Weeks ago, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced guidelines for mask wearing to fight against COVID-19. According to the MHA, people driving/riding alone need not wear masks. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) – the civic body of Bangalore – has come up with fresh rules, which are at odds with the Union Home Ministry’s Unlock guidelines.
According to the BBMP, wearing a mask is mandatory even if you are driving/riding alone. To be specific, even two wheeler riders riding without a pillion need to wear masks, and car drivers driving alone also need to wear masks. Failure to comply with this directive will result in a fine of Rs. 250. In fact, the BBMP is said to have ordered traffic marshals to a fine a minimum of 20 people per day for not wearing masks while driving/riding on public roads.
The face mask that covers the nose and mouth is the first line of defense against the Corona Virus (COVID-19), which transmits through aerosols in the air. Wearing a mask is said to reduce the chance of infection dramatically as the aerosols that carry the Corona Virus are usually stopped by face masks. Wearing an N95 or N99 mask is preferred. If a mask is not accessible for some reason, the minimum a person can do is to use a cloth mask or at least cover the nose and mouth with a piece of cloth.
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Across India, police and civic official have been fining motorists and pedestrians for not wearing masks in public places. However, compliance continues to remain low in most parts of the country. The latest BBMP directive on mask usage is probably another measure to drive home the importance of wearing a mask by associating non compliance with a steep fine of Rs. 250.
Do remember that wearing a mask while exercising is dangerous. A mask can obstruct the free flow of air during exercise, which typically needs a higher amount of air flowing in and out of the lungs. Wearing a mask while doing strenuous activities such as running or cycling can lead to lungs collapsing – a potentially fatal condition. Given the fact that authorities in Bengaluru are fining people without masks in public places, it’s best to avoid exercise in public places for the time being.
Via TNN
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Ford Endeavour and Toyota Fortuner are some of the popular luxury SUVs currently sold in the country. These two SUVs rule this segment and some of the other competitors in this segment are Mahindra Alturas, recently launched MG Gloster and Isuzu MU-X. Isuzu MU-X is a luxury SUV and it has remained more or less the same, ever since it was introduced in our market. Things are about to change as Isuzu has now revealed the all-new MU-X in Thailand and the same is expected to launched in the Indian market next year.
The all new Isuzu MU-X continues to be a 7-seater SUV like other in the segment. A lot of changes have been done to the SUV to give it a fresh look. Overall, MU-X continues to have a butch or imposing look at the front. The front grille has been heavily redesigned with a lot of chrome elements in it.
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The headlights now look sleeker and now come LED lights in them. DRLs are also integrated inside the same unit. The bumper has been too and it now looks a lot more sharper than before. Moving to the side profile, the design has been improved a lot. The 20 inch alloy wheels with new design and the new window line all give it a premium feel. There is an Isuzu badge on the boot and tail lights are all LED units. Just like at the front, the rear bumper also looks muscular and has a silver skid plate at the bottom.
On the inside, it is expected to get a bigger touchscreen infotainment screen, dual tone interiors, ambient lighting, electronic parking brake, dual zone climate control, multi function steering wheel, premium audio system and so on. The Isuzu will also offer features like adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring system, lane keep assist, 6 airbags and so on. We are not sure how many of these features would be there in the Indian version.
MU-X will be available with a 3.0 litre diesel engine that generates 190 Bhp and 450 Nm of torque. A 1.9 litre diesel engine might also be available with the SUV. It will be available with an automatic and manual gearbox options and both 4×4 and 4×2 options will be available depending upon the trim levels.
Unlike the west where the roads are open, the population is much lesser and stricter traffic laws, India is still developing ways to solve their problem statements. This leads to a much lesser opportunity for people to use customized caravans or motor homes. Even manufacturers in our country see no value in creating such products for our country. There are still a select few, who go the length to own their dream customized caravan which is multipurpose and comfortable to accommodate needs for longer routes. Here we’ll look at one such vehicle which is a Force Traveller, customized by Josh designs based out of Kerela. The vehicle’s primary purpose is to serve as an office on wheels. Let’s look at a detailed video about the modifications done to satisfy the need of the customer.
The video was uploaded by Iambrintow. The video is quite detailed and covers all the aspects of the Force Traveller in as much detail as possible. The exterior of the Traveller has been completely revamped. The metal body is the same but there are major tweaks with the headlights and the grille. The grille gets brand new chrome strips and the Mercedes log in the centre can’t be missed. The stock headlamps have also been changed with aftermarket headlamps from Honda Civic, making it sharp looking than before.
What makes this vehicle look meatier are the LED DRLs and fog lamps on the redesigned lower part of the bumper. There are not many changes on either side of the vehicle except for the 17-inch alloy wheels which somehow binds the whole masculine image of the Force Traveller. The vehicle is fully air-conditioned and the windows are fixed. The rear bumper has also been redesigned with a door mounter spare wheel and also aftermarket tail lights. The modification also included air suspension at the rear to make it a much more comfortable ride for the travellers.
Inside the Force Traveller, the modifiers have gone all out. They’ve left no stone unturned to make this an extremely comfortable office space. The partition between the driver seat and the rest of the vehicle has an entry through an electric door. Going past the electric door, you’ll not be able to miss the seating which includes a 7 feet long sofa and two recliners. It has also been loaded with updated technology such as a microwave oven, refrigerator, LED lighting, LCD screen and various other quirky storage space.
To build up the comfort to maximum, Josh Designz have included an additional split AC inside the cabin apart from the standard air-con system in the vehicle. There is a generator as well as an invertor for more back up in case of the power supply cut. The sound system is a Sony surround sound system and the 7-feet sofa can also be converted into a comfortable bed for 2. The cost of all the modifications have not been disclosed in the video but should this looks like a work which will be your money’s worth.
The scooter segment is a huge part of the two-wheeler business in India and its popularity has been growing as the country’s economy slowly recovers from the lockdown. With people looking to avoid public transport, two-wheelers (scooters, in particular) offer the most affordable alternatives in terms of personal transport.
