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Articles by Sumesh Soman
Hyundai Bayon CNG Launch Confirmed for January 2027
Hyundai India has confirmed that a factory-fitted CNG version of the Bayon will go on sale in January 2027. The announcement comes just weeks after the petrol-powered midsize SUV made its debut this month, and it matches earlier indications that the Bayon would be offered with both fuel options. Considering that the ICE version has been launched at Rs 9.99 lakh, we can expect the CNG guise to be priced higher.
Hyundai Bayon SUV Launched At Rs 9.99 Lakh
Hyundai Motor India has launched the Bayon for a starting price of Rs 9.99 lakh, a new compact SUV positioned in the gap between the Venue and the Creta. Bookings are open at Rs. 11,000 through dealerships and the brand's website, while deliveries are planned to begin during the festive period. Hyundai is leading its pitch with protection. Over 35 safety features come as standard on every variant, and the overall equipment tally crosses 80.
Benelli TRK 552 and TRK 552X Launched, Prices start at Rs 7.22 Lakh
Benelli has expanded its adventure-tourer line-up in India with the new TRK 552 and TRK 552X. Prices start at Rs 7.22 lakh for the TRK 552 and Rs 7.74 lakh for the 552X (both ex-showroom). Bookings are open at authorised Benelli Keeway dealerships across the country. Power The headline change is under the tank. A 552cc parallel-twin engine takes over from the 499.6cc unit that powered the earlier TRK. It makes 51.2PS at 8,500rpm and 49Nm at 6,500rpm, and sends power through a 6-speed gearbox.
Jeep Compass With 9-Speed AT Launched at Rs 21.99 Lakh
Jeep India has made the Compass easier to buy for those who prefer not to use a clutch. The new Compass Sport FWD with a 9-speed automatic gearbox is priced at Rs 21.99 lakh (ex-showroom), making it the most affordable automatic Compass the brand has sold in the country. Until now, an automatic was not available on the SUV's entry-level trim. Customers can book the Sport 9AT at Jeep dealerships and Stellantis Brand Houses across India.
Bajaj Pulsar NS200 launched at Rs 1.60 lakh
Bajaj has refreshed the Pulsar NS200 with a long list of electronic upgrades, pricing the new version at Rs 1.60 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). That is Rs 11,000 above the existing USD fork variant, which continues at Rs 1.49 lakh. Electronics The biggest change is the arrival of rider aids that the NS200 never had before. A bi-directional quickshifter now lets riders change gears without using the clutch, both up and down.
Dubai Police add floating Yangwang U8 to tourist patrol fleet
Dubai Police have unveiled an electric SUV that can float on water and spin on the spot, adding the Yangwang U8 to the force's tourist patrol line-up. The vehicle was shown at WETEX 2026, held at Dubai World Trade Centre, and was introduced with Al-Futtaim Automotive Group, the sole distributor of Yangwang vehicles in the UAE. The U8's headline trick is its emergency flotation mode.
Bajaj Pulsar N250SS launched at Rs 1.59 lakh
Bajaj Auto has added a new top-spec model to its Pulsar N250 range. The N250SS costs Rs 1.59 lakh, which is Rs 14,000 more than the regular N250, and it comes with a long list of mechanical and electronic upgrades. It follows the SS version of the Pulsar N160, which the company introduced earlier this year. Price Even with the premium, the N250SS is cheaper than many bikes in its segment.
Hyundai Bayon SUV Safety Features
Hyundai Motor India has lifted the lid on the safety credentials of the Bayon, an SUV it describes as an "Intelligent Utility Vehicle", just days before its India launch on 26 October 2026. Bookings are open online at hyundai.co.in and at dealerships for Rs 11,000, and deliveries are expected to begin this festive season, with timelines to be confirmed at launch. The Bayon rides on the Global K Enhanced Platform and is engineered to meet 5-Star Indian safety standards.
