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      in Electric Cars

      2024 Mahindra XUV500 Coupe SUV Spied – Or is it BE.05 Electric?

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      New Mahindra XUV500 Spied or is it BE.05 Electric Coupe SUV?It is likely that the test mule spotted is either new gen Mahindra XUV500 to rival Creta or BE.05, which is planned for launch in October 2025With the launch of XUV700, Mahindra discontinued XUV500. But they promised to bring the XUV500 back, in a new gen avatar, probably based on their futuristic BEV design language. Now, a test mule has been spied in Chennai, which could likely be the new gen XUV500 coupe SUV.It is also possible that this could be one of their new born electric SUV. Last year in August, Mahindra had unveiled its born-electric range. It includes the XUV range (XUV.e8, XUV.e9) and the BE range that has BE.05, BE.07 and BE.09. All of these are based on the born-electric INGLO platform. Apart from the new technology, the test mule also wears a unique, colourful camouflage wrapping. It is quite different from the usual black and white wrapping seen on Indian roads.2024 Mahindra XUV500 Coupe SUV or BE.05 Electric?As compared to the radical design of the concept unveiled last year, the test mule has transformed into a more practical form. While the core silhouette and design of the front fascia have been retained, the panelling is now a lot smoother. The concept version had deep grooves and sharp curves, which have been chiselled down a bit. However, BE.05 continues to have a sporty and unique styling, unlike any other Mahindra car in production right now.Some of the key highlights include C-shaped LED DRLs, sculpted tapering bonnet, squarish wheel arches and sporty alloy wheels. As compared to the concept that had camera-based rear-view assembly, the test mule can be seen with conventional ORVMs. At rear, some key features of BE.05 include a tapering roofline with sporty spoiler, prominent tail gate and full-width LED strip.New Mahindra XUV500 Spied or is it BE.05 Electric Coupe SUV?Inside, Mahindra BE.05 has two large touchscreens and sporty two-spoke steering wheel. The SUV has an aircraft-style large gear selector and a rotary control dial. The driver and front passenger area are neatly divided into two separate sections by the central console. BE.05 will have premium upholstery and soft-touch surfaces all around.New Mahindra XUV500 Spied or is it BE.05 Electric Coupe SUV?Mahindra BE.05 range, specsWhile official numbers are not available, it is expected that Mahindra BE.05 will have a range of around 400-500 km. Mahindra BEVs based on the INGLO platform will be powered by LFP battery packs. Both Blade and Prismatic cell architectures will be used. Battery packs will be in the range of  60-80 kWh. These are chargeable with high-powered 175 kW fast-chargers that can load up to 80% in less than 30 minutes.Underpinned by the INGLO platform, Mahindra BEVs including BE.05 are promising an exhilarating performance. Both rear wheel and all-wheel drive options will be available, generating 170-210 kW and 250-290 kW respectively. 0 to 100 kmph will be achievable in just 5 to 6 seconds.New Mahindra XUV500 Spied or is it BE.05 Electric Coupe SUV?BE.05 will be 4,370 mm long, 1,900 mm wide and 1,635 mm tall. It will have a wheelbase of 2,775 mm. All Mahindra BEVs will be getting a comprehensive range of advanced safety features. They will comply with leading safety benchmarks such as GNCAP. Equipped with 5 Radars-1 Vision ADAS architecture, Mahindra BEVs based on INGLO platform are future ready up to L2+ autonomy. More

