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      Honda wants to kiss the engine goodbye by 2040, plans new EV platform – Roadshow

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      I still need Honda to bring this car to the US. Please and thank you.
      Honda

      Honda on Friday laid out ambitious targets for its business: It wants to phase out all engines in production cars by 2040. According to Honda’s new CEO, Toshihiro Mibe, a mix of electric vehicles and fuel-cell powertrains will take their place.The specific goals call for Honda to ramp up its share of EV and fuel-cell vehicles in the coming years, starting with 40% of all cars sold globally featuring one of the zero-emissions powertrains by 2030. The share under these plans moves to 80% by 2035 and finally 100% by 2040, effectively ending the internal-combustion engine at Honda. Can VTEC kick in with batteries?The automaker again confirmed it has two large EV models under joint development with GM and publicly disclosed for the first time that one will be for Honda — and the other for Acura. Rumor has it they’ll be a pair of electric SUVs GM will also build for Honda at two of its North America production sites. However, Honda won’t simply task GM with all the EV development work.The company said it plans for a new electric car platform in the second half of this decade dubbed the “e:Architecture.” We’ll see a “series” of new EVs based on the platform in the years to come. Honda said it’ll first launch in North America before heading to other parts of the world. In tandem, Mibe said the company will launch extensive research and development initiatives into solid-state batteries — with the goal of putting such a battery into production by decade’s end. On the hydrogen side, Honda plans to continue working with GM via another joint venture: a focus on commercial trucks and other power sources.

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      Mahindra e2o Electric Range Extended To 350 Kms By Northway Motorsport

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      Mahindra e2o Plus Electric
      Mahindra retailed e20 Plus electric hatch in three trims- P2, P4 and P6
      Mahindra was one of the first auto manufacturers in the private vehicle segment in India to venture into the electric mobility space. It developed two electric vehicle (EV) models namely eVerito and e20 Plus in sedan and hatchback body styles respectively.
      However, they were unable to gain any popularity among masses due to limited availability and lack of charging infrastructure and hence were discontinued. Range anxiety was another issue that led to the downfall of these vehicles, especially e20 that offered below par single-charge range.
      Additional battery backup results in 350km range
      The electric hatch was offered with two battery options- an 11kWh battery pack and a 15kWH battery pack. The former claimed a maximum range of 110km whereas the latter claimed a range of 140km on a single charge.
      In real-world situations, the range declined even further with the use of the air conditioner in a stop and go traffic. Northway Motorsport, based out of Pune, has managed to increase the single-charge range of the electric hatch.
      Mahindra e2o Plus Electric with range extender
      A video, courtesy of Hemank Dabhade, uploaded on YouTube shows a stock e20 Plus being installed with a 17kWh battery pack. This is in addition to the pre-existing 11kWH Lithion-ion battery which results in a total capacity of 28kWh.
      The additional 17kWh range extender pack has been placed in the car’s boot space. The purpose of making the video is to find out how much can the car travel on a full charge with additional battery backup.
      The drive was conducted in a real-world scenario, in a very cautious manner with the air conditioner being turned off during the entire journey. The car was driven with extreme care below 25 percent SOC to reduce power consumption even further. At the end of the drive, the upgraded e20 Plus resulted in a distance traveled around 350km before the battery was completely drained out.
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      e20 Plus Features & Specs
      This is a remarkable figure considering the limited capacity of the power source. It was further aided by regenerative braking and additionally, 15-18 km of journey was covered in moderate downslopes. This helped e20 Plus attain a very impressive range which is hard to achieve by any EV on sale currently in the real world.
      The electric car was driven by a three-phase AC Induction Motor which returns a very modest output of 26 bhp at 3500rpm and 70 Nm at 1050rpm. It could clock a top speed of 80kmph while it could sprint 0-60 kmph in a yawning 14.1 seconds. It was offered with a standard 3kW single Phase 16 Amp charger which took 7hrs and 20 mins for the larger 15kWh battery pack to get charged while the smaller 12 kWh unit took 6 hours to juice up. More

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      2022 Nissan X-Trail Debuts With New Hybrid Electric Powertrain

