Style From Vintage To Mythological

Beautifully modified Royal Enfield motorcycles
ranging in style from vintage to mythological!

Posted on by Shantonil Nag
Royal Enfield motorcycles are found in an extremely diverse from thanks to the vast modification jobs
done on them. While the classy looking Royal Enfield motorcycles have a unique identity, the
customisation options completely change the way they look like. Here are ten such Royal Enfield
motorcycles that have been modified beautifully.
Vintage
The Continental GT 535 has been officially discontinued from the market. Here is a modification job
based on the bike and is done by “White Collar Bikes” in Indonesia. The motorcycle now gets a
semi0fairing that gives it a distinct identity.
It also gets an old-school large drum in the front wheel. The seat is now flat while tail has been modified
to look like a turbine. The motorcycle gets a new paint scheme and new suspension system.
Spartan
This is Royal Enfield Thunderbird customised to look like a Brat-Bob. The motorcycle has been
modified by Bulleteer Custom and looks very unique. The fuel tank and the fenders are now hand-made
custom ones. There’s a chrome dipped toolbox that highlights the whole set-up.
The seat is also customised and has space for only one person. The handlebar is now flatter and wider,
giving a relaxed riding position. The exhaust is also customised and is quite shorter than the stock one.
The tail gets LED lamps and the headlamp has been replaced with a new LED unit too.
Bobber
This job is done by KR Customs based in Chennai. The bike is a Royal Enfield Classic 500, which now
looks nothing like the donor bike.The tank has been retained but it now gets a custom paint job just like
the whole bike. The handlebar is now flatter and wider with rubberised handle grips. The ORVMs have
been redesigned too.
The seat is also handmade. The unique characteristics of this modification job are the chunky tyres,
exposed rear fender, a shorter exhaust, exposed horizontally mounted rear monoshock and the custom
brake levers.
Green Fly
This is an official customisation job commissioned by Royal Enfield Spain. It is based on Classic 500
and is named Green Fly. It is the first official custom job from Spain. The frame comes from a Royal
Enfield Continental GT as it is easier to modify. The bike gets upside down front forks and a rear
monoshock.
The rear seat is now positioned very close to the rear wheel and the seat is made up of quilted leather.
The tank gets brushed textured with the lacquer applied to it to give a smooth texture. The headlamps
have been replaced with dual projector lamps.
Chariot of Balabhadra
The name comes from the green chariot of Lord Krishna’s elder brother. This Royal Enfield Classic has
been modified to look like an Indian Chieftain. The overall length of the motorcycle is now 4 inches
longer than the stock form. There is a new exhaust, instrument cluster and a chromed leg guard. The
seat height has been lowered now and custom fenders on both the wheel complete the look of the bike.
Young Kid Custom

This Delhi based customisation house has worked on the Royal Enfield Classic to give it a special look.
The customisation job gives a minimal look to the bike. The tank is now customised and is in a peanut
shape. The bike’s minimal yet powerful looks make it quite a head-turner on the road.
El Diablo
The custom job is from Vellore, Tamil Nadu and is based on Royal Enfield Himalayan. The bolt-on kit
transforms the way Himalayan looks. It gets a 3-part quarter fairing high lift front and rear fenders
custom handlebar and body coloured knuckle guards. The bike also gets integrated blinkers, saddle
stays and a high mounted custom exhaust system. There’s a choice from three exhaust systems too.
The whole kit costs Rs. 29,999.
Jajabor
This custom job done Jedi customs looks extremely good. The bike gets a customised fuel tank,
sidebox cover, seat and fenders. The headlamp unit is also new and is positioned in a unique way. The
motorcycle gets fat tyres that add to the chunky look. The bigger front and smaller rear tyre give it a
mesmerizing stance.
350 Bobber
Here another example of work by the Mumbai-based Jedi Customs. The bobber based on the Royal
Enfield 350 gets a minimalistic design and looks very clean.The bike gets a peanut shaped fuel tank,
hand-stitched leather seat and grilled headlamp that add a vintage touch to the bike. It also gets black
spoked wheels that give it a contrasting theme.
Arjuna
This customised motorcycle based on Royal Enfield Thunderbird looks extremely good. All the non-
essential parts of the bike have been removed. The fenders have been chopped and the rear fender
gets a mudguard loop similar to the Bonneville Bobber. The rear gets a fat chunky tyre while the front
wheel is stock. The seat is now a single piece unit and the license plate is side-mounted.
Source: 1,2,3,5,6,7,8,9,10
10 cars launching in 2 months! From Jeep
Compass AT to Tata Tiago JTP and Brezza petrol
Posted on March 12, 2018 by Shantonil Nag
The period of March-April is quite exciting for the car market. With the change of financial year,
manufacturers start coming out with their new products in the market. What are the cars that will be
launched in March-April 2018? Here’s a list.
Ford Figo Freestyle

Ford claims they have made changes to the suspension and the steering. The ride is slightly on the
firmer side but aids handling. Likewise, the steering is sharper as well. We reckon the Freestyle will be
a hoot to drive
Ford Figo and the Aspire are due for an update in the Indian market but before that, Ford will launch the
Figo Freestyle. It is a crossover version of the Figo hatchback and will be a first of its kind from Ford.
The car will take on the likes of Hyundai i20 Active and Volkswagen Cross Polo.
The Freestyle will mark the debut of Ford’s 1.2-litre, three-cylinder Dragon engine which is derived from
the 1.5-litre unit. The diesel engine will be the same 1.5-litre unit used in the regular Figo. Ford has
officially unveiled the vehicle in India.
Tata Tigor JTP

Tata showcased the performance sedan, Tigor JTP at the Auto Expo. The car has been developed with
the Jayem Auto and will be launched in the Indian market. The Tigor JTP will be the cheapest hot
sedan available in the Indian market. It gets a lowered suspension, new air dams, air scoops on the
bonnet, new smoked headlamps and a body kit. The body kit consists of side-skirt and rear diffuser.
The car uses the same 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine that goes into the Nexon but additional
changes have been done to the intake and the exhaust system to improve the performance. The power
output is rated at 108 Bhp and 150 Nm and it gets the 5-speed manual transmission.
Tata Tiago JTP

Tata earlier confirmed that they are working on a hot version of the Tiago instead of the Bolt. The Tiago
JTP was finally showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo. The hot hatch also carries the similar changes like
the Tigor JTP. It gets smoked headlamps, bonnet scoops, body kit and rear diffuser. Tata has also
painted the ORVMs in a contrasting red colour and the roof in black colour to add a sporty look. Engine-
wise, the car will be powered by the same 1.2-litre REVOTRON turbo-petrol engine that powers the
Nexon. It generates similar 108 Bhp and 150 Nm in the JTP twins.
Tata Nexon AMT

Tata has showcased the long-awaited Nexon AMT at the 2018 Auto Expo. The AMT will be available
with both petrol and diesel engine options and an extra of around Rs. 50,000 is expected over the
regular models. However, both the AMT variants of the Nexon will be priced below Ford EcoSport AT
and Mahindra TUV 300 AMT.
The engine out will remain unchanged and the cars will continue to be powered by a 1.2-litre three-
cylinder turbocharged petrol engine and 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine. All the
features are also expected to remain same.
Maruti Brezza petrol

The Maruti Brezza is another highly anticipated car in the Indian market. The Brezza was launched only
with a diesel engine with manual transmission and Maruti had expressed that will launch a petrol
powered Brezza in the future.
The car will be powered by the same 1.0-litre three-cylinder Boosterjet engine that powers the Baleno
RS in the current lineup. It is expected to produce around 110 Bhp. It will be the second SUV in the
segment that will be powered by a turbocharged petrol engine after the Nexon petrol.
Jeep Compass Trailhawk
Jeep Compass has become the best selling vehicle in the segment. The American manufacturer is now
planning to bring the Trailhawk, which is the more adventurous version of the vehicle in India. The car
has been already spied at a dealer stockyard and is expected to be launched soon.
The car will be powered by the 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine that generates a maximum power of
170 Bhp – 350 Nm. It gets a 9-speed automatic transmission and many off-road friendly aids. The
Trailhawk version gets Jeep’s Active Drive low-range 4WD, hill descent and a new Rock Mode that
makes the vehicle more capable.
Jeep Compass diesel AT
Jeep’s production line is running on full steam in India. The American brand has been working to launch
the Diesel Automatic variant of the SUV but could not do so because of the production capacity. There
will be no changes to the diesel engine, which is a 2.0-litre multijet unit and produces 171 Bhp and 350
Nm. The automatic transmission will be a 9-speed unit from ZF.
Mitsubishi Outlander
Mitsubishi will launch the all-new Outlander in India in April. The CR-V competitor offers 7-seats and
looks quite different. The India-spec Outlander is expected to be powered by a petrol only engine. The
SUV will get 2.4-litre MIVEC naturally aspirated engine that produces a maximum of 169 Bhp and 225
Nm. A CVT will 6-stepped shifts will be offered and it will also get an all-wheel-drive system.
Mahindra TUV Plus
Mahindra has already started delivering TUV 300 Plus in a few cities. The car is yet to be launched in
the other parts of the country. The TUV 300 Plus is an extended wheelbase version of the TUV 300 and
is expected to replace the Mahindra Xylo.
The longer body now measures at 4.4-meters and it gets three rows of seats that can seat up to 9
people depending on the configuration chosen by the customer. The car is powered by a 2.2-litre
mHawk turbocharged diesel engine that generates a maximum of 120 Bhp – 280 Nm. The prices in
Trichy, TN starts at Rs. 9.46 lakh, ex-showroom.
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque convertible
Land Rover will launch a one of its kind SUV convertible in India on 27th March. The Evoque’s
convertible version will attract a lot of people because of its dramatic looks. The car gets an electrically
operated fabric roof that takes about 20 seconds to fold or open. It will be powered by 2.0-litre Ingenium
petrol engine that produces a maximum of 240 Bhp and 340 Nm. It gets a 9-speed transmission.
Volkswagen Vento Sport and Polo Pace launched

Posted on by Yatharth Chauhan
Volkswagen India, the Indian subsidiary of the popular German car manufacturer, has launched limited
editions of the Vento and the Polo. Dubbed as the Volkswagen Vento Sport and the Polo Pace, the
latest special variants come equipped with visual updates that inject some freshness into the design.
The new Volkswagen Vento Sport has a starting price of Rs 11.44 lakh (for 1.6 MPI engine variant).
The 1.2 TSI engine variant costs Rs 12.79 lakh. The 1.5 TDI costs Rs 12.79 lakh for the manual
transmission variant and Rs 14.17 lakh for the DSG automatic variant. The new car is on sale with
benefits of Rs 1,20,000. Furthermore, you can exchange and loyalty benefits of up to Rs 20,000. The
Volkswagen Vento Sport sits above the Highline Plus trim. Prices of the Polo Pace are yet to be
announced. However, the figure should be close to the Rs 7.24 lakh price tag of the Highline Plus
model.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Steffen Knapp, Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars India said, “At
Volkswagen, we constantly enhance our product offerings to keep up with the fast-changing trends and
consumer aspirations. The Polo and Vento have been amongst our best-selling carlines since its
inception in the Indian market. Through continuous value additions in our product portfolio, we aim to
give our customers the power of choice.”
The only styling update that the Polo carries is the new set of 15″ diamond-cut alloy wheels. The Vento,
on the other hand, gets quite a few styling enhancements for the Sport trim. Here are the new bits of
the exterior for the Vento Sport-
 Glossy black spoilers

 Glossy roof foil
 Black carbon finish ORVM
 16” Portago Alloy wheels
 Stylish side foils
 Chrome Badge “Sport” on Fender
The Polo Pace is available with the new 1.0-litre MPI engine that was introduced recently. The new 1.0
engine replaces the 1.2-litre 3-cylinder MPI petrol engine. The new motor outputs a maximum power of
75 bhp along with a peak torque of 95 Nm. The Vento Sport is available with the 1.6-litre naturally-
aspirated petrol, 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol, and 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel engines.
The 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engine of the Vento offers a maximum power of 103
bhp @ 5250 rpm and a peak torque of 153 Nm @ 3800 rpm. It comes mated to a five-speed manual
transmission. The 1.2 TSI variant is powered by a 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged TSI that comes
mated to 7-speed DSG automatic transmission. The engine outputs a maximum power of 103 bhp @
5000 RPM and a peak torque of 175 Nm @ 1500 rpm. The Diesel variants feature a 1.5-litre, 4-
cylinder, turbocharged TDI diesel engine that produces a maximum power of 103 bhp @ 4400 RPM
and a peak torque of 250 Nm @ 1500 RPM. The engine comes mated to a 5-speed manual
transmission as standard and a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission as optional.
Datsun Go & GO+ Remix limited hatchback

editions launched in India
Posted on March 12, 2018 by CarToq Editor
Nissan India has launched new limited edition versions of the Go and the Go+ hatchbacks. The latest
special edition of the Go has been priced at Rs. 4.21 lakh, and that of the Go+ has been priced at Rs.
4.99 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi). The cars get many visual changes on the outside and inside.
They also gain a few new features. In mechanical terms, they are more or less unchanged.
The exterior changes on the limited edition version of the Go hatchback include an exclusive ONYX
black color and attractive orange decals. On the Go+ Remix edition, Datsun offers a dual-tone storm
white color with orange and black decals. Both cars are also offered with Storm White and Dual-tone
Silver paint schemes. Other stylistic changes on both cars include an all black front grill, stylish black
wheel covers, piano-black interiors, rear sporty spoiler, stylish chrome exhaust finisher and chrome
bumper bezel. Both cars get additional features such as Remote Keyless entry, Hands-free Bluetooth
audio, seat cover and piano-black interiors.
The Go and GO+ use the same 1.2-liter, 3-cylinder petrol engine with 67 Bhp and 104 Nm outputs. 5-
speed manual gearboxes are standard on both cars. While the Go can seat 5 people, the longer Go+
can seat 7 people in a 5+2 layout. Follow-me-home headlamps, speed sensitive electric power
steering, powerful air conditioning, front power windows, auxiliary-in and USB charger ports, and central
locking are key features offered with both cars. A 2 year, unlimited kilometers warranty with roadside
assistance is standard. It can be extended to a five year/unlimited kilometer warranty with roadside
assistance.
Speaking about the newly introduced limited edition versions of the Go and Go+, Jeremy Saigot, the
managing director of Nissan India said,”Datsun brings together the heritage of Japanese technology
and contemporary design that appeal to our target consumers. The Remix variants are a fantastic
addition to the Datsun portfolio and we are delighted to introduce the exclusive Onyx Black color option
in Datsun GO model. We are confident that the Remix Limited Editions of GO and GO+ variants will
definitely turn heads on the roads.”
Eicher-Polaris MultiX personal utility vehicle

