Motown India May 2019

VOL-9 • ISSUE-8 • MAY 2019 • `300/-

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REVIEW SUZUKI GSX S750

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T

P. THARYAN (ROY) he May 2019 issue of Motown India carries a special report on the Indian two-wheeler industry. Going by the performance of two-wheeler companies in India, it is quite evident that this industry is in a bit of a distress, especially when it comes to scooters. Electric scooters are beginning to see a slight

increase in sales, thanks mainly to the government efforts to encourage electric vehicles.

This may have dented the sales of the conventional scooters run on ICE technology.

With the government approving the proposal for implementation of scheme titled ‘Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India Phase II (FAME India Phase II)’ for promotion of electric mobility in the country, it can be safely assumed that electric two wheelers will get a major impetus for growth.

Coming to new launches, we have reviewed the latest from the Hero MotoCorp stable, the Hero Xtreme 200S. We rode it on the Budhh International Circuit (BIC), the country’s only Formula 1 track. We came back fairly impressed with this new motorcycle which was launched with its other two siblings, the Hero XPulse 200 and the XPulse 200T. The popular premium sedan from Maruti Suzuki, the Ciaz has got a new diesel powertrain, a 1.5 litre DDiS 225 engine which is mated to a new six-speed manual transmission.

There is no denying the fact that this engine throws in a lot of punch and delivers decent enough low end torque which makes it an ideal car for city driving. I hope you will find it worthwhile going through the contents of this magazine.

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MAY 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 3

CONTE NTS V O L 9 | I S S U E 8 | M AY 2 0 1 9

6

13

CAR NEWS: Hyundai’s connected

TWO-WHEELER SPECIAL: INDIAN 2 WHEELER INDUSTRY - On cusp of major tech change

SUV - Venue unveiled on cruise ship

28

32

Edition 2.0

WHEELZ & ROADZ: Maruti Suzuki Ciaz 1.5L diesel

49

54

B2B NEWS: How to clear the several stages for a permanent driving licence

WHEELZ & ROADZ: Ford Endeavour 3.2L diesel

B2B NEWS: Valeo inaugurates a

wiper motor manufacturing facility in Chennai

4 | MOTOWN INDIA | MAY 2019

200S

42

WHEELZ & ROADZ: TVS Apache RTR 200 4v Race

58

WHEELZ & ROADZ: Hero Xtreme

65 CV NEWS: Mahindra first Indian

brand to roll out 3 million tractors

66 INTERVIEW: Aniruddh Nandi,

Director (Technical), S-CCI India Pvt. Ltd.

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CAR NEWS

HYUNDAI’S connected SUV - VENUE unveiled on cruise ship Report: P. Tharyan Hyundai Motor India Ltd. unveiled India’s frst connected SUV, Hyundai Venue on a cruise ship sailing on the Arabian Sea. The SUV was unveiled in the presence of S S Kim, MD & CEO, Hyundai Motor India Ltd. Hyundai’s latest SUV comes with ‘Hyundai Blue Link’ which has an inbuilt and tamper-proof device powered

by Vodafone-Idea eSIM and a Cloudbased Voice Recognition platform from Global AI (Artificial Intelligence) company. The Blue Link services will be complimentary for first three years and post which customers can further renew the services.

Venue will be the first Hyundai India Model to offer in-house developed

6 | MOTOWN INDIA | MAY 2019

7-Speed DCT technology in addition to the proven 6-Speed MT and 5-Speed MT. The Kappa 1.0L Turbo (T) GDI Petrol Engine will also debut with the Hyundai Venue along with the 1.2L Kappa Petrol and 1.4L Diesel Engine. The Kappa 1.0L T-GDI engine is developed by Hyundai Motor Group’s R&D division and has a compact layout by integrating the exhaust manifold to cylinder head thus improving the fuel efficiency at higher RPM ranges.

S S Kim, MD & CEO, Hyundai Motor India Ltd.

The front styling of the Venue is a departure from other Hyundai vehicles.

It looks more boxy and mean than previous Hyundai SUVs and C-SUVs. The vehicle’s side profile showcases

a solid and full volume wheel arch and strong character line, while the front bold mesh pattern grille includes the new Hyundai signature face.

This unique character line continues through the tail lamps.

Hyundai Venue comes with comfort and convenience features like electric sunroof, wireless phone charging, air purifier, cruise control to name a few. The SUV also boasts of advanced safety system providing the best active and passive safety for a stress-free driving. Built with the application of 69 % Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS) + High Strength Steel (HSS), Hyundai Venue achieves prominent static and dynamic stiffness with improved structural rigidity.

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CAR NEWS

MG Motor India unveils internet car technology for MG Hector Ahead of the launch of their first product in India, British Automaker MG Motor (Morris Garages) showcased their connected mobility technology platform called iSMART Next Gen. It has been developed in partnership with global technology players including Microsoft, Adobe, Unlimit, SAP, Cisco, Gaana, TomTom and Nuance. To be available for sales

by June this year, MG Hector with iSMART Next Gen will be the first internet car in India that will redefine connected mobility.

The brain of the iSMART Next Gen will be housed in a 10.4” Head Unit. The screen is designed with a vertical interface that allows the driver to control the entire car system with either touch or voice command. The Head Unit is built to withstand extreme climatic conditions of India and comes pre-loaded with entertainment content. MG Hector iSMART Next Gen comes with an industry first embedded M2M SIM that ensures that the car remains connected and is future ready with 5G support.

The customised solution has been developed by Unlimit in partnership with Cisco and Airtel who have collaborated with their Jasper platform and

Other than this, the Hector will also come loaded with TomTom’s real-time navigation application,Gaana app with Premium Account and AccuWeather. The company has also developed the MG iSMART App that scans the car each time the App is opened, and information includes location of car, tyre pressure, or if the doors are locked or not. Owner can use the remote app to directly lock or unlock doors, turn on ignition and switch on the airconditioner. This is very useful in extreme weather conditions of India. It would also allow owners to schedule a service and keep track of service history.

telecommunication network respectively.

The company will be the first in India to bring Over The Air (OTA) updates to their cars. Customers will be able to download the software updates immediately or schedule them for later, as in smartphones. The OTA feature would be standard in all MG cars enabled with iSMART Next Gen for connected mobility, starting with MG Hector SUV.

by Nuance for MG India, has been specifically designed for Indian accent learning. As a result of built-in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) algorithms, the system will learn and get better every day with usage.

Activated with ‘Hello MG’, the voice assist allows over 100 commands, including opening and closing of windows and sunroof, ac control, navigation etc. and works even under poor connectivity.

The Voice Assist, developed

MG has set up a first of its kind customer management service centre called the Pulse Hub. This will enable eCall emergency response in all MG cars. If a car’s airbags are deployed under an emergency condition, automatic messages are sent to the Pulse Hub and the registered phones along with a series of emergency response actions that get activated instantly. MG hector also offers an industry first iCall.

With just a touch on the Screen, driver is connected to Pulse Hub for a host of information services.

MG eZS pure electric SUV in India by Dec 2019 MG (Morris Garages) recently unveiled its global pure electric SUV - the MG eZS, scheduled for launch across international markets soon. To be introduced in India

by December this year, MG eZS will be one of the first global pure electric SUVs in the country.

The MG eZS EV is the perfect car for people who want to go electric considering the environment and desire the latest modern vehicle with connected mobility features. The MG eZS will subsequently be launched in some other markets like the UK, Germany, Australia, Thailand & Middle East, coinciding with the India launch.

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Rajeev Chaba, President & Managing Director, MG Motor India.

MAY 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 7

CAR NEWS

New BS VI Maruti Suzuki Alto with fresh features launched at `2.94 lakh onward Maruti Suzuki India Limited has introduced the new Alto, which has been India’s best-selling car for 15 consecutive years. The new Alto comes with enhanced safety features and new design. The car has a BSVI compliant engine, nearly a year before the regulation being mandated.

The new grille and sharp headlamps bring a fresh appeal to the New Alto, while the newly designed bumper and side fender accentuate the looks. A look inside the car showcases stylish dual tone interiors and seats. A new dashboard design flows effortlessly to the new AC ducts, right to the stylish yet functional speedometers. Ergonomically designed front and rear bottle holders give it an air of practicality.

The New Alto comes with a new

infotainment system called Smart Play Dock.

Customers can enjoy music on the Smart Play Dock with Bluetooth.

The Smart Play Dock in the New Alto transforms customer’s phone into a touch interface to access calls, music, navigation and more. Customer can also experience the convenience of keyless entry.

The New Alto now comes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake Force Distribution System (EBD).

PRICES OF NEW ALTO BS VI New Alto BS VI Std

` 2,93,689

New Alto BS VI LXI

` 3,50,375

New Alto BS VI VXI

` 3,71,709 (Prices Ex-Showroom Delhi)

Baleno now with smart hybrid technology; Price at `7.25 lakh onward

Maruti Suzuki’s Ertiga gets all-new 1.5 litre DDIS 225 diesel engine

A new 1.2 litre Dualjet, Dual VVT BSVI engine with next generation Smart Hybrid technology will go under the hood of the Baleno premium hatchback. The new BSVI compliant Baleno (Petrol) with Smart Hybrid will soon be available at Nexa showrooms across the country. The existing 1.2L VVT petrol engine variants will also be BS VI compliant and available in all variants including CVT.

Maruti Suzuki India introduced its new 1.5-litre DDIS 225 diesel engine with 6-speed manual transmission in the Ertiga multi-purpose vehicle. The latest 1.5 litre DDIS 225 4-cylinder diesel engine is developed in-house and is the same one that was recently introduced in the Ciaz sedan.

The new 1.2L Dualjet, Dual VVT BSVI Engine offers improved combustion efficiency & reduced friction, besides a fuel-economy of 23.87km/l. The Smart Hybrid technology with Li-ion battery will be offered in two variants of Baleno: Zeta & Delta 1.2 litre Dualjet Dual VVT.

8 | MOTOWN INDIA | MAY 2019

The new DDIS 225 engine delivers a peak torque of 225Nm @1500-2500rpm, maximum power of 94hp@ 4000rpm and a fuel efficiency of 24.20 km/l. The high efficiency turbo charger optimises peak torque generation from a lower RPM (revolutions per minute).

The new DDIS 225 engine on Next Gen Ertiga uses ‘Dual Mass flywheel’ that helps to reduce engine fluctuations. The pendulum type engine mounting further adds to superior ride quality leading to refined NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) performance. The Next Gen Ertiga comes with 6-speed manual transmission mated to the new DDIS 225 diesel engine.

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CAR NEWS

Audi Audi Q7, Audi A4 Lifestyle Editions launched Audi India has launched the lifestyle editions of the Audi Q7 and the Audi A4. The Audi Q7 and the Audi A4 Lifestyle Edition have been equipped with a host of new features to provide an exclusive luxury experience to the customers. The Audi Q7 Lifestyle Edition is priced Rs 75,82,100 onward while the Audi A4 Lifestyle Edition is available at Rs 43,09,000 onward. The new features in the Audi Q 7 include rear seat entertainment systems, espresso mobil and entry LED lights. The A4 stands out with new smoked LED tail lights and a tailgate spoiler to further enhance the sportiness and sophisticated nature of the model.

The first-ever BMW 620d Gran Turismo launched in India at `63,90,000

All-new BMW Z4 Roadster launched in India at `64.90 lakh onward

The first-ever BMW 620d Gran Turismo was launched in India at Rs 63,90,000.

The BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo is locally-produced at BMW Group Plant Chennai. The first-ever BMW 620d Gran Turismo further diversifies the model’s diesel portfolio. The first-ever BMW 620d Gran Turismo is available in Luxury Line design scheme.

The all-new BMW Z4 Roadster was launched in India at a starting price of Rs 64.90 lakh. The exshowroom prices are as follows – BMW Z4 sDrive20i: Rs 64,90,000, BMW Z4 M40i: Rs 78,90,000.

The all-new BMW Z4 Roadster is available as a Completely Built-Up Unit (CBU) model. The allnew BMW Z4 Roadster is available with a choice of two engine variants – the BMW Z4 sDrive20i and the BMW M Performance model, the BMW Z4 M40i. The all-new BMW Z4 M40i is the sportiest model combining the elegance of a roadster and the athleticism of an M automobile.

Some striking individual touches can be added to the BMW Z4 sDrive20i by opting for the Sport Line or M Sport package. The Sport Line Package impresses with its sportier appearance whereas M Sport model gives the vehicle a more dynamic touch.

The two-litre four-cylinder diesel engine of BMW 620d produces an output of 190 hp and a maximum torque of 400 Nm at 1,750 – 2,500 rpm. The car accelerates from 0-100 km / hr in just 7.9 seconds. The engine is mated to an eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission with Cruise Control.

Local manufacturing of Range Rover Velar begins; Price `72.47 lakh Jaguar Land Rover India (JLR) has announced the start of local manufacturing of Range Rover Velar. The Range Rover Velar will be available in 2.0 l Petrol (247hp approx.) and 2.0 l Diesel (177hp) powertrains and priced at Rs 72.47Lakh (ex-showroom India). Bookings are now open with deliveries to begin from early May 2019. Available in the R-Dynamic S derivative, the locally manufactured Range Rover Velar will be fully loaded with progressive design, technology and luxury features. Some of these features include TouchPro Duo, Activity Key, Wi-Fi and Pro Services, Meridian Sound System (380W), Four-zone Climate Control, Cabin Air Ionisation, premium Leather interiors, 50.8 cm (20) wheels with Full size spare wheel, R-Dynamic exterior pack, Adaptive Dynamics, Premium LED headlights with signature LED DRL, Park Assist etc.

10 | MOTOWN INDIA | MAY 2019

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CAR NEWS

Mahindra launches facelifted TUV300 at `8.38 lakh onward Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M) has launched a new TUV300, a facelift of the compact SUV. Featuring design enhancements and new aspirational features, the Bold New TUV300 is priced at Rs. 8.38 lakh (ex-showroom Mumbai).

NEW FEATURES OF THE BOLD NEW TUV300: " Piano Black Front Grille " New Headlamp Design with DRLs " X-Shaped Metallic Grey Spare Wheel Cover " Muscular Side Claddings and Chin Plate " Clear Lens tail lamps " Exterior Paint Options (Highway Red, Mystic Copper) " Silver Accents in the interiors " Reverse Parking Camera

New Renault Captur now with enhanced safety and new advanced features Renault India has launched its SUV Captur with enhanced safety features in compliance with the regulations stipulated by the Indian authorities.

The new Captur is equipped with numerous active and passive safety features across all variants along with a host of other new enhancements.

The price of the new Renault Captur starts at Rs 9,49,999 (ex-showroom, Delhi). The new Renault Captur is available in RXE (Petrol & Diesel) and Platine Dual Tone (Petrol & Diesel).

Jeep Compass Sport Plus variant launched at `15.99 lakh FCA India has announced the ‘Sport Plus’ derivative of the Jeep Compass. The Jeep Compass, which has been witnessing great demand particularly for its top-end trim will now have a more desirable entry-level offering in the Sport Plus variant. The new Jeep Compass Sport Plus is priced at Rs 15.99 lakh (ex-Delhi). The new Jeep Compass trim comes with additional new features as standard, such as 16-inch sporty alloys, dual-zone auto air-conditioning (climate control), rear parking sensors and black roof rails, in addition to the 21 key features, including the Electric Parking Brake, Disc Brakes on all four wheels and the Frequency Selective Damping, which also come standard across the entire Jeep Compass range.

Toyota Kirloskar launches improved Innova Crysta, Fortuner Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) announced the launch of the improved Innova Crysta and Fortuner. The improved Toyota Crysta will be available in the price range of Rs. 14,93,000 and Rs. 22,43,000. The Innova Touring Sport will be in the price range of Rs. 18,92,000 and Rs. 23,47,000. The improved Fortuner is available in the price range of Rs. 27,83,000 and Rs. 33,60,000. All prices are ex-showroom pan India. The Innova Crysta and Fortuner have been improved in the areas of comfort and interiors.

