Nissan Magnite Now Offered With CNG Kit For An Additional Rs 74,999

Taking a leaf out of Renault and Citroen’s Playbook, Nissan India has expanded its Magnite subcompact SUV lineup by offering a CNG powertrain option. The new CNG variant is only available with the 1.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with a manual transmission. The CNG kit will be available as a retrofit option at the dealership level, for an additional cost of Rs 74,999. The Magnite CNG will be available at all authorised dealerships starting June 1, 2025. 

 

Also Read: 'Committed to India': Nissan On India Operations As Uncertainty Clouds Future

 

The CNG kit costs an additional Rs 74,999 and will be offered across the trim levels. 

 

Installation of the kit will take place in phases. In the first phase, it will be offered through Nissan-authorised dealerships across seven states: Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala, and Karnataka. Subsequent phases will include other regions. The CNG kit will come with a government-approved standardised fitment and is backed by a warranty of three years or 1 lakh kilometres. The installation will be carried out at government-authorised fitment centres, says Nissan. The CNG tank has a capacity of 12 kg in a single-cylinder layout.

 

Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India, said, “The New Nissan Magnite has been a phenomenal product for us and has led the success story in India. To meet the requirements of customers, Nissan Dealers will provide an alternate fuel option in the form of a government-approved CNG retrofitment kit, which will be carried out at the authorised fitment centres for customers. We are confident that this move will enhance the popular compact SUV’s value proposition and practicality. 

 

Also Read: Nissan To Cut 20,000 Jobs By Next Fiscal; 7 Nissan Plants To Down Shutters

 

CNG kit offered with the 1.0-litre NA petrol engine in a manual gearbox.   

 

Currently, all six variants of the Nissan Magnite equipped with the 1.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and manual gearbox are eligible for the CNG upgrade. This engine produces 71 bhp and 96 Nm of torque in its petrol-only configuration. However, output is expected to be slightly lower when in its CNG guise.  

  

The base variant of the Magnite starts at Rs 6.14 lakh (ex-showroom). With the CNG kit added, the cost soars to Rs 6.89 lakh (ex-showroom). 

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Hero Vida VX2 Is Rebranded Vida Z; Spied Undisguised Ahead Of July 1 Launch

Hero MotoCorp recently shared an invite for the launch of a new scooter under its ‘Vida’ sub-brand, named VX2, on July 1. We now have pictures that confirm the Vida VX2 is nothing but the renamed Vida Z, which was showcased at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo earlier this year. The pictures, taken at a Vida showroom, reveal the new scooter wearing a zesty matt yellow paint scheme and the ‘VX2 Plus’ badge on its side panel. Aside from the name, the VX2 appears identical to the Vida Z from a design and styling standpoint, retaining the same shape, silhouette and LED tail-light.

 

Also Read: Hero Impulse To Make A Comeback? Test Mule Spotted

 

 

Even the 12-inch wheels appear to be the same as seen on the Vida V2 series of scooters. The scooter seen at the showroom also appears to have a digital dashboard with a joystick to operate it on the left cube, an ‘SOS’ switch as well as a small front storage pocket. Unlike the V2 – which has keyless go – the Vida VX2 will come with a conventional key, with a key slot visible in these pictures. The VX2 will come equipped with a front disc brake, a telescopic fork and dual rear shock absorbers.  

 

VX2 will feature a conventional key slot, as well as a joystick to operate the digital dash.

 

The Vida Z adopts a simpler, cleaner design language than the V1 and V2 scooters, and drops the split seat for a stepped, single-piece seat. Compared to the V2, the Vida Z will have a smaller digital dash, but is expected to feature touch functionality on the top-spec variant.  

 

Also Read: Top 10 Most Affordable Motorcycles In India

 

The VX2 was unveiled as the Vida Z at EICMA 2024.

 

Like the V2, the Vida VX2 will also feature removable batteries. The variant lineup is likely to mirror that of the V2 – with Lite, Plus and Pro trims – and the base variant is likely to come with a single, 2.2 kWh pack, while the fully-loaded variant is expected to feature two battery packs (3.4 kWh combined). 

 

The Vida VX2 will employ a direct drive permanent magnet motor, with output expected to be slightly lower than the V2’s 6 kW peak. Range for the Vida VX2 3.4 kWh is set to exceed 100 kilometres. It will follow the same charging standard as the V2, which will make it compatible with Ather Energy's fast-charging network, too.

