Car News That Mattered This Week (April 22-26): New Launches, Teasers, Crash Test Results, And More

Apart from new updates and launches, Global NCAP additionally launched  three new crash check outcomes 

Mahindra XUV 3XO New Details Revealed 

Mahindra launched a few new teasers for the XUV 3XO previous week, not solely revealing the inside, but additionally giving out mileage and efficiency figures for a similar. The XUV 3XO is about to make its debut on April 29, 2024. 

New Global NCAP Crash Test Results

Kia Carens Frontal Impact

We received three new crash check outcomes from Global NCAP for Mahindra Bolero Neo, Honda Amaze, and Kia Carens. The Bolero Neo was crash examined for the primary time, in the meantime the Amaze and Carens have been examined for the second time on the up to date crash check protocols. We additionally in contrast the earlier and up to date crash check outcomes of the Honda Amaze.

Volkswagen Taigun New GT Variants Launched

The variant lineup of the Volkswagen Taigun got expanded with the launch of new GT variants: GT Line and GT Plus Sport. he new GT variants function updates equivalent to smoked headlights, blacked-out alloy wheels, and an all-black inside theme in comparison with their corresponding common trims. 

Toyota Fortuner Gets A New Leader Edition

Toyota Fortuner Leader Edition Bookings Open

The Toyota Fortuner received a new ‘Leader’ edition that includes some beauty modifications and extra security gear. Cosmetic modifications embody dual-tone exterior shades, black alloy wheels, and entrance and rear bumper spoilers. Though the costs of the Fortuner Leader version will not be but introduced it is going to possible come at a premium over the usual variant.

Hyundai Creta EV Timeline Revealed

Hyundai Creta EV production and launch timeline detailed

Announcing the longer term roadmap for India, Hyundai confirmed that they may start the manufacturing of the primary closely localised electrical SUV on the Chennai plant by the top of 2024. While the automaker has not but confirmed what mannequin it’s, right here’s why we think it could be the Hyundai Creta EV.

Jeep Wrangler Facelift Launched

2024 Jeep Wrangler launched in India

The Jeep Wrangler facelift was launched in India last week, that includes gentle design tweaks, extra premium cabin, new options, and improved security. It continues to be powered by a 2-litre turbo-petrol engine whereas its off highway capabilities have additionally been improved.

BMW i5 Goes On Sale In India

BMW i5 M60 launched in India

The BMW i5, an all-electric sedan which sits between i4 and i7, was launched in India. The i5 electrical sedan is being supplied as a very constructed import unit (CBU) in India, and is available in a single top-spec variant. The BMW i5 guarantees a driving vary of over 500 km.

Audi Cars Price Hike Incoming

Audi Q3 Logo

Audi cars are set to become expensive from June 2024. This would be the second value hike on Audi automobiles in  2024 after January, and it is going to be efficient throughout the board, together with EVs. 

Production-spec Electric G-Wagon Unveiled

Mercedes-Benz EQG (G 580) revealed

The electrical model of the G-Wagon, the Mercedes-Benz EQG, made its global debut in production-ready avatar. The EQG comes with an all-wheel-drive (AWD) drivetrain as customary, and provides a WLTP claimed driving vary of as much as 473 km.

2024 Aston Martin Vantage Launched In India

2024 Aston Martin Vantage launched in India

The facelifted model of the Aston Martin Vantage has gone on sale in India. It will get up to date fascia, whereas retaining the slim and curved tail lights on the rear. The 2024 Vantage continues to function a 4-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine, however will get a efficiency bump of 100 PS over its earlier iteration.

Check Out The Volkswagen Taigun GT Plus Sport In This Detailed Gallery

This particular variant of the compact SUV comes with black beauty remedies to its exterior and an all-black cabin

Volkswagen Taigun GT Plus Sport

The Volkswagen Taigun GT Plus Sport variant was launched some time again however the costs have solely lately been revealed. This new GT variant begins at Rs 18.54 lakh (ex-showroom). It comes with blacked-out components on the outside, all-black cabin, and delicate sporty touches that differentiate it from the common Taigun. If you might be planning to purchase this variant of the Taigun, then have a better take a look at it on this detailed gallery.

