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    Hero Mavrick 440 Spotted Testing – Mules Reveal, Fascia, Components

    Hero Mavrick 440 Spotted TestingWhen compared to Harley-Davidson X440, Hero Mavrick 440 spotted testing, dons a different design language with less premium componentryThe strategic partnership between Hero MotoCorp and Harley-Davidson has spawned one motorcycle as of now. This is Harley-Davidson X440, which is manufactured by Hero MotoCorp. Now, Hero is launching their version of this motorcycle with slightly less premium componentry and a different design ethos.Hero Mavrick 440 Spotted TestingThe Indian 2W juggernaut is stepping up its game in premium motorcycle segment by launching its biggest-ever and most expensive product. The name Mavrick 440 is highly likely, as indicated by the recent teasers where company is revealing one letter at a time. Positioned as company’s flagship offering, it will be launched on 22nd January.Media drives for the same could be between 15th and 16th February. There have been multiple test mule sightings before around Jaipur. None of them showed the bike’s front fascia and visual distinctions from its alliance cousin Harley-Davidson X440. The recent spy shots surfacing internet show just that.For starters, Hero MotoCorp is incorporating a different design language than what Harley-Davidson is offering. This is evident, especially at the front where there is an all-new headlight, handlebars, and the likes. Hero Mavrick 440 spotted testing also shows stylish bar-end mirrors that are likely to be part of accessories.X440 test mules with accessoriesWhen compared to 43mm Showa USD telescopic front forks on Harley-Davidson X440, Hero Mavrick 440 gets RSU telescopic setup. This will establish a hierarchy in premiumness between Mavrick and X440. Another major difference is a new fuel tank that has tank shrouds to establish a slightly sportier and street-bike-like appeal.Brand new headlight with ‘H’ insigniaBoth X440 and Mavrick 440 get a round LED headlight setup, but Hero gives a different LED signature on the inside. This signature mimics an ‘H’, comparable to what Hero offered with 2023 Xpulse 200 and Xpulse 200 Pro. Actual headlight bulbs get a reflector setup, unlike projectors on Xpulse.Where powertrain is concerned, Hero Mavrick 440 spotted, shows the same 440cc single-cylinder engine as X440. To establish a hierarchy between the two, Hero’s offering could sport lesser performance metrics. Also, the round exhaust end-can of X440 is replaced with a different unit on Hero’s Mavrick.New Harley Davidson X440Mated to a 6-speed gearbox, X440 offers 27 bhp of peak power and 38 Nm of peak torque. X440 boasts an all-metal build too, something that Hero might change with Mavrick 440 with more plastic and fibre components to save cost and weight. Speaking of cost, X440 retails between Rs. 2,39,500 and Rs. 2,79,500 (ex-sh). Hero’s pricing would be significantly lower at around Rs. 2 lakh.Where features are concerned, we can expect the same TFT instrument screen from Karizma XMR along with Bluetooth connectivity, smartphone integration with a dedicated app for Android and Apple devices, turn-by-turn navigation and more. Primary rivals include Royal Enfield Classic 350 and other retro classics from Jawa, Yezdi and Honda.Source More

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    Tata Motors EV Sales Growth At 59% – Almost 70k Electric Cars Sold In 2023

