Maxxd.com – Modified and Performance Car News

  • Tata Altroz iCNG Review – Driving Impressions| Boot Space| Specs| Features| Images

    oi-Dennis Abraham James

    The
    corner
    of
    the
    Indian
    car
    market
    powered
    by
    CNG
    has
    always
    been
    chock
    full
    of
    compromises,
    some
    greater
    than
    others
    but
    still
    compromises…

    Customers
    had
    to
    choose
    between
    power
    and
    mileage,
    boot
    space
    and
    more
    CNG
    and
    of
    course,
    the
    ever-present
    fear
    of
    having
    a
    compressed
    metal
    cylinder
    filled
    with
    methane
    sitting
    just
    behind
    the
    passenger
    seats.

    But
    those
    were
    compromises
    the
    Indian
    CNG
    car
    following
    had
    gotten
    used
    to
    as
    well.
    That
    was
    until
    Tata
    Motors
    decided
    to
    upend
    that
    sorry
    cart
    of
    compromises
    with
    its
    new
    twin-cylinder
    tech
    at
    Auto
    Expo
    2023.

    So
    is
    the
    new
    Tata
    Altroz
    iCNG,
    the
    sign
    of
    a
    new
    era
    of
    CNG
    in
    India
    or
    is
    it
    just
    more
    compressed
    methane
    escaping
    into
    the
    atmosphere
    that
    isn’t
    bovinely
    exhausted?
    We
    got
    behind
    the
    wheel
    of
    the
    all-new
    Tata
    Altroz
    iCNG
    in
    Goa
    to
    find
    out
    just
    how
    much
    the
    premium
    hatchback
    had
    changed
    with
    compressed
    methane
    running
    through
    its
    veins…

    Tata
    Altroz
    iCNG

    Is
    It
    Really
    More
    Practical?

    The
    Tata
    Altroz
    is
    one
    of
    the
    better-looking
    hatchbacks
    currently
    running
    on
    our
    roads
    today
    and
    the
    visual
    changes
    for
    the
    CNG
    version
    are
    almost
    non-existent
    except
    for
    the
    iCNG
    badge
    on
    the
    tailgate.

    The
    changes
    on
    the
    inside
    are
    also
    nearly
    nonexistent
    as
    well,
    except
    for
    the
    new
    CNG
    button
    on
    the
    central
    console
    that
    lets
    you
    know
    which
    fuel
    you’re
    using.
    The
    voice-activated
    single-pane
    roof
    is
    a
    first
    for
    any
    CNG-powered
    hatch
    in
    India.

    Otherwise,
    the
    new
    Altroz
    iCNG
    comes
    packed
    with
    all
    the
    bells
    and
    whistles
    the
    petrol
    version
    of
    the
    hatch
    comes
    with.
    Top-spec
    versions
    of
    the
    Altroz
    iCNG
    come
    with
    features
    like
    automatic
    headlights
    and
    rain-sensing
    wipers,
    a
    7-inch
    touchscreen
    infotainment
    system
    with
    Tata’s
    iRA
    smartcar
    setup
    and
    support
    for
    Android
    Auto
    and
    Apple
    CarPlay.

    Other
    features
    on
    the
    top-of-the-line
    Altroz
    iCNG
    include
    a
    wireless
    phone
    charger,
    air
    purifier,
    leatherette
    seat
    upholstery
    and
    dual-tone
    alloy
    wheels.

    The
    biggest
    change
    in
    terms
    of
    design
    and
    practicality
    is
    seen
    when
    you
    open
    the
    tailgate
    and
    gaze
    into
    the
    bowels
    of
    the
    boot.
    Tata’s
    twin
    30kg
    CNG
    cylinders
    take
    up
    space
    under
    the
    floor
    of
    the
    boot.

    Yes,
    the
    Altroz
    iCNG’s
    210-litre
    boot
    is
    smaller
    than
    its
    petrol
    counterpart’s
    345-litre
    unit.
    However,
    before
    you
    all
    start
    picketing
    my
    office
    tabletop
    and
    complaining
    about
    leading
    you
    on
    about
    the
    compromises
    in
    the
    introduction
    to
    this
    piece,
    210
    litres
    is
    a
    lot
    more
    than
    having
    no
    space
    at
    all
    with
    a
    regular
    60kg
    compressed
    CNG
    tank.

