Subterms
Discuss: Volkswagen ID 4 goes safari style for the Mexican 1000
Sign in to comment
Be respectful, keep it civil and stay on topic. We delete comments that violate our policy, which we encourage you to read. Discussion threads can be closed at any time at our discretion. More
Huawei Electric Hybrid CarIf required, SF5 can also act as a battery that could be used to power or recharge other devices like television, etc.
The latest edition of the ongoing Shanghai Auto Show has been an exhibition of many exciting new vehicles that have been trending online. One of them is Huawei SF5 electric SUV which has been revealed in its final production-spec model. This officially marks the Chinese technology giant’s debut in the automotive world.
SF5 is a mid-size electric crossover with a unique plug-in hybrid powertrain that has been co-developed in partnership with California-based company Cyrus and will be retailed under the joint venture SERES brand. The entry of Huawei into the automotive sector is seen as the Chinese firm’s expansion policy of 1+8+N.
Huawei Electric Hybrid Car
The SUV has been launched at a starting price of CNY 216,800 that roughly translates to INR 25.20 lakh. Interested consumers can visit the website or Huawei’s Vmall e-commerce platform and book the electric crossover at a token amount of CNY 1000 (equivalent to INR 11,600). The car measures 4,700 mm long, 1,930 mm wide and 1,625 mm tall while it offers a wheelbase of 2,875 mm.
Exterior Design
In terms of its design, SF5 looks almost identical to its pre-production concept which made its maiden appearance in 2019. Although there are subtle differences in the production-spec model like additional ventilation holes on front bumper.
Huawei Electric Hybrid Car
The front end flaunts a mesh grille which is flanked by swept back and sleek LED headlamps along with L-shaped LED DRLs. At rear, it sports wraparound taillights connected by an LED light bar across the width. Other distinctive highlights include a wing-shaped window line, flush-mounted door handles and a sloping roofline.
Huawei Electric Hybrid Car
Interior Layout & Features on offer
Inside the cabin too, the layout is similar to the pre-production concept which flaunts a minimalistic dashboard featuring a wide-width air vent. The dash gets two large screens- one is a central touchscreen infotainment display in a portrait format providing access to all vehicle-related information. The other is a digital instrument cluster. Centre console is devoid of any fancy tech wizardry and only features a storage compartment and a gear selector knob ahead of the centre armrest.
Coming from Huawei, it is bound to be equipped with plenty of creature comforts such as Huawei’s Harmony OS-based HiCar system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Huawei Sound system with 11 speakers, an inductive charging station for smartphones, voice control services and much more. SF5 is laced with radar-based sensors to enable Level 2 autonomous features such as adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist to name a few.
Huawei Electric Hybrid Car
Powertrain Specs
The most interesting highlight is its unique plug-in hybrid powertrain somewhat similar to the recently revealed 2022 Nissan X-Trail, the only difference the latter doesn’t offer a plug-in recharge. Under the hood of SF5, it features a 1.5 litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol motor that acts as a range extender to recharge the battery. The battery pack feeds power to SEP200 asynchronous electric motors that return a cumulative output of 543 bhp and 820 Nm of peak torque. There is no shortage of performance as it sprints zero to 100 kmph in just 4.7 seconds.
Huawei has revealed an all-electric range of 180km while a cumulative range of 1000km using the range extender as per NEDC (New European Driving Cycle). Customers get the option of choosing from two variants of SF5- a single motor and a dual-motor setup. The latter is offered at a price of CNY 246,800 (equivalent to INR 28.67 lakh) More
I still need Honda to bring this car to the US. Please and thank you.
Honda
Honda on Friday laid out ambitious targets for its business: It wants to phase out all engines in production cars by 2040. According to Honda’s new CEO, Toshihiro Mibe, a mix of electric vehicles and fuel-cell powertrains will take their place.The specific goals call for Honda to ramp up its share of EV and fuel-cell vehicles in the coming years, starting with 40% of all cars sold globally featuring one of the zero-emissions powertrains by 2030. The share under these plans moves to 80% by 2035 and finally 100% by 2040, effectively ending the internal-combustion engine at Honda. Can VTEC kick in with batteries?The automaker again confirmed it has two large EV models under joint development with GM and publicly disclosed for the first time that one will be for Honda — and the other for Acura. Rumor has it they’ll be a pair of electric SUVs GM will also build for Honda at two of its North America production sites. However, Honda won’t simply task GM with all the EV development work.The company said it plans for a new electric car platform in the second half of this decade dubbed the “e:Architecture.” We’ll see a “series” of new EVs based on the platform in the years to come. Honda said it’ll first launch in North America before heading to other parts of the world. In tandem, Mibe said the company will launch extensive research and development initiatives into solid-state batteries — with the goal of putting such a battery into production by decade’s end. On the hydrogen side, Honda plans to continue working with GM via another joint venture: a focus on commercial trucks and other power sources.
