TVS Raider 125 sales cross 50,000 mark in April 2024
Source Credit: Autocar India

TVS opened FY2025 on a strong note, registering a 29 percent year-on-year increase in domestic two-wheeler sales to 3,01,449 units in April. This comprised 1,32,339 scooters (up 38 percent), 1,27,186 motorcycles (up 24 percent) and 41,924 mopeds (a 20 percent increase). While the Jupiter and the NTorq still dominate TVS’ scooter sales, the two-wheeler that continues to make news and sell in big numbers is its TVS Raider 125 motorcycle.

TVS Apache RTR 160 Black edition launched; prices start at Rs 1.20 lakh
Source Credit: Autocar India

TVS has launched a new variant for the Apache RTR 160 and RTR 160 4V. The Dark Edition variants feature an all-black finish with minimal graphics. Furthermore, both variants get a blacked-out exhaust and a black TVS logo embossed on the tank. 

Branded Content: The Gold Standard (Toyota Camry hybrid)
Source Credit: Autocar India

Sometimes, all it takes is a lovely, long drive to change the way we view things. Take Wayanad, for example. Despite having had numerous opportunities in the past to head there, we never quite made the effort until last month. And immediately regretted not getting acquainted with the place sooner. Wayanad is misty, green, lush, and, as importantly, full of rolling hills, with winding roads curving around them. The car we were in was the irrepressible Toyota Camry hybrid. We could have used several adjectives to describe the Camry ‘legendary’, ‘bestseller’, ‘iconic’ come to mind. But, while the Camry is all of that, it is also, in the right hands, a fun vehicle to drive, and this became evident as we left the plains of Kozhikode behind and pointed the car’s noble nose at the mountains.

5 most powerful bikes under Rs 2.50 lakh
Source Credit: Autocar India

Performance always comes at a price, which could vary based on the manufacturer. But in the last decade, performance bikes have become more accessible and affordable. In February, we wrote about the top 5 motorcycles under Rs 3 lakh. Three months on, we bring you a compilation of some powerful machines priced even lower.

KTM 200 Duke to get new colours, launch soon
Source Credit: Autocar India

Our sources in KTM have revealed that the 200 Duke is set to receive two new colour schemes in the coming weeks. The new colours that the 200 Duke will receive are: Electronic Orange and Dark Galvano. 

Maruti Swift CNG launch likely in the coming months
Source Credit: Autocar India

Maruti Suzuki is working on introducing a CNG option for the newly launched fourth-gen Swift in India in the coming months. 

Kia Sonet, Seltos and Carens now available on lease
Source Credit: Autocar India

Kia India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ORIX Auto Infrastructure Services Limited to launch a new leasing service for the Sonet, Seltos and Carens, with different mileage and time-period options.

Honda Shine 125, SP125 cross 30 lakh sales in eastern India
Source Credit: Autocar India

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) has announced that it has achieved cumulative sales of three million (30 lakh units) of its 125cc motorcycles – the Shine 125 and SP125 – in eastern India. This reflects both, the general market shift towards 125cc motorcycles from 100cc commuter bikes, as well as HMSI’s position as a dominant player in the 125cc bike segment; includes the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha, along with the seven North-Eastern states.

Mahindra evaluating battery localisation: Rajesh Jejurikar, CEO
Source Credit: Autocar India

Having committed over Rs 12,000 crore to its electric vehicle business, Mahindra & Mahindra is now actively considering localising batteries in the country. During a media interaction following the Q4 FY24 earnings, Rajesh Jejurikar, ED and CEO of Mahindra & Mahindra Auto and Farm business, highlighted the company's proactive stance and stated that the possibility of cell localisation is under ‘very active consideration.’

New Bentley Continental GT V8 PHEV teased ahead of debut
Source Credit: Autocar India

Bentley has released the first set of images of its new Continental GT ahead of its official debut. The teaser reveals that the new GT not only gets styling updates but also a new PHEV powertrain that’s replacing the W12 engine and packs 123hp more.

Ampere announces Rs 10,000 price cut on select models
Source Credit: Autocar India

After the successful launch of its Nexus electric scooter, Ampere has decided to cut the prices of some of its older models to make them more accessible. The Rio Li Plus, Magnus LT and Magnus EX see a significant Rs 10,000 price cut.

New Porsche Cayenne GTS priced at Rs 2 crore
Source Credit: Autocar India

A few weeks after revealing the new Porsche Cayenne GTS and Cayenne Coupe GTS globally, the brand has now listed prices of both models on its India website. The SUV body style will set you back Rs 2 crore while the Coupe GTS costs Rs 1.36 lakh more.

New Ford Equator SUV revealed
Source Credit: Autocar India

Ford will soon introduce the refreshed Equator SUV overseas. The Equator sits above the Ford Everest (Endeavour) in the American brand's international line-up, and is built in China at the JMC-Ford JV plant. The biggest change to the large SUV is that it now comes with a plug-in hybrid powertrain option.

Mahindra XUV700 order backlog reduced to half in just one quarter
At its latest quarterly earnings call, Mahindra announced that it has about 16,000 pending orders of the XUV700 SUV. That’s a significant reduction from 35,000 pending orders of the XUV700 that Mahindra reported last quarter. The company receives about 8,000 bookings on average per month for the XUV700.

MG Cloud EV design patented in India
Source Credit: Autocar India

We recently reported that the Cloud EV is expected to be among the first to arrive under MG’s upcoming model blitz for India. It's likely to be priced quite aggressively – under Rs 20 lakh – which means it will sit in the heart of the EV market, and will be MG’s third electric offering in India.

