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    TVS Ronin Spied Testing In Indonesia – Launch Soon?

    TVS Ronin Indonesia TestingIn Indonesia, TVS Ronin spotted testing could signify a potential launch and fortify its presence even further by appealing to a wider audienceTVS Ronin is one of the company’s newest motorcycle. It had quite a mixed reception at launch as it was trying to cater to multiple genres at once. These genres include a scrambler, a cruiser and a street bike. It primarily rivals Royal Enfield Hunter 350 and to some extent, Dominar 250 and offers quite a unique proposition.TVS seems to be expanding its export envelope by shipping Ronin to ASEAN markets. Recently, a TVS Ronin spotted testing in Indonesia. This might be a strong indication of TVS’ intentions of launching Ronin there. Let’s take a look.TVS Ronin Indonesia launch soon?As of now, PT TVS Motor Company Indonesia offers Neo XR and Rockz in Moped series, Callisto, Ntorq, Dazz and XL100 in Matic series and Apache RTR 200 4V, Maxx and Maxx Semi Trail in Sport series. Ronin could be a worthy addition to the Sport series and be the new flagship there, offering slightly more performance than Apache RTR 200 4V.TVS Ronin spotted testing in a fuel station in Karawang, Indonesia. This is where PT TVS Motor Company has its manufacturing facility. KDW Motoblog posted these images for the first time. We can see a TVS Ronin motorcycle with some cladding on its fuel tank and other TVS branding covered in black duct tape.TVS Ronin Indonesia RearRonin’s LED DRL signature is very unique and nothing else out there looks like it. So, it is immediately identifiable as a Ronin. That said, the ones seen in Indonesia and Indian models are not identical, down to the last detail.For starters, there seems to be a different catalytic converter in the Indonesia-spec model’s exhaust system. This might be due to the fact that India has adopted the BS6 emission standard which is directly comparable to EURO 6 emission standards. While Indonesia still follows EURO 4 standards.Same powertrain, different power figuresBecause of this less-obtrusive catalytic converter, there is likely to be an increase in performance. We’re talking about around 5% to 10% higher power and torque figures as opposed to the Indian-spec model. Speaking of, 20.1 bhp of power and 19.93 Nm of torque in BS6 guise from a 225.9cc single-cylinder engine with oil-cooling and slipper clutch. Gearbox is a 5-speed unit.TVS Ronin Indonesia near Karawang plantOther than that, certain black elements on India-spec models like on front fender and exhaust cover, are silver in Indonesian models. Componentry like 41mm USD telescopic front forks, rear mono-shock, 130-section rear and 110-section front 17” tyres, dual-channel ABS, off-set circular instrument cluster, LED lighting are common between the two.TVS Ronin boasts impressive power delivery in lower RPMs. Looks are subjective, but TVS Ronin has its own charm too. Will that be enough to crack the Indonesian market in the sub 250cc segment? Time will tell.Source More

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    Small Electric Car From France Spied In India – MG Comet Rival

    Small Electric Car From FranceLigier Mygi electric car in its current state of European specifications delivers up to 123 km rangeIf you are a motorsport enthusiast, you must have heard of the French company Ligier. Especially for association with 24-Hour Le Mans races between 1970 and 1975 and Formula 1 racing between 1976 and 1996. Even though Ligier wanted to make a new sports car for the 50th anniversary, micro electric cars and CVs (Ligier Professional) are all they make right now.You must be wondering why we’re talking about a French company out of the blue. Reason is that Ligier seems to be willing to launch its most affordable model Mygi in India. Testing has commenced on Indian roads already. This is a 3-door micro electric car like the MG Comet. As of now, MG Comet is one of its kind in India and Ligier seems to have sniffed out an opportunity.Small Electric Car From FranceLigier Mygi Electric CarIndia is currently one of the fastest-growing countries in the world. Automotive market has seen unprecedented growth as well, with more people investing in personal vehicles than ever before. EVs are seeing spectacular growth too in 2W, 3W and 4W segments. As of now, there are 28 electric cars on sale in India.MG Comet is the smallest and the most affordable among these 28. Prices start from Rs. 7.98 lakh and go till Rs. 9.98 lakh (both prices ex-sh). This pricing is because MG assembles Comet in its Gujarat facility. This route only attracts 15% customs duty as opposed to 60% with CBU models. Also, MG has stressed on localisation too, which is up to 60% with Comet.Ligier Mygi electric carUnless Ligier is manufacturing Mygi or even assembling it in India, the price point is likely to be against it. Speaking of the Ligier Mygi electric car, it is currently the most affordable vehicle from the brand in PV space. Prices start from EUR 13,995 and go till EUR 21,695. In today’s currency conversion, it translates to Rs. 12.57 lakh to Rs. 19.49 lakh.What does it pack?Ligier Mygi electric car is on offer in four different trim levels in Europe. They are G.OOD, I.DEAL, E.PIC and R.EBEL. The first two trims get 63 km of range from a single charge. Base G.OOD offers 13” steel wheels, no audio system, but offers all-four disc brakes. I.DEAL adds 14” alloy wheels and a 1-DIN audio system.Top two trim levels feature an extended range of 123 km, 15” alloys, 10” touchscreen system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a reverse camera and a few design additions. Even the extended 123 km range is kind of short, especially when MG Comet offers 230 km of claimed range.Source More

