Volkswagen Polo 1.0: Brave Heart
The name “Polo” has been around for as long as we can remember, and it is often associated with everyday family hatchbacks with uncompromising performance. For us, the Polo 1.2 GT TSI still remains one of the best performing hatchbacks in the Nepali market. Now, considering the market demands of a cleaner and more fuel efficient VW, the company has given the Polo a heart transplant, and quite frankly this surgery is why we took the new Polo 1.0 for a spin around the city. We wanted to see if this new 1-liter heart goes well with that VW badge. Let’s forget this doctor’s analogy for now and get straight into the review.
Exterior
The Polo 1.0 looks exactly like, well, any other Polo. VW hasn’t done much to differentiate the 1.0 from its already existing lineup. It retains the same low-slung design that we’ve come to know and love over the past few years. A slim front grille dominated by the VW logo with three lines running underneath is flanked by headlamps on both sides and fog lamps below them. The bonnet is decorated by strong lines on each side. Over to the side, the low ground clearance makes the car look longer than it really is. Adding to the elegance is a prominent character line that stretches from the tail light all the way to the headlight.
The raised wheel arches add some much needed muscle to the car. Things are pretty simple in the back, with a roof lip spoiler that houses the brake lights and conventional headlamps as usual with that big VW logo that doubles as a boot opener. The entire body sits on alloys that were on the older Polo, which looks good, and brings together the entire package.
Interior
Just like the exterior, the interior remains untouched… which is a good thing. You get the same quality materials present in the one before. Soon as you enter you are greeted by a cozy cabin that is filled with all the features you need. There are plenty of cubby holes and the nice-and-large bottle holders on the doors. The bolstering on the seat is adequate and will not make you feel exhausted on long journeys. Fit and finish of the dashboard is the best in class. The infotainment system is a touch screen unit with smart interface and good response time.
The steering wheel is a flat bottom unit that adds a sporty feel to the car. Over on the passenger side of the car, the bench seats are comfortable; the cabin feels airy thanks to large windows. The knee room is a bit cramped, while headroom is more than enough. Apart from this, the boot is large and has a wide opening that makes loading and unloading a piece of cake.
Performance
Under the hood is where you will see all the changes. Going back to our doctor’s analogy, the old 1.2-liter 3-cylinder heart has now been taken out; a smaller 1-liter 3-cylinder heart takes its place instead. The new engine may be smaller, but it still makes a similar 76 bhp. Where the new engine loses out is on the torque; it pushes out only 95 Nm compared to the earlier 1.2’s 110 Nm. However, the weight of the new Polo is down by 14kg. The car accelerates from nought to 100kph in 16-17 seconds; the engine revs all the way to the redline and sounds great doing it—and the engine is quieter than the 1.2-liter it replaces. Driving out on the city roads is peppy; you get a small yet meaty surge of power.
The weight of the car is well balanced, and due to the low ride height the bodyroll is almost negligible. The steering wheel is light but well weighted, which makes nipping through traffic and hitting corners a joyride. Also, with a claimed mileage of 18.91 km to the liter, you don’t have to worry about your fuel tank drying out anytime soon when the next shortage hits. The brakes have a strong bite and stopping won’t be an issue during triple digit speeds. However, the clutch travel is long, which might be tiring in stop-and-go traffic.
The suspension is a bit on the firmer side compared to the old Polo, but not enough to put you off. It does handle all the bumps on the road without giving one too many feedback into the cabin. Overall, this 1-liter engine doesn’t feel like a 1 liter; it feels much more powerful.
Verdict
When the VW Polo first came out, it blew our minds as to how powerful an everyday hatchback can become. The 1.0 didn’t blow our minds, but it came very close. It looks smart, it is sensible and practical while considering everyday standards. Most of all, Polo 1.0 packs a decent punch under the hood, and it is one of the most exciting 1-liter engines in the country right now. When all that is combined with a ludicrous pricing of NRs. 25.18 lakhs, the Germans seem to have hit their “efficient and affordable” hammer on the right hatchback o
Inside the belly of the beast: The Jaguar F Pace
We got the news of a deadly predator prowling the streets of Kathmandu and it immediately caught our attention. A rare breed in this part of the world, it was imperative that we responded quickly—which we did. What followed were a series of events that left us sweaty, shaking and with a massive grin on our faces. Here, we bring to you the exclusive review of our adventure with the Jaguar F-Pace, a phenomenal machine that integrates the driving enjoyment of a sports car, the practicality of an SUV, and the impeccable styling of a modern Jaguar.
