More stories

  • in

    Royal Enfield Himalayan Scram 411 TVC Leaks – New Details

    Scram 411 is expected to be priced around Rs 20k cheaper than Himalayan that is offered at Rs 2.15 lakhRoyal Enfield Himalayan Scram 411As part of its plan to expand its portfolio, Royal Enfield will be using its existing platforms to launch new products. It helps reduce development and production cost. We have seen this with Meteor and upcoming Hunter in 350cc segment. Royal Enfield 650cc range will also be expanded with the existing platform being used for 650 twins. Another new product is Scram 411, which is based on Himalayan.Royal Enfield Himalayan Scram 411Urban dwellers do get the call of the wild, but possibilities are fairly limited due to professional and other commitments. For such folks, investing in a true-blue adventure bike like Himalayan doesn’t seem appropriate. Moreover, it’s not possible for everyone to own multiple bikes. Royal Enfield Scram 411 seems like a better choice, as it can effectively tackle both city streets and mild off-road tracks.Himalayan’s scope for use in urban environment is limited by its bulky profile. Of course, one can ride it, but it will be a challenge in heavy traffic and tight spots. As a solution, Scram 411 drops much of the adventure-tourer equipment.It includes Himalayan’s signature exoskeleton that has heavy-duty luggage racks at front and rear. This reduces the bike’s width and makes it lightweight as well, ensuring a better fit for urban commuting needs. Ahead of launch tomorrow, official TVC has leaked online.[embedded content][embedded content]Other features that have been removed from Scram 411 include knuckle guards, windscreen and raised front fender. 21-inch front wheel used with Himalayan has been replaced with smaller 19-inch unit. This has effectively reduced overall height of the bike. Ground clearance has come down to 200 mm, as compared to 220 mm of Himalayan. At the rear, Scram 411 has standard-looking grab rail.The bike seems appropriate for everyday commutes and some weekend fun, as compared to endless hours of extreme off-roading possible with Himalayan. On streets, Scram 411 can easily merge with the rest of the traffic. In comparison, Himalayan’s presence on the tarmac often gets quite a few curious glances and some frowns as well.Royal Enfield Scram 411 specsPowering the bike will be the same 411cc engine in use with Himalayan. The single cylinder, air cooled unit makes 24.3 bhp and 32 Nm and is mated to a 5-speed constant mesh gearbox. To match the bike’s road-biased character, the engine could be tweaked accordingly.Royal Enfield Himalayan Scram 411Other hardware includes standard telescopic forks, linkage rear suspension, disc brakes at both ends and dual-channel ABS. Wheels are 19-inch front and 17-inch rear, shod with block-patterned dual purpose tyres. Features like Tripper Navigation are optional and can be added via Royal Enfield’s MIY customization utility.At the time of its launch, Royal Enfield Scram 411 will not have any direct rivals. This can work to the bike’s advantage. Competitive pricing is another factor that can help boost sales of Scram 411. More

