Mahindra and Mahindra have teased an electric version of the Thar. It will be called Thar.e and will make its debut in concept form on 15th August in Cape Town, South Africa where the Mahindra is hosting an event called ‘Futurescape’ where the manufacturer will be showcasing a global tractor platform and a pick-up truck concept as well.
By: Paarth Khatri | Updated on: 05 Aug 2023, 12:44 PM
A screenshot from the teaser that Mahindra shared.
Not much is known about the Thar.e as of now. However, it can be expected that Mahindra will either re-purpose the existing platform of the Thar so that it can be used to fit batteries and electric motors or they will base the Thar.e on an all-new dedicated electric skateboard platform. Mahindra already has an electric platform called INGLO on which its upcoming electric SUVs will be based on.
Considering that Thar is an off-roader and comes with four-wheel drive, it makes sense for Mahindra to equip its electric version with a dual-motor setup where one motor sits on the front axle and another one sits on the rear axle. Having said that, what would be the icing on the cake would be a proper quad-motor setup. This means that each wheel will have its own electric motor to modulate the torque and traction individually while off-roading.
The teaser also shows us a glimpse of the rear tail lamp whose design is in line with the current Thar. So, it is a square unit with a smaller square inside. Considering this, it can be expected that the current design language of the Thar will mostly stay intact but will get a few changes here and there so that it can be recognized as the Thar.e and not the ICE version of the Thar.
Apart from this, it is important to note that Mahindra is only showing the concept version of the Thar.e so the production-spec version is still a few years away. Speaking of concepts, Mahindra will also showcase a pick-up truck concept which is expected to be based on the platform that Scorpio N and the upcoming Thar 5-door will use. Again, we do not know when the production-spec version of the pick-up truck will launch.
The Thar.e will likely be based on Mahindra’s new born-EV platform.
Mahindra has teased the upcoming Thar EV concept, ahead of its global debut on August 15 in South Africa, which confirms our previous scoop. The teaser shows the electric offroader concept will be called the Thar.e.
Mahindra Thar.e concept will debut in South Africa
Alongside, Mahindra will also showcase a pickup concept
Besides the moniker, the social media teaser also gives us a few more hints of what to expect. In terms of styling the concept will feature Squircle like design elements seen in the LED lights teased. The lights also show a pixel structure similar to the pickup concept that Mahindra will showcase at the event.
The biggest clue to what we can expect however is the Born Electric lettering, indicating the concept – and thus the production car – will be built on the new dedicated EV platforms that Mahindra are readying.
Electrifying a ladder-on-frame platform is technically possible and quite a few brands have done so, for example the Ford F150 Lightning pickup. Given that Mahindra is also a commercial vehicle manufacturer, electrifying ladder-frame vehicles is something it needs to look into, it has also said it is doing so previously.
However, using the new born electric platform for the Thar.e Mahindra will not have to struggle with weight and space issues the current Thar’s ladder-frame would pose. This would therefore also give the Thar.e a better range with a lower weight and more space for batteries. For now details like its range and powertrain and not known but more will likely be unveiled at the August 15th event, where Mahindra will also showcase a pickup concept, so stay tuned.
Powering the Punch iCNG is a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder engine that produces 84.82 bhp of max power and a peak torque output of 113 Nm while running on petrol. On CNG, the power output falls to 75.94 bhp whereas the torque output decreases to 97 Nm. The engine comes mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 5-speed AMT. However, the CNG powertrain only gets a 5-speed AMT.
One of the biggest distinguishing features of Tata’s iCNG range is the use of dual-cylinder tech. Instead of using one large CNG cylinder, Tata Motors is using two small 30-litre cylinders which means the total capacity is rated for 60 litres. The cylinders are placed in the floor well of the boot. This means that there is still a usable boot space available for the occupants to store their luggage and other stuff.
Being a Tata, the CNG vehicles also come with several safety features. It gets a leak detection feature and Tata is using high-quality stainless steel and rust and corrosion-resistant materials. There is also thermal incident protection in which the CNG supply to the engine is cut off automatically and the gas in the cylinder is released into the atmosphere automatically. There is also a microswitch that makes sure that the car does not start if the fuel lid is open.
Cosmetically, the brand has not made any changes apart from the new iCNG badging. The cabin gets a CNG button that is used to switch the fuel supply from CNG to petrol or vice versa. The instrument cluster is updated to show a CNG gauge.
The Tata Punch CNG will come with twin-cylinder technology that brings two 30-litre tanks under the boot space, for a more practical storage solution
Commenting on the launch, Mr. Vinay Pant, Head-Marketing, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd., said: “Building further on our success with the Altroz iCNG, and to make the CNG segment even more hotly contested, we are excited to introduce the twin cylinder technology in not just one but three products today – the Tiago, Tigor and the much awaited and loved sub compact SUV, the Tata Punch. Since its debut at the Auto Expo 2023, the Punch iCNG has been one of the most awaited products in this segment. With its uncompromised boot space and high end feature upgrades, the Punch iCNG demonstrates the go anywhere attitude of an SUV, which is engineered to meet the constantly evolving requirements of customers, who are tech savvy and demand best in class features along with an environment friendly and economical product. I am confident that these introductions put together will make our CNG line up appealing, holistic and stronger than ever.”
Now in its third generation, the Alto continues to be a popular choice in the entry-level hatchback segment.
Maruti Suzuki has announced that its entry-level product, the Alto, has crossed the 45 lakh sales (4.5 million units) milestone, becoming India’s highest-selling car. Since its launch in 2000, Maruti’s people’s car for the millennium saw strong consumer acceptance, and by 2004, it had become the bestselling car in the country.
