Recalled In India News & Top Stories

India Has Recalled More Than 250 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Units

Toyota has now announced a voluntary recall for 269 Land Cruiser 300 SUVs in India so that the software in the automatic transmission can be reprogrammed. These flagship SUVs from the automaker were produced over nearly two years, from February 12, 2021, to February 1, 2023.

Further Information Regarding the Recall

Positively, there haven’t been any cases connected to the impacted area recorded as of yet. Customers of the impacted vehicles will be contacted one-on-one by Toyota Land Cruiser dealerships to complete the necessary servicing campaign activity as part of the recall.

Toyota Land Cruiser 300

By going to the Toyota India website’s “Safety Recall” section and inputting their vehicle’s chassis number or vehicle identification number (VIN), owners may also determine whether their car is included in the recall. You can reach out to your local Toyota dealer or give its customer service center a call at 1800-309-0001.

Can You Keep Using It?

Toyota Land Cruiser 300

Although Toyota has not stated if the impacted SUV models are safe to drive as is, we advise you to find out as soon as possible if your car is covered by the recall. If so, schedule an inspection right away to maintain your car in top condition. A waiting period of up to two years is already in place, and the Land Cruiser’s last known price was Rs 2.10 crore (ex-showroom).

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Renault Kwid News & Top Stories

Unveiled 2024 Dacia Spring EV Offers A Sneak Peak at the Next Generation Renault Kwid

  • The Dacia Spring, with minor design modifications, is essentially the European version of the electric Renault Kwid.
  • The grille and Y-shaped LED DRLs of the new Dacia Spring EV are reminiscent of the 2024 Duster.
  • It also gets a new cabin, similar to the Duster’s, with two digital screens.
  • The manual AC, all four power windows, and connected automobile technology are further amenities.
  • Safety technology includes rear parking sensors and a few ADAS capabilities.
  • WLTP claims a range of more than 220 kilometers with its 26.8 kWh battery pack.
  • It’s unclear when the Spring EV-powered electric Kwid will go on sale in India.

The new generation Spring EV has been unveiled for the European market by Dacia, the low-cost worldwide brand of Renault. With minor internal and external styling changes, the Dacia Spring is an electric Renault Kwid; as such, the latest model also serves as a sneak peek into the upcoming entry-level hatchback model that will be available in India. When the new Kwid arrives in India in 2025, we anticipate Renault will introduce the 2024 Spring EV.

Mainstays of the Design

 Renault Kwid

The third-generation Dacia Duster SUV appears to be scaled down in appearance in the new Spring EV. The same slimmer grille is featured, along with two chrome strips that serve as a charging port flap and extend from the center of the Dacia emblem to the Y-shaped LED DRLs. Smaller and sharper headlight clusters and a large bumper with air intakes above and below are now shown on the lower part of the vehicle.

The new generation hatchback appears taller than the preceding model, despite having a profile that is essentially identical to the outgoing model. Furthermore noticeable are the more squared-off wheel arches that house the 15-inch wheels with black covers that have a stylized appearance. Its range is increased by its increased aerodynamics due to the removal of the roof rails.

Its rear taillight design is a reflection of the front’s Y-shaped LED DRLs. The brand “Dacia” is printed above a hefty black piece that connects to the new backlighting arrangement.

An Interior With More Style

Renault Kwid interior

It’s also obvious inside how similar it looks to the Duster. Additionally, variant-specific white/copper accents are added to the Spring EV’s AC vent surrounds, and Y-shaped inserts are added to the central AC vents. While the gear selector is housed in the center console, the steering wheel appears to be identical to that of the new SUV. Fortunately, the climate control system on the Spring EV features rotary dials and physical buttons.

Which Features Does It Come With?

Features of Renault Kwid

The Spring EV boasts a 10-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone connectivity, a 7-inch digital driver’s display, manual air conditioning, all four power windows, and linked car technology. The vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability of the EV enables it to be used as a source of energy for other electrical devices.

The safety net of the electric hatchback is equipped with multiple advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including lane maintenance assist, traffic sign recognition, automated emergency braking (AEB), and driver attentiveness warning. It also packs rear parking sensors.

Specifics Of Its Electric Drivetrain

The Dacia Spring EV is equipped with a 26.8 kWh battery pack that is good for more than 220 kilometers, according to WLTP. Depending on the version chosen, it comes with a 46 PS or 66 PS electric motor as an option.

A 7 kW AC charger that can charge the battery from 20% to 100% on a 15A plug point in less than 11 hours or from a 7 kW wall box unit in about 4 hours comes standard on the new Dacia Spring EV. In 45 minutes, a 30 kW DC charger can quickly charge a device from 20 to 80 percent.

