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On the occasion of World Environment Day, a senior government official inuaugurated Delhi's first E85 fuel dispenser. E85 fuel – which contains 85 per cent ethanol, and just 15 per cent petrol – will be made available alongside E20 fuel, promised petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri at the launch event. E85 fuel in Delhi is priced at Rs 82.12, making it Rs 20 cheaper than E20 petrol, which currently costs Rs 102.12 in Delhi. Puri mentioned the gap between E20 and E85 fuels will be Rs 20.
At the event, Puri explained that users of E20-compliant vehicles need not worry, as E20 fuel will continue to be sold alongside E85 fuel across the country. He explained that E85 dispensers will be clearly labelled and open only to E85-compliant vehicles.
The minister also confirmed that anywhere between 50 to 100 E85 dispensers are expected to be opened across India in the coming months. With a target of 500 E85 dispensers by the end of 2026, and an ambitious goal of 5,000 E85 dispensers by end-2027, the ministry has its sights set on countrywide availability of E85 fuel.
For now, there are no E85-compliant passenger vehicles on sale in India. Hero MotoCorp recently launched flex-fuel variants of the Splendor Plus and HF Deluxe commuter motorcycles, both of which will only start reaching customers from July 2026 onwards. Maruti Suzuki, too, showcased the Wagon R Flex Fuel recently, but there is no clarity on launch timeline.
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Over 2 months after announcing the ARAI figures for the Duster TCe160 (1.3 Turbo), Renault has now revealed the fuel efficiency numbers for the Duster TCe 100 (1.0 Turbo). The engine, offered in the entry Authentic, Evolution and mid-spec Techo trims, has a claimed efficiency figure of 19.41 kmpl – compared to 17.75 kmpl for the 1.3 Turbo.
The 1.0 Turbo unit develops a peak 98.6 bhp and 166 Nm of peak torque and is offered solely with a 6-speed manual gearbox. There is no automatic gearbox option.
Renault launched the all-new Duster in India earlier this year, with buyers able to pick between a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol or 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine option. The latter is offered with both manual and automatic gearbox options from the Evolution trim. Currently, buyers can pick from six variants – Authentic, Evolution Techno, Techno+, Iconic and a limited-run Iconic Launch Edition. Prices for the Duster currently range from Rs 10.49 lakh up to Rs 18.89 lakh (ex-showroom).
Hyundai has put out the first teaser for the next-gen i20 premium hatchback ahead of its global debut next month. The new i20 has been testing globally for some time now, with the fourth-gen hatchback also spied on Indian roads, suggesting that it could arrive in our market not long after global sales commence.
The sole teaser shared only provides a brief glimpse at the new i20’s front-end lighting, confirming design elements such as a light bar, Y-shaped LED daytime running lamps and an angular headlight design with multi-projector elements. Images of the i20 test mule in global markets have revealed the same design elements.
Additional design details from the test mules suggest that the new i20 will conform to Hyundai’s latest design direction, moving away from the oversized front grille to a smaller, more rectangular unit paired with a prominent lower air intake sitting between squared-out housings for fog lamps. In profile, the new-gen i20 looks to get a prominent kink to the windowline on the rear door, though the heavy cladding on the models hides away the presence of a rear quarter glass.
Not much is visible of the rear on the test cars, though we assume the tail lamps will feature a connected lightbar design alongside a sharply raked rear windscreen.
As for the interior, test mule images have revealed the presence of a curved display atop the dashboard housing twin screens for the infotainment and digital instrument cluster. The test cars also looked to get the new steering design we saw on the second-gen Venue and featured fabric upholstery – though his could change depending on the region.
Moving to the mechanics, the Brazilian car is expected to make use of a range of flex-fuel engines, including a 1.0-litre turbocharged mill. For the Indian market, the hatchback is expected to carry over the existing 1.2 naturally aspirated petrol and 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine options. Mild hybrid tech could also be considered for either of the engines, with Hyundai last year revealing plans to launch up to 8 hybrid cars and SUVs in India by FY2030, ranging from the compact segments up to premium SUVs.
As for an India launch, expect the new i20 to make its India debut as well in the coming months, with sales likely to commence around the festive season.