discontinued in India
Eicher-Polaris, a joint venture that Indian utility vehicle maker Eicher had entered into with American
ATV maker Polaris, has been shut down. The only vehicle from this joint venture – the Polaris MultiX –
will no longer be built. However, Eicher has assured owners of the MultiX that service support and
spares will continue to be provided for existing owners of the vehicle. Eicher said this in regulatory
filings to the Bombay Stock Exchange, and also put out a press release detailing the shutdown of the
Eicher-Polaris operation.
“EPPL was incorporated in October 2012. In June 2015, the Company launched the MultiX, India’s first
personal utility vehicle, purpose-built for the independent businessman. Given its unique positioning
and differentiated product features, Multix initially generated significant interest from customers.
However, the initial interest could not be sustained and the subsequent sales performance was
significantly slower than the Companyís expectations. Despite several initiatives, the Company’s
performance could not be revived. Hence, the board of EPPL has concluded that in the present
circumstances, it is in the best interest of all stakeholders to close the operations of the Company. In
the coming days, the Company will engage with all its valued stakeholders including customers,
suppliers, employees and channel partners to implement the closure. The Company will continue to
provide spares and service support for the fleet of Multix vehicles on the road.”
The MultiX was aa unique personal utility vehicle that packed in a lot of features, most of which were
never seen before on such a vehicle sold in the Indian market. Launched in 2015, the MultiX was a twin
cab pick up truck that also offered a power take out. Through this feature, the vehicle could also be
used as an electricity generator, capable of producing up to 3 kilowatts of power.
It was powered by a 510cc, single cylinder diesel engine with peak power of 9.8 Bhp coming at 3,000
rpm while a peak torque of 27.1 Nm was generated between 1,400 and 2,200 rpm. Independent coil
spring suspension on all wheels and a 225 mm ground clearance meant that the MultiX could also be
used even on the worst of rural roads. With a starting price of just Rs. 2.32 lakh, Eicher-Polaris aimed to
redefine personal mobility in rural and semi-urban India. The initial sales target was 60,000 units/year,
scalable to 120,000 units/year. It was built at Royal Enfield’s Jaipur factory. Now though, the vehicle
has been taken completely off the shelves.
Indian government to use electric vehicles in Delhi-

NCR
The power minister of India, RK Singh, has now asked all government departments and public sector
units operating in the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR) to shift to electric vehicles from
petrol/diesel/CNG powered cars and SUVs. This shift is meant to accelerate the acceptance of electric
cars in India. By practicing what it’s preaching, the government of India wants to lead the change
towards electric mobility. Here are some excerpts from the letter that RK Singh has written to
government departments and public sector units.
“In the first phase, it is proposed that all ministries/departments of Government of India and their
attached/subordinate offices/PSUs located in the NCR, may switch over to electric mobility for local use
i.e for the vehicles which will run within NCR. It is requested that your ministry, attached/subordinate
offices/PSUs may assess their requirements and communicate the same to EESL.”
The various government departments and public sector units that have received this letter have been
asked to either purchase these cars outrightly from EESL – the electric car sourcing unit of the Indian
government or hire these cars from EESL. EESL (Energy Efficiency Services Limited) is a subsidiary of
the Indian government, which is now sourcing thousands of electric cars – Tata Tigor
Electric and Mahindra eVerito – for supply to government departments and public sector units.
The Tigor Electric and eVerito were purchased by EESL recently, in a 10,000 car tender that was
floated a few months ago. EESL plans to float a tender for 10,000 more electric cars soon. These cars
will be sold or rented out to government departments. EESL will also set up electric charging points for
the cars it supplies to various government departments. It’s said that the operating cost of the electric
cars is just one third that of petrol-powered cars. The electric cars that EESL has sourced for the
government have battery ranges of 130 kilometers, and come with 5 maintenance contracts from Tata
Motors and Mahindra – the companies supplying these cars.
News Source: ET Auto

5 DC Design-modified compact SUVs: Maruti
Brezza to Hyundai Creta
Posted on March 12, 2018 by Yatharth Chauhan
Dilip Chabbria (DC) is well-known for some crazy car concepts (like the Ambiroad) and luxurious
interior kits. Those of you who’ve been following us of late would know that we’ve already featured
many of DC’s creations on our website. Today, in this post, we have put together as many as seven
compact SUVs that have gone under his scalpel. Our list here includes some really popular cars that
have been transformed (some to a large extent) to look nothing like anything else out there. !
Renault Duster
The Renault Duster is one of the most well-recognized compact SUVs around. While it no longer enjoys
the kind of popularity it did back in its heydays, the Duster is still among the most competent when it
comes to driving dynamics and off-road usage. A few years ago, DC decided to work his magic on the
Duster and came up with a body kit that you can see in the image above. The DC-modified Duster
looks a lot more modern, which is mainly due to the new grille and the LED fixtures that take the place
of the headlamp. The bummer has been modified to feature pretty large foglamp housings, which are
also home to a pair of auxiliary lamps. The modification also brings in a new set of multi-spoke alloy
wheels that look more stylish. The exterior has been given a matte black paint job to further spice up
the things. Thanks to all the modifications, this Duster ends up looking bolder and more desirable than
the regular version. What do you think?
Ford EcoSport
The Ford EcoSport is another popular compact SUV that has gone under DC’s scalpel. The EcoSport
seen above seems to be modified on the lines of the Renault Duster we’ve just talked about. Similar to
the Duster, even the Ford EcoSport gets a sleeker grille and LED fixtures that replace the headlights.
The bumper has also been modified to feature a honeycomb mesh instead of the chrome-plated
horizontal slates and new fog lamp housings that carry a pair of auxiliary lamps each. While the Duster
you saw above has been painted in matte black, this Ecosport here gets a metallic finish for the black
paint. Thanks to these modifications, this modified EcoSport ends up looking bolder and slightly sportier
than the regular version.
Maruti Gypsy
The car you see in the image above is actually a modified Maruti Gypsy that has been done up by DC
design. This car is currently on showcase at the Heritage Car Museum off Gurgaon. However, its claim
to fame is that it was featured in the blockbuster movie Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. The Gypsy here
looks nothing like the regular version. Instead, it gets a much softer design. The exterior body is
basically a mix-and-match of bits and prices from many cars. That said, the majority of the panels seem
to have been taken from the Maruti 1000. Even the interior features door panels and dashboard of the
Maruti 1000.
Maruti Vitara Brezza
Even the Maruti Vitara Brezza has been modified by Dilip Chabbria. Unlike the EcoSport and the Duster
you saw earlier, the DC-modified Brezza doesn’t get a black exterior color. Instead, it comes finished in
a bright shade of Yellow. The front-end features a new grille and updated headlamps that get new
DRLs. The bumper is completely new and sports a larger air dam. It also sports larger foglamp
housings that get LED fixtures. Even the rear bumper (not seen in the image above) is new and has a
similarly chunky look.
Hyundai Creta
The Hyundai Creta is the current best-seller of its segment. Like other successful compact SUVs we
have here, even the Creta has been worked upon by the Indian car design guru, though let’s say the
result is open to debate! The Creta gets a completely new bumper and a new grille. The pattern on the
grille is similar to what you’ve seen on the Brezza. The bumper features huge foglamp housings.
There’s are also many red accents at the front and on the side skirts. The 5-spoke alloys are new and
look sportier.
Maruti Suzuki Baleno given ceramic coating, and

set on fire!
Posted on by Shantonil Nag
One of India’s most popular hatches given a high quality ceramic coating,
and set on fire. Don’t worry, the car survives the test easily.
Ceramic coating is the new rage in town, for those seriously into taking care of the paint finishes of their
vehicles. It is costlier, but is generally accepted to be more effective than waxing or teflon coating of the
painted surfaces.
Here is a video that shows ceramic coated Maruti Suzuki Baleno hatchback being set on the fire to test
how effective ceramic coating is. The Baleno has been coated with Ceramic Pro 9H.
What’s happening here?

The video shows a newly-coated Maruti Suzuki Baleno put on fire with help of fuel. The fire is set on the
side doors of the vehicle and after burning for a few minutes, the fire leaves a residue behind. They
also spray fuel on the fender, roof and the bonnet and light them on fire.
The attendants then show that the car stays spotless after wiping the residue off with a micro fibre
towel. The video is done by Saboo Ceramic Pro India and they claim that the 9H treatment done to the
vehicle adds 9 layers of protection to the vehicle. According to their official website, there are different
packages that provide warranty starting from 6 months to 5 years. Saboo Ceramic Pro is the official
retail chain of Ceramic Pro products in India.
The website describes the 9H product as a hydrophobic (water repellant) high gloss finish nano-
ceramic coating. The coating is said to have scratch resistance, chemical resistance, UV resistance,
Thermal resistance and Ant-Grafitti. The coating bonds with the paint of the vehicle and as per the
website, only hard abrasion can remove it. The coating’s thickness can be increased as per the needs
of the customer.
Interestingly, the 9H coating is said to have permanent protection and thermal resistance up to 750 C,
which is extremely high temperature. The cost of the package is not mentioned on the website. The
cost depends on the size of the vehicle.
What is ceramic coating?

Ceramic coating a semi-permanent coating that is an alternative to wax polishes. It sticks to the body
paint and does not rub off easily. The ceramic coating does not need repetitions every few months like
the wax and Teflon coating. However, it is quite expensive than the two. The coating prevents minor
scratches and abrasions to the exterior and also keeps the paint in factory condition for a longer time.
Ceramic coating is not an alternative to PPF (Paint Protection Film).
Does this make the vehicle fire-proof?

Absolutely not! While the exterior body may resist fire because of the coating, there are untreated
interiors, electricals and mechanical parts of the vehicle that can still catch fire. Also, in case of an
accident, any abrasion or scratches will remove the coating so one has to be super careful while driving
or parking their vehicles with the coat.
Shocking accident: Driver distracted by phone call;

crash kills 3 MBA students
Three MBA students were killed in a car crash in Bangalore after the vehicle turned over. The accident
took place on the NICE corridor at 7:30 AM on Friday. Five students were travelling in the car and two
of them survived the accident.
How did it happen?

Accordingto initial reports, it looks like this was a case of distraction due to mobile phone (but not a
case of texting and driving). The students hired a rental car, a Ford Figo, and were coming back to the
city. Praveen Chakravarthy, who was driving the vehicle, was possibly driving at a high speed on the
road when his phone rang. He lost control while trying to answer the call. The car was allegedly at a
high speed, and according to cops, it veered towards the left sharply. The sharp turning flipped the car.
Due to the speed, it was dragged along for about 50 meters before stopping.
The deceased are Harsha Srivastav, of Andhra Pradesh, Shruthi Gopinathan Nair from Kerala and
Arshia Kumar from Jharkand. The injured are identified as Pavit Kohli from Jharkhand and Praveen
Chakravarthy from Tamil Nadu. All three of the deceased are girl students. All were MBA students at
Alliance University students at Anekal.
A police officer said,

“Praveen was not under the influence of alcohol. We suspect that Praveen while driving
received a phone call and while trying to answer the call, he lost control and veered to the
extreme left and the car toppled. The car was dragged to nearly 50 metres. The families of the
deceased have been informed,”
Car rental companies often a speed limit violation fine, which is monitored via a GPS installed in the
vehicle. We are not sure if this vehicle had the device. It is also being said that car was trying to
overtake a truck at high speed when it went out of control and turned turtle. According to one report,
one of the survivors, Pavita Kohli, told the police that they had requested the driver (Praveen) to slow
down but he did not pay heed.
It is possible that the occupants sitting in the rear were not wearing seatbelts, which is common practice
in India. Unbelted passengers could thrown around in the vehicle during a crash, causing fatal injuries.
Workers on the NICE road were the first to arrive at the scene of the accident, and took the victims to
the hospital. Two of the victims died on the spot while the third occupant succumbed to her injuries on
the way to the hospital.
The driver, Praveen has been booked under Section 279 (rash driving), 337 (Causing hurt by
act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder).
Few things to take care while riding on the Indian highways:

