Bajaj Registers Highest-Ever Monthly Sales In September 2018; Grows By 17 Per Cent

Bajaj Auto today released its monthly sales numbers for September 2018, and the Pune-based two-wheeler manufacturer has registered a good 17 per cent growth. Claimed to be its highest-ever monthly sales performance, the company sold 4,30,939 motorcycles last month, against the 3,69,678 units sold in September 2017. The company's domestic sales also saw a double-digit growth of 10 per cent, selling 2,73,029 units, compared to the 2,47,418 motorcycles that were sold during the same month last year. Bajaj's exports saw the highest growth of 29 per cent, with 1,57,910 motorcycles in September 2018, against the 1,22,260 units that were exported in September 2017. Both domestic sales and exports were also at their monthly high.

Also Read: Bajaj Auto August 2018 Sales Performance

Bajaj commercial vehicle sales saw a cumulative growth of 20 per cent

As for commercial vehicles, the company registered a cumulative growth of 20 per cent with 71,070 being sold last month, compared to the 59,074 that were sold in September 2017. Commercial sales in the domestic market went up by 12 per cent to 38,474 units, against the 34,361 units sold during the same month last year. On the other hand, growth in CV exports, similar to two-wheeler exports was quite high at 32 per cent, with 32,596 units being exported compared to the 24,713 CVs from September 2017.

Bajaj Auto's total sales growth, including two-wheeler and commercial vehicles, was at its monthly high of 17 per cent. The company's total sales accounted for 5,02,009 units in September 2018, compared to the 4,28,752 units sold during the same month last year. Total domestic sales went up by 11 per cent with 3,11,503 units, while total exports grew by 30 per cent, to 1,90,506 units. Both were the highest ever monthly sales in their respective category.

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F1: Hamilton Wins Russian GP As Mercedes Orders Bottas To Move Aside

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton took a flawless win in the 2018 Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix, extending his lead for the championship title. The Briton started second on the grid and managed won the race ahead of teammate Valtteri Bottas by a margin of 2.545s. Hamilton's victory though comes amidst Mercedes' team orders asking Bottas to move aside. The latter started on pole and was running for the race lead behind Red Bull's Max Verstappen when the Bottas was asked to let Hamilton as the Briton had Sebastian Vettel on his tail.

(Hamilton passed Bottas on Lap 25 after the team asked the latter to move aside)

With Hamilton adding another to his name this season, the Mercedes driver now leads the championship with a comfortable 50 points over Vettel. The Ferrari driver finished third after being unable to pass Bottas for P2, while teammate Kimi Raikkonen finished a distant fourth ahead of Max Verstappen.

It was a front row lock for Mercedes at Sochi after Bottas and Hamilton led qualifying. The Fin driver started pole and defended his lead through the opening lap. Vettel had a good start and even passed Hamilton for second but the driver managed to retake the position in Bottas' slipstream. While Vettel did attack Hamilton over the next few laps, the latter defended his position.

LAP 24/53: That's Toto Wolff's finger...#RussianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/NNqzGyAR5e

— Formula 1 (@F1) September 30, 2018

Bottas was the first of the race leaders to pit on Lap 12 followed by Vettel a lap later. Mercedes kept Hamilton out for another lap and took the lead as Bottas and Vettel joined back at P2 and P3 respectively. Mercedes asked Bottas to slow down to reduce Vettel's pace but the latter was quick to pass the second W09 and later Hamilton's too. Hamilton though retaliated and passed Vettel once again at Turn 2 as the race was reaching the half-point.

(Bottas finished second behind Hamilton, fending competition from Vettel)

Meanwhile, Verstappen stepped up to the lead ahead of Bottas, Hamilton and Vettel. On Lap 25, Mercedes asked Bottas to let Hamilton through at Turn 13. Hamilton did not immediately start attacking Verstappen for the lead, a decision Bottas wasn't too happy with; but Mercedes conveyed to him that it needed to be done to secure Hamilton's position.

Verstappen who started 19th on the grid, looked at his dominant best, rising up to fifth in just seven laps. A podium finish looked in sight for the Red Bull racer as Hamilton was closing in. The Mercedes cars pitted on Lap 42 while Verstappen followed suit a lap later. The Red Bull joined back fourth behind Vettel while the W09s were back in 1-2.

Creating a healthy margin over Vettel, Bottas indicated to the team if they would let him back ahead but was told they would maintain position. Hamilton continued to lead until the chequered flag followed by Bottas and Vettel on the podium. The last stages saw Verstappen lost pace and finished fifth below Raikkonen, and was joined by teammate Daniel Ricciardo who took P6.

(Despite starting 19th, Verstappen finished 5th followed by Ricciardo at P6)

Freshly inducted into Ferrari for 2019, Charles Leclerc finished an impressive seventh after as high as fifth in the race. The last three spots on the top 10 lists were taken by Kevin Magnussen for Haas, while Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez took the last set of points for Racing Point Force India.

The Russian GP saw two retirements including both Torro Rosso cars of Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley. Both drivers were involved in spins independent from each other early in the race and retired the cars back in the pits.

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Elon Musk Steps Down As Tesla Chairman

Tech billionaire Elon Musk has agreed to step down as the chairman of Tesla. Musk has been also asked to pay a $20 million fine in a deal to settle charges that were brought on him by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) earlier this week. The settlement, which requires court approval, has determined that Musk will continue to stay at the CEO of the electric car company but must leave the role as chairman of the board within 45 days. He won't be able to seek re-election for three years either, as per the court filings.

The court documents submitted also pointed out the Musk has accepted the deal "without admitting or denying the allegations of the complaint." Meanwhile, Tesla will pay an additional $20 million after it failed to adequately police Musk's tweet. A press release by the SEC read, "The $40 million in penalties will be distributed to harmed investors under a court-approved process." Tesla will now appoint two new independent directors to its board to establish a board committee to oversee Musk's communications. The billionaire will remain a part of the board.

The announcement comes two days after the SEC files a lawsuit against Elon Musk, claiming he misled investors with his tweets. On August 7, 2018, the Tesla boss had tweeter saying he had secured funding to take the company private at $420 per share. The announcement caused the company's stock to soar, but was based on a false claim. The SEC stated that no funding was secured in its lawsuit.

The petition further sought a ban on Musk from serving as a director of any publicly traded company. Responding to the SEC lawsuit, Elon Musk called it unjustified and said, "I have always taken action in the best interests of truth, transparency and investors. Integrity is the most important value in my life and the facts will show I never compromised this in any way."

t's not clear yet if the Department of Justice will file criminal charges against the Tesla co-founder. It is also yet to be determined if Musk's action constitute to criminal charges.

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Top 5 New Car Launches In Festive Season 2018

The festive season is here and it's time for manufacturers and customers alike to head to showrooms and bring that much awaited car or two-wheeler home. While it's offers galore during the festive period, manufacturers line-up some of their highly anticipated offerings for launch around this period to maximise on the auspicious sentiment. From a brawny performance SUV to an iconic small car making a comeback, the list is vast, diverse and certainly something you should refer to before making a purchase. We pick out the top five cars that will be launched in India this festive season.

Hyundai Santro

( The all-new Hyundai Santro (AH2) marks the comeback of the iconic brand)

One of the biggest and the most anticipated launches of the year will be the new-generation Hyundai Santro, which will be unveiled on October 9, 2018. This is a big launch for the company for two reasons, the first being that it may see the re-entry of the 'Santro' brand name in India and the second being that it enters a very competitive space where rivals like the Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 and the Renault Kwid have already seen success. Engine details are still unknown, but we expect the car to come with a 1.0-litre petrol engine, similar to its rival the Maruti Suzuki Alto K10, and Renault Kwid. Hyundai has confirmed that the Santro will come with an AMT, the first Hyundai car to get one.

Also Read: Hyundai Santro (AH2) Launch Details Revealed

Ford Aspire Facelift

(The 2018 Ford Aspire will come with comprehensive upgrades and new engines as well)

Up next is the Ford Aspire facelift, which will be launched in October, 2018. The facelifted Ford Aspire will get revised styling along with new and updated features. There is also a possibility that Ford might launch the Aspire with a CNG engine. The cabin is also expected to get an update on the lines of the EcoSport and the Freestyle. Expect the Aspire to get the 1.2-litre petrol engine and a 1.5-litre diesel engine.