Mahindra XUV 3XO Now Available With Factory-Fitted CNG, Starting at Rs 9.99 Lakh
Mahindra has added a CNG option to its XUV 3XO lineup, and the company is already taking bookings and handing over cars. A Rs 21,000 token secures a unit, payable online or at any dealership. Pricing The CNG range spans four trims: MX Edge: Rs 9.99 lakh RevX Edge (O): Rs 10.79 lakh AX5: Rs 11.19 lakh RevX A: Rs 12.27 lakh Power Power drops when most cars switch to gas, but Mahindra says the XUV 3XO avoids that.
TVS Raider 125 Adds Traction Control, USB-C Charging
TVS Motor Company has upgraded the Raider 125 with a trio of new features, among them traction control, which no other 125cc motorcycle currently offers. The additions are limited to the TFT DD and SXC DD variants. Design and mechanicals remain untouched. The 124.8cc engine carries over as is, and the styling of both variants is unchanged. Traction control is the headline addition. It limits rear wheel slip so that both tyres keep adequate grip on loose or uneven surfaces such as gravel-strewn roads.
Six Sense Mobility Opens Rs 15 Crore Noida Plant to Build Connected-Car Electronics at Scale
Six Sense Mobility inaugurated its first factory in Noida, timed to coincide with the company's fourth birthday, and says it is targeting Rs 500 crore in revenue, supported by an order book of Rs 160 crore. The 40,000 sq. ft. unit cost more than Rs 15 crore to set up. Its electronics assembly line can turn out over a million units annually, and the company has placed hardware design, firmware, software integration and manufacturing in the same building.
Mahindra XUV 3XO CNG launched at Rs 9.99 lakh
Mahindra has added a CNG variant to its compact SUV line-up, with the XUV 3XO CNG starting at Rs 9.99 lakh (ex-showroom). Bookings and deliveries begin on October 20, 2026. The SUV will compete with the Maruti Brezza and Tata Nexon, both of which already offer factory-fitted CNG kits.
BSA Gold Star 650 Gets Two New Heritage Editions in India
Classic Legends-owned BSA Motorcycles has added a pair of special editions to its Gold Star 650 line-up in India: the Brooklands Black Legacy Edition and the Birmingham Blue. Priced from Rs 3.56 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi), both are available at BSA dealerships nationwide. Starting with the price The Birmingham Blue costs Rs 3,55,950, which matches the starting price of the Gold Star 650 range. The Brooklands Black Legacy Edition sits higher at Rs 3,64,950, a premium of Rs 9,000.
BYDs Atto 8 EV debuts in Paris with nine-minute Flash Charging
BYD used the 2026 Paris Motor Show to reveal the all-electric Atto 8, and its biggest claim is about charging speed. The SUV is the first BYD to get "Flash Charging," which the company says can take its 115 kWh battery from 10 to 97 percent in nine minutes. A 0 to 70 percent top-up reportedly takes five minutes. In temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius, when charging power drops sharply, BYD says a 20 to 97 percent charge still takes just 12 minutes.
Volkswagen unveils ID. Tiguan, an electric SUV to replace the ID.4 and ID.5
Volkswagen has taken the wraps off the ID. Tiguan for Europe, an electric SUV that will take over from both the ID.4 and the ID.5. The company plans a global rollout in 2027, and the model will be sold alongside the petrol-powered Tiguan. Power and range Buyers can pick between two battery sizes. The 58 kWh version comes only with a rear-mounted motor making 190 hp. The 77 kWh pack is offered in rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive forms, producing 286 PS and 299 PS respectively.
e-Sprinto steps into the consumer market with the G1 family scooter
Electric two-wheeler startup e-Sprinto is moving beyond fleet customers. It has launched the G1, its first scooter aimed at individual buyers, with deliveries due to begin on January 1, 2027. The company has set itself a target of selling roughly 5,000 units by March 2027, according to cofounders Atul Gupta and Shalu Gupta. Until now, e-Sprinto has focused on business-to-business fleet operations, so the G1 marks its first direct push to retail buyers.
