1. The Car & Bike Show On NDTV

NDTV’s ‘The Car and Bike Show’ is the top Indian automobile TV show that has been on the air for the past 17 years. The show is hosted by Siddharth Vinayak Patankar, an editor at the NDTV television station. NDTV’s show was a trailblazer back in 2003 when there were no TV programmes in India on automobiles.

The host travels to different parts of the world, attends biennial automobile launches, test drives new cars, and gives “honest” reviews. NDTV’s The Car and Bike Show telecasts live coverage of auto exhibitions in India. The show is the only Indian automobile show to have covered the most prominent global brands like BMW, Ford, Mercedes Benz and Suzuki at Geneva, Frankfurt, Paris and New York.

Celebrity guests Virat Kohli, Priyanka Chopra, Shah Rukh Khan, John Abraham, Ranbir Kapoor, Michael Schumacher, Sachin Tendulkar, Jenson Button, Katy Perry, Lewis Hamilton and Jeremy Clarkson were featured in The Car and Bike Show, and the show received a great response from their fans.

2. Overdrive On CNBC

Overdrive is India’s largest auto media for cars and automobiles in print, web, television and events. The show features crew members testing cars and bikes and rating them to help buyers make easier purchasing decisions. Overdrive keeps its audience up to date with every development on everything related to the automobile industry. The show is telecasted on CNBC TV18, CNN IBN and CNBC Awaaz, hosted by Shereen Bhan, and presented by the OVERDRIVE editorial team.

Overdrive draws millions of viewers from across the country, especially those who are fascinated by grease, wheels, and motors to stick. The show starts where the host test drives and reviews the latest automobile in the market. In the show’s last segment, the host discusses the vehicle with experts from the automobile industry and elicits information about the automobile. Celebrity guests also share their personal experiences driving the vehicle.

Overdrive airs on CNBC-TV18 every Saturday (1 pm & 10 pm), Sunday (12:30 & 7:30 pm) and Tuesday (6:30 pm), and on CNN IBN on Saturdays at 3:30 pm.

3. Times Drive On Times Now

Times Drive is an auto show on Times Now that covers a wide spectrum of automobile-related topics. Times Drive was first aired in 2009 and has become one of the top Indian TV shows in India today. The motor show is hosted by Joel Pereira, Kailash Menon and Juhi Pand.

The host reviews the new entrants in bikes and cars in three segments. The opening session of the show is mostly about premium auto reviews, followed by the latest news from the industry. The second segment of Times Drive features auto upgrades and gives tips on buying used automobiles. The final segment of the show presents celebrity interviews where celebs share their personal experience with the car/bike.

Michael Schumacher, Ajay Devgn, Rahul Bajaj, David Coulthard, John Abraham and other prominent personalities were featured in the show. Major auto exhibitions and racing events, including the 2009 Singapore Grand Prix and Raid de Himalaya were also covered special episodes in the show.

4. Autocar India Show On ET Now

Autocar India Show on ET Now keeps its viewers abreast with all the happenings in the Indian auto market. The hosts present auto-related news and give comprehensive reviews of the performance and features of cars and bikes. The weekend auto show gets automobile savants glued to the tv screens with interesting segments on automobiles.

Autocar India Show is telecast on ET Now on Fridays (10:30 pm), Saturday (11:30 am) and Sundays (10 am and 2 pm). With honest domestic and international automotive scoops and reviews, the Autocar India Show has become one of India’s leading automobile TV shows. The exclusive auto reviews, auto comparisons, first looks of cars and bikes and first drive videos are most liked by the viewers.

5. Top Speed On Star News

Recently, in 2019, Star News launched a handbook at an auto show called ‘Top Speed’ for Indian auto enthusiasts. The show is a perfect weekend dose for all automobile-related news—cars, bike launches, and new paradigms in the auto industry, and is aired on Sundays at 5:30 pm. Expert opinions featured in the show help automobile lovers who are overwhelmed and confused by the ocean of subjective reviews on the Internet. Top Speed gives honest and first-hand reviews on cars and bikes.

The exclusive reporting on the auto market, vehicle reviews, deeper analysis, comprehensive reports, and test drives helps beginners, as well as experts in the industry, understand automobiles from the buyers’ perspective. Experienced and avid auto enthusiast and consulting editor of Auto Magazine, Rajiv Mitra, hosts the show. Rajiv has a decade of experience in test driving and reviewing automobiles, and brings amazing content to the screen, which is liked by Indian viewers.

