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      in Electric Cars

      Tata Taureo, Epiq, Spyk Registered – New SUV, MPV, Electric Car Names?

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      Digital Render.
      Tata Motors has plans to launch multiple new cars in India by 2022 – Including new SUVs, MPV and electric car

      Aiming to provide more options to customers, Tata Motors will be launching several new products in the near future. More than a dozen new cars are expected to be launched, which will be utilizing either the OMEGA or ALFA platforms. While there isn’t much info available about these new Tata cars right now, some names have been revealed in the trademark applications filed by the company.
      Tata Motors new cars trademarked names
      A total of three names have been revealed – Taureo, Epiq and Spyk. These names are expected to be used for the company’s new sedan, an MPV and a midsize SUV (codename Blackbird) that will rival the likes of Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos.
      Some of these names could also be used for the upcoming range of electric cars from Tata Motors. However, we will have to wait for some more time to know the exact timeline for the launch of these new models.
      Tata’s new MPV is likely to be based on ALFA platform and it is possible that it could be launched as Tata Taureo. The new MPV is expected to be powered by a 1.5 litre diesel and petrol engine from Nexon. Its primary rival will be Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, which is currently the top selling MPV in the country.
      Future Tata Car Names – Taureo, EPIQ, SPYK
      Tata Motors new sedan and SUV
      There are talks that Tata Motors is working on a new 1.5-litre petrol motor that will be used for its upcoming sedan and midsize SUV. Both of these will be based on the ALFA platform. Tata is also working to launch the next-gen variants of its current bestsellers, Nexon, Tiago and Tigor.
      Products that have already been revealed and are expected to be launched next year include the Gravitas 7-seater SUV and HBX micro SUV. The former is expected by March next year, while HBX will be launched sometime later in 2021.
      Tata Electric Cars
      With demand for electric cars set to rise as the EV ecosystem grows in India; Tata Motors has plans to launch multiple new electric cars in different price brackets, starting from as low as Rs 8 lakhs. Even today, Nexon EV is the best selling electric car in India. And Tata would want to remain at the top of EV sales charts with regular new launches. They have plans to launch HBX EV, Altroz EV, Blackbird EV
      With growing preference for made in India products, Tata Motors has registered strong sales in recent months. Some products like Nexon and Altroz are also gaining popularity owing to their 5-star safety rating in Global NCAP crash tests. In October, Tata Motors sold a total of 23,600 units, which is a 99 month high. YoY growth is a whopping 79.20%, as compared to 13,169 units sold in October last year. More

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      in Electric Cars

      Tata Nexon Electric Wishes Happy Birthday To Owner Via Instrument Cluster

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      Tata Nexon Electric
      Tata Nexon EV has also been made available at subscription rates in limited places

      While the electric vehicle (EV) segment might still not be booming in India, it has definitely grown leaps and bounds, especially in the last few months. Several new products from this segment have been lined up for launch in the near future which should make things a little interesting in the automotive industry.
      Currently, among the limited options, Tata Nexon EV is by far the highest-selling electric car in India. It is much affordable than its nearest rivals MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona and, therefore, has the most value for money proposition. With Tata Motors expanding the sales network of Nexon EV soon, we could definitely see more of it on roads in future.
      Nexon EV’s Birthday Wish
      Barring the powertrain, Nexon EV gets the identical specifications and equipment list as its IC engine counterpart. We have extensively discussed its features on previous occasions, however, there is one new feature that has come up recently and is sure to take many Nexon EV owners by surprise.
      When Mr. Siva N Rai stepped onto his Nexon EV, he received a surprising and the most unusual wish on his birthday from his car. The message read “Happy Birthday” with the visuals of a cake and balloons on its instrument cluster.
      Tata Nexon EV wishes Happy Birthday to Owner
      The owner was extremely surprised and happy to receive this birthday wish from his Nexon EV in the morning. He believes that someone at Tata Motors’ dealership took the effort to integrate details of his KYC done at the time of the purchase to the telematics system. This is probably the first time something like this has been offered in an Indian made car.
      A personalised touch like this can go a long way in creating a loyal customer base and it seems Tata Motors is certainly enjoying a fruitful run in market in the last couple of years. The homegrown brand is currently the third-largest passenger vehicle manufacturer in India as far as sales volumes are concerned.
      Nexon EV Details
      Coming to Nexon EV, it was launched earlier this year in January and is offered in three variants- XM, XZ+ and XZ+ LUX. Its prices start at Rs 13.99 lakh and go upto Rs 16.25 lakh (both prices ex-showroom). Standard features across the range include projector headlamps, automatic climate control, LED DRLs, keyless entry, push-button start, electric tailgate and lots more.
      Nexon EV is based on the brand’s Ziptron powertrain technology which consists of an electric motor powered by a 30.2kWh lithium-ion battery. This setup provides a claimed range of 312 km on a single charge and an output of 129 PS and 245 Nm. More

