You should not have to look far to find content or new ideas for your podcast show. Look to your daily sources to find fodder and ideas for new podcasting segments.

1. News
Both online and offline sources, from the Associated Press to CNN, contain a deluge of news item each day. Scan headlines on a regular basis to see what catches your eye. In addition, explore your niche market to find any industry-specific news portals that may warrant monitoring.

2. Blogs
Blogs are a fabulous source of ideas and inspiration. Monitor blogs for developing industry news. Comment on breaking news or editorials that you strongly agree or disagree with. Be sure to credit the source of any blog posts that you comment on or quote within your show.

Where Do You Find Content for Your Podcast?

Independent artists have long struggled to gain recognition and attract an audience. Without the backing of a major label it can be very difficult for independent artists to obtain radio play time, that is, until now. Podcasting a revolutionary new medium, has opened new distribution channels for independent artists. Podcasting is the process of distributing audio files using the RSS format and has become very popular with the younger generations.

With the use of technology, independent artists have a unique opportunity available, using technology they can significantly expand the exposure of their music.

Why Independent Artists and Musicians Should Podcast

You should not have to look far to find content or new ideas for your podcast show. Look to your daily sources to find fodder and ideas for new podcasting segments.

1. News
Both online and offline sources, from the Associated Press to CNN, contain a deluge of news item each day. Scan headlines on a regular basis to see what catches your eye. In addition, explore your niche market to find any industry-specific news portals that may warrant monitoring.

2. Blogs
Blogs are a fabulous source of ideas and inspiration. Monitor blogs for developing industry news. Comment on breaking news or editorials that you strongly agree or disagree with. Be sure to credit the source of any blog posts that you comment on or quote within your show.

Where Do You Find Content for Your Podcast?

You should not have to look far to find content or new ideas for your podcast show. Look to your daily sources to find fodder and ideas for new podcasting segments.

1. News
Both online and offline sources, from the Associated Press to CNN, contain a deluge of news item each day. Scan headlines on a regular basis to see what catches your eye. In addition, explore your niche market to find any industry-specific news portals that may warrant monitoring.

2. Blogs
Blogs are a fabulous source of ideas and inspiration. Monitor blogs for developing industry news. Comment on breaking news or editorials that you strongly agree or disagree with. Be sure to credit the source of any blog posts that you comment on or quote within your show.

Where Do You Find Content for Your Podcast?

Independent artists have long struggled to gain recognition and attract an audience. Without the backing of a major label it can be very difficult for independent artists to obtain radio play time, that is, until now. Podcasting a revolutionary new medium, has opened new distribution channels for independent artists. Podcasting is the process of distributing audio files using the RSS format and has become very popular with the younger generations.

With the use of technology, independent artists have a unique opportunity available, using technology they can significantly expand the exposure of their music.

Why Independent Artists and Musicians Should Podcast

Independent artists have long struggled to gain recognition and attract an audience. Without the backing of a major label it can be very difficult for independent artists to obtain radio play time, that is, until now. Podcasting a revolutionary new medium, has opened new distribution channels for independent artists. Podcasting is the process of distributing audio files using the RSS format and has become very popular with the younger generations.

With the use of technology, independent artists have a unique opportunity available, using technology they can significantly expand the exposure of their music.

Why should a musician podcast?Why Independent Artists and Musicians Should Podcast

You should not have to look far to find content or new ideas for your podcast show. Look to your daily sources to find fodder and ideas for new podcasting segments.

1. News
Both online and offline sources, from the Associated Press to CNN, contain a deluge of news item each day. Scan headlines on a regular basis to see what catches your eye. In addition, explore your niche market to find any industry-specific news portals that may warrant monitoring.

2. Blogs
Blogs are a fabulous source of ideas and inspiration. Monitor blogs for developing industry news. Comment on breaking news or editorials that you strongly agree or disagree with. Be sure to credit the source of any blog posts that you comment on or quote within your show.

