(Telecompaper) Charter Communications said that its Spectrum has promoted Elena Ritchie to the position of senior vice president of video. In her new role, Ritchie will advance the company's video strategy, including video experience, hardware and software architecture and engineering, and product and digital...

(Telecompaper) The European Union has committed to contributing EUR 4.6 million to assist Colombia in defining a satellite communications scheme, announced the country's Ministry of Information Technology and Communications (Mintic). The project is part of the plan to increase Colombian's internet penetration...

(Telecompaper) Eutelsat Group announced a partnership with Clear Blue Technologies to work together on power-efficient broadband services for businesses and local networks in Africa. Eutelsat will integrate Clear Blue's products for off-grid energy infrastructure into its GEO Konnect and LEO OneWeb satellite platforms...

(Telecompaper) ...

(Telecompaper) Rivada announced it has secured new spectrum rights to support its planned satellite constellation and services. In the past year Rivada secured market access for its Outernet constellation in 18 countries and on every continent, including the UK, the Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Colombia and...

(Telecompaper) The Swedish streaming market is undergoing a "significant upswing" after a period of slower growth, according to consultancy Mediavision, with 600,000 new streaming subscriptions in the third quarter compared with Q3 2023. The main reason is the arrival of more affordable, ad-supported subscription...

Daily roundup by CSE and Down to Earth @COP27 by Avantika Goswami and Rohini Krishnamurthy, November 7, 2022 • UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that Loss and damage can no longer be swept

I love the mountains and discovering off-beat destinations and trails. I am looking for a sturdy and tough SUV that can take a solid beating in bad roads in remote areas. It doesn’t need to be 4x4, but it should have good ground clearance. The car will also be used as a daily driver. I was looking at the Tata Harrier and the Mahindra Thar Roxx. What would you suggest?

Adwait Kelkar, Pune

Autocar India says: The Harrier is a very comfortable SUV with a spacious cabin and a great ride. It has the edge over the Roxx when it comes to overall comfort. However, if you are looking for an SUV that will be driven on bad roads regularly, then the Roxx is a much better choice. The tough body-on-frame chassis and high ground clearance gives it a huge advantage over the Harrier, which doesn’t feel as robust in comparison. Also, the Roxx’s diesel engine is far superior to the Harrier’s gruff diesel, which is now showing its age. For town use, the Roxx’s ride is lumpy compared to the Harrier, but it’s not a deal breaker and can easily double up as an everyday car, too. To sum-up, the Roxx is tougher and better suited for the mountains.

Also see:

Thar Roxx vs Jimny vs Gurkha 5-Door comparison video

Mahindra Thar Roxx waiting period stretches up to mid-2026

Tata Harrier EV to get AWD terrain modes

Maruti Suzuki recently launched the new fourth-generation Dzire with prices ranging between Rs 6.79 lakh and Rs 10.14 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). It continues to be based on the Swift hatchback, shares the same platform and engine but sports a differentiated look. It even goes one up on the equipment front. The new Dzire is available in four trims – LXi, VXi, ZXi and ZXi+ – and we take a close look at all the features you get in each trim.

2024 Maruti Suzuki Dzire trims, variants explained

The Dzire is powered by the same Z12E engine as the Swift: 82hp, 112Nm, 3-cylinder naturally aspirated. It’s available with a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard on all four trims; the AMT is available on all but the base trim. The new Dzire also gets a CNG powertrain right from launch, available on the mid-spec VXi and ZXi trims. Coupled with a 5-speed manual gearbox, the Dzire produces 69.75hp and 101.8Nm in CNG spec.

The new Dzire’s ARAI-rated fuel efficiency figure is 24.79kpl in manual form and 25.71kpl in AMT guise. Meanwhile, in CNG spec, the Dzire returns a claimed efficiency of 33.73km/kg.

New Maruti Dzire variant-wise features

Maruti Dzire LXi: Rs 6.79 lakh

Powertrain: petrol-MT

• Projector halogen headlights
• LED tail-lights
• 14-inch steel wheels without covers
• Shark fin antenna
• Black and beige dual-tone interior
• Fabric seat upholstery
• Adjustable front seat headrests
• Analogue instrument cluster with MID (multi-information display)
• All four power windows
• Auto up/down for the driver-side window
• Keyless entry
• Manual AC
• Tilt-adjustable steering wheel
• Six airbags
• Rear defogger
• 3-point seat belts with reminders for all seats
• Electronic stability program (ESP)
• Hill-hold assist
• ABS with EBD
• Reverse parking sensors

Maruti Dzire VXi: Rs 7.79 lakh–8.74 lakh

Powertrain: petrol-MT, petrol-AMT, CNG-MT

• 14-inch steel wheels with covers
• Chrome finish on the front grille
• Turn indicators on wing mirrors
• Body-coloured door handles and wing mirrors
• Electrically adjustable and foldable wing mirrors
• Silver insert on dashboard
• 7-inch touchscreen
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• 4 speakers
• Steering-mounted controls
• OTA updates
• Voice assistant
• USB and Bluetooth connectivity
• Height-adjustable driver’s seat
• Adjustable rear headrests
• Day/night inside rearview mirror (IRVM)
• Front roof lamp
• Rear centre armrest with cupholders
• Rear AC vents

Maruti Dzire ZXi: Rs 8.89 lakh–9.84 lakh

Powertrain: petrol-MT, petrol-AMT, CNG-MT

• Auto LED headlights
• LED daytime running lamps
• 15-inch single-tone alloy wheels
• Chrome window garnish
• Silver trim and faux wood insert on dashboard
• Push button start/stop
• Wireless phone charger
• Key-operated boot opening
• Auto AC
• 6 speakers (including 2 tweeters)
• Connected car tech
• Reverse parking camera
• TPMS

Maruti Dzire ZXi+: Rs 9.69 lakh–10.14 lakh

Powertrain: petrol-MT, petrol-AMT

• 15-inch dual-tone alloys
• LED front fog lamps
• Front footwell illumination
• Leatherette-wrapped steering wheel
• 9-inch touchscreen
• Arkamys-tuned sound system
• Single-pane sunroof
• Coloured MID on instrument console
• Cruise control
• Auto-fold wing mirrors on locking the car
• 360-degree camera

Bookings for the new Dzire are ongoing for a token amount of Rs 11,000, and the introductory prices will be applicable till December 31, 2024. The Dzire rivals the Hyundai Aura, the Tata Tigor and the Honda Amaze, with the Amaze also due to receive an all-new generation next month.

Also See:

Maruti Dzire new vs old: price, engine, features comparison

2024 Maruti Suzuki Dzire review: India's favourite sedan massively updated

Ahead of its November 27 reveal, Honda India has teased the upcoming electric scooter for the first time. The teaser briefly gives us a glimpse at the scooter’s headlight, under which there’s a Honda logo. 

1. Headlight on Honda electric scooter is a LED unit
2. Design of headlight seems new, not shared with overseas Honda EVs

Honda electric scooter: Will it be called the Activa electric? 

Very little is known about the Honda electric scooter, which will be shown to us soon. From the teaser, all that can be made out is that this headlight is not shared with any overseas Honda electric scooter, those being the EM1 e: and the CUV e:. While the former has a claimed range of 48km, the latter can cover ‘over 70km’ on a single charge. 

It remains to be seen if Honda will repurpose one of its international electric scooters, and if it does so, which one exactly. Some years ago, the company also filed a few patent applications, which show an entirely new product, one that borrows some components from the popular Activa. 

Also See: Honda showcases electric scooter, e-bike concepts at EICMA 2024

Skoda India has taken the wraps off the Kylaq and revealed its starting price of Rs 7.89 lakh. With the Kylaq, the Czech carmaker has forayed into the heavily populated compact SUV segment, taking on the likes of the Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue, and Mahindra XUV 3XO. The compact SUV space is the largest sub-segment in the Indian market, comprising more than 50 percent of all SUV sales.

The Kylaq is an important model for Skoda, positioned at the heart of the market. Here, we are looking at how it compares with its rivals on paper in terms of price, size, and specs.

Skoda Kylaq vs rivals dimensions

At 3,995mm in length, the Kylaq fits just under the sub-4m mark to be in line with most other compact SUVs, although the XUV 3XO, Kiger, and Magnite are slightly shorter. Overall, the Kylaq sits in the middle of its rivals on nearly every metric, barring wheelbase length and wheel size. Skoda's compact SUV has the second-longest wheelbase, at 2,556mm, after the XUV 3XO, which offers the best-in-class cabin space. The XUV 3XO comfortably accommodates three individuals in the rear, while the others are best reserved for two adults. Therefore, the Kylaq is expected to have more interior space than most of its rivals, if not the XUV 3XO.

Skoda Kylaq vs rivals engine and specs

The Kylaq is powered by a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that produces 115hp and 178Nm of torque. From the other Skoda-VW cars that this engine does duty in, along with our drive in a prototype, we know it is responsive, relatively refined, and delivers strong acceleration. The 6-speed manual and the 6-speed torque converter automatic gearboxes will also be carried over.

The Kylaq comes with a single engine, whereas most competitors offer at least two options. However, it finds itself right in the middle of the pack in terms of power and torque figures – it's more powerful than all entry-level, naturally aspirated engines of its rivals but slightly less powerful than the turbo-petrol units. The XUV 3XO, with the 131hp TGDi engine, remains the most powerful in its class. Meanwhile, the Brezza gets the largest engine, but it's the only one to miss out on a turbo-petrol unit.

It’s worth mentioning that the likes of the Nexon, XUV 3XO, Venue, and Sonet are also available with a diesel engine. The percentage of diesel buyers in this class is less than the majority and shrinking, but the said models at least offer that option. The Brezza and the Nexon are the only models in this class to get a factory-fitted CNG kit.

Skoda Kylaq price

Skoda has yet to reveal the full price list of the Kylaq, though it has confirmed that the entry-level Classic trim will be priced at Rs 7.89 lakh. With prices expected to rise to about Rs 14 lakh for the top-spec Prestige automatic variant, the Kylaq is expected to be well-priced compared to rivals like the Nexon, Brezza, XUV 3XO, Venue and Sonet. However, the Magnite and Kiger continue to be the most affordable compact SUVs on sale in India. 

Also see:

Citroen C3 automatic vs rivals: price, specifications compared

Tata Nexon CNG vs rivals: price, specifications comparison

The fourth-gen Maruti Dzire is quite a departure from its predecessors in a lot of ways. Through the generations, this compact sedan has been based on the Swift hatchback, sharing the same chassis and powertrain options, among many other bits. However, with the latest-gen, there are quite a few differences between the two models, which is why this is going to be an in-depth comparison, on paper, between the new Dzire and Swift.

New Maruti Dzire vs Swift design

As mentioned above, the new Dzire has a distinct design when compared to the Swift, sharing almost nothing with the hatchback. The compact sedan looks more premium with its Audi-esque styling in the front, a smoother roofline, and the notchy boot.

In terms of size, the new Dzire is 5mm taller and 135mm longer, with the latter explaining the compact sedan's ability to carry an additional 117 litres worth of luggage in the boot. Interestingly, the base versions of both models weigh the same 920kg, while the higher versions of the Dzire, especially the CNG-equipped variants, weigh up to 35kg more.

It should be noted that the Swift comes with three dual-tone exterior colours – Sizzling Red with Midnight Black, Luster Blue with Midnight Black and Pearl Arctic White with Midnight Black – and six monotone options. Meanwhile, the Dzire gets a total of seven exterior finishes with no dual-tone options.

New Maruti Dzire vs Swift interior

On the inside, the new Dzire and Swift are far more closely linked. In fact, they have nearly identical dash layouts, from the size and shape of the side AC vents to the centrally mounted floating touchscreen. However, the compact sedan’s cabin gets a brighter beige and grey finish compared to the hatchback’s all-black one. In addition, the chrome strip that runs the length of the Dzire’s dashboard gets a kink near the central AC vents, which also has a marginally different trapezoidal design.

Coming to the features on offer in their respective range-topping forms, the Dzire comes with a longer list. Kit available on the Dzire that's not available on the Swift is a powered sunroof and a 360-degree camera. The rest of the features are identical, from the rear AC vents and climate control system to the 9-inch touchscreen, analogue dials and coloured MID.

New Maruti Dzire vs Swift engine

True to form, the new Dzire and Swift share the same Z12E three-cylinder petrol engine. The 1.2-litre unit produces the same 82hp and 112Nm of torque on petrol, 69.75hp and 101.8Nm of CNG, and comes with 5-speed manual and AMT options. Interestingly, while the heavier Dzire in petrol form is marginally less frugal than the Swift, the Dzire CNG goes 0.88km further on a kilo of gas than its hatchback counterpart.

New Maruti Dzire vs Swift price

For now, prices of the Dzire start Rs 30,000 higher than the Swift, which isn’t too much of a difference. Dzire AMT variants cost about Rs 50,000 more than the equivalent Swift variant, with the range-topping compact sedan being priced Rs 69,000 higher. Meanwhile, prices for the Dzire CNG are about Rs 54,000-64,000 higher than the Swift CNG’s.

Do note that prices for the Dzire are introductory, and will increase from January 2025. On paper then, the new Dzire seems to be quite a proposition when compared to the Swift. For not too much more money, the Dzire offers a more mature aesthetic and a longer list of features, along with being the more frugal model in CNG form.

