VOL-12 • ISSUE-1 & 2 • OCT-NOV 2021 • `300/-
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INDIA FIRST DRIVE
MG ASTOR
FIRST DRIVE
FIRST RIDE
2021 FORCE GURKHA
TVS JUPITER 125
FEATURES
SHERP N 1200
REVIEWS: VOLKSWAGEN TAIGUN | MAHINDRA BOLERO NEO | BENELLI IMPERIALE | ROYAL ENFIELD CLASSIC 350 | DETEL EASY PLUS
QUBIT X2 E-BICYCLE
P. THARYAN (ROY) EDITOR
PUNNOOSE THARYAN (ROY)
ptharyan@motownindia.com -----------------------------------------News Coordinator - Jisha P Sr. Correspondent - Aki Paul Video Editor - Ramesh Kumar Content Manger - Vrinda Desai Digital In-charge Naveen Kumar Web Correspondents - Avdesh Kumar, Seema Paul Photo Journalist - Afsar Beg -----------------------------------------FOR EDITORIAL CONTACT editorial@motownindia.com, editorial.motown@gmail.com -----------------------------------------FOR MARKETING & SALES CONTACT Head-Operations - Jisha P jisha@motownindia.com, +91-9958125645 advertising@motownindia.com, advertising.motown@gmail.com -----------------------------------------FOR ACCOUNTS CONTACT editorial.motown@gmail.com -----------------------------------------Office Executive - Ravinder -----------------------------------------EDITORIAL DELHI OFFICE 4058 / D-4, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi-110070 -----------------------------------------EDITORIAL CONTENT The publisher makes every effort to ensure that the contents in the magazine are correct. However, he can accept no responsibility for any effects from errors or omissions. Any unauthorised reproduction of Motown India content is strictly forbidden. -----------------------------------------Motown India is owned by Motown Publications Private Limited and published from 4058 / D-4, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi-110070. Motown India magazine is printed at Pearl Printers, C-105, Okhla Phase - 1, New Delhi - 110020 -----------------------------------------This issue of Motown India magazine contains 88 pages including both covers. -----------------------------------------EDITORIAL ADVISORS Alexander T. & Annie Jacob
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T
he digital craze has grown to gigantic proportions. The printed word has been virtually replaced by the digital word. News and views are now churned out at the speed of lightening. Paid promotions and paid boosts define the success of any entity that wants to see itself successful on the
social media platform. The rest is managed by algorithms that ensure the popularity of posts and views on these digital platforms. In the midst of this digital frenzy, the print media has taken a huge hit, almost being relegated to the dustbin of history. In the midst of this digital onslaught, automotive magazines have been hit badly. Prices of paper and printing have sky rocketed. To make matters worse, circulation of automotive companies has hit its nadir. In order to make themselves attractive to advertisers (automotive companies), print magazines indulge in exaggerating their circulation figures. But the stark reality is that very few people are reading print auto magazines. In order to survive in this tough environment, magazines require deep pockets and Editors who can double up as savvy marketing guys. If any Editor lacks the wily nature of a smiling salesman, he is bound to fail. In the past, several auto magazines, including global brands have failed miserably in India. Motown India is celebrating its 11th anniversary issue and we are taking this moment to announce that it will be our last print edition. We shall continue to exist as a media entity and have our own digital presence with our own website and a strong presence on various social media platforms. We shall continue bringing out our monthly e-magazine. We look forward to a new beginning! We wish our readers a very happy Deepawali. May prosperity shine on you and your families!
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1,40,000 SUBSCRIBERS & GROWING ORGANICALLY! NOVEMBER 2021 | MOTOWN INDIA | 3
ADVERTORIAL
MG Astor has first
T
he new MG Astor has a first-insegment Autonomous (Level 2) technology also referred to as ADAS or Advanced Driver Assistance Systems.
ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL Adaptive Cruise Control or ACC detects vehicle with help of camera and radar sensors. The condition to activate ACC is that you need a minimum speed of 30kmph. When ACC is activated the indication on the instrument cluster turns green. Let’s assume your target speed is 80km ph, then while cruising at 80kmph it detects a car in front and the latter reduces its speed below 80kmph. The ACC gets to work and reduces you car speed and as the car in front picks up speeds up, your car too speeds up and if the car in front speeds up beyond 80kmph, your car maintains the 80kmph speed as set by you for cruising. ACC can also maintain time to collision with the vehicle ahead by rotating the switch. To adjust the distance you can toggle between 3 distance settings--one
Blind Spot Detection
second, 1.4 seconds and 1.8 seconds. Also interestingly, if the vehicle in front comes to a standstill and moves forward within 3 seconds then your vehicle automatically starts and follows. And in case it takes more than 3 seconds, you car remains stationery but if you move the ACC
lever switch to resume position or lightly step on the accelerator pedal, you can resume following the car.
REAR DRIVE ASSIST There are different kinds of blind spots. All these fall under the Rear Drive Assist functions that can be selected from the infotainment screen under the ‘Driving Assistant’ head. You just have to shift this function as well as the Blind Spot Detection function to the ‘On’ position on the touch screen. BSD is enabled. The system monitors both the left and right of the vehicle. Your vehicle speed should be above 30kmph. If there is a vehicle in the blind zone of your vehicle, a warning lamp glows on the corresponding ORVM and this will glow continuously till
ADVERTORIAL
-in-segment ADAS the vehicle passes by.
The lane functions get activated only after the vehicle crosses 60kmph. They work between 60 to 180 kmph and most important, these functions will not work if there are no lanes or there are poor markings on the road. In India that could be a challenge.
LANE CHANGE ASSIST (LCA) is also part of Rear Drive Assist. This function starts monitoring 70 metres behind your vehicle. Again the vehicle has to be above 30kmph speed. Now if a vehicle from behind is approaching your vehicle at a speed which is faster than your vehicle, and you intend to change your lane with a turn indicator, then the approaching vehicle if it enters the detection area of the corresponding rear radar, warning lights come on the respective ORVM. REAR CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT OR RCTA: It needs to be enabled on the touch screen. Now think of a situation where you are backing your car at a speed less than 10kmph and the speed of the other vehicle that is being monitored is above 10kmph. Keep in mind that the radars at the rear can monitor up to 5 metres behind your vehicle and a much as 40 metres from the side of the vehicle. You will get a warning on the screen and also on the respective ORVM. RCTA works only if your vehicle is less than 10kmph and the speed of the vehicle that is being monitored is more than 10kmph.
LANE ASSIST MODES LANE DEPARTURE WARNING (LDW) is one of the functions of Lane Assist modes. These can be selected from the Infotainment screen. Here again you can select modes like High, Medium and Low. When LDW is activated, a yellow illumination will be displayed on the instrument cluster. When you vehicle gets past the 60kmph speed, it becomes green indicating the LDW is active. For this feature to function properly, you need to have marked lines on the roads. The car has to detect these lanes. Once these are detected, it reflects on the MID in the instrument cluster. Now if you
SPEED ASSIST SYSTEM With Speed Assist System, the car can warn you for speed warning. The Advanced Driver Assistant System or ADAS camera of the vehicle detects a speed limit sign and the same speed is displayed on the instrument cluster. If the vehicle were to exceed the speed limit, a visual warning will flash on the instrument cluster.
are to move to the next lane without any indicator, a visual warning will be given to the instrument cluster with red illumination along with acoustic and haptic warning. Since haptic involves touch and motion stimulated with technology, here in this case when the vehicle strays to the left or right, the steering wheel vibrates and passes on a tactile alert to the driver. LANE DEPARTURE PREVENTION: When you activate this, if the vehicle tends to depart from the original lane without any indicator, the system will aid applying corrective steering intervention. There will also be a warning on the MID screen. LANE KEEP ASSIST: Once you activate this function, it’s like the ultimate lane discipline. LKA will always maintain the vehicle position in centre of the lane by using corrective steering intervention. In the absence of steering input from the driver for 20 sec or more, the system will display warning. If still no response from driver, the system will turn off.
MANUAL MODE: In Manual Mode under Speed Assist System, the system will actively intervene and keep the vehicle speed within the speed limit set by you. Manual mode works at min speed of 30kmph. INTELLIGENT MODE: In the Intelligent mode under Speed Assist System or SAS, once you activate it, when the vehicle passes a speed limit sign for example it shows 70kmph on the sign board on the road and the vehicle is travelling at 70 or more, it will automatically bring down speed just a notch below 70kmph. The speed limit indication displays the real time speed limit value on the MID or the multi information display screen within the instrument cluster. Whenever the speed limit changes to a lower speed limit, the car will automatically decrease its speed. And if the speed limit changes to a higher speed limit, you will have to use the accelerator pedal to increase the speed. This intelligent mode will detect min speed limit sign of 40kmph. SCAN THE QR CODE TO SEE ADAS AT WORK
CONTE NTS V O L 1 2 | I S S U E 1 & 2 | O C T- N O V 2 0 2 1
10
CAR NEWS
All-New Force Gurkha priced at `13,59,000
12
BIKE NEWS
All-new BMW C 400 GT premium midsize scooter launched at `9.95 lakh
14 ON THE COVER MG ASTOR
MG Astor will not only be India’s first SUV with personal AI assistant, it will also be the first-in-segment to have Autonomous (Level 2) technology. Astor is based on MG’s successful global platform, ZS.
WHEELZ & ROADZ 24
2021 FORCE GURKHA
32
VOLKSWAGEN TAIGUN
40
MAHINDRA BOLERO NEO
44
TVS JUPITER 125
50
BENELLI IMPERIALE
56
ROYAL ENFIELD CLASSIC 350
66 FEATURES & TRAVEL SHERP N 1200
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THE UKRAINIAN BEAST When I landed up in Manesar for the Sherp experience, I kept staring at its mammoth shape and structure.
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CAR NEWS
MG ASTOR SOLD OUT FOR 2021: 5000 UNITS TO BE DELIVERED IN 2021 MG Motor India which opened bookings for the Astor SUV, managed to sell its entire quota within minutes. The deliveries of the Astor will commence from November 1, 2021. The carmaker aims to deliver 5000 units within this year. The customers can now book Astor for 2022 through the company’s official website or by visiting an authorised MG showroom. MG Motor India recently launched the mid-size SUV MG Astor with India’s first personal AI assistant and first-in-segment Autonomous (Level 2) technology, at a special introductory price of Rs. 9.78 lakh. The MG Astor is positioned in the premium mid-size SUV segment. Customers can choose between variants starting from Style, going up to Super, Smart, and the top-of-the-line Sharp. The SUV is available in two petrol engine options: VTi-Tech and 220 Turbo. The VTi-Tech engine will have a manual transmission and CVT option. Prices for the VTi-Tech is in the of Rs 9.78 lakh to Rs 14.98 lakh range. The 220 Turbo comes with only an Automatic Transmission and two trim levels --Smart (Rs15.88 lakh) and Sharp (Rs 16.78 lakh). (MG Astor review on page 14)
TATA MOTORS DRIVES IN TIGOR EV SEDAN AT `11.99 LAKH The new Tigor EV sedan from Tata Motors is a pure electric vehicle and it costs Rs 11.99 lakh (ex showroom) onward. The Tata Tigor electric car comes with an ARAI-certified range of 306 kms (under standard testing conditions) and will be available in three trim options – XE, XM, XZ+ (XZ+ Dual Tone option available). The top end costs Rs 13.14 lakh ex showroom.
crash suited structure, the car is compatible with globally acceptable CCS2 charging protocol and can be fast-charged as well as slowcharged from any 15 A plug point. The Tigor EV is no different in looks when compared to its IC engine sibling, the only different being the EV and Ziptron badging.
The Tigor EV has also got a GNCAP 4 star crash test safety rating for adult and for child protection it has got one star less. The Tigor EV features Tata Motors’ proprietary high voltage EV architecture, Ziptron. The hatch delivers a peak power output of 55 kW and a peak torque of 170 Nm and is powered by a 26-kWh liquid-cooled, high energy density battery pack and an IP 67 rated battery pack and motor to make it weather and worry-proof. The impact-resistant battery pack casing of Tigor EV complies with AIS-048 standard for nail penetration at cell Level. Based on a proven platform with rear
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NOVEMBER 2021 | MOTOWN INDIA | 7
ADVERTORIAL
HYUNDAI ALCAZAR
RAISING The HYUNDAI ALCAZAR launched recently is being offered as a seven- seater as well as a six-seater with captain seats. The three trim levels include Prestige, Platinium and the top end Signature. The Hyundai Alcazar comes with two engine options – 2.0L Petrol MPi engine (6AT/ 6MT) and 1.5L Diesel CRDi engine (6AT/6MT).
