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      New MG4 Electric Crossover Debuts With 450 Km Range – Kia EV6 Rival

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      MG4 EV name is for global markets and for domestic market in China, SAIC has named it MG MulanNew MG4 Electric CrossoverMG4 EV has been on test for more than a year now. Today, MG has finally lifted the curtains and revealed it to the world. It is expected to sit below the MG5 EV which was an electric version of an MG5 estate car.MG4 is rebranded version of MG Mulan, that is manufactured by SAIC Motors under MG marque. MG Mulan was unveiled last month. For the European market and other markets, MG is calling it MG4 EV.MG4 EV – Design & FeaturesBy the looks of it, MG4 resembles a lot like the first-generation Nissan Leaf, the one without a front grille. But it also inherits family design traits from MG5. The grille is completely given a miss on MG4 and in its place, we have a sharp contoured shape that does look handsome.Headlights get LED projectors and LED 6-tripe pattern DRLs. Lower part of the bumper is inspired by MG5 which gets sharp cuts and creases that will surely appeal to the target audience. Side profile is equally good looking and the lower part of the doors gets chunky plastic cladding.New MG4 Electric CrossoverRear design treatments remind us of Toyota’s rally-spec hot hatchback GR Yaris. Especially with LED tail-lights and the logo splitting the two extending tail-light elements. Other interesting design elements are, side windows look like they’re merging into the rear windscreen and a sporty rear split spoiler design that neatly merges into the top running board and into the A-pillars. This creates an illusion that the spoilers are engulfing the roof.New MG4 Electric CrossoverOn the inside though, it exudes minimalism staying true to current EV trends. Not Tesla’s levels of minimalism though and it is a good thing. Since more than 90% of a Tesla’s functions are controlled by that one screen, it is very frustrating, especially on the road. Whatever happened to good old buttons and knobs, huh?Platform & PowertrainMG4 is based on MG’s new Modular Scalable Platform (MSP) and MG4 is actually the first vehicle to debut this new platform. In China, it is called the Nebula platform. Same platform, different names. This platform is primarily designed to be a RWD layout with a motor on rear axle, but MG can also make it AWD with dual motors too. The battery height is only 4.3” (110mm) and this platform also boasts 50:50 weight distribution too.New MG4 Electric CrossoverSAIC has a lot of combinations to choose from in terms of EV powertrain. They have 168 bhp to 201 bhp powertrains for RWD and 443 bhp powertrain in AWD. They also have a 50.3 kWh Li-ion battery pack and 51 kWh and 64 kWh Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt battery packs. This new platform is scalable and can be modified to underpin an electric hatchback, electric sedan, electric SUV and even an electric Supercar.MG has not yet revealed powertrain details for the European market and domestic market. MG4 is expected to launch in Britain first somewhere in the month of September where it competes with VW ID.3, Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the likes. MG India hasn’t revealed if MG4 EV will make it to India or not. More

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      Hyundai Ioniq 6 Electric Car Debuts – Based On Kia EV6 Platform