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      2022 Nissan X-TrailLike its American counterpart, the new Nissan-Trail will be offered in multiple seating configurations
      The latest edition of the Shanghai Auto Show in China has been a showcase to many highly anticipated international models. One of them is the fifth generation Nissan X-Trail which was recently unveiled at the biennial motor show. From the first look, it can be witnessed that the upcoming SUV has undergone quite a few changes both above and underneath its skin.
      Nissan’s flagship SUV in its latest form is based on the CMF-C crossover platform that has been co-developed by the Japanese manufacturer along with its alliance partners Renault and Mitsubishi. The upcoming SUV already went on sale in the US market as ‘Rogue’ a few months back.
      Exterior Design
      The new-gen X-Trail is based on Nissan’s 3.0 design philosophy which results in a plethora of exterior updates. This includes a more butch appearance at front with a new split lighting setup, oversize trapezoidal front grille and aggressive front bumper.
      Blacked-out roof, ORVMs, pillars and side body claddings provide the necessary sporty appeal to the premium SUV. At rear, it features a pair of wraparound LED taillights and a muscular bash plate along with striking design lines.
      2022 Nissan X-Trail
      Interior Layout & Features
      Although dimensions are yet to be revealed officially, if it follows its American sibling then the new X-Trail is likely to be 38mm shorter and 5mm lower than its predecessor. Inside the cabin, things don’t change much as the upcoming model continues to offer a three-row configuration with folding seats in the third row.
      As far as features are concerned, it will be offered with a larger touchscreen infotainment system that houses various connectivity features, wireless charging, ventilated front seats and a bunch of driver-assist functions.
      New powertrain on offer
      The most notable highlight lies under the SUV’s hood. The new-gen X-Trail gets an e-POWER technology featuring a VC Turbo 300 petrol motor that is solely used to charge a battery powering a DC electric motor mounted on the front axle.
      This hybrid powertrain results in an output of 201 bhp and 300 Nm of peak torque. Like the fully electric Nissan Leaf, 2021 X-Trail also features a one-pedal operational ability called ‘e-Pedal’. This system offers enhanced fuel efficiency and lower emissions in comparison to its conventional IC engine-powered counterparts.
      The upcoming SUV will also be available with Nissan’s 4×4 Intelligent AWD system that sends power to all four wheels. This new iteration of X-Trail is expected to go on sale in international markets later this year. While the current third-gen X-Trail never made it to India, we hope Nissan gives it some consideration this time around. More

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      Toyota bZ4X Electric Concept Debuts – Name Trademarked In India

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      Toyota bZ4X Electric ConceptToyota has already filed trademarks for other bZ models such as bZ1X up to bZ5X in India
      Slowdown in the global automotive industry hasn’t impacted the process of automakers transitioning to electrified powertrains. Toyota has announced that it will be adding as many fifteen fully electric vehicles (EVs) in its global lineup out of which seven will wear the branding of bZ which stands for ‘Beyond Zero’.
      The first of the bZ lineup has now been revealed in a pre-production concept form called bZ4X which is loosely based on Toyota’s mid-size SUV RAV4. Given RAV4’s popularity in international markets, it was a no-brainer for the Japanese carmaker. The crossover has been built on e-TNGA platform in partnership with Subaru.
      Toyota bZ4X Electric Concept
      Exterior Design
      As expected, the bZ4X Concept takes a number of styling inspirations from its IC engine-powered cousin. It is similar in shape and size to RAV4 but sits a little lower and is slightly longer than the latter.
      At front, it gets a small hexagonal grille in the lower section of the face with small vertical inlets in the corners. Otherwise, the front end has no openings with a trapezoidal nose. The headlight clusters have four projector LED beams and a strip of LED DRLs at top of each.
      Toyota bZ4X Electric Concept
      Moving to its side profile, it gets swift character lines flowing backward giving it the impression of a scooped-out section. Lower part of the door kinks upward at the rear fenders while a rear spoiler and high beltline add a sporty element to its design. Like RAV4, the C-pillar has a steep coupe-like rake while glossy black wheel arches and multi-spoke tubeless alloy wheels accentuate the crossover’s sporty appeal.
      Toyota bZ4X Electric Concept
      At rear, LED illumination comprising boomerang-shaped taillights and a full-width strip across the tailgate gives it a premium appeal. Overall, the bZX4 concept grabs the attention by its bold and futuristic looks. Its interior, though premium and modern, fails to complement the exterior.
      Interior Layout & Features
      The cabin features a bulky steering column with a digital instrument cluster almost stuck to the windscreen glass. The dashboard flaunts a wide touchscreen infotainment unit extending up to the centre console finished in piano with rotary dials for toggling assistance systems and drive modes.
      Toyota bZ4X Electric Concept
      It also receives a touchpad with a blue glow that can be used to operate the infotainment screen. Other highlights include multi-zone climate control, USB charging ports and a dual-tone interior theme.
      The rear seat seems fairly spacious thanks to the lack of a drivetrain hump and a wide cabin which should accommodate three adults abreast. Toyota hasn’t yet revealed the exact powertrain specs. The e-TNGA platform is suited for both single motor and dual motor setups.
      Toyota bZ4X Electric Concept
      The former can be opted in either front-wheel-drive or rear-wheel-drive layouts while the latter comes with all-wheel-drive capabilities. A single-motor variant called bZ4 should also be included in the lineup. Basically, the ‘X’ in the model name refers to all-wheel-drive vehicles.
      Toyota has trademarked BZ, BZ1, BZ2, BZ3, BZ4 and BZ5 in India
      A rebadged crossover under Subaru branding shall also be developed. Expect production version of bZ4X to start reaching markets by mid-2022. Toyota intends to launch all seven bZ models by 2025 which will also include an electric pickup truck. Production of the electric crossover is expected to be carried out in Japan and China. More

