Category: Auto Tech

The Indian automobile industry is among the busiest and largest in the world. The diverse nature is usually apparent on the road, with low cost hatchbacks compete for space with crore plus SUVs and sedans. Infact, earlier this week, we told you about the launch of the most affordable electric car in the form of the Tata Tiago EV and now, Mercedes-Benz has sent a (electric!) shock wave with what is the longest range luxury EV in the country. Say hello to the EQS 580 4Matic. Priced at Rs 1.55 crore (ex-showroom, before options tick in), this luxury limo can go as long as 857km on a single charge, while keeping you cocooned in a typical German cabin. It is made in India, enjoys GST benefits and bookings are now open at, wait a minute, Rs 25 lakh!

This is not the first but the third electric offering from the house of Mercedes-Benz. Their first EV was the EQC, followed by the super quick EQS 53 AMG. The EQS 580 is imported as knocked down kits and assembled here in India. Because of this, it enjoys a lot of tax benefits, thereby bringing its price down to that of the S Class. Well almost! We will be driving the EQS 580 over the weekend and will bring you our thoughts around it next week. Do note that at a certified 857km, it is the longest range EV to be sold in India. For numbers, this means you do a round trip to Ajmer from Delhi or to Surat from Pune without having a need to top up the batteries. Epic!

Due to the heavy battery pack, the Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 tips the scales at a porky 2585 kg. However, it also comes with an extremely low drag co-efficient of 0.2 Cd. Inspite of its limo length, thanks to rear wheel steering, the EQS can take on tight turns with relative ease. But what matters here is the heart – there are two electric motors in and these send out 523 bhp of power and 856 Nm of torque to all the four wheels. The result is a 4.3 sec time for the 0-100 km/h. Top speed is limited to 210 km/h. The motors get their power from a huge 107.8 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that takes about 10 hours for a full charge from your normal 240 volt house wall charger.

While we can’t wait to get you our driving review of the EQS, let us quickly mention a few more pointers. Bookings are now open for a token amount of Rs 25 lakh. Step inside and the ultra huge 56-inch MBUX Hyperscreen. There are not two but three screens in here – one each for the instrument cluster, central infotainment screen and front passenger display. Owners will get the safety of nine airbags and other aids like camera-based lane departure assist and a 360-degree camera. Stay tuned as we get your our experience soon. If you can’t wait too much, do head over to our Youtube Channel for the EQC review!

The world is moving towards Electric Mobility and Hero MotoCorp will be the latest big name to join this revolution. Come 7th October and the company will finally launch its e-brand, Vida. There will also be a product showcase but the scooter name is currently under wraps. The brand has now hinted at the battery technology that will be included with the scooter before it is officially introduced. On its social media accounts, the company teased that the scooter would have portable batteries that could be charged anywhere, including at home, office, parking lots, or public chargers.

Also Read: Motovolt URBN E-Bike Launched At Rs 49,999; Bookings Start From Rs 999

Hero MotoCorp’s Vida electric scooter will include removable battery technology. This battery technology and infrastructure maintenance will be provided by Gogoro, a Taiwan-based producer of swappable battery infrastructure. Gogoro and Hero MotoCorp are already collaborators. Hero will design and develop the electric two-wheelers, while Gogoro will be in charge of creating the technology for battery swapping.

All other information has been kept a secret by Hero MotoCorp; it will be made public on the launch date. The company and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) have already collaborated to set up fast charging and battery swapping facilities. The manufacturer will ensure that the charging stations will have both AC and DC chargers.

Also Read: Upcoming LML Electric Two-Wheelers Spotted – Launch Expected Soon

The Vida electric scooter will compete with the already-established companies and is anticipated to cost around Rs 1 lakh. Through it social media handles, the company has also tried to target Ola Electric. Ola’s S1 Pro had a lot of initial problems and quality issues but Hero promises to deliver a user friendly model – this is due to ample real world testing and analysis . The company has previously stated that they plan to export the Vida electric scooter to Western and EV-rich markets in Europe and Latin America. Hero MotoCorp intends to become a major participant in the EV market. We will be riding the model on the 8th – stay tuned for images and videos coming you way very soon!

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.