    So
    while
    the
    CNG
    tanks
    may
    have
    gobbled
    up
    the
    underfloor
    storage
    area,
    diminishing
    the
    available
    volume
    of
    space
    by
    135
    litres,
    the
    Altroz
    iCNG’s
    210-litre
    boot
    is
    more
    than
    enough
    for
    the
    grocery
    and
    mall
    shopping
    runs.

    Tata
    Altroz
    iCNG

    Has
    The
    Engine
    Snoozed
    Off
    &
    Just
    How
    Safe
    Is
    It?

    The
    Tata
    Altroz
    iCNG
    is
    based
    on
    the
    firm’s
    1.2-litre
    naturally
    aspirated
    3-cylinder
    revotron
    engine.
    When
    drinking
    down
    petrol,
    the
    engine
    produces
    87bhp
    and
    115Nm
    of
    peak
    torque.

    When
    inhaling
    lungfuls
    of
    compressed
    methane,
    the
    engine
    output
    dips
    from
    87bhp
    to
    72.4bhp,
    while
    torque
    is
    down
    by
    12Nm
    at
    103Nm.
    Power
    is
    still
    sent
    to
    the
    front
    wheels
    via
    a
    5-speed
    manual
    gearbox.

    To
    allow
    the
    engine
    to
    function
    without
    having
    to
    catch
    its
    breath
    every
    time
    one
    of
    the
    fuel
    tanks
    drops
    low.
    The
    new
    smart
    ECU
    automatically
    shifts
    between
    petrol
    and
    CNG
    on
    the
    fly.

    The
    new
    ECU
    switches
    between
    fuels
    on
    the
    go
    while
    ensuring
    the
    best
    efficiency.
    The
    new
    ECU
    also
    allows
    the
    Altroz
    to
    start
    off
    the
    daily
    drive
    in
    CNG
    mode.

    Filling
    up
    the
    tanks
    is
    also
    a
    quick
    job
    thanks
    to
    the
    special
    nozzle
    fitted
    to
    the
    Altroz.
    Also
    seen
    is
    a
    small
    micro
    switch
    that
    shuts
    off
    the
    fuel
    to
    the
    engine
    when
    it
    detects
    the
    fuel
    filler
    cap
    opening.
    The
    Altroz
    will
    vent
    the
    CNG
    into
    the
    atmosphere
    if
    a
    thermal
    issue
    is
    detected.

    Other
    safety
    features
    include
    the
    usual
    array
    of
    airbags,
    ABS
    with
    EBD,
    Brake
    Sway
    Control
    and
    Sorner
    Stability
    Control
    among
    many
    more
    systems
    that
    keep
    those
    inside
    the
    cabin
    safe
    and
    secure.

    Tata
    Altroz
    iCNG
    Driving
    Impressions

    Has
    The
    Drive
    Been
    Compromised?

    The
    short
    answer
    and
    the
    one
    most
    Altroz
    iCNG
    owners
    will
    say
    is
    no.
    The
    loss
    in
    power
    and
    torque
    isn’t
    really
    felt
    until
    you
    start
    pushing
    the
    premium
    hatchback
    to
    its
    limits.

    Despite
    the
    large
    difference
    on
    paper
    between
    the
    petrol
    and
    CNG
    modes,
    the
    hatchback
    offers
    more
    than
    adequate
    performance
    in
    the
    city
    when
    running
    on
    natural
    gas.

    However,
    if
    you
    find
    yourself
    low
    in
    the
    rev
    range
    when
    running
    on
    CNG
    in
    a
    gear
    higher
    than
    second,
    we
    recommend
    shifting
    down
    if
    you
    need
    to
    get
    back
    into
    the
    powerband
    urgently.

    Switching
    between
    petrol
    and
    CNG
    modes
    happens
    automatically
    when
    fuel
    levels
    are
    low.
    However,
    drivers
    can
    switch
    between
    the
    modes
    by
    just
    tapping
    the
    CNG
    button
    on
    the
    dash.
    The
    new
    Altroz
    iCNG
    can
    start
    journeys
    in
    CNG
    mode,
    which
    is
    quite
    a
    big
    plus
    point
    over
    its
    rivals
    from
    Tata
    and
    Hyundai.

