As the pioneer of electric mobility in India, the company displayed one of the widest ranges of EVs and related technology solutions, to demonstrate its commitment to be driven by purpose for a cleaner, greener tomorrow.

The company turned the spotlight on its range of EVs and solutions: Funster, ATOM and e-XUV300, e-KUV100, and e-Alfa Mini (Cart Version).

Funster: ‘Play-for-fun’ is the core experience that personifies Funster, which has been conceived as a sports electric vehicle. It enables seamless acceleration, available at the press of the throttle. With its dual electric motors and full-time AWD system, the vehicle offers a class-leading output of 230 kW with a top speed of 200 kmph, clocking 0 to 100 kmph in 5 seconds. Funster is equipped with a high-end 59.1 kWh battery pack, enabling an impressive range of 520 km on a single charge. The techy front end, floating tail lamps, sports-shoe inspired wheel arches and advanced interiors express an active sporty lifestyle as the new norm.

ATOM: Designed to appeal to the emerging new India and transform the face of last mile connectivity, ATOM is a combination of clean, comfortable and smart mobility. Powered by Mahindra’s latest electric drive system, the vehicle has a spacious interior and a monocoque body that offers a safe enclosure for occupants. It also comes equipped with a state of the art 4G connectivity system and aims to revolutionize the way Indians travel.

e-XUV300: An aspirational electric SUV developed as a perfect mobility solution for the environment-conscious customers and the ideal vehicle for those who desire thrilling performance. The vehicle is powered by a powerful motor that gives instant acceleration and at the same time the refinement and quiet drive of an EV. The large battery capacity ensures long range avoiding range anxiety. It has a futuristic design with new features, smart and premium interiors with blue highlights to accentuate the new character of this SUV. Most importantly, the vehicle has been built on a platform that has 5-star safety rating from GNCAP.

e-KUV100: This EV provides the benefits of driving an SUV combined with the unique advantages of an electric vehicle. The vehicle is ideally suited for daily city commutes to schools, offices, malls, etc. It offers peak power output of 40kW, torque of 120 Nm and a range of 147 kms, ensuring that daily commuting is easily covered. Fast charging can extend the range by 80 percent within 60 minutes. Its silent drive, coupled with an automatic transmission, offers a relaxing, fatigue free driving experience in chaotic city traffic. In addition to smartphone connectivity, onboard computers will allow for remote diagnostics, cabin pre-cooling, remote door lock/unlock, location tracking, monitoring of driving pattern and giving updates on the battery status.

The company showcased 2 variants of the Treo - the Lithium-ion battery electric 3-wheeler. The new Treo 3-wheeler features more than 20 new and improved EV components made in-house by Mahindra Electric. It also features an additional range extender that will increase the range by 60-70 km, along with a concept solar roof that can increase the range by another 26 km.

From the modular electric 3-wheeler platform comes another heavy-duty small electric commercial vehicle named Mahindra Treo Zor. This new model will feature best-in-class performance that will be ideal for a range of applications, from vegetable vendors, to e-commerce players. With a best-in-segment storage area, the cargo box of the Treo Zor can be accessed from all three-sides, enhancing its usability and convenience.

e-Alfa Mini (Cart Version): This battery-operated 3-wheeler represents an ideal solution for last-mile delivery. Built on e-Alfa Mini passenger vehicle platform, it boasts of a real-world range of 75-80 km with full load and an optional swappable battery pack. e-Alfa Cargo is just the beginning of the EV offerings for commercial applications from Mahindra.

Mahindra Electric unveiled its design-ready Mahindra Electric Scalable and Modular Architecture 350 (MESMA 350) which is a 350 volt powertrain that has been built from the ground up by the company. MESMA 350 supports motor sizes ranging from 60 kW to 280 kW, dual motor concepts and battery sizes up to 80 kWh. With this new platform, it is gearing up for the greater adoption of EVs that will help bring economies of scale, reduce cost and enable smaller variants/ models to be made in India.

