Tag: BS6

  • Should you buy the new Tata Tigor BS6?

    Should you buy the new Tata Tigor BS6?

    Tata Motor’s Tigor has been championing the legacy left by Indigo CS, the pioneer of sub-compact sedans. Tata launched the all new Tigor BS6 2020 edition in January earlier this year. It is a comprehensive update under the hood, and hence the price has also seen an increase.

    Ever since the launch, I have been drooling over the updates and have been getting weird thoughts. One of the biggest factors for me has been the new safety features and the BS6 engine. So let me quickly skip through the usual mumbo-jumbo, and help you answer the question: Should you buy the new Tata Tigor BS6?

    What could be single biggest reason to consider Tigor BS6?

    Safety. The new Tigor BS6 edition has now been tested by Global NCAP and both Tigao and Tigor have scored 4 Star safety rating. Tigor is the only car tested and has a star rating for safety in its class.

    This in itself is a huge leap in already existing faith that Tata Motors’ make safer cars. Getting the 5 Star rating would have been perfect, and I wish Tata focuses on getting all cars, like Altroz, will get the best in safety.

    Tata Tigor BS6 has ABS with EBD as standard
    Tata Tigor BS6 has ABS with EBD as standard

    Apart from the crash rating, Tigor comes with ESB and ABS as standard, along with twin Airbag for Driver and passenger.

    Competition to Tigor are Maruti Suzuki Dzire and Hyundai Aura. Now both Maruti and Hyundai are well established, and manage to sell good numbers with goodwill themselves. Maruti has clearly said they wont send their cars for NCAP testing. The UK based Swift on which the Indian version of Swift and Dzire are based scored 2 star rating and Hyundai is an unknown.

    The Styleback experience

    Tigor was always a looker, however the heavy facelift, including new colors, have made it even better. The design now is more mature and yet has its hints of fun. Design is subjective, however. You are your best judge. I can tell you for sure, Tigor does get the attention on the road.

    TATA TIGOR 2020 XZA+ Analysis and Review
    TATA TIGOR 2020 XZA+ Analysis and Review

    What other areas does Tigor BS6 excels in as compared to competition?

    Best-in-class Infotainment system

    There are quite a few areas where Tigor trumps the competition. It is already well established across all of Tata Motor’s models is the Infotainment system. The Harman sourced music system set up is absolutely amazing. With Android Auto and Apple car play, this has now made the entire package so much better.

    Best-in-class Ride quality and control

    It is one of the areas where Tata’s has got really better than competition. As compared to light yet fun to drive Dzire, Tigor BS6 neck on neck on ride control, and a much better ride comfort.

    Best-in-class Boot Space

    Given its compact nature, Tigor does surprise us with its amazing 419 liter bootspace. In comparison, Dzire gets 378 liters and Aura gets 407 liters worth of bootspace. Tigor uses hydraulic struts that helps make more usable room as compared to both Aura and Dzire which use C shape hooks.

    Sure not all products are 100% perfect. I will update this post with more shortcomings soon. In the meanwhile, here is a link to whole set of Tata Tigor accessories that you can plan to buy for your car.

  • Is switchable ABS in RE Himalayan BS6 changing definition of adventure?

    Is switchable ABS in RE Himalayan BS6 changing definition of adventure?

    Since the lockdown, it has been rather difficult to stay put. For a biker at heart, it is against my character. I take my Himalayan for grocery shopping or to buy milk when I can just walk to the nearest shop. It is a small window of opportunity to unwind, an adventure of a different kind.

    While threat from COVID has still not diminished, I request all readers to stay safe, wear a mask and always maintain social distance while out there on a ride.

    While being in the lockdown is not enjoyable, one of my favorite past-time has been to watch videos on YouTube, movies or series on Netflix/Amazon Prime/Hot Star etc. In doing so, I saw a series of the new Himalayan commercials that Royal Enfield has launched for Himalayan and it caught my eye and well, inspired me to write this article.