    The
    suspension
    setup
    of
    the
    iCNG
    has
    been
    stiffened
    compared
    to
    the
    petrol
    version
    of
    Altroz,
    especially
    at
    the
    rear
    to
    handle
    the
    weight
    of
    the
    two
    cylinders.
    While
    this
    helps
    ensure
    the
    Altroz
    iCNG
    does
    not
    drop
    down
    due
    to
    the
    extra
    weight,
    going
    over
    bumps
    and
    ruts
    can
    be
    problematic
    for
    your
    back.

    The
    steering
    is
    the
    same
    as
    the
    petrol
    model
    and
    provides
    more
    than
    adequate
    feedback.
    At
    higher
    speeds,
    the
    wheel
    weighs
    up
    quite
    nicely
    which
    is
    rather
    reassuring.

    The
    braking
    performance
    from
    the
    disc
    brakes
    at
    the
    front
    and
    the
    rear
    drums
    is
    more
    than
    adequate
    for
    the
    Altroz
    iCNG.
    However,
    using
    the
    brake
    pedal
    itself
    can
    be
    a
    bit
    cumbersome
    thanks
    to
    its
    close
    proximity
    to
    the
    clutch.

    NVH
    levels
    inside
    the
    cabin
    are
    quite
    manageable
    for
    the
    most
    part.
    The
    only
    annoyance
    comes
    when
    the
    three-cylinder
    runs
    higher
    into
    the
    rev
    range.

    Final
    Thoughts
    About
    The
    Tata
    Altroz
    iCNG

    The
    Tata
    Altroz
    iCNG
    brings
    about
    the
    savings
    of
    switching
    to
    CNG
    to
    the
    Altroz
    premium
    hatchback.
    Its
    innovative
    twin-cylinder
    setup
    ensures
    that
    owners
    can
    still
    use
    the
    boot
    while
    the
    onboard
    safety
    systems
    ensure
    that
    you
    can
    run
    on
    compressed
    methane
    without
    worrying
    your
    head
    off.

    Add
    in
    the
    fact
    that
    the
    Altroz
    iCNG’s
    in-city
    performance
    is
    quite
    similar
    to
    the
    petrol
    version,
    and
    the
    only
    way
    you’ll
    feel
    the
    need
    for
    petrol-powered
    speed
    is
    on
    the
    highway.

    Overall,
    the
    Tata
    Altroz
    iCNG
    is
    the
    least
    compromised
    CNG-powered
    car
    we’ve
    driven
    in
    a
    while
    and
    that
    is
    what
    makes
    it
    such
    an
    attractive
    option,
    especially
    with
    a
    starting
    price
    of
    Rs
    7.55
    lakh
    (ex-showroom).


    Most
    Read
    Articles

    Get The Best Drivespark Stories!

    Allow Notifications

    You have already subscribed

    Article Published On: Monday, May 29, 2023, 10:50 [IST]

    Source

  • Maruti Suzuki Jimny Review: First Drive – Driving Impressions| Specs| Features| Images

    oi-Dennis Abraham James

    It
    was
    December
    1985
    and
    Maruti
    Suzuki
    was
    still
    discovering
    its
    feet.
    The
    firm
    burst
    into
    the
    Indian
    automotive
    scene
    with
    the
    800
    in
    1983.

    Looking
    to
    switch
    away
    from
    the
    800
    and
    the
    Van
    based
    on
    it,
    the
    firm
    set
    its
    sights
    on
    Mahindra’s ‘Indianised’ Jeeps
    and
    brought
    the
    Jimny
    offroader
    into
    India.
    Dubbed
    the
    Maruti
    Suzuki ‘Gypsy’,
    the
    SJ40
    series
    gained
    quite
    a
    cult
    following
    in
    India.

    Despite
    the
    Jimny
    sold
    in
    other
    markets
    moving
    forward
    by
    two
    generations,
    Maruti
    Suzuki
    persisted
    with
    the
    Gypsy
    taking
    orders
    for
    civilians
    till
    December
    2018
    before
    tightening
    emission
    and
    safety
    norms
    rang
    the
    death
    knell
    for
    the
    offroader.

