blogs by anfalfakerdey92: October 2018

The central bank has received letters from the government seeking Governor Urjit Patel's views on issues including the authority's handling of weak state-run lenders, tight liquidity in the market,...

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Now, You Can Withdraw Only Rs 20,000 From Select SBI Cards: 10 Points

State Bank of India (SBI), the largest lender of the country, has reduced the daily cash withdrawal limit on select debit cards with effect from Wednesday. Customers who hold SBI Classic and Maestro...

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Rupee Again Breaches 74-Mark Against Dollar: 5 Things To Know

The rupee is set to finish the month with a decline of more than 1.5 per cent against the American currency. It has depreciated more than 15 per cent so far this year.

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Sensex Edges Higher, Nifty Hovers Around 10,200

Yes Bank, HDFC, Tata Consultancy Services, Indiabulls Housing Finance and Infosys were the top five Nifty gainers.

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SBI Reduces Daily Cash Withdrawal Limit On Select Debit Cards

State Bank of India (SBI) has reduced the per day cash withdrawal limit for all Classic and Maestro Debit Cards holders from Rs 40,000 to Rs 20,000 with effect from Wednesday.

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RBI Governor Urjit Patel May Resign, Reports Say; Rupee Down

Separate letters have been sent to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor in recent weeks, exercising powers under the section on issues ranging from liquidity for non-banking financial companies,...

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Bank Of Baroda Reports 20% Jump In September Quarter Profit

Gross bad loans as a percentage of total loans stood at 11.78 per cent at the end of September, compared with 12.46 per cent in the previous quarter, and 11.16 per cent last year.

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RBI Says No Liquidity Crunch In Shadow Banking: Report

The FSDC meeting was the first instance when RBI Governor Urjit Patel came face to face with Mr Jaitley following the recent criticism by the central bank's deputy governor, Viral Acharya, of...

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Tata Steel's Proposed Merger With Germany's ThyssenKrupp Being Probed

ThyssenKrupp struck a deal in June to merge its steel-making business with Tata in response to a flood of cheap Chinese steel unbalancing world markets, with the new venture set to become Europe's...

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Mastercard Says Storing India Payments Data Locally

The Reserve Bank of India in April said companies such as Mastercard, Visa and American Express will from October need to store their payments data "only in India" so that the regulator could have...

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Government To Sell Up To 18.62 Crore Shares In Coal India

Shares in Coal India closed 4 per cent weaker at 275.85 rupees on the National Stock Exchange on Tuesday.

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Rupee Moves Lower To Close At 73.68 Against Dollar: 10 Things To Know

The rupee declined by 23 paise against the dollar to close at 73.68 on Tuesday. Demand for the greenback from importers amid softening crude oil prices dragged the rupee lower. A rise in the dollar...

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Jet Airways Introduces Five New Routes, Details Here

Jet Airways said it will also introduce additional flights on select existing routes - Delhi-Singapore, Delhi-Dubai, Delhi-Bagdogra and Bengaluru-Pune - to "meet growing travel demand". Jet Airways...

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Tech Mahindra Reports Over 27% Jump In Q2 Profit, Beats Street Estimates

Net profit was Rs 1,064 crore ($144.51 million) in the three months ended September 30, compared with Rs 836 crore a year earlier, Pune-based Tech Mahindra said.

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Gold Prices Rise As Festive Demand Picks Up: 5 Things To Know

Gold, silver prices today: Bullion traders said that due to the upcoming Diwali festival there has been a rise in gold coin demand.

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Sensex Closes 176 Points Lower, Nifty Gives Up 10,200: 10 Things To Know

Stock markets reversed early gains on Tuesday as losses in energy and metal stocks offset strength in IT shares. BSE benchmark index Sensex shed 176 points, or 0.5 per cent, to end at 33,891, while...

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Government Considering Outright Sale Of Crisis-Hit IL&FS: Report

The government is examining options including an outright sale of Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Ltd., a person with knowledge of the matter said, amid attempts to stem defaults at the...

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Jet Airways Offers Up To 30% Discount On Flight Tickets In Diwali Sale

Jet Airways Diwali offer on flight tickets: Exclusive benefits are also available on bookings done via carrier's website and app, Jet Airways said.

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"RBI Looked Other Way", Says Arun Jaitley On Loan Excesses: 10 Points

The public spat between the government and the central bank became bitter on Tuesday as Finance Minister Arun Jaitley criticized the top banking regulator for failing to prevent credit excesses by...

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Delhi Metro's Shiv Vihar-Trilokpuri Sanjay Lake Section Opens For Public

The elevated Shiv Vihar-Trilokpuri Sanjay Lake section on Delhi Metro's Pink Line has 15 stations.

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"All Isn't Well" In Bihar: Top Court On Being Told Ex-Minister In Hiding

All is not well in Bihar, the Supreme Court said a day after it pulled up the Bihar police for failing to arrest a former state minister under the Arms Act, after the CBI found over 50 live cartridges...

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"World Is Watching": Sardar Patel Family At Unveiling Of Statue Of Unity

The grandchildren of Sardar Patel feel very proud today as the "Statue of Unity" was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Gujarat's Kevadiya. Gujarat chief minister called it a tribute by PM...

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On Sardar Patel's Birth Anniversary, Thousands 'Run for Unity'

Enthusiastic participants took part in the 'Run for Unity' marathon, which is being organised as a mark of celebrating the 143rd birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

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Dumper Rams Into House, Kills Four Of A Family In Uttar Pradesh

Grandparents and two children were killed while the parents were critically injured when a dumper lost control and rammed into a roadside house in Kaushambi district of Uttar Pradesh, the police said....

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Indira Gandhi Death Anniversary: Tributes Pour In For India's 'Iron Lady'

Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, also known as the Iron Lady of India, was assassinated on October 31, 1984. Today is her 34th death anniversary.

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Seven Killed In Suicide Attack Near Kabul Prison

A suicide bomber targeting a bus carrying employees of Afghanistan's biggest prison killed at least seven people on Wednesday, officials said, in the latest militant attack in the war-torn country....

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The Story Of Sonia Dhawan, Jailed For Blackmailing Vijay Shekhar Sharma

Uttar Pradesh has a reputation as a rough place, with one of the highest levels of crime in the country. In May, a dozen local politicians received WhatsApp messages that threatened harm to their...

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Pak Court Overturns Christian Woman's Death Sentence In Blasphemy Case

Pakistan's Supreme Court today overturned the conviction of a Christian mother facing execution for blasphemy in a landmark case which has incited deadly violence and reached as far as the Vatican.

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Rahul Gandhi Remembers Dadi On Indira Gandhi's Death Anniversary

Congress president Rahul Gandhi, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and paid their tribute to Indira Gandhi, on her death anniversary on Wednesday.Party president...

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Indiana Woman Greets Family By Calling Their Child The N-Word, Police Say

An Indiana woman is accused of writing a racist note targeting a black child who was moving into a new neighborhood with his family, using a racial slur and telling them, "THIS IS A WHITE...

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Amid Political Tensions, Donald Trump Continues To Throw Rhetorical Bombs

As calls mount to defuse US political tensions following a week of violence including the killing of 11 worshippers at a Pittsburgh synagogue, Donald Trump continues to throw his rhetorical bombs. The...

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Statue Of Unity, On The Banks Of Narmada, Opens Today. See Stunning Pics

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will toady unveiled the 'Statue of Unity' in Gujarat's Narmada district on the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Located in Sadhu-Bet Island, Gujarat, the...

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Indonesia Military Chief "Strongly Believes" Crashed Lion Air Plane Found

The smashed fuselage of a crashed Indonesian jetliner may have been found, the country's military chief said Wednesday, two days after the deadly accident feared to have killed 189 people. Using sonar...

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Sardar Patel Birth Anniversary: Powerful Quotes From India's 'Iron Man'

Vallabhbhai Patel, India's 'Iron Man', was born on October 31, 1875. Renowned as the architect of independent India, Sardar Patel united 562 princely states to build the Republic of India. On his...

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No Plan To Privatise Profit-Making Industrial Units: Nitin Gadkari

Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday laid the foundation stone for India's largest Dry Dock at Cochin Shipyard in Kerala's Kochi and said that the central...

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CBI Officer Probing Rakesh Asthana Could Be Charged For Theft, Extortion

A CBI officer who investigated corruption allegations against the agency's number two Rakesh Asthana may be charged with theft. The CBI told a court on Tuesday that the officer, AK Bassi, and his team...

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Ex-Minister MJ Akbar Who Sued Journalist Over #MeToo In Delhi Court Today

Former union minister MJ Akbar, who filed a defamation case against journalist Priya Ramani, will record his statement in a Delhi court today. Mr Akbar had skipped appearing in court on October 18. If...

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Donald Trump Criticised For Decision To End Birthright Citizenship In US

President Donald Trump's decision to bring an executive order to end the right to the US citizenship for children born in the US to non-citizens has invited widespread criticism, even from his own...

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Was In A Ditch, Heard Bullets For 45 Minutes: Journalist On Maoist Attack

A journalist of national broadcaster Doordarshan, who survived a Maoist strike in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district on Tuesday, said the sound of bullets and grenades continued for 45 minutes after...

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A 362 kg hammer went missing in California, and no one’s been able to find it yet

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Why is it so hard to text 911?

