Car News

Subterms

    More stories

    • 125 Shares199 Views

      in Electric Cars

      Mahindra Thar Electric SUV Debuts – Longer Wheelbase, Increased GC

      by

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

    • 163 Shares169 Views

      in Electric Cars

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

      by

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

    • 150 Shares119 Views

      in Electric Cars

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

      by

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

    • 163 Shares199 Views

      in Electric Cars

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

      by

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

    • 163 Shares199 Views

      in Electric Cars

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

      by

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

    • 100 Shares189 Views

      in Electric Cars

      Mahindra Thar Electric Official Teaser Confirms New Design

      by

      Mahindra Thar.e name teasedMahindra is getting ready to unveil exciting new concepts later this month at an event in South AfricaWith over 50,000 bookings pending, Thar is one of the most popular SUVs in India right now. Popularity is off the roof and most of the newfound demand is due to the newer RWD model. One could only imagine how much more popular a new version of Thar might be.We’re not talking about 5-door Thar, which will debut in 2024. Instead, we’re talking about Thar’s electric version that will debut on August 15th in South Africa. Latest teaser reveals that Mahindra is calling it Thar.e and the company is highly likely to showcase it in concept form.Mahindra Thar Electric ?? teaser ? pic.twitter.com/hpvdseO4yJ— RushLane (@rushlane) August 5, 2023Mahindra Thar.e Concept Global DebutFrom the teasers we can see a new design language on board. This will help Mahindra market their Thar as a global SUV and not restricted to a few countries, as is the case with current Thar. In the teaser we can see a concept vehicle with a lot of design flamboyance. It is likely to get Mahindra’s new INGLO EV platform shared with BE and XUV.e series of future electric vehicles.As of now, Thar gets a rugged ladder frame chassis. Electrifying a ladder frame chassis is tedious and poses production challenges, but it is not impossible. Mahindra is reportedly working on a cost-efficient and feasible way of electrifying a ladder frame vehicle. Toyota is at it too, with electric Innova Crysta.Mahindra Thar.e name teasedMahindra Thar.e could feature either a monocoque or ladder frame. Teasers confirm the Thar.e name and nothing more than that. The company will reveal more details on August 15th. It will be India’s first fully electric lifestyle vehicle. Until MG’s Yep eSUV arrives, of course.2023 Mahindra Scorpio Pickup renderScorpio N PickupApart from Thar electric, Mahindra will also be unveiling Scorpio N pikup truck at the same event on 15th August 2023. This will be a global product and will feature a longer wheelbase than standard Scorpio N to accommodate a load bay. Scorpio N pikup could be launched in global markets before India. Engine options will be similar to Scorpio N while prices could be comparatively lower than its SUV counterpart. More

    • 150 Shares199 Views

      in Bike

      Tyre Killer Speed Bump Fail – Wrong Side Drivers Have No Fear

      by

      Tyre Killer Speed Bump FailThe ones installed in Pune and Noida were removed soon and “tyre killer” speed breakers in Ahmedabad hardly workTraffic violations and virtually non-existent traffic discipline are plaguing all major cities in India. People usually resort to taking wrong roots to save time and fuel, not realizing that their lives are priceless. This puts them in grave danger of hurting themselves and putting other road-goers as well.Tyre killer speed bumps are a stunning idea to keep this activity in check. For all vehicles going in the right direction, this is just a regular speed breaker. But god forbid, if someone goes the wrong way, integrated spikes will penetrate tyres, making them unusable. But such speed bumps in Ahmedabad tell a different story altogether.Tyre Killer Speed BumpsWhat are tyre killer speed bumps?One has to understand how this system works. This type of speed breaker has integrated spikes in them. These spikes are spring-loaded and they contract when vehicles pass through them the right way. If someone stumbled on them from the wrong way or opposite direction, it will not contract and said spikes will stay put.These sturdy spikes should then pierce through tyres of said vehicles and render them useless. These spikes not just create a puncture that could be repaired. But looking at their size, could leave the tyre destroyed, once and for all. This should have created enough fear in civilians to not break traffic rules. Because tyres ain’t cheap.[embedded content]Pune was the first city to get these tyre killer speed breakers. Pune is a large city with a large repository of personal and commercial cars, motorcycles and other commercial vehicles. The first tyre killer speed breaker could be seen near Amanora.No damageSoon, Delhi-NCR jumped into this bandwagon with Noida implementing it at multiple locations at once. Ahmedabad followed too. This should have been an epitome of traffic rules enforcement in India. But instead, both Pune and Noida removed these breakers. The ones in Ahmedabad hardly work too.Tyre Killer Speed Bumps In Ahmedabad – Do they even work?As covered by News18 Gujarati, these speed breakers hardly work. When motorcycles, cars or trucks come from the opposite direction, the spikes in these speed breakers should stay put and cause damage to tyres. In reality, these spring-loaded spikes are retracting inside even when the vehicle is coming from the opposite direction.Close up of mechanismThis odd behavior has given road users the confidence that these “tyre killer” speed breakers don’t even bite, let alone kill. As seen in the video, we can see all sorts of vehicles going on these breakers like nothing and cross it with no damage. Even though this is a very good idea, there are a few drawbacks. If there is a newcomer to the city, who is not aware of these, he might potentially lose his tyres in the best case scenario. In the worst case scenario, there could be a fatal crash with casualties as well. More

