As the Assistant Editor, Sandeep is generating tech-oriented content and also monitoring the content published on the website. He has over six years of experience in tech journalism and has expertise in product reviews, news articles, listicles, and media campaigns.
TVS Motors iQube e-scooter lineup can be considered amongst the top retailers in the country. Just a while ago, the brand expanded this series with the cheapest model and also commenced the iQUbe ST model’s deliveries. Meanwhile, reports of consumers experiencing build quality issues with the iQube e-scooter started doing rounds. With multiple incidents of the iQube ST e-scooters breakdown surfacing online, TVS swept into action and has announced a recall.
TVS iQube E-Scooter Recalled Due To Chasis Bridge Tube Issue
TVS Motors have recalled the iQube e-scooter model after a customer posted its breakdown incident on social media. The customer reportedly narrated his ordeal online where he had to experience a chassis breakdown abruptly during normal usage. The consumer apparently came across similar incidents where multiple other TVS e-scooter models were stalled at the local service station with the same chassis breakdown issue.
Commenting on the matter, TVS stated that the iQube e-scooter units that are being recalled is in order to do a bridge tube inspection. The brand additionally cites that it aims to ensure that the riders get a safe riding experience along with reliability with the EV with extended usage.
Who All Are Eligible For The Recall?
Not all TVS iQube e-scooter models are recalled. Rather, the company has only asked for re-collection of the units that were manufactured between July 10, 2023 to September 9, 2023. TVS is yet to share details whether it’s any manufacturing or any another defect that has caused this issue. But it’s good to see the brand has acknowledged the defect and is promptly taking action on the same.
Ampere Nexus electric scooter deliveries commenced
Ather Apex 450 prices hiked in India
From Ather to Hyundai and Kia, the EV industry has been headlined by such prominent brands this week. Just like past few weeks, we have come across news of multiple new test mule leaks, upcoming models, price updates, and more. A sum up of all the top headlines from the EV market of Week 23 are below:
BGauss took the wraps off its first RUV (Recreational Utility Vehicle) this month in India. The BGuasss RUV350 is the new model which is debuting on June 25 in the Indian market. Loosely based on the D15 platform, the upcoming RUV350 e-scooter is said to be capable of handing both urban as well as rough terrains with its big 16-inch tyre profile. It will come with telescopic front and dual spring suspension system at the rear.
Ather 450 Apex Electric Scooter India Prices Increased
Ather Energy has given a price hike to its high-speed electric scooter, i.e., the Apex 450 e-scooter. The updated prices comes post the end of Fame II subsidies. With the latest price hike of Rs. 6,000, the Apex 450 which earlier was retailing at Rs. 1.89 lakh will now cost Rs. 1.95 lakh (ex showroom). This high-speed e-scooter features a 7 kW PMSM motor linked to a 3.7 kWh battery pack which produces a range of up to 157 km on a full charge.
Last week we camera across images of multiple upcoming Mahindra e-SUVs docked together at a charging station. This time, the snapshots of two Hyundai Creta EV test mules being tested together has been doing round online. The new camouflage taping suggests the test mules are production-ready units. To recall, Creta EV is set to debut sometime in 2025. It will likely come with a 360-degree surround camera system and ADAS.
Affordable Kia EV with a possible starting price range under Rs. 30 lakh
Kia Motors recently unveiled the new-gen EV9 and the EV3 in the global markets. The latter arrived as the entry-level model in the premium e-SUV series which is also heading soon to India. Within a few weeks of its official announcement, the EV3’s prices have also been revealed. Here how much the upcoming Kia EV3’s expected cost in the Indian market:
Kia EV3 is set to embark its journey as one of the most pocket-friendly yet premium electric SUV offering in India. Kia has just announced its pricing in the international markets which we anticipate would be similar for the Indian market too. Just to recap, the Kia EV3 is launched in four variants including the Standard, Earth, GT Line, and long range models.
The EV3 prices globally starts at $30,700 for the base trim, i.e., Standard This is translated to around Rs. 25.6 lakh in Indian currency. The EV3 Earth trim price is set at $33400 which is approximately Rs, 27.8 lakh. Lastly, the Kia EV3 electric SUV’s long range model debuts staring at $34,100 which is approx. Rs. 28.4 lakh.
The asking price range below Rs. 30 lakh for a futuristic e-SUV is definitely aggressive. However, it can’t be said for sure if the e-SUV will be retailing in India with the same prices as the international model. There could be certain price differences depending on various factors.
The Kia EV3 electric SUV will be arriving with dual battery options in India. The standard EV3 model will be integrated with 58.3 kWh battery pack, while the long range model will be packed with an 81.3 kWh battery. The e-SUV will be offering up to 501 km range on a full charge. The charging time will be 30 minutes with the fast charger from 10- 80 percent.
