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4 Wheeler Weekly: Top News Headlines From Car Industry This Week (October 16-20)


The mid-week of October saw a series of launches, including the most awaited ones from Tata

While the launch of the facelifted Tata SUVs made headlines this week, the Audi and BMW have also brought new variants and editions to India. We also got the new crash test results for the facelifted Tata SUVs, and Maruti announced a new sales milestone during the same period. Let’s have a look at all the important headlines of the week.

2023 Tata Harrier & Safari Goes On Sale

Tata Harrier and Safari facelifts

Just a few days after unveiling the facelifted Tata Harrier and Tata Safari, the Indian automaker also announced the full prices of these SUVs. With the facelift, both SUVs have got comprehensive styling changes, updated interior, new center console and more safety features. However, these Tata SUVs still get the same diesel engine as before. We have also compared the prices of the Harrier facelift and Safari facelift with those of their rivals.

Tata Harrier & Safari Facelift Crash Tested

Tata Harrier and Safari facelifts at Global NCAP

The facelifted Tata SUVs, the Harrier and Safari have been crash tested by Global NCAP recently, and both achieved perfect 5-star safety ratings. The Harrier and Safari are now also the safest made in India cars. Read the full report here.

Maruti Suzuki’s New Sales Milestone

Maruti automatic cars

Maruti Suzuki has achieved a milestone of selling over 10 lakh automatic cars in India. Though Maruti has different automatic transmission options in its portfolio, which includes AMT, torque converter, and e-CVT, most of the sales are for AMT versions.

Mahindra XUV300 Facelift Test Mule Spied

We saw some fresh spy shots of the test mule of the Mahindra XUV300 facelift. This time, we got a closer look at the front, side and rear ends of the upcoming SUV. To know more about what we noticed in these new spy images, head here.

Kia Sonet Facelift Seen Undisguised

Kia Sonet facelift spied

The Kia Sonet facelift has been spied completely undisguised and its full exterior design has been revealed. Although it was a China-spec model, we expect that the India-spec model will likely get the same changes.

New BMW Launches

The first-ever all-electric M Car from BMW has landed on our shores in the form of the M70 xDrive. BMW has also introduced the M Sport diesel variant of its 7 Series flagship sedan. With these new variants, the powertrain options for the BMW 7 Series now include one petrol, one diesel, and two electric options.

Audi S5 Sportback Platinum Edition

Audi launched its third special edition model, this time for the S5 Sportback, namely the Platinum edition. This limited-run special edition of the 4-door sports coupe only gets some cosmetic enhancements inside and out. Audi is exclusively offering this special edition of the S5 Sportback in two distinct exterior shades.

First Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato Delivered In India

Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato

Almost a year after launch, Lamborghini delivered the first Huracan Sterrato in India. This Sterrato is actually an off-road focused version of the Huracan, which gets necessary mechanical changes to tackle the rough terrains. Lamborghini will only make 1,499 units of the Huracan Sterrato globally.

Read More on : Harrier diesel

CODY WEBB: WHY I SWITCHED BACK TO A 2-STROKE!

Cody Webb, from Sherco Factory One, has achieved great success in Trials, Hard Enduro, and EnduroCross throughout his career. He has always raced a 300 2-stroke in Hard Enduro, but switched to a 4-stroke in EnduroCross since 2016. The 4-stroke was believed to provide superior torque, which was crucial for traction and speed in clearing big obstacles in the technical and jumpy EnduroCross tracks.

However, things have changed recently. Jonny Walker from Beta has proven that a 2-stroke is a viable and winning option (second in World Super Enduro and the winner of the 2022 AMA EnduroCross) on the man-made circuits of EnduroCross. This year, Cody Webb followed suit and appeared in the first round of the AMA EnduroCross series riding a Factory Sherco 300 2-stroke. Cody had a good day, finishing second overall behind Walker’s Beta 300 2-stroke. Here’s his explanation for the switch.

Cody explained, “I ultimately made the decision to go back to the two stroke since that’s what I race year-round and I might as well stay on what I’m used to. We made some changes like a high compression head and some VP race fuel to increase the throttle response of the bike. Since we know two strokes have that slight delay before the power kicks on, this was for me to have instant power delivery of the bike that matches what I’m trying to make it do out there on the track. When things are going well on a four stroke, they’re going very well. When mistakes are made, however, I find it very hard to recover with all that extra rotating mass in the engine. For example, in the rocks, if I get offline I find it very hard to recover, and I am most likely going to end up off the track with the four stroke. When on the two stroke, the bike is a lot more playful underneath me, and I can get it back on track a lot easier without losing much time. Another reason is that the fans love two strokes, and so do I! It was an easy sell for me.”

