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Among the cars unveiled at the Auto Expo on Wednesday was Mahindra and Mahindra's e-KUV for Rs 8.2 lakhs ex-showroom Delhi. With a single charge range of 150 km and a 55 min fast charging upto 80 pc, it was both a head-turner and a conversation-starter.
Auto majors vied with each other to unveil futuristic versions of their cars at the Auto Expo in Greater Noida on Wednesday.
Tata Motors took the lead, announcing four global unveils, a pre-production preview and a commercial launch at the 15th Auto Expo.
The HBX Compact SUV Concept Show Car based on ALFA ARC architecture, looks much closer to the production line now.
The concept SUV very much looks like a purely modern, muscular, adventure driven compact SUV.
The next surprising unveil was the Sierra EV concept.
The Tata Sierra may actually come back in the guise of a hopeful Tata Sierra Concept with a lounge inside and a glass roof.
With its signature curved glass at the rear merging into the roof, this undoubtedlly makes it one of the key showstoppers at Auto Expo 2020.
For the Tata Safari lovers, Tata Motors also unveiled the ‘Hexa Safari Edition’ which is a combination of the iconic Tata Safari and the ultra-capable Tata Hexa.
Mechanically the same as the the current Tata Hexa, the Safari edition will get a new shade of green along with separate badging in the interiors as well as the exterior, and it will be a 4x4 drive.
A pre-production version of the Harrier’s 7-seater version -- the Gravitas which is scheduled to be launched in FY 2021 -- was also unveiled on Wednesday.
The Gravitas will get 2 captain seats in the middle row and a 3 seater third row, which is best suited for children.
With 18-inch wheels and up to the B pillar, the Gravitas looks exactly like the Harrier.
But in the rear, the overhang is much longer to accommodate the third row of seats, making it longer than the Harrier. And the roofline is raised in the Gravitas, plus the windows in the 3rd row are bigger to let in more light.
But what made an actual launch on Day One at the Tata Pavilion in the Auto Expo 2020 was the BSVI version of the Tata Harrier.
It was launched at a One India starting price of Rs 13.69 lakh for the manual and Rs 16.25 Lakh for the much awaited 6 speed automatic version.
The Tata Harrier BSVI boasts of a panoramic sunroof, a first for any Tata SUV, along with a host of new features.
Apart from these PVs, Tata Motors also showcased in their lineup the Tiago, Tigor, Compact SUV Nexon Ev and the ALtroz.
In the commercial vehicles segment Tata Motors unveiled the all-new Winger.
Tata Motors also unveiled the New Tata Prima 5530.S Facelift -- the flagship truck from its extensive commercial vehicle line-up.
If that was TaMo, the other automobile manufacturers were not to be left behind.
Mahindra showcases 18 vehicles!
Mahindra and Mahindra also had an impressive showcase of 18 vehicles, including a futuristic concept vehicle and a line-up of electric vehicles, passenger and commercial vehicles at their pavilion.
Above is the Funster electric convertible concept car that was unveiled on Wednesday.
What set off a frenzy was the e-Kuv. More importantly, the price at which the e-Kuv was launched!
The E-KUV at the Auto Expo. Photograph: Courtesy, Gaurav Bhatt/Mahindra Automotive
Mahindra and Mahindra launched the e-KUV for Rs 8.2 lakhs ex-showroom Delhi.
With a single charge range of 150 km and a 55 min fast charging upto 80 pc, it was a head-turner and a conversation-starter.
It also had one of the widest displays of EVs by an Indian OEM at this year’s Auto Expo.
ATOM is a new age electric urban mobility solution for Smart India’s last mile connectivity needs that was unveiled on Wednesday.
The electric version of the XUV300 was also unveiled by Dr Pawan Goenka.
Renault rolls out the AMT Triber
French car maker Renault unveiled the AMT (automated manual transmission) version of its sub-compact multi-purpose vehicle Triber at the Auto Expo on Wednesday and said it plans to double sales in India in mid-term.
The company was also working towards entering the fast growing electric vehicle (EV) space in the country and is likely to launch its first EV in the next two years, Renault India Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Venkatram Mamillapalle said.
The AMT version, which is set to be launched in the second quarter of the year, was unveiled by Fabrice Cambolive, senior vice president and chairman of Africa-Middle-East-India-Pacific Region for Renault Group along with Mamillapalle.
"Our mid-term plan is to double our annual volume," Mamillapalle said.
Kia has a Carnival!
South Korean auto maker Kia Motors on Wednesday launched its premium multi purpose vehicle Carnival, and showcased a new concept for a global SUV Sonet at the Auto Expo.
Carnival is being launched in India in three different specifications at a starting price of Rs 24.95 lakh for its Premium variant (ex-showroom), Rs 28.95 lakh for its Prestige variant (ex-showroom), and Rs 33.95 lakh for its Limousine variant (ex-showroom).
The Kia Sonet concept will be developed further ahead of a launch in the Indian market in the second half of 2020.
Kia Motors India said it had received more than 1,400 bookings for the new car on the first day of orders and has a total of more than 3,500 bookings received till date.
Hyundai unveils new Tucson
Hyundai Motor India on Wednesday launched a new version of its premium SUV Tucson as it looks to bolster its presence in the segment.
While unveiling the model at the Auto Expo, Hyundai Motor India Managing Director and CEO SS Kim said the new Tucson comes with enhanced technology, design and performance.
Powered by BS-VI compliant 2 litre petrol and diesel powertrains, the new Tucson comes with enhanced features like all-wheel drive, automatic traction cornering control, power seats and connected features.
The diesel version of the vehicle now comes mated to a new 8-speed automatic transmission, delivering best in segment power (185 PS) and torque (40.8 KGM).
The petrol engine delivers 152 PS of power.
Additional inputs: PTI.