New-Generation Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

(The new generation Maruti Suzuki Ertiga will arrive around the festive season in India)

The MPV segment too will see a launch in the form of the second generation Maruti Suzuki Ertiga with the launch scheduled in late October. The Ertiga is the most popular MPV in India with over 4,500 units sold every month on average. While Maruti Suzuki dealers have not officially started taking a booking for the new Ertiga, some dealers have started taking an unofficial booking for Rs. 11,000. There will be a 1.5-litre petrol, the same as on the Ciaz facelift and the tried and tested 1.3-litre diesel engine. Being a new-generation model, the Ertiga will also get updated styling and new features as well.

New-Generation Honda CR-V

(The new generation Honda CR-V gets a diesel for the first time in India)

In the SUV space, Honda Cars India will be launching the 5th generation CR-V in India on 9th October, 2018 and the headliner is the fact that this is the first time that Honda will be offering a diesel engine on the CR-V along with the 7-seat layout. The SUV will take on the likes of the Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour, Skoda Kodiaq and the Volkswagen Tiguan. The Honda CR-V is sharper and angular in terms of design and looks pretty sleek. There will be a 1.6-litre diesel engine and a 2.0-litre petrol engine on offer along with manual and automatic transmission options.

Also Read: 2018 Honda CR-V Review

New Generation Porsche Cayenne

(The 2018 Porsche Cayenne will be launched on October 17 in the country)

The third generation Porsche Cayenne SUV will be making its way to India on October 17. The SUV is Porsche's most-selling offering in India and the car boasts of the dynamics do a sports car coupled with the practicality of a UV. The Cayenne though can off-road too, which makes it an extremely versatile offering. With the third-generation Cayenne, the model will get three engine options including 3.0-litre V6, 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 and the E-Hybrid version based on the V6 motor. Diesel engines have been dropped from the Porsche line-up for good and the SUV won't be getting one when it arrives in the festive season. The new Cayenne is miles ahead of its predecessor sporting a host of new features, tech connectivity options and a lighter kerb weight too. Prices will start from about Rs. 1.20 crore (ex-showroom).

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2019 Yamaha YZF-R3 Patent Images Leaked

The Yamaha YZF-R3 and the R25 have been around globally for a while now and come next year, the motorcycles will receive their first comprehensive upgrade. While we've seen the 2019 Yamaha R3 test mules being spied time and again in Indonesia, patent images of the model have now made their way online providing a good look at the upcoming offering. The 2019 Yamaha YZF-R3 will get massive upgrades not just to the design but the hardware as well and could boast of more power too. Details though are under wraps from the company.

(The 2019. Yamaha R3 could debut at the EICMA motorcycle show in November this year)

The leaked patent images showcase the new design language on the 2019 Yamaha R3 that has gone for a sharper look, much in-line with the YZF-R6 and the recently launch R15 V3.0. The front has been completely redesigned and now sports the sleeker looking LED headlights that are divided by the air intake. The fairing also gets a slender appearance over the outgoing version and has been revised with sharper styling. The fuel tank design has been revised too and now includes more prominent recesses to accommodate the rider's knees. The tail section though gets minimal changes and isn't too different from the current model. Lastly, the alloy wheel design and the exhaust muffler have been carried over from the current model.

The good bits also remain the same like the raised handlebar, which means the new Yamaha R3 won't be a dedicated supersport like the R15. The seat position is also likely to remain the same with slightly rear set foot pegs. The instrument console could go digital this time packing in a lot more information compared to the current unit. Previous spy shots have also revealed that Yamaha has traded the telescopic forks on the 2019 R3 for USDs, which is great as an improved suspension set-up comes into play. However, it needs to be seen if emerging markets like ours will get the telescopic forks on the 2019 R3 given the cost savings. With respect to braking, the bike will continue with the twin-disc set-up, which is complemented by the dual-channel ABS unit offered as standard.

(The 2019 Yamaha R3 will move to USD forks from telescopic units)

Power is likely to come from the same engine on the 2019 Yamaha R3. The 321 cc, parallel-twin motor is tuned for 42 bhp and 29.6 Nm of peak torque on the current model. The updated version is likely to see the addition of Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) technology, while also boosting the power output marginally. Other updates are likely to include a slipper clutch and quick shifter. The 6-speed gearbox will continue to serve purpose.

The 2019 Yamaha R3 and R25 could make their global debut at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan this November. Global sales are likely to begin next year with the bike being produced at Yamaha's Jakarta-based facility in Indonesia, which acts a global manufacturing hub for the motorcycle. That said, it is unlikely the 2019 R3 will arrive before early 2020 in India with the updated still fairly recent in the Indian market. Expect price a hike though when the model is launched, up from the current price tag of Rs. 3.49 lakh (ex-showroom).

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Skoda Vision RS Sketches Revealed Ahead Of Paris Motor Show Debut

Skoda has been teasing the Vision RS concept for quite some time now. The company released the sketches of interior few weeks ago and now, it has released a complete sketch of the car. The Vision RS offers an insight of how the future Skoda RS models could look like. Being a concept, Skoda has gone all out experimenting on the car. The company has used vegan materials, special surfaces with sustainable production methods and other ideas when designing the Vision RS concept.

(The Skoda Vision RS uses vegan materials inside the cabin)

Also Read: Skoda Vision RS Cabin Teased

The Skoda Vision RS will be a plug-in hybrid with total output of 245 bhp and will have 70 kilometres worth pure electric range. It gets a 1.5-litre TSI motor which makes about 150 bhp and an electric motor that pumps out 75 kW or 102 bhp. The concept can do the 0-100 kmph sprint in 7.1 seconds. The 13 kWh battery can be charged in two and a half hours and is also charged through energy recovery.

Also Read: Skoda Vision RS Sketches Revealed

(The Skoda Vision RS will make its debut at the 2018 Paris Motor Show)

 

The upholstery of the seats is partly done with polyester thread which has been made from 100 per cent recycled materials along with using Alcantara as well. The floor mats are made with Pinatex textile material in a carbon weave pattern. The fibres on the floor mats have been extracted from Pineapple trees. The other interesting aspect on the car is the Xirallic crystal sparkle effect. It gives a nice blue hue to the overall white colour on the exterior. Also, the paint has organic compounds as constituents which reflect heat and thereby reducing the temperature inside the cabin. The exterior also gets a few black carbon bits such as the radiator grille, spoilers at the front and rear, mirrors, air inlets and outlets and the diffuser at the rear.

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2019 Triumph Street Twin And Street Scrambler Teased

Triumph Motorcycles will have a busy month in October 2018. Up first is the unveiling of the 2019 models of the Street Twin and the Street Scrambler at the Intermot Motorcycle Show in Germany. These won't be new-generation models but instead facelifts of sorts with updates to looks, features and possibly the engine too. The Street Twin first made its debut in 2016 while the Street Scrambler followed a year later. The Street Scrambler could be called as an off-road biased version of the Street Twin and is inspired from the Triumph TR6C Trophy motorcycle, which was ridden by motorcycle acting legend Steve McQueen in 'The Great Escape'.

(The updated Triumph Street Twin will be unveiled on 2 October, 2018)

Also Read: Triumph Scrambler 1200 Teased Again

Triumph has released teaser videos for both motorcycles. While the exact details are not out yet, expect the Street Twin to get a bump in engine specifications along with a new LED headlamp and new features. Currently, the 900 cc parallel-twin engine on the Street Twin makes 55 bhp and 76 Nm. The new Street Scrambler on the other hand could get all the updates as the Street Twin and maybe get some updates to its off-road kit as well.

Apart from these two motorcycles, Triumph will also be unveiling the Scrambler 1200 on October 24, which will be coming to India as well. Triumph has been teasing the Scrambler 1200 for quite some time now. It will use the same 1200 cc parallel-twin engine which does duty on the Bonneville T120, Bonneville Bobber and the Bonneville Speedmaster. Expect the motorcycle to get proper off-road kit as well.

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F1: Daniil Kvyat To Return To Torro Rosso In 2019

The Torpedo is back! Well that will be the case in 2019 as Daniil Kvyat has been announced as the second driver at Torro Rosso next season. The announcement comes ahead of the Russian Grand Prix at Sochi, Russia. Kvyat will be joining Brendon Hartley at the team. The latter is contracted with the team until the end of next year. This will be the Russian racer's second stint in Formula 1 and third with the Torro Rosso team. Kvyat steps in place of Pierre Gasly who has been promoted to Red Bull Racing for the next season.

