Motown India November 2020

VOL-11 • ISSUE-2 • NOVEMBER 2020 • `300/-

WWW.MOTOWNINDIA.COM WWW.MICORPORATE.COM WWW.MOTOWNINDIACV.COM

INDIA NEW LAUNCHES 2020 TVS Apache RTR 200 4V

2020 Hyundai i20 Nissan Magnite Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Triumph Trident 660

CASE STUDY

TVS APACHE SERIES

4 MILLION & COUNTING REVIEWS: BMW 2 SERIES COUPÉ | 2020 HYUNDAI TUCSON FACELIFT | 2020 TRIUMPH TIGER 900 RALLY PRO | BAJAJ DOMINAR 250 | OMEGA ELECTRIC THREE-WHEELER

EDITOR Punnoose Tharyan (Roy) ptharyan@motownindia.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------News Coordinator - Jisha P Sr. Correspondent - Farhan Khan, Aki Paul Video Editor - Ramesh Kumar Content Manger - Vrinda Desai Digital In-charge Naveen Kumar Web Correspondents - Avdesh Kumar, Seema Paul Photo Journalist - Afsar Baig ---------------------------------------------------------------------For Editorial contact editorial@motownindia.com, editorial.motown@gmail.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------FOR MARKETING & SALES CONTACT Head-Operations - Jisha P jisha@motownindia.com, +91-9958125645 advertising@motownindia.com, advertising.motown@gmail.com /+91-9811097399 ---------------------------------------------------------------------FOR ACCOUNTS CONTACT Ankit Sharma, ankit@motownindia.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------FOR CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTION CONTACT subscription@motownindia.com / +91-9958125645 ----------------------------------------------------------------------Office Executive Ravinder ----------------------------------------------------------------------EDITORIAL DELHI OFFICE 145 B/9, First Floor, Kishangarh, Next to United Free Church, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi 110070 ----------------------------------------------------------------------EDITORIAL CONTENT The publisher makes every effort to ensure that the contents in the magazine are correct. However, he can accept no responsibility for any effects from errors or omissions. Any unauthorised reproduction of Motown India content is strictly forbidden.

-------------------------------------------------------------------Motown India is owned by Motown Publications Private Limited and published from 4058 / D-4, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi-110070. Motown India magazine is printed at Pearl Printers, C-105, Okhla Phase - 1, New Delhi - 110020 ----------------------------------------------------------------------This issue of Motown India magazine contains 72 pages including both covers.

----------------------------------------------------------------------EDITORIAL ADVISORS Alexander T. & Annie Jacob

www.facebook.com/MotownIndia @MotownIndia www.youtube.com/MotownIndia

T

P. THARYAN (ROY) he November 2020 issue of Motown India magazine has a unique cover story on the TVS Apache series. Basically, this is a case study undertaken by Motown India on the growth and popularity of the Apache motorcycles around the globe. We also have reviews of several new and existing products that

include the BMW 2 series 220d M Sport, 2020 Hyundai facelift Tucson, Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro and the Bajaj Dominar 250.

The rest of the magazine consists of several reports on new product launches like the Nissan Magnite and the 2020 Hyundai i20, a review of the One Plus television, etc. The B2B section too carries a lot of significant stories from auto industry. Interestingly, we have reviewed the new Omega electric 3-wheeler from the Omega Seiki Mobility, based in Faridabad.

We would also like to tell our readers that Motown India has strategically partnered with another channel by the name of OctaneX. This channel is exclusively meant for GenZ who have a great penchant for the world of motorised wheels. OctaneX videos and posts in various social media platforms will be catering to the young and adventurous.

In this festive season, we wish our readers the very best. Stay safe and healthy and continue to lead a life of cheer.

/MOTOWNINDIA

1,20,000 SUBSCRIBERS & GROWING ORGANICALLY!

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

NOVEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 3

CONTE NTS VOL 11 | ISSUE 2 | NOVEMBER 2020

08

09

CAR NEWS: New Hyundai i20 is bigger with more features

15

10

CAR NEWS: All-new Nissan Magnite sub 4-metre SUV unveiled

16

BIKE NEWS: Royal Enfield all new easy cruiser Meteor 350

CAR NEWS: New Land Rover Defender launched

20

BIKE NEWS: All-new Triumph Trident 660 unveiled

24

BIKE NEWS: TVS launches NTorq 125 SuperSquad Edition inspired

by Marvel’s Avengers

30

WHEELZ & ROADZ : BMW 220d M Sport

38

WHEELZ & ROADZ : 2020 Facelift Hyundai Tucson

46

WHEELZ & ROADZ : Bajaj Dominar 250

6 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2020

CASE STUDY: TVS Apache Series: 4 million & Counting

62 CV NEWS: Omega electric 3-wheeler- Road Review

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

CAR NEWS

BMW 2 SERIES GRAN COUPÉ diesel variants at `39.90 lakh onward

BMW India launched the 2 Series Gran Coupé at a starting price of Rs 39.30 lakh. The car is locally produced at the BMW Group Plant Chennai and will be available in a diesel variant. The petrol variant will be launched later. The two diesel variants will include the 220d Sport Line and the 220d M Sport. While the BMW 220d Sport Line is priced at Rs 39,30,000, the 220d M Sport is priced at Rs 41,40,000 (es showroom).

The car comes with steering wheel paddle shifters and cruise control with braking function. Using Launch Control, ambitious drivers can achieve maximum acceleration with optimised traction from a standstill. Using the Driving Experience Control switch, the driver is able to choose between different driving modes to suit the driving conditions - Eco Pro, Comfort and Sport.

The car is powered by a TwinPower Turbo diesel engine. It is a two-litre four-cylinder engine which produces an output of 190 hp and a maximum torque of 400 Nm at 1,750 – 2,500 rpm. The car accelerates from 0 -100 km / hr in just 7.5 seconds. The engine is mated to an eight speed steptronic sport automatic transmission.

The first-ever BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé offers many features like Panorama Glass Sunroof, Parking Assist with Reverse Assist, Illuminated Interior Trim, BMW Live Cockpit Professional, Gesture Control, Wireless Charging and BMW Virtual Assistant among others.

(First Drive Report on Page 24)

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

NOVEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 7

CAR NEWS

New HYUNDAI i20 is bigger with more features at `6.80 lakh onward Hyundai Motor India launched its all-new i20 hatchback in the price range of Rs 6.79 lakh to Rs 11.18 lakh. The prices are introductory and are pan India that are valid on deliveries till December 31, 2020. It competes against the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, the Volkswagen Polo, the Tata Altroz and the Glanza from Toyota Kirloskar, among others. The new Hyundai i20 was launched by S S Kim, MD & CEO, Hyundai Motor India through a web based telecast.

The new i20 is 10mm longer than the Elite i20 at 3995mm, is 41mm wider at 1775mm and has a similar height at 1505mm. The wheelbase too has marginally increased by 10mm at 2580mm.

the horizontal design pattern gives the cabin a wide feel. The cushioned seats come with leatherette upholstery.

This two tone coloured car looks stunning with a very sporty element to its design. In front you have the parametric jewel pattern grille, LED headlamps and LED DRLs, besides projector fog headlamps. Sleek and sporty is what the front is all about. The i20 branding on the LED head lamps and tail lamps gives the impression of enhanced style.

The boot capacity too has gone up by 26 litres at 311 litres. A few quick words on the technology related features. The digital cluster with TFT multi information display or MID is the best in segment. Another best in segment is the 10.24 inches touch screen infotainment with navigation. It gives you smartphone connectivity, both Android

The new i20 comes with R16 diamond cut alloy wheels. As you move to the rear you see the Z shaped LED tail lamps. The rear seems wider because of the tail lamp integrated connecting chrome garnish.

Auto and Apple Carplay. You also get multi device Bluetooth connectivity. Continuing with its best in segment features it also has a Bose 7 speaker system. This includes 4 speakers, two tweeters and one subwoofer, besides the amplifier.

The car now has a wireless charger with a cooling pad. This feature is a first in segment.

And keeping in mind the prevailing pandemic conditions, the company is providing an Oxyboost Air purifier with Air Quality Indicator or AQI. This is a first for a car in India. For those who want to stick their head out literally, you also have an electric sunroof.

The all-new i20 will become the first hatchback in the country to offer BlueLink connected features with 50 connected features including 1st in segment Over The Air or OTA map updates, besides wake up/ voice command.

The cabin has an ambient light. The dashboard gets a very sleek design and

THE ALL-NEW I20

TRANSMISSION

MAGNA

SPORTZ

ASTA

ASTA (O)

1.2 l Kappa Petrol

5MT

Rs 6 79 900

Rs 7 59 900

Rs 8 69 900

Rs 9 19 900

1.0 l Turbo GDi Petrol

IVT

Rs 8 59 900

Rs 9 69 900

iMT

Rs 8 79 900

Rs 9 89 900

7DCT 1.5 l U2 CRDi Diesel

6MT

8 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2020

Rs 10 66 900 Rs 8 19 900

Rs 8 99 900

Rs 11 17 900 Rs 10 59 900

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

CAR NEWS

All-new NISSAN MAGNITE sub 4-metre SUV unveiled Nissan India has unveiled the all-new Nissan Magnite. The prices of the vehicle will be announced at the time of its launch. This is the company’s first ever product under the Nissan NEXT strategy for the Indian market, scheduled to be introduced in the second half of FY2020-21.

The Magnite will be made in India for the world. Designed in Japan, keeping in mind the requirements and aspirations of the Indian customers, the all-new Nissan Magnite comes with numerous first-in-class and best-in-segment features that provides consumers with a differentiated, innovative, and accessible ownership experience.

The features of the vehicle can be summed up in the boxes below:

EXTERIOR ◆ LED bi-projector headlamps (sleekest in class with even wider coverage) ◆ LED light saber-style turn indicators ◆ LED L-shaped Daytime Running Lights (DRL) ◆ LED fog lamps ◆ Square wheel arches for bold styling ◆ Front and rear silver skid plates ◆ Integrated sculpted bodyside cladding ◆ 205mm ground clearance (among the best) ◆ 16 inches diamond cut alloy wheels (standard) ◆ Functional roof rails with 50kg load bearing ◆ Best-in-class turning radius (5.0m) ◆ Sleek chrome DLO (daylight opening) ◆ Carefully crafted door seals ◆ Wide split taillamps ◆ First-in-class eye grabbing Flare garnet red (tintcoat) colour

INTERIORS ◆ High command eye position (best-in-class

visibility &opening angle) ◆ Best-in-class rear knee room ◆ Best-in-class ‘couple distance’ (shoulder room in the front row) ◆ Sporty &welcoming seats ◆ Ergonomically designed buttons for ease of control for the driver ◆ 5-degree tilt of centre stack for driver centric cockpit feel ◆ Rear armrest with 2 cup holders and first-inclass mobile holder ◆ Best-in-class10L glove box with illumination ◆ 336L cargo space with flexible capacity by 60:40 split foldable rear seats ◆ Tall floor console with smartphone tray ◆ Sporty IP with stylish horizontal execution and premium finish ◆ Nissan Connect

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

◆ 8-inchfull flash touch screen with best-inclass wireless Android Auto & Apple Carplay (compatible with latest devices)with 6 Speakers ◆ Carefully placed microphone and speaker for better phone calls ◆ First-in-class AVM (Around View Monitor)to give a bird’s eye view – toggle between rear view, bird’s eye view and RH camera for eased parallel, perpendicular parking and front camera for taking out from tight spots ◆ Best-in-class driving eco function – rates driving and assigns score, also provides suggestions to improve efficient driving skills ◆ First-in-class full 7-inch TFT instrument cluster with built-in tyre pressure monitor ◆ First-in-class ‘welcome animation’ ◆ Toggle the menu and up/down buttons for all functions ◆ Fully integrated steering wheel controls for audio, cluster and Cruise Control

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION ◆ HRA0 1.0-litre Turbo engine ◆ Transmission: Manual 5 speed and X-TRONIC CVT ◆ Fuel efficiency : 20kmpl

NOVEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 9

CAR NEWS

New LAND ROVER DEFENDER launched at `73.98 lakh onward Jaguar Land Rover India, part of India’s Tata Motors Group, launched the new Land Rover Defender in the country. The new Land Rover Defender is the toughest and most capable Land Rover ever made. It is also the most technologically advanced.

The world’s most iconic 4x4, the new Land Rover Defender is being offered with a 2.0 litre Turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 300PS (296hp) and 400Nm of torque.

The new Land Rover Defender is available in two distinct body styles, the very sporty 90 (3 door) and the versatile 110 (5 door).

The New Defender 90 prices start at Rs 73.98 lakh while the new Defender 110 prices start at Rs 79.94 lakh (ex-showroom India). Deliveries of Defender110 have now begun while deliveries of Defender 90 will

10 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2020

commence from Q1 of FY 2021.

The Defender is known for its durability and rugged capability. Elements such as the solid shoulder line, minimal front and rear overhangs, Alpine light windows, round headlights, side-hinged rear tailgate & externally mounted spare wheel are typical characteristics that are retained from the original model.

The Defender’s cabin has an ergonomic design that offers 5 + 2 seating configurations with an innovative optional front row centre seat also known as jump seat. The rear load space delivers maximum practicality with the 110 providing load

carrying capacity from 231 litres for the 5+2 seater with all rows up, to 2,380 litres for the 5 seater with the second row folded down. The second-row seatbacks are split 40:20:40 for maximum flexibility, while load space rails on the floor of the luggage space come with a range of load retention accessories to prevent smaller items from moving around inside.

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

CAR NEWS

TATA MOTORS LAUNCHES HARRIER CAMO EDITION AT `16.50 LAKH ONWARD Tata Motors has launched Camo, a special edition of Harrier SUV at a starting price of Rs 16.50 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

The Camo edition will be available in manual transmission from XT variant onwards, and in the automatic transmission from XZ variant onwards. Exterior will consist of all new camo green colour, r17 blackstone alloys and new camo badge. interiors will include blackstone matrix dashboard, premium benecke- kaliko blackstone leather seats with contrast camo green stitch and gunmetal grey interiors. Exterior elements will include special camo graphics, Harrier mascot on bonnet, roof rails, side steps and front parking sensors. Interior element will include back seat organiser, OMEGARC scuff plates, sunshades, designer 3D moulded mats, 3D trunk mats and anti-skid dash mats. These accessories will be available in two pack options- Camo Stealth and Camo Stealth+, with prices starting at Rs 26,999/-.

VW POLO, VENTO OFFERED IN RED & WHITE SPECIAL EDITION Volkswagen Passenger Cars India commenced its annual festive campaign ‘Volksfest 2020’ with the introduction of the Red & White special edition on the Polo and Vento. The sporty, stylish and premium looking Red & White special edition on the Polo Highline Plus AT and Vento Highline AT will be available to customers at an offer price of Rs 9.19 lakh and Rs 11.49 lakh respectively. Features of the Red & White special edition will be available without any additional cost to the customers.

It comes with striking features, stylish body side stripes, glossy black or white roof foil – colour coordinated with ORVM caps. Equipped with the powerful and efficient 1.0l TSI engine mated to 6-speed automatic transmission, the two carlines offer smooth gear shifts and a comfortable funto-drive experience as it offers a power output of 110PS and 175Nm of torque. The BS6 AT variants of the Polo offer a fuel economy of 16.47 kmpl whereas for the Vento it would be 16.35 kmpl (ARAI) certified.

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

NOVEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 11

CAR NEWS

MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS GP INSPIRED EDITION LAUNCHED AT `46.90 LAKH MINI India, part of the BMW family, has introduced a new limited edition Mini John Cooper Works Hatch inspired by the Mini John Cooper Works GP. Offered as a Completely Built-Up unit (CBU), only 15 units of the Mini John Cooper Works GP Inspired Edition are available. The Mini John Cooper Works GP Inspired Edition is exclusively available in Racing Grey Metallic exterior colour at an ex-showroom price of Rs 46,90,000.

The Racing Grey Metallic exterior colour is exclusive to this edition along with the contrasting Melting Silver Metallic roof, mirror caps and John Cooper Works rear spoiler. The 18� John Cooper Works Cup spoke 2-tone alloys come with GP badged wheel hub caps. The exterior surrounds and inner parts of headlights and rear lights, door handles, fuel filler cap, front grille surround and Mini emblem in the front and rear are part of the piano black exterior package. The John Cooper Works side scuttles and air intake trim in carbon fibre highlight the appearance of the car.

