Latest news with #InnovaHycross
The Print
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Print
EVs can take their own sweet time. I'm more excited about hybrids—Kia, MG to Hyundai
It is not without reason that Hyundai—and possibly Kia too—wants to bring its hybrid technology to India. Even MG Motor, whose Windsor EV is the best-selling electric vehicle in India, has said that it intends to introduce hybrid vehicles. They are just following Maruti Suzuki and Toyota, with the latter's Innova Hycross becoming India's most popular hybrid vehicle, sold as the Invicto by Maruti Suzuki. While there are various types of hybrids, much of the commentary pits them against battery electric vehicles (BEVs). In an evolving market, such as in India, this debate is a zero-sum game–as evident from a recent HSBC Global Research report on the Indian automotive industry. Hyundai India has announced that it will launch 26 new products by the end of FY2030. Besides enhancements, including of the Venue, the rollout will include new models as well. The new lineup will also include hybrid cars, Hyundai's first in India. This comes at a time when many automakers are struggling to grow in the current market. Even in China, the world's largest EV market, various Chinese carmakers, including BYD, are offering an improved line-up of hybrids, particularly plug-in hybrid electric vehicles or PHEVs. Carmaker XPeng, too, is entering the hybrid space now. Maruti Suzuki and Toyota have quite a few hybrids lined up for launch over the next 12-18 months, starting with a hybrid variant of the popular Fronx crossover. Also read: Is India ready for hybrid cars? This is what the government is up to Hybrids vs EVs If I were to buy a vehicle today for commuting in and around the NCR, I would pick a small EV. But that's only because I have a car charger at home and it's not too difficult to find EV charging stations in Delhi-NCR or in other major cities. But, as I recently wrote, it isn't always smooth sailing. The biggest advantage with an EV—beyond zero tailpipe emissions—is its running cost. Charging Windsor EV at home costs just over a rupee for every kilometre. At public charging stations, the cost goes up to Rs 2.5 per kilometre. A neighbour of mine is sold on hybrids–owning the hybrid versions of both Innova Hycross and Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara. The Innova is a large vehicle, but with great fuel efficiency, its running cost, both within the city and on highways, is just Rs 4 per kilometre. The overall emissions from the car are also far lower than a petrol or diesel vehicle. And, as my neighbour never fails to tell me whenever he sees an electric vehicle, his self-charging hybrids hold a clear advantage over my EV, which requires five-six hours of charging at home. And therein lies the rub. Sure, improvements in battery technology allow for fast charging. Chinese battery manufacturer CATL recently announced that its latest battery can give over 500 kilometers of driving range with just five minutes of charging. It's awesome. But those batteries are not available in India yet, nor is the charging infrastructure. There is no shortage of chargers, including in small towns like Sirsa in Haryana, where EVs like Mahindra BE6 could be seen on the road. The issue, however, is the low charging speed. We neither have enough super-fast chargers in India nor do most EVs have the latest generation of batteries. Most Indians don't own more than one car, and many still do not buy an electric vehicle–barring some in urban centres. However, if you are bringing home a second car, especially with a dedicated parking spot available, buying an electric vehicle should be a no-brainer. For those buying their first vehicle, a hybrid car is the best choice–more than a CNG vehicle. Carmakers have realised this as well. So, while we wait for the arrival of Hyundai's electric vehicles, watch out for the hybrids in their future line-up. (Edited by Aamaan Alam Khan)
India Today
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- India Today
Kia Carens Clavis: Indian consumer does not mind paying premium price if...