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      in Bike

      2023 Hero HF Deluxe Launch Price Rs 60k – New Colours, USB Charging, Tubeless Tyres

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      2023 Hero HF Deluxe LaunchedUpdates to 2023 Hero HF Deluxe will allow improved competencies against rivals like recently launched Honda Shine 100One of the popular entry-level commuters in the country, HF Deluxe is the second bestselling bike in Hero MotoCorp’s portfolio. It is already a member of the 20-million sales club. With the updates, HF Deluxe will be looking to achieve new milestones and ensure a better overall experience for users.With new features, 2023 HF Deluxe has improved capabilities to take on rivals. It continues to be affordably priced, starting at Rs 60,760 for the kick-start variant. The self-start variant is priced at Rs 66,408.Hero HF Deluxe – What’s newFor folks who prefer sportier styling, Hero has introduced a new Canvas Black Edition of HF Deluxe. It’s essentially an all-black theme that covers the headlamp cowl, engine, leg guard, fuel tank, exhaust pipe, alloy wheels and grab rails. The handlebar, telescopic front forks and rear suspension retain the shiny chrome finish, creating an exciting contrast with the blacked-out theme. The Canvas Black Edition gets 3D HF Deluxe emblem on side panels, adding more character to the bike.2023 HF Deluxe also gets a new stripes portfolio, which is a new graphics theme for the bike. The new sporty graphics significantly enhances the bike’s visual appeal. The new stripes graphics can be seen on the headlamp cowl, fuel tank, side panels and under-seat panels. Users can choose from four different colour options under HF Deluxe stripes portfolio. It includes Nexus Blue, Candy Blazing Red, Heavy Grey with Black and Black with Sports Red.2023 Hero HF Deluxe LaunchedIn terms of equipment, HF Deluxe now offers a USB charger. Alloy wheels with tubeless tyres have also been introduced with Self and Self i3S variants. Other highlights include side stand indicator and toe guard. Hero is offering five years warranty as standard, along with five free services with HF Deluxe.Hero HF Deluxe – Performance, specsThere are no changes to mechanical aspects of the bike. Powering HF Deluxe is a 97.2cc air cooled, 4 stroke, single cylinder OHC BS-VI (OBD-II compliant) Programmed Fuel Injection engine with ‘XSens Technology’. Hero XSens offers a range of benefits such as high fuel efficiency, longer engine life, stable rides, effortless acceleration and minimal maintenance.The engine churns out 8.02 PS of max power and 8.05 Nm of peak torque. This is the same as that of 100cc Splendor Plus. The engine is mated to a 4-speed gearbox. Rival Honda Shine has a 98.98 cc engine, producing 7.38 PS and 8.05 Nm.2023 Hero HF Deluxe Launched2023 HF Deluxe is 1965 mm long, 720 mm wide and 1045 mm tall. It has a wheelbase of 1,235 mm. Seat height is 805 mm. With ground clearance of 165 mm, HF Deluxe can tackle a wide variety of terrain. The bike has a long seat length of 733 mm, which makes it suitable for pillion riders as well as for carrying heavy cargo. Kerb weight of 112 kg (self-start) ensures stability at high speeds. More

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      in Bike

      New KTM 390 Duke production starts – Gets bigger 399cc engine?

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      New KTM 390 Duke production startsThe new engine on 2023 KTM 390 Duke will probably displace 399cc as opposed to 373cc in outgoing model – 45+ bhp and 40+ Nm torque is possibleProspect of a new KTM 390 Duke is an exciting one. For there are a lot of updates coming with it. From a revised engine to new design, this 2023 update for KTM’s highest selling motorcycle is an important one. The updates on this will define other motorcycles like RC 390 and 390 Adventure as well.Launch seems to be nearing as there are more spy shots of production-spec models. The recent spy shot shows an uncamouflaged new KTM 390 Duke from the front at what appears to be Bajaj manufacturing plant in Pune. We can see a bunch of Pulsar motorcycles in the background.New KTM 390 Duke spied againThe last sighting of this motorcycle was abroad and on road and it didn’t feature camouflage too. Given the frequent sightings, we would wager that launch might be nearing. KTM is yet to disclose whether the new 390 Duke will debut in India or abroad.Regardless, we like what we see. KTM has stuck to its edgy design language but executed it differently with its latest iteration. There are multiple inspirations from the bigger 1290 Super Duke R. Even the new 390 Duke’s colour is a direct inspiration from Super Duke R. Headlights follow a similar theme as the outgoing model, but executed differently.New KTM 390 Duke production startsLED DRL signature is now not continuous as in the outgoing model and is an overall smaller unit. There is a new TFT display as well. KTM has placed it higher for easy visibility. Fuel tank is slightly different and gets pronounced tank shrouds. These lend a lot of character and aggression to the motorcycle. Frame and new 5-spoke alloys are finished in bright Orange, typical KTM.That said, both alloys and trellis frame are brand new along with rear subframe, split design seats and rear tail lights. There is a ‘T’ shape in the tail light LED signature that reminds me of TVS Ronin’s headlight LED signature. Disc rotors are now bolted directly on alloys and calipers are radially mounted too as before.Has displacement gone up to 399cc?The main change could be in its engine. A new engine architecture is evident from spy shots. Speculations suggest a larger 399cc displacement along with 45+ bhp of power and 40+ Nm of torque. For context, outgoing 390 Duke displaces 373cc and generates 42.9 bhp of power and 37 Nm of torque.Bump in features is likely too. We expect additions like traction control and cornering ABS, both of which are already present with RC 390 and 390 Adventure. Asking for wheelie control would be pushing it a little. That said, features like Quickshifter+ (bi-directional clutchless shifts), ride-by-wire, Bluetooth connectivity, will be on offer like on the outgoing model. More

