Kawasaki India has launched the 2019 edition of the popular Ninja 1000 litre-class sports tourer at a price tag of Rs 9.99 lakh. It costs exactly the same as the outgoing version as Kawasaki will continue to sell it via the SKD (semi-knocked down) route. Sadly, the Ninja 1000 doesn’t receive any performance upgrades over the older version. Kawasaki has also retained the styling of the motorcycle. The only changes seem to be the new body graphics.

Powering the motorcycle is the same 1043cc engine which churns out 141.9PS of power at 10000rpm and 111Nm of torque at 7300rpm. Power is sent to the rear wheel via a 6-speed transmission.

Press Release -

MY2019 Ninja 1000 launched in India 

India Kawasaki Motors, one of the leading brands in premium two-wheeler segment in India, has launched MY19 Ninja 1000 in India.

The price of MY19 Ninja 1000 remains unchanged as it is available for INR 999,000 (ex-showroom Delhi). There are no technical changes in the specifications of MY19 Ninja 1000, however there are minor graphical changes. Known for its modern aggressive styling with sharp and edgy lines Ninja 1000 comes with ABS and the 3-mode Kawasaki Traction Control.

In the Pune Plant of India Kawasaki Motors, Ninja 1000 is assembled as a SKD product. Mr. Yutaka Yamashita, Managing Director of India Kawasaki Motors, said ”We are glad to inform all our stakeholders that MY19 Ninja 1000 is being launched in India on a same day when it is getting launched in other countries. We always have seen a positive response to Ninja 1000 in the India market because it offers everyday comfort and enhanced touring performance.”

Ninja 1000 has some top features like chin spoilers which are similar to those on the Ninja H2 and Ninja ZX-10R models and lower profile dual LED headlights which feature low and high beams that offer excellent brightness. Other features like Assist and slipper clutch, Kawasaki Intelligent anti-lock Brake System and ample torque for easy take-off contribute in unique power and handling of Ninja 1000. Ninja 1000 will continue to be available in two colours namely black and green. The bookings are open and customers can visit their nearest dealership to enquire about the Ninja 1000

Courtesy : Zigwheels

Datsun is reportedly planning to launch the GO and GO+ facelift in India around September 2018.

The updated GO hatchback and GO+ MPV are already on sale in Indonesia. The cars get redesigned front bumpers with black inserts and chrome highlights as well as vertical LED DRLs. The front grille has a chrome frame and comes with a new mesh design. The car gets redesigned headlights and higher variants ride on 14-inch alloy wheels. 

The interiors have also been updated with a new dual-tone dashboard and a redesigned centre console with new air-conditioning vents. The new cars get a touchscreen infotainment screen and a covered glove box. The 3-spoke steering wheel gets silver trim and the instrument cluster comes with a new tachometer. The front bench seat has been replaced with two separate seats. The two seats are now separated by the handbrake lever, which was earlier placed on the centre console.

Details about the India-spec Datsun GO and GO+ facelift are scarce. However, media reports suggest that the Indian version might get features like electric mirror adjust, power windows, rear washer and wiper, rear parking sensors, driver and passenger airbags and ABS. Both models are likely to use the same 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine which makes 67 BHP @ 5,000 rpm and 104 Nm of torque @ 4,000 rpm which is paired to a 5-speed manual transmission.

Courtesy : Team BHP

The Tata Nano-based Jayem Neo electric vehicle (EV) has been spotted in Hyderabad sporting Ola Cabs livery. The car appears to be one of the 400 units that will be incorporated into the cab aggregator's fleet. Ola may be planning to roll out these EVs in Hyderabad, initially.

As per the spy images, the Neo gets a black bonnet garnish with the Jayem logo in the centre. It has smoked headlights along with black ORVMs and door handles. The Neo is based on the latest generation Nano and comes with a tail gate. The Tata logo at the rear has also been replaced with a Jayem logo, while the Neo badge has a similar font to that of the original Nano. The tail lights have been carried over unchanged and so are the front and rear bumpers, which feature a black mesh design. The 9-spoke alloy wheels are identical to those seen on the Nano, except for the Jayem logo in the centre.