SMART ROAD PRESENCE The Hyundai Alcazar looks imposing, yet attractive. The dark chrome exterior finish on the large signature cascading grille lends immense character to the vehicle. The trio beam LED headlamps, LED positioning lamps, crescent glow LED DRLs and LED turn indicators on ORVMs simply enhance its overall personality. The R18 diamond cut alloy wheels, flared wheel arches, sporty rear with LED tail lamps, shark fin antenna and rear spoiler, all add to the vehicle’s smart road presence.
LARGE PANORAMIC SUNROOF The voice enabled smart panoramic sunroof is a window to the skies above. Day or night, one can immerse oneself in the breathtaking view outside.
BLIND VIEW MONITOR The Alcazar has raised the bar when it comes to safety. The Blind View Monitor (BVM) displayed on the instrument cluster stands out for its innovative nature. The Blind View Monitor assists you while changing lanes as it provides a live view of the blind spots on either side of the vehicle.
COCKPIT INSPIRED INTERIOR As you step inside, you are mesmerised by the smart cockpit inspired interior design. The premium dual tone cognac brown interiors and the piano black interior finish with the Bose premium sound system (8 Speaker) that delivers a “Theatre like Experience” all add to a feeling of exuberance and perfection. Driving is sheer delight with the D-Cut Steering Wheel and Perforated Gear Knob.
ADVERTORIAL
THE BAR VERSATILE SEATS • Hyundai is offering 6 and 7 seat configurations on Alcazar with 6 seat layout featuring 2nd row captain seats. Indulgence is at its best in the Signature variant with ventilated front seats and an 8 way Power driver seat. • The second row captain seats offer immense comfort in terms of space. The front row seatback table with retractable cup holder & IT device holder comes handy for the occupants in this row and the rear window sunshade enhances your privacy and protects you from the harsh rays of the Indian sun. • Since the 2nd row seats come with one touch tip and tumble feature, ingress and egress to the 3rd row is a breeze. • The third row twin seats are spacious and comfortable with its own 3rd row AC with 3 stage speed control knob and USB chargers, along with cup holders.
Camping mode
BLUELINK INFOTAINMENT SCREEN & INSTRUMENT CLUSTER Both the 26.03 cm (10.25”) multi display digital cluster and the 26.03 cm (10.25”) HD touchscreen infotainment system are bright and crystal clear, each with a plethora of critical functions
Like all modern Hyundai cars, the Alcazar too has the Advanced Hyundai Blue Link (connected-car technology) which is accessible through BlueLink app that can be installed on your smartphone or smart watch. Besides being able to perform a lot of operations remotely, you can also interact with the car once you are inside by saying “Hello BlueLink”. There more than 60 connected features.
CAR NEWS
TATA PUNCH SUB COMPACT SUV PRICES START AT `5.49 LAKH Tata Motors has launched the Tata Punch, India’s first sub-compact SUV, at a starting price of Rs 5.49 lakh. The company had recently announced that the Punch has got a Global NCAP 5-star rating (16.453) for adult occupant protection and 4-starrating (40.891) for child occupant protection. It will be available both in Manual (MT) and Automatic (AMT) transmission options, in 4 distinct personas with - Pure, Adventure, Accomplished and Creative, to cater to the varied lifestyle of its customers. The MT variants will cost Rs 5.49 lakh for the Pure trim level, Rs 6.39 lakh for Adventure, Rs 7.29 lakh for Accomplished and Rs 8.49 lakh.
ALL-NEW FORCE GURKHA PRICED AT `13,59,000 Pune-based Force Motors has priced the all-new Gurkha 2021 at Rs.13,59,000 (ex showroom). Built on a ground-up modular architecture platform the Gurkha 2021 is a completely new vehicle with only the iconic G-Wagen inspired silhouette carried forward from the previous generation. The All-new Gurkha with its longer and wider body provides the roomiest cabin in its class with captain seats for all four occupants, best-in-class legroom, headroom, and elbow room plus over 500 litres of boot space. The Gurkha 2021 also offers the highest driving position and best in class all-around visibility with maximum window glass area. The All-New Gurkha powered by the Mercedes derived 2.6 litre, 91hp common rail, direct injection, turbocharged diesel engine is the only vehicle in this class that can crawl up gradients of 35 degrees, wade through 700 mm deep streams and also cruise at triple digit figures on the highways, without a murmur. It is the only vehicle that comes with factory fitted air intake snorkel and
10 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2021
manually operated, positive locking, mechanical differential locks on all four wheels. Customers can pre-book the Gurkha with the dealers by paying Rs 25,000. (Force Gurkha review report on page 24)
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CAR NEWS
HYUNDAI LAUNCHES SPORTY i20 N LINE AT `9.84 LAKH ONWARD The new sporty Hyundai N Line has been launched in India at prices starting a shade below Rs 10 lakh (Rs 9,84,100 (Exshowroom). The i20 N Line will be powered by a 1 litre turbo GDi petrol engine. The variants will consist of N6 and N8 which will have an iMT and the variant N8 will have a 7 speed DCT with paddle shifters. The N6 is priced at Rs.9.84 lakh, the N8 at
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Rs.10.87 lakh and the N8 at Rs 11.75 lakh. These are introductory showroom price, one India one price. Hyundai i20 N Line will be offered with 4 mono tone colour options - thunder blue (new & exclusive), fiery red, titan grey and polar white; as well as 2 dual tone colour options - thunder blue with phantom black roof and fiery red with phantom black roof.
NOVEMBER 2021 | MOTOWN INDIA | 11
BIKE NEWS
ALL-NEW BMW C 400 GT PREMIUM MID-SIZE SCOOTER LAUNCHED AT `9.95 LAKH BMW Motorrad India has launched the all-new BMW C 400 GT premium mid-size scooter in India at an ex showroom price of Rs.9.95 lakh. The scooter will be available as a completely built-up unit (CBU) and can be booked at all BMW Motorrad India dealerships with immediate effect.The front is aerodynamically designed with twin LED headlight with the distinctive design of the LED daytime running light. The integrated turn indicators clearly set the scooter apart in its segment. The higher windshield offers enhanced wind and weather protection. The carefully conceived storage comprises of two glove compartments and a flexcase under the comfortable single-section seat meets the demands of both everyday practicality and touring suitability. The keyless ride offers convenient operation of ignition, steering lock, seat, filler cap and storage compartments. The all-new BMW C 400 GT is fitted with a newly developed water-cooled single cylinder 4 stroke engine with a displacement of 350cc. It generates a peak output of 34hp@7500rpm and a maximum torque of 35Nm@ 5750rpm. The new BMW C 400 GT reaches 0-100Km in 9.5 seconds and can achieve maximum speed of over 139km/h.
ADVANCED RANGE OF TVS APACHE RTR 160 4V SERIES TVS Motor Company announced an advanced range of TVS Apache RTR 160 4V series of motorcycles equipped with a new headlamp assembly and signature Daytime Running (DRL) lamp, and three ride modes. The company also introduced TVS Apache RTR 160 4V Special Edition equipped with first-insegment features including adjustable clutch and brake levers, an exclusive matte black colour with red alloy wheels, and a new seat pattern besides the new headlamp.
The TVS Apache RTR 160 4V series of motorcycles are now available at authorised TVS Motor Company dealerships in India. Variants and will be available across three variants: Drum, Single Disc, and Rear Disc.
• • • •
TVS Apache RTR 160 4V Special Edition: Rs 1,21,372/TVS Apache RTR 160 4V (Drum): Rs 1,15,265/TVS Apache RTR 160 4V (Single Disc): Rs 1,17,350/TVS Apache RTR 160 4V (Rear Disc): Rs 1,20,050/(Prices - ex-showroom, Delhi)
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BIKE NEWS
LONG TERM TEST 1
LONG TERM TEST 1 ROYAL ENFIELD
INTERCEPTOR 650 BS6 Time on test: 1 Month Odo Reading: 546km Average Mileage: 22kmpl
I’ve only fallen in love with one Royal Enfield motorcycle. That was the BS4 Himalayan. When RE launched the Royal Enfield 650 Twins, I thought to myself that it was just some 650, retro-styled motorcycle which makes decent power. Nothing extraordinary, I assumed. It wasn’t until I rode the Interceptor 650 few months post its launch that I understood and registered in my head what the hype was all about. And then, Royal Enfield agreed to lend us the BS6 Interceptor 650 for a long-term test! It’s a sweet machine. It’s tractable, fun, has a humble outlook and is agile. Yes, it’s extremely flickable and capable of putting a wide grin on your face while you challenge your super sport folks. The 650cc parallel twin motor makes 47bhp and 52Nm put down via a 6-speed gearbox. What I love most is the seat height of 804mm and the fact that even though it weighs 8kg more than my Himalayan, it feels impeccably well balanced. We’ve just got it, and we’re already putting it through hell. It’s been so far, so good with our long termer. Although a small early request to Royal Enfield – Can we have a guide to read the Fuel Gauge...please? Words by Hari Kudchadkar
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WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience
MG Astor
MAstor BLAstor 14 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2021
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A driving experience
MG Astor will be India’s first SUV with personal AI assistant and will also be the first-in-segment to have Autonomous (Level 2) technology. Astor is based on MG’s successful global platform, ZS. Report: Roy Punnoose Tharyan / Photography: Afsar Beg
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WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience
L
ike the way MG Motor India brought in a revolution with the MG Hector, ZS and Gloster with its high tech features, the MG Astor will be redefining the SUV C segment where the likes of Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, Nissan Kicks, Renault Duster, Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun (the latest entrant) rule. Not only will the Astor be India’s first SUV with personal AI assistant, it will also be the first-in-segment to have Autonomous (Level 2) technology. Astor is based on MG’s successful global platform, ZS. The Astor will have two petrol engine options – the Brit Dynamic 220 Turbo engine and VTi Tech. We got the former to drive. As a first in segment, the Astor gets a digital key with Bluetooth technology. In case of emergency or loss of
16 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2021
key one can use the digital key not only to unlock and lock your car, but even start and drive your car.
EXTERIOR The Astor has a L X W X H of 4323mmx1809mm x1650mm respectively and a wheelbase of 2585mm. The Astor is a good looker with its prominent bold celestial grille and the MG logo right in the middle. It has hawk eye shaped LED headlamps with nine crystal diamond elements within. These are auto headlamps. It has front fog lamp with cornering assist as well as rainsensing wipers. As you move to the side, you get to see turbineinspired machined alloys. The main wheel size is 215/55 R17 while the spare wheel is 215/60 Rs 16 and is made of steel. Heated ORVMs, smart roof rails, an aesthetically designed belt line, the Brit Dynamic badge make up rest of the side profile of the vehicle.
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WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience
The rear is quite sporty to look at and it gets smartly designed LED tail lamps, rear defogger, rear for lamp, rear bumper with bits of piano black finish and a dual exhaust design. You realise it’s got a shark fin antenna on top and a high mounted stop light.
