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Heres what we know about the Audi Q6 e-tron and its all-new EV platform

Audi has bet big on its next flexible EV architecture, starting with this SUV.

Ars Technica 18 Mar 2024 11:30 pm

China-spec Volkswagen Tayron interior leaked

Earlier this year, the first images of the Volkswagen Tayron surfaced online, giving us a first look at the new 7-seater SUV. Now, new images have leaked revealing its interior. The Tayron is the replacement for the Tiguan AllSpace. It will be sold in the Chinese market as the Tiguan L Pro. The SUV is also expected to be launched in India sometime next year. The interior of the Tayron looks similar to that of the latest-gen Tiguan. It features a sleek, futuristic dashboard with a digital instrument cluster and a large floating touchscreen in the centre. There's also a third screen on the passenger side. The car has fewer physical switches, as most functions have been integrated into the touchscreens. The centre console houses a wireless charging pad, cup holders and a rotary drive mode selector. The Tayron is based on the MQB EVO platform. The SUV is powered by 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and 2.0-litre diesel engines. All powertrains have a 48V mild-hybrid setup, with either 4WD or 2WD. Source:Autohome

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 6:02 pm

Delhi-Mumbai Expressway: Observations driving back to Faridabad

BHPian Amity recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Recently, I travelled from Faridabad to Jaipur and back on the Delhi-Mumbai expressway. Here are my observations: I completed the onward journey of more than 270 Kms in around 3.5 hours (excluding a break at one of the rest stops and some Google Maps misdirections). The return journey from Nahargarh Fort to Faridabad took almost 4.5 hours due to Google Maps, a jam on the entry ramp from Jaipur and unruly traffic at Ballabhgarh. The entry onto Faridabad bypass from Mathura Road (NH19) is not properly marked on Google Maps and it will just make you go in rounds. Instead of taking the correct exit onto the service road and then a U-turn under the bypass flyover to get onto the ramp, Google Maps takes you in the wrong direction and then asks you to get onto the bypass where there is no ramp at all and it will keep asking you to go in circles. The surface of the Faridabad bypass road is much better than the actual expressway. There are much fewer undulations and it is predictable. However, patrolling is not proper as I saw two-wheelers on this stretch. Though there are street lights on the Faridabad bypass stretch, the majority of them were not switched on. The expressway, though wide and properly marked, does not boast of a good surface. There are a lot of undulations and jolts on the expressway, especially near flyovers or bridges. It is not a completely smooth ride. Already I could see many patchworks in the expressway and repair works were also going on. This doesn't bode well for a flagship project. There is almost negligible patrolling on the whole stretch as I didn't see patrolling vehicles during my travel. I believe there should be round-the-clock patrolling on this stretch as it passes through isolated areas. The boundary wall is already broken in many places and people were grazing goats in the area between the boundary wall and the main carriageway. This makes it risky for everyone and something which could be prevented if there was proper enforcement and regular patrolling. Local people were sitting on the railings of the expressway taking pictures or talking on phones as if it was some community park. It was a common feature throughout the expressway which shows a lack of willingness on the part of authorities to prevent such things. There are some rest stops along the expressway but all of them are not functional. Some have coming soon boards showing for Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts, Domino's Pizza, etc. at the rest stops. Hopefully, it'll be better by the time the complete expressway opens up. The washrooms at one of the normal rest stops (IIRC 99 km rest stop while going towards Jaipur) were much much cleaner than McDonald's washrooms (coming from Jaipur) on the expressway. NHAI had constructed basic buildings for rest stops and now the same are being brought down/ refurbished by restaurants to bring it to their own designs. This I feel is a waste of time and money as NHAI could've just allotted some open slots to restaurants to bring up their own buildings. By constructing such basic buildings, NHAI must've paid contractors which must have been part of the consideration for deciding the toll amount and now the same is being brought down by restaurants as per their convenience. I believe it would've been much cheaper to just allot blocks and let restaurants construct their own buildings. Alongside those boundary walls, locals have opened shops/ dhabas and truck drivers park their trucks on the shoulder to fetch something or have food. There were many trucks at such stops, sometimes more than 5 also. Such illegal stops are risky for everyone on an expressway and again highlight the lack of patrolling and enforcement on the expressway. I do hope that economical options are made available to truck drivers at the rest stops as it may not be feasible for them to otherwise have meals at eateries at rest stops. I saw trucks making a U-turn in the middle of the expressway and then driving on the wrong side at full speed, likely to one of the illegal shops/ dhabas they missed. There is no lane discipline on the expressway as trucks were there on all 4 lanes and cars had to zigzag through it all. This again shows a lack of patrolling and enforcement on the expressway. The connectivity from the expressway to Jaipur city is not good. It takes you through the crowded parts of the city and wastes a lot of time. I saw that construction has already started on Greenfield Road to connect with Jaipur. I hope it is completed very soon as it will further reduce the time by at least 30 minutes. The entry ramp for the expressway while coming from Jaipur is very small and the toll plaza is almost at the start of the ramp. While returning, most of the toll booths on this ramp were non-functional due to so be technical faults and traffic was already stretching to the highway from the ramp. The staff at the toll plaza was completely clueless about dealing with it. They let us pass after keeping us waiting for more than 5 minutes. One surprising thing I noticed was that there is no separate toll plaza while entering from Faridabad bypass or exiting from the expressway to Faridabad bypass. I am guessing the toll plaza at Faridabad bypass ( which charges INR 50 for every single journey) doubles up as an entry/ exit toll plaza for the Expressway. It appears that our tag was not scanned at the entry ramp at Jaipur and therefore, no amount was deducted from the Fastag account when we exited the expressway onto the Faridabad bypass. Most of the speed cameras were not working on the expressway. Also, the speed shown on the cameras was almost 2 km/h less than the speed shown on the car speedometer. The exit ramp at Ballabhgarh onto NH 19 is very narrow and the service road where the ramp merges, itself is narrow. This was made worse by wrong side local traffic on the service road and caused a jam for at least half an hour, with no police to control it. I believe it's a good effort but needs a lot of support from people and law enforcement agencies to improve its standards. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 5:30 pm

Driving on the new Mumbai Coastal Road: GTO shares his experience

BHPian GTO recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Made a plan for dinner @ Souk, Taj last evening specifically to drive on the new Coastal road. There are two entry points when southbound. One, a right-turn from Worli Seaface (main junction before Piramal-Ambani house). Unfortunately, it was closed off at 5 PM and I got there at 6. No problem, we drove onward and got onto the Coastal road from Worli (junction after Copper Chimney). Man, what a drive! You climb up and have a beautiful view of the sea on one side (including the iconic Haji Ali Dargah) and the tall skyscrapers of this maximum city on the other. Merge onto a wide, well-laid road. Saw an exit for Bhulabhai Desai Road, but we of course proceeded straight into the tunnel. I must say, the undersea tunnel is very long and even has some kind of music playing! Exited on Marine Drive. Worli to Marine Drive in ~6 minutes The Marine Drive -> Worli section will be opening in a handful of months. Proud of India. Proud of this beautiful city. It's so logical to have coastal roads around this Island City for better connectivity. I recently drove on the Atal Setu, India's longest sea bridge. And now, India's first undersea tunnel. The Atal Setu, Coastal Road, Bandra-Worli Sealink, Eastern Freeway, long JJ Flyover & more are true game-changers. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 5:00 pm

Hyundai Creta EV continues testing; spotted in South Korea

The Hyundai Creta EV, based on the facelift version of the SUV, that was launched in India earlier this year, has been spotted testing once again. This time, the electric SUV was seen in the brand's home market of South Korea. The electric version of the Creta has a similar design to the ICE version. It has the same L-shaped LED DRLs but is likely to get a blanked-out grille. It also has aero-optimised dual-tone alloy wheels. Inside, we can expect the Creta EV to get a dual-screen setup like the ICE version. It could be equipped with features such as dual-zone automatic climate control, ventilated front seats, a 360-degree camera and Level 2 ADAS. Reports suggest that the Creta EV could use a 55-60 kWh battery pack, having a maximum range of around 500 km. It will power a front-mounted electric motor. Source:Autospy

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 4:36 pm

My Chevrolet Trailblazer: Experience buying & owning the mammoth SUV

BHPian suryaj1990 recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Just bought the Mammoth! I see there have been no Ownership Reviews here. To begin with, this is HUGE! The vehicle dwarfs any Car or Human next to it! Compared to the Fortuner and Endeavour, I find the downside is the efficiency and missing 4x4 gear! Rest the vehicle is great! The Power output is enough to outshine Fortuners and Endeavours on the highway and the gearbox is silky smooth. You would not be able to make out the gear changes. There are no jerks even while slotting the vehicle in D as experienced in Fortuner. The ride quality is amazing. Much better than the competition and the sense of space inside the humongous cabin makes one comfortable. Even the third row is accessible and comfortable for adults. The music system is old school as per today's standards but has Bluetooth connectivity which works well and the system is also decent. I find the light throw inadequate. Service parts are easily available and the quality of interiors is good. Built to last. I am having a problem with the seat locks of the second row and trying to source parts. Was hoping to get in touch with like-minded owners to understand this beast better. Unfortunately, I have been told by the Chevrolet Service Station that only 3 of these cars exist in Mumbai! This car shares everything with the ISUZU MUX! Here's what BHPian shankar.balan had to say on the matter:I have seen only one of these ever. And that was a visitor to a clinic nearby. It is indeed huge. And definitely imposing and handsome. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 4:30 pm

Interceptor 650 major service at an FNG for Rs 9000: List of jobs done

BHPian surjaonwheelz recently shared this with other enthusiasts.Interceptor 650, 4th year major service at Pitlane, PuneAnnual service was due and the bike had crossed 20k km. I had certain jobs in mind for the major service:Throttle body cleaningValve clearance checksBrake fluid replacement (flush/bleed)Motowings (MW) air filter cleaningEngine oil, Motul 7100 & RE oil filterMajor service which includes cleaning and lubricating moving parts etc.Brake pads had life in them and fork oils were changed last year. I took quotations from Pitlane and Hyperion and decided to go with Pitlane as it was nearby and was charging less. Hyperion has a sophisticated bike lift and working area but were charging double for throttle body cleaning and valve clearance checks. Now I have an understanding with the Pitlane folks and mechanics, they're available when I mess up with a DIY. They charged me around 9k all-inclusive for the service and spares. Only drawback was that they didn't do the valve clearance checks as there was no noise from them! Later I'll get this done with an oil change. This time I'll share only dirty pics of my bike. Stripped down. Half of the service work is taking out, cleaning, and putting it back. How meticulously it's done is the skill of the mechanic and the SOP of the garage. Dirty oil, 4k+ kms in 6 months, Liquid Gun from RE. Dirty MW air filter, it was very dirty. I'm using the the stage 2 kit, I'm not sure I'll continue with this setup. Should I? Dirty throttle body. Being cleaned in 4 years and 20k+ km As clean as it could be. Air filter cleaning kit from BMC but the mechanic said this filter doesn't need oiling as in the case of BMC filters. I didn't fully agree with the cleaning process as he used compressed air to remove the water after washing it under tap water. I checked the filter, gauge density was not disturbed though. Maybe 6 months later I'll return to a paper filter with a snorkel cover but the intake sound is addictive! Motul 7100 10W50 fully synthetic engine oil They charged for 3.1 litres so I didn't have to buy the the extra 900ml. Out of the block and doing 380kms riding in a day didn't feel any drastic change other than it being a new oil. I believe unless you move to the expensive imported oils, you don't get enough benefits. Oils like Silkolene, LiquiMoly, Putoline, Motorex and Amsoil. In addition, if you change the oil every 6 months with RE Liquid Gun, Motul 7100, Castrol Power1, Total Hi-Perf, Shell Long Ride then you're good too! I had this purchased in the last service from RE, the front master cylinder cover and got it changed. I forgot to collect the old one. For other service work, I didn't stay back.Spark plugs cleaned (fairly new Iridium plugs) - I saw it, no pics.Brake fluid bleeding - I can feel the change. INT650 has an issue with the rear master cylinder as the brake oil gets dirty even without much use. Bad plumbing or poor placement?Brake pads & calipers cleaning and caliper pin greasingWheel axle greasing - a bit too much, seen accumulated at the ends!Chain clean, adjust and lubeLubing moving parts such as footpegs, stand pivots etc.I didn't like them lubing the hand lever pivots, it's not required. I washed/wiped them off! We went for the same-day return beach ride after this service. The bike performed flawlessly. For the past few months, I've noticed that the RHS mirror has a buzz and the view is not clear. Earlier this was not the case. I wanted to post all the parts replaced/upgraded/added in 4 years in this post. Let's try this. Apart from the above, I've changed tyres twice and switched to alloys, that's a big investment! You can find separate posts for both in this thread. What next? Just ride! Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 3:30 pm