The 2.0 litre, 4-cylinder Twin Power Turbo engine can hit 100 km/h in 6.1seconds, with a peak output of 231 hp and a maximum torque of 320 Nm. The precision-tuned, 8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission enables smooth gear shifts with limited slip differential that improves handling and contributes to the sophisticated characteristics of the drive system.

MARUTI SUZUKI LAUNCHES SWIFT LIMITED-EDITION Maruti Suzuki launched the Swift Limited edition.

The Swift Limited-Edition is available across all variants. The spirited Swift Limited-Edition is available at an additional cost of Rs 24,990/- .

The Swift Limited Edition follows an all-black dominance theme which adds a new level of boldness to Swift’s already sporty credentials.

The Swift Limited Edition is accentuated with accessories like the Gloss Black Body Kit, Aerodynamic Spoiler, Body Side Moulding, Door Visor, All-Black Garnish on Grill, Tail Lamp and Fog Lamp and much more.

In the interior, to complement the sporty round dials and the flat bottom steering wheel are the Sporty Seat Covers.

12 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2020

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

CAR NEWS

AUDI Q2 LAUNCHED IN INDIA AT `34.99 LAKH ONWARD Audi India launched the Audi Q2 SUV. The vehicle has been launched in the price range of Rs 34.99 lakh (Standard variant ) to Rs 48.89 lakh (Technology variant). A panoramic glass sunroof is available at additional cost of Rs 1.5 lakh for the Standard variant.

The vehicle has a dimension comprising of 4318mm length, 1805mm width and 1548mm height. The vehicle is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder TFSI petrol engine which produces a peak power of 190 hp and a peak torque of 320Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a seven-speed S tronic Dual Clutch transmission. The new Audi SUV can do a 0-100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and its top speed is 228kmph. The vehicle has a standard fit quattro all-wheel drive and comes with four-link suspension and progressive steering for adept handling.

KIA SELTOS ANNIVERSARY EDITION LAUNCHED AT `13.75 LAKH ONWARD Kia Motors India launched the Kia Seltos Anniversary Edition to celebrate its one-year milestone in the country. The limited edition Kia Seltos will be available exclusively in the HTX trim starting at a price of Rs 13,75,000 (ex-showroom, pan India).

The Kia Seltos Anniversary Edition comes with many exterior and interior changes over the regular Seltos including Tusk Shape Skid plate with Silver Diffuser fins, Tangerine Fog Lamp Bezel, 17� Raven Black Alloy Wheels with Tangerine Centre cap, Black One tone Interiors, Raven Black Leatherette Seats with Honeycomb Pattern and more, making it more rugged, stylish and distinctive.

ENGINE

VARIANT

PRICE

Smartstream Petrol 1.5

Anniversary Edition 6MT

`13,75,000

Anniversary Edition IVT

`14,75,000

Diesel1.5 CRDi VGT

Anniversary Edition 6MT

`14,85,000

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

NOVEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 13

CAR NEWS

EXCLUSIVE EDITIONS OF HONDA AMAZE & WR-V Honda Cars India has launched Exclusive Editions of Amaze (Rs 7.69 lakh onward) and Honda WR-V (Rs 9.69 lakh onward) . Based on top grade VX in both diesel and petrol, these Exclusive Editions offer an enhanced premium package which will be available in all colours.

HONDA AMAZE ‘EXCLUSIVE EDITIONS’ HIGHLIGHTS: • Based on top grade VX in MT and CVT version of both petrol and diesel • Appealing window chrome moulding • Attractive chrome garnish at fog lamp & trunk • Premium suede black seat cover • Comfortable & functional armrest • Step illumination and front foot light • Exclusive Edition emblem

HONDA WR-V ’EXCLUSIVE EDITIONS’ HIGHLIGHTS: • Based on top grade VX in MT version of both petrol and diesel • Attractive chrome garnished grille & fog lamp • Exclusive edition body Graphics • Premium suede seat cover • Step illumination and front foot light • Exclusive edition emblem

HONDA AMAZE SPECIAL EDITION LAUNCHED AT `7 LAKH ONWARD Honda Cars India Limited has introduced a Special Edition of its family sedan Honda Amaze at a starting price of Rs 7 lakh (ex showroom Delhi) to mark the beginning of the festive season. The Special Edition comes with new features and is based on the popular S grade in MT and CVT version of both Petrol and Diesel.

HONDA AMAZE ‘SPECIAL EDITION’ – HIGHLIGHTS 1) Based on popular S grade in MT and CVT version of both Petrol and Diesel 2) Digipad 2.0 – 17.7 cm Touchscreen Advanced Display Audio System 3) Sleek and Striking Body Graphics 4) Stylishly Designed Seat Covers 5) Ergonomically positioned Sliding Armrest 6) Special Edition Logo and Badging The Ex Showroom Delhi price of the Special Edition variants are: SPECIAL EDITION VARIANT

PRICE (IN RUPEES, EX SHOWROOM DELHI)

Special Edition Petrol Manual

`7,00,000

Special Edition Petrol CVT

`7,90,000

Special Edition Diesel Manual

`8,30,000

Special Edition Diesel CVT

`9,10,000

14 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2020

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

BIKE NEWS

ROYAL ENFIELD all-new easy cruiser METEOR 350 at `1.75 lakh onward Royal Enfield, a leading cruiser motorcycle maker, launched an all-new easy cruiser, the Royal Enfield Meteor 350. The Royal Enfield Meteor 350 will be available in 3 editions − Fireball, Stellar and Supernova.

The Meteor 350 will be available at a starting price of Rs. 1,75,817 for the Fireball, Rs. 1,81,326 for the Stellar, and at Rs. 1,90,536 for the Supernova editions. (all ex-showroom Chennai prices).

The Meteor 350 inherits its name from a Royal Enfield motorcycle of the 1950’s.

Launched at the end of 1952, the Meteor was a magnificent touring motorcycle with a reputation that has stood the test of time. The new Royal Enfield Meteor 350 easy-cruiser, carries Royal Enfield’s signature styling but with many firsts.

Enfield’s Make It Yours - MiY - initiative, an inventive and unique motorcycle personalisation tool.

New Meteor 350 owners can tap into thousands of possible personalisation combinations when they order their motorcycle via the Royal Enfield App, on the website or at a dealership. In addition to the 7 standard colourways, under 3 editions, MiY allows an

Together with the launch of the Meteor 350 comes the Royal

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

additional 8 colourway options for customers.

The Meteor has been designed and developed by teams of designers and engineers based at Royal Enfield’s two technical centres, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and Bruntingthorpe, UK. With a 349cc air-oil cooled single-cylinder engine, the Meteor generates 20.2 bhp and 27 Nm of torque at 4000 rpm.

NOVEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 15

BIKE NEWS

All-new TRIUMPH TRIDENT 660 unveiled UK based Triumph Motorcycle has unveiled the all-new Trident 660 in the middleweight roadster category. The motorcycle comes with a new 660cc engine triple engine that has been developed specifically for the Trident with 67 new components and a unique torque and power rich tune.

The Trident rider will experience the perfect balance of low-down torque, mid-range and top-end power, with the triple’s signature smooth, responsive and linear delivery. The engine delivers a peak of 81ps @ 10250 rpm and over 90% of the maximum torque being available across most of the rev range, peaking at 64Nm at 6,250rpm.

Thanks to the new stylish underslung silencer, the Trident 660 has been designed

16 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2020

to also be the new best sounding bike in the category. The single sided silencer emits a deep and crisp engine sound, delivering a distinctive Triumph triple character.

The Triumph Trident has a 6-speed gearbox with gear ratios and final drive optimized to suit the Trident’s all round dynamic riding capability and reliability.

Combining a wet weight of just 189kg, allnew tubular steel chassis, an ergonomic set-up designed to suit both experienced and new riders, lightweight 17’’ aluminium spoke wheels and tapered aluminium bars, the Trident is as great to ride as it is to look at.

The new Trident comes fitted as standard with

three class leading technology features: with 2 riding modes, adjustable traction control and ride-by-wire. The ‘Road’ and ‘Rain’ riding modes enhance the rider’s confidence, control and safety through the electronic adjustment of both the throttle map and traction control. The adjustment of the throttle map is made possible by the ride-by-wire technology that provides crisp and precise throttle response.

The all-new Trident 660 features a new 7’’ full LED headlight, exclusively designed for this model with a premium Triumph badge incorporated in it. The lighting system continues with a beautifully integrated LED tail-light that also has a Triumph badge integrated into it, and LED indicators which are self-cancelling.

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

BIKE NEWS

NEW DUCATI MULTISTRADA V4 WITH RADAR UNVEILED GLOBALLY Ducati has unveiled the new Multistrada V4 to the world during the first episode of the Ducati World Première web series. The design work done on the Multistrada V4 is extremely functional to its technical spirit and has given rise to a solid, robust, yet refined aesthetic result. Ducati designers have worked on the proportions and compactness of the motorcycle body within the wheelbase, to favour the perfect combination of form and function. This fact is immediately noticeable by the predominant volumes on the front with muscular but sexy lines to integrate the 22-litre tank, combined with the slim rear that allows an optimal riding position even when standing in off-road sections. The study of the aerodynamic flows was aimed at guaranteeing the maximum possible comfort for the rider.

The engine is the real beating heart of this bike: the V4 Granturismo. Lightweight (66.7 kg) and compact, it has a lot of punch but proves to be exceptionally smooth and fluid at low revs, with a lot of backbone in the mid-range and exciting at high revs. The V4 Granturismo has a displacement of 1,158 cc and delivers 170 hp at 10,500 rpm with a maximum torque of 125 Nm (12.7 kgm) at 8,750 rpm. In addition, adopting this engine allows for a significant lengthening of maintenance intervals: on the Multistrada V4 the oil change is scheduled every 15,000 km, while valve clearance check and eventual adjustment is required every 60,000 km. No bike in production goes that far.

The electronic package of the Multistrada V4 is the state of the art in the motorcycle sector for safety, comfort, performance, and connectivity.

The inertial platform (IMU) manages the operation of ABS Cornering, Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC), Ducati Traction Control (DTC), here in “cornering” version and, on the Multistrada V4 S, the Cornering Lights (DCL). Also standard on the Multistrada V4 S is Vehicle Hold Control (VHC), which makes it easy to restart on sloping roads. On the Multistrada V4 S, the inertial platform also communicates continuously with the semiactive Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS) control system with Autoleveling function. With the Multistrada V4, Ducati also introduces an absolute first in the world of motorcycles: the revolutionary front and rear radar system, which allows the use of Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Blind Spot Detection (BSD).

DUCATI BS6 MULTISTRADA 950 S LAUNCHED AT `15.49 LAKH Luxury motorcycle brand, Ducati has launched the all-new Multistrada 950 S, priced at Rs 15.49 lakh (Ex-Showroom Pan India).

The motorcycle is available in Ducati red colour. The white colour will be available only in 2021. The new Ducati Multistrada 950 comes with a series of improvements designed to make it safer and even more enjoyable. For the very first time, a super-technological S version featuring state-of-the-art electronics is available to fully satisfy the needs of an even greater number of motorcyclists. The motorcycle boasts of a 937cc twin cylinder Testastretta 11° engine - which puts out 113hp at 9,000rpm and 96Nm of torque at 7,750 rpm. This liquid-cooled engine has four valves per cylinder and bore and stroke measurements of 94 and 67.5mm respectively.

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

NOVEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 17

BIKE NEWS

BAJAJ AUTO LAUNCHES CT100 KS MODEL WITH NEW FEATURES AT `46,432 Bajaj Auto has launched a new CT100 with addition of eight new features. Bajaj Auto calls these features “kadak” which in Hindi language means strong and robust. The CT100 KS is priced at Rs 46,432 (ex-showroom Delhi). The new CT100 KS will have the following features: ◆ Front fork suspension bellows ◆ Rubber tank pads for riding comfort ◆ Fuel meter for real-time information of fuel quantity in tank ◆ Handlebar with cross tube for better stability ◆ Thicker and flatter seat for added comfort even on bad roads ◆ Enlarged grab for pillion’s better grip ◆ Flexible & clear-lens Indicators prevents breaking from minor impact ◆ Extended Mirror Boot The new CT100KS comes in three colours - Gloss Ebony Black with Blue decals, Matte Olive Green with Yellow decalsand Gloss Flame Red with Bright Red decals.

BAJAJ PULSAR NS & RS SERIES GET NEW LOOKS

Bajaj Auto has cranked up the thrill ahead of the festive season with the new, refreshed Pulsar NS and RS series. Available in fresh colours like Burnt Red (Matte finish) and Plasma Blue (Satin Finish), the new look is rounded off with white alloy wheels. Front and rear fenders are now carbon fibre textured, with a hot stamping pattern on seats.

Pulsar RS 200 is powered by a 4-valve Triple Spark DTS-i Engine with Fuel Injection and Liquid Cooling . It has 300mm front disc brakes with Dual Channel ABS . The Pulsar RS 200 unleashes 24.5 PS power. The new Pulsar RS200 will be available in threecolour schemes: Burnt Red (Matte Finish), Metallic Pearl White and Pewter Grey. The Pulsar NS200 comes with a liquid cooled, four valve, triple spark DTS-i engine with Fuel Injection that gives power of 24.5 PS, while the Pulsar NS 160 puts out 17.2PS. The Pulsar NS series is mated with a class-leading perimeter frame. The Pulsar NS 200& NS 160 will be available in four new dynamic and vibrant colour schemes: Burnt Red (Matte Finish), Metallic Pearl White, Pewter Grey &Plasma Satin Blue.

INDIAN MOTORCYCLE TO ROLL OUT NEW 2021 LINEUP WITH ADVANCED FEATURES Leading US motorcycle brand Indian Motorcycle will be rolling out their new and advanced 2021 lineup of motorcycles to be available in India shortly. The brand has also added Scout Bobber Twenty, Roadmaster Limited and Vintage Dark Horse to the India portfolio.

These motorcycles will be equipped with next-level technology and a robust suite of new accessories options for the customer to personalise his/her ride. Indian Motorcycle 2021 enhancements and new offerings span across its Thunderstroke, PowerPlus and Scout lineups. The models featuring in the lineup from the Scout family will be Indian Scout, Indian Scout Bobber, & Indian Scout Bobber Twenty. The cruiser segment will feature Indian Chief Vintage and Indian Chief Vintage Dark Horse. The bagger segment includes Indian Springfield, Indian Springfield Dark Horse, Indian Chieftain Limited& Indian Chieftain Dark Horse. The touring segment will get Indian Roadmaster, Indian Roadmaster Limited & Indian Roadmaster Dark Horse. The Challenger series and champion FTR 1200 S will also be featured in the lineup.

18 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2020

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

BIKE NEWS

HERO MOTOCORP INTRODUCES GLAMOUR BLAZE EDITION AT `72,200 Hero MotoCorp has introduced a new special edition of the Glamour motorcycle – the Glamour Blaze. The Glamour Blaze comes in a new Matt Vernier Grey colour. It also brings a new feature in the 125cc motorcycle category – a USB charger to the handlebar. Glamour Blaze will be available at Hero MotoCorp showrooms across the country at Rs 72,200/-(ex-showroom Delhi). The new Glamour Blaze is powered by 125cc BS-VI engine with XSens programmed fuel injection. The engine produces power output of 10.7 BHP @7500 RPM and torque of 10.6 Nm @ 6000 RPM. It features Hero’s i3S (idle start-stop system), together with Auto Sail Technology. Adding to the functionality and riding comfort, it offers a USB charger on the handle and comes with the side-stand indicator. It has front 240mm disk brakes and has a ground clearance of 180mm.

HERO MOTOCORP LAUNCHES NEW PLEASURE+ PLATINUM AT `60950 Hero MotoCorp has launched the new Pleasure+ Platinum. The new scooter will be available at Rs 60,950, ex showroom, Delhi. The new Pleasure+ Platinum comes in quick succession after the recent launch of the Maestro Edge 125 Stealth. The new scooter offers a differentiated experience with its enhanced aesthetics, accentuated retro design & premium chrome elements.