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      in Electric Cars

      2021 Hyundai Kona Electric Facelift Debuts – To Go On Sale Next Year

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      2021 Hyundai Kona Electric
      Hyundai Kona Electric carries on with the same set of powertrains offered in the pre-facelift model

      Electric cars have taken a sizeable portion of the passenger vehicle segment in global markets over recent years. With EV-related technology evolving at a rapid pace, we are seeing more and more electric cars come up in recent times. We have also witnessed demands for EVs rising due to their cheap running cost and powerful performances.
      Hyundai is one such brand that has found success globally with EV offering Kona Electric over the last couple of years. The Korean automaker has given a mid-life facelift to its most popular electric crossover for 2021 and is scheduled to go on sale in the United Kingdom early next year.

      Exterior Styling Updates
      2021 Kona Electric comes with a healthy dose of cosmetic upgrades both inside and outside its cabin and a host of technological updates as well. Its exterior witnesses the highest number of updates, the most dramatic of them being the revised front nose.
      The new grille gets a smooth nose cone which is starkly different from the radiator grille on the petrol-powered Kona thus distinguishing itself from the latter. This also lends a slight aerodynamic update over the pre-facelifted model.

      New Kona Electric also gets a redefined front bumper which receives a pair of vertical inlets that reduce the amount of turbulent air in the front wheel arches to minimise drag. This is complemented by fresh LED DRLs and a pair of redesigned LED headlights.
      The rear end is very much similar except for slightly reconfigured tail lamps. Black claddings on the old car are now colour-coded. In addition to five colours offered on the electric crossover, another five new paint schemes have been added to its palette.
      Interior & Feature Updates
      Interiors of 2021 Kona electric have seen a fair share of updates including a new 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system carried from the new-gen i20 and Tucson.

      The new infotainment system is compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Hyundai’s connected tech BlueLink which offers features such as Voice Activated Commands, remote climate control to preheat/precool the cabin and remote charging to benefit from off-peak energy rates.
      In addition, it receives new ambient lighting which complements the two-tone interior colour. Safety equipment too receives enhancements such as rear cross-traffic assistance, safe exit warning, blindspot assistance and eCall which in the event of an accident automatically alerts emergency services.

      Powertrain
      Speaking of its powertrain, there is no change in this department. The facelifted model still receives two powertrain options- 39.2kWh battery pack paired with a 134 bhp motor and a larger 64kWh battery pack mated to a 201 bhp electric motor.
      The former claims a single-charge range of 189 miles and a top speed of 154.5 kmph while the latter claims a range of 300 miles and 167 kmph of top speed. The company will provide a 100kW fast-charger which could juice up the battery by 80 percent in just 47 minutes. More

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      in Electric Cars

      Jaguar Electric SUV Bookings Open – Ties Up With Tata Power For EV Charging Network

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      Jaguar I-Pace
      Jaguar I-Pace will be powered by a 90kWh battery that generates 394.5 bhp and offers a driving range of 470 km/charge