 Slowest lane is the safest for the bike riders, always use the left lane while on the highways.
 Mobile phones distract you and they should not be used by the driver when the vehicle is in motion.
 Use a full face helmet and keep the visor closed, many insects or dust may enter eyes and can cause
problems.
 Don’t follow and get shielded by bigger vehicles as they block the view of the road ahead. If they stop
suddenly due to an emergency, you will not have enough time to brake.
 Keep away from sand, hay and brick carriers on the road. Such trucks or tractors release a lot of small
particles that can enter your eyes and make you uncomfortable.
 Keep distance from the other vehicles. Motorcycle brakes are good, but cars can stop at a shorter
distance, do not tailgate a car on the highways.
Images: 1, 2
Fathers of underage drivers being ARRESTED, a
new trend gaining momentum!
Taking the heat against underage driving a step higher, Hyderabad Traffic Police has reportedly put as
many as 69 parents (fathers) of underage drivers and riders behind the bar in last one month. The
traffic police in the capital city of Andhra Pradesh, as a part of its campaign against underage driving,
caught and fined minors in the age group of 14-16 years for using a four-wheeler, two-wheeler, and in
some cases, even a three-wheeler, without a driving license.
This is not the first time either. This has happened earlier too in Hyderabad, and in several other states,
police and courts are considering the question of whether to put parents of underage drivers and riders
in jail or not. Our guess? It is going to spread to the rest of the country very soon. Irresponsible parents,
beware!
Moreover, fathers of the 69 teenagers that have been found guilty were produced before the local
magistrates, who sent them to the jail for a period ranging from one-day to as many as three days. The
court also imposed heavy fines for the violation of rules. The Hyderabad Traffic Police launched a drive
against underage driving in early-February to bring down the road fatalities involving minor drivers. “We
have been imposing fines through the courts for the past two years. But it did not have desired impact
(against underage driving). Following the series of road mishaps involving minors we went severely
against minor driving,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) A V Ranganath said.
“We invoked the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act and requested local courts citing various Supreme
Court judgments that minor driving should be treated seriously as it not only endangers lives of minor
drivers but of others also and the courts were convinced of our requests,” he further added. The
parents of underage drivers/riders are being booked under the section 180 of the Motor Vehicle Act for
allowing unauthorized persons to drive a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the underage drivers have been
booked under section 181 of the Act for driving without a license. Out of the minor drivers that have
been prosecuted so far, three have been sent to juvenile homes.
The DCP claims that his drive against minor drivers has been applauded by the citizens. Apparently,
they have even congratulated the Hyderabad Traffic Police for being strict as it is likely to deter minors
from getting behind the wheel. “This drive (against underage driving) will continue till this year-end and
we want to stabilize it,” Ranganath said.
via RepublicWorld
From Maruti Suzuki Ignis to Hyundai Creta, 5 more
Indian cars visualised as pickup trucks
Here are five more pickup trucks based on Indian cars
Mahindra XUV 500
Mahindra XUV 500 has remained one of the favourite choices in the segment for a long time now. The
XUV 500 is known for its bold looks, long list of features and value for money it offers. This single-cab
version of the Mahindra XUV offers a large flatbed. We would have loved to see the double cab version
of the same though.
Maruti Suzuki Ignis

Maruti launched the Kei car, Ignis in India last year. The SUV inspired looks of the Ignis makes it very
common in the segment and youngsters love it. What if the Ignis turns into a pick-up truck? It looks
even cooler. This is a two-door version of the Ignis pick-up and it looks ready for adventure.
Nissan Terrano
Terrano is the rebadged version of Renault Duster in India. The sure looks better than the Duster due
to some premium touches on the exterior, the pick-up version of the Terrano looks captivating
nonetheless. It gets a small flatbed in the rear while retaining the four-doors.
Hyundai Creta STC
The Hyundai Creta is hot selling product in the Indian market. The compact SUV has become one of
the favourite cars in the Indian market. Hyundai showcased a pick-up truck based on the Creta
recently. The Creta STC is based on the same platform that underpins the Creta SUV and Elantra. In its
production form, the pickup may get dual-cabin instead of the single-cabin showcased during the Sao
Paulo Auto Show. The Creta STC looks quite hot in this new form.
Renault Duster Oroch

This is no render or concept model. This is a real vehicle based on Renault Duster and is sold in the
Brazilian market. The Oroch is longer than the Duster and is powered by the same 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre
flex-fuel engines that also power the Duster in the Brazilian market. Renault has no plans to launch the
vehicle in India but if they, it can heat up the segment like a desert sun.
Source: 6,7,8
This Jeep Rod induces serious want!
Okay, I really can’t remember the last time we featured something that is so exciting and so crazy that
it’s just too tough to keep my jaw from dropping! Basically, what you see on this page is a Jeep Rod
from Hyderabad. Well, a Jeep Rod is nothing but a Jeep that has been modified on the lines of a hot
rod. So, you end up having a lowered stance, an exposed engine, and a minimalist approach towards
the design and styling.
As you can see in the video above, the owner of this utterly desirable Jeep Rod has built his prized
possession based on a Jeep Willy model but used a chassis that has been fabricated using
components of the Willys, the Mahindra Bolero, and the Maruti Gypsy. There is a high attention to detail
in spite of a bare-basic design. You get WWII aircraft-inspired ‘shark graphics’ near the front wheels, a
steering wheel made using piston rods of a Maruti 800 and a drive chain of the Hero Passion, and
switches that take inspiration from a fighter aircraft. You also get classy analog gauges.
Now, let’s come to the best part of this build. Powering this Jeep Rod is a six-cylinder petrol engine that
comes from the 1st-generation, wait-for-it, Toyota Supra! Yes, we kid you not; the modified Willy Ford
jeep you see here actually gets its juice from the JZA70 six-cylinder carbureted engine from the Toyota
Supra. It comes mated to an automatic transmission. This high-strung motor produced 280 PS for the
first-gen Toyota Supra. For this Jeep Rod, however, the engine is currently running in a lower state of
tune. That said, the owner plans to bump up the power output once he has a performance-tuned carb
setup and a better-tuned suspension. This Jeep Rod’s engine already benefits from a cold air intake
and a sports muffler.
The car has a low ground clearance, which further helps it validate the hotrod credentials. It uses the
Bolero’s wheel hubs. Talking about the wheels, the same have been shod with mammoth 33-inch
Yokohama Geolander tires that are available on order. While this truly sassy set of wheels is already
road-worthy, there is still some fine-tuning that’s required to fully exploit the potential of that Supra-
sourced engine. Well, we really can’t stop drooling at this creation. This is definitely among the best
Jeep Rod builds we’ve seen in India. What do you think?
Upcoming Skoda cars for India include Creta-rival,

Rapid-replacement & new Fabia
Skoda announces three new cars for India
Skoda will launch three new cars in the Indian market on a new low-cost platform engineered on the
current MQB platform. The low-cost platform from Skoda will be used to build cars for multiple emerging
markets. Initially, three cars with the Skoda badge will use the new platform. These upcoming Skoda
cars in India include a Hyundai Creta rivaling compact SUV, a C-Segment sedan that will replace the
Rapid and the all-new Skoda Fabia for the Indian market. All three cars will be produced at the Chakan
factory, which Skoda is expected to take over from Volkswagen very soon.
The Hyundai Creta rival from Skoda is expected to carry styling previewed by the Vision X concept,
which was just unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show. The new compact SUV will be the first among the
three new cars that Skoda will launch in India. The new SUV is expected to arrive in India by late 2020.
It will feature both petrol and diesel engines, with turbocharging as standard. The new engines will be
designed to meet Bharat Stage 6 emission norms. The current 1.5-liter TDI turbocharged diesel engine
(EA189 family) on the Rapid will not be used for the new compact SUV as the Volkswagen group has
no plans of engineering this engine into becoming BS6 compliant.
We expect a new diesel engine for the new range of Skoda cars. As for the petrol engine, the 1 liter-3
cylinder unit with get turbocharging and a range of power and torque outputs to suit multiple cars. On
the Fabia replacement hatchback, it could be in a conservative state of tune whereas, on the sedan and
compact SUV, it is likely to be a lot more powerful. These details are expected to be revealed in the
coming months. For now, we know that the Volkswagen group is investing nearly 8,000 crore for Skoda
to build new car models for India a Chakan.
News source: Autocar

Beautiful Tata motors concepts everyone has
forgotten about!
The new Tata E-vision concept has to be the sleekest and the most modern concept from the Indian
car manufacturer. The E-vision, which debuts at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, is likely to offer many
design cues and technological inputs to future Tata cars. It’s not the first time that the company has
showcased an attractive concept that has made a lot of news globally. Here is a list of 10 beautiful Tata
Concepts everyone has forgotten about –
Tata Aria Roadster

Tata Motors showcased the rather cutesy Aria Roadster on its second appearance at the Geneva
Motor Show. The Aria Roadster has nothing to do with the Aria MPV that went on sale in India many
years later. On the contrary, it was based on the popular Indica hatchback. The Indica hatchback was
later launched in the Swiss car market.
Tata Aria Coupe
In its third appearance at the Geneva Motor Show, Tata Motors came up with this stylish Indica-based
coupe. Dubbed simply as the Tata Aria Coupe, this concept was based on the Tata Aria Roadster that
was showcased a year earlier. The Coupe featured a carbon-fiber dash and an aluminum center
console.
Tata Indiva MPV

The design of the Tata Indiva MPV concept was penned by I.D.E.A., the renowned Italian design and
prototyping house. The Indiva was a spacious MPV based on the Indica platform. The highlights of the
design study include a cab-forward architecture, a large greenhouse with front quarter glass, and many
sleek elements like the projector headlamps and stylish wing mirrors.
Tata Indigo Advent

Yes, the Indigo Advent looks a lot like the Indigo Marina that went on sale in India. However, bits like
bright paint schemes, dual-tone color theme, large multi-spoke alloy wheels, and low profile tires were
restricted to the Advent concept.
Tata Cliffrider
The Tata Cliffrider was unveiled at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show as a lifestyle vehicle. Essentially, It
was a dual cab pickup truck crossover that featured an Aria MPV-like face. Also, the concept came with
Rolls Royce-like suicide doors. While Tata Motors did launch a Xenon dual-cab pickup many years
later, it was nowhere as cool as the Cliffrider.
Tata Prima
The Tata Prima is a luxury sedan concept that was unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. Of
course, it never made it to production, which is sad as the car looked really good. The Prima
was designed by Pininfarina, the renowned automobile design house.
Tata Megapixel
The Tata Megapixel concept is a Range Extended Electric Vehicle (REEV) that was showcased at the
2012 Geneva Auto Show. The Megapixel was basically an improved version of the Tata Pixel concept
that was put on display at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo. The company claims that the Megapixel can travel
up to 900 kms on a single charge!
Tata Safari Storme Mountain Rescue Concept

Tata Motors showcased the Tata Safari Mountain Rescue concept at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.
The Mountain Rescue showcased the SUV’s capabilities for the snow-covered nations of Europe.
Tata Manza Hybrid
Tata Motors showcased the Tata Manza Diesel-electric hybrid at the 2014 Auto Expo. While the car
never made it into production, we think now is a good time to launch this vehicle. India has finally
warmed up to the idea of having hybrid vehicles. The Manza Hybrid can have the first-mover’s
advantage in its segment as it is the only full Diesel-electric hybrid.
Tata Connectnext
Tata introduced the ConnectNext concept at the 2014 Auto Expo. This concept showcased company’s
technological advancement. Basically, this one’s a 5-seater that uses a clever occupant cooling system
instead of a regular AC. The car also offers a heads-up display, a feature that is yet to make it to
mainstream cars. The HUD can also be used to access cloud storage.
Volkswagen Polo, Vento replacements & Creta-rival

planned for India
Volkswagen will launch 3 new cars in the Indian market starting from 2020. However, all these cars will
be built by Skoda and not Volkswagen. The Volkswagen group is about to rejig operations in India, and
as a part of that process, Skoda will take over Volkswagen’s Chakan factory near Pune. Skoda will
handle the car building operations of both Skoda and Volkswagen brands from Chakan. The company
will use a low-cost version of the MQB platform for the new range of cars, which will be sold under both
Skoda and Volkswagen brands, possibly like the badge-engineering with Renault and Nissan.
The first new car from Volkswagen will be Hyundai Creta-challenging compact SUV. It’ll be a totally new
vehicle in terms of styling and the platform it uses. Volkswagen knows that India loves SUVs and the a
way to claim market share in the market is to have a sharply styled, powerful SUV offering. The
Volkswagen compact SUV will be followed by two other cars, also on the same low-cost derivative of
the MQB platform. One of these cars will replace the current Volkswagen Vento sedan and will have
more expressive styling. The other car will be the replacement for the aging Volkswagen Polo, now a bit
long-in-the-tooth, despite being excellent hatchbacks.
Volkswagen is currently stuck with rapidly aging cars and is launching refresh after refresh for the Polo,
Vento, and Ameo, in an attempt to keep the models fresh. However, refreshes can do only so much for
Volkswagen, which is the reason why the automaker is planning all-new models. All the new cars that
Volkswagen launches in India will be ready to meet Bharat Stage 6 emission norms. This means much
more low emission engines that will have turbochargers as standard, These cars will also be BVNSAP-
ready, which means that they will pass the new safety norms that the Indian government has put
together to ensure safer cars for buyers.
The only downer in all this? The expected launch date, sometime in 2020. Which means that for the
next two and a half years, the group – and Volkswagen fans – will have to make do with refreshes of
what we currently have. A good thing about that would be the drop in prices of excellent VW models in
the Indian used car market.
News Source: Autocar