The Pleasure+ Platinum, is available in a new Matt Black color scheme which is combined with brown inner panels. The chrome additions including mirrors, muffler protector, handle bar ends and fender stripe further enhance its retro style. The Pleasure+ Platinum also comes with low fuel indicator feature, a seat back rest for added comfort, a dual-tone seat with Platinum hot stamping, white rim tape and premium 3D Logo badging, which enhances the aesthetic appeal of the scooter. The Pleasure+ Platinum comes with a 110cc BS-VI compliant programmed fuel injection engine with ‘XSens Technology’ (Eight Sensors) - delivering a power output of 8bhp @ 7000 rpm and torque-on-demand of 8.7 NM @ 5500 rpm. The Pleasure+ Platinum gives 10% higher fuel efficiency, with better performance and up to 10% faster acceleration.

HERO MOTOCORP LAUNCHES SPLENDOR+ BLACK, ACCENT AT `64470/Indian motorcycle maker Hero MotoCorp has launched a new edition of the iconic Splendor motorcycle – the Splendor+ Black and Accent. The Splendor+ Black and Accent can be customised with the graphics of customer’s choice at the time of purchase. The Splendor+ Black and Accent will be available at a price of Rs 64,470/-(ex showroom Delhi). At the time of purchase, customers can choose from three distinct design themes – Beetle Red, Firefly Golden and Bumble Bee Yellow. The graphic themes are priced at Rs 899/- across the country. Customers can also buy the complete kit including graphics, 3D Hero Logo and Rim Tape at a Rs 1,399/-. These three designs are now be available to customers to choose from and have one of them installed on their new motorcycle.

Customers can choose to purchase the motorcycle without any graphics as well. The Splendor+ Black and Accent edition comes in an ‘All-Black’ avatar with black tyres, black engine and black chain cover. The stylish appeal can be further accentuated with a 3D Hero logo, which is available as an accessory.

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

NOVEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 19

BIKE NEWS

TVS launches NTORQ 125 SUPERSQUAD EDITION inspired by Marvel’s Avengers TVS Motor Company has launched the TVS NTorq 125 SuperSquad Edition inspired by Marvel’s Avengers. The company has associated with Disney India’s consumer products business to introduce a special SuperSquad edition of TVS NTorq 125 – India’s first Bluetooth connected scooter with RT-Fi technology, inspired by the iconic Marvel Super Heroes. TVS NTORQ 125 SuperSquad Edition is priced at Rs.77865 (ex-showroom, Delhi)

decals. For enthusiasts, it packs more surprises with the signature salute Wakanda Forever and the inclusion of the number 66 (1966),denoting the year when the character was introduced in the Marvel Universe.

INVINCIBLE RED Inspired by Iron Man, the decals replicate his Red and Gold suit giving it a stellar look. The Iron Man helmet is embossed on the leg shield, while

In 2018, TVS NTorq 125 was launched as India’s first Bluetooth connected scooter. In the past year, TVS NTorq 125 has also introduced Race Tuned Fuel Injection across its portfolio. It continues to evolve and seeks to delight its new-generation customers – Gen Z. The SuperSquad Edition will comprise three new enticing offerings, namely Invincible Red, Stealth Black, and Combat Blue inspired by Iron Man, Black Panther, and Captain America respectively. The edition brings forth finer nuances associated with each Marvel Super Hero through the product design. To further delight the enthusiasts, the fitting campaign tagline for the edition is ‘Play Smart.

Play Epic’.

The SuperSquad logo and the iconic Avenger’s ‘A’ are prominently placed on the front panel, leg shield, and below the speedometer.

STEALTH BLACK Inspired by Black Panther, this edition packs in the jet-black colour along with hues of purple. The scooter sports elements from the Black Panther suit as a large part of the

20 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2020

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

BIKE NEWS

COMBAT BLUE the arc reactor finds its way to both panels. Enthusiasts will be delighted with the Mark XXIX encryption on both panels which signifies Fiddler, Iron Man’s 29th suit, along with the number 63 (1963) indicating the year when the character was introduced in the Marvel Universe.

Inspired by Captain America, the scooter gets the blue, white, red colour tone associated with the First Avenger. True to the character, it sports the number 41 (1941), the year when Captain America was introduced in the Marvel Universe. The shield is at the front of the scooter and the

edition flaunts Super Soldier on both panels with pride.

The TVS Connect App of the SuperSquad Edition is powered

by SmartXonnect and will come with customised UI, inspired by the characters. The app opens with the silhouette of the respective characters and then

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

important elements such as Captain America’s shield, Iron Man’s suit and Black Panther’s eyes along with the character crest are consistent across the app interface. Each app screen is crafted with a unique character trait of the selected Super Hero, making ita complete Marvel experience.

NOVEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 21

AUTO STUFF

ROYAL ENFIELD launches all-new range of riding jackets at `4950 onward Royal Enfield has launched an all-new range of riding jackets.

These new RE jackets are priced in the range of Rs 4,950 to Rs 14,950. The riding jackets will be available on Royal Enfield’s online and offline stores, as well as on Amazon and select Central and Shoppers Stop stores. These are an all-new line-up of CE certified riding jackets for riders based on multiple riding needs. Designed and carefully crafted for different weather conditions and terrains; the performance packed line-up of riding jackets is truly meant for enhancing the riding experience. Royal Enfield has ensured that these jackets meet global safety norms. The range includes 5 jackets where the entire jackets are CE Certified with Class A protection under Personal Protective Equipment regulations.

The jacket line-up offers comprehensive protection with the

22 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2020

freedom to ride in both on and off road conditions. In addition to being CE certified the jackets carry armors from D30 and KNOX, most trusted internal impact protection armors.

These armors also carry CE level one and level two armor certifications. This range of riding jackets has been thoroughly tested for abrasion resistance, impact protection, ergonomics, tear strength, seam strength, innocuousness and dimension stability.

There is a misconception that CE certified armors and CE certified jackets are the same thing. It is important to understand that CE certified armors only certified for impact protection whereas a garment to be CE certified has to additionally undergo numerous other tests.

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

AUTO STUFF

STUDDS launches Urban Super helmet at `1050 Helmet manufacturer Studds Accessories has launched the Urban Super Helmet. The Urban Super is an open-face helmet, designed to provide safety and comfort while riding. Helmet comes with a higher impact outer shell and UV resistant paint, aimed to increase its longevity by making it durable. It also has features like regulated density EPS, hypoallergenic liner and a quick release chin strap.

Priced at Rs 1050, it is one of the most affordable helmets in its segment with a mix of style and substance and suitable for all riders. It comes in two basic sizesLarge (580 mm) and Extra Large (600 mm). The helmet is available in eight

different color options- White with Black Strip, Matt Black with Black Strip, Gun Grey Matt with Black Strip, Gun Grey with Black Strip, Cherry Red with Black Strip, Black with Black Strip, Flame Blue with Black Strip and Matt Blue with Black Strip.

The Studds Urban Super comes with Hot Air Exhausts feature designed to allow the movement of air through the helmet and keep the interior free of humidity. The softer inner padding with premium quality fabric enhances the comfort and hypo allergic liner protects rider from allergies or infections arising from continuous contact with damp helmet liners due to extended riding or on hot/rainy days.

IDEMITSU Lube India enters Indian lubricant market Headquartered in Japan, Idemitsu, one of the leading manufacturers and supplier of high-performance lubricants in India has recently launched a premium semi synthetic product, Idemitsu 4T 20W-40 MA Engine oil for 4-stroke two wheelers.

of 3.7 percent. Keeping in mind the increasing demand of more efficient two-wheelers that delivers higher fuel economy without effecting overall performance & protection, OEMs are gradually shifting towards high performance low viscosity engine oils.

This new engine oil will provide benefits such as superior protection of engine’s critical parts, higher oxidation stability reducing oil thickening and sludge formation resulting in better reliability and engine cleanliness. Idemitsu, a pioneer of low viscosity engine oil, offers various grade of highperformance engine oil including OEM recommended viscosity grades, such as 10W-30, 10W-40 and more.

Idemitsu Lube India Pvt Ltd. is a subsidiary of Idemitsu Kosan Co. (Japan). Idemitsu’s, Indian operation commenced in 2006 as it entered as a Lubricant sales and marketing company. In 2013, it started a state of the art lubricant manufacturing plant located at Patalganga, Distt. Raigad, Maharashtra for manufacturing high performance lubricants meeting global quality standards. The company has a wide range and variety of automotive lubricants for motorcycle, scooters, cars and commercial vehicles, along with Industrial range of lubricants.

India is the largest Two Wheeler market in the world. The two Wheeler industry is expected to grow to at CAGR

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

NOVEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 23

WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

BMW 220d M SPORT

SPORTY INDULGENCE

SP EC I F ICATIO NS ENGINE BS VI 2-litre four-cylinder diesel TRANSMISSION 8-speed Steptronic sport MAX POWER 190hp@4000rpm MAX TORQUE 400Nm@1750-2500rpm TYRES Front: 225/45 R17 Rear: 225/40 R18

PRICE `39.30 lakh (ex-showroom India)

24 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2020

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

WHEELZ & ROADZ

A driving experience

Report: P. Tharyan; Photography: Afsar Baig

B

MW India has brought in its latest model, the BMW 2 series Gran Coupe. We all were debating how it would compete with the likes of the Mercedes A class and the Audi A3 and hoping that it would be among the most affordable cars from BMW in India. The company priced it at Rs 39.30 lakh for the BMW 220d Sport Line and Rs 41.40 lakh for the 220d M Sport. All prices are ex showroom. Thus, it looks, the closest competitor to the BMW 2 series Gran Coupe will be its own BMW 3 series model.

The company has introduced the car with a diesel mill and is being offered in two trim levels, the BMW 220d Sport Line and the BMW 220d M Sport. The petrol variant will be launched later. We got to drive the M Sport diesel version.

The car is drop dead gorgeous and the colour we got was a very exciting one which stood out in our surroundings. The M Sport logo signifies that it has some ‘Motorsport’ elements to it.

You get to find the M letter and its distinct coloured stripe at strategic places both inside and outside.

EXTERIORS The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé measures

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

4,526 mm in length, 1,800mm in width and 1,420 mm in height. It has a 2,670-millimetre wheelbase.

The boot comprises of 430 litres space. The BMW 220d M Sport looks very athletic and alive. The full LED lights in front, the large kidney grille, the sculpted bonnet, the four frameless doors and a well designed rear, give the car a very sporty and elegant appearance. It has a flowing roofline and prominent shoulders.

The kidney grille has vertically designed slats in satinized aluminium with grille frame in chrome high-gloss. The M Sport comes with 18-inch lightalloy wheels It has ‘eyebrow’ turn-signal indicators. The upper section of the headlight housing has an aluminium look beneath the glass cover, while on the side is ‘BMW LED’ lettering. Like the headlights, the rear lights are full-LED as standard. They provide an all-new take on the familiar BMW ‘L’ shape with a single slim light element. Then you also have the turn signal repeater, brake light and taillight, reversing light and rear fog light.

Not to miss are the chrome exhaust tailpipes with a diameter of 90mm.The car comes with a large panoramic glass roof. It has an electrically operated roller blind to provide shading.

NOVEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 25

WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

26 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2020

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

WHEELZ & ROADZ

A driving experience

INTERIORS Step inside you and you get to see a spacious cabin and a driver-focused cockpit. The material used within is of a rich quality. The backlit trim strips are very uber in appearance.

The trim strips on the instrument panel and door panels of the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé are finished in ‘Illuminated Berlin’ in M Sport.

The trim strips retain their normal appearance in daylight, but function as decorative lighting elements with a space-shaping effect in the dark. The driver can choose from six different colours for the lighting effect. These can also be adjusted for brightness. The desired colour

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

NOVEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 27

WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

and the selected brightness level are stored in the personalised key. The puddle light just adds to the fun.

As for stowage, there is adequate space in the cabin. The infotainment system offers the new BMW Operating System 7.0 – with gesture control which is only in the M Sport. With gestures made by your fingers, you can turn up the volume, switch channels, accept a call, reject it and select navigation/custom setting.

The BMW Virtual Assistant first seen in the BMW 3 Series also forms part of the control/ operating concept for the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé. By saying “Hey/Hi/Hello BMW” drivers have access to various vehicle functions and obtain information simply by speaking.

One unique feature over other digital

28 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2020

assistants is that drivers can give this one a name of their choice.

The BMW 220d M Sport has HiFi loudspeaker system that comes with ten speakers and 205 watts.Bluetooth with audio streaming, handsfree and USB connectivity ensure complete infotainment experience. The smartphone holder integrated into the centre console allows wireless charging for mobile phones.

The driver gets a 10.25-inch Info Display instrument cluster as well as a 10.25-inch

high-resolution Control Display which is centrally mounted, touch-sensitive and angled towards the driver. The two screens enable the driver to access a plethora of functions and can also help configure to individual requirements.

The rev counter runs anti-clockwise and, like the speedometer, has a new,

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

WHEELZ & ROADZ

A driving experience

up-to-date design. The microactivated carbon particulate filter ensures clean and fresh air inside the cabin.

Thanks to the car’s front-wheeldrive architecture (with transversemounted engines and a lower centre tunnel), there is ample of space both for front as well as rear passengers.

The seats provide more than adequate comfort from all angles.

The driver and front passenger enjoy sport seats with electrical adjustment while memory functions are available for the driver seat.

The rear seats are 40/20/40 split.

The rear bench can be released fully from the boot area. The tailgate opens automatically at the press of a button.

PERFORMANCE The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is powered by a BS VI 2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine and generates an output of 190 hp at 4,000 rpm and peak torque of 400 Nm from 1750 to 2500 rpm. Thus it can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds. The official top speed is 235 kmph. The fuel economy of the BMW 220d diesel is 18.64 kmpl. The engine is mated to an eight-speed Steptronic sport transmission with launch control and gearshift paddles.

Like all diesel vehicles, this car too controls its NOX or nitrogen oxide emissions effectively thanks to a newly designed single-stage exhaust gas recirculation system. The SCR or selective catalytic reduction system lowers nitrogen oxide levels in the exhaust gases by injecting a urea solution (AdBlue). The AdBlue tank can be topped up from AdBlue pumps at filling stations.

Being a front wheel drive, one expected a bit of understeering in the vehicle, but I was surprised that at good speeds and

while cornering, the vehicle was very stable and grounded. Since we were driving in and around Delhi and with speed limits being 50kmph to 80kmph on different roads, our driving experience was limited. But there is no denying the fact that this car is fleet footed and the twin turbo is very effective. But if you are to push it hard through the manual mode or paddle shits, you realise a very miniscule turbo lag. One must realise that the engine features two-stage turbocharging with a pair of turbochargers of different sizes. But the lag is very negligible and it is very unlikely a driver will realise it while driving in the cities.

The ARB technology in this BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé, which is basically an actuator contiguous wheel slip limitation system is fitted as standard in this model, works in close tandem with the DSC system to significantly reduce power understeer – a typical drawback of front-wheel-drive cars.

One can deactivate the DSC system if you want to take over full control of the car’s sporty handling abilities. As for driving modes, the driver can choose between Comfort, Eco Pro and the dynamic Sport mode. Though ride and handling are exceptional, I have never been an admirer of run flat tyres. Maybe our Indian roads are designed so bad and are usually of such poor quality, that run flats tend to transfer the shock and noises right into the cabin. The car also comes with driver assistance systems like Parking Assistant

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

with innovative reversing assistant and Cruise Control with braking function.

The Cruise Control with braking function makes life easier on long-distance journeys by automatically accelerating or slowing the car to maintain the set desired speed. As for Parking Assistant, extensive assistance with parking and maneuvering is available.

Safety features in the BMW 2 series Gran Coupe include six airbags, Attentiveness Assistance, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Brake Assist, ARB technology, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) including Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) and Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), electric parking brake with auto hold, side-impact protection, electronic vehicle immobilizer and crash sensors. The car also comes with ISOFIX child seat mounting and it also has integrated emergency spare wheel under the load floor.

VERDICT The BMW 220d M Sport is not really a step down model from the BMW 3 series as we had all imagined earlier. It is just an alternative with equally endowed features and technologies. Maybe people will simply go in for its perfect package that includes a fine exterior, a refined interior and a very robust technology.

NOVEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 29

WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

2020 HYUNDAI TUCSON

SIGNIFICANT FACELIFT

S P ECIFICAT IO NS ENGINE 1995cc, 4-cylinder, DOHC with

e-VGT

TRANSMISSION 8-speed AT MAX POWER 182.4hp@ 4000rpm PEAK TORQUE 400.11@1750-2750rpm SUSPENSION Front: McPherson strut with coil spring, Rear: Multi-link with coil spring TYRES 225/55 R18 PRICE `27.03 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)

30 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2020

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

WHEELZ & ROADZ

A driving experience

T

Report: P. Tharyan; Photography: Afsar Baig

here are several changes in the 2020 face-lifted Hyundai Tucson. The Tucson SUV competes against the likes of the Jeep Compass, the Skoda Karoq and the Honda CRV. The vehicle is being offered with a 2-litre petrol as well as a 2-litre diesel engine. The new Tucson is priced in the range of Rs 22.30 lakh to Rs 27.03 lakh. We drove the top end diesel variant (GLS) that comes with a 4 wheel drive. This engine is mated to a new 8-speed automatic transmission.

EXTERIOR Even though the exterior of the new vehicle looks refreshing, one must admit that the outgoing model was much more beefy and chunky in its looks. The new Hyundai Tucson continues to come with a signature cascade design chrome front Grille. Then there are penta projector LED headlamps along with LED DRLs & LED tail lamps. It has LED static bending lamps, front and rear fog lamps, escort headlamps and puddle lamps.

The R18 diamond cut alloy wheels & twin chrome exhaust continue to give the Tucson a sporty look.

To enhance its looks, the vehicle has a chrome finish beltline, front and rear silver skid plates, roof rails, rear spoiler with LED high

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

mount stop lamp, twin chrome exhaust, body coloured bumpers and outside mirrors with turn indicators, chrome outside door handles, shark fin antenna, door scuff plates, etc. S S S The facelifted Tucson gets a first in segment hands free smart power tail gate with height adjustment.

The tail gate in any modern car can be opened in several ways. There is a button inside that releases the boot lid, then you have a button on the key fob which you hold for a few seconds and the tailgate opens and closes automatically. Some cars also offer you another novel way to open the tailgate. This mode makes a lot of sense when your hands are full and your key is in your pocket or purse.

All you have to do is to do a swipe gesture with your foot and you are able to open the boot.

The only problem with such a novel way is that you need to be really athletic while attempting this. Trying to swipe your foot under the rear of the car with your hands full of stuff can be very dangerous. The facelifted Hyundai Tucson way of opening is a lot more safe and sensible, I personally feel. All you have to do is to stand near the rear of the vehicle with the key in your pocket, the tailgate opens automatically.

Moreover, even if someone by mistake presses the button to close the rear hatch door and

NOVEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 31

WHEELZ & ROADZ A driving experience

part of your body is still inside, the anti pinch feature ensures you are safe and not hurt in any way.

INTERIOR The interiors of the new facelifted Tucson is a luxurious all black. You also get leather stitched dashboard. All this gives a rich premium feel to the cabin.

It has power adjustable front seats.

While the driver seat is 10 way power adjustable, the co passenger seat in front is 8 way power adjustable. This is a first in segment feature. The Tucson gets Infinity premium sound system comprising 8 speakers, wireless charger, Electronic Parking Brake etc.

The large panoramic sunroof is really large and comes with an electrically controlled shade. The dual zone air conditioner is effective in front, while those in the rear get AC vents. The seats both in front as well as in rear are comfortable. The rear seats come with an arm rest with two cup holders, a USB charging port, and decent storage spaces and are 60:40 split. The 2nd row seat comes with reclining function.

Other features include tilt and telescopic steering, front console armrest with storage, extendable sunvisor with vanity mirror illumination, glove box cooling, sunglass holder, luggage net and hook and luggage lamp.

The facelifted Hyundai Tucson gets a new floating type 8 inches HD Touch Screen Infotainment with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Voice Recognition.

Then it comes with steering mounted audio, Bluetooth and cruise controls.

PERFORMANCE The new Tucson is also offered with the HTRAC 4WD system, Advanced Traction Cornering Control and Drive Modes. HTRAC is a multi-mode

The new Hyundai Tucson gets the Advanced Connected Car Technology that goes by the name of Hyundai BlueLink. This app based technology offers a plethora of useful functions that include remotely locking or unlocking your car, starting your engine and even the AC using the smartphone/ smart watch. Another critical feature of this BlueLink is that your vehicle can be tracked down and immobilised with just a touch of button in case of a theft. Then it also offers services like remote horn honk & light, remote vehicle status check, tire pressure information, etc. Then it also offers alert services like geo-fence (Out-ofArea) alert, speed alert, time fencing alert, valet alert and idle alert, among other functions.

32 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2020

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

WHEELZ & ROADZ

A driving experience

system, providing an electronic, variable-torque-split clutch with active torque control between the front and rear axles. The HTRAC word is displayed as a badge of honour at the rear of the vehicle.

We drove the vehicle on the smooth roads first where we tested its acceleration and stability at high speeds. The diesel engine we drove produces around 182 horse power and a peak torque of 400Nm. This engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Though the vehicle did not have paddle shifters, I hardly missed it. Although you can drive using the manual mode, I preferred the D drive for the roads. The Sport mode is the one which offers the most dynamic performance. It’s like a sudden rush of adrenalin when you step on the accelerator. And thanks to the electronics in the car, the braking and the directional stability of the vehicle were top notch. The torque convertor automatic transmission seems to be

The Hyundai Tucson exteriors and interiors have undergone some interesting changes. But it will have to be seen whether a facelift is good enough to rattle competition. ” providing ample power instantly. As for the HTRAC 4WD system, we had to take it a bit into the rough to find out how well it functioned. We were impressed by the vehicle’s overall control and stability at high speed maneuvering.

The vehicle has great safety features that include airbags for driver & passenger, front side and curtain. The vehicles comes with Intelligent Traction Control with ESC & VSM and hill-assist for ascent & decent. Then it has ABS with EBD, Hill-start assist control (HAC), Downhill brake control (DBC) and Brake assist. It has a tyre pressure monitoring system with display on cluster, parking assist, front parking sensors, rear parking sensors, reverse

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

parking camera with steering adaptive guidelines, etc.

VERDICT The Hyundai Tucson exteriors and interiors have undergone some interesting changes. But it will have to be seen whether a facelift is good enough to rattle competition. Since the Tucson diesel is priced a shade below the Rs 30 lakh level, prospective customers will be tempted by what a few slightly higher priced vehicles have to offer in the Indian SUV market. All said and done, the face-lifted Hyundai Tucson is now a lot more attractive with some very significant changes.

NOVEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 33

WHEELZ & ROADZ A riding experience

The new Tiger is a shade lighter than its predecessor Tiger 800, it’s more agile and easy to handle, especially for many of us Indians who are below six feet in height.

34 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2020

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

WHEELZ & ROADZ

A riding experience

2020 TRIUMPH TIGER 900 RALLY PRO

TRIUMPHANT PERFORMANCE Report: P. Tharyan; Photography: Afsar Baig

O

nce you get on the tiger’s back, the ride is not as dangerous as it sounds. You just need to keep your balance perfect and the tiger takes you places. And that’s exactly what our Triumph Tiger Rally Pro did. The Triumph Tiger 900 comes in 3 trim levels and these are the Tiger 900 GT, Tiger 900 Rally and Tiger Rally Pro. Prices start from Rs 13.70 lakh and goes up to Rs 15.50 lakh ex showroom for the Rally Pro. For starters, how different is it from its predecessor, the Tiger 800? A lot is what I feel. It is 5kgs lighter as a result of new lightweight modular frame, new lighter weight engine, high specification suspension and premium Brembo brakes. The bike gets a tubular steel frame with a bolt on rear sub-frame and pillion hangers.

The balance is great, ensuring even greater handling in all riding scenarios. The centre of gravity of the bike

has been revised, moving 40mm forward and 20mm down compared with the predecessor Tiger 800.

STYLE & FEATURES The new Tiger 900 Rally Pro has an all-new aggressive styling. The adventure stance is supported by the narrow stand over width, the front end looks a bit narrow and the fuel tank design and size looks large.

You get a large 20 litre fuel tank for long distance touring. Other body parts that have been reworked include tank end panel, high mudguard, seat panel, radiator cowl and radiator duct exit.

The Tiger 900 Rally Pro is available in Pure White, Sapphire Black and Matt Khaki colours.

Let’s check out what all is new here. We get a new 7 inches TFT instrument. There are also four different colour options to choose from and high/low contrast versions for good visibility in all lights. The 7” TFT screen is now bonded to the glass for a crisper image, with no reflective layer.

S P EC IFIC ATIO N S ENGINE 888cc, Liquid-cooled, 12 valve, DOHC, in-line 3-cylinder TRANSMISSION 6-Speed MAX POWER 93.9bhp@8,750rpm PEAK TORQUE 87Nm@7,250rpm TYRES Front: 90/90-21 Rear: 150/70R17

PRICE `15.50 lakh (ex showroom India)

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

NOVEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 35

WHEELZ & ROADZ A riding experience

The new Rally Pro gets new all-LED lighting, with DRLs LED auxiliary fog lights, a new up and down quickshifter which is standard in the Rally Pro, a new secure mobile phone storage and USB charging, illuminated switches with a 5-way joystick, electronic cruise control, etc. The Rally Pro gets a whole host of standard features like heated grips, heated seats for the rider and pillion, Tyre Pressure monitoring System and a centre stand.

master cylinder and ABS. Rear brakes are a single 255mm disc, Brembo single piston slilding caliper and ABS. The Rally Pro gets 935mm wide handlebars. The seat height is 850870mm adjustable. The motorcycle has a wheelbase of 1551mm and a dry weight of 201kg. The Rally Pro is the heaviest among the 3 models with the GT model being the lightest at 194kg.

ENGINE & PERFORMANCE

With TFT instrument styles designed specifically for connectivity, the integrated My Triumph connectivity system and app seamlessly enable phone call and music operation, turnby-turn navigation, and GoPro control – all accessed via the switch cubes and displayed on the 7” TFT screen. A secure compartment under the seat houses a handy 5V USB power socket to enable uninterrupted use of the My Triumph connectivity system.

The swing arm on both sides is made of cast aluminium alloy. The Rally Pro gets spoked tubeless wheels with front tyres at 90/90-21 and the rear tyre at 150/70 R17.

Since this new Tiger is a shade lighter than its predecessor Tiger 800, it’s more agile and easy to handle, especially for many of us Indians who are below six feet in height. I mean you can stand, sit, do whatever best a normal rider does, and you feel safe.

The front suspension comprising of Showa 45mm USD forks have a 240mm travel. They have features like manual preload, rebound damping and compression damping adjustment.

The rear suspension comprises Showa unit with manual preload and rebound damping adjustment. It has a 230mm wheel travel.

City riding comes very easy to this Rally Pro, though it is tuned for extreme off roading. In the city, this Tiger purred like a cat. I mean I found it extremely easy to maneuver and handle. It was not as though I had taken the Lord of the Jungle on a wrong tarmac.

Brakes in front include twin 320mm floating discs, Brembo Stylema 4 piston monobloc calipers, radial front

The new Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro is powered by a liquid-cooled, 12-valve, DOHC, in-line 3-cylinder, 888cc engine with a compression ratio of 11.27:1.

There is now more juice in the engine because you get power across the entire rev range, with 9% more in the mid-range. The engine is mated to 6-speed gearbox.

The new engine delivers massive 10% more peak torque than the previous Tiger 800 models, - now 87Nm at 7,250rpm with improved

36 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2020

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

WHEELZ & ROADZ

A riding experience

torque low down and across the rev range. Power is also up across the entire rev range, with 9% more in the mid-range, and 93.90hp peak power at 8,750rpm.

The new 1-3-2 firing order of the inline 3 has resulted in a lot more feedback from the engine to the rider, a distinctive engine sound, and improved throttle feel.

The new twin radiator set up apparently improves cooling performance and reduces the heat onto the rider. For me, the engine heat was never an issue while I was riding.

Features like the new optimised cornering ABS and optimised cornering traction control, controlled by an Inertial Measurement Unit will definitely thrill a professional rider. The bike comes with six different riding modes and each of these adjusts the throttle response accordingly. The other two trim levels only get four riding modes. The Rally Pro gets modes like Rain, Road, Sport, Off-Road, Riderconfigurable & Off-Road Pro. The new anti-stall feature on the Off-Road and Off-Road Pro modes automatically increases the idle revs to prevent stalling. Since we did not get the right terrain to test the latter mode, it is actually meant for advanced off-road adventure, with ABS and traction control turned off, and an off-road throttle map. I guess we will wait for another day to experience this versatile Off-Road Pro mode. Till then we just took turns riding the Tiger in both the urban jungle and the simple off road patches that are tucked away in corners of the sprawling city of Delhi.

VERDICT The Tiger 900 Rally Pro is a brilliant motorcycle for serious riders who have more than a fair share of off road riding in their life. With six different riding modes, this bike can virtually tackle any terrain, no matter how tough it is. All it requires is an equally capable rider with the right skills and good level of maturity.

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

NOVEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 37

WHEELZ & ROADZ A riding experience

REVIEW

BAJAJ DOMINAR 250

BUILT TO

DOMINATE! 38 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2020

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

WHEELZ & ROADZ

A riding experience

S P EC IFIC ATIO N S ENGINE 248.77cc, Single cylinder, 4 stroke, DOHC,4valve, Liquid cooled, Twin Spark ,FI TRANSMISSION 6-Speed MAX POWER 26.63hp@8500rpm PEAK TORQUE 23.5Nm@6500rpm SUSPENSION Front: Telescopic, 37mm USD Fork, 135mm travel Rear: Multi-step adjustable Mono shock with Nitrox, Wheel stroke of 110mm TYRES Front: 100/80-17” Tubeless Rear: 130/70-17” Tubeless

PRICE `1.65 lakh (ex-showroom India)

Report: P. Tharyan; Photography: Afsar Baig

T

o begin with, Bajaj Auto has positioned the Bajaj Dominar 250 very differently and very uniquely in the Indian motorcycle market.

Capitalising on its sporty looks and overall riding dynamics, it has categorised this motorcycle as a sports tourer.

from the Husqvarna family, the Svartpilen250 and the Vitpilen 250. Husqvarna is also in a roundabout way part of the larger Bajaj family. And so as to ensure that the Dominar 250 found its own large space, the company reengineered it and called it a sports tourer.

After introducing the Dominar 400 a few years ago, the company realised that a lot of youngsters were unlikely to consider the 400 as their first two-wheeler. Maybe the figure 400 sounds very intimidating or maybe it’s the cost that works out to Rs 2 lakh ex showroom that is irksome.

The new Dominar 250 costs around Rs 165,000 ex showroom which is around Rs 35,000 less than its elder sibling, the Dominar 400. It has 150cc less engine capacity than the latter. A lot of people would be asking, why should anybody buy the 250 model and not go in for the 400 when the price difference is so narrow? That’s where the marketing guys at Bajaj Auto have done their thorough homework and are convinced that the 250 will have lots of first time buyers.

The next thing they decided was not to go in for a fully faired bike; rather they felt a naked would do the right justice in terms of sporty looks. Besides, taking cues from the good looking Dominar 400, they reworked on an engine from their motorcycle family, the KTM 250 Duke and hey presto they had a little brother for the Dominar 400. The sound from the engine too is similar to that of its elder sibling.

As for competition, it has the Yamaha FZ25 and the Suzuki Gixxer 250 and within its family it has the KTM 250 Duke and the two handsome fellows

So what is a sports tourer? Unlike the laid back, almost old school kind of design that goes with touring bikes, this one has a very modern, compact and attractive design about it. If you look at the engine along with the twin barrel exhaust, it exhibits a macho character, yet youthful and sporty. The 17 inches tubeless tyres are mounted on alloy wheels that are equipped with disc brakes, twin channel ABS and radial caliper. I only wish the

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

NOVEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 39

WHEELZ & ROADZ A riding experience

rear tyre which is 130/70-17 could have been a little bit broader.

