Samsung Tops In Self-Driving Car Patents

Samsung Electronics filed the largest number of patents related to self-driving cars in Europe, data showed on Monday, far above traditional automobile manufacturers.

According to the data compiled by the European Patent Office, the number of applications related to self-driving cars filed in Europe came to 3,998 in 2017, growing more than threefold from 922 tallied in 2011.

Over the 2011-2017 period, Samsung held the most patents at 624, trailed by US IT giant Intelwith 590. Qualcomm held 361, followed by LG Electronics at 348 and Bosch with 343.

from NDTV CarAndBike - Latest News http://bit.ly/2Sqf75H

Toyota Sales Grow By 10 Per Cent In December 2018

Toyota Kirloskar Motor posted a growth of 10 per cent in December 2018 as compared to domestic sales in the same period last year. The company sold a total of 11830 units in the domestic market in December 2018. It exported 653 units of the Etios series this month thus clocking sales of a total of 12,483 units. In the month of December 2017, Toyota Kirloskar Motor sold a total of 10793 units in the domestic market. In addition, the company exported 812 units of the Etios series.

Innova Crysta since its launch in 2016 has been winning hearts in the Indian market. It has witnessed a record growth in sales throughout the year despite the challenges faced by auto industry. The Innova and Fortuner have sustained their strong leadership in the segment since its launch.

The Toyota Yaris contributed to the sales growth of the company in 2018 

Commenting on the monthly sales, Mr. N. Raja, Deputy Managing Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, "We are happy to close the year end with a series of positive milestones despite the dampening effect on consumer sentiment owing to hike in fuel prices, higher interest rates, increase in insurance premium. Thanks to our valued customers, we have been able to record the highest ever IMV Sales (Innova + Fortuner) this year. We are grateful to our customers for their continued trust on Toyota products. It is a delight for us that we have met the aspirations of Indian customers with our products that are backed by the strong core of Quality, Durability, Reliability with extreme importance to safety."

The buying sentiment had seen a slowdown in the last few months owing to adverse effects of macroeconomic factors, yet the industry hit back with a steady growth in sales. Toyota Kirloskar Motor domestic sales in the period Jan -Dec 2018 has grown by around 9 per cent  compared to same period in 2017.

The Toyota Yaris too was launched in 2018 and has been an important contributor to the positive annual sales growth.

from NDTV CarAndBike - Latest News http://bit.ly/2AyZ1jF

DS7 Crossback SUV Caught Testing In India

The Indian auto industry is going to see some new entrants in near future and one of them is the Groupe PSA which is all set to enter our market most likely in 2020. PSA seems to be testing its DS7 Crossback in India which could be its first product for our market. However, we are still uncertain about the brand PSA is considering. The DS brand is essentially a subsidiary of Citroen which has caught the fancy in the European market in last two years and rivals the German Treo. If the DS7 Crossback makes its way to the Indian market, it will rival the likes of the Audi Q3 and BMW X1.

Though we do not have many details about the India-spec model yet, we know some of the engine specifications. The DS 7 comes with a range of engine options in the European market, however, we are most likely to get the 2.0-litre diesel engine and the 1.6-litre petrol motor which are mated to an eight-speed electric gearbox as standard. There is also a possibility of a plug-in-hybrid variant to be included in the India line-up.

The DS7 Crossback rivals the likes of Audi Q3 and BMW X1.

The DS7 Crossback is underpinned by the Goupe PSA's EMP2 platform and will be manufactured at the Hosur plant in Tamil Nadu once the assembly line gets ready. The Hosur plant at present makes powertrains and transmissions for Groupe PSA and the powertrain which will make into the India-spec model will be BSVI complaint.

The powertrain plant was inaugurated in November this year and is functional under a 50:50 joint venture with CK Birla. The plant will manufacture gearboxes in Phase I to support both the India project as well as supplying Groupe PSA needs. The peak investment in this manufacturing set up would go up to Rs. 600 crore and will generate direct employment of around 800 people. The initial manufacturing capacity of this state-of-the-art plant will be about 3 lakh units per year for the transmissions and 2 lakh units for the BS 6 compliant engines. The manufacturing set up has been completed in a record time of less than 2 years.

from NDTV CarAndBike - Latest News http://bit.ly/2F1wM01

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Petrol, Benelli Bikes, Toyota Camry

The top automotive news of the day - Mercedes-Benz India has launched the C-Class petrol in India and we have all the details for you. Benelli is all set to launch the TRK 502 in India and we have the details. Finally, Toyota has teased the Camry and is all set to launch it in India.

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Mahindra XUV300 Interiors Leaked; Reveals The Design

The new Mahindra XUV300 is one of the most awaited launches of 2019 and the company is most likely to launch it in the middle of February. As we are inching closer to the launch the anticipation among enthusiasts and prospective buyers are building up even faster and we all are eager to know about this SUV even more, or should I say to see the SUV. We have been following the XUV300 quite extensively and by now have plenty of details on it and probably you too must be aware of it all if you have been following our updates.  This time we have got some leaked images of Mahindra's upcoming subcompact SUV's first row and these give us quite an Idea of how it looks like on the inside.

Also Read: Mahindra XUV300: 5 Things You Need To Know

For starters, as we had seen in the teasers the interior of the XUV300 is finished in black and beige and the quality of plastic used looks upmarket like the Mahindra Marazzo's. However, the XUV300 doesn't have any soft-touch on the upholstery, be it the dash or doors. The design of the cabin is almost identical to the SsangYong Tivoli on which it is based. The design of the dash looks clean with just two character lines atop and the touchscreen unit traditionally taking the centre stage. There are a bunch of switches and knobs too on the lower section of the central console, primarily for the climate control and driver-aid features such as ESP and Hill Descent Control.

Also Read: Mahindra XUV300: What We Know

The pictures also reveal the driver side of the cabin where we can see the instrument console which has two pods for the speedometer and tachometer each and the design looks somewhat inspired from the first generation Mahindra XUV500. We can also see the cruise control mounts on the right side of the steering wheel and volume controls on the left side which are finished in faux silver. The passenger side of the dash has a small pocket to keep phones and wallets and the opening gets large on the left end of that pocket which is quite useful to place some thicker objects like a power bank. There is piano black finish on the central console, doors and air-con vents and the latter in turn also get faux silver touch on the fringes. Moreover, the door pockets look large enough for a one-litre bottle and there are separate pockets for folders and other handy articles.

Also Read: Mahindra Dealers Start Taking Bookings For The XUV300

The new Mahindra XUV300 is underpinned by the X100 platform and will be a subcompact SUV rivaling the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and Ford Ecosport. The new XUV300 will be well-equipped with premium features like a touchscreen infotainment system which supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, reverse parking camera, auto-climate control, auto headlamps, rain sensing wipers and more. It will also be up on the safety quotient and will get seven-airbags, ABS with EBD and ESP. It will be powered by the Mahindra Marazzo sourced 1.5-litre, four-cylinder engine which produces 121 bhp and 300 Nm of peak torque and is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.