The Alto is now in its third generation
10 lakh unit sales mark hit in 2008
Rivals the Kwid and S-Presso
Maruti Alto: tough early times
It wasn’t smooth sailing for the Alto in its first years; the catch here was that the Maruti 800 – the car that put India on wheels – still lured many first-time car buyers. Maruti Suzuki initially struggled to convince buyers to pick the Alto over the iconic 800 despite the former looking fresher, having better engine and gearbox options, and more features without a big premium over the 800. The first Alto came with two engine options – the 45hp, 796cc petrol engine from the Maruti 800 hatchback, and a 65hp, 1.1-litre, 4-cylinder petrol motor.
Maruti Alto: 40 lakh unit sales by 2020
To draw more buyers to the Alto, Maruti made some strategic moves. It narrowed the 800’s range, launched more affordable variants of the Alto and marketed it aggressively. The efforts paid off, and after three years, the Alto wrested the throne from the 800 as India’s bestselling car.
Since then, the Alto sales have continued to grow, reaching milestones upon milestones. In 2008, Maruti Suzuki sold 10 lakh units of the Alto, making it only the fourth car in the Indian market to hit that milestone after the 800, Santro and the Omni.
The Alto just took four years to sell another 10 lakh units and in 2016, it crossed the 30-lakh milestone, making it the only car in India to do so. By August 2020, Maruti Suzuki had sold 40 lakh Alto units.
Maruti Alto: now in its third generation
Since the hatchback’s launch, the Alto has seen three iterations. In 2010, the first-gen Alto K10 was launched along with a CNG variant. Two years later, the Alto 800 was introduced and marked 2 million sales of the car. The second-generation Alto K10 was launched in 2014, followed by the third-gen model more recently in 2022.
Currently sold in seven variants, the Alto K10, which is powered by the K-Series 1.0-litre petrol engine, is priced at Rs 4,67,000 (on-road, Delhi) for the base Standard variants, going up to Rs 6,78,000 for the top-end VXi+ AMT variant.
Over 2 million units sold since FY2014
A quick look at the domestic market sales numbers of the Alto reveals that 22,20,441 units have been sold over 10 fiscal years, between FY2014 and FY2023, accounting for 49.34 percent of the total 4.5 million units. FY2019 has been its best year with 2,59,401 units but demand slowed down over the next couple of years.
FY2020 sales of 1,90,814 units were down by a substantial 26 percent, while the Covid-impacted FY2021 saw demand reduce by 16 percent to 1,58,992 units and to 1,45,167 units in FY2022.
Current-gen Alto still a favourite of the masses
What has brought the fizz back is Maruti Suzuki introducing the third-gen Alto K10 in August 2022, followed by the CNG variant, which delivers a fuel efficiency of 33.85km/kg, in November 2022. This move has seen sales improve year on year by 24 percent to 1,79,698 units.
The decadal sales data reveals that the Alto continued to be India’s best-selling car each year right till FY2020. In FY2021, the Alto dropped three positions to fourth rank and ceded the title to sibling Maruti Swift (172,671 units). In FY2022, when the Maruti Wagon R became the top seller (1,88,837 units), it continued to have fourth position, improving upon that in FY2023 to take third spot with 1,79,698 units after the leader Wagon R (2,12,340) and Baleno (2,02,901 units).
The Triumph Speed 400 finally rolled out into dealerships late last month and as originally announced, the company has now begun deliveries of the new roadster to customers across India. Deliveries have commenced in a phased manner in cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Pune, while deliveries in other cities should start within the next few days.
By: Sameer Fayaz Contractor | Updated on: 03 Aug 2023, 15:33 PM
The Triumph Speed 400 commands a waiting period of about four months
The Speed 400 was launched with a highly competitive introductory price tag of ₹2.23 lakh for the first 10,000 customers. Triumph and Bajaj managed to surpass the 10,000 booking number quickly and the price now stands at ₹2.33 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The on-road prices vary between ₹2.67 lakh in Delhi, going up to ₹2.87 lakh in Mumbai and Pune. You can check out the on-road prices for different states below.
As previously reported by HT Auto, the waiting period for the Speed 400 stands at about four months. Triumph India has also increased the booking amount from ₹2,000 at the time of the launch to ₹10,000. The demand is only expected to increase further as Bajaj Auto expands Triumph’s retail presence in the country. The company previously had 15 operational dealers pan India, and it plans to increase to 50 outlets by October, and up to 100 by March 2024 across 80 cities. The strategy will also help bolster the company’s operations right time for the Triumph Scrambler 400 X’s arrival in two months.
Currently, Bajaj Auto is ramping up production of the Triumph Speed 400 at its Chakan 2 facility to meet the growing demand. The plant has an installed production capacity of 5,000 units for Triumph motorcycles, which could be increased further to address the demand. That said, production will be increased in a staggered manner, the company had clarified earlier.
Watch: Triumph Speed 400 Review: Worth the hype?
The Triumph Speed 400 is powered by a 398 cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine tuned for 39.5 bhp at 8,000 rpm and 37.5 Nm at 6,500 rpm, paired with a 6-speed gearbox. We rode the Speed 400 last month and came back impressed with its impressive performance, design and overall build quality. Triumph has ventured into a segment dominated by Royal Enfield, while also locking horns with offerings from BMW, KTM, Honda, Zontes, and more.
