Hyundai Kona Electric

Source: Hyundai India

The multinational South Korean giant Hyundai has been in a run for the top spot in the Indian market and it has found some success in recent years. Hyundai with its i1o and i20 has made a permanent place in people’s mind of being a manufacturer of quality and latest tech inclusiveness in cars. How many know that the Kia Motors are the subsidiary of Hyundai Motors.

In India, Hyundai has launched its lower variant EV which we need to find out whether it is worth it or not. 

Looks and Design

Source: Hyundai India

But let's talk about its looks first. By looking at it from the front you can easily say that it’s an electric car, a simple design; no air vents, grilles in the front portion. But other than that if you put the electric Kona and ICE Kona you won't be able to differentiate it. 

Source: Hyundai India

In terms of overall looks, you can say that Kona is a decent sporty looking car, with those slim led lights and compact SUV size and shape, and new 17 inches of alloys wheels. Both the front light and tail light is sharp and long adding to the sharp the sporty look of the car with a slightly bulky body design which goes with it.

The exterior design is a sight to see, the colours available for this model are marina blue, phantom black, polar white dual-tone, typhoon silver and polar white. 

Source: Hyundai India

When it comes to its interior, you won't say there is much space, especially the headroom because the battery is below the floor and the rear seats might not be able to adjust 3 passengers comfortably. Other than that, the cabin feels simple and elegant with all the necessary buttons which are in the right position with a 7-inch the infotainment system in the centre of the dashboard. Front seats are nice, supportive and are electronically adjustable, and also has a cool feature of heated and cooled seats which will make it more comfortable. Along with that, there is a lot more tech available in the car, like wireless charging for phone.

The fully black interior design doesn’t give a strong electric vehicle feel but yeah, it’s neat. 

Source: Hyundai India

Facilities/services

Talking about the interior, we get too many techs and facilities like shift-by-wire automatic transmission, electric parking brakes, digital instrument cluster with supervision, tyre pressure monitoring system (high line), paddle shift (for regenerating braking), front ventilated and heated seats. More facilities will be seen in future once it is fully accepted and commercialised in the market. They sure want to put more innovation for the electric car in the future.

Source: Hyundai India

Now other services by Hyundai includes 3 years/unlimited km warranty and 3 years roadside assistance, well, not many electric companies have offered similar services like that. Service vehicle to vehicle support, charging support for customers in select cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru & Chennai)

The tire pressure monitoring system is very useful for long drives. 

The next thing about Kona is that it has utility modes namely outdoor leisure service, camping, entertainment and relaxation.

Other interesting features are the one hand driving and regeneration facility of Kona.

Safety

Hyundai says they have come with the next level of safety features. 

Kona is made of ultra-high tensile strength steel and it offers high impact energy absorption that keeps the passengers safe in the event of a collision. The cabin has been specially designed to disperse energy to reduce the impact on the occupants. It has got sis airbags, vehicle stability management, hill-start assist control (HAC), electronic stability control. You won’t believe if I say that it has got a virtual engine sound system to generate engine sound for pedestrians to be alert and aware of the car’s arrival. Wow, that’s some cool stuff you have there Hyundai!

Source: Hyundai India

Source: Hyundai India

It has got an ISOFIX i.e, a convenient and safe way to fix child car seat in the rear. 

Specifications

Specification	Items	KONA Electric
DIMENSIONS	Overall Length (mm)	4,180
DIMENSIONS	Overall Width (mm)	1,800
DIMENSIONS	Overall Height (mm)	1,570*
DIMENSIONS	Wheelbase (mm)	2,600
ELECTRIC MOTOR	Electric Motor Type	Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM)
ELECTRIC MOTOR	Max Power (ps)	136
ELECTRIC MOTOR	Max Torque (kgm)	40.27
HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY & CHARGING	TYPE	Lithium-ion Polymer
HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY & CHARGING	Capacity (kWh)	39.2
HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY & CHARGING	AC Charging (0-100%)**	Approx. 6 h 10 min
HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY & CHARGING	DC Charging (0-80%) @50 kW**	Approx. 57 min
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	TYPE	Single Speed Reduction Gear
SUSPENSION	Front	McPherson Strut Type
SUSPENSION	Rear	Multi-Link
BRAKES	Front	Disc
BRAKES	Rear	Disc
TYRE	Tyre Size	215/ 55 R17 Alloy Wheel
TYRE	Emergency Spare Tyre	T135/80 D17