Also Read: Mahindra XUV300 Spotted During TVC Shoot

 

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2019 Toyota Supra Official Images Leaked Ahead Of Debut In January

If there's one thing auto enthusiasts can collectively agree on is the fact that the upcoming Toyota Supra is the worst kept secret in the world. With a host of leaked images and videos doing the rounds on the interweb, there's little left to be explored about the coupe that is slated for an official debut on January 14, 2019. With the public debut still two weeks away, images of the all-new Toyota Supra have made their way online revealing the sports car completely. Sharing its underpinnings with the new generation BMW Z4, the new Supra marks the return of the iconic brand, and that too a long awaited one. The images were officially released by Toyota Germany to select customers as a thank you note for joining the 'Toyota GR Supra waiting list.'

The 2019 Toyota Supra started life as the Toyota FT-1 concept showcased at the 2014 Detroit Motor Show and marked the beginnings of a new front engined rear wheel drive sports car from the Japanese car maker. The production spec Supra is quite identical to the FT-1 in design, which took inspiration from the older 2000GT, MR-2 and the original Supra. The long hood and flowing bonnet looks beautiful while sharply designed headlamps lend a touch of futuristic appeal to the coupe. The bumper and its massive air intakes are hard to miss and so is the air vents on the doors. 

The FT-1 concept design makes it to production on the new Toyota Supra

The new Supra looks menacing but the rear wheel arches, duck-type spoiler, drooping taillights add some flamboyance to the exterior, and so does the double bubble roof. A massive diffuser reduces the visual bulk while incorporating the twin exhausts and what appears to be an F1-style light in the centre. Toyota also brings back the classic Supra logo while incorporating the letters GR or Gazoo Racing.

The new Toyota Supra has been designed alongside the new BMW Z4 and will share several components underneath the different body shells. The car has already had its first run at the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed in the prototype avatar, while specifications, features and performance figures are yet to be revealed. That said, power is expected to come from the 3.0-litre in-line, six-cylinder engine tuned for about 380 bhp while tipping the scales around 1500 kg. The Supra and Z4 will be identical models underneath, but both cars will be extremely distinctive in performance and the target audience as well.

The new Toyota Supra shares its underpinnings with the new BMW Z4 that will come to India

The 2019 Toyota Supra is expected to move up the price ladder by a considerable margin, which means it is likely to pit against the likes of the Audi TT, BMW M2, Jaguar F-Type, Nissan GT-R and likes. More details will be available soon and we certainly can't wait for this icon to return.

Leaked Images Source: Supramkv.com

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Top 5 Two-Wheelers Of 2018

2018 saw some very interesting and important two-wheeler launches in India across all segments. But for all practical purposes, we have limited ourselves to models from the lower end of the two-wheel spectrum. Here is a look at the best two-wheelers that were launched in India in 2018.

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Royal Enfield Bullet 350 And 500 Trials Scrambler Images Leaked

Rumours have been rife about Royal Enfield bringing a Scrambler-styled motorcycle next year to the Indian market and while it was expected to be a new 650 cc offering, the latest set of leaked images say otherwise. According to the latest images emerged online, Royal Enfield is working on the Scrambler version of the Bullet 350 and 500 that is likely to go on sale in the first half of 2019. To be badged as the Royal Enfield Bullet Trials 350 and 500, the bikes look identical to the ones we've spotted testing in the past and will come with an upswept exhaust, knobby tyres, single seat, among other changes.

The Royal Enfield Bullet 350 Trials gets a red frame and an Interceptor 650 inspired fuel tank

With the popularity of scramblers globally, it should not come as a surprise that Royal Enfield is looking to tap into the potential. The Trials edition has been on sale internationally for years now as customisable kits for the standard models. The leaked images reveal most noticeably the upswept exhaust with the raised mudguard and a luggage rack in place of the pillion seat.

The ground clearance appears to be similar to the stock model, while the suspension too appears to remain the same with no changes in the travel. The frame though is finished in red on the Bullet 350 Trials, while the Bullet 500 Trials gets a desert storm green finished chassis that remains largely visible. Also visible are the fork gaiters for the front suspension and a black bezel for the headlamp.

Interestingly, the Royal Enfield Bullet 350 Trials gets an Interceptor 650 inspired fuel tank with the classic RE logo that certainly looks good, while the Bullet 500 Trials comes with a copy finished fuel tank in comparison. Mechanically, expect both bikes to continue using the 346 cc and 499 cc single-cylinder engines respectively, while also getting ABS as standard right from the launch.

The scrambler-styled Royal Enfield Trials bikes were originally sold back in the late forties and fifties, so do expect the bike maker to dive into its history and tell us an interesting story around the Trials bikes. Prices will be at a premium over the standard versions, but it needs to be seen if production will be limited like some of RE's previous special edition motorcycles. We expect to hear from the manufacturer soon about the Trials edition, which will remain unique to the segment.

Leaked Images Source: Gaadiwaadi.com

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Upcoming Bikes Of 2019: Top Modern Classic Bikes

The year 2019 will see quite a few modern classic bikes which will be launched in India. British motorcycle brand Triumph Motorcycles will launch a whole new range of modern classics in the Triumph Bonneville family. But there will also be some affordable, made-in-India modern classic bikes. From the Royal Enfield Scrambler 500, the Jawa Perak to British the new Triumph Street Twin, Street Scrambler and Speed Twin models, here's a look at all the upcoming modern classic bikes which will be launched in 2019.

Royal Enfield Scrambler 500

The upcoming Royal Enfield Scrambler 500 has already been spotted while being tested on the public roads, and also at a dealership. The RE Scrambler 500 will be certainly launched in 2019, and earlier than you think, in all likelihood by the first quarter of 2019. The motorcycle will be the first Royal Enfield Scrambler and will be based on the Royal Enfield Classic 500. So, expect the chassis, cycle parts and engine to be the exact spec as the Classic 500. The only minor differences are cosmetic, with differently styled fenders and dual-sport tyres. One spy shot showed the Scrambler 500 with a solo seat, but this could be an accessory and the bike is expected to be available with a standard seat for two, and dual-channel ABS.

Also Read: Royal Enfield Classic Scrambler 500 Spotted Testing

Jawa Perak

​

The Jawa brand has been resurrected in 2018 and has garnered a tremendous response in the market. So far, the Jawa and the Jawa Forty Two are available on sale, although the company says bookings are sold out, at least till September 2019 for these two models. But Classic Legends Private Limited, the company behind the new Jawa bikes, will launch a third model in the Jawa range. The Jawa Perak will be the company's first factory custom, with Bobber styling. The Perak will have a bored out engine of the 293 cc single-cylinder engine of the Jawa and Jawa Forty Two. The Perak's engine is expected to get a displacement of 332 cc, putting out 30 bhp and 30 Nm. Expect price to be around Rs. 1.9 - 2 lakh (ex-showroom) and a launch sometime by the second half of 2019.