5 Indian cars reimagined as pick-up trucks: From
Jeep Compass to Renault Kwid
The lifestyle pick-up truck culture is not as famous in India as it is in the USA. Pick-up trucks are one of
the most versatile and practical forms of automobiles. The Indian market already has a few pick-up
trucks like Isuzu D-Max V-Cross, Tata Xenon and Mahindra Scorpio Getaway, however, they are not
widely popular. What if the common cars are launched in pick-up truck form? We don’t know how
acceptable they are in the market but we do know what they will look like. Here are ten Indian cars
reimagined as pick-ups.
Tata Hexa
The bold and brawny Tata Hexa looks intimidating on the road. The bold lines at the front make the
Hexa quite noticeable on the road. Here is a double-cabin version of the Hexa with a pick-up trolley
attached to it. Hexa misses out on the third row in this form but gains a lot of open space and definitely
looks cooler.
Renault Kwid
The Renault Kwid quickly gained popularity in India due to its SUV inspired looks. The pick-up version
of the Renault Kwid looks nothing less than badass. It becomes a single-cabin pick-up with a fairly large
amount of flat-bed. It will surely attract the young ones who want to stay different from the crowd.
Jeep Compass
The Jeep Compass has become the best selling vehicle in the segment in India. The most affordable
Jeep branded vehicle has become very popular in the market. After seeing these renders based on the
Jeep Compass, we would wish to have one in our parking. Won’t you? The SUV retains its four-doors
and gets a small flatbed in the rear that enhances its looks.
Ford Figo Freestyle
The Freestyle is yet to be launched but Ford has officially showcased the vehicle in India and the
launch will happen soon. The crossover version of the Ford Figo looks quite masculine and the
crossover version looks very natural. It even gets handles on the roof for people who wish to stand in
the flatbed.
Ford EcoSport
Ford recently launched the facelifted EcoSport in India. The single large grille of the entry-level SUV
with new headlamps turn a lot of heads on the roads. How many heads will the pick-up truck version of
the SUV turn? Even more! It retains the four-door layout with four seats and a small rear flatbed.
Source: 1,2,3,4,5,
Royal Enfield Bullet, Classic, Thunderbird &
Himalayan to soon get Bharat Stage 6-ready
Royal Enfield is working on two new platforms to meet the upcoming Bharat Stage 6 emission norms.
One platform will involve the unit construction engine that is used by the Bullet, Classic and
Thunderbird range of motorcycles while the other will involve the LS410 engine, which is currently being
used only by the Himalayan on-off road motorcycle. All these motorcycles will get upgraded engines
that meet BS6 emission norms, and along the way, Royal Enfield is also likely to add better features.
LED lighting, ABS, and better cycle parts are likely to be offered on the BS6 ready versions of the
Bullet, Classic, Thunderbird, and Himalayan.
It may be noted that Royal Enfield already offers ABS on the motorcycles it sells in Europe, which
includes the Classic and Himalayan. In India, all 125cc+ motorcycles will have to offer ABS as standard
from April 2018. This is a government order that every two-wheeler maker in India has to comply with.
Naturally, Royal Enfield’s Indian range will also have ABS soon. The first ABS-equipped motorcycles
from the Indian retro-bike brand will be the Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 models. These
bikes will also get fuel injection as standard, another key feature that even 350cc UCE Royal Enfields
are expected to receive for BS6 compliance.
The Himalayan already gets fuel-injection, and the same is the case with Royal Enfield’s UCE500
engine that is available on the Bullet 500, Classic 500 and Thunderbird 500 models. The only other
motorcycles that need fuel injection to meet tighter emissions are the Royal Enfields that use the 350cc
engine. This is crucial as most motorcycles that Royal Enfield sells in India – its biggest market in the
world – are powered by the 350cc UCE. So, fuel injection is another big change that’ll soon come all of
Royal Enfield’s 350cc motorcycles. Prices are likely to increase due to the addition of ABS and fuel
injection.
News Source: Autocar India

Maruti & Honda to launch petrol hybrid cars &
SUVs in India
Hybrid cars from Maruti Suzuki and Honda are 2-4 years away from launch
Both Maruti and Honda are readying full-hybrid cars for the Indian market. The launch of these cars is
at least 2-4 years away at the moment. The new petrol-hybrid cars from Maruti and Honda will be sold
at diesel car prices, which means that they will have heavy amounts of localization in both the electric
motor and batteries required to run them. The shift to hybrid is due to tighter fuel efficiency standards,
which come into place in 2022. Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) will be 113 grams of CO2
per kilometer from 2022, which means that both companies will have to hit the hybrid button to achieve
this stringent target. The present CAFE target is a much more relaxed 138 grams of CO2/km.
Maruti’s head of engineering, CV Raman said this,”What we are looking at doing is improving our
internal combustion engines by hybridizing them.” Echoing his sentiments, Yoichiro Yeno, the MD of
Honda Cars India, said,”It would be essential to launch hybrid vehicles to meet norms. Some
components may have to be imported in the beginning, but we want to maximise the locally made
parts.”
Maruti is expected to benefit from synergies that the Suzuki-Toyota partnership in India will create.
Denso, a car parts maker owned by Toyota, will build lithium-ion batteries in India, in collaboration with
Suzuki. This is expected to result in hybrids becoming a lot cheaper for Maruti. Other components
needed for the hybrid system will also be suitably localized to make the petrol-hybrid cars as cheap as
diesel-powered cars. This could see hybrids becoming vastly accepted by buyers in India.
Honda will also pursue a highly localized petrol-hybrid car policy for the Indian market for the future.
However, the Japanese carmaker may take a different approach in terms of how the hybrid car drives.
Honda could use the Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) or range extender system where it uses the
petrol engine to either run the electric generator to power the batteries or as a direct source of
propulsion for the wheels. More details on this approach will be known closer to the launch of the
Honda petrol-hybrid cars.

DC Design sedans: From Honda City to Hindustan
Ambassador, and a Rolls to boot!
DC Designs is quite popular for their head-turning designs on the regular cars. Most of the people have
mixed comments about the DC Design cars. The mod house has worked on the different genre of
vehicles including hatchbacks, sedans and SUVs. We bring you the popular sedan-based mod jobs that
they have done.
Skoda Superb
The Skoda Superb notchback is one of the most beautiful cars on the Indian roads. Here is a DC-
fied example of the Superb that does not resemble the stock car at all. It gets a complete body kit that
makes it bulgy. The headlamps are inspired by the Cadillac ATS. The rear has been modified to
resemble a coupe-like design now. The car also loses two doors and is now adorned with a striking red
colour that grabs a lot of attention.
Honda City
The Honda City design philosophy is all about being subtle and classy. However, this body kit from DC
completely changes its character. The car gets modified bumper, a body moulding with red plastic grille
and rear diffuser. There is also a faux scoop on the bonnet. The only stock part in the vehicle are the
alloy wheels.
Rolls Royce Silver Spirit III

DC Designs has even worked on a Rolls Royce. This car from the yesteryears has been given a
modern look. The car now gets new body panels and Lamborghini-styled doors. The rear gets a coupe
styling making this Rolls Royce quite unique.
Hyundai Elantra
This is an older generation Elantra that has been modified by the people at DC to make it more
aggressive. The car gets a combination of matte grey wrap job with red highlights. It also gets a new
front grille and a rear bumper finished in red colour. The modified Elantra now rides on a set of new
alloy wheels that look quite good. The interiors have been modified too.
Honda Accord
The older generation Honda Accord has always been linked to class. The good-looking sedan was
termed as a gentlemen’s car in its time. DC transformed the car into a low slung sports car with scissor
doors! That’s not all. There are fake side air vents as well. At the rear, the car gets a huge spoiler. The
flat rear gets the signature exhaust system of DC that comes out of the body of the car.
Ford Ikon
The Ford Ikon gets a timeless design with a mix of flowing body lines and sharp creases. This Ikon has
been converted to a two-seater convertible sports car by DC. Known as the Ikoncept, the car gets
bright yellow paint scheme that makes it very noticeable. It also retains the original Ford logo.
Mitsubishi Lancer
This Mitsubishi Lancer based modification job was done in 2003. Known as the Gaia, it takes a lot of
inspiration from the Bugatti and Bentley of its time. The final form of the vehicle gets 22-inch wheels
and a short and sharp window line that gives it a sporty and low slung appearance. The interiors have
been reworked with leather.
Hindustan Ambassador
DC pulled off the covers from India’s iconic Ambassador based work called the Amberoid in 2008. The
model was a mix of modernity in the shape of classic Ambassador. The sedan was powered by a V12
engine and it had space only for three occupants. The car also had gull-wing doors and ambient lighting
in those days.
Daewoo Cielo
The mod job completely transforms the Cielo to a crossover-ish vehicle that DC has named as the
Vampire. The Vampire looks wicked and is inspired by the Plymouth Prowler and the Corvette styled
tail lamps and the sides. It also gets exposed front wheels to add a brutish look.
Maruti Suzuki Esteem

The Maruti Suzuki Esteem looks very proportionate and classy in its stock form. The peeps at DC
Design have converted the good-looking sedan into a two-door convertible, which is now known as DC
Arka. It now has no resemblance to the Maruti Suzuki Esteem and looks very different.
Land Rover to launch Range Rover Evoque

convertible in India this month
Land Rover will launch one of the most desirable SUVs in the world – the Range Rover Evoque
Convertible. The convertible SUV will be officially launched on 27th March 2018 and it will be first-ever
such SUV to make way for India. The car was first showcased at the 2015 Los Angeles motor show and
was launched in the international markets subsequently.
The drop-top Evoque shares the underpinnings with the regular Range Rover Evoque. However, due to
the foldable roof, the monocoque chassis has been reinforced to add more strength to the vehicle. The
door panels have been reinforced too. A car without a roof needs a stronger body. It is a two-door
version of the Evoque but there are seats for four occupants.
The roof is made up of fabric and is electrically operated. At speed up to 48 km/h, the roof can be
operated and it takes about 20 seconds to completely fold or unfold the roof. Land Rover claims that
the roof uses a special acoustic inner lining that reduces the road noise and enhances the cabin
insulation. Fabric roofs tend to be less effective than the metallic ones. Land Rover has also installed a
wind deflector on the windscreen that reduces the wind noise efficiently when the roof is open.
The Indian version of the Evoque convertible will be powered by JLR’s latest 2.0-litre Ingenium petrol
engine that is also available with Range Rover Velar. The four-cylinder unit produces a maximum
power of 240 Bhp and 340 Nm of peak torque. It gets a 9-speed automatic transmission with the full-
time four-wheel drive system. The SUV is quite quick and can do 0-100 km/h in just 8.1 seconds while
the top speed is limited to 217 km/h.
In India, only the top-end, fully loaded version will be available. the HSE Dynamic variant gets features
like adaptive LED headlamps, Windsor leather seats, navigation, ambient lighting,10-inch infotainment
screen with voice recognition is available. The car also gets power fold, heated door mirrors, memory
seats with mirrors, approach and puddle lamps, rain sensing windscreen wipers, keyless entry,
surround sound system, 12-way electric front seats memory and more. To keep the occupants safe,
there is also a pop-up roll bar that deploys when the car senses roll-over. This roll-bar will save the
occupants in case of turn-overs by giving them extra space between the road and the vehicle.
The price will be officially announced on March 28th but the price is expected to be around Rs. 85 lakh,
ex-showroom.
Tata’s BIG March discounts on cars from Tiago to

Hexa
Now that we are well into the last month of the current financial year, many car manufacturers in India
have started offering attractive discounts and offers on almost all of their products. This is being done in
order to get rid of the old inventory before the advent of the next fiscal. We have already told you about
the discounts available on cars by Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Mahindra, Honda, and Renault-Datsun. In
this post, here, we have come up with all the details on Tata Cars and SUVs with BIG March discounts.
We, at Cartoq, feel that this is actually a very good time to get yourself your favorite Tata car. We say
this as one might also benefit from some discounts at the dealer-level along with all the official offers
we have listed out below.
Tata Tiago
The smallest car in the company’s product portfolio, the Tiago, is available with free first-year insurance
on all Diesel variants. Also, one can expect to benefit from corporate discounts of up to Rs 5,000 on all
variants of the Tiago. We have always felt that the Tiago is a very well-priced product. These discount-
offers further make the deal sweeter.
Tata Tigor
The Tiago-based compact sedan is also available with free first-year insurance. This freebie is available
on both petrol and Diesel models. Other than this, one can expect a corporate bonus of up to Rs 5,000.
Tata Bolt
The slow-selling Bolt B2-segment hatchback is available with offers worth Rs 50,000. You get a straight
cash discount of Rs 35,000. Furthermore, there’s an exchange bonus of Rs 15,000 in case you sell
your existing car to the authorized Tata dealer. The Bolt is a fairly feature-laden and a spacious offering
that has been doing rather poorly on the sales charts. No surprise, then, that it’s available with such
lucrative offers. That said, the Bolt is a capable car and these offers make it an even better buy.
Tata Zest
The Zest is another Tata car that hasn’t really been setting sales charts on fire. Hence, even the Zest is
available with decent discounts and offers. You get a free first-year insurance. Moreover, there’s an
exchange bonus of Rs 15,000 in case you sell your car to the authorized Tata dealership. Akin to the
Bolt, the Zest is a capable car that becomes an even better buy due to these discount offers.
Tata Safari Storme
The fast-aging Safari Storme is on sale with an exchange bonus of Rs 15,000 and free first-year
insurance. Based on the Aria’s platform, the latest iteration of Safari SUV is a pretty capable product
that offers a good ride quality and a true-blue SUV image with that butch design.
Tata Hexa
The Tata Hexa has to be the most comfortable and even the most feature-laden Tata product we’ve
seen so far. The flagship model from Tata Motors is currently available with free first-year insurance.
The Hexa is already a very well-priced offering. The free insurance offer further sweetens up the deal.
Other than the offers mentioned above, there are very good chances that a buyer can also benefit from
more discounts and offers by haggling at the authorized Tata Motors dealership. We think that the
dealer is likely to end up offering some additional benefits in a bid to quickly clear the inventory.
ALSO SEE-
Discounts on Maruti Cars and SUVs in March 2018
Discounts on Hyundai Cars and SUVs in March 2018
Mahindra SUVs with BIG March discounts: Bolero to XUV500
Honda cars & SUVs with BIG March discounts: Honda City to CR-V
Renault-Nissan cars & SUVs with BIG March discounts: Kwid to Duster
These cars are incredibly blissful to drive: From
Maruti Baleno to Hyundai Creta
Posted on March 11, 2018 by Bunny Punia
What do owners want from their cars? While most car buyers prefer parameters like fuel economy,
cabin space or long term reliability, there is a small, but evolving group of buyers that is looking at cars
that are enjoyable to drive. And by the term ‘enjoyable’, I am not referring to performance alone. I am
talking about cars that put a smile on your face, are fuss free and easy to drive and keep you relaxed
no matter what mood you are in – such blissful cars are far and few but here is our filtered list across
various segments.
Rs 4-6 lakh hatchbacks

