(AutoQ is our weekly round-up of the stories from the automotive industry.)
1. MG Unveils Its All-Electric SUV The ZS EV to Rival Hyundai’s Kona
MG Motor India has just unveiled its second product for the Indian market, the all-electric MG ZS EV. This is a five-seat SUV that will compete directly with the Hyundai Kona. Prices for the MG ZS EV will be announced in January, but expect it to be about Rs 22 lakh, slightly undercutting its rival the Hyundai Kona.
Some quick specs. The MG ZS EV comes with a 44.5 kWh battery that's good for a range of 340 Km (ARAI certified). It has a 141 bhp motor that puts out 353 Nm of torque driving the front wheels.
It is equipped with a Type 2 charging socket and can be charged with multiple ways. A DC fast-charger would be able to juice it up to 80 percent in about 50 minutes. A home fast-charger (7.4 kW), which MG will set up for you when you buy the ZS EV can fully charge it in under 7 hours from empty.
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2. 2020 Jaguar XE Launched, Prices Start at Rs 44.98 Lakh
Jaguar has launched the 2020 model of its entry-level luxury sedan in India, the Jaguar XE. It comes in two variants priced at Rs 44.98 lakh for the S petrol and S diesel models and Rs 46.32 lakh for the SE petrol and SE diesel models ex-showroom.
The big update is to the interior of the car. It gets a new centre console and a 10.2-inch infotainment system. The instrument console and steering wheel have also been updated. It gets brown & beige leather upholstery. The AC panel gets a new display as well, but with physical knobs.
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3. Maruti Suzuki Recalls 63,493 Ciaz, Ertiga, XL6 Cars for Faulty MGU
Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) on Friday said it is recalling 63,493 units of petrol smart hybrid (SHVS) variants of Ciaz, Ertiga and XL6 models to rectify faulty motor generator unit (MGU).
A possible defect may have occurred in the MGU during manufacturing by an overseas global part supplier, it added.
The vehicles were manufactured between 1 January 2019 to 21 November 2019.
In the interest of its customers, the company has decided to proactively recall the vehicles for inspection and those found ok will be released immediately," MSI said. Vehicles requiring replacement of faulty part will be retained for part replacement free of cost, it added.
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4. KIA Announces Carnival MUV During Plant Inauguration in AP
South Korean major KIA, on Thursday, 5 December, said that it would launch a luxury multipurpose vehicle (MPV) early next year, which the company claims will be the first-of-its-kind on Indian roads.
"In January-February, we will come out with a new model Carnival, a luxury MPV, the big car. That segment is not available in India so far and we are going to establish it," KIA Motors India Vice-President (Sales) Manohar Bhat said in Anantapuramu on Thursday, 5 December.
Talking to PTI on the sidelines of the inauguration of KIA's first Indian manufacturing facility at Erramanchi village in Anantapuramu district, Bhat said Carnival would be a "wider, bigger car than any other" in the Indian market.
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