Speaking of Kvyat's return, Toro Rosso team boss Franz Tost said, "I believe he deserves another chance in Formula One. Daniil is a high skilled driver with fantastic natural speed, which he has proven several times in his career. There were some difficult situations he had to face in the past, but I'm convinced for next year and that for next year, and things on away from the races will help him show his undeniable capabilities on track. We'll push very hard to provide him with a good package, and I feel the best is yet to come from his side. That's why we are happy to welcome him back to our team, to start a successful season together."

In his previous Formula 1 stint, Kvyat raced in the premier class championship between 2014 and 2017 bagging a seat with Torro Rosso, Red Bull Racing and then back in Torro Rosso. The driver was dropped from the line-up and axed from the Red Bull driver programme for this year owing to a poor show last season and moved to a Ferrari test role. Nevertheless, with Daniel Ricciardo moving to Renault and Pierre Gasly promoted to the Red Bull A team, there was an opening for Kvyat to find his way back on the F1 grid.

While Kvyat was applauded for his quick pace, consistency remained an issue with the drive. Whereas multiple crashes further added black marks over his performance. Owing to this Kvyat was replaced by Max Verstappen ahead of the Spanish GP in 2016 at Red Bull, a decision that has paid off well for the team. Meanwhile, Kvyat last raced Torro Rosso for Torro Rosso until the US GP in October 2017.

A lot is expected from Kvyat who gets a second chance at F1. While he is expected to maintain his quick pace and his quite apt nickname "the torpedo", a more mature performance is expected this time.

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Jaguar F-Type Coupe 2-Litre Review

Is less more? Has the thinking man’s version of the Jaguar F-Type Sportscar with the 2-litre 4-cylinder engine made the car better or worse? We drive the newest version of the iconic two seater and tell you all you need to know about this surprisingly good Porsche 718 Cayman competitor.

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MV Agusta Dragster 800 RR Pirelli Revealed

Feast your eyes on the new MV Agusta Dragster 800 RR Pirelli! Built in collaboration between MV Agusta and Pirelli, the Dragster 800 RR Pirelli is a limited edition model which was recently unveiled at the inauguration of the P Zero World at Monte Carlo. Typically a streetfighter in design, the Pirelli Dragster is everything that invokes motorcycling emotion in the hearts of the coldest non-motorcycle enthusiasts. The Pirelli Dragster will be manufactured in limited numbers and will have two striking colour combinations which are yellow/black and white/blue.

(Mechanically, there are no changes to the Dragster 800 RR Pirelli)

The seat of the motorcycle was created at the Castiglioni Research Centre and is exclusive to the Pirelli Dragster. It has double contrast stitching along with the flash sign of the 'Diablo' range. Also, the exhaust silencers get special ceramic based paint which is resistant to high temperatures. One can also purchase the Pirelli Dragster with coloured sides, based on the colour of your bike.

Parts of the motorcycle such as the tank slider and fairing have been manufactured using specially formulated rubber which is resistant to atmospheric and chemical changes. Similarly, the tyres too are the new Diablo SuperCorsa SPs, 120/70/R17 unit up front and a 200/55/ZR17 at the rear. The Dragster 800 RR Pirelli continues to use the current 798 cc liquid cooled 3-cylinder engine which pumps out about 140 bhp and 87 Nm of peak torque. The engine is mated to a six-speed gearbox with a slip assist clutch. Sure, MV Agusta has presence in India but do not expect the Dragster 800 RR Pirelli to come to India as the Dragster range is not sold in India.

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GM Will Recall More Than 3.3 Million Vehicles In China

General Motors' joint venture in China, Shanghai GM, will recall more than 3.3 million Buick, Chevrolet and Cadillac vehicles from Oct. 20 because of a defect with the suspension system, China's market regulator said on Saturday.

The recall includes cars produced between 2013 and 2018, the State Administration for Market Regulation said in a statement.

GM will contact those affected and repair the vehicles free of charge, it said.

(Reporting by Josephine Mason and Hallie Gu; Editing by Shri Navaratnam)

© Thomson Reuters 2018

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 First Ride Review

We spend some time in California with the new Royal Enfield Interceptor 650, and it surprises us. Built around a new 650 cc parallel-twin platform, the Interceptor 650 left us hunting for negatives to talk about. It’s the best Royal Enfield motorcycle yet!

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Ferrari Portofino, BMW F 750 GS & F 850 GS, Mercedes-Benz E-Class All Terrain

The top automotive news of the day - Ferrari has launched the Portofino in India at a price of Rs 3.5 crore. It replaces the California T in India. BMW Motorrad has launched the F 750 GS and the F 850 GS in India with prices starting from Rs 11.95 lakh and going up all the way to Rs 14.4 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi and finally, Mercedes-Benz India has launched the E-Class All-Terrain at a price of Rs 75 lakh (ex-showroom, India).

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Asia Auto Gymkhana To Be Hosted In India For The First Time

In a first of its kind event for auto enthusiasts here, India will be playing host to The Asia Auto Gymkhana Competition (AAGC) 2018, and will see 13 teams competing for the title.  The competition is currently in its second round after the opening round at Bali, Indonesia. The AAGC is recognised by the FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile) and will be held between September 29- September 30, 2018, at the Raymond drift track in Thane, near Mumbai. AAGC in India has been organised by the Indian Automotive Racing Club and promoted by FB Motorsports. 

AAGC brings some of the best gymkhana drivers from the APAC region. The event comprises 13 teams and 26 drivers representing 10 countries, all of whom landed up in the driver's seat after a rigorous selection process. The Indian round also has Indian drivers getting behind the wheel of the Auto Gymkhana. 

Speaking on the one-of-its-kind event, Raymond - Chairman and Managing Director, and member of the FIA World Motorsports Council, Gautam Singhania said, "As an avid motorsports enthusiast I am thrilled to support and be part of this FIA recognised initiative held in India for the very first time. Through AAGC the idea is to popularize Motorsports by making it more accessible, more affordable and an entertaining event. We also want to give participants the recognition that they deserve. The AAGC is a great beginning and in future, I hope to work with colleagues and representatives across the world and more so in India, to bring in many more such Motorsports initiatives."

Gymkhana is a Motorsport form that puts the driver's skill and techniques to test as they navigate through a short timed loop that includes obstacles, 360 spins, J-Turns, Slalom, box parking and 8-figures. The complete run is usually completed under a minute and makes for a spectacle for the audiences. 

Speaking about the Gymkhana coming to India  for the first  time, AAGC President and CEO, Dr. Kwong Yeung said, "We are happy to host Round 2 of the AAGC 2018 here in India, a country with so many young, talented and ambitious motorsports aspirants. What makes the sport even more special is that Gymkhana competitions are affordable and that any car can be enrolled into the competition, with driver skills as the core criteria. For Round 2, we have some very promising drivers, including a very talented Indian driver line-up. I keenly look forward to this weekend event."

The participants will be driving the fully-kitted Volkswagen Polo stunt cars, promising to put up a brilliant show over the weekend. With the cars being identical, the competition boils to down to which team drives and navigates the best at the end of the day. 

Sirish Vissa, Head of Volkswagen Motorsport India said, "We are happy to provide our Volkswagen Polo stunt cars to the drivers. They are some of the best gymkhana drivers from their respective countries and would be driving some of the best cars we have to offer. I am excited for the upcoming two days of the competition." He further added, "We strive to raise the standard of Indian Motorsport, spread awareness of motorsports in India and bringing the sport to the maximum audience possible. We are always ready for any collaboration to popularize motorsports in the country. This form of partnership restores my faith in future of motorsports in India".

The Auto Gymkhana can also be seen as a starting point for budding Motorsport drivers as they compete in a safe, affordable and practical event.

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BMW 750 GS and BMW 850 GS Bookings Begin In India, Prices Start At Rs. 11.95 Lakh

BMW Motorrad has started taking bookings for their all-new adventure motorcycles, the BMW F 750 GS and BMW F 850 GS in India. Both motorcycles are available in three variants - Standard, Pro Low Suspension and Pro. Prices of the F 750 GS start at Rs. 11.95 lakh for the base Standard variant and goes up to Rs. 13.40 Lakh for the top-spec Pro variant. Prices of the F 850 GS start at Rs. 12.95 lakh for the base Standard variant and ranges to Rs. 14.40 lakh for the top-end Pro variant. BMW has started accepting the bookings for both the motorcycles at their dealerships and will sell them in India as a Completely Built Units (CBU). All prices ex-showroom, India. 

