Top Stories

Subterms

    More stories

    • 150 Shares179 Views

      in Bike

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

      by

      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

    • 125 Shares189 Views

      in Bike

      Upcoming Bajaj Triumph Scrambler Render – Royal Enfield 350cc Rival

      by

      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

    • 138 Shares149 Views

      in Bike

      New Honda Electric Scooter Design Patent Filed – Range 130 Kms

      by

      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

    • 150 Shares189 Views

      in Electric Cars

      Kia EV6 Electric Launch Price Rs 60 Lakh – Over 300 Bookings

      by

      Kia EV6 shares its underpinnings with Hyundai Ioniq 5 which is also slated to arrive on Indian shores later this yearKia EV6 Electric Launch PriceKia India has launched the EV6 electric car today. It is priced from Rs 59.95 lakh, ex-sh. EV6 will be brought to the country as a fully imported model via the CBU route. Only 100 units of the mid-size electric crossover will go on sale in India this year.Despite that, Kia has already received about 350 orders. Kia India is working on arranging the additional orders. EV6 will be available in two derivatives- GT Line and GT Line AWD. Prices are Rs 59.95 lakh and Rs 64.95 lakh, ex-sh. Deliveries start from Sep 2022. Bookings are open at Rs 3 lakh, cancellation of booking will be charged at Rs 50,000.Kia EV6 ElectricKia EV6 is based on the E-GMP (Electric-Global Modular Platform) architecture which also underpins Hyundai Ioniq 5. In India, it will only be offered with a single 77.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that offers a maximum range of 528 km as per WLTP cycle. By using a 350kW fast charger, the battery pack can be juiced from 10 to 80 percent within 18 minutes using a 350 kW fast charger. On the other hand, a 50kW fast charger takes 73 minutes to achieve the same.The battery supports ultra-fast charging which can add up to 100km of range in just 4.5 minutes. It will be available in two variants – GT Line and GT Line AWD. The former will be offered a single motor driving the rear wheels that churns out 225 bhp and 350 Nm of peak torque. The latter on the other gets a dual-motor setup driving all four wheels and pushing out 321 bhp and 605 Nm of torque.Kia EV6 Electric Launch PriceKia EV6 claims a 0-100 kmph acceleration time in just 3.5 seconds. In terms of dimensions, EV6 GT Line measures 4,695mm in length, 1,890mm in width, and 1,550mm in height, while it offers a wheelbase of 2,900mm. The electric crossover will be offered in five paint options including Runway Red, Aurora Black Pearl, Snow White Pearl, Yacht Blue and Moonscape.Features on offerThe Korean brand is offering EV6 as a premium electric crossover, hence, it is loaded with all bells and whistles. This will include features like dual 12.3-inch curved displays for the instrument cluster and touchscreen infotainment, full LED lighting, ventilated and powered front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, etc, as standard fitment across both variants.The top-spec GT-Line AWD variant offers additional creature comforts like an Augmented Reality heads-up display, a Meridian sound system with 14 speakers, automatic flush-fitting door handles and a powered tailgate. EV6 comes equipped with a wide range of safety features including eight airbags, all-wheel disc brakes, ABS and Brake Assist, ESC, Hill-start Assist Control and Multi Collision Brake Assist.Apart from the standard safety tech, Kia is also offering a wide range of features under ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) including Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Keep Assist, Safe Exit Assist, Lane Follow Assist, Blind-spot Detection and more.  More

