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    Mahindra XUV700 Electric SUV Prototype With 54 kWh Battery Pack

    Mahindra XUV700 Render By zephyr_designzEven though Mahindra has readied an electric prototype of XUV700, it is not expected to undergo production anytime soon
    Earlier this year, Mahindra laid out a comprehensive roadmap for its passenger vehicle segment which featured a number of electric vehicles (EVs). Given the race towards electric mobility, Mahindra’s future EVs hold great significance for the auto market in India and the company might actively start its emission-free innings in a year or two.
    Mahindra XUV700 Electric SUV
    Mahindra has developed a battery-powered prototype of the recently launched XUV700. The homegrown automaker has already finished developing an electric prototype of the SUV, however, it is not roadworthy yet.
    Mahindra XUV700 Electric SUV Prototype features a 54kWh battery pack. The electric powertrain is expected to be equipped on board the XUV700 as and when there is decent demand and charging infrastructure available across India.
    This means there is still a lot of time before we can actually see an electric XUV700 going into production. Meanwhile, Mahindra is reportedly developing XUV900 which is essentially a 4-door Coupe SUV based on XUV700.
    Mahindra XUV700 render
    XUV700 Other Details
    The IC engine-powered XUV700 will get two engine options- a 2.2-litre mHawk diesel unit and 2.0-litre mStallion turbo petrol mill. Both units will be paired with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission.
    Higher variants will also offer the option of an all-wheel-drive setup otherwise power will be sent to the front wheels. Prices of XUV700 will start at Rs 11.99 lakh and it is expected to go on sale in a few weeks.
    Mahindra’s Other EV Projects
    Mahindra is working on a range of battery-powered vehicles, the first of which is expected to launch in 2023. This will most probably be the eclectic version of XUV300 which will be called eXUV300. A pre-production concept prototype of the same was revealed last year at the Auto Expo. However, multiple delays mainly due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic meant that it is yet to undergo series production.
    Mahindra XUV700 render
    The electric SUV is expected to feature a 40 kWh battery which will return an output of 130 bhp and a range of 300 kms in a single charge. Previous teaser images suggest that it is slightly longer despite sharing the same MESMA 350 platform, developed by Mahindra Electric completely in-house. ‘MESMA’ stands for ‘Mahindra Electric Scalable and Modular Architecture’.
    Initially, the carmaker was planning on re-entering the EV space in India with eKUV100 which is a battery-powered derivative of KUV100 micro UV. Recently, it also made a brief appearance on the official website of Mahindra Electric. However, its launch too has been hit by various speed breakers throughout its course of development.

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    Opel Rocks-E Is A Rebadged Citroen Ami Electric Car With 75 Kms Range

    Opel Rocks-EOpel Rocks-E is expected to make its debut in Germany later this year followed by other European markets by early next year
    Badge engineering is a common phenomenon in the global automotive industry. This enables automakers to maximise their profits without having to invest much. Over the recent past, we have witnessed many such cross badged models (Maruti Baleno – Toyota Glanza). However, Opel Rocks-e could be the first instance of a badge-engineered electric car.
    Essentially the same vehicle as Citroen Ami, it would be incorrect to classify it as an electric car, at least in Europe where it will be mostly focused on. It is an electric quadricycle which essentially means it is a four-wheeled vehicle running on an electric motor. It is similar to what we have in our country in the form of Bajaj Qute which runs on an IC engine.
    Exterior Shape & Design
    Its appearance is as diminutive as its size yet it would surely grab eyeballs once it is on the road. Front and rear end of the vehicle is dominated by black bumpers which attempt to give it a macho look. The driver’s side door comes rear-hinged while the doors are almost as wide as the wheelbase.
    Yellow detailing under the door sills and bumpers create a nice sport contrast with the black and grey colour scheme. The quadricycle rolls on attractive 14-inch wheels with X-shaped alloys. Other exterior highlights include simple round reflector headlamps, circular tail-lamps and a large windscreen. In terms of dimension, Rocks-e measures 1.39 metres wide and 2.41 metres long.
    Opel Rocks-E
    The quadricycle’s miniature size benefits in tight city traffic as it receives a very impressive turning radius of 3.6 metre. This makes it very manageable in tight road conditions. Being such a small vehicle, Rocks-e weighs just 425kg which is even lighter than its donor model and it does have a positive impact on the former’s battery backup.
    Interiors
    The funky yellow highlights have been carried from the exterior to inside the cabin as well which wears a minimalist look. Speaking of the cabin, it hosts basic minimum features like a small digital driver display and has space to host only two occupants including the driver. There’s a place on the dashboard to mount one’s phone in addition to a handy storage area running behind the dashboard.
    Powertrain Specs
    Since it is a rebadged Citroen Ami, Rocks-e gets the same electrical and mechanical specs as the former. This includes a 5.5kWh battery pack which feeds energy to a 6kW electric motor that delivers an output of 8 bhp. The battery pack returns a maximum range of 75 km (47 miles) on a single charge. A top speed of 45 kmph can be achieved on this quadricycle.
    It takes more than three hours for the battery to get fully rejuvenated. Due to its friendly specifications, Rocks-e could even be driven by 15-year olds across Europe. Opel has revealed that the EV will be offered in three trim levels- base, Klub and TeKno. Prices of Rocks-e haven’t been revealed yet but it is expected to cost nearly the same as Ami which is pegged at €6,000 (approx. INR 5.20 lakh). More