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    New Hero Maxi Scooter Spied Testing – Aerox 155 Rival?

    New Hero Maxi Scooter SpiedConsidering the maxi-scooter’s brawny proportions, the 163cc engine from Xtreme 160R seems like a perfect matchWith recent launch of Xtreme 160R 4V and upcoming Karizma fully-faired bike, it is evident that Hero MotoCorp has stepped up focus on premium segment. The company seems to be following a similar strategy for its scooter portfolio as well. Earlier this month, a design patent had revealed details about Hero’s new maxi-scooter.In the latest development, a maxi-scooter in camouflage has been spotted near Hero MotoCorp’s R&D centre in Jaipur. It appears to be largely the same as the scooter revealed in the design patent. As the test mule looks near-production ready, it won’t be surprising to see its launch around festive season or by end of this year. Hat tip to automotive enthusiast Pushpender for sharing these exclusive spy shots.New Hero Maxi Scooter SpiedHero maxi-scooter featuresSome of the key highlights of Hero’s first-ever maxi-scooter include split headlamp setup, angular front fascia, trendy rear view mirrors and sharp turn indicators. An all-LED lighting setup is likely for the scooter. It can be seen with a stubby upswept exhaust. Side panels have sharp design elements, which help achieve a sporty profile for the scooter.Raked design of the stepped seat ensures a sporty stance, all while allowing optimal control and handling across busy city streets. The single-piece seat seems comfortable for both rider and pillion. The test mule is missing the rear rack that was seen in the design patent. It is likely that the rear rack will be offered as an accessory. The scooter is equipped with an ergonomically placed handlebar.New Hero Maxi Scooter SpiedAlthough not clear in the images, it is likely that Hero’s new maxi-scooter will have a fully digital instrument console. It could get telematics features, accessible via Hero Connect mobile app. Some of the key telematics features could include ignition alert, SoS alert, accident/crash alert, topple alert, over-speed alert, theft alert, battery removal alert, geofence alert and remote immobilization.Hero maxi-scooter performance, specsHero’s maxi-scooter could be a rival to Yamaha Aerox 155. In that case, it could borrow the 163 cc, air-cooled engine from Xtreme 160R. It generates 15 bhp of max power and 14 Nm of peak torque. Some tweaks could be performed to align the engine with the specific needs of the scooter. For reference, Aerox 155 is equipped with a 155cc, liquid cooled engine. It makes 15 PS and 13.9 Nm.Hero new maxi-scooter has telescopic forks at front and a single-sided monoshock unit at rear. It gets a disc brake at front. Single-channel ABS could be offered as standard. One of the most notable features is the large alloy wheels, which appear to be 14-inch units. Large wheels not only improve street presence, but also offer smoother and safer rides across bad patches.To push sales, Hero could offer its first-ever maxi-scooter at an affordable price. While Aerox 155 is available at a starting price of Rs 1.43 lakh, Hero maxi scooter could be launched at around Rs 1.20 lakh (ex.sh). More

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    Royal Enfield Shotgun 350 Spied Alongside Classic 650 – New Details