Ather Energy is all set to unveil its next big electric scooter on August 3. The EV startup has been teasing its upcoming Ather 450S for the last few weeks. Slated to be unveiled on August 11, the Ather 450S is going to be the brand’s most affordable electric scooter, which will compete with rivals like Ola S1 Air, just like the Ather 450X competes with the Ola S1 Pro. The upcoming electric scooter will arrive as a toned-down and cheaper version of the manufacturer’s flagship model 450X.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 02 Aug 2023, 15:29 PM
The Ather 450S will get an LCD console in a bid to be more cost-effective over the 450X with the touchscreen console
Ather Energy has already revealed the pricing details of the upcoming 450S electric scooter. It will be available at an introductory price of ₹129,999 (ex-showroom). Ather has not revealed to what extent the introductory pricing will be available for the consumers. The design of the upcoming 450S remains a mystery.
Watch: Ola S1 Pro vs Ather 450X vs Okinawa Praise Pro: Range, charging, performance compared
Ather has revealed that the Ather 450S will come featuring a different instrument cluster compared to the 450X. It would feature an LCD panel with a lack of connectivity and navigational features compared to 450X. It could miss out on cloud connectivity, Google Map functionality and Bluetooth connectivity as well. Also, expect it to come with a joystick for controlling the screen.
The Ather 450S is claimed to come promising a 115 km range on a single charge, at a top speed of 90 kmph. However, the EV manufacturer has not revealed any further specification details of the upcoming scooter. Considering the top speed of the 450S same as the 450X, it could come powered by the same motor as the flagship model. The electric motor is capable of churning out 8.58 bhp of peak power and 26 Nm of maximum torque. Ather 450X gets energy from a 3.7 kWh battery pack that delivers a 146 km range on a single charge. Considering the fact that 450S will offer a 115 km range on a full charge, it could come powered by a smaller 3 kWh battery pack.
When it launches in India, the new Land Cruiser Prado will be positioned above the Fortuner and below the Land Cruiser 300 SUVs.
Toyota has taken the wraps off not one but two Land Cruiser SUVs – the all-new (and smaller) Land Cruiser 250 for the North American market, and the heavily updated retro-styled Land Cruiser 70. The Land Cruiser 250 will be sold as the “Land Cruiser Prado” in other markets globally with slight differences in the trim and powertrain line-ups.
Toyota updates its Land Cruiser Prado after 14 years
Land Cruiser brand makes a comeback in the US
Land Cruiser 70 gets updates too
With the all-new Land Cruiser 250, Toyota has reintroduced the Land Cruiser brand in the North American market (United States domestic market – USDM) after the bigger Land Cruiser 200 was discontinued a few years ago. The much larger Land Cruiser 300, which is sold in India and other markets, never went on sale in North America.
New Land Cruiser Prado, Land Cruiser (USDM) break cover
The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado has received a full model change after nearly 14 years. It now sits on a modular TNGA-F architecture and is based on the recently showcased Lexus GX SUV. The new SUV is squarely aimed at the Ford Bronco, the Land Rover Defender and the Jeep Wrangler, and has a design influence that mimics cues from almost all generations of past Land Cruiser. It gets a chunky two-box silhouette that nods to its “ability to withstand harsh conditions”, the model again majors on practicality, durability and dependability.
Toyota says the focus for this new Land Cruiser Prado SUV (codenamed J250) is on providing improved on-road refinement as well as the latest off-road technology. The chassis is said to be 50 percent more rigid than that of its predecessor, and the entire body-on-frame assembly is some 30 percent stiffer. It measures 4,920mm in length and 1,870mm in height, and has a 2,850mm long wheelbase. The J250 is slightly larger than its predecessor and its roomier, redesigned cabin is a world away in design and technical terms.
On the inside, it gets chunky physical controls with a lot of switchgear shared with the Land Cruiser 300. It gets multi-zone climate control, plush leather upholstery and a wraparound digital display with a new-generation infotainment system, all of which will help Toyota take on Land Rover’s three-year-old Defender with the new Prado.
Toyota says the new Land Cruiser Prado gets better all-terrain ability, with increased wheel articulation, an upgraded Multi-Terrain Monitor interface and improvements to the off-road driving modes among the headline upgrades that will boost its standing in this area. It also gets a disconnecting front anti-roll bar, which can be disengaged via a switch on the dashboard to allow for maximum wheel articulation on especially challenging off-road courses.
New Land Cruiser Prado, Land Cruiser (USDM) powertrain details
The new Land Cruiser Prado will go on sale in the European, Japanese, Middle Eastern and Australian markets with the same 2.8-litre diesel engine that powers the Fortuner SUV in India. This engine, mated to an 8-speed automatic, will get a 48V MHEV mild-hybrid powertrain by 2025. Toyota recently announced that it is testing an MHEV-equipped Hilux mated to the same 2.8-litre diesel engine.
The Land Cruiser 250 will come with a 2.4-litre petrol engine with a hybrid powertrain – the same engine that powers the Lexus GX 470 and a long list of Toyota and Lexus models globally.
Retro-styled Land Cruiser 70 gets updates too
The Land Cruiser 70, which is still on sale in markets like Australia, the Middle East and Africa, has been updated too. Cosmetic changes are kept at a minimum, with an all-new front styling with rounded headlamps, a new grille design and prominent Toyota badging. It gets a major update under the hood with the addition of the 2.8-litre four-cylinder diesel powerplant that joins the 4.5-litre V8 diesel.
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, Land Cruiser 70: India launch details
While we don’t expect the Land Cruiser 70 to come to India, the all-new Land Cruiser Prado will surely make it to our shores in the near future, and will be positioned above the Fortuner and below the full-size Land Cruiser 300 SUVs.