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Queen Elizabeth II receives record-low increase in latest budget

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Asia Bibi, on death row for blasphemy since 2010, freed by Pakistan Supreme Court

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North Korea readies nuclear, missile sites for international inspectors: report

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India slams Pakistan for raising Kashmir issue at UN, says it misuses any forum for ‘narrow political gains’

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Saying ‘I’ve been used’, Kanye West distances himself from politics

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S.Korea says North readying nuclear site for international inspectors

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Explained: How US birthright citizenship emerged, endured

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Hong Kong journalist, martial arts novelist Louis Cha dies

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Kansas militia men blame Trump rhetoric for mosque attack plan

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New Zealand: Adventurer digs out of avalanche; 2 guides die

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US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calls for end to fighting in Yemen

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Angela Merkel says stepping down as German Chancellor will not weaken her on world stage

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Sri Lanka: Country stable, says Maithripala Sirisena’s office as hundreds rally against ex-PM’s sacking

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Who could possibly replace Angela Merkel? Here are some of the contenders

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‘Executive Time’: How Donald Trump finds time to tweet, make calls and watch TV

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Al-Shabab’s former No. 2 leader runs for office in Somalia

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China, Japan, South Korea warn citizens not to use marijuana in Canada

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Mass protest rally in Sri Lanka against ousted PM’s sacking

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NATO chief: Both Western military alliance and Russia expected to behave despite drills

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Maldives court suspends jail term for ex-President Mohamed Nasheed

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Britain to target online giants with new ‘Digital Services Tax’

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Donald Trump mulls ending birthright citizenship for US-born babies of illegal immigrants

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Death toll rises to nine as storms hammer Italy

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Bangladesh, Myanmar agree to start Rohingya repatriation by mid-November

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China reverses ban on trade in products made from endangered tigers, rhinos

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Syria says Turkey not implementing Idlib deal: Report

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Sri Lanka braces for protests over Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s sacking

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Taliban: Five freed from US military prison now in Qatar office

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Before meet, Govt rubs it in: NPA grew, RBI looked away

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Indian Techie Seen In Couple's Selfie Minutes Before She Died At US Park

The Indian couple who died after falling 800 feet in an area with steep terrain in California's Yosemite National Park last week were apparently taking a selfie before the tragedy occurred, a media...

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Sikh-American Body Seeks PM Modi's Help To Open Kartarpur Sahib Corridor

A Sikh American body yesterday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's help in opening the Kartarpur Sahib corridor, which would give the community members unhindered access to the historic place in...

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List of CNG cars sold in India

For long, Compressed Natural Gas of CNG-powered cars have been off the radar for private car buyers. But with petrol prices rising the way they are and vehicle running costs putting a strain on household budgets, CNG is once again coming to the fore as a viable option for buyers. Sure, CNG-dispensing infrastructure is not as widespread as that for petrol and diesel, and you do have to live with the compromise of lesser power but there’s no denying how much cheaper CNG is to petrol and diesel. Here’s a list of the CNG-equipped cars currently on sale in India.

All prices mentioned are ex-showroom, Delhi

1. Tata Nano EMax XM CNG – Rs 2.96 lakh

The Nano eMax is the most affordable car in India with a factory-fit CNG kit. The little Tata comes with a 12-litre CNG tank. Factor in a claimed efficiency of 36km per kg of CNG and the Nano promises a CNG-only range of upwards of 400km. Do note, the Nano eMax is only available at select dealers with stock.

2. Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 LXI CNG – Rs 3.73 lakh

The Alto 800 is the smallest offering in Maruti’s lineup. It’s powered by a 796cc, 3 cylinder petrol engine which puts out 40hp of power and 60Nm of torque when run on CNG and is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. The Alto 800 has a claimed fuel economy of 33.44km/kg.

3. Maruti Suzuki Eeco STD 5 Seater CNG – Rs 4.04 lakh

The Maruti Suzuki Eeco comes mated to a 1.2-litre engine that delivers 73hp when run on petrol and a lower 64hp on CNG. The Eeco delivers 21.8 km/kg in its CNG guise. While there are few comfort features to speak of, the Eeco does make for a people carrier that can also double as a load lugger.

4. Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 LXI (O) CNG – Rs 4.16 lakh

The Alto K10 is powered by Maruti’s 1.0-litre K-series engine and comes with the option of a factory-fitted CNG kit with i-GPI technology on the LXI (O) variant. In CNG guise, the K10’s engine makes 58hp and 78Nm and delivers a claimed 32.36km/kg fuel efficiency.

5. Maruti Suzuki WagonR LXI CNG – Rs 4.69 lakh

The WagonR is powered by the 1.0-litre K-series petrol engine that does the duty in the Alto K10 and puts out the same figures of 58hp and 78Nm when fueled by CNG. The LXI variant of the hatchback comes with an option of a factory-fitted CNG kit. As is the case with all Maruti CNG cars, the WagonR comes with i-GPI technology which helps in delivering a claimed fuel economy of 26.6km/kg.

6. Maruti Suzuki Celerio VXI CNG – Rs 5.16 lakh

Maruti’s Celerio Green comes equipped with a CNG kit with the ‘Intelligent-Gas Port Injection’ technology from factory. The Celerio Green comes with the same 1.0-litre K-series powerplant as the petrol but churns out 58hp and 78Nm, approximately 10 hp and 12Nm less than the petrol-powered version. Maruti claims the Celerio Green will do 31.76km/ kg.

7. Santro Magna CNG – Rs 5.23 lakh

The much anticipated new Santro is available with the option of a factory-fitted CNG kit. The 1.1-litre petrol motor produces 59hp and 84Nm when run on CNG. The Hyundai is available in two mid-spec variants with the higher Sportz trim getting segment first features like a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and rear AC vents.

8. Maruti Suzuki Ertiga VXI CNG – Rs 8.27 lakh

Available in the mid-spec VXI trim, the Ertiga CNG has a claimed mileage of 22.80km/kg. Its 1.4-litre engine churns out 80hp of power and 112Nm of torque when fueled by CNG. The current Ertiga is in the process of being phased out by Maruti as the launch of the updated version of the MPV is set for November 2018

Hyundai Grand i10 CNG

The Grand i10 can be had with a factory-fitted CNG kit for Rs 68,000 over the base ex-showroom price of the Asta trim level. The addition of the kit now keeps the warranty of the car intact unlike earlier models. It draws power from a detuned version of the 1.2-litre Kappa 2 petrol engine seen on the standard car.

Hyundai Xcent CNG

Along with the Hyundai Grand i10, Hyundai also offers the Xcent compact sedan with a CNG option. As with the Grand i10, the Xcent CNG too costs an additional Rs 68,000 over the ex-showroom price. The car uses the same detuned 1.2-litre Kappa 2 petrol motor as its hatchback sibling.

Maruti Eeco Green CNG

Another Maruti on the list, the Eeco CNG, badged the Eco Green is available with an option of five or seven seats and is priced at Rs 3.83 lakh and Rs 4.19 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) respectively. The Eeco is the only people mover on the list that comes with a factory-fitted CNG kit.

Tata Nano CNG

The Nano CNG is based on the older generation Nano and is powered by the same 624cc engine paired to a four-speed gearbox. Priced at Rs 2.33 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), it is the most affordable CNG car in the market.

Honda Amaze CNG

Honda offers the Amaze with a factory-fitted CNG kit on the 1.2 S MT Plus variant. The kit and its installation will cost an extra Rs 54,315 over the ex-showroom price of the variant which is priced at Rs 6.07 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), meaning that final ex-showroom price for the model is Rs 6.61 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The above list includes only those models that are offered with a factory-fitted CNG kit. However, it must be noted that many dealers also offer the CNG option as an add-on on models not listed above.

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Hero Xtreme 200R vs TVS Apache RTR 160 4V comparison

A 160cc motorcycle against a 200cc motorcycle! What kind of an irrational comparison is this? I am guessing that’s your first reaction to this article. On face value and on paper, this comparison looks inappropriate – our initial plan was to compare the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V against the Hero Xtreme 200R. However, two significant numbers – pricing and power output – swung this comparison in a different direction. And over the course of this test, many other aspects emerged that reaffirmed our decision to pit these two bikes against each other, but more on that later.

Let’s get to the bikes for now. Both these motorcycles echo their brands sentiments and DNA. The Apache is sporty and is the most powerful bike in its segment, one which benefits from the brand’s learnings from years of racing. On the other end of this comparison, the Xtreme 200R takes a more conservative approach in terms of design, features and performance. So how do these two very different, yet similarly priced motorcycles stack up against each other? Let’s find out.

Looks that matter
Park both the motorcycles next to one another and difference in the styling approach is clearly visible. The TVS is sleeker and chiselled, in comparison, the Xtreme 200R is more muscular and conventional. While the RTR 160 4V carries forward most of its styling elements from the more premium RTR 200, in a completely opposite approach, the Xtreme 200R adopts cues from the smaller and cheaper Xtreme Sports. Despite the similarities to its 150cc sibling, the Xtreme 200R does manage to generate interest on the street, with many onlookers giving the bold graphics a thumbs up. What we didn’t like in terms of aesthetics are the rather long exhaust muffler and the poorly finished chrome brake pedal that look very commuterish. The handlebar-mounted choke also looks like an afterthought. Both the bikes feature LED DRLs and tail-lights, but the main headlamps are halogen powered. Overall, in terms of styling, it’s the Apache that's more attractive and in sync with the demands of a younger audience. The Xtreme 200R is likely to appeal to a more mature audience.

The Xtreme 200R features a semi-digital console with a large analogue tachometer taking centre stage, and the digital display features a speedometer, trip meter, odometer, service due indicator, fuel gauge and clock. However, the tell-tale lights are difficult to view under direct light and could have been brighter. The TVS offering employs an all-digital instrument console and gets more comprehensive details such as a lap timer, top speed recorder and a 0-60kph timer in addition to the standard speedometer, tachometer, two trip meters, fuel gauge and clock. Our test bike being the carburettor variant misses out on the gear position indicator as seen on the fuel injected variant. It also gets a side stand indicator, which is a useful addition.

