Auto Today -julkaisun December 2025 -irtonumeron sisällysluettelo

TATA MOTORS HAS revealed the full pricing for the Sierra SUV. The reincarnated icon enters one of the most competitive segments in India, that has for years been dominated by the Hyundai Creta, along with the Kia Seltos and the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara. Maruti Suzuki also launched the Victoris recently, fielding two models in the same segment that also has cars from Volkswagen, Skoda, Citroen to name a few. The Sierra comes with multiple engine options, including the new 1.5-litre turbo-petrol that makes 160bhp and 255Nm of torque, available solely with a 6-speed torque converter. There is a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol as well, making 106bhp, 145Nm of torque paired to a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DCT and a 1.5-litre diesel making 118bhp and up to 280Nm of torque,…

MAHINDRA HAS LAUNCHED the XEV 9S, the third model in its electric-only family of SUVs. This is the brand’s first three-row electric car, based on the INGLO platform. The XEV 9S can be considered the electric counterpart to the XUV 700, as it shares a similar look, and design approach. At the front, the XEV 9S features a closed-off grille, connected LED DRLs and triangular LED head lamps that give it a distinctive EV identity. It has a wheelbase of 2,762mm, giving it quite the stance and minimal overhangs. The rear has an upright stance, with smoked LED taillamps. Inside the SUV features a triple-screen display, spanning the entire width of the dashboard. The SUV gets mounting points on the backrest, allowing rear seat entertainment. It gets panoramic sunroof, and laminated…

AFTER A HIATUS OF 13 years, the Lexus LFA has a successor, and this comes from the Toyota Gazoo Racing family. Named the GR GT, this is the brand’s flagship, and based on an entirely new platform, and is essentially a GT3 racecar for the road. Many engineers who worked on the LFA were roped in for the GT’s development. The body sits low and wide, with a long bonnet up front, with everything built around aerodynamics. Toyota has used its first ever all-aluminium body frame along with carbon-fibre-reinforced panels for the bonnet, roof, doors and bootlid. It measures 4,820mm in length, and just 1,195mm in height. Styling elements for the exterior were done only after all the aerodynamic goals were achieved, hence the clear presence of many vents and…

REIMAGINING ONE OF THE prettiest cars ever made isn’t easy, doing them in 2025 is even tougher. But the Encor Series 1 is an honest restomod of the Esprit. The designers have shown restraint, the carbon fibre body work is neat, minimal and truly classical. Based in Chelmsford, the Series 1 is British Engineering’s aesthetic best. They laser scanned the original Esprit, and then worked on the dimensions to ensure that it can manage modern suspension and power, while using the donor car’s steel backbone chassis, and gearbox casing. The rear has twin-pipe exhausts and LED taillamps that look retro, while simple 5-spoke alloys are shod with chunky 90s-looking rubber. While it has been made to look like the Esprit S1, the engine is from the Esprit S4. The 3.5-litre…

HERO MOTOCORP AND Harley-Davidson have expanded their co-developed motorcycle portfolio with the launch of the all-new Harley-Davidson X440 T, a more feature-rich derivative of the popular X440. One of the biggest transformations on the X440 T lies in its styling, particularly the rear profile. Harley-Davidson has completely reworked the rear sub-frame, replacing the upright fender of the standard X440 with a sleeker, better-contoured tail section. Towards the front, the cockpit has been decluttered thanks to a switch to ride-by-wire. Bar-end mirrors further sharpen the front profile, adding a sporty visual edge. The X440 T is offered in four new colour schemes: Vivid Black, Pearl Red, Pearl White and Pearl Blue. These are complemented by the refreshed graphics and slightly redesigned fuel tank. The H-D X440 T marks a significant leap…

JCB INDIA MARKED A MAJOR PRESENCE AT EXCON 2025 with the launch of its largest excavator to date: a 52-tonne machine manufactured in India for both domestic and export markets. The unveiling formed part of a broader showcase including more than 10 new products, ranging from upgraded backhoe loaders to a new 2–5-tonne excavator range, alongside several technology-led solutions. Sustainability was another key highlight, with JCB expanding its hydrogen-led initiatives through the introduction of a hydrogen-powered genset. The company also introduced its Parts Online platform, a new e-commerce portal aimed at improving access to genuine JCB components.…

