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      Mercedes EQC 4×4 Squared Concept – Electric SUV For Off Roading

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      Mercedes Benz EQC 4×4 Squared is a more rugged utilitarian version of the standard EQC 400 Electric

      Future mobility is gonna take shape with the development of electric vehicles (EVs). It is being developed keeping sustainability, lower emission levels, convenience and affordability in mind. Strictly catering to these needs might not veer purists towards this direction.
      Automotive enthusiasts always want to have a bit of fun with their vehicles which don’t necessarily comply with electric cars on offer. While most of the modern electric cars have power on both axles thanks to a dual-motor setup, they can’t be termed as off-roaders.
      Keeping the interests of off-roading enthusiasts in mind, Mercedes Benz has developed a concept that might lay the foundation stone to future off-roading machines based on an electric powertrain. The German automaker has developed a concept based on the recently launched electric SUV- ECQ 400 which is meant to explore the unexplored terrains.

      Differences between EQC 400 and EQC 4×4² Squared
      The ECQ 4×4² Squared rides on higher grounds with better approach and departure angles. It is the third member of Mercedes’ 4×4² family. It still runs on the battery setup provided in the standard EQC. An 80-kilowatt-hour battery powers dual asynchronous electric motors, one on each axle, to generate a combined output of 402 bhp and 760 Nm of torque.
      To make it look like a proper off-roader, Mercedes has added a roof rack, fender flares, and a tow hitch. At 293mm of ground clearance, it stands way higher than the standard EQC 400 which stands at just 140mm. It gets 20-inch alloys wheels which are wrapped with 285/50 section of tyres. The revised approach, departure and break-over angles also come in handy at 31.8 degree, 33 degree and 24.2 degree respectively. Its water wading capacity stands at 400mm which quite considering it is carrying a battery pack.

      Improved off-road capabilities
      These improved numbers are thanks to the revised suspension setup. Instead of conventional suspension units, the EQC 4×4² Squared utilises a set of portal axles that allows the wheels to sit at a height much lower than the centre of axle owing to portal gears. The consequence of this that the wheel track is increased significantly therefore the need for makeshift wheel arch flares.
      This offset lends the vehicle way more ground clearance thus improving its off-road capability. Similar suspension setup is also seen in the G-Wagon, which is arguably one of the best off-roading machines currently around the globe. A new off-road mode has also been added which has been borrowed from GLC. While taking off on loose grounds, this off-road mode enables an improved torque curve with the help of targeted brake interventions.

      Future Electric Off-Road Vehicles
      Prior to the EQC 4×4² Squared, Mercedes had two products in this range- G500 4×4 Squared and a Squared version of the Mercedes E-Class All Terrain station wagon. The former even went into limited production. The German marque hasn’t yet confirmed whether this concept will enter into production or not. If not, then it could very well pave the path for the upcoming electric G-Wagon- the new generation G-Class 4×4 Squared which will be based on V-8-powered G550. More

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      Tesla cuts Model S prices by $3,000 in the US – Roadshow

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      Lower prices? I don’t think you’ll hear a single buyer complain about that.
      Tim Stevens/Roadshow
      Much of the attention paid to Tesla these days comes from its smaller, more affordable electric vehicles, the Model 3 sedan and Model Y crossover. Its larger vehicles, however, have seen deliveries dip year over year this past quarter, so it’s no surprise that one of those cars is getting a price cut.Tesla quietly updated the pricing on its website overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday. The two currently available variants of the Model S have been given $3,000 price cuts each. The Long Range Plus’ price drops from $74,990 to $71,990, while the Performance variant goes from $94,990 and $91,990. The automaker’s website also lists the Plaid model at $139,900, but it has not been given a price reduction; it’ll be made available to consumers until next year. Heck, even the newest models aren’t immune to price adjustments. In July, Tesla reduced the price of the Model Y by $3,000 to nudge its newest EV under the $50,000 mark.

