Author: Phyllis Chung

The culture of overlanding, camping or caravaning was not very popular in India. Recently, the tourism departments of different states have been promoting this culture and many young travelers have also come forward with camper vans. We've seen some videos in the past where people have converted their cars, SUVs, vans into camper vans. Here we have a video where a couple is traveling in their 33 year old modified matador van.

The video was uploaded by Explore The Unseen 2.0 on their YouTube channel. In this video, Vlogger talks to the owner of a 1989 model Matador van The owner got it from a seller in Tamil Nadu and when he got it. The van was in a miserable condition. He spent almost three years repairing and restoring the van. The owner mentioned that it took him a year to repair the mechanical parts. He replaces most parts of the car with something that is more reliable.

Read more: See a Hyundai Verna 1.6 diesel with Kawasaki Ninja 650 superbike in a drag race

Once he realized that the van was working mechanically well, he started building the body. The first thing he did in the van was cut the roof. He replaced it with a metal roof and then pitched a tent over it. The part where the tent is resting can be lifted using an electronic equalizer. The floor was completely redesigned and the interiors were also customized. There is a 100 liter water tank and another tank for wastewater collection. All the seats inside the cabin have been removed and an overhead cabin has been installed in the van.

This was done to ensure adequate storage inside the van during travel. Inside the cabin are cushions that can be converted into a bed if needed. Since the roof can be lifted, it gives the cabin a much more airy feeling and people can stand upright while cooking inside the van. Considering the cooking, this van has a proper stove set up and a small sink right next to it. Water is pumped into the overhead tank using a motor placed behind the rear wheels. There is a place where he keeps the fridge and cabin to keep his kitchen utensils. Since this is an old vehicle, he always carries a Honda navel with him so that he can go to the nearest workshop if the van breaks down.

The van gets electricity from solar panels installed on the roof. He has installed an inverter and this setup generates electricity for two days. Matador did not come with AC from the factory. It was a necessity when you were traveling in India. He got an AC unit of Toyota Qualis in the van. The driver and passenger seats in the van have also been replaced with Hyundai Vernar seats. The original door of Matadur was replaced by the door of Maruti Eco Van.

Read more: Oppo to launch electric cars in India by 2024

Some teaser campaigns tend to be tedious because automakers promote the debut of a car more than they should. So much so that when it comes to official premieres, we rarely know. However, there are some exceptions because the BMW 7 Series G70 still has a lot of missing puzzle parts, especially if we talk about the i7.

A teaser image that almost flew under our radar came from the company's German page Facebook. It shows that all the magic is usually performed in a full size luxury sedan. Of course, we're talking about the rear seats where the 31-inch theater screen leads to the center stage. While this seems to be the centerpiece of the photo, the renovated 7er also features a new Sky Lounge.

Much like the 8K display hanging from the ceiling, the large panoramic glass roof would be an optional feature. The Sky Lounge doesn't necessarily impress with its generous size, but thanks to those Nifty LED light threads. BMW says these will be individually adjustable, thus offering a sophisticated level of Rolls-Royce Starlight when it comes to ambient lighting.

We don't have to wait any longer to see the 7 Series / i7 as the premiere is scheduled for April 20. With both riding on the same CLAR platform, we don't expect any major design differences between the two. What you see in a combustion-engine model should be given for its electrical replica and vice versa. BMW has previously announced that the high-spec 7 Series models will feature crystal elements in the headlights.

The 7 Series G70 will be the most advanced BMW ever

From split lights and illuminated grills to light hybrids and Level 3 autonomy, the Bavarian flagship will have many firsts. In the same list, we can point out the automatic parking system, which will be smart enough to find a vacant space for you. In addition, it can steer, accelerate and brake without owning a car. The iDrive 8, theater screen, and Sky Lounge will not only be the interior party piece as the front passenger will have a touch interaction bar. Basically, it's going to be a small display mounted on the dashboard for quick access.

The quad exhaust system is here to stay, but due to the M760i retiring it will not be offered on the V12 engine. BMW recently facelifted the X7 to give it a first M60i, which could also be offered for the 7 Series. It is a light-hybrid S68 engine with a 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V8, with a smaller B58 inline-six also adopting 48V technology.

Following the launch next week, the new BMW 7 Series / i7 should start selling by the end of the year.

