New Delhi: Porsche could be discontinuing their 718 Cayman and Boxster projects. The carmaker has a new CEO, Michael Leiters, at its helm from the start of this year, and he has been considering stopping the development of the two sports cars that had been lined up.

According to reports from Bloomberg, people who are in the loop with the latest development have told the publication that the electric 718’s rising costs and increasing delays are pulling down the project. Porsche ended the last generation of 718 production in October with plans to bring the EVs later this year.

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Porsche were behind schedule in bringing 718 Cayman and Boxster

There had been rumours going around the project for quite some time, starting in December 2024, when one of the engineers was quoted in a report that the project was “way behind schedule”. Another report came last year, which claimed that Porsche had to pause development owing to Nothvolt’s bankruptcy.

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In September last year, the brand had confirmed that the next-generation of the 718 would continue with internal combustion engine power. These would be at the top of the model portfolio, above the electric version, which presently is hanging on the string. Porsche hasn’t officially said anything about this matter yet.

Porsche’s electric portfolio is quite strong, but for a while, the brand has been taking in some sales hits in China and the USA due to new tariffs, both of which are amongst their top three markets. With financial instability, it makes little sense to keep pouring money into cars that buyers might not find most interesting. Leiters replaced Oliver Blume as investors wanted to address Porsche’s struggle.

New Delhi: For McLaren, their career-defining moment came with the F1 and in the process, broke quite a few stereotypes. First conceived in 1988 and then brought to life in 1992, the F1 was McLaren Automotive’s first road car and is one of the purest samples of motoring engineering.

Made around a lightweight carbon-fibre monocoque, it was designed from the ground up to be the ultimate driver’s car and not for anyone else who might sit on either side of the wheels. Brought to life by Gordon Murray, it came out in the mid-1990s and remains a benchmark in the supercar industry. Unlike its competition, the F1 wasn’t made for any type of racing series, had no marketing-driven design brief and no predecessor to replace.

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All it needed was maximum performance from the least weight, perfect balance and absolute driver focus. 

McLaren F1 powertrain

McLaren gave the F1 a 6.1-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine made specifically for the car by BMW Motorsport. It was known as the S70/2, and the engine unit boasted a performance figure of 627 bhp and 651 Nm of torque. That made it one of the most powerful naturally aspirated units of its time. 

The power went to the rear wheel through a six-speed manual gearbox. It was raw mechanical experience with no traction control, ABS, stability system or flappy paddles. Which meant that it needed the best of driving hands to control it. It could do 0-100 kph in a little over 3 seconds and had a top speed of 386 kph. That meant, on its release, it was the fastest car ever put into production, where it stayed until the Bugatti Veyron broke it.

McLaren F1 exterior and interior

The McLaren F1’s design was dictated by function, and for that, it had lean, aerodynamic bodywork featuring a teardrop shape enhanced to reduce drag. It used carbon fibre and lightweight materials extensively to keep the weight as low as 1,138 kg. The engine bay was lined with gold foil to reflect heat. 

On the inside, you've got a unique three-seat layout, with the driver placed in the middle and the two passengers on either side, set a little behind. This setup gave perfect weight distribution and unparalleled visibility. The cabin itself was quite minimalist, though well-crafted. Carbon fibre, leather and aluminium dominated as a theme of the interior, and it lacked some unnecessary features. 

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However, though a performance car, it did get things like air-conditioning, a bespoke audio system and even luggage compartments.

McLaren limited F1 units to just 106 units, including road cars, race cars and prototypes. It was the talk of the town, and it even got motor racing credentials with an outright win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995. It reinforced what a road-going car could be doing. It remains an example of lightweight engineering, naturally aspirated power and pure driver focus. Celebrities, including George Harrison, Lewis Hamilton and Jay Leno, have had it in their garage, showing how rare a gem it was. 

New Delhi: Pagani has yet another special for the company’s founder Horacia Pagani for his 70th birthday. A decade ago, for his 60th birthday, the Italian marque celebrated the occasion with the really out of the world Zonda HP Barchetta. This time, the new Huarya 70 Trionfo celebrates the same, marking Lamborghini’s former chief engineer’s 70th birthday.

It is a little quirky take on the car, which was technically retired many years ago to let Utopia breathe. However, in the way Pagani functions, it is barely surprising that Huayra is on the centre stage. In comparison to the standard car, only the doors and window frames carry over. The rest of the body is completely new, including dual-point headlights that are similar to those of another special Huarya, the Codalunga.

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In terms of design, the dropping of the quad-light theme does make things slightly different, though the green-and-orange carbon-fibre colour scheme was quite eye-catching.

Pagani have said that only three specimens will come, without specifying if these will be entirely new cars or conversions of existing vehicles. The brand does like bringing back certain nameplates, with the Zonda last year coming back to life with Unico, 26 years after the original one made its debut. 

Powertrain of Pagani Huayra 70 Trionfo

The very aggressive bodywork and extreme aero do suggest that the 70 Trionfo is based on the Huayra Roadster BC. The model comes with Mercedes-AMG’s twin-turbo 6.0-litre V12 to a staggering 791 bhp and 1,050 of torque. It also gets a seven-speed automated-manual gearbox sending power to the back wheels and weighs just 1,250 kgs, all in all giving it a supercar credential.

Huayra 70 Trionfo’s owner mentioned on Instagram that the brand has turned things up a little, with the AMG engine now making 834 bhp. Things are more interesting with the brand going for a seven-speed manual gearbox, replacing the automated manual used in the Huayra Roadster BC.

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This isn’t something unknown, with the 2024 Huayra Epitome coming with its amazingly engineered gated manual shifter, while last year’s open-roof Huayra Codalunga also stayed true to the purist route with a traditional manual transmission.

Pagani aren’t showing the other two 70-spec Huayras, and this one is the only one made as a Trionfo. Nevertheless, there is no tiring away from Pagani specials and how the brand keeps reinventing and revitalising the cars.

New Delhi: If you pile together the aspiration of a human life, then somewhere at the top will be a Mercedes-Benz, which for years has been one of the ultimate signs of luxury and success. A Mercedes is almost a social symbol and a statement of what luxury, tech and motoring marvel should be like. 

A very few brands can say that they changed the course of the automotive industry with some revolutionary tech, or powertrain. However, Mercedes stands apart as being the one who can legitimately say that they brought the industry to life. Based in Stuttgart, it was Karl Benz’s Patent-Motorwagen of 1886 that is regarded as the world’s first practical automobile.

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From then on, Mercedes just went from strength to strength in all the virtues imaginable. 

Mercedes has always been a pioneer in safety systems, advanced powertrain technology and redefined luxury through the years. In early breakthroughs like crumple zones and ABS, to later innovations like the airbags, ESP and even in ADAS, having one of the most sophisticated systems in the world. Which is why Mercedes is a trend-setter in all things that today appear as standard.

Influence of S-Class in modern vehicles

If the first 70 years were about building an industry and creating a name for themselves, the next would be defined by a car that has made the feature-list an important part of purchasing. Launched in 1972, the S-Class quickly became the brand’s technological flagship and one of the finest specimens in the limousine world. 

Through the decades, it has introduced things like anti-lock braking systems, traction control, adaptive suspension, advanced crash safety structures, and later, semi-autonomous driving aids. Most of these have now filtered through segments and shaped modern cars. In fact, it was a well-known theory that what a new S-Class would introduce is what would appear as standard a few years down the line in standard cars. 

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Apart from technology, S-Class also improved on comfort, refinement and craftsmanship that the competition needed to match with. Each era has gifted the world something or the other and re-invented the auto sector, and that is what makes the S-Class and Mercedes just so special.

It isn’t just muscular engines and toughness, but about craftsmanship and refinement. Through its different iterations, Mercedes have made the autoworld stand apart. Not to mention that the three-star has dominated Le Mans 24, Grand Prix and other motorsports as well.

New Delhi: As the demand for big SUVs keeps growing in the international markets, Volvo are now considering a new three-row hybrid SUV. The Swedish brand’s Hakan Samuelsson boss told Autocar UK, that even though Volvo haven’t made any decision into the big SUV market, the brand is definitely mulling over the possibility of the new Volvo SUV.

If Volvo were to carry on, the new SUV is likely to be bigger than the XC90 and EX90. The XC90 that is coming to India measures at 4.95 metres in length, while the EX90 electric and the EX90 EV SUV sold in the USA is over 5 metres in length. Volvo might look towards China’s Geely Group, at the luxury subsidiary Zeekr, for a way ahead.

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Standing at above the 5.2-meter length, the new Zeekr 9X is quite larger and the new Zeekr 9X flagship three-row SUV with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The SUV measures over 5.2 meters. This will be rivalling the BMW X7 and the Mercedes-Benz GLS.

Volvo might have both a platform and a powertrain for a three-row SUV

Volvo’s President and CEO, Samuelsson, further told Autocar UK that their main market for the foreseeable future seems to be more interested in the hybrid market. The brand chose to base their next flagship SUV on Geely’s SEA (Sustainable Experience Architecture) platform, with the previously mentioned Zeekr 9X based on an interaction of this very platform. Alternatively, the Swedish carmaker might repurpose their own SPA (Scalable Product Architecture) platform, which presently underpins the models which include EX90 and XC90.

Even though the next flagship SUV might be a hybrid, there is no clear answer on the powertrain front. The brand has quite a few options for them to choose from. The XC90 plug-in hybrid sold in the USA at present comes with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, an 18.8 kWh battery pack and a single electric motor, which makes a total of 455 bhp.

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If they do go for the Zeekr way, they could use the latter’s 900-volt ‘Super Hybrid system’ that is capable of making 1,360 bhp in the 9X. Samuelsson noted that the weight penalty of taking big batteries for long-range driving was a big reason why Volvo did not consider making their next flagship SUV EV.

Volvo have already made the EX90 electric SUV at their South Carolina factory, with others being made at their Chengdu facility in China. The US is undoubtedly the Swedish marque’s biggest market outside of China. The two markets have shown growing demand for three-row SUVs, with the XC90 and EX90 at present being the ones who meets this demand. Samuelsson feels that if a car is made there, the US market and customers will be interested in it.

New Delhi: Porsche is reshuffling one of the most influential seats inside the company. Design, often called the soul of a sports car brand, is getting a new face. From February 1, 2026, Tobias Sühlmann will take charge as Porsche’s new Head of Design, succeeding Michael Mauer, who has shaped the brand’s visual identity for more than two decades.

For car lovers, this change hits close to home. The curves of the 911, the stance of the Cayenne, and the look of the Taycan all carry Mauer’s fingerprints. Now, a designer with deep roots in supercar culture is stepping in, bringing experience from McLaren, Aston Martin, Bentley, Bugatti, and Volkswagen.

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Tobias Sühlmann takes over Porsche design from February 2026

Sühlmann is 46 years old and most recently served as Chief Design Officer at McLaren since September 2023. Porsche confirmed that he will officially begin his new role on February 1, 2026.

Inside Porsche, the appointment is being described as a generational change. Michael Mauer, now 63, joined Porsche in 2004 and became only the fourth Head of Design in the company’s history. His predecessors include Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, Anatol Lapine, and Harm Lagaay.

Mauer is not leaving immediately. He will continue to support Sühlmann during a transition phase, helping hand over responsibilities and long-term projects.

Michael Mauer’s two-decade design legacy

Mauer’s tenure covers some of Porsche’s most important modern cars. Early in his Porsche years, he worked on:

• Revised first-generation Cayenne
• Panamera sports sedan, launched in 2009
• 918 Spyder hybrid supercar

Later, he guided the evolution of:

• 911 across multiple generations
• Boxster and Cayman sports cars
• Macan and newer Cayenne SUVs
• Taycan electric sports sedan

His belief that a Porsche must appeal to all the senses became a guiding idea for the brand. It showed in interiors, proportions, and even small details like headlight shape and dashboard layout.

Who is Tobias Sühlmann

Sühlmann studied automotive design at the University of Applied Sciences in Pforzheim, the same school as Mauer. His career path reads like a tour of elite car brands:

• Volkswagen, starting in 2005
• Bugatti
• Head of Exterior Design at Aston Martin
• First stint at McLaren
• Bentley, where he worked on the Batur
• Returned to McLaren as Chief Design Officer in 2023

At McLaren, he oversaw final design development and launch phases for models like the 750S and Artura Spider. He also led advanced design work for future hybrid and electric supercars.

What this means for Porsche’s future cars

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Porsche is entering a complex phase. Combustion engines, plug-in hybrids, and full electric models will exist side by side for years. Design has to tie all of them together.

Sühlmann’s background in supercars hints at sharper surfaces, cleaner lines, and strong proportions.

New Delhi: Volkswagen India have unveiled the Tayron R-Line in India as the first product introduced this year in 2026, while also noting their broader product strategy aimed at keeping the brand’s relevance and customer interest throughout the year. The German company confirmed that they were planning to roll out new product initiatives in each quarter of 2026 to keep the momentum throughout the year.