Kinetic Green could be setting up stage for a new electric scooter launch in India. A while ago, a mystery Kinetic electric scooter was spotted being tested. Now, another spy shot of an unknown electric scooter with Kinetic badging has been snapped while testing. Here’s what Kinetic might have in store for the Indian comsumers:
The latest test mule leak of the mystery Kinetic electric scooter comes from the outskirts of Pune, Maharashtra. The upcoming E2W from Kinetic is said to be an affordable model that will take on the likes of Ather 450S and the Ola S1 e-scooter models.
The test mule spotted can be seen with heavy wraps all over. However, the design seems fairly modern when compared to the Kinetic’s last E2W model, i.e., the Kinetic Luna e-moped. Looking closely at the spy shots, it is clear that the upcoming Kinetic electric scooter comes with a fresh and new-age aesthetics.
Overall build seems to be suitable for two adults where the riders will get comfortable riding posture with the wide single-seat. The new Kinetic electric scooter also has a flat floorboard where one can store and carry everyday items. There could be additional under seat storage too but the exact capacity is not known at this point.
The spy shots of the mystery Kinetic electric scooter is also seen sporting LED headlamp and tail lights. The instrument cluster isn’t visible in the spy shots but we assume it will come with a TFT screen like most of the new-gen e-scooters that will have Bluetooth support.
The screen will display all the important battery and ride statistics. Additional details snapped includes front disc and rear drum brakes and matte-black alloy wheels. It is also being speculated that the new Kinetic electric scooter might come with multiple riding models and could also feature a reverse mode for easy parking assist at tight spots.
Introduced as the most affordable Chetak e-scooter model
Priced at Rs. 95,998
Bajaj Auto has just revived the Chetak e-scooter lineup with a new model. The 2023 Chetak Blue comes as the latest addition to the company’s E2W portfolio. The new Chetak e-scooter model is launched as the most affordable variant with a price range starting under Rs. 1 lakh.
2024 Bajaj Chetak Blue E-Scooter Design And Spec-Sheet
2024 Bajaj Chetal Blue
Top Features
Variants
Standard, Tecpac
Battery
2.88 kWh
Charging time
6 hours
Range
123 km per charge
Top Speed
63 kmph
Driving Modes
Standard, Eco
The latest Bajaj Chetak Blue edition has almost the same design as the existing models. It flaunts a round LED headlamp and a single seat design proving a comfortable riding experience. It is introduced in dual trims including Standard and Tecpac. Both Chetak Blue e-scooter’s Standard and Tecpac variants are equipped with the same 2.88 kWh battery pack. It will take around 6 hours for a full battery charge.
The new Chetak e-scooter models will deliver a riding range of 123 km on a full battery. Bajaj is yet to specify the motor setup and power output offered by the Chetak Blue edition. But it is possible that this lineup is also utilizing the same motor setup as the Urbane and Premium series. Nevertheless, both variants deliver a top speed of 63 kmph which is ideal for urban commutes.
The 2024 Chetak Blue edition e-scooter models have drum brakes both at the front and the rear, while the suspension is taken care off by a telescopic and hydraulic spring system at the front and rear respectively. There is a digital instrument cluster for ride statistics which is compatible with a smaprtphone app.Dual driving models are present on the latest Chetak e-scooter models which include Eco and Standard. Other key features are reverse mode, sports mode, hill-hold.
The Bjaja Chetak Blue edition is launched as the cheapest model at Rs. 95,998 in India. It will be available in five different color options to pick from. The lower price range and decent powertrain, features might become a recipe of success for the 2024 Chetak Blue model in India.
Vivo has ventured into the foldable smartphone segment in India with the X Fold 3 Pro’s launch in India. The first foldable Vivo handset comes as the thinnest and most durable model priced under Rs. 1.60 lakh. Let’s take a look at the top highlights of the newest flagship Vivo X series foldable phone:
The Vivo X Fold 3 Pro has been launched at Rs. 1,59,999 in India. It is introduced in Celestial Black color option. Configuration available at this price will be 16GB RAM and 512GB storage. As far as the availability is concerned, the X Fold 3 Pro will be available starting June 13 and has gone up for pre-orders. It will be available via Vivo India website and online retailing giants Amazon and Flipkart.
The Vivo X Fold 3 Pro’s design comes as one of its top highlights where the unit measures just 11.2mm when in unfolded state and 5.2 mm in unfolded state. This foldable phone also has a lightweight form factor and weighs 236 gm. Overall form factor of the Fold 3 Pro is all premium. This phone is sleek even when in unfolded state.
Moving on to the screen, the X Fold 3 Pro’s inner screen measures 8.03-inches (unfolded state). The E7 AMOLED screen supports 2K resolution of 2200 x 2480 pixels and 4500 nits peak brightness. The inner panel has both Dolby Vision and HDR 10 certification which will enhance visuals while streaming online content. Refresh rate supported by the internal screen is 120Hz.
