News

Subterms

    More stories

    • 138 Shares139 Views

      in Electric Cars

      Tata Harrier EV Launch In 2024 – Mahindra XUV800 Electric Rival

      by

      New Tata Harrier EV will launch with around 60 to 80 kWh battery and AWD setupTata Harrier EVLast year, spy shots of Tata Safari wearing green number plates had surfaced on the internet. It was believed to be of electric Tata Safari test mule. That was the first hint that Tata Motors was working on electrifying the Harrier / Safari platform.Tata Motors is the leading electric car maker in India. Until now, they did not have any real competition. But with Mahindra launching XUV400, and revealing XUV800 Electric concept, Tata Motors had to make a move. It was just a matter of time before Tata announced a rival to the upcoming XUV800 (XUV700 electric version). And that happened at the 2023 Auto Expo when they unveiled the Harrier EV concept.New Tata harrier EV LaunchSpeaking about the Harrier EV, most of the sheet metal is kept identical to Harrier diesel. What has changed is the front fascia. Regular grille is now replaced with a closed one as it doesn’t need much air intake. This new closed grille has horizontal slats creating an interesting pattern.Below it, there are numerous vertical slats forming a bottom grille used for air circulation and cooling batteries. Front parking sensors are present too. Biggest change – as opposed to ICE Harrier is a triangular headlight design looking sleek and modern. LED DRLs are positioned on top of headlights and are slimmer than outgoing Harrier.Tata Harrier EVTata seems to have taken a lot of inspiration from Hyundai where alloy wheel designs are concerned. Harrier EV dons alloy wheels looking very similar to that of Hyundai Alcazar’s. There is a subtle EV badge on the bottom of the front doors. At the back, LED elements inside its taillight are revised and are now connected with a wide LED bar.On the inside, there are some new additions expected. Mainly, a larger 10.25” touchscreen system. This is the same horizontal unit with a slicker user interface as found on Altroz Racer. This screen is likely to replace the aging 7” display with an uninspiring user interface seen on the current Altroz and Nexon.Specs & PowertrainHarrier EV will feature Gen II EV architecture, a generation above Gen I that currently does duties in Nexon EV. Battery pack is expected to be in the region of 60 kWh to 80 kWh, delivering a range of about 500 kms on full charge. Tata Harrier electric price could start from about Rs 35 lakh, ex-sh.Upon launch in 2024, Harrier EV will take on the Mahindra XU800 electric SUV. A working prototype of the same was revealed in Aug last year. Launch of Mahindra XUV800 is also expected in 2024. Both SUVs will come with similar battery range offering a dual motor setup with AWD along the way. More