Also Read: Jawa Perak: 5 Things You Need To Know

2019 Triumph Street Twin

Triumph Motorcycles will launch the 2019 Triumph Street Twin in the first quarter of 2019. The largest-selling modern classic in the Triumph Bonneville family, the 2019 Street Twin gets updated, with an updated design, new engine components which make the engine spin higher to a 7,500 rpm redline, and with new throttle maps and the introduction of two riding modes. The engine's power output has also increased with 64 bhp on tap now, and torque curve has been changed with the 2019 model making peak torque higher in the revs than the outgoing model. We've already ridden the 2019 Triumph Street Twin, and those looking for an entry-level bike in the Triumph family will certainly welcome the updated model. The 2019 Street Twin is expected to be launched in the first quarter of 2019 and priced at around Rs. 8 lakh (ex-showroom).

Also Read: 2019 Triumph Street Twin First Ride Review

2019 Triumph Street Scrambler

Along with the 2019 Street Twin, Triumph Motorcycles will launch the 2019 Triumph Street Scrambler. The entry-level Scrambler in the Bonneville family, the 2019 Street Scrambler now gets updated design as well as different engine characteristics than the Street Twin. The bike gets an additional Off-Road riding mode, apart from the Street Twin's Road and Rain modes, as well as different ergonomics and design. With 64 bhp of power, and a different torque curve than the Street Twin differentiates the 2019 Triumph Street Scrambler. We expect the 2019 Street Scrambler to be launched sometime in the first half of 2019, at a price of around Rs. 9 lakh (ex-showroom).

Also Read: 2019 Triumph Street Scrambler First Ride Review

2019 Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC

Triumph Motorcycles will also introduce a bigger, and more powerful Scrambler in the Bonneville family in 2019. The Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC, will borrow the 1200 cc, high power Bonneville engine from the Thruxton R, with 90 bhp of power and 110 Nm of peak torque. With a second-generation TFT instrument panel which offers turn-by-turn navigation and smartphone connectivity, the Scrambler 1200 XC also offers a choice of five riding modes, including a dedicated Off-Road mode and fully customisable Rider mode. The Scrambler 1200 offers true-blue off-road capability in a modern classic  with the performance to rival bigger adventure bikes. Expect the bike to be launched sometime in mid-2018, with prices in the region of Rs. 12.5 - 13 lakh (ex-showroom).

Also Read: Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC First Ride Review

2019 Triumph Speed Twin

Triumph Motorcycles will also launch a new member in the Bonneville family. The 2019 Triumph Speed Twin will combine the performance of the Triumph Thruxton R, with the practicality and easy accessibility of the Bonneville T120. Essentially, it will be the 1200 cc version of the Triumph Street Twin, the entry-level model in the Bonneville 900 cc range. Expect the new 2019 Triumph Speed Twin to be launched in the second half of 2019, with a price tag of around Rs. 10-11 lakh (ex-showroom).

Also Read: 2019 Triumph Speed Twin Unveiled

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Lexus Might Showcase An All-Electric SUV Soon

Toyota has possibly one of the widest range of Hybrid cars available on the market today and for the longest time, Toyota management has stuck to its guns saying it's buyers and dealers do not need an electric car and are happier with hybrid tech. That said, with the world moving swiftly towards electric mobility, the automaker does need to make its presence felt. And with most automakers, Toyota might be looking at a top down approach. Lexus, the luxury arm of the Toyota Group has recently filed a patent for the name 'UX300e' hinting at the first ever all-electric model from the carmaker.

(Lexus might launch an electric version of the UX SUV soon)

The Lexus UX is the smallest SUV that the luxury automaker currently makes and is normally badged UX300 or UX300h with the 'h' at the end signifying a hybrid model. All Lexus cars across the range are badged in a similar way. The patent filed for the Lexus UX300e has a solitary 'e' at the end, which signifies an all-electric model of the car. While there is no real timeline to when Lexus will launch an all-electric SUV or passenger vehicle in general, the introduction of a Lexus electric vehicle might be a great move from Toyota in order to take on the other luxury automakers who have recently launched, or will soon launch luxury electric cars.

(Lexus UX)

Mercedes-Benz recently launched the EQC, which is also an all-electric crossover while Audi and BMW have launches lined up in the smaller electric crossover space in the coming future too. And of course, Jaguar too launched the I-Pace, an all electric SUV in 2018 in order to take on the likes of the Tesla Model X and the upcoming Model Y crossover. There are also several smaller automakers lined up to launch electric SUV in the next few years in various price brackets, from Byton all the way up to Automobili Pininfarina.

 

from NDTV CarAndBike - Latest News http://bit.ly/2GM0fNV

Fuel Prices Dip Further To Its Lowest On The Last Day Of 2018

It's the last date of 2018 and fuel prices has touched the lowest in the year today after a reduction in fuel prices following a series of reduction in the last two month. The retail price of petrol witnessed a reduction of 20 Paise in Delhi while the retail price of Diesel went down by 23 Paise. The new retail price for Petrol in Delhi has dropped to Rs. 68.94 from Rs. 69.14 while the retail price for Diesel has dropped to Rs. 62.95 from Rs. 63.18.

Also Read: Fuel Prices Drop Further By 22-24 Paise Ahead Of New Year's Eve

The continuous decline in fuel prices is a result of declining crude oil prices in overseas markets coupled with the strengthening of Indian Rupee against the U.S. Dollar. Ironically, retail fuel prices in India had touched a record high in the same year due to an appreciation in the crude oil prices and a weakening Rupee. Oil retailers use a complex formula comprising a 15-day average of crude oil price and the exchange rate of the rupee against the US dollar to compute the daily retail price of petrol and diesel. The price of petrol this year has been on the decline since October while the diesel price is at its lowest since March.

Also Read: Reduction In Fuel Prices A Positive Sign For Indian Auto Sales

Reduction in retail fuel prices is also likely to give a fillip to the sales of passenger vehicles and offset the impact high fuel prices have had on the volumes in past months. In November, car sales were down by 3.43 per cent at 266,000 units compared to 275,440 units in the same period last year. Some of the industry bodies like SIAM and FADA also had raised concern over the fuel prices. However, SIAM officials now are expecting automakers to meet the yearend sales aspiration as the decline in fuel prices will likely improve the sentiments of customers. 

from NDTV CarAndBike - Latest News http://bit.ly/2Stihpr

2019 Bajaj Avenger 220 ABS Spotted Ahead Of Launch

The 2019 Bajaj Avenger 220 is the newest motorcycle ready to hit the dealerships now equipped with Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS). The small capacity cruiser was recently spotted with the safety feature ready to hit the showrooms and you can expect the launch sometime in January 2019. Like the Bajaj Pulsar RS 200, the new Avenger 220 also gets a single-channel ABS unit and will be seen on both the Cruise and Street versions. The safety feature will also extend to the Avenger 180 that was introduced last year replacing the 150 cc model.

