Category: Featured

Key Highlights

• BYD seal testing begins in India
• Is a premium electric sedan
• Pre-bookings started unofficially at dealers

BYD, the Chinese EV manufacturer is likely bringing the Seal electric sedan soon to the Indian shores soon. First showcased at the Auto Expo 2023, the upcoming electric sedan will be a premium model once it makes it debut in the country. The launch of the BYD Seal is now said to be imminent as its testing has already begun in India. Where has the premium BYD electric sedan made its appearance and when is it expected to be available for purchase?

BYD Seal India Testing Begins

The BYD Seal has recently been spotted being tested on the Indian roads. The news comes from the streets of Chennai, where the premium electric sedan is seen running without any camouflaged wrapping or covering. This is the first clear sighting of the BYD Seal in India post its initial showcasing during the Auto Expo 2023 event which indicates the launch is closer.

Also Read: From Punchy To Premium: List Of Top Electric Cars And SUVs Launched In January In India

BYD Seal: Pre-Bookings Commenced In India?

As per the online reports, pre-bookings have commenced for the BYD Seal in India. However, the registrations are being done unofficially by a few of the retailers. BYD is yet to start taking bookings for the Seal electric sedan officially in the country. The premium EV is listed on the official BYD India website and you can check the nearby retailer list as well where you can check and reserve a unit.

Also Read: Interim Budget 2024: Govt’s Big Plans To Supercharge Electric Vehicle Growth

BYD Seal India Pricing And Delivery Timeline

The BYD Seal pricing is expected to start from Rs. 50 lakh (ex-showroom) in India. With this price range, it is expected to go up against other popular EVs including Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and others. The official launch timeline anticipated for the BYD Seal in India is by March 2024 with the exact date being still unspecified.

Also Read: Electric Vehicle (EV) Stocks Surge Following Indian Budget Declaration: Here’s Why

BYD Seal Electric Sedan Powertrain And Features

The BYD Seal is a high-performance electric sedan equipped with a 390 kW electric motor and comes with an AWD (all-wheel-drive) system. The international model comes with dual battery pack options including a 61.4 kWh and an 82.5 kWh.

The former model is capable of delivering up to 500 km range on a single charge, while the latter delivers up to 700 km range on one full charge. The BYD seal can reach up to 150 kmph top speed and can accelerate from 0-100 kmph in just 3.8 seconds.

Also Read: Range Rover Electric Hype Getting Real: Gains 16,000 Interested Buyers Before Launch

New Rival For Tata And Mahindra?

BYD is earning all the fame with its premium EV models. The upcoming model from the brand, i.e., the Seal is also a high-performance EV which will be targeting the premium range consumers. Currently, Tata and Mahindra have populated the affordable and mid-range segment. But once both these brands venture into the premium EV segment, we can expect a strong competition from BYD.

Key Highlights

• New CFMoto electric sports bike in works
• Is said to be based on 450SR sports bike
• Could compete the likes of Ultraviolette F77 and Orxa Mantis

India is one of the biggest opportunities for the EV industry and we are witnessing launches across different segments frequently now. Multiple prototypes of upcoming EVs have also been spotted via leaks indicating the rapidly growing EV sector in India. Now, CFMotor, the Chinese auto manufacturer has started developing a new sports bike which will feature an all-electric powertrain and could compete premium electric motorcycles such as the Ultraviolette F77 and the Orxa Mantis. The patent filing of the upcoming CFMoto electric motorcycle has surfaced which reveals some crucial details. Let’s take a look below:

Also Read: River Indie Electric Scooter Prices Revised In India: Costly Commutes?

New CFMotor Electric Sports Bike: What All We know?

The CFMotor electric sports bike under development is said to be based on the company’s existing 450SR model. The prototype images of the company’s new sports e-bike is what hints the same platform being used for its construction as the 450SR.

The leaked set of images can be seen featuring a same tubular-steel frame as the 450SR sports bike. The company seems to be borrowing the same sub frame too for the upcoming electric motorcycle from the ICE-model. That’s not it, the swingarm and also the seat frame seems identical to the 450SR variant.

Just for reference, the 450SR sports bike is equipped with a powerful 450CC parallel twin engine. CFMotor is expected to get rid of this engine and replace it with a capable electric drivetrain including an electric motor and battery. The latter could be slightly bigger in size for a longer ride range with a single charge.

Also Read: Hero Vida Sway Electric Tri-Scooter Concept Revealed: Safest Tilting V1-Based Trike

Expected Rivals

The developments around the CFMoto sports electric bike are limited currently. We only have come across the patent images and not the powertrain details. But going by all the details available, it seems that this CFMoto electric motorcycle will be launched in the premium category. Considerable rivals are the Ultraviolette F77 and the Orxa Mantis both of which offer a powerful performance despite being loaded with an electric powertrain.