    • 150 Shares159 Views

      in Bike

      Magron Novus Electric Motorcycle Spied In Bengaluru – Gets Forged Carbon Fiber

      by

      A new EV startup based in Bengaluru is getting ready to launch World’s first fully forged carbon fiber electric motorcycleMagron Novus Electric Motorcycle SpiedEV scene in India is on the rise and there are more players now than there ever were. Bhavish Aggarwal led Ola Electric and is currently in the lead where two wheeler EV sales are concerned. Other players include Hero Electric, Ampere Electric, Okinawa, TVS, Bajaj, Hero MotoCorp, etc In November 2022, 2W EV sales stood at just over 75,000 units.With electric scooter and motorcycle sales on the rise, more and more new companies are getting ready to enter the market. One such company is Magron Novus which is eyeing premium electric motorcycle space. This is a segment where there are not many players as of now.Magron NovusIn the premium motorcycle space we have Bangalore based Ultraviolette, who recently launched F77 electric sportsbike at a starting price of Rs 3.8 lakh. Seems like soon there will be a rival in the form of Magron Novus Electric Motorcycle. It will be the world’s first fully forged carbon fiber electric motorcycle.Yes, you read that right. A fully forged carbon fiber body is set to be draped on a sporty electric motorcycle which is currently under testing. This Bengaluru-based startup is currently testing its maiden product. Thanks to automotive enthusiast Paul Thomas, we now have exclusive spy shots of this electric sports bike.Magron Novus Electric Motorcycle SpiedIt was spotted testing on the Outer Ring Road, wearing a green number plate that reads Magron Novus. Usually, test mules are seen with a red number plate, no matter what type of powertrain they are testing. This is a little unusual to see green plates on a test mule that don’t have any numbers. Front fascia is not visible from spy shots, but the company website has a teaser which shows presence of sequential LED DRLs, that might double up as turn indicators.Magron Novus Electric Motorcycle gets a full fairing which looks sleek and minimal in its appeal. Magron has stuck to minimalist design language instead of that of aggression. The overall product looks very appealing and sporty. There is a neatly integrated LED taillight and LED blinkers as well. It gets a rear mono-shock and a mid-mounted motor.Battery Specs, New FeaturesPowertrain details are not confirmed. But the company website reveals up to 7.5 kWh of battery pack. Magron Novus will come with AI, VCU, ADAS, RAS, 6-axis IMU, blind spot detection, lane-change warning, LDR, and secure access and we can expect more tech with a production-spec model.Magron Novus Electric Motorcycle SpiedBlind spot detection and ADAS on motorcycles are unique and are expected to generate a lot of buzz in the industry. There will be forced induction to actively cool batteries and an acoustic sound chamber to mimic ICE sounds. Magron Novus looked fairly production-ready and could be launched this year.Forged carbon, which is found on Magron Novus, has some advantages over regular woven carbon fiber. When new, this tech was only found on expensive supercars like the Lamborghini Huracan Performante. It is made of chopped-up carbon fiber strands instead of woven fabric and is bonded by epoxy resin and baked in an autoclave. Toyota GR Yaris and GR Corolla both have a forged carbon fiber roof. But Toyota chose to cover it with regular woven carbon fiber effect vinyl for some reason, while it is proudly embraced and displayed on a Huracan Performante. More

    • 138 Shares99 Views

      in Bike

      Jawa Tawang Edition Launch Price Rs 20k More Than Std Variant

      by

      Jawa 42 ‘Tawang Edition’ is limited to 100 units and is exclusively on offer in North-Eastern States of IndiaJawa Tawang EditionJawa Motorcycles has launched exclusive Jawa 42 ‘Tawang Edition’ at the Torgya Festival in Tawang. Inspired by the mythical ‘Lungta’or Wind Horse, the ‘Tawang Edition’ was launched on this occasion and in this region of India which is regaled as the motorcycling haven for biking aficionados.Jawa 42 ‘Tawang Edition’ was unveiled by Mr Tsering Tashi, MLA Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, Mr Sonam Chombay, Commissioner to CM and Mr Oken Tayeng, Chairman – Adventure Tour Operator Association of India, NE Chapter. A few units of this special edition bike were also handed over to customers.Jawa Tawang Edition Limited To 100 UnitsBased on the Jawa 42, this Tawang Edition is identical to its standard counterpart except for a few accents specific to the area. For example, it gets a Lungta motif on its fuel tank and fender. This mythical wind horse symbolizes prosperity and good fortune.Lungta for a Tibetan means fortune or good luck and combines the speed of wind and strength of a horse to carry prayers to heaven. The new Jawa 42 also gets inscriptions inspired by the North-Eastern region and a bronze medallion distinctive to each unit.Jawa Tawang Edition Limited To 100 UnitsThe Torgya festival is celebrated over two days in Tawang by the Monpa community of Arunachal Pradesh. It brings in the New Year and includes a series of dances and acts of worship and wards off external energy from the earth that can cause harm and natural calamities.New Features, PricesJawa Tawang Edition shares all features with the 42 that includes 17/18 inch alloy wheels, flyscreen, headlamp grille and bar end mirrors. It also draws its power via the same 293cc, liquid cooled, fuel injected engine that offers 26.95 hp power and 26.84 Nm torque mated to a 6 speed gearbox with cross port technology. It also receives telescopic forks and dual spring suspension and disc brakes at the front and rear along with single channel or dual channel ABS.Considering its exclusivity to the North-Eastern Region of India and its special limited edition units, the Jawa 42 ‘Tawang Edition’ is priced at Rs 20,000 over the cost of Jawa 42 Version 2.1 which currently sells at Rs 1,94,142 (ex-showroom).The Jawa 42 Tawang edition commands a price of Rs 2.45 lakhs (on-road including accessories like jacket, helmet and registration). Jawa 42 competes with the Royal Enfield Classic 350, Honda H’Ness CB 350, Ronin and Hunter 350. More