India Price Expected And Competitors

The price of the next-generation Renault Kwid, which is based on the new Dacia Spring EV, may start at Rs 5 lakh (ex-showroom). It will continue to compete with the Maruti Alto K10 and the Maruti S-Presso. It is yet unclear when the electric Renault Kwid will go on sale in India.

Hyundai Cretas News & Top Stories

Indians Have Purchased More Than 10 Lakh Hyundai Cretas Since 2015

Hyundai Cretas Since 2015: When the Hyundai Creta made its debut in India in 2015, the prospects for the small SUV market were still being investigated. Since then, it has had two facelifts, the most recent of which was completed in January 2024, as well as a generational update. It has already reached the sales milestone of 10 lakh units in February. Let’s review Creta’s journey across India until this point.

One generational update and two facelifts

The Hyundai Creta first appeared as a direct competitor to SUVs like the Nissan Terrano and Renault Duster in 2015. The design language of the Creta was remarkably somber and simple at that time. The first-generation Creta later underwent a facelift in 2018; new features included a sunroof and a redesigned front with a cascading grille design Hyundai Cretas Since 2015.

The second generation Hyundai Creta was introduced in 2020 for the Indian market. It boasted a modern design and unique LED lighting elements. Despite having a divisive design language, it remained one of the best-selling small SUVs in India because of amenities like a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a panoramic sunroof. Hyundai gave the second-generation Creta a facelift in January 2024, giving it a new appearance, modern safety measures, and a completely renovated cabin.

Every five minutes, Hyundai sold one Creta.

Hyundai disclosed intriguing information along with the noteworthy sales milestone: in India, the company sells one Creta on average every five minutes. Almost 60,000 reservations have been made for the 2024 Creta since its January 2024 launch.

What Benefits Does It Present?

Features like dual 10.25-inch screens (one for the instrument panel and the other for the infotainment system), dual-zone air conditioning, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, a panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charging, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and ventilated front seats are all included with the 2024 Hyundai Creta.

Six airbags, a 360-degree camera, electronic stability control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) all work together to assure passenger safety.

Powertrain Selections

Hyundai provides the Creta with three different engine options; the details of each are listed below.

Engine1.5-litre N.A. Petrol1.5-litre Turbo-petrol1.5-litre Diesel
Power115 PS160 PS116 PS
Torque144 Nm253 Nm250 Nm
Transmission6-speed MT / CVT7-speed DCT6-speed MT / 6-speed AT

Hyundai may offer a 6-speed manual transmission with turbo-petrol with the launch of the Creta N Line, even though the turbo-petrol option is now exclusive to the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Price Range & Rivals

Pricing for the Hyundai Creta (ex-showroom Delhi) ranges from Rs 11 lakh to Rs 20.15 lakh. It competes with vehicles like the Volkswagen Taigun, Citroen C3 Aircross, Honda Elevate, Maruti Grand Vitara, and Kia Seltos.

Mitsubishi comeback cars News & Top Stories

Mitsubishi Is Returning To India, But Not In The Way You May Expect

Mitsubishi has now declared that it will return to the Indian automobile market in 2024, having left the country’s passenger car industry in the first half of 2020 following the implementation of BS6 emission regulations. One of the biggest multi-brand dealers in India, TVS Vehicle Mobility Solution (TVS VMS), has seen its share subscription rise to over thirty percent. Additionally, TVS VMS oversees the distribution of automobiles made by other automakers, including Honda, Mahindra, and Renault.

Specifics Of The Transaction

Mitsubishi is reportedly investing tens of millions of US dollars, according to numerous web publications. According to reports, Mitsubishi will dispatch staff members to the dealers after these transactions are approved by the appropriate regulatory bodies. The goal of this investment is to support Mitsubishi’s plan for developing all-encompassing mobility solutions for Japanese automakers in India, which include leasing and other automotive endeavors in addition to after-sales services and multi-brand sales. Utilizing digital technology and TVS VMS’s extensive customer base, it will be accomplished.

Will Mitsubishi Vehicles Reappear?

Mitsubishi

Though the Japanese automaker is getting back into the Indian market, there are currently no clear plans for Mitsubishi to reintroduce its vehicles there. There will be an emphasis on bringing EVs to India if Mitsubishi decides to use these new multi-brand outlets to introduce its lineup. Therefore, as of right now, we wouldn’t hold out for the Pajero Sport to return.

Mitsubishi will presumably handle the negotiations to boost the number of Japanese automobile brands and models. The goal of the new cooperation is to establish the prospect of Japanese automakers’ sub-brands opening up shop in India. Accordingly, automobiles from premium Nissan subbrands Infiniti and Mazda may make an appearance in India.

With this Mitsubishi agreement, which Japanese automobiles would you like to see available in India? Please tell us in the comments.

