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      in Bike

      2021 Ducati Multistrada V4 Debuts With Radar Tech – India Launch Next Year

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      2021 Ducati Multistrada V4
      The 2021 Ducati Multistrada V4 boasts a service interval of 60,000 km

      The eagerly anticipated new generation Ducati Multistrada V4 flagship adventure tourer has finally been unveiled online via first of a five episode video series. Since its inception in 2003, Ducati has managed to sell over 110,000 units of its cross country workhorse and the latest iteration is leaner, meaner, lighter and packed with an array of first-in-industry technologies.
      2021 Ducati Multistrada V4
      The new Multistrada retains its instantly recognizable styling language characterized by an imposing, front heavy stance, and yet, every single design element is much more modern and sleeker than before. The new beak and panels of the semi-fairing are optimized for aerodynamics and better cooling performance. The side panels are so designed to channel airflow towards rider’s legs, a feature which would be widely appreciated on long journeys.
      The smart LED headlamps with Panigale-inspired LED DRLs render the Multistrada V4 a strong character. The bodywork-free tailpiece further accentuates the frontal bulk, a conscious decision by the designers.

      Powertrain
      The 2021 Ducati Multistrada V4’s largest party trick is its all-new V4 liquid-cooled 1,158 cc engine which is more compact than the outgoing L-Twin motor despite featuring two additional cylinders. Thanks to various weight saving measures, the V4 units is 1.2 kg lighter.

      Power and torque figures stand at 170 hp at 10,500 rpm and 125 Nm at 8,750 rpm. A six-speed transmission with up and down quick shifter is connected to the motor by means of a slip and assist clutch. The rear bank of cylinders is deactivated at idle to improve thermal comfort.

      The Multistrada’s GranTurismo V4 motor has an impressive service interval of 60,000 km, longest by a huge margin. The all-new spring valve return system seems to have played a major role in extending the service interval.

      Equipment
      The 2021 Ducati Multistrada V4’s aluminium frame is equipped with a two-sided swing arm, and the top-end V4 S sits on a semi-active Marzocchi electronic suspension (170 mm travel at the front and 180 mm at the rear) with Ducati Skyhook System. The spoke wheels come shod with 120/70-R19 front and 170/60-R17 Pirelli Scorpion Trail II rubbers.
      Digital Instrument Panel
      The Italian adventure tourer’s wide array of electronic features include an IMU-supported cornering ABS, traction control, wheelie control and cornering lights. The motorcycle’s 6.5-inch TFT color instrument panel is as comprehensive as a modern passenger car infotainment system. It incorporates smartphone mirroring, navigation and gives access to various vehicle settings.
      World’s First Production Motorcycle With Radar Tech
      The most significant equipment, however, is the front and rear radars, a first in a production motorcycle. The front unit, mounted on the beak, facilitates Adaptive Cruise Control while the rear one supports blind spot detection and rear collision warning.

      Available in V4 and V4 S variants, the 2021 Ducati Multistrada is expected to hit the showrooms in early 2021. The tech-laden cross country tool will make its Indian launch most likely next year. More

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      in Bike

      2020 TVS Apache 200 Launched – Gets Ride Modes, Adjustable Suspension

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      2020 TVS Apache 200 New Colour
      The Apache range of bikes from TVS has had a successful run at the Indian market for almost fifteen years now

