At the far southwestern tip of England, dangling into the Atlantic, the remote region of Cornwall rarely feels like the center of the world.

The independently produced album has been described as more than a listening pleasure but an emotional journey

Some tips on making your online business presence felt through effective usage of tools like Google Adsense

Megadeth join 5FDP on their arena run of shows bringing the momentous return of Dave Mustaine to the fold after lengthy illness.

The 5FDP train continues to rumble onwards with another huge headline show at London's Wembley Arena. Here's how it all went down.

Band unveil plans for what is set to be a very busy 2024 for the trio.

Band unveil their first set of UK and European dates for FOUR years!

The legendary Puciato unveils a run of dates in March 2024!

First wave of bands announced for the German extravaganza.

Austria's biggest heavy festival unveils their FOUR day 2024 line-up.

First wave of bands announced for major Dutch festival!

Riffs? Riffs anyone? You'll find PLENTY here. First bands announced!

Swedish metalcore unit unveil details for their fifth studio release!

Band announce all the details for their forthcoming third studio release!

Band announce their return to live stage four years on from Riley Gale's passing.

First set of European 2025 shows announced by the Iowan legends.

Legendary band head for Crystal Palace in Summer 2025. We can't wait.

Heavy Metal titans announce a string of dates across June/July 2025.

No further details available.

Deal of the day!

[Nile Post] Church of Uganda has declared November 2024 as Focus Month for Children, with a special emphasis on children with special needs, under the theme "Transformed minds - loving and serving children with special needs," from Romans 12:1-2.

[This Day] In line with the vision of the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri to make Bayelsa a model for basic education reform and transformation, the Ministry of Education and Bayelsa State Universal Basic Education Board (Bayelsa SUBEB) have launched BayelsaPRIME@Home, an initiative designed to keep primary school children learning during the flood break.

[Independent (Kampala)] Kampala -- CFAO Mobility Uganda is thrilled to announce the return of the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest for its 18th edition, marking the second time Uganda will host this exciting global event. This contest encourages young, creative minds aged 15 and under to imagine the future of mobility through art.

[New Times] Tanzania's music superstars Diamond Platnumz and Zuhura Othman Soud, commonly known as Zuchu, have brought their relationship to an end after three years dating.

Marking their 50th Anniversary in the printing industry and the corporation’s 110th Anniversary in business, SHARP South Africa celebrated their success and unprecedented business growth during a partner event recently held in Johannesburg, South Africa. This event was a follow up from the Sharp summit in 2020 where representatives from SHARP Middle East & Africa [...]

The post SHARP announces Exceptional Performance and Launches its Future Workplace A3 MFPs appeared first on Braves News World.

[Prosper Africa] Prosper Africa's Tech for Trade Alliance (AT4T) is launching its latest pilot in Africa to field test a digital platform intended to bring visibility to Africa's drug supply chains, creating a more transparent, efficient, and safe commercial market for medications.

[GhanaToday] To advance the treatment of sickle cell disease in the country, the Ministry of Health has launched the National Sickle Cell Disease Strategy for 2024 to 2028, along with a National Vaccine Policy in Accra.

[Vanguard] At COP29 in Azerbaijan, African Development Bank (AfDB) President Akinwumi Adesina stressed the transformative vision behind a newly launched Climate Investment Fund, set to list on the London Stock Exchange.

February 9, 2006 – Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has announced that her office has launched an identity theft hotline. The hotline will be staffed with consumer advocates, with the specific task of assisting victims with repairing their credit. It is the first service of its kind offered by any state in the country.

Adam Curry and Dave Winer mused about the concept of a commercial Podcasting Network for some months, but their commercial partnership never materialized. So others walked the talk and the 'The Podcasting Network' opened its doors yesterday. Its run by Mick Stanic and Cameron Reilly, the duo behind G'day World Podcast. "The Podcast Network will be the best collection of podcast’s available

Flight 6 of SpaceX's giant Starship is scheduled to fly no earlier than Monday, November 18, 2024. If there are no delays, the world's largest rocket ever to fly will lift off at 4:00 pm CST from the company's Texas Starbase. Here's how to watch.

