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Is E20 petrol – or petrol with 20 per cent ethanol blending – really affecting your car’s performance as well as fuel efficiency? Multiple concerns have been raised by citizens over the last few days saying they’re seeing a dip in both fuel efficiency as well as performance figures in their cars. Addressing those concerns, the Indian government has come out with a series of rebuttals claiming that these concerns are largely unfounded and not supported by scientific evidence or expert analysis.
📑Some articles/ reports in the media have raised concerns about the potential negative impact of 20% ethanol blending (E20) in petrol, particularly with regard to older vehicles and customer experience. These concerns, however, are largely unfounded and not supported by…
— Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas #MoPNG (@PetroleumMin) August 4, 2025
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In a statement, the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said,”Ethanol has a higher octane number than Petrol (~108.5 vs. 84.4) which implies that ethanol-petrol blends have a higher octane number than traditional petrol. Vehicles tuned for E20 (having increased RON) deliver even higher performance.(Ethanol) increases air-fuel mixture density, therefore increasing the engine’s volumetric efficiency.”
Acknowledging a drop in fuel efficiency owing to the use of E20 petrol, the Ministry added, “Ethanol, being lower in energy density than petrol, results in a marginal decrease in mileage, estimated at 1–2 per cent for four-wheelers designed for E10 and calibrated for E20, and around 3–6 per cent in others. This marginal drop in efficiency can be further minimized through improved engine tuning and use of E20-compatible materials.” It also said that replacement of some rubber parts and gaskets could be advised in certain older vehicles after prolonged use of say 20,000 to 30,000 kms.
Warning signs have been put up at some fuel stations regarding use of E20 fuel.
Apart from the reduced fuel efficiency and performance car users have also been complaining about ethanol-blended petrol being sold at the same cost as earlier and non availability of petrol sans ethanol at fuel pumps. Multiple users have taken to social media complaining about the disadvantages since they started using E20 petrol in their cars. There has also been no advisory issued yet from leading carmakers about the usage of E20 fuel in cars which do not have E20-compliant engines.
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In less than a year and a half since its debut, the Hero Mavrick 440 – the biggest motorcycle ever offered by Hero MotoCorp – is already being pulled from the shelves. The company has reportedly decided to discontinue the model. Several dealerships have stopped accepting fresh bookings for the Mavrick 440, and sources have also confirmed that the motorcycle is being officially removed from the lineup.
The decision to discontinue the Mavrick 440 largely stems from its underwhelming sales performance. Since its launch, the motorcycle struggled in the Indian market, with monthly sales averaging only in the low triple digits. In stark contrast, Hero’s other offering – the Harley-Davidson X440 – has seen a far more favourable response from buyers.
In a move to tap into the rapidly growing modern classic motorcycle segment, Hero MotoCorp introduced the Mavrick 440 in early 2024. It was positioned to rival motorcycles like the Honda's CB350 range, Triumph Speed 400, and the Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450. The Mavrick was also Hero’s first foray into a bigger motorcycle category.
Although it shared its underpinnings with the Harley-Davidson X440, the Mavrick 440 set itself apart through different styling and riding position. Powering the Mavrick 440 was a 440 cc air/oil-cooled single-cylinder engine, putting out 27 bhp at 6,000 rpm and 36 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. While the figures may not appear particularly impressive on paper, the engine comes into its own out on the road, offering impressive performance, especially in the low to mid-range rev band.
As for the Mavrick's Harley-Davidson counterpart, it seems to be doing much better for the brand, and we could expect to see more variations on that platform under the Hero-Harley partnership.
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Harley-Davidson is getting ready to introduce a new entry-level model in its global portfolio with the Sprint name in 2026. The new bike will be revealed later this year and will be a small displacement model to be sold in the US, as well as international markets. Harley-Davidson CEO Jochen Zeitz made this announcement during a recent earnings call. Zeitz said that the Harley-Davidson Sprint has been in development since 2021, and that a second entry-level cruiser model will also be introduced in 2026.
