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    New Hero Xtreme 160R Spied Testing – Pulsar, Apache Rival

    New-gen Hero Xtreme 160R could get some first-in-segment features to improve competencies against Pulsar and Apache 160New Hero Xtreme 160R spied in production guiseOne of the popular choices in 160cc segment, Hero Xtreme 160R will be getting its new-gen version soon. It was first spied on test in October last year. Now, production ready test mules have been spied. The updated bike could debut later this year, around the festive period. Both Pulsar and Apache 160cc motorcycles have been updated, requiring Hero to introduce the required set of changes to Xtreme 160R.New-gen Hero Xtreme 160R is likely to get cosmetic updates, along with some new colour options. Major design changes are unlikely, as the bike already has a sporty profile. Some premium hardware and new features could be among the key highlights of new-gen Xtreme 160R.New Hero Xtreme 160R SpiedNew Gen Hero Xtreme 160R – Updated features, More techEven in its current format, Hero Xtreme 160R is a well-equipped bike. It has all-LED lighting and an inverted LCD console with adjustable brightness. There are 5 brightness levels, allowing the user to choose as per their needs. The LCD panel displays a range of information including gear position indicator. New-gen Xtreme 160R could get an updated instrument console.Some new connectivity features could be introduced with new-gen Xtreme 160R. As of now, connectivity features offered with the bike include live tracking, speed alert, vehicle start alert, geo fence alert, hero locate, topple alert, tow away alert, driving score and trip analysis.New Hero Xtreme 160R SpiedTest mules of new-gen Xtreme 160R can be seen with telescopic forks, which is likely to be the same as that of current model. At rear, the bike has 7-step rider adjustable monoshock suspension. The bike uses 17-inch wheels at both ends, shod with 100/80 front and 130/70 rear tyres.Braking duties are performed by 276 mm and 220 mm petal disc at front and rear, respectively. Single-channel ABS is offered as standard. The bike’s weight is 139.5 kg, which is the lowest in segment. Fuel tank capacity is 12 litres.Engine likely to deliver improved performance, more mileageWith rivals getting performance upgrades, it is important for Hero MotoCorp to upgrade the performance of Xtreme 160R. Currently, it is powered by a 163cc, air cooled motor that generates 15.2 PS of max power and 14 Nm of peak torque. It is mated to a 5-speed constant mesh gearbox. Expect the new 160R to deliver better acceleration as well as mileage figures.New Hero Xtreme 160 Spy Shots from last yearWith the updates, new-gen Xtreme 160R could witness a slight bump in prices. Existing prices start from Rs 1.18 lakh and go all the way to Rs 1.3 lakh. A total of 4 variants are on offer. In comparison, Pulsar N160 which was recently updated with USD forks, is priced at 1.27 lakh while the TVS Apache 160 price ranges from Rs 1.18 lakh to Rs 1.23 lakh. All prices are ex-sh.Apart from this, Hero is also working on a new 210cc range of motorcycles with full fairing (Karizma) as well as naked street (Hunk / Xtreme). They also have a new 420cc Xpulse and 420cc Xtreme / Xpulse in the making along with Harley Davidson 420cc.Source More

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    Bajaj Triumph 350cc Motorcycle Spied Near Pune – Hunter 350 Rival

