Motown India July 2019

MOTOWN INDIA Vol 9 / Issue 10 JULY 2019

VOL-9 • ISSUE-10 • JULY 2019 • `300/-

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INDIA FIRST DRIVE

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MG HECTOR

Hello MG, You are really cool!

RNI No DEL ENG/2010/34562

FIRST DRIVE JEEP COMPASS TRAILHAWK

B2B SECTION

FIRST DRIVE MAHINDRA XUV 300 AMT

UNVEIL AI ENABLED REVOLT RV400 ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE

M&M READY WITH BS VI ENGINES | EICHER UNVEILS INDIA’S FIRST BS-VI CV RANGE | AIRLESS WHEEL TECHNOLOGY FROM MICHELIN, GENERAL MOTORS

Artwork created by MPPL team

Kerala beckons!

WWW.KERALAHOUSEBOATONLINE.COM For bookings call: +91- 9895809251

CONTE NTS V O L 9 | I S S U E 1 0 | J U LY 2 0 1 9

EDITOR Punnoose Tharyan (Roy) ptharyan@motownindia.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------News Coordinator - Jisha P Special Correspondent - Aakash Paul Video Editor - Ramesh Kumar Content Manger - Vrinda Desai Digital In-charge Naveen Kumar Web Correspondents - Avdesh Kumar, Seema Paul Photo Journalists - Afsar Baig, Neeraj Panwar Social Media Incharge: Aarti Sinha Social Media Correspondents: Tapash, Inder ---------------------------------------------------------------------For Editorial contact editorial@motownindia.com, editorial.motown@gmail.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------FOR MARKETING & SALES CONTACT Head-Operations - Jisha P jisha@motownindia.com, +91-9958125645 advertising@motownindia.com, advertising.motown@gmail.com /+91-9811097399 ---------------------------------------------------------------------FOR ACCOUNTS CONTACT Ankit Sharma, ankit@motownindia.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------FOR CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTION CONTACT subscription@motownindia.com / +91-9958125645 ----------------------------------------------------------------------Office Executive Ravinder ----------------------------------------------------------------------EDITORIAL DELHI OFFICE 155/9, Ground Floor, Kishangarh, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi 110070 ----------------------------------------------------------------------EDITORIAL CONTENT The publisher makes every effort to ensure that the contents in the magazine are correct. However, he can accept no responsibility for any effects from errors or omissions. Any unauthorised reproduction of Motown India content is strictly forbidden.

----------------------------------------------------------------------Motown India is owned by Motown Publications Private Limited and published from 4058 / D-4, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi-110070.

----------------------------------------------------------------------This issue of Motown India magazine contains 52 pages including both covers.

----------------------------------------------------------------------EDITORIAL ADVISORS Alexander T. & Annie Jacob

B 2C S E CTI ON

06

CAR NEWS: Isuzu launches all new

D-Max V-Cross with 20 new features

14

BIKE NEWS: AI enabled

Revolt electric motorcycle RV400 unveiled

18 WHEELZ & ROADZ: MG Hector - Hello MG, You are really cool!

24

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WHEELZ & ROADZ: Jeep Compass Trailhawk - Lord of the Real Jungle 4 | MOTOWN INDIA | JULY 2019

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28

LATEST/MOTOWNINDIA VIDEOS LATEST V IDEOS

WHEELZ & ROADZ: Mahindra XUV300 AMT - Performance gets hassle-free

MG HECTOR

B 2 B S E CTI O N

32

44 JEEP COMPASS TRAILHAWK

B2B NEWS: Mahindra &

Mahindra invests Rs 1000 crore + to ready BS VI engines

CV NEWS: Eicher unveils India’s

first BS-VI CV range; Expands light duty trucks portfolio

49

TECHNOLOGY: Airless wheel technology from Michelin, General Motors www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

MAHINDRA XUV300 AMT

AI ENABLED REVOLT RV400 ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE

JULY 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 5

CAR NEWS

ISUZU launches all new D-Max V-Cross with 20 new features Price unchanged at `15.54 lakh onward Isuzu Motors India has launched an all-new D-Max V-Cross with 20 new features. The all new V-Cross carries the same price tag of the previous model and is priced at Rs 15.54 lakh (standard variant) and Rs 17.06 lakh (Z variant), ex-showroom, Delhi.

The new V-Cross will be available in two trim levels – ‘Standard Grade’ and ‘High Grade’ (Z) and comes with two new colour options – Sapphire Blue and Silky Pearl White apart from Ruby Red, Titanium Silver, Obsidian Grey, Cosmic Black and Splash White.

Bookings for the new V-Cross are open at all dealerships.

6 | MOTOWN INDIA | JULY 2019

Inspired by ‘Cyborg Orca’, the front of the new V-Cross carries a sporty looking grille finely bundled with Bi-LED headlamps and distinctive sharp lines.

The fog lamps adorned with chrome bezel adds style to its function. The vehicle comes with new diamond cut 18” alloy wheels housed in flared wheel arches. Its silhouette is further enhanced with the sporty roof-rails and a new shark-fin antenna. The newly designed side-step adds to the overall appeal and functionality, while the all-black B-pillar lends to the ‘cool’ quotient. The upgraded rear chrome bumper and embedded LED tail-lamps aptly complement the new design lines flowing through

the rear.

The new V-Cross comes with sporty full black interiors on both the standard and highgrade (Z) variants. The newly contoured seats are designed to making the ride more enjoyable on or off the road. The High Grade (Z) variant comes with perforated leather seats which provide premium comfort to the occupants. The dual-cockpit design is further enhanced by the contemporary instrument cluster housing the new 3D Design Electroluminescent Meter and Gear Shift Indicator, providing pertinent information to get the best out of the drive.

The dashboard, centre console and door highlights have an

enriched appeal with the piano black garnish. The second row USB charging port enables the rear seat occupants to charge their devices at their own convenience.

A first-in-the-segment, the V-Cross is further enhanced with interesting convenience and safety features such as introduction of PESS (Passive Entry & Start Stop System). The new V-Cross will be powered by a 134 hp, BSIV compliant, high pressure Common Rail Fuel Injection Diesel Engine, the powertrain is mated to a 5 speed Manual Transmission that delivers a maximum torque level of 320 Nm @ 1800-2800 rpm.

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CAR NEWS

MG Hector connected SUV launched at `12.18 lakh onward

Jeep Compass Trailhawk priced at `26.8 lakh FCA India, the wholly owned subsidiary of the largest manufacturer of Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV) in the world, announced the delivery of Made-in-India Jeep Compass Trailhawk All-wheel Drive (AWD) SUV. The Trail Rated Trailhawkis priced at Rs 26.8 lakh nationwide and will be available for purchase at all 82 FCA-all brand retail touch points across the country.

The Jeep Compass range begins at Rs 15.6 lakh (allIndia).

MG (Morris Garages) Motor India has launched the Hector connected SUV at an introductory price of Rs 12.18 lakh to Rs 16.88 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi). The prices of all the variants are given below:

MG HECTOR EX-SHOWROOM DELHI PRICES Style

Super

Smart

Sharp

Petrol MT

`12.18 lakh

`12.98 lakh

-

-

Petrol Hybrid MT

-

`13.58 lakh

`14.68 lakh

`15.88 lakh

Petrol DCT

-

-

`15.28 lakh

`16.78 lakh

Diesel MT

`13.18 lakh

`14.18 lakh

`15.48 lakh

`16.88

The MG Hector, India’s first internet car, has been launched with a vehicle ownership package-the “MG Shield”. It provides private owners free-of-charge 5-year comprehensive manufacturer warranty for unlimited kilometers – the best factory warranty for any vehicle sold in India. It also includes round-the-clock roadside assistance (RSA) for a period of 5 years and no labour charges for the first 5 scheduled vehicle services.

The Hector further offers prepaid maintenance plans starting as low as Rs 8,000 for the first three years. Its total cost of ownership (TCO) is the lowest in the segment starting at Rs 45 paise per kilometer for the petrol and at Rs 49 paise per kilometer for the diesel.

The MG Hector was launched in the presence of Rajeev Chaba, President and Managing Director, MG Motor India.

The ‘Made in India’ MG Hector is available in a total of 11 combinations across 4 variants namely Style, Super, Smart and Sharp. It comes with 3 engine options Petrol, Petrol Hybrid and Diesel. The petrol is available in both manual and automatic transmissions.

(MG Hector SUV first drive report on Page 18)

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THE TRAILHAWK IS BEING OFFERED WITH THE FOLLOWING ALL-NEW EQUIPMENT: Engine Stop / Start, Advanced Cruise Control, Built-in Navigation with an 8.4-inch UConnect screen on the centre console, Hill Descent Control (HDC) which maintains speed within 3 km/hr during steep descent, Jeep Active Drive 4x4 Low, ‘Rock Mode’ terrain selection and Auto, Snow, Mud and Sand modes.

The Jeep Compass Trailhawk has a BS VI compliant engine and 9-speed automatic transmission.

The 2.0-litre, 170HP, 350 Nm turbo diesel engine has additional technology that makes it fully BS VI compliant nearly one year before the norms become effective. This BS VI engine is more refined, and uses an urea system to meet the new norms. It also makes it capable to run even on BS IV diesel, until BS VI diesel is widely available in the country.

Until then, Trailhawk can be driven to the remotest part of the country with complete peace of mind, without worrying about the quality of diesel as the engine is designed to self-cleanse, without any external intervention. The Trailhawk is optimally tuned for both urban traffic and challenging off-road driving conditions. Its all-new9-speed automatic transmission is finely tuned to deliver a progressively torquey drive with seamless gear changes. The performance is particularly impressive when driven in the 1750 – 2500 rpm band. (Jeep Compass Trailhawk first drive report on page 26)

JULY 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 7

CAR NEWS

KIA unveils Seltos SUV in India as part of global premiere Kia Motors India hosted the world premiere of its first car for India with the Kia Seltos SUV. The Seltos comes with BS VI diesel and petrol engines. It will be launched in many other markets around the globe. The company will have a GT line of the Seltos too, India’s first sport SUV version. This will be a 1.4 litre Turbo GDI with a 7 DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission).

Prices of the Seltos will be announced later.

The engine options for the Seltos include a petrol engine, a turbo petrol and a diesel engine

and these will be offered in three automatic transmission options, an Intelligent Continuously Variable Transmission or IVT, 7 speed Dual Clutch Transmission or DCT and a 6 six speed automatic transmission along with 6 speed manual

transmission. Users can choose the combo that conforms to their driving style. The vehicle will offer three driving modes: Normal, Eco and Sports

presence of Han Woo Park, CEO & President, Kia Motors Corporation and other senior officials of Kia Motors.

The vehicle was launched in the

Renault launches Triber MPV in India Renault revealed its all new global project, Renault Triber MPV in India today.

The seven-seater sub 4 metre vehicle is designed on a unique and latestgeneration modular platform created by the Alliance. Renault Triber is the outcome of a joint project between Renault teams in India and France and is a world first vehicle specifically designed for the Indian market.

The vehicle was unveiled in the presence of Thierry Bollore, CEO of Groupe Renault and other senior officials including Venkatram Mamillapalle, Country CEO and MD, Renault India Operations.

The sub 4 metre Renault Triber is a sturdy, compact, roomy and modular vehicle which accommodates one to seven adults in comfort.

The MPV has the largest boot capacity of its category in five seater configuration. The price of the vehicle will be disclosed later.

8 | MOTOWN INDIA | JULY 2019

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CAR NEWS

Toyota Glanza launched at `7.21 lakh Making its entry into premium hatchback segment , Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has launched the Toyota Glanza at a starting price of Rs. 7,21,900 (ex-showroom Delhi). The

hatchback was launched in the presence of Masakazu Yoshimura, Managing Director and N. Raja, Deputy Managing Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor. Toyota Glanza is

equipped with a new New BS-VI complaint K Series petrol engine. The hatchback comes in four variants G MT (Advanced Li-Ion Battery with ISG), V MT, G CVT & V

CVT

MT GRADE

CVT. The car churns out a power of 88.47hp for G MT & 81.76hp for G CVT, V CVT & V MT variants. Toyota Glanza is essentially the Suzuki Baleno.

Prices are as follows.

