By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 19 Mar 2024, 18:14 PM
The BMW Vision Neue Klasse X concept previews a new design direction range, previewing an upcoming electric SUV from the automaker.
The BMW Vision Neue Klasse X concept will make its debut on March 21
BMW has dropped the first teaser for the upcoming Vision Neue Klasse X SUV, which will make its global debut on March 21, 2024. The BMW Vision Neue Klasse X concept previews a new design direction for the automaker’s SUV range and the teaser reveals a silhouette of the offering, which appears to be identical to the iX.
The BMW Vision Neue Klasse X concept is expected to preview the upcoming range of cars based on the Neue Klasse EV platform. The new architecture will spawn six new cars that will start rolling out in the second half of 2025.
BMW is said to be working on a new five-seater SUV that will replace the current iX3 in the company’s portfolio and is likely to pack around 600 bhp. This will be joined by the BMW i3 saloon, which will be based on the Neue Klasse concept showcased at the 2023 Munich Motor Show. More models will be added to the portfolio in the second half of the decade.
The upcoming Vision Neue Klasse X will take on the upcoming Porsche Macan EV and the newly introduced Audi Q6 e-tron. The offering will be built at BMW’s Debrecen facility in Hungary from 2025, while the automaker’s Munich, Germany, and San Luis Potosi, Mexico, facilities will also begin building Neue Klasses models from 2026 and 2027 respectively.
The BMW Neue Klasse platform will get the sixth-generation lithium-ion battery that has been developed in-house by BMW and comes with liquid cooling. More importantly, the new vehicles will be using the 800-volt electric architecture allowing 30 per cent faster charging times over the current BMW EV lineup. There’s also the new generation of electric motors that will power not only the Neue Klasse-based models but also the CLAR-based EVs.
More details on the Vision Neue Klasse X concept will be available later this week.
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.”
India is one of the fastest-growing electric vehicle markets in the world. Over the last few years, both legacy players and EV startups have been drastically transforming the landscape of the Indian EV industry. Electric two-wheelers dominate the Indian EV market, but car manufacturers too are introducing interesting products. While homegrown car manufacturers have been launching new electric cars in the country, foreign brands are also bringing their respective products into the segment.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 23 Dec 2023, 20:42 PM
From mass-market to luxury, the year 2023 witnessed launch of several electric cars across price-segments, with SUVs dominating the chart.
In 2023, several carmakers, in both mass-market and luxury segments have launched some spectacular electric cars across different pricing slabs. Interestingly, like the fossil-fuel-propelled passenger vehicle market, the Indian electric car market is witnessing the rise of SUVs. In 2023, the majority of the electric cars launched in the country were SUVs.
Here is a comprehensive list of the electric cars that were launched in India in 2023.
MG Comet EV
MG Comet EV is the most affordable electric car in India. This small boxy hatchback looks tiny compared to other models in the fray, but a perfect machine for in and around-city commuting. MG Comet EV was launched in 2023 at an introductory starting price of ₹7.98 lakh (ex-showroom). The electric hatchback threw a tough challenge to the Tata Tiago EV, the erstwhile most affordable electric car in India with its pricing. Design-wise, the EV is eye-catching on the exterior, while inside the cabin it looks simple yet very much urban at the same time. The Comet EV promises a 230 km range on a single charge.
Tata Nexon EV facelift
One of the most noteworthy car launches in India in 2023 was the arrival of the Nexon EV facelift. Tata Nexon EV is the country’s bestselling electric car and the homegrown automaker simply ramped up the appeal of the electric compact SUV with the launch of the Nexon facelift, which incorporates a wide range of design and feature updates. The Nexon EV facelift comes available at a starting price of ₹14.74 lakh (ex-showroom), and it promises a 465-kilometre range on a single charge, while it can accelerate to 0-100 kmph in 8.9 seconds. It comes with V2V and V2L technologies.
Powering the electric SUV is a 66.4 kWh battery pack paired with dual electric motors.
BMW iX1
BMW launched the electric avatar of the X1 SUV, christened as iX1 in India in 2023. The luxury EV was launched in the country at a price tag of ₹66.90 lakh (ex-showroom). BMW iX1 is the German brand’s fourth fully electric vehicle and is sold in India via the CBU route. Powering the electric SUV is a 66.4 kWh battery pack paired with dual electric motors. The electric propulsion system churns out 309 bhp peak power and 494 Nm of maximum torque. The EV promises up to 440-kilometre range on a single charge. It can reach 0-100 kmph in 5.6 seconds and can achieve a top speed of 180 kmph.
BMW i7
BMW i7 is an all-electric sedan that was launched in India in 2023 at a price tag of ₹2.50 crore (ex-showroom). The BMW i7 M70 xDrive is the brand’s first M-division electric car that was launched in India in 2023. Powering this luxury electric sedan is a 101.7 kWh battery pack that is paired with dual electric motors and generates up to a 560-kilometre range on a single charge. The electric propulsion system churns out 657 bhp peak power and 1,100 Nm maximum torque. This electric sedan can sprint to 100 kmph from a standstill position in just 3.7 seconds at a top speed of 250 kmph.
Mahindra XUV400
Mahindra XUV400 is the homegrown automaker’s first-ever electric SUV launched in India in 2023. The Mahindra XUV400 comes positioned in compact SUV segment and it competes with rivals like the Tata Nexon EV. Launched at ₹15.99 lakh (ex-showroom), the Mahindra XUV400 is available in two different battery options and promises up to 456-kilometre range on a single charge. Available in EC and EL, the Mahindra electric SUV’s price goes up to ₹18.99 lakh (ex-showroom).