Overall, Volkswagen have five product interventions that range from SUV, saloon and hatchback segments, each made to appeal to a certain set of premium buyers. For the coming year, the brand’s overarching focus will be on the aspirational offerings, deeper customer engagement and the creation of curated, exclusive brand experiences.

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Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Nitin Kohli, Brand Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars India, said, “Today, we are glad to showcase the Tayron R-Line for the first time in India. I am also delighted to announce that we have planned four more product interventions throughout the year. This year, every quarter will witness a new product intervention that will cater to a different premium customer set. Our objective is to continue building excitement for customers through smart product actions and introducing models that will continue to build aspirations.”

Last year, the brand brought their fabled Volkswagen Golf GTi, one of the brand’s best and longest serving products. It was a genesis to the hot hatchback segment. VW also brought the Tiguan R-Line and overall had a decent performance in the market.

New Delhi: STUDDS Accessories Ltd has launched a new DC-themed helmet in India called the STUDDS Trooper Superman Edition. With this launch, the company has brought Superman-inspired graphics to its flip-up helmet range for the first time. The helmet is designed for riders who want a noticeable look along with everyday comfort and safety.

The Trooper Superman Edition features graphics inspired by the DC superhero Superman. The design has been created to suit the flip-up structure of the helmet, with sharp lines and layered patterns spread across the shell. A UV-resistant paint finish has been used to reduce colour fading caused by sunlight. Overall, the helmet is meant for riders who prefer safety gear that stands out on the road and reflects a confident riding style.

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Safety and comfort

For protection, the helmet uses a high-impact engineered thermoplastic shell. It comes with ISI (BIS) and DOT (USA) certifications, confirming that it meets required safety standards.

The flip-up chin section allows riders to open the front of the helmet without removing it. This is useful during short stops, traffic signals or fuel breaks. The helmet also gets a dual-visor setup. The outer visor is scratch-resistant and silicon-coated. In terms of comfort, it comes with a removable hypoallergenic inner liner, which makes it easier to maintain cleanliness over time. Other features include a removable lower trim, it also has a quick-release chin strap, and a stainless-steel buckle 

Price and size availability

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The STUDDS Trooper Superman Edition is available in Medium, Large and Extra Large sizes. Pricing starts at Rs 2,290.

Commenting on the launch of the Studds Trooper Superman Edition helmet, Mr Sidhartha Bhushan Khurana – Managing Director, STUDDS Accessories Ltd., said, “With the Trooper Superman Edition, we are extending the iconic Superman identity to our premium flip-up helmet category. The launch builds on our ongoing Superman collaboration that began with the Studds Helios range.

New Delhi: BYD are reassessing how they operate in the country following the surge in demand for electric vehicle went beyond what the current import law allows. People close to the matter have said that the Chinese automaker is exploring ways to increase supply, including assembling vehicles, as dealer order books continue to overflow.

The discussions come at a time when BYD’s India operations are facing pressure from import limits that restrict the number of completely built vehicles they can bring in annually, as sales numbers climb.

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India had previously turned down BYD’s proposal to set up a full production facility, but the brand is now understood to be considering assembling vehicles from semi-knocked-down kits. This would let BYD avoid certain regulatory complexities associated with full-scale manufacturing while also bringing down the duties.

Media sources also said that the automaker is concurrently working to secure local safety and regulatory approvals for additional models, a step that might help it operate under India’s import setup more coherently.

SKD only sensible option amidst growing sales numbers

BYD sold about 5,500 vehicles in India in 2025, a surge of 88 per cent as compared to the year before. This growth has increased the brand’s ability to comply with rules that cap imports of each fully made model at 2,500 units. Most of BYD’s inventory for the December quarter has already been sold, according to sources familiar with the situation, leaving dealers with limited stock and customers with long waiting periods.

Despite the import duties that can go as far as 110 per cent, BYD has managed to price their vehicle aggressively. The Atto 3 EV SUV starts at Rs 25 lakh and sits at the upper end of the mass-market EV segment, competing with the likes of Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra.

BYD's competitive pricing keeps them in race

There’s also the Sealion 7 priced between Rs 49 lakh and Rs 55 lakh, sold about 2,200 units last year and remains cheaper than Tesla’s Model Y, which starts at about Rs 60 lakh in the country. Tesla has offered discounts to increase demand under the same tariff scheme.

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Switching to SKD assembly could reduce import duties to about 30 per cent, compared with about 70 per cent for completely made vehicles. BYD have raised concerns with Indian auto regulators that, at present, import limits could slow their expansion plans. A production decision is expected to follow visits by BYD senior executives, although some planned trips by top management had to be delayed last year.

For BYD, renewed focus on India reflects the brand’s effort to reduce reliance on its home market, where EVs have become moderate amidst ongoing subsidy rollbacks and heavy competition as well. The carmaker is targeting a sharp rise in overseas deliveries for 2026. Diplomatic relations between China and India have improved slightly over the past few months, but the policy supporting BYD remains rocky in India.

New Delhi: Nissan have given more details about their upcoming Gravite MPV ahead of the official unveiling happening in February. In their new teaser, the brand have revealed the exterior colour options, giving a clearer picture of what Nissan’s first MPV in the Indian market will be like. 

In the video, the Nissan Gravite comes with five paint shades. These include distinctive teal colour, which is one of their main shades and will be sold alongside the conventional black, grey, silver, and white. Nissan obviously wants to give the Gravite a separate identity, even though it shares roots with the Renault.

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Nissan Gravite exterior and interior features

Even though the Gravite is based on the Triber, Nissan have gone one mile beyond to differentiate between the two. At the front, the MPV comes with horizontally placed LED DRLs integrated into the headlamp units. The grill comes with a prominent horizontal chrome slat, while the bonnet comes with Gravite lettering.

At the back, the MPV gets sports split tail-lamps connected by a horizontal trim across the tailgate. The Gravite badge sits here as well, with a similar design theme to the front. Overall, the styling is quite fresh and upright.

On the inside, it should be similar to the Tirber in terms of features and is likely to feature an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system paired with a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It could also come with a cool glovebox, cruise control, wireless charging and the lot. 

Nissan Gravite powertrain and safety

Coming on the CMF-A platform, the sub-4-meter is going to share powertrain options with the Renault Triber and is likely to get a 1.0-litre naturally aspirated three-cylinder petrol engine that makes 71 bhp and 96 Nm of torque, mated with either a five-speed manual or an AMT. Alongwith this, there is also hope for a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine seen on the Renault Kiger that should make about 100 bhp and 160 Nm of torque, and that is adequate for this MPV.

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It should also have good amounts of safety features and will include features like six airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, tyre pressure monitoring system, hill-start assist, parking sensors, ISOFIX child seat mounts and rearview camera as well. 

The Gravite will be followed by a mid-size SUV five-seater called the Tekton, and there will be a seven-seater that will arrive in 2027.

New Delhi: A few years back, on a random day, when no one was least expecting, Jaguar hit that reset button, and since then, the brand claims that ICE is on the way out. Last month, it fulfilled this promise by cancelling the ICE completely, following the final F-Pace rolling out of the assembly line from their Solihull plant in UK.

The other ICE models had already been discontinued, and the SUV’s retirement marked the end of the luxury brand’s ICE heritage after 90 years of production.

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Until the Type 00 enters production later this year, Jaguar has no cars in its lineup. The media reports have now picked up the chatter that the pledge to be totally EVs might have been too early for the brand. Media reports claim that the new car might still come with a combustion engine. 

As told by The Times, there are concerns that within Jaguar, there are growing concerns over Type 00’s range. While the battery pack is expected to be on the larger size, due to the vehicle’s stately footprint, engineers are reported to be exploring adding an ICE to come as a generator. They would turn the polarising four-door GT more towards an electric range-extending vehicle (EREV).

Jaguar’s range-related issue

Jaguar were quoted to have an EV range of 770 km on the WLTP cycle for the Type 00 concept. Even though these numbers are healthy. Still, Jaguar fears that it could deter buyers due to range anxiety. Adding the range-extending ICE would make the production-ready Type 00’s range surge to 1,100 km, making it a proper GT.

The Times said people familiar with the subject have said that the engineers have been given “secret initiative” to extend the car’s range. 

Like EREVs are, the ICE won’t be powering the wheels, but will act more as generators to recharge the battery while on the move. BMW is often regarded as a pioneer of the technology, having brought the i3 REx with a motorcycle engine coming as a generator, almost a decade ago.

 It has been reported that the range-extending version won’t be coming at launch later this year. The alternative powertrain is in early stages, suggesting that the decision to explore EREVs came when the model was already well into its development. However, multiple news houses, including Autocar, have reported that the Jaguar senior officials have denied The Times report. 

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For now, it is all confusing, and it is clear that the engine, if it were coming, it would of tiniest size. JLR is currently bringing back the Freelander as a different brand of China-made models, with range-extenders among other powertrains. The vehicles are being developed in partnership with Chery, which will engineer and make them locally. We don’t know if Jaguar will take cues from them or not.

The Type 00 will come on a dedicated “tech platform” called the Jaguar Electrical Architecture. However, the long hood requires an ICE, but Jaguar have been adamant. Jaguar have categorically denied the rumours and continues to move towards EV powertrain. Still, one would wish for the ICE days to come back.

New Delhi: Skoda recently confirmed that the Kodiaq RS performance SUV will be coming to the Indian roads by June 2025. That makes the Kodiaq the first SUV to come with RS badging and sit above the standard Kodiaq, getting a more sporty cosmetic upgrade and even a stronger mechanical package.

The Kodiaq RS will be powered by a higher-output version of the 2.0-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine, paired with a dual-clutch automatic and all-wheel drive. It is also going to be a CBU import, which could make it a limited-run product as well. The final list of equipments haven’t been confirmed yet. 

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Expected powertrain Skoda Kodiaq RS

The Kodiaq RS  will be coming with a 2.0-litre turbo petrol that was previously seen in the Octavia RS as well. For this car, it will be making 265 bhp and 400 Nm of torque, which is a 60 bhp and 80 Nm of torque increase from the standard car. It will come with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and all-wheel-drive system.

Skoda have said that it will be doing 0-100 kph in 6.3 seconds with a top speed of 231 kph. The RS will also come with upgraded braking hardware, including slotted brake discs and two-piston callipers at the front. 

Skoda Kodiaq RS exterior and interior

 The Kodiaq RS is much more sportier in terms of styling over the standard SUV, coming at the front with a blacked-out grille, reshaped bumper elements and bigger air openings that give it a much more performance-focused appearance. Further, there are 20-inch alloy wheels with red brake callipers and blacked-out C-pillar, mirror caps and roof rails. The back is similar to the standard SUV, but the bumper is slightly revised. 

On the inside, you have the all-black theme running with red accents and red contrast stitching. The seats are heavily bolstered and come with the RS badging integrated on the headrests. The model also comes with a 13-inch touchscreen, digital instrument cluster, and rotating control knobs for standard functions like volume and climate control.

The Kodiaq RS comes with a rich feature list, including three-zone climate control, powered tailgate, ambient lighting, heads-up display, multiple wireless chargers, and powered, ventilated, heated and massaging front seats. 

Skoda Kodiaq RS expected features

Kodiaq RS international comes with adaptive dampers as standard, further adding flexibility for both comfort and sportier driving, but whether the Indian spec gets this isn’t known. In other markets, the Kodiaq RS also comes with 9 airbags, a Level 2 ADAS suite, and important features like electronic stability control, hill-hold assist and even electronic parking brake with auto-hold.

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Parking features include a 360-degree camera along with front and back parking sensors, and has a five-star NCAP rating, but a lot of the features will depend on the pricing of course. The expected pricing is Rs 55 lakh and Rs 60 lakh (ex-showroom), making it compete with the likes of established players like Toyota Fortuner, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and newcomers like MG Majestor and Volkswagen Tayron R-Line.

New Delhi: For the Indian auto industry, September 2025 was the turnaround that it had been waiting for a long while. For a long while, the GST reset helped reset the long-standing tax distortions, and the festive season helped in demand, bringing buyers back to the showrooms, and year-end sales helped auto makers close the year on a better note. 

For a sector that contributes about 7 per cent of India’s GDP and anchors a huge segment of the manufacturing base, this was respite. 

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For the new year and the final quarter of fiscal year 2026, it puts the next policy movement in the spotlight. The Union Budget 2026-27 is set to be tabled on February 1st, and the auto industry will obviously keep a close tab on it, which has seen a major tax overhaul. Experts believe it isn’t about structural fixing but can targeted measures steady demand, ease cost pressures, and restore confidence across segments that are finding their roots in the industry.

Data from SIAM and FADA show that numbers over FY2 period5 and FY26 show that volumes have improved from the post-pandemic, but the recovery is still uneven. Premium PVs continued to find good numbers but it was sluggish for the likes of entry-level cars and the two-wheelers as well. 