Performance

Let’s talk about performance with 134 bhp and 414 NM of torque with self-weight of 1685 kg, but because it's electric all its power and torques come instantly from the lowest rpm. Which means as soon as you touch the accelerator all the fury is ready to push you to go straight ahead. It has 3 modes obviously, they don't want you to accelerate like a thief every time you accidentally hit the accelerator hard on the signal, lol.

Eco, comfort and sport all 3 only changes how accelerator reacts. ‘Eco’ has the lowest reaction and ‘sports’ giving you all the power instantly, and because it has front grills closed it help it make Kona bit more aerodynamic which sounds exciting. And because of the added weight of the electric battery, the suspension has been made bit stiffer which will make you think it will go around the corners like a sports car. No, you’re wrong, yes acceleration can or might bring a bit of excitement to you but other than that it is a big heavy compact SUV which will roll a bit going around the corner even though the batteries are below the passengers. You might have enjoyed the driving but the steering wheel is as light and without feedback as it can be, you might feel having a gaming console.

  

Source: Hyundai India

Let's talk about comfort, I don't think it will be good for the bad road mainly because of the stiff suspension, seats and all are good but rear seats are not that supportive and when the car is going to push you around having a bit more support at the back would make it a bit better.

What the main thing to talk about is its range, Hyundai has stated that it can do 452 km, yeah, right. According to the European standard testing, it was able to do around 320 km which is not bad when you consider other electric cars which are available here. Along with that, there are 3 ways to charge this car; one is a portable charger, but be prepared to spend 19 hrs to charge your car. Other is wall-mounted charging point, which Hyundai will fit at your home or your society which will take around 6.5 hrs or 7 hrs to charge your car. The last one is the fast charging point which they are planning to put on the Indian oil petrol pumps they have made a deal with them and soon it will be available there which can charge you to 80 % in just 57 min which sounds good. But still, if you want to take it for a long trip you have to plan it perfectly so that you won't stop somewhere for 19 hrs. to charge it and add to your journey time.

Source: Hyundai India

Now, lets put the cost of the car in the equation, the electric Kona cost 25 lakhs ex-showroom. For a compact SUV which is smaller than Creta but bigger than Venue will sound too much, and it is. I totally agree even if Hyundai gives all those techs and features, still, with that price tag everyone would expect and better interior but I think the interior quality is equivalent to a compact SUV of price under 10 lakhs. Even while looking at it, Sorry Hyundai but, it doesn't give a feel or a presence of a car worth that much.  

Still, I won't say you don't have to buy it as it has its own advantage if your use is only restricted to the city then it’s a perfect car you can easily go wherever you want without a worry of fuel once you charge it fully and with the one-foot operation, it is one of the easiest cars to drive. Because it has electric motors the servicing cost will be low and the period to service the car will be long, actually service the plan has not been shared but because of very few parts which might need to be serviced only major one will be costly like AC and for battery which will reduce the cost of maintaining the car too less.

Price:25 lakhs (ex-showroom price)

Final verdict

Looks and design: 7/10

Specs & features: 7/10

Dynamics & performance: 7/10

Safety & quality: 8/10

Best suited for those who want a car to be eco-friendly, or if they want to boost their new electric car, or just want a new car for city use which is easy to drive even in traffic condition. A car which can do 0- 100 in 9.7 seconds if you want a bit of acceleration too.

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YAMAHA MT-15 Review

The Yamaha Motor Company Limited is a Japanese manufacturer of motorbikes, marine products and other motorised products.

This Japanese firm has given us amazing two-wheelers like Yamaha FZ, Yamaha Fascino, Yamaha Ray, Yamaha Fazer etc. We all love these bikes and we have trusted over these bikes and brand for many years. Now, here a new version of Yamaha product is here, the Yamaha MT-15, and let’s see what it has in store for us.