Source: BMW Germany / Facebook

BMW did not signal its intention to bring back an old icon for the coming electric age. Okay, the Neue Klasse is coming back for the EV, but it won't be a car For yourself. Instead, it is the name used by a newly developed platform that arrived in 2025 for the zero-emissions car family. Meanwhile, the German-based Bavarian Econs Tech Gmbh is reviving the Classic 2002. Meet 2002te.

This is a restomod, but not with modern combustion engines. Instead, the oily bits are completely removed to fit an all-electric powertrain. Following a video released last month with Nürburgring 2002te lapping, we were able to hold the brochure.

As a result, we now have all the details about BMW 2002 that turned into an EV. It retains the rear-wheel-drive layout, but has an electric motor attached to the rear. It produces 161 horsepower (120 kW), which does not sound very impressive. The same can be said about torque because the e-motor produces only 170 Newton-meters (231 lb-ft). However, the 2002te weighed only 1,150 kilograms (2,535 pounds).

Push it hard and it will reach 0 to 60 mph (96 km / h) in a respectable 6.2 seconds before reaching the top at a speed of 150 miles (241 km / h). With a fully charged battery, the Bavarian Econs say you will be able to cover 180 miles (290 kilometers). As with EVs, the range will depend on your driving style.

2002te comes in two flavors

There are two configurations available: Electro and Icon. The former is simply an EV conversion from an ICE because everything else remains intact while production is not limited. The latter will be limited to five cars for the next two years and will bump up the output to 250 hp. In addition to the extra omph, it gets a custom interior using handmade fenders and durable materials. In addition, the Bavarian Econs say that the sky is the limit for 2002te Econ personalization.

Perhaps the day will come when petrol will no longer be readily available, so these conversions will gain more traction. That said, some automakers are initially considering the option of keeping old cars on the road with synthetic fuels or hydrogen-fueled combustion engines. For now, adopting an electrical setup is the way to go.

Source: Bavarian Econs

People were eagerly awaiting when it was announced that Mahindra Thor would launch a new and improved generation. The domestic manufacturer has launched the new-gen Thar in 2020 and it has been a huge success and icon in the Indian market. Mahindra itself did not expect the SUV to be such a hit. However, this is not an SUV for everyone. There are several reasons behind this.

Here, we have uploaded a video of Musafir Aka Joshi on YouTube. He shared the reason why someone he knew sold a Thar in just 10 days. Vlogger himself is a diesel auto owner and the Thar that was sold was equipped with a petrol automatic. In the video, Vlogger explains why the man sold his Thar Petrol AT7

Read more: Buying a pre-owned Mahindra Thar is better than buying a new one: 5 reasons

Heavy steering

Vlogger says Thor's owner felt that Thor's steering was too heavy. The owner of the Petrol AT Thor thinks the steering is too heavy. He even compared it to his 2017 Mahindra Scorpio. He says both come with a hydraulic power steering but lighter than Scorpio's steering wheel. This means that the driver has to work extra hard while taking a U-turn or driving on a hill where the driver has to turn the steering wheel repeatedly. The owner also drives a diesel AT and he says that the steering wheel of the diesel Thar is lighter than the petrol AT. The reason behind this is not mentioned in the video. However, there may be flaws in the petrol tank.

Body roll

The second reason mentioned by the person is that Thor has a lot of rolls in his body. The reason behind this is the ladder frame chassis that Thar uses. We have seen the ladder-frame chassis in the appropriate 4 × 4 vehicles. Body roll occurs due to weight transfer and it can make the ride uncomfortable while going through a turn. Simply put, when the driver turns left, the passengers are thrown to the right. This makes the car less enjoyable. Furthermore, the person who owns a Petrol AT Thar initially uses a sedan which makes him feel like there are too many body rolls. SUVs have significantly more body rolls than sedans. That being said, if one comes from a vehicle like the Maruti Gypsy or the previous-genre Thar, the new-gen Thar seems to be a big improvement. The main reason behind this is the leaf springs used by the previous generation of Thar where the new Thar uses independent up front and multi-link rear suspension.

Not comfortable

The Thar is designed as a suitable 4 × 4 vehicle. The primary focus of the vehicle is to go off-road. Malik says he thinks Thar is not comfortable. Okay, the man also owns a Mercedes-Benz E-Class and a Honda City 5th genre so why does the owner think Thar is not comfortable.