    • 138 Shares139 Views

      in Bike

      Honda Activa Electric Scooter Launch In Jan 2024 – CEO Confirms

      by

      Arriving late on the scene shouldn’t be a problem for a brand like Activa that is widely preferred for its reliability and peppy performanceImage for illustration purposeHonda recently launched Activa H-Smart variant that comes with a new advanced handsfree system with car-like keyless features. At the event, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) MD and CEO Atsushi Ogata also revealed the company’s EV roadmap.As was being anticipated, Honda’s first EV for India will be the electric version of its bestselling Activa scooter. According to Ogata, Activa Electric will debut at the same time next year, that is Jan 2024. It will be interesting to see if Activa Electric can achieve the same level of popularity as that of its ICE-based counterpart.Activa Electric battery, top speedWhile most new launches in electric two-wheeler space are aiming to beat their closest competitors in terms of range, top speed, performance specs, etc., Activa Electric appears to be following an entirely different approach. Activa Electric will be focusing more on reliability. It will have a top speed of 50 kmph, which is much below the prevailing industry average of around 80-100 kmph.Activa Electric will be essentially a transplant job. It appears that Honda is planning to play it safe, so as to avoid any negative developments. EV tech is new and considerable time has to be spent on testing to ensure everything works out in a smooth, safe manner. Activa Electric will have a fixed battery setup, which will reduce the risk of incidents like fire caused by mishandling.Honda Activa Electric will be similar in design to current Activa petrol scooter.Visually, Activa Electric will be largely the same as current ICE-based Activa. Hardware such as suspension and braking setup could also be shared to keep costs down. Activa Electric range is likely to be modest, especially in comparison to the likes of Hero Vida V1 Pro that has a certified range of 165 km.Honda electric scooter with swappable batteryAfter Activa electric, Honda has plans to launch another electric scooter in India. This will be based on an entirely new born-electric platform. It will be a mainstream EV product and have capabilities similar to that of existing bestselling electric scooters in the market. As compared to Activa Electric, Honda’s second electric scooter in India will have a swappable battery system.Honda has set a target to open battery-swapping stations across most of its consumer touchpoints in the country before launching its second EV. With more than 6000 battery swapping stations, Honda’s second EV will not be impacted by issues like range anxiety. Ownership cost can also be reduced if Honda could provide subscription-based plans that do not include the cost of battery.While Honda’s progress in EV space may seem slow, there are valid reasons for the delay. Ogata said that they could have easily taken their EVs from China and introduced them in India. However, that’s not the case.Honda is focusing on developing India-specific products and achieving a high level of localization. Even parts like battery packs and e-motor, which are usually imported, are expected to be sourced locally. Much of Honda’s investments in FY 2023-’24 will be allocated towards setting up EV manufacturing facilities and related infrastructure. Honda has already setup a subsidiary in India which will manufacture battery packs.Even though Honda will be entering the EV space soon, Ogata says that conventional ICE-based scooters will continue to dominate. In the foreseeable future, much of Honda’s sales will be from its ICE-based two-wheelers. Its first EV Activa Electric will target users with limited running. For more frequent use and longer distances, ICE Activa will continue to be the preferred choice. More

