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    BYD Sea Lion Electric SUV Trademarked In India – 700 Km Range

    BYD Sea Lion electric SUV spiedWith advanced features and range of around 700 km, BYD Sea Lion is a mid-size electric SUVBYD (Build Your Dreams) is a leading global manufacturer of electric vehicles. Counting BEVs plus PHEVs together, BYD was ahead of Tesla in overall sales in 2022. In Indian market, BYD currently offers the Otto 3 five-seater electric SUV.With the Indian market expected to witness higher EV sales in coming years, BYD is planning to expand its portfolio. The company has trademarked ‘Sea Lion’ name in India. With more products, BYD will also be looking to challenge Tesla. The latter is likely to start manufacturing in India soon. Tesla had recently leased 5,850 sq. ft. of office space in Pune.BYD Sea Lion electric SUV – registered in IndiaBYD Sea Lion – what to expect?BYD is testing a new model abroad, which is expected to be the Sea Lion SUV. It will be a midsize electric SUV, nearing 4,770 mm in length. It will be 1,910 mm wide, 1,620 mm tall and have a wheelbase of 2,900 mm. BYD Sea Lion will be positioned above the Atto 3 electric SUV. As compared to Atto 3, upcoming BYD Sea Lion is 315 mm longer, 35 mm wider and 5 mm taller. Sea Lion has 180 mm of additional wheelbase. It is likely to be underpinned by BYD’s e-platform 3.0.Spotted Sea Lion test mule reveals a sporty design, with top-mounted headlamps, rugged bumper and a trapezoidal grille section. LED DRLs appear to be placed below the headlamps. The SUV has a coupe-like tapering roofline, one of its signature features.BYD Sea Lion electric SUV spiedAs evident from the test mule, the SUV has a 5-seat arrangement. It is possible that the SUV could get blacked-out B and C pillars. At rear, the SUV gets an aggressive roof mounted spoiler, heavily raked windshield and prominent bumper. Tail lights have the same design as that of the headlamps.BYD Sea Lion electric SUV spiedInside, BYD Sea Lion electric SUV is expected to get a rotating 15.6-inch touchscreen, along with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. The test mule can be seen with a flat-bottom steering wheel with mounted controls. One can also notice the small-sized drive selector. Something similar was earlier spotted with upcoming BYD Seal sedan.BYD Sea Lion range, specsBYD could equip Sea Lion electric SUV with an 82.5kWh battery pack. Range could be around 700 km. Both rear wheel and all-wheel drive options will be available. The former will have a single motor setup, capable of generating 204 hp of max power and 310 Nm of peak torque. Atto 3 has the same configuration.The all-wheel drive variant will have a dual-motor setup. Combined power and torque could be 530 hp. The front and rear motors will generate 217 hp and 313 hp, respectively. With these specs, BYD Sea Lion will be a capable rival to Tesla Model Y. Comparing the base-spec variants, Tesla Model Y generates 60 hp more than BYD Sea Lion. But when comparing top-spec models, Tesla Y output is 45 hp less than Sea Lion. Apart from Tesla, BYD Sea Lion could also be a rival to upcoming Mahindra BE range of electric SUVs. More

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    Mahindra Bolero Electric Launch Confirmed – New Logo, Anthem By AR Rahman