Tata Motors has been upping the game in the electric mobility. Their latest option comes in the form of the Tiago EV and deliveries for this new model will start in Jan 2023. Pricing, for the first 10,000 customers starts from as low as Rs 8.49 lakh. Two distinct battery packs are provided by the brand. The Tiago EV distinguishes itself from its ICE counterpart with a number of features. The Tiago EV has a number of high-end features despite being an entry-level EV, including regen braking, cruise control, automatic wipers, driving modes, etc. Bookings of the newly launched Tiago EV will begin from 10 October onwards.

Also Read: Ola to come with an electric car?

Tata Tiago EV

Two battery options-a 19.2 kWh battery pack and a 24 kWh battery pack-will be available for the Tata Tiago EV. On a full charge, the former has a 250 km (estimated) MIDC range, while the latter has a 315 km MIDC range, again estimated. The 25% bigger battery pack variant of the EV has a 5.7-second 0-60 km/h acceleration time. The battery pack and motor comes with a standard 8 years/1.6 lakh km warranty.

In terms of output, while the 19.2 kWh battery pack generates 60 bhp of power and 110 Nm of peak torque, the bigger 24 kWh battery pack produces 74 bhp of power and 114 Nm of peak torque. As is the case with any EV, an automatic gearbox is part of the package.

In terms of charging time, the Tiago EV supports fast charging and can be charged from zero to eighty percent using a DC fast charger in just 57 minutes. Utilizing the 7.2 kW AC fast charger, the 24 kWh battery pack of the EV can be fully charged in 3.6 hours. However, using the same charger, the 19.2 kWh battery pack can be charged in 2.6 hours.

Tata Tiago EV Exterior and Interior

It shares the same sillouette as its ICE sibling in terms of design. The Tata Tiago EV differs from the standard Tiago by having stylistic elements that are related to electric vehicles offered by the brand. It has a tri-arrow shape design on the front bumper and an Electric Blue accent on several part that is unique to the brand’s electric vehicles.

The interior of the Tiago is similar to the ICE version, with a few small EV-specific changes. The gear lever has been replaced with a rotary dial for the drive mode selector, which includes a Sports mode.

It has leatherette seats with contrast blue stitching, automatic climate control as standard, an 8-speaker touchscreen infotainment system from Harman, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, as well as driving modes and multi-mode regenerative braking. Along with other features, it has automatic headlights, wipers, and cruise control. The electric hatchback has seat belt reminder, rear parking sensors, rear parking camera, and ABS with EBD for safety. It also gets Zconnect telematics with over 45 features.

Tata Tiago EV Price & Variants

Trim levels for the Tata Tiago EV include XE, XT, XZ+, XZ+ Tech, and XZ+ Tech Lux. The 19.2 kWh battery pack is smaller and is included with the XE & XT trims, which are priced at Rs. 8.49 lakh (ex-showroom) and Rs. 9.09 lakh (ex-showroom), respectively. The remaining 5 variants will come with a 24 kWh battery pack. The XT, XZ+, and XZ+ Tech Lux, which have 3.3 kW AC chargers, and the XZ+ and XZ+ Tech Lux, which have 7.2 kW AC chargers, are some of these. Prices for these models range from Rs 9.99 lakh to Rs 11.79 lakh (ex-showroom).

A few weeks back, BYD privatised its popular e6 model and launched it at a price of Rs 29.15 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi. It was earlier available for commercial fleet only but now the carmaker has delivered over 450 units of the electric car. Now, BYD is gearing up for Atto 3 and ahead of its official launch in India, the features and spec details of the same are out. Side by side, the company is launching dealers across India, making it easier for private buyers to come and experience the EVs up close and personal.

The Atto 3 electric SUV will be launched on the 11th of October. We expect the car to be brought in two battery packs – standard model with a 49.92 kWh battery pack and a long range version with a 60.49 kWh battery pack. The former offers a driving range of 345 km compared to the 420 km offered with the long-range battery. Performance-wise, the Atto 3 can do 0 to 100 kmph sprint in just 7.3 seconds which is quite impressive.

The upcoming BYD Atto 3 electric SUV uses a permanent magnet synchronous motor that pumps out a peak power and torque of 201 bhp and 310 Nm, respectively. This upcoming SUV can be fully charged in just 60 minutes, thanks to the 60kW DC fast charger. The Atto 3 can also be charged via the Type 2 and 3-pin AC chargers too.

