Posts in category: Electric vehicles cars

Mahindra has started taking bookings for the XUV 3XO (XUV300 facelift). Pricing for the compact SUV was announced last month, but the company is now officially accepting bookings for the Nexon, Sonet and Venue rival. Deliveries will commence in the coming weeks

1. XUV 3XO is priced from Rs 7.49-15.49 lakh (ex-showroom)
2. Gets class-leading Level 2 ADAS, panoramic sunroof

The Mahindra XUV 3XO is priced from Rs 7.49 lakh, going all the way up to Rs 15.49 lakh for the range-topping 131hp, 1.2 turbo-petrol AX7 L variant. Its rival Tata Nexon recently gained new entry-level variants in a bid to be priced competitively against the Mahindra SUV.

The XUV 3XO is available with three engine options, including a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine making 111hp, a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder direct-injection turbo-petrol engine with 131hp and a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder diesel unit that puts out 117hp. Transmission options include a 6-speed manual, a 6-speed torque converter automatic and a 6-speed AMT.

On the feature front, the Mahindra XUV 3XO gets a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, a similarly sized digital driver’s display, a first-in-segment panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, all-LED lighting a seven-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with a 380W amplifier, Adrenox Connect in-car connectivity, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and more.

The safety suite consists of six airbags, rear disc brakes, ESP, ISOFIX anchors, electronic parking brake with auto-hold, hill-start and hill descent assist, a 360-degree camera, blind spot monitor and segment-first Level 2 ADAS.

Also see:

Mahindra XUV 3XO vs rivals: specifications compared

Mahindra XUV 3XO vs rivals: Fuel efficiency comparison

Maruti Fronx Delta+ (O) launched; gets six airbags

Formula E has taken the wraps off its revamped Gen3 Evo race car, claimed to be the fastest accelerating FIA single-seater with a 0-100kph time of 1.86secs. The update also introduces all-wheel drive, new tyres and sturdier bodywork.

1. Formula E claims 0-100kph time of 1.86secs
2. Update introduces all-wheel drive, new tyres
3. Will be introduced for 2025 season

Gen3 Evo is meant to be an interim update between the current Gen3 cars and the Gen4, which will be introduced for the 2026/27 season. Speaking to Autocar India, Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds said that the aim of the update is to deliver “faster performing cars on track, more technology to be able to transfer [to road cars] and this continued journey of sustainability”.

Of course, the headlining figure is a 0-100kph time of 1.86secs (0-60mph in 1.82secs), which is claimed to be 30 percent quicker than a current F1 car and 36 percent quicker than the Gen3 car. For reference, F1 cars can accelerate from 0-60mph in roughly 2.6secs. Formula E says all the upgrades should deliver a 2 percent performance gain, so a qualifying lap time around the Monaco circuit would roughly be 2secs faster.

“We’re growing very quickly. But in motorsport, the thing that captures attention the most is speed,” explains Dodds. “When we go out and tell people that the acceleration of this car is 30 percent faster than the current F1 car, I think that will capture the interest of sports fans around the world. And I hope people come and look at the racing for the first time, see how competitive and exciting it is, and choose to stick around.

All-wheel drive, new tyres

The update also unlocks all-wheel drive for the first time in Formula E, but this will only be available to use during qualifying duels, race starts and Attack Mode. Formula E is hoping this addition will enhance “both performance and strategy”.

The all-weather Hankook tyres have also been revised to provide 5-10 percent more grip. And they will also be made from 35 percent recycled and sustainable materials (up nine percent compared to the current Gen3 tyres).

The combination of these two should significantly alter driving dynamics. “All-wheel drive will require drivers to test it. I think they will get around that quite quickly because they’re some of the best drivers in the world,” said Dodds. “But the other thing that changes is the tyre and we know historically with racing drivers that it is often tyres and tyre changes that take longest for them to get used to because the performance is completely different.”

Since the introduction of the Gen3 cars, drivers have struggled to convert their Attack Mode boosts into overtaking moves. The combination of all-wheel drive and better grip should, in theory, help solve this issue to some extent.

More robust bodykit

The Gen3 Evo car also gets a new front wing, new rear winglets and a narrower nose. Formula E says the updated body kit has been designed to be “stronger, more robust and more aerodynamic”.

These cars will now be tested in Valencia later this year before being introduced for the 2025 season.

Also see:

Jehan Daruvala on his first Formula E points, India race and more

Wehrlein, Rowland win Misano E-Prix; Daruvala scores first points

KTM India has announced that it is now offering a five-year warranty on all KTM and Husqvarna motorcycles purchased from April 1, 2024 onwards. The company previously offered a two-year warranty as standard. All motorcycles now get the standard two-year warranty, along with an additional three-year warranty, for no additional cost. Apart from the extended warranty, KTM and Husqvarna are also offering customers a free one-year RSA (roadside assistance) package. 

1. Offer valid from April 1, 2024
2. No duration disclosed for the 5-year warranty 

With the new warranty, customers can enjoy their motorcycle stress-free for five years before worrying about major repair bills, as the warranty covers the replacement of major parts should they be defective. The one-year RSA programme covers 24/7 Roadside Assistance, Bike Towing and other breakdown-related assistance.  

It is worth noting that this is not the first time that KTM and Husqvarna have offered this benefit. In the past, the brands have offered a five-year warranty, but only for a limited time. As there is no end date for this programme mentioned in the company’s official communication, only time will tell whether this will be a new standard feature on all KTM and Husqvarna models. 