Citroen eC3
Despite being a new entrant in the Indian passenger vehicle market, French auto giant Citroen was quick to launch an electric car in the form of eC3. The electric SUV comes priced from ₹11.50 lakh (ex-showroom) and it promises a range of 320 kilometres on a single charge, which is also the highest in its segment. Available in four different variants, the Citroen eC3 EV is powered by a 29.2 kWh battery pack that promises 320 kilometres range on a single charge. The electric SUV promises a top speed of 107 kmph.
Volvo C40 Recharge
Volvo C40 Recharge is the second electric car in India from the Swedish luxury car manufacturer after the XC40 Recharge. The electric car was launched at ₹61.25 lakh (ex-showroom). The EV competes with rivals such as Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5. The EV gets power from a 78 kWh battery pack paired with dual electric motors. The EV churns out 402 bhp peak power and 660 Nm of maximum torque. The EV is capable of running at a top speed of 180 kmph and can sprint to 100 kmph from a standstill position in 4.7 seconds.
Hyundai Ioniq 5
Hyundai Ioniq 5 is the second electric car from the South Korean auto giant in the Indian market. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 EV has been launched in the country at ₹44.95 lakh (ex-showroom). The EV comes competing against the Kia EV6 but is more affordable than the rebadged sibling. Powering the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a 72.6 kWh battery pack, that promises a 631 kilometre range on a single charge. It gets a rear-wheel drivetrain churning out 214 bhp peak power and 350 Nm of maximum torque. The EV claims come with a fast charging technology that charges the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in just 18 minutes.
Audi Q8 e-tron and Sportback e-tron
Audi launched the Q8 e-tron and Sportback e-tron in India in middle of 2023. The SUV and the Sportback were launched together, priced at ₹1.14 crore and ₹1.18 core (ex-showroom). The Q8 e-tron essentially came as a facelifted iteration of the erstwhile e-tron. Both the SUV and the Sportback were launched in two trims – 50 and 55, with range of up to 600 kilometres on a single charge. Powering the 50 variant is a 71 kWh battery pack, while the 55 onbe gets a larger 114 kWh battery pack. The SUV has a maximum claimed range of 491 kilometres and 582 kilometres for the 50 and 55 variants, respectively, while the Sportback has a maximum range of 505 kilometres and 600 kilometres for the 50 and 55 variants, respectively.
Mercedes-Benz EQB
Mercedes-Benz India launched the EQB 350 4Matic electric SUV in India in 2023, at a starting price of ₹77.50 lakh (ex-showroom). The luxury electric SUV was launched in the country replacing the previous EQB 300 4Matic that was launched in December 2022. The EQB is powered by a 66.5 kWh battery pack. The electric propulsion system onboard the SUV promises 288 bhp peak power and 520 Nm of maximum torque. These specifications are significant enhancements from the EQB 300 4Matic.
Mercedes-Benz EQE
Mercedes-Benz EQE electric SUV was launched in India in 2023 after the EQS and EQB, joining the lineup as the brand’s third EV in the country. The Mercedes-Benz EQE electric SUV was launched here at ₹1.39 crore (ex-showroom). It competes with rivals like Audi Q8 e-tron and BMW iX1 electric SUVs. Mercedes-Benz EQE 500 4Matic SUV comes promising 550 kilometres range on a single charge. The SUV gets power from a 90.56 kWh battery pack that is paired with dual motors. The SUV can accelerate from 0-100 kmph in 4.9 seconds at a top speed of 210 kmph.
Audi has unveiled the interior design language of its upcoming EV SUV Q6 e-tron which comes as a screen-packed vehicle. The Q6 e-tron will be the brand’s first EV that will be built on its new Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture. The vehicle gets a total of three screens facing the passengers – an OLED gauge cluster, an infotainment touchscreen and one front-passenger dedicated touchscreen.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 04 Sep 2023, 16:23 PM
Audi Q6 e-tron gets a total of three screens – an OLED gauge cluster, an infotainment touchscreen and one front-passenger dedicated touchscreen.
The OLED gauge cluster measures 11.9-inch and the infotainment touchscreen measures 14.5-inch, while both these reside under a single curved bezel underlined by ambient lighting. Another 10.9-inch touchscreen is dedicated to the front-seat passenger, and has a way of blocking the driver’s view of its contents, per safety regulations.
The electric SUV gets a new Android-based infotainment software which gets a ‘self-learning voice assistant’. It responds to – “Hey, Audi.” and can learn a driver’s preferences gradually and even make suggestions. Coming to the optional head-up display (HUD), it comes with augmented reality.
When the SUV’s speed, navigation directions, or traffic signs are reflected onto the windshield, the HUD tilts forward their images to create the impression that they’re floating in front of the vehicle. Audi claims this helps reduce distractions, particularly in low-visibility situations.
Another interesting feature inside the Q6 e-tron is the customizable ambient lighting. The vehicle also has interactive lighting elements such as a welcome action and the ability to notify people when the vehicle is locked and unlocked. Other features include mimicking the turn signals and visualizing the EV’s charging levels.
The steering wheel is squared-off and is flat on the top and bottom and hosts a bunch of touch-sensitive controls. Coming to its exteriors, the Audi Q6 e-tron’s dimensions are said to be similar to that of the ICE Q5 SUV.
