3-Year-Old Shot In Bengal. Was Caught In Trinamool-BJP Fight, Say Cops

A 3-year-old boy was critically injured in what appears to be a fight between the Trinamool and BJP workers, over control of a local panchayat board in Malda

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All Cars And Bikes To Become Costlier From Tomorrow. Here's Why

Buying a car or two-wheeler is set to become expensive from tomorrow, as long-term third party insurance policy has been made mandatory by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI)...

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Economic Status Of SC/ST Doesn't Remove Stigma Of Caste, Top Court Told

The Centre on Thursday told the Supreme Court that even though some people belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes have climbed a few steps in the economic ladder, the stigma of caste and...

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Centre Rushes NDRF Teams For Flood Relief In Nagaland

According to official figures, the Nagaland floods have already killed 12 people and displaced thousands in one month.

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UP Man Tries To Sell 4-Year-Old Daughter For Pregnant Wife's Treatment

When the police heard about a man trying to sell his daughter, they stopped him and assured them full financial support.

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Village In Rahul Gandhi's Amethi To Go Digital, Courtesy Smriti Irani

A village in Rahul Gandhi's Amethi constituency in Uttar Pradesh will go digital from September, with access to over 200 government services at the click of a mouse, courtesy Union Minister Smriti...

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India's Diplomat Shortage Leaves It Far Behind Asian Rival China: Report

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Pentagon chief Jim Mattis are heading to New Delhi next week for an inaugural set of high-level meetings -- one more sign the West wants to deepen cooperation...

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Top UP Official's Ignorance Of His Department's Affairs Upsets High Court

The Allahabad High Court on Thursday rebuked a principal secretary of the Uttar Pradesh government and its counsel for their failure to explain the reason behind lowering the minimum qualifying marks...

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Global Warming Will Make Insects Hungrier, Eating Up Key Crops: Study

Researchers have found a new way that global warming is bad for the planet: more hungry bugs.

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Opinion: By A 99.3 Per Cent Verdict, Demonetisation Was a Farce

In the chaotic final months of 2016, angry citizens were slamming the Reserve Bank of India by calling it the "Reverse Bank." It's taken Governor Urjit Patel, who had only recently stepped into the...

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US Army Air Traffic Controller To Serve 25 Years For Trying To Help ISIS

A US Army sergeant stationed in Hawaii will serve 25 years in prison after admitting he attempted to provide material support to ISIS, federal prosecutors said.

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Class 10 Student's Throat Slit By Stalker At Her Home Near Hyderabad

A Class 10 student was killed allegedly by an engineering student for spurning his romantic advances on the outskirts of Hyderabad on Thursday. The incident took place at IDA Bollarum in Sanga Reddy...

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Asian Games 2018: Vikas Krishan settles for bronze in boxing after being declared medically unfit

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India vs England: We’re surprised by lateral movement but I tried to play without fear, says Sam Curran

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India vs England: You can’t take 5-6 wickets every session, says Jasprit Bumrah

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‘Ridiculous and embarrassing’: Cristiano Ronaldo’s agent slams UEFA for not naming him ‘Player of the Year’

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US Open 2018: Roger Federer cruises into third round after win over Benoit Paire

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US Open 2018: Williams sister act extended to 30th meeting

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US Open 2018: Chair umpire’s chat with Nick Kyrgios raises questions

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US Open 2018: Lesia Tsurenko hands Caroline Wozniacki another second round exit

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Liverpool-Chelsea the standout match in English League Cup

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Asian Games 2018 Day 13 Live Updates and Results: Vikas Krishan settles for Bronze in Boxing; India women through to Squash final

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Asian Games 2018: Jinson Johnson’s silver cloud has a gold lining

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Asian Games 2018: At Asiad best away medal haul in Athletics

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Boxer Nitu defends gold at Youth World Championships

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Seema Punia wins discus throw bronze, decides to donate Asian Games pocket money for Kerala flood victims

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Attendance shortage at Asian Games 2018: 11,000 athletes, 40 events and empty seats

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Gary Kirsten replaces Daniel Vettori as RCB coach in Indian Premier League

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Asian Games 2018: In Pakistan, baseball swoops in on pieces of broken cricket dreams

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Asian Games 2018: India lose to Malaysia in Hockey semi-final

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Luka Modric named UEFA Player of the Year ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo

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Asian Games 2018: Baton bosses as India win 4x400m women’s relay team gold

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UEFA Champions League Draw: Manchester United land Juventus, Barcelona in group of death

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India vs England 4th Test: For England, it’s two much, too early

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Sebastian Vettel plays down Lewis Hamilton comments ahead of Italian Grand Prix

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Asian Games 2018: Seema Punia settles for bronze in discus throw

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Asian Games 2018 Day 13 schedule: Boxers aim for finals spot, women’s hockey team eye gold

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Asian Games 2018 Day 12 wrap: India add two more golds as athletic events draw to an end

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India missed the easiest chance to qualify for Olympics, says hockey coach Harendra Singh after Asian Games loss

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Cristiano Ronaldo eyes first goal for Juventus; Inter Milan first win

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Asian Games 2018: India fail to defend hockey gold after defeat to Malaysia in semis

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Asian Games 2018: ‘The future of track and field for India is very bright,’ Twitterati hails India’s medal haul

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Ahead Of High-Level Talks With India, US Says "No Change" For H-1B Visas

There has been no change in the processing of H-1B visas, the Trump Administration has said ahead of next week's two-plus-two dialogue between India and the US, during which External Affairs Minister...

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9 Construction Workers From Bengal Rescued In Malaysia

Nine construction workers from West Bengal have been rescued in Malaysia who were stuck there, Congress MP Mausam Noor said on Thursday.

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Point Zero

Rewati is an old friend and an actor, and I know she doesn’t have an easy life. She says that acting involves long hours, lots of time spent under blazing hot stage lights and lots of time on the road. Rewati, however, has this way of getting away from it all when she really wants to. Every once in a while, she makes it a point to head to some remote part of this country, and this time, on a random chat over the phone, I find she’s in a little village a fair bit out of Gangtok, Sikkim. She’s tells me she is volunteering at this remote school.

I tell her I’m in Gangtok and heading to a place in North Sikkim called Zero Point, and before I know it, I’m driving down a narrow mud lane that leads to a tiny four-classroom school.

Madam comes bouncing down the stairs, throws her backpack in the Captur’s boot and waves goodbye to the kids she’s been volunteering with for the past few months.

I look around and wish I’d studied at that school. The small building is surrounded by pine trees and the kids learn the alphabet accompanied by the background score of a gushing mountain stream.

Rewati tells me that volunteering at a school like this is very rewarding but that life can be a little slow. I tell her the road to Zero Point is going to make her wish she hadn’t said that.

What is Zero point?

The name has an incredibly exciting ring to it, doesn’t it? It sounds like the end of the world, the last place, the place where there’s a huge waterfall dropping off into oblivion. Well, that’s what came to my head. In truth, Zero Point is a place in North Sikkim that is very close to the Tibet border. It is the last place that civilians are allowed to go – and hence the name. Because of its proximity to Chinese territory, the area is heavily patrolled by the Indian Army and you have to either obtain quite a few permits or hire a recognised tour guide to take you there. Me? I hate guided tours and decided to go the permit way. It isn’t easy and the policemen at the Toong police outpost will try their best to discourage you from proceeding. From experience, I know that any place anyone tells you not to go to is absolutely worth going to. I also know that we will be travelling through the spectacularly beautiful Yumthang Valley to get there. I’ve heard stories about the beauty of the place – I know I have to see it for myself – no policeman is going to stop me. Rewati is apprehensive but musters enough faith to agree to carry on.

Rewind to the start

This story begins in Gangtok and I must say that the place has charmed the pants off me. It is a rather large city but there is a sense of order and civility to it. People don’t honk unnecessarily, they always make way for you and believe in showing courtesy to the fellow man. The rest of India has a lot to learn from Gangtok. Anyway, the distance between Gangtok and Zero Point is just 153km but the road linking the two is no Golden Quadrilateral. It starts off rather easy and our plan is to hit a remote village in North Sikkim called Lachung, by nightfall. If there are no landslides, if there is no road construction blockades and if the policemen at Toong oblige, this should be an easy 100km drive. Trouble is, there is a landslide on the way and because of that work is in progress to get the roads open again. The landslide happened because of a flash flood that brought a ton of silt onto the road on either side of the slide. This is the Captur’s first challenge; and when the road opens, it sails through. I watch a few lesser vehicles get beached in the deep slush but the Captur’s 210mm ground clearance clears it all. All I have to do is make sure I carry enough momentum.

The checkpoint at Toong is more of an issue. The policeman makes us wait for four hours before finally agreeing to let us through. I notice an interesting thing while we wait at the checkpost – no plastic is allowed beyond this point and so, all the vehicles that come here discard all the wrappers and mineral water bottles into the overflowing garbage bin next to the checkpost. It is an ugly sight and I hope someone comes along soon and disposes of all this plastic waste properly. It is dusk by the time we finally get permission and so we hotfoot the last 25km to Lachung. Tomorrow, I will see another side of Sikkim.

The road to Yumthang

Yumthang Valley (a.k.a. Sikkim’s valley of flowers) is at 11,000ft. We are a bit too late to catch the flowers bloom this year but this place is still spectacular. Close your eyes and imagine rolling meadows, grazing yaks, rugged mountains and a blue sky with puffy white clouds.

Some people have even compared Yumthang’s beauty to Switzerland and I agree. It is like that beautiful European country, except for one thing – the road. The road through Yumthang, the one that leads to the 15,100ft Zero Point, is not one to be scoffed at. Soon after we leave the village of Lachung the next morning, the road throws up its first challenge. A flash flood of sorts has brought the mountainside down onto the road – there’s about half a kilometre of reasonably fast-flowing, deep water to drive through. Rewati puts a brave face on as we drop the wheels into the water. We needn’t have worried – the Captur’s air intake is high enough to stay clear of splashing water and its excellent ground clearance allows us to sail over hidden rocks that might have ripped out the undersides of lower vehicles.

The road climbs and we are soon driving through mind-blowing scenery. Waterfalls across the valley that drop hundreds of feet, jagged mountains that look like the rough stone tools invented by early man – I have to make a conscious effort to keep my eyes on the road and not get distracted by the sheer beauty around us.

If it wasn’t for the existence of the road, I could almost imagine this place being untouched by man. I also realise that most places I go to, my mind has to consciously ignore the carelessly discarded plastic bottle lying by the side of the road. Here, there is no garbage – it’s just plain and simply beautiful.