Rural PV, though, saw robust growth according to FADA data, highlighting that the recovery is not at all uniform but going towards an industry that might not have been the highlight previously.

What would the auto industry hope for

In the coming time period, a major focus will be on electric mobility, and as EV adoption slowly picks up, manufacturers are advocating for consistent fiscal support and incentives similar to the ones provided in the last budget. This will include GST advantages for EVs, protection of clarity on the applicable tax rates for EV batteries and components, and extensions of duty exemptions on critical inputs to keep EV prices much more affordable.

For EVs, another issue is the charging infrastructure; battery production and skills development are key for it to succeed, and that is one area experts feel the budget will focus on, too. Automakers believe that a strong national roadmap for charging networks, streamlined approvals and incentives for localisation of battery supply chains would strengthen India’s competitive edge in electric mobility.

Automakers, of course, continue to want clarity and continuity in the major policies, including a much more consistent and predictable framework for GST compliance, along with improved input tax credit processes and easier customs and duty processes. 

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One big concern for the industry is affordability and demand, particularly from the mass-market segment. The premium vehicles have performed well, with entry-level cars and two-wheelers still facing pricing issues that could choke the market performance and participation. 

While the auto sector has shown resilience and signs of recovery from the pits, the stakeholders see the upcoming budget as a big policy moment. It will be where the auto sector will get a much clearer understanding and have more predictability towards the regulations and policies as well. 

New Delhi: Continental Tires has launched the CrossContact A/T², with a thrilling Continental Tires’ Track Day at Dot Goa 4X4. With the launch, India is among the first markets worldwide to be introduced to this next-generation product that blends German precision with rugged versatility for different terrains. 

The launch of the highly anticipated CrossContact A/T² reinforces the brand’s growing interest in the Indian market. 

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Samir Hupta, MD, Continental Tire India, at the launch said, “India’s 4x4 vehicle segment is experiencing sharp growth, driven by a growing passion for adventure and long-distance travel. With our 'In the Market, For the Market' approach, we continually innovate to meet the demands of Indian road conditions and deliver enhanced driving experiences. The CrossContact A/T² delivers high performance across the diverse terrains and topographies that India offers.”

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He further noted that India is the first market worldwide where the CrossContact A/T²  had been introduced. The CrossContact A/T² is made for performance, precision and power and is built for SUVs and 4X4, giving excellent grip across different terrains, including mud, gravel, sand and the lot. 

The CrossContact A/T² is available at the brand’s authorised dealerships and stores nationwide, and sizes range from 215/70 R15 to 285/60 R18.

New Delhi: Mercedes-Benz S-Class is coming with a major facelift, and the German luxury brand has given some of the information about the upcoming update of the executive saloon, which is set to premiere on January 29th, 2026. The present-gen made its debut five years ago, and by the next decade, it will be replaced by a model that will be available as both an ICE and an electric option. 

The forthcoming model is placed as a mid-cycle update that keeps it updated. This will be the biggest update to Saloon, coming with almost 2,700 new and updated components. 

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Mercedes-Benz have released a teaser video of CEO Ola Kallenius speaking about the S-Class facelift, coming as the most advanced version of the saloon with updates in comfort, tech, safety, and design as well. Even though it carries about the same overall silhouette as before, it is likely to grow to be much more aggressive when it comes on the road. 

Mercedes-Benz S-Class exterior and interior

The outside changes include a revised grille, which is more angular, tweaked bumpers that make it look more define and a refreshed set of headlamps and taillights, along with the three-pointed star motif as well. Mercdes have confirmed that the new S-Class will come back with the iconic upright star on the hood.

The main updates will take place inside the cabin, which is likely to be more tech-heavy. From the spy shots we have seen, it is likely to come with a new wall-to-wall display, similar to all-electric EQS with its seamless glass panel on the dashboard as well. This will come with the newest Mercedes-Benz Operating System, the brand’s software architecture developed fully in-house. 

The S-Class will become the first to come with MB.OS, coming with 27 sensors, voice commands, and personalised functions. 

The back row comes with a range of creature comfort updates, including updated seating ergonomics and an expanded range of MANUFAKTUR personalised options. The new S-Class will also bring updates to the AIRMATIC suspension, which is claimed to come with better comfort by adapting more easily to uneven terrain surfaces. 

Mercedes-Benz S-Class powertrain

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The S-Class facelift will be underpinned by the same platform as before and is likely to carry the same engine options as well. These include the 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel engine that makes 286 bhp and 60 Nm of torque and a 3.0-litre mild-hybrid petrol unit that can combine to make 381 bhp and 500 Nm of torque. 

Mercedes will still develop cars with combustion engines well into the next decade and have no plans on shelving their most coveted powertrains anytime soon. Kallenius have said that the carmaker have made a completely new version, which is a flat-plane V8 engine that will run cleaner and comply with the newest European emission laws. In the meantime, the V12 powerplant that is under the Maybach S-Class is to be retained.

New Delhi: Mercedes Formula One team is reportedly close to announcing a new sponsorship deal with computer giant Microsoft, which could be worth $60 m a year. The Silver Arrows are one of the most heavily sponsored teams in the paddock, with about 20 sponsors, but Microsoft tapping into this would be a landmark deal in the world of F1.

According to reports from Sky News, Microsoft, which is valued at $3.4 trn, will announce their new partnership when the team unveils their livery for the season. Further, the broadcaster said a sponsorship expert has estimated it would be falling somewhere in the ballpark of the $60 m a year, making it the third most lucrative sponsor, behind Mercedes’ $75 million a season deal with Petronas and Red Bull’s $100 m a year deal with Oracle.

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The deal comes as part of the tech giant’s increasing involvement with the F1 world and comes after the sale of a portion of team principal Toto Wolff’s Mercedes shares to cybersecurity company CrowdStrike. The sale is said to have given the Mercedes team a value of above £ 4.6 bn, making it one of the most valuable teams not just in the grid but in the sports world.

Yesterday, Mercedes also announced another partner, in the form of digital finance service Nu. Upon the announcement, Wolff, co-owner and CEO of Mercedes, said that innovation and disruption were part of everything the team did, and the partnership signified that more.

Mercedes will launch W17 for the season of 2026 today

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Mercedes are close to launching W17 today and are going to hope for a return to the top of the Constructors' championship battle, having missed it since 2021. The team also announced the imminent departure of their Chief Designer, John Owens, who had been with the team since its return to the F1 grid.

The team said that Owen will serve a period of gardening leave as he steps away from the team later this year, and in his place, present Engineering Director Giacomo Tortora will take over, with Deputy Technical Director Simone Resta monitoring the group. Mercedes ended their last season second on the Constructors’ championship but were miles behind the McLaren team, who had a dream run.

New Delhi: Ducati have unveiled the Panigale V4 Tricolore, paying homage to everything that defines Italian craftsmanship, racing heritage and design excellence. Limited to just 1,000 units globally, the Panigale V4 Tricolore is more of a collector’s model that blends history and exclusivity perfectly.

The motorcycle takes cues from the iconic Ducati 750 F1, first revealed in 1984, marking four decades of a design philosophy that later gave rise to some of the brand’s legendary nameplates. The Tricolore livery, reserved only for Ducati’s most prestigious models, made its modern debut with the 851 Desmoquattro in 1988 and has since become a symbol of the marque’s racing pedigree.

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Commenting on the launch, Managing Director, Ducati India, Bipul Chandra, said that the Panigale V4 Tricolore stands as the ultimate expression of Italian design, engineering and exclusivity. He further noted that the motorcycle blends Ducati’s racing DNA with refined luxury and craftsmanship, and its arrival in India reflects the brand’s commitment to customers who value rarity, authenticity and performance-driven artistry.

Made by Drudi Performance in collaboration with Centro Stile Ducati, the Panigale V4 Tricolore is based on the current generation of Panigale V4. It comes with a striking white, red and green Tricolore livery, applied asymmetrically for the first time on a Ducati motorcycle.  

The colours of the Italian flag are complemented by black-and-white chequered-flag graphics along the lower fairing, symbolising victory. Racing-style number plates come with the number ‘1’ further in order to enhance their motorsport-inspired appearance, echoing models like the Panigale V4 R and Multistrada Pikes Peak.

The livery highlights the bike’s aerodynamic surfaces and sharper lines, reflecting the design evolution introduced with the 2025 Panigale V4 and what marked Ducati’s transition into the seventh generation of their superbikes.

It is the first time for Ducati that a Tricolore model is equipped with track-focused hardware as standard. The motorcycle rides on five-spoke carbon-fibre wheels, reducing weight by about 0.9 kg compared to the forged wheels on the Panigale V4 S, while also lowering rotational inertia by 12 per cent at the front and 19 per cent at the rear.

Another world-first for a production motorcycle is the introduction of the Front Brake Pro system. This setup comes with dual Brembo T-Drive discs measuring 338.5 mm in diameter and 6.2 mm in thickness, built to deliver stronger and much more consistent braking performance. Borrowed from components used in World Superbike racing and tested by Ducati’s factory riders during the 2024 Race of Champions, the system is paired with Hypure callipers featuring an anthracite anodised finish and an oversized Brembo logo. Braking duties are further enhanced by an MCS 19.21 master cylinder with remote lever adjustment, similar to those used in MotoGP and WorldSBK.

The Panigale V4 Tricolore also comes with a dry clutch, adjustable billet-aluminium footpegs and a GPS module. For track enthusiasts, Ducati supplies additional equipment as standard, including a racing fuel cap, brake calliper cooling ducts, a carbon-fibre open clutch cover and a licence plate removal kit. Rider experience is further elevated through features such as an Alcantara seat, racing windscreen and a unique dashboard animation at start-up.

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As with every Ducati collector model, exclusivity is reinforced through a machined aluminium steering plate engraved with the motorcycle’s name and serial number. Each bike is delivered with a certificate of authenticity, a bespoke motorcycle cover and a specially designed presentation box that mirrors the Tricolore colour scheme. The model number is also etched onto the aluminium ignition key, while owners have the option to purchase a matching limited-edition jacket inspired by the motorcycle’s design.

Bookings for the Ducati Panigale V4 Tricolore are now open, though only a handful of units will be allocated to India. The limited-edition Superbike is priced at Rs 77 lakh (ex-showroom, India).

New Delhi: The Indian automotive scene had been at its best in 2025. What stood out as a particularly eventful year was a barrage of new vehicle launches and significant regulatory changes. To evaluate the progress, TV9 Network organised the Auto9 Awards, bringing together a panel of 27 jury members at the Buddh International Circuit to evaluate the standout cars and bikes of the year. 

Despite being around a Formula One track, it wasn’t just top speed by which the cars were judged of course. The judges examined each vehicle’s overall character, including ride comfort, technology, practicality and appeal to modern buyers. With customer expectations at an all-time high, manufacturers have turned up well with technologically advanced SUVs and more electrified powertrains, making the evaluation both challenging and exciting. 

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To organise the many contenders, vehicles were grouped into several categories. For four-wheelers, this included awards such as Design of the Year (4W), Performance Hatchback of the Year, Premium Sedan of the Year, SUV of the Year, MPV of the Year, Sports Car of the Year, Luxury SUV of the Year, Viewers' Choice Car of the Year and Manufacturer of the Year. 

Two-wheelers were recognised across categories like Commuter Bike of the Year, Premium Bike of the Year, Performance Bike of the Year, Design of the Year (2W) and Scooter of the Year (ICE). Additionally, electric vehicle segments were highlighted with separate awards for EV and Luxury EV in cars, and EV Bike and EV Scooter among two-wheelers. 

Overall, the Auto9 Awards aimed to celebrate not just performance milestones but also the design innovation, comfort, and the evolving expectations of Indian automotive customers in 2025. 

Auto9 Awards Two-Wheeler categories and nominations explained

Commuter Bike Of The Year

• Hero GlamourX 125
• Honda CB 125 Hornet
• Yamaha XSR 155
• TVS Apache RTR 160 4V

Premium Bike Of The Year

• TVS Apache RTX
• Royal Enfield Classic 650
• KTM Adventure 390
• Aprilia Tuono 457

Performance Bike Of The Year

• Kawasaki ZX10R
• BMW S1000RR
• Honda CB 1000 Hornet
• Suzuki GSX-8R

Design Of The Year (2W)

• Honda CB 125 Hornet
• TVS NTorq 150
• Ultraviolette X47 Crossover
• Hero Xtreme 250R (

Scooter Of The Year (ICE)

• Suzuki Access 125
• Hero Xoom 160
• TVS NTorq 150
• Aprilia SR 175

Auto9 Awards Car & SUV categories and nominations explained

Design Of The Year (4W)

• Vinfast VF7
• Tata Sierra
• Mahindra BE6
• BYD Sealion

Performance Hatchback Of The Year

• Volkswagen Golf GTI
• JCW Mini Cooper S
• Mini Convertible

Premium Sedan Of The Year

• BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe
• Skoda Octavia RS
• Tesla Model 3
• Toyota Camry

SUV Of The Year

• Tata Sierra
• Skoda Kylaq
• Hyundai Venue
• Maruti Suzuki Victoris

MPV Of The Year

• Kia Carens
• Clavis
• MG M9

Sports Car Of The Year

• Maserati McPura
• Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE
• Lotus Emira
• Aston Martin Vanquish

Viewers' Choice Car Of The Year

• Tata Sierra
• Mahindra BE6
• Maruti Suzuki Victoris
• Skoda Kylaq
• Hyundai Venue

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Luxury SUV Of The Year

• Mercedes-Benz EQG
• BMW iX LWB
• BMW X3
• Volvo XC90

Manufacturer Of The Year

• Mahindra & Mahindra
• Hyundai
• Tata Motors
• Maruti-Suzuki

New Delhi: With a strong push towards global expansion for the Norton brand, TVS Motor Company are close to roping in Nick Rogers, the former tech head at Jaguar Land Rover, in their leadership team of Engineering and Technology. Media sources have said that he could be joining TVS next month and will be based at the TVS New Tech centre.