G MT (Advanced Li-Ion Battery with ISG)

V MT

G CVT

V CVT

Fuel Efficiency

23.87kmpl

19.56kmpl

19.56kmpl

19.56kmpl

PRICES

`7,21,900

`7,58,200

`8,29,900

`8,90,200

Mahindra drives in ‘Thar 700’ limited edition at `9.99 lakh Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd has announced the launch of Thar 700 limited special edition. It will be the last batch of 700 units of the iconic 4x4 off-road SUV in its current avatar. It comes packed with unique and differentiated features and will be competitively priced at Rs. 9.99 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi. The Thar 700 aptly marks the 70 years legacy of Mahindra, as its lineage traces back to 1949 when the first Mahindra vehicle was built in India. The Thar 700, a limited special edition, will be available in an all new Aquamarine colour, in

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addition to the popular colour of Napoli Black.

The highlight of the Thar 700 will be a special badge on the vehicle with signature of Anand Mahindra, Chairman – Mahindra Group.

To further enhance its appeal, the Thar 700 will sport the following exterior and interior changes: • Stylised 5-spoke alloy wheels • Decals on the side and bonnet • Black finish on the grille • Silver finish on the front bumper • Leatherette upholstery with THAR logo on the front seats • Anti-lock braking system (ABS)

JULY 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 9

CAR NEWS

New 2 litre Land Rover Discovery Diesel launched at `75.18 lakh onward

The ultimate Q-car: World’s fastest production sedan, Jaguar XE SV Project 8 Jaguar’s Special Vehicle Operations division has developed a more restrained road-oriented version of the extreme XE SV Project 8 featuring a discreet new rear spoiler, delivering a covert design that belies the 592hp vehicle’s race track-honed performance capabilities.

The new Touring specification is available alongside existing 320 km/h Project 8 derivatives, which currently hold production sedan lap records on three continents – at circuits including the Nürburgring Nordschleife, Dubai Autodrome and Laguna Seca.

The fixed Touring Spoiler replaces Project 8’s adjustable carbon fibre rear aerodynamic wing (which generates more than 122kg of down force at 300 km/h in Track Mode, and is complemented by a fixed front splitter to maintain aerodynamic balance.

Despite this significant aerodynamic revision, the 5.0- l Supercharged V8 Project 8 with Touring Spoiler retains an extraordinary level of on-road performance and driver engagement for a sports sedan, accelerating from0-100km/h in3.7s and on to a limited top speed of 300km/h.

Jamal Hameedi, Engineering Director, Jaguar Special Vehicle Operations, said: “Project 8 has received outstanding critical acclaim since its launch, demonstrating the Special Vehicle Operations team’s ability to create a compact Jaguar sedan with supercar-rivalling performance. Touring specification extends the appeal of Project 8 to performance car enthusiasts and collectors who prefer a more discreet appearance, without compromising its driver-focused on-road dynamics.”

Jaguar Land Rover India has announced the launch of the 2.0 l diesel derivative of the Model Year 2019 Land Rover Discovery in India priced at Rs 75.18 lakh onward. Available in S, SE, HSE& HSE Luxury trim, the new derivative is powered by a 2.0 l diesel Ingenium engine producing a power output of 237hp and peak torque of 500 Nm.

Tata Motors offers AMT in Tigor XMA, Tigor XZA+ at `6.39 lakh onward Tata Motors has announced the introduction of two new Automatic (AMT) variants to its Tigor rangethe XMA and the XZA+. The XMA and XZA+ will be priced Rs. 6.39 lakh and Rs 7.24 lakh(ex-showroom Delhi), respectively.

The two new trims will be offered with a 1.2L Revotron petrol engine and will be available in all the colours the Tigor is currently offered in – Egyptian Blue, Roman Silver, Espresso Brown, Berry Red, Pearlescent White and Titanium Grey.

Special Vehicle Operations will hand-assemble no more than 15 examples of the Touring specification Project 8 at its Technical Centre in Warwickshire, exclusively in four-seat configuration. Valencia Orange, Velocity Blue, Corris Grey Satin and British Racing Green paint finishes are available, while the absence of body decals – though optional – confirms this as the ultimate Q car.

10 | MOTOWN INDIA | JULY 2019

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FEATURES

ROYAL ENFIELD showcases new custom builds at Wheels and Waves 2019 in France Royal Enfield, part of Eicher Motors, unveiled the all new BAAK Motocyclette build and ‘Nought Tea GT along with five other custom motorcycles at the eighth edition of Wheels and Waves 2019 held in Biarritz in France. The theme of this year’s Wheels and Waves is ‘Back to roots’.

TVS APACHE enters Asia Book of Records with 6 hour non-stop stunt

Wheels and Waves is one of Europe’s iconic motorcycling festivals, all centered on classic as well as custom motorcycles, surfing, skateboarding and the culture that goes with it: music, visual arts and other forms of expression.

BAAK MOTOCYCLETTE - BASE: ROYAL ENFIELD INTERCEPTOR INT 650

real David in a field of Goliaths.

The custom motorcycle has been built jointly by Royal Enfield and BAAK Motocyclette. The allnew build has taken the Interceptor INT 650 in an absolutely new direction displaying excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail. The build harks back to the past, with a “bathtub” style rear fender concept, but expresses it through uniquely modern proportions. This blending of old and new to create timeless builds is a hallmark of BAAK’s style, and a perfect match to the back to basics purity of the Interceptor 650.

MJR. ROACH- BASE: HIMALAYAN

NOUGHT TEA GT- BASE: ROYAL ENFIELD CONTINENTAL GT 650 The Nought Tea GT is based on the newly launched motorcycle Continental GT 650. It is a unique blend of style and function, developed in collaboration with the chassis experts at Harris Performance.

The Nought Tea GT takes the stock Continental GT 650 and prepares it for the race track. Custom light weight parts and Ohlins suspension highlight the serious potential of the build while the creative minds. An outstanding design highlight is a graphic to represent the flow of air over the bike which gives a very distinctive character to the motorcycle.

TWO SMOKING BARRELS X SINROJA FOR THE SULTANS OF SPRINT- BASE: ROYAL ENFIELD CONTINENTAL GT 650 A stripped down, lean and mean drag racer in collaboration with Sinroja Motorcycles. Instead of trying to add more power, Sinroja decided to strip as much weight as possible, getting the build down to only 150 kilos. Designed to race against the high horse power competition, Two Smoking Barrels is a

MJR Roach is designed to survive anything.

Inspired by video games, MJR Roach takes the base Himalayan and makes it the most it could be with enormous chunky tires, a formed aluminium single sided swingarm, and - because why not! - a Garret turbocharger. MJR Roach is ready for whatever dystopian future your imagination can throw at it!

MIDAS ROYALE (@ ART RIDE)- BASE: ROYAL ENFIELD CONTINENTAL GT 650 Art in carbon and gold - the Midas Royale from Rough Crafts elevates the stock Continental GT 650, stripping away weight and adding some of the best performance parts and materials available. All carbon body and rims are complemented by top spec Ohlins suspension and custom made chassis parts. The signature Rough Crafts black and gold treatment ensure that this endurance racer inspired build is fit for a king.

MALLE RALLY ROYALE- BASE: ROYAL ENFIELD INTERCEPTOR INT 650 Showcasing the long distance potential of the Interceptor INT 650, these two dedicated Rally builds were designed specifically for completing the Great Malle Rally in 2019, an end to end ride the length of the UK. One lucky winner, from a competition run in collaboration with Iron and Air magazine, will get to ride the black #1 bike, while the red #2 version will be the dedicated ride support vehicle. Both builds have long travel suspension, custom made Harris chassis parts and a host of other adjustments to make them the ultimate rally Interceptors.

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TVS Apache, the premium motorcycle brand of TVS Motor Company, created history by setting a new record for the longest non-stop stunt show in India and has now entered the Asia Book of Records. As part of the Apache Pro Performance X, five stunt teams from Coimbatore, Bangalore, Jaipur, Indore and Delhi performed non-stop stunt shows for 6 hours astride the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V motorcycles. The record-breaking show was held amidst heavy rainfall at Seasons Mall, Pune. The stunt bikers enthralled the audience with their skills and manoeuvrability on the TVS Apache motorcycles.

Special stunts like the Jesus Christ pose, pillion thrill-ride, 360 degree front wheelie, synchronized flower burnout, suicide burnout, and a mega bike burnout as the grand finale enthralled the spectators.

Despite the heavy downpour, the bikers continued their record breaking feat, thus bettering their previous record of 5 hr non-stop stunt marathon held in Chennai in the year 2017.

JULY 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 11

BIKE NEWS

`79 lakh Arc Vector, a futuristic all-electric café racer ready by end 2020 The Arc Vector all electric motorcycle by Arc based in England will be the world’s most advanced electric motorcycle. Announced at last November’s EICMA show in Milan, the £90,000 (Rs 79.41 lakh approx.) neo-café racer will enter full production at the end of 2020 with 399 units to be built to order in the first 18 months. Having prototyped the Vector in Coventry, Arc is targeting expansion to a 65,000 square feet HQ in StAthan, South Wales, in 2020.

This revolutionary motorcycle boasts Human Interface Technology, state-of-the-art carbon monocoque and swing arm, ground-breaking hub-centre

12 | MOTOWN INDIA | JULY 2019

steering, power-dense battery cells, bespoke brakes and suspension, and race-inspired wheels. At the centre of the Vector is its ingenious batterymodule carbon monocoque.

exotic materials such as quality alloys, exposed copper detailing and aircraft-grade aluminium, helps to keep the machine’s total dry weight down to 220kg.

Simplicity is key to its design and, countering the weight of the battery pack, the watchword is lightness.

The motor and batteries are structurally integral to the monocoque, making the chassis incredibly stiff. Arc is one of a tiny number of OEMs to develop its own carbon swing arm, in collaboration with MotoGP manufacturers Riba, which enables lateral flex for cornering stability, grip and agility. The liberal use of carbon, and other

Founder & CEO Mark Truman, the visionary engineer behind Arc, has undertaken the lion’s share of track testing himself at circuits and airfields around the Midlands, fettling the finer points of the Vector’s geometry and handling. A notable design direction has been hub-centre steering. This is characterised by the steering pivot points being inside the hub of the wheel, rather than above the wheel in the headstock as in a traditional layout.

Another rarity that Mark’s team has embraced is the belt drive, which guarantees low weight and low maintenance.

It’s also quieter and smoother than a chain drive, and owners will never get oily hands. Arc’s technical partners represent the best of breed. The Vector’s brake discs are Brembo and the calipers are their Stylemas, but bespoke in black oxide. The Ohlins suspension is entirely customisable, and the unique BST wheels are as light and strong as a pro race bike’s.

Anti-lock brakes have been provided by Continental, Pirelli have made the tyres and the battery package is by Delta Motorsport.

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BIKE NEWS

All-new BMW S 1000 RR launched at `18.50 lakh BMW Motorrad has launched the all-new BMW S 1000 RR superbike in the Indian market at a starting price of Rs. 18.50 lakh (ex-showroom). The allnew BMW S 1000 RR will be available as a CBU (Completely built-up) unit.

The bike was launched in the presence of Dr. Hans-Christian Baertels, President (acting) BMW Group India, Dimitris Raptis, Head of Asia-Pacific, China, Russia, Africa, BMW Motorrad and Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor. The superbike is available in two colour options - Racing Red (Flashy red finish) and Light white/ Lupin

Blue Metallic / Racing Red (Motorsport finish).

The 2019 BMW S 1000 RR is the first motorcycle to feature an M package, a combination of the power of M with Motorrad. The new M Package includes carbon fibre wheels, M lightweight battery and M sport seat.

The bookings for the

MODELS

EX-SHOWROOM PRICES

BMW S 1000 RR Standard

`18,50,000

BMW S 1000 RR Pro

`20,95,000

BMW S 1000 RR Pro M Sport

`22,95,000

superbike are now open.

This 999cc superbike is fitted with a newly developed 4-cylinder in-line engine that generates a power of 207hp@13,500rpm. The new engine is 4kgs lighter and

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narrower and helps improve both handling and ergonomics.

The bike comes with BMW ShiftCam technology which provides excellent toque curve even at low and middle speeds.

It also comes with a newly developed suspension that enhances the riding dynamics and features a Flex Frame that improves the aerodynamics of the motorcycle and helps keep the weight low. It also comes with ABS Pro, DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) and DTC Wheelie Function as standard.

An optional Dynamic Damping Control is also available. The bike comes with four modes - Rain, Road, Dynamic and Race as standard. The Riding Modes Pro option offers additional three riding modes (Race Pro 1-3) that are freely programmable. The bike also features a multifunctional instrument panel with a 6.5�TFT display.