According to Cody, the 300 2-stroke is more nimble, easier to have fun on, and forgiving.
Cody riding his Sherco 300 4-stroke at the 2020 Glen Helen EnduroCross. According to Cody, the 4-stroke has an advantage over the 2-stroke on hard-packed tracks.
According to Cody, the 4-stroke can be challenging to handle in EnduroCross rock sections. The rotating mass of the engine makes it harder to recover when you get off line. Cody won two EnduroCross championships (2015-on a 300 2-stroke/2017-on a 350 4-stroke) racing for the KTM factory.

5 Hidden Messaging Features You’ll Want To Use In iOS 17

Before you leave the company of loved ones, you can send them your location via the Find My feature, which is quickly accessible through the new expandable menu. Once you do, the Apple Maps snippet containing your current whereabouts will appear right in the conversation, and will update in real-time if you start moving. You can also share a pin at a specific destination if you are planning to meet somewhere. On the recipient’s end, they will be able to look up directions and get to where you are, if needed.

The most crucial update to Messages is undoubtedly the Check In feature, which provides a little more functionality in terms of keeping your people aware of your travel progress. Compared to location-sharing, which your trusted contacts will need to manually check within their Messages thread with you, Check In automatically sends location updates and notifications when you’ve arrived at your planned destination, or if you’ve encountered a delay en route. 

Depending on which data-sharing option you choose, your friends may receive pertinent information about more than just your current location. You can also share your iPhone’s battery level, network connectivity, and the last time you unlocked your mobile device if you don’t successfully complete a Check In.

Honda Elevate Vs Honda City – Prices And Specifications Compared


One’s a SUV while the other is a sedan. But, let’s explore their differences in detail 

Honda Elevate Vs City

The Honda Elevate recently went on sale as the carmaker’s second compact SUV, following the BR-V. This new global SUV shares many similarities with the Honda City sedan. Both are priced between Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh, based on the same platform, equipped with the same petrol engine, and offer similar features.

If you are struggling to choose between the Honda sedan and SUV, here’s a quick comparison of their key differences besides their appearance:

Price Check

 

Honda Elevate

Honda City

Honda City Hybrid

Powertrain

MT

CVT

MT

CVT

CVT

SV

Rs 11 lakh

N.A.

Rs 11.71 lakh

V

Rs 12.11 lakh

Rs 13.21 lakh

Rs 12.59 lakh

Rs 13.84 lakh

Rs 18.89 lakh

VX

Rs 13.50 lakh

Rs 14.60 lakh

Rs 13.71 lakh

Rs 14.96 lakh

ZX

Rs 14.90 lakh

Rs 16 lakh

Rs 14.94 lakh

Rs 16.19 lakh

Rs 20.39 lakh

The introductory prices of the Elevate are lower compared to the City. The starting price is Rs 71,000 lower, but as you climb the variants, the price difference decreases. The top-end variants have a price gap of just Rs 4,000 to Rs 19,000. Both models are available in four variants, but only the City offers a hybrid powertrain option.

Honda Elevate

Also Read: Honda Elevate Vs Rivals: Price Check

Powertrains

Models

Honda Elevate / Honda City

Honda City Hybrid

Engine

1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol

1.5-litre petrol-hybrid engine

Power

121PS

Up to 126PS

Torque

145Nm

253Nm

Transmissions

6-speed MT, CVT

e-CVT

Fuel Efficiency

15.31kmpl,  16.92kmpl/ 17.8kmpl, 18.4kmpl

27.13kmpl

The City and Elevate share the same 1.5-litre petrol engine, delivering identical performance figures. However, the sedan offers slightly better fuel economy due to its lighter weight and potentially better aerodynamic efficiency compared to the SUV. 

However, the sedan variant can be equipped with a strong-hybrid petrol engine, which claims an efficiency of up to 27.13kmpl. 

2023 Honda City

Size Check

Dimensions

Elevate

City

Length

4,312mm

4574mm

Width

1,790mm

1748mm

Height

1,650mm

1489mm

Wheelbase

2,650mm

2600mm

Boot Space

458 litres

506 litres

Ground clearance

209mm

165mm

The City is longer than the Elevate due to its three-box layout. However, the Elevate is wider, which may result in slightly more comfort for three passengers at the back. The taller nature of the SUV provides better headroom, while the City has its own appeal with its low-slung sedan stance. 

Honda Elevate

On paper, the boot space of the City is slightly larger than the Elevate. However, since the SUV has an upright boot, it may be able to accommodate the same number of suitcases. 

With 54mm more ground clearance, the Elevate offers better practicality on Indian roads, which are often plagued with potholes and uneven speed breakers. 

