Maruti Suzuki s-CNG vehicles receives highest ever sales

Jeep India has teamed up with Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan, who now serves as both a brand partner and proud owner of the 2024 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon SUV. This stylish SUV made its Indian debut on April 25, priced at ₹71.65 lakh (ex-showroom). The latest model of the Wrangler Rubicon builds upon the facelift version unveiled globally in 2023.

Powered by a robust 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, the Wrangler Rubicon churns out 268 bhp and 400 Nm of torque. It boasts a host of advanced features such as a 12.3-inch touchscreen, digital instrument cluster, 12-way power-adjustable seats, an Alpine audio system, wireless smartphone connectivity, automatic climate control, and ADAS technology.

Jeep India's choice of Hrithik Roshan as brand ambassador highlights the brand's commitment to a premium lifestyle and adventure. Priyesh Kumar, Brand Director at Jeep India, expressed excitement about Roshan joining their community of Jeep enthusiasts, emphasizing his alignment with their values of pushing boundaries and embracing the unknown.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon has been updated with a refreshed grille, a Gorilla Glass windshield, acoustic front glass, and a noise-canceling cabin. Features like mechanical locking differentials enhance its off-road capabilities, HD Dana rear solid axle, and Rock-Trac transfer case with a 4:1 low ratio.

Hrithik Roshan's passion for luxury cars is well-known, with recent additions including the new Range Rover SUV, Mercedes S-Class, Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, MINI Cooper, and the prestigious Rolls-Royce Ghost, the crown jewel of his collection.

Jeep India's collaboration with Hrithik Roshan marks an exciting chapter, blending automotive excellence with Bollywood glamour in the thriving Indian market.

Yamaha Motor Co Ltd (YMC) recently marked its 69th Foundation Day with festivities spanning its global network. The renowned Japanese motorcycle manufacturer has been a pioneer in the industry, leading with innovation for nearly seven decades. With a storied racing legacy and a dedication to creating spirited products, Yamaha has captivated motorcycle enthusiasts worldwide.

In India, Yamaha Motor celebrated this milestone with a heartfelt community initiative. Teaming up with the SMILE Foundation, Yamaha’s Blue Streaks riding community embarked on a mission to assist more than 500 underprivileged children across 12 cities. On July 7th, Blue Streaks riders will visit schools supported by the NGO to distribute essential educational supplies like notebooks, pens, and pencils. Additionally, they will conduct sessions on basic road safety, educating children on the importance of wearing helmets, understanding traffic signals, and respecting pedestrian guidelines. This initiative aims to nurture a culture of road safety awareness among youngsters, fostering a responsible future generation.

Beyond community engagement, Yamaha’s celebrations included special events at its dealer network, where customers were treated to cake-cutting ceremonies as a gesture of appreciation for their enduring loyalty. Dealers also highlighted Yamaha’s rich heritage and iconic products introduced over the past 69 years. Meanwhile, Yamaha India organized engaging activities for employees and their families, enhancing the festive spirit.

Eishin Chihana, Chairman of Yamaha Motor India Group of Companies, expressed, “For more than six decades, Yamaha has been synonymous with pure motorcycling joy, earning the trust and admiration of millions. As we commemorate our past achievements, we look forward to a renewed commitment to delivering unparalleled customer experiences through innovative, performance-driven products. Our goal is to create experiences that deeply resonate with our customers.”

Yamaha Motor’s 69th Foundation Day celebrations underscored its enduring legacy of innovation and community support, reinforcing its commitment to enriching lives through exceptional products and meaningful initiatives.

Kia India has announced a price hike for its popular models - Sonet, Seltos, and Carens. The increase ranges up to Rs 27,000, impacting various variants of these models. This here is a comprehensive overview of the new pricing, detailed by the models and variants.

Kia Sonet Price Increase

The Kia Sonet's price rise varies across its petrol and diesel variants. For the 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, the HTE variant sees no change, remaining at Rs 8 lakh, while other variants like the HTK (O) and HTK Plus see increases of Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000. The 1-litre turbocharged petrol engine variants also see increases, with the HTK Plus iMT rising by Rs 16,000 to Rs 10.72 lakh. The 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine variants have varied increases, with the HTX MT variant seeing the highest increase of Rs 27,000, now priced at Rs 12.37 lakh.

Kia Sonet New Prices

Kia Seltos Price Increase

The Kia Seltos sees a price hike for both petrol and diesel variants. For the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, the HTE MT variant remains unchanged at Rs 10.90 lakh, while other variants like the HTK MT and HTX CVT see increases of Rs 5,000 to Rs 15,000. The 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine variants also see changes, with the HTK Plus iMT price rises by Rs 17,000 to Rs 15.62 lakh. Diesel variants see increases up to Rs 19,000, with the HTX MT now priced at Rs 16.96 lakh.

Kia Seltos New Prices

Kia Carens Price Increase

The Kia Carens also sees a price hike across its petrol and diesel variants. The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine variants see increases between Rs 14,000 to Rs 15,000. The 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine variants have varied increases, with the Prestige Plus (O) DCT rising by Rs 19,000 to Rs 16.31 lakh. Diesel variants see increases up to Rs 18,000, with the Luxury Plus MT now priced at Rs 18.35 lakh.

Kia Carens New Prices

The price hike by Kia India affects a wide range of variants across the Sonet, Seltos, and Carens models. The increase primarily impacts mid and top variants, with some base variants remaining unchanged. This adjustment could influence the buyer’s decisions, particularly for those considering diesel and turbo-petrol options.

