Ultraviolette electric motorcycle details revealed

Little was known about the Bengaluru-based start-up, Ultraviolette, before it started to gain attention after receiving investment from TVS. The company is currently working on its first offering – an e-motorcycle to compete against petrol-powered counterparts in the 200-250cc segment, and it seems on track to get the bike ready for production by the end of the year. Earlier this month, we got an exclusive preview of the prototype and a few laps with it around a karting track. Click here to read our full review on the prototype. While Ultraviolette did not reveal all the details of the bike back then, it has now updated its website with a little more information.

The company is calling the motorcycle 'F77', but this is a temporary codename and the production bike will wear a different name. The F77 is being developed to rival performance motorcycles in the 200cc category – a segment currently dominated by the KTM 200 Duke. A video on the official website showcases aerial footage of a drag race between the F77 and the “fastest 250cc bike”. While the video does not reveal which bike it goes against, it is the F77 that is quicker off the line and achieved a 0-100kph time of 3.0sec – an impressive and believable number given the claimed 25kW and 450Nm (at the rear wheel) output figures.

Powering the F77 is an in-house-built battery pack that features some segment-leading cooling technology and fail-safe protocols. The company had also revealed to us that they are working on setting up a charging infrastructure in regions where the motorcycles will be sold. We now know that this will be called the Ultraviolette Energy Network.

The F77 will also feature a TFT dash with smartphone connectivity that will give you access to information like motorcycle status and previous ride data. The interactive dash will also allow you to toggle between three ride modes – Eco, Sport and Insane – and change levels of regenerative braking or turn it off completely. The Insane mode will allow increased levels of acceleration in short bursts.

Currently, Ultraviolette has plans to launch the production-ready bike by the end of the year. It will first launch the e-bike in Bengaluru, and then plans to expand to three other cities by the end of 2020. We estimate that the F77 will be priced around Rs 2-2.5 lakh on-road – a fair amount considering the performance it offers.

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Hyundai Creta crosses 5 lakh sales milestone

When the Hyundai Creta was launched in India on July 21, 2015, not even Hyundai would’ve expected its midsize SUV to become the runaway hit it turned out to be. Never before had India seen an SUV of the Creta’s size and price sell in five-digit numbers on a monthly basis, something the Hyundai SUV has done consistently since its introduction. It’s a handsome-looking, feature-rich five-seat SUV and continues to grow in popularity. It comes as no surprise, then, that Hyundai Creta sales have crossed the 5 lakh units milestone.

Of the 5 lakh units of the Creta sold till date, over 3.7 lakh examples have been sold in the domestic market, with the remaining 1.4 lakh units being sold in export markets. All in, it has taken Hyundai just a little over 43 months – or less than four years – to sell 5 lakh units of the Creta. On India’s UV sales charts, the Hyundai Creta has strengthened its hold on second place, only trailing the in-demand Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza compact SUV, which recently crossed the 4 lakh unit sales milestone.

The range of engines and gearboxes on offer with the Hyundai Creta means buyers have had plenty of options to choose from. In addition to a 1.4-litre diesel, a 1.6-litre petrol and a 1.6-litre diesel engine, the Creta can also be had with either a manual or an automatic gearbox – on both the 1.6 petrol and diesel versions. Unsurprisingly, buyer preference has been skewed in favour of diesel, with 2.56 lakh of the 3.7 lakh examples sold in India being the diesel variant.

Hyundai brought in the facelifted Creta last year, and rolled out more features for the SUV at the start of 2019, which has only added to its appeal. Today, the Creta has become a target for most carmakers in India. Action in the segment has hotted up in the last four years, and new models – think Mahindra XUV300, Nissan Kicks and Tata Harrier – are already wanting to take a bite out of the Creta’s market share. Soon enough, there will be midsize SUVs from established names such as Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, Mahindra and Ford as well as new players such as Kia Motors and MG Motor. Hyundai is readying the next-gen Creta for launch sometime in 2020.

What do you think has been the biggest reason for the Hyundai Creta’s sales success? Let us know in the comments.

Also see:

Hyundai Tucson N-Line previewed

Hyundai QXi compact SUV to get three engine options, dual-clutch automatic

Hyundai door-to-door service launched

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FIA president calls for virtual racing push

Jean Todt, president of the FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile), believes virtual racing should be boosted in more countries to offer individuals cheaper access to motor racing.

Virtual racing championships, often known as eSports series, have been steadily gaining traction around the world as a new platform to foster racing talent. More recently, some of the biggest racing series in the world have been adopting this platform – Formula 1 launched its Esports series in 2017, while Formula E conducts E-Races at every round where drivers battle against the fans on simulators.

In addition to running as an alternative racing platform, over the years, virtual racing has also proved to provide gaming and racing enthusiasts the chance to break into mainstream motorsport. F1 Esports racer Enzo Bonito recently enjoyed an impressive run at the 2019 Race of Champions, even beating 2016-17 Formula E champion Lucas di Grassi and 2012 IndyCar champion and three-time Indy 500 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay on track.

