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      Tata Sierra Electric Pickup Render – A Captivating Heavy Lifter

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      Tata Sierra Pickup EV – RenderTata Sierra electric SUV is expected to debut in 2025, which could be followed by other body styles such as an electric pickupAfter successfully resurrecting Safari, Tata is working to achieve something similar with the Sierra brand. Around three decades back, Sierra was a popular SUV that boasted of 4×4 capabilities. There’s even greater scope for Sierra now, owing to the increasing demand for lifestyle SUVs.Sierra was unveiled as a pre-production electric SUV concept at 2023 Auto Expo. It is possible that Tata may introduce ICE powertrains as well with Sierra. To showcase the potential of Sierra concept, Pratyush Rout has come up with a digital render of electric pickup version of the SUV.Tata Sierra electric pickup digital renderOne of the factors that had made Sierra a popular SUV in the 1990’s was its bold design and dominating street presence. A lot has changed with the Sierra electric concept, but the SUV’s core character has been retained. The electric pickup render continues with the same design philosophy.However, there are some unique features that Sierra electric pickup will always miss. For example, the wrap-around rear window was a key design highlight of the original Sierra. This feature has been retained even with the electric version of Sierra. Specific tweaks have been introduced in line with modern design aesthetics and to accommodate the two extra doors.Tata Sierra Pickup EV – RenderEarlier this year, it was revealed that none other than Ratan Tata had asked the team to not lose out on the signature features of Sierra SUV. Ratan Tata has a special liking for Sierra, as its launch in 1991 coincided with the company’s entry into passenger vehicle segment. Unfortunately, such signature features cannot be retained with the electric pickup version that gets a cargo bed at rear.Most other features of Sierra electric pickup concept are the same as the electric SUV concept. Some of the key highlights include a prominent front fascia with sleek LED headlamps and a full-width LED light bar bordering the bonnet. Side profile has wide body cladding, squarish wheel arches, sporty dual-tone alloy wheels and door side moulding. A-pillar has been blacked out and flush door handles ensure a clutter-free profile.Sierra electric expected performanceDetails about Sierra electric’s powertrain and other specs are yet to be revealed. What is known is that Sierra electric is based on Tata’s Gen 2 architecture. It is a heavily modified version of the ALFA platform. It can accommodate various powertrains and drivetrain options.Tata Sierra Pickup EV – RenderIf Tata launches ICE versions of Sierra in future, it could borrow the 2.0-litre turbo diesel motor that does duty onboard Harrier and Safari. It makes 170 PS / 350 Nm and has transmission options of 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic. Harrier and Safari are expected to get turbo petrol option too, possibly with the upcoming facelift version. Tata’s new 1.5-litre petrol unit makes 170 PS and 280 Nm. This could be offered with Sierra as well. Both manual and automatic transmission options will be available.Disclaimer – Design renders presented in this blog are solely for illustrative purposes and have not been commissioned, approved, or endorsed by the manufacturer. Designs presented here may not reflect the final product or the manufacturer’s intentions. The renders are provided as conceptual designs or artistic interpretations only, and their accuracy or feasibility cannot be guaranteed. More

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      BYD Yuan Pro Electric SUV Launched (CNY 95.8K – Rs 11.16 lakh) – EcoSport Looks?

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      BYD Yuan Pro Electric SUVBYD Yuan Pro is fully electric SUV with up to 47.04 kWh battery – It has now been launched in ChinaBYD is one of the largest EV manufacturers in the world today. They also have one of the largest EV portfolios on offer, which continues to grow by the day. Latest to join BYD’s portfolio is the Yuan Pro electric SUV. It has now been launched in China.Fully-electric BYD Yuan Pro starts from CNY 95,800, which is roughly Rs. 11.16 lakh with today’s currency exchange rates. Design of the new BYD Yuan Pro reminds a lot of the Ford EcoSport, which has now been discontinued from India.BYD Yuan Pro Costs CNY 95.8K (Rs 11.16 lakh) In ChinaBYD Yuan Pro measures 4375 mm in length, 1785 mm in width, 1680 mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2535 mm. Compared to EcoSport, Yuan Pro is significantly longer, marginally wider, taller and packs a slightly longer wheelbase.Thanks to this, BYD Yuan Pro looks significantly more proportionate and handsome. With the front profile, BYD has stuck with its family genes. Semblances with Atto 3 SUV in India are evident.BYD Yuan Pro LaunchFor starters, the overall silhouette is slightly longer than EcoSport’s and BYD implemented a kink in the rear door. Otherwise, it is pretty similar. At the rear, tail lights shape, rear quarter glass effect, side hinged tailgate, spare wheel on boot lid, and other elements are very similar to EcoSport.On the inside, semblance with EcoSport continues in the dashboard layout and center console. Especially with BYD’s 10.1” free-standing infotainment screen placement. Steering wheel is a 3-spoke unit, and comes with mounted controls. Yuan Pro gets an 8” LCD instrument cluster and a panoramic sunroof too. One could argue that there are not a lot of ways to generalise dashboard designs, but similarities are still uncanny.BYD Yuan Pro electric SUV specs, rangeBYD Yuan Pro is a fully electric car. A single motor capable of 94 bhp and 180 Nm sips juice from either 38 kWh (320 km range) or 47.04 kWh (401 km) battery choices.BYD Yuan Pro InteriorsThere were three colour choices to choose from before. These are White, Grey, Pink (if that’s your jam). With the relaunch, BYD is introducing a Blue shade with a contrasting White roof too. 6 years or 1,50,000 km warranty and a 15% down payment along with 60 interest-free instalments are highlighted with BYD Yuan Pro. If launched in India, this would be a perfect rival to the upcoming Creta EV, Seltos EV.Source More

