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      New Bajaj Pulsar Launch Teaser 13th July – Is It Pulsar 160 N?

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      Updates for Pulsar 160NS have become necessary due to better equipped rival products2022 Bajaj Pulsar N 160 teased?A popular street fighter, Bajaj Pulsar 160NS competes with rivals such as TVS Apache RTR 160, Yamaha FZS-FI and Hero Xtreme 160R. To keep it relevant to evolving customer preferences, Bajaj will be launching next-gen version of Pulsar 160NS soon. In its new avatar, it could be rebranded as N160 or 160N.Ahead of launch, Bajaj has now shared a new teaser, with the Pulsar face. The teaser reads – Thrill; Now in a new Avatar. It is very likely that this is the first official teaser of the upcoming Pulsar 160 N. Interestingly, Bajaj had also shared a teaser last week, for Pulsar 250 Eclipse edition.New-gen Bajaj Pulsar 160N key updatesAs is evident from earlier spy shots, next-gen Pulsar 160NS comes with a range of visual enhancements. For example, the headlamp looks entirely new, featuring a redesigned casing and compact projector unit. It is inspired by the Pulsar N250.Another key change can be seen in the fuel tank that now gets longer extensions. The tail section looks familiar, but tail lights could feature a new design. The bike is known for its aggressive muscular styling, which will be carried forward or improved further.2022 Bajaj Pulsar N 160 teased?Next-gen Pulsar 160N could get an updated fully digital instrument console. There can be various other subtle changes that will be revealed at the time of launch. Another update could be new colour options for the new-gen Pulsar 160N. The current model is offered in colour options of Metallic Pearl White, Burnt Red and Pewter Grey.New-gen Bajaj Pulsar N 160 enginePowering new Bajaj Pulsar N 160 will be the same 160.3cc, oil cooled, Twin Spark BS6 DTS-i FI engine as earlier. It is capable of generating 17.2 PS of max power at 9000 rpm and 14.6 Nm of peak torque at 7250 rpm. It comes mated to a 5-speed gearbox. It is possible that Bajaj may choose to tweak the engine for the new Pulsar 160NS. However, even then, there isn’t going to be any significant difference in performance.Most of the other hardware and equipment is expected to be the same as earlier. The current model has telescopic front forks with anti-friction brush and Nitrox mono shock absorber with canister at the rear. The bike utilizes 17-inch alloy wheels that are shod with 90/90 -17 49 P tubeless tyres at the front and 120/80 -17 61 P tubeless units at the rear.Braking system comprises 260mm disc at the front and 230 mm disc at the rear. Single-channel ABS is offered as standard. Bajaj Pulsar 160 N weighs 151 kg and offers 177 mm of ground clearance. Fuel tank capacity is rated at 12 litres. As the changes are largely cosmetic in nature, new-gen Bajaj Pulsar 160NS could get a marginal price hike. The current model is priced at Rs 1.22 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi). More

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      OLA Electric Cars Teased Officially – New Premium Sedan, SUV, Hatch?