There are two distinct ends to the electric SUV spectrum. On one side is the radical crowd, buyers who want their EVs to stand out, and Mahindra already caters to them with the BE6 and the XEV 9e. On the other side are customers who prefer something more understated. Until now, their options were models like the Creta Electric, Windsor and the Harrier.ev. Mahindra has now entered this space with the all-new XEV 9S, and we took it out for a short drive to see what it brings to the table. Let’s begin with the design. The XEV 9S is essentially the electric version of the XUV 700 and hence follows a similar design language. The front end though, has been completely redone and features the signature connected DRL module…

Convertibles have never been the rage in India, our weather conditions prompts most buyers to choose light coloured cars, so an open-roof experience is quite niche in our market, and an automaker bringing a convertible to our shores even rarer. But it’s not like they are absent, there are a few options, with the most recent one being the MG Cyberster, an all-out electric sportscar, but if one wants something conventional and a lot more fun, the Mini Convertible is the answer. The F67 Mini Convertible is based on the fourth-gen 3-door hatch, that was launched here last year, and more or less, both are nearly identical, with the same exact wheelbase, that measures 2,495mm. The rest of the dimensions match as well, save for the length, that is 3mm…

I had previewed the Ioniq 9 at its global premier also in LA last year and will talk about how the vehicle is to the drive and the experience than the product. But as a recap, the three-row full-sized SUV has a 110.3kWh nickel, cobalt, manganese (NCM) battery pack that powers motors on the rear and both axles depending on the variant. We are driving the Performance AWD variant that features two 160kW motors, one each on the front and rear axle. This makes for an overall power output of 315kW as well as 700Nm of peak torque that is great even for a vehicle of its size and weight. The 9 is rapid off the line and it would be with a 5.2s 0-100kmph time. It feels very easy…

Harley-Davidson entered the sub-500cc market last year, making a move that was both strategic and emotional. The X440 demonstrated that the brand could create an affordable motorcycle focused on the Indian market, in collaboration with Hero MotoCorp, without compromising too much on its key values of torque, simplicity, and road presence. However, it felt like the company held back, presenting a capable product that met practical needs but didn’t fully capture the Harley spirit that buyers expect. The new X440 T aims to solve this issue. While ‘T’ doesn’t officially stand for touring, its overall posture, attitude, and design provide a clearer identity. The original X440 tried to serve multiple roles: a commuter, a roadster, and an entry-level bike. But the X440 T focuses on one purpose. It tries to…

We scale the highest of passes, we cross deserts and put our knee down on racetracks. But beyond the static frames that you see on these pages we tell stories in motion that put you right in the passenger seat. Another dimension to our automotive multiverse of content for you to immerse yourself in. Subscribe and join us on our many adventures and reviews that sometimes make it to the interweb before they are immortalized in print.…

MAHINDRA’S ASSOCIATION with Formula E is not new, the brand has participated in the pinnacle of electric racing since its inception, and to mark its continuing participation, the brand has launched the BE 6 Formula E Edition. This is the world’s first Formula E themed SUV. The Formula E Edition is available in two variants, FE2 and FE3. It has a differentiated look compared to the regular BE 6, with many elements taken from the concept BE Rall-E. As such, this gets a new bumper, with new circular projector headlamps. The body gets race-inspired decals and orange highlights. Inside the orange accents continue along with certain additions, including microfibre finishes, Formula E plaque, Formula E logos, and FIA branded seat belts. It also gets Formula E animations and sounds that mimic…

GENESIS HAS BEEN PUSHING its Magma performance brand quite vigourously, it isn’t letting go of its regular models, and one of the most eye-catching cars the brand previewed is the G90 Wingback concept. Based on the flagship G90 sedan, the Wing back uses a twin-turbocharged V6 that is capable of pushing out upwards of 400bhp. It comes paired to an eight speed automatic as well as AWD and air suspension, but these may be altered for the production variant of the Wingback. The already elegant body of the G90 has been turned into an extremely sleek wagon, with the extended roofline that instead of merging into the rear windshield goes on till the edge, forming a large wing spoiler, hence the name. Genesis has also added plenty of aero bits to…

DUCATI HAS EXPANDED ITS V2 family in India with the launch of the 2025 Streetfighter V2 lineup, introducing both the standard model and the higher-spec Streetfighter V2 S. Priced at Rs 17.50 lakh and Rs 19.49 lakh (ex-showroom) respectively, the new Streetfighter twins bring a comprehensive overhaul in engine, chassis and electronics with an emphasis on reduced weight and real-world performance rather than headline power figures. At the heart of the new Streetfighter V2 range is Ducati’s latest 890cc, 90-degree V-twin, an engine that replaces the outgoing 955cc unit. Although it produces 120bhp at 10,750rpm and 93.3Nm at 8,250rpm, which is noticeably lower than its predecessor, the new motor is significantly lighter. Tipping the scales at just 54.4kg, it is officially the lightest twin-cylinder engine Ducati has ever built. Both the…

