Tag Archives: launched

News

Akrapovič Introduces a New Slip-On System for the Suzuki V-Strom 800DE

June 19, 2023 David

Suzuki made a big impact with its 2023 lineup of middleweight motorcycles, which have been praised for their innovative features and updated technology. The V-Strom 800DE and GSX-8S models, in particular, have gained a lot of attention and are expected to be bestsellers. As a result, the aftermarket for accessories for these bikes, such as the new slip-on exhaust system from Akrapovič, is rapidly growing.

When it comes to aftermarket exhausts, one of the most popular brands is Akrapovič. The Slovenian company has recently released a new slip-on exhaust system specifically designed for the Suzuki V-Strom 800DE. As with their other exhaust systems, Akrapovič focuses on improving performance and reducing weight. The system is made from lightweight materials such as titanium and carbon fiber. Installation is easy, as it is a slip-on system that utilizes existing hardware and mounts directly to the stock manifold.

In terms of performance gains, Akrapovič claims the new slip-on system is 23.6% lighter and provides a slight increase of one horsepower and one Newton-meter of torque. The system is also fully homologated to ECE and Euro 5 standards, ensuring its legality in European countries.

Pricing for the Akrapovič slip-on system has not been officially announced, but it is expected to command a premium price. Similar exhaust systems for other models, such as the Yamaha Tenere 700 and Aprilia Tuareg 660, are priced around $1,000 USD. Availability for the Suzuki V-Strom 800DE slip-on system will likely depend on market demand.

Motorsport

Brickmania Launches Officially Licensed Blues Brothers Kit For $210

June 18, 2023 Prafful Singh

Brickmania has released a new model of the iconic Bluesmobile from the movie “Blues Brothers.” This kit is officially licensed and includes a small replica of the black-and-white 1974 Dodge Monaco along with two minifigures of Jake and Elwood Blues.

The kit, which consists of 332 Lego bricks and Brickmania elements, is now available for pre-order. While it is not a limited edition, it is uncertain when it will be restocked after the initial batch sells out. The kit retails for $210, and it comes with full-color printed instructions and custom-printed elements for the vehicle. The Dodge Monaco features functional doors and the roof-mounted loudspeaker, just like in the movie, giving it an authentic look.

Brickmania specializes in creating custom building kits using Lego bricks and unique elements. The company offers a wide range of products, with many of them being military-themed vehicles. Their catalog includes warships, airplanes, tanks, trucks, artillery batteries from various wars, and even replicas of the Apollo 11 Command Module, the Vostok 6 Soviet spacecraft, and a Viking raiding ship that retails for $990.

The release of the Bluesmobile kit in brick form coincides with the 40th anniversary of the “Blues Brothers” movie in 2020. The film, which was released in 1980, follows the adventures of the characters Jake and Elwood Blues portrayed by Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi, respectively. In the movie, the brothers embark on a mission to raise money for an orphanage that is facing tax issues.

During their journey, the Blues Brothers find themselves in trouble, leading to a 106-mile car chase into downtown Chicago. This epic chase scene involves over 100 police cars, tanks, and helicopters. Now, with the Bluesmobile Lego kit, fans can recreate this action-packed scene on a smaller scale at home.

For years, Lego enthusiasts have been using Lego bricks to build all kinds of vehicles. While not every vehicle make and model is available in official Lego kits, this hasn’t stopped people from creating their own designs. Lego offers a variety of vehicle sets, and Lego Technic adds even more intricacy and detail to the building process, resulting in lifelike final products.

Motorsport

Buick Unveils 2024 Envision with Avenir Trim and Super Cruise

June 14, 2023 Prafful Singh

Buick has released a preview of the updated version of its Envision model, three years after it launched the second generation in the US. The facelifted car has already been seen in China, where it was showcased via publication by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology as part of the homologation process. The US version is being revealed in the luxury Avenir trim, which will feature bigger wheels, a different front grille pattern, and orange side markers. The latest model features a redesigned front fascia, inspired by the Wildcat concept, and substantial changes to the overall design. The 2024 Envision will introduce Super Cruise, which will work on more than 400,000 miles of road, making it the first Buick model to offer this feature.

The Envision will have hands-free capabilities and a cabin with a luxurious feel, with plenty of leather, nice stitching, memory seats, and an upgraded steering wheel to accommodate the self-driving system. The facelift features a dashboard with merged displays similar to other car models launched recently. The instrument cluster and infotainment displays have merged into one unit with a 19-inch screen that boasts eight inches for the driver’s display and 11 inches for the touchscreen.

Although this is just a preview, Buick has confirmed that the updated Envision will be the third of five new models to be launched in the US by 2024. With the crossover registering its best half-year sales results, it is on target to generate record deliveries in 2023.

In contrast to the US, Buick sedans remain popular in China, with the Verano, LaCrosse, Regal, Excelle, GL6, and GL8 being offered.

Featured

Hyundai Exter chooses Hardik Pandya to be their brand ambassador

June 13, 2023 Prafful Singh

Hyundai’s upcoming micro SUV, the Exter, is expected to launch on July 10 and have a price tag of around Rs 6 lakh (ex-showroom).

The Exter will be available in five different versions: EX, S, SX, SX(O), and SX(O) Connect.
This micro SUV will have a 1.2-liter engine that can take petrol or CNG.
The car features unique amenities, such as a voice-assisted single-pane sunroof and a dual dash-cam system.

Indian cricket all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been appointed as the brand ambassador for the Hyundai Exter, the company’s upcoming micro SUV. According to Hyundai, the Exter is perfect for the lively lifestyle of the younger generation, making Hardik an excellent fit for the micro SUV as a youth icon and all-rounder.

