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      New Mercedes G Class Electric SUV Concept Makes Global Debut

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      Mercedes G Class Electric SUV Concept
      Upon its launch, the electric G Wagon from Mercedes Benz will rival other electric off-roading SUVs such as GMC Hummer EV and electric Ford Bronco
      One of the most popular lineups of cars from Mercedes Benz has been re-envisioned in a whole new avatar. The G-Wagon nameplate from the German marque needs no introduction as it is considered one of the purest forms of SUVs still in production. Recently, the carmaker took a giant step towards electrification of its entire lineup.
      Mercedes Benz has officially unveiled a concept of what could become the first fully electric G Class SUV in future. Officially referred to as Concept EQG, it made its maiden public appearance recently at the IAA Mobility Show 2021 in Munich. The company says that the EQG Concept is a vision of what an electrified G-Class will look like.
      A final production version of an electric G Wagon is expected to make its debut in 2025 which will be based on the EQG Concept. Speaking of its design, Concept EQG unmistakably looks like a G-Class with close visual relations with its IC engine-powered sibling. However, the battery-powered G Wagon comes with a series of styling revisions that mirrors the design of futuristic electric vehicles.
      Mercedes G Class Electric – Exterior Styling
      The exterior overhaul of the SUV is subtle with a similar dual-tone paint scheme used in other EV models from Mercedes such as the EQS luxury sedan. The entire exterior has been installed with illuminated trim elements which include a solid black panel with a 3D star pattern replacing the front grille. Upfront, the faux grille is flanked by round LED headlights circled by integrated LED DRLs.
      Mercedes G Class Electric SUV Concept
      The SUV stands on large 22-inch aluminium wheels while in place of a spare-wheel carrier, it features a storage box. The storage box has been designed to look like the charging station which consists of the port and charging cables. Concept EQG carries the signature G Class boxy silhouette and is still underpinned by a ladder-on-frame chassis that sits on an independent suspension in front and a solid axle at the rear.
      Powerful & off-road capable
      While exact specs of its powertrain haven’t been revealed, it has come to light that the SUV will be powered by four electric motors each mounted close to the four wheels. Mercedes says that each of these motors can be operated independently to provide “unique driving characteristics.” These motors will be connected via a two-speed gearbox which effectively offers low-range and high-range gearing thus fulfilling its off-roading requirements.
      Mercedes says instant torque provided by an electric powertrain will further enhance the SUV’s off-roading capabilities with enormous pulling power and controllability. The battery is integrated into the ladder frame to ensure a low centre of gravity. While exact battery specs, range and performance figures have not yet been revealed, it will certainly eclipse the present IC engine-powered G Wagons.
      Current IC Engine G Wagons
      Currently, G Wagon is offered in two iterations in India- the regular G350d and the more powerful AMG G63. The latter is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 petrol motor which dishes out a mammoth 577 bhp and 850 Nm of peak torque. The AG G63 sprint 0-100kmph in just 4.5 seconds making the fastest G Wagon. More

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      Mahindra XUV700 Electric SUV Prototype With 54 kWh Battery Pack

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      Mahindra XUV700 Render By zephyr_designzEven though Mahindra has readied an electric prototype of XUV700, it is not expected to undergo production anytime soon
      Earlier this year, Mahindra laid out a comprehensive roadmap for its passenger vehicle segment which featured a number of electric vehicles (EVs). Given the race towards electric mobility, Mahindra’s future EVs hold great significance for the auto market in India and the company might actively start its emission-free innings in a year or two.
      Mahindra XUV700 Electric SUV
      Mahindra has developed a battery-powered prototype of the recently launched XUV700. The homegrown automaker has already finished developing an electric prototype of the SUV, however, it is not roadworthy yet.
      Mahindra XUV700 Electric SUV Prototype features a 54kWh battery pack. The electric powertrain is expected to be equipped on board the XUV700 as and when there is decent demand and charging infrastructure available across India.
      This means there is still a lot of time before we can actually see an electric XUV700 going into production. Meanwhile, Mahindra is reportedly developing XUV900 which is essentially a 4-door Coupe SUV based on XUV700.
      Mahindra XUV700 render
      XUV700 Other Details
      The IC engine-powered XUV700 will get two engine options- a 2.2-litre mHawk diesel unit and 2.0-litre mStallion turbo petrol mill. Both units will be paired with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission.
      Higher variants will also offer the option of an all-wheel-drive setup otherwise power will be sent to the front wheels. Prices of XUV700 will start at Rs 11.99 lakh and it is expected to go on sale in a few weeks.
      Mahindra’s Other EV Projects
      Mahindra is working on a range of battery-powered vehicles, the first of which is expected to launch in 2023. This will most probably be the eclectic version of XUV300 which will be called eXUV300. A pre-production concept prototype of the same was revealed last year at the Auto Expo. However, multiple delays mainly due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic meant that it is yet to undergo series production.
      Mahindra XUV700 render
      The electric SUV is expected to feature a 40 kWh battery which will return an output of 130 bhp and a range of 300 kms in a single charge. Previous teaser images suggest that it is slightly longer despite sharing the same MESMA 350 platform, developed by Mahindra Electric completely in-house. ‘MESMA’ stands for ‘Mahindra Electric Scalable and Modular Architecture’.
      Initially, the carmaker was planning on re-entering the EV space in India with eKUV100 which is a battery-powered derivative of KUV100 micro UV. Recently, it also made a brief appearance on the official website of Mahindra Electric. However, its launch too has been hit by various speed breakers throughout its course of development.

