It inaugurated its new 3S (sales, service and spares) facility at Renault-Kattupakkam – Power Car India Pvt Ltd. (Reuters)

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Renault India plans to have 240 sales and service outlets by the end of this year as part of its expansion plans, the company said today.

It inaugurated its new 3S (sales, service and spares) facility at Renault-Kattupakkam – Power Car India Pvt Ltd – in the city today.

“Renault is one of the fastest growing automobile manufacturers in India. In a short span of time, we have exponentially grown our presence in terms of sales and network expansion,” Renault India Operations, Country CEO and Managing Director Sumit Sawhney said in a company statement.

“Our progressive product strategy is bolstered by an aggressive network expansion plan and we aim to increase the dealerships to 240 by end of 2016,” he said.

With the inauguration of new 3S facility, Renault has 208 sales outlets and 180 after sales outlets, it said. “The launch of new generation dealerships in Chennai today showcases our commitment towards this objective and we look forward to strengthening our presence in this important market (Tamil Nadu),” he said.

Renault has 18 sales and 16 after sales outlets in the state.

Along with Japanese automaker Nissan, Renault currently has a joint manufacturing facility at Oragadam near Chennai, with investments of over Rs 5,000 crore. The facility has capacity to produce 4.80 lakh units per year.

Renault retails premium sedan Fluence, luxury SUV Koleos, compact car Pulse, SUV Duster, premium sedan Scala, multi-purpose vehicle Lodgy and hatchback KWID in India.

(Interestingly, during the design stage, the Mini was called the New Market.) The compact design was created by Sir Alec Issigonis. By 1959, the car landed on British roads. It was so successful that it became the small car icon of the 1960s, and subsequently the European Car of the Century. Over the years, its production changed hands—from BMC to British Leyland and then to Rover Group.

In 1994, BMW took control of Rover Group, which included the Mini. In October 1999, BMW unveiled the modern Mini at the Paris Auto Show. Among other things, BMW altered the name to MINI (in all caps), and while the basic design was more or less retained, the MINI was no longer as affordable as it was initially designed to be.

In 2012, BMW launched it in India. In November 2014, a new body variant was introduced with the MINI five-door. Last week, the all-new MINI Convertible arrived in India.

Exterior

The MINI Convertible is fitted with an electrically-powered soft-top roof. It gets a wind deflector that can be locked into position behind the front seats and comes in especially handy to avoid unwanted air turbulence during open-top driving. The company says that for a spontaneous reaction to sudden weather changes, the soft top can be opened and closed in just 18 seconds.

Interior

There is a multifunction sport leather steering wheel and front sports seats. Even when the roof is closed, there is ample headroom. It also gets 25% more luggage space compared to its predecessor; the capacity has now been increased to 215 litres.

Engine

The MINI Convertible is powered by a two-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine with TwinPower Turbo Technology. The peak output is 192bhp and the maximum torque is 280Nm. The car sprints from 0-100kph in 7.1 seconds and its top speed is 233kph. It gets a new six-speed automatic transmission.

Drive

The design of the MINI is such that the wheels are at the far corners of the car. This arrangement gives it a wide, go-kart stance and nimble handling. To understand how beautifully the MINI handles, we suggest driving the car in the hills or on twisty roads. Even at high two-figure speeds on turns, the car will remain stable, its suspension such that it won’t toss you from one corner of the seat to another. Pure exhilaration!

However, the MINI doesn’t like bad roads. As you hit a rough patch, it tends to ‘crash’ into the potholes. Open top or not, the MINI Convertible is a very noisy car on bad roads.

Verdict

For Rs 34.9 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi and Maharashtra), what you get is a terrific roller-coaster on wheels. What you don’t get, however, is supreme comfort and space associated with similarly priced entry-luxury sedans. If you are looking at exclusivity on four-wheels, the MINI Convertible guarantees it for a lifetime.

How challenging is it to design a sub-4 metre SUV? You have to accommodate so many elements in such little space…

Since inception, we faced three challenges. One, we had to build it on Suzuki’s Global C platform. Two, we had to create an urban SUV, so had to focus on the appropriate height of the vehicle and package it in such a way that it has adequate legroom especially at the rear and sufficient boot space. The result is that the rear seating space has enough room for even a six-foot tall man wearing a turban. The third challenge was getting overall proportions right while staying within the 4-metre limit. Essentially, we had to get the layout right for meeting customer requirements.
In addition, we had two design directions—either going for a bold SUV look or a crossover look. We went up to the clay model stage with both designs, and finally decided the SUV look.

What kind of market research was carried out before the designers started their job?

Our research found that the Indian customer wants a bold and masculine looking SUV. He also wants the seating to be upright and that he has a good view of the road. We incorporated such learnings into our design process. To make the Vitara Brezza look different from most SUVs, we have given it what we call a “floating roof” and a dual-tone treatment in the top-end variant. Similarly, we have given it squarish wheel housings—most SUVs have rounded ones. The grille gets a very bold and aggressive stance. Inside the cabin, out focus was on better connectivity, so we have installed Apple CarPlay.

