Rolls delivered 6,032 cars around the world — the largest amount in its 119-year history.
The United States was the Rolls-Royce’s biggest market in 2023, followed by China
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars delivered a record number of luxury vehicles last year when clients also began taking possession of its first all-electric Spectre model, the German-owned brand said Monday. Rolls delivered 6,032 cars around the world, the largest amount in its 119-year history “despite continuing economic uncertainties and market volatility”, the company said in a statement.
Deliveries, also described as sales by the group, were largely flat over the year, with 11 more vehicles handed over to clients compared with 2022, it added. The United States was the group’s biggest market in 2023, followed by China.
Last year “was another extraordinary year for Rolls-Royce, with strong sales performances in all regions and across the full product portfolio”, said new chief executive Chris Brownridge.
“I’m in the extremely fortunate position of taking over responsibility for a business in robust good health, with strong foundations and a clear strategy for growth and development, formidable technical capabilities and a focused, dedicated team,” he added in the statement.
Predecessor Torsten Muller-Otvos departed the group in November, having led the group since 2010 and overseen record-breaking performances.
Founded at the beginning of the 20th century, the emblematic British car brand became part of German auto giant BMW in 1998. Rolls-Royce cars are produced in Goodwood, southern England.
We drive on the 21.8km-long Atal Setu that connects Sewri with the mainland, in an Audi RS e-tron GT.
Published On Jan 10, 2024 06:26:00 PM
Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA.
Mumbai, the financial capital of India, sits on the west coast of India. Only it doesn’t. Originally a group of seven islands merged over the years into one single entity, it is situated approximately 10km off the western seaboard of India.
This is why connectivity with the mainland of India has always been something of a long trudge. To go north is easy, the mainland isn’t far. But to go east or south, you first had to travel 40km north to Thane, take a U-turn, then backtrack another 20km before starting your journey, and this took hours. Then in 1973, the authorities in Mumbai built a bridge across the Vashi creek, making the drive around considerably shorter. You still needed to backtrack 20 odd kilometres, but it did save a big chunk of time.
Mumbai Trans Harbour Link: saving time
This then, fifty years on, is the next step; a bridge that connects the heart of Mumbai to the west coast of India. No need to drive 20km, take a U-turn, backtrack. With the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) or Atal Bihari Vajpayee Smruti Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, you can cross directly onto the mainland.
To drive onto the MMRDA-built Atal Setu, all you have to do is hook right on Mumbai’s Eastern Freeway and drive straight on. We first pass through a spaghetti bowl of eight on and off ramps that look straight out of a sci-fi movie. As the bridge stretches out ahead, I’m happy I have something fast, fun and appropriately forward-looking today; Audi’s RS e-tron GT. This electric supercar puts down 646hp on the road and does 0-100kph in just 3.3 seconds. And as I zoom onto the bridge – the RS pushing me back in the seat – I can’t help but marvel at the scale and size of it.
The roads are perfectly lined up ahead, there are three lanes (plus one emergency lane), the heavy duty guard rail and retaining wall can contain a fully loaded trailer, and the gantries above even have speed guns and cameras already mounted. Why couldn’t we have made a similar bridge earlier?
Fact is, a similar bridge was thought about and discussed. The bridge back in the ‘80s would have cost around Rs 2,000 crore. Today, that figure is close to Rs 18,000 crore and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) along with finance and technical collaborations from Japan started construction in 2017. More on this later.
Mumbai Trans Harbour Link: the drive
The road up ahead is totally empty and I can’t resist a long, hard pull. As I mash the accelerator down, the Audi bolts forward, and what makes things even more exciting is that the bridge now curves right. The shortest and quickest way of course would have been to go straight, but the Atal Setu has to meander its way around a myriad of hurdles.
So why does it twist and turn and rise and dip? The initial turn right is done to stay clear of the refineries on our left; there are a couple of them. Then there are a couple of power stations, after which the bridge needs to daintily step over gas and oil pipelines that drift and move with the tide. The first step up to a higher level is to allow easy passage to creek dredgers, ships that constantly de-silt the channel. And further up, the bridge rises again to its maximum height of 32 metres (according to the display on the Audi) to allow for larger ships to pass below.
As we continue on our drive, we pass a group of workers erecting barriers. There are a couple of types used on the bridge; transparent ones keep the sound in but allow you to see out, and towards the refinery and other sensitive installations, there are slatted baffles that block your view.
Mumbai Trans Harbour Link: environment-friendly
This bridge has also been designed keeping the environment in mind; specifically the intertidal mudflats. Ecologically sensitive, these mudflats support a lot of biodiversity such as flamingos and other water birds, so plans for a sea link-like cable-stay bridge were scrapped — the fanning cables would have interfered with the flight path of the flamingos. In addition, to protect the biodiversity that lives on the mudflats, no permanent embankments were allowed to be built, and this made erecting the massive pillars and spans of the bridge extremely expensive and difficult, forcing them to do it from temporary bridges and floating barges.
The Ministry of Environment and Forest also directed the project leaders to set aside around 2 percent of the cost of the project, around Rs 330 crore, for the replantation of mangroves, air and water pollution monitoring and flamingo monitoring. A sum of around Rs 30 crore was paid to the Bombay Natural History Society to monitor the latter for 10 years. Concerning the efforts to be eco-friendly Sanjay Mukherjee, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA, said, “Considering the environmental impact and the minimum disturbance to the flora and fauna, we have used reverse circulation drills when we have drilled in and that has caused minimum vibration and minimum disturbance to the marine life and aquatic life and other life around this area.”
Back on the ‘gas’ in the Audi and I’m revelling in how planted it feels. The low-slung battery, the sporty and sophisticated suspension, and the stiffness of the chassis make the car feel super comfortable at high speeds. Up ahead there’s another steep rise with the road disappearing over the crest. As we get into a corner towards the top we notice that the side of the bridge is painted a shade of pink. Done to indicate the largest and highest span to ships passing under, the colours are also chosen keeping the flamingos in mind.
As the road dips down again and we effortlessly gain speed, I spot the mainland of India. But can this be right? We’ve only been driving for what feels like 15 or 20 minutes. Then I look down at the speedo; better slow down. And that’s the other thing about this bridge, the tarmac is just brilliant. Smooth, silent, well marked with wide lanes and near seamless transitions between the segments, this will be Mumbai’s best surfaced road.
As we pass Elephanta island on the right, and another drop, we now clearly see the mainland of India. The connecting roads up ahead aren’t finished, so we drive up to a ramp that ends abruptly.