Exterior
The Jaguar F-Pace is the company’s first SUV, where they’ve taken a page out of their cousin’s handbook and integrated some Land Rover genes into the Jaaaaag! So it isn’t completely surprising that the F-Pace is roughly the size of the Discovery Sport. However, it isn’t an exact copy of the Land Rover. This, of course, was a carefully strategized maneuver. Slapping the leaping cat emblem on any of the SUVs from the Jaguar Land Rover roster would have resulted in a lukewarm product. On the contrary, its underpinnings have more in common with the Jaguar’s XE and XF saloons. This means it has a rigid, largely aluminum (80 percent) structure to improve agility.
Concealing all this effort is a body that has been designed by the very best from Jaguar. It is an SUV that has been packaged in a sporty and exclusive manner. Come up to face the F-Pace and you’ll get the chance to admire the stunning beauty of the machine. The Jaguar crest sits at the center of a large honeycombed grille, flanked by bright LED headlights on either side that stare right back at you with a strong confident frown.
Move on to the side and you’ll notice the bulk of the F-Pace. The swooping roofline gives it a sporty appeal. The sleek taillights inspired from the F Type wrap around to the rear, which is where the F-Pace resembles the mean stare of a big cat. Since you’ll have most of the traffic behind you when you’re driving the F-Pace, they are certain to get a pretty decent view. If we dare to gripe about one single thing on this wild cat, it would be the less-than-enticing tailpipes.
Interior
As you’d expect, the interiors are splendid. Leg, knee and shoulder room are adequate for all passengers. Get into the driving seat and you’ll have in front of you a chunky three spoke with a plethora of buttons for telephony and audio controls.
The layout is driver-friendly and has a premium feel to it. The SUV gets a digital instrument cluster with different types of displays to suit your needs. The center console gets a large touchscreen, which is very easy to connect and operate.
Additional cool features are the panoramic sliding roof and the circular rotary gear selector that smoothly elevates and reveals itself on ignition.
You get a good vantage point from the cockpit, with a clear view in front. The same can’t be said about the rearward visibility, albeit the large ORVMs do a good job of letting you know what’s going on. A quirky bit of design, which can also be seen on the Land Rover SUVs, is the placement of the window switches, which is on the windowpane instead of the door panel.
Performance
We have established that the Jaguar F-Pace is a sight for sore eyes. It has all the amenities you’d want in your everyday SUV and more. But what the F-Pace really brings to the table is the DNA it shares with the F-Type. So, what that means in essence is that this surpasses the performances of a normal SUV. And boy, doesit deliver!
The body control is superbly sustained for an SUV this size and it maintains its composure deceptively well in the corners. Much like a predator fixated on its runaway prey, it throws caution to the wind and flings itself into corners with reckless abandon and regains its poise on the exit, still fixated on its target.
As difficult as it may be to believe, the Jaguar F-Pace turns into even more of an animal on the straights. Powered by a 2.0-liter engine that churns out a 177bhp and peak torque of 430Nm, this translates to a machine that is eager to impress. The idle growl emanating from the bonnet explodes into a full-grown blare when you stamp your foot hard on the pedal.
There are several driving modes you can choose from to alter throttle response, steering weight and gearshifts as per your needs. You get to choose from the eco mode, adaptive service response mode, low friction launch, and (our favorite) the dynamic mode.
Verdict
Although Jaguar has been a prominent name in the automotive world, it has always been outnumbered in terms of sales by other European firms, mainly the German monikers. They sell millions of cars in a year, while Jaguar sells fewer than 100,000. The F Pace is the British carmaker’s wild card that is set out to change this by taking the fight to the Germans. However, in the Nepali market the Jaguar is king of the jungle. Rivaled only by its Range Rover cousin, the F-Pace is as fun as an SUV gets. There are a mindboggling number of features that you get and the quality of the interiors speaks for its class. And when you drive it, a wide smile is guaranteed.