Where Do You Find Content for Your Podcast?

Independent artists have long struggled to gain recognition and attract an audience. Without the backing of a major label it can be very difficult for independent artists to obtain radio play time, that is, until now. Podcasting a revolutionary new medium, has opened new distribution channels for independent artists. Podcasting is the process of distributing audio files using the RSS format and has become very popular with the younger generations.

With the use of technology, independent artists have a unique opportunity available, using technology they can significantly expand the exposure of their music.

Why Independent Artists and Musicians Should Podcast

Independent artists have long struggled to gain recognition and attract an audience. Without the backing of a major label it can be very difficult for independent artists to obtain radio play time, that is, until now. Podcasting a revolutionary new medium, has opened new distribution channels for independent artists. Podcasting is the process of distributing audio files using the RSS format and has become very popular with the younger generations.

With the use of technology, independent artists have a unique opportunity available, using technology they can significantly expand the exposure of their music.

Why Independent Artists and Musicians Should Podcast

You should not have to look far to find content or new ideas for your podcast show. Look to your daily sources to find fodder and ideas for new podcasting segments.

1. News
Both online and offline sources, from the Associated Press to CNN, contain a deluge of news item each day. Scan headlines on a regular basis to see what catches your eye. In addition, explore your niche market to find any industry-specific news portals that may warrant monitoring.

Where Do You Find Content for Your Podcast?

Independent artists have long struggled to gain recognition and attract an audience. Without the backing of a major label it can be very difficult for independent artists to obtain radio play time, that is, until now. Podcasting a revolutionary new medium, has opened new distribution channels for independent artists. Podcasting is the process of distributing audio files using the RSS format and has become very popular with the younger generations.

With the use of technology, independent artists have a unique opportunity available, using technology they can significantly expand the exposure of their music.

Why Independent Artists and Musicians Should Podcast

Royalty-free sound effect libraries contain thousands of sound effects that can be licensed for specific uses. A customer who uses royalty-free sound effects, as opposed to hiring a sound engineer to create them from scratch, can save considerable time, effort, and money. Typically, podcasters and other content producers can obtain non-exclusive rights to a single effect, or they can purchase a subscription of sorts. The subscriptions allow publishers to download a limited number of sound effects during a specified period of time.

Where to find Sound Effects

You should not have to look far to find content or new ideas for your podcast show. Look to your daily sources to find fodder and ideas for new podcasting segments.

1. News
Both online and offline sources, from the Associated Press to CNN, contain a deluge of news item each day. Scan headlines on a regular basis to see what catches your eye. In addition, explore your niche market to find any industry-specific news portals that may warrant monitoring.

2. Blogs
Blogs are a fabulous source of ideas and inspiration. Monitor blogs for developing industry news. Comment on breaking news or editorials that you strongly agree or disagree with. Be sure to credit the source of any blog posts that you comment on or quote within your show.

3. Friends & Colleagues
Casual conversation with friends and colleagues often results in ideas for podcast segments. Day-to-day interaction generates ideas worth discussing.

Where Do You Find Content for Your Podcast?

When we last heard from Lumos, the bike helmet company had announced a model which was simply equipped with a "smart" tail light. The firm is getting fancy again, however, with its turn-indicating, 360-degree-illuminating, crash-detecting Nyxel.

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Category: Bicycles, Transport

Tags: bike lights, Cycling, Helmet, Road Safety, Kickstarter

Riding a motorcycle is already risky enough without adding obscured vision to the equation. That's where the Bikerguard is designed to come in. It's a visor wiper that can be attached to just about any motorcycle helmet to swipe away the rain.

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Category: Motorcycles, Transport

Tags: Helmets, Motorcycle Gear, Gadgets, Road Safety

Bislang stützen sich die europäischen Suchmaschinen Ecosia und Qwant vor allem auf die Bing-Plattform von Microsoft. Künftig wollen sie nicht mehr auf US-Technologieriesen angewiesen sein.

