Bajaj Pulsar 375 expected to be launched in November-2013

We have been constantly reporting every single details of the upcoming Bajaj Pulsar 375, now our good mate at Motoroids reveal that the all-new Bajaj Pulsar 375 will be introduced towards the end of 2013, probably in November-2013. The Pulsar 375 will be the most powerful Pulsar ever built and also be the company’s newest flagship offering.
As we said earlier, the Pulsar 375 is a counterpart of upcoming KTM 390 (375cc motorcycle), as is the case with the Pulsar 200NS and the Duke 200. The Pulsar 200NS has proved that not only is this a good idea, but that Bajaj and KTM know how to handle the simultaneous development of two models both of which are similar in role and intent but vastly different in positioning and price.
Bajaj’s newest flagship offering will look quite unlike the KTM 390 Duke and would sport a full fairing for the fairing hungry crowd of India. The Pulsar 375 will retain the Pulsar’s value-for-money proposition with healthy specifications and seriously quick performance. The big daddy of all Pulsars is expected to be priced around Rs 1.75 lakh.
Under the skin, the new Pulsar 375 will be a slightly re-worked version of the single cylinder, 375cc motor that is on duty in the Duke 390. Bajaj will inject its much publicized triple spark plug treatment into the 375cc Pulsar and it is also pretty sure that the engine would feature fuel injection.
Initially, the KTM Duke 390 will make its entry into India speculated as early as next-month and by the end of next-year probably in November-2013, the Bajaj Pulsar 375 will be introduced. This indicates that Bajaj Pulsar series will walk in footsteps of the KTM, offering similar performance at a more affordable price point.



Technical Specifications Bajaj Pulsar 375 (Speculated) -

• Engine -  4 stroke water-cooled single cylinder
• Engine capacity -  373.2cc
• Torque -  33Nm at 7000rpm(est.)
• Power -  42HP at 9500rpm(est.)
• Transmission -  6-speed
• Weight -  142Kg
• Clutch -  Hydraulic operated
• Fuel system -  Electronic Fuel Injection

Bajaj Discover 125 ST is launched at Rs. 55,740

 

Bajaj Auto launched its latest offering in the commuter segment, the Discover 125 ST (Sports Tourer) in Tamilnadu at Ex-showroom price of Rs. 55,740. The plus point to achieve success is not only the competitive price tag, rather it is attractive and better value for buyers who are looking for a fuel efficient bike with good power and features.
Now it seems the company has started new strategy to offer new bikes in phased manner. Initially, the Pulsar 200NS was offered in Maharashtra and just last week the Pulsar 200NS was launched in Delhi. The automaker aims to offer the Pulsar 200NS across India by August and is following a similar strategy with the Discover 125 ST which will first be offered in the South.
Bajaj Auto President (Motorcycle Business) K Srinivas said, “Discover ST is not an upgrade to a Discover model, but a new product in B-segment (125cc). It constitutes almost 17 per cent of the market (in the motorcycle segment) of which we have around 30 per cent market share. What we are hoping through this product is more customers will migrate to this segment.”
He added, “Our hope is that customers in the ‘A segment’ will migrate to this and we also gain some market share through this distinguished product. It will be suffice to say we are doing close to 50,000 units in the 125 cc segment. We will be very surprised if we do not increase that number substantially.”

The new Discover ST (Sports Tourer) of Bajaj comes with segment first Monoshock suspension and petal disk. The motor gets the four valve DTS-i engine which generates 13bhp of power and 10.8 Nm torque. It can deliver mileage of 65 kmpl under normal riding conditions. At the supposed price, Bajaj discover will be considerably cheaper than its rivals like Honda Shine, Honda Stunner, Hero Ignitor and Yamaha Gladiator 125.

KTM DUKE 390 Unveiled

 

Bajaj KTM new street bike Duke 390 has been revealed at the 2012 EICMA Show in Milan, Italy. Duke 390 as a awesome naked street bike look, powered by 373.2cc single-cylinder fuel-injected engine with dual overhead camshafts driving four-valves. Transmission is a six-speed, one-down, 5-up toe-shifted box and power is delivered through an X-ring sealed drive chain. Expect furious performance with the light for its class, 139kg kerb weight new Duke producing a healthy peak power output of 44bhp at 9500rpm, and maximum torque of 3.57kgm at 7250rpm.
The 390 Duke will share platforms with smaller capacity sibling, the 200 Duke as is already on Indian streets. The 390 Duke sports a beefy, steel trellis frame and seats its rider in an upright, still sporty riding posture. Fat, 43mm upside-down front forks are standard, as are an aluminum alloy swing arm and monoshock rear suspension. There’s a radial mounted 300mm disc in front and 230mm rear disc brake, the 390 Duke going a big step-up on its smaller siblings for offering the safety of ABS braking. Low-profile, tubeless radial tyres are provided on both lightweight, alloy rims.
Duke 390 will be manufactured in pune plant. The sources also say that the bike will be exported to European market as well. Duke 390 will be available in Bajaj’s Probiking showrooms across india with price tag of Rs: 200,000, the bike will be available by early 2013.

KTM 390 DUKE SPECIFICATIONS - 

WHEEL BASE:	1367 +/-15mm
GROUND CLEARANCE:	170mm
SEAT HEIGHT:	800mm
TANK CAPACITY:	11 Liter
KERB WEIGHT:	139kg
CHASSIS:	Steel trellis, powder coated
SUBFRAME:	Alluminium, tapered, 26/22mm
HANDLEBAR:	Alluminium, tapered, 26/22mm
ENGINE TYPE:	Single cylinder, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled
VALVETRAIN:	4-per cylinder, DOHC
DISPLACEMENT:	375cc
BORE/STROKE:	89/60mm
POWER:	44bhp at 9500rpm
TORQUE:	3.57kgm at 7250rpm
COMPRESSION RATIO:	12.6:1
TRANSMISSION:	6 speed, 1 down, 5 up
FUEL SYSTEM:	Bosch EFI, 46mm throttle body
CLUTCH:	Wet clutch, mechanically operated
FRONT SUSPENSION:	WP 43mm upside down forks, 150mm travel
REAR SUSPENSION:	WP Monoshock, 150mm travel
FRONT BRAKE:	Four piston, radial caliper, 300mm disc
REAR BRAKE	Single piston, 230mm disc
ABS	Bosch 9MB two channel
WHEELS FRONT-REAR	Cast alloy, 3.00 x 17- 4.00 x 17inches
TYRES FRONT-REAR	110/70 x 17-150/60 x 17inches
CHAIN:	X-Ring
SILENCER:	Stainless steel silencer, regulated catalytic converter

2013 Kawasaki Ninja 250R revealed

Kawasaki fans might have a reason to cheer has the company recently revealed the official photos of 2013 Kawasaki Ninja 250R on the Kawasaki Japan Website. Although complete technical details/specifications are still awaited, we are sure about the fact that Bajaj would definitely want to bring it to India.