Mahindra XUV300 Facelift News & Top Stories

Mahindra XUV300 Facelift: What to Anticipate

The Mahindra XUV300 has been available for purchase since 2019 in its current configuration, and a facelifted version is scheduled to be released shortly. It has been repeatedly spied on throughout testing, giving some indication of the improvements that the midlife update would contain. Here’s what to anticipate if you’ve been waiting for the XUV300 facelift

Modern Design Theory

For the redesigned XUV300, Mahindra will be using a new design language that will be consistent with its next line of Born Electric (BE) vehicles. Numerous spy photos that revealed fang-shaped LED DRLs up front and attached taillights, as seen on the BE.05 concept, have already confirmed this. Redesigned alloy wheels and adjusted bumpers are only a couple of the external modifications. Rather than being a completely new design, it is more of an extension of the Mahindra design that already exists.

A More Modern Cabin

Inside, the XUV300 will have a reworked dashboard with repositioned and redesigned central air conditioning vents, a new temperature control panel featuring rear air conditioning vents, and two new screens (one for instruments and one for infotainment). On the facelifted XUV300, Mahindra is even expected to give new seat upholstery.

New Set Of Features

Mahindra XUV300

As previously stated, the revised XUV400 EV is expected to give the 2024 XUV300 two new, larger digital displays (10.25 inches each) as well as a panoramic sunroof that ranks first in the segment. Push-button start/stop, cruise control, wireless phone charging, dual-zone air conditioning, and ventilated front seats are possible additional features.

Mahindra is anticipated to outfit it with advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) and a 360-degree camera as safety technology. Electronic stability control (ESC), a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), and six airbags (as standard) could also be added to the redesigned SUV.

What Is It Going To Get Inside?

Mahindra XUV300

Mahindra most likely plans to provide the new XUV300 with the same choices for gasoline and diesel engines as the current model. Two of these are a 1.5-liter diesel engine (117 PS/300 Nm) and a 1.2-liter turbo-petrol engine (110 PS/200 Nm). Either a 6-speed AMT or a 6-speed manual transmission is available for both.

A T-GDi (direct-injection) turbo-petrol engine (130 PS/up to 250 Nm) is also an option for the XUV300. This engine is only compatible with a 6-speed manual transmission. We believe Mahindra may switch out the existing AMT for an automated torque converter unit.

Pricing, Rivals, and Anticipated Launch

The facelifted Mahindra XUV300 is expected to be on sale in March of this year. Pricing is anticipated to start at Rs 8.5 lakh (ex-showroom). The new XUV300 will rekindle competition from vehicles such as the Hyundai Venue, Maruti Brezza, Kia Sonet, and Tata Nexon.

Tata Punch EV Charging News & Top Stories

Watch: How to Close the Tata Punch EV Charging Lid Correctly

The first electric vehicle to be built on Tata’s new Acti. The EV platform, the Tata Punch EV was introduced earlier this year and comes with a lot of features. It has a new range of up to 421 km, an EV-specific design incorporating Tata’s latest design elements over the standard Punch, and many other additional features. The charging flap at the front of Punch EV, which opens sideways, is one unique feature, though. You may be closing this flap incorrectly if you own a Punch EV; see how to do it correctly here.

The Correct Method for Shutting the Charging Flap

How to Close the Charging Flap Correctly

The charging flap opens in a novel way, as seen above: it pops up and glides to the side. Therefore, to close it, follow the same path back to its closed position. However, if you push or pull it from either edge while doing so, the charging flag may not close correctly. This problem will also be alerted to you on the instrument cluster by the Punch EV.

Therefore, you must grasp the flap from the center using the Tata logo to seal it securely and prevent the edge from protruding, and then follow the flap’s path back to the closing position. In this manner, the charging flap closes correctly and the sides line up exactly with the grille.

Engine and Transmission

Powertrain

The Punch EV has two different powertrain options, similar to other Tata EVs: a 25 kWh battery pack with an electric motor that produces 82 PS and 114 Nm, or a 35 kWh battery pack with an electric motor that produces 122 PS and 190 Nm. A claimed range of 315 km is provided by the smaller battery pack and 421 km by the larger one.

Features & Safety

Features & Safety

With features like wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, an air purifier, ventilated front seats, and a single-pane sunroof, the Punch EV is well-equipped.

Six airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC, an electronic parking brake with auto hold, and a 360-degree camera with a blind view monitor are all included for passenger protection.

Price & Rivals

The Punch EV, which is directly competitive with the Citroen eC3, is priced by Tata between Rs 10.99 lakh and Rs 15.49 lakh (introductory, ex-showroom). In the interim, it functions as a high-end substitute for the Tata Tiago EV and MG Comet EV.