As such Bhagwat knows that Modi has fulfilled the Hindutva agenda in the best possible way.

Urges Mr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to get relevant countries to work collectively under coordination from India to impress upon Israel to give up its illegal occupation, surrender its settler-colonial policies, work towards a one-state solution.

These speeches aim to portray Muslims as a threat to other religious communities. The narratives hence paint Muslims as a community intent on depriving others of national resources, fostering discord and enmity among religious groups.

In cities across India Muslims face systemic barriers when attempting to rent or buy residential space, not limited to private landlords; it permeates housing societies and real estate markets, often justified under the guise of maintaining social harmony. However, this so-called harmony is nothing more than a façade for prejudice.

In addition to Ram Navami other local religious Yatras (processions), Ganga Aarti, (Prayer for river Ganges),Satsangs (religious meeting) , and other religious programs are being started with similar goals. The example of Kanwad Yatras (holy pilgrimage to collect Ganges water and to be put on Lord Shiva) is another example where the participants become aggressive.

ANIC Calls for Immediate Action Following Disturbing Survey Findings on Discrimination in Australian Educational Institutions

In this week’s episode of Bleeding Daylight, I engage in a profound conversation with Melinda Patrick, a woman whose life story is a testament to resilience and faith amidst trying circumstances. Melinda shares her journey from doubt and despair to hope and joy, emphasizing the transformative power of living in response to God rather than […]

Returning to the office has been a real shock for many who became accustomed to working from home. This shift has fueled a boom in business etiquette courses across the United States.

Did you think the Cybertruck was unbreakable? Well, that might not be exactly true.

PC manufacturers often load new computers with extra software, or "bloatware," which can bog down system performance. Clearing out these unwanted apps can free up storage space and boost speed.

With colder, more humid weather, car windows tend to fog up quickly in fall and winter. Luckily, there's a simple yet unusual trick to keep them clear.

The players and fans celebrated the win in style

Eknath Shinde Exclusive Interview: महाराष्ट्र के मुख्यमंत्री एकनाथ शिंदे ने NDTV से बात करते हुए कहा कि ढाई साल में जो काम हुआ इतना काम कभी नहीं हुआ है. अटल सेतू कोस्टल मराठवाडा वॉटरग्रीड योजना किसी के इगो के वजह से रूकी थी, लेकीन हमने प्रोजेक्ट पूरा किया. किसान को बिजली मुफ़्त देने का काम किया. हर घर में किसी ना किसी को राज्य सरकार ने कुछ ना कुछ देने का काम किया है. उन्होंने कहा हम जो बोलते है वो करते है. महाराष्ट्र में विकास और कल्याणकारी योजना किए है. लोगो में संतोष है, पूरा माहौल महायूति का है. हम मैजरोटी से जीतेंगे. महायुती का स्ट्राईक रेट ज़्यादा रहेगा हमें भरोसा है. CM योगी के 'कटेंगे तो बटेंगे' नारे से लेकर उद्धव ठाकरे के बैग चेक मामले पर भी उन्होंने बात की.

दिल्ली की वायु गुणवत्ता इस सीजन में पहली बार 'गंभीर' श्रेणी में पहुंच गई है, AQI 429 तक पहुंच गया। केंद्रीय प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड (सीपीसीबी) के अनुसार, दिल्ली के 36 निगरानी स्टेशनों में से 30 ने वायु गुणवत्ता को 'गंभीर' श्रेणी में बताया। ज्यादा जानकारी के लिए हमारे साथ जुड़ रहे हैं शुभांग ठाकुर

Online Games पर पाबंदी लगाने के लिए 16 नवंबर को पूर्व राज्यपाल, केंद्रीय मंत्री और पूर्व जस्टिस देंगे जंतर मंतर पर धरना. बीजेपी से जुड़े नेताओं ने कहा कि सरकार से मांग करेंगे कि आनलाइन गेम्स को बंद कराने के लिए जल्द से जल्द बिल लाए.