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      Ola’s first electric car will be made at the company’s upcoming mother plant in Tamil NaduOla Electric CarIt is no secret that Ola Electric, soon after the launch of its S1 electric scooter, has been eyeing the Indian electric four wheeler segment which is projected to have an immense potential. It appears that, even as the company is facing several complaints related to the quality, reliability and delivery timeline issues of its S1 scooter, developing activities of the upcoming electric car are proceeding in full swing.On the sidelines of the ‘Ola Customer Day’ event held at the site of the company’s upcoming facility near Krishnagiri, TN, the EV startup released a teaser video of its upcoming premium electric cars. The 30 second teaser shows teaser of more than one Ola electric car.OLA Electric Car – Hatch, Sedan, SUV Teased ?New Ola electric car teaser gives us a sneak peak of not 1, but 3 electric cars. Hat tip to automotive enthusiast Snehal Praveen for the update. One of the upcoming Ola electric car, as the teaser indicates, could be a low-slung sporty sedan with a coupe roof-line and modern design. Other two could be an electric SUV / coupe and hatchback.The Ola sedan takes a lot of aerodynamic liberty in its exterior styling which would otherwise be challenging in a conventional IC engine car like an extremely low slung nose. Salient design features include a wedged shaped front fascia, an LED lighting signature that runs across the width of the car, a swooping roofline, and Kia-like rear fascia.[embedded content][embedded content]No further details have been shared as of now but Ola Electric’s CEO Bhavish Aggarwal stated that more details will be revealed on August 15. There were reports that Ola has hired ex-Mahindra designer – Ramkripa Ananthan, who designed the current XUV700, Thar, XUV300. Ola Electric’s venture into the passenger car segment is expected in about 2 year’s time. That said, the product development process is usually hurried in a startup setting compared to a traditional OEM.What to expect?For instance, basing the product on an already existing electric skateboard from any of the several international mobility players would considerably shorten the lead time. The powertrain configuration is anyone’s guess as of now, and we think it is going to be one motor at each wheel, supported by a lithium-ion battery pack with a capacity of around 60-80 kWh.Aided by an impressively low aerodynamic co-efficient and frontal area, such a battery pack could be good enough for a certified range of over 500 km. A 0-100 kph time of less than 7 seconds and a top-speed in excess of 150 kmph would be a nice place to start in terms of performance. These numbers might be similar for their sedan, hatchback and SUV, or they could be different.Ola electric cars teased – SUV, Sedan, and hatchback ?New Ola electric cars could be positioned in various segments of the Indian electric vehicle space. Ola hatchback could be the most affordable, above which could be their sedan and on top will be the electric SUV offering. One can expect a lengthy equipment list complete with ADAS features.Demand for electric vehicles is on the rise. Major OEMs like Tata, Kia, Mahindra, Hyundai have committed to launch more new EVs in India. Even premium brands like Audi, Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar, etc have joined the EV revolution. With Tesla reportedly putting their India launch plans on hold, things could work in favour of Ola Electric cars. More

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      New TVS Retron LED Headlight Leaks – Or Is It Zepplin R?

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      TVS has not revealed much about this upcoming vehicle to be revealed on July 6thTVS Retron MotorcycleTVS recently revealed a new teaser stating that it was going to launch a new vehicle on July 6th. The teaser had a ‘T’ insignia that looked like a DRL of a vehicle. The invite also had a hashtag saying ‘New Way Of Life’. This had us scratching our heads because TVS somehow has the capability of sneakily getting a product launched without getting papped at all. We have seen this with TVS’ Raider launch.We previously predicted that it could be a Zeppelin R that was recently trademarked or a Creon electric scooter or a lifestyle adventure-tourer based on the RR 310 platform. But with the LED headlight getting leaked, we have a clearer picture about TVS’ upcoming launch on July 6th.TVS Retron Retro-Themed BikeDo you know what is common between Royal Enfield motorcycles, Yezdi motorcycles, Jawa motorcycles, Yamaha FZ-X, Honda H’ness CB350, Kawasaki Z650RS and Street Twins from Triumph? They’re all retro-themed modern motorcycles and they have one design element that is quintessential and screams retro, a round headlight.Round headlight is that design element that has stood the test of time. It is one of the most timeless design elements and will stay that way for centuries to come. TVS’ new headlight is also round and the way it is shaped and sized, makes us easily discard the possibility of it being on a scooter. We just don’t see it happening. It is, no doubt, a fitting element on a retro-themed motorcycle by TVS.TVS Retron MotorcycleTVS had trademarked the name Retron, likely for the launch of a retro-themed motorcycle. TVS has also trademarked the name Zepplin R. We have seen India’s thirst for retro-themed motorcycles and a cruiser bike like Zeppelin R is a hard sell in India. The hardships of a cruiser bike are visible as we recently saw Suzuki discontinue its Intruder 150 cruiser motorcycle in India.Considering the T shaped LED DRL, we think it makes more sense to be on a Retron. Additionally, in new TVS vehicles, there is this new design trend, where you get to see the shape of one of the letters from the name, inside the LED DRL. Happened with NTORQ, and more recently with Raider. Retron as the letter T, which is the shape of the LED DRL in a new leaked photo and the launch invite. Interestingly, sometime last year, a test mule of a TVS Retron was spied.New Way Of LifeTVS also has a hashtag saying ‘New Way Of Life’ and this could mean a lot of things for Retron. For one, it might get an adventure-tourer avatar like Hero XPulse 200, Royal Enfield Himalayan 411 and Yezdi Adventure or a scrambler avatar like Yezdi Scrambler, Royal Enfield Scram 411, or even the smaller FZ-X.New TVS Retron Motorcycle SpiedWe have seen the rise in popularity of adventure tourers and scramblers in India and a lot of Indian motorcycle manufacturers have jumped on this bandwagon. We can easily see a manufacturer like TVS in a segment like this as it never created a product catering to adventure-tourers or scramblers before.TVS currently has a lot of platform choices for basing the Retron on. But the most probable options are the 200 cc 4V engine found on Apache RTR 200 4V and its flagship 312 cc engine doing duties in Apache RR 310. If the upcoming adventure-tourer or scrambler version of Retron is based on the former, it will compete with the likes of Hero XPulse 200 4V and if based on the latter, it takes the fight to the big dogs like Yezdi and Royal Enfield bikes. Either way, July 6th will be one hot event from TVS.Source More