Variants	BMW F 750 GS	BMW F 850 GS
Standard	Rs. 11.95 Lakh	Rs. 12.95 Lakh
Pro Low Suspension	Rs. 13.20 Lakh	Rs. 14.20 Lakh
Pro	Rs. 13.40 Lakh	Rs. 14.40 Lakh

Both the Motorcycles are powered by an 853 cc, 2-Cylinder engine that in the F 750GS produces 77 bhp at 7500 rpm and 95 bhp at 8250 rpm in the F 850GS. The engine is mated to a six-speed gearbox that optimizes the torque output. It is also equipped with an anti-hopping clutch that reduces the torque drag and also ensures enhanced safety during braking manoeuvres while dropping down the gear.

Variants	BMW F 750 GS	BMW F 850 GS
Displacement	853 cc	853 cc
Max power	77 bhp @ 7500 rpm	95 bhp @ 8250 rpm
Peak Torque	83 Nm @ 6000 rpm	86 Nm @ 6250 rpm
Transmission	6-speed Manual	6-speed Manual

Categorically, the BMW F 850 GS is more of an off-roader while the F 750 GS is more road focused which is why the power output is higher on the former. The F 850 GS also has a marginally larger wheelbase at 1593 mm compared to 1559 mm of the F 750 GS. Moreover, the former also gets cross spoke 21-inch Wheels and 17-inch wheels at the rear shod in fatter 90/90 and 150/70 profile tyres, respectively which complement its off-road character. The latter on the other hand comes with cast aluminium, 19-inch wheels shod in 110/80 profile in the front and similar 17-inch wheels shod in 150/70 tyres at the rear.

(The BMW F 850 GS is more of an off-roader compared to the F 750 GS)

The BMW F 750 GS is available with two colour options- a Light White paintjob with black or red seats and yellow paintjob with black or grey seats. On the other hand, the BMW F 850 GS gets a host of shades and colour treatment to opt from. In the basic form it's available with what BMW calls Racing Red paintwork with Black or Grey seats. Then there is the Rallye style that has a light white paintjob with graphics in Racing Red or Lupin Blue Metallic. It also gets hand protectors, gold wheels and radiator covers with GS graphics embossed on them and seats either in red or black. Furthermore, there is also an exclusive trim that gets Pollux metallic matte paintwork with hand protectors, fixed forked gold tubes and radiator cover with large GS tapes, this variant can be had with black or grey seats.

Also Read: Auto Expo 2018: BMW Motorrad Confirms F 750 GS, F 850 GS Launch

Both motorcycles are equipped with a new 6.5-inch TFT display instrument cluster. The Motorcycles also get Bluetooth connectivity options for media and phone along with a navigation system that can also be accessed via the BMW Motorrad Connected app. In addition, the rider assist and safety systems like automatic stability control (ASC), anti-lock braking system (ABS), cruise control and different riding modes like Rain and Road are also standard across the range. Moreover, at an added cost, buyers can also go for the optional riding modes- Dynamic and Enduro along with Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) and ABS Pro that offer enhanced traction.

Also Read: BMW Motorrad Recalls F 750 GS, F 850 GS In Europe
In the market, both the motorcycles will go up against the Triumph Tiger 800, Ducati Multistrada 950 and Honda Africa Twin. 

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Suzuki Intruder Special Edition Model Launched; Prices Start At Rs. 1 Lakh

Suzuki Motorcycle India has announced the launch of a new special edition model of its popular 155 cc cruiser motorcycle, the Suzuki Intruder. Available in both carburetted and fuel-injected formats, the special edition models have been named the Suzuki Intruder SP and Intruder FI SP, similar to the Gixxer series. The bikes have been introduced for the festive season, and are priced at Rs. 1.0 lakh and Rs. 1.07 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) respectively. The new special edition Suzuki Intruder also gets a new Matte Black colour option, along with Candy Sanoma Red accent.

Commenting on the launch of the special variant, Satoshi Uchida - Managing Director, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, "We are happy to introduce the Special Edition ahead of the festive season which will lure the cruiser customers. With its head-turning design, luxurious appeal and sporty looks, Suzuki Intruder and Intruder FI variants are an apt fit for the people who want to stand out from the crowd. It's for the people who navigate the challenges and ride it out with brotherhood."

Suzuki Intruder SP is powered a 154.9 cc single-cylinder, air-cooled, 4-stroke engine

The Suzuki Intruder SP and SP FI see no mechanical changes and continue to be powered a 154.9 cc single-cylinder, air-cooled, 4-stroke engine, which is sourced from the Gixxer range. The motor is tuned to produce a maximum of 14 bhp at 8000 rpm and develops a peak torque of 14 Nm at 6000 rpm, while mated to a 5-speed gearbox. Like the standard model, the SP variants will also come equipped with Anti- Lock Brake System (ABS) and the Fuel Injection will offer a better riding experience.

The Intruder is equipped with projector headlamps with LED position lights, an all-digital instrument cluster, LED taillamp, sharp twin exhaust, and twin seat setup with a bucket-style seat for the rider. It also comes with black alloy wheels, equipped with disc brakes at both ends and a single channel ABS setup for the front disc brake. The Intruder gets telescopic front forks and Swing Arm Type mono-shock suspension at the rear.

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Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain Launched In India; Priced At Rs. 75 Lakh

Mercedes-Benz India has launched its much anticipated E-Class All-Terrain in India, priced at Rs. 75 lakh (ex-showroom, India). Essentially a crossover version of the E-Class estate wagon, the new E-Class All-Terrain was first revealed in India, at the 2018 Auto Expo, and was slated to be launched towards the festive season. Equipped with the carmaker's signature 4MATIC all-wheel-drive (AWD) system, the E-Class All-Terrain comes with bold crossover-like styling and a bunch of luxury features borrowed from the E-Class sedan. The car competes in India with Volvo V90 Cross Country.

Talking about the newest addition to the company's Indian line-up, Roland Folger, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India said, "The Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain has a powerful, unique appearance coupled with go-anywhere capability which differentiates All-Terrain from a classic estate. It features a range of technologies that enhances driving pleasure and offers unmatched luxury with rugged appeal. The All-Terrain has the elegance and luxury of an E-Class combined with the practicality and versatility of an SUV, with the go-anywhere capability of an off-roader."

The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain E 220 d 4MATIC is equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine that tuned to offers 192 bhp at 3800 rpm and develops 400 Nm at 1600 - 2800 rpm. The engine is mated to a 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission that helps the car to accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in flat 8 seconds, before hitting a top-speed of 231 kmph.

Visually, the new E-Class All-Terrain shares a bunch of its styling cues with the E-Class sedan and the GLE SUV. Up front, the car features an SUV-style radiator grille, LED projector headlamps and a heavily cladded bumper with chrome details. The robust body of the All-Terrain is further accentuated by the wheel arch cladding and the large light-weight 19-inch alloy wheels. The roof gets a contrast black treatment, while the rear section comes with sleek wraparound LED taillamps, and a beefy rear bumper with a silver diffuser and chrome-tipped dual exhaust port.

The 4MATIC all-wheel drive E-Class All-Terrain has unique features like increased ground clearance due to the AIR BODY CONTROL multi-chamber air suspension, which increased the ground clearance by 35 mm. The cabin comes with rear seat with backrest that folds into a 40:20:40 split offering a maximum of 1,820 litres of storage.

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Royal Enfield 650 Twins: Top Questions Answered

In a way, the Royal Enfield 650 Twins are the real modern classics in the true sense, and the most powerful motorcycles from Royal Enfield on sale. Both the Interceptor 650 and the Continental GT 650 share the same engine, chassis, 18-inch wheels and brakes, but each bike offers a different flavour in character and personality. Royal Enfield has really upped the game and the brand new 650 Twins are comparable to the best modern classics available on offer, although there is no liquid-cooling, ride-by-wire or fancy electronics. But there's standard dual-channel ABS and the lack of electronic wizardry means these bikes will be priced attractively. Here's a look at all the questions you may have about the Royal Enfield Twins and their answers.

(The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 shares the same 649 cc parallel-twin engine with the Continental GT 650)

What is the engine like?