Also Read: BYD e6 Deliveries Commence – Here’s All You Need To Know About The MG ZS EV Rival

Dimension-wise, the Atto 3 measures 4455 mm in length, 1875 mm in width, 1615 mm in height and gets a wheelbase of 2720 mm. For reference, the MG ZS EV measures 4323 mm in length, 1809 mm in width, 1649 mm in height and gets a wheelbase of 2581 mm.

Feature-wise, the Atto 3 will be equipped with a panoramic sunroof, 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen infotainment system with connectivity features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charger, power folding ORVMs, power adjustable front seats and more.

The Atto 3 is also rich in safety equipment too. Once launched, it will get multiple airbags, TPMS, 360-degree camera and more. It is also equipped with ADAS and some of its functions include adaptive cruise control, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning and more.

Tata Motors has been spreading its wings in the electric mobility space in India. The Nexon EV is India’s best selling electric four-wheeler and the Tigor EV too remains popular. Joining these two electric cars will be the Tiago EV. Said to be India’s most affordable electric car, the Tiago EV will be launched tomorrow. While the company remains tight lipped about the product, here is what we know about it so far. We will also be covering the event and the walkaround video will go live on our other website, 91Wheels.

Also Read: 2022 BYD Atto 3 Specs And Features Out; Gets Panoramic Sunroof, 420 Km Driving Range and More

Upcoming Tata Tiago EV

When launched, the Tata Tiago EV will be the only electric hatchback available in the country. In terms of design, it will get a closed grille, as seen on the Nexon EV and Tigor EV. There will be EV branding across the car and a different set of alloy wheels or wheel caps could be possible. Tata might also offer a new colour, exclusive to the Tiago EV.

Tata Tiago EV Specs

It is safe to assume that the this upcoming electric hatchback will use the same drivetrain that we see in the Tigor sedan EV. This means it will get a 74 bhp / 170 Nm electric motor. However, the battery pack might see a reduction to keep the price low. While the Tigor uses a 26kWh high energy density Lithium-ion battery pack , the Tiago might get a smaller unit, around the 20 kWh mark. This, along with a smaller body, will help the price come down by about Rs 1.5 lakh as compared to the Tigor EV. We do understand claimed range will drop to around 250km but for most users, this also means the Tiago EV will need a charge up every 3-4 days. When we can charge our phones daily, can’t we charge our green wheels every 3-4 days? Talking of which, using a 25kW DC fast charger, the Tiago EV will need about 65 mins for the 0% to 80% charge. The same will increase to about 8 hours when using a normal home socket.

It is important to note that the Tigor EV has a 4-star NCAP safety rating, and we can anticipate the upcoming Tiago EV to have a similar rating. The brand will be able to enter the budget EV market with the release of the Tiago EV. With the Nexon and Tigor EV, the brand already holds a considerable portion of the electric vehicle industry. The Tata Tiago EV is expected to be the most affordable electric vehicle in India with a price starting at Rs 10 lakh, ex-showroom. Will that happen? Stay tuned to this space tomorrow!

Discounts on electric scooters? Why not says Ola Electric! This company is one of the most popular names in the electric scooter space. The S1 Pro electric scooter has usually be in the limelight, sometimes for the wrong reasons and sometimes for the right ones. The latest news around this performance scooter comes in the form of ‘festive’ offers wherein buyers can get a flat Rs 10k off on the S1 Pro model. Not only this, there are more cool offers as well. These are valid till 5th October. Do note, the newly added S1 continues to sell alongside without any offers.

As per Ola’s website, new buyers can get the S1 Pro at an ex-showroom price of Rs 1.3 lakh now. For the uninitiated, this infact was the introductory price of the scooter last year when it was launched in the Indian market. The S1 model will continue to sell alongside at Rs 99,999 ex-showroom Delhi. But apart from the 10k discount, the Ola S1 Pro e-scooter enjoys some more benefits. These are visible in the snapshot below.

• Zero Processing Fee on loans (subject to customer profile)
• Reduced interest rate as of as low as 8.99%
• Rs 1500 off on the extended warranty of 5 years

With these benefits, Ola Electric aims to target more buyers in the upcoming festive season. At the same time, it will help the company from stiff competition that is coming from Simple One as well as Hero Vida electric scooter that is slated for launch on the 7th October. We will bring you a detailed walkaround review of the Vida very soon!

