Ferrari 849 Testarossa India Launch On March 14

We don’t get to see a Ferrari being launched in India every day, so when one comes along, it's a bit extra special. And the one that is coming to our shores now is truly special. I am talking about the Ferrari 849 Testarossa, a car that revived the iconic Testarossa nameplate. It was introduced sometime back in September 2025 as a replacement of the SF90 Stradale, and this prancing horse will be launched in India on March 12, 2026. The car is expected to be priced upwards of Rs. 10 crore. 

 

Also Read: Ferrari 849 Revives Iconic Testarossa Nameplate

 

 

In Ferrari’s own words, the new 849 Testarossa is “a hybrid plug-in super sports Berlinetta equipped with three electric motors alongside the mid-rear twin-turbo V8, delivering a total of 1050 cv, 50 more than the car it replaces”. More specifically, it’s a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that makes about 819 bhp, while the three electric motors add another 215 bhp. The combined figure is around 1,036 bhp, teasing the hypercar territory and around 50 bhp more than the SF90 Stradale. Peak torque stands at 850 Nm.

 

Also Read: Ferrari’s First EV Named Luce; Retro-Style Interior Revealed

 

 

What these numbers essentially translate to is a 0-100 kmph sprint in under 2.3 seconds, and a top speed of 330 kmph. And thanks to the modern plug-in hybrid tech, the new Testarossa can go 25 km in pure-electric mode, courtesy of a 7.5kWh battery.

 

Also Read: Ferrari 12Cilindri India Review: Straight From The Heart

 

 

Visually, the 849 Testarossa might remind you of the original 1970s Ferrari prototypes, but the newer elements, including the active aerodynamics, are pure modern-age tech from Maranello. The car’s twin-tail rear end and active aero generate about 415 kg of downforce at 250 kmph, which means high-speed stability is likely to be impressive. And yes, you can have one in the Spider open-top version too. But if you can add more zeros on the cheque book, then get the ‘Assetto Fiorano’ pack, it is 30kgs lighter, has stiffened suspension, and dialled-up aero with twin wings.

 

 

Inside, the new-age Testarossa offers you a new-age cabin, and it’s built around the driver. The cockpit-style layout looks bold and modern, but elements like the steering wheel with mechanical buttons, evocative gated gear-selector motif add a retro vibe. The fully-digital driver cluster and a sleek, digital display for the passenger add a modern touch. Overall, the cabin looks clean, purpose-built and certainly a class above. 

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Mobileye To Deploy Hands-Off ADAS Tech In India In 2027

Automotive tech firm Mobileye, at the recently concluded ADAS Show 2026, revealed that it planned to commence testing its Hands-Off ADAS technologies in India from 2027. During a presentation, Mobileye Vice President for India & China, Elie Luskin, revealed that the company had plans to localise its Level 2+ ADAS systems for the Indian market, with testing of hands-off systems commencing from 2027.
 

Speaking to car&bike Luskin said that Mobileye offered a scalable ADAS solution ranging from a basic system up to full Robotaxi or full driverless tech in global markets. The hands-off systems fell somewhere in the middle and were capable of driving the vehicle in multiple scenarios, including in deep urban environments, without the driver needing to make inputs at the steering or the pedals.
 

“So what we are planning to do by 2027, we are planning to deploy this solution in India. We are finalising the details now. We already have two vehicles equipped with this system in India. We are starting data collection, and we are way ahead in making this a reality,” Luskin said.
 

Luskin added that the system would initially become operational on highways but would gain urban manoeuvring capabilities through subsequent OTA updates.
 

India Could Become Third Largest ADAS Market In The World
 

Speaking during a separate presentation, Luskin revealed that the upcoming ADAS regulations for commercial vehicles and the new Bharat NCAP 2.0 norms could help the tech flourish in the Indian market. He stated that just on the CV side alone, sales of ADAS system in India could cross 1 million units a year. Furthermore, the new Bharat NCAP 2.0 norms and any subsequent norms to mandate the tech in passenger cars could make India the third-largest ADAS market.
 

