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    Aprilia SXR 160 Scooter Spied At Dealer Yard Ahead Of Launch

    Aprilia SXR 160
    Aprilia SXR 160 was first presented at this year’s Auto Expo held in February at Greater Noida

    Piaggio is expected to launch its highly anticipated Aprilia SXR 160 in a few days. Bookings for the maxi-style scooter at a token amount of Rs 5000 commenced a week back. The scooter has already gone into production at Aprilia’s Baramati plant near Pune in Maharashtra.
    The power scooter made its maiden appearance at this year’s Auto Expo and is slated to be the first proper Maxi scooter in India discounting Suzuki Burgman 125 and TVS Ntorq. Now, a video has emerged on YouTube which suggests that SXR 160 has started reaching dealerships across the country.
    Uploaded by ‘VJNS vlogs’, the video shows SXR 160 reaching a dealership in Mumbai. It was supposed to launch a lot earlier after its appearance at the Auto Expo, however, the global pandemic of Covid-19 forced makers to defer their plans. The scooter has been designed in Italy specifically for the Indian market.
    Design & Features
    Speaking of its design, it gets a bold front end with split LED headlights inspired by RS660 with C-shaped DRLs integrated onto them that make the scooter more stylish. LED DRLs have been very rare in scooters offered in India until now. Talking about other elements associated with designing of Aprilia SXR 160, it gets a big windscreen upfront. It receives a large enough footboard with ample space for luggage.
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    SXR 160 is offered with a wide and flat comfortable seat with plenty of under-seat storage. It receives a wide handlebar which makes for an upright riding stature for better comfort. The angular front apron also goes well with its overall design.
    Design elements to the rear include an LED tail lamp with integrated rear blinkers. Other notable design highlights include exhaust embellished in chrome and 12-inch 5 spoke petal machined alloys.
    2021 Aprilia SXR160
    In terms of features, it gets a 210 cm sq. fully digital instrument console that offers essential readouts like speed, odometer trip meter, ABS status fuel-efficiency, etc. It is also expected to come with Bluetooth connectivity and a USB charging port.
    Buyers can also opt for mobile connectivity accessory which allows riders to connect their smartphones which helps them in locating it, raising security alarm and if needed even immobilizing it.
    2021 Aprilia SXR160
    Mechanical Details
    Coming to its powertrains, it is powered by a 160.03cc, three-valve, single-cylinder motor which generates 10.7 bhp of power at 7,600rpm and peak torque of 12 Nm at 6000rpm. It is the same unit that is offered in SR 160. It comes paired with a CVT gearbox. Suspension duties on the scooter are expected to be handled by telescopic forks at front and a mono-shock unit at rear.
    Expected Price
    Upon its launch, SXR 160 will not have any direct rivals in the country. It is expected to be priced around Rs 1.15-1.25 lakh (ex-showroom). Aprilia also intends to launch a smaller version of the power scooter- SXR 125 in India at a later stage. More

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    2021 Royal Enfield INT 350 Spied On Video – To Share Engine With Classic 350

    Credit – miles_on_smile / soulrider_sk
    Royal Enfield is working on launching multiple new motorcycles in India over the next few years

    Faced with increased competition, Royal Enfield is working in a proactive manner to maintain its dominance. The Chennai based manufacturer is currently the market leader in 200cc to 500cc motorcycle segment, commanding a market share in excess of 75 percent.
    One of the key strategies deployed by the company in recent times is to launch new products at regular intervals. This keeps customers engaged and they can easily find the best fit according to their specific needs and tastes.
    Interceptor 350 design and features
    After the successful launch of Meteor 350, Royal Enfield has started road tests of a new motorcycle. This appears to be a 350cc version of the popular Interceptor 650. It is possible that the new motorcycle is launched as ‘Interceptor 350’ or it could get an entirely new name.
    Spy shots reveal that there are quite a few features that appear to be borrowed from Interceptor 650. For example, the tail section and rectangular turn indicators appear similar to that of Interceptor 650. Below is a spy video of the new 2021 Royal Enfield INT 350, shared by miles_on_smile.
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    However, there are some obvious differences, for example, the single exhaust in place of the twin exhaust seen on Interceptor 650. Royal Enfield’s new 350cc motorcycle is expected to be equipped with standard telescopic forks at the front and twin spring rear shock absorbers at the rear. It will have disc brakes at both ends and dual-channel ABS will be offered as standard.
    Interceptor 350 is likely to get Tripper navigation, which is a first-in-segment feature introduced with Meteor 350. It comes with a dedicated display that shows directions for the destination entered by the user.
    Interceptor 350 engine
    In terms of hardware, Interceptor 350 will be sharing several components with recently launched Meteor 350 and the upcoming Classic 350. Sharing of components among different products is a common strategy in the auto industry. This helps reduce development costs and get better deals with parts suppliers. Interceptor 350 is likely to use the same engine as that of Meteor 350.
    The 349 cc single cylinder, air and oil cooled engine is capable of delivering max power of 20.2 hp at 6,100 rpm and max torque of 27 Nm at 4,000 rpm. Transmission used is a 5-speed unit. It is possible that the engine may be offered in a different state of tune on Interceptor 350.
    Cost benefit
    While 650 twins are already the most affordable in their class, they are still out of reach of many customers. With Interceptor 350, Royal Enfield will be able to provide a similar experience at lower cost. It is expected that Interceptor 350 will be priced under Rs 1.8 lakh. Launch is expected by next year. More