The Jayem Neo is powered by a 48V electric powertrain, which develops 23 BHP. The cars are assembled at Jayem's facility in Coimbatore. Tata Motors supplies the Nano bodyshell, while Electra EV supplies the electric powertrain. It is the same company which provides powertrains for the Tigor EV and Tiago EV.

Courtesy : Team BHP

Special edition SUV is based on the base-diesel Sport trim but gets more features and cosmetic changes; launched to celebrate 25,000 units sold.

Jeep has brought out a new special edition, limited-run model of its Compass SUV, called the Bedrock edition, at Rs 17.53 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Only available on the diesel engine, the Bedrock is based on the base Sport trim but gets more equipment and cosmetic changes inside and outside. Jeep has launched the model to celebrate 25,000 units sold of the Compass.

On the outside, the Bedrock edition is available in three paint shades - Vocal White, Minimal Grey and Exotica Red - and gets black-finished 16-inch alloy wheels, decals on the doors and black roof rails. The insides of the limited-run SUV get Bedrock-badged seat covers, new floor mats and the 5.0-inch infotainment system doubles as a reversing camera with dynamic guidance.

As it is based on the Sport trim, the model gets standard equipment such as dual-front airbags, ABS with EBD, stability and traction control, four-wheel disc brakes, power adjust and folding wing mirrors and an electric parking brake.

The American brand only offers the Compass Bedrock edition with the 173hp, 2.0-litre diesel engine, which sends power to the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission.

At this pricing, the special edition slots between the Sport (Rs 16.55 lakh) and Longitude (Rs 17.87 lakh) trims.

In India, Jeep is expected to bring the Trail Rated version of the Compass to India soon, and is also scheduled to bring in the Renegade facelift to the market in the future. The highlight of Jeep’s future plans is that it is working on a sub-4m SUV for our market.

Courtesy : Autocare

Official pictures from Suzuki show that the next-gen SUV gets more rugged styling and tweaked interiors.

Suzuki has officially released images its new Jimny ahead of a formal unveil in Japan later in the year. Spied testing multiple times and with a number of leaked images, details regarding the Jimny have been floating around for a while now.

The new images confirm what had been revealed in the leaks, including the more rugged yet still retro exterior styling and the more upmarket interiors, which seem to have been borrowed from the Swift hatchback.

The fourth-generation model is being developed with the feedback of existing Jimny owners in mind, who rank its effective off-road capabilities and robustness more highly than on-road performance.

Road handling will still be improved, but a Suzuki spokesman explained that the car's unique selling point was its hardy nature, so this will remain the focus during development. An image of the car's ladder chassis shows this, and it's also confirmed that three-link rigid axle suspension will be fitted, and part time four-wheel drive, with low range transfer gear is also used.

The car's design reflects its 4x4 status, taking influence from earlier-generation Jimnys with a simple, box-shaped body. Much of the design appears similar to that applied to the Mercedes-Benz G-class, such as the squared-off wheel arches and tail-lights located low on the bumper.

Although the Jimny’s cabin gains modern features such as touchscreen infotainment, the overall design remains clunky - likely due to a priority for function over form to enable users to operate controls and buttons with gloves on.

Suzuki has been testing the car in four countries in order to develop the car's chassis set-up and refinement for launch onto the global market. Its scale is not expected to drastically change from the outgoing car.

The brand has remained tight-lipped as to what will power the future SUV, but sources expect Suzuki’s turbocharged 1.0-litre three-pot Boosterjet engine to be offered, with the brand’s naturally aspirated 1.2-litre a potential entry-point engine. No diesel engine is expected as the brand recently confirmed it has pulled all diesel options from its current line-up.

Suzuki swapped the manual low-range gear selector in its latest Vitara for an electric rotary dial, but the new Jimny could stick with the former system to maximise its off-road adjustability.

The brand's decision to ignore the temptation to build a more mainstream model should ensure that sales remain comparatively small (versus other compact SUVs).  

Suzuki has yet to make an official statement regarding the Jimny’s India entry. If it does arrive, it will be a viable replacement for the Gypsy, which has been on sale in the country since 1985.

Courtesy : Autocare