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MAY 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 11

CAR NEWS

Eighth generation Porsche 911 now in India at `1.82 crore onward

Honda Amaze gets new VX CVT grade variant at `8.57 lakh onward

Faster, more powerful and more efficient than ever before, the eighth generation of the Porsche 911 has arrived in India. The car was revealed on track at the Buddh International Circuit. While the 911 Carrera S is priced at Rs 1.82 crore, the 911 Carrera S Cabriolet is priced at Rs 1.99 crore (all ex showroom). The turbocharged flat-six engine of the 911 Carrera S and the Carrera S Cabriolet now produces 450 hp. This corresponds to an increase of 30 hp compared with the previous generation. Both 911 models beat the four-second mark for acceleration from zero to 100 km/h: the rear-wheel drive 911 Carrera S needs 3.7 seconds and the Carrera S Cabriolet just 3.9 seconds. This makes both cars 0.4 seconds faster than their predecessors.

Honda Cars India Ltd has introduced a new VX CVT top grade of its family sedan Honda Amaze. The new grade will be available in both petrol & diesel. Earlier, the CVT variant was available in S and V grade of Honda Amaze. The new Honda Amaze VX VCT will cost Rs 8,56,900 for the petrol variant and Rs 9,56,900 for the diesel variant. The prices are exshowroom price (All India).

Key additional features of new grade –Amaze VX CVT (Petrol and Diesel) over V CVT: " 10” Advanced Infotainment System with Capacitive Touchscreen " In-built Satellite Linked Turn by Turn Navigation " Seamless Smartphone Connectivity (Android Auto, Apple Carplay) " IR Remote Control " Additional USB-In port " Steering Mounted Voice control switches " Rear Camera with Guidelines " Driver Side Window One Touch Up with Pinch Guard

Volkswagen Introduces Ameo Corporate Edition at `6.69 lakh onward

Volkswagen has introduced a special Ameo Corporate edition in India catering to corporate and business customers. The Ameo Corporate edition is available at a special introductory price starting at Rs 6.69 lakh. This is for the 1.0L MPI Highline Plus MT variant. The 1.5 TDI Highline Plus MT variants costs Rs 7.99 lakh. The Ameo is available in two engine options – 1.0L MPI and 1.5L TDI engine.

Testing of new Porsche Taycan has entered the final stage Porsche’s first purely electrically driven sports car, the Taycan, is currently completing its final test drives before it enters series production. In Scandinavia, just a few kilometres away from the Arctic Circle, it is proving its potential in terms of driving dynamics on snow and ice. At the same time, Porsche engineers are taking advantage of the summer in the Southern Hemisphere. In South Africa, they are conducting performance tests, as well as final adjustments in terms of continuous performance and reproducibility. In Dubai they are carrying out hot-climate endurance runs and testing battery charging under extreme conditions. The 30 countries across the globe in which these comprehensive tests are being carried out have temperatures that range from minus 35 to plus 50 degree Celsius.

12 | MOTOWN INDIA | MAY 2019

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TWO-WHEELER SPECIAL

INDIAN 2 WHEELER INDUSTRY

ON CUSP OF MAJOR TECH CHANGE Report P. Tharyan

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MAY 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 13

TWO-WHEELER SPECIAL

T

he Indian 2 wheeler industry is on the cusp of a major technological change in favour of electric vehicles.

Though two-wheelers powered by internal combustion engine (ICE) technology continue to dominate the markets today, the slow, but steady increase in demand for electric scooters is quite evident.

According to TechSci Research, a research based management consulting firm, the electric two wheeler market in India stood at around US $ 27 million in

14 | MOTOWN INDIA | MAY 2019

2017 and is forecast to grow at a CAGR of over 41% to reach $ 200 million by 2023, on account of growing need to curb air pollution levels across the country.

Some of the major companies operating in the Indian electric two wheeler market are Hero Electric Vehicles, Okinawa Autotech., Electrotherm (India), Lohia Auto Industries, Avon Cycles, Ampere Vehicles, Tunwal E-Bike India, NDS Eco Motors, Ather Energy, Tork Motors, etc.

Since many of these manufacturers have already begun selling their electric

scooters in India, the demand for scooters run on ICE technology has definitely been impacted in a small way.

With the government approving the proposal for implementation of scheme titled ‘Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India Phase II (FAME India Phase II)’ for promotion of electric mobility in the country, it can be safely assumed that electric two wheelers will get a major impetus for growth.

While in the three-wheeler and fourwheeler segments the incentives will be applicable mainly to vehicles used

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TWO-WHEELER SPECIAL

DOMESTIC SALES (Units) 2017-18

EXPORTS (Units)

2018-19

% CHANGE

2017-18

2018-19

% CHANGE

SCOOTERS

6,719,909

6,701,469

-0.27

314,284

398,316

26.24

MOTORCYCLES

12,620,690

13,599,679

7.76

2,483,307

2,865,851

15.40

859,518

880,243

2.41

17,412

16,674

-4.24

20,200,117

21,181,390

4.86

2,815,003

3,280,841

16.55

MOPEDS TOTAL TWO WHEELERS

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MAY 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 15

TWO-WHEELER SPECIAL

for public transport or registered for commercial purposes, in the 2 wheeler segment, the focus will be on the private vehicles. Through the scheme, it is planned to support 1 million electric two-wheelers.

The total fund requirement for this scheme is Rs. 10,000 crore over three years from 2019-20 to 2021-22. The main objective of the scheme is to encourage faster adoption of electric and hybrid vehicle by way of offering upfront Incentive on purchase of electric vehicles and also by way of establishing a necessary charging Infrastructure for electric vehicles. The scheme will help in addressing the issue of environmental pollution and fuel security.

But at this point, it is pertinent to analyse the growth of the ICE powered two wheelers in India.

IS SCOOTERISATION PETERING OUT? According to a HDFC Bank Investment Advisory Group report published early

16 | MOTOWN INDIA | MAY 2019

2019, India has recently overtaken China to become the world’s largest two-wheeler market, mainly due to faster rate at which India’s two-wheeler market is growing as compared to China, which is witnessing a de-growth. The two-wheeler sales in India has grown at a CAGR of 8% during FY1418 period with FY18 witnessing a 14.8% YoY growth. The scooter segment grew by 19.9% YoY and motorcycle segment grew by 13.7% YoY. The faster growth in two-wheeler sales is mainly due to rising income levels, growing infrastructure in rural areas and rising trend of scooterisation (especially among women commuters). However, despite India being the world’s largest two-wheeler market, India still has very low penetration level of two wheelers. In India, about 102 out of 1000 people have two-wheelers, which is less than half of penetration levels in Indonesia (281) and Thailand (291).

For the last few years, Indian two wheelers based on ICE technology have been seeing a steady growth for scooters as well as motorcycles. All that is beginning to change now, according to the latest sales report from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). For the fiscal 2018-19, total sales of two wheelers in India surpassed the 21 million mark.

These comprised of scooters, motorcycles and mopeds. A total of 21,181,390 units were sold in the domestic market as compared to 20,200,117 units in the previous fiscal.

Motorcycle dominated the total sales with 13,599,678 units sold in 2018-19 as compared to 12,620,690 units in fiscal 2017-18. This translated to a growth of 7.76 per cent. But the picture was not so rosy for scooters. In 2018-19, around 6,701,469 scooters were sold in the domestic market, compared to 6,719,909 units, thereby registering a decline of (-) 0.27 per cent. On the export front, a total of 3,280,841 units of two wheelers were sold compared to 2,815,603 units in the last fiscal.

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TWO-WHEELER SPECIAL

WINNERS & LOSERS

SCOOTER DOMESTIC SALES (FISCAL)

2017-18 (Units)

2018-19 (Units)

From the sale figures it is quite evident that scooter sales are definitely not going the right way. Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, the largest producer of ICE scooters in the country was the worst affected. For the fiscal 2018-19, the company sold 3,680,403 units of scooters in the country as compared to 3,821,542 units the previous year. Similarly, Hero MotoCorp sold 719,087 units in 2018-19 compared to 883,667 units the previous year. As for India Yamaha Motor, the company sold 364,879 units as compared to 415,321 in the same period under consideration. While these three companies saw their scooter sales falling, three other companies saw their scooter sales increasing during the period.

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India

3,821,542

3,680,403

Hero MotoCorp

883,667

719,087

TVS Motor Company sold 1,241,366 units in 2018-19 (1,099,133), while Suzuki Motorcycle India sold 615,520 units (421,539) and Piaggio Vehicles sold 77,775 units (68,179). Overall, sales of scooters in the domestic market fell in 2018-19 as compared to the previous year. Mahindra Two Wheelers saw a huge drops in its scooter sales at a mere 2,439 units (10,538).

The domestic sales scenario in the motorcycle segment has also had its fair share of negative growth compared to scooters. Barring Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, all other major two-wheeler manufacturers were able to clock positive sales in 2018-19. Hero MotoCorp was the clear leader with sales of 6,893,688 (6,499,051) units, followed by Bajaj Auto with 2,541,320 units (1,974,577) and TVS Motor Company with 1,014,923 units (916,776).

Incidentally Bajaj Auto was the clear leader on the export front too, having exported 1,695,553 units (1,394,757) followed by TVS Motor Company with total exports of 545,596 units (438,765).

Autobei Consulting Group (ACG), a research company based in Gujarat, in a report on the ‘Future of two wheeler industry in India’ dated January, 2019 said that over the next coming year, the threetier structure of the industry which was

India Yamaha

415,321

364,879

Mahindra Two Wheelers

10,538

2,439

TVS Motor Company

1,099,133

1,241,366

Suzuki Motorcycle India

421,539

615.520

Piaggio Vehicles

68,169

77,775

20 percent for the entry-level segment, 60 percent in value for the mid-level and 20 percent at a premium level for the time has moved to 30-50-20 percent and it is on its way to moving to 35-40-25 percent structure.

This means the middle-level market is getting squeezed out, which in turn is very good for companies like Yamaha, Bajaj and Suzuki. Hero MotoCorp and Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India need to introduce new innovative product range in this segment since these companies are the major players of value plus segment.

Discounts have been offered to the midlevel sector due to the polarization of the customers to the premium and the entry level. Another reason for added discounts or offers is scooterisation and lack of innovation in the sector, the ACG report pointed out.

It further noted that new regulation like ABS to the 100 and 125cc vehicles would increase the cost of the unit from Rs 4,000 to 10,000. This added price value and BS VI (effective April 2020) can impact sales.

All these hurdles will have to be overcome, and innovation will lead to an improved Industry performance. ACG expects doubledigit growth for the year 2019. The biggest challenge for the industry would be to make the transition of the two norms related to safety and emission over the next 12 months.

IMPROVEMENT IN PENETRATION LEVELS OF TWO-WHEELERS LIKELY Quoting a HeroMoto Corp investor presentation, HDFC Bank Investment Advisory Group report noted that as per two-wheeler penetration level in Urban India is close to 40-45% while in Rural India it is close to 20-25% resulting in a national

MOTORCYCLE DOMESTIC SALES (FISCAL)

2017-18

2018-19

Hero MotoCorp

6,499,051

6,893,688

Bajaj Auto

1,974,577

2,541,320

TVS Motor Company

916,776

1.014,923

Royal Enfield

801,229

805,273

India Yamaha Motor

377,481

439,803

1,785

3,115

1,953,745

1,840,214

India Kawasaki Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Suzuki Motorcycles India

79,667

53,267

UM Lohia Two Wheelers

7,471

2,856

Mahindra Two Wheelers

4,215

1,565

Harley-Davidson Motor Co. India

3,413

2,676

Triumph Motorcycles India

1280

978

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MAY 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 17

TWO-WHEELER SPECIAL

average of 30-40%. HDFC believes that growing urbanisation, rising participation of women workforce and improvement in road connectivity amongst others are key catalyst to drive improvement in penetration levels for two-wheelers. As a result, the entire values chain in twowheelers starting from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like Bajaj Auto to component supplier like Minda Industries, Apollo Tyres, Exide Industries etc is likely to witness steady growth in coming times.

motorcycle sales are predominantly dependent on Rural India, as people living in rural area prefer motorcycle to scooters given its sturdy structure, superior performance, and lower costs, especially in the economy segments. With government keen on improving the standard of living of rural population, particularly of farmers, it has been announcing various schemes and increasing budget allocation, which is targeted towards increasing the rural income levels.

Rural India has been one of the main sources of consumption demand in India, mainly due to a large population residing in this area. In two-wheeler segment,

In addition to rising penetration level of two-wheelers and rising income levels driving the sales growth of motorcycle companies particularly strong in entry-

level motorcycle segment, improving road connectivity is also resulting in driving the demand for two-wheelers in Rural India.

The government is progressing very rapidly in terms of improving the road connectivity as it had constructed 9829 kilometers (km) of national highway in FY18 and targeted to construct 16420 km in FY19. The government has also increased allocation to Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) scheme to Rs.190 billion as per the FY19 Budget compared with Rs.169 billion in FY18. Further, the HDFC report pointed out that OEMs have been offering heavy discounts on models in entry-level segment like Bajaj CT100 and Bajaj Platina, which is targeted towards Rural India/commuter

The two-wheeler industry is also likely to see another change in regulation, where all existing models of two-wheelers having an engine capacity higher than 125cc are mandatory to have anti-lock braking system (ABS) and for two-wheelers below that capacity are mandatory to have combined braking system (CBS) from April 1, 2019.

18 | MOTOWN INDIA | MAY 2019

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TWO-WHEELER SPECIAL

In addition to rising penetration level of two-wheelers and rising income levels driving the sales growth of motorcycle companies particularly strong in entry-level motorcycle segment, improving road connectivity is also resulting in driving the demand for two-wheelers in Rural India. segment, in order to gain market share. With the government’s push for improvement in rural road infrastructure and improvement in last mile connectivity coupled with twowheeler OEMs focusing on grabbing market share, the long-term growth prospects for two-wheeler industry looks bright.

REGULATORY CONCERNS Regulations pertaining to two wheelers have also impacted the growth of two wheelers in the country. One must recall the Supreme Court ruling in March 2017 when it directed auto manufacturers to sell vehicles which were not compliant with BS-IV emission

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standards after March 31, 2017. With GST implementation too happening around the same time, there was a slowdown in demand for two wheelers around that time. In order to reduce the old inventory in the system, companies resorted to heavy discounts, which affected their profitability, the HDFC

MAY 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 19

TWO-WHEELER SPECIAL

report pointed out.

But those hiccups subsided thereafter and the two-wheeler industry began witnessing strong growth momentum with monthly sales growing over 15% YoY for six consecutive months. However, twowheeler sales once again hit the slow lane, as there was a mandate that third-party insurance to be increased to five years and premium to be collected upfront for twowheelers. In addition to this, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) in a circular dated September 20, 2018 had made mandatory increase in the compulsory personal accident cover for two-wheelers, resulting in over three fold jump in insurance cost for two wheelers.

However, effective from January 1, 2019, IRDAI has unbundled the compulsory personal accident (CPA) cover and permitted the issuance of a stand-alone policies, which is likely to reduce the cost of ownership of a vehicle.

The change in insurance norms, which was unknown to everyone, has led to sharp deceleration in two-wheeler sales growth in recent times. However, it would be important to monitor, how trend shapes up post the relief announced by IRDAI. The two-wheeler industry is also likely to see another change in regulation, where all existing models of twowheelers having an engine capacity

higher than 125cc are mandatory to have anti-lock braking system (ABS) and for twowheelers below that capacity are mandatory to have combined braking system (CBS) from April 1, 2019. This move is also likely to increase the cost of a two-wheeler.

The report warns that if the uncertainty in policy environment continues for longer period then the industry may witness subdued interest for new investments and may affect the long-term sustainable growth of industry. Urbanisation and its impact As per Eicher Motors investor presentation, Indian population used to spend 54% of its total spending on basic goods (necessities) in FY2000, which is expected to fall to 33% by FY20 and share

... with the US sanctions on Iran getting tougher, India may have to face the brunt of rising cost of fuel imports

of discretionary spending is likely to increase to 67% by FY20. Similarly, trend of urbanisation is also catching up rapidly as 32% of the total population is expected to be in Urban India by 2020 as compared to 21% in 2001. These two factors are likely to be driving the demand for premium motorcycles, the HDFC report maintained.

A sub segment of Motorcycle, “Less than 250cc” motorcycle, has been growing at much lower rate as compared to motorcycle in “250cc and above” segment. The 250cc

20 | MOTOWN INDIA | MAY 2019

and above segment has been growing at over 28% YoY in last four years. The premium segment motorcycles are likely to do well going ahead also as the consumer affordability improves and strong product launches and upgrades leading to constant shift in consumer preference towardshigh end bikes. A faster growth in high end or premium bike is not only expected to drive the revenue growth but also likely to improve margins for companies in twowheelers space OEMs going ahead, the report mentioned.