In the folded state, the outer panel of the X Fold 3 Pro measures 6.53-inches. This is also an AMOLED panel that supports 1172 x 2748 pixes resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. The cover screen also offers high clarity levels and smooth and fluid touch response.
Vivo X Fold 3 Pro features an advanced camera hardware both at the rear and upfront. The primary optics hardware on the back panel has a familiar design as the X100 series where the round module is headlined by a 50MP main camera sensor with OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) and an f/1.68 aperture. This main lens is clubbed with an additional 50MP wide-angle sensor, and a 64MP telephoto sensor with OIS and 3x optical zoom.
At the front, the Fold 3 Pro employs a 32MP selfie camera which has fixed focus and an f/2.4 aperture. Just like the premium X series, the X Fold 3 Pro also has a myriad of camera features and shooting modes. But what grabbed our attention is the Hover mode where you can capture pics and preview the shots simultaneously on the dual screen.
Besides, the Hand-held Astro mode is another unique feature offered by the X Fold 3 Pro cameras. Both rear and front cameras of the X Fold 3 Pro have performed well and we are expecting the potential to be higher. We will be sharing the complete camera performance in the comprehensive review that’ll be uploaded soon.
Vivo X Fold 3 Pro’s has a powerful SoC (System on chip) with which the handset ticks all the perfomance metrics. It is loaded with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor which is the top flagship mobile chipset from Qualcomm. Combined with 16GB RAM, the X Fold 3 Pro’s core performance delivery will be top notch. Though we are yet to test the handset’s gaming potential, we expect a rich gameplay overall with the big screen and efficient hardware package.
Storage option is single too, i.e., 512GB. The X Fold 3 Pro comes pre-installed with Android 14 OS which is topped with Funtouch OS 14 UI. Vivo has made multiple enhancements with the latest Funtouch OS user interface and also included AI capabilities. Split screen view is also improved and now looks more practical with usage.
To fuel this dual-screen foldable handset, Vivo has tucked in 5,500 mAh battery inside the X3 Pro. This large battery pack stores ample juice and should run through an entire day on a single charge. But we will test the battery backup with gaming and media play back and confirm the stats in the review article.
Vivo once again has proved its expertise with an innovative smartphone design. The X Fold 3 Pro as an entire package is one solid option that can redefine the foldable phone market. It is one of the thinnest and lightest foldable out there which flaunts a premium and durable attire. It also is apparently loaded with class-leading camera and processing unit which solidifies the entire deal.
Noise, one of the leading consumer lifestyle brands known for its wide range of smart wearables and audio products have just expanded its portfolio in India. The company has added a new premium smartwatch to its wearables connections. The latest offering from Noise for the modern health-conscious consumers is the NoiseFit Origin whose highlight features ranges from a large and vivid AMOLED display, up to 3 ATM water resistivity, and around a week of battery backup.
Noise NoiseFit Origin Smartwatch Design, Full Specifications
NoiseFit Origin
Specifications
Dial size
1.46-inch
Dial type
AMOLED
Display resolution
466 x 466 pixels
Display Brightness
600 nits
Water Resistance
Up to 3 ATM
Watch Faces
Over 100
Processor
En 1
Battery backup
Up to 7 days
The NoiseFit Origin smartwatch sports a Contour cut design with a round dial which appears to be a mix both modern and classic. The circular dial measures 1.46-inches in size and the panel used is AMOLED. This new smartwatch’s screen has Always on feature and will display clear and vibrant output as it comes with a pixel resolution of 466 x 466 pixels. The dial gets a peak brightness of 600 nits which will allow clear visibility outdoors.
The NoiseFit Origin’s strap is removable and will be comfortable with prolonged wearing. The smartwatch is ideal of extensive outdoor usage since it offers up to 3 ATM of water resistance. Under its hood, the EN 1 processor handles all the given tasks and it is coupled with the Nebula UI on top. Users will be able to access more than 100 watch faces and a range of health-centric features.
It has Advanced Biometric sensors to track heart rate, steps, and more activities on-the-go. It also includes a Rapid heath check feature which again will aid with keep a tab on the heath metrics. The NoiseFit Origin comes with Bluetooth v5.3 and can be paired with all modern Android and iOS devices. The brand claims a battery backup of up to 7 days on a single charge.
The NoiseFit Origin smartwatch is priced at Rs. 6,499 in India. The company has introduced this premium smartwatch in Classic Black, Classic Brown, Midnight Black, Mosaic Blue, Jet Black, and Silver Grey colors.
