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.
BMW MINI has debuted the fifth-generation MINI Cooper EV which comes with a purely electric powertrain which provides an emission-free mobility and offers new digital experiences as well as modern assistance systems. With the new vehicle, the brand has taken a step in the right direction as it aims to transform into an all-electric brand by 2030.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 03 Sep 2023, 17:18 PM
The new MINI Cooper EV adopts a minimal exterior and interior design for a powerful presence.
The design reflects the traditional MINI DNA constituted by short overhangs, a short bonnet and contrasting long wheelbase with large wheels. The design language contributes to an athletic impression and underlines the model’s contemporary urban orientation. The hallmark MINI appearance is completed by circular headlights and octagonal front grille.
MINI Cooper E variant comes with 75 kW battery pack while the Cooper SE comes with up to 95 kW. Using a fast charger, the latter can be charged from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in just under 30 minutes.
The rear section too gets a contemporary feel, featuring clear surfaces and flush rear lights.
The new MINI Cooper EV adopts a minimal exterior and interior design for a powerful presence. The headlights have shed the chrome elements while there is no circumferential Black Band for the first time. The rear section too gets a contemporary feel, featuring clear surfaces and flush rear lights. A striking black handle strip divides the rear section and its horizontal orientation.
On the inside, there is a round instrument cluster and a characteristic toggle bar below. These two elements along with the steering wheel structure the interior with its maximum purist design. There are smaller number of components cleverly designed and implemented. The dashboard on the driver’s side does not require an additional display, so it opens up the view to the front.
Coming to technology, the MINI Operating System 9 allows for vehicle functions to be operated intuitively with touch or voice control. There are three MINI Experience Modes – Core, Green and Go-Kart, each with their specific user interface design.
Ather Energy is gearing up to deliver the 450S electric scooters to its customers ahead of the festive season. The Bengaluru-based EV maker has started to roll out its most affordable electric scooter from its facility in Hosur, Tamil Nadu. Tarun Mehta, founder and CEO at Ather Energy, shared the new electric scooters being prepared for delivery today. The electric scooter, which rivals the likes of Ola S1 Air, was launched earlier this year at a price of ₹1.30 lakh (ex-showroom).
By: HT Auto | Updated on: 02 Sep 2023, 15:53 PM
450S electric scooters being rolled out of Ather Energy’s facility. Launched in June, the EV maker will start delivery of the 450S ahead of the festive season.
The bookings for the Ather 450S started in June this year when the electric scooter was officially launched. Ather Energy says the price complies with the revised FAME 2 scheme. The customers can avail further benefits from respective states’ own electric vehicle policies.
Ather 450S comes equipped with a 3 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that claims to offer 115 kms of range on a single charge. Using home chargers, the battery pack can be charged up to 80 per cent in around six hours and 36 minutes while charging up to 100 per cent takes eight hours and 36 minutes.
The electric motor is capable of generating 7.24 bhp of peak power and 22 Nm of maximum torque. The 450S electric scooter can also run at a top speed of 90 kmph. Ather 450S offers three ride modes with the 450S which include Sport mode, Eco mode and Ride mode.
Watch: Ather 450S review: Worthy of its price tag?
In terms of design, there is very little to differentiate the 450S from its more premium sibling 450X. Ather 450S gets the same curvy front cowl with the same LED headlamp as the 450X. From the side profile and rear too, it looks exactly the same as the flagship Ather electric scooter.
The big difference between the Ather 450S and 450XX is the instrument cluster. To keep the cost down, Ather replaced the unit used in 450X with an LCD panel, which lacks usual map navigation. In 450S, one needs to use the MapMyIndia-powered navigation system which offers turn-by-turn navigation.
Maruti Suzuki plans to invest a whopping ₹45,000 crore to double its annual production capacity in the next eight years, reported PTI. Maruti Suzuki India’s chairman RC Bhargava reportedly said on Tuesday that the automaker plans to produce 40 lakh cars annually by 2031 with the influx of investment it is making to double production capacity. This comes at a juncture when the Indian auto industry like the rest of the global automobile industry is witnessing the introduction of new technologies and Maruti Suzuki is aiming to take a lead in that.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 29 Aug 2023, 15:25 PM
Besides focusing on doubling production capacity to 40 lakh cars annually by 2031, Maruti Suzuki is also emphasising on development of new technology for its vehicle fleet.
