More stories

  • in

    Bajaj Explains Why Freedom CNG Tank Is 2 Kgs And Not More To Give Higher Range

    Bajaj Freedom CNG TankWhile a bigger CNG tank will mean fewer visits to the gas station, a motorcycle has inherent limitations due to its compact sizeWhen an entirely new product is launched, it is natural for people to have various questions and queries. At the Q&A session held during the launch event of Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG bike, the panellists responded to the queries and provided some valuable insights.Why Bajaj Freedom 125 couldn’t get a bigger CNG tank?Petrol powered 125cc commuter bikes usually have fuel tank capacity of around 10-11 litres. But in the case of Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG bike, the total fuel capacity is 2 Kg of CNG and 2 litres of petrol. Bajaj claims mileage of 102 km per kg for the CNG and around 65 km per litre with petrol. The overall range comes around at 330 km. While this seems quite adequate, many people may frown upon the limited 2+2 fuel carrying capacity.Bajaj Freedom CNGResponding to a question why Freedom 125 does not get a larger CNG tank of say 4-5 kgs, which will increase the ride range on full tank to 500+ kms, the panellists provided all the technical details. The two main reasons for not having a larger CNG tank include the cost involved and the limited capacity of the bike. Just looking at the CNG tank placed under the seat reveals the huge size. Bajaj is using high-quality PESO certified CNG tanks, made from thick sheet metal.The CNG tank itself weighs 16 kg, probably making it the second heaviest single component of the bike after the engine. Add 2 kg of CNG and the weight reaches 18 kg. With the heavy duty CNG tank and supporting safety equipment, Bajaj Freedom 125 has a kerb weight of 149 kg. This is already much higher than petrol-powered 125cc bikes. For example, Honda Shine 125 weighs 113 kg whereas Hero Super Splendor has kerb weight of 123 kg.Impact on ride dynamicsAdding any more weight to Freedom 125 would have impacted the bike’s ride dynamics. Fuel efficiency could also have been reduced. The large size of the fuel tank clearly shows that there’s hardly any space to accommodate a larger CNG tank. Explanation from Bajaj regarding why the CNG tank is 2 kgs capacity can be seen in the video below from 35:10 mark.[embedded content]Cost constraintsAnother reason for not having a larger CNG fuel tank relates to the cost aspects. The entire dual-fuel CNG + petrol setup is quite expensive. Adding a larger CNG tank will probably necessitate new components, especially for safety reasons. The CNG tank itself is quite expensive. As Bajaj was aiming at a starting price of less than Rs 1 lakh, the 2 kg CNG tank was just right from the cost perspective.Refuelling challengesThe Q&A panellists also talked about the prevailing CNG dispensing pressure at gas stations. At around 180 to 200 bars, the pressure may not be enough to fully utilize the available storage space. The panellists requested gas suppliers to increase the dispensing pressure to around 350 bar. This will allow more CNG to be filled in the same available space.In the future, Bajaj may take measures to reduce the weight of the CNG bike. For that, one of the options is to use composite materials. Such steps will be taken after the cost aspects are taken care of. More