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      Tata Safari Spied With Green No Plates – First Safari Electric SUV?

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      Tata Motors is the leading electric vehicle maker in India – They have plans to launch many new electric SUVs in the futureTata Safari Electric SpiedTata Safari Electric! Already? Hold your horses. We know Tata Safari Electric is exciting news and it looks like a good proposition too. But not a lot is known about this mysterious vehicle that has been spotted somewhere in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. It does look like a finished product, as good as any other Tata Safari bought from an authorized dealer. But we think that it isn’t the case at all.After a bit of searching the number plate across multiple vehicle databases, it was revealed that it still showed as XZA+ variant with 2.0L Kryotec BS6 engine. But the number plate is green, which indicates that it is an EV. So why is a Tata Safari that is registered as a diesel on the RTO database, wearing a green no plate? Here are some explanations for this confusing spy shot of Tata Safari Electric.Tata Safari Electric SpiedAs we all know, Tata Safari only gets a 2.0L Kryotec diesel engine sourced from Stellantis (formerly, Fiat-Chrysler) that makes 168 bhp and 350 Nm. Tata Motors has been testing the Safari with a petrol engine too and on the test mule, you will see a red number plate. It’s because in India, every single test mule, EV or not, is given a red number plate.  Only the finalised product that is sold for private use, get the usual number plates from RTO. White board with black font indicates a PV (passenger vehicle), yellow board with black font indicates LCV (light commercial vehicle) and HCV (heavy commercial vehicle). Whereas a black board with yellow font indicates self-driven rental vehicles. EVs get two different types of number plates where the board is green for both and if the vehicle has a white font, it is an electric PV and if the font is yellow, it is an electric CV.  Tata Safari EV Spied with green no plateThe Tata Safari electric spotted has a green board with white font indicating that it is an electric PV. But Tata never launched it. If you suspect that it is a prank of some sort or the owner is committing fraud, that does not seem to be the case as the number plate is a properly embossed number plate with non-removable bolts with RTO’s hologram too. It doesn’t look like a fake number plate at all.  Tata Safari EV – What is it?The car looks like it actually is an EV as registered by the RTO. But it is not a test mule undergoing testing by Tata as it doesn’t have a red number plate. This might be the work of a third-party that has developed an EV conversion kit for Safari. We don’t know the name of the company as of now. But developing an EV conversion kit is no mean feat.Electronics and electricals are one of the most complicated aspects of vehicle development. The entire electric harness has to be custom-built with proper voltage architectures in mind. Then comes the hassle of battery placement, motor placement, mass centralisation, weight distribution, centre of gravity, interior packaging with the new battery in place, battery weather sealing, battery cooling solutions, battery management system tuning, modifications to brakes and suspension to accommodate the extra weight and a million more aspects. It is not an easy task of just taking out the engine and stuffing batteries in its place.Tata Safari Electric Spied – New Safari EVWe have seen EV conversion kits like this before too. Our bet is that Tata Safari Electric conversion kit is being developed by someone, with good resources to back them up. The car in question seems to be a piece of demonstration for investors, bankers or even Government officials. This company seems like they first bought a Tata Safari XZA+ and then converted it into an EV and then got it re-registered as an EV from RTO. If that is the case, Tata Safari Electric range could be somewhere in between 300-500 kms. Whatever it is, it looks promising. If you happen to have more details, please get in touch. More