Harley-Davidson’s CEO didn’t mention any more details about the new models but announced that the Sprint will be presented at Harley-Davidson’s dealer meeting in October 2025, indicating that there is a real possibility of the bike being shown to the public shortly after, possibly even at the EICMA 2025 show in Milan in November.
“Inspired by our heritage and the spirit of the iconic Harley Davidson Sprint motorcycle, this new bike embodies boldness, irreverence and fun, capturing the rebellious energy that defines the Harley-Davidson experience,” said Zeitz.
“Scheduled for release in 2026 and for presentation to our global dealer network in October, I’m pleased to share that we’re targeting an entry price below $6,000 We believe this motorcycle will not only be highly accessible, but also profitable, marking a significant step forward in driving Harley-Davidson’s future profitable growth and opening up a new path in motorcycle segment for the company in future years for its key markets.”
The original Sprint was a small displacement model introduced after Harley-Davidson acquired 50 per cent of Italian brand Aermacchi’s motorcycle division in 1960. In 1961, Harley-Davidson imported Aermacchi’s 250 cc model with a horizontal single-cylinder engine and was rebranded and marketed as the Harley-Davidson Sprint. In 1969, the engine size was increased to 350 cc, and remained in production till 1974, when the model was discontinued.
So far, it is unclear if the new Harley-Davidson Sprint is being developed in the US or if at all it will be manufactured elsewhere, or if it will be introduced in India as well. Currently, Harley-Davidson’s entry-level model is the made-in-India X440, manufactured in collaboration with Hero MotoCorp.
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Nissan India is all set to launch the Kuro Edition of the facelifted Magnite in the Indian market. The company has also dropped a teaser for the same. ‘Kuro’, which means black in Japanese, is essentially a special-edition version of the subcompact SUV, centred around a black theme. The Kuro Edition is expected to be based on the top-spec Tekna Plus trim, while remaining mechanically identical. This variant will also carry a slight premium over the standard version.
Visually, the new model will be finished in a black shade and likely feature a range of blacked-out exterior elements. For reference, the older model featured a black grille, grille surrounds, roof rails, door handles, alloy wheels and window accents, in addition to red brake calipers. While the interior layout will remain identical to the standard model, it will likely get all-black upholstery and trims.
On the powertrain front, the Magnite Kuro will continue to be powered by a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder engine offered in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms. The naturally aspirated engine develops 71 bhp and 96 Nm of torque, while the turbocharged variant produces 99 bhp and 160 Nm of torque. Transmission options include a five-speed manual, an automated manual transmission for the naturally aspirated engine, and a CVT automatic for the turbocharged version.
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The upcoming BMW F 450 GS adventure tourer has just been revealed in patent images, ahead of its global debut. The images give us a good look at the motorcycle, which is slated to be unveiled towards the end of the year. The production spec model of the bike, shown in the images, appears to retain many elements from the concept, which was first showcased at the EICMA trade show in Milan, and afterwards, at the 2025 Bharat Mobility Global Expo.
The motorcycle retains many styling elements from the concept
On the design front, the F 450 GS shown in the images features body panels that are quite similar to the ones on the concept. These include the sculpted fuel tank, angular side fairing, and the angled front end with the edgy-looking beak. The headlamp setup on the bike does resemble the unit on the R 1300 GS, flanked by daytime-running lamps in an ‘X’ pattern. The tail section was also similar, with a slim tail lamp. The motorcycle also appears to come with the same 6.5-inch digital instrument cluster that was present in the concept version. On the feature front, the motorcycle is expected to come with ABS Pro with lean-angle sensitivity, traction control and customisable riding modes.
The motorcycle appears to feature the same 6.5-inch digital instrument cluster as the concept
The motorcycle will be powered by a newly developed 450 cc parallel-twin engine, producing 47 bhp. The engine is designed to deliver strong torque output, particularly at lower RPMs. Weighing in at 175 kg, it was also mentioned that the bike benefits from lightweight materials such as magnesium, making it lighter than many of its rivals.