Front

Volkswagen Taigun GT Plus Sport Front

At the fascia, the GT Plus Sport variant will get a blacked-out grille, black bumper, and smoked headlights. The grille additionally homes the “GT” brand which is available in a distinction crimson color.

Side

Volkswagen Taigun GT Plus Sport Side

The facet profile will get small however noticeable modifications. It will get a carbon metal gray roof, darkish chrome door handles, and blacked-out alloy wheels.

Volkswagen Taigun GT Plus Sport Alloy Wheel

If you look carefully, the GT Plus Sport variant additionally will get crimson brake callipers. Additionally, the GT badges at the moment are completed in crimson as properly.

Rear

Volkswagen Taigun GT Plus Sport Rear

At the again, you get an all-black bumper, and the “Taigun” badging is completed in black to finish the all-black attraction. 

Interior

Volkswagen Taigun GT Plus Sport Dashboard

Inside, it comes with an all-black dashboard that will get a stripe of crimson ambient lighting to provide it a distinction. The dashboard has a number of totally different components, together with a gray plate and gloss black end, which supplies the cabin an up market look.

The seats get black leather-based upholstery with crimson distinction stitching, and the entrance ones even have a crimson “GT” badging.

Features

Volkswagen Taigun GT Plus Sport Screens

Since it’s primarily based on the top-spec variant, the Taigun GT Plus Sport will get a ten.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, automated local weather management, single pane sunroof, a 6-speaker sound system, powered and ventilated entrance seats, wi-fi cellphone charger, and cruise management.

Also Read: Volkswagen Taigun GT Line And GT Sport Variants Launched, Starts From Rs 14.08 Lakh

In phrases of security, it comes with 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, digital stability management (ESC), a tyre stress monitoring system (TPMS), and a rearview digital camera.

Powertrain

Volkswagen Taigun GT Plus Sport Gear Knob

The GT Plus Sport variant solely will get one engine choice and it’s the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine. This engine makes 150 PS and 250 Nm, and it’s mated to both a 6-speed guide transmission or a 7-speed DCT.

Price & Rivals

Volkswagen Taigun GT Plus Sport Rear 3/4th

Prices of the Volkswagen Taigun GT Plus Sport variants vary from Rs 18.54 lakh to Rs 19.74 lakh (ex-showroom), and it’s a rival to Hyundai Creta N Line and the X-Line variants of the Kia Seltos.

Read More on : Taigun on road price

Planning To Buy The Tata Tiago EV? Check Out Its Pros And Cons

The Tiago EV is spacious, sensible, and comes with sufficient vary for metropolis commutes, nevertheless it does miss out on some essential particulars

Tata Tiago EV: Pros & Cons

The Tata Tiago EV was launched again in 2022 as India’s most inexpensive electrical automotive and it held that title till it was taken by the MG Comet EV. However, it nonetheless stays a extra sensible and household pleasant possibility, and when you have your eyes set on the electrical hatchback, listed here are a few of its execs and cons that may allow you to make a shopping for choice.

PROS

Most Affordable Family EV

Tata Tiago EV

Yes, the MG Comet EV is probably the most inexpensive electrical automotive in India, however it isn’t an appropriate possibility for a household. It is smaller, has solely 2 doorways, and doesn’t supply a lot when it comes to practicality and storage. The Tiago EV, then again, provides seating for five passengers, is nicely geared up and whereas its cabin practicality is considerably restricted, it does give you the comfort of a correct boot, that you should use whereas having 5 folks within the automotive.

