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      BYD eMAX7 First Drive Review – Only MPV With Electrifying Performance!

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      New BYD eMAX7 First Drive ReviewPowering a 201 bhp and 310 Nm electric motor, we have a 71.8 kWh battery on BYD eMAX7 and is capable of sprinting from 0-100 km/h in 8.6s
      There is something about people movers that has captivated many of the Asian markets, making them a popular car genre. India is no different. We have a love affair with MPVs as they appeal to large families. However, there has been just one electric MPV in India which has undergone a massive overhaul recently.
      We’re talking about BYD eMAX7, the spiritual successor of e6 electric MPV. BYD has significantly increased the appeal of this electric MPV by a massive design overhaul and updated interiors to modernize it. We drove the eMAX7 in Chennai as part of national media drive arranged by BYD India and here is what we think about the latest iteration of this electric MPV.
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      BYD eMAX7 First Drive Review
      As part of the national media drive hosted by BYD India, the company provided Rushlane with a top-spec eMAX7 Superior trim with 7-seater configuration finished in a subtle Harbour Grey shade. There are two trim levels offered with two seating configurations yielding a total of 4 variants. Pricing for eMAX7 starts from Rs 26.9 lakh (Ex-sh).
      At this price, the main MPV rivals for BYD eMAX7 are Toyota Innova Crysta, Innova Hycross and its Maruti counterpart, Invicto. Innova Hycross and Invicto are more fitting rivals than Crysta, considering the monocoque chassis and electrification in their powertrains. There is a strong case for BYD eMAX7 with fleet operators in commercial sector as well, just like Innova Hycross.
      New BYD eMAX7 First Drive
      Understated Design
      Where design is concerned, BYD eMAX7 looks a lot better than its predecessor e6. BYD calls it a dragon face design owing to their Chinese origin, but it looks more like shark face to me. Regardless, we liked the way it looks and is not flashy or in-your-face like a few rivals. eMAX7 doesn’t try to look like an SUV, lending it sophisticated appeal and understated elegance.
      Front has a sloping bonnet with a few creases for character. The bonnet is hydraulically assisted. Headlights look classy with 5 projector elements with LEDs illuminating them. LED DRLs are integrated into these headlights. A satin silver element connects these headlights and gets a BYD logo sitting proudly. There are no fog lights here, but eMAX7 gets active air curtains in the front bumper to smoothen the airflow and improve aerodynamic efficiency.
      New BYD eMAX7 First Drive
      Side profile has a strong belt line that directs one’s vision towards eMAX7’s 4,710 mm length and 2,800 mm long wheelbase. The ORVMs are aerodynamic in shape and BYD is quite proud of this design. Car’s window line is accentuated with chrome, lending a premium appeal. There is a chrome strip on the running board as well. Only fly in the ointment here are the 17-inch alloy wheels that look rather small on this vehicle. 18-inchers would have looked swanky.
      At the rear, we get a shark fin antenna, connected LED tail lights, a roof spoiler, a body-coloured bumper and chrome strips across tail light and bumper. The paint quality is commendable too. BYD opted to offer a fixed glass roof with eMAX7, which is the more logical choice amidst OEMs offering panoramic sunroofs where kids and adults end up sticking their heads and torsos out.
      New BYD eMAX7 First Drive
      Well-designed Interiors
      Being a Rs 30 lakh vehicle, one would expect a premium experience on the inside and BYD eMAX7 does not disappoint in this regard. For starters, there is a well-designed and laid-out dashboard. There are impressive soft-touch materials on all four door pads and on the centre console where driver’s and front passenger’s knees would graze. These elements are properly soft to the touch, which is not often the case with vehicles in this price range.
      New BYD eMAX7 Dashboard
      Dashboard only gets hard plastics and an interesting open-pore wood-like effect. The glovebox is damped and so are the interior grab rails. Materials used for seat upholstery are of good quality and so is the leather wrapped on steering wheel. The rockers, dials and buttons on centre console and steering wheel are of good quality too. There is a single wireless charger in eMAX7’s centre console.