Despite being the largest car brand in India, Maruti Suzuki is yet to penetrate the EV segment, while Tata Motors, Hyundai, MG Motors and Mahindra along with several luxury car brands have already launched their respective products in the country’s electric car segment. Speaking about this, Bhargava accepted that the company is late in the segment but believes that it will not impact the brand by damaging its ability to get an adequate market share in the space.
Watch: Maruti unveiled eVX EV Concept at Auto Expo 2023
He also said that Maruti Suzuki aims to launch six electric cars by the decade’s end, which would give it a strong position in the market. “Yes, we are behind some companies in launching EV but that does not mean that we are late in the market or that when we are coming in 2024-25, we will have in any way damaged our ability to get an adequate market share,” he added.
As Maruti Suzuki is thriving towards greener and cleaner powertrain technology, it will increasingly focus on a wide range of new technologies including electric vehicles, hybrids, CNG, ethanol and compressed biogas in the coming days, said Bhargava. Speaking about these technologies, he also said that it is difficult to predict what will happen in the next eight to ten years.
Bhargava also said that Maruti Suzuki has reached the 20 lakh units annual production and sales milestone. Now, it is aiming to double that figure by reaching the 40 lakh units annual production and sales milestone, he said. The plan will be part of the automaker’s ‘Maruti 3.0’ strategy, under which the company is targeting to add another 20 lakh units of production capacity with about 28 different car models in the market by FY 2030-31.
The Maruti Suzuki chairman said that the era ahead is going to be a very uncertain and challenging one. “The era before us is going to be a very uncertain era, a very challenging era. Putting up these two million cars itself will cost us something close to ₹45,000 crore. It depends how inflation goes but at the moment we estimate the cost about ₹45,000 crore for two million cars,” Bhargava said.
Self-driving capability is central to Tesla’s financial future, according to Musk, whose own reputation as an engineering leader is being challenged with allegations by plaintiffs in one of two lawsuits that he personally leads the group behind technology that failed. Wins by Tesla could raise confidence and sales for the software, which costs up to $15,000 per vehicle.
Tesla faces two trials in quick succession, with more to follow. The first, scheduled for mid-September in a California state court, is a civil lawsuit containing allegations that the Autopilot system caused owner Micah Lee’s Model 3 to suddenly veer off a highway east of Los Angeles at 65 miles per hour, strike a palm tree and burst into flames, all in the span of seconds.
The 2019 crash, which has not been previously reported, killed Lee and seriously injured his two passengers, including a then-8-year old boy who was disemboweled. The lawsuit, filed against Tesla by the passengers and Lee’s estate, accuses Tesla of knowing that Autopilot and other safety systems were defective when it sold the car.
Musk ‘de facto leader of Autopilot team
File photo of Tesla CEO Elon Musk. (REUTERS)
The second trial, set for early October in a Florida state court, arose out of a 2019 crash north of Miami where owner Stephen Banner’s Model 3 drove under the trailer of an 18-wheeler big rig truck that had pulled into the road, shearing off the Tesla’s roof and killing Banner. Autopilot failed to brake, steer or do anything to avoid the collision, according to the lawsuit filed by Banner’s wife.
Tesla denied liability for both accidents, blamed driver error and said Autopilot is safe when monitored by humans. Tesla said in court documents that drivers must pay attention to the road and keep their hands on the steering wheel. “There are no self-driving cars on the road today,” the company said.
The civil proceedings will likely reveal new evidence about what Musk and other company officials knew about Autopilot’s capabilities – and any possible deficiencies. Banner’s attorneys, for instance, argue in a pretrial court filing that internal emails show Musk is the Autopilot team’s “de facto leader”.
Tesla and Musk did not respond to Reuters’ emailed questions for this article, but Musk has made no secret of his involvement in self-driving software engineering, often tweeting about his test-driving of a Tesla equipped with “Full Self-Driving” software. He has for years promised that Tesla would achieve self-driving capability only to miss his own targets.
Tesla won a bellwether trial in Los Angeles in April with a strategy of saying that it tells drivers that its technology requires human monitoring, despite the “Autopilot” and “Full Self-Driving” names. The case was about an accident where a Model S swerved into the curb and injured its driver, and jurors told Reuters after the verdict that they believed Tesla warned drivers about its system and driver distraction was to blame.
Stakes higher for Tesla
The stakes for Tesla are much higher in the September and October trials, the first of a series related to Autopilot this year and next, because people died.
