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      Royal Enfield Himalayan 650 Spied – Dual Disc In Front, USD Forks

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      Royal Enfield Himalayan 650 Dual Disc SpiedFor the first time ever, a Royal Enfield motorcycle is getting adjustable suspension and front dual-disc brake setup among othersIndian motorcycling enthusiasts are in for a treat as Royal Enfield is coming up with a new 650cc motorcycle. No. We’re not talking about the Bullet 650 and Classic 650 or even the Scram 650 (Interceptor Bear 650). This is a lot more exciting. Say Namaste to the first ever Royal Enfield Himalayan 650 spy shots.Royal Enfield Himalayan 650 SpiedAfter multiple rumours, speculations and featuring in a few official internal presentations, Royal Enfield has finally commenced the testing of Himalayan 650. This is the first time, Royal Enfield is creating a truly premium offering and when launched, it will be positioned as the company’s flagship.Royal Enfield Himalayan 650 SpiedThe test mule in question, was completely camouflaged. But the design attributes that it brings to the table easily position it as a Royal Enfield. The same 648cc parallel-twin mill from other RE 650 motorcycles can be seen on this bike too. There is a single exhaust setup, which is of an up-swept design for better water wading.Seating layout is of split-type design with front seat scooped out for comfort and convenience while pillion seat is stepped. There are braces on the rear subframe that end into a rear luggage rack. Just like Himalayan 450, tail lights are integrated into its turn indicators. There are new ORVMs for better visibility too.Royal Enfield Himalayan 650 SpiedUnlike Himalayan 450, upcoming Himalayan 650 has a semi fairing that makes it more of a tourer than an adventure off-roader. The first motorcycle that this test mule reminded me of, was Benelli TNT 600 GT. This bikini fairing engulfs the fuel tank in a soothing manner. We hope the fuel tank is 20L+ for maximum range on a single tank.We can see a circular instrument cluster that looks like it is fully digital TFT unit. The angle of this screen was facing rider, which is better for touring as it falls in rider’s peripheral vision. This could very well be the same Tripper Dash we saw with Himalayan 450 and just launched Guerrilla 450. So, Google Maps, music control and other telemetry features will be present.Royal shares launch plans of 13 new motorcyclesSpecs and PriceFor the first time ever, Royal Enfield is testing dual disc setup at the front on any of its motorcycles. These are dual petal-type rotors. Owing to its touring bias, Royal Enfield Himalayan 650 spied, doesn’t get 21-inch front wheels, although they’re still wire-spoke type compatible with tubeless tyres.This is the first Royal Enfield ever to get adjustable suspension. We can see adjusters for front USD telescopic forks. This is also the first Royal Enfield 650cc offering to get a mono-shock rear suspension. Powertrain-wise, it will carry over the same 648cc parallel twin oil-cooled motor. We expect it to make slightly more power at around 50 bhp and 60 Nm of torque, mated to a 6-speed gearbox.Royal Enfield New Himalayan 450Owing to the premium componentry, design, appearances and other elements, Royal Enfield Himalayan 650 will comfortably cost around the Rs 4 lakh mark. When launched, it will be the most affordable middle-weight ADV rivaling Kawasaki Versys 650, Benelli TRK 502 and the likes.Source More

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      Mahindra XUV700 EV Coupe Interiors Spied – Dashboard, Sunroof, Seats, Steering

