Honda CB Hornet 160R first look

The Honda Unicorn was long positioned as a commuter-friendly 150 in India, and has garnered good sales numbers for HMSI. However, it seemed to be targeted at the more mature buyer and lacked a sporty appeal. Other options in the market such as the Bajaj Pulsars, Suzuki Gixxer twins and the Yamaha FZ series of bikes were much sportier, and appealed to a wider variety of buyers. Honda has worked to address this, and unveiled a much sportier sibling of the CB Unicorn 160, which will replace the older Honda Unicorn with a 150cc heart. This is the Honda CB Hornet 160R.

While the specifications have not been officially revealed yet, sources at the company tell us the Honda CB Hornet 160R uses the same engine as the CB Unicorn. Going by this, expect the engine to make the same power figures as the CB Unicorn – the 162.71cc unit making 14.5bhp of power at 8,000rpm, and 1.48kgm of torque at 6,000rpm.

The Honda Hornet 160 is quite the looker, with sharp lines and angles used throughout the design of the motorcycle. Actually, the overall design of the motorcycle seems to be inspired by the Honda CB600F Hornet’s – a similar stance and parts like the headlamp cluster seem to resemble its bigger cousin’s.

The Honda CB Hornet 160R has 10-spoke alloys, front and rear, connected by telescopic shock absorbers up front and a mono-shock system at the rear. The rear wheel is mounted on a box-section swingarm. The motorcycle is brought to a halt with petal rotor-equipped disc brakes on the front and the rear, which work together through Honda’s proprietary Combi-Brake System (CBS).

. A digital information display cluster, same as the one used on the CB Unicorn 160 has been installed on it. The fuel tank has muscular bits all over, and even has plastic cladding with carbonfibre-like finish running from the handlebar to the seat. The seat is a well designed single piece, with a step up to the pillion region.

While Honda has not confirmed the expected price or launch dates for the CB Hornet 160R, you can safely expect it shall be priced at a slight premium over the Honda CB Unicorn 160 (which retails for Rs 72,400 ex-showroom, Delhi), when it reaches dealerships later this year.

Benelli TNT 25 vs KTM Duke 200: Specification comparison

Benelli gave us the keys to their most important motorcycle for India yet, the TNT 25. We took it for an exclusive ride some time back. Still in the works, its rough edges are being polished, and its horses are being trained. While out for a spin on it, we kept wondering how the finished motorcycle would fare against its direct competition, specifically KTM’s orange-blooded Duke 200. Unfortunately, we cannot comment until we get to ride the finished product. But for now, how the bikes compete with each other on paper is worth evaluating.

The Benelli gets a 249.2cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that puts down 24.1bhp at 9,000rpm. The Duke 200 makes a marginally higher 24.7bhp at 10,000rpm from its 199.5cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine. With the larger engine, the TNT25 generates 2.1kgm of twisting force, while the Duke 200 makes a slightly lower 1.94kgm.

The TNT 25 is slightly longer, measuring 2,080mm, while the KTM measures 2,002mm. Here the KTM is the broader one, at 873mm, while the Benelli measures 805mm. The Duke 200 is also taller at 1,274mm, and the TNT 25 stands at 1,090mm. As one might expect, the KTM is lighter too, weighing 136.4kg on the scale; almost 15kg lighter than the Benelli that weighs 150kg.

Suspension on the motorcycles are in the form of USD forks up front and mono-shock springs at the back. The KTM Duke 200 gets an alloy swingarm, while the Benelli TNT 25 gets a box section one. Both the motorcycles are brought to a halt using disc brakes, and don't get the ABS feature. At the front, both the motorcycles have 280mm disc brakes. While the Benelli gets a 240mm at the back, the KTM gets a 230mm unit.

The pricing for the Benelli TNT 25 is not known yet, but it is likely to be anywhere between
Rs 2.5 - Rs 3 lakh. However, the Austrian manufacturer has priced all its products very aggressively, and same is the case with the Duke 200. It retails for Rs. 1.45 lakh in Delhi.