Talking about switchgear, it’s the Apache that impresses with better quality and feel. The choke knob on the Xtreme 200R looks like an afterthought and the two bolts next to it look crude. Also, wires are better hidden on the TVS offering and I prefer the conventional positioning of the pass-light switch on the RTR 160, instead of the cumbersome thumb- operated unit on the Xtreme. Overall quality also looks better on the Apache with tighter panel gaps; it looks and feels better put together in comparison. The Xtreme 200R is the one of the few bikes in this segment to feature a metal fuel tank, something that will appeal to buyers upgrading from commuter bikes and also useful for mounting magnetic tank bags. The tank shrouds are in plastic, and the red shade on the tank and shrouds on our test bike didn’t exactly match, and the panel gaps were slightly uneven, something that one doesn’t expect from Hero.

City slick
Both the motorcycles have been designed for making urban commutes a bit more entertaining and take a different approach for their powerplants. The Xtreme 200R is more basic with air-cooling and a two-valve head, while the Apache gets the benefit of four valves and oil-cooling. Talking about numbers, the Hero’s larger 199.6cc engine produces 18.4hp and 17.1Nm of torque, while the Apache’s motor churns out 16.5hp (carburettor variant) and 14.8Nm. Interestingly, peak power and torque are delivered at the exact same revs at 8,000rpm and 6,500rpm, respectively.

On the move, the Xtreme 200R feels slightly peppier at lower revs and on city roads and this is down to its better bottom end as well as the rather short gearing Hero has chosen to run. It also has better throttle response. In terms of flat-out acceleration, there was hardly anything separating the two machines as the Xtreme 200R managed a 0-60kph time of 4.62sec, while the Apache managed the same in 4.66sec. And speaking of 0-100kph sprint, the Hero recorded a timing of 14.34sec, while the TVS was close on its heels at 14.50sec.

However, the TVS motor feels noticeably more refined, especially closer to its redline. The Xtreme gets quite vibey above 7,000rpm and it’s not as relaxed as the TVS at higher speeds. 100kph on the Xtreme is just under 8,000rpm, which is only about 1,000rpm away from the redline. Factor in the short gearing, and the TVS will undoubtedly hit a higher top speed – it crests 120kph without too much effort, while the Hero struggles to cross 115kph.

Heat management on both the engines is good and we didn’t face any issues while riding the duo in bumper-to-bumper Mumbai traffic. Transmission duties are handled by a 5-speed unit on the duo and it’s the Hero’s unit we prefer thanks to its slick and crisp shifts. It isn’t that the Apache’s gearbox is bad; it's just that it feels soft and you’re unsure whether the gear is engaged or not – it almost always is and false shifts are not an issue.

Agility is one of the most important factors while riding in city for filtering through traffic. Both the motorcycles are quite flickable and a joy to ride on congested roads. The Xtreme 200R is heavier by 3kg at 148kg, however, the shorter wheelbase of 1,388mm helps it counter the weight disadvantage. Also, the Apache RTR 160 4V has a considerably wider turning radius while taking U-turns and this makes the Hero feel nimbler on its feet. Surprisingly, the footpegs on the Xtreme 200R aren’t spring-loaded, which means every time you pull the side-stand back, the pegs have to be repositioned and this gets irritating while crawling in traffic.

Given the traffic sense (or the lack of it), panic braking scenarios while commuting is sadly a norm. With respect to braking, the Xtreme 200R came to a standstill from 60kph in 17.88m, while the Apache took 19.45m. This difference is not surprising, because in terms of feel, bite and progression, the Hero’s front brake fared much better than the Apache’s spongy unit which we wish was sharper. The TVS runs rubber brake hoses, while the Xtreme gets a steel- braided hose for the front brake. More importantly, though, the Xtreme 200R gets a single-channel ABS as standard, something that TVS doesn’t even offer as an option. Both the motorcycles employ a telescopic fork and a monoshock unit to handle suspension duties. Ride quality on the duo is impressive, with the RTR 160 feeling slightly better at riding over bumps and potholes at city speeds. The Xtreme is firmer at low speeds, but it does a better job of bump absorption as the speeds go up.

Stretching its legs
After the city run, we rode both the motorcycles on the highway. In terms of riding position, the Xtreme 200R is more upright and comfy, while the Apache is slightly canted and sportier. The high-set footpegs can make tall riders feel slightly cramped on the RTR 160 4V. However, the single seat on the Xtreme 200R is surprisingly hard, and after riding the bike for a fair bit, my derrière started protesting. Initially, I thought this was owing to my rather generous kerb weight, but even Rishaad, who’s much lighter than me also, felt the same. Since the bike hasn’t been positioned as an outright hardcore performance motorcycle, a better padded and comfortable saddle should have been provided.

Once on the ghats, it was time to test the handling dynamics of the duo. The RTR 160 4V is a sweet-handling bike and among the best in its segment, however, it was the Xtreme 200R that impressed us more. Hero engineers have got the chassis setup spot on and the bike flows through corners smoothly. The Xtreme offers great confidence which is nice after the Apache’s eager, almost over eager responses. Of course, the Apache is a sharp and happy handler too, but it does have the tendency to get slightly unsettled over mid-corner bumps. The Hero also offers a wider front tyre and a radial tyre at the back (both by MRF), which gives it the edge in the grip department over the TVS Remoras on the RTR.

Matter of efficiency
Both these motorcycles promise to offer a dose of performance, while being generous on your wallet. In our city fuel efficiency test, the Apache RTR 160 4V emerged victorious as expected, as it returned 44.9kpl, and the Xtreme 200R delivered 39.8kpl. On the highway, the efficiency numbers saw a noticeable jump with the Apache managing to clock 53.7kpl and the Hero delivered a respectable 50.3kpl. With a tank capacity of 12 litres and 12.5 litres, respectively, the Apache will have a real-world range of close to 570km, while the Hero will be heavier on your pocket with a range of around 530km.

The mandate
The Xtreme 200R offers a great value proposition as at Rs 89,900 (all prices mentioned are ex-showroom, Delhi), it’s significantly cheaper than other 200cc motorcycles on sale in our market. The fact that it gets ABS as standard with the above pricing makes the deal even sweeter. It’s a good bike overall and feels like a sporty commuter. And it will appeal to a more mature crowd who have been Hero loyalists and are looking for an upgrade, without breaking the bank. While it might not look sporty, the Xtreme 200R is great fun around corners and will make commuting a more delightful affair.

However, it just can’t match the sportiness and the overall appeal of the Apache RTR 160 4V, which is our pick in this comparison. As our tests showcased, despite the displacement disadvantage, the TVS offering is about as quick as the Hero bike. It looks better, feels more premium, is more fuel efficient and more comfortable as well. Yes, the lack of ABS is disappointing, but with the ABS norms coming into effect in the next few months, this aspect will get covered soon. Currently, the Apache RTR 160 4V retails for Rs 85,810 (rear disc brake variant), but, with the addition of ABS, it might match or exceed the Xtreme 200R’s pricing. However, the additional premium is worth the extra safety and despite the inevitable increase in price, we’d still recommend the TVS – if you can wait.

Specifications
	Hero Xtreme 200R	TVS Apache RTR 160 4V
Engine	199.6cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled	159.7cc, single-cylinder, oil-cooled
Power	18.4hp at 8000rpm	16.5hp at 8000rpm
Torque	17.1Nm at 6500rpm	14.8Nm at 65000rpm
Gearbox	5-speed	5-speed
Valves per cylinder	2	4
0-60kph	4.62 sec	4.66 sec
0-100kph	14.43 sec	14.50 sec
50-80kph in 4th gear	5.75 sec	6.30 sec
Wheelbase	1338mm	1357mm
Seat height	795mm	800mm
Ground clearance	165mm	180mm
Kerb weight	148kg	145kg
Fuel tank capacity	12.5 litres	12 litres
Tyres(f/r)	100/80-17 / 130/70-17	90/90-17 / 130/70-17
Brakes(f/r)	276mm / 220mm	270mm / 200mm
Fuel efficiency - City	39.8kpl	44.9kpl
Fuel efficiency - Highway	50.3kpl	53.7kpl

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India-bound ASEAN-spec Toyota Camry unveiled

The eighth generation of the ASEAN-spec Toyota Camry has been unveiled in Thailand. The new Camry is slated to come to India sometime in 2019 and is speculated to receive similar styling and equipment levels. Toyota had unveiled the eight-gen Camry earlier but only in the North American market where the car gets a slightly different styling.

It will have two engine options on offer – a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder producing 167hp and 199Nm of torque, mated to a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox, and a 2.5-litre petrol with 209hp and 250Nm of torque, mated to an 8-speed torque converter gearbox. Finally, the top-end model receives a 2.5-litre, four-cylinder hybrid engine that produces 211hp and 202Nm of torque, mated to a CVT gearbox. The batteries in the hybrid variants are placed under the rear passenger seats to maintain a low centre of gravity and not encroach on the boot space.

The new Camry is based on the TNGA platform and sees an increase in size as the wheelbase is 50mm longer (now standing at 2,825mm); this means the rear legroom should also see an increase. The Thailand-spec car also receives a host of new features such as lane departure warning, pre-collision system, dynamic radar cruise control, automatic high beam, and front and rear LED lights. On the safety front, all variants get traction control, ABS, EBD, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, hill start control, and seven airbags as standard.