    Mahindra Bolero digital render for illustration purposeBy electrifying existing models, Mahindra will be able to retain the brand equity associated with the respective SUVsLast year, Mahindra had unveiled its upcoming born-electric range of SUVs. It included XUV.e8, XUV.e9, BE.05, BE.07 and BE.09. In coming years, Mahindra electric portfolio will have a lot more options to choose from. At the ongoing global event in South Africa, Mahindra has confirmed that it will be electrifying all its existing ICE SUVs.Good thing is that electrification of existing ICE SUVs won’t be the usual retrofit project. All the electrified ICE SUVs will be based on the company’s new INGLO platform. Of course, some tweaks will be needed to accommodate the respective body styles. Excluding the signature features of these SUVs, everything else including the chassis will be new. Electrified ICE SUVs will also get new names in the form of a ‘dot e’ suffix.Mahindra Bolero Electric Launch Confirmed. Image – TwitterMahindra electrified ICE SUVs to get single or dual motor powertrainsFor upcoming Thar.e, Scorpio.e and Bolero.e, powertrain options could be single or dual-motor setup. The electric powertrains will be sourced from Volkswagen and Valeo. As revealed at the ongoing global conference in South Africa, there will be a total of three powertrain options.In the front motor setup sourced from VW, power and torque output will be 110 PS and 135 Nm. In rear motor setup from VW, power and torque will be 285 PS and 535 Nm. In rear motor setup provided by Valeo, the numbers will be 231 PS and 380 Nm. Users will have the option to choose powertrain options for all these electrified SUVs.Mahindra Electrified SUVs – Launch TimelinePrices will vary based on various factors, one of which will be the type and capacity of the battery pack. However, such details are yet to be revealed. Key aspects such as range and launch timelines of these electrified ICE SUVs are also not known. However, it is likely that the next electric launch from Mahindra will be XUV.e8. It is essentially the electric version of XUV700. It has been spotted on road tests in recent months.Mahindra Electric SUVs PowertrainMahindra electrified ICE SUVs to have a new lookWhile retaining the core silhouette and signature features, Mahindra’s electrified ICE SUVs will have a refreshed look and feel. This approach is clearly evident with the Thar electric SUV unveiled at the ongoing event. The focus will be on achieving a more futuristic look and feel. It will also work to create a distinctive brand identity in comparison to the ICE counterparts.Mahindra Electric SUVs – Body StylesMahindra’s electrified ICE SUVs will also be using a new logo. But for existing XUV400, the twin-peaks logo in copper finish will be carried forward. It is possible that Mahindra may introduce the new logo for XUV400 when it too is shifted to the INGLO platform. Meanwhile, Mahindra will continue to sell the ICE SUVs. These will be available, as per Mahindra’s electrification strategy and roadmap. Mahindra has plans to achieve 25% electric SUV sales by 2027.[embedded content]Mahindra Electric Automobiles, in collaboration with music maestro AR Rahman, introduces an innovative sonic identity for their upcoming range of born electric vehicles. Crafted with over 75 meticulously designed sounds, including drive sounds and experience modes, the collaboration aims to enhance the auditory experience of electric SUVs.Mahindra Electric SUVs – Triple screen displayPartnering with HARMAN and Dolby Laboratories, the integration of Dolby Atmos audio technology further elevates the sensory journey. The brand anthem, “Le Chalaang,” reflects Mahindra’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. This sonic venture not only adds a distinctive auditory dimension but also aligns the brand’s Indian roots with its global aspirations, offering a unique blend of tradition and modernity in the pursuit of a greener future. More

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    Mahindra Thar Electric SUV Debuts – Longer Wheelbase, Increased GC