Honda Accord V6: Custom exhaust to reduce sound levels on the go

BHPian ImportedlLama recently shared this with other enthusiasts. This post is a short one as I just needed some advice and guidance from the more experienced members of the forum and possible people with some connections in my area. I reside in Bangalore in the JP Nagar area and am having a dilemma. For a while now I've been wanting to unleash my very muffled high displacement V6 accords throaty roar but with that, I have a few concernsI don't want the car to become a cop magnetI want to keep costs as low as possible (not much a 19-year-old can really afford on his own)I want to preserve the quietness of the stock exhaust because who wants a loud roar 24/7With these 3 points in mind, I figured the best way of going about this is a cutout exhaust system. If you are unaware of what this is, it's basically a replacement for a short section of your exhaust system maybe about 12-15 inches in length that has a branch attached to it which is controlled by a valve. What this system allows is the stock exhaust sound when the branch is closed but when the valve to the main exhaust is shut off it opens up the diverging branch and allows for the exhaust to flow freely. This will ideally be placed right before the two heavily restrictive mufflers. The exhaust forms sort of a Y shape and right before it branches into the two mufflers is where I will place this. I will attach pictures for reference to help make this a little less confusing. This is the cutout system. I plan on installing this right after the center box and right before the two mufflers on the small straight section. I've spoken to a Code 6 center and they stated that the first problem that they will face is welding mild steel to stainless steel, which is possible so I don't know why that would be a problem and also the cost if it were possible theoretically is around 30k which is out of my budget. My idea is to get the cutout system from the USA since it's virtually non-existent here and the Valvetronic system available is just muffler replacements so I'd have to get two of them which would make it really expensive. The US cutout part is around 100 USD which I can fit into my budget. Since welding was stated to be a problem finding someone who is willing to weld and more importantly a good price is also tricky. Hence what I plan on doing is using exhaust clamps which I've seen done before in a donut media video, and doing everything on my own. For this, I would first require the part to be brought in from the USA along with the exhaust clamps. Then I would need a shop or a place to work that has an angle grinder and other tools that I would need to do this. Then I would basically do a really sketchy redneck engineering job of cutting out a section of the exhaust and clamping in the cutout valve system. But hey what's life without doing dumb stuff like this every once in a while? The worst-case scenario for this in my head would be that it doesn't work and I'd just have to weld back in the piece that I cut out which I'm sure someone could do for cheap. This is my current thought process. I come to the members of this forum to tell me if this is a good idea and to help me rationalize it. Any other suggestions are welcome and if anyone knows somewhere where I can work on my car nearby that would also be very helpful. And please do let me know if anyone else has a better idea that will fit in my budget it would be very appreciated. Thanks for your time everyone, Cheers! Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:You're sailing in the right direction. Go for it. A BHPian had a similar remote-controlled exhaust on his SX4. Besides, loud exhausts can get tiring on long highway drives.Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 2:08 pm

Aprilia RS 457 deliveries to commence in April

Aprilia launched the RS 457 last year at the India Bike Week. Since then, there has been a lot of excitement, especially among bike enthusiasts. Aprilia had initially planned to start handing over the bikes to customers this month, but deliveries have now been delayed. Reports suggest that the Aprilia RS 457 is expected to reach showrooms across India in the next few days, while customer deliveries will commence in April. The RS 457 is powered by a 457cc twin-cylinder liquid-cooled engine that makes 47 BHP and 43.5 Nm. The engine is mated with a 6-speed gearbox. The bike gets a ride-by-wire system and an optional quick shifter. The RS 457 features a 41 mm upside-down front fork with a mono-shock at the rear. Braking is handled by a 320 mm disc paired with a 4-piston caliper and a 220 mm disc at the rear, supported by dual-channel ABS. The Aprilia RS 457 competes with the KTM RC 390 and Kawasaki Ninja 400 in the Indian market. Source:Bikewale

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 1:51 pm

BYD EV prices could reduce with new low-cost platform

According to media reports, BYD is set to introduce a new EV platform, which will allow them to cut costs even further. Reports state that BYD will introduce updated versions of both its DM-i and e-Platform for PHEVs and EVs, respectively. The updated DM-i platform will allow BYD's PHEV products to offer a range of 2000 km with a full tank of fuel and full battery charge. BYD EVs, on the other hand, could move to the next-gen e-platform 4.0. Currently, the EVs are underpinned by the 3.0 version, which includes eight-in-one integration. The upcoming 4.0 e-platform will have more integrations and fewer wiring harnesses, further reducing costs. BYD recently unveiled its cheapest EV, the Seagull, which has a starting price of under $10,000. As per reports, BYD plans to steal market share from gas-powered cars over the next three years. Source: Electrek

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 1:35 pm

2024 Sonet facelift test drive observations: Might book HTX diesel AT

BHPian ashvek3141 recently shared this with other enthusiasts. I had a look and TD the Sonet FL last weekend and below are a few of my observations in no particular order. I didn't bother to click any pics since our official review has some amazing pictures in all the possible angles. Also, the TD vehicles were in Red Dual Tone. I had a good look at the GTX & HTX variants since I am looking forward to my car purchase and Sonet is on top of that list.Kia has given the GT & Tech Lines their distinct looks and are easily identifiable unlike the pre-FL, wherein it was just the 'red accents' to the skid plates. I personally like the look of the GTX, especially in the White DT paint. Makes the front look wider than it actually is. The HTX(s) look good too but a little 'toned down' than the GTX variants.That rear spoiler adds character and looks quite sporty. The same isn't present in the HTX.A major miss in the HTX are the alloys! The 'styled wheels' are styled well but then you know they aren't alloys. I really feel Kia should have given the alloys. You're paying ~ 15.60 L ex-Goa for wheels caps. Sigh! The GT Line alloys look fab though.All is not bad with HTX though; it now gets much useful ventilated seats, full leatherette upholstery v/s semi-leatherette in pre-FL, Tan interiors v/s the fabric white in pre-FL, front parking sensors, rear disc brakes; which are all value-added features IMHO and kinda make-up for the miss in the alloys. All this keeping the price of the HTX variants the same as pre-FL. Of course, these are 'introductory' prices.Though Kia has kitted the FL models pretty well, they have now started with their cost-cutting exercise or should I say value engineering exercise. The plastic quality, I felt was relatively of lower grade than the pre-FL. Having owned the pre-FL Sonet D AT in the past, I could feel the difference.The horn pad surely has seen a change as the underlying cut out for the airbag is now clearly visible, which wasn't the case in pre-FL. Additionally, that irritating clicky noise has increased when you press the horn pad which is a clear giveaway that the horn pad has changed.Same is the case with the engine start-stop button which now rattles a wee-bit in its position if you just slide your finger over it. There are other buttons showing similar characters. This wasn't the case in the pre-FL models.I felt the doors to be on the lighter side, the pre-FL had heavy doors with a pronounced 3-stage opening.The interiors don't feel 'new' as such, like they do in the Seltos FL. Kia has gone conservative with Sonet's interiors and reserved major changes only to the exteriors. They could have at least reduced the size of that AVN + Speedo console slab which sticks out like a sore thumb. The only welcome change is the tan interiors which are again limited to the Auto & iMT variants only.The GT Line gets 'all-black' interiors with the black roof liner and it makes the already tight cabin look claustrophobic. I don't understand this stupid trend. A black roof is acceptable for cars like Harrier, XUV700, etc.; not Sonet, please! HTX interiors look much more pleasant with tan seats and a white roof.The rear seat sees an improvement and my Mum actually commented on the same, without even me telling her about the change. The under-thigh support has improved, but this is good only for anyone below 5' 7 or so. Taller folks like me will still complain. The recess in the front seat-back is okay-ish and doesn't help much to liberate any legroom. It's just a placebo-effect thing IMHO. The Sonet's rear seat is still tight. No two ways about that.I drove the 7 DCT first and it drives just the way it did before. Though MotorInc mentioned that there's some improvement in the drivability of the turbo DCT, I didn't quite feel any. Maybe it's not a thing for the normal Joe. I found the car to get quite noisy in the SPORT mode when it held onto the gears. This makes me feel that there has been some compromise on the insulation front. I noticed the same in the D AT too.DCT is a delight to drive on the highways at sane speeds, which also helps to yield good FE. But the moment you think of having some fun, the mileage drops like crazy. DCT owners claiming 20 + kmpl mileage is all eyewash IMHO (no offence please). In practical scenarios with mixed driving conditions, it's simply not possible. The D AT returns under 18 kmpl, forget the DCT.After DCT, it was my fav D AT! I know this combo really well so I wasn't expecting anything different. The drivetrain which felt a lil 'lazy' in the elder sibling, the Seltos, is just 'perfect' in the lil Sonet. But like I mentioned earlier, the insulation seems somewhat compromised; the D AT too felt a lil louder than the pre-FL Sonet.Handling is predictable and nothing has been changed in this department. However, the suspension has surely seen some improvement. The earlier model used to sort of crash when you took the speed-breakers or potholes with a little bit of speed. That is not the case with the FL version. I drove this car on good roads to absolutely no roads with even 5 people on-board and I can confirm that the suspension has been improved.The horn sound also intrudes the cabin more than before, even though it has been muted a little now. Maybe the 'new' norms have kicked in already? The Seltos too had this low-sounding horn.I felt the handbrake to have some kinda springy action and was slightly on the heavier side as compared to the pre-FL. Has this got to do something with the rear disc brakes?ADAS 1 is known to all and does the job well. However, I don't find the Level-1 ADAS to be of any significant use. It doesn't even have the Blind-spot warning on the ORVMs. The lane-keep and collision avoidance can hardly be used in day-to-day scenarios. Anyway, maybe it's a matter of getting used to it.Finally, it's a 'decent' FL from Kia primarily focussing on the exteriors and I must say the car looks quite distinct!To me though, an additional premium of 3L for the GTX over the HTX is too steep to justify the feature additions. The moola is primarily for the ADAS tech I feel. HTX still looks quite VFM to me, only if it had those alloys. Sigh! But then - you win some, you lose some.I might end up booking the HTX D AT as I am still not convinced with these turbo petrols and their abysmal FEs. Even worse, the 1.0 L is a 3-cylinder unit and honestly, it sounds coarser than the 1.5 L Diesel. The only issue is the 'unknown' future of diesels in India and the stupid Govt. norms. Some say that 2027 will be the end of Diesel engines! So possibly, I would like to pick my 'last' diesel car and in all probability would like to retain it for 10 years. But then, I doubt there'll be any takers in the resale market a few years from now. It's a gamble, for sure! At the time of the TD, both - HTX & GTX D AT were readily available in stock. Hence, I could have a thorough look at them side by side. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 1:35 pm