With that in mind, this is the list of our five favourite scooters on sale today. This selection is not based on any particular criteria, like price, performance or efficiency, but is instead a list based on the scooters we have enjoyed the most from all the testing we’ve done over time. The scooters selected meet different needs, and based on your criteria, the list should help you find the right one for you.
The reason that the TVS Jupiter makes it to this list is because it’s our choice for all those who want a no-nonsense practical scooter. Why? Well, the Jupiter has always had a nice engine, but it has the edge over other models when it comes to suspension comfort. And the fact that it has 12-inch wheels on both ends makes it feel more stable than the competition as well. We haven’t yet had a chance to ride the new BS6 model, but there’s no reason for things to change massively.
However, before we go onto number four, there is one thing to consider – Honda has taken years to get the job done, but the new Activa 6G now finally offers some of the features that made the Jupiter so good, and that includes features like a telescopic fork, a 12-inch front wheel and an external fuel-filler cap. The moment the world gains some semblance of normalcy, we’re going to go find out whether the TVS Jupiter can hold onto its crown! But for now, let’s move to scooter number four.
Price: Rs 61,499-67,911
Engine: 109.7cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled FI
Power: 7.45hp at 7,000rpm
Torque: 8.4Nm at 5,500rm
It’s been four years since the Aprilia SR 150 came out, and we think it’s still the most stylish and sporty looking scooter out there. The SR also rides like no other scooter, and that’s thanks to its 14-inch wheels and its massive wheelbase, which is even longer than many commuter motorcycles. Throw in a stiff suspension setup, firm brakes and a peppy motor, and what you have is the sportiest scooter-riding experience India has to offer.
More recently, Aprilia has even given the SR a new 160cc engine to meet the BS6 regulations, and the scooter is now called the SR 160; the rest of the platform is unchanged. We’re waiting to ride the SR160, but its new fuel-injected motor is essentially the same carburetted 150, albeit with a slightly longer stroke. The resulting power and torque figures of 11.1hp and 11.6Nm, respectively, make it the most powerful scooter on sale in India today.
So, why is the SR so far down our list? Simply put, it makes too many compromises in its quest to have fun, and it only really shines on super-smooth roads. The suspension is unforgiving, the seat is quite tall and uncomfortable, the 14-inch wheels eat into boot space, and the floorboard is cramped as well. The upcoming, brand-new Aprilia SXR 160 may solve those issues, but until then, the Aprilia is number 4.
Price: Rs 1.04-1.14 lakh
Engine: 160cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled FI
Power: 11hp at 7,600rpm
Torque: 11.6Nm at 6,000rpm
Suzuki India goes through the effort of making purpose-built models just for our market, and the Burgman Street is one of them. This is Suzuki’s idea of a maxi-scooter for the masses, and under that substantial-looking bodywork is an Access 125 platform. The result is a premium and expensive-looking scooter, and it's no surprise that it carries a full Rs 6,200 price hike over the top-spec Access. What you get for your extra money is a larger, smart-looking scooter with a more spacious seat.
However, what lets the Burgman Street down is that it isn’t really spacious enough for tall riders who will find that their knees meet the handlebar while taking tight turns. If you ask us, that sort of defeats the purpose of buying a maxi-scooter and that's why the Burgman ranks lower than the scooter that comes next.
Price: Rs 77,900
Engine: 124cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled FI
Power: 8.7hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 10Nm at 5,500rpm
Ask anyone in the Autocar office what scooter they’d like to own and you’re likely to hear the same answer. In fact, three of us actually do, and what sets the Ntorq apart is that it has one of the best suspension setups you will find on any scooters; one that balances comfort and sportiness really well.
Up until the BS6 update, the Ntorq was also the quickest 125cc scooter we’d tested. The BS6 transition has resulted in a drop in its performance and the scooter isn’t as peppy as it was before, but it is great fun to ride, nevertheless. The Ntorq brings so much more to the table in the form of its detailed LCD display and Bluetooth connectivity, which also enables turn-by-turn navigation. For BS6, it even gets fuel injection, while the new Ntorq Race Edition now packs a funky-looking, full-LED headlight. What seals the deal partly is that the Ntorq is very well priced, but mainly it is one of the few scooters in India that accommodates tall riders with enough space between their knees and handlebars.
The BS6 update has also resulted in better fuel-efficiency, addressing one of the downsides on the previous iteration. This, in addition to the many things the Ntorq already had going for it, means that it remains a firm favourite for us here at Autocar.
Price: Rs 65,975-72,455
Engine: 124.8cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled FI
Power: 9.38hp at 7,000rpm
Torque: 10.5Nm at 5,500rpm
The Access 125 is the product that single-handedly changed Suzuki’s fortunes in India. It is, by far, Suzuki’s most popular product and it’s gone on to build quite a fan following over the years. Why? It all comes down to a simple, no-nonsense formula.
The Access 125 sports a straightforward design, has no unnecessary features, and it packs a very quick and enjoyable 125cc engine, one that outperforms all of its competition in this BS6 avatar. Now fuel-injected for BS6, the Access manages to be quite fuel-efficient as well, but the best part of the package is its very competitive price. If you want a quick, no-nonsense scooter, you simply cannot go wrong with the Access 125.
Price: Rs 67,100-71,700
Engine: 124cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled FI
Power: 8.7hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 10Nm at 5,500rpm
That marks our top five list in the scooter category, and based on your priorities, one of these will surely meet your needs. However, before we end, we’ve got to give a shout-out to the fact that we now have three high-quality, made-in-India EVs – the Ather 450X, Bajaj Chetak and the TVS iQube. All three are genuinely impressive and vastly superior products compared to the hordes of low-cost Chinese EVs flooding our market. Unfortunately, you can only buy them in one or two cities at the moment, and that’s why they don’t make it to this list.
All prices, ex-showroom, Delhi.
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Maruti Suzuki India, in collaboration with Microsoft Research India, has developed a smartphone-based technology fortesting driver’s licenseapplicants.