Also see: 

2024 KTM 390 Duke review: still the benchmark

Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 review: Now a compelling KTM alternative

2024 KTM 250 Duke review: 31hp never felt this good

The new Maruti Swift will go on sale in India on May 9, 2024, Autocar India can confirm. The all-new Swift will be one of the major launches for Maruti this year and will be followed by the market introduction of the all-new Dzire compact sedan later this year.  The new Maruti Swift (Codename: YED) gets fresh yet familiar looks, new interior and features and all-new petrol powerplant.

• New Swift sits on the same platform as its predecessor
• Fresh Z-series 1.2-liter petrol engine to debut on the Swift
• More features and safety tech incoming

New Maruti Swift: India-spec details

The all-new Swift was shown internationally last year and since then, there have been sightings of various test-mules in India as well.  The India-bound Swift, will look more or less similar to the one sold abroad but there will be some country specific changes. 

Sources tell us that the India-spec Maruti Swift will get slightly different looking front and rear bumpers however the changes will be minimal like the number plate housing will be bigger and there will be no contrast black elements seen. All-in-all, the new Swift for India will still closely look like the ones on the car sold overseas. The alloy wheel design is also similar but not exactly the same as the international car and mid-variants will have a unique design.  The C-pillar on the India-bound Swift will also be all-black, similar to the Hyundai i20. The reverse camera however is placed on the boot lid and not on the rear bumper and the car will have full LED lights including LED fog lamps on the top variant.  On the safety front, expect six-airbags, ABS with EBD and ESP to be standard along with three point seat-belt for the second row center passenger.  Sources tell us that the car bound for India will not get a 360-degree camera or ADAS which is seen on the one sold abroad.

New Maruti Swift will debut new 1.2-liter Z-series engine

The K12 four cylinder petrol poweplant will be replaced by the new Z-series 1.2-liter three cylinder engine that made its debut on the Swift in Japan last year.  This engine will get India-specific tweaks with more focus on emissions, efficiency and power output. Speaking of power, we are told the output for the new Z-series equipped Swift will be more or less similar to the outgoing K12 engine that churns out 90hp and 113Nm.  There is no word on transmissions for the new Swift, however we expect Maruti to continue with the five-speed manual and AMT gearbox which will be tailored for Indian conditions.  The new Z-series petrol is expected to come with mild-hybrid tech on all variants.

With new looks, more features and more fuel efficient engine under the hood, Maruti will expect the new Swift to build upon the outgoing car’s legacy in terms of sales numbers and popularity.

Expect more details on the new Swift to trickle out as the launch nears.

It’s been two years since Bajaj launched the N250 and the F250, hoping they’d serve as a suitable replacement for the classic Pulsar 220F. Despite being a capable product, the N250 didn’t receive the same level of acceptance as the 220F and the sales figures reflected that sentiment. Well, Bajaj has been listening and decided to update the N250. The asking price has gone up by Rs. 800 over the previous model and here’s everything new over the existing N250.

2024 Bajaj Pulsar N250 Design and features

The design remains unchanged for the most part with subtle changes that only a true “Pulsar maniac” could spot. The big change is the addition of a USD fork which is finished in champagne gold on two of the three colors. There are two new paint options, one red and one white and Bajaj has replaced the eye-catching copper-color on the engine covers with a gunmetal finish.

The other big change is that Bajaj has replaced the part analog display with a completely digital LCD unit which is also found on the Pulsar N150 & N160. This unit also supports features like Bluetooth connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation. 

LCD display hard to read in direct sunlight.

Additionally, it also allows you to toggle through the different ABS modes and settings but more on that later. My problem with this unit is it isn’t bright enough which makes the dash difficult to read on a sunny day. What makes it more challenging is Bajaj has only provided a single button to toggle through this LCD which doesn’t feel very tactile to use. It also takes a good amount of memorizing to execute each input. Apart from these tweaks, the design remains unchanged and the Pulsar N250 looks largely the same as before.

2024 Bajaj Pulsar N250 Ride and handling

The N250 aims to offer a balance of power, agility, and comfort. Bajaj wanted to create a motorcycle suitable for both daily commuting and occasional spirited rides. In the city, the N250 felt nimble and very comfortably maneuvered around traffic. The front feels a little taut but is still supple over bumps and undulations. I only felt a lack of agility while taking sharp U-turns where you notice that the bike doesn’t have a very tight turning radius. The suspension performed comfortably both in the city and at highway speeds. Bajaj has also increased the overall width of the tyre by 10mm but you’d hardly be able to tell the difference. Instead, it adds more to the N250’s overall aesthetic by adding some visual heft to its stance.  

2024 Bajaj Pulsar N250 Performance 

The motor remains unchanged and so is its performance. Bajaj says the changes have added 2kg to the overall weight but that’s a negligible difference in the real world. The 249cc, single-cylinder motor still produces 24.1hp and 21.5Nm. This motor has sufficient low-end grunt and a healthy midrange but lacks any top-end oomph.

The LCD shows a redline of about 12,000rpm even though the N250 doesn’t exceed 9500rpm. Gear shifts were some of the smoothest I’ve experienced in this class and the light clutch made it effortless to use in congestion. Some might complain about the lack of a sixth gear, but the five ratios here feel well spaced out. 

Overall performance is good for the price and the N250 is a bang-for-your-buck type of product. However the N250 does lack some of  the drama and engagement I’d want from a sporty 250. This motor will make for a great companion for city commutes and even the occasional short highway run but it;s not the most exciting bike on  your favorite twisty road.

The brakes too perform adequately well but stop short of offering the bite and feedback one would expect from a performance-orientated machine. 

The M button feels squishy to use with gloves on.