There are a million facts from history, and every year, we seem to learn more of them. With as long as civilization has existed on this planet, there is simply no way that any one human could know everything about the world. That makes it kind of fun, though, doesn’t it? If you’re a history […]

The post 10 Mind-Blowing Facts from History That Don’t Seem Real appeared first on Listverse.

(Telecompaper) The Women in the Digital Economy Fund (WiDEF) in India has launched its first round of support...

Amulya, 19, was charged with sedition after shouting pro-Pakistan slogan at anti-CAA rally

The Express Tribune analyses the videos, pictures shared on social media since the neighbours have come face-to-face

(Telecompaper) CtrlS Datacenters has announced it will provide its customers with direct high-speed connectivity to Oracle's cloud and AI services through Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) FastConnect...

(Telecompaper) Cisco is publicising a deal with consulting firm LTIMindtree to deploy secure edge technology for its hybrid workforce and global consulting client base...

Use Apple's Find My app to keep tabs on your device whether it's powered on.

(Telecompaper) MultiChoice says it will update its DStv Stream platform by letting viewers rewind live television channels by up to 24 hours and improving Watch from Start functionality and Cloud PVR Recordings, which it introduced on 12 November. The Cloud PVR Recording feature lets customers record live shows for viewing or re-watching within 30 days...

I love the mountains and discovering off-beat destinations and trails. I am looking for a sturdy and tough SUV that can take a solid beating in bad roads in remote areas. It doesn’t need to be 4x4, but it should have good ground clearance. The car will also be used as a daily driver. I was looking at the Tata Harrier and the Mahindra Thar Roxx. What would you suggest?

Adwait Kelkar, Pune

Autocar India says: The Harrier is a very comfortable SUV with a spacious cabin and a great ride. It has the edge over the Roxx when it comes to overall comfort. However, if you are looking for an SUV that will be driven on bad roads regularly, then the Roxx is a much better choice. The tough body-on-frame chassis and high ground clearance gives it a huge advantage over the Harrier, which doesn’t feel as robust in comparison. Also, the Roxx’s diesel engine is far superior to the Harrier’s gruff diesel, which is now showing its age. For town use, the Roxx’s ride is lumpy compared to the Harrier, but it’s not a deal breaker and can easily double up as an everyday car, too. To sum-up, the Roxx is tougher and better suited for the mountains.

Also see:

Thar Roxx vs Jimny vs Gurkha 5-Door comparison video

Mahindra Thar Roxx waiting period stretches up to mid-2026

Tata Harrier EV to get AWD terrain modes

I am confused between the Mahindra XUV700 and the Mahindra Thar Roxx. We’re a family of six, and I need a powerful vehicle with ADAS.

Kaustubh Satish, Bengaluru

Autocar India says: As a family car, the XUV700 is a better choice as it is more spacious than the Thar Roxx, especially since you have six family members. The XU700’s second row is wider than the Roxx, so sitting three abreast isn’t as comfortable on the latter. Also, the XUV700 has a third row, which the Roxx doesn’t, and this is crucial for accommodating the sixth passenger. The XUV700 is also more powerful than the Roxx and comes with ADAS. The Roxx is meant for adventure seekers who also want an everyday car, but for your requirements, the XUV700 is the better choice.

Also See:

Mahindra Thar Roxx review: An SUV that does it all?

Mahindra Thar Roxx video review

2021 Mahindra XUV700 review, test drive

2021 Mahindra XUV700 video review

Honda has issued a voluntary recall for its flagship tourer – the Gold Wing GL1800 – in India, with motorcycles manufactured between March 2018 and May 2021 being affected.

1. Part replacement will be done free of charge
2. Customers can check if their bike is affected on Honda’s website

Honda Gold Wing GL1800 recall details 

Honda has identified a potential issue in the primary drive gear fastening bolt of certain Gold Wing engines. Under some conditions, the bolt may break and cause engine stoppage.

