Tata Motors will finally announce pricing for the long range Nexon EV on May 11, 2022, sources tell us. Earlier slated to launch on April 20, the electric SUV will gain a larger battery pack, increasing its range to an estimated 400km (claimed), and some additional features.
- Nexon EV LR to get ventilated front seats, air purifier
- Will be sold alongside existing 30.2kWh variant
- Likely to cost Rs 3 lakh-4 lakh more than current model
Long-range Nexon EV: more range will be the biggest update
The biggest change on the long-range Nexon EV will be a new 40kWh battery pack, which is 30 percent larger than the existing model’s 30.2kWh unit. In order to accommodate the larger battery, Tata will modify the SUV’s floor, and it is likely to eat into its boot space as well.
The main advantage, however, of the larger battery pack is a significantly higher driving range. The current Nexon EV has a range of 312km (ARAI) on a single charge, while the long-range model is expected to go over 400km on the official test cycle. However, in our tests of the current Nexon EV, the SUV managed a real-world range of 200-220km. Therefore, it’s more realistic to expect a range of around 300-320km in the real world from the long-range Nexon EV.
As per sources, the long-range Nexon EV is also expected to get a more powerful 6.6kW AC charger option. This is likely to be in addition to the existing Nexon EV’s 3.3kW AC charger, which takes approximately 10 hours to charge the battery.
The long-range Nexon EV is also expected to get selectable regen modes. This will enable drivers to adjust the intensity of the regenerative braking, which helps in further improving the range. While the existing Nexon EV already gets regen braking, it is mild and non-adjustable.
The long-range Nexon EV is also expected to get more features than the current model. As seen on the updated ICE Nexon, the long-range model is likely to get an air purifier and ventilated front seats. It is also expected to get cruise control, a park mode, and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) over the current Nexon EV.
Long-range Nexon EV: expected price and rivals
The long-range Nexon EV is expected to be priced at a premium of Rs 3 lakh-4 lakh over the current Nexon EV. However, Tata will continue selling the current model alongside the new long-range version, in order to give customers more choice in terms of price and range.
Given its higher price tag, the long-range Nexon EV will compete better with the other mass-market electric SUVs on sale – the Hyundai Kona Electric and MG ZS EV – than the current Nexon EV. Still, the locally manufactured long-range Nexon EV will continue to have a price advantage over Hyundai and MG, both of which are brought down via the CKD route.
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