Motown India October 2020

VOL-11 • ISSUE-1 • OCTOBER 2020 • `300/-

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INDIA

ANNIVERSARY

FIRST DRIVE

MG GLOSTER PREMIUM SUV

FIRST DRIVE KIA SONET

B2B SECTION

ROAD TEST 2020 TVS XL100 MOPED

FIRST DRIVE HYUNDAI GRAND i10 NIOS 1L

INTERVIEW WITH DEEPAK GARG, MANAGING DIRECTOR, SANY (INDIA & SOUTH ASIA)

EDITOR Punnoose Tharyan (Roy) ptharyan@motownindia.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------News Coordinator - Jisha P Sr. Correspondent - Farhan Khan, Aki Paul Video Editor - Ramesh Kumar Content Manger - Vrinda Desai Digital In-charge Naveen Kumar Web Correspondents - Avdesh Kumar, Seema Paul Photo Journalist - Afsar Baig ---------------------------------------------------------------------For Editorial contact editorial@motownindia.com, editorial.motown@gmail.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------FOR MARKETING & SALES CONTACT Head-Operations - Jisha P jisha@motownindia.com, +91-9958125645 advertising@motownindia.com, advertising.motown@gmail.com /+91-9811097399 ---------------------------------------------------------------------FOR ACCOUNTS CONTACT Ankit Sharma, ankit@motownindia.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------FOR CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTION CONTACT subscription@motownindia.com / +91-9958125645 ----------------------------------------------------------------------Office Executive Ravinder ----------------------------------------------------------------------EDITORIAL DELHI OFFICE 145 B/9, First Floor, Kishangarh, Next to United Free Church, 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 72 pages including both covers.

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P. THARYAN (ROY) hese are tough times and they say only the tough survive. This issue of Motown India magazine is our 10th anniversary issue. In spite of the drastic fall in advertisements, we decided to continue marching ahead.

This issue has first drive reviews of the premium SUV MG Gloster, the Kia Sonet

compact SUV and the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios which now comes with the powerful 1 litre Turbo GDi petrol engine.

We have also reviewed the trusted TVS moped, the XL 100 which now comes with a BS VI engine. Though the XL 100 is a humble product, it should never be underestimated because it serves a great purpose. We are very disappointed with the Detel Easy city electric bicycle which we tested. I am not convinced of its build and quality. Even though it is priced at Rs 19,999/-, I feel this cute looking two wheeler needs to be spruced up big time.

In the Features section we have a write up on high security registration plates and colour coded stickers. At Motown India, we feel both these serve no real purpose. Then we have report on our travel to hinterland with the Jeep Compass Limited Plus 4x4.

For the serious readers, we have an extensive interview with Deepak Garg, Managing Director of Sany (India & South Asia). Mr Garg has a lot to say about India’s Construction Equipment industry and his company’s plans to grow in the country.

I would also like to thank all our readers for being with us for the last 10 years. The digital world has spread its wings all over, but that does not mean that print has lost its charm. Happy reading!

/MOTOWNINDIA

1,18,000 SUBSCRIBERS & GROWING ORGANICALLY!

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CONTE NTS VOL 11 | ISSUE 1 | OCTOBER 2020

07

09

CAR NEWS: Ford Endeavour Sport Special Edition launched

12

10

CAR NEWS: Mercedes-Benz EQC electric car launched

14

BIKE NEWS: New BMW G 310 R, BMW G 310 GS launched

BIKE NEWS: Honda H’ness CB350 prices start at `1.85 lakh

15

BIKE NEWS: BMW R 18 cruiser motorcycle debuts in India

16

BIKE NEWS: Triumph Motorcycles launches Rocket 3 GT

22

WHEELZ & ROADZ : MG Gloster premium SUV

34

WHEELZ & ROADZ : Kia Sonet compact SUV

68

WHEELZ & ROADZ : TVS XL 100 Moped

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TECHNOLOGY: Ducati Multistrada V4 to come with radar technology

70 CV NEWS: Tata Motors launches Signa 5525.S 4x2

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CAR NEWS

FORD ENDEAVOUR SPORT Special Edition launched at `35.10 Lakh

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he Ford India has launched the special edition of the Ford Endeavour priced at Rs 35.10 lakh. The Ford Endeavour Sport dons bold, black exteriors and features a dozen impressive exterior changes.

The Ford Endeavour Sport will be the new top-trim variant in the Ford Endeavour vehicle lineup, available only with an all-wheel-drive or 4X4 driveline.

The Ford Endeavour Sport has an impressive black and butch exterior. It has an all-new ebony black front grille. The front fender as well as the front and rear bumper skid plates gets an ebony black treatment.

The special black edition smoked headlamps

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complete the Ford Endeavour Sport’s impressive look. Ford Endeavour features all-LED headlamp for both low and highbeam that provide up to 20% greater lighting penetration for enhanced night-time visibility.

The black theme is carried through to the side with ebony black ORVMs, fender grille and dark inserts on side steppers. A smart SPORT decal will embellish the doors and tailgate. One of the most noticeable changes on the new Endeavour Sport is its ebony black premium alloy wheels and roof rails that make the SUV sporty yet elegant.

The 2020 Endeavour comes with a new 2.0-litre EcoBlue engine & world’s first 10 Speed-Automatic Transmission.

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CAR NEWS

KIA SONET COMPACT SUV LAUNCHED IN `6.71– `11.99 LAKH RANGE Kia Motors India has officially launched the Kia Sonet sub 4 metres compact SUV at a starting price of Rs 6,71,000. The Kia Sonet comes in two trim lines- Tech Line and GT Line. The Tech-Line offering will include HTE, HTK, HTK+, HTX and HTX+ variants, while the GT-Line will only come with GTX+ variant. Tech Line prices are in the range of Rs 6.71 lakh to Rs 11.65 lakh. The GT Line is priced at Rs 11.99 lakh (ex showroom). The Kia Sonet will have the following engine options: Two petrol engines –Smartstream 1.2-litre four-cylinder and 1.0 T-GDi (turbocharged petrol direct injection) / Two diesel engines –1.5-litre CRDi diesel engine (WGT & VGT configurations). The Sonet comes with five transmission options; this includes five- and six-speed manuals, a seven-speed DCT, six-speed automatic, and a new six-speed Smartstream intelligent manual transmission (iMT). For the first time in this segment, the 1.5 CRDi diesel motor is also available with a six-speed automatic transmission.

(Kia Sonet drive report on page 22)

MAHINDRA ALL-NEW THAR LAUNCHED AT `9.80 LAKH ONWARD Mahindra & Mahindra launched the all-new Thar in two trims, namely AX & LX, with prices starting at Rs 9.80 lakh for AX series and Rs 12.49Lakh for LX series (Ex-showroom Price, All India). The 4WD Manual Transmission AX model line-up will be priced in the range of Rs 9.80 lakh to Rs 1.20 lakh and will be offered in 6-seater as well as 4-seater options with soft top, convertible top and hard top and in petrol and diesel.

Prices for the 4WD Manual Transmission LX series (in petrol and diesel) are in the range of Rs 12.49 lakh to 12.95 lakh. In the LX model line-up with automatic transmission (petrol and diesel) the price range will be from Rs 13.45 lakh to Rs 13.75 lakh.

MG GLOSTER PREMIUM SUV LAUNCHED AT `28.98 LAKH ONWARD MG Motor India has launched it premium SUV, MG Gloster at an inaugural price starting at Rs 28.98 Lakhs, ex-showroom, New Delhi. All four variants of the Gloster are now available for booking with a nominal amount of Rs. 100,000. The MG Gloster will be available in 4 feature-intensive variants in India, i.e. Super, Smart, Sharp and Savvy. They extend unmatched opulence to MG customers with multiple combinations such as luxurious bucket seats (6-seater and 7-seater), Two-Wheel Drive (2WD) and Four - Wheel Drive (4WD), and two engine choices including twin turbocharged diesel engine. The Savvy trim, priced at 35.38 lakh comes with its Autonomous Level 1 Features (enabled by Advanced Driver Assistance System or ADAS) and an industry-first captain seat. It also includes Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Automatic Parking Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control, alongside others.

(MG Gloster First Drive report on page 16)

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CAR NEWS

MERCEDES-BENZ EQC ELECTRIC CAR LAUNCHED AT `99.30 LAKH The Mercedes-Benz EQC electric car was launched in India in the luxury car space at a price of Rs 99.30 lakh, ex showroom, India.

The new Mercedes-Benz EQC price includes for the first 50 units: AC Wall Box charger, home electrical charger, 5 years unlimited on-road assistance, 5 years comprehensive service package, 5 year unlimited kilometers extended warranty, 8 years/160000kms battery cover.

The EQC has a widescreen cockpit, LED strip light front and rear, and black panel radiator grill. The EQC’s interior uses renewable materials for the upholstery and features rose gold finishing. The MBUX intuitive system is a revolutionary infotainment system with natural voice control, touch-sensitive surfaces and seamless navigation.

RENAULT KWID NEOTECH LIMITED EDITION LAUNCHED AT `4.29 LAKH Renault India has launched the 2020 Neotech edition of the Kwid in 0.8L MT, 1.0L MT and 1.0L AMT variants.

The Kwid Neotech prices start at Rs 4.29 lakh. The Kwid Neotech is a limited-edition with first-in-segment stylish and fresh dual-tone exterior. Customers can choose between two colour combinations - Zanskar Blue body with Silver roof and Silver body with Zanskar Blue roof. The Kwid Neotech will be Rs 30,000 more expensive than the regular Kwid.

ALL-NEW TOYOTA URBAN CRUISER LAUNCHED AT `8.40 LAKH ONWARD Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has launched the all-new Toyota Urban Cruiser, rebadged and subtly changed from the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza. Prices of the Toyota Urban Cruiser are in the range of Rs 8.40 lakh to Rs. 11.30 lakh. The Urban Cruiser incidentally is the second model to be launched in India under the global Toyota-Suzuki alliance. The first model under the alliance was the Toyota Glanza, rebadged with subtle changes from the Maruti Suzuki Baleno.

The all-new Urban Cruiser will be powered by the K-Series 1.5 litre four-cylinder petrol engine and will be available in a choice of Manual Transmission (MT) and Automatic Transmission (AT) with a fuel efficiency of 17.03 kmpl and 18.76 kmpl respectively. The Urban Cruiser offers an early entry into the Toyota SUV family with offerings like dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, Advanced Body Structure, Electrochromic IRVM, hill hold control, reverse parking camera with display in audio and ISOFIX child seat restraint system.

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BIKE NEWS

HONDA H’NESS CB350 prices start at `1.85 lakh Honda 2Wheelers India (Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India-HMSI) has launched the H’nessCB350 at a special starting price of Rs 1.85 lakh (ex-showroom, Gurugram, Haryana). It comes with a dual-tone fuel tank (capacity 15 litres) which is only available in DLX Pro variant. The bike has a heritage inspired look.

The front alloy wheel has seven Y shaped cutouts inside. It has 19-inch tyre in front while the rear tyre is 18 inches.

The specially designed exhaust system comes with a large tailpipe of 45mm that optimises balance with the muffler capacity.

Exhaust pipes are double skinned to prevent

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heat discoloration. The H’ness-CB350 is powered by a 350cc, 4 stroke OHC singlecylinder engine equipped with PGM-FI technology. The engine produces a max torque of 30 Nm@3000 rpm.

HSVCS, gear position indicator and battery voltage meter. Fuel efficiency details are displayed in 3 modes – real time mileage, average mileage and distance to empty.

• Full LED Setup (both front & back).

THE H’NESS-CB350 COMES WITH 5 SEGMENT FIRST FEATURES:

COMFORT & CONVENIENCE

• Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) • Honda Smartphone Voice Control system (HSVCS) (in the DLX Pro variant only) • Assist and Slipper Clutch • Advanced Digital-Analogue Speedometer It integrates details like HSTC, ABS, Side stand indicator with engine inhibitor, ECO indicator,

The bike has dual channel ABS with 310mm disc brake in front and 240mm disc in rear. It gets chrome plated dual horn (only in DLX Pro variant). It gets segment first Engine Start/ Stop Switch and Segment first Hazard Switch feature. Dual seat with superior cushioning provides a comfortable sitting to the rider on the go.