The automobile industry in India is evolving with time. There is diversity in the taste of automobile lovers. Auto TV shows bring content to the screen and solve auto-related queries. If you are an auto aficionado, you must follow the above Indian auto TV shows to stay updated and informed.

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What is BS6?

Bharat Stage Emission Standards, also known as BSES, is an institution that’s governed by
the Central Pollution Control Board, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
India is about to take a leap from present BS4 to BS6. With this leap, India is expected to
control pollution emissions and will be on par with the West. BS6 will have major
technological modifications and will be mandatory for all vehicles.
India needed this leap as its 10 cities are amongst the most polluted ones in the world.
After signing the Conference of Protocol, which is widely known as the Paris Climate
Agreement, Indian is obliged to bring down the carbon footprint by 33-55% in the coming
12 years. This called out for stricter rules and regulations, hence BS6.

The outcome of BS6 over BS4:

The authority has ensured that BS6 matches Euro6 norms, which is already implemented in
all European Countries. The new BS6 will have the following benefits:
1. It is expected that NOx emission will reduce by 25% in petrol engines and around
68% in a diesel engine.
2. By making the On-board Diagnostic (OBD) a mandate, it will help in monitoring the
pollution in real-time.
3. Along with NOx, PM emission is expected to reduce by 80% in a diesel engine.
4. As per BS6, particulate will be measured in number standard rather than mass
standard. This will help regulate fine particles.
5. With Real Driving Emission (RDE) it will be easy to measure emission in the real
world instead of under controlled conditions.
As we now briefly understand what BS6 is and how it is going to help control pollution
caused by vehicles, let’s have a look at 2-wheelers that are compliant with this upcoming
norm.

2-Wheelers Complaint with BS6:

Technology innovation indeed is pushing automobile companies to innovate and come up
with robust solutions for age-old problems. Before the implementation of BS6, automobile
manufacturers have introduced BS6 variant bikes in the market. Let’s have a quick look at
these bikes and their prominent features.

1. Hero Splendor iSmart 110

Hero is known for its foresightedness and innovation. To welcome the new BS6 compliance,
they’ve recently launched Hero Splendor iSmart 110. It has got an innovative fuel-injected
technology that gives an effective result. Most of the features remain the same, except for a
few alterations. This newly introduced bike has a new frame along with its patented ‘idle-
stop-start’ system. The automobile manufacturer has added six senors with i3S technology
to enhance its overall performance and efficiency. This BS6 compliant bike has a 113.2cc
engine that produces 9bhp and torque of 9.89Nm. Hero MotoCorp’s Splendor iSmart 110 is
the first bike to get a BS6 certification in India.
Price – Rs 57,620 onwards

2. Honda SP 125

After Hero MotorCorp, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India is the second 2-wheeler
manufacturer to introduce the Honda SP 125 BS6 compliant bike in the Indian market. This
bike has a new 124cc engine that’s fuel-injected. That's not all, the bike has got a plethora
of amazing features that make it stand out. It has got fully-digital instrument cluster,
engine start-stop switch, silent start with ACG Motor, LED DC headlamps, amazing new
body graphics, new colors, and the list goes on. The bike is programmed with Honda’s
Enhanced Smart Power (eSP). The 124cc engine generates 10.7bhp and 10.9Nm of torque
and has a five-speed gearbox.
Price: 74,072 onwards

3. TVS Apache RTR 160 4V & RTR 200 4V

TVS Motor Company has also launched BS6 compliant bikes. However, they’ve launched two
bikes, RTR 160 4V and RTR 200 4V, as opposed to its competitors. Both the bikes are
equipped with RT-Fi technology, which is Race-Turned Fuel Injection. TVS’s RTR 4V is the
first BS6 compliant bikes from the company. The RTR 160 4V is powered by a 159.7cc
single-cylinder that produces 16bhp and 14.1Nm of torque. The RTR 200 4V is powered by a
197.75cc engine that produces 20bhp and 16.8Nm of torque. Both the bikes are equipped
with LED light, GTT technology that eases the commute during traffic, dual-channel ABS,
and feather-touch start.
Price: RTR 160 4V – Rs 99,950 ; RTR 200 4V – Rs 1.24 lakhs

4. Yamaha FZ V 3.0 & FZ S V 3.0

Yahama’s FZ Fi is the first bike that’s BS6 compliant and FZ FI V3.0 is the second one. The
FZ has a 149cc engine with a single-cylinder that produces 12.2bhp and 13.6Nm of torque.
It is also fitted with a five-speed gearbox. The FZS-Fi has a 149cc single-cylinder with a
power of 12.2bhp and 13.6Nm of torque. This also comes with a five-speed gearbox. Both
the bikes have amazing body graphics, engine guard, chrome trim on the tank and a lot
more.
Price: FZ V3.0 – Rs 99,200 ; FZ S V 3.0 – Rs 1,01,200