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      Hyundai Ioniq 6 will rival the likes of Tesla Model 3 – It is 4,855 mm long and 1,880 mm wideHyundai Ioniq 6 Electric CarHyundai, along with its sister brand Kia, is slowly emerging as an EV leader globally. Even though Hyundai and Kia have decent products in their portfolio, they didn’t have a product that would directly rival Tesla’s hot cake, Model 3. Until now.Even with all the EVs that are pitted against Tesla, the American EV maker is still the top dog with its EV range consisting of Model S, 3, X, Y. Hey, I didn’t do this, Elon did. With the South Korean duo pushing their EV envelope further, we can expect the market to heat up considerably.Hyundai Ioniq 6 – Design & FeaturesIoniq 6 has a design that is a culmination of a lot of inspirations from German car manufacturers. But no matter how many cars you can see in it, it is still quite a looker with a swooping roof and coupe design. From the front, it draws a lot of inspiration from Porsche Taycan EV. It gets a similar headlight layout, bonnet shape and a lot more elements.From the side, the beautiful swooping roof and coupe-like roofline ring any bell to you? It immediately reminds us of the now discontinued Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class with its curvaceous body shape. CLA-Class was one of the prettiest cars from Mercedes-Benz and it also came with frameless doors that enhanced its overall drama.Hyundai Ioniq 6 Electric CarComing to the rear profile, we are hard-pressed not to compare it with Porsche’s design language. The ducktail spoiler found on the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is lifted straight off Porsche’s iconic 911 series ducktail spoilers. Even the rear shape and the LED light bar connecting the tail-lights is a typical modern Porsche design philosophy. Ask Ferdinand Porsche, he would approve with us.Hyundai Ioniq 6 Electric CarHyundai seems to be following the “Same same, but different” kind of design philosophy. If we look at Hyundai Ioniq 6 in isolation and without comparing it with cars mentioned above, even though it is very hard not to, it is a looker. To amplify the design further, it gets stylish alloy wheels too.The most impressive aspect of this car’s design is its 0.21 Cd air drag coefficient. It ain’t no Mercedes-Benz EQS at 0.209 Cd air drag coefficient, but is still very impressive. The flush door handles and streamlined cameras replacing the mirrors certainly help in achieving such a low air drag coefficient.Hyundai Ioniq 6 Electric CarLaunch TimelineOn the inside, it radiates a minimalist vibe with dual 12” screens dominating the dashboard. Most of the car’s functionalities are expected to be controlled with these screens. Hyundai Ioniq 6 is expected to get a 77 kWh battery pack with either a single or dual motor layout with AWD. This combination might be good enough to yield 400 km to 500 km of range from a single charge.Hyundai hasn’t revealed a launch timeline for the Ioniq 6. When launched, it will compete with Tesla Model 3, Polestar 2, Kia EV6, VW ID.5 and the likes. India launch could also be planned. But before the Ioniq 6, Hyundai will bring the Ioniq 5 to India. More

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      Tata Nexon Electric Catches Fire In Mumbai – Official Statement

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      This is the first Tata Nexon EV fire incident that has been reported since its launchTata Nexon Electric catches fireEV fires are not a rare phenomenon these days. We have seen EV fires take place from time to time. Even in a country like India where EV market is still in the budding phase, we have seen EV fires in electric scooters produced by various startups.But that doesn’t mean that EV fire hazards are only confined to startups or inexperienced manufacturers only happen in a country like India. EV fire hazards occur in the US too. Most of these EV hazards come from esteemed EV manufacturers like Tesla Motors and General Motors.Tata Nexon Electric Catches Fire – MumbaiNexon EV is the highest selling electric car of India. Every month, about 2,500 to 3,000 units of the EV are sold. Until now, there has been no reported incident of Nexon EV catching fire. But yesterday, a Tata Nexon electric SUV caught fire in Mumbai’s Vasai area. Videos of the same have gone viral on social media.As per a reader, the owner of the car had charged his Nexon EV with a normal slow charger installed at his office. After driving about 5 km in slow traffic commute towards his house, he heard clicky sounds from the car. Soon he was treated with flashes of warnings on the instrument cluster which made him park it at the side and get out.[embedded content][embedded content]Video shared by Twitter user KamalJoshi108, we can see firefighters spraying water on the burning Nexon EV. Even though a burning electric car can’t be doused with water, it can be beneficial in controlling the fire from spreading to the surroundings. EV fires take a longer time to douse, as individual cells are subjected to a chain reaction and will burn individually or in small clusters.Tata Nexon Electric FireTata Motors official Statement – Nexon EV FireTata Motors notified Rushlane – “A detailed investigation is currently being conducted to ascertain the facts of the recent isolated thermal incident that is doing the rounds on social media. We will share a detailed response after our complete investigation. We remain committed to the safety of our vehicles and their users. This is a first incident after more than 30,000 EVs have cumulatively covered over 10 million km across the country in nearly 4 years.”Why did it happen?It is anyone’s guess as to why Nexon electric caught fire. Some of the reasons include – Battery overheating due to overcharging or fast charging can cause EV fires. A battery compromised in a crash also caused fire. Battery chemistry, design and cooling also form a paramount reason why EVs catch fires.There are a million permutations and combinations that could have led to the fire hazard that happened with the Nexon EV in question. We will have to wait for Tata Motor’s investigation report as to why it happened. More

