About Sameer Contractor
Sameer ContractorConnect with this authorWith an unquenchable thirst for everything automotive, Sameer has always been the go to auto guy that his friends needed. So, it isnt exactly surprising that he chooses to do what he does. A Batman fanatic, Sameers wants to go roof-scaping on the Tumbler, while the Bat motorcycle is certainly on the cards and he plans to build one himself. An avid foodie, he has a road trip in order that will be taking him across the world in search for the best roads and the best cuisines. While his stress buster involves taking aimless motorcycle rides, do not get offended by his sarcasm.
Articles of Sameer Contractor
This Mumbai Three-Wheeler With A Washbasin, Sanitiser, Wi-Fi & More Leaves Anand Mahindra Impressed
While movies tend to show a dystopian world set in the future that will require cars built like tanks, the Coronavirus pandemic has put the world in a similar position, which has required people to make some handy vehicle modifications of their own. While these aren't tanks, they do come with utility upgrades to fight the COVID-19 crisis. Sharing an innovative example of the same recently was Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group, who tweeted a video of a three-wheeler in Mumbai that has received such modifications in order to provide a 'swachh' or clean experience to its passengers. It is called 'Mumbai's First Home System Auto'
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Toyota Corolla Cross Revealed For ASEAN Markets
The crossover segment is huge globally and we've seen more and more automakers introduce products in this space to capitalise on the trend. While Toyota is known for its expansive range of SUVs and crossovers already on sale, the company has now introduced the new Corolla Cross for the ASEAN markets. The Toyota Corolla Cross, as the name suggests, shares its underpinning with the new-generation Corolla and is based on the Toyota New Global Architecture C (TNGA-C) platform. The new offering competes in the compact SUV segment and is positioned between the C-HR and the RAV4 SUVs in the company's line-up.
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Honda Civic Diesel BS6 Launched In India; Prices Start At Rs. 20.75 Lakh
Honda Cars India has launched the BS6 compliant version of the Civic diesel in the country. The updated Honda Civic Diesel BS6 is priced from Rs. 20.75 lakh for the VX trim, going up to Rs. 22.35 lakh (all prices, ex-showroom Delhi) for the range-topping ZX trim. Compared to the BS4 models, the VX trim has seen a price hike of Rs. 25,000 while the ZX gets a hike of just Rs. 5000. The diesel variants of the sedan were pulled off the market in April this year with the transition to BS6 norms but the engine has now been upgraded to meet the new regulations and will be sold alongside the petrol model.
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Benelli Imperiale 400 BS6 Launched In India; Priced At Rs. 1.99 Lakh
Bookings are now open for the Benelli Imperiale 400 BS6 at a token amount of Rs. 6,000, while the updated motorcycle now costs Rs. 20,000 more than the BS4 version.
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F1: Fernando Alonso To Return To Formula 1 With Renault In 2021
Twenty-months after announcing his retirement from the sport, iconic driver Fernando Alonso has confirmed his return to Formula 1 in 2021. The iconic F1 driver has inked a deal with Renault and will be joining Esteban Ocon in the paddock. This will be the Spaniard's third separate stint with Renault having raced with the team between 2003-2006, which is also when he won two world titles, followed by a stint in 2008-2009. The Two-time world champion makes a return after having raced in other forms of motorsport challenges including the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the Dakar in the past year.
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Royal Enfield Expands Presence In South East Asia; Launches Operations In Cambodia
Royal Enfield has expanded its international presence with the brand's recent entry in the Cambodian market in South East Asia. The Chennai-based bike maker has appointed TF Motors as its official distributor and inaugurated its first flagship store in June this year located in the country's capital - Phnom Penh. Royal Enfield's new store is fully operational and the company is retailing the Bullet 500, Classic range, Interceptor 650 and the Continental GT 650 in the market. Prices for the motorcycle range start at $5099 (around Rs. 3.82 lakh) for the Bullet 500, going up to $6431 (around Rs. 4.82 lakh) for the range-topping variant of the Continental GT.