The 2019 Bajaj Avenger 220 gets a single-channel ABS unit similar to the RS 200

The government has mandated ABS on all two-wheelers above 125 cc and manufacturers have until April 2019 to meet the new safety norm on two-wheelers already on sale. All new two-wheelers launched need to have ABS in place as a standard fitment. For two-wheelers below 125 cc, Combined Braking System (CBS) has been made mandatory.

Barring the safety feature, the 2019 Bajaj Avenger 220 gets no changes and continues to draw power from the 220 cc single-cylinder, oil-cooled engine tuned for 19 bhp and 17.5 Nm of peak torque. The motor is paired with a 5-speed gearbox.

The 2019 Bajaj Avenger 220 does not sport any other updates

Prices haven't been revealed yet but expect the 2019 Bajaj Avenger 220 ABS to be priced at a premium of around Rs. 10,000 over the current asking price of Rs. 96,222 (ex-showroom, Delhi). The Avenger 220 has limited rivals in this space and will compete against the Suzuki Intruder 150 that also comes with ABS and the Royal Enfield Classic 350 ABS. Apart from Bajaj, Piaggio has also introduced ABS on the Aprilia SR 150 and Vespa SXL and VXL 150. The next few months will also all manufacturers introduce the safety feature on their offerings ahead of the deadline. Spy Image source: Rushlane

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Hyundai To Introduce Fingerprint Recognition In Its Cars And SUVs

Hyundai has announced that it will soon have fingerprint recognition technology that will allow drivers to unlock their cars and also start their vehicles! The first car to get the Hyundai fingerprint scanner will be the upcoming 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe (for global markets) and will most likely come down the stream and find itself on a range of vehicles in the coming few years. Considering the fact that secure and effective fingerprint scanning technology can be found on cheap android phones too, we would not be surprised if the next generation Hyundai i20 or an even smaller and more affordable car will have this technology. In fact, Hyundai India should seriously consider this for the likes of the upcoming subcompact sub 4-metre SUV, codenamed QXi, that it will be launching in India next year.

Also Read: Hyundai to hike prices in 2019

(Hyundai fingerprint scanner)

Hyundai will have a fingerprint scanner on the exterior door handle that the driver will be able to use to gain access to the car. The start button itself will also have another fingerprint scanner to confirm the driver's presence and thereby start the car for them. The fingerprint scanner will in turn relay the information to the fingerprint controller installed in the car in order to unlock or start the car.

(Hyundai fingerprint scanner)

The fingerprint scanner will also be used to customise the car's setting according to each individual user. The settings like seat position and steering position, infotainment setup, climate control, etc. Even the inbuilt ambient lighting that has been selected by each user will be automatically programmed in as soon as that particular user unlocks the car using his or her fingerprint.

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Top 5 SUVs of 2018

Yet again… it was the year of SUVs. India is easily one of the most lucrative markets for SUVs globally and has been so for a few years now. This year too, India saw a bunch of SUVs and MPVs being launched and we list out some of the best from the year that just went by.

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2019 BMW X5 Spotted In India Ahead Of Launch

BMW India is all set to launch 12 new models in India in 2019 and the countdown has just about begun. The X7 and even the new-gen 3 Series have already been spotted testing in the country and now it's the X5 which we get to see in the flesh. The company has sold close to 2.2 million units of the BMW X5 since its launch in 2000 globally. Now for the fourth generation, BMW has updated the design and technology of the new generation X5 and will be built at the BMW Plant Spartanburg in the US state of South Carolina. In terms of design, the 2019 BMW X5 gets a large BMW kidney grille with single-piece surround, while the LED headlights come as standard. A visual treat are the blue x-shaped elements, which split up the hexagonal light sources inside the BMW twin headlights.

All-wheel drive will be standard on the new BMW X5 

In profile, the precise character line in the 2019 BMW X5's flanks rises up at the rear door. This also defines the X5's shoulders and feeds into the rear lights, which extends into the flanks. At the rear, too, all the lights feature LED technology. The three-dimensional design of their glass covers lends them a sculpted, technical edge. The new BMW X5 comes with 18-inch light-alloy wheels as standard. The xLine model features its own 19-inch light-alloy wheels and M Sport brings 20-inch M light-alloy wheels in twin-spoke design.

The BMW X5 is likely to come with an 8-speed automatic transmission

On the inside, the 2019 BMW X5 gets a 12.3-inch fully-digital instrument cluster with a control display that is connected visually and also shares the same graphics. The centre console also hosts the controller, the newly designed transmission selector lever and all other driving-related controls. The 2019 BMW X5 also gets the four-zone air conditioning system and panoramic glass roof, whose clear surface is 30 per cent larger than on the outgoing car.

The 2019 BMW X5 gets a large BMW kidney grille with single-piece surround, while the LED headlights come as standard

Seen in these spy shots, the variant coming to India is the xDrive30d. This one will get the 3-litre 6-cylinder diesel unit which will be capable of churning out 261 bhp and 620 Nm. All-wheel drive will be standard and we expect it to get an 8-speed automatic transmission. The 2019 BMW X5 also comes loaded with tons of safety features. These include cruise control with braking function, collision warning and pedestrian warning. Moreover, BMW also offers the optional Active Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop & Go function. When launched, the 2019 BMW X5 will take on the likes of Audi Q7, Mercedes-Benz GLS, Volvo XC90 and Lexus LX in India.

Image Courtesy: Motoroids

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Tata Harrier Vs Nissan Kicks Vs Rivals: Specification Comparison

The Hyundai Creta has been a runaway success for the Korean carmaker right from the start and has been India's bestselling compact SUV for long. The benchmark it has set in the segment has always been a challenge to comprehend for the competition including India's largest carmaker- Maruti Suzuki which struggles to make volume with its S-Cross. However, January 2019 is going to be rather interesting as the compact SUV segment will see not one but two new SUVs coming- the highly anticipated Tata Harrier and Nissan Kicks. carandbike team has driven both the SUVs and they not only stood on our expectations but surpassed them by a margin. While it is not possible to justify the package as the prices are still awaited, in the meantime, we are comparing their specifications to assert how well they will stand against the competition on paper.