Harnessing Automobile for Safety (HAMS) technology
The Harnessing Automobile for Safety (HAMS) technology has been deployed at the Automated Driving Test Centre (ADTC), Dehradun, in association with the Transport Department, Government of Uttarakhand. The technology is being developed and tested jointly by Maruti Suzuki-promoted Institute of Driving and Traffic Research (IDTR) and Microsoft Research India.
Maruti Suzuki has partnered with state governments to setup state-of-the-art ADTCs. These centres are equipped with advanced video analytic technology to check the driving skills of the applicants and replace manual assessment of candidates.
HAMS stringent test delivers accurate results
Deployment of HAMS at ADTC Dehradun has brought encouraging changes in the testing process. It takes only 10 minutes to complete the test and generate the report. The average pass rate now stands at 54 percent, as compared to over 90 percent in the earlier manual testing mode. According to Maruti Suzuki, feedback from the candidates, including those who fail the test, has been positive. The candidates appreciate the objectivity and transparency of the entire process.
Maruti Suzuki’s involvement
Speaking on the deployment of this new test technology for driver training, Ajay Kumar Tomer, executive advisor, Maruti Suzuki India said, “Maruti Suzuki started its driving training initiative in 2000. We have cumulatively trained over 3.4 million drivers nationally. Efficient testing of candidates seeking a driver’s license is an important step towards imparting good driving behaviour. Use of latest technologies help bring transparency. HAMS, developed in partnership with Microsoft Research India, is an important tool to modernise the driving license test in our country. Starting with ADTC Dehradun, this technology will be introduced in more centres across several states.”
Microsoft Research India’s view
Highlighting the benefits of HAMS technology, Sriram Rajamani, managing director, Microsoft Research India said, “Positively impacting society by combining technology and human ingenuity has been a core objective for us, and the HAMS project is a great example of this. We use technology to help drivers drive safely. It is inspiring that Maruti Suzuki India and the Department of Transport, Government of Uttarakhand, see the potential to save lives using HAMS technology and are piloting this technology to help make Indian roads safer.”
How HAMS works
During the testing process, the applicant’s car is fastened with a HAMS-enabled smartphone that monitors the driver as well as the road infront. It employs advanced artificial intelligence models for efficient and robust operations. For driving tests, HAMS has been customised to include capabilities such as precise tracking of the vehicle’s trajectory during designated test manoeuvres.
To ensure transparency, in case of a disagreement on the test results, applicants can also avail the option of viewing a video recording of their test drive.
The key technical capabilities of the ADTC Dehradun include:
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Up to Rs 62,200 off on Maruti Suzuki Nexa cars in October 2020
The second day of our sister publication Autocar Professional’s virtual Two-Wheeler Industry Conclave opened with an exclusive tête-à-tête between the CEO of Royal Enfield, Vinod Dasari, and Murali Gopalan, consulting editor, Autocar Professional.
The industry veteran, who was previously Autocar Professional’s Man of the Year in 2016, touched upon various topics, including dealing with COVID-19 disruption, leadership, digitalisation, opportunities and challenges, among others.
According to Dasari, Royal Enfield is dealing with the COVID-19 crisis by focussing on three fronts – what happens inside the company, what to do in the nearby ecosystem, and its duties beyond the fence. “Maintaining the essential automotive ecosystem, including the supply chain, transport, company, customers, dealers, and running the same is crucial, as is maintaining the channels of communication in current times,” he said.
The head of the iconic Chennai-based two-wheeler manufacturer highlighted the importance of open communication in difficult times. “For us, employee safety is paramount. Employees are part of our family. The first step is to protect the plant, offices, and employees. Informal communication has gone – you don’t see people in the hallway now. We address that through virtual town hall meetings, where we have open communication with dealers, employees and colleagues. We also introduced peer-to-peer problem solving wherein staffers were given targets during the lockdown (irrespective of the outcome) and got them engaged in the exercise.”
“Lastly, there’s peer-winning. How do you learn from each other? So, we introduced RED Talks (Royal Enfield Talks) on the lines of TED Talks, where experts spoke on various subjects. I talk about leadership, Siddhartha Lal (MD, Eicher Motors) spoke about the company, and we also got someone to speak on family relationships,” points out Dasari. “The biggest challenge is leadership in current times is the capacity to connect with people virtually. It is not the same as connecting actually, in the real world.”
Dasari revealed that, in an effort to increase employee engagement with the management, Royal Enfield introduced the CEO circle, where he engages in a virtual discussion with different employees across the company, once or twice a week.
The Royal Enfield boss said there are takeaways from the pandemic, which caught the world off-guard. "COVID-19 is a unique challenge. There's no place to escape, it's created an environment of long-term fear, so it is crucial to connect with people. Work From Home is a new dynamic, which is here to stay, and we have to come to terms with new learnings,” he said.
To bolster employees and dealers, the company introduced a number of online courses, but Dasari believes virtual interaction does not have the same emotional connect of a face-to-face one.
But there are positives too. Dasari said, “I wouldn’t have talked to so many people if it wasn’t for COVID-19, so it is a small positive. We don’t need to travel or commute, but I still prefer to meet people in the real world and engage with them.”
Royal Enfield’s CEO says that in the automotive industry too, the physical aspect will change: how do you deal with customers not wanting to go to workshops? He said that the company introduced Service on Wheels, a doorstep service initiative, which will be here for a longer period.
One question that everyone is trying to figure out what happens in a post-COVID-19 scenario? Dasari believes that people will continue to be cautious, and manufacturers will need to reboot strategy to attract customers. Royal Enfield is all set to launch its newest product, the Meteor 350 on November 6.
“Long-term plans – be they about products, our CKD plants that we are planning or growth in international markets – don’t change. All the near-term plans don’t make any sense. If no one knows where the industry will be five days from now, how can we predict the scenario five years from now? We can only hope for the best. I expect the festive season to keep the sales momentum going."
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Maruti Suzuki discontinued all the diesel engine options in the Indian market after the implementation of the BS6 emission norms earlier this year. Currently, no Maruti Suzuki car for the private car buyers or commercial buyers that offers a diesel engine option. While Maruti Suzuki said that they will not offer a diesel car in the Indian car market, they did not rule out the re-introduction of the diesel engine in the future, if there is a demand for it.