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Category: Space, Science

Tags: SpaceX, Starship, Launch

Sure, maybe it's blasphemy to say that any new Volkswagen California camper van is better than the icons that came before it. But Volkswagen has worked quite hard to optimize the freshly launched California eHybrid 4Motion for smart, affordable, carefree road trips. Not only does the new camper bus pack standard all-wheel drive to master the slick conditions inevitable in van life, it boasts a virtually silent, zero-emissions electric range over 80 km (50 miles) per charge. And given it adds only a 6.5% premium over the 2.0-liter turbo-diesel California, why wouldn't a buyer go for the 4Motion PHEV?

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Category: Automotive, Transport

Tags: Volkswagen, Campervan, PHEV, Plug-In, RV, dusseldorf-caravan-salon-2024, Camping, Outdoors and Camping, electric-camper

Nobody likes wasting food or money, yet spoiled veggies and fruits often go unnoticed in the fridge until it's too late. Fortunately, a few simple storage tricks can keep your fruits and vegetables fresh for longer and help you save on groceries.

For many actors, getting into character means more than just memorizing lines; it requires immersing themselves completely in the role. Some actors take this process to remarkable extremes, adopting unconventional and sometimes controversial methods to embody their characters. Whether through physical transformation, intense psychological preparation, or bizarre routines, these actors go above and beyond to […]

The post 10 Unconventional Ways Famous Actors Got into Character appeared first on Listverse.

Game will have a unified global launch across all modes; Campaign, Multiplayer, and Zombies, on October 25, 2024.

(Telecompaper) The government of Canada has announced the launch of the Canadian Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (CAISI), to bolster Canada's capacity to...

(Telecompaper) The Vodafone Foundation has launched a new Europe-wide campaign to help young people access trusted information on the opportunities and risks presented by artificial intelligence (AI) technology...

(Telecompaper) Russian national operator Rostelecom has introduced to customers its promotion 'Forever', offering residential services at promotional rates for as long as the customer remains with the company...

(Telecompaper) Vodafone Spain has launched its Black Friday 2024 campaign with a wide range of offers covering plans and devices across all of its sales channels...

(Telecompaper) Italy has become the cheapest country for postpaid mobile services in Western Europe, following the launch of Iliad there as the fourth operator, according to the latest research by Telecompaper. The market researcher's annual comparison of mobile prices across 16 European countries also shows that...

(Telecompaper) S4C, Welsh free-to-air public service broadcaster (PSB), has announced the appointment of Geraint Evans as its new CEO. He is currently Interim Chief Content Officer and leads the broadcaster's commissioning team.

(Telecompaper) SpaceX's Starlink announced that its satellite internet service is now available in Chad, making it the latest African country to approve Starlink's low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet services. Elon Musk announced on his X feed that Chad approved the licensing of Starlink on 11 November to...

(Telecompaper) Thai operator AIS has introduced the Max streaming platform from Warner Bros. Discovery on the local market. Starting 19 November, AIS customers will be able to subscribe to Max packages and access entertainment content, including blockbuster movies and popular series. AIS will also enhance its...

(Telecompaper) MultiChoice says it will update its DStv Stream platform by letting viewers rewind live television channels by up to 24 hours and improving Watch from Start functionality and Cloud PVR Recordings, which it introduced on 12 November. The Cloud PVR Recording feature lets customers record live shows for viewing or re-watching within 30 days...

(Telecompaper) Rivada announced it has secured new spectrum rights to support its planned satellite constellation and services. In the past year Rivada secured market access for its Outernet constellation in 18 countries and on every continent, including the UK, the Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Colombia and...

GOOD FOR: Features, Composed road manners

LOOK OUT FOR: AMT gearbox, Infotainment

The Tata Punch created the sub-compact SUV segment when it launched in 2021. The Punch has elevated seating, ample ground clearance, a fairly tough build, adequate space and practicality, and the ability to take on challenging road conditions. So, if you are looking for a used small car that has some of the advantages of an SUV, this deserves to be on your shortlist. Here’s what you need to consider. 

Tata Punch powertrain options

Since launch, the Punch has been powered by a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine that produces 88hp and 115Nm. It can be had with either a 5-speed manual or an AMT. It features auto engine stop/start to aid fuel efficiency, which results in an ARAI-claimed economy of 18.97kpl for the manual and 18.82kpl for the automatic variants. In August 2023, Tata also introduced CNG variants to the Punch line-up, which uses the same engine but makes a lower 73.4hp and 103Nm. It can only be had with a manual, though. There’s also a Punch EV on sale, but we’ll only be focusing on the ICE version here.