Enough Range For The City

Tata Tiago EV Battery Pack

The greater battery pack (24 kWh) variants of the Tiago EV include a claimed vary of 315 km, which in real-world situations might be round 200-220 km. For an individual who needs a automotive to drive inside town, perhaps for commuting to workplace and purchasing journeys, this vary is greater than sufficient.

Also See: Tata Safari EV Spied On Test, Launch Expected In Early 2025

It even has 50kW DC quick charging capabilities, so you may as well use it for smaller intercity commutes, and never must be restricted to only intracity use.

Good Features For The Price

Tata Tiago EV Cabin

When you make an electrical automotive this inexpensive, you do must compromise somewhat on options, because the battery again and EV methods price quite a bit. However, even at these costs, the Tiago EV is pretty nicely geared up, and provides options like a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 4-speaker Harman sound system, computerized local weather management, push button begin/cease, and cruise management.

Fun To Drive – Sports Mode

Tata Tiago EV Drive Selector

Electric automobiles normally are fairly enjoyable to drive attributable to their fast acceleration, and the Tiago EV’s sports activities mode can play a giant function in your shopping for choice. It does include two driving modes – City and Sports. That final one might be your favorite button when behind the wheel because it modifications the throttle response, and even with somewhat enter, you get a burst of acceleration. This is much more enjoyable when you’re overtaking, or taking corners, as a result of you’ll get an exhilarating expertise.

CONS

Something’s Missing

Tata Tiago EV Rear Seats

While you do get an honest function record within the Tiago EV, there are some options which might be lacking, even within the top-spec model that’s priced near Rs 12 lakh (ex-showroom). First is a set of alloy wheels. What you see within the Tiago EV are literally styled metal wheels, and are usually not as premium as alloy wheels can be. Second is rear AC vents, which any automotive of this value vary ought to have, and final is rear-adjustable headrests, which might be lacking and will have elevated the rear seat consolation.

Impractical Smaller Battery

Tata Tiago EV Instrument Cluster

The Tiago EV additionally comes with the choice of a smaller battery pack (19.2 kWh) which has a claimed vary of 250 km. In actual world situations, the vary can be close to 150 km, which suggests you’ll be able to rule out smaller intercity commutes in the event you don’t need to cease halfway to cost your battery.

Also Read: Tata Tiago EV Is Witnessing Higher Waiting Period Than MG Comet EV This April

Even within the metropolis, this vary will be unable to get you thru every week, and even a day’s value of heavy metropolis commute will trigger you fixed vary anxiousness.

Not So Fun To Drive – Regular Drive Mode

Tata Tiago EV

While the sports activities mode of the Tiago EV can present a great drive expertise, the traditional mode can really feel somewhat sluggish. Don’t get confused, the traditional mode nonetheless has good preliminary acceleration, however after you attain a sure velocity, round 40-50 kmph, it begins to really feel like it’s important to put somewhat extra effort to go quicker. Also, it doesn’t have a really excessive prime velocity, and solely goes as much as somewhat over 100 kmph, which makes it laborious to make use of on the freeway. This, mixed with the laid again drive, could make your drive expertise somewhat uninteresting.

These had been the professionals and cons of the Tata Tiago EV primarily based on our experiences with the electrical hatchback. It is priced from Rs 7.99 lakh to Rs 11.89 lakh (ex-showroom) and is a rival to the MG Comet EV and Citroen eC3.

Read More on : Tiago EV Automatic

Kia Sonet Domestic And Export Sales Cross 4 Lakh Units, Sunroof-equipped Variants Were Most Popular

Kia says 63 % of patrons opted for the sub-4m SUV’s petrol powertrain

Kia Sonet

  • Kia launched the Sonet in India in 2020 and gave it a facelift in early 2024.

  • Over 3.17 lakh models have been offered in India alone, whereas practically 86,000 models have been exported.

  • The SUV’s 7-speed DCT (turbo-petrol) and 6-speed AT (diesel) choices have contributed to twenty-eight % of the demand.