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      in Electric Cars

      Tata Punch Electric production spec render – Minor facelift, New colours

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      Tata Punch Electric RenderExpected to be launched soon, Tata Punch EV will take on rivals such as Citroen eC3 and MG Comet EVElectric car segment is gaining traction and it’s good to see the rise in the number of options available to consumers. In terms of volumes, Tata Motors currently leads with market share of more than 75%. Tata is among the OEMs that were able to anticipate the shift to EVs. It is something similar to how Maruti saw an opportunity in CNG and has emerged a leader in that space.With more electric cars on the road now and several new models under development, it is imperative for Tata to expand its EV portfolio. Towards that end, Tata’s next offering will be Punch EV. Considering the immense popularity of petrol-powered Punch, it will be safe to assume that its electric version is primed for success.Punch EV styling and featuresPunch EV exteriors will be largely the same as its ICE-based sibling. Based on the leaked spy shots, Pratyush Rout has created a digital render of the upcoming Tata Punch Electric. Punch EV will continue with the same front fascia as that of petrol-powered Punch. It will have a charging port at the rear. In case of both Nexon EV and Tiago EV also, the charging port is located at the rear.Punch EV is likely to get some unique badging on the front grille that will indicate towards the car’s electric heart. As compared to the ICE variant, Punch EV could get other set of changes as well. For example, a recently spotted test mule was seen with rear disc brakes. Existing petrol-powered Punch has disc brakes at front and drum brakes at rear.Tata Punch Electric RenderFeatures on the inside will be largely the same as that of ICE-based Punch. It includes a floating 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 7-inch TFT instrument cluster, premium upholstery, flat bottom steering wheel, automatic climate control and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.Tata Punch Electric RenderInteriors of the test mule revealed a rotary dial, which means the car could get an electronic parking brake. Nexon EV Max already has this feature. It works automatically by default and can also be controlled manually.Tata Punch EV rangeA range of around 300 km seems apt for Tata Punch EV. As Tata will be looking to achieve an affordable price point, a smaller battery pack could be used. The battery pack and electric powertrain could be borrowed from Tiago or a tweaked version could be used. For reference, Tiago EV is available in two range options, 250 km and 315 km.Tata Punch Electric RenderSome upgrades could be expected with Punch EV, as Tata has been consistently improving its Ziptron electric vehicle platform. Drive modes of Eco, City and Sport will be available. Talking about rivals, recently launched MG Comet EV can travel 230 km on a full charge. Citroen eC3 does better with a range of 320 km.Disclaimer – Design renders presented in this blog are solely for illustrative purposes and have not been commissioned, approved, or endorsed by the manufacturer. Designs presented here may not reflect the final product or the manufacturer’s intentions. The renders are provided as conceptual designs or artistic interpretations only, and their accuracy or feasibility cannot be guaranteed. More