Wow what a ride! And a healthy 100kph speed limit. Also, once all the connectors and roads are finally built, most journeys out of Mumbai will be considerably shorter. It will open up a whole new region of Mumbai for faster development; faster connectivity will mean the economy of Greater Mumbai and India will be boosted; and once the new airport opens up, it will only be a quick drive away. As Mukherjee says, “The connectivity of the MTHL to Marine Drive is also a very crucial thing. So we are constructing a tunnel and we shall be starting that work soon. That will be from Orange Gate on the Eastern Freeway down to Marine Drive.” There’s little doubt that the MTHL is going to change Mumbai forever. Like the name too; it was PM Vajpayee after all who dragged India into the modern era when it came to roads, and built the Golden Quadrilateral and many others, a fair number of them under budget.
By: Paarth Khatri | Updated on: 09 Jan 2024, 19:03 PM
Triumph has unveiled the Daytona 660 in the global market. It is expected that it will make its way to the Indian market before the year ends.
Triumph Daytona 660 uses the same engine as the Trident 660 but it is more powerful.
Triumph has brought back the Daytona nameplate with the new Daytona 660. The new motorcycle has been introduced in the global market and is expected to launch in India as well. However, as of now, a launch timeline is not known. Yes, the Triumph Daytona 660 does share its underpinnings with the Trident 660 but there are few changes.
Triumph Daytona 660: Engine
Triumph Daytona 660 uses the same in-line three-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that uses a 240-degree firing order. It puts out 93.70 bhp of max power at 11,250 rpm and a peak torque output of 69 Nm at 8,250 rpm. When compared, the Trident 660 produces 80 bhp at 10,250 rpm and 64 Nm at 6,250 rpm. Both motorcycles use a 6-speed gearbox. The service interval of the motorcycle is 16,000 km or 12 months, whichever comes first. Apart from the Road and Rain riding modes, the brand has added a new Sport riding mode.
Triumph Daytona 660: Underpinnings
The tubular steel perimeter frame is suspended by 41 mm up-side down separate function Big Piston forks with 110 mm of travel in the front and a Showa monoshock at the rear with pre-load adjustment and 130 mm of travel. Braking duties are being performed by twin 310 mm discs in the front with 4-piston calipers and a 220 mm disc at the rear with a single-piston caliper. There is dual-channel ABS on offer. The seat height of a motorcycle measures 810 mm so it is not very tall and most people should be able to handle it pretty well.
The Daytona 660 does look quite sporty as it comes with a full fairing. There is a split LED headlamp setup in the front with clip-on handlebars so the riding posture will be slightly more aggressive than the Trident 660. However, it will not be very committed.
Makes 14hp, 4Nm more than Trident 660; has higher-spec brakes, fully-faired design.
Triumph has finally taken the covers off the Daytona 660 and in this bike, the 660cc triple is in its most powerful state yet making 95hp at 11,250rpm and 69Nm at 8,250rpm.
Gets radial calipers and IMU
First fully-faired Triumph after original Daytona 675
While the Daytona 660 is a fully-faired machine, its rider triangle is much more relaxed than the original and quite unforgiving 675. Owing to the fact that the clip-on handlebars are placed above the fork tops and the footpegs not being set very high up, the riding position is sporty yet comfortable.
Clip-ons are above the fork tops, same instrumentation as the Tiger Sport 660, Street Triple R.
The split seats are also larger than a traditional supersport, like say a Kawasaki ZX-6R, and should be more comfortable for both rider and pillion.
While the main frame, wheels and most of the cycle parts are carried over, there are a few key changes. The Daytona 660 weighs 201kg (12kg more than the Trident), has Triumph-branded radially mounted calipers and gets a Sport riding mode over just the Road and Rain modes on the other two Triumph 660s.
Only the Triumph 660 model to get radial calipers.
Seat height too has gone up by 5mm over the Trident, to 810mm on the Daytona. And unlike the sport-touring Michelin Road 5 rubber on the Trident 660 and Tiger Sport 660, the Daytona 660 runs on sportier Michelin Power 6 rubber.
As with all Triumph models, an extensive catalogue of accessories is on offer, including luggage, protection, a Bluetooth module for the dash and a bidirectional quickshifter.
In the UK, the Daytona 660 costs 8,595 pounds (approx Rs 9.09 lakh) – priced above the Trident 660, which costs 7,895 pounds (approx Rs 8.35 lakh). Considering that Triumph retails nearly its entire international lineup here, we can expect the Daytona 660 to be launched in India in 2024. The closest rival to the new Daytona would be the Honda CBR650R, which is currently not on sale in India but we do expect it to return in due course.
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz facelift has finally made its India debut on 8th January after making its global debut previously in early 2023. The flagship Mercedes-Benz luxury SUV comes with a host of updates on design and feature front, while the powertrain too received a touch of electrification.
2/7
The front profile of the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS facelift has been updated significantly with redesigned LED headlamps, which flank the large and bold-looking front grille that sports four thick horizontal slats. The front bumper too has been revamped significantly with chrome trim surrounding the lower air intake and large black air dams at both ends.
3/7
The new Mercedes-Benz GLS is available in both petrol and diesel engine options, namely GLS 450 and GLS 450d, which come priced at ₹1.32 crore and ₹1.37 crore (ex-showroom). The luxury SUV looks similar to the outgoing model as the side and rear profile of the new GLS remain almost unchanged.
4/7
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS comes with a host of updates inside its plush cabin as well. The first most notable one among them is the upgraded MBUX touchscreen infotainment system, which combines the large touchscreen infotainment system and the instrument cluster. The upholstery has been updated as well.
5/7
Besides these changes, the car gets wireless smartphone charger at the front and back as well. Apart from these, the Mercedes-Benz GLS facelift is majorly unchanged inside its cabin. However, the updated upholstery takes the premiumness of the cabin a few notches up.
6/7
The rear occupants too get dedicated tablets for rear seat entertainment connected to the MBUX system of the car. The MBUX of the GLS gets wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. The rear seat occupants get a touch panel for controlling a wide variety of functions and features.
7/7
Powertrain options for the new GLS include a petrol engine and a diesel motor as well, which come combined with a 48V mild-hybrid technology that can churn out 20 bhp power and 200 Nm torque alone. Transmision duty for the SUV is performed by a nine-speed automatic gearbox.
The Rs 6,180 crore investment announced today is in addition to the Rs 20,000 crore investment announced earlier.
Hyundai Motor India has announced an additional investment of Rs 6,180 crore in Tamil Nadu, at the Tamil Nadu Global Investors Meet 2024. This investment includes an amount of Rs 180 crore towards a dedicated ‘Hydrogen Valley Innovation Hub,’ in association with IIT Madras.
An MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) was signed between Unsoo Kim, MD & CEO, Hyundai Motor India and V Arun Roy, IAS., Secretary to Government, Industries Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, Dr. T R B Rajaa, Hon’ble Minister for Industries, Investment Promotion & Commerce, Thiru Shiv Das Meena, I.A.S., Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu and other senior officials during the inaugural ceremony of Tamil Nadu Global Investors Meet 2024. The event also saw the Korean company showcase its Nexo Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) and try and engage participants with an Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Engagement Zone.
