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Iconic Italian motorcycle brand MV Agusta has reportedly halted motorcycle production at its Varese factory, after failing to get a new strategic partner and fresh capital. According to one report, the Italian motorcycle brand was to receive heavy investment from China’s CFMoto, before a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) collapsed. The MoU was rerportedly signed in June 2026.
Under the MoU, which was signed by both parties, long-time KTM partner CFMoto was to have acquired 49 per cent stake in MV Agusta. But now, that MoU appears to have been terminated, bringing to an end of the possibility of a multi-million-euro restructuring plan for the Italian brand. With MV Agusta now in major financial difficulty, the reports of the brand pausing production only add to the uncertainty.
In July 2025, MV Agusta separated from KTM, with ownership returned to Art of Mobility, former owners of the brand. In March 2023, KTM AG had acquired majority stake in MV Agusta, but that partnership was short-lived with Europe’s largest motorcycle manufacturer, Pierer Mobility AG (with brands like KTM, Husqvarna and GasGas) itself filing for insolvency in December 2024. KTM’s stake in MV Agusta was then returned and bought back by Art of Mobility, headed by the Sardarov family.
With India’s Bajaj Auto now taking over KTM ownership, and the MoU between MV Agusta and China’s CFMoto having fallen through, this could be an opportunity for other global two-wheeler manufacturers with muscle and finances to start looking at acquiring MV Agusta. What the future of MV Agusta shapes up to be in the next few months will be interesting to watch.
Royal Enfield has brought back the Himalayan nameplate in a new avatar with the Himalayan 440. Based on the Scram 440 platform, the new motorcycle combines the newer 443cc engine and chassis with styling and hardware that are closer to the discontinued Himalayan 411. Here are the five key things you need to know.
1. Same 443cc Engine As The Scram 440
Powering the Himalayan 440 is the 443cc, air/oil-cooled single-cylinder engine from the Scram 440. It produces 25.4 bhp at 6,250 rpm and 34 Nm at 4,000 rpm, with a six-speed gearbox.
Compared to the Himalayan 411, the new motorcycle gets a modest increase in both power and torque, while the additional sixth gear should make highway riding more relaxed.
2. Bigger Brakes With Switchable Rear ABS
The Himalayan 440 gets a 300mm front disc and 240mm rear disc, with larger-piston calipers than the outgoing Himalayan 411. Royal Enfield says this setup is intended to offer improved braking feel and feedback.
Dual-channel ABS is standard, while the rear ABS can be switched off using a button on the left-hand switchgear. This should be useful when riding on loose surfaces and trails.
The Himalayan 440 moves away from the 411's distinctive multi-element instrument cluster. Instead, it gets a semi-digital console with an analogue speedometer and a digital display.
The display provides information such as fuel level, clock, trip and odometer readings, while a separate Tripper navigation module provides turn-by-turn directions. However, the new setup does without the tachometer and compass that were available on the Himalayan 411.
4. Strengthened Chassis And Sub-Frame
The motorcycle uses a strengthened version of the Himalayan platform, building on the frame updates introduced to the Himalayan in 2023.
Royal Enfield has also reinforced the sub-frame and used a different grade of steel to increase its load-carrying capability. The motorcycle can support up to 10 kg in the top box, making it better suited to touring with luggage.
5. Priced At Rs 2.29 Lakh
The Royal Enfield Himalayan 440 is priced at Rs 2.29 lakh (ex-showroom) and is available in three colour options: Mustang Brown, Sela Black and Nelong White.
The new Himalayan 440 effectively sits between the Scram 440 and the Himalayan 450 in Royal Enfield's adventure lineup, offering a simpler and more accessible alternative to the larger Himalayan 450.
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Kinetic has upgraded its iconic DX electric scooter with a larger battery and additional technology, with the new DX+ 3.1 kWh aimed at making everyday urban commuting more practical. The scooter now gets a 3.1 kWh LFP battery, which offers a claimed IDC range of up to 132 km. Kinetic says the expected real-world range is around 105–110 km.
Power comes from a 3.8 kW peak-power hub-mounted BLDC motor. The scooter gets two riding modes — Range and Power , while K-Coast Tech provides regenerative braking to recover energy during deceleration.