Also see:

New Maruti Dzire variant-wise features, trims and prices explained

Maruti Dzire new vs old: price, engine, features comparison

Maruti Swift long term review, 1,200km report

 I ’m in an impromptu drag race against a 19-year-old Honda City and I’m losing. A hint of smoke from that car’s tailpipe tells me the engine has crossed 5,500rpm and found its second wind. I can almost see the grin on Hormazd’s face as that happens.

A short run and a couple of gears later, we slow down and resume adult behaviour. This is only the customary four generations of Honda City photo shoot in Noida – the cars have a 6,000km road trip ahead of them.

Why are we going on a 6,000km road trip? Well, it has been 20 years since the Honda City first showed up on Indian roads. 20 years since a sea change happened to how we look at cars and what we expect from them. In these 20 years, we also started getting the roads to drive these cars on; and the first one of those roads was the Golden Quadrilateral.

The planning for this mother road, which links the four big metropolitan cities in India, was completed in 1999 – a year after the Honda City came to India. Construction of the road started in 2001, but then it took another eleven years to complete. In that time, Honda reinvented the City many times. From starting out as a simple, low-slung family car powered by the first 100hp motor in the country, the City went from first-generation swan to second-generation ugly duckling, and back to swan for the third generation. All of this happened while the government was still looking for funds and facing problems with land acquisition to complete a six-year project that ended up taking many more. Oh well, nothing new there.

To celebrate two decades of Citys, we are going to drive four generations of the Honda City along the length of the Golden Quadrilateral. For us, this is both, a documentary and a trip down memory lane. It is a documentary of the state the Golden Quadrilateral is in all its time of existence. The trip down memory lane? That’s just an excuse for a road trip.

Capital to financial capital
You forget how low old cars are; and so, when I drop into generation one’s seats, I let myself drop a couple of milliseconds early. The seat is lower than where I expect it to be. So a clumsy fall and a small wince later, I swing my legs in, slide the analogue, ‘browned-from-wear’ key into the starter and give it a twist. This 80,000km-run, 1999 City EXi has no trouble starting. MH-01-Y-9111 is Parsi-owned and according to its owner, is used twice a week to get his aged relatives to Bombay Gymkhana and back home. Asking it to do a cross-country run at this age seems absurd, until you actually drive it. It runs like it left the showroom recently – the dampers have spring in them, the engine still has the energy of a teenager and in no way does it feel like it left the production line nearly two decades ago.

 Anyway, you realise how much a modern car pampers you only when you step back a couple of decades. I have no clue how anyone ever reversed a car without a reverse camera or, at the very least, parking sensors. I also soon realise that all the connectivity I have is through the steering wheel, the pedals and the seat of my pants. There are no distractions in here – the simple dials light up in the same shade of tungsten yellow as the analogue dials of a 1990’s hi-fis (remember those?), voice commands come in the form of you singing ‘Another day in Paradise’, and you actually have to rotate a dial to vaguely set the air conditioning somewhere between red, blue and comfortable. This lack of distraction is good because this bit of GQ that runs through Haryana demands you pay attention.

Through the many villages that line the road are oblivious bikers, lazy cattle and swerving multi-axle trucks. In fact, the absolute lack of in-built safety is the one consistent thing we will see all through the rest of the drive. I will blow a gasket about this, later.

Anyway, the oldest City is still such a hoot. Because you sit so low to the ground, the sense of speed is enhanced and 100kph feels like 150! The engine snarls when you’re in low gear and high revs, the linear throttle response – it is all there!

Take the rose-tinted glasses off for a second, though. This is a family car that we considered sporty because when it came to India, the competition was still fighting about leaf spring settings! You also feel a bit unprotected. Two decades ago, you probably had to buy an S-class to get ABS and airbags as standard; and two decades ago, A-pillars were slimmer than a Victoria’s Secret model and the tyres were narrower than her waist. Out on a six-lane unpoliced highway, all of this leaves you feeling rather naked.

But you forget all that the minute you cross over into Rajasthan. Here, there’s ample space to wind out that 16-valve engine. The wide, open corners remind you why a low centre of gravity is so important in carrying big cornering speeds and the new MRF rubber we’ve fitted on the car keeps it secure.

Also helping our cause are the roads through Rajasthan and Gujarat – wide open stretches, six-lanes, and that odd blithering idiot on a motorcycle to keep you on your toes. The old City runs beautifully all the way and we arrive in Mumbai to swap into the second-generation car.    

Financial capital to traffic jam central
Blasphemy. The fans were up in arms. Honda had forced the Fonz to return as a college professor for season two. The second-generation City lost 23hp to the old car, looked almost as proportional as a Picasso painting and was about as exciting to drive as a white refrigerator – but Honda knew that the mid-sized customer’s needs had changed. He now had two kids, parents who were getting on in age and a wife who no longer enjoyed bouncing off the 7,000rpm limiter on the way to the supermarket.

 The second-generation City brought in practicality and (at a later stage) ABS and airbags. The old parents could now slide into the higher seats easily, three weeks of toys and diapers would fit in the big boot and the wife stuck it in fourth gear and smiled all the way to the kitty party.

I will agree with how practical it is. Leaving Mumbai during packed traffic, I appreciate the light clutch, the utterly light steering and the easy gearshift. For the 40-odd kilometres to Panvel, I am entirely happy to be ensconced in the ungainly proportions because it feels like I’m driving a toy.

Then we hit the six-lane Mumbai-Pune Expressway leg of the Golden Quadrilateral. I wind out the engine (it doesn’t complain), I lean on the skinny tyres (they protest loudly), I look for some excitement (there’s none). My pulse rate slows and I ask my colleague to take over the wheel. The back seat, I find, is the best place to be in this car. It is really comfortable and as different as night and day from the low-slung dungeon that the first-generation car’s rear seat is.

It is impossible to fall asleep, however, because once we cross Pune and get on the Bengaluru stretch, this bit of the GQ deteriorates. The tarmac is lumpy and Maharashtra easily outguns all other states when it comes to the league of oblivious motorcyclists/pedestrians. Joy has to punch the brakes often, swerve to avoid the drunk ‘bhau’ heading home and, overall, it is chaos all the way to Kolhapur. Then, as we approach Karnataka, the traffic thins out, the road widens and the feeling of space increases. This directly influences everyone on the road. Since they no longer have to jostle for space, everyone is calmer.

The stretch of GQ after Kolhapur, all the way to Bengaluru is mile-munching paradise. Since there’s little traffic and the road has broad shoulders, you can maintain consistently high average speeds without breaking speed limits. We are in Bengaluru just in time for rush-hour traffic – Google Maps tells us that it will take us 45 minutes to cover the 6km to the hotel! The second-generation car reminds me why it is the way it is, again in this bumper-to-bumper jostle for inches of space. It’s been a good drive but I’m glad to jump into the more exciting generation three City.

Traffic jam central to the City of Joy
On a morning when most Honda Citys are on the school run or on their way to the office, there was one hooning around on a racetrack. See, the GQ happens to run past my favourite Indian racetrack – and what better way to prove the third-generation City’s practical and fun credentials than a flat-out run on a track with a boot full of luggage. We’ve also fitted the car with wider 195-section MRF Perfinzas which should take care of our original grouse with the car – its narrow, fuel efficiency-biased tyres. I go in for a couple of laps and discover that the engine likes being wrung out, and that the tyres allow for much higher cornering speeds than I remember.

Just as I’m getting into the groove again, the officials tell us that our time is up and we need to get a move on. I promise you, the luggage in the boot stayed ironed.

We have a long way to go in addition to the mad run we’ve had on the superb stretch from Bengaluru. We’re going up the east coast and come across the best stretch of the GQ we’ve run so far – the bit before Vijayawada. I say it is great not only because it is six-lane perfection but because it is well-marked and well-lit, as well. There still are no real safety measures in place and this has been a constant through our drive. I feel they have built this fantastic road that allows for high speeds; but have left safety in the hands of the nimbu-mirchi, and the deity on the dashboard. Every village along the way has direct access to this road. There are few barriers to prevent out-of-control vehicles from careening off the road or jumping the median into your lane. There is no one to stop people from driving down the wrong side of the road; and animals freely roam this highway. It blows your mind when you actually drive down this otherwise modern road and see the number of unnecessary accidents and roadkill. It turns what should be a relaxing drive into an on-your-guard drive.

The generation three City, however, is a great long-distance car as long as you are not pushing it. That CVT gearbox (never my favourite) is great at cruising – but when you need to power out of a situation, it simply makes the engine feel strained. That aside, I’m enjoying the ability to listen to all the songs on my iPod (this generation was one of the first cars in India to altogether delete the CD player from the options list) and the seats are great, too. We make it to the Howrah Bridge and somehow land up in a hotel that serves only vegetarian fare. Picture eyes rolling.

To the capital
That bit about the GQ being completed in 2012 is not entirely true and we discover it just as we cross the Bihar border into Uttar Pradesh. For about 100-odd kilometres, all the way past Varanasi, the road is full of diversions past yet-to-be-constructed flyovers. In fact, it reminds me of how the rest of the GQ was, a decade ago. This whole belt is dismal. All the way from Jharkhand, through Bihar and UP, is one big dustbowl, and I’m quite glad I’m in the fourth-generation City, for this one. The seats are supremely comfortable and the superb sound system helps me ignore the slightly intrusive drone from the diesel engine. Once past Varanasi though, UP’s GQ improves considerably – although to no better standard than the rest of the country; or so I thought. We cheat a bit on the way back and take a part of the new Lucknow-Agra Expressway. This is a road that you could compare to anything you would drive on in a developed country. Properly barricaded, well marked with reflective signs  and lane markings, it makes the Golden Quadrilateral seem, well, a bit last-century.

The fourth-generation City is superb here. It is a fantastic cruiser and I love the way it delivers power – it is responsive and also so fuel-efficient, it easily covers the distance between Kanpur and Noida on a tankful of diesel. When Honda introduced this engine in the City back in 2014, it was way the last entrant in the segment, but it was worth the wait. What a nice engine this is! We surf along the diesel’s wave of torque on the Taj Expressway, and we are in Noida before we know it.

The end
Ultimately, there’s so much you learn from a trip like this. One, India has done the typical thing of going ahead and making a great road; and lost interest in building the rest of what such roads need to keep them safe. Two, our driving standards need to improve – the general Indian has no idea how to use a road like this and they need to be educated in etiquette. We saw a man meditating cross-legged in the fast lane in Bihar, we saw another who thought it was ok to ride flat-out in the middle lane in the wrong direction. We had truckers veering into the fast lane for no reason, cows chewing the cud around fast, blind corners, cyclists, poorly marked diversions – and the works. It is high time we did something about this callous attitude to life.

The Honda City, on the other hand, has progressed with the times. A trip like this shows you how diverse India is and developing a car that pleases everyone, is quite the task. The first generation introduced us to what good engines should be like, the second generation showed how good thinking out of the conventional three-box sedan can be, the third generation mixed everything the first two generations had and wrapped it in a good-looking suit, and the fourth generation added a layer of finesse to the third generation’s quality. It’s also impressive that no matter what their age, all four (well-maintained cars, mind you) ran faultlessly. So, like we said, it is extremely difficult to build a car that suits everyone’s needs; but a drive like this shows that the City’s wide range of talents help it do a pretty good job of that. 

OUSEPH CHACKO

I’ve been stuck on a motorcycle on a high-altitude pass before. I’ve been in -40deg Celsius at the Arctic circle a few years ago, and I’ve even woken up on a sack of flour in a dingy dhaba in the middle of a snowstorm and cried because it was so cold. So I like to think that I am pretty qualified for this crazy ride that Royal Enfield has planned.

This time, there is one crucial difference. All my previous such adventures have been for a day at the worst and an hour at best. This time, they say it will be nine sustained days of teeth chatter and no, my amma won’t be able to come save me when I’ve had enough.

I quickly pack Rs 7,000 worth (in excess baggage) of warm clothes and riding gear and buy enough thermals to own a controlling stake in Decathlon. This is not the usual cold-weather adventure, it can go very wrong. Also sending chills down my spine is when Royal Enfield delays the start of the trip by a couple of days because they want us to be in Kaza for the heaviest snowfall of the season. Hang on a minute! Don’t normal people try to avoid bad weather? I quickly make another trip to Decathlon and arrive at the starting point with my best frosty smile pasted on.

The start point is in Shimla and I’m told there will be seven slightly modified Royal Enfield Himalayan Sleets waiting for us. We will then attempt to ride to Kaza in Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh, via the only route that is open/maybe open at this time of the year. The e-mail from Royal Enfield promises minus polar bear temperatures, lots of black ice on the road and a small side note that tells us that a hot bath at the end of a cold ride will be impossible once we cross over into Spiti Valley. Am I nervous? You bet I am. I know from past experience that snow and ice are the most difficult surfaces to ride a motorcycle on. You need to be fit because every inch of progress on zero-traction surfaces like these is like clawing back victory from the icy fingers of winter. The problem with snow and ice is that they have this ability to make you go from full CS Santosh control to sliding on your donkey ass in exactly 0.1 milliseconds. Oh well, like Vijay Parmar (India’s Thierry Sabine for those not in the know) said, I asked for this.

