Suzuki V-Strom 800DE middleweight adventure tourer teased ahead of launch soon

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  • The new Suzuki V-Strom 800DE is all set to take on the middleweight adventure motorcycle segment with the launch expected on March 29, 2024.
Suzuki V-Strom 800DE
The Suzuki V-Strom 800DE on display at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo earlier this year

Suzuki Motorcycle India is all set to bring the V-Strom 800DE adventure tourer to the market soon. Expected to go on sale as early as March 29, 2024, the new Suzuki V-Strom 800DE replaces the V-Strom 650 in the brand’s lineup globally and is all set to take on the middleweight adventure motorcycle segment. Suzuki showcased the V-Strom 800DE at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2024 earlier this year, hinting at an imminent launch.

Suzuki has dropped the teaser for the V-Strom 800DE on its social media handles while the bike was also spotted testing on several occasions. The new adventure tourer gets a complete overhaul in design, performance and features over the older 650 cc offering. Power now comes from a newly-developed 776 cc parallel-twin, liquid-cooled engine replacing the 649 cc V-Twin. The motor develops 83 bhp and 78 Nm, paired with a 6-speed gearbox and a bi-directional quickshifter.

Also Read : Suzuki V-Strom 800DE unveiled with a new powerful engine

Suzuki V-Strom 800DE
The Suzuki V-Strom 800DE swapped its V-Twin motor for a more power and higher displacement parallel-twin engine along with a host of other upgrades

The Suzuki V-Strom 800DE also comes with sharper styling and a tall stance, while other hardware components include USD forks at the front and a remote preload adjustable monoshock at the rear. Braking performance comes from dual 310 mm front discs and a single disc at the rear. The ADV gets dual-channel ABS as standard. The V-Strom 800DE rides on 21-inch front and 17-inch rear spoke wheels wrapped in 110/80 front and 150/70 rear tubeless tyres.

On the feature front, the V-Strom 800DE gets all-LED lighting, a 5-inch TFT digital instrument console, multiple ride modes, traction control, and more. The new adventure tourer marks Suzuki’s return to the big bike segment in India after a couple of years. The Suzuki V-Strom 800DE is expected to be priced around 10-11 lakh (ex-showroom), and will be competing with the Honda XL750 Transalp, BMW F 850 GS, Triumph Tiger 900, Kawasaki Versys 650 and the like in the segment.

First Published Date: 27 Mar 2024, 18:29 PM IST

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BYD Seal EV bookings open, will launch on 5th March

BYD Seal EV bookings open

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  • BYD Seal has a claimed range of up to 570 km on a single charge.
BYD Seal EV
BYD Seal EV was also showcased at Auto Expo 2023.

BYD India has announced that they have started accepting bookings for their upcoming electric vehicle, Seal. The electric sedan will be unveiled officially to the Indian market on March 5th. Customers who book the BYD Seal by April 30, 2024, stand a chance of receiving a complimentary UEFA match ticket and round-trip flight ticket from India to the match city.

It is expected that the Seal will be the new flagship electric vehicle for BYD. As of now, the brand only sells the e6 MPV and the Atto3 crossover SUV. They are priced at 29.15 lakh and 33.99 lakh respectively. Both prices are ex-showroom.

BYD Seal: Range, battery and performance

BYD Seal is offered with single and dual-motor options. Depending on the version that the customer opts for, the electric sedan will be able to produce 308 bhp and 360 Nm or 522 bhp and 670 Nm. The rear-wheel drive powertrain has a WLTP-claimed range of 570 km whereas the dual-motor setup has a WLTP-claimed range of 520 km. These specs are for the larger 82.5 kWh battery pack.

There will also be a smaller 61.4 kWh battery pack that has a WLTP-claimed range of 460 km. The electric motor puts out 201 bhp of max power and a peak torque output of 310 Nm. The smaller battery pack can be DC fast-charged up to speeds of 110 kW whereas the larger battery pack supports 150 kW.

Also Read : BYD Seal EV details revealed ahead of launch: Check range, features and specs

BYD Seal: Safety rating

The Seal is one of the safest electric vehicles that a customer can buy in the Indian market. It passed the Euro NCAP crash test with 5-star safety rating last year. The Seal EV scored 89 per cent for adult occupants, 87 per cent for child occupants, 82 per cent for Vulnerable Road Users and 76 per cent in Safety Assist. The Seal EV that was tested was equipped with dual front airbags, belt pre-tensioners, belt load limiters, side airbags and a centre airbag. There were also ISOFIX child seat mounts, airbag cut-off switch and seatbelt reminders. Other features on offer are Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Assist System and Fatigue / Distraction Detection.