July 2025 represented a mixed bag for the Indian auto sector, with a few companies having seen a growth in sales, while others registered a decline in year-over-year sales in India. Companies such as Hyundai and Tata Motors saw their sales fall, while companies like Mahindra and Kia experienced an increase in the number of units sold. Here’s how all the major automotive companies in India fared in July 2025.
Maruti Suzuki, the country’s largest carmaker, had a mixed month in terms of sales, registering a decrease in the number of Utility Vehicles sold, which was offset by a rise in the company’s Mini and Compact cars. The company recorded domestic sales of 1,37,776 units in July, which is only 313 units higher than its sales number in July 2024. The company’s total exports (commercial vehicles included) stood at 31,745, up from 23,985, which represents a rise of nearly 32 per cent. The total sales number (1,80,526, domestic + exports, commercial vehicles included), was 3.13 per cent higher than its number in July 2024 (1,75,041).
The Company’s cars in the Mini segment (Alto + S-Presso) continued to fall, with sales of 6,822 units (down by 31.5 per cent), while its Compact range experienced a healthy growth, up from 58,682 units to 65,667 units (11.9 per cent growth). It should also be noted that the Dzire was the company’s highest-selling model with nearly 20,800 unit sales. However, the company witnessed a drop in utility vehicle sales, which fell from 56,302 units in the same period last year to 52,773 units last month. The company also sold 173 units of the Ciaz, which will soon be discontinued, alongside 12,341 units of the Eeco. The company also sold 8,211 units to Toyota, as part of their global arrangement.
Mahindra had a strong showing in July 2025. The carmaker sold 49,871 passenger vehicles in the domestic market, which represents an increase of 20 per cent. The manufacturer’s cumulative passenger vehicle sales figure (exports included) was 50,835 vehicles.
Commenting on the company’s sales figures, Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO, Automotive Division, M&M Ltd, said, “In July, we achieved SUV sales of 49,871 units, a growth of 20%, and total vehicle sales of 83,691 units, a 26% growth compared to the same month last year. Our SUV growth has been supported by the recent launch of XUV 3XO 'REVX' Series & the commencement of deliveries for Pack two variants of the BE 6 and XUV 9E models.”
Hyundai’s sales continued to fall in India, with the company registering yet another dip in July 2025. The company cumulatively sold 60,073 units in the month, which represents a decline in sales by 6.95 per cent, down from the 64,563 units sold in July 2024. The company’s domestic sales during the period fell by 10.28 per cent, from 49,013 units to 43,973 units, while exports grew marginally from 15,550 units to 16,100 units.
Commenting on the sales numbers, Tarun Garg, Whole-time Director and Chief Operating Officer, HMIL said, While the overall auto industry has seen some softness in recent months, we remain optimistic with the onset of the festive season and are fully geared up with robust supply and exciting product offerings. At HMIL, we continue to stay focused on delivering enhanced value and innovation to our customers and with the upcoming state-of-the-art facility at Talegaon, we are well positioned to adapt to market movements.”
Tata Motors was another manufacturer that was a victim of insipid sales last month. The company sold 40,175 units during the month, down from the sale of 44,954 units in July 2024, an 11 per cent year-over-year decline. The company’s domestic sales went down by 12 per cent, from 44,954 units in July 2024 to 40,175 units last month. The company’s EV sales, however, increased by 42 per cent, from 5,027 units in July 2024 to 7,124 last month.
MG Motor India sold 6678 units in July 2025, registering its highest monthly sales in the process. This represents a notable increase of 46 per cent over the 4575 units sold in July 2024. In July 2025, MG launched two new products in India, both of which will be retailed through its Select channel of premium dealerships. These new products include the Cyberster, a two-door, open-top roadster, priced at Rs 75 lakh, and the M9 luxury MPV at Rs 69.90 lakh. (All prices, ex-showroom).
Kia India’s sales saw an uptick in July 2025 with the sale of 22,135 units in the domestic market. This represents a year-over-year increase of 8 per cent over the 20,507 units sold in July 2024. The company also exported 2590 units during the course of the month.
