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Audi India has launched the new Q7 Signature Edition at Rs 99.81 lakh (ex-showroom). Priced on par with the Q7 Technology, the Signature Edition is the second special edition for the Q7 to go on sale with Audi also offering a Q7 Bold Edition in its line-up. The Signature Edition is based on the top-spec Q7 Technology but packs in additional accessories from the Audi parts bin as standard and will be available in limited numbers.
Compared to the standard Q7, the Signature Edition gets unique bits such as painted 20-inch alloy wheels, Audi logo projecting puddle lamps, a mobile coffee maker, self-centering hub caps, an Audi-branded dash cam, stainless steel pedal covers and a metallic key cover. The other features on offer are unchanged from the Q7 Technology with tech such as four zone climate control, Virtua Cockpit Digital instrument cluster, adaptive air suspension, Bang & Olufsen Premium 3D Sound System with 19 speakers, 360-degree cameras, hands free parking and more.
The Audi Q7 Signature Edition is available in five exterior colours - Sakhir Gold, Waitomo Blue, Mythos Black, Glacier White, and Samurai Grey.
Power comes from the familiar 3.0-litre, V6 turbo-petrol engine, good for 335 bhp and 500 Nm of torque. The engine comes equipped with 48V mild hybrid tech and sends power to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox and quattro all-wheel drive.
Revolt Motors, the electric motorcycle manufacturer, has announced the roll out of its 50,000th motorcycle from its plant at Manesar. The facility first rolled out units of the RV400, the brand’s debut electric motorcycle back in 2019. The milestone unit was a RV1+ electric motorcycle finished in Titan Red Silver. The RV1 model range was launched in India in September 2024. The manufacturer currently sells three model ranges in India – the RV400, the RV1 and the recently launched BlazeX.
Revolt currently retails three model lines in India - the RV1, BlazeX(pictured) and the RV400.
Commenting on the occasion, Anjali Rattan, Chairperson of RattanIndia Enterprises, said, "This 50,000th motorcycle carries more than a chassis number – it carries the aspirations of lakhs of Indians who believe in a cleaner, more progressive future. It symbolises every customer who made the shift to electric. It reflects every team member who worked tirelessly on the assembly line, and every kilometre that challenged convention.”
The company says that it currently plans to rapidly expand its network and production capacity in the coming year, as well as introduce new model lines. The company said it plans to expand its production capacity from the current 1.8 lakh units per year to over 3 lakh units annually by the end of 2026.
The milestone unit was a RV1+ finished in Titan Red Silver
The dealer network is expected to expand from the current 200 to 400 outlets. The company said it is also targeting further expansion in global markets, including markets in the Middle East. The company currently has outlets in Nepal and Sri Lanka
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Volkswagen has revealed the specifications of the Golf GTI Edition 50. The special-edition model has been rolled out to celebrate the 50th anniversary (due in 2026) of the GTI badge, which was introduced with the Golf GTI in 1975. Volkswagen, however, is yet to specify how many units of the hatchback will be offered on sale. Featuring a retuned version of the 2.0-litre engine, this version of the Golf is the fastest and most powerful GTI model to date. Volkswagen has stated that production of the car will only start by the end of the year, with deliveries scheduled to commence at the start of 2026.
The Golf GTI Edition 50 features a modified version of the 2.0-litre engine in the Golf GTI Clubsport
While featuring the same 2.0-litre turbocharged engine as the Golf GTI Clubsport, the power output has been bumped up to 321 bhp and 420 Nm, up by 25 bhp and 20 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a seven-speed automatic dual-clutch gearbox. The 0 to 100 sprint for the hatchback is achieved in 5.5 seconds. As reported earlier, the 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.
Courtesy of tweaked suspension, the ride height of this version is 15 mm lower than the standard Golf
Volkswagen however, is also offering an optional GTI-Performance package with the hatchback, While the ride height of this edition is already 15 mm lower than the standard Golf, the package lowers the ride height by an additional 5 mm. In addition to revised suspension, the package also includes 235 Potenza Race semi-slick tyres from Bridgestone on 19-inch Warmenau forged wheels as well as an Akrapovič titanium exhaust system that saves a further 11 kg. The package also includes revised software for progressive steering and standard adaptive chassis control (DCC).