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BIKE NEWS

TVS APACHE RTR 200 4V LAUNCHED WITH SUPER-MOTOABS TVS Motor Company has introduced the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V motorcycle with Super-Moto ABS. The motorcycle will offer the single-channel ABS function, giving it formidable stopping power and superior braking control coupled with the fun of sliding around the race track.

Available in two colours namely, Pearl White and Gloss Black, the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V motorcycle with Super-Moto ABS will be priced at Rs. 1,23,500 (Ex-showroom Delhi).

TVS Apache RTR 200 4V is powered by a 197.75cc singlecylinder, 4-stroke, 4-valve and oil-cooled engine with RT-Fi technology. The engine develops 20.5 PS of power at 8,500 RPM and 16.8 Nm of torque at 7,500 RPM. It has first in segment GTT – Glide Through Technology for effortless urban riding and enables an incredibly smooth and comfortable ride.

DUCATI SCRAMBLER 1100 PRO, 1100 SPORT PRO NOW WITH BS VI ENGINE Luxury motorcycle brand Ducati announced the launch of the all-new Scrambler 1100 Pro and the 1100 SportPro with BS VI engine, priced at Rs 11.95 lakh and Rs 13.74 lakh respectively (Ex-Showroom Pan India).

The models come with an 1100 CCL-twin twovalve engine. The Scrambler 1100 Pro also features a 15-litre steel tank that, combined with an all-new comfortable seat, ensures that even the longest rides are enjoyed in comfort.

The motorcycle puts out a maximum power of 86hp at 7,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 88.4Nm at 4,750 rpm. It is equipped with a 6-speed gearbox and the clutch is a wet multiplate type with hydraulic control and a servo-assisted slipper function that limits rear wheel destabilization during down-shifts.

Designed to be simple and accessible, this twincylinder engine features competitive 12,000 km maintenance intervals.

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BIKE NEWS

New BMW G 310 R, G 310 GS launched at `2.45 lakh onward

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BIKE NEWS

BMW Motorrad India launched the new BMW G 310 R and BMW G 310 GS in India. While the new BMW G 310 R is priced at Rs 2,45,000, the new BMW G 310 GS is priced at Rs 2,85,000, ex showroom India.

The new BMW G 310 R and BMW G 310 GS have a newly developed BS-VI engine. It is a 313-cc water-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke engine with four valves and two overhead camshafts with electronic fuel injection. With an output of 34 hp at 9,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 28 Nm at 7,500 rpm, the engine is an ideal partner for dynamic riding pleasure. A remarkable feature of

the engine is its backward-tilted cylinder in open-deck design with the cylinder head turned by 180 degrees, making it possible to position the intake tract at the front, viewed in the direction of travel. The motorcycles accelerate from 0 – 50 km/hr in just 2.5 seconds and achieve a top speed of 143 km/hr.

The 6-speed gearbox transfers the torque with an optimized transmission ratio. The slipper clutch with self-reinforcement provides precise actuation and smooth downshifts.

The newly introduced ‘Ride by Wire’ system passes on the rider’s commands directly from a sensor on the twist grip to the engine control system resulting in even finer control and improved throttle response. Thanks to the electromotive throttle controller, automatic idle speed increase when starting also prevents a possible sudden stalling of the engine.

The new BMW G 310 R and BMW G 310 GS now feature a full-LED headlight for even better visibility at night and LED flashing turn indicators and LED brake lights for increased visibility in traffic. Both, the clutch lever and the handbrake lever are now adjustable in four stages. It provides ergonomic benefits, particularly for people with small hands.

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BIKE NEWS

BMW R 18 cruiser motorcycle debuts in India at `18.90 lakh BMW Motorrad India has launched the all-new BMW R 18 in the country, marking the brand’s entry into the cruiser segment.

The all-new BMW R 18 will be offered in two variants: The ex showroom prices are as follows: All-new BMW R 18 is priced at Rs 18,90,000, the BMW R 18 First Edition is priced at Rs 21,90,000.

The all-new BMW R 18 can be ordered

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as a completely built-up unit (CBU) from today onwards through BMW Motorrad dealer network.

The centerpiece of the all-new BMW R 18 is a newly developed air/oil cooled two-cylinder boxer engine – the most powerful boxer in series production by BMW. The 1802cc engine resulting from a 107.1 mm bore and 100 mm stroke,

produces an output of 91 hp @ 4,750 rpm. The maximum torque is 158Nm @3,000 rpm, with more than 150 Nm available at any time from 2,000– 4,000 rpm. This elemental pulling power is combined with a full, resonant sound. The constant mesh 6-speed transmission is in a dual-section aluminum housing and is designed as a 4-shaft transmission with helical gear pairs.

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BIKE NEWS

TRIUMPH Motorcycles launches Rocket 3 GT at `18.40 lakh British premium motorcycle brand Triumph Motorcycles launched its ultimate tourer, the all-new Rocket 3 GT in India. The Rocket 3 GT takes over from its predecessor – the legendary Rocket III. The motorcycle is priced at Rs 18.40 lakh, ex showroom. Featuring the world’s biggest production engine, the Rocket 3 GT is the touring variant of the Rocket 3R launched earlier in December 2019.

With the addition of the new variant, Triumph is the only premium manufacturer in Indian to have the largest BS-VI portfolio consisting of 13 motorcycles in its fleet. The new Rocket 3 GT is equipped with the all-new 2,500cc triple motor.

The new Rocket 3 GT engine produces a peak power with 167PS@ 6,000 rpm, which is 11% up on its predecessor.

With more power from a low 3,500rpm, and all the way up to a higher red line of 7,000rpm, the new Rocket 3 GT delivers a staggering level of performance.

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WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

NO COMP FIRST DRIVE

MG GLOSTER PREMIUM SUV

S P EC I F ICAT IO NS ENGINE 1996cc (2.0L) Twin Turbo Diesel TRANSMISSION 8-AT / Driveline: 4WD with Terrain Selection

MAX POWER 215hp@4000rpm MAX TORQUE 480Nm@1500-2400rpm TYRES 255/55 R19 Alloys, Spare Wheel (All Variants) : 255/55 R19 Alloys

SUSPENSION Front: Dual Helix

Independent Suspension, Rear: Five link Integral Suspension

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WHEELZ & ROADZ

A driving experience

PROMISES Report: P. Tharyan; Photography: Afsar Baig

A

part from the fact that Gloster is the name of a city in England though spelt differently, Gloster was also a British jet-engine aircraft prototype and the company claims that the name is a nod to the great British engineering.

In India, the Gloster will mainly be pitted against the two popular SUVs in the country, the Toyota Fortuner and the Ford Endeavour. The MG Gloster is 4885mm in length, 1926mm in width and 1867mm in height. It has a wheelbase of 2950mm. Thus it is bigger than its two main competitors in length, width, height and wheelbase.

The 4x4 Gloster is powered by a 2 litre twin turbo diesel engine with a displacement of 1996cc and this is mated to an eight speed automatic transmission. The power and torque produced by the Gloster engine is way ahead of the pack at 215hp@4000rpm and 480Nm @ 1500-2400rpm respectively.

But the Gloster will also be offered with a choice of a turbo diesel engine with 1996cc displacement that would produce relatively less power at 161hp @4000rpm and a peak torque of 375Nm @1500-2400 rpm. This will be in 2-wheel drive. The one we were driving was the more powerful 4 wheel drive model.

The Gloster also comes with

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255/55 R19 alloys, while the other two offer R 18 tyres. As for the spare wheel, this too is a 255/55 R 19 alloys.

Okay let me stop this brief comparison and go straight to some of the features of the new Gloster from MG Motor India.

EXTERIORS The vehicle is mammoth-sized and has a floating roof design. In front you get to see the familiar octagon signature grille with the MG logo prominently fixed on it.

It has LED headlamps with auto leveling and fog lamps. It also comes with steering assist cornering lamps. The bonnet looks muscular and tough. As you move to the side you get to see the turn indicators on the ORVM. The Outside Mirror comes with MG Logo Projection. The ORVMs are power adjustable and foldable. The Outside Mirror tilts automatically while the vehicle moves in reverse. The ORVM also comes with a memory and has a heating feature.

On the driver’s side you get a neat ‘Brit Dynamic’ logo with the colours of the Union Jack, the flag of England. Just next to it is a vertical diffused chrome strip. It also has chrome painted door handles. The chrome beading around the windows and the large quarter glass for the 3rd row passengers at the base level moves up to almost touch the roof rails in an artistic manner. The design has been inspired by the beauty of the ‘Art of Surfing’.

Since this vehicle is pretty tall, you get aluminium foot board or running board for convenience. The Gloster has illuminated

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WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

scuff plate. It has chrome insert on side stepper. The prominent wheel arches house the smart looking diamond cut alloy wheels.

When you move to the rear you get to see LED tail lamps with diffused light guide in them which is again inspired by the unique racetrack pattern. The word ‘GLOSTER’ emblem is very prominently displayed at the rear horizontally, and in tiny letters you have words like 4WD ADAS on the left and ‘Internet Inside’ on the right, the latter feature which we get to see in the Hector and Hector Plus too. ADAS stands for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems which we shall talk about later.

At the bottom you get dual barrel twin chrome exhaust which I found a bit out of sync with the real tail pipes of the vehicle.

INTERIORS The moment you step inside you are pleasantly surprised by the roominess the cabin has to offer along with the premium luxury feel. The seats come with diamond-stylestitching. The vehicle comes in two seating variant offerings.

You get a 2+2+2 configuration with second row captain seats and you also get a 2 +3+2 configuration. We got the former in our vehicle. You get

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premium leather upholstery and soft touch material.

Coming to the 2+2+2 configuration, it is interesting to note though all the seats get decent sized comfortable head rests, the captain seats get headrests which can be adjusted not just for height, but for reach too. Thus, if you want it a bit in front so that it takes the shape behind your neck, you can do so. The

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WHEELZ & ROADZ

A driving experience

second row captain seats have decent sized arm rests. The 2nd row seat has a tumble operation. But the best seat, I presume, is the driver’s seat. No, not because he gets to drive this vehicle, but because it has 12 Way Power Adjust with two memory settings, and more importantly it has a massage function which is a first in segment feature.

Both the driver & co-driver seats have

heating, again a first in segment.

But I wonder why anyone would require heating in India’s largely hot climes? The co driver seat too has memory settings for its 8 way power adjust. The second row can be pushed in front to get to the third row while the third row can be folded completely in a 60:40 split.

While the front two rows have more than adequate space and

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comfort, surprisingly the third row too can seat adults with ease though there may not be too much of under thigh support.

The Gloster comes with leather wrapped steering wheel with buttons on the right for volume control, channel search, mute, hands free phone etc.

On the left you get buttons

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WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

for cruise control and settings. The steering wheel is telescopic and can be adjusted for tilt.

Open a flap on the floor console and you get 12V charging socket, USB charging and also wireless charging.

Unlike in many models where the phone is kept flat for charging, here you need to slide it sideways into a slot. Though it saves space, the only problem to this you may forget picking up your phone once you close the flap.

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The car gets three-zone climate control--Two zones for front and one zone for the back starting at the second row. You can adjust the temperature in front for the two zones and for the rear from the second row seats. There are plenty of air vents all around the cabin to ensure you enjoy the right temperature.

There is a tiny storage space in front next to steering wheel. The vehicle has plenty of storage spaces like in front

it has a dual glove box with cooling, illumination and locking, inside the front arm rest, inner door panels, etc.

The driver armrest also comes with storage space.

Then you have roof mounted button for panoramic sunroof, rear hatch door.