5. Honda Activa 125

Honda Activa 125 is the first BS6 compliant 2-wheeler introduced a couple of months ago.
The scooter has ‘Silent Start Technology’ that increases its demand in the market. As per
the manufacturer, the engine is 13% efficient than the older one. Apart from BS6
compliance, the scooter has got some amazing features, such as idle-stop-start system,
real-time mileage, distance to empty and others. The non-gear bike has a 124cc engine that
produces 8.1bhp and 10.3Nm of torque.
Price: Rs 69, 923 onwards

6.TVS Jupiter

TVS introduced its first BS6 compliant scooter, TVS Jupiter, in the market recently. Apart
from being a BS6 variant, this scooter includes ET-Fi fuel-injection that is to enhance the
fuel efficiency, a new pocket in the front with a USB slot to charge the smartphone on the
go, and tinted visor. The scooter is powered with a 109.7cc engine with a single-cylinder
that produces 7.8bhp and 8Nm of torque.
Price: Rs 55,572 onwards

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Honda City, the most loved cars in India, is into its fifth edition. It indeed is an epitome of evolution and comfort. The new model, Honda City 2020, was unveiled in Thailand, is scheduled to be launched in India mid-2020. It is going to turn heads as it looks amazingly different than its predecessors. The new model has got the styling and the sportier interior. Let’s have a quick look at these features so that you can decide whether or not upgrading your car would make sense.

Specifications:

Length: 4553mm

Widtg: 1748mm

Height: 1467mm

Wheelbase: 2589mm

Kerb Weight: 1165kg

Fuel Tank: 40 liters

Fuel Type: Petrol

Tyre Size: 185/60 R15

Engine and Transmission

• No of cylinder – 4
• Valves Per Cylinder – 4
• Transmission Type – Manual

Style/Exterior –

Honda City is known for its eye-catchy and stylish exterior. The new car features make it unrecognizable and would make you doubt if it’s actually Honda City. Wondering what makes a huge difference? Well, the new car has got a thick chrome band right above the grille that gets sharper and larger and wraps around the headlights. Now, headlights are LED for a smooth and clear vision when you’re driving at night. These LEDs are equipped with DRLs on the car’s high spec models. The grille is larger than the present variant and the bumper is made sharper and stylish to give it a classy and amazing look.

As you move towards the sides, you’ll notice a prominent shoulder line that goes from the headlight till the taillight. This, in the present variant, starts from the taillight and ends at the driver’s door. The new Honda 2020 has subtle creases towards the lower part of the doors and the wheels have diamond-cut alloy.

Moving towards the back, the new Honda City 2020 has got a wraparound tail-lights that extends further to the side of the car. The lights are LED but now have a 3D design, the upper section is blacked-out. Even the reflectors are different in this new variant. This car has got vertically positioned reflectors that enhance the overall look of the car. However, in the present variant, these reflectors are positioned horizontally. This new variant doesn’t have the chrome strip running between the tail-lights.

Interior –

Only a ravishing exterior isn’t enough, a comfortable interior is equally important. In the new Honda City 2020, the makers have introduced an amazing new dashboard that has got no similarity with its previous variants, at all. The car introduced recently at Thailand had all-black interior, however, it’s speculated that the Indian version of this car, it will be all beige-on-black combination. This aligns well with the present version of the car.

In addition to this, the makers have retained brushed piano and aluminium theme dashboard as it uplifts the cabin. The new version has an asymmetrical dashboard that makes it look chic and attractive. This design has made way for an 8-inch touchscreen that has vertically positioned vents. In this version, makers have also ditched touch panel-based climate control system and have replaced it with a conventional and user-friendly three-rotary-dial setup. As for the instrumentation, the new version is going to have twin-analog dials with a decent usual size multi-info display. The position, however, in the new version, the MID (Multi-info Display) is placed in the middle of the dials as opposed to the right side in the current version.

As for other features, the new Honda City 2020 will have some of the present top-spec such as ABS with EBD, six airbags, cruise control, automatic climate control, a large touchscreen information screen and LED lights. In the presently introduced Thai version of Honda City 2020, the car is equipped with hill-start assist and vehicle stability control. However, it’s not clear if these features will be added to the Indian version of Honda City 2020.