      Jaguar Land Rover, the British luxury carmaker owned by India’s Tata Motors plans to launch the new i-Pace electric SUV in India. With launch date scheduled for sometime early next year and deliveries to commence from March 2021, the company has opened bookings of its first all electric SUV from today.
      Jaguar i-Pace will be presented in three variants of S, SE and HSE in India. It will come in powered by a 90 kWh lithium ion battery that offers 400 hp power via its twin electric motors. The setup allows the I-Pace to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 200 kmph.
      These batteries can be charged via a 7.4 kW AC wall charger and the company is offering a 5 year service package along with 5 year road side assistance along with the standard 8 years or 1,60,000 km battery warranty.
      For charging facilities, Jaguar has entered into a partnership with Tata Power to offer home/office charging facilities to its I-Pace customers. Customers will also be able to charge the I-Pace via the Tata Power network comprising 200+ charging points across 23 cities in India.
      Tata Power Fast Charging Network is located in 23+ cities of India
      Jaguar I-Pace Accolades and Awards
      The Jaguar I-Pace sets off the company’s electric journey in India but has received much attention in global markets. It has been the winner of over 80 global awards among which were the 2019 World Car of the Year, World Car Design of the Year and World Green Car. The Jaguar I-Pace was also the first recipient of all three World Car titles simultaneously.
      The Jaguar I-Pace is already listed on the company’s India website. Onboard features include LED headlamps and tail lamps, In-Control connected car technology and 19 inch diamond cut alloy wheels. Jaguar I-Pace S will see a Pivi Pro infotainment system with 12 speakers, 380 W Meridian sound system and dual touchscreen infotainment with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Its interiors will sport semi powered front seats, screen based dials and dual zone climate controls along with connected car features, standard driver assistance with 3D surround camera and cruise control.
      Jaguar I-Pace SE variant will receive advanced projector LED headlamps, DRLs and interiors with 12 way power adjustable, heated sports seats with memory function and done up in leather upholstery. This variant also receives power folding mirrors with memory.
      The top of the line Jaguar I-Pace HSE will receive Matrix LED headlamps, 16 way power adjustable sports seats done up in Windsor leather, hands free boot release and head up display system. In terms of infotainment, it will get a 16 speaker 825W Meridian sound system while safety features will include adaptive cruise control.
      Once launched in India, the Jaguar I-Pace will compete against the Mercedes-Benz EQC and Audi e-tron and is likely to carry a price tag of over Rs.1 crore, ex-sh. More

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      in Electric Cars

      Hummer Electric Detailed Walkaround And Battery Tech – Explained

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      Image – JerryRigEverything
      Hummer EV will be offered in both configurations- a pickup truck and an SUV with the same electric powertrain