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      OLA Electric Cars Teased Officially – New Premium Sedan, SUV, Hatch?

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      Ola’s first electric car will be made at the company’s upcoming mother plant in Tamil NaduOla Electric CarIt is no secret that Ola Electric, soon after the launch of its S1 electric scooter, has been eyeing the Indian electric four wheeler segment which is projected to have an immense potential. It appears that, even as the company is facing several complaints related to the quality, reliability and delivery timeline issues of its S1 scooter, developing activities of the upcoming electric car are proceeding in full swing.On the sidelines of the ‘Ola Customer Day’ event held at the site of the company’s upcoming facility near Krishnagiri, TN, the EV startup released a teaser video of its upcoming premium electric cars. The 30 second teaser shows teaser of more than one Ola electric car.OLA Electric Car – Hatch, Sedan, SUV Teased ?New Ola electric car teaser gives us a sneak peak of not 1, but 3 electric cars. Hat tip to automotive enthusiast Snehal Praveen for the update. One of the upcoming Ola electric car, as the teaser indicates, could be a low-slung sporty sedan with a coupe roof-line and modern design. Other two could be an electric SUV / coupe and hatchback.The Ola sedan takes a lot of aerodynamic liberty in its exterior styling which would otherwise be challenging in a conventional IC engine car like an extremely low slung nose. Salient design features include a wedged shaped front fascia, an LED lighting signature that runs across the width of the car, a swooping roofline, and Kia-like rear fascia.[embedded content][embedded content]No further details have been shared as of now but Ola Electric’s CEO Bhavish Aggarwal stated that more details will be revealed on August 15. There were reports that Ola has hired ex-Mahindra designer – Ramkripa Ananthan, who designed the current XUV700, Thar, XUV300. Ola Electric’s venture into the passenger car segment is expected in about 2 year’s time. That said, the product development process is usually hurried in a startup setting compared to a traditional OEM.What to expect?For instance, basing the product on an already existing electric skateboard from any of the several international mobility players would considerably shorten the lead time. The powertrain configuration is anyone’s guess as of now, and we think it is going to be one motor at each wheel, supported by a lithium-ion battery pack with a capacity of around 60-80 kWh.Aided by an impressively low aerodynamic co-efficient and frontal area, such a battery pack could be good enough for a certified range of over 500 km. A 0-100 kph time of less than 7 seconds and a top-speed in excess of 150 kmph would be a nice place to start in terms of performance. These numbers might be similar for their sedan, hatchback and SUV, or they could be different.Ola electric cars teased – SUV, Sedan, and hatchback ?New Ola electric cars could be positioned in various segments of the Indian electric vehicle space. Ola hatchback could be the most affordable, above which could be their sedan and on top will be the electric SUV offering. One can expect a lengthy equipment list complete with ADAS features.Demand for electric vehicles is on the rise. Major OEMs like Tata, Kia, Mahindra, Hyundai have committed to launch more new EVs in India. Even premium brands like Audi, Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar, etc have joined the EV revolution. With Tesla reportedly putting their India launch plans on hold, things could work in favour of Ola Electric cars. More

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      2023 Jeep Electric SUV Spied – To Rival Mahindra XUV400?