The bike comes with full LED mosaic shaped headlamp with AHO (Automatic headlamps on), while the rear gets smart tail lamp with light guides. I observed that the instrument cluster is borrowed from the first gen Dominar 400 and lacked a sharp display during the day when the sun is at its brightest. Unfortunately there is no gear shift indicator. The Dominar 250, however, gets an all digital odometer, tachometer with a graphic type of display, speedometer, time, fuel

40 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2020

indicator with a reserve light that blinks and a Neutral indicator. The switch on the left bottom controls the two trip meters.

Not to be missed is a display on the fuel tank that has check lights for ABS, engine temperature and battery, along with a Bajaj logo.

Well, this screen serves no real purpose as it is barely visible. All these features need to be included in the main instrument cluster.

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

WHEELZ & ROADZ

A riding experience

I personally think that Bajaj Auto has done a remarkable job with the new Dominar 250. It has made it with the purpose to reach out to the hundreds of thousands of youngsters who want their first bike to come with a combination of right features, styling, power and cost �

ENGINE & PERFORMANCE The Dominar 250 is powered by a fuel injected, liquid cooled 248.8cc DOHC engine, delivering 26.63hp and 23.5 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox.

The motorcycle also comes with a slipper clutch. Like the Dominar 400, it has a 37mm up-side down (USD) forks that ensures good handling and comfort.

For the brief ride experience with the Dominar 250, I was thoroughly impressed with its great road presence and stability. The bike is a lot better at higher rpm levels. It does not really love crawling because in gears 1, 2 and 3, the bike is restless and simply wants to speed up and settle at a higher rpm band. But once it picks up speed and hits the 80kmph plus figure, it is smooth sailing. At high speeds, the bike is absolutely stable and planted to the ground.

Some may argue that this bike could have been made lighter using light weighted parts, but then the flip side would have been that it would have been a lot costlier and light bikes do not make good cruisers, especially when one is on the highways.

VERDICT

The split seats are very comfortable and it features innovative bungee straps tucked under the rear seat so as to secure your gear while on those long tours.

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

I personally think that Bajaj Auto has done a remarkable job with the new Dominar 250. It has made it with the purpose to reach out to the hundreds of thousands of youngsters who want their first bike to come with a combination of right features, styling, power and cost.

This bike is so easy to ride, so dependable and has got enough power and good looks to make your heart skip a beat. At Bajaj Auto, the trophy needs to be shared not just by the engineers but also the marketing guys.

NOVEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 41

FEATURES

MG Gloster’s Day Out

D

on’t be misled by the sophisticated and urbane looks of the MG Gloster. The moment you put it to test in some of most inhospitable situations, it comes out as a tough machine. MG Motor India, the makers of the MG Gloster, invited Motown India to experience its SUV for a few hours at an off road camp on the outskirts of Delhi.

Features like 4x4, the different drive modes, be it mud or rock, were tested with some great results. Steep inclines, wet muddy tracks, water filled pits, uneven terrains with deep pits, each of these did not deter the Gloster from overcoming its hurdles . The pictures speak for themselves.

42 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2020

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

FEATURES

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

NOVEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 43

OnePlus TV Y Series 43-inch

OnePlus’ Y Series TVs distil the best of the brand’s premium offerings into an affordable package

Price: `23,999/Available on: www.oneplus.in/tv-y-series

44 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2020

A

lmost a year ago, when OnePlus announced its foray into the TV space with the Q1 Series, it brought in the very best that it could offer. The result was a TV filled to the brim with the latest and greatest that OnePlus had. Everything

from premium materials, a screen-tobody ratio of over 95 percent, a 50W sliding sound bar that added a sense of occasion, a 4K QLED panel with support for HDR 10+, to even a plethora of software improvements over and above Android TV, the Q1 delivered everything that consumers wanted in a TV and some more.

There was just one problem though, it was simply out of reach for most Indian buyers and at a time when HD Smart TVs are flooding the market for a fraction of the price, most buyers decided that they didn’t need all that the flagship OnePlus TV offered.

That said, if there is one thing that OnePlus does really well, it is listening to its consumers. Within a few months, OnePlus announced the far more affordable Y Series of TVs.

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

DIGI LIFE We have got our hands on a 43-inch specimen and after some time testing it, here are our thoughts.

The Y Series sits below the Q1 and U Series of televisions from OnePlus.

And the drop in price means that the Y Series gets a lower resolution Full HD panel instead of the 4K one in the Q1 and U Series models. But that is not a criticism at all and is expected from the segment. When it comes to the panel itself it has good viewing angles, great picture clarity, sharp colours and a certain crispness that you’d often find only in far more expensive TVs.With 93% DCI-P3 and 83% NTSC Colour Gamut for both the 32-inch as well as the 43-inch models, colour reproduction is good.

The 32-inch variant however, only gets a 720p resolution – par for the course considering the Rs. 13,999 price tag.

The Y Series TV feels sturdy and well put together and has a good screento-body ratio of over 90 per cent.

Materials used, although plastic for the most part, are of good quality and you would find very few people complaining.

The bulkier stand in the Q1 gives way to a smaller, more elegant design and on

the whole the Y Series will be a great addition to your living room.

The 20W speakers with Dolby Atmos can get really loud and most users would be more than satisfied with the audio quality. However, if I were to pick a bone with it, there is a discernible loss of clarity at high volumes. But that is something most users will possibly never notice.

Coming to the connected tech on offer, the Y Series has all its bases covered with Google Chromecast built-in, Android TV and OnePlus’ OxygenPlay. OnePlus has been steadily pushing OTA updates to the Y Series and we expect the software experience to get even better.

However, even without the considering the future updates that the Y Series could get, the seamlessness of the software integration should be a selling point in itself. With the Y Series, OnePlus has delivered a stellar product that is very easy to recommend to most buyers looking for an HD TV (with all the smarts) that doesn’t break the bank.

SPECIFICATIONS DISPLAY Screen Size Resolution Colour Gamut FEATURES OS Application Voice Control Application Store Casting CONNECTIVITY Wi-Fi Standard Bluetooth Ethernet Input Smart Phone Connect RF Connection Input HDMI Input AV Input (Composite) Digital Audio Output USB Port WEIGHT Weight

: 43 inch : 1920 x 1080 : DCI-P3 93% : Android TV 9.0 : Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube, Google Play Store : Google Assistant built-in; Works with Alexa : Google Play Store : Chromecast built-in : 2.4 GHz 802.11 b/g/n : 5.0 :1 : OnePlus Connect :1 :2 : 1 (RCA) : 1 (OPTICAL) :2 : 6 kg (5.7 kg without stand)

(Words by Afzal Rawuther)

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

NOVEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 45

CASE STUDY

46 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2020

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

CASE STUDY

TVS

SERIES

4 MILLION & counting Report: P. THARYAN

F

our million, by far, is not a small number. In October 2020, TVS Motor Company announced that it had achieved a global sales milestone of 4 million TVS Apache motorcycles.

In the year 2005, at a time when motorcycle sales in India were confined to commuter bikes with tepid power and lackluster styling, it took TVS Motor Company, often considered a conservative two-wheeler manufacturer based in South India to raise the bar in performance and styling. The birth of the TVS Apache 150 was the cornerstone in the company’s journey in premium motorcycles with a racing DNA.

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

NOVEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 47

CASE STUDY

“We started in 2005 because the Indian infrastructure was improving, the need for higher power vehicle to commute, to travel from one point to another, or occasionally go for a long ride was increasing. We wanted to do something very significant which will meet the customer requirement.

We wanted to offer something where the customer would have his own identity. This was the purpose with which we started this journey. Thus the first 150cc Apache was born,� recalls Meghashyam Dighole, Head,

48 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2020

TVS RACING DNA & THE BIRTH OF APACHE SERIES

afire with its two-seater mopeds. In the early 1980s, the TVS Racing team participated in their initial races astride the TVS 50 which dominated the racetrack at Sholavaram.

From the design and performance of TVS Apache motorcycles it is quite evident that racing has always been an integral part of the TVS Motor Company DNA. Much before the idea of an Apache series was even conceived, TVS Motor Company was setting the Sholavaram race track on the outskirts of Chennai in the southern state of Tamil Nadu

It took the company another 20 years to realise its dream of launching a premium motorcycle that could whet the appetite of a growing breed of young motorcycle riders in India who were looking for products that were stylish, responsive, youthful and affordable.

(Marketing) Premium Motorcycles, TVS Motor Company.

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

CASE STUDY

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

NOVEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 49

CASE STUDY

Thus, in order to enter the premium motorcycle segment with a new Apache performance motorcycle, the company went about doing its homework thoroughly. “A set of people was assigned the task to create something very special, a high performance machine that would meet customer demand.

A special team was made at that time. With that we started our journey. We talked to customers in various cities of the country.

We travelled pan India, we asked people what they expect from a performance motorcycle, what do they identify with, what are their aspirations, which bike do they look up to, what do they want in a new bike, etc. These types of questions are valid even today. The Apache brand is doing this exercise every year and that is why we are always ahead of our competition on several fronts”, says Dighole.

THE

JOURNEY

2005 –Launched TVS Apache 150 2006 – Launched TVS Apache RTR series with TVS Apache RTR 160 2008 – Launched TVS Apache RTR 160 Fuel Injection 2009 – Introduced TVS Apache RTR 180 2011 – Launched TVS Apache RTR 180 Dual Channel ABS– first Indian motorcycle equipped with ABS 2012 –All new Apache series with major style refresh and beast eyes LED lamps 2016 – Launched TVS Apache RTR 200 4V 2017 –Launched TVS Apache RR 310 2018 – Launched TVS Apache RTR 160 4V - the most powerful 160cc motorcycle in the country. It had an enviable acceleration of 0-60km in 4.8 second (EFI) and 4.73 seconds (Carb) and 16.8 PS. The motorcycle has best-in-class power-to-weight ratio as it embodies the racing DNA of the RTR 165 – a six-time INMRC winning machine 2018 –Introduced RT Slipper clutch on TVS Apache RTR 200 4V 2019 –Introduced TVS Apache RR 310 with RT Slipper Clutch 2019 –Introduced SmartXonnect in TVS Apache RTR 200 4V with race telemetry

He points out that even the top management of the company was excited about the company’s entry into a premium business. “There was definitely a very high interest among them because it not only helps the top line but also the bottom line and the brand image of the company,” he notes.

Within a year of the launch of the first Apache series, the TVS Apache 150, the company launched the TVS Apache RTR series with TVS Apache RTR 160. The RTR or Race Throttle Response series today comprises of the TVS Apache RTR 160, TVS Apache RTR 180, TVS Apache RTR 160 4V and TVS Apache RTR 200 4V. These motorcycles fall under the ‘Naked motorcycles’ category.

Thus, the TVS Apache series was literally born on the race track, incorporating learnings from TVS Racing – the factory racing team of TVS Motor Company, with a history of 38 years in motorsports. The brand which started rolling out from TVS Mysore plant in 2005 with Apache 150, has expanded to 2 Series (RTR –Race Throttle Response and RR- Race Replica) and five variants.

Dighole of TVS considers the company’s

50 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2020

2019 –TVS Apache RTR 200 4V and TVS Apache RTR 160 4V transition with BS-VI engine. Equipped with Race Tuned-Fuel Injection (RT-Fi) technology, Glide Through Technology (GTT), New and enhanced LED DRLs 2020 –Launched 2020 TVS Apache RR 310 with ride modes, 5” TFT cluster, TVS SmartXonnect, throttle by wire and Glide Through Technology + 2020 October-- Launched new TVS Apache RTR 200 4V (dual-channel ABS) motorcycle with innovative segment-first features The motorcycle comes with three ride modes, namely Sport, Urban and Rain / Adjustable suspension / Adjustable brakes and clutch levers with 3 step adjustment.

move to introduce the TVS Apache RTR 160, as a smart one. “That was a very smart move from our team to go into 160cc where we could go for a very specific performance ratio with bore to stroke. We also wanted to offer a performance that would be unmatched by competition. Competition was around 150cc at that time. We first increased the capacity of the engine, and we also increased our performance i.e. specific power per litre.

That’s how we created a very powerful vehicle in that segment. And that is how it became an instant success,” he states.

He emphasises that the journey from Apache basic to Apache RTR was quite significant. “That is where our complete racing experience came into picture. The changes we did with the RTR include clip on handle bar, aggressive ergonomics,

aggressive stance of the rider, the type of foot peg we selected, etc were all about racing. We made the vehicle lighter and faster, besides making it sharp and agile. We did a lot of work on suspension and handling, from our journey from Apache to Apache RTR. It was used by our race riders on the race track and for all who wanted to race,” he says emphatically.

Much later in 2017, on the Super Sport front, the brand introduced TVS Apache RR 310 as their first entrant into the RR (Race Replica) category. With this launch, the Apache series from TVS had established itself as an aspirational brand for a generation of young motorcycle enthusiasts in the country who were not ready to compromise on performance and style. All the racing in the early 1980s had finally

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

CASE STUDY

A special team was made at that time. With that we started our journey. We talked to customers in various cities of the country. We travelled pan India, we asked people what they expect from a performance motorcycle, what do they identify with, what are their aspirations, which bike do they look up to, what do they want in a new bike, etc. These types of questions are valid even today.

The Apache brand is doing this exercise every year and that is why we are always ahead of our competition on several fronts. ” ~ MEGHASHYAM DIGHOLE, Head, (Marketing) Premium Motorcycles, TVS Motor Company

borne fruit for the company in the form of the Apache series.

“RR, I would say, came much later in the Apache life cycle. RR we started around 2013-14 when we had an agreement with BMW for manufacturing motorcycles for them. At that time there was no clear performance race replica in the country. We thought that was a very good opportunity to give a true performance bike. That’s where the journey for RR started. As for moving to 310 from 200, we wanted to take a big jump with what our collaboration partner wanted to do. It was a combination of what our collaborator wanted to do and what the collaboration wanted. We wanted to take a significant jump,” Dighole reiterates.

The TVS Apache RR 310, in fact, first took shape as a prototype model called the TVS Akula under the common platform with BMW, which was showcased at the 2016 Auto Expo. Even though both the companies used the same platform, each one had their own approach to design and develop the products in line with the focused strategy and targeted markets.

Adds Dighole, “When we unveiled the motorcycle in 2016 Auto Expo, it was an overnight sensation in the country. We got a lot of good response from our customers.

Customers started sensing what direction we

were taking in our performance segment. We got a lot of appreciation from the public, the media and even from international experts.

That is where the RR story started. We then made a production version on that and finally launched the RR 310 in December 2017.”

TVS APACHE SERIES, AHEAD OF THE CURVE The Indian premium motorcycle industry

comprises products between 150cc to 200cc and below Rs 1.4 lakh price point.

The industry today includes products like Apache RTR Series, Honda Unicorn, Hornet and Xblade, Yamaha FZ & Fazer, Bajaj Pulsar, Suzuki Gixxer, Hero Xtreme and XPulse.

The TVS Apache RTR series has a market share of 22.6% in the premium segment, thus becoming the 2nd largest player in the segment.

INDUSTRY AND SEGMENT FIRST FEATURES INTRODUCED BY TVS APACHE SERIES ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆

1st company to introduce fuel injection technology in Apache RTR 160 Rotor petal brake – 1st in segment launched in 2009 Dual Channel ABS in Apache RTR 180 Rear Disc brake in Apache RTR 160 Slipper Clutch on Apache RTR 200 SmartXConnect technology which is class leading in Apache RR 310 DRL / LED position lamps in 2012 Ride modes in a premium segment motorcycle GTT – Glide through Technology Bi-led headlights in the Apache RR 310 Ride by wire and TFT cluster – class leading Superior and best-in-class aerodynamics Heat management in Apache RR 310 Radial tyres in the Apache RTR 200 Introduction of Michelin 5’ wet-grip tyres in the Apache RR 310 by any OEM partner 0-60 recorder, lap timer, top speed recorded – cluster features – 1st in segment

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

NOVEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 51

CASE STUDY

TVS MotoSoul 2019 held in Goa. File Photo/ Motown India

As for the Super Premium Industry, this comprises products above 200cc and above Rs 1.5 lakh price point). The sports segment within this Industry includes products like Apache RR 310, KTM Duke 250/390, KTM RC 390, Dominar 250/400, Honda CBR 250,CB 300R, Yamaha R3, Husqvarna and Suzuki Gixxer 250, among others. The TVS RR310 has an 8 per cent market share in the super premium industry. But if one

52 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2020

were to see the fully faired Industry above 200cc where the likes of KTM RC 390, Honda CBR 250, Yamaha R3, Ninja 300 and Suzuki Gixxer 250 are present, the TVS RR 310 has a 67 per cent market share. “The only way to deal with competition which we all respect is by our performance. We had to always look inward as to what all we could do to improve our

performance and how we can refine our products. That is where the 4V series came into picture. With 4V the kind of success we got was phenomenal. That was the only way to startle the competition. I think we did fairly well and even now we are doing. If you look at our history, we offered many technologies that even our international competitors did not think of launching in India.