Last but not the least, commodity prices too play an important role in the profitability of two-wheeler OEMs. In two-wheeler industry, raw material cost is close to 7075% of overall revenue of OEMs and as a result, it is a key variable impacting their profitability. During Calendar Year 2018, the prices of key raw materials such as steel, aluminum and crude-based materials like plastic have seen sharp volatility, which resulted in variation in profitability of these companies despite favorable demand scenario and improvement in realisations.

Talking of commodities, with the US sanctions on Iran getting tougher, India may have to face the brunt of rising cost of fuel imports. The Donald Trump administration recently shocked Iran’s oil customers, including India, China and Turkey by saying no waivers on the sanctions would be granted after May 1, ending six months of exceptions to the sanctions for reductions in purchases. Experts maintain that Trump’s efforts to ban Iran’s oil exports completely will have a direct impact on India, the largest buyer of the oil after China.

The Indian government has stated that it will get additional supplies from other major oil-producing countries to compensate for the loss of Iranian crude. But since the country is witnessing general elections it is to be seen what the outcome will be. A fractured mandate could mean difficult times on the policy front. The Indian twowheeler industry, like others, could also be a victim of this scenario.

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TWO-WHEELER SPECIAL

ICAT geared up to boost electric mobility through testing services NuGen Mobility Summit 2019 from Nov 27-29, 2019 As India moves towards adopting complete electric mobility by 2030, the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT), located in Manesar, in the northern automotive hub of India, have begun to offer testing and development services in this domain through its Power Train lab / Centre of Excellence (COE), EMC lab and Automotive Electrical and Electronics labs.

With the Centres of Excellence in Component, Powertrain, NVH and Tyre, ICAT intends to eventually transform it into an automotive product development centre.

ICAT is a leading world class automotive testing, certification and R&D service provider under the aegis of NATRiP (National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project), Government of India.

ICAT Director Dinesh Tyagi, said that ICAT R&D team is comprised of highly qualified competent, innovative and self-motivated engineers backed by state-of-the-art testing and development facilities. He said that the Centre has started undertaking advanced industry sponsored R&D projects in the areas of frontier technologies like use of Artificial Intelligence and robotics.

Dinesh Tyagi further said that ICAT’s vision is to emerge as a leading R&D centre in Asia, working together with the automotive industry in developing state-of-the-art technologies. ICAT is also supporting the automotive industries for ISO/IEC 17025:2005 implementation and NABL accreditation of their laboratories.

AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS LAB (AEEL)

are frontal impact crash test, side impact crash test, side pole impact, rear impact test, static rollover and pedestrian protection testing. The lab has successfully completed correlation activities with renowned OEMs. deliver quality and swift services to customers. Tyre Test Lab is providing services to the tyre industry, vehicle manufactures and Bureau of Indian Standards. ICAT has transformed this lab into centre of excellence by developing new capabilities including the dual station endurance test rig and tyre rolling resistance test rig.

PASSIVE SAFETY LAB (PSL) The AEEL is an important lab considering the rapid increase in the use of electrical and electronics in vehicles.

The lab offers services for certification and validation for wide range of E&E components including systems, E-motors, ECUs, Batteries and RFIDS. It also provides consultancy services to the customers for product development and improvements.

TYRE TEST LAB (TTL) ICAT has world class tyre test facilities being operated and managed by highly skilled and experienced team to

Passive Safety Lab is dedicated to support automotive industry for their needs of Crash Testing (Regulatory as well as Developmental), pedestrian protection testing, sled testing and airbag deployment testing. The PSL has state of the art test facilities capable of conducting crash testing of vehicles as per Indian and international regulations.

Some of the services offered

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INDIAN AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY The Indian automotive industry is the sunshine industry in India contributing to over 7.5% to country’s GDP. Government of India has huge focus to facilitate and grow this industry. Creation of new automotive test centres in the country under NATRIP project, is an important step forward by the Government to support the need of the automotive industry in the backdrop of tightening regulatory framework and technology shift driven by market forces.

ICAT is an important element of the automotive sector, with its world-class infrastructure and domain expertise providing services in development, testing, validation and homologation.

ICAT continues its endeavour towards knowledge sharing and dissemination, through seminars and events, on important topics like Power Train, Emission, HEV and EV technology, NVH, Crash, Lighting, Inspection &Certification and Fatigue.

MAY 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 21

TWO-WHEELER SPECIAL

ICAT to organise NuGen Mobility Summit 2019 from November 27-29, 2019

iCAT officials at a press conference in New Delhi ICAT is organising an automotive event which will be very much different from any auto show held in the country to date. NuGen Mobility Summit 2019 would be one of the largest automotive events in India.

NuGen will be a biennial event that is going to be organised at ICAT Center-2 from November 27- 29, 2019. The word ‘NuGen’ is derived from the concept of new generation trends and technologies.

According to Dinesh Tyagi, Director, ICAT, this event will be unique in every which way as it would have track demonstrations, drive-touch-feel activity and lab demonstrations on upcoming vehicle technologies like connected mobility, autonomous vehicles, electric

22 | MOTOWN INDIA | MAY 2019

mobility, alternate fuels, intelligent transportation system, hydrogen fuel cell, hydrogen I.C engine, vehicle dynamics, advance materials and lightweighting, end of life vehicles and recycling, etc.

The event will also include demonstrations by students from teams of SAE Efficycle, BAJA, SUPRA events. The event would provide insights into the upcoming technologies in the area of smart and green mobility, first hand feel of vehicle technology trends, interaction with industry experts and OEMs from India and abroad, understanding the associated testing regulations, future design trends and solutions, etc.

ICAT Centre-II is under brisk renovation to create a world-class state-of-the-art facility for organising such

significant and sizeable events for the automotive fraternity.

Several kinds of tracks such as Coast down track, Oval Track, ABS track, Hill Track and flood track would be available for demonstrations and events.

The same infrastructure will be utilised to host NuGen Mobility Summit 2019.

Experts working with leading international scientific and research organisations and testing laboratories from various parts of the world like USA, Europe, Japan and other Asian countries will also participate in the event. They would share their experiences and knowledge on development of smart and green technologies and the challenges that the industry needs to overcome.

ICAT is organising the NuGen Mobility Summit 2019 with the

objective to share new ideas, learnings, global experiences, innovations and future technologies trends to be shared for the faster adoption, assimilation and development of advanced Automotive Technologies for a smarter and greener future. This event will help in building a platform for bringing together all stakeholders in the automotive industry to understand global advancements in technologies.

The event is being organised in association with SAENIS, SAE INDIA, SAE International, NATRiP, DIMTS, DHI, MoRTH, SIAM and ACMA. The event would host more than 2500 participants, more than 250 exhibitors, tech theaters, exposition, awards, panel discussions and 150 keynotes and technical papers. All shortlisted technical papers will be assigned SAE numbers.

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TWO-WHEELER SPECIAL - BIKE NEWS

Indian Motorcycle new FTR 1200 accessory lineup offers several style combinations

Indian Motorcycle, America’s first motorcycle company, announced its FTR 1200 accessory lineup for the Indian market. Built for personalisation, the FTR 1200 collections comprise more than 40 different parts and accessories. At the same time, Indian has curated four collections – Tracker, Rally, Sport and Tour – allowing riders to transform the FTR 1200 into the style that represents their riding preference.

Indian broke new ground for American V-twins when developing its FTR 1200 – an aggressively styled creation that blends elements of flat track, street and sport into one of the most unique motorcycles ever developed. The introduction of the four accessory collections, and the complete

Indian FTR 1200 Sport

lineup, takes the FTR 1200 platform to another level, allowing riders to completely restyle the bike into a personal expression unlike any other.

“In its stock form, the FTR 1200 is a beautifully-designed flat track-inspired street bike with immense opportunity for personalisation and customisation and with the new accessory lineup significantly elevates the FTR 1200 platform. Riders can completely

restyle the look and feel of the bike to better represent their riding style through one of our four collections or by mixing and matching parts to create something truly one-of-a-kind,” said Pankaj Dubey, Managing Director, Polaris India Pvt. Ltd. Built for personalisation, the FTR 1200 collections comprise the following features and accessories:

TRACKER The Tracker collection for the FTR 1200 is most representative of the bike’s flat-track racing roots. It’s

Indian FTR 1200 Tour

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MAY 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 23

TWO-WHEELER SPECIAL - BIKE NEWS

Indian FTR 1200 Rally

the closest riders will come to a street-legal FTR750 race bike. A shallow seat with a unique seat cowl, high-mount slip-on exhaust

by Akrapovič, and side-mounted number plates set the Tracker collection apart.

RALLY The Rally collection draws inspiration from lonely camp sites traversed on forgotten forest roads. Riders will immediately notice sturdy aluminum wire wheels and a high-mount Akrapovič exhaust on the Rally collection. A unique seat, mudguards, tank covers, windscreen, Rally Handlebar

by ProTaper, and a high-mount license plate holder set the Rally collection apart. The configuration allows the FTR 1200 to take full advantage of the bike’s 150 mm of suspension travel.

SPORT The Sport collection is a nononsense assembly of carbon fiber parts that scream speed and visually underscore the FTR 1200’s performance potential. The Sport

collection is the FTR 1200 distilled down to its athletic core, outfitted with a low mount slip-on exhaust

by Akrapovič, and a unique carbon fiber front mudguard, tank cover and seat cowl.

TOUR The Tour collection provides a heavy dose of utility, turning the FTR 1200 into a highway weapon for smashing miles on longer journeys. With plenty of storage via a water-resistant, roll-top side messenger bag, a tank bag, and a windshield, the Tour collection keeps FTR 1200 riders comfortable on longer-hauls.

The FTR 1200 combines race-inspired design and nimble handling with an upright riding position to create a commanding riding experience. A new 1203cc V-Twin engine with approximately 120 horsepower makes sure every rider feels like a pro when they twist the throttle. The new platform is a key component in Indian Motorcycle’s broader mission to expand its global appeal and reach new riders.

Indian FTR 1200 Tracker

24 | MOTOWN INDIA | MAY 2019

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TWO-WHEELER SPECIAL - BIKE NEWS

Hero MotoCorp launches XPulse 200, XPulse 200T, Xtreme 200S; price starts at `94,000 Motorcycle major Hero MotoCorp launched three new motorcycles - XPulse 200, XPulse 200T and Xtreme 200S at a price of Rs.97,000, Rs.94,000 and Rs. 98,500 (ex-showroom - Delhi) respectively. The company also launched the Fuel Injection (FI) variant of XPulse 200 for a price of Rs.105000/- (ex-showroom - Delhi). The newly launched motorcycles come with a 200cc engine that delivers 18.14hp and 17.1Nm of peak torque.

FEATURES OF HERO XPULSE 200 ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLE: Engine: Comes in two variants of 200cc engine options - CV Carburetor & Fuel Injection Wheels: 21’ Front wheel and 18” rear wheel with dual purpose tyres Ground clearance: 200mm Suspension : Monoshock with 10 step adjustable Gas Charged rear suspension (170mm Wheel Travel) and Telescopic Front suspension (190mm Stroke) Technology Features: LCD instrument cluster with Bluetooth Connectivity, Gear indicators, Turn by turn navigation, Trip meter and service reminder Exterior: LED Headlamps and tail lights, under-seat USB charger, protective windshields, Single channel ABS

FEATURES OF HERO XPULSE 200T TOURER MOTORCYCLE: Engine: 200cc CV Carburetor engine Safety and Convenient features: Single channel ABS, Turn by turn navigation, LED Headlamps and tail lamps, digital speedometer with Bluetooth Connectivity, large pillion grip with tie -points and luggage plate Retro styled fuel tank, wide handle bar, tinted windscreen and ribbed seat.

Seat height 795mm.

FEATURES OF HERO XTREME 200S MOTORCYCLE: Engine: 200cc air cooled engine.

Safety and Convenient features: Single channel ABS, Turn by turn navigation, LED Headlamps and tail lamps, digital LCD cluster with gear indicator, trip meter and service reminder. Bluetooth Connectivity, chiseled rear cowl design, anti slip seats, Suspension: 7 step adjustable monoshock suspension, 276mm front disc with single channel ABS and 220mm rear disc brakes system.

(First Ride Review of Hero Xtreme 200S on page 28)

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MAY 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 25

TWO-WHEELER SPECIAL - BIKE NEWS

Suzuki Motorcycle India rolls out 2019 edition of Intruder at `1,08,162

2019 Suzuki GSX-S750 launched at `7.46 lakh

Suzuki Motorcycle India Private Limited has launched the 2019 edition of its motorcycle GSX-S750 in two new colours – Metallic Mat Black and Pearl Glacier White with updated graphics pattern. The 2019 Suzuki GSX-S750 is priced at Rs. 7,46,513 (ex-showroom Delhi).

The motorcycle comes with a four-stroke, liquid-cooled DOHC, 749cc inline four engine.

Bajaj Auto launches 2019 Dominar 400 at `1.73 lakh Two-wheeler manufacturer Bajaj Auto has launched the 2019 Dominar 400. The new Dominar comes with a more powerful engine, advanced technological features and a distinctive throaty exhaust note. Launched in 2017, the Dominar has established itself as a sports tourer with the performance of a sport bike and long-distance capabilities and comfort of a touring motorcycle. The new Dominar 2019 is now available in dual channel ABS variant with Aurora Green and Vine Black colour options at Rs.1,73,870/-ex showroom Delhi. The new Dominar now comes with a liquid cooled 373.3cc DOHC engine that delivers higher 39.5hp power. This upgrade also features 43 mm upside down (USD) forks which provides a muscular look along with better handling and comfort.

Ducati Monster 821 gets world class accessories as standard Luxury motorcycle brand Ducati is celebrating a successful year of the Monster 821 in India.

The Monster 821 has become one of the largest selling sports naked bikes in India with over 100 motorcycles sold in one year. As part of the celebration, Ducati India has rolled out an opportunity for its customers to not only own the Monster 821 but to avail the world class accessories as standard with the motorcycle. Now once the customer has purchased his Monster 821 he will get a Termignoni Exhaust and Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) Up/Down further enhancing the capabilities of the motorcycle with outstanding performance for urban use. Customers also looking to buy the Monster 797+ will also get a Termignoni exhaust at no additional price during the celebration period.

26 | MOTOWN INDIA | MAY 2019

Suzuki Motorcycle India Private Limited (SMIPL) has introduced 2019 edition of Intruder motorcycle.

The new Intruder now comes in two new colour schemes - Metallic Matte Titanium Silver along with new design features to enhance the sportiness and comfort factor of motorcycle. The 2019 Intruder will be available at Rs 108,162 (ex-showroom Delhi). The new Intruder is equipped with the updated gear shift design and improvised brake pedal for superior ergonomics and overall ride comfort. Also, the front foot pegs provide comfort riding capability along with an added backrest for the pillion. The motorcycle is powered by a 155cc SEP engine and comes with standard ABS and fully-digital instrumentation.

Okinawa Scooters 1st e-2 wheeler to get Fame-II approval, incentivisation Okinawa Scooters, a 100% Indian electric two-wheeler manufacturing company has become the first manufacturer to be eligible for FAME-II approval and the incentivisation on their electric two-wheelers. The company has received certificate of eligibility from Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), the prime Testing and Certification Agency notified by Government of India for its Lithiumion products – Okinawa I-Praise and Okinawa Ridge+.

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TWO-WHEELER SPECIAL - BIKE NEWS

Celebrating 25 years of TVS Scooty, two new colours introduced TVS Motor Company celebrated 25 years of its iconic brand TVS Scooty, with introduction of two new colours – Revving Red and Glittering Gold for TVS Scooty Pep+. The brand has two solid products under its umbrella – TVS Scooty Pep+and TVS Zest 110. Priced at Rs. 42,397, TVS Scooty Pep+ is available across TVS Motor Company dealership in the country. TVS Scooty now comes equipped with Synchronized Braking Technology (SBT) across the range. The new edition of TVS Scooty Pep+ sports a special 25th year-anniversary edition logo along with new graphics to mark the milestone.