      This isn’t the first time Tesla has reduced its prices in 2020. In May, Tesla lowered the Model 3’s starting price by $2,000, while simultaneously reducing the window stickers on both the Model S and Model X by $5,000. The move was likely in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic, which hasn’t been kind to any facet of the automotive industry. It’s unclear why Tesla has again reduced its prices. Tesla does not operate a public relations department to field requests for comment.Despite looking the same since its refresh in 2016, Tesla has slowly updated its oldest vehicle with some new tricks. Thanks to advancements in technology, the Model S Long Range Plus now sports an EPA-estimated 402 miles of range, a far cry from its earliest iterations. Even the Performance model packs an impressive 348 miles of estimated EV range.

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      Citroen Plans Rs 8 L Electric Car For India – Tata HBX, WagonR EV Rival

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      Citroen has plans to enter the mass-market entry-level EV segment with eCC21 which is expected to be launched in 2022
      Citroen eCC21 Spied in India

      French automaker Groupe PSA is all set to enter into the Indian market through its brand Citroen. The company has already started testing its first product in India- the premium mid-size SUV C5 Aircross. The flagship product of the Citroen is being assembled at CK Birla Group’s facility in Thiruvallur in Tamil Nadu.
      Apart from conventional fuel-powered vehicles, Citroen also has plans to enter into the electric vehicle (EV) segment in India with a small electric car for the mass market, priced at around Rs 8 lakh. Internally codenamed as eCC21, this electric car is expected to be launched somewhere around 2022. It will be a mini crossover UV.
      New Citroen Electric Car India launch will be around the same time when Hyundai brings its first electric car to India. Other manufacturers like Mahindra, Renault, Tata and Maruti Suzuki are eyeing this segment of a mass-market electric car. Mahindra’s eKUV100, Renault’s Kwid EV and Maruti Suzuki’s WagonR Electric, Tata HBX EV all are currently in the developmental phase.
      Citroen eCC21 Electric mini crossover on test by ARAI. Launch price expected Rs 8 lakhs.
      WagonR EV has also been spotted testing on roads and was initially supposed to launch this year. However, things didn’t materialize as planned. There are reports that Tata Motors too is developing an entry-level EV in line of its upcoming small UV HBX. With all these major players vying for the entry-level EV segment, it is sure to pave the path for future EVs in India.
      Other upcoming products of Citroen
      Citroen has set itself a modest sales target of 3,000 units per annum for eCC21 in India with a mid-term plan of selling 1 lakh cars. Although before this electric UV, the French carmaker is slated to launch its flagship mid-size SUV- C5 Aircross in early 2021. This will be followed by a subcompact UV CC21– its first locally manufactured product in India, in the festive season next year. The latter too has already been spotted testing recently.
      As per reports, the CC21 will be based on a flexi-fuel system. It is said to utilise a 1.2-litre petrol engine. Though being a petrol engine, this motor can run on petrol as well as ethanol blends (from 27% to 100%) – making it India’s first biofuel car. Citroen expects that this small UV will be able to give them the edge of being the first-mover in the flexi-fuel segment in India. CC21 is the first product under Citroen’s ambitious smart car platform internally called the C-Cube program.
      Citroen CC21 Mini UV will be India’s first flexi-fuel powered car
      What is this C-Cube program?
      Citroen C-Cube is a program which has been specifically developed for emerging markets like India. Cars under this program are said to be based on CMP (Common Modular Platform), the same which underpins Peugeot 208, although CMP in India will have a high extent of localisation. The CC21 biofuel and electric versions will be followed by other cars in this program which includes a Kia Sonet / Hyundai Venue rivaling compact sub 4m SUV called CC24 in 2022; and a compact sedan the following year.
      Benefits of Ethanol-blended fuel
      The manufacturer has been developing a flexi-fuel system for India as the government has been encouraging the industry to adopt biofuels in order to reduce its fuel import bill. Ethanol-mixed petrol not only reduces CO2 emissions but only improves the octane value of the fuel, thus giving a better performance.
      As of now, oil companies in India have been able to attain only 5-7 percent ethanol blend. For ethanol blend content up to about 10 percent, no modifications are required in the modern internal combustion engines. However, for blends with higher ethanol content, the engine needs to be re-tuned accordingly.
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      GMC Hummer Electric To Debut On 20th Oct – New Teaser Out

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      After months of waiting, there is finally a date announcement – on which the Hummer Electric will make global debut
      Screenshot from new Hummer EV teaser