It is understood that Rogers’ strong pedigree and familiarity with the European automotive industry will be crucial to the global expansion of the Norton brand.

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Rogers has been chairman of Israeli-based motor manufacturer EVR Motor since April 2024. Previously, he spent over two decades with Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover, where he held important leadership roles, including board member and executive director for product engineering and research.

His move to TVS Motor comes at a time when electrification in the two-wheeler space is moving fast, and India is emerging as a crucial testing ground for upcoming generation technologies.

TVS Motor have been scaling up their long-term technology roadmap, with research and development spending going past Rs 1,000 crore for the first time in FY25. The company has also earmarked Rs 5,000 crore for investments in future mobility solutions.

This strategy is gaining traction through global initiatives, including the acquisition of Engines Engineering, which has let TVS to set up a design and engineering centre in Bologna, Italy. The facility focuses on modular architectures and rapid prototyping, and forms part of a wider effort to make global engineering depth. With a talent base of above 2,000 engineers and a sharp push on digital capabilities led by internationally experienced leaders like Rogers, TVS is clearly aiming to establish a name for themselves in world-class engineering.

The company is also enhancing their global brand positioning, following the acquisition of iconic British motorcycle company Norton. Under new management, Norton has started to show its refreshed product portfolio, which re-establishes TVS Motor’s premium aspirations.

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TVS Motor at present leads India’s electric two-wheeler market and continues to invest heavily in electrification and advanced technologies. Its strategy balances electric models with internal combustion and premium options in order to serve a wide spectrum of customers. It is Roger’s extensive experience that will play a key role in improving the brand’s tech-led growth strategy.

Expanding internationally remains at the core of TVS Motor’s future plans. The brand already operates across Asia, Africa and Latin America, and has recently entered European markets such as France and Italy, initially focusing on premium electric and ICE-powered two-wheelers.

New Delhi: Skoda has confirmed that it will bring the Kodiaq RS performance SUV to India by June 2026. This will be the first RS-badged SUV from Skoda for the Indian market. The model will be based on the second-generation Kodiaq, which is already on sale in the country.

The Kodiaq RS is expected to arrive in India as a CKD unit, similar to the standard model. Pricing is likely to fall between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 60 lakh (ex-showroom). Once launched, it will compete with models such as the Volkswagen Tayron R-Line and the MG Majestor.

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Kodiaq RS: Engine and performance

Under the bonnet, the Kodiaq RS will use a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol TSI engine. This is the same engine that was earlier offered in the Octavia RS. In the Kodiaq RS, the engine produces 265 hp and 400 Nm of torque. This is a significant increase over the standard Kodiaq, which gets lower power and torque figures. Power is sent to all four wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, along with an all-wheel-drive system.

In terms of performance, the SUV can accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in 6.3 seconds. The claimed top speed is 231 kmph. To handle the extra performance, Skoda has upgraded the braking system. The Kodiaq RS gets slotted brake discs and two-piston callipers on the front wheels. It also comes with adaptive suspension as standard, although it is not yet clear if this feature will be offered on the India-spec model.

Kodiaq RS: Body design

The Kodiaq RS looks sportier than the regular version. At the front, it gets a redesigned bumper, larger air intakes and a blacked-out grille instead of chrome. The side profile remains largely unchanged, but there are black elements on the C-pillar, roof rails, mirror caps and window frames. The SUV rides on 20-inch alloy wheels, and the red brake callipers add a performance touch. At the rear, changes are limited to a slightly revised bumper.

Kodiaq RS: Interior

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Inside the cabin, the Kodiaq RS follows an all-black theme with red highlights. The seats are more heavily bolstered and come with RS branding on the headrests. Red stitching is used across the upholstery. Features include a 13-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a digital instrument cluster and rotary controls for climate and audio functions.

New Delhi: Porsche have recorded their poorest annual sales performance in the last 16 years, with global deliveries falling to 2,79,449 units in 2025. Which is a 10 per cent decline as compared to the year before, according to a report from Reuters.

The German sports car brand, operating under the Volkswagen Group umbrella, faced similar turbulence to its rivals Audi and Mercedes-Benz. The most severe impact came from China, where Porsche’s sales dropped by 26 per cent in the middle of a slowdown in the luxury segment and heavy competition from electric vehicle makers. Reuters noted that these pressures led Porsche to scale back their dealer network in the country.

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Things for Porsche competitors BMW and Mercedes-Benz are relatively better in China, with registered sales declines of 12.5 per cent and 19 per cent respectively in 2025. Overall, 2025 marked Porsche’s sharpest annual sales decline since 2009, when the global financial crisis led to a 24 per cent drop in deliveries.

Europe also proved challenging for the carmaker. Porsche’s domestic market of Germany saw sales fall by 16 per cent, while deliveries across the remaining Europe declined by 13 per cent. Reuters attributed most of this downturn to supply disruptions affecting both the 718 and Macan models powered by combustion engines. These disruptions stemmed from new EU cybersecurity regulations that came into force in July 2024 and required changes to vehicle software systems.

North America emerged as the only relatively stable market for Porsche, where sales remained flat. This was contrasting to the sharp decline of around 12 per cent for both Mercedes-Benz and Audi. 

What caused Porsche's poor performance in 2025?

Reuters reported that proposed US tariffs were expected to cost Porsche about  €700 million in 2025. Unlike some of its competition, the brand does not manufacture vehicles in the US, leaving it more exposed to trade-related risks. 

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Porsche’s decision to recalibrate their strategy, scaling back their push for an all-electric vehicle portfolio in favour of more profitable combustion-engine models while postponing certain EV launches, also weighed on earnings. According to the report, this shift resulted in a €1.8 billion impact on profits last year.

Despite the strategic adjustment, electric vehicles still accounted for 22.2 per cent of Porsche’s global deliveries in 2025, with plug-in hybrids contributing a further 12.1 per cent. This placed the brand's overall electrified share at the higher end of its stated target range of 20 to 22 per cent.

New Delhi: It is true that the strict laws about emissions are the real reason why the internal combustion engine might be dying slowly. It is much more challenging in the European Union, where the Euro 7 standard is making brands work hard in terms of their ICE portfolio.

BMW, though have taken precautions to ensure that their large engines don’t get phased out when the EU7 comes into play.

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During an interaction with Autocar, Chief Technology Officer Joachim Post noted that the next-generation engine had been engineered from its inception to meet increasingly stringent regulations. Furthermore, it has been stated that the inline-six, V8, and V12, which are exclusive to the Rolls-Royce brand, will also remain. BMW stopped selling the 12-cylinder car following the M760i Final Edition in 2022.

BMW's next-gen could come with a V12?

Post went on to note to Autocar that the next-gen BMW products might come with V12 as well. However, it wasn’t clear if it will be a core BMW model or strictly a Rolls-Royce. It would be interesting to have the twin-turbo, 6.75-litre in something like the newly founded BMW Alpina.

The sub-brand is placed above the regular BMW and targets the likes of Mercedes-Maybach, which still comes with a V12 in the S-Class S680. However, nothing is known at this point, as the “N74” engine might remain just for Rolls-Royce’s Ghost, Cullinan and Phantom models. It is quite good that the ICE versions are here to stick around for a while. 

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A complete electric M3 has been teased already, before its 2027 launch, but BMW are still planning for a fuel counterpart. It is likely to arrive a year after the EV, with customers having both options. The ICE model will come with an updated “S58”, a twin-turbo 3.0-litre inline-six, likely with mild-hybrid technology to meet EU regulatory requirements. 

In his interaction with Autocar, Post also said that the M4 will have another generation with the current car’s life-cycle reportedly extended upto 2029. The M4 the CTO suggested that M4 could continue to be made on a regular 4 Series, implying there would be four-cylinder engine in the mix. 

New Delhi: In order to clear their unsold inventory from MY2025, Tesla India have offered a discount of up to Rs 2 lakh on their only car sold in India, the Model Y, limited to the Standard Range trim in Stealth Grey with an all-black interior, which is priced at Rs 59.89 lakh (ex-showroom). Of course, as is often the case, the discount only lasts until the stock lasts. 

This comes just six months after the launch of the Tesla Model Y, which had gotten 600 bookings early on and is sold here in import. Still, according to a Bloomberg India report, citing people who are aware of the issue, have said some prospective customers who had made the early bookings have backed out since then.

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The report further noted that Tesla, led by Elon Musk, had brought about 300 units of the Model Y, but subdued demand has meant that close to 100 vehicles are yet to be sold. Registration data from Vahan shows that Tesla sold 226 Model Ys in calendar year 2025, highlighting the disconnect between initial interest and actual conversion.

Why Tesla's sales have slumped?

This slowdown is not limited to India alone as Tesla have globally struggled in sales, with volumes falling for the second consecutive year in 2025, allowing rival BYD to move ahead. Increased competition and the gradual withdrawal of incentives in important markets have affected Tesla’s market share across the US, Europe and China.

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One of the key reasons cited for the sluggish performance in India is Tesla’s silent market entry. The brand’s arrival last year was delayed and much more low-profile, without any major promotional push. It almost lacked the promotional energy from the brand, as one might have hoped in a big market like India.

Further, Tesla was unable to secure import duty relief, resulting in their cars being subject to levies as high as 110 per cent. Along with a limited showroom footprint, these factors have contributed to the slow pace of sales.

New Delhi: MG is set to launch its new flagship full-size SUV, the Majestor, on February 12, 2026. The SUV was first shown at the Auto Expo 2025 and has been seen testing on Indian roads multiple times since then. The MG Majestor is expected to be priced higher than the Gloster, which currently costs between Rs 38 lakh and Rs 42 lakh. The SUV will compete with models like the Toyota Fortuner, Jeep Meridian, and Skoda Kodiaq.

Since the Majestor will likely be positioned above the Gloster, it is expected to offer more features than the current 3-row SUV. For comparison, the Gloster comes with a panoramic sunroof, 3-zone automatic climate control, wireless phone charging, a 12-speaker sound system, a powered tailgate, and front seats that are heated, powered, and include a massage function for the driver. The Majestor may include similar or upgraded features.

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MG Majestor: Body and design

The MG Majestor takes design cues from the Maxus D90, which is sold in countries like China and Saudi Arabia. The Majestor front has a large grille with black accents that give it a strong, aggressive look. The headlights are stacked vertically, with slim LED daytime running lamps above them. The lower part of the front bumper has black cladding with a silver element in the middle, adding to the SUV’s rugged appearance.

This cladding continues along the wheel arches and lower sides of the SUV. The Majestor comes with dual-tone 19-inch alloy wheels that resemble those on the MG Gloster. Other design elements include black door handles, black roof rails, connected LED tail lights, and a black rear bumper with a silver faux skid plate and twin exhaust tips.

MG Majestor: Interior and Powertrain

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MG has not officially revealed the Majestor’s interior, but spy photos suggest it will be similar to the Maxus D90. The SUV is expected to have a 12.3-inch floating touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, and a three-spoke steering wheel with a drive selector on the steering column.

The Majestor is expected to use the same engine as the Gloster. This is a 2-litre twin-turbo diesel engine producing 216 hp and 479 Nm of torque. The Gloster pairs this engine with an 8-speed automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive, and the Majestor is likely to have a similar setup. In the China-spec Maxus D90, the same engine produces slightly more torque.

New Delhi: Tesla is making a quiet but important change to how it sells one of its most talked-about features. From mid-February, buyers will no longer be able to purchase Full Self-Driving as a one-time upgrade. Instead, FSD will exist only as a monthly subscription.

The announcement came straight from Elon Musk on X and landed at a time when Tesla is dealing with slower vehicle sales and growing pressure to squeeze more revenue from software. For car buyers, especially those in markets like India, this change reshapes how expensive autonomy feels over the long run.