Not a family car

Yes, the new Thar may come with front and rear seats but it still doesn't make a perfect family car. The rear occupants have limited legroom and it is strictly four-seater. In addition, to get into the rear seats, rear occupants must first slide the front seats to the front, which can be difficult. The owner further feels that the rear occupants feel claustrophobic and the AC air does not reach the rear occupants.

Read more: 10 DC Design Cars and What They Look Like in the Real World: Mahindra XUV500 from Maruti Swift

Students at Delhi's Netaji Subhas University of Technology have converted a Triumph Daytona 675 into a manned aircraft, but for safety reasons they are using it unmanned. The project is named Sokoro. It is being made by Sharma Sharma, Dakshin Lakra and Sourav Vaid.

The goal of the students is to take it to an aerial height of 20 cm. They have so far been able to take it to a height of 5-7 cm. Thus, the prototype machine was able to create enough thrust to take the lift. Students are sure that it can carry the weight of an adult. So far, they have limited the height at which the machine can fly for safety purposes.

Read more: Nice to see Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 motorcycle modified from Eimor Customs

The engine may be a Daytona 675 but it is tuned by SpeedMonks. It is a three-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that produces 115 hp of maximum power and 74 Nm of peak torque in its stock size. The engine has been reset to produce 135 hp.

The chassis was made by the students themselves. It is made of 6351 aerospace-grade aluminum and has a trellis frame. They chose aluminum because it is lighter, more durable and a bit more expensive than other metals. The total length of the chassis is 12 feet. It is so long because it is fitted with a propeller. Matching is done so that the shocks and shocks are evenly distributed throughout the frame.

The length of the front chassis is not the same as that of the rear chassis. This is done intentionally so that the center of mass falls exactly on the center of the motorcycle. The bike still weighs 150 kg whereas the chassis weighs 18 kg. Thus, a total of 168 kg.

The engine is mated to a belt drive type transmission that rotates the propeller. The belts are taken from Continental. Harley-Davidson uses a similar type of belt. 2 belts are attached which transfer energy evenly to the front propeller and the rear propeller.

The engine lifts the motorcycle when it hits at 6,000 to 7,000 rpm. Propeller tri-blade wood unit. Both propellers are made in handicrafts. The team has experimented with small propellers, but after several experiments and calculations, the current one is over.

Initially the students thought that the project would take four months to implement. In the first month, they will dismantle the motorcycle, in the second month they will be dedicated to building the transmission, in the third month they will build the chassis and in the fourth month, they will assemble the propeller and accessories. However, it has been more than a year and a half now.

They thought that investing money would end. 3-4 lakh has been spent on the project but that amount has been spent only on research and testing. So far, they have invested money 14-15 lakhs in the project which includes bike engine.

The bike is controlled via a remote control attached to a mobile phone. Throttle is also controlled by the same remote. However, due to some electronic problems, the motorcycle could not take flight.

Read more: BSA Unveils Motorcycle Gold Star 650: Royal Enfield 650 Will Compete With Twins

Tata Nexon EV is the best selling electric car in the Indian market. Now, the government and state authorities have also started operating electric vehicles with various subsidies. Now, the Nexon EV has become a common sight. For this reason many people want their electric SUV to stand out from the crowd. So, they finished some customization work on their Nexon EV. Here, we have a Nexon EV with internal modifications and some other modes.

The video was uploaded to YouTube by VIG Auto Accessories. The video starts with showing our Nexon EV. The host says that this Nexon EV is fitted with a VKool film that basically does not allow heat to enter the cabin. For this reason, the interior is a bit cooler otherwise it will get really warm due to parking under the sun.

Read more: Tata Nexon prices rise; Diesel variant off

People often apply this type of film on their vehicles but they are usually colored which blocks the scene. However, the change is a clear film applied by the store so it does not impede visibility. As we can see in the video, you can clearly see what is inside the car. The owner of the car says that after parking under the sun, the car looks significantly cooler than before. The price of the picture was not mentioned in the video.

The host then shows us the seat cover that was installed by the change store. The seat covers are beautiful to look at and they are finished in a nut color. The customer wanted the seats to be finished in a different color than the rest of the car. In addition, floor mats have been installed in the car. The store will further customize the electric SUV with leather padding on the door and PPF.