Practicality Check

Honda Elevate interior

The Honda Elevate, like the City, offers practical features in its cabin. It includes cupholders in the center console, storage in the front armrest, phone storage space below the AC console, a small storage box behind the gear lever, bottle holders in each door, and special phone-pockets in the back of the front seats.

Features

Both the Honda Elevate and the Honda City are well-equipped, but there are some minor differences. Here they are:

Common Features

Extra features on Elevate

Extra features on City

Electric sunroof

Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

7-inch semi-digital driver’s display

Wireless Charging

8-speaker sound system

Keyless Entry with push button start-stop

Cruise Control

LED Projector headlamps as standard

10.25-inch touchscreen system

LED reflector headlamps

8-inch touchscreen system

The Honda Elevate has a larger touchscreen infotainment system in its cabin, giving it an advantage over the City. 

Honda Elevate Infotainment screen

Safety Features

Common Features

Extra features on Elevate

Extra features on City

Up to six airbags

ADAS

Tyre pressure monitoring system

ISOFIX child seat mounts

Hill start assist

Electronic stability control

Rear parking camera

Lane watch camera

Rain-sensing wipers

Automatic headlamps

Dual front airbags (standard)

Four airbags (standard)

The Elevate has dual front airbags as standard, while the City features four airbags as standard. Apart from this, both models have the same safety features, including the Honda Sense suite of advanced driver assistance systems. The City has received a five-star safety rating in the ASEAN NCAP. Based on internal crash testing of the Elevate, we expect the SUV to achieve a strong 4- or 5-star safety rating. 

2023 Honda City Rear Seats

Which Honda To Pick?

With so many similarities in terms of the value offered by the Honda Elevate and Honda City, your choice will ultimately depend on personal preference: the tall-seating and higher ground clearance of an SUV, or the classic low-slung seating and handling of a sedan. Let us know which one you would pick in the comments below. 

Read More on : Elevate on road price

Cake’s Kid-Focused Two-Wheelers Get New Names

Getting your little ones on two wheels is one of the most exciting things about parenthood. Nowadays, there are many manufacturers catering to the growing market for kids’ bikes. In 2022, Swedish electric two-wheeler specialist Cake released a trio of electric bikes specifically designed for kids.

The trio of bikes called the Ready, Steady, and Go were meant to provide kids with an easy transition from balance bikes to more advanced machines. The Cake Ready was a balance bike without pedals, while the Steady added pedals into the mix. The Go was a miniature electric motorbike resembling a motocrosser.

In 2023, these three bikes are still offered by Cake, but they have been given new names. The balance bike is now called the Tripp, serving as an entry point for young kids to learn balancing. It is ideal for children aged 1.5 to four years and is priced at $225 USD.

The Steady has been renamed the Trapp, and it is a step up from the Tripp. It is a pedal bike with a single-speed, chain-driven drivetrain. The Trapp is designed for kids aged 3.5 to seven years and costs $400 USD.

The Go, or the miniature electric motocrosser, has been renamed the Trull. It is designed for kids aged six and above and resembles the brand’s larger electric enduro, the Kalk. The Trull is a full-blown dirtbike with front and rear suspension, knobby tires, and front and rear disc brakes. It can reach a top speed of 25 miles per hour and offers up to one hour of continuous ride time. The price is $3,500 USD.

Sorry, Basket Case Bike Enthusiasts: Vermont Closes Registration Loophole

If you enjoy browsing used bikes for sale, dreaming about finding the perfect barn find, or rescuing basket cases to save them from being scrapped, we have some bad news for you. Recently, Vermont closed a registration loophole that allowed individuals with difficult vintage vehicle title situations to register their purchases legally. This loophole was commonly referred to as “the Vermont loophole.”

Previously, individuals could register their vehicles in Vermont and then use that registration to obtain a title in their home state. Alternatively, they could choose to keep their vehicles registered in Vermont while operating them in their home state. This option was particularly attractive to those who owned barn finds or had other challenging title situations.

However, the leniency of Vermont’s titling practices also presented an opportunity for individuals with dishonest intentions. Some people took advantage of the relaxed rules to obtain titles for stolen vehicles or used fraudulent ownership documents. As a result, Vermont has implemented new measures to prevent this misuse.

Starting from July 1, 2023, out-of-state residents or individuals without an established relationship with Vermont will have additional steps to go through if they wish to obtain a vehicle title in the state. The new process requires the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in their home state to verify that the vehicle does not need to be registered there.

This change in Vermont’s registration policy leaves motorcycle enthusiasts wondering what alternative options are available. While there are no definitive answers yet, some ideas have been suggested by individuals like BJ at Brick House Builds in a video discussing the issue. Will more old bikes end up being scrapped because it’s no longer feasible to rescue them? Only time will tell.