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      Mahindra Treo Zor Electric Three Wheeler (Cargo) Sales Cross 1,000 Units

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      Image – Usha Ki KiranIn 6 months since launch, 1000 units of Mahindra Treo Zor electric three-wheeler (cargo) last mile delivery vehicles have been sold
      Mahindra Treo Zor electric three-wheeler (cargo) last mile delivery vehicle have crossed its first 1,000 unit sales milestone. This was achieved in 6 months since launch. This translates into selling on avg of about 5.5 units every day. Sales has enabled the manufacturer to report market share of 59 percent in its segment.
      EV adaption is a key focus area for manufacturers. While, this will in time be a common pattern in both commercial and private use, for now, commercial use is boosting India’s electric vehicle journey. In this front, small cargo vehicles are playing a key role. With a large number of e-commerce companies committed to reducing carbon footprint, the switch to electric cargo and delivery vehicles seems a natural choice.
      Amazon India fleet
      A big boost comes from its place in large-scale fleets. For instance, Amazon India. As recently as February 2021, 100 units of Treo Zor was delivered to the e-commerce giant for use in 7 cities.
      For Mahindra, its newest Treo Zor electric three-wheeler (cargo) EV is raking in numbers through its validity as a delivery vehicle. Together, Mahindra Treo range of electric three-wheelers has surpassed the 8,000 units in sales milestone. Use of electric vehicles focuses on reduction in CO2 tailpipe emissions, and Treo For is doing just that.
      Mahindra Treo Zor Electric
      Payload capacity of 550 kgs
      In terms of commercial fleet vehicles, key success pointers include use in multiple applications, load reliability, and cost effectiveness. Treo makes possible savings of more than Rs 60,000/year. Payload capacity is pegged at 550 kgs. In terms of performance, Treo Zor EV offers 8kW and 42 Nm of torque more than a comparable diesel three-wheeler.
      Ride comfort has evolved around fatigue free experience owing to Zor’s clutchless automatic transmission. It also comes with the promise of being noiseless, and vibration free. Long wheelbase of 2216 mm and tyres of 30.48 cm add to safety through ride stability.
      The lithium-ion battery in use is zero maintenance and is stated to go for 1.5 lakh km, and 3 years / 80,000 km standard warranty. There’s also the option of extending warranty by an additional 2 years / 1 lakh km.
      Mahesh Babu, CEO, Mahindra Electric Mobility said, “Treo Zor has been a game changer for Mahindra and more importantly for our customers who have decided to lead India’s shift towards e-mobility. With its customer-centric design and efficient performance, Treo Zor offers higher savings that customers expect from a last mile electric cargo vehicle.” More

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      Ford Evos Electric Debuts With 27 Inch 4k Infotainment Screen