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      Opel Rocks-E Is A Rebadged Citroen Ami Electric Car With 75 Kms Range

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      Opel Rocks-EOpel Rocks-E is expected to make its debut in Germany later this year followed by other European markets by early next year
      Badge engineering is a common phenomenon in the global automotive industry. This enables automakers to maximise their profits without having to invest much. Over the recent past, we have witnessed many such cross badged models (Maruti Baleno – Toyota Glanza). However, Opel Rocks-e could be the first instance of a badge-engineered electric car.
      Essentially the same vehicle as Citroen Ami, it would be incorrect to classify it as an electric car, at least in Europe where it will be mostly focused on. It is an electric quadricycle which essentially means it is a four-wheeled vehicle running on an electric motor. It is similar to what we have in our country in the form of Bajaj Qute which runs on an IC engine.
      Exterior Shape & Design
      Its appearance is as diminutive as its size yet it would surely grab eyeballs once it is on the road. Front and rear end of the vehicle is dominated by black bumpers which attempt to give it a macho look. The driver’s side door comes rear-hinged while the doors are almost as wide as the wheelbase.
      Yellow detailing under the door sills and bumpers create a nice sport contrast with the black and grey colour scheme. The quadricycle rolls on attractive 14-inch wheels with X-shaped alloys. Other exterior highlights include simple round reflector headlamps, circular tail-lamps and a large windscreen. In terms of dimension, Rocks-e measures 1.39 metres wide and 2.41 metres long.
      Opel Rocks-E
      The quadricycle’s miniature size benefits in tight city traffic as it receives a very impressive turning radius of 3.6 metre. This makes it very manageable in tight road conditions. Being such a small vehicle, Rocks-e weighs just 425kg which is even lighter than its donor model and it does have a positive impact on the former’s battery backup.
      Interiors
      The funky yellow highlights have been carried from the exterior to inside the cabin as well which wears a minimalist look. Speaking of the cabin, it hosts basic minimum features like a small digital driver display and has space to host only two occupants including the driver. There’s a place on the dashboard to mount one’s phone in addition to a handy storage area running behind the dashboard.
      Powertrain Specs
      Since it is a rebadged Citroen Ami, Rocks-e gets the same electrical and mechanical specs as the former. This includes a 5.5kWh battery pack which feeds energy to a 6kW electric motor that delivers an output of 8 bhp. The battery pack returns a maximum range of 75 km (47 miles) on a single charge. A top speed of 45 kmph can be achieved on this quadricycle.
      It takes more than three hours for the battery to get fully rejuvenated. Due to its friendly specifications, Rocks-e could even be driven by 15-year olds across Europe. Opel has revealed that the EV will be offered in three trim levels- base, Klub and TeKno. Prices of Rocks-e haven’t been revealed yet but it is expected to cost nearly the same as Ami which is pegged at €6,000 (approx. INR 5.20 lakh). More

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      Tata Tigor Electric Launch Price Rs 12 L – 4 Star Safety, Range 306 Kms