The DX+ retains the familiar all-metal body of the original Kinetic DX but adds modern features including Park Assist with Reverse, Easy Charge, telematics and IP67 water and dust protection. It also supports quick charging, with a claimed 0–80 per cent charging time of approximately three hours.
Practicality continues to be a key focus, with 37 litres of under-seat storage, 165 mm of ground clearance and 12-inch tubeless tyres at both ends. Braking is handled by a 220 mm front disc and a 130 mm rear drum.
The Kinetic DX 3 kWh is priced at Rs 1.19 lakh, while the DX+ 3.1 kWh costs Rs 1.28 lakh (ex-showroom). The DX+ is available in five colours — Black, Silver, Blue, White and Red — while the DX gets Black and Silver options.
Kinetic is also offering festive benefits, including a Rs 3,000 benefit on the DX+, an extended warranty worth Rs 8,999.
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ReiseMoto has expanded its MT Helmets portfolio in India with the launch of the MT Thunder 4 SV. Marketed as a sport-touring full-face helmet, the new helmet is aimed at riders looking for a combination of safety, everyday usability and long-distance comfort.
The Thunder 4 SV's safety credentials are among its key highlights. It complies with the ECE 22.06 standard and is also DOT and ISI certified. Additionally, the helmet has also received a five-star SHARP rating, which is UK's independent helmet safety testing programme.
For the construction, the helmet uses MT Helmets' HIRP (High Impact Resistant Polymer) shell, which is designed to balance impact resistance with weight. It also gets an Emergency Release System (ERS), intended to make helmet removal safer in the event of a crash.
Aerodynamics and ventilation have been addressed through MT's Reduced Aero Drag Design (MT-RADD) and Air Flow Channel System (MT-AFCS). These are aimed at improving airflow through the helmet while maintaining stability, particularly during highway riding.
For everyday use, the Thunder 4 SV gets an integrated retractable sun visor, along with MT's Quick Visor Swap System (MT-QVSS). The main visor is Pinlock 100% Max Vision compatible, while the removable and washable interiors should make maintenance easier. The helmet also has dedicated speaker pockets for communication systems and is compatible with universal intercom setups.
The Thunder 4 SV will be available in multiple graphics and colour options, with prices starting from Rs 13,699 in India. It will be available through selected ReiseMoto retail stores as well as the company's online platform.
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Kia has entered the premium three-row SUV segment with the new Sorento, with strong hybrid and diesel engine options. However, in the seven-seater SUV market, one model has always seemed to float around in many buyers’ minds: the Toyota Fortuner. On paper, the Fortuner is clearly the more rugged of the two - sitting on a ladder-frame chassis, unlike the Kia’s monocoque and featuring a rugged 4x4 system to the Sorento’s all-wheel-drive. So how do the two SUVs stack up on paper? Let's see.
On paper, the Sorento outdoes the Fortuner in almost every metric when it comes to size. It's longer, wider and sits on a longer wheelbase, though it's not quite as tall as the Toyota. The Sorento is 20 mm longer, 45 m wider and sits on a 70 mm longer wheelbase. This should equate to a more spacious cabin and more room to seat passengers across all three rows. The Fortuner, however, is 50 mm taller than the Sorento. Ground clearance figures for both SUVs are not available.
On paper, the Fortuner has the power advantage thanks to its larger displacement engine - 2.8 litres to Kia’s 2.2 litres. The Toyota SUV develops 11 bhp more than the Sorento, though in terms of torque, the Fortuner diesel manual is 22 Nm down. The diesel automatic, meanwhile, makes a meaty 500 Nm of torque and also gets the option of a 48V mild hybrid system featuring an electric motor developing an additional 11.4 bhp. The Sorento is unique in the price range to offer a dual-clutch automatic gearbox with the diesel, while the Fortuner is offered with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic.
The two SUVs also get differing drive systems, with the Fortuner getting rear-wheel drive as standard with the option of four-wheel drive, while the Sorento is offered in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configurations.
Features
When it comes to the features, it's the Kia that holds almost all the cards. In its fully-loaded guise, the Sorento packs in a lot of tech, including twin 12.3-inch displays for the touchscreen and digital instrument cluster, ventilated seats in the first and second rows, dual-zone climate control, powered front seats with driver seat memory, a panoramic sunroof, captain seats in the second row (option), powered tailgate, 360 degree cameras, Bose audio system, wireless phone charger and Level 2+ ADAS with 30 driver assistance functions.