Exterior And Platform

Model	Tata Harrier	Nissan Kicks	Hyundai Creta	Jeep Compass	Renault Captur
Length	4598 mm	4384 mm	4270 mm	4395 mm	4329 mm
Width	1894 mm	1813 mm	1780 mm	1818 mm	1813 mm
Height	1706 mm	1656 mm	1630 mm	1640 mm	1619 mm
Wheelbase	2741 mm	2673 mm	2590 mm	2636 mm	2673 mm

The Harrier has the biggest footprint in the segment.

A huge edge for the Tata Harrier comes from the OMEGA Platform it is based on. The OMEGA platform is a derivative of Land Rover's D8 platform which underpinned the Freelander 2 and was modified for the Discovery Sport. The Harrier also debuts Tata's new IMPACT 2.0 design philosophy and stands true to the H5X concept which was unveiled at the 2018 Auto Expo. The Harrier is not only larger in dimensions than the Nissan Kicks and Hyundai Creta, but also has the largest footprint in its segment.

Also Read: Tata Harrier SUV Review

The India-spec Nissan Kicks is bigger in dimensions than the global model.

The India-spec Nissan Kicks is underpinned by the MO platform which is also shared by the Renault Captur, Renault Duster and Nissan Terrano. The MO platform is more robust than the one on which the global model is based on and has a bigger footprint which translates into a better cabin space. It is also marginally bigger than the Renault Captur. Though the Nissan Kicks looks more of a crossover with its angular proportions, treatments like a floating roof, bold body claddings, slightly exaggerated wheel arches and a hunkered down front housing the wide Nissan 'V' grille give it a nicer and butch looking stance.

Also Read: Nissan Kicks First Drive Review

The Hyundai Creta gets the family cascade grille which makes it face look wider.

The Hyundai Creta has been the benchmark in the compact SUV segment for long. It is underpinned by Hyundai's PB platform which is also the basis for many other Hyundai and KIA models. The Hyundai Creta had received a facelift earlier this year which has made its much-admired urban SUV look even better with a newly profiled bumper and the three-slat cascade grille which has made it look wider up-front. There hasn't been any manor change in the side profile and the rear bumper has just been slightly tweaked to fit the skid plate.

Also Read:2018 Hyundai Creta Review: The Trend-Setter

The Jeep Compass is based on the Renegade's derived MK platform.

The Jeep Compass is based on the MK platform which is a modified version of the Jeep Renegade's platform. The MK platform has also been widely acknowledged for its robust characteristics and has been the key factor in getting the Compass a five-star rating in the GNCAP. The Compass is one of the most proportionate compact SUVs around and its on the face front housing the prominent seven-slat grille looks butch. The sides and rear of Compass have been kept simple, though the wheel arches and haunches are a bit flown out in a bid to add some SUV appeal.

Also Read: Jeep Compass Diesel SUV Review

The Captur is marginally smaller than the Nissan Kick.

The Renault Captur is based on the same MO platform as the Kicks which is its counterpart from Renault. However, it is not nearly identical in dimensions as is the case with the Duster and Terrano and there is a marginal difference between the Captur and Kicks. The Captur in fact is shorter and lesser in height than the Kicks; however, has the same wheelbase and width. They both are exactly not the same even it looks like the Duster and Terrano and has their own builds and appearances. The front of the Captur is more upright than the Kicks and though it also has a floating roof, its flanks are more curved inwards and the window line rises towards the end giving it more of a spherical look from the side.

Also Read: Renault Captur Petrol Review

Interiors

Model	Tata Harrier	Nissan Kicks	Hyundai Creta	Jeep Compass	Renault Captur
Boot Space	425 litres	400 litres	405 litres	408 litres	392 litres

The Harrier's cabin looks uncluttered and futuristic and packs in a good dose of features.

The Tata Harrier has the largest footprint in all and of course, has the most spacious cabin. Now what adds to the package is the quality of materials and finish of the cabin. Everything from the oak wood palette used on the dash and grab handles to the soft touch upholstery feel plush and better than its class. Aesthetically the cabin of the Harrier too looks alluring and uncluttered, be it the wraparound dash with a binnacle line running the width of the cabin or the 8.8-inch floating touchscreen which is high on functionality and eliminates many buttons. The Tata Harrier at 425 litres has the biggest boot space too of them all with all the seats up which can be expanded to 800 litres.

The Nissan Kicks cabin gets soft-touch materials on the dash and door pads.

The cabin of the India-Spec Nissan Kicks has also been applauded and is better finished and equipped than the global model. It also gets soft touch treatments on the dash and doors; however, not on the upholstery. The design even here is neat and the 8.0-inch floating display integrates all the controls for the infotainment and ambient sparing just the climate control which has physical switches on the central console. The Nissan Kicks has a boot space of 400 litres.

The Creta's cabin has been its one of the strongest selling points.

One of the strongest selling points of the Hyundai Creta is its interiors which is both up on material quality and fit & finish. However, it's been almost four years that we have had the Creta in our market and the design has started looking dated now specially when you put it aside the Harrier. Having said that, the cabin still feels airy, thanks to the not so high window line and high positioning of the seats. The Creta gets a 405 litres boot.

The Compass gets the best in class materials and a really well finished cabin.

The Jeep Compass also has one of the most well-finished cabins in its class and the quality of and materials used for the switch knobs (plastic and chrome) and on the upholstery (which are soft touch) feel premium. The cabin itself is well appointed and one cannot really complain about the ergonomics spare the ingress and egress for the rear passenger as the door wells don't open wide enough for aa climb given the tall height. The legroom at the rear also isn't the best in its class which could be because its wheelbase is comparatively shorter considering its length. That said, it stands second in terms of boot space with 408 litres which can be further expanded to a whopping 1191 litres.

The Captur's cabin is well-built but lacks soft-touch on the upholstery.

The materials used in the Captur are good just that there is no soft touch surface. The space inside the cabin is almost similar to that in the Kicks, given the fact that the wheelbase and width are similar. However, the boot of the Renault Captur at 392 litres is comparatively less spacious (8 litres) than the Kicks.

Features

The upcoming Tata Harrier is well equipped with all the segment standard features on the outside as well as on the inside. Features like LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) and HID Xenon headlamps are the first ones to sight as you see the SUV while the cabin is equipped with terrain drive modes, auto climate control, keyless entry and go, 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system which supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and is linked to a JBL sourced surround sound system, logo projection on the outer mirrors and more. However, there is no sunroof on offer.

 

The Nissan Kicks is also at par with the Harrier in terms of comfort creature features and functionality, just that the touchscreen here is a tad small at 8.0-inch and it's not connected to a JBL sound system. That said, it does support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and has 360-degree camera view which is a segment first feature and a big aid to nip through tight spots or while parking.