      New BYD eMAX7 Rotatable Infotainment
      Seats are reasonably sized and offer good support for a full-grown adult like myself. But the seat base lacks under-thigh support in all three rows. Front seats are electrically adjustable, while rear seats are manually adjustable for sliding, reclining and folding. Steering wheel is adjustable for tilt and reach, allowing for driver to get a comfortable driving position. 2nd row seats could have offered more space, especially where width is concerned.
      When two adults sat in 2nd-row seats, our elbows grazed, which is not a good sign. I think the 7-seater variant makes very little sense as there is no shoulder room to even put a baby in the middle. Even knee room for 2nd-row occupants is nothing to write home about. Accessing third-row seats is fairly easy, but the space here is only acceptable for kids. AC vents are roof-mounted for 2nd-row and 3rd-row occupants.
      New BYD eMAX7
      Features & Creature Comforts
      Interior lighting is all LED, including the vanity lights with auto function for driver and front passenger. Glass roof is fixed and is treated to cut down on a few spectra of harmful sunlight. Sunshade is electrically operated. There are many USB ports for occupants to charge up their devices. With all the seats up, BYD eMAX7 does not have a lot of luggage space. With 3rd-row folded, there is around 580L of boot space, which can be further expanded by folding the 2nd-row seats. A missed opportunity for BYD is an absence of front storage as it looked like they could have extracted 100L of volumetric luggage space here.
      New BYD eMAX7 Semi-Storage
      The main highlight of BYD eAMX7’s interiors is that it offers a 12.8-inch rectangular display that can rotate to portrait or landscape orientations. However, many functions like Android Auto don’t work in portrait orientation. Speaking of, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are wireless on this vehicle. The screen also controls the dual-zone Auto AC and front ventilated seat function.
      New BYD eMAX7 Steering Controls
      This screen acts as a monitor for 360-degree camera feature too and works very well on this vehicle. However, we would have liked it if BYD had a dedicated software for infotainment screen. The overall UI looked like it is from an aftermarket Android system and there even is an SD card reader under front center armrest to stream media. Steering has controls to operate an MID in the semi-digital instrument cluster.
      New BYD eMAX7 Semi-Digital Instrument Cluster
      There is an NFC key card that communicates through right ORVM. BYD eMAX7 also has ADAS suite, which does a decent job. Lane Keeping Assist was not functioning at times. Thus Auto Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control and other features needed more polish. There are six airbags on offer and disc brakes are offered on all four wheels along with ABS, EBD, TCS, ESP and more.
      New BYD eMAX7
      Performance and Dynamics
      Being an electric vehicle is probably BYD eMAX7’s biggest strength. We say this because the performance is genuinely exhilarating with instant torque available at 0 RPM. The 71.8 kWh battery pack promises a range of 530 km on a single charge. This battery had 99% SOC when we received the car with 347 km on the odometer. After driving 152.8 km, SOC dropped to 41% with 500km on the odometer.
      New BYD eMAX7
      We used 58% of battery (41.644 kWh) to drive 152.8 km. So, we got 3.66 km/kWh efficiency with 263 km of range from a single charge. However, in real-life situations, one can expect BYD eMAX7 to return around 5 km/kWh and 360 km range, with normal driving styles in Eco Mode. Speaking of, there are three driving modes – Eco, Normal and Sport, with a reasonable distinction between them. A 201 bhp 8-in-1 electric motor with 310 Nm of instant torque sips juice from this battery. It pulls cleanly and BYD quotes acceleration figures of 8.6 seconds.
      New BYD eMAX7
      The heavy battery allows for a composed ride with impressive stability at higher speeds. The suspension setup is commendable and does a very good job of absorbing the road undulations and imperfections. It doesn’t feel robust but comes very close. Another notable attribute of eMAX7 is its NVH, or the lack thereof. Cabin insulation is excellent with little to no wind noise from A-Pillars and ORVMs and minimal tyre noise from wheel wells.