 

With a simpler approach, the Vida VX2 is expected to be priced lower than the V2 series, which is currently priced from Rs 85,000 to Rs 1.35 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai, including central subsidy). It will compete with the TVS iQube, Bajaj Chetak, Ather Rizta and Ola Electric’s S1 series.

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2025 KTM RC 200 Now Gets A TFT Display

KTM India has silently updated its RC 200 for 2025 with a full-colour 5.0-inch TFT display, replacing the older LCD unit. The new dash is identical to those seen on other KTM models and now includes smartphone connectivity, turn-by-turn navigation, and various alerts. Accompanying the new display is a revised switchgear layout, with a menu navigation cube like the one used on the KTM 390 series. 

 

Also Read: 2025 KTM RC 200 New Colour Option Launched

 

KTM India recently revised the pricing of four of its popular motorcycles in the Indian market, with the RC 200 seeing the highest increase of Rs 11,000, bringing its ex-showroom price to Rs 2.54 lakh. This update helps justify the price hike, along with the OBD-2B emission compliance and a new Metallic Grey colour option.  

 

Also Read: KTM 390 Duke, 250 Duke, RC 390, RC 200 Prices Hiked By Up To Rs 11,000

 

Mechanically, the RC 200 remains unchanged. It continues to be powered by a 199.5cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine producing 24.6 bhp and 19.2 Nm, paired with a 6-speed gearbox. Suspension duties are handled by a WP Apex upside-down fork at the front and a preload-adjustable monoshock at the rear. Braking is managed by disc brakes at both ends with dual-channel ABS. The motorcycle features a 13.7-litre fuel tank, a seat height of 835 mm, and a kerb weight of 160 kg. 

 

Image source 

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Limited-Run Mercedes-AMG G 63 'Inspired By India' To Be Launched On June 12

Mercedes-Benz India has announced that it will launch a new special edition of the AMG G 63 SUV on June 12. The Collector’s Edition will become the second AMG G 63-based special edition to be offered in India, following the limited-run G 63 Grand Edition that arrived in 2023.

 

Also read: 2025 Mercedes-AMG G 63 Review: As Mad As Ever!
 

However, unlike the Grand Edition, Mercedes India says that the new limited edition AMG G-class is ‘Inspired by India’, with the carmaker not offering a similar Collector's Edition in other global markets. The 2023 G 63 Grand Edition was a limited-run model catering to buyers across global markets, including India.

 

Also read: Mercedes-Benz India Announces Staggered Price Hike For Models Between June And September 2025
 

Based on the images shared by Mercedes, the Collector’s Edition gets some cosmetic changes over the standard G 63, including body-coloured bumpers and fender extensions, while the fifth-wheel cover is now black. The light clusters also appear to get a darkened finish in line with the Night Package. The alloy wheels feature the same design as the standard G 63. There are no details about the interior.

 

Also read: Mercedes-AMG GT 63, GT 63 Pro India Launch On June 27
 

Coming to the powertrain, the G63 Collector’s Edition is unlikely to get any mechanical updates over the standard model.  The special edition will be powered by the familiar AMG 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine pushing out 577 bhp and 850 Nm of peak torque.

 

Expect the G 63 Collector’s Edition to cost a premium over the standard G 63, which is priced at Rs 3.60 crore (ex-showroom). 

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Dashcams, Not Airbags, Must Be Mandatory For All Cars, Suggests New Survey

A recent study by Park+ Research Labs, surveying 3,000 car owners across Delhi NCR, Mumbai, and Bangalore, has revealed a major shift in the safety preferences of India's car buyers. Contrary to long-established expectations, nearly half (48 per cent) of respondents now prioritise front and rear dashcams as the number one feature they believe should be made mandatory in all new cars. 

 

Also Read: Ventilated Seats Most-Sought After Feature For New Car Buyers In India: Survey

 

Dashcams in cars record real-time data from every angle and store it. 

 

This growing demand stems from rising concerns over road safety issues such as aggressive driving, hit-and-run incidents, and complicated insurance claims. Dashcams, once viewed as optional add-ons, are now seen as essential equipment that not only enhance driver accountability but also offer valuable post-incident evidence. 