The Hyundai Creta still remains the leader of the board as it packs in a bit extra. The top-end Hyundai Creta also gets a sunroof, wireless charging dock and wrist band entry along with all the features that other two are offering such as touchscreen unit which supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, engine start-stop button and more.

The Jeep Compass too gets a fair amount dose and offers features like an 8.4-inch touchscreen connected to Fiat's U-Connect interface which supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Features like LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) and HID Xenon headlamps are also on-board and the cabin is equipped with terrain drive modes, auto climate control, keyless entry and go and more.

The Renault Captur will also offer all the quintessential features like Projector headlamps, DRLs, auto climate control, Engine Start-Stop button and more. Moreover, it gets a touchscreen which only supports Android Auto as of now.

Engines

Model (Diesel)	Tata Harrier	Nissan Kicks	Hyundai Creta	Jeep Compass	Renault Captur
Engine	1956 cc	1461 cc	1582 cc	1956 cc	1461 cc
Power	138 bhp	108 bhp	125 bhp	170 bhp	108 bhp
Torque	350 Nm	248 Nm	260 Nm	350 Nm	248 Nm
Transmission	6 M/T	6 M/T	6 M/T 6 A/T	6 M/T	6 M/T

Model (Petrol)	Tata Harrier	Nissan Kicks	Hyundai Creta	Jeep Compass	Renault Captur
Engine	Only Diesel	1498 cc	1591 cc	1368 cc	1498 cc
Power		104 bhp	121 bhp	160 bhp	104 bhp
Torque		145 Nm	151 Nm	250 Nm	145 Nm
Transmission		6 M/T	6 M/T 6 A/T	6 M/T 7 A/T	6 M/T

The Tata Harrier will be offered with just a single drivetrain option at the launch- a fiat sourced 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, multijet diesel which is mated to only a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. It lacks an automatic transmission which is quite a limitation considering the increase in the demand for automatic transmissions. That said, this is the most powerful engine of the lot with 138 bhp and 350 Nm of peak torque.

The Nissan Kicks will get the same drivetrains which are seen on the Nisssan Terrano, saving for the automatic. There will be one 1.5 litre diesel engine which will produce 108 bhp and 248 Nm of peak torque and will be mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. While there will be no automatic at the start, Nissan is considering introducing it at a later date. The petrol Nissan Kicks will also get a 1.5-litre petrol engine which will produce 104 bhp and 145 Nm of peak torque and will be mated to a five-speed manual gearbox as standard.

The Hyundai Creta again will take advantage of multiple drivetrains it has on offer. Starting with the diesel, there is a 1.4-litre CRDi engine which produces 88 bhp and 220 Nm of peak torque and is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. Then there is a more powerful 1.6-litre, four-cylinder, CRDi diesel engine which produces 125 bhp and 260 Nm of peak torque and is mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox as standard while has the six-speed torque convertor unit as an option in the SX variant. Then there is a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder, VTVT petrol motor which churns out 121 bhp and 151 Nm of peak torque and even this one is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox as standard while six-speed automatic is optional on the SX variant.

The Jeep Compass is also available with two engine options. The diesel Compass has a 2.0-litre, four-Cylinder, multijet engine which produces 170 bhp and 350 Nm of peak torque and is mated to a six-speed unit as standard. The diesel Compass is also the only among these five which has a four-wheel drive variant. The Petrol gets a 1.4-Litre, four-cylinder engine which produces 160 bhp and 250 Nm of peak torque, There are two gearboxes on offer with the petrol engine- a six-speed manual transmission and a seven-speed automatic transmission.

The Renault Captur has the same drivetrains as the Kicks. The Diesel is powered by a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder engine which produces 108 bhp and 248 Nm of peak torque and is mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The Petrol gets a 1.5-litre, four-Cylinder petrol motor which produces 104 bhp and 145 Nm of peak torque and is also mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.

Safety Features

​The Harrier and Compass are the safest among these five in terms of features.

On the safety front, it's the Tata Harrier and Jeep Compass which take the lead as they offer a bunch of more driver-aid features such as, Roll Over Mitigation, cornering stability control, traction control and hill descent control.

Dual airbags and ABS with EBD are standard in all three of them and the top-end variants of all three get six airbags and Electronic Stability Program (ESP).

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All-New BMW X7 SUV Spotted Testing In India For The First Time

The 2019 BMW X7 is the new flagship SUV from the Bavarian auto giant and also the company's first seven-seater offering in the segment. Having made its global debut earlier this year, the new X7 has been spotted testing in India for the first time ahead of a launch expected sometime next year. The all-new model will be taking on a host of other mammoths in the luxury SUV space including the Mercedes-Benz GLS, Audi Q7, Range Rover Velar and the likes. The camouflaged test mule spotted near Chennai suggests that BMW India is gearing up to introduce the model here that is likely to be locally assembled to keep costs competitive.

Also Read: 2019 BMW X7 Unveiled

The all-new BMW X7 will be offered in seven or six seater configurations

The all-new BMW X7 is based on the automaker's CLAR platform that also underpins the 7 Series, 5 Series and also the new generation X3. Visually, the new X7 takes design quotient a notch higher with that massive kidney grille, slim LED headlamps and muscular bumper with wheel arches. The BMW X7 is generous in dimensions and measures 5151 mm in length, 2000 mm in width and 1805 mm in height. The wheelbase stands at 3105 mm, which will make for a roomier cabin in seven or six-seat options.

The 2019 BMW X7 will be the first SUV from the company to get three-row seating
 
Inside, the 2019 BMW X7 is being offered with a host of creature comforts while retaining a very BMW-ish cabin in design. The SUV will come with dual 12.3-inch touchscreen systems, a three-part panoramic sunroof, four-zone climate control, optional 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and more. In addition, expect all the fancy tech wizardry including gesture control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, navigation, massage seats and much more.

The new BMW X7 will be produced in the US and is likely to be locally assembled in India

Petrol engine options on the 2019 BMW X7 include the 3.0-litre, in-line six-cylinder petrol with 335 bhp and a 4.4-litre, twin-turbo V8 petrol with 456 bhp. There will also be the 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel with 256 bhp, along with a more powerful 400 bhp version. A plug-in hybrid version is also said to be in the works, while an M badged model is the one we look forward to. All engines use the 8-speed automatic transmission and get all-wheel drive as standard. The system does come with the option to send power only to the rear wheels, while you get BMW's Dynamic Handling Package and the Off-Road Package.

The BMW X7 certainly won't be cheap and prices can be expected between the Rs. 80 lakh and Rs. 1 crore mark. More details on the new X7 are expected in the weeks to come.