  • in

    Hero MotoCorp Electric Scooter Debut On 1st July – Under Vida Brand

    Hero MotoCorp Electric Scooter – Under VIDA BrandProduction of the new e-scooter under the Vida branding will be conducted at the company’s Green manufacturing unit in Chittoor, IndiaAs the two wheeler segment moves from Petrol power to Electric in a very big way, Hero MotoCorp has announced its electric scooter initiative. The company has teased this upcoming model and showcased the new Vida brand ahead of its upcoming launch. The reason why Hero MotoCorp had to go in for new branding is due to the existence of the Hero Electric brand which resulted in a legal battle over its ownership.Dr Pawan Munjal, Chairman, Hero MotoCorp, posed against the backdrop of this new electric vehicle brand called ‘Vida’ along with the new logo to show its distinctive branding and revealed some details of this new electric scooter. This new scooter will be officially unveiled in India on 1st July 2022 to coincide with the birth anniversary of Dr. Brijmohan Lall, Chairman Emeritus of Hero MotoCorp.Hero Vida Electric ScooterThe new Hero e-scooter will be produced at the Hero MotoCorp Green manufacturing plant in Chittoor, India. It will be unveiled on 1st July 2022 with deliveries to commence from later this year. A pre-production prototype was teased last year, to mark the company’s 10th anniversary.The unveiling event of the new ‘Vida’ brand was attended by global leaders, senior government representatives and diplomatic corps in the UAE along with policy makers and stakeholders of Hero MotoCorp that included their Board of Directors, senior employees and also the company’s distributors and supply chain partners.Hero MotoCorp Vida ElectricMore DetailsThe new electric scooter was showcased in an un-camouflaged format and sported a white colour scheme. It was seen with 12 inch front and 10 inch rear black alloy wheels and a long split seat. The pillion seat is detachable which allows the upcoming scooter to be used for last mile deliveries. It also sports a flyscreen and curved body works while it gets sporty accents on its handle bar, side and rear fender and floor board.Once launched, the new e-scooter from Hero MotoCorp will rival the Ola S1, Simple One, Bajaj Chetak, TVS iQube, and Ather 450X in its segment. It will also rival a range of electric scooters from Hero Electric, Okinawa, Ampere, etc. The upcoming Hero MotoCorp electric scooter is expected to be priced competitively so as to take on these rivals and could be priced under Rs 1 lakh.Hero MotoCorp’s Global Sustainability FundDr Pawan Munjal has also announced a US$100 Million Global Sustainability Fund. This fund will be directed towards establishing global partnerships, spearheaded by BML Munjal University (BMU) and Hero MotoCorp. It will go a long way to offer impetus to over 10,000 entrepreneurs on ESG solutions that will in turn have a positive impact on the planet.Hero MotoCorp has also signed an agreement with Taiwanese company Gogoro for battery swapping technology. The company plans a wide range of premium products and is also working on battery powered motorcycles as well. More

  • in

    RE Himalayan Scram 411 Red, White, Black Colours – Arrives At Dealer

    Royal Enfield Himalayan Scram 411Royal Enfield is expected to launch Scram 411 in coming days at a starting price just below Rs 2 lakh (ex-showroom)Royal Enfield presently has multiple products in development. These are scheduled to launch in the coming months. The next big launch from the Chennai-based bikemaker is Scram 411 which is essentially a road-friendly version of Himlayan. First units have now arrived at dealer showrooms.Test mules of Scram 411 have been spied on numerous occasions in recent times. Recently, a few crucial details regarding the upcoming scrambler had been leaked on the internet. Ahead of its launch, which is expected in a few days, the bike has been spied in new colours of Red and White as well as Red and Black.As customary with any Royal Enfield launch, apparel of the upcoming Scram 411 including T-shirts, key chains, etc. have started reaching dealerships ahead of its market launch. The latest spy shots reveal the undisguised avatar of Scram 411. The design is evidently similar to its more adventure-friendly sibling- Himalayan on which it is based.RE Himalayan Scram 411 – DesignFor starters, Scram 411 gets the same body and basic silhouette as Himlayan with a hint of retro styling. Components such as round headlight, rearview mirrors, wide handlebar, fork gaiters and sculpted fuel tank have been carried forward from Himalayan. One major variation from the off-road Himalayan is that the road-biased Scram gets a single-piece seat instead of split seats.RE Himalayan Scram 411Also, the black headlamp casing has been molded from cast iron which gives it a distinct appearance. It also doesn’t feature a tall windscreen upfront which is offered as standard in Himalayan. The latter also receives a small luggage rack as standard at the rear which is replaced by a simple single-piece grab rail. Scram 411 also features an urban badge plate on both sides of the fuel tank with its branding which lends the bike a distinct appeal.Turn indicators in the upcoming bike appear to be of a slightly different shape. While both motorcycles feature a similar side-slung upswept exhaust, the canister in Scram gets a slightly different look. Like Himalayan, Scram 411 also rides on wire-spoked wheels which adds to the retro charm Royal Enfield is known for.Hardware, Engine SpecsHowever, while Himalayan gets a 21-inch front wheel, Scram receives a 19-inch front unit due to road-friendly dynamics. Speaking of dynamics, the same suspension setup used in Himalayan comprising telescopic forks at front and a mono-shock at rear is likely to be offered but with different travel settings. The wheels are wrapped around by block pattern, dual-purpose tyres which should be good enough for some soft-roading.RE Himalayan Scram 411Braking duties will be handled by 300 mm and 240 mm discs at front and rear respectively aided by a dual-channel ABS as standard. Powering Scram will be the same 411cc single-cylinder air-cooled SOHC engine that propels Himalayan. This motor kicks out 24.3 bhp and 32 Nm of peak torque and is mated to a 5-speed gearbox. However, power and torque delivery is expected to be tuned slightly differently for road-biased mannerisms.Source More