The 2013 model of Ninja 250R now looks like the ZX-10R, featuring revised angular bodywork with large slotted vents and a floating mount windscreen. The front turn indicators are now clear lens and housed in the fairing. A set of new alloys with 140mm rubber at the rear, a chiselled tail and new exhaust system complete the set of cosmetic changes.

According to information available on company website, Ninja 250R will possess a new DOHC Parallel Twin engine with new pistons, crank cases and cylinders. Kawasaki claim that the low and mid range torque have been boosted for this bike, though they haven’t revealed the power and torque figures. An optional for various markets digital fuel injection system also makes its debut in the Ninja 250R. ABS is also available as an option now with Kawasaki claiming it to be the world’s smallest unit

The best part thought is the all new digital and refreshed console the new model incorporates. We still remember that majority of the people in India thought the old 250′s console was a bit out-dated, well that has been given a major cosmetic boost and looks amazing. The available colors for the new Ninja include Lime Green, Lime Green/Ebony (special edition), Passion Red, Passion Red/Stardust White (special edition), Ebony/Metallic Moondust Grey (special edition) and Pearl Stardust White.

Although no official declarations as to what price of new Ninja 250R should be but considering 2012 prices which stand at $4,199 (Approx 2.34 lakh INR), it is estimated that Kawasaki will be pricing the 2013 model in the same bracket.

Honda VFR to feature world's first twin clutch for bikes

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced that it has developed the Dual Clutch Transmission, the world's firstfully automatic motorcycle dual-clutch transmission for large-displacement sport bikes.

The new transmission provides riders with a sporty riding experience, combined with easy operation and superior transmission efficiency, which delivers fuel economy equal to or better than a conventional manual transmission. The new VFR large-displacement sport bike equipped with the new transmission will be released in Europe and North America in 2010, with sales to commence in Japan at a later date.

This world's first motorcycle dual clutch transmission features a light, compact design that allows it to be combined with existing engines without substantial layout modification. Further, the new transmission delivers the precise acceleration control which riders require thanks to electronic control technology that helps ensure smooth, seamless gear changes. In order to respond to rider demands in a broad range of situations, the transmission is equipped with three operating modes, including two full-auto modes (D-mode for regular operation and S-mode for sporty riding); and a 6-speed manual mode, which delivers the same shift feel as a manual transmission. Honda intends to gradually expand the deployment of the new transmission to more and more of its large-displacement motorcycles, particularly sports models destined for use in traditional large motorcycle markets.

The new transmission features a dual clutch transmission configuration in which independent clutches are employed for the odd gears (1st, 3rd, 5th) and even gears (2nd, 4th, 6th), respectively. The two clutches operate alternately to effect gear changes. For example, when changing from 1st to 2nd gear, the computer detects the up-shift and engages 2nd gear, then releases the 1st-gear clutch while engaging the 2nd-gear clutch to achieve a seamless gear change. While some existing dual-clutch transmissions arebulky, the new system employs original technologies such as dual input shafts, an innovative in-line clutch design, and concentration of hydraulic circuitry beneath the engine cover to achieve a compact design. Compactness and lightness is further enhanced through the use of a simple shift mechanism design based on that of a conventional motorcycle shift drum. Optimised shift scheduling achieves fuel economy equal to or better than that of a fully manual transmission, enabling Dual Clutch Transmission to deliver both sporty riding and environmental performance combined.

It's official now. Kawasaki Ninja 250R is finally hitting the roads in India. Bajaj Auto has confirmed the launch date of the bike as 6th and 7th of October. The Bike will first be launched in Pune and subsequently across India. We are expecting a price tag of under 2lakh OTR Pune, but Bajaj Auto may just pull a surprise on all its rivals by pricing the bike even lower. Stay tuned for more updates, and trust us to bring you the ride report of the baby Ninja before anyone else!

Honda launches Dream Yuga commuter motorcycle at Rs 44,642 ex-Delhi

Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India today launched their first ever mass market motorcycle, the Dream Yuga in New Delhi. The company in a statement, today said that ‘Honda has unleashed its first big step towards mass mobility in India.’

The Dream Yuga is powered by a 110cc Honda engine with a peak power output of 8.5 BHP @ 7500 RPM and 8.51NM @ 5500rpm of peak torque. Honda claims a fuel efficiency figure of 72 kmpl in test conditions which resemble the city driving environment.

The bike's engine is equipped with technologies like the 'Honda Intelligent Ignition Control System' which changes ignition timings to attain ideal combustion, leading to improved power output and efficiency.

The Dream Yuga has the typical commuter motorcycle look with a bikini fairing. Honda, however, have tried to add some dashes of sportiness in places to make this econo-commuter more attractive to the masses. The dream Yuga is expected to be the first real challenger to the reigning Splendor from Hero Motocorp stable, and is expected to propel Honda as the indisputable second largest bike maker in the country after its former partner in a short span of time.

The Dream Yuga looks reasonably stylish for the class with a black colored engine, sportily styled exhaust, body colored grab rail, and nice alloy wheels. The Dream Yuga comes with a viscous air filter, 120mm front suspension travel and a long, comfy seat. The bike is also equipped with tuff tubeless tyres for better reliability. The drive chain too is fully covered for optimum performance over long periods. Honda is also providing maintenance free battery for added peace of mind.

According to Honda, the Dream Yuga is specially developed for Indian customers, keeping in mind their practical commuting needs. Starting May'12 end, Dream Yuga is available for sale in three variants-

Kick/Drum/Spoke
Kick/ Drum/Alloy
Self/ Drum/Alloy

The starting price of the bike is Rs. 44,642 (Ex-Showroom, Delhi). The motorcycle comes in 5 colors: Black, Monsoon Grey Metallic, Alpha Red Metallic, Force Silver Metallic & Maple Brown Metallic.