INTERIOR It’s the interior of the Astor that is not only very exciting and uber, but very tech savvy. The technology embedded in it through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Autonomous Level 2 functions and features besides a whole host of internet based features not only keep you comfortable and entertained but also safe to a great degree. The moment you sit on the driver seat, you feel and see for yourself the plush character of the cabin. It’s luxurious and spacious. It has premium leather layered Interiors. The car gets push button engine start/stop with smart entry, dual tone sangria red interior theme, 6 way power adjustment seat for the driver, front and rear armrest, panoramic sky roof, power steering, Auto AC and rear AC vent, 60:40 split seats at the rear, 5 USB charging ports and one power outlet, PM 2.5 filter etc
The Astor has a 10.1-inch HD infotainment system and full digital cluster with 7-inch embedded LCD screen. It’s through these screens that you can step into the world of hi tech features and top notch entertainment. Through steering mounted controls, voice commands, touch screen features;
SCAN THE QR CODE TO WATCH THE INTERVIEW VIDEO OF GAURAV GUPTA, CCO, MG MOTOR INDIA
you can explore a plethora of functions. The AI technology in Astor is developed around MG’s vision of Car-as-aPlatform (CAAP) of possibilities, which will enable the users to personalise the services as per their requirements. So what does the AI assistant do? It cracks jokes, it gives you news, it takes you through Wikipedia for your general knowledge queries, shows festival gifs, In-car controls and chit chat 35+
SCAN THE QR CODE TO WATCH THE VIDEO ON MG ADAS FUNCTION
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WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience
Hinglish commands. Paralympic athlete Deepa Malik has lent her voice to the personal AI assistant. MG has partnered with BOSCH for ADAS (Advanced driver-assistance systems) in Astor. AI technology, six radars and five cameras have helped the SUV to manage 14 advanced Autonomous Level 2 features. The new MG Astor has Autonomous (Level 2) technology also referred to as ADAS or Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. What do these levels mean? Level 1 is the lowest level of automation. Here the vehicle features a single automated system for driver assistance, such as steering or accelerating (cruise control). Adaptive cruise control or ACC actually qualifies as Level 1 because the human driver monitors the other aspects of driving such as steering and braking. But in Level 2 it’s a different ball game. Here there is partial driving automation and the car has something called ADAS. The vehicle can control both steering and accelerating/decelerating. The automation here is just short of self-driving because a human sits in the driver’s seat and can take control of the car at any time.
20 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2021
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WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience
Continuing with its prowess, the Astor has 80+ internet features residing on MG i-SMART technology. MG Astor hosts subscriptions and services, including maps and navigation with MapMyIndia, Jio connectivity, the first-of-its-kind Blockchainprotected vehicle digital passport by KoineArth and more. MG car owners will also get access to music on the JioSaavn app, along with the industry-first feature of reserving a parking slot through a head unit (powered by Park+, select cities to begin with) and access to unlimited information with Wikipedia.
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ENGINE & PERFORMANCE The Astor comes with two petrol engine option. The Brit Dynamic 220 Turbo engine has a capacity of 1349cc and is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission delivering 140ps@5600rpm and a peak torque of 220Nm@3600rpm. Then there is the VTi Tech 1498cc petrol engine with a 5-speed manual transmission and an 8-speed CVT, delivering a peak power of 110ps@6000rpm and peak torque of 144Nm@4400 rpm . We drove the Brit Dynamic for this review. Incidentally this model has a fuel tank capacity of 45
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WHEELZ & ROADZ
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SPECIFICAT IO NS ENGINE 1349cc, Brit Dynamic 220 Turbo, petrol TRANSMISSION 6-speed automatic MAX POWER 138hp@5600rpm MAX TORQUE 220Nm@3600rpm
litres compared to 48 litres for the VTi Tech. Since we got less than an hour to drive the vehicle at the Buddh International F1 circuit in Greater Noida, our driving impressions are very limited. The engine is very responsive and gear changes are very smooth. But to get the real fun out of the machine, the Sport mode is ideal where you shift gears manually on the automatic gear lever. I really did not miss the paddle shifters here.
TYRES 215/55 R17 PRICE `16.78 lakh (ex-showroom)
As for ride and handling, it seemed quite well balanced with the steering giving great feedback. Incidentally, the electronic power steering comes with mode adjust where through the touch screen you can set it for Normal, Urban or Dynamic. I experienced each one of them on a straight track and could feel the steering response subtly changing. The suspension was more on the softer side and that means a lot of comfort for the occupants. The Astor has Macpherson strut in front and Torsion Beam at the rear as part of its suspension. It has disc brakes on all four wheels. Safety is top notch in Astor with a whole host of safety features like six airbags, ABS + EBD, electronic stability programme or ESP, Traction control system, hill hold control, hill descent control, emergency stop signal, isofix child anchor, electronic parking brake without auto hold, tyre pressure monitoring system, 360deg around view camera, ultra high tensile steel cage body, besides of course the radar and camera systems based safety features.
VERDICT The MG Astor has raised the bar for the C segment SUVs in India, not just in terms of interior richness, space and comfort but also in terms of driving. Safety has been given top priority in this vehicle with a great number of technology based features. It’s basically a no compromise vehicle, the real MAstor BLAstor!
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WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience
2021 FORCE GURKHA
Has Force done a
THARough Job? We drove and experienced the 2021 Force Gurkha on a wet day on the outskirts of Pune and given below are our honest views. Report: Roy Punnoose Tharyan / Photography: Afsar Beg
E
very off-roader in the country was eagerly waiting for Pune-based Force Motors to launch their 2021 Force Gurkha 4x4 with differential locks. Every blogger and vlogger too was waiting impatiently. The reason was simple, all they wanted to do was to compare it with the versatile and good looking Mahindra Thar and find out whether the Gurkha is a worthy competitor. Personally, I was eager to find out its interiors. Its exterior always looked good and its performance was exemplary! So has the interior changed for the better? The 2021 Force Gurkha has been built on a ground up
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modular architecture platform with an all new wider and longer body, full new interiors, a new crash compliant, high strength C-in-C chassis and new coil spring suspension on all four wheels.
EXTERIOR Since the body is a bit wider and longer, the new Force Gurkha looks big and with all the fresh changes on the body, it looks youthful, butch and very city-centric too. The silhouette, however, is similar to the outgoing Gurkha. After all, it’s legendary as this vehicle is inspired by the equally legendary G-Wagen from the Mercedes-Benz stable.
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Coming to the front, it gets new a new badge. It’s no more the ‘F’ of Force Motors but ‘GURKHA’ in all chrome plating which looks kind of intimidating, yet stylish. I only wish they had a mesh grill or some sort of bold grille around it rather that keeping the area around the badge a bit bland. The bonnet and the windshield styling look a bit aerodynamic and modern. The famous khukri and Gurkha badging that was there at the bottom right of the windshield on the metal has gone and now it’s just plain out there. The new Gurkha gets full LED Force Pro Edge headlamps (pilot lamp, low-beam and high-beam), jewel like, broken circle DRLs and fender mounted L.E.D indicators. At the bottom, the vehicle gets fog lamps. The bumper design has been tweaked a bit. The new Gurkha continues to have its nose up in the air and yes, I am talking about the air intake snorkel. It now
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gets an all black exterior while the predecessor had a snorkel with a lot of chrome finish. On the sides a new 4x4x4 mnemonic is added signifying its all-terrain and all-weather capability across mountains, rivers, deserts and jungles in all four seasons. The Khukri on the brand logo has been moved from the left to the right and aligned at the same angle as the air intake snorkel, in line with the new. But what is very striking is the massive new horizontal windowpane which stretches from B pillar all the way back to the C pillar. Earlier, it came in two distinct pieces. The new Gurkha gets a bigger but manually controlled ORVMs. The wheel arches remain prominent and the vehicle gets a new set of tyres. The tyre size is 245/70 R16. There are a lot of changes at the rear too with the tailgate windowpane now a lot more
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aesthetically made. The tail lamp is now no more the plain Jane horizontal lamp but is now a brighter and good looking vertical one. The Khukiri and Force badging have been separated with the Khukri symbol on the left and the ‘FORCE’ badge on the right. The high mounted stop light too has come down a bit in the new Gurkha.
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INTERIOR Once you step inside the Gurkha, you are treated to ample space as well as brand new smartly stitched seats. The seat upholstery has a dark grey theme. There is more than adequate padding on the sides and the seats are well cushioned too, providing ample support to your back and under thigh. The seats come
with the Gurkha word and the image of the khukri knife stitched on them. The door trims come with dark grey theme, the floor console has bottle holders and other tiny utility spaces, and for the floor it gets moulded mats. The second row has captain seats
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with arm rests and the access to the area is not by bringing down the front seat, but opening the tail gate and walking towards the rear seats. In a way this is quite innovative and practical. You don’t’ have to pull down the front seat and make things inconvenient for the person sitting there. But having a provision of the front seat collapsing for entry to the second row is always a good idea, just in case the boot area of the vehicle is full and you are unable to exit or enter from the rear. You also get 500 litres of luggage space in the boot area.
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The Gurkha has in the past been rather dull when it came to its interiors. The 2021 Gurkha is improved but it does have its sore points. But first let me tell you what this vehicle gets. It gets a hydraulically assisted power steering that can be adjusted for tilt and reach. But the steering wheel per se can definitely be improved in looks and feel and a couple of steering mounted controls could have been added. The entire dash has been spruced up a bit with decent looking multi directional
AC vents. A little more finesse could have been better. The 2021 Gukha gets a 7 inches touch screen and the infotainment is Android Auto and Apple Car play ready. There are four speakers. The system gets USB, Bluetooth music and calling, besides radio function. Though there is no rear camera, the vehicle gets rear parking sensor. There is a 12V accessories socket on the dash along with dual USB socket. The second row passengers also get dual USB sockets. Power windows and central locking come standard.
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I personally feel that the fitments within the dashboard area could have been a bit more aesthetically placed and the screens used could have been a little more contemporary. The Mahindra Thar has set itself the right benchmark for a three-door interior class. The instrument panel gets analogue tachometer and speedometer, besides a small digital screen that reflects fuel position, temperature, time and odometer reading. There is also a tyre pressure monitoring system with the digital display at the right side of the steering on the dashboard.
ENGINE & PERFORMANCE The Gurkha is a proven vehicle when it comes to performance. Its 4x4 prowess and capabilities with its diff locks are legendary and in the new Gurkha it’s still brilliant. The Gurkha gets a 2.6 litre BS VI, four cylinder, common rail diesel engine with a displacement of 2596cc. It churns out 91hp @ 3200rpm and a peak torque of 250Nm@1400 to 2400 rpm. Though we did not try out the differential locking mechanism as the terrain we drove on was slushy and the rains were relentless, we did experience a lot of four wheel drive mode. The company is now trying to woo city dwellers into buying the Gurkha, rather than being dependent only on the armed forces and the hard core off roaders. It’s with this in mind that the Gurkha looks smart and drives a lot easier too, providing immense comfort. The ride and handling is a lot better now, the suspension has been tweaked to soak in the road bumps and acceleration too is a lot improved. The turning radius of the vehicle is a mere 5.65 metres. If the company wants city bed boys and girls to buy the new Force Gurkha, then it should make its 4x4 mechanism a lot friendlier. It’s not easy to change from 4x2 into 4x4H or 4x4L. The shifting does not come easy and for those city drivers, especially the Gen X, Y and Z who have been brought up on a diet of voice commands and electrical and electronic pampering with soft touch buttons, driving a Gurkha may not be very appealing. The company has to make its gear shifts and drive mode changes a lot smoother. Talking of suspension, the new Gurkha has independent double wishbone with coil spring in front, multi link with pan hard rod and coil spring at the rear. It has a front anti roll bar and shock absorber in front while it has an anti roll bar at the rear too.
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The new Gurkha proved to be very capable on the highways. NVH levels are now comparable to a good city bred vehicle. But since the Gurkha is a hard core off roader, we spent most of our time on some very rough terrains to enjoy its great abilities. The constant rain had made the path slushy, slippery and deep. Yet, the vehicle managed to get itself out of the mess. As we went up a steep incline, the vehicle proved its crawling abilities. Just by slotting it into the first gear and accelerating it a bit and then finally taking my foot off all the pedals, the vehicle inched its way up without a fuss, In the 4x4 mode, it gets a gradeability of 35 degrees. And since this vehicle comes with a air intake snorkel,, water wading capacity too stands at 700mm. The journey downhill too was extremely confident and though this vehicle does not have a hill descent function, the vehicle does manage to roll down in the first gear without having to step on the accelerator or the clutch. The low end torque ensures the vehicle keeps moving with adequate power. As for safety features, the new Gurkha comes with airbags for the front seat occupants. Speed sensing auto door lock, besides disc brakes in front and drum brakes at the rear, ABS and EBD too are there in this vehicle.
