Daimler Smart Scooter Launched, Price Out

Daimler owned Smart have already offered their electric powered car and bike, and now comes their third offering, an electric scooter. Initially showcased at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, it was forgotten all this years, but now thanks to increase in number of environment conscious buyers, the e-scooter is back Rocketing prices, empty pockets, long faces, dust loaded bikes, dreary dreams. How about a ride that won’t cost as high as petrol? Gotta thank Smart for bringing another electric-powered product. German microcars manufacturer, Smart, owned by Daimler, has now offered you another of its smart product, an electric scooter, Daimler Smart Scooter. First was seen in Paris Motor Show, way back in 2010. Left back on the bunker all these days, the highly increasing prices of fuel, the increasing global warming, along with a growing consciousness of the depleting environmental resources, this electric scooter has been brought back from the dumps.
This cute vehicle is gifted with a 48V Li-Ion battery. With the engine thumping 5.4 hp, it will give you 45 kmpL of maximum speed; pretty low, eh? This is where Smart will have to work on more. The charging point of this electric scooter will be up at the front and will be easily chargeable at home, completing a full charge in 3-5 hours. This 3-5 hours of charge will make it run around 100 km. At this low speed of 45 kmpL, the scooter is obviously low in weight, made of steel and aluminium, thus easy to carry around, and also economical enough.
This scooter is smart not just by name, smartness is clearly seen in the charging socket for smartphones, thus giving the scooter a speedometer, full navigation system, range indicator. If one forgets where the scoot was parked, this same smartphone would come with a helping hand. Once disconnected from the vehicle, the smartphone can work like a GPS tracker too. Smart electric scooter gets smartphone features! All this smartness comes at an equally smart price of around Rs. 3 lacs, somewhat nearing $5000. Expensive, too over-priced? Doesn’t seem to be, with such features integrated, it would highly cut down the fuel expenses. Only thing to worry about could be the speed; the vehicle can be taken out for leisure, not work, when the need is to hurry.

Lorenzo Shines at Silverstone, MotoGP grid

A beautiful sunny day of Silver stone circuit, England, bikes brooming around for MotoGP 2012! Pumps up the adrenaline, eh? Here’s something more to it.
The British leg of MotoGP started with Ben Spies, who’s associated with Yamaha Racing, shooting straight ahead of Bautista, who runs for Honda and has very recently taken the pole position for the first time after he has been upgraded to MotoGP class in 2010. Casey Stoner, from Repsol Honda, matched pace soon after, and so did Nicky Hayden of Ducati, to join the front. All this while, Jorge Lorenzo, the current championship leader and teammates with Spies, lost one place and was left at a far off fifth in the second pack.

With the progression, front group was seen losing the speed, when Lorenzo quickly sped up to compete with the first four bikers of the front group. Here, close competition was given to him by Andrea Dovizioso of Monster Yamaha Tech3 and Repsol Honda’s second member Dani Pedrosa. For a slight mistake, Spies gave enough space to Stoner to take the lead, whereas Hayden was still trying to take on Bautista, which however did not succeed, forcing Hayden to take his place again. However, Lorenzo,  finding the right opportunity that he was waiting for, creeped on to the place real quick. Thus taking the lead among the three. To close in, Dovizioso gradually checked Hayden. Lorenzo by now had passed Bautista too, to take the third position, behinf Spies and Stoner. Lorenzo was quick to leave teammate, Spies, behind and start running with Stoner. Meanwhile, Bautista too, left behind Spies to close in with Lorenzo. When it all remained between Lorenzo and Stoner, Pedrosa started putting in efforts and finally joined Dovizioso soon, making Spies the sixth soon.

 

All this while, the most appreciable (to me personally) on this day was Cal Crutchlow, Monster Yamaha Tech3 rider, whose comeback was the more forceful than anyone else’s. Starting from the very last, he fought his way in the top ten and raced quick ahead.
 
Lorenzo and Stoner were still fighting for the numero uno position. Dovizioso soon faced a crash. With Dani Pedrosa picking up behind and stopping at number three, Lorenzo soon fought his way ahead of Stoner, thus leading. Stoner was seen struggling to keep pace with Lorenzo, Pedrosa and Bautista soon reached close to him, thus the three fought for the second position. By the end, Lorenzo secured his first place, Stoner second and Pedrosa closed in the third spot. Bautista was a close fourth place, with Spies finishing fifth. Surprising was to see Cal Crutchlow win a sixth place, even though he started a distant 20th and also had a severe leg injury. All claps go to Crutchlow.
Lorenzo was overjoyed with his third successive win, season’s fourth, proudly smiling with the no.1 spot on the podium.

