We thought the KTM RC390 Cup racer was darn good looking and knew that the production version of the RC390 would be phenomenal too, but we weren’t expecting it to be so ‘retina searing good looking’. The belly pan has been beautifully sculpted even around the underbelly exhaust!

The 44hp engine weighs just 147kg resulting in a power to weight ratio of just 0.2kW/kg. KTM says this puts the RC390 right at the limit of the new A2 driver´s license making it the most sporty of the lot.

Metzeler tyres from the Duke 390 stay, as does the standard disengageable ABS.

There does not seem to be much information on the headlight setup. Take a look at the stunning pillion seat. Integrating smoothly into the design lines, KTM says the pillion seat is also comfortable.

Source: VisorDown, Asphalt & Rubber

The KTM Racing liveried RC390 that was leaked more recently looks stunning too. Opinion on the Akrapovic exhaust is ciurrently divided and I’m sure the debate will be settled once people hear the 390 growl.

Specifications

Erik Buell, you poor (pun intended) bloke! After having bought a substantial stake in EBR in 2011, and sponsoring the EBR AMA racing team, Hero takes the much dreaded step of using EBR’s network to distribute Hero Motorcycles.

Don’t get me wrong. I do believe Hero products are reliable, trustworthy and can last longer than you and your grandchildren. Ask my editor who owned a CD100 that still lives albeit with a different owner.

But to try and sell 100cc, 150cc and 223cc motorcycles in probably one of the most materialistic nations on earth where lawnmowers are powered by 250cc mills? That isn’t even my argument by the way, that comes courtesy of a conversation with a fellow enthusiast in a Yahoo! chatroom years ago.

Although, Hero might see success with the Pleasure. A cheap to run, highly reliable, actually comfortable scooter might work well with University students.

Oh, on the brighter side, Hero might understand how ridiculous it is to call a motorcycle ‘Hunk’.

Hero at the AIMExpo 2013

After the initial unveiling of the Datsun brand and its first product this generation – the ‘Go’ – the sub 4 Lakh warrior from the Renault-Nissan alliance has been spotted testing in Chennai.

Essentially a restyled,rebranded and detuned version of the previous generation Nissan Micra, the Go is expected to contribute to Nissan’s sales in India. By 2016 Nissan hopes that half of its sales will come from India.

The Go does not skimp on power windows or USB/Phone connectivity in its standard stereo and the engine is the same 1.2L three cylinder engine.

Of course, the Datsun Go is also based on the Renault-Nissan ‘V’ Platform.

Source: IAB

Remember the rumoured Bajaj Pulsar 375? Well, turns out it is a little too early for that baby. The fully faired new motorcycle spotted over the last few months is now, according to ACI, based on the Pulsar 200NS engine but in new clothes.

Considering how easy it must be to simply clad the 200NS in new clothes and sell it to our ‘race-bike’ crazy Indian consumer, we doubt Bajaj would have invested in additional changes to the engine. Autocar says the engine will be ‘retuned’ and still deliver similar figures of of 23.5 hp and maximum torque of 18.3 Nm.

We expect the headlamps will be projection lamp setup considering Bajaj already has the know-how. As with all the Pulsars, expect this baby to shake the motorcycle market across the entire spectrum ranging from 150cc to 250cc segments.

Source : ACI

General Motors India has launched the All New Chevrolet Cruze, with tweaked exterior styling, and some new features on the inside.

The Cruze now has a dual-port front grille with the gold bow-tie Chevy logo, new front and rear Bumpers, new alloys wheels, new fog lamps with generous usage of chrome all around.

The new Cruze comes with a six-way power adjustable driver’s seat, a dead pedal, Bluetooth music streaming with premium speakers. The cabin has a classy ice-blue lighting, and the interiors are finished in jet black leather. The centre console features a graphic infotainment display, radio and HVAC controls. The three spoke steering has a thicker rim design for better maneuverability. Other features include push button start, Steering wheel-mounted cruise control, rain-sensing wipers and an auto-dimming inside rear view mirror.

On the safety front, the new Cruze has dual front airbags and two side airbags, reinforced pillars with tubular bars and front and rear crumple zones to absorb the impact energy in a collision, anti-lock braking system(ABS) and a system called Passive Entry Passive Start(PEPS) which automatically controls the central locking system, anti-theft alarm and ignition. The hood is designed to protect pedestrians in-case of an impact and also has a child seat provision.

The powertrain remains the same. It has a 2.0 Litre VCDi engine, with a variable geometry turbo-charged common rail diesel ignition (CRDI) system making a best-in-class power of 166 PS, 380 Nm of torque, which is mated to a 6 speed manual or a six speed automatic gearbox with seamless gear changes which provide superior acceleration and instant torque delivery which makes overtaking seem effortless. The Cruze has a gas-charged McPherson strut type front suspension, U-shaped rear suspension with torsion beams and gas-charged shock absorber which translates into a smooth and comfortable ride, a hydraulic power rack-and-pinion power steering and disc brakes on all four corners.