    New Royal Enfield MotorcyclesWhile Classic 650 has been spotted earlier, this is the first time Shotgun 350 is seen on road testsRoyal Enfield is working diligently on its blitzkrieg mission by introducing a plethora of options for enthusiasts. As per plans, RE will be launching an average of 4 new / updated bikes every year till 2027. It will help tackle competition from new rivals as well as increase the brand’s presence in international markets.While one of the most awaited is the all-new Himalayan 450, Royal Enfield is also working to expand its 350cc and 650cc range. Latest spy shots reveal two new bikes, which are likely to be Shotgun 350 and Classic 650. Spotted without any camouflage, some of the finer details are clearly evident.New Royal Enfield MotorcyclesShotgun 350 styling and featuresShotgun 350 utilizes the signature features of Royal Enfield bikes. It includes the round headlamp and rear-view mirrors, curvy fuel tank design, minimal body panelling and wide rear fender. However, there are some unique features that ensure a distinctive identity for the bike. For example, Shotgun 350 has white wall tyres, which add more character to the bike. The one thing that stands out is the Ape Hanger handlebars. The bike has forward-set foot pegs, indicative of its cruising capabilities.Other key highlights of Shotgun 350 include telescopic front forks, wire-spoke wheels, side-mounted grab rails, split seat design and dual rear shock absorbers. It appears that some of the accessories are also being tested, as the bike can be seen with a side pannier.New Royal Enfield MotorcyclesIn terms of performance, Shotgun 350 will be using the 349cc, air-oil cooled single cylinder engine seen with other 350cc RE bikes. It generates 20.2 bhp of max power and 27 Nm of peak torque. It is mated to a 5-speed constant mesh gearbox.Classic 650 detailsClassic 650 borrows the timeless design of its smaller sibling in most parts. It is possible that both wire-spoke and alloy wheel variants could be on offer. While this test mule has wire-spoke wheels, an earlier sighting had revealed dual-tone alloy wheels.Classic 650 gets some unique features such as LED headlight, as compared to halogen light used with the smaller sibling. Classic 650 has liberal use of chrome, as seen on the headlamp, engine casing and exhaust pipes. The separate rider and pillion seats enhance the bike’s retro feel.New Royal Enfield MotorcyclesPowering Classic 650 will be the 648cc parallel-twin engine in use with 650 twins and Super Meteor 650. The engine generates 47 hp and 52.3 Nm of peak torque. It is mated to a 6-speed constant mesh gearbox.As both bikes appear production ready, launch could take place later this year. It is possible that Royal Enfield may officially unveil its new bikes at upcoming EICMA in November. Shotgun 350 and Classic 650 are expected to be offered at a competitive price point, as has been the case with all other Royal Enfield bikes.Source More

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    Maruti EVX Electric SUV spied for first time – Launch in 2025

    Maruti EVX Electric SUV spiedMaruti Suzuki EVX electric SUV will have a 60-kWh battery pack, with range of up to 550 kmInternally codenamed YY8, Maruti Suzuki had showcased the EVX electric SUV concept at 2023 Auto Expo. It will be the company’s first born-electric car and is expected to debut next year. It will go on sale in 2025. One of the key rivals will be upcoming Hyundai Creta EV.Ahead of its launch, a Suzuki EVX electric SUV has been spotted at a charging station in Krakow, Poland. The test mule wears a black camouflage, not intending to reveal the finer details. However, the tight wrapping does show a close resemblance to the concept version.Maruti EVX Electric SUV spiedSuzuki EVX electric SUV featuresAs compared to the heavily muscled concept, the test mule appears to have a relatively toned-down styling. However, quite a few features have been carried forward such as the butch front fascia, sculpted bonnet design and thick body cladding. The SUV has a tapering roofline, which helps achieve a sporty profile. At rear, Suzuki EVX will have a layered spoiler, rugged bumper and edgy tail lamps with full-width connecting LED strip.Suzuki EVX test mule can be seen with temporary lighting all across. It has a standard set of alloy wheels, which are likely to be changed onboard the production version. The concept version had aerodynamic alloy wheels, especially designed to reduce drag. Other noticeable features include C-pillar mounted rear door handles, shark fin antenna and rear wiper.Maruti EVX Electric SUV spiedInside, the test mule has a number of wires dangling around. It clearly shows that this test vehicle is largely a work-in-progress. A significant section of the dashboard has been camouflaged. It does appear to have a simple, minimalistic design.Maruti EVX Electric SUV interiors spiedSome features that are clearly visible include a two-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel, steering mounted controls and a rotary control dial on the centre console. The showstopper is a large, horizontally mounted touchscreen infotainment system and digital instrument console.Suzuki EVX electric SUV performanceAs compared to other OEMs that are converting existing ICE cars into electric, Maruti Suzuki will move directly to born-electric vehicles. Suzuki EVX electric SUV is based on an entirely new platform. It will be used to develop a range of future EVs. Overall performance of Suzuki EVX electric SUV will closely match that of similar-sized ICE SUVs such as Hyundai Creta.Maruti EVX Electric SUV spiedSuzuki EVX electric SUV will be equipped with a 60-kWh battery pack, offering a range of up to 550 km. The electric motor is expected to deliver around 138-170 hp of max power. Both 2WD and all-wheel drive options will be available.With a dedicated EV platform, Suzuki EVX will have spacious interiors. It will be 4,300 mm long, 1,800 mm wide and 1,600 mm tall. Wheelbase is expected to be best in segment. The SUV will have large wheels, which will ensure a strong street presence and high ground clearance.Source More

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    New Hero Motorcycle Spied – Xtreme 125cc to rival Pulsar 125?