    Here is the playlist, do enjoy the micro-stories!

    With the advent of BS6 emission norms, I have been longing for a Himalayan with Interceptor engine. That is a long dream yet, and unconfirmed if that will happen at all. Meanwhile, we have the new BS6 Himalayan.

    What’s new on the BS6 Himalayan?

    Colors ahoy!

    When launched, the mighty Himalayan was launched in two colors – Snow White and Granite Black. While the motorcycle looked nice, with limited panel spaces it was no surprise that there were not many colors on the offer. Then, with the BS4 launch, Royal Enfield brought out the Sleet Grey.

    With BS6, Royal Enfield has given us two more colors to chose from, and named them rather interestingly. Apart from the Snow White, Granite Black and Sleet Grey, the new colors are Rock Red (Black and Red), Lake Blue (White and Blue), and Gravel Grey. Both Rock Red and Lake Blue are also the only two glossy colors. 

    Himalayan BS6 Compliant Engine

    As expected, this is perhaps a bit of a bummer but environmentally very important. With BS6, Himalayan has lost 0.2 horse power, and gained 5 Kgs. With the motorcycle already heavier from BS3 (183 KGs) to BS4 (195 KGs), and now further with BS6 weighing about 200 KGs (all Kerb weight).

    Hazard lamp switch is back baby!

    Royal Enfield Himalayan BS6 now comes (again) with Hazard lights switch
    Royal Enfield Himalayan BS6 now comes (again) with Hazard lights switch

    Something that I personally felt was a terrible miss from the BS4 edition, Hazard lamp switch is back in the BS6 edition. It is however not part of the instrument cluster as was in BS3 model. Instead, it is now in the place of the conventional headlight on-off switch which used to exist before AHO was mandated. Though it may be a very small addition, it has a greater emphasis when you consider safety.

    I will reiterate to people, you should not switch them on while riding and only use it when one is in a unfortunate situation. It’s purpose, globally across motorcycles and cars, is to alert people around you that your motorcycle or car has a problem.

    Other tit-bits

    While the earlier three are bigger improvements, Royal Enfield has managed to improve a lot of small things as well.

    Side panels don't have Himalayan embossing anymore, and screams out Himalayan in stickers (just like many who modified it to that look since BS3 era)
    Side panels don’t have Himalayan embossing anymore, and screams out Himalayan in stickers (just like many who modified it to that look since BS3 era)

    New side-stand design that is shorter, but better to use than previous models. Improved graphics with White back lit dials on the instrument cluster. Side panels don’t have Himalayan embossing anymore, and screams out Himalayan in stickers (just like many who modified it to that look since BS3 era). 

    Newly designed CEAT Grip XL tires with improved block patterns that aid in better grip for both on-road, and off-road. Overall quality improvement – RE has listened to customer feedback, time and again in case of Himalayan.

    Switchable ABS on Himalayan BS6!

    One of the biggest improvements that you will notice between BS3, BS4 and the BS6 Himalayan is in the breaking department. Although RE has not publicly revealed what changed but looks like a huge tweaking around of ABS is in the offing.

    Royal Enfield Himalayan BS6 comes with a Switchable ABS, that makes ride both on and off road safer
    Royal Enfield Himalayan BS6 comes with a Switchable ABS, that makes ride both on and off road safer

    While we all know how much Anti-lock Breaking System (or ABS) is important for safety, even on two wheels. However, any off-roading enthusiast worth his or her salt will know the value of switchable ABS. Switching the ABS off allows the rear wheel to lock, and lets the you drift when riding off-road. Now that has to get you exciting, in ‘it?

    With switchable ABS, Himalayan can now truly be much safer motorcycle both on-road and off-road. Still, longing for my next adventure ride, while I wish you all safety in this unprecedented crisis that we have to face, defeat and emerge victorious.

    Where will you take your Himalayan for the first ride after COVID? Let me know in the comments below. 

    Pictures Credits: Royal Enfield Himalayan website.