 

In the Indian market, models such as the MG Astor, Kia Seltos, and Mahindra XUV700 offer dashcams as standard fitment in their higher variants. This feature is also available as an official accessory or as an aftermarket option. 

 

Also Read: New Skoda Kodiaq vs Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line: What I Learned After Driving VW Group's Latest SUVs Back-To-Back

  

Number of airbags has become a second priority for new car buyers in India. 

 

Commonly discussed safety aspects such as airbags and crash test ratings did not top the list in the survey. While 32 per cent of car owners still prefer a car with a 5-star safety rating, it is now seen as a baseline expectation rather than a competitive advantage. Meanwhile, only 10 per cent of respondents considered six airbags a priority, and just 8 per cent selected all-wheel disc brakes. Additional safety options outside of these categories failed to gain significant traction, with only 2 per cent of respondents mentioning them.  

  

Park+ previously conducted a survey in India, which polled 6,000 car owners across India. That study found that comfort features were top-of-mind for Indian car buyers, with 78 per cent of respondents calling ventilated seats a must-have. Features like sunroofs (11 per cent), Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) (8 per cent), and large infotainment screens (3 per cent ) saw minimal demand.   

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Tata Altroz Facelift vs Maruti Baleno: Premium Hatchback Showdown

India’s premium hatchback segment has always been a go-to choice for someone who wanted the practicality of a large car in a compact footprint. With just three players around, the competition has fierced with the arrival of an update for the ageing Altroz. How is it stacking up with the bestseller, the Baleno, on paper? 

 Dimensions: Both Big on Space

Dimension	Altroz Facelift	Baleno
Length	3990	3990
Width	1755	1745
Height	1523	1500
Wheelbase	2501	2520

When it comes to dimensions, both these hatchbacks are nearly identical in length, but the Altroz is slightly taller and wider, offering a more solid road presence. The Baleno has a slightly longer wheelbase, translating to slightly better rear seat legroom. When it comes to boot space, the Altroz triumphs with the best-in-segment boot space of 345 litres, whereas the Baleno offers 318 litres of luggage space. 

 

Also Read: Tata Altroz Facelift: Variants, Prices Explained

 

Design & Styling: Sharp vs Smooth

With the update, the Altroz facelift introduces a more modern look, which brings it in line with the Tata family design. It now has a connected LED tail-light bar, sleeker LED headlamps with eyebrow DRL. Nexon-inspired bumpers and flush-fitting door handles—a first in this segment. It is a first major update for the Altroz since its arrival in 2019, and it's not just a sticker job but a smart way to integrate the newer changes without altering the body panels. 

 

Also Read: Tata Altroz New vs Old: Exterior, Interior and Features

On the other hand, the Baleno maintains a fluidic design language with chrome detailing, a wide front grille, and LED projector headlamps. It feels more mature and refined rather than aggressive. However, it needs to be pointed out that the current Baleno arrived in 2022 and has become a household face since, but is in need of an update soon. 

 

Features & In-Cabin Experience

When it comes to features, the Altroz facelift has made it more modern than the outgoing model, which was becoming a bit long in the tooth. As is the case with all modern-day Tatas, the feature list is extensive.

 

Also Read: 2025 Tata Altroz Facelift Launched At Rs 6.89 Lakh

 

Altroz Features List: 

10.25-Inch Touchscreen Infotainment System Fully Digital Instrument Cluster Wireless Android Auto And Apple CarPlay 360-Degree Camera 6 Airbags Wireless Charger Auto Climate Control With Rear AC Vents JBL Sound System Voice Assistance Illuminated Steering Logo  Flush Door Handles 16-Inch Alloy Wheels

Baleno Features List:

9-Inch Smartplay Pro+ Touchscreen Head-Up Display (HUD) Arkamys Sound System 360-Degree Camera Auto Climate Control 6 Airbags Wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay Cruise Control Rear AC Vents

Engine Options & Performance

 

 

When it comes to powertrain choices, the Tata Altroz clearly has an edge over here. Available with both petrol and segment-only diesel, the Altroz also offers a CNG derivative across the variant spread. Meanwhile, the Baleno gets a single petrol choice, which can also be had with the CNG kit. While the Altroz also came with a sportier derivative called the Racer, it has been discontinued with the facelift. The Baleno, meanwhile, never came with any sportier variant except for the long-gone RS in the pre-facelift generation. 