Unseen danger

We continue down the road, mouths agape and the landscape unfolding in front of us, and that’s when a sharp exclamation from Rewati snaps me out of my reverie. A rock has fallen on the road and there’s hardly any space between the rock and the edge to get across. Rewati gets out to spot me through the narrow gap and this is where I really appreciate the Captur’s size – if it was a full-size SUV, there was no way it would have made it through the gap – right now, it is just the right size and I manage to squeeze past a rock and a big fall.

The distance we have to cover to get to Zero Point is not much but along the way, the road does its own version of the Stelvio Pass. I revel in the Captur’s sure-footedness and start cornering harder and harder, while Rewati expresses her need to give me a tight slap. We make it to Zero Point in no time; and as this is off-season, we have the whole place to ourselves.

The place itself is rather disappointing – it’s just a big piece of tarmac parking space in a rather broad valley that has a nondescript board announcing that you’ve arrived at Zero Point. There are no waterfalls dropping off into oblivion and it certainly looks far from the end of the earth that I had conjured up in my mind. The drive here was definitely more spectacular than this point. However, as we stand there shivering against the knife-edged wind, I realise that it has been quite an adventure getting here. The Captur hasn’t had it easy – it was hammered over bad roads, had to climb through ever-thinning air, had its filters choked with dust and yet, hasn’t missed a beat. It is – as Rewati puts it – one tough cookie.

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India shortlisted for Uber’s flying taxi service

Ride-hailing platform Uber has announced India as one of the five countries it has shortlisted for its first international ‘Uber Air City’ that will go up within the coming five years. After assessing countries across the world, Uber Elevate-its aerial taxi arm- decided on Japan, India, Australia, Brazil and France at the “Uber Elevate Asia Pacific Expo” in Tokyo.

Uber will select one of the cities from these shortlisted countries for its third launch city for flying taxis, after Dallas and Los Angeles in the USA. In the next five years, Uber customers in launch cities will be able to push a button and get a flight on demand.

“Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru are some of the most congested cities in the world, where travelling even a few kilometers can take over an hour. Uber Air offers tremendous potential to help create a transportation option that goes over congestion, instead of adding to it,” the company said in a statement.

Uber has assembled a network of partners that includes vehicle manufacturers, real estate developers and technology developers for this service. “The Uber Elevate team is now inviting conversations with stakeholders across major cities in these countries, and will announce the chosen Uber Air international city within the next six months,” said the company.

Uber Elevate has established a criteria framework to select the third city, set around three main principles: sizable market, local commitment and enabling conditions. Uber Elevate also announced plans to experiment with drone delivery for Uber Eats, and demonstrated how potential Uber Air routes in Asia Pacific cities could benefit local transportation systems as well.

Could flying taxis be the answer to India’s traffic congestion problems? And which Indian city most warrants flying taxis? Let us know in the comments section below.  

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2018 Honda Jazz: Which variant should you buy?

The revised-for-2018 Honda Jazz has arrived with the subtlest of visual styling tweaks and only few feature additions to speak of. The engine-gearbox options carry on unchanged as well. However, with Honda having re-jigged the variant line-up, it’s worth checking what you get for your money and figure which version of the Jazz makes the most sense.

What are the engines on offer?

As before, the Jazz is offered with a 1.2-litre petrol engine that develops 90hp and 110Nm (mated to either a 5-speed manual or a CVT automatic) and a 1.5-litre diesel that produces 100hp and 200Nm of peak torque (mated solely to a 6-speed manual).

The petrol engine isn’t the liveliest at low speeds so you’ll have to work the manual gearbox in town. Performance get better at higher engine speeds, though. Still, it’s the petrol automatic that’s our pick of the Jazz range. The CVT is well in tune with the characteristics of the engine and offers easy progress in town. Paddleshifters to shuffle through the 7 steps of the transmission add a bit of driver involvement too. 

The diesel engine offers good low-speed performance but on the whole is an unexciting. Also, the diesel engine is noisy even by diesel engine standards. Still, given the engine’s incredible efficiency it makes sense for anyone who does long distances frequently.

What are the variants on offer?

Honda has trimmed the variant count on the Jazz, and has done away with the entry E and mid-spec SV trims altogether. Thankfully, the petrol auto is now available in fully-loaded form for the first time. The petrol Jazz is offered in V and VX trim (though the manual misses some features available on the auto) while the diesel is available in S, V and VX trims.

The diesel-only S trim (Rs 8.05 lakh) gets kit such as two airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, 15-inch wheels with covers, LED tail-lamps, an audio system with four speakers and a 3.5-inch screen, steering-mounted audio controls, driver's seat height-adjust, a front-centre armrest, rear defogger, electrically adjustable wing mirrors, power windows and central locking with keyless entry. The mid-spec V variant (petrol manual - Rs 7.35 lakh/ petrol auto – Rs 8.55 lakh/ diesel – Rs 8.85 lakh) is equipped with 15-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps, a rear wiper, beige interiors, an automatic climate control system, a 5.0-inch touchscreen infotainment screen that doubles as a reverse camera display. The diesel and petrol-CVT versions also get a push-start button and cruise control while the CVT-equipped model gets paddleshifters as well. What is a disappointment is that these features are not part of the kit on top-spec petrol VX cars either. The top-spec VX (petrol manual - Rs 7.79 lakh/ petrol auto – Rs 8.99 lakh/ diesel – Rs 9.29 lakh) comes with extended LED tail-lamps, power adjustable and folding wing mirrors, a 7.0-inch touchscreen system with navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and leather on the steering wheel and gear knob. Unfortunately, Honda has done away with the flip/fold flexible ‘magic seats’ at the rear offered on the VX in the past.

Which is the version to buy?

The Jazz automatic is the best version of the Honda hatchback on sale. While the VX does offer the most in terms of kit and is the one we’d recommend if budget is not a constraint, it is pricey. In effect, the petrol CVT in V trim is the smart pick offering the convenience of an automatic with most, if not all, of the features you would want for sensible money.

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Review: 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 400 review, test ride

No one has played the small-capacity sports bike game as cleverly as Kawasaki. For years, its Ninja 250 was one of the most popular small sports bikes on sale in developed markets. Then, in 2012, the company pulled a surprise by scaling the 250 up to the Ninja 300, which immediately left rivals like the Honda CBR 250R in the lurch. As the others started to catch up – Honda with its CBR 300R, KTM’s rowdy RC 390 and Yamaha’s R3 – Kawasaki pulled another rabbit out of the hat last year with the Ninja 400. Once more, Kawasaki decided to go for a substantial upgrade than an incremental evolution and swooped to the top of the performance game. This came at a small price hike over the Ninja 300 in some markets, whereas the USA market saw no price increase at all.

Unfortunately, this is not quite the case in India. The Ninja 300 continues here, but now with some level of localisation that has helped bring its price down, which has urged Kawasaki India to make the Ninja 400 available as a more premium offering. But Kawasaki has taken that ‘premium’ bit a little too seriously, and the bike comes at a frightful cost. We’ll address the implications of that later on, but for now, let’s get to what makes the Ninja 400 tick.

Visual assault

Kawasaki isn’t known for classically beautiful designs and the Ninja 400 certainly isn’t one, but it proudly wears a typically aggressive design. The pointy, full-LED headlamp face is in line with the new Ninja design language and there’s more than a hint of the supercharged H2 at the front. What really caught my attention though was just how big this bike looks and feels in person. The fairing looks larger than the 300’s, and, along with the large tank and cockpit, it feels like a bigger and wider bike than both the Ninja 300 and the Z650; although, the spec sheet reveals that this is not actually true. Similarly, the fuel tank looks larger, but it now holds 14 litres, compared to the generous 17 litres that the Ninja 300 could swallow.

Slathered along the side are the trademark Kawasaki black/green graphics and this is the only colour that the bike is available in for now. The rear section ends in what feels like a slightly taller step to the pillion seat and a lovely three-point LED tail lamp that will remind you of the Z1000 and ZX-10R. And, of course, there’s just no ignoring the comically large saree guard and enormous tubular grab rails. I’m almost certain that the Kawasaki design team put serious effort into making these government-mandated add-ons look as ridiculous as possible in the hope that most, if not all, owners will unbolt them and return the Ninja 400 to its originally intended design.

Further contributing to the 400’s big-bike feel is the analogue-digital instrument cluster lifted straight from the bigger Ninja 650 and Ninja 1000. It’s a relatively simple unit, but the reversed LCD display looks neat and is refreshingly different from the fully digital LCD displays that are becoming commonplace these days. Fit and finish levels are quite good and the bike feels like the quality product you’d expect at this price.

A deeper beat

When Kawasaki calls the Ninja 400 a brand-new bike, it really means it. Everything under the fresh clothes has been revised, including the bigger engine. Kawasaki raised both bore and stroke to achieve the new 399cc capacity and the compression ratio is up as well, from 10.6:1 to 11.5:1. The results are dramatic and this engine makes a whole 10 horses more than before, with a total of just 1hp short of the magical 50hp figure – an aftermarket exhaust should take care of that. Torque goes up by an even bigger margin – an extra 11Nm – to a total of 38Nm. Both power and torque figures are now produced lower in the rev range, and all this works towards better real-world performance.

The engine joins hands with a precise six-speed gearbox through a slip-and-assist clutch that results in a very light lever pull. Thumb the starter button and the parallel-twin starts up with a deep grumble that feels more Ninja 650 than Ninja 300. And the feeling continues with a gruffer vibe from the engine than the sewing-machine-smooth motors on the 250 and 300 at the low end. This is not as smooth an engine as its predecessors, and some vibes do creep in at the bar and pegs above 6,000rpm, but they don’t get to the point of annoying harshness.

The motor perks up at 5,000rpm, at which point, it starts to pull harder and faster with an excitable scream for company. The engine has surprising energy from 8,000rpm until about 11,000rpm, where it starts to taper off short of the 12,500rpm limiter.

The weather was too difficult for us to Vbox-test the bike, but the Ninja 400 does feel a little quicker than an RC390, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a 0-100kph time around the low 5sec mark. An indicated top speed of above 180kph should be achievable going by how easily 160kph pops up on the clocks. What really appeals though is how effortless the performance is. A 100kph cruise in sixth gear comes at about 6,000rpm and there’s plenty of acceleration available just a twist of the long travel throttle away. Tractability at town speeds is good too, but we had rain throughout
and never encountered heavy traffic, so I can’t comment on heat management just yet.