If your usage is going to be only in the city with the rare outstation trip, go for either an AMT or a CNG variant. CNG will give you low running costs if your usage is high, and AMT provides convenience in city traffic. But, if you plan on mixed usage between the city and highway, it’s worth opting for a petrol-manual Punch.

Tata Punch variants, features

At the time of launch, the Tata Punch was available in four basic trims: Pure, Adventure, Accomplished and Creative. As for features, the range-topping Creative trim comes with a 7-inch touchscreen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, a rear-view camera, cruise control, two airbags, a 7-inch semi-digital instrument cluster, auto projector headlamps, LED daytime running lights, auto climate control, auto wipers, a rear wiper and washer, and 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. The Tata Punch was also offered with a range of optional customisation packs (like Rhythm Pack and Dazzle Pack) for each trim, which brought in even more features.

Tata also introduced a few special editions along the way, like the Kaziranga Edition and Camo Edition, which brought in cosmetic differences and some feature additions. A sunroof was also added to the equipment list with the launch of the CNG variants. The top-spec Creative is the one to go for if you want all the features and budget isn’t an issue. Otherwise, you can even opt for one of the mid-spec versions with the additional packs, depending on which features you need.

Tata service centres are widespread across the country, and sourcing spare parts shouldn’t be an issue either. Preferably, look for an example that also has an extended warranty package so you get that additional peace of mind that’s necessary when buying a used car.

What to look out for in a used Tata Punch?

AMT gearbox

Although it isn’t common for the AMT gearbox to go wrong, it’s worth inspecting it if you’re buying a two-pedal Punch. Take a test drive and check if the car takes off from a standstill smoothly and without hesitation. Also, ensure that the shifts aren’t very clunky. These are signs of a healthy AMT ’box.

AC cooling

A few owners have faced issues with the Punch’s AC system. Before buying, check if it cools the cabin quickly and effectively, and also look out for any condensation in the front footwell.

Infotainment

Owners have complained about the Punch’s Harman infotainment system crashing abruptly and rebooting on its own, so it’s best to get it inspected before buying. Ensure that your phone pairs seamlessly, the system isn’t laggy, and the software is up to date.

ALSO WORTH KNOWING

The Punch makes for a good family car as it has 90-degree-opening doors that make ingress/egress easy. It has received a 5-star safety rating from Global NCAP for adult occupant protection.

Second hand Tata Punch price, resale value

You can find used examples for anywhere between Rs 4 lakh and Rs 10 lakh, depending on the trim, powertrain and year of manufacture. However, refrain from spending over Rs 7 lakh-7.5 lakh as you’d be better off buying a brand new one. As the Punch received an update recently, you can use that to haggle for a better deal.

Also see:

Updated Tata Punch launched, price starts at Rs 6.13 lakh

Updated Tata Punch price, variants, features explained

Hyundai Exter vs Tata Punch comparison: Lightweight champs

Before the end of November, Royal Enfield will launch the Goan Classic 350, its fifth product on the J-series engine platform, following the Meteor, Classic, Hunter, and Bullet. The Goan Classic will be a funky-looking bobber-style motorcycle that will share most of its fundamentals with the Classic 350.

1. Riding position will be different from Classic 350’s
2. Will use the same engine as the other RE 350s
3. Could be the most expensive 350cc RE upon launch

Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350: details

Since the Goan Classic will use the same 349cc single-cylinder engine as the rest of the RE 350s, its peak output will most likely stand at 20hp and 27Nm of torque. Even the Goan Classic’s main frame is likely to be the same as the Classic 350. The differences are likely to be in the styling, paint options, and riding position. 

Also See: Royal Enfield Classic 650 Twin review: All-Time Classic?

F1 has announced a new 2025 season launch event where all 10 teams will unveil their livery on February 18, marking the start of the championship’s 75th anniversary year. Tickets will be available for fans to attend the event, which will be held at London’s The O2.

