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      Maruti 800 electric RWD with 378 Nm torque – Watch owner having fun

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      Pune-based EV specialist Hemank Dabhade has reached the final stages of his Maruti 800 EV conversion project
      Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) discontinued the iconic Maruti 800 in 2010 as the hatchback could not meet the then-new emission norms and safety regulations. In the minds of Indian automotive enthusiasts, the ‘800’ holds a special place since it has got a strong nostalgia factor associated with it. We are sure that your family or someone close to your family might have had a Maruti 800 back in the day.

      In its last iteration, the Maruti Suzuki 800 came with a 796cc MPFI three-cylinder petrol motor churning out just about 37bhp and 59Nm while mated to a 4-speed gearbox. The higher 5-speed variant made roughly 47bhp and 62Nm of torque. Clean examples of the car still find decent value in the used car market. On the other hand, the original SS80 generation has already become a collector’s item.
      The current-gen Maruti Suzuki Alto BS6 fails to match the Maruti 800’s charm despite being its closest successor. This is purely due to the emotions surrounding the ‘800’ since the Alto is much more technically improved. Maruti Suzuki might never bring back the ‘800’ nameplate (at least in the foreseeable future), yet many Indians look forward to a modern-day avatar of the hatchback.

      Loaded with sports seats, sports steering, touchscreen and a lot more – Modified Maruti 800 electric
      How about an Maruti 800 modified Electric?
      It has been a while since Pune-based EV specialist Hemank Dabhade started working on an all-electric Maruti 800 with his team at Northway Motorsport. The project, dubbed ‘Maruti 800 EV’, has reached its final stages and Hemank has documented the same (one of four parts) on his YouTube channel. Over the months, we have also shared Hemank’s other interesting projects such as the Chevrolet Beat EV and Honda Activa EV.
      Northway Motorsport’s Maruti 800 modified Electric is essentially a two-seater RWD city car that promises ample performance and driving fun (watch the owner perform powerslides, thanks to 378 Nm torque, towards the end of the video below). Its real-world driving range is claimed to be about 150km on a full charge. This is purely a developmental or research project aimed to showcase the potential of electric powertrains in a familiar platform.

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      The four-part YouTube series gives a rough idea of what goes into making an electric vehicle. It covers how the stock powertrain is stripped out from the petrol-powered Maruti 800, alterations done to the donor chassis, electric powertrain packaging, minor hiccups along the way, cosmetic enhancements (new six-spoke rims, front grille, steering wheel, etc.) and more.
      Key highlights
      Episode 4 starts with a brief recap of the processes mentioned above. The main electronics, battery-pack (an extra set lies in the ‘frunk’) and their cooling systems are placed at the rear, in place of a bench seat. This is covered by a flat luggage floor. At the front, Northway Motorsport has installed a custom touchscreen panel based on a Raspberry Pi single-board computer. It incorporates real-time battery usage, motor and control temperature; output calibration and the basic drive modes: Forward, Neutral and Reverse.
      The main highlight is the addition of HHA (synonymously used with ‘Hill-start Assist’ nowadays). It helps the car remain stationary on a downward slope until the accelerator pedal is pressed. Finally, Hemank does some powerslides in his Maruti 800 EV — proving that small RWDs can be fun irrespective of the powertrain type. More

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      Cadillac trademarks Symboliq, possibly for new EV – Roadshow

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      Cadillac is set to unveil a number of EVs in the next few years.
      Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
      Cadillac is planning to launch a number of electric vehicles in the coming years, starting with the Lyriq SUV. Following that, Cadillac says it’ll give us the Celestiq — a four-door flagship sedan. But that’s not all, if a patent filing uncovered by Cadillac Society is any indication. Cadillac may have another EV in store, and it’ll likely be called, uh, Symboliq.Trademark applications for both Symboliq and Cadillac Symboliq were filed with the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property, Cadillac Society reported July 24. Both fall under the “motorized land vehicles, namely automobiles” category.