      Aiming to achieve supremacy in an all-electric future, General Motors will soon be launching several next-gen electric vehicles. One of these will be new Hummer EV, which has been scheduled for launch on October 20. GMC Hummer EV will debut on various prominent media such as American TV series ‘The Voice’ and 2020 Major League Baseball (MLB) World Series.
      As may be recalled, the ‘Hummer’ nameplate had remained dormant since 2010, when its production was discontinued. General Motors had tried selling the brand, but bankable deals did not materialize.
      While the original Hummer may never return, GM will be using the nameplate for its new electric pickup truck and SUV. These will be sold under the GMC brand, a division of GM, focused exclusively on trucks and utility vehicles.
      GMC Hummer EV design & features
      Just like original Hummer, the Hummer EV has a rugged, boxy design. Key features include a short bonnet, steeply raked windshield, roof mounted spoiler, and knobby tyres. It comes with a unique open-air design, wherein the roof panels and the front T-bar can be easily removed.
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      The experience will be similar to that of a convertible. In the wild, the open-air design will allow users to experience the great outdoors in its truest form. It will also enable panoramic views of the skies, something that would be difficult to achieve with a standard sunroof.
      GMC Hummer EV power and torque
      Powering Hummer EV will be the advanced Ultium batteries that have been developed in-house by GM. Ultium batteries are unlike any other in the industry, as they provide the flexibility to stack battery cells vertically or horizontally. This allows efficient space utilization and customization in accordance with the design of the vehicle.
      GM has revealed that Hummer EV’s powertrain will be capable of generating up to 1000 hp of max power and 15,590 Nm of max torque. It will offer super-fast acceleration, reaching 0 to 60 miles per hour (96.5 kmph) in just 3 seconds.
      Although exact battery specs are not available at this point of time, GM had earlier revealed that Ultium batteries will be available in the range of 50 to 200 kWh capacity. Estimated range of these batteries is up to 400 miles (~ 640 km). Ultium batteries will come with fast-charging option.
      Crab mode
      An industry-first feature of Hummer EV will be Crab mode that allows the vehicle to move diagonally. When activated, all four tyres move in the same direction, allowing diagonal movement. This feature could come handy in an off-road environment.
      New Hummer EV will take almost an year to reach production stage after its unveil in October 2020. However, bookings will be open at the time of launch. Deliveries are expected to commence soon after production begins. In addition to US, GMC Hummer EV will also be sold in select international markets. More

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      Hyundai Kona Electric Recalled in US and Korea over Battery Fires

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      A world-wide recall of Hyundai Kona electric is expected in due course

      Incidents of electric cars catching fire are more common than they should be. The temperature dependence of battery packs, dynamically varying load demand, complex chemicals and several other factors make the battery and other electrical and electronic systems in a modern day electric car very sensitive and potentially volatile.
      While the highly sophisticated battery management system ensures things are kept well within limits, there still are some instances where an EV finds itself in an unfavourable circumstance and before you know it, it’s up in flames.
      Hyundai Kona electric recall
      According to Reuters, South Korea’s transport ministry has issued a statement confirming that Hyundai will voluntarily recall Kona electric in the country over a possible short circuit which could pose a fire risk. It is being reported that neither Hyundai, nor the battery supplier LG Chem were able to ascertain the exact cause of the Kona electric’s reported fire incidents so far.
      Hyundai Kona electric is also sold in India – but there is no update regarding recall for India-spec Kona EV yet.
      Worldwide, there have been thirteen reported incidents of fire involving the South Korean electric compact crossover including one each in Canada and Austria. Speaking about the voluntary recall, Hyundai said, it is a “proactive response to a suspected defective production of high-voltage batteries used in the vehicles, which may have contributed to the reported fires.” The OEM added that it will work towards identifying the cause of the fire and address customers’ needs.
      Following the announcement in Korea, Hyundai has initiated a filing for voluntary recall process in the US with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It is being reported that the recall will cover vehicles manufactured between September 2017 and March 2020. Over 100,000 units of the Hyundai Kona electric have been sold worldwide.
      Responding to the potential fire risk, LG Chem stated that the reenactment experiment conducted jointly with Hyundai did not lead to fire and hence it could not be attributed to faulty battery cells. However, the battery giant acknowledged that exact cause of the fire could not be determined. LG also stated that it will actively participate in further investigation with the OEM to identify the actual cause of the fire.
      Will there by a worldwide recall including in India?
      With the cause not determined, every Hyundai Kona electric on the road across the world should be considered as a potential fire hazard. The company is expected to announce a comprehensive recall program covering all the markets including India in due course. The fix is likely to involve a software upgrade, inspection and replacement, if necessary, of the battery pack.
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      Mahindra Treo Becomes First Electric Rickshaw To Cross 5k Sales Milestone