GLOBAL WARMING

So far, that e-mail has failed to live up to its veiled threat. The sun is out but it is cold and for once, I seem to be wearing the right warm riding gear. That changes slightly when we get to the high point on the road. The first sign I get is when my toes start freezing. Painfully. The frosty bite of winter is seeping in through my boots and woollen socks and robbing my toes of feel.

I am also a very clever fellow obviously, because, in my bid to take a few photographs at the helipad at Nako, I’ve exposed my fingers to the knife-edged wind that is blowing through the place. I now have frozen toes and fingers. I look back now and thank god I didn’t feel the need to answer nature’s call at that point.

I quickly stuff my hands into the rain mitts that have been fitted on the Sleets and turn on the heated grips to 80 percent heat. It takes a while for the grips to warm up and in that while, every clutch pull and every two-finger front brake application is agony. A few kilometres up, there is ice on the road at Malling Nallah – the crossover into Spiti. We finally seem to be leaving the everyday comforts we take for granted behind.

I’m told we can forget about heated hotel rooms and running water. From now on, the water I brush my teeth with is so icy it scalds, and every time I smile at the face of adversity, my dry lips crack painfully. No amount of slathered Burt’s Bees helps (Vaseline does a better job, though), and anyone using anything other than a BSNL network can forget about their daily social media updates. I am surprised that the usual signs of AMS – the slower thought process, slight nausea, the mild headaches – aren’t hitting me. Vijay Parmar tells me that because it is so cold right now, the air up here is denser. We are, in effect, breathing like a K&N cold air filter. How cool is that!

That night at a homestay in Tabo, we huddle around a bukhari sipping on soup and rum. I learn certain rules of a mountain home chief, of which is that if you leave the room for whatever reason, you close the door behind you and when you come back, you bring two logs of wood from the pile outside to keep the fire going. I step out and stare in wonder at the diamond carpet high above me before my rapidly depleting body heat forces me under three blankets, a down jacket and uneasy sleep. There is still no sign of snow.

WE WILL GO AND FIND IT THEN

Apparently, when it snows, it isn’t as cold as when it is not snowing. Either that or you are working so hard to get the bike through deep snow that you forget how cold it is. I think it is the latter because I’ve been struggling to ride up a slope covered in one-and-a-half feet of snow. We stopped before attempting the climb to that little village in Pin Valley National Park and fitted snow chains, but even that is not helping. The bike is bogging down and I’m having to walk it up the slope – engine on, first gear, clutch out, revs up. At 12,000ft, this little exercise that I execute so easily in Idukki’s mud is making me curse the cigarette I had with my chai earlier that morning. And then, the snowy patch hardens into a sheet of ice that runs across our temporary ski slope – it is a stream that froze and drops over the edge into a short but promisingly painful trip to the river below. I freeze but that’s the wrong thing to do. Ice is like an oil slick with a sprinkling of banana peel on it, so you want to ride the bike like you are walking on a slippery bathroom floor – no sudden movements or panicking allowed. In fact, you shouldn’t even think because in the time it takes to think, you will land your ass on a cold hard surface. Because it is a short stretch of ice, you ride up to it as slowly as you can, pull the clutch in and let the bike simply roll over the treacherously slick surface. The deep snow at the other side seems like a Velcro patch after that. I can feel my heart beating furiously, my mouth is dry and I find myself breathing like a locomotive. I take a few sips from my hydration pack, find a place where the side-stand won’t sink into the ground and watch in guilty glee as the others behind me struggle up the same slope in a mix of heavy breathing and flying snow.     

Pin Valley is beautiful at this time of year. We haven’t seen a soul all morning; I haven’t seen snow this white ever and the razor-sharp peaks of the Himalayas etched against that cobalt blue sky makes me briefly think that all this talk about global warming is nonsense. But it isn’t. The slopes on the south side are devoid of snow because well, it hasn’t snowed. Phuentshok, our host for the night in Tabo tells us it hasn’t snowed here since November and that this place should be under a ton of snow by now. It is a scary thought.

THE POND

What I love about the Himalayan is that it is so easy to manage off-road. It has good ground clearance like every dual-sport bike should have, but the seat isn’t high off the ground like every other dual-sport bike’s is. This means I can get my feet on the ground comfortably and that means I am way more confident on it than I am on my Triumph Tiger back home. On the dirt/gravel sections, as we head to Kaza later that evening, I find myself doing speeds I wouldn’t dare do on a bigger motorcycle. That the Himalayan has very modest power means I have that poor engine on its throttle stop most of the time. I won’t lie though. I did wish many times that it had a bit more power, but then again, I will tell you that the bike is fun because it is unintimidating.

Now, because we are supposed to be buried in snow today and because it still hasn’t snowed, we decide to head higher up from the 12,000ft valley floor towards Kibber. We find a small pond that’s frozen over. I decide I am very clever again and fit the snow chains on my bike without gloves on. Cold air, cold metal, no feeling in the fingers. I ride nervously out onto the broad basin of the pond and promptly have the bike wash out from under me. Me falling breaks the ice (figuratively, not literally) and I am soon surrounded by six other bikes all hooning around the relatively broad basin of white. We drag raced on it, went sliding across the ice on our collective asses multiple times, tried our hands at flat tracking – it was an incredible high. It is cold but we’ve forgotten how cold it is and everyone’s face mirrors the same feeling – up there in the cold at 14,000ft with no one but us watching, freedom kicked in. Moments like this make me glad to be alive.

WHITEOUT

Through the ride, I’ve learned that there are different kinds of snow that you ride on. There’s deep snow which is an absolute workout to ride through, there’s ice covered by a thin layer of snow that is treacherous to ride on and there’s the third kind – the kind we get on the last day of the ride out from Kalpa.

Ironically, we’ve had to leave Spiti Valley to get proper snowfall and overnight at Kalpa, a ton of the stuff has come down and turned the landscape fairy-tale white. The third kind of snow is now what we have to ride on and, to my delight, I discover that it is the most enjoyable sort. The road down to Reckong Peo is tarmac and on it is a few inches of snow. It is here that the snow chains work their best because they find enough traction on those few inches and there’s grip underneath. The residents of Kalpa stay in their warm houses as we ride down that road surrounded by tall pine trees and crisp, clean air. I learn to use the power and slide the rear wheel around hairpins; I learn that this kind of snow lets you take liberties, and I am genuinely sad that from here to Shimla and beyond is now a long road back to normal life.

That night, as we sit around a table and share war stories, I realise what a kickass ride this has been. The struggle through the snow, the heart-in-the-mouth moments over ice, the biting cold, the billion stars on a pitch-black night and the incredibly close relationships you build with total strangers when you sit around a warm fire in the middle of nowhere is what made this trip for me. The chaps from Royal Enfield tell me that this ride was a ‘testing the waters’ kind of ride and they plan to include it in next year’s ride calendar, which in turn means we were guinea pigs. If this is what being a guinea pig feels like, sign me up for the next one, please.

BIKE PREP

A few minor modifications were all that was necessary to get these Himalayan Sleets ready for the snow ride. The engine oil was changed to fully synthetic 5W-40 grade to battle the expected below-freezing temperatures, and the drive chain had to be cleaned and lubricated almost every day because regular chain lubes don’t last long in these temperatures. Also, the foot peg rubbers were removed so our boots would grip them better. Then, of course, there were the Mizuno snow chains without which traversing the snow and ice stretches would have been very difficult.

For our comfort, Royal Enfield fitted the bikes with rain mitts as well as heated grips from a company called Oxford. That’s it. That was all that was needed.

RIDER PREP

You are going to ride through extreme temperatures, and if you get your riding gear wrong, it will ruin your ride. Here’s what I used to stay warm:

• SOL SS-1 ADV helmet
• Scott Recoil XI goggles
• Alpinestars Touring winter balaclava
• Royal Enfield Darcha all-weather jacket with rain and warm liners
• Triumph Navigator gloves
• Royal Enfield Darcha pants with rain liner
• Two layers of Decathlon thermal inner wear
• Decathlon woollen socks
• Sidi On Road Gore-Tex boots (worked brilliantly off-road)
• Decathlon 2-litre hydration pack

Also, remember to try on all your gear to make sure they fit well before the ride. Discovering your boots don’t have space for the extra thickness of the woollen socks, a night before the ride, can be a bummer.

OUSEPH CHACKO

“What do you mean we can’t leave?” Not that it’s a complaint, given our current location – the gorgeous Vivanta Dal Lake View hotel atop a hill overlooking Srinagar in Kashmir. But right off the bat, this was the first of a mercifully precious few hiccups in an otherwise meticulously planned journey. It turns out severe landslides have all but wiped out a section of the highway to Jammu, and it will be closed for a day while the authorities clear things up. Luckily, we’d budgeted some buffer days on this journey, which we would need to pull off something like this.

They say the two types of cars you simply cannot take on a road trip across India are a sportscar and an EV. We’re attempting to do just that in a car that is both – the Porsche Taycan. And it’s not some casual jaunt to a hill station over a weekend; this is the mighty K2K or Kashmir to Kanyakumari – over 4,000km from the northern to the southern tip of India. And before you ask, no, this is not a race against time or a test of range. In the real world, you do road trips comfortably, and that’s how we planned this.

So one extra day in Kashmir, huh? I’ve only so much as laid eyes on this Frozenblue Metallic Porsche Taycan once, at its launch in November 2021, so this is a good chance to get to know it better, I think. And what I get to test right off the bat is how good it is at being a Porsche. Twisty mountain roads, narrow, but decently surfaced, and since we don’t have any vast distance to cover today, I’m allowing myself a bit of fun.

Taycan Drive Kashmir to Kanyakumari: Srinagar to Jaipur

– Gavin D’Souza

Straight into Sport Plus mode and off we go. What gets me first is the steering – a hallmark of every Porsche. In Sport Plus, it makes no concessions to lightness in the quest for the ultimate feedback. The whole car feels just so tightly wound in a way that no EV I’ve driven before has, and this is not even the mighty Turbo S. There’s a purity to how this base, rear-wheel-drive model drives, and its 326hp is ample without feeling over the top. Some breathtaking views and a fair few hairpins later, it’s time to put the car back on charge and head off in search of a Kashmiri dinner.

The following morning, a proud 100 percent and 370km of indicated range showing on the screen, we’ve got the all-clear from the highway authorities and we’re ready to flag off. But first, a little matter of packaging. The 84-litre frunk can hold a surprising amount, but as we’re going on a long trip, we’ve packed some extra charging gear – including a custom-made 15A extension cord, just in case. It’s the 407-litre rear boot that, impressively, swallows up two week-long bags and then some, despite also housing the space-saver spare tyre.

Our exit from Srinagar is far more subdued than my little jaunt from the day prior, as we settle down nicely with the ‘Normal’ drive mode. I make sure to turn brake regeneration on, however, as it’s all downhill from here. As the kilometres tumble, the indicated range stays more or less the same, which means we’re driving this car more efficiently than the last person – me, yesterday.

The roads up here are heavily militarised, and it’s not unusual to be stopped for long spells to allow convoys to pass through. It happens on more than a few occasions, which gives the local sellers of apples, shawls and cricket bats enough opportunities to accost us with their best possible deals. It’s not long before they turn their attention to the blue bolt, however, and the conversation changes from bargaining to wild curiosity.

The road to Jammu takes us through the 8.45km long Qazigund-Banihal tunnel, among several others, and before long, we’re in Ramban district, where those devastating landslides took place. The authorities have done a tremendous job of clearing the road, but it’s still something of a mucky minefield, and the first real test of the Taycan’s go-anywhere ability. Thankfully, air suspension is standard for India, and raising it a few times lets us navigate the watery ruts left behind by the heavy truck traffic. That slowdown and the many traffic stops meant it’s after dark as we roll into Jammu for the night.

An uneventful driving day suddenly turns tense as we encounter heavy water-logging in Zirakpur, Punjab.

We thought the most eventful part of this journey was behind us, but we’re in for a surprise. For the most part, the journey to Chandigarh comprised superb, wide highways and superb road surfaces. But as we enter Zirakpur, the sky breaks open with some of the most intense rainfall I’ve seen all year. Visibility is non-existent, other road users are in a panic, and huge ponds of standing water begin to emerge out of nowhere. And then, after a long traffic jam crawls us towards a blind junction, the penny drops. A huge water-logged stretch spreads out before us and we have no choice but to wade through. It’s already taken a few vehicular victims, abandoned in the middle or to the side, but we push on. I’m quickly reminded that with this being an EV, there’s actually less chance of internal powertrain damage, as there are no intakes or exhausts for water to enter through. Still, it doesn’t stop my heart from being lodged firmly in my mouth, and once we’re finally clear and into Chandigarh, we inspect the car, and all is well.

It’s an absolute breeze getting to the Capital the next day, and although quite uneventful, the long, smooth highway gives me a fun game to play. The Taycan, unlike most EVs, actually has two gears in its transmission, the second being an overdrive for better efficiency on the highway. Putting the car in Eco mode actually lowers the suspension for better aero, and it’s here that I start chasing my new favourite number on the screen – the km/kWh reading. Much like kpl, a higher number is better, and in my experience with EVs so far, anything above 5km/kWh is good. Coming down from Kashmir meant we were already doing a pretty good 6.2, but by the time we roll into Delhi, I manage to take it up to 7.1km/kWh!

