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Auto Expo 2023 – Day 1 Round up

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Auto Expo-The Motor Show 2023, began at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida with the pre-opening media days, and the theme of this edition of the show is ‘Explore the World of Mobility’. The event will be open for public from 13-18 January 2023. The emphasis for participants this year is to showcase their shared vision for a safer, cleaner, connected, greener future and their drive and focus towards mobility for tomorrow.

Highlights of Day 1:

  • Maruti Suzuki unveils its new concept SUV, the eVX
  • MG Motors unveils the pricing of its next-gen Hector, starting at INR 14.72 lacs and topping out at INR 22.42 lacs (ex-showroom)
  • Hyundai launches the IONIQ 5 at an introductory price of INR 44.95 lacs
  • Kia unveils its new concept SUV EV9
  • Kia showcases its new MPV, the KA4
  • BYD unveils its new all electric sedan for the Indian market, the Seal
  • Lexus unveils the new RX
  • Tata showcases the concept CURVV, a new SUV-coupe set to be launched in 2024
  • Tata unveils its new SUV concept AVINYA, slated for a launch in 2025
  • Tata launches its first electric SUV, the Harrier EV
  • Tata showcases its nearly production-ready Sierra EV

Maruti Suzuki:

Maruti Suzuki India debuted the Concept Electric SUV eVX, designed and developed by Suzuki Motor Corporation. Concept eVX is constructed on an all-electric platform that will serve as the foundation for a range of future EVs. The concept electric SUV eVX ‘Emotional Versatile Cruiser’ boasts a futuristic design with a longer wheelbase and shorter overhang to communicate design agility and durability, as well as unrivalled passenger room and comfort.

MG Motors:

MG Motors revealed the price of the Next-Gen Hector, starting at INR 14.72 lacs and topping out at INR 22.42 lacs (ex-showroom). The Next-Gen Hector is a feature rich, tech enabled premium SUV with 11 Autonomous Level 2 (ADAS) features that provide hassle-free driving comfort and improving safety. A unique driving and user experience with a stunning new bold appearance, advanced safety features, and exquisite design components are some of the highlights of the refreshed Hector.

Hyundai India:

Hyundai unveiled IONIQ 5, the All-Electric SUV and had superstar Shah Rukh Khan in attendance, that sent the crowd in a frenzy. The IONIQ 5 has been launched at an introductory price of INR 44.95 lacs for the first 500 customers. It is Hyundai’s first model to be offered on dedicated BEV Platform E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform) and combines confidence, convenience and cutting-edge driving experience with 21 Hyundai SmartSense features (Level 2 ADAS). The IONIQ 5 is powered by a 72.6kWh battery with a range of 631 kms on a single charge. It has flexible seats, 12.3″ infotainment and instrument display screens, head-up display, and a 3.6kW output vehicle-to-load function that can power laptops and mobiles. Last year, it won the 2022 World Car of the Year award.

KIA India:

KIA India introduced its All-Electric SUV Concept, the Kia Concept EV9, emphasizing its ambition of becoming a provider of sustainable mobility solutions. The brand also exhibited the Kia KA4, a luxury RV with exquisite design, world-class safety, innovation, and enhanced driving dynamics capabilities. The company announced a INR 2,000 crore investment in India for EV-related R&D, production, and infrastructure development.

BYD:

New kid on the block BYD is a leading new energy vehicle manufacturer with strong plans for India. The company unveiled its luxury electric sedan BYD Seal, which will be launch in India in Q4 2023, closer to the festive season. The limited edition BYD ATTO 3 Forest Green Edition was also launched at a price of INR 34.49 lacs.

Lexus India:

Participating for the first time at the Auto Expo, Lexus India unveiled the all-new 5th generation Lexus RX. One of the safest cars in the Lexus portfolio, it comes with a fresh exterior design and a tech enabled luxurious cabin that integrates a massive new 14″ touchscreen display in the centre console. As a 5-seater, it offer more cabin space than its predecessor, with a 60mm longer wheelbase. In terms of powertrains, the Lexus RX 350h Luxury is powered by a 2.5L turbo petrol paired with a CVT gearbox, that produces 247hp. This comes with an option of front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The high performance Lexus RX 500h F Sport Performance is an all-wheel drive and gets a 2.4L turbo petrol paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. It produces 366hp and 460Nm of torque and sprints from 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds.

Tata Motors:

Showcasing its wide range of safer, smarter and greener mobility solutions, Tata Motors unveiled concept CURVV, which would be available first with a turbo petrol powertrain, followed by an EV. It is likely to be launched sometime in 2024. CURVV reimagines design with elegant silhouettes, strong shoulder lines, a sloping roofline and squared off wheel arches. The design is at the intersection of an SUV and a sports coupe, in a way that’s both sharp and futuristic. It has striking DRLs, an exceptional paint finish, and speaks of a design language that we will see more of, in Tata’s future SUV line-up.

Next up was the public debut of the stunning AVINYA concept, an expression of a pure electric vehicle built on the GEN 3 architecture that introduces a new typology of mobility that liberates enormous roominess and comfort. The AVINYA is nothing like the current line up of Tata’s passenger vehicles and gives a peak into their tech inspired vision ahead.

The all wheel drive electric SUV, Harrier EV was also launched, taking the much loved SUV to the next level of progression. The Harrier which was developed in collaboration with Jaguar Land Rover has firmly established itself in the market, thanks to its incredible pedigree. With HARRIER.EV it moves to the Gen 2 EV architecture, delivering uncompromised range and advanced features in a clean and minimalist package. The clean surfaces, crisp lines, sharp intersections and uninterrupted wide DRLs with emotive lighting are highlighted by a futuristic “Empowered White” body colour and contrasting roof.

The final unveil of the day was the Sierra EV, the electric version of Tata’s iconic estate model from the 90’s. Sierra comes with 5 doors and retains much of its original classic design cues, including the wide rear window curving into the roof. It has a wider, flatter and upright stance with clean lines, sleek headlamps and DRLS, and the minimalist design flows into the interiors as well. The Sierra will be launched with an electric and petrol powertrain, and go on sale by 2025.

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