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      Mahindra Treo electric rickshaw range is priced from about Rs 3.5 lakhs, ex-sh

      Mahindra Electric Mobility has announced a milestone for its lithium-ion battery powered electric 3-wheeler, Treo. The E-SCV has surpassed the 5,000 units sales target. Cumulative drive time of all units sold have breached the 35 Million+ kms (3.5 crore kms) mark on Indian roads. Putting that in perspective, it’s the same as as a two-way journey between earth and moon 45 times.
      Mahindra Treo value proposition
      Drive by Wire tech helps with ease of driving, and has found takers in women drivers too. Treo range relies on advanced Lithium-ion Battery tech with a life of 1.50 lakh+ kilometres. Maximum power is reported at 8kW, and peak torque of 42 Nm. Longest wheelbase in its segment means the cabin is spacious. Gradeablity of 12.7 eases slope climbs. Standard warranty on offer is of 3 years/ 80,000 kms, with option of an Extended Warranty of 2 years/ 1,00,000 Kms.
      When it comes to electric vehicles, it’s the range of electric rickshaws that people are most familiar with, that too in the unorganised market. A field that relies on flatpack vehicles that are quickly reconstructed, and a range of mechanics who have easily learnt just how to keep the vehicles in working condition.
      With the organised sector now pushing back, this market can be expected to gain from the umbrella of organisation, akin to growth being observed in the electric two-wheeler market. Mahindra Treo could very well establish segment maturity owing to its wide range of benefits.

      Mahindra Treo electric rickshaw features
      Mahindra views the organised 3-wheeler market as being ‘economically, environmentally and socially sustainable’. From a customer standpoint, there are those who have clocked up to 265 kilometres in a single day, aided my convenience of charging, and well-planned charging breaks.
      Mahindra Treo is currently sold in over 400 districts across India. It’s operational cost enables a Treo customer to save up to Rs 45,000 a year. Treo’s value proposition gets further boost for being a ‘smart first and last mile mobility’ choice.
      Mahesh Babu, MD and CEO, Mahindra Electric said, “Cumulatively, the Treo has travelled a distance of over 35 Million kms on Indian roads, saving 1,925 metric tonnes of CO2 tailpipe emissions, equivalent to planting 87,500 trees to absorb the same emissions.”
      Post FAME subsidies, Mahindra Treo E3W costs Rs 2.7 lakhs. With top speed of 55 kmph speed, going from 0-20 kmph takes about 2.3 seconds. A single charge affords drive range of 130 kms. The fearless offering features automatic transmission, and is clutch-less and presented as vibration-free. Available with a portable charger, Treo can be fully charged with a 15 A socket. More

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      Mercedes EQC Electric SUV India Launch Price Rs 99.3 Lakh

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      Mercedes-Benz India had showcased the all-electric EQC luxury SUV at Auto Expo 2020

      The Indian automotive industry is actively focusing on all-electric and electrified forms of powertrains across a wide price segment. In the ‘relatively’ affordable category, our market has only three desirable choices: Tata Nexon EV, MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona. Mahindra Electric is almost ready with the eXUV300 (a direct rival to the Tata Nexon EV).
      On the higher end of the spectrum, luxury car manufacturers are also analysing the feasibility of their successful global EVs in India. Porsche India recently confirmed the launch of the performance-focused Taycan four-door coupe.
      Now, Mercedes-Benz India has launched the new EQC all-electric compact luxury crossover SUV at a starting price of Rs 99.3 lakhs, ex-sh. This is an introductory price, and is only valid for the first 50 buyers.
      The German automaker had showcased the same at Auto Expo 2020, held in early February. The first 50 buyers of the Mercedes EQC will also get the wall charger as well as installation free of cost.