    The smaller of Bajaj Triumph motorcycle engine will displace around 250cc with up to 30 bhp and a larger 350cc will produce over 40 bhpBajaj Triumph 350cc MotorcycleBritish brand Triumph has partnered with Bajaj to launch affordable entry level motorcycles in the 250cc to 500cc segment. Multiple motorcycles will be launched, one of them has now been spied testing near Bajaj Auto plant on the outskirts of Pune.Aims to eat into Royal Enfield’s 350cc market shareLaunch of the first Bajaj Triumph 350cc motorcycle is expected later this year. Price is expected to be in the Rs 2 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh, ex-sh range. In this segment, Royal Enfield dominates with over 90% market share. Their range of 350cc machines include Classic, Bullet, Meteor and Hunter. Together, they register sales in the region of 60k units per month in the 350cc segment.2023 Bajaj Triumph Motorcycle – New Spy ShotsBajaj has been trying to eat into the market share of Royal Enfield for quite some time. They launched the Dominar brand to do that, but that did not deliver expected results. With the Triumph partnership, Bajaj is making yet another attempt.For starters, there will be two engine options on offer under the entry-segment Bajaj-Triumph motorcycles. Both of them are constructed with a single-cylinder architecture. One displaces 250cc and the other displaces 350cc.2023 Bajaj Triumph Motorcycle – New Spy ShotsFeatures on offer will include liquid cooling, slipper clutch, quick shifter, ABS, ride-by-wire and more. It is likely that Triumph might only launch 250cc models in India, while 350cc motorcycles could be reserved for export markets. Engine specs are not out. But the 250cc version is expected to deliver about 30 bhp while the bigger 350cc unit could deliver about 40 bhp of max power.Body style options with Bajaj Triumph MotorcyclesSpeaking of body styles, there are going to be 4 options. A Roadster and a Scrambler are already known as they have been spotted testing before. The other two are a Cafe Racer and a Flat Tracker. Given Triumph’s naming scheme, we can expect that roadster model to be named Street 250, Street 350. Scrambler 250 and Scrambler 350.These will don USD front forks, retro vibes, round headlights, blackened engine bay and a clean tail. Scrambler gets a small windscreen, a front beak, knuckle guards, dual-barrel exhaust and block pattern tyres. Design language can be traced back to Triumph’s bigger motorcycles in their respective genre.Triumph makes Thruxton cafe racer as well. The cafe racer from Bajaj Triumph motorcycle is likely to take the same design language as Thruxton. As of now, Triumph doesn’t manufacture flat trackers. If this Bajaj Triumph platform will spawn a flat tracker, it will be the first-ever, from Triumph. Launch is expected later this year.Source More

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    Kia EV9 Electric SUV First Real World Photos – New Colours Spied

    With its massive size and muscular body panelling, Kia EV9 has a dominating street presenceNew Kia EV9 Electric SUVKia had showcased the EV9 concept at 2023 Auto Expo, whereas the production version had debuted on March 15. Based on the E-GMP platform that also underpins EV6, Kia EV9 will be the company’s new flagship SUV. It will pack in a comprehensive range of features and rival upcoming electric SUVs from Mercedes-Benz and BMW.EV9 is part of Kia’s ‘Plan S’, wherein a target has been set to introduce 13 born-electric cars over the next four years. EV9 will be one of the biggest Kia models, with dimensions similar to that of US-spec Telluride SUV. It will also be the most expensive Kia car sold globally. Ahead of its launch, Kia EV9 has been spotted undisguised inside a parking lot.New Kia EV9 Electric SUVKia EV9 features new gen styling – Likely to be seen in all Kia electric cars in the futureMuch of the features seen with the concept version have been retained in the production model. However, there are some changes such as smoothed edges and creases and 21-inch wheels replacing the 23-inch units seen with the concept model. Apart from these, there are no other major changes between the concept and the production version.EV9 will have compelling colour choices in both glossy and matte finish. Options include Snow White Pearl (SWP), Panthera Metal (P2M), Aurora Black Pearl (ABP), Flare Red (C7R), Pebble Gray (DFG), Ivory Silver (ISG), Ocean Blue (OBG) and Iceberg Green (IEG). Matte colour options include Ocean Blue (Matte), Ivory Silver (Matte), Iceberg Green (Matte) and Panthera Metal (Matte).New Kia EV9 Electric SUVEV9 utilizes a futuristic design philosophy with angled panels all across. It seems familiar to the panelling used on tanks and stealth aircrafts. Other notable aspects include the star constellation-inspired LED lights at front and rear, flat closed-off grille and Kia’s signature tiger nose effect on the skid plate. Viewed from the side, EV9 could be mistaken for an armoured car. Some key highlights include quirky alloy wheels, flared wheel arches, thick body cladding, chunky door panels, blacked-out pillars, smart door handles and tinted windows.New Kia EV9 Electric SUV Smart KeyInside, Kia EV9 has a clutter-free dashboard layout and cockpit area. Much of the controls are accessible via the massive integrated digital instrument cluster and infotainment system. Interiors are designed for roominess and optimal user comfort. Both 6-seat and 7-seat versions are expected to be available.EV9 performance, range – Best in class?Kia has not revealed any significant details about EV9. However, it is known that EV9 will have a range of 543 km. Based on its size and max range, battery capacity could be around 100kWh. It is expected that EV9 will have fast charging, allowing users to load up around 100 km in approximately 6 minutes. Based on the E-GMP platform, EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5 have similar capabilities. Kia EV9 is expected to get option of both rear-wheel and 4-wheel drive.EV9 is unlikely to make it to India anytime soon. However, Kia has plans to launch multiple new mass-market EVs, specially designed for India. These will go up against upcoming born electric SUVs from Mahindra and Tata Motors. More

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    Royal Enfield Scram 650cc Spied In Production Ready Guise