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      Mahindra XUV700 EV CoupeUpcoming Mahindra XUV700 EV Coupe (XUV.e9) is likely to pack 80 kWh battery powering up to two electric motors with 200 km/h top speedTesting for Mahindra’s INGLO platform based vehicles is going in full swing. We have managed to get our hands on spy shots of XUV.e8, XUV.e9 and BE.05 electric SUV engineering test mules across the country. The latest spy shots show the interiors of Mahindra XUV700 EV Coupe (XUV.e9) in full detail. Let’s take a look.Mahindra XUV700 EV CoupeWith electric vehicles taking more prominence than they ever did, more OEMs are taking the electric route. Mahindra is no exception and sells XUV400 in India. However, the company is on the verge of launching its INGLO platform-based born electric vehicles that will play a major role in Mahindra’s global expansion strategies.Mahindra XUV700 EV CoupeIn the recent past, we posted XUV.e9’s interiors while it was loading on a plane, ready to be shipped abroad. For testing or for shooting TVCs, we presumed. But those test mules had a lot of testing equipment and were not very clear, showing fewer details about Mahindra’s upcoming electric coupe SUV.The new spy shots, however, show XUV.e9’s interiors in full clarity, revealing a lot more details we couldn’t grasp with previous spy shots. For starters, we can see that Mahindra XUV700 EV Coupe (XUV.e9) shares a lot of its switchgear and almost all of its components with XUV700. This is not a bad thing as XUV700 is quite a feature-loaded offering.Mahindra XUV700 EV CoupeDashboard is the same as Mahindra XUV700’s, but we get a new free-standing triple-screen setup that takes centre stage. Dual-zone climate control panel and AC vents, headlight control stalk, wiper control stalk, interior door trims, centre console, seats, armrests and other attributes are the same as those of XUV700.Mahindra XUV700 EV CoupeWhat are the changes?Apart from the new triple-screen layout that we mentioned above, there are a lot of new elements that these new spy shots show. For starters, there is a new twin-spoke steering wheel with an illuminated logo (Tata Motors vibes here). It is leather-wrapped and has horn pads at the ends for easy reach with thumbs (love it).Centre console still retains the lovely physical infotainment dial from XUV700, but there is a new and fancier gear selector with Blue accents. There seem to be extra speakers with XUV.e9 as suggested by the grill at the top of door trims, but this might just be a non-functional pattern too. What will be functional, though, is a hollow space on the dashboard which will be populated by a large HUD in the future.Mahindra XUV700 EV CoupeThe illuminated logo we mentioned on XUV.e9 is likely to be specific to XUV.e lineup. This is a brand new logo, which looks an infinity. It is different than Mahindra’s Twin Peaks logo. So, we get old oval Mahindra logo for CVs, Twin Peaks for PVs, a new “Infinity” logo for XUV.e range and BE logo for, well, BE range of vehicles.We also get a closer look at the leather seats as well as the fixed glass roof. Powertrains-wise, we expect Mahindra XUV700 EV Coupe (XUV.e9) to pack up to an 80 kWh battery and an option for dual motor AWD layout with around 200 km/h top speed. Launch is likely to happen in 2025 and will rival Tata Safari EV.Also read – Mahindra BE.05 base model gets unique fascia More

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      Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Launch Price Rs 2.39 L – 3 Variants, 6 Colours, Brochure, Specs

