First Ride: E Bike T80 Sport

I have been riding a bike for more than 10 years now but never in those 10 years was I ever stopped at every intersection by people asking about my bike. However, this past weekend things were a little different for me. That’s because I was riding the sporty looking E Bike T80 Sport – one of the three Electric Scooters launched earlier this month.

Editor’s Note: We were contacted by TAZ Trading that they want PakWheels to review the E Bike. We were given the bike for only a day, so we could not calculate the kilometers per charge thoroughly as the scooter requires at least 8 hours of charging to reach the full capacity of the batteries.

INTRODUCTION

The E Bike T-80 Sport is company’s top of the line model with a sporty shape powered by an 800 watt electric motor coupled with five 12volts batteries and an automatic transmission. The bike retails for Rs. 95,900 and comes with two years motor and one-year battery warranty.

LOOKS

In terms of looks, the E Bike is a beautiful bike considering all you get to see on the roads are Honda 70cc, its Chinese clones and a couple of other motorcycles, which look exactly the same from 10 feet distance. However, this little machine looks different. It has a sleek design with lots of curves. The overall shape is very much inspired by some kind of sports bike which is a good thing in my opinion. The headlamps have integrated front indicators in them and look like they are from Kawasaki Ninja or Yamaha R6 but on a smaller scale. The taillamp and the rear indicators are integrated with the rear fairing and do not protrude like those on the conventional motorbikes. The T80 Sport comes with aluminum 12 inches wheels with tubeless tires with a disk brake at the front wheel.

    

The speedometer is also very good looking but very impractical. To start with, the T80 Sport does not have an odometer (currently only T70 offers an odometer), so you cannot tell how much the bike has been ridden. I had to resort to the GPS in my phone to get the idea of how many kilometers I have travelled, which was very inconvenient and in future if you plan to buy a used E Bike from someone, you cannot tell how many kilometers the bike has been used. Also, the battery indicator does not work the way it should. In my case it always showed me 100% charge even when the bike was ridden for 40 kilometers according to my GPS.

    

COMFORT & RIDE 

In terms of comfort, the bike did not disappoint us. The seat is comfortable for two full sized adults weighing over 170 pounds each and it gets a little cramped when you put three adults of the same size (Yes. We tried that just for the sake of this review). The ride quality is very good on properly paved roads but as soon as you get on a road with inadequate carpeting or patches, the ride quality deteriorates and you feel vibration in your hands; all thanks to the small wheel size which provides less air cushioning. On unpaved metal roads, the ride quality is surprisingly good and the bike takes the potholes and bumps easily due to its soft suspension.

As with any electric vehicle, the bike makes minimal noise when running and it is barely audible in traffic. There is no self-starter or kick-starter in this bike, obviously because it is an electric bike. You just have to switch on the ignition and it comes to life silently. There is no sound when you switch on the ignition so you have to rely on the battery indicator to see whether it is ON or OFF.

PERFORMANCE

In an electric bike, how fast it goes is not as important as how far it goes. In my experience, I could not test it fully how far it goes due to the scarcity of time but I did test how fast it goes. The bike goes up to a maximum speed of 50kmph as opposed to the claimed top speed of 60kmph. The speed comes down to a 45kmph as the batteries discharge. The bike can haul two full sized adults without any problem and the weight does not affect the speed on straight roads but it makes an effort when you take it on ramps or flyovers. Acceleration on the E Bike was smooth and quick due to the electric motor and automatic transmission. The acceleration was quicker than that on the 70cc motorcycle. Just switch on the ignition, twist the handgrip and you are good to go.

ECONOMY

We could not test the economy of the E Bike thoroughly as we only had the bike for 24 hours and it takes more than 8 hours for the batteries to be fully charged. The company claims this particular model runs for 80 kilometers per charge, which I think is a bit optimistic considering the performance reduced after only riding the bike for 40 kilometers due to less current remaining in the batteries. I think 60-65 kilometers per charge is a good estimate of the economy of this bike. It is also to be noted that I rode the bike for long distances and electric vehicles consume more power when driven constantly at their full speeds. If you ride this bike in traffic, it will give you a better economy, as opposed to the conventional motorcycles.