Furthermore, the new model also comes with Golf GTI Edition 50 badging on the outside, a special trim on the door sills, a roof with black paintwork, black exterior mirror housings and black tailpipe trims on the exhaust system. On the inside, the car gets special patterning for the seats which include Racing Green stripes in addition to red seatbelts.
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Volvo India has pulled the plug on their flagship sedan, the S90, in the country. Been on sale since 2021, the E-Class and 5 Series rival is no longer available on the official Indian website, with the line-up now consisting of four high-riding offerings – XC60, XC90, EC40 and EX40 – the latter two being electrics.
Introduced for the first time in 2016, the S90 has been the Swedish carmaker’s mid-size executive sedan. It came to India soon after its international sales commenced and has been assembled right here in India at the Hoskote facility near Bengaluru. Internationally, the S90 was also available with a strong hybrid and a Recharge (electric) derivative, and it has been discontinued in many European markets such as Germany, the UK, France and Italy.
Akin to its elder sibling, the XC90, the S90 also received a comprehensive facelift a few months ago. This is the second update the executive sedan received in its first generation and it will first go on sale in China. With a bigger screen, new grille, sleeker headlamps and taillamps, along with ADAS and a slightly tweaked cabin as part of the update, the S90 facelift has also received a revised powertrain choice.
We expect the updated S90 facelift to arrive on Indian shores sometime next year, once global sales commence. It will continue to be assembled here in India.
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In a significant move aimed at improving road safety, the government will make anti-lock brakes (ABS) mandatory for all new two-wheelers manufactured from January 1, 2026. The new regulations will make ABS mandatory for all new scooters and motorcycles from next year, irrespective of their engine capacity, according to reports. Currently, only two-wheelers above 125 cc are required to have mandatory single-channel ABS.
India's highest-selling motorcycle for decades, the Hero Splendor will also need to be equipped with ABS from January 2026.
In FY 2025, 1.96 crore two-wheelers were sold in India, according to data published by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). Out of this number, more than 1.53 crore two-wheelers have engine capacity of less than or equal to 125 cc, accounting for over 78 per cent of overall annual two-wheeler sales.
Currently, some 125 cc motorcycles, like the Hero Xtreme 125R, offer optional single-channel ABS.
Anti-lock braking system or ABS prevents wheel lock-up during sudden and hard braking, decreasing the risk of skidding or crashing. ABS also helps reduce stopping distances, and according to studies, this safety feature can reduce the likelihood of a crash by 35-45 per cent. Under current rules, single-channel ABS, or ABS on the front wheel is mandatory for two-wheelers above 125 cc, although some manufacturers offer single-channel ABS in 125 cc models.
The Ministry of Road Safety and Highways has reportedly announced that this safety requirement is part of a broader strategy to reduce road injuries and fatalities. The ministry will also make it mandatory for manufacturers and two-wheeler dealers to provide two BIS-certified helmets with every two-wheeler at the time of sale. The official notification for both these regulations will be announced in a few days.
The price difference between the current Hero Xtreme 125R IBS model and ABS model is around Rs. 3,500
Two-wheeler users make up about 44 per cent of all road accident deaths in India, and many of these deaths are attributed to head injuries resulting from not wearing helmets. The introduction of mandatory ABS in all two-wheelers will make new two-wheelers slightly more expensive from 2026. According to estimates, ABS in entry-level two-wheelers is likely to increase prices by Rs. 2,500-3,500. Currently, two-wheelers with single-channel ABS are equipped with a front disc brake, while non-ABS models have drum brakes at both ends.
car&bike View: The decision to make ABS mandatory for all two-wheelers from January 1, 2026, is a welcome step to improve road safety. We at car&bike have always reiterated the importance of ABS which can make all the difference between controlling a two-wheeler under hard braking during an emergency and staying upright, or resulting in wheel lock-up, skidding and having a fall or crash.