    Since
    then,
    rumours
    about
    the
    4th
    Gen
    Jimny
    arriving
    in
    India
    filled
    the
    pages
    of
    automotive
    chat
    rooms
    across
    the
    nation.
    Maruti
    Suzuki
    ended
    the
    speculation
    at
    Auto
    Expo
    2023
    when
    it
    revealed
    the
    all-new
    Jimny
    for
    India.

    However,
    the
    Maruti
    Suzuki
    Jimny
    sported
    five
    doors
    instead
    of
    the
    three-door
    layout
    prefered
    elsewhere
    which
    had
    us
    more
    than
    intrigued
    about
    how
    the
    new
    SUV
    would
    perform
    given
    there
    was
    no
    increase
    in
    the
    output
    from
    the
    powerplant.

    So
    when
    Maruti
    Suzuki
    gave
    us
    the
    chance
    to
    test
    out
    the
    new
    Jimny
    near
    Dehradun,
    we
    dumped
    everything
    to
    see
    if
    there
    was
    a
    new
    king
    of
    the
    dirt
    tracks.
    The
    answers
    we
    received
    had
    us
    shining
    up
    a
    dusty
    old
    crown
    and
    well
    if
    you
    wish
    to
    know
    why,
    I’d
    suggest
    you
    keep
    reading
    and
    get
    ready
    to
    prostrate
    yourself
    in
    front
    of
    the
    returning
    king…

    Maruti
    Suzuki
    Design
    &
    Features

    Rugged
    Retro
    Boxiness
    With
    A
    Few
    Modern
    Amenities

    The
    Maruti
    Suzuki
    Jimny
    is
    identical
    to
    its
    3-door
    sibling
    except
    for
    the
    extra
    length
    due
    to
    the
    presence
    of
    an
    extra
    door
    on
    each
    side.
    So
    while
    it
    may
    be
    longer,
    the
    India-spec
    Jimny
    is
    just
    as
    boxy
    and
    rugged
    as
    its
    international
    counterpart.

    The
    Maruti
    Jimny
    is
    a
    throwback
    to
    the
    1st
    and
    2nd
    iterations
    of
    the
    SUV.
    The
    front
    end
    sports
    circular
    LED
    headlights
    that
    are
    connected
    by
    five
    chrome-adorned
    vertical
    slats
    with
    the
    central
    one
    hosting
    the
    Suzuki
    badge.
    The
    tiny
    circular
    turn
    indicators
    sit
    near
    the
    headlights
    on
    the
    top
    edges
    of
    the
    grille.

    The
    front
    bumpers
    on
    the
    Maruti
    Suzuki
    Jimny
    are
    angled
    to
    increase
    the
    ground
    clearance
    at
    the
    wheels
    of
    the
    SUV.
    Made
    using
    toughened
    plastic,
    the
    bumpers
    play
    host
    to
    the
    fog
    lamps
    and
    a
    large
    central
    air
    intake.

    The
    sides
    of
    the
    Jimny
    reflect
    the
    rugged
    nature
    of
    the
    boxy
    little
    beast.
    The
    flared
    wheel
    arches
    are
    made
    from
    toughened
    plastic
    and
    play
    host
    to
    15-inch
    alloy
    wheels
    that
    are
    shod
    with
    road-specific
    rubber.

    The
    switch
    to
    a
    five-door
    layout
    has
    meant
    that
    the
    rear
    three-quarter
    glass
    panel
    has
    shrunk
    significantly.
    The
    roof,
    which
    is
    finished
    in
    a
    bluish-black
    shade
    in
    the
    dual-tone
    versions
    of
    the
    Jimny,
    features
    drip
    rails
    on
    the
    sides
    and
    the
    rear
    to
    ensure
    that
    water
    doesn’t
    drip
    on
    you
    when
    you
    enter
    or
    exit
    the
    SUV.

    The
    rear
    section
    of
    the
    Jimny
    is
    as
    boxy
    as
    the
    rest
    of
    the
    SUV
    except
    for
    the
    spare
    wheel
    which
    is
    mounted
    onto
    the
    rear
    door
    of
    the
    SUV.
    Except
    for
    the
    third
    brake
    light
    which
    lives
    on
    the
    door,
    the
    Jimny’s
    entire
    rear
    lighting
    setup
    can
    be
    found
    in
    two
    pods
    on
    the
    rear
    bumper.