Referring to the new Carens Clavis as 'aspirational', Kia India Senior Vice President and National Head for Sales and Marketing Hardeep Singh Brar said that the Indian consumer does not mind paying the premium price if he is getting expanded its Carens portfolio by introducing the feature-loaded Carens Clavis last week. Bookings for the new model have also started across the carmaker's dealerships and official website. We expect its price to be announced early next Carens has done relatively well in the market since its launch in 2022. In three years, it has garnered sales of over 2,00,000 units, solidifying Kia's position in the MPV segment. With the Carens Clavis, Kia will look to take on the rather premium models in the MPV space, like Maruti Suzuki's Invicto and the Innova Hycross of Kia has not discontinued the Carens with the arrival of the Carens Clavis. While the Carens now remains a more affordable option with just a single variant on offer for Rs 11,40,900 (ex-showroom), the Carens Clavis will cater to buyers looking for a rather long list of bells and whistles."We are not keeping the entire range of the Carens. The fleet operators are very price-sensitive. The external looks do not matter to them. But the Carens Clavis would be very aspirational," Brar told India we heard from the customers is that the Carens is a great-looking car and it has good space, but they wanted it to be more SUV-ish. What we have tried to do is that we kept the functionality of the car but made it plusher, as the SUV customer wants the car to be plusher, both from inside and outside, and this is what Carens Clavis brings to the table. It is far more premium. It looks very close to an SUV," he said that the Carens Clavis comes with features like LED headlamps, connected LED taillamps, 17-inch crystal-cut dual-tone alloy wheels, a four-way powered driver seat, a 27-inch dual panoramic display panel, infotainment and temperature control swap-switch, an air purifier with AQI display, a dual-pane panoramic sunroof and ADAS Level-2."The Indian consumer does not mind paying the premium price if he is getting features, and we have loaded the Carens Clavis with so many features. This was another piece of feedback that we received from the Carens customers. They love the Carens, but said it does not have some of the features available in SUVs," he to Brar, customers view Kia as the most premium brand in the mass market, made possible by the company's cars, technology, touchpoints and the company offers SUVs like the Sonet, Syros and Seltos, and MPVs like the Carens, Carens Clavis and Carnival. Its EV portfolio boasts the EV6 and the EV9. Kia has a network of 744 touchpoints across 329 cities in the country."We kept it in our minds since our entry that we want to be a premium brand in the mass market. And we have been successful in maintaining that image, and we only want to improve further on that image. While the prices are going up, we do not mind that, and customers also do not mind paying the price when they see premium cars with premium features and premium technology," Brar to Auto Today Magazine
Hindustan Times
02-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Toyota Innova Hycross Exclusive Edition launched at ₹32.58 lakh
Toyota Innova Hycross Exclusive Edition continues to come with a 2.0-litre hybrid petrol engine. ₹32.58 lakh data-item-target-url=/auto/cars/ data-item-story-segment=N/A> The new special edition of the Innova Hycross only gets cosmetic changes over the standard model. Toyota Kirloskar Motor has launched a new special edition of the Innova Hycross in the Indian market. It is called Exclusive Edition and is priced at ₹ 32.58 lakh ex-showroom. It is based on the ZX(O) variant and will be offered for a limited time with dual tone in two colors - Super White and Pearl White. Apart from the dual-tone colour schemes, there are other cosmetic changes as well. The special edition comes with blacked-out elements. So, the roof, front grille, rear garnish, alloy wheels and the hood emblem are now finished in black. There is a front skid plate and a grill garnish. On the sides, there is wheel arch moulding and a garnish for an outside rearview mirror. At the rear, there is a skid plate and a garnish for the tailgate. Toyota has also added an Exclusive rear badge to the special edition. There are changes to the interior as well. The instrument panel, door fabric, seat material and the centre console lid is finished in dual-tone theme. Toyota has added an air purifier, leg room lamp and a wireless charger. Powering the Toyota Innova Hycross is the same 2.0-litre hybrid petrol engine that comes mated to an eCVT automatic transmission. Toyota claims a mileage of 23.24 kmpl for the hybrid version of the MPV. Also Read : Toyota to have 15 model-strong electric car portfolio by 2027, targets to bring India in EV map The Innova Hycross was recently updated with an Acoustic Vehicle Alert System (AVAS). This feature uses an acoustic alert up to a particular speeds to alert the pedestrians or other road users of the vehicle's presence. Currently, the prices of the Innova Hycross start at ₹ 19.94 lakh and go up to ₹ 32.58 lakh. Both prices are ex-showroom. Mr. Varinder Wadhwa, Vice President, Sales-Service-Used Car Business, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said 'The Innova HyCross has consistently garnered strong customer appreciation for its proportions & poise of an SUV with the spaciousness of an MPV, and we are truly humbled for their continued trust placed in the brand. Today, we are delighted to launch the Innova HyCross Exclusive Edition in ZX(O), thoughtfully crafted to meet the evolving aspirations of our discerning customers. This special variant embodies Toyota's commitment to exclusivity and elevated customer experience. Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2024, Best SUVs in India. First Published Date: 02 May 2025, 12:39 PM IST