  • in

    Xiaomi SU7 Electric Car Showcased In India – 10th Anniversary Celebration

    Xiaomi SU7 ElectricXiaomi India is celebrating its 10th anniversary – As part of the celebrations, the company has showcased their first electric carXiaomi, a global tech leader, celebrated its 10-year anniversary in India by unveiling the Xiaomi SU7. This launch is a key part of their “Human x Car x Home” smart ecosystem, highlighting Xiaomi’s vision for a seamlessly integrated, intelligent future.Xiaomi Electric Car in IndiaXiaomi SU7 is the first electric car from the company. Xiaomi SU7 is a part of the company’s plans with global investment of US$ 10 billion in the automotive sector. In Chinese markets, this electric sedan, which commenced deliveries in March 2024, has already seen over 70,000 bookings with targets to deliver 1,00,000 units by the end of this year.Xiaomi SU7 ElectricWhere its styling is concerned, the SU7 has been developed in-house under the leadership of Sawyer Li – Xiaomi’s Head of Design, who has also been instrumental in the design of cars like the BMW iX and Circular Vision Concept, during his five-year stint with the German automaker prior to joining Xiaomi.This display is exclusively to test customer interest and gauge market dynamics of an electric model that rivals the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT in its segment. In Indian markets it will take on established electric models such as the BYD Seal EV, BMW i3, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6.Xiaomi SU7 ElectricXiaomi SU7 electric sedan comes in three variants — SU7 standard, SU7 Pro and SU7 Max. It measures 4,997mm in length, 1,963mm in width and 1,455mm in height. It is positioned on a 3,000mm long wheelbase and comes in with a 105 liter front trunk called a frunk and a 517 liter boot at the rear offering abundant storage space. Its sleek exterior lines relate to better drag coefficient of 0.195 while Xiaomi also promises a high structural makeup for better safety.Xiaomi SU7 ElectricXiaomi SU7 comes in with the latest technology. It is offered with Xiaomi Pilot offered on the Pro and Max variants while it also sports one LiDAR, 11 HD cameras and NVIDIA Drive Orin computing platform.  It supports autonomous driving which can be activated for highway driving, self-parking and to summon the vehicle.Xiaomi SU7 ElectricThe cabin also exudes the latest in technology with a 16.1 inch 3K central console, 56 inch HUD display unit and 7.1 inch rotating dashboard. Passengers at the rear have access to two mounts for tablet devices. Air conditioning gets automatically activated and lights get switched on depending on location and time of day.Xiaomi SU7 – PerformanceXiaomi SU7 is presented in two versions of rear wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The rear wheel drive draws its power via a 400V electric motor with a rear mounted Hyper Engine V6 electric motor offering 295 hp power and 400 Nm torque. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h is achieved in 5.28 seconds. The all-wheel drive versions – SU7 Max is much more powerful with an 800 V architecture and dual electric motors offering 664 hp power and 838 Nm torque. Acceleration from 0-100 kmph is possible in a record time of 2.78 seconds. Top speed is at 265 km/h. Range is up to 800 kms.PS – The Xiaomi SU7 was brought to India solely for showcase purposes. It is not for sale in the Indian market. More

  • in

    Royal Enfield Electric Bike Design Patent Leaked – Launch In 2025?

    Royal Enfield Electric Bike Design PatentWhile the recently patented Royal Enfield electric bike concept has Girder forks, production version may have regular telescopic forksIn a rather surprising turn of events, a new motorcycle design patent has been leaked on the internet and is attracting a lot of eyeballs. Rightfully so, as this design patent is for the upcoming Royal Enfield electric vehicle. However, the question remains whether Royal Enfield will launch this very bike or is it just a concept that they will showcase at 2025 Auto Expo? Let’s take a look.Royal Enfield Electric BikeThe journey of an automaker today depends a lot on their ability to evolve with changing times. Let’s take legacy bike makers like Royal Enfield. The electric future is not very exciting for them. That’s because their entire fanbase is built on the feel and character of motorcycles they sold in the yesteryears.Royal Enfield Electric Bike Design Patent LeakedThat said, Royal Enfield is bravely soldiering on and is foraying into electric realm. Yup! A legacy iconic motorcycle maker like Royal Enfield is coming up with an electric bike and has patented the same in India.Looking at the design of this motorcycle, it reminds us of Royal Enfield Electrik 01 Concept that was leaked a couple of years ago. This is a low-slung cruiser style motorcycle that is likely to pack enough oomph to be comparable with Royal Enfield’s own 350cc motorcycle range.Royal Enfield Electric Bike Design Patent LeakedRoyal Enfield has designed an all-new frame that signifies style as well as function. This stylistically pleasing frame engulfs the bike’s battery case along with a “fuel tank” which may hold bike’s electronics and other control systems, instead of petrol. There is no traditional subframe and the bike has a custom swingarm that somehow reminds me of Himalayan 450.The main frame also has a few side body panels like other bikes. Rear mudguard is round and in keeping with Classic genre. Battery casing has subtle “fins” mimicking Royal Enfield’s air-cooled engine portfolio. Round headlight, down-positioned front turn indicators, round ORVM and single seat setup are notable elements.Will it launch, though?The main highlight, however, is the front suspension setup where we can see girder forks, similar to what we saw on Electrik 01 Concept. Girder forks is such an old concept that I never encountered it in my 4 years of Automobile Engineering degree. Like an outdated relic in today’s world.Royal Enfield Electric Motorcycle RenderGirder forks have two girder arms holding wheel from either side. A top dogbone connects front fork assembly to bike’s mainframe. With bikes getting faster around the corner over the years, Girder forks were considered ineffective and replaced with more modern and robust telescopic forks.So, Royal Enfield electric bike design patent is not likely to be production-spec. Instead, it can be a concept for Royal Enfield to showcase in the upcoming auto shows. Patenting design of concept vehicles is a fairly common practice. Production-spec model might get fatter tyres than seen in this patent and USD front forks. Performance might be around the same ballpark as their 350cc bikes.Royal Enfield Electric Motorcycle More