Hyundai’s new investment is in addition to the Rs 20,000 crore one that will be rolled out in a phased manner over a period of 10 years (2023 to 2032). The original investment is meant to augment the company’s efforts in electric vehicle manufacturing, charging infrastructure and skill development.
Regarding the announcement, Unsoo Kim, MD and CEO, Hyundai Motor India said, “Hyundai has been one of the largest and consistent investors in Tamil Nadu for the past 27 years. This collaboration with the state government is a catalyst for cultivating a robust hydrogen technology ecosystem.”
The company has signed another MoU with the Government of Tamil Nadu, in association with IIT Madras, wherein the facility will act as an incubation cell ‘to develop a framework for localisation of the hydrogen ecosystem. The initiative is expected to generate employment and support skill development in the region, noted the press release.
In a separate development, the Vietnamese EV maker VinFast signed an MoU with the Tamil Nadu state government to invest USD 2 billion (around Rs 16,600 crore) to manufacture and export vehicles from India.
Industry representatives and experts have said that the southern states stand out as with well-defined EV policies, established manufacturing eco-system and a strong focus on R&D. This region will make a significant contribution towards achieving the government’s and NITI Aayog’s 2030 EV goals, and positioning India as a global hub in the EV space.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 07 Jan 2024, 21:53 PM
VinFast will establish EV and battery manufacturing facilities in Thoothukudi and says these will generate around 3,500 jobs.
Officials from VinFast are seen here with Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin and Union Minister Piyush Goyal at the signing of a joint agreement between the EV maker and the state government. (CMO, Tamil Nadu)
VinFast is fast emerging as a name and brand to reckon with in the world of electric vehicles (EVs). The company from Vietnam has already expanded its presence across many markets across the world, including the United States, and has now confirmed its India entry via a mammoth $2 billion investment into EV facilities in Tamil Nadu.
In an official statement, Vinfast announced it has an intended commitment of $500 million for the first five years of the project and that it has signed a joint agreement with the state government of Tamil Nadu. The construction of a battery plant and a facility to manufacture EVs will begin from this calendar year itself – in Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi – and once both are fully functional, will generate up to 3,500 jobs in the state.
Entering the Indian market at this point in time may be as beneficial for VinFast as it could be to accelerate the EV adoption in India. India is the world’s third largest car market in the world – in terms of sales, but EV penetration is still quite small. What this may mean is enormous potential that VinFast is looking to tap into. And choosing Tamil Nadu as its base of operations in the country is stemming from its assessment that the state has enormous potential to be India’s EV hub. “VinFast Tamil Nadu project aims to evolve into a first-class electric vehicle production hub in the region, with an annual capacity of up to 150,000 units. Construction of the plant is anticipated to begin in 2024. This project is set forth to lay a strong foundation for economic growth in Tamil Nadu and India as a whole,” the company said in its official statement. “Besides the economic benefits, the project will also pave the way for green transportation development, targeting 30% of newly registered private cars to be electric. This aligns with the state government’s initiatives to minimize carbon emissions in the transportation sector.”
File photo of Vinfast VF9 electric vehicle on the opening day of the Geneva International Motor Show that was held in Qatar in 2023. (Bloomberg)
How significant is VinFast in the world of EVs?
VinFast is one of the newer players in the globa EV race and comes from a country that has traditionally not had much to show in terms of its automobile manufacturing capabilities. But the EV game has levelled the play-field significantly, providing opportunities for established automobile champions as well as emerging EV companies.
Founded in 2017 by Pham Nhat Vuong, Vietnam’s first billionaire and who made his riches as a property developer, VinFast has been manufacturing EVs since 2021. It may have only been over two years of manufacturing EVs but VinFast has been busy. The company bought a manufacturing facility from GM in Australia while it is working to open another production hub in Indonesia that is scheduled to start rolling out models from 2026 onwards. It also began shipping its EVs to the US in early 2023 and opened its first dealership in the country last month. It is also establishing a manufacturing plant in North Carolina and is investing $4 billion in the country.
What kind of EVs does VinFast offer at present?
VinFast EV models are quite striking in their exterior design language even if the specifications are not the best in the industry just yet. The company offers small electric models like VF3 and VF4, as well as large electric SUVs like VF7 and VF9. The likes of VF6 and VF7 are sub-compact and compact SUVs, respectively, while VF8 is a mid-size SUV.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 06 Jan 2024, 17:30 PM
Yamaha has announced special offers in the state of Tamil Nadu to celebrate the Pongal festival. These offers will be applicable till 31st January 202
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Yamaha has announced special offers in the state of Tamil Nadu to celebrate the Pongal festival. These offers will be applicable till 31st January 2024 only.
Image of Yamaha Fascino 125 FI Hybrid used for representation purposes only.
Yamaha Motor India has announced special offers in Tamil Nadu to celebrate the Pongal festival. These offers will be applicable till 31st January 2024 only. The exclusive offers are currently applicable on Yamaha’s 150 cc FZ model range, FZ16 and 125 cc Fi Hybrid scooters.
Yamaha is offering benefits of up to ₹6,000 or ₹1,999 down payment on 150 cc 150 cc FZ-S Fi V4, FZ-S Fi V3 and FZ Fi. The FZ-X gets zero down payment or benefits up to ₹7,000. Apart from this, there are benefits of up to ₹4,000 or zero down payment on 125 Fi Hybrid Scooters – RayZR and Fascino. There are no offers on the recently launched YZF-R3, MT-03, MT-15, R15 and Aerox 155.
In the Indian market, the most recent launch from Yamaha was the YZF-R3 and MT-03. Everyone has been waiting for these motorcycles for a very long time. While the R3 returned to the Indian market after some time, this was the first time that the brand launched the MT-03 in India.
However, there was a bit of an issue when Yamaha announced the prices of the R3 and MT-03. They are priced at ₹4.65 lakh and ₹4.60 lakh. Both prices are ex-showroom. The price is on the higher side because the motorcycles come to India through the CBU route. Yes, Yamaha did say that they will eventually bring the motorcycles through CKD if they see enough units being sold. However, at this price, this is a difficult proposition considering that the Aprilia RS457 costs ₹4.1 lakh ex-showroom.
Having said that, the R3 and the MT-03 will be preferred by a few people who are die-hard fans of the basic motorcycle. Both motorcycles are pretty simple and do not offer any electronics. The only thing on offer is a digital instrument cluster and dual-channel ABS. There is not even a slipper clutch on offer.
Vietnamese EV maker to invest $500 million into setting up a 1.5 lakh unit capacity plant in the first phase of five years.
VinFast, Vietnam’s leading electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, and the Tamil Nadu State Government on Saturday announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to invest USD 2 billion (around Rs 16,600 crore) to manufacture and export vehicles from India.
