Kawasaki
Kawasaki has filed patents for the Ninja 7 Hybrid and the Z e-1 motorcycles in India, suggesting they might soon be released in the country. The Ninja 7 Hybrid features a 451cc parallel-twin engine, a 9kW electric motor, and a 48-volt battery pack, producing 58bhp, with an e-boost mode raising it to 69bhp. It offers three riding modes (EV, Eco Hybrid, Sport Hybrid) and a full-color TFT display. The Z e-1 hybrid has a 9kW motor, 1.5kWh of batteries, and a boost mode for a top speed of 104km/h. It comes with LED illumination, stroll mode, ABS, TFT, smartphone connectivity, eco-boost, and two ride modes (road and eco). While Kawasaki hasn’t officially confirmed their release in India, industry reports suggest one might be launched soon. Globally, the Ninja 7 Hybrid is priced at USD 12,499 (about Rs 10.34 lakh), and the Kawasaki Z e-1 retails for USD 7,299 (around Rs 6.07 lakh).
In other news, Kawasaki India is offering discounts on its best-selling models in March: the Ninja 400, Vulcan S, Versys 650, and Ninja 650. Discounts range from Rs 30,000 to Rs 60,000, depending on the model’s ex-showroom price. The Ninja 650 starts at Rs 7.16 lakh, the Ninja 400 at Rs 5.24 lakh, the Vulcan S at Rs 7.10 lakh, and the Versys 650 at Rs 7.77 lakh. The Vulcan S qualifies for a maximum discount of Rs 60,000, the Versys 650 for Rs 45,000, the Ninja for Rs 40,000, and the Ninja 650 for Rs 30,000.
Maruti Suzuki
Maruti Suzuki is offering benefits of up to Rs 57,000 on the Baleno from its Nexa range in March 2024. Buyers can get a cash discount of up to Rs 35,000, an exchange bonus of Rs 15,000, and a corporate benefit of Rs 7,000. The hatchback is priced between Rs 6.66 lakh and Rs 9.88 lakh (ex-showroom) and is available in four variants: Sigma, Delta, Zeta, and Alpha. It features a 1.2-litre Dual-Jet petrol engine with 89bhp and 113Nm of torque, paired with a 5-speed manual or automatic transmission. The Baleno S-CNG variant, launched in October 2022, is priced from Rs 8.40 lakh to Rs 9.33 lakh (ex-showroom) and comes in Delta and Zeta variants.
In January 2024, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno was the bestselling car in India, surpassing the Tata Punch and Maruti Suzuki Wagon R. The company sold 19,630 units, marking a 20% year-over-year increase. However, sales declined in February 2024, with 17,517 units sold. The Baleno features a 9.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a heads-up display, Arkamys sound system, cruise control, automatic climate control, push-button start/stop, and keyless entry. Safety features include up to six airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP, ISOFIX anchorages, rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, hill-hold assist, and three-point seatbelts for all passengers. It comes in seven color options.
Renault
Renault India is offering discounts on its entire product line in March 2024, with the Kiger receiving the maximum discount. The Kiger comes with an exchange bonus of up to Rs 15,000, a loyalty incentive of Rs 10,000, and a cash discount of up to Rs 15,000. Buyers of the Triber can benefit from discounts worth Rs 35,000, including a loyalty incentive of Rs 10,000, an exchange bonus of up to Rs 15,000, and a cash discount of up to Rs 10,000. The Kwid is available with savings of up to Rs 35,000, including an exchange and loyalty incentive of Rs 15,000 each and a cash discount of Rs 10,000.
The Renault Kwid is powered by an 800cc three-cylinder engine producing 52bhp and 72Nm of torque, with a more powerful 1.0-litre option also available. The Kiger SUV comes with two engine options: a 1.0-litre NA producing 71bhp and a turbocharged version producing 99bhp. The Triber MUV features a 1.0-litre NA petrol engine producing 71bhp and 96Nm of torque. Prices for the Kwid range from Rs 4.70 lakh to Rs 6.45 lakh, the Kiger starts from Rs 6 lakh and goes up to Rs 11.23 lakh, and the Triber starts from Rs 6.97 lakh (ex-showroom).