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      2021 Tata Tigor Electric LaunchedTigor EV is the second Tata car powered by ZipTron technology – It is also the first Indian EV to have crash test rating
      The new Tata Tigor EV has been launched and initial examples move into company dealerships to be made available for private buyers. The new Tigor EV, is based on the 2020 Tigor facelift. It is being presented in three variants of XM, XZ+ and XZ+ DT. It will borrow new Ziptron powertrain from the Nexon EV. Pre-bookings have commenced via the company online portal or at company dealerships.
      Tata Tigor EV XE variant is priced at Rs 11,99,000 while the XM trim comes in at Rs 12,49,000. The top of the line XZ+ and XZ+ dual tone carries a price tag of Rs.12,99,000. All prices are ex-sh.
      2021 Tata Tigor Electric Launched
      Exterior Design
      As has also been seen on the Xpres-T EV, the Tigor EV also receives a new front fascia, updated headlamp units and a sharper front fascia. A new glossy black panel takes the place of a traditional grille with electric blue coloured accents while blue highlights are also seen on its headlamps. LED DRLs get integrated into the front bumper while the Tigor EV rides on 15 inch wheels. Two colours are on offer – Blue and Black.
      The cabin arrangement follows a similar design as that seen on the standard Tigor save for its blue accents that set it apart. Variant wise features on the XE see crystal inspired LED tail lamps, front power outlet, fully automatic climate controls and tilt adjustable steering wheel along with front power windows.
      2021 Tata Tigor Electric Launched
      The Tigor EV XM variants receive full wheel covers, interior lamps with theater dimming features, a next gen Harman sound system with 4 speakers and 4 tweeters, speed dependent with auto lock feature and day and night IRVMs. It also sports all power windows and manual central car lock.
      First Indian electric car to get crash tested. Scores 4 safety rating.
      The top of the line XZ+ and XZ+ Dual Tone sports hyperstyle wheels, piano black shark fin antenna, signature headlamps with LED DRLs, a premium kitted roof liner and premium Harman sound system and touchscreen infotainment system. Features also include rear parking camera, rear defogger, cooled glovebox, electric boot unlock and driver seat adjustments.
      The Tata Tigor EV, the first Electric Vehicle (EV) ever tested by Global NCAP achieved four stars for both adult and child occupants. It is also the first Indian electric car to get a safety rating.
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      Powertrain and Charging
      Tata Tigor EV gets a new Ziptron powertrain that also powers the Nexon EV. This advanced Ziptron high voltage 300V motor uses permanent magnet synchronous electric motor producing 75 hp power and 170 Nm torque, allowing for acceleration from 0 to 60 km/h in 5.7 seconds thanks to its 26 kWh lithium ion battery pack.
      This battery pack has an IP 67 rating, capable of withstanding all types of weather conditions and comes in with 8 year/1,60,000 km warranty. Fast charging is possible via a 15A plug which means that the Tigor EV can be charged from 0 to 80 percent in under 60 minutes or via a home charger in 8.5 hours. This electric sedan will offer a claimed 306 km range on a single charge. More

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      2021 Tata Tigor Electric Arrives At Dealer – First Look Walkaround

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      Tata Tigor Electric. Image – MissautologsExpected to be priced aggressively, Tigor EV will have no direct rival in the Indian market as of now
      Tata Motors will launch the facelifted Tigor electric sedan in India on 31st August. It will be a lot cheaper than the Nexon EV, which is priced from Rs 13.99 lakh, ex-sh. This will make it the most affordable electric car for passenger segment car buyers in the country.
      2021 Tata Tigor electric sedan not only gets cosmetic updates but also receives a serious upgrade in its powertrain. The new EV is based on the facelifted version of the IC-engine powered Tigor which was launched last year. Prior to its launch, Tigor EV has now arrived at showrooms for display. Test drive will commence soon.
      Last month, Tata Motors launched the fleet version of Tigor EV which has been rebranded as XPres-T EV under a dedicated EV vertical called Xpres. It does not get the larger battery pack nor the Ziptron tech as seen on the new Tigor electric.
      Updated Exterior
      As seen in Xpres-T EV, the new Tigor EV gets a new front fascia with an updated set of headlights and upfront along with a new sharper nose. YouTube channel Missautologs has shared a detailed first look walkaround review video of the new Tigor EV, revealing exteriors styling, interior features, space, etc.
      [embedded content]
      Tri-arrow patterns in the traditional grille of the IC engine-powered Tigor have been replaced with a new glossy black panel. The faux grille is contoured with a blue-coloured strip underneath. The blue highlights have been extended inside the projector LED headlights.
      The reprofiled front bumper also gets revised fog lamp housings with integrated LED DRLs. The battery-powered Tigor could be differentiated from the regular sedan as the former wears Ev badging on the grille and boot lid. The car rides on 15-inch alloy wheels with a new design that also features blue accents. The silhouette of the car, however, remains identical.
      Interior & Features
      Blue highlights outside the cabin have been carried forward inside the cabin too in order to distinguish between the IC engine-powered sedan and the battery-powered sedan. The overall layout of its interior remains the same.
      New Tata Tigor Electric Instrument Cluster Shows Remaining Battery Charge And Range Details
      In terms of features, Tigor EV is offered with a 7.0-inch Harmon touchscreen infotainment unit enabled with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, iRA connected car tech, 4 speakers and 4 tweeters, automatic climate control, multi-function steering wheel and digital instrument cluster.
      More Power & Range
      The biggest update, however, is in the form of a new heart. Tigor EV now features a Ziptron EV powertrain that first debuted in Nexon EV. This powertrain now consists of a high-voltage 300 volt permanent magnet synchronous electric motor instead of a 72V AC induction-type motor previously offered in the pre-facelift Tigor EV. This motor is rated to produce an output of 75 bhp and 170 Nm of peak torque.
      It derives its energy from a 26kWh Lithium-ion battery pack which is expected to deliver a range of over 300 kms on a single charge. The IP67 rated powertrain allows a 0-60 kmph sprint in just 5.7 seconds. With Ziptron tech available, Tigor EV is now compatible with fast charging. The battery could be rejuvenated from 0-80 percent in just 60 minutes. More

