup Truck – RenderEarlier this year, Mahindra teased three electric SUVs of varying sizes. The automaker is preparing for their global premiere in the UK on 15th of August, our Independence Day. The venue makes sense as majority of the design process of these vehicles has been handled by the UK-based Mahindra Advanced Design Europe (MADE).We have learnt that one of the three upcoming EVs is a lifestyle pickup truck which will primarily be catering to the North American market. This array of zero emission products will usher in a new design era for Mahindra and Mahindra under the leadership of Pratap Bose. Mahindra North American Technical Center is said to be leading the engineering part.Mahindra Electric Pickup ConceptNothing much is known about the new Mahindra electric pickup or its siblings but we expect them to be based on a modular platform which is likely to take advantage of the recent component sharing tie-up with Volkswagen Group. As per the partnership, Mahindra gets to use critical EV components from the German giant’s MEB electric platform.Both single and dual-motor configurations are expected to be on offer but it’s too early to speculate about output figures or battery capacity. However, it is being rumoured that the battery packs will be sourced by LG and a Chinese supplier. All the three cars are estimated to have a range in excess of 400 km.Mahindra Born Electric SUVs – Teaser. Of these three, one is an electric pickup.The Indian SUV specialist has been having a strong aspiration to take the brand global for years now, but things haven’t panned out yet. However, a design center in the UK and a technical center in North America highlights that Mahindra has not given up on its global ambitions.Mahindra Electric International PlansThe acquisition of SsangYong failed to yield expected results and previous attempts to enter the North American market did not take off either. The Roxor has been marred by a lengthy legal battle with Jeep which eventually led Mahindra to significantly redesign its product. The company will be hoping that the new electric pickup truck and its SUV siblings could give it the much needed break in North America and other key overseas markets.In what comes as a significant boost to Mahindra’s global EV plans, British International Investment has announced an investment of up to INR 1,925 crore into a new electric 4 wheeler entity which will be wholly owned by M&M.To be incorporated under the banner Electric Vehicle Co., the new entity will have a capital infusion of around INR 8,000 cr (USD 1 billion) between FY24 and FY27 with both BII and M&M bringing in like-minded private investors. Further details about the EV Co. are expected to be revealed during the world premiere of the 3 new EVs next month. More

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      Royal Enfield Hunter 350 Specs Leak – Smallest RE Vs Classic, Meteor

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      Apart from being the smallest, Hunter 350 is also likely to be Royal Enfield’s most affordable motorcycle on offer today2022 Royal Enfield Hunter 350 Specs LeakRoyal Enfield Hunter 350 has been in the news for so long that even Covid-19 memories seem like yesterday. Okay, not exactly. But you get the point. Royal Enfield has taken their sweet sweet time and now, finally, we can confidently say that Hunter 350 is a confirmed name and Royal Enfield will launch it soon.We have seen multiple spy shots of Royal Enfield Hunter 350 test mules for a couple of years now. We have also seen Hunter 350 accessories too of which some are expected to be standard fitment on the top-spec variant of Hunter 350. These add-ons might be a part of variants or Royal Enfield might also offer them as accessories. These add-ons were a fly screen, pillion backrest, fork gators and a pannier too.Royal Enfield Hunter 350 Specs LeakRecently, going by type approval certificate filed with NCT Delhi Transport Department, Hunter 350 is confirmed as the official name of Royal Enfield’s upcoming cruiser. It is based on Royal Enfield’s popular Meteor 350 platform which is dubbed as J-series platform.According to the document, we can clearly see that Royal Enfield has gone with a smaller vehicle in size and it looks like it too. It measures 2,055 mm in length, 800 mm in width, 1,055 mm in height and has a 1,370 mm wheelbase. When compared to Meteor 350, Hunter 350 cruiser motorcycle is 85 mm smaller in length, 45 mm narrower, 85 mm shorter and has a 30 mm smaller wheelbase too.2022 Royal Enfield Hunter 350 Specs LeakDesign-wise, Royal Enfield Hunter 350 seems to be heavily inspired by Triumph Street Twin which is not a bad thing if you ask us. The smaller than usual (with Royal Enfield standards) size comes together to form a handsome-looking modern retro motorcycle that exudes a ton of classic charm.Hunter 350 vs Classic vs Meteor – Specs & FeaturesRoyal Enfield Hunter 350 specs vs Meteor vs ClassicHunter 350 will get the same J-series 349.34 cc engine as Meteor 350 and make 20 bhp according to the type approval certificate. Wheel sizes aren’t known yet, but we can say for sure that it will get alloy wheels that are identical in design to Meteor 350 alloy wheels.It will also get disc brakes at both ends, but due to the lower price point, Royal Enfield might only offer single-channel ABS. Tripper navigation might not make it on Hunter 350 as a standard. It may be offered as an option. The round instrument cluster might be part digital and part analog like we have seen from Royal Enfield before.New Royal Enfield 350cc Hunter. Image – Smart VikerSuspension components are identical to the ones found on Meteor 350. Due to the smaller overall size, we expect it to get around 12 litres of fuel tank capacity instead of Meteor 350’s 15 litres. Looking at the dimensions, we predict that Hunter 350 might weigh around 160-170 kg.In terms of pricing, Hunter 350 is likely to be priced around Rs. 1.5 to 1.7 lakh (ex-sh). At this price point, it competes with newly launched TVS Ronin, Yamaha FZ25, Bajaj Dominar 250 and the likes. Royal Enfield will launch Hunter 350 on 7th August 2022. If Royal Enfield gets the pricing and product placement spot on, they have another winner at their hands. More

