Zomato Defends Using Halal Tag as People Leave 1-Star Ratings for the App

Zomato is facing criticism from some people who are asking how it is fine if some customers specifically want Halal meat.

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Revolt RV400 launch postponed again

Revolt Motor has decided to postpone the launch of its RV400 electric motorcycle, again. The company had initially decided to launch the all-electric bike on July 22, 2019. However, owing to the incessant rains and flooding in Mumbai, the launch date was pushed to August 7. Now, the launch is expected to take place by the end of August – the company says they’ll announce the new launch date, tomorrow.

Online bookings for the Revolt RV400 are still underway. Customers can book the electric motorcycle for Rs 1,000 on the Revolt Motors website and Amazon.

Revolt Motor is an independent, Indian start-up that had unveiled its first electric motorcycle, the RV400, on June 18, 2018. The RV400 has been developed over the course of two years and the company has listed Soco, a Chinese company, as one of their platform partners. It is India’s first AI-enabled, LTE-connected electric motorcycle that comes with a 4G SIM. It has an ARAI-certified range of 156km, while the top speed is limited to 85kph. 

Unlike some of the electric two-wheelers that we’ve seen so far in India, the Revolt RV400 looks a lot like any 100-125cc, petrol-powered commuter. The design is compact, thanks to the clever positioning of the battery and motor in the area where you'd normally find an internal combustion engine. The motor and battery have been imported, while the ECU and Battery Management System (BMS) has been developed in-house. 

One of the key features of the RV400 is its removable battery that can be charged using a cable and regular 15A plug that’s supplied with the motorcycle. Along with this, Revolt Motor will also have ‘Mobile Battery Swap Stations’ that can be located via the Revolt Mobile App. Besides this, the app also enables you to track the bike or start the motor. To know more about the app and the RV400’s customisable artificial exhaust sound, click here.

Also see:

Revolt RV 400 image gallery

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Lewis Hamilton Wants to Edit Himself Out of Netflix Series

Lewis Hamilton has said he will not let Netflix use film of his travails while feeling sick at last weekend's German Grand Prix to be used in their second 'Drive to Survive' Formula One series.

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Amazon Reportedly in Talks to Buy Stake in Reliance Retail

Amazon.com is in exploratory talks with Reliance Industries Ltd-owned Reliance Retail for buying up to 26 percent stake in India's biggest brick-and-mortar retailer.

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Hike Sticker Chat Gets Auto Backup Feature, Web Client

Hike Sticker Chat that was launched as a dedicated app back in April has received an Auto Backup feature for easy transferring of data from one device to another.

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Car Sales July 2019: Maruti Suzuki Registers A Decline of 35.1 Per Cent

Maruti has witnessed a steep decline in sales across segments, however, the entry-level mini segment took the biggest hit.

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Samsung Galaxy Note10+ 5G appears in final render with August 23 release date

Samsung is set to hold its Unpacked event next week in New York city where we are expecting to hear about the Samsung Galaxy Note10, Note10+, hopefully a 5G varirant, and a new Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 smartwatch. Just Wednesday, Samsung pulled the wraps off of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 with S-Pen remote, Snapdragon 855, and 8GB of RAM. Also on Wednesday, Android Headlines released a convincing render of the Galaxy Note10+ 5G, but it isn't like ones we've seen before. This one is a Verizon variant connected to 5G UWB+ and the date on the lockscreen says August 23. This is the same...

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Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 With In-Display Fingerprint Sensor, S Pen Launched

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 is official. The new Samsung tablet will be available in the US from September 6, and is priced starting at $649.

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A Tweet Could Get Elon Musk in Trouble With Regulators, Again

Once again, Tesla CEO Elon Musk could be in hot soup with US securities regulators, this time for tweeting a forecast for solar roof production.

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Which is the Best Phone Under Rs. 8,000 for Playing PUBG Mobile Lite?

PUBG Mobile Lite was recently launched in India, so we picked up some popular entry-level smartphones to find out the most affordable smartphone that can run it.

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Renault Duster facelift: Which variant to buy?

Renault took the covers off the Duster facelift on July 8, which is priced from Rs 7.99 lakh to Rs 12.50 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). In a bid to keep the SUV relevant among newer competitors, Renault gave the ageing SUV a shot in the arm by tweaking the exterior styling and updating the interior. However, with two engines, four gearboxes and four variants on offer, picking the right Duster can be confusing. Read on to find out which one should you spend your money on. 

What are the engines on offer?

The two engines powering the Duster facelift are carried forward from its predecessor. The petrol engine on offer is a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder unit that puts out 106hp and 142Nm of torque. It comes with the option of either a 5-speed manual or a 6-step CVT automatic gearbox. 

The diesel is a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged unit that comes in two states of tune. The lower-powered version puts out 85hp and 200Nm of torque and comes coupled with a 5-speed manual only. In its higher state of tune, the engine produces 110hp and 245Nm of torque while getting the option of either a 6-speed manual or AMT gearbox. Additionally, the 110hp version is also available with an all-wheel drive system.

Although the petrol is smooth, the power feels just about adequate in this car. The diesels, on the other hand, feel more effortless and are far more fuel efficient too. The 85hp version has less turbo lag and feels easier to drive than the 110hp especially in the city. However, the 110hp version offers punchier performance. 

What are the variants on offer?

The Renault Duster facelift can be had in four variants – RxE, RxS, RxS(O) and RxZ. In total, the SUV is available in nine configurations with five engine-gearbox combinations. 

 

The RxE variant’s equipment list is pretty basic with features like dual airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, projector headlamps, LED tail-lights, roof rails, power windows, manual AC and a tilt-adjustable steering. 

The mid-spec RxS is significantly better equipped as it gets equipment like a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, USB, AUX, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, four speakers, LED DRLs, turn indicators integrated into the power-adjustable wing mirrors, rear defogger, steering-mounted controls, rear centre armrest and a cooled storage compartment. 

On top of all the features that you get in the RxS, the RxS(Option) gets 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, a gearshift indicator (AWD only), ESP, hill-start assist and a creep function with the CVT gearbox.

The top-of-the-line RxZ trim additionally gets a rear parking camera, cruise control, front fog lamps, power-folding mirrors, a height adjustable driver’s seat, a front centre armrest, automatic climate control and a rear washer/wiper. The RxZ AMT version adds a creep function, ESP and hill-start assist.

Which is the variant to buy?

In terms of engines, the Renault Duster with the 110hp diesel is the one to go for. In its top-spec RxZ trim, the Duster comes across as being well-equipped, comfortable and it even gets the convenience of an AMT gearbox.  

However, its sibling from Nissan, the Kicks, feels far more modern and sophisticated than the Duster, and it has all the Renault’s strengths as it’s based on the same platform. If it’s a diesel-automatic you seek, the Mahindra XUV300 AMT is far better equipped and smoother than the Duster AMT.

So if you really want a Duster, the one to go for is the RxS (O) AWD version as it has the go-anywhere ability that none of its rivals offer. 

