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TVS – Norton Partnership. What’s new in the motorcycling scene?

by admin | August 26, 2020

TVS Motors has surprisingly acquired Britain’s popular Norton Motorcycles for a cash deal of Rs. 153 Crores. TVS has acquired certain assets of Norton Motorcycles UK Limited through once of its overseas subsidiaries. Known for its classic motorcycles, Norton Motorcycles is one of Britain’s oldest motorcycle brands that was founded by James Lansdowne in 1898 in Birmingham.

Sudarshan Venu- Joint Managing Director of TVS Motor Company expressed that this acquisition is a big opportunity for TVS to scale globally and that this would help the company cater to the aspirations of discerning motorcycle customers. He also further stressed on the point that TVS

Motor Company would extend full support to Norton to regain its glory in the international motorcycle market space as Norton had been in the news for many wrong reasons like insufficient cash flow, an alleged fraud by Norton’s previous owner Stuart Garner who is still under investigation.

TVS Motor Company would jointly work with Norton Motorcycles to grow and expand further internationally in the coming years by leveraging Norton’s Supply Chain capabilities. But what would this mean for the Indian motorcycle market?

We think the scenario could be quite interesting as TVS has until now not had the expertise in producing cruiser motorcycles. But now though, things have changed. TVS could be eyeing on the cruiser motorcycle market space in India that Royal Enfield has dominated all these years. Norton’s experience with café racers and retro motorcycles, also their 650cc parallel twin engine platform could help TVS develop and manufacture affordable performance motorcycles that would compete with the Royal Enfield 650 Interceptor and the continental GT 650. Norton Motorcycles could also help TVS develop the Zeppelin, a cruiser that was showcased in the 2018 Auto Expo.

This acquisition of TVS could take it to many places in the international market. Here in India, we might just get access to many more exciting motorcycles. This partnership could turn out to be a great win- win situation for TVS- Norton and motorcycle enthusiasts.

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Renault Kiger Sub Compact SUV

Renault India has launched their new Kiger compact SUV. The new Kiger is based on the CMF-A+ platform which is also shared with the Nissan Magnite. The Kiger offers two petrol engines with both, manual and automatic gearbox options. This is the first compact SUV from Renault to go on sale.

Exterior:

The new Renault Kiger features a familiar design language previously seen on the Kwid. It features a coupe-like design with a muscular stance. The grille and headlights have been significantly upgraded compared to the Kwid though. The grille is larger and gets more Chrome treatment, similar to the Triber and

is flanked by LED DRLs which also include the indicators. The actual headlamps are located lower down in the bumper and the top spec variant get Pure Vision LED headlamps. While all variants get 16” wheels as standard, the higher variants get alloy wheels. The rear features C shaped LED tail lamps and a very sculpted tailgate. The higher variants also get silver finished rear skid plate. The sides feature black decals that look like body claddings and even the higher variants don't get Chrome door handles.

Interior:

The interior of the Kiger gets a traditional, yet stylish layout. The higher Variants get an 8” touchscreen floating at the centre on top of the dash with a high centre console that also includes a large storage compartment under the armrest which can be closed by a Tambour-door sliding lid, as seen on the Tata Nexon. The top Variants get a 7” TFT instrument cluster along with two gloveboxes. The Climate control console, window and mirror controls, starter button, gear lever and the steering wheel are shared with the Nissan Magnite. The door pads are vastly different compared to the Magnite while the glovebox design is identical to the one seen on the Triber.

The Kiger also claims to have segment-besting 405L boot space as standard.

The top spec RXZ Variant will get the following features:

LED headlights and DRLs
16” dual tone alloys
Functional roof rails
Rear wiper & washer
Smart key access
Push button start
Power windows (Auto up/down for driver)
Auto fold ORVMs
Height adjustable driver seat
8” touchscreen system
Steering mounted audio controls
Wireless Android auto & Apple carplay
Reverse camera
Auto climate control
Rear AC vents
Interior ambient lighting
7” TFT instrument cluster
Twin gloveboxes
Cooled lower glovebox
Front and rear armrests
Rear adjustable headrests
60:40 split-folding rear seat

The RXZ variant also gets 3 drive modes as standard including Normal, Economy and Sport modes.