1. F1 2025 launch event tickets go on sale on November 15
2. All 20 drivers will be present

F1 2025 season launch tickets, livestream

All 10 F1 teams will be unveiling their 2025 season liveries at the event. An official statement shared by F1 says the event will also feature interviews with key figures from the sport – including the drivers and team principals – as well as entertainment segments and special guest presenters.

The event will take place on February 18 from 8pm-10pm GMT (1:30am-3:30am IST) and ticket prices range from £58 to £113 (around Rs 6,200-12,000). Tickets go on sale on Friday, November 15.

For fans who can’t attend the event in person, there will also be a livestream. Further details on this will be revealed in the coming weeks.

“For the first time we will bring together our fans, all 20 superstars of our sport and some very special guests to officially kick off our new season and mark our 75th year of racing,” said Stefano Domenicali, president and CEO of Formula 1.

“With 2025 set to be a classic season following all the drama so far for 2024, this is a fantastic opportunity for fans of all ages to experience up-close the incredible entertainment spectacle that is Formula 1.”

Will teams show their real cars?

It is very unlikely that teams will showcase their final 2025 contenders at the event.

2025 F1 pre-season testing will take place from February 26-28 in Bahrain. Given that most teams will not want to give away any major secrets ahead of this, we can expect the launch event to largely feature show cars simply sporting the new liveries. But this has already been the case for several years now, with majority of the teams opting to share cleverly concealed renders or displaying show cars during their individual launch events.

What about traditional F1 launches?

This replaces the standard pre-season build-up where teams usually hold their own launch events across several weeks. However, F1 hasn’t confirmed whether this will be a permanent addition. For now, it’s simply been billed as a special event to celebrate the championship’s 75th anniversary.

Also see:

F1 2024: Verstappen wins Brazil GP from P17 on grid

It might seem like Tata has replicated the Nexon EV’s winning formula with the Punch, which is a quick swap of all the ICE mechanicals for the electric bits and fitting them into available vacant spaces. However, with the Punch, the ALFA platform that underpins it has undergone a comprehensive re-engineering. It isn’t all new of course, the top hat is largely the same, as is the track, wheelbase, the suspension mounting points and the suspension system itself. But with the monocoque’s floor completely redone to flatten it, and a new electronic and electric (e&e) architecture, Tata Motors has given it a new name calling it the Acti.ev architecture. 

The EV’s centrally mounted battery pack has been integrated into the cabin floor, rather than bolting it underneath the body. As a result, its 190mm ground clearance is identical to the ICE version. With the ICE platform’s floor massively reengineered, it resulted in an increase in structural stiffness over its ICE counterpart too. That aside, the EV gets revised damping and stiffer springs, heavy-duty brake calipers, and the Long Range (LR) version also boasts of rear disc brakes to enhance stopping power and compensate for the EV’s added performance and weight.

The Punch EV gets a heavily restyled front end, which draws inspiration from the updated Nexon EV’s design. In fact, their front styling is so similar that when viewed head on, you could mistake one for the other. Sure, the Punch might have lost a bit of its individuality by adopting a family design face, but t here’s no denying that the Punch EV still commands attention, thanks to its striking new LED DRLs which flank the pilot lamp LED strip running across the bonnet. Tucked behind its blanked-out grille is its charging port, housed behind the Tata logo. It releases electrically via a switch on the centre console but has to be manually closed. An additional button on its key fob would have been much more convenient though.

While its side profile is similar to the outgoing car, thenew 16-inch dual-tone wheels sport a futuristic design. There are multiple EV badges scattered across the car and its tailgate has Punch.EV lettering spelt out. Dimensionally, the Punch EV is 30mm longer and 18mm taller than the ICE version, however, its width, front and rear track as well as its wheelbase, remain unchanged.

Like on the outside, the interior of the Punch EV is similar to the updated Nexon EV. Borrowed from its bigger sibling are its free-standing 10.2-inch touchscreen, a funky two-spoke steering (with an illuminated logo), and a new 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, all of which add style and a touch of modernity to the Punch’s exuberant interior. Also new is a piano-black panel with touch-operable keys for the climate control. These keys are backlit, and the temperature and fan speed control have physical toggle switches that make it convenient to use; also, this panel lends a very premium, uncluttered look. On the centre console sits a very premium knurled-finish drive selector flanked by drive mode buttons as well as the electronic parking brake and auto-hold button. Like before, contrasting white panels, textured plastics and other materials are carried forward for a rather upmarket look and feel. 