      A few days ago TVS Motor Company sent out a launch invite on the occasion of the brand commemorating 4 million global sales of its sporty range of motorcycles- Apache. Yesterday, the Hosur-based bike maker teased a new launch under the Apache moniker and left netizens frenzied.
      Fans of the Apache series of motorcycles have been wondering what this potential launch could actually be. Now, TVS has revealed the bike in its entire form and turns out it updated 2020 model of Apache RTR 200 4V. This new 2020 TVS Apache comes with subtle cosmetic updates in form of new colour and new features. Price is Rs 1.31 lakhs (ex-sh), which is Rs 1k more than existing Dual ABS Apache 200.
      New Updates
      The new Apache RTR 200 4V comes in a new shade of blue seen for the first time in this range. TVS says that this colour is inspired from racing. The overall Apache styling DNA remains intact, however, the addition of a new paint scheme and decals are tasteful and up the styling quotient by a notch. It still gets its signature sharp face for which the naked streetfighter is known for.
      Speaking about the new features, 2020 TVS Apache 200 now comes with first in segment ride modes – Sport, Urban and Rain. There is a dedicated ride mode switch, which helps rider to change ride modes on the fly.
      2020 TVS Apache 200 New Features
      It also gets adjustable front suspension. This will help the owner / rider to change the suspension setting as per their preference / road conditions. Levers are also adjustable – first in segment. ABS has been tuned as per ride mode selected.
      There have been no other changes in hardware either with the RTR 200 4V based on a double-cradle chassis with telescopic forks at front and a mono-shock from KYB at rear. Anchoring duties are carried out by petal disc brakes at both ends assisted by dual-channel ABS. Recently, TVS also launched an affordable variant of Apache RTR 200 4V which gets single-channel ABS.
      2020 TVS Apache 200 Ride Modes Explained
      Engine and Features
      Coming to its powertrain, it draws its power from a 197.7cc single-cylinder air-cooled, fuel-injected motor that churns out 20.5 PS of power and 16.8 Nm of torque. It is paired to a six-speed transmission with slipper clutch and assist. Comparing these figures to its BS4 predecessor, the BS6 iteration makes the same power but 1.3 Nm less torque. TVS has also equipped it with a first-in-segment Glide Through Traffic or GTT which helps the engine rev up and glide even at idling conditions.
      Even the equipment on the remains identical to the regular model. It comes with a SmartXonnect Bluetooth console which allows the rider to attend calls as well as text alerts and also make use of turn-by-turn navigation features. Apart from usual trip and bike related data, the console also reads out additional information such as lap times, top speed, and even lean angles.
      2020 TVS Apache 200 Adjustable Brake Levers
      TVS has priced this special edition Apache RTR 200 4V at Rs 1.31 lakhs (ex-showroom) which makes it a premium of Rs 1k over the standard dual ABS model. Apache RTR 200 4V locks horn with the likes of Bajaj Pulsar NS200, KTM 200 Duke and Honda Hornet 2.0.
      2020 TVS Apache 200 Adjustable Front Suspension More

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      in Bike

      KTM 250 Adventure Test Ride Display Bike At Dealer Showroom – First Look, Exhaust Sound

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      KTM 250 Adventure. Image – Throttle 36
      Launch of the new KTM 250 Adventure is to take place in the coming days

      Catering largely to a niche target audience, most KTM products launched in the country have turned out to be successful. The Austrian motorcycle manufacturer will soon be expanding its product portfolio with KTM 250 Adventure, which is expected to be launched in the coming days.
      New 250 Adventure will be positioned above KTM 250 Duke in the company’s line-up. It has officially started to arrive at company’s authorized showrooms in major cities across India. Test ride of KTM 250 Adventure to start soon. Hat tip to automotive enthusiast guru_prasad53 for sharing the update.
      KTM 250 Adventure Arrives In Showroom
      KTM 250 Adventure design and features
      KTM 250 Adventure will share much of its design and styling with its bigger sibling, KTM 390 Adventure. Inspired by rally bikes, KTM 250 Adventure will come with an aggressive look and feel. Its dominating character is evident in its sleek headlamp, sculpted fuel tank, knobby tyres, short tail and upswept exhaust.
      The motorcycle is equipped with tapered aluminium handlebar, which ensures optimal control and a comfortable riding stance. Below is a detailed first look walkaround video of the new KTM 250 Adventure, credit to Throttle 36.
      [embedded content]
      As shown in the video, the motorcycle will have a black and white digital display instrument console with Bluetooth. However, it will be missing on features such as traction control system, off-road ABS, riding modes, and ride-by-wire technology. Another key difference is that 250 Adventure will come with halogen headlamp. The one on 390 Adventure is an LED unit.