    Mahindra Thar Electric SUV Debuts. Image – Auto TodayMahindra Thar electric will not be based on ladder frame platform – It will be based on Mahindra INGLO platformAfter much anticipation, Mahindra has unveiled Thar electric SUV concept today. At the same event, Mahindra has revealed the new Scopio N pikup concept. They have also announced plans to to electrify Bolero and Scorpio as well. In all, there will be a full range of Mahindra EVs – Thar.e Bolero.e, Scorpio.e, XUV.e, and lastly, BE (Born Electric Range).Except for BE products and Thar.e, rest of the range could be entirely derived from their ICE counterparts. This is to strike an effective price and expand its EV portfolio without channeling a lot of money into redesigning every single bit. Thar.e holds a special place as it is based on one of the most popular products in India right now.Mahindra Thar Electric SUV DebutsMahindra Thar.e – Makes way for success, in silenceAs of now, Thar is a ladder frame SUV with rugged off-roading credentials. Electrifying ladder-frame vehicles is very difficult. Instead of making Thar electric on the ladder frame platform, Mahindra has decided to make it on the INGLO P1 platform.Mahindra Thar.e will get both 3-door and 5-door layouts. Wheelbase will vary between 2,775 mm and 2,975 mm and the ground clearance will get a shot in the arm with up to a staggering 300 mm. This is because battery is at the floor and higher ground clearance is its greatest insurance policy. Front and rear overhangs will be kept minimal.Mahindra Thar Electric SUV DebutsMahindra Thar.e prototype at the event in Cape Town, South Africa looks like a military vehicle and reminds me of a TUV300. But in a good way. The overall boxy design screams function over form and is reminiscent of proper old-school SUV DNA. The front is squared-off and side is pretty flat too. Front fascia radiates a muscular aura with a lot of aggression.Mahindra Thar Electric SUV DebutsWindshield is still small and upright, seems like Hummer was the inspiration here. Exposed door hinges reveal a strong character. There are three LED elements in the grill, flanked by two Square LED DRL signatures. Massive wheels and aggressive pattern tyres grab attention. Spare wheel is on the rear tailgate.Thar.e concept showed, was in 5-door layout. There could be a 3-door one with production-spec version as well. This concept takes standard ICE Thar’s butchness to a whole new level. Rear tail lights mimic the LED DRL signature on the front. Roof is pretty much flat, and could allow overlanding projects that owners might venture into, given that this is a lifestyle vehicle.Mahindra Thar Electric SUV DebutsBoth 3-door and 5-door versions will share the same battery and dual motor arrangements. Launch could be much ahead in the future than we expected. We say this because Mahindra has a packed schedule and fitting all products in the timeline at once could be difficult. So, the phase-wise launch timeline includes XUV.e8 slated for December 2024, XUV.e9 for April 2025, BE.05 for October 2025 and BE.07 for April 2026. Mahindra didn’t mention launch timeline for Thar.e. So, launch could go beyond 2026 or even in 2027.Same powertrain as XUV.e8?The INGLO platform now houses Blade and Prismatic cells from BYD, instead of Volkswagen’s MEB platform. The new LFP cells from BYD seem to offer the right characteristics that Mahindra was looking for. Going with Thar’s off-road worthy name tag, Thar.e is highly likely to get 4WD setup with the help of two motors, driving each axles. The front motor will not offer the full-fat performance of rear motor.Image Source More

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    Mini Charged Edition Launched For Rs. 55 Lakh – 20 Shades of Elegance

    Mini Charged EditionYellow Pops and Red Sparks: Mini Charged Edition gets styling enhancementsMini has launched a very limited special edition of its sole electric car in India. Mini Charged Edition. The company will only sell 20 units. Very limited and quite so exclusive.Mini Charged Edition is a slightly stylised version Mini 3-Door Cooper SE BEV sold in India. Price is listed at Rs. 55,00,000 (ex-sh). Buyers can book exclusively from the shop section of company’s official website.Wired for Thrills: Mini Charged Edition’s ConnectivityStandard Mini 3-Door Cooper SE costs Rs. 53.50 lakh (ex-sh) before opting for the slew of accessories the company offers to configure. Charged Edition costs Rs. 1.5 lakh (ex-sh) to up its special character.On the outside, Mini Charged Edition wears an exclusive Chilli Red paint scheme. It plays with two different white shades to contrast Chilli Red. Roof gets a familiar/standard White finish. ORVMs, door handles, tailgate handles, headlight rings, tail light rings and logos get Aspen White shade.Mini Charged Edition – FrontTo add a more colourful character, a Frozen Red stripe on the bonnet delights. And is complemented by striking Energetic Yellow highlights. Energetic Yellow highlights are present in other areas too – above side body cladding and asymmetric 17-inch ‘Electric Power Spoke Alloy Wheels’ and an S badge at the front and rear.On the inside, Striking Yellow accents bring youthfulness to the equation. Steering wheel gets soft nappa leather, while seats are leatherette. Mini’s cute-sy appeal is accentuated by a 5” instrument cluster and 8.8” infotainment screen.Energising the Future: Bold Brand PhilosophyThese 17” alloy wheels are aerodynamic in nature and reduce air drag to maximize efficiency and range of its electric powertrain. Speaking of electric powertrain, Mini Charged Edition is similar to standard Mini 3-Door Cooper SE. This means 32.6 kWh battery and a motor with 184 bhp of power and 287 Nm of torque.White RoofDriving modes include Green and Sport. The range of this powertrain is 270 km on a single charge. Mini offers convenience of 50 kW DC charging, 11 kW AC and 2.3 kW AC which charges the battery to 80 percent in 36 minutes, 2 hours 30 minutes and 9 hours 43 minutes respectively.Mini Wired Package as standard enables navigation, wireless charging, Apple CarPlay, and a Harman Kardon audio system. Mr. Vikram Pawah, President, BMW Group India said, “MINI spreads BIG LOVE by bringing the MINI 3-door Cooper SE in Chili Red, for the first time in India. It celebrates the legendary Go-Kart feeling and instant torque, all with zero emissions.‘Charged’ branding in Energetic YellowThe MINI Charged Edition is a bold, energetic and expressive car that perfectly fits the MINI BIG Love spirit of a brave and daring brand which brings people and communities together. The MINI Charged Edition is your perfect partner for Urban Mobility. Every bit the original iconic MINI but powered for the roads of tomorrow.”Aspen White highlights More