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2020 Vespa VXL & SXL 125 & 150 Facelifts Revealed; Pre-Bookings Begin Online
Piaggio India has revealed the 2020 Vespa VXL and SXL 125 and 150 facelifted versions for the country. The updated scooters now come with new BS6 compliant engines, cosmetic upgrades and new features on offer. The manufacturer has begun accepting pre-bookings for the Vespa range online with a token amount of Rs. 1000 and the process can be completed on the company's website, as a part of the brand's contactless purchase experience. The website is also offering benefits up to Rs. 2000 on the purchase of the MY2020 scooters. Prices for the scooters are yet to be announced.
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Coronavirus: Tata Group Donates 20 Tata Winger Ambulances And 100 Ventilators To BMC Mumbai
The Tata Group has handed over 20 Tata Winger ambulances and 100 ventilators to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic. The donation was announced by Aaditya Thackeray, Maharashtra State Minister of Tourism and Environment in a series of tweets, and is part of the Indian conglomerate's efforts towards helping the frontline workers during the COVID-19 crisis. The vehicles were handed over in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Tata Sons Board Member N Chandrasekaran. Furthermore, Aaditya Thackeray revealed that the Tata Group has also donated Rs. 10 crore to the BMC for the Plasma trials in Mumbai.
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Xiaomi Introduces Suzuki Jimny 1:16 RC Scale Model In China
The Xiaomi Suzuki Jimny RC scale model can be controlled using a smartphone via Bluetooth and has been priced at 199 Yuan (around Rs. 2,100) in China.
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New-Gen Range Rover Evoque And Land Rover Discovery Sport BS6 Petrol Deliveries Begin In India
Jaguar Land Rover has announced the commencement of deliveries for the BS6 compliant versions of the new-generation Range Rover Evoque and the new Land Rover Discovery Sport in India. Both SUVs were introduced in the country earlier this year but only with the diesel option, the petrol version now goes on sale. The Range Rover Evoque BS6 petrol is priced from Rs. 57.99 lakh, while the new Discovery Sport petrol starts from Re. 59.99 lakh (all prices, ex-showroom India). The new Land Rover SUVs are available in highly feature-rich 'S' and sportier 'R-Dynamic SE' derivatives.
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2020 WRC Season To Be Resumed In September With Rally Of Estonia
The World Rally Championship (WRC) is the latest premier-class motorsport event to announce its return this year to complete the remainder of the season. The 48th season of the FIA WRC will see at least eight more rallies happening this year, with the dates for the Belgian and Croatian rally still to be confirmed. The rallies are scheduled to kick-start from September 4-6. The 2020 WRC season had come to an indefinite halt due to the pandemic after completing just three rounds held in Monte Carlo, Sweden and Mexico.
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2021 MG ZS Facelift Goes On Sale In The UK
The MG ZS compact SUV has received a mid-cycle refresh in the UK. The automaker rolled out cosmetic upgrades and feature additions on the 2021 MG ZS petrol SUV that brings a sharper look to the model with a plush new cabin. Interestingly, the ZS facelift was first showcased at the 2020 Auto Expo sporting the minor tweaks while the UK launch marks the international debut of the car. The 2021 MG ZS petrol is priced from 15,495 Pounds (around Rs. 14.45 lakh), going up to 17,795 Pounds (around Rs. 16.60 lakh), and is offered in two trim - Excite and Exclusive.
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F1: Bottas Beats Hamilton For Pole Position At Formula 1's Inauguration Race In Austria
The first race weekend of 2020 kicked-off with Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas beating teammate Lewis Hamilton to take the first pole of the season. The 2020 F1 season has begun with the Austria Grand Prix after a near-four month delay and behind closed doors. With no spectators and limited personnel at the paddock, F1 is all set to go racing again. Bottas took the pole position with a time of 1m02.939s on the first run in Q3, breaking the Red Bull Ring's track record. This, despite spinning in the final tours and sliding into the gravel at Turn 4. Hamilton couldn't break his teammate record but managed to finish extremely and will be starting in the front row tomorrow with a time of 1m02.951s.