Honda 2 Wheelers launches CBR650R at `7.70 lakh Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. has launched its latest sports middleweight model - new CBR650R at Rs.7.70 lakh (exshowroom pan India). The new CBR650R comes equipped with a powerful 649cc liquid cooled four-cylinder, DOHC 16-valve engine, for an enriched high tuned performance.

From rapid downshifting to smoothly controlled corner entry, the Assist/Slipper Clutch allows you to confidently experience the thrills of the CBR650R while Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) maintains rear wheel traction and can be switched off should the rider choose to.

As a high-revving sports machine lives in the turns, the CBR650R’s chassis is 6kg lighter than its predecessor for faster side-to-side steering agility. The new, adjustable 41 mm Showa Separate Fork Function (SFF) USD forks offer superior suspension response.

The CBR650R also allows easy pauses with enhanced braking. The dual radial-mount calipers match a single-piston rear caliper for improved balance. The dual channel ABS maintains smooth control in wet or dry conditions.

Motoroyale launches MV Agusta Brutale 800 RR America at `18.73 lakh Motoroyale by Kinetic, the exclusive distributors of MV Agusta in India, is launching the MV Agusta Brutale 800 RR America in the country. These superbikes are at the pinnacle of the sports naked segment and only 5 units of the bike will be available here. The bike is priced at Rs 18,73,000/ex-showroom.

2019 Honda Africa Twin priced at `13.5 lakh Taking the #TrueAdventure spirit to next level, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. announced the start of bookings for 2019 Africa Twin motorcycle in India. The motorcycles will now come in a new Glint Wave Blue Metallic colour with golden handle bar and wheel rims and will be loaded with 2nd generation Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) technology- A world first by Honda in motorcycles. The new 2019 Africa Twin motorcycle is priced at Rs. 13.5 lakh (Ex-showroom, Pan India).

The Dual Clutch Transmission technology offers automatic shifting of gears and when in automatic mode, the rider can choose between D mode for comfortable cruising and 3 dynamic sport settings in S mode.

The Africa Twin parallel twin 999.11cc engine delivers a max power of 87.7 bhp@7500rpm and a peak torque of 93.1Nm@6000rpm.

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MAY 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 27

WHEELZ & ROADZ A riding experience

HERO XTREME 200S

AMBITIOUS STRIDES Report: Aakash S. Paul; Photography: Afsar Baig

H

ero is a name well-known in the commuter two-wheeler market.

The company has been making pocket friendly commuter bikes for the common Indian man for decades. But lately the company has been trying to push its way into the premium market. They launched the Xtreme 200R last year and now that bike has three more siblings, each catering to a different kind of

28 | MOTOWN INDIA | MAY 2019

rider. We got to ride the Hero Xtreme 200S, a sporty faired 200cc bike, on the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida. An odd choice‌.or was it?

DESIGN AND STYLING The Hero Xtreme 200S is essentially a Sports variant of the Xtreme 200R. So the company has slapped on a fairing to the front of the bike to give it a race inspired

look. The bike does look good, especially from the side because this is where you are able to fully appreciate the lines and creases running across the fairing and the rest of the body. The front gets a horizontal and robotic looking LED headlamp unit.

While there are no DRLs, the front does look simple yet menacing. The top half of the fairing with the curved wind-screen reminded me of the superbikes made by a

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WHEELZ & ROADZ

A riding experience

S P EC IFIC ATION S certain Italian manufacturer. Barring the fairing, the bike looks very similar to the Xtreme 200R from the side and rear.

The seat cushion is adequate for two people and decently comfortable. The cowl helps with wind blast to a small degree.

I was impressed by the fit and finish of the Xtreme 200S as there were no loose panels or weld marks evident. Good job

Hero MotoCorp!

A big update on the Xtreme 200S is the inclusion of smartphone connectivity via Bluetooth. Once connected, the LCD display can show you turn-by-turn navigation and call alerts. This is a feature that is, as of now, not seen in any other motorcycle in this segment. So it was a great move by Hero to include

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ENGINE 199.6cc air-cooled, 4-stroke, 2-valve, OHC TRANSMISSION 5-Speed POWER 18.1hp@8,000rpm TORQUE 17.1Nm@6,500rpm TYRES Front: 100/80-17 Tubeless Rear: 130/70-17 Tubeless

PRICE `98,500 (Ex-Showroom Delhi)

MAY 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 29

WHEELZ & ROADZ A riding experience

the feature in their product, despite the budget conscious nature. Apart from this, the display shows the standard set of information including speed, rpm, gear, two trip meters and time. I was irked a little by the dated design and layout of the text and the rickety instrument cluster that moved when you push one or two buttons on the display.

ENGINE AND PERFORMANCE The engine housed in the Xtreme 200S is a 199cc air-cooled, single cylinder, OHC unit that is also found in the Xtreme 200R. The company says that they have made small changes to the engine response and gearing but in my opinion they won’t make a discernable change in the bike’s behaviour. Despite my initial scepticism, the Xtreme 200S was a lot of fun on the track. We rode it on the part of BIC that is littered with twists and turns. I kept the bike on the 5th gear the majority of the session as there really was no reason to shift down.

The engine growls and pounces till about 7000rpm. That makes sense as peak torque of 17.1Nm is reached at 6500rpm. Beyond this point the juice kind of runs out and the climb to higher speeds becomes slower.

But what the bike lost in straight line run, it more than gained around the bends. At first I thought the bike was a bit too twitchy and would probably crash if I pushed it too hard. However, I was proven wrong and the bike was steady through the corners.

The tyres provided plenty of gripeven at extreme angles. I found myself scraping the pegs at almost every turn. I found the upshifts on the 5-speed transmission a bit too hard and hope that Hero is able to make improvements on it in the future.

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Suspension and brakes are the same as the Xtreme 200R. So you get 37mm telescopic forks at the front and a 7-step adjustable monoshock at the rear. The suspension tuning was a bit bouncy for track usage but should do fine in the urban jungle. There is a 276mm disc brake at the front and a 220mm disc at the rear. Sadly you only get single channel ABS. I did not get to test the brakes fully on the track but I could gauge that the bite from the rear was plenty but the front could do with some more. The Xtreme 200S only comes with a carbureted engine as of now but we have hopes that a fuel injected version will be available sometime in the future. You don’t really get to test the bike for vibrations on the track but I could feel some amount of it at certain points. A full investigation can only happen once we get the vehicle for a proper road test review.

VERDICT Hero has sensibly priced the Xtreme 200S at Rs 98,500 (ex-showroom Delh). That makes it about Rs 7,600 more expensive than its naked sibling. For that money you get a good looking product, a better instrument cluster and smartphone connectivity. There really isn’t anything substantial to complain about the bike. In case you want something more performance oriented, you could pump in some extra cash but as of now, no other bike in this segment comes with smartphone connectivity. I have a feeling that this bike will click with people looking for a good looking faired motorcycle that is practical and not too heavy on the pocket.

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TVS APACHE RTR 200 4V RACE EDITION 2.0

ROARING FUN Report: Aakash S. Paul; Photography: Afsar Baig

I

t has been a while since we reviewed the TVS Apache RTR 200 4v. We reviewed the bike when it had just entered the market and found it to be quite an impressive offering from TVS. It was their best looking and most powerful bike back then. Quite some time has passed since then and the competition has beefed up. TVS has also mildly updated their 200cc competitor which is now called TVS Apache RTR 200 4v Race Edition 2.0. Keeping that criminally long name aside, does this 200cc naked bike still hold its own in the market?

DESIGN AND STYLING TVS has not tinkered much with the exterior. The bike has the same basic shape, but now you get a few more stickers and race inspired graphics all over. The bottom half of the front forks have a golden paint, the headlamp has a small windshield and the rear tyre gets a cover.

The windshield is not there to save you from wind blast,

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it is just a cosmetic piece and I personally would not have cared if it was there or not. The instrument panel is also the same as before and it is a feature packed digital display. The white backlight is soothing to look at and the display can you show you your speed, two trip meters, lap timer, 0-60kmph timer, top speed, odometer, time, gear position, tachometer and fuel gauge. And yes, this one also comes with a side stand that you have to open using an extension that pokes between the left footpeg and gear and I am not a fan of that. You have clip-on handlebars, fairly neutral positioned footpegs and a comfy saddle to provide you with a decently relaxed riding position. I only wish that the saddle angle was flatter as currently the rider tends to slam the fuel tank with their pelvis in case of hard braking. Even while riding normally, I found myself sliding close to the tank. On the other hand, this is one of the few sporty bikes that come with a pillion seat that is actually usable.

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S P EC IFIC ATIO N S ENGINE 197.75cc oil-cooled, 4-stroke,

4-valve

TRANSMISSION 5-Speed POWER 20.2hp@8,500rpm TORQUE 18.1Nm@7,000rpm TYRES Front: 90/90-17 Tubeless Rear: 130/70-17 Tubeless

PRICE `1.11 lakh (Ex-Showroom Delhi)

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ENGINE AND PERFORMANCE The RTR 200 4v is a bike that finds itself completely at home in the city. You have a 198cc oil-cooled engine with a power of 20 horses and torque of 18Nm. The power is delivered in the mid ranges, meaning that it is super fun to ride. The engine is mated to a 5-speed gearbox and in this new iteration gets a slipper clutch. Navigating through the gears is fun and easy, to the point where I found myself shifting up and down without even touching the clutch. When I did use

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the clutch, I found it very light and easy to operate. While the bike has a lot to offer in the low and mid ranges, there is not much in the top end, that combined with the lack of a 6th gear means that this is not ‘the ideal cruiser’. I am not saying the bike can’t be taken on the highways, but what I do mean to say is that it won’t be as fast as some of its competitors. Still getting to 90kmph is relatively easy. What I like the most is the refinement of the engine. This is the smoothest TVS engine I have ridden till date.

There are no major vibrations to bother you, only a low rumble from the exhaust that never gets old.

Since the bike has not changed drastically, the rest of the dynamics also remain the same. The suspension setup is mildly stiff but very tactile, allowing you to feel in contact with the tarmac below. The disc brakes along with the dual channel ABS bring you to halt safely. The rear brake, however, lacks initial bit but gets down to business

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when you plough it hard. I was able to get 44kmpl out of this bike in the city and owners can expect a figure between 40-45 kmpl depending on their riding style. Cold start is an issue with this bike but it only takes less than two minutes to get the engine ready for action.

VERDICT The RTR 200 4v Race Edition 2.0 has taken the Apache series in the right direction. It looks appealing to the Gen Z, packs in a ride

character that is suitable for daily commute and crucially, comes with more refinement and features. If it were up to me, I would like to see the next iteration of the bike with a 6 speed gearbox and the ABS option available in FI variant. The Apache RTR 2004v Race Edition 2.0 strikes a great balance between features and price. You could go for something cheaper and sacrifice on features or you could spend more and get a bike that is more powerful. But if you want a nice and balanced meal, this is the one for you.

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SUZUKI GSX-S750 PROS & CONS The Suzuki GSX-S750 was a treat on the race track. We believed that it would be a great stepping stone for riders wanting to graduate to higher cc segments. But the track can only tell you so much about a vehicle. Now that we have had the bike with us for a few days, we list out our findings.

SUZUKI GSX-S750 : PROS A COOL ENGINE The GSX-S750 is powered by a 749cc, liquid cooled, in-line 4-cylinder engine and yet the bike does not get hot as a furnace as you would imagine. The engine will not become a grille on a hot summer day even when you navigate through slow moving traffic.

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COST EFFECTIVE The GSX S750 is a lot cheaper than most of the competition. It does sacrifice on some equipment but delivers similar usable power as any other naked street fighter in the segment. The rest of the kit is also capable to give you an experience as good as any other on the roads.

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COMFORTABLE RIDING POSITION Despite being a sports bike, the S750 has a very neutral riding position. So even on longer journeys you will not feel too much stress in your arms and back.

SWITCHABLE TRACTION CONTROL You can switch between the traction control levels on the fly. Not many bikes allow you to change the ride character on the fly but the GSX-S750 does.

Having traction control levels can also aid novice riders in becoming accustomed to the bike slowly.

TACTILE THROTTLE There is no ride by wire and due to that you feel extremely connected with the throttle response. It is great for people who love to be directly connected to the machine.

POWERFUL BRAKES The braking setup consists of dual 310mm petal discs at the front and a 270mm at the rear. Braking on this bike feels very confident and in case you have to stop suddenly, the front brakes are your friend. Simply put, the brakes are some of the best in the segment.

SUZUKI GSX-S750 : CONS DATED LOOKS While the GSX S750 looks big and brawny, there are elements that look dated compared to today’s standards. For instance the headlamp is a halogen unit, the turn indicators are big and the rear has barely anything going on.

UNUSABLE PILLION SEAT While it would be wrong to expect this bike to be great for two people, the seat is still very small and the cushion hard. So you are better off not giving piggy back rides to anyone that you like.

WEIGHTY FRONT-END At times, the front end of the bike seems to have a mind of its own. You need to be a little careful when taking turns.

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UNDERWHELMING INSTRUMENT CLUSTER You get an LCD instrument cluster that displays things like speed, range, average, trip meters, rpm gauge, time and a few other things. The instrument panel isn’t the best in the segment.

NO SLIPPER CLUTCH The clutch is not the smoothest and the bike lacks a slip and assist clutch, which is a shame.

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OKINAWA I-PRAISE

A SPARK OF SMART Report: Aakash S. Paul; Photography: Afsar Baig

I

ntelligence is the key to increment and increment is key to success in life. Hence we go to schools and colleges and study to become more intelligent. But what happens when you ask a scooter to become intelligent? The Okinawa I-Praise is the latest electric scooter from Okinawa. The ‘I’ stands for intelligent, meaning that this is essentially an improved version of the Praise scooter we rode last year. So what has changed?

DESIGN AND STYLING Not much has changed on the looks front. The scooter carries over the design and graphics from the Praise. The seat gets a white border on the sides, which was not seen on the Praise scooter. The ground clearance and seat height have gone up slightly. Okinawa has increased the ground clearance from 170mm to 175mm and the seat height from 774mm to 800mm. Do not worry, your feet should still reach the ground and the scooter is not too daunting for shorter people. The instrument cluster is completely digital and shows you things like your speed, distance covered, boost level, charge level, trip meter and time. There is a handy amount of storage space at the front and a USB charging port is also present for convenient charging of devices like your phone. But that is all the storage space you get as almost the entirety of the underseat compartment is occupied by the two lithium-ion batteries. The company was using lead acid batteries in the Praise but has shifted to lithium-ion batteries for the I-Praise.

Additionally, these batteries are detachable and are easier to charge. Using the supplied charger, once can charge a completely drained battery in 2-3 hours. The batteries work in a slave-master configuration – one battery is connected to the other.

CONNECTIVITY FEATURES The scooter also boasts of smartphone connectivity via the Okinawa Eco App. Currently the app is only available for Android users but an iPhone compatible version should appear soon. Once downloaded, users can get a host of information related to their scooter right on their smartphone screen. You can see things like the vehicle status, crash reports, charge level etc. The app also allows you to geo-fence the scooter and set speed limits. Through geo-fencing, users will be notified if their scooter goes beyond the predetermined radius. The app also has an SOS button which sends a message and the

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scooter location to any of your desired contacts. Finding the I-Praise will hardly be a problem ever as the app also allows you to track the location of the scooter.

RIDE AND HANDLING We found the ride quality and characteristics of the I-Praise similar to that of Praise. That is hardly a surprise considering that both scooters get a 1000W BLDC motor. The scooter has two riding modes, E (Economy) and S (Speed). The E mode is meant for energy efficient rides around the city. Here the top speed is limited to 35kmph, although a lighter person could push the scooter beyond that. The S mode unleashes the full power of the scooter allowing it to climb a little beyond 72kmph. Then you have the Turbo button on the left side, which boosts the scooter’s acceleration for a short while. The scooter is definitely fun to ride in the S mode and even with two people on the scooter.

In terms of range, the scooter has a rated range of 160180km per charge but that drops down to a more conservative 120-140km in real world riding. The scooter is shod with 90/90 12-inches tyres that are decent for this scooter and lend it enough grip to tackle everyday city roads. Okinawa has fitted disc brakes on both wheels along with electronic ABS. However, in our testing we still found the rear wheel locking up if you brake suddenly. You can opt to have a big or a small disc brake on the front wheel, in case you want to have extra, if unnecessary, braking power. The suspension is a bit stiff but not unbearable.