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      Upcoming compact electric SUV from Jeep is likely to be underpinned by the STLA platform2023 Jeep Electric SUVEarlier this year, Jeep revealed its plan of launching its first fully electric SUV in the near future. The American brand has been very vocal about going green in future and its plans gained fresh impetus when the company, along with other subsidiaries from FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) formed part of a new conglomerate called Stellantis in 2020.Electric mobility has gathered momentum in the last couple of years and every automaker is investing a part of its resources in battery-powered vehicles. The upcoming electric SUV from Jeep was recently spied under full disguise. The company has earlier revealed that the compact SUV will be making its global debut in early 2023.Jeep Electric SUV Spied: Exterior DesignLike the previous spy shots, the latest test mule of the electric SUV caught on camera has been completely wrapped under camouflage which makes it difficult to decode any specific highlight of its exterior. However, some highlights are still evidently visible like a rectangular LED headlight with a slim DRL unit above on each side.The faux grille with a traditional seven-slat arrangement takes centre stage with a small ‘e’ symbol to distinguish itself from its fossil fuel-powered siblings. Underneath the faux grille, it gets a slim opening followed by a wide air dam below it. It gets traditional Jeep characteristics including the flared wheel arches and muscular front and rear bumpers which lend it a brawny appearance.2023 Jeep Electric SUVRear door handles sit flush with the C pillar. A flat roofline and a flat tailgate further lend the SUV a boxy silhouette. The sculpted tailgate features a roof-mounted spoiler, wraparound LED taillamps and the Jeep logo at the centre. The test mule rides on 17-inch petal-shaped dual-tone alloy wheels. Rear bumper also looks muscular and sporty thanks to a faux silver-coloured skid plate.To be based on eCMP/STLA platformThis upcoming electric SUV holds more significance since it will be built on the eCMP architecture which is an electrified derivative of CMP (Common Modular Platform). This platform underpins the upcoming Citroen C3 crossover slated to be launched in India in June. Hence, it has a good chance of arriving on Indian shores sometime in future.However, the CMP architecture is best suited for an FWD configuration and offering an AWD/4WD setup in this platform will be a challenge. Therefore, it can also be the case where the upcoming compact electric SUV from Jeep could be based on the STLA platform developed by parent company Stellantis. There are four different iterations of this STLA architecture including- STLA Small, STLA Medium, STLA Large and STLA Frame.2023 Jeep Electric SUVThe upcoming Ram 1500 electric pickup truck will also be based on one of these STLA architectures. The electric SUV will likely go on sale in the US and European markets first followed by other international markets.India Launch, Rivals?Jeep has extensive plans for India, which may also include electric vehicles. The new compact Jeep Electric SUV is expected to be about 4.23 meter in length. It will be a litter longer than the Tata Nexon EV – the current best selling electric car in India. But the Jeep EV SUV will be about the same size as the upcoming XUV400 electric.Mahindra has plans to launch the XUV300 electric version, which will be a little longer than the current XUV300 petrol / diesel version. It will be called XUV400 upon launch. Mahindra is expected to unveil the new XUV400 electric SUV in the UK on 15th Aug. Apart from selling the XUV400 EV in India, Mahindra also has plans to sell their EVs in international markets.Source 1, Source 2 More

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      Tata Safari Spied With Green No Plates – First Safari Electric SUV?