    • 163 Shares189 Views

      in Motor News

      GM Will Make a New Small-Block V-8, Spending $854 Million to Build It

      by

      GM might be pushing hard into electrification, but it’s not done with internal combustion yet. Last week, the company announced an $854 million investment into a variety of its plants to build the sixth-generation small-block V-8. It’s the first confirmation that GM is working on a new small-block, though the company isn’t yet releasing any technical details on the engine.Of the $854 million, $579 million will go to GM’s Flint engine plant, which will machine blocks, cranks, and heads, and assemble the complete unit; $216 million will go to the Bay City, Michigan plant, which will build camshafts and connecting rods, and machine blocks and heads; $47 million will go to the Defiance, Ohio plant, which will make block castings; and finally, $12 million will go to the Rochester, NY plant, which will build intake manifolds and fuel rails.The Chevrolet small-block V-8 dates back to 1954, with the current, fifth-generation debuting in 2013. Along with Stellantis’ Hemi and Ford’s Godzilla truck engine, the small-block is the only surviving overhead-valve V-8 sold in new cars today. (All three manufacturers offer pushrod V-8 crate engines as well.) Currently, you can find small blocks in GM’s lineup of full-size trucks and SUVs, plus the Camaro, Corvette, and Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. In its press release announcing the investment, GM made only specific reference to full-size trucks and SUVs. We already know that the CT5-V Blackwing is a one-and-done, with the Cadillac brand headed for full-EV sales, and the current Camaro is likely the last of the breed. We’d imagine the small block will soldier on in some capacity for the Corvette for as long as Chevy is allowed to sell it. The new hybrid E-Ray gives a good look at the Corvette’s future—old-school naturally aspirated V-8 assisted by electric power. We probably won’t see the Gen-VI small block for at least a couple of years. We also can’t help but wonder if this will be the last of its type. More

    • 138 Shares189 Views

      in Motor News

      2024 Kia EV9 Specs Potentially Leaked ahead of Debut This Year

      by

      A reader reached out to Car and Driver, providing a screenshot from a customer survey that shows potential specifications for the upcoming electric Kia EV9 mid-size SUV. The survey shows the EV9 starting at $56,000 with rear-wheel drive, with the highest trim bringing all-wheel drive and costing $73,000.The range will allegedly be between 220 and 290 miles, while horsepower will rise from 200 ponies in the base model to 400 hp in the top trim.Car and Driver has obtained a document from Kia that could show specifications for the upcoming electric 2024 Kia EV9. A reader, who says they own a Telluride, contacted C/D after they received a survey for prospective EV owners and sent a screenshot purporting to show details about the powertrain, pricing, and range for the electric crossover. While these potential specifications could easily change before the EV9 reaches production, the information in the survey gives a good idea of Kia’s targets for its new three-row EV SUV. In a statement to Car and Driver, Kia said, “Like other car companies, we are constantly evaluating the market and often conduct research on a regular basis to inform future product development.”KiaThe trim-level names for the five EV9 models listed remain a mystery, but the document states that the two lower trims will come with rear-wheel drive, 200 horsepower, and 250 pound-feet of torque. The base model will apparently start around $56,000, providing 220 miles of range and a claimed 8.5 second 60-mph time but with no towing capacity. Stepping up to the $61,000 RWD trim, which presumably has a larger battery pack, lets you tow 2000 pounds and adds an extra 70 miles of range at the expense of 0.4 seconds in the sprint to 60 mph.Opting for all-wheel drive will set you back at least $63,000, but this upgraded powertrain allegedly brings 400 horsepower and 380 pound-feet. Range drops to 260 miles, but towing capacity jumps to 3500 pounds and the 60-mph time is slashed to 6.0 seconds. Paying $68,000 for the next trim up adds 20-inch wheels in place of the standard 19s, cutting range to 240 miles. The Kia EV9 concept from 2021.KiaThe top trim, at $73,000, features the same range estimate, but torque is boosted to 480 pound-feet and the claimed dash to 60 mph goes down to 5.2 seconds. The towing capacity increases to 4500 pounds. This version also gets black 21-inch wheels, black exterior trim, and an extra 0.4 inches of ground clearance.More about Electric KiasThe EV9 will be an electric counterpart to the popular Telluride mid-size SUV, will ride on the e-GMP platform that will also underpin the Hyundai Ioniq 7, and is set to go on sale in the second half of 2023. Teaser photos show a design that will hew closely to the concept shown at the 2021 Los Angeles auto show, and now we might have a decent idea of what to expect from the EV9.This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. More