VERDICT

To sum it up, the initiative of introducing something new in the monopolistic auto industry of Pakistan should be commendable as it is a bold move for a small player like TAZ Trading compared to Atlas Honda and other motorcycle manufacturers and importers, but I think the product itself has a long way to go if they plan to replace the 70cc motorcycles with electric motorcycles. Sure, the product is very economical but it is not very practical for long hauls. If you want to go to a place which is 5 to 8 kilometers far from your place, this bike is good but if you want to go to a place which is 20 kilometers far, then you will get frustrated with the constant low speeds. Also, the amount of time it takes to fully charge the bike is too much as compared to refueling a conventional motorcycle. You have to leave the E Bike connected to the power outlet overnight for it to get fully-charged and if you are like me, who lives in an apartment, then charging the E Bike becomes a challenge as apartments do not have personal garages and finding a power outlet for that long is next to impossible.

However, if you have a garage at your house, you live near your office or university and want an easy-to-ride eco-friendly mode of transportation, then this bike is for you.

Pictures from: pakwheels.com

10 Vintage Cars You Must Know

Vehicles being a passion for a number of people out there become a choice based on the class and luxury they offer. Driving an ordinary vehicle and driving a vintage automobile are two completely different things.

The class and luxury offered by the vintage cars are worth your time as well as your investment. Decades ago, vintage cars were considered to be a status symbol for a number of high profile people, and the tradition continues till now. Vintage cars not only offer attractive interiors and exteriors but also offer profound performance that beats the usual vehicles.

Following are some of the most prestigious vintage cars you must know:

Shelby 427 Cobra – 1966

Looking for a luxury that offers a great ride must call for the name of Shelby 427 Cobra. This vintage vehicle is itself a perfect blend of contemporary class equipped with a modern touch and sophistication as well. Despite being a highly expensive electric-blue deal, this vehicle has been the apple of everyone’s eye owning it.

Jaguar E-Type – 1961

The Jaguar E – Type being a vintage vehicle released in the year 1961 was a major setback for a number of well-known vehicles of that time. This vintage car was deemed to be the most beautiful launch for the year due to its outstanding exterior and worth enjoying interior. An ideal beauty to enhance the appearance of the owner’s garage it has been.

Maserati Ghibli 4.7 – 1969

Maserati Ghibli 4.7 a beauty launched in the year 1969 has been a great shot by the makers that almost cleaned bold the automobile manufacturers of that year. The vehicle was a success which everyone dreams of. Due to the immense outlook and a flawless performance offered by this vintage ride, a number of automobile manufacturers tried to copy the features.

Aston Martin DB5 – 1964

The list of vintage vehicles remains incomplete if  James Bond’s all time favorite Aston Martin DB5 is excluded. This beauty, being the favorite of the most favorite personality James Bond, has been a famous lead for the fans as well. A number of people tried and wished to keep this vintage in their garages just for the love they have for Agent 007.

Mercedes 300SL Gullwing – 1957

As the name suggests this beauty seriously was equipped with the wings. The Mercedes 300SL Gullwing was the unanticipated launch in the year 1957. This vehicle was famous for the two main reasons and the first one was the style of doors that resembles the wings and the second one was the performance of the vehicle. This vintage beauty offered a tremendous speed to the rider which was a perfect shot of the makers.

Corvette Sting Ray – 1963

A vehicle that looks stylish and offers a great performance is a complete package of vintage ride. In the same way, when it now comes to seeking for such a vintage material the name of the Corvette Sting Ray takes the lead. This vehicle being launched in the year 1963 was an improvement worth the investment due to its impressive style.

Ferrari Dino 246 GT- 1969

The red beauty by Ferrari launched in the year 1969 was none other than the Ferrari Dino 246 GT. This vehicle offered a premium under the hood capabilities. The ride being offered by this vehicle has been the fast and furious due to the terrific speed and performance offered by this vintage.

