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A camouflaged version of the MahindraThar three-door has been spotted testing, leading to reports that the popular off-roader is all set to receive a facelift soon. If true, this will be the first significant update to the Thar three-door, which has only received incremental updates since its launch in 2020. While the images only give us a glimpse of the SUV’s rear end, it looks like the latest iteration of the vehicle will receive an array of new styling cues to bring it visually in line with the Thar Roxx, in addition to a few new features.
The test mule appeared to feature the same vertically stacked taillamp units as the Thar Roxx
The test mule in the images appeared to feature the same vertically stacked taillamp units as the Thar Roxx, with the indicator lights positioned in the centre of the units. The SUV also appeared to come with new alloy wheels. Up front, the changes on the vehicle will likely include the same grille as the Thar Roxx, in addition to the round LED headlights outlined by the C-shaped daytime-running lamps.
The Mahindra Thar facelift could receive a few features from the Thar Roxx (Image used for representation)
The Thar facelift could also come with a few changes on the inside, such as a larger 10.25-inch unit and digital instruments cluster, automatic climate control, and wireless charging. It however, remains to be seen if features such as a panoramic sunroof, six-way powered driver’s seat and 360-degree camera, which are on offer in the Roxx, will also be available on the Thar three-door facelift.
The facelifted SUV is likely to retain the same crop of engines as the current model. The Mahindra Thar is available with three engine options: a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, offered in both RWD and 4x4 configurations, and paired with either a manual or automatic transmission, the 2.2-litre diesel engine is exclusive to the 4x4 models and comes with manual and automatic gearbox options. Lastly, there is a 1.5-litre diesel engine which is offered in RWD variants and is offered with a manual transmission.
Bajaj has upgraded the entry-level Chetak with the launch of a new variant, named Chetak 3001. Effectively a replacement for the Chetak 2903, the Chetak 3001 is priced at Rs 1 lakh (ex-showroom, including central subsidy), which makes it roughly Rs 1,500 more expensive than the outgoing 2903. For the additional outlay, buyers will benefit from a slightly larger battery, a marginally higher range and substantially enhanced storage space.
The big change with the 3001 is the switch to the new frame used by the Chetak 35 series scooters. With the larger 3 kWh battery pack moved to the floor board, the Chetak 3001 has an underseat storage capacity of 35 litres, which is much higher than the Chetak 2903. The larger battery also spells a slightly higher claimed range of up to 127 km (123 km for the 2903). Real-world range is expected to be just shy of 100 kilometres.
The Chetak 3001 has a 0 to 80 per cent charging time of 3 hours and 50 minutes using the bundled 750-watt charger, which is almost identical to the charging time of the outgoing Chetak 2903.
With the optional TecPac software enabled, the Chetak 3001 will have functions such as call and music controls, guide-me-home lights, hill hold assist, reverse light and an auto-flashing stop lamp. Like the 3501, the Chetak 3001 will also have drum brakes only.
Bajaj hasn’t confirmed specifics yet, but we expect the 3001 to have the same circular LCD colour display as the Chetak 3501. It is also expected to miss out on keyless go – replaced by a conventional physical key – as well as the lockable glove compartment seen on the 3501 replaced by open storage pockets. The 3001 will be available in at least three colours – blue, red and yellow.
The 3001 is set to bolster sales of the Chetak even further, with Bajaj having already sold well over 1.40 lakh units of the electric scooter this calendar year, as per the latest registration data on the VAHAN portal. The Chetak 3001 will take on the Ather Rizta S, TVS iQube 2.2 kWh, Vida V2 and the Ola S1 X.
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Audi has unveiled the new, third-generation Q3 SUV ahead of sales commencing in global markets in the fourth quarter of 2025. The latest iteration of Audi’s compact SUV does get some firsts for the brand, being the first compact segment Audi to be offered with Matrix LED tech, as well as OLED technology previously limited to Audi’s larger models. Additionally, unlike its larger siblings, the Q3 arrives from the start with both mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrain options, with the latter claiming to cover up to 119 km in electric-only mode alone.
On the design side, the Q3 adopts design elements not only from its larger internal combustion siblings but also elements from Audi’s new e-tron range. The split headlight design brings elements of the new Q6 e-tron into the design, while the split tail lamps with a lightbar were seen on Audi’s new A6 series – ICE and E-tron. As with other recent new Audi’s the high-set LED daytime running lamps features customisable signatures. The main headlamps sit marginally lower, housed within the oversized side vents flanking the wide grille.