As we dock into a fast-charging bay at a large fuel station in the heart of the Capital, the unexpected happens. Car enthusiasts, two, three, four at a time, start to pull in and fill up; they serve 100-octane here. As it turns out, they’re all on their way to a Cars and Coffee New Delhi meet-up. It’d be silly not to go and check it out, and when we do, we’re treated to an incredibly warm welcome from scores of enthusiastic car owners. The Taycan is the only EV there, of course, and parked amongst internal combustion’s finest, it’s a great way for all of us to unwind.

My brilliant 7.1km/kWh figure is quickly eroded the next morning as progress is brought to its knees by Delhi traffic. An EV is technically more efficient in traffic than an ICE car, but nothing could be efficient here. After a quick spin around India Gate, it’s time to make our way to Jaipur. While Rajasthan’s highways are generally some of the best around, the monsoon seems to have taken its toll, and we’re regularly engaged in a game of dodge the surprise pothole. It’s back up to Comfort mode and mid-height suspension, I think. The final stretch to our hotel – thanks to some of Google Maps’ finest botchery – is on a tiny village road, replete with traffic snags and annoyed locals. But now that I’m so well acquainted with the Taycan, it’s as easy as driving a family hatchback.

Taycan Drive Kashmir to Kanyakumari: Jaipur to Mumbai 

– Jay Patil

Starting the second leg of the Taycan K2K drive was pretty much like being the second runner in a 4x100m relay: vastly underrated and little in terms of excitement. The flag dropped and in true relay fashion, Gavin started off in the twisties of the north that straightened out as he passed me the baton. It was bittersweet, to be honest, considering the Jaipur to Mumbai leg is mostly flat with only a handful of bends thrown in to break the monotony. And going by Shapur’s review, the Taycan, despite being an all-electric Porsche, was one that offered the full experience.

 It’s mostly big highways and open roads, but we often have to go off the beaten path on this journey.

My straight jaunt to Mumbai started off from the quaint Devi Ratn Resort in the beautiful city of Jaipur. Beautiful it was, right until the clock struck 9am and traffic clogged the picturesque but narrow streets. Nursing the Taycan out of the city amidst the parking  sensors’ greatest hits was nerve-racking and a gentle reminder that it wasn’t going to be a road trip like in the movies with just long looping highways.

What most of the Jaipur-Mumbai stretch looks like. An arrow straight ribbon of tarmac.

As we got out on the highway, I could relax and stretch the Taycan’s legs to get a feel of the zero-emissions Porsche. My first thought was of disappointment, because there was no exhaust purring away as I squeezed the accelerator. What was surprising, though, was how adept the Taycan was at cruising speeds. It exudes a feeling of a superb long-distance tourer that makes light work of hundreds of kilometres. As it munched on the miles and kept washing them down with lithium-ion juice, my range anxiety too was tapering slowly. The Taycan’s battery management is superbly calibrated and it gently sips on charge as you trudge along. But, of course, on long, straight highways, there would be a change in drive mode every once in a while. While Comfort is the ideal setting for a drive like this, Sport Plus is where the drowsiness of a lengthy road is eradicated. However, while the instant torque does make for cheap thrills, there are only so many times you can enjoy a shove to the body.

With my eyes peering out in the distance for some corners, we entered Udaipur, and my hunger for a few twisties was temporarily satisfied by some spicy Laal Maas.

An extremely comfy night at the wonderful Taj Aravali Resort and Spa made sure I was fresh for the next day when we would be leaving behind Rajasthan and entering Gujarat.

Long charging times, especially without fast charging allow you to have a relaxed meal.

The start to each day was methodical and started by filling out a log for each day’s trip and charge reading. Udaipur was yet another breezy drive, until we needed to recharge. You see, when you are on long drives like these, even the most diligent planning can go for a toss. And so it did when we reached the charging location at a remote, under-construction hotel. Now, recharging isn’t as effortless as parking your car and plugging it in. There can be some rough patches there too. We found out the hard way as we plugged the car in and realised we were out of network. This rendered online payment impossible, and just as we were about to lose all hope, Rahul decided to walk around and managed to find one bar the traditional way – one arm in the air. If that wasn’t enough, there was a power cut at the hotel, which halted the charging. As ironic as it was, a diesel generator was used to power the charging station, but the entire process of rebooting the charging software, with the weak network and fluctuating power supply, cost us a good chunk of time. Fingers crossed, we hoped the car charged as fast as possible and started prepping for a night drive into Gujarat.

As we set off, I made good use of the Taycan’s straight-line prowess and as the sun bid adieu, we crossed into Ahmedabad.

Taycan Drive Kashmir to Kanyakumari: Mumbai to Satara

– Hormazd Sorabjee

With the Taycan’s 79.2kWh battery topped up to 100 percent charge via our wall box charger in office, the first stop of the day was Pune. After a ceremonial flag off of the southern leg of our K2K drive at our office by Manolito Vujicic, head of Porsche India (also my co-driver), we eased the Taycan into Mumbai’s rush hour traffic towards the expressway. Two nasty speed breakers just outside office saw the Taycan pass the ground clearance test with flying colours. The Mumbai-Pune Expressway was where the Taycan came into its own, silently and swiftly slicing past traffic. That Mano and I were engaged in animated conversation throughout was evidence of the Taycan’s ability to gobble miles without any drama. Truth is, though it was a quick drive to our lunch stop, deliberately chosen not far from a Tata Power 25kW charger, I wasn’t driving this Porsche like a Porsche. That would be saved for the Khambatki ghat after Pune. We arrived in Pune covering 165km and with a 63 percent charge.

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus was part of Taycan’s Mumbai darshan.

Lunch at Sayaji hotel took a little more than an hour, enough time for the Taycan’s battery to get upto 99 percent. Driver and car nicely fed, we made brisk progress on NH48 and reached the bottom of Khambatki, where the fun would begin in earnest. Camera team in position, Sport Plus mode selected, a pause for a gap in the road and wham. Acceleration is quick but not super quick (this is not the Turbo S but the base model), but the handling is just next level. The wide, smooth and curvy uphill one-way section of Khambatki was the ideal playground for the Taycan. The way it dives in and out of corners, the purity of the steering, the flat and composed ride was just incredible. In fact, it was so much fun, that we did the Khambatki loop twice.

The car and the journey got a thumbs up from everyone.

Twenty kilometres later, we were stopped by the police, not for speeding but because they wanted to have a look at the car. The blue Taycan was making all sorts of friends wherever it went!

Exciting Taycan came into its element on ghats en route Satara.

Flat-out uphill driving did take its toll on the battery, but when we reached Satara, a good 140km after our last top up, we still had 54 percent charge. I left the inconvenient job of finding a charger in Satara before calling it a day. Any regrets? I just wish I had more time to have driven it all the way to Kanyakumari, I was just getting warmed up.

Taycan Drive Kashmir to Kanyakumari: Satara to Kanyakumari 

– Nikhil Bhatia

I’d been following the Taycan’s adventure through India via Instagram thus far and had been itching to be part of the proceedings myself. Satara is where I gleefully joined car and crew. I’m no stranger to the highway we are on (it’s part of the route to Goa!), but I was a stranger to the Taycan. I’d not driven one before and there really wasn’t any time for an ice-breaking session with it either. A quick run through of the Taycan’s four screens and some of its quirks like the unusual position of the light switches beside the instrument screen was pretty much it. Thing is, as I find out almost instantly, the Taycan is a car that puts you at immediate ease. It’s very 911 in that sense. Frontal visibility is excellent, the beautiful bonnet ‘buttresses’ are a great reference point, and the driving position is spot on. I think I’m going to enjoy my time in the Taycan!

The Gogte Plaza charging station at Belagavi supplied cleanest energy.

The drive to Belagavi is smooth and ends with a charge at the Gogte Plaza charging station. Set up beside a solar field that powers it, with windmills churning away in the distance, it’s the ‘cleanest’ and greenest of our charging stops. I hope it’s a model we see replicated over the larger journey to electrification. The roads improve as we charge on deeper into Karnataka. Our average speed is up, travel time is reduced and what that means is a lot more can be packed into the day. Our stop at Davanagere is well spent in the quest for the best Benne Dosa – butter dosa with butter level Pro Max! Ahem, some of us may have packed in a kilo or two over the drive.

Resplendent Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru is a must-see.

It’s on the way to Bengaluru that it hits me – range anxiety hasn’t hit me yet! Save for a range check at the start of each day, I’ve not paid much attention to the number over the course of three days of driving. EVs minus their most notorious stress point are a win in my books. A charger in easy reach just sweetens the deal. Luckily for us, Taj Yeshwantpur in Bengaluru, our halt for the night, is home to EV chargers.

There was just no getting around Bengaluru traffic.

Our plan of a late exit out of Bengaluru to avoid the early morning rush is met with partial success. We get a good run to the resplendent Vidhana Soudha, a must see, but it’s a crawl for the rest of the way out. The Taycan’s natural silence has a calming influence in the madness, I can tell you that.

The day’s driving has us enter Tamil Nadu, the final state on our journey. My devious plans to beat Gavin’s efficiency record are quickly aborted. The road is super-smooth and there are some wide, sweeping corners too. It’d be rude not to enjoy it to the fullest. Sport Plus dialled, the Taycan quickly (quickly being the operative word) reminds me it’s a Porsche first and then an EV. That gorgeous balance to the handling is just so, so rewarding. It’s only later that I realise we weren’t all that far from Kolli Hills, the 70-hairpin hill climb. Talk of a missed opportunity!

Zeon Charging’s RFID-enabled interface was really user-friendly.

It’s smooth sailing from Salem to Madurai. Again, it’s the road that impresses and what’s also reassuring to know is that we are never too far from a fast charger. The EV charging network is denser in the south. We use Zeon Charging’s 50kW charger, and it’s a joy to see the car ‘tank up’ so quickly, relatively speaking. The Taycan can accept charge at up to 225kW, which, infrastructure supporting, can give 100km of range within 5 min of plugging in.

I’d have loved to stay on to explore the temple city of Madurai and the historic Taj Gateway hotel we were staying at, but there’s a futuristic car waiting for me and a journey to complete. Today is the day we drive to Kanyakumari.

Gorgeous final run was almost ceremoniously lined with windmills.

I do feel for poor Gavin and Jay, but I think I’ve lucked out with the best roads of the entire trip. The surface is brilliant and the icing on the cake is that the traffic has thinned out the further south we’ve come. This is my last dance with the Taycan and I sure as hell make the most of it. Gorgeous skies and a forest, and I mean it, a forest of windmills on either side of the road lead us into Kanyakumari.

It’s a busy Sunday evening at the southernmost point of mainland India, but we politely creep our way forward till we make it to Sunrise Point (incidentally down the road from Sunset Point) and have the iconic Vivekananda Rock and Thiruvalluvar statue in view. This is it! Job done! Manolito Vujicic, who is donning two hats – of Porsche India head and a wide-eyed tourist – joyfully flags us in. Curious bystanders, and there are hordes of them, can’t comprehend our drive all the way from Kashmir, let alone one in an EV.

To us, the 4,467km journey has been epic in so many ways, but one of many learnings too.

Our Taycan lived an entire life in those 4466.5km.

For one, isn’t it gratifying to know we have the roads, at least many, to really enjoy a Porsche on? Then there’s the EV infrastructure. There’s no arguing here because there’s still a long way to go, but the fact that the Taycan did the trip from Kashmir to Kanyakumari without burning a drop of petrol or diesel, or needing any form of external assistance should tell you we’re surely headed in the right direction. And it cost us ‘only’ Rs 15,422 in charging. Fast charging isn’t cheap, but you’d be spending in multiples on fuel with a similar powered petrol car.

Bustling Kanyakumari was a place of quiet reflection of one epic journey.

As for the car. What a machine. We put it through everything. Rain. Shine. Good roads. Bad roads. No roads. The Porsche Taycan took everything like a champ. We knew it’d be fast and exciting, but what we’ve come to appreciate is how India-friendly the car is. Ironically enough, the Taycan’s impressive real-world range meant the whole journey wasn’t as much of an adventure as we anticipated it to be. And that is no bad thing.

Who said you can’t road trip in a sportscar or an EV?

Also see: 

Porsche Taycan India review: The best driving EV in the world

Contrary to the Mini in its name, the Countryman is a large, four-door, spacious crossover squarely aimed at family buyers. Now in its third generation, it has undergone some revolutionary changes, and for the first time ever, it’ll be sold with an electric heart, along with the ICE versions. For India, though, Mini has only introduced the Countryman EV as an import, which, due to its single-motor, front-wheel drive setup, is priced rather competitively at Rs 55 lakh. 

But India’s entry-level luxury EV segment is quite populated, by electric car standards at least. It includes the BYD Seal and Hyundai Ioniq 5 at one end – priced sub-Rs 50 lakh – and the Mercedes-Benz EQA (Rs 66 lakh) and BMW iX1 (Rs 67 lakh) on the other end. So, how does the new Mini Countryman EV stack up?

2024 Mini Countryman: design

With dimensions larger than a Jeep Compass, this new Countryman can be termed as anything but small.

Think Mini, and you’d visualise a compact hatchback. However, with dimensions larger than a Jeep Compass, this new Countryman can be termed as anything but small. Despite its size, a curvy design language and smooth body lines devoid of cuts or creases make it appear chic and urbane rather than brawny and intimidating. Executed with undeniable panache is the matte champagne-coloured garnishing around its closed-off front grille and on the C-Pillar and the front, side and rear skid plates. Even the Mini logos and the Countryman badge are finished in this shade.