    • 100 Shares129 Views

      in Electric Cars

      Pininfarina’s Pura Vision Concept: Sculpting A Glass-Roofed Masterpiece

      by

      Pininfarina Pura Vision concept debutsPininfarina Pura Vision e-LUV Concept: An Electric Symphony of Luxury and TechItalian car design firm and coachbuilder Pininfarina has unveiled Pura Vision concept in official pictures. This is a baseline on which Pininfarina’s new electric SUV will take shape. The Luxury SUV market is an active space with legacy manufacturers craving for a piece of this pie. Mahindra owned Pininfarina just joined this race.It will go up against Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Mercedes-Benz GLS, Lamborghini Urus, Ferrari Purosangue, Aston Martin DBX, Bentley Bentayga and legacy SUV maker Land Rover’s flagship Range Rover as well. Cab-rear proportions stand out from the current crop of luxury SUVs.From Canvas to Road: Pininfarina Pura Vision Paints a Luxurious TaleThe company has showcased this electric SUV concept in official images. Pininfarina Pura Vision concept will debut at Monterey Car Week in August, alongside recently revealed Battista Edizione Nino Farina Hyper GT and another production-spec vehicle. Pininfarina calls Pura Vision concept as e-LUV (electric Luxury Utility Vehicle).It has an unmistakable presence which makes it stand out in current crop of luxury SUVs. Even in its concept phase, the striking images look like a piece of art from every angle. This dynamic identity is enhanced by a narrow glass house and wide wheel track. Body panels around its chassis channel air efficiently.Pininfarina Pura Vision concept interiorsPininfarina’s 94 year old design heritage pays off with Pura Vision concept. The roof is predominantly glass and almost reaches the rear in a single-piece fashion. The front fascia has a wide appeal with distinctive nano-fibre LED strands less than 1mm each. Window line is super aggressive, and combines sharp lines with swooping curvaceous panels.Pininfarina’s Tri-Opening Lounge Doors: A Nod to the Past, a Leap to the FutureFlared wheel arches and wide haunches scream understated aggression. Windows seem to be small in height. But it creates a futuristic appeal about Pininfarina Pura Vision. The most flashiest part of this car has to be its doors.There are three parts for the door. Pininfarina calls them tri-opening Lounge Doors and drew inspiration from Lancia Florida Sedan, which Pininfarina’s founder Battista Farina penned down. Base doors open horizontally with a rear suicide door type. While top part of the door opens like a gullwing door.In all fairness, these doors are reminiscent of Europe-bound Hiphi Y electric SUV revealed at Shanghai Auto Show recently. It’s a 2+2 seating arrangement. Pininfarina has taken care of creating an exquisite and opulent interior for its e-LUV by achieving perfect harmony between symmetry and boldness.Tri-opening Lounge DoorsIn terms of dimensions, Pininfarina Pura Vision e-LUV measures 5,215 mm in length, 2,147 mm in width (including ORVMs) and stands 1,641 mm tall. The 23″ wheels look dapper and add a lot of appeal. The chassis is carbon fibre monocoque with interesting pillar designs, which should lend sporty handling. More