VinFast and the state government will work towards a total investment of up to USD 2 billion, with an intended commitment of USD 500 million (around Rs 425 crore) for the first phase of the project spanning five years from the commencement date, said VinFast’s statement.
New plant construction expected to begin this year itself
Will generate 3,000-3,500 new job opportunities
VinFast’s investment is the largest in Tamil Nadu’s history
This move is a significant step in VinFast’s global expansion, which offers the brand a foot into the world’s third-largest car market. “The plan to expand into India aims to seize growth opportunities in the world’s most populous nation and rapidly expanding EV market,” added the statement.
The establishment of VinFast’s integrated electric vehicle facility in Tamil Nadu is anticipated to generate employment to approximately 3,000-3,500 people locally. Situated in Thoothukudi, the VinFast Tamil Nadu project aims to evolve into a electric vehicle production hub in the region, with an annual capacity of up to 150,000 units.
The construction of the plant is anticipated to begin in 2024, and is set forth to lay a strong foundation for economic growth in Tamil Nadu and India as a whole, claims the company. The company will also be setting up a nationwide dealership network to establish a strong brand presence and swiftly connect with customers across the country.
Besides the economic benefits, the project will also pave the way for green transportation development, targeting 30 percent of newly registered private cars to be electric. This aligns with the state government’s initiatives to minimise carbon emissions in the transportation sector.
Dr TRB Rajaa, minister of Industries Investment Promotions and Commerce of the Government of Tamil Nadu, with VinFast’s top management.
Ms Tran Mai Hoa, deputy CEO of Sales and Marketing, VinFast Global shared, “The MoU demonstrates VinFast’s strong commitment to the sustainable development and vision of a zero-emissions transportation future. We believe that investing in Tamil Nadu will not only bring considerable economic benefits to both parties, but will also help accelerate the green energy transition in India and the region.”
TRB Rajaa, minister of Industries of the Government of Tamil Nadu, said: “EV manufacturing companies are not only important economic drivers but also powerful accelerators to the state’s green vision. We are delighted that VinFast has chosen to invest in Tamil Nadu to establish its integrated EV facility. Possessing robust capabilities and unwavering commitment to a sustainable future, I believe that VinFast will emerge as a reliable economic partner and substantial contributor to Tamil Nadu’s long-term development.”
VinFast’s green transportation development project is its third manufacturing project and the largest investment in Tamil Nadu’s history, the press statement noted. The Government of Tamil Nadu has committed to providing cleared land for the manufacturing facilities, uninterrupted power supply and other infrastructure support on a best-effort basis.
Additionally, both parties will continue to collaborate and discuss opportunities for charging stations to steer towards a clean mobility future. VinFast – a member of Vingroup – envisions driving the advancement of the global smart electric vehicle revolution.
By: Paarth Khatri | Updated on: 05 Jan 2024, 18:07 PM
Apart from reporting 89 per cent sales growth, Audi also launched three new cars and three new special editions in India.
File photo of Audi Q8 e-tron and Audi Q8 Sportback e-tron models.
Audi India has announced 89 per cent growth in 2023 as they sold 7,931 units in India. This is the highest sales figure since 2015. Moreover, in Quarter 4, the brand sold 2,401 units and reported 94 per cent growth. Audi Approved which sells pre-owned cars grew by 62 per cent in 2023. In 2023, the manufacturer launched three new cars – the Q3 Sportback, the Q8 e-tron and the Q8 Sportback e-tron. Apart from this, three limited edition versions of Q8, Q5 and S5 were also introduced.
The SUV range that consists of Q8, Q8 e-tron, Q8 Sportback e-tron, Q3 Sportback, Q5 and Q7 registered 174 per cent growth. According to Audi, one in every four customers is a repeat Audi customer. Apart from this, performance and lifestyle cars including the e-tron range grew by 40 per cent.
Audi India recently opened India’s first ultra-fast charging station in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai. It is developed in collaboration with ChargeZone and it boasts an impressive, total capacity of 450kW, to deliver 360 kW of power to an electric vehicle and is enabled by a 500 amps liquid-cooled gun to ensure high performance and efficiency. The charging station also has a solar roof which further supports the other electrical requirements like lighting. The Audi Q8 55 e-tron with a 114 kWh battery (the largest battery on a passenger vehicle in India) can charge from 20% to 80% in just 26 minutes using this ultra-fast charger.
Mr. Balbir Singh Dhillon, Head of Audi India said, “2023 marks another successful year for us and our diverse and desirable product portfolio continues to garner robust demand. We remain steadfast to an upward trajectory, instituting industry-first initiatives, and delivering unparalleled luxury experiences. Our retail footprint is expanding, culminating in the year-end with a total of 64 touch points (includes showrooms and workshops) and 25 Audi Approved: plus showrooms nationwide. We are confident that this momentum will carry into 2024. One in every four customers is a repeat Audi buyer and this tells us that we are on the right path. We will continue to focus on industry-best offerings for our customers and of course, bringing the very best products to India.”
Audi India has announced growth of 89 percent, retailing 7,931 units, in the January to December 2023 period. Positive growth followed on the back of three new product launches – the Audi Q3 Sportback, Q8 e-tron and Q8 e-tron Sportback – along with continued demand for the A4, A6 and Q5. This marked the highest sales since 2015, the press release noted.
The Q7, Q8, A8 L, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback, RS Q8, e-tron GT and the RS e-tron GT continued to witness strong demand. Balbir Singh Dhillon, Head of Audi India said, “2023 marks another successful year for us and our diverse and desirable product portfolio continues to garner robust demand. Our retail footprint is expanding, culminating in the year-end with a total of 64 touch points (including showrooms and workshops) and 25 Audi Approved: plus showrooms nationwide. We are confident that this momentum will carry into 2024.”
Audi India continued its strong performance on the back of new product launches, a strong product portfolio of seventeen cars and industry-best customer offerings. Dhillon further added, “One in every four customers is a repeat Audi buyer and this tells us that we are on the right path. We will continue to focus on industry-best offerings for our customers and of course, bringing the very best products to India.”
Audi Approved: plus the pre-owned car business witnessed a growth of 62 percent in 2023. Currently operating with 25 Audi Approved: plus, facilities across all major hubs in the country, the brand will continue to expand and add more pre-owned car facilities this year.
On a fine October morning in Delhi recently, I got to spend an entire day with the Tata Punch to figure out all the answers and assess what this new sub-compact SUV has on offer. A punchy name, after all, is just a name and the real proof of its capabilities lies out in the open world.
Read on for the extensive first-drive review of Tata Punch.
Tata Punch: Exterior
Tata Punch is being offered in four variants, or personas as Tata Motors likes to call these. Much of the details highlighted here would depend on which variant or persona one opts for. There is the base which is called Pure, followed by Adventure, Accomplished and the top-end Creative. It is a clever marketing strategy because even if you opt for the base model, all you have to say is “I bought the Punch in Pure persona”. Fancy!