      KTM 250 Adventure engine
      Powering KTM 250 Adventure will be the same engine as currently in use with 250 Duke. The 249 cc, single cylinder, liquid cooled engine is capable of generating 29.6 bhp of max power at 9000 rpm and 24 Nm of max torque at 7500 rpm. This is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. The engine will be in the same state of tune as that of 250 Duke.
      KTM 250 Adventure
      250 Adventure will be utilizing steel-trellis frame, just like its bigger sibling. Suspension system comprises 43mm WP Apex forks with 170 mm of travel at the front and WP Apex mono-shock suspension system with pre-load adjustability at the rear. The motorcycle will utilize MRF Mogrip Meteor FM2 tubeless tyres, as compared to Continental tyres used on 390 Adventure. Braking duties on-board 250 Adventure will be performed by 320 mm front and 230 mm rear discs, integrated with dual-channel ABS.
      Adventure motorcycles are gaining popularity in the country, something that will work as an advantageous factor for KTM 250 Adventure. While 390 Adventure has emerged as a popular choice in the country, its over Rs 3 lakh pricing has had a limiting effect on sale volumes.

      250 Adventure is expected to produce higher sales, as it will be priced at around Rs 2.4 lakh. This will make the motorcycle accessible to a larger customer base. It would be a great choice for customers who may want to experience the thrill of adventure biking. KTM 250 Adventure can effortlessly tackle both city streets as well as mild to moderate off-road tracks.
      KTM 250 Adventure will compete with the likes of BMW G 310 GS BS6 and Hero Xpulse 200. As may be recalled, BMW G 310 GS BS6 was recently launched at Rs 2.85 lakh. It is now cheaper than KTM 390 Adventure. More

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      in Bike

      Triumph Trident 660cc Roadster Debuts – India Launch 2021 As CKD

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      2021 Triumph Trident
      The Triumph Trident is powered by a 660 cc three-cylinder engine which benefits from ride-by-wire technology

      Triumph Motorcycles has entered the volume-rich affordable middle-weight naked motorcycle territory with its neo-classic Trident. The latest product from the British marque pays tribute to the original Trident of 1968 which kick started the three-cylinder saga. Positioned below the Street Triple, the roadster is not the most affordable member of Triumph’s three-cylinder family.
      [embedded content]
      Triumph Trident
      The 2021 Triumph Trident adopts a minimal design characterized by a classic fuel tank with knee pads, a stubby cantilevered tailpiece, circular LED headlamp and compact overall dimensions. The British middle-weight sportbike brings to table a classic flavor compared to its flashy Japanese rivals such as the Kawasaki Z650, Yamaha MT-O7 and Honda CB650R.
      2021 Triumph Trident
      Engine
      Triumph Trident is powered by a 660 cc, liquid-cooled, three-cylinder engine which incorporates 67 new components. Triumph says that the three-cylinder configuration combines the strong low-end torque of two-cylinder units and a spirited top-end of four-cylinder units.

      The engine produces 81 hp at 10,250 rpm and 64 Nm of torque (90% of which is available across most of the rev range) at 6,250 rpm. The motor is also available in a 47 hp / 59 Nm version for the European A2 license category and in a 54 hp / 59 Nm avatar for the Australian LAMS category. A slip and assist clutch pairs the motor with a 6-speed transmission.
      Chassis
      The Triumph Trident is underpinned by a steel tubular frame which is equipped with an aluminium swing-arm, Showa inverted front forks, Showa rear monoshock with preload adjust and 17-inch alloy wheels. Enhancing the handling package are is the factory fitted set of Michelin Road 5 tyres that measure 120/70-R17 (front) and 180/55-R17 (rear).

      Braking is taken care of by a pair of 310 mm front discs with Nissin two-piston sliding calipers and a disc at the rear with Nissin single-piston caliper. Of course, a dual-channel ABS is a standard fitment.
      Equipment
      The Triumph Trident is positioned as a premium offering in its segment. In addition to top-shelf suspension and braking hardware, the motorcycle comes equipped with a colour TFT screen along with a white-on-black LCD display, full LED lighting (headlamp, tail lamp and blinkers), adjustable traction control, ride-by-wire, road and rain riding modes, and so on.