It seems like Maruti Suzuki has started testing its diesel engine with the Ertiga Tour M, which is specifically aimed at the commercial car buyers and taxi fleet owners. The car on the test was caught by 91Wheels testing on the highways.
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While this Ertiga Tour M looks like an exact version of the regular petrol-powered model that is already on sale, the diesel clatter and a few other things give it away. The diesel clatter is quite prominent in this Ertiga and since the new K-Series Maruti Suzuki engines are extremely smooth and silent. Moreover, the video also shows the DDiS badges on the side of the MPV. DDIS stands for Direct Diesel Injection System, which is what all diesel variants of the Maruti Suzuki cars came with in the past.
It should be noted that Maruti Suzuki sourced the 1.3-litre diesel engine from FIAT and then developed a 1.5-litre diesel engine in-house. The 1.5-litre diesel engine even powered the cars like Ciaz and Ertiga in the Indian market before the BS6 emission norms were implemented.
The 1.5-litre diesel engine from Maruti Suzuki is a four-cylinder turbocharged engine that generates a maximum power of 94 Bhp and peak torque of 225 Nm. It was only available with a 6-speed manual transmission.
Maruti Suzuki offers several of its models with CNG. However, it seems that the manufacturer is now working to bring back the diesel engine and initially only the commercial vehicles like the Dzire Tour, Ertiga Tour M will offer the diesel-powered variants. Apart from Maruti Suzuki, the Volkswagen Group has also decided to do away with the diesel engines but all other competitors like Hyundai, Tata and Ford offer diesel engine options.
It should be noted that the price of petrol and diesel fuel in India has become almost similar, which has pushed the sales of petrol vehicles in India. However, there are still many who prefer buying diesel cars over the petrol-powered versions.
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Hyundai is India is the second largest car manufacturer in India. Even during these pandemic times, they had launched number of models in the Indian market. One of the recent was the all-new Hyundai Creta which is doing great in terms of sales. One of the upcoming car from Hyundai this year is the all-new i20 premium hatchback. It will replace the current i20 elite and will compete with cars like Maruti Baleno, Tata Altroz and Honda Jazz in the segment. Hyundai will be launching the new i20 next month and here we have an official video that shows how the new i20 is built at Hyundai’s factory in Chennai.
The video has been shared by Hyundai India on their official youtube channel. The video show how they were building the new i20 hatchback from scratch. It all started from press shop where they were cutting metal sheets for building the body and other panels on the car. After all these parts were precisely cut using machines, they were all joined with the frame. The chassis of the new i20 is using 66 percent of high strength steel. After that, the whole shell is sent to the paint shop where number of robots paint the car carefully.
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Meanwhile, the engine and the interior of the car is also assembled in the other part of the plant. Hyundai i20 will be available with a 1.0 litre turbo petrol, 1.2 litre naturally aspirated petrol and a 1.5 litre diesel engine options. A variety of transmission options will also be available with these engine options. Once the engine and the dashboard is all assembled, they are installed inside the car that was earlier painted by the robots.
Once everything is set and is in place, the team conducts number of tests to make sure that everything is working fine in the car. The video shows glimpses of the all-new Hyundai i20. It will have a wide grille with jewel patterns in it. The headlight looks sharp and sleek with LED DRLs integrated in it. The i20 gets machine cut dual tone alloy wheels and the rear gets a distinct looking design with ‘Z’ shaped spilt LED tail lights. There is a reflector bar running between the lamps at the rear too. The i20 definitely looks promising in terms of design and we are sure that it won’t disappoint when it comes to the features too.
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Airbags do not open, they explode! Over the years, manufacturers have made advancements to create safer cars and airbags have become an integral part of the safety of any present-day automobile. Airbags need to be deployed in microseconds after the first impact of the car and delay in the deployment can cause serious injury to the passengers. This is why everyone travelling inside a car equipped with airbags should be extra careful. The reason for that is in the video below.
The video shows an airbag module from a Skoda car. A mannequin is used to show the power of the explosion of an airbag. In the video, the airbag module is kept on a tin can and a mannequin is made to sit on top of it. After they trigger the airbag remotely, it explodes, sending the mannequin flying high in the air. The lifeless mannequin flew several feet above the ground in the video. If the airbag had been placed on the ground, the mannequin would have flown higher. The soft can on which the airbag was placed absorbed some of the energy.
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If you’re wondering if all airbags blow like this then the answer is yes. Airbags are designed to fill up rapidly when an accident happens. It only takes a microsecond to fill up completely to provide cushioning to the occupants and save them from critical injuries. Even the side airbags work like this but it should be noted that smaller airbags like knee and the side airbags have low-intensity explosions compared to the front airbags, which are much bigger in size.
Airbag systems use a chemical reaction to quickly fill up the airbag during an accident. As soon as the sensor in the car detects an impact, the airbag module calculates and triggers the airbag to save the occupants. If the airbag does not blows up completely in time or there is a delay in the explosion, the occupants may get severe injuries. If the airbag fills up completely much before the occupant reaches it, it does not provide an optimum cushioning. The explosion happens to create harmless gases like nitrogen that is used to rapidly fill the airbags.
There have been many incidents in the past where people have been injured due to the airbag explosion. It is always recommended to set the driver seat in a way that it is not too close to the steering wheel as the airbag explosion can happen near to your face during an accident. This is also the reason why manufacturers and safety officials ask you not to keep your feet on the dashboard. A few years ago, a woman lost her legs after the co-driver airbag deployed while her feet were on the dashboard.
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A car is an extension of who you are. It’s a reflection of how you think and feel. It is a statement of not only what you have achieved, but also how you have grown. And for those who have grown to understand that power can be elegantly balanced with luxury, refinement and the best in technology, there are the Mercedes-Benz GLE SUVs. Designed for those that enjoy that elegant balance there are three variants of the Mercedes-Benz GLE LWB. For those that prefer an extra dose of refined aggression, there is the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4Matic+ Coupe. And both versions provide something that only Mercedes-Benz vehicles excel at – being luxuriously-appointed accomplished all-rounders.