    New Tata Nexon EVTata Tiago EV, launched in January 2023, has been instrumental in raising company’s EV sales substantially over the past yearTata Motors foray into the electric vehicle segment has been a game changer for the company. Its endeavour to venture into a more sustainable avenue with environmentally friendly products towards a greener and cleaner future has led the company to outstanding success in CY 2023. During the past year, the company has seen a 59 percent increase in EV sales and Tata Motors continues to add more products to their EV range with the new Tiago launched last year.What has aided the company in its growth is the fact that these electric vehicles are being offered in three body styles of hatchback (Tiago EV), sedan (Tigor EV), and SUV (Nexon EV), thus appealing to customers both in the premium and mass market segments.Tata Motors’ Electric Vehicle (EV) Sales PerformanceTalking about Tata Motors EV sales during the past calendar year, sales touched 69,153 units in CY 2023, a 59 percent YoY growth over 43,451 units sold in CY 2022. EV sales contributed to 12.55 percent of the company’s passenger vehicle sales that stood at 5,50,883 units in CY2023, relating to a growth of 8 percent over sales in CY 2022.Monthwise EV sales have seen positive results through the past year. Sales stood at 4,133 units in Jan 2023, up 39 percent over 2,982 units sold in Jan 2022. February 2023 sales escalated to 5,318 units while in March and April sales touched 6,509 units and 6,516 units respectively.Tata Motors EV sales in 2023 vs 2022Sales of EVs were the highest to date in June 2023 at 7,025 units relating to a 95 percent YoY growth while in the following months sales dipped marginally but yet posted sales growth as compared to corresponding months in CY 2022. Tata Motors’ EV sales averaged at 5,762 units in CY 2023 up from an average of 3,720 units sold in CY 2022. Even in terms of electric vehicle retail sales, Tata Motors has seen outstanding success with a 118 percent increase to 81,000 units in CY 2023.Tata Motors – EV Market LeaderTata Motors is a market leader in the EV segment in India with a 70 percent share. It is the company’s endeavour to have its EV range command a 50 percent share in its portfolio by 2030. A major portion of its sales are seen for the Tigor EV which is also offered in X-Press T fleet only EV. Tata Motors has also found more demand from rural areas and outside of the top 20 cities while preferred by first time owners and 24 percent by women buyers in the country.As on date, the company has an EV portfolio of the Tata Nexon EV, Tata Tiago EV and Tata Tigor EV while the new Punch EV is also set to roll out soon. Along with its range of electric vehicles, the company is also actively testing Harrier and Safari EVs, both of which will be flagship offerings positioned above the Nexon EV. More

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    2024 KTM 390 Adventure Testing In India For The First Time – Scrambler 400X Rival

    New 2024 KTM 390 AdventureThe same 399cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine from 390 Duke will be offered with 2024 KTM 390 Adventure spotted in India with 45 bhp and 40 NmTeam Orange has launched its new 399cc-based 390 Duke in India. It is just a matter of time before this platform gets its supersport and adventure counterparts too. There is a new Enduro-style motorcycle spotted testing based on this platform too. But for the first time in India, 2024 KTM 390 Adventure is spotted testing.2024 KTM 390 Adventure Testing In IndiaWith the launch of Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and Triumph Scrambler 400X, BMW G 310 GS and KTM 390 Adventure began to show their age. We’re not sure about an update for G 310 GS. But 2024 KTM 390 Adventure is incoming. For the first time, new 390 Adventure test mules are spotted testing in India.For starters, there is no camouflage around this motorcycle. There are no visible brandings on this bike to establish its identity too. However, this is unmistakably the new 390 Adventure. Primary difference which is a key visual differentiator for this new bike is headlight design. Vertically stacked headlight assembly gets two projectors.Larger projector seen on top, is for low-beam and smaller projector below is for high-beam. Both these headlights are highly likely to get LEDs behind these projectors. There is a 4-part split LED DRL design engulfing the projector headlight setup. There is a tall windscreen above, with a groove for smoothening air flow and reduce wind buffeting.More off-road variant of KTM 390 Adventure Spotted AbroadUnlike the current 390 Adventure, there is a large front beak too. Front gets fully adjustable (compression and rebound) USD telescopic WP APEX forks with a long travel. Rear has a mono-shock setup that will get pre-load and rebound adjustments too. The seat height is tall and we hope there is a large fuel this time around.What to expect?Looking at the test mule spotted in India, we’re sure that KTM and Bajaj duo might be cooking different variants with different off-road worthiness. We say this because the recent sightings from abroad showed the same motorcycle riding 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wire-spoke wheels with skinny off-road tyres.2024 KTM 390 Adventure spotted in India has smaller 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel sizes with fatter tyres that have dual-purpose tread patterns. All of this hardware is likely to be mounted on the same mainframe as 2024 390 Duke with slight tweaking to suit ADV character. Rear subframe is unique to 390 Adventure.Banana-shaped swingarm and other components seem to be shared with 390 Duke. Speaking of sharing, 2024 KTM 390 Adventure spotted in India will also get the same 399cc single-cylinder engine with liquid cooling and 6-speed gearbox as 390 Duke. This engine makes 45 bhp and 40 Nm. KTM will offer a few electronic riding aids along with the same under-belly exhaust setup. The TFT screen with connectivity will be on offer too.Image – Powerdrift More