      Speaking of tyres, BYD is equipping eMAX7 with 225/55-R17 tyres from a brand called Giti Tires and it loses traction relatively easily. We would have liked stickier tyres with more grip, especially considering the acceleration it has. The 55% profile is also slightly concerning for Indian road conditions. Dynamically, BYD eMAX7 has a lot of body roll, decent steering feedback and some nose-diving under braking. The stopping power is impressive with good initial bite and progression.
      New BYD eMAX7
      Conclusion
      Considering eMAX7 is a fully imported CBU, BYD has got the pricing right, making the locally manufactured rivals look like they’re “not aggressively priced” at all. We say this because the top-spec locally manufactured Innova Hycross with a tiny battery and negligible pure-EV range costs Rs 31 lakh (Ex-sh).
      In comparison, top-spec BYD eMAX Superior 7S costs Rs 29.9 lakh (Ex-sh) offering a 71.8 kWh battery, 530 km range on a single charge and a 201 bhp electric motor that can sprint to 100 km/h in a claimed 8.6 seconds. So, one should just ignore the Toyota Innova Hycross in favour of BYD eMAX7. Right?
      New BYD eMAX7 Key
      The answer to this question is not as easy as it sounds. BYD eMAX7 doesn’t have usable boot with 3rd-row up and it lacks cabin width for that “Seth Ji” feeling. The lack of an auto-dimming IRVM is a deal-breaker, according to me. Something that BYD should consider fixing in an update. Also, there is a lot of space under the bonnet, which BYD could have used for a front trunk. But there is isn’t one.
      New BYD eMAX7 Door Paddings
      For small family with occasional need of 3rd-row and the owner/buyer wants exhilarating performance with a feature rich, premium and tech-savvy cabin, Yes. eMAX7 is an easy recommendation. However, if the buyer wants a good chauffeur-driven experience or needs genuine space to seat up to 8 people and have usable boot with 3rd-row up, the answer is no. But we recommend prospective buyers to keep BYD eMAX7 in the wishlist and take a test drive.
      New BYD eMAX7 More

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      Mahindra XUV3XO EV Spied In Near-Production Form – Nexon EV Rival

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      Mahindra XUV3XO EV SpiedUnlike the 4.2m length of XUV400, the upcoming XUV3XO EV is likely to be under the 4m constraint similar to ICE XUV3XO on sale
      Ever since Mahindra launched the XUV400, it has been hailed as the most performant and fun-to-drive electric offering in its segment. Since launch, Mahindra updated it once earlier this year with a refreshed interior, while the exteriors were yet to be refreshed. That is happening now and we are seeing more test mules of XUV3XO EV.
      Mahindra XUV3XO EV Spied
      Essentially, XUV3XO EV is XUV400 facelift. Mahindra is updating XUV400 with a new design language, similar to the one we saw with XUV3XO. It will have a lot of road presence and will appeal to a broader range of audiences, owing to its new design. This is a radical new design that is likely to boost the sales of XUV400 or XUV3XO EV in its segment.
      Mahindra XUV3XO EV Front
      Speaking of segments, there is a massive jump in XUV3XO EV’s positioning. While rest of the manufacturers are making their vehicles larger, Mahindra is making the XUV400 smaller and will fit it into the sub 4m SUV segment. This is a lot logical too as it will now share its underpinnings and all of its exterior sheet metal with ICE XUV3XO.
      Thus bringing the costs down. It has to be recalled that XUV400 is a 4.2m long vehicle with a unique rear section than XUV300 (discontinued). This was done in favour of a larger boot. However, ICE XUV3XO has trimmed the spare wheel size and has liberated a larger boot while still being sub 4m in length.
      Mahindra XUV3XO EV Rear
      We can expect a similar luggage carrying capacity of 364L of ICE XUV3XO on the upcoming XUV3XO EV. It will adhere to sub 4m length, as suggested by the recent spy shots. Even the 17-inch alloy wheels look identical to those of ICE XUV3XO’s. As of now, the badges seen on this recent test mule read XUV3XO and not XUV3XO EV.