The Royal Enfield 650 Twins are based on a brand-new 649 cc, air/oil cooled, parallel-twin engine which puts out 47 bhp of power at 7250 rpm and 52 Nm of peak torque at 5250 rpm. And 80 per cent of that torque is available from 2500 rpm. What this means is that the engine pulls from below 3000 revs with urgency, till about 6000 revs. And it's a free revving engine, and hits the rev limiter easily at over 7000 rpm, but the engine needs a little bit of time over 6000 rpm. It's easy to hit 130 kmph and the bike will happily cruise at those speeds all day long, and even 140 kmph is easily achieved. We were able to hit a top speed of around 110 mph (that is close to 180 kmph), so this is an engine with high speed capability, and riding the torque between 3000-5000 rpm is what feels best. The fuelling is spot on, so there's no lurch or jerkiness in the throttle response, even when you're on/off the throttle in high speed corners.

(The engine offers solid grunt in the mid-range, making for effortless cruising)

What is the exhaust note like?

The new 649 cc engine employs a 270-degree firing crank and although it's a parallel-twin format, the exhaust note is throaty and burbles with a bassy note which is quite likeable. The stock pipes are adequate enough and standing at stop lights you can hear the pipes burbling and rumbling with a very nice bassy note if you rev the engine. Royal Enfield is working on a pair of aftermarket accessory exhausts by S&S Cycle. The pipes are still under development and it's not clear if they will be introduced in India. Some of the bikes ridden by the Royal Enfield lead riders during our first ride were equipped with the accessory S&S pipes. But these are louder than the stock markets, and to us the stock pipes sound very good, and the 650 Twins may not need any aftermarket pipes.

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border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div><div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://ift.tt/1qSwKM6" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div></a> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://ift.tt/2N9eVo0" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">The brand new @royalenfield 650 sounds like THIS! We will be riding it soon so stay tuned to our feed here and on twitter too. And of course, on our website! #RoyalEnfield #RE650</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://ift.tt/2N81HrV" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> CarAndBike</a> (@carandbike) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2018-09-22T20:45:43+00:00">Sep 22, 2018 at 1:45pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

(The Royal Enfield 650 cc engine is counterbalanced and offers smooth performance)

Are there any vibrations?

The engine is counterbalanced to keep vibrations in check. And Royal Enfield's engine design team has done a stellar job at building the best engine ever on any Royal Enfield. For the most part, it's a smooth and refined engine comparable to any modern middleweight parallel-twin. As mentioned earlier, the engine performs best at between 3000 to 6000 rpm, and there's a slight tingly feeling on the handlebar and pegs around 6000 rpm. But it's nothing to worry about much and not at all bothersome. Upwards of 6000 rpm the engine can rev all the way to the redline, but it's best experienced at where the torque kicks in (between 3000-6000 rpm). On that note, 4000 rpm is good enough to hit 100 kmph in sixth gear, and 5000 rpm will have you over 125 kmph. Cruising at 130-140 kmph is relaxed, without any noticeable strain and the 650 Twin will hit nearly 180 kmph, but it's only the wind blast that gets in the way after a few minutes of sustained high speed riding.

(Both the Interceptor 650 and the Continental GT 650 have a slick-shifting 6-speed gearbox with slip-and-assist clutch)

What is the gearbox and clutch like?

The gearbox is a six-speed unit and is slick and precise. The gears slot into position with hardly any effort and in over two days of riding both the Interceptor 650 and the Continental GT 650, not once did we encounter any misses from the gearbox or any false neutrals. And of course, finding neutral is as easy at is can be with just a tap on the gear lever. The Royal Enfield 650 Twins employ a slip and assist clutch, so it doesn't give your left hand a workout when you're changing gears. The clutch could have been lighter, but it's light enough to not make you complain when you're battling traffic on Indian roads on your daily commute.

Also Read: Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 First Ride Review

(The Continental GT handles beautifully and is intuitive around a set of corners)

How do they handle?

For the most part, handling of the RE Twins is sublime and inspires confidence. Both the 650 Twins employ the same double cradle chassis which is designed by Royal Enfield-owned Harris Performance. Paul Young, test rider and a key member of Royal Enfield's chassis development team says there was a lot of work, thought and rigorous testing done on the chassis over several iterations and tests, both on real roads in England and India, and many months of testing at the Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground in Leicestershire, UK when the chassis was being developed. The RE Interceptor 650 offers a well-behaved ride and handling package. Our test ride route involved a fair bit of twisty roads and there is no reason for us to complain about its handling. There's good clearance, so no pegs were harmed or scraped, even during the occasional brisk rides in the mountains and the bike remains well planted. The Continental GT 650 offers even more intuitive handling, thanks to the sporty riding position and the rearset footpegs. The rider sits slightly low and crouched on the GT 650 and with the body weight set slightly forward, it makes quite some difference in the bike's dynamics. Just a nudge on the clip on handlebar on the twisties is good enough for the GT 650 to tackle a set of left right corners at high speed.

(The Interceptor 650 gets a 320 mm disc up front; ABS is a dual-channel unit and standard)

Also Read: Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 First Ride Review

How are the brakes?

The RE 650 Twins come with standard dual-channel ABS developed by Bosch. The braking set-up consists of a 320 mm front disc and a 240 mm rear disc by ByBre. The ABS works quite well, and even under hard braking, you can feel the ABS kicking in only under emergency braking (as we found out during the first ride of the Continental GT 650). It's intuitive, works pretty well, and should keep you safe, just in case of any emergency braking manoeuvres.

(Ride quality is slightly stiff, to complement the handling)

What is the ride quality like?

The ride quality of both the 650 Twins is on the stiffer side. The suspension of the Interceptor 650 we were riding was adjusted to be on the softer side, and the roads and surfaces we were riding were more or less a smooth affair. A little broken and gnarly asphalt that we subjected the bike to, revealed that ride quality is slightly on the stiffer side, no doubt to complement the handling. The Continental GT 650 we were riding had the preload adjusted to the stiffest, no doubt to aid in handling. It felt stiffer but also handles slightly better and is more intuitive and sporty around corners. We will reserve our comments for how the ride quality is on Indian roads until we ride them here.

(Different variants will have different decals and colour options; the mechanicals remain the same)

How many variants?

Both the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 and the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 will be available in three variants - Standard, Custom and Chrome. All three variants have the same mechanicals and the only difference is cosmetic - different colour schemes and different badges. The RE 650 Twins are introduced as one common platform, so in India too, we will get the same three variants, each with the same engine, chassis and cycle parts. There are no riding modes, and no traction control on offer, obviously to keep pricing competitive. But the standard ABS works well.

(Each variant shares the same platform and the changes are only cosmetic)

What accessories are available?

Royal Enfield has also introduced a range of OEM accessories, including a choice of different flyscreens, bar-end mirrors, engine guards and even soft luggage. Also available is a completely new range of apparel and riding gear, which include some nice riding jackets.

(The RE 650 Twins are also available with several OEM accessories)

How much will they cost?

Royal Enfield has already announced prices in the US, and going by the US prices, the bikes will be priced competitively in India. We expect the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 to be priced around Rs. 3 lakh, or maybe even slightly lower than that, while the Continental GT 650 may be priced at around Rs. 3.25 lakh. According to Siddhartha Lal, the 650 Twins will be positioned as an easy and accessible upgrade for existing owners of the Royal Enfield Classic 350 and Classic 500, so expect very competitive pricing. The bikes are expected to be launched sometime in November, with deliveries expected to begin by December.

Also Read: Royal Enfield 650 Twins Price Expectation

(Prices are expected to be around Rs. 3 lakh in India)

How is the build quality and reliability?

Build quality for the most part is quite good, and the Royal Enfield 650 Twins feel well-built and robust. Although powered by a 650 cc twin engine, and with kerb weight (without fuel) of 198 kg for the Continental GT and 202 kg for the Interceptor 650, both bikes feel compact and will be easy to ride and handle, both for new riders and for riders who want to get back to motorcycling after a hiatus. Reliability can be gauged only after the bikes are launched and we spend some time with them here in India. But Royal Enfield is offering a 3-year, unlimited mileage warranty in the US, and for India too, there will be a 3-year, 40,000 km warranty offered. That speaks a lot about Royal Enfield's confidence in the products.