    Royal Enfield Scram 650 is part of the company’s plans to expand its 650cc portfolio that currently has Super Meteor 650, Interceptor 650 and Continental GTRoyal Enfield Scram 650cc SpiedWith the 350cc segment comfortably in its bag, Royal Enfield is eying new growth opportunities by expanding its 650cc portfolio. RE is also working on its 450cc motorcycles, which will be the future of its existing 410cc platform. With higher capacity bikes, Royal Enfield will also be able to target overseas markets and take on biggies like Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, etc.In 650cc segment, Royal Enfield has already launched Super Meteor 650 earlier this year. Last week, they launched updated INT 650 and GT 650. Next up in the 650 range is likely to be 650cc classic roadster, 650cc Himalayan and a 650cc bobber, likely to be called Shotgun 650. A 650cc scrambler has also been spotted on road test. Latest spy shots are credited to Bullet Guru.Royal Enfield Scram 650cc SpiedRoyal Enfield Scram 650 Production Ready Spy ShotsTalking a bit about the bike’s exterior profile, the signature retro styling is evident in the round headlamp, indicators and rearview mirrors, circular instrument pod, classic fuel tank design and flat-type single piece saddle. Royal Enfield scrambler 650 has a lean build, which looks familiar to Hunter 350. Apart from the triangular side panels, everything else is purely bare bones.Riding ergonomics are pretty comfortable with centrally mounted foot pegs and raised handlebar. The bike’s saddle looks big enough to comfortably accommodate a pillion even on longer rides. Scrambler 650 will be mostly for street fun, but it seems capable of handling some mild off-roads as well. It has 17-inch wire-spoke wheels, linked to USD front forks and spring-loaded dual rear suspension.Royal Enfield Scram 650cc SpiedTech features could include Tripper navigation, which can be offered as an optional feature. Earlier this year, Royal Enfield had followed a similar approach for Himalayan and Meteor 350.Powering Royal Enfield 650 scrambler will be the 648cc parallel-twin motor that churns out 47 bhp of max power and 52 Nm of peak torque. It is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. While engine output will be largely the same as 650 twins, Scram 650 will have a higher power-to-weight ratio. That’s because the bike will be lighter with the single piece exhaust.Royal Enfield Scram 650 Exhaust NoteWhile captured among the cacophony of other noises on the road, Scram 650’s exhaust note was still able to create a pleasing aural experience. The signature parallel-twin character is clearly evident and the soft engine hum seems to complement the bike’s overall vocals. While the exhaust note is quite captivating, it also carries with it the hints of a potent and powerful heart that beats within.[embedded content][embedded content]Distinctive character of the bike’s exhaust note could be linked to its 2-into-1 emission pipe. In comparison, the 650 twins and recently unveiled Super Meteor 650 are equipped with dual exhausts. One of the many things loved about Royal Enfield bikes is their exhaust notes. In that context, the company has done a great job in the upcoming Scrambler 650. Enthusiasts will be surely looking to try this one. Expect Royal Enfield Scram 650 to be priced in the Rs 3.5 lakh range, ex-sh.Source More

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    MG Comet EV Launch in April 2023 – Entry Point to Small Electric Cars

    MG Comet EV: A game-changer in electric cars, the age of small EVs begins with its April 2023 launch2023 MG Comet Electric Car
    MG is all set to launch Comet EV, a compact electric vehicle in India in April 2023. Prices and battery details too will be announced then. This rebadged version of the Wuling Air from China will be manufactured at MG’s plant in India. Available in five colours, you can pick from White, Pink, Yellow, Blue, and Green.
    MG Comet EV: A look at its range and charging capabilities
    Exterior design of the MG Comet EV is modern and sleek. It has split headlamps. The remaining light set up includes LED DRLs, turn indicators, and a narrow LED light beam positioned in the front chrome bar. The bar continues onto both OVRMs. Rear lights match the front design theme, with a stop lamp beam that runs across the rear and a 2-row split tail lamp. Charging port is located beneath the front MG branding.
    2023 MG Comet Electric Car
    Wuling Air EV battery choices are expected on the Comet. The smaller is a 17.3kWh unit. The bigger, a 26.7kWh unit. Between the two, the drive range extends from 200kms to 300kms. MG Comet EV is expected to have a 31 KW (41 PS) or 50 kW (68 PS) motor. The smaller 18kWh unit would be most price competitive for India but there’s no clarity on model/s going to be launched.
    Comet EV battery is rumoured to be sourced from Tata Autocomp and will use LFP cells. Comet will be the smallest vehicle in MG’s lineup in India, making it a cost-effective entry point for customers to step into the world of EVs.
    2023 MG Comet Electric Car
    Both SWB and LWB variants of  Wuling Air are 2-door models, LWB being a 4-seater. MG Comet EV is based on GSEV (Global Small Electric Vehicle) platform developed in a joint venture between SAIC-GM-Wuling. Other features are likely to include automatic climate control, dual 10.2” horizontal screens, a 2-spoke steering wheel, electronic parking brake, and voice command.
    Can the MG Comet EV keep up with the demands of daily driving?
    With its range, charging capabilities, design, and features, MG Comet EV is a smart choice for electric car enthusiasts. It’s sheer smallness makes it practical and an efficient electric car for city driving. Welcome to the world of small electric cars.
    Compact smart cars can provide a practical solution to urban mobility challenges in India by reducing travel time and improving commute experience. Their small size and advanced technology could be effective in navigating through crowded city streets and reducing congestion. Most importantly, they present an excellent case for affordable electric cars.
    Comet will be the 2nd EV from MG. MG ZS EV is already on sale in India, priced from Rs 23.38 lakh, ex-sh. Prices of MG Comet electric car are expected to start from under Rs 10 lakh, making it a rival to Tata Tiago EV. More