Climb in the driver’s seat for the latest car news and reviews, delivered to your inbox twice weekly. More
Mahindra e2o Plus Electric
Mahindra retailed e20 Plus electric hatch in three trims- P2, P4 and P6
Mahindra was one of the first auto manufacturers in the private vehicle segment in India to venture into the electric mobility space. It developed two electric vehicle (EV) models namely eVerito and e20 Plus in sedan and hatchback body styles respectively.
However, they were unable to gain any popularity among masses due to limited availability and lack of charging infrastructure and hence were discontinued. Range anxiety was another issue that led to the downfall of these vehicles, especially e20 that offered below par single-charge range.
Additional battery backup results in 350km range
The electric hatch was offered with two battery options- an 11kWh battery pack and a 15kWH battery pack. The former claimed a maximum range of 110km whereas the latter claimed a range of 140km on a single charge.
In real-world situations, the range declined even further with the use of the air conditioner in a stop and go traffic. Northway Motorsport, based out of Pune, has managed to increase the single-charge range of the electric hatch.
Mahindra e2o Plus Electric with range extender
A video, courtesy of Hemank Dabhade, uploaded on YouTube shows a stock e20 Plus being installed with a 17kWh battery pack. This is in addition to the pre-existing 11kWH Lithion-ion battery which results in a total capacity of 28kWh.
The additional 17kWh range extender pack has been placed in the car’s boot space. The purpose of making the video is to find out how much can the car travel on a full charge with additional battery backup.
The drive was conducted in a real-world scenario, in a very cautious manner with the air conditioner being turned off during the entire journey. The car was driven with extreme care below 25 percent SOC to reduce power consumption even further. At the end of the drive, the upgraded e20 Plus resulted in a distance traveled around 350km before the battery was completely drained out.
[embedded content]
e20 Plus Features & Specs
This is a remarkable figure considering the limited capacity of the power source. It was further aided by regenerative braking and additionally, 15-18 km of journey was covered in moderate downslopes. This helped e20 Plus attain a very impressive range which is hard to achieve by any EV on sale currently in the real world.
The electric car was driven by a three-phase AC Induction Motor which returns a very modest output of 26 bhp at 3500rpm and 70 Nm at 1050rpm. It could clock a top speed of 80kmph while it could sprint 0-60 kmph in a yawning 14.1 seconds. It was offered with a standard 3kW single Phase 16 Amp charger which took 7hrs and 20 mins for the larger 15kWh battery pack to get charged while the smaller 12 kWh unit took 6 hours to juice up. More
2022 Nissan X-TrailLike its American counterpart, the new Nissan-Trail will be offered in multiple seating configurations
The latest edition of the Shanghai Auto Show in China has been a showcase to many highly anticipated international models. One of them is the fifth generation Nissan X-Trail which was recently unveiled at the biennial motor show. From the first look, it can be witnessed that the upcoming SUV has undergone quite a few changes both above and underneath its skin.
Nissan’s flagship SUV in its latest form is based on the CMF-C crossover platform that has been co-developed by the Japanese manufacturer along with its alliance partners Renault and Mitsubishi. The upcoming SUV already went on sale in the US market as ‘Rogue’ a few months back.
Exterior Design
The new-gen X-Trail is based on Nissan’s 3.0 design philosophy which results in a plethora of exterior updates. This includes a more butch appearance at front with a new split lighting setup, oversize trapezoidal front grille and aggressive front bumper.
Blacked-out roof, ORVMs, pillars and side body claddings provide the necessary sporty appeal to the premium SUV. At rear, it features a pair of wraparound LED taillights and a muscular bash plate along with striking design lines.
2022 Nissan X-Trail
Interior Layout & Features
Although dimensions are yet to be revealed officially, if it follows its American sibling then the new X-Trail is likely to be 38mm shorter and 5mm lower than its predecessor. Inside the cabin, things don’t change much as the upcoming model continues to offer a three-row configuration with folding seats in the third row.
As far as features are concerned, it will be offered with a larger touchscreen infotainment system that houses various connectivity features, wireless charging, ventilated front seats and a bunch of driver-assist functions.