Last, but not least, the appearance puts the Jaguar F-Pace right up there in the head-turn-o-meter. The only shortcoming is that the dealers did not bring the F-Pace in red, which they should have. But we’re just going to let it slide this one time O
TVS NTORQ 125: The new kid on the block
A problem with the middle-of-the range product is that when it works, no one notices, but when it doesn’t, it sure stinks. We all hate a life of mediocrity, so we take chances, we take risks, and that’s when we enter the game and change its dynamics. When TVS showcased the Graphite scooter concept at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo, it essentially did not create any stir… But the idea never dried. Fast forward to 2018 and we have with us the TVS Ntorq 125—a derivative of the Graphite concept. In an already crowded scooter segment, the TVS Ntorq 125 is the new kid with its exciting design and smart features. TVS says the Ntorq 125 has been designed for the youth and comes loaded with 30 segment features. So can the Ntorq 125 break the monotony and make a distinctive statement? Read on to find out.
Design
The Ntorq sports a sharp, aggressive style with well-placed cuts throughout the body. It looks stylish yet functional without any overdone gimmicks. It really does tick a lot of boxes with its razor-sharp styling. The front fender gets an angular headlamp cluster with batwing shaped DRLs. Blinkers are integrated into the handlebars so that it is visible in the direction of travel.
The sculpted styling is carried on to the sides with appealing decals and textured floor board. The rear apron comes with a T-shaped LED rear lamp housed between faux air vents. The scooter looks quite sleek from the rear with its stubby muffler and split grab rails and it is available in four trendy colors: Matte Yellow, Matte Green, Matte Red and Matte White.
Instrumentation and features
TVS has been raving about the SmartXonnect, a bluetooth-enabled technology that allows riders to pair their phones with the scooter through the Ntorq mobile app, only available on Android so far. The fully-digital instrumentation console with the smart connected technology boasts a total of 55 features including navigation assist, top speed recorder, in-built lap-timer, phone-battery strength display, last parked location assist, service reminder, trip meter and multi-ride statistic modes such as Street and Sport. Unfortunately, the app’s built-in navigation system won’t work here. The personalization feature of the console also lets you customize your name, and set automatic reply alerts to incoming messages and calls. Certainly targeted at the GenZ— as TVS likes to say.
Another interesting addition is the engine kill switch, which is a segment-first feature as well. There’s also a pass-by switch and a generous 22-liter storage compartment with an integrated USB charger. To further facilitate convenience of use, the Ntorq comes with an external fuel fill feature. Our only complaint is the five-liter fuel tank, and you don’t get a very spacious floor.
Engine and Performance
TVS says the Ntorq 125 is based on the TVS Racing pedigree. To keep ahead of the traffic, the Ntorq’s 124.79 cc 3V engine churns out 9.1 BHP of power at 7500 RPM. The engine is a torquey affair with peak torque of 10.5 Nm delivered at 5500 RPM. Acceleration feels quite lively with the rev-happy engine. Once the mid-range sets in, the engine becomes quite enjoyable, even though this surge droops after crossing the 60 kmph mark. However, you can cruise effortlessly to 80 kmph. Beyond that, you won’t get enough juice to accelerate. But on straight roads, you can expect a maximum speed of 95 kmph. The motor is extremely refined, with almost zero vibrations at any speed. The power is adequate to keep with urban traffic as well as occasional highway runs. TVS claims a quickest-in-class zero-to-60kmph time of nine seconds.
Suspension and braking
The most impressive part of the Ntorq has to be the suspension setup, an impressively supple unit. The front gets a telescopic unit and the rear a gas-filled spring shock absorber. The firm suspension setup paired with the ground clearance of 155 mm will inspire you to negotiate any road with ease.
At 116.1 kgs, the scooter sits on a rectangular tube type under bone chassis. It is 1865mm long, 710mm wide and 1160mm high and has a longish wheelbase of 1285mm. In terms of braking, the front unit lacks a sense of urgency, however, use both brakes in unison, and the scooter comes to a complete halt. Also helping the purpose of comfort and safety are the widest in the segment TVS-made Remora tires—100x80x12 at the front, and 110x80x12 at the back.
Verdict
The Ntorq 125 is an interesting addition to the niche 125cc scooter segment. As an offering targeted at the youngsters, this sporty scooter ticks all the right boxes in terms of style, comfort, performance and convenience. On top of that, TVS has also man
Toyota Rush: The seven seater of the season
The Toyota Rush is the newest entrant from the Japanese automakers in Nepal, and it comes to the foray with a lot of expectations. Slated to be the star seven-seater of the moment, all eyes are on the Rush. It is off to a very good start with a considerable number of sales already made. Here, we test out what the Toyota Rush really has to offer.