“If Tesla backs up a lot of wins in these cases, I think they’re going to get more favorable settlements in other cases,” said Matthew Wansley, a former General Counsel of nuTonomy, an automated driving startup and Associate Professor of Law at Cardozo School of Law.
On the other hand, “a big loss for Tesla – especially with a big damages award” could “dramatically shape the narrative going forward,” said Bryant Walker Smith, a law professor at the University of South Carolina.
In court filings, the company has argued that Lee consumed alcohol before getting behind the wheel and that it is not clear whether Autopilot was on at the time of crash.
Jonathan Michaels, an attorney for the plaintiffs, declined to comment on Tesla’s specific arguments, but said “we’re fully aware of Tesla’s false claims including their shameful attempts to blame the victims for their known defective autopilot system.”
In the Florida case, Banner’s attorneys also filed a motion arguing punitive damages were warranted. The attorneys have deposed several Tesla executives and received internal documents from the company that they said show Musk and engineers were aware of, and did not fix, shortcomings.
In one deposition, former executive Christopher Moore testified there are limitations to Autopilot, saying it “is not designed to detect every possible hazard or every possible obstacle or vehicle that could be on the road,” according to a transcript reviewed by Reuters.
In 2016, a few months after a fatal accident where a Tesla crashed into a semi-trailer truck, Musk told reporters that the automaker was updating Autopilot with improved radar sensors that likely would have prevented the fatality.
But Adam (Nicklas) Gustafsson, a Tesla Autopilot systems engineer who investigated both accidents in Florida, said that in the almost three years between that 2016 crash and Banner’s accident, no changes were made to Autopilot’s systems to account for cross-traffic, according to court documents submitted by plaintiff lawyers.
The lawyers tried to blame the lack of change on Musk. “Elon Musk has acknowledged problems with the Tesla autopilot system not working properly,” according to plaintiffs’ documents. Former Autopilot engineer Richard Baverstock, who was also deposed, stated that “almost everything” he did at Tesla was done at the request of “Elon,” according to the documents.
Tesla filed an emergency motion in court late on Wednesday seeking to keep deposition transcripts of its employees and other documents secret. Banner’s attorney, Lake “Trey” Lytal III, said he would oppose the motion.
“The great thing about our judicial system is Billion Dollar Corporations can only keep secrets for so long,” he wrote in a text message.
Nissan is planning to launch 27 electrified cars globally by 2030 and 19 among them will be pure electric new models. The wide range of electric cars will be launched under both the Nissan and Infiniti brands, revealed Automotive News. The Japanese car brand has reportedly showcased the new generation Nissan Leaf EV at the brand’s annual dealer conference in Las Vegas earlier this week.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 27 Aug 2023, 16:54 PM
Nissan aims to launch a total of 27 electrified cars by 2030 and 19 among them will be pure electric cars. (REUTERS)
The report claims that the upcoming electric cars from Nissan and Infiniti will include a crossover coupe that will replace the Leaf EV. Also, there will be a performance sedan that will take place the current internal combustion engine-powered Maxima. Besides that, there will be a pure electric crossover based on the CMF-EV architecture that underpins the Ariya crossover.
The report further claims that the next-generation Leaf EV will reportedly offer 25 per cent more range than the current iteration of the electric vehicle. It would come looking like a mini Ariya. The current Nissan Leaf has a range of 341 km on a single charge thanks to the 60 kWh battery pack. The upcoming one would come offering a 426 km range on a single charge.
Interestingly, Nissan is also working on solid-state battery technology that will ensure a significantly longer range compared to the current crop of lithium-ion battery packs. The next-generation Nissan Leaf EV will reportedly feature solid-state batteries and a dual-motor all-wheel drivetrain. Also, it claims to promise a high level of comfort and an energizing driving experience.
The EV offensive from the Japanese car brand is aimed at grabbing a large chunk of the global electric vehicle market that is bulging fast thanks to the growing focus on electric mobility from consumers, tightening emission norms and push from governments around the world through supportive incentives.
Ultraviolette Automotive claims that the F77 Space Edition comes drawing inspiration from India’s advent towards space research and technology. It claims to come equipped with a wide range of aerospace-grade materials across the body. This means the pure electric motorcycle comes significantly higher priced than the standard version of the model, which is available at a starting price of ₹3.80 lakh (ex-showroom). The EV maker has also said that bookings for the F77 Space Edition will open on August 22 evening, on its official website. The bike will be produced in exclusively limited numbers, only 10 units.