Model: Tata Tiago
Why: Rich interiors, balanced ride, easy on the pocket, automatic option
Surprised? We start our list with the little Tiago, which is now Tata Motors’ largest selling car. Not only
is it priced right, the Tiago offers more bang for your buck that other rivals. It looks good, feels from a
segment above and has one of the most balanced suspension set-ups out there. You can now pick
from an automatic version as well. Tata has ticked all the right boxes and the little Tiago even kept me
happy during my 1,400km coastal trip down South last year.
Rs 7-9 lakh hatchbacks

Model: Maruti Baleno RS
Why: Effortless performance, peace of mind, super spacious
You will be surprised with the way this hatchback builds up speeds on city roads without even trying.
The reason for this is the turbo-charged petrol engine putting out 150 Nm of torque from just 1700 rpm.
And then the super slick short-shift gearbox which makes down-shifting a hoot. When you are not in the
mood to go fast, the Baleno’s excellent ride quality takes over and extremely spacious cabin can handle
your load of friends on a weekend drive.
Rs 10-12 lakh sedans

Model: Hyundai Verna
Why: Performance packed, now rides better, feature list
The new Verna turns heads. Period. It looks like a scaled down Elantra and I would buy one in red. The
Verna continues to offer segment best performance thanks to the 128 bhp 1.6-litre diesel engine and
with the latest version, Hyundai has retuned the mapping to provide extra oomph at lower engine revs.
And then the quality of interiors – keeps impressing us always. Want to be pampered? The sun-roof
and ventilated seats will do just that!
Rs 12-15 lakh SUVs

Model: Hyundai Creta
Why: Segment best cabin, still looks smart, variants on offer
With 14 different versions or trim levels on offer, the Hyundai Creta appeals to a wide segment of
buyers. This means even if you are on a budget, you can still enjoy this car as an owner. It looks smart
even after several years of launch, has the lowest NVH (noise, vibration, hand harshness) levels in the
segment and drives more like a big sedan than a SUV. The 1.6 auto also makes this an effortless car,
err, SUV to drive. Our pick in this price band.
Rs 14-18 lakh MPVs

Model: Toyota Innova Crysta
Why: Unbeatable ride quality, unbeatable reliability
Yes, the Innova Crysta is an MPV to own but once you do, there will be no looking back. This Toyota
will make you a brand loyalist for reasons like best in class ride quality, segment best re-sale value and
will be a reliable work horse for decades. The new Crysta is also feature packed including leather
interiors and special Touring edition. It doesn’t matter if you are behind the wheel or at the back, the
Toyota Innova remains the best 7-seater family MPV out there.
Rs 25-30 lakh SUVs

Model: Ford Endeavour
Why: Big size but easy drive, comfort, equipment levels
No, it isn’t the Toyota Fortuner that is our pick in this price band. The mighty Ford Endeavour does not
offer the Fortuner’s in-your-face design but it excels in everything else. Don’t be intimidated by the
sheer size as the Endeavour is easy to drive, very comfortable and pampers you with a feature list that
puts the Fortuner in the back seat. It is also cheaper to maintain in terms of service costs, something
that will keep you smiling and relaxed for years.
Skoda Vision X concept-based SUV is a Hyundai

Creta rival
Skoda Vision X-based SUV to use low-cost version of VW’s MQB platform
Skoda showcased the Vision X SUV concept at the Geneva Motor Show, and this vehicle will be the
inspiration for Skoda’s next big mass-market offering for the Indian market. The automaker will build an
SUV that will rival the Hyundai Creta, and introduce it in India sometime in 2020. It will use a low-cost
version of the Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform and will be a derivative of the Vision X SUV concept.
Oliver Stefani, Skodaís head of design, said, “What we are looking at is a car that will draw inspiration
from the Vision X, but, after my recent visit to India, I have realized we would need to offer more space
in the rear.”
The new Skoda SUV will also become the base of a new offering from Volkswagen, but with different
styling and body panels. Both the Skoda and Volkswagen SUVs for India are expected to use the same
platform and engines. This is to keep costs low and give the Volkswagen group volumes of scale in the
Indian market. Skoda is expected to take over the Volkswagen factory at Chakan and lead the charge
as the group’s big bet for the Indian market.
In terms of engines for the new Skoda Vision X-based compact SUV, nothing is sure at the moment.
However, with Volkswagen unwilling to invest energies and resources into bringing the 1.5-liter TDI
EA189 turbocharged diesel engine in compliance with the Bharat Stage 6 emission norms, the focus
shifts to the 2-liter EA288 diesel engine for powering the upcoming Skoda compact SUV for India. As
for petrol engines, the SUV is expected to use a turbocharged, direct injected unit from Volkswagen’s
TSI range. The 1 liter-3 cylinder TSI turbocharged petrol motor is likely. Both manual and twin-clutch
automatic gearbox options are likely to be available with the petrol and diesel engines. Similar
hardware is expected on the Volkswagen-badged compact SUV, which will also launch in 2020.

]
Seen here is a walkaround-video of the new Mahindra Roxor off-road vehicle that will soon go on sale
in the United States. As you can see in the video we have here, the Roxor looks a lot like a slightly
scaled-down version of the Thar. Basically, the Roxor is based on the Thar but comes with many
changes that help it adapt to the off-road vehicle market in the States. Here, in this walkaround-video,
you can have a good look at all the features of this Polaris RZR-rival.
The Roxor is not road-legal and is for off-road use and recreational purposes only. It will be
assembled at Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Roxor has a towing capacity of more than 1,500 Kgs, which
means the latest Mahindra offering can be even used on a farm to tow agriculture-related equipment.
Priced at roughly USD 15,000 (approx Rs 9 lakh), the Roxor seems to be quite an expensive option,
especially in the Indian context. However, Mahindra is trying to create a new segment of ‘Retro ATVs’
with the Roxor, which, if successful, can help Mahindra establish itself quite well in the US off-road and
recreational vehicle market. The Roxor comes with a handful of features, such as – BF Goodrich KO2
Radial Offroad tires, 40″ KC HiLites Light Bar, Warn 8,000 lb. winch, heavy duty battery, Bestop Bikini
soft top, MTX Bluetooth sound bar, 3-spoke sports steering wheel, 12V power socket, and under seat
lockboxes.
The Roxor shares in plenty with the Thar DI 4WD. Powering the Roxor is the same 2.5-liter
turbocharged Diesel engine that powers the Thar. For the Roxor, this motor outputs a maximum power
of 62 bhp along with a peak torque of 180 Nm. The engine comes mated to a five-speed manual
transmission. You also get 2WD and 4WD modes that can be selected through a 2-speed manual
transfer case. The Roxor boasts of a full-floating axle at the front and leaf-springs for both the front and
rear. You get a semi-floating axle at the rear. This suspension setup should make the Roxor
appropriate for rough usage. Also, a simple construction should help buyers easily tune this off-road
vehicle for heavy off-road usage. Braking is courtesy of disc brakes at the front and drum units at the
rear. Top speed has been restricted to 70 kmph to meet the guidelines set by the US Transport
Department.
From Maruti Baleno RS to Ford Figo, India’s hot

100 BHP hatchback cars!
With 100 BHP or more, these cars may not sell in high numbers, but are an
enthusiast’s delight.
The family of 100 Bhp hatchbacks was rather small a few years back. With improved roads and higher
buying power, more and more hatchbacks now offer higher power output and are more enthusiast-
focused. Here are all the hatchbacks in India that get 100 Bhp or more powerful engines in India.
Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS
The Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS is the first hot hatchback from the brand in India. the car is powered by a
1.0-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder petrol engine that generates a maximum of 101 Bhp and 150 Nm. The
lightweight of 950 kg makes the Baleno RS a hoot to drive around. Maruti has even tuned the
suspension of the vehicle, which has made it a much better handling vehicle than the regular model.
Ford Figo diesel
Ford has always been known for making driving enthusiast-centric cars. The Figo is another good
example of the same. Ford launched the S version of the regular Figo last year that gets improved
suspension and larger 15-inch wheels that improve the handling characteristics of the vehicle.
The diesel engine of the Figo is powered by a 1.5-litre engine that produces a maximum power of 99
Bhp – 215 Nm. It is one of the quickest diesel hatchbacks in the country and can do 0-100 km/h in
10.55 seconds. The Figo S diesel is only available with a 5-speed manual transmission. The same
engine is available with the regular Figo too.
Abarth Punto
The Abarth Punto is the most powerful hatchback on sale under Rs. 10 lakhs in the Indian market. It is
a hatchback that has been tuned for pure performance. The hatchback is powered by a 1.4-litre turbo
petrol engine that generates a maximum of 145 Bhp and 212 Nm. It gets a 5-speed transmission. Fiat
vehicles are always known for their driving capabilities. The Abarth Punto gets stiffer suspension and
gets disc brakes on all the four wheels. The car also gets lowered than the regular model to minimize
the body roll.
Volkswagen Polo GT TSI

The Polo GT TSI was the first vehicle in the segment to introduce a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. It
was also one of the first hot hatchbacks in India. It is quite a popular car among the enthusiasts.
Volkswagen launched the GT TSI with a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine that attracted many more
enthusiasts. The engine produces a maximum of 103 Bhp – 175 Nm. The power is delivered to the
front wheels through the 7-speed DSG dual clutch transmission.
Volkswagen Polo GT TDI
After the launch of the GT TSI, Volkswagen launched the diesel version of the hot hatchback. The GT
TDI was one of the first affordable diesel hot hatchbacks in the Indian market. The car is powered by a
1.5-litre turbocharged engine that generates a maximum of 110 Bhp – 250 Nm. It only gets a manual
transmission option, unlike its petrol sibling that gets a 7-speed DSG transmission.
Honda Jazz
The made a comeback to the Indian market and now offers a diesel engine too. The diesel engine is
very powerful and is at least 2 seconds quicker than the petrol variant. The Honda Jazz is powered by
a 1.5-litre iDTEC diesel engine that produces a maximum of 98 Bhp and 200 Nm. The Jazz diesel is
only available with a manual transmission. The quick Jazz also offers roomy interiors and a slew of
features that makes it quite practical.
Fiat Abarth Urban Cross
The Fiat Urban Cross is the latest Abarth product to be launched in India. The Urban Cross is based on
the Fiat Punto but gets higher ground clearance and body cladding. The power comes from the same
1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine that that produces 138 Bhp and 210 Nm.
Fiat Abarth Avventura
The Avventura is another vehicle based on the Fiat Punto. Like the Urban Cross, it gets better ground
clearance and SUV-ish looks. The car is powered by the same 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine that
produces a maximum of 138 Bhp and 210 Nm.
Tata Tiago JTP (upcoming)

Tata earlier confirmed that they are working on a hot version of the Tiago instead of the Bolt. The Tiago
JTP was finally showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo. It gets smoked headlamps, bonnet scoops, body kit
and rear diffuser. Tata has also painted the ORVMs in a contrasting red colour and the roof in black
colour to add a sporty look. Engine-wise, the car will be powered by the same 1.2-litre REVOTRON
turbo-petrol engine that powers the Nexon. It generates similar 108 Bhp and 150 Nm in the Tiago JTP
Tata H5X SUV 7-seat version: This is what it could

look like
Tata Motors H5X SUV 7 seat version will launch in 2020
Tata Motors will launch the 5-seat version of the H5X SUV early next year as an upscale competitor to
the Hyundai Creta. The SUV will be based on the Land Rover LS550 platform, with sufficient
localization to keep prices under a check. What Tata has also revealed is that the platform will host
another SUV, which is larger than the H5X, and which will have 7 seats compared to the H5X’s 5. Here
is a speculative render that shows what the 7 seat Tata SUV could look like.
The new SUV will be launched at least a year after the launch of the H5X. It will also have more power
and torque on tap despite using the same engine as the H5X. On the 7 seat SUV, the Fiat-sourced 2-
liter, Multijet turbocharged diesel engine will make 170 Bhp-350 Nm. This will be considerably more
than the 140 Bhp-320 Nm of the 5-seater H5X. However, gearboxes are expected to be the same – a
6-speed manual and a 9-speed torque converter automatic.
Like the H5X, the new 7-seat SUV is expected to be offered with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive
layouts. It will be Tata Motors’ most expensive SUV but with a base price lower than the Rs. 20 lakh
mark. Tata Motors loves to play the value card on all its vehicles and the 7-seat SUV is expected to be
no different in this aspect. Interiors and many features of the new SUV are likely to be shared with the
H5X. This parts sharing will give Tata Motors volumes of scale, and allow it to price the new 7-seat SUV
competitively. Whether the new 7 seat SUV will replace the Safari Storme is something we have to wait
and watch for. For now, it appears that the new SUV is an ideal replacement for the Safari Storme,
which will be 8 years old in 2020, and ripe for a full model change.
Rendering Source: Indian Autos Blog

Isuzu D-Max V-Cross pick-ups being used for
perfect adventurous getaways [Video]
Adventure driving is fast catching up in India and an increasing number of car owners are now
venturing out in their SUVs and 4×4 vehicles to explore the beauty of this country. Even manufacturers
are upping the game by providing lifestyle products – case in the Isuzu V-Cross. The popularity of this
4×4 pick-up has showcased the immense potential in this new upcoming category of vehicles.
And in case you do not own a V-Cross and yet want to experience its potential, head over to Gurgaon
based XTLO or ‘Xtreme Travel & Lifestyle Overland’ team. They currently have a dedicated fleet of six
customized V-Cross pick-ups for customer expeditions and tours.
We came across the latest video by XTLO which showcases the Isuzu V-Cross being driven in its
natural environment. As seen in the video below, a group of V-Cross SUVs are making their way
around Rajasthan, exploring places which are otherwise not connected with roads or rural paths. This
was XTLO’s Tour of Rajasthan and the pick-ups seem to be at home as the participants utilize its
potential. The pick-ups are further altered to suit such tours – the ARB deluxe bull bars for example.
These are compliant with all safety ratings and are one of very few accessories in the world to offer full
SRS protection. This means in the event of a collision they will still allow the airbags to deploy.
The V-Cross is easily able to adapt to quick changing terrains – from climbing soft sand dunes to
pushing it through the dry vasts of Sambhar lake flats, we love the ending bit where the pick-ups climb
the rocky hill and give a bird’s eye view of the surroundings. The torquey engine along with 4H / 4L
modes certainly comes in handy during such drives.
The Isuzu V-Cross is India’s most capable pick-up truck. It faces competition fom the Mahindra Scorpio
Getaway and the Tata Xenon. However, it is the most comfortable and feature loaded of the lot. Isuzu
gave the V-Cross a mild face-lift few months back and the vehicle now comes in two versions with
prices starting at Rs 14.31 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi. The V-Cross continues to be powered by a 2.5-
litre turbocharged diesel engine that puts out 134 bhp of power and 320 Nm of torque. 4×4 with shift on
the fly is standard in both the versions.
You can head over to XTLO’s website to know more about their expeditions. The company has a fleet
of six customized Isuzu V-Cross pick-ups and these are available for a self-drive experience as per the
schedule on the website. A big shout to Demotic Media for the superb video.
Yamaha RX100: The motorcycle legend with fans,
even in 2018!
How the legendary RX100 was born, evolved, almost died.., and is today
reborn in RX clubs!
The Yamaha RX100 is a legend. This bike single handed-ly changed the way India commuted, and set
a benchmark for two stroke bikes, for a couple of decades to come. Today, let’s take a look at how the
RX100 has evolved over the years, and how some of its fans are keeping the nostalgia alive, and
kicking.
How did the RX happen?

