Auto Today -julkaisun November 2025 -irtonumeron sisällysluettelo

ALONGSIDE MAKING ITS global debut, Porsche has also announced India pricing for the Cayenne Electric. The second electric SUV from Porsche boasts some headline figures such as 1,156bhp and 1,150Nm of torque, capable of launching this car from 0 to 100kmph in just 2.5 seconds. This of course is for the more powerful Turbo, while the standard gets a modest 408bhp and 835Nm, dispatching a 100kmph sprint in 4.8 seconds. Both get a 113kWh battery pack giving the Turbo a claimed range of 623km and the standard a range of 642km. Porsche also adds an optional 11kW wireless charger compatibility with the Cayenne electric, although it remains to be seen if this will be offered in India. The electric is 55mm longer than the standard Cayenne, and a 130mm longer wheelbase,…

MINI INDIA HAS OFFICIALLY opened the order books for the all-new Mini Cooper Convertible. This will expand Mini’s India lineup to four models, that includes the Mini Cooper hatch, Countryman E and Countryman JCW ALL4. The Mini Convertible is based on the 3-door hatch, but with a powered fabric roof. This roof takes 18 seconds to deploy, and can be operated while on the go up to speeds of 30kmph. This will share its powertrain with the standard car, using a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, developing 200bhp and 300Nm of torque. As the roof mechanism weighs a bit more, the Convertible does take a minor hit in performance, with 0 to 100kmph claimed in 6.9 seconds, compared to the hardtop’s 6.6 seconds. Inside, the convertible features the latest design philosophy seen in…

ON ITS JOURNEY TO become a performance focused brand, Genesis has revealed the Magma GT Concept, that is part of the Magma sub-brand. Its production-version, if it comes, will serve as the halo for the Hyundai Motor Company. And no you aren’t the only one who notices the similarities to a particular Swedish hypercar brand, but it is a compliment for Genesis. It has a low set hood, below which is a huge grille. The sweeping design incorporates a large glass house, integrated seamlessly into the roofline. The rear meanwhile houses a large mesh diffuser element along with illuminated Genesis branding. As far as looks are concerned, the GT Concept sits very much in the same league as the Koenigsegg Agera, Aston Martin Valhalla and a few others, enough…

ROYAL ENFIELD HAS introduced the Himalayan Mana Black Edition at Rs 3.37 lakh (ex-showroom), the most adventure-focused version of the Himalayan 450 yet. The new variant was first showcased globally at EICMA and later displayed at Motoverse 2025, aligning its design with the harsh terrain of Mana Pass. The Mana Black Edition stands out with its exclusive Stealth Black finish, featuring matte accents across the bodywork, engine, USD forks and wheels, as well as camo decals on the fuel tank. It also arrives with a comprehensive factory-fitted adventure kit, eliminating the need for after market add-ons. This includes black rally handguards, a flatter and firmer Rally seat for improved control, a high-mounted Rally front mudguard and tubeless wire-spoke wheels for enhanced durability and easier puncture repairs. The Mana is mechanically unchanged,…

THE FORMULA 4 INDIAN CHAMPIONSHIP was supposed to debut at two new tracks in Navi Mumbai and Goa for the last two rounds of the season, but this has been shifted to next year. So Round 4 was held at Kari Motor Speedway, and saw Sachel Rotge winning Race 1, after a mistake by Shane Chandaria (P3), with Ghazi Motlekar rounding up the podium. Luviwe Sambudla took a win in Race 2, converting his pole position to victory, with Motlekar in second and Ishaan Madesh in third. South African driver Luviwe Sambudla picked up his first win of the season, converting pole position into victory in Race 2. Chandaria bounced back, winning Race 3 ahead of Motlekar and Rotge.…