When more is less

Making an equal, if not bigger contribution, to the performance is the new rolling chassis. Everything is different here –from the stiffer yet lighter trellis frame, to the thicker suspension fork, bigger front brake, sharper steering geometry, shorter wheelbase and even the lighter new wheels and wider Dunlop rubber. It’s a sea change, but the beauty of it is that the Ninja 400 is now 6kg lighter than the 300 and, at 173kg, its only 3kg heavier than the KTM RC 390.

The effect this has on the riding experience is immediate and the Ninja 400 feels more agile, quicker steering and generally more athletic and willing. The roads were soaking wet, so I couldn’t push very hard, but this is definitely a better handling machine than before and I’m certain it will be good fun on the track too. That trellis frame gives the bike a newfound sense of rigidity, which results in a more confident and planted feel through the corners. The new Dunlop Sportmax tyres are a marked improvement over the average IRC rubber on the 300 and braking performance is sharper as well.

The riding position is reflective of the Ninja 400’s nature and it’s more committed than the both the Ninja 300 and the 650, especially in terms of the higher-set footpegs. But Kawasaki has retained the 300’s easy 785mm seat height and the 400 is still a decent proposition for road use, thanks to a reasonably positioned set of clip-ons that don’t contort you into an aggressive crouch. Think of it as somewhere between an R3 and an RC 390. In terms of suspension, the new setup is firmer and you can tell there’s not a lot of travel, especially at the rear. But the ride is still pliant enough not to be shaken up by reasonably broken surfaces; ground clearance is of no real concern either.

But while the bike is decently comfortable, there are a couple of ergonomic irritants. First, the brake and clutch levers are non- adjustable and at this price, that’s just not on. Second, I find that my right heel is in constant contact with the exhaust heat shield, an oversight you don’t expect from a Japanese manufacturer.

Sum of the parts

The Ninja 400 is an impressive motorcycle, one that is a big step up from the Ninja 300 – there’s almost nothing I can think of that the 300 does better. But I simply cannot understand Kawasaki’s pricing strategy here and there is no justifying the absurd Rs 4.69 lakh (ex-showroom) price. For perspective, this bike costs just Rs 37,000 less than the significantly more powerful Z650 and a whole Rs 1.95 lakh more than the Ninja 300 (both prices on-road, Mumbai). Clearly, the customer can’t see the sense in it either, because sales are at an absolute trickle.

The Ninja 400’s price simply has to reduce, and quickly too, because this is a genuinely charming bike, one that I could see many preferring over the harder-charging 650s. Reworking the CKD pricing to more realistic levels will help, but ultimately, Kawasaki needs to give this bike the localisation treatment too. If it can position the Ninja 400 much closer to the 300’s current Rs 2.98 lakh (ex-showroom) price and (I think the 300 should have been cheaper still, around Rs 2.5-2.7 lakh), the 400 will certainly gain a following. But for now, it’s just not meant to be. 

Also see:

 

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Greaves Cotton enters into agreement with Ampere Vehicles

Greaves Cotton, the engineering solutions firm, has announced having entered an agreement with EV start-up Ampere Vehicles, pursuant to which it will acquire a majority stake in the company subject to customary closing conditions. This acquisition will accelerate the development of clean energy technology solutions for mobility needs of passengers as well as small businesses. In December 2017, Greaves Cotton embarked on a major transformational journey investing significantly in building a new leadership team to create future-proof business. This acquisition of Ampere Vehicles is a clear intent of driving in that direction.

 

Coimbatore-based Ampere is one of the leading brands in the last-mile mobility electric vehicles segment. It has strong in-house capabilities in designing, developing, manufacturing and marketing electric vehicles with a wide range of applications.

 

Greaves Cotton says it currently provides transportation to almost 10 million people daily through its powertrain solutions. In addition, it reaches out to 5 million customers per month through its aftermarket network of more than 5,000 retail outlets.

The company's newly launched Greaves Care network services nearly more than 7,000 vehicles per month, which it plans to ramp up substantially in the coming years. It plans to leverage its distribution, aftermarket and service strengths to help Ampere grow more rapidly.

Greaves Cotton says it aims to create enhanced value for its shareholders by investing in advanced clean energy technologies through partnerships in India and worldwide. This acquisition in the electric mobility segment underscores its strategic intent.  The company had launched two new powertrain solutions – BS VI-ready versions of its diesel and CNG powertrains and high performance electric powertrains at the Auto Expo 2018 in New Delhi.

Commenting on the acquisition, Nagesh Basavanhalli, managing director and CEO, Greaves Cotton, said: “Greaves has been a trusted brand since 1859, and is well known for the reliability of its products, a strong value proposition based on low total cost of ownership and widespread all-India reach. With this strategic acquisition, we will be able to address a wider range of customer segments with clean energy mobility solutions. Greaves and Ampere will be a synergistic combination of our excellence in frugal engineering and manufacturing with a new-age electric mobility solutions company.”

In May 2018, Ampere launched two e-scooters, the Ampere V48 and the Reo li-ion models, along with its newly developed charger for li-ion battery packs. The advanced lithium-ion charger is claimed to be designed with a two-stage charging profile, wherein the charging voltage and the current’s levels can be amended based on the requirements of battery manufacturers' recommendations. The company has a sales network of around 150 dealers in 14 states across the country and has sold more than 35,000 scooters since it rolled out its first product in 2008.

Greaves Cotton says it aims to create enhanced value for its shareholders by investing in advanced clean energy technologies through partnerships in India and worldwide. This acquisition in the electric mobility segment underscores the strategic intent of Greaves.

from Autocar India https://ift.tt/2Pnj0GN

Lada 4x4 Vision concept unveiled in Moscow

Lada has unveiled the 4x4 Vision concept, which previews what the Russian firm’s long-running off-roader could look like, at the Moscow International Auto Show.

The 4x4 model, previously known as the VAZ-2121 Niva, has been in production largely unchanged since 1977. It is an uncompromising off-roader similar to the Land Rover Defender and has a similar role as a rugged talisman for the Russian car maker.

According to Lada’s chief designer, Steve Mattin, the 4x4 Vision is designed to showcase the ‘philosophy of the ultimate off-road vehicle’. While not intended to directly replace the 4x4, Mattin said the concept is a ‘vision of what the future could look like from Lada’.

The 4x4 Vision takes styling cues from the current Lada range, particularly a number of X-style design features inspired by the firm’s popular X-Ray SUV. This includes an X-shaped front grille, X-shaped LED headlights and 3D X-sculpting on the vehicle’s side.

The concept features five doors, although the two rear passenger doors are disguised by the bodywork to echo the three-door design of the original 4x4. It sits on 21-inch wheels and offers high ground clearance. The interior features two large infotainment screens and ambient lighting.

As part of its ongoing recovery plan, Lada, now part of the Renault Group, is renewing its range with plans to launch eight new models and nine facelifts by 2026. Lada also showed the latest version of a number of production vehicles in Moscow, including the Granta, Vesta Sport, Vesta Cross and X-Ray.

While Lada is still the most popular car brand in Russia, with a 19.4 percent share of the domestic market, it has come under pressure from a number of rivals in recent years, most notably Kia. Lada's ongoing recovery plan aims to increase that share to 20 percent and also to boost exports, given that its models are now available in 34 countries.

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In conversation with Anand Mahindra, executive chairman, Mahindra & Mahindra

Anand Mahindra, executive chairman of Mahindra & Mahindra speaks to us on the impact of the PF0 halo model on the Mahindra Group, the risk associated with the project and overcoming the steep learning curve.

With the e2o on one end and PF0 on the other, you are straddling two extremes. How does this work in terms of Mahindra’s strategy? Can we see a middle ground?
The landscape of future mobility is going to be a varied one. It is going to straddle the very low end, which will involve transport as a commodity where people get into small pods or EVs or autonomous cars to get from point A to point B. In the middle, will be cars that reflect the owner’s personality, their desire for recreation and for getting out on an open road. Then there will also be the very ultra-high end, where people buy cars because they are passionate about them, because they love speed and they love performance and they just love things of beauty. My goal is to see that Mahindra is represented in all of these three ends. We have electric cars such as the e2o, which is going to serve as commodity transport. We are already well represented in the lifestyle segment through our SUVs. But, we also wanted to be in the high end, where it is very difficult to create a heritage brand, which is why we invested in Pininfarina. With Pininfarina, we are bringing an incomplete story to life – the story of Batista Pininfarina who always wanted a Pininfarina-badged car. Moreover, this is not the only car that Automobili Pininfarina will make. It will never be a mass-market brand, but it will certainly come down to a point where there will be higher volume cars than the PF0.

What effect will a halo model have on Mahindra & Mahindra?
If we succeed with the Pininfarina brand, it will put a wonderful halo onto every kind of mobility that Mahindra does and this halo will trickle down as well. Pininfarina stands for innovation, purity and elegance. Those are qualities that I think can be transferred on to not just all the vehicles that Mahindra builds, but frankly to the entire Mahindra portfolio and to the brand. Pinifarina designs architecture, it designs boats, and we believe that if you want a business to be anti-fragile, things of beauty are what’ll bring you that resilience. No matter what happens in the world, no matter what technology enters into the building of products, things of beauty are always going to be of great appeal to consumers. We believe Pinifarina and its design DNA are going to help the entire portfolio of Mahindra companies and indeed the brand.

Isn’t developing the PF0, which takes you to unknown territory, a big risk?
Our group is now of a very substantial size, so this is not a risk that is an overly large one financially. But it is, of course, a risk to our reputation. If you don’t take such risks occasionally, you are never going to achieve anything of consequence. It’s the old philosophy of ‘No pain, no gain’. I think the largest risk I ever took was betting on the Scorpio many years ago. We spent Rs 600-700 crore, and I don’t think I have ever made a bet as big as that. So this risk is certainly not one I am very scared of. The interesting thing is that, ever since we got into EVs, I have constantly been asked on social media: “When are you going to make something to rival Tesla?” And after seeing the prototype, I think we have finally developed a cutting-edge product.

What role will your Formula E racing team play?
In Formula 1 racing, most of the technology never makes it into any of the cars that are driven. But there is going to be a race-to-road movement as far as Formula E is concerned. The beauty about the all-electric hypercar is that it is not isolated from the technology that comes from racing. So Mahindra Racing is going to be the bridge between Mahindra Group and Automobili Pininfarina. They will also pass on the technology to Mahindra Electric. The enormous development in batteries, motors and dynamics is going to be transferred seamlessly, not just to high-performance cars like the PF0, but also to much humbler electric vehicles such as our e2o.