Engines

In the BS-VI range the company displayed mStallion, its range of advanced BSVI-ready turbo gasoline direct injection, TGDi engines. Developed at the state-of-the-art Mahindra Research Valley, the mStallion range of gasoline engines have been designed, engineered, developed and tested to deliver thrilling performance across varied driving and traffic conditions. The mStallion range of engine is future- ready with state-of-the-art technology, which in current form is BSVI stage 1 and stage 2 compliant. This in turn is equivalent to Euro 6 C norms and is fully protected to meet Euro 6 D norms.

The mStallion engines have been built indigenously with support from such experts as Bosch, AVL, and Continental among others. The engines are powered by the TGDi technology and boast of best-in-class performance with the highest torque density. They deliver better fuel efficiency along with significant improvements in Noise-Vibration-Harshness parameters. Besides, they deliver excellent low-end torque and provide power-packed performance.

The company also showcased its new division CERO (Mahindra MSTC Recycling Pvt. Ltd.), India's first organised vehicle recycler. CERO stands for a world of zero waste and zero pollution through automobile recycling and reuse.

Dr Pawan Goenka, Managing Director, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, said, “As Mahindra enters its 75^th year, our theme of Driven by Purpose will be the pillar on which we develop sustainable mobility solutions for the future. Our focus will not only be on growing our clean business unit through our electric mobility business but also to provide cleaner engines as we approach the implementation of BS-VI norms.”

Rajan Wadhera, President, Automotive Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, said, “What gives us a sense of pride today is the display of our new M Stallion BSVI range of gasoline engines, which are truly world class with the highest level of technology. It is fitting that we choose to display these engines at an important industry event like the Auto Expo. I am particularly proud of our new range of BSVI trucks which have had minimal changes and offer a hassle free ownership experience. The launch of our CRUZIO range of buses is another significant step toward making us a full range player in the CV segment.”

Mahesh Babu, CEO, Mahindra Electric, said, “The products displayed at the 2020 Auto Expo clearly demonstrated Mahindra’s commitment to develop and manufacture EV technology in India. They also showcased our strength across a range of EV platforms in both the mass and personal mobility segments. The design-ready MESMA 350 volt powertrain will be made in India for the world.” (MT)

Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) has launched its third generation Amaze compact sedan in India. Available with an introductory price of INR 799,900 to INR 1,089,900 ex-showroom, Delhi, the new car is stylish and more premium in its approach when compared to that of the car that it replaces. 
Developed by Honda R&D Asia Pacific Center in Thailand under the grand concept of 'Elite Booster Sedan’, which reflects the automaker’ vision to empower users to express their success and sophistication, the new Amaze is also an outcome of its manufacturer’s quest for zero traffic collision fatalities by 2050. 
Equipped with – what is claimed to be a segment first -- Honda ‘Sensing’ Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), the Amaze is available in three trim levels – V, VX and ZX. With a choice of six colours, the car measures 3,995 mm in length, 1,733 mm in width and 1,500 mm in height. Its wheelbase is 2470 mm. 
Powered by an E20 complaint 1.2-litre four cylinder ‘i-VTEC’ petrol engine, the compact sedan could be had with a CVT (with Paddle Shift) or a five-speed manual unit. 
Packed with over 28 active and passive safety features, sone of which form a part of the ADAS suite, the Honda Amaze also offers ‘LaneWatch Camera’ and six airbags (as standard). 
With an efficient ‘Connected’ car experience via Honda Connect on the cards (it is backed by a five-year subscription), the compact sedan is supported by 3 years of unlimited kilometres warranty as standard benefit to the customers. Customers can also opt for an extended warranty up to seven years for unlimited kilometres. 
“We are thrilled to present the all-new Amaze – a sedan that is set to outclass in all parameters of Styling, Safety, Connectivity, Drive and Comfort. The Amaze has always held a special place in the hearts of Indian customers, and this new generation model reflects our commitment to meeting their evolving needs. We are confident that this new Amaze will set new standards and continue to strengthen Honda’s legacy in India. For the first time in this segment, we are delighted to bring Honda SENSING, our advanced suite of safety and driver assistive technologies, to the Amaze. With this application, we now have ADAS technology introduced in all models of our India line up and Honda Amaze is the most affordable ADAS enabled car in India,” said Takuya Tsumura, President & CEO, Honda Cars India Ltd. 