    New Hero Xtreme 125R spied. Image – MRD VlogsUpon launch, Hero new commuter bike will rival the likes of TVS Raider, Bajaj Pulsar NS125 and Honda SP 125While Hero is the market leader in commuter motorcycle segment, there’s heavy reliance on Splendor 100cc bike. In April, share of Splendor in overall sales was more than 2/3rd. From a business perspective, this is quite like putting all your eggs in one basket.For a more diversified portfolio, Hero MotoCorp has been working on a new range of bikes. It comprises both new commuter bikes as well as premium offerings in middleweight segment. Xtreme 160R 4V was recently launched at Rs 1.36 lakh. Karizma XMR is expected to be launched later this year. Hero is also developing a new maxi scooter. These clearly indicate that Hero MotoCorp is looking to reduce dependence on its 100cc commuter bikes.New Hero Xtreme 125R spiedHero new commuter bike detailsStandard telescopic suspension and rear drum brake indicate that the test mule is a new 125cc commuter bike. With TVS Raider being the primary rival, Hero new bike has a sporty profile. Some key features include sharp headlamp, sculpted fuel tank with extensions, compact rear-view mirrors, sleek turn signals, all-LED lighting, split-seat design and stubby exhaust. The bike has a short tail section and rear tyre hugger.Hero new commuter bike can be seen with a fully digital instrument cluster. This could be the same or similar to the one used with other 125cc Hero bikes such as Glamour XTEC and Super Splendor XTEC. Or it could be similar to the inverted LCD console used with recently launched Xtreme 160R. To present it as a capable machine, Hero could equip the new commuter bike with Bluetooth connectivity.New Hero Xtreme 125R spiedAll while having a sporty profile, the bike has a comfortable riding stance. It has wide, pulled-back handlebar and centrally mounted foot pegs. Rider seat section has a scooped profile, ensuring lower seat height and optimal comfort. Pillion seat section appears a bit narrow, although the thick grab rails should be able to ensure adequate stability.New Hero Xtreme 125R spiedHero new commuter bike performanceHero new commuter bike is likely to borrow the 125cc motor from Hero’s other 125cc bikes. On-board Glamour XTEC and Splendor XTEC, the air-cooled engine churns out 10.7 bhp of max power and 10.6 Nm of peak torque. It is mated to a 5-speed gearbox.The bike has telescopic forks at front and a monoshock unit at rear. Braking duties are performed by a disc brake at front and a drum brake at rear. The bike is likely to be using 18-inch wheels at both ends.Hero’s new commuter bike could be launched later this year. Possibly around the festive season. Hero could be planning to launch the bike at a competitive price point. For reference, rival TVS Raider is available at a starting price of Rs 93,719 (ex-showroom Delhi). More

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    Mahindra BE.05 Electric spied along with XUV700 – Rear design revealed