First Published Date: 28 Feb 2024, 15:57 PM IST

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What is the Aurus Senat? The limousine gifted by Vladimir Putin to Kim Jong Un

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The UN sanctions ban the supply, sale and transfer of luxury goods including cars to North Korea. So what is the Aurus Senat which has been caught in

Aurus Senat Kim Jong Un Vladimir Putin
The Aurus Senat Limousine was built for Russian President Vladimir Putin and the car was recently gifted to North Korea’s supreme leader Kim Jong Un

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently gifted a new car to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in a show of friendship between the two state leaders. The luxury limousine ‘Aurus Senat’ has been the talk of the town not for the gift itself but for violating the UN sanctions against Pyongyang. The UN sanctions ban the supply, sale and transfer of luxury goods, including cars, to North Korea. So, what is the Aurus Senat that’s caught in the eye of the storm? We break it down for you.

The Aurus Senat Limousine is Vladimir Putin’s official vehicle and the car is the first Russian luxury vehicle developed in the country. The Aurus Senat made its global debut in 2018 and was originally custom-made for the Russian president under the codename ‘Cortege’.

Also Read : Russia makes luxury cars? US mocks Putin for his gift to North Korea’s Kim

Aurus Senat
The Aurus Senat is built for civilians as well and draws power from a 4.4-litre V8 engine developed with inputs from Porsche Engineering

The Aurus Senat Limousine is the presidential state car while the shorter five-door sedan is also available for civilian purchase. Visually, the Senat borrows several cues from the Rolls-Royce Phantom luxury saloon, even as the company says its retro styling is inspired by the ZIS-110 Soviet limousine of the 1940s.

The Aurus Senat is sizeable at 5,631 mm in length and weighs a hefty 2,700 kg. President Putin’s stretched limousine measures 6,700 mm and also gets armoured protection. This includes bulletproof armour, reinforced glass, bomb-resistant underfloor protection, run-flat rubber tyres, as well as integrated “offensive” weapons and a self-contained oxygen supply. The presidential state car also gets its secure-line communication system.

Aurus Senat
The Aurus Senat’s cabin gets individually adjustable rear seats with entertainment screens for each passenger. The presidential vehicle is completely armoured as well

The cabin remains opulent on the Senat with the best of leather and finer materials gracing the cabin. The model gets dual instrument pods with a large TFT display in the centre and a large infotainment system slotted into the centre console. The rear seats get their respective screens, along with individually adjustable rear seats.

On the power front, the Senat stretched limousine gets a 6.6-litre V12 engine with about 850 bhp on offer, whereas the long-wheelbase saloon is powered by a 4.4-litre V8 developed by NAMI or the Central Scientific Research Automobile and Automotive Engines Institute in Russia. The motor is said to have been developed with inputs from Porsche Engineering and is tuned to produce 590 bhp and 880 Nm of peak torque.

Aurus Senat
The Aurus Senat joins Kim Jong Un’s fleet of luxury cars that includes Maybachs, Lexus, a Mercedes Pullman Guard and more

Kim Jong Un isn’t new to luxury cars and reportedly has a long line of opulent vehicles at his disposal. Reports suggest the leader has at least two Maybach 62s, a Mercedes-Maybach S650, a Lexus LX, a Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600, and a Mercedes Pullman Guard. The new Aurus Senat is now an addition to this list.

First Published Date: 26 Feb 2024, 16:13 PM IST

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Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R to be launched in India tomorrow

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First launch of the year, the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R has received a host of upgrades since the last time this model was on sale in India.

2024 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R
The 2024 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R makes a comeback to the Indian market with new styling and the same exciting 636 motor

India Kawasaki Motor is all set to introduce the Ninja ZX-6R full-faired motorcycle in the country tomorrow, January 1, 2024. The first launch of the year, the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R was showcased at India Bike Week 2023 earlier this month and has received a host of upgrades since the last time this model was on sale in India.

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R has seen plenty of upgrades internationally over the years. The MY2024 version will arrive in India with a revised bodywork that’s identical to the one found in the recently launched Ninja ZX-4R. The split LED headlamps are sharper and the bike comes with clip-on handlebars for a more dedicated riding posture. The bike has also been updated with a TFT screen that now gets Bluetooth connectivity.

Also Read : India Bike Week 2023: New Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R makes India debut

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R
Kawasaki ZX-6R uses a 636 cc, liquid-cooled, in-line four-cylinder engine tuned for 128 bhp and 69 Nm of peak torque

Power continues to come from the 636 cc inline-four engine engine that is now Euro5 compliant. The motor has been tuned to produce 128 bhp and 69 Nm of peak torque and is paired with a 6-speed gearbox with a quickshifter. Other mechanicals have been carried over including the Showa USD front forks and a monoshock at the rear. Braking performance comes from dual 310 mm discs at the front and a single 220 mm disc at the rear. The bike will come shod with 17-inch alloy wheels with Pirelli Diablo Rosso 4 tyres.