Unparalleled comfort. That is the focus of the Mercedes-GLE LWB. This is a thoroughly modern SUV that allows you to go almost anywhere without putting a hair out of place. Every single thing about every variant of this SUV, including the engine, the suspension, the features and the interiors have been fine tuned for driver and passenger comfort. Speaking of variants, you get to choose from two diesel options the GLE 300 d and the GLE 400 d and an all-new petrol GLE 450 4MATIC version with a first-in-India EQ Boost technology. The GLE 300 d is an upgrade from the GLE 250 d which was the best-selling Mercedes-Benz SUV in India. The GLE 400 d and the GLE 450 4MATIC are the new top-end variants.
All variants, however, share a distinctive, elegant design. The Mercedes-Benz GLE’s sheer size makes a strong first impression. Its signature raked-forward C-pillar that makes it easy to identify on the move. Its powerful shoulders give it a wide, planted stance. The LED high-performance headlamps with the two LED bars subtly indicate that it’s the E-Class of SUVs. The ridges on the long, gently-sloping bonnet and the tight lines around its nose complete the elegant, yet powerful look.
The design story continues on the inside with an added layer of luxury. The comfortable and supportive ARTICO man-made leather seats on both rows are electrically adjustable and recline for added relaxation. Then there’s the massive legroom thanks to its extended wheelbase. The ambient interior lighting system presents a choice of 64 colours at the owner’s disposal. And let’s not forget the panoramic sliding sunroof that adds a dimension of lightness and space to the interior like nothing else.
A highlight, though, is the technology. Take the MBUX infotainment system – an intelligent natural voice control and touchscreen system that learns about the driver’s habits and preferences to control the many features of the Mercedes-Benz GLE LWB. The system includes MBUX interior assist that smartly differentiate between the driver and passenger. The widescreen cockpit with two customisable 12.3-inch displays, control a host of functions while sitting elegantly in the dashboard. The multi-function steering wheel offers perfect control while driving and has touchpads so you can control the infotainment system without letting go of the wheel. The MBUX system also features Hard-Disc navigation that displays high-quality 2D or 3D maps to help you plan your route. The result, thanks to the intuitive MBUX system, is an SUV that, over time, becomes personalised to your preferences.
Despite the size of the Mercedes-Benz GLE LWB, there’s enough oomph in every available engine to make this SUV feel light on its feet. With the GLE 300 d, it’s hard to believe that this responsive engine displaces only 1,950cc. The twin sequential turbos and the 9-speed gearbox also help. The GLE 400 d is the most powerful diesel engine that Mercedes-Benz has ever made and churns out 330hp and 700Nm of torque.
The petrol GLE 450 debuts a straight six 3.0-litre petrol engine that generates 367hp and 500Nm of torque. Its special feature is a 48V EQ Boost mild hybrid system that provides a 22hp and 250Nm boost to the engine. This system features an integrated starter-alternator that boosts and recovers energy. What this translates into is higher efficiency and a 0-100kph time of 5.7 seconds.
However, if your quest for power isn’t satisfied, there is another option.
This is the first of the powerful AMG 53 series in India. It unleashes a new level of performance by combining sporty design, performance and efficiency with hybrid power. The athletic new Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupe wears this incredible power well under its captivating, elegant, striking, and distinct design. It is powered by a new AMG growl generating twin-turbo 3.0-litre, in-line six-cylinder engine mated to a 9-speed gearbox that churns out 435hp. It’s enough to hurl its 2250kg bulk from 0 -100kph in 5.3 seconds. But there’s more. Throttle response gets a boost from a 48V EQ Boost system that features a start-stop system that adds efficiency. It also sharpens low-end responses and adds up to 22hp and 250Nm of torque. It also features AMG’s active ride control that makes pushing this SUV around corners very safe yet very exciting. This power is balanced by a healthy dose of intelligence with the Mercedes me connect (MMC) system. It includes a communications module that keeps it connected to the internet giving you access to a host of services and a personal digital assistant that can be used to learn about the status of the GLE 53, navigate routes, set reminders, and book appointments.
So, if you’ve grown enough to enjoy the trappings of luxury, refinement, power and the prestige of a three-pointed star, the only way to show you’ve arrived is in a Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV.
With the advancements in technology, modern automobiles have become much more sophisticated. Most top-end variants of any mass segment cars do not require a key to be present in your hands to enter the car and even start it. That’s why many forget about the keys and in many situations, they just leave it inside the vehicle. Most vehicles will warn you if you turn off the car and leave the car inside. However, a few cars lock the doors automatically as a safety feature. Here is an incident where the car owner left the keys to his Tata Harrier inside the cabin of the vehicle.
The video from Amar Sakharkar shows how difficult it is to break the automobile glasses. Since the owner left the key inside the vehicle and the spare key was not working, they decided to break the glass to enter the vehicle and retrieve the key. However, breaking an automobile glass is not an easy job. All automobiles use laminated glasses, which are several layers of glasses glued together. This makes the automobile glasses extremely tough.
Also read: Tata Harrier: New TVC highlights SUV”s Land Rover pedigree
An workshop mechanic can be spotted trying to break the glass of the Harrier. He first puts adhesive tape all over the driver-side glass and tried breaking it with a hammer. However, the hammer simply bounces off the glass without creating any impact. The tape was put to make sure that the small glass pieces do not scatter around. Automobiles use safety glasses that break with smooth edges that cannot cut.
A hammer is blunt and spreads the force applied over a large area. The person is using his full force but cannot break the glass to enter the vehicle.
Later, after a few onlookers give the advice to use a sharper object, the person brings in a chisel and breaks the glass completely. The chisel ensured that the force is applied to a small area and the glass breaks. This is what specialised glass breakers also offer. They have a pointy edge that can be used to put pressure on a single point and break the glass completely.
Such incidents are quite common and in many cases, the roadside assistance provides help. It is always a good idea to double-check if you have keys with you while leaving the car. Many cars warn the driver if they leave the keys inside after switching off the engine and many other cars also have a feature that does not allow the owners to lock the vehicle through the door button if the key is inside the car.
