Hero to add new scooters to their Maestro and Pleasure lineup. Zir to come next year.

Budget-conscious scooter buyers have many options to choose from – you have the prominent Japanese players and our home-grown Hero MotoCorp and TVS Motors. And now, Hero wants to up the ante with its latest addition, the Maestro Edge. 

Based on the Dash concept shown at the 2014 Auto Expo, the production version looks exactly like the concept with a new badge.

Like the Maestro, the Edge will be Hero’s bread-and-butter model, so don’t expect a 125cc engine here. It will borrow the same 110cc motor from the Maestro to keep costs in check. The specs, too, will mirror that of the current scooter, and that means 8.1bhp, and 9.1Nm of pulling power. The Hero Maestro Edge will be in showrooms by October.

But, where exactly does the Edge slot in Hero’s line-up? Well, the Edge will be to Hero what, say, the Jupiter and the Wego are to TVS. Hero won’t just stop at the Edge. There’s also the upcoming Hero Duet, a unisex scooter aimed at young students. It, too, will run the same 110cc motor from the Maestro, and will be compete against the TVS Scooty Zest 110 and the Honda Activa i. With the Maestro Edge and the Duet, Hero will offer its customers more options to choose from, the way it does with its motorcycle line-up. The more the merrier, you see.

Hero is also working on the premium Zir, India’s first maxi-scooter. It will be the-range topper in Hero’s scooter line-up and should set you back by about Rs 90,000 (approximately). For that price, you get a single-cylinder, 157cc motor that makes 14bhp and 12.7Nm of torque. The Zir is expected to be unveiled at the 2016 Auto Expo.

So, where does that leave Bajaj, the only manufacturer that doesn’t have a model in the booming scooter market? Will Bajaj be forced to get going on that front? We think that should happen. Watch this space.

Courtesy : BBC Top Gear.

Part of Honda's global recall, the CBR motorcycles will be checked for a faulty starter relay.

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India has announced a recall for its CBR 150R and CBR 250R to check for a possible fault with the starter relay. The announcement is part of a global recall issued by Honda Motor Company as the starter relay is shared with the international models as well.

The recall is a precautionary step to check for and replace defective starter relay switches due to incorrect application of the sealant. According to Honda, the defective switch may lead to a sudden loss of electrical power at any time, and worst-case scenario it could cause a fire in the part.

Honda will be checking all CBR 150R and 250R motorcycles manufactured between June 2014 and June 2015 for this defect and, if found, will rectify it free of cost irrespective of warranty, at the company's service centres.

Courtesy : Autocar

The Lexus SUV gets revised styling, added features and a new eight-speed automatic gearbox.

Lexus has revealed the facelifted LX570 at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The refreshed SUV gets tweaks inside and out, added features and a new eight-speed automatic gearbox.

The revisions to the styling include a new single-piece spindle grille with chrome surround, revised front and rear bumpers, LED headlamps, reshaped LED fog lamps, new alloy wheels and new tail-lamps.

On the inside, the infotainment system has been upgraded to a 12.3-inch display. The instrument cluster now uses a larger 4.2-inch display and gets a panoramic view camera as standard. The facelifted LX570 also gets the addition of Drive Mode Select and the option of a heads-up display, LED ambient lighting, a wireless charger and a 11.6-inch display for the rear-seat entertainment system. Also offered as option now are heated and ventilated rear seats.

Mechanically, the 5.7-litre V8 is now mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox in place of the older six-speed automatic unit. The engine develops 384bhp and 55.68kgm of torque.

Courtesy : Autocar

Called Toyota Parts Connect, the facility allows customers to source genuine spare parts and accessories over the internet.

Toyota has announced the launch of its online portal called Toyota Parts Connect that aims to facilitate the distribution of genuine spare parts and accessories for all Toyota models. The facility is currently functional only in Bengaluru, but will expand its reach to other cities in the future.

Currently through Toyota Parts Connect, customers will get access to around 400 genuine spare parts such as brake pads, wiper blades, oil filters, etc along with a choice of around 30 accessories. The list is expected to grow to encompass more spare parts and accessories in the future. Customers will be able to source spare parts online and have them delivered to their nearest Toyota service centre. Certain spares will be offered with instruction manuals as well.

Commenting on the announcement, Shekar Viswanathan, Vice Chairman and Director said, “We are very keen to spearhead this unique initiative of launching the digital platform for our customers, which is the first of its kind in the industry. This additional distribution channel reinforces our commitment towards being the leader in customer satisfaction and safety therefore enhancing our customer delight. In the first phase, customers across Bengaluru will now be able to shop for all their Toyota car and care needs with ease and convenience of the digital platform.  We will be expanding this to the other cities in due course.”

Customers can access these services at www.toyotapartsconnect.in. With this launch, the manufacturer intends to improve the current level of customer service as well as ensure easy access to genuine spare parts and accessories.

Courtesy : Autocar