      The main differentiating factor is that the XUV3XO EV will come with a Copper contrasting roof, which Mahindra only offered with XUV400. Even on the inside, we can see Copper highlights around the gear selector on centre console. XUV3XO’s large C-shaped LED DRLs, and connected LED tail lights are likely to remain unchanged.
      Mahindra XUV3XO EV
      What does it get?
      We can expect the same set of updates that XUV3XO got. For starters, the soft-touch dashboard and door pads, ventilated front seats, LED interior lights, wireless charger, 10.2-inch free-standing infotainment screen, 10.2-inch instrument screen, camera-based Level-2 ADAS, automatic climate control, panoramic sunroof, rear AC vents and more.
      Where powertrains are concerned, XUV400 currently gets 34.5 kWh and 39.4 kWh battery pack options promising up to 456 km of range on a single charge. The 310 Nm of torque is segment-leading and will be XUV3XO EV’s main selling point. There might be a new battery with around 45 kWh capacity, considering Nexon EV just got one.
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      Creta EV, Carens EV Spied Together In Varanasi – To Share Parts, Powertrain ?

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      Creta EV, Carens EV Spied Together
      With mass market products like Creta EV and Carens EV, Hyundai and Kia will be gearing up for the tough competition ahead
      In the next few years, the EV segment will witness several new product launches from most of the leading brands. For the mainstream EV market, Hyundai and Kia will be placing their bets initially on Creta EV and Carens EV. These were recently spotted on road tests in Varanasi by automotive enthusiast Abhishek.
      Kia Carens EV – What to expect?
      Carens EV will be based on the ICE Carens facelift model that is expected to arrive in mid-2025. Spy shots reveal that Carens EV has new alloy wheels. Since it will be based on the ICE facelift model, some changes are expected across the front fascia. Much of the sheet metal will be common for both Carens EV and ICE Carens facelift. An earlier test vehicle was spotted with a new, more robust suspension setup. That will be necessary to bear the load of the battery pack.
      Kia Carens EV Spied
      To expand its market reach, Carens EV is expected to be offered in both 6-seater and 7-seater options. Features on the inside will be borrowed mostly from the ICE model. The Carens facelift has a number of exterior and interior features similar to the EV5. Some key highlights include dual 10.25-inch screens, a 360° camera and a panoramic sunroof. Carens EV will be getting a comprehensive range of ADAS features.
      Hyundai Creta EV – Key features
      As evident from the test vehicle, Creta EV has the same silhouette as that of the ICE variant. However, some distinctive features are evident such as the new design for the alloy wheels. These are aerodynamic, low drag units that can boost performance and range. Changes are likely at the front as well. Creta EV will be getting a closed-off grille and exclusive badging to highlight its electric underpinnings.
      Hyundai Creta EV Spied
      Earlier spy shots had revealed that Creta EV will be getting a new circular steering wheel with a 3-spoke design. One of the test vehicles was seen with distinctive ‘CRETA electric’ badging on the upholstery. To achieve a differentiation with the ICE mode, Creta EV is expected to get new interior theme options. Choices for the ambient lighting can also be more dynamic in comparison to the ICE model.
      Equipment list for Creta EV will be largely the same as that of the ICE model. However, some new features are likely, especially the ones possible only with an electric car. This approach may also be aimed at motivating potential customers to make the switch to electric. Features borrowed from the ICE variant will include dual 10.25-inch screens, front ventilated seats and panoramic sunroof. Creta EV will have leather wrapped steering wheel, electric parking brake with auto hold, USB ports and wireless charger.
      Hyundai Creta EV is expected to get a 45-kWh battery pack, linked to a 138 hp electric motor. Certified range could be around 450 km, whereas real-world range may be approximately 350 km. It is highly likely that the powertrain option could be common for Creta EV and Carens EV. More

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      2025 Kia EV2 Small SUV Spied – Smaller Than Upcoming Clavis/Syros ?