7 months. & 7000km with my Compass 4x4 AT: What I like & what I don't

BHPian Dr_MNC_SK recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Completing 7 months 7000 kms in a JC Diesel Model-S AT 4x4. The Good The Bad The Ugly.Brief Background:I am from the hills. My daily drive is of good roads bad roads and no roads in true sense. Upgraded from a 4x4 Thar.Ergonomics:Ergonomics for driver and passenger I found is perfect as adequate adjustment is possible and the 2 Memory seating helps especially to get back to position from cleaning and all. I am 180 cm and I can seat fairly comfortable behind my own driving position. Nothing very spacious but not to cringe about for its size. Also rear seat is not that small as mostly pointed in reviews unless one is XL in size. 3 average sized individuals or 2 +1 car seat easily can sit. The hump for the rear shaft is present but not very very obtrusive.Driveability:The USP of this car. Can anybody tell another car available in India south of 40 lakhs which feels as close to this.AT in Hills:I was skeptical at first but no more. It doesn't hunt gears and stays perfect for 90+% of the time, for occasional hard braking or sudden deceleration it refuses to upshift when you nudge it to for some time. Hardly have to go to Manual Mode for gear selection. If very steep uphill, then if on Auto 4x4 mode then tries to start on 2nd (like always) which has to be manually overridden to 1st or have to go 4WD Low where it goes to 1st. If you don't want AWD but want to start from 1st gear, then must manually override. The need doesn't arise much except very steep climbs where you have to stop and go. On plain side highways it's a no bummer, it catches the gear 99% of the time.Fuel Efficiency and DEF Efficiency:Hills Highway 9-10 kmpl. Hills Traffic 6.5-8 kmpl Plain Highways 14kmpl. No complaints as I was getting almost same with my Thar 4x4 also. DEF usage was higher for first few thousand kms then have averaged out, Now I guess it will consume around 5 litre for 3000 kms in the hills. Haven't had any DEF issues even on cold winters or anything. Using Standard ADblue from ASS or sourced from Amazon.The Good Points:Ample of steering wheel control buttons ergonomically placed front and back. No accidental presses. Presence of Dedicated Hardware Buttons (plus Touch) for HVAC.360-degree camera is a boon in some tight spots in our hills though overtime with the experience of approximation usage has come down.Music System and U connect is working flawlessly. An occasional software issue with Apple Car Play is there which can be sorted by restarting the phone.TPMS is smart, detects wheel rotation itself, no need to readjust after wheel rotation. Takes around 10 kms of driving and it detects correct placement.Turning Radius and Steering wheel weight is remarkable.One touch Up Windows on all 4 doors.LED Projector Lamps and LED Foglamps are doing a remarkable job. May need a long throw spot beams for highways but not able to figure out where to mount them. The frame is front in front of radiator is aluminium.The specs GC at 178 mm is adequate because its the fully laden GC. It sits above 200 mm with only you in it. Havent hit anything until now running frenzy on our roads.Boot: This is good and bad both. The Auto Tailgate is good to have. No need to touch dirty vehicle on roadtrips to open & close the boot. The placement of the button is good for shorter people but for me I would have preferred it to be a bit outside not buried in. Day to Day grocery shopping isn't that appealing when the boot door is clean cause it takes a few seconds and we are all in a hurry. Also, there is adequate storage underneath the boot floor where vehicle maintenance kits like Tyre Kit Cleaning Kit Inflators and the likewise can be stored. I have some utensils and 2 camping stools also stored underneath. Tie Points are added advantage.The Bad Points:The Start Stop System should have a permanent kill feature. It will work when it wants to and stop when it wants to. Although manual says it will be deactivated on slopes it doesn't most of the time and if you are on Hold Feature then car goes back when engine restarts because it deactivates Hold and doesn't activate Hill Hold in that brief 1 sec period.Auto Headlamps/ Auto Wipers sensitivity is a hit or miss even with adjustment levels in the system. Less concerning as it can be overridden to manual.The door sills are a bit high to my liking. People inadvertently step on it on ingress or egress making it dirty all the while.Wish the fuel inlet could take in a regular diesel pump nozzle and not the narrow ones only. Have to hunt for these specifically while filling. They have provided a converter but the hassle and the dripping of diesel and the smell that lingers on in it is not worth it.The air deflector underneath the front bumper is the lowest point on the car. It grates and squeaks on some rough patches. Although it hasn't broken as of now there is a possibility. I guess it could be deleted.Boot Space: If you know how to pack it will swallow an enormous amount of luggage. Airport Runs with Hard Box Luggage is another story. Road Trips with duffels and soft luggage is not a problem.Mud Flaps: The OEM Mud Flaps (especially the front) kept of breaking as also mentioned by many users. Shifted over to a flexible time universal Mud Flap found dirt cheap in Amazon. Working great ever since.The Ugly::If I could say one thing Ugly, then it is the choice of 18 inches Wheels with a 225/55 tyre which becomes its Achilles heel. The low sidewall height combined with the tread pattern makes it vulnerable. Also the absence of AT availability in this size in India adds to the woes. The Trailhawk 17inchers should have been here too. I would trade my 18 inchers to anyone with 17.]Comparison/ VFM:Unless one owns or regularly drives the JC one cannot understand its driveability, handling and other safety features it has incorporated. There has been a lot of comparison videos and lack of features etc in comparison to other cheaper vehicles available in India but basically its about the gizmos and all. There actually isn't another comparable vehicle here except may be the XUV 500 AWD AT or more likelt the Tuscon AWD AT or the Tiguan AT AWD or Subaru Forester(Not available in India) . Noone compares the robust built quality, the safety features and the driving ergonomics and the handling. Established sedans seems difficult to handle after driving this vehicle. It may be expensive in comparison to many similar sized vehicles available in India, but I feel it is worth the money if you are into serious long distance travelling and want a no nonsense well handling medium sized vehicle which will take you from A to B safely and with less fatigue and has an AWD for those unforeseen events en route . (Not for offroading) Service Centre ASS here at Siliguri (Nearest) and Guwahati have been very cooperative and helpful. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 1:04 pm

Mahindra XUV300 facelift spied in production-ready guise

New spy images of the Mahindra XUV300 facelift have surfaced online. The latest prototypes appear to be of the production version and have minimal camouflage. The latest spy images suggest that the overall shape of the XUV300 will remain unchanged. The SUV will get a heavily revised front fascia though, featuring a bold new look. It is expected to get U-shaped LED DRLs at the front and reworked LED tail lights. Mahindra has also made a few changes to the interior. The XUV300 facelift will feature a larger touchscreen infotainment system. The free-standing unit can be seen in one of the spy images. The SUV is also expected to get a digital instrument cluster, among other features. The XUV300 facelift will carry forward the same 1.2-litre turbo-petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines. Currently, Mahindra offers a choice of 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic on all engines. The all-electric XUV400 could also receive similar updates in the future. Source:Rushlane

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 12:40 pm

Steering wheels: Enthusiasts share their preffered shape & type

BHPian CentreofGravity recently shared this with other enthusiasts. In the recent past, OEMs have been playing around with different designs for the steering wheel. Traditionally, steering wheels have been either round or flat bottomed, which are the most ergonomically sorted designs. The only difference was in the number of spokes in the steering wheel. Cars like the Tata Indigo had a four spoke steering, whereas the Maruti 800 came with a two spoke unit; most other cars had three spoke units. In the last decade or so, manufacturers have showcased radical steering wheels in their concept cars, however, they have now started making their way into production cars as well. Tesla received flak for its yoke in the Model S, and Lexus followed suit and launched the RZ with a yoke too. In 2022, BMW filed a patent for a yoke. More recently, Peugeot have decided to make rectangular steering wheels from 2026. All this makes one wonder, what was wrong with the age old design of the steering wheel in the first place? In this thread, let's discuss the various steering wheel designs and what your preferences are. Let's keep this discussion limited to just the designs and functionality of the wheel, and not steering technology like HPS, EPS, steer-by-wire, etc. Two spoke steering wheel This design is employed by cars like the Tata Nexon, Hyundai Verna, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, MG Comet, all Skoda cars, and erstwhile cars like the Tata Nano, Chevrolet Spark, old Maruti cars and many more. As the name suggests, there are two spokes in this type of steering wheel . Three spoke steering wheel This is the most common type of steering wheel and can be seen in most cars like the Volkswagen Virtus, Honda Elevate, Kia Sonet, etc. I wouldn't be surprised if most people vote for this type of steering because it has been the most used type across OEMs for years. Personally, I prefer a good old three spoke unit. Four spoke steering wheel In the earlier days, four spoke steering wheels were generally used in larger and more expensive cars like the Tata Safari, OG Honda City, some versions of the Tata Indigo, and present day models like the Hyundai i20, Creta, Venue and Tucson, Tata Safari and Harrier, all Land Rovers, etc. I associate four spoke units with larger cars and find it odd in smaller cars and jacked-up hatchbacks. Flat bottomed / D-cut steering wheel Here, the bottom part of the steering wheel is flat. Such steering wheels are generally associated with sporty cars. Steering wheels with two, three or four spokes may have a flat bottom. These can be found in the Skoda Rapid, VW Taigun, Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, etc. Yoke Yoke of the Tesla Model S Lexus RZ450e's yoke These are unconventional in shape, ditching the round steering for an impractical shape like a rectangle. They do look cool, but they are the perfect example of 'form over function'. Thanks to the criticism, Tesla decided to offer the yoke as an option in the Tesla Model S and Model X, as opposed to it being standard fitment earlier. It remains to be seen how Peugeot executes its 'hypersquare', though I think it won't be as easy to use as a regular steering wheel. Do note, a yoke may not be as impractical if steer-by-wire tech is implemented with it as the turning range reduces drastically. As for my preference, I wouldn't want a yoke or a polygon shaped steering wheel; as long as it's a round steering wheel and the wheel design appeals to me, I don't mind the number of spokes. If I had to choose though, I'd go with three spokes. BHPians, your turn! Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:2-spokes is too less, while 4 is too many. My choice is 3-spoke . From Karan's thread, now this is a steering done right. Here's what BHPian lamborghini had to say on the matter:So a lot of this stems from the cars we were first introduced to with these respective steerings. For instance the 2 spoke is reminiscent of the 800, Alto which the mind perceives as being more budget oriented - of course there are exceptions to the rule (such as the newer Hyundai designs, the good old Zen, etc.) but for most part, it appears as though something is missing. 3 spoke, flat bottom steerings are love and my pick if designed well - sporty, comfortable, and convenient. When driving the flat bottom is convenient for us bigger folk & the feel is much more sportier. On that note, I have nothing against 4 spokes - but again having seen them on old school Germans such as Mercs & Audis - the vibe is more luxury with a little bulky feel but this is fast changing : again as seen on some recent Hyundais.Here's what BHPian MotorDev had to say on the matter:Great thread .I like steering wheels with three spokes.They make the dashboard look nice and complete.Three-spoke steering wheels are better to hold onto because they provide a good grip.Here's what BHPian Sphere had to say on the matter:Personally I like the 3 and 4 spoke steering wheels. I own a Maruti Ertiga and the 2024 Tata Safari which have 3 and 4 spokes respectively. 2 spoked steering wheels look incomplete. The only 2 spoke wheel I like is the one in the Slavia.Here's what BHPian MyLife_MyCar had to say on the matter:Though I drive a car with a 2-spoke wheel, I'd prefer a 3-spoke wheel any day.2 feels incomplete and hollow.4 feels like someone whose limbs are stretched out and tied to the wheel.Just the imagination of driving a yoke type makes me feel uncomfortable.Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 12:08 pm

2024 Honda Africa Twin design patented in India

Honda has filed a design patent for the 2024 Africa Twin in India. The bike maker has also patented the Adventure Sport variant. The 2024 Africa Twin made its global debut a few months ago. The bike gets cosmetic updates along with a slight increase in performance. The patent images showcase the bike's redesigned side panels that give it a sharper look. Honda has also patented the base variant, although it is unlikely to be offered in India. The 2024 Africa Twin is powered by a 1,084cc, parallel-twin engine. A higher compression ratio has resulted in a bump in peak torque from 103 Nm @ 6,250 rpm to 112 Nm @ 5,500 rpm. The bike also features a new airbox, valves and fuel injectors. The Adventure Sport variant is a road-biased version of the Africa Twin. It is equipped with a 19-inch front wheel and lowered suspension.