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    Tata Tigor Electric Launch Price Rs 12 L – 4 Star Safety, Range 306 Kms

    2021 Tata Tigor Electric LaunchedTigor EV is the second Tata car powered by ZipTron technology – It is also the first Indian EV to have crash test rating
    The new Tata Tigor EV has been launched and initial examples move into company dealerships to be made available for private buyers. The new Tigor EV, is based on the 2020 Tigor facelift. It is being presented in three variants of XM, XZ+ and XZ+ DT. It will borrow new Ziptron powertrain from the Nexon EV. Pre-bookings have commenced via the company online portal or at company dealerships.
    Tata Tigor EV XE variant is priced at Rs 11,99,000 while the XM trim comes in at Rs 12,49,000. The top of the line XZ+ and XZ+ dual tone carries a price tag of Rs.12,99,000. All prices are ex-sh.
    2021 Tata Tigor Electric Launched
    Exterior Design
    As has also been seen on the Xpres-T EV, the Tigor EV also receives a new front fascia, updated headlamp units and a sharper front fascia. A new glossy black panel takes the place of a traditional grille with electric blue coloured accents while blue highlights are also seen on its headlamps. LED DRLs get integrated into the front bumper while the Tigor EV rides on 15 inch wheels. Two colours are on offer – Blue and Black.
    The cabin arrangement follows a similar design as that seen on the standard Tigor save for its blue accents that set it apart. Variant wise features on the XE see crystal inspired LED tail lamps, front power outlet, fully automatic climate controls and tilt adjustable steering wheel along with front power windows.
    2021 Tata Tigor Electric Launched
    The Tigor EV XM variants receive full wheel covers, interior lamps with theater dimming features, a next gen Harman sound system with 4 speakers and 4 tweeters, speed dependent with auto lock feature and day and night IRVMs. It also sports all power windows and manual central car lock.
    First Indian electric car to get crash tested. Scores 4 safety rating.
    The top of the line XZ+ and XZ+ Dual Tone sports hyperstyle wheels, piano black shark fin antenna, signature headlamps with LED DRLs, a premium kitted roof liner and premium Harman sound system and touchscreen infotainment system. Features also include rear parking camera, rear defogger, cooled glovebox, electric boot unlock and driver seat adjustments.
    The Tata Tigor EV, the first Electric Vehicle (EV) ever tested by Global NCAP achieved four stars for both adult and child occupants. It is also the first Indian electric car to get a safety rating.
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    Powertrain and Charging
    Tata Tigor EV gets a new Ziptron powertrain that also powers the Nexon EV. This advanced Ziptron high voltage 300V motor uses permanent magnet synchronous electric motor producing 75 hp power and 170 Nm torque, allowing for acceleration from 0 to 60 km/h in 5.7 seconds thanks to its 26 kWh lithium ion battery pack.
    This battery pack has an IP 67 rating, capable of withstanding all types of weather conditions and comes in with 8 year/1,60,000 km warranty. Fast charging is possible via a 15A plug which means that the Tigor EV can be charged from 0 to 80 percent in under 60 minutes or via a home charger in 8.5 hours. This electric sedan will offer a claimed 306 km range on a single charge. More

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    2021 Tata Tigor Electric Arrives At Dealer – First Look Walkaround