  • in

    Tata Curvv EV SUV Coupe Teased Ahead Of Launch – Coming Soon

    New Tata Curvv EVTata Curvv will not only boast of a striking exterior design but will also display a strong road presence due to its size and stance along with high ground clearanceIt may be recalled that the Tata Curvv was showcased as a concept in 2022 following which it made its debut at the 2023 Auto Expo. It was also on display at the 2024 Bharat Mobility Show held in February this year and now is ready for official launch. Tata Motors has shared a new teaser which confirms the launch is near.Tata Curvv EV SUV Coupe TeasedTata Motors gears up for its first offering in the coupe-SUV segment with the new Curvv. It will be launched as an EV first and later with a petrol / diesel engine. Once launched, Curvv EV will take on MG ZS EV along with the upcoming Hyundai Creta EV and Maruti Suzuki eVX.A new icon – A new silhouette – An SUV coupé#TataCURVV #TataCurvvEV – coming soon. ?#SUVCoupe #ShapedForYou? #TataEV #TataMotors #TataMotorsPassengerVehiclesT&C apply pic.twitter.com/Jw4MllvFCT— Tata Motors Cars (@TataMotors_Cars) July 6, 2024The new Curvv will be positioned on Tata’s Generation 2 platform, which supports both electric and ICE powertrains. While it will follow the same design language as seen on the new Nexon, Harrier and Safari, it also gets some design elements unique to itself with flush fitted door handles, revised headlamp and fog lamp housing.It also gets a sloping roofline giving it a sportier stance, squared wheel arches with 18 inch, multi spoke wheels in a flower petal design and high ground clearance. Other exterior features will include vertically stacked headlamps, new LED tail lamps, a shark fin antenna and roof rails.Tata Curvv EV TeasedTata Curvv will also receive a plethora of driver and passenger cabin comforts. These will be via a 12.3 inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 10.25 inch driver display unit, touch controls for air conditioning, rotary dial for drive modes, ventilated seating in the front and new gear lever. It will also woo buyers with its large panoramic glass roof and a host of safety features, among which are 6 airbags, 360 degree camera and an Advanced ADAS system with autonomous emergency braking system, adaptive cruise control, etc.Tata Curvv EV TeasedTata Curvv – Power and PerformanceTata Curvv ICE is slated to draw its power via the same petrol and diesel engine lineup as seen on the Nexon. This 1.2 liter, 3 cylinder turbo-petrol unit will offer 118 hp power and 170 Nm torque. It will also get a 1.5 liter, 4 cylinder diesel engine making 113 hp power and 260 Nm torque. Gearbox options could include a 6 speed manual, 6 speed AMT or 7 speed DCT.The Curvv EV will be built on Tata’s dedicated Acti.ev architecture, a platform specifically designed for electric vehicles. While detailed technical specifications have not yet been disclosed, it is anticipated that the Curvv EV will come in two versions: Standard Range and Long Range. These versions are expected to feature different battery packs, offering a claimed range of approximately 500 km. Prices are expected to be in the Rs 20 lakh bracket for the Curvv EV. More