On the positive side, Bajaj has given the bike switchable traction control which makes it the first 250 to have this feature, including the much more expensive KTM 250 Duke. The N250 always had dual channel ABS as standard, but the system is now switchable by cycling between three modes –  Road, Rain and Offroad. The system intervenes moderately in Road, Rain mode gets more intervention and Offroad allows a certain amount of slide before intervening. Traction Control stays on in Road and Rain and can only be turned off in Offroad mode. While you could argue that these features are overkill with less than 25hp, there’s no doubt that it’s nice to have the additional protection in the background for a rare case.     

2024 Bajaj Pulsar N250 Price, Verdict

The Pulsar N250 was already a good value proposition but the extra features certainly do a lot to dazzle up the bike, although the LCD system left me wanting for more. I didn’t find the LCD usable enough and even found myself missing the handsome semi-digital unit that debuted on the new 250s in 2021. 

Overall, As before, this is a very competent motorcycle, but it does things in a bit of a clinical manner and isn’t the most characterful thing out there. On the bright side, you get all this new stuff for a very small bump in price of just Rs. 800. And that makes what was already one of the best value deals in the 250 space even more so now.

Also See:

2024 Bajaj Pulsar N250 video review

Force Motors has teased the Gurkha again, but this time, along with the five-door model, the brand has stated that it will also bring back the Gurkha 3-door; the 3-door was discontinued with the start of BS6 Phase II norms in April 2023. While both models are expected to be revealed in the coming weeks, the teaser video only shows design details of the larger SUV.

1. Gurkha 3-door and 5-door to have similar design with unique touches
2. Gurkha 5-door has a 425mm longer wheelbase than 3-door
3. Both expected to share the Mercedes-sourced 2.6-litre diesel engine

New Force Gurkha: design highlights

While some spy shots of the Gurkha had shown that the five-door model will have square headlamps, the latest teaser confirms it’ll have the same circular units as the Gurkha 3-door. In addition, the two-slat grille with the Gurkha nameplate is also expected to be shared between the two. There may be some differences in their front and rear bumper designs.

Major differences will be seen at the sides – to incorporate the rear doors, the Gurkha 5-door has a wheelbase that is 2,825mm long; 425mm longer than the 3-door. The teaser also shows new-design alloy wheels, though they look to be 16 inchers, shod in similar 245/70 R16 tyres. The video released by Force Motors also shows a number of accessories, like a rear ladder and a roof rack with a jerry can holder.

New Force Gurkha: interior details

Naturally, the biggest difference on the inside of the two SUVs will be the seating configuration. While the Gurkha 3-door is a strict four-seater, the 5-door may get multiple seating layouts – a five-seater, two-row version; a six-seater, three-row version; and a seven-seat three-row iteration with two individual captain’s chairs for the third row, and a bench seat for the second row.

In addition, spy shots of the Gurkha 5-door’s interior showed that it’ll come with a shift-on-the-fly 4WD knob positioned next to the driver’s seat on the centre console. The Gurkha 3-door had separate front and rear diff-lock levers and a manually operated transfer case positioned behind the gear lever.

New Force Gurkha: powertrain

The Gurkha 5-door and 3-door are expected to carry over the Mercedes-sourced 2.6-litre diesel engine and the 5-speed manual transmission. No details on the engine’s output figures have been revealed yet, but the older Gurkha 3-door had it in a 91hp, 250Nm state of tune.

New Force Gurkha: launch timeline, price, rivals

According to our sources, the Force Gurkha 5-door and 3-door will be launched in India in the coming weeks. While the 3-door will continue to rival the Mahindra Thar, the 5-door will see competition from the upcoming Thar 5-door, which may be called the Thar Armada when it arrives by mid-2024, and the Maruti Jimny.

Before it was discontinued, the Gurkha 3-door was priced at Rs 15.10 lakh (ex-showroom). Considering this price point, the 3-door may be priced at a slight premium over its predecessor, while the Gurkha 5-door could be priced about Rs 1 lakh-1.5 lakh higher.

Also see:

Force Gurkha vs Mahindra Thar comparison

Force Gurkha based Spartan 2.0 EV SUV breaks cover

Hyundai has launched the Grand i10 Nios Corporate variant, priced between Rs 6.93 lakh and Rs 7.58 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi. The Korean brand had introduced a limited-run variant with this name back in 2020, but had discontinued it in 2021. The new Nios Corporate variant is available in manual and AMT form, with the same 83hp, 1.2-lire petrol engine.

1. Nios Corporate priced Rs 15,000 higher than the Magna
2. Priced Rs 35,000 lower than Sportz Executive
3. Gets more features than Magna like dual tone wheel covers, infotainment touchscreen

Priced at Rs 6.93 lakh and Rs 7.58 lakh for the manual and AMT versions, the new Nios Corporate variant is priced Rs 15,000 higher than the Magna trim. However, the Corporate variant costs Rs 35,000 less than the Nios Sportz Executive trim.

When compared to the Nios Magna, this new variant adds features such as dual tone covers for the 15-inch wheels, a new Amazon Grey exterior finish, and a ‘Corporate’ emblem on the tailgate. On the inside, the new trim gets a 6.75-inch infotainment touchscreen.

On the other hand, the Corporate misses out on features such as a rear camera, a rear defogger, projector headlights, alloy wheels, an 8-inch touchscreen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which are available on the Nios Sportz Executive. 

The Grand i10 Nios continues to rival the likes of the Maruti Swift (Rs 5.99 lakh-8.89 lakh) – an all-new model is due quite soon – in the Indian market.  