    Tata Tigor Electric. Image – MissautologsExpected to be priced aggressively, Tigor EV will have no direct rival in the Indian market as of now
    Tata Motors will launch the facelifted Tigor electric sedan in India on 31st August. It will be a lot cheaper than the Nexon EV, which is priced from Rs 13.99 lakh, ex-sh. This will make it the most affordable electric car for passenger segment car buyers in the country.
    2021 Tata Tigor electric sedan not only gets cosmetic updates but also receives a serious upgrade in its powertrain. The new EV is based on the facelifted version of the IC-engine powered Tigor which was launched last year. Prior to its launch, Tigor EV has now arrived at showrooms for display. Test drive will commence soon.
    Last month, Tata Motors launched the fleet version of Tigor EV which has been rebranded as XPres-T EV under a dedicated EV vertical called Xpres. It does not get the larger battery pack nor the Ziptron tech as seen on the new Tigor electric.
    Updated Exterior
    As seen in Xpres-T EV, the new Tigor EV gets a new front fascia with an updated set of headlights and upfront along with a new sharper nose. YouTube channel Missautologs has shared a detailed first look walkaround review video of the new Tigor EV, revealing exteriors styling, interior features, space, etc.
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    Tri-arrow patterns in the traditional grille of the IC engine-powered Tigor have been replaced with a new glossy black panel. The faux grille is contoured with a blue-coloured strip underneath. The blue highlights have been extended inside the projector LED headlights.
    The reprofiled front bumper also gets revised fog lamp housings with integrated LED DRLs. The battery-powered Tigor could be differentiated from the regular sedan as the former wears Ev badging on the grille and boot lid. The car rides on 15-inch alloy wheels with a new design that also features blue accents. The silhouette of the car, however, remains identical.
    Interior & Features
    Blue highlights outside the cabin have been carried forward inside the cabin too in order to distinguish between the IC engine-powered sedan and the battery-powered sedan. The overall layout of its interior remains the same.
    New Tata Tigor Electric Instrument Cluster Shows Remaining Battery Charge And Range Details
    In terms of features, Tigor EV is offered with a 7.0-inch Harmon touchscreen infotainment unit enabled with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, iRA connected car tech, 4 speakers and 4 tweeters, automatic climate control, multi-function steering wheel and digital instrument cluster.
    More Power & Range
    The biggest update, however, is in the form of a new heart. Tigor EV now features a Ziptron EV powertrain that first debuted in Nexon EV. This powertrain now consists of a high-voltage 300 volt permanent magnet synchronous electric motor instead of a 72V AC induction-type motor previously offered in the pre-facelift Tigor EV. This motor is rated to produce an output of 75 bhp and 170 Nm of peak torque.
    It derives its energy from a 26kWh Lithium-ion battery pack which is expected to deliver a range of over 300 kms on a single charge. The IP67 rated powertrain allows a 0-60 kmph sprint in just 5.7 seconds. With Ziptron tech available, Tigor EV is now compatible with fast charging. The battery could be rejuvenated from 0-80 percent in just 60 minutes. More

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    MG ZS Electric Could Get Smaller Battery, Lower Price – Rival Tata Nexon EV

    Image – Superior AutoBy reducing the battery capacity, MG might be able to price ZS EV more aggressively, thus, making it more accessible
    In a little over two years since it set foot in the Indian market, MG Motor has constantly fiddled with its lineup by introducing new updates to its models. This has been in the form of inclusion of new variants or a new transmission option. In other words, the carmaker has been wary of the volatile market and has focused on consumer needs.
    As per the latest development, the MG Motor India is getting ready to shrink the battery capacity on offer with ZS EV. The crossover is currently the only model from the company running on an electric power source. This information has been revealed from a type approval document submitted by MG Motor to the Delhi RTO office.
    New battery on offer
    At present, ZS EV is offered with a battery pack of 44.5Wh capacity which returns a claimed range of 419 kms (ICAT certification) on a single charge. With the shrink in battery capacity, it is expected to offer a lower range on a single charge. This could also result in MG Motor reducing prices for the electric SUV. According to the document, the updated ZS EV will now be equipped with a battery capacity of 40kWh.
    The downsized battery pack is also likely to take less time to get fully charged. Presently, a 7.4kW AC charger takes six to eight hours to get fully juiced up. On the other hand, a 50kW DC fast charger takes less than 50 minutes to juice up the battery from zero to eighty percent. The updated battery pack will be applied to both its trims- Excite and Exclusive.
    MG ZS EV to get 40 kWh Battery Pack?
    Currently, it is the Tata Nexon EV which is the best selling electric passenger car in the country. MG ZS EV is at No 2. Nexon EV is priced in the range of Rs 14 lakh to Rs 16.65 lakh while MG ZS EV is priced from Rs 21 lakh to Rs 24.21 lakh. By reducing size of battery pack, MG could get the price of ZS EV base variant closer to the price tag of top end Nexon EV. This will also help MG to boost their EV sales.
    Other Specs & Features
    Other than the change in battery specifications, no other updates are expected to take place on the electric crossover. The new battery pack will send power to the same three-phase permanent synchronous motor which will continue to crank out the same output of 141 bhp and 353 Nm of peak torque.
    Like every MG model, ZS EV is brimmed up with features that include an 8-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a digital instrument console, a panoramic sunroof, connected car tech, projector headlamps, auto climate control, cruise control and inbuilt air purifier. In terms of safety, ZS EV offers six airbags, ABS with EBD, brake assist, electronic stability control (ESC), and hill descent control to name a few features.
    Existing MG ZS Electric
    MG Astor
    MG Motor is also getting ready to launch of Astor SUV. The upcoming C-segment compact SUV is essentially the IC engine derivative of ZS EV and was officially unveiled by the company recently.
    The carmaker claims that Astor will be the first car in India to be equipped with a fully inbuilt Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform. It is expected to hit showrooms by Diwali this year and will compete against the likes of Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Skoda Kushaq and the upcoming Volkswagen Taigun. More