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      2022 Hero Xpulse 200 4V Rally Edition Debuts – First Photos

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      The existing Rally kit was designed for Hero Xpulse 200 2V but the upcoming Rally kit and Rally Edition will be based on Xpulse 200 4V2022 Hero Xpulse 200 4V Rally Edition – Unveiled By Team Hero MotoSports in presence of CS SantoshHero Xpulse 200 4V is the most affordable entry-level adventure tourer in India and it is surprisingly capable for its relatively small engine displacement. The company is now preparing to launch a more off-road-oriented version of the adventure bike that will be more capable of taking on beaten paths.Called Rally Edition, this new variant of Xpulse 200 4V was unveiled today. Earlier, a type approval document filed by Hero MotoCorp at the NCT New Delhi’s Transport Department for registration was leaked online. The certificate mentions a new Rally Edition as well as the regular model.2022 Hero Xpulse 200 4V Rally EditionThis reveals that the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer is not only developing an all-new Rally Edition but also an updated Rally Kit for the existing Xpulse customers. Hero already retails a rally kit for Xpulse 200 2V at a price of Rs 38,000. However, the new Rally kit is expected to be more advanced than the existing one and will comprise components added in the upcoming Xpulse Rally Edition.The document further reveals dimensions of the Xpulse 200 4V with Rally kit and the new Rally Edition of the adventure tourer. As per the certificate, the bike with the Rally Kit will measure 2243mm, 850mm and 1308mm in length, width and height, respectively. On the other hand, the Rally Edition is bigger with its length, width and height measuring 2255mm, 850mm, and 1320mm, respectively.2022 Hero Xpulse 200 4V Rally Edition – Unveiled By Team Hero MotoSports in presence of CS SantoshWheelbase of the Rally Kit has been increased to 1419mm whereas the Rally Edition will receive an even bigger wheelbase at 1427mm. Increased dimensions could be the result of increased suspension travel at both ends. Standard Xpulse 200 gross weight stands at 288 kgs. The Rally kit version has GVW of 289kg while the Rally Edition GVW stands at 290kg. Both iterations will be based on Xpulse 200 4V.We expect ground clearance as well as seat height of both the Rally kit and Rally Edition to be greater than the regular model. XPulse 200 4V Rally Edition will feature longer travel suspension, a raised handlebar, wire-spoked wheels shod with knobby dual-purpose tyres and a longer side-stand to compensate for the additional height.Expected Powertrain Specs & PriceNo updates are expected to be made on the powertrain. Powering the current Xpulse 200 4V is a 199.6cc single-cylinder, air-cooled that makes 19 bhp and 17.35 Nm of peak torque. This unit is paired with a 5-speed gearbox. The upcoming Xpulse 200 4V Rally Edition could also get a new LED headlight that was introduced in Turkey a few months earlier.2022 Hero Xpulse 200 4V Rally Edition Debuts – Unveiled By Team Hero MotoSports in presence of CS SantoshCurrently, Xpulse 200 4V is priced at Rs 1.32 lakh and we expect the new Rally Kit to be priced at around Rs 50,000. Thus, the new Rally Edition of Xpulse 200 4V could be priced around Rs 1.80 lakh (both prices ex-showroom). More details are expected to be revealed soon. More

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      Old KTM 390 Adventure Gets New Ride Modes Via Software Update