  • in

    2022 Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650, Cruiser Spied – Fully Loaded

    2022 Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650cc / Shotgun / Cruiser – Golden ForksRoyal Enfield could be launching three new motorcycles under the 650cc motorcycle lineup – Starting with Super Meteor 650Thanks to multiple test mules spied in India and abroad, it has already been established that Royal Enfield is planning to expand its 650cc lineup. This RE segment of motorcycles currently houses two models- Interceptor and Continental GT.We also know that there are going to be multiple versions of the upcoming 650cc motorcycle from the Chennai-based manufacturer. The question arises, how many more iterations of the 650cc platform will we see in the future. It is likely that there are going to be three iterations of the 650cc models.These will be Cruiser 650, Super Meteor 650 and Shotgun 650. All three bikes will offer a low-slung cruiser-like stance with a long wheelbase and classic retro styling but the motorcycles will differ in their riding stance and characteristics. Let us look how this trio could be differentiated among themselves.2022 Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 TourerSuper Meteor will be very closely linked to Cruiser 650 as it borrows part of its name from the brand’s current 350cc cruiser- Meteor. In fact, after reports of ‘Super Meteor’ name being trademarked by Royal Enfield surfaced on the internet, it was speculated that Super Meteor 650 and Cruiser 650 could actually be the same motorcycle. However, we could spot noticeable differences in latest spy shots.2022 Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650cc / Shotgun / Cruiser – Silver ForksThe most prominent difference is the riding posture which features a slightly lower-set handlebar which leads to a slightly committed posture with centre-set footpegs. The rider triangle will be different in this case with the less angular distance between the steering and front suspension. Hence, the wheelbase is also expected to be slightly shorter.New spy shots of the RE Super Meteor 650 were clicked somewhere in the UK. These show the motorcycle in production ready stance. There are three different test mules, which can be differentiated by the front forks. One is wearing silver forks, the other has golden while the third one has black. All three RE 650cc test mules are fully loaded with touring accessories.Expected engine, hardware specsHowever, other than the ergonomic variations all three motorcycles will be the same underneath the skin. This includes the same 648cc parallel-twin motor which pumps out 47 bhp at 7150rpm and 52 Nm at 5250rpm in the current 650 Twins. However, in the upcoming bikes, the power figures or power delivery could be altered to suit their nature. It is mated to a constant-mesh 6-speed gearbox.2022 Royal Enfield Cruiser 650 – USD ForksCycle parts of all three upcoming bikes will be identical to each other. Suspension setup will consist of a pair of upside-down forks or standard forks at front and twin shock absorbers at rear. Braking duties include single disc brakes at both ends with ByBre callipers aided by a dual-channel ABS as standard. All three bikes should feature the Tripper NAvigation pod for turn-by-turn navigation.Cruiser 650This will be a proper cruiser motorcycle in a similar line with cruisers from Harley Davison and Indian Motorcycles. It will have the longest wheelbase among the three bikes with a greater angle between steering and front suspension. This will also affect the rider’s triangle which will offer very relaxed riding ergonomics with a pulled-back handlebar, forward-set footpegs and a low seat.Shotgun 650As mentioned earlier, Shotgun 650 is likely to be based on the SG650 Concept which is a single-seater bobber. Like Meteor 350, it is expected to offer a low-set handlebar with a slightly committed ride posture. However, the most striking difference will be the sole rider’s seat. Other small differences could be shorter front and rear fenders and bar-end mirrors.Source More