JULY 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 13

BIKE NEWS

Artificial intelligence enabled Revolt electric motorcycle RV400 unveiled Revolt Intellicorp Pvt Ltd , founded by former Micromax mobile phone company co-founder Rahul Sharma, unveiled RV400, India’s first Artificial Intelligence enabled motorcycle. Company officials did not disclose the performance parameters of the bike and nor did they disclose the price.

This electric motorcycle is a good looker with DRLs, disc brakes on both wheels, and has a belt driven mechanism. The lithium ion battery is stored in the area where the fuel tank is positioned, hidden away from prying eyes and also ensuring a very aerodynamic look to the bike.

Features include an all digital instrument cluster, alloy wheels, straight handlebars, dual shockers in front and a single coil suspension at the rear, enhance the

14 | MOTOWN INDIA | JULY 2019

sportiness of the bike.

The AI-enabled motorcycle has an ARAI certified 156km on a single charge. The bike comes with three ride modes- Eco, City and Sport. Since it is an AI bike, it is powered by the Revolt App which is available on both Android and iOS. The app comes with connectivity features like Bike Locator, door-step battery delivery, mobile swap stations, anti theft, sound selection and preview, Geo fencing up to 50km, etc.

One interesting app function is the sound selection and preview. With this function, you can select from around four different pre set sounds and as the bike moves the sound is heard to outsiders and with each throttle response, the sound volume also changes.

Now coming to charging, this bike can be charged in different ways. First, like all elective vehicles this one too has on board charging which means you can plug your bike directly to a 15 ampere socket to charge. Second, since the battery is portable, you can easily take it out and charge it at your home or office. Third, you can also order a battery through mobile app.

The Revolt app adapts to the rider’s personal riding behaviour and becomes a companion by intelligently guiding them for an enhanced riding experience. The app is powered by a telematics data collected from the 4G enabled IOT device in the bike and runs powerful analytics at the backend to give relevant insights into the user’s biking trips. The app has more than 20 features.

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BIKE NEWS

Honda Unveils BSVI premium Activa 125 with several new features Leading two-wheeler manufacturer in the country Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India has unveiled the Activa 125 BSVI - Honda’s first Bharat Stage VI compliant two-wheeler, much ahead of the April 2020 deadline.

The all new Honda Activa 125 comes with a host of Industry-first features. Present at the launch were Noriaki Abe, Managing officer & Chief Officer, Motorcycle Operations, Honda Motor Co. Ltd, Minoru Kato, President & CEO, and Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd.

The all new Activa 125 BSVI is developed with as much as 26 new patent applications. At the heart of Activa 125 is the Bharat Stage VI compliant new 125cc PGM-FI HET (Honda Eco Technology) engine boosted by Honda Enhanced Smart Power (eSP) NEW. A performance accelerator to the HET engine, Honda Enhanced Smart Power (eSP) technology optimises energy output by maximizing efficient combustion and minimising friction with a silent start and a smooth ecofriendly engine.

ICAT certifies Hero Splendor iSmart as BS-VI compliant

BattRE electric scooters launched at `63,555 onward

Hero MotoCorp has become the first two-wheeler manufacturer in the country to receive the BS-VI certification for a twowheeler. Hero MotoCorp received the Type Approval Certificate from International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) for the Splendor iSmart motorcycle, after it was successfully tested for compliance to the BS-VI emission norms.

BattRE, a technology driven startup has launched affordable and smart electric e-Scooters. Some of the features of the e-scooters include keyless start, underseat storage, USB port, reverse and motorcycle like handle. BattRE is launching e-scooters in the cities of Nagpur, Hyderabad, Anantpur and Kurnool. The cost of BattRE e-scooters starts from Rs 63,555 onward.

The BS-VI compliant motorcycle has been designed and developed inhouse, at the Company’s R&D hub, the Center of Innovation and Technology (CIT) in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Following the Type Approval process in which a manufacturer is required to build a prototype and get it tested and certified from any of the government approved test agencies

- ICAT, ARAI or GARC - the manufacturer is eligible to start the manufacturing of the certified model.

BSVI norms come into effect from April 1, 2020 deadline. The Company has the technological prowess for meeting the BS-VI norms and will now be gearing up to make its large portfolio of motorcycles and scooters BS-VI compliant.

The e-scooter has a digital display, which shows battery usage, speed, temperature, odometer and faults, if any. It also comes with safety features like daytime running lights, reverse, anti-theft alarm with tyre lock, front and rear disc brakes, and broad tubeless tyres.

The electric scooters by BattRE will run on lithium ferro phosphate batteries instead of the lead-acid batteries. The batteries of this scooter will last around 7 years depending upon the usage.

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JULY 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 15

BIKE NEWS

Bajaj Auto launches Platina 110 H-Gear at `53,376 onward

KTM launches RC 125 ABS in India at `1.47 lakh

Bajaj Auto has launched the new Platina 110 H-Gear at Rs 53,376 onward. The Platina 110 H-Gear sports a digital console with a first-of-its kind Gear-Shift-Guide, tripmeter and fuel indicator. The Gear-Shift-Guide guides the rider to upshift or downshift, depending on the combination of gear and speed at which the bike is running. This helps avoid snatching by ensuring that the bike is always on

KTM, leading European motorcycle company largely owned by Bajaj Auto, announced the launch of the all-new RC 125 ABS. The motorcycle has been launched at an introductory price of Rs. 147,213 (exshowroom Delhi). Powering the RC 125 is a DOHC engine producing 14.30hp and 12 Nm torque. Inspired

by KTM’s MotoGP machine the RC16, this fully faired bike, is adept at conquering the track and street alike. Like every KTM motorcycle, the RC 125 too is Ready to Race.

the appropriate gear. It has an additional Highway Gear, a special gear optimised for delivering the right mix of pickup and fuel economy on long distance highway riding.

The Platina features an allnew feather-touch gear shift mechanism for easy and quick gear changes.

It comes with KTM’s iconic steel trellis frame, upside down front suspension by WP and triple clamp handlebar to provide top of the class handling. It sports a fresh new look in two colour options that further highlight its Supersport origins. It has twin projector headlights with DRL and ABS by Bosch.

Ducati launches all new Hypermotard 950 at `11.99 lakh Luxury motorcycle brand Ducati announced the launch of the all-new Hypermotard 950 in India at a price of Rs 11.99 (Ex-Showroom India). The Hypermotard perfectly combines the features of the Hypermotard 1100 with minimalism, aggressiveness, lightweight look and the image of a ‘fun bike’ with the innovation and technology of Ducati’s latest motorcycle models.

The all-new Hypermotard 950 boasts

of an aggressive look along with a sporty character and is equipped with a 937cc twin-cylinder Ducati Testastretta 11° with more muscle, greater pulling power and new electronics to ensure smoother control. The twin-cylinder engine has been radically revised and is lightened by 1.5 kg. It puts out 4 more horsepower than its predecessor, achieving 114 hp at 9,000 rpm and a flat torque curve peaking at 9.8 kgm at 7,250 rpm.

Motoroyale launches limited edition MV Agusta F3 RC at `21.99 lakh Motoroyale by Kinetic, the exclusive distributor of MV Agusta in India, has launched the MV Agusta F3 RC. These superbikes will be a collector’s edition since only six units of the bike will be available here in India. The F3 RC(Reparto Corse) is a 3 cylinder motorbike generating 153 bhp. It comes loaded with

16 | MOTOWN INDIA | JULY 2019

an SC Project exhaust silencer in titanium and carbon, a power unit for SC, an exhaust silencer carry-over (with special mapping and traction control for the racing mode), anodized aluminum mirror caps kit, billet aluminum brake/clutch levers, and a billet aluminum foot peg kit.

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WWW.KERALAHOUSEBOATONLINE.COM For bookings call: +91- 9895809251

Artwork created by MPPL team

Explore the backwaters of Kerala

WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

MG HECTOR SUV

HELLO MG,

YOU ARE REALLY COOL! Report: P. Tharyan; Photography: Afsar Baig

T

he MG Hector SUV from MG Motor India has the words “Internet Inside” displayed at the rear in the case of the diesel model and on the side, in the case of the petrol hybrid vehicle. There is plenty of reason for that. But let’s check out the connected car as a whole.

EXTERIORS The front and tail of the MG Hector are inspired by the F35 aircraft’s large engine air intake. Both the front and rear

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have all LED lights that include the DRLs, the floating light turn indicators and the auto headlights, front and rear fog lamps and tail lights. The grille with chrome accents makes the front smart. The side profile of the vehicle is attractive with an almost sloping roof, chrome finish on window beltline, roof rails, shark fin antenna, a dual pane panoramic sunroof and 17 inches dual tone machined alloy wheels. The tyre size is 215/60 R17. The spare wheel size is 215/60 R17 and they are of steel.

The SUV has a length of 4655mm, width of 1835mm, a height of 1760mm and a wheelbase 2750mm. It has a 60 litre fuel tank. Other exciting features include rain sensing wipers and heated ORVMs.

INTERIORS Step inside and you are treated to leather seats, leather on door trims and dashboard, leather driver arm rest, leather wrapped steering wheel, 60:40 rear seat, rear seat incline, front and rear LED reading lights and 8 colours

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WHEELZ & ROADZ

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FUEL EFFICIENCY

ENGINE

MAXIMUM POWER

MAXIMUM TORQUE

TRANSMISSION

(ARAI CERTIFIED FIGURES)

1451cc Petrol Hybrid

141hp@5000rpm

250Nm@1600-3600rpm

6-speed manual

15.81 kmpl

1956cc Diesel

168 hp@3750rpm

350Nm

6-speed manual

17.41 kmpl

INTRODUCTORY STARTING PRICES (EX-SHOWROOM) PETROL MT - `12.18 lakh, HYBRID - `13.58 lakh, DCT - `15.28 lakh

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DIESEL MT - `13.18 lakh

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WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

ambient lighting. The driver seat is 6-way power adjustable, while the co-driver seat is 4-way power adjustable. As for the rear seats, these can accommodate three people. All three seats get 3 point safety belts as well as adjustable head rests.

There is ample head room and knee room, though three adults could be a bit of a squeeze at the back. Rear AC vents and fast charging point for your mobile are added advantage at the rear.

The leather seats with some perfect white stitching at the borders

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are very comfortable. The front seats have ample thigh support as well as good support for shoulders and the bottom area.

Apart from the 10.4 inches vertical touch screen you also get a 7 inches coloured multi information display for

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A driving experience

the driver. The steering wheel is adjustable for both reach and rake.

The vehicle has a powered tailgate which can be opened from the rear as well as from the key fob button. The boot area is ample and the parcel tray is split in such a way that those sitting at the back can access the area from the flaps at the edge. These are attached to the seats with the help of Velcro.

Incidentally as a lot of people nowadays use cameras, also known as dash cams, to track the traffic in front. The same is fixed on the windscreen from inside. A USB slot has been provided on the inside rear view mirror to charge such devices.

In such a scenario, you will not have the wire hanging all the way down and distracting you when you are driving.

You also get fast charging USB ports in front and rear. These are basically 2 amp ones. There are a plethora of buttons on the dash area, on the steering wheels and on the floor console. Just below the large vertical screen are buttons for switching off and on the screen, volume control, defoggers for both front and rear. On the floor console just

before the gear lever are buttons for your switching on and off your rear parking sensors, and for your 360 deg camera. In the hybrid variant you get an additional “A Off” button which primarily means that you can stop the Automatic Start/Stop of the engine. The engine will not automatically turn off when you come to a stop to save fuel, thus the hybrid function is in a way disengaged. Tucked on the left of the screen is a traction control off / on button.

voice command, SRC for source changes on the radio, volume control, radio channel search, mute, and phone call. On the left steering mounted buttons, you have cruise control buttons, speed limitor and buttons that enable you to set your fatigue warning time and your door ajar warnings. The scroll buttons also help you with your radio settings, phone, lithium battery charging indicators in case of the hybrid and your tyre pressure monitoring.

On the right side of the steering, the buttons are used for

The audio system is provided

by Infinity and the system has 8

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speakers and tweeters.

I-SMART TECHNOLOGY The SUV is powered by i-Smart technology. The i-smart contains 50+ connected car features. Of this, the voice assist feature allows over 100+ voice commands activated by saying “Hello MG” for hands free control.