Gearbox and Engine –

Honda City 2020 will have two engine options for India. One will be a 119hp, 1.5-litre petrol engine whereas the second one will 100hp, 1.5-litre diesel engine. It is supposed that the petrol variant will have a 5-speed manual or an automatic gearbox, whereas the diesel variant will have a 6-speed manual as standard.

With BS6 coming into effect from April 2020, this new car is BS6 compliant in all variants. The makers, perhaps, have planned not to change the transmission options. As a part of all the City cars, this one will also have a 1.5-litre petrol engine that’s joined with Honda’s compact i-MMD tech, and it recently made the international debut with Honda’s Jazz. However, the company yet to introduce the world with its hybrid powertrain.

In the recent unveiling of the Thai version of Honda City 2020, it was noticed that the car has an all-new 122hp, 1.0-liter turbo-petrol engine that’s was coupled with a new CVT gearbox. Now, all we have to see if the Indian version is going to have this option, or not. Only time will tell.

The Thai version of the new Honda City 2020 gave us a sneak-peak into what the Indian version might look like. Honda City is a well-appreciated car within the Indian buyers and now, with the news of new BS6 compliant, amazing interior, eye-catchy exterior and powerpack engine, people are waiting for this car to launch in India, soon. The aforementioned review of the car with entire details of it will give you a better picture if this is what you’d like to upgrade yourself or not. The final review can be done only when the car is up for a test drive by all the automobile reviewers who can then explain if the features and price do any justice to it.

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These new Orange ADVs are capable of conquering the paths with no roads and effortlessly gliding through the endless tarmac of highways. Built from fibre to tread with adventure sport in its DNA developed with the help of R&D information gathered from Dakar rally success over the past two decades, lightweight and high performance is their motto.

The new KTM Adventure carries out the same engine specifications as its Cousin Brothers the Duke 390 and the RC 390 with 43hp of power and 37Nm of torque, the 43mm of upside-down WP Apex suspension in the front and a high-quality gas assisted WP APEX at rear makes the ride very comfortable even in handling the vehicle on other terrains. This engine is mated with a 6-speed gearbox coupled with a slipper clutch function and also other features like traction control, ride by wire EFI on the motorcycle.

The KTM 390 Adventure carries out the similar engine specifications of its Cousin Brothers the Duke 390 and the RC 390 which produce maximum power of 43bhp at 9000 rpm along with the 37 Nm of torque at 7000 rpm, the 43mm upside-down WP Apex suspension in the front helps the rider to get more traction control on all terrains and the high-quality gas assisted WP APEX at rear ensures a comfortable experience for both rider and pillion on their adventure Touring, also the engine is mated with a six-speed gearbox coupled and a slipper clutch function along with other features like traction control, ride by assisting wire EFI on the motorcycle.

However, we have to take into consideration that Indian spec of Adventure 390 will be different from the International counterparts, where the Indian adventure 390 misses out front adjustable suspension and gets the affordable Metzeler Tourance Next tyres instead of the continental TKC Tyres that measures 19 inches in the front and 17 inches at the rear to help for dual purpose. ABS on the adventure 390 comes as a standard feature with large fuel tank and the exhaust mounted on the side to have more ground clearance when it comes to off-road riding.

This KTM Adventure series being true to its name is built for Adventure travel, it borrows the overall design from the 1190 adventure bike and is equipped with a 5 inch TFT display that also connects to the KTM’s my ride app via Bluetooth to access phone functions and audio player.

At present the rival for Adventure 390 is from BMW GS 310R with 309cc, fuel-injected, 6 speed mated gearbox comes with an ex-showroom price of Rs.349000 which makes the adventure 390 more affordable for the riders to hold on to it, but it will be priced 30-40k more than the KTM naked 390 version and can expect the ex-showroom price of Rs.273000 – Rs.300000.

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Flat Track racing began approximately 100 years ago somewhere in the United States and Australia. A century later, one of the purest forms of racing enters India courtesy Harley – Davidson India along with Rajputana Customs in 2018 with the training session held in John Singh Speedway, Jaipur. Where International Flat Track legend Marco Belli, the man who introduced nine-time MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi to the world of flat track racing headed the training session.

A year later, IBW 2019 saw the Flat Track being opened up commercially where Harley- Davidson saw 500 + entries for a 150 slot registration for which Rajputana Customs customized the Harley- Davidson Street 750 Rod for the event.

Abhishek Vasudev, A four times national champion under the Pro- Stock Class with 6 yrs. experience as a professional motorcycle instructor and 9 yrs. experience as a professional motorcycle road racer on the race tracks sponsored by Tyremarket.com took a shot at taming the dirt tracks.