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    2023 Honda CB350 Cafe Racer Showcased To Dealers – New Launch Soon

    After CB350 and CB350 RS, Honda will add 3rd motorcycle in their 350cc range next month2023 Honda CB350 Cafe RacerHonda launched the CB350 back in Sep 2020. In the initial months, it had registered good response from bike enthusiasts. Later in Feb 2021, Honda launched a scrambler version based on the CB350, called CB350 RS. Despite two motorcycles on offer in the 350cc range, Honda has not come anywhere close to sales numbers registered by Royal Enfield.In Jan 2023, Royal Enfield registered sales of over 26k units for their Classic 350. While sales of Honda CB350 range was 1,086 units. To bring a boost to their sales in the 350cc range, Honda is getting ready to launch a new motorcycle next month.Honda CB350 Cafe RacerTo provide more options to customers in the 350cc segment, Honda will soon launch a new cafe racer motorcycle based on CB350. Honda has chosen to challenge Royal Enfield and this new motorcycle is expected to improve its prospects in this space.Likely to be called Honda CB350 Cafe Racer, the motorcycle has been showcased to dealers. Launch is expected next month. It will come with Cafe Racer style single seat, revised headlamp cowl, black alloys, black engine with chrome Honda logo, etc.2023 Honda CB350 Cafe RacerSpeaking of the new Honda CB350 Cafe Racer, the motorcycle sports a neo-retro look. Some key features include round headlamp, sculpted fuel tank, single piece seat, chrome finish exhaust, alloy wheels, an all-LED setup and semi-digital instrument cluster. It also has a smartphone charging USB port.2023 Honda CB350 Cafe RacerCB350 Cafe Racer powertrainHonda’s 350 cc Cafe Racer will use the same engine as that of CB350. It is rated to deliver 21.07 ps @ 5500 rpm and 30 Nm @ 3000 rpm. It is mated to a 5-speed gearbox. The motorcycle will also be sharing a number of other components with CB350. This will help Honda to reduce costs and improve production efficiency.Just like CB350, its cafe racer version could be equipped with assist and slipper clutch, dual channel ABS, Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), and Honda Smartphone Voice Control system (HSVCS).2023 Honda CB350 Cafe RacerThe instrument console could also be the same, which displays a range of information such as average mileage, real time mileage, gear position indicator, distance to empty, and battery voltage. Expect prices to be in the Rs 2.2 lakh to Rs 2.3 lakh range, ex-sh. More details to be revealed at the launch event next month. More

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    New Ather Electric Scooter Spied – May Get Under Rs 1 L Price

