All posts by : Car Bima

At this year’s Delhi Auto Expo, Tata Motors showcased a Harrier EV concept as well as the 1.5-litre turbocharged gasoline direct injection (TGDi) engine that would be offered under the hood of the Harrier SUV. And while the 1.5L TGDi engine has been in the works for a while now, we understand that the electric Harrier would arrive before its petrol-powered counterpart.

At the price announcement of the facelifted Harrier and Safari yesterday, Shailesh Chandra, managing director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd, said “We have already shown the 1.5-litre TGDi engine at the Auto Expo and we intend to bring it. I would say that it’s slightly far away – one year and beyond. But we are going to bring the petrol engine also.”

According to sources, the development of the petrol motor is proving to be a challenge but one the company knows it must address, “Petrol volumes are going to grow and it is imperative that we enter the petrol segment also,” said Chandra. Once ready, the engine would allow Tata Motors to offer a petrol-powered version of both the Curvv and Sierra SUVs, in addition to the Harrier and Safari.

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Tata Harrier, Safari Global NCAP crash test results video

Tata Harrier facelift review: Big Tata SUV takes a big leap forward

Tata Harrier facelift video review

As promised, Hero began deliveries of the Harley-Davidson X440 on October 15, and they started in a big way. Deliveries were conducted across 100 dealerships, including both standalone Harley-Davidson and select Hero MotoCorp outlets across the country.

The Harley-Davidson X440 is made at Hero MotoCorp’s manufacturing facility in Neemrana, Rajasthan. The bike was originally launched in July 2023 and went on to garner a massive 25,000-plus bookings in its first month. 

The demand was so high that Hero temporarily closed bookings in the country and increased prices across the range. Now that the deliveries have begun, Hero has reopened bookings across existing Harley dealers and through select premium Hero dealerships. Bookings can also be made online. 

Also See:

Harley-Davidson X440 review: Serious RE challenger?

The motorcycle is available in three variants – Rs 2,39,500 for the Denim variant, Rs 2,59,500 for Vivid, and Rs 2,79,500 for S. This marks a Rs 10,500 hike per model over the launch price.

Hero MotoCorp’s CEO Niranjan Gupta said, “It will be our endeavour to complete all deliveries over the next 4-5 months. Our supply chain is already in the process of ramping up the capacity, as we would like to serve every single customer in India who wants to own a Harley Davidson and reduce the waiting period moving forward.”

“We are excited to bring the thrill of Harley-Davidson motorcycles to motoring enthusiasts across the country, including Tier II cities and smaller towns,” he added. 

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Harley X440 vs Triumph Speed 400 vs RE Classic 350 comparison: Battle Royale

These are the first undisguised images of the Kia Sonet facelift that’s due to launch in India in the next 3-4 months. While several camouflaged test mules have been spied on multiple occasions before, these images that have surfaced on the internet give us a complete look at the exterior design of the updated Sonet.

The Sonet pictured here is for overseas markets and is longer than four meters in length. According to Kia India, the Sonet facelift that is headed to our shores will have slightly different looking front and rear bumpers from the one seen in these leaked images. 

1. India-bound Sonet facelift will slightly differ in design 
2. Likely to remain mechanically unchanged
3. Launch is expected in the coming months  

Kia Sonet facelift exterior design revealed

This is the first mid-lifecycle update for the Sonet since its launch in September 2020, and changes will only be limited to plastic parts. The most noticeable of these are the new front bumper and headlamp assembly – the main headlamp cluster has largely retained its shape, but there’s a new drop-down element that extends into the bumper below and comes with revised LED Daytime Running Lamps and fog lamps. 

Going by the bumper, this seems to be an HT Line variant that gets a slightly redesigned faux skid plate and mesh for the central air intake. The GT-Line variants could have a different bumper design. Kia also seems to have updated the grille inserts, although the overall shape remains similar. 

There aren’t any significant changes in profile save for the new alloy wheels that’ll likely differ on the HT-Line and GT-Line trims. At the rear, the wraparound tail lamps have been swapped with new vertical units that are now connected by an LED light bar. It also gets a much chunkier rear bumper with a dual-tone black and silver finish.

Kia Sonet facelift interior

Although these images do not give us a look at the interior of the updated Sonet, previous spy images have hinted at slightly updated switchgear for the HVAC controls and an all-new digital instrument cluster from the new Venue. Additionally, the Sonet is also expected to get a new brown colour for the upholstery and an armrest for the rear seat, with the latter making a comeback.