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      Tata Motors is the leading electric vehicle maker in India – They have plans to launch many new electric SUVs in the futureTata Safari Electric SpiedTata Safari Electric! Already? Hold your horses. We know Tata Safari Electric is exciting news and it looks like a good proposition too. But not a lot is known about this mysterious vehicle that has been spotted somewhere in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. It does look like a finished product, as good as any other Tata Safari bought from an authorized dealer. But we think that it isn’t the case at all.After a bit of searching the number plate across multiple vehicle databases, it was revealed that it still showed as XZA+ variant with 2.0L Kryotec BS6 engine. But the number plate is green, which indicates that it is an EV. So why is a Tata Safari that is registered as a diesel on the RTO database, wearing a green no plate? Here are some explanations for this confusing spy shot of Tata Safari Electric.Tata Safari Electric SpiedAs we all know, Tata Safari only gets a 2.0L Kryotec diesel engine sourced from Stellantis (formerly, Fiat-Chrysler) that makes 168 bhp and 350 Nm. Tata Motors has been testing the Safari with a petrol engine too and on the test mule, you will see a red number plate. It’s because in India, every single test mule, EV or not, is given a red number plate.  Only the finalised product that is sold for private use, get the usual number plates from RTO. White board with black font indicates a PV (passenger vehicle), yellow board with black font indicates LCV (light commercial vehicle) and HCV (heavy commercial vehicle). Whereas a black board with yellow font indicates self-driven rental vehicles. EVs get two different types of number plates where the board is green for both and if the vehicle has a white font, it is an electric PV and if the font is yellow, it is an electric CV.  Tata Safari EV Spied with green no plateThe Tata Safari electric spotted has a green board with white font indicating that it is an electric PV. But Tata never launched it. If you suspect that it is a prank of some sort or the owner is committing fraud, that does not seem to be the case as the number plate is a properly embossed number plate with non-removable bolts with RTO’s hologram too. It doesn’t look like a fake number plate at all.  Tata Safari EV – What is it?The car looks like it actually is an EV as registered by the RTO. But it is not a test mule undergoing testing by Tata as it doesn’t have a red number plate. This might be the work of a third-party that has developed an EV conversion kit for Safari. We don’t know the name of the company as of now. But developing an EV conversion kit is no mean feat.Electronics and electricals are one of the most complicated aspects of vehicle development. The entire electric harness has to be custom-built with proper voltage architectures in mind. Then comes the hassle of battery placement, motor placement, mass centralisation, weight distribution, centre of gravity, interior packaging with the new battery in place, battery weather sealing, battery cooling solutions, battery management system tuning, modifications to brakes and suspension to accommodate the extra weight and a million more aspects. It is not an easy task of just taking out the engine and stuffing batteries in its place.Tata Safari Electric Spied – New Safari EVWe have seen EV conversion kits like this before too. Our bet is that Tata Safari Electric conversion kit is being developed by someone, with good resources to back them up. The car in question seems to be a piece of demonstration for investors, bankers or even Government officials. This company seems like they first bought a Tata Safari XZA+ and then converted it into an EV and then got it re-registered as an EV from RTO. If that is the case, Tata Safari Electric range could be somewhere in between 300-500 kms. Whatever it is, it looks promising. If you happen to have more details, please get in touch. More

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      Mahindra XUV900 Electric Coupe SUV Teased – 15th Aug Debut

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      XUV900 will likely be the new flagship of Mahindra – It will be manufactured in India, but will be pitted as a global SUVMahindra XUV900 Electric SUV – New TeaserMahindra has been teasing us with their ‘Born Electric’ range of concept SUVs for some time now. The Indian automaker aims to electrify its vehicle portfolio and while doing so, aims to take its EVs to the world too.Mahindra was the first mainstream Indian automotive manufacturer to venture into EV space. They bought electric car manufacturing company Reva and introduced a few uninspiring vehicles. But Indian EV space was still very young and not very mature, and Mahindra failed big time. But Mahindra has completely revamped its EV aspirations. With Mahindra’s acquisition of Italian design firm Pininfarina, they have successfully managed to create one of the fastest EVs in the world, Battista.Pininfarina Battista is a 1900 bhp electric hypercar capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 kph under 2 seconds putting cars like Bugatti’s to shame. With the newfound expertise in EVs, Mahindra has set a roadmap for its EV portfolio in India and the world. They are set to launch 7 e-vehicles under the Born electric range of SUVs. This will further plaster Mahindra’s image as an SUV maker rather than a carmaker.Mahindra XUV900 Coupe electric SUVPratap Bose, Chief Design Officer at Mahindra took to social media to tease us about the upcoming electric SUV that will be a part of Born Electric SUV range. Designed at Mahindra Advanced Design Europe (MADE), the upcoming SUV will not only be Born Electric, it will also be a global SUV.[embedded content][embedded content]The teaser goes on to show how Mahindra has been incorporating their learnings at Formula E, on their new SUV. Looking at the video released by the company in the past, we can see the fighter jet cockpit-like interior with giant screens behind a futuristic steering wheel.The SUV also gets a new design language which will be a complete departure from some of the polarising designs Mahindra has today. The Indian manufacturer has given the upcoming SUV aerodynamic wheels that will reduce air resistance. With decreasing air drag, we can see an increase in the range of this EV. It will likely have one of the lowest drag coefficients of any cars manufactured in India.Mahindra claims that they are creating an all-original design philosophy with this upcoming electric SUV. They also claim that it will be just as exhilarating on the road as it is on the race track.Launch & CompetitionWhen Mahindra says that they’re putting ‘Sport’ back in electric SUVs, we can’t help but think about the rumoured XUV900 Coupe. Mahindra is all set to unveil their new electric SUV range on 15th Aug, in the UK. Launch will be in a few years. We expect to see the production version of this sporty electric SUV in 2023 or 2024. Mahindra is also set to reveal the electric version of XUV300 in Indian market soon. More