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      KTM 390 leans more towards high-speed commuting over outright off-roading like some rivalsKTM 390 ADVAustrian brand KTM has been one of the strongest contenders in premium performance motorcycles. All KTM motorcycles across the price range have been keenly focused on giving maximum performance while weighing as less as possible. Making KTM products tailor-made for young audiences and enthusiasts alike.KTM 390 series of motorcycles rely on the same principles too. We have street naked 390 Duke, track-focused RC 390 and 390 Adventure that offers explosive performance in adventure tourer segment. KTM has updated the 390 Adventure for 2022 model year with new colour schemes, tougher wheels and 2 riding modes for an increment of Rs. 6,500 over the old model.Old KTM 390 Adventure – Riding Modes390 Adventure came with two riding modes namely Street and Off-Road mode on the 2022 update. These riding modes helped 390 Adventure customers to set the traction control system in two settings based on the terrain they were in. Now, KTM has offered these riding modes for the older model 390 Adventure as well.KTM intends to add riding modes offered with 2022 390 Adventure, on the old model too. Dealers have been provided with a revised ABS software Hex file and a thorough set of instructions to enable ride modes on old model 390 Adventure. Hat tip to automotive enthusiast Karan Vazirani for sharing the exclusive update. KTM dealers are expected to flash the new software encoded within provided hex file on old model’s systems. By doing this, a new ROM containing the ride modes will be installed on old model 390 Adventure and the new ROM will bring newly added riding modes too.Old KTM 390 Ride Modes Install – Via Software UpdateBy doing this, KTM is offering value to their customers who bought old 390 Adventure. Because the previous model had all the hardware necessary to get these riding modes and only needed new software to make them operational which is exactly what KTM has done. This procedure is done at dealer level when a prospective old 390 Adventure owner brings their bike for service or KTM might notify them to do so.CompetitionKTM 390 Adventure was conceived to take the 390 platform to new segments. 390 Adventure brings an adventure tourers ergonomics, road presence, ground clearance and more attributes. It may not be an outright hardcore off-roader like Royal Enfield’s Himalayan and Hero XPulse 200 which were conceived as proper off-roaders from day one. KTM is also testing an enduro version of 390 Adventure with spoked wheels offering more off-roading ability.What 390 Adventure brings to the table is its fire-cracker 373 cc single-cylinder engine which makes 42.3 bhp of power at 9000 RPM and 37 Nm of torque at 7000 RPM. It gets a 19” alloy wheel at the front that is shod with 100/90 Metzeler AT tyre and a 17” alloy wheel at the rear shod with 130/80 Metzeler AT tyre. It gets WP Apex 43 mm USD forks at front and a WP Apex mono-shock unit at the rear.KTM 390 Adventure leans more towards the tourer in ‘adventure-tourer’ genre while XPulse 200 and Himalayan offer more off-roading prowess. 2022 KTM 390 Adventure is priced at Rs. 3.33 lakh (ex-sh) and gets two colour offerings namely Dark Galvano Black and our favourite Factory Racing Blue. More

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      Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Fireball Blue Colour Spied At Dealer – Launch Soon

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      Royal Enfield is also developing a more powerful 650cc version of a cruiser which is expected to be named Super Meteor 650New Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Fireball Blue ColourRoyal Enfield continues to update its lineup on a regular basis. Not only do they launch new motorcycles regularly, they also give updates to existing products. The Chennai-based manufacturer will soon be updating Meteor 350 by launching a new colour option. The cruiser is currently offered in three variants namely Fireball, Stellar and Supernova.Royal Enfield Meteor 350- New Colour OptionCalled Fireball Blue, we have got hold of spy shots of this new Meteor colour option. Hat tip to S Guru, for sharing these exclusive images with us. First units of Meteor 350 wrapped in this paint scheme have started reaching dealerships and will be available for sale very soon. As the name suggests, this shade will be available for the base Fireball trim.Presently Fireball trim is offered in two colour options- red and yellow. Other than this, Meteor 350 can be had in Blue Metallic, Matte Black, Stellar Red Metallic, Brown and Blue Dual-Tone. Fireball variants are currently priced between Rs 2,01,620 to Rs 2,03,456 depending on the colour. Overall, prices of the retro cruiser peak at Rs Rs 2,19,674 (all prices ex-showroom).As seen in these spy shots, there is no noticeable change in styling of Meteor 350. The blue coloured fuel tank is complemented by a blacked-out theme for its side panels, front and rear fenders, handlebar, headlamp casing and mechanical components like engine gearbox assembly, alloy wheels and frame. A bright yellow highlight on alloy rims and Royal Enfield branding on the tank provide a sporty contrast to the bike’s overall appearance.New Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Fireball Blue ColourFeatures & SpecsIn terms of features, Meteor gets a semi-digital instrument console with smartphone connectivity, turn-by-turn navigation and turn-by-turn navigation. Apart from this, it also receives a USB charging port, a halogen headlight with a circular LED DRL and an LED taillight.Coming to hardware, Meteor is underpinned by a dual-cradle frame which is suspended on telescopic forks up front and twin shock absorbers. Braking duties are handled by single 300mm and 270mm discs at front and rear respectively which are aided by a dual-channel ABS. It rolls on chunky tyres with 100/90- R19 section upfront and 140/70- R17 section at rear.Powering Meteor 350 is a 349cc single-cylinder, air-cooled, long-stroke motor that kicks out 20.2 bhp and has a peak torque of 27 Nm. This engine is paired with a 5-speed gearbox. It weighs 191kg and has a fuel tank capacity of 15 litres.New Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Fireball Blue ColourThe new colour option of Meteor is expected to launch in a few days. It directly rivals Yezdi Roadster which is similarly priced between Rs 2.00 lakh and Rs 2.08 lakh (both prices ex-showroom). Both models are retro-style roadsters in the garb of a cruiser. More