“So to make it work, Mobileye has dedicated a lot of resources to localise. So all of our ecosystem is now being localised in terms of local manufacturing, local validation, working closely with OEMs with an eye to make this happen in India,” Luskin said.

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Maruti Suzuki Brezza Facelift Spied With 6-Speed Manual Gearbox

The Maruti Suzuki Brezza facelift has been spied testing yet again with a video doing the rounds online providing a closer look at the camouflaged car’s exterior and a glimpse of its interior. However, design changes aside, the biggest talking point in this latest video is the gear lever on the interior - the pattern suggests that it is a 6-speed manual unit - a first for any Maruti car in India.

 

Also read: Car Sales January 2026: Six Marutis in Top 10, But Tata Nexon Takes Top Spot

 

 

So far, all Maruti cars are shipped with a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard, be it with the 1.0-litre K10, 1.0-litre Turbo (Fronx only), 1.2-litre K12 (4 cyl) or Z-Series (3 cyl) or the 1.5-litre K15 petrol engine. Automatic gearboxes, meanwhile, have varied between a 5-speed AMT, a long-serving 4-speed automatic or a 6-speed automatic, depending on the model chosen.
 

The move to a 6-speed manual should have some noticeable benefits on fuel economy as well as acceleration over the older 5-speed unit. It should also aid in Maruti meeting the more stringent CAFE 3 norms that are set to arrive in 2027. It, however, remains to be seen if the new gearbox could be offered with the carmaker’s smaller capacity engines.
 

Also read: Maruti Suzuki Victoris Crosses 50,000 Sales Milestone In 4 months
 

Moving to the cosmetics, the Brezza looks to get a revised fascia with a tweaked grille and a new bumper. The dual-barrel LED projector headlamps, though, look unchanged from the current subcompact SUV. At the rear, the changes are likely to also be minor with tweaks to the tail lamps and a revised bumper.
 

On the inside, the covering on the centre console suggests that it could be redesigned. Top variants could move away from the existing 9.0-inch SmartPlay Pro+ touchscreen and get the new 10.1-inch SmartPlay Pro X unit that arrived in the new Victoris while also borrowing other tech from the SUV such as ventilated front seats, a powered driver seat and more.
 

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki Announces Price Protection Amid Long Waiting Periods

 

Mechanically, the 1.5-litre K15 naturally aspirated petrol engine is expected to soldier on as is, the 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox option. The CNG models, meanwhile is expected to follow the Victoris in adopting an underbody CNG tank to maximise boot space.
 

The Brezza facelift is likely to make its debut sometime later this year.

 

Image source

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SIAM Reports PV Sales Of Almost 4.5 Lakh Units, 2W Sales Of Over 19 Lakh Units In January 2026

The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers published the sales data for January 2026, reporting double-digit growth across the passenger vehicle (PV), two-wheeler (2W) and three-wheeler segments. Total PV sales in the domestic market stood at 4,49,616 units while 2W sales amounted to 19,25,603 units - best ever numbers for January.
 

Also read: January 2026 Auto Retail Up 17.61% YoY At 27.22 Lakh Units: FADA Report
 

Commenting on the industry’s sales performance, SIAM Director General, Rajesh Menon, said, “The new year has begun on a positive note, extending the strong momentum seen in the previous quarter, supported by sustained demand following the GST rate reduction. The initiatives announced in the Union Budget 2026 to strengthen India’s manufacturing base, along with existing policy tailwinds, are expected to deliver long-term benefits for the sector and support growth in the medium term.”
 

Domestic Passenger Vehicle, Two-Wheeler Sales For January 2026
 

Year-on-year, both 2W and PV sales posted double-digit growth - up 26.2 per cent and 12.6 per cent respectively.
 

Subsegment sales data for PVs continued to show a rising demand for SUVs in the Indian market, with domestic sales up 15.9 per cent year-on-year from 2,12,995 units to 2,46,844 units. Passenger Car sales, meanwhile, were down 5.1 per cent from 1,27,065 units to 1,20,636 units. Do note that these subsegment numbers do not include sales of Tata Motors.
 