IN ANY OF THE SHADES, THE RS LOOKS BUSINESS — BUT YOUPAY A DEAR PREMIUM FOR THESTYLING It is fair to say that when the first-generation Octavia RS arrived, it kicked down the door of the sensible executive-sedan segment, and announced, loudly and with turbocharged conviction, that practicality and performance did not have to exist in mutually exclusive universes. In much the same way that M cars and AMGs once redefined fast, usable cars for Europe, the RS rewrote the Indian manual. It was the thinking enthusiast’s express: discreet, devastatingly quick for its time, and refreshingly unpretentious. India has been fortunate, too. We’ve seen almost every generation of the RS on our roads, right from the original Mk1 to the recent past, skipping only one chapter in between. That kind…

In the wake of the Japan Mobility Show this year, Honda held a Tech Day at its proving ground at Tochigi where not only did we learn of its next generation of hybrid platforms, but also its hybrid powertrain developments and strategies for small, medium and large hybrid cars but also its take on a small sporty and fun EV and the tech development for that. For these, we drove some of the hybrid studies that showcased both the platform as well as the powertrain for the hybrids, the small sporty EV that was great fun and also the pinnacle of Honda’s current hybrid technologies in the Prelude sports car that we will be seeing in India in the near future. Apart from the stated goals of the company to…

Digital display Yes | Tachometer No | FuelgaugeYes| Electric start Yes | Disc brakes Both | Tyres Tube Type| Price Rs 2.02 lakh (ex-showroom) | Warranty 3 years/Unlimited This is our second report on our long-term Royal Enfield Bullet 350, and I’ve been spending some time with it over the past couple of weeks. I’ve been using it primarily for my daily office commute, covering roughly seven kilometres one way. That’s 14 kilometres of mixed road conditions, and that has given me a better understanding of RE’s oldest nameplate. The first thing I noticed is that while the vibrations are lower than in previous iterations, the classic thump has actually improved, which makes it more satisfying to ride. The ergonomics, the seats and the suspension come together perfectly, making it…

BAJAJ AUTO HAS LAUNCHED the Riki range of electric three-wheelers, marking its entry into a new segment for the country’s largest three-wheeler maker. The e-rickshaw industry has grown at a rapid pace in recent years, with more than 45,000 units sold every month, but most of the options in the segment are poorly designed, don’t have enough range, and limited servicing support. Bajaj says that they have conducted extensive testing of the Riki in many cities across India. The first model is the P4005, that is powered by a 5.4kWh battery pack offering a range of 149km. The commercial goods carrier variants, the C4005 offers a range of 164km, with a large cargo tray and 28 per cent gradeability. Both use a monocoque chassis, independent suspension and hydraulic brakes. The…

Honda has made India one of its top three priority markets and is set to launch 10 or more new models in the country by 2030. The first of these will be the Zero Alpha SUV that it showcased along with its Zero model cars at the Japan Mobility Show 2025 last month. While we will talk about the Zero Alpha SUV in detail later on in the article, let’s take a look at what these 10 (at least) new models will bring. These 10 or more cars will start coming to the market in India starting from 2027 and will consist of both premium aswell as mass market products. While at least seven of these 10 will be SUVs, they will combine the full gamut of powertrains ranging…

THERE IS A NEW JEEP and it is called the Recon, and it comes only as an electric (for now). The brand has for now revealed the Recon Moab, a variant meant for US and Canadian markets and it gets certain extra bits compared to the regular SUV. It gets the Jeep seven-slatted grille with illumination, with U-shaped LED DRLs and square headlamps. The Recon has plenty of off-road elements, including the chunky bumper, tow hooks and skid plates. The SUV does theme itself slightly with the Wrangler, as it gets flared fenders, exposed door hinges, roof rails, and boxy cladding as well as 18-inch alloys with 33-inch all-terrain tyres. Like the Wrangler, the Recon has removable doors, rear quarter windows and the rear windshield. The Recon gets a 14.5-inch infotainment…

THE 911 GT3 RS HAS BEEN the go to for those looking to hit the racetracks on weekends, while looking cool at the cafe parking putting their coffee on the large wing, but Porsche doesn’t want its base GT3 to feel left out, or slower. So they called up their racing buddies, Manthey, to work their magic on the GT3. The result? A 2.8 second gain (non-ideal conditions) on Nordschleife compared to the older GT3 Manthey. It has the same motor, but the aerodynamics have been bred for pure grip. The underbody has been reworked, the front lip spoiler is longer, the rear diffuser is larger, while the wing is larger and adorned with new flaps. All this means that the GT3 Manthey has access to 540kg of downforce. While the…