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      Mahindra XUV900 Electric Coupe SUV Teased – 15th Aug Debut

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      XUV900 will likely be the new flagship of Mahindra – It will be manufactured in India, but will be pitted as a global SUVMahindra XUV900 Electric SUV – New TeaserMahindra has been teasing us with their ‘Born Electric’ range of concept SUVs for some time now. The Indian automaker aims to electrify its vehicle portfolio and while doing so, aims to take its EVs to the world too.Mahindra was the first mainstream Indian automotive manufacturer to venture into EV space. They bought electric car manufacturing company Reva and introduced a few uninspiring vehicles. But Indian EV space was still very young and not very mature, and Mahindra failed big time. But Mahindra has completely revamped its EV aspirations. With Mahindra’s acquisition of Italian design firm Pininfarina, they have successfully managed to create one of the fastest EVs in the world, Battista.Pininfarina Battista is a 1900 bhp electric hypercar capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 kph under 2 seconds putting cars like Bugatti’s to shame. With the newfound expertise in EVs, Mahindra has set a roadmap for its EV portfolio in India and the world. They are set to launch 7 e-vehicles under the Born electric range of SUVs. This will further plaster Mahindra’s image as an SUV maker rather than a carmaker.Mahindra XUV900 Coupe electric SUVPratap Bose, Chief Design Officer at Mahindra took to social media to tease us about the upcoming electric SUV that will be a part of Born Electric SUV range. Designed at Mahindra Advanced Design Europe (MADE), the upcoming SUV will not only be Born Electric, it will also be a global SUV.[embedded content][embedded content]The teaser goes on to show how Mahindra has been incorporating their learnings at Formula E, on their new SUV. Looking at the video released by the company in the past, we can see the fighter jet cockpit-like interior with giant screens behind a futuristic steering wheel.The SUV also gets a new design language which will be a complete departure from some of the polarising designs Mahindra has today. The Indian manufacturer has given the upcoming SUV aerodynamic wheels that will reduce air resistance. With decreasing air drag, we can see an increase in the range of this EV. It will likely have one of the lowest drag coefficients of any cars manufactured in India.Mahindra claims that they are creating an all-original design philosophy with this upcoming electric SUV. They also claim that it will be just as exhilarating on the road as it is on the race track.Launch & CompetitionWhen Mahindra says that they’re putting ‘Sport’ back in electric SUVs, we can’t help but think about the rumoured XUV900 Coupe. Mahindra is all set to unveil their new electric SUV range on 15th Aug, in the UK. Launch will be in a few years. We expect to see the production version of this sporty electric SUV in 2023 or 2024. Mahindra is also set to reveal the electric version of XUV300 in Indian market soon. More

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      BMW G 310 RR Is The Official Name – Fairing Fully Revealed