Every rider was given 4 laps around the dirt track, only top 10 riders with best lap timing were called for round 2. In the second round, Sanjay Kumar took the trophy with Abrar Bin Ayub and Dev Venkatesh secured 2nd and 3rd position.

After the event, we were able to get an insight into flat track racing from Abhishek Vasudev.

In his words, “Being a professional racer for close to a decade in the tarmacked tracks, flat-track racing was something that I’m drawn to as it is the purest form of racing as you don’t have the time to plan your strategies like one would do on the tarmac, here it’s all about how one handles the bike in the spur of the moment as the dirt track is shorter with much less grip and no front brakes.”

“From the riding technique, the bike mods, seating position, holding the handle bars to the braking and cornering is so different and the adrenalin of racing is far more superior as before you finish one corner you have to be ready to dive into the next one with the right amount of momentum because if you are too slow you are sliding off the track and if you are too fast the result is the same. Ultimately Flat track racing is just pure fun and adrenalin. You just ride, you don’t think!”

When asked if he had anything to say to the people aspiring to get into flat tracking he encouraged newer racer to pursue this form of racing as there is no age bar on it and the skills you learn from the experiences help even when you move onto the more lucrative racing segments.

In fact, He too revealed the fact that his professional racing career began after bagging the title in the Bangalore edition of Indian National Rally Championship in 2010.

So, that’s it folks… There you have it…

Flat Tracking is the basics and it is here to stay for centuries to come.

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The Husky twins “Svartpilen 250” & “Vitpilen 250” wear an edgy Swedish design and is based on its elder brothers’: Svartpilen 401 & Vitpilen 401 which are presently sold only in the International markets. The straight handlebar gives a scrambler look to the Svartpilen, whereas the Vitpilen takes a modern retro café racer style with the lower clip-on handles.

The twins come with single-cylinder, fuel-injected engines and carry out the same specifications as the Duke 250 with the 6-speed gearbox having 31bhp of power and 24nm of torque. The Bikes brace upside-down suspension in the front with 300mm disc and a mono-shock suspension with 230mm disc at the rear along with dual-channel ABS. LED headlamp, tail lamp as well as turn on indicators with the sport instrument cluster with the small LCD Display are also added in the already loaded package.

Rumour has it that Husqvarna will be joining KTM’s display in the dealerships across India and the sales might commence in Feb 2020.

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Tyre Comparison

The Maruti Suzuki S-Presso gets two tyre options. The smaller one with 145/80 R 13 measurement is for the lower trims like STD and LXi, whereas the bigger 165/70 R 14 tyre comes as standard with VXi and VXi+ variants. On the contrary, the Renault Kwid facelift across variants runs on 165/70 R 14 radial tyres.

Dimensions Head On

The Renault Kwid facelift is bigger, wider and has a longer wheelbase here which should account for better space inside the cabin. It also gets a marginally bigger boot and ground clearance. The only aspect where Maruti Suzuki S-Presso takes lead is the height.

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Exterior Face-Off

Comparing the front fascia, the S-Presso doesn’t stand anywhere near the modern and composed Renault Kwid facelift’s front fascia. While the S-Presso gets Vitara Brezza-inspired design with sleek grille and boxy headlamps on its either side, the Kwid facelift has been adorned with a redesigned grille, two-tier headlamps, prominent fog lamp housing and smart lower grille.

The side profile of the S-Presso makes you feel like it’s a car built for off-roading thanks to the thick border of black cladding all around. However, small tyre wheels in large wheel arches are an eyesore. The upright stance is evident from sides as well. You might see a Maruti Suzuki Ignis in the S-Presso, especially from the sides, the major difference is that the Ignis looked and felt premium. On the other hand, the Renault Kwid facelift continues to retain its original architecture on sides except for the addition of new wheel covers.

At the rear, the S-Presso gets an upright stance with the chubby rear bumper and rectangular tail lamps with curvy edges – strikingly similar to the Kwid. The only change to the rear of the Kwid facelift is that the tail lamps have been given LED treatment.

Interior Confrontation

Step inside the cabin of the Maruti S-Presso and you are likely to be surprised by its MINI-like circular centre console which gets the instrument cluster details along with Suzuki’s 7-inch SmartPlay infotainment unit. With the unusual positioning of the instrument cluster, it takes a while before you get used to it. Seats are positioned higher so you get a commanding view of the road. This is true for rear passengers as well. However, 6-foot+ passengers will find it a little difficult as they would have a limited view of the road. It’s best suited for 4 people as it isn’t too wide to embrace 3 at the rear.