Also read: Two-Wheeler Sales January 2026: Hero MotoCorp, TVS, Royal Enfield, Suzuki Report Sustained Growth
 

On the two-wheeler side, sales of scooters, motorcycles and mopeds all grew in the double digits year-on-year. Scooter sales were up 36.9 per cent from 5,48,201 units to  7,50,580 units, while motorcycle sales grew 20.3 per cent from 9,36,145 units to 11,26,416 units. Moped sales, meanwhile, grew by around 16 per cent from 41,872 units in January 2025 to 48,607 units.
 

Passenger Vehicle, Two-Wheeler Exports In January 2026
 

On the export front, SIAM reported a PV export growth of 33.4 per cent lead by the passenger car segment. Total PV exports stood at 76,822 units, of which 37,329 units (a year-on-year growth of 43.6 per cent) were of passenger cars. SUV exports stood at 38,421 units, up 26 per cent from January 2025.
 

Also read: Auto Sales Jan 2026: Tata Claims Second Place With Over 70,000 Units Sold; Hyundai Reports Best-Ever Domestic Sales
 

On the two-wheeler side, exports grew by almost 20 per cent, with scooter exports rising 38.8 per cent from 44,875 units last year to 62,294 units. Motorcycle exports, meanwhile, were up 16.5 per cent at 3,90,667 units, while moped exports were up 1058 per cent from a low of 300 units in January 2025 to 3,474 units in January 2026.
 

Year-To-Date Passenger Vehicle, Two-Wheeler Domestic Sales In FY2026
 

Year-to-date figures from the financial year 2025-2026 painted a more subdued picture though both PV and 2W sales continued to report a sales growth. Total PV sales in the April 2025 to January 2026 period stood at 37,06,551 units - a 6.2 per cent growth over the previous fiscal year. Two-wheeler sales, meanwhile, were up 7.8 per cent to 1,78,58,440 units

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MG Majestor SUV Unveiled In India Ahead Of April 2026 Launch

JSW MG Motor India is having a fresh crack at ending the dominance of the Toyota Fortuner, with the full debut of the MG Majestor SUV, ahead of its planned launch in April 2026. The Majestor was first revealed at the 2025 Auto Expo held in New Delhi, but that was only an exterior design reveal, with the final, production-ready SUV being unveiled today in Faridabad. Pre-bookings for the Majestor have opened online, with the reservation amount set at Rs 41,000. Deliveries of the Majestor will begin in the month of May, the company confirmed during its unveil presentation. The first 3,000 customers will also receive a 5-year, unlimited kilometres warranty package, bundled with five free services and five years of roadside assistance.

 

 

MG Majestor: Design and dimensions

 

In essence, the Majestor is an extensive upgrade for the slow-selling MG Gloster. It is based on the same architecture, but the Majestor has a new front-end, accentuated by a ‘Mosaic Matrix’ grille, redesigned LED daytime running lights and tri-beam LED projector headlights mounted low in the front bumper.

 

 

The Majestor rides on 19-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, and in profile, is more or less identical to the Gloster. At the back, you'll see new LED tail-lights, which are now linked by an LED light bar. MG has chosen to spell out the name of the SUV in bold across the tailgate. 

 

 

MG claims this is the longest, tallest and widest SUV in its segment, but has not shared any specifications at this time. However, it's likely to mirror the dimensions of the Gloster. The company did confirm boot space of 343 litres with all three rows of seats up, and 1,350 litres with the third row folded.

 

MG Majestor: Interior and features

 

Compared to the Gloster, the Majestor has a redesigned dashboard, with a freestanding 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system taking pride of place. The Majestor also has a full digital instruments display, and a new centre console that houses twin wireless phone charging pads. 