Also see:

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios facelift video review

Hyundai Creta facelift gathers 1 lakh bookings since January 2024 launch

Hyundai, Kia partner with Exide in India for EV battery packs

Croatian EV maker Rimac’s engineering division, Rimac Technology has announced that it will provide batteries for the next generation of BMW electric cars. Rimac has inked a supply deal with the BMW Group that is said to be “the largest and most ambitious project the company has undertaken to date”. 

1. Batteries could power Neue Klasse range of EVs
2. Rimac to establish new automated production lines

Rimac has revealed that the partnership requires the establishment of ‘sophisticated’ automated production lines for batteries at the Rimac Campus in Croatia, and that a significant portion of the facility will be dedicated to this project. Do note that no financial terms of the deal have been disclosed yet, and neither company has given any indication of the volumes.

BMW EV battery procurement

BMW currently procures EV batteries from five global sites, and is also building new sites for its next-generation batteries in China, Hungary, Mexico and the US. Moreover, another facility is being built in Germany to assemble batteries for EVs built by BMW in Munich, Dingolfing and Regensburg. And batteries from this plant could be fitted to the Neue Klasse range of EVs from 2025 onwards.

BMW’s electrification plans in India

Just about a week ago, BMW commenced bookings for the all-electric i5 in India, which is being brought in as a CBU. It will be available in the top-spec M60 xDrive trim with dual electric motors together producing 601hp and 820Nm torque, helping the sedan sprint from 0-100kph in 3.8 seconds.

The i5 will be the fifth all-electric BMW in India, slotting between the i4 and i7. The electric sedan will have no direct rivals upon arrival, and prices are expected to touch the Rs 1 crore (ex-showroom) mark.

Also see:

New Ford Endeavour likely to return as Everest in India

Pininfarina chairman Paolo Pininfarina dies aged 65

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for strategic cooperation with Exide Energy Solutions (Exide Energy), a leading Indian battery company, as part of their electric vehicle (EV) expansion plans.

1. Hyundai, Kia aim to localise EV battery production
2. Specifically focus on lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) cells

The signing ceremony took place at Hyundai Motor Group’s Namyang Research and Development Center in South Korea, attended by Heui Won Yang, president and head of Hyundai Motor and Kia’s R&D Division, Chang Hwan Kim, head of Electrification Energy Solutions Tech Unit, Duk Gyo Jeong, head of Electric Vehicle Parts Purchasing Sub-Division and Dr. Mandar V Deo, managing director, and CEO of Exide Energy.

With the expansion of their EV plans for the Indian market, Hyundai and Kia aim to localise their EV battery production, specifically focusing on lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) cells. This strategic move is said to position them as pioneers in applying domestically produced batteries in their upcoming EV models in the Indian market.

“India is a key market for vehicle electrification due in part to the government’s carbon neutrality goals, which makes securing cost competitiveness through localized battery production crucial,” said Heui Won Yang, president and head of Hyundai and Kia’s R&D Division. “Through this global partnership with Exide Energy Solutions Ltd., we will gain a competitive advantage by equipping Hyundai Motor and Kia’s future EV models in the Indian market with locally produced batteries.”

This strategic cooperation with Exide Energy marks the beginning of Hyundai and Kia’s efforts to expand its exclusive battery development, production, supply and partnerships in the Indian market.

India is recognized as a highly promising automotive market worldwide and the country is rapidly emerging as a critical player in the production and sales of electric vehicles. In FY2024, retail sales of EVs in India jumped 42 percent year-on-year to 1.67 million units, with electric two- and thre-wheelers, cars and SUVs scaling new highs. 

Also see:

1.36 lakh EV two-wheelers sold in March as FAME subsidy ends

Hyundai Creta EV to have 4 rivals at launch

Tata Punch EV on discount for first time

The launch of Maruti Suzuki’s eVX SUV seems to be delayed by a few months, according to our sister publication Autocar Professional. The brand is currently trying to address multiple battery supply and software challenges that have delayed the start of production (SOP) by at least five months.

1. eVX will be manufactured in India and exported
2. International and India launch plan now delayed
3. Toyota’s version of the eVX will be delayed too

Maruti eVX SUV production, launch details

Sources tell us that the start of production for the Maruti eVX SUV is likely to move from September 2024 to February 2025 at the earliest, which would also push its export to Europe and Japan from end-2024 to next year. The ramifications of the delay are also likely to be felt by Suzuki, which is banking on the eVX to make its debut in Europe’s competitive EV market. Maruti Suzuki will be a key export base for the eVX and almost 75-80 percent of the output of 1.5 lakh units planned by the company will be allocated for the overseas markets.

This unexpected delay towards the end of the eVX’s development cycle also highlights the challenges of software development in EVs due to the complexity of the electric powertrains, advanced features, and the need for continuous updates and innovation. Sources say that the company wants to enter the EV space with the right preparedness on both the product as well as distribution front, and has hence taken this drastic step of delaying SOP by a few months to ensure that the product launch is glitch free.

The company is reportedly likely to retail its EVs from its Nexa outlets. This could potentially mean that the Toyota EV based on the eVX may also witness a change in its launch plan.

Six new Maruti EVs by FY31

Maruti Suzuki has defined a long-term plan of launching six electric vehicles in the country by FY31, and it plans to enter multiple segments, right from hatchbacks to SUVs. The company forecasts that about 15 percent of its total sales by the end of the decade will be electric vehicles.

The eVX is likely to be followed by the YMC MPV and an EV hatchback based on the eWX concept showcased at the Japan Mobility Show in 2023. Maruti Suzuki has often been critiqued for its late entry into the EV space, but the company has taken all these years to localise parts and it wants to make in India for global operations.