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 11:02 am

Pics: Found a rare BMW E46 M3 convertible in my apartment complex

BHPian ex-innova-guy recently shared this with other enthusiasts. These bicycles are wrongly parked in my parking area. I think they are stolen and kept here. I feel I have to report to authorities A person posted this in our society WhatsApp group. I was least interested on the issue but the picture spoke for itself - a convertible! Only question now was which one? Lo and behold !! An E46 BMW M3 with SMG Transmission! NFS Most Wanted. The lovely wheel arches and exhaust tips. Quad exhaust tips. Lovely Alloys with blue brake calliper. Red interior blending with S-Presso. Check ou BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 11:02 am

Honda Civic owner buys 2023 Safari facelift: 5 initial impressions

BHPian Enigmatic recently shared this with other enthusiasts. It's finally here! It was quite the journey to finalise which new car to buy. Started with the Seltos, then moved to the Tuscon and finally settled with the Safari. The overall experience from booking to delivery was pretty smooth. The folks at Puneet Motors were helpful throughout although a couple of things could have been better. Will pin the same down in the ownership experience. Coming to the Safari, it is a great car! It is quite a change from my current car (Civic) but I am enjoying it so far. Not having to calculate how to navigate speed bumps is a blessing. I would also like to point out a couple of issues I noticed.There is a bit of fogging in the rear connected DRL (see below picture). This was noticed during the PDI and I was assured that the same would be rectified before delivery but due to part unavailability, I was requested to take delivery with the promise that they would replace the part as soon as possible (hopefully within a week). The dealership was apologetic regarding the same but there is only so much they can do. Have been promised a complimentary Teflon coating for the trouble.The car seems to be a bit moody. The front park assist (FPA) does not always get activated. I tried getting uncomfortably close to cars parked in front however the FPA does not get activated every time. I believe this is a software issue and hopefully, an update will provide for better calibration. Have the owners encountered the same?Sometimes, the lock animation for the front DRL is too rushed. The corner DRLs are still completing the lock animation but the center DRL has already completed the same. It seems out of sync. Again this seems to be a software issue.The easy access feature of the front drive seat works occasionally i.e. the seats don't always slide down while opening the door to allow easy access to the driver. I also saw a random error Memory Seat Failure! Unable to select stored position, although this error did not impact the seat functionality or selecting the stored seat position. Again seems like a software issue.The infotainment system does not always play music in good quality. This one is difficult to explain but sometimes the music quality is very flat and without any bass (as if the amplifier has not kicked in). When the above scenario is experienced, changing the JBL music modes also does not make any change. This seems to go away on its own. I am hoping this is a software issue.Other than the above, mechanically, the car is perfect. I drove it on the new Atal-Setu bridge and it masked speeds effortlessly. The adaptive cruise control also worked like a charm. Hoping to have the above issues rectified at the earliest and do some serious mile-munching. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 10:30 am

Careless tempo driver cuts into my lane at speed, pays the price for it

BHPian Rohitthebest recently shared this with other enthusiasts. If you observe our dash cam video, my wife was doing 100+ kmph coolly on our way to Bangalore from Pune two years back. She even overtook the truck from left side as the guy is driving on extreme right side since it comes in our vision. As she tries to go back to extreme right lane which is supposed to be the overtaking as well as faster lane, the small carrier on the centre lane decides to take the right lane without indicating or any need to go in that lane. If you see the highway ahead it is all clear and later on when he stopped after we hit him from behind, he mentioned that I was going to stop on the right side to drink water. Can you believe that? Right side and not extreme left. We approached the police right one KM ahead and looking at our MH12 Number he asked us to go on with our journey without filing complaint as we won't be able to attend the enquiry / court going ons in case it goes ahead. I too realised that I believe the cops with harass him for quick buck than actually doing anything about it. Lesson learnt: Always analyse the intention of the vehicle moving ahead of you to know in which direction they can move in the Free Highway World of ours and move accordingly. Here's what BHPian deathwalkr had to say on the matter:The response by the mini truck fellow should be engraved and framed in the hall of Top nonsense thoughts/actions on road!!! That said, just curious as to why no brake was applied and car didn't seem to slow down either till point of impact. Also just thinking aloud, after one overtaking on the left (thanks to lumbering behemoth on right), swerving onto right lane to overtake the mini truck on the middle lane seemed a bit circuit race style to me Again, just thinking aloud is all. Glad nothing untoward happened and guess the behemoth you overtook had enough time and space to brake and slow down after your accident.Here's what BHPian poised2drive had to say on the matter:I am afraid a part of it was your wife's Galti too . Regardless of that driver's careless veering to the right, continuing to be at 100 + kmph as you were approaching that vehicle (which never left the right most lane completely) was a judgmental error! Also I think she honked a bit a late to make that fellow realize the gravity of the situation! You should have slowed down a bit before trying to overtake ! 2 sec rule is gold standard especially at that speed! I am glad everything went okayHere's what BHPian n_naik had to say on the matter:I am not defending the tata ace guy here. But the poor guy didnt have your car on his ORVM till he initiated the lane-switching. It was only after he initiated, you guys appeared on his mirror out of the blue. Scary. If i was in his place, i would have made the car guys pay a heavy price. The only suggestions that i have for both the vehicles is: For tata ACE: 1) Keep an eye on IRVM too if possible. Cars disappearing suddenly on one mirror and appearing on the other at high speeds are always riskier. For car : 1) Always make sure that you stay on the front vehicle's ORVM for few seconds before overtaking them from any side. 2) Before initiating the overtaking, make sure that the front vehicle driver has seen you in the ORVM. This can be done by honking or flashing. But if you have followed the first step properly, you dont need this step since the driver would have seen you already before initiating the lane-switching. In other words, 'Be predictable' for the driver in front of you. Wishing you guys safe driving.Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 9:05 am

Have issues with pedal placement in my Compass AT: Causing knee pain

BHPian Mr.Independent recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Hi Folks, I own a model S 4x4 Diesel-auto. Off late, I am getting a bit of knee pain especially after a long journey(recent journey being my trip to Sikkim/Darjeeling from Odisha and back, roughly 2.8k kms covered in 10 days). Even though I tried to use cruise control on the straight highways as long as possible, but that would not account for more than 25/30 % of the total length as the above mentioned trip involved quite a lot winding ghat-roads/ internal city-roads and someone has to juggle through the A/B pedals to navigate the car effectively through these and that I think has taken a toll on my knee. Couple of my observations around the driving ergonomics/comfort in Compass:I find Compass A-pedal a bit cramped, placed too close to the B-pedal and should have been placed few cms towards right(maybe due to lack of real estate in that footwell area?), due to which knee always stay a bit more bent which otherwise would have been comfortable if stayed less bent/a bit more straight. Even after tweaking the seat/thigh height settings, I simply don't able to achieve the best possible combo to comfort my knees(Mind you i am not that tall and an average height person- around 5'8'')I also think one ought to press the A-pedal a bit too hard to get the car going especially in quick overtakes or to attain highway cruising speed(e.g.90-100) from standstill or sub-10/20kph speeds (thanks to Compass's dimwitted throttle response).Does anyone else observe/feel the same and find the accelerator pedal maybe a bit on harder side for Diesel Compass? N.B.- In the same road trip, I got a chance to drive a Toyota Fortuner of my cousin(who were also part of the same trip) for a good 100+ kms and surprisingly A-pedal ergonomics were just spot on and have enough rooms for my right leg to be comfortably placed around and also the throttle is quick responsive to the inputs which makes the overall long drives less fatigued/more enjoyable. Just wondering if it's the same case with other bigger(read higher seating position) rides too and if anyone else who has driven/compared SUVs like T-fortuner, Scorpio-N, XUV-700 able to agree on my above observation about Compass. Here's what BHPian bullitt1had to say on the matter:Incidentally, my brother has the same two issues after using the same variant for couple of months. The pedals are surely closely spaced, more apparent in manual with an additional pedal. On top of it, the dead pedal is placed at an awkward angle. I drive Longitude manual variant and always felt the same. In my other car, Ecosport AT I feel pedals are reasonably spaced. On the seat adjustment, I felt in S due to electric adjustment, the seat adjusts differently compared to my car. Manually, the seat moves up and front together diagonally. While in S, the base kind of rotates with back as centre. On the throttle response, some part is to be blamed on box tuning. In manual, slightest of pedal input pushes the car forward.Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 18 Mar 2024 8:03 am

Rumour: Mahindra Thar 5-door to be launched as 4x4 only

Mahindra is gearing up to launch the Thar 5-door in India by mid-2024. Initially, the SUV could be offered in a 4x4 configuration only. As per the latest reports, all variants of the Thar 5-door will get a 4x4 transfer case as standard at launch. A limited-slip rear differential is likely to be offered on the top-spec trim. The Thar 5-door will come with the same engine options as the 3-door version. These include a 2.2-litre diesel producing 130 BHP and 300 Nm and a 2.0-litre petrol that makes 150 BHP and 300-320 Nm. Both engines are likely to be offered with 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmissions. That being said, it is unclear if Mahindra will offer the 1.5-litre diesel engine in the Thar 5-door. This engine develops 117 BHP and 300 Nm and is paired with a 6-speed manual in the entry-level Thar 3-door. Source: Rushlane