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    Vega ETX Electric Rickshaw With Solar Roof – Concept Teased

    Vega ETX Electric Rickshaw Concept 2022Vega ETX derives its power from a solar panel fixed to its roof
    Like it or not but battery power sources will replace internal combustion engines (ICE) in almost all automobiles in the coming few years. Tighter emission norms and rising fuel prices have only accelerated the transition process. Not just passenger vehicles and two-wheelers but commercial vehicles and shared mobility are also part of this transition.
    Market for rickshaws or Tuk Tuks in South Asia
    Three-wheeler auto-rickshaw, commonly referred to as Tuk Tuks in India and few other Southeast Asian countries, is still the most prominent form of public transport. In many places in India, diesel and petrol auto-rickshaws have already started facing sanctions and would soon disappear from the auto market.
    The immediate solution is to shift to a CNG powertrain, however, sooner or later, all commercial three-wheelers would have to shift to an electric powertrain. In recent times, there have been a few options in the Indian market that have been responsible for the increase in share of electric three-wheelers in the country. However, none of them come from a prominent brand barring Mahindra Treo.
    Vega ETX details
    A Sri Lankan EV startup named Vega recently has revealed its upcoming electric rickshaw which goes by the name ETX. The first two letters of the acronym stand for electric three-wheeler while the significance of letter X is not yet known. At the moment, the rickshaw is just at a prototype stage and sadly there aren’t many specific details attached to it.
    [embedded content]
    In a short statement released on their social media handle, Vega has said that the ETX platform is an electric urban mobility solution for the future. It is a next-generation electric three-wheeler designed for safe, environmentally friendly, and economical urban mobility. The vehicle has been provided luggage space in addition to space for general passengers in order to transport goods.
    Vega ETX Electric Rickshaw is powered by an electric motor that draws energy from LFP battery packs to maintain affordability. The primary highlight is the addition of a solar panel roof which avoids owners frequently quest for a charging point.
    The battery can recover up to 64 kms per day only with its solar panels. Even though the panels are of smaller size, the nature of business allows the panels to be charged for most parts of the day.
    This will also translate to even lesser running costs thus proving to be a very affordable means of public transportation. The company plans to introduce this vehicle not just in Sri Lanka but also in other South Asian countries where Tuk Tuks form a crucial part of public commutes. Vega plans to release a production-spec model based on the ETX sometime next year. More

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    Tata Nexon Electric To Get Power Upgrade – Battery Motor New Specs Leak

