TVS Motor Company launched TVS Apache 160cc RTR that is the next bike of the Apache series introduced after Apache 150.Apache 150 had been awarded for its high performance in the year of launch of the bike.

TVS Apache 160cc RTR is also a high performance racing machine with some modification over the TVS Apache 150cc one. The style and design along with the performance makes the bike most comfortable for the bikers. The bike has been powered with the technology to get a machine to work well on Indian roads.

The Apache bikes are one of the cheapest in the range and the best feature is that the new version TVS Apache 160cc RTR has been launched with almost the same price tag as the previous ones. The pick up of the bike is wonderful and mileage comparable.

Sporty Look of the Bike

Apache 160cc RTR is the trendiest racing bike. The bike has been introduced with 5 colors namely Titanium Grey with matt finish, yellow, silver, black and red. The innovative racing strips on the body and the painted middle part of the bike are amazing. There are red pinstripes that will go on all the wheels as well. The pedals, grips, bar-end dampers, lights, dash have been upgraded to look more elegant. The LCD speedometer resembles the Bajaj Pulsar one and other added features are two trip meter, clock, odometer and fuel gauge and an analog tachometer. The foot pegs and lever are of aluminum and the rear mirror is leaf shaped.
Engine, Power, Torque

The new bike has the top speed of 118kph and can reach 60kph in just 4.8 sec and 100kph in 17.7 sec and the engine has been improved to 159.7cc.The displacement has been increased to raise the torque to make it comparable to the Pulsar 180.The performance, speed and on road brakes are excellent and the gearbox is same as TVS Apache 150cc. The maximum power is15.2bhp @ 8500 rpm that is a bit less than the high power Pulsar and a peak torque of 13.1Nm @6000 rpm that is greater then the Pulsar model.

Comfort and Ride

The aluminum foot pegs have been introduced to make it look exquisite, the adjustable split handlebars and the seats helps the biker to control the bike well. The powerful head lamp of the bike was always the attraction. The tail of the bike never vibrates like Pulsar .The electric start is latest of the technology. The chassis with a swig ram has been improved to make the wheelbase come to 1300 mm. There were complains of vibrations in the bike and to improve stability was priority for the makers. The new bike can be moved easily and the brakes have been made more powerful than the earlier ones. The improvement in the split grab rail and the dash are to contend with the earlier released bikes.

Engineering and Styling

The weight of the bike has increased from the TVS Apache 150cc by almost 2kgs but still it is lighter than many bikes dominating the market with higher price tages. The new 270mm petal disc brake in the front is one of the attractive features of the bike. Other attractions are the clip on handlebar, wheel rim in colors titanium grey and yellow, that makes it visible in fewer lights. The aluminum foot pegs and new colors are addition to the craze.

Special features

The bike has a better performance and the sporty racing features have been integrated to the bike. The Titanium color to the engine and the powerful light is the attraction. The turn signal lamp and rear mirror with a long wheelbase are also improvement over the TVS Apache 150cc. Some of the features of the bikes are

* Maximum power is15.2bhp @ 8500 rpm
* Peak torque of 13.1Nm @6000 rpm
* Efficiency of brakes is spectacular.
* No vibration
* Smooth gear and clutch
* Improved Foot pedal
* Sound engineered silencer
* Electric start and disc brakes
* High road grip
* Improves analog speedometer and front disc integrated with hi-tech braking
* Silencer is incredible
* Mileage more than 45-55 and top speed can go up to 130km/hr as well

Some positive and negative specifications of the bike

The positive points of the bike are

* The efficiency has been improved
* The design of the bike has been made more attractive
* The introduction of new colors and front disc design is changed
* Control in heavy crowds is amazing
* Pricing is attractive
* Pickup and mileage are up to the mark
* Good for those having heights less than 5ft7 as well because the bike is lightweight compared to other bikes.
* The brakes has been improved

The negative points of the bike are

* The gearbox of the TVS Apache 150cc bike has been retained. There has been complains in the TVS Apache 150cc bike’s gearbox as well
* The chain cover is also not satisfactory. It would have been better to keep it open.
* A few complains of vibration in the bike is also there.
* There is no tubeless tyres, poor lamp look
* Hard Shock absorber

Cost

The price of the bike may not increase Rs 60, 000 and will be in range 55,000- 60,000.It is one of the cheapest of its type. The Price will vary depending upon the city type.