Exterior
Straight off the bat, you can see traces of the MPV DNA in the exterior of the Rush. The silhouette is unmistakably reminiscent of a car built to comfortably accommodate more people than a normal car. But, don’t let that fool you, it is by no means just another boring MPV. On the contrary, it is a stylish piece of work to look at.
Aggressive bodylines and deliberately smooth curves mix well to create a balanced design. Similar design cues are used well throughout the body and the four distinct creases on the bonnet are the first ones you’ll notice when you stare down the sharp cut angular LED headlamps of the Rush.
Move on to the side and you will see the roof-line descends nicely to the spoiler to give the Rush a decent profile. You will also note that the body extends further than the C-Pillar to accommodate seven seats. Giving more weight to the profile is the distinct character line that runs across the body and meets the wraparound tail lights.
Interiors
The dash is well laid out and pleasing on the eye. The instrument panel integrates speedometer and tachometer and is accented by elegant chrome-plated rings. The multi-information display in the center of the meters show fuel efficiency in an intuitive format, together with an eco-bar indicator.
A seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system sits on the center of the dash. It does take a slight bit of time to get your bearing with the system, but when you do it provides a host of features from all the audio capabilities to the option of tilting your infotainment screen to your desired angle.
When you’re driving, the chunky steering wheel feels good to hold and has audio and telephone controls well integrated into it. The Rush makes quiet a statement for its practicality and utility as a family vehicle. You can comfortably seat seven people, although third row occupants will be slightly more snug. That does not imply that Toyota hasn’t considered the safety and comfort of the third row passengers. It is still a pretty comfortable seat, and you get third row passenger seatbelts too.
Boot space is also adequate with more than enough space to lug around your family’s baggage for a weekend out of the city.
Performance
The Toyota Rush performs like you would expect a 1.5-liter seven-seater to. It does not sprint off the line like Usain Bolt nor does it gallop towards the horizon like a mechanical beast with untamable horses under the hood. However, even if this was the case, we can’t really see ourselves grinning into the rearview mirror and watching our horror stricken family desperately trying to find something to hold on to.
So, to be completely honest, you won’t be finding any “surge of adrenaline” here. That said, the Toyota Rush is by no means a slouch. We did have our reservations on the 1.5 liter mill that had the duty of lugging the rather large seven-seater around. Nevertheless, it was a pleasant surprise to see it hold its own on the roads.
Under the hood is a 1496cc 4-cylinder petrol engine that is mated to either a 5-speed manual transmission or with a 4-speed automatic gearbox in the top specs. As always, Toyota does its best to fill the car with the best-in-class features like VSC (Vehicle Stability Control), TRC (Traction Control System), ESS (Emergency Signal System), ABS (Antilock Braking System), and HAC (Hill-Start Assist Control) embedded in the vehicle.
It is a smooth engine that is decent to drive. It does seem to struggle on steep inclines when the cabin is fully loaded and is not too eager to overtake other cars on the roads. Yet the Rush soldiers on if you’re not reluctant to take the rev-happy engine to the higher rpms.
One thing that you can be certain of is the high level of comfort of the passengers in the car. The Rush soaks up road undulations like a champ and does not disorient passenger even at sharp bends. And that is definitely one of the things to look for when buying a seven-seater.
Verdict
The chances of Toyota coming out with a disappointing product is close to zero, and they’ve kept that record with the Rush. It is a comfortable car for passengers and we can definitely see it undertaking the role of a family vacation car. And with the Dashain season round the corner, it could be a vehicle of choice for many.
BAW Warrior: A militarygrade off-roader
Beijing Automobile Works Co., Ltd, one of the pioneers of Chinese automobile industry, was founded in 1958 as the second largest automobile factory in China. In 2001, it was developed into Beijing Automobile Works Co., Ltd. (BAW) based on modern enterprise system.Now, if you find the BAW name familiar it’s because it’s been on Nepali roads for some time now. However, what we have here is on a very different side of the spectrum. We have with us the BAW Warrior, a promising off-roader that was jointly developed by Beijing Auto Works and Chrysler.
While BAW does contribute to the commercial market, it also produces special vehicles for military use in China. The BAW Warrior is the most widely used 4×4 vehicle in the Chinese army and the People’s Liberation Army. It is also used by some paramilitary and law enforcement units and also the UN.