    Tata Nexon Electric file photo. Image – HemankTata Nexon EV is set to become even more powerful than it is today – Leaked document reveals new details
    Launched in early 2020, the Tata Nexon EV ended the year with an overall sales volume of over 2,600 units, making it the best selling zero emission vehicle in the country by a huge margin. With no direct rival in the price range, the Nexon EV continues its strong run.
    To keep the momentum going, Tata Motors recently launched the Nexon EV Dark Edition. Next, Tata seems to be planning to give the Nexon EV a power upgrade. A leaked document reveals that the updated Nexon EV is rated to deliver 100 kW (136 PS) power. This is more than what the existing Nexon EV generates by 7 PS.
    Current Nexon EV Specs
    The sub-4m electric crossover SUV is powered by Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) which outputs 129 hp and 245 Nm of torque. The powertrain is supported by a 30.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack which is offers an ARAI certified range of 312 km on a single charge. 0-100 kmph comes in 9.9 seconds.
    The battery takes around 8.5 hours of charging from a regular socket (from 10% to 90% SOC) while fast charging can achieve 0% to 80% SOC in 1 hour. Battery specs remain same in the updated Nexon EV. Below is the leaked type approval document which reveals the specs of upcoming more powerful Nexon EV.
    Tata Nexon EV Power Upgrade
    Tata Motors offers a warranty of 8 years or 1.6 lakh km for the battery pack and motor while the rest of the vehicle gets a warranty of 3 years or 1.25 lakh km. Feature highlights include powered sunroof, projector headlamps, leatherette seats, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, smartphone app for remote vehicle monitoring, automatic climate control system with rear AC vents, leather-wrapped flat-bottomed steering wheel, reverse parking camera, dual front airbags and so on.
    Nexon Dark Edition
    Until recently, Nexon EV was retailed in three trims- XM, XZ and XZ+ Lux. There is now a new trim on offer, Nexon EV Dark. This has been done to amplify the popularity of the electric crossover in the market and specifically target a younger section of buyers.
    This special edition trim wears Altas Black exterior paint scheme, the same option offered in Harrier Dark Edition. This variant will is offered with blacked-out alloy wheels, smoked LED taillamps on the exterior.
    Tata Nexon EV Dark Edition. Image – Car Duniya
    Inside the cabin, the light beige interiors of the standard Nexon EV will be replaced by a more radical all-black interior featuring black upholstery, door pads and a black dashboard. Further, there will be special badges to distinguish the Dark Edition model for the rest of the lineup.
    Nexon EV Dark also gets the signature blue highlights, which are exclusive to Nexon EV. Design-wise it is identical to the standard Nexon EV with exterior highlights such as Tata’s Humanity faux grille upfront and tri arrow motifs in the lower front and rear bumpers. It is based on the XZ+ trim, which costs Rs 15.56 lakh. Nexon Dark EV costs Rs 15.99 lakh. Top variant, XZ+ Lux costs Rs 16.65 lakhs. All prices are ex-sh. More

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    New Tata Tigor Electric Sedan Spied Undisguised – Up To 350 Kms Range

    Tata Tigor Electric Sedan2021 Tigor Electric sedan will come in with a larger battery pack with Tata’s Ziptron architecture and range of up to 350 kms
    The coming days will see launch of the second electric vehicle from Tata Motors for the passenger car market. 2021 Tata Tigor EV bookings have officially opened. Ahead of launch on 31st August, the New Tata Tigor Electric Sedan has started arriving at dealerships, where it has now been spied undisguised. Hat tip to automotive enthusiast Aryan Km for sharing the exclusive spy shots on Rushlane Spylane.
    Tata Motors’ Ziptron technology
    2021 Tigor EV will get Tata Motors’ Ziptron technology, which is also seen in the case of the Nexon EV. Ziptron technology offers a permanent magnet AC motor paired with a lithium-ion battery. This battery pack is both dust and waterproof and complies with IP67 standards.
    The Ziptron based Tigor will receive a 300V permanent magnet electric motor which is an upgrade as compared to the 72 V AC induction motor seen on its earlier counterpart. Tata Motors confirms that this technology would relate to a longer driving range of over 300 kms or even close to 350 kms, but these figures have not been confirmed as on date.
    The leaked photo shows instrument cluster with over 200 kms range with 59% battery charge left. At this rate, for a full 100% charge, the instrument cluster could show close to 350 kms range for the new Tata Tigor electric car.
    Tata Tigor Electric Range
    The Tigor EV receive alloy wheels with blue accents, LED DRLs mounted on its front bumper and similar designs for headlamp and grille as seen on the Nexon EV. The bumper will sport a tri-arrow pattern as is common on Tata vehicles.
    Given the fact that it receives some feature updates and an extended range would mean that pricing could also be increased over its earlier counterpart. However, the Tata Tigor EV would also take advantage of revisions in the FAME II scheme which along with state government subsidies could put in a highly affordable price range.
    Tata Fast Charging Capabilities
    As is seen in the case of Nexon, 2021 Tata Tigor EV would also support fast charging capabilities for added convenience. To put this into perspective, with Ziptron technology, the Nexon EV can be charged from 0 to 80 percent in just 60 minutes and upto 7-8 hours via a home charger which is also what is expected on the Tigor EV.
    Tata Tigor Electric Sedan
    Tata XPres-T
    Earlier this year, Tata Motors had also introduced the XPres-T, a variant of Tigor EV for commercial / fleet segment. It is presented in two variants of XM+ and XT+ and priced at Rs 9.75 lakh and Rs 9.90 lakh respectively.
    Xpress-T uses a 72V motor with a 21.5 kWh battery pack which along with Ziptron technology, takes power and range up significantly. Earlier last month, the model was open for bookings and deliveries commenced with the first batch rolling being delivered to Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd., Kolkata.

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