Watch: Ultraviolette F77 electric motorcycle | Review
Speaking about the new special edition electric motorcycle, it claims to have been designed following the advanced electronics and technology used in modern aircraft. The bike gets custom machined aerospace-grade aluminium components ensuring high durability. Also, it claims to come wearing aerospace-grade paint.
The motorcycle promises to deliver a 307 km range on a single charge. Its high-performance motor churns out 39.94 bhp peak power and 100 Nm of impressive maximum torque output. It is capable of accelerating 0-60 kmph in just 2.9 seconds and can run at a top speed of 152 kmph.
Speaking on the launch of the Ultraviolette F77 Space Edition, Narayan Subramaniam, Co-Founder and CEO of Ultraviolette Automotive, said that the manufacturer aims to constantly push the boundaries of science and technology and the new special edition is the best way for that. “As the aerospace industry is where the pinnacles of technology are achieved, the F77 Space Edition proudly commemorates India’s celestial journey. The very same DNA is clearly reflected in the Ultraviolette F77 Space edition. Infused with aerospace grade attributes and a distinctive design ethos, the F77 Space Edition stands as a testament to our resolute commitment in charting the course for the future of electric mobility,” he added.
Mahindra has already grabbed a lot of eyeballs in the global automotive sector with its recently unveiled Thar.e EV concept which previews a full-grown five-door ure electric iteration of the internal combustion engine-powered Thar SUV. Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra has now confirmed that it will not just remain as a showcase prototype but will enter production in the near future.
While unveiling the Mahindra Thar.e EV concept, the automaker hinted that it would enter production in 2025. Anand Mahindra has not shared any such timeframe for the production of the Thar.e electric SUV, but his social media post indicates that the concept will enter into production.
By: HT Auto Desk | Written By: Mainak Das | Updated on: 20 Aug 2023, 17:32 PM
Mahindra Thar.e EV concept previewed a full-grown five-door pure electric iteration of the internal combustion engine-powered Thar SUV.
In his social media post, Anand Mahindra wrote, that from the moment there was the prototype the company was committed to making it a reality. “Nope. Not just a concept. From the moment we all saw the prototype we were committed to making this a reality,” Mahindra wrote in his X (Previously Twitter) post, along with a video demonstrating the offroading capability of the pure electric prototype.
Watch: Mahindra Thar.e Concept EV: The future of off-road SUVs?
The newly unveiled Mahindra Thar.e concept is based on the automaker’s INGLO P1 EV platform instead of the ladder frame chassis that underpins the internal combustion engine-powered Thar SUV. This new platform is dedicated to electric vehicles and is claimed to enhance the rigidity of the vehicle as well as offering significantly higher safety for the occupants. Also, this platform claims to offer a long range for the EV, thanks to its capability to accommodate a large battery pack.
The production version of the Lanzador will debut sometime in 2028.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 19 Aug 2023, 17:27 PM
1/11
Lamborghini has unveiled its first electric vehicle in concept form. It is called Lanzador. The production version of the EV is expected to go on sale sometime in 2028.
2/11
Lamborghini announced its its strategy and its roadmap towards decarbonization and electrification in 2021. Before the Lanzador concept, the brand showcased the Revuelto which is a replacement to the iconic Aventador and is powered by a V12 plug-in hybrid.
3/11
It took 2 years for Lamborghini to present a high-performance, electrified vehicle that remains true to the heart and soul of the brand.
4/11
The all-electric concept is a grand tourer with a 2+2 seating arrangement. This is not the first time that the manufacturer is building a four-door vehicle. In the past, they have showcased the Estoque concept which came with a four-door body style.
5/11
Lamborghini is using an electric motor on the front axle as well as at the rear axle. This give a permanent all-electric all-wheel drive to the Lanzador. There will also be e-torque vectoring feature on offer.
6/11
Lamborghini says that the total power output of electric motors will be over one megawatt which roughly translates to 1,340 bhp. The manufacturer says they will use new generation high-performance battery, which also ensures a long range
7/11
Lamborghini will also offer active aerodynamics. It will help in increasing the driving range as the car will be slip through air more efficiently. Apart from this, aerodynamics will also help in increasing downforce and cornering ability.
8/11
The aerodynamics also offer Aerodinamica Lamborghini Attiva (ALA) system which is a well-known technology used in the Huracán Performante and Aventador SVJ. It is considered to be one of the best in the industry because it increases the grip and downforce significantly.