Automakers are facing a challenge of spreading resources between IC engines, autonomous and electric mobility. Is collaboration the way forward?
Collaboration is certainly a way forward and as you know, Mahindra has been doing it for many years. We have collaborated with Ford, with Renault and are collaborating with Ford again. But in the last 20-30 years, with the advent of the internet, of start-ups and with the porosity of knowledge, it is far easier to be able to share knowledge than it was earlier. In the earlier days, individual companies developed their own proprietary knowledge and then kept it within their headquarters like a fortress; that’s not the case today. You know you can look up on the net and discover how to build a nuclear weapon. Building a car is much more simpler. So, we are open to absorbing technology from wherever we can get it.

Sometimes, companies have to go through a learning curve as it’s hard to change some deep-rooted aspects of cars. How important is to get the right people in place to do that?
We opened a research centre in Detroit for exactly that reason (to get the right people in place) because we knew that there was enormous amount of knowledge in the engineers who were laid-off during the recession in the US. We were able to find them an opportunity to work and the world has now seen the first outcome of that investment in the newly launched Marazzo, which was engineered completely in Detroit. So you’ll see the culture of Mahindra is now one that is very open, very absorbent and very eclectic.

Also see:

Pininfarina PF0 electric hypercar teaser image revealed

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Long-term third party insurance to push new car, bike prices up

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA), the regulatory body for all insurance and re-insurance activities in India, has announced that all new two-wheeler and passenger-vehicle sales, starting September 1, 2018, will need to have mandatory five-year third-party insurance and a three-year third-party plan, respectively, in line with the recent decision taken by the Supreme Court.

The move is expected to increase prices for two-wheelers and four-wheelers as the cost of insurance is expected to almost double. For two-wheelers, the cost is expected to go up from around Rs 427 (for 1 year) to Rs 1,045 (for 3 years) on the initial purchase cost for a two-wheeler with an engine capacity not exceeding 75cc. The move will bump up retail prices of some premium two-wheelers (+350cc) and personal vehicles (+1,500cc).

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Soon, separate toll lanes for VIPs and judges

According to PTI, the Madras High Court has directed the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to start providing a separate lane at toll plazas for VIPs and sitting judges across India. This decision was made by the high court to curtail the unnecessary harassment and delays faced by VIPs and judges at toll plazas, as per the report.

A bench comprising of Justices Huluvadi G Ramesh and MV Muralidharan passed the interim order directing the NHAI to issue the circular to all toll plazas across the country. The circular orders them to provide a separate lane so that vehicles of VIPs and sitting judges can pass through without any hindrance.

The High Court has also warned that they would issue a show cause notice to the concerned authorities unless the circular was issued and that any violation of the order would be viewed seriously.

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Hyosung Mirage 250 cruiser set for September 2018 India launch

Korean motorcycle manufacturer Hyosung is gearing-up for a new inning in India. Hyosung was sold in our market by DSK-Motowheels but with its partner running into financial troubles, it was compelled to shut down its Indian operations. Hyosung will now be re-launched in our market by the Kinetic Group under the Motoroyale brand. As part of its new portfolio, the Korean two-wheeler manufacturer will launch the new Mirage 250 in India.

The new motorcycle is the replacement to the Aquila 250 cruiser which was previously on sale in our market. While the Aquila 250 featured more traditional styling, the new Mirage 250 adopts a more urban and modern design language. It goes with minimalism as a theme, with its teardrop-shaped fuel tank, multi-spoke alloy wheels and stubby front and rear mudguards. The Mirage 250 also features a single-pod instrument console below which sits a round headlight with LED position lamps, and the taillight is an LED unit as well. While the Aquila 250 had a fuel tank capacity of 14.1 litres, the Mirage 250 has a larger 15-litre unit. Hyosung claims a range of over 400km on a full tank of fuel for its new cruiser. It’s also gets equipped with a shorter ‘cow horns’ handlebar, which means the riding posture will be slightly sporty as is usually the case with most cruisers of this style.

Powering the motorcycle is an updated, Euro 4 compliant version of the company’s 250cc V-twin motor. The engine produces 25.8 hp at 9,000 rpm and 21.7 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm. In comparison, the Aquila 250’s power output stood at 26.5hp and 21Nm although the Mirage’s powerplant is, as you can tell, slightly torquier and is expected to offer better refinement levels as well. Another vital change is that the Mirage employs larger wheels - a 19-inch wheel at the front and a 16-inch wheel at the back (the Aquila sported a 16/15-inch combination). Braking hardware has also been updated with a 300mm front disc (the rear-end also gets a disc) and dual-channel ABS is standard. The frame has been suspended on a telescopic fork and twin shock absorbers.

The Hyosung Mirage 250 will be locally assembled and will be priced around Rs 3 lakh (ex-showroom) when it goes on sale in September 2018. While it won’t compete with the Royal Enfields on a price point, it will offer a refreshing premium entry-level cruiser experience to those seeking a laid-back ride with a fair bit of exclusivity as well.

Also see:

FB Mondial HPS 300 India launch in September

Motoroyale to retail 5 brands starting September 2018

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Donald Trump vows to ‘get involved’ if Justice Dept, FBI don’t do their job

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At least seven killed in head-on bus crash in New Mexico

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Ahead of 2+2 dialogue, US official says no change in H-1B visa policy

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Donald Trump threatens to withdraw US from World Trade Organization: report

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Australian arrested at Cambodian rally convicted of spying

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Donald Trump cancels pay raise of federal workers due in January

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Catholic church in Australia rejects mandatory reporting of child abuse discussed in confessional

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First Yellowstone-area grizzly hunt in 40 years blocked by federal judge

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Trump tweets are ‘messages from some alternative universe’ – China Daily

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Donald Trump says Sessions safe in job at least until November elections: report

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Russia holds up release of report on North Korea sanctions

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Surveillance State: E-platform in China to air ‘safe, true news’ from govt media

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China pulls out of $1.2-billion Nepal project

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‘India, China in talks to set up direct hotline between defence ministries’

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Russia to hold Mediterranean naval drills as Syria tensions rise

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China denies plan to send forces to Afghanistan, says it’s only helping them with defence

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Google, Mastercard Cut A Secret Ad Deal To Track Retail Sales: Report

Ad buyers that work with Google insist that the company is careful to maintain the walls between transaction information and web behavior, keeping any info flowing to retailers and marketers...

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Warren Buffett Buys More Apple, Says iPhone Is 'Enormously Underpriced'

Buffett's Berkshire has been piling more money into Apple, increasing that stake to 252 million shares as of June 30.

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Fuel Prices At Record High: Check Petrol, Diesel Rates In Top Cities Today

Petrol, diesel prices today: Fuel is cheapest in Delhi among all metros and most state capitals due to lower sales tax or VAT (Value Added Tax).

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Rupee Collapses To New Record Low: Key Things To Know

INR vs USD: The fall in Indian currency is due to the persistent demand for the US currency amid rising crude prices.

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Sensex, Nifty Turn Choppy Ahead Of GDP Data Release

Main laggards on Nifty pack were YES Bank, Vednata, Reliance, Hindalco and Bharti Airtel.

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Buying A Car, Bike To Get Costlier From Saturday

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) has issued a circular in this regard.

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Reliance Jio Announces JioPhone 2 Flash Sale On September 6: Details Here

Mukesh Ambani-run Reliance Jio launched the JioPhone last year and JioPhone 2 is an upgraded version of 4G-enabled device.

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GoAir To Commence International Operations From October 11

The airline, which is all set to start direct flights from New Delhi and Mumbai to Phuket, would become the sixth Indian carrier to go international.

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Rice Export Price Dips As Rupee Fall Fails To Boost Demand

India's rice exports in April-July edged up 1 per cent from a year ago to 4.15 million tonnes on upbeat demand from Senegal, Benin and Iran.

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Have You Filed Your Income Tax Return? Five Things You Need To Know

Filing the income tax return after the due date of August 31, set by the Income Tax Department, will attract penalty charges up to Rs 10,000. The Income Tax Department has time and again urged the...

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Tribunal Gives Nod To Vodafone-Idea Merger: Report

Vodafone Idea is expected to have a subscriber base of over 400 million and become the country's largest telecom operator.

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Banks To Remain Open In September First Week, Says Employees Union

Though the banks in Delhi and Mumbai will remain open on Monday September 3, the day of Janmashtami, banks in some states would be shut.

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Income Tax Return (ITR) Filing Deadline Ends In 2 Days

ITR filing: The Income Tax Department has also mandated the public to verify the income tax return after submitting it.

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Vodafone's Rs. 597 Prepaid Plan Offers Unlimited Calling, Data Benefits

Under its new Rs 597 plan, Vodafone is offering unlimited calling, with 10 GB 3G/4G data and 100 SMSes per day.

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Post Office Saving Schemes: Senior Citizen Account Vs PPF Account

Post office saving schemes: The return depends on the selection of scheme and the maturity period, also known as tenure.

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Gold Prices Jump By Rs 120: 5 Things To Know

Gold, Silver prices today: In Delhi, gold of 99.9% and 99.5% purity rebounded by Rs 120 each to Rs 31,200 and Rs 31,050 per 10 gram, respectively.

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Jet Airways Offers International Flight Tickets From Rs 5,599

Jet Airways international flight ticket offer: Customers need to make bookings before September 2, 2018 to avail discount.

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Sensex Gives Up 38,700, Nifty Settles At 11,676

Gains in consumer and materials stocks were offset by losses in financials, and Asian stocks surrendered earlier gains as Chinese markets fixed on risks from the Sino-US trade war.

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Kerala Floods: IndiGo To Provide Cancellation Waiver Till September 10

According to the notification received from Cochin international airport, full scale operations started from Wednesday.

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Rupee Extends Fall To Second Day, Closes At Record 70.74 Against Dollar

During the session, the rupee registered a life-time low of 70.90. On Wednesday, the rupee had closed at 70.59, registering its biggest single-day decline against the American currency since August...