Toyota is also readying the market launch of the new Vellfire in India, as well as two other models. Read more on that here.
BMW Motorrad India has launched the updated G 310 motorcycle range in the country for the 2024 model year. The BMW G 310 R, G 310 RR, and G 310 GS get new colour options for MY2024 while retaining the same mechanicals, styling and features. Prices for the 2024 G 310 R start at ₹2.85 lakh, while the G 310 RR retails at ₹3 lakh and the G 310 GS is priced at ₹3.25 lakh. All prices are ex-showroom India.
By: Sameer Fayaz Contractor | Updated on: 01 Aug 2023, 15:22 PM
The BMW G 310 R, G 310 RR, and G 310 GS get new colours for MY2024 retaining the same mechanicals, styling and features
The 2024 BMW G 310 R roadster is now available in the new Style Passion black and grey colour scheme with red highlights. Meanwhile, the 2024 BMW G 310 RR gets a new colour option – Cosmic Black 2 – which brings an all-black paint scheme to the full-faired motorcycle. Lastly, the 2024 BMW G 310 GS adventure tourer gets a new Racing Red colour scheme that brings a feisty red, black and grey paint scheme to the motorcycle.
The 2024 BMW G 310 RR gets the new Cosmic Black 2 colour option
All the new colour options on either motorcycle will be available alongside the existing colours available on the bikes. That said, there are no changes to the bikes on the mechanical front. The BMW G 310 range draws power from the 313 cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine. On the G 310 R and G 310 GS, the motor is tuned for 33.5 bhp at 9,250 rpm and 28 Nm at 7,500 rpm. The same unit is tuned to make 34 bhp at 9,700 rpm and 27 Nm at 7,700 rpm on the G 310 RR. The motor is paired with a 6-speed gearbox on all three machines. The engine was most recently updated to meet the latest OBD2 norms and future E20 fuel compliance.
The 2024 BMW G 310 R is now offered in the Style Passion black and grey colours with red highlights
Hardware components include 41 mm USD front forks and a preload adjustable monoshock at the rear. The bikes get 300 mm front and 240 mm rear single-disc brakes with dual-channel ABS. All three bikes run a 17-inch wheel barring the G 310 GS, which uses a larger 19-inch front alloy with a 17-inch rear wheel, running on dual-sport rubber.
The 2024 BMW G 310 GS gets the feisty Rally paint scheme finished red, black and grey
The entry performance segment has seen major additions over the last month with the arrival of the Harley-Davidson X440 and Triumph Speed 400. Both bikes will be eating into the share of the entry-level BMW Motorrad motorcycles. The G 310 range also competes with the KTM 390 Duke, Honda CB300R, Royal Enfield Himalayan, KTM 250 Adventure, and the like.
Honda 2Wheelers, the second largest two-wheeler manufacturer in India after Hero MotoCorp is readying a new motorcycle, which is possibly going to be a model in the 160-180 cc segment and will challenge Bajaj Pulsar models. The motorcycle is ready to be introduced to the market on August 2. The Japanese two-wheeler brand has already teased the motorcycle through a social media post giving us a clue of what it could bring.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 31 Jul 2023, 15:40 PM
The upcoming Honda two-wheeler is expected to be a new premium commuter from the company.
The upcoming Honda motorcycle slated to debut on August 2 gets a chunky muscular fuel tank and fuel tank extensions, which show the model’s sporty character. The LED taillight makes sure the bike will come with a premium feel. Expect it to feature a sharp-looking LED headlamp as well, in line with several other Honda motorcycles in the same segment. That said, the turn indicators would come carrying conventional bulbs. Expect the motorcycle to come with a split seat setup, which will enhance its practicality.
Expect it to be based on the Honda Unicorn, which has been one of the successful products from the brand. Powering the motorcycle would be the same engine as the Honda Unicorn. The 162 cc single-cylinder air-cooled motor would be tuned differently though. Expect it to churn out slightly higher power and torque than the Unicorn. Upon launch, the new Honda motorcycle would challenge the Bajaj Pulsar 150, Yamaha FZ-Fi and the TVS Apache RTR 160.
In the 160 cc segment, Honda Unicorn has been raking in numbers. While the auto company introduced the XBlade too, it has not been able to set the sales chart on fire ever. Considering that and the fact that the 160 cc has become one of the most in-demand segments for consumers, the new model looks like a legitimate effort from the company to make a dent in the category.
Honda says Elevate has more than 90 percent local content; is being built at Tapukara alongside the City and the Amaze.
Honda India has commenced series production of the Elevate SUV, its most important launch for our market in recent times. The Elevate will go on sale sometime in September this year.
Honda Elevate gets a single 1.5-liter petrol option
Two gearbox choices on offer
Honda Sensing ADAS bundle available on top variant
Honda Elevate: from India to the world
The Elevate is being built at Honda India’s Tapukara plant that also builds models like the City and the Amaze sedans. Honda says India is the first country where the Elevate is being manufactured, and it will be sold not just in the domestic market, but will also be exported overseas. The brand also said that the made-in-India Elevate SUV has more than 90 percent localized content. Bookings for the Elevate are already underway and deliveries would commence as soon as prices are announced, sometime in September this year.
Honda Elevate: powertrain and fuel efficiency
The Elevate gets a sole petrol engine option that’s shared with the City sedan. Its a 121hp, 145Nm, 1.5-litre, naturally aspirated petrol engine mated to either a 6-speed manual or a the 7-step CVT automatic gearbox. The Elevate will not come with a petrol hybrid powertrain. There are talks of a full-EV iteration based on the Elevate which will join the line-up in future.
