Renault Duster Hybrid launched in Indian market as hybrid crossover with high fuel consumption
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Renault Duster Hybrid launched in Indian market as hybrid crossover with high fuel consumption

Renault has released its new SUV model in the Indian market. The Renault Duster Hybrid was presented, which the company had previously showcased at the beginning of this year, but at that time, pricing information was unavailable.

This vehicle is equipped with a 1.8-liter gasoline engine supplemented by two electric motors and a battery pack. Renault positions this configuration as a replacement for the diesel powertrain. It should be noted that initially, the Duster on the Indian market was offered with a diesel engine, but now the company has discontinued the sale of diesel vehicles in India.

In this regard, the brand has introduced a strong hybrid. Before the launch, the declared fuel consumption of the Renault Duster Hybrid was revealed, which amounts to 29 kilometers per liter. This figure is the highest in its segment, meaning among mid-sized SUVs.

Competitors, such as the Toyota Hyryder and Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Hybrid, have a declared fuel consumption of 27.97 kilometers per liter. The Duster Hybrid achieves a consumption of 29 kilometers per liter, and the company claims it is the most fuel-efficient hybrid vehicle in India. With a full tank, the car can cover more than 1400 kilometers, while the fuel tank has a capacity of 50 liters.

The Duster Hybrid uses E-Tech 160 technology. The car is built on the company's RGMP platform, which is a future platform ready for various types of powertrains. This platform can accommodate internal combustion engines, as well as hybrid, CNG, and electric powertrains.

The vehicle is equipped with a 4-cylinder 1.8-liter engine that produces 110 horsepower and 175 Nm of torque. It also includes a 1.4 kW battery. The car features 6 driving modes in which the system, including the battery, motor, and engine, operates differently. In terms of overall performance, the SUV delivers 160 horsepower and 208 Nm of torque, and the company states that it accelerates from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in just 9.6 seconds.

The car will be available in three trims. It comes with a 7-year warranty, and the battery itself has an 8-year or 1.6 lakh kilometer warranty. The starting price for the Evolution trim of the Duster Hybrid is 16.99 lakh rupees, including export duties. The price for the Techno version is 18.99 lakh rupees, and for the Emotion version, it is 19.49 lakh rupees, including export duties. Meanwhile, the starting price for the standard Duster trim is 10.49 lakh rupees, including export duties.

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Mercedes-Maybach S 580e launched in India with hybrid powertrain and premium interior
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Mercedes-Maybach S 580e launched in India with hybrid powertrain and premium interior

Mercedes-Maybach is considered a synonym for royal travel in the world of luxury cars. Now, Mercedes-Benz has released the updated Maybach S-Class model in India. It is particularly significant that this is the first time Maybach has been presented in India using a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

The company decided to limit the initial batch to only 30 units for the Indian market. The new Mercedes-Maybach S 580e has a starting price of 3.35 crore rupees (excluding taxes). This price is significantly higher than that of the previously released S-Class Manufaktur Edition AMG Line version, with a difference of about 97 lakh rupees. This model is the third plug-in hybrid vehicle from Mercedes-Benz in India; previously, the company had already introduced PHEV technology with the updated S-Class and AMG E 53 Hybrid.

Although the exterior of the new Maybach S-Class includes many changes similar to the updated S-Class, it also features unique Maybach design elements to give it a distinctive style. The front grille is 20 percent larger compared to the previous one and is decorated with LED lighting. A glowing Mercedes logo is also placed on the hood.

The vertical grille remains a characteristic feature of the Maybach. Above this grille is an illuminated 'Maybach' slogan. The car is equipped with new and larger headlights, which include Mercedes' latest digital lighting technology and daytime running lights in the form of a three-point star. Instead of the blue accents typical of the standard S-Class, rose gold trim with the Maybach logo is used.

The size of the Maybach S-Class also distinguishes it from the standard S-Class, as it is approximately 180 mm longer than the Long-Wheelbase S-Class. In India, the car is presented on 20-inch forged alloy Maybach wheels that feature a counterbalanced Mercedes logo visible even while driving.

The most significant changes concern the engine. While the previous model used a 4.0-liter V8 engine, the new version is equipped with a plug-in hybrid system. This includes a 3.0-liter six-cylinder gasoline engine that generates 443 hp and 560 Nm of torque. An electric motor with 160 hp and 480 Nm of torque is added to it.

The car is equipped with a 22 kWh battery pack. When both power units work together, the total output power reaches 585 hp, and the torque reaches 750 Nm. All-wheel drive is standard. According to Mercedes-Benz data, the car can travel up to 98 km solely on electric power, and the maximum speed in electric mode is 140 km/h.

Thanks to the PHEV system, the certified fuel efficiency of the car according to the WLTP cycle is 34.48 km per liter. However, for Maybach buyers worth millions of rupees, economy is likely not the main priority.

This luxurious car offers three driving modes: Maybach, Electric, and Battery Hold. There is also an adjustable energy recuperation system and a one-pedal driving option.

An onboard AC charger with a power of 11 kW is provided for charging. Additionally, the car supports fast DC charging up to 60 kW. Regarding the suspension, pneumatic suspension and rear axle steering have become standard features.

Comfort for rear passengers is always a focus in the Maybach S-Class. The new S 580e is presented in a 4-passenger configuration and includes exclusive rear seats with a full-sized business console.

The Rear Comfort Package Plus is included as standard equipment. It includes features such as a folding magazine table, wireless charging pad, ambient lighting in the rear cabin, and temperature-controlled cup holders. The rear seats can recline up to 43 degrees, which is more than the 38 degrees in the standard S-Class.

Both rear seats are equipped with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. Instead of the old dashboard controller, two separate smartphone controllers are available, allowing control of many car functions from the back. The instrument panel retains similarities with the standard S-Class, including the MBUX Superscreen display with a central and additional display for the front passenger. The passenger screen has a privacy function, and the driver has a 3D display.

Despite this, all screens in the Maybach S 580e have a special Maybach graphic theme assigned to them, and the rose gold in the interior gives it a unique look. Other features include a realistic augmented reality display, air navigation, a 31-speaker Burmester 4D surround sound system, and two rear entertainment screens, as well as wireless headphones for rear passengers.

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