Maruti Suzuki is of the opinion that it is entering the EV space at the right time, as the market share for EVs hits 3-5 percent. The company’s EV foray will happen around the same time as Hyundai introduces its Creta EV in the market and Mahindra launches a range of Born Electric Vehicles. 

Given the fact that Maruti is working on a large product portfolio of over 24 models with an overburdened R&D department, it has been busier than ever before. A delay of three to six months is expected for some of its ICE models as well. The company has launched six to eight all new models in the last two years and is preparing itself for the launch of the all-new Swift and Dzire in the coming quarters.

Also see:

Maruti Suzuki surpasses 3 crore units production milestone

Discounts of over Rs 60,000 on Maruti Alto K10, WagonR, S-Presso, Celerio

Suzuki trademarks Escudo, Torqnado nameplates in India

Bouncing back from his Australian GP retirement, Max Verstappen returned to winning ways at Suzuka, leading another dominant 1-2 finish for Red Bull. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz passed Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc in the closing stages to land the final spot on the podium.

1. Verstappen wins, 12.535 secs ahead of Perez
2. Ferrari’s Sainz and Leclerc finish P3, P4
3. Tsunoda scores point on home soil

Ricciardo, Albon bring out red flag

The race was red flagged just seconds after the start as Daniel Ricciardo and Alex Albon crashed at Turn 3. This puts added pressure on Williams, with team principal James Vowles confirming the team won’t have a spare chassis ready until at least the Miami GP.

The race itself saw a variety of different strategies come into play, due to the warmer-than-expected weather conditions. But Verstappen stayed in control out at front throughout. He crossed the chequered flag 12.535 secs ahead of his teammate Sergio Perez, handing Red Bull its third 1-2 finish in four races.

“I think the critical bit was of course the start, to stay ahead, and after that the car got better and better for me throughout the race. I don’t know if it had to do with the clouds coming in, but yeah, [it was] very nice,” said Verstappen.

“Everything just went really well, the pit stops went well, the strategy I think worked out well, so it couldn’t have been any better.”

Sainz on podium

Sainz continued his run of finishing on the podium in every single race he’s participated in this year. He was the last of the front-runners to stop for new tyres and took advantage of that fresher rubber to overtake Norris and Leclerc in the closing laps.

Leclerc, who was on the alternate strategy, fended off Norris to hold on to fourth place. Fernando Alonso finished sixth for Aston Martin, followed by Mercedes’ George Russell and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.

Lewis Hamilton ended up ninth, while Yuki Tsunoda pulled off some strong overtakes to score the final point on home soil.

2024 F1 championship standings

Thanks to his latest win, Verstappen has extended his championship lead to 13 points from teammate Perez. Leclerc is third overall, 18 points off the lead and four points ahead of his Ferrari teammate Sainz.

F1 will now head to the Shanghai International Circuit for the Chinese GP on April 19-21. The round will also host the first of six sprint races this season.

2024 F1 Japanese GP results

Also see:

Sainz wins Australian GP as Verstappen retires

At the Ather Community Day event this year, Ather has revealed its first-ever helmets – the Halo and the Halo Bit. These helmets come with built-in speakers and mic, and can be charged wirelessly.

1. Halo is full-face, Halo Bit is half-face
2. Halo line-up is ISI as well as DOT certified

The Ather Halo helmet gets a Harman Kardon speaker setup and also gets a mic, which means you can pair the Halo to your smartphone as well as your Ather e-scooter. This will allow you to control music playback and receive phone calls on the go. The Halo Bit is essentially the half-face version of the full Halo helmet and comes with the same kit but in a smaller, open-face avatar.

Also See: Ather Rizta launched at Rs 1.10 lakh

Both the Halo and Halo Bit have been certified to both the ISI as well as DOT standards, and both feature a ratchet strap (also known as a micrometric buckle) closure.

Ather claims that the Halo helmet has a battery life of roughly 10 days on a single charge, and that the rider and the pillion can listen to the same music if both are wearing Halo helmets.

The Halo Bit is priced at Rs 4,999, while the Halo costs Rs 14,999. However, the introductory price is Rs 12,999 for the first 1,000 orders, and for the people at Ather Community Day that number drops further to Rs 6,500.

“The EV line-up strategy involves following up our flagship EV models with the introduction of mass EV models for enhanced consumer accessibility,” he said.

1. Kia to bring two mass market EVs in India
2. Kia Clavis EV and Carens EV will launch in second half of 2025
3. Kia EV9 will launch this year as a CBU

Kia Carens EV, Clavis EV to launch in second half of 2025

Sources say that the company is likely to launch a mass market electric SUV codenamed AY-EV, which will likely be called Kia Clavis upon its launch in the second half of 2025. Around the same time, it is also planning to bring in the Carens-based EV, codenamed the KY-EV.

Interestingly, the Kia AY SUV with a petrol powertrain is likely to hit the roads in the first half of 2025, and Kia estimates that both EV models are likely to bring in combined volumes of 50,000-60,000 units by 2026.

Kia has aggressive sales plans for EVs

“The goal for 2026 is to achieve sales of 5,87,000 units of mass EV models, with the aim of accounting for 66 percent of total EV sales,” Song added. As for the market-specific sales strategies, in key markets, Kia will continue growth by building a full EV line-up by creating new demand using Purpose Built Vehicles (PBVs). “In emerging markets, we will differentiate the brand with enhanced high-quality customer experiences and respond to increasing demand by diversifying manufacturing bases,” he explained.