At the launch, President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd - Mr. Keita Muramatsu said “The New Corporate Direction is a step forward towards Honda’s objective to attain leadership position in India. We are delighted to have Akshay Kumar as new Brand Ambassador as he personifies Honda’s philosophy of Sach Kardenge Sapne and captures the imagination of Indian customers. With him on board, we will touch the heart of young India! ”

On his association with Honda, Akshay Kumar, the new brand ambassador for the company said, “Honda as the World’s No. 1 motorcycle maker carries with it a legacy of customer oriented products from 50cc to 1800cc and goodwill of over 200 million customers worldwide. I am deeply impressed by Honda’s vision and proud to associate with this young and vibrant Brand that is innovative, technologically advanced and committed to society.”

Bajaj Pulsar 200NS to be launched next week. The wait is soon going to be over!!

Back in 2001, the Pulsar twins started a revolution of sorts. The advent of Brand Pulsar pioneered the democratization of performance biking, offering affordable motorcycles which were not mere commuters. 10 years on, Brand Pulsar, as we know it today has an unparalleled Indian fan base. So the big question that I ask myself as I begin writing this post is, will the new Pulsar, that we tested about 3 months back, be able to do justice to the to its celebrated lineage? Does it have enough substance to snatch buyers from Yamaha R15? Would it be able to carry forward its predecessor’s legacy into an era where Indian biking seems to have finally come of age? The stakes are much higher now than ever before. The Indian biking enthusiast buying into the Pulsar segment has a bigger pocket, and far more options. So does the new Pulsar sustain its relevance as strongly as it did ten years back and throughout the course of its existence? These questions will be answered only in due course of time. However, the news here is that the eagerly awaited bike will be launched in Maharashtra next week and this will be soon followed with launch at other places. This is no rumour but Rajeev Bajaj has said this to a national news channel in an interview. It may be noted that Mr. Rajiv Bajaj had promised a sub INR 1 lakh price for this bike and if Bajaj stays true to its word, we expect the new bike to give a lot of sleepless nights to rivals.

Pulsar 200NS Specifications

Engine

Type SOHC – 4V – Liquid Cooled

Combustion system                           Triple spark

Ignition system Independent spark control through ECU

Crankshaft Type          Integral

Max Power                   23.52 PS @ 9500

Max Torque                  18.3 Nm @ 8000

Bore                               72 mm

Stroke                            49 mm

Displacement                 199.5 cc

Fuel system Carburettor, UCD 33

Air filter Paper element

Exhaust system Exhaust TEC enhanced centrally mounted

Vehicle

Frame Type Pressed steel Perimeter Frame

Wheel Base                         1363 mm

Length x height x width      2017 mm x 1195 mm x 804 mm

Seat ht-Rider                       805 mm

Ground Clearance               167 mm

Vehicle Kerb weight            145 kg

FAW/RAW                           72/73 kg

Fuel Tank capacity               12 L

Suspension

Front suspension Telescopic Front Fork with Antifriction Bush Dia 37

Rear Suspension Nitrox Mono Shock Absorber with piggy back gas canister

Brakes – type

Front Petal Disc with floating caliper

Rear Petal Disc with floating caliper

Brake Size

Front Dia 280 mm Disc

Rear Dia 230 mm Disc

Tyres

Front 100/80 – 17, 52 P, Tubeless

Rear 130/70 – 17, 61 P, Tubeless

Rims

Front 10 spoke 2.5 x 17, Alloy

Rear 10 Spoke, 3.5 x 17, Alloy

Max Speed 136 Kmph

Acceleration

0-60 kmph 3.61 sec

0-100 kmph 9.83 sec

Braking performance

Braking Distance – Both brakes (60 – 0 Kmph) 16.33 meters

Electricals

System DC Ignition

Battery        12V 8AH VRLA

2012 Mercedes Benz M Class to be launched in May

Mercedes India is all set to launch the 2012 M-Class in the Indian market.

The latest edition of the popular SUV is an all new product. However, the first word that comes to the mind when glanced at is – ‘Bland’. Though Mercedes seems to have solved the space issue which made the previous M-Class a hassle to sit in. There is a visible change in the size of the car and looks like the 2012 M-Class will come with an extended wheelbase taken from its elder sibling the GL-Class. The 2012 M-Class also features a huge panoramic sun-roof which will make the cabin come alive with fresh incident light. There is also the wrap around rear windscreen which makes the M-Class stand out of the crowd.

The insides are typical Mercedes top notch standard quality with a lot of wood used to give that upmarket feel. The ML 350 CDI will be laucnched first. The motor here pumps out some 258bhp and churns out 63.2kgm of pulling power. The motor is mated to a seven-speed 7G-Tronic gearbox along with permanent four-wheel drive as a standard feature.

The car could be priced in INR 65-70 lakhs bracket.

Yamaha FZ series gets minor updates

Popular 150cc bike, the FZ 16 and others from this series, get a few changes to keep them from rapidly aging. The FZ-S also gets a new paint shade- Fiery Orange.
The FZ-S is now being offered with a choice of as many as 4 colors to chose from- Black Cyber Green, Sunset Red, Competition White and the new Fiery Orange.
The FZ series in India also gets a revised pillion seat. This is owing to the feedback the FZ users have been providing to the bike manufacturer. It is no secret that the FZ’s pillion seat isn’t the most comfortable around. Now, the rear seat has been elongated and widened a little.
FZ series also gets a new grab rail. Yamaha says,“The grab bar not only acts as a backrest but is something the pillion rider can hold on to if the road is bumpy”. The FZ also gets a new chain cover to cover both the upper and lower portions of the chain.
Unfortunately, the engine has remain untouched. The good bit here though is that the prices remain unchanged. While most of these changes might go unnoticed, I am quite sure that the better half will surely enjoy the revised seat.

SPECIFICATIONS:-

Engine type                                                       Air-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC
Displacement                                                    153.0cc
Bore & Stroke                                                   58.0 × 57.9mm
Compression ratio                                             9.5:1
Maximum output                                               14PS / 7500 rpm
Maximum torque                                               13.6 N.m / 6000 rpm
Starting method                                                 Electric & Kick
Lubrication type                                                Wet sump
Fuel Supply                                                        Carburetor
Clutch type Wet,                                                 multiple-disc
Primary/secondary reduction ratio                      3.409 / 2.857
Transmission type Constant mesh 5-speed
Gear ratio                                                           1st=2.714 ,2nd=1.789, 3rd=1.318
                                                                           4th=1.045,5th=0.875
Cylinder layout                                                   Single Cylinder



Ex-Delhi prices-

FZ Rs. 67,000
FZ-S Rs. 69,000
Fazer Rs. 74,000

Ford revealed production version EcoSport at Beijing Auto Show

The 2012 Beijing Auto Show as already started entertaining automobile fans around world, now new verdict from Ford really surprised people around China, according to ford they will deliver 15 new vehicles to China by 2015.