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      New Yamaha Electric Scooter For India To Debut On 11th April ?

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      Known for its sporty, high-performance two-wheelers, Yamaha is likely to embed these traits in its electric scooters as wellYamaha E01 Electric Scooter. Image for reference.At a time when companies like Hero Electric, Okinawa, Ampere, Ola, Ather, etc. have taken the lead in electric two-wheeler segment, mainstream manufacturers like Hero MotoCorp, Honda, Yamaha, and Suzuki are yet to launch their first EV in India.This will change soon, as electric two-wheelers have registered strong growth in recent months. A number of factors are at play including high petrol cost, centre / state government subsidies and availability of charging stations. It’s the right time for established players to stake their claim in EV space.New Yamaha electric scooterBy the end of this year, several new electric two-wheelers are expected to be launched. One of these will be from Yamaha. Prior to launch, it is likely to be unveiled on April 11. Yamaha India has sent a Block Your Date invite to their dealers.Though the invite does not reveal much, it does say that the product will be Stylish, Sporty. Then it says it will be an Exciting New Future with Yamaha. This likely indicates towards the upcoming product being an electric vehicle – most likely an electric scooter.New Yamaha Electric Scooter Teaser?Yamaha has already registered the name E01 in India. EC-05 name has also been registered. This electric scooter is already on sale in Taiwan. It has been developed in collaboration with Taiwan-based Gogoro Inc., one of the leading providers of EVs and battery swapping infrastructure.Yamaha’s first EV for the Indian market could be a maxi-styled scooter. It will be a premium product, probably rivalling the likes of Ather 450X and Bajaj Chetak. The scooter will likely be equipped with a full-digital LCD instrument console. Bluetooth-based connectivity features are expected to be offered. Users will be able to access a range of features and functions via Yamaha’s smartphone app.Yamaha electric scooter specsDetails about Yamaha’s India-spec electric scooter are scarce at this point of time. In terms of performance, it could be comparable to a 110cc petrol scooter – like Honda Activa, TVS Jupiter. Range could be around 70-80 km and top speed of approximately 80-100 kmph. The scooter is expected to offer comfortable riding ergonomics.It is expected to get multiple ride modes, which will determine speed and range. Yamaha electric scooter could get telescopic forks at front and dual rear shock absorbers. Other features include – LED headlight, alloys at front and rear, trendy rear view mirrors and comfy single piece seat. Braking duties are performed by disc brakes, integrated with ABS.Just like some other EV manufacturers, Yamaha could offer multiple ownership options. One of these will be a subscription based plan that will be backed by battery swapping infrastructure. Users can buy the scooter without battery and pay a monthly subscription fee along with the cost of swapping batteries. Official details are expected to be revealed in the coming weeks, while launch could take place sometime in May / June 2022. More

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      2022 KTM 390 Adventure Launch – 1st Batch Arrives At Dealer Showroom