On the inside, the new Camry gets eight-way adjustable power front seat, leather upholstery, wireless charging, keyless entry and start, 4.2-inch MID in the instrument cluster, as standard across the range. Higher models get lumbar adjustment and ventilated seats in the front, head-up-display (HUD), rear reclining seats, nine airbags, on board hotspot (Wi-Fi) and triple-zone climate control.

When the new Toyota Camry launches in India it will be competing with the likes of the Honda Accord and the Skoda Superb.

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Would love to do a new-gen Sierra: Pratap Bose, Head of Design, Tata

There’s no other way to put it – today, the SUV is the talk of the automotive town. The world is shifting from every other body style to SUVs, and it’s the same in India. However, two decades ago, there weren’t many SUVs around, and it was then that Tata Motors came up with the Sierra – a three-door SUV that debuted a new body style altogether. It was based on the Telcoline’s pick-up chassis, had massive wraparound windows (which didn’t open) for the rear passengers, was powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine and could even be had with four-wheel drive. While it wasn’t exactly a sales success, most have fond memories of the Sierra, and it’s one product Tata’s design head would love to revive.

In an exclusive chat with Autocar India, Pratap Bose, Head of Design at Tata Motors, said: “A lot of people want to see the Sierra back. I don't know if that would work or not, in some form, but I think a new Sierra would be a very cool car to do, actually.”

And the Sierra is not the only iconic Tata Bose would like to redo for the present day. He also mentioned the idea of working on a new-generation Sumo – a people-carrier that was a fairly common sight on Indian roads in the 1990s and early 2000s – is a thrilling one.

“I would also love to do a modern-day Sumo, a future Sumo. A very honest product, we don't have anything else like it in our portfolio.”

That said, Bose notes that the use case for all kinds of vehicles has changed dramatically over the last two decades and that reviving any of these cars would require investigating if such a product is even feasible in the present day.

“20-30 years back, where that use case was, it may not be there anymore. The Sumo did a stunning job back in its time. It was a real people-mover. Today, I don't think it would fit into that same environment. Society, expectations, everything has changed. So in spirit yes, a new Sumo would have to be a people-mover, but one would have to express it in a very different way,” says Bose.

Having been in his current role since 2011, Bose grew up seeing how Tata Motors went from being a maker of commercial vehicles to passenger vehicles, and mentions how he witnessed the evolution of design for the carmaker with every new model it rolled out – right from the Tatamobile 206 pick-up to the Estate – and picks his favourites.

“If you see the transition from trucks to cars, for me the Tatamobile was incredible. Then there was the Estate – and I loved that car. The Sierra had a huge impact on me, and then there was the Indica, which was outstanding. We also had some concept cars much before my time – the Aria Roadster, and there was a mini-van called Indiva. The Safari was a great-looking car, a definitive SUV much ahead of its time.”

With an eye on the future, Tata is currently gearing up to unleash its new-age products – the Harrier and the 45X – but we can’t help but wonder if somewhere there remains a desire to revive the Sierra nameplate. The original was a novel offering for its time, and it would be a bold move to dabble with a three-door SUV in today’s value-conscious market.

Think Tata should revive the Sierra? What form should it return in? Let us know in the comments.

Catch our full interview with Pratap Bose in our November 2018 issue.

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2019 Kawasaki KX250, KX450 and KLX450R launched in India

Soon after Suzuki launched its range of dirt bikes in India, Kawasaki announced the launch of 2019 editions of its motocross and enduro machines. The 2019 Kawasaki Kawasaki KX250 has been priced at Rs 7.43 lakh, while the KX450 and the KLX450R will retail for Rs 7.79 lakh and Rs 8.49 lakh, respectively (all prices are ex-showroom).

The KX450 gets a new motor and is claimed to be the most powerful offering in its segment. Other additions on the new powerplant include a finger-follower valve actuation (VVA), electric starter and a hydraulic clutch. All the above updates have been introduced on a Kawasaki motocross bike for the first time. Kawasaki engineers also have introduced a lighter aluminium perimeter frame with increased rigidity. Weight-savings in the frame is crucial as the addition of electric-start and the return to a coil-spring fork brought with them some extra weight. Braking hardware has also been updated with a new front brake master cylinder.

Speaking on the launch, Yutaka Yamashita, Managing Director of India Kawasaki Motors, said, “Our motocross models have been performing well in various national and global competitions. Motocross enthusiastic now will have more exciting experience with KX450 and KX250, and as far as Enduro enthusiastic are concerned, the KLX450R is a complete package with power performance, electric start and performance components.”

The Kawasaki KLX450R, on the other hand, gets an LED tail-light and digital instrument console. It is heavier than its motocross sibling at 126kg, but features better wheel travel – 305mm at the front and 315mm at the rear. It also gets the new 449cc, single-cylinder motor as seen on the KX450, which will be in a different state of tune. Kawasaki, however, hasn’t shared any power figures for either motorcycle.

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Private vehicles could go off Delhi roads to counter pollution

Private vehicles could soon be off New Delhi roads for some time to counter the worsening air quality levels. The National Capital Region has been enveloped with toxic smog for a few days, as has become the norm in the run up to the winters.

In order to curb the issue, Bhure Lal, Chairman of the Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) has stated “Let us hope the air pollution situation in Delhi doesn’t deteriorate but if it turns out to be an emergency, we will have to stop the use of private transport,” EPCA is a pollution governing body appointed by the Supreme Court of India. It has already proposed halting usage of diesel generators, burning of garbage and a few other measures to be taken into effect from November 1 to November 10 this year when pollution levels are expected to rise.

Air quality index hit 469 in some parts of Delhi on Tuesday, up from 299.4 a week ago, according to Central pollution control board. A major source of pollution in this area is crop stubble burning along with vehicular exhaust. This is likely to worsen around November 7, thanks to celebratory fireworks during Diwali.

Source

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Fuel prices across India on decline for 12 days

The fuel prices across the country were facing a continuous increase over the last few months – up until two weeks ago, when the price started going down after the Central and State Governments began their efforts to reduce fuel prices. Prices have been on the decline for the past twelve days straight. The cost of petrol in Mumbai is down to Rs 85.24 from Rs 86.81 per litre last week – a Rs 1.57 drop. Diesel is also on the decline, its cost having gone from Rs 78.46 to Rs 77.40 per litre – a Rs 1.06 reduction. In Delhi the petrol rates have finally dropped below Rs 80 mark and are currently at Rs 79.75 per litre, with diesel rates are at Rs 73.85 per litre.

This decline has provided much relief from the previously soaring fuel costs, when petrol had peaked at over Rs 90 per litre while diesel was just under Rs 80 per litre. The reduction has occurred on October 5, 2018 as a result of the Central Government's decision to reduce Excise duty on fuel by Rs 1.50 per litre and ordering oil PSUs to provide an additional subsidy of Rs 1.0, leading to a total reduction of Rs 2.50 per litre. Many State Governments also reduced VAT on fuel to further reduce prices. The international crude oil prices have also reduced over the last two weeks, albeit only marginally. Combined, all these factors have kept fuel costs in India on a steady decline for the last two weeks.

Also see:

Fuel Prices Finally on the decline

Petrol prices cut by Rs 5 in Maharashtra

Petrol prices touch Rs 90 in 11 Maharashtra cities

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Tata Harrier exteriors officially revealed

We’ve seen the Tata Harrier SUV in concept form. We’ve seen spy pictures of the SUV being tested from across India. And we’ve even seen it in official illustrations. But what you see here are the very first images of the production version of the Tata Harrier. The SUV will go on sale in January 2019.

As promised by Tata’s designers, the Harrier stays true to the look of the H5X concept from Auto Expo 2018 that previewed the model. Sure, certain styling elements have been toned down but the final form is rather attractive. The slit-like headlights (possibly LED units) and the layout of the grille is far removed from anything we’ve seen from Tata Motors as yet. The Harrier is the first model to be designed to Tata’s new Impact Design 2.0 philosophy and one of the highlights is the prominent, three-dimensional ‘humanity line’ (Tata speak for the styling element that underlines the grille and headlights). The ‘tri-arrow’ pattern that is an integral element of the styling package is also seen on the light and fog lamp enclosures lower down on the front bumper. Chunky cladding and a scuff plate are other elements at the front.

There’s a lot of cladding at the base of the doors as well, while the exaggerated wheel arches – again an element of Impact Design 2.0 – give the Harrier visual mass. What also adds some glamour to the sides is the rising glasshouse that’s pinched at the D-pillars. Tata hasn’t revealed wheel and tyre sizes, but spy pics suggest 17-inchers will be the norm.

There’s a sleek flow to the tail-lights that are linked by a blackened element. A spoiler atop the windscreen, and the neatly executed cladding and brushed silver elements on the bumper complete the look. In pictures at least, the Harrier sure delivers.

Tata Motors has not released photos of the final model’s cabin as yet but Tata Motors has stated in the past that Impact Design 2.0 cars will boast clutter-free and practical interiors that will be high on quality. The Harrier will be a five-seater, though a seven-seat derivative (that will get its own name) is also in the works.

As is widely known by now, the Harrier will go on sale with a 2.0-litre diesel engine (christened Kryotec by Tata Motors), and will be available with the option of 6-speed manual and automatic gearboxes.

Bookings for the Harrier are already open, and the official launch will take place by mid-January 2019, with Tata Motors set to start deliveries later that month. And as revealed by a leaked Tata Motors internal communication note, the Harrier’s on-road price is likely to range between Rs 16-21 lakh.

The Harrier has been making waves ever since the H5X concept came out. If the buzz is anything to go by, Tata has a winner on its hands.

What do you think of the Tata Harrier’s look? Let us know in the comments section below.