Among the car to be launched includes EcoSport, Kuga and Explorer while the sole car is the new worldly Ford Focus ST five-door hatch.

“We are working hard to secure the avid interest of Chinese car enthusiasts with these new and exciting Ford vehicles loaded with green and smart technologies,” said Joe Hinrichs, president of Ford Asia Pacific and Africa. “With the opening of our latest state-of-the-art brand new manufacturing facilities in Chongqing and the continued, rapid expansion of a family of vehicles in every class that Chinese consumers want and value, Ford is committed to China. We are ready to demonstrate aggressive growth this year in China, the most exciting car market in the world.”

We’re already familiar with the Explorer and the Focus. The EcoSport on the other hand is one of Ford’s latest global products. It was first revealed in India, but this time around, it gets its debut in China. The EcoSport is an ultra-compact SUV crossover that Ford hopes will provide affordable, modern motoring for the Asian masses.

The EcoSport is the latest ‘One Ford’ global product, a vehicle designed to help expand Ford’s footprint in the world’s fastest-growing auto markets, including India. It will be the second of eight products Ford plans to bring to India by mid-decade for which the company will invest US$ 2 billion in the development and production of the new vehicles.

The five-door EcoSport gets chunky, technical styling, and a very space-efficient interior. A large trapezoidal front grille dominates the front end, while the front headlights are slimmer and more technical than on the Fiesta.

The lower front bumper and side sills get cladding, while there are also muscular wheel arches and a fixed spare wheel at the back to further emphasise its off-road intentions. The roof gets chrome rails and the rear side windows have the familiar Ford upwards kink in the window line.

Ford will debut a new 1.0-litre, three-cylinder, direct-injection turbo-petrol motor in the EcoSport – a world debut – that will be capable of developing power similar to a bigger, 1.6-litre motor. It will also deliver class-leading fuel economy. The car will also get the 1.5-litre diesel engine that currently does duty in the Fiesta.

The EcoSport, which cleverly combines the charm of an SUV, the frugality of small engines, cutting-edge styling and a very affordable price tag somewhere in the region of Rs 7-9 lakh, has the makings of a winner. At that price, it will provide a genuine alternative to a midsize car or even a premium hatchback.

Bosch named the 'most admired' motor parts manufacturer by Fortune magazine

Popular German auto component manufacturer Bosch has been given the ‘most admired’ motor vehicle parts supplier title by the US magazine Fortune. Based on responses from 3,855 executives, directors and analysts from as many as 698 companies at 58 industries and 32 countries, Bosch was ranked as the No. 1.

This is not all as the parts manufacturer ranked fifth ‘most admired’ among all German companies. The company ranked 11th in India and 14th among companies in the European company category.“Fortune's ranking is a tremendous honour for our company, associates, customers and suppliers,” said Franz Fehrenbach, chairman, Board of Management, Robert Bosch GmbH. “Bosch remains committed to providing excellent service, high-quality products and leading industry advancements. This honour demonstrates our associates' dedication to our industry and our work.” Fortune magazine's ‘World's Most Admired Companies’ is the most popular company ranking list since it was introduced in 1997.

Skoda India Launches Fabia Scout @ INR 6.79 Lakhs

It is no secret that Skoda Fabia never took the hatchback segment in India by storm. Skoda recently resorted to some aggressive price cutting & promotion and that did help but the car is still far from being as popular as the Suzuki Swift, which flies out of the showrooms. To complicate matters even more, parent manufacturer Volkswagen introduced the Polo some years ago and Fabia suddenly started feeling pretty dated. However, Skoda India is in no mood to give up on Fabia yet and has launched the Skoda Fabia Scout in the country.

Scout version of Skoda cars are rugged and strong looking versions of Skoda car with bigger wheels, more SUV-like visuals, enhanced ground clearance and in some cases, bigger engines too. The Skoda Fabia Scout too belong to the same category. Its robust good looks add to this practical small car, thanks to its evocative, specially designed bumpers and off-road design. Black and silver roof rails and protective plastic coverings along its flanks make the Škoda Fabia Scout a particularly characterful car.

Distinctive Scout styling also features in the passenger compartment: The Scout comes with new leather upholstery and stainless steel pedals. In essence, the Scout, inside and out, is a more rugged and bolder variant of the Fabia.

Fabia Scout Price (Ex showroom, Delhi):

1.2L MPI: Rs 6.79 Lakh

1.2L TDI: 8.10 Lakh

Fiat showcased Viaggio at 2012 Beijing Auto Show

Fiat showcased the fluidic lined, curvacious bodied Fiat Viaggio at Auto China in Beijing which is Fiat’s first locally produced car for China. There are no immediate plans to sell the Viaggio outside China though Fiat India maybe interested in studying its feasibility.

Today at 2012 Beijing Auto Show Fiat revealed Viaggio, which is first car to be locally produced in China. Well fiat as no immediate plans to sell outside china.

Fiat Viaggio is fiat version of Dodge Dart, it is available with a range of turbo engines including a 120-hp 1.4 liter T-Jet and a 150-hp T-Jet. Transmission choices include a 6-speed automatic and a 5-speed manual. The Fiat Viaggio measures 4,679 mm long, 1,850 mm wide and sports a 2,708 mm wheelbase. It is in a segment higher than the Linea and competes with cars like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. Viaggio will be positioned in the C-Segment, which is China’s best selling segment.

According to Fiat “Viaggio is positioned in the most competitive mid-class segment in China’s automotive market, targeting potential consumers with a passion for life. Enthusiastic, responsible, daring to dream and persistent: they are young and styling, having grown up in the cities and set to become the backbone of Chinese society.”

India Superbike Festival to be held on 28 & 29 April

Indian bikers are all set for a treat! India finally gets a bike fest of its own. Big engines roaring, smell of burning fuel in the air and finding like minded souls will never be easier. Pune will be seen hosting the India Superbike Festival on 28th and 29th this month.

Just in case the bikes are not enough for you, the fest will also have some aftermarket parts, riding gear and other accessories on show. And what is a fest without some groove setting muzik? The performances of some renowned rock bands and DJs will be seen making many dance to their beats. Again, we bikers are a hungry lot and the festival will have a lot of food joints and some more from a barbeque festival that will be held.

Official pic of 2013 Audi Q5 leaked

Just when we were busy reporting about the all new Audi Q3, official pics of the Audi Q5 got leaked on the web world. Dubbed as the 2013 model, the refreshed Q5 gets some subtle changes to the car that went on sale in 2008.