VERDICT No one has ever had any doubt about the off roading capability of the Gurkha. Its reputation in the off road segment is legendary. But now the company wants urban city dwellers to also go in for the Gurkha, a vehicle they can drive on normal roads on a daily basis. To woo them the company has spruced up the interiors too. But we feel that there are a few areas where the company has to really work hard on. They should immediately start with the entire area in and around the dashboard so as to get the oomph looks and feel. And as for the manual shifting of modes, this too needs to be a lot easier to operate. Because at the end of the day, the new Gurkha will definitely be compared to and pitted against the Mahindra Thar!
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S P EC IFIC AT IO N S ENGINE 2596cc, BS VI, 4 cylinder, common rail diesel TRANSMISSION G28/5 (manual synchromesh gear box) 5 forward and 1 reverse MAX POWER 91hp@3200 rpm MAX TORQUE 250Nm@1400-2400rpm TYRES 245/70 R16 Tubeless PRICE `13.59 lakh (ex-showroom)
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VW TAIGUN SUV
Just
Gun it
The all-new Volkswagen Taigun is built on the MQB A0 IN platform that gets its genetic make up from the global MQB or modular transverse matrix platform of Volkswagen. Report: Roy Punnoose Tharyan / Photography: Afsar Beg
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V
olkswagen India is on a roll. Now that it has launched the T-Roc and the Tiguan All Space, it’s time for another VW SUV to hit the Indian tarmac. The all-new Volkswagen Taigun is built on the MQB A0 IN platform that gets its genetic build up from the global
MQB or modular transverse matrix platform of Volkswagen. Just as we were going to press, the company announced its prices. Volkswagen India launched the Taigun SUV or as Volkswagen calls it, the Taigun Sport Utility VolksWagen or SUVW at a starting price of Rs 10,49,900 (ex showroom).
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The Taigun will be sold under two broad trim lines, the Dynamic Line and the Performance Line. The Dynamic will have the Taigun powered by the 1.0 litre 3 cylinders TSI petrol engine while the Performance Line will be powered by a 1.5 litre TSI petrol engine. The Dynamic Line 1.0 TSI will have a Comfortline variant with a manual transmission that is priced at Rs 10,49,900. This has a 6-speed manual transmission. Next comes the Highline where the Manual variant costs Rs 12,79,900 while the 6 speed Automatic costs Rs 14,09,900. The topline manual will cost Rs 14,56,900 with the Automatic costing Rs 15,90,900. For the Performance line with the 1.5 litre engine, there are two variants, the GT with manual transmission that costs Rs 14,99,900 and GT Plus which is powered by a DSG and it costs Rs 17,49,900. The one litre Taigun is powered by a 999cc engine which has an option of a six speed manual transmission as well as a six-speed automatic transmission. The engine produces a peak power and torque of around 113.42hp@5000-5500rpm and 175Nm@1750-4500rpm respectively. The 1.5 litre variant is powered by 1498cc engine producing power of 150ps@5000 to 6000rpm and a peak torque of 250Nm@1600-3500rpm. With the rain clouds dancing over our heads in the grand city of Udaipur in Rajasthan, we got behind the wheels of the new Taigun. The vehicle is being offered with two TSI petrol engine options. One is the 1 litre TSI 3 cylinder engine which produces a peak power and torque of around 113.42hp and 175Nm respectively. The other is the 1.5 litre TSI 4 cylinder engine which produces a peak power of 148hp and a peak torque of 250Nm. Both these engines again have an option of a 6 speed manual
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transmission as well as an automatic. Since the company will be launching the 1 litre version later, let’s talk about the 1.5 litre version which we drove. Apart from the manual transmission, this also gets a 7 speed DSG or Direct Shift Gearbox.
EXTERIOR When it comes to looks, this German brand is known for its styling and design. The Taigun is charismatic no doubt and has a solid road presence. Since we Indians love a lot of bling, it’s quite obvious that the German stylists have put a lot of chrome up front. There is generous chrome on the front grille and on the bumper. The new Volkswagen logo sits perfectly between the grille and the Taigun is one of the first locally manufactured products in India to carry the new logo. The letters GT fixed on the grille between the horizontal lines, give the vehicle a purposeful front face. The automatic we were driving comes with LED matrix headlamps with LED DRLs. Interestingly the headlamps can be individually switched off and dimmed. Coming to the side, you notice the smart R17 dual tone alloy wheels and the neat wheel arches. You also notice the black plastic strip that seems to be running at the sill level and contouring itself around the wheel arches and then making its way all around the vehicle. The Taigun gets broad plastic claddings on the doors towards the bottom. Chrome handles, functional roof rails and a shark fin antenna add to the character of the vehicle. The front drive side door handle has a smart key button which once pressed either locks or unlocks the vehicle, provided the key fob is with you. The Taigun has a very impressive rear profile with the C shaped LED tail lamps on either side connected at the width level. That gives the rear a very sporty look. One also gets to see a rear spoiler and the high mounted stop light. The letter Taigun and GT are again fixed on the tailgate and these are made of chrome. You also get to see the new VW logo at the rear.
INTERIOR The Taigun comes with a wheelbase of 2651mm which results in a very roomy cabin. When you step in you are greeted with good quality seats and a smart digital cockpit. The front seats are ventilated. You also get elevated seating position for better view of the road ahead. The driver gets a decent sized arm rest with some storage space beneath it. You cannot help getting the feeling that a lot of features in this vehicle are similar to the Skoda Kushaq, which is a brand within the Volkswagen family. The Taigun has a smart dashboard layout. The quality of plastic on the dash is pretty good and it gets a dull silver border kind of finish that encases each of the slots in front like the 10 inches touch screen, an eight inches digital instrument cluster, steering mounted controls, a centre console area, the ac ducts etc. The 10 inches touchscreen Infotainment comes embedded with Apple Carplay and Android Auto. The touch screen can take you through a multitude of functions and features that are connected to either the instrument cluster or driving
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or entertainment or any other setting. Like the way Skoda had its own apps, here too the Volkswagen has its own apps for its customers. The four apps that we found here were Audio books, Gaana.com, Bookings.com and Maps. The company will be adding more apps in the near future. You also get an inductive charging which we often call wireless charging, besides type C USB charging ports, 12V socket and multi-function leather sport steering wheel that has buttons for voice command, audio settings and cruise control. Smart storage spaces, ambient lighting, automatic airconditioning with touch control are some of the features of the Taigun. On a personal level we would have preferred manual controls for the air conditioning but electric brake facility rather than the conventional hand brake lever. The Kushaq also scores a sore point here. The Taigun gets a decent sized electric sunroof. When you move to the rear you see that there is ample leg room and head room for the occupants. You also notice that the flattened tunnel at the rear bench of the Taigun makes the seating position comfortable for the middle occupant, though he or she cannot avoid compromising on the knee room because of the ac duct module just in front. The rear occupants get two USB charging slots, apart from an arm rest with cup holders. The rear gets three adjustable head rests, 3-point seat belts and ISOFIX mounts. The Taigun offers around 320 litres of space in its boot compartment. The deep cavity in the boot can definitely help store a lot of luggage but the flip side to it is that pulling out heavy suitcases from this space could pose a
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problem to your back.
ENGINE & PERFORMANCE As I was driving the 1.5 litre TSI mated to the 7-speed dual clutch DSG, I felt that speed came naturally to this vehicle. Paddle shifters added to the fun of driving this vehicle. We experienced very smooth acceleration and found the engine responding to each gear change pretty fast and efficiently. Volkswagen is known for making rock solid cars and it’s but obvious that we found the suspension so perfectly tuned. It soaked in all the rough roads and bumps we encountered. The NVH levels too were well maintained. The steering, I felt, was on the lighter side and maybe a bit more feedback from the road could have been good. But since the vehicle took the roads with such confidence, it makes the Taigun the right SUV for both city driving as well as long distance driving. Driving the entire stretch from Udaipur towards Mount Abu was as effortless as it could be. I was also impressed by the vehicle’s brake system which is very dependable. The system gets what’s known as a brake disc wiping mechanism which constantly cleans up your brake discs, thereby promoting efficiency and dependability. For driving the vehicles, you get different modes that include the D or Drive mode, the Sport mode and Manual Mode. Then of course, you have paddle shifters that take the level of driving to another level. Features like Star Stop help you conserve fuel but there is another feature that is there in the Taigun that is deactivation of engine cylinders. The system helps shut off two of the four cylinders when the vehicle is cruising at a decent speed. While cruising along a highway or driving slowly
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you may notice a sign coming up on your instrument cluster which tells you that the vehicle is driving with two cylinders shut. The moment you try to push the vehicle harder, it automatically kicks back to all four cylinders. I feel this is a smart technology which makes sense in today’s world when you want to conserve every drop of precious fuel. The Taigun has several safety features that include electronic stability control, tyre pressure deflation warning, rear park distance control, hill hold control, six airbags, among others.
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VERDICT The Volkswagen Taigun comes at a time when the market is flooded with some very smart SUVs in various price brackets, offering a plethora of features. VW has the advantage of quality and build on its side. The Taigun is bold, it’s got charisma, and it’s got a great road presence. It offers a lot of comfort and some great performance. So what are you waiting for? Just gun it and have some fun!
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Mahindra Bolero Neo
Neo TUV T
Report: Roy Punnoose Tharyan / Photography: Afsar Beg
echnically and aesthetically speaking the new Mahindra Bolero Neo has started where the discontinued Mahindra TUV300 had ended. While a lot of people liked the TUV300, a lot of people did not like its very boxy appearance. But then the rear wheel drive TUV 300 had its own advantages. That’s where Mahindra & Mahindra capitalised on the rugged looks and pan India appeal of its workhorse brand, the Bolero. So instead of completely doing away with a model for its non acceptance among consumers, Mahindra used its shrewd business skills and carved out the Bolero Neo out of the TUV300 with a BS 6 engine. It’s not a full-fledged use of the scalpel but a couple of shots of the Botox to be more precise. And to keep its large Bolero family happy, it continues with the other Bolero vehicles. The Neo is more of a polished model that is bound to appeal to the youth of the country. Or so says the company. The new 4x2 Bolero Neo has been launched at an introductory price of Rs 8.48 Lakh (Ex-Showroom Price, All India) for the N4 variant. The vehicle will come in trim levels N4, N8, N10 and N10 (O) or optional. The N10
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Optional which is still to be launched will have all the features of the top end N10 and will additionally have a mechanical locking differential. We drove the N10 (O) variant. The new Bolero Neo will be available in seven colour options namely Rocky Beige, Majestic Silver, Highway Red, Pearl White, Diamond White, Napoli Black and Royal Gold (coming soon ). Because of the limited time we spent with the vehicle, these are our first impression, rather than a full fledged review.
EXTERIORS One look at the Bolero Neo and it’s very evident that the Mahindra TUV300 has been reshaped into the Neo. The height has been reduced, the front and rear have been tweaked and the style is now more on the lines of a Bolero. The front gets the Bolero family grille with chrome inserts and Mahindra logo, classic bolero x shaped bumper, a chunky hood, skid plate and sporty and static bending headlamps with DRLs and fog lamps, though it’s halogen all the way. The headlamps have a follow me home feature.
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As you move to the side, you notice the signature body cladding, the door reinforcements, electrically adjustable ORVMs, smart wheel arch cladding, 215/75 R15 tyres with alloy wheels and muscular side step. The rear has a sporty spoiler, a strong rear side step, X type spare wheel cover in silver with Bolero branding on the cover, besides large attractive tail lamps.
INTERIOR The interior of the Bolero Neo has been specially styled by Italian automotive designer Pininfarina, a company owned by Mahindras. Apart from the two seats in front, the second row seats comprise of bench seats while in the third row one gets two side face seats. Entry to the third row seats is from the tailgate area. The Bolero Neo gets centre console with silver accents, premium fabric seats, seven seats, tiltable steering, height-adjustable driver seats, armrest in the front and middle
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rows, twin pod instrument cluster, front and rear power windows, rear wash and wipe with defogger, remote lock and keyless entry and expandable boot space. The vehicle gets a 7 inches touchscreen infotainment system, cruise control, driver information system, voice messaging system, Blue sense mobile app, Eco Mode, micro hybrid technology with ESS (Electronic Start-Stop) and intellipark reverse assist.
