THE HIGH-END CAR MARKET IN INDIA, which saw Audi, Merc and BMW sell 31,277 units in 2022, is expected to grow exponentially in the next five years. Carmakers, from Lexus to Ferrari, have moved into the hybrid or electric zone, in a clear indication of what the future holds.

Audi e-tron 55

Price: ₹1.19 crore

The e-tron SUV (Q5 equivalent) feels the same as an Audi SUV from inside as well as outside; except there’s no gear, no sound and no engine!

Porsche Taycan Electric

Price: ₹1.53 crore

An electric sportscar you can drive every day is rare but one that is four-door is rarer still. The Taycan retains the sportcar DNA to include speed, safety, luxury and comfort in the Taycan electric.

Mercedes EQS 580

Price: ₹1.60 crore

Mercedes claims this has the longest range for any electric car in India — 857 km in a single charge. It also has a strong ESG feature: EQS has over 80% recycled steel in its bones, and floor coverings are made of fishing net and carpet scraps.

Ferrari 296 GTB

Price: ₹5.5 crore (ex-showroom)

This V-6 hybrid electric car requires plugging in to rejuvenate its massive batteries, and while Ferrari has slashed weight, it still generates 800-plus bhp in power.

Lexus LC 500 h

Price: ₹2.29 crore

Equipped with a 3.5 V6 hybrid engine, it comes with the Japanese luxury brand’s trademark sleek design elements, focuses on fuel efficiency and attention-to-detail styling. The h stands for hybrid.

McLaren Artura

Price: ₹5.09 crore

The hybrid McLaren Artura PHEV is endowed with a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engine and a 95hp, 225 Nm rear-mounted electric motor, which collectively churn out 680hp.

BMW i7

Price: ₹1.95 crore

The all-new plug-in hybrid BMW i7 is imported into India as a completely built-up (CBU). It has raised the bar for design and luxe elements, including a drop down full-size flat panel TV in the rear seat, crystal buttons, and other high-tech gadgetry.

Defender

Price: ₹1.47 crore

The certified electric range of up to 51 km provides a total real-world driving range of up to 760 km, and is capable of rapid DC charging from 0 to 80% in 30 minutes.