      Introduced to the world at 2018 Paris Motor Show as the production version of Mercedes-Benz’s 2016 Generation EQ concept, the all-new EQC (internal codename: N293) is based on the current-gen GLC. It is one of 10 new ‘three-pointed star EVs’ coming to reality by 2022.
      The new Mercedes-Benz EQC has no direct rivals in India but in foreign markets, it faces strong competition from the Audi e-tron, Jaguar I-PACE and Tesla Model X. Indian EV enthusiasts have been eagerly waiting for Tesla’s arrival for quite a few years.
      Powertrain and specs
      Available only in EQC400 4MATIC (AWD) avatar, the 2020MY Mercedes-Benz EQC400 is powered by dual asynchronous electric motors (one on each axle) collectively rated at 300kW or 402bhp. Peak torque stands at 760Nm. The EV is able to do a 0-100km/h acceleration sprint in 5.1 seconds. However, top speed is limited to just 180km/h — considerably lower than most cars coming at half its price point.
      The 80kWh battery pack promises a range of 354km on a full charge as per the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Interestingly, WLTP (World harmonized Light-duty vehicles Test Procedure) rates it as 417km. Using a DC fast-charger, the electric SUV can attain 80 per cent charge from nearly empty in about 40 minutes.
      On the inside, the Mercedes-Benz EQC400 is as rich as other modern-day ICE products in the portfolio. For starters, the list includes a pair of 10.25-inch screens loaded with the latest MBUX infotainment suite. Drivers can also adjust the amount of brake re-gen via dedicated paddles behind the steering wheel. More

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      Top Selling Electric Cars Sep 2020 – Tata Nexon EV Leads With 61% MS

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      Electric cars have a few takers in India as of now, however, their numbers has increased over a period of time
      While electric vehicles (EVs) might still not have that kind of command of Indian roads, their strength has been on the increase in recent times. Apart from various -scooter models that have come up recently, the limited options in the passenger vehicle segment have been met with decent responses.
      Tata Nexon EV- Leader of the pack

      Among them, Tata Nexon EV has received the best response from consumers as it registered 303 units sold in September 2020. This is the first time Nexon EV sales in a month has crossed the 300 mark.
      It is also the highest number of EV units sold of a particular brand in a month this fiscal year. Its cumulative figure stands at 1,151 units in the current fiscal year starting from April this year. The Nexon EV bettered its record by 7 units sold in August 2020 and as for the market share, it occupies a total of 61.4 percent of EV market in India.
      Electric Car Sales India – April to Sep 2020. MS = Market Share
      MG ZS EV shows decent numbers
      MG ZS EV comes second in the list with 127 units sold last month as compared to 119 and 85 units sold in August and July this year. In the current fiscal year, MG Motor has retailed a total of 514 units of ZS EV and commands 27.4 percent of EV market share in India.
      MG Motor has expanded wings as the ZS EV will now be available in ten more cities across India. These places include Kolkata, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Coimbatore, Dehradun, Nagpur, Agra, Aurangabad, Indore and Vishakapatnam. The electric crossover was launched earlier in January this year in five cities initially which has now expanded to 21 cities cumulatively across the country.
      Others lag behind
      Hyundai Kona is the next in line with just 29 units of it being sold in the past month. The electric crossover from the Korean brand has not had many takers this year with its cumulative sales this fiscal year accounting for 100 units. It occupies a market share of 5.3 percent in India.
      Similar is the case with Tata Tigor EV which also has registered sales of just 100 units this fiscal year and accounts for 5.3 percent of India passenger EV sales. However, unlike Hyundai Kona, which is available in the open market for general public, Tigor EV is only available to fleet and cab operators in select cities.
      Mahindra e-Verito, on the other hand, is facing a sort of existential crisis as it registered just two units sold last month. Its total sales this fiscal year stands at a dismal nine units with a market share of just 0.5 percent.
      Future of EV market in India
      Although the overall EV volume is way below the expected level, we have to understand that EV market in India is still at a nascent stage in India and would take time to gain some pace. It also requires added infrastructure such as charging stations and battery disposal units to support EVs. Hopefully, in coming future, these issues will be sorted out and more EVs can be seen on Indian roads. Also Read – Top 10 Cars In Sep 2020 More