The on-coming big fight: SYM Wolf T2 250 vs. Bajaj Pulsar 200NS

The monster Bajaj Pulsar 200NS has got competition. Not one, but two! Mahindra is rumored to bring Mojo soon. Mahindra Mojo is destined to be an alien. And it already is being called an extra terrestrial weapon from Mahindra two wheelers’. The latest to come from Mahindra is that it might as well bring another tough invader soon. Mahindra and its Taiwanese partner SYM, which uptil now have restricted themselves to scoots, are working hard to bang on with a new machine! No more are they to restrict themselves to Duro DZ and Rodeo RZ. As of now, they are calling their new project of a 250cc liquid cooled SYM Wolf T2 250 or SB 250 Ni. As they are progressing, a wonder creation is the only expected thing. This enthusiastic project is already making enough space in the news to be giving Pulsar 200NS and the latest Hyosung GT250R a run, if priced aptly.
Well named as Wolf, SYM Wolf T2 250 has been showered  with aggressive looks. The angry naked streetfighter somehow resembles Dazzler from Honda. It has quite a similar tank extention, and also headlights of Yamaha FZ16.

The mean machine, SYM Wolf T2 250 or SB 250Ni, gets 6 speed transmission and fuel injection. Our very own tacho and speedo and odo adorn the digital analog instrument. The front gets a 288mm petal disc while the rear is decorated with another 222mm unit. Telescopic fork at the front and a monoshock at the rear wheel will dutifully carry out the suspension. Standing pretty heavy at 173 kg, it has been awarded with power enough to glide this mass beautifully. Those gone-era alloys are a put off, but a heavy exhaust, a sexily chiseled tank, those cute LED tail lamps, step seat, colors of yellow, black and white  make it quite appealing to the eyes.

Now most of the hopes and desires rest upon the price. Since CBR250R, non ABS, is already selling Rs. 3.28 lakhs in Malaysia, the Wolf is being expected to come at 2.95 lakhs. What might now work in favor of this bike is that this co-partner, SYM is not much known in India, so XYZ amount might not work here. To make enthusiasts drool yet more will be its price, if it’s kept close to Rs. 1 lakh.
The fact remains that neither SYM nor Mahindra has made any announcement of this warrior for India. As per speculations, since all its competitions are already doing good in India, this might as well be launched here well in time.

So…is it still Pulsar 200NS for you? Or would you go for Mojo or else the WOLF? Highly awaited launches, for sure!

Hyosung GT 250R rises with the sun on 13 June 2012

The merger of DSK and Hyosung has brought in some freshness to Hyosung bikes. The highly awaited Hyosung GT 250R will be vrooming on the Indian roads now on, since it is being launched in India today, 13 June, by around 12 noon. Initially, it was supposed to be launched back in April this same year, but got delayed a bit and then a bit more and finally is getting to see the sunlight today.

As per the gathered news, Hyosung GT 250R will be India’s smallest bike, however, it’s being touted to being a good competition to Kawasaki Ninja 250R and Honda CBR 250R. The bike will be a total CKD, being assembled in Wai unit of DSK-Hyosung.

With the kind of Hyosung GT 250R features, the challenge that Hyosung throws, “Made in Korea, Ridden by the World,” will be seen coming true. Up till now the challenge has been carried by a sports bike, a streetfighter, and a cruiser. Now it will be carried on by GT 250R. The bike has been given the kind of looks that sure to turn heads. Keeping the length, width, and height the same as GT 650R, the wheelbase has been shortened a bit, by about 10 mm. To maintain a balance and its look as per the dimensions, the machine has been given those hot masculine looks. No less than a machine athlete is it! This kinda look totally complements the 650 cc looks that it has got. Not just the looks, GT 650R, being the elder, has gifted it the V-twin engine configuration. It also gets a dual-overhead-camshaft (DOHC) valve-train layout and and sequential fuel injection (SFI). It will run roaring with a power of 29 bhp and 22 Nm of maximum peak power.

To compare, it can be said that Honda CBR250R gives it a deal since CBR looks utterly elegant and decent, the looks of CBR seem to be modified to make it appeal as an sports tourer. Ninja 250R, next, stands well between sports bike and dignity … However, GT 250R is an in-your-face bike, which is clear about its concept of being a sports bike and seems well aware of the the appeal it would be creating amid the sports bike lovers. It is honest about the “ready to vroom the race” attitude.

Ninja has been ruling the segment for quite some time. It’s space has been fought for by Honda CBR, now it will be all about GT 250R. This quarter-litre bike is sure to win hearts. Not just by its looks, but also with the amount that will have to be shelled out for this new hot kid. Hyosung GT 250R price is equally comfortable on the pockets as is the bike. With such features, no one would mind shelling somewhere around 2.5 lacs, it seems pretty reasonable for this bike. Once it is out on the roads, and faces the real competition, out of our speculations and hopes for the bike, will it be seen how it performs. Not a long wait now! Keep glued in, latest to come soon!

Buddh International Circuit, India hosting world super bike championship 2013

India is surely booming way ahead and quite quick at that! The latest hub for biking sports seems to be India! The trend was flagged with the flagging off of F1 Grand Prix, next in line is World Superbike Championship coming in March 2013. Jaypee Sports International Ltd, a concern of Indian engineering and construction company, Jaypee Group and Infront Motor Sports have come to an agreement to host the WSBK 2013, the World Superbike Championship, together at the recently inaugurated (October 2011) Buddh International Circuit, Greater NOIDA, on 9 and 10 March. This agreement runs for 4 years, 2013 to 2016, and to our pleasure, the upcoming season is to be held in saddi Dilli, the hot and happening Delhi. This will be our second international motorcycle race; the first being Petronas Asia Road Racing Championship that was held at Chennai. Sameer Gaur, the CEO of JPSI says that the company feels elated to be holding such international level sports events, all of which draw huge audience. Those who crowded in and cheered for Formula 1 Indian Grand Prix at BIC in 2011 will now have another chance, this time they would cheer for international names.