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Law Commission: ‘Speaking against govt is not sedition, right to offend, criticise history is free speech’

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Rafale talks were on when Reliance Entertainment helped produce film for Francois Hollande’s partner

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From document Pune police gave to court: ‘Anti-fascist front seeks to tap militant Dalit & Muslim forces’

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Asian Games 2018: Jinson Johnson’s silver cloud has a gold lining

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Simultaneous polls: Law panel raises questions, says need for more debate

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J&K policemen targeted again, militants kidnap at least four close relatives

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On China, BJP does a hopeful rewrite in party training booklet

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Ealgaar Parishad probe: House arrest for Sudha Bharadwaj, Gautam Navlakha means police move in and watch 24 x 7

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Nearly quarter of EWS seats shown vacant in Delhi schools

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Rupee Weakens Further, Hits New Low Against US Dollar: Key Things To Know

INR Vs USD: The dollar strength against its rival currencies overseas too put pressure on the rupee today.

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Sensex Trades Flat, Nifty Below 11,700

Share Markets on Thursday: Main laggards on Nifty pack were Hindustan Petroleum , IOC, Axis Bank, Tech Mahindra and Reliance.

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Reliance Infra Completes Mumbai Power Business Sale To Adani Transmission

Anil Ambani said the deal will help cut the company's overall debt to Rs 7,500 crore from the earlier Rs 22,000 crore.

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PSU Bank Bad Loans Cut By Rs 64,106 Crore Through Recoveries In 2017-18

There are 21 public sector banks in the country. However, the central bank did not not provide bank-wise details of the NPAs.

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RBI Surplus Transfer To Government Up 63% In FY18

The central bank transfers the surplus generated from its functions to the government at the end of each financial year.

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GDP Growth Seen At 7.6% In April-June: Poll

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Rupee Plunges To All-Time Closing Low Of 70.59 Against Dollar

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Jet Airways Announces New Flights: Routes, Schedule And Other Details

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Gold Prices Edge Lower After 4 Days Of Gains: 5 Things To Know

Gold, silver prices today: In Delhi, gold of 99.9% and 99.5% purity slipped by Rs 70 each to Rs 31,080 and Rs 30,930 per 10 grams, respectively.

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Income Tax Return (ITR) Filing Deadline Just Three Days Away. 5 Things To Know

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Sensex Closes 173 Points Lower, Nifty Settles At 11,691

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Cabinet Approves Additional 2% Hike In Dearness Allowance: 5 Points

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Cabinet Clears Extra Dearness Allowance Hike, To Benefit 1.1 Crore People

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ITR Filing Deadline Extended For Kerala: Here Are 5 Latest Developments

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99.3% Of Rs Old Rs 500, Rs 1,000 Notes Returned To Banks, Says RBI

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Son Heung-min seeking gold with one eye on Tottenham Hotspur progress

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India vs England 4th Test Live Cricket Streaming: Watch Ind vs Eng Live Stream at Sony Six HD, Sony Ten 3

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Shot clock gets mixed reception on Grand Slam debut

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US Open 2018: Serena Williams sees off Carina Witthoeft to set up Venus Williams clash

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US Open 2018 Roundup: Andy Murray true to word with second round exit at US Open

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Asian Games 2018 Day 12 Live Updates Live Streaming: Manjit Singh, Jinson Johnson in 1500m final action

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Asian Games: Jalpaiguri to Jakarta, Swapna Barman fighting tooth and 12 nails to gold

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Asian Gaming: Glimpse of the future as e-sports makes debut

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Asian Games 2018: Arpinder Singh ends India’s 48-year wait for a triple jump gold

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Asian Games 2018: Out of Africa and on the athletics podium

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Asian Games 2018: Sharath Kamal, Manika Batra find rhyme and rhythm to land bronze

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After Asian Games gold, Rohan Bopanna, Divij Sharan face Serbian hurdle

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India vs England: Tinkerman Virat Kohli needs a dash of stability

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Manish Pandey, Mayank Agarwal power India B to Quadrangular series title

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Former US captain Clint Dempsey retires

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West Indies announce 15-member squad for two-match Test series against India

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Asian Games 2018 Day 12 schedule: More gold up for grabs in athletics, men’s hockey team eye finals spot

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Germany’s Joachim Loew repeatedly snubbed by Ozil after national team exit

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Asian Games 2018 Day 11 wrap: Swapna Barman, Arpinder Singh gold takes India to no.8 on standings

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Asian Games 2018: Son Heung-min’s South Korea in football final after beating Vietnam 3-1

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Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns to action with three-wicket haul, fit for Asia Cup return

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Asian Games 2018: Tamil Nadu government announces cash incentives for medal winning sportspersons

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India vs England: We’re very good at bouncing back from difficult weeks, says Joe Root

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India vs England: Virat Kohli hints at playing unchanged XI in 4th Test

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Asian Games 2018: From breaking national records to Asiad gold, Swapna Barman raises the bar

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India vs England: Jonny Bairstow to play as specialist batsman in 4th Test

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Review: 2018 Ducati Scrambler 1100 review, test ride

I really wanted to love the original Scrambler 800, but it wasn’t meant to be. The suspension was crashy, the throttle far too aggressive (fixed on the BS4 model) but most of all, the bike struggled to offer a feeling of quality to match its rather optimistic price. The Scrambler 1100 promises to address all those issues and it charges quite a premium in the process. We had a short, two-hour taste of what the bigger Scrambler has to offer and by a draw of chits, I was allocated the most expensive of the three-bike line-up, the Scrambler 1100 Sport.

Sizing up

Being in the first batch of riders, I was on the bike before the crack of dawn, which was a nice opportunity to discover that the new LED headlamp gets the job done well enough, although it’s nowhere close to what the Multistrada that was leading our convoy had to offer. As dawn broke, it revealed that the Scrambler 1100 is a serious step-up from its younger sibling, especially in terms of quality. Everything you see and touch is better finished and components such as the fatter handlebar, adjustable brake/clutch levers and higher quality switchgear all work hard towards justifying the price.

Ducati didn’t want to dilute the Scrambler’s sense of minimalism too much, so the new LCD display looks familiar and is still off-set towards the right, but it now offers more information to the rider. What’s interesting is that the 1100 may look similar to the 800, but it’s a considerably larger motorcycle in the flesh. You feel the extra width in the saddle and parking them side by side reveals that the 1100 is a more substantial machine. It is by no means excessive, and the 1100 is still a very easy machine to manoeuvre, but it lends itself well to customers who like the feel of riding a big bike.

As part of this growth spurt comes a rise in the seat height from 800mm to 810mm. While that doesn’t seem like a lot, the seat is quite wide, so shorter riders are going to want try this on for size first. Further visual differentiators to the 800 come in a more premium finishing for the engine cases, a lovely polished aluminium rear subframe and, of course, that big, dual underseat exhaust. The Sport variant we’re riding here gets a delectable matte-black paint job with yellow detailing, machine finished alloy wheels and a different seat design. It also runs a lower handlebar, although I definitely prefer the higher bar from the standard model - the ergonomics feel just right for a scrambler with that one. Finally, our bike is running an optional (Rs 1.74 lakh!) Termignoni exhaust which has both pipes stacked on top of each other on the right side. It looks neat, but the stock exhaust sounded nicer to my ears with a deep and powerful roar that I certainly wouldn’t change.

Growing gains

So the Scrambler 1100 ticks the right boxes in the visual department - it's a great looking bike and it doesn’t feel built to a price. With a breath of relief, let’s dive under the skin and talk about that big L-twin. It’s certainly not the most modern of engines and this air/oil-cooled, 2-valve motor finds its origins in the old Ducati Monster 1100. But that makes for a part of the appeal and this is a likeable motor that suits the Scrambler really well.

On the move, the engine behaves typical of a big 90-degree Ducati L-twin and it doesn’t like to drop below 2,000rpm. We never countered heavy traffic, but you can expect a juddery experience if you get lazy with the gearbox and clutch. Thankfully, the clutch is reasonably weighted and the motor has vast reserves of torque to offer upwards of this. Delightfully, you don’t feel any heat on your right leg from the scrambler-styled pipes, something that is a bother on the Triumph Street Scrambler, for instance. Things stay smooth in the usable rev range and the motor spins up quickly, but get close to the 8-odd thousand rpm redline and it does start getting vibey in the bar and pegs. But this engine is all about what lies between the two extremes of its rev-range and it pulls hard and fast with little effort.

With 86hp and 88Nm, the Scrambler 1100 is more powerful than most machines available in the modern-retro space at this price point, but the Triumph 1200 motors are more torquey. It’s also a big step up from the Scrambler 800 with significantly more shove available at lower engine speeds, and this makes this bike feel vastly quicker and more effortless to ride. Interestingly, it’s also calmer and easier than its smaller sibling and that’s thanks to the smooth torque flow and well-judged throttle response that doesn’t feel jumpy, even though the actual throttle action is quite short. Add in the rich exhaust note, and I thoroughly enjoyed the overall experience.

Identity crisis

Our route for the morning was a quick blast up the famous Nandi Hills road outside Bengaluru. This is a really tight uphill route, with a few sharp corners and hairpins along the way. The room for error is absolutely zero, especially considering the number of distracted motorists heading to the top with selfie modes engaged and  excited shrieks directed at everything that comes their way.

 The 1100 really excelled here. The bike feels agile despite its 206kg weight and that’s down to a steering rake angle that is almost identical to the Monster 821. This effect that is magnified by the Scrambler’s wide bar and additional steering lock which creates so much more leverage. The Pirelli MT 60 RS tyres continue from the Scrambler 800 and they offer surprising grip despite the blocky design and there was no drama from them in the cold and greasy conditions. Braking performance gets serious too, thanks to a new, dual front disc set-up (the 800 gets one front disc) and Brembo’s incredible M4.32 calipers. This is sportbike-level of kit and we’re talking sharp, one finger performance. The fact that the front tyre is now a sportbike-like 120 section unit, growing from 110 on the normal Scrambler only intensifies the performance, but the front wheel remains an 18-inch unit.

Another big jump from the small Scrambler, and also over the entire competition field, is the new electronics package. Where the Scrambler 800 makes do with just ABS, the 1100 gets advanced cornering-ABS, four stage traction control and three rider modes. The lowest of these modes, City, reduces power to 75hp, mellows down the throttle response and maximises the traction control. Journey mode offers the full 86hp, but with more fluid throttle response while Active gives you sharp responses and sets up the TC for sportier riding. In typical Ducati fashion, the electronics are very well judged and operate transparently in the background.