Honda recently launched their all new 350-cc cruiser motorcycle H’Ness in the market. Honda has already started the delivery of the motorcycle and many videos of the motorcycle regarding the ride quality and handling have already come online. The Honda Highness directly competes with Royal Enfield Classic 350 and Jawa Forty-Two in the segment. Honda Highness is a retro modern modern motorcycle that is being priced at Rs 1.9 lakh, ex-showroom. Here we have another video that shares what a Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 owner thinks about the Honda Highness.
The video has been uploaded by Abhinav Bhatt on his youtube channel. The vlogger had come out for a weekend ride with his friend who owns an Interceptor 650. vlogger’s friend had ridden the Honda Highness for about 40-45 kms before he started sharing his thoughts about the bike. The Interceptor owner was very surprised by how smooth the Honda Highness was. There were several small things that he loved about the bike like the digital information display that shows time, DTE, fuel economy and other information.
Also read: Meet “Regale”, a Custom made Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 from Eimor Customs
The fit and finish of the bike was very impressive and the bike had very little vibration at higher speeds. The seat were neither very hard nor very soft and were suitable for long distance cruising. The rider used to have a RE Classic 350 which is the direct rival and in comparison to the Honda Highness was a very advanced motorcycle.
He loved how smooth the gear shifts were, the light clutch lever, LED lights, subtle thumb from the exhaust, braking and so on. It was not like Honda Highness felt like a perfect motorcycle. He did feel the lack of power when he sat of Honda after riding the 650. It is a slowly accelerating motorcycle in comparison to the 650. It is meant for cruising and not high speed runs. He added that the ORVM stalks could have been a tad bit longer for better view and he feels that Honda could have also offered a back cushion for the pillion. Apart from that he was pretty impressed with the motorcycle and ends up calling it a value for money option. He even says that if he had Rs 2.5 lakh lying with him, he would have gone for Honda Highness and opted for accessories to make his life even more better.
Also read: Hotwheels Hindustan Contessa out on the roads: Getting prepared for more modifications (Video)
As impressive as the Mahindra XUV300 is, it has always been amongst the pricier cars in its class. However, with the recent price correction of up to Rs 72,000 across the range, Mahindra made the XUV300 a lot more appealing than before. The reason why we are reviewing the XUV300 petrol in 2020, though, is to find out whether the BS6 version performs any differently compared to the BS4 version.
For the transition to BS6, smaller-capacity petrol cars usually require a larger or an upgraded catalytic converter. In the XUV300 petrol’s case, the catalytic converter is the same as the BS4 version, although it gets some tweaks to meet the new emission norms. The good news is that neither performance, nor the drivability has been affected in any way. So, like before, the boost comes in around 2,200rpm, after which it accelerates with a greater sense of urgency. This isn’t a high-revving engine, so the revs max out at 6,000rpm, but you will do well to upshift at around 4,500rpm, as that’s where the power delivery remains the strongest.
In terms of outright performance, the BS6 timings were identical to the BS4 version, and even the slight variance in the fourth gear from 40-80kph is barely noticeable from behind the wheel. What’s also nice is that this three-cylinder turbo petrol engine is very refined, be it at idle or on the move.
With its light controls, the XUV300 petrol remains nice and easy to drive in the city, although the clutch pedal travel is a bit too long and it takes some getting used to its bite point.
Mahindra has got the ride and handling balance spot on. The ride comfort is so good that it absorbs road shocks like a much more expensive car. It also remains composed around corners and changes directions very competently. We only wish the steering were a bit more communicative. There are multiple steering modes that adjust its weight, but these don’t make it any sportier or sharper.
SsangYong’s Korean influence is evident in the Mahindra XUV300’s well-appointed interiors, high-quality plastics and overall fit-finish. The seat comfort is great, the driving position is very SUV-like, and visibility all around is nice as well. Space at the back is rather generous, with a good amount of headroom and knee room, and a wide seat that can accommodate three in comfort. What’s also nice is the inclusion of three individual head restraints, as well as a proper three-point seatbelt for the middle passenger. Not all is perfect, as some storage areas could have been design better. The biggest fly in the ointment, though, is its tiny 257-litre boot, which is smaller than some hatchbacks, and its loading lip is high too.
In terms of equipment, this W8 O variant is fully-loaded and gets features like dual-zone climate control, touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, cruise control, sunroof, keyless entry and go, reversing camera, auto headlamps with rain-sensing wipers and a lot more. What’s reassuring is that this is one of the safest compact SUVs you can buy in India. Not only is it equipped with ABS with EBD, ESP, seven airbags and all-wheel disc brakes, the XUV300 has also secured a solid 5 stars in Global NCAP crash tests.
The price correction does make the XUV300 more appealing than before, but it is still one of the pricier cars in its class. But factor in its safety credentials, mature driving manners, and its equipment list, and this car does offer you your money’s worth. This is one of the most polished packages to wear a Mahindra badge, and it is one that deserves a serious consideration.
Also see:
MG Gloster vs Toyota Fortuner vs Ford Endeavour vs Mahindra Alturas G4 comparison
2020 Mahindra Thar garners over 15,000 bookings in 18 days
Mahindra Scorpio now gets Android Auto, Apple CarPlay
The updated 2021 Jeep Compass facelift, will finally see light of day sometime next month. The refreshed SUV is expected to be unveiled first in China at the Guangzhou international automobile exhibition that is scheduled to take place in the second-half of next month.
The current Jeep Compass has been in existence since 2016 and while the updated model will look more or less the same, it will however, carry quite a few styling changes to its outside. The 2021 Compass will have slightly slimmer headlamps with LED units in higher variants. The grille will have a sharper look too and will look similar to the recently unveiled, Grand Wagoneer and the upcoming next-gen, Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs. Additionally, new front and rear bumpers and updated alloy wheel designs will sum up the changes on the refreshed SUV’s exterior.