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Tesla ends one-time FSD purchases after February 14

Elon Musk confirmed that Tesla will stop selling Full Self-Driving as a permanent add-on after February 14, 2026. After that date, FSD will only be available through a monthly subscription.

Until now, Tesla buyers had two choices. They could pay a one-time fee of USD 8,000 (around ₹7.2 lakh) or subscribe monthly for USD 99 (around ₹8,910) in the United States. That upfront option is now going away.

This means FSD will no longer be tied to the life of the car. Stop paying, and the feature stops working.

Why Tesla is pushing subscriptions harder

The timing is not accidental. Tesla has been cutting FSD prices for years to drive adoption. At one point in 2022, FSD cost USD 15,000 (around ₹13.5 lakh), a price many owners struggled to justify given its real-world limits.

Now, Tesla appears to be betting on volume over upfront cash. Subscriptions create predictable, recurring revenue, something investors love, especially when vehicle sales slow.

There is also a personal angle. Musk’s long-term compensation plan is tied to aggressive targets, including 10 million active FSD subscriptions sustained over time. Other goals include producing 20 million vehicles, deploying 1 million robotaxis, rolling out 1 million humanoid robots, and hitting massive market-cap milestones. FSD subscriptions sit right at the centre of that plan.

What this means for Indian buyers

In India, the picture is more complicated. Tesla currently offers FSD on the Model Y as a software upgrade costing roughly ₹6 lakh on top of the vehicle price. The Model Y itself starts at around ₹59.89 lakh (ex-showroom).

The catch is that full FSD features are not legally enabled in India. The system still requires active driver supervision, and several promised capabilities remain unavailable. 

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A subscription model could lower the mental barrier. Some buyers may choose to activate FSD only during long highway trips or holidays. Others may skip it entirely.

Mixed reactions from users

Online reaction has been split. Some users see subscriptions as flexibility. Others are tired of adding yet another monthly charge to a growing list that already includes entertainment, music, fitness, food, and transport.

New Delhi: The production version of the Skoda Vision 7S concept, shown at the 2025 Auto Expo is confirmed to be named Peaq. Coming as Skoda’s EV flagship, the 7-seater SUV is likely to be the zero-emission equivalent of the Kodiaq. For anecdote purposes, till now Skoda have started every one of the EV SUVs with the letter ‘E’ and ended them with ‘Q’, but Peaq is breaking away from this tradition.

In March 2025, Skoda released images of the forthcoming Peaq, featuring Vision 7S-like LED headlights and tail-lights in the shape of T. These are bridged by Skoda’s signature Tech Deck panel, with separate individual light elements along its upper edge.

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At the back, the spoiler comes with a split design, and the ‘SKODA’ lettering on the tailgate is finished in black. Importantly, the concept shown had a lot of firsts from Skoda, including the wordmark-only logo and Modern Solid design language, the latter being applied to the Kylaq as well as Kodiaq.

Skoda with Peaq won’t be taking most of the radical elements from the Vision 7S concept, and features like rear-hinged doors, the absence of a B-pillar, and camera-based rear-view systems are expected to be replaced with more conventional elements. They will be replaced with elements standard with safety and regulatory norms.

There will be some future-looking features, including sport-oriented seats, a distinctive double D-shaped steering wheel, and a rotating central touchscreen capable of switching between portrait and landscape layouts. Other features expected are multifunction smart dials for climate and audio controls, dual wireless charging pads, and a clean digital instrument cluster, all contributing to a tech-focused cabin experience.

Skoda Peaq battery

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Much like the brand’s other electric offerings, the Peaq will be underpinned by Volkswagen Group’s modular MEB architecture. Skoda had previously confirmed that the EV will feature an 89kWh battery pack, which will deliver a driving range of more than 600km, and support fast-charging speeds of up to 200kW.

There is not much known about the Peaq, but Skoda have confirmed a global unveiling this summer. When it comes to production and market is something that will be confirmed once the unveiling is done. Peaq is made for versatility at the centre and everyday practicality.

New Delhi: Ford are expanding their Bronco lineup, with their new 2027 Ford Bronco RTR targeting to deliver in high-speed desert running capability quite like the Raptor, with a little more style. For a while, Vaugh Gitten Jr’s RTR have been upgrading Ford Mustangs and Broncos, and their technique has worked. 

Ford now wanted to go deep into the RTR line with a deeper product mix, with a factory-made RTR off-roader. The Bronco RTR is the logical step to increase the partnership, and the spec sheet is quite interesting. 

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As standard, it comes with a 33.0-inch tyre along with a high-clearance suspension system, which makes for extra lift. There are lots of Hyper Lime trim, the RTR grille, and RTR’s signature lighting treatment at the front. RTR also exchanges on a set of their Evo 6 wheels, which are beadlock capable.

Ford and RTR tap into their desert racing experience

Ford and RTR have taken a lot from their experience in desert racing, and that influence is reflected in terms of software updates aimed at improving turbocharger performance. The Bronco RTR benefits from off-road-focused anti-lag technology that keeps the turbo spinning in order to sustain boost pressure, which in turn makes for smoother and more predictable throttle response.

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To improve the durability, Ford have equipped the Bronco RTR with the cooling fan from the Bronco Raptor. This update is typically important for sustained high-speed driving in the extreme heat, where thermal management is crucial. There’s also Ford’s Sasquatch package, which replaces the standard 33-inch tyres with larger 35-inch which, bringing the HOSS 3.0 suspension system paired with Fox dampers, which until now was exclusive to the Badlands variant.

Ford have also placed the Bronco RTR as a value-focused performance option within the lineup. The Bronco RTR will make its public appearance at the 2026 Detroit Auto Show and will also be showcased in action at Johnson Valley during the King of the Hammers event in February.

New Delhi: Ducati has drawn a clear roadmap for India in 2026, and it is a busy one. The Italian motorcycle brand plans to bring ten new and updated models to the country over the next twelve months, covering everything from hardcore track machines to adventure tourers and lifestyle cruisers. The announcement sets the tone for a packed year in the premium motorcycle space.

For Indian riders who follow global Ducati launches closely, this calendar feels like a catch up move. Some of these bikes have already made waves overseas, and a few have been teased locally for a long time. Ducati also plans to grow its dealer footprint in India during 2026, which matters as much as new models in a country where service access still shapes buying decisions.

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Ducati India’s 2026 launch plan at a glance

Ducati’s confirmed 2026 India line up includes ten motorcycles, mixing fresh launches with updated versions. The list already has one name crossed off, as the Panigale V4R reached Indian showrooms on January 2, 2026.

The remaining models planned for the year include

• Desmo450 MX
• Multistrada V4 Rally 2026 Edition
• Panigale V4 Lamborghini
• Panigale V4 Marc Marquez Replica
• Panigale V2 Special Edition MM93
• Panigale V2 Special Edition PB63
• Monster V2
• Diavel V4 RS
• Hypermotard V2 and Hypermotard V2 SP

For enthusiasts, the spread is interesting. Ducati is not leaning only on superbikes. There is motocross, touring, naked, hyper naked, and special edition machines aimed at collectors.

How the launches are spaced through the year

Ducati is staggering launches across all four quarters. The year starts with a strong first quarter that includes the Multistrada V4 Rally 2026 Edition, the Panigale V4 Lamborghini, and the Desmo450 MX. The motocross bike stands out here, as it marks Ducati’s serious push into off road racing inspired machines.

The third quarter opens with the Monster V2 and two Panigale V2 special editions linked to Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia. The Diavel V4 RS follows toward the end of that quarter. The year closes with the Hypermotard V2 twins by October, and the Panigale V4 Marc Marquez Replica arriving by December.

What this means for Indian riders

From a rider point of view, 2026 looks less predictable, and that is a good thing. Ducati is bringing limited editions and niche bikes alongside mainstream sellers. I still remember seeing a Diavel for the first time on Indian roads years ago. It felt unreal then. Seeing an RS version planned now shows how far the market has moved.

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Indicative prices will go live on Ducati India’s website closer to launch. Bookings will open through dealerships in Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, and Kolkata.

New Delhi: Ultraviolette, during the 2026 CES at Las Vegas, displayed their new “Violette” voice assistant. AI voice assistants are trending more or less, and even though quite a few modern cars are equipped with them, they are still rare in the two-wheelers. Ultraviolette are one of the makers who have been busy with innovative tech, having already debuted the radar-based safety systems in the X-47 last year, and are now showing a new AI voice assistant technology. 

The system is being developed in partnership with American company Soundhound AI whose technology is already used by carmakers like Fiat and Hyundai. 

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The AI systems let riders access multiple data points of the vehicle like charge status, ride modes, ride statics, service status and trip data.  Apart from information access, it also allows riders to control certain functions, like adjusting regenerative braking, modifying traction control settings, or even initiating navigation through voice commands.

When executed properly, such a system could significantly reduce reliance on physical buttons and on-screen menu navigation while riding, offering a clear safety benefit. The setup is likely to operate via a Bluetooth-enabled communicator that captures spoken inputs and transmits them to the vehicle.

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At present, this technology remains under development and has not been introduced on any of the brand’s products in the existing portfolio. It is expected to make its debut in one of the company’s upcoming products this year, like the Ultraviolette Tesseract electric scooter or the Shockwave electric dirt bike. Backward compatibility with current Ultraviolette motorcycles remains uncertain. If the system can be deployed through a software update, existing owners may gain access, but the need for additional hardware or processing capability could limit this possibility.

Apart from this, the motorcycle featured in the company’s video appears to be equipped with a larger, newly designed rectangular TFT display. This might indicate the direction of future upgrades, both for current models and forthcoming launches. A small camera is also visible at the top of the display, just like a smartphone’s front-facing camera. The functions of this camera may enable, along with potential safety benefits and privacy considerations, are yet to be revealed.

New Delhi: Audi have just taken its first stroll into Formula One as Audi Revolut F1 Team officially went to the track. At the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya last Friday, in what should have been an under-the-wraps matter of affairs, fans infiltrated the facility and filmed some of the laps, which have since been making rounds on social media.

While the footages offer little insight into the design and performance of the car, it does capture the sounds that Audi might bring to the track. 

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There have been quite a few different videos making the rounds so far, and while one of them sounds quite good as an F1 engine, the other provides more clarity on how the hybrid powertrain works with the wheels. This season sees the first one where power duties are shared 50:50 between ICE and electric units. 

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Audi enters the season as one of the four constructors with their own constructed powertrain. Audi will be coming in place of Sauber, which 2025 season, bowed out. This makes Audi the second team, along with Cadillac, to be coming to the grid. For this season, Cadillac are sharing powertrains with Audi.

Driving for Audi will be Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto, and the team’s next action is set to take place at the first private pre-season test, from January 26th to 30th, again in Barcelona. For all constructors, they are jumping into no man’s land with new design and powertrain and the use of sustainable fuel. There is no DRS and instead a new system called the Active Aerodynamics system for wing adjustment. The performance of the cars are completely unknown, and this could be any team’s season.

New Delhi: Imagine this, it is the early parts of the 21st century, and the Maranello is loudly thumping and cheering every other race. Ferrari’s Formula One driver is at the peak of his career, and the brand comes out with the Ferrari Enzo, a supercar they had been creating since the late 1990s. 

The Ferrari Enzo was revealed in 2002 as a limited-production flagship named after their brand’s founder, Enzo Ferrari. Made using technology from Ferrari’s dominant F1 programme, it was a successor to the F40 and F50 as the brand’s ultimate road car and production was limited to just 400 specimens. The Enzo was the start of the brand mixing race-derived electronics and aerodynamics with a naturally aspirated V12, paving the way for future Ferrari hypercars.

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While its predecessors were raw and more mechanical, the Enzo brought advanced aerodynamics, carbon-fibre construction and electronic systems from F1. This wasn’t just a fast car; it had a technological advancement ahead of its time. 

Ferrari Enzo powertrain

The Ferrari Enzo was powered by a 6.0-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine, mounted longitudinally, sitting right behind the driver. It made 660 bhp and had a peak torque of 657 Nm, making it the most powerful naturally aspirated Ferrari road car back in the day. The engine was made to rev freely and respond instantly, giving a performance that was exclusive to high-revving Ferrari V12s.

The Enzo came with a six-speed automated manual transmission, featuring paddle shifters, technology lifted straight from Ferrari’s F1 cars. Gear shifts were exceptionally quick for the time period and were built more for performance than smoothness. Power went to the back wheels, and even though there was traction control, the driver had to be exceptionally skilled to operate something like this.

In terms of performance, you did 0-100kph in 3.6 seconds, and the Enzo had a top speed of 350 kph, making it amongst the fastest road cars and in the league of rivals like the Porsche Carrera GT and McLaren F1. 

Ferrari Enzo exterior and interior

The Ferrari Enzo’s design was almost entirely about aerodynamics. It came with a sharp nose, sculpted sides and a large rear diffuser were all inspired by Ferrari’s F1 cars of the early 2000s. The active aerodynamics adjusted automatically in order to balance downforce and drag, giving amazing stability at extreme speeds.