Who is the ideal buyer for this SUV?

There is a big hatchback car segment in India, and the natural progression for them is sedans, crossovers or SUVs. Now, we at Maruti Suzuki didn’t have an SUV in our portfolio to attract such customers. That’s where the Vitara Brezza fits in. We are sure that now we won’t lose such customers to competition.

Why is there no petrol variant on offer?

The petrol engine variant will come later and we are considering options.

How future-ready is the Vitara Brezza as far as safety measures are concerned?

It is the first car in the country to be certified for offset and side impact crash tests which will be enforced in 2017. Also, while driver airbag is a standard on all variants, front passenger airbag and ABS with EBD is offered as an option from base variant onwards.

The customer in this segment is value-conscious. How did you manage to make the car frugal?

First, the DDiS 200 engine is acclaimed for its fuel-efficiency. In addition, we have used innovative technologies like intelligent battery management, gearshift indicator and low rolling-resistance tyres for better mileage. In fact, the 24.3kpl mileage the Vitara Brezza delivers is the highest in the SUV category and 10-12% superior to other SUVs.

In addition, the use of pendulum engine mount system, and effective use of acoustic insulation and absorption materials around the cabin and engine compartment ensure low NVH levels.

Like the Baleno, will the Vitara Brezza also be launched in Japan?

The Vitara Brezza has been developed keeping the Indian customer in mind. Wherever it can find acceptance and appeal, we will export it to those countries. However, as far as quality levels are concerned, it is as good as any global car.

Ashok Leyland will serve as the prime contractor and provide a high-quality, cost effective manufacturing hub for global requirements of these vehicles and variants. As a licensed manufacturer of the Common Vehicle Next Generation (CVNG), this opens up a huge opportunity for ALDS to globally export this vehicle platform and its variants as a Made in India product.

Lockheed Martin's High Mobility Vehicle or CVNG will provide the base platform for this development effort. With the Indian Armed Forces looking to rapidly modernise their protected wheeled vehicle fleet, there could be numerous additional opportunities for this development effort beyond the LSV and LAM programmes.

Speaking on the occasion, Vinod K Dasari, managing director of Ashok Leyland, said, “As the largest provider of logistics vehicles to the Indian Army, Ashok Leyland has a strong portfolio in the defense sector. This partnership will not just further India’s ambitions under the Make in India programme, but help us provide robust and meaningful solutions to armed forces across new domains and geographies. We are buoyant about the defense segment, and expect our play to increase manifold.”

The decision was taken after a marathon meeting between the workers's representatives, top management of Tata Motors and the Labour Department officials today.

Tata Motors stated that it will revoke the suspension of 13 out of 26 workers and will take decision about the rest following completion of enquiries being conducted by the company.

Decision regarding another two suspended workers will be taken after they reply to the company's second show cause notice, it stated.

"Workmen will call off the strike and resume duty from 23 March and restore normalcy and operate as per productivity, quality, discipline and safety requirements of the plant," the company stated.

"Tata Motors, without setting a precedence, will revoke suspension of 13 of the workmen while continuing their enquiry. Suspension pending enquiry of rest of 13 workmen will continue till the decision is taken on completion of enquiries," it further said.

Company said the enquiries initiated regarding all 26 workers will be completed within the "reasonable time line" of 4-6 months, following which the workers' union will submit "a reasonable charter of demand".

Workers' representatives said the strike has been settled with the management of the company after 8-hour long meeting.

Mahindra & Mahindra has been on a launching spree of late, with the latest one being the KUV100 - the company's entry-level subcompact SUV. Today, the company announced to launch yet another vehicle called the NuvoSport that will come as a replacement to the Quanto. The company also revealed the new vehicle's pictures and confirmed to roll it out on April 4, 2016. This will be the third sub-4 metre SUV in Mahindra's lineup and could be positioned between the other two - KUV100 and TUV300.
The Mahindra NuvoSport is built on the same platform on which the new-generation Scorpio is based. "The NuvoSport derives its name from its sporty styling and its innate ability to enable an active lifestyle. The SUV is targeted at those who lead an active, outdoorsy lifestyle and have a bucket list of experiences to tick off regularly during their lifetime.", said the company in a statement.

Pravin Shah, President & Chief Executive, (Automotive), M&M Ltd. said, “Today, Mahindra enjoys the strongest equity in the SUV segment in India. Being a customer centric organization we identified a need gap in the market and designed the NuvoSport to meet the needs of those customers who lead an active lifestyle and are looking for a sporty and fun to drive SUV. I am sure that with the addition of the NuvoSport, we will further consolidate our leadership in the SUV segment and effectively address the entire gamut of customer segments across price points ranging all the way from 4.5 lacs to 25 lacs.”