As a precautionary measure, the replacement of the affected part will be carried out at BigWing dealerships across India starting from the third week of December. As is the case with voluntary recalls, the replacement will be done free of cost irrespective of the warranty status of the vehicle.

Honda BigWing dealers will proactively notify customers for the inspection of their vehicle. Gold Wing customers can also check if their vehicle is affected by entering their bike’s VIN number on the BigWing website (www.hondabigwing.in).

The Gold Wing models have always been the pinnacle of Honda’s two-wheeler line-up and the current model with its 1,833cc horizontally opposed six-cylinder motor continues that trend. At Rs 39.70 lakh (ex-showroom, India), the Gold Wing is the most expensive bike in Honda’s line-up.

Also See: 2018 Honda Gold Wing review, test ride

The Mahindra XUV 3XO is available with three engine options – an entry-level 1.2-litre multi-point fuel injection (MPFi) turbo-petrol, a more modern direct injection (TGDi) turbo-petrol, and a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel, which are all available with manual and automatic gearbox options. In this review, we focus on the AX5 variant with the MPFi turbo-petrol engine and 6-speed manual gearbox – priced at Rs 11 lakh (ex-showroom) – to find out why it is one of the most demanded variants in the XUV 3XO line-up.

AX5 is one of the most demanded variants in the XUV 3XO line-up.

Differentiating the AX5 from the top-spec variant is the absence of fog lamps; these are replaced by a prominent black casing. This variant retains the LED daytime running lamps (DRLs) and headlamps, as well as the chrome inserts on the grille panel. It gets smaller, 16-inch wheels (not 17s from the top-spec) that are carried over from the outgoing XUV300. It also gets roof rails, a rear spoiler, connected tail-lamps, and a rear wiper and washer. What’s missing is a variant badge on the boot. 

Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 interiors

The interior retains the dual-tone colour scheme with the top half of the dashboard and door pads being black, and the lower half finished in white. While the dual colours elevate the cabin’s appeal and sense of space, its white areas get soiled very easily and warrant utmost care to keep clean. It doesn’t get soft-touch materials on the dashboard like the higher variants, but it still sports generous piano black garnishing, some silver highlights, and an upmarket, perforated leather-wrapped steering.

It gets black fabric seats, which are more suited to our conditions. Not only are these easier to maintain compared to the white leatherette seats available in the top-spec but these are also a lot more breathable, so you won’t be left with a sweaty back on a hot day. The seats, however, are small, and occupants with large body frames will find these too snug for comfort. Also, the driver footwell is cramped, just like the other variants. The rear seat is a spacious and comfortable place, even for three adults. A space saver spare tyre beneath its floor has enabled Mahindra to liberate a bit more luggage space (compared to the XUV300), but the 3XO’s 295-litre boot is still small by segment standards, and its loading lip is high.

Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 equipment

This variant gets a small, single-pane sunroof.

As far as equipment goes, the AX5 variant gets twin 10.2-inch screens – one for the instrument cluster and one for the touchscreen – with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It also gets a sunroof (single pane), a wireless charger, dual-zone climate control, auto LED headlamps, power-folding mirrors, rear air-con vents, a reversing camera, hill-start assist, 6 airbags and ESP, to name a few.

Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 performance

It isn’t devoid of turbo lag, but once it is on boost – beyond 2,000rpm – it accelerates with a sense of urgency. Performance feels strongest and most effortless, in the 2,000-4,500rpm band. At 1,362kg, the XUV 3XO is heavy, but it still accelerates to 100kph from a standstill in a respectable 11.58 seconds. Interestingly, the 3XO’s outright as well as rolling acceleration times from 20-80kph in third gear and 40-100kph in fourth gear are much quicker than its predecessor.