Tata Harrier image gallery

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PhotoGallery: 2018 Tata Harrier image gallery

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First Tata Harrier rolls off the production line

So this is it. Tata Motors has put out footage of the very first Harrier rolling out of its plant in Pune, revealing the eagerly awaited SUV in full for the first time.

The new video, which shows the Harrier’s face and rear profile, also mentions how the assembly line for it was set up at the carmaker’s Pune plant in just six months.

As the launch of the Tata Harrier nears, we got our hands on some juicy details about this new SUV a few days ago. A dealer communication document reveals that on-road prices for the Harrier will be in the range of Rs 16-21 lakh. At this time, Tata Motors has also officially begun accepting bookings for the Harrier. The booking amount is set at Rs 30,000, and prospective buyers can even book the SUV online. Market launch and the price announcement for the Harrier are likely to take place in early January, with deliveries expected to commence in the second half of the same month.

Tata Motors has been dropping several teasers in the build-up to the launch and has said the SUV has been tested for 2.2 million kilometres on the toughest of terrains, and its engine has been christened ‘Kryotec’. Tata says the name is inspired by the cryogenic rocket engine, known for its power and reliability. There’s no official word on exact engine displacement or power and torque figures, but, as is widely known, the engine is derived from Fiat’s four-cylinder Multijet II diesel unit that powers the Jeep Compass and is expected to make around 140hp in the Harrier.

Tata Motors also previously confirmed the Harrier will come with multiple drive modes that will work in conjunction with the terrain response modes of the ESP. A seven-seat variant will follow, powered by a more potent 170hp version of the same motor. For the Harrier, there will be two gearbox options – a 6-speed manual and a Hyundai-sourced 6-speed automatic.

The Harrier will get premium interiors and features like push-button start, steering-mounted controls, and a large (possibly 7.0-inch) touchscreen infotainment system.

The Tata Harrier will take on a range of SUVs like the Hyundai Creta, Mahindra XUV500, Renault Captur, and the upcoming Nissan Kicks.

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Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Sri Lanka crisis: Sacked minister Arjuna Ranatunga arrested after Sunday’s fatal shooting

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Angela Merkel says she will step down as German Chancellor in 2021

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End of era beckons as sources say Angela Merkel to give up Christian Democrats party chair

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Ousted Sri Lankan PM Ranil Wickremesinghe says he still commands majority

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IS claims suicide bombing near Kabul election office, 1 dead

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Mahinda Rajapaksa takes charge as new Prime Minister of Sri Lanka

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Railway Staff Rewarded For "Outstanding Work" In Preventing Accidents

A book on "Building the Great Himalayan Railway - The Story of USBRL" was also released by Piyush Goyal on the occasion.

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Fire Breaks Out In Slum In Mumbai, 9 Fire Engines On Spot

A major fire broke out in a slum in Bandra West area of Mumbai. Initial reports suggested it is a level three fire. Nine fire engines were at the spot to douse the blaze.

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Centre, Central Bank, SBI Trying To Control IL&FS Crisis: Rajnish Kumar

"Because of the IL&FS default, there is pressure on mutual funds. The corporates who were providing liquid funds to mutual funds have become very cautious. In turn, the mutual funds have become...

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In Middle Of RBI's Spat With Government, Arun Jaitley's Big Reprimand

"The central bank looked the other way when banks gave loans indiscriminately during 2008 to 2014," Jaitley said while speaking at an event.

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FD Interest Rates Offered By Major Banks, Small Finance Banks Compared

Major commercial banks pay interest rates in the range of 4-7.75% to customers on FDs.

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Centre "Upset", Did Not Expect RBI To Go Public With Rift: Report

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Deputy Governor Viral Acharya warned that undermining a central bank's independence could be "potentially catastrophic".

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Rupee Loses 16 Paise Against US Dollar In Early Trade

Currency exchange rate, INR, USD: The rupee fell 16 paise to 73.61 against the US dollar in early trade on Tuesday. Increased demand of the greenback from importers and sustained foreign fund outflows...

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Sensex Gains Over 80 Points, Nifty Above 10,250

Stock Market, Sensex, Nifty: In the sectoral landscape, Nifty PSU Bank - the index of state - run banking stocks- was the top gainer with 1.92 per cent. Among stock-specific action, the top loser in...

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BPCL Profit At Rs 1,218 Crore In July-September, Misses Street Estimates

Revenue from operations jumped 29.3 per cent to Rs 82,880 crore at BPCL, whose shares closed 0.8 per cent higher, while the broader NSE index rose 2.2 per cent.

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India Signs $75-Billion Currency Swap Pact With Japan

The agreement should help bring greater stability to foreign exchange and capital markets in India, the government said.

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Rupee Fall Puts Rs 28,000-Crore Solar Projects At Risk: Crisil

These projects include 5.5 giga watt (GW) of projects bid in the past nine months at very low tariffs of Rs 2.75 per unit or less, according to Crisil.

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Government Very Upset With RBI For Making Rift Public: Report

On Friday night, the RBI Deputy Governor Viral Acharya warned that undermining a central bank's independence could be "potentially catastrophic", in an indication that it is pushing back hard against...

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As RBI Goes On Offensive, Government Yet To (Officially) Respond

In the latest move, the RBI made its disagreement with authorities public in a hard-hitting speech by Deputy Governor Viral Acharya on Friday -- which he said had the backing of Governor Urjit Patel...

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Gold Prices Remain Unchanged On Lower Demand

Traders said that there was lower demand at the domestic market and movement in international markets were tepid which kept the prices flat.

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Initial Public Offering Plans On Track, Says Airtel Africa

The telecom operator said last week that it raised $1.25 billion from six global investors.

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SBI Announces Discount On E-Tailer SaleBhai Through Mobile App YONO

Payments made through an SBI credit card, an SBI debit card or SBI net banking against purchase on the SaleBhai platform will be eligible for this offer, according to the bank.

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Rupee Closes Flat At 73.45 Against Dollar

Despite the initial bounce, the rupee appeared to struggle, as the dollar remained broadly firm.

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Reliance Jio Announces Rs 5,400 Cashback On OnePlus 6T Smartphone

Jio's offer will be available for both existing and new Jio subscribers who purchase the OnePlus 6T.

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New Cash Withdrawal Limit On SBI Classic Card Takes Effect From Tomorrow

Customers of the State Bank of India (SBI) cannot withdraw more than Rs 20,000 a day, from Wednesday, October 31. The cash withdrawal limit on the SBI Classic debit card has been halved from Rs 40,000...

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GoAir's New Flash Sale: Flight Tickets Start From 1,499 Rupees

Additionally, GoStar members can also avail Rs. 225 discount as convenience fee on the next flight.

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Opinion: The Growing Brawl Between RBI's Urjit Patel And Team Modi

If the standoff with the government gets any worse, a test of the central bank's dire warning could come soon.

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"Let Central Bank, Centre Sort Out Issues": RBI Staff Backs Viral Acharya

The association said in a statement on Monday that "undermining the country's central bank was a recipe for disaster which the government must desist".

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Top 5 bikes under Rs 2 lakh in India

Some years ago, it was unimaginable to spend over a lakh on an India-made motorcycle (barring Royal Enfields, of course). Today, this Rs 1-2 lakh segment is one of the fastest growing in the Indian market. Unsurprisingly, this bracket also encompasses some of the most interesting, fun and relatively accessible motorcycles in the country. And as always, we’re looking at the ex-showroom prices, not the final on-road costs.

Note: All the prices mentioned here are post-GST.

Yamaha FZ25

After years of waiting for Yamaha to launch a quarter-litre motorcycle in India, it finally surprised us this year with the FZ25. The bike sports a squat, muscular stance much like the FZ16 and manages to look quite pleasing, albeit not as intimidating as some of Yamaha’s larger streetfighters. It gets a 249cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled motor that not exactly is a shining example of power and performance, but does dish out a healthy dose of refinement and linear power delivery. Weighing 148kg, the FZ25 is among the lighter bikes in this class, which makes for acceptably sprightly acceleration. And with a claimed mileage of 43kpl, it certainly seems to be one of the most efficient motorcycles in this segment as well. It is sprung a bit on the stiffer side, but that does endow it good handling characteristics, although it is not the best in class. It doesn’t get features such as ABS yet, however, it does pack an LED headlight as well as an all-LCD instrument cluster. The FZ25 might not be setting benchmarks in this category, but with its practicality, comfort, refinement and charming design, it is certainly one of the most easily likeable bikes here.

Power: 20.9hp at 8,000rpm
Torque: 20Nm at 6,000rpm
Price: Rs 1.19 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
Also read: 2017 Yamaha FZ25 review

Bajaj Pulsar RS200

The Pulsar RS200 is the company’s flagship model and the only faired motorcycle in its range. It has been around since 2014, and its last noteworthy update came in 2017 with the arrival of the BS-IV emission norms. To refresh your memory, the RS200 is summarily the faired version of the NS200; which, in turn, is Bajaj’s spin on a fun motorcycle produced by its Austrian counterpart – the KTM 200 Duke. However, the RS200 is more than just another motorcycle with a lot of bodywork. The bike has a completely different frame and suspension set-up than the KTM and is a seriously fast and capable motorcycle in its own right. Underneath the fairing sits a 199.5cc motor paired to a six-speed gearbox. This liquid-cooled, four-valve, single-cylinder engine is similar to the KTM but uses a unique triple-spark-plug SOHC layout. The result is a healthy 24.5hp output at 9,750rpm with a peak torque of 18.6Nm at 8,000rpm. Like some of its competition, the RS misses out on LED headlights. However, the projectors it is equipped with do a very good job of lighting up the road.