The Fortuner is a bit more utilitarian in comparison, with features such as ventilated front seats (not available on 48V mild hybrid), dual-zone climate control, JBL sound system (4x4 only), power-adjustable front seats, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, powered tailgate, and wireless phone charger (48V mild hybrid only) and 360-degree cameras (48V mild hybrid only).
Price
Kia Sorento
Toyota Fortuner
Price (ex-showroom)
Rs 27.99 - 38.89 lakh
Rs 35.40 - 50.46 lakh
In terms of pricing, the Sorento diesel range starts from Rs 27.99 lakh (ex-showroom), with the fully-loaded HTX(A) Black Line AWD 7-seater priced at Rs 38.69 lakh (ex-showroom). The captain seat option adds Rs 20,000 to the price. The Fortuner diesel, in comparison, is priced from Rs 35.40 lakh for the 4x2 MT and goes up to Rs 50.46 lakh (ex-showroom) for the GR-S 4x4 AT (equipped with parts from Toyota’s GR Sport catalogue).
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The second-gen Maruti Suzuki Baleno has finally received a major update after its launch in 2022. The brand has launched the Baleno facelift in India at an ex-showroom starting price of Rs 6.10 lakh. For 2026, the Baleno gets a new face, a few segment-first features, and ditches the K-series 4-cylinder pot with a newer 3-cylinder Z-series engine borrowed from the Swift.
At the front, The Baleno now gets a larger grille, which also houses the radar sensor for its new ADAS system.
The Suzuki logo has been moved from the grille to bonnet line, while the bumper has been redesigned to fit in the larger grille. The fog lamp housings have also received a new design.
The 16-inch dual-tone alloy wheels and tail-lights have also been carried over from the outgoing model.
Maruti has also added a new Enigmatic Teal paint shade to the Baleno. The new colour appears to be slightly darker than the Nexa Blue finish offered on the outgoing model.
The cabin remains largely familiar, although the dashboard now gets a more flowing layout. The 9-inch infotainment system continues, along with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, while TPMS is also offered.
Other features include a head-up display, automatic climate control and a 360-degree camera. On higher variants, it also gets cooled wireless charging pad, a Clarion-branded audio system and ventilated front seats, with the latter being a segment-first feature.
The biggest feature addition is the Level 2 ADAS suite. It brings adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, lane-keep assist and high-beam assist to the Baleno, making it the second Maruti model after the Victoris to get L2 ADAS.
Under the hood, the Baleno has moved away from the older 1.2-litre four-cylinder K-Series engine. It now gets a 1.2-litre three-cylinder Z-Series engine in both petrol and petrol-CNG forms. The petrol version produces 81 bhp and 112 Nm, while the CNG version develops 69 bhp and 102 Nm.
Fuel efficiency is rated at 23.80 kpl for the petrol-manual, 24.77 kpl for the petrol-AMT and 33.61 km/kg for the CNG-manual.
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Royal Enfield has showcased the Himalayan 750 in India for the first time at its inaugural Himalayan Base Camp event in Ladakh. The motorcycle is still in its pre-production form, but this example appears close to the final version and gives us a good idea of what to expect.
The Himalayan 750 has already been spotted testing several times, including in different road conditions, while the motorcycle showcased here is the same version that was recently displayed in Brazil. Royal Enfield is expected to reveal the production-spec motorcycle at EICMA 2026 in November.
Royal Enfield Himalayan 750: Features
The model showcased in India is loaded with equipment that is likely to make it to the production motorcycle. This includes cruise control, tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), fully adjustable front suspension and a TFT instrument cluster. Notably, this will be the first Royal Enfield to get cruise control and TPMS straight from the factory.
The motorcycle rides on 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels, with this particular example using cross-spoke rims wrapped in Vredestein Centauro dual-purpose tyres. Previous test mules have also been spotted with alloy wheels, which means there will be road-focussed variant.
Royal Enfield Himalayan 750: Design
On the looks side, there are some obvious changes compared to the smaller Himalayan. It gets a larger fairing and headlamp setup, with the bodywork extending further towards the fuel tank. The tank shrouds are also noticeably larger. It also gets a large visor with a small cutout that should allow some airflow towards the rider.