  • in

    Bajaj Freedom CNG Crash Tested – Truck Drives Over CNG Tank To Test Safety

    Bajaj Freedom CNG Crash TestedHaving passed multiple frontal, side and rear collision tests, Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG bike guarantees a high level of safetyWhile Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG bike’s primary USP is its 100 km/kg mileage, safety systems are also pretty robust. The CNG tank is enclosed within a strong trellis frame and further secured with an additional tank shield. The CNG tank itself is certified by PESO (Petroleum & Explosive Safety Organization), thereby meeting government mandated safety standards.Bajaj Freedom 125 crash tested internallyBajaj has utilized a unique setup for its CNG bike. Multiple innovations have been applied in terms of placement of the CNG tank, fitting a sloper engine and achieving adequate control and balance. To ensure that Freedom 125 meets user expectations, the bike has undergone rigorous and comprehensive safety testing. It includes frontal, side and rear impact tests.Bajaj Freedom CNG Crash TestedIn one of the frontal collision tests, the bike can be seen hitting a 1.5-ton load head-on. With both the bike and the load moving towards each other, the relative speed of the bike is 60 km/h. The 1.5-ton load is comparable to an SUV like Hyundai Alcazar that weighs 1,435 kg. Even after such a high impact collision, the CNG tank of Freedom 125 stays in prime condition.The position of the CNG tank remains unchanged and there’s hardly any dents or scratch marks. The pressure gauge stays in the original position, revealing that there is no CNG leakage. Bajaj Freedom 125 CNG bike has also passed side impact tests and vertical drop tests. In all these tests, there was no damage to the CNG tank or leakage issue.Bajaj Freedom CNG Crash TestedTruck Runover TestGoing a step further, Bajaj has even put the Freedom 125 under the wheels of a 10-ton truck. This may seem like a crude way of testing, but the results are certainly in favour of Freedom 125. Even when completely run over by the 10-ton truck’s rear wheels, the CNG tank remains intact. Its position is unchanged and the pressure gauge does not indicate any leaks.[embedded content]Other safety tests performed on the bike include CNG valve impact test, 50 KG filling unit strength test and 20G pull out test. All of these are as per the safety norms mandated by the government for CNG vehicles. Such rigorous testing dispels doubts that some people may have about using a CNG bike.Bookings open for Maharashtra, GujaratBajaj will be introducing the Freedom 125 CNG bike across India in a phased manner. Bookings are currently open for Maharashtra and Gujarat locations. Three variants are on offer, with prices starting at Rs 95,000.Bajaj Freedom 125 CNGA pan-India rollout will take several years, as CNG is yet to reach several districts in the country. Some states have a much higher penetration of CNG in comparison to other states. For example, Gujarat has CNG availability in 100% of its districts, whereas Telangana has CNG pumps in only 27% of its districts (As of Dec 2023). North eastern states like Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya and Sikkim have zero CNG availability. More

  • in

    Bajaj Freedom CNG Bike Launch Price Rs 95K – 102km/kg Mileage!