The Mahindra NuvoSport has been designed by Mahindra & Mahindra's in-house design team, though the research & development has been carried out at Mahindra Research Valley (MRV)  in Chennai.  While the vehicle's front fascia looks quite different from any Mahindra vehicles on sale today, it's the rear that resembles a lot like the Quanto - the vehicle it is expected to replace.

Though there is no official word yet on its engine options, we expect it to come with 1.2-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel mills. While the former is the same that does duty in the KUV100, the latter could be the same that powers the Quanto.

Mahindra NuvoSport launch date - April 4, 2016

Maruti Vitara Brezza deliveries to begin from March 25, confirms the Indo-Japanese carmaker. Launched earlier this month, the vehicle has received overwhelming response from buyers as the company has received over 20,000 bookings within 2 weeks of its launch. Unlike the Baleno and the S-Cross, the Brezza will be retailed through the company's regular dealership network.

R S Kalsi, Executive Director (M&S) shared, “We are delighted at customers’ response to Vitara Brezza. They have appreciated it for its sporty and muscular design and the combination of features offered at multiple trim levels. Our endeavor now is to deliver these cars quickly so that customers can enjoy their Vitara Brezza.”

Also Read: Maruti Vitara Brezza Review

Bookings in such high numbers prove the right pricing and value for money proposition that the Brezza offers. As a matter of fact, the Maruti Suzuki's compact SUV is the most affordable vehicle in its league. The Vitara Brezza is also the first product from the company that has been developed entirely by Maruti Suzuki India's in-house R&D team with no validation from the parent company Suzuki Motor Corporation.

The Maruti Vitara Brezza features a 1.3-litre DDiS 200 diesel engine that comes mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. This is the same engine that does duty in the Ciaz and the S-Cross, and is capable of producing 89bhp and 200Nm. With lighter weight (1197kg) than its arch rival Ford EcoSport, the Brezza offers better power-to-weight ratio and is quicker in acceleration than the latter. It's also the most fuel efficient vehicle in its league with an ARAI-certified mileage of 24.3kmpl.

Maruti Vitara Brezza Prices (ex-showroom, Delhi)

LDi – Rs 6.99 lakh

LDi (O) – Rs 7.12 lakh

VDi – Rs 7.62 lakh

VDi (O) – Rs 7.75 lakh

ZDi – Rs 8.55 lakh

ZDi+ – Rs 9.54

ZDi+ Dual tone – Rs 9.68 lakh

Maruti Vitara Brezza Specifications

Engine - 1.3L DDiS 200 diesel

Maximum power - 89bhp at 4000rpm

Maximum torque – 200Nm at 1750rpm

The India-bound new-generation Toyota Fortuner (2016) has been put on display at the ongoing Bangkok International Motor Show. Already on sale in several markets, the vehicle is expected to enter India in the year 2017.

The new Toyota Fortuner is based on an all-new platform called TNGA which stands for 'Toyota new-generation Architecture'. The new platform is claimed to be stiffer yet lighter than the current-gen model's platform, which improves the vehicle's ride and handling. The same platform will also underpin the soon-to-be-launched new-generation Toyota Innova.

Besides the new platform, the 2016 Toyota Fortuner also receives an all-new design. With elements such as projector headlights with LED, chrome-surrounded fog lights, a new dual-slat grille and a new bumper with integrated reflectors. The vehicle's rear profile also looks better than before with new taillight cluster with LED elements, wrap-around windscreen, new bumper and few other changes. With a more proportioned design and a new set of 18-inch alloys, the side profile too looks sportier than the current model.

Measuring 4,795mm in length, 1,835mm in height, 1,855 in width and with a wheelbase of 2,475mm, the Toyota Fortuner 2016 is bigger and more spacious than before. It also gets 5mm more ground clearance at 225mm.

The model coming to India is expected to be offered with two all new diesel powertrains - 2.4-litre GD and 2.8-litre GD. Both the engines come with Variable Geometry Turbochargers (VGT) and Economy with Superior Thermal Efficient Combustion (ESTEC).

With more features, better quality material and bigger dimensions, the new Toyota Fortuner 2016 could be a tad pricier than the current model.

Coming to specifications, the 1.2-litre petrol engine of the Tata Zest is capable of churning out 89bhp and 140Nm.

Tata Zest, the homegrown carmaker's first product under HORIZONEXT strategy, was launched in late 2014 in a total of 10 variants across three engine options - 74bhp diesel, 89bhp diesel and 89bhp petrol. While the 89bhp petrol version came in four variants (XE, XM, XMS and XT), the 89bhp diesel version was made available in XE, XMS, XMA, XT and XTA.

The base variant, XE, came with a smaller 74bhp diesel engine. The company, however, has now silently introduced 74bhp diesel engine with XM and XMS trims replacing the old 89bhp XM and XMS. Besides a less powerful engine, these variants also miss out on alloy wheels. This move makes the entry-level diesel variants of the Tata Zest a slightly more affordable than before.

