The Defy SUV is the first electric passenger car from a start-up in India. Bookings open for a token amount of Rs 51,000; deliveries to start from Q2 2023.
Bengaluru based automotive startup Pravaig has revealed its first SUV, the Defy EV. Pravaig has also announced pricing for the Defy EV SUV which is Rs 39.5 lakh (ex-showroom). The brand Pravaig was founded in 2011 in Jaipur and began making specialist off-road buggies and had secured the backing of the Eren group from France, a company active in the field of renewable energy. It is currently based in Bengaluru where it has set up its corporate office and engineering centre.
Pravaig Defy EV SUV: Exterior design
The Pravaig Defy gets angular styling which gives it a butch look mixed with crossover-like cues. The brand calls the styling theme “brutal sophistication” however the SUV does have some styling bits that look like the ones seen on the Range Rover SUVs. The front styling has sharp cuts and a LED light bar running across its width.
On to the sides, the top half of the SUV has contrast black paint and the glasshouse looks big, but has angular windows and a sloping roof that gives it a sporty style. At the rear a strong character line runs from the rear fender across the width neatly merging with the tailgate and also the horizontally placed LED light bar. Pravaig says the SUV has a “notably dynamic” shape and has a drag co-efficient of 0.33. The brand further has said that the Defy SUV also has some styling cues from the Extinction MK1, it’s EV sports car demonstrator that we had earlier driven. The SUV will come with a panoramic fixed roof as standard.
The Defy EV SUV gets 18-inch alloy wheels with 255/65R18 tyres. It also gets optional “aero covers” which according to the brand, would add upto 10km or more range per charge especially on the highway and higher speed routes.
Pravaig EV SUV: Interior
Pravaig says the Defy SUV’s five-seat interior, like the seat upholstery and carpets are made from sustainable fabrics (recycled materials like PET). The brand further says it has used only vegan leather inside. The seats get six-way power adjustment and ventilation and can adapt to the cabin temperature on their own. A large 15.6-inch touchscreen display takes center stage on the dashboard. The infotainment is heavily customizable, also allows the users to browse the internet and also doubles up as the screen for navigation via 5G connectivity. The infotainment will also offer on board gaming with various options and more games can be added via OTA updates, according to the brand.
Instrumentation duties are carried out by a separate 10-inch screen that is positioned behind the steering wheel. This screen is also customizable and can be adapted to the driving mode. Pravaig says the Defy SUV also gets 3D sound from French audio specialist brand Devialet.
Pravaig also offers a special four seat interior for the Defy SUV that can be optioned with two individual rear captains seats, a 240V outlet, a wireless charger and also two individual 15.6-inch screens.
Additional features include, separate climate control zones for front and rear passengers and interiors can be pre-conditioned via the connected car app. Mood lighting will be standard on the Defy EV SUV as well. It will also come with multiple wireless chargers, two high-power USB-C ports which can also charge laptops. The SUV will come with a unique key card and can also be locked or unlocked by connected car tech.
The SUV also gets adaptive LED headlamps, 360-degree camera setup and a 77GHz solid state radar. The Defy EV SUV will come with automatic emergency braking feature at a later stage which will be enabled via an over the air update. There will also be a standard tyre pressure monitoring system and six airbags.
Pravaig Defy EV SUV: Platform details
Pravaig says the Defy SUV is built on a dedicated skateboard platform which has been developed grounds-up. Being a skateboard, the battery placed in the center of the SUV and low down thus liberating space for luggage and occupants and the same platform could also be used to underpin future products built by Pravaig.
Pravaig Defy EV SUV: Motor AWD powertrain, braking
The Pravaig Defy SUV gets dual electric motor setup, together generating a total power output of 407hp and 620Nm. At this power output, the Defy is on par with SUVs like the Jaguar iPace, Audi e-tron and the Mercedes EQC. The SUV also gets three levels of regeneration which can also allow one pedal driving. The SUV comes with four wheel disc brakes with ABS and ESP.
Pravaig Defy EV SUV: Charging, battery and range
Pravaig says the Defy SUV can be charged via home charging setup or even via a fast charger. The SUV will come with an optional home charger with charging of upto 7.2kW, which will top up upto 300km of range in around eight hours. The EV SUV can also manage a 150kW DC charging setup. The brand is in the process of partnering with multiple charging infrastructure providers across India at the moment.
Pravaig says the Defy SUV comes with a 5 module Li-ion battery with 5,000 hardcase shells. Battery capacity is 90.9 kWh and Pravaig says it will give the Defy more than 500km of real world range.
Pravaig Defy EV SUV: Data security
Pravaig claims user data will be treated as the ownership of the consumer and the brand will not track or resell any data. Currently there is no clarity on how brands manage data collected by connected cars although policies are being formulated.
Pravaig Defy EV SUV: service network
While the company has not disclosed dealership details it says it will provide service for the Defy SUV at 34,000 PIN codes across India along with emergency road side assistance. The brand provides 1 year complimentary service which can be extended to four years.
Also See:
Pravaig Extinction review, test drive