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      Tata Punch Electric production spec render – Minor facelift, New colours

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      Tata Punch Electric RenderExpected to be launched soon, Tata Punch EV will take on rivals such as Citroen eC3 and MG Comet EVElectric car segment is gaining traction and it’s good to see the rise in the number of options available to consumers. In terms of volumes, Tata Motors currently leads with market share of more than 75%. Tata is among the OEMs that were able to anticipate the shift to EVs. It is something similar to how Maruti saw an opportunity in CNG and has emerged a leader in that space.With more electric cars on the road now and several new models under development, it is imperative for Tata to expand its EV portfolio. Towards that end, Tata’s next offering will be Punch EV. Considering the immense popularity of petrol-powered Punch, it will be safe to assume that its electric version is primed for success.Punch EV styling and featuresPunch EV exteriors will be largely the same as its ICE-based sibling. Based on the leaked spy shots, Pratyush Rout has created a digital render of the upcoming Tata Punch Electric. Punch EV will continue with the same front fascia as that of petrol-powered Punch. It will have a charging port at the rear. In case of both Nexon EV and Tiago EV also, the charging port is located at the rear.Punch EV is likely to get some unique badging on the front grille that will indicate towards the car’s electric heart. As compared to the ICE variant, Punch EV could get other set of changes as well. For example, a recently spotted test mule was seen with rear disc brakes. Existing petrol-powered Punch has disc brakes at front and drum brakes at rear.Tata Punch Electric RenderFeatures on the inside will be largely the same as that of ICE-based Punch. It includes a floating 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 7-inch TFT instrument cluster, premium upholstery, flat bottom steering wheel, automatic climate control and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.Tata Punch Electric RenderInteriors of the test mule revealed a rotary dial, which means the car could get an electronic parking brake. Nexon EV Max already has this feature. It works automatically by default and can also be controlled manually.Tata Punch EV rangeA range of around 300 km seems apt for Tata Punch EV. As Tata will be looking to achieve an affordable price point, a smaller battery pack could be used. The battery pack and electric powertrain could be borrowed from Tiago or a tweaked version could be used. For reference, Tiago EV is available in two range options, 250 km and 315 km.Tata Punch Electric RenderSome upgrades could be expected with Punch EV, as Tata has been consistently improving its Ziptron electric vehicle platform. Drive modes of Eco, City and Sport will be available. Talking about rivals, recently launched MG Comet EV can travel 230 km on a full charge. Citroen eC3 does better with a range of 320 km.Disclaimer – Design renders presented in this blog are solely for illustrative purposes and have not been commissioned, approved, or endorsed by the manufacturer. Designs presented here may not reflect the final product or the manufacturer’s intentions. The renders are provided as conceptual designs or artistic interpretations only, and their accuracy or feasibility cannot be guaranteed. More

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      Citroen eC3 electric base variant arrives – First look walkaround