Additionally, the Renault Megane e-Tech EV was recently spotted testing in India. This model, available in European markets, competes with cars like the Hyundai Kona Electric. Details about its India debut are still unknown, but the model features retractable door handles, aero-optimized wheels, LED taillights, and LED headlights. The cabin includes an OpenR display with a 12.3-inch instrument display and a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment unit. The Megane e-Tech offers two battery pack configurations (40kWh and 60kWh), with a driving range of up to 470 kilometers. It develops 130bhp and 250Nm or 216bhp and 300Nm, depending on the battery pack. The model is primarily targeted at the European market and will compete with the Hyundai Kona Electric, Mini Cooper SE, and Kia Niro EV.
Hyundai
Hyundai has received over 80,000 bookings for the Creta facelift, up from the initial 51,000 reservations announced in February. Priced between Rs 11 lakh and Rs 20 lakh (ex-showroom), the Creta competes with SUVs like the Volkswagen Taigun, MG Astor, Honda Elevate, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, and Skoda Kushaq. The company also launched the performance-oriented Creta N Line priced at Rs 16.82 lakh (ex-showroom), featuring unique design elements, an all-black interior, a six-speed manual gearbox, N Line-exclusive accessories, and fresh alloy wheels.
The 2024 Creta’s design is inspired by Hyundai’s global SUV range, featuring vertically stacked headlights with DRLs, a redesigned bumper, and faux skid plates. The rear boasts tail lamps with a strip that runs across the width of the boot and a large skid plate on the bumper. It measures 1,635mm in height, 1,790mm in breadth, and 4,330mm in length, with a 190mm ground clearance and a 2,610mm wheelbase.
The Creta offers three engine options: a 1.5-litre NA petrol engine, a 1.5-litre diesel engine, and a new 1.5-litre turbo-petrol unit. Transmission options include a six-speed manual, an IVT, a standard seven-speed DCT, and a six-speed automatic.
The SUV features a redesigned cockpit with a twin-screen touchscreen infotainment system and an all-digital instrument console. It includes power seats, a leatherette-wrapped gear shifter, a flat-bottom steering wheel, ambient lighting, a 360-degree camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, wireless phone charging, ventilated seats, a Bose premium sound system with eight speakers, a panoramic sunroof, and over seventy connected car features.
Safety features include a tyre pressure monitoring system, Electronic Stability Programme, all-wheel disc brakes, electric parking brake with auto hold, front parking sensor, hill-start assist control, emergency stop signal, six airbags, and advanced driver assistance systems like adaptive cruise control, lane keep, and departure assist.
The Creta facelift is available in seven variants—E, EX, S, S (O), SX, SX Tech, and SX (O)—with six mono-tone and one dual-tone paint options, including Robust Emerald Pearl, Fiery Red, Ranger Khaki, Abyss Black, Atlas White, and Titan Grey, along with Atlas White with Black Roof (dual-tone).
Kia
Kia is focusing strongly on SUVs in the Indian market, with successful models like the Seltos and Sonet. The upcoming Kia Clavis SUV has been spotted testing in India, indicating its possible debut later this year, with a launch expected in the second half of CY2024. The Clavis features a modern design with vertical LED headlights, flush door handles, prominent roof rails, and sleek LED taillights.
The Clavis will offer both electric and internal combustion engine options. Electric variants are expected to have a range of 350 to 400km, while ICE models might feature a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 118bhp and 172Nm of torque, paired with a seven-speed DCT or a six-speed iMT. The SUV will likely have front-wheel drive for on-road agility.
The interior of the Clavis is stylish, with light-colored accents and features such as USB charging outlets, rear AC vents, a folding center armrest in the rear seats, ventilated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof. Technological enhancements may include 360-degree view cameras and Level 1 ADAS.
Kia has registered the name Clavis in India, suggesting the SUV could be launched there to compete with models like the Hyundai Exter, Tata Punch, and Citroen C3, adding an intriguing element to the market.