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ENGINE & PERFORMANCE The new 4x2 Bolero SUV is powered by the Mahindra mHawk100 engine which produces a peak power of 100 bhp and a peak torque of 260Nm. The Bolero Neo is a 4x2 vehicle and is rear wheel driven. The reason why the Bolero has been successful in semi urban and rural areas, especially hilly regions is because of its rear wheel drive feature. We drove the N10 (O) or Optional model which comes with a mechanical locking differential. Thus, in short, this model has a multi terrain technology. All those who have decent knowledge about diff locks assume that these are usually found in four wheel drive vehicles. But here in the Bolero Neo, since it’s a
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rear wheel drive vehicle, it is the rear axle that gets locked in case of wheel spin. The diff locks are engaged automatically when a situation arises. When one of the rear wheels spins more that the other rear wheel in some sticky situation, then the vehicle automatically senses it and locks the rear wheels, enabling the wheel to retrieve itself out of the situation. Coming back to its other features, the vehicle comes with dual airbags, antilock braking system (ABS) with electronic brake distribution (EBD) and cornering brake control (CBC), besides ISOfix child seat. It is built on 3rd generation chassis that was there in the TUV300 and the same one is shared with the popular Scorpio and Thar SUVs.
Other comforting features include high strength steel body shell, automatic door locks, high speed alert warnings, digital immobiliser and seat belt reminder.
VERDICT With the Bolero Neo, Mahindra & Mahindra has simply repackaged an existing vehicle and given it a shot in its arm. With its fresh structural design and other new features, Mahindra has smartly added another sibling to the Bolero family. It’s perhaps a brilliant move done at a minimal cost.
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TVS Jupiter 125
BIG BOSS For the ride experience, I must say the engine literally purrs. Power delivery is very linear and the TVS Jupiter 125 is very planted on the road.
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SPECIFICATIO NS ENGINE Single-cylinder, 4-stroke, aircooled 124.8 cc BS VI petrol TRANSMISSION CVT automatic MAX POWER 8.04hp@ 6500 rpm MAX TORQUE 10.5Nm@4,500 rpm TYRES 90/90-12-54 J Tubeless PRICE `81,300 (ex-showroom)
Report: Motown India Bureau
A
fter successfully launching the Jupiter 110 a few years ago, TVS Motor Company has now launched a new TVS Jupiter 125. The TVS Jupiter 125 is available in Drum, Drum Alloy and Disc variant. The price of the Jupiter 125 with drum brakes in front and rear costs Rs 73,400. The model with the drum brakes but with alloy wheels costs Rs 76,800 while the variant with disc in front costs Rs 81,300, ex showroom. The disc variant comes with diamond-cut alloy wheels. One can choose from Dawn Orange, Indi Blue, Pristine White and Titanium Grey colours. We got the top variant for a review.
FEATURES & DESIGN In terms of dimensions, the new Jupiter is 1852mm in length, 681mm in width and 1168mm in height. This is different from the Jupiter 110 which is 1834 x 678 x 1286 mm. The wheelbase, however, remains similar at 1275 mm and the ground clearance too has not changed at 163mm. It has chrome accents around with chrome in front and sides and even above the instrument cluster. A piano black finish is there on front on the small wind deflector. The scooter gets a stylish LED headlamp and signature front light guides on either sides with indicators. The rear tail-lamp consists of a bulb with LED light guide. Then you also have a grab rail with reflector. The TVS Jupiter 125 dons a 3D emblem and premium painted inner panels.
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Now let’s start with buttons, switches and other features in and around the handlebar. On the right of the handle bar you have a switch to activate and deactivate the IntelliGo feature. Basically this feature is like the start stop feature in a car or motorcycle where the vehicle stops when it begins idling at traffic lights. This ensures fuel conservation and reduces pollution as the engine shuts off. The moment the traffic light turns green you can start the engine with the click of the electric switch which is also on the right of the handlebar. One can
also deactivate the start stop feature by switching it off. On the left of the handlebar you get a switch for high beam, low beam and flasher, while you have one for the indicators and a prominent switch for the horn. Just below the switches you notice on the left there is a provision for a fuel lid. In the Jupiter 110, is at the rear of the two-wheeler. On the right side you get the ignition switch along with a USB slot and two-litre storage space where you can keep your mobile phone while charging.
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The USB charging slot and the storage are on the left in the Jupiter 110. The Jupiter 125 gets an all-in-one lock and key. Once you slot the key into this lock, you can perform four functions, depending on the movement. You can lock / unlock the handlebar, you can unlock the seat to reveal its massive storage space, you can start / stop the engine and you can also unlock the fuel lid. Very versatile, I feel. Though there is an electric switch to start the vehicle, the company has also given a provision of manual side kick to start the engine, just in case the electric switch malfunctions or the battery dies down. Coming to the instrument cluster, it has an analogue speedometer and a small screen which displays a lot of digital readings. Besides, the screen also displays a tiny side stand indicator if you happen to try starting the scooter with this side stand down. The engine will not start and the side stand indicator will flash on the screen along with a beep sound. This is an engine inhibitor feature. Once you push the side-stand up, the scooter will start and the side stand indicator on the screen disappears and the beep sound will also stop. This is a great safety feature. The digital display screen gives various readings that include the odometer, trip levels A and B, distance to empty, average fuel efficiency, instantaneous fuel efficiency, fuel level, etc. The scooter has two plastic hooks that comes useful when you keep bags on the floor board. The scooter comes with the longest seat in the segment and in front you get a large leg space. The seat length is 790 mm and it has a front leg space of 380mm. The scooter also comes with the largest under-seat storage of 33-litre capacity. It is the first scooter that can fit two full-face helmets.
ENGINE & PERFORMANCE The Jupiter 125 is powered by a single-cylinder, 4-stroke, air-cooled 124.8 cc BS VI petrol engine, which churns a maximum power of 8.04hp@ 6500 rpm and torque of 10.5Nm@4,500 rpm. The engine is mated to a CVT which is continuously variable transmission which in turn is an automatic transmission.
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The Ecothrust Fuel injection (ETFi) technology, the company claims, delivers superior mileage, better startability, refinement, and durability. Coming to suspension, in front it has telescopic suspension while at the rear it gets 3-stepadjustable gas shockers. As for the brakes, this variant gets a 220 mm disc in front and 130mm drum at the rear. The scooter sits on tubeless tyres with size 90/90 -12 - 54 J. Both the front and rear tyre sizes are same. The scooter has a fuel tank capacity of 5.1 litres down from 6 litres in the 110cc model. As for the ride experience, I must say the engine literally purrs. Power delivery is very linear and the scooter is very planted on the road even at speeds above 60kmph. The automatic transmission delivers seamless shifts as we tug at the throttle. Pacing it between 50kmph to 80kmph band is ideal as you get the best mileage from the vehicle. It’s fun to ride the Jupiter 125 which offers great comfort and performance. Also, the scooter is built in such a way that its centre of gravity (CG) is in the middle as opposed to closer to the back in many two wheelers, which in turn leads to greater stability. The lower CG and the fact that the engine is placed towards the centre of the vehicle means that the scooter weighs equal on the left and the right side, providing a perfect balance while riding. This also improves the dynamic stability and ease of control for the rider. A finely tuned suspension along with the 12 inches tyres. ensure convenience and comfort on even bad roads, and makes maneuvering in traffic precise and easy
VERDICT The Jupiter 125 is a two-wheeler with several practical features. It scores big on comfort with its large seats, scores big on storage because of the massive under seat space, scores big on performance because of a smart and efficient engine and scores big on looks with its several attractive features. In short, it’s a big sized scooter offering big sized comfort and fun. It’s like a Big Boss!
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Benelli Imperiale 400 BS VI
Almost Belissimo The Imperiale 400 has immense potential to be Benelli’s shot at the thumping 350
Report: Hari Kudchadkar
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s a child, I particularly remember the rumble from a 350cc air cooled, single cylinder motor that with exhaust tips that looked like the shotguns from American movies on HBO. The sound that made its way out of the exhaust was quite literally every Indian man’s motorcycling symphony. Everyone wanted one, everyone saved up for the big bad Bullet. It was a market hit, even at that time with the angry kickstart and the dangerously
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small service intervals. The ‘Cruiser’ segment is a vast sea, but come down to modern-classics and you’d realize that it’s a segment that invokes the feeling of nostalgia. The cruiser segment in India now has multiple options, unlike yesteryears. It’s a pie that every manufacturer wants to dig into. Bajaj did it, but with a modern cruiser that you can tour with, just like the Bullet. Jawa did it, with their Jawa Classic and the 42, after years of R&D. The Classic that
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resembles the vintage Jawa took a while to see sales kickstart in the Indian market. Benelli too, wanted a piece of that tasty cruiser pie, so they dug in with what was a retro-modern cruiser with a lot of potential. It is the first motorcycle in Benelli’s portfolio to be launched in its BS6 ready avatar. It was launched in 2019 with an aim to take on Royal Enfield’s Bullet 350. At least that’s what we assumed. The Benelli Imperiale 400 BS6 neo-retro cruiser styling is old school, with the round headlamp, old school indicators, generous spread of chrome, split seats and a lovely vintage looking tank. For those who are still running their mouths behind a phone or laptop as to whether this is a wannabe motorcycle due to its resemblance. It’s not. You see, Benelli has had its fair share of history. The name comes from Benelli’s Moto Bi range which included the Imperiale 125. The styling is something we all have questions about, mainly because of how common it is for manufacturers to utilize round headlamps, twin pod instrument clusters and highly basic fuel tank design.
HOW DOES IT LOOK? Honest to God, I’d say it looks different. Functional. Proportional. It’s got authentic retro cues all around that give you vintage vibes. The seating position is upright with a relatively low handlebar. There’s just enough use on chrome elements all around, including the classy rear-view mirrors to give off the retro vibe. The chrome spoked rims too add to the vibe, with a 19-inch rim in the front and an 18-inch rim at the rear. The quality of plastics of the switchgear has improved drastically, changing the overall feel of the bike.
handlebar for being just wide and high enough, which coupled with the 780mm seat height, made for a very comfortable seating position. The retro teardrop shaped tank is reminiscent of vintage motorcycles, probably from the 60’s. It has knee indents with pads that are more aesthetic rather than functional in nature. The Benelli lettering and pin striping is a vinyl sticker, but adds so much classic flavor to the overall motorcycle. Lastly, the exhaust pipe is one that you must have surely seen on other bikes. Of course, not the same one, but a similar shaped barrel. Take a look at the whole bike from the sides, and you’d take 60 seconds to fall in love with how simple it is while also wondering how this is not as popular as the competing 350cc motorcycle.
PERFORMANCE The Benelli Imperiale is powered by a 374cc aircooled, single-cylinder that makes slightly more power and torque compared to the Royal Enfield Bullet 350. Precisely, 20.7bhp @6000rpm and 29Nm of torque @3500rpm. The difference in power and torque is just 1 unit, but where the Bullet’s motor starts thumping from the get go, the Imperiale takes a while to get into form, which is almost close to 2500rpm. Keep that slight bottom end deficit out and you won’t get over about how happily the motor revs.
It’s got an old-school twin pod instrument cluster that is part analog and part digital and shows basic readings – rpm, speed, time, fuel, gear indications, low fuel warning and trip. The gear shift indicator is the slow one, unable to keep up with quick shifts. The fuel indicator, like every neo-retro motorcycle with a round tank, has a mind of its own. I particularly liked the chrome
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The BENELLI IMPERIALE 400 BS6 neo-retro cruiser styling is old school, with the round headlamp, old school indicators, generous spread of chrome, split seats and a lovely vintage looking tank.”
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Happy revs coupled with a relatively smooth 5-speed gearbox..Trust me, this is a Great buy. The sweet spot for the 374cc motor is 4000 to 5500rpm. Keep it inside this and you will really enjoy your ride. Cruise between 80- to 100kmph and you would be surprised as to how relaxed the motor feels. Yes, there are vibes at high revs that creep onto the handlebar, but barely any on the foot pegs thanks to the chunky rubber padding. The redline is somewhere around 6000rpm, but the needle pushes past that till it hits the rev-limiter at 7000rpm.