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R will take on the Aprilia RS 660 upon arrival and prices should be around 12 lakh (ex-showroom). The motorcycle makes for a fantastic bridge between the Ninja 400 and the top-spec Ninja ZX-10RR, keeping the track enthusiasts entertained. The bike is expected to soon face the heat from the Yamaha R7, also slated for arrival in 2024 in India.

First Published Date: 31 Dec 2023, 19:42 PM IST

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Yamaha YZF-R3 & MT-03 initial impressions: Motorcycles for purists

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Yamaha Motor India was once known for being a brand that wanted to sell motorcycles that enthusiasts would want. The manufacturer used to sell the YZF-R3 but it was then discontinued when the BS6 emission norms came into effect. Since then things have been slow and cold. However, earlier this year, Yamaha announced that they would be launching the YZF-R3 and MT-03 in the Indian market. This sparked a lot of hype around the brand once again. So, when Yamaha invited us for a few laps of both motorcycles on the Buddh International Circuit (BIC), we could not say no.

By: Paarth Khatri
| Updated on: 20 Dec 2023, 17:57 PM

Yamaha MT-03 Yamaha YZF-R3
The MT-03 and R3 use the same underpinnings.

It is important to note that we only rode both motorcycles for just 15 minutes which is 4 laps of the race track. So, these are only our initial impressions and not a full review.

Yamaha R3 and MT-03: Looks and ergonomics

Yamaha R3 Yamaha MT-03
Both motorcycles look quite impressive and high quality.

In terms of looks not much has changed since the last time, the R3 was on sale in the Indian market. It now comes with all LED lighting, a fairing and a design that is inspired by its elder siblings. The golden forks do add a bit of character and premiumness to the looks of the motorcycle. Being a sportbike, the R3 comes with slightly rear-set footpegs and clip-on handlebars. Having said that, the ergonomics are not as committed as one would imagine. In fact, they are more accommodating than the R-15 which was quite surprising for me.

Then there is the MT-03 which has a transformer-like front-face and looks like a larger version of the MT-15. The motorcycle just gets twin slim LED Daytime Running Lamps and a projector headlamp. The one thing that is a bit of an eyesore is the fact that the horn is placed right below the headlamp. Being a naked streetfighter, the riding triangle on the MT-03 is more upright and comfortable than the R3. However, because there is no fairing, the wind blast on the MT is a lot more than the R3.

Yamaha R3 and MT-03: Smooth engine

Yamaha R3
The ergonomics of the R3 are more accommodating than the R15.

Both motorcycles are powered by a 321 cc, parallel-twin engine that is very smooth and delivers power in a very linear fashion. The engine dishes out 41 bhp at 10,750 rpm and a peak torque of 29.5 Nm at 9,000 rpm. The engine comes mated to a 6-speed gearbox which unfortunately does not get a slip-and-assist clutch. Because of this, under aggressive downshifting, the rear would start to hop. Moreover, the gearbox would get stuck while shifting from 4th to 5th and then from 5th to 6th. The engine can pull cleanly even at higher gears and slow speeds and speaking of speeds, it can stay all day long at 100 kmph doing 6,000 rpm. We were able to clock a top speed of around 172 kmph on the R3 whereas the MT-03 did 169 kmph.

Yamaha R3 and MT-03: Features

Yamaha MT-03
The MT-03 looks striking. The only eye sore is the placement of the horn which is directly below the projector headlamp.

There are no fancy features on the R3 and MT-03. It just comes with a digital instrument cluster that shows various information including a temperature gauge and a gear position indicator. There is no Bluetooth connectivity or USB port to charge mobile devices. Fortunately, the motorcycles do come with all LED lighting and dual-channel ABS.

Yamaha R3 and MT-03: Who should get one?

Well, this is where things get a bit interesting. Yes, people have been waiting for these motorcycles for a long time now but Yamaha is bringing them to India through the CBU route. What this means is that they are priced high. The MT-03 costs 4.60 lakh whereas the R3 is priced at 4.65 lakh. Both prices are ex-showroom. The recently launched Aprilia RS 457 is priced at 4.1 lakh ex-showroom and it does look more exotic, offers more features and is more powerful as well. But, if you are a purist, someone who just wants a pure basic motorcycle without any of the fancy features then your heart will deviate towards Yamaha’s motorcycles.