      The Hummer EV Super Truck finally made its official appearance a couple of days ago. It has nothing in common with its previous gen internal combustion (IC) engine counterpart; except for the fact that both are huge. The super truck from GMC was revealed in its entire form which showed the American auto giant had been up to all this time.
      What makes this project even more monumental is that it is an EV attached to the name of a Hummer. EVs are known to be the future of mobility solutions since they are environment friendly and the Hummer moniker isn’t known to be very friendly to nature. However, it seems GMC has taken the bulls by its horns and managed to surprise everyone.
      In a detailed video uploaded by JerryRigEverything on YouTube, the vlogger explains every little detail of Hummer EV and why it is so special. While Hummer has always been known for its gigantic presence and enormous power, the Hummer EV delivers on both accounts emphatically.
      Design
      Starting with its design and aesthetics, the new Hummer Electric takes most of its inspiration from Hummer H2 and the military Humvees. It is to be noted that Hummer presented now is in the form of a pick-up truck but an SUV configuration of the same is also under development and will be revealed at a later stage. The Hummer EV in discussion here is the top-spec Edition 1 variant is expected to go on sale in a year’s time.
      [embedded content]
      Design highlights include the center LED headlights with each letter of ‘HUMMER’ engrossed in individual panels. Edition 1 Hummer Electric comes with huge chunks of 35-inch alloy wheels with the option of adding 37-inchers just as the military Humvees. Another highlight is that each roof panel on top can come out to give the on-boarders a feel of open air. All panels from the roof can be stuffed neatly inside the trunk provided at front. Interestingly, the huge front windshield gets three wipers.
      There are many ‘Hummer EV’ badgings all around which distinguishes itself as an electric pickup truck. The LED tail lamps at rear are in ‘H’ shape denoting the behemoth off-roader. The rear gets a 5-foot bed which is very useful since it is a lifestyle utility vehicle. It also gets a body-armour underneath to protect it from all sorts of damages it set to concur when it traverses to extreme off-roading conditions.
      Functionalities on offer
      GMC has retained Hummer’s robustness and added a load of modern and useful features to make it much more sophisticated. Yet its overall design remains very much utilitarian. However, it is still more about how it performs than how it looks.
      Coming to its functionalities, new Hummer EV gets fully adjustable air suspension units which can lift up the chassis up to 152mm which increases its ground clearance up to a massive 406mm. The suspension travel is so much that the lay-shaft also had to expand and contract accordingly. It is equipped with four-wheel steering which allows the rear wheels to turn in the same or opposite directions of front wheels thus improving its maneuverability and reducing its turning radius. When the rear wheels point at the same direction as the front wheels it moves diagonally called ‘Crab Mode’.
      Powertrain
      GMC has equipped the Hummer Electric with two motors on front axle with each motor powering one wheel. Thus in case of a wheel losing traction one motor can be switched off and the other motor can draw all its power from the battery to supply it to the wheel having traction. The battery pack itself is placed at the bottom of the frame and is double stacked which improves its center of gravity.
      Above mentioned functionalities help improve its off-tarmac capabilities to great extent. Hummer Electric is powered by a three-motor setup which derives its energy from General Motors’ all-new Ultium batteries. The powertrain generates a humongous 1000 bhp and a massive 15,600 Nm of torque. Hummer EV Edition 1 goes on sale late next year while rest of the lineup will hit showrooms in 2022. It will go up against the ambitious Tesla Cybertruck which is slated to launch around the same time. More

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      in Electric Cars

      Hummer Electric Global Debut – Launch In 2021 At $ 112k (Approx Rs 83 L)

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      Hummer Electric
      After teasing for months, GMC has finally taken wraps off its all new Hummer electric pickup truck today

      After a long wait, GM has finally launched the much awaited Hummer electric Pick-up. This happens to be one of its kind beast which will have some unparalleled offroading capability along with the benefits of being an EV. Here is the first look TVC.
      [embedded content]
      Some Facts & Figures
      The new Hummer EV comes along with performance figures, which clearly showcase that it is a next generation vehicle. Under the hood, well there is no engine for obvious reasons, but there are 3 electric motors which help to dish out 1,000 hp and 11,500 lb ft (15,600 Nm) of max torque.
      GMC Hummer Electric
      The power developed is enough for the pick-up to do a 0-60 mph in less than 3 seconds (equivalent of 0-100 kmph). The battery pack supports 800 volt fast charging and can add a range of 100 miles (160 kms) in just 10 minutes. As per GM, the overall range of the Hummer EV happens to be 350 miles+, which roughly translates into more than 560 kms!
      Design Highlights
      The Hummer EV looks like an all new futuristic vehicle which you would expect to come across in a Sci-Fi flick. However, the 6-slat grille from the fossil-fuel powered model adds a bit of nostalgic touch.

      Overall, the Hummer looks bold, massive, intimidating and most importantly, unlike anything we have come across in the recent past. The grille which we talked about too has been done innovatively as it is now basically Hummer badging embedded in an LED strip.
      GMC Hummer Electric
      Other highlight in the design happens to be its infinity roof, which can basically provide a complete open-air experience. The Hummer EV rides on massive 35-inch tyres, which can further be upgraded to upto 37-inch units (after-market). It also gets a 4-wheel steering system, which helps with manoeuvrability and a reduced turning radius.
      Additionally, GM has added an adaptive air suspension which helps the Hummer to raise its height by 6-inches and make it even more off-road friendly than it already is. GM calls this function as ‘Extract Mode’. Talking about modes, GM has also included a Crab Mode, which as the name suggests, will be good to crawl across difficult off-roading terrain.