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      New MG Mulan Electric Car Debuts – 5G Internet, 0 To 100 Kmph In 4s

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      MG Mulan is a new gen Global Electric car – Safety to match stringent EU standards for sales in Europe2022 MG Mulan ElectricMG Motor is keen on global expansion. And the world is now more receptive to electric cars. Sales target for Europe is in the region of 1.2 lakh units this year, and this will include MG Mulan, the manufacturer’s newest electric car offering.Built on the Nebula electric platform, the 5-door unit is MG’s first global EV for Europe. Known as Mulan in China, it would wear the MG 4 moniker in export markets. The hatch sits at 4,300 mm, slightly smaller than Nissan Leaf. Mulan EV goes from 0-100 km/h in 4 seconds.New MG Mulan Electric CarOn the design front, MG Mulan Electric is sharp and stylistic. The elements come together with its LED headlight, and taillights, sporty rear spoiler, and panoramic sunroof. Black elements for contrast are visible in almost all aspects of exterior design including the front air intake grille.The logo in front is positioned on the lip above the front grille. In the rear, it’s positioned in the middle of the wraparound taillight system. A high-density battery shaves off volume from the unit for reduced battery thickness. This in turn translates to increased cabin space.2022 MG Mulan ElectricIn keeping with stringent EU norms, MG Mulan fortifies its battery zero thermal runway to prevent it from catching fire or an incident of thermal runaway. The latter occurs in case of battery cell short circuit causing intense heat up, leading to fire. The Nebula platform caters to electric cars. MG Mulan / MG4 fits the slim LBS (Lithium Battery System) under the car’s floor.MG CyberE, Mulan EVPatented as MG CyberE, Mulan EV sales are expected to contribute significantly to volume increase in the years to come. Designed for Level 3 autonomous driving, Mulan features a smart cockpit with 5G connectivity. The link rear suspension has been deeply cultivated in driving control.While the MG ZS EV is available overseas as a FWD, Mulan / MG4 will be available as a RWD. This in turn helps keep up with quick petrol-powered AWD hot hatches in European markets. While RWD is mentioned, no details regarding motor (s) in use are yet available. MG aims to take in mid range electric cars from Tesla with the new Mulan.2022 MG Mulan ElectricSAIC Nebula platformSAIC had announced new battery systems and vehicle platforms to advance vehicle tech. They include SAIC Nebula pure electric only platform, SAIC Everest for oil and electricity integrated vehicle architecture, and SAIC Xinghe for electric and hydrogen integrated vehicle architecture.MG ZS EV is currently sold in India too. Through 2021, the auto manufacturer reported 2.8k units sold here. Despite a single offering which isn’t in the entry price point segment, MG’s EV sales in India have been positive. In April 2022, MG EV sales were just shy of 250 units. More