It was built around a carbon-fibre monocoque chassis; the Enzo was both lightweight and quite rigid. Its dramatic proportions, exposed carbon-fibre elements and centre-mounted exhausts made it feel like a race car, showing clear signs as to why it was made.

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Step inside, the Enzo was stripped to basics, and everything was purposeful. Carbon fibre dominated even the cabin, with minimal sound insulation and very thinly padded seats fixed directly to the chassis. The steering wheel came with integrated controls, a F1-derived feature, while the instrument cluster focused more or less just on performance. This was a driver-focused car and meant for driving pleasure, not comfort or luxury. 

The Enzo was a departure for Ferrari as it was Ferrari’s last flagship powered by just a naturally aspirated V12 without hybrid assistance. It set the mood for future Ferrari hypercars with a direct influence over the likes of LaFerrari.

New Delhi: Elon Musk-owned American electric carmaker, Tesla, have announced that they will be expanding their presence in India, having opened two physical touchpoints last year in Mumbai and Delhi. The brand on X announced that they will open yet another touchpoint in Bengaluru. 

The touchpoint in Bengaluru is expected to have four Supercharger stations, quite like Bandra-Kurla Complex in Mumbai and Aerocity in New Delhi. 

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At present, Tesla have only one car in their portfolio, the Model Y, which we saw last year during the Aerocity inauguration. At present, Tesla comes win two battery options: the 60 kWh battery pack and a 75 kWh battery pack. Further, the Model Y sold in India is only available with a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) trim against the all-wheel-drive trim sold globally. While the 60 kWh battery has a claimed range of 500 km, the long-range RWD has a claimed range of 622 km. 

The brand is expected to offer autonomous driving in India for a premium of Rs 6 lakh; however, the capability of use will be rolled out at a later date, as there is no clarity about the law regarding this. The Tesla Model Y has a starting ex-showroom price of Rs 59 lakh and is priced as high as Rs 67.89 lakh. 

Media sources say the Superchargers established by the brand in Delhi NCR and Mumbai are Version 4 units, which can charge other EVs. They will be exclusive to Tesla cars for now and will allow other electric vehicles to be charged at a later time. 

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There is a charging infrastructure opened by Tesla in Gurugram at the DLF Horizon Centre. It has a mix of charging options, including four Version 4 Supercharger units with a peak output of 250 kW and three Destination Chargers that deliver 11 kW. 

All of this is fine, but the brand hasn’t made much of a dent in the market. There are many reasons for this, with the minimalistic design, high price, and not coming with the best products all contributing to the lack of enthusiasm for owning the car.

New Delhi: Swedish car manufacturer Volvo have unveiled technical insights for their forthcoming EX60. Scheduled to make its global premiere on January 21st, 2026, the EDX60 will introduce a new EV architecture along with advanced manufacturing techniques as well.

It will serve as the basis of Volvo’s transition to a full-electric brand. The EX60 will be coming in international markets shortly after its launch, according to the brand. 

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The EX60 is aiming to set a high standard in terms of efficiency and long-distance travel. In the all-wheel-drive setup, Volvo expects the SUV to have the best in the segment performance with 810 km under the WLTP cycle. In the North American market, the same setup is estimated to have around 644 km range according to EPA standards.

The Swedish carmaker have moved to an 800-volt electrical system with the EX60. Unlike the 400-volt systems common in most at present EVs, with higher voltage allowing vehicles to sustain higher power levels with lower current, minimising the heat generation and improving overall energy efficiency.

Volvo EX60 charging and battery

Further, the EX60 can add about 340 km in 20 minutes when connected with a 400 kW DC fast charger under optimal conditions. Volvo are offering a 10-year battery pack warranty to support the high-performance hardware over the long term. Most importantly, the brand developed the thermal management software in partnership with Breathe Battery Technologies.

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The EX60 will be serving as the global debut for the SPA3 platform, designed specifically for electric powertrains. This differs from the previous design structures were meant to accommodate internal combustion engines. SPA3 uses cell-to-body technology where the battery pack is integrated directly into the vehicle’s chassis. This in turn makes the battery into a load-bearing component, which increases the SUV’s structural rigidity, improves the safety in a crash scenario and lowers the centre of gravity for better handling. 

With EX60, Volvo, in the first place, is implementing mega casting, which uses massive die-casting machines to make one single, large aluminium components that replace multiple smaller, individual parts that would be welded together.

New Delhi: KTM have rolled out updates for the 2026 Duke range in the global markets, with the 390 Duke coming with upgraded hardware and new colour schemes as well. For the 2026 KTM 390 Duke, the motorcycle now comes with a new WP FCR4 front brake calliper, which the company have claimed will offer better stopping performance. 

Apart from this addition, the braking setup is unchanged, with a 320 mm front disc and 240 mm rear disc and will also come with cornering ABS and Supermoto ABS as standard. 

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2026 KTM 390 Duke colour

In the 2026 iteration, the motorcycle also comes with a new deep matter blue colour scheme. In the international market, this is added in the black colourway that is already available in India. The bike otherwise is the same mechanically.

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It is still coming powered with a 399 cc single-cylinder making 46 bhp and 39 Nm of torque, and is mated with a six-speed gearbox. Features also include a five-inch TFT display, multiple riding modes and rider aids like the traction control, cruise control, and launch control as well. 

For the time being, KTM India haven’t confirmed if the upgraded braking system and the new colour option will be introduced in the India-specific 390 Duke.

New Delhi: Kia have revealed the EV2 electric crossover during the ongoing Brussels Motor Show. The EV2 is Kia’s sixth and the smallest model to date in the line-up from the born-electric vehicles made on the E-GMP platform. Worldwide, it is placed to rival the likes of the Renault 4 and the upcoming Volkswagen ID Cross.

On the outside, the EV2 does look similar to its bigger cousins from Kia’s line-up of electric SUVs. The EV2, though, has a revised version of the brand’s ‘tiger face’ front and gets a boxy shape for maximum interior room. There are the vertically stacked split headlamps, which are unique, a lot of body cladding all around the vehicle and the tail-lamps, which look like extensions of the body cladding over the back wheels and look similar to the Syros sold in India.

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The design from the outside is clean and with fewer sharp lines and edgy surfaces. There’s a GT trim, which gets sportier front and back bumpers. Wheel sizes would be between 16 to 218 inches for the regular variants, while the GT-trim should get 19-inch trims. In terms of dimensions, the EV2 is 4,060 mm in length, 1,800 mm in width and has a wheelbase of 2,565 mm.

Kia EV2 interiors and features

On the inside, it is quite similar to the Syros sold in the Indian market. You get the Kia’s dashboard centred on three screens, which is 1 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a 5.3-inch climate control display and the 12.3-inch central touch screen. For EV2, Kia have come up with a new ‘lite’ version of Kia’s infotainment system, which Kia has said lowers the cost. It is still capable of receiving over-the-air updates. 

Made for intuitive use, the Kia EV2 comes with a balance between modern tech with a user-friendly cabin featuring numerous tactile buttons on the steering wheel and centre console. 

A key highlight of this model is the flexible seating options, where buyers can choose between a standard five-passenger layout or a more specialised four-seat setup. In the four-seater version, the back comes with two standalone reclining seats that slide to expand the luggage area to 403 litres. The five-seater provides a respectable 362 litres of storage. Both setups come with a 15-litre front trunk (frunk) for smaller items.

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Other highlights include digital key 2.0, a high-end Harman Kardon audio system, Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) power sharing bi-directional charging and a Level 2 ADAS safety package.

Kia EV2 battery and range

The EV2 gets two battery options, which are a 42.2 kWh LFP battery for a range of 317 km, and a Long Range version comes with a 61.0 kWh NMC pack, which offers 448 km and will enter production in June. Standard range variants will come with a 147 bhp front-mounted motor, and Long Range gets a smaller 136 bhp motor.

New Delhi: BMW is lining up one of its busiest years in India, even as the luxury car market remains a small slice of the country’s overall auto sales. The German carmaker plans to launch 10 new cars in 2026, covering electric vehicles and models from its MINI brand, while also pushing harder on local sourcing to control costs.

Luxury cars still account for just about 1 percent of India’s total car market. BMW knows that simply fighting within this narrow space will not be enough, and its India strategy now reflects that reality.

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BMW India plans 10 new launches in 2026

BMW Group India confirmed it will introduce 10 new cars in India this year, along with 17 product upgrades. The plan includes electric vehicles and models from the MINI lineup, with more than one-third of the launches coming under the MINI badge.

The announcement follows a strong 2025 for BMW in India. The company sold around 18,000 cars last year, a 14 percent rise compared to the year before. This performance helped BMW close the gap with market leader Mercedes-Benz in the Indian luxury space.

Despite the growth, BMW’s India CEO Hardeep Brar made it clear that the bigger challenge lies outside brand rivalry. Luxury cars still make up only 1 percent of India’s more than 4 million annual car sales, mainly due to high import duties that push prices up.

Local sourcing becomes a bigger focus

To deal with pricing pressure, BMW is looking beyond just new launches. The company is working to increase local sourcing of parts for cars assembled in India. At present, around 50 percent of components are sourced locally. These include seats, engines, axles, and tyres.

The plan is to push this number higher, though exact targets have not been shared yet. From an industry point of view, this matters. Higher localisation can soften the impact of import taxes and make premium cars slightly more accessible.

Electric cars now form a big slice of sales

Electric vehicles have moved quickly from niche to meaningful for BMW in India. EVs now account for 21 percent of the company’s total sales, up from about 8 percent in 2024.

A key moment came last year when BMW began local assembly of the iX1 electric SUV. It was the brand’s first locally assembled EV in India. That move allowed BMW to price the car closer to petrol models, which helped drive EV sales growth of 200 percent.

BMW is now evaluating whether EV components like motors can also be sourced locally. These discussions are still at an early stage, but the intent is clear. Lower costs could help sustain EV momentum.

Why tax policy still matters

Even with growing demand, BMW believes policy support is critical. Electric vehicles in India currently attract a 5 percent tax rate, compared to 40 percent or more for petrol and diesel cars.

Brar said that luxury EV penetration in India is already around 10 percent, higher than the overall EV penetration of about 4 percent. To keep investments flowing and product pipelines expanding, he stressed the need to maintain the lower tax rate for a longer period.

What this means for Indian buyers

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For enthusiasts and buyers, 2026 could be a busy year. Ten new launches, multiple updates, more MINI options, and a stronger EV push mean more choice across body styles and price points.

BMW is not pretending the market is easy. Instead, it is betting on volume through variety, and cost control through localisation. Whether that helps expand the luxury market beyond its current 1 percent share will be the real story to watch.

New Delhi: Volkswagen has kicked off calendar year 2026 with a pricing move that feels a bit unusual at first glance. Prices are going up across most variants, yet entry-level buyers suddenly have a better deal on the table. It is one of those announcements that makes you pause, check the fine print, and then check it again.

Volkswagen is lowering the barrier of entry for new buyers, while quietly nudging prices up for higher trims. This comes at a time when both cars are nearing updates and competition in their segments is only getting tighter.

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Volkswagen Taigun and Virtus prices revised for 2026

Volkswagen India currently sells just two models under its INDIA 2.0 plan. The Taigun SUV and the Virtus sedan. As 2026 begins, both cars have received a price revision.

The headline change is at the bottom of the range. The base variants of both cars are now cheaper. Every other version sees a price hike, though the increases are mostly modest on the SUV and sharper on select sedan trims.

This move lands just ahead of expected updates. The Taigun facelift has already been spotted testing, and Volkswagen has teased a larger SUV for India, widely expected to be the Tayron.

Volkswagen Taigun sees lower entry price, mild hikes elsewhere

The Taigun SUV gets the more balanced treatment. The base Comfortline manual variant now costs ₹10.58 lakh, down from ₹11.42 lakh. That is a straight cut of ₹84,000, which is not small in this crowded segment.

Every other Taigun variant gets a uniform hike of ₹4,000. For a mid-size SUV fighting rivals like the Creta, Seltos, Grand Vitara, Hyryder, Kushaq, Elevate, Astor, and upcoming nameplates, this is a careful move.

From an enthusiast’s point of view, the Taigun still offers two familiar petrol engines. A 1.0 TSI for daily use and a stronger 1.5 TSI for those who enjoy highway drives. The price correction at the base could bring more first-time Volkswagen buyers into showrooms.

Virtus sedan gets sharper price changes

The Virtus sedan follows the same entry-level strategy but with bigger jumps on higher trims. The base Comfortline manual now starts at ₹10.50 lakh, down from ₹11.16 lakh. That is a cut of ₹66,000.

Beyond that, the hikes are uneven. Some variants go up by ₹10,000 or ₹11,000, while others jump by as much as ₹51,000. The biggest increases hit the Highline automatic and GT Line manual trims.

