Daily Car News Updates (26th December 2022)

1. Lexus LX 500d Launched In India: Specs, Features & Rivals

Lexus launched the LX 500d SUV in the Indian market, which is worth 2.2 crores (ex-showroom). The company has listed the model on its Indian website and will likely start the SUV delivery in the coming months.

Exterior

The Lexus LX 500d has sharper LED headlamps with integrated DRLs and a large signature grille with horizontal slats at the front. Squared wheel arches, a kinked window lone, and 22-inch alloy wheels arches flank the side of the model. It has split-tail lamps and an illuminated light bar.

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Interior

Lexus LX 500d is available in four different themes, which are black, hazel, white and dark sepia, and crimson. It has a twin-screen setup, including a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system at the dashboard and also a 7.0-inch touchscreen located in the lower area. Besides this, it also has an 8.0-inch multi-information instrument cluster.

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The rear seats also have two 11.6-inch touchscreens with wireless remote control. Other interior features include wireless charging, four-zone climate control, powered front seats, and a panoramic sunroof.

Performance

It is currently available in the diesel variant, similar to the Toyota Land Cruiser. Lexus LX 500d is powered by the 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 diesel engine, which produces a peak power of 309 hp and a maximum torque of 700 Nm.

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Lexus LX 500d will complete with the new Range Rover and Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 in the Indian market.

2. Tata Tiago EV To Get Costlier From January 2023

In November, Tata Motors launched the brand new Tiago EV last month in India, ranging between Rs. 8.49 lakh to 11.49 lakh (introductory and ex-showroom price).

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The company is set to increase the price of Tata Tiago EV by 3-4%, up to Rs 30,000 to 35,000. However, during the launch, Tata announced that the introductory prices would only be valid for the first 10,000 customers.

Overall, the EV hatchback received an amazing buyer response, leading to 20,000 bookings in a month. Due to this, the introductory prices were extended to the first 20,000 customers.

In a talk with AutoCarIndia, Shailesh Chandra, MD of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles & Tata Passengers Electric Mobility, stated that price does not have any relation with the introductory prices, but the battery prices have increased by 30 to 35%, which is not fully passed on to the buyers.

Currently, the company is contributing around 30 to 35% of all Tiago bookings, and its deliveries are expected to start by mid-January. Tata is aiming to complete the delivery of the first batch of the EV within the first 4 to 5 months and increase its production of EV vehicles to 1 lakh units per year.

Tata Tiago EV is available in two variants, which are 19.2kWh and 24kWh, with a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor that delivers 74bhp and 114 Nm with the 24kWh battery and 61bhp and 110 NM with the 19.2kWh battery.

3. Maruti Suzuki Signs A Deal With Kamarajar Port

Maruti Suzuki India signed an agreement with the Kamarajar Port for exporting passenger vehicles to the global markets, valid for five years.

The Kamarajar Port will export vehicles to the Middle East, Africa, ASEAN markets, Oceania & SAARC regions. To support this, a car-cum-general cargo berth has been built by the commissioned Kamarajar Port.

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Hisashi Takeuchi, MD & CEO of Maruti Suzuki, said, "The company is dedicated to its Make in India initiative. Our expanding export operations demonstrate our commitment to manufacturing reliable, high-quality, and advanced cars for global customers."

Sunil Paliwal, CMD, Kamarajar Port, said, "The association of Maruti Suzuki with the port will help us in expanding our operations. We hope that this deal will be successful and we will be able to contribute to India's economy."

Maruti Suzuki started exporting operations in 1986 and registered the highest-ever exports in FY 2021-22. The company dispatches around 2.38 lakh units to

around 100 countries.

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