And it is now here to wreak havoc on the roads of Nepal.
Exterior
The BAW Warrior plants itself on the Nepali roads with indomitable authority. For perspective, the Warrior stands wider than the Hummer H3. It is a behemoth and if we were to truthfully use this term, it would be for this machine. Just with its sheer size the BAW Warrior manages to turn heads, and it should: it is based on the stunning Cherokee.
It is a masculine machine and you will not find a lot of frills; It’s bare, raw, and ready for action. The mesh inserts are clearly visible through the five massive slots of the Jeep-esque grille. This is flanked by simple round headlights and side indicators on the flat front face. A massive bumper and side bull bars finish off the front.
To be absolutely blunt, it is a boxy design and it is pretty evident. The windshield is rather vertical and the strong steel double cabin body has the same boxy design. This is carried on to the pickup bay which gets a spare wheel on the gate.
Interiors
Much like the exterior, the interiors are simple. You wouldn’t look for luxury in a car that is meant for serious military business, would you? However, it does exceed expectation on cabin space. There are acres of headroom and shoulder room for all occupants, four of whom you can comfortably accommodate in the rear seats.
The seats themselves are comfortable and provide adequate support. Visibility for the driver is good, even the A-Pillars don’t cause too much of a distraction. You won’t find any premium plastic parts in the BAW Warrior. Nevertheless, soft touch plastic and leather might not be the best thing to have on a car in which you might have to wade into rivers and water that might fill up the cabin.
Performance
Inside the massive bonnet of the Warrior is a 2.7L diesel engine borrowed from Isuzu that works well to haul the massive machine around. It is a torque heavy mill, which we loved. While the Warrior is better suited for off-road driving, the way it performed on the tarmac put a smile on our faces. Shift up through the gears and you’ll notice that the engine delivers power to the rear wheels with much enthusiasm. Body rolls on such a massive machine is inevitable but you quickly learn to live with it.
Let’s be honest here. You’re not going to drive a machine like the BAW Warrior to go grocery shopping. So we did what any sane person behind the wheels of a 2.7 liter, 4WD, military grade off-roader would do; we took it off-roading. And this was where the Warrior truly shined. It suddenly came to life, as if happy that it was finally off the smooth tarmac. All that torque finally started to come to use as it chewed up and spat out anything in front of it. The massive ground clearance definitely came in handy too.
Verdict
The BAW Warrior is a formidable machine. For its sheer size alone, it gets a lot of respect on the roads. However, if you’re looking for refined driving and luxurious interiors, it’s best you look somewhere else. But if you’re looking for an off-road capable machine, and you’re not fussy about fancy frills, this is definitely a good option. And, not to mention, it will outsize practically anything else in the segment on the streets of Nepal.
However, unless you’re planning to properly use the abilities of the Warrior as a private buyer, it will be a vehicle underused. We feel that the BAW Warrior would be better suited for a job that requires traversing larger distances and beaten tracks. A job that utilizes the prowess that this machine has to offer. And priced at just Rs 4,600,000 it makes great monetary sense too O
Sample the goodies at NADA Auto Show
The NADA Auto Show is well and truly under way. Chances are you’ve been waiting for the weekend so that you can check out what the event has to offer (if you haven’t been there already). The footfall is going to be off the roof. This is why you want to make the most of your visit and hit the most important stalls first. We want to help you with this, so here’s a short overview of the newest launches and the most exciting products.
TVS
Stall no: L-15
They had us waiting for a long long time, but TVS has finally brought the RR310 to Nepal. The Akula concept that teased the motorheads has finally arrived. Sharing the same engine as the BMW G310R, the TVS Apache RR310 is a welcome addition in the entry-level sports bike segment. Its designs have literally been inspired by SHARKS! So it does look good and aggressive, but that’s not all. The 300cc liquid cooled engine makes 34 BHP and 27 Nm of torque.
JEEP
Stall no: A-7
The iconic American brand of Jeep has made a grand entry into Nepal with the Compass. The Jeep Compass is a compact crossover SUV introduced in 2007, and is now in its second generation. Although small compared to other Jeep SUVs, it still contains all of that legendary Jeep DNA, which is evident from its signature seven-slot grille. The Compass comes with an option of two oil burners under the hood. It enters a pretty competitive playground, but for us, that just means the compact SUV has just gotten more exciting. It’s good to have the Jeep in Nepal. Also making a surprise guest appearance is the Jeep Wrangler, which is frankly the most iconic Jeep ever made. For the off-road fanatics, this is reason enough to visit the NADA Auto Show.