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      Citroen eC3 electric base variantCitroen eC3 is the company’s maiden electric vehicle in India that takes on the Tata Tiago EV in the entry level electric car segmentCitroen launched the eC3, an electric variant of its ICE powered C3 hatchback, on 27 February, 2023. This electric hatchback is presented in two variants of Live and Feel. It is priced from Rs 11.50 lakh for the Live trim going up to Rs 12.13 lakh for the Feel trim.Until now, it was the top variant which was highlighted. Now, thanks to TheCarsShow by Arsh Jolly, we get a detailed look at the base Live variant of Citroen eC3. The walkaround video draws attention to its exterior and interior features and what it misses out over the higher Feel variant.Citroen 3C3 Live Trim – Base variant walkaroundCitroen eC3 EV Live trim gets the most basic of features. The exterior and interior of eC3 are identical to that of its ICE sibling and has been underpinned on the same platform and hence carries forward the same dimensions. The eC3 stands 3,981mm in length, 1,733 mm in width, 1,586mm in height and gets ground clearance of 170mm.The Live trim sports halogen head and tail lamps in a conventional design and halogen based indicator while it misses out on LED DRL. Its front fascia shows off black coloured plastic body cladding in the front and a Citroen logo in a matte silver finish. The eC3 EV is being offered in four mono-tone options and nine dual-tone options.[embedded content]Moving over to the sides, there is the charging port along with manually operated ORVMs while Live trim rides on 15 inch steel wheels with covers. Features also include blacked out B and C pillars, black finished door handles along with Citroen badging and eC3 logo at the rear. The Live trim also misses out on rear wiper and defogger. Boot space stands at 315 liters and sports a spare wheel.Interiors are also the very basic as the eC3 misses out on a touchscreen infotainment system which can be got as an accessory. It gets fabric seat upholstery with fixed headrests, a comfortable driver seat but it is not height adjustable while the steering wheel too is not tilt adjustable.Citroen eC3 Live trim receives most of the safety equipment seen on the Feel variant. These include dual front airbags, ABS, EBD and reverse parking sensors. It gets two power windows in the front, a bottle holder on the driver side door and manual AC controls.Citroen eC3 electric base variantCitroen 3C3 Live TrimEV powertrain, range and fast charging facilities are the same for Live and Feel variants of the Citroen eC3 which draws power via a 29.2 kWh battery pack and a 3.3 kW onboard AC charger coupled with an electric motor. This offers 56 hp power and 143 Nm torque to ensure a 320 km range.The battery supports fast charging, via which it is possible to charge up to 80 percent in 57 minutes. It takes 10.5 hours to charge the battery via a home charger. Acceleration from 0-60 km/h is possible in 6.8 seconds. Citroen eC3 is being offered with a 3 year / 1,25,000 km warranty along with a 7 year / 1,40,000 km warranty on the battery pack and 5 year / 1,00,000 km warranty on the electric motor. More

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      Indian Army’s Maruti Gypsy Modified Electric Version Spotted On Road

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      Maruti Gypsy ElectricMaruti Gypsy electric vehicle has been developed via a collaboration between Indian Army Cell, IIT-Delhi and Tadpole ProjectsOwing to its compact size, agile performance and off-roading capabilities, Maruti Gypsy has remained a preferred choice for the Indian Army. Even when Gypsy was discontinued and no longer available to the general public, Maruti continued to make the 4X4 Gypsy for Indian Armed forces. Other vehicles used by the army include Mahindra Scorpio Classic. Maruti Jimny is also expected to join the armed forces soon.With climate change now impacting one and all, there are efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of Indian Armed forces as well. One relevant example is that of conversion of Army-owned Maruti Gypsy into fully electric vehicle. A total of 10 units have been converted, as part of a pilot project. If things work out as desired, more orders can be placed for conversion.Maruti Gypsy electric spottedDetails about electric Gypsy were already available, but this is the first time it has been spotted on the roads. While electric Gypsy may not be suitable for active operations, it can be certainly used across civilian and cantonment areas. This latest sighting is from Delhi, although the exact location is not known.Electric Gypsy does not seem to have any major changes to its body panelling. Differentiating factors come in the form of a green paint job on the sides of the SUV. The term ‘Pure EV’ is also painted in green. Another change is the green number plate.[embedded content]Why convert petrol Gypsy to electric?One of the key benefits of converting petrol Gypsy into electric is the significant reduction in operational cost. Electric Gypsy has certified range of 120 km. A full charge costs Rs 120, which means operating cost is Rs 1 per kilometre. In comparison, running the same distance on petrol will cost Rs 1,200. As of now, only 10 Gypsy units have been converted into electric. If the same approach is used for hundreds of units of petrol-powered Gypsy, savings worth lakhs are possible every year.Conversion to electric also means an extension of the vehicle’s lifespan. This will help in reducing capital expenditure, allocated for procuring new vehicles. Environmental impact also has to be considered, as electric Gypsy has zero emissions. In comparison, petrol powered Gypsy has carbon emission of 3.3 grams per kilometre.Conversion of petrol-Gypsy to electric involves complete removal of the engine, fuel tank and linked componentry. The vehicle is then fitted with lithium-iron phosphate batteries and a PMS electric motor. This is likely a one-way process, as reconverting the vehicle back to petrol will be a cumbersome, time-consuming and costly affair.Maruti Gypsy electric has a 21.7 kW, 72 Volt battery pack. Torque output is more than that of the petrol unit. A full charge takes around 9 hours when connected to a 15 Amp charger. Maruti Gypsy electric has a top speed of 70 kmph. The cost of conversion works out at Rs 5,78,200 per unit. More