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      Ford EVOS
      Upcoming Ford Evos will replace Mondeo in European and Fusion in North American markets
      Ford Evos Concept made its maiden appearance a decade ago back in 2011 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Now, the American carmaker has revealed Evos in its final production-spec model at the Auto Shanghai event of 2021. The crossover is the first product of a joint venture between the Blue Oval brand and Chinese automaker Changan.
      Evos is essentially a crossover between an SUV and Coupe, and is believed to succeed the outgoing Ford Mondeo/Fusion. It has been largely developed by a team of Changan and will initially be manufactured at the joint venture’s facility in China. The SUV is most likely to go on sale in China later this year followed by other international markets.
      Exterior Styling
      The front face of Evos is reminiscent of another China-specific model which recently went on sale- Equator. It features a low-set bonnet along with super-thin LED headlamps that are connected to each other by a thin LED strip. The light strip extends into daytime running lights and the headlight clusters merge with a wide, octagonal and blacked-out radiator grille.
      Move to its side, its coupe-like silhouette, pop-out door handles and flat-sloping D-pillars remind us of Mustang Mach-E. Other highlights from the side profile include black body claddings, sleek window area and sharp crease lines in the upper portion.
      Ford Evos
      At rear, the most attractive piece of highlight are C-shaped LED taillights connected via a full-width LED light strip. Exhaust pipe has been kept discreet which suggests that this car might be available in an electric powertrain as well. Other styling elements include 19-inch blacked-out alloy wheels, ‘EVOS’ written in bold lettering at rear and two-tone paint schemes with a black roof.
      Interior Styling & Features
      Coming to interiors, the cabin of Evos is simple and minimalist yet highly digital and very futuristic. Interior of the upcoming SUV gets a sporty black treatment enhanced by orange accents on the dash, centre console and steering wheel.
      Almost the entire dashboard is divided into two display screens- one for the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and the other a 27-inch 4K ultra-wide infotainment screen. The infotainment Operating system (OS) runs on Ford’s localized SYNC+ 2.0 with Baidu’s AI tech which it refers to as a virtual personal assistant.
      Ford EVOS
      Ford hasn’t let out any specifications of its powertrain or dimensions as of now but it is expected to feature a hybrid as well as a fully electric power source. More details regarding the crossover will be revealed in months to come. More

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      New Honda HRV Inspired Electric SUV Prototype Debuts

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      Honda HRV inspired electric SUV – e:prototype
      The production model based on Honda SUV e: prototype is expected to go on sale by spring of 2022
      Auto Shanghai 2021 being held from April 21-28, 2021 has the all new Honda SUV e-prototype on display. It is being showcased at the upcoming all electric model from the brand that will go on sale from Spring 2022.
      The new SUV, which currently goes by the codename e-prototype, is the first of 10 such electric vehicles being planned by Honda for launch over the next 5 years. It bears a striking resemblance to the e:concept which was shown off at the 2020 Beijing Motor Show but in a more production ready format.
      Exterior Inspired by new HR-V
      Where its exterior styling is concerned, the new Honda e:prototype borrows design inspiration from the new HR-V. It gets a thin LED strip in the front, LED eye shaped headlamps, thin LED strips at the top and slim side mirrors. The LED logo in the front hides the panel which is its charging port.
      On the sides are black body cladding, retractable front door handles and at the rear there are tail lamps linked by a light bar and the Honda logo in the center. Twin light strips are also seen on the rear bumper and it gets a prominent tailgate spoiler and contrasting black roofline to offer a floating roof effect.
      New Honda HRV is being planned for India launch
      Third Gen Honda Connect
      Honda E:Prototype comes in with third generation Honda Connect. It will also receive Honda’s ADAS next gen advanced safety and driver assist system. ADAS allows driver to experience new technologies with better safety and comforts of mobility.
      Honda Connect offers advanced functions like connectivity, smartphone link and OTA – Over-the-Air updates based on voice recognition interface. Besides being offered with the e:Prototype, Honda Connect will also make its way onto other Honda models in the second half of this year.
      The AI powered system also offers users connectivity to smart home appliances and online shopping and also supports digital key via the smartphone. No details of powertrain or any other technical spec were revealed and will be announced once the model enters production.
      Honda HRV inspired electric SUV – e:prototype
      At Auto Shanghai 2021, Honda also unveiled the Breeze PHEV which is based on the Honda CR-V. This is the company’s first plug in hybrid model and is based on Honda’s Sport Hybrid i-MMD hybrid system. It offers an impressive electric range and promises to go on sale by later this year. Breeze PHEV is being introduced by GAC Honda (Guangqi Honda or Guangzhou Honda), a JV between GAC Group and Honda Motor Company. More