New Mitsubishi Pajero Sport first look

Mitsubishi recently revealed the new Pajero Sport. Along with looking more stylish, it has improved interiors and comes with an array of safety and driver-assist features.

While the overall silhouette and bulbous presence remains, the new Pajero borrows a lot of design cues from the GR-HEV concept, showcased by the carmaker at the Geneva motor show three years ago. The face gets a heavy dose of aggressiveness thanks to the sharp headlights that have LED daytime-running lamps, a new bumper, a bold grille and a generous splash of chrome. Mitsubishi calls this new design language 'Dynamic Shield'.

Move to the side, and what strikes first are the massive wheel arches and the huge rear overhang. Then there are the new alloy designs, and the steeply rising window line that has a crease running right below it; subtle touches that prevent the flank from appearing too bland. While the rear is large, the chrome bar helps break mass up. There are also the attractive tail-lights that seem to have been picked from the GR concept. They are quite uniquely designed, with reflectors running onto the sides and down to the bumper.

The Pajero Sport is based on Mitsubishi's pick-up truck called Triton, and some of the elements in the cabin too are borrowed from it. Difference is, the ambience in the Pajero cabin is a lot more upmarket than its utilitarian cousin. Nice elements include the chunky four-spoke multifunction steering wheel, flowing centre console, brushed silver inserts, and leather upholstery. The new Pajero’s seats look large and well cushioned, and there’s also a lot of legroom on offer.


The new Pajero Sport gets kit such as a touchscreen infotainment system, a 360-degree camera, seven airbags and an electronic hand brake. Other new features include autonomous braking, Blind spot Monitor, Hill Descent Control and a system to avoid misacceleration.

The engine powering the new Pajero is a 2.4-litre MIVEC turbo diesel which comes mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Power figures have still not been revealed, but the carmaker claims that the model has been tuned to be more fuel efficient than its predecessor. The new Pajero also gets a four-wheel-drive system, and a new off-road mode.

New Skoda Superb Laurin & Klement India bound

Expected to launch early next year, the new Skoda Superb is based on VW’s MQB platform. Bigger and lighter than before, the new Superb looks more aggressive and gets a smoother profile, compared to the current model. The Superb to be brought to India is also expected to get a new Laurin & Klement top-end trim.

In international markets, the Laurin & Klement trim sits atop the new Superb’s range. Standard features on the trim include heated seats, adaptive dampers with three drive modes, 18-inch alloys, umbrellas stowed in the front doors, electric adjust front seats with lumbar support and memory function, three zone climate control, parking sensors, an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, bi-xenon headlamps, keyless entry and an electric tailgate. However, lower trim levels get smaller infotainment systems and alloy wheels.

The Superb Laurin & Klement has been spotted testing in India. But we are unsure about what to expect in the trim level when Skoda launches the new Superb next year. In terms of power, the Superb will uses the familiar 1.8-litre TSI petrol and 2.0-litre TDI diesel engines mated to six-speed or seven-speed double-clutch automatic gearboxes.






The new Skoda Superb is expected to be revealed at the Auto Expo 2016 before going on sale. If brought to India, the Superb Laurin & Klement will mark the return of a trim level, previously offered on the earlier Octavia and Laura.

BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R concept breaks cover

BMW has revealed a racing variant of its 3.0 CSL Hommage concept car. To make its debut at the Pebble Beach Concours D'elegance, is almost identical to the concept unveiled at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in May, and gets BMW’s racing colour scheme.

New improvements include a race suit that can display information to the driver. The driver’s helmet too displays speed and engine information, while a special piping in the sleeves illuminates when both the driver’s hands are on the wheel. The minimalist steering wheel display provides the driver with information on the current track and race position. Other racing additions to the interior include a fire extinguisher system and an emergency shut-off.