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      Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Roadster Launched: Power-Packed with 40PS OutputRoyal Enfield Guerrilla 450 has been launched globally. It is a premium modern roadster based on the Sherpa 450 platform. It is powered by the same Himalayan 450 engine. The sherpa 450 platform underpins its design and performance, boasting a 452cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine. This new motorcycle will help Royal Enfield boost declining sales.Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Prices and VariantsGuerrilla 450 is now open for bookings in India and Europe. The introductory price in India is set at INR 2,39,000 (ex-showroom). Test rides and retail sales in India will start on August 1, 2024. In Europe, retail sales will commence in mid-August.Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 PricesGuerrilla 450 is powered by a 452cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled Sherpa engine with a 4-valve DOHC setup. It delivers power of 40 PS at 8,000 rpm and torque of 40 NM at 5,500 rpm. More than 85 percent of its torque is available from 3000 rpm, ensuring a responsive ride. The engine features a water-cooled system with an integrated water pump, twin-pass radiator, and internal bypass. It is paired with a 6-speed gearbox featuring an assist and slip clutch.Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 SpecsKey features of the Guerrilla 450 include a stepped bench seat, an 11-litre fuel tank, and LED headlights with integrated tail lamps. It has an upswept silencer and a steel twin-spar tubular frame. The front suspension comprises a 43mm telescopic fork, while the rear has a linkage-type mono-shock. The motorcycle rides on 17-inch front and rear tubeless tyres, with a 1440 mm wheelbase for stability.Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 SpecsCategoryRoyal Enfield Guerrilla 450 SpecificationEngineTypeLiquid cooled, single cylinder, DOHC, 4 valvesBore x Stroke84 mm x 81.5 mmDisplacement452 ccCompression Ratio11.5:1Maximum Power40.02 PS (29.44 kW) @ 8000 RPMMaximum Torque40 Nm @ 5500 RPMIdle RPM1300Starting SystemElectric startLubricationSemi-dry sumpEngine Oil Grade10W40 API SN, JASO MA2, semi-syntheticClutchWet multiplate, slip & assistGearbox6 speedFuel InjectionElectronic fuel injection, 42mm throttle body, ride-by-wiresystemChassis & SuspensionTypeSteel, tubular frame using engine as stressed memberFront SuspensionTelescopic forks, 43 mmFront Wheel Travel140 mmRear SuspensionLinkage type mono-shockRear Wheel Travel150 mmDimensions WeightsWheelbase1440 mmGround Clearance169 mmLength2090 mmWidth833 mmHeight1125 mm (without mirrors)Seat Height780 mmDry Weight174 kgKerb Weight185 kgPayload w/ Standard Equipment191 kgFuel Capacity11 LBrakes TyresTyres Front120/70 R17Tyres Rear160/60 R17Brakes FrontHydraulic disc brake, 310 mm ventilated disc, double piston caliperBrakes RearHydraulic disc brake, 270 mm ventilated disc, single piston caliperABSDual channel ABSElectricalsElectrical System12VBattery12V, 8 AHHead LampLED headlampTail Lamp/Turn Signal LampIntegrated turn & tail lamp, all LEDOther EquipmentRide modes, USB Type-C charging pointCluster4 inch round TFT display with phone connectivity, full map navigation (powered by Google Maps), media controlsCluster (Base Model)Digi-analog instrument cluster (Tripper Pod optional)Riding modes and technology are significant highlights. The Engine Management System (EMS) and ride-by-wire technology provide versatility. Performance Mode and Eco Mode throttle responses enable riders to adapt to various riding conditions, enhancing both efficiency and fun.Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450Info System, and AccessoriesGuerrilla 450’s infotainment system, the Tripper Dash, features a 4-inch infotainment cluster. It supports route recording in GPX format, music control, weather forecasts, and comprehensive vehicle information. The Royal Enfield Wingman MIY feature adds a layer of connectivity, enhancing the riding experience. Variants of the Guerrilla 450 include Analogue, Dash, and Flash with 6 options.Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450A variety of accessories can be added to the Guerrilla 450 to enhance its functionality and style. These include large engine guards, sump guards, an urban seat, a tinted flyscreen, blacked-out mirrors, a bench seat, a silver sump guard, a headgrill, a Halcyon black instrument cowl, compact engine guards, bar-end mirrors, and soft panniers.Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450Guerrilla 450 Roadster Variants and ColoursThe Borderless Warranty Program offered by Royal Enfield provides comprehensive coverage, ensuring peace of mind for Guerrilla 450 owners. In most Latin American markets, it’s known as Royal Enfield GBR 450. August 2024 Introductory Price list is as follows – Analogue Smoke Silver, and Playa Black – INR 2,39,000/-; Dash Playa Black, and Gold Dip – INR 2,49,000/-; Flash Yellow Ribbon, and Brava Blue – INR 2,54,000/-.Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450B Govindarajan, CEO – Royal Enfield said, “When we started with the Sherpa 450 platform, we envisaged an adventure tourer and a superlative roadster that would be distinctly Royal Enfield. Developed in parallel with the Himalayan, the Guerrilla is tuned to perfection for city riding as well as weekend rides through twisty roads.” More

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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