      The Hummer EV is a fully loaded product in terms of tech updates as well. It gets 18-camera views for improved understanding of its surroundings, including feeds from under the belly. The Super Cruise functionality helps with autonomous changing of lanes on compatible roads.
      Price and Variants
      Production of the Hummer EV will start later in 2021. Prices of the Hummer will commence at the $112,595 mark (around Rs 83 lakh, excluding taxes). This is the top of the line variant. Bookings are now open at $100.
      Lower priced variants are planned for launch in 2022, 2023 and 2024. In 2022, Hummer EV 3X will be launched with 800 hp / 12,880 Nm motor at price of $99,995. Range will be down to 300+ miles (483+ km). In 2023, Hummer EV 2X will be launched for $89,995. This is rated to deliver 625 hp / 10,033 Nm. Range will be same as Hummer 3x. And finally, in 2024, base model, Hummer EV will launch at $79,995. It will have same motors as the Hummer 2x, but range will be lower at 250+ miles (402+ km). More

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      in Electric Cars

      Tata Nexon Electric Subscription Plan Related Top 5 Questions – Answered

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      Subscription plan allows you to enjoy the benefits of owning a new car, with comparatively lesser hassles
      Image – Car Director

      In global markets, leasing of cars is quite a common phenomenon and this concept has also entered the Indian automobile markets in recent times. In India, the car renting and leasing system was at around 4 percent in 2019. However, with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and commuters hesitant to take cabs, car pooling and other forms of shared mobility, the concept of car leasing is taking on a new meaning.
      Recently Maruti Suzuki initiated the car subscription and leasing service in Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Pune and Hyderabad offering on all its vehicles sold via Arena and Nexa outlets. Currently, similar subscription schemes are also being offered by Toyota, Volkswagen, Skoda, Hyundai and Jeep in India.
      Tata Motors has also introduced the Tata Nexon EV subscription plans, starting at Rs.34,900 per month and is for a period of 12, 24 and 36 months. To offer more insight into this Tata Nexon EV subscription plan, we bring your five of the most asked questions regarding the Tata Nexon Electric Subscription scheme; and their answers for a better understanding.
      1 – Subscription plan details
      The Tata Nexon EV XZ+ variant via the subscription can be used for upto 1,500 kms per month and 18,000 kms per year. It comes with an 80 km/h speed limit. The company offers this model with an EV charger box and installation at the users home or office premises with 15 meters of wiring.
      Tata Nexon EV Fast Charging
      All registration, road tax, road side assistance, insurance and maintenance / service charges are included in the monthly rentals. However, this does not include any expenses which could occur due to driver’s negligence. The company arranges for door-step pick up and drop facility and the user is entitled to access to petrol/diesel cars and discount coupons. All expenses with regard to road tax and registration, insurance renewals, servicing, maintenance, etc, will be undertaken by Tata Motors for which it has partnered with Orix Auto.
      2 – Subscription plan tenure and costs
      There are three tenures for this subscription plan. The Standard monthly subscription rates stand at Rs.41,900, Rs.44,900 and Rs.47,900 for the 12, 24 and 36 month plans respectively. These have been recently revised to 34,900, 37,500 and 41,500 respectively. These prices are inclusive of taxes. Revised rates are valid only till 30th November.
      Tata Nexon Subscription Plan Rates and Tenure
      It is to be noted that Tata Motors is offering special revised rates only to the first 100 subscriptions, valid till 30th November 2020. Under this special scheme, the 18 month tenure can be selected at a monthly subscription rate of Rs.41,500 while the 24 month scheme can be had at Rs.37,500 and the 36 month plan is for Rs.34,900. These also include a 5 percent GST charge.
      3 – Refundable deposit
      Those opting for the Tata Nexon EV subscription plan will have to pay a refundable security deposit of Rs.50,000 and a token amount of Rs.5,000 for the subscription application. This token amount will be adjusted against the refundable security deposit while the monthly charges have to be paid a day prior to delivery of the vehicle.
      4 – Buy-Back option
      While other automakers offer the user a buy back option at the end of the lease tenure, Tata Motors does not offer this benefit to its customers. The company, however, allows the customer to extend the subscription period.
      5 – Target Customers For Nexon EV Subscription Plan
      Tata Nexon EV subscription plan will benefit corporate users who lease company vehicles. It is also designed for people who undergo frequent intercity job transfers while expatriates who visit the country for a particular tenure could also find benefit in this scheme. These users will be offered a brand new Tata Nexon EV on a monthly rental basis and will also not have to bother about expenses such as road tax, registration, insurance and service etc.
      Buyers who prefer the outright ownership route can get the Tata Nexon EV XM variant at 13.99 lakhs, the XZ+ at Rs 15.25 lakhs and XZ+ Lux at Rs 16.25 lakhs. Prices were increased earlier this week by Rs 26k for the top 2 variants. Base variant price remain unchanged. More

