Here Are The 8 Best Concepts From Auto Expo 2023

Concept cars are a free trial into the future. These cars time travel from the future to showcase new tech and design in an attempt to gauge market response. Ultimately, it all comes down to how we perceive them. If a concept becomes a hit, chances are it might make it into production shortly after. The Auto Expo 2023 witnessed a good number of concepts and some of them are already confirmed to hit the market shortly. Here are the top 7 concept cars from this year’s Auto Expo: 

Maruti Suzuki eVX 

The Maruti Suzuki eVX concept kickstarted this year’s Auto Expo. It is an important concept for the Indian carmaker as the production version of the eVX will be Maruti Suzuki’s first all-electric vehicle for India. That does sound like there’s a lot riding on the eVX’ shoulders. What we know is that it will be based on an EV-specific skateboard chassis deploying a 60kWh battery pack, a twin-motor setup, AWD and a claimed maximum driving range of 550km. These are impressive numbers and when it debuts in 2025, the eVX will take on Tata’s Nexon EV. 

Tata Curvv

The Curvv concept first broke cover in April 2022 but this time, it is the ICE version that is more evolved than before. Based on the Gen 2 platform, the Curvv will feature both the electric and ICE version. The latter is touted to feature petrol and diesel powertrains, specifically Tata’s new range of T-GDi powertrain options. The Curvv will be a Creta rival, slotting right above the Nexon and below the Harrier. 

Tata Sierra EV

The Jimny has passed on the baton to the Sierra in terms of hype and anticipation. The long-gone SUV has a strong fan base and there’s already so much interest in the Sierra EV concept. This time, the Sierra EV unveiled at Auto Expo 2023 gets a more complete guise with normal doors instead of sliding ones. Details are indeed scarce but we know that it would get the new T-GDI engine with a dual-clutch automatic, a diesel and a fully-electric version. This is great news and provided Tata carries forward all the unique design highlights, the Sierra will surely be an impressive SUV. We expect a launch in 2025.

• Auto Expo 2023: Tata Sierra To Get Both ICE And Electric Powertrains, Launch In 2025
• Auto Expo 2023: Tata Sierra Concept Design Locked For Production: Martin Uhlarik

Harrier EV Concept

The Harrier EV showcased at the Expo is not really a concept in the true sense, especially compared to some other concepts in this list. The electric SUV you see here is more production-ready than a concept. It is underpinned by the OMEGA-ARC platform and the big news is that it will get a twin-motor setup with AWD and around 400km of range! The expected launch timeline is by 2023 and the Harrier EV also previews the updates to the facelifted Harrier and Safari. 

• Auto Expo 2023: Tata Harrier EV Detailed In 10 Images

• Auto Expo 2023: Tata Harrier EV Previews Facelifted ICE-powered SUV

Lexus LF-30/LF-Z

The Lexus LF-Z and LF-30 were arguably the most futuristic cars from the 2023 Expo. The latter is a radical concept that makes use of 4 four electric motors and develops 546PS and 700Nm of twist. A top speed of 200kph and a 0-100kph sprint time of 3.8sec are other highlights. On the other hand, the LF-Z gets even better performance (0-100kmph in 3 seconds) with the help of dual motors connected to a 90kWh battery, good for a range of 600 km (WLTP).

• New Lexus RX Hybrid Luxury SUV Unveiled In India At Auto Expo 2023, Bookings Open Now

Toyota Hilux Extreme Offroad Concept

We thought the Toyota Hilux was an unhinged 4x4 pickup truck until we saw this at the Auto Expo 2023. A part extreme off-roader, a part Dakar-ready truck, the Hilux Extreme Offroad Concept is as extreme as it gets. There’s so much going on with it from the lifted chassis, heavy-duty bumpers and suspension, mammoth wheels, tow hooks, all the lights, roof rack, and jerry cans to the two-extra wheels at the back. Finished in a loud shade of red, this was one car that is hard to miss at the Expo. 

Kia EV9

The Kia EV9 is a butch all-electric SUV concept with suicide doors. It almost feels like a retro version of an old-school American SUV with its boxy proportions and stance. The details are out of this world. Under all this is an advanced E-GMP architecture capable of 482 kms in one full charge. It also boasts of fast-charging capabilities where it can top up its battery from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in 20-30 minutes using a 350KW charger. All of this is claimed as the EV9 is a concept, but it is nice to see a large SUV with all this tech on offer.