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    Renault ZOE Electric Car Spied In India – Best Selling eCar In Europe

    Old Gen Renault Zoe Electric Car spied in India. Credit – Naveed
    Renault Zoe sales in Europe have scaled over 84,000 units since January 2020, double the count as seen between January to November 2019

    The Renault Zoe electric car has emerged as the company’s bestselling EV model in Europe since the start of this year. Sales have doubled to over 84,000 units in the Jan-Nov 2020 period as compared to sales in the same period of the previous year.
    Third gen Zoe EV
    The third generation Zoe, launched in 2019, is the leading electric car sold across France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Portugal. To date around 2,68,000 units of the Zoe electric vehicle have been sold.
    While the need for zero emission vehicles is on the rise, particularly so in global markets, the more urgent need for safe private vehicles in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with substantial government subsidy on EVs seems to be the cause for this outstanding sales.
    The main markets for Renault Zoe are France and Germany which has seen sales of 33,000 units and 25,000 units respectively in this year. This electric car offer a range upto 390 kms on a single charge and receives two output versions of 110 hp and 135 hp. The Renault Zoe can be charged upto 80 percent via a DC fast charger in 1hour and 10 minutes and via a 7.4 kWh wall charger in 9.5 hours.
    New gen Renault Zoe Electric Car
    Speaking about the new Renault Zoe, its exteriors has been sighted with a curved roof line, roof mounted spoiler, LED head and tail lamps and LED DRLs along with electronically adjustable ORVMs, blacked out B Pillars and sporty alloy wheels. Distinct ZOE lettering was seen on its tailgate.
    The 5 seater cabin is done up in a two tone colour scheme and will receive features such as a heated steering wheel, automatic climate control and wireless charging. It will sport a digital instrument cluster and a 9.2 inch touchscreen infotainment system with connectivity features and safety via a host of airbags, rear parking camera, blind spot sensors and ABS and EBD.
    Renault Zoe EV Launch in India
    Renault had showcased the battery powered Zoe hatchback at the 2020 Auto Expo earlier this year. More recently a test mule of the old gen Zoe EV has also been spotted on test with a red licence plate. Despite of the car being showcased in India, and spotted testing on Indian roads, chances of it getting launched here are very low.
    Kwid Electric
    Instead of the Zoe, what India will get from Renault in the form of an EV, is the Kwid electric car – which made its debut earlier this year. Compared to Zoe, it will be a lot more affordable. Once launched, Kwid EV will compete with the likes of upcoming EVs – Maruti WagonR EV, Tata HBX EV, Hyundai AX1 EV, Citroen EV, etc.
    Currently the Renault lineup in India consists of the Kwid hatchback, Triber MPV and Duster SUV. The company recently discontinued the Captur and while it has electric vehicles such as the Twizy, Kangoo and Master besides the Zoe in global markets, it has no electric offering in the country as on date. More

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    Husqvarna 401 Spied With KTM Badge On Engine – Based On Duke 390

    Husqvarna 401 Spied With KTM badge
    While the Svartpilen is an urban tourer, the Vitpilen is termed as a cafe racer

    Swedish motorcycle brand Husqvarna set foot in India with the launch of its naked twins- Svratpilen 250 and Vitpilen 250. A couple of months earlier, we reported that Husqvarna will now launch their naked twins with upgraded engines in the form of Svartpilen 401 and Vitpilen 401.
    Recently, one of the twins was spotted testing outside Pune by automotive enthusiast Padmasinh Patil. It is to be noted that Husqvarna is a subsidiary of Austrian motorcycle brand KTM and both are manufactured at Bajaj Auto’s facility in Chakan near Pune in Maharashtra.
    Powertrain & Transmission
    Like their 250 siblings, the 401 Twins will also share its powertrains with its KTM Duke counterpart. Svartpilen 401 and Vitpilen 401 will borrow the same 373.2 cc single-cylinder cooled DOHC engine from Duke 390.
    This motor produces 44 PS of power and 37.5 Nm of peak torque and is paired to a six-speed gearbox. This engine is known for its high compression ratio which results in such impressive output figures. The same unit is also employed in Bajaj Dominar 400. The test mule spotted, had Husqvarna badging on its right side and KTM badging on its left side.