Aimed at motorcycle enthusiasts who value classic design, BMW Motorrad has introduced the new R 12 nineT and R 12 in India. These models will be available as Completely Built-up Units (CBU) with deliveries starting from September, 2024. These motorcycles combine the classic boxer engine with modern technology and customizable options to appeal to the riders seeking a distinctive and exciting riding experience. Read till the end to get detailed information about the brand-new R12 series freshly launched by BMW Motorrad.

Design and Features

The R 12 nineT roadster and R 12 cruiser both employ BMW's iconic 1,170 cc 2-cylinder boxer engine, blending neo-retro styling with classic power delivery. These models showcase exemplary craftsmanship with a classic trellis frame, flatly arranged shock absorber, and a revised engine periphery. Both motorcycles come standard with Headlight Pro, Keyless Ride, and multiple Riding Modes.

Price and Availability

Price of the R 12 nineT is Rs 20,90,000, while the R 12 is priced at Rs 19,90,000. The R 12 nineT comes in Blackstorm metallic, Aluminium/Night Black solid paint and International San Remo Green metallic. Available R 12 color schemes include Blackstorm metallic, Avus Silver metallic and Aventurine Red metallic.

Engine and Performance

The R 12 nineT engine delivers 80 kW (109 hp) at 7,000 rpm and 115 Nm torque at 6,500 rpm. The R 12's engine produces 70 kW (95 hp) at 6,500 rpm and 110 Nm torque at 6,000 rpm. Both models feature air/oil-cooled boxer engines, offering powerful and character performance across the range.

Technical Specifications

Both models share a common tubular bridge steel spaceframe, eliminating previous fastenings for reduced weight and a cleaner appearance. The motorcycles feature a 45 mm upside-down telescopic fork, twin disc brakes at the front, and BMW Motorrad ABS Pro as standard. Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), engine drag torque control, and Tyre Pressure Control ensure high driving safety. The standard adaptive Headlight Pro and Keyless Ride system enhance night-time safety and convenience.

Customization and Accessories

BMW offers optional packages such as Hill Start Control Pro, Shift Assistant Pro, heated grips, and cruise control. The Option 719 “Aluminium” Style and Avus Silver metallic paintwork enhance the heritage look. Additionally, a range of original BMW Motorcycle accessories and gears is available for further individualization.

Financial Solutions

BMW Financial Services India provides customized and flexible financial solutions. Customers can get their loans approved before delivery, and all BMW Motorrad bikes come with a three-year, unlimited kilometres warranty, extendable to the fourth and fifth year. Road-Side Assistance ensures prompt services in case of breakdowns and towing situations.

The Ducati DesertX Discovery, an adventure touring motorcycle, is set to launch in India soon. This bike uses the same 937 cc Testastretta engine as the standard DesertX, delivering 108 bhp and 92 Nm of torque.

Ducati designed the DesertX Discovery for touring, offering more versatility than the standard model. It features a unique color scheme of black and Ducati Red with new decals, which are easy to replace if the motorcycle takes a fall. The bike comes with several factory accessories to enhance its touring capabilities.

Key Features

• Touring Windscreen: Reduces wind blast, decreasing rider fatigue during long rides.
• Turn-by-Turn Navigation: Available for five years, with renewal options through Ducati.
• Protective Gear: Includes a bull bar around the water pump and fuel tank, a bash plate to protect the engine, and a radiator guard to shield from debris.
• Convenient Additions: Comes with a center stand for secure parking and fixing punctures, aluminium cases, a subframe, and heated grips for winter rides.

The Ducati DesertX Discovery is listed on the Ducati India website at ₹21.75 lakh (ex-showroom). For comparison, the standard DesertX is priced at ₹18.33 lakh, and the Rally version is available for ₹23.70 lakh.

The DesertX Discovery's 937 cc Testastretta engine is paired with a 6-speed gearbox and Ducati Quick Shift, allowing for quick gear changes and featuring a slipper clutch. The motorcycle has service intervals of 15,000 km or 24 months, whichever comes first.

This upcoming launch is an exciting development for adventure motorcycle enthusiasts in India, offering a blend of power, versatility, and advanced touring features.

Mahindra is getting ready for one of its biggest launches this year with the Five-door Thar SUV. Recently spotted in testing, this new version is expected to be officially revealed next month. The latest spy shots show several new features of this SUV, which will compete with the Maruti Jimny and Force Gurkha. The new model is likely to be called the Thar Armada, a name Mahindra recently patented.

The Five-door Thar will have updated designs compared to the three-door version. The spy shots, taken in Kerala, show a different grille with a mix of traditional five slats and a vertical bar, a design not used in other Mahindra SUVs. At the rear, the SUV features a large cover on the spare wheel and redesigned LED taillights to distinguish it from the smaller version. Additional design updates include new LED headlights, circular DRLs, LED fog lamps, and 18-inch alloy wheels similar to those on the three-door Thar.

Inside, the Five-door Thar will offer more space due to its longer wheelbase. Mahindra plans to introduce a new touchscreen infotainment system, likely the same as in the XUV400 Pro. Other updates include a new steering wheel, climate control, and an electric sunroof.

The Five-door Thar is expected to debut on August 15, aligning with the launch date of the new generation three-door Thar four years ago. The new model will be priced higher than its smaller sibling, with an expected starting price of ₹12 lakh. Once launched, it will compete with SUVs like the Maruti Suzuki Jimny and Force Gurkha in the lifestyle SUV segment.