While the exterior of the updated Jeep Compass may not see bigger changes, it’s the interior that will have the major share of the updates. First up, the Compass facelift will come with an all-new steering wheel design which will again be shared with other future SUVs and trucks from the FCA stable, like the Grand Cherokee and the RAM 1500 pickup, to name a few. The dashboard will have better quality materials and taking centerstage will be a much larger touchscreen infotainment system that we told you about first, back in July this year. Additionally, the seats are expected to get better upholstery as well.
The new Jeep Compass will come with FCA’s UConnect 5 infotainment system and will most likely come with a 10.1 inch screen setup for the higher variants. As far as features go, this new system comes bundled with integrated Amazon Alexa support, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, and can also receive over-the-air updates to name a few.
Sources also tell us that higher variants will come with a full-digital instrument cluster (not seen on this prototype), a 360-degree camera, wireless charging and full LED lighting as well.
Additionally, the 2021 Jeep Compass facelift is also expected to come with latest L2 (or Level 2) autonomous driving system, which allows the vehicle to feature advancements like highway assist, traffic jam assists, traffic sign recognition, lane keep assist, active blind-spot assist, and driver attention alert.
Like the outgoing model, India will be the mother plant for all right-hand drive Compass units that will be sold locally, as well as in countries in the Asia Pacific region, including Australia.
Along with the cosmetic and technology updates, Jeep will also introduce a 1.3-liter turbo petrol engine and even plug-in hybrid versions of the Compass facelift in most international markets.
For India, while the refreshed Compass is expected to retain almost all styling and cosmetic changes, including the advanced infotainment system, however, we don’t expect the level-two autonomous tech to be available in the India-spec Jeep Compass facelift.
As far as powertrain options go, the Compass sold in India has already received updated BS6 compliant engines quite recently, we do not expect the new 1.3-liter turbo petrol or the plug-in hybrid electric powertrain 4Xe to come to our shores with this mid-cycle update.
Jeep will continue to build the right-hand drive Compass facelift just like the outgoing model at its Ranjangaon plant for India, as well as overseas markets.
According to sources, the refreshed Compass will go on sale in India sometime early next year. The updated Compass is one of many new product introductions expected from Jeep's stable in India. The company will also introduce a larger seven-seat derivative of the Compass sometime late next year in our market. Further on, there will be a sub-four-meter compact SUV as well that the brand will introduce thereafter.
The revival in the Indian automobile industry is, not surprisingly, being led by the passenger vehicle (26.45 percent in September 2020) and two-wheeler (11.64 percent in September 2020) segments. While SUVs (24.50 percent) are delivering the goods in the PV market, it is motorcycles (17.30 percentage) that are bringing home the bacon for two-wheeler manufacturers.
Of the total 18,49,546 two-wheelers sold last month (11.64 percent), motorcycles comprised the bulk of them with 12,24,117 units (66 percent), while scooters, with 5,56,205 units, accounted for 30 percent and mopeds with 68,929 units (20.33 percent) and 3.72 percent share of the total comprised of EVs.
Compared to August 2020’s 10,32,476 (10.13 percent) units, the September numbers are an 18 percent month-on-month improvement. And that’s thanks to the growing demand for commuter motorcycles. Here’s taking a closer look at the top 10 motorcycles of September 2020, of which the top four – Hero Splendor, Hero HF Deluxe, Honda CB Shine and Bajaj Pulsar – accounted for 7,17,153 or nearly 40 percent of total sales in the month.
Expectedly, in view of the festive season beginning in mid-October, two-wheeler manufacturers, like their PV counterparts, were busy beefing up their dealer inventories with popular models, which also translates into more sales of individual model.
The Hero Splendor, the bestselling motorcycle in the world every month, sold 2,80,250 units in September 2020. Do the math and that’s 9,341 units every single day! That’s much better than August 2020’s 2,32,301 units, which was 7,493 Splendors being sold every single day.
One of India’s first BS6-compliant two-wheelers, the Splendor range consists of three models – the Splendor Plus, Splendor iSmart and the Super Splendor. The Splendor Plus continues to be the most affordable, with a starting price of Rs 59,600. The Super Splendor, meanwhile, is the most expensive variant, starting at Rs 67,300. The Splendor iSmart is priced at Rs 67,100.
The Splendor uses a new engine – a 113.2cc, single-cylinder, fuel-injected unit that develops 9.1hp at 7,500rpm and 9.89Nm torque at 5,500rpm. It also features Hero’s i3s start-stop technology and uses a 240mm front disc and 130mm rear drum brake as standard.
What’s driving demand for the Splendor range is the uptick from rural India, which has seen a good kharif season. The coming months, which will see farmers increase their transport operations, demand for fuel-sipping commuter bikes will only grow.
The HF Deluxe is the second commuter bike with sales of over 2,00,000 units in a month. At 2,16,201 units in September 2020, this Hero saw a 22 percent month-on-month increase (August 2020: 1,77,168). Early in January 2020, Hero launched the BS6 HF Deluxe and priced the base variant at Rs 55,925 and the i3S variant at Rs 57,250 (both prices, ex-showroom, Delhi).
The updated HF Deluxe features a 100cc, single-cylinder fuel-injected engine, which develops 7.94hp and 8.05Nm. Hero claims the new engine is 9 percent more fuel efficient and has better performance, with 6 percent faster acceleration. The new HF Deluxe also features Hero’s i3S (idle start-stop system).
A Honda makes it to third place, in the form of the CB Shine, with 1,18,004 units, which constitutes smart 32 percent YoY growth (September 2019: 88,893), and 11 percent month-on-month growth (August 2020: 1,06,133).
This Honda was among India’s first bikes to get the BS6 treatment. The same 124.73cc, single cylinder , air-cooled engine has been upgraded to BS6-spec, which has seen the power figure rise from 10.31hp to 10.88hp. While the hike in power is marginal, the BS6 CB Shine features electronic fuel injection, which translates into crisp and smooth throttle response. The engine is paired to a 5-speed transmission.