Vivo is all set for a new benchmark in the premium Android smartphone segment. After the camera flagship, i.e., the X100 series, the company is gearing up to bring its another premium and luxurious offering for the Indian audience — the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro. Official unveiling for the X Fold 3 Pro is set for tomorrow in the Indian market. Ahead of the launch, Vivo has updated the X Fold 3 Pro’s product page on its India website listing down some of the key specifications. Vivo is also live streaming the launch event for its next-gen foldable flagship. Where and how you can watch the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro’s launch event live? Read on below:
Vivo X Fold 3 Pro India Launch: How To Watch Event Live Stream?
Vivo is hosting the X Fold 3 Pro’s official launch tomorrow in India, i.e., June 6, 2024. A physical event for the most premium foldable handset in the country is being held at New Delhi. For the interested consumers, Vivo will also be hosting an online event which will be live on company’s social media handles, specifically, Vivo India YouTube channel. Just for reference, the X Fold 3 Pro’s launch event will begin at 12.00 PM IST. We are embedding the link below for reference. You can simply tap and play the live stream here.
Vivo has not shared any insight on the X Fold 3 Pro’s pricing. It would be interesting to see how well this upcoming handset takes on the Galaxy Fold series.
Since the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro has been launched in China and is also updated on the company’s official website, we know some of the key features. The X Fold 3 Pro is touted as the slimmest foldable phone featuring just 11.2 mm thickness. The upcoming flagship fold phone will sport a 8.03-inch LTPO screen (unfolded state) where the panel will support 2200 x 2480 pixels resolution and 120Hz refresh rate.
Camera hardware on the outer panel will be a 32MP lens, whereas the primary setup will inclide a 50MP primary lens combined with another 50MP ultrawide lens, and a 64MP telephoto lens. The outer screen will be an AMOLED panel measuring 6.53-inches with 1172 x 2748 pixels screen resolution. The X Fold 3 Pro will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset combined with up to 16GB RAM and 1 TB storage.
Ampere Nexus electric scooter launched back in April
Deliveries finally commence after two months
Price set at Rs. 1.10 lakh (ex showroom)
Greaves Electric Mobility (GEMPL) known for its Ampere EV E2W’s launched a new electric scooter called Nexus back in April this year. The company started taking pre-orders for the Nexus e-scooter soon after the launch and finally has started with the deliveries. Here are the full details:
Ampere Nexus Electric Scooter Deliveries Begin In India
The Ampere Nexus electric scooter is now being delivered to the customers who had done the pre-booking. The company has initiated the deliveries in Bangalore from the first week of June 2024 itself. Ampere is said to complete the deliveries of the Nexus electric scooter gradually in a phased manner in the remaining cities.
To recap, the Nexus electric scooter debuted with an asking price of Rs. 1.10 lakh (ex showroom). Its pre-booking went live last month with a token amount of Rs. 9,999. It is worth adding the Greaves Mobility is marking its 16th anniversary celebrations by commencing the deliveries of its latest high-performance e-scooter in the country.
Ampere Nexus e-scooter comes in dual trim options including the Nexus ST and the Nexus EX. Both variants employ a similar all-electric powertrain under the hood but get slightly different feature set. A 4 kW electric motor is linked to a 3kWh LFP battery pack inside the Nexus e-scooter.
It can deliver up to 136 km range as per CMVR certification on one full battery charge. The e-scooter will take up to 3.3 hours for a full charge (0- 100 percent). The Nexus electric scooter offers three riding modes including Eco, City, and Power where the top speed varies at 42 kmph, 63 kmph, and 93 kmph respectively.
New Hyundai Creta EV test mules snapped while testing
Could be production-ready units
Launch set for early 2025
Hyundai Creta EV is making all rattles in the mid-range electric SUV market. This segment currently has a handful of contenders and soon will be populated with multiple contenders including the Tata Curvv EV and the Maruti eVX. There have been multiple sightings of the Creta EV test mule in the past and once again it has been snapped during testing. But this time two Creta EV test mule have been spotted together.
The newly snapped Creta EV test mules in the wild seems to be production-ready units. Two of the test mules which have been captured during the testings have been wearing a new camouflage taping. This is one of the indications that the units being tested were production ready.
But despite the new covering, the design silhouettes captured are same as the previous test mules. While the primary design profile is based on the Creta ICE model, there will be EV-specific elements completing its looks. The closed-off grille and the aerodynamic alloy wheels combined with drag resistant tyres are a few of them.
Both Creta EV test mules have been spotted with the sporty profile featuring sequential turn indicators and horizontally-aligned LED lamps and DRLs. The rear of the Creta EV test mules are snapped with connected LED tail lamps and an LED stomp lamp.
Just to recap, the last few test mule leaks of the Creta EV confirmed ORVMs with integrated cameras for 360-degree surveillance. Additionally, a radar of ADAS was also seen in one of the last test mule image leak. Hyundai is rumored to manufacture the Creta EV at its Chennai facility and will be likely sourcing the battery for this e-SUV from Exide (local sourcing).