To assist you with the function is a 10.4 inches vertical touch screen that looks quite striking and gives you access to information and complete control. The infotainment system is Android Auto and Apple Car

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WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

Just by saying “HELLO MG”, you get the attention of the car and it allows you an entire range of functions....

The new MG HECTOR is an ideal SUV for an Indian customer but only time will tell whether the company has gone overboard in providing so many tech features.

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Play compatible.

Just by saying “Hello MG”, you get the attention of the car and it allows you an entire range of functions that include play radio, play AM, play FM, play a particular frequency, pause radio, control volume, stations, the brightness of the screen, open sunroof, close sunroof, I want to see the sky, set ac temperature, open window of driver side, open window of passenger side, close window, increase fan speed, raise or lower temperature, the list of commands is almost endless.

The Hector has a Machine to Machine or M2M embedded 5G ready SIM with internet protocol version 6.With this SIM, new software and entertainment content are automatically updated. You also have online navigation with live traffic updates. Moreover, a lot of entertainment content is already preloaded in the car’s head unit. There is a built-in Gaana Premium account. All you need is a mobile in which you need to download the Hector i-Smart app. Remote Controls functions like AC switch on/switch off (this is only with the automatic transmission version of the SUV), sunroof, tailgate and door lock/unlock, ambient lighting etc can be managed with this mobile app.

Other i-Smart functions include emergency call, i-call function to get a call from 24/7 pulse hub, scan car for a status check before every journey or anytime you want, geo fencing, driver analytics for checking on harsh braking, running idle drive time, routes taken etc, finding the car’s location, and so on and so forth.

PERFORMANCE The MG Hector comes with three engine options, a 1451cc petrol hybrid which is a 1.5 litre turbocharged intercooled engine with belt starter generator. The second engine option is a 1.5 litre turbocharged intercooled petrol engine which is not a hybrid. The third option is a 1956cc or 2 litre turbocharged diesel. All three engines are mated to a six speed manual transmission.

The non hybrid petrol engine is the only one that gets an option of a six speed dual clutch automatic transmission.

System that increases the fuel economy by 12% and reduces CO2 emissions by 11%. It is India’s first 48V hybrid SUV. I drove the diesel engine Hector first from Coimbatore to the Kodanad hill spot in Tamil Nadu. The 2 litre engine is the same one that powers the capable Jeep Compass. The climb came easy for the diesel SUV but what I did not like about the drive was the manual gear shift. It was a bit sticky and did not have the finesse I expected from MG. I also faced some problem on the air conditioner front where I felt the AC compressor was shutting off a bit too frequently. Otherwise the ride and handling was perfect and the steering wheel felt well tuned. With disc brakes on all four wheels, there was never a moment of insecurity. The diesel engine rattle, I felt, seeped a bit into the cabin and this was a bit irksome.

But when it came to the hybrid petrol, the drive from Coonoor to Coimbatore was smooth as butter. Here too, I felt the gear shifts a bit sticky and unimpressive. NVH levels I felt were better in the hybrid version.

Because of the lithium ion battery, here an extra boost was available at the tap of the accelerator pedal. As for the suspension, I felt it was well tuned to provide the right comfort to the passengers inside. While in front, the MG Hector has Macpherson Strut with Stabilizer bar, the rear is Semi Independent with Helical Spring Torsion Beam.

Safety features in the SUV include 6 airbags for the top end, electronic stability programme, traction control system, hill hold control, ABS, EBD and brake assist, 360 deg camera view, electric parking brake, front parking sensors, ISOFIX child seat anchors, etc.

VERDICT The new MG Hector is an ideal SUV for an Indian customer but only time will tell whether the company has gone overboard in providing so many tech features. Since it is an Internet Inside car, it can also mean that you are at the mercy of mobile network. In India, network providers are notorious for their unpredictable services. And if the network is bad, it could really stump the Hector from showcasing its internet smartness.

The Hector hybrid vehicle has a 48V Hybrid

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WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

S P EC I F ICATIO NS ENGINE 1956cc Multijet II Turbo Diesel TRANSMISSION 9-Speed AT POWER 170 hp@3750rpm+/- 50 rpm TORQUE 350Nm@ 1750-2500 rpm PRICE `26.80 lakh (Ex-Showroom Delhi)

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WHEELZ & ROADZ

A driving experience

JEEP COMPASS TRAILHAWK

LORD OF THE REAL JUNGLE

T

Report: P. Tharyan; Photography: Afsar Baig

he Bharat Stage VI ready Jeep Compass Trailhawk may not look very different from the Jeep Compass variants already available in India. But take a closer look and you will find that it’s actually cut out for some great off roading. For one it is trail rated, a methodology initially established by the Nevada Automotive Test Center and Jeep Engineering to objectively measure off-road performance for all Jeep vehicles. Trail rated Jeep vehicles are like commandos among the lot. Trail rated

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vehicles need to come winners in tests like traction, water fording, maneuverability, articulation and ground clearance.

EXTERIORS The external features of this vehicle have been fine tuned with a major objective of off roading. If you look at the bottom of the bumper, unlike the existing Jeep Compass, here the design is more curved inwards so as to get an approach angle of 26.5 deg and since the ground clearance has been increased marginally by 30mm, the breakover angle of 21.2 degrees ensures that obstacles do not come in contact with

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WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

the underbody while driving over tough tracks.

Similarly, at the rear too, the bottom of the bumper area has been redesigned to curve inwards, which ensures a departure angle of 31.6 degrees. All this is ideal for off roading or else your front and rear bumpers would simply crash against obstacles. This is how the overall ground clearance has been taken care of.

The Trailhawk also comes with a tow hook at the rear that can carry tug 1.5 times the weight of the vehicle.

The Jeep Compass TrailHawk gets heavy duty 17 inches five spoke alloy wheels. Coming to the bonnet, you find a huge black decal on it. This signature black hood decal ensures that while off roading you don’t get the sun rays reflecting off the bonnet and blinding you while

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you are making those sharp climbs or dips.

For off roading, the underbody has been amply protected with a lot of skid plates. These protect the cooling module, engine and transmission oil pans, front suspension, fuel tank and the urea tank. Electrical connections and body openings are sealed and the air intake snorkel is a tad higher at 840mm from the ground. The existing Jeep Compass has it at 727mm. The Jeep Compass Trailhawk has a water depth

capability of 483mm. Even if the water splashes on to the front while water fording, the underbody is protected, the wires are protected and since the front seven slates that make up the grille are sealed, the snorkel too is protected.

INTERIORS The interiors of the new Jeep Compass Trailhawk are quite similar to the Jeep Compass Limited Plus, except for two things. One is the all black interiors in the cabin with striking red finishes. It looks kind of uber. On the steering

wheel, the right side space now has buttons for cruise control and speed limitor. Features like dual zone climate control, a 7 inches wide instrument cluster display and an engine start stop system, a voice and touch interaction screen, smart phone integration, integrated voice command with Bluetooth, reverse parking camera and sensors, electronic parking brake and not to miss the dual pane panoramic sunroof are bound to be exciting for customers.

PERFORMANCE The true character of the Jeep Compass Trailhawk was tested when we started on the huge off road track built on the hills of Lonavala beyond Pune in Maharashtra. The 2 litre engine, the 9 speed automatic transmission along with the 4 wheel drive Low feature and a Rock mode got my adrenalin rushing. We depressed the 4WD L button and turned the

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WHEELZ & ROADZ

A driving experience

rotary knob to the Rock mode.

The traction control came into play. It is this traction that controls the forward motion on snow, sand, mud and rocks. The crawl ratio is a key parameter that determines the Trailhawk traction character. The ratio is an amazing 20:1.

Thus the Jeep Active Drive Low controls torque distribution while monitoring the engine, transmission and electronic stability control system. It uses every ounce of its muscles to help you crawl uphill and over large rocks and boulders.

There was no holding back the TrailHawk in the rocky tracks of Lonavala.

The track to test its articulation looked all dangerous initially. When one or more wheels are elevated , the 4x4 system allows the other wheels maintain ground contact longer to move steadily ahead.

The Ramp Travel Index of this vehicle is 321. The index is a way of measuring a vehicle’s ability to flex its suspension, a property also known as axle articulation. The Tralhawk

the icing on the cake was sliding down the track 200 metres without engaging the hill descent control button. We simply slammed the brakes and let the ABS and other electronic functions kick in. Boy, that was fun!

VERDICT

comes with McPherson strut with lower control arm in front and at the rear it has multi link suspension with strut assembly.

The suspension of the Trailhawk is not just great when off roading. On roads, the vehicle behaves like a gentleman just out of Harvard.

Features like the frequency sensitive damping or FSD have been fine tuned for Indian road conditions while hydraulic rebound stopper or HRS helps avoid suspension noise on potholes and speed breakers.

The steering, I felt was tuned perfectly for both off and on the roads.

Hill descent control, ABS with

electronic brake distribution, electronic stability control, electronic roll mitigation, hill start assist, hill hold assist and disc brakes on all four wheels, make the vehicle complete.

On roads when you step on the accelerator you realise that the gears quickly shift to the higher ones putting the vehicle on overdrive. The initial gears are the one with the low gear ratio which is so critical in all off road conditions. Yes, during the long drives on the road, I wished the vehicle had paddle shifters, but then realising the DNA of this vehicle, it was like asking for candies in a hardware shop.

The icing on the cake is that this new Trailhawk has a BS VI engine that is so technologically constructed that it can run even on BS IV fuel. Now, that’s quite a good thing. That means better control of the NOx and other dangerous emissions thanks to the diesel particulate filter and selective catalytic reduction technology with urea injection.

Before I conclude, I have only one apprehension. The Trailhawk is definitely a very capable off roader. But how many people are out there in the country who will buy such a vehicle for some extreme off roading at a price which is much higher than a Jeep Compass Limited Plus? Now that is a million dollar question.

While off roading was fun,

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WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

MAHINDRA XUV 300 AMT

PERFORMANCE GETS HASSLE-FREE

S P EC I F ICATIO NS ENGINE 998cc,1.0 Kappa T- GDI Petrol TRANSMISSION 6-Speed MT POWER 118hp@6,000rpm TORQUE 171.6Nm@1,500-4,000rpm FUEL EFFICIENCY 18.27 kmpl TYRES 195/65 R15 PRICE `6.50 lakh (Ex-Showroom Delhi)

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I

Report: P. Tharyan; Photography: Afsar Baig

t was in early February 2019 that we had reviewed the Mahindra XUV 300. We reviewed the 1. 5 litre diesel engine vehicle mated to a six speed manual transmission. The XUV 300 also comes with a 1.2 litre petrol engine.

connectivity, 3 point seat belts for all passengers and adjustable headrests for all three rear passenger, dual zone auto AC, front parking sensors, etc.

The exterior features too are equally charismatic.

Now the XUV 300 1.5 litre SUV comes mated to a 6-speed automated manual transmission. Here we shall be writing about the performance of the AMT and not about the vehicle’s exteriors or interiors. The vehicle continues to be feature rich with a whole host of functions like smart sunroof, power windows on all four windows, power ORVMs, a 7 inches touch screen, Blue Sense app with smart watch

Built by leading transmission makers Marelli, this 6-speed automated manual transmission comes with a mono stable shifter which essentially toggles between manual and auto mode. The shifter has a centre position and you can gently tap it in the direction you want to activate the mode you prefer.

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The moment you start the vehicle you get to see the tyre direction monitoring

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WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

system or TDMS showing a picture of all four tyres on the multi information display in front of the driver. On the dash are buttons that help you to set the steering mode. There are three modes: Normal, Comfort and Sport.

Depending upon the mode you choose, the engine response and your steering wheel feedback too changes. After choosing the mode, you need to press the button next to it to select it.

Each time you toggle with the help of the mono stable shifter, the information is simultaneously displayed on the multi information display panel for the driver to see.

Whether it is the automatic mode or the manual mode or putting the car in reverse, it’s all very clear on the MID. The AMT also comes with a creep

30 | MOTOWN INDIA | JULY 2019

feature. This feature which is basically the crawl feature works for both the forward and reverse movement. What this feature does is that it ensures a slow and steady movement of the vehicle, whether you are going uphill or downhill. Normally, for an automatic transmission you expect that when you are going downhill, the vehicle will gain momentum and pick up speed.

If this were to happen, it would be a dangerous bargain for the occupants.

Instead, with this creep feature, if you let go of the accelerator pedal, the vehicle begins to move slowly and steadily, whether it is downhill or uphill. The moment you step on the accelerator pedal, the creep function is automatically disabled.

