#ODRecap: Baleno scores three stars, Ray-ZR launched, LeSEE unveiled and Ford suspends Figo and Figo Aspire deliveries

LeEco LeSEE electric car unveiled in Beijing

LeEco has decided it wants a piece of the proverbial pie by unveiling its own all-electric car at an event in Beijing. Previously, the company tied up with Aston Martin to help develop their all-electric RapidE, as well as funding Faraday Future with their 320kmph concept electric supercar, the FFZERO1. Formerly known by the name LeTV, the Chinese manufacturer is famous for its recent booming success in the smartphone territory. Founded in 2004, the technology company now has ventures in multiple areas like internet TV, video production, smartphones, and now, electric cars. Details about the new LeEco LeSEE

India-made Maruti Suzuki Baleno scores three stars in Euro NCAP crash test

The India-made Maruti Suzuki Baleno has scored a three star rating at the recently conducted crash test by Euro NCAP. However, the variant with the safety pack (radar-based braking) scored four stars. The three star rating means, "average to good occupant protection but lacking crash avoidance technology", according to Euro NCAP. The tests conducted include front-offset deformable barrier test at 64kmph, Front full width rigid barrier test at 50kmph, Side mobile barrier test at 50kmph and the side pole test at 32kmph. Read here for our detailed feature.

Fast and Furious 8 first poster revealed by Vin Diesel

The Fast and Furious movie franchise will have an eight chapter. Vin Diesel, who plays the lead protagonist Dominic Toretto, revealed the first poster of Fast and Furious 8 on Facebook. The movie is scheduled to release on April 14, 2017. The movie poster shows Vin Diesel pose alongside his Dodge Charger with a tagline "New roads ahead". Vin Diesel also revealed that the new series will have two sequels scheduled to release on April 19, 2019 and April 2, 2021. The third release might be the end of the saga. Know more about the upcoming flick here.

275 toll plazas across India to accept cashless payment

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has announced that it will be making a cashless toll payment mechanism operational at 275 toll plazas located across the country from April 25, 2016 onwards. The remaining 75 toll plazas will be incorporating the mechanism within a year. Called FASTag, it is expected to make long queues at toll plazas a thing of the past. To avail of FASTag, road users need to pay a one time fee of Rs 200 post which they will receive a sticker which needs to be attached to the front windscreen of their vehicle. FASTag utilises RFID technology which enables it to make a payment from the pre-paid account linked to it. More details on the story here.

Ford India suspends Figo and Figo Aspire deliveries due to faulty restraint control module

Ford India recently halved the monthly production targets for the Ford Figo and Ford Figo Aspire because of their poor sales numbers. And now, Ford India has confirmed that deliveries and test drives for the Ford Figo and Ford Figo Aspire have been temporarily suspended. Dealers have been asked to not give test drives and also sell the current crop of vehicles until the investigations are completed. According to the company, these vehicles have an issue with a component in the ECU called the restraint control module. Deployment of the car's safety features like the airbags are controlled by this component. However, Ford hasn't mentioned anything about a recall as yet.  Read our detailed feature here.

2016 Yamaha Ray-ZR launched in India at Rs 52,000

Yamaha has launched the Ray-ZR in India at Rs 52,000 for the drum variant and Rs 54,500 for the front disc trim, ex-Delhi. The Yamaha Ray-ZR was first showcased at the 2016 Auto Expo. The new Ray-ZR boasts a sportiness, missing in Yamaha's scooter portfolio in India. The graphics used, especially the battle green, is similar to what the company has used for the FZ before. The Ray-ZR weighs in at a light 103kg and in what is a first for a Yamaha, adds a front disc brake. More details here.