Punch has a very prominent face which underlines its SUV credentials.
There are multiple colour options on offer but not all variants get all colour choices.
Tata Punch colour options
Pure
Adventure
Accomplished
Creative (Dual-tone roof)
Orcus White
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes (Black roof)
Daytona Grey
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes (Black roof)
Tropical Mist
Yes
Yes
Yes (Black roof)
Atomic Orange
Yes
Yes
Yes (Black roof)
Meteor Bronze
Yes
Yes (Black roof)
Tornado Blue
Yes (White roof)
Calypso Red
Yes (White roof)
The Punch I received as part of the media test drives was in Tornado Blue shade with white roof and the top-end Creative variant. In terms of dimensions, obvious at that, the all variants are same and the Punch has compact numbers while still looking showing off an SUV-ish profile. The prominent front face with a familiar ‘Humanity Line’ on the grille, the LED DRLs and head light units that seem to have been taken straight from the Harrier and the fog light units on the front fender give it a muscular appeal.
A look at he front and side profile of Tata Punch.
On the side, the large arches over the 15- or 16-inch wheels – depending on the variant, striking alloy design, generous cladding on the doors and roof rails highlight the profile. The fact that this car also has doors which open at a 90-degree angle – mimicking a butterfly, visually speaking, means that getting in and out is quite easy, space permitting of course.
All four doors on the Punch open at a 90-degree angle. Just be sure not to hit anyone or anything else!
Tata Punch dimensions
Length (mm)
3827
Width (mm)
1945
Height (mm)
1615
Wheelbase (mm)
2445
And the rear has a sleek demeanour courtesy arrow-shaped LED tail lights, double character lines on the trunk door and ‘Punch’ lettering here.
Open the trunk and there’s around 360 litres of boot space available even if the load angle is a little high and could make lifting heavy suitcases a bother. While the addition of a tyre puncture repair kit, tucked neatly on one corner, is great, the exposed wiring on the inside trunk section is shoddy. The support hinge for the parcel tray in my review unit came off at the slightest bit of tug. Word of advise – don’t put anything remotely heavy on the tray.
Minor quality-related issues like this hook for the parcel tray coming off its casing may be a concern for a few on the Punch.
Tata Punch first drive review 2024
Tata Punch: Interior
Punch has a rather compact cabin because of its rather compact dimensions. If you step in with expectations kept sky high, it is likely that the fall back to the ground will hurt. There’s no sunroof, no air purification system, no wireless phone charging option and no ambient lighting. What one can get, depending on the variant of course, are functional features for everyday use such as a cooled glovebox, infotainment screen, climate control, auto-folding ORVMs, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights, four speakers with two tweeters, among other additions.
Tata Punch variant-wise features
Pure
Adventure
Accomplished
Creative
All features of Pure and…
All features of Adventure and….
All features of Accomplished and…
Central locking with key
Floating 3.5 inch infotainment
Floating 7 inch touch screen infotainment by Harman with Android Auto and Apple Car Play
Projector HLs
Dual airbags
Four speakers
Four speakers, two tweeters
LED DRLs
ABS with EBD
Steering mounted control
Rear view camera
R16 Diamond cut alloys
IAC+ESS Technology
USB charging port
LED tail lamps
Roof rails
Brake Sway Control
ORVM with electrical adjustment
Front fog lamps
7 inch TFT instrument cluster
Front power windows
All power windows
R15 hyper style wheels
Auto headlamps
90-degree door
Follow me home HLs
Push button start stop
Rain sensing wipers
Flat rear floor
Anti glare IRVM
One touch down Dr window
Auto folding ORVMs
LED indicators
Central Remote Locking with Flip Key
Cruise control
Fully automatic temperature control
Black ODH
Full wheel covers
Driver seat height adjustment
Cooled glove box
Painted bumpers
Body coloured ORVM, ODH
Traction Pro (AMT only)
Rear wiper + wash
Door, wheel arch and sill cladding
Rear defogger
Puddle lamps
Rear seat arm rest
Leather steering & Gear knob
One can also choose from a host of customization options when buying the Punch, a sign that Tata Motors does not want you to be limited in your desire for more features just because you chose a lower variant.
Pure
Adventure
Accomplished
Creative
Rhythm Pack
Rhythm Pack
Dazzle Pack
IRA Pack
3.5-inch infotainment screen
7-inch touchscreen
16-inch diamond cut alloys
IRA Connected Car technology
4 speakers
2 tweeters
LED DRLs
Steering-mounted audio control
Android Auto/Apple CarPlay
Projector head lights
Rear camera
A Pillar black tape
The seven-inch infotainment screen inside my Persona was par for the course courtesy minimal reflections and good response to touch inputs. Apart from the usual audio, video and navigation details, it also puts out a driver scorecard which assesses how well (or not) you have been behind the wheel. The semi-digital driver display too was on expected lines and is positioned well behind the three-spoke, flat-bottomed steering with mounted controls. The steering, however, can only be adjusted for rake and not for reach.
A look at the cabin layout of Tata Punch.
Tata Punch first drive review The New Tata Punch
Now there is a lot of hard plastics used all around the cabin of the Punch but frankly, I was expecting this. Because Tata is likely to price Punch aggressively, this is something that can be overlooked. What is impressive though is the sporty dashboard design and layout which seek to camouflage the plastic quality, especially the white patterned addition on the lower end of the dash -where the AC vents are at. Speaking of AC vents, these get an outline border in the same hue as the exterior body colour of the vehicle.
The entire dashboard layout of Punch has a youthful appeal.
The cooled glovebox is a great addition and has plenty of space for storing either documents or bottles. Or both. A sectional divide here seeks to ensure that things don’t get jumbled.
Coming to the important bit about seat upholstery and spacing, Tata Punch tends to deliver on most counts. The seats are well cushioned and the quality of stitching appeared to be satisfactory. The driver seat can be adjusted for height which means even someone who may not exactly be considered tall will have a commanding view of the road ahead. I would have expected an arm rest, at least with the AMT I was driving, but there was none to be found.
The passengers on the back seat, well, have a bit of a hit and miss experience. The flat floor ensures that there is space for feet for the middle passenger but those on either side have limited space for their respective feet due to the rails on which the front seats sit. Leg room is rather limited and knee and head room is just about satisfactory. Three passengers sitting side-by-side on long journeys may be a bit of a cramped affair, also because there is no rear AC vent. Another miss is the lack of charging points for rear-seat passengers.
Space is a bit constrained on the back seats but Punch benefits from a high-seating position.
That said, it isn’t as if the rear section of the Punch is a deal-breaker for the family person. An armrest in the middle of the rear seats, high-seat position and good punchy speakers may still make this car a good proposition for small families.