    Mahindra BE.05 rear designMahindra BE.05 eSUV will be the smallest and the least expensive SUVs among other Born Electric BE rangeIndian homegrown brand Mahindra is entering a new era of futuristic EVs. We’re not talking about the ICE spinoffs that XUV.e8 and XUV.e9 will be. Instead, we are talking about the Born Electric BE.05, BE.07 and BE.09. Mahindra designed these from the ground up, to be electric vehicles and will feature a wild design language.Mahindra showcased all five of its EVs and their expected design language on August 15th, 2022 at M.A.D.E HQ in UK. We had expressed how BE.05 will be the most important vehicle among the five showcased. Within a year, we can see Mahindra commencing testing for BE.05 on Indian roads. Now, for the first time, the rear profile has been caught on camera in Chennai, where it was seen testing along with XUV700.Mahindra BE.05 Rear Design SpottedWe have seen the front profile and its interiors before. Now, with rear design out, we can compile a basic silhouette to see how BE.05 might look like. For starters, we like what we see. At their debut, Mahindra had promised most of the design elements of the concept will make it to production phase.Looking at the production-spec body under testing, Mahindra is living up to its promise. Mahindra BE.05 looks just as wild as it did in its concept form. We can see how organic and animalistic BE.05’s design aesthetics really are. The rear gets massive LED tail light signatures that not only get connected-type elements, but they also extend further down as well.Mahindra BE.05 electric SUVIn effect, these LED tail lights are so dominating, they eat into the rear windshield quite a bit. This makes the rear windshield very small. Mahindra is offering a massive roof spoiler too, which is very stylistic in its appeal. But it further eats into the rear windshield area. Visibility at the back will not be BE.05’s forte.There is a vent-like element in the center of the rear bumper, which is highly likely to be for styling purposes only. BE.05 will not feature Mahindra’s Twin Peaks logo. Instead, there is an illuminated BE logo in rear tail lights. Rear haunches are immense and tyres look to be 235-section, which lends a lot of muscle to this SUV.What do we know so far?Mahindra is sticking to its plan and roadmap with INGLO platform that the company divulged at its debut event. This is a derivative of Volkswagen’s scalable and modular MEB platform, rebranded. Capacity will be between 60 and 80 kWh. INGLO platform is compatible with both single-motor and dual-motor layouts as well.Mahindra BE.05 electric SUV coupeMahindra BE.07 is a Creta-sized compact eSUV measuring 4370 mm in length, 1900 mm in width, 1635 mm in height, and boasts a wheelbase of 2775 mm. This will be the smallest and the most affordable electric SUV with Mahindra’s new INGLO platform. Vehicles in this segment top out at 50 kWh battery (MG ZS EV). It will be interesting to see how BE.05 fares in India and in global markets. XUV.e8 will be the first to launch, though. More

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    Mahindra XUV700 Electric SUV spied testing in Chennai

    Spied XUV700 ElectricOn the inside, Mahindra XUV700 electric or XUV.e8 will feature a triple screen layout – One for instrumentation, one for infotainment and the last for front passengerThe Indian automotive market is opening up to the EV revolution more steadily than anticipated. At its forefront is Tata Motors. The company is expanding its EV portfolio vertically and will launch electrified versions of its flagship Harrier and Safari. Mahindra will counter Harrier EV and Safari EV with an electrified version of its XUV700.Mahindra has planned to launch five different electric SUVs based on the new INGLO platform. The company is testing it extensively and launch is likely to happen in 2024 or early 2025. Until now, all test mules didn’t show visual confirmations to suggest electric powertrains, until now. In the recent test mules, we can see HV cables running beneath the floor where the battery is. Spied XUV700 ElectricMahindra XUV700 Electric Test Mule – Harrier EV & Safari EV rivalRight after BE.05 test mules, we now get to see XUV.e8 (electric XUV700) test mules as well. This is a good indication that Mahindra is looking to launch them sooner than later. Competition in EV space is growing by the day. Hat tip to automotive enthusiast Ram Prasath for sharing these new spy shots.The recent test mules show the presence of orange coloured cables at the back. Automotive powertrains have colour-coded cables. Blue coloured cables mean it carries around 36V to 42V, while Orange cables mean that they carry up to 1000V. These are also called HV cables (high voltage cables). Orange cables carry HV AC or DC current between charger, inverter, motor and battery.Spied XUV700 ElectricOn XUV.e8 test mules, these are present at the rear, which could be an indication of a rear-mounted single-motor or an AWD setup with dual motor layout. VW-sourced Mahindra’s INGLO platform supports both single-motor and dual-motor layouts.Apart from that, we can also see an independent rear suspension setup too. This will increase comfort for rear occupants. Rear independent suspension was on offer with Tata Indica and Indigo, but they are a rare find these days outside premium and luxury brands.What will it pack when launched?Mahindra XUV700 electric or XUV.e8 will pack Volkswagen-sourced MEB EV platform renamed INGLO. This is a modular and scalable platform that can be adjusted to suit a multitude of variations and applications. Mahindra has revealed battery sizes will be between 60 kWh and 80 kWh in size and will feature both single motor layout and dual motor layouts as well.It will pack all of XUV700’s strengths. We’re talking about ADAS tech, flush doors handles, 5-star crash-rated body shell, and an extensive features list including a panoramic sunroof, power adjustable driver’s seats with memory function, and a lot more. Mahindra’s XUV.e8 prototype in UK featured free-standing triple-screen layout on dashboard, which is highly likely to make it on production model.We don’t expect a lot of design changes to the main structure of XUV.e8’s body. Sheet metal body panels might be different and take on a wilder route. Mahindra XUV700 Electric prices could be around Rs. 30 lakh mark. Launch is expected to take place in late 2024 or early 2025. More