    • 138 Shares179 Views

      in Electric Cars

      2024 Mahindra Thar Electric SUV Ready To Off Road – Render

      by

      With electric being the future, how does an all electric Mahindra Thar sound, or look?2024 Mahindra Thar Electric SUV RenderNew Mahindra Thar has been a run-away success. Despite being almost 1.5 years old, it still commands a long waiting period, which is something most other car brands can be envious about. Mahindra is also working upon a 5-door Mahindra Thar, which would focus a little more on comfort and interior space, without compromising on Thar’s iconic off-roading capabilities.While the 5-door Thar is still a few months away, interesting designers at Bimble Designs have envisaged how a 3-door Mahindra Thar would look like, if it lands up becoming a pure EV. If it does get launched, expect Mahindra Thar Electric to have a range in the region of 500 kms on full charge.2024 Mahindra Thar Electric SUVThe idea of a Thar EV is practical as we have already seen some massively powerful all electric pick-up trucks/SUVs getting launched in international markets in the last 2-3 years. Some of the names include Ford’s F-150 lightning, Hummer EV etc. Mahindra too has been working to re-enter the personal EV space, and an all electric Thar isn’t too much of a wild thought.Talking about the render, the model gets a clean futuristic design, along with some retro elements. Overall silhouette of Thar EV looks similar to that of standard Thar, however hard-core airless off-roading tyres and a heavy-duty suspension seem to have raised overall height of the off-roader.2024 Mahindra Thar Electric SUV RenderAt the front, the iconic Jeep inspired vertical slats get a design make-over and are all covered up, to suit the EV’s requirement. Large squared-off wheel arches and a reworked bumper make the SUV look dominating. Design of Headlamps and tail-lamps haven’t been changed much, possibly to retain the true Thar character.However, headlamps get a new LED element, which get complimented by LED bars present on the roof and front bumper. A functional roof rack along with ladders has also been added, to help users carry additional gears like a tent etc, during an off-roading trip.Mahindra Thar EV Rear DesignWhile Mahindra has some aggressive plans in the EV space, it remains to be seen if Mahindra will plan on bringing all-electric body-on-frame SUVs. As of now, most EVs in India are based on monocoque frames. If Mahindra can bring in an EV-setup on a body-on-frame platform, it will have the flexibility to spawn multiple models, like Thar EV, Scorpio EV and possibly even a Bolero EV.2024 Mahindra Thar Electric SUV RenderTalking about the standard Thar, it is offered with both petrol and diesel motor options. The diesel motor happens to be part of Mahindra’s iconic mHawk range and the 2.2 litre turbo diesel unit is capable of dishing out 130 hp and 300 Nm of peak torque. Customers opting for a petrol powerhouse get a 2 litre turbo petrol mStallion motor, which can churn out 150 hp and 320 Nm of max torque. Transmission options include 6-speed MT and 6-speed AT gearboxes. Select trims also get 4×4 capabilities.As of now, Mahindra is busy working for 2022 ScorpioN’s launch, which is scheduled to take place later this June. Post the ScorpioN, Mahindra might bring in an all-electric XUV300, which will land up becoming a direct rival to Nexon EV and Nexon EV max.Source More