Although Renault should have made it available in the top-spec variant – it misses out on key features like front fog lamps, a rear wiper and washer, cruise control and a front armrest – as things stand today, there’s no other small SUV that’s as capable off-road as the Duster AWD.

Click here for Renault Duster prices, reviews, images, videos and more

Click here for Renault India models, prices, reviews, images, videos and more

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Nividia Shield TV gets Android Pie with Experience Upgrade 8.0

The Nvidia Shield TV, launched back in 2015 with Android 5.1 Lollipop, is receiving Android Pie with Software Experience Upgrade 8.0. The update is rolling out to the 2017 version of the Shield TV as well. This software upgrade brings a redesigned Settings menu and a streamlined setup for new users. It also brings Hulu Live TV to the Shield TV in addition to new apps and games. Besides, the update also enables surround sound for Netflix and 4K support for Prime Video. You can head over here to learn more about the new and upgraded apps and games, and check out the full changelog of...

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Facebook May Launch a Video Chat Device for Televisions This Year

Facebook is launching its own TV streaming service this fall and has reportedly approached Netflix, Disney, Hulu, HBO and other media companies for a new TV chat device for making video calls from...

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FCA India’s Kevin Flynn is now FCA Australia’s managing director

FCA India has announced today that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) India’s current president and managing director, Kevin Flynn has also assumed responsibility for the position of managing director of FCA Australia. For now, he will continue his responsibilities heading FCA India and his successor will be officially announced at a later date.

Flynn took charge as head of FCA India in February 2015. He has 34 years experience in the automobile industry and joined FCA India from Jaguar Land Rover, where he was managing director for the South Africa and sub-Sahara Africa markets. Flynn had joined Jaguar Land Rover in 2011.

Like other manufacturers in India, the Indian division of FCA is also feeling the heat of the slowdown. The company sold a total of 791 units in June 2019, down 46 percent year-on-year. In Q1 FY2020 (April-June 2019), the carmaker’s sales totalled 2,972 units; a decrease of 39.40 percent. FCA India currently has a 0.42 percent market share in the Indian passenger vehicle market, which is a significant downturn compared to the 0.56 percent share it had in the April-June 2018 period (4,904 units).

Click here for Jeep India models, prices, reviews, images, videos and more details

Click here for Fiat India models, prices, reviews, images, videos and more details

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Asus sells 10,000 ROG Phone II units in 73 seconds

Asus went all-in with the specs of the ROG Phone II, and it looks like a lot of people appreciate that - at least in China, where it's already logged more than 2.5 million reservations on JD.com, one of the main online stores over there. These aren't pre-orders, but you do need to reserve in order to be able to then buy a device in a flash sale. The first flash sale of the ROG Phone II happened today and the entire batch of 10,000 devices was gone in 73 seconds. Asus apologized to the people that weren't fast enough to snag one, and promised that its production line staff are working to...

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New Jeep Wrangler India launch on August 9, 2019

Jeep India is all set to launch the fourth-gen Wrangler (Codename: JL) in the Indian market on August 9, 2019. The current-gen Wrangler made its world premier at the Los Angeles Auto show back in 2017.  

The carmaker will sell the Wrangler only in the five-door body style and equipment levels are likely to be similar to the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara sold in international markets. 

The new Wrangler's styling carries Jeep's original DNA. The front looks similar to the iconic Jeep CJ5, and the beltline is now lower by about an inch. At the back, the tail-lamps are larger and so is the rear window with the spare tyre that's placed a little lower for improved visibility out.

 On the inside, the new Jeep Wrangler gets changes but still manages to look similar to the outgoing model. There is more cabin room and a lot more features, including a 7.0-inch multi-info display, an 8.4-inch infotainment screen, dual-zone climate control, rear AC vents, more storage spaces, and multiple 12V sockets and USB ports. 

Globally, the new Wrangler will be available with two petrol and two diesel engine options. They are:

●    3.6-litre V6 petrol, 285hp, 353Nm
●    2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo-petrol, 270hp, 400Nm
●    2.2-litre 4-cyl turbo-diesel, 197hp, 450Nm
●    3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel with 240hp, 570Nm

There is no news on which engine option will make it to India. Just like its predecessor, the new Wrangler is manufactured at Jeep's Toledo facility in the US and will be sold in India as a fully imported unit. The new Wrangler is expected to be priced slightly higher than the older model. 

In addition to this model, Jeep will introduce the 9-speed automatic-equipped standard Compass SUV in the coming months.

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Samsung Galaxy A80 With Rotating Camera Goes on Sale in India

Samsung Galaxy A80 is currently up for purchase via Amazon India, Flipkart, and the Samsung India website.

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iPhone 11 to support the Apple Pencil, analysts say

Apple's iPhone 11 (or iPhone XI, or whatever else the company's going to call it) is apparently going to come with a rather surprising new feature. According to analysts at Citi Research, the next iPhone will have support for the Apple Pencil. Ever since the debut of the original Apple Pencil, the stylus has only worked with iPads. So this would mark a huge shift in Apple's philosophy, if it pans out. And that's a big "if". Citi analysts usually focus on the financials of any given company and don't predict its future products' features, so there's no track record here we can look back...

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Huawei Y9 Prime 2019 Set to Launch in India Today: All You Need to Know

Huawei Y9 Prime 2019 was globally unveiled back in May, and is due to launch in India today.

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BMW M8 Convertible spied in India

Spy shots have emerged of the upcoming BMW M8 Convertible undergoing testing. The model, which is slated to launch in 2020, was spotted for the first time in India.

The spy shots reveal a few details that confirm it as the M8 Convertible and not the standard 8 Series Convertible. The test mule features a glossy black front grille, a sportier front bumper and quad-exhaust pipes, all of which are exclusive to the M8 models. 

Powering the M8 Convertible is a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine that produces 600hp and 750Nm of torque. In the Competition, the engine puts out a higher 625hp and identical torque. Both models come with an 8-speed torque converter automatic as standard; 0-100kph takes 3.3sec in the Competition, which is 0.1sec faster than the standard M8 Convertible.  

As the government now allows the import and sale of 2,500 vehicles a year without them having to be homologated in India, the model will be brought here as a CBU or a Completely Built Up unit. 

The carmaker recently launched the all-new X7 SUV and the 7 Series facelift, priced from Rs 98.90 lakh and Rs 1.22 crore (ex-showroom, India), respectively. This will be followed by the launch of the new-generation 3 Series sedan on August 21.  With no direct competitor, the M8 Convertible’s closest rival in India will be the Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe.

Also see:

BMW M8 Competition Convertible image gallery

Click here for BMW India models, prices reviews, images, videos and more

 

SOURCE: BMW India Owners Group

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Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 leak shows it in all colors

Samsung is making the Galaxy Watch Active 2 official on August 5, as teased yesterday. In the meantime, how about some newly leaked official-looking press renders of the upcoming wearable? The latest batch comes from two different sources no less. First off, let's take a look at what are said to be all the color versions of the watch - at least initially, upon launch. More options might become available in the future. So there's going to be a black/silver model, a pale blue/grey one, and a pink/gold/beige looking thing too. Next up, there's going to be a special Under Armour edition...