    • 138 Shares149 Views

      in Electric Cars

      Jupiter Electric Commercial EVs Launched – JEM TEZ, EV STAR CC

      by

      Jupiter Wagons Ltd subsidiary, Jupiter Electric Mobility launches new e-LCVs at Auto Expo 2023 – 2 tonne and 7 tonne electric commercial vehiclesJupiter Electric Mobility launches Commercial EVsJupiter Electric Mobility (JEM) furthered its commercial electric vehicle market presence at Auto Expo 2023. JEM TEZ, a 2.2 tonne GVW vehicle, and the EV STAR CC, a 7 ton GVW vehicle, were launched. The Jupiter Wagons Ltd (JWL) subsidiary has formed strategic partnerships/alliances with foreign and domestic companies that specialize in the EV sector.These partnerships have helped strengthen the brand. JEM’s goal is to become a market leader in the commercial electric vehicle segment in India. The company plans to leverage the expertise of its partners to achieve this goal. And deliver innovative and reliable vehicles to customers.Jupiter Electric Commercial EVsJupiter JEM TEZ 2.2 ton comes with a range of 180 kms on single charge. It has been designed on high voltage architecture with a high efficiency powertrain. Powering the EV is LTO/LFP batteries with rapid chargeable LTO chemistry. Jupiter claims that battery life is 10+ years and it comes with a buyback of Rs 2 lakhs till 6 years. Battery warranty is 5 years. It gets Telematics enabled for live tracking and 7-inch touchscreen infotainment.Speaking about Jupiter EV STAR CC7 ton , it has a claimed range of 250 kms on a single charge. It is a purpose-built multi utility EV. Battery pack is designed to last a minimum of 2,500 charging cycles. Both DC fast charging and AC slow charging are possible. It comes with a spacious, all metal cabin. More details in the specs sheet below.Jupiter Electric Commercial Vehicles – Specs SheetJupiter Electric Mobility (JEM) has entered into a strategic alliance with GreenPower Motor Company, a North America based company that specializes in commercial electric vehicles in the passenger transportation and freight transport markets. This partnership will help JEM to enhance its existing capabilities and expertise in the mobility solutions business.Furthermore, JEM has also entered into strategic partnerships with Log 9 Materials for EV batteries and Xavion Mobility for vehicle design and development. These partnerships will help JEM in creating competitive products.End-to-end production of CEVsJupiter Electric Mobility (JEM) plans to undertake end-to-end production of the vehicles in India. And establish service facilities in key markets. This will help JEM to expand into the after-sales requirements for a seamless customer experience. Initially, the company will target the last mile delivery market, focusing on major metros. The e-LCVs will cater mainly to last mile delivery needs, tapping the major metros Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Pune, and Bangalore initially.Jupiter Electric Commercial Vehicles – EV Star CCJEM has manufacturing facilities in Jabalpur, Indore, and Kolkata, and boasts over 200 acres of campus space. They specialize in mass-scale manufacturing and auto component engineering. Their tech-enabled processes and skilled workforce give them an advantage in the market. They plan to offer a complete range of electric vehicles, including LCV, MCV, HCV, and buses. With well-researched and strongly engineered CEV products, JEM is poised to make a significant impact in the industry.Indian EV Market – Rs. 50,000 Cr by 2025The company’s large scale manufacturing facilities and expertise in auto component engineering will enable them to produce electric vehicles in mass quantities, thus making them more accessible to consumers. Additionally, the company’s focus on tech-enabled processes will ensure that their electric vehicles are at the forefront of innovation and technology. Overall, JEM’s combination of skilled workforce and advanced technology positions them well to become a known player in the electric vehicle market.Mr Vivek Lohia MD and Mr Vikash Lohia Director Jupiter Electric Mobility with JEM TEZThe electric vehicle market in India has the potential to reach Rs. 50,000 Cr by 2025, according to a study by the Centre for Energy Finance (CEEW-CEF). The Indian government has set a target to have at least 30 percent of vehicles on the road to be electric by 2030. This ambitious goal will require significant investment in charging infrastructure and EV manufacturing. The EV market in India is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years. Increasing concerns over air pollution and oil dependency also favour demand for electric vehicles. Potential for growth of e-LCVs in the delivery segment is high as major e-commerce platforms are already working on global net neutrality targets. More