    Step
    inside
    the
    all-new
    Jimny
    and
    you’ll
    be
    greeted
    by
    a
    spartan
    interior
    that
    features
    a
    few
    creature
    comforts
    that
    bring
    it
    into
    the
    21st
    century.
    The
    most
    noticeable
    of
    these
    features
    comes
    in
    the
    form
    of
    the
    infotainment
    screen
    that
    is
    offered
    in
    either
    7
    or
    9-inch
    screen
    options.

    The
    infotainment
    touchscreen
    allows
    access
    to
    connectivity
    options
    like
    Bluetooth,
    Android
    Auto
    and
    Apple
    CarPlay
    for
    your
    music
    and
    navigation
    needs.
    The
    infotainment
    system
    is
    connected
    to
    a
    surround
    sound
    system
    that
    belts
    out
    your
    favourite
    tunes
    with
    ease.

    The
    rest
    of
    the
    cabin
    is
    made
    to
    deal
    with
    the
    rough
    world
    that
    every
    Jimny
    owner
    must
    experience

    the
    great
    outdoors.
    The
    dials
    are
    big
    and
    analogue
    and
    there
    is
    a
    small
    multi-information
    display
    in
    between
    for
    all
    your
    other
    required
    car-related
    information.

    The
    seats
    are
    designed
    to
    absorb
    all
    the
    bumps
    and
    jumps
    you’ll
    find
    up
    and
    down
    a
    rocky
    crag.
    The
    front
    passenger
    also
    gets
    a
    grab
    rail
    to
    hold
    onto
    when
    you
    decide
    to
    get
    adventurous
    with
    your
    right
    foot
    on
    the
    dirt
    and
    rocks.

    The
    dash
    and
    other
    sections
    are
    made
    from
    scratch
    proof
    material,
    so
    your
    house
    panther
    will
    need
    to
    transform
    into ‘Panthera
    leo’ to
    make
    a
    mark
    here.
    The
    controls
    are
    all
    rather
    large
    and
    easy
    to
    find
    but
    we
    do
    wish
    Maruti
    Suzuki
    took
    a
    bit
    more
    time
    to
    arrange
    them
    a
    bit
    more
    intuitively.

    The
    Jimny
    also
    comes
    with
    a
    host
    of
    safety
    features
    including
    6
    airbags,
    ABS
    with
    EBD,
    Brake
    Limited
    Slip
    Differential,
    Hill
    Hold
    Control,
    Hill
    Descent
    Control,
    Brake
    Assist,
    rearview
    camera
    and
    ISOFIX
    anchor
    points
    for
    child
    seats.

    Maruti
    Suzuki
    Jimny
    Specs
    &
    Dimensions

    Built
    For
    A
    Bruising

    The
    all-new
    Maruti
    Suzuki
    Jimny
    for
    India
    is
    powered
    by
    the
    firm’s
    K15B
    1.5-litre
    naturally-aspirated
    four-cylinder
    petrol
    engine.
    The
    Jimny’s
    powerplant
    pushes
    out
    103.4bhp
    at
    6,000rpm
    and
    134.2Nm
    of
    peak
    torque
    at
    4,000rpm.

    The
    engine
    sends
    power
    to
    all
    four
    wheels
    via
    either
    a
    5-speed
    manual
    or
    a
    4-speed
    torque
    converter
    automatic
    transmission
    with
    short
    ratios.
    The
    transmission
    is
    paired
    with
    Suzuki’s
    All
    Grip
    all-wheel-drive
    system
    and
    the
    new
    Jimny
    SUV
    also
    features
    a
    low-range
    transfer
    box.

    As
    was
    the
    case
    with
    the
    old
    Gypsy,
    the
    Jimny
    uses
    a
    ladder-frame
    chassis.
    Taking
    care
    of
    the
    rough
    stuff
    is
    a
    3-link
    suspension
    setup
    with
    a
    rigid
    axle
    and
    coil
    springs
    at
    both
    the
    front
    and
    the
    rear.
    The
    Jimny
    rides
    on
    15-inch
    wheels
    that
    are
    offered
    in
    both
    steel
    and
    alloy
    guises.
    The
    wheels
    are
    shod
    with
    195/80
    R15
    tyres.