Considering the volume of traffic on Indian roads, as well as millions of new vehicles added every year, a more broad-based and all-encompassing road safety drive is urgently needed. ABS certainly will help improve safety of two-wheelers, and it is a step in the right direction. At the same time, regulating basic traffic rules, including mandatory wearing of helmets, using seat belts by all passengers in cars, avoiding wrong side riding or driving and respecting traffic signals all should be implemented as part of the government’s broader road safety campaign.
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Harley-Davidson has announced prices for its 2025 model range in India. For the 2025 model year, the American motorcycle brand has discontinued the Fat Bob, and reintroduced the Street Bob in India. Furthermore, Harley has also stated it will be offering its limited-run models, the CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide. Here’s the complete price list for Harley’s MY25 lineup:
Harley-Davidson’s Street Bob is a bobber with a single seat setup, mini-ape handlebars, and mid-mounted foot controls. The motorcycle is powered by the Milwaukee-Eight 117 Classic 1923 cc engine, which churns out 91 hp and 156 Nm of torque, and comes mated to a six-speed gearbox. While the company has confirmed the launch of the Street Bob in place of the Fat Bob here, it is yet to reveal what the prices will be.
The CVO Road Glide and street Glide will be among the most expensive motorcycles on sale in India upon launch
For 2025, Harley-Davidson will also soon introduce two its Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) models in India. These models, the CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide. While official prices are not out yet, it's safe to assume that prices will be in the range of Rs 70 lakh, putting them in the company of some of the most expensive motorcycles on sale in India. The CVO range is powered by the 1983 cc Milwaukee-Eight VVT 121 which makes nearly 117 bhp and 188 Nm of torque.
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Kia’s upcoming compact electric SUV, the EV2, has been spotted testing in South Korea, offering a glimpse at what appears to be a near-production unit of the model. First revealed as a concept in February 2025, the EV2 will make its global debut in 2026 and will sit as the entry-level offering in Kia’s all-electric EV lineup, positioned below the EV3.
The EV2 continues with Kia’s current design philosophy, known as ‘Opposites United’, and carries forward the familiar exterior design seen in models like the EV5 and EV9. It showcases a boxy, upright stance, and several design elements are evident despite being camouflaged. These include a split headlamp setup featuring vertically stacked LED daytime running lights, similar to its concept model. Moreover, expect it to get a closed-off interpretation of Kia’s signature ‘Tiger Nose’ grille.
At the rear, the test mule gets L-shaped taillights positioned low on the tailgate, resembling the concept version. The tailgate itself appears to have a monolithic design, with a curved rear windshield and a roof-mounted spoiler contributing to the overall form. Overall, the design appears to be close to production-ready, especially given Kia’s history of bringing concept cues to production cars with minimal changes.
The interior wasn’t visible in the latest spy images. However, it is expected to feature a cabin layout similar to other models in the EV lineup. Kia has previously mentioned that the concept version of the EV2 supports vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, along with connected car technologies and support for over-the-air updates. Whether these features make it to the final production model remains to be seen.
Kia is expected to reveal the full specifications of the EV2 by the end of this year, including its dimensions, battery options, range, features, and more.
Mahindra has commenced road testing an updated Thar 3-Door with test mules now being sited on public roads. While initial images only showed thinly camouflaged test mules of the Thar 3-Door from the rear, new images have now surfaced, previewing the SUV’s updated front-end design.
The Thar Roxx inspiration is visible right off the bat, replete with the shallower headlamps and wider six-slot grille. The camouflage of the headlamps also suggests that the 3-Door will adopt the projector lights from the Roxx. The fender lights also appear to be slimmer and more streamlined, while the bumper will be a new unit.
Spy shots of the rear of the test mule seen previously showed camouflaging around the taillights and rear bumper, suggesting that the designs for these could be updated as well.