The Kwid facelift, on the other hand, continues with similar cabin set-up as its predecessor albeit minor tweaks. The highlight of the Kwid’s cabin is, of course, the bigger, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with updated controls. The dark theme has gone a bit darker giving its cabin a more upmarket feel. The piano black touches on the central console, leather-wrapped steering, 4-way adjustable driver seat, sporty orange and white fabric seat upholstery, redesigned LED digital instrument cluster all to add to the premium quotient of the Kwid.

Mechanicals Under Hood

The Maruti Suzuki S-Presso shares the BS6 compliant 1.0-litre petrol engine of the Maruti Alto K10. The engine puts out max power of 68 bhp at 5500 rpm and peak torque of 90 Nm at 3500 rpm. It is linked to a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT gearbox. While the manual S-Presso returns 21.7 kmpl, the AMT delivers 21.4 kmpl of fuel efficiency.

The Renault Kwid facelift, quite surprisingly, continues with the same old BS4 compliant 1.0-litre engine (we have skipped the 0.8-litre version for this comparison). It generates the utmost power of 68 PS at 5500 rpm and higher torque of 91 Nm at 4250 rpm. The Kwid facelift is offered with both transmission options – 5-speed manual and 5-speed AMT. The Kwid manual gets a healthy 23.01 kmpl of fuel mileage whereas the automatic variants deliver 24.04 kmpl.

In-Cabin Appointments

The S-Presso gets a whole bunch of convenient features such as AC, reclining and sliding front seats, remote keyless entry, front power windows, internally adjustable ORVMs, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, steering mounted audio and voice control, twin-chamber headlamps, full wheel covers and high seating position.

The updated Kwid, on the other hand, has added a few more to its long list of features. It gets traffic assistance mode, AC, rear seats with foldable backrest, sliding and reclining front seats, 12V power socket at rear, fast USB charger, optional rear power windows, intermittent front wiper & auto wiping while washing, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Push to talk (voice recognition), digital tachometer and many more.

Safety Gears

Being from the entry-level segment both the cars get adequate safety features if not excess.  The S-Presso is packed with driver-side airbag, ABS with EBD, seat belt reminder with buzzer, reverse parking sensors, speed alert system, immobiliser, childproof rear door lock, speed-sensitive auto door lock, centre door locking, passenger-side airbag, seat belt pre-tensioner with force limiter, door ajar and low fuel warning in the touchscreen unit.

The Renault Kwid facelift gets new reverse parking camera with guidelines, driver airbag, optional passenger airbag, ABS with EBD, seat belt reminder, speed alert system, rear ELR seatbelts, child lock, remote keyless entry and central locking are offered among others.

Pricing

The Maruti Suzuki S-Presso is tagged in the price bracket of Rs 3.69 lakh – Rs 4.91 lakh (ex-showroom New Delhi) whereas the Renault Kwid facelift falls in the range of Rs 2.93 lakh – Rs 5.02 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi).

Verdict

The Maruti Suzuki S-Presso may look appealing in pictures but when seen in the flesh, it looks like a toy car with overgrown proportions – the small tyre size and larger wheel arches is to be blamed for this.

On the flip side, the Kwid was always a proportionate car with fabulous style; the facelift has further pushed its appeal. On the feature and safety front, both the cars are neck and neck. When it comes to the interior space, the Kwid scores full marks.

Hence, we can safely rate Renault Kwid facelift as a better product compared to the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso.

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1. Love it or Hate Its Looks

The Maruti Suzuki S-Presso is inspired by its elder sibling Maruti Vitara Brezza, especially from the front – its U-shaped grille elements and sleek grille flanked by squarish headlamps. The upright stance, high ground clearance and thick body cladding at the front and rear try to give it a rugged look. From the side profile too the car looks like a micro-SUV, however, the small wheels in large wheel arches spoil the fun. The rear is quite simple and featureless with nothing to highlight except the cladding. What’s more, the overall proportion, especially the front and sides, appears a bit quirky and seems coerced, which some may like, some not.

2. Notable Tyre Choices

The S-Presso gets two tyre options – 13-inches and 14-inches, both tubeless radials. The smaller 145/80 R 13 tyres are factory fitted in lower variants such as Std and Lxi whereas the larger 165/70 R 14 wheels are adorned on higher Maruti S-Presso variants – Vxi and Vxi+.

3. Upright Dimensions

The Maruti Suzuki S-Presso is not the biggest in the segment but definitely a good four-seater small car. It is 3565 mm long, 1520 mm wide and 1549-1564 mm tall. It gets a wheelbase of 2380 mm and a boot space of 270 litres.