This cricketer will participate in future marketing campaigns for the Exter. Additionally, Hyundai has published a video of Hardik Pandya exploring the exterior of the vehicle in greater detail.

Complete Design

Hyundai has revealed the entire design of the Exter micro SUV through teasers. At the front, it features H-shaped LED DRLs and bumper-mounted headlights. The upright stance is continuous throughout the profile and carries on at the rear, where H-shaped LED taillights can be found.

Also Read: Exclusive: Facelifted Hyundai i20 Makes Spy Shot Debut In India

Some First-in-Segment Features

Even though the interior has yet to be released, Hyundai has verified some essential features of the interior with teasers. The Exter will be the first in the segment to have a voice-assisted single-pane sunroof and a dual dashcam. It is also expected to have a bigger infotainment display, digital driver’s display, cruise control, wireless phone charging, and automatic climate control.

The Exter will take care of passenger safety with six airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), hill assist, 3-point seat belts, seat belt reminders for all five seats, rear parking camera, and tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS).

Engine

The Exter will have two engine options: a 1.2-liter engine with either a 5-speed manual or 5-speed AMT for petrol version and only with 5-speed manual transmission in the CNG version.

Also Read: Hyundai Exter: Should You Wait For It Or Go For One Of Its Rivals?

Rivals

The Exter micro SUV will compete with several other cars, including the Tata Punch, Citroen C3, Nissan Magnite, Renault Kiger, and Maruti Fronx, all of which cost around Rs 6 lakh ex-showroom.

Featured

Here’s The Maruti Tour H1 – Carmaker’s Smallest Taxi

June 11, 2023 Prafful Singh

The Maruti Alto Tour H1 can be had in petrol as well as CNG variants

The Maruti Tour H1 has been launched in India at Rs 4.81 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). It’s basically the commercial or taxi version of the Maruti Alto K10. Here are variant-wise prices:

Variant	Price
Tour H1	Rs 4.81 lakh
Tour H1 CNG	Rs 5.71 lakh

Powering the Tour H1 is the same 1-litre petrol engine but only with a 5-speed manual transmission. It claims 24.6kmpl on petrol and 34.46 km/kg while running on CNG. The Tour H1 features dual front airbags, an engine immobiliser, ABS with EBD, and reverse parking sensors.

Here’s the press release for your preference:

Maruti Suzuki launches the All-New Tour H1 – India’s favourite entry-level commercial hatchback

New Delhi, 09 June, 2023: Maruti Suzuki India Limited has introduced the All-New Tour H1 – India’s most fuel-efficient entry-level commercial hatchback. With the latest generation of Alto K10, the All-New Tour H1 offers fresh new exteriors, spacious interiors, enhanced comfort, convenience and safety features.

It comes equipped with a more powerful and efficient Next-Gen K-series 1.0L Dual Jet, Dual VVT engine offering impressive performance and enhanced fuel efficiency.

Introducing the All-New Tour H1, Mr Shashank Srivastava, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing and Sales, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “The all-new Tour H1 carries on the legacy and trust built by the Alto K10 for the commercial segment. It comes equipped with the trusted Next-Gen K 10C engine, impressive interiors and exteriors along with a host of comfort, convenience, and safety features. Offering excellent fuel efficiency, the Tour H1 is set to deliver immense joy in the lives of our commercial channel customers.”

Powered by the Next-Gen K-series 1.0L Dual Jet, Dual VVT engine, the All-New Tour H1 produces 49kW@5500rpm (66.6Ps@5500rpm) of maximum power in Petrol variant and 41.7kW@5300rpm (56.6Ps@5300rpm) in the CNG variant. Torque output is rated at 89Nm@3500rpm in Petrol mode and 82.1Nm@3400rpm in CNG mode. Available in both Petrol and factory-fitted S-CNG options, it offers an incredible fuel-efficiency rating of 24.60 km/l* for the petrol-fuelled Tour H1, and 34.46 km/kg* for the S-CNG variant.

(Alto K10 Image For Reference)

The All-New Tour H1 offers safety^ features such as dual airbags, front seat belts with pre-tensioner and force limiter, seat belt reminders for both front and rear passengers, engine immobiliser, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), speed limiting system, reverse parking sensors, etc.

The all-new Tour H1 will be offered in three colour choices, namely, Metallic Silky Silver, Metallic Granite Grey, and Arctic White.

All-New Tour H1 Technical Specifications:
Length	3530 mm	Max Torque	Petrol mode: 89Nm @ 3500rpm
			CNG mode: 82.1Nm @ 3400rpm
Height (Unladen)	1520 mm	Max Power	Petrol mode: 49kW @ 5500rpm (66.6 PS@5500 rpm)
			CNG mode: 41.7kW @ 5300rpm (56.6 PS@5300 rpm)
Width	1490 mm	Fuel-Efficiency	CNG – 34.46 km/kg Petrol – 24.60 km/l
Wheelbase	2380 mm	Fuel Tank Capacity	Petrol: 27L CNG: 55L (Water Equivalent)

The ex-showroom prices are as follows:

All-New Tour H1 Prices (Ex-showroom in INR)
Variant	Price
TOUR H1 1L 5MT	480,500
TOUR H1 CNG 1L 5MT	570,500

Maruti Suzuki has vehicles in the Tour edition across segments including hatchback, sedan and Multi Utility Vehicle (MUV). This new addition is aimed at offering more affordable options and expanding choices for the customers in the commercial channel.

Automoto Hub