Tata Nexon EV

Tata Nexon EV is currently leading the electric vehicle segment in the Indian market. People are using it for their daily commute and even for long journeys. It comes with a 30.2 kWh battery pack. It has an ARAI driving range of 312 km but in real life people are traveling between 200 km and 250 km. Obviously, the driving range depends on many factors because it is an electric vehicle.

The electric motor produces 129 PS maximum power and 245 Nm peak torque. If you find a fast charger, the battery can go from 0 to 80 percent in 60 minutes. If you use a home charger, it will take 8 hours to charge from 0 to 80 percent.

Long-distance Nexon EV

Tata Motors is working on a long range Nexon EV that will launch next month. It will come with a 40 kWh battery pack. Excess battery will be kept in the boot so the boot space will be reduced. The ARAI driving range is expected to be 400 km which means a real world range should be around 300 km. It will come with rear disc brakes, electronic stability program, adjustable regeneration and ventilation seats.

Also Read: Upcoming 2022 Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza Rendered

Maruti Suzuki will update many of its cars this year. They have already launched the new Celerio, Baleno, updated WagonR, Dzire CNG and Celerio CNG. Today, we will list the remaining cars and SUVs that Maruti Suzuki will launch in 2022

2022 XL6

Like the Ertiga, the XL6 will receive an update on April 21st. It will come with a new 1.5-liter K12C engine and a new 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission. There will be no CNG powertrain for XL6. It will come with a new touchscreen infotainment system and a 360-degree parking camera. There are rumors that Maruti Suzuki may also offer the XL6 as a 7-seater. It will be offered in two variants and both will be offered with automatic transmission. It will be offered in six colors, some of which are new.

Read more: Improving semiconductor supply: Maruti Suzuki

Baleno CNG

Maruti Suzuki has not confirmed but Baleno is expected to come with the new S-CNG variant. Toyota has already revealed that they will launch Glanza with a CNG and it will deliver 25 kmpl. We still don't know in which variant the CNG powertrain will be offered. No cosmetics will be changed in the car without S-CNG badging. The boot space will take a hit because the CNG cylinder will be placed there.

New-Jane Bridge

Maruti Suzuki is also working to launch a new generation of Vitara Brezza. The exterior and interior of the compact SUV will be redesigned. The headlamp and tail lamp will be slicker. There will also be a new steering wheel, instrument cluster and a new infotainment system. It will be powered by a new 1.5-liter K12C engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. Moreover, it will have many features. For example, electric sunroof, up to 6 airbags, SOS function, attached car features, a new infotainment system, head-up display, 360-degree camera and much more.

New medium sized SUV

Maruti Suzuki is building a new medium-sized SUV with Toyota. Both SUVs were seen together when they were in an experiment. Maruti Suzuki calls it YFG. The SUVs will be based on Toyota's DNGA platform, which is designed specifically for emerging markets. It will be powered by a 1.5-liter K12C engine but the manufacturer is expected to enhance it using a powerful hybrid technology. The Maruti Suzuki YFG is expected to be unveiled this year during the festive season.

Alto 800

Maruti Suzuki is also working on a new generation of Alto 800. The hatchback was seen during the test and the outer part was extensively redone. Some of the design elements seem to be inspired by the original Maruti 800. So far, not much is known about the 2022 Alto 800. It should be launched after a medium sized SUV.

Ignis, S-Preso and Ciaz

You may have noticed that Maruti Suzuki has updated all their cars with the new DualJet engine. So far, only Ignis, Ciaz and S-Preso are left. Maruti Suzuki should update the engines of these three vehicles before the end of this year.

Read more: Tata Nano has been transformed into a vintage car

Mahindra launched the all-new XUV700 SUV in the market last year and since then, it has become a popular choice among buyers in the segment. The Mahindra XUV700 has become so popular that it has been waiting for over a year now depending on the variant you choose. This is the most featured SUV from Mahindra stable. We've seen several videos of the brand new Mahindra XUV700 on the internet. It competes with cars like Hyundai Alcazar, MG Hector Plus, Tata Safari in this segment. Here we have a video showing Mahindra XUV700 competing against Toyota Innova Christa in a drag race.

The video was uploaded by Ashish Beniwal on their YouTube channel. In this video, Mahindra XUV700 is competing with petrol auto owner Vlogger Toyota Innova Christa Diesel Manual. The InnovaCrista seen here is special because it is a 2016 diesel manual MPV that has worked about 2 million kilometers on odometer. Run the Innova Christa before the Vlogger race and be amazed at the performance.