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      2024 Mahindra XUV700 electric spied testing – Launch next year

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      Mahindra XUV700 Electric Spied Testing. Image – MotorbeamMahindra will launch XUV700 electric version as the XUV800 sometime next yearMahindra is betting big on EVs. Recently, they announced an investment of Rs. 10K crore, part of which will be used to manufacture electrified XUVs and its all-new BE series of electric cars.Last year Mahindra showcased five electric cars at M.A.D.E headquarters in the UK. Two of them will be electrified XUVs and three will be “Born Electric”. First of these five will be XUV.e8 or XUV800, an electrified version of XUV700. The same has now been spied on test.Mahindra XUV700 Electric Spotted TestingThe Mahindra XUV700 electric test mule seen here is finished Satin Copper shade, which Mahindra uses as a signifying colour on their XUV based electric cars. Similar shade was used as accent colour on the first XUV.e8 prototype which was showcased in the UK last year.There will be a few design changes between the current petrol / diesel XUV700 and the upcoming electric XUV700. These will be similar changes like we see on the XUV300 and the XUV400.Mahindra XUV700 Electric SUV – Full dashboard touchscreen. Image – OverdriveOn the inside, there will be a triple display setup as opposed to the dual display setup on the outgoing XUV700. This triple display setup first debuted in XUV.e8’s working prototype. One of these displays will be driver’s instrumentation. Center one will be for infotainment while the third one will be for front passenger.The INGLO Platform is in-line with global standardsMahindra’s electric cars will be based on the INGLO platform. This new electric platform is modular and scalable. Mahindra has revealed battery variations will be between 60 kWh and 80 kWh and both RWD single motor and AWD dual motor layouts are likely too.Mahindra has partnered with Volkswagen for the INGLO platform. CEO of VW Group Components, Thomas Schmall, has revealed that their partnership with Mahindra will support 10 lakh vehicles over this platform’s lifetime.Demand for electric cars is on the rise in India. Currently, Tata Motors holds the crown in electric cars segment with over 75% market share. But Mahindra is catching up. When launched, XUV.e8 or XUV800 is likely to cost about Rs. 35 lakh. Launch of the Mahindra XUV700 electric is likely to take place sometime next year.Image Source More

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      Electric Car Owner Requests Company To Take The EV Back

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      Tata Nexon EV ownerProspective EV buyers in India should thoroughly research use cases and expectations from their new electric car before falling head-first into EV realmWoes of EV owners in India are rising. This is not just limited to Nexon EV or any of Tata Motors’ electric vehicles. It is the state of EVs in India that is relatively young for electric powertrains and necessary charging infrastructure. A Tata Nexon EV owner named Carmelita Fernandes took to social media recently and expressed grievances regarding her electric vehicle.She explained on Twitter what kind of a nightmare her experience with her Nexon EV was. Fed up with Tata Motors’ service, she asked the company to “take her car back” as a last resort. But, what made this Nexon EV owner say this? Let’s take a look.Nexon EV Owner Says Please Take My Car BackBecause Tata is the largest EV manufacturer in India, cases like this relating to it are more common. It is like Maruti Suzuki car crashes are more because it sells more cars, to begin with. It is all about probability. Most of what we say in this post holds good for EVs in general.Carmelita Fernandes took to social media to express grievances regarding her Nexon EV. In a Twitter post, she explained how she had multiple issues with her Nexon EV. She mentioned two trips from Mumbai to Pune. The distance between Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport to Pune is around 160 km.Tata Nexon EV ownerOn a full charge, Nexon EV Prime promises a range of 312 km. That said, Lonavala ghats eat into the battery significantly while climbing inclines and the same amount of lost extra energy is not recuperated in declines. Topping up in Pune becomes mandatory. But India’s charging infrastructure is still in its infant stage and charging stations often don’t work as expected.Carmelita Fernandes claims charging stations at Turbhe and Food Mall didn’t work at all. She had battery issues too which Rudra Motors in Wagholi, Pune, replaced under warranty. Carmelita also claims that Tata’s ZConnect Support didn’t provide any support and the company’s toll-free number 18008332233 doesn’t work at all.State of EVs in India in May 2023Even though electric car sales touched 5,000+ units monthly mark, corresponding charging infrastructure growth is still very meek. So, the prospect of an EV in India has still not expanded beyond the tier 1 or tier 2 city limits (in most cases). For intercity commutes and long drives, owners should thoroughly plan the trip ahead.Automotive enthusiasts reacting to the postEven though one has planned out a route and personally telephoned all charging stations for working confirmation, there is no guarantee that they will work when you arrive with a minimal state of charge. Maybe the weather is bad or the charging station just wouldn’t budge. My luck would never allow such a close call and will always keep me stranded (sad life).Even if you can afford a long-range EV among the 28 electric cars on sale in India, you’re still limited by lack of a robust charging infrastructure. We would advise a prospective EV buyer in India mid-2023 to thoroughly research the use cases of their new electric car. If your daily commute involves city driving and an occasional long drive within a 100 km radius for recreation, go for it.If your EV is a second or a third car, go for it. Or else, ICE vehicles still pose great value. PHEVs with traditional parallel hybrid architecture are the best bet for emerging markets like India. A small manually rechargeable battery and a motor for short commutes along with an IC engine for the longer routes. None of the mainstream hybrids in India currently offer plug-in functionality. More