Its ride and handling balance is spot on, but what further enhance the ride comfort are its high profile tyres (with 16-inch alloys). These absorb road shocks better than its higher variants that come equipped with 17-inch alloys.

Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 price and verdict

Performance is so good, it makes you question the need to spend more for the TGDi version.

Also see: 

Mahindra XUV 3XO review - Feature and power packed compact SUV

Mahindra XUV 3XO waiting period increases to over a year

Skoda Kylaq design head Oliver Stefani speaks on the Kylaq design, challenges and India specific requirements. Tap to watch the full interview.

SUVs are all the rage today, but no one told the Dzire that. It continues to be a strong seller. Last year, the compact sedan found 1.57 lakh buyers – that’s more than all its competitors combined. Even more impressive is that this figure puts it ahead of compact SUVs like the Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet and Maruti Fronx.

So, unlike the Ciaz, Maruti has lavished plenty of attention on this sedan, with regular updates since the original was launched in 2008. As with all predecessors, the Dzire is based on the Swift, and this new model shares its underpinnings with the latest Swift, which was introduced earlier this year. While it’s based on the previous car and shares its ‘Heartect’ platform, there are massive changes to technical bits, such as the suspension and the structural elements of the body. There are aesthetic changes too, and thus, Maruti classifies this as the 4th generation.

Except for the height, where the new Dzire is 10mm taller at 1,525mm, the new car is identical to the outgoing model in length (3,995mm), width (1,735mm), and wheelbase (2,450mm). The width and wheelbase are also identical to those of the new Swift.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire exterior style

With each generation, Maruti has further distanced the Dzire from the Swift, and this one sees the maximum separation. One look, or even a good long stare at the two cars outside, will not clue you into their shared genes. The Dzire looks very different, and the styling is very sedan-like with a horizontal orientation, unlike the previous car, which carried vertically styled elements. That’s clearly seen with the LED headlights, which are narrow, horizontally shaped units housing thin DRLs and crystal-like cube elements laid out horizontally. The grille has an Audi-esque familiarity to it, thanks to the large trapezoidal shape. That said, though, the Dzire’s front end has its own style and looks very smart and elegant, topped by a flatter bonnet compared to the previous car.

On the side, the curves on the doors look similar to the model before, but with the reshaped front and rear fenders, the new car does stand apart. Alloys are newly designed units, 15 inches in diameter, and carry 185/65 sized tyres. Atop, there’s a shark fin antenna instead of a regular one.

The tail-lights are squarish but carry a tri-arrow-shaped LED light signature laid horizontally, and that lends more visual width to the car. The boot has an added lip spoiler, and the lower edge of the bumper has a sporty-looking chamfered strip moulded into it. It helps widen the car visually and will make for a sporty touch with some contrasting shade. Dzire RS coming up, Suzuki?

Maruti Suzuki Dzire interior style, space and comfort

While the exterior bears no resemblance to the Swift, the interior is nearly identical. The dashboard, centre console, steering wheel, and instrument panel are all carried over but have a different colour scheme that uses beige on the dash, door pads and seats, and wood trim across the dash. It looks smart and neat, and all controls are well laid out and easy to use. While some might have preferred a fully digital instrument panel with a graphics-heavy design, the twin dials look neat, sporty, and very easy to read at a glance.

Front seats are comfy with soft cushioning, and overall space is just fine; at the rear, however, headroom is tight. Despite the 5mm increase in height over the Swift, headroom feels compromised, largely due to the sunroof, which has resulted in a lower headliner. The liner is scooped out towards the rear, but I had just about a three-finger space to the top, and the roof does feel close to your head. Comfort-wise, the seat is fine, softly cushioned like the front, and there’s a rear armrest, twin AC vents, and two USB ports for rear passengers. Boot space is just about adequate, at 382 litres – the lowest in the class – and the rear seat back is fixed (cannot be folded down).  