Audi says that the Q3 is its first small car to feature digital Matrix LED headlights, with the units capable of projecting welcome graphics and warnings onto the road in front of the vehicle.
In profile, there is little fuss about the design with clean lines, prominent rear haunches and gently flared wheel arches typical of contemporary Audi SUVs. At the rear, the new Q3 adopts a similar lighting arrangement as the new A6, with the main stop lamps flanking the illuminating Audi logo under the rear windshield, with a separate unit comprising of a lightbar and turn indicators sitting below. The taillights are upgradeable to OLED units as an option.
The cabin design too is new-gen Audi with a panoramic display housing an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch central touchscreen – running Android Automotive OS - angled towards the driver. An almost flat shelf-like protrusion sits below the touchscreen with a thin strip of LED ambient lighting separating it from the lower half of the dashboard. Unlike some of its larger models, there looks to be no option for a co-driver display.
The new design centre console also eliminates a lot of clutter with functions such as gear selection moved to the stalks behind the steering.
On the tech front, Matrix LEDs and OLED lighting aside, the Q3 also gets more advanced ADAS functions capable of offering active support at a speed of up to 210 kmph. The upgraded system also supports assisted lane change at speeds in excess of 90 kmph. Audi says that the autonomous systems can also use cloud-based data to actively maintain a lane even without lane markings, though users will need to resubscribe to the digital service after the first three years.
Based on the options selected, Audi says that its Emergency Assistant can now self-steer the car to the shoulder of the road should the driver become unresponsive. The system also provides auditory, visual and haptic warnings, including brake jolts before pulling over to the side of the road and calling emergency services if the driver fails to respond.
Moving to the mechanics, Audi says that it has reworked the suspension for the new Q3 for improved driving dynamics. As before, the Q3 gets steel springs and dampers as standard, with buyers able to opt for a Sport suspension or a two-valve adaptive damper control set-up. The latter actively adjusts the level of damping based on the road surface and inputs at the steering and pedals at each wheel.
As for the powerplant, Audi has confirmed a choice of petrol and diesel engines, along with a plug-in hybrid option from the start. The petrol range comprises an entry-level 1.5 TFSI mild-hybrid unit good for 147.5 bhp driving the front wheels. The unit features cylinder deactivation technology to improve efficiency. Buyers wanting a more powerful option have the option for a 2.0 TFSI unit developing a peak 261 bhp and 400 Nm of torque replete with quattro all-wheel drive.
For now, only a single 2.0 TDI diesel powertrain is listed. The variant is capable of producing 147.5 bhp and 360 Nm, with front-wheel drive. A 7-speed automatic gearbox is standard.
Moving to the plug-in hybrid, the variant pairs a 1.5 TFSI petrol engine with a 114 bhp & 330 Nm electric motor to push out a combined 268 bhp and 400 Nm. The system uses a 25.7 kWh (gross) battery to give the SUV an EV-only range of up to 119 km.
Audi says that the new Q3 will go on sale in Europe in the fourth quarter of 2025. The model is expected to be subsequently offered in other global markets. The new-gen SUV is also likely to be India-bound sometime in 2026.
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Images of what looks to be the MahindraXUV700 facelift test mule have surfaced online. The XUV700 was launched in the Indian market in 2021 and has gone on to be one of the brand’s most popular SUVs alongside the likes of the Scorpio siblings and the Bolero. The appearance of a test mule of the facelift would therefore hint that it could receive its mid-cycle update as early as next year, as it looks to complete five years on sale in India.
The heavily camouflaged test mule hides away a lot of the design details, though from what we can tell, it adopts a new look grille along with redesigned housings for the headlights, though the car lacked the production-spec units. Interestingly, the design of the grille does bear some resemblance to that of the 3XO, suggesting that the update could see the XUV700 adopt some of the subcompact SUV’s design elements.
The heavy camouflage hides any further design updates to the front, though we expect the SUV to also feature a redesigned front bumper. Down the sides, the test mule retains the flush sitting door handles of the current variant, while around the back few details are visible to currently talk about any changes. However, expect the SUV to feature revised internals for the tail lights, whose design appears to be unchanged, as well as a revised bumper.
On the powertrain front, the facelifted XUV700 is likely to carry forward the current set of petrol and diesel engines, though with reports of Mahindra seriously considering hybrid powertrains for its SUVs, the latter could also be part of the line-up.