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    Tata Punch EV Bookings Open – Debuts acti.ev Platform, Gets A Frunk Too

    Tata Punch EV Bookings OpenThe new acti.ev platform is a dedicated pure-ev platform that will underpin Tata Punch EV along with other future vehiclesAmong the Indian electric car manufacturers, one brand outshines the others with unparalleled dominance. That brand is Tata Motors. The company recently greenlighted its dedicated EV showrooms providing curated experience for EV buyers. The newest entrant to Tata’s EV portfolio is Punch EV.Tata Punch EV Bookings OpenRight now, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility (TPEM), subsidiary of Tata Motors, sells three electric cars in India. These are Tiago EV, Tigor EV and Nexon EV. The company’s fourth electric offering for Indian market is Punch EV and it is set to light up the electric car stage on fire (not literally).Bookings for the same has commenced for a token amount of Rs. 21,000. These bookings can be placed via Tata Motors Dealerships authorised for EV sales or by visiting Tata.ev dedicated electric car showrooms. The price increment over ICE Punch is likely to be around Rs. 5 lakh as it is debuting a brand new dedicated electric car platform.Punch EV gets a revised design with a radical new fascia similar to Nexon EV. It looks more sophisticated than before. The charging port is in the front, housed in its closed-off grill.[embedded content]Debuts acti.ev PlatformAbbreviated to Advance Connected Tech-Intelligent Electric Vehicle, acti.ev platform is a dedicated electric car platform developed by Tata Motors. This is a pure-electric architecture that will debut with soon-to-be-launched Punch EV (sold as Punch.ev). This new platform will form the baseline on which future Tata EVs will be based.This acti.ev (read active) platform will support multiple sizes for chassis and multiple body styles as well. Upcoming Tata Curvv EV, Harrier EV and Safari EV might be based on this new platform and not Ziptron architecture seen with Tiago EV, Tigor EV and Nexon EV. Because acti.ev is a dedicated pure electric platform, there is a Frunk (front trunk) beneath the bonnet too.The company mentioned key pillars for their new pure-ev platform. They are Performance, Technology, Modularity and Space Efficiency. These pillars further consist of four layers too. These are Powertrain, Chassis, Electrical Architecture and Cloud Architecture.Tata Punch EV Fascia1. PowertrainTata promises advanced battery pack design with global standards with 10% improvement over Ziptron architecture in energy density. The scalable platform allows for battery pack variations with minimum of 300 km range all the way till 600 km. Modularity allows for FWD, RWD and AWD configurations too. Charging speeds have seen a bump too, with up to 11 kW AC and 150 kW DC compatibility.2. ChassisTata Motors is historically known to make Indian-road-worthy vehicles that offer excellent ride quality with precise suspension setup. The new body structure associated with acti.ev platform for Punch and future vehicles are said to meet future NCAP safety protocols. Being a dedicated EV platform, there is a front trunk and flat floor too.Tata Punch EV Design3. Electrical Architectureacti.ev is pitted as a future-ready architecture offering possibilities of high computing powers that should allow for a seamless L2 ADAS suite. Company claims L2+ ADAS possibilities too. It is 5G ready as well ensuring a host of connected features. Just like recent Nexon EV, acti.ev platform supports reverse charging in the form of V2L (Vehicle 2 Load) and V2V (Vehicle 2 Vehicle) tech too.4. Cloud ArchitectureLastly, acti.ev boasts of cloud architecture too with enhanced user experience, newly introduced Arcade.ev app suite along with future software updates and other features.Tata Punch EV Debuts acti.ev platform More

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    2024 Bajaj Chetak Electric Scooter Launch Price Rs 1.15 L – Range 127 Kms

