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Citroen C3 Goes Electric – India Launch Soon.

Citroen currently sells two models in India – the premium C5 and the entry level C3. The latter is positioned in the mass market segment and will soon be offered in an EV avatar as well. The electric hatchback is currently under-going real world tests and evaluations and should hit the market in the next 4-6 months.

The Citroen C3 is based on the company’s global CMP platform which is also EV ready. Peugeot e208 is one such car present in the global markets that is based on the same platform. This one gets powered by a 50 kWh battery pack – however for the cost conscious Indian market, a smaller battery might be used.

The WLTP range sticks to 362 km in Europe and the electric motor generates 135 bhp of power with a peak torque of 260 Nm. The French carmaker might tweak in the power and torque figures and bring the car with a slightly lower battery pack to reduce the costs. Once launched, C3 will target the buyers of Tata Tigor EV and Nexon EV.

Above : Interiors will remain same apart from rotary knob for gear mode selection

Also Read: This is India’s cheapest electric car

The smaller battery pack on the Citroen C3 electric could ring in the Indian market with just 300 km of range. Do expect a charging time of 7-8 hours from the AC source and we’re hoping the carmaker will introduce the e-hatchback with fast charging capability via the DC source.

Feature-wise, a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a multi-function steering wheel with tilt adjustment, manual AC, a digital instrument cluster, diamond-cut alloy wheels, halogen lights with LED daytime running lights and more will be seen.

What’s interesting is that the C3 Electric could also get some features that are missing from the ICE version. These are automatic climate control, power folding ORVMs, cruise control, alloy wheels, adjustable headrests and more like these.

Also Read: Tata Tiago NRG XT vs Tiago XT – Know The Differences Here

As far as the prices are concerned then do expect the C3 Electric to be priced north of Rs 11 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi. The car will make its debut by December 2022 and the launch is expected to be in the first quarter of 2023. By then we’re hoping that the carmaker will be operating in more cities as well.

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Pravaig Defy Launch Soon : First Made in India Electric SUV With 500km Range

  • 5 years in the development – debut this month
  • Top speed of 200 km/h, claimed range of 504km
  • Segment unique / first features on offer

Not all know but Pravaig has been developing an electric SUV for the past 5 years. Infact, couple of years back, their e-sedan was also spied on test. The word now out is that their first product will be an SUV – Defy! The company has already teased some images of this upcoming model. This made-in-India electric SUV will be launched in November and the talking point is the 504 km driving range and its futuristic design. Considering the EV infrastructure in India, this range is more than sufficient for those planning to cover long-distance journeys in an electric vehicle.

For now, the battery capacity is yet unknown, however, it gets a top speed of 200 kmph and a 0 to 100 kmph sprint is achieved in just 4.3 seconds. It offers a driving range of 504 km in one charge and the batteries can be juiced up to 80% in just 30 minutes via fast charging.

The carmaker is also offering a 10 lakh km battery life which is phenomenal. This electric SUV belts out 402 bhp of power with a whopping peak torque of 620 Nm. It gets equipped with a multi-VAC high-performance server and sensors. These figures are something that we Indians have never seen on a locally produced EV.

Worth Reading: 7 Seater Luxury Electric SUV From Mercedes Launching Soon

Feature-wise, this electric sub SUV gets a limousine partition, on-board ultrafast WiFi, a 15-inch folding desk for laptops, multiple 220V power outlets sockets, Himalayan air quality with PM 2.5air filtration, Devialet speakers, wireless charging, USB type C ports and more. Some of these can be seen in the pictures here.

Design-wise, Pravaig Defy is a looker. The flush door handles, single-strip LED taillight bar at the rear, large alloy wheels, coupe-styled silhouette and more. Also expect suicide doors as we’ve seen in the Rolls Royce. This made-in-India electric SUV not only tops in design but also in specifications too.

Verdict

Pravaig Defy is launching in November. It will be offered with features loaded up to the brim and we believe there will be a single top-of-the-line variant for the same. This luxury SUV is expected to target other EVs in its segment.

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Auto Tech

Have You Test Driven The New BYD Atto 3 Electric SUV?

  • Test drives of India’s latest e-SUV have started now
  • This EV rivals the MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona EV
  • Price announcement soon, could be near the Rs 25 lakh mark

Test drives of the 5 star NCAP crash test rated BYD Atto 3 electric SUV have now started at some dealerships across the country. The company is currently in an expansion stage and now has about 15 showrooms in India. Depending upon the availability of the electric car, potential customers can contact their nearest showroom (see the list) to know about the test drive schedule and book for the same.