Thus, with this creep feature, while going downhill you get a slow and

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A driving experience

steady drive and while going uphill, it prevents any roll back. With the AMT, no compromise has been made on the engine character as it continues to churn out 115hp@3750rpm and a peak torque of 300Nm@1500-2500 rpm. I found the AMT a lot quick on its feet, though an initial burst of power comes a tad late. But once the vehicle gets going, there is no dearth of mid-range power or beyond that.

With discs on all four wheels, with ABS and EBD, ESP, hill start assist, corner braking control, etc the vehicle surely is very capable. The vehicle

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comes with 7 airbags including one for the knee.

I found the manual mode also quite effective, though the auto mode is the one I prefer because of its nimble character. Ride and handling too are par excellence. AMTs usually get criticised for their sometimes sloppy output, but the Mahindra XUV 300 AMT is a top notch product, calibrated perfectly for a safe and fun drive. It’s for this reason perhaps, why Mahindra & Mahindra insists on telling its customers, “Live Young, Live Free”.

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B2B NEWS

Mahindra & Mahindra invests `1000 crore + to ready BS VI engines KUV100 diesel engine to be discontinued; Ford, SsangYong to source BS VI gasoline engines from M&M

Report & Photography: P. Tharyan

T

he good news is that Mahindra & Mahindra is ready with its BS VI engines across its entire diesel and gasoline portfolio. The entire transition will be costing the company upwards of Rs 1000 crore.

With its portfolio of new gasoline engines, the company has already got a stamp of approval from both Ford and SsangYong wherein they want to use Mahindra’s new petrol engines in their vehicles.

The 1.2 turbo MPFI,Inline, 3 cylinder, all aluminium engine which produces around 110hp and 190-200Nm and which is already in the XUV 300 will be BS VI ready in another 3 to 4 months. This engine will be used by Ford next year for its platforms.

Another Turbo GDI, Inline 3

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cylinder engine producing 130hp and 230Nm of peak torque is available in both Euro 6 and BS VI version.

This will go into the SSangYong platform early next year. The engine uses a 250 bar system.

(2nd from left) Dr. Pawan Goenka, Managing Director and Rajan Wadhera, President – Automotive Sector along with other senior officials of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

The bad news is that the company is not taking the 1.2 litre diesel engine that powers the KUV 100 to the BS VI level. The cost increase will not be justified in this segment, it stated.

MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA CONVERTS CHALLENGES TO OPPORTUNITIES It took European auto companies 10 years and nine months to move from Euro 4 to Euro 5 and eventually

to Euro 6 emission norms.

This was between January 2005 and September 2015.

On the other hand, Indian auto companies that adopted BS or Bharat Stage IV norms pan-India in April 2017, have got 3 years to hop skip and jump to BS VI levels. They will be skipping BS V norms and will have to be ready with their BS VI vehicle on April 1, 2020.

That’s a huge challenge. But surprisingly Mahindra & Mahindra has smartly chiseled away the several challenges into a multitude of opportunities. In a ‘Knowledge Sharing Session’ on “Demystifying BSVI”, Dr. Pawan Goenka, Managing Director and Rajan Wadhera, President –Automotive Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. along with their team told journalists

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B2B NEWS

BHARAT STAGE NORMS TIMELINE

1991

1996

2000

2005

2010

2017

2020

EMISSION NORMS

EMISSION NORMS

BS I NORMS

BS II NORMS

BS III NORMS

BS IV NORMS

BS VI NORMS

“Overnight we cannot switch from BS IV to BS VI. That’s not possible. We have to start selling from sometime January or February 2020. BS VI fuel needs to be available pan India. In a BS VI vehicle you cannot put BS IV fuel. It will immediately choke. The system will practically stop functioning. So in order to sell a single vehicle of BS VI, BS VI fuel will have to be available. Fuel has to be available from Jan 1, 2020,” says Dr. Goenka that not only is M&M ready with their entire diesel portfolio but they have also developed a series of gasoline engines, all of which meet BS VI norms and do not compromise on fuel efficiency, power, driveability or fun of driving.

So what does the M&M

armada consists of? For diesel that includes 8 engines, 16 platforms and 38 variants. All of these are now BS VI compliant. As for gasoline, the company is ready with 8 engines, 8 platforms and 12 variants.

It took the

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company more than Rs 1000 crore of investment, fine tuning more than 2000 parts for both diesel and gasoline engines, new test beds and equipment at the Mahindra Research Valley in Chennai and not to forget the efforts of M&M’s huge force of engineers, their consultants from Bosch, AVL and Delphi and key suppliers like Magneti Mareli, Garret, Valeo,

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B2B NEWS

Delphi-TVS, Tenneco, among others.

Today more than 76 Mahindra vehicles are running across the country for all kinds of validation. Goenka said that one of the challenges was to develop a portfolio of petrol engines which are globally competitive. Given that we did not have petrol engines at that time, we probably had an advantage that the petrol engines we would launch would be the latest technology petrol engines, he said.

We are ready on time and we see no technical risk of getting BS VI vehicles in the market from April 1, 2020. We are ready because we got an early start, and we worked with key suppliers and consultants, he added.

The company added state of the art facilities at Mahindra Research Valley.

“We probably have as good engine development facility as you would find anywhere in the world. We have also filed for 30+ patents in the process”, informed Goenka.

Goenka said that the challenge before the company is not as much about being ready but in managing the transition flawlessly. Just imagine that we have to ramp up and ramp down 100pc volume of our automotive business in a short span of two to three months. That’s a humungous challenge for suppliers and for our plants also.

The second challenge will be the demand for the new products.

NEED TO RAMP UP BS VI MODELS It may be recalled that the Supreme Court has ruled that the last day of selling BS IV vehicles in the country is March 31, 2020. Said Goenka, “Overnight we cannot switch from BS IV to BS VI. That’s not possible. We have to start selling from sometime January or February 2020”. He stated BS VI fuel needs to be available pan India. In a BS VI vehicle you cannot put BS IV fuel. It

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will immediately choke. The system will practically stop functioning. So in order to sell a single vehicle of BS VI, BS VI fuel will have to be available. Fuel has to be available from Jan1, 2020.

The company also has to inform its suppliers around October or November 2019 as to how many BS IV vehicles will be made. Whatever is not sold by March 31, 2020, it becomes scrap.

So by latest mid November 2019 we have to tell how may BS IV vehicles are going to be made. We have to begun ramping up BS VI models. Any last minute change will be disastrous, warned Goenka. By early October, 2019 the Petroleum Ministry has to give us a firm timeline on the availability of BS VI fuel, he clarified.

Will these new BS VI vehicles be a lot more expensive than what is today? “There will be some sticker shock. It is there everywhere in the world, more so because of the two step jump. Customers are by and large prepared for it. My guess is that for above 4 metre, a number below a lakh (Rs), smaller vehicle Rs 80,000. Petrol around Rs 20-25,000. But if they go into TGDI, then it becomes diesel kind,” he gave his personal view on it.

Module had to be spruced up big time because of the presence of the several sensors. As for ensuring the right NVH levels, fuel efficiency, driveability, the company had to look at every friction part that was rotating or moving so that they could reduce the friction and get the benefit. They worked on the turbocharger, on the fuel injection system, the exhaust system, on the exhaust gas recirculation system, touched every rotating and moving part and in the process got a 30pc friction reduction out of the system which got the company an increased fuel efficiency for their engines.

The cost was always a challenge.

So while a typical European model incurred an X cost in its transition from Euro 4 to Euro 6, the company fixed an internal target of of .6X. it managed to get a 0.5x cost increase only, which was quite commendable.

TECHNOLOGICAL TASKS Coming back to the several technological tasks that M&M not only took up and successfully accomplished, it was in essence all about reducing NOx, particulate matter, hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide. That meant a lot of changes had to be made at the engine level as well as exhaust level.

The right use of Lean NOx Trap (LNT) technology and the Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology had to be adopted for the engines. The Engine control Unit or the Engine Control

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After their marathon efforts, all current M&M engines which are currently in production are getting upgraded to BS VI. In the gasoline portfolio, a 4 cylinder turbo GDI engine, producing 163hp and 280Nm of peak torque will find application in C segment cars. This engine is co developed with SangYong. It is a global engine in terms of technology and features.

engines in future. But there has been a fallout too of this transition. Goenka informed that the company is not taking the 1.2 litre diesel engine that powers the KUV 100 to the BS VI level.

The cost increase will not be justified in this segment, he said.

affordable for that segment.

Now that M&M has done its homework so perfectly, we will have to see how the new Modi government gets its act together to make sure BS VI fuel is available pan India by the end of this year at least.

He also informed that the company has stopped the Jeeto van as it had to be equipped with airbag and ABS as per norms, which was simply not

Also, next year year there will be a new gasoline engine which will enhance Mahindra’s reputation in gasoline

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JULY 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 35

B2B NEWS

EXCLUSIVE REPORT

UM Motorcycle to revamp business in India as sales hit zero Report & Photography: P. Tharyan

U

M Motorcycle, a US based company, which began selling motorcycles in India sometime in 2016 and had a peak sales of 11,000 units per annum, has begun the 2019-20 financial year with a duck. Yes, both production and sales at the Kashipur plant in Uttarakhand state in North India of UM Lohia Two Wheelers, a joint venture between UM Motorcycle and Ayush Lohia controlled Lohia Auto, have come to a halt.

For April and May 2019, the company has neither manufactured nor sold a single motorcycle in the country, according to the sales data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).

shop and have left the UM family.

being streamlined.

So has the motorcycle company pulled its plug in India? No, the company is relaunching itself with major changes, according to highly placed sources. New products and revamped existing products will be launched in the next four to six months. The changes have been confirmed by Jose Villegas, Global Sales and Marketing Director of UM International. He said that the current situation is a result of “internal misalignment� which is

The Lohia plant in Kashipur, Uttarakhand has a capacity to produce 100000 units per year. Though UM Motorcycle has a presence in the US and European markets, where it sells two wheelers from 125 cc onward that includes different types of motorcycles, and even scooters, the company has only been selling the 300cc motorcycles in India. UM Motorcycle has for the last few years been selling the Renegade range of 300 cc motorcycles in India. These included the Renegade Commando and the Renegade Sport S.

File photo: UM Renegade Commando

And to make matters worse, Rajeev Mishra, CEO, UM Lohia Two Wheelers Pvt. Ltd, has quit the company a couple of months back. It is reliably learnt that he has joined a new electric two wheeler project in Andhra Pradesh which will soon be launching electric two wheelers in the country.

Besides, of the 70 odd dealers, more than a handful of UM dealers have shut

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B2B NEWS

In late 2017, the company launched different avatars of their existing bikes like the Renegade Commando Classic and Renegade Commando Mojave (pronounced Mohaave). The Renegade Commando Mojave was inspired from The Mojave desert, North America’s largest and driest desert and shared the same engine as the Renegade Commando Classic .

At the 2018 Auto Expo, UM Lohia Two Wheelers Pvt Ltd unveiled three motorcycles The Renegade Thor, which was the world’s first electric cruiser, along with the Renegade Duty S and the Renegade Duty Ace.

WILL THE UM-LOHIA PROJECT DISINTEGRATE?

(L) UM Motorcycles Renegade Vegas (R) Renegade Sport S

After the relaunch of its existing products with a complete overhaul, UM Motorcycle will also launch the Renegade Vegas 300, a sports cruiser. The company is also planning a Renegade Scrambler 300 in due course of time. Another product likely to be made in India will be the Renegade Ladakh, a touring kind of bike. Jose said that this bike will be made exclusively for India. The company is also looking at the UM Chill electric scooter. But Jose said that the plan is under study as of now.

When contacted, Ayush Loha of Lohia Auto categorically denied that the two joint venture partners were going their separate ways. “We are very much together and we are discussing a strategy to revive the joint venture.”

He said the company is planning to relaunch itself and both partners are very much committed to the project.

Jose, however, said that he had invested additional money into the company on his own. He did not disclose the amount. In the next 4 to 6 months, the company will launch a BS VI Renegade 2.0 with a new DOHC four valve engine, a new Electronic Fuel Injection, a new suspension, new LED lights, a new fuel tank, dual channel ABS and several other changes. From

the earlier 279cc engine this one will be a 292cc engine producing more power and torque.

(L) UM Chill electric scooter (R) UM Scrambler X Cafe Racer

With regard to its dealers, the company said that a majority of them are still with him and he will be giving them financial support. For the present the dealers will focus on customer service and will be addressing shortage of part.