As per the Chairman of Infront Motor Sports, Maurizio Flammini, it is being expected with WSBK, a lot of value can be cashed in by India and also the sport group. It would put India on an international scenario, which would give bike brands to spread in Asia and specially in India.

Paolo Flammini, the CEO, recognises India as an important upcoming biking market and says that inclusion of Indian leg of this 27 year long journey will eventually be beneficial to all those who will be attached to it, which would consequently be the most beneficial to the motorcycle manufacturers who are willing to spread, or have already spread, their wings here in India.

India will see superbikes from Ducati, Kawasaki, Honda, Suzuki, BMW, Aprilia vrooming on the tracks at this event which is regulated by the international body of all motorcycle races held, Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). The country becomes the 27th to hold a span of FIM Superbike World Championship. The event, which was initiated in 1988, will celebrate being 26 years now in India.

World Ducati Week 2012 closing in!

Know what could be better than heaven? No, death is not what you need to feel it. Life! Life is what you get here! World Ducati Week 2012. Coming again. Whoaaa! A week full of Ducati ... Now that's already giving me goosebumps.

Starting 21st June to go on till 24th June, this power packed week is sure to be d busiest one for Misano circuit in Italy. Drooling already, guys, eh? Misano just coudln't ask for more! Check the list, gals! This would make the gals go ga-ga too! Rossi, Hayden, Checa, Bayliss, Smrz, Guintoli....and many more! There will be a Drag Race between these hunks. Now the naughty gals would start thinking whom to cheer for! Well, keep thinking. Here's a bit more of information. It all is to start on 23 June, Saturday, at 18.15. Drag Race will nothing less than what MotoGP and World Superbike riders gave you. The super sharp reflexes of both these two might stand nowhere when Drag Race is considered. For the elimination round, Ducati Diavel Carbons will be used. These have been specially prepared for the purpose.

This year's World Ducati Week is being mainly sponsored by Tudor, the watchmaker from Switzerland. The hunk riders will be meeting the public at a huge bash thrown by WDW 2012 at Piazzale Roma in the evening. A crazily beautiful night full of music, entertainment and deadly passion for Ducati will be doing rounds on the eve of the bash. WDW 2012 ticket bookings have already started. Many Ducatisti, and still counting more, the world over have already got their seats there. To help visitors book their seats easily, Ducati has an event-dedicated site where all the details cab be easily found. For your convenience, www.ducati.com. Get your's now!

To go into the history of the event, 1998 saw the first WDW event. This was celebrated for those who had helped Ducati reach this stage, all those crazy fans of Ducati bikes. Coming from 1998, this year it's the 7th edition of the event. Those who participated in the last event in 2010 must be coming alive with the memories of the racers, the show, the music ... the bikes and their proud owners from around the world. Like Ducati calls it, "The Planet of Champions."

This happens not just to be an event, but a whole lively experience. unforgettable experience shared by innumerable Ducatisti and others, who all can and do talk to their bikes!

NATION’S BIGGEST R&D CENTRE TO BE OWNED BY HERO MOTOCORP

World’s leading player in the two wheeler market, Hero Motocorp, has decided to strengthen its global withhold with some dominant expansion plans. One of the major strategies adopted is to invest a whooping amount of Rs. 2500 crore to set up some new plants and to build an incorporated R&D center. The company already has 2 plants prior to this in Haryana and one in Uttarakhand. The latest one will be established in Neemrana, Rajasthan and the next in Gujrat. For a start, Rs. 400 crore will be invested in the new integrated R&D center in Kukas, Rajasthan. With an area of 250 acres and employment opportunities for 500 engineers this would become the be the largest two-wheeler R&D center in India.

 

 

 

In the words of Mr. Pawan Munjal, MD and CEO, Hero MotoCorp ,"Now that we are on the threshold of becoming a truly global company, our initial focus is on markets where the volumes are large, and products can be sold with minimum changes. So right now, our existing products with suitable modifications will be made available in these new international markets."
 

 

 With annual installed capacity of 7,50,000 units and 1000 employment breaks, the Neemrana plant will be in operation from 2014. For the fifth plant in Gujarat the company has signed a State Support Agreement (SSA) with Gujarat Government. The initial installed capacity will be 1.2 million and the same is expected to rise to 1.8 million in the next phase which will lead to direct employment to over 2000 people. This would require an investment of Rs. 1100 Crore and the plant will be in operation from the second half of 2014. In context of global growth, Hero MotoCorp is planning to start exporting to earlier unexplored nations of Central America and Nigeria. A proposal was also made to merge Hero MotoCorp investments, the investment branch of Hero Groups, into Hero Motocorp. However it is said the the merger will not affect Hero Motocorp, its shareholders and creditors.