Mahindra
Stall no: H-12
It isn’t always that you get to see a concept car at the NADA Auto Show, but the Stinger is here! Based on the TUV 300, the Mahindra Stinger SUV is built on a ladder frame chassis. This is an interesting concept that has an open top. The Stinger will be a concept only for the time being. This will be a sub 4 meter SUV and compact in dimensions. The front resembles TUV 300 and looks striking with a crowned bonnet and sleek headlamps. 17-inch alloy wheels don this SUV and it has a sharply raked windscreen.
TATA Motors
Stall no: A-2
We loved the Tigor mainly for its design, a sedan with a short and lifted rear, the smoked headlamps and the sweet pair of alloys made for one hell of a sporty package. Now the Tigor gets rid of its oil burner and gets a battery instead. Tata also jumps into the electric power bandwagon with the Tigor EV which has a rather small 40 kW battery and does 100 km on a full charge. Also on display were the Nexon AMT and other models.
SWM
Stall no: M-1
SWM, the hugely-anticipated Italian bike maker, showcased its three models—SWM 300R, Silver Vase 400, 650 Dual T—at this year’s show. This is a new edition to Nepal’s motorcycling industry that should definitely spice things up in the segment.
Honda
Stall no: L-10
The Honda XBlade is a new entrant into the 160 cc segment. The X-Blade flaunts an aggressive design courtesy of a sculpted fuel tank, taller fly screen, an underbelly cowl, dual outlet muffler and chunky grab rails. A naked sport body featuring a razor sharp design and a Robo-like face makes the X Blade look fearless and ready to take on the segment giants. The new Honda X-Blade shares its underpinning with the Honda CB Hornet 160R. It churns out a maximum of 13.93 bhp and 13.9 Nm of torque. The XBlade will go head to head against Bajaj Pulsar NS 160.
Suzuki
Stall no: J-17
As always, Suzuki doesn’t disappoint when it comes to the NADA show. Although the company had no new models, it made sure its stall gathered maximum attention by displaying its entire range of models in Nepal including the hugely popular Vitara Brezza and the stylish third-generation Swift. Further, the company made full use of the platform to announce
Hyundai
Stall no: H-16
Electric seems to be the theme of this party as Hyundai has also joined other major players and brought in their own electric car for a show. The Hyundai Ioniq looks elegant yet low maintenance. Ioniq takes things to a new level with thoughtful amenities, advanced safety features and ingenious design. The Ioniq in the show floors is the fully electric version rather than a plug-in hybrid. The EV gets a 118 BHP electric motor and an estimated 200 km range; a DC fast charger can recharge its battery to 80 percent in 23 minutes.
Harley-Davidson
Stall no: M-3
As big and real as it gets, this was the arrival every biker in the country was waiting for. Harley Davidson, the iconic American brand, has made its long overdue official debut. The company will blow things wide open in the higher capacity segment with their lineup, but at the NADA Auto Show all you get to see is the Iron 883 and the Superlow.
Yamaha
Stall no: L-17
When it comes to small sports bikes Yamaha sets the bar with the R15 series. One of the most popular motorcycles, it is great to see the three generation finally coming to Nepal.
The V3 looks better than ever. The power comes from the new 155 cc, liquid-cooled engine that produces 19 BHP and 15 Nm of peak torque paired to a 6-speed gearbox. According to reports, the new R15 is a feisty little crotch rocket. The company is also showcasing the Yamaha XTZ125 dirt bike and Ray ZR Street Rally at the expo.
Renault
Stall no: A-4
Jumping on the electric car bandwagon in this year’s show is Renault. They have on display the Renault Zoe, a five-door supermini electric car ranked among the world’s top 10 best-selling plug-in electric cars for years. The Zoe features an 80kwh powerplant which combines extra power with even greater driving. It boasts of a range of 400kms and a 0-80 percent charging time of just 65 mins.
Aftek Motors
Stall no: L-6
Aftek Motors, motorcycle manufacturers from India, revealed the Darrel, Augusta, Scorpion and Zontes 250 at the NADA Auto Show 2018.
