Electric Thrills & Hybrid Highways

Discover the season’s most coveted green machines redefining road trips for India’s young drivers.

- By Riaan Jacob George

The Indian automotive sector is at an interesting juncture. A younger generation of drivers is redefining what aspiration looks like, trading excess for innovation, performance for sustainability, and traditional status symbols for technology-led experiences. Electric and hybrid vehicles have become as much a lifestyle statement as they are an automotive choice. From Mercedes’ newest release to Maserati’s electric monster, Hyundai’s cult favourite, and BMW’s latest drop, these are the green machines currently capturing the imagination of young India.

MERCEDES-BENZ CLA BEV

The German carmaker and leader in the luxury segment in India has just released its first-ever next-generation BEV in India, and it impresses with its tech suite, performance specs, and distinctive good looks. The CLA 250+ Launch Edition can add 400 km of range in a 20-minute charge, revolutionising the way we road trip with an electric car.

The CLA BEV, with its tech-forward cabin features, is seemingly targeted towards a young, design-sensitive driver who will make the most of its Superscreen that envelops the entire front of the cabin, the unmistakable shark-nose front, an illuminated grille motif reinterpreting the classic chrome grille with one large star and 142 chrome-effect stars, its svelte silhouette, and distinctive GT rear. The tech suite is particularly noteworthy, boasting features like the new fourth-generation MBUX operating system, integrated ChatGPT and Google Gemini modules in the virtual assistant, a quicker user interface, and over-the-air live updates. This car promises an impressive 792 km of range, pumps out 335 Nm of torque, and attains a top speed of 210 kmph.

MASERATI GRECALE FOLGORE