    The
    Maruti
    Suzuki
    Jimny
    is
    3,985mm
    long
    (with
    the
    spare
    wheel
    attached),
    1,645mm
    wide
    and
    1,720mm
    tall.
    The
    wheelbase
    of
    the
    new
    Jimny
    is
    2,590mm
    long
    and
    weighs
    1,210kg
    in
    its
    heaviest
    guise.
    The
    new
    Jimny
    offers
    210mm
    of
    ground
    clearance
    and
    sports
    a
    208-litre
    boot.

    Maruti
    Suzuki
    Jimny
    Driving
    Impressions

    The
    Real
    Successor
    To
    The
    Gypsy
    King

    The
    Maruti
    Suzuki
    Jimny
    is
    built
    to
    go
    off-piste
    with
    its
    ladder
    frame
    chassis
    and
    off-roading
    suspension
    setup,
    however,
    that
    doesn’t
    mean
    that
    it
    is
    an
    absolute
    brute
    on
    the
    road.

    We
    do
    wish
    the
    engine
    had
    a
    bit
    more
    power
    to
    deal
    with
    the
    everyday
    on-road
    malarkey.
    However,
    with
    its
    more
    than
    good
    enough
    mid
    and
    top-end
    power
    it
    will
    get
    from
    point
    A
    to
    B
    without
    breaking
    into
    too
    much
    of
    a
    sweat.

    And
    on
    your
    way
    to
    point
    B,
    the
    Jimny
    surprises
    you
    with
    the
    way
    it
    deals
    with
    the
    ruts
    and
    bumps.
    The
    ride
    is
    smooth
    and
    the
    SUV
    doesn’t
    bounce
    around
    despite
    its
    off-road-oriented
    suspension
    setup.

    However,
    there
    is
    considerable
    body
    roll
    when
    you
    try
    and
    push
    the
    Jimny
    into
    a
    corner
    thanks
    to
    its
    high-riding
    setup.
    The
    steering
    is
    light
    and
    numb
    and
    the
    turning
    radius
    of
    5.4
    metres
    is
    a
    real
    pain
    especially
    when
    you’re
    trying
    to
    execute
    a
    U-turn.

    However,
    all
    that
    changes
    when
    you
    get
    off
    the
    black
    strip
    of
    tarmac
    and
    head
    into
    the
    big
    outdoors.
    The
    Jimny
    transforms
    from
    a
    shy
    lamb
    on
    the
    streets
    into
    a
    jumping
    jackrabbit
    on
    steroids
    when
    it
    goes
    off-piste.

    The
    engine
    comes
    into
    its
    own
    off-the-beaten-path,
    responding
    to
    the
    slightest
    of
    inputs.
    The
    K15B
    powerplant
    provides
    more
    than
    enough
    low-end
    grunt
    to
    easily
    drag
    you
    out
    of
    a
    tough
    spot.

    Both
    gearboxes
    combined
    with
    the
    transfer
    case
    are
    quite
    nice
    to
    use
    out
    in
    the
    wild.
    Surprisingly
    it
    is
    the
    automatic
    gearbox
    that
    we
    would
    rather
    go
    with
    as
    it
    is
    slightly
    easier
    to
    use.

    While
    the
    manual
    gives
    you
    a
    bit
    more
    control
    over
    the
    gears
    and
    the
    revs,
    the
    automatic
    box
    can
    limit
    the
    first
    two
    gears
    from
    revving
    all
    the
    way
    to
    glory.
    It
    can
    also
    limit
    itself
    from
    going
    into
    overdrive
    when
    the
    Jimny
    isn’t
    on
    the
    black
    stuff.

    The
    ability
    to
    shift
    into
    4
    High
    on
    the
    fly
    with
    the
    transfer
    case
    is
    an
    absolute
    boon
    on
    the
    go
    allowing
    you
    to
    conquer
    the
    toughest
    terrain.
    And
    if
    one
    wheel
    does
    lose
    traction,
    the
    Brake
    Limited
    Slip
    Differential
    invokes
    its
    magic
    to
    keep
    you
    moving.

    The
    ladder-frame
    chassis
    3-link
    suspension
    setup
    with
    solid
    axles
    comes
    into
    its
    own
    when
    it
    is
    time
    to
    conquer
    the
    rough
    stuff.
    You
    can
    take
    the
    Jimny
    up
    to
    ridiculous
    angles
    while
    keeping
    the
    body
    shell
    intact
    and
    upright.

