Indian Auto Expo 2023 Highlights Part 2: Sneak Peek to the Future!

There were some interesting displays of concepts from a bunch of different automakers. In this second part we are going to discuss about the important concepts that were on display in the 2023 auto expo.

Maruti EV-X: 

First and Foremost is the maiden electric concept from the Indian automaker, Maruti Suzuki. the Maruti EV-X concept. The EV-X concept is Maruti's first born-electric concept vehicle which is planning to go on sale by the 2025. Being the maiden electric vehicle, the EV-X introduces a bespoke electric platform developed in coordination with their Japanese competitor, Toyota. Now according to the information given to the media, the EV-X is said to have a 60 KWH battery with a real world range of 500 km per charge, which is the topping out model. The entry level model is said to have a 48 KWH battery with a real world range of 400 KM per charge.

Kia EV-9: 

Second one on our list is the Kia EV-9 concept. The flagship model of the EV range. According to the officials, the EV 9 is said to enter production towards the end of 2023. Manufactured under the E-GMP platform, the Electric Global Modular Platform, a dedicated battery electric vehicle platform for electric cars. The E-GMP platform is underpinning an 800 Volt architecture with up to 350 KWH charging power. The car is said to be using a 77.4 KWH battery pack with no numbers revealed yet. But the officials confirm that there will be a Dual Motor 4WD range topper variant and a single motor RWD entry level variant for the EV-9. The pricing and the official launch dates are yet to be confirmed by the officials.

Lexus LF-30 and LF-Z:

Apart from the regular manufacturers, it was Lexus who came with two interesting electric concepts, the Lexus LF 30 and the Lexus LF-Z concepts. Both the concepts are having a very fresh design theme with some aggressive and sharp edges, cuts and creases throughout the design. The biggest news is the plush new interior design theme, the Tazuna Concept. This concept is about creating a space that enables the driver to focus on driving while the front passenger seat is said to reminiscent an aircraft's first class seat.

The LF-30 concept is said to have 110 kwh battery having the claimed WLTP range of 500 KM per charge which can be charged using 150 kwh charger and in the future is said to add the wireless charging feature. Also the reports says that this car will have four electric motors with a combined output of 544 HP and 700 NM torque, all produced from the 110 KWH battery.

The LF-Z concept meanwhile is the american counterpart of the Toyota BZ4X concept. This concept too is having plenty of straight lines cuts and creases, but a comparatively less aggressive face, more of a futuristic view. LF-Z is also integrated with a twin motor set-up which with the help produces the same power and torque figures as that of the LF-30. All the power is charged by a 90 KWH battery pack which when charged by a 150 KWH charger to the full, can give you an approximate range of 600 KM per charge.

Now as for the Indian companies, Tata introduced three concepts and one pre production version of an ICE variant. They bought the Avinya Concept, the EV Variant concept of the Harrier, and the more production ready Sierra EV Concept, or technically pre-pre-production stage prototype.

Sierra EV Pre-Production Concept:

The most popular avatar from the Tata pavilion was the Sierra EV concept, technically the second iteration of the Sierra concept with a bunch of notable changes getting the car one step closer to production. The new iteration is added with conventional controls and switch-gear, and some of the features shown in the first concept display. The new concept is based on the gen 2 architecture, which technically is a heavily modified ALFA platform for electrification . According to the officials, there will be an ICE derivative coming off very soon which is to be powered with the 1.5L turbo petrol engine.

Avinya Concept:

The Avinya concept was present again on the attendance list of tata motors, it was pretty much the same thing that the showcased last year. The Harrier EV concept was literally the same car, which when converted to the electric variant looks ten times awful than the original one. Honestly, the ICE variant looked good by itself.

Curvv ICE  Edition:

Another entrant was the ICE version of Curvv concept which was shown as the pre-production version. The Curvv was based from the Nexon Platform which was slightly modified for this model. The modifications resulted in an increase of over four meter in length and the car looks more production ready. It is reported that this car is said to underpin 1.2 and 1.5 liter Turbo Petrol engines that is quiet popular Tata engines of the new generation.

Lets sum up the whole scenario again here. There were actually about seven major car manufacturers who took part in the Auto Expo 2023. They were; 

    1. Maruti Suzuki India

    2. Kia India

    3. Tata Motors India

    4. Toyota Kirlosker Motors

    5. MG Motors India 

    6. Hyundai Motors India 

    7. BYD: Build Your Dreams India

Further more, there were a bunch of electric motorcycle manufacturers like Trek, Hero Electric, Ultraviolette, Keeway Motors and counting. These automakers played a vital role in the introduction of electric mobility to the future. The big boy at the block, was Ashok Leyland, the flagship of the Hinduja Group, who stole the spot with seven modern mobility solutions. Ashok Leyland showcased one Battery Electric Vehicle, one Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle, one Liquefied Natural Gas Vehicle, Intercity Compressed Natural Gas Bus and a Mini- Passenger Bus.

Of all these cars, SUVs, Bikes and all, both displays and pre production models, let us wrap up with my personal favorite top five of the 2023 auto expo are two Tata's and two Maruti's Joining up with Ultraviolette Motors:

    1. Maruti Suzuki Jimny Five Door, even though I am more of a two door Jimny fan to be honest!

    2. Tata Altroz Racer, A car with optimum power and the build Quality of Tata!

    3. Maruti Suzuki EV-X Concept, maybe an affordable EV from the Indian pioneer

    4. Tata Sierra. Looks pretty promising with the updated concept vehicle , seems to be more production ready.

    5. Ultraviolette F-99, an absolute electric banger, sufficient power and efficient range!

There are many more models and companies in the auto expo, but I personally think these are the models that needed to be highlighted. This post, divided into 2 parts describes some of the highlights of the Auto Expo 2023.