Hero MotoCorp
Stall no: L-5
A new entry, the Hero Xtreme 200R is similar to its younger sibling, the Xtreme Sports. But it looks sharper and sportier. It gets an all-new, 199.6cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine. It makes 18.4 BHp and 17.1Nm and is mated to a 5-speed gearbox. Also, there’s a single channel ABS, a first for Hero. Hero says the engine is designed to deliver more low-end torque and claims a 0-60 kmph time in 4.6 seconds and 114 kph top speed.
Claimed fuel efficiency is 39.9kmpl. Suspension components include a 37mm telescopic front fork and an adjustable monoshock unit at the rear. Braking is via 276mm front and 220mm rear disc brakes. The Hero Xtreme 200R goes against Bajaj Pulsar NS 200 and TVS Apache RTR 200.
13th NADA auto show rolls into K-town
Attention all auto enthusiasts of the country! There is a reason to rejoice. The 13th NADA Auto Show is afoot and for us auto buffs, Dashian (and Christmas) has come early. It might not be the biggest auto show in the world, but for the Nepali audience this is THE platform to see what the automotive industry has to showcase.
The 13th edition of Nepal’s premier automobile exhibition, NADA Auto Show 2018, kicks off on September 11 and will run till September 16 at the Bhrikuti Mandap Exhibition Hall, Kathmandu. Jointly organized by the NADA Automobiles Association of Nepal and the Global Exposition & Management Services (with SERVO World ClassLubricants as the title sponsor), this year’s auto expo offers tantalizing choices.
Altogether there will be 19 brands of latest 4-wheelers and 20 brands of 2-wheelers. The exhibition will also have stalls for spare parts, tires, lubricants, garage equipment, battery and other auto accessories. A total of 71 exhibitors comprising importers, dealers, distributors and manufacturers will be accommodated in 135 big and small stalls and blocks. However, due to space constraint, this edition will not have the heavy commercial section.
Nevertheless, as always, the NADA Auto Show should make for good fun for everyone. The tickets are priced at Rs 150 for students and Rs. 200 for others. Lucky winners of the daily door prize can win Coolpad Mega 2.5D, every day, via Jai Maa Intercontinental Pvt. Ltd.
The participating brands are as follows:
4-wheelers: Datsun, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu, Jeep, KIA, MG, Mahindra, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault, Skoda, Ssangyong, Subaru, Suzuki, TATA, Toyota, Volkswagen.
2-wheelers: Aftek, Aprilla, Bajaj, Benelli, CF Moto, Harley Davidson, Hero, Honda, KTM, Miyama, NIU, Royal Enfield, Runner, Suzuki, SWM, TVS, Tekken, UM, Vespa and Yamaha.
Lubricants: Servo, Gulf Lube, SOil, Mobil, Petronas, AutoKing, Oil Lube Systems, Mak Lubricants, HPCL (HP), Unocal-76, Veedol and PLO Lube.
Tires: Nexon, Malcok, Delta, Green, Ultramile and Eurogrip. NEPAL DRIVES
JEEP Compass: The most affordable Jeep in Nepal
The Jeep Compass has finally entered the Nepali market. In doing so, at Rs 68.50 Lakhs, it has become the most affordable Jeep in Nepal. It is available in three trims and ten variants, including 4x2 and 4x4 options.
Packed with 50+ safety and security features, 30+ premium features and 20+ pioneering technologies, the Jeep Compass provides an unmatched combination of attributes that includes best-in-class 4x4 off-road capability, fuel-efficient powertrains, excellent on-road driving dynamics and a host of convenient offerings.
The Sport and Longitude trims are available in two-wheel drive (4x2) only, while the top of the line trim, Limited, comes with 4x2 as well as four-wheel drive (4x4) options. The Limited is equipped with Jeep’s legendary Jeep Active Drive with Selec-Terrain Traction Management System that lets the drivers choose from four terrain modes—Auto, Mud, Sand and Snow.
The Jeep Compass will be sold through MAW Life’s state-of-the-art showroom in Narayanchaur, Naxal and will be available in other cities as well
FEATURES
Engine: 1.4L Petrol Engine
Power: 160 bhp
Torque: 250 Nm
Gearbox: 6-speed MT/ 7-speed AT
Displacement: 1368cc
Miscellanous:
>6 Airbags
>Electronic Parking Brake
> Electronic Stability Control
> Reverse Parking Camera
> ABS
> Hill Start Assist
> Rear Wiper & Defogger
> Electronic Brake Distribution