Alfa Romeo Spider Duetto – 1966

Cars falling under the name of Alfa Romeo have always been the most appealing and contemporary vehicles which are unmatchable in several aspects. Alike is the case with the perfectly appearing Alfa Romeo Spider Duetto being launched in the year 1966. The vehicle offers a classy and luxurious appearance and with that a smooth must have performance is also its part and parcel.

Dodge Charger – 1969

When it comes to the maintenance of the American appearance associated with the vintage cars nobody can forget the name of Dodge Charger. This vintage vehicle has been an all time favorite of the Americans due to the outstanding American touch in its appearance.

Toyota 2000 GT – 1969

The most amazing vintage you would ever come across in terms of the Toyota collection is none other than the Toyota 2000 GT. This glossy white roadster is worth every penny you invest due to the splendid appearance and a perfect performance.

7-seater Wagon R under development by Maruti India and Suzuki Japan

Suzuki is generally perceived as a maker of small vehicles globally with very few exceptions in its lineup, the automaker has started working on a 7-seater variant of its popular  hatchback Maruti Suzuki Wagon R in India in collaboration with engineers from Suzuki Motor Corporation Japan as reported by Financial Express.

The upcoming MPV will be based on the Waggon R MPV Concept showcased at the Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS) in 2013. The car will be available in both petrol and diesel variants. While diesel is not very popular in Pakistan anymore due to the fuel prices and an abundance of CNG stations and vehicles, diesel is still very popular in India with popular cars like Suzuki Swift also available in diesel variants.

The car is expected to be available from mid-2017 with an estimated price between INR 400,000 and 600,000 (PKR 650,000 and 980,000).

The Suzuki Wagon R is a very successful small hatchback in India due to its price and the zippy and economical K Series engine, but the car is still struggling in Pakistan, trying to fill the gap left by the Suzuki Alto.

If by any miracle, Pak Suzuki do plan to launch this MPV in a similar price bracket then it would seal the doors for the recently introduced FAW Sirius S80 and would become very popular in Pakistan as the only affordable option we have in MPV are the Suzuki Bolan and FAW X-PV.

What does your car’s color say about your personality

Ever wondered why do you see most luxury sedans in White and Black? Bureaucrat in black? Well as they say, your every movement depicts the psychology of your mentality, personality and character and so does your vehicles color.Black Color is known to be the most aggressive. Each color has its own character. Here is what your car`s color expresses about your personality.  

WHITE 

Fresh, pure, pristine and presents yourself as modern and young to the outside world. Your are refined, decent and would challenge yourself.

BLACK 

The color of ultimate luxury, sophistication and power. You are retro yet elegant, classy but nostalgic. You mark your authority and stay calm.

GREY 

You are WYSIWYG “What You See Is What You Get”. You are not flashy, you care more about status quo and less about status. You are practical, sober and pragmatic. You are mature yet trendy and don’t want to stand out. 

SILVER 

It depicts an innovative connotation. It tell about your eye for the sky, your demureness, wealth and projects a high life style.

RED

“Look at me!” You are very energetic, sensual. You want to stand out and are not shy of anything, it screams your boldness. You want to be flashy and like Cooperman says “If it’s a sporty red car, it’s a way of flexing muscles on the road”.

BLUE

It mostly tells about your stableness and happiness. You are loyal, faithful, quiet, cool and unshakable. You are credible and trustworthy, you pick your priorities over money.

BROWN

You are Content. It depicts your neutrality, down-to-earth nature and your happiness of what you already have, you appreciate little things in life.

YELLOW

You will let your inner child out! and wont be afraid. You are upbeat, wilful, extremely confident and have a bold presence.

GOLD

You love the luxurious elements of life and will pay anything for the comfort. It tells about your intelligence.

These statistics are mostly a world standard and non-contradictory. There have been countless surveys around the globe and this is the conclusion.