Maruti Suzuki Dzire features and safety

Big new features on the Dzire are a sunroof and a 360-degree camera; while the sunroof is small and has a more feel-good factor, the 360-degree camera offers a clear view with a 3D display and dynamic rear parking lines. Other features are a 9-inch touchscreen unit with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless phone charging, connected car tech, and cruise control. Given what’s on offer today in this price segment, Maruti Suzuki should have had a few more features, such as premium audio hardware, cooled seats, and ambient lighting. 

While these features go amiss, it’s nice to see that the safety kit is elaborate and standard across variants. Six airbags, 3-point seatbelts for all occupants, ISO-FIX child seat mounts, ABS, ESP, and Hill Hold Assist will feature in every Dzire sold. What’s even nicer to see, and will be a big surprise for many, is the 5-star adult occupant and 4-star child occupant protection rating the Dzire has scored under the GNCAP safety protocol. The performance in these new enhanced safety protocols is commendable, and while it may not be a 360-degree assessment of everything that can go wrong, it covers a significant portion of road accidents and is a good barometer for the safety potential of a car.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire engine and performance

The new Dzire is powered by the recently introduced Z12E engine that debuted with the new Swift. Like in the Swift, the 3-cylinder unit puts out an identical 82hp at 5700rpm and 112Nm of torque at 4300rpm. It feels identical in nature too. There are some vibrations at low rpms, but these fade away as you drive on. The engine is quite audible, but at low and mid speeds, it has a likeable audio note with it, only sounding strained at the top end.

82hp may not sound like much, and indeed, it is 8hp lower than the outgoing K12M engine. However, at low engine speeds, the response is good and the car moves off the line cleanly and crisply.

Power then builds up in a gentle and linear fashion, and keeps coming in even above 5,000rpm, so there is some merit in revving it further. Those who like a spirited drive will end up doing so, as the engine isn’t peppy and lively. It even red lines at 6,000rpm, which is about 400rpm lower than the previous unit. In a quick test, it took over 13 seconds to 100kph from zero, which is slower than the previous car. However, we’ll soon put it through our standard instrument tests to measure all the figures. Don’t hold your breath, though, as the Dzire will be slower than the Swift, which itself wasn’t very impressive.

Going through the gears isn't a chore; the 5-speed gearbox has been tweaked and features a new hydraulic clutch. It's very smooth and light in effort, and the gear throws are also light and easy. Shifts on the AMT are smooth and at a moderate pace, and there's a minimal gap between shifts; it also downshifts a gear or two readily, but put your foot down and the pause gets very pronounced, and this does slow down the car during hard acceleration. There is a tip function to the gear lever that enables you to manually control shifts. 

The main calling card for the new powerplant is efficiency, with the Dzire now claiming a figure of 24.79kpl for the 5-speed manual, which is up from the earlier cars' 23.26kpl claim. The AMT version claims a figure of 25.71kpl. There's also a CNG version, which we are yet to drive, and that promises 33.73kms/kg from its 70ps and 102Nm power unit.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire ride and handling

Like the powertrain, the Dzire’s suspension hardware is also carried over from the Swift, with McPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam setup at the rear. Small tweaks have been made to the spring and dampers; however, these are only to compensate for the increase in kerb weight, which, at 960 kg, is 40 kilos more than the Swift. The character thus remains the same, and that’s a very good thing. Like the hatch, the sedan also rides very well; bump absorption is good, and regular potholes and ruts are smoothed out well.

On the handling front, too, it impresses like the Swift. The electric power steering is smooth and fluid, and it returns to the centre in a very natural manner. Push it hard, and there is some body roll, but for everyday and even some spirited driving, it corners well with a progressive and controlled lean, offering good road grip.  