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2020 Indian Motorsport Season Won't Be Cancelled: FMSCI
The Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) has announced that the 2020 Indian motorsport season will not be cancelled amidst the Coronavirus pandemic. The motorsport governing body issued a statement after a recent report quoted FMSCI President J Prithviraj saying that the domestic motorsport season could be called off this year due to the COVID-19 crisis. The report further stated that the next season could begin as early as January 2021. However, FMSCI has now confirmed that it does not share the stance on the matter.
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Ather Energy Partners With CredR To Introduce Two-Wheeler Exchange Program
Weeks after announcing its two-wheeler exchange program for purchasing its electric scooters, Ather Energy has announced its partnership with CredR to facilitate the option. As a part of this association, CredR will offer instant price quotes for old petrol two-wheelers, which can be used to settle the upfront cost for a new Ather scooter. The electric two-wheeler maker says the partnership allows owners to quickly and easily trade their old ICE-powered two-wheelers with an Ather offering, receiving their new vehicle within days.
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2020 BMW G 310 R And G 310 GS Spotted Testing In India For The First Time
BMW Motorrad India has commenced testing the 2020 BMW G 310 R and the G 310 GS motorcycles in India with comprehensive upgrades. The motorcycles were spotted testing in Europe earlier this year sporting cosmetic changes and feature additions, but the big change for India will be the revised powertrain upgraded to meet the BS6 emission norms. Globally too, this will be the first comprehensive update to BMW's smallest offerings that were first unveiled in 2015. The recent test mules spied in India provide a closer look at the changes we can come to expect on the upcoming motorcycles.
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Hyundai Venue 1.0 Turbo To Get New iMT Gearbox; Launch This Month
Hyundai Motor India has announced that the Venue will get its all-new Intelligent Manual Transmission or iMT gearbox later this month on the T-GDI version. This is the 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol version of the Venue gets the new transmission option that offers hasslefree gear shifts. The new iMT option is not your run-of-the-mill automatic though. While it gives you the convenience of a clutch-free drive, the driver can still use the gear lever to change gears, thus retaining the fun of a manual car. The technology was first announced on the Kia Sonet at the 2020 Auto Expo, but sister-brand Hyundai has beat the automaker with the Venue.
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2020 Honda WR-V Facelift Launched In India; Prices Start At Rs. 8.50 Lakh
The 2020 Honda WR-V facelift has been launched in India with prices starting at Rs. 8.50 lakh, going up to Rs. 10.99 lakh (all prices, ex-showroom Delhi). The updated version of the crossover was initially slated for launch in April this year but the Coronavirus pandemic delayed the proceedings. Nevertheless, the BS6 compliant version of the WR-V is here and comes with refreshed styling, new features and updated petrol and diesel engines under the bonnet. The new WR-V facelift will be offered in only two variants - SV and VX - on both engines, which means more feature-packed options for the customer.
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Two-Wheeler Sales June 2020: Honda 2Wheelers Sees 55 Per Cent YoY Decline; Retail Sales See Double-D
Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) has announced its total sales (domestic+export) for June 2020 with 210,879 units despatched. The company witnessed a year-on-year decline of 55 per cent, as compared to 476,364 units sold in June 2019. However, the manufacturer managed to see a sharp increase in month-on-month sales when compared to the 54,820 units that were despatched in May 2020. With over 95 per cent of Honda's network resuming operations since the first week of June, the company's retail sales have crossed the three lakh mark, a growth of 156 per cent, when compared to the 1.15 lakh units, sold that were in May this year.
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Two-Wheeler Sales June 2020: TVS Motor Posts 33 Per Cent Decline; Volumes Grow Three-Fold Compared T
TVS Motor Company total sales (domestic+exports) stood at 198,387 units for June 2020. The manufacturer reported a decline of 33.22 per cent last month, as compared to 297,102 units that were sold during the same period in 2019. While year-on-year sales have been low, the company did witness a three-fold increase in despatches in June, as compared to nearly 59,000 units that were rolled out of its facilities in May this year. With the lockdown being relaxed in a phased manner, the manufacturer has seen an uptick in both domestic retail as well as exports, TVS said in a statement. The Apache maker also said that it faced supply chain constraints in June, but the company undertook several countermeasures and expects to overcome these problems this month.
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