 

 

Like the Gloster, the Majestor, too, comes with powered front seats, with 12-way adjustment for the driver's seat. The front seats also feature ventilation and multi-mode massage functions. The interior colour scheme is now ‘smoked ebony’, and the Majestor will be available with 7 seats as well as 6 seats, with the second row featuring captain chairs.

 

Also included are three-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, 12-speaker JBL sound system, 64-colour ambient lighting, powered tailgate, 75 connected car features, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, to name the highlights. 

 

 

Safety equipment includes six airbags as standard, and Level 2 advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including functions such as autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, intelligent headlamp control, among others.

 

MG Majestor: Engine and transmission

 

MG has confirmed the Majestor carries over the Gloster's 2.0-litre, twin-turbo diesel engine, but is yet to share power output figures. It is also likely to retain the Gloster's 8-speed automatic transmission, operated via a column-mounted shift lever. 

 

 

Just like the Gloster, the Majestor, too, will be available in both two-wheel and four-wheel drive variants. The Majestor 4x4 has 10 off-road modes, including Sand, Snow, Rock and Mud modes, and also has a triple differential lock, 810 mm water wading depth and low-speed crawl control mode.

 

MG Majestor: Expected pricing

 

The Majestor will be available in two main trims – Sharp and Savvy – with the former available only with two-wheel drive. We expect prices for the Majestor to range between Rs 38-45 lakh (ex-showroom). 

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MG Majestor India Launch Today: What To Expect?

JSW MG Motor India will be launching the company’s newest flagship SUV, the MG Majestor, tomorrow, about a year after it was first showcased at the 2024 Bharat Mobility Expo. Essentially an updated version of the MG Gloster, the new Majestor will be positioned as a more premium derivative, taking on rivals like the Toyota Fortuner. So, it will be interesting to see how the company prices the new MG Majestor. And while that will be revealed tomorrow, for now, here’s everything else you can expect from the SUV.

 

Also Read: MG Majestor India Launch On February 12

 

Exterior

 

The MG Majestor looks bigger, bolder and more premium than the Gloster for sure. The edges are more squared off with sharper lines, and the chrome chunks on the grille make them look flashier than ever. Expect all-LED lighting. The cladding on the bumper and wheel arches gives it a beefy look, including the skid plate. The sidestep and dual-tone alloy wheels add to its rugged look, while the rear section offers connected LED taillights and a beefy rear bumper with chrome tips and a rear skid plate. 

 

 

Interior

 

Now, the cabin of the India-spec Majestor is yet to be revealed; however, since it’s the same SUV that’s sold globally as Maxus D90, we can guess as to what we’ll get. The dashboard has been designed with horizontal lines, large air con vents, and a large flat-bottom steering wheel. The dash will also come with a lot of chrome or brushed silver elements, a wide touchscreen display and a digital cluster. You can expect a more premium fit and finish with soft-touch material and leatherette upholstery. The Majestor is also expected to offer three rows of seating, as with the Gloster.

 

Also read: Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025: MG Majestor Unveiled In India

 

 

Features

 

MG was one of the first brands to offer connected car tech and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in India, and we are bound to see these in the new MG Majestor as well. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay aside, MG is likely to offer an in-built navigation system, e-SIM support, remote access functions and more. Creature comforts like ventilated seats, multi-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof and more are also likely to be on offer. 

 

Also Read: MG Majestor Previewed Ahead Of February 12 Launch

 

Engine

 

Moving to the powertrain, the Majestor is expected to share its running gear with the Gloster, a 2.0-litre diesel engine offered in single turbo and twin-turbo guise paired with an 8-speed automatic gearbox. Expect the SUV to get the option for 4X2 and 4x4 drivetrains, depending on the variant.

 

 

Expected Price

 

The new MG Majestor is expected to be priced in India between Rs. 40 lakh and Rs. 50 lakh (ex-showroom).

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End Of The Road For Diesel Vehicles? Niti Aayog Pushes For Adoption Of Cleaner Fuels

Is this the beginning of the end of Diesel vehicles in our country? A Niti Aayog report released on Tuesday advocated gradual removal of Diesel vehicles from the roads while making a gradual shift towards cleaner fuels and technologies like CNG, hybrids and electric vehicles. The report says the ultimate aim is fully shift to zero emission vehicles.