Kia launched the all-electric version of the Carens Clavis in India in July 2025. Priced between Rs 17.99 lakh and Rs 24.49 lakh (ex-showroom), the Carens Clavis EV is the most affordable all-electric product from the brand in India as of now. The EV is nearly identical to its internal combustion engine counterpart on the cosmetic front, with only small, EV-specific changes. The Carens Clavis EV shares its running gear with the Hyundai Creta Electric, and is offered with two battery sizes – 42 kWh and 51.4 kWh.
Honda Cars India cumulatively sold 7524 cars in July 2025, which represents a minor 2.59 per cent increase in sales for the manufacturer. A deeper look into the numbers shows that the company’s domestic sales continue to fall, while exports continue to increase. The carmaker’s domestic sales for the month stood at 4050 units, which is a 12.4 per cent drop over July 2024, when domestic sales stood at 4,624 units. Exports, however, went up by 28 per cent, up from 2,710 units to 3,474 units.
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Alongside the CB125 Hornet, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India has also launched the Shine 100 DX at Rs 74,959 (ex-showroom). Bookings for the motorcycle are now open, with deliveries slated to begin on August 15. The new Shine 100 DX sits above the standard model in the brand’s commuter portfolio and serves as a premium alternative to the latter.
Compared to the standard model, the Shine 100 DX comes equipped with a redesigned headlight complemented by chrome accents. It is offered in four colour options: Black, Red, Blue, and Grey. As for numbers, the commuter motorcycle features a larger 10-litre fuel tank (1 litre additional), a seat height of 786 mm, an overall length of 1,977 mm, and a ground clearance of 168 mm. It weighs in at 103 kg.
Powering the Shine 100 DX is a 98.98 cc single-cylinder, air-cooled engine that puts out 7.2 bhp and 8.04 Nm of torque, paired with a 4-speed gearbox. Suspension duties are handled by a telescopic fork at the front and a 5-step preload-adjustable monoshock at the rear. The braking system consists of drum brakes at both the front and rear.
In the 100 cc commuter segment, the Shine 100 DX goes up against the likes of the Hero Splendor,Bajaj Platina 100, among others.
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Just a few months after its global debut, Volvo Cars India has launched the facelifted iteration of the XC60 SUV in India. To be offered in one fully-loaded variant, the XC60 will be priced at Rs 71.90 lakh (ex-showroom). The SUV, the previous versions of which have seen success in India, is also the company’s highest-selling model ever, with 2.7 million units sold worldwide. The latest version of the model carries with it a few cosmetic tweaks, in addition to a revised features list to bring it up to date.
Among the most evident changes to the model are the revised grille and front bumper
Visually, the changes are minimal, with most of the styling cues retained from the previous model. The most evident changes are on the front end, which now gets a refreshed grille and a redesigned front bumper. Other changes made to the SUV include revised lighting signatures for the taillamps and new alloy wheels, and a new rear bumper. The interior layout of the car has also been retained, with the only visible change being the larger 11.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, alongside new trim inserts.
The Volvo XC60 now gets a larger 11.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Volvo claims that the new infotainment unit offers improved pixel density, along with featuring a new-gen Snapdragon Cockpit Platform from Qualcomm, allowing for faster graphics and improved responsiveness. The list of features offered on the new XC60 includes a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display. Power adjustable front seats with massage function, head up display, Bowers & Wilkins audio system, a panoramic glass roof, four-zone climate control, and 360-degree cameras. Safety features in the SUV include an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) suite with adaptive cruise control, pilot assist, lane keeping aid, hill start assist and hill descent control.
On the powertrain front, the XC60 continues to be equipped with a 48V mild-hybrid 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine that churns out 247 bhp and 360 Nm of peak torque and is paired with an 8-speed automatic gearbox as standard.