Safety features:

Standard safety features on the Kiger include:

2 airbags
ABS with EBD
Pretensioner seatbelt for driver
Engine immobilizer
Reverse sensors

The top spec RXZ offers the following safety features:

4 Airbags
Smart key access
Rear adjustable headrests
Rear wiper and washer
Reverse camera

While the Nissan Magnite offered ESP, traction control, hill hold assist and brake assist as standard on all turbocharged Variants, none of the Variants of the Kiger offer those safety features.

Variants:

The Renault Kiger will be available in 4 Variants:

Powertrains:

The Kiger will be offered with two petrol engine options. Both 1.0L engines are the same as seen on the Nissan Magnite. The naturally aspirated engine will produce 72PS of Max Power and 96NM of Max torque through a 5 speed Manual gearbox. Unlike the Magnite, the Kiger also offered a 5 speed AMT gearbox with this engine as an option from the RXL Variant onwards.

The turbocharged engine produces 100PS of Max Power and 160NM of Max torque with the manual transmission while the CVT Variants produce 152NM of Max torque. The base RXE Variant is not ava with the turbocharged engine option and only the RXT and RXZ turbo Variants get the option of a CVT.

Launch & price:

The Renault Kiger is expected to give tough competition to all other compact SUVs while also lasting the success streak of Renault from the launch of the Triber. The Kiger is priced neck-to-neck with the Nissan Magnite, starting from Rs.5.45L (ex-showroom) for the RXE and going up to Rs.9.55L (ex-showroom) for the top spec RXZ Turbo CVT Variant. This pricing makes the RXE Renault Kiger the most affordable compact SUV in the Indian Market today.

Stay tuned for our detailed reviews and updates.

Hyundai Verna Facelift 2020

The exterior sports a new, refreshed look. Compare it to the old versions of the car and you’ll see Hyundai has come a pretty long way with this one. A huge grille up front, sleek side profile, diamond cut alloy wheels, updated rear profile with LED tail lamps and updates to the tech have made this car a feature rich option for the masses that prefer an attractive sedan.

Speaking of the interiors, the changes are subtle yet quite significant. Beige and Black interiors while all Black with red stitching for the Turbo variant make small changes look like they

make a big difference. A new Infotainment System with Arkamys Premium Sound, rear USB charger, wireless phone charger, a new digital TFT cluster are some of the features that caught our eye.

Priced from Rs 9.3 lakh to Rs 15.09 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), Hyundai India has ensured the new Verna feels more value for money and with four variants, Hyundai offers quite a few options- the S, S+, SX, and SX(O). Below is an in- detail break- up of them.

Verna Facelift 2020 Petrol

Verna Facelift 2020 1.5L Petrol 6-MT S - Rs 9.30 lakh

Verna Facelift 2020 1.5L Petrol 6-MT SX - Rs 10.70 lakh

Verna Facelift 2020 1.5L Petrol iVT SX - Rs 11.95 lakh

Verna Facelift 2020 1.5L Petrol 6-MT SX(O) - Rs 12.59 lakh

Verna Facelift 2020 1.5L Petrol iVT SX(O) - Rs 13.84 lakh

Verna Facelift 2020 1.0L Turbo GDi Petrol 7-DCT SX(O) - Rs 13.99 lakh

Verna Facelift 2020 Diesel

Verna Facelift 2020 1.5L Diesel 6-MT S+ - Rs 10.65 lakh

Verna Facelift 2020 1.5L Diesel 6-MT SX - Rs 12.05 lakh
Verna Facelift 2020 1.5L Diesel 6-AT SX - Rs 13.20 lakh