THE KARNATAKA HIGH COURT HAS ruled in favour of Classic Legends Private Limited and Boman R. Irani in the long-running dispute over the Yezdi trademark. A Division Bench set aside a 2022 single-judge order that had restrained the use of the Yezdi name, holding that the earlier owner, Ideal Jawa (India) Ltd, had failed to establish continuous use or protection of the trademark. Ideal Jawa had stopped production in 1996 and was liquidated in 2001. The court observed that prolonged non-use and lack of enforcement amounted to abandonment under trademark law. With the ruling, Classic Legends retains the legal right to manufacture and sell motorcycles under the Yezdi brand. The judgment brings clarity to the ownership of the heritage marque, which was reintroduced in India in 2022.…

Every November just before the Los Angeles Auto Show the jury of the World Car Awards meets in one of the LA suburbs, Pasadena, to drive a selection of the new cars launched around the world that are eligible for the years World Car Awards. This year there were over 25 cars to choose from at the LA Test Drives and as the main picture depicts the cars ranged from two Chevrolets at extreme ends of the spectrum from the Spark to the Corvette E-Ray, a mix of EVs, hybrids, performance cars and the city commuters. For this issue I have picked out the two Chevrolets as well as Hyundai’s flagship SUV the Ioniq 9.…

Well the Corvette needs no introduction and as I was stepping in to the car Iwas reminded of driving a brand new Corvette on its release, the Z06 in its C6 avatar, that was fresh off the paint line and we were gunning the cars around very wet roads in Michigan. The car was a handful, the rear stepping out on the slightest dab of the accelerator pedal and three of the cars following me got pulled over by the cops for speeding! Getting behind the wheel of the E-Ray reminded me of that drive because the roads were once again wet and we were going to be driving up and down the notorious Angeles Crest Highway. And surprise of surprises, not only is the E-Ray quicker than any stock…

The Multistrada V4 S is Ducati’s claim that a true long-distance motorcycle should be just as smart as it is fast. On paper, it reads like a turing guide: a 1,158cc V4 Granturismo engine, a full suite of electronics, semi-active Öhlins suspension, and comfortable ergonomics for long rides. When you ride the V4 S, it feels like a sports bike that knows how to behave. It’s sharp when you want it to be, but easygoing when you’re just out for a leisurely ride. It’s the kind of bike that makes you believe you can enjoy both twisty backroads and long straight highways with equal ease. Ducati hasn’t made a drastic change with the 2025 Multistrada V4 S; it’s more of a careful update than a complete overhaul. The most significant…

KIA HAS TAKEN THE wraps off the second-gen of the Seltos, debuting an all-new design, platform and tech. Bookings have commenced for the SUV, and prices will be announced in January 2026. Based on the new K3 platform, the Seltos has grown in size, measuring 4,460mm, with a wheelbase of 2,690mm. It is wider as well, measuring 1,830mm wide. The front carries Kia’s Digital Tiger Face in glossy black, which also integrates the Ice Cube LED headlamps in a massive grille element. Like global Kia models, it also gets vertical LED DRLs, while LED fog lamps sit on the bottom. The SUV rides on 18-inch alloys, that come in black if one opts for the X-Line. The sides are familiar, but the panels are new, with flush door handles, and…

LEXUS HAS UPDATED THE RX SUV with a new Exquisite trim, priced at Rs 89.99 lakh (ex-showroom), slotting below the RX 350h Luxury priced at Rs 97.90 lakh. Customers can also opt for the Mark Levinson premium audio package with the Exquisite trim, that takes the price up to Rs 92.02 lakh. The RX 350h is powered by a 2.5-litre petrol hybrid setup, giving it access to 250bhp and 238Nm of torque, capable of launching the RX from nought to 100kmph in 7.9 seconds. The Exquisite gets 10-way powered seats, heating and ventilation for both rows, as well as Radar guided cruise control, Blind Spot Monitor, Cross Traffic alert to name a few.…