Diesel cars still account for fair share of sales in some popular segments.

 

The roadmap for net zero pathway also includes tightening of Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) norms and the aim according to the report is to achieve net zero transport emissions by 2070. The report says that fossil fuels still account for energy needs of 80% transport vehicles, a number which needs to come down. It talks about adopting flex fuel vehicles and increased Bio-CNG blending.

 

Also Read: Zero Emission Drive 2.0: A Real-World Test of Clean Mobility

 

The report states, “The transition strategy should begin with the phased elimination of polluting diesel vehicles and the adoption of lower-emissions technologies such as CNG, hybrids, and electric vehicles.” Increased adoption of electric vehicles will go a long way in achieving the goals while usage of fossil fuels will need to reduce at the same time. 
 

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MIDC to WLTP: Why It Matters And How It Impacts You

Come 1st April 2027, the emission standards for BS6 vehicles will be shifted from MIDC (Modified Indian Driving Cycle) to WLTP (or Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Testing Procedure). This change will happen at the vehicle testing level, where manufacturers test the emission standards of their powertrains. But how will this change affect you, the end consumers (i.e. car buyers)? Let’s find out. 

Also Read: January 2026 Auto Retail Up 17.61% YoY At 27.22 Lakh Units: FADA Report
 

What Is It and What has changed?

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has issued that the emission standards for the M1 and M2 vehicle categories will be tested under the WLTP cycle. M1 category includes all the passenger vehicles (up to nine-seater), while the M2 includes commercial passenger buses and vans (nine+ seater) with a gross weight of under 5 tonnes. It needs to be noted here that the statement only mentions BS6 ICE cars, and there’s no mention of the EVs yet. 

While both the MIDC and WLTP are laboratory tests for fuel efficiency and powertrain emissions, the MIDC follows a fixed speed-distance-time pattern, which is less dynamic and not as accurate as the real-world condition. On the other hand, the WLTP cycle is more stringent, has higher testing speeds, harder acceleration, shorter idling periods, and varied driving phases. This makes the WLTP more matched to the realistic conditions the vehicles are subjected to and hence produces results which are more accurate. The WLTP was adopted by the European Union back in 2018. 

Also Read: Tata Motors Inaugurates New Tamil Nadu Plant; Range Rover Evoque First Vehicle To Roll Out

 

Also, the regulation levels remain the same as set by BS6 (Bharat Stage VI) norms in 2020. Even the safety regulation rules will remain unchanged. However, the inclusion of ethanol blending will be more noticeable. The new change also instructs the testing to be conducted on a chassis dynamometer, or more commonly called as ‘rolling road’. There will be frequent testing throughout the lifecycle as well to monitor stricter numbers and provide better precision. 

Not only will the newer cars post April 2027 have to comply with the newer WLTP, but the existing models produced from that date forward will also be subjected to the newer test cycles. And the Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) norms, which are under MIDC right now, will also move to WLTP. 
 

How It Impact Car Buyers?

Firstly, since the WLTP is more closely matched to real-world conditions, the fuel efficiency figures that manufacturers advertise will be slightly lower. Or better put, more evenly matched to what the owner could expect in the day-to-day driving. It is essential to understand that the vehicle's efficiency won’t decrease; only the advertised claimed figures will be more closely matched to the real-world performance. 

Secondly, the emissions figure will be closer to the real-world condition. But as a buyer, this won’t affect you in any other way than getting a regular PUC for your car.

 

Also read: Mahindra To Set Up Its Biggest Automobile Plant In Nagpur; Production To Begin In 2028

 

Lastly, it’s the pricing. While the testing applies to manufacturers and not to the end consumers in any way, the pricing of the vehicles sold – theoretically – shouldn’t change in any way. However, since the OEMs might have to recalibrate the powertrains – including but not limited to the engines, transmissions, running gear, and even the exhaust systems – for the newer testing equipment, they may or may not pass on the added expenses down to the customer. 