There is a button to close it too. The hatch door can be opened with kick gesture from outside and closed with a button mounted on the top. Then you have sunglass holder for the driver and

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WHEELZ & ROADZ

A driving experience

which is connected to an audio system with 12 speakers, which in turn has a whole host of functions. Functions include voice activated navigation, iSMART / Hello MG, Apple Carplay, Android Auto, Shortpedia News App, Gaana Song Search Via Voice Commands and a whole host of vehicle settings. It also has a 360 degree view camera

vanity mirrors with light.

Floor console with electric parking brakes, Auto hold, Knob for choosing from seven drive modes: Auto, Eco, Sport, Snow, Mud, Sand and Rock. The vehicle has on demand four wheel drive with rear differential. The vehicle comes with six airbags including driver knee airbag.

The Gloster has a 12.3” HD Touchscreen infotainment system

It has an 8 inches multi information display cluster and the TFT screen displays a wide range of functions. It has a 64 colour ambient lighting and LED cabin lighting.

PERFORMANCE To begin with, this car as mentioned earlier has ADAS technology which means it has Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Front Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking and Auto Park Assist. The vehicle also has a function of Fatigue Reminder System which is a safety feature.

For its bulk, the vehicle took the rough

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terrains we drove on rather easily. Yes, there was a bit of body roll and I am assuming it would be more prominent for those at the rear seats. But as for power, I was not complaining. In the auto mode, the vehicle moves with adequate speed and the power too is dispensed intelligently. But with the use of paddle shifts and even manual settings on the floor console with the gear, you can get that extra juice from the engine.

With disc brakes on all four wheels, the braking is very confident. The suspension too is a fair mix of soft and hard, so driving it, you do not let the pot holes and bad surfaces affect your mood and comfort.

With on demand four-wheel drive with rear differential, it’s like a cake walk over any of the tough terrains.

VERDICT The Gloster is a great SUV to drive and has a bucket load of comfort features. And when it comes to safety, technologies like ADAS provide a considerable amount of hi-tech safety features. It is definitely the Next Big Change in the SUV segment in India. It’s an SUV with No Compromises!

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BORN FIRST DRIVE

KIA SONET

WILD T

Report: Farhan Khan; Photography: Motown India / Kia Motors India

he sub compact SUV segment which is the sub 4 metre segment to be more precise is one of the most popular passenger vehicle segments in the country today and is growing rapidly too. Kia Sonet is the latest entrant in this segment. There are already popular models here like the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, the Mahindra XUV 300, which incidentally is one of the safest vehicles on road in India today, Hyundai Venue, Tata Nexon and Ford EcoSport, among others.

1 litre Turbo GDI petrol engine that comes with an option of either an Intelligent Manual Transmission or a 7 speed Dual Clutch Transmission. The third engine option is a 1.5 litre CRDI WGT or waste gas turbocharger diesel engine mated to a 6 speed manual transmission. The fourth engine option

I would describe the Kia Sonet as a handsome vehicle, just like its sibling Kia Seltos. Like the Selitos, the Kia Sonet too comes in two trim levels: Tech Line of variants as well as a GT Line of variants.

The GT Line is more exciting looking variant line with its sporty design elements.

The Kia Sonet, irrespective of Tech or GTLine, will be offered with four engine options. One is a 1.2 litre Smarstream G1.2 MPI petrol engine mated to a 5 speed gear box. The second engine option is the

Kia Sonet Tech Line 22 | MOTOWN INDIA | OCTOBER 2020

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HINDI VIDEO REVIEW

ENGLISH VIDEO REVIEW

Kia Sonet GT Line

Sonet has crown Jewel LED headlamps, ‘Heartbeat’ LED DRLs with integrated side turn indicators and projector fog lamps.

Kia Sonet gets a Tiger Nose grille with three-dimensional ‘stepwell’ geometric grille mesh.

GT Line trim gets a black high glossy Grille with GT Line logo and red accents on the front.

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is a 1.5 litre VGT or variable geometry turbocharger diesel engine mated to a sixspeed automatic transmission.

The vehicle overall has a length of 3995mm, a width of 1790mm and a height of 1642mm. The wheelbase of the Sonet is 2500mm.

EXTERIORS The Kia Sonet gets a Tiger Nose grille with three-dimensional ‘stepwell’ geometric grille mesh. The moment you look at the grille you will be reminded of the popular Seltos SUV. The Sonet has a “Wild by Design’ theme attributed to it.

GT Line trim gets a black high glossy Grille with GT Line logo and red accents on the front. The bumper of the Tech Line and GT line are different, the latter being more

sporty and pronounced.

The Sonet has crown Jewel LED headlamps, ‘Heartbeat’ LED DRLs with integrated side turn indicators and projector fog lamps. It gets ‘Turbo’ shaped skid plates in front. The KIA badge sits prominently on the lower tip of the bonnet.

The bonnet itself is built to exude a tough and bold design theme.

From the side the vehicle has a decent look with chrome plated door handles, diffused chrome strip at the bottom of the door and decently shaped wheel arches.

The vehicle has alloy wheels with 215/60 R16 tyres. The ORVMs come with in-built side indicators. The Sonet comes with roof rails, electric sunroof and a shark fin antenna. The roof slants down as it moves towards the rear, giving it an aerodynamic

shape. Just below the A pillar by the side of the bonnet, you have the transmission type written whether it is an iMT or Auto or DCT. At the rear we get heart beat LED tail lamps which are connected with reflector strip. There is an LED stop light which is mounted high on the integrated rear spoiler. The indicators and rear parking light are halogen. At the bottom you have sporty dual muffler design and diffuser fin rear skid plate. Again the KIA badge is prominently fixed on the centre of the hatch door. Equally prominent is the word ‘SONET’ fixed on the left side of the door and in much smaller letters is the TGDI badge stuck in one corner. The other engine options don’t get their names inscribed at the back. However, the GT Line gets a prominent GT Line words inscribed at the rear.

Kia Sonet GT Line

The GT Line gets a prominent GT Line words inscribed at the rear. The rear of the GT line encompasses the Piano Black Diffuser Fin Skid Plates with red accents.

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At the rear Sonet gets a heart beat LED tail lamps connected with reflector strip. There is an LED stop light which is mounted high on the integrated rear spoiler. The indicators and rear parking light are halogen. It also comes with sporty dual muffler design and diffuser fin rear skid plate.

The rear of the GT line encompasses the Piano Black Diffuser Fin Skid Plates with red accents.

The GT Line trim also comes with red stitching on the steering wheel, seats and door armrest.

INTERIORS

The Sonet gets a 10.25 inch HD touchscreen with Infotainment and Navigation system. Two mobile phones can be connected directly to this system and inputs from both can be accessed here. As for the navigation,

Once inside you get to see a smart cabin. Again the difference between the Tech Line and the GT Line is the light and dark interiors respectively. The GT Line words are stitched on the seat.

you also get a 3d display of the route.

Moreover, the customer gets the internet based service free for first three years. You can also connect your smart watch to the system.

The Air vents in the dashboard feature a metallic, diamond-knurled pattern. The D-cut steering wheel has control buttons on them and the steering wheel can be adjusted for

Sonet gets a 10.25 inch HD touchscreen with Infotainment and Navigation system. The difference between the Tech Line and the GT Line is the light and dark interiors respectively. www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

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The Air vents in the dashboard feature a metallic, diamond-knurled pattern. tilt but not for reach. The steering gets both the Kia as well as Sonet badging.

The steering mounted controls have a number of functions that reflect on the MID screen. You also get cruise control buttons on one side of the steering.

The inside rear view mirror which is auto dimming has buttons for SOS, Tow and UV connect.

The 4.2-inch instrument cluster panel is of a sporty design and presents

D-cut steering wheel has control buttons on them and the steering wheel can be adjusted for tilt but not for reach.

information to the driver in vivid colours, which includes turn-by-turn navigation, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and Multi Drive Modes and Grip Control. The vehicle comes with BOSE Premium 7-speaker System with Sub-woofer.

You can also charge your mobile phone wirelessly, provided it is compatible to that technology. In front you get two USB slots, one of them for high speed charging, and you also get a 12V charging

The GT Line trim also comes with red stitching on the steering wheel, seats and door armrest.

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4.2-inch instrument cluster panel with sporty design

Smart Pure Air Purifier with Virus Protection

socket that can accommodate gadgets with a max output of 120 watts.

You get vanity mirrors in the top model on both sides but these do not have embedded lights when you flip them open.

Then you also get LED sound mood lamps.

The Sonet has the feature of remote engine start for automatic and manual transmission through UVO & smart key. The UVO connected technology comes with 57 features including the UVO - Voice Assist. On the dash you have buttons for controlling AC fan speed, AC, AC modes, AC temperature, air recirculation, front and rear defogger and fan speed controls for the front seat ventilation. Since the Sonet comes with so many switches for various functions, they should have also added one for volume control on the dash, especially for the co-passenger in front who may otherwise find it tough working on the

touchscreen while on the move.

The driver door panel gets the usual controls for locking the doors as well as for opening and closing the window panes.

As for the seats, the ones in front are ventilated and are very comfortable.

This ventilation feature is a sensible one considering the intense heat and warm climes across India.

At the rear the seats are comfortable, especially for two people. The two can then enjoy the drop down arm rest with two cup holders. There are only two head rests for the rear passengers. Three people can definitely squeeze in at the back and each can have one’s own safety seat belt. The rear area, between the two front seats you get the Smart Pure Air Purifier with Virus Protection, which again is a sensible feature during such

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It has a boot space of 392 litres. terrible days of the pandemic. You have AC vents there and also a USB charging slot with a place to keep your mobile. The back of the front seats comes with two pockets where you can store magazines, books or files or some such things.

Storage space is plenty which includes the space under the front hand rest, the glove box and the inner door panels, two cup holders and space for you phone on the floor console. The vehicle has a boot space of 392 litres.

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PERFORMANCE We drove the 1 litre Turbo GDI petrol engine with the iMT first and later the 1.5 litre CRDi WGT diesel mated to a 6 speed manual transmission. Remember these engines are doing a great job in several vehicles in the Hyundai family. The Turbo GDI is an amazing engine with great response when you step on the accelerator. As for the iMT we recently talked at length about it when we drove the Hyundai Venue iMT. You can refer to that video to find out how the iMT works and how best to drive it.

Since it is a responsive engine and the gear changes have to be made by you in this Intelligent Manual Transmission, which is kind of an automatic because we do not get a clutch pedal here, you have to shift according to your needs. But a few things that need to be kept in the mind while driving this iMT version is that you need to have some basic knowledge about how a manual transmission operates. For example, you cannot slot the 4th gear and start the vehicle from standstill. Of course, the vehicle does guide you and warn you with indicators and beep sounds. But overall, I am very impressed by the responsiveness of the engine. The ride and handling of the car is impressive and the suspension too is tuned perfectly, taking care of the rough and the smooth. It is neither very soft nor very hard.

Coming to the 1.5 litre diesel engine, we

got one with a manual transmission. The engine is not as quick as the turbo GDI but it does not disappoint you. Gear shift indicators tell you which gear to go to, whether to down shift or up shift. Being a diesel, it definitely gives better fuel mileage than a petrol. I did not experience any lack of power with this diesel engine, rather I found it above average. NVH levels are a lot under control and one does not get to know this is a diesel mill that we are driving since the sound from the engine bay is to a great extent insulated. You get drive modes and traction control in this vehicle. Drive modes include Normal/ Eco / Sports. Traction Control can also be adjusted for Snow, Mud and Sand.

G1.0 T-GDI petrol engine

As for safety, the Sonet gets six airbags.

Then it has ABS or Anti Lock Braking System with EBD. EBD stands for Electronic Brakeforce Distribution. Then it has Electronic Stability Control or ESC, Hill Assist Control or HAC, vehicle stability management or VSM and Brake assist, Front & Rear parking sensors, and Isofix child anchor etc.