The Q3 refresh gets a new grille, revised headlights and some changes in the front bumper. On the rear, the car gets new taillights and a revised rear apron. On the inside, not much has changed and the 2013 model gets only a revised steering wheel boss. \

Among other engine options, the 2013 Audi Q5 will also offer a supercharged 3.0-litre TFSI engine in two states of tune- c272PS and 329PS.

Revealed: First images of Lamborghini Urus

Only a few hours ago, we reported that there are good chances of the upcoming SUV from Lamborghini being christened as the Urus and not Deimos, as earlier expected. We, then, also came up with the news that the new Lambo will be showcased at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show and we posted the invite for it. The latest development is that an image of this SUV has started doing rounds on the web and our sources say that this is an official pic of the upcoming SUV.

The latest that has surfaced is that after seeing a lot of spy pics and renderings, we finally have a few official renderings of the car. Going by what we can make out from the pics, this Lambo doesn’t looks unlike the BMW X6 and the new SUV is rumored to be five metre long and have the power of 600 horses. The car is being said to become the fastest 4×4 ever. We wonder if this SUV is based on the parent VW’s PL71 platform.

Going by the images, the car looks like a Lambo supercar on steroids and that can’t be a bad thing. Can it be? As expected, the car comes with LED lamps and ORVMs with a video camera integrated in them. The highlight at the rear has to be four trapezoidal exhaust tips neatly integrated in the bumper diffuser. The SUV rides on very tasty looking 24-inch rims that quite mimic those seen on the almighty Aventador. On the inside, the seats have a familiar look and seem to be inspired by those in the Sesto Elemento (does not Italian names sound so sensuous?).The centre console runs all the way back to the rear passenger seats and one should find a liberal dosage of exotic CF inside.

It may be noted that this is the second SUV from the famous car maker, the earlier being the very macho LM002 seen in 80s. Currently, not much is known about the powertrain but our guess is that a 580 hp 5.2-liter V10 motor will be found under that hood

Ford announces Executive Live Chat for 2102 Beijing Auto Show

Popular American car manufacturer Ford will have some special guests to answer Ford related questions live from the 2012 Beijing Auto Show that commences on April 23rd. The questions can be submitted via commenting at the following link:

https://www.facebook.com/notes/ford-asia-pacific-and-africa/2012-beijing-auto-show-executive-live-chat-announcement/10150746830513805



The answers will be given by-



Martin Smith, Executive Design Director, Ford of Europe (April 23, 10:40am - 11:00am, Beijing time) Martin is Executive Design Director, Ford of Europe, a position he was appointed to July 1, 2004.He is also responsible for design at Ford Asia Pacific and Africa.



Rodney Philips, Asia Pacific and Africa SYNC Engineering Manager (April 23, 04:00pm - 04:30pm, Beijing time) Rodney SYNC Engineering Manager for Ford Asia Pacific and Africa (APA), based in Nanjing, China. He currently oversees the application and delivery of SYNC technology in all APA markets, including overall project coordination, Human Machine Interface localization and system testing.



Edward Pleet, Connected Services Director, Ford Motor Company, Asia Pacific and Africa, and Europe (April 23, 04:00pm - 04:30pm, Beijing time) Since joining Ford Motor Company over 14 years ago, Edward Pleet has held various positions involving product and business development. He currently manages Ford's Connected Services for all of Europe, Asia Pacific and Africa. This includes all aspects of the connected services life cycle from product concept through engineering development and product deployment.



Ashwani Kumar Galhotra, Vice President, Product Development, Asia Pacific and Africa, Ford Motor Company (April 23, 04:55pm - 05:20pm, Beijing time) In his 23 years at Ford, he has held positions in product development and product strategy. Among other assignments, he led the introduction of the Ford Ranger into South American markets in 1998; was the Chief Engineer for the Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute and Mercury Mariner in the early 2000’s; and Vehicle Programs Director for five vehicle lines in the mid-2000’s.

The live chat will be conducted on:

http://www.facebook.com/fordapa .

Electronic Arts will soon come up with a Need For Speed movie

This news brings back memories of my kindergarten days. Some 15 years ago, people would find me glued to my dad’s desktop at any time of the day. I won’t be wrong to say that I was addicted to this car game where I could drive a Corvette in a pretty grainy background. Fast forward from NFS 1 days to present and I can be now found addicted to driving cars in the real world scenario. The fact that I still haven’t tested a Corvette in real is a different story altogether. The recent and probably one of the most exciting development at Electronic Arts is that they are planning to come up with a movie based on the popular gaming series that say NFS Underground, Carbon and Prostreet take the market by storm. Electronic Arts will hire George and John Gatins for developing the screen play of the movie.

It is being said that popular studios like the Warner Bros. and Paramount wish to bag the rights for the Need for Speed movie, which might become their answer to Universal’s The Fast and the Furious series.

The Need for Speed series has as many as 18 games to its credits with the ‘The Run’ being the latest.

Toyota Racing Introduces Scion FR-S Speedster

Toyota Racing debuted a custom-built Scion FR-S Speedster show vehicle on Friday, April 13 to celebrate the 38th annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. The car was designed and built by Joe Iacono of Iacono Design and Jeremy Lookofsky of Cartel Customs.

The custom show vehicle–the result of a collaboration between Toyota and its youth brand Scion–is modeled after the 2013 Scion FR-S, a rear-wheel-drive sports car with exceptionally balanced performance and handling, compelling style, flexible utility and surprising fuel economy.

The FR-S was most inspired by the AE86 generation of the Corolla, better known as the “Hachi-Roku,” meaning “8-6” in Japanese. It was designed around the core goal of achieving “pure balance,” as demonstrated by its compact size, flat shape and strategic use of the world’s only flat boxer engine in a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration.

Cartel Customs styled the car in a nod to Toyota’s rich racing heritage. The vehicle proudly bears the number 86 on its door panels and rear wing. It also features Toyota Racing’s iconic paint scheme. Exterior modifications include Cartel Traditional Signature Series Chop Top, modified front fenders and hood, custom-molded rear deck with hand-made sheet metal speed blisters, custom metal fabrication interior and exterior panels, APR Performance Custom 61” carbon fiber wing, and custom formed and cut glass front windshield and side door glass.

Interior modifications include custom-shaped metal door panels with carbon fiber insets, carbon rear panel false wall, modified dash center drive gauge cluster and carbon switch panel, and red and white accented seats, dash and center console.