Spy Image Source: Automobili Ardent on Instagram

 

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Fuel Prices Drop Further By 22-24 Paise Ahead Of New Year's Eve

Petrol and diesel prices saw a further decline in prices across the country as we head closer to the new year. On December 30, Sunday, petrol prices were slashed by 22-24 paise, while prices on diesel dropped by 23-25 paise. The price for petrol in Delhi now standard at Rs. 69.04 per litre while that for diesel is now at Rs. 63.32 per litre. Fuel prices have been on a steady decline since the last few weeks, which will only encourage the auto industry once again after a tumultuous festive season that saw petrol and diesel prices at its highest. 

Pricesin Mumbai too have seen a reduction with petrol now priced at Rs. 74.67 per litre, as against Rs. 74.89 yesterday; while diesel is priced at Rs. 66.25 per litre, a drop of 24 paise. Noida saw the highest drop in prices today of 56 paise for petrol and 57 paise for diesel per litre; whereas Gurugram saw a hike in prices by 2-3 paise.

Prices in Gurugram for today are Rs. 70.23 per litre while diesel stands at Rs. 63.25 per litre. Meanwhile, petrol in Kolkata costs Rs. 71.15 per litre and diesel is now below the Rs. 65 mark at Rs. 64.84 per litre. In Chennai, petrol is priced at Rs. 71.62 while diesel is priced at Rs. 66.59 per litre.

The drop in fuel prices has been a result of the declining rates of international crude oil prices. With about 80 per cent of India's crude oil requirement is imported, the drop in prices will help the economy by a big margin.

from NDTV CarAndBike - Latest News http://bit.ly/2EVEyZi

2018 Electric Vehicle Expo: Top Five Picks

Electric Vehicles are what we are looking to for the mobility solution in the future. The Government Of India has allotted Rs. 5500 crore for the FAME II (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid & Electric Vehicles) Scheme and has an ambitious target to achieve 100 per cent electrification in the Automobile sector by 2030. While electric cars are still is an expensive proposition not only for car buyers but also for the auto manufacturers, electrification technology and electric two-wheelers is where most of the EV makers are concentrating on. The Electric Vehicle Expo is one platform for EV makers to demonstrate their products and technologies and in its eighth edition of the EV expo has witnessed participation going up by 35 per cent compared to the previous edition.

Here are Our Top Picks From The EV Expo

Tejas Green Ryno

The Ryno is powered by a 72-Volt electric motor and has a top-speed of 80 kph. It is also powered by a lithium-ion battery and has a drive range of 130 km in a single charge. It takes two hours to completely charge the battery pack and 45 mins to charge it 80 per cent. The drive range on 80 per cent charge is approximately 75 km. Even the Tejas Ryno will need to be approved by iCAT and will be launched along with the TG100.

OKLA Lifestyle Scooters

Chinese electric scooter maker- Okla which have been operating in India in a partnership with Pune based Miracle Five PVT LTD is going to launch a range of lithium-ion powered lifestyle electric scooters in the next six months which will be retailed through its 80 dealership network across India. The scooters will be powered by a 72-Volt electric motor and will have an impressive range of up to 180 km on a full charge which will take around two hours while it will take just 30 mins for 80 per cent charge. The scooters will also be equipped with features like Bluetooth connectivity and a mobile charging port.

Electric Chopper Concept- SNIPER

The military-themed three-wheeler Chopper concept- the Sniper was the show-stopper at the 2018 Electric Vehicle Expo. There are no plans to bring this concept into production, but an executiv at the Goenka Motors stand informed us that there were around four to five people who enquired about its price and were willing to own one. Though, the Sniper is just a concept, the model at display wasn't just a static dummy and had a 48-Volt electric motor placed under the tank. 

Altius Electrification Technology

One of the most potent technologies which were at display at the Eighth Edition of EV expo was the electrification technology by Altius which aims to convert end-of-life (older) vehicles which as per the scrappage policy needs to be scrapped into electric vehicles. Altius has converted an old Maruti Gypsy into electric for an off-road club called 'Terrain Tigers'. Altius develops a range of electric motors from 10 kW and 250 kW which can be retrofitted in various applications starting from small hatchbacks right up to a 42 seater bus.

BYD Olectra K6 Luxe Bus

BYD which has recently given its eBuzz K9 electric Bus to Delhi government for the trial run had also showcased one of its another models at the EV expo. Like the eBuzz K9, even the Luxe K6 rums on a formidable Lithium-ion iron phosphate battery and has a drive range of about 300 km on a single charge.   The buses are designed and manufactured under Olectra-BYD, under a tie-up between Greentech Ltd and China's BYD Auto Industry Co. Ltd.

 

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Tesla Adds Elon Musk's Close Friend And Oracle Co-Founder Larry Ellison To Board

Tesla Inc on Friday named Oracle Corp co-founder Larry Ellison, a shareholder and self-described close friend of Chief Executive Elon Musk, to its board to provide the independent oversight demanded by U.S. regulators after Musk tweeted about taking the electric carmaker private.

The move is meant to usher Tesla past months of turbulence following Musk's Aug. 7 tweet that he was considering taking the company private and had secured funding.

The fallout, which included the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission subsequently filing fraud charges against Musk for what it said were his "false and misleading" tweets, led some investors to call for stronger board oversight of Musk.

The inclusion of Ellison puts one of the world's richest people with experience building a startup into a successful company on Tesla's board. He served as a director at Apple at a critical time for that company - in the five years after Steve Jobs returned to the helm of the then struggling computer maker in 1997, helping oversee one the greatest turnarounds in corporate history.

Joining Ellison on the board, effective Dec. 27, was Walgreens Boots Alliance's global head of human resources, Kathleen Wilson-Thompson.

Charles Elson, director of the corporate governance centre at the University of Delaware, questioned adding a friend of Musk's and another director with no experience at an industrial company like Tesla.

"Why would you put a friend (on the board) if the idea of the two independent directors were to be objective," Elson said. "Investors who were hoping for two newly objective directors who could stand up to Mr. Musk would be rather disappointed by the choice."

Under a court-approved agreement with the SEC, Musk agreed to pay a $20 million fine and step aside as Tesla's chairman for three years to settle charges that could have forced his exit. Tesla also agreed to name the independent directors and a board committee to control Musk's communications.

SEC officials could not be reached to comment on Friday, but Harvey Pitt, the agency's former chairman, called the addition of Ellison a positive step.

"His personal investment in Tesla stock - said to be his largest personal investment outside of Oracle - means he will be focused on ensuring that Tesla develops profitable strategies," Pitt said. "He also has the stature to stand up to Mr. Musk, should that become necessary."

Tigress Financial Partners analyst Ivan Feinseth said Ellison's "maverick type CEO traits" match Musk's.

Ellison bought 3 million shares of Tesla earlier this year. Through a spokeswoman, he declined to comment.

Tesla's shares closed up 5.6 percent at $333.87 on Friday.

Musk on Friday afternoon tweeted his welcome: "Excited to have Larry Ellison & Kathleen Wilson-Thompson join the Tesla board!"