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Honda has launched the CB125 Hornet in the Indian market at an ex-showroom price of Rs 1.12 lakh. The CB125 Hornet enters a hotly competitive space that includes established models such as the Hero Xtreme 125R, TVS Raider, and Bajaj Pulsar N125. To attract buyers looking for a sporty commuter, the baby Hornet draws inspiration from its larger CB750 Hornet sibling and flaunts a funky and sharp appearance. Bookings for the CB125 Hornet have commenced, with deliveries expected to start in the coming days.
Also Read:Honda CB125 Hornet Unveiled; Will Rival the TVS Raider and Hero Xtreme 125R Starting with the looks, the CB125 Hornet features a street-style design with sculpted body panels and sharp lines. It is equipped with an angular split LED headlamp, a fuel tank with integrated extensions, and an exhaust designed to gel with the overall look. Other elements include a split-type seat and gold-finished forks. As for numbers, the mini Hornet tips the scale at 124 kg kerb, has a seat height of 796 mm, and the largest fuel tank capacity in the segment, capped at 12 litres.
The Honda CB125 Hornet is available in four colour variants: Lime Yellow, Red, and Gloss Blue – each combined with dark blue accents – and an all-black option. While the black scheme is equipped with matte gold-finished multi-spoke alloy wheels, the other three get wheels that match the body colour. On the feature front, the CB125 gets a 4.2-inch colour TFT screen with Bluetooth connectivity option via the Honda app and a Type-C charging port.
In terms of cycle parts, the Honda CB125 Hornet features an upside-down telescopic front fork – first in its segment – finished in gold, and a monoshock at the rear. Stopping power comes from a 240 mm disc at the front with single-channel ABS and a 130 mm drum brake at the rear. The motorcycle rides on 17-inch alloy wheels at both ends, fitted with 80/100-17 tyres at the front and 110/80-17 tyres at the rear.
Powering the CB125 Hornet is a 123.94 cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine that is paired with a 5-speed gearbox. The engine punches out 11 bhp at 7,500 rpm and 11.2 Nm of peak torque at 6,000 rpm. Honda states that the CB125 Hornet can accelerate from 0 to 60 kmph in 5.4 seconds.
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BSA recently resurrected an iconic model from its history books that played a significant role post the Second World War, the legendary Bantam. And now, the hallowed name has made a comeback in a modern form christened the Bantam 350. Built on the same underpinnings as the Jawa 42 FJ sold in India, both brands are owned Classic Legends Pvt. Limited, which is primarily owned by Mahindra & Mahindra with majority stake and two external investors. Both machines are very similar to each other yet notably different too. While the 42 FJ is sold in India, the Bantam will be offered in European and other global markets. While mechanical similarities are plenty, there are subtle styling, ergonomic and market positioning that have a distinct differentiation. Here’s everything that is difference between the BSA Bantam 350 and Jawa 42 FJ.
BSA Bantam 350 Vs Jawa 42 FJ: Design and Styling
The first thing that differentiates both the motorcycle from each other is the styling. The Jawa 42 FJ follows a neo-retro design theme with a muscular teardrop-shaped fuel tank, twin exhausts, bold graphics, and a wide variety of the colour options in matte and gloss finishes. The BSA Bantam 350, on the other hand, adopts a more subtle British retro look packing a single-sided exhaust, sleeker bodywork, retro bar-end mirrors, minimalist tail lamp, minimalistic body panels and classic heritage cues tied to the iconic Bantam name. The contouring of the fuel tank and seat along with the size of the headlamp is slightly different compared to the Jawa. Lastly, BSA is offering the Bantam 350 in total of five colour options.
BSA Bantam 350 Vs Jawa 42 FJ: Dimension and Weight
Closely matched in terms of dimensions and weight, the differences between the two are small yet present. The Jawa 42 FJ has a kerb weight of 184 kg, seat height of 790 mm, fuel tank capacity of 12 litres and a ground clearance that measures at 175 mm. In comparison to Jawa, the BSA Bantam 350 tips the scale at 185 kg kerb, a kilogram more than the 42 FJ, meanwhile, seat height measures 100 mm more at 800 mm and a slightly larger fuel tank capacity of 13 litres. Ground clearance for the Bantam 350 hasn’t been revealed but expect it to a marginally more than the 42 FJ.