Looks and Design

MT-15 has made its presence in the international market already. Why I don’t know but I feel like the headlight is almost like the Kawasaki Z1000. Oops, already comparing the looks with the other bikes, for now, let’s see the design of this beauty. The M-15 looks muscular though, but elegant and light at the same time.

It can be said that MT-15 is the best looking bike from the company usually seen only in higher models like MT-09 and MT-10. The design is aggressive and attracts a lot of eyes on the road for sure. The twin slot daytime running lights and single LED headlights are really eye-catchy. As I said earlier, the headlights look similar to Kawasaki Z1000(just similar not an exact copy).

The single-piece seat looks really comfortable and adjusted with an extended tail section that has a nice LED taillight.

Specifications

Engine type	Liquid cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, 4-valve
Displacement	155 cm3
Bore & Stroke	58.0 mm x 58.7 mm
Compression ratio	11.6 : 1
Maximum power	14.2 kW (19.3 PS) @10,000 RPM
Maximum torque	14.7 N-m (1.5 kgf-m) @8,500 RPM
Lubrication system	Wet sump
Clutch Type	Wet, Multiple Disc
Fuel system	Fuel Injection
Ignition system	TCI (transistor controlled ignition)
Starter system	Electric
Transmission system	Constant Mesh, 6-speed
Final drive	Chain

Performance

MT-15 has got the same engine which you get in the R-15, so, your expectations are high because everyone knows how good the engine in R-15 is and it has continued its performance and refinement. It's not the engine which different it from R-15 but its wheelbase and weight and suspension. It has small wheelbase, you can't even see the front tyre property while riding, so that is low which makes its a bit unstable at High speed and I would say don't go beyond 110kph unless the road is smooth. Still, it has its own advantage, which makes it highly flickable and real fun around corners which is combined with its lightweight body and it goes like a bee. You can take it to race tracks; the more turns it takes the more you will enjoy.

Mt-15 is more of a street fighter, the race track machine. Yamaha has also tweaked the ECU and its variable valve actuation compared to its R-15 sibling which is focused on racing which gives it much better on the low and mid-range which make it a better for the city and especially in the traffic conditions. The seat is single-seat and wide enough to give you comfort, and if you're alone you can adjust to any seating position you want, but seats are a bit on the hard side. The handlebar has been readjusted so that its easier to move around and change direction quickly. Even the suspension has been tweaked, which make the MT-15 more comfortable for the city and bit bad roads. Because it is Yamaha it is one of the smoothest bikes there is, you will feel a bit vibration once you push the bike to top rpm end.

Still, there are few things that I think might be serious for some, like if you're tall and you bend down to get into the racing position without shifting to the back seat might put your head too much in front and even for taller riders the bike might feel small and the ride position might not be desirable. The footpeg position for both the front and back are too close. The main thing you should know is, MT-15 is designed for city riders, not for long-distance touring. I think it gives you a hint about the limitations of the bike.

Price :1,38,000(INR ex-showroom)

Final verdict:

Looks and design: 7/10

Specs & features: 8/10

Dynamics & performance: 8/10

Safety & quality: 7/10

This bike is for those who want a small fun nimble bike, with decent economy. if you're tall you need to try it 1st before you go for it. But if you're into long-distance touring, straight-line speeds then there are other bikes available for you even in the same price range.

One more thing before buying it 1^st see to it that bike is suited to you or not, by that I mean you should see if you look good on the bike or not.

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ŠKODA KODIAQ VRS

It is Skoda’S first attempt in the big car segment and they have done a great job. This is a 7-seater car which gives comfort to all the passengers (not control of everything) which is something that we expect from a Skoda.

And now they have launched up the VRS version of it which is for rally sport range. Toyota Fortuner, Audi Q3 and Ford Endeavour are going to be the real rivals for Kodiaq. Will this instalment of SUV by Skoda be able to withstand the attacks of an already established brand in the market?

Looks:

The looks of this car are something to talk about. A stylish and clean-cut design like this is only seen in SUVs from luxury brands. The front grill and attached headlight give the classic Skoda feel and the remaining body shows something different. The alloy wheels are really amazing and the front headlight with adaptive front light and LED daytime running light shows style us what design with purpose means. There is a hidden rubber strip which comes out from the edge of the door which prevents the door from hitting the nearby parked cars or damaging it.