Technical Specification

ENGINE

4 Stroke, 159.7 cc, Single
Maximum Power: 11.19 KW (15.2 bhp) @ 8500 rpm
Maximum Torque: 13.1 Nm @ 6000 rpm
Bore x Stroke : 62mm x 52.9 mm
Compression Ratio: 9.5:1
Carburettor: Mikuni BS-26
Valve train: 2 Valves, single cam
Valves per cylinder: 2 Valves
Power to weight ratio: 111.76 bhp / ton
Starting: Electric & Kick Start
Idle speed : 1400rpm
Ignition: IDI-Dual mode digital ignition
Engine oil capacity: 1000 ml

TRANSMISSION

Clutch : Wet, Multi-Plate
Primary reduction: 65/21
Final reduction: 44/13

CHASSIS

Type: Double Cradle

SUSPENSION

Front: Telescopic Forks, 105mm Stroke
Rear: Monotube Inverted Gas filled shox (MIG) with spring aid
Castor angle: 25.5°
Trail length: 81.3 mm

BRAKES

Front: 270 mm Petal Disc
Rear: 130 mm Drum

WHEELS AND TYRES

Rim size (Front): 1.85 x 17”
Rim size (Rear): 2.15 x 18”
Tyre size (Front): 90/90 x 17”
Tyre size (Rear): 100/80 x 18”
Tyre make: TVS Tyres

Fuel tank capacity: 16.0 lit
Reserve: 2.5 lit
Useable reserve: 1.7 lit

DIMENSIONS

Length: 2020 mm
Width: 730 mm
Height: 1050 mm
Wheelbase: 1300 mm
Saddle height: 790 mm
Ground clearance: 180 mm

WEIGHTS

Kerb weight: 136 kg
Weight distribution: Kerb (F/R) 60/76 kg
Laden (F/R) (Solo - 65kg) 79/122 kg

PERFORMANCE (TVS claimed)
0-60 kph: 4.80 seconds
0-100 kph: 17.69 seconds
0-100 m: 7.91 seconds
0-400 m: 19.70 seconds
30-80 kph (4th gear): 11.84 seconds
30-80 kph (5th gear): 15.68 seconds
Maximum speed: 118 kph

Bajaj Discover 135cc is an upgradation over Bajaj Discover 110cc and Bajaj Discover 125cc.It has blown the market from the time of its launch with many buyers from India and outside India lining up to know more and more about the specifications of the bike. The digital Twin Spark ignition system and Nitro X shock absorber, integrated to the bike has much attraction among the bike buyers. It is available in three colors black, red and blue but the black one has got the maximum buyers due to the much sporty looks.

The bike is using the latest technology and is a competitor to the already launched Bajaj Pulsar twins and the 125cc Bajaj Discover. The bike has edge over other models not only in looks but the engine and cost of the bike is much appreciable. The cost of the bike is less than Bajaj Pulsar twins. The bike has intermittent stops .It can be said to be in-between Discover 125cc and Pulsar 150cc in performance and if checked cost wise, then it is better than both.

Sporty Look of the Bike

The look of the bike is powered with. Black finishing .The engine, silencer and shock absorber all have black color. Both the headlight and the sound of the horn are impressive and attractive. A new tachometer, fuel gauge and a trip meter are added to the looks. Bike has a red and blue strip that gives a great combination to the black color. The seat and handle are positioned well and makes it a complete sports bike.

Engine, Power, Torque

The engine of Bajaj Discover 135cc is much efficient than the 125cc Bajaj Discover and it pumps out 13.1bhp @ 8500rpm and has a maximum torque 1.21 kgm @ 6500 rpm. If compared to the Bajaj Pulsar model the engine pumps out 13.5 bhp @ 8500 rpm and has a maximum torque of 1.25 kgm @ 6500 rpm. The displacements of the two models are also comparable as Bajaj Pulsar displacement is 142.9 cc DTSi and Bajaj Discover 135cc is 134.2 cc, DTSi. The difference in power and engine is equated by the difference in weight. The weight of Bajaj Pulsar is more than Bajaj Discover 135cc . The tank of the bike can contain 17 L of fuel for Bajaj Pulsar 150cc and 10 L for Discover 135cc

Comfort and Ride

The seat and handle are positioned well to make a comfortable ride though the knee won’t fit onto the tank for those having above six feet heights but for average heights it is the best bike. The fatter rear tyre is 100/90 instead of 100/90X17 rear tyre of Bajaj Discover 125 cc. A swing ram pivot section and rubber tray guard at the centre base of the bike makes it much stylish. There is flat chrome filler cap and is an odd one out in the bike .The tachometer is rounded by a supple grip and dogleg levers.

Engineering and Styling

Bajaj’s dual-plug DTS-I is used to make the four stroke engine much efficient. The engine has a single cylinder and is air cooled to facilitate a smooth ride to the biker. The combustion is effective and has Keihin CV carburetor. Armed with friction busting technology like frictions on contact surface and arms mounts are present on the Bike .Clutch is comfortable to use and the four gears can be changed from one to another with much ease. The bike has an O-ring and a well placed drive chain.