Maruti Suzuki Dzire price and verdict

Maruti Suzuki has clearly put in significant effort with the new Dzire. The car looks and feels very different from before; it’s elegant and more sedan-like, and that’s commendable given the tight confines of its sub-4-meter footprint. It rides very well, the handling is good and sporty, and the engine is more than adequate for everyday driving. It’s well equipped, too, and features like the sunroof and 360-degree camera will be appreciated, as will the fact that this is Maruti Suzuki’s first 5-star GNCAP car. It’s priced between Rs 6.79 lakh and Rs 10.14 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

So is it perfect, then? No, rear headroom is tight, and it should have offered a few more of today’s must-have features, but this won’t be enough to deter buyers, especially not when you weigh it against its impressive breadth of abilities. So, like its predecessor, the new Dzire will continue to ring the cash register for Maruti and is all set to carry on being the flagbearer for sedans in an increasingly dominant SUV world.

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The Mahindra XUV 3XO is available with three engine options – an entry-level 1.2-litre multi-point fuel injection (MPFi) turbo-petrol, a more modern direct injection (TGDi) turbo-petrol, and a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel, which are all available with manual and automatic gearbox options. In this review, we focus on the AX5 variant with the MPFi turbo-petrol engine and 6-speed manual gearbox – priced at Rs 11 lakh (ex-showroom) – to find out why it is one of the most demanded variants in the XUV 3XO line-up.

AX5 is one of the most demanded variants in the XUV 3XO line-up.

Differentiating the AX5 from the top-spec variant is the absence of fog lamps; these are replaced by a prominent black casing. This variant retains the LED daytime running lamps (DRLs) and headlamps, as well as the chrome inserts on the grille panel. It gets smaller, 16-inch wheels (not 17s from the top-spec) that are carried over from the outgoing XUV300. It also gets roof rails, a rear spoiler, connected tail-lamps, and a rear wiper and washer. What’s missing is a variant badge on the boot. 

Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 interiors

The interior retains the dual-tone colour scheme with the top half of the dashboard and door pads being black, and the lower half finished in white. While the dual colours elevate the cabin’s appeal and sense of space, its white areas get soiled very easily and warrant utmost care to keep clean. It doesn’t get soft-touch materials on the dashboard like the higher variants, but it still sports generous piano black garnishing, some silver highlights, and an upmarket, perforated leather-wrapped steering.

It gets black fabric seats, which are more suited to our conditions. Not only are these easier to maintain compared to the white leatherette seats available in the top-spec but these are also a lot more breathable, so you won’t be left with a sweaty back on a hot day. The seats, however, are small, and occupants with large body frames will find these too snug for comfort. Also, the driver footwell is cramped, just like the other variants. The rear seat is a spacious and comfortable place, even for three adults. A space saver spare tyre beneath its floor has enabled Mahindra to liberate a bit more luggage space (compared to the XUV300), but the 3XO’s 295-litre boot is still small by segment standards, and its loading lip is high.

Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 equipment

This variant gets a small, single-pane sunroof.

As far as equipment goes, the AX5 variant gets twin 10.2-inch screens – one for the instrument cluster and one for the touchscreen – with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It also gets a sunroof (single pane), a wireless charger, dual-zone climate control, auto LED headlamps, power-folding mirrors, rear air-con vents, a reversing camera, hill-start assist, 6 airbags and ESP, to name a few.

Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 performance

It isn’t devoid of turbo lag, but once it is on boost – beyond 2,000rpm – it accelerates with a sense of urgency. Performance feels strongest and most effortless, in the 2,000-4,500rpm band. At 1,362kg, the XUV 3XO is heavy, but it still accelerates to 100kph from a standstill in a respectable 11.58 seconds. Interestingly, the 3XO’s outright as well as rolling acceleration times from 20-80kph in third gear and 40-100kph in fourth gear are much quicker than its predecessor.

Its ride and handling balance is spot on, but what further enhance the ride comfort are its high profile tyres (with 16-inch alloys). These absorb road shocks better than its higher variants that come equipped with 17-inch alloys.

Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 price and verdict

Performance is so good, it makes you question the need to spend more for the TGDi version.

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