  • in

    2022 KTM 390 Adventure Launch – 1st Batch Arrives At Dealer Showroom

    2022 KTM 390 Adventure India Launch Soon. Image – Hitesh GhogaliaWhen launched, the updated KTM 390 Adventure will rival Royal Enfield Himalayan, Yezdi Adventure and BMW G 310 GSKTM recently launched the updated 250 Adventure in India for the year 2022. The company will now be launching its elder sibling- 390 Adventure in a mildly updated avatar in the coming few days. The adventure tourer in its revised form went on sale in US and North American markets recently.First batch of KTM 390 Adventure 2022 models have started to arrive at dealer showrooms across India. Hat tip to automotive enthusiast Hitesh Ghogalia for sharing the first exclusive images of 2022 390 ADV in India.2022 KTM 390 Adventure: Styling UpdatesAs we already know, models up to the 390 Series from the KTM range all over the world are manufactured in India by Bajaj Auto at its Chakan-based facility. Hence, the model launched in the USA is most likely to be exported there from India. The US-spec model of the mid-displacement adventure bike comes with subtle yet noticeable updates.For 2022, updates on the new KTM 390 Adventure are both aesthetic and functional in nature. Visual updates on the adventure tourer are in line with the Dakar winning KTM FACTORY RALLY machines. The overall design of the motorcycle remains identical which features the same rugged styling it is known for.2022 KTM 390 Adventure India Launch SoonThe updated 390 Adventure now received two new colour options a grey-black scheme and a blue scheme, both offered with orange accents and body graphics. These shades have been inspired by the larger KTM models, for instance, the 890 Adventure. In addition, the bike gets new tank shrouds and rear side panels which are slightly wider than the saddle.This provides better control to the rider and also reduces wear and tear of the seat. Headlight mask of the new 390 ADV has been reduced to make the front end slightly lighter. Shape of the fuel tank has also been optimised to ensure freedom of rider’s movement and control. Despite these minute variations, KTM has retained the distinct identity of its ADV range in the new 390 Adventure with a split headlamp setup and visor.Features on offerComing to features, the equipment stays similar to the outgoing model. The bike gets a long list of gizmos such as all-LED lighting, an adjustable windscreen, a fully coloured TFT instrument display enabled with smartphone connectivity, optional turn-by-turn navigation and a standard 12V charging port.2022 KTM 390 Adventure India Launch Soon. Image – KTM Khamla Square, NagpurMechanical SpecsHardware configurations remain mostly intact with the same suspension setup consisting of non-adjustable inverted front forks and a WP Apex mono-shock at rear. Braking duties are handled Braking duties are handled by single disc brakes at both ends aided by a dual-channel ABS with offroad mode.The new cast aluminium alloy wheels are now lighter since they feature five spokes instead of six. KTM has also introduced new traction control settings for both street and off-road. This setting enables different rear-slips based on the terrain.Powering the updated 390 Adventure is the same 373.2cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled motor that pumps out 42.3 bhp and 37 Nm of peak torque. This engine is mated to a six-speed gearbox which comes with a standard bi-directional quick-shifter. More

  • in

    New Mahindra Electric SUVs Teased – Is One Of Them XUV900 Coupe?

