Jan 192026
 

Maruti Suzuki’s e Vitara is NEXA’s first big step into the mass-market EV space—an SUV-style electric car that’s meant to feel like a “proper Vitara” rather than a small city EV. In terms of size, Autocar lists it at 4,275mm long, 1,800mm wide, 1,640mm tall with a 2,700mm wheelbase, and it’s currently shown as arriving in early 2026 (India).

On the EV side, the official NEXA site highlights a claimed driving range of 543 km on a full charge, and even mentions you can do up to ~400 km at 80% charge (useful because fast-charging usually targets 80%). Autocar further says the e Vitara is expected with two battery options (49kWh and 61kWh, LFP) and front-mounted electric motors, with the bigger-battery versions listed with the same 192.5Nm torque figure.

Where the e Vitara really tries to “feel premium” is features and safety: NEXA calls out ADAS Level 2 with 15+ functions (like lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, high beam assist, and emergency braking), plus 7 airbags (six + a driver knee airbag) and ESP. For comfort, NEXA also mentions ventilated front seats, rear seats that slide and recline, a panoramic fixed-glass sunroof, and multiple drive modes including Eco/Normal/Sport plus Snow mode. Charging-wise, Maruti positions it as flexible: home AC charging, fast DC charging on trips, a portable charger, and app-based help to find/reserve charging slots.

Jan 092026
 

The Alpine A390 is a striking new entry in the electric vehicle world, marking a bold step for the French performance brand Alpine as it embraces electrification while staying true to its sporty roots. Officially unveiled in May 2025 and set for production deliveries in early 2026, the A390 is Alpine’s first dedicated SUV-style electric fastback and the second fully electric model in the marque’s “Dream Garage” line of EVs. It is a five-door, five-seat compact crossover SUV that blends dynamic performance with everyday usability, and it will be built at Alpine’s historic Dieppe factory in France.

Under the skin, the A390 uses an 89 kWh battery pack and is offered in multiple powertrain configurations, including a tri-motor all-wheel-drive setup. In the base GT version, the combined output is about 400 hp (295 kW) and around 661 Nm of torque, which propels the car from 0-100 km/h in around 4.8 seconds with a top speed near 200 km/h. The higher-output GTS version boosts that to roughly 470 hp (346 kW) and 824 Nm, cutting the sprint to 3.9 seconds and raising the electronically-limited top speed to 220 km/h. Both versions share the same battery and platform but deliver distinctly different performance characters.

One of the A390’s standout features is its impressive electric range. The GT model can travel up to about 555 km (345 miles) on a full charge under WLTP testing, while the GTS still manages around 515 km (320 miles) despite its higher power output. It supports rapid DC charging up to 190 kW, enabling a 15-80 % charge in roughly 25 minutes on compatible stations, and bidirectional charging (V2L/V2G) comes standard, allowing energy to be used outside the car or fed back to the grid.

The A390 combines Alpine’s sports car DNA with a practical layout. Its coupé-like roofline and aerodynamic bodywork reflect Alpine’s motorsport heritage while still offering competitive interior space and utility compared with other EV crossovers. The cabin typically features premium materials, dual 12-inch displays, and a driver-oriented interface that balances touchscreen controls with physical buttons for key functions, giving it a quality feel that bridges performance and comfort.

Performance-oriented technologies such as Active Torque Vectoring distribute power between wheels to enhance agility and traction, making the A390 feel more nimble than many of its SUV rivals. The tri-motor system not only boosts straight-line speed but also improves cornering precision and responsiveness, part of Alpine’s effort to deliver a “racing car in a suit” experience.

Visually, the A390 stands out with its elegant yet assertive design, sporting sculpted side profiles, bold lighting signatures, and a stance that positions it between traditional SUVs and sport fastbacks. Its chassis and suspension are tuned to balance everyday comfort with dynamic control, and features like torque vectoring, AWD traction, and performance-oriented brake systems underscore its dual-purpose nature as both a daily driver and a spirited EV.

In terms of pricing, early figures from European markets suggest that Alpine is positioning the A390 competitively within the premium electric SUV segment, with prices starting in the €67,500–€78,000 range (roughly $70,000 – $82,000 USD equivalent) depending on trim and options, though exact figures vary by region.

Overall, the Alpine A390 represents a significant evolution for Alpine as it transitions from its traditional sports car lineage into the electrified future. By combining performance-centric engineering, practical EV range, upscale design, and advanced tech, the A390 seeks to rival established models like the Porsche Macan EV and other sporty electric crossovers while retaining the unique character associated with the Alpine brand.

Dec 292025
 

First introduced as Kia’s big India breakthrough on August 22, 2019, the Seltos quickly became the brand’s “category-maker” in the midsize SUV space—an SUV that won buyers by mixing sharp styling, a premium cabin feel, and an engine lineup that could be tailored to calm city commuting or fast highway runs. By 2025, it’s still built around the same winning idea: give customers choice. The current Seltos offers three 1.5-litre powertrains—an efficient naturally aspirated petrol, a punchy turbo-petrol, and a torque-rich diesel—paired with multiple gearboxes depending on the variant. The 1.5 NA petrol makes 115 PS and 144 Nm, the 1.5 diesel puts out 116 PS and 250 Nm, and the 1.5 turbo-petrol delivers a strong 160 PS and 253 Nm, with transmissions spanning manual, CVT/IVT-style automatic, torque-converter automatic, and DCT options across the range.

What keeps the Seltos so easy to live with is that it’s sized “just right” for Indian roads while still feeling like a proper SUV. The 2025 model measures 4,365 mm in length, 1,800 mm in width, and 1,645 mm in height with a 2,610 mm wheelbase, and it backs that up with everyday practicality—433 litres of boot space, 190 mm ground clearance, and a 50-litre fuel tank. Safety and convenience have also been a consistent part of the pitch: Kia’s own brochure highlights 6 airbags, ESC, hill assist, and tech like a 360° camera with Blind View Monitor as part of the Seltos package (variant-dependent for some features).

Now the real escalation begins: Kia has officially moved into the second-generation Seltos era in India, with production started at the Anantapur facility and the SUV built on the newer K3 platform—a full step forward in design, cabin layout, and feature intensity . The new Seltos is locked for an India launch on January 2, 2026, with bookings opened at ₹25,000, and deliveries expected to begin by mid-January. Reports around the reveal describe a noticeably larger footprint—about 4,460 mm long and 1,830 mm wide with a 2,690 mm wheelbase—pushing the stance and interior space further upmarket.

Inside, the next-gen Seltos leans hard into the “premium-tech SUV” identity: media reports highlight a massive 30-inch “Trinity Panoramic Display”, Bose audio, ventilated seats, and an even bigger safety push with Level-2 ADAS said to include 21 autonomous safety features. Importantly, it isn’t abandoning what made it popular—coverage around the India debut says it will continue with petrol, turbo-petrol, and diesel options, keeping the Seltos formula intact while raising the design and technology bar for the segment.

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