The flexible manufacturing line and ICE-derived EVs are a part of Kia’s plan to de-risk itself if the sales momentum for EVs does not take off. “While short-term concerns about EV demand slowdown may exist, in the long-term, EV demand is expected to continue to grow considering the global CO2 reduction regulations and the downward trend of EV prices,” Song said.

Kia’s future EV launch plans

Overall, a total of 15 EV models have been decided for a launch by 2027. Beginning with the launch of the EV3 this year, additional models such as the EV2, EV4 and EV5 will be introduced in major markets, for a total of 6 mass-market models.

“The EV sales target of 1.6 million units by 2030 requires selling 1.3 million more units than 2024. The proportion of EV sales in major markets is planned to grow from 13 percent in 2024 to 52 percent by 2030, with the Korean and North American markets reaching up to 40 percent, and Europe up to 79 percent,” shared Song, but he did not have specifics on the Indian market’s volumes or share of EVs.

Also See:

Kia Carens diesel MT launched at Rs 12.67 lakh, variants rejigged

Kia Seltos automatic now more affordable; prices start at Rs 15.40 lakh

Lexus India has launched the NX 350h Overtrail edition at Rs 71.17 lakh (ex-showroom, India), which is outdoors-inspired and gets minor updates reflect that.

Lexus NX 350h Overtrail exterior

The Lexus 350h Overtrail edition is available in a single, exclusive paint shade called ‘Moon Desert’, which is similar to the paint scheme seen on the Thar Earth Edition. The Lexus Overtrail also gets specific blacked-out exterior elements such as the grille, wing mirrors, door handles and roof rails. Since the SUV is more focused on the outdoors, the company has given it a new set of alloys and tyres. While the NX 350h F-Sport, Exquisite and Luxury ride on 235/50 tyres and 20-inch alloys, the Overtrail gets 18-inch matte black alloys shod with 235/60-section tyres, which the brand claims will improve driving on broken roads.

Lexus NX350h Overtrail interior

On the inside, the NX 350h gets a synthetic black leather interior with earthy-coloured highlights on trim pieces such as the front armrest, seat edges and door panel. Equipment-wise, the NX 350h gets a leather-wrapped steering wheel with a heating function, electrically adjustable seats, ventilated front seats, a powered tailgate, Mark Levinson 17-speaker audio system, an ADAS suite and more.

Lexus NX 350h Overtrail powertrain and suspension

Like the Lexus NX 350h F-Sport, the Overtrail edition also gets the brand’s variable dampers system, however, other things remain the same. The SUV is powered by a 2.5-litre petrol engine that’s mated to two electric motors, one in the front and one in the rear, with a total system output of 243hp. Power is transferred to all wheels via a 6-step e-CVT gearbox.

Lexus NX 350h Overtrail rivals

The NX 350h rivals other luxury SUVs like the Audi Q5 (Rs 65.18 lakh), BMW X3 (Rs 68.5 lakh), Mercedes-Benz GLC (Rs 74.45 lakh) and Volvo XC60 (Rs 68.9 lakh).

Also see: 

2022 Lexus NX review: The only Strong Hybrid in its class

Lexus RX 350h review: New age luxury

The Porsche Taycan is a car we know really well. We’ve dragged it, we’ve set lap records in it  and we even drove one from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. The takeaway was always the same. The Taycan is the enthusiast’s electric car. Today, I’m in Sevilla, Spain to see how the story has moved forward. Say hello to the updated Porsche Taycan. 

2024 Porsche Taycan: What’s new

In a nutshell, Taycans across the board are faster courtesy power upgrades and there’s a significant increase in range too made possible by a new battery chemistry, larger battery pack (up to 105kWh), enhanced aero, more efficient regen braking and tweaked electronics. Of the three Taycan versions bound for India, the standard Taycan sees power upped to 435hp (from 408hp), 0-100kph is down 6 tenths of a second to 4.8 seconds and range with the optional 105kWh Performance Battery rises 35 percent to 678km (WLTP)!

The Taycan 4S goes up to 598hp and slashes the 0-100kph dash time to 3.7 seconds while the 884hp Turbo brings that time down to 2.7 seconds. Markets abroad will also get the 952hp Turbo S, and the wild 1100hp Turbo GT (0-100kph in 2.2 seconds)! 

2024 Porsche Taycan performance 

It’s the 4S that’s my ride for the day. And the very first point of note? Performance. Responses are instant and the build of speed is ferocious. So much so that you’ll rarely get an opportunity to go full throttle. Given the space you can also use the Formula E-derived push to pass function. Pressing a button on the steering mode selector has the motors give their all for 10 seconds at a time.That’s an added 90hp over the standard 500hp and it’s brilliant fun to use. It’s just crazy the insane power electric motors have unlocked. Mind you, this Taycan 4S is second from the bottom in terms of power. Faster Taycans will require you to recalibrate your sense of speed. 

2024 Porsche Taycan ride, handling and features

More powerful motors aside, the Taycan also gets a redone suspension. Air suspension is standard and an optional Active Ride function works behind the scenes to keep the ride flat. It’ll even have the car lean into corners like a motorcycle to maximize grip and the suspension trickery works eerily well.

The Taycan corners flat no matter what speed you’re doing and belies its 2.2 tonne mass. It’s crisp at the steering too, and grips the road as if its life depended on it.  In fact, you almost feel like you’re always driving slower than the cornering speeds the Taycan is capable of. It really is the handling that separates the Taycan from other high performance EVs. But, and this is a complaint with all EVs, despite all the power, all the handling prowess and even this artificial noise, the driving experience isn’t as emotive as you’d expect in a Porsche. it feels a bit distant and you don’t want your Porsche to feel that way. 