Team-BHP 17 Mar 2024 7:31 pm

Choosing a suitable luggage system for my Triumph Tiger 800

BHPian MileCruncher recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Folks, I recently got recently got a pre owned 2016 Tiger 800 which didn't have any luggage system installed. I need to get hard case top box and panniers installed. I understand the Triumph original accessory for side mount and panniers is about for 1 Lac. While they are significantly expensive, also given the age of the bike, they may not be available as well. Have been looking at options from Givi and SW Motech but unable to make any sense. Hence requesting some expert advice on what my options are over here. Also where can I get them in Mumbai. Aluminium Top Box is an immediate priority. P.S: I had gone to the Bikester Global and the local hardcase pannier had generic mounts which don't fit the tiger. Here's what BHPian Axe77 had to say on the matter:Here are my inputs on this:1. Dont buy OEM even if you get it. Givi makes the luggage for Triumph. But they have slightly different mounts so they can't be used as easily when you change bikes. 2. Buy from a good third party brand instead of OEM. You've bought a 7- 8 year old bike. It could well be that you spend a bomb on luggage and go and flip this bike in a couple of years. Your investment in the luggage system should be capable of being used on the next ADV as well. You'll lose the pannier mounts of course but at least the basic luggage can be moved to the next one. 2. Buy from a good quality brand - both Givi and SWM are excellent and you could well restrict your search to just these two. For Givi, the best source to search is Bikenbiker Bangalore (talk to Sreejith - he's excellent). For SWM, it's big bad bikes in Bangalore (talk to Sean, again excellent). Both have excellent online catalogues of their stuff.You could also talk to Piyush at Pathpavers, Delhi. Again, an excellent franchise and I'm sure he stocks SWM and I think he also stocks Givi. Any of these folks will advise you on models and will also ship it out to you. 3. Between Givi and SWM, I feel Givi has the much broader range of top boxes to choose from. So that alone could be one reason to pivot to Givi as an option. I also personally found the Givi box I used on my Tiger nicer to operate than the SWM on my Multi. If you want to see the SWM system on an ADV, you can refer to my post here. If you want to see Givi luggage mounted on a Tiger, you can check this post from my long term review here. This was the Triumph OEM though but it's made by Givi. Givi branded will be exactly the same. 4. For side cases, the biggest gating question is whether you want hard cases or semi rigid. Both have their own pros and cons and it completely comes down to personal preference. If you had to see only one video to help you understand the difference, I hugely recommend Bret Tkacs's YouTube video on this (link below). It sums up the pros and cons perfectly. 5. Decide up front if you want Givi or SWM but don't choose top box from one and side panniers from another. It could create conflicts in the pannier mounting systems. Kriega makes excellent soft side bags as well and these will work with either Givi / SWM mounts AFAIK so can be combined with either top box. 6. Other brands you could consider are Shad and Hepco Becker but I think Givi and SWM have the best support and sales in India. You could just restrict your research between these two. Bret Tkacs video on soft vs hard luggage.BHPian MileCruncher replied: Thanks Axe for the detailed post. I had gone through your detailed post on your soft luggage on Multi. I used to have soft luggage- saddle bags (ViaTerra) on my Duke and I know of the disadvantages But the SWM and Kriega ones looked more closed and dust proof. I spent considerable time on BikeNBiker website last night to shortlist some Givi models like the Outback and Outback trekker series but they are working to be prohibitively expensive. Its sad that there is no direct dealer for Givi and SWM in Mumbai. Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 17 Mar 2024 4:25 pm

Retain Paytm FASTag for now or get a new one from a different bank

BHPian SideView recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Hello, fellow BHPians, especially fellow Paytm Fastag holders, I am sure many of us are in the same boat, unsure of what to make of the Paytm saga, even as many might have moved on. Hence the reason for this post is to get a rough idea about which tag current Paytm Fastag users prefer to switch to. I would highly appreciate it if those responding to the post could also add the reason for going with the particular option (eg. is it just because you have an existing bank account/relationship, or is it customer service, or is it wallet-based so as to keep bank separate). My reason for going with Paytm earlier was that it is wallet-based and I could recharge whenever I had travel planned. I wasn't comfortable linking my bank to Fastag. Thanks in advance for your responses. Will really help me decide which direction to take. Here's what BHPian for_cars1 had to say about the matter:I believe PayTM fastag should work seamlessly even after Feb 29th. Only restriction is that we wouldn't be able to add money to the PayTM wallet post-Feb 29th. Hence I've added another 5K to the PayTM wallet so that the fastag can be used without worrying about the money running out from the wallet for a considerable time post Feb 29th. I hope that in a couple of months, the contentious PayTM payments bank would get disassociated from the PayTM app and a new UPI vendor/bank would be associated with PayTM app and help restore PayTM app to the green zone by the regulators.Here's what BHPian Samba had to say about the matter:I initiated the closure for my Paytm FASTag on 1st Feb. On 9th Feb, I got the security deposit credited back to my wallet. Once the Paytm FASTtag was closed, I applied for the ICICI bank FASTag, and it immediately got activated.Here's what BHPian mukeshgoel had to say about the matter:I too initiated the closure of my Paytm fastag today. Will get one from ICICI after it is closed. Instead of Paytm transferring my tag to another bank gateway (no idea which one will be that and whether will they be successful in doing so or not). It's better to decide myself which bank fastag I want.Here's what BHPian binand had to say about the matter:I am retaining Paytm. In fact, I doubled down on it with an immediate 15k recharge when the RBI action was announced. I simply can't afford to have my Fastag not working because of my low balance for the next several months. In this period I expect to have more clarity, and if switching is required I'll take a call then. But it will not be ICICI because of bad past experience with that group - I don't give them any business. Most likely it will be Equitas, which many people have recommended. But I don't expect to take this decision immediately.Here's what BHPian sameerg had to say about the matter:Holding on to PayTm. One convenience of Paytm has been a common balance for multiple tags. I don't need to recharge each tag as whichever tag goes through a toll, auto-debits the common wallet balance. This gives the benefit of auto top-up without exposing your bank account. I am not sure if any other provider gives a similar feature. For now, I am topping up my Paytm wallet with 5k, which should push my decision-making window by a few months.Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 17 Mar 2024 3:50 pm

Hyundai Motor, Kia's sells 5 million eco-friendly cars globally: Report

In 2023 alone, Hyundai Motor and its smaller affiliate Kia sold a combined 1.36 million eco-friendly vehicles, hitting the 1 million mark for the second consecutive year.

Zee Biz 17 Mar 2024 2:13 pm

February 2024 sales numbers of Audi, BMW & Mercedes India

FADA has released the vehicle registration data of luxury cars for February 2024. Mercedes-Benz has come out on top with 1,252 units sold, followed by BMW and Jaguar Land Rover, which have sold 1,040 units and 257 units, respectively.Luxury carmaker sales for February 2024:Mercedes-Benz - 1,252 units, up from 1,162 units in February 2023BMW - 1,040 units, up from 666 units in February 2023Jaguar Land Rover - 257 units, up from 168 units in February 2023Volvo - 165 units, up from 153 units in February 2023Audi - 52 units (CBU), down from 156 units in February 2023Team-BHP's detailed analysis of February 2024 sales figures.

Team-BHP 17 Mar 2024 1:54 pm

Top 10 best-selling cars in India - February 2024

The list of the top 10 best-selling cars in India in February 2024 consists of models from Maruti, Tata, Hyundai & Mahindra. The top 3 positions are occupied by Maruti & Tata cars (WagonR, Punch & Baleno). The Mahindra Scorpio is in 8th place, while the Hyundai Creta & Tata Nexon are in 7th and 9th place, respectively. The Maruti Dzire sits in the 4th spot, while the 5th, 6th & 10th positions have been secured by the Brezza, Ertiga & Fronx, respectively.The top 10 cars sold in February 2024:Maruti WagonR - 19,412Tata Punch - 18,438Maruti Baleno - 17,517Maruti Dzire - 15,837Maruti Brezza - 15,765Maruti Ertiga - 15,519Hyundai Creta - 15,276Mahindra Scorpio - 15,051Tata Nexon - 14,395Maruti Fronx - 14,168

Team-BHP 17 Mar 2024 1:50 pm

How to check PUC Certificate of Karnataka-registered vehicles online

BHPian oneguy recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Within minutes after the PUC certificate is issued, you can check them on this website and view the history. PUC certificate can be checked with Vehicle Registration Number or PUCC Number (Petrol or Diesel). How to search for a PUC certificate using a vehicle registration number: I was able to check out my car PUC certificates. Note: I am unsure if we can present this to the traffic police to avoid pollution fines. And I believe we have this service in Karnataka only. Similarly, we can check with PUCC No. Here's what BHPian gischethans had to say about the matter:Yes, this is a Karnataka-specific website. Most states (Eg. Kerala) integrate with the Vahan database, meaning the pollution certificate validity shows up directly on mParivahan or Digilocker RC.Here's what BHPian babhishek had to say about the matter:Karnataka, strangely never integrated with Vahan. Also, for BS IV they mandate a 6-month pollution check compared to the 12-month standard across India.Here's what BHPian arjab had to say about the matter:Don't know why there is such a bally-hoo about Pollution Under Control certificates, particularly in South India! We have been getting these, first, offline, and then online for ages in the rest of the country. Even TN views PUC as a National Treasure document! The first time, way back in 2009 when I had shown a valid PUC certificate to Chennai Police, (for my WB reg Swift), his eyes popped out and the reverence he showed towards me made me feel as if I was a divine figure or something! After that, the cops did not even ask any questions on WB reg in TN territory. Sadly, even now, PUC checking centres in Chennai are few and far between and most personal vehicle owners are not even aware of the need to perform a regular PUC test. In WB, OD, MH, DL, UP, BR, JH, ML, and AS one has to carry a valid PUC or its digital equivalent. Penalties are stiff for expired PUCs. For BS-4 and above PUCs are valid for 1-year. Rest, 6 months. WB has gone one step ahead. If you are buying a new car, at the time of registration, it is recorded as New Vehicle against the Vehicle Reg Nos dropdown and the PUC validity is shown as a year. Neat.Here's what BHPian DriverLess had to say about the matter:We as a country have to do a lot with privacy and data security. There are so many rules for the companies to follow for privacy/security, but no rules/accountability when it comes to govt. portals. The portal should have:Required authentication that only allows seeing my vehicle's data.At least should have introduced a captcha to prevent automation.Based on this website, one can easily map the following for all vehicles in the database.Owner's nameMobile numberLocation of all the places where PUC was doneCheck out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 17 Mar 2024 11:50 am

5000 km up on my Maruti Jimny MT: 8 real world observations

BHPian R.Daroga recently shared this with other enthusiasts. 5000 kms ownership experience of the Jimny Alpha MT:A throttle is a mandatory accessory to have. Any make, any model, just stick it in auto mode and the Jimny feels alive again. Don't know what took me this long to get one. Also don't understand why Maruti wouldn't give this kind of a throttle map as standard from the factory? Nobody would've called this car underpowered had they done that.Superb in the city with its perfect dimensions and pothole gobbling abilities.Superb in the villages on broken and kuccha roads.Not so superb on the road in between the city and the village: the highway. You need to chill and let the Cretas and Dzires pass. Very comfortable doing a 100-110 cruise. Feels strained and a bit out of shape beyond that.Narrow seat squab, narrow footwell, sitting very close to the window, no place to rest your right elbow. It all leads to stiff bodies after just a 2 hours+ drive. I'm broad framed.Not a 5 seater. Not even 4 adults and 1 kid.Ample luggage space for 4 people going on a weekend trip.All in all, an extremely capable and fun car to have for a nuclear family. By no stretch of imagination is it underpowered or overpriced. Maruti service is affordable. Suzuki reliability is bulletproof. It's just a happy place to be behind the wheel of a JimnyMore smiles per hour! Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 17 Mar 2024 11:02 am

Tesla to raise prices on Model Y electric vehicles in parts of Europe

Tesla raised the prices of its Model Y rear-wheel drive and long-range vehicles by $1,000 to $43,990 and $48,990, respectively, on March 1.