Our test car was fitted with optional 19-inch alloys sporting the champagne scheme, although 17-inch alloys come as standard. A wraparound glass area and a blackened roof mask the Countryman EV’s height well, lending it a wagon-like silhouette. Adding to its feel-good factor are the (optional) LED DRL eyebrows and matrix LED tail-lamps that have a customisable light show upon locking or unlocking.

2024 Mini Countryman: interior, features

Like Minis of yore, its cabin is minimalistic with a circular theme.

Like yesteryear Minis, the Countryman EV’s cabin has a minimalistic theme with circular elements. The centre of attraction is a 9.4-inch circular OLED touchscreen, which is exceptional in terms of its usability and responsiveness, and its clarity is second to none. Furthermore, fun themes, funky animations and musical notifications will most certainly make you smile while operating it. This screen also doubles up as the speedometer and driver display, which is inconvenient to read on the move. You could consider opting for the Favoured Pack, which gets you a head-up display (HUD) bundled with several other extras, for an additional Rs 4.60 lakh. And while the HUD does make it convenient to read the speed, the unit is simply too basic, especially when compared to the ones available in hatchbacks at a fraction of this Mini’s cost.

The dashboard is replete with fabric made out of recycled materials. However, its open-pore texture might not be ideal for our dusty conditions. It is finished in blue and neatly fades into a shade of brown towards the rear half of the car; the seats are also brown. The champagne-coloured theme is carried over on the inside and is the most prominent around the air vents and on the vertical door handles.

The optional JCW Sport driver’s seat on our test car is too sculpted and firm for comfort; hence, it is an option we recommend you uncheck. It has a seat massaging function, though. Things are a bit better at the rear. Space is adequate, the backrest reclines, and even though the floor height is raised and you’re seated in a knees-up position, it is still quite comfortable. Also, accommodating a third passenger is possible due to a flat floor and a broad seat.

Being the more practical Mini, the Countryman has an abundance of storage areas; the central console shelf and door pockets are huge, and even its 460-litre boot is large. Sadly, it isn’t equipped with a spare tyre beneath the floor.

As far as its equipment goes, the Mini gets the aforementioned OLED touchscreen, LED lights, 17-inch alloys, rear-view camera and panoramic sunroof, among others. Customisable LED lights, electrically operable boot and drive modes are some of the optional extras bundled in the Classic Trim, which costs Rs 2 lakh more. In addition, buyers who want a head-up display, JCW Sport seats, 19-inch alloys and a Harman Kardon sound system will need to opt for the earlier-mentioned Favoured Pack. However, this Mini still misses ventilated seats, a 360-degree camera, side and curtain airbags, and adjustable regen via steering-mounted paddle shifters.

2024 Mini Countryman: powertrain, performance

The talking point of this EV is its 66.45kWh (gross capacity) battery, which it shares with its platform-mate, the BMW iX1. But unlike its BMW cousin, which uses a twin-motor setup, the Mini makes do with a single-motor, front-wheel-drive setup. And while its motor makes 204hp, its 250Nm torque output doesn’t impress, especially when compared to turbo-petrol cars available at half its price.

There’s no storage area beneath its bonnet.

But then factor in the instantaneous responsiveness of its motor, and you never yearn for more pep while ambling around town or when driving in a leisurely manner, which is how most owners would drive their Countryman EV.

Demand more out of it, though, and its torque curve flattens quickly. The Countryman’s outright performance is lacklustre, and it doesn’t feel as effortless as its rivals. To put its acceleration into perspective, the Mini will sprint from 0-100kph in 8.6 seconds (claimed), slower than a similarly priced Volvo XC40 Recharge front-wheel drive’s 7.3 seconds or a Hyundai Ioniq 5’s 7.5 seconds.

Although adequate, its performance feels muted compared to its rivals.

Interestingly, the Mini features ‘Iconic Sounds’, which gives drivers the option to play synthesised motor sounds via the speakers. These sounds are loudest in the Go-Kart mode, wherein it’ll also emit its own version of ‘pops and bangs’ when you lift off the accelerator pedal. These certainly liven up the drive experience and add a degree of fun to the otherwise quiet and drama-free EV experience.

2024 Mini Countryman: ride, handling

Its Mini-ness is evident when you find yourself on a winding section of a road.

The Mini-ness of the Countryman EV becomes evident when you find yourself on a winding section of a road. Its sharp steering and pointy front end make it feel very agile, and despite its size, it still handles in a ‘go-kart-like’ manner. Ride quality isn’t harsh or jarring per se, but you hear each and every ‘thud’ and ‘thwack’ while driving on our less-than-perfect roads on account of a noisy suspension that’s further exacerbated by its upsized, optional 19-inch wheels. The suspension noise seriously hampers the driving experience, coaxing you to drive with more caution than what the Countryman EV can actually handle.

2024 Mini Countryman: verdict

It’s hard not to be enamoured by the charming new Mini Countryman. Besides oozing character, it carries forward the traditional go-kart-like driving mannerisms associated with Minis, all while being spacious and practical. But the Countryman EV’s proposition isn’t complete – rivals are more comfortable, offer better performance and provide more equipment. So, like other Minis, even this ‘practical’ Countryman is purely an emotional purchase, and if you decide to take the plunge, be rest assured that it’s a car that’ll make you smile every time you’re behind the wheel.

Also see:

2024 Mini Countryman video review

Mini Countryman Electric launched at Rs 54.90 lakh

Electric Mini Cooper JCW gets 258hp

SUVs are all the rage today, but no one told the Dzire that. It continues to be a strong seller. Last year, the compact sedan found 1.57 lakh buyers – that’s more than all its competitors combined. Even more impressive is that this figure puts it ahead of compact SUVs like the Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet and Maruti Fronx.

So, unlike the Ciaz, Maruti has lavished plenty of attention on this sedan, with regular updates since the original was launched in 2008. As with all predecessors, the Dzire is based on the Swift, and this new model shares its underpinnings with the latest Swift, which was introduced earlier this year. While it’s based on the previous car and shares its ‘Heartect’ platform, there are massive changes to technical bits, such as the suspension and the structural elements of the body. There are aesthetic changes too, and thus, Maruti classifies this as the 4th generation.

Except for the height, where the new Dzire is 10mm taller at 1,525mm, the new car is identical to the outgoing model in length (3,995mm), width (1,735mm), and wheelbase (2,450mm). The width and wheelbase are also identical to those of the new Swift.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire exterior style

With each generation, Maruti has further distanced the Dzire from the Swift, and this one sees the maximum separation. One look, or even a good long stare at the two cars outside, will not clue you into their shared genes. The Dzire looks very different, and the styling is very sedan-like with a horizontal orientation, unlike the previous car, which carried vertically styled elements. That’s clearly seen with the LED headlights, which are narrow, horizontally shaped units housing thin DRLs and crystal-like cube elements laid out horizontally. The grille has an Audi-esque familiarity to it, thanks to the large trapezoidal shape. That said, though, the Dzire’s front end has its own style and looks very smart and elegant, topped by a flatter bonnet compared to the previous car.

On the side, the curves on the doors look similar to the model before, but with the reshaped front and rear fenders, the new car does stand apart. Alloys are newly designed units, 15 inches in diameter, and carry 185/65 sized tyres. Atop, there’s a shark fin antenna instead of a regular one.

The tail-lights are squarish but carry a tri-arrow-shaped LED light signature laid horizontally, and that lends more visual width to the car. The boot has an added lip spoiler, and the lower edge of the bumper has a sporty-looking chamfered strip moulded into it. It helps widen the car visually and will make for a sporty touch with some contrasting shade. Dzire RS coming up, Suzuki?

Maruti Suzuki Dzire interior style, space and comfort

While the exterior bears no resemblance to the Swift, the interior is nearly identical. The dashboard, centre console, steering wheel, and instrument panel are all carried over but have a different colour scheme that uses beige on the dash, door pads and seats, and wood trim across the dash. It looks smart and neat, and all controls are well laid out and easy to use. While some might have preferred a fully digital instrument panel with a graphics-heavy design, the twin dials look neat, sporty, and very easy to read at a glance.

Front seats are comfy with soft cushioning, and overall space is just fine; at the rear, however, headroom is tight. Despite the 5mm increase in height over the Swift, headroom feels compromised, largely due to the sunroof, which has resulted in a lower headliner. The liner is scooped out towards the rear, but I had just about a three-finger space to the top, and the roof does feel close to your head. Comfort-wise, the seat is fine, softly cushioned like the front, and there’s a rear armrest, twin AC vents, and two USB ports for rear passengers. Boot space is just about adequate, at 382 litres – the lowest in the class – and the rear seat back is fixed (cannot be folded down).  

Maruti Suzuki Dzire features and safety

Big new features on the Dzire are a sunroof and a 360-degree camera; while the sunroof is small and has a more feel-good factor, the 360-degree camera offers a clear view with a 3D display and dynamic rear parking lines. Other features are a 9-inch touchscreen unit with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless phone charging, connected car tech, and cruise control. Given what’s on offer today in this price segment, Maruti Suzuki should have had a few more features, such as premium audio hardware, cooled seats, and ambient lighting. 

While these features go amiss, it’s nice to see that the safety kit is elaborate and standard across variants. Six airbags, 3-point seatbelts for all occupants, ISO-FIX child seat mounts, ABS, ESP, and Hill Hold Assist will feature in every Dzire sold. What’s even nicer to see, and will be a big surprise for many, is the 5-star adult occupant and 4-star child occupant protection rating the Dzire has scored under the GNCAP safety protocol. The performance in these new enhanced safety protocols is commendable, and while it may not be a 360-degree assessment of everything that can go wrong, it covers a significant portion of road accidents and is a good barometer for the safety potential of a car.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire engine and performance

The new Dzire is powered by the recently introduced Z12E engine that debuted with the new Swift. Like in the Swift, the 3-cylinder unit puts out an identical 82hp at 5700rpm and 112Nm of torque at 4300rpm. It feels identical in nature too. There are some vibrations at low rpms, but these fade away as you drive on. The engine is quite audible, but at low and mid speeds, it has a likeable audio note with it, only sounding strained at the top end.

82hp may not sound like much, and indeed, it is 8hp lower than the outgoing K12M engine. However, at low engine speeds, the response is good and the car moves off the line cleanly and crisply.

Power then builds up in a gentle and linear fashion, and keeps coming in even above 5,000rpm, so there is some merit in revving it further. Those who like a spirited drive will end up doing so, as the engine isn’t peppy and lively. It even red lines at 6,000rpm, which is about 400rpm lower than the previous unit. In a quick test, it took over 13 seconds to 100kph from zero, which is slower than the previous car. However, we’ll soon put it through our standard instrument tests to measure all the figures. Don’t hold your breath, though, as the Dzire will be slower than the Swift, which itself wasn’t very impressive.

Going through the gears isn't a chore; the 5-speed gearbox has been tweaked and features a new hydraulic clutch. It's very smooth and light in effort, and the gear throws are also light and easy. Shifts on the AMT are smooth and at a moderate pace, and there's a minimal gap between shifts; it also downshifts a gear or two readily, but put your foot down and the pause gets very pronounced, and this does slow down the car during hard acceleration. There is a tip function to the gear lever that enables you to manually control shifts. 

The main calling card for the new powerplant is efficiency, with the Dzire now claiming a figure of 24.79kpl for the 5-speed manual, which is up from the earlier cars' 23.26kpl claim. The AMT version claims a figure of 25.71kpl. There's also a CNG version, which we are yet to drive, and that promises 33.73kms/kg from its 70ps and 102Nm power unit.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire ride and handling

Like the powertrain, the Dzire’s suspension hardware is also carried over from the Swift, with McPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam setup at the rear. Small tweaks have been made to the spring and dampers; however, these are only to compensate for the increase in kerb weight, which, at 960 kg, is 40 kilos more than the Swift. The character thus remains the same, and that’s a very good thing. Like the hatch, the sedan also rides very well; bump absorption is good, and regular potholes and ruts are smoothed out well.

On the handling front, too, it impresses like the Swift. The electric power steering is smooth and fluid, and it returns to the centre in a very natural manner. Push it hard, and there is some body roll, but for everyday and even some spirited driving, it corners well with a progressive and controlled lean, offering good road grip.  

Maruti Suzuki Dzire price and verdict

Maruti Suzuki has clearly put in significant effort with the new Dzire. The car looks and feels very different from before; it’s elegant and more sedan-like, and that’s commendable given the tight confines of its sub-4-meter footprint. It rides very well, the handling is good and sporty, and the engine is more than adequate for everyday driving. It’s well equipped, too, and features like the sunroof and 360-degree camera will be appreciated, as will the fact that this is Maruti Suzuki’s first 5-star GNCAP car. It’s priced between Rs 6.79 lakh and Rs 10.14 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

So is it perfect, then? No, rear headroom is tight, and it should have offered a few more of today’s must-have features, but this won’t be enough to deter buyers, especially not when you weigh it against its impressive breadth of abilities. So, like its predecessor, the new Dzire will continue to ring the cash register for Maruti and is all set to carry on being the flagbearer for sedans in an increasingly dominant SUV world.

Also see:

New Maruti Dzire video review 

Four years down the road, the Triumph Tiger 900 gets a significant midlife update that aims to fix most of the existing 900’s issues.