Verna Facelift 2020 1.5L Diesel 6-MT SX(O) - Rs 13.94 lakh

Verna Facelift 2020 1.5L Diesel 6-AT SX(O) - Rs 15.09 lakh

Not only in terms of variants, the face lifted Verna comes with two petrol and one diesel engine option. The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four cylinder petrol engine churns out 115PS and 144 Nm of torque, a 1.5-litre diesel that churns out 115PS of power and 250Nm of Torque and lastly, a 1.0-litre three cylinder turbo-petrol GDI engine that delivers 120PS of power and 172Nm of torque. The 1.5-litre petrol engine is offered with the choice of a 6-speed manual transmission or a CVT while the 1.5-litre diesel gets a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic option. The turbo-petrol engine meanwhile comes with a 7-speed DCT option only.

Speaking of refreshed updates- Hyundai offers the new 2020 Verna with BlueLink connected car technology that keeps one connected with the car through a smartphone. While it continues to feature ventilated front seats and wireless charging. Hands-free boot opening, a sunroof, tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), front parking sensors, safety features such as ABS with EBD, hill start assist, curtain air bags rear parking sensors, and speed alert warning are a part of the package spread across different variants.

Cars like Skoda Rapid, Honda City, VW Vento, Toyota Yaris and Maruti Suzuki Ciaz do add to the competition for the Hyundai Verna Facelift 2020. Question is, will be successful in fighting them, or not?

New Hyundai i20 Started Reaching Dealership Ahead Of Launch !

Hyundai India will be launching the new i20 premium hatchback in the coming weeks. Prior to its launch, the new premium hatchback has started to arrive at dealerships. There are few visible changes to the India spec i20 as compared to the European one. The i20 has been one among their best selling products and still is one among the most feature loaded hatchbacks in its category. This here is a quick walkthrough on the highlights of the new generation Hyundai i20.

Exterior:

The new Hyundai i20, sports a completely different design language. On the front fascia, it features a new and

larger hexagonal cascading grille with a more swooping bonnet and angular headlamps. The headlamps will feature LED lighting on the top spec trims along with DRLs. Lower variants will get Projector units. Projector fog lamps are also expected to be offered. The new i20 will be longer and wider than the current model. The sides have sharp, dynamic creases lending the car a more dynamic profile. The window line features Chrome detailing which flows from the A pillar to the top of the C pillar whereas the snazzy Z-shaped LED Tail lamps are connected by a chrome bar running across the width. The new i20 will also receive unique looking 16” alloy wheels on the top spec variants.

Interior:

The new Hyundai i20's interior will feature a fresh and clean layout with a wraparound layered design. The interior is expected to sport a flowing cockpit theme while being loaded with features.

Here's an extensive list of features on the top spec variants of the new i20:

10.25” touchscreen system
Blue link connectivity
Fully digital instrument cluster
Automatic climate control
Air purifier system
Ambient lighting
Leather upholstery
Split folding rear seats
Electric sunroof
Auto LED headlamps
Cruise control

The new i20 will also offer more safety features:

Pretensioner seatbelts
6 airbags
ABS with EBD
ESP with traction control
Hill hold control
ISOFIX child seat mounts
Smart key access
Geofencing & tracking

Powertrains:

The new i20 is will be available with two petrol engine options and one diesel engine. The standard 1.2L 4 cyl Kappa petrol engine will produce 83PS Power through either a 5 Speed manual transmission or a CVT. The 1.0L 3 cyl turbo petrol powertrain is expected to be carried over from the Venue Turbo producing a maximum output of 120PS through either a 6 speed IMT gearbox or a 7 speed DCT. The 1.5L turbo diesel engine from the Venue is also expected to be on offer producing 100PS Power through a 6 speed manual transmission.

Launch & price:

The all-new i20 is likely to be launched by the end of October this year and will go up against the new Tata Altroz, Maruti Suzuki Baleno, the new facelifted Honda Jazz and Toyota’s Glanza. Prices are expected to be around ?20000 to ?50000 higher than the current gen model which it will replace.