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Volkswagen India is all set to announce prices of the Tayron R-Line tomorrow, February 19, shortly after opening pre-bookings earlier this month. Positioned as the brand’s new flagship SUV for India, the Tayron R-Line is essentially a three-row version of the Tiguan R-Line and is being assembled locally.
Volkswagen has commenced local assembly of the Tayron R-Line at its Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar plant in Maharashtra. This is expected to help keep prices competitive and improve availability, especially since the model will not be limited by restricted import numbers like some of the brand’s earlier offerings.
The SUV is built on the same MQB Evo platform as the Tiguan and uses the familiar 2.0-litre TSI EVO petrol engine from Volkswagen’s EA888 family. In India, this motor is tuned to produce 200 bhp and 320 Nm of torque. It comes paired with a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox and Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system.
In terms of design, the Tayron R-Line carries forward Volkswagen’s familiar European SUV styling. It gets LED headlamps with DRLs, connected LED taillamps and sporty dual-tone alloy wheels. Inside, the cabin layout is largely shared with the Tiguan R-Line, featuring a 15-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital cockpit and a panoramic sunroof.
Bookings are currently open both online and at dealerships with a token amount of Rs 51,000. Prices are expected to fall in the Rs 45 lakh to Rs 50 lakh range. Deliveries are slated to begin in the coming weeks.
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Royal Enfield has rolled out an updated side stand for the Himalayan 450, addressing a concern that many owners have faced since the motorcycle went on sale. The revised component features a more upright design and will now be offered as standard on the 2026 model year Himalayan.
On existing versions, the side stand caused the motorcycle to lean quite deeply and heavily when parked. Given the Himalayan’s 196 kg kerb weight, this steep angle often made it difficult for riders to lift the motorcycle back up, especially on uneven ground or soft surfaces. Over time, several owners opted for aftermarket solutions, such as wider stand bases or adding an extension to the stand, in a bid to improve stability and ease of use.
With the new design, Royal Enfield aims to provide a more balanced resting position, making the motorcycle easier to manage when parked. The revised side stand is essentially aimed at reducing the excessive lean of the erstwhile component.
Existing Himalayan owners will also be able to upgrade to the new side stand. The component can be ordered through authorised Royal Enfield service centres, although sources suggest that it may not be readily available at all outlets and could require advance ordering. Once available, it can be fitted directly at the service station. The updated side stand is priced at Rs 3,250. While this is an additional expense for current owners, it offers a factory-approved solution to a long-standing issue.
The update to the side stand has been introduced following consistent feedback from Himalayan owners, many of whom highlighted the excessive lean angle as a day-to-day inconvenience. Riders had pointed out that the steep tilt made parking and lifting the motorcycle more demanding, particularly when the bike was fully loaded or parked. By revising the design, Royal Enfield appears to have responded directly to these concerns, using real-world feedback.
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Ducati has unveiled the Formula 73, a limited-edition café racer that celebrates the brand’s 1973 Super Sport Desmo. That iconic production model that was itself launched as a tribute to the original Ducati 750 Imola Desmo piloted by Paul Smart to win the 1972 Imola 200. That win is considered the beginning of Ducati’s production-derived racing dominance and largely attributed desmodromic valve timing as the brand’s technical lineage for decades.
The Formula 73 is a true nod to the 1973 Super Sport Desmo, borrowing design elements like the half-fairing and two-tone, silver and green colour scheme, but re-imagined as a modern interpretation. The classic café racer styling is complemented by clip-on handlebars, bar-end mirrors as well as a single-seat with a chopped off tail section. Wire-spoke wheels further cement the 1970s retro-inspired café racer design.
Under the bodywork, the bike is based on the Ducati Scrambler, one of the last of Ducati’s model range to feature the 803 cc, air-cooled, 90-degree Testastretta v-twin with desmodromic valve timing. The motor puts out 71 bhp and 65 Nm of peak torque while mated to a six-speed gearbox. The frame and swingarm also appear to be shared with the Ducati Scrambler, so the Formula 73 is a retro-styled café racer based on the Scrambler.
Despite its retro design, the Formula 73 is kitted out with a modern electronics suite, with ride-by-wire throttle, cornering ABS, traction control, quickshifter and two standard ride modes. The 17-inch spoked wheels are kitted out with Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tyres, and braking hardware comprises a Brembo four-piston caliper up front, paired with a 330 mm disc and suspension is from KYB. Other bits and bobs include billet aluminium brake, clutch levers and footpegs and a Rizoma fuel cap. There’s full LED lighting and a TFT display.
The Formula 73 will be limited to 873 numbered units worldwide, with each bike kitted out with a serialised steering plate, certificate of authenticity, and a box of period sketches from Ducati’s Style Centre. For those customers who want the full period-correct look, Ducati is also offering a matching Arai Concept-XE helmet and Dainese jacket.
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Nissan has finally expanded its India portfolio with the launch of the Gravite MPV, with prices ranging between Rs 5.65 lakh and Rs 8.93 lakh (ex-showroom, introductory). With the Gravite, Nissan makes its entry into the sub-4m MPV segment, where it becomes one of only two offerings currently on sale. That said, the Gravite is based on the same CMF-A+ platform as the Renault Triber.
The Nissan Gravite is powered by a 1.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and is available with either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT gearbox. The MPV is offered in four key trim levels, along with a limited-run Launch Edition based on the top-spec Tekna trim, restricted to 1,001 units. Here’s a look at the features available across its different trims, along with its transmission and colour options.
Nissan Gravite: Visia
Engine: 1.0-litre NA Petrol
Transmission: 5-speed MT
Price: Rs 5.65 lakh Colour Options: Blade Silver, Storm White
Audi India is all set to expand its flagship SUV portfolio with the launch of the SQ8 on March 17. The SQ8 will be positioned between the standard Q8 and the full-blown RS Q8 in the brand’s India portfolio. The mid-spec model differentiates itself with performance, while also getting cosmetic changes in and out as compared to its siblings.