The black color is seen all over the coil springs, exhaust finisher, mirrors, handle and chamber .The complete black makes it much attractive with a few strips of submerged different colors. Compared to Discover 125cc the weight of Discover 135cc is more by 4 kgs that can be results from the new suspension added to the new bike. The suspension helps the bike to have a smooth ride. The front suspension is telescopic that checks a travel of 130mm and is one of the best of its type. The rear suspension is the Nitro X kind that is similar to the costlier bike the Bajaj Pulsar. Seat and Handle bar are placed to be much benefiting to the biker giving much stability and superior looks to the bike. The chassis is a double cradle type and is similar to 125 cc model.

Special features

The bike has many features similar to the Bajaj Pulsar 150cc model and also a few characteristics and parts are borrowed from the Discover 125cc .The speed of the bike can go up to 105 kph on a good road .The corners and brakes are much effective in any kind of traffic. The fuel efficiency for a crowded city can be 52.1kpl and for a open road it can go up to 55kpl..It is a much effective bike with no comparison to other models available as its cost. If is a complete package taking care of the needs of average riders with an trifling cost attached to it.

Some positive and negative specifications of the bike.

The bike when compared to other models like Discover 125cc and Bajaj Pulsar 150cc, can be said to be having these extra specifications-

* The engine can deliver 57 kpl
* It has got 10L of tank
* The high class efficiency of the bike is fitted with a Keihin CV carburetor.
* The weight of the bike is 132kg that is 4 kg more than 125cc bike.
* The new suspension is like the Bajaj Pulsar 150cc model and is fitted to bear the weight of the bike.
* The brakes of the bike are 240mm .Disc brake in the front.
* The chassis of the bike is same as that of 125cc.
* NitroX shock absorbers are same as of Bajaj Pulsar 150cc.
* Maintenance free 12V battery
* Black color all over the bike with red and blue strips to enhance the look of the bike

Some of the issues related to the bike

* The bike has been complained by a few bikers about a firing problem at the start of the bike but this problem has not been found among the maximum users, only a few bikers have faced such problem.
* The second problem is the slim chain cover almost open type that makes the bike not fit for the professional bikers .This factor is also a much biased one and can vary for the choice of the biker.
* For those having heights above six feet the knee won’t fit onto the tank that can be a problem up to certain extends but again it very from biker to biker.

Cost

The price of the bike Bajaj Discover 135cc is between Rs 56000 – Rs 58,000 depending upon the city type. For Mumbai city the bike costs approximately close to Rs 57000.The pulsar model cost is more than 62000 in the major cities.

Technical Specification

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Maruti Udyog Ltd has launched its sports utility vehicle Grand Vitara. The vehicle is a completely built unit (CBU) import. Grand Vitara is built in Hamamatsu in Japan, small car capital of Japan. It is equipped with the latest safety features, the Grand Vitara XL-7 is the biggest, most powerful, most luxurious and most expensive vehicle in Suzuki’s line-up. It is a large and powerful 2.7 litre V6 powering a 1.6 tonne vehicle.

Grand Vitara is a good SUV, popular in the West, practical and fun. The old one in India and will be sold as a Maruti vitara and is quite popular, competing with such vehicles as the Tata Safari, Ford Endeavour and Honda CR-V. The Grand Vitara has a lot going for it, like its lush cabin and fantastic engine, along with its decent off-road ability with jewel-like engine, seven-passenger capacity and smart looks. Grand Vitara is a beauty on the road. It is a complete stunner of SUV. In addition, not just in its looks. It has all the goods to take it off road. What is the use of an SUV if you cannot have some fun in your vehicle?

The engine is one of a kind amongst Maruti Suzuki vehicles. The Grand Vitara has a 2736 cc, H27A V6 ENGINE WITH 6 CYLINDERS. It has 4 VALVES PER CYLINDER, which makes 24 VALVES. The fuel injection is the MULTI POINT FUEL INJECTION TYPE (MPFI). Noticed something, a V6 engine, in India. In my limited knowledge, I cannot figure out any other vehicle in this price segment that has a V6.

Style

The appeal of the Grand Vitara is enhanced by the more contemporary front it just has. The most notable changes is the headlamps which are in unison with the wider body coloured front grille which gives it the slick looks. The fog lamps are bigger and changes have been brought into the bumper and the air dam. Another feature added is the split 5-spoke alloy wheels.

These new features have given the Grand Vitara the aggressive power-look. Vitara is a sharp little truck. Positives include the honeycomb grille, clear lens headlights, wheel flares that impart a sense of power, and simple yet attractive bodylines. An aerodynamic roofline leads to a discreet tailgate spoiler and the spare wheel is retained on the rear door. New Vitara features larger rear combination lamps that integrate into the thicker “C” pillar design. Access to the cabin is easy; the boot has a side-hinged door (similar to the Ford Endeavour).