While there’s a lot to like, the execution of some bits could be better. As an example, the feature-packed touchscreen often tends to glitch, sometimes while using wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, and also while using the 360-degree camera. Then, the fonts and numbers on the digital instrument cluster are microscopic, which make them difficult to read. The gloss black touch panel for the climate control is a fingerprint magnet. Users will also have to make peace with the slow-shifting drive selector, which can get particularly annoying while trying to make quick three-point U-turns. 

An upright driving position and the seat ventilation feature enhance seating comfort. Further, the low window line, flat bonnet and large outside mirrors ensure outside visibility is very good. Elderly folk will appreciate its easy ingress and egress thanks to doors that open up to 90 degrees and the raised seating.

Despite being smaller than the regular crop of compact SUVs, the Punch’s excellent space management liberates respectable space for adults at the back. The backrest, however, is quite upright, the chair-like position is comfortable and there’s ample room beneath the front seat to tuck your feet. Unlike other EVs, you don’t sit in a ‘knees-up’ position, and thanks to its long seat squab, thigh support is plenty. 

Interestingly, to accommodate its battery, Tata engineers have raised this EV’s cabin floor by 20mm. It is because of this reason, six-footers are likely to find headroom a bit restrictive and this issue is exacerbated in sunroof-equipped cars, which have lower roof liners.

The Punch EV has a larger 366-litre boot compared to its ICE counterpart’s 319 litres. This added space comes at the cost of a spare wheel, which Tata has skimped on in the EV, and owners will have to make do with a puncture repair kit provided with the car. There is a small frunk too, which is well shaped and is a nifty solution to store additional, smaller items.

The freestanding 10.3-inch touchscreen is vibrant and stuffed with features and apps.The range-topping Empowered +S LR variant gets nearly as much equipment stuffed in as a top-spec Nexon EV, only missing out on vehicle to vehicle (V2V) and vehicle to load (V2L) charging. So equipment like a sunroof, a crisp 360-degree camera, lane-view monitor, ventilated front seats, an electronic parking brake with auto hold, an air purifier, auto LED headlamps and wipers, an auto-dimming rear view mirror and a  wireless charger are all part of the spec. As mentioned, it also gets  a 10.2-inch feature-packed touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, in-built Alexa voice assistant, connectivity features and the cabin’s sound experience is enhanced by an 8-speaker setup. For an otherwise very well equipped car, the Punch EV misses AC vents and charging provisions for rear passengers. 

The freestanding 10.3-inch touchscreen is vibrant and stuffed with features and apps.

In its electric guise, the Punch finally lives up to its name, something which sadly doesn’t hold true for its three-cylinder petrol version. The Punch EV comes in two versions – standard and Long Range (LR). The former gets a 25kWh battery and an 82hp/114Nm electric motor, while the LR gets a larger, 35kWh battery and a more powerful 122hp/190Nm electric motor, and we’ve tested the latter. Being its fourth EV offering, Tata has really mastered the art of fine-tuning them, making the electric Punch one of thesmoothest and perhaps the most refined car to roll out of Tata Motors, EV or otherwise. 

Drive the Punch EV for a few metres and you’ll immediately notice its progressive power delivery, very tame though by the snappy EV style. Tata claims to have intentionally blunted the motor’s responses in the interest of comfort so that newer drivers or those switching from ICE vehicles aren’t caught off-guard by its sudden acceleration. As a result, you don’t feel any neck-flexing thrust, each time you flex your right foot.

On offer are three drive modes – Sport, City and Eco. In fact, the latter two perform very similarly, with the motor delivering only about 60 percent of max torque. Despite the restricted output, both Eco and City mode feel adequate for a majority of the driving, thanks to the EV’s inherent instant response. What differentiates Eco and City mode are the vehicle’s top speed, which is limited to 115kph in the former and 132kph in the latter (as per our GPS measured speed test), respectively.

But for spirited driving, it is the third mode that’s the one to dial up. Sport mode unleashes the full potential of this EV, delivering the entire 190Nm of torque. While it gathers pace rapidly, the measured power delivery robs away the drama to some extent, which might disappoint thrill-seeking driving enthusiasts. That said, progress is rapid, with the Punch EV sprinting to 100kph from a standstill in just 9.4 seconds in Sport mode, which is 4.2 seconds quicker than in the other modes, both of which go from 0-100kph in 13.6 seconds. 