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    Nissan Ariya Electric SUV Spied Testing In Chennai – 500 Km Range

    Nissan Ariya EV spied in IndiaNissan Ariya EV spotted testing in India, featured black wrap to hide its scrumptious design attributes from prying eyesWe know about the Rs. 5,300 crore investment RNAPL (Renault Nissan Automotive Pvt Ltd) has planned for India. This includes strengthening of the current portfolio and extending it to include a slew of new ICE, hybrid and electric vehicles. Right now, both Renault and Nissan are operating in lower price spectrum only.Renault-Nissan intends to enter a more premium space in the Indian auto industry. Nissan has announced intentions to launch Juke, Qashqai and X-Trail in India. The company has already commenced testing of these vehicles as well. But a wild card entry into this grand scheme is Nissan Ariya EV, which has now been spied on Indian roads.Nissan Ariya Electric SUV SpiedNissan Ariya Spotted TestingThis is a new BEV from Nissan that the company. Nissan Ariya test mule gets a black wrap to hide its design. If Nissan is bothering to hide its design, it is a good indication that they might have intentions to launch the car. Despite the wrap, Nissan Ariya test mule makes its presence known, thanks to the unique design.It radiates strong character and design attributes while radiating a premium appeal. Nissan Ariya measures 4,595 mm in length, 1,850 mm in width, up to 1,665 mm in height and has a 2,775 mm long wheelbase. It weighs almost 2,000 kg. Upon launch, it could take on the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq5 in India.[embedded content]For India, Nissan Ariya could pack the smaller 63 kWh (65 kWh rated) battery with up to a dual motor AWD layout with 335 bhp of power, 560 Nm of torque and up to 360 km of range. Higher specs will get a 87 kWh battery (90 kWh rated) along with 390 bhp, 600 Nm and 500 km range.Nissan Ariya Electric SUV SpiedNext premium electric SUV in India?Nissan Ariya features a sloping roofline along with a sloping bonnet. Design is very European and is definitely striking. Gloss black faux grill, sleek LED headlights, sleek tail lights, wide rear haunches, sleek LED tail lights and smart aero wheels grab a lot of eyeballs. This will be a head-turner for sure.On the inside, Nissan has gone with a minimalist vibe. Dashboard is predominantly made of two horizontal displays within the same housing. Center console is mostly absent and is an open space. AC controls are touch-based and steering wheel is minimal as well.Nissan Ariya Electric SUV SpiedDepending upon the specs, pricing in the USA ranges between USD 43,190 and USD 60,190. This roughly translates to Rs. 35.7 lakh and Rs. 49.75 lakh. India launch may happen in 2024. We hope Ariya arrives in India via CKD route, for effective pricing. More