Zee Biz 17 Mar 2024 9:39 am

Repairing my Yamaha R15 V3 after recovering from an accident

BHPian SaurAswale recently shared this with other enthusiasts. I had an unfortunate accident on my bike (R15v3 bs6) on 3rd Dec-23. Yes, it was my fault. It is a long story but here is a short version (Or a Confession) 3rd Dec 2023, I was enjoying a ride on my bike. Found a closed and smooth piece of tarmac (not just Empty, CLOSED- no traffic allowed!!), I always do some drills if the time and place are appropriate. After some hard braking practices and figure 8 turns (Thanks MotoJistu and MotoControl!!), suddenly all went wrong and I crashed. I managed to hit a divider at an angle and I got thrown off the bike to hit my shoulder. Though I had a helmet, gloves, shoes and jacket, I managed to hit an unprotected part between my helmet and shoulder and broke the Collar Bone (R Clavicle). There was no single scratch on the body or on a jacket or anywhere. Though on slower speeds, it was an impact - not a slide. I went to my home (Kolhapur-MH) the next day by bus. There, I had an implant surgery on 5th Dec. Now, I have a titanium plate (implant) with an ugly scar over my clavicle. Surprisingly, the injury and surgery were not painful physically, but it was hard to watch my parents suffer. Everyone in my family had to go through a lot, because of me!! Moments like this are unfortunate but they remind you of how much you're loved and how much people around you care about you. The Fracture and the implant, Broke the bone into 2 pieces, surprisingly, it wasn't painful: Now, I have recovered. I started all my chores after the surgery. Also got permission for WFM and started the work on 11th Dec. After 2-3 weeks the shoulder movement was back to normal and I came back to Hyderabad in mid-January. For the last 15 days, I have also started running and light workouts (which I never did before the crash). I wanted to pen down all the details of the crash and emotions during the recovery and lots of other things, but I couldn't find the time. (Or I'm just lazy) Repairs of the bike Though now I am in good shape, my bike is not. The doctor advised me to not ride for 3 months which will be completed in the next 10 days, and I am as eager as ever to get back in the saddle. After the crash, I have not moved my bike from parking but giving it a start and 5 min idle weekly. DamagesThe bike had its front cast wheel bent and cracked. Need to replace it.There are scratches on the right side fairing, but can live with it. (Surprisingly, no damage to the indicators). The left side panel on the tank is detached from the center panel and I couldn't snap it back to its place by pressing it.The front brake lever is bent and needs replacement.The steering is out of alignment and I'm not sure about the extent of damage. It might need fork alignment or/and cone set replacement or replacement of the whole fork assembly. OR worse- repairing bent Chassis.Also, I am afraid that there is damage to the chassis. I had an impact at around 30kmph and the cast wheel must have absorbed most of the energy, but still, I have my doubts. (I know, I'm being paranoid).Is it possible?? Experienced members, please share your thoughts. Also, I'm thinking of changing all fluids and carrying out general service while at it. Please let me know if there is anything else I should look out for. I live near Cyber Tower in Hitech City, Hyderabad in a PG Hostel. I'm new in the city and do not have connections here to find a good local FNG. I've visited a couple of garages (before the crash) for small things but the service didn't meet my expectations and most important, they charge 2-3 times for any simple job. (100-120rs for chain tightening, or similar charge to tight one screw for taillight?). Also, another one directly tried to scam me for money. Now I wonder if I can trust anyone here For the last 2 weeks, I've been in search of a capable and trustworthy independent garage to carry out the repairs but couldn't find one. There is Yamaha ASS near me (Pearl Yamaha) but they also don't have a good reputation. And we all know how expensive an ASS will get to repair a damaged vehicle. I need a good mechanic who can replace the wheel, diagnose problems with the steering, be competent to carry out repairs and be trusted enough to not scam me. If someone from TBHP has connections around this area, please let me know if there is a trusted mechanic you can vouch for. Or it is better to visit the ASS. I am also open to carrying out repairs at different places, i.r. replace the wheel at a good tyre shop and other repairs at ASS or a good FNG. I am going to carry out the repairs in the first week of March. So, have a week to decide. Any information and advice will be appreciated, Thanks in Advance. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 17 Mar 2024 9:33 am

BMW Motorrad announces track training program in India

BMW Motorrad has announced its Track Training program in India. It is designed to help riders improve their overall riding skills and understand the limits of their BMW bikes. The 2-day training program will be held at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, UP. The first session will be conducted on March 23-24, followed by another set on April 20-21, 2024. The training program has been divided into Level 1 and Level 2 sessions, comprising 6 theory and 6-8 track practice sessions. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from some of the most skilled trainers with 12+ years of experience and National Championship titles. The curriculum covers everything from basic handling and manoeuvring to advanced racing techniques. Sessions are based on understanding and mastering techniques of braking, balance, vision, cornering, and throttle control. The BMW Motorrad Track Training program is exclusive to riders who own a BMW S 1000 RR, S 1000 R, S 1000 XR, F 900 XR, F 900 R, G 310 R and G 310 RR. Participants are required to hold a valid driver's license and should get their motorcycles serviced before the event. All riders must have suitable track riding gear, including a full leather racing suit, racing helmet, racing boots and gloves.

Team-BHP 16 Mar 2024 9:08 pm

Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 with mods worth Rs 17k: Riding impressions

BHPian khan_sultan recently shared this with other enthusiasts. After doing approx 1000 kms got the bug of modifying the Himalayan 450 to suit my needs. Got the following mods done on my Himalayan (apart from the usual crash guards/saddle stays, fog lights, etc etc that have been done from 1st week of ownership itself): Free Flow Filter: From way2speed. Costs 3,200/- and supposedly gives better breathability FuelXPro+: Cost some 11.5K and supposedly will improve the low-end torque issue and reduce the increased gearshifts needed (compared to Himalayan 411). It is claimed that this is tuned specially for the Himalayan 450 and comes with 10 settings from 1 to 10 ( setting #3 in stock, 1-2 are lean and 4-10 are richer as you go up). Also, supposedly makes the throttle more responsive and addresses the perceived lag in throttle response. Replace the resonator with a decat pipe: Which costs some 2.5K. Did it just for the sake of it. Nothing else except to make it sound a bit better (not louder) and to just see how it makes the bike feel/sound. Initial impressions after these mods and running the fuelXpro+ at a setting of 6 and approx 100 km or riding:The throttle now 'feels' snappy and instant response. After crossing 3K rpm, there were no such issues earlier also but now it is like a beast unleashed. Below that it is not struggling like before at lower speeds in higher gears. Has the issue completely gone? NO. It is a LOT LOT better than before but it is still not 100% gone. Maybe, need to check with higher settings on the maps.The sound is a bit more but not that too loud also. Am sure it will not attract undue attention just because of the sound.Overall the bike feels much much more free/rev happy and eager to move as a riding experience.The bike did stall when I got caught in peak hour jam-packed traffic (in 1st gear). So, at almost crawling speeds, still needed to use the clutch a bit. Earlier I have not been caught in peak hour traffic, so can't say how it was before or if it is a factor of my riding style. In my Himalayan 411, never had a stall issue happen in peak trafficIt seems strange but even after having the same riding style as before, I noticed fewer vibrations. This needs more monitoring over an extended period if this is just a perceived difference or if it is for real.Will be observing more as I ride with different settings of Fuel X Pro+ from 3(stock) and then moving up 1 at a time and seeing how it changes the bike behavior. Need to see what will suit my riding needs and style the best.Not sure of the warranty aspects due to these mods but will cross the warranty bridge when it comes and if it comes. Here are some pics of the mods/install: Bike ready for work on the bench The free flow filter from way2speed alongside the stock filter The Fuelx Pro+ The chart of Fuel X Pro+ that shows how much gains one can have at part throttle The wiring of the Fuel X Pro+ is being done. Though the race-dynamics website has detailed instructions etc, I would still prefer this install to be done by a person who knows what they are doing.It is one DIY that I would skip just because of the tricky access to the lambda sensor placement, the removal of the tank, and some other stuff that needed to be removed. The wiring and final installation of Fuel X Pro+ The decat pipe that will go into the bike instead of the resonator Install in progress The decat is fully installed And as had no bag on hand, had to carry the resonator in the small dirt-sack bag. :-) Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 16 Mar 2024 4:00 pm

India awaits Elon Musk's response as Centre clears road for Tesla's entry

Tesla lovers in the country are anxiously waiting for the first response from Elon Musk after the government approved a new electric vehicle (EV) policy that is designed to attract investments in the EV space by global manufacturers like the Musk-run electric car company.

Zee Biz 16 Mar 2024 3:24 pm

Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor to be unveiled in India on April 3

Toyota has confirmed its plans to unveil a new compact crossover on April 3, 2024. The new model is expected to be called 'Urban Cruiser Taisor'. The Urban Cruiser Taisor will be a rebadged version of the Maruti Suzuki Fronx. It is likely to get Toyota-specific cosmetic changes, including a revised front grille, new LED DRLs, reworked tail lamps and new design alloy wheels, among a few others. The interior of the Urban Cruiser Taisor could be largely identical to the Fronx. It will come equipped with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, automatic climate control, a 360-degree camera and a heads-up display. The Urban Cruiser Taisor is expected to be offered with the same engine options as the Fronx. These include a 1.2-litre petrol engine producing 89 BHP and 113 Nm and a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol unit that puts out 99 BHP and 148 Nm. Both engines come with a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard. While the 1.0L engine gets an optional 6-speed automatic, the 1.2L unit could be equipped with a 5-speed AMT. Source: Autocar India

Team-BHP 16 Mar 2024 2:27 pm

How I fixed a GPS issue of my new aftermarket Android car head unit

BHPian mm_shen recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Hi everyone! Had bought a 2018 Suzuki Ignis Delta AMT in the year 2022. The car had run just for 11k and odd and was in pristine condition. Wanted to switch over to AMT due to the notorious Bangalore Traffic. The car came with steering-mounted audio, and call buttons, but the music system was the old LED type, like the one shown below: I used a mobile holder to view Google Maps while travelling out of town. The holder had to be mounted on the dashboard. Could not find any other place where I would be comfortable or it would not obstruct my view. When I was travelling to Goa in November 2023, the phone got heated due to the Goa Sun and the phone switched off. The phone would get warm while using navigation. Add the hot goa sun, the phone could not handle it. I decided to upgrade the old music system to an aftermarket Android Screen. I bought a Tesha 9 Android Screen from Amazon. It set me back by 8.5k and also bought a cheap aftermarket rearview parking camera for 650. The local garage near my home asked for 800 for an Android frame and another 800 for labour. The Android screen came with all the necessary plug-and-play wires for sound, an additional microphone and a GPS unit. I could train the system to my steering-mounted switches. I listened to my favorite songs using the Music app with Android Auto on my drive back home. The rear camera view was grainy as expected. But it was an important utility to park in tight spots. I was a happy man until... My home minister had an office function somewhere in Koramangala. Orders were issued that I was to drive her and her colleague to the venue. I have not frequented that area, so thought this is a good opportunity to test the new screen and maps on Android Auto. To my utter dismay, the navigation was not functioning properly. It would either take too long to update my position or there would be a sign stating Searching for GPS. I was disappointed. Had to resort to the mobile and holder. I had a doubt about the GPS unit and its position. The garage fellow installed it inside the dashboard. Doesn't the GPS antennae need to be exposed to get a signal? Came back home and scoured through videos and blogs about these screens. Could not get a proper answer. All videos made by Indian content creators showed the GPS antenna mounted inside the dash. My brother also got the same screen installed on his VW Polo and his antenna was also inside the dash. Working perfectly fine. I was contemplating returning the unit for an exchange. But deep down, I did not want to return it. Did not want to go through the process of waiting for the exchange, return etc. Something told me, the GPS antenna was not getting a signal. I came across a South Asian content creator's video, which showed that the Android screen had a preloaded app, which could show the GPS signal strength. App Name: GPS Track Plus It showed around 4 GPS satellites and no strength bars. I straight away popped open the Android screen out of the dash. Removed the antenna and held it outside. The Satellite count increased to 10-12 and had a full bar of signal strength when I held it in my hand. But this immediately came down, when I kept the antenna on the dash. I had a hunch! Maybe the antennae is weak and needs a better conductor to receive signals. Something metallic! I removed the beading on the driver side A pillar. Removed the plastic cover of the A-pillar. Stuck the GPS antenna on the A-pillar so that it comes in contact with the metal. Routed the GPS antenna wire inside the dash. Took extra care that the wire does not touch any other wire of the Android screen to avoid picking up noise. With bated breath, opened the GPS signal APP. And Voila! The GPS worked. Full strength. Put back the cover and beading. A special thanks to my home minister who helped me with my experiment. After a week, needed to drive down to Trichy for work. Thought of visiting Thanjavur also on the way. The GPS worked flawlessly and was a happy man again. My mobile did not heat and I did not have to miss my turn due to the lack of navigation. Music and my home minister kept me company during the drive. By the way, the Android screen supports wireless Android Auto and Apple Car Play. An App called -link connects to your mobile automatically when you switch on the car. I am finding it very useful. Found a few Danger-seekers on the road while travelling to Trichy and had a couple of close calls with one-way rule breakers on the highway. Decided to go for a DashCam. Chose 70Mai M300. Got it on Flipkart for 4.1k including a Samsung Evo 128 GB SD card. Fixed the Cam and routed the wire with a helping hand from my home minister. The videos are ok. It is a basic cam installed for emergency use. Will give my 2 cents on it after a few more days of use. If all the learned members of Team-BHP have any advice, I am all ears. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 16 Mar 2024 12:15 pm