Triumph Tiger 900 GT: engine, performance, refinement

The main improvements are within the 888cc three-cylinder engine, and multiple changes have resulted in not just more power and torque but also the promise of more efficiency. The previous Tiger 900 was far from slow, but the jump from 95hp/87Nm to 108hp/90Nm makes the bike feel even more potent and reactive.

But it’s not just about speed because this engine is also really lovely to ride at a relaxed pace. It’s torquey and very flexible with the gears, so you can ride over speed breakers in third and use sixth as low as 40kph. The fuelling is also beautifully smooth, and you can open the accelerator at very low revs without any signs of protest. This means less clutch use – both off the road and in heavy city traffic, and that’s always nice, even though this clutch isn’t particularly heavy to operate.

I’m also a fan of the sound and feel of this engine with its deep, raspy growl. That said, while it’s characterful, it’s also far from perfect. The big complaint with the 900 engine was its high-rpm vibration, and Triumph has tried to improve that. Heavier bar-end weights and rubber-damped handlebar mounts have made some very clear improvements, but this is still not the smoothest engine in its class at high speeds.

Triumph Tiger 900 GT: comfort, ride & handling

Wind protection is usually based on your height and helmet, but I find that this height-adjustable windscreen results in some uncomfortable helmet buffeting at high speeds. Thankfully, the rest of the ergos are beautiful. Despite having gone up by 10mm, the 820-840mm seat height is very low for an ADV of this size and capability, and even tall riders will be comfy here. The seat is also new, and the comfort is fantastic.

The highly impressive chassis remains unchanged, and some fantastic suspension allows this bike to tear effortlessly through any form of terrible road. Like before, there’s a 45mm USD fork with 180mm of travel and a monoshock with 170mm of travel. The suspension is adjustable, but not fully – compression and rebound at the front and preload and rebound at the rear. The stock settings are good enough, but with a remote rear preload adjuster, you can easily make any changes you need.

Even though the GT is the road-biased bike in the line-up, it’s fun to ride off-road and will easily get you through one of those Ladakh adventures. But you must remember that it’s running road tyres on alloy wheels and has no crash protection; Triumph has even removed the earlier GT’s plastic sump guard. For most casual ADV riders, this will be more than capable enough off-road, and I’d only recommend going for the Rally if you really want that hardcore capability or taller seat.

Road handling is neutral and easy but not particularly sporty, and you won’t have to work too hard to scrape its footpegs. It’s definitely no Multistrada V2 in the corners, but it’s still good enough that you’ll have fun.

The impressive braking hardware is the same, but there’s a new linked-braking system that adds in some rear brake when you use the front. It feels quite natural while bringing some more stability to the braking.

Triumph Tiger 900 GT: verdict, price, service cost

As for features, the biggest change is the new 7-inch TFT from the Tiger 1200. This one has a great layout and, thankfully, gets rid of those weird layouts from the old Tiger 900. But, like in the Tiger 1200, it takes an eternity to boot up and feels laggy to operate. Triumph really should have fixed this.

But what’s most frustrating is that Triumph still expects you to pay an additional Rs 43,531 if you want a quickshifter. It’s a feature I really missed, and not getting one in this day and age on a Rs 14 lakh motorcycle is quite annoying. Thankfully, you get most of the essentials you’d want on a big ADV, such as two power outlets, cruise control and heated grips; you can even opt for heated seats.

The Tiger 900 has always been the sweet spot in the big ADV segment in India, and this latest update only sweetens that package, especially since it costs just Rs 20,000 more than before. Tigers have also built a great reputation for reliability over the years, and they run fine on regular petrol.

However, there are some cost concerns. The first is that the Tiger 900 GT is a CBU, so the on-road price gets very high in certain states that heavily tax CBUs – it’s nearly Rs 18 lakh in Mumbai. The other disappointment is that spares and service costs for the big bikes actually went up instead of down and are now about 20-30 percent more expensive than before since Bajaj took over Triumph’s operations in India.

Nevertheless, the Triumph Tiger 900 GT is a fantastic all-round motorcycle, and it continues to be my go-to recommendation for the casual adventure rider looking for a premium midsize ADV.

Also See: 2024 Triumph Tiger 900 GT video review

On the Sunday before the 2023 Munich Mobility show, BMW handed me the keys to one of its press cars for a drive, so rather than walk around taking in the sights of the city, my plan changed to seeing the countryside from behind the windscreen of the second-generation M4 Competition Coupé! How much would I see, though, I wasn’t sure; the M4 is fast. Really fast. 

BMW M4 Competition: Powertrain and performance

This M4 gets a new 3.0-litre twin-turbo, inline-six petrol motor (code: S58) that produces 510hp: appreciably more than the previous car’s 450hp S55. Torque is also up – 650Nm from 550Nm. Fire it up and you know there’s muscle under that hood, thanks to a nice and sporty growl. It’s not an aural symphony though; you expect more. So the exhaust amplification button stayed on for my entire drive, even when easing it out of the BMW Media Centre garage. Can’t blame me, right? 

Amped-up exhaust sound aside, driving it out was a pretty laidback affair, as was driving it through the little traffic and few traffic lights before we hit the expressway. The engine really is the superstar of this car. On one hand, it’s docile and civil, and yet, engage one of the sportier drive modes, and it’s wild. What I particularly like is the way power comes in. It’s hard and fast, not punchy in the mid-range; just a massively strong push all through the rev range. On the unrestricted stretch of the German autobahn, I’m at ridiculously high triple-digit speeds in no time, and it’s only the sight of other cars sharing the same road that makes me back off. The car? It simply wants to motor on faster still. 0-100kph comes up in a claimed 3.5sec, and mash your foot down and you’ll be in no doubt of that claim. 

Throttle response is also very quick, as is the gearbox, which is also smooth in its operation, due to the switch from a 7-speed DCT to an 8-speed torque-converter. Even in Sport Plus, shifts don’t have a hard edge, and while I was fine with that, some drivers will miss that aggressive feel, which does add to the thrill. 

BMW M4 Competition: Ride and handling

The way the M4 drives is very customisable via the drive modes, and specific setups can be called up via two customisable and cool red hotkeys right behind the steering wheel. Engine, transmission, steering, dampers, brakes and ESC can all be tweaked, and there’s even a drift score analyser that will rate your drifts based on length, angle of rotation, speed and more. The car we have has the xDrive all-wheel-drive setup, but it can drift, says BMW. Given that we were on public roads, I didn’t try this, but it’s an indication of just how much focus BMW has put into making this car fun.

It’s fun around corners even if the wheels don’t break traction, and on a country road that leads us to a lovely riverside café – our planned lunch stop – the M4’s chassis balance really shines. There’s plenty of grip and no body roll going around corners quickly; you can turn in with remarkable precision, knowing exactly what the tyres and suspension are doing. BMW says the AWD is rear biased, which it is, but it does feel like it engages the front axle quite often and not just for off-the-line getaways. There’s a remarkable neutral grip through fast corners but, of course, on a racetrack you can switch to 2WD with the ESC off and get the tail out. The ride quality over a few broken edges is firm but we’ll only know how pliant the suspension is when we drive it here over our rough and tumble.  

BMW M4 Competition: Exterior design

I wouldn’t call the M4 an attractive car. Apart from the large grille, the lines too seem in discordance with each other; the front ones are sharp whereas towards the rear they go soft, and the rear itself appears quite bulky. But it has presence: rather than a handsome Captain America, the M4 is more like the Hulk. Its large and gargantuan grille, massive size – and assuming you choose brighter paintwork – all scream for attention. Being a Sunday, the riverside café we’ve arrived at has plenty of family patrons and a lot of the kids are pretty excited looking at the M4.

We got a lot of stares, even from an older gentleman parking his sedan next to it. But he’s not impressed at all; I suspect it had less to do with the M4’s appearance, and more with its huge bulk, which took up a chaunk of his parking space too. Yes, at 4,794mm in length, this 2-door coupé is a big car and, in fact, is only about 30mm shorter than the long-wheelbase 3 Series sedan. That at least means it’s roomy for a 2-door. The rear seats are okay for adults for short durations, but let’s just say, in our group of journos, no one was in a hurry to sit there; not with a 7 Series also part of the convoy. 

BMW M4 Competition: Interior and features 

The M4 is comfortable up front though. Our test car came with carbon-fibre-backed seats, which reduce the overall weight and give you a snug racing feel, even with the seat base divided into two separate areas for your thighs. There’s plenty of carbon-fibre around the cabin too and everything is built and finished to the typical high standards of BMW. The switches, fabrics and surfaces feel good to touch and it’s nice to see that, despite its strong sporty character, the insides are premium and well loaded too. There’s a three-zone climate control, powered seats, a HUD, a Harman/Kardon sound system and a 10.25-inch touchscreen. I’m not a fan of the 12.3-inch digital instrument panel though. There’s no traditional ‘dial’ look, and what’s provided instead isn’t easy to read or aesthetic in nature. The car we get in India now though has BMW’s new ‘Live Cockpit’ setup, which uses a single panel curved display housing a 12.3-inch instrument panel and a 14.9-inch central touchscreen, and its graphics are different. 

So then, while I hate working Sundays, driving an M4 through the gorgeous European countryside really didn’t feel like one. Yes, I did look at the sights as they whizzed by, and this was a Sunday like no other. The M4 is fast, and that’s its main appeal, and while you can easily blast down an autobahn, it also allows you to enjoy an engaging drive through some lovely twisty country roads. If there ever was a car that signified substance over style, this is it.

Also see: 

Hardcore BMW M4 CSL adds 40hp, sheds 100kg

With prices for the new Maruti Suzuki Dzire revealed – they start at Rs 6.79 lakh and go up to Rs 10.14 lakh – it’s time to see exactly what the new model offers over its predecessor. The generation change brings more than a few design changes outside and inside, far more equipment and an even more frugal engine. Let’s dive in.

Maruti Dzire new vs old design

While the overall silhouette is more or less the same, with the sloping roofline and almost typical three-box design, the new Dzire sports a much more mature-looking face. Unlike its predecessor, there’s almost nothing that links the new Dzire to its hatchback counterpart.

Slim, angular LED headlights have replaced the projector units (that came with LED daytime running lamps). The new black grille hexagonal grille is bigger than before; it has six horizontal slats, with the highest one featuring a piano black and chrome finish and a prominent Suzuki logo in the centre. There is a bit of space between the headlights and the fog lamps, which, on higher-spec variants, will be LED units.

New 15-inch alloy wheels, along with reshaped front and rear fenders, help the Dzire look fresh, and at the rear, there are new squarish tail-lights with horizontal, tri-arrow-shaped LED light signatures. There’s an almost prominent boot spoiler, and the lower part of the rear bumper has a sporty-looking diffuser-like design.

Compared to the outgoing model, the new Dzire has nearly identical dimensions, though it is 10mm taller at 1,525mm, has a slightly larger boot and is also about 30-40kg heavier, depending on the variant. Additionally, the new Dzire is available in seven exterior finishes, of which Alluring Blue, Gallant Red and Nutmeg Brown colours were not available with the older car.

Maruti Dzire new vs old interior

While the fourth-gen Dzire shares quite a lot with the Swift on the inside, it’s quite a change compared to the outgoing compact sedan. The dashboard has a more sophisticated, textured and layered look, with a floating touchscreen taking centre stage. The instrument cluster also gets new dials and a new MID. There are vastly different controls for the auto AC and redesigned AC vents.

The biggest changes inside the cabin are to the Dzire’s features list, which is quite a bit longer than its predecessor’s. There’s the larger 9-inch touchscreen, a segment-first powered sunroof and a 360-degree camera, along with cruise control, a wireless charger and the Suzuki Connect in-car connectivity suite.

As for safety, the new Dzire has the distinction of being the first Maruti to get a 5-star Global NCAP crash test rating. Unlike its predecessor, which managed a 2-star GNCAP rating, all variants of the newer model get six airbags as standard. The other bits, such as ABS, ESP, ISOFIX anchors and hill-hold assist continue.

Maruti Dzire new vs old engine

Under the new Dzire’s bonnet is the new Z12E petrol engine that debuted in the Swift. The older model had the K-Series DualJet engine, which was a four-cylinder 1.2-litre unit producing 90hp and 113Nm of torque. When seen in the light of the new engine’s outputs – 82hp and 112Nm – the older model was more powerful. The 5-speed manual and 5-speed AMT gearbox options are still available.

On the other hand, the new three-cylinder 1.2-litre Z Series engine is far more frugal than its predecessor. The new Dzire is rated at 24.79kpl in manual form and 25.71kpl in AMT guise, which is an increase of 2.38kpl and 3.1kpl over the outgoing model.

As is usually the case with Maruti’s line-up, the new Dzire also gets CNG-powered variants. The same 1.2-litre engine makes 69.75hp and 101.8Nm in the CNG version and delivers 33.73km/kg, which is an increase of 2.61km/kg over the third-gen Dzire.

Maruti Dzire new vs old price

Considering the number of changes, the Rs 22,000 more you pay for the new entry-level Dzire over its predecessor seems justified. Similarly, the Rs 75,000 extra for the top-spec version would also make sense, given the number of premium features now available in the compact sedan. Do note that the new Dzire’s prices are introductory and will increase from January 2025 onwards. 