VERDICT The Kia Sonet is a fresh addition to India’s sub compact SUV segment. It’s refreshing and it’s wild, not just in design but in its performance too. I won’t call the Kia Sonet revolutionary, but I would definitely say that it has maintained very high standards when it comes to overall design, comfort, performance and safety.

1.5L CRDi diesel engine

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SPECIFICATIONS Engine (All BS VI)

Smartstream G1.2 MPI

G1.0 T-GDI

1.5L CRDi WGT (Waste Gas Turbocharger)

1.5L CRDi VGT (Variable-geometry Turbocharger)

Fuel Type

Petrol

Petrol

Diesel

Diesel

Displacement

1197cc

998cc

1493cc

1493cc

Max Power

81.86hp@6000rpm

118.35@6000rpm

98.63/4000

113.42/4000

Max. Torque

115Nm@4200rpm

172Nm@1500-4000rpm

240Nm@1500-2750rpm

250Nm@1500-2750rpm

Transmission

5MT

6iMT/ 7DCT

6MT

6AT

Overall dimensions

L x Wx H - 3995 x 1790 x 1642mm

Wheelbase

2500mm

Bootspace

392 litres

Suspension

Front: McPherson strut with coil spring, Rear: Coupled torsion beam axle with coil spring

Brakes

Front-Disc, Rear - Drum

Tyres

215/60 R16

Fuel Tank capacity

45 litres

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MAHINDRA XUV300 TOPS ON SAFETY

R

oad safety is dependent on several factors. First and foremost, you need to encourage disciplined driving.

It also involves strictly following the traffic norms in the country. And equally important is that the vehicle you are driving meets the highest safety standards. The perfect combination is the one that helps you to be safe on the roads while driving, helping you to avoid accidents and also if an accident were to happen for no fault of yours, it helps you to stay alive without any major bodily harm.

It is here that the Mahindra XUV 300 scores big time in terms of safety in the sub 4 metre compact SUV segment.

Mahindra XUV300 teamed up with the SaveLIFE Foundation, an independent non-profit organisation committed to encouraging road safety, to launch a unique initiative towards this cause. The two organised ‘Safer Drives Safer Lives’ drive to create awareness on road safety

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in various cities including New Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai.

The Mahindra XUV 300 compact SUV had topped Global NCAP’s six-year safety rankings, results of which were announced a few months back. This makes the XUV300 the safest among all the vehicles tested by Global NCAP between 2014 and 2020.

Global NCAP (GNCAP), the umbrella body of consumer car safety testing bodies, completed safety assessments on more than 38 vehicles during this period and the XUV300 scored the highest safety rating among all the models tested. The XUV300 achieved the highest combined occupant safety rating, with a 5-Star Global NCAP rating for adult occupant protection and a 4-Star rating for child occupant protection, the latter being a first in India.

SO WHAT MAKES THE XUV300 SO SAFE? Just look at the features it comes with

and you will be convinced that it is definitely a safe vehicle to be in while driving. It has several firsts to its credit. It has first-insegment 7 airbags including knee airbag, dual-front, side and curtain airbags, first-in-segment disc brakes on all 4 wheels (Amongst Sub 4-metre Compact SUVs), first-in-segment front and rear parking sensors and first-in-segment heated ORVMs. Then it has critical features like Auto-dimming IRVM. Rear camera with adaptive guidelines, Seat Belts with Pretensioner & Load-limiter, Front & rear fog lamps, ISOFIX child seat anchors, Tyretronics (Tyre pressure & temperature monitoring system), Seat belt reminder for all 5 seats, 3-point seat belt on all seats and Tyre-position display. This display makes a lot of sense when you begin to drive your car. You get to know how your front tyres are positioned and you can change them accordingly. Other features include Auto Headlamps, Auto Wipers, Speed Sensing Door Locks, and Impact Sensing Door Unlock.

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THE ADVANTAGES OF ESP This vehicle comes with ABS & EBD which is standard across all variants. The XUV 300 also comes with Electronic Stability Program with Dynamic Steering Torque, Hydraulic Brake Assist, Roll-over Mitigation and

Traction Control, together with Hill Start Assist.

ESP assists the driver in critical driving situations. It comprises of the functions of ABS and traction control system and counter acts skidding movement by a vehicle. We all know that during emergency braking, without an ABS, the wheels lock up and the vehicle skids. But ABS reduces braking pressure on individual wheels, thus avoiding wheel locks and allows the driver to continue steering.

The traction control is very essential while starting off on slippery surfaces.

It helps prevent the wheels from spinning and steering away to the side. On slippery roads, curves or emergency maneuvers, the front end may tend to move straight ahead while the rear end may spin out, resulting in a crash. But with ESP, your car gets its perfect balance.

Seatbelt vector credits: Designed by macrovector / Freepik

ESP system offer value added functions like

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Hill Hold Control. Hill Hold Control or Hill Start Assist makes sense when you start off on an incline. The system independently holds the brakes for a couple of seconds after the driver has released the brake pedal, thus preventing roll back.

As for Roll Over mitigation which the XUV300 has, it can protect vehicles with high centre of gravity (these are usually SUVs) from the risk of rolling over. Roll over mitigation stabilises the vehicle in critical situations by intervening in the ECU by applying pressure to individual brakes.

The XUV300 also boasts of a Collapsible Steering & Side Intrusion Beam. We all know that the steering column consists of a long shaft. In such a safety feature, the ‘collapsible’ design introduced an ‘inner’ and ‘outer’ sleeve to the shaft comes handy as it collapses when high level of pressure is exerted as is the case of an accident, allowing the sleeves to compress telescopically. As for Side impact bars, they increase the rigidity of the doors and distribute the energy in the event of a side-on crash.

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PERFORMANCE REVIEW

HYUNDAI GRAND i10 NIOS – SPORTZ (1.0 L TURBO GDI)

SPEED BOOSTER I

Report: P. Tharyan; Photography: Hyundai Motor India

t was in February this year that Hyundai Motor India had introduced the Grand i10 Nios – Sportz Variant with the very popular 1.0 litre Turbo GDi engine. Then covid came in spoiled all the fun. This variant has some cosmetic changes of which we shall talk later. Why do I call it a popular engine? It’s obvious that this same engine does splendid service across the Hyundai and Kia stables within the Hyundai Motor group globally and in India.

This engine dishes out power depending on the model and the segment. Since the Hyundai Garnd i10 Nios is a small car, the power derived from this engine for this car is more than

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adequate. Or else, frankly speaking, Hyundai would have to build massive spoilers at the rear to prevent it from lifting off to the skies. And I am not joking, it would have been a lot of power for this car to handle at 120hp. At 99hp, it’s more than adequate.

This 1 litre GDi engine powers the Aura, Venue and the Verna from the Hyundai Motor India stable. While the Aura and the Grand i10 Nios –Sportz variant gets similar power and torque, in the Venue and the Verna, the power and torque is bumped up, even though it is the same engine.

The power of the engine was quite evident

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S P ECIFICATIO NS ENGINE 1.0L Turbo Petrol (998cc) TRANSMISSION MT MAX POWER 99hp@6,000rpm PEAK TORQUE 171.62hp@1,500-

4,000rpm

FUEL EFFICIENCY 20.3kmpl PRICE 1.0L TGDi Sportz MT `7,68,050

1.0L TGDi Sportz MT (Dual Tone) `7,73,350 (ex showroom India)

when I got the chance to step on it.

Gears one and two are simply brute.

Here in this article I am just talking about the performance of this new engine and not about any other features, apart from some aesthetic changes. Yes, it’s got a very amazing lift off from the word “Go”. It’s definitely an enthusiast’s car. Generally small cars in this category come with engine power that is so inadequate and so weak. But the turbo GDi engine changes all that.

The best part of this car is that it’s got manual gears. That makes the car a lot more fun. Slot it in gear two, and watch the rpm gauge spiking and the speed reaching dizzy heights. You can feel the power and see for yourself how fast the car gets to move. The gears definitely come with long legs.

In fact, in gear two you can speed

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much beyond the 70kmph and wonder how much more this car can go. The gear ratios have been fixed in such a manner that you can definitely zip ahead of others cars, the moment the traffic signal turns green.

Fast cars can definitely drive slowly too. That’s obvious. But slow cars need not drive fast. This is a fast car and is not only swift but is planted and very confident on the roads. The brakes and suspension are such, that it oozes confidence.

The Sportz variant of the Grand i10 Nios will be offered in contrasting dual tone colours - Fiery Red with Black Roof and Polar White with Black Roof along with single tone colour options Aqua Teal & Polar White.

Now that we have given confident thumbs up to the performance of this engine, let’s move to the cosmetic changes. This new trim option has a unique turbo badge on the front grille and tail gate on the exterior. And when it comes to the interior, it features an allblack colour scheme with red inserts.

This makes it all sporty and urban looking from inside, doing great justice to what is under the hood now.

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2020 TVS XL100 MOPED

THE PRACTICAL TRANSPORTER

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Report: P. Tharyan; Photography: Afsar Baig

T

he TVS XL100 is a moped with great repute.

Not many may know, but mopeds are popular in India and they are respected too for their abilities. In 2019-20, around 6,36,940 mopeds were sold in the domestic market and in the year prior to that in 2018-19, around 8,80,227 units were sold. Of course, sales went down, but so have sales of cars, bikes and all other kinds of vehicles. TVS Motor Company is the only company making these highly popular mopeds in India.

TVS Motor Company as we all know makes some very great motorcycles and scooters and its Apache series of motorcycles have won several accolades.

Also, at its Hosur plant in south India it makes the very solid sub 500cc BMW Motorcycles.

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Mopeds are popular among business owners, traders and farmers. In cities and towns you have office-goers, women riders and older people riding this moped.

THE LEGACY The TVS moped has a great legacy. This two-wheeler moped was born in 1979.

The TVS XL, in fact, is the reason why TVS Racing – India’s first factory racing team, came into existence. The TVS Racing team participated in their initial races on the TVS 50 which dominated the racetrack. Therefore, the vehicle is great combination of utility and has the racing DNA embodied by TVS Racing.

Star riders Biju Mathews, N Gurunathan, Gurminder Singh, Ravi

Thirumalai, participated and won Road Racing Motorcross and Dirt Track events with 50cc 2-stroke engine Moped.

The sturdy two-wheeler, which has evolved from being a commuter vehicle to a multi-utility one, can navigate through any kind of terrain while offering safety and comfort.

This moped which you are seeing has evolved over a period since 1987. The year 2020 saw the launch of TVS XL100 BS-VI with Eco Thrust Fuel Injection (ET-Fi) Technology.

The TVS XL100 today comes in three BS VI variants--TVS XL100 Heavy Duty i-TouchStart, TVS XL100 Heavy Duty i-TouchStart Special Edition and TVS XL100 Comfort i-TouchStart. We got a chance to ride the Comfort variant. The

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XL100 Comfort i-TouchStart comes at an ex-showroom Delhi price of Rs 47,864/-

TVS XL100 COMFORT I-TOUCHSTART BS-VI FEATURES The TVS XL100 has a very light weight design and is very compact and precise. It has a durable all metal body.

It has a very comfortable handle bar.

It has a stylish head lamp fairing / LED DRLs. Beige coloured panels give it an appealing look. Then you have decent amounts of chrome embellishments like the silencer guard, suspension shrouds, chrome finish handle on the seat, handle bar, etc. The seats are cushioned and they are broad and long too. The backrest is also cushioned.

The instrument cluster is minimalist with a speedometer cum odometer and indications for the lights.

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SPECIFICAT IO NS ENGINE 99.7cc, Type4 Stroke Single Cylinder BS-VI petrol TRANSMISSION Automatic MAX POWER 4.3hp@6000 rpm PEAK TORQUE 6.5Nm@3500 rpm FUEL EFFICIENCY 66kmpl SUSPENSION Front: Telescopic spring type hydraulic, Rear: Swing arm with hydraulic shocks TYRES Front & Rear: 2.5 X 16 inches PRICE `47,864/- (ex showroom India)

The fuel reserve light is also part of the cluster. Just below you get a mobile charger and you can plug it in while you are riding. Your mobile phone can be placed in a bag and hung on the hook in front. As simple as that! On the right you have the on-off combo switch, while the left has the switches for the indicators, the headlight and the horn. Very basic and very practical is how I see it.