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      in Bike

      New Harley Davidson X440 Debuts – Made in India by Hero MotoCorp

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      New Harley Davidson X440Looking at some of the images, it seems that Harley-Davidson X 440 has stupendous lean angles, which could translate to a sporty characterHero and Harley-Davidson partnership has unveiled their first new motorcycle – the X440. It will take on the Royal Enfield motorcycles upon launch. In typical American fashion, this affordable Harley-Davidson Roadster comes with a larger engine than Royal Enfield. Going by past Harley offerings, the 440 in X440 will be its displacement.It is a single-cylinder unit with oil-cooling setup and fins for air-cooling. Even though Hero MotoCorp manufactures it in India, Harley-Davidson likely designed the X440. Launch is still distant, but a starting price of Rs. 2.5 lakh (ex-sh) for a barebones model and Rs. 3 lakh for all the bells and whistles is possible.New Harley Davidson X440 DebutsWe see a lot of inspiration from Harley’s Nightster in its muscular fuel tank, round headlight, round speedo on top of its headlight, wide handlebars and minimal body panels. Headlight gets ring-like LED projectors with a horizontal pill-shaped element above them, reading Harley-Davidson.Circular turn indicators have a Harley-Davidson logo in them, a nice attention to detail. At the rear, there is a pill-shaped LED tail light. The circular instrument cluster seems to be a negative LCD unit. But we hope it is a TFT unit with Bluetooth connectivity enabling navigation, calls and notifications.New Harley Davidson X440From a lot of angles, this affordable Harley-Davidson looks like a smaller Iron 883. This might literally be true where the engine is concerned. Hero MotoCorp might use this new powertrain on their upcoming Xpulse as well.Powertrain & ComponentryMade by Hero MotoCorp in India, Harley Davidson X440 is powered by an air/oil-cooled single-cylinder unit with a single exhaust. We expect it to have a 4V head and make around 30 bhp and much higher torque (around 40 Nm), spread primarily in the mid-range. A 6-speed gearbox is very likely. Rear sprocket gets a chain drive, over a belt drive. Refinement could slightly take a hit.Componentry include USD front forks, single disc setup at both ends with dual-channel ABS and equipment by Bybre, twin shock absorbers at the rear, neutral footpegs, alloy wheels, 17″ rear and 18″ front alloy wheels. All this is mounted on a tubular trellis frame. A single stepped seat, blackened engine bay, blackened exhaust are notable elements.New Harley Davidson X440Foot peg positioning looks pretty neutral and slightly higher set. This should enable impressive (from Harley’s standards) lean angles. Street Rod 750 with 210 mm ground clearance is revered as the sportiest Harley. Maybe X 440 can match it.Launch & PricingGiven the larger displacement and Harley-Davidson badge, we expect it to be priced at around Rs. 50K to 80K more premium than Royal Enfield’s 350cc portfolio. That is not a bad proposition, considering Royal Enfield doesn’t pose the same novelty factor as it used to before with large volumes already on road.New Harley Davidson X440A base variant costing around Rs. 2.5 lakh and a top-spec variant costing around Rs. 3 lakh is a good proposition for Harley-Davidson X 440. Hero MotoCorp will be its official distributor in India. Harley-Davidson X440 is different than X350 and X500 motorcycles launched in China recently. Those are based on QJ motorcycles and are China-specific. More

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      in Bike

      2023 Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Spied Testing – Gets LED Headlight