    With a steel tubular frame, smaller battery and a less powerful motor, Ather’s new affordable scooter might be priced under Rs. 1 lakhNew Ather Electric Scooter SpiedIn the first phase of EV revolution we saw manufacturers launching loaded, feature rich variants. In the next phase, we are seeing introduction of more affordable variants. Lower pricing is achieved via installing a smaller battery pack, fewer features, etc.Ola has successfully entered step 2 with S1 Air. As announced recently, Ola is offering S1 Air with 2 kWh, 3 kWh and even 4 kWh battery options. Prices range between Rs. 84,999 and 1,09,999 (ex-sh). Ola’s rival, Ather is getting to launch a more affordable version of their electric scooter.Ather’s New Affordable ScooterA new test mule of Ather electric scooter has been spied in BTM Layout, Bangalore. Hat tip to automotive enthusiast Thushar for sharing the exclusive spy shot. It is likely to be of the upcoming entry variant of Ather electric scooter. The new test mule is starkly identical to existing Ather 450.Battery size is likely to go down as opposed to the 3.7 kWh unit on existing 450X Gen 3. With Gen 3, Ather promises a 146 km range and a 105 km true range. Ather’s new affordable scooter might promise slightly lesser range, albeit with a less powerful motor. Expect the 7” touchscreen with Google integration will be retained.New Ather Electric Scooter SpiedLast month, Ather launched Gen 3 of their electric scooters. Under this, the 450 Plus is priced at Rs 1.9 lakh while the Ather 450X is priced at Rs 2.13 lakh. These are ex-sh prices excluding FAME-II subsidy of Rs 55,000. With the subsidy, prices come down to Rs 1.35 lakh and Rs 1.58 lakh, ex-sh. The upcoming new Ather electric scooter is likely to get a price tag of under Rs 1 lakh, ex-sh, inclusive of subsidy.Phase II Of Battery Safety NormsPhase II of the new battery norms set by MoRTH will come into effect from April 2023. The enforcement is due to the high number of EV fire incidents reported, likely due to improperly designed batteries. Come April 2023, EV manufacturers have to meet Amendment-3 proposed to AIS 156 and AIS 038 Rev.2 across L, M and N categories.Amendment-3 of the said AIS, as issued by MoRTH, was in two phases. Phase I was in effect from 1st December 2022 and Phase II is set to take effect from 31st March 2023. Electric scooters fall into L category and should meet the new battery norms set forth by a panel under Amendment-3.Ather Electric Scooter Prices – Feb 2023Since the new changes to battery tech will add cost, Ather might strike out some elements on this upcoming budget scooter. Main among those will be 450X’s aluminium space frame. New chassis features a tubular frame that is more economical to fabricate.The chassis has seamless tubes of steel bent and welded to form a simple tubular frame. Battery placement is still in the floorboard. With FAME II subsidies expiring from March 31st 2024, EV manufacturers have to work towards expanding their scale of manufacturing to bring prices down. More

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    Jimny Styled Mini Electric SUV Spied Testing – Launch As MG?

    This new Mini eSUV from China draws inspiration from Maruti Jimny and Land Rover DefenderJimny Styled Mini Electric SUV SpiedBaojun brand is a subsidiary of SAIC-GM-Wuling JV, just like MG. They offer a lot of cars under these brands; including the newly launched Hector and Hector Plus. Same cars are shared between brands of GM, SAIC and Wuling. For example, Baojun 530 is rebranded as Wuling Almaz, Chevrolet Captiva and MG Hector.Last year Baojun showcased a new mini electric SUV concept. We are talking about KiWi mini crossover. It is a three-door electric mini SUV with incredibly cute looks. This small EV SUV has now started testing. First spy shots has leaked online.New Mini Electric SUV – Jimny InspiredNew KiWi EV is smaller than the Maruti Jimny. It retains much of its design attributes from concept. Speaking of design, LED headlights and tail lights are retained from concept car. Overall proportions and design details on the outside are retained as well.Sure, the test mule is rolling on steel wheels, but top-spec models will get alloys. If the Maruti Jimny is a miniature Mercedes-Benz G-Class, KiWi EV new crossover is a miniature Land Rover Defender 90, except for its iconic round headlight elements.Jimny Styled Mini Electric SUV SpiedEven on the inside, the twin horizontal display and dashboard layout remain true to its concept. This new mini EV would look like a fitting proposition to rival Jimny, even without a 5-door layout.It is smaller and is likely to be more city-friendly too. Internally codenamed E260S, It is not yet named. But it will bear KiWi branding instead of Baojun’s like we saw on concept vehicle. If launched in India, it will come under the MG brand.India Launch?With its retro-futuristic design and its smaller dimensions, it is likely to take the Chinese market by storm. Specifications are not yet known including battery size and range. There will be pooled components from similar Kei cars including Chinese highest-seller Wuling Hongguang Mini EV. In effect, this vehicle is the world’s first ‘electric Kei car UV’.Jimny Styled Mini Electric SUV SpiedLaunch is likely to happen in China in the first half of 2023. After that, it will be marketed by Wuling in other ASEAN markets like Indonesia. There is no official word regarding India launch under the MG brand. But we hope that it does. MG Motor India is getting ready to launch AIR EV later this year. Air EV is sold under the Wuling brand in China. It is one of the best selling electric cars in China today. More