The Pulsar also has decently sized brakes – 300mm up front and 230mm at the rear – and also offers a single-channel ABS. That being said, all is not perfect with the RS200. The fit and finish levels need to improve and the styling is not to all tastes.

Power: 24.5hp at 9,750rpm
Torque: 18.6Nm at 8,000rpm
Price: Rs 1.26 lakh (non-ABS), Rs 1.38 lakh (ABS) (ex-showroom, Delhi)
Also read: 2018 Yamaha YZF-R15 V3.0 vs Bajaj Pulsar RS200 comparison

Bajaj Dominar 400

Thanks to Bajaj, we got the first India-made power cruiser last year – the Dominar. Styled to look like the Ducati Diavel’s baby sibling with its low-slung, muscular stance, the Dominar packs quite a bit of road presence. There are some very interesting design choices as well, such as mounting the tell-tale lights on the fuel tank in a secondary instrument dashboard rather than around the all-digital primary instrument console. And it has the performance to match its beefy looks as well, as it packs a motor derived from the 373cc mill found in the KTM 390. Sure, it only gets a single camshaft, so it does lack a bit of the top-end performance of the orange machine. But thanks to three sparkplugs in the head and an engine specifically tuned for bottom-end performance, you get improved fuel efficiency and a whopping 28Nm (of the total 35Nm) of torque coming in at just 3,000rpm. This means brisk low-speed acceleration; and the Dominar can also manage to cruise comfortably at speeds of 120-130kph. It stops short of being a long-distance tourer, thanks to a small fuel tank, capacity of 13 litres, and a stiff suspension. But because of its setup, it does manage great handling characteristics; and with optional dual-channel ABS, stopping power isn’t an issue either. The Dominar promises and delivers a very thrilling riding experience.

Power: 35hp at 8,000rpm
Torque: 35Nm at 6,500rpm
Price: Rs 1.63 lakh (dual-channel ABS) (ex-showroom, Delhi)
Also read: 2017 Bajaj Dominar 400 review

Royal Enfield Himalayan

Royal Enfield recently updated its Himalayan to correct the previous bike’s reputation for low reliability. The biggest change on the updated Himalayan is that it now uses a fuel-injection system instead of a carburettor; the company has done this in order to meet BS-IV norms. The bike has also undergone other small changes – like the addition of a small metal guard on the oil cooler, matte-black powder coating for the fuel tank's cap, and bar-end weights and luggage-mounts below the rear seat. It’s a bike that is purpose-built to tread off the beaten path, with lots of suspension travel (200mm at the front, 180mm at the back) and a massive 220mm of ground clearance. Even with that much clearance, RE has managed to package the bike in such a way that seat height stays at a relatively short 800mm. A large 21-inch front wheel, coupled with a 17-inch rear (both wire-spoke) and shod with on-off road tyres, also adds to the Himalayan’s rough-roading prowess.

Power: 24.8hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 32Nm at 4,250rpm
Price: Rs 1.67 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
Also read: Royal Enfield Himalayan FI review

KTM 250 Duke

Honestly, it was a bit of a tough call between this and the KTM RC200. The RC’s out-and-out supersport nature makes it an extremely engaging riding experience. But the new 250 Duke brings all the styling cues from the new 390 (which itself is inspired from the Super Duke R) and puts it at a somewhat affordable price point. Even though it misses out on some top-end features like the TFT instrument panel and the split LED headlights, the 250 is one gorgeous motorcycle. It’s not a slouch either. It might struggle a bit in bottom-end performance, but from the mid-range revs, it really pulls hard. The one area where it could use a little bit of improvement is the brakes. While they have good bite to start with, the overall stopping power seems to be a bit dull for a bike that can accelerate so rapidly. However, this much horsepower and those head turning looks are impossible to be had anywhere else in the quarter-litre space.

Power: 30hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 24Nm at 7,500rpm
Price: Rs 1.78 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
Also read: 2017 KTM 250 Duke road test

Honourable mention:

Yamaha YZF-R15 V3.0

The R15 V3.0 has a lot going for it – it looks stunning, and is the quickest, most advanced 150cc motorcycle money can currently buy. Of course, it’s also a thrilling handler and manages to do all this while still returning impressive fuel-efficiency figures. Other than a few quality issues and the lack of ABS, it is hard to find fault with this bike – as long as you are willing to live with its committed ergonomics. If you live, breathe and sleep MotoGP, you’ve just got to have the R15; it will make you feel like one of your heroes – and that is why it gets an honourable mention on this list.

Also see:

Top 10 fun-to-ride bikes under Rs 2 lakh

13 fuel-injected bikes in India under Rs 1.5 lakh

Best affordable ABS-equipped motorcycles in India

Top 5 bikes under Rs 1 lakh in India

Top 5 bikes under Rs 4 lakh in India

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Former Australia coach Darren Lehmann calls for Steve Smith, David Warner bans to be reviewed

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Prince Harry Loses To Wife Meghan In New Zealand Gumboot Toss

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UP Student Arrested For "Barging Into Classroom, Thrashing Teacher"

A college student and his three friends have been arrested for allegedly thrashing a teacher at Kandhla town in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli district, police said today.

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"Hello, Want Ice-Cream?" Rahul Gandhi's Evening Out With Congressmen

After a day of campaigning in Madhya Pradesh, during which many bitter words were spoken and exchanged, Rahul Gandhi took an ice-cream break in Indore city.

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Rahul Gandhi To Address Rallies In Madhya Pradesh Today

On the second day of his Madhya Pradesh tour, Congress President Rahul Gandhi will visit a number of places and will address two rallies.

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Khaleda Zia's Jail Term In Corruption Case Doubled To 10 Years

A Bangladesh court on Tuesday doubled a jail term for imprisoned opposition leader Khaleda Zia from five to 10 years following a prosecution appeal. The decision came the day after Zia, 73, was...

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Man Shot Dead After Fight With Neighbours Escalated In Delhi

The incident that took place in Nand Nagri area has shaken up the residents

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Lion Air Crash: 10 Body Bags Filled With Parts Of Victims' Bodies

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Strong Quake Shakes New Zealand During Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Visit

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Officer Challenges Port Blair Move, Claims Proof Against Rakesh Asthana

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Engaged At 3 And Pressured To Marry, Woman Consumes Poison Before Cops

A woman consumed a poisonous substance at a police station in Jodhpur, unable to keep a marriage promise made by her parents when she was three years old, officials said Monday.

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Opinion: India Bested, Beijing Is In The Driver's Seat In Colombo

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Donald Trump Says US Planning "Tent Cities" For Migrants

President Donald Trump said Monday his administration was planning to build tent cities for thousands of Central American migrants making their way through Mexico to the United States.

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Learn From History, Kashmir Saw Peace Under A Hindu King: Yogi Adityanath

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Ghaziabad Quack, Friend Allegedly Rape 8-Year-Old Girl Inside Clinic

An eight-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped by a quack and his friend inside the former's clinic in Ghaziabad, the police said on Monday.

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Man Points Gun At Staff, Calls Armed Gang To Avoid Paying Toll In Noida

Around 15 to 20 persons were on Monday charged for brandishing firearms and threatening a toll plaza employee in Greater Noida, police said.

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This Hyderabad Man Feeds The Poor Daily, Says, "Hunger Has No Religion"

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Indian Techie Couple Falls 800 Feet In US' Yosemite National Park

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SC orders seizure of 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles in NCR

The Supreme Court on Monday ruled in favour of prohibiting 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol cars from plying in the NCR (National Capital Region). As per this ruling, any diesel vehicle older than 10 years or petrol vehicles older than 15 years can be impounded by the police.

According to the Supreme Court, the ruling came about due to the pollution levels in NCR being "Very Critical”. The overall air quality in the region was in the second-most alarming category.

This isn’t the first ban that this category of vehicles has received. Earlier this year, the National Green Tribunal had issued a similar ban on 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles.

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Hyundai Creta Diamond Edition to be unveiled at Sao Paulo

Hyundai will take the wraps off a new top-spec Creta variant at the upcoming Sao Paulo motor show. Likely to be called the Hyundai Creta Diamond Edition, this new variant of the Creta will be on display with multiple other concepts including the Saga SUV at the motor show.

The Hyundai Creta Diamond Edition is based on the refreshed Creta that made its debut back in 2017. As part of the Diamond edition package, the model gets a panoramic sunroof, unique exterior paint shades and premium quilted leather seats with dual-tone caramel and ivory leather. The Creta Diamond edition is likely to sit above the top-spec Creta Prestige sold in Brazil which is equivalent to the Creta SX (O) variant sold in India.

The Hyundai Creta for South American markets does not come with a diesel engine and is available with only a choice of flex-fuel engines – a 130hp 1.6-litre unit offered with a choice of a manual and automatic gearbox or a larger 166hp 2.0-litre unit offered with an automatic gearbox as standard.

Do you think Hyundai should bring the Creta Diamond edition to India, let us know in the comments section?

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10 lightest cars on sale in India

Lightweighting is one of the buzzwords in modern automotive engineering. Engineers strive to shave off the kilos and even the grams of the cars they build because the advantages of doing so are aplenty. For one, the lighter the car, the less is the load on its engine, and, resultantly, the greater the fuel efficiency. Of course, performance is the other key area of benefit with going light. However, light cars (aside from carbon-fibre bodied supercars and the like) are also, often unfairly, viewed as unsafe. While it’s best to leave the question of safety to be answered by objective crash tests, here’s our list of the 10 lightest cars currently on sale in India.