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      MG ZS Electric Could Get Smaller Battery, Lower Price – Rival Tata Nexon EV

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      Image – Superior AutoBy reducing the battery capacity, MG might be able to price ZS EV more aggressively, thus, making it more accessible
      In a little over two years since it set foot in the Indian market, MG Motor has constantly fiddled with its lineup by introducing new updates to its models. This has been in the form of inclusion of new variants or a new transmission option. In other words, the carmaker has been wary of the volatile market and has focused on consumer needs.
      As per the latest development, the MG Motor India is getting ready to shrink the battery capacity on offer with ZS EV. The crossover is currently the only model from the company running on an electric power source. This information has been revealed from a type approval document submitted by MG Motor to the Delhi RTO office.
      New battery on offer
      At present, ZS EV is offered with a battery pack of 44.5Wh capacity which returns a claimed range of 419 kms (ICAT certification) on a single charge. With the shrink in battery capacity, it is expected to offer a lower range on a single charge. This could also result in MG Motor reducing prices for the electric SUV. According to the document, the updated ZS EV will now be equipped with a battery capacity of 40kWh.
      The downsized battery pack is also likely to take less time to get fully charged. Presently, a 7.4kW AC charger takes six to eight hours to get fully juiced up. On the other hand, a 50kW DC fast charger takes less than 50 minutes to juice up the battery from zero to eighty percent. The updated battery pack will be applied to both its trims- Excite and Exclusive.
      MG ZS EV to get 40 kWh Battery Pack?
      Currently, it is the Tata Nexon EV which is the best selling electric passenger car in the country. MG ZS EV is at No 2. Nexon EV is priced in the range of Rs 14 lakh to Rs 16.65 lakh while MG ZS EV is priced from Rs 21 lakh to Rs 24.21 lakh. By reducing size of battery pack, MG could get the price of ZS EV base variant closer to the price tag of top end Nexon EV. This will also help MG to boost their EV sales.
      Other Specs & Features
      Other than the change in battery specifications, no other updates are expected to take place on the electric crossover. The new battery pack will send power to the same three-phase permanent synchronous motor which will continue to crank out the same output of 141 bhp and 353 Nm of peak torque.
      Like every MG model, ZS EV is brimmed up with features that include an 8-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a digital instrument console, a panoramic sunroof, connected car tech, projector headlamps, auto climate control, cruise control and inbuilt air purifier. In terms of safety, ZS EV offers six airbags, ABS with EBD, brake assist, electronic stability control (ESC), and hill descent control to name a few features.
      Existing MG ZS Electric
      MG Astor
      MG Motor is also getting ready to launch of Astor SUV. The upcoming C-segment compact SUV is essentially the IC engine derivative of ZS EV and was officially unveiled by the company recently.
      The carmaker claims that Astor will be the first car in India to be equipped with a fully inbuilt Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform. It is expected to hit showrooms by Diwali this year and will compete against the likes of Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Skoda Kushaq and the upcoming Volkswagen Taigun. More

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      Vega ETX Electric Rickshaw With Solar Roof – Concept Teased