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      Toyota-Suzuki-Daihatsu electric van debuts – 200 Km range

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      Toyota Suzuki Daihatsu – Mini electric vanThe upcoming mini electric van from Toyota-Suzuki-Daihatsu will feature a battery big enough for around 200 km of range on a single chargeThe trio Toyota-Suzuki-Daihatsu has unveiled a new electric van prototype at an exhibition highlighting automotive industry’s efforts towards carbon neutrality. This event is taking place between May 18th to 27th, 2023. JAMA (Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association) is hosting this event and will take place along with G7 Hiroshima Summit.All three manufacturers will showcase a badge-engineered version of the same electric minivan. First images are out and production-spec versions of this prototype will be named Toyota Pixis Van, Suzuki Every and Daihatsu Hijet Cargo. Is India among the target markets? Let’s take a look.Toyota-Suzuki-Daihatsu electric vanToyota-Daihatsu-Suzuki Trio’s First Electric VanToyota Pixis Van, Suzuki Every and Daihatsu Hijet Cargo will primarily target the last-mile logistics industry and CJPTC (Commercial Japan Partnership Technology Corporation) gave inputs to this project regarding the same. The trio has tasked Daihatsu with manufacturing Pixis Van, Every and Hijet Cargo.This is not the only project that this trio has on their cards. In an earlier post, we covered Toyota-Daihatsu-Suzuki’s mid-engined sports car. In that project, Toyota will develop suspension and other componentry, Suzuki will prepare the powertrain and Daihatsu designs it. It is an interesting proposition as a 1.0L turbo petrol unit powers it and it will weigh under 1,000 kg.Toyota-Suzuki-Daihatsu electric vanIn this electric minivan project, Toyota is contributing towards electric powertrain. Suzuki and Daihatsu contribute with their expertise in manufacturing small cars and interior space engineering. The production version of this electric minivan is rumoured to feature a battery enough for 200 km of range.Toyota-Suzuki-Daihatsu electric vanMinivan with good cargo spaceToyota Pixis Van, Suzuki Every and Daihatsu Hijet Cargo will not compete with bigger electric vans like Fiat e-Ducato, upcoming VW ID Buzz Cargo and the likes. Instead, these offer a limited cargo space for the Japan market and other ASEAN markets where Kei cars are common. We hope India is a recipient too, as we can see it as a good intra city delivery van for both B2B and B2C models.Speaking of Kei cars, this electric minivan looks like one too. Just longer in length. It has a cutesy appeal to it and features a boxy design. Toyota Pixis Van, Suzuki Every and Daihatsu Hijet Cargo will feature identical design. Except for Suzuki Every which gets a different front bumper. There is a front charging port as well but it is not centered, which could enhance convenience.Toyota-Suzuki-Daihatsu electric vanConsidering that the trio is aiming for commercial and cargo applications, the stuck glass could have been a sheet metal. So, people carrying applications in the future might be on the cards. Notable elements are sliding doors, steel wheels, a small bonnet, and a flat roof with exposed rain gutters.Image Source More