9/11
The Lanzador will come with Lamborghini Dinamica Veicolo Integrata (LDVI) which is essentially a driving dynamics control system. There will be several sensors and actuators that will be integrated into the system which ensures precise driving behavior.
10/11
Lamborghini will use sustainable materials. There will be sustainably tanned leather, 100 per cent merino wool, regenerated carbon, synthetic fibres from recycled plastic and a 3D printed process for plastic.
11/11
The interior will also look modern but will still retain Lamborghini’s design language. There will be a digital screen for the driver as well as the passanger.
Mahindra & Mahindra on Tuesday confirmed that all its existing models with internal combustion engines will eventually also come with an electric twin. While no timeline was assigned, the company confirmed that this plan includes Bolero, Thar and Scorpio.
Mahindra and Mahindra has announced that it will step up its EV game in India by launching electric versions of all its flagship models, including the Scorpio, Bolero and XUV models, in near future.
Mahindra currently offers XUV400 in the Indian market and will have models under its BE range soon as well. But the core ICE or internal combustion engine models too will come with electric powertrain ‘in the times to come’. the ICE and EV options of each model will be sold side by side but under different portfolio. The EVs will be under Born Electric Vehicle classification.
The electric versions of the Bolero. Thar, Scorpio and XUV are branded as Bolero.e, Thar.e, Scorpio.e and XUV.e, respectively. These models would eventually cater to the lifestyle buyer who is also environmentally concerned, says the company. Mahindra has also revealed that Oscar-winning music director AR Rahman will ‘design and build’ sounds that will go into upcoming all-electric models from the carmaker.
In August 2022, Mahindra & Mahindra had offered a glimpse at its upcoming electric vehicles during an event beld in United Kingdom. The carmaker had also showcased the new EV platforms which will underpin the upcoming Thar, XUV, Bolero and Scorpio-based electric SUVs.
Mahindra will showcase the concept version of the upcoming Thar.e, the electric version of its flagship off-road SUV Thar, in Cape Town later today. The carmaker had teased the Thar.e electric SUV ahead of the global debut. The teaser shows a glimpse of the rear tail lamp design which is in line with the current Thar. Considering this, it can be expected that the current design language of the Thar will mostly stay intact but will get a few changes to give some EV signature to the Thar.e.
It is 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.
Tesla Cybertruck is one of the most awaited electric vehicles coming to the market in a few weeks. The US electric car manufacturer has already started production of the electric pickup truck and it is slated for delivery soon. Over the last few months, Tesla Cybertruck prototypes have been spotted in an increasing numbers ahead of its imminent market entry. The latest of them has revealed an interesting fact about the Cybertruck’s tyre.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 14 Aug 2023, 17:52 PM
Tesla is testing a wider set of tyre options for its upcoming Cybertruck electric pickup truck.
A spy shot of the Tesla Cybertruck posted on Instagram has revealed that the EV manufacturer has been testing the electric pickup truck with more than one tyre size. As the images reveal the tyres appear to have an all-season tread pattern and are sized at 285/65R20. The images also reveal that roughly 35 inches of rubber are wrapped around a 20-inch wheel rim.
The spyshots also reveal the tyres coming with an M+S marking, which means Mud+Snow, confirming that it is an all-season tyre. However, the three-peak mountain with the snowflake symbol is missing from the tyre, which means that it has not been tested and rated for driving in freezing temperatures. The photos also point out an H speed rating, which is usually stamped on sports cars’ tyres. This indicates that the car tyres can sustain speeds of up to 209 kmph.
Interestingly, this is not the first time a Tesla Cybertruck prototype has been spotted with larger asphalt-focused tyres. The tyre pictures that went online recently reveal a look similar to the ones spotted back in 2019 on the original prototype.
The Tesla Cybertruck is currently in the pre-production phase at the automaker’s Texas Gigafactory, with the delivery-intent production expected to commence from next month, and a ramp-up in manufacturing scheduled in early 2024, as Tesla CEO Elon Musk revealed earlier this year.
Cadillac is using a dedicated electric skateboard platform for the Escalade IQ.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 12 Aug 2023, 17:23 PM
1/10
Cadillac has revealed the Escalade IQ which is essentially an electric version of the Escalade. However, it will not go on sale right now. Instead, Cadillac will launch Escalade IQ in 2025.
2/10
Being the Escalade, the interior is very luxurious. It comes with 55-inch-total-diagonal LED display powered by a next generation Snapdragon Cockpit Platform from Qualcomm Technologies.