The RX100 was easily the single most influential motorcycle of the 1980s. Even Yamaha couldn’t have
anticipated the bike’s massive success. It was actually born a radical. When Yamaha’s RD350 failed
spectacularly, the Japanese motorcycle giant went back to the drawing board.
Yamaha saw TVS-Suzuki succeeding with the AX100, and sought to outdo the former. The RX100 was
born. Back then, the 98 cc-11 Bhp-95 Kg bike was much faster than the other two stroke bikes
around. It was reliable and affordable, too. Soon, a cult developed around the RX100, which remains
strong to this day.
The RX100’s production run spanned between November 1985 and March 1996, and until the RX-G
replaced it, the bike was one of India’s best selling two stroke machines, ever. The bike was actively
raced, rallied and motocrossed. And a bunch of tuners worked their magic on it to make it go faster,
and faster.
After the RX100, what?
In the mid-1990s, emission norms started getting stricter and four stroke bikes, led by the Hero Honda
CD100 and Splendor started dominating sales charts as the demand for better fuel efficiency
increased. Two strokes were on the wane. Slow to change, Yamaha gave the RX range a big capacity
boost. Say, hello to the RX-G.
Yamaha replaced the 98.2 cc two stroke engine of the RX100 with a 132 cc unit. Power went up from
11 to 11.8 Bhp, but torque dropped from 10.4 Nm to 10 Nm despite the capacity increase. Yes, strict
emission norms took their toll, and the RX-G never really did well.
Time then, for the RX135

By now, two strokes were getting obliterated by four strokes but Yamaha wasn’t giving up yet. The
company revamped the RX-G’s ignition system, and launched the RX-135, a bike that had the same
132 cc engine, but added power and torque of about 12 Bhp-12.25 Nm. The RX135 did enjoy some
success but could never really become a rage like the RX100.
From commuter to sporty
To tackle the four stroke onslaught, Yamaha came up with another variation of the RX series, the RX-Z.
One of the most radical looking two stroke bikes ever built in India, the RX-Z was a sensation that every
college going kid in the 1990s drooled over.
And the emissions get even more tighter
At the turn of the millennium, emission norms got even tighter, and Yamaha responded by adding a
catalytic converter and a five speed gearbox to the RX135 and RX-Z models. They featured a nice
power boost – 14 Bhp from 12 Bhp, while torque got a minor boost 12.5 Nm from 12.25 Nm.
Both bikes were eagerly lapped up by two stroke fans but most of the market preferred the more fuel
efficient four stroke commuters. The RX135 and RX-Z stuck on until 2001. After this, Yamaha
continued to sell the RX-135 4 speed, equipped with a catalytic converter, until 2003, before it was
culled.
Now what?
The RX range of motorcycles aren’t dead. In fact, scores of RX100s and RX135s can still be seen on
Indian roads but their numbers are rapidly declining. While a bunch of enthusiasts continue to lovingly
look after these two stroke legends, the Indian market is now completely dominated by four strokes.
Yes, you can’t buy a single new two stroke bike in India today. And that’s almost the case globally. Two
strokes are dead, except in ships and trains. Coming back to RXs, a lot of modified examples are
surfacing. Here are a few such examples.
The rise of the RX clubs
As two strokes went out of production, nostalgia around them soared, and cults got resurrected. The
RX series, easily among the most popular two strokers India has seen, now has a fair share of clubs in
almost every corner of the country. These clubs regularly organize meets, rides and even help
members procure hard-to-source spares.
Here are a few links to some of the popular RX clubs of the country,
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6
How much does a used RX cost?
This varies. Bikes can be picked up from the scrapyard for as little as Rs. 5,000. A well restored
example of the RX100 will cost about Rs. 40,000 upwards. RX135-5 speeds and RX-Z 5 Speeds are
quite expensive in South India while little demand exists in North India, where they can be found for
much cheaper. All in all, the cost of the bikes vary wildly with region and condition.
Images courtesy 2,5,7, 3, 6, 16, 17

Toyota Fortuner-Range Rover race ends in crash,
biker killed
A case of reckless driving has surfaced from Chandigarh where a Toyota Fortuner and a Range Rover
Sport engaged in a race. The Range Rover was involved in an accident and was found resting on its
side. The high-speed run resulted in the death of a biker.
What exactly happened?

The accident took place in Sector 49, Chandigarh on Thursday night. Eyewitnesses claim that the
Range Rover Sport was driving at a high-speed towards Mohali while racing with a Toyota Fortuner.
The Range Rover lost its control and hit a Maruti Alto on the way.
The Maruti Alto overturned after the impact and the SUV hit a pole on the divider. The high-speed of
the vehicle caused it to jump the divider and hit a motorcycle coming from Mohali. According to the
cops, the Range Rover dragged the biker for about 100 meters before stopping against a tree. The
vehicle had overturned multiple times before coming to a stop. The motorcyclist was a native of
Kotkapura in Punjab but worked in Mohali and was returning from his work in a call centre when the
accident took place.
The driver of the Range Rover has been identified as Chamkaur Singh Virk, 29, a son of the
transporter, Bant Singh from Ludhiana. The miscreant fled the spot after his friends in Toyota Fortuner
helped him to come out of the vehicle after breaking the sunroof of the mangled SUV.
A case has been registered on the complaint of Alto driver against Chamkaur and was arrested under
the Section 304 (A) (causing death by negligence) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in a bailable offence.
After a few hours of his arrest, he was let off on bail. He was also booked under Sections 279 (rash
driving) and 337 (causing hurt by an act endangering the life or personal safety of others) but all the
sections are bailable offences.
The biker, Aman Raswanta was rushed to a Government Medical College and Hospital in Sector 32
where the doctors referred him to the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research. He
was declared brought dead. He was wearing a helmet but it couldn’t save him from the impact. The Alto
driver also received injuries but he is in a stable condition and is out of danger.
Jaswinder Kaur, Inspector, Sector 49 Police station said,

“We have arrested Chamkaur, and are trying to trace the occupants of the Fortuner, who
helped him flee the scene after breaking the SUV’s sunroof. Inspection of Chamkaur’s vehicle
revealed a broken sunroof, though the vehicle landed on its side, consolidating the injured
eyewitness’s account of Chamkaur’s friends having helped him flee,”
Police have said that blood and urine samples have been sent for traces of alcohol.
Source1, Source2, video

Renault Kwid, Maruti Swift, Skoda Octavia vRS, all
look better topless! Here is proof
The Indian weather really does not permit the use of convertible cars throughout the year. With the
winters slowly gripping the parts of country, the weather has really become more considerate towards
open roof driving. We bring you 10 convertibles based on the everyday cars that look hot enough to
cause a traffic jam. Here’s hoping that manufacturers bring in affordable, convertible versions of these
cars to India some day.
Maruti Swift
The Swift is one of the most popular cars from Maruti, and sure has good looks. Even though the car is
bit old now, the Swift has these curves that makes it unique to the segment. Here we see the Swift
going top-less and it is nothing less than mesmerising. This cabriolet hatchback will fulfil many dreams
if it becomes a reality.
Hyundai Elantra
Hyundai recently graduated from the Fluidic design language to the next level and their cars now look
brilliant. One fine example is the new Elantra that has been recently launched in India. The Elantra
without the roof looks a beautiful mashup between sporty and elegance. The body gets two flowing
horizontal lines across the doors and makes the Elantra cabriolet a desirable car.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord has entered in its sixth generation and was recently launched in India. The Accord
has shed its classy looks for sporty, and modern exteriors now. Accord is made to chauffeur
businessmen around comfortably around the town but what if we say that it has a magnetic effect when
its roof is chopped? Don’t believe us? Check this out!
Skoda Octavia
There is no doubt in the fact that the Skoda Octavia is a hot looking sedan. The busy design lines on
the bonnet and the powerful shoulder line on the sedan makes it a perfect car for open roof design. The
renderer has smartly changed the colours of the A-Pillars making the whole package even better.
Chevrolet Beat
The funky looking hatchback from Chevrolet sure has good looking characteristics. The Beat is small
little car with strong body design. With the absence of the roof, the Beat looks way better than the hard
top version. The two-door open top Beat will get a lot of attention if it becomes a reality in the future.
For now, let’s just drool at this rendering!
Continued Below: Everyday cars that’ll stop traffic if they go topless

Image Source: 1,2,3,4,5
Continued: TEN everyday cars that’ll stop traffic if
they go topless
Here are 5 more such everyday cars that will stop traffic if they go topless.
Renault Kwid
The Kwid has become a hot selling product for Renault in India. The car has been gaining popularity
with each passing month. Now that the car has already got the 1.0-litre and AMT version in India, the
topless version of the car does not look like a bad idea at all. The rendering is based on the Kwid racer
concept and the bits like dual tone grille and the native SUV-ish looks of the Kwid make it a hot looking
convertible.
Volkswagen Polo
The Polo is an iconic car and has a timeless design. Volkswagen has been the carrying the same
design for the Polo since a very long time and none of the customers seem to have become bored of it.
The open top version of the Volkswagen Polo takes it to next level altogether. The car looks simple yet
very attractive in the open top version. The Polo now has many variants in India, like the GT and GTI,
and we would not mind an open top version now, would we?
Chevrolet Cruze
The diesel rocket is not a hot selling product in the market, mainly because of less space it offers and
the Chevrolet badge it comes with. The top down version of the Cruze looks like something that
everyone will look forward to. The Cruze cabriolet in two door, two seat avatar looks like a product that
everyone will run after.
Mahindra XUV 500

The best seller from the D-segment receives mixed reaction from the market when it comes to the
looks. Nonetheless, the XUV’s butch looks makes it own the road any day. This convertible based on
the XUV is a unique one. The two-seater, two-door convertible sure will turn a number of heads when
on road. Mahindra recently showcased the XUV Aero during the Auto Expo early this year, we should
just sit tight and trust in Mahindra’s design team.
Skoda Yeti
The Yeti is a very potent SUV. There’s an array of equipment to help the car go through any situation.
The only downside of the Yeti is its looks. The open top version of the Yeti solves this very problem.
The open top version of the car gets roll-over cage to save the occupants if the car overturns. The two-
seater, four-seater version of the car will surely attract a lot of buyers if it becomes a reality.
Image Source: 1,2,3,4

ABS brakes save the day, again, on an Indian
highway!
The Indian highways are one of the most dangerous places to drive. A large number of accidents on
the Indian roads is a proof that the highways are not safe. A recent incident from the Bangalore –
Hyderabad highway tells us why the highways are so dangerous.
This video shows an SUV on the Bangalore-Highway stretch where it is doing a constant 100 – 110
km/h on an empty stretch. This is a closed stretch with steel guards on both sides of the road. Such
guards are placed to stop the pedestrians and animals to cross the roads.
The driver of the vehicle spots an old lady crossing the road when he started braking and honking. As
per the driver, the lady was looking at him while crossing the road and the driver expected her to stop.
However, the lady continued walking across the road. The driver applied full brakes when he realised
that she would not stop. The ABS kicked in multiple times and it was a downhill which delayed the
stopping time.
The lady realised that a car is coming on her way at a high speed. Looking at the vehicle, she froze and
stepped back. The driver swerved to the left to avoid any contact with the lady. Had it been night, the
results would have been very different here as spotting someone at night becomes very difficult. Also,
the stretch is empty, had there been another vehicle behind, it could have rear-ended the SUV under
hard braking.
Many people cannot sense the speed of an oncoming vehicle, which could have been the case here.
Also, short-sightedness can be the reason that she could not spot the vehicle earlier. These factors
make the Indian highways extremely dangerous and prone to accidents. Thankfully the driver could
bring the vehicle to stop in time and had a dashboard camera to record it all.
There have been previous incidents reported from the Indian highways where the villagers blocked the
roads and held the motorists because of accidents due to jaywalking.
Here are a few tips that can keep you safe on the Indian highways:
1. Always slow down while crossing a stretch through towns of villages.
2. Keep an eye open for stray animals, they are very difficult to spot at night.
3. Always maintain the speed limit. Slower the speed, quicker you stop.
4. Overtake from the right-hand side, it gives a clear view and keeps you in the view of the other driver.
5. Never drive close to heavy vehicles like trucks and buses on the highway.
6. Never tailgate any other vehicle.
Source, Video
Sales of non-ISI helmets to be banned throughout
the country
In yet another step towards eliminating the use of non-ISI two-wheeler helmets, Government of India
will soon ban the sale of them throughout the country. By 2018-end, selling a non-ISI helmet will
become a punishable offense. We believe that this will be a huge step in the right direction to reduce
road fatalities involving two-wheelers.
It is being said that this move to ban sales of non-ISI helmets has been welcomed by the ISI helmet
association. This development took place on the sidelines of an event organized by MoRTH on March-
7, wherein Nitin Gadkari and Dharmendra Pradhan launched Sukhad Yatra mobile app and 1033
National Highway emergency helpline number. BIS has told a Supreme Court panel on road safety that
the compulsory move for ISI certification can be implemented within 6 months from now.
Rajeev Kapur, President, ISI helmet manufacture Association said, “We are proud of our policy makers
as this was much needed. Looking at the current statics over 75 to 80 percent of helmets used by two-
wheeler riders across India do not meet ISI standards, the market is flooded with sub-standard products
that compromise on safety despite a fourth of all road deaths involve two-wheeler occupants. We are
now glad that government has made it mandatory for all helmet manufacturers to obtain Indian
standards certification from Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for the headgears in order to reduce road
fatalities.”
While it’s actually a thing of common sense to wear a helmet to protect oneself while riding a two-
wheeler, many two-wheeler users in India find the practice of wearing a helmet totally unnecessary.
While the various drives to push two-wheeler users into wearing a helmet has yielded some positive
results, many users buy cheap, non-ISI mark helmets. Such helmets generally offer no protection and
their usage has even given rise to a fake helmet industry. Economics suggest that the least possible
cost of production of an ISI-approved helmet ranges between Rs 300-400. There are many replicas of
these helmets available for as low as Rs 100. Such helmets are being purchased to avoid being fined
by the traffic cops. However, they offer no protection in an event of a crash.
Estimated demand for two-wheeler helmets in India is around 90 million pieces per annum. A large
number of two-wheeler users purchase non-ISI helmets. The government’s move will aim to convert
them into users of ISI-approved helmets. The authorities will soon start identifying retailers of non-ISI
helmets and booking them under the law.
Royal Enfield Electric motorcycle is on its way to