  • 23 % of Sonet patrons opted for the iMT gearbox.

  • Feature highlights for present Sonet embody twin 10.25-inch shows, six airbags, and ADAS.

  • Prices vary between Rs 7.99 lakh and Rs 15.75 lakh (ex-showroom pan-India).

The Kia Sonet nameplate debuted in India in September 2020 as its entry into the hotly contested sub-4m SUV section. The Sonet has now achieved whole gross sales of over 4 lakh models, which additionally consists of the exports from India.

Preferences Of Kia Sonet Buyers

Kia Sonet Sunroof

Out of the 4 lakh models offered, Kia delivered over 3.17 lakh models to patrons in India alone whereas near 86,000 models had been exported to different nations. Kia has acknowledged that because the SUV’s inception in India, 63 % of patrons have opted for a sunroof-equipped variant. An equal proportion of patrons most well-liked the petrol variants of the Sonet.

When it got here to the desire of transmissions, the 7-speed DCT (dual-clutch automated transmission) and the 6-speed AT – supplied with the turbo-petrol and diesel engines, respectively – contributed to twenty-eight % of the gross sales. The iMT (guide with out the clutch pedal), then again, was picked by 23 % of the patrons.

What Does The Sonet Have To Offer?

2024 Kia Sonet Interior

The facelifted Kia Sonet comes with twin 10.25-inch shows (one for infotainment and the opposite for instrumentation), wi-fi cellphone charging, a sunroof, and ventilated entrance seats. It additionally will get auto AC, a 4-way power-adjustable driver seat, and linked automobile tech.

Kia has supplied the SUV’s security package with six airbags, a 360-degree digicam, entrance and rear parking sensors, and a few superior driver help methods (ADAS) options as properly.

Also Read: Kia Carens Scores 3 Stars In Global NCAP Yet Again

Powertrain Options Detailed

It is offered with the widest vary of engine-gearbox choices within the section, as detailed under:

Specification

1.2-litre N/A Petrol

1-litre Turbo-petrol

1.5-litre Diesel

Power

83 PS

120 PS

116 PS

Torque

115 Nm

172 Nm

250 Nm

Transmission

5-speed MT

6-speed iMT, 7-speed DCT

6-speed MT, 6-speed iMT, 6-speed AT

Claimed Mileage

18.83 kmpl

18.70 kmpl, 19.20 kmpl

22.30 kmpl (MT), 18.60 kmpl (AT)

Price Range And Rivals

The Kia Sonet is priced from Rs 7.99 lakh to Rs 15.75 lakh (ex-showroom pan-India). It is a part of a crowded and well-liked section, which incorporates the Maruti Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Tata Nexon, and Renault Kiger. The Sonet will go up in opposition to the soon-to-be-launched Mahindra XUV 3XO and the upcoming Skoda sub-4m SUV as properly. It additionally serves as an alternative choice to the sub-4m crossovers just like the Maruti Fronx and Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor.

Read More on : Sonet diesel

Here’s Why The Hyundai Creta EV Is Expected To Launch In 2025

Hyundai has introduced that it’ll start collection manufacturing of its most reasonably priced electrical SUV for India by the top of 2024

Hyundai Creta EV production and launch timeline detailed

  • The made-in-India electrical SUV shall be produced on the Chennai plant.

  • Hyundai plans to additional produce 5 EV fashions in India by 2030.

  • The carmaker first introduced plans for a localised and reasonably priced EV for India in 2021.

  • It is predicted to be the Creta EV which has already been spied a number of instances.

  • The Creta EV’s powertrain particulars aren’t but recognized nevertheless it may have a claimed vary of over 400 km.

  • India launch slated for 2025; costs may begin from Rs 20 lakh (ex-showroom).