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      BMW G 310 RR comes with a design that is very similar to Apache RR 310 with subtle changes to create its own identityNew BMW G310RRBMW Motorrad has been one of the most popular premium performance motorcycle makers in the world. For a very long time, BMW has only been concentrating on the pricier end of the spectrum. To get more customers into the BMW family, BMW partnered with TVS Motors to co-develop a 310 cc platform beneficial for both.The result was a potent platform on which BMW based the G 310 R street bike and G 310 GS adventure-tourer. TVS took a different approach with this platform to create Apache RR 310, a fully-faired track-focused machine. Now, BMW is launching their 3rd bike on the platform which is a fully-faired motorcycle that is very close to Apache RR 310.BMW G 310 RR – Fairing RevealedFalling into RR series of BMW motorcycles, G 310 RR is a fully faired motorcycle with its main focus is to set tracks on fire. It has joined the ranks of other RR series motorcycles like S 1000 RR and M 1000 RR. BMW G 310 RR is the smallest and cheapest RR motorcycle in its lineup both here in India and globally.BMW India has been regularly teasing their upcoming motorcycle. Their latest teaser has fully revealed fairing design as well as the graphics. It also reveals the official name of the sports bike, which is G 310 RR. Hat tip to automotive enthusiast Vinod and Tanmoy for sharing the image. BMW India had announced a contest, where lucky fans were given the first official look at the G310RR.New BMW G310RRAfter seeing the photos of BMW G 310 RR, we couldn’t help but notice the similarities with Apache RR 310. It has the same wheels, exhaust, lower fairing and even the tyres. Instead of petal discs on Apache RR 310, BMW has equipped its motorcycle with conventional disc brakes.310 RR gets USD forks at front finished in a gold shade which looks very classy. At the rear, it gets a mono-shock that is adjustable for preload. These are the same non-adjustable unit found on TVS Apache RR 310. In terms of chassis, it gets a trellis frame where the engine is a stressed member. It also gets an aluminium swingarm for added lightness and rigidity.Engine & FeaturesBMW has equipped the 310 RR with the 313 cc engine co-developed with TVS. This engine is a liquid-cooled unit with a 4-valve head. Just like its TVS counterpart, it also gets 4 riding modes that alter the power, torque, throttle map, throttle response and traction. In Sport mode and Track mode, this engine is on full tap producing 34 PS @9700 RPM and 27.3 Nm @7700 RPM. In Urban mode and Rain mode, the performance is capped at 25.8 PS and 25 Nm.New BMW RR 310 and Apache 310This engine is mated to a 6-speed smooth shifting gearbox. It also gets slip and assist clutch to ensure a smooth transition between gears. Apache RR 310 boasts a top speed of 160 kph and an acceleration figure of 0-100 kph under 7.2 seconds. Since 310 RR is mostly similar, we expect the BMW to get similar numbers. BMW 310 RR also gets a fully digital instrument cluster with phone connectivity. It gets LED headlights, LED tail-lights and LED indicators. Apart from the riding modes, it also gets dual-channel ABS as standard.Even though most of the motorcycle is similar to Apache RR 310, BMW has trickled down its bigger RR series styling and colour schemes to make it stand out. Expect launch price of BMW G310RR to be at a premium over TVS Apache 310.  BMW is also likely to provide options for customisations in terms of an adjustable front USD suspension and sportier clip-on handlebars for good leverage on the race track. These addons could be similar to TVS’s BTO program where a customer can modify his/her motorcycle straight from the factory.  More

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      Upcoming Bajaj Triumph Scrambler Render – Royal Enfield 350cc Rival

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      The single-cylinder Bajaj Triumph Scrambler will be pitted head on against Royal Enfield’s new family of 350 cc motorcyclesUpcoming Bajaj Triumph Scrambler MotorcycleAfter announcing a partnership to develop medium displacement premium motorcycles, Bajaj and Triumph have been working under the radar with hardly any updates surfacing in the recent times barring a recent spotting of a prototype abroad. Given the timeline of the partnership announcement, we reckon that the first product should be pretty close to being ready for its world premiere.Bajaj Triumph Scrambler RenderingThe modular medium displacement platform to be born out of this Indo-English alliance could adopt multiple body styles. We think a retro-classic scrambler and a low-riding cruiser are two of the top possibilities. Our design specialist Pratyush Rout has envisioned the former, taking cues from Triumph’s iconic Bonneville family.Earlier this year, a prototype of what is reported to be the Bajaj-Triumph Scrambler was spotted testing along with a sobered up roadster variant. The test mules appeared to donning unfinished body components but the design direction was apparent. The Scrambler variant was equipped with 19-inch front wheel and 17-inch rear unit, serrated foot pegs and hand guards.While it is obvious that the new Bajaj-Triumph Scrambler and its derivatives will be equipped with a single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine, the displacement is still kept under wraps. Given that the partnership is going after Royal Enfield’s immensely popular family of 350cc motorcycles, we expect the displacement to be in the same ballpark albeit with considerably more power and torque.Upcoming Bajaj Triumph Scrambler MotorcycleMarket PositioningIf the Trident and Tiger 660 is anything to go by, Triumph is likely to position the upcoming single-cylinder offering in the premium end of the medium-displacement segment with no skimping on equipment. The prototypes supported this claim by sporting USD front forks, front and rear disc brakes with ABS, TFT instrument cluster, LED headlight and so on.At the time of initial announcement, Bajaj-Triumph revealed that the new range of jointly developed products will have a staring price of under Rs 2 lakhs. With pandemic induced supply chain challenges, it would be a difficult task to stick to this pricing commitment but if at all any OEM can pull off such an attractive pricing, it is Bajaj.Bajaj Triumph Motorcycle LaunchIt is no secret that with its upcoming family of medium displacement single-cylinder premium motorcycles, Bajaj and Triumph aim to put an end to Royal Enfield’s near-monopoly in the segment. Its been over 50 years since Triumph last made a single-cylinder motorcycle but given this segment is growing at a brisk pace globally, it can’t afford not to participate. Bajaj’s experience in manufacturing premium single-cylinder KTMs for global market and a competitive cost structure makes it a sound business model.Bajaj Triumph Motorcycle Spied. Image – MotobobThe first set of Bajaj-Triumph motorcycles are expected to be ready towards the end of this year. They will be made in India for global consumption. We hope to see more info and spy shots trickling online in the coming months. Launch is likely to take place in 2023. More