Coming to specifications, the 1.2-litre petrol engine of the Zest is capable of churning out 89bhp and 140Nm. The two diesel engines on the other hand - 75PS and 90PS produce 74bhp & 190Nm and 89bhp and 200Nm respectively. While the petrol engine comes with a 5-speed manual, the diesel engine can be bought with a 5-speed manual or an automated manual transmission (AMT).

Tata Zest 2016 prices (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Petrol variants

XE - Rs 5.06 lakh

XM - Ts 5.73 lakh

XMS - Rs 5.93 lakh

XT - Rs 6.52 lakh

Diesel variants

74bhp XE - Rs 6.08 lakh

74bhp XM - Rs 6.83 lakh

74bhp XMS - Rs 7.10 lakh

89bhp XMA - Rs 7.67 lakh

89bhp XT - Rs 7.70 lakh

89bhp XTA - Rs 8.51 lakh

Called the Renault Duster Easy R-AMT, this one comes with the country's first 6-speed AMT gearbox that the company has sourced from ZF.

2012 was the year that changed people's perception about SUVs all thanks to Renault Duster - a monocoque platform based 5 seater 'compact' SUV with quite car-like drivability. The pre-Duster era was mainly dominated by body-on-frame big SUVs with capabilities to take on almost all sorts of terrains. But they were either too expensive to buy or too big and uncomfortable to drive on city roads. Renault saw an opportunity there and came up with a product that was affordable, easy to drive on city roads and could handle a little off-roading too - a proper urban SUV. The company's target buyers were the ones who, due to no option or budget crunch, were otherwise going for mid-sized sedans or entry-level 7-seater SUVs like Mahindra Scorpio and Tata Safari. And rest is the history, the Renault Duster became the French carmaker's first successful product and a brand builder.

Now that the product has become over 3 years old in the market, and is facing tough competition from the Hyundai Creta, the company decided to bring in the updated Renault Duster with several design changes, new features and some mechanical updates. The facelifted model made its India debut at the Auto Expo 2016, followed by its launch in the first week of March.

We recently took a short drive of the new Renault Duster, here are our first impressions -

Design - What's new in the updated Duster?

Let me start by admitting this that the Renault Duster is the only 'SUV' looking vehicle in the so-called compact 'sports utility vehicle' segment. Every other car in this segment including the Hyundai Creta look more of an urban crossover. Now with some cosmetic changes here and there, the new Duster looks refreshing if not quite different from the pre-facelift version.

Though the company claims to have made several design changes to the vehicle, it still looks largely similar to the pre-facelift model. The most noticeable part in the new Renault Duster, however, is its front fascia that now receives a more contemporary looking single slat chrome grille instead of the old model's multi-slat grille. Other changes include revised headlamps and new fog lights surrounded with black plastic casing.

Save for the new 16-inch gunmetal finished alloys and slightly revised roof rails & body cladding, the vehicle's side profile also looks more or less similar to the original Renault Duster. The same goes with the rear profile, only change here is the set of new taillamps with LED lighting. Having said that the vehicle's new orange colour with all the aforementioned changes look quite appealing.

Performance - How different is it to drive?

During our product briefing, the company said that it has used new CMO10 & T4 E&E architecture on its engines to improve the new Renault Duster's ride & handling, but it it felt no different in real driving conditions. If there's one difference that can be felt is the car's improved ability to perform at lower RPMs compared to the old model that had a little turbo lag issues below 2000rpms.

While the AWD variant of the car was on sale with the pre-facelift version as well, it's the automated manual transmission (AMT) variant that's an all-new entry into the lineup. Called the Renault Duster Easy R-AMT, this one comes with the country's first 6-speed AMT gearbox that the company has sourced from ZF. Before getting into the details of how it drives, let's understand what it is. The AMT is nothing but a manual gearbox with an electro-hydraulic mechanism that with an ECU (electronic control unit) takes care of clutch and gear shift movement via cogs. In an AMT, the driver has an option to depend entirely on AMT to take care of the gearshift part or do it manually.

There's no doubt that the Duster's AMT unit offers convenience, but it somehow dilutes the driving pleasure for which Renault's compact SUV is known for. The gearbox lacks the precision and smoothness that a regular automatic gearbox offers. Having said that, the Duster's gearbox is the finest AMT that we have in the country thanks to its shorter gear ratios leading to faster gearshifts. But like a typical AMT, there's a gap between the input (acceleration) and the response as you can feel the mismatch between RPMs and the gear you are in. Overtaking might be a bit annoying as it takes a little time for gearbox to downshift and you feel powerless till that happens.