The fuel tank hold around 4 litres of petrol (including 1.3 litres for reserve), enough to spin you around the city as the fuel average you get from this moped is around 66km per litre.

It’s the space at the floor level which is quite abundant.

That means, you can keep a lot of things on it. The reason why the flat board is so broad and long is because the engine and other critical parts are literally at the bottom. This also ensures that the XL100 has a very low centre of gravity, making it very safe on the roads.

It has a centre stand which is very easy to engage. A side stand too comes handy on this moped. The moped is available in three colours – Cool mint blue which is this and then you have Luster Gold and Sparkling silver.

TECHNICAL SPECS & PERFORMANCE This moped is powered by a 99.7cc petrol engine with auto gear. The i-TouchStart ensures that you have a silent start.

This feature is a first in India among two-wheelers. As for the brakes, it has Sync Braking Technology (SBT). It has a low turning radius.

Then there is a rollover sensor for safety the engine

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shuts off on a 15 deg fall. It has large 16” spoked wheels.

The TVS XL100 BS-VI comes equipped with Ecothrust Fuel injection (ET-Fi) technology which boasts of a 15% more mileage, improved power & pickup, better starting ability, better refinement with smooth & consistent engine idling and also a Jerk-free ride, among others. Then it has low maintenance because of timely service owing to OBD-I (On board diagnostics) which leads to low maintenance cost. It has an external dry pump and the riders only need to maintain minimum 500ml fuel quantity.

Now riding this bike is fun.

It is easy to ride and is best at around 50kmph. But the moment you try to rev it and pretend you are seated on a race machine, the engine can be heard working hard and it struggles to reach levels of 70kmph. The suspension is rather good, cushioning you from any big jerks. The drum brakes have enough bite for this two-wheeler.

It’s obvious that this machine is not about speed and dare devilry; rather it is for those who want to take life easy. It’s like a work horse which does its job without any fuss. It can take on the rough roads with as much ease as it does on smooth roads. This makes it the ideal transporter for so many people, especially the small traders, farmers and the elderly. It’s got the right combination of balance, power and grace, of being a utility vehicle and a commuter.

But that does not mean we did not have fun with it. We invited Delhi-based motorcycle stunt rider Bunty Godara to try his hand at it. But then that’s a different story altogether!

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STUNT RIDE WITH TVS XL100 MOPED

D

Report: Motown India Bureau; Photography: Neeraj Panwar

elhi-based Bunty Godara has been doing motorcycle stunts for more than a decade now. He has now become a professional motorcycle stunt rider and is sponsored by names like K&N Filters, Axor helmets and is part of TVS Racing motorcycle stunt riding team.

He has enthralled crowds at various shows across the country. There is magic when he is astride his TVS Apache RTR 160 motorcycle which he has modified heavily for his stunt shows.

Each of the stunts has a different name. They go much beyond the ordinary wheelies and stoppies! He has always been a friend of Motown India and when we asked him to ride the humble TVS XL100 moped, he made no fuss. He did not smirk or feel the least offended that we had asked him to ride the XL100. He readily agreed, displaying his refreshing character of humility.

The year 2020 saw the launch of TVS XL100 BS-VI with Eco Thrust Fuel Injection (ET-Fi) Technology. The TVS XL100 today comes in three BS VI variants--TVS XL100 Heavy Duty i-TouchStart, TVS XL100 Heavy Duty i-TouchStart Special Edition and TVS XL100 Comfort i-TouchStart. We got a chance to ride the Comfort variant.

The XL100 Comfort i-TouchStart comes at an ex showroom Delhi price of Rs 47,864/This moped is powered by a 99.7cc petrol engine with auto gear. This engine delivers a maximum power of 4.3hp@6000rpm and a peak torque of 6.5Nm@3500rpm. With a kerb weight of 89kg, this machine has Telescopic

spring type hydraulic suspension in front, while the rear comprises of Swing arm with hydraulic shocks.

But this video is about Bunty’s stunt attempt with the XL100. Because of its very low centre of gravity, thanks to the engine mounted way low, picking the vehicle up did not come easy with Bunty, even though all his acrobatic stunts were managed easily.

Undeterred by the fact that he could not do a wheelie with the XL100, he kept on trying, until he succeeded.

He even managed a brief burn out of the tyres, raising smoke like nobody’s business. The rest was all fun as he enjoyed the humble two-wheeler to his heart’s content!

The TVS XL100 is a moped with great repute. TVS Motor Company is the only company making these mopeds in India.

The TVS moped has a great legacy too. This two-wheeler moped was born in 1979. The TVS XL, in fact, is the reason why TVS Racing – India’s first factory racing team, came into existence. The TVS Racing team participated in their initial races on the TVS 50 which dominated the racetrack. Therefore, the vehicle is great combination of utility and has the racing DNA embodied by TVS Racing.

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WHEELZ & ROADZ A riding experience

DETEL EASY CITY ELECTRIC BICYCLE

VERY CUTE, VERY FRAGILE Report: P. Tharyan; Photography: Neeraj Panwar

T

ill a few days back I was not aware of a brand by the name of Detel and that it is owned by a Haryana based company that goes by the name of SG Corporate Mobility Pvt Ltd. Detel products include mobile phones, LCD TVs, washing machines, Bluetooth devices, data cables and sundry other things.

But it was the Detel Easy city electric bicycle that got me all excited.

The cute looking electric bicycle that resembled a small moped is priced at Rs 19,999, exclusive of taxes. I immediately went to their site to check on it and though bookings were open for this twowheeler till recently, I got to see the words “Out of Sock” scribbled on the page.

SPECIFICATIONS Motor Power: 250 Watts

Like they say in India, anything that looks and feels hip, we assume it is Chinese. The general assumption is that everything that comes to India in bulk, from mobile phones, electronic products, household stuff to clothes are assumed to be from China.

Battery: 48V, 12Ah Lithium-Ion Battery Max Speed : 25 Km/hr Range Upto 60 Km Under Ideal Condition Brake: Drum

I immediately sent a few questions to the company asking for some clarifications. I asked them where this product is made and how much is sourced from India and abroad. The answer was: “We are extremely proud to say that more than 60 per cent of the spare parts in Detel Easy are Indian and we are committed to use 100 per cent Indian parts by this year-end”. My question went partially unanswered. They did not inform me from where the remaining 40 per cent parts came from. The Detel EV plant is based in Gurugram in Haryana.

Vehicle(LxBxH) 1570x620x1050 mm Warranty: 3 Years / Battery - 3years / Motor, Controller & Charger - 1 year Tyre: 16-2.5 With Tube Charger : 48V / 50 Hz (Herz) Charge Time: 7-8 Hrs Loading capacity 90kg / 120kg

Another important question I asked was about the company’s after-sales service outlets in the country. The answer was: “In case of service customers can reach our helpline number and place service request and the service person will provide servicing at their home location and going forward our SSP franchise partner will provide service directly to the customer”. The company is incidentally seeking franchise partners for Detel Easy.

Though the company had initially stated in a press release that Detel Easy costs Rs 19,999, the invoice that came to me along with

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WHEELZ & ROADZ

A riding experience

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OCTOBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 43

WHEELZ & ROADZ A riding experience

the e-bike stated its price at Rs 23,808 and with GST added to that, the total price came to Rs 24,999. Thus, I can safely presume, this electric bicycle comes for around Rs 25,000.

DETEL EASY E-BICYCLE FEATURES Battery & Charging: In order to get the e-bike up and running I had to open four screws on the floor board. Under the board is the 48V, 12Ah lithium-ion batteries. One needs to snap on the

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connectors for the bike’s electricals to function. At this point I noticed that the battery itself is kept unfastened on a plastic tray which in turn is also not fixed and is kept in a metal enclosure. That was the first sign of bad workmanship. Everything is placed without being fastened properly. Then I noticed that the connectors were dangling under the floor board exposed to dust and moisture from underneath.

The connectors too were not fixed to one side. This increases the chances

for the connectors to get damaged if it comes in contact with the chain or any other obstacle on the road.

And the most important irritant I felt was that, every time someone wants to take the battery out to recharge at home or office, they would have to open and close the four screws. Ideally, the company should have provided a key lock on the floor board to access the battery. With just the four screws, anybody with a screwdriver can open

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WHEELZ & ROADZ

A riding experience

the floor board and take out the batteries.

Charging the battery is easy. Either you can charge the e-bicycle directly to an AC wall socket without taking the battery out or you can take the battery out and charge it using an adapter given by the company.

The charger is a 48V / 50 Herz one which has a light which glows red if the battery is not fully charged, but turns green, once the battery is completely charged. In ideal ride conditions, this e-bike can travel 60 kms. That is the range of the battery. The battery takes 7 to 8 hours to charge from its zero level.

Designed on the lines of a moped, the Detel Easy electric bicycle is definitely cute to look at. It comes with pedals, though it runs on a 250 watts motor. It has two 162.5 tyres with tube. It has white LED lights in front and LEDs at the rear. The rear light does not glow when you press the brakes.

At the bottom of the mudguard there is a small red reflector too. The switches and their functions are minimalistic. On the left you have turn indicators, a switch for the headlight and your horn button. The sound from the indicators and horn are shrill and disturbing. There is no button for hazard lights.

Also, since the e-bicycle does not come with any safe and enclosed storage space to store the charger, you would always have to keep the charger and adapter tucked away safely somewhere outside.

On the right you have a button for setting the normal speed, slow speed (when you depress it towards right) and high speed (when you depress it to the left). Sadly, there are no signs suggesting

Body features: I also noticed a lot of wires and connectors carelessly left exposed somewhere under the front and rear seat. This too could have been avoided by the company engineers. These should have been safely tucked away.

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WHEELZ & ROADZ A riding experience

its functions, neither does the e-bike user manual talk about any of the switches. The quality of the switches is not up to the mark. The instrument cluster does not have a speedometer or any other gauge, except a few red lights indicating level of charging of battery. It also has an indication when the headlight is switched on. There is a metal basket attached in the front to carry some stuff.

The Detel Easy electric bicycle is made up of a metal frame on which a lot of plastic has been screwed on.

Everything about the e-bike looks very fragile. Though it looks exceptionally cute it does not exude confidence.

Typical bicycle fork telescopic shockers are there in front, while the rear consists of coil spring shock absorbers.

The conventional metallic cycle stand gives it a retro look and feel. I only wish there was a side stand too which would have been very comfortable and practical. The mudguards and other plastic parts look extremely fragile for any type of rough use.

I would give big thumbs up to the front seat. Unlike typical bicycle seats which are narrow and hard and cause you extreme pain and discomfort between the legs, this one is broad and relatively cushiony. The rear seat, I suspect is only for small kids or tiny

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built adults. Overall, the electric bicycle weights around 56 kilos without the battery.

RIDE AND COMFORT From its tiny build, I was not very sure the Detel Easy would take my weight so easily. I stand approximately 5 feet ten inches in height and weigh a shade less than 90 kilos. It is mentioned in their user manual that this e-bike can take a maximum load of 90kgs. But when I called up the company, I was told it can take a load of 120kgs. I decided to take it for a spin.

Since this e-bike has a maximum speed of 25 kmph, it does not require a registration or a license to ride it. But if you were to take it out of your locality on the main road, I would recommend that you wear a helmet while riding. The company is giving away a helmet free of charge with every Detel Easy they sell.

The Detel Easy comes with two sets of keys of different sizes. Initially that leaves you a bit confused. While one is used to start the vehicle, the other is used near the rear wheel to lock your rear wheel for safety reasons when you park it. That’s a neat function, I feel and this should have been highlighted in the user manual.