First Published Date: 20 Dec 2023, 17:57 PM IST

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Yamaha R3 and MT-03 launched in India, likely to light up sub-400cc bike market

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Yamaha Motor India has finally launched the R3 and the MT-03 in the Indian market. They are priced at 4.65 lakh and 4.60 lakh respectively. Both prices are ex-showroom and the motorcycles will be sold through Yamaha’s Blue Square dealerships. As of now, the motorcycles come to India as a Completely Built Unit and it is expected that the manufacturer might drop the price if the demand is high enough for them to use the Completely Knocked Down route.

By: Paarth Khatri
| Updated on: 15 Dec 2023, 18:28 PM

Yamaha
The Yamaha R3 and the MT-03 come into the Indian market via the import route.

At this price, the motorcycles are quite expensive. For reference, the KTM 390 Duke costs 3.11 lakh ex-showroom and the recently launched Aprilia RS 457 is priced at 4.10 lakh ex-showroom. Because of the pricing, the Aprilia now seems more value for money as it will have more exclusivity factor and comes with more electronic aids as well.

Both motorcycles share the same 321 cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine that produces 41.4 bhp of peak power at 10,750 rpm and 29.6 Nm of maximum torque at 9,000 rpm. The engine is very smooth but because of its high-revving engine, the rider would need to twist the throttle in case he or she needs to exploit that power. Having said that, the engine is also tractable and does 100 kmph at 6,000 rpm without any vibrations.

Yamaha is using a 6-speed gearbox for the engine. Unfortunately, there is no slip-and-assist clutch on offer because of which under aggressive downshifting the rear does start to hop. Having said that the gearbox is quite smooth for the most part.

Also Read : IBW 2023: Aprilia RS 457 launched at 4.10 lakh in India

The R3 and the MT-03 are quite basic in terms of features. There is no traction control, riding modes or Bluetooth connectivity. The motorcycles only get a dual-channel ABS, all LED lighting and a digital instrument cluster that only shows basic information.

First Published Date: 15 Dec 2023, 15:15 PM IST

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Hyundai Exter receives more than 50,000 bookings, AMT is in demand

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Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has announced that they have received more than 50,000 bookings for the Exter. Bookings grew from 10,000 to 50,000 in just 30 days of launch. Hyundai has also revealed that more than one-third of the bookings are for the AMT variants. Hyundai Exter’s main rival is the Tata Punch. The Exter is currently priced between 6 lakh and 10 lakh. Both prices are ex-showroom and introductory.

By: Paarth Khatri
| Updated on: 09 Aug 2023, 14:21 PM

Hyundai Exter is the tallest and has the longest wheelbase in its segment. (HT Auto/Sabyasachi Dasgupta)

The Exter is being sold in seven variants. There is EX, EX(O), S, S(O), SX, SX(O) and SX(O) Connect. Hyundai Exter is offered with a 3-year (unlimited kilometres warranty) along with an option of 7 years of extended warranty. The micro SUV is available with 6 Monotone and 3 Dual tone exterior colour options.

The Exter really made a mark in the market by offering several segment-first features. It comes with footwell lighting, metal pedals, a shark-fin antenna, a smart electric sunroof, a dashcam with dual cameras, a wireless charger, rear AC vents, premium floor mats, paddle shifters, on-board navigation and support for multiple languages.

Powering the Exter is a 1.2-litre, four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine that is doing duty on other Hyundai models. It produces 81.86 bhp of max power and 113.8 Nm of peak torque. While running on CNG, these figures are reduced to 68 bhp and 95.2 Nm. The max power arrives at 6,000 rpm while the peak torque output arrives at 4,000 rpm.

The Petrol powertrain comes mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 5-speed AMT. The CNG powertrain only gets a 5-speed manual gearbox. The engine is quite smooth and refined. Moreover, the manual gearbox also slots in with a positive feel and while the AMT gearbox shifts with a minimal head nod, making it one of the best AMTs in the market. Interestingly, the Exter AMT is also offered with paddle shifters.

Watch: Hyundai Exter SUV: First Drive Review

Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Tarun Garg, COO, Hyundai Motor India Ltd., said, “With Hyundai EXTER, we have continued our pursuit of democratizing advanced technology, superior quality, next-gen features, safety and comfort for customers. This SUV has redefined benchmarks in the country and offers customers superior safety with 6 Airbags as standard and ESC, VSM, HAC available across all trims as option. The response to EXTER is euphoric, so much so that the bookings have zoomed from 10,000 prelaunch to 50,000 plus in less than 30 days of launch. What is also interesting to witness is that the trims with sunroof constitute more than 75% of total bookings signaling a big thumbs up from the customers for the segment raising benchmark features introduced in the EXTER. HMIL would like to sincerely thank our customers for their trust and love for Hyundai EXTER and we are confident that the Hyundai SUV Life will continue to elevate their aspirations.”

First Published Date: 09 Aug 2023, 14:21 PM IST

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