The other cool bit? That Active Ride suspension has an added function of raising the car when the door is unlocked easing the process of getting in and out. Inside, the Taycan looks familiar with its three screen layout but the interface has been upgraded. The optional passenger display (the fourth screen) gets added functions and what’s nice is that a special coating means the contents of this screen aren’t visible to the driver. 

The rear seat is comfy with ample room. Just don’t expect to sprawl out here.  As ever, you can also spec your Taycan to your liking for a big price, though.

2024 Porsche Taycan battery and charging

Those buying the Taycan for its virtues as an EV will have much to like. Ride comfort is good, the cabin is quiet and the new range figures should do away with range anxiety. The new battery chemistry has also unlocked a higher charge speed up to 320Kw, and allows the Taycan to charge at a faster rate for a longer period of time too. 

Also helping the Taycan go the distance are aero tweaks at the bumpers, though the biggest giveaways to this being the latest version of the electric car are its subtly redone headlights now with standard fit Matrix LED tech. Taycan enthusiasts will notice subtle tweaks to the tail lamp internals while the glowing Porsche lettering is a cool detail.

2024 Porsche Taycan price and verdict

The updated Taycan goes on sale in India shortly and we expect prices to start at Rs 1.6 crore (estimated ex-showroom) with the Turbo S likely around 2.8 crore.   The neck snapping acceleration might not be enough to make converts of ardent petrolheads but for well heeled buyers open to going electric, the Taycan is arguably the most exciting choice around. It’s fast, handles like a Porsche should and even feels India-friendly in its ability to tackle bad roads. The latest iterations’ enhanced range and added performance make the package feel even more complete.

To sum it up then, the Taycan remains electric and electrifying. 

Also see: 

2024 Porsche Taycan video review

Maruti Suzuki is offering attractive benefits on almost the entire Nexa line-up this month, including on popular models like the Grand Vitara, Baleno and Fronx. These can be availed in the form of cash discounts, exchange offers as well as corporate benefits. The only model not listed with any benefit this month is the Invicto MPV.

Disclaimer: Discounts vary from city to city and are subject to the availability of stock. Please check with your local dealer for exact discount figures.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Save up to Rs 68,000

Maruti Suzuki is offering benefits of up to Rs 68,000 on the turbo-petrol variants of the Fronx. This includes a cash discount of Rs 15,000, a Velocity Edition accessory kit worth Rs 30,000, an exchange bonus of Rs 10,000 and Rs 13,000 as corporate benefits. The regular petrol and CNG variants have much lower overall benefits of Rs 20,000 and Rs 10,000, respectively. The Fronx is stylish, spacious and comfortable, but the turbo-petrol variants lack the punch you’d expect.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara 

Save up to Rs 79,000

The Grand Vitara hybrid can be had with benefits of up to Rs 79,000 which includes Rs 25,000 cash discount, Rs 50,000 exchange bonus and corporate offers of up to Rs 4,000. Regular petrol variants of the Grand Vitara, meanwhile, can be had with benefits of up to Rs 59,000 on account of slightly lower exchange benefit of Rs 30,000. The Grand Vitara is a well packaged SUV that impresses with fantastic fuel economy, although the regular petrol variants leave you wanting for performance.

Maruti Suzuki Jimny 

Save up to Rs 1.50 lakh

The highest benefit from the Nexa lineup this April is on the Jimny. It continues to be offered with Rs 1.50 lakh cash discount on the top-spec Alpha trim for MY2023 units, while the newer MY2024 models get Rs 50,000 cash discount on the entry-level Zeta trim. While the SUV is capable off-road, the high sticker price has resulted in sluggish sales. The SUV has since received multiple discounts, including a Rs 2.3 lakh discount in December.

Maruti Suzuki Ignis 

Save up to Rs 58,000

Both manual and automatic variants of the Ignis are available with benefits of up to Rs 58,000. This includes a Rs 40,000 cash discount, a Rs 15,000 exchange benefit and a corporate bonus of Rs 3,000. The Ignis is powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine that puts out 83hp and 113Nm. It’s available with the choice of a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 5-speed AMT. The Ignis is a frugal yet sporty hatchback, but top-end variants are pricey.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno 

Save up to Rs 53,000

The Baleno has consistently been a strong performer for the Nexa brand and is available with both petrol and CNG powertrains. The petrol variants are available with benefits of up to Rs 53,000 that’s inclusive of cash discount of up to Rs 35,000, an exchange bonus of Rs 15,000 and corporate benefits of Rs 3,000. The CNG variants, meanwhile, have a lower cash discount of Rs 15,000. Offered with a 1.2-litre engine that produces 90hp with petrol and 78hp with CNG, the Baleno is a spacious, well-equipped hatchback that scores high on comfort.

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz

Save up to Rs 53,000

All variants of the Ciaz are listed with benefits of up to Rs 53,000 that includes cash discount and exchange bonus of Rs 25,000 each, and an exchange bonus of Rs 3,000. The Ciaz is powered by a 105hp, 1.5-litre petrol engine and is available with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. Its interiors are dated and the petrol engine is unexciting, but its spacious cabin and smart pricing make it a level-headed buy. 

Maruti Suzuki XL6

Save up to Rs 20,000

The Maruti XL6 is only listed with an exchange bonus of Rs 20,000 this month. It’s powered by a 103hp, 1.5-litre petrol engine that’s mated to either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed AT gearbox. The XL6 also gets CNG variants, but they are not listed with any benefits this month. The XL6 is a spacious and practical MPV that’s good value for what it offers.

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Formula 1 owner Liberty Media has announced an agreement to acquire MotoGP, through a takeover of current rights holder Dorna.