When I began riding this e-bicycle, I

was pleasantly surprised by its initial power. You are supposed to keep your feet on the two pedals and not one the foot board. It is only when you keep your feet on the pedals that it gets disengaged from the motor power or else the pedals will be spinning away as the vehicle moves. The motor easily took my weight and maintained a steady speed as I was moving in normal mode. The buttons to increase its speed or decrease its speed did not respond in a manner I would have liked. But after I had ridden it for a little while, I noticed that the accelerator response was getting unsteady. At times it refused to budge at all. The user manual clearly says that “After the EV is started, it should accelerate slowly and do not increase to highest speed instantly to avoid damage to electrical components”. The user manual further stated that, “During driving, the phenomenon of tightening the speed control handle after braking should be avoided to avoid overload and damage to the motor when it is turned on again”. I was accelerating slowly, yet it refused to budge at times.

But when it started moving, it moved smoothly and swiftly.

The e-bike comes with drum brakes, with the rear wheel hub carrying the motor; I felt the brakes were adequate.

But after going up and down for some time and using the brakes, I could hear them squeaking. I was not too happy with it. The EV user manual says that, “EV with brushless motors have a slight electromagnetic noise when starting at low speed, which is normal and does not affect use”. The squeaking sound

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WHEELZ & ROADZ

A riding experience

was definitely from the brakes. The company has warned against wading in the water with this e-bike or else the water could enter the motor and damage critical electrical components.

VERDICT

Even though this e-bike comes with pedals which are meant to be used in case of emergency when the battery runs out of juice, I found the pedals and their positioning too uncomfortable

I am impressed by the cute looks of the Detel Easy e-bike, but not convinced with its build quality. At the price at which it is being sold, one can risk buying it, especially those who are slim and light weighted. The quality

for my height to use. The pedal is a big “No” for me for pedaling this e-bike without its e-power.

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and the durability of its parts and the servicing of the e-bike are some of the areas of concern for me. I am not truly convinced that it can take the rough Indian roads. At best it’s a convenient vehicle to ply on an even pavement or road, so that you can go and grab your grocery from the community store. It is an ideal two-wheeler for those 16 years and above who want to travel short distances within a gated locality.

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FEATURES

DO HIGH SECURITY REGISTRATION PLATES PREVENT THEFT OF VEHICLES?

I

Report: Motown India Bureau

n the midst of the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, panic and restrictions, the Transport Department of Delhi, in a public notice issued on September 22, 2020, warned owners of new and old vehicles registered in NCT of Delhi to immediately install High Security Registration Plates (HSRPs) including the third registration mark (colour coded sticker) on their vehicles. In essence it means around 40 lakh vehicles will need to go to get HSRPs and colour code stickers.

According to officials, massive fines will be imposed on those who do not adhere to this. The Transport Department of Delhi warned that it would be soon starting an enforcement drive and in all probability, it would be four wheelers that would be

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checked before they move on to two-wheelers.

As of now this rule is applicable only on those vehicles that have been registered in Delhi NCT. What about vehicles from others states plying on Delhi roads with the respective state registration plates?

Sources told Motown India that these vehicles too would be penalised if they are not fitted with an HSRP and a colour coded fuel sticker. Now for these vehicles to get their number plates and stickers affixed, they can only do it in the respective states.

This can lead to a lot of inconvenience to hundreds and thousands of motorists.

The notice stated that Transport Department has authorised the dealers of the OEMs to affix colour

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FEATURES

STOP PRESS Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot on October 6, 2020 restrained the Delhi transport department from taking coercive measures to enforce rules pertaining to HSRP until further orders.

The decision came after the minister held a high-level meeting to resolve issues faced by vehicle owners in getting the new number plates. He directed manufacturers and dealers of high-security registration plates not to take new bookings unless a system is put in place to address the issues being faced by vehicle owners.

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FEATURES

ASHOKA CHAKRA HOLOGRAM

“IND” IS INSCRIBED IN COLOUR BLUE

A UNIQUE LASER CODE

coded sticker and HSRP on all old vehicles. For getting your HSRP and colour code stickers you need to log in at https://bookmyhsrp.com/Index.aspx for an appointment and do the needful.

Before I comment on this move, let me first ask the authorities, why is the hurry? Why not wait till the covid cases subside? You look around and you only get to hear about increasing cases of Covid-19. High Security Registration Plates (HSRPs): In order to curb theft of vehicles, the government since 2012 made it mandatory for all new vehicles to be sold with the new HSRP. The plate has a uniform pattern of displaying the vehicle’s registration, which remains identical all over the country.

These HSRP plates are made of aluminum, with unique details other than the registration number itself.

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THE WORD ‘INDIA’ IS INSCRIBED AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE IN HOT STAMPING FOIL ACROSS ALL LETTERS AND NUMBERS ON THE PLATE.

HSRP PLATE IS MADE OF ALUMINUM

NON-REMOVABLE SNAP

It features a unique seven-digit (minimum) laser code, a chakra hologram to prevent counterfeiting, a self destructive sticker with engine and chassis number of the vehicle. The registration plate in front and rear have different laser code. The letters “IND” is inscribed in the color blue. The word ‘INDIA’ is inscribed at a 45 degree angle in hot stamping foil across all letters and numbers on the plate. The HSRP plates are fixed to the vehicle with the help of non-removable snap which break if someone tries to remove it, thus making it unusable. Basically, it is tamperproof.

Okay, with due respect to the authorities and court, have these HSRPs been able to stop theft altogether? According to Delhi Police’s annual crime data, the numbers of vehicles stolen from city streets in

2017 doubled in the six years prior to 2017. In 2012, at least one vehicle was stolen every hour. Six years later in 2017, at least four vehicles were reported stolen across the city on an average every hour. One can attribute this to the growing number of vehicles.

In 2017, there were around 29% more vehicles on the city streets since 2012.

But despite that it can be assumed that HSRPs have not been a fool-proof method of deterring vehicle theft.

MECHANICAL LOCKS AND THEFT IMMOBILISERS In the meantime, one can safeguard their vehicles with all kinds of mechanical locks from steering wheel locks, tyre locks, bumper locks and gear locks and many more ways and means. The vehicle market is also flooded with all kinds of remote locks and these anti theft alarms come with

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FEATURES

sensors that raise a loud sound when someone tampers with your car. You have modern vehicles coming with something call theft immobilisers. An immobiliser is an electronic security device fitted to a motor vehicle that prevents the engine from running unless the correct key is present. This prevents the vehicle from being “hot wired” after entry has been achieved and thus reduces motor vehicle theft.

There are also modern anti theft electronic devices wherein if a thief is able to grab your car and drive it away, you can call up the call centre after filing a police report and the call centre will immobilise the car.

SIM card which will also allow for remote monitoring of the vehicle’s security. Upon a Vehicle Burglar Alarm being activated, the owner will receive a notification that the vehicle has been stolen. The system also allows for live tracking of the vehicle, providing location information that will undoubtedly aid its quick retrieval. The owner also has the option of requesting the Hyundai call centre to immobilise the vehicle entirely. Is that not smart?

offer these services free of cost for at least three years wherein you can not only trace your car with this app based device and security system, but you can also enjoy features like geo fencing, etc. Compared to all these highly sophisticated anti theft devices and technologies, the high security registration plates simply pale in comparison.

Today many car manufacturers

The HyundaiBlueLink, for example, gives you a connected driving experience with an inbuilt

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OCTOBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 51

FEATURES be stuck on the windscreen of a car.

Motown India had a couple of years back also written about South Africa based Recoveri and its Microdot technology , a highly effective form of vehicle marking and powerful theft deterrent.

MicroDot technology involves spraying thousands of the small dots, laser etched with a PIN (Personal Identification Number) number, linked to the Vehicle VIN Number. These small laser-etched dots contain nano-size (0.5 mm) particles that carry all the information. It becomes almost impossible for car thieves to dispose of the stolen car even after dismantling.

Four-wheeler vehicles like cars, trucks or buses require at least 10,000 microdots, while at least 5,000 such dots are needed for two-wheeler. The manufacturers would have to ensure that the dots remain readable for at least 15 years after fitment.

COLOUR CODED STICKER: This rule became mandatory for Delhi in April 2019. But later the transport department and the Supreme Court wanted these for all vehicles, even for those registered before 2012. What are colour-coded stickers?

Colour-coded stickers are meant to identify a vehicle based on their fuel type. Thus, a light blue sticker would be applicable for Petrol and CNG vehicles, while a diesel vehicle will come with an orange sticker. This sticker needs to

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The colourcoded stickers bear details such as the registration number, the registering authority, a laserbranded PIN, and engine and chassis numbers of the vehicle and the date on which the vehicle was registered with the authorities. But what is the use of a colour coded sticker?

Authorities claim that colour coded stickers would be effective in curbing pollution and is much better than an odd-even scheme that the Delhi government had enforced in the state a year or so back. The Supreme Court was told that colour coding, which at one time was there in the city of Paris in France (from where the original idea came) would be more effective than ‘odd-even’ scheme in controlling pollution whenever it reached alarming level as the authorities could identify polluting vehicles without examining them. Identify? That is strange, because you do not need a sticker to identify a polluting vehicle.

Don’t we all know that in order to curb pollution, the government has in place a pollution checking mechanism?

It is the PUC or Pollution under Check certificate which is valid for a maximum of one year for BS IV and BS VI vehicles, while for the remaining vehicles it is valid for a maximum of only three months. Thereafter it can be renewed every three months. So how is a colour-coded sticker better than a PUC certificate when it comes to curbing pollution?

COLOUR CODE STICKER WITHOUT COLOUR: While it is a blue sticker for petrol and CNG, it is orange for diesel. But a

scrutiny of new vehicles registered in 2019, it has been noticed that while the vehicles have come with HSRP, they have not come with coloured stickers.

In some cases there is no sticker on the windscreen, while in others we found out colour less stickers.

Many people are also under the wrong impression that the company fitted green coloured sticker which says “Non Polluting Vehicle” is the fuel sticker. It is not. This is just a simple sticker fixed by the company and its only relevance is that your vehicle is valid for pollution under check for one year from the date of registration/ purchase of the vehicle.

Now that the government is determined to go after all vehicles for HSRPs and colour coded fuel stickers, it will lead to a lot of stress and pain among old vehicle owners, especially those whose vehicles will have to be compulsorily scrapped in the next one to six years.

Now coming to scrapping of vehicles, how is it that the government is not yet ready with a scrappage policy?

Should it not be more proactive here than emphasising on colour coded fuel stickers and HSRPs? The life of a diesel vehicle in Delhi is ten years, while that of a petrol vehicle is 15 years. Thus, anyone who purchased a diesel vehicle in 2010 should be ready to scrap their vehicle in 2020, while those who purchased a petrol vehicle in 2005 should be ready to scrap their vehicle in 2020.

Those who purchased prior to these years, have anyway no right to ply their vehicles on Delhi road as it is illegal.

The need of the hour is to have a decent scrappage policy and also build more vehicle scrapping units across the city. For those in Delhi, in order for them to scrap their old vehicles, they have to take it to the outskirts of the city to a unit owned partially by Mahindra & Mahindra. Illegal scrapping units too are there and many use them as they find it convenient.

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FEATURES

A journey into hinterland DRIVING A JEEP COMPASS LIMITED PLUS Report: P. Tharyan

“ I found a companion in the trusted 4x4 Jeep Compass Limited Plus edition.

Jeep is no ordinary brand; it encapsulates the best in driving and comfort.”

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FEATURES

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FEATURES

“ I wanted to test this Jeep Compass which claims to be a dependable off roader. In cities it seduces you with its comfort and ride quality. Now it was time to go over some very slushy and uneven terrain.”

Y

our fingers ache hitting those key boards day in and day out. The job of a journalist is to play with words, and it’s not one or two, but hundreds of thousands. The reports never cease, the words come out flying as the fingers go ballistic on the keyboard. But then like all mortals, we too need our break, we too need our freedom, we too need to satiate our desire to breathe fresh air. How long can you have the mask around your mouth and nose and pretend to be enjoying the world?