Tata Motors
Tata Motors has signed an MoU with the Tamil Nadu government to invest over Rs 9,000 crore in setting up a vehicle production facility in the state, creating job opportunities for around 5,000 people. The details of the new facility, whether it will produce passenger or commercial vehicles, have not been revealed yet. This investment marks the second major contribution from a carmaker in Tamil Nadu this year, following VinFast Auto Ltd.’s construction of an integrated electric vehicle manufacturing facility in Thoothukudi.
Tata Motors recently achieved a production milestone of 10 lakh units at its Sanand factory in Gujarat, with the Tata Tiago being the milestone car. The Sanand factory, established in 2010, employs about 6,000 people and produces models such as the Tiago, Tigor, and XPRES-T EV. Tata Motors also announced plans to split into two separate publicly traded companies, one focusing on passenger cars and the other on commercial vehicles.
Volkswagen
Volkswagen has unveiled the sporty ID.3 GTX, an electric sports car with two variants: the standard GTX and the more powerful GTX Performance. The standard GTX produces 282bhp and 545Nm of torque, while the GTX Performance delivers 322bhp. Both variants feature the new ‘APP550’ electric motor, the most powerful electric drive motor from Volkswagen to date. The ID.3 GTX is not likely to be sold in the American market but will be available in Europe in 2024.
The ID.3 GTX Performance can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 5.6 seconds, while the standard GTX takes 6 seconds. The top speed of the standard GTX is 179km/h, compared to 200km/h for the GTX Performance.
Powered by a 79kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the ID.3 GTX can be charged from 10 to 80 per cent in about 26 minutes using a 175kW DC charger. Volkswagen estimates a combined WLTP range of around 600 kilometres for the ID.3 GTX.
The interior of the ID.3 GTX features premium sports seats with red stitching and GTX lettering, along with optional ergoActive seats with red contrasting seams. Both variants come with a new 12.9-inch infotainment system, an integrated IDA voice assistant, illuminated touch sliders, and a separate driving mode selector.
Externally, the ID.3 GTX sports a diamond-style grille, a redesigned front bumper, boomerang-shaped LED daytime running lights, new 20-inch Skagen wheels, and LED tail lamp clusters with dynamic turn signals. It is available in five exterior colour options.
In other EV news, Porsche is preparing to reveal the Porsche 911 Hybrid in 2024, featuring a retuned twin-turbo six-cylinder engine with an electric motor powering the front wheels. Mahindra has also registered trademarks for its upcoming electric SUVs, including the XUV 7XO, expected to be revealed in 2024.
BYD
BYD has introduced the 2024 Atto 3 SUV, featuring minor updates such as a new infotainment system, aesthetic enhancements, and additional features, while maintaining the same overall design language as the previous generation. The SUV is powered by a 49.9kWh blade battery, offering a range of 345 kilometers on a single charge and delivering 310Nm of torque and 201bhp of power. Additionally, a larger 60.5kWh battery variant is available, providing a 420-kilometer range in foreign markets and a 521km ARAI-certified range in India.
The exterior of the Atto 3 has been updated with a new Cosmos Black paint option, gloss black treatments on the D-pillar insert and chrome window surrounds, and a new 18-inch alloy wheel design with larger 235/50 R18 tires. Inside, the SUV features a new 15.6-inch infotainment screen, a dark blue and black interior theme, and various software upgrades, including Intelligent Start, a web browser, karaoke functionality, and support for Amazon Music.
In India, the Atto 3 is already available for purchase, with an anticipated update later this year. The current generation is priced at Rs 33.99 lakh (ex-showroom). Furthermore, BYD has received over 200 bookings for the Seal EV in India, which went on sale in March starting at Rs 41 lakh (ex-showroom). The Seal EV comes in three variants, powered by either a 61.4kWh or 82.5kWh battery pack, with the top-spec Performance model featuring all-wheel drive and producing 523bhp and 670Nm of torque.
Source: autoX News – The one stop for automobile news