Cars24, one of India’s leading autotech platforms, has announced its ambitious plans to invest INR 5 billion towards advancing its technology and product ecosystem in the coming years. Furthermore, it also aims to onboard over 100 techies in the next four months.

The company aims to strengthen its R&D, data science, genAI, Machine Learning (ML), react native, devops, engineering, and product innovation teams. It will create new roles across research and development (R&D), data science, engineering, and product innovation. The teams are expected to develop advanced features such as real-time car valuations, maintenance tracking, insurance renewals, hiring drivers, and car servicing, which can be seamlessly accessed through the company’s super app.

Gajendra Jangid, Co-Founder, Cars24, said, "At Cars24, technology drives everything we do. It’s in the code we write, the products we build, and the experiences we create for our customers. This investment is about pushing boundaries, solving real problems, and shaping the future of mobility through innovation and bold thinking."

The Indian subsidiary of Jeep, a Stellantis brand, has announced that it is supporting the Tennis Premier League (TPL) – a premier professional tennis competition that takes place in the country. 
The association of Jeep India with TPL concerns the sixth season of the sporting event that takes place at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai from 3 December to 8 December 2024. 
The association between Jeep India and TPL is said to be a fresh category partnership. Aimed at reflecting the Jeep brand’s prowess to excel in tough conditions as well as to align with existing values of the players and the league, the partnership is expected to contribute towards the growth and development of tennis in India as well. 
What is surprising though is that the partnership announcement comes at a time when the Stellantis Global CEO Carlos Tavares has abruptly stepped down. He came under rising criticism for taking the ‘lean’ strategy a bit too far post the lack lustre H1 CY25 results of the group that was formed in 2021 with the coming together of FCA and PSA Group.  
"At Jeep, we’ve always believed in going beyond limits and enabling people to achieve the extraordinary. Partnering with the Tennis Premier League allows us to support a platform that aligns with our values. We are proud to be part of this journey and look forward to a long-term partnership that will help propel Indian tennis to greater heights,” said Kumar Priyesh, Brand Director, Jeep India.  
Kunal Thakkur, Co-Founder of Tennis Premier League, averred, "We are thrilled to welcome Jeep into the TPL family as our Official Drive Partner for the upcoming season. Their reputation for resilience and performance mirrors the values we champion at TPL. This partnership strengthens our commitment to together nurturing a world-class platform for tennis in India.”
 

MG Select, the premium luxury brand from JSW MG Motor India, has confirmed its first product for the Indian market. The company is all set to unveil the MG Cyberster, which it claims is the world’s fastest MG roadster, in January 2025.

The MG B Roadster of the 1960s inspires the two-door MG Cyberster. The company shared that the name ‘Cyberster’ combines the inspiration from the company’s classic roadster and the high-on-tech features.

Gaurav Gupta, Chief Growth Officer, JSW MG Motor India, said, “Growing up and even today, many of us dream of owning a sleek sports car—the kind that makes your heart race, your hair fly in the wind, and lets you relive the romance and thrill we have all seen in iconic movies and on racetracks. The MG Cyberster brings that dream to life, blending the timeless allure of classic roadsters with modern technology and inspired innovation. It encapsulates the thrill and charm of a bygone era while appealing to the discerning tastes of new-age luxury customers in India.”

It was just recently that the company had announced the introduction of the MG Select brand, which will see exclusive experience centres in 12 cities.