Moving to the cabin, the test mule clearly looks to get the larger 10.25-inch touchscreen from its larger sibling - up from the current 7-inch unit. The instrument cluster, however, looked to be the older analogue unit from the current Thar. Other smaller details visible include a redesigned floor console with the manual handbrake now positioned on the side of the co-driver and the cup holders sitting alongside the driver seat.
The power window switches were also moved from the centre console to the doors, though interestingly, the unit on the test mule has four power window switches on the driver door – though that is likely only for testing purposes, with the production model likely to get a two-switch control panel. What hasn’t changed is the all black colour scheme, which is expected to continue on the facelifted Thar.
On the feature front, it remains to be seen what all features Mahindra could pull from the Roxx to offer in the smaller Thar, though we expect Mahindra could sweeten the deal with tech such as a 360-degree camera, six airbags and more. It, however, remains to be seen if the company will add ADAS features to the SUV.
On the powertrain front, Mahindra is unlikely to make any updates to the Thar with the current range of petrol and diesel engines to be carried forward. The lifestyle SUV is currently offered with a single petrol and two diesel engine options, with manual and automatic gearbox options.
The range starts with a 117 bhp 1.5-litre diesel engine, offered with a 6-speed manual transmission, and is available only in rear-wheel drive spec. A more powerful 130 bhp 2.2-litre diesel mill with 4x4 hardware is available on the top-of-the-line LX trim. This unit is offered with manual and automatic gearbox options. Both diesel engines develop an identical 300 Nm of peak torque. The petrol engine, on the other hand, is a 2.0-litre turbocharged unit good for 150 bhp and 300 Nm (320 Nm in automatic guise) of peak torque. Gearbox options include a 6-speed manual or a torque converter automatic.
Based on feedback received from potential customers and media, Honda’s battery swap arm has extended a new, more affordable subscription plan for the Activa E electric scooter. Named ‘Lite’, this new plan from Honda Power Pack Energy India essentially cuts the minimum subscription fee by more than 50 per cent compared to the ‘Basic’ plan offered previously. This will spell a reduction in monthly ownership and running costs, but it comes at the price of a smaller energy quota and fewer battery swaps.
Activa E is priced between Rs 1.17 lakh to Rs 1.52 lakh (ex-showroom).
The fee to be paid under the Lite plan is Rs 678 per month. Once GST is factored in, the total amount to be paid every month rises to Rs 800, which is less than half of the Basic plan fee (Rs 1,999 + GST). However, the energy quota drops from the Basic plan’s 35 kWh to just 20 kWh under the Lite plan. This new plan, carandbike has learned, affords customers a daily running of 20 kilometres, or a monthly total of 600 kilometres of use – half of the 40 kilometres of daily use permitted under the Basic plan.
The Lite plan comes with another rider – in case the user exceeds the energy quota of 20 kWh in a month, they will have to pay twice as much per battery swap over the Basic plan. The fee per battery swap for Lite users will be Rs 70 (excluding GST), compared to the Rs 35 fee paid by Basic plan subscribers. A back-of-the-envelope calculation – based on the 3 kWh combined capacity of the Activa E’s twin battery packs – reveals Lite users will be able to complete six full battery swaps before they need to start paying per swap each month.
Activa E employs two battery packs with a combined energy capacity of 3 kWh.
Activa E rollout delayed in Delhi, Mumbai as swap network grows
Honda Power Pack Energy India is spreading the battery swap network across the three cities the Activa E will eventually be available in – Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai. However, the swap network is currently operational only in Bengaluru, with close to 150 stations already up and running. Without a working swap network, the company cannot start selling the Activa E, which is why deliveries of the Activa E are yet to begin in Mumbai and Delhi.
Honda is currently readying its swap network in these cities, with battery swap stations already set up in a number of locations. While deliveries in Delhi are expected to begin soon, carandbike has learned from sources the Mumbai rollout is still a few weeks away.