Then we come to the Sport’s party piece, it’s Ohlins front and rear suspension. Both are fully adjustable and they make no bones about the fact that they’re meant for sporty riding. The Ohlins fork is also a fatter 48mm unit compared with the 45mm unit on the standard model. With 150mm of suspension travel at the front and rear, the Ohlins have the same travel as the Marzocchi fork/Sachs rear set-up (also adjustable) on the standard 1100. While the Ohlins feel more plush and controlled in terms of damping, they are a little firmer than the standard set-up. But to be honest, the difference isn’t very much and the Scrambler 1100 is a rather stiffly set-up motorcycle. This is a continuation of the 800’s philosophy, but the difference is that the 1100’s set-up doesn’t feel cheap.

That brings me to my issue with this motorcycle. I loved riding it on the smooth and winding tarmac, but I wouldn’t want to take it off road. The fact that Ducati didn’t want us to do so on this ride also supports that – and, of course, the fact that it wanted its bikes to come back in one piece! Nevertheless, the suspension set-up is quite like what you’d get on a well-damped sportbike and it makes you aware of every pothole you encounter. The tack-sharp brakes and wider front tyre aren’t something I’d want to deal with off the road either. In essence, the only things genuinely scrambler-like about the Scrambler 11000 are its name, design and ground clearance. At best, the rugged tyres and generous ground clearance mean you can take on rough and broken sections when they come your way, but you certainly won’t go looking for them. 

The land of joy

The Scrambler 1100 has no immediate rivals in India, at least until Triumph launches the Bonneville Scrambler 1200, which is currently under works. There is the BMW R9T Scrambler, but it’s far too expensive in India.  However, if you look at other modern-retro bikes on sale in India today like the Triumph Bobber or Speedmaster, the new Ducati is a more expensive proposition. Prices start at Rs 10.91 lakh for the base Scrambler 1100 and stretch to Rs 11.42 lakh (all prices ex-showroom) for the Sport, which is a smaller increment than we expected, considering the premium Ohlins suspension generally commands.

It is expensive, but the Scrambler 1100 has its merits of being the most sporty of the lot with much higher levels of braking and suspension kit. It also has the best electronics package and most importantly, it offers the peace of mind of being able to deal with Indian conditions without any serious cause for concern. As long as you’re aware that you’re buying yourself an upright, yet sporty motorcycle and not an off-roader (for that, the Desert Sled is the only serious choice), you’ll like what the Scrambler 1100 has to offer.

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Vehicles older than 15 years to be scrapped per new gov. policy

The Delhi government has revealed new guidelines for scrapping of vehicles in the National Capital Region. Called the Guidelines for Scrapping of Motor Vehicles in Delhi, 2018, the notification states that petrol, CNG and diesel vehicles that are older than 15 years and are found plying on the roads, parked in a public place, or abandoned will be scrapped. The registered owner of the vehicle will be given the scrap value of the model.

However, the policy also states that when it comes to petrol and CNG cars, if they are parked in a private space and can furnish adequate proof, then they will not be impounded.

The policy also provides environmental and procedural guidelines for the government-run scrappage yards including battery disposal, re-using and recycling of parts and dealing with the separation and storage of all automobile-related liquids and metals.

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8 most expensive cars on sale in India

What a week it’s been for expensive cars. Bugatti took the wraps off the Divo that costs 5 million Euros (Rs 40 crore), while just a day later a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO went for 48.4 million dollars (Rs 340 crore) making it the most expensive car ever sold at auction. This got us thinking of the most expensive cars on sale in India today. Prepare to feel small.  

A disclaimer first: The prices listed here are base ex-showroom prices. Each model comes with an extensive (and extremely costly) list of options that makes them even more expensive.

8. Rolls-Royce Ghost Rs 4.3-4.9 crore

An entry point to the Rolls-Royce family it may be but the Ghost is still a Rolls-Royce through and through. Its 570hp, V12 engine and surprising level of waftability make the Ghost quite enjoyable to drive as well.

7. Rolls-Royce Wraith Rs 4.60 crore

The Wraith is Rolls-Royce’s idea of a sporty coupe. The four-seater is every bit as luxurious and refined as its more sedate stable-mates, but is far more exciting and dynamic, thanks to the 632hp, 6.6-litre V12 motor that propels this 2,360kg car to 100kph in just 4.4 seconds.

6. Lamborghini Aventador S Rs 5.01 crore

The Aventador follows in the footsteps of barking mad V12 Lambos. The 740hp motor is nothing short of epic, and the S version brings with it four-wheel steer, which adds a level of agility that was previously lacking. It’s hugely impractical for our roads but also offers an experience like few others.

5. Ferrari GTC4Lusso V12 Rs 5.20 crore

Like the Ferrari FF that came before, the GTC4Lusso isn’t a traditional Ferrari in look. The shooting brake body style divides opinion but does create space for four inside the cabin. While the base 610hp V8 Lusso T (Rs 4.2 crore) is ballistic, the full-blown 690hp V12 is the one to splurge on.

4. Ferrari 812 Superfast Rs 5.20 crore

The 812 Superfast perfectly blends a Ferrari supercar and a Ferrari GT in one incredible package. Its 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 motor pumps out a whopping 800hp and 718Nm, that goes solely to the rear wheels. It’s extreme but oh-so-desirable.

3. Rolls-Royce Dawn Rs 6.25 crore

Opulence and open-top motoring, that’s what the Rolls-Royce Dawn is all about. Claimed to be the quietest convertible on sale in the world, the drop-top is as refined as its roofed stable-mates. It shares its 632hp, 6.6-litre V12 powerplant with the Wraith, which provides a bucket-load of entertainment for a 2,560kg car.

2. Bentley Mulsanne Speed Rs 6.90 crore

The embodiment of everything Bentley stands for, the Mulsanne comes in two versions – the standard 512hp model (Rs 5.53 crore) and the even faster and (pricier) 537hp Speed model. Both share the same 6.8-litre V8, with the engine producing a locomotive-like 1100Nm in the Speed.

1. Rolls-Royce Phantom Rs 9.50-11.35 crore

Currently the most expensive car in India, (the standard model costs Rs 9.50 crore while the long-wheelbase version will set you back an extravagant Rs 11.35 crore), the eighth-gen Phantom melds grandeur and technology like no other car. It is the ultimate in luxury motoring.

Honourable mentions

2011 Maybach 57/62 Rs 4.85-5.10 crore (at launch)

Mercedes’ answer to Rolls-Royce and Bentley, the Maybach was the luxury car of its time. Standard wheelbase 57 S too small for you? You could have the extended wheelbase 62 model that featured every conceivable luxury. But of course, power came from V12 engines.

2016 Audi A8 L Security Rs 9.15 crore (at launch)

The A8 L Security could take a barrage of 7.62x51mm rifle rounds and could also be optioned with its own oxygen system. Power came from a monster of a W12 engine; just what you need to get out of a dangerous situation, fast. 

2016 Mercedes S 600 Guard Rs 10.5 crore (at launch)

Mercedes took the ‘built like a tank’ axiom a bit too seriously with this one. The S 600 Guard was reinforced to such a degree that it could withstand a blast of 15kg worth of TNT at a distance of just two metres. Safest car in the world? Maybe.

2011 Koenigsegg Agera Rs 12.5 crore (at launch)

Believe it or not but the Koenigsegg Agera had an India launch, though there’s no confirmation of the model ever finding a buyer in India. Built to order, the Swedish rocket came powered by a 5.0-litre, twin-turbo V8 that made 940hp and 1100Nm of peak torque. 0-100kph time, you ask? 2.8secs! 

2010 Bugatti Veyron Rs 16 crore (at launch)

Of course, a Bugatti had to top the list. The Veyron was launched in India in 2010 for the royal sum of Rs 16 crore. It’s not known if anyone bought it in India but what is known is that it was the fastest and most powerful car of its time. Its 8.0-litre W16 engine made 1001hp and propelled the car to 407kph!

If you had to pick just one, which of these cars would you have in your dream garage? Let us know in the comments section below. 

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2019 Honda NSX gets chassis upgrades

Honda has refreshed the NSX supercar for 2019, with a series of tweaks to the chassis and hybrid powertrain aimed at improving handling, comfort and emissions. The anti-roll bars at the front and rear have been stiffened, by 26 percent and 19 percent respectively, while Honda has also stiffened the rear hubs and control-arm toe link bushings.

Software revisions for the hybrid powertrain and adaptive dampers, as well as the power steering and stability control system are aimed at making the car easier to live with. Exclusive tyres - Continental SportContact 6s - were developed specifically for the NSX and are now standard fit. These improve response and feel during acceleration, braking and cornering. These improvements, combined with a more responsive throttle, have contributed to a lap time improvement of two seconds around the Suzuka circuit over the pre-facelift version.

To meet Euro 6d-TEMP emissions requirements, the NSX is now also fitted with a particulate filter, in addition to turbocharger tweaks. The pre-facelift NSX produces 573bhp from its 3.5-litre hybrid V6, with 645Nm of torque and four-wheel drive, helping the car hit 100kph in 2.9sec and go on to a top speed of 307kph.

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Mahindra Marazzo ready for September 3 launch

New, exclusive spy images of Mahindra’s Marazzo MPV, scheduled to launch in India on September 3, 2018, show various exterior and interior details for the first time. The spied model is the higher-spec M8 variant.

The ‘shark-inspired’ grille takes a dominant position on the nose of the new Marazzo. The headlamps, which feature LEDs, are similar to those found on the XUV500, though the triangular fog lamp clusters (with LEDs) are unique. The large rear window gets a wiper and is bounded by a chrome strip at the bottom (below which is the housing for the number plate), which connects the C-shaped LED tail-lamps. The LED lights are only expected to be offered on the higher-spec trims; 17-inch black-finished alloy wheels are also on offer with this top-spec trim.

The cabin area of the Marazzo M8 sees the introduction of a digital instrument cluster, a 7.0-inch (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible) touchscreen infotainment system mounted on the centre console and an automatic AC unit. The steering wheel has buttons for the infotainment system on the right and for cruise control on the left. The dashboard gets a dual-tone gloss black and beige finish. All three rows of the MPV, which will be available in seven- and eight-seat configurations, get roof-mounted AC vents.

The Marazzo is powered by a new 1.5-litre diesel engine that makes 130hp and 300Nm of torque, and is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, as the spy images show.

Mahindra dealers have unofficially started accepting bookings for an amount of Rs 10,000. The MPV will rival the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga (Rs 6.34-10.69 lakh) (the second-gen model is arriving soon) and the Toyota Innova Crysta (Rs 14.34-21.57 lakh), and will be priced between the two.