2012 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Special Edition Unleashed

The Ninja 250R from Kawasaki, marketed by Bajaj Auto in India, is facing very stiff competition from the Honda CBR 250R even though the latter is a single cylinder engined motorcycle while the former features an engine with two parallel cylinders.

Now, 2012 Ninja250R looks much sportier and youthful compared to the standard lime green. No changes have been made to the bodywork, engine, underpinnings or the mechanicals of the bike. Even the instrumentation has been left untouched, with that old-world analog speedo-tacho combo. These editions were caught in Thailand, from where it is exported to other countries.

One of the main reason why the Ninja failed to inspire good sales is lack of different shades to the customers. Lack of color options is probably one that hurts Indian consumers and so bringing in some new colors will only enhance the company’s brand. However there isn’t any update available that can assure that these colors are for India, we will have to wait and see if these color options are introduced in India or not but for now nothing can be assured.

Hero Motocorp started working on the 250cc sports bike

BA readers know, Hero Motocorp plans to launch a 250cc sports bike in India. It is a necessary step taken by the company in-order to withstand its top position in the domestic market. Through this high-end bike, the company plans to enter into the overseas market. It might not set the sales chart on fire but will help the company in brand positioning.

Sources informed that Hero Motocorp has commenced work on a 250cc sports bike, which is expected to start selling in 2014. A person directly involved with the project informed that the product will be well-researched and futuristic in nature.

He also said that even as market research is underway, a prototype of the bike is ready. However, it’s subject to alterations as the taste of Indian two-wheeler consumers is expected to change dramatically with the country’s per capita income growing at a rapid pace.

The Hero 250cc motorcycle would most likely be a single-cylinder producing around 23 BHP of power and 20 Nm of torque, while the engines will be made by Hero in association with AVL of Austria. It is expected to feature aggressive styling and the prototype is already standing at Hero’s R&D center in Gurgaon.

Salman Khan becomes brand ambassador for Suzuki Motorcycles

Suzuki two wheelers are certainly not the most popular in the country. While the Access 125 scooter has got reasonable success, well sorted 150cc mobike GS150 has remained largely neglected by the buyers in the 150cc commuter segment. Now, as we reported earlier, Suzuki is all set to launch Hayate motorcycle next month. The Jap bike maker has signed popular bollywood star Salman Khan as its brand ambassador and as expected, the first promotional campaign that features Salman will be of the Hayate. Displacing 112cc, Hayate will lock horns with Hero Splendour, Bajaj Discover 100 and upcoming Honda Dream Yuga.

Atul Gupta, vice-president (sales & marketing), SMIPL said, “While the motorcycle market in India is growing, brand loyalties remain strong. We needed to break into the clutter by differentiating our products and marketing strategy. We decided to sign on Salman Khan as he is a strong fit with the value-packed products we have scheduled for launch in the India market.”

It will be interesting to see if Salman does to Suzuki what John did to Yamaha.

Bajaj Pulsar 200NS production model in final testing

As we said earlier, Bajaj Auto might launch its new Pulsar 200NS in end-this month. At the last minute, the company is working hard to introduce the bike as a perfect one and this might be the reason for the delay in the launch of the Pulsar 200NS. The bike is going under severe road testing conditions, at Bajaj Auto’s test track.

The reason for this could be that the company wants to give this new machine a perfect launch pad and want to leave no stone unturned and there is news that this vehicle is going through every single test, and the test is given a green signal only after engineers and technicians feel its picture perfect.

Apart from company tested conditions this bike is given to some commuters, for a test ride on-real time road conditions and the company officials are gathering all the valiant inputs given by the commuter who has test driven this new machine. The company officials are also making some fine tune-up after looking at the customer’s feedback.

Earlier we said the company offers some minor changes to the Pulsar 200NS, it is fitted with new headlight that will be emitting more light for clear vision of road at night times and rear mudguard with glossy finish as been changed to matte black.

The cluster light on instruments too has been improved for day rising visibility. It is also expected, the company to option buyers in terms of tyres with brands like MRF and TVS. Now rumours on the internet suggest, that some components have been added inside the engine to enhance the performance of the engine.

Bajaj Pulsar 200NS would be one of the best from Bajaj Auto in Pulsar segment vehicles, which will set the road on fire with stunning looks and pick up. After completing the final-testing by the company, the Pulsar 200NS makes a perfect bike with much more than our expectations

AMG breaks ties with Ducati soon after Audi acquires the bike maker

Popular in house tuning firm of Mercedes-AMG, recently ended the association they had with the popular bike maker Ducati. This is something that we had expected as the Ducati is now in hands of Audi, arch rival of Mercedes. The German tuning firm took the decision soon after Audi announced the acquiring of Ducati. AMG and Ducati had a common marketing cooperation since end of 2010.

2013 Dodge Dart Pricing Announced

The all-new 2013 Dodge Dart leverages the architecture and DNA of Alfa Romeo and then infuses it with Dodge passion and design. The Dodge Dart brings this style and technology to market starting at a U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of just $15,995, delivering a thoroughly modern vehicle that’s beautifully designed and crafted with high-quality materials, attention to detail and precision craftsmanship.

Loaded with innovative technology, class-leading safety features and clever functionality, the 2013 Dodge Dart sets a new standard in the compact car segment by offering unmatched personalization, roominess, style, functionality and fun-to-drive dynamics.

The 2013 Dodge Dart is available in five different trim levels in the United States. Customers can choose from the SE, SXT, Rallye, Limited and R/T.

The starting U.S. MSRP for the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart (all prices exclude$795 destination):

2013 Dodge Dart SE – $15,995 starting U.S. MSRP

The Dodge Dart SE offers customers a stylish new car that breaks the mold of the typical compact car, while delivering great value. It’s powered by the new 2.0-liter 16-valve Tigershark I-4 engine, which produces a best-in-class standard 160 horsepower (hp) and 148 lb.-ft. of torque, mated to a six-speed manual transmission, or available six-speed automatic.

Select standard equipment includes class-leading safety features, such as 10 standard air bags, four wheel disc anti-lock brakes, brake assist, electronic stability control (ESC) and traction control. Dart separates itself from the competition with world-class aerodynamics and distinctive style with standard projector headlamps, LED taillamps, body-color crosshair grille and laminated windshield. The interior features a premium soft-touch instrument panel with bright accents, six-way manual driver seat with height adjuster, unique ‘Denim’ cloth seats, power windows, AM/FM CD with MP3 and much more. All 2013 Dodge Dart models feature the security of a 5-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

2013 Dodge Dart SXT – $17,995 starting U.S. MSRP

The 2013 Dodge Dart SXT model includes the standard equipment of the SE model, as well as 17-inch aluminum wheels; power body-color mirrors and door locks; remote keyless entry; six-speakers; security alarm, 60/40 split folding rear seat, sliding armrest; air conditioning with micron filter and more.