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      The name Symboliq definitely follows in the weird footsteps of Lyriq and Celestiq as ending-in-Q names that we never type correctly on the first try. Since the other two apply to future electric cars, we can only assume the Symboliq will be an EV, as well.Then again, at this point, we’ve given up on trying to understand Cadillac’s naming conventions. In recent years, the company went to a CT- and XT-based structure for its sedans and SUVs — except the Escalade, which is exempt. Then it applied weird numerical designations to each model based on its engine’s torque output… in Newton-meters… rounded up to the nearest 50. So in a way it’s nice to see Cadillac — or is that Cadillaq? — going back to words, even if they’re oddly spelled.The Cadillac Lyriq EV is scheduled to debut in early August. More

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      Pravaig Extinction – A homegrown Luxury EV with bespoke interior

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      The Pravaig Extinction EV is primarily aimed at hotels and luxury transport businesses
      Pravaig Dynamics, a company which was started in Jaipur to build offroad buggies, has now turned its attention towards luxury electric sedans. The Pravaig Extinction, contrary to its name, is the genesis of the brand’s EV aspirations. Pravaig Dynamics has set up a facility in Bangalore and its upcoming all-electric sedan has already reached Prototype Level 6 (‘Level 9’ implies production-readiness).

      One shouldn’t read too much into the somewhat odd and unfinished exterior design of the Pravaig Extinction, as it is still a prototype. The company says that the final version will have four doors; meaning the luxury electric car will look significantly different from the prototype phase shown here.
      The rear-wheel-drive Pravaig Extinction is based on a steel monocoque architecture. Interestingly, it will not have a fixed interior layout for series production as in conventional vehicles. Instead, Pravaig Dynamics will collaborate with architects, fashion and interior designers to come up with bespoke cabins to suit their clientele’s individual tastes. Here’s a video of its prototype doing test runs in Bangalore:

      Speaking of the clientele, Pravaig Dynamics is not targeting private buyers by setting up traditional showrooms and service centres. The Pravaig Extinction is aimed at fleet operators, hotels and other luxury transport businesses interested in emission-free choices. Naturally, the rear seat will be given utmost importance so much so that the front passenger seat will be an optional extra. A lounge-type rear seat that can allow the occupant to lie down almost flat is being worked upon. Brand advisor and shareholder Ram Divedi says that the homologated rear bench is expected to achieve a near-flat posture of around 165 degrees.
      Pravaig Extinction Specs & Features
      The all-electric luxury sedan will be coupled to a 96kWh battery pack, locally assembled by Pravaig Dynamics. Power comes from a 130hp electric motor capable of propelling the sedan to a top speed of 196km/h. The Pravaig Extinction boasts of an impressive range of 500km on a full charge (claimed).
      The final production model will get autonomous capabilities, high-efficiency particulate air filtration system, swappable battery and state-of-the-art connectivity features. Pravaig Dynamics will share more details on its list of equipment in the days to come.
      Pravaig Extinction Launch Timeline
      The desi electric luxury sedan is expected to be out by Q3 2021 which we think is a rather ambitious target. Pravaig Dynamics plans to make 250 units every month with Delhi and Bangalore as its first markets. Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Pune are also in the radar and each city will get its own service outlet. More

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      Watch this Ford Mustang Mach-E 1400 prototype light up all 7 motors with Vaughn Gittin Jr. – Roadshow

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      Watching a talented driver push the limits of any car is really cool, but watching them pit ridiculously capable gas-powered cars against an electric vehicle — and seeing the EV more than keep up — is just pure awesome. Case in point: This video Ford released Tuesday, featuring professional fun-haver Vaughn Gittin Jr. behind the wheel of a Ford Mustang Mach-E 1400 prototype going head-to-head with the likes of Ken Block in his 1965 Ford Mustang Hoonicorn RTR V2, Hailie Deegan in a 2020 Mustang Shelby GT350R, Joey Logano in a 2019 NASCAR Mustang and Chelsea Denofa in the 2020 Mustang RTR. Each gas-car driver demonstrates his or her specialty, be it stunts, handling, flat-out speed or drifting, and the Mustang Mach-E 1400 answers back, proving this EV has some major electric boogaloo moves.