As for fuel economy, the Elevate 1.5 petrol-MT has a claimed economy of 15.31kpl, whereas with the CVT, it delivers 16.92kpl. It has a 612km range with a 40-litre tank for the manual and 679km on the automatic.
Honda Elevate: variants and features
The Elevate is on offer with four trims: SV, V, VX and ZX. As far as features go, the entry-level Elevate gets LED projector headlamps, automatic climate control, 16-inch steel wheels and dual front airbags. The top-spec Elevate ZX gets the 10.25-inch touchscreen, six airbags, Honda Sensing ADAS suite, eight speakers, leatherette brown upholstery, soft-touch dashboard and auto-dimming interior day/night mirror.
Honda Elevate expected pricing launch timeline
Dealer sources tell us that the Elevate will start at around Rs 12 lakh, with the top variant being priced around Rs 17 lakh (ex-showroom). It will see stiff competition from the Hyundai Creta and the recently launched Kia Seltos facelift, which get more features and an option of a diesel engine, the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and the Toyota Hyryder, which also get petrol-hybrid powertrain, and the Skoda Kushaq and the Volkswagen Taigun SUVs.
Mitch Evans won the London E-Prix, but P2 was enough for Dennis to claim the Formula E title.
Andretti driver Jake Dennis clinched the 2023 Formula E world championship title with one race to spare, after successfully navigating a chaotic London E-Prix.
Jaguar’s Mitch Evans won the race, which saw two red flag stoppages. But a retirement wiped out Nick Cassidy’s championship hopes, and a P2 finish was enough for Dennis to seal the title.
Dennis seals title after finishing P2
Evans wins London E-Prix, Buemi P3
Mahindra’s Di Grassi goes from P20 to P7
Cassidy out of running after Buemi collision
Dennis headed into the race with a 24 points lead over Cassidy, who started from pole. After leading in the early stages, Cassidy dropped a few places after taking his attack mode, and this is where his race started to unravel. While trying to overtake teammate Sebastien Buemi, two made contact, dislodging Cassidy’s front wing.
After pitting for a new front wing, he was able to rejoin the grid and progressed up to 16th place. But his race couldn’t be salvaged and eventually had to retire.
Dennis crowned 2023 Formula E champion in London
With Cassidy out, Evans – who at this point was in the lead – was the only driver who could stop Dennis from sealing the title; but all Dennis had to do was ensured he finished third. In typical Formula E fashion, this was going to be far from easy.
He had to deal with missing his Attack Mode loop multiple times and two red flag stoppages. In the end, it was a three-lap sprint to the chequered flag. Dennis was up to third place by this time, but he had to hold off Buemi, who had more useable energy than him.
While Evans crossed the line to take victory ahead of Antonio Felix da Costa, Dennis successfully fended off Buemi to become Formula E’s first British world champion. He’s also handed Andretti their first-ever Formula E title; the American team has been part of the series since its inception.
Dennis was eventually promoted to second after da Costa was handed a three-minute time penalty for a technical infraction. This also promoted Buemi to the final spot on the podium.
“I am lost for words, honestly. It means so much to me, the boys standing out there, we have had everything thrown at us, honestly it felt like everyone was racing against us, but Jesus Christ! We have just become world champion! I am so happy for myself, the team, everyone; we deserve this so much,” exclaimed Dennis.
Mahindra scores points
After a couple of difficult rounds, Mahindra Racing finished in the points in London. Lucas di Grassi pulled off a spirited recovery drive from P20 to P7, while teammate Roberto Merhi crossed the line in P16.
2023 Formula E championship standings
While the Drivers’ Championship has been wrapped up, the Teams’ Championship is very much still up for grabs. With just one more race in London to go, Jaguar TCS Racing is level on points with customer team Envision Racing (with 268 points). Porsche is third overall with 241 points, while Andretti is fourth with 236 points.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 29 Jul 2023, 15:17 PM
A contingent of 25 women riders atop TVS Ronin motorcycles, representing the Indian Army embarked on a 7-day ride from New Delhi to Dras to celebrate the the 24th Kargil Vijay Diwas. The rally was called Nari Sashaktikaran and the all-women squad reached Kargil War Memorial on the 26th of July 2023 which is when the 24th Kargil Divas was being celebrated.
25 women riders atop TVS Ronin bikes have embarked on a seven-day ride from Delhi to Dras.
The rally spanned over a distance of approximately 1,000 km through the plains of Haryana, Punjab and the mountains of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh before reaching the Kargil War Memorial in Dras.
The Indian army used the TVS Ronin. It uses an oil-cooled, single-cylinder engine that produces 20.4 PS and a peak torque of 19.93 Nm. It is priced between ₹1.49 lakh and ₹1.69 lakh. Both prices are ex-showroom.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Vimal Sumbly, Head Business – Premium at TVS Motor Company said, “We are proud to have associated with the Indian Army, which symbolises strength, valour, and dedication. At TVS Motor Company, we believe in supporting initiatives that embody the spirit of patriotism and empowerment, and the collaboration with the Indian Army represents our commitment to nurturing the spirit of adventure and resilience, particularly amongst women riders. The Nari Sashaktikaran Women Motorcycle Rally on the TVS Ronin was flagged off to commemorate 24 years of Kargil Vijay Diwas where a 25 member team rode from Delhi to Kargil War Memorial, Dras (Ladakh), where the ride was flagged in. This ride not only showcased the courage and determination of these incredible women riders but also paid tribute to the brave women who serve in the Indian Army. We are honoured to have been a part of this momentous journey with them as they rode the TVS RONIN as their choice of ride traversing the treacherous journey till Kargil, and aim to inspire more women to break barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create their unique paths of success.”