 

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Audi Received 10,000 Pre-Bookings For The E-Tron EV

Close on heels of the launch of the production version of the Mercedes-Benz EQC electric car, Audi brought in its contender. It's called the e-Tron and we've already given you a dose of what the car is all about. While there are those wondering if electric cars will be appreciated, the bookings received by Audi for the e-Tron speak volumes about the popularity of EVs. The German luxury carmaker has received 10,000 pre-orders for the e-Tron, it said in a presentation at the 2018 Audi Global Summit on September 18 when the electric SUV was launched in Europe.

Also Read: Audi E-Tron Electric SUV Unveiled At 2018 Audi Global Summit; To Come To India In 2019

Audi has already started with the production of the E-Tron in Belgium on September 3, 2018 and the deliveries are expected to start in Europe by the end of this year. The e-Tron has been priced at 79,000 Euros or Rs. 66 lakh approximately in the European market and Audi has confirmed it for India by the end of 2019.
Powering the E-Tron are 432 cells put together in 36 modules which are assembled underneath the floor and have a combined power of 95kWh. The battery bank sends power to two electric motors, a 125kWh motor assembled at the front axle and a 140kWh motor on the rear axle. In combination, both the motors churn out 355 bhp and 561Nm of peak torque. However, in the boost mode the power output goes up to 408 bhp and the SUV can clock 100 kmph from standstill in just 5.7 seconds. Without boost mode, it does the same sprint in 6.6 seconds. Moreover, abiding by the Audi SUV standards, quattro is standard on the e-Tron. Audi has positioned the e-Tron between the Q5 and Q7 and the compelling price seems to have worked for the European and US customers. However, the SUV will come at a much higher cost to our shores  and we look forward to the launch of the car in the country

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Honda CB Shine Crosses 1 Lakh Unit Sales In August 2018

The Honda CB Shine is the largest selling motorcycle from Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI). In August this year, Honda has sold over 1 lakh units of the CB Shine to record its highest ever monthly sales which has pushed the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer's market share by a healthy 6 percent to 52 per cent in the 125 cc segment in the Indian market. Sles of the CB Shine and the CB Shine SP together went up by 14.82 percent at 1,08,790 units in August 2018 compared to 94,748 units in the same period a year ago.
Speaking about the record sales milestone, Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Senior Vice President - Sales and Marketing, HMSI said, "CB Shine is truly the mass motorcycle model from Honda's stable and we thank our 60 lakh plus CB Shine customers in India for choosing to out-shine with Honda. Achieving this record before festivals, gives us high confidence that CB Shine will further consolidate its leadership as India's preferred 125 cc motorcycle. With premium style, trusted performance, high comfort and first mover advantage as the only 125 cc motorcycle brand equipped with Combined Braking System, Honda CB Shine together with its special sibling CB Shine SP continues to reach new heights."
HMSI also claims that the CB Shine is the only motorcycle in the 125 cc segment to cross the 1 lakh sales mark for the third time which has also made it the only brand to post a positive Year-To-Date growth in the 125 cc segment. Moreover, HMSI has recorded a growth of 14 per cent year-on-year in August 2018 selling 4,95,315 units against 4,32,984 units in the same month last year.
Honda CB Shine is powered by 125 cc, single-cylinder engine which makes 10.3bhp of maximum horsepower and 10.3Nm of peak torque. Honda till date has sold over 60 lakh units of the CB Shine in the Indian market which nears its volume gap with the Honda Activa to maintain a mainstay in HMSI's portfolio. The Honda CB Shine is available in two variants. The standard Honda CB Shine is priced at Rs. 57,397 (ex-showroom Delhi) and the Honda CB Shine SP, with a five-speed gearbox, is priced at Rs. 63,000 (ex-showroom Delhi). 

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Ferrari Portofino Launched In India; Priced At Rs. 3.5 Crore

The Ferrari Portofino has been launched in India and is priced at Rs. 3.5 crore (ex-showroom, India). The Portofino first made its debut at Ferrari's 70th anniversary celebrations last year in Italy. Drawing its name from an Italian fishing village, the Portofino looks quite dapper and is a convertible with a hard-top. With its sculpted front end and boomerang shaped LED headlamps, the Portofino gets typically Ferrari styling and looks sharper and sexier than California T. The new Ferrari Portofino features a carbon fibre side skirt while the rear wheel arch haunches are accentuated and lead into the tail lamps. The rear, on the other hand, is all-new and looks a lot aggressive, featuring twin tail lamps that are set apart and a quad exhaust setup, with a contoured boot lid.

Also Read: Ferrari Portofino Review

Ferrari says that the chassis has been re-designed with the weight reduced by 80 kg and has better torsional rigidity. The company claims that the chassis is now up to 35 per cent stiffer. This is the model in Ferrari's GT range to get an electro-mechanical steering assembly which makes for a 7 per cent reduction in steering ratio and improving the response of the car.

The Ferrari Portofino gets a 3.9-litre twin turbo V8 engine which is the same one on the California T but has been updated inside out with new workings. The engine churns out about 600 bhp at 7,500 rpm and has a peak torque output of 760 Nm at 5,250 rpm. The top speed of the Portofino is rated to be 320 kmph and does the 0-100 kmph sprint in 3.5 seconds.

The cabin of the Portofino gets a large centrally mounted 10.2-inch touchscreen and a separate screen for the passenger side as well. The infotainment system gets Apple CarPlay as well. Other feature includes electric seats which can be adjusted in 18 ways. The Ferrari Portofino has a 2+2 seating configuration which means that it can technically fit two adults upfront and can possibly fit two kids at the rear. The Portofino also features a new wind deflector design that helps cut down airflow inside the cabin by up to 30 per cent as compared to the California T.

The Ferrari Portofino will be sold through the company's dealership in Delhi which is Select Cars and through Navnit Motors in Mumbai.

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Automobili Pininfarina Partners With Rimac For EV Technology

Automobili Pininfarina announced its line-up of partners and collaborators - including a unique technical partnership with Rimac Automobili to provide battery and drivetrain expertise, software, and hardware, in a contract worth up to 50 million Euros. The company also announced its new headquarters in Munich and this will see the team working on cutting-edge electric powertrain technology for the development of the PF0 Hypercar.

Indian homegrown carmaker Mahindra-owned Automobili Pininfarina previewed the exterior design of its first ever Pininfarina-branded electric luxury hypercar, codenamed 'PF0 Concept'. At an event in New York, Automobili Pininfarina revealed three new images that represent the design intent for the new PF0 hypercar in July this year. The new company also announced plans to bring on board ex-Formula 1 racing driver Nick Heidfeld who will be an integral member of the team developing the PF0 vehicle dynamics programme from the beginning of 2019, prior to the all-electric hypercar's on-sale date of late-2020.

The company will be headquartered in Munich be based in Europe and will design, engineer and manufacture high technology, extreme performance luxury electric vehicles for global customers. The company will offer a range of cars designed and hand-crafted by legendary Italian automotive styling house Pininfarina SpA. The PF0 electric hypercar will be launched at the Geneva Motor Show in 2019, with production beginning in 2020.

Micheal Perschke, CEO Automobili Pininfarina said, "We have developed a sophisticated brief to deliver a ground-breaking all-electric hyper GT car to clients from 2020, and now we are curating the partners and suppliers to deliver this dream. The results will be electrifying for owners of Automobili Pininfarina cars in the future!"

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Tesla's Elon Musk Sued By United States' Securities And Exchange Commission For Fraud

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday accused Tesla Inc Chief Executive Elon Musk of fraud and sought to remove him from his role in charge of the electric car company, saying he made a series of "false and misleading" tweets about potentially taking Tesla private last month.

Musk, 47, is the public face of Tesla and losing him would be a big blow for the money-losing car maker which has a market value of more than $50 billion, chiefly because of investors' belief in Musk's leadership.

Also Read: Tesla CEO Elon Musk Confirms That The Company Will Remain Public

The Department of Justice, which has the authority to press criminal charges, has also questioned the company about Musk's tweets, the company said this month.

Tesla shares tumbled 12 percent in after-hours trading.

"Elon is Tesla and Tesla is Elon and that's great when Elon is scoring touchdowns and grand slams but not so great when there are negative things tied to him," said Karl Brauer, executive publisher at car research firm Kelley Blue Book.

Musk said he had done nothing wrong. "This unjustified action by the SEC leaves me deeply saddened and disappointed," he said in a statement. "Integrity is the most important value in my life and the facts will show I never compromised this in any way."

Tesla'a board said they are "fully confident" in Musk.