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      2022 Mercedes Benz EQS Electric Debuts With 770 Kms Range

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      2022 Mercedes EQS ElectricThe EQS has one of the best aerodynamics with the lowest drag coefficient in its segment of 0.20
      With demand shifting to non-fossil fuel energy sources gaining momentum in the last few years, the German carmaker has a string of new electric cars ready for launch within its dedicated EV sub-brand ‘EQ’. However, the marque isn’t going to compromise on a few things that have earned it the brand image the company enjoys today, one of them being luxury.
      S-Class stands at the top-end of Mercedes Benz’s global lineup and is the epitome of luxury on wheels. The carmaker has now taken the covers off the fully electric version of the luxury sedan called EQS. The electric sedan will be offered in two variants- 450+ and 580 4Matic and is expected to go on sale by the end of this year.
      2022 Mercedes EQS Electric
      Exterior Styling
      EQS is based on the Vision EQS concept that made its maiden appearance in 2019, however, sports a few differences in its actual production form. Its appearance is commanded by Mercedes’ “one-bow roofline” design philosophy that essentially forms a projectile roofline.
      The roof arches back to a heavily angled liftback-style tailgate giving the sedan a sportier appeal than its fossil-fueled sibling. At front end, it gets a black faux grille panel flanked by angular headlights on both sides with a “three-dimensional star pattern”.
      2022 Mercedes EQS Electric
      The headlight clusters are themselves joined by a horizontal light bar. The electric sedan’s body is made of aluminium making it very light for its size and wrapped by a two-tone colour scheme with a contrasting upper half.
      2022 Mercedes EQS Electric
      It features a fixed clamshell bonnet that doubles up as front wheel arches. The doors are frameless as expected from this range of cars and feature the same flush door handles as its IC engine-powered counterpart.
      The electric S-class is built on the brand’s new dedicated EVA (Electric Vehicle Architecture) platform that will also underpin the upcoming EQE. At a length measuring 5265mm, it is closer to the long wheelbase version of S-Class rather than the standard S-Class. Other dimensions read as 1,926mm wide in width and1,512mm tall while the wheelbase measures a staggering 3,210mm. Despite the enormous size, Mercedes claims a very low drag coefficient of only 0.20.
      2022 Mercedes EQS Electric
      Powertrains specs & Performance
      The 450+ trim comes powered by a single rear-wheel biased motor while the 580 4Matic trim comes with a dual motor setup providing all-wheel-drive functionality. The former returns an output of 329 bhp and 458 Nm of peak torque and is capable of sprinting 0-100 kmph in just 6.2 seconds. The latter receives a combined output of 516 bhp and 856 Nm of peak torque while 0-100 kmph acceleration time reduces to a meagre 4.3 seconds.
      However, top speed on both variants have been capped at 210 kmph which results in a more than an impressive driving range of 770km on a single charge as per WLTP cycle. The motors are fed by a 107.8kWh battery pack but Mercedes says it will also offer a smaller 90 kWh battery at the time of launch. The company has also revealed that a more powerful 715 bhp AMG version of the sedan based in the same twin-motor setup as 580 4Matic is in making.
      2022 Mercedes EQS Electric
      Interior & Features on offer
      Step inside the cabin and one would feel that he/she has time travelled to future. The biggest highlight (literally) is the new digital Hyperscreen dashboard which contains three screens, eight CPUs, 24GB of RAM and the latest MBUX software. The cabin is a proper definition of opulence and comes with all bells and whistles one receives in a modern-day car and much more.
      Some feature highlights include a Burmester surround sound system comprising 15 speakers, a rear-wheel steering system, OTA software updates, a panoramic sunroof, multi-zone climate control to name only a few. Safety kit on offer features driver-assist technologies such as lane-keeping assist, steering assist, adaptive cruise control, etc.
      2022 Mercedes EQS Electric
      EQS is slated for an international launch in the US towards the end of 2021 at an expected price of USD 100,000 that translates to approx INR 75 lakh. Indian market is also likely to see EQS on the roads at some stage next year maybe. In India, it will be sold as a CBU. More