The sporty Pulsar family – which is all of nine variants strong, Pulsar 125, Pulsar 150, 150 Neon, 150 Twin Disc, Pulsar 180F, Pulsar 220, NS160, NS200, and RS200 – clocked sales of 1,02,698 units in September 2020, an 18 percent month-on-month increase (August 2020: 87,202).
Between May and July 2020, Bajaj Auto has hiked its product portfolio prices twice – first by Rs 500, to Rs 4,500, and two months ago from just under Rs 1,000 to just over Rs 2,400. But that has done little to dampen the enthusiasm of buyers, who still want to have that feeling of a Pulsar.
According to Rakesh Sharma, executive director, Bajaj Auto, who spoke to Autocar India, the sales recovery can be attributed to a positive customer sentiment during the festivities. Moreover, rural demand remains buoyed due to an adequate monsoon, while urban customers seem to be drawn to the showrooms in search of affordable forms of personal mobility at a time when social distancing is the norm. “So, when we put all three things together, we can expect a normal festive season; it (demand) should be equal to last year,” he commented.
The senior Bajaj executive, however, is cautiously optimistic about the path to normalcy, with a few red flags that need to be assessed.
The Hero Glamour is the third Hero MotoCorp bike in the top 10, and it looks to be getting back some of its former market momentum. It registered 69,477 units in September, which is a 28 percent month-on-month improvement (August 2020: 54,315).
What is likely to give the Glamour a new charge is the bike’s recent entry into the 125cc segment. This space currently houses some popular motorcycles like the Honda SP 125 and the Bajaj Pulsar 125, so the Glamour definitely has its work cut out. While it displaces an identical 124.7cc, the single-cylinder engine powering the new Glamour is new and gets a 5-speed gearbox in place of the 4-speed unit on the older bike.
The Glamour is available in two variants – one with a drum brake at the front and the other with a disc brake – priced at Rs 69,750 and Rs 73,250, respectively, which is just Rs 2,300 more than their corresponding fuel-injected BS4 models. At the price point, the Glamour costs around Rs 1,500 less than the Pulsar 125 and around Rs 4,000 less than the Honda SP 125. For not a lot extra, Hero is giving more refinement and features, in addition to all that the Glamour previously had to offer, which is a pretty good deal.
The fuel-sipping Hero Passion will not go out of fashion anytime soon. Numbers are gradually improving and September saw dispatches of 63,296 units, up 20.63 percent month on month (August 2020: 52,471).
Hero MotoCorp seems to have things well sorted out in the commuter bike segment. The 100-110cc segment essentially comprises two sub-segments – the more affordable, straightforward offerings and the other with a bit more style and features. While the popular Splendor fits the former category, the Passion gives the buyer a more premium experience.
The Passion’s been around for two decades now and Hero has recently introduced the 2020 Passion Pro to introduce more passion into the commuter bike arena. This machine now gets the updated BS6 113cc engine from the Splendor iSmart and develops 9.15hp and 9.9Nm of torque.
After the popular Pulsar, the Platina is the second Bajaj bike in the top 10 chart. With 55,496 units to its credit, the Platina has delivered 26 percent YoY growth (September 2019: 43,978) and 37 percent month-on-month growth (August 2020: 40,294).
In early July, Bajaj added a new ES (Electric Start) Disc Brake variant to the Platina 100’s line-up, taking the total number of variants to three. This new variant is priced at Rs 59,373 while the KS Alloy Drum Brake and ES Alloy Drum Brake variants are priced at Rs 49,261 and Rs 55,546, respectively (all prices, ex-showroom, Delhi).
Powering the Platina 100 is a BS6-compliant 102cc, single-cylinder engine with peak output figures of 7.9hp and 8.34Nm. This engine is mated to a 4-speed gearbox.
The Platina 100 is now one of the only 100cc commuter bikes to feature a disc brake, though the additional money it demands puts it in the same price bracket as some 110cc commuters, like the TVS Radeon, prices for which start at Rs 59,742.
India’s most affordable motorcycle sold a total of 45,105 units, improving on its August 2020 sales of 34,863 units. At a starting price of Rs 42,790, the Bajaj CT100 is a refined, good-quality product and is a true representation of the affordable engineering that India Inc can deliver. It is actually surprising how the company manages to price it so low.
The iconic thumper from the Chennai-based manufacturer makes its appearance in the bestsellers’ chart at No. 9 position, with 38,827 units. It had the same rank in August 2020, with 34,791 units. The Classic 350 is Royal Enfield’s most popular motorcycle and remains the mainstay of its range. FY2019 saw Royal Enfield sell 6,56,651 motorcycles, with the Classic 350 accounting for 60 percent of them.
In BS6 form, the Classic 350 gets a fuel-injection system that develops 19.8hp and 28Nm of torque. With prices starting at Rs 1,78,000, the new Classic is about Rs 11,000 more expensive than it was in BS4 spec.
The flagship motorcycle and the premium bike brand of TVS Motor Co, the Apache is seeing growing in demand. In September 2020, the Apache clocked sales of 37,788 units, improving on August’s 33,540 units. In early August, the company hiked prices for multiple models – including the Apache RTR 160, RTR 180, RTR 160 4V and RTR 200 4V – in its line-up by around Rs 1,000, but that would have done little to dampen buyer enthusiasm for the Apache.
On October 12, total Apache sales rode past the four-million-unit sales milestone globally. This premium brand was launched in 2005, which means it took 15 years to go from 0 to 40,00,000 units. Interestingly, the last million or 10 lakh unit sales have come in just two years. The TVS Apache crossed the three-million-unit sales milestone on September 10, 2018.
While there is little doubt that, sensing the upbeat mood in the vast swathes of rural India, motorcycle manufacturers have despatched increased volumes to their dealers across the country, which has translated into much-improved September numbers, it will take at least three months or more to confirm if the market recovery is real.
Most manufacturers are running their factories at full clip, fervently hoping that the festive season sales will help reduce the COVID-19-induced hit on sales in the April-July 2020 period. What will continue to give a fillip to motorcycle sales is that, with the need for social distancing paramount, demand for personal transport will remain on the upswing, particularly in urban India with office commuters.