For example, in 2008 there was no

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

CASE STUDY

CONNECTING WITH THE AUDIENCE Over time, Apache has developed an audience of its own - termed as informed enthusiasts - who understand racing and prefers performance. The brand engages with the customers through a series of initiatives and events.

To further entrench the essence of the brand, TVS Motor Company invested in a tradition of experiential events. The latest addition to the Customer Experience Programme has been MotoSoul. Launched in in 2019, MotoSoul is the flagship event of TVS to create a platform for TVS Apache. The event is an international platform to engage with customers as well as an opportunity for global performance motorcycle enthusiasts to experience our products, interact with our racers, experts, and be united by their passion for motorcycling.

reservation or compulsion, but we were the first to launch fuel injection.

Same with Dual channel ABS. We knew what was happening on Indian roads, what customers needed in terms of road safety etc. Mandatory norms for ABS came into force in India only last year. We introduced our dual channel ABS which is a top notch ABS even today, in 2011. We were keeping ourselves far ahead of our international competition,” points out Dighole.

Championship – RR 310, a new initiative by TVS Racing was developed to support and nurture young talent in motorsport across the country. Conducted as part of the Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship (INMRC), the racers compete astride the Race Spec TVS Apache RR 310.

The AOG – Apache Owners Group was formed in 2017. It is a community of passionate and like-minded Apache riders. From every corner of the country, enthusiasts join to experience the thrill of riding, explore new, unchartered courses that challenge their prowess, and enhance riding skills by learning from experts and sharing knowledge about the performance machine.

The community spans across 52 cities in India and major international markets with a brotherhood of 30,000+ customers.

“The TVS MotoSoul will be an annual event as we had announced last year. We were all geared up to do the show, but unfortunately because of the pandemic we do not have permission from the government. It is also our social responsibility that we avoid such gathering as we value human life. We do not want to take any kind of risk with our customers and fan base. We are all riders, we all are racing enthusiasts, we want to have a fantastic life, but at the same time we cannot ignore safety,” says Dighole.

Then there is the Apache Racing Experience (ARE). This is the flagship property of TVS Racing & TVS Apache series, providing a racing experience for the TVS Apache customers. ARE was started by TVS Racing in 2007 with an objective of providing an experience to the customers on the race track. It aims to impart riding & racing techniques under the aegis of TVS Racing champion riders– Jagan Kumar, KY Ahamed, Harry Sylvester, and Aishwarya Pissay to showcase the limits of the machine on the track. The philosophy of ARE is – “The bikes we race are the bikes we sell”.

Though TVS MotoSoul has been among the latest events from TVS Motor Company, it has been connecting with the racing community. Every year since 1994, TVS Racing has been organising OMC – One Make Championship (Now with RTR 200, RR 310, Women’s Championship & Young Media Programme) and has become a much anticipated and acclaimed annual motorcycling event. It is a platform for young aspiring racers to showcase their skills and take up motorsports professionally. It has been a successful initiative; and has been replicated by many others in the industry to identify and handpick aspiring racers.

The brand also organises thrilling stunt shows under the banner of Apache Pro Performance (APP) and Apache Pro Performance Extreme (APPX) which creates widespread customer engagement. The company also started TVS Racing Training school in 2017 with the objective to promote motorsport in India. It provides a platform to racing enthusiasts to learn the skills and techniques for racing from national champions TVS Racing with the aim of building and nurturing future riders down the line through multiple levels of training.

In June 2018, TVS Apache One Make

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

“We started our Apache Owners Group in 2017 and that started giving us huge

NOVEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 53

CASE STUDY

We are studying all kinds of forms that are getting popular in the country. We are studying what are the new needs that are emerging in the country. The rate at which Indian road infrastructure is improving is phenomenal. The quality of the road that we have today and the rate at which it is going up is also fantastic. Considering this, the need for long distance travel is increasing. We are going to study this closely and we will offer what the customer wants. You will see some steps in different directions from our side. ” input directly from the customers. When you sit with your customer for a one-hour discussion versus with you ride with him for two days, it’s a completely different kind of environment. Remember, it is not only the direct feedback that the customer gives. We try to understand their lifecycle, etc and try to make our products better to meet their needs. We are the industry experts and it is our duty to find out what the customer wants. We listen to them, understand their needs and try to given an answer through the right technology. That is why we are ahead and we are doing very well,” claims Dighole.

On being asked whether the Apache series would always embody speed and style, or would it incorporate elements of laid back cruising to take on existing players in this domain, Dighole answers, “We are studying all kinds of forms that are getting popular in the country. We are studying what are the new needs that are emerging in the country. The rate at which Indian road

54 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2020

infrastructure is improving is phenomenal.

The quality of the road that we have today and the rate at which it is going up is also fantastic. Considering this, the need for long distance travel is increasing. We are going to study this closely and we will offer what the customer wants. You will see some steps in different directions from our side”.

The success of the Apache brand has led to an extension of the company’s presence in performance gear and other activities.

Dighole feels there is a lot to be offered in this segment. “With AOG study, we have gone so close to the actual use of the customer with all the technical experts living with them, we realised that in the country there is hardly any availability of performance gear which are authentic products tested by the experts and that offer good protection and meets the highest safety standards. That is why we started taking interest in that. We launched our first series in MotoSoul 2019.

From that point onward we are continuously

launching new products. Several additions to our portfolio is done regularly for lifestyle as well as riding gear. We are getting huge response from our online sales. These are available across our dealerships now.

You can just walk into any of these 3000 odd outlets and buy our merchandise. The biggest traction we are getting is from online and today is the era of online buying. Soon you will see introduction on e-commerce sites. We are already available on Flipkart and are progressing with others too,” he says.

FOUR MILLION AND GROWING Today TVS Apache is either No.1 or No.2 in all markets it operates in, around 25 countries around the world. The key markets for Apache are Latin America, South Asia and West Africa. Notable among these are Colombia, Guatemala, Bangladesh, Nepal, Guinea and Mali.

Despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic,

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

CASE STUDY

the company is witnessing strong demand from the Middle East and recovery from traditional markets in South Asia, West Africa and Latin America.

Meanwhile, so as to commemorate the 4 million global sales milestone celebrations, TVS Motor Company, in collaboration with its TVS Apache customers created the “Longest Chequered Flag” spanning a length of 957 feet. Sourcing images from their customers globally, the flag is an expression of gratitude for their love and faith in the brand. With over 2,000 images, the chequered flag has set the record in the Asia Book of Records and India

Book of Records for creating the longest chequered flag at its TVS Mysore Factory.

Dighole feels that there is a lot more to look forward to. “Apache has been continuously working with upgrades and refreshes and we have been continuously raising our performance bar. This journey will continue and we will offer new innovative solutions from customers. Now we have one more domain where we can offer better services i.e. merchandise and very innovative accessories. The work is on full swing and soon you will hear good announcement from us,” he concludes.

On November 4, 2020, the company announced the launch of the new TVS Apache RTR 200 4V (dual-channel ABS) motorcycle with innovative segment-first features The motorcycle comes with three ride modes, namely Sport, Urban and Rain, Adjustable suspension and Adjustable brakes and clutch levers with 3 step adjustment. It simply signifies that the company is firing on all cylinders when it comes to its Apache series of motorcycles. Looking back, the first 4 million TVS Apache global sales milestone took the company almost 15 years. Dighole is confident that the next few millions would come a lot sooner.

New TVS Apache RTR 200 4V launched at `1.31 lakh

T

VS Motor Company has introduced the new TVS Apache RTR 200 4V (dual-channel ABS) motorcycle with innovative segment-first features. The new TVS Apache RTR 200 4V is priced at Rs 1,31,050 (ex-showroom Delhi).

The new TVS Apache RTR 200 4V motorcycle will be available starting in three colours namely, Gloss Black, Pearl White and the newly launched Matte Blue.

The Apache brand recently celebrated its 4 million global sales milestone. The new TVS Apache RTR 200 4V motorcycle is engineered with three ride modes, namely Sport, Urban and Rain. This intelligent system will enable riders to shift between ride modes on the fly, using the ride mode switch on the handlebar. ◆ The Urban Mode accounts for the engine power delivery tuned to deliver optimum power and control to tame the urban jungle, with the ABS optimised for a quick response.

strong lever pulsation feel. It triggers the ABS to come in early, for perfect response in wet road condition, keeping the rider in control of the vehicle. ◆ The Sport Mode allows for maximum power and sharp acceleration to take on the track or the highway. The ABS is mapped for the least intervention and highest permissible slip percentage for faster lap times.

tuned for an enhanced track performance.

It comes with adjustable brakes and clutch levers with 3 step adjustment, which are ergonomically designed basis the phalange of the middle finger, and cover 5 to 95 percentile of riders. Additionally, the motorcycle has become lighter with one kg weight reduction, and refinements in the brake system have been made to deliver a sharper and improved brake performance.

The motorcycle will now be equipped with first-in-segment adjustable suspension. The all new high-performance Showa front suspension comes with a preloaded adjustment that allows the rider to choose between a plush ride or track ride, while the new Showa rear suspension is

◆ The Rain Mode primes the ABS to deliver the maximum response with a

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

NOVEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 55

B2B NEWS

By 2030 4W passenger vehicles, buses will see least e-adoption at 12-15% Shifting gears: The evolving electric vehicle landscape in India-Report by KPMG-CII In another decade or so, by 2030, while buses and 4-wheeled passenger vehicles will have the least level of electric adoption, it will be two and three wheelers that will see a large adoption of electric vehicles. Two-wheeler (2W) and Three-wheeler (3W) auto segments are likely to lead the adoption curve followed by e-buses and passenger taxis.

While 4W passenger vehicle (PV) electrification is expected to follow, with 10 to 15 per cent penetration in the personal segment and 20 to 30 per cent in the commercial one by 2030, about 10 to 12 per cent of the overall market for buses is expected to be electrified by 2030.

These projections were revealed in a report

by KPMG and CII. The report is titled, “Shifting gears: the evolving electric vehicle landscape in India.” This report offers a holistic view of how EVs are emerging as a disruptive force, with OEMs making investments in product development, players across the ecosystem testing and discovering new innovative business models and use cases.

KPMG in India expects 25 to 35 per cent 2W penetration, and 65 to 75 per cent in 3Ws by 2030. Since the running cost of EVs is much lower than ICE vehicles (one-tenth for 2W and 3W), a strong case emerges for a

shift to EVs in B2B. Many large B2B players in e-commerce, grocery, food, courier delivery have been piloting EVs and some have moved into advanced stages of deployment.

Battery swapping, Energy as a Service etc. are being deployed to reduce upfront investment, improve vehicle uptime, eliminate range anxiety etc. Thus, we see the entire EV ecosystem come together and make EV ownership with accelerated timelines a reality, the report noted.

It further observed that to drive EV adoption, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and the government, both at state and central levels, need to work collaboratively towards an integrated policy, creating a conducive ecosystem for India’s electric mobility vision Currently, only a few state EV policies provide guidelines and incentives on battery recycling. Given this, a coherent recycling policy is the need of the hour.

Rohan Rao, Partner – Industrials and Automotive, KPMG in India said, “ Electric Vehicles (EVs) are on course to fulfil their promise as a game changer for the automobile industry. Two-wheeler (2W) and Threewheeler (3W) auto segments are likely to lead the adoption curve followed by e-buses and

passenger taxis. Directionally several factors, including availability of charging infrastructure, robust financing ecosystem, reduced battery prices and increased customer awareness, are paving the way for new era of EV adoption.

“The government is also pushing EV policy to address some of the adoption barriers.

EV is, thus, emerging as a disruptive force, with several players experimenting with and discovering new innovative business models and use cases. Since the running cost of EVs is much lower than Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles (one-tenth for 2W and 3W), a strong case emerges for a shift to EVs in B2B segment. Ecosystem creation is the key.

A widespread network of charging stations is vital for ensuring the fast adoption of EVs. Moreover, the local component ecosystem needs to be established. The government has launched a Phased Manufacturing Programme under FAME-II through which it is pushing the indigenisation of parts. The government has also outlined plans to set up a battery manufacturing plants in India Overall, there seems to be great promise in India’s EV story, as all the above factors come together to drive long-term growth.”

Jeffry Jacob, Partner, Management Consulting - Industrials and Automotive, KPMG in India said, “ EVs are undoubtedly

Electric Vehicles (EVs) are on course to fulfil their promise as a game changer for the automobile industry. Two-wheeler (2W) and Three-wheeler (3W) auto segments are likely to lead the adoption curve followed by e-buses and passenger taxis.

Directionally several factors, including availability of charging infrastructure, robust financing ecosystem, reduced battery prices and increased customer awareness, are paving the way for new era of EV adoption.”

~ ROHAN RAO, Partner – Industrials and Automotive, KPMG 56 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2020

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

B2B NEWS

the way forward for sustainable mobility and is increasingly gaining traction across the world. In India, the charge is being led by 2W and 3W segments, followed by public transport and non-public passenger fleet. One of the biggest hurdles India currently faces is our limited ecosystem for EVs. Significant number of critical components still continues to be largely imported and the charging infrastructure is largely inadequate. However the industry and Government are proactively working to address these constraints and are taking steps in the right direction.

“Several leading states have released EV policies with clear focus on driving increased adoption through both demand and supply led incentives. Subsidies are being linked to higher level of localization to promote ‘Make in India’ and establish a strong EV ecosystem in India.

India has already achieved global excellence in the automotive industry and is a major exporter of vehicles and critical components globally. With the right focus, collaborative

approach by all stakeholders and a pragmatic policy we can help drive clean mobility and be on the forefront in transitioning to a fossil free future as well.”

THE KPMG REPORT HAS SUGGESTED CERTAIN RECOMMENDATIONS THAT INCLUDE: State EV policies could lay a greater focus on demand incentives that shall bring down the upfront cost differential State EV polices could have certain targets for conversion of EVs, at a segment level or for a particular industry/use case Setting up of adequate charging infrastructure is key to encourage users to consider EVs EVs could be promoted by encouraging users to purchase/use EVs over ICE vehicles with measures such as increasing road tax/ registration fees on ICE vehicles, levying cess

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

on the sale of petrol/diesel or surcharge on parking, providing incentives on scrapping and deregistering of ICE vehicles The vehicle scrappage policy is expected to spur the adoption of EVs. As more EVs enter the market, there is a need to formulate clear policies on sustainable end-of-life and disposal practices for the EV industry. Corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) norms will mandate automakers to have a certain percentage of their vehicle sales as electric.

The report also highlights the Total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis for different vehicle segments, few models that have been introduced in the Indian market to boost the adoption of EVs, and how the B2B segment is likely to lead growth in the next few years on account of established use cases, fixed/ predefined routes and cost savings due to higher utilisation.

NOVEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 57

B2B NEWS

Harley- Davidson begins new journey in India with Hero MotoCorp A month after US motorcycle major Harley-Davidson announced its decision to shut its manufacturing unit in India, comes the news that Harley-Davidson and India’s leading motorcycle and scooter manufacturer Hero MotoCorp will be riding together in India.

As per a distribution agreement, Hero MotoCorp will sell and service HarleyDavidson motorcycles, and sell parts &accessories and general merchandise riding gear and apparel through a network of brand-exclusive Harley-Davidson dealers and

Hero’s existing dealership network in India.