And then in a flash I was off. I found a companion in the trusted 4x4 Jeep Compass Limited Plus edition. Jeep is no ordinary brand; it encapsulates the best in driving and comfort. Come rough or smooth, you can trust its firm footing. Off I went leaving the city behind, overtaking traffic and the city rush into the hinterland. The 2.0-litre BS VI complaint turbo-diesel engine worked perfectly, generating 173 HP and 350 Nm of torque as it sped towards its destination. The nine-speed automatic transmission slotted itself into the right gears as we moved. Everything was automatic about it and I did not have to fret about changing gears.

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OCTOBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 55

FEATURES There is a lot the Jeep Compass has to offer like the exciting dual-pane panoramic sunroof, the 8.4 inches touchscreen display, automatic headlamps and rain-sensing wipers, 8-Way power-adjustable driver’s seat, 18 inches alloy wheels, electro chromic auto dimming inside rear view mirror, cruise control, leather wrapped steering wheel, the more than adequate storage space and the six-speaker music system. The feature list is endless.

It was almost like a dream come true. I was getting closer to the gentle world of bovines, I was getting closer to green pastures and narrow roads that leads to the pristine hinterland of Saharanpur in the state of Uttar Pradesh in North India.

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FEATURES

“ I drove to my heart’s content. It did not take much time for the bright red colour of the Jeep Compass to don the colours of Mother Earth. By the time I had enjoyed my off road adventure, the vehicle was a patch work of mud and slush.”

We took a diversion towards the Church of Sardhana, around 19 km north-west of Meerut. It is also known as the Basilica of Our Lady of Graces and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Interestingly, the church was founded by Begum Samru - a Muslim woman who married Walter Reinhardt Sombre - a European mercenary soldier. Later when she became a Christian, she built the church which was completed in 1822. The church of Sardhana resembles the St. Peter Basilica

of Rome, albeit with an Indian touch. The Church of Sardhana is the only Basilica in entire North India. The church looked grand and so did the red coloured Jeep Compass parked majestically in the forecourt. It was as though we were in the lap of God.

say smoking is injurious to health and in covid times one must desist from smoking completely. But a non smoker like me was itching for some fun. One odd puff does no harm, I told myself. But I realised my lungs did not agree with the decision.

A few hours later we reached Saharanpur. I had acres of land to play and drive. I spotted the traditional hookah near and equally traditional Indian cot. I was tempted. They

It was time to explore the expansive fields. I walked with the villagers, trying to understand the landscape. The overnight rains had left the soil slushy and slippery.

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OCTOBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 57

FEATURES

The motley crowd of villagers was excited. Two brothers Rehan and Maaz accompanied me in the fields along with their father and several curious onlookers. They were curious why a city bloke like me was so excited at the sight of green fields. For me, it was bliss, surrounded by a handful of simple folks and acres of land. I was away from all the hustle and bustle of traffic. I was breathing fresh air and I had discarded my mask like the others. It seemed that covid had spared this village. It was apparent that nobody had ever stepped foot into an airport, the notorious route from where the deadly covid had entered our country. It was as though the Gods were smiling at us.

I walked by the side of a rice field, that stood so green and lush in the afternoon sun. It was hot and humid. I covered my head and face. But the intense heat did not deter me from reaching out to the crops swaying in the breeze. I gazed for a long time at the dense foliage around me, the mango groves, the corn fields, the rice fields and the trees laden with guavas. I stood in the midst of the field gazing into the horizon as far I could see.

I wanted to test this Jeep Compass which claims to be a dependable off roader. In cities it seduces you with its comfort and ride quality. Now it was time to go over some very slushy and uneven terrain. I press the knob on the

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floor console to engage the 4x4 feature.

I turn the knob to ‘MUD’ mode. As one wheel digs into the deep slushy pit, the wheels spin, shifting traction and power smartly to the others, yanking the vehicle out of the mess, making everything look so easy and achievable.

The curious villagers had expected more fun and drama, but they were disappointed. The Jeep Compass had just proved its off roading capabilities and there were several witnesses to it.

I drove to my heart’s content. It did not take much time for the bright red colour of the Jeep Compass to don the colours of Mother Earth. By the time I had enjoyed my off road adventure, the vehicle was a patch work of mud and slush. It was time for some more fun. I spotted an old and dilapidated Escorts tractor. Surprisingly, it was in working condition, I was told. I asked Rehan to accompany me as I took a short spin.

There was so much to enjoy. It was the first time in my life that I was driving a tractor!

Villages are fun, but cities never leave the vice grip they have on you. It was time to head back. It was time to wash the Jeep Compass and bring it back to its glorious red. We bid adieu to the fields, the animals and the people as we headed back to the city, promising ourselves that we would be back some day.

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FEATURES

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INTERVIEW

&A with

DEEPAK GARG Managing Director, Sany (India & South Asia)

SCAN TO VIEW THE VIDEO

Sany Heavy Industry India has been in the country since 2002. How would you describe Sany’s journey in India so far?

We started in 2002 as a trading company by importing products from our global factories and selling them in India. Somewhere down the line in 2006, we acquired the land in the industrial area in Pune (Maharashtra). We started constructing our factory which was one of our first factories outside of China.

We completed the factory in 2009 and this year we shall complete 11 years of factory operations in India and almost 18 plus years in India.

The journey has been very

challenging and exciting. We started localisation of our products and today we stand on a very strong platform in India, mainly through our three localisations we have done over the years.

First thing was localising the team. We have localised our team to the extent of 99.5 per cent plus. We have hardly any expats in our team.

Second thing was that we localised our R&D. We have a very strong R&D team in India which cooperates with our global R&D centres. They customise the products for the Indian and South Asia markets, besides other overseas markets, depending

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on the requirements. The third thing was localisation of manufacturing and supply chain. We have developed a very good manufacturing and production system in India which is well supported by local supply chains which includes many of the multinationals which have a company India.

Thus, we have developed the eco system around us as the third pillar of localisation.

The journey so far has been very good and today we stand at the highest rank in terms of market share in many of the product categories. If you look at some of our products like piling rigs, cranes, pumps, concrete equipment, etc, we

are number one in India. Also, we are very strongly placed in the excavator segment where we are now number four in the country where we were number 10 or so around five years back. We have been constantly making good progress on improving our market position.

We have also established a very good dealership network in India and South Asia which includes more than 36 dealers and also over 140 touch points.

We are also exporters from India. We export almost 10 to 15 per cent of our production outside of India which includes countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, Middle

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INTERVIEW

East, Africa and some of the South East Asian countries also. So whatever products that we make in India and are suitable for those markets, we export. Today, we are among the top five construction equipment players in India. It has been a challenging, yet a very exciting journey.

You have more than 25 years of experience in the infrastructure and construction equipment industry, having worked with several big companies. Thus, when you took over as CEO of Sany South Asia & India,

was it a cakewalk for you?

Well, it was not a cakewalk at all. It was a Herculean task for me. It was very, very challenging and I was very excited about it. The biggest challenge was in terms of brand. The brand recognition by the customers, by the society, by the vendors, by the supply chain partners, was not so great at that point of time when I had joined in. We have had some global alliances / takeovers which resulted in trimming of our product line based on the global strategy. Those things had left a bad memory in the

minds of the customers, partners, suppliers and even our financiers. The biggest challenge was to ramp up the team. I brought in a very good team with very good experience in the industry. So, all the heads of department and senior team change was the first thing I did so as to bring in the confidence in the market for Sany. We ramped up our sales network, the sales team, while simultaneously working on our R&D and localisation to enhance our product range.

Customers probably did

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not have a great image of the brand. As we started launching localised products with our localised team, started delivering excellent services to our customer, we started getting recognition.

That is what brought us to this number one position.

Another thing which we did was that we introduced newer models and a newer range of products. If you look at a value chain of any construction project, it just does not require one kind of equipment; it requires different kinds of equipment. If there is

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INTERVIEW

a road project, it requires earth moving equipment, compaction equipment, concreting equipment, hoisting equipment, cranes, etc. We brought in this entire range of equipment which addresses the value chain for any construction company.

Customers, rather than dealing with five companies, started preferring to deal with Sany for at least three or four product range. When we brought to them a complete package for a site, they started looking at us differently. And today, I can proudly say that many customers are associated with us for a full range of products.

That is what we brought to the table.

While we started ramping up our scale in the market, we started localisation simultaneously. At the point I had joined we had only four products

being made in our factory and that too in very small numbers.

Today we make more than 50-60 products with more than 150 variants and all this in five years time. This range which we added to our portfolio in India actually helped us in enhancing our brand image, the company’s image and also helped us scale up our business in the country.

Another key challenge we faced was on the finance front. All this equipment, as much as 90 per cent of this is financed through banks or NBFCs. We had to work very closely with banks and NBFCs which did not initially have a very high opinion about Sany. They knew Sany as a global player but not as a

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player in India. Our products were not considered at par with other products in India.

As a result the amount of funding that they would do for our product would be less, there would be stringent terms and interest rates would be higher. We worked closely with financiers to address their concerns. They wanted assurances that if there was a bad case will you help me. We said in the event of a bad case, we would support you with immediate sales and maybe

extra warranty. As the portfolio seasoned in two to three years, the resale value also went up.

We all know that resale value is very important for any financier.

Our resale value was very low, for example a oneyear equipment would fetch us 40 per cent.

Today it

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INTERVIEW

fetches 70 per cent. The resale value also went up over a period of time. That was one of the key important factors with financiers. Their confidence in us and our

products grew over a period.

Today, we have around 19-20 partners who finance our equipment and our relationship has been growing over the years.

Your company competes with several

large companies in your area of business. How do you manage to overcome this stiff competition to sell your products? Any unique USPs that you offer?

Competition was equally tough.

We had to struggle a lot first for the brand. There was a lot of negative campaigns done by some of the competition.

Even competition recognised the strength of Sany globally because we were ranked No.5 in CE player ranking. We worked well in terms of our product line-up and range and our services. In many product lines, many of the customers wanted flexibility in terms of post sales services or financing support. We worked it out with financiers. The customers had better efficiency from our products. What he eventually looks for is his returns.

Your Chakan facility in Pune makes all kinds of construction equipment products from excavators to cranes, to piling rigs, wind turbine generators, mining equipment, etc. That is quite a spread on your manufacturing plate. So are these products made to order?

We have to do a demand assessment on a continuous basis. It is like macro to micro.

There is an annual business plan, then there is a half yearly plan, quarterly plan, monthly review of a monthly plan and based on this monthly review we plan our variants and how much to produce.

There is fairly good amount of standardisation. They will have some features which are different. Some customers want the product without an air-conditioner while some prefer it. Some may want it

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with a fire suppression system.

Those are like add-ons or accessories or some special attachments. We manage these as an accessory and that is how the variants are managed.

These are not like the auto industry with high volumes, these are with low volumes.

Even with such small volumes we have to manage these variants.

How expensive are your products? Also, who are the real buyers of your products and once a particular job is done, what is done with your products, is it redeployed elsewhere?

We sell equipment which is worth Rs 15 lakh right up to Rs 20 crore that I have sold in India. We are also into large port machinery. These are port cranes. These cranes cost anywhere between Rs 15 crore to Rs 20 crore. But globally we have bigger products. There are cranes which can cost around Rs 150 crore to Rs 200 crore also. These are super large cranes.

There are different categories of customers who buy our equipment. There could be some government construction companies or government departments. Then there are customers who are construction companies like L&T. Then there are mid-sized construction companies.

There are also individual contractors too. Thus you have irrigation contractors, mining contractors, road contractors, metro contractors, bridge construction companies, port construction companies, etc.

Then there is also a big rental market. In rentals you can have

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INTERVIEW

one individual with one or two machines and then there are large rental companies with around 100 to 250 machines.

The latter are fleet owners.

These are also our customers.

They use our products for different purposes.