Kia Sonet facelift powertrain

The Sonet facelift is likely to continue with the existing 83hp, 115Nm, 1.2-litre petrol engine, a 120hp, 172Nm, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and a 116hp, 250Nm, 1.5-litre diesel engine. The petrol engine is expected to be mated to a 5-speed manual, while the turbo-petrol and diesel engines will retain the 6-speed iMT. Additionally, they will also get a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic and a 6-speed automatic, respectively.

Kia Sonet facelift India launch, rivals

Kia is expected to launch the Sonet facelift in the next 3-4 months, and it will rival the Hyundai Venue, Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV300, Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Maruti Suzuki Fronx, Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger. Expect a marginal step up in prices as well. 

Also See:

Kia celebrates EV Day; unveils three models

Kia India to launch EV9 electric SUV next year

The Indonesian round of the 2023 MotoGP world championship was topsy-turvy with Pramac rider Jorge Martin briefly leading the title race after a dominant win in Saturday’s sprint race. But reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia once again finds himself on top of the standings after Martin crashed out of the lead in the main race.

1. Bagnaia wins from 13th on grid
2. Bezzecchi on podium in sprint, P5 in race despite injury
3. Marc Marquez crashes out in both races

Martin vs Bagnaia title fight

Martin won the sprint race, and for the first time this year, eclipsed Bagnaia in the title fight, albeit by a mere seven points. He looked set to be on top in the main race again, but a lowside at Turn 10, presumably due to grip issues with the soft front tyre, ended his race prematurely. Bagnaia, who was running in third place when this happened, saw his chance to regain the title lead and soon overtook Aprilia’s Maverick Vinales.

Mooney VR46 team score despite injuries

Valentino Rossi’s half-brother Luca Marini claimed pole position for the first time in MotoGP and finished second in the sprint race. Joining him on the sprint podium was teammate Marco Bezzecchi, who also took a commendable top-five finish in the main race, coming from ninth on the grid.

Both riders are nursing broken collarbones, albeit different ones, and credit to them for putting on a stellar performance, broken bones notwithstanding.

Quartararo back on the podium

Just like he did in the inaugural Indian GP, Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo, again, finished on the final step of the podium in Indonesia. He came unerringly close to former teammate Maverick Vinales in the closing stages, but wasn’t able to overtake the Spaniard. This season has yet to see Fabio Quartararo stand on the top step of the podium.

Other standout performances in Indonesia

Speaking of injured racers, LCR Honda’s Alex Rins finished inside the top 10 on a satellite Honda, despite a double leg fracture. He finished ahead of even weekend favourite Aleix Espargaro, who rides the latest 2023 RS-GP. And Fabio Di Giannantonio recorded a career-best finish in fourth place, ahead of losing his seat to Marc Marquez next year. 

2023 MotoGP Championship standings

Having claimed his sixth feature race win this season, Bagnaia now sits 18 points clear of Martin in the standings. Trailing those two is Mooney VR46’s Bezzecchi. Ducati is also your 2023 constructors champion, which makes it four on a trot for the Borgo Panigale-based factory.

MotoGP heads to Australia next weekend, so keep tuning in as we bring you the latest coverage. 

2023 Indonesia MotoGP results

Yes, EV buyers have distinct needs

Yes, it shows a strong commitment to EVs

No, splitting showrooms creates inconvenience

No, it will dilute the brand

Total Votes : 1837

Despite the immense local interest around the 3-door Jimny when it was unveiled in 2017, Maruti Suzuki did not launch it in the Indian market, choosing to develop a 5-door version instead. The company felt the additional doors would offer more practicality and would thus be a much better fit for the Indian market.

1. 5-door Jimny to be showcased at Tokyo motor show
2. 3-door Jimny production stopped in India

Post its unveiling, however, Maruti Suzuki says that the 5-door version has been receiving a lot of interest from international markets like Africa and South America, and even its home market in Japan. Speaking to Autocar India at a media interaction in Delhi, C V Raman, the chief technology officer at Maruti Suzuki, said, “The 5-door Jimny will also be launched in Japan, but in some time.”

India is currently the homeroom for all 5-door Jimnys for both left- and right-hand drive versions, and it recently dispatched its first export shipment. While the Indian plant initially began producing only the 3-door version, it now solely produces the 5-door version. However, Raman says that the plant can still produce the 3-door version.

Although the Jimny will be making its way to Japan – the made-in-India model is even slated to debut at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show – it is unlikely to make its way back to Europe in either 3-door or 5-door guise due to stricter emissions norms in the EU.

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Maruti Suzuki Jimny real world fuel economy tested, explained

Maruti Suzuki Jimny road test, review

Why the Maruti Jimny gets the older K15B petrol engine