VERDICT Okinawa has managed to impress me with the removable lithium-ion batteries. They will service the customer for longer and help in delivering a better experience. The throttle lock is yet another great addition and can save you from accid.entally launching the scooter. While the connected features might be a bit of a gimmick for the average daily commuter, it has its benefits that can be harnessed by others. These benefits do come at an increased cost and it is a cost which might not be reasonable for some people who just focus on the initial cost of ownership. So while the scooter has become smarter, I feel it could still have been tweaked better.

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S P EC IFIC ATIO N S BATTERY 197. 2.9kwh Lithium-ion (Detachable Battery) CHARGING TIME 2-3 hours, RANGE: 160-180km per charge POWER Rated - 1000watt, BLDC Motor(Waterproof) Max – 2500watt SPEED Economy: 30-35kmph Speed: 55-60kmph, Turbo - 70-75kmph TYRES 90/90-12 (Tubeless) PRICE `1.15 lakh

(Ex-Showroom Delhi)

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INDIAN ROADMASTER CLASSIC

S P EC IFIC ATION S

IN COMMAND Report & Photography: P.Tharyan

A

POWER 110hp TORQUE 151mm@3000rpm TYRES Front: Dunlop Elite 3 130/

couple of years back I have had the opportunity to ride the massive Indian Roadmaster. This motorcycle, powered by a 1811cc Thunderstroke III, electronically fuel injected engine is literally the king of the roads.

THE RIDE COMMAND FUNCTIONS

The Indian Roadmaster Classic comes with Ride Command and leather wrapped saddle bags and storage box. It’s got so much leather that it can put a

The Ride command is basically a 7� Touchscreen that works even when you are wearing your rider gloves. There are five buttons below the screen.

The first button allows you to customise your rider screen.

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ENGINE 1811cc Thunderstroke III, electronically fuel injected engine

cowboy of yore to shame.

And the storage space is quite commodious to say the least. In this report I shall be focusing on the Ride Command features and not the ride per se.

There are three sets of screen and you can choose whichever suits you.

90B16 73H Rear: Dunlop Elite 3 multi compound 180/60R16 80H

The second button is your audio button. Here you have an option for your radio both FM and AM and also your Bluetooth and USB audio.

The button in the middle is to switch on the your screen.

There is also a Bluetooth button where you can pair your phone. A compartment above the screen allows you

to attach your phone to a USB cable and you can charge your phone there.

The last button is the navigation button. You can with your gloves on move the chart, pinch it and tap it to decrease or increase the size of the chart. Once you tap down on the screen, you have an option for dimming your screen or brightening it. There is also a settings button which once pressed will allow you to

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change the language, the speed units, the temperature units, the volume and tyre pressure units.

There are also buttons on both sides of the handlebar. The ones on the left are for volume control and also for adjusting your windshield. On the right of the handle bar are buttons for cruise control along with a hazard light button and the power and the kill switch.

Then you have these tiny lever-like triggers on both sides of the handle bar with their respective functions. The left hand one allows you to navigate your screen and the right hand trigger simply sets it or gives a confirmation. The information displayed on the screen for a rider is more than plenty and these are displayed on the touch screen and the two analog metres for speed and rpm and two small screen within these two analog dials.

Everything from your clock, ambient air temperature, audio information display, tyre pressure, voltage, engine hours, oil change, speed, fuel range, RPM, gear position, fuel range, distance, average fuel economy, average speed and various aspects of ride data are all accessible on these screens.

PERFORMANCE This motorcycle is powered by a V twin Thunderstroke III, 1811cc, electronic fuel injection engine which delivers a peak torque 151Nm @ 3000 rpm and a peak power of around 100hp. As long as the weather is cool and nice and the traffic is smooth as butter, this bike can cover distances like nobody’s business. But the moment it gets warm and the

traffic begins to pile up, you can feel the heat near your calf muscles and your under thigh.

I was riding the old Classic but for 2019 model onwards, it’s a different ballgame altogether.

New ride-enhancing technology like selectable Ride Modes and Rear Cylinder Deactivation are features that have been incorporated on all Thunder Stroke 111 models.

One can select between Tour, Standard or Sport mode on the fly. Rear Cylinder Deactivation means that the rear cylinder will automatically deactivate when the bike is at a standstill for more comfort in slow-moving traffic. When throttle is applied, the rear cylinder will instantly reactivate for a seamless transition to full power.

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Also, for 2019, the Roadmaster gets additional upgrades. The premium audio system now features 2-way speakers for enhanced clarity. A dynamic equalizer automatically adjusts for speed so you get crystal clear audio at all times. The lowers have also been redesigned to provide significantly more airflow to the rider. But we have to wait till a new model comes into India.

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MARUTI SUZUKI CIAZ 1.5 LITRE DIESEL

HEARTY PERFORMANCE Report & Photography: P. Tharyan

M

aruti Suzuki Chairman RC Bhargava has gone on record saying that sometime next year the company will stop making diesel engines of capacity less than 1.5 litre. Bye, bye diesel, we shall always miss your high torque capabilities. But thank god for small mercies, as the company has introduced a new 1.5 litre diesel engine that has been strapped on to its popular sedan, the Ciaz.

The premium sedan Ciaz has emerged as the

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best seller in its segment for the third consecutive year. The Ciaz has sold over 2.56 lakh units cumulatively since its launch in 2014. The Ciaz already has a 1.5 litre petrol engine which is doing pretty well in the country. It’s also there in the new Ertiga. Now the Ciaz will have a new 1.5-litre DDiS 225 diesel engine and it comes mated to a new 6-speed manual transmission.

PERFORMANCE Since all the interior and exterior features remain untouched, we shall only be delving upon the

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performance of the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz with its new 1.5 litre diesel engine.

The new engine delivers a peak torque of 225Nm@1500-2500rpm and maximum power of 94hp@4000rpm.

The first thing I noticed missing in the new 1.5 litre diesel engine was the fact that it does not have smart or mild hybrid technology feature that was there in the 1.3 litre diesel engine mated to a 5-speed gearbox. The technology is handy when it comes to idle start stop function which helps conserve fuel. But that’s no big deal and no one who buys this car will miss this feature.

Before I get into explaining my drive experience, let me point out that this new engine has an improved low end torque. In fact, when you step on the accelerator you really do not realise the turbo kicking in and this in turn generates good solid torque at the low-end which makes city driving simply awesome. Those of us who are living and driving in cities know that our driving exhilaration lasts from one traffic light to another. It’s in such a drive pattern that a low end torque is so fulfilling, offering instant bursts of power.

SP EC I F I C AT IO NS ENGINE 1.5 litre DDiS 225 diesel engine TRANSMISSION 6-Speed Manual POWER 94hp@4000rpm TORQUE 225Nm@1500-2500rpm PRICE `11.37 lakh

(Ex-Showroom Delhi)

So is this diesel engine noisy and irritably full of vibrations? Now, it’s here that the Maruti Suzuki engineers need to be given a pat on their backs for ensuring that the NVH levels are refined. NVH stands for noise, vibration and harshness that people within the cabin of a car experience when they are on the move.

To begin with, the car comes with a Dual Mass Flywheel along with optimised compression ratio. All this has resulted in superior NVH performance, which in turn has resulted in a comfortable driving experience. And to add to that, the use of light-weight aluminium casted cylinder head and block along with optimised engine calibration has contributed to improved fuel efficiency.

Since I am going to just restrict my views on the performance, it’s important that I explain the advantages of a dual mass flywheel. Even a layman out there should sit back and understand this feature.

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Those of you who have been driving cars for long know that apart from the various mechanical problems that come your way, there is definitely one relating to your clutch. This problem occurs at some stage of your driving.

Since the clutch pedal is depressed a zillion times to change gears, a time comes when your clutch wears off. Now vehicles come with either a single mass flywheel or dual mass flywheel. Many cars come with single mass flywheel.

A dual mass flywheel is basically two flywheels with springs in the middle to act as a dampener. The springs help absorb engine vibration which in turn reduces wear on the transmission and the rest of the drivetrain.

On the other hand, a single mass flywheel gives you a direct contact

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between the engine and clutch assembly. It is obvious that a single mass flywheel cannot dampen engine vibration as well as a double mass flywheel. So with a double mass flywheel in the a 1.5 litre diesel engine Ciaz, the ride is a lot smoother and better.

The only flip side I see to a double mass flywheel is that unlike the single mass flywheel, the cost towards replacing a clutch and flywheel assembly is a lot more. Here the entire assembly is a lot more complicated and has to be replaced as a complete unit.

So please be careful when you depress the clutch while changing gears.

Maruti Suzuki has also talked about an optimum compression ratio. Without going into details of a compression ratio, let me point out that an engine’s compression ratio is the ratio of the volume of gas in the cylinder when the piston is at the top of its stroke (top dead centre, or TDC) to the volume of gas when the piston’s at the bottom of its stroke (bottom dead centre or BDC). It is the ratio of compressed to uncompressed gas. To put it plainly, increasing the compression ratio to an optimum level definitely improves fuel economy as the fuel in the cylinder is burnt efficiently. And in a diesel engine where there are no spark plugs involved, the fundamentals of compression ratio hold a lot of significance.

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Now getting back to the drive, I am truly impressed by the new diesel engine from Maruti Suzuki and within the cabin, the NVH levels too are top notch.

As for the 6-speed manual transmission, well it is a perfect mate to the 1.5 litre engine. Gear shifting comes easy and light. It’s only when you get into uncongested highways that you can actually shift to the sixth gear and let the car maintain a 100km plus speed. Within city and on light traffic roads, gears 4 and 5 are ideal for a smooth ride. Since this new engine is mated to a new six-speed manual transmission, unlike the five-speed that was available with the earlier 1.3 litre diesel engine, the reverse gear is slotted near the first gear. This too is a convenient feature.

VERDICT The Maruti Suzuki Ciaz with the new 1.5 litre diesel engine is quite a capable car with superb acceleration and convenient low end torque. While it’s an ideal car for city drive, it’s also a comfortable car for long drives, since it comes with several convenient offerings, be it the spacious cabin, the comfortable seats, the smart entertainment system, a cavernous boot, safety features, besides a smart design. Now with a new 1.5 litre diesel engine, one can definitely look forward to a hearty performance!

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BMW I3S ALL-ELECTRIC CAR

IS INDIA READY? Report P. Tharyan; Photography: Afsar Baig

I

f you look at the dismal sales record of electric cars in India, you will realise that India has a long way to go on the emobility front, especially electric cars. Apart from the handful of Mahindra e2o and Mahindra eVerito electric cars that are sold in the country every year, there is really no other serious player in the emobility space. With barely

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any infrastructure for charging of electric vehicles and no major takers for such vehicles in the country, one really does not understand why BMW is showcasing its futuristic (at least for India) electric car BMW i3s in India?

This snazzy looking BMW i3S has been around for a year in India. It’s not for sale here in

this country rather the company is showcasing its superiority in electric vehicles. We have evaluated it for its practically in an electricity starved country like ours.

In the US, an all-electric BMW i3s price starts at around $47650 which translates to approximately Rs 33 lakh. If such a car is imported for sale in

India as a CBU, it would cost Rs 50 lakh plus. Does it make sense in India, well only time will tell?

EXTERIORS Coming to the exteriors, the new BMW i3s is a good looker.

Everything about the cars is black and white. You have this high gloss black finish belt running from the bonnet over the roof to the car’s rear with

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technology and are integrated into the front apron in the form of horizontal strips.

The car has very recognisable BMW kidney shaped grille but they are closed and come without any slats. It is painted in high-gloss black to give the grille a larger and more prominent appearance. At the rear you get to see a chrome-design trim strip running across the full width of the rear and the positioning of the model and eDrive badges on the outer edges of the boot lid.

the A-pillars and roof lines too in black finish. A dash of blue on the side sills and at the front apron’s side sections, adds to the visual appeal of the car.

The new BMW i3s comes equipped with all-LED headlights as standard, which employ LED bulb units for dipped beam and high beam as well as the daytime running lights. The new turn signal indicators also feature LED

The new BMW i3s sits on 175/55 R20 tyres and are shrouded around 20-inch light-alloy wheels that have a five twin-spoke design.

Now for some dislikes. I found the door designs absolutely impractical, especially for a country like India. The doors open in opposite directions and since there is no B pillar, the front and rear doors are dependent on each other. Unless the front is open, the rear cannot open and unless the rear is closed, the front cannot close. In short, for anyone sitting at the back, I assume it would be kids they cannot step outside the car, unless someone opens the front door first. Moreover, the rear window pane cannot be rolled down.

That’s a lot disappointing.

INTERIORS Coming to the interiors, first and

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foremost, it’s important to note that over 80 per cent of the surfaces visible to the passengers inside are made from recycled materials or renewable resources. That means this car is more eco friendly than an average electric car running around the globe anywhere. The carbon fibre-reinforced plastic is spacious and bright. It’s designed to accommodate two people in front and two at the rear. The blue seat belts give an electric feel to your moods. The seating space is quite decent, if not very spacious. The two rear seats can be pulled down to create more space in the boot.

As mentioned earlier, the rear window cannot be opened and to make matters worse, there are no ac vents for those at the back.

The BMW i3s comes with an updated version of the iDrive operating system, which provides an intuitive interface for controlling numerous vehicle, infotainment, communications and navigation functions. The main screen on the dashboard has a display of 10.25 inches. A rotary knob on the floor console is used for the various settings.

PERFORMANCE What differentiates the i3 and the i3s is the sporty character of the latter. There are four drive modes to choose from: Sport, Comfort, Eco Pro and Eco Pro+.

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It’s in the Eco Pro + that you get the maximum battery range and subdued speed and air conditioner output, while it rises to reach to reduced battery range and splendid speed and air conditioner output as you move to the Sport mode.

Maintaining absolute silence and zero emissions, you get a 135 kW/184 hp electric motor that generates peak torque of 270 Nm. Since this torque is available on the word “go”, speed is instantaneous in this car. The car also has a sports suspension with specially developed springs, dampers and antiroll bars.

Just 6.9 seconds is what is required to see the new BMW i3s burst past 100 km/h on its way to a top speed of 160 km/h. Its electric range runs to 280 kilometres based on the NEDC cycle, 235 to 245 kilometres as per WLTP and up to 200 kilometres in everyday use. For record’s sake, a 38 hp two-cylinder range extender petrol engine is available as an option for the new BMW i3s. The engine drives a generator that produces power as required while driving to maintain a constant level of charge in the high-

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voltage battery. This extends the car’s overall range in everyday use by 150 kilometres, increasing it from around 180 kilometres to a maximum of 330 kilometres.

VERDICT The BMW i3S electric car is definitely a lot sophisticated than any electric car available in India today, it’s very unlikely that it will be accepted anytime soon in India. And with its doors opening in opposite directions, it could even be more unacceptable for many in India.

But having said that, the new BMW i3S does prove a point for BMW, that when it comes to sophisticated and technology advanced vehicles, it’s ready for the future. But the question we need to ask is: Is India ready?

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WHEELZ & ROADZ

A driving experience

2019 FORD ENDEAVOUR FACELIFT

THE CONSTANT IN THE CHANGE Report : Motown India Bureau

T

he automotive scene has been changing rapidly in the recent years.

On one hand you have stricter emission norms, on the other hand you have the advent of electric vehicles. Then you have the countless number of pretend SUVs washing over Indian roads. In uncertain times like these, when almost everything seems to be changing, it is good to see something holding on to the legacy of automotive spirit. Ford’s highly successful Endeavour (pun intended) is one such light in the dark. The SUV has been a hit amongst people who want something that looks and acts the part of a thoroughbred off-roader. So when Ford decided to give the vehicle a facelift in 2019 they did not mess with the formula too much. But was that a smart move?

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S PECIF IC AT I O N S ENGINE 3.2L 5-cylinder TDCi TRANSMISSION 6-speed AT POWER 197hp@3000rpm TORQUE 470Nm@1750-2500rpm WHEELS 265/60 R18 Alloy 265/65 R17 Steel (Spare)

PRICE `32.98 lakh (Ex-Showroom Delhi)

MAY 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 49

WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

DESIGN AND STYLING Just like the Figo, if you saw the new Endeavour coming your way, chances are that you would not be able to judge if it is the new one or the old. Changes include a new grille in the front that has three slimmer horizontal slats. The fog lamps get a black bezel around them and the skid plate design has been changed slightly. Our unit was bathed in the new colour. The wheels of the Endeavour now come with newly designed diamond cut alloys that looks brawny. Though, we preferred the previous design a little more.