With the Maruti Ciaz now gone, the Virtus mainly goes up against the Slavia and City. The higher price jumps may push buyers to think harder about variant choice, especially in the automatic range.

Why Volkswagen may be doing this

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Having covered car prices for years, this feels like a classic segmentation play. Volkswagen wants footfall. A lower starting price helps. At the same time, it protects margins on higher trims where buyers are usually more committed.

There is also timing. Facelifts are coming. A larger SUV is on the way. The brand needs to stay visible in one of India’s toughest markets without making big structural changes just yet.

New Delhi: Following the Punch’s exterior and interior reveal just this week, Tata Motors have now given details about the sub-compact SUV’s trim lineup and the features. The 2026 Tata Punch will be coming with 6 trim levels, which are Smart, Pure, Pure+, Adventure, Accomplished and Accomplished +S. 

Previously, Punch was offered in 10 trims: Pure, Pure (O), Adventure, Adventure+, Adventure S, Adventure+ S, Accomplished+, Accomplished+ S, Creative+ and Creative+ S. Tata Motors have simplified the Punch trims with fewer trims, as has been the latest trend from the Indian brand. Smart is now the new base trim with the Creative+ trims being removed. 

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Even in the base model, the brand is giving six airbags, which across the lineup previously had been of just two airbags. It will also get LED headlamps, remote keyless entry and drive modes (City and Eco). In the top variant, which is Accomplished+, you get LED fog lamps with cornering function, voice-assisted electric sunroof, 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless phone charging, auto-dimming IRVM and a connected car suite.

2026 Tata Punch powertrain

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In the new Tata Punch, you get a big performance boost with the coming 1.2-litre, three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, which at present is with the Nexon. There are no specific power outputs, and transmission pairing isn’t known; the existing lineup is expected to be carried. This means it will come with the 88hp naturally aspirated petrol engine, coming with both manual and AMT gearboxes and the 73 bhp making a CNG-compatible powertrain. 

The Punch will be competing with the likes of Hyundai Exer and Citroen C3, with the upgrades from the current Rs 5.50 lakh and Rs 9.30 lakh. Last year, Tata followed the same mantra of 

New Delhi: The new BMW iX3 grabbed a lot of eyeballs during the CES 2026. For the first time, the enhanced AI-powered BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant with Alexa+ technology is coming to the public eye. As the debut model for the Neue Klasse, the BMW iX3 comes with a lot of pathbreaking innovations that will showcase the groundbreaking innovations that will shape the model range of the brand in the future.

By 2027, the technologies of the Neue Klasse will be integrated into a total of 40 new models and model updates from BMW. 

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The 2026 iX3 marks a milestone in voice technology as the first vehicle to bring both Amazon Alexa+ into the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. It is driven by a Large Language Model or LLM, this generative AI makes for natural, complex conversations. It also lets occupants ask multi-part questions in a single sentence, which can be anything from vehicle-specific commands to general knowledge queries. The system is slated to have a phased rollout across Germany and the USA for all OS 9 and X-equipped models by the middle of 2026.

A Hub for In-Car Entertainment

BMW has transformed the cabin into a mobile lounge for when the vehicle is parked, and features include video and streaming Integration of Disney+, YouTube Music, and the TiVo-powered Video App, alongside Zoom for video conferencing. It can even be used for gaming with exclusive access to Hot Wheels: Xtreme Overdrive through the AirConsole platform, which lets passengers use their smartphones as controllers, or they can even connect traditional Bluetooth console gamepads.

Further, the iX3 50 xDrive brings the sixth generation of BMW eDrive technology, which utilises 800V architecture and new cylindrical battery cells. In performance, this means the dual-motor gives 469 bhp that goes from 0-100 kph in 4.9 seconds. In efficiency, the "cell-to-pack" design increases energy density by 20 per cent, returning an impressive WLTP range of up to 805 kilometres. Further, the vehicle supports speeds of 400 kW, allowing for 372 kilometres of range to be added in a mere 10 minutes.

Bidirectional Charging and Grid Integration

The iX3 is no longer just a consumer of energy but a contributor. It gets Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) for powering external devices, Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) for solar energy storage, and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) capabilities, allowing owners to feed energy back into the market. In the North American market, the iX3 will be shipped with a native NACS port, which will ensure full compatibility with the Supercharger network.

The "Superbrains": Heart of Joy and Symbiotic Drive

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In the background, the iX3 is governed by four high-performance "superbrains." The Heart of Joy unit manages driving dynamics ten times quicker than previous systems, handling almost 98 per cent of braking through energy recovery.

Furthermore, the BMW Symbiotic Drive creates a more fluid relationship between the driver and the AI software. The updated Highway Assistant now lets hands-free driving at speeds up to 130 kph, with lane changes executed through simple eye-tracking confirmation. In urban settings, the system even manages stopping and restarting at traffic lights, with further city-based enhancements promised via future over-the-air updates.

New Delhi: Volkswagen have given a teaser for their upcoming Tayron. The German carmaker have shown the SUV in a white veil, with minimum exterior details visible. However, the silhouette and design of the LED lights can be seen, and it is clearly the Tayron sold internationally.

Of course, this is the first of the many teasers that we will see before the three-row SUV arrives in India. 

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The front fascia of the Volkswagen Tayron, as seen in the teaser, displays the SUV with the front light partly on. It gets a full-width LED strip that merges into the headlights, while the VW logo is also illuminated. The back of the Tayron comes with a svelte design for the connected taillights, coming with a thin LED strip and the main units along with a backlit VW logo just like the one seen on the front of the grille.

Of course, for the India-spec, there could be some cosmetic tweaks from the one sold in the international market, but more or less, the Volkswagen Tayron comes with overall a similar design and silhouette to the ones in the global market. In the global-spec, Tayron gets 17-inch alloy wheels as standard, but the Indian-spec is likely to come with 19-inch rims like the one seen on Tiguan R-Line.

In fact, a lot of the design elements between the Tayron and Tiguan R-Line, which does make the former a much more aggressive option, owing to its size.

Volkawagen Tayron powertrain and expected price

The VW Tayron is likely to come with a 2.0-litre TSI petrol engine directly from the Tiguan R-Line and will give back performance figures of 204 bhp and 320 Nm of torque. The four-cylinder direct-injection motor will be paired with a seven-speed DSG (dual-clutch) automatic gearbox and will be offered with the brand’s 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system.

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It is clear that the VW SUV will be coming during the first half of 2026 and would likely fall in the price bracket of Rs 45 lakh to Rs 50 lakh. In India, unlike the Tiguan R-Line, the Tayron will be coming as a CKD and will be assembled locally at Volkswagen’s facility in Aurangabad, Maharashtra.

Volkswagen are expanding on the ever-growing SUV market in India, and the Tayron is a big car, though with a certain premium aspect to it, and it will grab some eyeballs.

New Delhi: India’s passenger vehicle retail sales jumped massively in December 2025, with faster-growing rural markets that had a better pace than the urban demand, according to the data from the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) on Tuesday. PV retail sales saw a rise of 26.64 per cent year-on-year to 3,79,671 units in December.

The rural demand grew by 32.40 per cent YoY against the 22.93 per cent growth in urban markets. It highlights a widening spread of personal mobility that went beyond the big cities, as noted by FADA.

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The strong rural performance helped cap the year in which overall PV retail sales grew by 9.70 per cent in calendar year 2025 to 44,75,309 units, with non-urban regions once again outpacing cities. In the course of the full year, rural PV sales rose by 12.31 per cent, compared to an 8.08 per cent increase in urban areas, highlighting the industry’s growing reliance on demand from outside metro centres.

FADA President CS Vigneshwar said, “India’s auto retail delivered a confident close, with total retails at 2,81,61,228 units, registering a 7.71% YoY growth. The year, however, was a tale of two halves—Jan to Aug remained subdued despite supportive macro cues such as direct tax relief in the Union Budget and RBI’s cumulative rate easing through 2025. During this phase, customers stayed value-conscious, and financier approvals remained selective in pockets, resulting in uneven conversions across markets.”

How the data looks from FADA

Total automobile retail sales across all segments went up to 2,81,61,228 units in CY’25, marking a year-on-year growth of 7.71 per cent. This performance was driven by a noticeable recovery during the second half of the year after quite a subdued January-to-August period. FADA described 2025 as a “two-half year”, noting that demand gained momentum from September onwards following the coming of the GST 2.0 improved affordability and boosted consumer emotions, coming during the festival season.

December provided a robust close to the year, with overall auto retail sales going up to 14.63 per cent year-on-year with 20,28,821 units. Passenger vehicles were not the only contributors, with commercial vehicles also posting growth of 24.60 per cent, three-wheelers surged 36.10 per cent, two-wheelers climbed 9.50 per cent, and tractor sales increased 15.80 per cent. This was in contrast to construction equipment sales, which declined by 18.54 per cent.

The FADA points out that the inventory levels in the PV segment eased in December to about 37–39 days. This was a reduction of about seven days from the previous month, which shows improved channel health.

How did alternative fuel contribute to the data?

The data also marked the steady shift towards alternative fuel vehicles. In calendar year 2025, CNG-powered models made up 21.30 per cent of PV sales, while electric vehicles came with a 3.95 per cent share. Just in December, CNG penetration in the PV segment was close to 21 per cent, with EVs making up around 4 per cent of sales.

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For the coming time frame, dealer outlook is quite positive, according to FADA. For January 2026, 70.48 per cent of dealers anticipate growth, with demand expected to go up following festivals like Sankranti and Pongal and even the marriage season.

Between the January–March quarter, 74.91 per cent of dealers expect continued expansion, thanks to the festive buying, year-end demand and sustained rural strength. FADA, though, cautioned that financing turnaround times and the availability of high-demand models will remain key areas to watch.

New Delhi: Skoda have hiked the prices of their big market offering in India, which include their midsize saloon Slavia, the midsize SUV Kushaq and the sub-4-meter SUV Kylaq. The biggest margin of increase is Rs 34,000, which is for Slavia and that is followed by the Kylaq and Kushaq. The Kodiaq is still falling in the prices between Rs 39.99 lakh and Rs 45.96 lakh.

Slavia’s Monte Carlo pricing has increased the pricing with a maximum hike of all the cars by Rs 34,000. Prices for the rest of the three Slavia trims, with Monte Carlo MT and Prestige MT still priced at Rs 15 lakh, and the entry-trim Classic trim being priced at Rs 10 lakh. The hikes for other trims range between Rs 16,000 and Rs 29,000.

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Skoda Slavia old vs new pricing

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The Kushaq’s pricing has increased by Rs 5,000 to take the base trim Signature AT price to Rs 10.66 lakh. The maximum hike has come in the Onyx variant with a price increase of Rs 7,000, which gets a 1-litre turbo-petrol automatic option. Prices for the rest of the trims have increased by Rs 6,000.

Skoda Kushaq old vs new pricing

The Kylaq now starts at Rs 7.59 lakh, which is an increase of Rs 4,000 across all the trims. It is the Prestige with the highest price of Rs 19,000 for the automatic version and Rs 15,000 for the manual trim.

Skoda Kylaq old vs new pricing

New Delhi: The world’s first commercially available, production-ready all-solid-state battery is here, and it promises to revolutionise the EV fleets. The battery is being manufactured by Donut Lab, and the brand is claiming it will revolutionise both cars and motorcycles.

The startup is well known for sci-fi in-wheel electric motor that powers the Verge’s electric motorcycles, claiming the game-changing liquid-less battery cells and modules are available now at a gigawatt-hour level production capacity to brand worldwide. Verge Motorcycles have announced that their updated TS Pro will become the world’s first series-production electric two-wheeler that is going to be powered by an all-solid-state battery when deliveries start in the first quarter of 2026.

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What makes this battery stand out is a combination of advantages over conventional liquid-based lithium-ion blocks. It is lighter, a lot more energy-dense, safer, quicker to recharge, capable of delivering a longer range, and more durable.

Developed by Donut Lab, the production-ready solid-state battery boasts an energy density of 400Wh/kg and is claimed to support as many as 100,000 full charge cycles. It can also be charged completely within five minutes, without requiring charging limits such as the usually recommended 80% cap. 

To put in perspective, most of the current high-end lithium-ion batteries typically offer energy densities of around 250–300Wh/kg and are rated for roughly 5,000 full cycles under restricted charging conditions.

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Temperature resilience is another key point, which Donut Lab says the battery retains more than 99% of its capacity in extreme environments, ranging from as low as -30°C to as high as 100°C. These are conditions in which a conventional battery won’t be able to function at its best capability.

In terms of safety, Donut Lab have claimed the solid-state battery will not catch fire even if damaged. It also notes that the cells can be manufactured almost anywhere, as they do not rely on rare or geopolitically sensitive materials. There are no details on the material composition at present, though the startup has said that the battery is completely environmentally friendly.

New Delhi: Mahindra XUV 7XO has finally come to the Indian market following weeks of small teasers. Mahindra’s first launch of this year is more or less a facelift of the XUV700 and is the second model to come with Mahindra’s newer nomenclature, with the XUV300 already updated as XUV 3XO. 