    Bajaj Launches Upgraded 2024 Chetak Electric Scooter with Premium FeaturesBajaj Auto has launched its latest additions to the Chetak electric scooter lineup. The launch of the Chetak 2024 marks another stride forward in the realm of electric mobility, combining cutting-edge technology with enhanced performance. It is offered in two variants of Premium and Urbane, priced at Rs 1.35 lakh and Rs 1.15 lakh respectively, ex-sh.Chetak Premium 2024 – Advanced Functionality2024 Bajaj Chetak Electric Scooter is positioned as a pinnacle of innovation and functionality, introduces an array of advanced features set to redefine the electric two-wheeler experience. Equipped with a vivid 5-inch TFT display, the Premium variant offers turn-by-turn navigation, music control, call management, and customizable display themes.2024 Bajaj ChetakIn terms of performance, the Chetak Premium 2024 boasts an improved 3.2 kWh battery, extending its range to an ARAI-certified 127 km while reaching a top speed of 73 km/h. Charging convenience is also amplified with an onboard 800W charger that can deliver up to 15.6 km of range in just 30 minutes.Notably, the optional TecPac enhances these capabilities, providing a seamless customer experience through the Chetak App and enabling future adaptability to evolving mobility needs. The TecPac introduces Hill Hold Mode, ensuring confidence and control on inclines, and a reverse mode for effortless maneuvering.2024 Bajaj ChetakHighlighting its feature-rich design, the Chetak Premium 2024 incorporates sequential rear blinkers, self-cancelling blinkers, electronic locks, seat switches, and a helmet box lamp, ensuring a comprehensive and convenient riding experience. Moreover, the scooter’s solid metal body, crafted from premium materials and IP67-rated for water resistance, offers durability and style in vibrant colours such as Indigo Blue, Brooklyn Black, and Hazelnut.2024 Bajaj ChetakChetak Urbane 2024: Sophistication and AccessibilityThe Chetak Urbane 2024, priced at Rs. 1,15,001 (ex-showroom Delhi), caters to riders seeking a sophisticated yet accessible electric scooter, available in Coarse Grey, Cyber White, Brooklyn Black, and Indigo Metallic Blue colours. Chetak Premium 2024, priced at Rs. 1,35,463 (ex-showroom Delhi), promises a seamless fusion of technology and design, offering riders an elevated and eco-conscious mode of urban travel.Mr. Eric Vas, President of Urbanite, expressed pride in presenting the upgraded Chetak Premium 2024, emphasizing its blend of style, functionality, and increased range. He highlighted Bajaj’s commitment to continually enhancing the Chetak range to provide customers with a superior riding experience as they embrace cleaner modes of commuting.Since its introduction in 2019, the Chetak electric scooter has garnered a strong following, with over 1 lakh users across 140+ cities, establishing itself as a beloved brand in India’s electric vehicle segment. With these latest offerings, Bajaj Auto reiterates its commitment to innovation and sustainability in the electric mobility landscape. More

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    Hero Classic 350 Rival Launch, Media Drive Dates Revealed – Hurikan 440 Name Final?