Another big change likely for the XUV700 is a name change. Mahindra has previously trademarked the XUV 3XO, XUV 5XO and XUV 7XO names, with the 3XO being the first to be used for a production model – the facelift for the XUV300. In going with this theme, the XUV700 could thus be rebadged the XUV 7XO when the facelift launches – likely sometime in 2026.
Mahindra has launched new automatic variants of the Scorpio-N based on the Z4 trim level, priced at Rs 17.39 lakh and Rs 17.86 lakh (ex-showroom) for the petrol and diesel variants, respectively. Previously, buyers were only able to opt for the automatic gearbox on the Scorpio-N from the mid-spec Z6 variant for the diesel and Z8 S trim for the petrol. The former was priced at Rs 18.91 lakh while the latter was priced at Rs 19.06 lakh (ex-showroom).
The new Z4 automatic variants are offered solely in two-wheel drive specification with both engine options. The Z4 diesel manual, meanwhile, continues to offer the option of four-wheel drive.
On the powertrain front, the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine continues to push out 200 bhp, though torque is marginally up to 380 Nm in the automatic variant. The petrol manual makes 370 Nm of peak torque. Moving to the diesel, while the Z4 2WD manual gets the 2.2-litre diesel in the 130 bhp and 300 Nm state of tune, the automatic gets the more powerful 172 bhp derivative previously reserved for the Z4 4WD manual. Torque is also bumped up to 400 Nm – the 4WD manual makes 370 Nm.
On the feature front, nothing has changed with the new automatic variants continuing to offer the same features as its manual counterparts. This includes features such as dual airbags, ESC, hill start assist, hill descent control, a touchscreen infotainment system with wired Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, cruise control, height adjustable driver seat, rear wiper & washer, power adjustable wing mirrors and 17-inch steel wheels with wheel covers.
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Luca de Meo has stepped down from his role as the CEO of the Renault Group. The company’s statement said the Italian auto executive, who had served in this position for five years, will officially depart on July 15, 2025. While at present, there is no information on who will succeed de Meo, Renault has stated that it is in the process of hiring a replacement. Renault’s statement also said that de Meo will now pursue opportunities outside the automotive industry, in line with reports that he will soon be appointed as the head of Kering, a holding company with interests in luxury goods.
Jean-Dominique Senard, chairman, Renault Group said, “Luca de Meo has worked to restore Renault Group to its rightful place. Under his leadership, our company has returned to a healthy foundation, boasts an impressive range of products and has resumed growth. Besides being an exceptional captain of industry, Luca de Meo is also a creative, committed, passionate and inspiring individual. Today, the entire company joins me in thanking him for all these years and all the collective challenges successfully met. On a personal level, I will always remember the quality of our relations during this unforgettable journey. This also gives me the opportunity to warmly thank the Group's employees who have worked alongside us for the recovery of this emblematic company that we are all so proud of.”
Having assumed the helm in 2020, de Meo is credited with reviving the Renault brand from a time of uncertainty through an aggressive restructuring process, leading to increased profitability for the company. His tenure saw the resurrection of two of Renault's most recognised nametags- the Renault 5 and Renault 4, as EVs, as a part of the company’s shift towards an all-electric lineup. The period also included the restructuring of Renault’s relationship with Nissan.
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Tesla has rolled out a small upgrade for the Model S sedan and Model X SUV in global markets. Now up to $ 5,000 (about Rs 4.3 lakh) pricier than before, the Tesla siblings get minor design tweaks, updated equipment and in the case of the Model S Long Range, improved range as well.
Starting things off, both models receive a suspension update claimed to improve ride quality. Alongside this, both cars get new aero-optimised alloy wheel options – 20-inchers on the Model X and 19-inchers on the Model S. Buyers furthermore get the option to upsize these to 22-inchers and 21-inchers respectively. Cosmetically, the biggest changes are to the Plaid variants, which get tweaked bumper designs along with an upgraded front-facing camera for the new model year. Both models also get a new Frost Blue colour as a paid option.
Moving to the cabin, the most notable updates come in the form of new configurable ambient lighting and a new welcome function on starting up the vehicle. Tesla says it has also upgraded the Active Noise Cancelling function of both vehicles to improve cabin ambience. The Yoke steering is now offered as an option only on the Plaid variants. Tesla also says it has liberated additional room in the Model X’s third row.