Sales of the Activa E and the fixed-battery Honda QC1 remain sluggish. The company has only been able to sell 1,053 electric scooters so far in 2025, as per the latest VAHAN registration data. The QC1 is the only Honda electric scooter that is available countrywide, but faces intense competition from well-established rivals such as the Bajaj Chetak and TVS iQube.
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First seen in a trio of images in March 2025, Nissan has finally unveiled the third-gen Leaf electric car in full ahead of sales commencing in global markets. The iconic model, however, undergoes major changes over its predecessors, from being underpinned by Renault-Nissan's new dedicated CMF-EV platform, to featuring the latest in tech and more notably, no longer being a hatchback.
More detailed images of the Leaf reveal that Nissan has gone with a coupe-SUV look for the new Leaf, along with providing our first clear look at the SUV’s rear. The front end, as seen previously, draws some stylistic inspiration from the Ariya with a reinterpretation of the V-Motion grille flanked by boomerang-shaped headlights with unique lighting signatures. Depending on the market and variant, a lightbar spans the width of the fascia above the grille and even the Nissan badge is illuminated.
Moving to the rear, the boot lip features an almost ducktail design, with a prominent blacked-out section housing the two-piece tail lamps, which incorporate three-dimensional lighting elements and a third stop light. The rear Nissan badge is replaced by a wordmark while the bumper gets notable use of cladding.
Blacked out tail section and integrated lip spoiler gives the rear a pseudo-ducktail design.
Moving to the cabin, the new Leaf gets a walkthrough design up front with the central floor console not connected to the dashboard. Depending on the spec, the dash is crowned by either twin 12.3-inch or 14.3-inch displays for the instrument cluster and infotainment. The infotainment display is underlined by a touch sensitive panel housing controls for climate controls. Physical buttons are minimal and only for essential functions such as the hazard lamps, volume controls, drive mode selection, and the gear selector.
Minimalist cabin features few physical buttons; dash dominated by a pair of screens.
On the tech front, Nissan says that the new Leaf is available with a host of driver assistance functions, including ProPilot Assist, Intelligent Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, and Driver Monitor System. Other features include an 8-point 3D surround view monitor function along with an Invisible Hood View and a Front Wide View display option, the latter allowing users to partially see around obstacles directly in front of the vehicle.
Depending on the variant users either get twin 12.3-inch displays or larger 14.3-inch displays.
Nissan also says that the Leaf is its first car to feature a Dimming Panoramic Roof with embedded Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) technology letting users adjust its opaqueness at the press of a button.
Nissan says that the Leaf is its first car to get a dimming panoramic sunroof.
Moving to the powertrain, the new Leaf is offered with two battery packs – a 52 kWh or a larger 72 kWh unit. The former is paired with an electric motor pushing out 174 bhp and 345 Nm while the latter come with a more powerful 215 bhp and 355 Nm unit. Nissan says that the larger battery model has a WLTP range of up to 603 km while the 52 kWh model will do up to 434 km.
On the charging front, Nissan says that the Leaf will support 150 kW DC fast charging with North American variants being offered with a North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector to allow access to Tesla’s Supercharger network.
Sales of the new-gen Leaf are expected to commence in global markets towards the end of the year.
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Back in 2018, Yamaha had applied to register ‘WR’ as a trademark in India due to its intentions to introduce its WR range of motorcycles. But in 2021, the Trade Marks Registrar rejected the application, saying it was too similar to Honda Motor Company Ltd company’s existing trademark ‘WR-V’, and might confuse customers.
However, the Bombay High Court found the rejection order to be vague and lacking proper reasoning. Justice Manish Pitale noted that Yamaha has been using the ‘WR’ name internationally since 1990, and that the brand is well-known across 131 countries. The court said this long history and reputation cannot be ignored.
Under Indian trademark law, if there are special circumstances, the Registrar can advertise a trademark application before accepting it. The court said Yamaha’s case qualified for the mentioned procedure and ordered the Registrar to follow this process.
That said, Yamaha’s application will be published for public notice. If there are no valid objections, the Registrar can take a final decision. The court also told the Registrar to explain its reasons clearly and act within two weeks.
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