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      2022 KTM 390 Adventure India Launch Soon. Image – Hitesh GhogaliaWhen launched, the updated KTM 390 Adventure will rival Royal Enfield Himalayan, Yezdi Adventure and BMW G 310 GSKTM recently launched the updated 250 Adventure in India for the year 2022. The company will now be launching its elder sibling- 390 Adventure in a mildly updated avatar in the coming few days. The adventure tourer in its revised form went on sale in US and North American markets recently.First batch of KTM 390 Adventure 2022 models have started to arrive at dealer showrooms across India. Hat tip to automotive enthusiast Hitesh Ghogalia for sharing the first exclusive images of 2022 390 ADV in India.2022 KTM 390 Adventure: Styling UpdatesAs we already know, models up to the 390 Series from the KTM range all over the world are manufactured in India by Bajaj Auto at its Chakan-based facility. Hence, the model launched in the USA is most likely to be exported there from India. The US-spec model of the mid-displacement adventure bike comes with subtle yet noticeable updates.For 2022, updates on the new KTM 390 Adventure are both aesthetic and functional in nature. Visual updates on the adventure tourer are in line with the Dakar winning KTM FACTORY RALLY machines. The overall design of the motorcycle remains identical which features the same rugged styling it is known for.2022 KTM 390 Adventure India Launch SoonThe updated 390 Adventure now received two new colour options a grey-black scheme and a blue scheme, both offered with orange accents and body graphics. These shades have been inspired by the larger KTM models, for instance, the 890 Adventure. In addition, the bike gets new tank shrouds and rear side panels which are slightly wider than the saddle.This provides better control to the rider and also reduces wear and tear of the seat. Headlight mask of the new 390 ADV has been reduced to make the front end slightly lighter. Shape of the fuel tank has also been optimised to ensure freedom of rider’s movement and control. Despite these minute variations, KTM has retained the distinct identity of its ADV range in the new 390 Adventure with a split headlamp setup and visor.Features on offerComing to features, the equipment stays similar to the outgoing model. The bike gets a long list of gizmos such as all-LED lighting, an adjustable windscreen, a fully coloured TFT instrument display enabled with smartphone connectivity, optional turn-by-turn navigation and a standard 12V charging port.2022 KTM 390 Adventure India Launch Soon. Image – KTM Khamla Square, NagpurMechanical SpecsHardware configurations remain mostly intact with the same suspension setup consisting of non-adjustable inverted front forks and a WP Apex mono-shock at rear. Braking duties are handled Braking duties are handled by single disc brakes at both ends aided by a dual-channel ABS with offroad mode.The new cast aluminium alloy wheels are now lighter since they feature five spokes instead of six. KTM has also introduced new traction control settings for both street and off-road. This setting enables different rear-slips based on the terrain.Powering the updated 390 Adventure is the same 373.2cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled motor that pumps out 42.3 bhp and 37 Nm of peak torque. This engine is mated to a six-speed gearbox which comes with a standard bi-directional quick-shifter. More

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      Maruti YY8 Electric SUV Launch Plan 2024 – 1.5 Lakh Production Target (Scoop)

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      Render for reference. Credit – Mightyseed DesignsMaruti YY8 will be made at Suzuki’s Gujarat plant and will also spawn a Toyota derivativeMaruti has been running several test mules of Japan-spec WagonR electric all over the country for a while now. It was initially expected that the country’s leading automaker will foray into EV space with its popular econo-hatchback, however, we have learnt that Maruti’s debut electric vehicle is going to be a mass market mini SUV.Maruti YY8 Electric SUVMaruti has green lighted a new electric SUV project, codenamed YY8. Information about the upcoming Maruti YY8 (codename) is scarce as of now but it will adopt an SUV-ish body with compact footprints. We expect it to compete with the future EV variant of the brisk selling Tata Punch.While technical specifications are still under wraps, the Maruti YY8 electric crossover will benefit from Suzuki’s partnership with Toyota. This would mean, the vehicle in question will also be sold with Toyota branding both in India and in select overseas markets.Touted to be ready for the market sometime in 2024 (with a possible debut at the Auto Expo), the electric mini SUV from Maruti will be manufactured at Suzuki’s Gujarat plant. It looks like both Maruti and Toyota have aggressive sales targets for this vehicle, as the expected production target per year is 1.5 lakh units.Render for reference, by Rajshekhar DassClearly, the OEMs are betting on accelerated EV adoption in the country, facilitated by current and future incentives from state and central governments. The charging infrastructure across the country is also expected to grow at a strong pace in the coming years.Maruti Electric SUV ArchitectureWith Suzuki’s lightweight Heartect and Toyota’s DNGA at disposal, it is unclear which architecture will the Maruti YY8 adopt. Both platforms are versatile and EV compatible. The Heartect is already heavily localized in India with a well established supply chain apparatus, making for a short time-to-market.On the other hand, Toyota’s DNGA has a better benefit due to economies of scale on a global level. This architecture is likely to be the basis of upcoming Toyota / Maruti SUV to rival Hyundai Creta. If that is the case, it implies that Toyota has already managed to localize this architecture to meet mass-market price targets in India.We expect the electric mini SUV to be priced under INR 10 lakhs. Drive range of around 250-350 kms should be a good place to start for an entry-level EV in India. The lithium-ion battery is most likely to be sourced locally from the Toshiba facility which is also located in Gujarat. All major OEMs are working intensely on their respective mass-market electric vehicles for India and we expect to see an avalanche of new launches as we approach the middle part of this decade. More