Shell brings premium Helix workshop format to Hyderabads car owners
Car owners in Hyderabad can now get their vehicles serviced at two workshops carrying Shell's Helix Flagship branding. The company has opened both outlets, one in Madhapur and one in Manneguda, as the first step in taking this premium service format to more of the city's motorists. The first outlet is Revive Auto (Vasant Motors) on 100 Ft Road, Madhapur, HITEC City. The second is RK Motors on D-Mart Lane, opposite the RTA Office in Manneguda.
Toyota Fortuner Leader Edition Launched in India From Rs 36.51 Lakh
Toyota Kirloskar Motor has added a special-edition Fortuner to its line-up, with the Leader Edition starting at Rs 36.51 lakh (ex-showroom). Orders open on October 12, 2026, at Toyota dealerships and on the company's website. Pricing and variants The Leader Edition is sold only in 4x2 form, with a choice of manual or automatic gearbox. The manual costs Rs 36.51 lakh, and the automatic is priced at Rs 38.72 lakh. Buyers can pick from Super White, Platinum White Pearl or Attitude Black.
Royal Enfield Hedon Limited Edition Helmets Launched At Rs 2.11 Lakh
Royal Enfield has joined forces with British premium helmet maker Hedon to release a tightly restricted run of hand-built helmets. Only 16 will exist worldwide, each made to order, split evenly between eight half-face and eight full-face units. Two designs, two price points The collection comes in two styles. The Hedonist is a half-face lid priced at £1,650, roughly Rs 2.11 lakh.
TVS Takes Its One-Make Racing Series to Europe With Misano Debut
TVS Motor Company has carried its TVS Racing International Championship (TRIC) beyond Asia for the first time, staging a round at Italy's Misano World Circuit from October 2 to 4. Fourteen riders from 12 countries spanning four continents lined up on the race-tuned TVS Apache RR 310. A series that has outgrown its origins When TRIC launched in 2022, it was an Asia-centred contest drawing riders from nine nations.
Suzuki Adds Matte Grey Shade to V-Strom SX Line-Up
Buyers of Suzuki's entry-level adventure tourer now have a fresh colour to choose from. The V-Strom SX is available in a new matte grey finish, priced at Rs 2.02 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), which is identical to what the existing colour options cost. Nothing changes under the skin The colour is the only update. The motorcycle continues with its 249cc single-cylinder, oil-cooled engine, which makes 26.5PS at 9,000rpm and 22.2Nm at 7,300rpm. A 6-speed gearbox handles transmission duties.
Mini India Opens Bookings for Limited-Run Cooper S Oxford Edition
Mini India has begun accepting pre-bookings for a special Cooper S Oxford Edition, a limited-production model that celebrates Oxford, the British marque's home city. Prices have not been announced, but a premium over the regular Cooper S is likely given the car's exclusivity. The company previously offered another limited run, the Cooper S GP Inspired Edition, at Rs 5.89 lakh. A Union Jack theme The Oxford Edition's styling revolves around the British flag.
Mini Countryman gets a rugged makeover with new Untamed Edition
Mini has taken the wraps off a tougher, adventure-ready take on its family SUV: the Countryman Untamed Edition. Production is scheduled to start in November 2026 at BMW Group's Leipzig facility in Germany, with sales in international markets expected to begin in early 2027. Whether India will get it is yet to be confirmed. Built for rougher roads The headline change is underneath.
JSW MG Motor launches Hector Blackstorm and Snowstorm limited editions at Rs 19.99 lakh
JSW MG Motor India has added two special-edition versions of the Hector to its line-up, the Blackstorm and the Snowstorm, both priced at Rs 19,99,800 (ex-showroom). The pair make up the new Storm Series and are limited-run models. Mechanically, neither edition departs from the regular Hector. Both are 5-seaters powered by a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine making 143PS and 250Nm, mated to a CVT. The changes are cosmetic.