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Review: Aprilia Storm 125 review, test ride

India's scooter buyer has matured and multiple 125cc offerings now make the top-10 scooter sales list. Piaggio wasn't pushing anywhere near these numbers, which doesn't come as a surprise because our market is a really price sensitive one and Aprilias (let alone the Vespas), as we know, are expensive. The company, however, now has an offering – the Storm 125 – that is essentially a stripped-down version of the SR125, and not only is it India's most affordable Aprilia, but also the world's. Here's what it's like.

What does it look like?

The Storm 125 unveiled at the 2018 Auto Expo was quite different to the one you see here. That scooter featured a large windscreen, unique shuriken-shaped five-spoke wheels and a disc brake at the front. Aprilia appears to have explicitly ditched those features in favour of a more attainable price tag (more on that later). What the scooter does get though, are the matte red and yellow colour scheme and elaborate stickers all over. The colours don’t look bad, and help differentiate it from the SR models, but the graphics are a bit of a love-it-or-hate-it affair.

Another aspect the company should have reconsidered is the dated-looking wheels. These three-spoke units look like they have been taken off a TVS Scooty from 1996, and they don't merge well with the sleek and modern bodywork the Storm borrows from the SR. Thankfully, the oversized tyres make up for it in terms of visual drama and they do well to fill up the wheel arches, even though the wheels are now two inches smaller. Everything else remains unchanged from the SR125, including the analogue instrumentation, compact under-seat storage space and tall wing-like grab handle.

What's new with the engine?

Nothing, really. The 9.5hp/9.9Nm, 124cc, single-cylinder, three-valve air-cooled engine on the Storm is borrowed from the SR125. While the Storm, or even the SR125, for that matter isn’t as quick as the SR150, it feels faster than almost everything else in its segment, with the exception of the TVS Ntorq 125. A big reason why this scooter feels so quick is because the speedometer is very optimistic – 80kph comes up with ease and the speedo needle keeps climbing, even crossing 120kph, where the markings on the speedo end. Don’t fall for it though, because our Vbox reveals that the true top speed is just about at the 100kph mark. Still, that's quick for any scooter in this segment. Just like its siblings, the Storm too makes a gruff sound, but actually feels pleasantly smooth and unstressed throughout the rev range.

What is it like to ride?

One of the highlights of this scooter is the wide off-road-oriented tyres it rides on. Made by Vee rubber, they measure 120/80-12 at the front and 130/80-12 at the rear. In comparison, the SR sports 120/70-14 at both ends. However, it’s not their tread pattern or impressive width that makes a significant difference in the way the scooter rides, but the diameter. The Storm rides on 12-inch wheels and not on 14s like the SRs, and this comes with positives and negatives.

To start on a good note, the steering on the Storm feels quicker, it goes the direction you point it in instantaneously. This agile feeling is great in city traffic, but not so much at higher speeds, where the scooter feels more nervous than its 14-inch-wheel shod siblings. Moreover, bumps, expansion joints and reflectors upset the balance a lot more easily. That said, these traits are expected with smaller wheels and a direct comparison to the SRs isn’t fair, especially when the Storm is more cost efficient. And when compared to other 125s on the market, the Storm is still very stable, thanks to its long wheelbase.

Despite running on the same suspension setup as the SRs, the Storm’s front end feels a little more forgiving, thanks to the taller sidewalls, as well as the fact that this tyre feels a bit softer. That said, rough roads continue bring out a very firm and jittery feeling from the fork. The monoshock is acceptably pliant, but this one doesn’t get preload-adjustability. Thankfully, I found that the seat isn’t overly firm and crunching longer distances on it shouldn’t be a problem, although this is something that seems to split opinion.

The Storm runs 12-inch wheels while the SR range comes with 14-inch wheels.

Our main grievance is that Aprilia has opted out of offering a disc brake on the Storm and it can only be had with CBS-equipped drum brakes at both ends. The front brake works performs well for what it is, with a decent amount of bite and modulation, but there is no escaping that it has its limitations. A disc offers more confidence and consistency, especially in the wet, and it won’t need frequent adjusting. Apart from that, a disc-brake on a 125cc scooter should be a given; but here, it’s not even an option.

Should I buy one?

At Rs 65,000 (ex-showroom, India), the Storm 125 may not seem affordable, that is, until you hear the prices of the SR125 (Rs 72,000) and SR150 (Rs 82,000-92,000). When compared to its rivals though, it remains an Aprilia – in that it is priced a step above. Our segment favourite, the TVS Ntorq costs Rs 58,872 with a drum and Rs 59,995 with a disc, and that's a slippery slope for the Aprilia. So why would you buy a Storm 125? Well, it would only make sense if you are in love with the design and the brand, but can't shell out the extra silver for the SRs.

Also see:

2018 Aprilia SR125 review, test ride

Aprilia Storm 125 vs rivals: Price, specifications comparison

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Samsung Galaxy M20s to Sport a 5,830mAh Battery: Report

Samsung Galaxy M20s is said to have the battery pack with 'rated' 5,830mAh capacity, while its 'typical' value could be 6,000mAh.

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All-electric Porsche Taycan to launch in India in 2020

Porsche will launch its first full-electric model, the Taycan, at the 2019 Frankfurt motor show this September; and Indian buyers will not have to wait all that long to get their hands on one. Speaking at the launch of the Macan SUV facelift, Pavan Shetty, Director, Porsche India, announced that the Taycan will go on sale in India in 2020. The Cayenne Coupé is also due for launch in the Indian market and will go on sale by October 2019.

Porsche hasn’t released complete technical details of the all-electric sportscar but there are a few things known. The Taycan will be powered by two synchronous motors, one at each axle, effectively making it an all-wheel drive. A power output in excess of 600hp will translate into a 0-100kph time of under 3.5sec. The Taycan will be based on an 800V electrical architecture with under-floor batteries capable of giving it a range of over 500km (according to the NEDC test cycle). The sportscar will come with fast-charging capability (up to 350kW) that will enable a 100km range with just 4min of charge.

Despite the limited popularity of EVs in India, Porsche is optimistic about its upcoming flagship. In an exclusive chat with Autocar India, Shetty said, “Indian customers are quite experimental and open to new technologies. With India, we already have interest from a lot of prospects. What is really exciting for them is the fact that it (Taycan) will drive like a Porsche.”

Commenting on how the automaker plans to enable its customers overcome the country's limited charging infrastructure, Porsche’s India head added, “We have already tied up with some hotels. We are doing it across the country. We will also give two chargers with the car – typically one at home and one at the office. With a 500km range, it will be sufficient for the customer to not feel very anxious driving a Taycan.”

There’s no word on pricing but the Taycan certainly won’t come cheap. Expect pricing upward of Rs 2 crore.

Also see:

Click here for all Porsche India models, prices, reviews, images, videos and more

 

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Apple Wants to Make High-End Computers in US, Needs Tariff Relief: Cook

Cook on Tuesday said that the desire to keep Mac Pro computer production in United States was behind the company's recent request for tariff exclusions.