    Coming to the test mule spied, it is difficult to predict exactly which model it is- Svartpilen or Vitpilen since it is wrapped in heavy camouflage. It is anyways difficult to differentiate between the two in terms of design. While Svartpilen is termed as an urban scrambler, the Vitpilen is looked on more as a cafe racer. The 401 twins will also share their underpinnings with 390 Duke.
    Dynamics
    Huskies 401 are expected to borrow major functional components from its KTM counterpart. While the Huskies serve as a more stylish option, the KTM Duke is a more racy motorcycle. Several mechanical parts like- suspension units- USD forks at front and adjustable mono-shock at rear; trellis frame structure and brakes are expected to be carried forward from Duke 390.

    Design & Features
    Although the Indian-spec Huskies 401 are likely to sport some additional attributes to distinguish itself from its European-spec model. For instance, the India-spec model is expected to ditch spoked wheels available in Europe for alloy rims. Additionally, pillion grab rails will be installed to comply with the safety norms set by the Indian Government.

    In terms of features, standard features such as an all-LED lighting setup, ABS from Bosch and a fully digital instrument cluster is set to be carried forward from the 250 Twins. Svartpilen has been built as an urban explorer, it is set to be equipped with dual-purpose tyres. On the other hand, Vitpilen has been developed as a cafe racer with road-biased tyres.
    The 401 Huskies were expected to hit showrooms towards the end of this year. However, it now seems unlikely and is expected to be launched early next year. One expects the 401 Husky Twins to be priced around Rs 20,000 lower than KTM 390 Duke which is offered at a price of Rs 2.58 lakh. Apart from their Austrian cousin, 401 Huskies will also lock horns with Bajaj Dominar 400, BMW G310R. Husqvarna sales in India are at about 700 units per month, while exports are at about 1,000 units. More

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    Kawasaki W175 Sub 200cc Motorcycle Spied In India For First Time

    Kawasaki W175 Spied in Pune
    The Kawasaki W175 is likely to adopt an electronic fuel injection system to comply with BS6 emission standards

    It seems the Japanese brands are suddenly interested in the Indian retro-classic roadster segment where homegrown Royal Enfield has a near-monopoly. Honda just introduced the H’ness CB350 which was specifically developed for India. Now, Kawasaki is gearing up to introduce its W175 compact displacement roadster in the country.
    Kawasaki W175
    A test mule of the Kawasaki W175 has been spotted for the first time in India, bolstering the previous reports that the company is considering it for our market. When launched, the W175 will be the most affordable model in the brand’s Indian lineup.
    With its utterly simply design characterized by a circular headlamp, slender fuel tank and a long saddle, the Kawasaki W175 oozes classic appeal. Interestingly, there is not a lot of chrome, and that is a good thing. A simple mud-guard mounted taillight, spoke wheels, fork gaiters and single-pod instrument cluster further add to the motorcycle’s old-school appeal.
    Specifications
    Just like its modest design, there is nothing particularly special about the Kawasaki W175’s technical specifications. Power comes from a single-cylinder, air-cooled 177 cc engine which breathes via a carburetor in markets like Indonesia and Philippines. However, the BS6 emission norms in India is likely force the motorcycle to adopt electronic fuel injection.
    Kawasaki W175 Spied in Pune
    In its carebureted avatar, the motor produces a sedate 13.05 hp and 13.2 Nm of torque. The motorcycle employs a 5-speed gearbox. With a kerb weight of 126 kg, the Kawasaki W175 is a light roadster which targets people who prefer a relaxed and unhurried riding style.
    The motorcycle is equipped with telescopic front forks, twin rear shock absorbers, a single front disc and rear drum brake. The India-spec version will be equipped with a single-channel ABS.
    India launch
    The Kawasaki W175 is most likely to be assembled locally but we doubt if the company can match the localization levels of its intended rivals. With an estimated price tag of around INR 1.40 lakhs (ex-showroom), the classic Kawasaki will have a lot of modern, better equipped and more powerful rivals to fend off.
    It will lock horns with the likes of Honda Hornet 2.0, TVS Apache RTR 200, Hero Xtreme 160R, and so on. The motorcycle would be hoping to take advantage of the residual brand recall Kawasaki has in the Indian small displacement market. It would be a positioned as a brand shaper rather than a full fledged volume generator. Kawasaki’s relatively limited dealership network would also make it challenging to realize the W175’s full potential.
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    Evoke Urban Classic Electric Motorcycle Spied In India – Launch Soon