10. Maruti Suzuki Ignis (825-860kg)

The lightest car to be built on Suzuki’s Heartect platform (which underpins the Swift, the Dzire, the Baleno and the upcoming Ertiga), the Ignis is powered by Suzuki’s eponymous 1.2-litre K12 engine that makes 83hp and 113Nm of torque. The low kerb weight means that the lightest Ignis has a power-to-weight ratio of 100.6hp/tonne. Claimed fuel efficiency stands at 20.89kpl, while in our acceleration tests we achieved a 0-100kph acceleration time of just under 13sec for the manual and 13.26sec for the AMT. Notably, the Ignis is one of nine Maruti Suzuki models that meet India’s latest crash test norms.

9. Maruti Suzuki Celerio (815-850kg)

A rival to the Tata Tiago and the new Hyundai Santro, the Celerio was updated a year ago to meet India’s new crash test norms, and is now one of the nine Maruti Suzuki cars that does. Powered by a 999cc, three-cylinder K10 motor that makes 68hp and 90Nm (59hp and 78Nm of CNG), the Celerio has a power-to-weight ratio of 80-83.4hp/tonne. This helps it achieve a 0-100kph time of 14.24sec and a claimed fuel efficiency figure of 23.1kpl.

8. Datsun Go (819-846kg)

The refreshed Go hatchback is a bit more upmarket than the previous model, especially due to the added safety kit that has seen kerb weight rise by about 20kg. However, the Go is powered by the same 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol motor that makes 68hp and 104Nm of torque. Thanks to a power-to-weight ratio of 80.4-83hp/tonne, performance is peppy and fuel efficiency is quite good; Datsun claims a figure of 19.83kpl. While the previous Go had not done well when it was crash-tested by Global NCAP, the new model is compliant with India’s latest crash test norms.

7. Maruti Suzuki Omni (785-800kg)

The only MPV on the list, the Omni is also the oldest model on our list of the lightest cars. The light-weight MPV (available with five, seven or eight seats) is one of many models set to be discontinued before the new Indian crash test norms apply to all cars on sale come October 2019. The 0.8-litre, three-cylinder petrol motor makes just 35hp and 59Nm of peak torque, making it the least powerful model on this list as well. The comparatively lower power-to-weight ratio of 43.8-44.6hp/tonne sees a comparatively lower fuel-efficiency figure of 16.8kpl as well.

6. Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 (740kg)

The Alto K10 is known to be a peppy car to drive, and a part of it is down to its reasonable power-to-weight ratio of 91.9hp/tonne. The K10’s 68hp, 1.0-litre engine helps this Alto do the 0-100kph dash in 15.87sec. An ARAI-rated fuel efficiency figure of 24.07kpl is also among the highest in India. While the Alto K10 is a big seller, the current model does not meet the new safety norms and is likely to be replaced by an all-new model.

5. Hyundai Eon (715-795kg)

Hyundai’s Eon is available with a 0.8-litre engine making 56hp and 75Nm and a 1.0-litre petrol mill producing 69hp and 94Nm of peak torque; the power-to-weight ratios for the smaller engined model is 70.4-78.3hp/tonne while the larger engined one’s is 86.8-96.5hp/tonne. The Eon is one of the more fuel-efficient cars on sale in India with an ARAI rating of 21.1kpl and 20.3kpl for the 0.8-litre motor and 1.0-litre engine, respectively. As per our tests, the smaller motor is also capable of hitting the ton mark from standstill in a lazy 17.60sec. The Eon is one of the models likely to be phased out before the new crash test norms kick in.

4. Renault Kwid (699kg)

Recently refreshed with more kit (which makes it about 30kg heavier than the outgoing model), the 0.8-litre Kwid was claimed to be the most fuel-efficient car on sale in India, a title which has now passed to the Datsun Redigo. The 28.4kpl rating for this motor (23.01kpl for the 1.0-litre engine) is in part thanks to the low kerb weight, which also helps to achieve a power-to-weight ratio of 77.3hp/tonne for the 54hp, 799cc engine and 97.3hp/tonne for the 68hp, 1.0-litre unit. The larger engine is capable of propelling this hatchback to 100kph in 13.85sec, while the smaller motor takes 17.94sec for the same run. Global NCAP has rated the Kwid a 1-star car.

3. Tata Nano (695-765kg)

The Nano has the distinction of having the smallest engine in a mass-market vehicle currently on sale in India. The 624cc two-cylinder motor makes a measly 38hp and 51Nm of torque, though this is off-set by the relatively low kerb weight that helps to achieve a power-to-weight ratio of 49.7-54.7hp/tonne. The 4-speed manual has an ARAI certified efficiency of 23.6kpl while the 5-speed AMT is rated at 21.98kpl.Our tests showed that the AMT version was slower than the manual, with the former managing to hit 100kph in an extremely leisurely 37.86sec. Tata Motors will not update the Nano to meet new crash test regulations so the Rs 1 lakh car will be bowing out soon.

2. Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 (695kg)

The most affordable car in Maruti Suzuki’s India range, the Alto 800, is powered by a 796cc, three-cylinder petrol motor that makes 48hp and 69Nm of torque. While it may seem underpowered compared to other 0.8-litre engines, the dinky Alto 800 weighs all of 695 kilos, and has a power-to-weight ratio of 69.1hp/tonne. This results in a fuel-efficiency figure of 24.07kpl and a 0-100kph time of 16.92sec. While Global NCAP’s crash test in 2014 saw the Alto get zero stars in adult occupancy, the hatchback will likely be phased out before the new crash test norms kick in. A new model to replace the Alto 800 is in the works.

1. Datsun Redigo (670kg)

Datsun’s Redigo has two claims to fame – it is the lightest car on sale in India and has the highest ARAI-rated fuel efficiency figure at 25.17kpl (specced with the same 54hp/72Nm, 0.8-litre engine). Interestingly, the 1.0-litre engine is also shared with the Kwid, but delivers a lower 22.5kpl. The power-to-weight ratio is 80.6hp/tonne for the 0.8-litre engine and 101.5hp/tonne for the 1.0-litre engine. As expected, the 0.8-litre Redigo isn’t particularly fast, with a 0-100kph time of 18.92sec. The Redigo will be updated in time for the new crash test norms that come into force in October 2019.

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NGT directs government to study vehicle count in relation to road capacity

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has instructed the transport ministry to undertake a study determining the number of vehicles that can be permitted in proportion to the capacity of the roads. The study will be conducted in Delhi but will also help all other major cities.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel stated that illegal parking and encroachments are a major cause of congestion and hence air pollution.

"The question of number of vehicles to be permitted proportionate to the capacity of the roads in a city is vital issue of planning on which a policy is required to be explored in larger interest of environment especially for cities or areas where air quality is not consistent with the norms. This needs to be explored by the Ministry of Transport, Government of India in consultation with the concerned States. It may be advisable to have a Committee of experts on the subject which to examine the issue in time bound manner" the NGT bench said.

The NGT direction came after an application was filed by bus operator Metro Transit Private Limited which stated that large parts of the roads are occupied either by hawkers or illegally parked vehicles which made it difficult to conduct operations, and also are a cause of air pollution. The NGT has asked the transport ministry to submit the report by March 31, 2019 which may be put for consideration by April 2019.

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2019 Jaguar F-Pace petrol launched at Rs 63.17 lakh

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) India has introduced the F-Pace SUV with a new petrol engine for Rs 63.17 lakh (Prestige petrol variant). The locally manufactured F-Pace also gets the addition of illuminated metal treadplates, chrome switches for the powered seats, suede cloth headliner and bright metal pedals to the equipment list.

The F-Pace petrol will be powered by Jaguar’s 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, Ingenium turbo petrol engine that puts out 246hp of power and 369Nm of torque. It is mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox that does the duty in the diesel F-Pace.

Until now, the F-Pace was offered with only the 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel engine which makes 179hp and 430Nm of torque. This variant is priced at Rs 63.57 lakh (Prestige).

The SUV is packed with features such as adaptive LED headlamps, a 10.2-inch touchscreen with navigation, a 380W Meridian sound system, four-zone climate control, electric reclining rear seats, an activity key, ambient lighting, a reversing camera, panoramic sunroof, Taurus leather seats, 10-way electric adjustment with driver seat memory, front and rear parking sensors, tyre pressure monitor, keyless entry and go.

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Hamilton seals fifth title at Mexican GP

Lewis Hamilton secured the 2018 F1 drivers’ championship after finishing the Mexican GP in 4th place. With his fifth title wrapped up, the Mercedes driver is now on level with Juan Manuel Fangio on the list of all-time championship successes and has Michael Schumacher’s record of seven world titles well in sight.

Heading into the race with a 70-point lead over Sebastian Vettel, Hamilton clinching the title seemed inevitable, but he had to endure a rather challenging race. After making a quick getaway, he found himself alongside Verstappen – who had swamped team-mate Ricciardo at the start – with the latter taking the race lead. From then on, Verstappen had a clean run to the chequered flag and claimed a dominant victory ahead of Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen.

Hamilton tried to keep pace with Verstappen over the opening stint but gradually slipped back and came under pressure from Ricciardo, but held onto 2nd until pitting on lap 11. The two Red Bulls pitted soon after, with Ferrari deciding to stretch out its drivers’ first stint. With Verstappen looking untouchable out front, Hamilton started to be caught again by Ricciardo and Vettel after the long-running Ferraris finally stopped.

Elsewhere, a virtual safety car was triggered after Carlos Sainz’s Renault suffered a complete shutdown. The heavy traffic after the virtual safety car period ended allowed Vettel to gain ground on Ricciardo and he finally passed him on lap 34, under-braking for the first corner.