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      The 1400 in the name refers to the horsepower — as in, 1,400 hp. This Mach-E is powered by seven — yes, seven — electric motors. Three power the front axle, while four are attached to the rear. Everything in the car is adjustable. It can default to front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and it’s full of little tricks to help it succeed in any form. For example, drift cars are usually manual transmission, allowing the driver to push in the clutch while utilizing the handbrake when getting the car into that sweet drift. This disconnects the driveline so nothing is overwhelmed during this crucial moment. The Mach-E 1400 doesn’t have a traditional transmission, so it’s outfitted with a powertrain control that disconnects the power to those rear wheels while Gittin engages the hydraulic handbrake. In this manner, he can set up for the drift without any exploding axles.

      With the extreme aerodynamic bits and wide Nitto NT555 G2 tires, this prototype looks pretty sick. The almost comically large, adjustable wing in the rear helps the car produce 2,300 pounds of downforce at 160 mph. The front splitter and dive planes bring an aggressive look to the front of the electric crossover SUV, as well. Sure, it’s much taller than the other cars on screen, but it doesn’t look out of place. Also, take note of the incredible sound the Mach-E produces. We had a chance to speak with Gittin over a video conference and he said the prototype really is that loud, and as a guy who’s used to V8s, he wasn’t sure he’d like it. In the end, though, he came around. “Is it really weird that I don’t even want to hear the V8s anymore?” he asked. Strong words, Mr. Gittin. Gittin had to modify his driving style to go from gas-powered car to EV. Not only did he have to get his ear tuned to the aforementioned electric motor whine, he also had to adjust his right foot to get used to all that instant torque. Gittin also said that the battery location pushes the Mach-E 1400’s center of gravity so low that it’s like driving a go-kart, despite its crossover proportions.  Holy smokes, that wing!
      Ford
      “It drives like it’s inches from the ground. … Where my natural reaction is to throw the car super hard, it doesn’t need that. It was getting used to how the car likes to rotate,” he said.The Mach-E 1400 stores its electricity in a 56.8-kilowatt-hour battery with nickel-manganese-cobalt pouch cells, resulting in a high discharge rate. Gittin Jr. said the car can handle 20 to 30 minutes of aggressive driving depending on variables like weather and track conditions, and that it takes 45 minutes to charge completely. No word when we’ll get to see the Mach-E 1400 prototype in person, but the production Mustang Mach-E will be available at the end of the year. More

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      SsangYong Tivoli E100 EV teased – Foreign Mahindra XUV300 Electric?

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      The SsangYong E100 and Mahindra eXUV300 are based on MESMA platform (Mahindra Electric Scalable and Modular Architecture)
      South Korean automaker SsangYong Motor Company, under Mahindra & Mahindra group, has teased its new all-electric subcompact crossover, E100 a.k.a. Tivoli EV. SsangYong is already busy developing the bigger Korando e-Motion electric compact crossover; the ICE version of which was once expected to be Mahindra’s XUV500 replacement.

      Earlier this year, Mahindra & Mahindra had shared that it is looking for new investors to handle its Korean subsidiary. It was in 2010 that Mahindra bought a 75 per cent stake in SsangYong. Under it, we have received two Mahindra products: Alturas G4 mid-size SUV (badge-engineered Rexton G4) and XUV300 subcompact crossover (reengineered Tivoli).
      SsangYong Tivoli & XUV300 Electric