Prices for the all new Chevrolet Cruze:

Chevrolet Cruze LT (MT) – 13,75,580/-
Chevrolet Cruze LTZ (MT) – 15,25,573/-
Chevrolet Cruze LTZ (AT) – 16,15,933/-

Here she is! The M235i in all its leaked glory. These images were captured at a dealer event.

Colors available for the M235i include Alpine White, Black Sapphire Metallic,Estoril Blue Metallic,Glacier Silver Metallic,Melbourne Red Metallic,Mineral Grey Metallic and Mineral White Metallic.

The M235i will come with a manual six speed transmission as standard and is also available with an optional 8 speed auto transmission box. While Auto Start-Stop, break energy regeneration are standard, xDRrive, rear view camera, Parking Assist and Lane Departure Warning are available as options only.

While the M135i had a similar inline six 3.0L engine, the M235i gets additional power 240kW/322hp at around 5800 rpm. Torque figures remain the same at 450Nm.

The 2-Series Coupe is set for an official reveal on the 25th October, we expect BMW will announce all these leaked specs, well, officially.

Source: 2addicts

When the Honda CBR300R was unveiled at the 12th China International Motorcycle Trade Exhibition in Chongqing, it was assumed the aging CBR250R would be replaced by the CBR300R. Honda seems to be following Kawasaki’s strategy for this segment. The CBR250R is also set to be refreshed and will be near identical to the CBR300R. The exhaust seems to be slightly different but otherwise we’re unable to discern any feature to set it apart from the elder sibling. The CBR250R will be launched at the 43rd Tokyo Motor Show.

Take into account the CBR500R too and you start to wonder if Honda is being a tad too lazy with the pen. All said, bigger bikes are becoming more and more affordable these days, especially in developing markets like ours.

While it is reported that the CBR300R with its 286cc engine will be making peak power of 22.7 kW/30.4 bhp @ 8500 rpm and a peak torque of 27Nm at 7250rpm, the figures of the new 250R are still in the dark.

Honda has announced that they will be showcasing the S660, an open-top sports car concept at the 43rd Tokyo Motor Show, to be held at the Tokyo Big Sight, from the 20th November 2013. Honda has also said that the show will include the world premiere of the Urban SUV Concept, and the Japanese premiere of the NSX Concept.

The 43rd Tokyo Motor 2013 is set to take place at Tokyo Big Sight from 20th November 2013. Honda has just announced the models that will be showcased. We dropped to our knees and started drooling on the floor as we saw these exquisite beauties destined for just the Japanese market. Honda brought back Retro with the CB1100 which is still seared in our retinas and the new CB1300 Super BOL D’OR further this new trend.

Source: Honda

Some Images from Web Mr.Bike

Honda CB1300 Super BOL D’OR

Honda CB400 Super Four

Also to be showcased is the naked CB400 Super Four. The white and red scheme just does it for us. All the right boxes checked.

Honda CB400 Super BOL D’OR

No pictures of this beauty are out yet, and we are just as thirsty as you are for moooooar!

Videos

Mercedes-Benz has picked up two awards at the German Design Award 2014. The prize winning designs belong to the new S-Class and the futuristic Ener-G-Force design study, that is based on an off-road legend, the G-class. The German Design Award 2014 was commissioned by the German Design Council, and 30 well-known design experts had to assess 1900 submissions, based on various design elements, to uncover unique design trends. The S-Class and the Ener-G-Force were deemed worthy of “special mention” for their successful design solutions.

The new S-Class offers a very contemporary interpretation of the concept of “Sensual Clarity”. Its design bridgestoday’s progressive design idiom and the classic elegance of Mercedes-Benz cars of the 1930s. Such attributes of the S-Class impressed the Automotive Brand Contest in 2013, winning the “Best of the Best” award for the interior and exterior design, and has done it again.

The Ener-G-Force concept vehicle, was inspired by the G-Class, and showcased at the Los Angeles Auto Show, demonstrated how Mercedes-Benz could draw inspiration from an classic design to influence the future design from Mercedes-Benz. Employing alternative drive systems, the Ener-G-Force was also designed to be a very environmentally friendly vehicle and to demonstrate enhanced green-car characteristics, and these qualities were encapsulated in the design in a visually consistent manner.

The German Design Award was created by the German Design Council, a foundation established 60 years ago by the Federation of German Industry together with various leading German companies. At present some 200 design-oriented German companies, employing a workforce of more than 1.8 million employees, are members of the German Design Council.