    • 125 Shares199 Views

      in Bike

      Ather Electric Scooter Fire Incident At Showroom – Official Update

      by

      Ather electric scooter fire incident is attributed to vehicle that was brought in for servicing following an accident – fact finding points to crack on battery pack casingAther Electric Scooter Fire IncidentRecent electric scooter fires are a bane. But, hopefully one that strengthens the path for e2Ws. The current focus on electric scooter fires seem odd especially since ICE vehicle fires to date have never been scrutinized this closely. This of course is owing to multiple reasons.One of them being the fact that social media as a platform didn’t perform quite as well when it comes to amplifying matters. And one couldn’t quite so easily interact with authorities and/or manufacturers. The world today is open to more transparent and prompt communication. At the same time, online grievances and opinions are manifold. So, are trolls.So, while the concern is legit, and warrants meaningful discussion, not all online chatter is meaningful. Company statements are tricky to dissect accurately, and most times, they are all that is available. Following the recent spate of electric scooter fires, multiple manufacturers have gone on record to discuss specified fire incidents in brief.Ather Electric Scooter FireThis past week, there’s been a report of a Hero Photon electric scooter. The manufacturer was quick to point out that that the fire is the outcome of a short circuit at the socket. The scooter was being charged overnight. The other fire in focus was an incident in Chennai at Ather’s dealership in Chennai. A detailed statement a day later elaborates on what unfolded.Ather Electric Scooter Fire – Official UpdateThe company says, the fire erupted in a vehicle that had been brought to the service centre following an accident. Once dust was washed off the vehicle, the team realized there was a crack in the battery pack top casing when removing body panels. This crack is likely an outcome of the accident. Because of the wash, water entered the battery pack. The company also noticed a few screws around the battery had been replaced. Their varying lengths could have heightened stress on the battery top panel.A report earlier in the week, which puts blame on cheap materials that don’t meet quality criteria. The probe result was furnished by CFEES of the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) and Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. Electric scooter fire incidents led to notices being sent to multiple manufacturers. Incident explanations are sought from Boom Motors, Pure EV, Ola Electric, Okinawa Autotech, and Jitendra EV. With the scooter fire reports from this week, due diligence and audits for the same are expected.Audits and due diligenceWhile the e2W industry is seeing growth across segments, in terms of sales volume, it still is a small segment. One that sees improved interest. With EVs touted to be the next big arena of mobility, it’s essential that the groundwork is strong. So, while outcomes of national probes of ICE vehicles have hardly been a matter of public discussion, for EVs the rules have changed.Honest and open discussions will help keep the faith in the growing EV industry. Detailed scrutiny will help correct faultlines. This is more than essential if the country is to reach its EV transition goals by 2030. More

    • 175 Shares169 Views

      in Bike

      Ola Electric Scooter Price Increased By Rs 10k – 10 Free S1 Pro Offer

      by

      Purchase window for Ola S1 Pro is now open – Prices have been increased by Rs 10,000 for all customersOla Electric ScooterDespite all flak received on social media, Ola Electric continues to generate huge volumes with its e-scooter offering. S1 Pro has become the highest-selling electric scooter in India recently.The Bengaluru-based startup has now commenced accepting fresh bookings for the electric scooter. Only S1 Pro is on offer. S1 is no longer listed, as its production has been stopped temporarily.Ola Electric Scooter Price IncreaseEarlier in March, Ola CEO had revealed that prices of the electric scooter will see an increase in the next purchase window. As expected, prices have increased. Before today, it was priced at Rs 1.29 lakh (ex-showroom, excluding FAME II subsidy). Now, it is priced at Rs 1.39 lakh, ex-sh.Interestingly, this price is getting applied to all customers, even those who pre-booked in Jan this year. This has not gone down well with existing customers and they are voicing their opinion on social media.Ola Electric Scooter Price Increase May 2022Free Ola Electric Scooter For 10 S1 Pro ownersIn other developments, Ola Electric will soon roll out an updated version of its operating system. The new MoveOS 2 comes with an OTA update that promises better navigation and also introduces new features. Features like new mobile connectivity, a new mobile app and a new ECO mode that increases the overall range of the scooter have been added to the package.Free Ola Electric Scooter OfferAs of now, a Beta version of the new software has been made available for select customers. The final version of the software is expected to be available to customers in the coming weeks. Ola also has to recall 1,440 e-scooters after multiple fire incidents and other mishaps were reported across the country.To promote the new software, Ola CEO had announced to gift a free S1 PRO Gerua colour to any owner who manages to get over 200 kms range on a single charge. This feat was achieved by Karthik. He was handed over his 2nd Ola scooter free at a ceremony recently.Free Ola Electric Scooter Offer WinnerSeeing this, many other owners of S1 PRO request Ola to extend the offer. Ola has now decided to offer 10 free S1 Pro Gerua electric scooters for the first 10 owners who cross 200 kms range. One owner has already crossed the previous high, and has been announced as a winner in this contest. Deliveries of the free Ola electric scooter will take place in June, at the FutureFactory.Test Rides & Other DetailsOla had organized test rides for prospective customers in five cities yesterday. The purchase arrangement will be kept intact and consumers who have reserved a slot by paying Rs 499 will get a chance to buy the scooter in the next purchase window. However, Ola Electric has not specified for how long the window will remain open.Buyers will have to make an advance payment of around Rs 20,000 while the rest of the payment will have to be made once the company sends the final invoice before delivery. We expect deliveries to commence soon while exact delivery timeline will vary on a first-come-first-serve basis.As we already know, Ola Electric follows a direct-to-consumer model instead of a conventional dealership template. Though this model has its benefits, it did face some logistic challenges such as delays in deliveries, registrations etc. However, as things move forward, the process should smoothen out in the near future. More