Owners can customize their SXT with a wide array of options, including the class-exclusive 8.4-inch touch screen, Garmin navigation, in-seat storage, rear backup camera, power sunroof and a 506-watt sound system.

2013 Dodge Dart Rallye – $18,995 starting U.S. MSRP

The Dodge Dart Rallye adds a customized look to the Dodge Dart with distinctive performance front and rear fascias and a choice of four interior colors – Black with Light Diesel Grey, Diesel with Light Diesel Grey, Black with Ruby Red or Diesel Grey with Citrus Peel.

Rallye includes the standard equipment of the SXT model and also adds the following to create a one-of-a-kind look: unique black front fascia accents; black headlamp bezels; projector fog lamps; class-exclusive integrated dual exhaust with bright exhaust tips; leather-wrapped steering wheel; speed control; steering wheel audio controls; trip computer and more.

Rallye customers can further express themselves with class-exclusive Hyper Black wheels or the powerful efficiency of the 1.4-liter MultiAir® Turbo delivering 160 horsepower and an impressive 184 lb.-ft. of torque.

2013 Dodge Dart Limited – $19,995 starting U.S. MSRP

The all-new Dodge Dart Limited represents the ultimate in luxury with mid-size levels of interior roominess, class-leading safety and technology, all for less than $20,000 MSRP.

The Dodge Dart Limited includes the standard equipment of the Dart SXT and adds the following impressive list of equipment, including unique bright grille and door handles; 8.4-inch Uconnect touch screen with rear backup camera; class-exclusive 7-inch TFT (Thin Film Transistor) reconfigurable instrument cluster display; floating island bezel; projector fog lamps; 10-way power driver seat; automatic headlamps; active grille shutters; premium accent stitching on the instrument panel; and much more.

Limited customers can indulge in a variety of class-exclusive features, including premium Nappa leather with heated steering wheel, Garmin navigation, rear cross path detection and polished aluminum wheels.

2013 Dodge Dart R/T: $22,495 starting U.S. MSRP (3rd quarter 2012 availability):

The Dodge Dart R/T pays homage to the heritage of the R/T badge with distinctive styling and performance attributes that cater to the performance enthusiast with discriminating taste.

The Dodge Dart R/T is powered by the new 2.4-liter Tigershark MultiAir 2 4-cylinder that produces an impressive 184 horsepower and 171 lb.-ft. of torque and is mated to a six-speed manual transmission or available six-speed automatic with AutoStick.

The R/T features the standard content of the Limited and adds the following distinctive equipment: 18-inch aluminum wheels; sport suspension with frequency-sensing damping shocks; unique performance front fascia with black accents and Hyper Black grille; black headlamp bezels; integrated dual exhaust with bright exhaust tips; R/T-unique premium Nappa perforated leather seats; dual- zone automatic temperature control; heated seats; class-exclusive heated steering wheel;and more.

Mercedes Concetp Style Coupe revealed

We have been reporting a lot on this future sedan from Mercedes and now we finally have the pics of the Mercedes Concept Style Coupe on which the production car will be based on. The baby CLS coupe is based on the MFA platform and is being called as the CLA concept. The MFA structure forms the base of the ‘not so premium’ MB cars like the A-Class and the B-Class. The CLA concept has nothing to do with the CLC coupe. There has been no official word on the future of the CLA but rumors suggest that the car will head to production as soon as in late 2014 and will be built at the car maker’s Hungary plant as the nation provides labour at cheaper rates. The concept car is 182.6 inches long, 74.5 inches wide and 55.0 inches high. Powering this car will be a 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder direct-injection petrol motor that will pump out 211 horses. Mated to this plant will be a 7G-DCT dual-clutch automatic transmission with power transmitted to all four wheels. The CLA will join the likes of the A-Class, B-Class Sports Tourer, CLC Coupe and CLC sedan to complete the 3 pointed star’s five entry level car models line up.Out of these five, the first relatively affordable Merc to come to us is the B-Class sports tourer. And it is quite some time before others mentioned here decide to come to our shores.

Audi acquires Ducati for $1.12 billion

We have been closely following the developments preceding the sale of popular Italian bike maker Ducati. First, a rumor hit the web that Indian manufacturer Hero is looking forward to buy the bike brand. Then, a news daily Corriere della Sera said that Daimler AG too may be interested in acquiring Ducati. This happened soon after another German luxury car maker Audi started taking interest in buying the bike manufacturer. However, Daimler was quick to deny any such interest. Later, Fiat heir Lapo Elkann has commented that he is interested in bidding for acquiring the iconic Italian bike maker. The latest development is that Audi has bought the famous two wheeler brand for $1.12 billion.

This simply means that Audi can now boast of a line up of bikes in its portfolio to give an even stronger fight to arch rival BMW, the latter’s bikes being renowned around the globe. If rumors are to be believed, The payment made to Ducati includes the clearance 200 million Euros of debt that the bike maker faces.

Nevada the first state in the world to approve driverless cars!

It’s incredible how fast human race is making advances in science and technology. As I look back, it appears to be yesterday when I was hoodwinking my parents into believing that I was preparing for engineering exams. As I cut classes and watched those fascinating sci-fi movies, I marveled at things like Tom Cruise controlling a giant screen with hand gestures in Minority Report. It wasn’t long before Mr. Jobs somewhat converted the fantasy into a reality with his range of i products. The movie also portrayed a world in which the cars drove themselves while the passengers just relaxed and enjoyed themselves. Google, as we all know it, seems to have taken up the job of making the vision a reality with its autonomous car. Having seen so much happen so soon, I won’t be surprised if I read about the concept of Precrime Prevention becoming a reality in tomorrow’s newspaper.

Google has been testing an autonomous car for the past couple of years. If the company’s claims are to be believed, the test car has done close to 2.5 lakh kilometers autonomously, without any untowardly incident. But testing one car and having an environment to test a multitude of such cars in the real world are two different things. After prolonged lobbying, seems like Google has found a place in the world to test its new tech on a wider scale. Nevada State of the US of A has become the first state to create regulations for companies interested in testing self-driven cars on public roads.

