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Tata Sierra review: A legend reborn

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The new Tata Sierra has perhaps been one of the most anticipated launches of the year. And now, after multiple concept cars, spy shots and teasers, it has finally been launched into the deep end – the midsize SUV segment currently ruled by the Hyundai Creta . We got a chance to drive two powertrain options of the new Sierra to see if it lives up to its name and has what it takes to take on the segment champ. Tata Sierra exterior design and engineering - 9/10 Sierra looks futuristic while retaining some signature design bits from the original. Tata calls this finish Munnar Mist. Tata Motors ’ designers deserve praise, as the Sierra is one striking SUV that looks futuristic while maintaining some nods to the original. The upright, boxy silhouette, blacked-out front grille, high-set bonnet, squared-off wheel arches, thick B-pillar treatment and the blacked-out rear glass element (to mimic the original’s distinct curved rear glass) are all reminiscent of the original Tata Sierra fr...

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Mercedes G-Class experience at Graz: G Wiz

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Nothing screams ‘military roots’ than having your own hangar at a former military airport. Welcome to the G-Class Experience Centre in Graz, Austria. Located at the Graz International Airport, the experience centre occupies a few aircraft hangars and 1,00,000 square metres of purpose-built terrain designed to push the G-Class to its limits. So, forest trails, 45-degree rocky slopes, 35-degree muddy side inclines, 850mm deep water trenches; it’s all here to be experienced. You’re guided by the facility’s brilliant instructors in a bevy of Gs, from the diesels and AMGs to the electrics. The G Experience Centre uses repurposed aircraft hangars and covers 1,00,000 sq metres of proving grounds. Our day began with the electric G-Class or ‘G 580 with EQ Technology’. Yes, that is its name. Given the immense 1,164Nm of torque from its four electric motors, the set of 40-degree-plus slopes was a non-event. With the car in D+ mode (no brake recuperation and free coasting), it’s possible to c...

Alpinestars Supertech goggles review

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Ever since Alpinestars got into the MX helmet game, it only made sense for them to introduce their own line of motocross goggles. The company now has a full range available, and what you see here is the top-of-the-line Supertech Vision Vista goggle. The Supertech Vision Vista has been developed along with some of Alpinestars’ top MX athletes, and it has many features designed for their particular needs. That doesn’t mean that a non-pro rider can’t enjoy the benefits, and while I am very much on the casual end of the spectrum when it comes to off-road riders, this has easily been the nicest pair of goggles I’ve used so far. The first thing I noticed is how nicely it fits my face. A contoured double-foam layer helps with that refined fit, while an integrated outrigger design on the goggle frame helps it sit better on the helmet. On the move, the comfortable yet snug fit was aided by the fact that I had no fogging issues, and sweat seemed to be very well managed as well. Alpinestars sa...

8 cars that merit more sales

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There are hundreds of car models on sale in India , spanning multiple segments and price brackets. However, among those are a few that simply do not get the attention they deserve, whether it be from prospective buyers or the brand itself. Read on to know the cars in question and why we think they are not selling as many units as they should.  1. Citroen Aircross X (around 100 units per month) Lack of investment by the brand and poor product planning contributed to poor sales. The Citroen Aircross X (formerly C3 Aircross) competes in the highly competitive midsize SUV segment, where the Hyundai Creta sells around 15,000 units per month, while the Citroen Aircross X does a paltry 100 units or so. There are several reasons behind the Citroen SUV’s lacklustre performance. Not only did the erstwhile C3 Aircross lack several features that customers wanted, but it also fell behind in terms of its overall interior fit and finish. These issues have been mostly addressed in the upda...