RIDE AND HANDLING The ride is relatively plush with front forks being slightly softer than the twin gas-charged shock absorbers at the rear. The spring rate on the rear springs is higher, due to which the compression is still relatively low even with a pillion. The suspension didn’t ever bottom out even on sudden big bumps, but weirdly what did hit the ground, was the centre stand. Every single big speed breaker if not taken slowly and at an upright angle, would cause the centre stand feet to scrape. Overall ride is comfortable and won’t cause much fatigue on long rides, if you happen to plan a long ride to the mountains. The bigger front wheel will certainly give you the upper hand when tackling broken roads. And on paved roads? Well, this is where it shines! No silly wobble trying to be a hero into a corner, just give immense confidence thanks to a firm frame, superb weight distribution and a nice set of tyres. However, at 205kg it sits pretty heavy and while it loves corners, it does not have a thing for direction changes. Highway rides though
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will be great fun. One, because of the rev happy motor and two, because of the 1,440mm wheelbase that offers stability even on those fast corners. Back in city, the wide handlebar makes filtering a piece of cake. For when you want to drop anchor you have a 300mm disc 2-pot caliper in the front and a 240mm disc with a single-pot caliper at the rear. The bite is progressive and will aid better when used with 60:40 force. At high speed, say a dog tries to cross your path, and you panic brake, the ABS comes in pretty handy, here more than the bad roads where it seemed to go berserk and end up increasing braking distance.
VERDICT If you’re in the market for a modern-retro cruiser that won’t break your financial spine and can also be your daily ride, we suggest you to take the leap and make the decision to buy the Benelli Imperiale. Surely it won’t let you down, unless you really enjoy the loud thumping exhaust note. Like the Royal Enfield, Benelli too has years of heritage. Which means there is no doubt about its credibility. The Imperiale will cost you Rs 1.89 lakh ex-showroom which is slightly over the price you would pay for a Classic 350. In the city it will lend you a decent mileage of 20kmpl, while on the highway, the number goes up to 33kmpl and sometimes, if you are really careful 36-37kmpl. There you have it. The Imperiale can be your next motorcycle, and you don’t even have to be too brave about it!
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All-new Royal Enfield Classic 350
Perfectly Tweaked The new Classic 350 still remains a good looker, but what has changed is that it is now powered by the 349cc air cooled single cylinder engine, launched sometime back on the Meteor.
Report: Motown India Bureau
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he beauty about Royal Enfield motorcycles is that it is instantly recognisable - One, for its legendary silhouette and the other for its distinct thump emanating from the exhaust barrel. The one thing that gets better with each passing year is its technology and features. The new Classic 350 still remains a good looker, but what has changed is that it is now powered by the 349cc air cooled single cylinder engine, launched sometime back on the Meteor. Besides, a few other things have also changed and they are quite significant too.
WHAT IS NEW? The new Classic 350 will now be available in different variants or trim levels.
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Starting with the Redditch Series, which costs around Rs 1.84 lakh, it goes on to the Halcyon series, the Classic Signals, the Dark series and finally the Classic Chrome which is at the top of the lineup at Rs 2.15 lakh. We got the CLasic Chrome model for review. The Classic Chrome as the name suggests is all about bling. There is plenty of chrome on the model and it looks rather attractive with its dual-tone colour tanks in two colour ways - Chrome Red and Chrome Bronze. The striking tank badges remind you of the RE bikes of the 1950s. These motorcycles come fitted with alloy wheels and tubeless tyres. I would say the new RE Classic 350 is
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the right mix of retro and modern. The handle bar looks more upright so as to make cruising a lot more comfortable. The chrome extends its spread across the front and read mudguards and the fuel tank where it shares the space with a bit of red and bronze. The mirrors on either side get a chrome plated casing. The shock absorbers both in front and rear also have a chrome and silver combination. The main stand is all black and this comes with a convenient foot stand that makes it very easy to put the heavy motorcycle on the main stand. It also gets a chrome plated side stand. The chrome dazzle is also there in the engine area and around the gear box cover. The bling cannot be ignored! Coming to the saddle, the RE Classic 350 now gets a very comfortable split seats which are decently wide and has soft-foam cushion padding. Bringing in the modern touch is the new digi-analog instrument cluster that houses an LCD info panel. A USB charging point is available below the handlebar for the convenience of quick charging on the go. The motorcycle now has turn-by-turn Tripper navigation pod.
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ENGINE & PERFORMANCE The new RE Classic 350 is not all about cosmetic changes; rather a lot has changed inside and outside this motorcycle. Since it has the Meteor engine, this one is a 349cc, fuel-injected, air/oil cooled BS VI engine. The engine generates a power of 20.2 bhp at 6100 rpm and a torque of 27Nm at 4000rpm. There is adequate power all across the rpm band and the low end torque is quite evident. The bike has a 5-speed gearbox is tuned perfectly for the city as well as for long distance cruising. Acceleration has been vastly improved and in the higher gears, it delivers a solid cruising performance. Thus, in short, when you want the bike to be aggressive, it delivers remarkably and when you want the bike to purr in higher gears, it does not fail to impress you. The new Classic 350 also retains the unmistakable thump of the exhaust note. Both the suspension and the chassis of the new RE Classic 350 have been tweaked. While the solid chassis
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ensures that the bike is solidly planted on the road at high speeds and also during cornering, the suspension ensures that the bumps from the roads are soaked to a great level. The front and rear suspension have been reworked for a more comfortable saddle time. All variants are equipped with dual channel ABS and dual disc brakes. With brand new handlebars, the riding position has been subtly tweaked to further improve comfort especially when you go long distance on the roads.
VERDICT After riding the new Classic 350 around Delhi’s battered roads, I could make out that the motorcycle has now undergone a sea change in its attitude towards riding. It offers oodles of comfort and performance, besides a lot of convenience. We all know that Enfield motorcycles have a great legacy. The legacy is only getting better and more remarkable by the day.
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DETEL EASY PLUS
An e-Bike with Great Stamina Detel Easy Plus is a vastly improved compared to its predecessor. The 250 watt motor is a pure delight to ride. It’s not only responsive; it also maintains its power delivery all throughout.
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he Detel Easy Plus continues to be a simple cute looker like the Detel Easy which we reviewed a year back. But when you take a closer look, you realise the little electric vehicle is very refined compared to its predecessor. The Easy Plus is now priced at Rs 41,999 and one can book this for Rs 1999. You do not need a license to ride it nor does this vehicle require a registration.
FEATURES & STYLING The Detel Easy Plus comes with two sets of keys. One set is to start the ebike and the other is to open the seat compartment. Ideally the key should be the same for the e-bike as well as for the seat compartment. Moreover, there is no inbuilt lock in this e-bike. The body is powder coated metal alloy.
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The electric bike gets a very smart digital screen. The readings are very clear and the colours very attractive and bright. Though the screen shows more than two ride modes, here the option is only for one and two. Other information on the screen relate to battery range, speed, odometer and signs for indicator and headlamp. The round LED headlamp has two levels of lighting. When you twist the ignition key to get going, a small round portion of the headlamp lights up, it’s like a DRL. You can continue with the ride or else if you want the headlamp fully lit up then you need to twist the key one more level. At this point you can see the headlamp sign light up on the screen. There are no switches for the headlamps. The rear tail lamp also functions simultaneously.
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Talking of switches there are just three colourful buttons on the left of the handlebar. The first yellow switch is for the left and right indicator. When you shift it to left or right, the indicator lights blink accordingly on the smart digital screen. The second switch beneath that which is orange in colour is for the two modes of riding. The last switch which is green is for the horn and I must say that unlike the one in the Detel Easy where the horn was shrill and disturbing; here the sound of the horn is very subtle and pleasing. The Detel Easy Plus gets a decent sized floor board and up in front is a small hook where you can keep your bag and just hook it up. There is no charging port, which is also a miss in this vehicle. The seat is very comfortable and cushiony and can accommodate two people with decent comfort. Beneath the seat is a very tiny storage space which is almost negligible. If only the company had designed the seat area with more depth, at least the battery charger could have been kept there. But what has come as a pleasant surprise is the battery storage area. The 48V 20Ah capacity lithium ion battery can be taken out and kept back after charging with considerable ease and safety. You get a 5 ampere charger to charge the ebike. All you need to do is switch off the MCB or miniature circuit breaker and then unplug the battery and pull it out. It’s so easy and
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we need to commend the company for designing this space so efficiently. The ebike, however, can also be charged from a normal wall plug point. The ebike has a ground clearance of 170mm and sits on small yet smart tubeless tyres which are 16 inches x 2.5 inches. You also get pedals attached to chain in case of emergency for riding your ebike. Though I must admit, it’s a bit tricky and tiring.
PERFORMANCE Boy, I must say the Detel Easy Plus is a vastly improved compared to its predecessor. The 250 watt motor is a pure delight to ride. It’s not only responsive; it also maintains its power delivery all throughout. I must say the company has done a great job on the motor and battery front. I weigh a shade less than 90 kgs and I stand tall at 5 feet 10 inches and I experienced a great ride on this bike. The Easy Plus has a loading capacity of 170kg. I however felt the drum brakes in this ebike could have been better. Disc could have been a real treat. The ebike has a top speed at 25kmph but it could easily take me on plain roads at a little more 30kmph. The company claims that on a single charge, the ebike can easily give around 50 to 60km range.
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The ebike has fork hydraulic suspension in front and at the rear too it has hydraulic suspension with coil spring. The suspension I felt was very capable. We put the Detel Easy to some tough tests. I asked my camera person to ride the ebike and I hopped on to the pillion seat. Together we weighed around 190 kgs and the ebike took us on an effortless spin for a short distance. The vehicle had proved itself worthy. Let me also at this point tell my viewers that we have interviewed Dr Yogesh Bhatia, Founder and CEO of Detel company. The exclusive interview will be aired soon. He has disclosed a lot about his plans with Detel as well as LML brand which his company bought from the Singhania family
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of Kanpur. Yes, the LML brand is now owned by Mr Bhatia and he has some big plans to bring out some savvy LML electric scooters and motorcycles. Do not forget to tune in for the exclusive interview on our channel very soon.
VERDICT The Detel Easy Plus is a vastly improved ebike as compared to its predecessor Detel Easy. This one has got great stamina, thanks to its robust motor and strong battery, couple with a perfect suspension. This vehicle is ideal for the not just urban areas but also semi urban and rural areas where fancy internet based features as well as tech do not make great sense.
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Sherp N 1200
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n our world of automobiles we have always been impressed with cars and SUVs that are fitted with smart 18 inches tyres and vehicles that boast of a ground clearance of around 7 to 8 inches. But then when a vehicle fitted with 71 inches tyres and a ground clearance of around 24 inches drives in, you bow you head
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in absolute reverence. Yes, I am talking about the Sherp All Terrain Vehicle from Ukraine. When we landed up in Manesar in the state of Haryana to experience the Sherp N 1200 model that had been specially brought in from Ukraine by the duo of Jaskirat Singh and Vivek Gujral, we were met with shock.
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The tyres of the two Sherp models were completely deflated. We wondered how long it would take to fill them up and what if they were punctured. But when 38 years old Alexey and 24 years of Sergay met us to demonstrate the capabilities of Sherp, our fears were laid to rest when
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they mentioned that the tyres are filled with exhaust gas and all it takes are a few seconds. They got into the vehicles, started the engine and switched on a button and within moments the tyres were
fully inflated. Interestingly, while car tyres require 30 odd psi of air pressure, guess what the air pressure in these massive tyres are? It’s just 3, yes three psi. Alexey also mentioned that even if these tubeless tyres are punctured and have nails stuck in them, they can still be
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inflated and the vehicle can ply normally.