Placed against the likes of the Tata Safari, Hyundai Alcazar, and MG Hector Plus, the XUV 7XO comes with some big upgrades. The notable highlights are the advanced 540-degree camera system, new triple-screen cabin layout, and suspension revisions for better comfort. 

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Mahindra XUV 7XO exterior, interior and features

In terms of design, the XUV 7XO takes a lot of the styling from Mahindra’s newest EVs, the XEV 9E and XEV 9S. These include the trapezoidal LED headlamps, distinctive boomerang-shaped LED daytime running lights, reworked tail-lamps with hexagonal elements, and a refreshed front grille. The side remains mostly unchanged from the XUV 700, except for new alloy wheel designs. Even the back now comes with connected LED tail-lamps along with a redesigned bumper.

On the inside, you get the new upholstery colour theme and a three-screen layout consisting of a digital instrument cluster, a central infotainment display, and a dedicated screen for the front passenger. Updates also include the two-spoke steering wheel and touch-based HVAC control panel. In terms of comfort and convenience features, you also get the panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, powered Boss Mode for the front passenger seat, wireless phone charging, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with Dolby Atmos, and dual-zone climate control.

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In terms of safety, the biggest USP comes with the 540-degree camera system and along with that, you also get an electronic parking brake with auto-hold and ISOFIX child seat mounts. It even has a Level 2 ADAS package with adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and autonomous emergency brake as well. 

Mahindra XUV 7XO powertrain

Mechanically, the XUV 7XO is exactly like its predecessor, and the engine choices remain a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol unit that makes 200 bhp and a 2.2-litre diesel engine producing 185hp. Both engines get either a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed torque converter automatic, with the higher trim coming with the all-wheel drive option. Pricing of the petrol variant will start at Rs 13.66 lakh (ex-showroom), and the diesel variant will start at Rs 14.96 lakh.

New Delhi: Volkswagen have revealed their electric Polo’s interior, featuring several physical buttons, quite unusual with EVs, ahead of their hatchback’s UK launch later this year. It is named ID Polo and is the first Volkswagen model to come with the brand’s new Pure Positive design language, with chief designer Andreas Mindt. The aim is to increase the use of switchgear, a reaction to the customer feedback.

Mindt had previously noted that physical buttons are more stable and trusted. The other forthcoming vehicles of the all-electric ID range will also be coming with physical controls, said the car manufacturer.

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Previously, Mercedes-Benz had also confirmed that it would bring back the physical buttons across their current and future models. Even Ferrari have revealed their plans to have a better balance between digital controls and tactile buttons. Mostly, cars are lacking physical controls for many of the main functions and under the new 2026 Euro NCAP car tests, it will be harder to secure a full five-star rating. 

How Volkswagen Polo ID interior looks?

Having already been previewed in the form of the 2023 VW ID 2all concept, the production car’s cabin remains much unchanged, and the 10.25-inch digital driver’s display and the 13-inch touchscreen have been carried forward as well. The central screen is no longer coming with slider-like controls for media volumes and climate. These all have been shifted for a row of physical buttons below instead, going back to the old-school configuration. 

Further, there is a centre console-mounted rotary dial, easily accessible for both driver and passenger, which allows for volume control and switching tracks or radio stations. Even the new steering wheel is equipped with quite a lot of physical buttons on both of the spokes for driver assistance and media functions as well. 

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The new electric Polo will come with highly customisable digital interfaces, which include things like a retro-inspired mode that takes cues from the classic Golf MK1. It comes back with things like an analogue-style instrument cluster with traditional needle-and-dial graphics for the speedometer and battery charge indicator, along with a playful touchscreen animation that will imitate a cassette tape winding.

It is going to be bigger than the petrol version, measuring at 4,053mm in length, 1,816mm in width and 1,530mm in height. It comes with a flat-floor design, expected to improve the cabin space.

New Delhi: The transport ministry have proposed assigning an Aadhar-like unique identification number for EV batteries in order to have better end-to-end traceability and efficient recycling. The proposed framework will make it necessary for battery maker or importer to have a 21-character Battery pack Aadhar Number (BPAN) for batteries, according to the draft guidelines issued by the ministry.

They will also be required to upload the relevant Battery Pack Dynamic data on the official portal of BPAN. 

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The guidelines stated, “The battery producer or importer shall have the obligation of assigning a unique Battery Pack Aadhaar Number (BPAN) to each battery that they introduce in the market and the battery they put to self-use. BPAN shall be in a clearly visible and accessible position. The location shall be chosen in a way that it cannot be destroyed or deteriorate.”

BPAN will also take and save important information starting from raw material extraction anf making to the use, recycling or final disposal, according to the ‘Guidelines For Implementation Of Battery pack Aadhar System’. By the guidelines, any change to the attributes of BPAN owing to recycling and repurposing will result in a new BPAN by the same or a new producer or importer. 

The system will bring transparency, accountability and sustainability to the entire battery ecosystem, of course, with proper tracking of performance and environmental impact. BPAN will be quite crucial in terms of enabling second-life usage, regulatory compliance and efficient recycling. 

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Even though the guidelines suggest applying BPAN to industrial batteries with capacities above 2 kWh, they propose prioritising electric vehicle batteries during the initial phase of standard development. All this is owing to their large volumes, safety considerations, and regulatory significance.

The guidelines also suggest advancing the Battery Pack Aadhaar framework through the Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) pathway under the Automotive Industry Standards Committee (AISC) after the established, multi-stage standardisation method.

New Delhi: Much before BMW’s M badge became a nameplate for high-performing saloon cars and SUVs, there was the car that started it for the German brand, the BMW M1. It was quite radical, rare and outrageous of anything BMW had ever made, and this is what we will be talking about in our Supercar Sunday today. The M1 was one of their first and only mid-engined supercar made by the brand. 

At the time, BMW was known for making just refined executive carsand the M1 was quite a surprise for many. Made in the late 1970s, the M1 was developed as a homologation special for motorsport. However, delays and changing racing regulations made it instead a road-legal car and even in this iteration, it was raw speed and power. 

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BMW M1 powertrain

In terms of power, the BMW M1 came with a 3.5-litre naturally aspirated inline-six engine, known internally as the M88. Unlike the other engine made by BMW at the time, this engine block was for racing, and it made 277 hp and 330 Nm of torque in road-going form, which was impressive in that day and age.

The engine was mounted longitudinally behind the driver, and had a rear wheel drive that could be operated with a five-speed manual gearbox. This was a car without any heavy electronics or driving modes, but just something for a linear, rev-hungry manner, rewarding drivers. This was the start of BMW tuning cars to the best of their knowledge without having modes decide configurations of the car.

BMW M1 exterior and interior

The M1 was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, and the styling was clean and purposeful. There was no flamboyancy of the Italian supercars, but rather, it had a restrained wedge-shaped design with crisp lines and perfect proportions. You got the pop-up headlamps, low nose and wide stance that made it stand out in public as something from Bavaria. 

For M1’s body, BMW used fibreglass panels mounted on a tubular steel spaceframe, keeping weight in check while managing to retain rigidity. From the wide rear track to the integrated spoiler, all were purposefully designed.

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On the inside, the M1 was, of course, a BMW, even though it was a special car. The car was a much more driver-focused, coming with a simple, functional layout and clear analogue dials. The seating position was, of course, low and sporty, along with coming with leather upholstery and thoughtful ergonomics as well. The switchgear was borrowed from the other BMW models, and all of this gave the M1 a sense of familiarity. 

BMW M1 was limited to just 453 units, but that doesn’t even speak of the impact the car left in the automotive world. It was what established BMW Motorsport as a performance power unit. The M88 engine went on to power the likes of the M5 and M6, and it was the shape of the BMW M nameplate.

New Delhi: Maruti Suzuki exported 3,95,000 vehicles in 2025, their highest tally ever in a calendar year, marking about 21 per cent year-on-year growth. The car manufacturer also retained their top spot as India’s top passenger vehicle exporter for the fifth year in a row, having shipped 18 models made in India to about 100 countries.

Mr Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director and CEO, Maruti Suzuki, spoke on the milestone and said, “This is a proud moment for the company as we record our highest-ever calendar year exports. It reflects India’s manufacturing strength and the trust of customers worldwide. At a time when global trade is passing through a turbulent phase, we regard this…growth as a responsible contribution in supporting the nation’s export momentum."

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Last year also saw the production of the Suzuki e-Vitara, the brand’s first-ever vehicle, in August. Made at the Hansalpur facility in Gujarat, over 13,000 units have been exported to 29 countries, mostly in Europe. The e-Vitara is going to be exclusively made in the Gujarat factory.

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In July 2025, Fronx became the fastest Indian SUV to cross the 100,000 export unit milestone. The feat was achieved in just 25 months from the start of the global sales in June 2023. For the brand, the exports have seen a sharp rise since 2021, and the rise compared to 2020 is a 140 per cent rise. While there was a little time period of consistent growth of 2 per cent in 2022 and 2023, the year 2024 saw a gain in momentum.

New Delhi: It isn’t news that Honda’s big play in the Indian electric vehicle market didn’t hit the mark. In spite the big following of the “Activa” nameplate, both the Activa e: and the QC1 struggled to find their footing. Both of the models were based on international models that were re-engineered for the Indian market.

After a period of sluggish sales, production for these two models reportedly ground to a halt several months ago. Still, the Japanese giant are not giving up, and instead, they are regrouping for a more calculated second attempt as reported by Autocar India.

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Honda Activa e: and QC1 drawbacks

The Activa e is the only scooter in the country to come with a factory-supported battery-swapping network. However, the problem was that this said network is far too small. Which means you have to be located close to a swapping station in order to buy one because there’s no provision for home charging.

Furthermore, having the batteries under the seat left little storage space, and competing in a market where 30+ litres of boot space is the standard, it was a significant drawback. Then, the "Battery as a Service" (BaaS) model and high subscription costs only worked against the brand.

In the QC1, Honda addressed the drawback of the Activa e:, coming with home charging and a 26-litre boot, it was in the performance where it lagged. It had a top speed of just 50km/h and a modest 80km range (IDC), and it felt like a city-only runabout. This wasn’t attractive when the competition was increasingly capable of having highway speeds and triple-digit range.

What's next for Honda in ev market?

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Honda have learnt the lessons from the two scooters and are reportedly working on their next electric scooter, which will address the drawbacks of both scooters. According to Autocar India the brand are looking to bring a decent, spacious boot that will have a range that can compete with the likes of TVS iQube, Bajaj Chetak and Ather Rizta and would be packed with a decent feature list. 

Honda will also try to get the pricing better and is looking to localise the scooter in a major way. There has been no confirmation yet for the launch timeline of the upcoming Honda e-scooter, and more details will come only when the launch is close.

New Delhi: For years, the global electric vehicle race sounded like a one-man show. Tesla was the face of EVs, the benchmark brand everyone compared numbers with, and the company many automakers feared or admired. But the story feels like it is changing now. China’s BYD is set to overtake Tesla as the world’s biggest seller of electric cars, and that marks a big turning point in the EV world.

Tesla always felt unbeatable for a long time. But BYD quietly kept selling, expanding, and pushing volumes, especially in China. Now the Chinese giant has announced that its pure electric car sales jumped about 28 percent last year, touching more than 2.25 million units, which is massive. Tesla, on the other hand, is expected to be around 1.65 million units, based on analyst estimates that the company shared before revealing official numbers.

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BYD steps ahead of Tesla for the first time

This is the first time BYD looks all set to pass Tesla in annual EV sales. Tesla had a tough year with mixed acceptance of new models and rising competition from Chinese brands that are getting sharper, cheaper, and faster with launches. At one point, Tesla had to even introduce lower-priced versions of popular models in the US to push demand, something many fans never expected from such a confident brand.

Tesla has also been dealing with something unusual for a car company. There has been discomfort among some buyers linked to Elon Musk’s political involvement and public controversies. The company saw a slump in sales in early 2025 after backlash around Musk’s role in the then US President’s administration.

Pressure on Elon Musk and Tesla’s future

Tesla’s boss has one of the most pressure-filled jobs right now. The billionaire is expected to significantly grow Tesla’s sales and market value over the next decade to unlock his massive payout deal worth $1 trillion dollars which is roughly ₹90,00,000 crore in Indian value at $1 equals ₹90. That deal also ties him to ambitious goals including selling a million humanoid robots under its “Optimus” project and pushing self-driving robotaxis.

But Musk is also juggling too many things. Apart from Tesla, he is involved with SpaceX, X (formerly Twitter), The Boring Company, and his government-linked role earlier, which some investors felt was distracting him from Tesla. Eventually, he promised to cut back involvement in government responsibilities, but the trust damage had already begun.

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The global EV race now has a new front-runner, and it did not happen quietly. It happened with numbers that are hard to ignore.