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nubia Z20 full specs appear on TENAA, dual display in tow

An unknown nubia device bearing model number NX627J, said to be the upcoming Z20, has appeared on TENAA with its full specs. The smartphone is powered by an octa-core processor clocked at 2.95 GHz which is likely the recently announced Snapdragon 855+ SoC. It will come in three RAM options - 6GB, 8GB, and 12GB - while storage will be 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. That said, the most interesting bit about the Z20 is that it will sport two OLED displays - one each on the front and back with a resolution of 2340x1080 pixels. The main screen on the front will measure 6.42" diagonally, while the...

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The Lion King Is (Another) Billion-Dollar Movie for Disney

The Lion King is now a billion-dollar movie, hitting that milestone less than three weeks into its global opening. In doing so, it gave Disney the fourth billion-dollar title for 2019, after Captain...

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Amazon Freedom Sale Begins August 8: Mobile, Other Top Deals Previewed

Amazon Freedom Sale will see price cuts on phones like Samsung Galaxy M40, Oppo K3, and more, and the e-commerce giant has partnered with SBI Bank to offer additional discount as well.

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Indian Rapper Sets Viewer Record YouTube Isn't Talking About

Within 24 hours of posting his video Paagal to YouTube, Indian rapper Badshah broke a record even Taylor Swift couldn't touch.

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Lexus LC500h Coming To India In 2020

The LC500h is on sale in 68 countries already and India will be the 69th to get it. 12,000 units of the LC500h have already been sold worldwide ever since its launch.

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First edition of TVS MotoSoul to be held on October 18-19

TVS’ latest venture, MotoSoul, is one meant to unite Apache owners all over the world. To be held on October 18-19, 2019 in Vagator, Goa, the event is expected to witness a footfall of 3,000. MotoSoul promises to give owners the opportunity to interact with racers, the TVS R&D team and more. Owners will also be allowed to experience a dirt track that will be set up at the event.

There are already multiple TVS Apache owners groups – both in India and overseas. However, this one will be the first official gathering, akin to Royal Enfield’s Rider Mania. TVS tells us that it has sold 3.5 million Apache bikes since 2005 and its AOG (Apache Owners Group) has been getting more and more active, all around. This event was created as a platform to unite AOG customers and make them even more involved with the brand.

MotoSoul will have stunt-riding displays, supercross performances by TVS’ professional athletes and as well as multiple engaging activities for customers to take part in. A dirt track will be set up and timed competitions will be held for AOG customers; the fastest rider being awarded at the end of each day.

Members from the Sherco TVS Rally Factory Team, as well as TVS’ local track and dirt racers, will be present at the event. MotoSoul will begin as an annual event in India, but could also make its way to overseas markets in the future.

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Apple Q3 earnings: iPhone sales down, Apple Watch on the rise, Apple Card launches next month

On Tuesday, Apple released its Q3 earnings report with a quarterly revenue of $53.8 billion, just a 1% hike over the same quarter of 2018. This has been Apple's most successful June quarter yet, as per the company. While services revenue has reached an all-time high, a significant boost of wearables revenue also factored into this quarter's success. Although overall sales have increased in the US to $25.1 billion (up from $24.5b in Q3 2018), Apple has seen revenues drop in China ($9.2b vs. $9.6b in Q3 2018) and Europe ($11.9b vs. $12.1b in Q3 2018) as a result of increased competition....

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Hero Splendor Beats Honda Activa, Becomes India's Bestselling Two-Wheeler

The Hero Splendor family of commuter motorcycles has once again overtaken the Honda Activa to become India's bestselling two-wheeler in June 2019. In third spot in the sales charts is the Hero HF...

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Redmi K20 Pro, Redmi K20 Sale Today at 12 Noon via Flipkart, Mi.com

Redmi K20 Pro and Redmi K20 will be available for purchase through the latest sale round with a starting price of Rs. 21,999.

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Samsung Profit Slumps on Chip Market, Slow Flagship Smartphone Sales

Samsung has enjoyed record profits in recent years despite a series of setbacks but is now struggling with chip prices falling as global supply increases.

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Apple Services, Wearables Offset iPhone Weakness Last Quarter

The strategy of diversifying proved especially useful in China, the world's largest smartphone market.

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Contrary To Previous Reports Tata Hexa To Continue Post BS6 Deadline

Tata Motors Chairman and Group Head- N.Chandrasekaran at the sidelines of Tata Motors AGM clarified that the Hexa holds a pivotal position in Tata's line-up and it has no plans to discontinue it....

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Samsung Galaxy A30s is coming soon with triple rear cameras

Samsung has cut a few of its lines of mid-range smartphones this year, leaving just the A and M families, but the company just can't stop launching phone after phone, which is resulting in the A series becoming more and more crowded. A Galaxy A30s is coming soon as a slightly improved version of the A30 that has only been on the market since March. Unlike that model, which has a dual rear camera system, with a 16 MP primary sensor and a 5 MP ultra-wide snapper, the A30s is said to employ triple rear cameras. Samsung Galaxy A30 Today's rumor doesn't detail what the third camera is...

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Sony's PS4 is the fastest console to reach 100 million units sold

Sony has proudly announced that it sold 3.2 million PS4 consoles in the quarter that ended on June 30. That means that, by the end of June 2019, the company has sold 100 million PS4 devices in total. The console has been out for five years and seven months before it hit the 100 million mark, being the fastest home game console to reach that milestone, according to Daniel Ahmad, Senior Analyst at Niko Partners. It's managed to outdo the PS2 and the Nintendo Wii in achieving that goal. 50 million of those 100 million units sold have been purchased in the last three years. Sales of the...

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The Galaxy Fold will reportedly launch right around the iPhone 11, September 18-20

Samsung's Galaxy Fold has been long delayed since April and last week, Samsung finally gave word of the changes that Samsung made to improve the Fold's design. In addition, Samsung confirmed that it will be releasing the Galaxy Fold sometime in September. Although we still don't have a specific date, a report from Korean outlet The Investor claims the Galaxy Fold will be released in South Korea on September 18, 19, or 20 according to Korean telecom communications with Samsung. This launch event does fall right in the middle of the span that Apple would normally have between the...

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Realme X to Go on Sale in India Today via Flipkart and Realme.com

Realme X price in India starts at Rs. 16,999, and it will go on sale at 12pm (noon) in India today.

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Redmi 7A to Go on Sale in India via Flipkart, Mi.com Today

Redmi 7A will go on sale at 12pm (noon) IST on Flipkart and Mi.com today, and both the sites have listed a host of sale offers as well.

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Android Auto updated with new launcher, auto resume, missed notifications, and assistant badges

Today, Google released a blog post outlining a bunch of new changes coming to vehicles with official Android Auto support. To start, there's a new app launcher. It is streamlined with more apps are visible at once. The most frequently used apps can be found at the top row. In addition, new Google Assistant badges will give you pertinent information on your calendar or news, for instance, without having to take your eyes off the road. Once connected to Android Auto, your device could now automatically resume whichever song or podcast was being played earlier. The app must...