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      New Honda Electric Scooter Design Patent Filed – Range 130 Kms

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      In Chinese market, Honda U-Go electric scooter is offered in light and standard variants, priced at RMB 7,499 (~ INR 87k) and RMB 7,999 (~ INR 93k), respectivelyNew Honda Electric ScooterAs electric two-wheeler sales continue to register strong growth, established players like Honda have started working on EV options for Indian market. Over the next five years, it is expected that OEMs like Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Hero MotoCorp will have multiple electric two-wheelers in their portfolio. In case of Honda, one such possibility could be U-Go electric scooter, a design patent of which has now been filed in India.In China, U-Go electric scooter is manufactured as part of the joint venture between Honda Motor Japan and Guangzhou Motors Group Company. The joint entity manufactures other electric two-wheelers as well such as U-be, e-POP and e-SCR. Honda could consider any of these or their derivatives in future, as part of their EV portfolio expansion plan for India.Honda U-Go featuresWith its compact design, Honda U-Go primarily targets everyday urban commuters. It has a cute profile that is preferred by younger audiences. Some of the key features include a simple, clutter-free design, sporty LED headlamp with DRL, sleek LED turn indicators, round rear view mirrors, sharp body panels and floating-type rear LED tail light.Users can access a range of information through the compact LCD display panel. It shows things like battery percentage, speed, mileage and ride mode. While Honda U-Go has a compact design, it still manages to provide ample seating space for both rider and pillion.New Honda Electric Scooter – Design patented in IndiaThe scooter has been designed from a utilitarian perspective, as is evident with features such as large footboard space, front hook and cargo box, 26-litre under seat storage, folding rear foot rest and USB charging. Riding comfort has been optimized with features such as flat seat and ergonomically placed handlebar. Even smaller users won’t have any issues handling this scooter when zipping through city streets.Honda U-Go performanceThere are two variants on offer in China, a standard version and a light version. U-Go standard variant has a rated power of 1200 watt whereas the light variant offers 800 watt. Top speed is 53 kmph and 43 kmph, respectively. Estimated range of the standard variant is around 65 km on a full charge. Users can increase the range to 130 kms, by opting for a second battery pack. However, this upgrade will limit the available under seat storage.Both U-Go variants utilize a 48v, 30 amp removable battery pack. Much of the other specifications are the same for both variants such as gradeability of 14°. U-Go electric scooter is 1,790 mm long, 680 mm wide and 1080 mm tall. Ground clearance is 130 mm whereas wheelbase is 1300 mm. Both variants have kerb weight of 83 kg.Honda U-Go Electric ScooterApart from fully electric two-wheelers, Honda is also planning to introduce flex-fuel vehicles in India. The company has amassed considerable experience in this sector with its diverse portfolio of flex-fuel vehicles in Brazilian market. Honda’s plans for flex-fuel two-wheelers will be in line with the Indian government’s policy to promote flex-fuel vehicles. More