India!
Royal Enfield electric motorcycle under development for the Indian market
Royal Enfield is the latest among the long list of automakers in India who are betting big on going
electric. Royal Enfield president, Rudratej Singh, has confirmed that the Indian retro motorcycle giant is
developing an electric motorcycle for the Indian market. However, the motorcycle is at least a couple of
years away from production. He delved into more details including the way in which the new Royal
Enfield electric motor will perform. Here are the comments he made to Autocar on this matter.
“At the moment, thereís no indicative timeline for REís electric platform development, but donít expect
to see a production bike before 2020. But what will an electric Royal Enfield be like? Well, itís fair to
expect that the motorcycle will be all about enormous torque delivery. This will suit the Royal Enfield
character well, and while loyalists will definitely miss the iconic thump, theyíre just going to have to
come to terms with the fact that the future of automobiles is going to be brisk, but quiet!”
Royal Enfield fans may not like the fact that an electric motorcycle will be quiet, without the signature
thump that has come to be one of the biggest pull of the Royal Enfield range of motorcycles. However,
the immense torque that an electric motor makes right off idle could be the big compensatory feature of
the electric motorcycle, and in some years, people may even forget the thump of Royal Enfields. More
details about the new electric motorcycle that Royal Enfield is putting together will be revealed in due
time.
For now, we do know that Royal Enfield wants to be an innovative motorcycle maker ready to embrace
change rather than fight it. Royal Enfield will soon launch two twin-cylinder motorcycles here, which are
a part of the Indian motorcycle giant’s most ambitious project yet. By developing the electric
motorcycle, Royal Enfield seems to be taking a leaf out of Harley Davidson’s book. Harley is also
developing an electric motorcycle which will soon be launched commercially in the United States.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire is once again the highest
selling car in India
Maruti Dzire takes back its crown of best-selling car from Alto and is even ahead of
new Swift
The Maruti Dzire is India’s best-selling car yet again! As shown by February 2018 sales figures, the
compact sedan has just about managed to outsell the Alto hatchback in February 2018, with sales of
20,941 units compared to the Alto’s 19,760 units. The Swift was India’s third best-selling car last month,
with sales of 17,291 units. While the Dzire and the Swift have shown massive sales growth year-on-
year, at 26 % and 40 % respectively, the Alto’s sales growth has been rather muted, with merely a 1 %
growth in February 2018 when compared with numbers from February 2017.
There are multiple reasons for the Dzire doing so well in India. The compact sedan is a huge hit not
only with personal car buyers but also in the cab-operator segment. The Dzire is now available with
AMT options on both petrol and diesel engines, which further increases its appeal. Moreover, the car
has a fresh design, much better-looking interiors that are more spacious than before, and a new set of
features. Safety features such as airbags and ABS are standard, pricing is sharp and the car is now
lighter, peppier and more fuel efficient than before. As for the new Swift, high demand is mainly due to
the fact that the car is very new, and has all the features of the Dzire, minus a bigger boot.
Meanwhile, Maruti will not be complaining as the Alto is at the fag end of its model lifecycle. The
current, 2nd generation Alto, was first introduced in India in 2012. Ever since its launch, the hatchback
has consistently been India’s best-selling car barring a few months where the Dzire has moved ahead.
The Alto sold in India is available with 2 engine options, both three-cylinder units with capacities of
796cc and 999cc respectively. Both engines get 5-speed manual gearboxes as standard while a 5
speed AMT is offered on the larger, more powerful 1-liter petrol engine. The smaller engine also gets a
CNG-petrol dual fuel option in select markets. Maruti is expected to replace the Alto with an all-new
model next year.
News Source: Business Today

Mahindra’s upcoming cars and SUVs: From
XUV700 to Maruti Brezza-rival S201
Mahindra has a few interesting products lined-up for launch in India soon. The indigenous manufacturer
showcased a slew of new vehicles at the 2018 Auto Expo and announced the arrival of new cars and
SUVs in the Indian market. What are the upcoming products from the brand in India? Let’s find out.
All-new Mahindra Scorpio

Expected Launch: 2020
Mahindra and Mahindra has recently revealed that they are working on the all-new Scorpio. The new
vehicle will remain on the ladder-on-frame body-type but it will get a new frame chassis from
SsangYong. The new car will be launched to keep up with the new standardisation of safety and
pollution norms in India.
The all-new Scorpio will get a new 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine that will be BS VI compliant. The
SUV is also expected to get a turbocharged petrol engine.
All-new Mahindra XUV 500

Expected Launch: 2020
Mahindra’s current flagship vehicle, the XUV 500 has been around for a good time now. Mahindra is
also working on an all-new XUV 500 that will use a new monocoque platform. The new XUV 500 is also
expected to get similar engine options as the upcoming Scorpio. The XUV 500 already offers a 2.2-litre
petrol engine but it is not as refined as petrol engine should be.
All-new Mahindra Thar

Expected launch: 2022
The Mahindra Thar is getting quite old now. Mahindra is working on an all-new Thar that will be based
on the upcoming Scorpio’s ladder-on-frame chassis. This will be the same frame that is borrowed from
SsangYong. Mahindra will use a newer turbo-diesel engine as well as the turbo-petrol engine to power
the upcoming Thar. We may even see an electric powertrain on the new Thar. The upcoming Thar will
be much safer and comfortable to drive than the current version of the car.
Mahindra XUV 700

Expected launch: 2018 end
Mahindra showcased the XUV 700 at the 2018 Auto Expo. The rebadged version of the G4 Rexton, the
XUV 700 will be powered by a turbocharged diesel engine with 2.2-litre displacement. This engine has
been developed with SsangYong and it develops a peak power of 178 Bhp – 420 Nm. It gets a 7-speed
automatic transmission sourced from Mercedes-Benz. The launch is expected to happen by the year-
end. The price is expected to be around Rs. 21 lakh.
Mahindra S201 SWB

Expected launch: 2018 end
Mahindra will launch its third product in the sub 4-meter compact SUV segment in the form of S201
SWB. This will be Mahindra’s answer to the sub 4-meter compact SUV segment that comprises of Ford
EcoSport, Maruti Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon and the likes. The SUV will be powered by an all-new
turbo-petrol engine that generates 140 Bhp and a new turbo-diesel engine that generates 125 Bhp.
Mahindra S201 LWB

Mahindra will also launch a long wheelbase version of the S201. Internationally, the long wheelbase
version gets more luggage room and rear space but the Indian version will get an additional row of
seat. The engines are expected to be same as the S201 SWB. This model will take on the likes of
Renault Duster and Hyundai Creta in the market. Both the versions of the vehicle have been spied
testing in India.
Mahindra U321
The Mahindra U321 is an upcoming MPV that Mahindra will field against the Toyota Innova in the
market. The 7-seater MPV will offer a lot of premium features and a great level of comfort. The MPV
has been caught on test multiple times already.
This is the first MPV that is being developed by the manufacturer’s North American development centre
in Troy, Michigan. The U321 will be a global MPV that will be available in various markets including
India. Details like platform or engine are not known as of now.
Continued Below: Mahindra’s upcoming cars and SUVs in India; From XUV
700 to Maruti Brezza-rival S201
You’ll have to pay to have ‘BOSS’ and ‘PAPA’ in

your registration plates
Want a ‘BOSS’ or a ‘PAPA’ in your vehicle’s registration plate? Get ready to pay extra! The regional
transport office (RTO), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, has come up with a list of 25 numbers that will become
‘paid’ numbers akin to VIP numbers like ‘0001’. The fancy numbers that we are talking about actually
read like words when written in certain styles and fonts. For example, 8055 becomes BOSS and 4141
becomes PAPA when written in a Hindi font. Even 0214 is being written as RAM by many in a Hindi
font.
RTO officials are of the belief that charging for such numbers will serve two purposes – 1. It will
discourage the practice of such fancy number plates. 2. It will help the RTO collect additional revenues.
The proposal has been sent to the state transport department for approval. It may be noted here that a
registration number has to be to be written in compliance with the specifications in Section 51 of the
Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. Hence, having a fancy font for the registration number is
punishable under law. However, a small fine of Rs 100 doesn’t really discourage people from having a
fancy font. “Putting a price tag on such numbers might discourage the practice of stylish number
plates,” said ARTO (administration), Lucknow, Raghvendra Singh.
In a proposal sent to the state transport, RTO has clearly stated that such fancy numbers are in high
demand and people even wait for weeks to get such numbers. Often, people keep their vehicles
unregistered till they get the registration numbers of their choice. Moreover, it pressurizes RTO
employees to allot such numbers as there are too many requests for the same number. The state
transport department conducts an online auction of as many as 350 registration numbers. It now looks
like even the aforementioned fancy numbers will be included in the list. We feel that the proposal to
charge for registration numbers that can be made to look like ‘BOSS’ using a stylish font is a smart
move to curb all such practices. What do you think?
via TOI
Modern classic bikes that you can buy in India:

From Cleveland Ace and Benelli Imperiale to many
Royal Enfield models
With the age of this world, the designs have changed dramatically. Be it a house, a mobile phone or a
car, signs of modernity has taken over everything. There is a nostalgia in the retro designs that today’s
youth misses out on. However, if you like bikes, there are a few manufacturers who still offer some
great retro designs with the modern bit of technology. Which are such bikes in India? Let’s find out.
Royal Enfield Bullet
Royal Enfield Bullet was born in the UK and has become an icon in India. The Bullet is the longest
running production motorcycle in the world and was born in 1948. In the present day, Bullet retains its
most of its original design and even gets a metallic monogram on the tank.
Even the seat design of the bike remains similar to the original model. In its present form, the Bullet is
powered by two engine options – 350cc and 500cc. The 500cc model even gets fuel injection, which is
a sign of its modernity.
Royal Enfield Classic

The Royal Enfield Classic is the best-selling motorcycle in its segment. It is a proof that the retro
designs have not gone out of place yet. The Classic looks quite similar to the Bullet but gets a bigger
impression of modernity. The bike gets colourful body panels, chrome dipped spoke rims and exhaust
muffler and a split seat.
The Classic is a perfect mix of present and past. It even gets a front disc brake. The Classic is powered
by the same 350cc and 500cc EFI engines in India.
UM Renegade Commando
The American company United Motorcycles have a few interesting motorcycle designs. Just like Royal
Enfield, most of the designs of UM are retro-inspired. The UM Renegade Commando is one of them
and it is a cruiser-style bike.
The bike gets retro bits like spoke wheels, round headlamp, teardrop tank and a heavy fender on the
wheels. The bike draws power from a 279.5 cc single-cylinder fuel injected engine that produces a
maximum of 25 Bhp.
UM Renegade Duty S
The old-school Scrambler styled Renegade Duty S was launched at the 2018 Auto Expo. The
motorcycle brings back the memories of good old days when retro Scramblers were aplenty in the
international market. The Renegade Duty S looks quite modern with side DRL, blacked-out engine and
cycle parts. It is powered by a 223cc engine that generates a maximum of 16.8 Bhp and 17 Nm.
Here a few upcoming modern retro bikes
Benelli Imperiale 400

The Imperiale 400 looks truly classic with its sleek tank, round headlamp, spoked rims, and vintage
styled leather saddle bags on the side. The motorcycle will be launched in India to take on the Royal
Enfield Classic 350. It is powered by a 373cc, air-cooled engine that generates a maximum of 20 Bhp
and 28 Nm. It gets a front disc brake and fuel injection too.
Royal Enfield Interceptor