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Samsung Galaxy M20s is reportedly on the way with a 5,830 mAh battery

Samsung seems to be on a quest to endlessly diversify its mid-range Galaxy A and Galaxy M series of smartphones, adding derivative models left and right. The next one in this regard might be the M20, which is reportedly soon getting an M20s sibling. The Galaxy M20s is rumored to come with a huge 5,830 mAh battery, which dwarfs even the M20's already impressive 5,000 mAh cell. The M20s' model number is allegedly SM-M207, and the gigantic battery it packs will have the product code EB-BM207ABY. If the 5,830 mAh value is the 'rated' capacity, then the 'typical' capacity could actually be as...

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Review: Renault Triber Prototype review, test drive

A sub-four-metre seven-seater built on a ‘lightly modified’ version of the Kwid’s CMF-A platform? I must confess, I wasn’t expecting much when news of the Triber first broke. It seemed like a bit of a long shot. How much better than a Datsun Go+ could it be? Four metres, after all, are four metres . . . that extra space has to come from somewhere. What was Renault going to do – give it an upright WagonR-like stance and use the vertical space cleverly? It would have to. But that would make it look like a telephone box on wheels, wouldn’t it? Questions, question, questions.

Renault has used plenty of visual tricks to make the profile exciting.

Seeing the car for the first time, as a result, comes as a huge surprise. The sweeping lines, the sophisticated SUV-like nose, the wrap-around rear windscreen; it looks super. Painted in a shade of ripe Alphonso, and sitting in the soft light on an overcast Chennai morning, the Triber is also replete with interesting surfaces. The bonnet is muscular, the rising beltline gives the car an interesting tipped-forward stance, and then what helps break up the mass of glass is the interesting kink above the rear door handle. I even like the rear a lot. The rear windscreen isn’t vertical, so it doesn’t look like a van, and those long ‘vulture beak’-like tail-lights wrap around and enhance the width of the Triber. The cladding at the bottom, along with the mesh finish, gives it a bit of an SUV look too. Renault’s designers have also cleverly hidden that unsightly bulge or step up in the roofline behind roof rails.

182mm ground clearance and plastic body cladding gives it a SUV-like persona.

Ground clearance is an impressive 182mm. This is no poorly conceived, hastily put-together bottom feeder for sure.

But how has Renault managed to get seven seats in? It all starts up front, at the nose. I flip open the tightly packed bonnet, deputy MD Costin Seydoux at my side, and peer in. “We decided early on that there would be no diesel on this platform, and that’s allowed us to make the bonnet very compact.” The designers then stretched the wheelbase to 2,636mm for maximum space on the inside and then in another inspired move, used theatre seating – each row slightly placed higher than the previous one. The higher you place a seat, the less horizontal space you need. Still, it wasn’t easy. They fought for every millimetre of space and re-did the mock-up of the interior a thousand times to get it right, according to global design head Laurens Van Den Acker, who we spoke to earlier.

What makes the Triber work even better as a seven-seater is the fact that the CMF-A+ platform is practically all-new. Substantially larger than the CMF-A that underpins the Kwid, the width of the Triber is 174cm compared to the Kwid’s 158cm, and Renault says the common parts between the platforms are so few and far between, the platform is as good as new. 

Quality is impressive and its design is attractive yet very practical.

And the fact that there is very little in common with the Kwid is clear as soon as you step into the cabin. The gear lever is similar, the power window buttons are familiar and one or two other small bits are carried over. But apart from these, the cabin is new, and frankly, built to a different level. Also, quality levels, far from being just a step up from the Kwid’s, are right up there with pricier compact SUVs. There are no soft-touch materials on the dash, but what Renault has managed to do is deliver a good mix of textures and colours. And what’s neat is that they’ve even found a new way to produce a nice, scratch-resistant matt grain at a bargain basement price. “It will now go on all of our cars,” says Lauren Van Den Acker.

Renault has also used a few well-chosen metallic highlights on the dash, and what gives it a more upmarket look is that it’s been layered beautifully, with wedge-like motifs helping one layer ‘mesh’ with the other. Also, the metallic finish that runs across the dash only ups the ambience further. Even the joints between the various surfaces have been neatly hidden out of view.

Touchscreen also gets reverse camera.

What’s interesting is that at the centre of the dash sits a big, new, 8.0-inch touchscreen, incidentally larger than the 7.0-inch unit currently offered on even the range-topping Captur. The resolution seems better than the other screen; it has Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and functionality, in general, feels slightly improved too.

Instrument panel is unique

What I also particularly like is the design of Triber’s digital instrument cluster – the pizza slice-shaped tachometer sections are not as easy to read as a dial and a needle, but they look neat. And the 3.5-inch LCD screen at the centre is clear and sharp too.

 

Airbag plus two large gloveboxes.

In line with its practical nature, Renault designers have also equipped the Triber with several stowage areas. There are two large gloveboxes to begin with – one of which is cooled. There’s another cooled compartment between the front seats, all four doors get ‘pockets’ and then there are plenty of stowage spaces in the centre console as well. Renault has also made sure all seven passengers stay cool. With two cooling coils, the second under the front passenger’s seat, the Triber’s air-con system is well up to the task. And the carmaker has paid attention to airflow as well. Apart from the four vents up front, the Triber also gets vents in the B-pillar for the second row, as well as overhead vents for the third row. Second-row passengers also get a blower control.

Also extremely grown up, well-contoured, and large and comfortable are the front seats. Finished smartly with the help of multiple fabrics – some of varying thickness – the seats are just right for long journeys. And there is plenty of legroom, headroom and elbow room as well.

Its middle row slides and reclines. Access is made easy due to the large doors.

Space is plenty in the second row too. You are sat higher up here, and again, quality of the seat is excellent. Support for your thighs and back is very good, and what adds to comfort, especially over long drives, is that you can recline the backrest. The second row also slides back and forth. The range of movement is so large, you can push the second row all the way back when there are no passengers in the third row, and really stretch out.

What’s impressive is that adults can sit in the third row in reasonable comfort.

Now, clambering into the third row of a car that’s under four metres long is not expected to be easy. But here, the second row can be flipped forward with just two fingers, and the large rear door allows you to step into the third row easily. And although the seat is a bit low and you sit with your knees slightly up; the third row is actually quite useable. There is no inertia reel or self-adjusting seat belts, as Renault says there’s no place for the mechanism, and the headroom for six-footers will be tight, but, otherwise, there’s enough space in the back for even longish stints.

With rear seats removed, boot capacity goes up to 625L.

With all three rows up, luggage space is only 84 litres. But the third-row splits, folds down and can even be removed completely, with the two individual backrests and seats coming out quite easily. Removing both rear seats expands luggage capacity to 625 litres, which is by far the largest on any car of this size.

72hp, 1L motor gets short gear ratios to lug its weight.