Apart from this, the side and rear look identical to the outgoing model. We don’t

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WHEELZ & ROADZ

A driving experience

really have a problem with Ford not messing with the exteriors too much because the vehicle already had such an appealing silhouette. One added feature on this new Endeavour is the remote tailgate release.

This fancy feature allows you to open the boot lid with the swipe of your leg under the rear. The ORVMs get puddle lamps to help people get in and out of the the car at night.

Things have not changed drastically on the inside either. You now get keyless entry, push button engine start, and SYNC3 infotainment system. Keyless entry has become a common feature in vehicles of this class and Endeavour missed out on it previously, not anymore. The touch functionality of the infotainment system is among the best and smoothest with support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. I do wish that the company had added a wireless charging pad as many high end phones support the tech these days. The seats provide plenty of support for its occupants and now you can get 8-way power adjustable drive and co-driver seats. A neat feature of the Endeavour is that it offers

ENGINE AND PERFORMANCE We got the 3.2L 5-cylinder diesel engine powered variant and getting behind the wheel proved that nothing had changed in terms of driving dynamics. The SUV produces the same amount of power and torque as the previous version. Needless to say there is plenty of driving pleasure to be had with this vehicle and high speed stability is excellent.

The steering wheel is weighted nicely to provide ease of use in

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traffic and still giving you decent amount of feedback when you put the SUV through its paces. The surge of torque, early in the rpm band, still puts a smile on our face.

Gear shifts are handled decently by the 6-speed automatic transmission for the most part, however, we found shifting gears in the manual mode much better. In case you do not plan to climb mountains or go for frequent cross country drives, the 2.2L engine should be enough for you. Unlike the 3.2L diesel, the 2.2L engine comes with either manual or automatic transmission.

Though, that engine does not get a 4X4 system.

Ford has employed active noise cancellation in the Endeavour but it is still not enough to cancel out the rattle from the diesel motor at around 2000-3000rpm.

But our guess is that anyone who is going for this vehicle would be the kind of person who likes this strange symphony. Rest of the alien sounds like road noise and the murmur of traffic are nicely blocked. The 4WD version also gets terrain management system allowing you to switch between any of the four drive modes for different road conditions.

VERDICT So am I appalled by the fact that Ford did not introduce a boat-load of changes in the new Endeavour facelift? No. The reason being simple, the SUV, in its previous iteration was barely lacking in any fields. Thus Ford kept the plenty powerful engine and imposing posture as they were. They sprinkled on a few nifty additions and brought down the price ever so slightly. The company has also greatly simplified their trim line-up which should help customers make a better decision while buying the vehicle. The resulta very capable SUV that is still one of the most enticing options in its class.

MAY 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 51

FEATURES

STRIDER balance bikes now available in India at `12,270 onward

US based Strider Sports International Inc., the world’s premier manufacturer and marketer of a range of quality, safe and durable balance bikes, announced their foray into the Indian market. These bikes are primarily targeted at those little ones who have just about begun to take their first baby steps in life. . No crank set and chain, no pedals and absolutely no training wheels make Strider Balance Bikes not only unique but also the safest option for a child.

Strider Balance Bikes range will be listed for retail on Amazon India by Etailz, an authorised dealer appointed by Strider.

Currently, the Strider 12 Sport

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Balance Bike is available for purchase at a price of Rs 12,270.

Etailz will add the Strider Sport Baby Bundle as well as the Strider14x Sport Balance Bike to the portfolio by the end of this quarter.

Learning to ride a bike at a young age helps children develop core strength, motor skills, and confidence. Strider Balance Bikes aims to aid in the overall development of children across the globe through their product portfolio.

Strider Sports International gives children as young as six months old the best firstbike experience. Strider Bikes

revolutionised the bike’s design to develop a child’s balance first and pairs each balance bike with a proven learn-to-ride process. Children across the globe are starting on a Strider Bike and becoming two-wheeling virtuosos – before they’re out of diapers.

Founded in 2007, in Rapid City, South Dakota, Strider has sold more than 2 million bikes and is distributed in more than 75 countries.

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FEATURES

TREK Bicycle unveils new hybrid bikes at `32,199 onward Trek Bicycle has launched the top-of-the-range hybrid bikes, the FX Series-FX 1, 2, 3 and FX 2 Disc & FX 3 Disc - for fitness aficionados in the country. The 2019 FX series in India starts at a price point of Rs 32,199 and goes up to Rs 62,799 for the FX 3 Disc model. The bicycle is primed for performance, comfort and utility. The hybrid range features Trek’s patented & lightweight Alpha Gold Aluminum frame, carbon forks, IsoZone gel handlebars and grips, tubeless ready rims and puncture-resistant tyres.

The series comes with the unique DuoTrap S compatibility which integrates a Bluetooth/ANT + sensor into the frame to provide log routes and tracks fitness progress on your computer or smart phone with no external sensor. The new IsoZone handlebar absorbs the road bumps and gives more control for an incredible comfortable ride along with Carbon fork technology, which swoops forward towards the dropouts, absorbs vibrations from the road so the rider’s arms don’t fatigue as quickly.

AUTO STUFF

KENT RO forays into automotive security with Kent CamEye at `17,999 You have heard of them as water purifiers. Yes, who can forget the face of yesteryear Bollywood star Hema Malini endorsing Kent RO systems. The company has now come out with Kent CamEye, a next-gen car camera. KENT CamEye is priced at Rs.17,999 and comes with a launch offer of 3 months free subscription. Kent has roped in Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan as the brand ambassador for Kent CamEye. King Khan joins Ms Malini, who has been promoting Kent water purifiers for over 15 years now.

Kent CamEye is a first-of-its-kind car camera that uses the dual camera to record everything happening inside and outside the car, and also allows live video streaming of either camera on the mobile phone. It also tracks the real-time GPS location of the car and allows playback of the route traveled by car on the map. Moreover, it sends actionable alerts on the mobile phone when it detects something unusual using Artificial Intelligence.

Kent CamEye is a 4G powered, Mobile app based, Plug & Play device which gets installed on the front windshield of the car. It stores the recorded videos on secure cloud storage and syncs them on a mobile phone on a real-time basis. Kent CamEye also comes with inbuilt battery and memory backup so that it works even when the car is parked or out of network coverage area. The device uses a mobile application as a medium to relay information to the user. The app is available for both, Android and iOS mobile phones. The user-friendly application allows the user to view real-time location of the car, playback the route traveled by car for historical trips, live stream inside or outside camera, playback recorded videos of historical trips from the cloud and many more amazing features.

As per the company, historical data for 90 days is retained on the cloud. Another great feature for families is that one device can be accessed by multiple users. For example, the car owner can share his device with their spouse so that they can also monitor the car using the app. Lastly, the user can manage multiple devices from a single application.

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MAY 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 53

B2B NEWS

How to clear the several stages for a permanent driving licence

D

elhi has got its first Fully Automated Driving Test Centre (ADTC) at the Regional Transport Office in Mayur Vihar Phase I. Three more test centres have started operating in the city at Vishwas Nagar, Sarai Kale Khan and Shakur Basti. These are set up and maintained as a CSR initiative

by Maruti Suzuki India Limited as part of its agreement with the Department of Transport, NCT of Delhi.

Credit for this great move needs to be given to the Delhi government, especially its transport minister Kailash Gahlot and of course Maruti Suzuki which has invested over Rs. 20 Cr to set up these facilities. While the Department of Transport, Delhi is

EASY STEPS TO GET YOUR DRIVING LICENCE 1 ONLINE REGISTRATION

2 BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

3 AT ADTC

4 DOCUMENT VERIFICATION

Go to Delhi Govt website

Pay fee an confirm your appointment slot

Reach ADTC on assigned date & time

Submit your documents for verification

8 ACCESS THE TEST TRACK

7 TRAINING FOR THE TEST

6 GENERATE RFID TAG

5 BIO-METRIC VALIDATION

Complete the driving test in your veicle through various formations aat the test tracks

Attend a brief session before taking the driving test

Get your RFID tag for the driving test

Complete Bio-metric validation

TEST PASSED

Drop RFID tag in drop box & exit ADTC

TEST FAILED

Drop RFID tag in drop box & exit ADTC. Take online appointment again

A driving test in progress

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B2B NEWS

DELHI’S FULLY AUTOMATED DRIVING TEST CENTRE

operating this the facility, Maruti Suzuki will maintain it for next 3 years.

Permanent driving licences are being issued in Delhi in a very efficient manner with minimal human intervention. These fully automated driving test facilities use access control along with biometric, RFID recognition system. Access Control permits entry of applicants only at the pre-assigned time slots, thus making it efficient and convenient. The new Fully Automated Driving Test Centres use advanced technology including multiple high definition cameras to evaluate applicants against 20 essential driving skills, in-line with Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR).

Maruti Suzuki will be setting

up similar test centres at 8 other locations across the city. These locations are Lado Sarai, Raja Garden, Hari Nagar, Burari, Loni, Rohini, Jharoda Kalan and Dwarka. In order to get a permanent driving licence after you have got your learner’s driving licence, you need to go to the Delhi government website http://www.delhi. gov.in For all licensing related services only self-attested documents are required. There is no need to submit any affidavit. One needs to: a) Book an appointment slot and pay the fee. b) Reach ATDC at the allotted day and time. c) Submit the documents for verification. d) There is a complete biometric validation. e) One has to generate an RFID and get the RFID tag for the test. f) Attend a brief training session before taking the test drive.

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FOR A FOUR WHEEL PERMANENT DRIVING LICENCE ONE NEEDS TO GO THROUGH SEVERAL STAGES OF TESTS. STAGE 1 - REVERSE ‘S’ DRIVING: The first test will be the toughest one.

You drive your car all by yourself by entering the test area after showing your RFID tag. The boom barrier opens and you drive your car slowly straight into a dead end. From there you need to reverse the car to another dead end.

Please note you will be reversing on a curved path, more like an “S” path.

Once your each the end and move forward a bit, you get to see another boom barrier.

During this reverse exercise you get a a maximum allotted time of 120

MAY 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 55

B2B NEWS

An ‘H’ track which will become operational later this year.

seconds i.e. two minutes. While you are reversing, you can get a maximum grace of hitting the kerb only three times. You also get two forward movements in case you are stuck. In case you are not able to adhere to any one of these stipulated norms, you will not be allowed to proceed further and you will have to take a different path towards the exit gate. That’s the end of your test. Better luck after one week.

Also, in case you are stuck with your car during the reverse test and you are too nervous to drive any further, you can also get off your car and an official will drive your car out of the exit gate.

You have failed the test and can seek another online appointment after a week.

STAGE 2 - FORWARD 8 DRIVING: When your first test is over, you automatically come before a boom barrier which announces you have passed and you need to go for the second test. This is the Forward “8” test. Once the barrier opens, you proceed for the formation of an “8” with your car. This is a simple test and you need to enter the “8” design in the right way. A wrong “8”

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formation will eliminate you. Once this “8” is done in your car, you proceed to stage 3. During this “8” drive you are allowed a maximum of three kerb hits and nothing else. In case you go the wrong way or reverse, you are automatically eliminated. The time given for completion of this test is maximum 60 seconds.

STAGE 3 - OVERTAKING: Once you complete stage 2 successfully, the boom barrier again opens for you to enter stage 3. Here you need to complete the overtaking test. You need to drive here using your turn signals or your indicators. This test is also very easy and needs to be done in a maximum time for 30 seconds. You are only allowed one kerb hit as a mistake.

Any other mistake will eliminate you immediately. At the end of this stage you will find a traffic light. It will show a red sign which signifies that you are about to enter stage 4.

STAGE 4 - TRAFFIC JUNCTION: This traffic light is your road junction. You have to wait for the red to turn into green and then proceed. Here you have

to make sure you have parked you car just before the stop line and you have to give an indicator for a right.

This road junction clearing takes a maximum time of 45 seconds. This is a zero tolerance zone and no mistakes will be allowed at all.

STAGE 5 - REVERSE PARALLEL PARKING: Once you turn right, you enter the area where you need to go forward and then reverse your car for a parallel parking.

In this stage a maximum of 90 seconds is allotted. Here you are also allowed a maximum of two kerb hits and two forward movement while doing your parallel parking.

STAGE6 - GRADIENT / UPHILL: After stage 5, you come across a boom barrier which opens up for you to enter stage 6 which comprises of gradient or up hill drive. You need to drive on a ramp and the maximum time allotted here is 60 seconds. When you are uphill, there will be stop sign which is clearly written on the road and you need to stop your car before this stop sign on the slope there for

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B2B NEWS

a few seconds and then you should move towards the exit gate. In case you cross or overstep the stop sign on the road, you will be disqualified. Also, once you stop and while engaging the forward gear you will only be allowed a maximum of 12 inches of roll back, if at all. Anything more and you are disqualified.

ramp and a maximum of 15 seconds are given. No mistakes are allowed here and this means no kerb hits, no stoppage and not foot down.

At the end of stage 6, you will have to submit your RFID tag and exit. Your driving licence will reach your given address by registered post. Now for all those who are keen to get your permanent driving licence, as of now the authorities are not asking you to do the “H” formation stage. That is a lot tougher. It is likely to be introduced in the coming few months. For the “H” test you will be allotted 120 seconds and no mistakes at all.

STAGE 3 - EMERGENCY BRAKING: Here in this last stage, you have to be prepared for an emergency braking.

You need to stop for a few micro seconds and you need to move towards the exit. Here a maximum time of 30 seconds is given and here a rider cannot put his foot down or hit a kerb.

Only one stoppage is allowed.

THE TWO-WHEELER APPLICANTS FOR PERMANENT DRIVING LICENCE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THREE STAGES OF TESTS. STAGE1 - STRAIGHT DRIVE ON RAMP: This requires straight driving on

STAGE 2 - SERPENTINE TRACK: Here you have to 60 seconds to clear a serpentine track. Here too no mistakes are allowed.

An equally important fact needs to be mentioned here. Even though a person clears all his stages successfully, it does not mean that he or she gets a permanent driving licence. At the centre of the test track is something called an observation box where a traffic inspector will be sitting. While the cameras all around are tracking you for your progress,

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this inspector will be observing you for your behaviour. Yes, this is a behavioral observation room where the inspector can disqualify you if a biker is not wearing a helmet, has not buckled up the helmet properly, is not riding properly, etc. Also, if a car driver has not worn his or her seat belt, or has not been giving indicators where required or is talking on the mobile phone while driving, the applicant can be disqualified and will be asked to give another test at a later date.

Anybody keen to get both a twowheeler licence as well as a fourwheeler permanent licence can do so if he or she brings both vehicles to the test centre. Once the person is through with the car test, you need to take the car outside the centre and then bring in the two-wheeler.

It’s as simple as that. Once you are successful, you need to drop your RFID tag in a drop box and leave the test centre. If you fail, you need to drop your RFID tag in drop box and leave the test track. Then you need to book another appointment after a week.

Applicant attempting the Serpentine track for two-wheeler licence .

MAY 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 57

B2B NEWS

Valeo inaugurates a wiper motor manufacturing facility in Chennai Valeo India, part of the Euros 19.3 billion Valeo group of France, has inaugurated a wiper motor manufacturing facility at Vallam, Chennai. The plant will manufacture rear wiper motors catering to OEMs and the aftermarket segment in the country.

The Valeo Group has automotive business divisions spanning Comfort & Driving Assistance Systems, Powertrain systems, Thermal systems, Visibility Systems, Valeo Service and Heavy Commercial Vehicles (electrical and driving assistance). The wiper business is part of the Visibility Systems

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division. The Valeo Group is now a world-leading global automotive supplier operating in 33 countries and partnering with automakers worldwide.

This facility in Chennai with 1,200 square metres built-up area and 1,530 square metres of total area currently has the capacity to manufacture 500,000 units annually, with an option to increase to 750,000 units.

A first manual hybrid manufacturing line for Valeo across the globe, this plant is equipped with a traceability system, with a QR Code laser marking capability

for Process and Product traceability. In addition, the entire manufacturing line will be monitored with cameras for 100% process and product control.