New powertrain on offer
The most notable highlight lies under the SUV’s hood. The new-gen X-Trail gets an e-POWER technology featuring a VC Turbo 300 petrol motor that is solely used to charge a battery powering a DC electric motor mounted on the front axle.
This hybrid powertrain results in an output of 201 bhp and 300 Nm of peak torque. Like the fully electric Nissan Leaf, 2021 X-Trail also features a one-pedal operational ability called ‘e-Pedal’. This system offers enhanced fuel efficiency and lower emissions in comparison to its conventional IC engine-powered counterparts.
The upcoming SUV will also be available with Nissan’s 4×4 Intelligent AWD system that sends power to all four wheels. This new iteration of X-Trail is expected to go on sale in international markets later this year. While the current third-gen X-Trail never made it to India, we hope Nissan gives it some consideration this time around. More
Toyota bZ4X Electric ConceptToyota has already filed trademarks for other bZ models such as bZ1X up to bZ5X in India
Slowdown in the global automotive industry hasn’t impacted the process of automakers transitioning to electrified powertrains. Toyota has announced that it will be adding as many fifteen fully electric vehicles (EVs) in its global lineup out of which seven will wear the branding of bZ which stands for ‘Beyond Zero’.
The first of the bZ lineup has now been revealed in a pre-production concept form called bZ4X which is loosely based on Toyota’s mid-size SUV RAV4. Given RAV4’s popularity in international markets, it was a no-brainer for the Japanese carmaker. The crossover has been built on e-TNGA platform in partnership with Subaru.
Toyota bZ4X Electric Concept
Exterior Design
As expected, the bZ4X Concept takes a number of styling inspirations from its IC engine-powered cousin. It is similar in shape and size to RAV4 but sits a little lower and is slightly longer than the latter.
At front, it gets a small hexagonal grille in the lower section of the face with small vertical inlets in the corners. Otherwise, the front end has no openings with a trapezoidal nose. The headlight clusters have four projector LED beams and a strip of LED DRLs at top of each.
Toyota bZ4X Electric Concept
Moving to its side profile, it gets swift character lines flowing backward giving it the impression of a scooped-out section. Lower part of the door kinks upward at the rear fenders while a rear spoiler and high beltline add a sporty element to its design. Like RAV4, the C-pillar has a steep coupe-like rake while glossy black wheel arches and multi-spoke tubeless alloy wheels accentuate the crossover’s sporty appeal.
Toyota bZ4X Electric Concept
At rear, LED illumination comprising boomerang-shaped taillights and a full-width strip across the tailgate gives it a premium appeal. Overall, the bZX4 concept grabs the attention by its bold and futuristic looks. Its interior, though premium and modern, fails to complement the exterior.
Interior Layout & Features
The cabin features a bulky steering column with a digital instrument cluster almost stuck to the windscreen glass. The dashboard flaunts a wide touchscreen infotainment unit extending up to the centre console finished in piano with rotary dials for toggling assistance systems and drive modes.
Toyota bZ4X Electric Concept
It also receives a touchpad with a blue glow that can be used to operate the infotainment screen. Other highlights include multi-zone climate control, USB charging ports and a dual-tone interior theme.
The rear seat seems fairly spacious thanks to the lack of a drivetrain hump and a wide cabin which should accommodate three adults abreast. Toyota hasn’t yet revealed the exact powertrain specs. The e-TNGA platform is suited for both single motor and dual motor setups.
Toyota bZ4X Electric Concept
The former can be opted in either front-wheel-drive or rear-wheel-drive layouts while the latter comes with all-wheel-drive capabilities. A single-motor variant called bZ4 should also be included in the lineup. Basically, the ‘X’ in the model name refers to all-wheel-drive vehicles.
Toyota has trademarked BZ, BZ1, BZ2, BZ3, BZ4 and BZ5 in India
A rebadged crossover under Subaru branding shall also be developed. Expect production version of bZ4X to start reaching markets by mid-2022. Toyota intends to launch all seven bZ models by 2025 which will also include an electric pickup truck. Production of the electric crossover is expected to be carried out in Japan and China. More
Image – Usha Ki KiranIn 6 months since launch, 1000 units of Mahindra Treo Zor electric three-wheeler (cargo) last mile delivery vehicles have been sold
Mahindra Treo Zor electric three-wheeler (cargo) last mile delivery vehicle have crossed its first 1,000 unit sales milestone. This was achieved in 6 months since launch. This translates into selling on avg of about 5.5 units every day. Sales has enabled the manufacturer to report market share of 59 percent in its segment.