All prices, ex-showroom, Delhi

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Mahindra Mojo electric caught testing

After much delay, the Mahindra Mojo was launched in our market in October 2015. The flagship Mahindra two-wheeler failed to make an impact among buyers and sales never took off. One of the main reasons for the Mojo not clicking among the two-wheeler enthusiasts was its high pricing. Mahindra tried to address it by riding in the more affordable Mojo UT 300 earlier this year, but it hasn’t been successful in reviving sales. However, Mahindra isn’t throwing in the towel yet, as an electric version of the bike has been caught testing. The Mahindra Mojo electric prototype was spotted outside the Bosch facility in Bangalore.

In terms of styling, the Mahindra Mojo electric looks almost identical to the standard Mojo. However, there are some differences like the missing gear lever, extra body panels to cover the motor, and a larger sprocket and belt drive that replaces the chain drive unit seen on the standard motorcycle. There aren’t any details regarding the specifications of the motor and battery capacity. The Mahindra Mojo XT 300’s fuel-injected motor delivers 27hp and 30Nm, while the carburetted engine in the Mojo UT 300 produces 23.1hp and 25.2Nm of torque.

While Mahindra does have EVs in its four-wheeler portfolio like the e20 Plus and the eVerito, this two-wheeler model is the first such motorcycle from the brand. The electric bike caught testing seems to share the frame, braking hardware and suspension components with the Mahindra XT 300. Mahindra’s plan to go electric with the Mojo isn’t very surprising, as even its rival, Royal Enfield has announced it will enter the electric vehicle segment.

Also see:

2018 Mahindra Mojo UT 300 review, test ride

 

IMAGE SOURCE

 

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Mahindra appeals to US courts to stop FCA from proceeding in Roxor case

On August 1, 2018, Fiat Chrysler Automobile US filed a complaint with the United States International Trade Commission to prevent Mahindra & Mahindra from exporting parts for the Roxor and Mahindra Automotive North America (MANA). The Indian manufacturer says that it has taken action within the ITC as well as in the Federal District Court, USA to prevent Fiat from proceeding in the matter.

FCA claims that the Roxor (an SUV based on the Mahindra Thar) has certain design features that infringe the intellectual property rights of dispute/ litigation – Fiat's Jeep design, since the Roxor was modelled after the original Willys Jeep.

M&M has stated that the case is without merit. On August 22, 2018, the company filed a Public Interest Statement with the ITC expressing its position on this matter and explained how it is in the public interest for the ITC to rule against Fiat, in favour of Mahindra.

An M&M statement issued today says, “Our goals on the public interest statement were two-fold. One was to state our position on the merits and the other was to correct inaccuracies regarding Mahindra as a company and the Roxor as a product. We set the record straight on the history of Mahindra, including its US operations. We also demonstrated that the Roxor is a vehicle that was always intended only as off-road, does not compete with Fiat vehicles, is manufactured and assembled in the first OEM plant to be built in Michigan in the last 25 years, was the result of more than three years of research and development, and categorically rejected the notion that the Roxor was an imported, low-quality "knock-off" kit car."

On August 23, 2018, Mahindra filed a complaint with the Federal Court in Michigan on the issue of the applicability and enforcement of its 2009 agreement with Fiat. The company says, “We are asking the court to block Fiat from participating in the ITC claim – an injunction – because of the fact that they agreed in 2009 to never bring such claims if we use a grille that they approved. The Roxor uses that grille. We are also arguing that Fiat is using the ITC case to harm our Roxor business by creating negative publicity, damaging our reputation and our stature in the marketplace.”

Meanwhile, M&M and MANA have commenced proceedings at the Federal District Court in Michigan to enforce the Grille Design Agreement executed between M&M and Fiat in 2009 and seek an injunction against Fiat from proceeding with the ITC complaint it has filed.

According to M&M, “From the reading of the filing of Fiat, they have sought an order implications, if any, due to for permanently restraining the company from exporting, and compensation, penalty etc; MANA from importing, any parts or components which are infringing upon Fiat's intellectual property rights in to the US. There is no monetary claim such as compensation, damages, etc. sought by them. However, if they succeed in getting a permanent injunction from the company exporting infringing parts or components to the US and MANA importing the same in to the US, the company will not be able to sell such parts or components to the US and the sale of such parts or components by the company to MANA will be affected.”

Also see:

Mahindra says FCA's complaint against Roxor is baseless

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Volkswagen introduces 7-year/1,25,000km add-on warranty

Volkswagen has introduced an add-on warranty program for all its cars to be covered for up to seven years (or 1,25,000km) in an attempt to ease the ownership experience. The company offers a 3-, 4- and 5-year extended warranty over the standard warranty of two years.

The add-on warranty of 1 year/20,000km can be taken anytime from the next day of expiry of new car’s warranty or used car extended warranty. However, the car must be run for less than 1,25,000km and should be within 7 years from the vehicle's purchase date. The add-on warranty can be availed within 30 days before the expiry of the valid warranty or up to 15 days post the expiry of the warranty.

It is worth noting that Taxi/commercial registration vehicles cannot opt for the add-on warranty package. Also, only the cars that have undergone scheduled services at a Volkswagen authorized dealer and have a proper record in the service history log are eligible for the add-on warranty. In case of change of the vehicle's ownership, the remaining add-on warranty period/km would be transferred to the new owner. However, a maximum of two ownership changes are allowed to avail the warranty transfer.

The add-on warranty covers a list of components of the engine, manual or automatic gearbox, suspension and steering, braking system, fuel system, diesel-injection system, air-conditioning system, electrical systems and oil seals. Do keep in mind that the add-on warranty is a slightly curtailed version of new car / extended warranty and may not include some of the parts covered under the regular warranty.

In the Indian market, most manufacturers cover their vehicle for 7 years with extended warranty packages. Some manufacturers like Toyota and Hyundai even have extended warranty packages for up to 8 years for its cars.

 

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PhotoGallery: Renault Arkana image gallery

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New Renault Arkana revealed at 2018 Moscow motor show

Renault has revealed its new Arkana SUV, a coupe-styled SUV that will be the French brand’s flagship for that market when it is introduced.

The five-seat Arkana shares much of its design cues with the Captur, though with edgier styling like the LED headlamps taken from the likes of the new Megane. The sloping roofline at the rear integrates well with the boot, making the Arkana look more like a high-riding crossover. This look is father enhanced by  large 19-inch alloy wheels and a high ground clearance. The rear features two exhaust pipes at the bottom of the bumper and a full width LED tail-lamp strip. Renault’s design boss Laurens Van den Acker said it strikes “a balance between the elegance of a sedan and the powerful stance of an SUV.”

The platform of the Arkana is a reworked version of the same unit found on the Russia-spec Duster and Captur (sold there as the Kaptur). While details have not been revealed yet, it may also share engine options with those cars for that market. A tech detail that has been confirmed is that all-wheel-drive will be on offer with the SUV.

After being introduced in Russia early next year, the SUV will go on sale in Asian markets, though it is unlikely that Renault will bring the Arkana to India. The Captur hasn’t been the sales spinner the French carmaker had hoped for as Indian buyers prefer a traditional, upright stance on their SUVs, rather than the stylish-looking Renault. The coupe-like roofline on the Arkana may not make the same impact its is expected to get in other markets.

Also see:

Renault Arkana image gallery

2017 Renault Kwid long term review, final report

2018 Renault Kwid 1.0 AMT review, test drive

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Asian Games: Jalpaiguri to Jakarta, Swapna Barman fighting tooth and 12 nails to gold

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Johnson & Johnson admitted: Many young patients were affected by faulty hip implants

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SP divide resurfaces: Shivpal Yadav floats ‘Samajwadi Secular Morcha’ within party

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Elgaar Parishad probe: Policemen referred to my caste, asked why no sindoor, says arrested activist Varavara Rao’s daughter

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Journalist Upendra Rai’s assets seized, Government can book him under Secrets Act too

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‘Less-cash’ economy? Following demonetisation, cash share in savings is up

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Again, J&K policemen targeted: Four shot dead after top Hizbul commander is killed

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Elgar Parishad event: Arrests undermine basics of democracy, says former CJI RM Lodha

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Elgaar Parishad probe: Those held part of anti-fascist plot to overthrow govt, Pune police tells court

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Elgaar Parisha probe: Dissent safety valve of democracy, pressure cooker will burst if not allowed, says SC

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Demonetisation facts: Over 99% of banned notes are back, cash at home at 7-year high

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Maharashtra gives nod to three infra projects

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Jat stir violence: Ex-Rohtak IGP, indicted by panel, now gets clean chit, promoted as ADGP

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Gurdwara In UK Severely Damaged In Suspected Arson Attack, 1 Arrested

A Gurdwara in the British city of Leith has been severely damaged in a suspected arson attack following which the police today arrested a 49-year-old man for the "deliberate" act probed as a hate...

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The great pigeon race fraud: How two men cheated to win, but ended up getting caught

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Chinese police detain woman suspect wanted for hotel fire

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Donald Trump warns of ‘violence’ if Democrats win midterm elections

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Chinese property developers opt to ‘wait and see’ as failed land auctions climb

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Myanmar dam breach floods 85 villages, drives thousands from homes

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Texas former policeman jailed 15 years for murder of black teen

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Bangladesh protests stir opposition hopes of revival before poll

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Two men burned to death by mob in central Mexico

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World news wrap: White House counsel Don McGahn to leave amid tensions with Trump

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US soldier pleads guilty to trying to help Islamic State

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Aung San Suu Kyi won’t be stripped of Nobel Peace Prize, says committee

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Australia’s east coast drought to intensify as dry weather persists

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UN chief Antonio Guterres urges conflict prevention and ‘diplomacy for peace’

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CNN stands by story about whether Donald Trump knew of meeting with Russian lawyer

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Let police kill criminals, says Brazil presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro

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Venezuela’s crisis boosts trafficking risk for women, children – experts

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Donald Trump hails Kim Jong-Un, sees no need to resume US-South Korea war games

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United Nations: Daniel Ortega’s Nicaraguan government behind widespread repression

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Chinese doctor commits suicide after being targeted online

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Family, colleagues attend memorial tributes to Senator John McCain in Arizona Capitol

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Germany, seeking independence from US, pushes cyber security research

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Canada says NAFTA agreement possible by Friday, but hard work ahead

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India not guaranteed US sanctions waiver for Russian missiles, says Pentagon official

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Mercy killing or murder? The death of a scientist starts a debate on euthanasia in Australia

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China denies Donald Trump’s claim it hacked Hillary Clinton’s emails

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China not setting up military base in Afghanistan close to Xinjiang: Report

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Myanmar rejects ‘false allegations’ in UN genocide report

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Gurdwara in UK burnt in suspected arson attack

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Report: Iran-based political influence operation: bigger, persistent, global

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About 300 endangered sea turtles found dead off Mexican coast

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3 Dead In Clashes Between Trinamool, CPM Workers In Bengal's Amdanga

Fierce overnight clashes between Trinamool and CPM left three people dead at Amdanga, about 60 km north of Kolkata. Earlier this morning, a person with bullet injuries and rushed to hospital in a...