4. Cool-looking Interiors & Roomy Cabin

The centre of attraction in the S-Presso is actually in the centre of the dashboard – the circular centre console. It may divide opinions on the interior looks. The speedometer leaves its conventional position and now gets merged with the centre console. The body-colour around the air-con vents and bordering the centre console breaks the monotony of dark theme. Fit and finish of the cabin is spot on. The cabin appears quite airy thanks to large glass area and a commanding SUV-like seating position. The rear seat is good for two passengers; seating three will be a squeeze.

5. Peppy Engine & Smooth Transmission

Powering the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso is the 1.0-litre petrol engine of the Maruti Suzuki Alto K10. The BS6 (Bharat Stage 6) compliant motor generates a maximum power of 68 bhp at 5500 rpm and highest torque value of 90 Nm at 3500 RPM. The micro-SUV can be had with a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT transmission as well. The fuel mileage figures of the S-Presso read 21.7 km/l with the manual and a good 21.4 km/l with the AMT gearbox.

6. Engaging Feature List

Falling in the entry-level category, the Maruti S-Presso gets adequate features which include reclining & sliding front seats, internally adjustable ORVMs, AC, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, remote keyless entry, full wheel covers, front power windows, Bluetooth, steering mounted audio and voice control and twin chamber headlamps to name a few. However, the absence of tachometer is a bit surprising.

7. Upright Safety

The small car from Maruti Suzuki is equipped with a bunch of protective gadgets which comprise of driver and co-driver side airbag, speed-sensitive auto door lock, ABS with EBD, speed alert system, immobilizer, seat belt reminder with buzzer, reverse parking sensors, child door lock, centre door locking, seat belt pre-tensioner with force limiter, door ajar and low fuel warning displayed on the 7-inch touchscreen infotainment unit.

8. Pleasing Accessories

The carmaker has recently released the list of accessories for the newly launched Maruti Suzuki S-Presso. It gets LED DRLs, skid plates, side and wheel arch claddings, upper spoiler, rear spoiler, boot lid, bezels on the bumper, grille garnish and body side moulding among others. For the cabin, you get a host of seat covers (fabric as well as leather), door sills, colour co-ordinated upholstery, floor mats, chargers, speakers and others along with fixed Packs as add-on embellishments.

9. Tempting Price Label

The Maruti Suzuki S-Presso is tagged in the price range of Rs. 3.69 lakh – Rs. 4.91 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi). It is offered in four variants – Std, Lxi, Vxi, and Vxi Plus.

*AT= Automatic Transmission

10. Cut Throat Competition

The direct rivals of the Maruti S-Presso are the Renault Kwid and the Datson Redi-GO. However, with its pricing, the buyer may also want to check out its siblings Maruti Alto 800 and Alto K10.

The post Maruti Suzuki S-Presso – 10 Things You Should Know appeared first on Roadtales.

The well-known automobile brand started creating ripples in 1986 with the launch of the Tata 407 Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV). The reliability and performance of the vehicle made it popular not only in India but also in several other countries around the globe. Let’s look at a few milestones that the company achieved so far:

• In 1988, Tata Motors entered into passenger vehicle market.
• In 1991, Tata Motors launched Tata Sierra and also entered into a Joint Venture with Nitol Motors. The two set up NITA Company Ltd., first assembly set-up of the company outside India. As years passed by, Tata Motors grew its assembly operations in Bangladesh, South Africa, Myanmar, Vietnam, Kenya, Senegal, Nigeria & Tunisia.
• In 1992, Tata launched Tata Estate – a station wagon whose design was based on the earlier Tata Mobile.
• In 1993, Tata Motors entered into a Joint Venture with Cummins Engine Inc. This tie-up helped Tata Motors to introduce powerful diesel engines that emit lesser carbon.
• In 1994, they came out with Tata Sumo, a 5 door SUV that made quite a name in the market.
• In 1998, Tata launched ‘Indica’, the first fully indigenous Indian passenger car. They also launched Tata Safari in the same year.
• In 2004, Tata Motors made to the New York Stock Exchange. That’s not it; the company also acquired Daewoo, a South Korean truck manufacturing company. Together, they unveiled Tata World Truck range for sale in South Korea, South Africa, SAARC nations and the Middle East.
• In 2006, the aspirations were rising and as a result, Tata Motors joined hands with the Brazil-based Marcopolo S.A, launching the Tata Marcopolo Bus in the coming years.
• In 2008, Tata Motors Thailand came into existence, its first national sales company. This was the year in which Tata launched the world’s cheapest car – Tata Nano and also purchased Jaguar Land Rover from Ford.
• In 2009, acquiring the Spanish bus and coach manufacturer Hispano Carrocera, Tata Motors’ Starbus and Globus range of buses hit the road.
• In 2011, Tata Motors Indonesia established as a fully owned subsidiary of Tata Motors
• In 2012, the company launched Tata Prima – its next-generation platform of heavy trucks in the markets around the world. This year Tata also announced that it would invest 6 billion rupees in the development of Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicles in collaboration with DRDO.
• In 2014, automobile giant launched its new platform for light trucks and buses, Tata Ultra. It also introduced ‘T1 Prima Truck Racing Championship”, the first truck racing championship in India.
• In 2015, Tata took the education of its nation’s youth in its hands and started SkillPro. It was a unique skill development programme that trained aspiring youth to become skilled professionals, making them employment ready. This very year, Lionel Messi became Tata’s global brand ambassador to promote and endorse its passenger vehicles globally.
• In 2016, Bollywood’s superstar, Akshay Kumar became Tata’s brand ambassador for its commercial vehicles range.
• In 2017, Tata Motor announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Volkswagen. It stated that Tata Motors will develop vehicles for India’s domestic Market.
• In 2018, Tata Motors sold its aerospace and defence business to another Tata Group entity, known as Tata Advanced Systems. The company also became the first automaker to cross the 1 million sales mark and secured 16^th position in the world’s largest light vehicles company list.