At this price, the S1 Pro, with its range, features and performance does make for a very tempting buy. Would you buy it?

Last month we told you about BYD initiating the sale of e6 to private buyers. The company has now disclosed that deliveries of the electric model have started as well. And we aren’t talking about a few units but a whooping 450 models that have now been delivered in India. The company is expanding its dealer network at a quick and also planning to launch its second EV model in India soon. This will be called the BYD Atto 3.

The highlight of the BYD e6 is its driving range. A whopping 520 km on a single charge is a lot when you see the price – this ofcourse is with a light right foot. The e6 is priced at Rs 29.15 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi. It is quite reasonable for this price, however, when you see its closest rivals, Hyundai Kona EV and MG ZS EV, they provide more power, torque and are rich in features too. But on the other side, the e6 offers a lot of room for both passengers and luggage. Boot space stands at 580 litres, much higher than all other electric SUVs.

This is also India’s first premium eMPV and the only electric vehicle powered by the Blade Battery in the country. The car is also capable of regenerating power from as low as 2 kmph. The e6 is offered with a vehicle warranty of 3 years/125,000 km, a battery cell warranty of 8 years/500,000 km, and a traction motor warranty of 8 years/150,000 km.

BYD e6 gets a 71.7 kWh battery pack that produces peak power and torque of 93 bhp and 180 Nm, respectively. It takes 90 mins to fully charge the battery via the DC fast charger and about 12 hours using a 6.6kW AC charger. Its top speed is limited to 130 kmph only.

Also Read: 2022 Maruti Grand Vitara To Be Launched Later This September – Details

Feature-wise, it gets a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, automatic climate control, five-inch multi-information display, six-way powered front seats, rake and reach adjustable steering wheel, electrically adjustable ORVMs, LED daytime running lights, LED taillights and more.

On the safety front, e6 gets as many as four airbags, tyre pressure monitoring system, ABS with EBD, front seat-belt reminder, a high-speed alert system, electronic stability control, hill hold control, hill descent control, traction control and more.

Mahindra’s first electric SUV, the XUV400 will go on sale next year in January 2023. However before that happens, we managed to get our hands on it for an extended experience at the company’s proving grounds. Our detailed review video below covers the experience including performance parameters. At the same time, you can also scroll down this article to quickly go through some of the pros and cons of the Mahindra XUV400 Electric SUV.

XUV400 Pros

Performance on Tap

With an electric motor belting out 147 bhp of power and 310 Nm of torque, the XUV400 turns out to be the quickest electric SUV under Rs 50 lakh in India. Mahindra claims that this new e-SUV can sprint from 0 to 100km/h in just 8.3 seconds. Further, top speed is limited to a 155 km/h (true) which is about 157 km/h on the speedometer. These parameters are for the full performance ‘Fearless’ mode and not for the Fun or Fast modes. Mind you, even the mid mode of FAST will quench the thirst of most owners when it comes to the punch on offer.

Dynamically sorted

Power is nothing without control and Mahindra understands this. During our experience, we had a chance to push the XUV400 electric across various kind of road conditions including a high speed bowl. Even at an indicated 130 km/h, the XUV400 was stable like a rock. Later, during other test courses, its nimble nature was evident and it was easy to attack corners and hold the intended line of entry and exit. The Fearless mode also adds more weight to the steering, thereby aiding confidence – yes this one gets driving modes as well. The brakes too work well, bringing this e-SUV to a halt without any fuss. This is largely down to the fact that the new XUV400 comes with disc brakes all around.

Safety first

Most new Mahindra models have been topping the charts when it comes to crash test ratings. The XUV300 itself scored a 5-star rating and the XUV400 should follow the same pattern in our opinion. It also comes with as many as 6 Airbags, thereby increasing passenger safety in the unlikely event of a severe crash. Proving its reliability even further, the car has been rigorously tested under extreme weather conditions, ranging from +47 (Jaisalmer) to minus 20 (South Korea). Finally, it comes with disc brakes all around.