    • 125 Shares99 Views

      in Electric Cars

      Mahindra Electric SUVs To Use Volkswagen Components – XUV400, XUV900

      by

      Mahindra has plans to launch as many as eight electric SUVs by 2027Image for reference.Mahindra has something big planned for its grand re-entry into the electric mobility segment. The homegrown carmaker has already teased its upcoming trio of electric SUVs ahead of their maiden official appearance slated in July later this year.While Mahindra continues to focus on IC engine models, it will spend significant resources on its upcoming battery-powered vehicles. The electric vehicles (EVs) teased by Mahindra recently will be based on a new Born electric skateboard hence they are being termed as Born EVs from Mahindra.Mahindra Volkswagen PartnershipToday, Mahindra and Volkswagen announced an interesting partnership. Mahindra intends to equip its ‘Born Electric Platform’ with MEB electric components such as electric motors, battery system components and battery cells. The Partnering Agreement evaluates the scope of collaboration – it indicates binding rules for the evaluation phase as well as the non-binding scope of supply.The binding supply agreement will be negotiated in a continued constructive and legally compliant way to conclude by the end of 2022. Designed as an open vehicle platform, the MEB electric platform and its components allows car manufacturers to build their portfolio of electrified vehicles, quickly and cost-effectively. The shared objective of the two companies is to electrify the Indian automotive market, one of the most important automotive growth markets and a key element in the global decarbonisation of the mobility sector.New Mahindra Electric SUVs – TeaserThomas Schmall, Volkswagen Group Board of Management member for Technology and CEO of Volkswagen Group Components, stated, “Mahindra is a pioneer in the electric mobility space in India and a great partner for our MEB Electric Platform. Together with Mahindra, we want to contribute significantly to the electrification of India, a huge automotive market with enormous growth potential and high relevance for climate protection. It’s another proof point that the MEB is both technologically state of the art and highly competitive in terms of cost. The MEB is thus progressively developing into the leading open platform for e-mobility, generating significant volume and economies of scale. That’s crucial for every company in the EV world and the key to competitive solutions for our customers.”Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director, Auto and Farm Sectors, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., stated: “We are very pleased to have Volkswagen, a significant global investor in the electric mobility space, as a strategic partner in achieving our ambitious Born Electric Vison. The complementarity of their extensive technology, innovation, and vertical integration in supply chains, will provide a framework to develop our next gen “Born Electric Platform”, to be revealed soon in Oxfordshire UK. Our teams across India, UK and Detroit are passionately creating a breath-taking future.”Volkswagen’s MEB Electric Platform is used by the Group brands Volkswagen, Audi, SKODA and SEAT/CUPRA as well as external partners. Responsibility for these partnerships has been assigned to the “Platform Business” unit created specifically for this purpose.Mahindra Electric SUVs teasedThe company will be introducing three new fully electric SUVs under its new ‘Born Electric Vision’. All three SUVs have reportedly been designed and conceptualised by Mahindra Advanced Design Europe (MADE) which is the brand’s new global design centre based in United Kingdom and headed by Pratap Bose. As per teaser videos released previously, the three born EVs consist of a compact SUV, a mid-size SUV and a Coupe SUV.All three SUVs will be underpinned by a new bespoke platform. First of them will be a compact SUV which is expected to be the battery-powered equivalent of XUV300. It is likely to be christened as XUV400 upon launch. Next will be a mid-size SUV that can share some similarities with XUV700. Last will be a premium coupe-style SUV which could wear a new name tag of XUV900. The company had filed a trademark for the same in the country earlier last year. More