Ashok Belani, Group President and Managing Director, Valeo India, said, “Setting up of another manufacturing facility in India reaffirms Valeo’s commitment to the Indian automotive industry.

Valeo’s wipers systems are already a leading product in the Indian aftermarket. Through this manufacturing facility, we aim to capture a significant market share, by bringing the complete range to cater to the needs of the

OEMs in our country.”

This new wiper motor manufacturing facility currently produces left hand motor to cater specifically to the OEM needs and has the capability to produce short and medium version of wiper motors.

Valeo’s wiper solutions are well known globally for its cuttingedge technologies for cleaning windshields, rear windows and optical sensors to offer excellent visibility. Specifically Valeo’s lightweight wiper systems help in reducing CO2 emissions, in addition to providing increased comfort and safety.

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B2B NEWS

BKT inaugurates digital training & information facility dedicated to tyres Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT, an India-based tyre manufacturer has inaugurated BKT Space, a digital training and information facility dedicated to tyres , at the Italian offices in Seregno. Visitors to the facility are greeted by a video of Arvind Poddar, Chairman and Managing Director of BKT. BKT Space has been conceived as a metaphorical and real journey through different themed rooms, letting visitors actively discover and experience the history, philosophy, values, products, challenges and even the future of BKT. INTERACTIVE TUNNEL – Stargate into the BKT world: where the journey to discover BKT begins.

The company’s history is showcased along this 7-meterlong tunnel full of digital tools for an in-depth analysis of BKT’s trajectory from foundation to the

present.

TIRE WORLD – a room all about the tyres: this space houses an interactive touch wall dedicated to several BKT product applications where visitors can explore the various business areas through photos and videos, including agricultural, industrial and earthmoving sectors. The room also has an interactive table that seats up to 8 people and a section dedicated to the raw materials used in tire manufacturing, whose history and function in the compound can be viewed.

VR SPACE – virtual trip to Bhuj: four VR stations let visitors take four different routes to explore BKT’s Bhuj plant (in the Indian state of Gujarat). Bhuj is renowned for prominently exemplifying a social factory, which houses not only the production but also the

entire BKT employees’ community, including recreation centers, common areas, healthcare center, school and various services.

SPORTS CENTRE – stadium seating: sport is the perfect vehicle for sharing the BKT values of teamwork, fair play and respect for the opponent.

For this reason, BKT sponsors major sporting events all over the world. This room is a tribute to sports and simulates stadium stands, where visitors can sit and enjoy BKT sporting videos.

GAME SPACE – where work becomes play: this section is equipped with video games

and a simulator of specialised machinery equipped with BKT tires, where visitors can work... yet nice and easy.

RELAX LOUNGE – a trip down memory lane: the company has never forgotten its roots and traditions and, while still looking ahead towards the future, it keeps very close ties with its past. This silent room honours this expansive connection in time and space. Without technology, the room is full of vibrant colours, tradition and representative cultural elements for an unexpected sensory experience.

Tata AutoComp to supply battery packs for EVs in India Tata AutoComp Systems, India’s leading auto-component conglomerate has signed a joint-venture with Chinese company Guoxuan Hi-Tech, to design, engineer, manufacture and supply battery packs for the Indian four-wheeler market.

The joint-venture company has started a prototype manufacturing operation in Pune, in the western Maharashtra. The prototype facility was inaugurated by Zhen Li, Chairman Guoxuan Hi-Tech and Arvind Goel, MD & CEO Tata AutoComp Systems Limited.

The joint venture company is now geared up to support the Indian EV OEMs. Tata AutoComp’s offerings to the emerging EV segment now include Batter Pack, Battery Cooling System, Battery Management System,

Radiator and DC Chargers.

Speaking on the occasion, Arvind Goel, MD & CEO, Tata AutoComp Systems Ltd. stated, “At Tata AutoComp, it is our endeavor to bring the latest technology and solutions to our customers. With the augment of Electric Vehicles, the need for battery packs would be significant and we see a huge opportunity in this market. We are pleased to have Guoxaun Hi-Tech

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as our partner, which has been offering cutting edge technology in Battery Packs.”

Zhen Li, Chairman, Guoxuan High-Tech, said “India and China face similar problems of growing aspirational population and increasing pollution. We believe that we must work towards sustaining the planet and are developing solutions for future energy needs such as Electric Vehicles. We are pleased to partner with Tata AutoComp, India’s leading auto-component company, which shares the same value system.”

MAY 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 59

B2B NEWS

Ather Energy announces entry into Chennai in June Ather Energy products will not be available in Chennai by June 2019. Chennai is the second city the company is entering after its commercial launch in Bengaluru in 2018. With this, Ather plans to be in 30 cities over the next couple of years.

As in the case of Bengaluru, Ather Energy will be introducing both its products 450 and 340, along with setting-up its public charging infrastructure, Ather Grid, across consumer-friendly locations such as cafes, malls, tech-parks, gyms, etc. To encourage adoption of EVs in the city, Ather Energy has announced free charging at Ather Points for all electric vehicles for the first six months.

Ather Energy reiterated its commitment to developing India’s charging ecosystem by announcing its pan-India association with Godrej Nature’s Basket recently. The partnership

will see Ather Energy setting-up its charging stations - Ather Point - at Godrej Nature’s Baskets’ 35 odd locations across the country.

The Ather 450 is designed for city riding conditions, it comes with a top speed of 80 km/hr, a range of 75 km and one of the quickest accelerations for the scooter category of 0-40 km/hr in 3.9 seconds. Also, for the first time in the category, Ather 450 comes with parking assist, which allows riders to reverse into tight parking spots.

The key differentiators of the Ather 450 are its intelligent features, seamless charging and ownership experience. The Ather 450 has a 7” touchscreen dashboard that allows onboard navigation with options of alternate routes and saved locations. It comes with the Ather app that enables push

navigation from the phone to the vehicle dashboard, remote monitoring of the vehicle’s health and charge status. Finally, with the over-the-air (OTA) updates

functionality, the vehicle is capable of improving over time with continuous upgrades and the addition of new features and functionalities.

PSA Groupe organises 2019 India Suppliers Summit in Chennai Groupe PSA further strengthened its commitment to the Indian market by organising a 2019 India Suppliers Summit in Chennai, soon after the Citroën brand launch in India. The summit witnessed participation of more than 500 Indian suppliers.

The supplier selection and retention in the Groupe PSA supplier base are guided by corporate and social responsibility criteria. The selected suppliers will have access to all Groupe PSA’s

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business opportunities worldwide, totalling Euros 42 billion in 2018.

Michelle Wen, Executive Vice President, Global Purchasing and Supplier Quality, Emmanuel Delay, Executive Vice President & Head of India-Pacific, Gilles Le Borgne, Senior Vice President, Engineering & Quality and Yann Vincent, Senior Vice President, Industrial SVP, Groupe PSA presented the group strategy not only for India but also for global programmes, including electric

and hybrid vehicles at the summit.

Michelle Wen said “In a context of fierce competition, Purchasing has a key role to play in terms of performance for projects and serial life production phases. We are looking for “QCD” (Quality, Cost & Delivery) performance, not only the lowest cost per part, but also TCO (Total Cost of Ownership). The Monosokuri approach, gathering engineering, manufacturing and purchasing will make the

difference towards competitors, and our sourcing with Indian suppliers will lead to newer verticals and opportunities to meet customer needs and respond to the technological shift. This summit also focuses on developing and integrating a broad network of Indian suppliers through encouraging collaborative product development, orchestrating and connecting information across the supply chain, and understanding an ecosystem of suppliers and partners within it.”

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B2B NEWS

TVS Motor Company launches 4 new products in Bangladesh TVS Motor Company has launched four new products in Bangladesh.

The products include premium motorcycle TVS Apache RTR 160 4V single disc, 125cc motorcycle TVS Max 125, 100cc motorcycle TVS Metro special edition and utility vehicle TVS XL100 Heavy Duty ‘i-Touch Start’. These products will target the growing customer demand in each of their respective segment.

TVS Motor Company distributes their two-wheelers through TVS Auto Bangladesh across the country.

TVS APACHE RTR 160 4V: TVS Apache RTR 160 4V single disc variant will be available in Carburetor version. The TVS Apache RTR 160 4V gets a 159.7 cc, single-cylinder, 4-stroke, 4-valve, oil-cooled engine that churns out 16.27hp@8000 rpm and 14.8 Nm @ 6500 rpm. The engine is mated to a 5-speed super-slick gear box that offers a precise and powerful riding experience.

TVS MAX 125: TVS Max 125 is a stylish motorcycle boasting of a 4-stroke engine with a 123.53cc displacement. The motorcycle engine delivers 10.86hp @8000rpm and a torque of 10.8Nm@5500rpm. Equipped with front disc brake, TVS Max 125 comes with telescopic front and series spring rear suspension.

TVS METRO SPECIAL EDITION: The TVS Metro special edition comes with stylish new graphics, longer seat and 3D Chrome logo. Adding further to the style element, the 100cc motorcycle, now has a new pillion handle and stylised mirrors. It will be

launched in KS Mag and ES Mag variants known as KLS and ELS respectively. The Econometer feature allows the rider to ride in Economy mode (Green) for the best mileage and Power Mode (Yellow) for the best power. The motorcycle comes with a 4-stroke Duralife engine with maximum power of 7.38hp @7500 rpm and maximum torque of 7.5ps@7500 rpm.

TVS XL100 HEAVY DUTY ‘I-TOUCH START’: TVS XL100 Heavy Duty ‘i-Touch Start’ comes with an innovative electric start technology called ‘i-Touch Start’.

The vehicle is also powered with

a high spark energy engine that provides solid performance with great pick up. It comes with 99.7cc four-stroke engine with maximum power 4.29hp @6000rpm and maximum torque 6.5Nm@3500rpm.

TVS XL100 Heavy Duty ‘i-Touch Start’has a wide platform with a detachable rear seat, USB mobile charger as an accessory and is equipped with Heavy duty ‘DuraGrip’ tyres. The utility vehicle is stylish with striking graphics, attractive LED Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) and sports a vibrant “Heavy Duty” logo.

Mahindra and Ford set to develop a compact SUV Mahindra Group and Ford Motor Company have taken the next step in strengthening their ongoing strategic alliance in India with a definitiveagreement to codevelop a midsize sports utility vehicle (SUV).Under the new agreement, Mahindra and Ford will work together to introduce

62 | MOTOWN INDIA | MAY 2019

a benchmarkproduct for India and emerging markets.The new agreement reinforces the steady progress made since the announcement of thestrategic alliance between the two companies in September 2017, followed by anannouncement on powertrain sharing and

connected car solutions in October 2018.The new compact SUV will have a common Mahindra product platformand powertrain, thus driving engineering and commercial efficiencies. The strategic alliance between the two companies is focused on leveraging the benefits of both

companies- Ford’s global reach and expertise and Mahindra’s scale and successful operating model in India. Teams from both companies continue to collaborate on all areas of mutual interest including electrification, distribution and product development.

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B2B NEWS

ZF wins multibillion dollar business from BMW for new 8-speed automatic transmission ZF Friedrichshafen AG has received an order from BMW AG for its enhanced 8-speed automatic transmission with a double digit billion value. The business is planned to run over a period of several years. The latest version of ZF’s 8-speed transmission – a technology which has been production since 2009 - has been optimized by integrating an electric drive. This also includes a hybrid variant.

The new transmission generation will start series production in 2022 at ZF’s plant in Saarbrücken, the lead production facility for ZF’s automatic passenger car transmissions. The company also plans to start production of the technology at further locations including the USA and China in the future.

“This business win is the largest single order in the history of ZF,” said ZF’s CEO

a modular construction using various starting elements, the new generation hybrid transmission offers a flexible solution which is suitable for all passenger cars – both conventional as well as electric.”

Wolf-Henning Scheider. “When it comes to the electrification of passenger cars, in addition to pure electric drives, it confirms our strategy to focus on plug-in hybrids as an every-day solution and to develop attractive products in these areas,” he added.

The new 8-speed automatic transmission can be installed in almost all vehicle classes with a front-longitudinal drive

configuration. A technical innovation of the upgraded transmission is the integration of the electric drive. “We have consistently optimised our 8-speed automatic transmission according to future e-mobility requirements,” explained Michael Hankel, member of the ZF Board of Management responsible among other areas for transmission technology and e-mobility, adding that “With

Hankel continued: “The order was based on the fact that the customer sees our technology as a sustainable drive solution for its vehicles which supports them in achieving CO2 targets.

In addition, the possibility to easily change from one transmission variant to another allows our customer the flexibility to react to market requirements.

“The order also reinforces the importance of our global production network. Following the start of production in Saarbrücken in 2022, we will also manufacture this next generation transmission for further customers at our locations in Gray Court, USA, and Shanghai, China,” added Hankel.

Volkswagen Group to merge all passenger car entities in India The Volkswagen Group has announced its intent to merge its three Indian subsidiaries: Volkswagen India Private Ltd (VWIPL), Volkswagen Group Sales India Private Ltd (NSC) and Skoda Auto India Private Ltd (SAIPL). The merger has been considered and approved by the Boards of the three companies in India and is now subject to the necessary regulatory and statutory approvals.

The restructuring of the

Volkswagen Group companies in India is an important milestone in the Skoda--led ‘INDIA 2.0’ project of the Volkswagen Group. The proposed merger of the three companies will make more efficient use of the existing synergies in developing this important growth market.

The Volkswagen Group brands: Volkswagen, Skoda, Audi, Porsche and Lamborghini, will maintain their individual identities, dealer network and customer experience

initiatives. However, the brands will work under the leadership of Gurpratap Boparai with a common strategy for the Indian market.

Gurpratap Boparai, Managing Director, Volkswagen India Private Ltd and Skoda Auto India Private Ltd commented, “India is an important and an attractive growth market for the Volkswagen Group. With the proposed merger, we intend to combine the technical and

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managerial expertise of the three companies to unlock the Volkswagen Group’s true potential in India’s competitive automotive market. The integration will lead to coordinated and faster decision making and increased efficiency using existing synergies.”

In July 2018, the Volkswagen Group confirmed investments of Rs 8,000 crore (EUR 1 billion) in the ‘INDIA 2.0’ project.

MAY 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 63

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

Bajaj Qute quadricycle launched for `2.48 lakh Bajaj Auto has launched Qute, a Quadricycle in the state of Maharashtra. The launch of Qute comes in line with the acceptance of the ‘Quadricycle’ as a new category from the government of Maharashtra. It will provide an urban mobility alternative to first and last mile transport in the state.

The petrol variant of Bajaj Qute has been launched for Rs 2,48,061 and the CNG version for Rs 2,78,492 (ex-showroom Maharashtra). The petrol vehicle can be bought for personal use while the CNG variant is for commercial purpose.

A Quadricycle is a 4-wheel motor vehicle designed in response to evolving requirements of low running

cost, eco-friendly and safe alternative to intra city commute by optimising size, weight and speed.

Qute is powered by a lightweight 216cc 4-valve water-cooled DTSi engine with closed loop fuel injection system resulting in higher fuel efficiency of 43 km/kg (CNG) and 35 kmpl (Petrol). It is easy to drive because of dash mounted sequential shift gears.

The turning radius of 3.5m makes it easy to maneuver in city traffic and its small footprint helps in parking in tight spaces. Qute also provides weather

protection from sun and rain. It has 12-inch alloy wheels and a high strength monocoque body.

Qute has enough storage space in spite of its small size. It’s also eco-friendly with at least 40% lower

carbon emissions than any car.

Qute is low on maintenance cost which makes it suitable for daily commuting and will be available in following 6 colors -Eco Green, Neptune Blue, Golden Yellow, Arctic White, Bright Red and Jet Black.

Women opt for driving Eicher City Midi Bus Women today are opting driving as full-time profession. The absolute number may be smaller, but more and more women are taking interest in being professional trainers at driving

64 | MOTOWN INDIA | MAY 2019

schools and dealerships.

Yogita Bhaskar Mane and Chitra Ramrao Shikre, who opted bus driving as full-time occupation are driving buses at least 200 kms per day on roads of Navi Mumbai and are proud of their achievements.

They both hail from Mumbai.

These women encountered several issues initially but soon, people around them started respecting their decision once they saw their performance.