E85 fuel, or 85% ethanol-blended fuel, will be priced significantly below conventional petrol and will create a strong economic case for the adoption of flex-fuel vehicles in India, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has said. The minister was speaking at the launch of Hero MotoCorp’s flex-fuel variants of its highest-selling motorcycles – the Splendor Plus and HF Deluxe.
Hardeep Singh Puri, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister (File Picture)
“E85 fuel will be available at designated petrol dispensing points. I can share with you, E85 fuel will be used with vehicles compliant with E85. It will be substantially cheaper than normal fuel. If 1 per cent of the annual petrol vehicle sales in India shifts to E85, over 4 crore litres of ethanol demand will be generated,” said Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri.
With E20 already available across the country, the government is now increasingly focussing on a higher mix of ethanol in petrol, emphasising on increasing ethanol blending to 85 per cent. Speaking at the event, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister said affordable fuel pricing will be critical to driving consumer acceptance of flex-fuel technology.
The launch of Hero MotoCorp’s flex-fuel motorcycles marks one of the first major attempts to bring the technology into the mass-market two-wheeler segment. The Hero Splendor Plus E20-E85 Flex Fuel variant has been priced at Rs. 82,710 (Ex-showroom), while the Hero HF Deluxe Flex Fuel variant has been priced at Rs. 72,792 (Ex-showroom).
The Hero Splendor+ Flex Fuel Variant is priced at Rs. 82,710 (Ex-showroom)
According to the company, the FFV versions of the motorcycles will get marginally more power and torque, but will also have reduced fuel consumption, which will be offset by the lower price of E85 fuel and benefit consumers. Deliveries of the flex fuel Hero motorcycles will begin from July 1, 2026.
The prices of the flex fuel variants are approximately 6 per cent more than their petrol-powered counterparts, and as many as 36 components have been changed, according to Hero MotoCorp. The primary changes are a recalibrated ECU, new fuel pump and a secondary fuel filter which have been introduced in the flex fuel variants of the HF Deluxe and Splendor+.
The flex fuel variants will be offered at the same price as their petrol-powered versions during the month of July 2026 to accelerate faster adoption, company officials said on the sidelines of the launch.
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On the eve of World Environment Day, Hero MotoCorp has launched two flex-fuel motorcycles – the Splendor Plus Flex Fuel, priced at Rs 82,710, and HF Deluxe Flex Fuel, priced at Rs 72,792 (both prices, ex-showroom). With growing uncertainty over compatibility of new models with higher ethanol blends, Hero aims to clear up any hesitance with flex-fuel variants of two of its most popular motorcycles that can accept up to E85 fuel (which constitutes 85 per cent ethanol, and merely 15 per cent petrol). For now, both motorcycles will go on sale starting July, but only in Delhi-NCR and ‘select regions’ in Maharashtra.
This is a developing story. Please stay tuned for more details.
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Not JLR, but CJLR – Tata Motors has made a vital platform sourcing switch for its upcoming Avinya range of electric vehicles (EVs). In 2023, Tata Motors had announced its most ambitious models till date, to be sold with the ‘Avinya’ name, would be developed on Jaguar Land Rover's Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA), but now, the Indian carmaker is set to use a platform co-developed by Chinese carmaker Chery Automobile Co. Ltd. Chery, which is JLR's partner in China (CJLR), will supply the platform used for the new Freelander SUV, to Tata Motors, for the Avinya line of EVs.
Tata Issues Statement On Adoption Of CJLR Platform
In an email response to car&bike, Tata Motors confirmed the switch to CJLR's Freelander platform for the first Avinya model, which is due for market launch in 2027. The company also confirmed this new Avinya EV will be built at Tata's new plant in Tamil Nadu.
New Freelander 8 co-developed by Chery debuted in April 2026.
“The first Avinya vehicle to be launched in India in 2027 will leverage the Freelander platform produced by CJLR and will be made at the recently opened, state of the art TMPV - JLR manufacturing facility in Panapakkam, Tamil Nadu. It brings together holistic new age advancements and robust engineering foundations to deliver a compelling luxury EV experience for Avinya”, read Tata's statement.
The new Freelander, built on Chery's E0X platform, employs 800-volt architecture, which enables ultra-fast charging. CJLR has claimed a peak charge rate of 6C for the new Freelander EV, which can accept up to 350 kW of DC fast-charging.
Additionally, the Freelander platform enables the fitment of not just a pure electric powertrain, but can also accommodate plug-in hybrid and range extender EV powertrains.