The high brass of the Hyundai Motor Group from Korea not too long ago visited their India places of work and revealed particulars in regards to the model’s future plans within the nation, particularly concerning EVs. While the carmaker confirmed that it’ll start collection manufacturing of its first closely localised electrical SUV on the Chennai plant by the top of 2024. While the carmaker hasn’t confirmed what mannequin it’s, now we have causes to consider it will likely be the Hyundai Creta EV. Our hypothesis is predicated on the truth that the carmaker has already begun testing the electrical SUV in its residence nation and a few check mules have been noticed on our roads too.

Hyundai’s First Heavily Localised EV

Hyundai Kona Electric

Hyundai was the primary mass-market model to supply a considerably reasonably priced electrical SUV in India with the launch of the Kona Electric in 2019. However, as {a partially} imported and regionally assembled unit, it was nonetheless too expensive for the plenty. Following the success of the Tata Nexon EV, Hyundai revealed plans for a closely localised EV in India again in 2021 with six EVs within the lineup by 2028. It was anticipated that the mannequin record will embody EV counterparts to the model’s profitable ICE (inside combustion engine) fashions. 

Given that Tata’s profitable with an reasonably priced sub-4m electrical SUV providing, we anticipated Hyundai to compete towards it with a Venue EV that might be launched at related costs. However, provided that there was no tax profit for EVs restricted to these dimensions, it made extra sense for Hyundai to give attention to the phase the place it has dominated for years: the compact SUV house. 

A Well-known Secret: Creta EV For India

Even on this newest announcement confirming that Hyundai will regionally manufacture an electrical SUV in India, the carmaker has saved the precise mannequin a secret. However, given the proof obtainable based mostly on spy pictures in India and in Korea, it would nearly definitely be the all-electric model of the Hyundai Creta

There are a number of causes for Hyundai to choose the Creta over the Venue as its first localised EV for India. Firstly, the Creta nameplate is extra fashionable with a loyal fan following than the Venue and likewise sells extra regardless of being pricier than the sub-4m SUV. The ‘Creta’ model has been in our marketplace for practically a decade now and the carmaker has bought over 10 lakh items of the SUV until date, making it a crowd favorite.

Hyundai Creta

Given that the Tata Nexon EV has already cornered the marketplace for an electrical SUV beneath the Rs 15 lakh mark, it could have been far tougher for Hyundai to introduce its sub-4m electrical SUV at a aggressive worth. But by focussing on the electrical compact SUV house with the Creta EV, Hyundai will be capable of tackle its mass-market rivals head-on. This phase itself can also be set to broaden within the subsequent 12 months with the arrival of the Tata Curvv EV and the Maruti eVX by the top of this yr. There will even be a compact electrical providing from Citroen on this interval.

The Creta EV can even profit from the truth that the ICE-powered model has simply been given an intensive facelift with fashionable styling and loads of premium options, so the one actual change for consumers would be the electrical powertrain.

Also See: Hyundai Creta EV Cabin Spied In Detail, Gets A New Steering And Drive Selector

Expected Electric Powertrain

While the precise particulars in regards to the battery pack and electrical motor of the Creta EV are but to be confirmed, we anticipate the Creta EV to have a claimed vary of effectively over 400 km. It may get a number of battery pack choices too, like many different Hyundai EV world fashions and a few of its EV rivals in India.

This Hyundai EV is unlikely to be based mostly on the identical E-GMP platform that underpins most new Hyundai EVs just like the Ioniq 5. 

How Much Would It Cost?

Hyundai Creta rear

The Hyundai Creta EV may have a beginning worth of Rs 20 lakh (ex-showroom). The Creta EV will rival the MG ZS EV and function a premium various to the Tata Nexon EV and Mahindra XUV400. Upcoming rivals embody the beforehand talked about Tata Curvv EV (attributable to launch within the first half of 2024) and the Maruti eVX (anticipated to launch in early 2025).

The Creta EV shall be adopted by extra regionally made Hyundai EVs, with the corporate stating its plan to additional 5 EV fashions in India by 2030.

Read More on : Hyundai Creta on road price