The SEC's lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court, caps a tumultuous two months set in motion on Aug. 7 when Musk told his more than 22 million Twitter followers that he might take Tesla private at $420 per share, with "funding secured."

On Aug. 24, after news of the SEC probe had become known, Musk blogged here that Tesla would remain public, citing investor resistance.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that the SEC filed the lawsuit after a proposed settlement with Musk fell apart. The SEC did not immediately respond to a request for comment late on Thursday.

In its lawsuit, the SEC said Musk calculated the $420 price per share based on a 20 percent premium over that day's closing share price and because of the number's slang reference to marijuana. The lawsuit, which cites emails and text messages between Musk and Tesla executives, quoted Musk as saying he thought his girlfriend "would find it funny, which admittedly is not a great reason to pick a price."

After sending the initial tweet, his chief financial officer asked Musk if he wanted a blog post or employee email drafted to explain his tweet, to which Musk responded, "Yeah, that would be great."

Musk had not discussed the $420 figure with any potential funding source before he broached the subject to Tesla's board in an Aug. 2 email, the SEC said.

The SEC said its investigation into Tesla is ongoing.

The move to bar Musk as an officer of any public company was a rare move for the SEC against the CEO of such a well-known firm.

"The lesson for CEOs is that the rules apply to everyone including highly successful visionaries," said Charles Elson, director of the Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance at the University of Delaware.

Teresa Goody, CEO of law firm Goody Counsel and a former SEC attorney, said the SEC had acted quickly but that most such SEC lawsuits are usually settled without going to a jury trial. Settlements can take some time to reach if the defendant is unwilling to budge on the SEC's key demands.

RECKLESSNESS?

The SEC lawsuit comes as Tesla has been struggling to deliver its new Model 3 sedan, which is key to the company's future profitability, after a long series of production issues and delays.

Also Read: Musk Says Tesla Now In 'Delivery Logistics Hell'

Musk has long used Twitter to criticize short-sellers betting against his company, and already faced several investor lawsuits over the Aug. 7 tweets, which caused Tesla's share price to gyrate.

According to the SEC, Musk "knew or was reckless in not knowing" that his tweets about taking Tesla private at $420 a share were false and misleading, given that he had never discussed such a transaction with any funding source.

The SEC said Musk met for less than an hour with three representatives of Public Investment Fund, at the company's Fremont, California, plant on July 31 during which the lead representative for the Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund expressed interest in taking Tesla private if the terms were "reasonable," according to the lawsuit.

Musk acknowledged the meeting lacked discussion of "even the most fundamental terms" of the deal and nothing was set in writing, according to the lawsuit. He did not communicate with the fund representatives again until three days after his tweets.

Besides creating "significant confusion and disruption in the market for Tesla's stock and resulting harm to investors," the SEC said that Musk did not consult with Tesla's board, other employees or outside advisors about the tweets before sending them.

Even the company's head of investor relations was blindsided by the tweets, whom the SEC said had to text Musk's chief of staff to ask whether they were "legit."

© Thomson Reuters 2018

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Vazirani Shul, Hero Price Hike, Latest Global NCAP, Indian Cars To Get Safer

The top automotive news of the day- India's first ever fully-electric hypercar, the Vazirani Shul, has been unveiled. Hero MotoCorp will hike the prices of its models from October 2018, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza scores 4-stars and the Renault Lodgy scores zero stars in the latest round of Global NCAP crash tests and finally, electronic stability control and autonomous emergency braking will become mandatory in India by 2023.

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Next-Gen BMW 3-Series To Be Unveiled Next Month

The seventh-generation BMW 3-Series is all set to make its global debut on October 2, 2018 at the upcoming 2018 Paris Motor Show. Though BMW has not revealed any other details about the car and the iteration it will showcase, referring to previous spy pictures, it's highly anticipated to be the M 340i. It's is the top-spec M-Sport variant that most likely will be powered by a 3-litre, 6 cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that will produce over 350 horses and 500Nm of peak torque. The engine will be married to an eight-speed automatic gearbox and the 3 Series will be a rear-wheel drive as standard; while there will also be the xDrive (four-wheel drive) available as an option. Also optional will be the limited slip differential on this car that will provide extra traction. 

Being the entry level sedan the 3 Series introduces many first time luxury car buyers to the BMW family who are conscious about their running cost. Hence, in a bid to reduce its drag-coefficient so to improve agility and fuel economy, BMW has been working on the aero-dynamics of the car. The next-gen 3-Series is based on BMW's CLAR platform that has kept it on a strong diet and is lighter it by 55 kgs. The CLAR is a cluster architecture developed using several light weight elements that ensures composite rigidity to the structure.

Also Read: BMW 4 Series Convertible Spotted Testing In Munich

Additionally, the M 340i will have a wider track than the lower variants and will come equipped with M suspensions as standard. The M suspension will lower the body by 10mm and will be coupled with a new lift- dampening system that will debut on the BMW 3-Series. This arrangement controls the vibration and thud a firm tuned suspension make while going over sharp bumps and at the same time maintaining the corner agility. Moreover, the new platform has helped maintaining a 50:50 weight distribution. Saved for the last, the good news for all BMW fanatics is that the M 340i will get an even precise steering system and massive 18-inch alloys.

We are still not sure though, if BMW will bring the M 340i in India in its pure state which will go on sale in the European market. That said, considering the fact that Mercedes has already launched the 2018 C-Class facelift in the C 300d AMG-Line variant, a similar positioning from BMW could make the rivalry a bit more intense.  

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Renault India Reacts To Global NCAP's Crash Test Of The Lodgy MPV

Earlier in the day, we brought you news about Global NCAP's crash test results of the Renault Lodgy. The results of course weren't encouraging. The Lodgy scored zero stars in the crash test. As with every other vehicle tested by Global NCAP, the Lodgy was tested at 64 kmph in the frontal offset crash test and showcased very poor results. The Lodgy MPV that was tested did not have airbags nor did it offer child safety systems like ISOFIX. Currently on sale in India, the Lodgy also does not have ABS as standard. NCAP has also rated the body shell of the Lodgy as unstable.

Also Read: Renault Lodgy Scores Zero Stars In Latest Global NCAP Crash Test

Renault India put out a statement saying "All Renault products meet and exceed the regulations set by ARAI. Renault has taken great strides in vehicle safety. The company shares the goal of improving road safety worldwide, including the adoption of robust vehicle safety standards."

Adult crash safety was rated at zero stars for the Renault Lodgy while child safety in the rear seat was rated at two stars. Driver protection, especially for the head has been rated as poor mainly due to the impact that the drivers head had with the steering wheel due to the lack of an airbag. In comparison, passenger rating for the Lodgy for head impact was rated good. The lack of even a driver's side airbag has meant that the other ratings like chest or knee protection were also poor or marginal.

The company reacted to the crash test rating saying, "The tests by Global NCAP are conducted at speeds that are higher than those prescribed by the regulatory authorities, not only in India but also in developed markets. The results of Global NCAP have to be seen in that perspective."

The company, however made it clear that it is getting ready for the future norms that will come into effect into India by April 2020. It said "Our products are ARAI certified, which is the current mandate in India. As India is gradually moving towards international safety and emission norms by including more robust regulations, Renault will be ready for the upcoming safety regulations and BS VI norms."

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Global NCAP Pushes For ABS On All Two-Wheelers In India

Come April 2019, all two-wheelers in India which have displacement more than or equal to 125 cc will need to have anti-lock brakes (ABS) compulsorily. We at Carandbike wholeheartedly support this decision. While this has already been mandated, Global NCAP believes ABS should be made compulsory for all two-wheelers. Speaking at the NCAP Global Congress, John Chatterton Ross, Director, Public Affairs, FIM Global NCAP, believes that ABS should be made mandatory for all two-wheelers irrespective of the displacement or size.

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza Gets 4-Star Rating In Global NCAP Crash Tests

The current ruling issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways says that all 'new' two-wheeler models with equal to or above 125 cc, which are launched after April 2018, will need to have ABS as a compulsory feature. While two-wheelers with displacement below 125 cc will compulsorily need to have combined braking system or CBS. This means that all existing two-wheeler models more than or equal to 125 cc will need to be offered with ABS compulsorily after April 2019 and two-wheelers below 125 cc will compulsorily need to have CBS after April 2019.