Like its other EVs, Tata has included three levels of regenerative braking in the Punch EV, with Level 3 being the most aggressive and an option to turn off this feature as well. These modes can be selected independently to the drive modes. Level 1 feels most natural in its operation, wherein it reduces speed in a gradual, predictable manner, akin to engine braking in an ICE vehicle. Level 2 is about 1.7 times more aggressive than Level 1, but it is still quite usable and easy to get accustomed to. Level 3 is said to give 0.18g of deceleration, and in the real world, it feels roughly 2.5 times stronger than Level 1, akin to depressing the brake pedal with some force. It’s simply too strong for everyday use and we would recommend this only when descending steep slopes so that you come down in a controlled manner while harvesting energy. There’s no one-pedal functionality and the car only slows down to crawling speeds using regenerative braking; it doesn’t come to a standstill.

For our range test, we drove the car as per our standards: so in Eco mode regen was set to its maximum setting in the city, and mid setting on the highway. In the city, this levied a huge penalty on its efficiency, as the car slowed down far more and earlier than expected thanks to the strong level 3 regen. This warranted a longer time spent on the accelerator pedal robbing it of charge. Of course, outside temperatures nudging 40 degrees made the climate control work hard to maintain a cool cabin temperature. As a result, the Punch EV’s average city efficiency was only 5.43km/kWh. However, repeating the test with regen set at the mid setting (level 2), felt more natural in its operation and we achieved an average city efficiency of 6.92km/kWh, extrapolating to a real world range of 242km and on the highway we achieved 6.17km/kWh, translating to a range of 216km.

The Punch gets a single CCS2 charging port, which is the industry standard. The company claims that on a DC fast charger, the battery can be topped up at a maximum speed of 25kW taking it from 10 percent to 80 percent in 56 minutes; not very fast by modern EV standards. To put it to the test, we plugged it into a 60kW DC fast charger and charged its battery from 15-100 percent. In the process it consumed 31.99kWh of energy, took about 99 minutes to complete and averaged a charging speed of 19.5kWh. However, it is worth noting that beyond 90 percent, the battery management system (BMS) automatically reduces the charge rate for cell balancing and SOC calibration, in the interest of the battery’s health.

The Punch EV is also available with a 3.3kW portable charger – good for charging wherever you have to use 15A plug. Top variants also get a 7.2kW AC fast charger that can be installed in your home or office. 

The Punch EV’s chassis is 30 percent stiffer than that of its ICE counterpart, and a key contributor to this additional torsional rigidity is the battery pack itself, which acts as a stressed member. Further, with a rigid chassis, Tata engineers were at liberty to use a softer damper setting for improved ride comfort, without compromising body control and stiffer springs – than the ICE version – to compensate for the LR EV’s 1,360kg weight; 325kg heavier than the top-spec Punch AMT. 

When it comes to ride comfort, Tata has nailed the suspension tune. Softer dampers have made the ride more supple, and while the ICE version always felt confident over bad and broken roads, the EV does it with a bit more finesse. On the flipside, it does roll more than its petrol-powered counterpart, however, with its heavy battery sitting beneath the cabin floor resulting in a low center of gravity, the EVs tyres feel planted to the tarmac. Infusing confidence further is its steering feel with a very fluid, predictable nature. What’s nice, particularly for newer drivers, is that it doesn’t feel overly pointy or sharp like some other Tatas, and there’s just the right amount of slack in the straight-ahead position.

Lastly, the Punch EV LR gets all-wheel disc brakes and has a natural pedal feel. And what’s nice is that its braking performance in a panic brake test from 80-0kph is identical to its over 300kg lighter ICE counterpart. Notably, in regen Level 3, you can feel a distinct transition from the regen braking of the motor to the friction brakes. There’s a nifty ‘auto hold’ feature that adds a degree of convenience while halted; however, you will hear a distinct grinding sound each time you depress the accelerator to start moving.