Pictures for representation purpose only.

Jose admitted that production at the Kashipur plant has been halted because of “internal misalignment” and that the company is going through an “internal restructuring”. According to Jose, the company is ready with a new plan which would essentially mean a “relaunch” or “regeneration” of the company with

clear goals and targets. Jose will be in total charge and control of the business and he will run the business. Does that mean that the joint venture with the Lohia group is being dissolved and that UM will be running its operations in India alone? Jose refused to comment.

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JULY 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 37

B2B NEWS

Volvo Cars, Uber present production vehicle ready for self-driving Volvo Cars, a leader in automotive safety, and Uber, the leading ridehailing firm, have presented a jointly developed production car capable of driving by itself, the next step in the strategic collaboration between both companies.

In addition to Volvo’s built-in back-up systems, an array of sensors atop and built into the vehicle are designed for Uber’s self-driving system to safely operate and maneuver in an urban environment.

Uber and Volvo Cars entered a joint engineering agreement in 2016 and have since developed several prototypes aimed at accelerating the companies’ selfdriving car development. The Volvo XC90 SUV presented is the first production car that in combination with Uber’s self-driving system is capable of fully driving itself.

When paired with Volvo’s vehicle platform, Uber’s selfdriving system may one day allow for safe, reliable autonomous ridesharing without the need for a Mission Specialist, the specially trained Uber employees operating and overseeing the car in areas designated and suitable for autonomous drive.

The XC90 base vehicle is equipped with key safety features that allow Uber to easily install its own self-driving system, enabling the possible future deployment of self-driving cars in Uber’s network as an autonomous ridesharing service.

The autonomous drive-capable production vehicle is part of Volvo Cars’ 2016 commercial agreement with Uber for the delivery of tens of thousands of autonomous driveready base cars in coming years.

The most important features of Volvo Cars’ autonomous drive-ready production vehicle include several back-up systems for both steering and braking functions as well as battery back-up power. If any of the primary systems should fail for some reason, the back-up systems are designed to immediately act to bring the car to a stop.

Volvo Cars plans to use a similar autonomous base vehicle concept for the introduction of its future autonomous drive cars in the early 2020s. These technologies, to be introduced on the next generation of Volvo models based on the SPA2 vehicle architecture, will include features designed to enable unsupervised autonomous drive in clearly designated areas such as highways and ring roads.

Jaguar Land Rover, BMW Group collaboration for next gen electrification technology Jaguar Land Rover and BMW Group have confirmed they are joining forces to develop next generation Electric Drive Units (EDUs) in a move that will support the advancement of electrification technologies, a central part of the automotive industry’s transition to an ACES (Autonomous, Connected, Electric, Shared) future.

The strategic collaboration will build on the considerable knowledge and expertise in electrification at both companies.

Jaguar Land Rover has demonstrated its leading technical capability in bringing the world’s first premium battery electric SUV to market - the 2019 World Car of the Year, the Jaguar I-Pace, as well as plug-in hybrid models; and BMW Group bringing vast experience of developing and producing several generations of electric drive units in-house since it launched the BMW i3 in 2013.

The agreement will enable both companies to take advantage of efficiencies arising from shared research and development and production planning as well as economies of scale from joint procurement across the supply chain.

A team of Jaguar Land Rover and BMW Group experts will engineer the EDUs with both partners developing the systems to deliver the specific characteristics required for their respective range of products.

The EDUs will be manufactured by each partner in their own production facilities. For Jaguar Land Rover this will be at its Wolverhampton-based Engine Manufacturing Centre (EMC), which was confirmed as the home for the company’s global EDU production in January of this year. The plant, which employs 1600 people, will be the centre of propulsion system manufacturing offering full flexibility between clean Ingenium petrol and diesel engines and electric units.

The EMC will be complemented by the recently announced Battery Assembly Centre at Hams Hall, near Birmingham, in supplying electrified powertrain systems to Jaguar Land Rover’s global vehicle plants.

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22Kymco to set up plant in Bhiwadi for electric, gasoline scooters 22Kymco, a joint venture between 22Motors and Kwang Yang Motor Company (Kymco) has announced setting up a manufacturing facility in Bhiwadi, Haryana. Equipped with an annual production capacity of 200,000 units, this facility will manufacture the iFlow, the Like200 and the X-Town 300i ABS at the plant. This was revealed by Allen Ko, Chairman, Kymco along with Parveen Kharb, CEO and Co-Founder – 22Motors.

The focus markets for phase one include New Delhi, Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Ahmedabad to start with. Over the next three years, the organisation aims to build a strong pan India dealership network with 300 touch points.

22KYMCO unveiled its electric twowheeler offering – the iFlow as well as cutting-edge ICE technology range of products including the Like200 and the

X-Town 300i ABS, a part of the premium Maxi scooter category. The company revealed their new logo and launched competitive price points for their new machines that will be available in India from September 2019.

Product: iFlow: Like200:

Price (on-road Delhi) Rs 90,000/Rs 1,30,000/-

X-Town 300i ABS: Rs 2,30,000/While the Like200 and X-Town 300i ABS are going to put the organisation on the country’s gasoline two-wheeler industry map in a big way, the iFlow is going to cement its position in the emerging e-mobility space.

Ionexis the company’s most advanced smart energy solution network that is cloud-connected and consists of portable high-performance batteries will power the 22Kymco scooters.

Anand Group announces tri-party joint venture with Joyson Safety Systems Anand Group, a leading manufacturer of automotive components in India, further consolidated its presence in the Indian automotive safety systems vertical. It announced the formation of a Tri-Party Joint Venture to merge the two joint ventures of Joyson Safety Systems (JSS) in India. KSS Abhishek Safety Systems Private Limited (KSSA) which is a Joint Venture of JSS with Abhishek Group is being merged with Takata India Pvt. Ltd (TIPL). TIPL is a joint venture between Anand Group and JSS. The new tri party joint venture will be called Joyson Anand Abhishek Safety Systems Private Limited” (JAASS). The merger of the two entities is subject to approval of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).

Group 5%.

Post this merger, JAASS will have four manufacturing facilities in India- 1) Neemrana, Rajasthan; 2) Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu; 3) Manesar, Haryana and 4) Pune, Maharashtra. Manesar plant also houses a state-of-the-art R&D facility at

par with any such facility globally. JAASS is poised to become a leading supplier of safety-critical components such as airbags (all types- driver, passenger, side, curtain etc.), seat belts (front and rear) and steering wheels to all major OEMs in India and is projected to achieve a turnover of Rs. 1000 crore by 2023.

Under the terms of the new joint venture agreement, Anand Group will be increasing its stake to 30% in the combined entity JAASS from its current holding of 25% in TIPL. The new shareholding structure of JAASS will be: JSS 65%, Anand Group 30% and Abhishek

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B2B NEWS

Government EV targets need to be practical says auto industry Motown India Bureau

Pictures for representation purpose only.

T

he Indian auto industry is not too happy with the aggressive road map being laid out by the government in bringing electric vehicles into the country. Both the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and the Auto Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA) along with two wheeler leaders like Venu Srinivasan of TVS and Rajiv Bajaj of Bajaj Auto have cautioned against this government target for electric vehicles in the country.

The Automotive Industry fully supports an ambitious aspiration of the Niti Aayog in bringing in Electric Mobility in the country as soon as possible. India is an aspiring

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Nation and keen not only to catch up with the world but to go beyond in the field of EVs. However, the ambition needs to be tempered with a practical approach and what is possible without needlessly disrupting the automotive industry, cautioned Rajan Wadhera, President, SIAM.

crore. Even before this investment is recovered, as per media reports, Government is proposing to ban sales of ICE based three wheelers within a short time frame of 2023 and to ban sales of less than 150 cc 2 wheelers by 2025. This seems to be impractical as well as untimely, said Wadhera.

The automotive industry, today, is facing multiple challenges of leapfrogging to BS VI emission norms, complying with many new safety norms etc., in the shortest time-frame ever attempted in the world. This is engaging the focused attention of the industry and involving huge investments of the order of Rs. 70,000-80,000

Wadhera pointed out that the automotive industry, specially the two/three-wheeler segment supports a large number of component suppliers in the small and medium sector, who are the real backbone of the auto industry.

None of the stakeholders in the country – industry, Government nor the suppliers have any meaningful

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B2B NEWS

experience of EVs to even contemplate a complete 100% shift to 2/3 W EVs by 2023/2025, he added.

eBikeGo joint venture with Vpledge Delivery

ACMA CONCERN ACMA, the apex body representing the interest of the Auto component manufacturing industry in India said that though it is committed to support the Government of India’s intent of ushering in electric mobility in the country, it could be highly disruptive for the auto component industry if the Government fast tracks the rolling-in of e-mobility for two-wheelers and three wheelers – hundred percent e-three wheelers by 2023 and hundred percent e-two wheelers below 150cc by 2025.

Emphasizing on the need for a calibrated roll-out of e-mobility in the country, especially for the two and three wheelers segments, Ram Venkataramani, President ACMA mentioned, “ The auto component industry in India is facing one of the severest challenges at this juncture, while on one hand it is faced with the daunting task of meeting the stringent deadlines of transitioning from BSIV to BSVI and a host of safety norms, on the other, poor vehicle sales for close to a year now has the industry worried. It is to be noted that India is the only country in the world to have by-passed a generation of technology as its commitment to produce vehicles with better emissions.”

INDUSTRY LEADERS SPEAK OUT Meanwhile, Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director, Bajaj Auto, in a statement said that, “On the reported initiative of the Government of India mandating 100% EVs for sale of 3W by 2023 and 2W by 2025, I completely agree with the spirit of this initiative in that India must demonstrate a pioneer rather than laggard mindset. However I have 3 execution related concerns. First that it may be impractical to target such a scale when none of the stakeholders currently possess any meaningful experience with any of the pieces of the EV puzzle. Secondly that it’s ill-timed to target a date so close to BS6 implementation. And finally, to target two and three wheelers but not cars

etc makes it an incomplete initiative. “ “An appropriate middle path to my mind would be in the first phase to target such a changeover through Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFÉ) norms / electric vehicles for all vehicle categories from a particular date such as 2023 or 2025 starting with the most polluted cities of India. Basis the learnings from that experience a collective plan can be put together to scale up as desired”, he said.

Venu Srinivasan, Chairman, TVS Motor Company, said that “Automakers everywhere are supportive of the overall goal of introducing electric vehicles (EV) and easing consumers into electric mobility.

As a result we have been doing serious development work to ensure we can offer a mass market EV product that delivers on safety and high performance. This is necessary to co-opt consumers into making a switch, so it’s driven by consumer willingness and, therefore, adopted easily and widely. The supporting infrastructure for charging also needs to be as robust as conventional fuel options.

eBikeGo an electric bike rental and delivery platform entered into a joint venture with Vpledge Delivery recently. In this exclusive partnership, eBikeGo will be providing theire co-friendly electric scooters for hyper local delivery services of Vpledge and it will be called “Vpledge powered by eBikeGo”.

Vpledge Delivery is an on-demand intracity last mile same day delivery service. Their service platform instantly provides customers with verified skilled taskers to run their errands, allowing them to focus on more important and productive work. It offers same-day and 2-hour delivery services. Be it books, documents, gifts or getting a cake from your favourite baker, Vpledge provides professional, timely and affordable delivery services to every individual and corporates. eBikeGo is using the bikes of Okinawa Autotech, a leading electric two wheeler manufacturers in the country. So far, the company has successfully setup franchises at Delhi, Amritsar, Jaipur, Jalandhar and Agra.

The auto industry globally is still a long way away from all of this, as is India.

To force an unrealistic deadline for mass adoption of electric two and three wheelers, will not just create consumer discontent, it risks derailing auto-manufacturing in India that supports 4 million jobs.

We need gradual and seamless adoption of EVs to avoid such collateral damage and ensure our technology-driven disruption is positive and lasting.”

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B2B NEWS

Tata AutoComp, SECO Seojin enter into a JV Tata AutoComp Systems Limited, India’s leading auto-component conglomerate and SECO Seojin of South Korea have entered into a joint venture to design, develop and manufacture clutch systems in India. The product range will comprise of the clutch cover, clutch disc and friction material required for clutch application. The focus for the joint venture will be to enter into India commercial vehicle market as well as the agriculture tractor industry, expand passenger vehicle business and establish independent aftermarket for the product. SECO is currently manufacturing clutch systems for Passenger Vehicles in its plant in Chennai and supplies to Hyundai. This plant will become a part of the Joint Venture.