Tata Punch: Safety
Tata Motors has been consistently producing some of the safest passenger vehicles in India. Over the last few years, the homegrown carmaker has shown the world that made-in-India cars can achieve a Global NCAP five-star safety rating and one among them is the Tata Punch. This boxy SUV-ish car has received a five-star for adult occupant protection, while for child occupant protection, it has received a four-star rating.
A major factor behind this safety rating is the build quality, as the automaker claims. Besides that, on the safety feature front, the Punch gets dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, automatic headlamps, reverse parking sensors, ISOFIX anchors, autonomous emergency braking lane departure warning, electronic stability control, blind-spot detection etc.
Tata Punch: Performance
Punch is made available only with a 1.2-litre Revotron petrol engine. In case you want a diesel option, I advise checking out other Tata Motor options or picking one from the rival camp. But if the petrol engine is fine, there’s much to look forward to right here.
Tata Punch technical specs
Max Power
86 Ps
Max Torque
113 Nm
Engine
1.2 Revotron petrol
Capacity, Cylinders
11999 cc, 3 cylinders
Fuel tank capacity
37 litres
The majority of my time with the Punch was with the AMT and that worked well because majority of my time was also spent within city limits – Delhi to Gurugram to Delhi. In all, I drove this variant (oops, persona) for around 100 kilometres on mostly well-laid city roads with the occasional broken patches.
Tata Punch first drive review
Punch is relatively stable at high speeds and maintains straight lines with poise.
The key takeaway from the drive that I had was that the AMT, on expected lines, is a bit slow to take off. It has a familiar reluctance till around the 1,500 RPM mark and there the so-called rubber-band effect is very, very omnipresent. Any sudden plans for overtaking ought not to be sudden and will have to be well thought out before being executed. But once speed does build up and around the 1800 RPM mark, the Punch does justice to its name.
If you are primarily driving within city limits, the Punch with AMT ought to be a good choice as long as you aren’t an authentic driving enthusiast. If you are, try the Punch with a manual gearbox.
Cruising past around 60 KMPH and the Punch comes into its element. Its compact dimensions meant that weaving in and out of the extremely congested Delhi-Gurugram Expressway was an absolute delight. And because the steering set up is done right, it offers a good balance between heft and flexibility – a good combination to have for a car that may be doing duty in all kinds of traffic situations. There is also a traction-control mode on offer on the AMT which promises to get you out of slippery situations.
NVH levels are satisfactory although the groan of the engine does seep into the cabin when being excessively pushed. Keep it steady and the Punch manages to hint at a certain level of refinement that recent Tata cars have started putting in respective resumes off late.
But one thing Punch ought not to put on its resume is the control over body roll. Again, this is only when the vehicle is being pushed to perform but sharp turns at relatively high speeds means the driver and especially passengers at the rear will have to get a grip, literally speaking.
It was soon time for me to make the switch to the Punch with manual transmission and take my word for it – if you like the basic nuances of driving, you will love this car.
The Punch with MT is not just capable on regular roads but is quite capable on paths less taken and traveled.
Now I am not sure if it is because I spent most of my time with the AMT or if the manual transmission is really that good but having a control over Punch’s punch made me wish that I had had more than just 20 minutes with this particular option. The gear shifts are short, crisp and nearly precise. And remember the bit about planning over-taking moves? No need! Downshift, press the pedal and the Punch will execute commands nearly instantly.
The manual gearbox is also what is likely to excel on roads less than perfect. I got a chance to test its ‘off-road’ capabilities and while it was in a controlled test track, I was mighty impressed. Sure, Punch is no 4X4 but its high-seating position does help in giving a clear view of the surroundings – crucial in tricky terrain that one may encounter. With a 20.3 approach angle, 37.6 departure angle and 22.2 ramp-over angle, Punch was nifty throughout the obstacle course. And because it has a claimed water-wading capability of 370mm, this car may also be capable of navigating through submerged roads of Indian cities during monsoon. My advice though? Don’t try it unless you absolutely must have to.
Overall, it is great that Tata Motors has offered AMT on the Punch and it does have some serious SUV traits. But it is the manual transmission that would be my preferred choice and the fact that the vehicle can ably manage challenging terrain – to its best ability – is a big, big plus over rivals.
Tata Punch: Verdict
Tata Punch looks more like an SUV than many of the sub-compact SUVs out in the market. This alone could bring many to Tata showrooms to check out the vehicle. But beyond the superficiality of looks, it has a long list of core strengths that could work in its favour.
A high ground clearance and seating position means Punch is perhaps the most SUV-ish among all sub-compact SUVs on offer.
Punch may not have an absolutely exhaustive feature list or the most comfortable drive and ride experience in the segment it wants to compete in. And yet, it packs in the features that an owner is most likely to make use of – including iRA connected app support -and is an eager machine on the move. The ability on less than perfect roads don’t come as a cherry on the cake but is a large and delicious part of the cake itself.
I expect Tata Motors to price the Punch very, very aggressively and assuming this happens, the SUV will surely be a very, very compelling option for buyers inclined towards this body type without having to break bank.
It will come with two battery pack options; likely to be called MR and LR.
Having wrapped up 2023 on the back of strong EV sales, it’s no surprise Tata’s first new model for 2024 is also going to be an EV. After numerous spy shots and much anticipation, Tata Motors is likely to officially debut the Punch EV in India this week, and we have some fresh details on its battery pack and equipment list.
Punch EV to get two battery pack options: 25kW and 35kW
Will come with ventilated seats, 10.25-inch screens
Bookings expected to commence next week
Tata Punch EV battery, equipment details
Our sources tell us that like the the Nexon EV and Tiago EV,the Punch EV will be available with two battery pack options – 25kWh and 35kWh. The two variants could, therefore, also be called Medium Range (MR) and Long Range (LR), as per Tata’s EV nomenclature. The small EV SUV will be based on the ALFA platform with Tata’s Gen 2 EV architecture, which essentially is an ICE to EV conversion with major modifications, and come with a liquid-cooled battery and a permanent magnet synchronous motor powering the front wheels.
Our sources also say the Punch EV will get ventilated front seats, which will make it the most affordable car in the country to get this feature. Higher variants will get a new 10.25-inch touchscreen from the Nexon EV, while lower variants will have a smaller 7.0-inch screen. The jewelled drive selector from the Nexon EV will also be carried over.
Previous spy shots have also hinted at four-wheel disc brakes, the two-spoke steering wheel seen on larger Tata SUVs, a digital instrument cluster and an electronic parking brake. It will also be marked out visually from its ICE counterpart with new styling elements, such as full-width LED light bars, a blanked-out grille and new alloy wheels, largely drawing inspiration from the Nexon EV.