Charging an EV can be as simple as plugging in a phone, but there are considerations to be kept in mind.
Published On Jul 29, 2023 10:30:00 AM
Living with all manner of electric vehicles, we’ve realised that before you even get to range anxiety, there’s sometimes plug-in worry. Not the nail-biting kind, but stuff like, will it charge fast enough, or why does your car have a different plug and can you charge it at any outlet? So here’s our guide to help you know more about charging an EV.
What are the different ways to charge?
15Amp
Let’s begin with the familiar 15A AC (Alternating Current) plug point. Yes, the broad 3-pin socket that you plug in your heavy-duty appliances at home can also power up your EV, and as the 15A point is pretty ubiquitous, it’s convenient. But with an output of just 3.3kW, it’s also slow.
Still, for a small battery, an overnight charge will easily top it up. For example, the Citroen eC3’s 29.2kWh battery pack can go from 10-100 percent in 10.5 hours on a wall socket. But larger batteries can take well over a day. So the 15A socket works best for small batteries like in electric two-wheelers and smaller cars, and since it’s easy to find, the 15A socket is also a good back-up in case you are stranded.
AC Fast charger
Next up is the AC wall charger. These are units that, like the 15A socket, also deliver AC power but at a higher wattage, typically somewhere between 7kW and 22kW. They are pretty compact, can be installed at homes and most companies offer such a charger with their products. For instance, the Tiago EV has an optional 7.2kW charger that can charge the 24kWh battery from 10-100 percent in 3 hours 35 minutes, whereas the standard 3.3kW charger takes 6 hours 20 minutes.
DC fast charger
In general, batteries function on direct current; even when you plug in your phone, the charger converts electricity from AC to DC to charge your phone’s battery. It’s the same with EVs too. However, you can bypass the AC to DC convertor of your EV and allow the batteries to soak in some direct current. You do this by plugging into a DC charger, which converts the grid’s alternating current to direct current and sends that straight to your battery. In this way, EVs so designed can handle a much higher charging rate. Taking the Tiago EV as an example again, Tata Motors says the 24kWh battery on a DC fast charger with a 50kW output will take 57 minutes to go from 10 to 80 percent.
These chargers aren’t for home use though, they are large and need special installation, and thus, are only found at specific public charging outlets. The speed of DC chargers is also increasing and today, some chargers can go up to 350kW. In India, companies like Kia, for example, have installed 240kW DC chargers, but remember, while your vehicle may be able to handle a DC charger, the maximum speed at which it will take on the direct current will depend on what it’s designed to handle plus other limiting factors, details of which we will get into later in this article. On a DC charger, you also have the option to select either the time, energy or total cost that you want to charge with.
V2V Charging
Much like siphoning fuel from one car to fill another, you can also use the battery charge of one vehicle to top up another, but this is generally very slow and best only if a car is stranded. For this to work, both vehicles – donor and recipient – need to be designed for V2V charging as beyond the ability to reverse the flow of electricity, both vehicles’ onboard power electronic systems need to be able to communicate with each other to allow the exchange to take place. This isn’t very common, but there are a few models capable of this; the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, for instance. Besides this method, an EV low on charge can also be plugged into another EV that has a regular 3-pin AC outlet.
Does an EV charge at the same speed all through?
That’s a common query; most people expect the battery to charge at its maximum rate continuously. However, that’s not always the case. On slow and medium AC chargers, the power flow is at pretty much the same rate, so an EV will charge at roughly the same speed all through with only a small period of slow charging at the start and finish. However, on a DC charger, the power flow delivery is shaped like a step curve, which rises quickly and then descends as the vehicle charges. This is to protect the battery from overheating and overcharging individual cells. When a battery is in use – discharging or charging – it heats up, and to keep heat build-up in check, the charging pace is slowed as the battery gets fuller. Additionally, since no two cells are identical, they charge at slightly different speeds, thus, towards the end of any charge cycle when some cells are full and others may not be, the charging pace is slowed down so that empty cells can continue charging, while the full ones are not damaged.
The DC charging curve varies from model to model, typically the pace rises to a peak quickly, after which it gradually drops, and at 80 to 90 percent, it drops rapidly. This rapid slowdown post 80 percent is also why many EV owners feel that it’s good etiquette to not keep charging past that mark while on a public charger. The time taken is disproportionately long for the range gained, thus unplugging and allowing the next customer to charge is a nice thing to do. Charging to 80 percent is also a recommended way of preserving your battery life.
Other limiting factors
Ambient Temperature
There are other factors that also play a part in charging speed and one of them is ambient temperature. Remember Goldilocks, who didn’t like her porridge too hot or too cold? Batteries, too, are just like that and do not like extreme temperatures. The ideal operating temperature is roughly between 15 to 25°C, so in both very low or very high temperatures, the charging pace drops.
Load
Another factor is load. Most EVs allow you to use some systems while charging, for instance, you can sit inside your car with the HVAC system running while it charges. Naturally, this will take longer for your car to charge up, not just because the battery is also powering some systems, but also because the battery management system will slow things down to manage heat.
What are the different types of charger plugs available
As we had with mobile phones – and still do to a small extent – different EV manufacturers use different types of charging connectors and that’s based on the region they are from. And before you ask, it’s likely going to be a long while before there is a global standard.