In India, the X1 Racing League recently announced the launch of its own eSports competition, with various rounds slated to be held in colleges and malls across eight cities in the country. Five winners will then get the chance to be part of a professional racing team, test drive the X1 Racing League car and receive training for professional racing from Armaan Ebrahim and Aditya Patel.

Todt, who attended the FMSCI’s (Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India’s) 2019 Annual Awards as a chief guest, has highlighted how the platform is an evolution of motorsport. “We’re talking about the evolution of motorsport and evolution of mobility,” he said.

“Because you have public transportation, you have a different way of being transported, you have a lot of people that prefer to be at home with their computer. Things are changing. I think e-gaming is very good because it is cheap access to enjoyment.

Todt also underlined how virtual racing could offer easer racing access in countries like India where the rising costs involved in participating in motorsport prove to be an obstacle. “It should be pushed in every country because it’s a new way of entertainment and I do believe in it and it’s very successful” he added.

“Some countries’ members have little [limited] financial possibilities, so for them it is good access to motor racing.”

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Jeep Compass gets extended warranty package

FCA India has introduced a new Mopar Extended Warranty Scheme for the Jeep Compass. Under the scheme, the Compass is offered with an additional two-year warranty over the standard three-year period, with the mileage limit extended from 1,00,000km to 1,50,000km.

The extended warranty pack price varies depending on the variant of the Compass. For the Compass Sport, the added warranty package is priced at Rs 25,000, while for the Longitude and Limited variants it is priced at Rs 28,000 and Rs 32,000, respectively.

FCA says that the prices are introductory and will be revised from June 1, 2019.

As per the company, the extended warranty will cover unexpected repairs including a complementary 24-hour roadside assistance, including minor road side repairs, fuel and battery assistance, electrical, mechanical and accidental breakdowns, taxi and towing facility, hotel benefits and return journey assistance, along with ease of transfer to a second owner.

In the coming months, Jeep is working on bringing a more off-road focused variant of the Compass, badged the Compass Trailhawk. This new variant will debut the diesel-automatic combination in the Compass’ India line-up.

Also see:

Jeep Compass diesel recalled for software upgrade

Up to Rs 1.2 lakh discount on 2018 Jeep Compass

2018 Jeep Compass long term review, third report

2018 Jeep Compass Trailhawk video review

2017 Jeep Compass review, road test

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Delhi Police, Maruti Suzuki launch traffic violation detection system

In a joint initiative, the Delhi Police and Maruti Suzuki India have launched the Red Light Violation Detection (RLVD) and Speed Violation Detection System (SVDS).

The completely automated system was launched by Lieutenant Governor Delhi, Anil Baijal, along with the Commissioner of Delhi Police, Amulya Patnaik; chairman, Maruti Suzuki, R C Bhargava; and managing director and CEO, Maruti Suzuki, Kenichi Ayukawa.

It aims to provide a safe driving experience to motorists, help pedestrians in crossing the road safely and improve compliance with road traffic rules, thereby reducing accidents and fatalities at junctions. The completely automated system – from violation-capturing till issuance of an e-challan – is expected to strengthen the rule enforcement with transparency, increase awareness on pedestrian safety and help in smooth traffic movement.

Launching the RLVDS and SVDS initiative, Anil Baijal said that the project displays the effective use of technology for better enforcement and creating a culture of compliance of traffic rules.

This high technology automated system is expected to instil a culture of discipline amongst motorists and promote adherence of traffic rules. The system, set up along the Ring Road, is a 14km corridor between Dhaula Kuan and Sarai Kale Khan, covers high traffic intensity junctions. The project is the first of its kind in the National Capital Region and is aligned with government’s focus to bring down accidents and fatalities in the country.

3D radars and 100 cameras to nab traffic rule violators

The new system has sophisticated 3D radars and over 100 high-resolution cameras to track the presence of vehicles and violation of traffic rules. The cameras capture multiple offences like Red Light Violation Detection (RLVD); Speed Violation Detection (SVD), Stop Line Violation and Wrong-Side Violation, along with the registration number of the violating vehicle.

The system automatically encrypts and transfers the data of violation to the centralised server at Delhi Traffic Police Headquarters in Todapur, near Naraina. The system facilitates generation of e-challans along with photo evidence and sends it to the violators through SMS/email/post. The system is also capable of data analysis and generating trend reports for monitoring system effectiveness and efficiency. The system is capable of 24x7 operations and will specially benefit road users at night.

Maruti Suzuki says it has invested about Rs 16 crore in setting up the system. From its launch, the high-tech system will be under the charge of Delhi Police while Maruti Suzuki along with its implementation partners – DIMTS and Aabmatica – will maintain it for two years.

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