Of course, there is still a long way to go before such vehicles could be put into production, but the state of Nevada is geared up for the day when it happens with its set of laws. The regulations for the testing of autonomous vehicles include a bond ranging from $1 million to $3 million, details about where the vehicle will be tested and how, and an agreement to submit the entire data collected to the state. Also, there will always have to be two passengers in the car to override the system in case it messes up. The state is also gearing up to put laws in place for a time when these cars would be sold in the market to the common public. These cars will have special registration plates and will have to be equipped with Electronic Data Recorders which would have to record at least 30 seconds of data before a collision, or any other untowardly event occurs.

Google may be the leader in developing such an autonomous car, but it’s most definitely not the only company carrying out such an experiment. Global auto majors such as VW, Audi and GM are carrying out their own, independent development programs for such fully- or semi-autonomous vehicles.

It may look like a cool thought to have your car driving itself, but it’ll take years before such a technology is incorporated on production cars. The data available about roads will have to be more comprehensive. More importantly, it will have to be more dynamic, and blockades and other issues will have to be reported on the fly. Cars don’t have the decision making powers of humans, so they will have to rely on detailed, frequently updated information to be sure that they are not headed towards a precarious situation.

Another challenge would be to iron out the differences in the driving patters of humans and autonomous cars. A world which comprises of only self-driving cars sounds like a safer bet, where all the machines could communicate with each other and make an informed decision based on the data acquired. Throwing in instinctive humans into the equation makes the situation more dangerous. Google and other companies will have to ensure that there is perfect harmony between the self-driven and human driver cars in the real world. Also, chaotic and undisciplined traffic conditions like we have here in India would make the implementation of such technologies even more difficult.

So what do you think of the concept? Would it ever be implementable? What do you think would be the biggest challenges, and how do you think should these companies address them? Voice your opinions, there are more people listening than you think.

Hero Motocorp’s all-new 250cc bike under development, to debut in 2014

It’s no secret that Hero Motocorp has been working very hard at developing a strong and capable in-house R&D team. The company has recently joined hands with Eric Buell Racing and AVL of Australia as a part of its plan to build bigger, technologically advanced engines for its future motorcycles. The big news coming in at this hour, however, is that the company has already developed a 250cc engine, and a prototype machine with the new heart throbbing within its chassis already exists. The new motorcycle, to take over the reins from the aging Karizma, as the company’s performance flagship, will make its debut in 2014. The word has apparently been leaked out by 4 members of the Hero Motorcorp R&D team who have insisted their names not be revealed. If their word is to be believed, the new prototype was even parked in Hero Motorcorp’s Gurgaon showroom for a while.

According to the sources, the new product wouldn’t be a make do arrangement. It would be a technologically advanced, well researched, well tested and futuristic product. Changes, however, have to be made to make the product suit the Indian tastes. Expect the new 250 to be a liquid cooled single with an output of more than 25bhp. It would, however be interesting to see how well the company’s first ground-up product matches up with its Japanese rivals.

Hero has been working aggressively on developing a strong R&D team and knowledge base. The company has a huge 300 member R&D team at its Gurgaon base which includes professionals from Eric Buell Racing, AVL and engineers hired from several other motorcycle companies of global repute. EBR will help the company with design inputs, for company’s new engines to be developed in association with AVL of Australia.

Hero Motorcorp may not have much experience with developing new products all by its own, but it would be foolish to underestimate the world’s biggest bikemaker. The Indian company has put in a lot of money in its new products, and we would like to see some well-polished products to roll out of the company’s plant. Let’s see how well they turn out. Do let us know what you expect though. Also, how much would you be willing to shell out for such a product from Hero Motocorp?

Hyundai reduces down the waiting period for verna and i20

Good news for Hyundai lovers the waiting period for the diesel i20 has been reduced to one month and to about 2-3 months for the diesel Verna. Hyundai Motor India Pvt Ltd have announced that the company has enhanced the supply of it’s popular diesel i20 hatchback and Verna models starting this month, which will in-turn reduce the waiting period of these two models substantially. The waiting period for the diesel Hyundai Verna will drop from six months to about two to three months, while the waiting period for the Hyundai i20 hatchback will drop to about a month.

The total production of diesel variants of both the models has been bumped by up to 50 per cent from the existing 7,000 units per month to 10,500 units per month. The decision to ramp up the production of diesel cars follows the Union Budget 2012-13, which concluded last month that left the anticipated tax on diesel cars untouched.

The company has been able to enhance the supply of ramping up diesel engine imports from South Korea. “Our customers have shown great patience, they have waited for many months, we owe it to them to deliver our cars at the earlier.” Mr Arvind Saxena, director of marketing and sales, Hyundai Motor India Ltd said.

BMW launched F650GS on-off road touring motorcycle priced at Rs. 9.99 lakh in India

Earlier this month, we said BMW Motarrad intends to launch the baby GS, the F650 GS in India with a prices starting at around the Rs 8 lakh mark, but now the manufacturer has silently launched the much awaited BMW F650 GS on-off road touring motorcycle in Indian bike market that too at a price tag of 9.99 lakh(ex-showroom Delhi). The bike was launched recently on 10th April, 2012.

The bike will be bought as a CBU (completely built unit) which means the import taxes will be high (75%) on it as compared to a CKD unit, we personally feel the bike is completely overpriced. It has been a while now that BMW Motarrad has been selling few of its mean machines, motorcycles, in Indian automotive industry through its dealerships, Navnit Motors and Deutsche Motoren.

The 2012 BMW F650 GS on-off road sportsbike has a heart of 800 cc parallel twin four stroke engine that develops 71 BHP of top power and 76 Nm of peak output torque. The powerful engine of the mean machine is coupled with a six speed manual transmission, which transmits the torque to rear wheel via a chain drive.

The engine of the bike is liquid cooled and fuel injected type. The BMW F650 GS runs on 19 inch and 17 inch front and rear wheels respectively, featuring disc type braking system. ABS is the most interesting safety measure on this on-off road speed-star which is aimed primarily hard core bike enthusiasts. The tried and tested telescopic suspensions at the front and adjustable monoshock suspensions at the rear end offers better driveability experience to rider even on rugged terrains.

HMSI to develop a stronger R&D facility in India

Recently, Honda Motor Scooter India (HMSI) was seen overtaking Bajaj to claim the second spot in the sales chart of Indian biking market. It seems like the popular bike manufacturer is all set to get more aggressive with its Indian operations. News has emerged that the manufacturer will be soon seen moving its R&D facility from Gurgaon to its Manesar plant. This is not all as HMSI plans to double the engineers to 200-300 at the R&D dept. once the new facility is functional at Manesar. The Manesar R&D facility should be ready within next 6 months.