Let’s begin with AC connectors: North American and Japanese manufacturers use the Type 1 – J1772 connectors, and these only make use of single phase electricity and are thus slow. The IEC 62196 – Type 2, also called the Mennekes connector, is used by the Europeans and can use the three-phase electric connection. Interestingly, it uses the same Type 1 – J1772 signalling or communication protocol, and thus, carmakers use either type of plug depending on the market it is sold in without having to reconfigure the entire charging system. China uses the GB/T connector, which looks much like the Type 2 plug, however, the cables are reversed and thus GB/T connector is not compatible with the Type 2. Meanwhile, Tesla uses its own propriety connector that can handle AC and DC current, however, some of its models like the Model X, which is sold in Europe, also have the Type 2 plug. In India, it’s the Type 2 that is in use, though early models like the Mahindra e2O and the older Tigor EV used different connectors.
Moving on to DC chargers, there are various types as well. Let’s start with the CCS (Combined Charging System), which is an interesting set-up wherein two additional pins are added to the bottom of the Type 1 and Type 2 AC plug, and thus, form the CCS 1 and CCS 2 plug, respectively. The added pins handle the actual charging, while the AC pins only handle the communication and Earthing. In this way, cars save space as they do not need two separate AC and DC ports, which is the case with the third type of DC charger – the CHAdeMO plug used by Japanese manufacturers in addition to the Type 1 AC plug. For DC charging, China also uses an additional GB/T plug with a different pin arrangement from the AC GB/T plug. Given that the Type 2 AC plug is used in India, the CCS 2 is in use for DC charging here.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 28 Jul 2023, 15:10 PM
Audi Group has reported good performance in the first half of the year despite major challenges. Between January and June, the brand group delivered a total of 9,19,548 models. This consists of Audi, Bentley, and Lamborghini vehicles. This corresponds to an increase of more than 15.3 per cent compared with the previous-year period.
Image of Audi Q6 e-tron used for representational purposes only.
The Group increased its deliveries, particularly in Europe and the USA. Revenue grew by 14.4 per cent to €34.2 billion, with an operating profit of €3.4 billion. The sales of electric models also saw an increase of over 50 per cent as they delivered 75,647 electric vehicles. The Audi Q4 e-tron made the greatest contribution to this.
The manufacturer is planning to introduce more than 20 new models out of which more than ten will be fully electric. Audi is currently planning to launch the Audi Q6 e-tron. The electric crossover will be the first model to be based on the newly developed Premium Platform Electric or PPE. The platform is co-developed with Porsche and will be used for the Audi A6 e-tron and Porsche Macan as well.
The battery pack on the Q6 e-tron is expected to measure 100 kWh and will come equipped with two electric motors. It is expected that the max power output will be close to 500 hp in the top-spec version. The driving range on a single charge could be around 600 km and the battery pack would be able to charge from 10 per cent to 880 per cent in just 20 minutes using fast charging.
Watch: Audi Q8 etron: First drive review
In the Indian market, Audi will launch the Q8 e-tron on August 18th. It will replace the e-tron which was Audi’s first EV for India. Audi will sell the Q8 e-tron as well as Q8 e-tron Sportback in the Indian market. The Sportback is essentially the same model but with a sloping roofline with a better drag co-efficient figure.
Hero MotoCorp’s annual report now reveals there has been a significant development in its partnership with Zero Motorcycles which now allows Hero to co-develop premium electric motorcycles. This opens the door to a premium Hero (or even Vida) badged electric bike down the road.
By diversifying its EV portfolio, the company aims to ‘capture a wider customer base’ and ‘capitalise on the global shift towards electric mobility’. This collaboration combines the expertise and technology of Zero’s in-house developed powertrain with the scale of manufacturing, sourcing, and marketing of Hero MotoCorp. The annual report doesn’t state who will be building the Zero EVs in India but in all likelihood, it will be Hero MotoCorp itself.
Zero’s range comprises two distinct categories – street and dualsport. The former comprises five machines – SR/S, SR/F, SR, S and FXE – while the latter consists of four options – DSR/X, DSR, DS and FX. Hero will be bringing the Zero portfolio into India, and with the lineup being fully manufactured in India, pricing should be quite competitive.
Hero already has made inroads into the burgeoning EV sector with its EV-specific subsidiary, Vida. Under the Vida umbrella, the company retails the V1 Pro electric scooter, and to read our review of it, tap here.
Currently, the only high-performance electric motorcycle in India is the homegrown Ultraviolette F77, and to read our review of the top-spec Recon variant, tap here.
Adishwar Auto Ride India Pvt. Ltd (AARI), part of the Mahavir Group, has announced new colour options for the Benelli TRK 502 and TRK 502X adventure motorcycles. The 2023 Benelli TRK 502 is now available in Grey, White and the new Black and Forest Green colour options. Meanwhile, the 2023 Benelli TRK 502X gets four colours including Grey, White, Yellow and the new Forest Green shade.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 27 Jul 2023, 15:04 PM
The 2023 Benelli TRK 502 gets the new Black and Forest Green colour options
The update also comes with a price hike of 25,000 on the MY2023 models. The Benelli TRK 502 is now priced at ₹5.85 lakh, while the TRK 502X is priced at ₹6.35 lakh. All prices are ex-showroom, India. The new colours have been introduced right in time as the buying sentiment is at a high with the festive season coming closer. Benelli dealerships are accepting bookings for the TRK range for a token amount of ₹10,000 while deliveries have also begun.