    New Mahindra Electric SUVsMahindra is getting ready to launch a range of new electric SUVs – First teaser of these new eSUVs has been officially revealedWhile Mahindra fans, automotive enthusiasts and people, in general, keep on waiting for the launch of new-gen models of XUV500 and Scorpio, there is always some new development coming from the carmaker. Last year, the company revealed that it will not be introducing any new sedans, hatchbacks and small micro SUVs in India.Mahindra said that their focus is on the EV segment. And today, they have made a huge announcement in this direction. Mahindra has teased not one, but three new electric SUVs, which will be making their global debut in July 2022.New Mahindra Electric SUVs – BEV (Born Electric Vision)Not much has been revealed along with the teaser. Mahindra says, “Welcome to a reimagined world of Born Electric vehicles. Electrifying presence and Exhilarating performance brought to you by Mahindra’s team of global designers, engineers and experts. Starting today, Mahindra reveals their Born Electric Vision. Coming soon, July 2022.”The SUVs wear prominent LED lighting in the front as well as at the rear. The highlight seems to be on the C and inverted C, in a way forming X – implying that these could be christened as some form of XUV. It is likely that one of these SUVs teased, is the much awaited XUV900 coupe, in all electric form.[embedded content][embedded content]Mahindra XUV900 – Company’s First 4 door SUV CoupeMahindra XUV900 will be the company’s first four-door SUV Coupe. It may be recalled that Mahindra had shown off the idea of an SUV coupe at the 2016 Auto Expo called Mahindra Aero concept. At that time it borrowed inspiration from the XUV500.It will be slotted above the XUV700, borrowing inspiration from the XUV Aero concept. The XUV900 is designed at the Mahindra Automotive Design Europe studio. It will get a sloping coupe like roofline, muscular bumper, faux diffusers and horizontally positioned tail lamps.Mahindra is planning to develop a range of premium electric SUVs under an all-new EV sub-brand. The new range of electric SUVs could cost as low as Rs 15 lakhs and go up to Rs 40 lakhs. The most affordable of these could be called – XUV400 (eXUV300), followed by electric XUV700 and top of the line electric XUV900 coupe.New Mahindra Electric SUVsXUV900 will combine the practicality of an SUV in terms of space while handling and style with that of a two door coupe. While the XUV Aero concept sported suicide doors, the new XUV900 is likely to get the more conventional front-hinged door setup.The second of the list is likely to be XUV700 electric. Of all the Mahindra cars currently on sale, it is the XUV700 which is the newest. It is equipped with a platform that is EV compatible.XUV300 Electric – XUV400Mahindra XUV300 electric will be known as XUV400 upon launch. It has also been spied on test. The prototype spied in the images flaunts the same boxy design as the current XUV300 with a flat roofline, a raked C-pillar and a tailgate-mounted spoiler. The charging port is seen mounted on the front left fender. The battery-powered XUV300 will be based on the same MESMA 350 platform which will underpin the upcoming eKUV100. However, the former will be longer than the fully electric micro UV.‘MESMA’ stands for ‘Mahindra Electric Scalable and Modular Architecture’ and has been developed completely in-house by Mahindra Electric. XUV300 Electric, or eXUV300, is expected to feature a 40kWh battery which will return an output of 130 bhp and a range of around 370km in a single charge. The battery will be providing energy to an electric motor driving the front wheels.Upon launch, XUV300 Electric will directly take on Nexon EV which is currently the most popular EV in the passenger vehicle segment. As of now, the electric crossover registers a monthly volume of 1,500 to 2,000 units. More

  • in

    Honda CBR150R Patent Filed In India – Yamaha R15 V4 Rival

    New Honda CBR150RHonda CBR150R was available earlier in India from 2012 onwards, but was later discontinued in 2017 likely due to low salesWith growing preference for entry-level performance-oriented bikes, Honda appears to be planning a second innings for CBR150R in Indian market. Towards that end, a patent for the bike has been filed by the company. When launched here, Honda CBR150R will take on the likes of Yamaha R15 V4.Honda CBR150R design and featuresCBR150R is a true race machine with a sharp nose and aerodynamic body panels. It derives design inspiration from its larger siblings, CBR500R and CBR650R. At the front, the bike gets dual LED headlamps and LED DRLs. Other key features include a compact windscreen, sporty rear-view mirrors, low-set wide handlebar, fully digital instrument console, sculpted fuel tank, upswept exhaust and step-up seats.Side panels are intelligently designed not only for visual exuberance, but also to ensure the least amount of wind resistance. Mix of contrasting shades and eye-catchy graphics further enhance the bike’s sporty profile. USD forks in golden colour is another key highlight. Colour options for Honda CBR150R vary based on the market.For example, the bike is offered in six colour options in Indonesia whereas Malaysia has only two colour options. Some colour themes that come across as extraordinarily striking include Victory Black Red, Honda Racing Red, Dominator Matte Black, Candy Scintillate Red and MotoGP Edition. Colour options for India are likely to be different, as compared to those available in international markets.New Honda CBR150R Patent Filed In IndiaIn terms of ergonomics, Honda CBR150R has a forward-leaning riding stance. It comes with low-set handlebar and rear-set foot pegs. The bike will be a pleasure to ride on open roads, but can be a bit hard to manoeuvre in heavy traffic.Honda CBR150R engine and specsIn international markets, Honda CBR150R is powered by a 149.2cc, liquid cooled DOHC motor. It generates 17.1 ps of max power at 9,000 rpm and 14.4 Nm of peak torque at 7,000 rpm. It is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. In comparison, primary rival Yamaha R15 V4 utilizes a 155cc motor that makes 18.4 ps and 14.2 Nm. So, while CBR150R is slightly low on power, relatively, it has a bit more torque to offer.Just like R15, Honda CBR150R comes with assist and slipper clutch. It offers multiple benefits such as reduced engine brake impact, improved overall riding comfort and lighter clutch lever pulls.New Honda CBR150RHonda CBR150R utilizes a diamond frame with inverted telescopic front suspension and swingarm with monoshock at rear. The bike has 17-inch wheels at both ends, shod with 100/80 front and 130/70 rear tyres. It has disc brakes at both ends with dual-channel ABS.It is possible that Honda could introduce Bluetooth-based connectivity features for CBR150R in India. Rival R15 already offers a range of connectivity features, which can be accessed via Y-Connect app. Pricing also needs to be competitive for CBR150R to generate desired sales volumes. More