Also Read: Renault Lodgy Gets Zero Star Rating In Global NCAP Crash Tests

The working of ABS is quite simple. Be it cars or two-wheelers, the job of ABS is to prevent the wheels from locking up under hard braking. The biggest advantage is that you still have control of the steering and the direction in which the car or two-wheeler goes, thereby ensuring that the vehicle does not go out of control. CBS or combi-braking system works when both brakes on a two-wheeler are activated by pressing just the rear brake lever. Of course, the front brake is partially activated. Sure, the prices of two-wheelers will go up by a fair margin but it is a small price to pay for an active safety system which could end up saving lives.

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2018 TVS Apache RTR 160 4V Launched In Sri Lanka

TVS Motor Company today announced the launch of its 160 cc naked street bike, the 2018 Apache RTR 160 4V, in Sri Lanka. The bike has been launched priced at LKR 379,900 (ex-showroom, Colombo), which is almost around Rs. 1.63 lakh as per current exchange rates. The Apache RTR 160 4V will be offered in the same existing colour options, namely, Racing Red, Knight Black, and Metallic Blue, with the chequered pattern graphics. The Apache was launched in India early this year, in March 2018, and Sri Lanka is one of the first export markets to get the new 160 cc bike.

Also Read: 2018 TVS Apache RTR 160 4V First Ride Review

Talking about the launch of the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V in Sri Lanka, R. Dilip, Senior Vice President - International Business, TVS Motor Company, said, "The new TVS Apache RTR 160 4V is an exciting addition to the TVS Apache RTR series. It is the most powerful 160 cc motorcycle in Sri Lanka and embodies the latest racing technology with best-in-class performance. We are confident that the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V will delight customers in Sri Lanka with its superior performance and dynamic racing look."

The TVS Apache RTR 160 4V is based on the company's six-time Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship (INMRC) winning motorcycle, Group B RTR 165. In fact, the bike is powered by the most-powerful 160 cc, single-cylinder in the segment. The 159.7 cc 4-stroke, 4-valve, the oil-cooled engine makes 16 bhp at 8000 rpm and develops 14.8 Nm at 6500 rpm. The engine is mated to a 5-speed super-slick gearbox that offers a precise and powerful riding experience.

Also Read: TVS Apache RTR 160 4V: All You Need To Know

Being derived from a race bike, it gets a bunch of sporty equipment like - a double-cradle split synchro stiff frame design, telescopic front forks and rear monoshocks designed in coordination with Showa, alloy wheels with 270 mm petal disc brake up front and the option of either 130 mm drum or 200 mm petal disc brake from the rear wheel. The front wheel is shod in 110 mm tubeless tyres, while the rear wheel gets 130 mm tubeless tyres as standard. Other features include - daytime running LED position lights, digital instrument console, a one-piece seat, and racing double barrel exhaust.

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Speed Warning System Is A Necessity, Says MoRTH Joint Secretary

At the recently concluded 'Global NCAP Stop the Crash' event in Delhi, Abhay Damle, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), talked about the effectiveness of the speed warning system in Indian cars. A safety feature that is set to become mandatory for all cars in the country, Damale pointed out that speed warning system is necessary mainly because of the fact that it's irritating to an extent. In fact, from July 1, 2019, onwards, all new cars that go on sale in India will need to come fitted with a speed warning system as standard.

Also Read: Indian Cars To Get Safer, Electronic Stability Control To Become Mandatory

The speed warning system prompts the driver to maintain a safe driving speed and keep the vehicle within the city or highway speed limits. The system is designed to alert the driver with 2 beeps every 60 seconds if the driver exceeds 80 kmph, on the other hand, the system will make a continuous beeping sound if the speed exceeds 120 kmph. The system has been designed in such a manner that it cannot be switched off or overridden. Damale pointed out that that the speed management system is very effective, and will be helpful in the future.

Having said that, vehicles used by authorities like police, or emergency personnel like ambulances or fire brigade will be exempted from this rule. Furthermore, vehicles, which are certified with a top speed of less than 80 kmph will also not require to come fitted with the speed warning system. Interestingly enough, the recently launched Maruti Suzuki Ciaz facelift is one of the first cars to get the speed warning system as standard across the variant list. By early next year, we'll possibly see other carmakers also start introducing this safety features as part of their standard offerings.

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Fuel Price Cut Even Rs. 1 Will Lead To Rs. 2,200 Crore Revenue Loss In Maharashtra

Amid growing chorus to bring down fuel prices, the BJP-led Maharashtra government Wednesday said the state would lose revenue to the tune of Rs. 2,200 crore per year if it slashes the prices of petrol and diesel by Rs. one per litre.

Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar also said the government had already slashed taxes on petrol and diesel to check the surging prices of petrol and diesel at the state level.

He said the government is in the favour of bringing petrol and diesel under the ambit of the GST, "but the Congress-led governments are against such move". The next meeting of the GST council meeting is scheduled on September 28.

"Maharashtra brought down taxes on petrol by Rs. 2 per litre and on diesel by Rs. 1 per litre in October last year, whereas states like Rajasthan, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have cut their taxes recently," he said when asked if there was any delay on part of the government in slashing the taxes.

Mungantiwar was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a BJP meeting held here Wednesday. The minister blamed the "global forces" for unabated surge in the prices of fuel in the country.

Prices of petrol have crossed the Rs. 90-mark in more than 20 districts of total 36 districts in Maharashtra.

He said rising prices is a matter of concern for citizens as well as for the state government.

"The Maharashtra government is in the favour of bringing petrol and diesel under the ambit of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), but the Congress which is heading governments in some states is against this (move). These states think that they may lose their financial independence if fuel is brought under the GST," he said.

Explaining the fuel arithmetic, the minister said Maharashtra gets 26 per cent in taxes from the retail sale of petrol.

When asked about the prevailing prices of petrol and diesel across country, Mungantiwar said, "Maharashtra is one of the five states where prices of petrol are the highest. In case of diesel, Maharashtra is among eight states where prices are the steepest".

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Volkswagen T-Cross SUV Spied Ahead Of Global Unveil Next Month

The Volkswagen T-Cross compact SUV will be the smallest UV to come from the German auto giant and ahead of its official debut next month at the Paris Motor Show 2018, spy images of the model have made their way online. The latest images provide a good look at the upcoming T-Cross, and the model sure looks promising. The Volkswagen T-Cross is an extremely important product for the carmaker and will cater to a wide audience not only in developed markets, but in growing economies as well. No wonder then, VW has planned a massive unveil for the T-Cross with the launch event to be held simultaneously in Germany, Brazil and Chile.

There will also be two versions of the T-Cross on offer with the Euro-spec model measuring a wheelbase of 2560 mm, while that for the emerging markets will be longer at 2650 mm. Overall, the T-Cross will  measure a little over 4.1 metres in length and will be based on the MQB platform for the European markets.

For the emerging markets, the all-new Volkswagen T-Cross will be based on the MQB A0 architecture and will be showcased at the Sao Paulo auto show on November 6, 2018 and later at the Guangzhou motor show by mid-November. This is the version that can be seen in the spy shots with its upright and beefy proportions. The spy image also reveals LED daytime running lights integrated in the bumper, roof rails, projector lens headlamps, and ORVMs with turn indicators. At the rear, the upcoming Volkswagen T-Cross will come with a chrome bar on the tailgate and a chunky taillights.

Inside, the cabin will be identical to that of the new generation Volkswagen Polo and Virtus sedan. Expect to see a similar virtual cockpit, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, climate control and more. You can also expect more legroom and cargo space on the T-Cross for emerging markets. Volkswagen has already teased the cargo capacity on the T-Cross for developed markets which stands between 385-455 litres. The SUV will come with adjustable rear seats that will foldable as well, further improving the boot capacity to 1281 litres.

With Skoda leading the charge in operations for India, the domestic market is likely to get the the Czech automaker's iteration of the T-Cross here first. To be inspired by the Vision X concept, the Skoda compact SUV will take on the Hyundai Creta and Renault Captur, as well as the upcoming Nissan Kicks, Tata Harrier and the likes. Engine options will include the 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol for developed markets along with 1.2-litre, 1.4-litre, engines depending on the market. The Indian market could use the 1.5-litre diesel and 1.2-litre turbo petrol engines instead. Transmission options will include the 6-speeed manual and 7-speed DSG automatic. While the global deliveries are expected to start sometime early next year, the India launch of the T-Cross and the Skoda SUV won't happen before 2020-21.

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