    X440 test mule that could be Hero’s Hurikan 440Given the VFM identity that Hero MotoCorp has, we can expect the new Hero Classic 350 rival to be priced around Rs. 2 lakh (ex-sh)Royal Enfield seems to have hit the ball out of the park with Classic 350. The motorcycle has proved to be a phenomenon among Indian buyers. In November 2023, RE sold 30K+ Classic 350 in India. That’s a sizeable chunk. A chunk that India’s biggest 2W manufacturer, Hero MotoCorp, is eyeing with a new 440cc bike.Hero Classic 350 Rival Launch Soon?Joining the long line of Classic 350 rivals is Hero MotoCorp. The line consists of Jawa and Yezdi motorcycles, Honda CB350 lineup, Harley-Davidson X440 and Triumph Speed 400. Hero’s new Classic 350 rival will share the same 440cc platform that was co-developed with Harley-Davidson and seen on X440.There may be a small difference in engine tuning to place Harley-Davidson X440 as the more premium and performant machine than Hero’s offering. This should allow Hero MotoCorp to undercut X440 and most of its rivals by a large margin. Hero’s production capacity is among the largest in the world and with that, the company might establish an aggressive price point.Considering X440 is already a retro-style motorcycle, we expect Hero to position its motorcycle slightly differently. We’re talking about slightly toned-down design attributes and fancy finishes for sheet metal. Probably cut down on a few features too. The name Hurikan 440 was recently trademarked by Hero MotoCorp and has a good chance of ending up on its Classic 350 rival.Hero Classic 350 Rival Media DriveHurikan 440 Name Final?In yesterday’s post, we covered upcoming Hero MotoCorp motorcycle based on Harley-Davidson X440 and how it can be a Classic 350 rival. In the post, we mentioned launch date as January 22nd. The recent media invites sent by the company suggest media drive events to be held between 15th and 16th February.Considering Karizma XMR 210 costs Rs. 1.8 lakh (ex-sh), we can speculate Hero Hurikan 440 (name not confirmed) to be priced at around Rs. 2 lakh (ex-sh). In comparison, Harley-Davidson X440 costs Rs. 2,39,500 (ex-sh) for base Denim variant and goes till Rs. 2,79,500 for S variant with alloy wheels and connectivity suite.Performance metrics of Hero Hurikan 440 might be slightly lower than that of Harley-Davidson X440. For context, X440 has 27 bhp of peak power and 38 Nm of peak torque. Hurikan 440 will continue to get a 6-speed transmission with different gearing than X440. Hero’s biggest motorcycle will feature dual-channel ABS.Other areas for (potential) cost-cutting for Hero Hurikan 440 are less sophisticated front suspension setup as opposed to X440’s 43mm KYB USD telescopic front forks. Wheels on Hurikan 440 might not feature any dual-tone effect and wear skinnier rubber too when compared to X440. Hero is expected to play VFM card and establish an attractive price point with its flagship product. More

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    Safari EV And Harrier EV Spotted On Tow Truck – En Route ARAI Certification?

    Safari EV and Harrier EV spotted on tow truckBoth the Safari EV and Harrier EV will feature a different fascia, packing around 60 kWh battery with single-motor FWD and dual-motor AWD configsRecently, Tata Motors inaugurated two EV-specific dealerships in Gurugram, Uttar Pradesh. Tata Motors is adding two new EVs to the lineup soon as seen with recent test mules – Safari EV and Harrier EV. These will be flagship offerings from Tata.ev, sitting above the recently launched Nexon EV (Nexon.ev).Safari EV And Harrier EV Spotted On Tow TruckNamed Tata.ev dealerships, these EV-specific showrooms and service centres aim to provide curated experience to EV buyers with eco-friendliness being the main mantra. The recent test mules were spotted on a tow truck Both these test mules were extensively draped in camouflage, conceiving their identity.These test mules on a tow truck were spotted in Pune city. Looking at them on a tow truck, we would say that both these test mules are headed for ARAI testing for range on a single charge. Tata Punch EV test mule spotted in May 2023, was on a tow truck too. The new Safari EV and Harrier EV spy shot is credited to automotive enthusiast Anvay Sheolikar.Interestingly, these test mules donned pre-facelift bodies and designs that were replaced with ICE models of facelifted Safari and Harrier. Production-spec Safari EV and Harrier EV will bear newer design that Tata Motors showcased at 2023 Auto Expo. The mechanicals (in this case, electricals) are what matters for ARAI testing and certification procedures.Tata Harrier Electric SUVJust like Nexon and Nexon EV, we expect both Harrier EV and Safari EV to get additional features and equipment over their ICE counterparts. Where design is concerned, we can expect minor revisions over their ICE counterparts in the form of a closed grill and revised bumpers to establish a different fascia.What to expect from Tata.ev’s new flagships?Just like the new Nexon EV, there is a good probability that Safari and Harrier’s EV counterparts will sport any blue elements. Both on the outside and inside. Tata Motors is currently leading the electric car scene in India with Tiago EV, Tiago EV and Nexon EV. That said, India’s electric car scene is expected to get brutal with new incoming EVs.Safari EV and Harrier will primarily rival Mahindra’s upcoming XUV.e8 (XUV700 electric). Hyundai could come up with an Alcazar EV based on upcoming Creta EV if there is enough demand. The Land Rover derived OMEGARC platform on Safari and Harrier will be modified to accommodate batteries for their EV counterparts.Tata Safari electric spied with new designFWD will be standard with optional dual-motor AWD variants. Tata might sell its flagship electric SUVs with around 60 kWh battery pack, promising a range of around 500 km on a single charge. We hope there is an 80 kWh battery pack option in the mix because Mahindra’s INGLO platform on XUV.e8 is expected to pack 80 kWh worth of cells in higher variants.Both Tata Safari EV and Harrier EV will be launched in 2024. Considering increasing test mule sightings, they could launch sooner rather than later. Price might start from around Rs. 25 lakh (ex-sh) going till Rs. 35 lakh (ex-sh).Source – Anvay Sheolikar More

