Aprilia 660cc range unveiled in India

Aprilia has launched the RS 660 and Tuono 660 in India at ₹ 13.39 lakh and ₹ 13.09 lakh (ex-showroom), respectively. The Tuono V4 and RSV4 have also made a return to the Indian market.

The company’s recently-introduced 660cc twin-cylinder line-up makes its India debut, with the RS 660 sportbike and the Tuono 660 middleweight naked bike. As a consequence of being brought in as CBUs, both motorcycles are rather expensive, and priced akin to much larger motorcycles. Even the recently launched 1,200cc Triumph Speed Twin is more affordable than the Italian pair.

Aprilia’s range-topping V4 models have also made a return to the Indian market, this time as BS6-compliant offerings. The Tuono V4 is priced at ₹ 20.66 lakh while the RSV4 superbike is priced at ₹ 23.69 lakh. With this pricing, their closest competition comes from Ducati’s analogous models, the Streetfighter V4 (₹ 20 lakh onwards) and Panigale V4 (₹ 23.50 lakh onwards).

Pedestrian dies after being hit by car west of Lake Taupo

A pedestrian has died after being hit by a car west of Lake Taupo.

Emergency crews are at the crash scene on State Highway 4 in Manunui, near Taumarunui.

The vehicle hit the pedestrian around 7:30pm, near Racecourse Rd, police said.

“Sadly, the pedestrian died at the scene,” a police spokeswoman said.

Part of SH4 has been closed due to the crash and is expected to remain closed for some time.

Motorists are asked to avoid the area if possible.

The Serious Crash Unit will head to the scene to investigate.

Opinion | The Supreme Court Outdoes Itself by Doing Nothing

By Jamelle Bouie

Opinion Columnist

Mid Wynd International Investment Trust FY21 Profit Climbs, Lifts Dividend; Stock Up

Mid Wynd International Investment Trust plc (MWY.L) reported Friday that its fiscal 2021 net return on ordinary activities before taxation was 81.77 million pounds, up from 30.32 million pounds last year.

Net return per ordinary share was 145.44 pence, higher than prior year’s 58.78 pence.

Revenue earnings per share declined to 6.81 pence from 7.38 pence a year ago.

Income grew to 5.29 million pounds from 4.60 million pounds a year ago.

Further, the company announced the final dividend for the year of 3.30 pence per share, be paid on November 26 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on October 1.

The total dividend for the current year of 6.40 pence per share represents an increase of 4.6 percent from last year.

In London, Mid Wynd shares were trading at 832 pence, up 1.46 percent.

Driver’s ease

What is your view on the Skoda Octavia and VW T-Roc? Which one is more fun to drive? I drive solo with minimal family usage and occasional highway runs.

Ayyappadas, Cochin

Both are good driver’s cars. We are impressed with the way the T-Roc handles Indian roads and the 1.5 TSI engine is a real jewel. However, if money is not your main consideration, then we suggest you look at the new Octavia, which offers a more enjoyable driving experience, thanks to its stronger 2.0 TSI motor. Also, being a sedan, it handles itself better than the T-Roc and has more features as well. It is not a big jump over the earlier Octavia, in terms of the fun factor, but then the last-generation Octavia was a fantastic car to start with.

I plan to buy the Alcazar, but am confused between the petrol and diesel versions. My driving would mostly be on highways and hills.

Karthikeyan, Chennai

The petrol Alcazar is more powerful than the diesel, and hence, the overall performance is better, especially with a full load. The 1.5 diesel feels a little underpowered with lots of people on board. However, it is still the one we would recommend because it is more practical on the highway and at high altitudes, due to the mid-range torque and fuel efficiency the diesel offers.

Hormazd Sorabjee is the editor of Autocar India. Mail your feedback and queries to roadshow@thehindu.co.in

‘Ted Lasso’ Season 2, Episode 7 Recap: What’s the Matter with Ted?

Also: Nate seems headed to a dark place, and Keeley and Roy explore whether there can be too much of a good thing.

By Christopher Orr

Pre-market Movers: RNXT, SPRT, NURO, BILL, PTON…

The following are some of the stocks making big moves in Friday’s pre-market trading (as of 6.17 A.M. EDT).

In the Green

RenovoRx, Inc. Common Stock (RNXT) is up over 58% at $11.54

Support.com, Inc. (SPRT) is up over 40% at $27.63

NeuroMetrix, Inc. (NURO) is up over 22% at $12.26

Bill.com Holdings, Inc. (BILL) is up over 14% at $250.35

SharpLink Gaming Ltd. (SBET) is up over 10% at $6.19

PainReform Ltd. (PRFX) is up over 10% at $3.12

Progenity, Inc. (PROG) is up over 5% at $0.81

In the Red

Navios Maritime Partners L.P. (NMM) is down over 8% at $23.46

Peloton Interactive, Inc. (PTON) is down over 8% at $104.42

Glory Star New Media Group Holdings Limited (GSMG) is down over 8% at $2.15

Weibo Corporation (WB) is down over 8% at $49.70

Precipio, Inc. (PRPO) is down over 6% at $3.39

Blue Water Acquisition Corp. (BLUW) is down over 3% at $9.14