Tesla claims that the updates to both vehicles have helped improve range. The Model S Long Range now offers a claimed range of 660 km – the highest in the carmaker’s range, while the Plaid will now do up to 592 km. What some people might not like is the change to the Model S Plaid’s performance. While the 0-100 kmph time stays unchanged, reports claim that the top speed has been reduced from 321 kmph to 240 kmph.
Moving to the Model X, the standard Long Range variant will now go up to 567 km on a full charge, while the Plaid has a claimed range of 539 km – up by about 61 km and 33 km respectively.
Tesla is expected to make an entry into India soon, with the company currently hiring staff for its India sales operations and in the process of setting up dealerships in Mumbai and Delhi.
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Tata Motors recently launched the Harrier EV in the Indian market, with prices beginning at Rs 21.49 lakh (ex-showroom, excluding the charger). With the Harrier EV, Tata has left no stone unturned when it comes to equipment and features on board. The all-electric Harrier model incorporates several features that are a first for a Tata vehicle, and we list some of the key offerings below.
One of the main talking points of the Harrier EV is its Quad-Wheel Drive (QWD) setup, which is essentially an all-wheel drive system, making it the first Tata EV to get it. While the standard Harrier EV comes with rear-wheel drive, powered by a 235 bhp electric motor, the QWD variant adds a second 156 bhp motor on the front axle. The combined output is rated to be 391 bhp and 504 Nm of torque.
2. QWD terrain modes
Given it gets AWD on the higher variants, the Harrier EV features six terrain modes: Rock Crawl, Snow, Gravel, Sand, Normal, and a customisable sixth mode. These come in addition to the four standard drive modes.
Another QWD-exclusive feature is an off-road assist or cruise control mode, which allows the vehicle to maintain a low, steady speed over uneven terrain.
4. 14.53-inch Neo QLED display
Tata claims that the 14.53-inch QLED display in the Harrier EV, which manages infotainment duties, is not just a first for the brand but also a first in the automotive space. For reference, the ICE-powered Harrier comes equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen.
5. Transparent view mode
The Harrier EV is also the first Tata vehicle to offer a transparent view mode through its 360-degree camera system, allowing drivers to see beneath the vehicle. This is similar to what we have seen on high-end models like the Land Rover Defender and Range Rover.
The Harrier EV is also equipped with an autonomous parking system, capable of parking the car without the driver inside. A summon function allows the vehicle to be moved from a parking spot using the round key fob, which gets dedicated vehicle-manoeuvring buttons.
7. Reverse assist
The Reverse Assist feature in the Harrier EV helps navigate out of tight parking spots by retracing the last 50 meters driven under 30 kmph, automatically handling steering, acceleration, and braking to return you to your starting point.
8. Digital rearview mirror with DVR
The Harrier EV features a digital inside rearview mirror (IRVM) integrated with a DVR (digital video recorder). This unit displays a real-time feed from the rear camera, offering a clearer view of what's behind the vehicle. In addition, it continuously records footage as well.
The Harrier EV will be offered with two battery options: 65 kWh and 75 kWh. According to Tata, the 75 kWh versions in rear-wheel-drive form offer an ARAI-certified range of up to 627 km. In real-world conditions (C75 cycle), this is expected to deliver between 480 and 505 km on a single charge.
10. 1.5 C peak charge rate
Thanks to its 1.5 C charging capability, the Harrier EV can charge rapidly. It supports up to 7 kW AC and 120 kW DC fast charging, allowing a 20 to 80 per cent top-up in under 25 minutes. With DC fast charging, Tata claims it can recover 250 km of range in just 15 minutes.
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Following Xiaomi's recent record for the fastest production EV at the Nurburgring, Volkswagen has achieved a milestone of its own at the famed German circuit. While not an outright Nurburgring record, the upcoming Golf GTI Edition 50 has earned the title of the fastest Volkswagen-badged vehicle to lap the track, completing the 20.8-kilometre Nordschleife in 07:46.13 minutes.
Volkswagen mentioned that the vehicle used for this lap was a near-production unit. Notably, it was equipped with an optional Performance package, which includes a specially tuned performance chassis and lightweight 19-inch Bridgestone Potenza Race semi-slick tyres paired with forged wheels. Volkswagen states that the performance package will be offered as an optional extra.
Volkswagen has yet to confirm any powertrain upgrades for the Edition 50 or whether the Performance package affects output. For reference, the standard Golf GTI is powered by a 2.0-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine producing 265 bhp and 370 Nm of torque, mated to a 7-speed DSG transmission sending power to the front wheels.