One of the things that impressed me most in the new Renault Duster is its improved steering system. It now feels much more planted and unaffected on rough roads, which wasn't the case earlier. The old model's steering used to get imbalanced on the bad surfaces. The Duster was always known for its capabilities to absorb almost all sorts regular terrains thanks to its very well setup suspension. The new model retains the same suspension - MacPherson Strut at front & trailing arm at the rear - and with a better steering system, the overall performance on almost all roads make the Duster the finest car to drive in its category.

This week BMW Group India launched the all-new Mini Convertible. Available as a completely built-up unit (CBU), it is priced Rs 34.9 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi.

The new Mini Convertible is fitted, for the first time, with a fully automatic, electrically-powered soft-top operation system, as well as fully integrated rollover protection. It gets a wind deflector that can be locked into position behind the front seats and comes in especially handy to avoid unwanted air turbulence during open-top driving. The company says that for a spontaneous reaction to sudden weather changes, the soft top can be opened and closed in just 18 seconds. The soft top is also available in an optional “Mini Yours” version, featuring a woven Union Jack graphic.

Inside the cabin, there is a multifunction sport leather steering wheel and sports seats for driver and front passenger, which are offered as standard. Expanded seat surfaces and increased headroom also contribute to optimised space comfort in the backseat.

It also gets 25% more luggage space compared to its predecessor; the capacity has been increased up to 215 litres.

It is powered by a two-litre, four-cylinder engine with TwinPower Turbo Technology. The peak output is 192bhp and the maximum torque the engine develops is 280Nm. The car sprints from 0-100kph in 7.1 seconds and its top speed is 233kph. It gets a newly-developed six-speed automatic transmission, while the optional sports automatic transmission can also be operated using shift paddles.

His grandfather called it a Bullet; his father called it a Bullet; until last Saturday Rakesh Kumar used to call it a Bullet. For three generations this family from the remote town of Thanedar near Shimla has been managing apple orchards, and riding Royal Enfield motorcycles. Even though Kumar now rides the Thunderbird, his whole town calls it the Bullet. Such strong is the brand name of the world’s longest running production motorcycle model.

But when Kumar looks at the Royal Enfield I am riding—near Thanedar—he changes his mind. “It just cannot be a Bullet,” he says. Observing closely, he adds, “It’s the Himalayan.”

The Himalayan is a motorcycle purpose-built for adventure and touring. The company says that it brings together 60 years of Himalayan riding experiences in a fully ground-up design. Powered by the new 411cc, single-cylinder air-cooled engine, which produces a maximum output of 24.5bhp and a maximum torque of 32Nm, the Himalayan is built on a rugged duplex split cradle frame designed and developed by Harris Performance—the UK-based motorcycle racing and parts manufacturer that Royal Enfield acquired last year.

The Himalayan doesn’t look vastly different from most touring motorcycles; it’s just that it is slightly smaller, compared to, say, the Triumph Tiger range. But then, for R1.55 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai), it is considerably cheaper too.

The front end, like most touring bikes, is tall. The front suspension is telescopic, with 41mm forks and 200mm travel. The monoshock rear suspension with linkage allows for 180mm wheel travel. We rode it on various kinds of roads—freshly laid tarmac, no tarmac, waterlogged roads, and snow. The Himalayan, regardless of the terrain, delivered a smooth ride experience. Its 220mm ground clearance ensures it can—with some careful manoeuvring—cross shallow river beds. The ground clearance, combined with an optimal wheel size—the front tyre is 21-inch and the rear is 17-inch—allows for good control while riding over a rocky terrain. The wheelbase of 1465mm means the bike handles twisty roads very well. Mention must be made of the Ceat dual-purpose tyres; they provide ample grip on almost all kinds of terrain. While we are yet to ride it on the highway, we have reasons to believe that the highway ride experience won’t be tiring either. The seat height is 800mm, so even short riders won’t feel intimidated sitting on it; however, the rear end is high, so taking your leg all the way to the other end, for short riders I mean, can be slightly difficult.

What also leads to a comfortable ride experience is the ergonomic sync between footpegs, handlebar and seat height—all of which provide an upright riding posture necessary for long trips. The disc brakes—300mm front and 240mm rear—have enough bite, but the Himalayan, as of now, doesn’t get the ABS.

The fuel tank is 15 litres, which, according to the company, provides a range of approximately 450 km. (That translates into a fuel-efficiency of about 30kpl.) Luggage-mounting points—for hard panniers, soft luggage and even jerry cans—are integral to Himalayan’s design.

One of the best things about the motorcycle is its instrument cluster. It has a simple yet well-laid-out design that keeps track of speed, direction (has a compass), ambient temperature, travel time, service intervals and multiple trip distances. However, the thermometer is perhaps fitted at such a place where the engine heat reaches, so sometimes it gives wrong readings—but the difference is only of a degree or two. It doesn’t get an altimeter, which, we believe, is a fun feature for such a machine.