TVS MOTOR COMPANY HAS EXPANDED ITS RONIN lineup with the launch of the new Agonda Edition, priced at Rs 1.31 lakh (ex-showroom). Unveiled at MotoSoul 5.0, this special variant marks the start of a new series of limited-edition Ronins that focus heavily on design and lifestyle appeal. Positioned between the standard base variant (Rs 1.26 lakh) and the mid-spec model (Rs 1.48 lakh), the Agonda Edition is purely a visual upgrade. Since it is based on the lower variant, the motorcycle gets single-channel ABS and an LCD with Bluetooth connectivity.…

TATA MOTORS SHOWCASED an expanded range of commercial vehicles and aggregates aimed at India’s construction and mining sectors at EXCON 2025. The centrepiece was the launch of the Prima 3540.K AutoShift, the company’s most powerful tipper so far and its first model developed specifically for deep-mining applications. Equipped with a 375bhp Cummins engine and a 12-speed automated manual transmission, the tipper is designed for high-load operations and sustained performance in demanding conditions. Also unveiled was the Prima E.28K, a 28-tonne all-electric tipper targeted at zero-emission applications such as shallow mining, port operations and bulk material movement. Tata Motors further strengthened its alternative-fuel line-up with the Signa 2820.TK CNG, India’s first factory-fitted CNG tipper in the 28-tonne category.…

INDIAN RACER KUSH MAINI HAS CONFIRMED HIS move to ART Grand Prix for the 2026 FIA Formula 2 season, marking his fourth consecutive year in the competitive feeder series for Formula 1. The switch sees Maini join one of the championship’s most successful teams as he looks to strengthen his results. Maini’s 2025 F2 campaign, his third in the category, was a mixed one. While outright consistency proved elusive, he claimed a standout sprint race victory at the Monaco Grand Prix and ended the season 16th in the overall standings. Alongside his F2 commitments, Maini will continue his association with the Alpine Formula 1 Team and Mahindra Racing’s Formula E as a reserve and test driver.…

Most corners of the interwebs seem convinced that the Tata Sierra is preordained for greatness, as if destinyitself has pencilled in a fivestar safety rating and a hero’s welcome. I’m less sure. If anything, reviving an icon is less a golden ticket and more a 20-kilo ankle weight. Ask anyone at Tata who lived through the Safari’s reboot; the nostalgia glow lasts exactly five minutes, after which the comparisons begin and refuse to stop. Because carrying a legendary name means you don’t just have to match the myth — you have to outdo it, exceed it and then somehow deliver a version fit for 2025 without upsetting the torch-bearers of 1990. It’s an exhausting level of expectation, the sort of pressure that can make even the most capable stumble. Just…

This cute little SUV is sold in China as the Baojun Yep Plus and in many Latin American markets as the Chevrolet Spark. It is a 5-door version of the 3-door Baojun Yep that shares its underpinnings with the MG Comet. They are all built on the same Global Small Electric Vehicle (GSEV) plat-form of the massive SAIC-GM-Wuling joint venture. While the MG Comet is tiny like the Yep, the Yep plus has a wheelbase that has been extended to add the rear doors. Consequently with a 400mm increased wheelbase over the Comet, the Spark is longer, wider and taller than the Tata Punch and is just a little narrower than the traditional sub-4m SUVs in the Indian market, though a bit taller and similar in length. Compared to the…

Vietnam commands a quiet respect in India. Not just for what it is becoming, but for what it has endured. A nation that fought for its independence with grit and resolve, Vietnam has long been admired from afar; a symbol of resilience, self-belief, and hard-earned sovereignty. Walk its streets today, and that same resolve is still visible, only now it’s channelled into building, not resisting. The battles have changed, but the discipline hasn’t. What once fuelled survival now drives progress, and the transition feels both natural and deeply impressive. For Indian eyes, the familiarity is striking. The energy, the scale, the relentless forward motion; it all feels reassuringly recognisable. Yet Vietnam wears its growth with remarkable restraint. There’s pride here, but also discipline. Progress isn’t treated as a spectacle; it’s…

Six airbags | Tilt adjust steering wheel | Automatic climate control | Ventilated Seats | Electric ORVMs | Keyless entry | 15.6-in touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto | 360-degree camera | Wireless smartphone charger | Auto high beam | Warranty 3yrs/unlimited km As our time with the MG Windsor draws to an end, it feels less like returning a test car and more like ending a sensible, comfortable relationship, one that wasn’t perfect, but largely rewarding. Over the months, the Windsor settled into our daily routines with an ease that served as its biggest strength. Let’s start with what it does well. Space is Windsor’s party trick. There’s an abundance of it, especially in the rear, where legroom and shoulder room feel genuinely generous for the segment. It’s…