BYD Atto 3 is the second offering from the Chinese carmaker after the e6. The e6 too is a great success and offers a good driving range, however, the Atto 3 is focused on buyers wanting to splurge more than the already popular EVs like MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona EV.

The Atto 3 is powered by a 60.48 kWh battery pack which offers a claimed driving range of 521km. Performance-wise, it does 0 to 100 kmph sprint in just 7.3 seconds and this battery churns out 201 bhp of power with a peak torque of 310 Nm. Hence you can expect high levels of performance as well as efficiency.

Also read : New MG ZS EV base version priced at Rs 22.58 lakh

This electric car gets a standard warranty of six years/1.5 lakh km, whichever is at the earliest while the battery warranty sticks to 8 years/1.60 lakh km. For the e-motor and controller, the warranty sticks to 8 years/1.5 lakh km.

On the safety front, the soon to be launched Atto 3 has scored 5 stars at the Euro NCAP crash test which is quite good. It scored 91% in the safety of adult occupancy and 89% in child occupancy. Overall, the upcoming EV is not only safe but also provides a decent driving range too along with good performance.

Feature-wise, BYD is equipped with a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cruise control, multi-function steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, automatic climate control, power folding ORVMs, wireless charging, keyless entry and more.

Also Read: Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Corporate Edition Discontinued; i20 And Aura Colour Options Revised

Verdict – The prices of the upcoming BYD Atto 3 are not out yet but we expect it to stick north of Rs 30 lakh. It is an expensive alternative to the MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona EV. The bookings for the same have begun.

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BYD Atto 3 Crash Test Rating Out – Scores 5 Stars In Euro NCAP Tests

  • BYD Atto 3 is expected to be launched this December
  • BYD Atto 3 gains 5 stars at the EURO NCAP crash test making it a safer EV
  • The Atto 3 prices are expected to be north of Rs 25 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi

BYD recently unveiled their upcoming EV, the Atto 3 in the Indian market. This is a mid-size, promising EV that will be a premium alternative to the MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona EV buyers. The Atto 3 is not only a feature-loaded e-SUV, it is also a very safer electric vehicle.

As per tests conducted by Euro NCAP, BYD Atto 3 has scored a 5-star rating. For adult occupancy, it has scored 91% and 89% in child occupancy safety. The passenger compartment of the Atto 3 was safe in the frontal offset test. In the full-width rigid barrier test, the protection of critical body areas was good for the driver and rear passenger.

Similarly, in the side barrier test, the protection of all critical body areas was good, however, in the case of a severe side pole impact, protection of the chest was rated as weak. Even pedestrian safety is good when it comes to their heads and legs. However, the protection of the pelvis region was termed poor.

BYD Atto 3 is powered by a 60.48 kWh blade battery that churns out 201 bhp of power with a peak torque of 310 Nm. Performance-wise, the Atto 3 performs 0 to 100 kmph sprint in just 7.3 seconds which is quite impressive. The driving range for the same sticks to 521 km.

Feature-wise, BYD is equipped with a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cruise control, multi-function steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, automatic climate control, power folding ORVMs, wireless charging, keyless entry and more. You can watch a quick walkaround video of the Atto 3 below.

The bookings for the BYD Atto 3 will commence next month and the price announcement is expected in December or early January 2023. We expect the price to be north of Rs 25 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi.

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Tata Tiago EV’s Introductory Price Now Valid For 20,000 First Customers

  • Tiago EV is India’s most affordable electric car
  • Got 10,000 bookings in one day – special price now valid for next 10k bookings as well
  • Prices start at Rs 8.49 lakh – two battery packs on offer

If you missed booking India’s most affordable electric car, here is the perfect time to do so. The introductory price of the Tiago EV was earlier applicable for the first 10,000 customers only – the same has now been extended to the next batch of 10k bookings as well. The company had recently launched the Tiago EV at a price of Rs 8.49 lakh for the base variant and the top model stretches to Rs 11.79 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi. You can easily book the Tiago EV on the company’s official website as well.

The reason for the extension is the fact that the Tata Tiago EV grabbed over 10,000 bookings in a single day. Powered by two battery packs – 19.2kWh and 24 kWh, it is the latter that will be prioritised for production as well as deliveries. The bigger battery pack belts out 74 bhp of power with 114 Nm of peak torque.

The 24 kWh battery pack gets an MIDC-certified range of 315 km and is available with two chargers. The bigger, 7.2kW AC fast charger can juice up the battery from 10% to 100% in just 3.6 hours. Performance-wise, 0 to 60 kmph sprint is achieved in just 5.7 seconds which is excellent for a mid-size hatchback.