The Himalayan is not about a 0-60kph experience, but more about a 40-100kph one. Compared to smaller Japanese bikes, it is not as quick initially, but once you pick up speed, and if you are in the right gear, it can even give the Honda CBR250R enough panic. The engine delivers high torque and usable power at lower RPMs; this means minimal gear shifts. As we found, even at a low speed of 40kph you can shift into the fifth gear and cruise effortlessly. So be it climbing the hills or manoeuvring through traffic, your left foot can relax. The company claims that modern design and materials of the engine translate to increased efficiency and low maintenance, and the engine can go 10,000 km between oil changes.

Available in two colour options—called ‘granite’ and ‘snow’—the Himalayan’s on-road Mumbai price is R1.79 lakh, which, we believe, is a steal. It allows both seasoned riders as well as enthusiasts to do more with just one motorcycle. Our two-day extensive riding shows that it is a motorcycle that one can take to the Himalayas and to the corner grocery store with equal ease. Lastly, nowhere on this motorcycle will you find the trademark Royal Enfield slogan “Made like a gun”, because the Himalayan is not made like a gun, but the way a motorcycle should be.

(The Himalayan, in its current state of tune, cannot be registered in Delhi. It is BS-III compliant and, from April 1, 2016, all new two-wheelers must meet BS-IV norms. The NGT has banned registration of the Himalayan and scores of other new BS-III bikes in Delhi. But it is available in Delhi for testing and booking purposes.)

Specifications

Engine: Single-cylinder, 411cc

Power: 24.5bhp@6,500rpm

Torque: 32Nm@4,000-4,500rpm

Gearbox: 5-speed constant mesh

Fuel supply: Carburettor

Kerb weight: 182 kg

Ground clearance: 220 mm

Fuel capacity: 15 litres

Fuel efficiency: Estimated at 30kpl

Price: Rs 1.55 lakh (ex-Mumbai)

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI), which had launched the mini-bike Navi at the Auto Expo last month, has started dispatching the vehicle from its Tapukara, Rajasthan, facility. The Navi, which the company calls “India’s first crossover two-wheeler”, has attracted over 1,000 bookings in a little over a month’s time.

The company says the Navi—which gets a 109.2cc engine—offers the convenience of a scooter with a CVT automatic gearbox, and the capabilities of a motorcycle. The weird-looking Navi’s name is short for “New Additional Value for India” and the pricing starts from R39,500 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. (HMSI) that launched the 'country's first two-wheeler crossover' NAVI at the Auto Expo 2016, started dispatching the vehicle from its Tapukara, Rajasthan based facility. The company says that it has received over 1000 bookings for the Honda Navi in a little over a month's time, which is a great number considering that it's quite an all-new segment in the country.

"Disrupting the monotony and bringing FUN to 100-110cc segment, the Navi is 100% developed by Honda R&D India from concept development to commercial production. It offers New additional Value for India (NAVI).", said the company in a statment.

While the dispatch process have already commenced, the Navi's availability will start in a phased manner beginning from Mumbai where it will be made available from this month itself. The company said that it will offer a range of customisation options for the Navi inside its showrooms.

The Honda Navi offers convenience of a scooter with a CVT automatic gearbox, and capabilities of a bike with a motorcycle-like design an build quality.

Available in a total of 7 variants, the Maruti Vitara Brezza comes equipped with a 1.3-litre DDiS 200 diesel engine.

Maruti Vitara Brezza that was launched earlier this month, has received overwhelming response from buyers. As a result, the waiting period of the vehicle has gone up to 3 months in some regions. While bookings for the vehicle kick-started on the launch day itself, the deliveries will commence towards the end of this month. After seeing a lot of people from different cities asking the vehicle's price, we have compiled a list of some cities from where we have getting most queries.

Available in a total of 7 variants, the Maruti Vitara Brezza comes equipped with a 1.3-litre DDiS 200 diesel engine. Mated to a 5-speed manaul gearbox, this engine belts out a maximum power output of 89bhp at 4000rpm and 200Nm at 2000rpm. For now only diesel version of the car is on sale, the Brezza petrol is expected to come during this year's festive season.

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The 2017 Maruti Suzuki Swift's side profile looks a lot better than that of the current-gen version thanks to its sloping roof line, darkened C-pillar, prominent character lines, hidden rear gate door handles, bulged wheel arches and all-new alloy wheels.

It's no secret that Suzuki has been working the new-generation Swift for quite a long time, and the leaked exterior & interior pictures of it have now hit the interweb thanks to Auto Express. The vehicle has been revealed at a dealer conference in Europe, says the report.

Though the new-generation Swift has received several design changes, the overall shape of the vehicle remains quite close to the original Swift. The vehicle's front fascia receives a new honeycomb grille, slightly revised headlamps, new fog lamps and larger air vents giving it a sharper appeal.

The 2017 Maruti Suzuki Swift's side profile looks a lot better than that of the current-gen version thanks to its sloping roof line, darkened C-pillar, prominent character lines, hidden rear gate door handles, bulged wheel arches and all-new alloy wheels. Coming to the rear profile, it gets all-new tail-lamps and bumpers.