It needs to be seen when the EVs will be subjected to the WLTP cycles. Since the WLTP is more accurate for the real-world range achieved by the EVs, it will be helpful for buyers to make a more informed decision with their newer EVs when it comes to range. 

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New Toyota Highlander EV Is Brand's First 3-Row Electric SUV

Toyota has unveiled the next generation of its popular Highlander SUV for the United States, with one big change over its predecessors: it’s electric-only. The new Highlander becomes Toyota’s fourth EV for North American markets and its first-ever three-row electric SUV. Underpinned by a modified TNGA-K monocoque platform, the new Highlander will go on sale in global markets in late 2026 and will be offered with two battery packs and front or all-wheel drive options.

 

Also read: Toyota Ebella EV Review: Compact And Fun-To-Drive With The Promise Of Stress-Free Aftersales

 

Toyota Highlander EV: Design and styling 

 

On the design front, the new Highlander adopts Toyota’s latest design template with the familiar ‘Hammer Head’ front end design, with the sleek LED lightbar just below the bonnet, while retaining boxy and upright proportions. As with many new-gen EVs, the Highlander has a distinct lack of a front grille, with the bumper featuring a thick swathe of body-coloured plastic between the lightbar and the airdam at its base. Additional lighting elements sit in the faux vents on either side of the central air intake.

 

Also read: Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Gets Head-Up Display, Dash Cam With Optional ‘Tech Package’

In profile, the SUV rides on large 19-inch wheels - 22-inch wheels are optional - with a notable crease on the shoulderline extending from the front doors and into a prominent rear haunch. Around the back, the new Highlander features a sleek edge-to-edge lightbar below the rear windshield and a sleek rear bumper replete with a faux skidplate element.

 

Also read: All-Electric Toyota Urban Cruiser EBella Introduced; Booking Open For Rs. 25,000

 

Toyota Highlander EV: Interior and features
 

Inside, the dashboard features a layered design with a free-standing 12.3-inch digital instruments display and a large 14-inch central touchscreen. Physical switch gear is minimal on the centre console, while the central air-con vents sit almost at the base of the bumper. Being an EV, Toyota has tried to maximise storage with a floating central floor console with space for smartphones and cupholders at the top and a storage cubby below.

 

Depending on the variant, buyers can option the Highlander with a bench seat in the second row, with captain seats being part of the standard configuration. Top variants feature tech such as heated and ventilated front seats and heated second row seats with an optional panoramic glass roof. Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 ADAS systems are standard.

 

Also read: 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Review: Beast From The East

 

Toyota Highlander EV: Battery, range and charging
 

Moving to the powertrain, the new Highlander will be offered with two battery options - 77 kWh and 95.8 kWh. The smaller unit gets the option for front and all-wheel drive, while the larger unit gets dual-motor AWD as standard. In the FWD spec, the SUV is good for 221 bhp and 268 Nm, while the AWD modes develop a stronger 338 bhp and 438 Nm. Toyota claims a range of up to 447 km for the 77 kWh variants and a range of up to 515 km for the 95.8 kWh variants.
 

In terms of charging, Toyota has said that the new Highlander supports North American Charging Standards for the North American markets, offering fast charge times in the region of 30 mins for a 10 to 80 per cent charge. All variants will also ship with an 11 kW on-board charger.

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Continental Launches CrossContact A/T2 Tyres In The Indian Market

When we are praising a car's capabilities, we often fail to recognise the critical role played by the tyres. Be it overcoming technical challenges out there in the wild or the comfort that you seek on a long drive, tyres are at the base of it all, scraping the road below to get you the much-needed traction and rolling tirelessly for you, munching miles relentlessly. The role of the tyre in a car’s performance is one of the most underrated things, as a matter of fact.