The LED headlamp is shared with several other Royal Enfield motorcycles. Towards the rear, it gets a minimilstic design with the brake lights integrated into the indicator units.
Royal Enfield Himalayan 750: Chassis And Hardware
The Himalayan 750 sits on an entirely new frame and swingarm developed specifically for the larger motorcycle. Interestingly, it will also be the first twin-cylinder Royal Enfield to use a monoshock at the rear instead of twin shock absorbers. Suspension duties are handled by fully adjustable units at the front, while braking hardware comprises twin discs up front and a single disc at the rear.
Royal Enfield Himalayan 750: Engine
The new 750 mill has been in production for a long time, and the Himalayan will be the first RE to sport it. Royal Enfield has been developing a larger version of its 650cc parallel-twin engine. Akin to the Bear 650, the twin-cylinder Himalayan also has a two-into-one exhaust setup.
The company is expected to make several changes to the internals to improve efficiency while also reducing weight and making the engine better suited to the larger adventure motorcycle. Power is expected to be in the region of 50 bhp, with torque likely to be around 65 Nm.
A six-speed gearbox will continue to manage transmission duties, although the Himalayan 750 is expected to get revised gear ratios to suit its touring-focused character.
Royal Enfield Himalayan 750: Debut And India Launch Timeline
With the production version expected to make its global debut at EICMA 2026, the Himalayan 750 could make its way to India around the first quarter of 2027.
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Giving its MPV siblings a new powertrain option, Kia has showcased factory-fitted CNG versions of the Carens and Carens Clavis in India. Both models get a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with a 60-litre CNG tank, while retaining a separate 45-litre petrol tank. The CNG derivatives were showcased on the sidelines of Kia launching the Sorento SUV.
Kia Carens, Carens Clavis CNG: Engine
The 1.5-litre petrol-CNG engine makes 92 bhp and 123 Nm when running on CNG. That is roughly 20 bhp and 21 Nm less than the petrol version of the same engine. Kia says it has recalibrated the engine specifically for CNG and worked to keep the drop in performance under control. The company has not yet shared an official fuel-efficiency figure.
The CNG system has also brought a few mechanical changes. Both MPVs get retuned suspension to deal with the added weight, while the CNG versions run on 16-inch wheels and get upgraded front disc brakes.
Kia Carens, Carens Clavis CNG: Boot space
The CNG tank is mounted inside the boot along with retaining the three-row layout but at the expense of luggage space. Boot capacity drops by 100 litres compared with 216 litres in the petrol versions.
The spare wheel remains positioned underneath the vehicle. Kia says the CNG derivatives have been developed from the ground up rather than being a retrofitment.
Kia Carens, Carens Clavis CNG: Variants
The CNG option will not be available across the entire range. On the Carens Clavis, it will be offered on the HTE and HTE (O) variants. The older Carens will get the factory-fitted CNG kit only on the Premium trim.
The CNG addition gives the Carens and Carens Clavis another option alongside their existing powertrains. The Carens Clavis, in particular, is already available with petrol, diesel and electric powertrains.
Kia has yet to announce the prices of the Carens and Carens Clavis CNG. We expect it to be rolled out in the coming weeks.
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Kia India has launched the all-new Sorento SUV in India with prices starting from Rs 27.99 lakh (ex-showroom). The Sorento is Kia’s first strong hybrid model for the Indian market and will come with a three-row seating configuration as standard. Buyers can also choose the familiar 2.2-litre diesel engine, also used in the Carnival.
On the design side, the Sorento gets several familiar Kia design touches, including the Tiger Nose grille and cube-style lighting elements in the headlamps. The India-spec SUV also gets some small styling changes over the global iteration, including higher-set roof rails and different alloy wheel designs.
Inside, buyers get a three-row seating configuration as standard, with select variants offered with captain seats in the second row. The dashboard follows Kia’s contemporary design with a pair of freestanding 12.3-inch screens housed within a single binacle taking pride of place atop the dashboard. As with some other Kia models, the Sorento gets dual-purpose controls on the centre console, switchable between infotainment and air conditioning, while the gear selector and drive and traction mode switches sit on the central floor console.