Schaeffler India presents hi-performance multipurpose premium grease

Skoda Auto India celebrates rollout of the 100,000th Rapid Skoda Auto India celebrates a new milestone in the company’s history: the production of the 100,000th Skoda Rapid at the Volkswagen Group production facility in Chakan, Pune. The celebratory flash red vehicle dons the Monte Carlo badge that pays homage to Skoda Auto Motorsport Heritage and Rallye Monte Carlo.

The marque was previously used in the 1930s for the Rapid (Type 901) and in the 1980s for the rear engine Rapid Coupé. In November 2011, Skoda Auto resurrected the Rapid nameplate for the subcontinent. The compact sedan was developed exclusively for the local market by Skoda Auto India, a subsidiary of the Czech automobile manufacturer Skoda Auto. The vehicle is Skoda Auto’s best seller in the Indian market setting benchmarks for functionality, practicality, and spaciousness in its segment.

Schaeffler India announced the launch of its new hi-performance multipurpose premium grease – XTRA3. This grease is specially formulated and designed to increase the service life of bearings operating in harsh and demanding work environments. The lithium-soap thickened, mineral oil-based grease is scientifically engineered and tested extensively at extreme temperatures under harshest conditions at Schaeffler laboratory in Germany and is FE8 & FE9 certified making it extremely reliable for demanding applications.

XTRA3 Grease is characterized by excellent waterresistance, excellent corrosion-resistance, lowevaporation, and a wide functional temperature range (-10 to 110oc).

Shell launches e-fluids to optimise electric vehicle performance Shell has launched a new range of fluids specifically designed to work in battery electric vehicles (EVs).These E-Transmission Fluids, E-Thermal Fluids and E-Greases will make battery EVs perform better and be more efficient.

Shell has been working closely with automotive and component manufacturers to engineer these “first fill” fluids that effectively and efficiently meet a broad range of battery EV performance requirements. These products are targeted at the growing number of automotive manufacturers who are building EVs. Like regular vehicles, battery EVs still needs fluids to operate. Current lubricants, which have been developed for internal combustion engines, generally fall short of meeting the performance requirements of high-tech EV powertrains .

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Taiwan based Urda Mobility announces its foray into Indian market UrDa Mobility, Taiwan’s leading shared mobility firm with global headquarters in Singapore has announced its foray into India. UrDa Mobility has been operational in Taiwan since 2017 with over 37 UrDa stations. India will be first in line to its expansion spree across Asia.

UrDa is backed by Ahamani Group, a leading Taiwanese electric scooter maker with over 20 years of e-scooter and component manufacturing experience. The e-scooters, according to a press release, are well accepted and popular in over 26 countries such as Japan, Hong Kong, and major European countries. The company will be introducing its shared mobility services with Ahamani e-scooter which boasts of 250 kgs load capacity, high gradeability and patented IoMT (Internet of Moving Things) system. Another defining characteristic is that the life cycle of the battery is quite high; this in fact is a breakthrough technology which no other brand is offering. The max speed is 85 km/hr and the range is 80-120km. It comes with UrDa Speed, which allows the scooter to charge 100% in just 20 minutes.

Valeo sets-up Center of Excellence at VIT Vellore

ZF expands e-mobility division with new buildings, locations

Valeo, the global automotive technology supplier has set-up a Center of Excellence at Vellore Institute of Technology’s (VIT) Vellore campus. The facility was inaugurated today

by Pierre Lebrun, Vice President, Group Electronics Expertise and Development Services, Valeo. Jaji Vijayaraman, Mechanical R&D Director, Group Electronics Expertise and Development Services, Valeo India and Anand A. Samuel, Vice Chancellor, Dr. S. Narayanan, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Dr. Vasudevan R, Dean, School of Mechanical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) were present at the event. As part of its Industry Academia initiative, Valeo signed a Memorandum of Understanding with VIT Vellore last year and as part of the MoU, Valeo has established this Center of Excellence with an aim to support students and research scholars in automotive research, especially in the areas of power train, safety, power electronics and infotainment.

ZF Friedrichshafen AG has expanded its E-Mobility division with new buildings and locations. The technology company opened a new building for administration, R&D, and sales at the divisional headquarters in Schweinfurt.

In Pančevo near the Serbian capital of Belgrade, a new plant for electric drives has begun operation. With the new building in Schweinfurt, ZF has created space for around 520 employees. The workspaces are based on ZF’s office 3.0 concept, which enables project-based, flexible working and makes it easier for employees to communicate with each other.

The 1,800 square feet facility showcases the products and technologies of Valeo in the areas of powertrain systems, thermal systems, visibility systems and autonomous driving to provide an exposure to the students on the current and futuristic auto industry trends. The center will be utilised by research scholars and students for experimentation and testing of their projects and computational studies.

Mahindra acquires 11.25% stake in Swiss agri-tech firm Gamaya for `30.04 crore Mahindra & Mahindra’s Farm Equipment Sector (FES), a part of the Mahindra Group announced an investment of CHF 4.3 million (US$4.3 million- Rs 30.04 crore approx.) for an 11.25% stake in Switzerland based agri technology firm Gamaya SA. This investment will be through a subscription to 300 Common Shares and 30,469 Series B Preferred Shares of Gamaya SA. ICOS Capital, VI Partners and some existing investors also participated in the CHF 7.5mn Series B funding round. Through this investment, Mahindra will make superior farming solutions easily accessible to the global farming community, in line with the company’s Farming 3.0 strategy.

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JULY 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 43

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

Eicher unveils India’s first BS-VI CV range; Expands light duty trucks portfolio Eicher Trucks and Buses, part of VE Commercial Vehicles Limited, revealed India’s first BS-VI compliant all-new range of Eicher Pro 2000 series of Light-Duty Trucks. The entirely new range of ultramodern trucks will expand the light-duty portfolio of Eicher, will address a wider range of applications and help enter new segments.

The Pro 2000 series has been designed with segmentspecific customer needs to deliver significantly higher profitability, loaded with Industry-first features for enhanced reliability, safety, comfort and efficiency.

This all-new range of Eicher Pro 2000 series will come with two new engine platforms, built to deliver best-in-class fuel efficiency and a range of power options, compliant with BS-VI emission standards. This new range also has two new smart cabins developed for safe and comfortable driver operation in 1.8 m and 2.0 m configurations. These are equipped with new generation industry-first features such as touchscreen infotainment, Bluetooth and telematics connectivity. The first of its kind range will address the needs of the modern and smart businessman, not just in India but across the world.

India’s first BS-VI range, the Eicher Pro 2000 series will have best-in-class features: • All new 1.8m/2.0 m next-gen tiltable cabin • Industry- first 18 cm touchscreen infotainment system with android connectivity, Bluetooth, FM, USB port and card reader • Industry-first in industry All wheel

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disc brakes • Best-in-class payload • Two new Eicher BS VI engines – E474 and E494 • Dual Mode Mbooster The new ergonomically designed cabin offers a better turning radius, reduced NVH levels and a comfortable driving environment. The Pro 2000 series will be equipped with Eicher Live, an advanced telematics solution for the business owners to manage trips, fuel and uptime of the range of vehicles. The Pro 2000 series offers best in class payload and comfort which makes this range ideal for the logistics and intra-city applications.

The two new variantsEicher Pro 2049 and Eicher Pro 2095XP will be powered with industry best features. The Eicher Pro

Vinod Aggarwal, MD & CEO, and Vishal Mathur Senior VP, Sales and Marketing, VECV unveil Eicher Pro 2000 BS VI range of trucks

2049 has been designed to cater to the last mile distribution with a 1.8m cabin. With a high legal payload of 2.7T, Dual mode M-Booster technology and larger loading space, the mini truck offers the lowest turnaround time to ensure faster delivery. The Eicher Pro 2095XP offers the highest payload of 7.2T in the category and comes with five cargo body options across 14.1, 17.6, 19, 20 and 21.5 feet. The vehicle is a smart choice for a fleet owner, with infotainment and Bluetooth connectivity, better cabin comfort, telematics and fuel coaching – offering a car-like cabin experience.

Vinod Aggarwal, MD & CEO, VE Commercial Vehicles said, “It is a moment of immense pride for us to usher the automotive industry into its next evolution with BS-VI emission technology. We have always believed in investing rigorously in R&D to stay ahead

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COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

in the industry by improving transportation efficiency and the Pro 2000 series is a testament to that mission. With a strong blend of technology and engineering innovations, we are yet again bringing in a new benchmark for the industry, offering our customers a radically differentiated experience in the CV space. We have a superior and long-standing expertise in manufacturing and exporting base engines for Euro VI requirements of the Volvo Group for the last 6 years. This extensive experience with Euro VI allows us the first mover advantage to deliver products engineered to cater to the new emission norms in the country.

The select models that we unveiled today will be fuelled by our two new BS-VI engine platforms, equipped with all new state of the art cabin and industry first features” On Eicher Pro 2000 series, he further added, “We are leaders and innovators of the Indian LMD trucks market, and the new Eicher Pro 2000 series takes logistics and intra-city

distribution to the next level, focusing on the driver and his comfort. We believe the winning combination of best in class fuel efficiency, better turnaround, more payload, superior cabin aggregates and a competitive price point will help reduce the operating costs for customers, resulting in higher profitability which makes the Eicher Pro 2000 series – Business ka Badshah.”

EICHER PRO 2049 ∫ 2.7T payload, industry best loading space of 10.4 feet ∫ Best in class mileage with M-Booster technology, all wheel radial tubeless tyres ∫ Fuel Coaching system and Steering mounted car-like controls ∫ 1.8m next gen tiltable cabin with improved rigidity and stiffness ∫ Turning Circle Diameter of 10m for easier manoeuvrability ∫ Highest seat travel (180mm) in the industry with lumbar supported seats. ∫ All new 18 cm size Infotainment system with Android one connectivity with touchscreen, micro SD card, USB, FM, and

Bluetooth

EICHER PRO 2095XP ∫ 7.2T payload with 5 cargo body options ∫ Highest fuel efficiency in the segment: Dual mode M-Booster technology and 6- Speed gearbox variant ∫ Fuel Coaching- A guiding tool for drivers for more fuel saving ∫ Lowest turnaround time ∫ Eicher Live telematics for trip, fuel and uptime management. ∫ 190-litre high density polymer

fuel tank for longest mile delivery without stoppage ∫ Superior cabin strength and rigidity ∫ Insulated multi-layer carpet for heat and noise reduction ∫ Comfortable gear shifting with hybrid Gear Shift Linkages ∫ All new Infotainment system with touchscreen, micro SD card, USB, FM, and Bluetooth ∫ Steering mounted car-like controls ∫ Better utilities and storage space

Tata Motors launches Intra compact truck at Rs 5.35 lakh onward

Guenter Butschek, CEO and MD and Girish Wagh, President – Commercial Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors

Strengthening its position as pioneers and leader of the Small Commercial Vehicles (SCV) segment, Tata Motors launched a range of new generation ‘compact truck’ – the Tata Intra. With a best in class, 2512 mm x 1602 mm load body length, Tata INTRA comes in two variants- V10 and V20. The Intra range starts from Rs 5,35,000 onwards depending on the variant. The Tata Intra is powered by future ready engines, which are scalable to BSVI norms. The Intra V20 comes with 1400 cc DI Engine with 70 HP and Intra V10 is powered with 800 CC DI engine delivering 40 hp, offering quick acceleration, faster trips and low turnaround time. The vehicle has a standard power steering fitment and with low turning circle radius of 4.75m, it ensures easy manoeuvrability even on narrow and congested roads. The power train is tuned to suit various duty cycles using Gear Shift Advisor or economy switch, leading to enhanced fuel efficiency. Intra also has a 5-speed gearbox with cable shift mechanism offering a pleasurable driving experience. The truck was launchrd in the presence of Guenter Butschek, CEO and MD and Girish Wagh, President – Commercial Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors

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JULY 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 45

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

ZF develops Dual Lens Camera for commercial vehicle ZF, the world’s leading supplier of automotive cameras, has developed the Dual-cam two lens camera specifically designed for the commercial truck market and to be used in concert with other ZF ADAS technologies.