TVS expands operations to Italy
Source Credit: Autocar India

TVS has launched its operations in Italy and plans to introduce select models to expand its global presence. TVS currently has a presence in 80 countries and intends to expand further.

Volkswagen T-Cross facelift for emerging markets revealed
Source Credit: Autocar India

The Volkswagen T-Cross for emerging markets – an SUV that shares its underpinnings and more with the Taigun sold in India – has just been given a mid-cycle refresh. The T-Cross has been on sale in Brazil since April 2019, about a year more than the Taigun has been available in India; its facelift brings a few cosmetic changes outside and in, along with major feature updates. For Europe, the T-Cross has a slightly shorter version, which got a facelift a few months ago. 

Tata Nexon likely to get panoramic sunroof
Source Credit: Autocar India

Tata Motors is likely to introduce a panoramic sunroof on its Nexon compact SUV days after its rival, the Mahindra XUV 3XO, got it as a segment-first feature.

BMW to drop ‘i’ suffix from its petrol cars, SUVs
Source Credit: Autocar India

Rumours of BMW changing its nomenclature for its petrol models have been confirmed. The senior vice president of BMW’s BMW brand and product management, Bernd Korber, has revealed this detail when asked why the “i” is being deleted. Speculation regarding the suffix being removed for BMW’s petrol models came around the time the German brand revealed the first details of its next-gen X3 (codename: G45). The SUV is going to come with a M50-badged high-performance model, which will replace the current X3 M40i in the line-up.

Mahindra Bolero, Bolero Neo order backlog continues at 10,000 units
Source Credit: Autocar India

Mahindra’s Bolero and Bolero Neo are definitely still popular models for the brand if their booking numbers are anything to go by. The carmaker still receives nearly 10,000 bookings for both SUVs each month, which is one of the reasons why the company still has a decent number of models that are still to be delivered.

16 Mahindra SUV launches by 2030
Source Credit: Autocar India

Mahindra will launch as many as nine new internal combustion-powered SUVs by 2030. The brand has also announced that it will introduce seven new-born electric vehicles in the Indian market in the same timeframe. Of the nine new ICE models, three will be mid-cycle updates for existing offerings (including the recently launched XUV 3XO), and six will be all-new SUVs.  

We are looking at hybrid technologies closely: Mahindra MD
Source Credit: Autocar India

Mahindra is closely looking at the hybrid technology space and will be ready to introduce hybrid vehicles if there is a strong customer demand, says Anish Shah, company MD, at the Q4 earnings call earlier today.

Mahindra Thar pending orders down to 59,000 units
Source Credit: Autocar India

Mahindra has revealed that the Thar has the second highest bookings of any of its SUVs, at about 59,000. The pending bookings include numbers for both Thar 4x4 and Thar RWD.

Mahindra Scorpio N, Scorpio Classic order backlog reduces to 86,000 units
Source Credit: Autocar India

Mahindra has announced it had 2.20 lakh open orders for its SUV line-up as of May 1, with its best-seller Scorpio range (Scorpio N and Classic combined) comprising the biggest chunk at 86,000 units. While the overall order backlog is marginally lower than the 2.26 lakh units reported on February 1, the pending orders for Scorpios have dropped by nearly 15% from 1.01 lakh units.  

Mahindra XUV 3XO deliveries start May 26
Source Credit: Autocar India

In its latest earnings call today, Mahindra revealed an order backlog of about 2.2 lakh vehicles as on May 1. It includes the 50,000 orders received for the newly launched XUV 3XO, priced between Rs 7.49 lakh and Rs 15.49 lakh.

2024 Maruti Swift review: does it stick to its ethos?
Source Credit: Autocar India

By the time you read this review, the cumulative domestic sales of the Maruti Suzuki Swift would have crossed the three million mark. That’s an average of about 13,100 Swifts being sold in India each month for 19 years, which is an extraordinary feat. But then, the Swift isn’t just another hatchback. It’s etched deep into the hearts of Indian car buyers for its youthful persona, sporty character and engaging driving manners. Now there’s a new one.

BMW X3 xDrive 20d M Sport Shadow Edition launched at Rs 74.90 lakh
Source Credit: Autocar India

BMW has launched a new variant of the X3 xDrive 20d called the M Sport Shadow Edition priced at Rs 74.90 lakh (ex-showroom). The Shadow Edition gets blacked-out exterior elements, subtle updates to the upholstery and the familiar 190hp, 2.0-litre diesel engine.

Tata Altroz Racer to get unique dual-tone paint scheme
Source Credit: Autocar India

The Tata Altroz Racer, slated for launch next month, was spotted fully undisguised on public roads for the first time. The Altroz Racer test mule featured a noteworthy visual change over the car showcased at the Bharat Global Mobility Expo in February.

Suzuki Jimny 5-door Heritage edition revealed
Source Credit: Autocar India

The Suzuki Jimny in Australia has received a special ‘Heritage’ edition that's limited to just 500 units. Suzuki says that the Jimny XL Heritage pays homage to the off-roader’s 4x4 history from the 70s, 80s and 90s.

Royal Enfield files for Classic 650 Twin trademark
Source Credit: Autocar India

The Royal Enfield Classic 650 is a motorcycle with the potential to be the most successful model in the brand’s line-up because it melds together the timeless design of the Classic 350 with the capability of the 648cc twin-cylinder motor. Now, Royal Enfield (RE) has filed an application to trademark the name ‘Classic 650 Twin’, leaving little doubt that this upcoming bike will be christened just that.