    • 163 Shares99 Views

      in Bike

      KTM India Sales Dec 2022 – Duke, RC, 125, 200, 250, 390 ADV

      by

      KTM 390 was the top-selling model for YoY and MoM growth – dominates exports for manufacturerImage – MotobikeKTM India manufactures Duke 125, RC 125, Duke 200, RC 200, Duke 250, ADV 250, Duke 390, RC 390 and ADV 390. These are made at Bajaj Auto plant in Pune, for sales in India as well as exports to over 118 countries. Sales data shows KTM exports for December of 2022 were 6,641 units. This equated to, YoY decline of 12.78 percent.Top-selling motorcycle for the month was the 390 model, accounting for 54.30 percent of total exports. This was followed by the KTM 200 at 27.21 percent. KTM 125 range accounted for 11.84 percent. The 250 range had the lowest sales, accounting for only 6.66 percent of exports.KTM India Sales Dec 2022In terms of MoM growth, KTM 390 exports saw the highest increase at 123.84 percent, with exports rising from 1,611 units in November to 3,606 units in December. On the other hand, the 200 model had the highest MoM decline at 48.82 percent, with exports falling from 3,531 units in November to 1,807 units in December.Overall, the total exports for November were 6,389 units, showing a MoM growth of 3.94 percent in December 2022. When comparing the YoY growth, 390 had an increase at 6.22 percent. And the KTM 200 model at 46.20 percent. The 125 model had the highest YoY export decline at 61.01 percent, and the 250 had a decline of 54.29 percent. Looking at the data, KTM 390 has consistently been the best-selling motorcycle for KTM, with strong sales and steady growth.KTM India Sales Dec 2022 – DomesticThis has been an effort spanning years. Last week, KTM announced the rollout of its 1 millionth production unit at the Bajaj plant Pune. For December 2022 YoY exports, the 250 has seen a decline in sales and the lowest market share among the export portfolio.It’s noteworthy that the 200 model has shown a significant increase in sales YoY, but decline in MoM. Overall, the data points to KTM 390 dominating the market for KTM exports. In domestic sales too, the top-selling KTM model KTM 390, At 39.12 percent market share, and a YoY growth of 9.59 percent, sales was reported at 3.9k units.This model maintains its dominance as the best-selling KTM motorcycle in the domestic market, and in exports. On the other hand, the lowest-selling model is KTM 125 at about 1k units and 10.42 percent market share. YoY decline stood at 65.48 percent. This was the steepest decline for a KTM in domestic sales for Dec 2022.KTM India Sales Dec 2022 – ExportsKTM 390 saw an impressive MoM growth of 88.53 percent, with domestic sales increasing from 2,066 in November to 3,601 in December. MoM decline of 38.17 percent for KTM 200, with domestic sales decreasing from 5,824 in November to 1,423 in December. Overall, total sales for KTM motorcycles in December of 2022 was 9,956, at YoY decline of 11.15 percent.KTM 125 reports steepest YoY decline in domestic salesIt’s worth noting that the YoY decline is primarily due to the decline in sales of KTM 125 which saw a YoY decline of 65.48 percent. In terms of market share, the top three sellers held a combined market share of 89.58 percent, The losing 125 accounted for the remaining 10.42 percent of the market share in December 2022.KTM India Sales Dec 2022 – Cumulative (Domestic + Exports)When analyzing the YoY growth and MoM, it’s important to note that KTM 390 saw the highest YoY growth at 9.59 percent, while KTm 125 reported highest YoY decline at -65.48 percent. In terms of MoM growth, KTM 200 saw the highest increase at 88.53 percent, while KTM 200 saw the highest decline at -38.17 percent. Based on the data, it’s clear that KTM 125 is experiencing the most decline in sales. More