Under the muscular bonnet, the Triber gets the 1.0-litre engine that powers models like the Clio and Sandero (Logan hatchback) in other markets. Based on the Kwid’s engine, this 999cc, three-cylinder unit now gets variable valve timing on both intake and exhaust valves, and the improved breathing helps it make 72hp at 6,250rpm and 96Nm of torque at 3,500rpm.

The car seen here is still a prototype and engine calibration is still work in progress, but the brief drive does allow me to experience the potential of the dual-variable valve timing system at low engine speeds. While initial responses to a tap on the throttle are a bit relaxed, there’s a nice swell in power soon after, which is quite good for a 1.0-litre unit. And, when functioning perfectly, the variable valve timing system should, in theory, also be able to increase valve overlap and enable the engine to deliver more performance in the top end.

The Triber carries over many components from the Kwid’s gearbox, and, as a result, you get some of that ‘cable and pulley’ feel here too. The unit is, however, better located on the Triber, and that means gears slot in more easily. What also makes the experience a bit nicer is that the long-travel hydraulic clutch increases driver and shift comfort too.

Just like other Renaults, ride comfort is likely to be one of the Triber’s strengths.

Talking of comfort, this is an area where the Triber is likely to excel. Its tall and supple springs absorb road shocks as competently as a car twice its size, the suspension working silently on sections of the track that simulates broken Indian tarmac. And what impresses me more is that it glides over some of the larger paver blocks without too many thuds filtering in either. It does roll a fair bit on some of the tighter sections of track, so it’s unlikely to be a sporty drive, but the steering is nice and direct, well-weighted and even delivers a small amount of feedback.

Renault is expected to launch the Triber sometime in August. With prices expected to be between
Rs 5 and 7 lakh (ex-showroom), it is likely to be the only car at this price point that can genuinely seat seven in relative comfort. So, clearly, the potential is huge. We just can’t wait to test the fully sorted version of the car.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Official Renders in Red, Green Colour Variant Leaked

Alleged official renders of the Galaxy Note 10 in green and red colours have surfaced online, while the Galaxy Note 5G has been spotted on 3C and Geekbench.

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Capital One Bank Targeted in Massive Data Breach

The Capital One hacker got information including credit scores and balances plus the Social Security numbers of about 140,000 customers.

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Realme Announces Project X Software, Calls for Experienced Beta Testers

This new mysterious Project X could be the new Realme OS or even the Android Q based ColorOS software, however this is pure speculation.

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Facebook's Like Button Makes Websites Liable, Top EU Court Rules

Facebook's 'Like' button makes third-party websites responsible for processing people's data under the European Union's privacy rules, according to the EU's top court.

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Microsoft Acquires Data Privacy, Governance Service BlueTalon

Microsoft has acquired BlueTalon, a data privacy and governance service that helps enterprises set policies for how their employees can access their data, for an undisclosed sum.

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Benelli Leoncino 500 India launch in early August 2019

Benelli India is all set to launch the Leoncino 500 in early August 2019, possibly within the first week. The company has begun rolling out teasers on its social media platforms and as we reported earlier, this is the Leoncino’s road-oriented version for India.

The Benelli Leoncino 500 is a scrambler style motorcycle, powered by a 499.6cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, twin-cylinder motor that develops 47.6hp at 8,500rpm and 45Nm of torque at 5,000rpm. A tubular steel trellis frame wraps around the engine and the motorcycle is suspended by 50mm USD forks at the front and a monoshock at the rear with a remote adjuster for preload.

It gets a 320mm dual-disc setup at the front, with four piston-brake calipers and a 260mm single disc at the rear with a single-piston caliper. The standard motorcycle has a kerb weight of 207kg.

The 500cc Leoncino is available in three different variants – Standard, Trail and Sport – across International markets. In case of India, as we mentioned, Benelli is waiting to gauge the response to the standard Leoncino 500 before it decides to bring in the other variants.

In International markets, the Benelli Leoncino 500 and the Benelli TRK 502 are priced quite close to each other. However, India we expect a bigger price gap between the two models as the Leoncino will sit at the entry point of Benelli’s 500cc range in India.

Considering the competitive price of the Benelli TRK 502 (Rs 5.10 lakh) and TRK 502X (Rs 5.50 lakh) we expect the Benelli Leoncino 500's ex-showroom price to be around the Rs 4.5-4.8 lakh mark.

All prices are ex-showroom, Mumbai

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Samsung Galaxy A80 gets autofocus for selfies with new update

The Samsung Galaxy A80 announced back in April doesn't have a camera on the front and uses the 48MP rear camera for selfies and video calls. However, this main sensor locks the focus at a certain distance when used for capturing selfies. Well, to fix this issue, Samsung has released a software update which brings in the autofocus function for selfies. Additionally, the new firmware carries July 2019 security patch and comes with improvements to the stability of the camera and device security. This update, weighing around 400MB in size and bearing version number A805FXXU2ASG7, is...

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PUBG Mobile Lite Becomes Top Free Game in Google Play in India

PUBG Mobile Lite has become the top free game in the Google Play Store within three days of India launch, Tencent Games has announced.

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Xiaomi Retains Top-Spot in India for Eighth Consecutive Quarter: Canalys

Xiaomi grabbed 31 percent of share in the Indian smartphone market in the second quarter this year, claims a new report by Canalys.

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Qualcomm, Tencent Agree to Collaborate on Gaming Devices, 5G

Qualcomm and Tencent said they will cooperate on projects that could include making the latter's videogames play better on devices with the former's chips, and create a 5G version of a Tencent-backed...

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Avengers: Endgame Now Available on Google Play, iTunes, YouTube in India

Avengers: Endgame is now available for purchase on Google Play, iTunes, and YouTube in India. It costs between Rs. 100 and Rs. 850, depending on whether you choose to rent or buy, and the version -...

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WhatsApp Multi-Platform System Reportedly Confirmed to Arrive Soon

WABetaInfo has now confirmed that the multi-platform system is indeed in the works and will launch in the future

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Rose Galaxy Note10 appears in renders ahead of announcement

As we get closer to the announcement date of the Samsung Galaxy Note10 and Note10+, we are seeing more leaks of the upcoming flagship, which we are expecting to come in two different models. As leaked by WinFuture these are renders of the "Rose" color Galaxy Note10. The phone is also expected to come in white, silver, and black variants but a pink version will also be available for specific countries at launch. Galaxy Note10 rendered in Rose As per previous leaks and rumors, Samsung is also said to offer blue and green models but we've yet to see any renders that prove...

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Uber Lays Off 400 Employees From Its Global Marketing Team to Reduce Costs

Uber on Monday confirmed it is cutting 400 jobs from its marketing team of more than 1,200 workers to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

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WhatsApp Multi-Platform System to Enable Same Account on 2 Devices: Report

WhatsApp has released a new beta for iOS, and version 2.19.80.16 removes the ability to save profile pictures using 3D Touch.

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Google Pixel 4 Confirmed to Feature Face Unlock, Motion Sense Gestures

Google's Soli radar chip on the Pixel 4 will work in tandem with software algorithms to recognise hand gestures and detect when users are nearby.