      Launch and colours
      The most affordable triple-cylinder Triumph motorcycle will hit the dealerships in the UK in early 2021 before reaching our market via CKD route from Thailand. It will be available in four colour themes namely Silver Ice and Diablo Red, Matt Jet Black and Matt Silver Ice, Crystal White and Sapphire Black.
      The Triumph Trident will be offered with 2 year / unlimited km warranty and a range of 45 accessories that were developed alongside the bike. Fully accessorized Trident can be seen in the photos below. More

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      RE Meteor 350 Launch Invite Teases Exhaust Sound – New Thump Arrives On 6th Nov

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      Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Teaser
      Royal Enfield Meteor 350 will replace the now discontinued Thunderbird 350 and 350X from the brand’s product profile

      After months of delay Royal Enfield has finally revealed the date in which its upcoming cruiser bike is going to launch. The upcoming retro-classic cruiser Meteor 350 will, at last, be launched on November 6.
      New RE Meteor 350 will sport retro-classic elements such as circular halogen headlamp, LED DRLs, round turn indicators, LED tail lamps, forward-set footpegs and raised handlebars. From the brochures it was revealed that the upcoming retro cruiser will be offered in three variants- Fireball, Stellar and Supernova. Below is the latest teaser, which also reveals the thump / exhaust sound of the Meteor 350.
      [embedded content]
      Features
      Meteor 350 has spotted testing on roads on multiple occasions prior to this for well over a year now. Specifications have been leaked on the internet. Features addition on this bike includes Tripper Navigation which is assumed to be a Bluetooth-enabled GPS system.
      This tech is offered as standard across the range and will come in handy in long-distance touring. It also comes equipped with a USB charging port which enables the riders to charge their phones and action cameras, thus becoming useful as a tourer. Other features on offer are a semi-digital instrument cluster, a TFT screen that reads out important details of trip metre, service reminder, odometer, a ring of LED DRLs around the headlamp and more.
      The mid-spec variant Stellar variant comes with an additional backrest whereas the top-spec Supernova will come with premium leather seats and a windscreen. It will also be offered with machine-finished alloy wheels. The bike will be made available in seven colours namely- Fireball Yellow, Fireball Red, Stellar Red Metallic, Stellar Black Matte, Stellar Blue Metallic, Supernova Brown, and Supernova Blue.
      Powertrain & Transmission
      Coming to its most critical addition, the Meteor 350 will be powered by an all-new 349cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine which kicks out 20.5hp and 27Nm of peak torque. This is 0.4 bhp more and 1 Nm less than the current generation 346cc engine.
      This will be paired with a newly developed 5-speed gearbox which is expected to offer far smoother shifts. It will also employ a new clutch with less number of linkages and components – resulting in a longer life.
      Royal Enfield Meteor will be the first bike which will be underpinned by the all-new ‘J’ platform. It is expected to be priced between Rs 1.60-1.80 lakh (ex-showroom) and will directly lock horns with recently launched Honda H’Ness CB 350. It will replace the outgoing Thunderbird 350 from Royal Enfield’s portfolio. More

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      Hero And Harley Davidson Partnership Official – Sales, Service, New Launches

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      Hero will take care of Harley Motorcycle Sales and Service in India
      Hero MotoCorp will develop and sell Harley Davidson branded premium motorcycles

      Harley Davidson withdrew its official presence in India last month only to kickstart an all-new innings, this time in partnership with Hero Motocorp. News about the American cruiser specialist scouting for a suitable partner in India has been circulating for a while now with Hero Motocorp and Classic Legends (Jawa’s parent company) touted as front runners. Now, it is official.
      Harley Davidson partners with Hero MotoCorp
      Harley Davidson has announced that it has entered into distribution and licensing agreement with Hero MotoCorp as a part of its Rewire strategy. As a part of the distribution agreement, Hero MotoCorp will be responsible for selling and service Harley Davidson motorcycles through the American marque’s existing network of outlets.
      Hero’s well established dealership network would also be used to expand Harley’s market coverage. In addition to motorcycles, the Indian partner will also take care of retailing HD parts, accessories, general merchandise, riding gears and apparels.
      Hero to develop Harley motorcycles
      The most interesting aspect of the partnership is the licensing agreement according to which Hero MotoCorp will develop and sell a range of premium motorcycles under the Harley Davidson brand name. No further details about this arrangement have been revealed as of now.
      Harley servicing will also be done by Hero dealers.
      Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest two wheeler maker in terms of volume, has been aspiring to establish a strong presence in the medium displacement motorcycle segment. The company’s expertise lies in highly fuel efficient small displacement commuter motorcycles and scooters.
      Hero’s premium motorcycle ambitions did not progress beyond a handful of design concepts. The acquisition of American sportsbike brand EBR turned out to be unfruitful for both the entities.
      Harley Davidson’s backing would come as a huge boost for Hero’s aspirations. In turn, the cruiser brand will benefit massively from Hero’s unparalleled cost structure and distribution network in India.
      The made-in-India medium displacement Harley Davidson’s are expected to be pitted directly against the Royal Enfield range which has been enjoying near monopoly in the segment. Hero is also likely to export the entry-level Harley Davidson motorcycles to several markets.
      Timeline
      It is a bit too early to talk about the product segments and timelines as of now. If we were to take a guess, the first product to born from the Hero-Harley partnership would be a motorcycle with a displacement between 350 to 500 cc.
      The Harley Davidson – Hero MotoCorp partnership is a great news for the Indian motorcycle enthusiasts. Owners of existing Harley Davidson motorcycles will be able to get service as well as spares at Harley Davidson dealerships as well as at Hero dealerships. More