Space for everyone

The XUV400 has the longest wheelbase among rivals like the Nexon EV and the ZS EV. This in turn liberates more room on the inside. Infact, having two tall adults sitting one behind the other is easily possible here. And then the boot space – at over 370 litres, it is bigger / larger than all its rivals and can easily take in couple of large suitcases with ease. Lastly, thanks to the width of the XUV400, this can seat 5 adults easily. That said, having a panoramic sunroof would have added to the airy feel on the inside.

Range on offer

Range anxiety is one of the biggest reasons when it comes to prospective consumers shying away EVs in India. However, Mahindra has worked hard on this aspect and we were rather surprised (in a good way!) to know that the certified range stands at a whooping 456km! This ofcourse is with a light right foot and in the FUN mode. Real world range in traffic and with air-con running will still be about 350km which means most users will have to charge this e-SUV once every 5-7 days only. Did you know the BYD e6 is now open to private use in India?

XUV400 Misses

Missing features

In this era of features, gadgets and gizmos, the XUV400 does miss out on a lot of inclusions as compared to its rivals. For instance, it does not come with now common features like wireless charging, powered front seats and even seat ventilation. Next, it does not get heated outside mirrors or an electric park brake either. The sunroof is of the normal size and not panoramic as found in the ZS EV. There are no rear ac vents and it also misses out on rear charging outlets. Even the infotainment screen is smaller as compared to today’s modern day cars in the Rs 15-20 lakh category.

Subjective looks

The XUV300 has been long due for a cosmetic makeover and we were expecting the XUV400 to look ‘different’ as well. However, while that did not happen, Mahindra decided to play bold by using ‘copper’ colour inserts instead of green or blue as we see on regular EV models. This has not played too well and a lot of backslash can be seen on our social posts.

Cabin Design

The cabin design of the regular XUV300 now looks dated as compared to rivals and we were all looking forward to a new / updated interior theme. Sadly, that is not the case here. While Mahindra has given the XUV400 an all-black theme as compared to the XUV300, the overall interior theme does not live upto the mark.

Conclusion

We do agree the new Mahindra XUV400 EV scores high marks when it comes to thrilling performance, excellent range and a spacious cabin. It is also one of the safest e-SUVs in India but will not be able to excite those looking at modern day features or a tech-savvy interior. Watch this space for more!

Mahindra finally showcased the much awaited XUV400 e-SUV on the 8th of August. While the model will go on sale in Jan next, we drove it at the company’s proving grounds in Tamil Nadu this week. As part of the experience, we had a chance push the XUV400 in terms of top speed as well as acceleration runs. This was done in all the three modes of Fun, Fast and Fearless. Do note, this this was done in a well controlled and safe environment. You can also check the same via the video below or continue to scroll down and read the article

Fun Mode

0-60 : 4.6 sec
Top speed: 90 km/h

This is the base mode in the XUV400 EV. The SUV also starts in this mode by default. As seen in the video above, the SUV took about 4.6 seconds for the 0-60 km/h run and this is indeed is quick. It went on to hit a restricted top speed of 90 km/h. This mode will give you the best possible driving range from a single charge and yet has ample poke for urban runs. The certified range of 456km is valid for this mode.

Fast Mode

0-60 : 4.2 sec
0-100 : 9.5 sec
Top Speed: 130 km/h

This is the second mode that opens up more performance for drivers. The 0-60 km/h run takes 4.2 seconds while the 0-100 run takes 9.5 second – brilliant for a heavy compact SUV and as quick as the turbo petrol Creta or Seltos models. The top speed is extended to 130 km/h for the Fast Mode, more than ample for fast highway runs too. We expect real world range of about 300 km in this mode.

Top Speed in Fearless Mode

0-60: 4 sec
0-100 : 9 sec
Top Speed : 157 km/h

And finally the full performance mode where you have access to 147 bhp and 310 Nm of torque. The XUV400 Electric sprints from 0-60 in just 4 seconds and takes less than 9 second for the 0-100 run. Top speed is impressive, with the car hitting a soft wall at an indicated 156-157 km/h. Wheel spins are common in this mode.

The XUV400 is largely based on the regular XUV300 and has an electric heart. It is a longer vehicle, thereby improving passenger and luggage space. The certified range stands at a whooping 456 km. That said, as compared to rivals, this e-SUV misses out on features like wireless charging, seat ventilated or powered seats. Bookings will open in Jan 2023 and deliveries will start in the same month as well.