Also Read: BYD showcases ATTO3 Electric Car in India

The smaller 19.2kWh battery pack generates a peak power and torque of 60 bhp and 110 Nm, respectively. 0-60 kmph sprint is achieved in just 6.2 seconds and it is offered with a standard 3.3kW charger. This juices up the battery in 5.1 hours from 10% to 100%.

Both the battery packs are supported by DC fast charging and 10% to 80% charge is achieved in just 57 minutes. Feature-wise, Tiago EV is equipped with cruise control, a multi-function steering wheel, automatic climate control, a large touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, power folding ORVMs, projector headlights with LED daytime running lights and more.

Safety features on the Tiago EV include dual airbags, reverse parking sensors, ABS with EBD, a high-speed alert system, front seat-belt reminder and more. Tata Tiago is the only hatchback in the segment that scored 4 stars at the Global NCAP crash test rating.

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Auto Tech

New e-Bike in Town : Motovolt URBN E-Bike Launched At Rs 49,999

Yes, this ain’t your regular looking set of e-wheels we do agree. But the specs and pricing will definitely make you take notice. The company is called Motovolt and their new bike carries the URBN E-Bike name plate. Prices start from as low as Rs 49,999 depending on the version you pick. Interestingly, this E-Bike does not require a driving license and cruises up to speeds of 25 kmph. The bookings for the same are open at Rs 999 and this product is available with easy EMIs too.

This e-bike gets a removable battery that is safe to store and easy to charge at your home or office. One can charge the battery at any place, anytime. It also gets a pedal assist sensor and multiple riding modes too. Other features include an ignition key switch, handle lock and more. The pedal assist can help deliver a range of upto 120km on a single full charge. Impressive, eh?

As we told you, the total possible riding range of this bike sticks to 120 km which is quite good. It can be easily used for daily usage and targets both urban and rural areas. This e-bike also gets an integrated smartphone app which will transform the experience of a daily ride for office goers as well as college or school students.

Also Read: Ola Electric Brings A New E-Scooter, S1 – Priced At Rs 99,999; Most Affordable Ola Electric Yet

Some words from the Press Release

Mr. Tushar Choudhary, Founder, and CEO, Motovolt, said, “Motovolt is committed to the cause of building a pollution-free and sustainable future for all. We identified the market gap when it comes to aspirational, comfortable, and stylish individual urban commute.

With URBN e-bicycle’s launch, we have created the perfect solution for our users. It is priced at INR 49,999/- onwards and can be purchased at easy EMIs. It is a perfect ride for local commutes and offers a 120 km range on a full charge

Also Read: Ola S1 Scooter Bookings Reach 10K Mark; Deliveries To Begin Soon

Speaking about this, Shri Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma, Indian Politician and Member of Parliament from West Delhi Lok Sabha Constituency, said, The Government of India has been dedicated to working towards promoting the EV sector in India. We have been focusing on supporting manufacturers who innovate and create high-quality and affordable battery-powered commute options.

We have launched various schemes and initiatives such as Production Linked Incentives and subsidies for the purchase of EVs. It is heartening to see a young enterprise like Motovolt come up with e-bikes, and I hope URBN will prove to be a great personal commute option for younger commuters in cities all over India.

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Auto Tech

BYD e6 VS 2022 MG ZS EV Comparison : Which One To Buy And Why

The MG ZS EV is one of the more popular electric SUVs in India. It is offered with the latest features and most importantly, a good driving range. The decent pricing too makes it an overall package and a popular pick among the competition, especially the updated 2022 model. At the same, there is a new entrant from BYD in this premium EV space. It is called the e6 and is finally available for private buyers too. In this comparison, we pitch the BYD e6 vs the updated 2022 MG ZS EV and share everything that is to know about both these electric vehicles!

BYD e6 vs 2022 MG ZS EV – Dimensions

DimensionsBYD e6MG ZS EV
Length4,695 mm4,323 mm
Width1,810 mm1,809 mm
Height1,670 mm1,649 mm
Wheelbase2,800 mm2,585 mm
Ground Clearance170 mmNA
Boot space580 litres488 litres

As can be seen, BYD e6 is not only longer, it also taller and packs in a huge space on the inside, thanks to the 2,800 mm of wheelbase. The overall height of both EVs is more or less the same. For road trips, it will be the BYD e6 that will come in handy because of its 580 litres of boot space compared to 488L found in MG ZS EV. Rear passengers too will appreciate the extra room on offer.