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    Mahindra Electric Rickshaw e-Alpha Gets ‘Super’ With 20% More Range

    Mahindra e-Alpha SuperThe battery on Mahindra e-Alpha Super offers 18 months of warranty while the vehicle gets 12 month warrantyLike in 2W and 4W segments, EVs also have greater acceptance in the 3W realm. This effect is on-point, considering multiple new startups are springing up to meet the demand. Mainstream 3W manufacturers have a hand in this growth too. Mahindra is one of the highest selling electric 3W manufacturers in India.Just last month, Mahindra sold 6,481 3W vehicles including electric ones. Such is the popularity that Bill Gates drove a Mahindra Treo electric rickshaw recently when he visited India. In FY2023, Mahindra sold 18,608 electric 3W and e-Alpha played a major role in this sales success. Mahindra is launching e-Alpha Super with an extended range of Rs. 1.61 lakh (ex-sh).Front viewMahindra e-Alpha Gets ‘Super’M&M’s Last Mile Mobility (LMM) is the company’s three and four wheeler passenger and cargo vehicle division aiming at last mile mobility and last mile delivery models. This consists of electric-only Treo range and Zor Grand range, Jeeto 4-wheeler range and Alfa range which consists of both ICE and EV vehicles.As of now, there are more than 50,000 e-Alphas on the road and Mahindra is extending functionality for new e-Alpha buyers with an option of e-Alpha Super. The Super model gets an extended 95+ km of range from a single charge. Which is 20% more than regular e-Alpha.soft top modelMahindra promises their new self-employed customers higher range, best-in-class safety and comfort features. Higher range enables higher operating time, which could directly translate into higher earnings and profits. Higher range also ensures less frequent charging as well, increasing longevity of its electric powertrain.e-Alpha Super comes with a superior 18A charger and an impressive 12 month warranty. Battery gets an 18 months warranty and the vehicle itself gets a 12 month warranty. Mahindra’s 1150 touchpoints offer an assurance of OEM after-sales service. Customers also get access to 10,000 charging stations nationwide.Range 20% higher than beforeAt Rs. 1.65 lakh (ex-sh), Mahindra e-Alpha Super makes a lot of sense with the increased range. It has a 140 Ah battery (voltage not mentioned) and the motor generates 1.64 kW (2.2 bhp) and 22 Nm of torque. Mahindra offers e-Alpha Super owners free accidental insurance worth Rs. 10 lakhs for drivers.Red colourSuman Mishra, CEO, Mahindra Last Mile Mobility said, “In a world with rising demand for clean mobility, our e-Alfa Super rickshaw offers superior range and earning potential. This allows our driver partners to increase their entrepreneurial incomes and reduce environmental impact, while being supported with the trust and reliability of the Mahindra brand.” More

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    Electric SUV Breaks Down 10 Hours After Delivery – Owner Demands New Car