WHAT IS THE SHERP ALL ABOUT? The Sherp all terrain vehicle or ATV is the best an ATV can ever be. When I landed up in Manesar for the Sherp experience, I kept staring at its mammoth shape and structure. It’s not one of those fancy vehicles with some modern styling and some flashy features, it’s a vehicle which is a best described as a versatile tin box fitted on four mammoth tyres. But the Sherp has one and only one purpose. And it’s a serious purpose, to take you across almost all kinds of terrain, whether land or water. Yes, it’s amphibious and can slip into water like the way a duck takes to water. Its mammoth tyres keep spinning and because of the tyres’ very unique design, they enable the vehicle to move forward in water. Alexey informed that the vehicle has its origin in Russia and is now being built in Ukraine from where it is exported to several countries. He and his colleague were in India to showcase the abilities of the product to India’s military and
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para military forces. After each of their demonstration, the defence folks in India realised that there is no such machine so capable that can carry their unit for search and rescue operations. Be it the coastal areas or the plains or the mountains or the rocky hills, this vehicle was simply a genius. Vivek Gujral who spoke to Motown India mentioned that the Sherp can easily be localised in India and once that is partly done here the vehicle can be made available at prices around Rs 50 to Rs 60 lakh onward.
THE SPECIFICATIONS Ideally, the current Sherp can operate in temperatures ranging from minus 40 deg C to + 40 deg C. It can climb an incline at a 35 deg angle or go over a 3 feet obstacle. It has a ground clearance of 24 inches and can travel at a tilt of 30 degrees. As for its overall dimension, the vehicle has a length of 4002mm, width of 2520mm and a height of 2852.5mm. It weighs around 1200 kg and can accommodate a driver plus 8 passengers with load at 2400 kg.
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The SHERP all terrain vehicle or ATV is the best an ATV can ever be. It’s not one of those fancy vehicles with some modern styling and some flashy features, it’s a vehicle which is a best described as a versatile tin box fitted on four mammoth tyres.”
The Sherp is not about speed or acceleration, rather it is about overcoming hurdles. Since it has a maximum speed of 40kmph over grass, gravel, sand, peat, moor, marsh, sand, dunes, rocks, snow, ice, climbing from water onto the ice etc, there is no speedometer among its several dials. When it comes to moving on water, whether it is ponds, lakes, rivers, etc the speed is around 6kmph. The Sherp’s engine is not one of the powerful turbo charged giants you are expecting from such a monster vehicle. Rather it has a very ordinary engine, Doosan D18, an ecofriendly engine that meets Stage 5/Tier-4-final emission standards. It is a 1.8 litre, 3 cylinders diesel engine that produces a peak power of 55hp and a peak torque of 190Nm which in turn is mated to a 6 speed manual transmission from Renault. It has a 140A generator and has a fuel tank capacity of 95 litres. Besides this fuel tank, the Sherp also carries 4 fuel canisters of 58 litres that allows you to drive more than 65 hours and 19 hours non-stop running with main fuel tank. The boxy body is hardtop and the body material consists of steel (frame and bottom, hot dripped galvanized) and aluminium (cabin). As for driving the vehicle around, there is no steering wheel in this vehicle. Turning and braking is done by the two levers that sit on the left side of the driver. The vehicle has a left hand side steering. The tyre size is a mammoth 71x23x25 inches. The tyres are tubeless and have extra low pressure. The vehicle has pneumatic suspension. The Sherp can achieve a maximum speed (at the top gear) of up to 40kmph and a max speed at low gear or around 2kmpl.
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THE DRIVE EXPERIENCE The Sherp can go where extreme 4x4 vehicles may just not dare to go. In fact, it’s fair to say that the journey of a Sherp starts where the journey of a 4x4 off roader ends. We experienced the Sherp in the rocky terrains of Manesar on the hills of Aravalli. The rains had battered the soil and exposed the rocks and boulders around it. As we drove deep into the hills, we came across freshly formed ponds that could drown a vehicle if it dared to pass through it. But for the Sherp it was a cake walk. It simply used its amphibious skills to wade through the large ponds and with equal zeal climbed on to the hard surface and onto to a steep incline towards another equally challenging terrain.
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VERDICT The Sherp is a fun vehicle, no doubt. It can definitely do some dune bashing or some extreme level of off roading. It’s very capable on land and water. This vehicle is ideal for our para military forces who protect our snow capped terrains and our vast shores. Since it’s far more capable that any vehicle that is available on Indian soil, it can prove itself as a great search and rescue vehicle or for transporting an elite rescue team across the worst terrains. It’s time our defence forces think of the Sherp as their friend.
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2021 SKODA RAPID
Strong hearted! Even with the smaller 1-litre TSI motor, the Skoda Rapid still delivers the same thrill, maybe better for some!
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hanks to the first-gen Octavia, and the Octavia vRS, I’ve always had a soft corner for Skoda cars. Heck, I adored the Fabia hatch, which didn’t get much of the attention back then as it seemed expensive for the time. But my-oh-my, for a hatchback in India, it really did handle well, mostly thanks to its robust chassis platform that (in case you didn’t know) it shared with the now favorite hatch – the VW Polo. Let’s forget the hatch-game for now, and focus on a mildly underrated and essentially a lengthened version of the Fabia – C’mon you guys know about the Rapid! Just like every other Skoda, this too handles like no other in the segment. It’s fun to drive, has a stiff, robust chassis and is quite a
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minimal sedan to be honest. It was launched back in 2011 as a comfortable family sedan with an elegant design. The most recent upgrade for the Rapid is the 1-litre TSI motor which came as a bummer for a lot of enthusiasts. Turns out, it’s not even bad.
EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR CHANGES Skoda did give it a slight aesthetic makeover in 2019, but managed to keep it a good blend of humble and sporty. The headlights and taillights are reworks, the overall design is clutter-free and has only smooth lines reminiscent of the Vento. The interiors stay unchanged apart from the use of their new logo on the steering wheel. The plastics are of great quality, are robust and can surely handle the ‘Door Slam’ Sales pitch from their VW Sales team.
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Just like every other Skoda, this too handles like no other in the segment. It’s fun to drive, has a stiff, robust chassis and is quite a minimal sedan to be honest. Since I adore the Fabia, I’ve always had a soft spot for the Rapid. It doesn’t scream fast, but can put other mid-size Sedans to shame with it’s hatch-like handling.
1-LITRE TSI - A BUMMER OR NOT! Frankly I’ve driven the Rapid in all its engine options. The 1.6-litre turbo diesel was the bomb in my opinion, the 1.5-litre NA petrol (MPI) did not do justice to the rest of the car. The 1.5-litre turbo diesel upgrade too made the same power as the 1.6-litre engine it replaced (105bhp & 250Nm). The most recent shift to a BS6-compliant 1-litre TSI motor came as bummer for some, due to it being a 3-cylinder motor (basically the same one which you see in the
smaller VWs). The motor belongs to VW Group’s EA211 engine family and may go on to power all of Skoda and VWs compact cars. “Dude my Alto is 800cc, what’s this shameful 1-litre doing in the rapid” said the non-car guys. I completely agree about the displacement
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deficit. Even as a car guy I feel engine displacement should increase as generations pass. But! Hear me out! A smaller displacement clearly does not mean lesser power! The 1-litre TSI makes decent warm sedan power– 109bhp of power between 50005500rpm and 175nm of decent torque between 1750-4000rpm. Believe it or not, this small displacement motor makes a lot of sense in today’s age, that too turbocharged.
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? Stick it into drive, put your foot down and it pulls cleanly off the line with a typical small motor hum. In first gear, we found the Rapid to be too eager to move, or maybe the low-down torque and the ratio are meant to do just that. If you want to own this car, it would take a while to get used to the sensitivity of the throttle and the brake pedal. Skoda had all the chances to do a slightly better job with this, mainly because it happens almost every time you slow down to a dead halt and want to move. On the other hand, you would have bat load of fun on a spirited drive like on the highway and then a nice winding road to carve corners on. The AT here seems like a smart gearbox. As you plant your foot, it realises that you don’t want it to shift early, so it doesn’t. The needle gets as close to redline as possible before shifting up to push you into triple digits. To put it into perspective, it can dart to 100kmph from a standstill in 10.09seconds, that’s one second faster
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than the 1.6 Rapid, which also makes it the fastest in its class. Take it up a few notches to 130, 140kmph and that’s when you realise that the tiny motor doesn’t sound that bad after all, especially with the occasional turbo spool sound which you’d hear with the window down. Rapid being, well rapid did scrape the 200kmph mark, well almost (196kmph). Dive into a corner and it’s the same Rapid handling that you all love so much. It sticks into the corners, has a nimbler steering thanks to the lighter nose and the always flawless mid-corner stability. Well, if you are out in the market, looking for a quick mid-size sedan that handles well – there is no doubting the Rapid 1-litre TSI would sweep you off your feet. The ex-showroom prices for the Rapid start at Rs 7.80 lakh for the Rider variant and tops out at Rs 13.30 lakh for the loaded Monte Carlo variant. Don’t forget that the Rapid is solely powered by the new motor and wouldn’t hurt to give the manual version a try. Maybe try and buy a bit quicker, or just wait a while because rumours have it, that Skoda might just pull the plug on the Rapid to bring in the next-gen Rapid to Indian shores (As we were going to press we got the news that Skoda Auto has introduced the new Rapid Matte edition at Rs 11,99,000 (ex-showroom) in India. This new edition will be available in an exclusive carbon steel matte colour which adds to its style statement. It will be powered by the 1.0 L TSI engine and will be available in both automatic and manual transmissions).
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FEATURES
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FEATURES
QUBIT X2 E-BICYCLE
MANIFOLD ADVANTAGES
One of Qubit e-bike’s major attractions is its folding mechanism. It gets neatly packed in a bag and can conveniently be put away in the trunk of a car or some corner of the room. Thus, it’s easy to store and easy to transport.
T
Report: Roy Punnoose Tharyan, Photography: Afsar Beg
he Qubit X2 folding electric bicycle from Coppernicus Mobility Pvt. Ltd, a Mangalore based company, is among the least complicated e- cycles because it has only one single chain ring. That means you need to change gears using the shifters on the right side of the handlebar. The shifters are engaged with your index finger and your thumb. The Qubit X2 has 7 gears covering all riding needs and costs Rs 69,990.
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FEATURES It’s obvious that one of Qubit e-bike’s major attractions is its folding mechanism. It gets neatly packed in a bag and can conveniently be put away in the trunk of a car or some corner of the room. Thus, it’s easy to store and easy to transport. Once you have unfolded the bike, you can see it is unique in its design and build. The e-bike gets heat treated aluminium 6061 frame which is lightweight and durable.
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FEATURES
Folding and unfolding the bike has to be done with care with its pedals folded in and in a position where it does not interfere with the unfolding process. Adjusting the seat height is very easy. Just below it you get the charging point and also the seat post has a lithium ion battery pack. The entire seat and its cylindrical post can be taken out for charging. The 36V 5.8Ah battery has a charging time between 3-4 hours. You get up to 800 charge
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cycles. You get a range of around 30 to 40kms on a single charge using a bit of pedal assist and smart riding. Anyone weighing up to 100kg and between 4 feet 9 inches to 6’3’’ in height can ride it easily. The e-bike has a wheel size of 20 inches . For the Qubit X2, the throttle is a toggle switch on the left side of the handlebar which you need to press with your left thumb. And
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FEATURES
like all good old cycles, the Qubit X2 gets a real bicycle bell and not one of those shrill sounding electric horn. It’s the conventional non-electric bell and is not one of those ear busters. The e-bike can reach a top speed of 25kmph. The customised 250W high speed, geared, brushless motor, weighs only 2.2kgs and has a 40Nm torque so you can uphill over 18°. The Qubit X2 features precision braking with front and rear disc brakes to keep you safe. When the brakes are engaged, it triggers a safety mechanism that disengages the motor and shuts down the power system. On the left side of the handlebar you get a small digital screen with an up and down arrow button as well as a start stop button. We shall explain the functions as we go along.