3/10
The rear occupants get their own 12.6-inch-diagonal screens with HDMI ports. Moreover, there is a centre screen as well that cna be used to control various functions of the car.
4/10
The Escalade IQ is based on GM’s Ultium platform which is a platform made for electric vehicles. It is essentially an electric skateboard platform where the wheels are placed on the corners and the floorboard forms the batteries. This helps in maximising the cabin space.
5/10
There are motors in the front as well as at the rear. So, it comes with an electric all-wheel drive system. Cadillac will offer four-wheel steering as standard. There will also be Arrival Mode and Low Ride Mode.
6/10
On the side, there are 24-inch alloy wheels that have an integrated aero design. The tyres measure 35-inch in size. There are flared wheel arches as well the enhance the side profile of the SUV.
7/10
The Escalade IQ is based on GM’s Ultium platform which is a platform made for electric vehicles. It is essentially an electric skateboard platform where the wheels are placed on the corners and the floorboard forms the batteries. This helps in maximising the cabin space.
8/10
Four-wheel steering reduces the turning circle while driving slowly as the rear tyres turn opposite to the front wheels. So, this helps in manoeuvring around a parking lot where there are tight turns. At higher speeds, the rear wheels turn in the same direction as the front wheels. This helps in increasing the stability.
9/10
The Arrival mode is basically the Crab Walk feature that we first saw on the Hummer EV. It helps the SUV drive diagonally which can come in handy during off-roading sessions. Caddilac says that it can also be helful while entering a tight parking lot.
10/10
The Low Ride mode enables the Escalade IQ to be driven at low speeds with the suspension fully lowered. This is possible because of the Adaptive Air Ride Suspension which can lowered by up to 50 mm and raised by 25 mm.
Ather Energy has released a new teaser on social media, which reveals that they will be launching the three electric scooters on 11th August. What has been confirmed is the launch of the 450S, which will be the most affordable electric scooter in Ather’s lineup. As of now, the manufacturer is selling only the 450X in the Indian market. It is offered in two versions – with the Pro Pack and without the Pro Pack.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 08 Aug 2023, 15:43 PM
Image of Ather 450X used for representational purpose only.
So, it can be expected that the two remaining scooters will be updated versions of the 450X electric scooter. One gripe that many people have reported is the charging time of the Ather 450X without the Pro Pack. So, there is a possibility that Ather might just reduce the battery size to reduce charging times. Apart from this, there is a possibility that Ather will also update the 450X electric scooter. However, nothing has been confirmed yet. The manufacturer will not be introducing a new design language or platform as of now. This was confirmed when Ather launched Atherstack 5.0.
Speaking of the new scooter, the Ather 450S will look more or less the same as the 450X. However, it will come with a new LCD display with coloured elements. So, it is expected that the 450S will miss out on Google Maps and connected technology. Ather is promising a claimed range of 115 km on a single charge and a top speed of 90 kmph. It is expected that the 450S will use the same electric motor as the 450X, considering the top speed of both electric scooters is the same.
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 consumers.
Over the last few years, several Tesla electric cars have made headlines for reasons that were unexpected and at times, unpleasant. The latest addition to the list of antics performed by Tesla car owners is when an EV bashed through a wall and plunged into a swimming pool. The incident took place in Arizona when a homeowner found the Tesla barreled through his house’s concrete wall and took a dive in the backyard pool, reported AZFamily.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 06 Aug 2023, 15:10 PM
It is not confirmed if the Tesla EV plunged into the pool because of a driver’s error or some technical glitch. (Image: Youtube/AZFamily)
The report says that despite such a crash into the swimming pool, the Tesla EV’s driver survived without any injury. However, the same can’t be said of the car or the yard it crashed into. The report has further revealed that the police are still searching for the cause of the crash. It is not known if the mishap took place because of the driver’s error or some technical glitch in the car.
The affected homeowner, Joe Papineau, said that he thought that he’d heard an explosion. “I was sleeping in my bed when all of a sudden I hear this huge crash and big explosion,” he said to the local news station. Papineau also said he believes that the Tesla car was passing through the area when another car pulled out in front of him. In a desperate attempt to avoid the accident, the Tesla driver made an evasive manoeuvre but couldn’t recover in time to avoid crashing into the wall and ending in the pool.
The video that emerged online shows the Tesla car has received extensive damage including a demolished windshield. Its front profile got damaged severely. However, the driver reportedly escaped with only minor injuries. There was no other passenger in the car during the time of the accident, the report has further revealed.
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.
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.