Though there is no official word yet on its specifications, we expect the new-generation Maruti Suzuki Swift to feature a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that will make its India debut with the upcoming Baleno RS. This engine churns out an impressive 112bhp and 175Nm. The diesel engine could be the same that powers the current model.

Though there are no details about is unveiling too, expect this to be unveiled sometime in 2017.

Mahindra & Mahindra that showcased the Gusto 125 at the Auto Expo 2016, launched it on Thursday in Bengaluru. The Mahindra Gusto 125 is available in two variants - DX and VX  - at Rs 50,680 and Rs 53,680 (ex-showroom, Bengaluru) respectively. The vehicle will rival products like Honda Activa 125 and Suzuki Access 125.

Available in two dual tone colours - Orange + White and Black + Red, the Mahindra Gusto 125 features a 124.6cc, single-cylinder engine that churns out 8.6bhp at 7000rpm and 10Nm at 5500rpm. This makes the 125cc version of the Gusto around .6bhp and 1Nm more powerful than its 110cc sibling. This engine is a bored out version of the Gusto 110s powertrain.

Other than the new colours and body graphics, the Mahindra Gusto 125 looks no different from its 110cc sibling. The features that the 125cc borrows from the Gusto 110 include height adjustable seat, 12-inch tubeless tyres, remote flip key, telescopic suspension with air springs, headlamps with LED elements and few others.

Mahindra Gusto 125 specifications

Engine - 124.6cc, single-cylinder

Gearbox - CVT automatic

Maximum power - 8.6bhp at 7000rpm

Maximum torque - 10Nm at 5500rpm

Mahindra Gusto 125 prices (ex-showroom, Delhi)

DX (119kg) - Rs 50,680

VX (123kg) - Rs 53,680

His grandfather called it a Bullet; his father called it a Bullet; until last Saturday Rakesh Kumar used to call it a Bullet. For three generations this family from the remote town of Thanedar near Shimla has been managing apple orchards, and riding Royal Enfield motorcycles. Even though Kumar now rides the Thunderbird, he and the whole town calls it the Bullet. Such strong is the brand name of the world’s longest running production motorcycle model.

But when Kumar looks at the Royal Enfield I am riding, he changes his mind. “It just cannot be a Bullet,” he says. Observing closely, he adds, “It’s the Himalayan.” The Himalayan is a motorcycle purpose-built for adventure and touring. The company says that it brings together 60 years of Himalayan riding experiences in a fully ground-up design. Powered by the new 411cc, single-cylinder air-cooled engine, which produces a maximum output of 24.5bhp and a maximum torque of 32Nm, the Himalayan is built on a rugged duplex split cradle frame designed and developed by Harris Performance—the UK-based motorcycle racing and parts manufacturer that Royal Enfield acquired last year.

The Himalayan doesn’t look vastly different from most touring motorcycles; it’s just that it is slightly smaller. And smaller means compared to, say, the Triumph Tiger range. But then, for Rs 1.55 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai), it is considerably cheaper too.

The front end, like most touring bikes, is tall. The front suspension is telescopic, with 41mm forks and 200mm travel. The monoshock rear suspension with linkage allows for 180mm wheel travel. We rode it on various kinds of roads—freshly laid tarmac, no tarmac, waterlogged roads, and snow. The Himalayan, surprisingly, regardless of the terrain, delivered a smooth, untiring ride experience. Its 220mm ground clearance ensures it can, with some careful manoeuvring, even cross shallow river beds. The ground clearance, combined with an optimal wheel size—the front tyre is 21-inch and the rear is 17-inch—allows for good control while riding over a rocky terrain. The wheelbase of 1465mm means the bike handles twisty roads very well. Mention must be made of the Ceat dual-purpose tyres that the Himalayan rides on; they provide ample grip on almost all kinds of terrain. While we are yet to ride it on the highway, we have reasons to believe that the highway ride experience won’t be tiring either. The seat height is 800mm, so even short riders won’t feel intimidated sitting on the bike; however, the rear end is high, so taking your leg all the way to the other end, for short riders I mean, can be slightly difficult.

What also leads to a comfortable ride experience is the ergonomic sync between footpegs, handlebar and seat height—all of which provide an upright riding posture necessary for long trips. The disc brakes—300mm front and 240mm rear—have enough bite but the Himalayan, as of now, doesn’t get the ABS.

The Royal Enfield Himalayan gets a 15-litre fuel tank, which, according to the company, provides a range of approximately 450 km. (That means the bike’s fuel-efficiency is about 30kpl.) The good thing is that luggage-mounting points, for hard panniers, soft luggage and jerry cans, are integral to the Himalayan’s design. One of the best things about the motorcycle is its instrument cluster. It has a simple yet well-laid-out design that keeps track of speed, direction (has a compass), ambient temperature, travel time, service intervals and multiple trip distances. However, the thermometer is perhaps fitted at such a place where the engine heat reaches, so sometimes it gives wrong readings—but the difference is only of a degree or two. It doesn’t get an altimeter, which, we believe, is a fun feature for such a machine.