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      Honda CB350 is Smooth, No Vibrations – First Owner Test Ride Review

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      Honda CB350 First Owner Review
      Honda H’Ness CB350 is the third BS6 compliant product to be retailed through Big Wing dealerships

      Honda Two-wheelers India has started dispatching the recently launched H’Ness CB350. The retro classic motorcycle has been receiving appreciation from all quarters since its reveal last month. Now, the first batch of CB350 motorcycles have been delivered to respective owners.
      On the occasion of delivering the first batch of CB350 motorcycles to its respective owners, Honda conducted a special ceremony at their Big Wing dealership in Gurgaon, Haryana. All the owners were called at the same time, and were given keys at the same time.
      Honda CB350 First Batch Delivery. Image – Abhinav Bhatt
      A total of 17 units of Honda CB350 were delivered from the dealership. Abhinav Bhatt’s uncle is one of the 17 lucky owners, who has been allotted the first batch of new Honda CB350 in India.
      But it is Abhinav who has taken delivery. He plans to keep the CB350 with him for the next few days, before giving it to his uncle, who is the actual owner of the motorcycle. Immediately after taking delivery, he has created first ride impression video of Honda CB350, and posted the same on his channel. This is in fact the first ever ride review of the new Honda CB350, and can be watched below.
      [embedded content]
      In the video, Abhinav has given a detailed first review of Honda CB350. He talks in detail about how the motorcycle performs in traffic situations, how is the suspension and ride quality, engine vibrations, seat comfort, rear view mirror visibility, gear shift smoothness, exhaust sound while riding, and a lot more things.
      In his Honda CB350 review, Abhinav says that this is a really smooth motorcycle, and has no vibrations at all. Will this Honda motorcycle finally end the dominance of Royal Enfield in the segment? Only time will tell.
      Price
      Available across two variants- DLX and DLX Pro, the CB350 is offered at a price of Rs 1.85 lakh and Rs 1.90 lakh for respective variants (both prices are ex-showroom). On road price in Gurgaon is about Rs 2.18 lakhs.
      Variants, Colours on offer
      It is retailed through Honda’s Big Wing dealership chain and is currently the third BS6 model in the premium dealership’s network. The CB350 is offered in a total of six colours- three mono-tone colours for the DLX trim and three dual-tone colours for DLX Pro trim.
      Single-tone colours include Pearl Night Star Black, Precious Red Metallic and Matte Marshal Green Metallic. Whereas dual-tone paint schemes include Athletic Blue Metallic with Virtuous White, Pearl Night Star Black with Spear Silver Metallic and Mat Steel Black Metallic with Mat Massive Grey Metal.
      Design
      In terms of design, H’Ness CB350 is a classic cruiser with retro design elements such as round headlamps, Y-shaped spoke alloy wheels and machined fins. Adding a retro touch to modern design are chrome-plated components such as fenders, exhaust and mirrors and a wider rear section tyre.
      Its design has been largely inspired by older retro CB motorcycles. It has taken Honda two years to develop this motorcycle and has been made in India with over 90 percent localisation.
      Features
      Coming to its equipment list, it has a healthy list of features up its sleeve which include a semi-digital instrument panel, Honda Smartphone Voice Control System (HSVC) and Honda Selectable Torque Control System.
      It also comes with modern functionalities such as LED headlamps and Bluetooth-enabled navigation, telephony and music control. The digital MID shows information such as a gear position indicator, two trip meters and required tell-tale lights.
      Mechanical Details
      When it comes to powertrain, it is powered by a 348cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine that pushes out 21bhp and 30Nm of peak torque. It is mated to a 5-speed gearbox with a slipper clutch which ensures smoother gear shifts.
      Suspension duties rest on telescopic forks at front and twin hydraulic shock absorbers at rear. Anchoring is taken care of by 310mm disc brake at front and 240mm disc at rear further assisted by dual-channel ABS.
      Honda H’Ness CB350 is a proper rival to Royal Enfield Classic 350 and will also compete with the upcoming Meteor 350. It had been in the making for a long time, and finally it is now on our roads. More