While BMW insists the concept is a one-off creation with no production future, sister publication, Autocar UK understands that the concept does still hold some significance for BMW’s future production models. Senior sources have revealed that the concept is a statement of intent for the BMW M division to build more extreme, lightweight models, which would be pitched as the company's answer to its great rival, the Mercedes-AMG’s Black Series versions. The first model built to this strategy will be the M4 GTS.

The 3.0 CSL Hommage is the third Hommage car from BMW in recent years, following on from the M1 Hommage from 2008 and the 328 Hommage, which celebrated the 75th anniversary of the 328 racer in 2011. Like the 3.0 CSL Hommage, both the previous Hommage concepts were revealed at Villa d’Este.

The latest concept car is marginally bigger than an M6. It is 4,997mm long, 2,018mm wide and 1,302mm high, with a wheelbase of 3,190mm. For comparison, the M6 is 4,898mm long, 1,899mm wide and 1,374mm high, with a wheelbase of 2,851mm.

BMW hasn’t confirmed the technical details of the car, other than the fact that it is rear-wheel drive and below the long bonnet is a 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine in combination with an ‘e-boost’ electric motor to aid acceleration.

The 3.0 CSL concept car is constructed from an extensive use of lightweight materials, including carbon-fibre reinforced plastic. The original 3.0 CSL was around 200kg lighter than the 3.0 CS on which it was based thanks to an extensive use of aluminium in its construction.

The body of the new concept car features vast flared wheel arches with extensive aerodynamic sculpting to channel the air towards the rear of the car. The wheel arches house 21-inch alloys shod in 265/35 tyres in front and 325/30s at the rear. Other notable exterior design features include the extensive air intakes, the large fixed rear wing, a roof spoiler, a front splitter and huge side exhausts.
The interior of the original concept was pared down and made almost exclusively of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic, save for some wood on the instrument panel, which was also a structural part. This wood was a reference to the interior of the original 3.0 CSL. Key driver information, such as the speed, revs and gear selection, could be shown on a display on the steering column.

BMW design chief Karim Habib said, “For BMW designers like us, the BMW 3.0 CSL is a style icon. Its combination of racing genes and elegance generates an engaging aesthetic that continues to win hearts even today. The BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage celebrates many of those characteristic features but without copying them. Indeed, some of the parallels are not immediately obvious. We wanted people to sense the family resemblance rather than see it straight off.”

Lexus LX570 facelift

Lexus has revealed the facelifted LX570 at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The refreshed SUV gets tweaks inside and out, added features and a new eight-speed automatic gearbox.

The revisions to the styling include a new single-piece spindle grille with chrome surround, revised front and rear bumpers, LED headlamps, reshaped LED fog lamps, new alloy wheels and new tail-lamps.

On the inside, the infotainment system has been upgraded to a 12.3-inch display. The instrument cluster now uses a larger 4.2-inch display and gets a panoramic view camera as standard. The facelifted LX570 also gets the addition of Drive Mode Select and the option of a heads-up display, LED ambient lighting, a wireless charger and a 11.6-inch display for the rear-seat entertainment system. Also offered as option now are heated and ventilated rear seats.

 Mechanically, the 5.7-litre V8 is now mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox in place of the older six-speed automatic unit. The engine develops 384bhp and 55.68kgm of torque.

Honda S660 sold out in Japan

Honda has seen an unexpected demand for its mini roadster, the S660, in Japan. Launched in April 2015, it has now been reported that the limited number of cars, 8,600 to be precise, slated for production in 2015, have already been sold out.

Interestingly, it was observed that four in five cars sold were bought by those over the age of 40. Honda’s car was designed to attract a younger demographic, but ended up being the preferred choice for older people looking to buy a second car in Japan.

Honda has plans to restart taking orders from October, and also states that the demand for the S660 roadster will be balanced, as younger buyers are expected to develop an interest in the car over the course of time.