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Google Confirms Paying People $5 to Scan Their Face for Pixel 4

Google paid people $5 in exchange for a facial scan to build an accurate face unlock feature for the upcoming Pixel 4.

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Lenovo patent reveals a new slider phone with round camera

As per Tiger Mobiles, Lenovo has just been granted two patents. Each one is for a different variant of a slider smartphone that reveals the front-facing camera array. Sketches of the phone were filed with the CNIPA (Chinese National Intellectual Property Administration) which reveal a new slider phone coming to Lenovo's portfolio. The Lenovo Z5 Pro launched last year as the company's low-cost offering with the slider trend that emerged in 2018 along with a high-powered Z5 Pro GT with high-end CPU and in-display scanner. The unnamed smartphone duo appears to be from the same lineup. In...

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Oppo K3 to Go on Sale Today via Amazon.in in India

Oppo K3 is all set to go on sale once again today via Amazon. The Chinese smartphone maker will be putting the phone on sale at 12pm (noon).

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Xiaomi Mi Mix 4 5G may have just been certified

Xiaomi's Mi Mix 3 5G is one of the first 5G capable devices to hit carriers in Europe left and right, and clearly its successor is already in the works. In fact, the upcoming Mi Mix 4 5G may have already been certified by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). A new Xiaomi handset, with the model number M1908F1XE, has been spotted on the MIIT website. It has 5G connectivity. While the listing doesn't call out the fact that it's the Mi Mix 4 5G in any way, Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun has previously revealed that a new 5G device is coming in the second half of the year. And...

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Honda e gets full-width digital display

As we approach the official unveil of Honda’s first all-electric vehicle – the Honda e, which will take place at the 2019 Frankfurt motor show – the carmaker has begun sharing more details about its electric hatchback. The new information confirms that the production-spec Honda e will get a full-width digital display built into the dashboard, comprising five HD digital displays.

Of the five displays, the one right in front of the driver is an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster which provides key information like power levels and charge status, selected drive mode and more. A large portion of the dashboard's real-estate is taken up by the two 12.3-inch displays in the centre of the dash, which feature a variety of applications from its customisable interface as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, as standard. The dual screens also allow two applications to run side-by-side, and offer the ability to switch content between the two screens, if desired. The infotainment system will feature Honda’s AI-based personal assistant as well, which will be able to respond to basic commands.

The last two displays are positioned at either edge of the dashboard and essentially serve as rear-view mirrors, since they display the feed from the side-view cameras. Honda will also provide an application for the electric hatchback that allows users to control functions such as climate control, security and location monitoring, battery-charge and a driving-range monitors, among others.

Mechanically, the Honda e all-electric hatchback will feature a 147hp electric motor and will also use a 35.5kWh, liquid-cooled battery that Honda claims should have a range of over 200km. Honda is also expected to offer rapid charging as part of the package, which should allow for an 80 percent charge in less than 30min, although the carmaker is yet to reveal the car's exact maximum charging capacity.

Honda has not made any announcement regarding plans to launch the Honda e EV in India; but by the end of 2019, it will go on sale in Japan and selected European markets. Honda displayed the Honda EV Sports concept at the 2018 Auto Expo, which could imply that the all-electric hatchback may be introduced in our market in the future. Closer to home, Honda has launched a new mid-spec V trim of the WR-V at a price of Rs 9.95 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Also see:

Click here for all Honda models, prices, reviews, images, videos and more

Honda e's electric powertrain revealed

GST on electric vehicles cut from 12 percent to 5 percent

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Realme 3i to Go on Sale in India via Flipkart, Realme Online Store Today

Realme 3i flash sale is set for today, and it will begin at 12pm (noon) IST on Flipkart and Realme online store.

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Review: Hyundai Venue vs Ford EcoSport vs Tata Nexon petrol AT comparison

At last count, over 45,000 buyers had put their money down for the Hyundai Venue. And of those 45,000,  36 percent opted for the petrol-automatic version. To many, it would seem a small but high-riding automatic SUV is a perfect antidote to our congested and poorly paved roads. Question is, is the Venue DCT the best petrol-automatic compact SUV you could buy? To answer just that, we’ve brought along the alternatives – the Ford EcoSport and the Tata Nexon. What adds a layer to this comparison is the fact that each of these SUVs uses a different type of transmission. Where the Venue uses a DCT or dual-clutch unit, the EcoSport features a torque-converter auto. The Nexon, on the other hand, relies on the more cost-effective solution of an AMT. We’re out to find the model that offers the most in convenience and comfort.

Townies

A quick on-paper comparison immediately establishes the Venue at the sharp end of the field. The Hyundai’s 1.0-litre, three-cylinder engine is the smallest here but thanks to turbocharging and direct injection it makes a healthy 120hp and 172Nm of torque, the latter being the highest in this comparo, if only just. The Venue’s 7-speed dual-clutch transmission also wins the Venue some bragging rights over its rival’s 6-speed setups. In mundane urban driving, the Venue is an easy SUV to like. The engine is quiet, part-throttle responses are pleasant and the gearbox does its job unobtrusively. You really won’t be party to the upshifts and downshifts the transmission deems necessary to balance performance and efficiency in town. In the everyday grind, you simply won’t have reason to complain. The light steering, good visibility and absorbent low-speed ride also contribute to make the Venue driving experience quite relaxing.

Venue feels easy-going in town but is quick when you need it to be.

You’ll have to make your peace with a few idiosyncrasies in the EcoSport. For one, the thick A-pillar obstructs visibility and ever so often you’ll have to peer sideways to get a good look out. Then there’s the gearbox, itself. The 6-speed torque converter auto is nice and obedient when in the flow of things, but in on-off accelerator inputs in town, it’s not the smoothest and tends to lurch between gears. Learn to be gentle with the throttle and you’ll get the best out of the Ford gearbox. Of the other things, the Ford’s steering is easy to twirl in town and the suspension is pliant enough, even if there is quite a bit of movement on large potholes and the like. It’s important to mention that we used a new EcoSport automatic with 16-inch rims to judge ride and handling. The model used for photography rides on 17-inch rims that have been discontinued following customer complaints of tyre damage.

On winding roads, you’ll enjoy yourself most in the Ecosport.

The Nexon is on the back foot in this comparison. Its AMT simply isn’t as sophisticated as the setups on the other SUVs and you can tell as much on the move. In smooth-moving traffic, you’ll often get an upshift when you don’t expect one and the subsequent pause in power can be irritating. There isn’t all that much shift shock but gear changes aren’t what you’d call slick. Tata’s 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine’s hesitant low-speed power delivery is another sore point in town and you will have to shuffle through the drive modes to get the most from the engine. You will also find yourself pushed to switch the gear lever to manual mode, every now and then – particularly on long inclines where the gearbox fumbles between ratios. If not engine and gearbox, the Nexon has some other strengths. A light steering adds a dose of convenience, and on bad sections of road, you’ll feel the most secure in the Nexon. There is a firmness to the ride but the sensation is of being in a fairly rugged SUV. Wish visibility, especially out the rear windscreen, was better though.