This machine is not about a 0-60kph experience, but more about a 40-100kph one. Compared to smaller Japanese bikes, the Himalayan is not as quick initially, but once you pick up speed, and if you are in the right gear, it can even give the Honda CBR250R enough panic. The engine delivers high torque and usable power at lower RPMs, so this means minimal gear shifts. As we found, even at a low speed of 40kph you can shift into the fifth gear and cruise effortlessly. So be it climbing the hills or manoeuvring through traffic, your left foot can rest. The company claims that modern design and materials of the engine translate to increased efficiency and low maintenance, and the engine can go 10,000 km between oil changes.

Available in two colour options—cleverly called granite and snow—the Royal Enfield Himalayan’s on-road Mumbai price is Rs 1.79 lakh, which, we believe, is a steal. It allows both seasoned riders as well as enthusiasts to do more with just one motorcycle. Our two-day extensive riding shows that it appears to be a motorcycle that one can take to the Himalayas or to the corner grocery store with equal ease. Lastly, nowhere on the Himalayan you will find the Royal Enfield slogan “Made like a gun”, because the Himalayan is not really made like a gun, but like how a motorcycle should be.

Royal Enfield has also introduced a purpose-built protective riding gear that caters to the long-range tour travelling to unpredictable places, terrain or climate. It includes the four-season Royal Enfield Darcha riding suit made in collaboration with REV’IT; and versatile touring jackets and trousers with Cordura, protective armour, removable thermal liners and breathable waterproof lining. The collection also has riding gloves, riding trousers and riding boots.

Meanwhile SMIPL will also see a leadership change in India with the current MD, Masayoshi Ito going back to the headquarters in Japan to take over the global leadership role. Satoshi Uchida is likely to take over from Ito as MD for Indian operations. He comes in from Suzuki Motor in Thailand. Suzuki Motorcycle has been trailing in the Indian two-wheeler market as it struggled to build up volumes in the Indian market with its two-wheeler offerings. But with the company expecting a break even this year after ten years in the business, Hirozawa said they will now look at aggressive growth in the market.

“We will be breaking even. So next fiscal we are hopeful we will grow aggressively that will increase our sales,” he said. The most difficult part of doing business in India for the company was that with limited volumes cost reductions was difficult, he added.

The company's sales have deteriorated in the last few years, Hirozawa said on the sidelines of the new Access 125 launch in Pune on Wednesday.

The new Access 125 is a full model change of their flagship Access scooter and is expected to stop the decline and return the company back to its peak sales. The Access, launched in 2007, was successful and peaked to around three lakh units in 2008-9 but since then sales of Access dropped as the product was outdated and people opted for cheaper mileage bikes.

The company decided to stay out of the fiercely competitive 110 cc segment and decided to focus resources on the higher end 125 cc segment in scooters and in the 150 cc in motorcycles. There is too much competition in this segment so the company decided to cater to the people who aspire to have a better differentiated scooter, he said.

Suzuki has production capacity of five lakh units in India. By end of March they will be reaching production of around 3.2 lakh to 3.3 lakh while exports will be 60,000 units.

BMW-owned Mini today launched the Cooper Convertible in India. Available in three-door version, the soft-top Mini Cooper S Convertible is priced at Rs 34.9 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

BMW-owned Mini today launched the Cooper Convertible in India. Available in three-door version, the soft-top Mini Cooper S Convertible is priced at Rs 34.9 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Based on the new UKL platform, the Cooper Convertible is bigger in size than its predecessor. It's 98mm longer, 44mm wider and 1mm higher than its predecessor at  3821mm length, 1727mm width and 1415mm height respectively. It also offers a more spacious cabin since it has 28mm bigger wheelbase.

Powering the Mini Cooper Convertible is a 4-cylinder Mini twin-power turbo engine mated to a 6-speed Stronic automatic transmission. This engine churns out a maximum power output of 190bhp and a peak torque of 280Nm. This engine helps the vehicle sprint from zero to 100kmph in mere 6.8 seconds at a top speed of 235kmph. The vehicle's roof can be opened and shut in 18 seconds with speeds up to 30kmph.

Similar to regular Mini, the Mini Cooper Convertible comes with a host of advanced comfort and connectivity features such as cruise control, Alphine HiFi music system with UBS and Aux support, speed sensitive volume control, dual illuminating vanity mirrors, remote keyless door locks. What makes it comfortable are features such as split-folding rear seatback, bucket front seats and height adjustable driver & passenger seat.

Coming to safety features, it gets automatic stability control + traction, airbag protection, anti-lock braking system (ABS), four disc brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), dynamic stability control, brake assist and several others.

First Published on March 16, 2016 8:59 pm