Indian vs imported motorcycle accessories: Comparison on quality & cost

BHPian nasirkaka recently shared this with other enthusiasts. I have used some foreign branded accessories/guard from the likes of SW Motech, Hepco & Becker, etc and also some locally made accessories from the likes of ADV tribe, Zana, Carbon Racing, etc. In retrospect, I feel the answer is not as simple that imported accessories are really better especially when we bring the cost into perspective. For eg, in 2016, when we got the Versys 650 from the first lot, the only crash guard option available was from Hepco & Becker, costing 18,000 Rs. I had upgraded to Versys from Classic 500 where crash guards were available for 800 Rs. So this price difference felt huge and unfathomable but we had to bite the bullet out of lack of options. Later Zana and other local guys started making crash guards for one third the cost and a lot of new Versys riders started buying them. There were many cases of falls / crashes in the group where the local made guard did fairly well in terms of providing protection. And there were some instances where imported guards also ended up damaging the bike, depending on the nature of the fall. I had SW Motech guard on my Bonnie and had a crash and bike was fairly damaged, including the guard. I have Pune made ADV tribe guards on the 310 GS and have fallen uncountable times and the guards have done fairly well providing protection. Same holds true for accessories like handguard. I have Barkbusters costing close to 13K on the Interceptor and Aerbis replica costing 1200 Rs on the Xpulse and have crashed multiple times. They both have done fairly well. Where as on a friend's 310GS even with the original Barkbuster, the clutch lever was damaged and handlebar bent in a regulation drop on the trail. While its good to go for imported brands as their quality, fit and finish would definitely be much superior, some Indian brands also have decent products, especially when we compare their cost. A lot also depends on the design, attachment point to the bike etc. Look at the price of of crash guards for NX500 at Rs. 35430. Now 35K is a lot of money for a crash guard, where as a Zana may make guard for 6k for the same bike. So OEM is definitely good, but when we bring this huge price difference in consideration, look at the eventual purpose, design, etc the choice become complex. So I would look at options available, if at all, compare their design, mounting points, etc and take a call. But for certain other critical parts like brake pads, tyres, lights, etc, would try and go for the best available option, even if its expensive. Here's what BHPian maverick029 had to say on the matter:I agree local manufactures have come a long way but i still feel they have ways to go. I purchased zana backrest for my adv 390 and last year in dec it gave away mid trip, the back support fell off when i was overtaking a truck and my wife got imbalanced as she was leaned on it. I thank my stars nothing happened but it certainly made me doubt the build quality of local manufactures and reinforced my belief that i should always go for factory made rather than from custom manufactures.Here's what BHPian gtx2 had to say on the matter:I buy from reputed Indian brands wherever possible, the cost is high in both cases but Indian manufacturers keep it a bit lower that results in comparatively better value. But it's a hit or miss. I have Zana guards + Barkbusters on my Versys. I have had 4 minor falls so far , and both products have saved my bike from damage successfully. Same can not be said for the Zana radiator guard for which Zana gave cheap zipties to seat it. 'Cheapties' broke at some point in my last tour and the guard fell somewhere on highway . Searching for something else other than Zana in this case now, also will use separately purchased Zipties from now with whatever guard I buy.Here's what BHPian ridealong_vr04 had to say on the matter:Indian accessory manufacturers have the ability to make these products in good quality with competitive pricing , but they face a challenge in getting access to newly launched vehicles for development. I reached out to companies like Zana, Carbon Racing and a few others, regarding a simple crashbar for my Tigersport 660 and they all mentioned they have difficulty in getting the bikes they need to create prototypes. I ended up spending INR21000 on SWMotech crash bar.Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 16 Mar 2024 11:02 am

Why I won't recommend buying a TVS Apache RR310 in Tier 2/3 towns

BHPian Nostrings0607 recently shared this with other enthusiasts. This is purely opinion based on REAL EXPERIENCE. So, I have owned a TVS Apache RR310 since October 2019 My experiences with the bike ALONE have been great without any complaints. it never fails to make me smile every time I take it out and in a tier 2/3 town, it will amaze you with the looks people will give her still even after so many years since it came out. Now to address the main issue why I'm writing this thread and I'm sure most of you have guessed already it's the after-sales service. Now I'll admit the bike isn't driven daily and in fact not much at all on any comparable standard so I've not had any major breakdown in all my years of ownership until December last week of 2023 but we'll get back on it because boy it's a story, anyway even general and regular services you could tell that TVS techs are almost going through motions and are either incapable or would not do something out the ordinary to what they were taught in workshops they don't indulge in inquisitive conversations in fact on many instances you're not even allowed in the service bay which for an offering like RR310 that is catered to enthusiasts is a no brainer but regardless of how the services were I took it. A little background: I bought the bike in Lucknow Uttar Pradesh in 2019 from a dealership that now closed down and back in 2023 I moved back to Prayagraj erstwhile Allahabad Uttar Pradesh as it's my home town along with the bike. NOW THE REAL STORY STARTS. So last week of December I woke up to my mother telling me that there seemed to be a leak on my bike, I pretty much guessed it would be the front USD shocks and it really sealed on the front shocks now, since it's a thing that every USD shock owner has to deal with eventually I wasn't bothered and this was the first time spare parts would be added so next day I went to a nearby TVS dealer who services and sells RR310's and we checked that the part wasn't available and that the dealer would order it for me and I could come back later whenever they call, fast forward 2024 first week I get no calls and I am caught up with work so I finally reach out to the dealer on 8 January when I get the time and they tell me that part is on order and it'll reach momentarily and they'll call me back, a week passes by no call I reach out again and the same thing that it'll take time, I then try to find out through other dealers if I can get the work done there. So in Allahabad, 5 dealers sell and service RR310 and no one has a simple fork oil seal, 4 of these just refused to help even the one that I went to the first time around (they simply suggested checking another dealer) now no one had the part in stock and this is an oil seal mind you something that's a common point of failure and so I complained to TVS on Twitter and they reached out to me on 3 different occasions over 2 weeks and have yet to provide me with a resolution last time they reached out they said it'll take 2-3 more days and that was on 3 February and just today I got a call that you can expect the repair to be done on 13 Feb instead now. And it's just really disappointing to see that a minor oil seal failure has caused the bike to be out of service for over a month and given the trend of things it'll probably reach the two-month mark. My point in all this is a fork oil seal is something that is bound to fail eventually no matter how well maintained you keep your bike and there's a fair number of RR310s out in Allahabad to have been stuck so long without such a common part just goes to tell you what kind of service TVS has on offer for small-town buyers. Also, some of you might ask so I'll clear it up I didn't get it done from an FNG by sourcing the part online because I don't think it's a good idea in a town like mine to get it done from a third party. Now to end this is there some other approach I can take to all this and what can I do to make TVS understand that this behaviour is not right? Suggestions would be welcome Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Team-BHP 16 Mar 2024 9:33 am

Auto Roundup: From Hyundai Creta N Line launch, Honda Amaze price hike to e-mobility scheme, your weekly guide to key updates

Auto weekly roundup:The week that began with the rollout of the all-new Hyundai Creta N Line brought a series of key updates, such as the date of the much-anticipated debut of theAudi Q6 e-tron, and ended with an across-the-board price hike by Honda Car India, the maker of popular models like the HondaElevate, City, Amaze.

Zee Biz 15 Mar 2024 8:25 pm

India approves e-vehicle policy with tax relief to rev up manufacturing hub dream; boosts Tesla entry plans

The Indian government has launched a new scheme to boost electric vehicle manufacturing, aiming to attract foreign investments and boosting Tesla's plans to enter India for local production. With a minimum investment requirement of Rs 4,150 crore, the policy seeks to position India as a leading hub for advanced EV technology production.

The Economic Times 15 Mar 2024 2:07 pm

2024 Lincoln Nautilus first drive: a sea change for Lincolns middle-child

The Nautilus might just be enough to finally get people into Lincoln dealers.

Ars Technica 14 Mar 2024 3:30 pm

Nissan could seek partnership on EVs with Honda, Japanese media say

Nissan, which has a longstanding alliance with French automaker Renault,intends to sign a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Honda, TV Tokyo said, adding the areas of cooperation were not yet decided.

Zee Biz 14 Mar 2024 3:04 pm

Audi Q6 e-tron to debut on March 18: Check expected price, features, range, specs

Audi Q6 e-tron promises to deliver a compelling combination of power, range, and advanced technology. Utilising the trusted Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture, also employed in the Porsche Macan EV and upcoming A6 e-tron, Audi aims to ensure exceptional build quality and performance.

Zee Biz 14 Mar 2024 3:01 pm

The 2025 Porsche Panamera perfectly balances luxury ride and great handling

There's clever new air suspension and a much bigger battery for the PHEV variant.

Ars Technica 14 Mar 2024 4:31 am

Harbinger delivers first customer electric truck chassis to RV maker Thor

Thor will develop a Class A motorhome with 250 miles of range on the chassis.

Ars Technica 13 Mar 2024 5:30 pm

Heres how much the Polestar 3 will cost when it goes on sale in Q2 2024

The first EVs will be Chinese-made, with production in South Carolina later this year.

Ars Technica 13 Mar 2024 5:30 pm

Hyundai Creta vs New Creta N Line: Price, engine, features, mileage, design and other details

Hyundai Creata vs New Creta N Line:The new Hyundai brings a sportier edge to the popular Hyundai Creta SUV, offering enthusiasts a blend of style and performance. The Creta N Line, available with 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, promises a thrilling driving experience coupled with distinctive design elements.

Zee Biz 12 Mar 2024 8:34 pm

Car sales soar to record highs in February, Maruti Suzuki leads, know who is No. 2 and 3

SIAM's latest report reveals a notable increase in the sale of passenger vehicles, two-wheelers, and three-wheelers, although with a slight slowdown in commercial vehicle sales. The total production for the month tallied at 22.94 lakh units, reflecting the strong demand prevailing in the market.

Zee Biz 12 Mar 2024 3:43 pm

Heres Porsches newest EV, the 1,000-horsepower Taycan Turbo GT

The new EV has set lap records at Laguna Seca and the Nrburgring.

Ars Technica 11 Mar 2024 7:00 pm

Toyota to introduce Mini-Fortuner to compete with Mahindra Scorpio N: Check features, expected launch timeline

Toyota mini-Fortuner can adopt retro design elements from the Hilux Champ, including circular headlamps, C-shaped DRLs, and a sturdy bumper featuring a prominent skid plate, read more.