CJLR's E0X platform can also accommodate PHEV and range-extender powertrains.
Tata Motors' first Avinya model is expected to be an SUV based on the Avinya X concept. The Freelander platform works perfectly for Tata, as it can spawn an SUV over five metres in length, and also provide benefits of ultra-fast charging and flexibility in powertrains. And this is a scalable architecture that is expected to underpin upcoming Avinya models for other segments, too, something Tata hints at in its statement.
“Avinya is being developed as a global premium brand for a next-generation EV portfolio to be built on multiple, scalable platforms and architectures while being anchored in Tata Motors’ design, engineering and integration capabilities. Our collaboration with JLR and its partners will be an important pillar of our global premium EV journey as we expand the Avinya portfolio across segments and geographies", the statement adds.
First Avinya EV is expected to be a five-metre long SUV.
The biggest, most advanced Tata passenger vehicle till date will mark the Indian carmaker's entry into the Rs 40 lakh market. Tata previously stated the first Avinya will debut towards the end of 2026, but we expect to see the Avinya make its world premiere at the 2027 Auto Expo.
Tata has also previously said Avinya EVs will be sold through a new retail chain separate from Tata's existing dealerships. The company is also evaluating a ‘hybrid’ sales model, where customers could also choose to configure and buy Avinya EVs online, if they choose to not visit a physical store.
The Avinya X is expected to be available with single- and dual-motor options, with the latter estimated to develop in excess of 500 bhp. Battery options are likely to be in the range of 70 kWh to 90 kWh, and while Tata intends to source battery cells from Agratas' India plant in the future, the first Avinya is likely to utilise battery cells sourced from overseas.
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One of Audi's most popular models of all time, the Q7, is about to receive a much-needed overhaul. The German carmaker has confirmed it will take the wraps off the all-new, third-generation Audi Q7 in the coming months, with the SUV expected to be unveiled in full before September this year. The introduction of the Gen 3 Q7 will mark the end of a long run for the second generation of the SUV, which was globally introduced all the way back in 2015.
For now, Audi has published a single teaser image, which gives practically nothing away save for a design detail of the front door and outer rear-view mirror.
The all-new Q7 will have pull-type door handles, and not flush-fitting handles seen on a number of high-end vehicles of late. Also visible in the teaser is a character line that runs along the profile, aligning with the door handle, along with the ‘S Line’ trim badge on the flank.
For starters, the new-gen Q7 will have a different design language; a much-needed change given how tired the second generation Q7 started to look towards the end of its lifecycle. Spy shots have confirmed a split setup for the Matrix LED headlights, a large, blacked-out honeycomb grille, and a full-width light bar linking the tail-lights.
Also expected to change is the interior design philosophy, along with the introduction of a completely new infotainment system. This switch will be facilitated by the move to Audi's Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture, which will also spawn the larger Audi Q9 SUV in the coming months.
2026 Audi Q7: When will it come to India?
We expect Audi to bring the new Q7 to India some time in 2027, as the Q7 has a fairly large fan base in our market, with the first-gen Q7 being wildly popular back in the day and being the choice of several Bollywood stars as well.
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Bajaj Auto has launched the 2026 Avenger Street 220 in India at a price of Rs 1.30 lakh (ex-showroom). The motorcycle has quietly been added to the company's official website, marking the return of the Street 220 badge to the Avenger range after it was discontinued back in April 2020 due to emission norms.
Mechanically, the Avenger Street 220 remains identical to the Cruise 220. Power comes from a 220cc single-cylinder, air/oil-cooled engine that produces 19bhp at 8,500rpm and 17.6Nm of peak torque at 7,000rpm. The motor is paired with a five-speed gearbox.
The key differences between the two models lie in their design and ergonomics. The Avenger Street 220 features a lower-set handlebar, which is aimed at delivering a more commanding and urban-friendly riding position. Unlike the Cruise 220, it does away with the pillion backrest and replaces the tall windshield with a compact flyscreen.
Visually, the Street 220 adopts a darker and sportier appearance thanks to its blacked-out treatment. Bajaj is offering the motorcycle in two colour schemes — Ebony Black and Cocktail Wine Red.
With the re-introduction of the model, Bajaj has streamlined the Avenger lineup once again. The Avenger Street 160 has been discontinued, leaving the Avenger Cruise 220 and the new Avenger Street 220 as the only cruiser motorcycles in the company's portfolio.