 

Altroz Powertrains:

- 1.2-litre Petrol – 86bhp and 115 Nm

- 1.5-litre Diesel – 88bhp and 200 Nm

- 1.2-litre CNG – 72bhp and 103 Nm

Gearbox: 5-speed MT, 5-speed AMT and 6-speed DCT

 

Baleno Powertrains:

1.2-litre Petrol – 88bhp and 113 Nm

1.2-litre CNG – 76bhp and 98.5 Nm

Gearbox: 5-speed MT, 5-speed AMT

 

Pricing and Verdict

 

While the Baleno is still more affordable of the two at the base and top end, the Altroz justifies its premium with more powertrain options and segment-first features. If you want multiple engine choices, including diesel or CNG, and are also looking for unique features, high safety factor and fresh looks, the Altroz makes for a better bet of the two. But if you want a highly frugal petrol powertrain with good drivability, don’t mind the subtle but slightly household styling and prefer the vast service network, high resale value and hassle-free ownership that comes with the Maruti badge, the Baleno should be your preferred choice. While the Altroz facelift brings more flair, flexibility, and premium features to the table, making it the more exciting choice for buyers who want more than just practicality, the Baleno is still a proven all-rounder — comfortable, efficient, and easy to live with.

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Maharashtra EV Policy 2025 Approved: Check Subsidies For Electric Scooters And Cars

Aiming to accelerate the growth of electric vehicles in the state, the Maharashtra cabinet has rolled out the state’s new EV policy 2025, which presents a fresh set of benefits for EV owners. With the new policy, the Maharashtra government aims for 30 per cent EV penetration by the year 2030. The new policy will be valid for the next five years, from April 1, 2025, till March 31, 2030. Alongside offering subsidies and other benefits, the government also aims to expand its charging infrastructure in the coming years, which seems to be one of the main deterrents for people in the purchase of EVs.

 

Also Read: Hybrid Cars May Receive EV-Level Incentives Under Delhi's New Draft Policy
 

Maharashtra EV Policy 2025: No Vehicle Tax, Registration Fees For EVs

 

As per the new policy, EV buyers in the state will continue to be exempt from vehicle tax and registration fees. Additionally, all four-wheeler passenger EVs and buses taking the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Atal Setu, or Samruddhi Mahamarg will also not be subjected to toll fees. 

 

Also Read: No Fuel For 15-Year-Old Vehicles In Delhi From April 1: Environment Minister

 

Maharashtra EV Policy 2025: Subsidies For Electric Passenger Cars and Two-Wheelers
 

Other benefits detailed in the policy include a 10 per cent concession against its price on all-electric four-wheeler (passenger vehicles), two-wheeler, three-wheelers and electric buses in the state. Electric goods-carrying three- and four-wheelers in addition to farming equipment and tractors will receive an even larger 15 per cent subsidy. The government has stated that 1 lakh electric two-wheelers will receive incentives of up to Rs 10,000, while 10,000 electric passenger cars will be incentivised with subsidies of up to Rs 1.5 lakh. 
 

Maharashtra EV Policy 2025: Improvements In The State’s EV Charging Infrastructure

The government has also proposed the setting up of charging stations every 25 kilometres on state and national highways, which will make long-distance travelling a more anxiety-free affair. Its statement said that every existing fuel station on state and national highways shall have at least one fast charging station. Additionally, it was also mentioned that all new residential buildings shall be designed and constructed to ensure all parking spaces are EV charging ready. 

 

 

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Israel threatens Huthi leaders after striking Yemen ports

Israel threatened to target the leadership of Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels after the air force struck two rebel-held ports on Friday, following repeated Huthi missile attacks in recent days. But the rebels vowed to keep up their strikes on Israel despite the deal and fired three missiles in as many days this week that triggered air raid warnings in major cities.

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'Was adopted in an orphanage in Calcutta': Who is Indian-origin New York State senator Jeremy Cooney?

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Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial: After Kid Cudi, Cassie Ventura names Britney Spears and Michael B. Jordan in testimony

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FBI axes public corruption squad ‘CR15’ that backed Special Counsel Jack Smith’s probe into Trump’s Capitol riots

The FBI has disbanded CR15, a key unit that supported the investigation into Donald Trump, citing corruption and a broader reorganization. This decision follows earlier cuts to the Justice Department's Public Integrity Section and a shift in FBI resources towards immigration enforcement.

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