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      Kia EV2 Small SUV Spied. Image – Namcha CafeKia EV2 is likely to be the company’s smallest EV under 4 meter in length – To sit below the EV3 in company lineup
      After introducing the EV3 earlier this year across global markets, Kia has started testing the EV2. First spy shots have emerged, where Kia EV2 can be seen parked next to Volkswagen ID.3. One can get a fair estimate about the length and other dimensional aspects of Kia EV2.
      Kia EV2 – What to expect?
      As evident in the spy shots, Kia EV2 has a boxy profile. Some of the key features include vertically stacked lighting elements, a squarish bonnet design and a flat front fascia. This is similar to what we had seen in the test mule spied in India, which is rumoured to be the Clavis or Syros upon launch.
      Kia EV2 Small SUV Spied
      The charging port is located at the front, similar to the EV3. It hints at the possibility that Kia EV2 could be using a front wheel drive setup on the e-GMP platform. Overall design and styling will be similar to the brand’s flagship electric car, the EV9. Some of the features can also be derived from EV3.
      Side profile of the test vehicle reveals a sporty, dual-tone design of the alloy wheels. The electric crossover has dual-tone ORVMs with integrated turn signals. Other key highlights include a slightly tapering roof towards the rear, roof rails, blacked-out B pillar and conventional door handles. Kia EV2 has thick body cladding and prominent wheel arches. At the rear, edgy tail lamps and high-mounted stop lamps will ensure a distinctive profile for EV2.
      Kia AY (codename) – Upcoming Clavis / Syros for India
      Kia EV2 – Battery and Range
      In terms of its bodywork and chassis, the Kia EV2 could have the same configuration as that of Hyundai Inster. However, some recent reports indicate that the battery packs could be different for Kia EV2. Possibilities include the option of a 42-kWh battery pack with LFP chemistry and a 62 kWh NMC unit. In that case, the range of Kia EV2 will be 300 km and 439 km, respectively, as per the WLTP cycle.
      Similar to other electric cars from Kia, the EV2 will support fast charging. When using a public DC fast charger, users should be able to charge the battery pack from 10% to 80% in around 30 minutes. Equipped with powerful electric motors, Kia EV2 will be able to achieve fast acceleration. As a reference point, we can take the Kia EV3 that utilizes a 150 kW/283 Nm electric motor. EV3 can achieve 0 to 100 kmph in around 7.5 seconds.
      Kia EV2 could get advanced features such as vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging. This allows the vehicle to be used as a power bank. Users will be able to charge various devices such as laptops, coffee machines and small refrigerators, etc.
      Kia EV2 for India
      For the Indian market, Kia will not launch the EV2. We will instead get a different version which has already been spied on test. It is likely to be christened as the Kia Clavis or Syros SUV upon India launch next year. Both ICE and EV variants will be available for sale in India. More

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      Hyundai Inster Cross Electric SUV Debuts – 360 Kms Range, 3.8m Length, ADAS

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      Hyundai Inster Cross Electric SUVAs compared to the regular Inster Electric SUV, the adventure focused Inster Cross e-SUV gets larger bumpers, added underbody protection, 17 inch wheels and a roof rack
      It may be remembered that Hyundai had introduced the Inster electric SUV at the Busan International Mobility Show earlier this year. Now the company has come out with an adventure-focused variant called the ‘Inster Cross’. It will sport many off-road features and revised interiors though it will see no mechanical updates over its Inster counterpart.
      Hyundai Inster Cross e-SUV
      New Inster Cross e-SUV is set to enter production later in 2025 while it will be built at Hyundai’s manufacturing facility in Korea. Drawing the attention of a more adventure oriented set of buyers, Hyundai Inster Cross, though built on the same platform as Inster, will display a tougher stance over the latter. It will gain many off-road-focused design elements though it will see no mechanical changes. It gets front-wheel drive configuration.