      SsangYong Tivoli Electric teaser
      The Mahindra XUV300 is a sub-four-metre crossover (or “compact SUV” in Indian buyers’ terms) while its original left-hand-drive Tivoli base crosses four metres in length. It remains uncertain whether the new SsangYong E100 would be sized the same as its upcoming Indian sibling, Mahindra eXUV300 or XUV300 Electric. Teaser images suggest that it is slightly longer despite sharing the same MESMA 350 platform, developed by Mahindra Electric completely in-house. ‘MESMA’ expands to ‘Mahindra Electric Scalable and Modular Architecture’.
      Over the months, we have shared multiple spy shots of Mahindra’s ‘Tata Nexon EV rival’. The eXUV300 made its debut as a concept at Auto Expo 2020 (held in early February) with hints of significant styling differences. At least from the teasers, the Tivoli EV looks quite different.
      Mahindra XUV300 Electric – Facts To Know
      MESMA 350 incorporates a 350V powertrain that supports motor ratings in the range of 60kW to 280kW alongside battery capacities up to 80kWh. Dual motor configurations (all-wheel-drive) are also possible.
      According to Mahesh Babu, CEO of Mahindra Electric, the eXUV300 promises a range of more than 370km on a full charge. This translates to a real-life range of at least 320km.

      In comparison, the Tata Nexon EV returns an ARAI-claimed range of 312km (real-life figures would be in the 200s) with its 30.2kWh battery pack. It is powered by a 95kW (127bhp) motor producing 245Nm of peak torque. The Mahindra eXUV300, as well as SsangYong E100, would most likely pack more output.
      At the moment, the Indian automotive market’s electric four-wheeler segment is at a budding stage with limited options. In fact, there are only three EVs from mainstream brands: Hyundai Kona, MG ZS EV and of course, Tata Nexon EV. Meanwhile, the Indian two-wheeler scenario is witnessing increased demand for e-scooters. More

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      First PlugNgo electric car charging station launched in Delhi – Nexon EV, Kona, MG ZS

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      Hyundai Kona getting charged at the PlugNgo electric car charging station in Delhi

      This if the first of 9 such public EV charging stations to be set up by BYPL in Delhi this year
      With an aim to get reduce pollution levels in Delhi, the govt plans to push sales of EVs. In order to do that, they first need to setup infrastructure to support EVs. As a step in this direction, new public electric vehicle charging stations are being set up in Delhi. This first such EV charging station was inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. Called PlugNgo, it has been formed under a partnership between BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL) and EV Motors India Private Limited.
      Location and App Based Digital Experience

      The new EV charging station is located at IP Extension, Patpargani, East Delhi and over the coming year 9 such charging stations is planned by the discom. The EV charging station is branded ‘PlugNgo’ and receives state-of-the-art central management system. The EV charger at the outlet is integrated to the PlugNgo mobile App available on both Android and iOS platforms, allowing consumers to locate and operate chargers.
      With QR code based online payment facilities, users will be able to scan the QR code with their smartphone and pay for the charging session via the mobile app. The App also allows users to locate chargers, status of chargers in terms of availability and track charging and payment history. Customers can also opt for advance booking options which is also offered on the PlugNgo App on Google PlayStore.
      Capacity and Unit Price

      Deputy Chief Minister, Manish Sisodia launching ‘PlugNgo’ – the smart public EV charging station, at Patparganj, East Delhi
      The station can charge upto 4 vehicles at a time in 45 or 90 minutes depending on vehicle type. Initial cost is at Rs 10.50 per unit. This is higher than what you pay for electricity at your home. PlugNgo claims that their rate is currently the lowest among all public EV charging stations.
      Two Types of Chargers – 50 kW and 30 kW
      The public electric vehicle charging station is equipped with two types of chargers. The DC 50 kW charger with three guns (CCS2 + CHAdeMO + Type 2 AC) can be used for charging the Hyundai Kona, MG ZS EV and Tata Nexon Electric. The DC 30 kW with Guns (Both GB/T) can charge the Mahindra e-Verito and Tata Tigor. Two vehicles can be charged at the same time from each charger. The charging stations under PlugNgo will be able to charge 15-18 cars per day.
      Tentative Cost and Saving
      Depending on the make, an electric vehicle can offer running cost between Rs.1.25-1.50 per km. This when compared to a petrol/diesel/CNG vehicle is extremely competitive thus saving the user a substantial amount per km. Along with cost saving, an electric vehicle can also result in saving of over 30 tonnes of CO2 in a lifespan of 10 years. More

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      GM confirms 12 new EVs across Chevy, Buick, GMC and Cadillac – Roadshow

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      Lots of EVs coming our way.
      General Motors
      Buried within General Motors’ latest sustainability report, published Thursday (PDF), the automaker spilled a bunch of news about its upcoming electric vehicle portfolio. We’ve known the automaker’s goal is to bring 20 EVs to market globally by 2023, but for the first time we have some US-specific information.A total of 12 new electric cars are confirmed and coming soon across all of GM’s divisions: Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac. A few of them we already knew about, but some were mentioned publicly for the very first time.