In setting this time, the front-wheel-drive GTI Edition 50 defeated the all-wheel-drive Golf R “20 Years” edition, which previously held the record among VW models with a time of 07:47.31 seconds, achieved in 2022. Benny Leuchter, who piloted the record-setting car, states, "Three years ago, I wouldn’t have thought that I could ever beat the lap time of the outstanding Golf R with a front-wheel drive Golf GTI as clearly as I have now.”
Set to be introduced globally in 2026, the Golf GTI Edition 50 will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the iconic hot hatch. This is akin to what the German automaker did to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its Polo hatchback with the introduction of the Polo Edition 50 in its home market.
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JSW MG Motor India has significantly reduced the prices of its ZS EV across all variants. The British automaker is marking its sixth year in India, and to commemorate it, the brand has slashed prices of the vehicle for a limited period. The ZS EV was MG’s first electric and second passenger vehicle offering in the country. As part of this offer, the top-spec Essence trim has seen the most significant price reduction of Rs 4.44 lakh. Here's a breakdown of its revised variant-wise ex-showroom pricing.
Variant
Old Price
New Price
Difference
Executive
Rs 16,88,000
Rs 16,75,000
Rs 13,000
Excite Pro
Rs 18,97,800
Rs 18,49,800
Rs 48,000
Exclusive Plus
Rs 23,64,800
Rs 19,49,800
Rs 4,15,000
Essence
Rs 24,93,800
Rs 20,49,800
Rs 4,44,000
The entry-level Executive variant now costs Rs 16.75 lakh, down by Rs 13,000 from its previous price of Rs 16.88 lakh. Similarly, the Excite Pro sees a price cut of Rs 48,000, bringing it down to Rs 18.49 lakh from Rs 18.97 lakh. The Exclusive Plus gets a major reduction of Rs 4.15 lakh while the biggest cut is on the top-end Essence variant, which is now Rs 4.44 lakh cheaper, bringing its price down to Rs 20.49 lakh.
Powering the ZS EV is a 174 bhp Permanent Magnet Synchronous Electric Motor, which provides 280 Nm of torque on tap. It gets a 50.3 kWh battery pack claimed to provide a range of 461 km on a single charge. With a 50 kW CCS charger, the battery can be charged from 0 to 80% in 60 minutes.
On the feature front, the ZS EV comes loaded with a level 2 ADAS suite, 360-degree cameras, leather seats, a 10.11-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 4 speakers, dual-pane sunroof and a lot more.
MG Motor India currently offers three electric vehicles in the Indian market, with the latest addition being the Windsor EV, which has been performing quite well for the brand. Moreover, the entire EV lineup – Comet EV, ZS EV and Windsor EV – is also available with a Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model, allowing customers to opt for a battery subscription. This helps reduce the initial purchase cost, with a separate fee for battery rental.
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Following Xiaomi's recent record for the fastest production EV at the Nurburgring, Volkswagen has achieved a milestone of its own at the famed German circuit. While not an outright Nurburgring record, the upcoming Golf GTI Edition 50 has earned the title of the fastest Volkswagen-badged vehicle to lap the track, completing the 20.8-kilometre Nordschleife in 07:46.13 minutes.
Volkswagen mentioned that the vehicle used for this lap was a near-production unit. Notably, it was equipped with an optional Performance package, which includes a specially tuned performance chassis and lightweight 19-inch Bridgestone Potenza Race semi-slick tyres paired with forged wheels. Volkswagen states that the performance package will be offered as an optional extra.
Volkswagen has yet to confirm any powertrain upgrades for the Edition 50 or whether the Performance package affects output. For reference, the standard Golf GTI is powered by a 2.0-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine producing 265 bhp and 370 Nm of torque, mated to a 7-speed DSG transmission sending power to the front wheels.
In setting this time, the front-wheel-drive GTI Edition 50 defeated the all-wheel-drive Golf R “20 Years” edition, which previously held the record among VW models with a time of 07:47.31 seconds, achieved in 2022. Benny Leuchter, who piloted the record-setting car, states, "Three years ago, I wouldn’t have thought that I could ever beat the lap time of the outstanding Golf R with a front-wheel drive Golf GTI as clearly as I have now.”
Set to be introduced globally in 2026, the Golf GTI Edition 50 will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the iconic hot hatch. This is akin to what the German automaker did to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its Polo hatchback with the introduction of the Polo Edition 50 in its home market.
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