A clever piece of Suzuki’ engineering can be felt in the tailgate. Opening to a full 90 degrees, the gas strut for the side-hinged tailgate has a two-position stop. The first stop at about 65 degrees ensures that the tailgate – with its protruding spare wheel – does not accidentally swing into the path of passing traffic. At the same time, when the tailgate is in the intermediate position, the right hand taillight is un-obscured while illuminated at night – a useful safety feature.

Engine

The powerful Suzuki engine unleashes an additional 12PS of power output in the 2736cc engine of the Grand Vitara. A variable in take system has been introduced that increases the overall efficiency of the engine. The maximum power output of the Grand Vitara now rises to 168PS at 6000rpm and a maximum torque rises to 236Nm at 4000rpm.

Fuel and Economy

The Vitara, with its large, aggressively tuned V6 is like a great white shark, with big teeth. The 166bhp V6 delivers grunt by the bucketful, and is incredibly responsive. Tap the throttle to make up that gap in traffic or to slingshot past a truck, and the Grand Vitara will lunge forward, even from as low as 1500rpm. The rev-band is meaty throughout, so this portly 1.7-tonne SUV blitzes the ton as quickly as a Honda City VTEC! The Grand Vitara’s cruising ability is excellent, and the effortless manner in which you can overtake makes it a great highway car.

However, even more impressive than flat-out acceleration is the torque. Uphill sections were a revelation, the Grand Vitara merrily chugging up in third gear where other SUVs would struggle in second. On our off-road course, the transfer box never really needed to be shifted into low. However, the big, heavy Vitara, with its aggressively tuned 2.7-litre engine glugs heavily, barely making the 6.5kpl figure in the city and only managing 8.7kpl on the highway.

The Vitara’s ride and handling are what really peg it back. The body-on-frame construction and non-independent rear suspension make for unimpressive dynamics. The Grand Vitara thumps over poor surfaces, and feels unsettled on anything that is less than perfectly smooth. Floor the throttle on a bumpy or loose surface, and it’s easy to break traction. Potholes, ruts and speed-breakers are easily felt, and on an undulating surface, the Grand Vitara tends to pitch around, and feels nervous. The redeeming feature is the steering, which is fairly accurate and direct. Off-road however, it’s a different story: all that torque is put to good use. Short overhangs, good wheel articulation and the low range option will get the Vitara through most stuff. The long wheelbase may be a pain during ramp-over, especially when fully loaded.

Looks and build - the xl-7 is a face lifted version of the old Grand Vitara. The changes are less, but are good. The front used to look like the one in the photo shown above. On the xl-7, it looks much more elegant and macho looking. Headlamps are multi reflector. The grille is especially good with its chrome strip. The bumper has huge fog lamps. The side looks muscular and strong. The wheel arches and alloys look good. The tires are 16’’ inch. I feel that the side looks like that of a land cruiser. The rear is bland. The tail lamps are not even multi reflector. The spare wheel is placed at the back and it does not get a full cover either. The build quality is good enough for an SUV. The looks are okay and are good in the side. But the Pajero definitely gets the advantage here.

Interior

The interior has a lot of leather and wood. The seats are comfortable. The instrument panel is well laid out. The dash looks very attractive with wood and its LCD readout. Ergonomics are very good. There is plenty of space too. The second row has legroom, but not as much as expected. There is a third row though. Materials used in the interior are of good quality. For a car of its price, people will expect a luxurious interior (like in the Vector, Accord, Mondeo and Camry). The Vitara definitely has it. The Terracan is way behind. The Vitara is as good as, or better than the Pajero in some aspects.

Ride and Handling

Ride and Handling characteristics are according to the test drive on new Grand Vitara by the Whatcar magazine.
The Grand Vitara’s four-wheel-drive system carries four modes (all in a dial under the temperature control) for nearly all types of situations. The 4H mode is for navigating the highways and byways of everyday driving. The 4H locking mode locks the center differential when conditions get slippery. The 4L Lock mode is for tackling seriously muddy, rocky hills. In this mode the differential is always locked and will help to descent the muddy hills. The fourth mode is Neutral, which allows you to tow the vehicle on all four wheels without racking up mileage.

New Grand Vitara’s ‘built-in ladder frame’ construction when compared with the body on frame design of the predecessor permits lower floor heights, in turn lowering the centre of gravity despite the high ground clearance of 200mm. New Grand Vitara’s handling characters are good with Mcpherson strut suspension at the front and Multi link type at the rear. The brakes are ventilated disc at the front, leading, and trailing drum type at the rear. If offered in India this must be the only D segment SUV with drum brake at the rear which will easily make the buyers to keep distance from the new Grand Vitara. New Grand Vitara also falls in its Ride characteristic - the ride does not give any confidence to the new Grand vitara’s rider.

Equipment Available In Grand Vitara XL-7