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      in Electric Cars

      Hummer Electric Global Debut – Launch In 2021 At $ 112k (Approx Rs 83 L)

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      Hummer Electric
      After teasing for months, GMC has finally taken wraps off its all new Hummer electric pickup truck today

      After a long wait, GM has finally launched the much awaited Hummer electric Pick-up. This happens to be one of its kind beast which will have some unparalleled offroading capability along with the benefits of being an EV. Here is the first look TVC.
      [embedded content]
      Some Facts & Figures
      The new Hummer EV comes along with performance figures, which clearly showcase that it is a next generation vehicle. Under the hood, well there is no engine for obvious reasons, but there are 3 electric motors which help to dish out 1,000 hp and 11,500 lb ft (15,600 Nm) of max torque.
      GMC Hummer Electric
      The power developed is enough for the pick-up to do a 0-60 mph in less than 3 seconds (equivalent of 0-100 kmph). The battery pack supports 800 volt fast charging and can add a range of 100 miles (160 kms) in just 10 minutes. As per GM, the overall range of the Hummer EV happens to be 350 miles+, which roughly translates into more than 560 kms!
      Design Highlights
      The Hummer EV looks like an all new futuristic vehicle which you would expect to come across in a Sci-Fi flick. However, the 6-slat grille from the fossil-fuel powered model adds a bit of nostalgic touch.

      Overall, the Hummer looks bold, massive, intimidating and most importantly, unlike anything we have come across in the recent past. The grille which we talked about too has been done innovatively as it is now basically Hummer badging embedded in an LED strip.
      GMC Hummer Electric
      Other highlight in the design happens to be its infinity roof, which can basically provide a complete open-air experience. The Hummer EV rides on massive 35-inch tyres, which can further be upgraded to upto 37-inch units (after-market). It also gets a 4-wheel steering system, which helps with manoeuvrability and a reduced turning radius.
      Additionally, GM has added an adaptive air suspension which helps the Hummer to raise its height by 6-inches and make it even more off-road friendly than it already is. GM calls this function as ‘Extract Mode’. Talking about modes, GM has also included a Crab Mode, which as the name suggests, will be good to crawl across difficult off-roading terrain.

      The Hummer EV is a fully loaded product in terms of tech updates as well. It gets 18-camera views for improved understanding of its surroundings, including feeds from under the belly. The Super Cruise functionality helps with autonomous changing of lanes on compatible roads.
      Price and Variants
      Production of the Hummer EV will start later in 2021. Prices of the Hummer will commence at the $112,595 mark (around Rs 83 lakh, excluding taxes). This is the top of the line variant. Bookings are now open at $100.
      Lower priced variants are planned for launch in 2022, 2023 and 2024. In 2022, Hummer EV 3X will be launched with 800 hp / 12,880 Nm motor at price of $99,995. Range will be down to 300+ miles (483+ km). In 2023, Hummer EV 2X will be launched for $89,995. This is rated to deliver 625 hp / 10,033 Nm. Range will be same as Hummer 3x. And finally, in 2024, base model, Hummer EV will launch at $79,995. It will have same motors as the Hummer 2x, but range will be lower at 250+ miles (402+ km). More