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    Yamaha R3 And MT-03 Launched In India – Start From Rs. 4.6 Lakh

    Yamaha R3 and MT-03 launchedThe 321cc parallel-twin DOHC liquid-cooled engine on Yamaha R3 and MT-03 launched, generates around 40 hp of peak power and 29.5 Nm of peak torqueThe Call Of The Blue is back in business by introducing multi-cylinder motorcycles after what felt like ages. Now, the entry into Yamaha’s multi-cylinder motorcycle lineup starts with the new YZF-R3 and MT-03 launched today. Prices for this dynamic duo start from Rs. 4,59,900 (ex-sh) for MT-03 and Rs. 4,64,900 for its fully-faired counterpart R3.Yamaha R3 And MT-03 Launched In IndiaUp until now, R15M was the most expensive Yamaha motorcycle in India. That changes now, as Yamaha has re-introduced YZF-R3 and launched its street naked counterpart, MT-03 for the first time in India. There are two colours on offer with Yamaha R3 – Icon Blue and Yamaha Black. While MT-03 gets Midnight Black and Midnight Cyan shades.Yamaha R3 was first launched in India in 2015 in BS4 guise and was the arch-rival to another 300cc twinner from Japan, Kawasaki Ninja 300, along with Italians like Benelli 302R. R3 took its sweet time for re-launch. But it is finally here. MT-03 however, is at the Indian gates for the first time. Sold via select dealers.R3 now gets a lot sharper design than the previous model. The new design is in line with other YZF-R products like R1, M1, R6, and even R15 that we have in India. It has a sleek and aerodynamic design and a new dash of colours too. Same goes with MT-03, where it falls in line with other MT vehicles and looks like a bigger MT-15, which it is.Yamaha MT-03 Midnight CyanYamaha MT-03 Midnight BlackLike other products in R-World, R3 also gets an air duct between the headlights for optimal cooling. Speaking about headlights, they are LEDs now and the turn indicators are integrated into the fairing. RVMs are still mounted on the cowl. It gets a decent windscreen, clip-on handlebars, sculpted fuel tank, split seat design and upswept exhaust.MT-03 gets the same attributes, but lacks a fairing. The footpegs are slightly rear set indicating that it is a track machine. It gets a fully digital instrument cluster showing various data like fuel capacity, gear position, coolant temp, real-time and average fuel economy, trip meter, clock and more.Specs and equipmentBoth Yamaha R3 and MT-03 get the same 321cc, liquid-cooled paralle-twin motor with a DOHC setup. It generates around 40 bhp of peak power and 29.5 Nm of peak orque. It is mated to a 6-speed gearbox with a slip and assist clutch too.Yamaha YZF-R3 Icon BlueThe main highlight of Yamaha R3 and MT-03 is its low kerb weight. R3 tips the scales at 169 kg, whereas MT-03 weighs 1 kg lighter at 168 kg. This is not only lighter than its arch-rival Ninja 300, but also RC 390, G 310 RR and Apache RR 310. Hence power:weight ratio is highest in this segment.Other hardware specs include USD forks at front and a mono-shock at the rear. Braking is handled by 298 mm and 220 mm discs at front and rear. Dual-channel ABS is offered as standard. R3 gets 17” wheels at both ends, shod with 110/70 front and 140/70 rear tyres. Royal Enfield 650s might be the biggest threat to Yamaha’s 300cc twinner duo, even though they don’t really compete in any other aspects than pricing. More