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Coimbatore Laundryman Uses LPG To Iron Clothes, Inspires Others

Gas-run irons are becoming popular in Coimbatore.

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US Extends Suspension Of Premium Processing For H-1B Visas. Here's Why

The US has extended the temporary suspension of premium processing for H1-B visas, popular among Indian IT professionals, as part of its efforts to clear the backlog.

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Why UAPA, The Law Used In Activists' Arrests, Is Hugely Controversial

The arrest of five activists after multi-city searches at their homes last evening has been widely condemned amid allegations of the use of an oppressive anti-terror law that empowers the state to...

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"Welcome To New India": Rahul Gandhi Jabs Centre Over Activists' Arrests

The arrest of five activists across India over alleged links with Maoists has put Congress president Rahul Gandhi in direct confrontation with the centre after he alleged the government is allowing...

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Petition Challenging Activists' Arrest To Be Filed In Court Today

A petition challenging the arrest of five activists in connection with the Bhima Koregaon violence has been filed in the Supreme Court at 10:30 am.

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PM's Office "Facilitated" Mehul Choksi's Escape, Claims Congress

The Congress has alleged that the Prime Minister's Office overlooked complaints against Punjab National Bank fraud accused Mehul Choksi and "facilitated" his escape from the country.

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Here's What We Really Know About Google's Mysterious Search Engine

President Donald Trump thinks Google's search engine is "rigged." By featuring more mainstream news outlets and relatively fewer conservative sites in the results he sees, Trump tweeted Tuesday,...

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4 Dead After Landslide In Uttarakhand's Tehri Garhwal, Rescue Underway

While four of the bodies have been extracted and an injured has been shifted to the hospital, search is on for six more at the landslide location in Kot village near Buda Kedar area in Uttarakhand.

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Bomb, Hidden Under A Motorcycle, Kills 2, Wounds 37 In Philippines

A homemade bomb hidden under a motorcycle killed two people, one a child, and wounded 37 at a local street festival in the southern Philippines on Tuesday, security officials said, the latest unrest...

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First Time In 50 Years, NASA Trainee Astronaut Resigns

For the first time in five decades, a NASA astronaut candidate has resigned from training, the US space agency said Tuesday.

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Israel Recognises Settlement On Private West Bank Land

An Israeli court has for the first time recognised as legal a settlement established on privately owned Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank, court officials said Tuesday.

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5-Year-Old Boy's Condition Serious After Dog Attacks Him In Hyderabad

The boy, Sushant, has been admitted to the local Apollo hospital where he reportedly had to undergo a surgery.

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Private Army In Afghanistan "Not A Wise Idea": US Defence Secretary

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Tuesday downplayed the idea of sending private military contractors to Afghanistan to replace American forces.

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Five Things To Know About Online PAN Card Applications

Applications to obtain a PAN card or make changes/correction to date fed into an existing PAN card can be made online, according to Income Tax Department's website -incometaxindia.gov.in. Applicants...

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Saudi King Stepped In To Call Off Aramco IPO Plans

It is not clear exactly which of the IPO arguments prompted King Salman to make the decisive call on Aramco.

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Diesel Hits A New High, Petrol Prices Also Climb. Here Are The Rates

Petrol, diesel prices today: Petrol and diesel will not come under the purview of Goods and Services Tax (GST) in the immediate future.

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Rupee Collapses To Lifetime Low: 10 Things To Know

INR Vs USD: The Indian rupee was hurt by fresh demand for the American currency from importers, said traders.

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Sensex, Nifty Trade Flat; Coal India Drops 2%

Share Markets on Wednesday: Main gainers on Sensex pack in the morning session were Vedanta, Bharti Airtel, SBIN, Adani Ports and Sun Pharma.

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Income Tax Return Due Date Extended For Assessees In Kerala

The new deadline of September, the CBDT said in its statement, is applicable to taxpayers in Kerala who were "liable to file their Income Tax Returns by 31st August, 2018". For other assessees, August...

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Interest Rates For Senior Citizens On Fixed Deposit Compared

Most financial institutions pay slightly higher rates to senior citizens on bank deposits across several maturity periods (terms). Major banks and financial institutions across the country pay...

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GoAir To Launch International Operations In October: Report

GoAir, which became eligible to fly overseas more than two years ago when it took delivery of its 20th aircraft, will be the fifth domestic carrier to have international operations.

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Rupee Edges Higher, Still Below 70 Mark Against Dollar

Selling of the US currency by exporters and banks amid fresh inflow of foreign funds supported the rupee, say analysts. Weakness in the dollar, which declined to its lowest level recorded in nearly a...

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Gold Prices Rise Again, Silver Rates Also Jump: Key Things To Know

Gold, silver prices today: The gain in gold prices is due to steady buying by local jewellers, driven by positive global cues.

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Post Office Savings Scheme: Interest Rates, Minimum Deposit Amount

Post office time deposit (TD) or Fixed Deposit (FD) account can be opened by cash or cheque.

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IRCTC Tatkal Tickets: 5 Conditions Under Which Full Refund Is Granted

Tatkal booking opens at 10 am for AC classes and 11 am for non-AC classes, one day in advance of the actual date of journey excluding date of journey.

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Sensex Gains 202 Points, Nifty Closes Above 11,700 For First Time

The new highs come as companies in India, the fastest growing major economy in the world, reported a 11.6 per cent annual increase in profits for the June 2018 quarter, the strongest growth in five...

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AirAsia's Sale: Offers International Flight Tickets From Rs 4,399

In order to avail AirAsia's offer, customers should book tickets till September 2, 2018.

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US President Donald Trump ‘gives’ media ‘red card’ during meeting with FIFA President

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Donald Trump praises Tiger Woods, Jim Brown for supporting him

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Roger Federer clarifies joke about retirement after US Open win

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India vs England: R Ashwin best off-spinner in the world, says Graeme Swann

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National Sports Day: PM Narendra Modi salutes Indian athletes for hardwork, resolve

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WWE SmackDown Results: Becky Lynch attacks Women’s Champion Charlotte, issues challenge for title

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US Open 2018: Weary Nick Kyrgios puts heat on officials after first round win

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US Open 2018: Weather woes set to continue on Day three

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US Open 2018 Roundup: Novak Djokovic in ‘survival mode’ in steamy US Open

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Roger Federer makes short work of Yoshihito Nishioka in clammy New York

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Asian Games 2018: After winning gold, Manjit Singh will see first glimpse of his five-month-old son

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Asian Games 2018 Live Streaming Day 11 Live Updates and Results: India look to increase medals tally on Day 11

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ICC launches appeal to identify alleged fixer

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Asian Games 2018: Indian paddlers lose to Korea but return with historic bronze

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Asian Games 2018: Koreans compound India’s agony in archery

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Asian Games 2018: Sidekick Manjit Singh turns hero, wins gold in 800m

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Asian Games 2018: Mixed emotions after Hima Das in centre of two human roadblocks

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Brazilian football club handed 3-0 loss due to three-year-old red card

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Asian Games 2018: India lodges protest against Bahrain in 400m mixed relay, decision on Wednesday

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Asian Games 2018: Korean archer refuses to celebrate after beating compatriot

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India vs England: Of a bouncy pitch, Titanic clash awaits

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Asian Games 2018: Tai Tzu Ying won, India 0 in badminton

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Asian Games 2018: Pincky Balhara, Malaprabha Yallappa Jadhav beat all odds to win silver, bronze in kurash

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India vs England: Jonny Bairstow hoping to keep wicket in fourth Test

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Asian Games 2018 Day 11 schedule: Women’s hockey team look to secure silver

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Asian Games 2018 Day 10 wrap: Manjit Singh’s gold leads the way as India’s medal tally hits half century

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Asian Games 2018: Pavitra, Sonia Lather ousted in winless day for Indian boxers at Asiad

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Marco Silva’s expressive style bringing out best in Everton, says Jordan Pickford

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Pavan Shah to lead India in U-19 Asia Cup in Dhaka

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AIFF considers Churchill Brothers’ request of relegation immunity from I-League

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Hyundai Carlino-based compact SUV spied in India

Hyundai’s Carlino-based compact SUV has been spied testing in India for the first time. As we had reported earlier, the rival to the Tata Nexon and Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza is scheduled to arrive in the second half of 2019. The model had also been spied testing in South Korean at the beginning of this month.

The model that has been spotted here reveals some of the compact SUV’s exterior details. Interestingly, the SUV on test retains only few elements of the Carlino concept displayed at the 2016 Auto Expo. The front grille looks is a variation of Hyundai’s new-age cascading grille, while the split and almost Kona-like headlamps are new. The top headlamps get LED DRLs with the ones positioned lower down serving as the main headlamp unit. The front bumper, which melds with the flared wheel arches, also features a silver skid plate at the bottom.

The new compact SUV does look like a scaled down Creta in silhouette, and what strengthens the link is the angular glass house and thick C-pillar. Images of the compact SUVs rear end are too camouflaged to reveal any pertinent details.

While final specification of the Hyundai compact SUV is not known as yet, we can confirm the model will be available with a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine as well as a new 1.5-litre diesel engine. The 118hp, turbo-petrol engine already powers the i20 in markets abroad and as Hyundai insiders put it, has been selected for its “strong mid-range torque that will be essential on the compact SUV”. The diesel engine on offer will be Hyundai’s next-gen 1.5-litre unit that will be BS-VI emission norms compliant from day one. We have learnt that power and torque figures for the new diesel engine will be 115p and 250Nm, respectively.  Keeping with Hyundai’s trend to offer a little bit of premium for a little bit of premium, expect pricing in the range of Rs 7-12 lakh bracket.

The compact SUV aside, Hyundai is also considering a micro SUV for India. In the coming months, Hyundai will launch a new budget hatchback (codename AH2) and will also bring in the Kona Electric SUV in 2019.

 

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