Vettel was 4sec behind Hamilton at this stage, but made rapid inroads as Mercedes struggled to keep its tyres alive. Five laps after he cleared Ricciardo, Vettel passed Hamilton at the same place when Hamilton attempted to defend, locked up and skated across the grass. Mercedes brought Hamilton into the pits on the same lap, with Bottas following suit having lost 6th to Raikkonen in an identical off-track incident just moments after Hamilton’s.

Ferrari decided to go aggressive, pitting Vettel for a fresh set of ultrasofts. That brought him within 10 sec of Verstappen once Red Bull brought him in for fresh supersofts, but Ricciardo stayed out and kept track position ahead of Vettel.

Ricciardo seemed to managing his older tyres well enough, but with just 10 laps to go, smoke started emerging from the car's rear Red Bull and he suffered his eighth retirement this season. This allowed Vettel to slot into 2nd place, followed by Raikkonen in 3rd as Hamilton struggled to fourth, frustrated with Mercedes' lack of pace compared to its rivals.

Bottas completed the top five - a lap down - having stopped for a third time and setting the fastest lap of the race on hypersofts at the end. Hulkenberg executed a one-stop strategy to grab 6th place, comfortably clear of Charles Leclerc in 7th.

Stoffel Vandoorne produced an unexpected boost at the end of a difficult season by rising to 8sth in his McLaren, ending a run of 14 races without points that stretches back to Azerbaijan in April. Meanwhile, Marcus Ericsson’s ninth place finish helped Sauber move ahead of Toro Rosso in the constructors’ standings, despite Pierre Gasly securing the last points scoring position.

Mexican GP result

POS	DRIVER	CAR	LAPS	GAP
1	Max Verstappen	Red Bull/Renault	71	1h38m28.851s
2	Sebastian Vettel	Ferrari	71	17.316s
3	Kimi Raikkonen	Ferrari	71	49.914s
4	Lewis Hamilton	Mercedes	71	1m18.738s
5	Valtteri Bottas	Mercedes	70	1 Lap
6	Nico Hulkenberg	Renault	69	2 Laps
7	Charles Leclerc	Sauber/Ferrari	69	2 Laps
8	Stoffel Vandoorne	McLaren/Renault	69	2 Laps
9	Marcus Ericsson	Sauber/Ferrari	69	2 Laps
10	Pierre Gasly	Toro Rosso/Honda	69	2 Laps
11	Esteban Ocon	Force India/Mercedes	69	2 Laps
12	Lance Stroll	Williams/Mercedes	69	2 Laps
13	Sergey Sirotkin	Williams/Mercedes	69	2 Laps
14	Brendon Hartley	Toro Rosso/Honda	69	2 Laps
15	Kevin Magnussen	Haas/Ferrari	69	2 Laps
16	Romain Grosjean	Haas/Ferrari	68	3 Laps
-	Daniel Ricciardo	Red Bull/Renault	61	Hydraulics
-	Sergio Perez	Force India/Mercedes	38	Brakes
-	Carlos Sainz	Renault	28	Electrical
-	Fernando Alonso	McLaren/Renault	3	Accident

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2018 Australian MotoGP – Vinales ends Yamaha’s drought

After winning his fifth premier class title in Japan, one would think that Marc Márquez would treat the remaining three races in the season more casually. Well, one couldn’t be more wrong.

At Phillip Island, he pushed hard through all the sessions and managed to grab pole position despite track conditions changing in the closing stages of qualifying. However, when the lights went out, it was Danilo Petrucci, who made a blistering start that saw him catapult from the third row of the grid to the race lead. Sadly, the Italian rider couldn’t maintain the lead for long as he missed his braking point and ran wide off the track. This promoted Jack Miller into the race lead to the delight of Aussie fans in the crowd. Márquez was making brisk progress after being pushed off the racing line while braking for the first corner and was up in 2nd place at this point.

Order was restored when Miller ran wide, allowing Márquez and Dovizioso to pass him easily with the Honda rider leading the charge. There was more action down the grid – a four-way battle between Andrea Iannone, Alex Rins, Johan Zarco and Valentino Rossi for 4th position. A few laps down the race, the Ducati riders bounced back as Márquez got relegated to 3rd position and Dovizioso took the lead. Zarco was making swift progress with plans to pass Márquez. He got great drive exiting the last corner and planned to use Márquez’s slipstream to pass him; but Márquez swerved left while braking late entering C1, catching the Frenchman unaware. He crashed into the rear of the Honda at close to 300kph and tumbled down the track. The impact was so severe that Márquez had to retire from the race. More importantly, though, it was miraculous that both the riders walked away from such a high-speed shunt unharmed.

In the midst of all this drama, the Yamaha duo of Rossi and Maverick Vinales were the fastest riders on the track, with the latter leading the race. It seemed that Yamaha’s woes have finally ended at Phillip Island as both the riders displayed great race pace. There was more action further down as the Ducati pair of Dovizioso and Alvaro Bautista exchanged places for 3rd position. With 12 laps remaining in the race, Vinales started checking out and extended his lead on his team-mate by over 2sec. Rossi was struggling for grip and was swamped by the Ducati duo – and soon after, by Iannone. With less than 10 laps remaining in the race, the Suzuki rider was up in 2nd place. However, in his enthusiasm to close in on Vinales, he ran wide and this mistake ended his prospects of winning the race.

Despite his best efforts, the Suzuki rider couldn’t cut Vinales’s lead and the Yamaha rider took the chequered flag to register an emotional win. The Australian race ended Yamaha’s longest winless streak (25 races) in the premiere class and gave the Japanese team its first win of the 2018 season.

As for Vinales, it was a very important victory and it will do a world of good to his confidence. The young rider faced lot of flak and criticism for being outperformed by his older teammate and the fact that his last win was in May, 2017 at the French GP. Dovizioso won the battle for the final step on the rostrum; but it was Bautista who impressed everyone by making an impressive debut with the factory Ducati outfit as a replacement to the injured Jorge Lorenzo. The penultimate race of the 2018 season will be held in Malaysia next weekend.

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

2018 Tata Tiago JTP vs Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS: Specifications comparison

The Tata Tiago JTP has just gone on sale and the first impression is very positive. It drives like the sporty car it’s meant to be. And the best bit? Priced at Rs 6.39 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) it won’t break the bank either. Until such time the Ford Figo Sports Edition makes a comeback in updated form, the Tiago JTP’s closest rival in spec and price, alike, is the Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS. Let’s see how the two cars compare on paper.

Dimensions

In terms of size, the Tiago JTP is clearly the smaller car. No surprises there; given the Tiago belongs to a lower sub-segment in the hatchback space. The Baleno RS has the large cabin, and also the larger boot, with 97 litres of additional luggage room over the JTP. However, it’s the JTP that sits marginally lower to the ground. It’s 4mm lower than both the standard Tiago and the Baleno RS. Shorter springs are part of the JTP’s suspension upgrade to make it a keener handler.

Dimensions

	Tiago JTP	Baleno RS
Length	3746mm	3995mm
Width	1647mm	1745mm
Height	1535mm	1510mm
Wheelbase	2400mm	2520mm
Ground Clearance	166mm	170mm
Boot Capacity	242 litres	339 litres

Powertrain

Under the hood, the Tiago JTP gets a substantial upgrade over the standard model. The JTP’s 1.2-litre, 3 cylinder, turbo-petrol motor comes from the Nexon SUV, albeit with some tweaks. Peak power and torque figures are a healthy 114hp and 150Nm, respectively. The Baleno RS, on the other hand, is powered by a smaller 1.0-litre Boosterjet engine from Suzuki which puts out (12hp) less power but the same torque figure as the JTP. Both cars are available with only 5-speed manual gearbox options.

Powertrain

	Tiago JTP	Baleno RS
Type	3 cyls, Turbocharged	3 cyls, Turbocharged
Displacement	1198cc	998cc
Valvetrain	4 valves per cylinder, DOHC	4 valves per cylinder, DOHC
Power	114hp	102hp at 5500rpm
Torque	150Nm	150Nm at 1700-4500rpm
Transmission	5-Speed Manual	5-Speed Manual

Equipment

As both the cars are in different segments, their equipment levels vary. The Baleno gets more premium features such as keyless entry with push-button start, Xenon projector headlamps with LED DRLs, automatic climate control and a larger touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The Tiago is well-equipped for its price with features like a Harman-sourced 5.0-inch touchscreen, projector headlamps and 15-inch alloy wheels. Drive modes that alter the car’s performance are exclusive to the JTP. On the safety front, both get dual airbags and ABS with EBD but the Baleno RS gets the added benefit of rear disc brakes in comparison to the JTP's drum units.

Equipment

	Tiago JTP	Baleno RS
Touchscreen	5.0-inch	7.0-inch
Apple CarPlay/Android Auto	No	Yes
Drive Modes	Yes	No
Alloy Wheels	15-inch	16-inch
Dual airbags with ABS and EBD	Yes	Yes

Prices

Both cars are available in just one fully-loaded variant. The RS gets all the kit from the standard Baleno Alpha variant while the JTP gets a few more goodies over the regular Tiago in its range-topping XZ trim. However, it’s the Tiago JTP that gives you more of a bang for your buck. Priced at Rs 6.39 lakh, the JTP is a full Rs 2 lakh cheaper than the Baleno RS. Only a real-world comparison will reveal the better and more fun car. For now, at least on paper, the JTP is surely more appealing to buyers looking for affordable performance.

Prices

	Tiago JTP	Baleno RS
(ex-showroom, Delhi)	Rs 6.39 lakh	Rs 8.47 lakh

from Autocar India https://ift.tt/2RnU3fu