    Bajaj Freedom CNG Bike LaunchWhen compared to typical Petrol-only commuters, Bajaj Freedom CNG bike claims 102 km/kg mileage (fuel efficiency)In a world’s first, Bajaj Auto has launched Freedom 125 CNG+Petrol Bi-fuel capable motorcycle that takes on the likes of highly frugal Petrol-only commuter offerings. Priced at an introductory Rs 95,000 (Ex-sh), Bajaj Auto is rewriting the rule book for commuters and has set a new benchmark in fuel efficiency and running costs.Bajaj Freedom CNG Bike LaunchedEvery once in a while, Bajaj Auto surprises motorcycling fraternity with aggressive pricing on their products. We witnessed this with the launch of Pulsar NS400Z at Rs 1.8 lakh (Ex-sh). This time around, Bajaj has pulled similar strings with their first-ever Freedom 125 CNG motorcycle by pricing it at Rs 95,000 (Ex-sh).Bajaj Freedom CNG Bike Launch PriceFreedom will be offered in 3 variants – Drum, Drum LED and Disc LED. There are as many as 7 shades. Overall design and aesthetics of Bajaj Freedom is of a a stylish and reasonably premium and adventure-ish 125cc commuter. Bajaj has gone with an ADV-inspired design and silhouette with quite a few retro ques to appeal to the masses.The formula seems to be working fine and Bajaj Freedom looks fairly handsome in person. A round headlight, a subtle flyscreen, an extremely long and accommodating seat, and a stubby fuel tank are notable design highlights. The tall ground clearance, handlebar brace, knuckle guards, and other attributes lend a confident stance and ADV appeal.Bajaj Freedom CNG Bike coloursTank shrouds, engine cowl, beefy suspension coversand rear tyre hugger lend the bike some muscle. While alloy wheels are standard, top variants get a front disc brake option as well. Instrument cluster is digital and shows both CNG and Petrol levels. CNG to Petrol and vice versa can be done from a dedicated toggle on the switchgear. This unit supports Bluetooth connectivity too.Specs and PowertrainMeat of the matter is the new Bi-fuel CNG+Petrol capable 125cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine of the new Bajaj Freedom. This state-of-the-art engine is capable of running on both Petrol and CNG at rider’s discretion. This way, riders can enjoy the vast cost benefits of CNG and the convenience of Petrol fuel, owing to the extensive fuel stations, as opposed to CNG stations.Bajaj FreedomThis engine is capable of offering 9.5 PS peak power, 9.7 Nm peak torque and a very impressive mileage (fuel efficiency). When switched to CNG, the performance dulls out, but the efficiency is unlike anything else. There is a 2kg CNG tank and a 2L petrol tank with a total of 330 km range. The 2kg CNG is good for around 200 km range with 102 km/kg and an additional 130 km range with 67 km/l from 2L petrol.Bajaj quoted running costs analysis for the Freedom 125 CNG and it is around Rs 1 per km, which is just uncanny and out of this world. After Freedom, Bajaj intends to launch more CNG vehicles, depending on market reception. There is no news yet, regarding a CNG Pulsar 125. But the prospect is attractive. More

  • in

    Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Specs Leak – Tyre Size, Wheelbase, Weight

    Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 RenderRivals for Guerrilla 450 include Speed 400, X440, Mavrick 440, 390 Duke, Yezdi Roadster, CB300R, Apache RTR 310, G 310 R and othersWith the launch date announced, Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 is garnering a massive spotlight to itself. It is easily the most anticipated motorcycle in India and has attracted the eyeballs of motorcycling enthusiasts worldwide. Ahead of launch on July 17th, 2024, Guerrilla 450 specs have been leaked and they are rather interesting. Let’s take a look.Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Specs LeakUshering into the single-cylinder performance motorcycle segment, Royal Enfield is expanding its Sherpa 450-based portfolio with a new Roadster-style offering. Like the Himalayan 450, it will be featuring Himalayan’s new chassis (at least the main frame) and the Sherpa 450 engine in a stripped-down manner to save on precious weight.Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Top and Base Variants. Credit – Bullet GuruGuerrilla 450 will be positioned as a Roadster, without the touring and off-roading hardware along with dimensions of Himalayan 450. Recent leaks have suggested Guerrilla 450 will be a smaller motorcycle and more importantly, lighter than its ADV sibling. How much smaller or lighter? Let’s see.The leak by warmfishsalad mentions Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 will measure 2,134 mm in length, 834 mm in width, 1,115 mm in height, and pack a 1,491 mm long wheelbase. This makes Guerrilla 450 111 mm shorter in length, 18 mm narrower, 201 mm shorter in height, and 19 mm shorter in wheelbase.Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Top Variant With Tripper DashWhere weight is concerned, the leak positions Guerrilla 450 at 183 kg, which is not as light as we would have hoped. Especially considering its rival, Honda CB300R, weighs just 146 kg. However, when compared to Himalayan 450 at 196 kg, Guerrilla 450 is 13 kg lighter as suggested by the leaks.Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Base Variant With Semi Analog Speedo and Tripper ScreenUnique engine tuneApart from changing the bike’s design and genre, Royal Enfield has also changed Guerrilla 450’s engine parameters to establish a unique character. As suggested by Guerrilla 450 specs leaked, there is 39.52 bhp of peak power at 8,000 RPM and 40 Nm of peak torque at 5,500 RPM. Give or take, the same metrics as Himalayan 450.What proved to be the most interesting aspect of this leak was Guerrilla 450’s tyre size. While every single one of its rivals is offering smaller or equal to 110-section front and 150-section at the rear, the leaks suggest Guerrilla 450 gets a 120-section front and 160-section rear tyre. This combination is seen with more expensive offerings like the Benelli Leoncino 500 and Kawasaki Z650.Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 RenderAs seen with previous spy shots taken during TVC shoots, Guerrilla 450 base model offers a semi-analog instrument cluster from the Meteor lineup with a Tripper Screen accessory and top model offers the Tripper Dash from Himalayan 450. Price-wise, the base model is estimated to undercut most of its rivals. Say, a ballpark of Rs 2.3 lakh (Ex-sh)? More