BYD e6 vs MG ZS EV – Battery Capacity
SpecsBYD e6MG ZS EV
Motor TypeAC Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Battery Capacity71.7 kWh50.3 kWh
Charging Time90 mins full charge – DC Fast Charging ; 2 Hours using 40kW wall charger and 12 hours via 6.6 kW AC charger0-80 % in 60 mins via DC fast charger ; AC wall charger – 8.5 to 9 hours for 100% ; Portable charger – 18-19 hours for 100%
Maximum Power93 bhp174 bhp
Maximum Torque180 Nm280 Nm
TransmissionSingle-speed automaticSingle-speed automatic

As can be seen, the e6 gets a bigger battery pack and offers a powerful charging capacity. Even with the AC wall charger, the e-MPV can be charged in just 2 hours while with the help of a 6.6 kW charger, it takes up to 12 hours to fully juice up the battery.

On the other hand, the new MG ZS EV gets equipped with a 50.3kWh battery pack that churns out 174 bhp of power with a peak torque of 280 Nm. On paper, it is the ZS EV which is more powerful which gives it far better performance as compared to the e6.

BYD e6 vs MG ZS EV – Performance and Driving Range

SpecsBYD e6MG ZS EV
Driving Range520 km461 km
0-100 kmphNA8.5 seconds
Top-speed 130 kmph 175 kmph

BYD e6 is beneficial for those who want to take long-distance journeys and want an EV to drive in a sedate manner. The driving range for the same sticks to a massive 520 km and it gets a top speed of 130 kmph. The company has clearly tuned the e6 for longer range and not for performance seekers. Don’t get us wrong, it is still quick for a large vehicle.

The MG ZS EV also gets a closer driving range of 461 km on a full charge, under standard test conditions. This electric SUV also achieves a 0-100 kmph sprint in just 8.5 seconds and the top-speed sticks to a whopping 175 kmph. The acceleration is surely a strong point of the ZS.

BYD e6 vs MG ZS EV – Price, Warranty and Colours

ModelPriceWarrantyColours
BYD e6Rs 29.15 lakh8-year/5 Lakh km – Battery ; 3-year/1.25 lakh – VehicleCrystal White, Doctor Black, Blue with Black roof
MG ZS EVRs 21.99 lakh to Rs 25.88 lakh8-year/1.50 lakh km – Battery ; 5-year/Unlimited km – VehicleCurrant Red, Ferry White, Sable Black, Ashen Silver

Coming to the important costing part now – yes, the BYD e6 is more expensive than the popular MG ZS EV. However, do note that it offers a larger boot , a roomier cabin and an excellent driving range. It also offers an 8-year or 5 lakh km warranty on the battery pack and the EV is offered in three different exterior colour shades.

On the other hand, if you are someone who loves the latest features, want top-class safety from an EV and that too on a budget then the ZS EV fits your style well. MG offers a 5-year or unlimited km warranty on this car. Also, MG ZS EV is offered in four colour options.

Related Read : BYD e6 is now available for private buyers.

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Auto Tech Featured

Hyundai Ioniq 5 EV To Be Launched Post Diwali

Hyundai is all set to offer their 2nd electric car for the Indian auto market. The Ioniq 5 EV will be in showrooms later this year. We now have confirmed reports that the media drive will take place in end Nov or early December and the car will go on sale before that. The Ioniq 5 is currently undergoing real world evaluations in India and has been spotted several times. For the uninitiated, the vehicle shares the same e-GMP platform as its cousin, Kia EV6 and we can expect the launch early next year.

What’s interesting is that even though both the Ioniq 5 EV and Kia EV6 share the same platform, the former will be priced lower than the other. The reason behind is the fact that Hyundai will localise their car here in India itself and is expected to bring the car with a smaller battery pack. The difference in pricing of both the models will be substantial.

We expect the South Korean carmaker to bring the smaller 58 kWh battery pack that gives a certified range of 383 km on a single charge. In global markets, the Ioniq 5 is also offered with a larger battery pack of 77.4 kWh which gives a more driving range to the customers. However, the bigger battery packs adds a lot of cost to the vehicle.

Also Read: 2022 Maruti Ciaz To Be Updated With 1.5L DualJet Petrol And 6-Speed AT Soon – All You Need To Know

Feature-wise, the Ioniq 5 EV will be offered with a lot of modern amenities. We can expect a large touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, dual-zone climate control, a digital instrument cluster, massive panoramic sunroof and more.