Myth Busting: Truth about High Octane

Automotive Industry, like any other, has been maligned with ‘myths’ which are presented and repeated many times that people ultimately start to believe it. Unsurprisingly, many of these myths are related to getting better consumption, increasing the power of the vehicle or some covert aspect of internal combustion engine. Gasoline can be a confusing topic, and it is easy to make assumptions about it that may seem logical, which on closer examination, turn out not to be true. A perfect example of this practice can be seen with octane ratings.

What are octane ratings? In Pakistan, we normally encounter two types of petrol quality on the fuel stations. ‘Regular Plus’, ‘Super’ are some commercial names for Research Octane Number (RON) 87 quality petrol sold in the country and High Octane Blended Component (HOBC) fuel grade which refers to RON 97. I’ll get to the significance of these numbers in a bit.

We tend to associate higher number with better quality. More horsepower, higher torque and more miles out of the fuel are always fancied. This is where the myth of gasoline rating creeps into the picture. Time and again, ‘High octane’ is prescribed to provide better fuel mileage and power as it ‘burns completely’ and locks more energy inside it. These blanket statements are simply not true. In fact, the octane rating for gasoline has nothing to do with the amount of power locked inside of it – it actually relates to just how much a fuel can be compressed before igniting. The higher the number, the less likely it is to ignite under pressure.

Why would you want to put something in the engine that is difficult to burn? To understand the concept of octane rating in the ignition process let us start with a familiar term ‘knock’ or ‘knocking’. When Fuel is sprayed inside the chamber and mixed with oxygen, designers expect it to remain in vapor form until the spark plug lights it up. The timing of this explosion is critical, as gasoline that ignites too early causes ‘knocking’, which reduces engine output and efficiency.

In standard motor, ‘knock’ is rarely an issue because the compression ratio – the pressure that air-fuel mixture is put under in the cylinder – is low enough that the regular octane fuel is sufficient. There is no benefit of running premium fuel in a standard motor, since it will never be able to take advantage of that gasoline’s higher knock resistance. However, more aggressive engine management schemes, especially those found in turbocharged or supercharged vehicles, can turn up the compression to a high level, requiring much higher octane gasoline to avoid knocking.

Fast Facts:

1. You’ll not get extra power or mileage by running premium fuel in the vehicle, unless the owner’s manual states otherwise. If you are getting better mileage or power, convince yourself that it is all in your head and simply a placebo effect.
2. On the flip side, running low octane fuel in an engine built for premium fuel can increase the risk of engine damage and will certainly impact that unit’s overall performance.
3. It is obligatory for all companies oil refineries to produce at least RON 87 petrol by Ministry of Petroleum. All refineries comply with this threshold while Total Oil Pakistan Ltd. sells RON 90 under ‘regular’ grade tag which is a tad higher than the minimum threshold.
4. All locally manufactured cars require RON 87  petrol which consequently means that all locally produced vehicles come under the umbrella of standard motor.
5. High octane grade may be used in small quantity if the vehicle suffers from knocking.

2015 Suzuki Swift RX – Thailand gets the most exclusive Swift yet

Thailand Auto Show is happening in full swing and a lot of new cars, variants, and facelifts are being revealed and amongst them, Thailand received the most exclusive, the top-of-the-line version of Suzuki Swift, called the ‘RX’.

The car receives HID projector headlights, new 16 inch wheels, a rear spoiler which actually looks decent along with full body kit, and the car has also been given some body graphics or vinyls other than the ‘RX’ badging. Whereas when you get inside, there are features like keyless entry, dual airbags (HAH! Pakistanis!), push button start,  steering wheel mounted paddle shifters, cruise control, audio system with USB connectivity, and the interior trim is available with silver accents.

This particular Swift RX is a Thailand only car, which is priced for 599,000 Baht which converts to 1,856,136 Pakistani Rupees.

The same K12B 1.25 liter petrol engine producing 91 PS and 118 Nm of Torque, and as there are paddle shifters in the car, it means it has  CVT whereas dual front airbags, ABS and EBD are also in the RX version.