      Hyundai Inster Cross Electric SUV
      This adventure focused electric SUV will sport the same colour options as seen on the Inster. These include Atlas White, Unbleached Ivory, Aero Silver Matte, Abyss Black Pearl and Tomboy Khaki while it will be marked by an exclusive Amazonas Green Matte colour option. Some of these exterior colour choices will also be offered in a two-tone scheme with a contrasting black roof.
      Hyundai Inster Cross will also sport a revised body kit with 17 inch alloy wheels, blackened cladding, revised front and rear bumpers along with side skirt and roof rack. Measuring 3,825mm in length, 1,610 mm in width and 1,575mm in height, the Inster Cross, besides its diminutive stance, will bear a more rugged and adventure oriented look as compared to the standard model.
      Hyundai Inster Cross Electric SUV
      The interiors will see a single colour scheme of grey and lime yellow both on its seating and dashboard. It sports a pair of 10.25 inch screens for infotainment and drive display along with a multifunction steering wheel. The seats in front are of bench type while second row seats can either be folded flat or are in a 50:50 split with recline function. For better accessibility, the seats can also be slid forward and backward individually. The boot will be of 280 to 351 liter (9.9 to 12.4 cubic feet) capacity depending on configuration.
      Hyundai Inster Cross e-SUV will also be fitted with several driver assistance features like its standard counterpart. In terms of safety, it will include an ADAS package with Highway Driving Assist 1.5, Smart Cruise Control, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 1, Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Centering with Navigation Data along with an Autonomous Emergency Braking System.
      Standard and Long Range Electric Powertrains
      As is also seen on the Hyundai Inster, the Cross variant will also receive both standard and long range electric powertrains. The motor will offer 95 hp power or 113 hp power with battery capacity of 42 kWh or 49 kWh. The higher powered battery will be capable of an all-electric range (AER) of 359 kms (223 miles) WLTP range and support 120 kWh charging. Fast charging will be possible from 10%-80% in 30 minutes and supports 120 kWh DC charging.
      With production set to commence from later this year, prices will be revealed closer to official launch. Inster Cross will make its way to markets across Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific region. For Indian markets, apart from an Inster-based EV, Hyundai also plans an onslaught into the electric SUV segment with the Creta EV along with electric versions of the Venue and Grand i10. More

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      Mahindra XUV Coupe Spied Up Close – White Interiors, 19 Inch Wheels

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      Mahindra XUV Coupe SpiedMahindra’s upcoming born-electric SUVs could provide a significant boost to the EV segment, which is currently progressing at a relatively slow pace
      Since the concepts were unveiled, enthusiasts have been eagerly awaiting the launch of Mahindra’s all-new BE and XUV.e electric SUV range. The wait will soon be over, as evident with the intensified road tests and recent TVC shoots.
      XUV.e9 Coupe spied in detail
      While the BE.05 and XUV.e8 have also been spotted frequently on road tests, the latest spy shots are of XUV.e9 Coupe. Latest spy shots are credited to automotive enthusiast Vaisakh Shaji.
      Mahindra XUV Coupe Spied
      A full 360° view of the test vehicle reveals that the production model is quite the same as the concept version. XUV.e9 is the coupe version of XUV.e8, which in turn is the electric version of XUV700. While the sloping coupe roofline is a major attraction, the SUV’s huge size ensures a powerful road presence.
      In its concept form, the XUV.e9 Coupe was 4,790 mm long, 1,905 mm wide, 1,690 mm tall and had a wheelbase of 2,775 mm. Spy shots reveal that there are unlikely to be any major differences in the dimensions of production-spec XUV.e9. Talking about exterior features, one can see a new triangular headlamp cluster design. This is the same as seen with the XUV.e8. Inside the headlamp housing, there are cube-shaped lighting elements and copper-coloured highlighters.
      Mahindra XUV Coupe Spied
      XUV.e9 Coupe has a multi-layered bonnet, with a tapering front section. This is aesthetically pleasing and can also improve the driver’s road view. Mahindra’s new infinity logo is mounted on the bonnet. The massive closed-off grille enhances the SUV’s powerful presence, whereas the bumper trim in copper finish highlights its electric underpinnings.