The Nexon feels tough and hardy, and that’s a big plus in India.

My way or the highway

It’s outside of city limits that we get a more holistic view of performance and comfort. And the big surprise is the Venue. It might not feel it but it’s the quickest through the gears and in outright acceleration too, with a 0-100kph time of 11.90sec versus the EcoSport’s 13.22sec and Nexon’s 15.18sec timings. Pressing down on the accelerator results in a momentary pause for downshifts that’s followed by a strong turbo-aided tug as the engine pulls cleanly past 6,000rpm. Sport mode speeds up responses and manual mode (operated via the gear lever) is great fun too, though the electronics won’t grant a high-rpm downshift. What marks the Venue down from being an all-out fun SUV is the steering that doesn’t give a great sense of connect and the ride that feels floaty at triple-digit speeds.

Keen drivers will find the EcoSport to be the best fit. Sure, the switch to smaller 16-inch rims robs the steering of some accuracy but the electrically assisted unit is still really fluid and there’s a reassuring confidence at high speeds. What’s more, the 123hp, 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine feels nice and zesty when pushed, with the throaty exhaust note only adding to the experience. Sport mode, which is not suited to stop-start town traffic, becomes your ally on the open road and does well to keep the engine on the boil. Paddleshifters are a welcome inclusion on the Ford,even if the shifts aren’t as quick as you’d get on the Venue.

 

The Nexon has impressed us with its dynamics in the past, and it’s much the same story now too. The Tata feels surefooted at speed and, believe it or not, it’s also more pointy than the Ford in the corners. The 110hp/170Nm engine also feels its best in faster environs and, unexpectedly, we also noted the Tata’s gearbox is the quickest to drop a gear on pressing down hard on the throttle. Sadly, we were also reacquainted with the AMT’s weaknesses soon enough. Upshifts are particularly slow and are part of the reason why there’s such a large gap between the Nexon and Venue’s performance timings. Studying the 40-100kph times revealed the Nexon to be the quickest in the 40-60kph and 60-80kph intervals. However, the slow upshift around 85kph lost it its entire lead.

Outside and in

You’ve seen and read about these SUVs before so we’ll just go over the salient points of their exteriors and interiors. The Hyundai Venue is smartly turned-out and even traditionalists won’t take long to get used to the split-headlamp setup. However, the Venue does lack a bit in ‘SUV-ness’ and doesn’t quite have the presence of the other two. On the inside too, the first impression is of being in a fairly compact car; front-seat occupants sit closest in the Hyundai. Once settled in place, though, you won’t complain about space and comfort up front. The neatly laid-out dash, the nice-to-hold steering and even the smartly textured plastics make it a very likeable cabin.

Venue’s dashboard is neatly laid out and all controls fall easily to hand.

You’ll like the Ford EcoSport’s interior too, if for other reasons. The reassuring thunk on door shut quickly establishes the Ford as the best-built SUV of the trio, while the fairly sporty bolstering on the front seats also sets it apart. The new dashboard, which puts the focus on the tablet-like touchscreen, has also done wonders to make the interior look contemporary. There are a fair few well-finished bits in the Ford but, as before, the larger plastic surfaces simply aren’t premium, and that’s a shame. Outside, the EcoSport’s high-set bonnet and oversized grille make it look larger than it is, and it’s the only one with a tailgate-mounted spare wheel that is an essential SUV ingredient to some.

New dash, part of 2017 update, successfully disguises EcoSport’s 6-year-old vintage.

For sheer show value, the EcoSport and Venue just can’t hold a candle to the Nexon. Even two years on, the Tata looks like it’s straight off a motor show floor and just stands out for its design.The Tata’s other trump card is space. It’s the roomiest inside and gives drivers the impression of being in a fairly substantial SUV. The Tata is also well-styled on the inside with elements like the gloss-metal-look bar on the dash adding a degree of robustness to the look. The execution, however, is not perfect and there are some inconsistencies in panel fit.

Like exterior, Nexon’s interior is well-styled. Faux-metal details give robust look.

The Tata does walk away with the prize for best back seat. It’s the roomiest in terms of legroom and shoulder room, and the rear seat is the comfiest as well. The Venue and EcoSport simply don’t feel as spacious. Both SUVs offer average legroom and their rear seats are best for two occupants rather than three. The Venue also loses points for the absence of a rear-centre armrest.

Venue rear seat best suited to two, so absence of armrest is an irritant.

Feature of habit

We’ve considered the top-spec versions of the three SUVs and each of them gets keyless entry, push-button start, auto climate control, hill-start assist, rear parking cameras and touchscreen infotainment systems. Still, there are differences in the broader feature set. The Venue is the only one with a sunroof and wireless charging and also the only one with embedded SIM-based connected tech. While some of the connected features like remote ignition and climate control are cool, we frankly never made use of them. The 8.0-inch touchscreen works well nough, though. What’s an irritant is the omission of a rear wiper on the Venue automatic.

Hyundai's connected tech adds handy features.

Leather seats, an auto-dimming mirror, auto wipers and six airbags are features exclusive to the EcoSport. The Ford does miss out on a rear air-con vent but the bigger disappointment is that Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are no longer part of the feature list. For what it’s worth, Ford has drafted in a larger 9.0-inch touchscreen in place of the 8.0-inch unit pictured here.

Paddleshifters are exclusive to the Ford.

The Nexon’s 6.5-inch screen is the smallest in the contest and isn’t the smoothest either but does
support Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. You don’t get all that much above the modern-day comfort essentials in the Nexon – although its lowest asking price does justify things. Also, the Tata has exclusive bragging rights to being the only Global NCAP-rated 5-star car in India.

 

Automatic choice

The Tata Nexon makes for a good compact SUV, just not a great automatic one. As you’d have guessed, the AMT is to blame. Sure, the AMT does make life easier in town and at Rs 10.05 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the Nexon AMT is good value too, but fact is there are better automatics for the same money.

Ford’s latest round of variant revisions has left only one version of the EcoSport automatic on sale, and at Rs 11.2 lakh, it certainly isn’t cheap. As ever, the EcoSport comes across as the choice for buyers who like to drive. It’s nice to steer and the engine-gearbox combo is characterful too. Unfortunately, the Ford gearbox isn’t the smoothest in town and the average economy (it’s got an ARAI figure of 14.8kpl vs the Venue’s 18.15kpl and Nexon’s 17kpl) works against it too.

The Venue isn’t perfect. For one, while it’s quick, it’s not engaging to drive in the way the EcoSport is. Rear-seat space is also down on the Nexon. But for a self-drive buyer primarily looking at convenience, the Venue offers the most. It’s the easiest to drive, it’s refined and the long list of features wins it crucial points. No doubt, at Rs 11.1 lakh, the Venue is on the pricier side, but your money goes a long way in a compact SUV that comes across as the most natural fit for our conditions.

from Autocar India - Cars https://ift.tt/2Yd0QjN