On the variant front, the Sorento is offered in six trim levels - HTE, HTE(O), HTK, HTK(A), HTX and HTX(A). In base spec, the Sorento offers features such as a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, a reverse camera, 18-inch alloy wheels and leatherette upholstery to name a few. The HTE(O) adds a panoramic sunroof to the package, along with a powered tailgate, a powered front passenger seat and ventilated front seats.
The HTK trims get a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, blind spot monitoring, 360-degree cameras, a Bose sound system, 19-inch alloys and ambient lighting. The HTK (A) adds Level 2 ADAS with 21 safety features to the package. The HTX meanwhile gets all the bells and whistles, including ventilated seats in the second row, heads-up display, front & rear dash cam and 10 airbags, to name a few. The HTX (A) meanwhile offers an enhanced ADAS suite with 30 features.
On the powertrain front, the strong hybrid features a 1.6-litre petrol engine paired with an electric motor. Kia says that the petrol engine is good for 177 bhp, with the electric motor making 64 bhp. Torque output stands at 265 Nm. The 2.2 diesel, meanwhile, makes 190 bhp and 442 Nm. The hybrid is offered with a 6-speed automatic gearbox, while the diesel features an 8-speed DCT unit. Both powertrains are available in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations depending on the variant.
All prices, ex-showroom.
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Kia is all set to launch the Sorento in India today, September 4, 2026. The three-row SUV will sit at the top of the brand's Internal Combustion Range lineup in the Indian market. The Sorento is being built at Kia's manufacturing facility in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, where production commenced last month.
Bookings for the Sorento have been open with reservations kicking off from early August. In India, it will take on other three-row premium SUVs such as the Skoda Kodiaq and Volkswagen Tayron.
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Simple Energy has announced the full price list for its new Wave electric scooter, with the range now stretching from Rs 1.10 lakh to Rs 1.90 lakh (ex-showroom). The company had revealed the starting price at launch, but has now detailed prices for all six variants.
The Wave is available in three trim levels: Wave S, Wave and Wave+, with four battery pack options spread across the range. Here's how the prices stack up:
Variant
Battery / Display
Price (ex-showroom)
Wave S
2.2 kWh
Rs 1.10 lakh
Wave S
2.7 kWh, LCD
Rs 1.40 lakh
Wave S
2.7 kWh, TFT
Rs 1.50 lakh
Wave
3.7 kWh, LCD
Rs 1.60 lakh
Wave
3.7 kWh, TFT
Rs 1.75 lakh
Wave+
5.0 kWh, TFT
Rs 1.90 lakh
At Rs 1.10 lakh, the entry-level Wave is Rs 10,000 more expensive than the Ather Konarc's Rs 1 lakh starting price. The gap gets considerably wider at the top, with the Rs 1.90 lakh Wave+ costing Rs 45,000 more than the Konarc's current Rs 1.45 lakh top-spec variant.
The Wave's six variants give buyers plenty of scope to choose between battery capacity and equipment. The range starts with a 2.2 kWh battery offering a claimed 110 km range, while the 2.7 kWh and 3.7 kWh versions are rated for 132 km and 171 km, respectively. The range-topping 5.0 kWh battery increases the claimed range to 243 km (IDC range figures).
The Wave's electric motor produces a peak 6.4kW, while top speed is rated at 90 kmph. The scooter gets three riding modes – Ride, Eco and ECOX – with Sport mode offered on the higher variants.
Simple says the scooter offers up to 70 litres of total storage, including a 63-litre underseat compartment, a 3-litre glovebox and a separate 4-litre auxiliary storage space built into the side panels. The latter is called Pill and comes at an additional cost.
The Wave sits on a tubular steel frame, telescopic front suspension and twin rear shock absorbers. It rides on 12-inch alloy wheels and gets a front disc brake and rear drum brake, with CBS as standard.
Depending on the variant, the Wave gets either a 7-inch TFT display or a 5-inch negative LCD unit. The TFT-equipped versions add Bluetooth connectivity, turn-by-turn navigation, GPS tracking, call and music controls, USB charging and OTA updates. Higher variants also get additional equipment such as traction control, regenerative braking, hill-hold assist, reverse and crawl modes, along with vehicle tracking. LED lighting is standard across the range.
Simple offers a portable 750W charger for the Wave and says 0-80 per cent takes about 2 hours 15 minutes.
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