Ampere Nexus EX+ launched at Rs 1.30 lakh with stronger motor
Ampere has refreshed its Nexus electric scooter and consolidated the range into a single model line, the Nexus EX+, which starts at Rs 1.30 lakh. The company has dropped the earlier EX and ST variants, so buyers now choose between just two EX+ versions. Motor and performance At the heart of the update is a 5kW motor that delivers 202Nm of peak torque at the wheel.
Triumph Teases Overhauled Street Triple and Updated Tigers for 2027
Triumph has previewed three of its 2027 models, with full unveilings spread across the rest of the year. The updates were announced alongside the Bonneville T40. Reveal dates The Tiger 1200 will be shown in full on October 27, followed by the Street Triple 798 on November 17 and the Tiger 900 on December 15. Street Triple: the big change Of the three, the Street Triple is set to change the most.
Jaguar Pulls the Covers Off Type 01, Its Most Powerful Electric GT Yet
Jaguar has revealed the Type 01, a four-door electric grand tourer that the company calls the most advanced, quickest and most aerodynamic car in its history. The debut took place in New York, with deliveries to customers expected in the second half of 2027. Production Production will start in 2027 at JLR's Solihull plant. The electric drive units and battery packs will come from Wolverhampton, while Halewood on Merseyside will press the body panels.
Honda Elevate facelift launched at Rs 11.80 lakh
Honda has rolled out the updated Elevate in India, priced from Rs 11.80 lakh (ex-showroom). The midsize SUV, which first went on sale in 2023, receives its first significant overhaul, with pre-bookings having opened on October 1. Pricing The line-up spans five core trims: SV, V, VX, ZX and the newly added ZX+, which also comes in a Black Edition.
Triumph Brings the Bonneville Name to Its 350cc Range with the T40
Triumph has added a new chapter to its Bonneville story, launching the T40 and a blacked-out T40 Black sibling built around the company's compact 350cc single-cylinder platform. Pricing hasn't been revealed yet, but the company says it will be confirmed shortly, before bikes reach dealerships.
Skoda Slavia Facelift Launched at Rs 10 Lakh
Skoda has refreshed its midsize sedan four years after its 2022 debut. The facelifted Slavia starts at Rs 10 lakh, the same entry price as before, though the top variant now costs Rs 64,000 more. The Slavia competes with the Honda City (Rs 12 lakh to Rs 21.36 lakh), the Hyundai Verna (Rs 11 lakh to Rs 18.31 lakh) and its sibling, the Volkswagen Virtus, which runs from Rs 10.71 lakh to Rs 19.20 lakh. Exterior changes The silhouette is unchanged, but the details are sharper.
E3 Electric.Ai Starts TRION Production, Deliveries Begin October 7
E3 Electric.Ai has started building its TRION electric scooter at the Hyderabad plant, with the first customer handovers set for October 7, 2026. That date doubles as the Bengaluru-based startup's second birthday.
Honda XR300L And XR300 Rally Launched, Prices Start At Rs 1.83 lakh
Honda has put price tags on its two new adventure-leaning motorcycles and started taking bookings. The XR300L costs Rs 1.83 lakh, while the more heavily equipped XR300 Rally is priced at Rs 2.08 lakh. Both were among the most anticipated bikes from the ten-model line-up the company displayed in July. Pricing Honda is entering a segment where it has had little presence in India, even as the category grows and most big manufacturers now field a contender.
2026 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class launched at Rs 3.35 crore
A Maybach with a charging port is now on sale in India. Mercedes-Benz has launched the facelifted Maybach S-Class as the S 580e at Rs 3.35 crore (ex-showroom), and only 30 units are available in the opening batch. Price That tag sits Rs 97 lakh above the S-Class Manufaktur Edition AMG Line, which went on sale only a couple of months ago. The Maybach is the company's third plug-in hybrid in the country, after the updated S-Class and the AMG E 53 Hybrid.