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      2023 Royal Enfield Meteor 350Meteor 350 could become the first 350cc motorcycle from Royal Enfield to feature an LED headlight setupRoyal Enfield rules the 350cc motorcycle segment. In April 2023, their sales in the 350cc segment were over 62k units. Despite having a market share of over 90% in the segment, Royal Enfield continues to be focused on updating their 350cc motorcycles.In comes MY2023 RE Meteor 350, spied testing for the first time. This particular test mule is based on top-spec Supernova trim, but features wire-spoke rims, a silver-finished engine bay and for the first time in Royal Enfield’s 350cc portfolio, an LED headlight. Let’s take a look at everything new.MY2023 RE Meteor 350 Spotted TestingWith this MY2023 update, Royal Enfield is aiming at adding a few more features to the Meteor 350. These new updates with Meteor 350 are likely to bring more retro-ness and classic-ness.We say this because Meteor 350 has always embraced a neo-retro cruiser look, instead of a classic cruiser look. Elements lending Meteor 350 a neo-retro appeal are alloy wheels and a blackened engine bay. Royal Enfield is bringing more chrome into the equation that will uplift its classic appeal considerably.2023 Royal Enfield Meteor 350More chrome is in the form of wire-spoke rims, engine bay finish (think Classic 350 Chrome Red) and headlight housing garnish. Adding more retro charm is an all-new front fender too. Rather, an all-new mud guard for the front fender brings an old-world charm of the yesteryears. Hat tip to automotive enthusiast Aditya Raja for sharing these exclusive spy shots.Mechanically similar to current modelThis new test mule is based on top-spec Supernova trim. Except for the new LED headlights, design changes and chrome additions are less likely to feature on Fireball and Stellar variants. Fuel tank is similar to the current model too. So, no 20L fuel tank like RE offered on the Thunderbird 350 and 500.Mechanically, the same 349cc J-series engine will power the MY2023 RE Meteor 350. Performance figures stand at 20.2 bhp of power at 6100 RPM and 27 Nm of torque at 4000 RPM, mated to the same 5-speed gearbox. The wire-spoke rim variant of Supernova trim along with new chrome additions will probably sell alongside existing variant with black engine bay and alloy wheel.2023 Royal Enfield Meteor 350While LED headlights will be part of the entire variant range. A small price hike could be associated with this update. Currently, Meteor 350 range costs Rs. 2.04 lakh for Fireball, Rs. 2.10 lakh for Stellar and Rs. 2.25 lakh for Supernova trims (all prices ex-sh). More

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      in Bike

      Simple One electric scooter launched – Price, Range, Specs, Warranty, Battery, Charging

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      2023 Simple One electric scooter launchedAfter a long wait, Simple One electric scooter is finally here – Delivery starts from 6th June 2023 in BangaloreOne of the most awaited electric scooter in 2023, Simple One electric scooter has been launched today at a starting price of Rs 1.45 lakh. While it seems like a late entrant in electric two-wheeler race, Simple One has potential to catch up with its range of segment-first features.Just like Ola, Simple One also has ambitious plans to emerge as a leader in electric two-wheeler segment. It will be a challenging task, but not completely out of reach. Electric two-wheeler segment has huge unlocked potential, which can be targeted by new brands. Simple One is aiming to scale faster to be able to become the number one electric two-wheeler manufacturer.Simple One electric scooterSimple One electric scooter styling and featuresSimple One electric scooter has a sporty, attractive design that will definitely find appreciation among younger audiences. The front fascia is especially fascinating and comes across as a compact version of a high-powered maxi scooter. The sharp cuts and grooves exude confidence and dominance, ensuring a strong street presence. The scooter is available in exciting colour options.Some of the key highlights of Simple One electric scooter include its triangular headlamp, prominent side panelling, compact visor, sleek turn signals and funky rear-view mirrors. The scooter has a flat seat design and offers a comfortable, upright riding stance. The entire seat is thick and wide, and long enough for proper pillion comfort. The scooter has chunky grab rails to provide adequate support to pillion riders during fast acceleration and deft manoeuvres across city streets.Simple One electric scooterSimple One is designed for everyday needs as well. There’s ample storage at the front for carrying a wide variety of items. The scooter also has 30 litres of under seat storage. This is big enough to accommodate a full-face helmet. Due to its unique design format exposing the rear wheels, Simple One has equipped the scooter with a saree guard.Simple One electric scooterSimple One electric scooter offers tons of tech including an intuitive smart digital dashboard, smartphone pairing, access to calls and music, screen customization options and turn-by-turn navigation. Users can access a range of connectivity features such as remote commands, remote locking, geo fencing, ride statistics, save and forward routes and OTA updates. Simple One mobile app will be available for both Android and Apple devices.Simple One electric scooter specs, rangePowering Simple One electric scooter is a 4.8 kWh battery pack. It connects to an 8.5 kW electric motor that churns out 72 Nm of peak torque. The scooter will be quite useful in city traffic, as it can accelerate from 0-40 kmph in just 2.77 seconds. Top speed is 105 kmph. Reaching home or office can also be achieved in quick time with a top speed of 105 kmph. The icing on the cake is a best-in-segment range of 212 km, which kind of eliminates the fear of getting stranded with a drained battery.Simple One electric scooterSimple One charging is via 750W charger. It takes 5 hours 54 minutes to charge the Simple One from 0-80% battery. Fast charging is possible, but will be launched in August. Speaking about warranty, Simple One vehicle / motor and battery warranty are at 3 years or 30k kms. Charger warranty is 1 year / 10k kms.Simple One electric scooter has patented CBS braking technology for handling its powerful performance. It has 12-inch wheels at both ends, shod with 90-90 tubeless tyres. The scooter complies with all the new safety standards, as mandated for electric two-wheelers. Simple One electric scooter has a challenging journey ahead, as it will take on popular brands such as Ather 450X, Ola S1 Pro, TVS iQube, Bajaj Chetak and Hero Vida. More