Zee Biz 8 Mar 2024 3:17 pm

Robust demand helps automobile retail sales surge 13% in February

Overall retail sales stood at 20,29,541 units last month as compared to 17,94,866 units in the year-ago period.

Zee Biz 7 Mar 2024 10:40 am

Worried about roundabouts? Waze wants to help

Google's other navigation app is getting some new features.

Ars Technica 6 Mar 2024 8:03 pm

Off-roading EVs find a home at King of the Hammers

For the second year, Optima has set up a charging station in the desert.

Ars Technica 6 Mar 2024 6:00 pm

Hyundai Venue Executive Turbo Variant launched in India: Check price, added features

Hyundai launches executive turbo variant of Venue SUV:The Hyundai Venue Executive Turbo starts at an ex-showroom price of Rs 9.99 lakh. Its exterior offers striking 16-inch alloy wheels with a dual-tone finish, complemented by a stylish dark chrome front radiator grille.

Zee Biz 6 Mar 2024 4:39 pm

China's BYD lowers starting price of its lowest-priced EV model Seagull by 5.4%

BYD has launched a slew of lower-priced new car versions since February.

Zee Biz 6 Mar 2024 10:43 am

We drive Minis first electric crossover, the 2025 Countryman SE ALL4

The Countryman SE goes on sale later in 2024, starting at $45,200.

Ars Technica 6 Mar 2024 4:31 am

BYD launches new Seal electric sedan in India, introduces 3 variants

BYD Seal EV:TheSeal electric sedan offers a sleek and low-slung design, resembling a four-door coupe. Measuring 4,800 mm in length, 1,875 mm in width, and 1,460 mm in height, with a wheelbase spanning 2,920 mm.

Zee Biz 5 Mar 2024 2:50 pm

European crash tester says carmakers must bring back physical controls

In 2026, Euro NCAP points will be deducted if some controls aren't physical.

Ars Technica 5 Mar 2024 3:54 am

Servotech secures order worth Rs 111 crore from Indian Oil Corporation, OEMs

The order secured by IOCL involves Servotech manufacturing, supplying and installing DC EV chargers nationwide, prioritizing deployment at Indian Oil petrol pumps and other said locations.

Zee Biz 1 Mar 2024 3:31 pm

Hyundai CRETA N Line: Booking begins, details inside

Customers can book the Hyundai CRETA N Line with an initial booking amount of Rs 25,000/- at any Hyundai Signature Dealership across India.

Zee Biz 29 Feb 2024 10:25 pm

Passenger vehicle volume to rise by 5-7 per cent, touch new peak in next fiscal: Report

Passenger vehicle volumes are expected to grow 5-7% in the next fiscal, driven by the SUV segment. Demand for SUVs has doubled its market share to 60% this fiscal. The preference for SUVs is expected to grow further with new model launches, including electric variants.

The Economic Times 26 Feb 2024 4:37 pm

Renault unveils new R5 as it taps past success for electric future

The small sedan, promised in 2021 as part of Renault's turnaround plan, openly copies design elements from the R5 and the brand's iconic Super 5 - vertical tail-lights, bright colours.

Zee Biz 26 Feb 2024 3:45 pm

Hyundai, Kia's overseas car production tops 3.68 million units in 2023

The combined overseas production of Hyundai Motor and Kia, including in India, surpassed 3.68 million units in 2023, setting the biggest offshore output since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, data showed on Monday.

Zee Biz 26 Feb 2024 10:44 am

Facing Chinese EV rivals, Europe's automakers squeeze suppliers on costs

The only major companies holding media events are France's Renault,China's SAIC,and BYD,two of a number of the country's automakers that have set their sights on Europe.

Zee Biz 25 Feb 2024 4:00 pm

Mercedes-Benz to update combustion engine cars amid EV demand slowdown

The company, which has been preparing for all-electric sales by 2030, said it now expects electrified sales - including hybrids - to account for up to 50% of the total by that date.

Zee Biz 22 Feb 2024 4:42 pm

Kawasaki Ninja 500 launched in India: Check price, features, design and booking details

Kawasaki Ninja 500: Here's a breakdown of the key features and specifications:

Zee Biz 22 Feb 2024 3:23 pm

Tata Tiago CNG with AMT! Does it even make sense

Tata Tiago CNG with AMT! Does it even make sense

The Times of India 21 Feb 2024 4:27 pm

Prsonal mobility sctor: Continuous refinement of features in solutions for elderly and mobility disabled population required, says expert

Hari Kiran, Co-Founder and COO, eBikeGo, says that this swift adoption of electric personal vehicles is set to nhanc th sustainability of transportation, marking a pivotal trnd for th nxt decade. He believes that th nxt decade holds promise for India's personal mobility sctor with innovations leading the charge.

Zee Biz 20 Feb 2024 10:32 pm

Yokohama launches Geolandar X-AT and M/T G003 tyres in India

Both tyres incorporate Yokohama's state-of-the-art technology, enhancing wear resistance and side-cut resistance for extended durability and performance.

Zee Biz 20 Feb 2024 3:55 pm

Electric Vehicle Price Cut: MG Motor and Tata Motors slash EV prices; check new rates

Tata Motors and MG Motor are now offering significant price reductions on their respective EV models. Check details.

Zee Biz 20 Feb 2024 3:54 pm

Volkswagen and M&M ink supply agreement for electric platform 'INGLO'

Mahindra will become the first external partner to use Volkswagen's unified cell concept, a unique and effective battery strategy.

Zee Biz 16 Feb 2024 4:05 pm

Tata Nexon achieves 5-Star safety rating from GNCAP: Check details

The all-new Nexon has secured a 5-star rating in both adult occupant protection (32.22/34 points) and child occupant protection (44.52/49 points) from the Global NCAP.

Zee Biz 14 Feb 2024 4:45 pm

Matter Aera 5000 plus first look Indias first geared electric bike

Matter Aera 5000 plus first look Indias first geared electric bike

The Times of India 8 Feb 2024 4:21 pm

GM head holds talks with Samsung, LG execs over EV battery, auto parts: Report

Barra and the Samsung executives reportedly discussed cooperation in the ongoing construction of a joint venture EV battery factory between Samsung SDI and GM, as well as over displays and vehicle camera modules.

Zee Biz 7 Feb 2024 3:58 pm

Honda is recalling more than 7,50,000 vehicles to fix faulty passenger seat air bag sensor

Documents posted Tuesday by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration say that the front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit and fail to turn off the air bag as intended.

Zee Biz 7 Feb 2024 10:28 am

Toyota hikes annual profit forecast after Q3 beats expectations

Toyota's chairman apologised last week for the inconvenience and concern caused by misconduct at two subsidiaries and an affiliate.

Zee Biz 6 Feb 2024 10:31 am

Maruti Suzuki sales Jan 2024: Total vehicle sales rise 5% at 1,99,364 units

Maruti Suzuki sales Jan 2024:Maruti Suzuki India's total vehicle sales, including exports, increased 5 per cent at 1,99,364 units in January from 1,72,535 units in the same month last year.

Zee Biz 1 Feb 2024 4:03 pm

Hybrid vehicles practical medium-term solution for India's decarbonisation drive: Report

Under the current circumstances, the total carbon emissions (well to wheel) from hybrid cars is lesser than that of electric vehicles (EVs) and it may take 7-10 years for EV and hybrid emissions to converge. Hybrids are critical not just from a cost of ownership perspective, but also for India's de-carbonisation drive, the report said.

Zee Biz 29 Jan 2024 3:57 pm

Maruti Suzuki ties up with Jammu & Kashmir Bank to provide financing solutions to dealers

This strategic alliance reinforces the company's long term association with J&K Bank.

Zee Biz 25 Jan 2024 3:34 pm

Revolt Motors launches RV400 BRZ electric bike with 150km range at Rs 1.38 lakh

Equipped with a 72V, 3.24 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the RV400 BRZ offers a range of up to 150 km in Eco mode, 100 km in Normal mode, and 80 km in Sport mode.

Zee Biz 24 Jan 2024 3:14 pm

Carmakers go extra mile to keep vehicles light

Indian carmakers are using lightweight materials like high strength steels and aluminium alloys to reduce the weight of bulky SUVs while adding more features. This helps to maintain lower CO2 emissions and improve fuel efficiency. The usage of high-strength steels and hot-stamped parts has increased in new age cars, reducing weight by around 30 kg. Mahindra & Mahindra has managed to reduce the weight of their SUVs, such as the XUV-700, by 79 kg despite new feature additions and increased vehicle length. Additionally, the sales of plug-in hybrids, electric vehicles, CNG, and ethanol options are offsetting emissions from larger vehicles and contributing to a reduction in average CO2 emissions in India.

The Economic Times 20 Jan 2024 10:23 pm

Lamborghini posts record sales of 103 units in India last year

In a double delight, Automobili Lamborghini, which sells luxury cars with prices starting from Rs 3.8 crore in India, recorded all-time high sales of 10,112 units globally in 2023 with a 10 per cent increase over 2022, according to a company statement.

Zee Biz 16 Jan 2024 9:05 pm

2024 Hyundai Creta launched in India at Rs 10.99 lakh

As the company prepares to reveal the 2024 Creta Facelift today, buyers eagerly anticipate discovering the enhancements and modifications incorporated in the facelift version.

Zee Biz 16 Jan 2024 4:40 pm

Road Safety Week: Technological innovations that can make the roads safer for all

Distracted driving, especially on cell phones is among the major causes of avoidable accidents.To do away with this, cell phone blocking technology is on the way.

Zee Biz 15 Jan 2024 10:38 pm

Next-gen electric vehicles set to redefine future of sustainable mobility

The instrument panel features a human-machine interface (HMI) that enables simple and intuitive operations. The Honda 0 Space-Hub model was developed under the theme of augmenting people's daily lives.

Zee Biz 13 Jan 2024 4:39 pm

Tata Motors global wholesales up 9% to 3,38,177 units in Q3

Global wholesales of Tata Motors' commercial vehicles and Tata Daewoo range in October-December period of FY24 were at 98,679 units, up 1 per cent over third quarter of FY23, the company said in a regulatory filing.

Zee Biz 9 Jan 2024 9:47 pm

Automobile retail sales rise 11% annually in 2023, says dealers' body FADA

The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) stated that it has collated the sales data from 1,355 out of 1,442 regional transport offices across the country.

Zee Biz 8 Jan 2024 4:27 pm

Ashok Leyland achieves record sales at 1,98,113 units in 2023

This record achievement underscores the company's product versatility and strong market presence, solidifying its position in the segment both in the domestic and international markets, the company said in a statement.

Zee Biz 8 Jan 2024 3:52 pm

CEAT gets GST demand, penalties of over Rs 19 cr

Currently, the company said it is actively analysing both the matters and taking appropriate steps against the orders. As the matters are being pursued against the orders, CEAT said the final impact on its financial, operation or other activities may not be ascertainable as of now.

The Economic Times 3 Jan 2024 4:35 pm

Decoding why car enthusiasts are loving the Volkswagen Virtus GT

Decoding why car enthusiasts are loving the Volkswagen Virtus GT

The Times of India 3 Jan 2024 4:24 pm

Maruti Suzuki production falls 2.96% at 1,21,028 units in December 2023

Total passenger vehicle production last month stood at 1,19,518 units as against 1,24,135 units in December 2022, down 3.72 per cent, it added.

Zee Biz 2 Jan 2024 8:48 pm

Global auto sales forecasted at 88.3 Million in 2024 amid supply chain risks

The recovery in global new light vehicle sales is anticipated to maintain momentum, driven by ongoing efforts to replenish inventories as supply chains and demand continue to recover.

Zee Biz 30 Dec 2023 3:01 pm