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      Vega ETX Electric Rickshaw Concept 2022Vega ETX derives its power from a solar panel fixed to its roof
      Like it or not but battery power sources will replace internal combustion engines (ICE) in almost all automobiles in the coming few years. Tighter emission norms and rising fuel prices have only accelerated the transition process. Not just passenger vehicles and two-wheelers but commercial vehicles and shared mobility are also part of this transition.
      Market for rickshaws or Tuk Tuks in South Asia
      Three-wheeler auto-rickshaw, commonly referred to as Tuk Tuks in India and few other Southeast Asian countries, is still the most prominent form of public transport. In many places in India, diesel and petrol auto-rickshaws have already started facing sanctions and would soon disappear from the auto market.
      The immediate solution is to shift to a CNG powertrain, however, sooner or later, all commercial three-wheelers would have to shift to an electric powertrain. In recent times, there have been a few options in the Indian market that have been responsible for the increase in share of electric three-wheelers in the country. However, none of them come from a prominent brand barring Mahindra Treo.
      Vega ETX details
      A Sri Lankan EV startup named Vega recently has revealed its upcoming electric rickshaw which goes by the name ETX. The first two letters of the acronym stand for electric three-wheeler while the significance of letter X is not yet known. At the moment, the rickshaw is just at a prototype stage and sadly there aren’t many specific details attached to it.
      [embedded content]
      In a short statement released on their social media handle, Vega has said that the ETX platform is an electric urban mobility solution for the future. It is a next-generation electric three-wheeler designed for safe, environmentally friendly, and economical urban mobility. The vehicle has been provided luggage space in addition to space for general passengers in order to transport goods.
      Vega ETX Electric Rickshaw is powered by an electric motor that draws energy from LFP battery packs to maintain affordability. The primary highlight is the addition of a solar panel roof which avoids owners frequently quest for a charging point.
      The battery can recover up to 64 kms per day only with its solar panels. Even though the panels are of smaller size, the nature of business allows the panels to be charged for most parts of the day.
      This will also translate to even lesser running costs thus proving to be a very affordable means of public transportation. The company plans to introduce this vehicle not just in Sri Lanka but also in other South Asian countries where Tuk Tuks form a crucial part of public commutes. Vega plans to release a production-spec model based on the ETX sometime next year. More

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      Tata Nexon Electric To Get Power Upgrade – Battery Motor New Specs Leak

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      Tata Nexon Electric file photo. Image – HemankTata Nexon EV is set to become even more powerful than it is today – Leaked document reveals new details
      Launched in early 2020, the Tata Nexon EV ended the year with an overall sales volume of over 2,600 units, making it the best selling zero emission vehicle in the country by a huge margin. With no direct rival in the price range, the Nexon EV continues its strong run.
      To keep the momentum going, Tata Motors recently launched the Nexon EV Dark Edition. Next, Tata seems to be planning to give the Nexon EV a power upgrade. A leaked document reveals that the updated Nexon EV is rated to deliver 100 kW (136 PS) power. This is more than what the existing Nexon EV generates by 7 PS.
      Current Nexon EV Specs
      The sub-4m electric crossover SUV is powered by Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) which outputs 129 hp and 245 Nm of torque. The powertrain is supported by a 30.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack which is offers an ARAI certified range of 312 km on a single charge. 0-100 kmph comes in 9.9 seconds.
      The battery takes around 8.5 hours of charging from a regular socket (from 10% to 90% SOC) while fast charging can achieve 0% to 80% SOC in 1 hour. Battery specs remain same in the updated Nexon EV. Below is the leaked type approval document which reveals the specs of upcoming more powerful Nexon EV.
      Tata Nexon EV Power Upgrade
      Tata Motors offers a warranty of 8 years or 1.6 lakh km for the battery pack and motor while the rest of the vehicle gets a warranty of 3 years or 1.25 lakh km. Feature highlights include powered sunroof, projector headlamps, leatherette seats, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, smartphone app for remote vehicle monitoring, automatic climate control system with rear AC vents, leather-wrapped flat-bottomed steering wheel, reverse parking camera, dual front airbags and so on.
      Nexon Dark Edition
      Until recently, Nexon EV was retailed in three trims- XM, XZ and XZ+ Lux. There is now a new trim on offer, Nexon EV Dark. This has been done to amplify the popularity of the electric crossover in the market and specifically target a younger section of buyers.
      This special edition trim wears Altas Black exterior paint scheme, the same option offered in Harrier Dark Edition. This variant will is offered with blacked-out alloy wheels, smoked LED taillamps on the exterior.
      Tata Nexon EV Dark Edition. Image – Car Duniya
      Inside the cabin, the light beige interiors of the standard Nexon EV will be replaced by a more radical all-black interior featuring black upholstery, door pads and a black dashboard. Further, there will be special badges to distinguish the Dark Edition model for the rest of the lineup.
      Nexon EV Dark also gets the signature blue highlights, which are exclusive to Nexon EV. Design-wise it is identical to the standard Nexon EV with exterior highlights such as Tata’s Humanity faux grille upfront and tri arrow motifs in the lower front and rear bumpers. It is based on the XZ+ trim, which costs Rs 15.56 lakh. Nexon Dark EV costs Rs 15.99 lakh. Top variant, XZ+ Lux costs Rs 16.65 lakhs. All prices are ex-sh. More