As an urban runabout, the Punch EV has all the right ingredients – a smooth powertrain, compact dimensions, a pliant ride, and to top it off, an expansive features list that will appeal to new-age techy EV buyers. Furthermore, performance is strong, the real-world (combined) range of about 230km on a full charge is respectable, and those transitioning from an ICE car will feel at home behind the wheel of this EV. There are, of course, shortcomings. To begin with, the software is infested with glitches, something that Tata must iron out, considering this is the company’s fourth EV. Then, Tata’s sales and support experience is hit or miss, which will be instrumental in shaping the buying and ownership experience. And lastly, the price of the top variants of the Punch EV overlap with lower variants of the Nexon EV, the latter being larger, more spacious and with more power and torque to boot. But look again at the Punch EV’s merits and its extremely impressive as a package. And as a city car, it doesn’t get better than this.

Mercedes-AMG has launched the new C 63 S E Performance in India at Rs 1.95 crore. The C 63 S E Performance marks AMG’s third new car launch this year and its third plug-in hybrid in India, following the S 63 E Performance and the GT 63 S E Performance. Bookings have opened today, and deliveries are expected from April 2025 onwards.

1. C 63 S E Performance pairs 476hp 4-cyl engine with 204hp motor
2. Gets sporty AMG-specific changes inside and outside
3. Buyers will get a complementary Nurburgring experience

Mercedes AMG C 63 S E Performance powertrain

Gone is the V8 engine that used to power the previous C 63. It’s been replaced with a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine that makes 476hp and 545Nm and is paired to a 9-speed automatic gearbox. The engine is paired to a rear axle-mounted electric motor that can put out a peak of 204hp and 320Nm. Total maximum output stands at 680hp and a whopping 1,020Nm of torque. Merc uses F1-derived tech for the turbocharger, which incorporates an electric motor that runs off the 400V electrical system, and helps the turbine spool faster.

Power is sent to all four wheels through the 4Matic+ system, which comes with a drift mode. The claimed 0-100kph time for the C 63 S E Performance is 3.4 seconds. The AMG Driver’s Package that's usually available as an option, is standard on the C 63. So top speed is 280kph.

The plug-in hybrid performance sedan gets a 6.1kWh battery pack (weighing 89kg), giving the C 63 an electric-only range of up to 13km. Four-wheel steering is also standard, which allows the rear wheels to turn up to 2.5deg in the opposite direction (up to 100kph), and up to 0.7deg in the same direction at speeds higher than that. The new C 63 gets eight drive modes – Electric, Comfort, Battery Hold, Sport, Sport+, RACE, Slippery and Individual – along three levels for its adaptive damping system – Comfort, Sport, and Sport+.

Mercedes AMG C 63 S E Performance interior, exterior

Compared to the standard C-Class, the AMG-spec model gets a vertically slatted grille with active shutters that open or close depending on the engine’s cooling needs. The restyled, more aggressive front and rear bumper increase the car's length by 83mm, and the wider front wheel arches make the performance version 76mm wider than the standard sedan. Lightweight 20-inch alloy wheels are standard.

Mercedes says AMG exclusive paint options like the Matt Graphite Grey Magno are customisable, and optional ceramic high-performance composite brakes can be specced instead of the standard ventilated and perforated metal ones. Naturally, the company offers a great deal of personalisation options with the C 63 S E Performance.

On the inside, the AMG and the standard model share the same layout, but this gets an all-black theme and an AMG-specific steering wheel. The ventilated sports seats in nappa leather and carbon fibre interior trim, a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment and head-up display, and the 710W, 15-speaker Burmester sound system are standard. AMG Performance seats are an optional extra. Along with the usual list of ADAS features, 7 airbags and a 360-degree camera are standard fit.

Mercedes-AMG says that every buyer of the C 63 S E Performance will get a complementary opportunity to race at the Nürburgring.

Mercedes AMG C 63 S E Performance price, rivals

While the Rs 1.95 crore Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance has no direct rivals in India, other models that vie in this rarefied performance-focused space include the recently launched 550hp BMW M4 CS (Rs 1.89 crore) and the larger 500hp Porsche Panamera GTS (Rs 2.34 crore).

All prices, ex-showroom, India

Also see:

2024 Mercedes-AMG G 63 video review

Mercedes-AMG confirms future electric super SUV

11th edition of Mercedes-Benz Classic Car Rally slated for November 24