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Bajaj Auto appears to be working on a long-awaited entry into the trending adventure motorcycle space. A heavily camouflaged test mule has been spotted on Indian roads, offering the clearest indication of the brand developing a new dual-sport motorcycle.
At first glance, the motorcycle ticks all the right boxes for a purpose-built dual-sport. It features a tall beak-style front fender, a slim and upright fuel tank section, and a long single-piece seat designed for both on-road comfort and off-road mobility. While the front end looks completely new, the rear section carries familiar Pulsar design cues, including the split LED taillight setup. An upswept exhaust further adds to its rugged adventure-ready stance.
With underpinnings leaning towards dual-sport intentions, the test mule was equipped with long-travel suspension, with a telescopic fork setup at the front and a monoshock with linkage at the rear. It rides on spoke wheels that appear to be 19-inch front and a 17-inch rear—a favoured setup for touring and light off-road capability.
While there is no information on the technical specs or cycle parts, from the looks of it, the engine casing suggests the bike could be powered by a 250cc single-cylinder motor borrowed from the Pulsar N250 with a different tune. Interestingly, the test bike was seen alongside a Pulsar N250, which further suggests the shared powertrain. The Pulsar N250’s motor is capable of churning out 24.1bhp and 21.5 Nm, which can be a ballpark figure for the upcoming dual-sport motorcycle.
Based on the proportions and silhouette of the test mule, the motorcycle appears to be close to the production-ready stage. If that is the case, one can expect Bajaj to introduce the motorcycle by late 2026 or the first quarter of 2027. In terms of segment classification, the upcoming motorcycle might be targeted at the Hero Xpulse 210 or the more premium and capable KTM 390 Enduro space.
VinFast has reached an important milestone in India, rolling out its 10,000th vehicle from its manufacturing facility in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. The achievement comes less than a year after the Vietnamese EV maker started production in India and signals that its local operations are gathering pace.
VinFast's India plant currently manufactures the VF 6 and VF 7 electric SUVs. While neither vehicle has become a common sight on Indian roads just yet, the Vietnamese carmaker has been steadily laying the groundwork with local manufacturing, supplier partnerships, and dealer network expansion. The Thoothukudi facility is VinFast's first manufacturing plant outside Vietnam and currently has an annual production capacity of 50,000 units. That figure can be increased significantly as demand grows.
The company has also outlined plans to increase localisation and use India as an export base for select international markets in the future. Of course, producing cars is only half the battle. The bigger challenge lies in convincing Indian buyers to choose a relatively unknown brand over established players. Sales, service support, charging infrastructure, and long-term ownership experience will ultimately decide VinFast's success story.
For now, though, crossing the 10,000-unit production milestone is a strong start and proof that VinFast's India journey is moving in the right direction.
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Tata Motors' heavy push into the Indian EV market looks set to continue with a host of new models. Aside from the already confirmed Sierra EV and the all-new Avinya electric SUV, Tata also looks to be readying an all-electric derivative of the Safari. The electric Safari could arrive as early as late 2026, with Tata previously confirming that it would launch at least two new nameplates in India in 2026. Reports suggest the production spec Avinya is expected to arrive early next year.
The heavily camouflaged test mule was spotted on Indian roads recently. While only visible from the rear, the housing for the rear electric motor can be clearly seen under the vehicle. Given that the Safari shares its platform with the Harrier, the Safari EV too is expected to be rear-wheel drive as standard with an option for a dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain on top variants. Battery sizes are also expected to mirror the Harrier EV's, which comes with 65 kWh and 75 kWh options. Range, however, is expected to be lower than on the Harrier given the Safari’s slightly larger dimensions and the additional weight, in part because it is a three-row SUV.
Cosmetically, not much is visible with the basic elements, such as the connected tail lamps and lower secondary lights on the bumper edges, all unchanged from the ICE Safari. The camouflage on the wheels suggests that the EV will get its own unique alloy wheels for improved aerodynamics.
On the tech front, the Safari EV is expected to get all the bells and whistles from the Harrier EV, including a 14.5-inch QLED touchscreen, JBL Black audio system, powered front seats with ventilation, powered boss mode, digital rear-view mirror, panoramic sunroof and more.