A company that was usually known for its commercial vehicle stepped out of its boundaries and worked hard to make its name in the light vehicles sector. As a result, Tata Motors became the third fastest growing brand among the top 20 automobile companies around the world. For years, it was below 5% growth in brand value but it surged ahead and reached 9% in brand value. Today, Tata’s brand value is higher than Airtel and Infosys. Tata’s various vehicles such as Indica, Indigo, Vista, Manza, Aria, Bolt, Safari Storme, Tiago, GenX Nano, Sumo, Tigor, Zest, Nexon and Hexa are sold not just in India but in many other countries of Africa, APAC and Latin America, while those of Jaguar and Land Rover are available in Europe.

If that’s not inspiring growth, I don’t know what is.

The post From Nobody To Star: How Tata Motors Earned The ‘Good Boy’ Badge appeared first on Roadtales.

Check Your Tyres

The most important thing that will protect you from slippery, rain washed roads are your car’s tyre. They must be in good condition to give you the grip that you need while driving and going around the turns. If the tread depth is not good enough they are likely to skid over slippery surfaces. Also, be certain that you check the tyre’s air pressure as they lose it quickly during the rainy season. If the tyres need to be changed, don’t just replace the front ones but take care of the rear ones too. With the regular check, you will ensure better driving control.

Be Wise With The Car Cover

If you park your car in the garage or under the shed, make sure you wrap it up with a cover. This is an old fashioned way but works well as the cover will not let any outside element to gain access to your car that could further harm the body. If there’s any leakage, the cover will also stop the water from going into the interiors, spoiling the seat and other stuff.

But if you park your car out in the open, avoid using a car cover. The reason being, the cover tends to stick to the car’s body due to moisture but when the sun shines again, drying the car, the cover will stick to the car’s clear coat. It can actually peel off the paint when you will take off the cover. Surely, you wouldn’t like that.

Get the AC Serviced

To make sure that your car is fully prepared to face the downpour, get the car AC serviced. This is because the AC filters work overtime to reduce the moisture. The grime particles also enter the car so you need to be sure that the AC is in its best shape so that it doesn’t get harmed.

Keep The Headlamps Clean

Driving a car in the rain and especially during the night is not easy. You need to have a clear vision of what’s coming to avoid any accidents. If your headlamps are not clean, they will not give you clear visibility. You can clean them by rubbing white toothpaste (only) in a circular motion. Then, take a wet cloth to wipe the paste off and you will see sparkling new headlamp, all set to face the rain, fog and moisture.

Don’t Forget The Interiors

You might not realize it but the interiors of your car get the worst burn during monsoon. Without thinking much, we expose the inside of the car to moisture by wet and muddy shoes and wet clothes. It further makes your car smelly and promotes bacterial growth. Use old newspaper to keep the water and muck off the carpets. They are cheap and instantly absorb the water. It also saves you from the hassle of cleaning the carpets and mats again and again.

Along with these tips, check your windshield washer fluid, carry a spare tyre for emergencies, check the brakes, use a wax polish so that water doesn’t sit on your car and get the car battery checked.  Also, drive slowly than usual and stick to the middle lane.

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