The Kodiaq gets its name from the Kodiak bear that can be found in Alaska. Though it doesn’t look huge like the bear but more compact and solid.

vRS front grill and the rear bumper looks good as usual Skodas. Coming to the backside, LED third brake light in the rear spoiler is some innovative idea so is the LED rear fog lights. The metallic blue colour combined with black gives you a stunning look with minimum effort. The car looks sporty enough, but if it’s really sporty or not will be discussed in the performance part in this review. It is a seven seater and you can get in the last row of seats which is quite comfortable for kids yeah. Tall persons, no.

Overall the car looks compact, sturdy and capable of withstanding the competition in the market and on the road.

Interior:

It is identical to all the Skoda you have seen, most from Octavia like a glove box, dashboard etc. There are auto headlamp and parking sensors all around. There are drowsiness sensors wow. In the backseat, you get an additional pouch for a blanket, well if it’s too cold inside as well outside. You will have a commanding position on the driver seat which gives you the comfort and confidence to drive.

When it comes to the interior, the first thing I want to talk about is the door sill panels with KODIAQ logo, wow. The Alcantara sports seats with vRS stitching and logo are nice looking, while carbon finished dashboard and door inserts give us a good premium vibe (it is though is a premium car).

Courtesy lights in front and rear are cool. Alcantara door the panel, aluminium pedals and LED light pack, textile floor mats, black roof headlining and what not!

Specifications:

Engine and Drivetrain

Cubic capacity	1,968
Cylinders	4
Cylinders - bore – mm	81.0
Cylinders - stroke – mm	95.5
Number of valves	19
Number of gears	7
Transmission type	Automatic

VEHICLE DIMENSIONS

Height - mm	1,665
Height (inc. roof rails) - mm	1,685
Length - mm	4,699
Wheelbase - mm	2,790
Width - mm	1,882
Width (inc. mirrors) - mm	2,087

Performance:

Kodiaq now holds the fastest 7 seater track record for the Nurburgring, but in a way, they are the only one who has done it for a 7 seater cars. Yes, it a diesel engine with a 240bhp and yes it doesn't feel right to have a diesel engine in an RS car. 

But you have to keep this in mind that the main purpose of this car is to be a “family car” i.e, to make all 7 people reach from point A to point B safely and comfortably but, if there is vRS batch on Skoda then it adds to be a bit quicker then the standard. It is more powerful and it can reach 0-100kph in just 7 sec, well it is good for a 240bhp 7-seater SUV. 

It is a big SUV so I know you will be thinking that for a vRS batch they must have fitted a stiffer suspension, but no it is just the standard one which gets a bit stiff in sports mode, now you will be thinking what's the use of power if there is no good suspension to control the body, and yes you’re 100% right but, the standard car already had a good body dynamics and making it stiffer will just make the car uncomfortable to drive especially on bad roads, and Skoda  don't want to compromise on comfort (you know German cars).

I will say it was a right step even with this added power there is not much body roll which will not make you nervous. By ‘you’ I mean ‘the driver’, I don't know about the other 6, they may be screaming with joy or, just screaming (no fun intended).

As it is a 4-wheel drive, there are lots of grips to push it around, 4-wd doesn't make it a good offroader, you can take it on the rally stage or on loose surface tracks and you will enjoy it going around the bends and sliding a big heavy car, but not much of an off-roader, it can do mild ones because of ground clearance and advantage of being a 4wd, but as I said before, don't expect much. 

But with 500NM of torque u can make it pull anything you want, it might have enough torque even to pull a plane.!

Price:- Rs 36.79 lakh (ex-showroom)

Final Verdict:

Looks and design: 8/10

Specs & features: 8/10

Dynamics & performance: 6/10

Safety & quality: 8/10

Good looking car with features, comfort, and power. If you’re looking for is a 7 seater car, and you know you're never going to do serious off-roading then you can go for it.

This is a car with great on-road potential and rides to take you to your desired point with ease.

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