Part of ZF’s S-Cam4 family of automotive grade cameras, the Dual-cam is designed to help meet varying global regulatory requirements and delivers advanced functions such as Traffic Sign Recognition, Lane Keeping Assist and Centering and object and pedestrian detection to enable Automatic Emergency Braking.

“To help ensure these technologies work effectively on commercial trucks a second lens is necessary for some of these advanced functions,” said Dan Williams, head of ADAS and autonomy for ZF Commercial truck applications. “For example, for pedestrian AEB in some instances a standard mono-

camera with a 52-degree field can limit the ability to detect pedestrians or other vulnerable road users with enough time to actuate the brakes and help avoid or mitigate accidents for larger trucks in complex environments,” he added.

Having a second lens also enables redundancy for Level 2+ functions - if one lens becomes blinded or non-functional the second lens helps ensure the camera can still operate due to multiple optical paths.

ZF’s camera technologies feature best-in-class optical performance and an enhanced fusion envelope. When combined with a full suite of the company’s ADAS technologies such as forward looking and corner radar, automated functions such as lane change assist, and traffic jam assist are enabled. These functions can form the basis for technologies

such as truck platooning to make long haul trucking safer and more efficient.

ZF has a long history of commercial truck ADAS supply for major European truck makers and will launch an advanced ADAS system for a major Japanese manufacturer in 2020.The launch will include ZF’s first application for its Image Processing Module where camera images will be processed in a separate unit from the camera housing.

With its SEE-THINK-ACT approach ZF is shaping advanced safety and autonomous driving in the commercial truck market with environmental sensor technologies that can “see” the surroundings, powerful processing units employing Artificial Intelligence such as ZF’s ProAI family of super computers that can “think” for the system and intelligent mechanical systems that can “act” to provide enhanced levels of vehicle control.

Hyva to invest `60 crore in India by 2020 Hyva, a global leader in loading and unloading hydraulic solutions serving the commercial vehicle and environmental services industries, has announced Rs 30 crore investment per annum in 2019 and 2020, letting Hyva India further increase production capacity and create a brand new Refuse Collection Body Centre in the Pune plant.

Established in 1979, the business has pursued a successful expansion strategy through organic growth and continuous acquisitions, expanding its global presence to more than 110 countries. By building a broad portfolio of successful products and

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speeding up the innovation processes, Hyva consolidated its business penetration in markets across continents and reassured its

leadership in several product lines.

Hyva started its India operations in 1997, and currently has four plants across the territory – in Navi Mumbai, Jamshedpur, Bangalore and Pune. Hyva India serves a strong portfolio of clients from Tata Motors, Volvo India, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, VE Commercial Vehicles, Scania Commercial Vehicles India and Mahindra & Mahindra. Positioned to benefit from nationwide shift towards mechanized waste collection, Hyva India is also bound to grow in the Waste Handling sector, distinctive for its major development pace on the Indian market.

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COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

Mahindra Electric 3 Wheler Range Treo, Treo Yaari now available in New Delhi Mahindra Electric Mobility Ltd, part of the Mahindra Group, announced that its electric 3-wheeler range Treo and Treo Yaari will now be available across New Delhi. It will be priced at Rs. 1.77 lakh for Treo Yaari SHT and Rs. 2.79 lakh ex-showroom New Delhi for Treo SHT Treo, India’s first lithium-ion electric 3 wheeler platform, provides eco-friendly last mile mobility. The Treo platform was conceptualised to effectively cater to the needs of both individual customers and aggregators such as fleet owners and institutional buyers, while delivering a superior value proposition.

According to Mahesh Babu, CEO Mahindra Electric “Mahindra Treo is India’s first electric three-wheeler to be powered by lithium-ion battery and

comes loaded with many segment first features.

However, the biggest USP of the vehicle is increase in customer savings thanks to its low-maintenance and running costs. We are committed to offer the best after sales support through Mahindra’s wide spread dealer network. With Mahindra Treo, its users will definitely earn more per kilometre when compared to a conventional threewheeler.”

Both Treo models are available in the industry-first hard top weather proof variants. With the use of light weight technologies and composite body panels, the Treo offers a driving range of 130 km (eAuto) in full charge.

It also offers best in class comfort for passengers with one of the most spacious interiors in the segment. It’s clutch-less, noiseless and vibration free drive, offers the driver an absolutely fatigue free journey. Apart from all these benefits, Treo range also offers excellent earnings.

Mahindra launches new Bolero Camper range Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M) has announced the launch of the new Bolero Camper range with more comfort features priced at Rs.7.26 lakh onward. The range includes a new premium variant named Camper Gold ZX, featuring an increased payload capacity of 1,000 kg keeping in mind the dual purposes of passenger and cargo movement.

peak torque of 195 Nm. The front end has a new fascia, stylish front grille, and reflector headlamps offering a smart, chiseled look.

Mahindra has been the pioneer and leader in the double cabin pick-ups segment with Camper as its flagship product. The refresh has been developed keeping ruggedness and comfort in mind; true to the Bolero’s character.

Under the hood, the Camper Gold ZX is powered by the proven 2,523cc m2DiCR engine, delivering 63 hp of power and a

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The refreshed Camper Gold ZX also comes with a spacious double cabin design which helps ease ingress and egress. The premium interiors sport a dual tone style, and a new center console. This stylish pick-up also offers features such as the Faux-leather seats with head rest, recliner and slider which help to improve its ergonomics and reduce driving fatigue; new body graphics, power windows, central locking, power steering and retractable seat belts for enhanced safety & convenience.

The Bolero Camper is also provided with an air-conditioner, to make sure that whatever the exterior conditions, the interiors stay cool and comfortable. In addition to the newly launched premium Camper Gold ZX variant, the Bolero Camper is also available in Gold VX, 4WD, NonAC variant and Cash Van variants.

JULY 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 47

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

Li-ions Elektrik Solutions Spock electric scooter for last-mile logistics Li-ions Elektrik Solutions Pvt. Ltd. announced the launch of an electric scooter, Spock. The electric 2-wheeler has been designed to provide transport solutions for first-and-last-mile logistics. The electric scooter is available in the a price range of Rs.65,000 to Rs. 99,999 (on-road).

According to a company statement, Spock has the latest generation Lithium Ion batteries. The new-age 2-wheeler with GPS fitment and USB charging for mobile devices is especially designed to suit the Indian driving conditions. It is powered by a 2.9 kWh lithium-ion swappable battery and BLDC Hub motor with peak power of 2.1 kW and continuous power of 1.2 kW with 230 Nm of maximum torque. It has a top speed of 45kmph. This electric 2-wheeler promises a range of 50-130 km per charge, thanks to its 72V 40AH Lithium battery. In economy mode, Spock will cover 130 km of range on a single charge, while on power mode, it will offer 100 km of range on a single charge.

The vehicle was launched in the presence of Capt. Gurvinder Singh, Director, Li-ions Elektrik Solutions Pvt Ltd and K. B. Nagaraju, CEO, Big Basket. Spock offers a comfortable seating and driving position with better ergonomics with 12-inch wheels with tubeless tyres. The electric 2-wheeler will be able to charge fully within three hours, for a total of 1200 charging cycles of the battery. The electric 2-wheeler comes with features like factory fitted rear cargo box with thermal insulation, hydraulic suspensions, motorcycle-like handlebars and integrated turn indicators in the tail lamp. The detachable batteries will provide both the options to the user, that of swapping the batteries or charging them at a desktop station. The delivery for the electric 2-wheelers will start later this year in July’2019.

Apollo Tyres EnduMaxx brand of light truck tyres for Indian market Catering to the growing demand for the pickup trucks in India, leading tyre major, Apollo Tyres introduced Endumaxx brand of tyres for this segment of vehicles. As per company estimates, the light truck radial category has a potential of 1,12,000 tyres per month in India, and it is growing at a much faster pace than any other segment.

Designed and developed at the company’s Global R&D Centre, Asia in Chennai to suit the application and terrain requirements, the EnduMaxx LT tyres have been tested extensively for more than a year before being introduced.

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Being produced out of Apollo Tyres’ Vadodara plant, the company will be catering to the entire market in this segment with a capacity of 80,000 tyres per month.

Apollo EnduMaxx LT tyres would be available for vehicles like Mahindra Bolero and Maxitruck, Ashok Leyland Dost and Dost+ and Tata Xenon / Yodha. This segment of vehicles grew the fastest, by 20%, in the light commercial vehicle category in India, due to the operational economics in the pick-up segment, improved connectivity with the hub and spoke model and uptick in rural demand.

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TECHNOLOGY

Airless wheel technology from Michelin, General Motors Michelin and General Motors have presented a new generation of airless wheel technology for passenger vehicles — the Michelin Uptis Prototype (or “Unique Puncture proof Tire System”) — at the Movin’On Summit for sustainable mobility.

Michelin and GM also announced a joint research agreement under which the companies intend to validate the Uptis Prototype with the goal of introducing Uptis on passenger models as early as 2024. Michelin and GM are testing the Uptis Prototype, beginning with vehicles like the Chevrolet Bolt EV. Later this year, the companies will initiate real-world testing of Uptis on a test fleet of Bolt EV vehicles in Michigan.

Because Uptis is airless, the breakthrough wheel assembly eliminates the dangerous risk of flat tyres and blowouts: • Drivers of passenger vehicles feel safer on the road.

• Operators of passenger vehicle fleets minimize downtime and improve efficiency resulting from flat tyres and near-zero levels of maintenance.

• Society at large benefits from extraordinary environmental savings through reduced use of raw materials for replacement tire or spare tire production.

The Uptis Prototype represents a major advancement toward achieving Michelin’s VISION concept, which was presented at the Movin’On Summit in 2017 as an illustration of Michelin’s strategy for research and development in sustainable mobility. The VISION concept introduced four main pillars of innovation: airless, connected, 3D-printed and 100% sustainable (entirely renewable or biosourced materials).

“Uptis demonstrates that Michelin’s vision for a future of sustainable mobility is clearly an achievable dream,” said Florent Menegaux, chief executive officer for Michelin Group, adding that, “Through work with strategic partners like GM, who share our ambitions for transforming mobility, we can seize the future today.”

“General Motors is excited about the possibilities that Uptis presents, and we are thrilled to collaborate with Michelin on this breakthrough technology,” said Steve Kiefer, senior vice president, global purchasing and supply chain, General Motors. “Uptis is an ideal fit for propelling the automotive industry into the future and a great example of how our customers benefit when we collaborate and innovate with our supplier partners,” Kiefer added

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JULY 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 49

TECHNOLOGY

ZF presents world’s first pre-crash external side airbag system

Side impact collisions are among the most dangerous type of road traffic accidents, accounting for nearly 700 deaths per year and nearly a third of all occupant fatalities on German roads. A new pre-crash safety system prototype developed by ZF uses an external side airbag deployed milliseconds before a collision.

It provides an additional lateral crumple zone, which can help save lives and reduce occupant

injury severity by up to 40pc.

To make this possible, ZF has networked the airbags to the vehicle’s sensor systems and developed algorithms that are capable of determining if a crash is imminent and decide whether or not to deploy the airbag.

ZF gave a live demonstration of the prototype for the world’s first pre-crash occupant safety

system with an external side airbag in Memmingen. “We highlighted that this safety system has the potential to significantly reduce occupant injury severity in cases of side impact collisions,” explains Uwe Class, Head of the Safe Mobility Systems department, within ZF’s Advanced Engineering team.

ZF is currently the only company to provide the full spectrum of integrated vehicle safety technology – from sensor systems, algorithms, and control units to active and passive actuators. “Our deep understanding of the entire ’see. think. act.’ process enables us to conceptualize and realize integrated vehicle safety solutions such as the new pre-crash safety system,” says Class.

FROM RECOGNITION TO DEPLOYMENT IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE The biggest challenge in the development of this

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system was reliably recognizing an unavoidable collision and deploying the external side airbag before the collision takes place.

The system has approximately 150 milliseconds to make the decision to deploy the airbag and fill it – roughly the amount of time it takes a person to blink.

The vehicle’s sensors first have to identify a potential impact quickly and accurately.

This is possible with connected cameras, radar and lidar.

Algorithms within the system software decide whether or not a collision is unavoidable and the deployment of the airbag is both possible and beneficial. If these decisions are all affirmative, the system ignites the inflators to fill the airbag. The airbag, which has a capacity of between 280 and 400 liters (five to eight times the volume of a driver airbag) depending on the vehicle, then expands upwards from the side sill to form an additional crumple zone in the door area between the A and C pillars.

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