The Audi SQ8 is powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine belting out 507 bhp, while the more powerful RS Q8 delivers 640 bhp from the same engine in a higher state of tune. In comparison, the standard Audi Q8 uses a 3.0-litre turbo-petrol V6 that produces about 340 bhp. In terms of performance, the SQ8 can go from 0 to 100 kmph in 4.1 seconds, while the electronically limited top speed is 250 kmph.
The SQ8 builds on the standard Q8’s coupe-SUV silhouette but adds a noticeably sportier edge. Up front, it features a large single-frame grille with a more intricate insert pattern and a thicker surround, flanked by sharp LED headlamps. The front bumper gets larger side intakes with contrasting silver trim elements that give it a more aggressive stance.
In profile, the sloping roofline and wide haunches remain, but the SQ8 stands out with larger, multi-spoke alloy wheels (21-inch as standard) and subtle S badging on the front fenders. Darker exterior accents around the window line and lower body sections further distinguish it from the standard Q8.
At the rear, the full-width LED light bar continues across the tailgate, while the bumper integrates quad exhaust outlets and a sportier diffuser-style insert. Compared to the regular Q8, the SQ8 looks lower, though it stops short of the more extreme styling seen on the RS variant.
The cabin of the SQ8 follows Audi’s familiar layout, with the dashboard featuring a wide, horizontal design with integrated air vents and layered trim elements, including carbon-fibre-style inserts and metallic accents. A fully digital instrument cluster sits behind the flat-bottom steering wheel, while the centre console houses two touchscreens for infotainment and climate controls.
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Maruti Suzuki has finally launched the e Vitara, the carmaker’s first EV for India, following its launch in global markets in 2025. For now, the company has only announced starting prices for the e Vitara that too with the BaaS model. Priced from Rs 10.99 lakh (ex-showroom), battery rental starts at Rs 3.99 per km. Order books are now open online and at Nexa dealerships, with the booking amount set at Rs 21,000.
For India, the e Vitara is offered with the same two battery pack options as the international-spec. This includes a 49 kWh and 61 kWh, across three variants: Delta, Zeta and Alpha. The larger battery is offered on the top two trims, while the Delta comes with the smaller pack. While we wait for full prices to be announced, here’s a detailed look at what each variant offers.
Maruti Suzuki has finally announced the starting price for its first-ever electric vehicle, the e Vitara SUV, in India, as well as commencing bookings. The electric SUV will go on sale in three variants across two battery pack options, with prices starting from Rs 10.99 lakh (ex-showroom) under the battery subscription model. Battery rental starts at Rs 3.99 per km. Bookings are now open online and at Nexa dealerships, with the booking amount set at Rs 21,000. Full prices are still awaited.
The SUV will go up against the likes of the Hyundai Creta Electric and the Mahindra BE 6, and is expected to soon be joined by its Toyota-badged cousin, the Urban Cruiser EBella.
Previewed by the EVX concept, the e Vitara first made its India debut at the 2025 Bharat Mobility, with details of the India-spec model being announced at the end of the year. The e Vitara will be offered in three variants - Zeta, Delta and Alpha - with two battery pack options - 49 kWh and 61 kWh. The 49 kWh is exclusive to the entry Zeta trim, while the Delta and top-spec Alpha both solely get the 61 kWh battery. Maruti claims a range of up to 440 km for the 49 kWh models and up to 543 km for the 61 kWh variants.
Front wheel drive is standard with the motor in the Zeta variants pushing out a peak 142 bhp and 192.5 Nm. This is upped to 172 bhp in the larger battery variants, though torque remains unchanged. The AWD model sold globally is not coming to India for now.
On the tech front, the e Vitara will offer features such as a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone integration, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, ADAS features, ambient lighting, a 10-way adjustable powered driver seat, ventilated front seats, drive & regen modes and more. On the safety front, the SUV offers features such as 7 airbags, 360-degree cameras and tyre pressure monitoring.
Maruti says that customers buying the e Vitara prior to March 31 will get a complementary home charger with installation charges also covered. Early buyers will also be offered complementary DC fast charging at Nexa outlets for the 1st year or up to 1000 units. The SUV will also come with a 8 year warranty battery warranty and a 3-year vehicle warranty.
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Back in April 2025, spy shots of what was believed to be a three-row SUV based on the Toyota Hyryder grabbed attention. As it turned out, that model was actually the Maruti Victoris. Now, nearly a year later, images of a fresh test mule have surfaced, and this one appears to be the 7-seat iteration of the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder currently on sale in India.
The test mule, believed to be the three-row version of the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, retains much of the standard model’s upright SUV proportions, though the extended rear section is hard to miss. While the front and side profile appear largely similar under camouflage, the longer roofline and stretched rear overhang hint at additional seating.
The quarter glass area also looks slightly enlarged, suggesting space carved out for a third row. The test car rides on alloy wheels similar in size and design to the five-seater, and the overall stance remains familiar, albeit with visibly added length at the back.
While the interior remains under wraps for now, the seven-seat version is expected to feature an additional third row, along with a few upgrades over the standard Hyryder. Likely additions could include Level 2 ADAS, ventilated front seats, an updated infotainment system and enhancements to overall in-car tech.
The Hyryder, in its 7-seat derivative, will likely be offered with a 1.5-litre petrol engine and a strong hybrid version, which also has a 1.5-litre motor with a hybrid system. Transmission options could remain the same with a 5-speed manual, a 6-speed automatic torque converter unit and e-CVT automatic for the hybrid model.
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.
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.
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.
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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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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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.
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.
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.
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.