Aprilia Fills SXR Gap with New GT Range, Priced from Rs 1.11 Lakh
Aprilia has put two new maxi-scooters on sale in India, the SXR GT 125 hp-e and SXR GT 175 hp-e. Bookings are open across the country, with the SXR GT 125 priced at Rs 1.11 lakh and the SXR GT 175 at Rs 1.31 lakh. The arrivals follow a quiet exit. Aprilia pulled the SXR 125 and SXR 160 from sale in May, offering no official statement and no word on a successor. The GT range now takes over that slot, effectively repositioning the SXR family with updated hardware.
TVS Brings MotoSoul 6.0 to Goa This December with Racing, Custom Builds and Live Music
Goa will host the next chapter of TVS Motor Company's rider festival on December 11 and 12, 2026, when MotoSoul returns for its sixth edition. The two-day gathering is aimed at riders, racers, content creators, musicians and motorcycle fans, and mixes competition, craftsmanship, learning and entertainment in one venue. The competitive programme has grown this year.
BMW Unveils Eighth-Generation 3 Series With Mild-Hybrid Petrol Engines
BMW has revealed the eighth-generation 3 Series, codenamed G50, the combustion-engined follow-up to its all-time bestseller. The car was previewed in April 2026 by the electric i3. It goes on sale in global markets from early 2027, and an Indian launch is considered likely. For now, BMW has detailed three petrol versions: the 318, the 320 and the M350 xDrive.
Range Rover Sport Electric Opens for Bookings in India, Deliveries Expected by March 2027
Jaguar Land Rover has taken the wraps off the Range Rover Sport Electric and started accepting orders for it in India. It is the first fully electric car in the Range Rover Sport family, and its arrival is expected to come with a hefty price tag of around Rs 2.5 crore. Price The SUV will reach Indian showrooms by March 2027 as a completely built unit (CBU) import. Because it is an EV, it does not qualify for the tariff relief available under the India-UK Free Trade Agreement.
Porsche Cayenne Electric Priced From Rs 1.77 Crore
Porsche has put its flagship electric SUV on public display in India for the first time, months after announcing local pricing in late 2025. The Cayenne Electric is offered in two versions here, the standard Cayenne Electric at Rs 1.77 crore and the Cayenne Turbo Electric at Rs 2.28 crore, both before options. Both models sit on the Volkswagen Group's 800V Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture and pair a 113kWh battery with dual motors and standard all-wheel drive.
India Bike Week Returns to Panchgani in December With a Bigger Venue and Rs 12 Lakh in Race Prizes
Motorcycle enthusiasts will gather in the Maharashtra hill town of Panchgani on December 4-5, 2026, for the 13th edition of India Bike Week (IBW). The festival made its Panchgani debut last year, and the organisers are now enlarging it. The main venue is 50% bigger than the 2025 site, with more parking and open space for visitors, and the programme will spill into the town and surrounding countryside through extra riding trails, campsites, ride-outs and after-parties.
India Notifies CAFE III Fuel-Economy Rules for Cars, Opening Multiple Routes to Compliance
India's carmakers will face progressively stricter fuel-consumption limits for five years starting April 2027, with the Ministry of Power notifying the third phase of the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) norms. Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash The rules cover M1 category passenger vehicles made or imported for sale in the country between April 1, 2027 and March 31, 2032.
TVS Motor puts its Ronin on the road with the Indian Navy for "Fleet to Forts" expedition
TVS Motor Company has teamed up with the Indian Navy for a 14-day motorcycle expedition through Maharashtra, with the TVS Ronin as the ride of choice. Twenty-five Navy riders set off today from Kohli Stadium, Navynagar, on the "Fleet to Forts" journey, which will cover more than 1,600 km. For TVS, the partnership is a chance to carry stories of exploration, adventure and friendship to young Indians through landscapes tied to the country's maritime heritage.