All prices, ex-showroom, India

Also see:

2024 Maruti Suzuki Dzire review: India's favourite sedan massively updated

New Maruti Dzire launched at Rs 6.79 lakh

Third-gen Maruti Dzire will continue to be sold as Tour S

Aprilia finally took the covers off the much-awaited Tuono 457 at this year’s EICMA, and it shares a lot of similarities with the RS 457 on which it is based. However, there are a couple of key differences. 

RS 457 vs Tuono 457: design, colours

The biggest visual difference between the Tuono 457 and the RS 457 is the design. Unlike other Tuono models and their RS counterparts, the 457 features a brand-new headlight. Instead of the triple-pod headlight seen on most Aprilias, the Tuono 457 uses a single-pod headlight with sharp LED DRLs flanking it. 

The Tuono has very few body panels outside of the tank and the tail section. Where the RS 457 has a fully-faired design, the Tuono only has two small, angular panels on each side. It is available in two colours – red and white – while the RS 457 comes in three.

RS 457 vs Tuono 457: seating position 

The Tuono is a naked bike, meaning it trades the RS’ clip-on ‘bars for a traditional handlebar. This should result in it having a more upright, all-day comfortable riding position compared to the RS’ more committed stance. 

RS 457 vs Tuono 457: mechanical differences

The engine, main frame, suspension, brakes, and electronics are shared between the Tuono and RS 457. Both bikes even have the same 800mm seat height and 175kg kerb weight. But there are some nuanced differences. Fuel capacity on the Tuono 457 is slightly lower, at 12.7 litres, compared to the 13-litre tank seen on the RS. The Tuono also has slightly shorter gearing, with a larger rear sprocket, which should result in stronger acceleration and a small drop in outright top speed.

Also See: Royal Enfield Classic 650 vs Shotgun 650: differences explained

Maruti Suzuki recently launched the new fourth-generation Dzire with prices ranging between Rs 6.79 lakh and Rs 10.14 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). It continues to be based on the Swift hatchback, shares the same platform and engine but sports a differentiated look. It even goes one up on the equipment front. The new Dzire is available in four trims – LXi, VXi, ZXi and ZXi+ – and we take a close look at all the features you get in each trim.

2024 Maruti Suzuki Dzire trims, variants explained

The Dzire is powered by the same Z12E engine as the Swift: 82hp, 112Nm, 3-cylinder naturally aspirated. It’s available with a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard on all four trims; the AMT is available on all but the base trim. The new Dzire also gets a CNG powertrain right from launch, available on the mid-spec VXi and ZXi trims. Coupled with a 5-speed manual gearbox, the Dzire produces 69.75hp and 101.8Nm in CNG spec.

The new Dzire’s ARAI-rated fuel efficiency figure is 24.79kpl in manual form and 25.71kpl in AMT guise. Meanwhile, in CNG spec, the Dzire returns a claimed efficiency of 33.73km/kg.

New Maruti Dzire variant-wise features

Maruti Dzire LXi: Rs 6.79 lakh

Powertrain: petrol-MT

• Projector halogen headlights
• LED tail-lights
• 14-inch steel wheels without covers
• Shark fin antenna
• Black and beige dual-tone interior
• Fabric seat upholstery
• Adjustable front seat headrests
• Analogue instrument cluster with MID (multi-information display)
• All four power windows
• Auto up/down for the driver-side window
• Keyless entry
• Manual AC
• Tilt-adjustable steering wheel
• Six airbags
• Rear defogger
• 3-point seat belts with reminders for all seats
• Electronic stability program (ESP)
• Hill-hold assist
• ABS with EBD
• Reverse parking sensors

Maruti Dzire VXi: Rs 7.79 lakh–8.74 lakh

Powertrain: petrol-MT, petrol-AMT, CNG-MT

• 14-inch steel wheels with covers
• Chrome finish on the front grille
• Turn indicators on wing mirrors
• Body-coloured door handles and wing mirrors
• Electrically adjustable and foldable wing mirrors
• Silver insert on dashboard
• 7-inch touchscreen
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• 4 speakers
• Steering-mounted controls
• OTA updates
• Voice assistant
• USB and Bluetooth connectivity
• Height-adjustable driver’s seat
• Adjustable rear headrests
• Day/night inside rearview mirror (IRVM)
• Front roof lamp
• Rear centre armrest with cupholders
• Rear AC vents

Maruti Dzire ZXi: Rs 8.89 lakh–9.84 lakh

Powertrain: petrol-MT, petrol-AMT, CNG-MT

• Auto LED headlights
• LED daytime running lamps
• 15-inch single-tone alloy wheels
• Chrome window garnish
• Silver trim and faux wood insert on dashboard
• Push button start/stop
• Wireless phone charger
• Key-operated boot opening
• Auto AC
• 6 speakers (including 2 tweeters)
• Connected car tech
• Reverse parking camera
• TPMS

Maruti Dzire ZXi+: Rs 9.69 lakh–10.14 lakh

Powertrain: petrol-MT, petrol-AMT

• 15-inch dual-tone alloys
• LED front fog lamps
• Front footwell illumination
• Leatherette-wrapped steering wheel
• 9-inch touchscreen
• Arkamys-tuned sound system
• Single-pane sunroof
• Coloured MID on instrument console
• Cruise control
• Auto-fold wing mirrors on locking the car
• 360-degree camera

Bookings for the new Dzire are ongoing for a token amount of Rs 11,000, and the introductory prices will be applicable till December 31, 2024. The Dzire rivals the Hyundai Aura, the Tata Tigor and the Honda Amaze, with the Amaze also due to receive an all-new generation next month.

Also See:

Maruti Dzire new vs old: price, engine, features comparison

2024 Maruti Suzuki Dzire review: India's favourite sedan massively updated

Skoda India has taken the wraps off the Kylaq and revealed its starting price of Rs 7.89 lakh. With the Kylaq, the Czech carmaker has forayed into the heavily populated compact SUV segment, taking on the likes of the Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue, and Mahindra XUV 3XO. The compact SUV space is the largest sub-segment in the Indian market, comprising more than 50 percent of all SUV sales.

The Kylaq is an important model for Skoda, positioned at the heart of the market. Here, we are looking at how it compares with its rivals on paper in terms of price, size, and specs.

Skoda Kylaq vs rivals dimensions

At 3,995mm in length, the Kylaq fits just under the sub-4m mark to be in line with most other compact SUVs, although the XUV 3XO, Kiger, and Magnite are slightly shorter. Overall, the Kylaq sits in the middle of its rivals on nearly every metric, barring wheelbase length and wheel size. Skoda's compact SUV has the second-longest wheelbase, at 2,556mm, after the XUV 3XO, which offers the best-in-class cabin space. The XUV 3XO comfortably accommodates three individuals in the rear, while the others are best reserved for two adults. Therefore, the Kylaq is expected to have more interior space than most of its rivals, if not the XUV 3XO.

Skoda Kylaq vs rivals engine and specs

The Kylaq is powered by a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that produces 115hp and 178Nm of torque. From the other Skoda-VW cars that this engine does duty in, along with our drive in a prototype, we know it is responsive, relatively refined, and delivers strong acceleration. The 6-speed manual and the 6-speed torque converter automatic gearboxes will also be carried over.

The Kylaq comes with a single engine, whereas most competitors offer at least two options. However, it finds itself right in the middle of the pack in terms of power and torque figures – it's more powerful than all entry-level, naturally aspirated engines of its rivals but slightly less powerful than the turbo-petrol units. The XUV 3XO, with the 131hp TGDi engine, remains the most powerful in its class. Meanwhile, the Brezza gets the largest engine, but it's the only one to miss out on a turbo-petrol unit.

It’s worth mentioning that the likes of the Nexon, XUV 3XO, Venue, and Sonet are also available with a diesel engine. The percentage of diesel buyers in this class is less than the majority and shrinking, but the said models at least offer that option. The Brezza and the Nexon are the only models in this class to get a factory-fitted CNG kit.

Skoda Kylaq price

Skoda has yet to reveal the full price list of the Kylaq, though it has confirmed that the entry-level Classic trim will be priced at Rs 7.89 lakh. With prices expected to rise to about Rs 14 lakh for the top-spec Prestige automatic variant, the Kylaq is expected to be well-priced compared to rivals like the Nexon, Brezza, XUV 3XO, Venue and Sonet. However, the Magnite and Kiger continue to be the most affordable compact SUVs on sale in India. 

Also see:

Citroen C3 automatic vs rivals: price, specifications compared

Tata Nexon CNG vs rivals: price, specifications comparison

The fourth-gen Maruti Dzire is quite a departure from its predecessors in a lot of ways. Through the generations, this compact sedan has been based on the Swift hatchback, sharing the same chassis and powertrain options, among many other bits. However, with the latest-gen, there are quite a few differences between the two models, which is why this is going to be an in-depth comparison, on paper, between the new Dzire and Swift.

New Maruti Dzire vs Swift design

As mentioned above, the new Dzire has a distinct design when compared to the Swift, sharing almost nothing with the hatchback. The compact sedan looks more premium with its Audi-esque styling in the front, a smoother roofline, and the notchy boot.

In terms of size, the new Dzire is 5mm taller and 135mm longer, with the latter explaining the compact sedan's ability to carry an additional 117 litres worth of luggage in the boot. Interestingly, the base versions of both models weigh the same 920kg, while the higher versions of the Dzire, especially the CNG-equipped variants, weigh up to 35kg more.

It should be noted that the Swift comes with three dual-tone exterior colours – Sizzling Red with Midnight Black, Luster Blue with Midnight Black and Pearl Arctic White with Midnight Black – and six monotone options. Meanwhile, the Dzire gets a total of seven exterior finishes with no dual-tone options.

New Maruti Dzire vs Swift interior

On the inside, the new Dzire and Swift are far more closely linked. In fact, they have nearly identical dash layouts, from the size and shape of the side AC vents to the centrally mounted floating touchscreen. However, the compact sedan’s cabin gets a brighter beige and grey finish compared to the hatchback’s all-black one. In addition, the chrome strip that runs the length of the Dzire’s dashboard gets a kink near the central AC vents, which also has a marginally different trapezoidal design.

Coming to the features on offer in their respective range-topping forms, the Dzire comes with a longer list. Kit available on the Dzire that's not available on the Swift is a powered sunroof and a 360-degree camera. The rest of the features are identical, from the rear AC vents and climate control system to the 9-inch touchscreen, analogue dials and coloured MID.

New Maruti Dzire vs Swift engine

True to form, the new Dzire and Swift share the same Z12E three-cylinder petrol engine. The 1.2-litre unit produces the same 82hp and 112Nm of torque on petrol, 69.75hp and 101.8Nm of CNG, and comes with 5-speed manual and AMT options. Interestingly, while the heavier Dzire in petrol form is marginally less frugal than the Swift, the Dzire CNG goes 0.88km further on a kilo of gas than its hatchback counterpart.

New Maruti Dzire vs Swift price

For now, prices of the Dzire start Rs 30,000 higher than the Swift, which isn’t too much of a difference. Dzire AMT variants cost about Rs 50,000 more than the equivalent Swift variant, with the range-topping compact sedan being priced Rs 69,000 higher. Meanwhile, prices for the Dzire CNG are about Rs 54,000-64,000 higher than the Swift CNG’s.

Do note that prices for the Dzire are introductory, and will increase from January 2025. On paper then, the new Dzire seems to be quite a proposition when compared to the Swift. For not too much more money, the Dzire offers a more mature aesthetic and a longer list of features, along with being the more frugal model in CNG form.

Also see:

New Maruti Dzire variant-wise features, trims and prices explained

Maruti Dzire new vs old: price, engine, features comparison

Maruti Swift long term review, 1,200km report

Also see: 

New Mercedes E-Class video review 

SUVs are all the rage today, but no one told the Dzire that. It continues to be a strong seller. Last year, the compact sedan found 1.57 lakh buyers – that’s more than all its competitors combined. Even more impressive is that this figure puts it ahead of compact SUVs like the Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet and Maruti Fronx.

So, unlike the Ciaz, Maruti has lavished plenty of attention on this sedan, with regular updates since the original was launched in 2008. As with all predecessors, the Dzire is based on the Swift, and this new model shares its underpinnings with the latest Swift, which was introduced earlier this year. While it’s based on the previous car and shares its ‘Heartect’ platform, there are massive changes to technical bits, such as the suspension and the structural elements of the body. There are aesthetic changes too, and thus, Maruti classifies this as the 4th generation.

Except for the height, where the new Dzire is 10mm taller at 1,525mm, the new car is identical to the outgoing model in length (3,995mm), width (1,735mm), and wheelbase (2,450mm). The width and wheelbase are also identical to those of the new Swift.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire exterior style

With each generation, Maruti has further distanced the Dzire from the Swift, and this one sees the maximum separation. One look, or even a good long stare at the two cars outside, will not clue you into their shared genes. The Dzire looks very different, and the styling is very sedan-like with a horizontal orientation, unlike the previous car, which carried vertically styled elements. That’s clearly seen with the LED headlights, which are narrow, horizontally shaped units housing thin DRLs and crystal-like cube elements laid out horizontally. The grille has an Audi-esque familiarity to it, thanks to the large trapezoidal shape. That said, though, the Dzire’s front end has its own style and looks very smart and elegant, topped by a flatter bonnet compared to the previous car.