As part of a licensing agreement, Hero MotoCorp will develop and sell a range of premium motorcycles under the Harley-Davidson brand name. According to a press release, these actions are aligned with HarleyDavidson’s business overhaul, The Rewire, and the company’s announcement in September to change its business model in India.

This arrangement is mutually beneficial for both

Ather Energy introduces a Buyback programme on the Ather 450X Ather Energy is introducing an ‘Assured Buyback’ programme for the Ather 450X. Ather Energy is guaranteeing a buyback for the Ather 450X at Rs 85,000, at the end of three years.

One of India’s few “Make in India” EV manufacturers, Ather Energy has built its own li-ion battery packs and an overall robust platform in the Ather 450 product line. The reliability of the product line has been tested since 2018 in Bengaluru and later in Chennai, and on seeing the high consistency in performance, Ather Energy has launched a unique buyback plan.

The high reliability of the product will ensure that the scooters will command a strong value in the resale market, as witnessed by existing owners of Ather 450.

58 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2020

companies and riders in India, as it brings together HarleyDavidson brand with the strong distribution network and customer service of

Hero MotoCorp, the release added. Harley –Davidson had a manufacturing unit in Bawal in the north Indian state of Haryana.

ACMA Automechanika New Delhi to be held in April 2021 Finally there will be a physical meeting with the 2021 edition of ACMA Automechanika New Delhi show being organised in April 2021. This will be the first meeting point for “face-to-face networking” to revive trade discussions, after the restrictions imposed by the covid pandemic. With a view to create a stronger business impact, Messe Frankfurt India together with Auto Component Manufacturers of India (ACMA) have announced that the 5th edition will take place from April 22 –25, 2021.

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

B2B NEWS

Maruti Suzuki, Microsoft introduce HAMS technology for driver training Maruti Suzuki India in collaboration with Microsoft Research India has developed a smart phone based technology for testing applicants seeking driver’s license. The technology - HAMS (Harnessing Automobile for Safety) - has been deployed at Automated Driving Test Centre (ADTC), Dehradun in association with the Transport Department, Government of Uttarakhand.

The technology is being developed and tested jointly by Maruti Suzuki-promoted Institute of Driving and Traffic Research (IDTR) and Microsoft Research India.

Maruti Suzuki has partnered with State Governments to set up state-of-the-art Automated

Driving Test Centres. These centres are equipped with advanced video analytic technology to check driving skills of the applicants and replace manual assessment of candidates.

Lanxess offers new flame-retardant thermoplastic composite materials Tepex continuous-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites from Lanxess are characterised by their high inherent flame-retardant properties. One of the reasons for this is their high fiber content. They therefore already pass many of the flammability tests required for typical applications without flame protection. However, for some applications – such as housings for control cabinets or components of high-voltage batteries for electric vehicles – a V-0 classification in the UL 94 flammability test from the US testing institute Underwriters Laboratories Inc. is often mandatory. For such cases, Lanxess has developed three new halogen-free, flame-retardant Tepex variants with a polyamide 6 matrix.

Deployment of HAMS at ADTC Dehradun has brought encouraging changes in the testing process. It takes only 10 minutes to complete the test and generate the report.

The average pass rate now stands at 54% as compared to over 90% in the earlier manual testing mode.

The feedback from the candidates, including those who fail the test, has been positive. The candidates appreciate the objectivity and transparency of the entire process.

Maruti Suzuki Alto continues strong after 20 years with record sales Maruti Suzuki Alto has completed 20 years of existence with more than 40 lakh customers. With such record sales, it has established itself as an icon in the Indian automobile industry. The Maruti Suzuki Alto has undergone multiple changes and upgrades in the last 2 decades which has made it more contemporary, feature loaded and aligned to the evolving needs of the customer.

The winning proposition for Alto is its unique blend of compact captivating design, easy maneuverability, high fuel-efficiency, upgraded safety, comfort features and low cost of acquisition. The Alto today offers premium features such as touchscreen SmartPlay infotainment system, ABS with EBD, Dual tone interiors, Dual airbags etc.

Alto was launched in the year 2000, and by 2004 it had already become India’s no.1 selling car. By 2008, Alto reached the milestone of being a part of 10 lakh happy customers’ families. The next milestone of 20 lakh sales was crossed in 2012, followed by 30 lakhs in 2016. Recently in August, 2020, Alto crossed the remarkable 40 lakh sales figure. The unparalleled mass acceptance of Alto has helped it emerge as the largest selling model in the highly competitive passenger car segment every year since the past 16 years.

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

NOVEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 59

B2B NEWS

Mercedes-Benz starts local production of AMG in India Mercedes-Benz India has commenced local production of the first-ever AMG vehicle in India- the AMG GLC 43 4MATIC Coupé. With this Mercedes-Benz India will be producing the new generation cars (NGC), the sedans, the SUVs and now the AMG performance cars in one facility. Mercedes-Benz India’s production facility in Pune has an installed capacity of 20,000 units annually, largest for any luxury car maker in India.

The first ever ‘Made in India’ AMG, an AMG GLC 43 4MATIC Coupé, was driven out of the assembly lines by Martin Schwenk, Managing Director & CEO and Piyush Arora, Executive Director, Operations. The AMG GLC 43 4MATIC Coupé combines the elegance of a coupé with dynamics of a sports car and versatility of the Mercedes-Benz GLC . The 3.0-litre V6 biturbo engine now produces 390 hp which is 23 hp more than previous model.

Motherson Sumi Systems acquires Bombardier EWIS business in Mexico Motherson Sumi Systems Limited (MSSL), via its Mexican subsidiary, Motherson Rolling Stocks S. de R.L. de C.V. (MRS), has signed an asset sale and purchase agreement to acquire the activities of Electrical Wiring Interconnection Systems (EWIS) performed at Bombardier Transportation’s manufacturing site in Huehuetoca, Mexico (BT Ensambles México) . MRS is part of the Motherson Rolling Stock Division which designs and manufactures electrical cabinets, power packs and electrical distribution systems for leading rolling stock manufacturers. MSSL, through PKC Group (acquired in March 2017), is engaged in the manufacturing of wiring harnesses for rolling stock, mainly in Europe and the Americas region.

In 2019, the company through its subsidiary Motherson Rolling Stock Systems GB Limited, UK (MRSS) acquired Bombardier’s UK rolling stock electrical component and systems business in Derby. Now, with the execution of this definitive agreement between MRS and Bombardier, the relationship will expand to Mexico. The transaction includes the transfer of assets, employees and inventories, on a debt-free and cash-free basis and is valued at around US $ 10 million approx. (subject to customary adjustments). The revenue of the said business was US $ 25 million for calendar year 2019. The transaction is subject to customary closing events and expected to complete in Q4 FY20-21.

Mercedes-Benz India sells 5007 units in January-September 2020 Luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz sold 5007 units in the January- September 2020 period of nine months and continued its sales recovery amid prevalent market challenges which are influenced strongly by the COVID-19 pandemic.In view of the current situation, Mercedes-Benz India has strengthened its online offering. As part of its online sales focus, Mercedes-Benz India has been offering a complete online customer journey experience. The company has been collaborating closely with its retail partners to offer the best customer experience to MercedesBenz customers. In July-September 2020 period, Mercedes-Benz India online car booking contributed up to 20% of sales volume, underscoring the growing prominence of online sales platforms and the changing consumer preference for online shopping.

60 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2020

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

B2B NEWS

Tata Technologies, GKN Automotive join forces; Set up Global E-Mobility Software Engineering centre Tata Technologies, a global engineering and product development digital services company, and GKN Automotive, a global leader in driveline systems and advanced ePowertrain technologies, announced the opening of an advanced, global e-mobility software engineering centre in Bengaluru, India.

best talent to develop GKN Automotive’s future advanced e-powertrain capabilities supplying global automotive manufacturers.

The new centre will leverage Tata Technologies’ expertise in electric and embedded systems as well as its ability to attract India’s software engineering talent to work on GKN Automotive’s nextgeneration e-Drive technologies, reshaping the future of sustainable e-mobility.

The ambition is to have a workforce of more than 100 world class software engineers and support staff by the end of 2020.An accelerated recruitment drive is already in place to attract India’s

Suzuki’s Gujarat Plant reaches 1 million units production milestone Suzuki Motor Gujarat Private Limited (SMG), a subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation for the production of automobiles in India, has achieved accumulated automobile production of 1 million units on October 21, 2020.

SMG becomes the fastest production site of Suzuki to reach 1 million units in just 3 years and 9 months since starting production in February2017. The model that attained this feat was Baleno, which is exclusively manufactured in India, in line with “Make in India” initiatives of the Government of India.

SMG started production of Baleno in February 2017, followed by the production of Swift in January 2018, and subsequently started production for exports in March 2018. In January

2019, the second production site, B Plant, and the Powertrain Plant started operation to meet the growing needs in India and abroad.

In FY2019, Suzuki sold approximately 1.44 million units (82% year-on-year), and produced approximately 1.58 million units (85% year-on-year) in India, of which SMG accounted for 25% of production units in India at approximately 410,000 units (141% year-on-year).

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

Spread across a 12,650 sq.ft. area, the centre houses a design studio, lab stations, meeting and conference rooms, and a wellness center. In spite of the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the centre was completed in just six months, from layout to construction. It will open in phases and follow strict hygiene, sanitization and social distancing practices currently being implemented across all Tata Technologies facilities.

Tata Motors rolls out the 1,50,000th Nexon SUV Tata Motors has rolled out the 1,50,000th Nexon from its Ranjangaon facility in Pune.

Tata Nexon achieved the 1st 50,000 milestone on Sept’18, followed by the 1,00,000 on Sept’19 .

Since its launch in 2017, the Nexon has been the flag bearer of Tata Motors’ commitment to road safety. As the first car in India to receive a full 5-star adult safety rating by Global NCAP, an internationally renowned safety accreditation body in 2018, the Nexon has paved the way for other cars from Tata Motors like Altroz, Tiago and Tigor to establish new benchmarks in car safety in each of their respective segments.

The recently launched BS6 version has further helped establish Nexon, with its segment leading safety, design and performance. The Nexon continues to garner great response from customers and its demand has been consistently increasing leading to the highest ever sales in Oct 2020.

NOVEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 61

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

With the Rage range of electric 3-wheelers, the company is aiming to be a serious player in the electric vehicle segment that caters primarily to commercial applications. Their current products come under the L5N category. The company has earmarked `200 crore for this electric vehicle business and hopes to enter into strategic alliances for funding and technology.�

62 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2020

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

DRIVEN

OMEGA CARGO ELECTRIC 3-WHEELER

CHARGING THE CV SPACE

T

he Rs 1000 crore Uday Narang controlled Anglian Omega is a diversified group with interests in alloy bright steel bars for automotive, machined components for engine and powertrain, sheet metal fabrication parts for non automotive industry and electric vehicles.

Omega Bright Steel is the flagship company. Omega Seiki Mobility plans to roll out electric vehicles in India. At the Auto Expo earlier this year, they unveiled the Singha 3-wheeler load carriers.

Now the name Singha has been replaced by Rage and Rage+. We got an opportunity to test drive the Rage+ electric 3 wheeler which the company intends rolling out soon.

Omega Seiki focuses on manufacturing cold-forming parts for the automotive & rail industries in India and abroad. At present the company has its base in Faridabad & Chennai which cater to the two major hubs for OEM’s in India.

Now coming to their latest product, the Rage range of electric 3-wheelers, the company is aiming to be a serious player in the electric vehicle segment that caters primarily to commercial applications. Their current products

Report: P. Tharyan; Photography: Afsar Baig come under the L5N category. The company has earmarked Rs 200 crore for this electric vehicle business and hopes to enter into strategic alliances for funding and technology.

The Rage+ cargo EV is 3200mm in length, 1475mm in width and 1710mm in height. The loading area is 1730mm in length, 1475 mm in width and 260mm in height. The vehicle can carry around 500 kilos of cargo and the vehicle by itself weighs around 480kg.

The vehicle can reach a top speed of 45kmph which is more than adequate for a cargo vehicle of this nature.

In the next five years, the company plans to make a range of electric vehicles that would include cargo

S P EC IFIC ATIONS

On a full charge, this vehicle can travel around 70km to 80 km with full load. The batteries are 48V lithium ion and it takes 3-4 hours to fully charge them. The rated power of the motor is 4.8kw. The vehicle has a maximum gradeability of 16 per cent with full load.

MOTOR 4.8kW BATTERY Li-ion 48V, capacity - 7.5kWh TRANSMISSION Independent CHARGING TIME 3-4 hrs VEHICLE CATEGORY - L5N Cargo category MAX GRADEABILITY -16% SUSPENSION Front: Damper + Helical,

Rear: Independent suspension + Dampers

DIMENSIONS (Lxwxh - mm)

Loading -1730 X 1475 X260, Vehicle dimension - 3200 x1475 x1710 RANGE 70-80 kms/charge, Top Speed 45kmph

3-wheelers, four-wheelers and twowheelers. The company hopes to scale up in the B2B segment first before setting foot in the more demanding B2C segment.

RAGE+ Features and Performance

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

Unlike a plush sedan or a hatchback, this electric 3-wheeler comes with some basic features.

The Rage+ is decent to look at and is very conventional in its design. The names Rage + and OSM are prominently written on the vehicle’s body. The bench seat can accommodate one burly person or two slim adults. The seat is decently cushioned and comes with a back rest.

A similar padded support should have also been there at the head level too.

The interiors are sparse and since it is not mandatory to have seat belts in

NOVEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 63

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

such vehicles, this vehicle has none. Like a scooter handle, the Rage + too has a similar handle. It has an accelerator on the right with a few switches for horn, indicators and headlamp beam adjustment.

On the dashboard you have a large knob on your left which resembles the regulator knob on your gas stove. That is the one that needs to be turned to engage the Reverse, Neutral, Forward and Boost functions.

In front of the driver you have three large switches for hazard lights, headlight and rear lights and one for the wiper. Towards the centre you have a small screen on which you get a digital display of your battery level, speed, odometer reading and drive position. You have small indicators on either side of the screen which glows once you engage the turn indicators, the hazard lights, the headlamp, battery charging, hand brake etc. Just below the dash you have the ignition key and a large red button. The red button is pressed when you want the vehicle’s electric supply to be cut off in any kind of emergency. There are two storage spaces in front, while one is open, the other can be locked.

delivery was very linear. Braking too is also very gradual and one can feel the regenerative braking coming into play during such moments.

Though the performance of the vehicle is very noteworthy, there were several issues which we faced while driving the vehicle. The two doors would suddenly open while on the move and despite me pulling and shutting the door with all my strength, it would keep opening on

Now driving the Rage+ is easy. One needs to first make sure the large knob is turned to the “N” or neutral position.

Then you have to tweak the ignition key to start the motor and it takes a few seconds before the information screen in front comes to life. It is time to accelerate and move ahead. There is a brake at the foot level for stopping the vehicle. A large hand brake lever is also there next to it.

Now coming to the pros and cons, I found the EV powertrain very smooth and effective on the roads. The acceleration was good and the power

64 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2020

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

bumpy roads. This is a very dangerous thing as the driver will definitely get distracted leading to an accident. The door locks need to improvised to avoid such a situation.

I also found the window quarter glass latches very ineffective. The windows would fold in the moment the vehicle encountered a jerk. The hand brake light on the screen is barely visible, especially when the light is strong outside.

I accidentally drove the vehicle with the hand brake engaged and when I noticed the sluggish drive I realised my mistake. There should

be a stronger light on the dash when the hand brake is engaged or a beep sound that would warn the driver that the hand brakes are engaged.

The storage space within the vehicle is inadequate.

There should have been deeper pockets to keep files and other stuff for the driver. Also, there should be a USB port for the driver to charge his mobile and a mobile space should also be created somewhere near the inner side of the A pillar. We mentioned our concerns to the company official and he duly noted them, promising

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

that it would be looked into.

VERDICT On the whole, the electric 3 wheeler from Omega is a very bold statement from the company. From the level of investment and seriousness of their work, one can assume that the company is committed to introducing good quality electric vehicles in India for commercial purposes. But it definitely needs to work on their products a wee bit more, just to iron out some of the issues we confronted.

NOVEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 65

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

Isuzu Motors launches D-Max Super Strong at `8.39 lakh, upgrades models to BS6 Isuzu Motors India launched the BS VI compliant D-Max Regular Cab and D-Max S-Cab in India. Expanding the commercial vehicle range, the company added a new variant D-Max Super Strong with a 1,710 kg payload, to lead its commercial vehicle range.

The new D-Max Super Strong would be priced at Rs 8,38,929/- (ex-showroom, Mumbai). There will be an introductory price for the entire D-Max range for the upcoming festive season (on limited stock).

available in Splash White and Titanium Silver colours along with the all new Galena Grey colour.

With the addition of this new vehicle, Isuzu Motors India now offers the D-Max Regular Cab High-Ride with flat deck, D-Max Regular Cab-Chassis, S-Cab Standard-Ride, S-Cab High-Ride and the new D-Max Regular Cab Super Strong, offering more versatile options for all business and professional requirements.

The refreshed models come packed with added features both on the exterior and interior.

The distinctive exterior is more aerodynamic in design. It sports a bolder look with the new grille, bonnet and bumper designs.

It is further highlighted by new headlamp design integrated with turn indicators.

The new Isuzu vehicles are powered by a 2.5 litre Isuzu 4JA1 engine. The vehicles are launched with many first-in-segment features in the commercial vehicle category in the industry.

The D-Max Regular and D-Max S-Cab will be

As a first-in-segment, Isuzu has equipped both the vehicles with Variable Geometric Turbocharger

66 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2020

that allows effective fuel burn.

Equipped with an effective set of After Treatment Devices including LNT (Lean NOx Trap), DPD (Diesel Particular Diffuser) and P-SCR (Passive Selective Catalyst Reduction), the vehicles effectively manage treatment of the exhaust gases and particulate matter. The Isuzu D-Max Regular Cab and S-Cab are the only vehicles in the segment with an electronically controlled EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) system.

Both the models now come with the MID (Multi-Information Display) cluster with GSI (Gear Shift Indicator) that enables the driver to use the ideal gear in any driving condition ensuring best of the vehicle in terms of torque, fuel management and drivetrain durability.

Taking comfort to a higher level, the D-MAX range has seats that now come with high quality fabric upholstery. It also has height adjustable seat belts for occupant comfort and safety.

Additionally, again a segment first, the sliding co-driver seat in the new vehicles adds to the comfort of the codriver.

Both the D-Max Regular Cab and

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

S-Cab are fully loaded with bestin-class occupant safety with front and rear crumple zones, cross car front beam, door side intrusion, collapsible steering column and underbody steel protection for the drivetrain.

Additionally, the new vehicles have BOS (Brake Override System) which cuts power to the engine in case of panic braking (when the brake and accelerator pedals are being depressed at the same time).

The Isuzu D-Max and D-Max S-Cab vehicles are highly durable and torture-tested for over 40 lakh kms. on various terrain thereby making them, the most preferred partner on the road for the progressive Indian customers.

Tsuguo Fukumura – Managing

Director, Isuzu Motors India, said, “The Isuzu D-Max and D-Max S-Cab have always struck a chord with our customers for being vehicles offering the perfect combination of space, strength and performance to steer ahead of the curve in business and in life. We at Isuzu are committed to bring in reliable technology and engineering to the Indian market. Isuzu is globally renowned for making tough, reliable and durable vehicles and the new D-Max and D-Max S-Cab personify these characteristics”.

Ken Takashima, Deputy Managing Director, Isuzu Motors India, said, “Our vehicles are designed to offer the perfect combination of style, power and road presence while also providing excellent comfort and safety. The Indian automotive

market is going through a change and we are excited to be present here in these times with our latest offerings. As a responsible brand, we are doing everything to bring a new generation of products faster to the market. We are excited to unveil our refreshed D-Max and D-Max S-Cab which are not only BSVI compliant, but are designed and developed to truly enhance the value proposition for our aspiring customers”.

“The D-Max has been a success story for many in India and we are confident that the D-MAX Super Strong model will be the right partner for success” he further added.

COMFORT & SAFETY

◆ Sliding co-driver seat ◆ Height adjustable seat belts ◆ Rear crumple zones

◆ Cross car front beam ◆ Door side intrusion ◆ Collapsible steering column ◆ Underbody steel protection for the drivetrain ◆ Brake Override System

NEW STYLING & REFRESHED DESIGN

◆ Bolder look & Design ◆ New grille, bonnet, bumper & headlamp design ◆ Multi-Information Display cluster with Gear Shift Indicator

NEW FEATURES

◆ Variable Geometric Turbocharger ◆ After Treatment Devices including LNT (Lean NOx Trap), DPD (Diesel Particular Diffuser) and P-SCR (Passive Selective Catalyst Reduction) ◆ Electronically controlled Exhaust Gas Recirculation system.

Ashok Leyland launches BOSS LX and LE with i-Gen6 Technology Ashok Leyland. A leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, launched the Boss LE and LX Trucks, with i-Gen6 BS-VI technology. The Boss brand has been one of the leading brands, from Ashok Leyland, in the Intermediate Commercial Vehicle (ICV) segment.

tyre life, up to 30% longer service interval and up to 5% lower maintenance cost. BOSS will be available as a fully-built option with class-leading ergonomic and safety features for the driver. It comes bundled with digital solutions like i-Alert, remote diagnostics.

These two vehicles will address the 11.1 tonne to 14.05 tonne GVW market. Customers can choose from multiple combinations – Loading span from 14ft to 24 ft and body type options of high side deck, fixed side deck, drop side deck, cab chassis, container and tipper. Prices of Boss LE and LX start from Rs 18 lakh, ex-showroom Mumbai / Delhi / Chennai.

The Boss platform offers multiple applications including usage for parcel & courier, poultry, white goods, agri-perishable, e-commerce, FMCG, auto parts and reefer, among others. Customers can choose from two cabin options and expect multiple improvement over BS-IV technology like up to 7% higher fluid efficiency, up to 5% better

The BOSS LE and LX comes with 4 Yrs /4 lakh km warranty which can be extended up to six years. It also comes with 4 hours response and 48 hrs restoration promise. Considering the high uptime requirement for these vehicles, it will be supported with ‘Quick accident repair’ and will have an exclusive bay at workshops.

Customers have 3000+ touch points for ease of access to sales and after sales support, all supported by 24x7 customer assistance Uptime Solution Centre and Service Mandi network.

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

NOVEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 67

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

Hero Electric NYX-HX B2B e-scooter gives 210km range per charge There is good news for small and big businesses. Hero Electric has launched an electric scooter which gives a range of 210 km per charge with its load carrying capability.

The company offers 4 levels of ‘on-demand” smart connectivity solutions from a simple Bluetooth interface to the “high end” remote surveillance and diagnostic solution. The Nyx HX bikes have become all the more affordable thanks to the FAME 2 subsidy with the prices starting at Rs 64640.

Hero Electric has launched a new and improved line-up under its HX series- the Nyx B2B scooters widely used by B2B customers for last mile deliveries and other commercial uses. The range per charge of this Nyx B2B scooter starts at 82kms to 210

kms per charge.

The Nyx-HX electric scooter has been developed after years of research and field trials. The new Nyx-HX series scooters are rugged, reliable and long lasting, the company claims. At the heart of the Nyx-HX series is a high-torque, well balanced efficient power train that uses minimum energy to give the maximum output without stressing the battery. The results lead to a smoother ride even under heavy loads. The bike is further coupled with the safety of combi brakes along with the regenerative braking.

The bike is versatile and can be customised with more than 10 applications for any business need. The e modular battery system allows extended

range at will and can be easily integrated with the battery swapping system. The Nyx HX being certified as a B2B bike can be fitted with a variety of loads carrying solutions easily installable on the split seat that fold up as a back rest.

Sohinder Gill, CEO, Hero Electric said, “Every business needs a specific mobility solution and there cannot be a “one size fits all” bike. The new Nyx-HX series is flexible, modular and versatile to answer most of the needs of a discerning customer. The bike has a low running cost, high load carrying capability, intercity range, coupled with ultimate smart connectivity features like remote bike disablers. We strive to provide complete solutions to a B2B customer ensuring 90% plus uptime, doorstep services, captive charging /swapping infrastructure through our 500 plus strong network all across India. The B2B customer is also able to easily able to comprehend the direct advantage of adopting electric mobility in terms of the savings and contributing to a cleaner environment.”

JK Tyre, ITCs Choupal Saagars tie up for rural market connect Indian tyre major JK Tyre & Industries Ltd has collaborated with ITC’s e-Choupal for engaging with rural communities. A first of its kind comprehensive endeavour undertaken by a tyre manufacturer in India, JK Tyre will leverage ITC’s network of Choupal Saagars in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra & Uttar Pradesh.

This partnership is aimed at expanding presence in the rural

markets through ground level 360 degrees engagement. JK Tyre will engage at the Choupal Sagaars - ITC’s integrated rural services hubs across the three states in a phased manner.

ITC’s Choupal Saagar will also facilitate brand visibility and engagement for JK Tyre’s product range with rural customers. JK Tyre will also undertake other collaborative initiatives with ITC’s e-choupal including target group discussion and Influencer/

68 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2020

Customer meets, etc.

Srinivasu Allaphan, Director-Sales & Marketing, JK Tyre & Industries Ltd. said “The Rural sector has shown great resilience in this challenging phase. Our association with ITC’s e-Choupal will further help in reaching out and engaging with the hinterland customers which in turn will help us understand and serve

them better. Going forward, we are going to further strengthen our rural engagement with several new initiatives.”

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

Omega Seiki Mobility signs MoU with three Italian engineering companies Omega Seiki has signed an MOU with three leading Italian engineering design, development and electronics companies in the automotive sector.

The three Italian companies in automotive R&D space are: Nova Progetti, bylogix S.R.L. and Beond. These Turin based companies specialise in complete vehicle engineering from early concept to serial production. Each of them brings their unique specialisation in the high-end automotive R&D space.

The business collaboration was facilitated by GB CON a leading business consulting firm started

by Angelo Pavonne, an industry veteran.

Omega Seiki Mobility is part of Anglian Omega business group which has a significant presence in steel, automotive components and infrastructure business pan India. The group has set up a separate business vertical for electric vehicles under Omega Seiki Mobility Pvt. Ltd. They launched the first fully electric 3-wheeler RAGE+ in the market during the Auto Expo in Feb 2020.

The company’s unique business model of “Full mobility Solution” works on providing complete logistics solution along with vehicle manufacturing. Its last mile mobility fleet operations are managed under brand name “UNOXpress” providing end to end mobility solution for

e-commerce, pharma, and food delivery companies.

Nova Progetti was founded in early 1982 by Renzo Avidano and Mario Colucci. Since 2001 Stefano Iacoponi, former Technical Director of Fiat Auto, collaborates in the company.

Nova Progetti specialises in feasibility studies and design of IC engines, transmissions, electric vehicles, suspensions, chassis and its lay-out, including the FEM model and its structural and modal analysis and motion analysis, elasto kinematics and virtual analysis of the dynamic behavior of vehicle.

Its product development services include Product Engineering, Construction of working prototypes of whole chassis, Powertrain, suspensions, and components. Assistance to tests for both IC engines as well Electric vehicles.

Bylogix S.R.L. is a company specialising in embedded

electronics for vehicles, body computer application, dashboard application, building data analytics and artificial intelligence interface for vehicles.

Its cutting-edge technologies include autonomous vehicle engineering analysis and feasibility study, hardware and software components selection, algorithm & code generation and integration.

Beond is an Innovative SME focus on Advanced Engineering service and Custom Battery Prototypes Solutions in Li-Ion battery technology. It develops, designs, builds, does testing and validation of Battery Pack for custom prototype and

automotive special application.

BEOND has deep knowledge from cells and chemical composition, to cooling systems, vehicle performance engineering and Hybrid/Electric Vehicles.

Together these companies are into high end R&D of electric vehicles and have worked with leading European OEMs like FCA, GM, IVECO, CNH etc, across the entire automotive space of cars, commercial vehicles and tractors.

They have also developed their own electric city car named VEGA. This is a unique combination of complete vehicle engineering from styling, mechanical design, engineering analysis, advanced electronics, AI and batteries.

Omega Seiki Mobility and the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), Delhi – an industry interface organisation established by the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IITD) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for joint working on electric vehicle technologies and advanced research. The collaboration will be primarily aimed at innovating alternate energy powered vehicles and other emerging technologies in EV space, including efficiency and performance improvement of Omega Seiki Mobility’s existing vehicles.

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

NOVEMBER 2020 | MOTOWN INDIA | 69

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

Mahindra Electric launches Treo Zor electric 3-wheeler Mahindra Electric Mobility Ltd, part of the Mahindra Group, has announced the launch of its new electric 3-wheeler cargo model, Treo Zor at Rs 2.73 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi, net of FAME 2 and state subsidies).

The Treo Zor is based on the Treo platform and will come in 3 variants – Pickup, Delivery Van and Flat Bed. Vehicles will be available at Mahindra small commercial vehicle dealerships in select cities across India starting December 2020.

Treo Zor offers higher savings of Rs 60,000+/year versus existing diesel cargo 3-wheelers thanks to its outstanding maintenance cost of just 40 paise/km. It delivers a power of 8kW and a torque of 42Nm. Treo

Zor also comes with best-inclass payload of 550 kg.

The Treo Zor has a driving range of 125 km. It has a wheelbase of 2216 mm, when compared with diesel & electric cargo 3 wheelers.

The tyre size is 30.48 cm.

The vehicle comes with advanced lithium-ion battery that in turn has a life exceeding 1.50 lakh km. You also get a 15amp

socket for charging a mobile phone. The Treo Zor has an Automatic Transmission. It has best-in-class tray loading height of 675 mm, when compared with diesel cargo 3 wheelers.

With NEMO Mobility Platform, one can get cloud-based connectivity to remotely monitor vehicle range, speed, location and much more. The Treo Zor has a stylish dual tone, driver-centric

design. It has an ergonomically designed driver cabin and seat.

Other features include telematics unit and GPS, windscreen and wiping system, spare wheel provision, driving modes - FNR (Forward, Neutral, Reverse), economy and boost mode, lockable glove box, 12 V Socket, 15-amp off-board charger, hazard indicator, reverse buzzer.

Mahindra rolls out BS6 variants of 3-wheeler Alfa Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd has launched the BS 6 variant of Alfa, its flagship 3-wheeler brand. The Alfa brand is known to be the most fuel efficient in its category and offers a range of passenger & cargo variants with 4 offerings catering to varied customer segments.

The Alfa has gone over significant makeover in its BS6 avatar and offers 37% higher displacement, 16% higher power and 12% higher torque over its BS4 version. With 9.4 hp power and 23.5 Nm torque,

Alfa offers improved pickup and better pulling power on slopes. It offers a mileage of 28.9 kmpl in passenger and 29.4 kmpl in load variant. With its completely new powertrain and water-cooled engine the Alfa has undergone significant testing both on and off field, clocking over 4 lakh kms.

Mahindra also aims to enrich the lives of its 3-wheeler customers through Uday Program which offers benefits such as accidental death insurance cover of Rs. 10 lacs, child education scholarship &

70 | MOTOWN INDIA | NOVEMBER 2020

referral benefits on service etc.

The decade and a half old Mahindra Alfa comes with two variants each in Passenger and Load segments.

In the passenger segment, Alfa Dx is the base variant and Alfa Comfy has added benefits - car like suspension and wider sofa type comfortable seats. In load segment, the two variants are Alfa Load and Alfa Plus with deck length and payload of 5.2 ft & 470 kg and 5.7 ft & 520 kg

respectively. The company has dispatched test drive vehicles to its dealers in September and will ensure availability of Alfa for the festive season. It boasts of features like dashboard, spacious cabin with wide & comfortable seats and push button start & mobile charging points.

www.motownindia.com | www.micorporate.com | www.motownindiacv.com

KERALA We are in this together.

S tay safe, stay healthy!

WWW.KERALAHOU SEBOATONLINE.COM

Artwork created by MPPL team

GOD’S OWN COUNTRY

IN STRATEGIC ALLIANCE WITH MOTOWN INDIA MAGAZINE

RNI No DEL ENG/2010/34562

/OCTANEXINDIA