The 2023 Benelli TRK 502X is now available in a new Forest Green shade in addition to the existing three colours
Both the Benelli TRK 502 and TRK 502X draw power from the same 500 cc liquid-cooled, parallel-twin motor tuned for 47 bhp at 8,500 rpm and 46 Nm of peak torque at 6,000 rpm. The TRK 502X gets spoked wheels as opposed to alloys on the TRK 502. In terms of equipment, the TRK range gets crash guards and knuckle guards as standard, a tall windscreen, rear pannier mount brackets, an adjustable handlebar, wide seats for the rider and pillion, as well as backlit switchgear, engine heat air ducts, a 20-litre fuel tank, engine bash plate and more.
Furthermore, the Benelli TRK 502 and TRK 502X get a three-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty as standard, along with 24×7 roadside assistance. The bikes compete against the Moto Morini X-Cape, Kawasaki Versys 650, Honda CB500X and the like.
Several interior elements from the Sierra and Curvv concepts have been carried forward into production.
We have already reported to you numerous interior and exterior spy images of the upcoming Tata Safari facelift, but for the first time, we have a completely undisguised look at the dashboard of the updated SUV. And as was expected, it gets a complete design overhaul that looks notably more premium and packs in a lot more tech.
Safari facelift interior will have very few physical controls
Infotainment screen likely larger than 10.25-inches
Will get new two-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel
Tata Safari facelift interior spied undisguised
The first impression looking at the image is that it appears a lot richer. Tata has even incorporated a few design elements from the Curvv and Sierra EV interior concepts here into production with the Safari facelift. The four-spoke, flat-bottom steering wheel, for instance, is exactly what it was on the Sierra EV concept at Auto Expo 2023. It features a couple of toggle switches and haptic buttons at either end, while the centre portion gets a gloss black finish that’ll likely also have an illuminated Tata logo.
We can also clearly see the gloss black panel for the HVAC controls – it features two bands of haptic buttons with two toggle switches that’ll likely be for temperature and blower controls – again, identical to what Tata had previewed with the Curvv and Sierra EV concepts. The infotainment system on the Safari facelift also seems all-new; it has sharp edges as opposed to the rounded edges on the current 10.25-inch screens on the Safari Red Dark Editions, and as such, appears larger too. Tata could also provide an updated software interface with the new infotainment system.
Additionally, we can notice leatherette padding with contrast double-stitching for the lower portion of the dashboard, while the upper portion gets a full-width, coloured, gloss dashboard insert as opposed to faux wood-like trim on the current model. The central AC vents continue with a trapezoidal shape, but are now inverted and a lot sleeker as well, and there’s also a full-digital instrument cluster replacing the semi-digital unit on the current model.
Tata has also majorly revised the centre console area – the gear lever is smaller, stubbier and appears more sophisticated, while the rotary dial is larger and looks similar to the knurled unit on the Nexon EV Max with a circular digital screen. The grab handles, meanwhile, have been retained as is. There’s also no major change to the door pads either.
The Safari facelift will also get a major design overhaul on the outside.
Notably, the updated SUV will have very few physical interior controls, but thankfully, key functions like temperature and blower settings, volume controls and drive modes appear to be operated by physical dials and toggle switches. You can expect the interior design to be mirrored in the Harrier facelift, while a lot of these elements will also be shared with the Nexon facelift. The Safari will also be majorly updated on the outside, more about which you can read here.
Tata Safari facelift powertrain options
At launch, the Safari will remain mechanically unchanged. It will carry over the current 170hp, 2.0-litre diesel engine that’s offered with 6-speed manual and automatic gearboxes. Tata’s new 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine that’s currently under development is only expected to join the line-up much later.
Tata Safari facelift launch timeline
Tata Motors has a slew of SUV launches lined up for the upcoming festive season, and the Safari facelift, along with the updated Harrier, is expected to arrive around September 2023. However, given the step-up in quality and equipment, expect a significant step-up in the pricing as well.
Bajaj Auto Ltd. has announced that the deliveries of the Triumph Speed 400 will be starting by the end of this month from authorised Triumph dealerships. The manufacturer has announced that have started dispatching the Speed 400 to the dealerships. Triumph Speed 400 is priced at ₹2.33 lakh ex-showroom and the amount of the booking is ₹10,000.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 26 Jul 2023, 15:19 PM
The Speed 400 shares its underpinnings with the Scrambler 400 X
The motorcycle was initially priced at ₹2.23 lakh and the booking amount was set to ₹2,000. However, this was only introductory pricing that is no longer applicable. Apart from the Speed 400, Triumph also showcased the Scrambler 400 X which will be going on sale later in October this year.
The motorcycles will be produced at Bajaj Auto’s new plant in Chakan. It is called Chakan 2 and it will also be producing KTM motorcycles. The company plans to have about 30 outlets, up from the existing 15 dealers by the end of July, moving up to 100 by March 2024.
Powering both motorcycles is a new TR-series engine. It is a 398 cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine tuned for 39.5 bhp of max power and 37.5 Nm of peak torque. It comes mated to a 6-speed gearbox with slip and assist clutch.
The motorcycle is equipped with only essential features. It gets dual-channel ABS, switchable traction control and an analogue speedometer with a small digital display that shows various other information but there is no Bluetooth connectivity on offer.
Watch: Triumph Speed 400 Review: Worth the hype?
Suspension duties are performed by 43 mm upside-down Big Piston forks in the front and a gas-charged monoshock at the rear with pre-load adjustment. Braking hardware consists of a 300 mm disc in the front and a 230 mm disc at the rear. There are 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in tyres sourced from Apollo and MRFs. The frame on duty is a new perimeter unit that is bolted onto a sub-frame.
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