EV adaption is a key focus area for manufacturers. While, this will in time be a common pattern in both commercial and private use, for now, commercial use is boosting India’s electric vehicle journey. In this front, small cargo vehicles are playing a key role. With a large number of e-commerce companies committed to reducing carbon footprint, the switch to electric cargo and delivery vehicles seems a natural choice.
Amazon India fleet
A big boost comes from its place in large-scale fleets. For instance, Amazon India. As recently as February 2021, 100 units of Treo Zor was delivered to the e-commerce giant for use in 7 cities.
For Mahindra, its newest Treo Zor electric three-wheeler (cargo) EV is raking in numbers through its validity as a delivery vehicle. Together, Mahindra Treo range of electric three-wheelers has surpassed the 8,000 units in sales milestone. Use of electric vehicles focuses on reduction in CO2 tailpipe emissions, and Treo For is doing just that.
Mahindra Treo Zor Electric
Payload capacity of 550 kgs
In terms of commercial fleet vehicles, key success pointers include use in multiple applications, load reliability, and cost effectiveness. Treo makes possible savings of more than Rs 60,000/year. Payload capacity is pegged at 550 kgs. In terms of performance, Treo Zor EV offers 8kW and 42 Nm of torque more than a comparable diesel three-wheeler.
Ride comfort has evolved around fatigue free experience owing to Zor’s clutchless automatic transmission. It also comes with the promise of being noiseless, and vibration free. Long wheelbase of 2216 mm and tyres of 30.48 cm add to safety through ride stability.
The lithium-ion battery in use is zero maintenance and is stated to go for 1.5 lakh km, and 3 years / 80,000 km standard warranty. There’s also the option of extending warranty by an additional 2 years / 1 lakh km.
Mahesh Babu, CEO, Mahindra Electric Mobility said, “Treo Zor has been a game changer for Mahindra and more importantly for our customers who have decided to lead India’s shift towards e-mobility. With its customer-centric design and efficient performance, Treo Zor offers higher savings that customers expect from a last mile electric cargo vehicle.” More
Ford EVOS
Upcoming Ford Evos will replace Mondeo in European and Fusion in North American markets
Ford Evos Concept made its maiden appearance a decade ago back in 2011 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Now, the American carmaker has revealed Evos in its final production-spec model at the Auto Shanghai event of 2021. The crossover is the first product of a joint venture between the Blue Oval brand and Chinese automaker Changan.
Evos is essentially a crossover between an SUV and Coupe, and is believed to succeed the outgoing Ford Mondeo/Fusion. It has been largely developed by a team of Changan and will initially be manufactured at the joint venture’s facility in China. The SUV is most likely to go on sale in China later this year followed by other international markets.
Exterior Styling
The front face of Evos is reminiscent of another China-specific model which recently went on sale- Equator. It features a low-set bonnet along with super-thin LED headlamps that are connected to each other by a thin LED strip. The light strip extends into daytime running lights and the headlight clusters merge with a wide, octagonal and blacked-out radiator grille.
Move to its side, its coupe-like silhouette, pop-out door handles and flat-sloping D-pillars remind us of Mustang Mach-E. Other highlights from the side profile include black body claddings, sleek window area and sharp crease lines in the upper portion.
Ford Evos
At rear, the most attractive piece of highlight are C-shaped LED taillights connected via a full-width LED light strip. Exhaust pipe has been kept discreet which suggests that this car might be available in an electric powertrain as well. Other styling elements include 19-inch blacked-out alloy wheels, ‘EVOS’ written in bold lettering at rear and two-tone paint schemes with a black roof.
Interior Styling & Features
Coming to interiors, the cabin of Evos is simple and minimalist yet highly digital and very futuristic. Interior of the upcoming SUV gets a sporty black treatment enhanced by orange accents on the dash, centre console and steering wheel.
Almost the entire dashboard is divided into two display screens- one for the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and the other a 27-inch 4K ultra-wide infotainment screen. The infotainment Operating system (OS) runs on Ford’s localized SYNC+ 2.0 with Baidu’s AI tech which it refers to as a virtual personal assistant.
Ford EVOS
Ford hasn’t let out any specifications of its powertrain or dimensions as of now but it is expected to feature a hybrid as well as a fully electric power source. More details regarding the crossover will be revealed in months to come. More