Also Read: Kinetic E-Luna: Retro Moped Revived With All-Electric Powertrain

Verdict

CFMoto is apparently opting for using the same chassis and platform for its new electric sports bike to keep a check on the price spectrum. By using the identical platform, the probabilities of managing the cost-effectiveness increases. Also, this is a different approach from what the general auto makers opt for their EVs where they employ an entire new platform from scratch.

Key Highlights

• River Indie electric scooter prices updated
• Previously was announced at Rs. 1.25 lakh
• Prices hiked as per Fame II subsidies

River, the Bengaluru-based two-wheeler EV startup introduced the Indie electric scooter last year. Being marketed as the SUV on two-wheels, the River Indie arrived with a sub Rs. 1.30 lakh price range in the country last year. With the new Fame 2 subsidy revisions, the prices of the River Indie e-scooter has also been updated. Is the ride now more affordable or has become costly? Know the details below:

River Indie Electric Scooter India Price Updated With fane 2 Subsidies

The River Indie electric scooter was launched at Rs. 1.25 lakh (ex-showroom) back in February 2023 in India with its deliveries commencing by October 2023. Now, this electric scooter has received price revisions with the Fame 2 subsidies. And no, the updated prices won’t come as a delight as the e-scooter will now cost more.

The River Indie will now be available for purchase at Rs. 1.38 lakh (ex-showroom) in the Indian market. This is a straight jump of Rs. 13,000 from the original price at which this e-scooter was previously retailing at.

River Indie E-Scooter: Powertrain Updated?

Only the prices of the River Indie electric scooter has been hiked. As mentioned, the updated prices comes as a part of the Fame 2 subsidies. The e-scooter will be sold with the same mechanics and the utility-oriented design.

The River Indie e-scooters’s dual LED headlamp design is one of the modern design aspects which is complemented with a flat floorboard and foldable footpeg design. It also offers 43l under-seat storage space in addition to a 12l glove box making it easy to carry luggage and daily utility items.

This e-scooter flaunts a 6-inch instrument cluster and has several useful features like reverse parking assist mode. The River Indie e-scooter features a mid-mounted electric motor with 6.7kW power and 26 Nm of peak torque.

The e-scooter offer an acceleration speed of 0-40 kmph in 3.7 seconds and has a top speed of up to 90 km/h. Powering the River Indie e-scooter is a 4 kW battery which delivers up to 161 km range on one full charge.

Key Highlights

• Android Auto is an advanced app to mirror phone’s screen on car’s infotainment system
• Turn by turn navigation feature can be accessed with Android Auto
• Directions can be received by giving voice commands or manual input

Google’s Android Auto offers a wide range of possibilities that upgrades any standard driving experience. With the Android Auto, a wide suite of mobile apps are made available on any compatible car’s infotainment system which can be used for the enhanced ride. Getting turn by turn directions is amongst the most useful features which can be accessed on Android Auto-enabled car. But are you aware of the steps to make the best use of navigational features offered by Android Auto. If not, you have stopped by the right place. Here in this article you will read the step-by-step guide to use and access Android Auto’s turn-by-turn navigation feature:

Also Read: Electric Vehicle (EV) Stocks Surge Following Indian Budget Declaration: Here’s Why

Steps Guide To Use Turn-By-Turn Navigation With Android Auto

With the Android Auto, users can get voice-guided turn-by-turn directions which allows convenient driving experience. Android Auto is also capable of giving relevant driving information such as live traffic status, ETAs (estimated time of arrival), and even lane assistance. To use this feature you simply need to follow the steps below:

Via Voice Commands

Step 1: If you wish to give voice commands for directions, then select the microphone option or directly say “Hey Google” to summon the digital assistant.

Step 2: You can give voice commands for the directions. Some examples are “Take me home”, “Find fuel stations nearby”, “Drive to nearest coffee shop”, etc.

Step 3: You can select the desired location of multiple destinations show up on the screen

Step 4: Now, simply follow the on screen directions to reach the location.

Step 5: If you wish to stop the directions display, you can simply give “Stop navigation” voice command

Also Read: Tata Nexon EV Facelift Available With Rs. 1 Lakh Discount: Pre-Facelift Model Prices Axed Rs. 2.80 Lakh

Steps To Check Live Traffic Updates Using Android Auto

Step 1: Launch the Settings menu using the car’s control keys

Step 2: Go to the Traffic option

Step 3: Toggle on the traffic information tab to get the live traffic updates of the route

Step 4: Toggle off this setting if not rquired