Tata Punch EV positioning and rivals
The Punch EV will be squarely aimed at the Citroen eC3 in our market. It will be positioned below the Nexon EV MR and above the Tiago EV MR, which means prices could range between Rs 10 lakh-13 lakh, ex-showroom. Bookings are expected to commence soon and details on range, power figures and features are expected upon its official debut.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 03 Jan 2024, 20:28 PM
Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India closed the 2023 calendar on a positive note with over 3.17 lakh units sold in December 2023, a growth of 27 per cen
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Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India closed the 2023 calendar on a positive note with over 3.17 lakh units sold in December 2023, a growth of 27 per cent.
Honda 2Wheelers India’s exports shined in December 2023 with 31,022 units shipped overseas, registering an 82% growth year-on-year
Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) reported its sales for December 2023 and the company sold a cumulative (domestic + exports) of 317,123 units, growing by 27 per cent, as compared to 250,171 units sold in December 2022. The two-wheeler maker closed the calendar on a positive note even as the two-wheeler market showed slow sales momentum.
Honda’s domestic sales stood at 286,101 units, witnessing a hike of 22.71 per cent year-on-year, as against 233,151 units sold in December 2022. Exports, on the other hand, stood at 31,022 units, registering a massive growth of 82.27 per cent over 17,020 units shipped overseas during the same month a year before.
The Honda Shine 100 was launched in 2023 in the entry-level 100 cc segment as the brand’s most affordable motorcycle (HT Auto/Kunal Thale)
Honda Two-Wheelers India sold 43,84,559 units during the 2023 calendar year. In comparison, its biggest rival and market leader Hero MotoCorp sold 54.99 lakh units during the same period. The Japanese manufacturer continues to hold the second spot as far as two-wheeler sales are concerned in India.
Honda had an eventful 2023 with multiple new and updated launches. The company introduced the Honda Activa H-Smart variant, as well as the Shine 100, its most affordable motorcycle yet. The new Honda SP160 and Dio 125 also hit the market in 2023. In the premium segment, the company went on to launch the new classic CB350, the updated Gold Wing Tour and the XL750 Transalp adventure tourer. Furthermore, HMSI announced the appointment of Tsutsumu Otani as the new President, CEO & Managing Director of the company.
The 2024 calendar year is more crucial for Honda Two-Wheelers India with the company all set to enter the electric mobility space. The company has already announced its plans to foray into the space and will bring an electric scooter and motorcycle later this year. The made-in-India models will make it to other markets as well with India serving as the production hub.
New Creta will get a total of five powertrain options and 19 variants to choose from.
Hyundai commenced bookings for the Creta facelift on Tuesday and also revealed the powertrain options that will be available on the SUV. As before, the 115hp, 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines will continue with their respective gearboxes, but what’s new is the 160hp, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine. Now we have a complete breakdown of which powertrain will be available on which trim.
Creta turbo-petrol to come in a single fully-loaded trim
Will only be offered with the 7-speed DCT gearbox
Bookings ongoing for Rs 25,000
Hyundai Creta facelift trims and variants
The new Creta will be available in seven trim levels – E, EX, S, S(O), SX, SX Tech and SX(O) – of which the latter two will also get a dual-tone colour option. Of the five powertrain options, it’s only the 1.5 petrol-MT that will be available across the board, but crucially, the 1.5 turbo-petrol will only be offered with 7-speed DCT gearbox and in just one fully-loaded trim. Here’s a table summarising the variant line-up of the new Creta.
Hyundai Creta variant lineup
E
EX
S
S(O)
SX
SX Tech
SX(O)
1.5 petrol MT
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
1.5 petrol CVT
–
–
–
Yes
–
Yes
Yes
1.5 turbo-petrol DCT
–
–
–
–
–
–
Yes
1.5 diesel MT
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
–
Yes
Yes
1.5 diesel AT
–
–
–
Yes
–
–
Yes
This, however, seems to be a missed opportunity for Hyundai. A sole gearbox option in a fully-loaded trim will limit the appeal and accessibility of the turbo-petrol engine, especially since the Kia Seltos additionally gets the option of an iMT gearbox with the same engine and from much lower in the variant lineup. Hyundai and Kia have predefined their gearbox strategy with the 1.5 turbo-petrol of manual and iMT, respectively, so a manual should have been offered with the Creta as well.
In fact, every other model in the Hyundai-Kia group that uses this engine gets the option of a second gearbox apart from the 7-speed DCT, and across multiple trims – the Carens gets an iMT while both the Alcazar and Verna get proper manual gearboxes. Even among Hyundai’s rivals, the Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun get manual as well as DCT gearboxes with their respective 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engines.
Hyundai Creta facelift exterior, interior updates
As for the updates that come with the mid-lifecycle facelift, the Creta gets a comprehensive exterior makeover that brings with it new full-width LED daytime running lamps, new headlamps and grille and all-new front and rear bumpers. It looks a lot more upright and squared-out than the outgoing model, and perhaps will divide less opinion about its styling.
On the inside, the dashboard has been completely redone with new twin connected screens and a redesigned centre console with a touch panel for HVAC controls. On the features front, the addition of ADAS, dual-zone climate control and 360-degree camera will be key additions, among others.
Bookings for the Creta facelift are ongoing for a token amount of Rs 25,000, and those who have booked the outgoing model will have the option of changing their bookings to the facelifted model. The launch is expected later this month.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 02 Jan 2024, 21:42 PM
Hero MotoCorp closed the 2023 calendar year with over 54.99 lakh units sold, a growth of 5 per cent over 52.47 lakh units sold in CY2022.
Hero MotoCorp dispatched 393,952 units in December 2023 with volumes dropping marginally year-on-year
Hero MotoCorp reported its sales for 2023 and the company closed the calendar year with over 54.99 lakh units between January and December. The manufacturer registered a five per cent growth in volumes when compared to 52.47 lakh units sold during the same period in 2022. While sales ended in the green for the year, Hero witnessed a marginal drop in volumes with 393,952 units sold in December 2023, as against 394,179 units sold in December 2022.
Hero MotoCorp said that it expects the positive momentum to grow further from the fourth quarter of FY2024 with increased government spending and improved liquidity, encouraging farm activity and the upcoming marriage season.
Motorcycle sales in December remained flat with 354,658 units sold, when compared to 356,749 units sold during the same month a year ago. Scooter sales were down by five per cent with 39,294 units sold last month, over 37,430 units sold in December 2022.
Hero MotoCorp introduced its premium two-wheeler strategy in 2024 across segments and also went on to launch the Premia dealerships
Domestic sales remained flat at 377,842 units, as against 381,365 units a year before. Exports, on the other hand, registered a 25 per cent hike last month with 16,110 units shipped overseas, compared to 12,814 in December 2022.
The previous year also saw Hero make some significant announcements including the launch of the Xoom 110, Xtreme 160R 4V, Karizma XMR 210 and the return of the Passion Plus. The company also launched its maiden offering in partnership with Harley-Davidson in the form of the H-D X440. Hero also strengthened its EV arm, Vida, with network expansion and collaboration, announcing its partnership with Ather Energy for interoperable fast-charging stations across the country.