TOYOTA HAS REVEALED THE NEW-GEN HILUX, WHICH for the first time is also available as an EV. This uses a 59.2kWh battery pack that is paired to two e-motors, that Toyota claims gives it 205Nm at the front and 268.6Nm of torque at the rear. The electric Hilux has a payload capacity of 715kg, and a towing capacity of 1,600kg. The setup gives it a WLTP range of 240km on a single charge. The Hilux does continue with the older 2.7-litre petrol and 2.8-litre diesel motors. The new Hilux gets a modern design, with slimmer headlamps, and a honeycomb grille along with new alloys, and new C-shaped LED taillamps. It also gets a modern interior, with dual 12.3-inch displays.…

MAHINDRA RACING HAS unveiled its livery for the 12th Formula E season. The livery design features red, white and carbon black, along with 12 stripes that represent the seasons that Mahindra Racing has participated in Formula E. The team also aims to improve its performance under CEO and Team Principal Frederic Bertrand, improving the reliability of its Gen3 Evo racecar. Last season, Mahindra scored five podium finishes in Monaco, Jakarta, Berlin and London, and finished fourth in the Teams’ Championship, an impressive growth trajectory for the team. For the 12th season, Nyck de Vries and Edoardo Mortara will return in Mahindra colours, with Indian driver Kush Maini continuing as reserve driver for the team. For this season, Mahindra aims to finish in the top-three in the Teams’ Championship. The M12Electro…

BYD RACCO BYD WANTS TO DOMINATE EVERY segment, but one they hadn’t till now was the unique Japanese Kei car market, and that is precisely what the Racco is meant for. This is the Chinese automaker’s first Japan-specific car that adheres to the Kei car regulations. The Racco measures 3,395mm long, 1,475mm wide and 1,800mm tall. Traditional Kei boxy style is what BYD has gone for, it gets sliding doors, alloys and compact overhangs. Showcased as a prototype, the Racco features contrasting black trim elements, with LED DRLs, a full-width tail element. BYD will be offering the Racco with two different configurations – Short Range and Long Range, but the automaker hasn’t revealed the power figures or the battery size for the Kei car. SUZUKI VISION e-SKY SUZUKI SHOWCASED THE Vision…

PIAGGIO HAS LAUNCHED TWO NEW commercial vehicles – the Ape Xtra Bada 700 and Ape Xtra 600. The Bada 700 has been launched to rival 4-wheeled cargo vehicles. It has a 7-feet cargo deck, 750kg payload capacity and a 3.5-inch digital gauge. It is powered by the 700cc diesel engine that makes 10.3bhp and 26Nm of torque. The Xtra 600 featured the new 600 DI diesel engine, that makes 10bhp and 23.5Nm of torque, and gives the Ape a 29 per cent gradeability. The 600 has a payload capacity of 500kg. The Bada 700 is priced at Rs 3.45 lakh while the Xtra 600 is priced at Rs 2.88 lakh.…

TATA MOTORS HAVE revived the nameplate that started it all, the Sierra in an all-new avatar. The 2025 Sierra has been squarely aimed at the Hyundai Creta, becoming the second car in recent times to join this segment, the other being the Maruti Suzuki Victoris. Despite three decades between the two SUVs, the new one is inspired heavily from the original, it gets a boxy silhouette, with blacked out bits and the iconic glasshouse reinterpreted for 2025. Although this isn’t actually glass, but a clever design made to mimic the older one. The Tata Sierra measures 4,340mm in length with a wheelbase of 2,730mm, 1,841mm in width, and 1,715mm in height. The squared proportions are very apparent with the Sierra, it gets slim LED headlamps, aero alloys and a flat tailgate.…