On the side, the curves on the doors look similar to the model before, but with the reshaped front and rear fenders, the new car does stand apart. Alloys are newly designed units, 15 inches in diameter, and carry 185/65 sized tyres. Atop, there’s a shark fin antenna instead of a regular one.

The tail-lights are squarish but carry a tri-arrow-shaped LED light signature laid horizontally, and that lends more visual width to the car. The boot has an added lip spoiler, and the lower edge of the bumper has a sporty-looking chamfered strip moulded into it. It helps widen the car visually and will make for a sporty touch with some contrasting shade. Dzire RS coming up, Suzuki?

Maruti Suzuki Dzire interior style, space and comfort

While the exterior bears no resemblance to the Swift, the interior is nearly identical. The dashboard, centre console, steering wheel, and instrument panel are all carried over but have a different colour scheme that uses beige on the dash, door pads and seats, and wood trim across the dash. It looks smart and neat, and all controls are well laid out and easy to use. While some might have preferred a fully digital instrument panel with a graphics-heavy design, the twin dials look neat, sporty, and very easy to read at a glance.

Front seats are comfy with soft cushioning, and overall space is just fine; at the rear, however, headroom is tight. Despite the 5mm increase in height over the Swift, headroom feels compromised, largely due to the sunroof, which has resulted in a lower headliner. The liner is scooped out towards the rear, but I had just about a three-finger space to the top, and the roof does feel close to your head. Comfort-wise, the seat is fine, softly cushioned like the front, and there’s a rear armrest, twin AC vents, and two USB ports for rear passengers. Boot space is just about adequate, at 382 litres – the lowest in the class – and the rear seat back is fixed (cannot be folded down).  

Maruti Suzuki Dzire features and safety

Big new features on the Dzire are a sunroof and a 360-degree camera; while the sunroof is small and has a more feel-good factor, the 360-degree camera offers a clear view with a 3D display and dynamic rear parking lines. Other features are a 9-inch touchscreen unit with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless phone charging, connected car tech, and cruise control. Given what’s on offer today in this price segment, Maruti Suzuki should have had a few more features, such as premium audio hardware, cooled seats, and ambient lighting. 

While these features go amiss, it’s nice to see that the safety kit is elaborate and standard across variants. Six airbags, 3-point seatbelts for all occupants, ISO-FIX child seat mounts, ABS, ESP, and Hill Hold Assist will feature in every Dzire sold. What’s even nicer to see, and will be a big surprise for many, is the 5-star adult occupant and 4-star child occupant protection rating the Dzire has scored under the GNCAP safety protocol. The performance in these new enhanced safety protocols is commendable, and while it may not be a 360-degree assessment of everything that can go wrong, it covers a significant portion of road accidents and is a good barometer for the safety potential of a car.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire engine and performance

The new Dzire is powered by the recently introduced Z12E engine that debuted with the new Swift. Like in the Swift, the 3-cylinder unit puts out an identical 82hp at 5700rpm and 112Nm of torque at 4300rpm. It feels identical in nature too. There are some vibrations at low rpms, but these fade away as you drive on. The engine is quite audible, but at low and mid speeds, it has a likeable audio note with it, only sounding strained at the top end.

82hp may not sound like much, and indeed, it is 8hp lower than the outgoing K12M engine. However, at low engine speeds, the response is good and the car moves off the line cleanly and crisply.

Power then builds up in a gentle and linear fashion, and keeps coming in even above 5,000rpm, so there is some merit in revving it further. Those who like a spirited drive will end up doing so, as the engine isn’t peppy and lively. It even red lines at 6,000rpm, which is about 400rpm lower than the previous unit. In a quick test, it took over 13 seconds to 100kph from zero, which is slower than the previous car. However, we’ll soon put it through our standard instrument tests to measure all the figures. Don’t hold your breath, though, as the Dzire will be slower than the Swift, which itself wasn’t very impressive.

Going through the gears isn't a chore; the 5-speed gearbox has been tweaked and features a new hydraulic clutch. It's very smooth and light in effort, and the gear throws are also light and easy. Shifts on the AMT are smooth and at a moderate pace, and there's a minimal gap between shifts; it also downshifts a gear or two readily, but put your foot down and the pause gets very pronounced, and this does slow down the car during hard acceleration. There is a tip function to the gear lever that enables you to manually control shifts. 

The main calling card for the new powerplant is efficiency, with the Dzire now claiming a figure of 24.79kpl for the 5-speed manual, which is up from the earlier cars' 23.26kpl claim. The AMT version claims a figure of 25.71kpl. There's also a CNG version, which we are yet to drive, and that promises 33.73kms/kg from its 70ps and 102Nm power unit.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire ride and handling

Like the powertrain, the Dzire’s suspension hardware is also carried over from the Swift, with McPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam setup at the rear. Small tweaks have been made to the spring and dampers; however, these are only to compensate for the increase in kerb weight, which, at 960 kg, is 40 kilos more than the Swift. The character thus remains the same, and that’s a very good thing. Like the hatch, the sedan also rides very well; bump absorption is good, and regular potholes and ruts are smoothed out well.

On the handling front, too, it impresses like the Swift. The electric power steering is smooth and fluid, and it returns to the centre in a very natural manner. Push it hard, and there is some body roll, but for everyday and even some spirited driving, it corners well with a progressive and controlled lean, offering good road grip.  

Maruti Suzuki Dzire price and verdict

Maruti Suzuki has clearly put in significant effort with the new Dzire. The car looks and feels very different from before; it’s elegant and more sedan-like, and that’s commendable given the tight confines of its sub-4-meter footprint. It rides very well, the handling is good and sporty, and the engine is more than adequate for everyday driving. It’s well equipped, too, and features like the sunroof and 360-degree camera will be appreciated, as will the fact that this is Maruti Suzuki’s first 5-star GNCAP car. It’s priced between Rs 6.79 lakh and Rs 10.14 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

So is it perfect, then? No, rear headroom is tight, and it should have offered a few more of today’s must-have features, but this won’t be enough to deter buyers, especially not when you weigh it against its impressive breadth of abilities. So, like its predecessor, the new Dzire will continue to ring the cash register for Maruti and is all set to carry on being the flagbearer for sedans in an increasingly dominant SUV world.

Also see:

New Maruti Dzire video review 

Ola Electric will begin delivering its Gen 3 platform-based electric scooters by January 2025 instead of the previously expected time frame of mid-March to April 2025.

1. New motor architecture promises more torque
2. Gen 3 platform will bring in new S2, S3 models
3. S3 will have maxi-scooters, premium offerings 

Gen 3 Ola Electric platform details

Ola is speeding up the introduction of new models to cater to both mass and premium category customers as two-wheeler adoption has increased from 16.1 percent in June 2024 to 21.4 percent in September 2024. This is particularly true when it comes to Rs 1 lakh mass-market scooters in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Maharashtra.

In a regulatory filing following the Q2 FY25 results investor call, Ola Electric said that it will begin delivering S1 Gen 3 products in January next year, ahead of schedule.

Ola had previously said that as a part of its Gen 3 architecture, it will introduce five additional scooters, expanding its range beyond the existing S1 series with the introduction of two new sub-brands, S2 and S3.

The S2 brand will introduce three models: a City model for urban commuting, a Tourer for longer distances, and a sports model for performance enthusiasts. The S3 sub-brand plans to target the premium segment with two maxi-scooters, the Grand Adventure and Grand Tourer, which will prioritise luxury and performance.

The Gen 3 model would include an integrated battery, magnetless motor, and electronics within the chassis, Ola said. Compared to previous models, this novel design is expected to improve performance by 26 percent and reduce costs by over 20 percent.

Magnetless motors use magnetised electrical coils instead of permanent magnets, resulting in greater torque. According to a senior company official, the Gen 3 platform, which is part of Ola's vertical integration strategy, is expected to be scalable and use 4,860 lithium-ion cells manufactured at its Gigafactory in Tamil Nadu by the first quarter of FY26.

Ola Electric has a share of around 30 percent in the electric two-wheeler market, and plans to expand its distribution network to 2,000 stores by March 2025, up from 782 currently. The company further plans to expand its product offering with the Roadster series of electric motorcycles, with deliveries beginning in Q4 FY2025.

Ola also intends to introduce 20 new products, with at least one new product being introduced quarterly, it said in a regulatory filing. Ola’s electric scooters currently start from Rs 75,000 (ex-showroom, India).

The company admitted to having capacity issues at its service centres, and added that it has cleared a majority of the backlog with approximately 80 percent of service requests now handled “within a single day.”

To improve service delivery, the company launched the 'Network Partner Programme' in September, which now has over 1,000 partners. By the end of 2025, Ola Electric intends to expand its network to 10,000 sales and service partners.

“The Network Partner Programme will enhance the benefits of our direct-to-consumer (D2C) network, thereby increasing EV penetration in India. It requires low capital investment from partners and can be rapidly scaled,” an official from the company noted.

Also See: Ola retains market lead in October EV sales

Ahead of its November 27 reveal, Honda India has teased the upcoming electric scooter for the first time. The teaser briefly gives us a glimpse at the scooter’s headlight, under which there’s a Honda logo. 

1. Headlight on Honda electric scooter is a LED unit
2. Design of headlight seems new, not shared with overseas Honda EVs

Honda electric scooter: Will it be called the Activa electric? 

Very little is known about the Honda electric scooter, which will be shown to us soon. From the teaser, all that can be made out is that this headlight is not shared with any overseas Honda electric scooter, those being the EM1 e: and the CUV e:. While the former has a claimed range of 48km, the latter can cover ‘over 70km’ on a single charge. 

It remains to be seen if Honda will repurpose one of its international electric scooters, and if it does so, which one exactly. Some years ago, the company also filed a few patent applications, which show an entirely new product, one that borrows some components from the popular Activa. 

Also See: Honda showcases electric scooter, e-bike concepts at EICMA 2024

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It isn’t often that a new car impresses me as much as the Toyota Hyryder has. The hybrid’s EV-like initial responses, fuel efficiency that’s better than most frugal diesel cars and a likeable package backed by Toyota are some of the reasons why I persuaded my wife to buy the SUV as soon as it was launched.

But while I have one at home, it’s hard to pry it away from my wife. So, I grabbed the keys to the one Toyota lent us as a long-termer.

I think the Hyryder’s design is very appealing, and its ‘Speedy Blue’ paint makes it quite striking, too. On the inside, the dashboard and doors have a nice leatherette padding, and the brown and black colour scheme certainly lifts the cabin’s perceived quality. You can’t ignore that it shares many parts with lower-priced Marutis, but it isn’t to the extent of feeling cheap or offensive at its Rs 20 lakh price.

The Hyryder’s ergonomics are spot on, with plenty of seat, steering and central armrest adjustment for you to get comfortable. However, the seats aren’t the comfiest, and the cushioning results in some body ache on longer drives. At the rear, space is adequate for two adults – it isn’t as wide as the Creta’s – although six-footers will find headroom tight even with the backrest fully reclined.

After several road trips and airport runs, I can confidently say that with a plus-sized check-in bag in the boot, there’s only about enough room for a laptop bag; you can slide a laptop bag into the slim storage beneath the boot floor, too. On either side of the boot, there’s a deep storage area that is useful to stow smaller items.

I must talk about the touchscreen and wireless charger as well; the touchscreen’s software is buggy, resulting in frequent disconnection and low call volume when connected to wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. We hope a software update solves this. The wireless charger is also flawed; it suspends charging often without reason, which is very annoying.

Also, the thin sun shade for the sunroof allows the cabin to be soaked in heat far too quickly when parked outdoors. A high-quality sunfilm on the sunroof could alleviate this issue.

Though Toyota has connected car tech, the vehicle locator is the only feature I found useful. It also tells you how much fuel is left and the current range, but I would have liked more information, especially related to fuel efficiency, and a trip log. You can’t unlock the vehicle via the app if you don’t use the app to lock it in the first place, which is quite strange. There is a pre-cooling feature, too, that I’ve used only once.

Rounding off the not-so-nice bits, when the engine/generator kicks in to charge the lithium-ion battery, the system occasionally makes quite a few sounds, which can take the uninitiated by surprise, and if you’re paying attention, you’ll also feel some vibrations at idle.

Now, let’s talk about the things I really love. The first is performance. A seamless and silent electric startup is something I truly appreciate. Next, the electric motor nicely complements the three-cylinder petrol engine, delivering almost electric vehicle-like responses, making it ideal for closing gaps or when overtaking. The torque curve tapers soon after, and the e-CVT makes the engine rev quite a bit when your foot is pinned to the throttle, emanating a rather unpleasant note.

But the highlight is its fuel efficiency. In Eco mode, the best I’ve achieved is 26.5kpl, with 80 percent highway driving and the rest in the city. With no effort to drive with the intent of maximising efficiency, the average city efficiency is about 20-21kpl in winter months, and this number drops to 18-19kpl in summer. An insider at Toyota explained that the e-compressor puts a high load on the hybrid system, which explains the lower efficiency when ambient temperatures are higher. Do note that these numbers are measured using the tankful-to-tankful method.

Lastly, the Hyryder’s suspension is on the firmer side, but driving manners and steering make it feel very confident at highway speeds. It also exudes an underlying toughness while dealing with poor, broken roads, which, to some extent, makes it similar to its rugged sibling, the Toyota Fortuner.

The Hyryder has been a fill-it, shut-it and forget-it car, one that goes about doing all that’s expected of it in a fuss-free and competent manner.

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