The Interceptor from Royal Enfield will be launched later this year. The retro-styled motorcycle looks
quite distinctive. It gets a very true retro design with a lot of chrome parts used on it. It will be the first
650cc parallel-twin engine from Royal Enfield. The engine produces a maximum power of 47 Bhp and
peak torque of 52 Nm. It gets a 6-speed transmission unit with slipper clutch. It will also get ABS. The
bike is expected to be launched by the mid of this year with a price tag of between Rs. 3-4 lakh.
Royal Enfield Continental GT
The Royal Enfield Continental GT 535 was discontinued in India but it will come back soon with a new
heart. The cafe racer Continental GT gets perfect styling inspired by the old cafe racer motorcycles. It
will be powered by the same engine as the Interceptor but will be more expensive due to its additional
equipment.
Benelli Leoncino
The Leoncino is another retro-classic designed Benelli that will be launched in India soon. The
Scrambler body style of the Leoncino makes it a striking motorcycle in the crowd. It will be powered by
a 500cc parallel twin cylinder engine. It produces a maximum power of 49.6 Bhp at 8,500 rpm and peak
torque of 45 Nm at 5,000 rpm. The engine features four-valve heads, liquid-cooling, fuel injection and a
wet clutch.
Cleveland Ace Deluxe

American brand Cleveland will soon launch its products in India. The brand has even showcased their
bikes at the 2018 Auto Expo. One of their first bikes with the Cleveland Ace Deluxe, which can be
passed on as a restored retro motorcycle. The bike gets upside down front fork, chrome dipped round
headlamp, a straight seat and a front disc brake. All of it makes the Ace Deluxe a true modern retro.
Cleveland Misfit
As the name suggests, the Misfit will not fit in the segment when launched in India because it is very
unique. The Misfit is a cafe racer motorcycle that will be launched later this year. It gets upside down
front forks, a 320 mm front disc brake and a 220 mm rear disc brake. Prices of all Cleveland bikes will
start from about Rs. 1.5 lakhs. Both the motorcycles are powered by a 229 cc single cylinder, four
stroke-air cooled engine with 15.4 Bhp of peak power and 16 Nm of and peak torque.
Coming to competition, the Honda City, too, is offered with both petrol and diesel engines. The petrol
motor comes mated to a 5-speed manual transmission as standard. A CVT automatic option is offered
as an optional extra. The diesel engine comes mated to a 6-speed manual unit. City’s petrol motor
outputs 117 Bhp-145 N. The diesel engine outputs 98.6 Bhp-200 Nm. Prices of the City start at Rs 8.72
lakh.
The Hyundai Verna offers the most number of engine and transmission options. Its prices start at Rs.
7.8 lakh. The base variant of the Verna uses a 1.4-liter petrol engine that outputs 99 Bhp and 134 Nm.
The other two variants get 1.6 liter petrol and turbocharged diesel engines. The 1.6-liter petrol motor
makes 121 Bhp-151 Nm while the turbocharged diesel motor is the most powerful of the lot with 121
Bhp-260 Nm. All engines get 6 speed manual gearboxes as standard while the larger petrol and the
diesel engine also offer 6-speed 6 speed automatic gearbox options.
Ford Ecosport beats Tata Nexon in February Sales

Maruti Vitara Brezza continues to enjoy segment-leading sales
February has seen the Ford EcoSport retain its position above the Tata Nexon, but the Maruti Vitara
Brezza continues to rule the roost in the sub-4 meter compact SUV segment. The Maruti Brezza sold
11,620 units in February 2018 and retained its best-seller status. Roughly speaking, the Brezza sold
more than twice of what the EcoSport could manage (5,438 units). The Tata Nexon stood in the third
place with a total of 4,163 units. These sales numbers show that all three sub-4 meter compact SUVs
are hot sellers, even as the market continues to expand. New launches in this segment are expected to
expand the market further.
The Vitara Brezza is sold only with a 1.3-liter turbocharged diesel engine, but this doesn’t seem to limit
its reach. Maruti will likely add a petrol engine to the Vitara Brezza, and this will, in all probability, further
boost sales of the Maruti offering. As for the EcoSport and the Nexon, both SUVs are available with
petrol and diesel engine options. The EcoSport offers a 1.5-liter petrol and a 1.5-liter turbo diesel
engine. The former outputs 120 Bhp-150 Nm while the latter produces 98.6 Bhp-205 Nm. The EcoSport
gets 6 speed automatic and 5-speed manual gearboxes on the petrol engine and a 5-speed manual
gearbox on the diesel motor.
The Nexon gets two engine options – a 1.2-liter turbocharged petrol engine with 108 Bhp-170 Nm and
a 1.5-liter turbocharged diesel engine with 108 Bhp-260 Nm. Both engines are offered with 6-speed
manual transmissions as standard. In the coming weeks, Tata will introduce 6-speed AMT options on
both the petrol and diesel variants of the Nexon. The AMT variants could boost sales of the Nexon,
pushing it past the Ford EcoSport. Ford, for its part, will try to make things difficult for the Nexon by
launching special edition models of the EcoSport, and also a sportier S variant of the compact SUV.
Things look all set to get a lot more interesting in the coming months. Trust Cartoq to keep you
updated.
New Maruti Swift outsells Baleno in first month of

sales
17,291 units of new Maruti Swift sold in February
Demand for the all-new Maruti Swift is very high. The B-Segment hatchback has just outsold its more
premium sibling, the Baleno, in February 2018. Last month represents the first month of sales for the
new Swift, which was launched at the recently conducted Auto Expo 2018. The new Swift sold 17,291
units in February while the company could manage to sell on 15,807 copies of the Baleno. While the
Baleno sales are very impressive as standalone numbers, it looks like the B2-segment hatchback from
Maruti Suzuki has lost some of its appeal owing to the advent of the all-new Swift.
Maruti has already garnered over 75,000 bookings for the Swift in just over a month since official
bookings opened across the country. The Swift is produced at Maruti’s Hansalpur factory in Gujarat.
The Baleno was also being produced at this factory but production of the car has been now shifted to
the Manesar factory in Haryana due to the huge demand for the new Swift. Both cars are priced close
to the each other, and there is even a fair bit of price overlap between some variants of the two. Prices
of the new Swift start from Rs. 4.99 lakhs while that of the Baleno start from Rs. 5.36 lakhs.
Both the Swift and the Baleno offer the same engines – a 1.2-liter K-Series petrol with 82 Bhp and 113
Nm and a 1.3 liter Fiat Multijet turbocharged diesel with 74 Bhp and 190 Nm. 5-speed manual
gearboxes are standard on both engines. The Baleno also has an RS version with a 1-liter
turbocharged petrol (101 Bhp-150 Nm) powering it. On the Baleno Petrol, Maruti offers a CVT
automatic gearbox as an option. On the Swift, however, both the petrol and diesel engines get an
optional 5-speed AMT. This is another reason for the high demand that the Swift is enjoying. Both cars
get ABS and airbags as standard features.
From Tata Safari to Maruti Suzuki Celerio, these

cars opened whole new segments in India
Here are seven more segment starter cars in India.
7-Seater affordable SUV

Tata Safari
The Tata Safari was a cult vehicle in India. It offered brute looks while offering two extra seats in the
third row. Tata even did a great job with the advertisements of this SUV. At the moment, there are quite
a few cars in a segment that was essentially started by the Tata Safari.
Full-Size SUV
Mitsubishi Pajero SFX
The segment that is currently ruled by the Toyota Fortuner and the Ford Endeavour was started by the
Mitsubishi Pajero SFX. The 90s SUV became widely popular in the market and a vehicle of choice of
many. The capable SUV was powered by a 2.8-litre engine and it was a delight to drive this SUV on the
highway and even off the road.
MPV
Kazah Kazwa
Long before the Toyota Qualis and Toyota Innova saw the face of Indian roads, Kazah Kazwa was
around in India. The car got homologated for the Indian market two years before Toyota started to rule
the segment with the Qualis. The MPV was planned with an agreement with Hindustan Motors with
annual production of around 150 cars. Kazwa was highly inspired by the Renault Escape MPV and it
was powered by a 2,000cc diesel engine from Hindustan Motors. The car was never launched in India.
The first MPV to come to India was the Qualis, which became extremely successful.
AMT Hatchback
Maruti Celerio
Maruti Celerio became quite famous in the Indian market. One of the best selling points of the Celerio
AMT is its gearbox, which makes it one of the cheapest automatic vehicles in India. The Automated
Manual Transmission (AMT) has the basic skeleton of a manual gearbox but with additional equipment
that helps to keep the cost at minimal. The Celerio AMT kickstarted a revolution that saw many
manufacturers following suit with their own AMT models. The Celerio AMT provided customers with
low-cost automatic solutions that brought ease of driving experience to them.
Micro SUV
Mahindra KUV 100
While Renault Kwid brought the brutish SUV looks to the segment in India, it was the KUV 100 that
really looked like an SUV. The KUV’s masculine looks and a high ground clearance make it look like a
proper SUV, which make it a first in the segment.
Dual-clutch Hatchback
Volkswagen Polo GT TSI
The Volkswagen Polo is quite known for its build quality in the market. Volkswagen also launched a hot
version of the hatchback that is powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine. Volkswagen offered
high-tech dual-clutch DSG transmission with the hatchback, which made it every enthusiast’s dream.
Later Ford also launched the Figo with the dual clutch transmission in the segment.
Hatchback-based Crossover
Volkswagen Cross Polo
Volkswagen launched the Cross Polo, which is a butch-looking version of the Polo hatchback. The
segment later saw launches of similar cars, like the Etios Cross and the Hyundai i20 Active. Even Ford
is about to launch a crossover-ish version of the Figo under the Freestyle moniker.
New 2018 Mahindra Mojo XT 300 v/s UT 300 :

Which one to buy and why?
Mahindra re-launched the 295cc Mojo in the Indian market last week in new versions of XT 300 and UT
300. These are being promoted as ‘Xtreme Tourer’ and ‘Urban Tourer’ models and have a price
difference of Rs 25,000. Infact, the cheaper UT 300 gets a further discount of Rs 10,000 till 31st March,
making it Rs 35,000 cheaper than the XT 300. Lets have a closer look at the similarities and differences
between both these Mojo versions
Continue to read the text or scroll down to watch the video

Styling
The Mahindra Mojo XT 300 is basically the earlier, single version that was sold in India. The cheaper
UT 300 looks identical in terms of design but there are a few aesthetic changes. The UT does not get a
dual color treatment for the fuel tank, radiator shrouds, belly pan and the visor. This change suddenly
makes the XT 300 look so much cooler! However, given the price advantage, the UT 300 will bring in
numbers, something that is the need of the hour. The UT also sits lower by 8.5 mm and has a ground
clearance of just 165 mm.
Features
In order to cut down on price, the UT 300 misses out on a lot of features. We will start from the front –
the UT 300 now sports conventional forks as compared to USD (up-side down) forks seen on the XT
300. Next, Mahindra has ditched the expensive Pirelli tyres for Indian made MRF ones. The rear tyre is
also narrower at 140mm as compared to 150cc seen on the Mojo XT 300. We all loved the dual
exhaust set-up of the XT 300, something that also gave it a rather good exhaust note – this is now
missing on the UT 300 as it has a single exhaust set-up to keep price and weight down – this has gone
down by 1.5 kgs.
Engine
Another area where Mahindra has been able to shave off costs is the engine. The Mojo XT 300 and UT
300 make use of the same 295cc single cylinder engine but the latter now comes with a carburetor as
compared to fuel injection on the XT. This will not be a welcome change for tourers are Fi is known to
adapt to changing weather conditions easily. High altitude riding and cold weather starts call for fuel
injection.
Further, the maximum power has come down to 22.7 bhp from 26.8 bhp, a drop of 15%. Likewise,
maximum torque has dropped by 16% to 25.2 Nm as compared to 30 Nm on the XT 300. We are sure
this will reflect in real world riding and performance will take a hit.
Both the versions continue to use a 6-speed gearbox and rider aids like 320mm front and 240mm rear
disc brakes which is a good step.

Style From Vintage To Mythological

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Beautifully modified Royal Enfield motorcycles

ranging in style from vintage to mythological!

Young Kid Custom

Ford Figo Freestyle

Tata Tigor JTP

Tata Tiago JTP

Tata Nexon AMT

Maruti Brezza petrol

Jeep Compass Trailhawk

Jeep Compass diesel AT

Mahindra TUV Plus

Land Rover Range Rover Evoque convertible

Volkswagen Vento Sport and Polo Pace launched

 Glossy black spoilers

Datsun Go & GO+ Remix limited hatchback

Eicher-Polaris MultiX personal utility vehicle

Indian government to use electric vehicles in Delhi-

News Source: ET Auto

Maruti Suzuki Baleno given ceramic coating, and

What’s happening here?

What is ceramic coating?

Does this make the vehicle fire-proof?

Shocking accident: Driver distracted by phone call;

How did it happen?

A police officer said,

Few things to take care while riding on the Indian highways:

Mahindra XUV 500

Maruti Suzuki Ignis

Hyundai Creta STC

Renault Duster Oroch

Upcoming Skoda cars for India include Creta-rival,

Skoda announces three new cars for India

News source: Autocar

Tata Aria Roadster

Tata Aria Coupe

Tata Indiva MPV

Tata Indigo Advent

Tata Safari Storme Mountain Rescue Concept

Tata Manza Hybrid

Volkswagen Polo, Vento replacements & Creta-rival

News Source: Autocar

Ford Figo Freestyle

News Source: Autocar India

News Source: Autocar

Rolls Royce Silver Spirit III

Maruti Suzuki Esteem

Land Rover to launch Range Rover Evoque

Tata’s BIG March discounts on cars from Tiago to

Tata Safari Storme

Rs 4-6 lakh hatchbacks

Rs 7-9 lakh hatchbacks

Rs 10-12 lakh sedans

Rs 12-15 lakh SUVs

Rs 14-18 lakh MPVs

Rs 25-30 lakh SUVs

Skoda Vision X concept-based SUV is a Hyundai

News Source: Autocar

From Maruti Baleno RS to Ford Figo, India’s hot

Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS

Ford Figo diesel

Volkswagen Polo GT TSI

Volkswagen Polo GT TDI

Fiat Abarth Urban Cross