Mahindra keeps Mortara and de Vries together as Formula E enters the GEN4 age
Mahindra Racing will enter Formula E's fourth-generation age with an unchanged driver line-up. Edoardo Mortara and Nyck de Vries have both been retained for the 2026/27 FIA Formula E World Championship, the thirteenth season and the first to feature the GEN4 car, the fastest the series has produced. The decision follows the team's best year in the sport. In 2025/26, Mahindra finished third in the Teams' Championship, matching its highest ever placing, and scored a record 252 points.
Ultraviolette's Shockwave Goes 100V, Arrives in Early 2027
Ultraviolette's upcoming Shockwave will launch in the first quarter of 2027, and it will run on the Bengaluru-based company's freshly developed 100V electrical architecture, the company announced on September 29, 2026. Ultraviolette says the higher-voltage setup could bring stronger power delivery, better thermal efficiency and quicker charging to its lightweight motorcycle platform. The company has not yet released any figures, and final specifications will be shared closer to launch.
Jeep Wrangler Whitecap Mojito Limited Edition Breaks Cover
Jeep India has added a new limited-run model to its lineup: the Wrangler Whitecap Mojito Limited Edition. Built on the Rubicon trim, the special edition focuses mainly on visual updates rather than any change in performance. The headline change is the paint. The Whitecap Mojito is offered in only one shade, a vivid green called Mojito, paired with a contrasting white roof. The exterior treatment continues with a white surround around the front grille and body-coloured fenders.
Suzuki Hayabusa Special Edition Launched at Rs 19.90 Lakh
Suzuki Motorcycle India has expanded its flagship Hayabusa range with a new Special Edition priced at Rs 19,90,000 (ex-showroom). The regular Hayabusa, now at Rs 18,99,000, has also been updated with new colours and some electronic changes.
Ducati Gives Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak a MotoGP-Style Livery for 2027
Ducati has unveiled the 2027 Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak with new graphics drawn from its MotoGP and World Superbike machines. The paint scheme was developed with Drudi Performance, and Ducati says it suits the bike's sporty character better while tying it more closely to the brand's racing programme. Livery is the only real change Apart from the new colours, the motorcycle is essentially the same as before.
Renault Triber Turbo launched at Rs 7.84 lakh
Renault has finally introduced the turbo-petrol version of its seven-seat Triber in India. Prices range from Rs 7.84 lakh to Rs 8.99 lakh (ex-showroom). Depending on the variant, buyers will pay between Rs 94,000 and Rs 1.11 lakh over the equivalent naturally aspirated Triber.
BMW Motorrad Teases New Motorcycle for October 1
BMW Motorrad India has announced a new motorcycle launch scheduled for October 1, 2026, at 5:30pm IST. A teaser posted on the company's social media page shows little of the bike, but the timing and context point to a naked roadster that borrows from the recently launched F 450 GS. If BMW sticks to its usual naming pattern, the bike would be called the F 450 R. What the teaser shows The image is sparse on detail. The one clear element is a USD front fork.
Ultraviolette Secures $85 Million to Fund Expansion, US Launch Plans
Electric motorcycle manufacturer Ultraviolette has closed a fresh funding round worth $85 million, with Deep Tech Fund Yali Capital and TDK Ventures leading the investment, the Bengaluru-based company confirmed. Also joining this round is Lip-Bu Tan, Chairman of Walden International, who besides investing has come on board as an advisor to the company, a role that sits alongside its roster of existing long-term backers.
Mahindra Thar OG launched at Rs 10.32 lakh
Mahindra has rolled out an updated version of its iconic 3-door Thar, now wearing an "OG" badge, with prices beginning at Rs 10.32 lakh (ex-showroom). This marks the second refresh for the model in just over a year, and it arrives with a new-generation platform, retuned suspension and steering, stronger engines, and a mix of cosmetic and safety upgrades.
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