PERFORMANCE Typical of the way a car or two-wheeler with mechanical gears moves, the concept is very similar here. Gear one is for steep rides while as you move to the plains and the roads get easy to pedal, you can gradually move to gear seven in this case. When you take a closer look at the sprockets, you will notice that each time you engage the shifter to change gears, the chain hops on to the engaged gear with the help of a derailleur which is fitted close to the sprockets. The important rule while using a geared cycle is that you have to engage the gears smartly, correctly and gently. Thus if you are moving out with the cycle on a plain road which is not inclined, you can start on gear seven. But it is how you the shift gears that matters. In gear 7, the rear wheel chain will be on the smallest sprocket. At gear seven, manual pedaling will be the toughest, the reason being you have the advantage of a plain road and a downward slope and pedaling on such surfaces comes easy. Now as you move to an incline, you start shifting from gear 7 to gear one, depending on
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the climb. By the time you are on gear one, the chain has shifted to the largest sprocket and as you are making your way up to the slopes, pedaling gets easy and smoother. It’s a simple way for engaging the gears. Gear one for the steep climbs, while gear 7 for your journey on the plains or on your way down. The Qubit has a Shimano Tourney 7 speed mechanical gear system. Made of high quality metal, this gear system is durable and sturdy. But the Qubit X2 is not just about mechanical gears. The moment you press the on/off button near the LCD display screen on the left side of the handlebar, your battery mode is engaged. The moment your battery mode is engaged, it does not matter which gear you are on since electric power overrides everything. If you look at the tiny screen, you will realise that it has an Up Arrow button, a start/stop button and a Down Arrow button. Once you switch on the ebike and then press the up Arrow button for a bit of time, the LCD panel lights up and the front lamp is switched on. In order to switch it off, you need to repeat the action. If you are to press the Up and Down arrow buttons briefly, it gets into the pedelac or pedal assist mode 0 to 5. At zero you get no battery assistance while pedaling while at level 5 you get the maximum battery assistance while pedaling. Apart from this, the Quibit X2 comes with a cruise mode, a walk mode and a normal throttle mode. In order to engage the walk mode, you need to press and hold the Down Arrow button for a few seconds while the bike is stationery. Similarly, if you need to engage the cruise mode, you can repeat the same action but this time while the bike is on the move. You can deactivate the modes by simply pressing the same button again for a few seconds. Also, if you use the brakes, the modes will be disengaged. But in case you want to use just the battery mode then you simply have to tug at the throttle.
VERDICT Whether you use the battery assistance or you simply pedal using your own body strength, the bike is easy to handle and ride. The seat is very comfortable and the gear changes are smooth and precise. The USP of this Qubit X2 ebike, however, is its folding mechanism, making it so convenient to store, carry and transport. The bike has smartly designed parts and they are strong and durable.
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B2B NEWS
DETEL STORY
Phones, televisions & now an electric two-wheeler for masses With LML, the company is aiming at a global market Report: Roy Punnoose Tharyan / Photography: Afsar Beg
I
n India there is a rich class, a middle class, an upper middle class, a lower middleclass, besides a class that belongs to a level below these classes. The real masses in India belong to this class. For the people at this level, it’s all about affordability and durability and not just about fancy hitech features. Dr Yogesh Bhatia, CEO & Managing Director of SG Corporate Mobility Pvt. Ltd is someone who has been fulfilling the dreams and aspirations of the masses. From being a seller of SIM cards, branded mobile phones and electrical appliances in 1995 when he started his business, he gradually moved into manufacturing affordable mobile phones and LCD television sets.
The company launched an electric two wheeler under the name Detel Easy in the year 2020 for around Rs 20,000, again for the masses. In 2021, he not only launched a revamped electric bike under the name Detel Easy Plus, but also announced a big ticket acquisition. He acquired the LML brand, the erstwhile manufacturer of IC engine scooters. With that he set up another company LML Electric Pvt Ltd. Now while SG Corporate Mobility will focus on making mass market electric bikes under the Detel brand, LML Electric will cater to the savvy middle class with smartly styled e-scooters and e-motorcycles with the latest technology, again at affordable prices.
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THE GENESIS Dr. Yogesh Bhatia, CEO & Managing Director SG Corporate Mobility Pvt.Ltd
“I started my business in 1995. I have an FMCG background. My company sold SIM cards and then mobile phones from Nokia, Reliance, Tata and also appliances from LG and Samsung. After gaining great experience in selling branded products, in 2016 we launched our own Detel brand. In order to reach out to the masses by 2017 the company launched the world’s most economical mobile phone at Rs 299,” recalled Yogesh Bhatia, in an exclusive interview with Motown India. Bhatia said that at that time there were more than 40 crore or 400 million people who had no mobile phone and he targeted them with his cheap phone. “On Aug 15, 2017 we
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B2B NEWS
launched a mobile phone through ND TV at Rs 299. By 2018 we launched an LCD TV at Rs 3999. I wanted the television to reach the crores of households who could not afford a television. The when the Covid pandemic came, we launched affordable oxymeters and digital thermometers. I want ordinary Indians to benefit from our affordable products. This is our philosophy and this is what we want to achieve, to offer products at affordable rates to our teeming millions,” he stated.
FORAY INTO ELECTRIC TWO WHEELERS Around two years ago, the company did a survey on electric vehicles in India. “We realised there are more than 20 crore (200 million) two wheelers plying on our roads that run on petrol. And every year approximately 2 crore (20 million) two wheelers are added to the market. Recently the government has come out with guidelines that by Jan 1, 2026 sale of petrol two wheelers will be banned. If such a norm is implemented, then there would be 30 crore petrol two wheelers on road and the doors will be wide open for electric two wheelers,” Bhatia asserted. But Bhatia is skeptical about the industry being able to absorb a huge demand for electric two wheelers. “Will electric two wheeler manufacturers be able to produce a large number of electric 2 wheelers to fulfill the demand for them in the country? Keeping this mind, on Aug 15, 2020 we came out with a pilot project and introduced the Detel Easy electric two-wheeler at Rs 19,999. It was a pilot project because we wanted to gauge the sentiments of the consumers. We wanted to understand how there would be a transition from IC engine two-wheelers to electric twowheelers. We realised post the project that there are some obstacles here and we need to overcome that. Our Detel electric two wheelers do not require a driving license and neither is there a registration for the same. Coming to charging stations, since it takes a huge infrastructural input, we wanted our products to have batteries that could be charged at home or office,” he informed. Bhatia noted that the aim of the Detel brand is to reach out to the masses through very affordable products that are absolute value for money. By November2021, company aims
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to make available the Detel Easy for the B2B segment also. The pay load for this vehicle will be 250 kgs, compared to 170 kg for the Detel Easy Plus targeted for the B2C segment. This B2B product will be designed differently and it will have a localisation level of more than 90pc. “In fact, all the shortcomings of the Detel Easy have been removed in the Easy Plus. I want my consumers to love my product and that is the reason I gave a digital screen, tubeless tyres, alloy wheels, etc. And not only that, we shall also be providing road side assistance for this product within a radius of 40kmm. If the vehicle is under warranty, the vehicle will be picked up and defective part will be replaced free of cost,” he affirms. The company has a plant in Binola, Gurugram. Binola is close to Manesar in Haryana. There it has its own in-house design team. The company spent around 12 months to develop Detel Easy Plus. In the next financial year, the company plans to sell one lakh units of the Detel e-bikes and that will include products for both the B2C as well as B2B segments. The company is also in touch with big investors for capital infusion. Talks are on to acquire a large tract of land for a new plant that would be exclusive for manufacturing the LML electric two-wheeler.
THE LML BUYOUT
On the World EV Day on September 9, 2021 Yogesh Bhatia made an announcement that he had acquired the LML brand from the Singhanias and he would soon be manufacturing LML electric two wheelers in India. LML, a company with a great in legacy was primarily an IC engine powered scooter manufacturer for around 50 years. Despite its best efforts to survive in the highly competitive two-wheeler market of India, it shut shop sometime in 2016-17. How and why did Bhatia buy the LML brand? “Though I was thinking about the brand for the last year and a half, we closed the deal only a month back. We acquired the LML brand from the Singhanias. We feel that the LML brand is entrenched in the hearts of so many Indians since 1972. I feel that a brand that was launched by the Singhania fmamily with so much effort needs to grow now with focus
on electric two wheelers. Thus LML electric will represent not only the latest in technology but also in style and design,” he said. Like his other affordable products, Bhatia wants the LML electric two-wheeler to be sold at a “mid-point”. By that he means, not too high, not too low. It is targeted at India’s middle class. “We are in talks with an Italian design house for this electric scooter. A separate team will be looking after LML electric two wheelers. We have a global ambition with this LML electric brand. We shall be targeting overseas business in a big way. As an electric two wheeler brand, I want to see LML reach out to global markets,” he added. According to Bhatia, LML products were well accepted in far off Egypt and even today some of the dealers there are keen that he relaunch the product in that market in an electric avatar. “Our vision is to become part of India’s EV revolution and to fulfill this vision it was important that we bought the LML brand which has a legacy of more than 50 years. Since the time we announced our acquisition of LML brand, I have got hundreds and thousands of congratulatory messages from ordinary as well as eminent people all across the country,” he pointed out proudly. Detel and LML will be run as two separate entities, two separate companies and with two different visions. “With Detel brand my vision is to target the bottom of the pyramid. I want to cover the masses with low speed electric vehicles with Detel. With LML electric, I shall address a different class. We will introduce an electric scooter first, and after that we shall bring in an electric motorcycle. It will have best in class design and technology. The pricing will be for the mid segment. I shall be selling that in India. By the end of 2022, a world class LML scooter will hit the Indian markets. We shall be setting up a third plant for this. We are in talks to acquire the right place for setting up this plant. And we are also in talks with the Indian government for this,” he informed. Yogesh Bhatia has learnt the mantra of mass market success with his consumer electronics products. Now we have to see how he is able to successfully utilise this mantra in his electric two-wheeler business, for both Detel as well as LML!
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COMMERCIAL VEHICLES
Omega M1KA, India’s 1st e- small commercial vehicle launched Omega Seiki Mobility Pvt. Ltd. (OSM), part of the Anglian Omega Group unveiled India’s first electric small commercial vehicle (SCV)M1KA. Omega Seiki Mobility will start accepting bookings of the vehicle from Quarter 4 of 2021 i.e between October to December 2021. The M1KA electric small commercial vehicle from Omega Seiki Mobility or OSM is built on advanced high strength steel chassis which gives it increased tensile strength. The modular platform on which the vehicle has been built can be further modified for various applications. It has a spacious and large ten feet loading area. It has a payload of 2 tonnes. The suspension comprises leaf springs with 6 leaves in front and 7 in the rear. The M1KA is a good looker with LED projector headlamps with LED guide lights. It has fog lamps too. It has 90kwh Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC) battery. The battery pack weighs a whopping 700 kg. It is a high energy density battery. An active cooling unit will be part of the
battery manufacturers to develop fast charging batteries.
battery management to keep operating temperature under check. NMC batteries maintain lower levels of resistance during the course of its life cycle leading to an overall longer shelf life of the vehicle.
M1KA electric small commercial vehicle (SCV) was launched in New Delhi.
The battery has a segment leading range of 250km on single charge. OSM is working closely with several
The M1KA has an advanced 30kw motor developed by the company in close association with its partners. The motor produces a peak output of 347Nm. The motor has been developed in India for India. The electric motor is coupled to a 5 speed manual transmission and a dry clutch.
Mahindra launches all new Furio 7 range of LCV Trucks Mahindra’s Truck and Bus Division (MTB), part of the Mahindra Group, has launched the new Mahindra Furio7, its latest, modern range of Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs). The trucks comes with double guarantee of “More Mileage or Truck Back” and “Guaranteed Resale Value” after five years. Mahindra Truck and Bus has extended its existing Furio – an Intermediate Commercial Vehicle brand launched in 2019 –to an allnew Light Commercial Vehicle range, the Mahindra Furio7. This range will be available
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across three product platforms: 4-Tyre Cargo, 6-Tyre Cargo HD and 6-Tyre Tipper. The prices of the model start at Rs 14.79 lakh for Furio7 10.5ft HSD variant, Rs 15.18 lakh for Furio7 HD and Rs 16.82 lakh for Furio7 Tipper variant (all ex-showroom Pune). The range will cover every application of business needs in Light Commercial Vehicle segments, delivering the Furio brand promise of higher profitability along with
best-in-class mileage, higher payload and a benchmark cabin offering optimum comfort, convenience and safety. It also boasts of the most advanced telematics technology: Mahindra iMAXX.
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