TVS launches BS6 Scooty Zest 110

TVS has launched the BS6-compliant Scooty Zest 110 at a starting price of ₹58,460 (ex-showroom, Chennai). This makes the BS6 Zest 110 just over ₹6,000 more expensive than its BS4 predecessor. Power comes from a 110cc engine that’s equipped with the same ET-Fi (Ecothrust Fuel injection) technology as in the BS6-compliant Jupiter Classic. The unit puts out 7.8hp and 8.8Nm of torque. Power is down by 0.2hp as compared to the BS4 model, though torque is now up by 0.4Nm.

Apart from the updated engine, the Zest 110 remains largely unchanged. Equipment like the LED DRL and underseat USB charger have been carried forward from the older model. Components like the chassis, suspension and tyres are identical as well.

The new Zest 110 is available in two variants — Himalayan High Series and Matte Series — and in a total of six colour schemes.

100 Most Popular Rock Bands of All Time

Combining elements of rhythm and blues, country, jazz, and gospel, rock music has had a strong cultural impact throughout America and the world since its inception in the 1940s and 1950s. In the three-quarters of a century since then, a number of bands have left an indelible stamp on rock music, captivating millions and pushing the genre to new heights in the process.

Using data from Spotify, Facebook, Ranker, and the Billboard 200 albums chart, 24/7 Tempo determined the 100 most popular rock bands of all time.

The bands on this list represent many different eras and movements in rock music, from British Invasion bands like The Rolling Stones to arena rock acts like Guns N’ Roses, to more recent experimental groups like Radiohead. They vary in places of origin, and include bands from all over America. For more on this, see the most famous band from every state.

While solo artists like Prince, David Bowie, and Elvis certainly belong in any conversation about rock’s greatest figures, this list only considers bands. For more on solo performers, see the most famous musician born the year you were born.

Click here to see the 100 most popular rock bands of all time
Click here to read our methodology

Maruti Ignis gets touchscreen infotainment system on Zeta trim

Following the launch of the Ignis facelift, Maruti Suzuki has given its hatchback a small update. The update sees the mid-spec Zeta variant of the Ignis now come with the carmaker’s SmartPlay Studio infotainment system, previously only offered on the fully-loaded Alpha trim. The SmartPlay Studio system, as Maruti Suzuki calls it, comes loaded with multiple features and also has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Maruti Suzuki has priced the updated Ignis Zeta at Rs ₹5.98 lakh for the 5-speed manual gearbox equipped version, while the AMT costs ₹6.45 lakh (both prices, ex-showroom, Delhi). The updated models cost ₹9,000 more than their respective predecessors.

Hyundai introduces ‘clutchless’ manual gearbox option

Hyundai has introduced a new ‘clutchless’ manual gearbox option on the Venue compact SUV, along with introducing a new Sport cosmetic package and a new S+ trim level. The new ‘clutchless’ manual gearbox, dubbed iMT or Intelligent Manual Transmission, is only available with the 120hp, 1.0-litre, direct-injection, turbo-petrol engine and in the SX and SX(O) trims.

Prices start at ₹ 9.99 lakh (ex-showroom) for the entry-level SX variant, going up to ₹ 11.21 lakh for the SX (O) with the new Sport pack. The iMT unit is essentially a cross between a manual and an automatic gearbox. The driver still manually shifts gears but without the need of a clutch pedal. The new S+ variant is priced at ₹8.32 lakh (ex-showroom).

Gold Futures Hit Another New Closing High

Gold sparkled again, with prices soaring to another record high on Tuesday on continued safe-haven demand amid surging coronavirus cases and optimism about additional stimulus measures from the U.S. government and the Federal Reserve.

Data showing a decline in U.S. consumer confidence in the month of July contributed as well to gold’s uptick.

The dollar index, which fell after a positive spell early on in the session, was up marginally at 93.70 by mid afternoon.

Gold futures for August ended higher by $13.60 or about 0.7% at $1,944.60 an ounce, after hitting a new intra-day high of $1,974.70.

Silver futures for September ended down $0.201 or 0.8% at $24.300 an ounce, well off the session’s of $26.275 an ounce. That was also the futures’ highest level since April 2013.

Copper futures for September settled at $2.9175 per pound, gaining $0.0200.

According to a report from the Conference Board, consumer confidence in the U.S. deteriorated by more than expected in the month of July, after showing a substantial improvement in the previous month.

The Conference Board said its consumer confidence index slumped to 92.6 in July after jumping to an upwardly revised 98.3 in June. Economists had expected the consumer confidence index to pull back to 95.7 from the 98.1 originally reported for the previous month.

The bigger than expected drop by the headline index came as consumers grew less optimistic about the short-term outlook for the economy, with the expectations index tumbling to 91.5 in July from 106.1 in June.

Visa Inc. Q3 Profit Tops Estimates; Net Revenues Down 17% – Quick Facts

Visa Inc. (V) reported that its third quarter non-GAAP earnings per share was $1.06, a decline of 23% from last year. Non-GAAP earnings per share decrease was approximately 22% on a constant-dollar basis. On average, 31 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report profit per share of $1.03, for the quarter. Analysts’ estimates typically exclude special items.

Third quarter net revenues were $4.8 billion, a decrease of 17%, driven by the year-over-year declines in payments volume, cross-border volume and processed transactions. Net revenues decrease was approximately 16% on a constant-dollar basis. Analysts expected revenue of $4.82 billion for the quarter.

Payments volume for the three months ended June 30, 2020, decreased 10% over the prior year on a constant-dollar basis. Total processed transactions, which represent transactions processed by Visa, for the three months ended June 30, 2020, were 30.7 billion, a 13% decrease over the prior year.