    Tata Nexon EV breaks down on delivery dayAlthough such cases are rare, the one at the receiving end is bound to experience a lot of anger and frustrationWhen things don’t work out as expected after taking delivery of a car, the trust that one has in the brand is deeply shaken. A Tata Nexon EV owner in Ahmedabad had to go through a similar experience recently. As the matter has not been resolved as per the expectations of the owner, he has shared his experience on his Twitter handle. Hopefully, all stakeholders should be able to come to an agreeable solution in the coming days.Nexon EV breaks down after deliveryAccording to the owner, he had taken delivery of Tata Nexon EV from Progressive Cars in Ahmedabad on July 14, 2023. The owner has mentioned the time of delivery at 1:30 PM. After taking delivery, the owner drove the car for around 15 to 20 km. At around 11 PM on the same day of delivery, the vehicle experienced a breakdown. The owner has posted an image of the car’s instrument console, which shows a ‘Critical Alert’ notification. The message also asks the user to contact the service centre.Tata Nexon EV breaks down on delivery dayThis sudden breakdown was surprising, as the battery indicator was still showing an available range of 201 km. The notification did not provide any more details. As there was nothing the owner could do to fix the issue, the car had to be towed to the car dealer workshop. The next day, the dealer informed them that they had identified and fixed the issue. The problem was with the PSA, which had to be replaced.Owner demanding new car or full refundAlthough the problem has been fixed, the owner does not want to keep the car anymore. He has stated that he does not want to drive a car that developed problems in just 10-11 hours after taking delivery. For the owner, it is more of a psychological issue than anything else. It happens when one’s expectations are shattered.Tata Nexon EV breaks down on delivery dayThe Tata dealership had tried to assure the owner that there is no longer any issue with the car. They even offered extra perks and benefits and requested the owner to take delivery. But the owner has refused such offers and insists on a new car or full refund.As of now, the car is parked at the dealership and waiting for the owner to take delivery. It appears to be a stalemate, even after more than 20 days of the breakdown incident. Tata Nexon EV comes with 8 years / 1.6 lakh km of battery and motor warranty. This is good enough to ensure complete peace of mind for users.It remains to be seen how things work out in this case. It will be tough for the dealership to provide a new car or issue a refund, as the delivered car will then instantly become a second-hand car. Users can probably look at the bigger picture and ignore small issues and obstacles that may come along the way. More

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    Hyundai Exter Electric Spied For The First Time – Launch In 2024 ?

    Hyundai Exter Electric SpiedHyundai Exter electric will primarily rival upcoming Tata Punch EV, while also taking on Citroen eC3 and MG Comet EVAfter Tata Punch’s dominance in micro-SUV segment, Hyundai has created a strong challenger in the form of Exter. It was launched in July 2023, at a starting price of Rs 5.99 lakh. This battle will soon be played in the EV space as well.While Punch electric test mules have been spotted earlier, this is the first time Exter electric has been spied on road tests. The sense of urgency is clearly evident, as Hyundai hasn’t wasted any time in starting the trials for Exter EV. Launch is likely to take place next year.Hyundai Exter EV range, specsExter EV will be Hyundai’s first entry-level electric car in India. As of now, the company only offers premium range EVs in India such as Ioniq 5 and Kona Electric. In international markets, Hyundai offers a range of electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars. Hyundai is currently working on Casper EV, which could have similarities with Exter EV.Exter has larger dimensions in comparison to Casper EV. It could get a higher capacity battery pack. For reference, Casper EV is expected to be equipped with a 40-kWh battery pack. Exter EV is likely to get a battery pack of around 25-30 kWh. Range is likely to be around 300-350 km.Hyundai Exter Electric SpiedFor example, Citroen eC3 offers range of 320 km, whereas MG Comet EV can travel 230 km on a full charge. Tiago EV has two variants, one with 250 km range and the other with 315 km range. Upcoming Punch EV is likely to have a similar range. An intense battle is expected between Hyundai Exter EV and Punch EV, as both will try to outdo each other in terms of range and performance.Exter EV styling, featuresExter EV will be largely the same as its ICE sibling in terms of its styling. There could be some changes at the front, along with exclusive EV badging. As evident in the spy shots, Exter EV can be seen with new wheels. Much of the features on the inside will be same as ICE Exter.The SUV is equipped with 1st in segment features such as voice enabled smart electric sunroof, dashcam with dual camera, paddle shifters, rear AC vents, footwell lighting, wireless phone charger, 12 language support and Alexa voice commands. Safety kit also includes 1st in segment features such as 6-airbags standard, tyre pressure monitoring system, hill start assist control, rear view camera with dynamic guidelines, electronic stability control and vehicle stability management.Pricing will play a key role in deciding who takes the lead in micro-SUV electric segment. ICE models of Exter and Punch are closely priced. But in CNG, Punch has taken a lead with starting price of Rs 7,09,900 lakh. In comparison, Exter CNG starts at Rs 8,23,990. Hyundai is likely to follow an aggressive pricing strategy for upcoming Exter electric. More