  • in

    2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan Scram 411 Brochure Leaks New Details

    Royal Enfield Himalayan Scram 411Scram 411 will appeal to users looking for a road-biased machine that can tackle city streets, highways and some mild off-roadsIn its current form, Royal Enfield Himalayan is not the type of bike that suffices for normal commuting needs. To improve its usability without losing its core Adv character, Royal Enfield is working on a toned-down version of Himalayan. The new 400cc bike has been spotted multiple times on road tests, revealing its features and capabilities.This new Himalayan variant will be called Scram 411. This has now been confirmed via leaked brochure scans, credit to youtube channel Bullet Guru. Royal Enfield Himalayan Scram 411 official accessories like t-shirts, keychains have also arrived at dealership.Royal Enfield Scram 411 featuresScram 411 has the same basic silhouette as that of Himalayan. It continues using the retro theme, as evident in round headlamp and rear-view mirrors. Other things like fork gaiters, design of fuel tank, wide handlebar, chassis, split seats and upswept exhaust are quite the same as Himalayan.For its road-biased transformation, a number of parts have been removed. For example, Scram 411 does not have the dedicated racks at front and rear. It gets compact-sized tank shrouds at front and single piece grab rail at rear.Royal Enfield Himalayan Scram 411 vs HimalayanAnother key change is the use of a smaller 19-inch front wheel, as compared to 21-inch unit currently used with Himalayan. The bike is still capable of some off-roading, as it continues using wire-spoked wheels shod with dual-purpose tyres.At the front, Scram 411 misses out on windscreen and raised front fender. Shape of turn indicators is expected to be different, as compared to that of Himalayan. There could be some other minor variations to the overall styling of the bike. For a unique identity, some new colour options can be introduced for Scram 411.As reduced pricing could be one of the objectives, Scram 411 could get an updated instrument console without Tripper navigation system. As may be recalled, Tripper was added to Himalayan earlier this year in February. For users who need it, Tripper may be offered as an accessory with Scram 411.Royal Enfield Himalayan Scram 411 FeaturesRoyal Enfield Scram 411 engine and specsEngine will be the same 411cc unit currently in use with Himalayan. The air cooled, single cylinder, SOHC motor generates 24.3 bhp of max power and 32 Nm of peak torque. It is mated to a 5-speed gearbox. It is possible that the engine may be retuned slightly in-line with the needs of a road-biased motorcycle.Much of the hardware will be same such as telescopic front forks and monoshock suspension at rear. Suspension could be made stiffer for better on-road performance. Scram 411 will have disc brakes at both ends with dual-channel ABS as standard. Himalayan has 300 mm and 240 mm disc at front and rear, respectively.[embedded content][embedded content]Launch is expected to take place later this month. Dealer training has started. Apart from Scram 411, Royal Enfield will be launching other new / updated bikes in 2022. The list includes Super Meteor 650, new-gen Bullet 350 and Hunter 350. This is part of the company’s strategy to introduce around one new product every quarter. More