TVS Ntorq 150 Fuel Economy Tested and Explained

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The TVS Ntorq 150 uses a 149.7cc, single-cyl, air-cooled engine putting out 13.2hp at 7,000rpm and a peak torque of 14.2Nm at 5,500rpm (including 0.7Nm from iGO electric boost). The scooter has two ride modes, Street and Race, each with a different mapping. In our fuel efficiency tests, we kept the scooter in the Street mode for both our runs. TVS Ntorq 150 real-world fuel efficiency The Ntorq 150 managed 46.9kpl in the city and 49.92kpl out on the highway For this test, we ran the Ntorq 150 on the highway for 64.6km, after which the bike needed 1.30 litres of fuel to fill up the tank again. Therefore, we arrived at a highway fuel economy number of 49.92kpl for the Ntorq 150. Once that was done, we rode the Ntorq 150 through the busy streets of Mumbai for 46.9km, after which the fuel tank needed 1.00 litres. Thereby, we achieved a city fuel efficiency figure of 46.9kpl. TVS Ntorq 150 fuel economy analysis The TVS Ntorq 150 is a sporty scooter that offers really potent performanc...

3 reasons to buy the Triumph Speed T4 and 2 to skip

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Triumph’s Speed T4 stands as the most affordable product from the British manufacturer and undercuts the relatively affordable Speed 400. The Speed T4 is based on the Speed 400 but gets a few changes such as a reworked engine, conventional front fork and organic pads. Here are three reasons to consider the T4 and two to skip. 3 reasons to buy the Triumph Speed T4 Relaxed, torque-rich motor At its core, the Speed T4 continues with the 398cc engine from the Speed 400, albeit in a milder state of tune. In performance tests, it trailed the Speed 400 by under two seconds, while in-gear acceleration numbers showed only a negligible difference, separated by mere milliseconds—an outcome aided by its broader torque delivery. While it doesn’t spin up with the same urgency as the Speed 400, the motor stands out for its tractability, smooth throttle response and a more relaxed power curve that suits stop-start conditions with ease. The real advantage lies in usability—power is accessible acros...

6 things to know before buying the Suzuki Gixxer 250

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The Gixxer 250 is the street naked sibling of the SF 250. It shares its fundamentals with that bike but features different styling and a single-piece handlebar. Here are a few things to know before buying one. 1. What is the peak output of the Gixxer 250? It is powered by a 249cc single-cylinder oil-cooled engine that produces 26.5hp and 22.2Nm and comes mated to a 6-speed gearbox. 2. Is the Gixxer 250 E20-compliant? Yes, as per Suzuki’s official website, the Gixxer 250 is E20-compliant. 3. Does the Gixxer 250 get a flex-fuel version? No, unlike its faired sibling the SF 250 that gets an E85 compliant version, the Gixxer only gets the standard E20 compliant variant. 4. Does the Suzuki Gixxer 250 feature all-LED lighting? No, although the headlight and tail-light are LED, the indicators still have a bulb setup. 5. Does the Suzuki Gixxer 250 get a Bluetooth-enabled dash? Yes, the Gixxer 250 comes with an LCD dash that is Bluetooth-enabled. You can connect your phone via the ...

Volkswagen Golf GTI real-world review: Everyday thrills

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This is a car that enthusiasts in India have been eagerly awaiting for years. It is, of course, the Volkswagen Golf GTI , and by now you probably know quite a bit about this hot hatch. We spent a good amount of time hammering it around the NATRAX test tracks , but now, we’ve finally brought it to our home turf to see how it deals with real-world challenges – speed breakers, broken roads, traffic, and more. Volkswagen Golf GTI performance and refinement - 9/10 The 0-100kph sprint takes just 5.73sec, while quarter mile is dealt with in under 14sec.  Let’s start off with the most interesting bit – the performance. With 265hp and 370Nm on tap from this 2.0-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine, of course, the Golf GTI is really quick. We started off by subjecting it to our performance testing using a VBox, and while Volkswagen claims a 0-100kph time of 5.9sec, we managed 5.73sec. This makes it over half a second quicker than its closest rival, the Mini Cooper S ; impressive. But perhaps,...