Hired under the Tejaswini bus scheme for women, the two lady drivers are effectively driving Eicher Skyline PRO Midi buses.

The scheme basically tends to provide a safer and more comfortable commute for working women. Everything from the bus to the staff is adapted for women empowerment. The buses being run are Eicher Skyline PRO City Buses build on the Midi platform.

The biggest advantage that the Eicher Skyline PRO Bus bring was the advance AMT (Automated Manual transmission) which eliminates the clutch paddle and frequent gear shifting, improve product mileageand make the life of the driver easy. Apart from AMT the bus also has features

like tilt and telescoping steering, roll down drive side window on the full length driver door and 3 ways adjustable driver seat for ergonomics and comfort during the long duty hours. A big safety feature is the Hill Start Assist (HSA) which is effectively used in a city like Mumbai which has numerous flyovers and heavy traffic conditions. ..

These features further make the product much more comfortable and safe even women’s can drive it so easily According to Ms Mane and Ms Shikre, they initially took a three months training in manual driving and later were trained by Eicher extensively for automatic transmission vehicles.

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COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

Mahindra first Indian brand to roll out 3 million tractors Mahindra & Mahindra announced that it had become the first Indian tractor brand to rollout 3 million tractors.

Mahindra is currently the world’s largest farm tractor manufacturer by volume and India’s leading tractor manufacturer for over three decades.

The company achieved this manufacturing milestone during March 2019. This has further cemented Mahindra’s leadership in the Indian market.

It is also the first Indian tractor manufacturer to have produced over 200,000 tractors in 201819, the highest-ever by an Indian tractor brand in a single financial year.

Having rolled-out its first tractor back in 1963 through a

joint venture with International Harvester Inc, Mahindra & Mahindra crossed its 1-million units production mark in 2004.

The company then went on to become the world’s highest selling farm tractor brand by volume in 2009. The Mahindra Farm Division then completed its 2-million units production mark 9-years later in 2013, achieving the next million units in just 6years in 2018-19, inclusive of exports, reinforcing the trust that millions of farmers repose in the brand.

Mahindra has over 14 tractor manufacturing and assembly units worldwide.

Today Mahindra has one of the most comprehensive tractor portfolios in the industry, including Mahindra’s nextgeneration tractor

platforms – the Mahindra JIVO, Mahindra YUVO and the Mahindra NOVO. The entire range of products helps serve the diverse needs of farmers – from land preparation to harvesting as well as postharvesting requirements.

For over 70 years Mahindra & Mahindra has developed tractors that allow for multifunctional use in the domestic market, as well as in over 40 countries in 6continents, with the U.S being its largest market outside India. Today

Swaraj Tractors crosses 15 lakh units production milestone Swaraj Tractors, a part of the Mahindra Group announced that it had crossed a production milestone of 15 lakh tractors since its inception over four decades ago.

Swaraj produced over 1,20,000 tractors in financial year 2018-19 itself. Swaraj achieved the first 5 lakh tractor production milestone in 28 years in 2002. The second 5 lakh figure was completed over the next 11 years in 2013. The next additional 5 lakh production milestone was achieved in just 5 years wherein the tractor maker has reached the 15lakh units’ milestone.

Swaraj has three manufacturing units (including a foundry) and an R&D centre, all located in Punjab. The 15th lakh tractor to roll out from the production line was the Swaraj 735FE, one of the company’s highest selling models. Swaraj currently manufactures tractors in the range of 15HP to 65HP and provides comprehensive farming solutions for the Indian market.

Mahindra Bolero Pick up range crosses 1.5 lakh mark in domestic sales in FY’19 Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd announced that its pick-up vehicle range touched a new milestone, crossing the 1.5 lakh mark in domestic sales during FY-2019. The Mahindra pick up range has sold 1,62,000 vehicles in FY-2019, compared to 1,49,121 vehicles in FY-2018, registering a 9% growth. This is the highest ever annual sales growth for Mahindra’s Pickup range since its launch. Mahindra introduced the first AC pick up, first 4x4 pickup, first Double Cabin Pick up, the first CNG pick up and the first Micro Hybrid Pick up over a period, to maintain its market leadership. There are four brands namely, Bolero Pick Up, Bolero Maxi Truck, Bolero Camper & Imperio. Each brand offers a unique value proposition and is targeted at different customer segments to match their specific needs. The company also have specialised variants in the range such as the 4WD Pickups, CBC Pickups, and customised solutions to offer the desired value to its customers.

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MAY 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 65

INTERVIEW

&A with

ANIRUDDH NANDI Director (Technical), S-CCI India Pvt. Ltd.

SCAN TO VIEW THE VIDEO

What is S-CCI and what products do you make? Which are the companies that you cater to?

S- CCI India Pvt. Ltd. is a joint venture company with CCI corporation of Japan. We started operations way back in 1985 and we are the first company to bring coolants in India. Since then we have been manufacturing and supplying to almost all OEMs in India.

We are supplying to Maruti Suzuki since 1985, plus we are supplying to Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Tata Motors,MAN Trucks and almost all automobile manufacturers in India.We have almost 80pc share in the OEM market in India and also in the replacement market we are supplying almost 60pc of the

66 | MOTOWN INDIA | MAY 2019

requirement.

How many plants do you have in India? Tell us a little about them.

This is our main plant from where we cater to all the OEM requirements; we call it the Bhavadi Plant. We have another plant in Sitarganj, Uttarakhand which is mainly for the replacement market requirements. In the Bhivadi plant we have a production capacity of more than 20,000kl per annum, in a single shift basis.

Do you have any plans for expansion?

We are now setting up a plant in Mehsana, Gujarat because many OEMs have come up in

the region includingSuzuki Motor Corporation, Ford and Tata Motors. The Gujarat plant will be ready by 2020 and we will be starting production from there.We also have a future plan to set up a plant in Chennai and have already procured land there.

What products do you manufacture and which one sells the most?

Our main products are the antifreeze coolant and brake fluid. We are supplying brake fluid also to all the major OEMs like Maruti, Toyota, Honda and Nissan. Maruti is completely using our brake fluid for their domestic and export vehicles and so are Tata and Honda. We also have other products like

windshield washer which is also being used by almost all the OEMs now.Our new product that was launched last year is the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) which is required for all Euro 6 vehicles.

Do you plan to expand upon your product range? Are you working on any new products?

We have already set up amanufacturing facility for engine oils and will be shortly starting the production too. We are already in talks with Tata Motors for the same. There are many major players in this segment but since our company is very well established with all these automobile companies through other products like coolant and brake fluids, they

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INTERVIEW

“We have been working on an electric vehicle anti-freeze coolant. Although the engine construction is different for electric vehicles, they require a lot of cooling because the batteries generate a lot of heat.

We have successfully developed a coolant and are already conducting trials with two major companies in India.In fact, the product is almost in the final stage.We will be supplying to BYD which will be coming up India with an electric vehicle. ” know our capability and our technical facilities. We are sure that we willenjoy success even with engine oils. After this we have a plan for radiator flush and other radiator products too.

Do you package the final product yourself or do you outsource it?

In this plant we have a very good backward integration for all the packaging. In fact all the components that are required for small packing like - the HDPE can, the cap, the label, sealing wad and master carton, all of these things we have a facility to manufacture in-house. We have our own label manufacturing plant, carton plant, blow molding and injection molding plant.

So as a result, the qualityof the packages is very high forour products.In fact we don’t haveto depend on any outside vendor which gives us a very good flexibility in terms of logistics and we can keep the cost in check.

Do you conduct R&D in-house or is the data sourced from outside?

This is a joint venture with CCI, so we get all the technical know-how and technical help from CCI Corporation.

But we also have set-up our own research and development center where we can develop products as per the local requirements.

Performance of the coolant

is very much dependent on the atmospheric conditions, engine construction, the metallurgy of theengines and many other things. So a coolant used abroad may not be 100pc suitable for India.Thus, wehave to do a lot of fine-tuning of the products in our own R&D and we havedeveloped many good products, like withTata Motors. We have also achieved a very good breakthrough in manufacturing coolants for the tractor segment.

Earlier tractors were not using coolants because it was an extra expense for them. But now almost all tractor manufacturers are using coolant and even in the replacement market people have started using coolant for tractors. It is an indigenously developed product.

Furthermore, we have good products for off-road vehicles like vehicles used in mines or any other construction equipment.

What amount of raw materials are you importing from other countries? Are you also exporting products to other countries?

We are importing chemicals for brake fluids and coolant from USA, Germany and China.

We go for the best quality of the particular chemical we require. Suppose we require chemical ‘A’, then we find whichever is the best source for it, from around

the world. We always see to it that the quality is never compromised. The material may be available in India but the quality may not be up to standards. Our imports are almost around fifty to sixty percent of thetotal raw material consumption.We have some exports, mainly in the neighboring countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Oman.Then we have a very specific export requirement from Tata Motors who have a plant in South Africa.

Are you ready with products that can cater to the EV market?

Yes, in the last two years we have been working on an electric vehicle anti-freeze coolant. Although the engine construction is different for electric vehicles, they require a lot of cooling because the batteries generate a lot of heat. We have successfully developed a coolant and are already conducting trials with two major companies in India.In fact, the product is almost in the final stage.

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We will be supplying to BYD which will be coming up India with an electric vehicle. Then there are some passenger car manufacturers for whom we have developed a product.

As and when the OEMs start manufacturing EVs in full swing, we will be ready with our coolant for them.

Could you explain the advantages of using a coolant in place of water?

Day by day the engines are becoming more compact and the power of the engine is increasing. Companies are also reducing the weight of the whole engine using lighter metals. Earlier, materials like cast iron were used but now they’re using aluminum and alloys which are very prone to corrosion.

One function of the coolant is cooling and anti-freezing while another function is corrosion prevention of all the metals that are used in the cooling system. So those things ar every critical for new generation vehicles and there is no vehicle which can run without a proper coolant.

Coolant usage will increase the life of the engine, fuel efficiency and there will be no overheating or boil over. It is said that the number one cause for any vehicle failure is the cooling system failures, so if the cooling system runs perfectly okay then the life of the vehicle also increases drastically.

MAY 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 67

INTERVIEW

&A with

DINESH TYAGI Director, iCAT

What are your views on the current and future technological trends in the automotive industry?

Innovations in the automotive industry are transforming the technology trends in new areas such as E-mobility, autonomous driving, smart infotainment, connected vehicle and lightweight design.

The fundamental trends are driven by core issues related to sustainability, efficiency, cost saving and environmental factors globally. I believe that we would witness a paradigm shift in terms of how these vehicles propel and interact with the environment around them.

What is NuGen Mobility Summit and how was the idea conceived?

NuGen is a biennial event that is going to be organised at ICAT Center-2 from November 27 to 29, 2019. The word ‘NuGen’ is derived from the concept of new generation trends and technologies.

The idea of NuGen came to my mind while I was conceptualizing an event centered on disruptive

68 | MOTOWN INDIA | MAY 2019

technologies in the space of mobility.

How is NuGen important to the automotive industry and innovators?

NuGen will pave the way for world class innovation which would bring about a paradigm shift in the way that we look at vehicles. This event would provide a great platform for all participants to showcase their disruptive innovations and products. It would also provide the Indian auto industry an opportunity to understand global advancements in these areas.

What will be the major attractions of Nugen?

Our focus is to make this event as much interactive and intrusive as possible.

Keeping this in view, we have incorporated events like track demos, touch-andfeel opportunities, vehicle ride sessions in addition to technical conferences on topics like Alternative Fuels, Connected Vehicles, Intelligent Transportation, e-mobility etc. which are futuristic solutions.

Apart from these events,

we are also inviting a large number of subject matter experts in relevant areas of work in order to share their knowledge. The conference will aim to strengthen the engineering community and bridge the gap among students, research scholars, scientists and engineers from leading academic institutions and domain experts of the domestic and global automotive industry.

Intelligent Transportation system, E-mobility, Hydrogen Propulsion (including Hydrogen Generation, Hydrogen Fuel Cells and Hydrogen IC engine), Connected Mobility, Shared Mobility , Light weighting, End of life – vehicles (ELV) and Vehicle Dynamics. We strongly believe that all these domains are important and these areas would see huge technological shifts in coming years.

How is NuGen different from other conferences and summits?

As the name suggests, NuGen would concentrate on new technologies and their presentation to the target audience along with the opportunity to actually experience them on tracks and labs for a better and meaningful appreciation of these technologies.

How many technical papers will be presented at the event?

We expect around 120 shortlisted technical papers to be presented. A Technical Review Committee has been constituted comprising of around 50 experts working in various organizations and Institutes to review and shortlist these papers.

What are the technology areas that are covered in NuGen? The NuGen Mobility Summit 2019 would exclusively focus on topics like; Alternative Fuels, Connected Vehicles,

How many people would be attending this event?

There would be more than 2500 people who would attend our event. This includes dignitaries from the automotive industry, academia and Govt. agencies.

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TECHNOLOGY

CONTINENTAL MK C1 brake system reduces CO2 emissions of hybrid vehicles by around 5 g When it comes to the CO2 emissions of cars, the clock is ticking ever louder: In the EU, newly registered vehicles from a manufacturer’s fleet will be allowed to emit only 95 g of carbon dioxide (CO2) per kilometer on average from as early as 2021. Every gram of CO2 over the limit will cost manufacturers Euros 95 – and that figure then has to be multiplied by the number of vehicles sold.

Against the backdrop of stricter CO2 legislation around the world, the focus right now is on reducing emissions gram by gram. In the U.S.A., a maximum of only 121 g/km has been stipulated by 2020.

This figure is 117 g/km in China and 105 g/km in Japan.

Besides the powertrain, other vehicle systems are required to play their part in emissions reduction, such as the brake system.

At the Auto Shanghai in China technology company Continental presented the results of a recent TÜV-certified test. “Here, the MK C1 electrohydraulic brake-bywire brake system, installed in a standard plug-in hybrid vehicle from the D-segment class, reduced CO2 emissions by around 5 g/km on average compared with a conventional – non-brakeby-wire – hybrid brake system,” said Matthias Matic, head of the Vehicle Dynamics business unit of the Chassis & Safety division at Continental.

The measurements were taken on a dynamometer test in accordance with the WLTP (Worldwide harmonized Light

vehicle Test Procedure), the globally valid measurement procedure for determining the exhaust emissions and fuel/ electricity consumption of motor vehicles, and were supervised by the TÜV experts present.

During each of the three test runs, the vehicle with the MK C1 recovered 160 Wh of additional electrical energy on average in the deceleration phases of the individual cycle – around 32 percent more than the system in comparison. The MK C1 makes this possible by enabling consistent use of the electric motor as a generator during braking. The intelligent hybrid control can then use the additional electricity generated in this way for fuel-efficient driving, thereby reducing CO2 emissions and fuel consumption.

In a hybrid vehicle, the seamless transition (brake blending) from regenerative braking (recuperation) to mechanical friction brakes is subject to limitations. The problem with a conventional hybrid brake system, complete with tandem main cylinder, brake booster and control system as separate main components, lies in the lack of pedal decoupling.

This is also the case in the plug-in hybrid tested. “Here, recuperation potential is also thrown away in the series configuration. By contrast, the brake pedal in the MK C1 is usually completely decoupled from pressure generation.

Therefore the driver always has a uniform pedal feel. The full use can be made of recuperation phases – saving CO2 as a result,”

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said Marcus Bletz, senior expert in regenerative braking in the Vehicle Dynamics business unit.

EFFICIENCY AND DYNAMISM IN A SINGLE MODULE Calculated for an electric vehicle with an energy consumption of 18 kWh/100 km, the increase in the efficiency of the MK C1 documented in the test alone would equate to a 4 percent increase in range based on a 500-kilometer route – in other words, almost 20 kilometers.

At the same time, the MK C1 has safety advantages: The electromechanically generated full brake pressure reached within 150 ms, allowing advanced driver assistance systems or automated vehicles to be brought to a standstill more.

MAY 2019 | MOTOWN INDIA | 69

At a unique event, Hyundai’s new compact SUV, the Venue, was unveiled to Indian journalists in the middle of the Arabian Sea! Yes, the new Hyundai Venue was unveiled in April 2019 on a cruise ship which made its way from Mumbai port to Goa. Photography: P.Tharyan

PICTURE OF THE MONTH

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Explore the backwaters of Kerala

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Experience motorised fun without wheels

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