  • in

    Bajaj CNG – Petrol Bike Switch And Engine Teased Ahead Of Launch

    Bajaj CNG Bike Launch TeaserAs CNG is less performance oriented, upcoming Bajaj CNG bike with a probable 125cc engine is likely to perform close to a 100cc engineIndia is the world’s largest 2W and 3W vehicle market and is vastly dominated by budget commuter offerings. That said, this segment has been kind of stagnant with mechanical upgrades. So, OEMs are resorting to making these vehicles more feature loaded and gimmicky to draw buyers and establish relevance.Bajaj CNG Bike SwitchHowever, Bajaj Auto is taking a different route and is chasing the all-important higher mileage (fuel efficiency) and lower running costs. Say Namaste to world’s first CNG motorcycle that will launch on 5th July, 2024 in the presence of Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Indian Government.Bajaj CNG Bike Launch TeaserSince this is a world’s first genre, Bajaj intends to play it safe by making a more rounded product, intersecting with many sub-stratums. Bajaj CNG bike is a premium motorcycle that is on par with other 125cc offerings. On top of it, it is an ADV-inspired design to appeal to that audience as well.As seen in the spy shots, there is a stubby fuel tank that should house around 5L of petrol and we can see a long seat that almost extends across the bike’s wheelbase. The CNG tank is supposedly housed beneath this long seat and should carry a decent amount (say, 4kg to 5kg worth of CNG).[embedded content]Combined, CNG and petrol fuels should enable around the same tank range of a conventional 125cc commuter motorcycle. It has muscular tank shrouds highlighted in silver that also extends to the bike’s headlights housing.Bajaj CNG Bike Launch TeaserRound headlight lends a classic appeal and adding a premium quotient (in commuter segment) are handlebar braces, knuckle guards and front disc brakes. The overall seating and layout should feel ADV-like and Bajaj is offering higher ground clearance as well.Bajaj CNG Bike Launch TeaserWhat to expect?Other interesting elements are a large side body panel, stylish and muscular belly pan, split 5-spoke design alloy wheels, a rather functional grab rail for pillions, ribbed seat, conventional RSU telescopic front forks, rear mono-shock setup, a tyre hugger and an extensive range of colours.Bajaj CNG Bike Launch TeaserWhere powertrain is concerned, Bajaj is likely to go with a 125cc engine. Considering CNG is less performant than petrol, we should expect Bajaj CNG bike to perform similarly to a 100cc bike, but yield significantly better mileage (fuel efficiency) and lower running costs. Will this touch the 100 km/kg golden figure? Only time will tell.Also read – Bajaj new Dominar under development More