Typically in today’s scenario, construction companies, they buy equipment, they use it for a project and redeploy them to different projects that they have. If they do not have, they even sell them off.

We also buy back equipment from our customers. This is of course selective. We do that and sell to the rental market etc. There are contractors who want used equipment because they want to keep their investments low.

Rental companies, traditionally keep their

products for a longer time.

They do not dispose of their products as they are continuously associated with different construction companies. Yes, these days, many large construction companies, many projects, the demand is that the equipment should not be more than five years old. This is something new which came in the last two to three years. This means that the rental companies deploy the older equipment in locations where they are acceptable and keep buying new equipment for the sites where there is limit of ageing.

How significant is the contribution of your R&D centre towards your Indian business as well as your global business?

We have a complete team of around 40 R&D

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members here in India. We do not deal with one R&D centre.

We have to deal with around 7 to 8 R&D centres of the group. Globally, each product line is a company by itself under the Group umbrella. We have teams allocated to each R&D centre which works in tandem on a daily basis. Our teams here study the market requirement and discuss with the global R&D centres as to what kind of products are required, what kind of modifications are required, etc. Then there is design validation that is done. Any prototyping that needs to be done, it is decided whether it has to be done in India or elsewhere. Depending on the resource availability and the R&D facility

available, an optimised plan is made so as to maximise the efficiency of R&D. As per the group a target, SANY group aspires to be a billion dollar company by 2020 and SANY India hopes to contribute 8-10% of global revenues. Are you on the right track with your targets?

I think we are very close to the targets in terms of our construction and mining equipment. But we had a little slowdown in our other businesses which we were planning. We had a plan to go more aggressive in our wind energy business which we

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INTERVIEW

had to limit because of some constraints on the market side. The government went from tariff based fee on power to an auction, like reverse bidding. With that our turbines that we were planning to start manufacturing in India were not competitive enough at that point of time. We had to actually slow down some of our plans. The new turbines are getting ready and by end of 2021 or beginning of 2022 we should be able to start

this business too.

We all know that there is a massive economic slowdown, partly as a result of the ongoing covid-19 pandemic.

How do you think it will affect the fortunes of your company?

I will not say it is a major slowdown. In 2019 itself, before the pandemic, we saw a

kind of a reduction in the industry size. Our numbers show that. 2020 has no doubt been affected by the pandemic. The industry was worried during the pandemic but the government feels that infrastructure is one of the key pillars for recovery.

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It can generate employment and it can also give thrust to the core sectors like steel, cement, power generation, etc. The government is now focusing on the infrastructure sector. We are seeing that many infrastructure projects

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INTERVIEW

are getting started. The pickup is happening now. In the last two months we have seen that the market has started recovering. I would say this is faster than other businesses.

Normally commercial vehicle demand picks up before construction equipment products. It is a historical trend. Normally it is seen that the growth of construction equipment industry lags growth of commercial vehicle industry by six months. But this time we are seeing that CE is picking up before CVs, although LCVs are still doing strong. Of course, it (CE) is nowhere near the 2019 levels but still we can see some light at the end of the tunnel. We should be out of the woods in the next three to four years time.

With the relations between India and China strained to some extent, has this cast any shadow on your company’s progress in India?

No, it has not. It has not affected the business, though sentiments may have been.

Because we make the products locally in India, we have a local

team, the dealers are all local, the connect with the customers and the relationship with them are quite strong at the national level. Also, we ourselves are one of the key proponents of ‘Atmanirbhar’ or localisation or vocal for local. We have this philosophy that the moment we reach a particular scale in any market, we need to explore localisation. Thus, if I have a factory in India and I have the capability to manufacture, I must make in India. That is the group philosophy. We have so many local partners here and so many vendors who supply to us.

There was time in 201314 when we used to import equipment. We used to tell our customers to open letters of credit from the banks. Now with that arrangement can a hirer afford to buy who does not have an Exim code? We localised our products and our business grew. We started buying components locally and our business went up. Now we are making here and we are selling here. We are also exporting.

We are one such group

which has no constraint on geography. Normally, global companies have regional restrictions. The normal rule is that if you are making in India, then only export to Bangladesh and Nepal. But we are exporting to the Middle East and to Africa.

I just need to ensure my quality and cost.

As of now we export our products in CBU form.

The largest proportion is excavators, followed by concrete equipment and then followed by cranes.

India also has other strengths which are skill and training.

The way our trainers can train them, they are very happy with us. I have an overseas training centre in India which caters to whole of South East Asia, Middle East and Africa, in addition to India. Our trainers from India train the entire sales and service network in these regions. We are leveraging the talent of India outside of India. After we grew our team in India, the group also realised we have a lot of talent, so we recruited a lot of service engineers for other

places around the globe. We recruited people for Australia for their global network.

Lastly, do you see your company further expanding in this region and in India in particular?

If you look at our tangible investment which are normally in the form of tangible assets, that would be close to around Rs 600 to Rs 700 crore. We have invested a huge amount on our distribution network, made investments in terms of HR, etc. I would say our total investments stand at around Rs 1200 crore. Going forward, we have a very promising product line.

We would be growing our excavator business further which is around 50 per cent of our total business in India.

We would also grow our export presence. Today we are around 10 to 15 per cent; there was also a time when we had reached 20 per cent also.

But then our export business dropped drastically because Middle East market fell. With oil prices falling, their investments were delayed or cancelled.

We see this as a growth opportunity. In one year’s time we would be localising 4 or 5 product lines in India with at least 15 to 20 variants. These should probably ramp up our business.

Another area which looks promising is the wind energy sector. There also we would be looking at growth once the products are certified in India. There is a certification requirement for the products In India. Once these products are certified we shall look at manufacturing them here in India and scaling it up further.

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INTERVIEW

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OCTOBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 67

TECHNOLOGY

Ducati Multistrada V4 to come with radar technology

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TECHNOLOGY

Ducati has started the production of the Multistrada V4 at its factory in Borgo Panigale and this will be the first motorcycle to use front and rear radar technology. The Multistrada V4 with radar technology will be officially presented on November 4, 2020.

For the fourth generation of the Multistrada, Ducati has developed a new, light and compact V4 engine, designed to meet the needs required for “adventouring” use without neglecting emotion and sportiness. The complete redesign made it possible to reach recordbreaking maintenance intervals for the world of two wheels.

All the details of this new engine will be revealed on October 15. The adoption of the radar technology promises to be a true revolution for the world of two wheels, marking a new level of excellence in terms of comfort and riding assistance, especially on long motorway journeys.

Radars are advanced aid systems capable of supporting and making riding more comfortable thanks to the ability to reconstruct the reality surrounding the motorcycle.

Ducati’s interest in this type of systems dates back to 2016, when the company worked in collaboration with the Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering of the Politecnico di Milano to experiment with this type of systems. This first experience has confirmed the applicability of this kind of technology to vehicles on two wheels, and has pushed Ducati to the creation of a complete package of riding assistance using two radars that, within four years, has been developed and produced in close cooperation with Bosch, a top-level technology partner, sees its first application on the new Multistrada V4.

Each radar has compact dimensions (70 x 60 x 28 mm, similar to a modern action camera) and integrates perfectly into the bike, weighing only 190 grams.The radar positioned in front of the vehicle controls the operation of the ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control), which by means of controlled braking and acceleration automatically adjusts the distance (selectable on four levels) from other vehicles when riding at a speed between 30 and 160 km / h. This car-derived system has been evolved and developed according to the dynamics and ergonomics of a two-wheeled vehicle. In particular, the authority of the system in terms of deceleration and acceleration has been limited in order to ensure the rider can maintain constant control of the vehicle in any situation. The system allows for more comfortable riding, especially on long motorway journeys.

The rear radar, on the other hand, is able to detect and report vehicles positioned in the so-called blind spot, ie the area not visible either directly by the rider or through the rear-view mirror. The BSD (Blind Spot Detection) system also signals the approaching from behind of vehicles at high speed. To underline the technical-scientific value of the research project, carried out jointly by Ducati engineers and researchers and undergraduates from the Politecnico di Milano, a patent application relating to the control algorithms of this system was filed in May 2017. In June 2017, a scientific publication was presented at the IEEE - Intelligent Vehicles Symposium (IV) in Redondo Beach, California.

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COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

Tata Motors launches Signa 5525.S 4x2 with 55 tonnes GCW Tata Motors has launched the Signa 5525.S – India’s highest GCW prime mover (tractor) in 4x2 segment. The Signa 5525.S 4x2 model is designed with Tata Motors’ Power of 6 philosophy empowering customers with the power of enhanced performance, lower total cost of ownership, higher comfort and convenience; thereby improving the revenue and reduction operating cost at the same time.

The Signa 5525.S 4x2 prime mover is powered by Cummins 6.7-litre engine with a power rating of 250hp and torque rating of 950Nm from 1000-1800rpm, ensuring fatigue-less driving and reduced turnaround time for more trips and higher revenue. The drivetrain is designed with industry-proven G1150 9-speed gearbox, 430mm dia. organic clutch and heavyduty RA110 rear axle with enhanced pulling power; designed for demanding terrain and multiple application requirements. The Signa 5525.S is equipped with 3 distinct drive modes – Light, Medium and Heavy, coupled with Gear shift Advisor to ensure optimum power and torque selection, based on the load and terrain, and on-drive coaching for right gear selection ensuring high fuel efficiency and the lowest total cost of operations in its segment.

The new model is available with the popular Signa cabin, the country’s highest selling M&HCV cabin offering 3-way mechanically adjustable driving seat, spacious sleeper berth, tilt & telescopic steering system and ample utility space. The Signa 5525.S’ suspended cabin guarantees lower NVH characteristics and provides a comfortable ride even on tough terrains. The powerful air conditioning system coupled with Ambient Air Temperature sensor assures comfortable all-weather driving and lower fuel consumption.

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The crash-tested cabin, high seating position, bigger daylight opening, rear view mirror, blind spot mirror, solid steel 3-piece bumper make it one of the safest cabins to drive. Moreover, new technology advanced features like Engine Brake and iCGT brake gives greater vehicle control and lowers the maintenance costs. It also comes with the standard fitment of Fleet Edge – Tata Motors’ next-gen digital solution for optimal fleet management, to further increase the uptime and reduce the total cost of ownership.

The Signa 5525.S 4x2 comes with advanced and wide range of fully built solutions offering customers a one-stop solution with multiple advantages like better financing terms, earning from delivery day, nationwide service warranty and higher resale value thereby making overall much better value proposition for customers.

The entire range of Tata Motors M&HCV trucks comes with a best-in-the-industry warranty of 6 years / 6 lakh kilometres. Tata Motors also offers Sampoorna Seva 2.0 and Tata Samarth – the company’s commitment to commercial vehicle driver welfare, uptime guarantee, on-site service, and customised annual maintenance and fleet management solutions with each M&HCV.

Mahindra Treo electric 3-wheeler achieves 5,000 units sales

Mahindra Electric Mobility Ltd announced that its lithium-ion battery powered electric 3-wheeler range, the Mahindra Treo, has crossed the 5,000-unit sales milestone in India.

The country’s switch to EVs is being led by electric three-wheelers as they are economically, environmentally and socially sustainable.

Treo customers have been able to clock up to 265 kilometres in a single day given the ease of charging it anywhere, and with some well-planned charging breaks. The Drive by Wire Technology on the Treo which makes it particularly easy to drive, has enabled access to a customer base of women owners in India.

The Treo range is powered by advanced Lithium-ion Battery Technology with a life of 1.50 lakh+ kilometres. The new Treo provides best-in-segment performance (maximum power of 8kW, peak torque of 42 Nm). It also has the longest wheelbase in its segment resulting in a very spacious cabin.

You can also climb slopes with ease given the highest gradeablity of12.7°in the segment. It comes witha standard warranty of 3 years/80,000 kms, along with the option of an Extended Warranty of 2 years/1,00,000Kms.

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S tay safe, stay healthy!

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