The official announcement confirms that the current Dorna management structure, led by CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta will continue. Liberty Media will acquire 86 percent of Dorna, in a deal with an enterprise value of €4.2 billion (over Rs 37,000 crore) and an equity value of €3.5 billion (over Rs 31,000 crore).

1. Liberty Media to acquire 86 percent of Dorna
2. Carmelo Ezpeleta will remain CEO

American mass media company Liberty has owned the rights to Formula 1 since 2016. The championship has since witnessed a spike in popularity, especially in America, partly due to the success of the Drive to Survive Netflix series.

The company is now set to acquire approximately 86 percent of Dorna, which has held the commercial and TV rights to MotoGP since 1992. Dorna also holds exclusive rights to Moto2, Moto3, MotoE, and the Superbike World Championships, among others.  The acquisition is expected to be completed by end-2024 and is subject to clearances and approvals by competition and foreign investment law authorities.

The official announcement stresses that Dorna will “remain an independently run company” and business will remain based in Madrid. Carmelo Ezpeleta will continue in his role as CEO and MotoGP will retain its current management team.

“We are thrilled to expand our portfolio of leading live sports and entertainment assets with the acquisition of MotoGP,” said Greg Maffei, Liberty Media President and CEO.  “MotoGP is a global league with a loyal, enthusiastic fan base, captivating racing and a highly cash flow generative financial profile. Carmelo and his management team have built a great sporting spectacle that we can expand to a wider global audience. The business has significant upside, and we intend to grow the sport for MotoGP fans, teams, commercial partners and our shareholders.”

Before the Liberty takeover, British private investment company Bridgepoint Group owned 39 percent of Dorna, while the Canadian public pension fund CPPIB owned 31 percent. Under the current deal, Dorna management will retain approximately 14 percent of their equity business.

“This is the perfect next step in the evolution of MotoGP, and we are excited for what this milestone brings to Dorna, the MotoGP paddock and racing fans,” said Ezpeleta.

“We are proud of the global sport we’ve grown, and this transaction is a testament to the value of the sport today and its growth potential. Liberty has an incredible track record in developing sports assets and we could not wish for a better partner to expand MotoGP’s fanbase around the world.”

Also see:

Portuguese GP: Jorge Martin wins to lead MotoGP world championship

According to Bentley’s Beyond100 plan, the carmaker was to introduce five new electric models by 2030 following the launch of its first EV in 2025. However, the company has now opted to push the launch of its first electric model to 2026, and deliveries will commence later that year. The brand will use this delay to develop the V8 plug-in hybrid system for its future hybrid vehicle range. 

1. First Bentley EV international deliveries to begin in 2026
2. Continental GT, GTC, Flying Spur will be heavily updated 
3. Bentayga will be the only model to have an ICE option until 2026

Bentley EV to be based on VW’s PPE architecture

While Bentley has confirmed that the upcoming EV will be a completely new model, CEO Adrian Hallmark admitted that a direct replacement for the Bentayga SUV would be a ‘gamble’ for a debut EV. The upcoming Bentley EV will be based on Volkswagen Group’s PPE architecture. It is also confirmed that the first EV will be built at Bentley’s Crewe plant, as it commits a GBP 2.5 billion (about Rs 22,560 crore) investment to the site, along with a research and development strategy scaled over the next decade with a focus on sustainability.

Bentley PHEV plans 

Bentley claims that a delay in the PPE programme led to the brand postponing its EV. This delayed launch, however, will be utilised in development of autonomous technologies including an updated low-speed driving assistant and a wheel-curb avoidance system. Additionally the launch of new high-performance PHEV utilising a V8 engine is imminent, which will replace the now-discontinued W12.

Bentley has also confirmed that the Continental GT, GTC and Flying Spur will be updated later this year; the V8 and W12 engines with be replaced by new hybrid units in the future. The Bentley Bentayga will continue to have a 550hp, 4.0-litre V8 engine option until 2026, and the V6 PHEV range will be retained as well. 

Also see:

Bentley Bentayga EWB review: Modern British royalty

Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid launched at Rs 5.25 crore

As per a recent data report by Spinny, the used car buying and selling platform has witnessed a marked growth in the percentage of women buyers of used cars. The report states that 46 percent of used car buyers in the country this month were women, up from 35 percent in the entire Q3 of FY2024. The company also recorded a healthy 31 percent growth in Q4 FY2024 on the back of this surge in women buyers.

1. Highest increase in women buyers came from Delhi-NCR, Mumbai
2. Maruti Baleno, Hyundai Grand i10 and Renault Kwid among popular choices

As per the data shared, Spinny witnessed Delhi-NCR experiencing the highest increase in women buyers at 48 percent, followed closely by Mumbai at 46 percent, Bengaluru at 41 percent and Pune at 39 percent. Non-metro cities like Lucknow and Jaipur witnessed 20 percent growth in women buyers for the month of March.

The report noted some key factors that was driving this surge in women buyers ranging from financial prudence to environmental consciousness and a desire for greater autonomy. Some of the cars that were most popular among the buyers include the Renault Kwid, the Hyundai Grand i10 and the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, especially among women aged between 30 to 40 years.

Mr. Niraj Singh, CEO and Founder of Spinny, said, “At Spinny, we believe it’s a woman’s world. That’s why our ‘Lady Luck’ promotion, offered during the month of March, featured exclusive discounts of up to Rs. 25,000 on car purchases. By recognising and encouraging women as car owners, we’re not just celebrating, but empowering them to go far.

Also See:

Spinny CEO Niraj Singh on the used car market in India

Buying a used car: what to look out for?