      Mahindra XUV Coupe Spied
      Mahindra XUV Coupe R19 wheels
      Mahindra XUV.e9 can be seen with 19-inch wheels wrapped in 245/55 tyres. The low-drag, aerodynamic design appears to be the same as seen with the concept. Other highlights of the side profile include pop-out flush door handles at the front and C-pillar mounted rear door handles. The window line will be getting a copper garnish, contrasting the blacked-out pillars, fenders, thick body cladding and door side moulding.
      Mahindra XUV Coupe Spied – White Seats
      At the rear, XUV.e9 has connected LED tail lights. The test vehicle can be seen with the charging port installed at the rear, just next to the left tail lamp. A battery level indicator can also be seen above the charging port. A chunky tailgate complements the SUV’s powerful road presence.
      Mahindra XUV Coupe Spied – Steering Wheel
      Mahindra XUV.e9 interiors
      One of the key features of XUV.e9 is its triple-screen layout. Covering almost the entire width of the dashboard, the triple-screen layout ensures a futuristic and immersive display experience. With consumer preferences hugely in favour of hi-tech gadgetry, the 3-screen layout could become more common in the coming years.
      Mahindra XUV Coupe Spied – Digital display
      XUV.e9 Coupe is seen with white interiors. The seats, door panels, pillars, roof are all in white. The cabin will be equipped with a comprehensive range of premium and advanced tech features. Safety will be enhanced with a wide-ranging ADAS suite in addition to multiple airbags, ABS, etc.
      Mahindra XUV Coupe Spied – White Seats
      In terms of performance, XUV.e9 variants can get battery packs in the range of 60 kWh to 80 kWh. Both RWD and AWD options could be available. Range is expected to be around 500 km. XUV.e9 will support 175kW DC fast charging, allowing battery level to reach up to 80% in around 30 minutes. More

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      Hyundai To Launch 4 New EVs For Mass Market – All Under Rs 20 Lakhs

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      2024 Hyundai Inster EVAlong with the Creta EV, Hyundai will also launch an Inster-based EV and possibly all-electric versions of Venue and Grand i10
      Hyundai has big plans for the Indian market, as evident with its massive IPO worth Rs 27,870 crore. In the coming years, Hyundai will be looking to boost growth by expanding its EV portfolio. Four new EVs for the mainstream market are planned, the first of which will be the Creta EV.
      Hyundai Creta EV – What to expect?
      In the compact SUV segment, electric options are already available such as Tata Curvv EV and MG ZS EV. Upon launch, Hyundai Creta EV will also take on BYD Atto 3 and upcoming Maruti eVX and its Toyota rebadged version. As evident with recent spy shots, Creta EV is largely the same as the ICE Creta in visual terms. Even the interiors and several of the features are common. This will help the Creta EV leverage the immense popularity and fan following associated with its ICE model.
      Hyundai Creta EV Interiors
      Similar looks and equipment list will also help reduce development and production cost. Creta EV is expected to be offered at a starting price of Rs 15-18 lakh. In comparison, the Curvv EV starts at Rs 17.49 lakh. The MG ZS EV is priced higher at Rs 18.98 lakh, whereas the BYD Atto 3 starts at Rs 24.99 lakh. It will be interesting to see what type of pricing strategy Maruti deploys for the upcoming eVX. The company has always focused on competitive pricing, something that could be applicable for its electric cars as well.
      In terms of performance, Creta EV is expected to get a 45-kWh battery pack. While certified range could be around 450 km, real-world range is estimated around 350 km. With an advanced regenerative braking system, users should be able to maximize the mileage from the EV. The electric motor onboard Creta EV will deliver 138 hp and 255 Nm.
      2024 Hyundai Inster EV
      Inster-based EV
      After Creta EV, Hyundai will be introducing a localized version of the Inster EV (codenamed HE1i) sold internationally. It will primarily challenge the bestselling Tata Punch EV.