Read more: The Toyota Innova Krista base variant has been modified to look and feel like a superior variant (video)

The two cars were then brought off the road for a drag race. The race was conducted in 4 rounds and after two rounds, the drivers switched vehicles. In the first round, the Innova Christa was in eco mode and the petrol XUV700 had no drive mode. Vlogger turned off traction control and waited for the signal to start the race. The race begins and the Mahindra XUV700 leads immediately. The Toyota Innova Krista has been seen struggling and at some point, the MPV could overtake the XUV70. In fact, the gap between the two cars continues to grow.

In the second round, the Innova Krista was in power mode and the XUV700 had traction control. In this round, vlogger allows the Innova driver to deviate from the start line first. He started running after Innova Christa to see if his car could beat Innova Christa. Even in this round, Innova Krista could not stand a chance. Within seconds, the Mahindra XUV700 overtook the Innova Cresta and took the lead throughout the race.

For the third round, Vlogger drove Innova Christa and her friend was on the XUV700. They start the third round and the results remain the same. In eco mode, the Innova could not keep pace with the XUV700. Similar results were seen in Power mode. Power is the main reason why Innova Christa can't win the race. The Crysta generates less power and torque than the Mahindra XUV700.

The Innova Christa diesel seen in the video here is powered by a 2.4 liter turbocharged engine that generates 150 Ps and 343 Nm of peak torque. Mahindra XUV700 petrol on the other hand generates 200 Ps and 380 Nm of peak torque. This is a huge difference and has also affected the results with the condition of the Innova Christa engine. This does not mean that the InnovaCrista is a bad car in any way. It is still one of the most popular MPVs in the segment.

Read more: 10 DC Design Cars and What They Look Like in the Real World: Mahindra XUV500 from Maruti Swift

Summer has started in most parts of the country and the snow in the north has started to melt slowly. Tourists from different parts of the country are now flocking to the mountains to see the last snowfall of the year. Many YouTubers are also involved, and a number of similar videos are available online. Here we have a video of a Toyota Fortuner 4 × 2, a Mahindra Thar and a heavily modified Ford Endeavor going on a road trip in search of mountains and snow. See how the police react to the modified Ford Endeavor in the mountains

The video was uploaded by Ashwin Singh Takiya on their YouTube channel. In this video, Vlogger and his friends are on a road trip in the mountains. The video talks about the challenges and how each SUV behaves on mountain roads Vlogger and his friends were traveling in three SUVs. They had a heavily modified Ford Endeavor, a Mahindra Thar and a Toyota Fortuner 4 × 2 SUV. When the video started, Vlogger was already in the mountains but, there was no snow.

Read more: Ford Endeavor is a complete BRUTE 7 with Raptor body kit

The team then started to search for snow and on their way the team came to a police checkpost. Surprisingly, the police on duty changed drastically but did not stop Mahindra Thar. The change in the Ford Endeavor was far more frightening than the Thar. Police stopped and told the driver to remove the auxiliary lamps as they created problems for other road users. Police told them to remove the films stuck in the windshield. The windshield films were then removed and the auxiliary lamps were covered with cloth.

The other SUVs in the group were waiting for Thor in front. Police did not impose a fine on the SUV, but warned the driver that they would not use the lights on the road. After Ther Driver arrived and explained the situation to Vlogger, he removed the windshield films from his Endeavor and covered the auxiliary lights. The party then moved forward and So then began to see snow on the side of the road. SUVs performed well on SUVs, but soon they were driving on slash snow roads. The Mahindra Thar was performing well and so was the Ford Endeavor. Both SUVs were modified for off-roading and this is helping them in this situation. Toyota Fortuner, however, was not doing well. The 2WD SUV was losing traction in places. The SUV started showing a notification in the instrument cluster even after it was driven on snow.

The video shows why it is important to drive a 4WD SUV in such terrain The chances of a 2WD SUV losing control over the ice are higher than the 4WD ৷ A 4WD SUV will send power to all wheels which will help it move forward without losing traction. Tires also play an important role in such situations. Looks like Fortune's Highway Terrain was using tires. All-terrain tires are a basic requirement when driving in such situations.

Read more: 10 DC Design Cars and What They Look Like in the Real World: Mahindra XUV500 from Maruti Swift