    Evoke Urban Classic Electric Motorcycle
    Evoke Motorcycles earlier planned to set foot in India an entry-level bike named ‘Project M1’

    Electric two-wheeler manufacturer Evoke’s first electric bike has officially landed in India ahead of its launch. First unit of Urban Classic electric motorcycle has been unboxed in what could be Evoke Motorcycles first showroom in India or at a hall for private presentation.
    Pictures of the same have been posted by Tesla Club India on Twitter. Evoke is a Chinese brand which claims to sell the fastest electric bikes in Asia. Apart from the Urban Classic power cruiser, Evoke currently retails Evoke Urban S, the cruiser’s naked twin in global markets.
    Evoke Urban Classic Electric Motorcycle
    Dimensions
    There are no further details attached to the images which might give us some additional information. Speaking of Urban Classic, the electric bike is 2,030 mm long and 710 mm wide plus it has a wheelbase of 1,380mm. It has a saddle height of 760mm and a ground clearance of a meagre 130mm. The electric power cruiser has a kerb weight of 179 kg and it gets a payload capacity of 150 kg.
    Hardware & Features
    Coming to its dynamics, the Urban Classic rolls on a 3.00×17-inch alloy wheel at front and 6.00×17-inch wheel at rear. These are wrapped by 110/70 sections of tyres at front and 180/55 at rear. Anchoring duties are carried out dual 300×4 mm disc brakes with dual 4-piston hydraulic callipers at front and 220×4 mm disc brake with 2-piston hydraulic calliper at rear.
    Specs
    Evoke Urban Classic Electric Motorcycle
    Max Power
    19 kW (26 ps)
    Max Torque
    86 ft-lb (116 Nm)
    Drive
    Hub motor
    Battery
    8.4 kWh Lithium ion
    Battery Life
    2 Lakh kms
    Charger
    3.6 kW
    0-80% Charging Time
    90 minutes
    Top Speed
    130 kmph
    Max Range
    200 kms
    0-60 kmph
    3 seconds
    0-100 kmph
    6 seconds
    Front Brake
    300mm Dual Disc
    Rear Brake
    220mm Single Disc CBS
    Front Tyre
    110/70 – R17
    Rear Tyre
    180/55 – R17
    Front Suspension
    USD Forks
    Rear Suspension
    Monoshock
    Kerb Wt
    179 kgs
    Carrying Capacity
    150 kgs
    Wheelbase
    1380 mm
    Length
    2030mm
    Width
    710mm
    Seat Ht
    760mm
    Ground Clearance
    130mm
    Ride Modes
    Pro, City, ECO
    Console
    Digital
    Reverse Gear
    Yes
    Lights
    LED
    Regen Braking
    Yes
    Price
    USD 8,499 (Rs 6.32 lakhs)
    Strangely there is no ABS on offer but a CBS does the job. Suspension duties at the front are carried out by a 42 mm inverted fork while at the rear it is taken care by an adjustable mono-shock unit.
    Some of the notable features on board are LCD touchscreen instrument console, LED headlights, multiple riding modes namely- Pro, City and Eco; and diamond-stitched Tibetan leather seats. Evoke Urban Classic is offered in two paint schemes- Galaxy Black and Oceanic Blue.

    Powertrain
    In terms of its powertrains, a 19 kW hub motor mounted on the rear wheel draws power from an 8.42 kWh Lithium-ion NMC battery pack. This setup returns an output of 26 PS of maximum power and 117 Nm of peak torque. It can achieve a top speed of 130 kmph and claims a 0-60 kmph acceleration in 3 seconds flat.
    The claimed range on the battery pack on single-charge is 200 km. Evoke provides its customers with a 3.6 kW charger which juices the battery from 0-80 percent in just 90 minutes.

    As per earlier reports, Evoke was initially planning to introduce a new entry-level bike codenamed ‘Project M1’ in India. The planned localisation level of this electric motorcycle was kept at 70 percent to keep its cost in check. It was to compete with other 125-150cc bikes in the Indian market. On the other hand, Evoke Urban Classic is offered at a price of USD 8,499 which translates to INR 6.33 lakh.
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