    Add
    in
    the
    crazy
    break-over,
    approach
    and
    departure
    angles
    and
    the
    210mm
    of
    ground
    clearance
    and
    you’ll
    find
    yourself
    going
    up
    and
    down
    trails
    that
    would
    otherwise
    be
    left
    alone.

    The
    brakes
    on
    the
    Jimny
    perform
    quite
    well,
    no
    doubt
    aided
    by
    the
    fact
    that
    the
    new
    Maruti
    Suzuki
    SUV
    is
    a
    proper
    lightweight.
    The
    brake
    pedal
    also
    has
    a
    bit
    more
    travel
    than
    you
    would
    expect,
    so
    do
    keep
    that
    in
    mind
    when
    you
    drop
    the
    anchors.

    The
    addition
    of
    hill
    hold
    assist
    and
    hill
    descent
    control
    is
    a
    big
    boon
    off
    the
    beaten
    path.
    The
    hill
    hold
    assist
    also
    helps
    out
    quite
    a
    bit
    when
    you
    find
    yourself
    stuck
    on
    an
    incline
    in
    a
    jam.

    Final
    Thoughts
    About
    The
    Maruti
    Suzuki
    Jimny

    The
    Return
    Of
    The
    True
    Gypsy
    King

    The
    arrival
    of
    the
    Maruti
    Suzuki
    Jimny
    sees
    the
    nation’s
    biggest
    carmaker
    return
    to
    the
    off-roading
    enthusiast
    market
    since
    the
    departure
    of
    the
    Gypsy
    King
    nearly
    5
    years
    back.

    The
    Jimny
    is
    an
    absolute
    little
    monster
    off
    the
    beaten
    path.
    Add
    a
    rather
    practical
    cabin
    and
    some
    decent
    road
    manners,
    especially
    some
    excellent
    ride
    quality
    and
    the
    Jimny
    becomes
    a
    logical
    choice
    for
    the
    offroading
    enthusiast
    who
    also
    needs
    a
    slightly
    practical
    weekday
    vehicle.


    Most
    Read
    Articles

    Get The Best Drivespark Stories!

    Allow Notifications

    You have already subscribed

    Article Published On: Friday, May 26, 2023, 10:55 [IST]

    Source

  • Tesla ships more vehicles from China to North America

    Tesla is shipping another batch of vehicles from China to North America as a second ship packed with all-electric cars built at Gigafactory Shanghai is on its way to Canada.

    It is a move that further solidifies Tesla’s strategy to send vehicles from Shanghai to the North American market, and it may be indicative of further shipments from China to Canada.

    In late AprilReuters reported that Shanghai-built Tesla units would make their way to Canada, a switch up from CEO Elon Musk’s response to parallel rumors last year. Musk, when hearing about the initial reports last November, said it was “false” in a Tweeted response.

    However, the April reports were proven to be accurate as both Model 3 and Model Y vehicles made their way to a port in Washington State on May 1.

    Tesla Model 3 appears to join Model Y in export from China to Canada

    Logistics records showed the vehicles came from a port in Shanghai, and images shared by ship tracker Morten Lund revealed both all-electric mass-market Tesla cars were present.

    Now, Lund has confirmed that a second ship carrying Tesla vehicles has left Shanghai and is on its way to Canada, packed with vehicles that were built at the Chinese factory.

    The reasons for Tesla shipping these vehicles from China to Canada ultimately catalyzes plenty of room for speculation, but it is likely that the tax credit rules from the Inflation Reduction Act have a lot to do with it.

    Tesla is likely keeping U.S.-produced vehicles within the border and selling them to U.S.-based customers to take advantage of the tax credits that make the cars more affordable.

    U.S.-produced EVs receive an additional bit of money off through tax credits, which means Tesla is prone to ship vehicles from China to Canada to handle demand there.

    Canada also has a $5,000 incentive through the iZEV program, and it does not favor local production for consumers to receive it. Instead, it is given to any person who buys an EV, regardless of where it is built.

    A second ship heading to Canada from China seems to indicate Tesla is planning to use this strategy more often.

    I’d love to hear from you! If you have any comments, concerns, or questions, please email me at olstar@maxxd.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @MaxxdUK, or if you have news tips, you can email us at olstar@maxxd.com.

    Tesla ships more vehicles from China to North America

    Source