In November, Tesla named director Robyn Denholm as board chair, fulfilling one of the SEC's demands. Denholm, who joined Tesla as an independent director in 2014 and agreed to step down as finance chief of Australian telecoms firm Telstra Corp Ltd, spent 11 years as a senior vice president at Sun Microsystems, a unit of Oracle.

Tesla said it conducted a "thorough, expansive" search process for the directors, calling Ellison a "preeminent entrepreneur" and Wilson-Thompson "a human resources leader" and said both had a passion for sustainable energy. They bring the Tesla board count to 11 people.

The larger-than-life Ellison, like Musk, is known for making bombastic, brash public comments. He went on a diatribe attacking cloud computing at a 2008 analyst conference, which only served to highlight Oracle's slow move into the space. He undermined Oracle's business relationship with Hewlett Packard in 2010 in an email to the New York Times that chastised the board for firing its CEO and his friend, Mark Hurd, after a sexual harassment inquiry.

He rarely interacts with journalists or blogs, and has only tweeted once - a 2012 message promoting Oracle's cloud products.

"VERY CLOSE FRIENDS"

Ellison, said by Forbes magazine to be worth $55 billion, has in the past defended Musk.

"I'm very close friends with Elon Musk, and I'm a big investor in Tesla," Ellison, 74, said on a Oct. 26 conference call with analysts.

"This guy is landing rockets," Ellison added about Musk, referring to his leadership of SpaceX. "He's landing rockets on robot drone rafts in the ocean, and you're saying he doesn't know what he's doing. Well, who else is landing a rocket?"

Wilson-Thompson, who could not be immediately reached for comment, spent 17 years at Kellogg Co before joining Walgreens, and serves on the boards of two U.S.-based manufacturing companies.

Musk has gained fans for his bold approach to business and technology, using his almost 24 million Twitter followers to promote Tesla, SpaceX and tunnel venture Boring Co.

But the August claim that he had the funding to take Tesla private, and a subsequent U-turn, stunned Wall Street. It all came as Musk was filmed briefly smoking marijuana during a live Web show and as he called a British diver in the Thai cave rescue a "pedo."

Tesla's market cap exceeds that of traditional, established U.S. automakers that make millions of vehicles and billions of dollars in profits annually, and the company has garnered legions of fans despite repeated production issues.

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

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Bengaluru Police Adds 911 TVS Apache RTR 160 Bikes To Its Fleet

The Karnataka government has added 911 motorcycles to the Bengaluru City Police fleet in a bid to improve patrolling and keep a tab on criminal activities around the state capital. The state government presented the bikes to the police officials earlier this week. The 911 new bikes are the older generation TVS Apache RTR 160, which reportedly cost the exchequer a total of Rs. 7.11 crore. The patrolling bikes will join the 272 units of the previous generation Maruti Suzuki Ertiga MPVs that are already being used as Hoysala vehicles in the city. With Bengaluru's infamous traffic woes and road conditions, bikes are certainly going to help the police report to crime scenes faster.

Karnataka government has added the bikes to the fleet to improve patrolling and keep tabs on criminal activities

Speaking at the event, The News Minute quoted Chief Minister saying, "I hope the bikes will help the police in operating swiftly and will enhance their response to distress calls and chasing criminals, especially chain-snatchers. For the police to perform their duties, there should be good infrastructure and facilities to support them. Many reports have been submitted in request of some development for the police department. Therefore, as a new year gift, 911 motorbikes were given to them so that they can reach the scene of the crime on time and also avoid small incidents from turning into a big law and order situation."

The new TVS Apache RTR 160s replace the Bajaj Pulsar motorcycles that served in the Bengaluru Police

The new TVS Apache RTR 160s will be distributed between 108 local jurisdictional police stations, 44 traffic police stations and two women police station departments including the City Armed Reserve and the Intelligence Division. Police stations with larger jurisdictions will be allotted six bikes, while the medium sized ones will get five each. Police stations with smaller jurisdictions will get four patrolling motorcycles.

The new TVS Apache RTR 160s replace the Bajaj Pulsar motorcycles that served in the Bengaluru Police fleet for 16 years now. Compared to the yellow and blue paint scheme on the Pulsars, the Apaches get a while paint scheme with the usual badges and decals for police vehicles.

In terms of mechanicals, the older TVS Apache RTR 160 draws power from a 159.7 cc single-cylinder engine tuned for 15 bhp and 13 Nm of peak torque, while paired with a 5-speed gearbox. With respect to modifications, the bikes have been retrofitted with sirens, microphones, walkie-talkies and other components.

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New-Gen Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Spotted Sans Camouflage

Images of a production-ready 2019 Maruti Suzuki Wagon R have recently surfaced online, and this time around, for the first time, the car has been spotted in its undisguised avatar. The images clearly indicate that the India-spec Wagon R will not look anything like the Japanese spec Wagon R, which was revealed in 2017. However, the car has come a long way from the outgoing Maruti Suzuki Wagon R, and now features an all-new design language and bolder styling elements. The car is slated to be launched in India on January 23, 2019.

New Maruti Suzuki Wagon R will come with an all-new design language with new styling elements

Visually, the 2019 Maruti Suzuki Wagon R looks all new, especially the profile and the rear section of the car. While the car still carries its boxy proportions, we see some nicely formed character lines, and a floating roof design, which has now become Maruti's new signature. However, this particular car, which appears to be a lower variant, doesn't come with alloy wheels, and considering the price segment, we might not find it in the production model as well.

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki's Electric Wagon R Prototype Spotted Testing

New Maruti Suzuki Wagon R gets a new rear section with vertical LED taillamps

The rear section has also changed and we now see larger, vertically stacked taillamps which might also come with LED elements. Similar to the outgoing model, there is a chrome applique on the tailgate, which will possibly come with the Wagon R badging. The face is also all-new, featuring a new grille, new headlamps with halogen lights, and a new bumper with a wide central airdam and a pair of trapezoidal cut-outs for foglamps.

Also Read: Updated Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Spied Testing In India

While we do not get to see the cabin of the car in these images, we expect to see a slightly upmarket interior, with features like a touchscreen infotainment system for the top spec variant along with inbuilt navigation. Other offerings could include rear parking sensors, a rearview parking camera, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The new Wagon R will also be more spacious as compared to the outgoing model, which will be a big plus point for 'first family car' buyers in India.

Powertrain wise, we expect Maruti Suzuki will continue to offer the 1-litre 3-cylinder, K10 engine that powers the current-gen Wagon R. We also expect the new Wagon R to come with a 5-speed manual gearbox with an optional 5-speed AMT gearbox and a CNG option as well. Competition will come from the likes of the all-new Hyundai Santro and the Tata Tiago.

Image Source: GaadiWaadi

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