Furthermore, Hero announced Vida’s entry into the European market at EICMA 2023 while showcasing future models like the Xoom 125R, Xoom 160, and the 2.5R Xtunt Concept. The two-wheeler giant is all set to kick off 2024 with its motorsports program and will be competing in the upcoming Dakar Rally. The brand also has its new flagship product in the works which will be introduced on January 22, 2024.
The current Chetak with the LCD display will likely remain on sale as the Chetak Urbane, while the new Premium version will get features like a TFT display.
Bajaj will launch an updated Chetak Premium on January 5th, and the improved e-scooter will get fancier features, including a new TFT display.
The current Chetak lineup already includes an Urbane and a Premium variant, but the two scooters are extremely similar. With the updated Chetak Premium, Bajaj is likely to broaden the gap between the two variants. The Chetak Urbane will carry on as the more affordable and more basic version, while the updated Chetak Premium will present the more expensive and more feature-rich option.
Teaser image showing the new TFT screen coming to the updated Chetak Premium.
The company has taken to social media to announce the launch of the updated Chetak Premium, which will take place at 1pm on Jan 5. Additionally, it has also put up teaser images showing parts of the scooter, including a clear look at the new TFT screen. From the display readout, we can tell that the updated scooter will get Bluetooth connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation. It will also almost certainly continue to feature riding modes.
The images also show the rest of the scooter, which looks fairly identical to the current Chetak Premium. It will continue to sport the neat single-sided front suspension, the smart alloy wheels and the slick, rounded design. The seat, lights, floorboard and apron storage space also remain unchanged.
What’s not yet known is whether the powertrain and battery pack will receive any revisions. At present, the Chetak Premium gets a 2.9kWh battery pack good for a claimed range of 108km – at the very least, this is likely to increase to 113km as a result of software upgrades, as we saw with the recently launched Chetak Urbane.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 01 Jan 2024, 16:57 PM
Ola Electric sells S1 Pro, S1 Air and S1X Plus electric scooters in India.
Ola Electric sells S1 Pro, S1 Air and S1X Plus electric scooters in India.
Ola Electric on Monday announced that it sold 30,219 electric scooters across India in December 2023. The ride-hailing platform turned into an EV manufacturer also claimed that it captured 40 per cent market share in the Indian electric two-wheeler segment. Ola Electric further claimed that December 2023 witnessed its highest-ever monthly registrations.
The electric two-wheeler manufacturer has claimed in an official release that it registered a whopping 74 per cent sales growth in December 2023, as compared to the same month a year ago. Also, the company claims to have recorded 68 per cent growth in the last quarter ending in December 2023 with 83,963 units, compared to the October-December quarter of 2022. Also, the EV manufacturer claims to have sold a total of 2.65 lakh units of electric scooters in 2023.
Ola Electric further claimed that it crossed another milestone of becoming the first company in the industry to produce 400,000 electric scooters in just two years. Speaking about the sales performance, Anshul Khandelwal, Chief Marketing Officer of Ola Electric, said that its ‘December to Remember’ campaign was a massive success bringing thousands of customers under the EV fold. “We believe that we have continued our market leadership for yet another quarter on the back of our strong product lineup comprising the S1 Pro, S1 Air, and the S1 X+. Our ‘December to Remember’ campaign has been a massive success, bringing thousands more under the EV fold,” he added.
Ola Electric currently has five different electric scooters on offer across variants and different battery options. It sells models like S1 Pro, S1 Air and S1X Plus. Priced at ₹147,499 (ex-showroom), S1 Pro is the company’s flagship premium EV scooter while S1 Air is available at ₹119,999 (ex-showroom), and it is the band’s most affordable EV.
First report: The compact EV has entered our fleet and has been making light work of jam-packed commutes.
Say hello to the Autocar long-term fleet’s latest and smallest car, the MG Comet EV. Soon after, I whisked away the keys for some seat time with a car that has intrigued me for a while. After a short stint, here’s what it’s like to live with.
I have the privilege of taking home various test and long-term cars and bikes, and none of them have caught the fancy of my family like the Comet. I took it home over the Diwali weekend and everyone, including my extended family, was keen on checking out this cute little car. What immediately wowed them, apart from the unconventional looks, was the interior design and quality. With light colours and a clean, minimalist look, the MG Comet’s cabin is a nice, airy place to be. And while space at the back is actually ample for adults, getting in and out of the rear seat is a task, especially for older or healthier people.
The Comet EV manages to fit in comically small parking spaces.
The Comet has also been making my commute to work a breeze. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still jam-packed but much more manageable now. The Comet’s tiny footprint allows me to squeeze in and out of gaps, which I would only have been able to do on a two-wheeler. It also makes parking a stress-free process, with its large glass area giving you a great 360-degree view. It fits in parking slots where you just wouldn’t expect a car to. Another thing I appreciate about the MG is its steering. Not only does the wheel feel high quality and good to hold but it’s also effortless to operate, which again, is a boon in the city.
However, I really wish MG had given it a better audio system as the current one just isn’t good enough. It’s loud, but the clarity and bass leave a lot more to be desired. And a good music system is something that I really want in my car, which is something I’m sure the younger, hipster crowd that MG is targetting want. Furthermore, the touchscreen has also glitched on occasion so an infotainment upgrade is a much-needed one.
Audio system is very poor and leaves more to be desired.
I have been in very few vehicles that garner as much attention as the Comet. From young to old, everyone wants to know more about it. Part of the attention you get is because of its dimensions and the other part is thanks to this bright neon green paint. Personally, I don’t like this colour, but that’s a subjective matter.
While I haven’t run it long enough, I did run it from 100 to 30 percent, during which it covered 121km (see table below); more than acceptable for a city EV. And mind you, the AC was on the entire time.
MG Comet EV range
Charge
Distance
100%
0km
90%
16km
80%
32km
70%
52km
60%
65km
50%
82km
40%
101km
30%
121km
There’s also a few curious things I’ve noticed in my short stint with the Comet. First, the buttons to switch tracks etc. on the right hand side of the steering work on and off, especially when you’re using Android Auto. Second, it won’t charge using our office’s wall-mounted charger anymore. It did initially, but now the plug won’t lock into place, so I’ve had to resort to the slow AC charger that comes with the car. Lastly, and most surprisingly, the Comet managed to roll back its odometer on its own. And it’s not like it’s an analogue unit where it could be a mechanical malfunction; this is a full-digital unit. This is something I’ve never experienced with a car or bike in the five years I’ve been testing them. We will get these matters inspected and report back in the next long-term review.
.jpg&c=0 "Vinfast EVs in India, VinFast investment in Tamil Nadu, VinFast India launch plans")
.jpg&c=0 "Updated Bajaj Chetak Premium e-scooter India launch on Jan 5th")
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