      Hyundai Inster Interior
      Hyundai Inster-based EV is based on the company’s born-electric E-GMP (K) platform. It is expected to be available at showrooms in the second half of 2026. Competitive pricing can be expected for the Inster-based EV. Rival Punch EV is currently available with a festive offer, starting at Rs 9.99 lakh. Earlier, the starting price of Punch EV was Rs 10.99 lakh.
      Venue EV and Grand i10 EV
      While the Creta EV and Inster-based EV have been confirmed, Hyundai is also evaluating the possibility of electric versions of Venue and Grand i10 Nios. Venue EV will be based on the next-gen ICE model that will debut next year across global markets. The EV version of Venue will be launched sometime after that.
      2025 Hyundai Venue New-Gen
      Venue EV will be an important product for Hyundai, as it will directly challenge the bestselling Nexon EV (priced from Rs 12.5 lakh). Another key rival will be the Mahindra XUV300 EV. Similarly, the Grand i10 Nios-based EV will target Tata Tiago EV. The latter is currently available at a starting price of Rs 7.99 lakh.
      In addition to the domestic market, Hyundai will also aggressively target export markets. India will be developed as a key manufacturing hub for mass-market EVs. Initial production targets are around 26,000 units for Creta EV and 65,000 units for Inster-based EV. A significant percentage of the production will be allocated for export markets. Helping with increasing production capacity will be their new manufacturing plant in Talegaon near Pune.
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      2025 MG ZS EV Revealed – Radical New Design Over Next-Gen Astor

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      New 2025 MG ZS EV Revealed as ES5When compared to the recently debuted new-gen Astor (ZS HEV), the new 2025 MG ZS EV (ES5) bears a unique appearance
      ZS EV is among the first electric cars in India to offer a larger realistic range and bring more buyers onto the EV train. This is the first electric offering from MG and has received one major facelift since launch. Now, the next-gen 2025 MG ZS EV has broken cover and looks significantly radical than it did before.
      2025 MG ZS EV Revealed
      There is a new generation of ZS EV, which the company is calling ES5. It may potentially launch in India, replacing the current model. ZS EV, currently on sale, and Astor look identical except for a closed-off grill on the former as opposed to that on the latter. This is to reduce costs by sharing most of their components and sheet metal.
      However, that isn’t the case with just debuted ES5 (ZS EV) and recently debuted ZS (Astor). That is because they seem to be two different vehicles. It has to be noted that Astor is known as ZS globally and ZS EV is an electric version of it called, well, ZS EV.
      The just debuted ES5 will replace MG’s ZS EV and is likely to be positioned as a new vehicle rather than being called ZS EV. Hence the deviation in naming strategy and vastly different design language and sheet metal used. More information will be revealed officially soon.
      New 2025 MG ZS EV – Front
      Dimensions are different too. For context, New ZS (Astor) measures 4.43m long, 1.81m wide and ES5 (ZS EV) measures 4.48m long and 1.85m wide. Just from the pictures, we can see that ES5 looks a lot more sportier, yet sophisticated in its own way.
      Radical new design
      It is yet to be confirmed if ES5 will take ZS EV name in the future or will be called ES5. Design-wise, we can see a complete departure from recently debuted ZS. We get split headlight design with triple LED DRL signature on top and headlamps positioned below them. ES5’s grill is of a closed design as it doesn’t need a lot of air flow.
      ORVMs on ES5 are new and so are the alloy wheels. ES5 also has different sheet metal than the recently debuted ZS and window line is unique as well. At the rear, ES5 gets a new and sporty spoiler design, while ZS’ appear plain. ES5 is the only one to get connected rear LED tail lights with a much sportier design.
      New 2025 MG ZS EV
      Powertrain details are not known yet. Speculations suggest the same electric underpinnings will be offered on ES5 as MG 4 electric hatchback. This means an LFP battery pack of up to 77 kWh promising around 520 km of range on a single charge. Powering the new ES5 (2025 MG ZS EV) might be either a 168 bhp motor, or a 201 bhp or even a 241 bhp unit. More