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      in Bike

      New Hero Karizma ZMR Revealed Ahead Of Launch – Gets Sporty Stance

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      2023 Hero Karizma ZMRNew-gen Karizma will be one of the several new products that Hero MotoCorp will launch to establish a strong foothold in 200cc+ motorcycle segmentWith premium motorcycle segment expected to register strong growth in the coming years, Hero MotoCorp is working on a bunch of new products. Some of these will be developed entirely by Hero MotoCorp, whereas others will be part of a joint venture such as the Hero-Harley partnership.One of the new Hero bikes will be new-gen Karizma, expected to be launched soon. It will take on rivals such as Bajaj Pulsar 250, Gixxer 250 and Dominar 250. Hero will be looking at a competitive price point for new-gen Karizma to ensure its success. Ahead of launch, Hero has now showcased the new Hero Karizma ZMR to dealers.New-gen Karizma ZMR to get more powerful engineNew-gen Karizma ZMR will be utilizing an entirely new platform and a new 210cc liquid cooled motor. While specs have not been officially revealed, new-gen Karizma could deliver around 25 bhp of max power and 30 Nm of peak torque. It will be mated to a 6-speed gearbox. The original Karizma bike was equipped with a 223cc air-cooled motor that produced 20 hp. It was quite popular for its peppy performance. Enthusiasts can look forward to some more exciting rides with the new-gen version.Hero will position Karizma as a value-for-money bike. It has to achieve a balance in terms of its pricing and available features. While essentials such as disc brakes and at least single-channel ABS will be there, new-gen Hero Karizma could skip out on features such as USD forks, ride-by-wire tech, slipper clutch, etc.2023 Hero Karizma ZMRFeatures that are likely to be available with new-gen Karizma include Bluetooth-based connectivity features, LED lighting and turn-by-turn navigation. The bike could get a full-digital instrument cluster.New-gen Karizma stylingWhile new-gen Karizma will be utilizing contemporary design aesthetics, some of the styling bits are expected to be borrowed from the original Karizma. The latter had sharp panelling and sporty graphics. Another of Karizma’s USP was its comfortable riding stance. Balance and handling were among the best, allowing enthusiasts to experiment to their heart’s content. New-gen Karizma is expected to have a similar set of attributes.Resurrecting Karizma seems like a good move, as the brand has high recall among enthusiasts. Overall design of new-gen Karizma will be a key factor in determining whether it’s a hit or flop with customers. As of now, Hero’s bestselling product in performance segment is XPulse 200 4V. There’s Xtreme 200S as well, but it hasn’t received the kind of response the company was aiming for.In its lifecycle, original Karizma had eventually faded away with availability of better equipped bikes. Uninspiring design of later models such as Karizma R and ZMR was also a reason for its decline. Hopefully, new-gen Karizma will have everything sorted out and primed to provide the impetus Hero is looking to achieve in premium motorcycle segment.Source More