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      in Electric Cars

      2021 Renault Kwid Electric Debuts As Dacia Spring EV – 295 kms Drive Range

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      What will be launched in India as the Renault Kwid electric car, has been globally unveiled as the new Dacia Spring EV today
      2021 Renault Kwid Electric

      The Dacia Spring Electric small car will be launched in Europe through car sharing service first, and retail sales for private customers will begin later in 2021.
      The Dacia Spring, essentially the fully electric European-spec Renault Kwid, has been unveiled at Renault EWays event. The French automaker describes it as the most affordable electric vehicle in the old continent. The micro-crossover is expected to become the best selling Dacia in due course.

      Dacia Spring EV / 2021 Renault Kwid Electric
      The Dacia Spring carries forward the Renault Kwid’s basic design but incorporates sportier elements. The Dacia badge sits on a revised front grille which also houses sleek LED DRls. Faux skid plates, low-mounted headlamps, high ground clearance gives the compact car a crossover appeal.
      [embedded content]
      The Dacia Spring EV is presented in the car sharing version at the Renault EWays event. Series production model will be ready for Europe next year. The profile is identical to the India-spec Renault Kwid while the rear fascia receives revised LED taillights and a new bumper with prominent silver skid plates.

      Powertrain
      The Dacia Spring EV is powered by an electric motor which is rated at 33 kW and 125 Nm of torque. The 28.6 kWh battery is claimed to offer 225 km of range as per WLTP driving cycle. As per WLTP City cycle, the vehicle has a claimed range of 295 km.
      Using the Wallbox charger, the battery can be fully charged in 4 hours and 27 minutes. The optional DC fast charging cable will allow you to charge 80% of the battery in 50 minutes using a fast charging column. The car can also be charged using domestic socket.

      Features
      The Dacia Spring EV receives a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 3.5-inch color MID, assisted and camera parking, power windows and remote lock. It also gets LED headlights and 14-inch alloy wheels.

      Launch Timeline
      The Dacia Spring will be available first through car sharing services across Europe from early 2021 with Zity being one of the launch partners. The private customers will be able to book their cars in summer 2021 with deliveries starting in spring 2021. There will also be a cargo version with 800 liters (with a payload capacity of 365 kg) of storage volume for zero emission last mile delivery.

      Coming to India?
      With the popularity of electric vehicles steadily increasing in India, the Renault Kwid EV is likely to be introduced in our market a few months after its European debut. The car will compete with the likes of Mahindra eKUV100, Maruti WagonR EV, new Citroen EV, Tata HBX EV in the domestic market. Expect price to be in the Rs 8-10 lakh range. More