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      Let’s start from the mainstream divisions and work our way into the luxury-oriented brands.ChevyChevy already confirmed that the Bolt EUV and Velite 7, shown here, share a platform.
      Buick
      The Bowtie brand has three new electric cars coming, according to GM. The first is the Bolt Electric Utility Vehicle that GM’s mentioned in the past. Expect it to look a lot like the Buick Velite 7 that it recently revealed for China. We’ll see the Bolt EUV debut next summer as a 2022 model and it will be the first vehicle outside of Cadillac to receive the automaker’s Super Cruise partially automated driving assistant for the highway.GM didn’t provide timeframes for the next two EVs, but we should see them by 2023 to keep up with the automaker’s aggressive timeline. The biggest news is a battery-electric Chevy pickup truck that will feature at least 400 miles of range. Details are scarce, but GM said it will occupy the full-size segment, so expect it to be about the same size as a Silverado. Finally, a midsize SUV will come from Chevy for “customers looking for an electric option in this segment.” That’s all GM had to say about this vehicle, but it could take inspiration from the latest Trailblazer.It’s not new, but GM also confirmed a new Bolt EV is on the way and will launch next year as well.BuickHopefully, the Enspire is production-bound.
      Buick
      Two new SUVs with electric powertrains are on the way for Buick. One is a more traditional vehicle with a crossover shape to “maximize interior space and cargo,” while the other model will be “expressive.” Buick’s built some gorgeous concepts over the past few years, so hopefully we see something really stunning. GMCWe’ll see an SUV based on this guy.
      GMC
      The obvious vehicle GM talked about for GMC is the upcoming Hummer EV pickup truck, but after numerous rumors, GM also confirmed we’ll see an electric Hummer SUV based on the pickup. It should share a lot with the truck, so when we finally see the pickup, we’ll likely get a good look at the SUV to come, too.CadillacThe Lyriq should look something like this.
      Cadillac
      GM’s luxury division is meant to spearhead the automaker’s EV onslaught, and it has a total of five EVs coming soon. We know about two of them: the Lyriq electric SUV set to debut next month and the Celestiq flagship model. The latter is the only sedan mentioned of the bunch. Aside from these two models, Cadillac will get three additional electric SUVs.The first will be an entry-level luxury model of sorts, similar to the space the XT4 fills for Cadillac today. Next is a “globally sized” three-row SUV with an emphasis on interior space, and finally, we’ll see a full-size electric SUV that takes cues from Escalade. We’ve heard many rumors about an electric Escalade to come, but it’s not clear if this will be an extension of the current SUV or a totally new model.500-600 mile ranges? Doable, says GMThis is just one version of GM’s new third-gen EV platform that will underpin the new Hummers — Ultium batteries and all.
      General Motors
      Expect all of these new models (save for the Bolt EV and EUV) to ride on GM’s new BEV3 platform, which supports the automaker’s Ultium battery technology. The tech is meant to help better hunt Tesla, with ranges exceeding 400 miles on a single charge and ultrafast charging at rates up to 350 kilowatts.But the automaker stresses it’s already looking further ahead. Engineers are already working on technology to replace Ultium with low-cobalt alternatives, to be more Earth- and budget-friendly. Instead, they could house high nickel qualities, and with other advances, we could see EVs from GM come with 500 to 600 mile ranges.GM’s long said it believes in an electric future, but clearly, the automaker’s putting its money where its mouth is.
      2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV is the same hatch with more driving range
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