AUDI IS PUSHING HARD TO EXPAND ITS footprint in China, and the latest push comes in the form of the new AUDI E8 SUV, part of the AUDI sub-brand that was launched in China last year in partnership with SAIC. The E8 is based on Audi’s Premium Platform Electric, and does lift some of its design aesthetic from Audi’s global models. The brand claims that the SUV has been built upon the trademark driving experience, and comes with dual-motors, giving it close to 650bhp. It can launch from nought to 100kmph in a brisk five seconds. There is a 109kWh battery pack, that along with 800V architecture ensures a fast charging speed.…

YAMAHA HAS FIRED ON all cylinders with four new products. Leading the pack is the XSR 155, a neo-retro motorcycle blending a round LED headlamp, teardrop tank and brushed aluminium details with the familiar 155cc engine from the R15. It offers 18.4bhp, and gets a Deltabox frame, USD forks and dual-channel ABS. The XSR 155 is priced at Rs 1.5 lakh (ex-showroom). On the electric front, Yamaha has unveiled two distinct offerings. The EC-06, is developed in association with Bengalu LED headlamp and sharper, boxier bodywork, it wears an unmistakable Yamaha identity despite sharing roots with the River Indie. Meanwhile, the Aerox-E brings full performance intent with a 9.5kW motor and dual removable 3kWh batteries delivering 106km claimed range. A TFT dash, traction control and boost mode underline its sporty…

DUCATI INDIA HAS launched the 2025 Multistrada V2, available in two variants: the base V2 and the premium V2 S, priced from Rs 18.88 lakh to Rs 21.29 lakh (ex-showroom). The adventure-tourer features a new 890cc V2 engine producing 115bhp and 92Nm of torque, with variable valve timing and 45,000km valve service intervals. The bike is 18kg lighter than its predecessor, thanks to a redesigned aluminium monocoque frame, steel trellis subframe, and cast-aluminium swingarm, weighing 199kg (V2) and 202 kg (V2 S) without fuel. Electronics include five riding modes: Sport, Touring, Urban, Enduro, and Wet, cornering ABS, Ducati Traction and Wheelie Control, and a full-TFT display on the V2 S with Skyhook semi-active suspension. Touring comfort is enhanced with ergonomic seats, revised pillion space, and extensive luggage options.…

There are electric cars that burst onto the scene in a blaze of headlines, marketing slogans, and claims of reinventing the wheel. And then there is the Maruti Suzuki e Vitara, which, like a well-mannered house guest, simply turns up, removes its shoes at the door, and settles into your life with calm assurance. It isn’t loud. It isn’t dramatic. But as I discovered on a crisp November morning in the UK, it is quietly determined to reshape India’s EV conversation when it arrives in December 2025. You see, the e Vitara is Suzuki’s first proper global electric SUV — a made-in-India machine they intend to sell not just in Europe, but in India, the market where the Vitara family is practically a household name. The company calls this a “new…

If there is one motorcycle showthat should be on every motorcyclist’s bucket-list, it should be EICMA. This year too, manufacturers took to the stage showcasing what to expect in the coming years. Honda showcased its first-ever electric bike and it is a major talking point. Royal Enfield celebrated its 125th anniversary in style, whereas TVS blew us away with a range of concept bikes. TVS owned Norton Motorcycles also made a comeback and the bikes look drool-worthy. Hero MotoCorp also revealed a host of new concepts that show the direction the brand will take in the future. Last but not the least, there were many more manufacturers out there but the fun was when one stepped into the Chinese pavilion, which were full of rip-offs including many iterations of the…

It’s worth remembering that Japanese giant Yamaha has its own lineup of legends. Iconic machines like the RD350 and the RX100 still hold a special place in the hearts of riders. After those glory days, Yamaha shifted its strategy and gradually drifted out of the enthusiast spotlight, until the arrival of the FZ series and the R15. Those two motorcycles reignited excitement around the brand, spawning multiple hot-selling variants while retaining their own popularity. Now, Yamaha is back with a fresh approach in the form of the XSR155, a motorcycle that wears retro styling but packs a modern, performance-oriented engine underneath. Sounds a bit like the RX100’s spirit returning, doesn’t it? Not everyone gets the retro concept right. The XSR 155 though, strikes a fine balance while going modern and…