BSA Bantam 350 Vs Jawa 42 FJ: Cycle Parts
Stripped down to the bare chassis and cycle parts, both bikes are fundamentally the same. Both are built using the same double-cradle chassis with suspension duties handled by a telescopic fork up front and dual rear shocks with 5-step preload adjustment. Notably, while the 42 FJ has a front suspension travel of 130 mm, the Bantam 350 offers 5 mm more at 135 mm. Rear suspension travel for both bikes is the same at 100 mm.
As for the brakes, both bikes come with a 320 mm disc up front and a 240 mm disc at the rear. Both bikes come equipped with dual-channel ABS. The motorcycles rides are 18-17 alloy wheel setup and while the first tyre profile is the same at 100/90-R18, the Bantam 350 get a slightly wide rear tyre. For reference, the 42 FJ rear tyre size is 140/70-R17 and on the Bantam 350 is 150/70-R17.
In the features department, both motorcycles feature a full-digital circular instrument console with tell-tale lamps located around the bezel. While the unit is mounted in an off-set format on the 42 FJ, it is centrally mounted on the Bantam 350. You get digital readouts for the speed, tachometer, fuel gauge, odometer, trip meter, service indicator and some more. Both motorcycle feature LED lighting for the headlamp and tail lamp, and a USB charging port.
BSA Bantam 350 Vs Jawa 42 FJ: Engine
On paper, both the BSA Bantam 350 and Jawa 42 FJ share the same powertrain, the 334 cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled Alpha-2 DOHC motor mated to a six-speed gearbox. In terms of power figures, there is marginal difference in the max power while peak torque is the same for both. The 42 FJ churns out 28.77 bhp and 29.62 Nm while the Bantam 350 puts out 29 bhp and 29.62 Nm.
Jawa currently sells the 42 FJ in India carrying a sticker price of Rs 1.99 lakh for the base colour variant going up to Rs 2.21 lakh for the top spec colour option. Meanwhile, the Bantam 350 is exported from India to UK and sold at a price of 3,499 pounds which roughly converts to Rs 3.3 to 3.4 lakh, which is mainly because of import fees applicable. Currently, BSA has no plans to launching the Bantam 350 in India anytime soon considering the brand-positioning.
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Oben Electric is all set to launch an updated version of its Rorr EZ electric motorcycle in India on August 5. The launch of the latest iteration comes just nine months after the launch of the current EZ, in November 2024. Bookings for the new version will open on the same day as the launch, with deliveries slated to begin from August 15.
The newest version of the motorcycle is expected to retain most of the original model's design and styling cues
The company has also teased the motorcycle, giving us a glimpse of the silhouette. The teaser confirms that the fundamental styling cues of the motorcycle including the round headlamp, side panels, and alloy wheels will be retained. The motorcycle currently gets three ride modes – Eco, City and Havoc. Oben Electric has stated that the motorcycle will receive a few upgrades, although the nature of these upgrades hasn’t been spoken about by the company.
The company has also confirmed that the motorcycle will continue to utilise its LFP battery. The motorcycle is currently offered with three battery pack options: 2.6 kWh, 3.4 kWh, and 4.4 kWh. The 2.6 kWh is capable of delivering a range of up to 80 km in Eco mode, while the 3.4 kWh variant increases the range to up to 110 km and the 4.4 kWh variant offers a maximum range of 140 km. The motor on the Oben Rorr is rated to deliver a peak output of up to 7.5 kW and 52 Nm of torque. Oben says that the motorcycle can hit top speeds of 95 kmph.
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Starting with the looks, the CB125 Hornet features a street-style design with sculpted body panels and sharp lines. It is equipped with an angular split LED headlamp, a fuel tank with integrated extensions, and an exhaust designed to gel with the overall look. Other elements include a split-type seat and gold-finished forks. As for numbers, the mini Hornet tips the scale at 124 kg kerb, has a seat height of 796 mm, and the largest fuel tank capacity in the segment, capped at 12 litres. 