Other features like ventilated cooled front seats, head-up display, UV cut glasses, drive modes will also be included in the Ioniq 5. Safety equipment on the upcoming EV includes multiple airbags, ABS with EBD and ESP, front and rear parking sensors, hill hold control, hill descent control, tyre-pressure monitoring system and more.

Also Read: Foldable Electric Scooter Review (Rs 44,444 only)

Hyundai already sells the Kona EV in India. This was launched in July 2019, much before we saw options like the MG ZS EV and the Tata Nexon EV. The Kia EV6 is priced from Rs 59.95 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi. We expect the upcoming Hyundai Ioniq 5 to be priced from as low as Rs 48 lakh. All prices stick to ex-showroom, Delhi. Once launched, the Ioniq 5 will lock horn with Volvo XC40 Recharge, Kia EV6 and Mini Cooper SE.

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Upcoming HOP Oxo Electric Motorcycle Gets 5,000 Bookings

HOP Electric’s third offering for the Indian two-wheeler market will come in the form of the upcoming Oxo electric motorcycle. The company claims it has received over 5,000 bookings already ahead of the expected launch in August 2022. HOP had opened pre-bookings for a short duration of time but the same have been closed now.

Interestingly, the upcoming Hop Oxo has also cleared all the tests by ARAI and completed 1 lakh km of road testing in 20 cities. This high-speed electric motorcycle is also certified for the AIS 156 test that is conducted for the batteries. A few teasers on how it looks are already out.

The company also hopes to garner a lot of attention from the Indian market citing a huge dealership network in the country. The electric two-wheeler manufacturer has a total of 140 dealerships in India. Also, Hop Mobility opened about 60 new dealerships in the country over the last six months. You can locate the nearest outlet to your place here.

Also Read: Statiq Partners With Ather Energy To Share Charging Locations – Details

Some words by Rajneesh Singh, CMO, Hop Electric Mobility

During the #OXOSNEAKPEEK program, we received great response and feedback. We did anticipate demand, but clocking 5000 bookings from our dealer partners even before the commercial launch is overwhelming, to say the least. For now, we have put the next booking window for dealer partners on hold as retail bookings will open soon.

We are gearing up our supply chain and production facilities to accelerate the deliveries. At the current pace, we expect to sell more than 50,000 electric two-wheelers over the next 12 months,” said Rajneesh Singh, Chief Marketing Officer, HOP Electric Mobility.

Also Read: Ola Electric Manufacturing 800 Scooters A Day; Production Crosses 50,000 Mark

We and our extended family, including dealer partners managing HOP Experience Centres across 140 touchpoints, are committed to accelerating the adoption of sustainable mobility solutions in India. Our growing portfolio of electric two-wheelers, including high-speed HOP OXO and another electric scooter in the pipeline, is a progressive step in that direction, added Rajneesh.

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Auto Tech Featured

New Technology And Features in the 2022 Maruti Brezza

One of the largest carmakers in the Indian market, Maruti Suzuki will soon be launching the new-age 2022 Brezza. Maruti first brought in the Brezza in 2016 and the new model is expected to launch on June 30. It features an all-new design, engine option and hosts loads of features that will be new in the compact SUV. In this article, we will be sharing the tech laded features that will interest you if you’re looking to buy the 2022 Maruti Brezza. Here are some of them –

9.0-Inch touchscreen infotainment system

In today’s age, a large touchscreen with a good user interface is what people appreciate. Maruti will be bringing in the 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that will host several features like Bluetooth compatibility, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. We also expect increased connected car features via the Suzuki Connect App.

360-degree camera

Another new feature is the inclusion of a 360-degree camera. This one is seen in the new-age Maruti Baleno too. This feature helps the driver parking at tighter spots without needing anyone’s help. Sadly, this feature will be limited to the top-of-the-line variant only.

Head-up Display

What’s new is the inclusion of a head-up display. This too has been borrowed from the 2022 Maruti Baleno. Basically, it is a screen that pops up ahead of the instrument console. It displays a set of information like the speed, navigation and more so the driver would not have to take his/her eyes off the road. Welcome feature that aids safety as well.

Wireless Charging

We do expect that to compete with its rivals, Maruti might provide a wireless charging pad in the Brezza. Basically, if your device supports wireless charging then this feature will be useful. The wireless charging pad will help in juicing up the battery of your phone without the use of any wire, thus freeing up clutter on the inside.

Sunroof

The new 2022 Maruti Brezza will be the first Maruti offering to come with a sunroof. This has been something that consumers have been looking forward to in Maruti cars. Although not a large panoramic one, the addition of a sunroof will help the new Brezza to rope in customers easily.

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