On a recent invitation from Continental Tyres, we headed out on an adventure trail hidden between a reserve forest on one side and the Goa-Karnataka state border on the other. Two hours of driving from the Dabolim airport, passing through a narrow road meandering through forest area and connecting remote villages in between, took us to the perfect setting for testing the new Continental CrossContact A/T² tyres.

 

We were welcomed by the thick foliage of wild vegetation, old trees with huge canopies and tyre tracks carved on soft mud, disappearing as you wade into a river stream or climb over a rocky patch. Ideal test track for testing a rugged off-road tyre with just mud, slush, rocks and water around and no sight of cement or tar for kilometres.

 

CrossContact Tyres were first launched by Continental in India in late 2023. It was subsequently made available in varying sizes to match the popular OEM fitment requirements. CrossContact AX6 is aimed at providing the best grip on off-road trails, offering comfort and low noise on tarmac at the same time. The latest generation CrossContact A/T² tyre is equipped with Traction Plus technology designed to tackle extreme off-roading. The grooves are wider and 14% deeper than the AX6, and the unique block geometry resists lodging of small stones and mud that usually cause traction loss on trails.

 

During our drive through the specially curated off-road trail, tyres stood on the ground well, even when the big SUVs leaned at 45 degrees on a side, putting all its weight on rubber. Navigating through narrow forest trails meant tackling small stones, pebbles, and loose soil, none of which could unsettle the vehicle's grip on the ground.

 

Bold, large block pattern looks promising and functionally superior with deep grooves acting as the gripping tooth for the tyre. The special treads on the shoulder give more volume to the tyre and make it look visually broader than it originally is. 

On extremely steep climbs, our SUV kept crawling forward without the slightest slip or skid. Strong grip ensured easy movement on challenging inclines laden with loose gravel and mud. 

This was followed by driving into a river with a muddy bed underneath, needing sure footing over a slippery surface. Traction Plus technology played an important role here by providing constant grip during the entire water wading experience and preventing a lateral slide while leaving the water and climbing up over the slushy riverbank.

CrossContact A/T² tyres performed as promised, giving both confidence and assurance in abundance while dealing with the difficult terrain.

 

Not every tyre can deliver everything that a vehicle in motion usually demands. The most important of all in an off roading set up is always providing a good grip on the ground, irrespective of what lies beneath the rubber. And on that ground, CrossContact A/T² is surely a strong offering.

 

We did not get an opportunity to test the tyres on a regular road, knowing Continental’s strong reputation for making tyres with the least road noise and offering utmost comfort, this could be the one SUV tyre you need for all your requirements.

Written by: Aashish Bhardwaj 

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Tata Motors And Stellantis Sign MoU To Expand Collaboration On Manufacturing And Engineering

Tata Motors has announced a continuation of its long standing partnership with Stellantis in India and other global markets. The two brands have just completed 20-years of partnering via their 50:50 joint venture, Fiat India Automobiles Private Limited (FIAPL). To mark the occasion, both companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore further opportunities for collaboration across manufacturing, engineering and supply chain in India and other global markets.
 

 

Tata Motors said in a statement that the partnership has been able to successfully leverage Stellantis’ global expertise and its vehicles’ local capabilities. It added that robust strength across manufacturing, powertrain, and supply‑chain excellence will help lay a strong foundation for expanding future collaboration. 4 Jeep and 3 Tata Motors cars are currently produced at the JV Plant and more than 1.37 Million vehicles produced since the beginning of the partnership.

 

Also Read: Tata Motors Inaugurates New Tamil Nadu Plant; Range Rover Evoque First Vehicle To Roll Out

 

Grégoire Olivier, Chief Operating Officer of Stellantis Asia Pacific, said: “FIAPL stands as a testament to what two strong organizations can achieve together. As we commemorate this milestone, we remain focused on evolving the partnership to support future-ready manufacturing, innovation, and sustainable growth in the region.”
 

Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director & CEO, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, added: “Our partnership with Stellantis through FIAPL reflects the strength of a long-standing collaboration built on trust, shared values and a common vision. We look forward to deepening this relationship with Stellantis in the years ahead.”

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