Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., India’s leading SUV manufacturer, today handed over the first-ever Thar ROXX, VIN 001, to Aakash Minda, the winner of the online auction conducted on carandbike.com from 15th to 16th September 2024.

The auction was conducted by Mahindra First Choice Wheels and the entire bidding process was overseen by Ernst & Young. With more than 10,980 registrations, the auction ended with a winning offer of INR 13.1 million. Among seven eye-catching colours, Minda selected Nebula Blue. The SUV was delivered in New Delhi by Manjari Upadhye, CMO of Mahindra Automotive. It features a beautiful branding plate with the number 001 and a unique badge signed by Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the Mahindra Group.

The proceeds from the auction were donated to Naandi Foundation, one of the recognised not-for-profit organisations participating in the initiative, with Mahindra matching the winning bid to amplify the impact of this charitable endeavour.

Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO – Automotive Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., said, “The tremendous interest we witnessed with over 10,000 registrations for the auction speaks volumes about the passion people have for Thar ROXX. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Aakash Minda for winning the auction and securing the first-ever Thar ROXX. We are especially proud that the proceeds from this auction will support a meaningful cause, amplifying the impact of this incredible milestone.”

Aakash Minda, Executive Director – Minda Corporation Limited, and the winner of the Thar ROXX #1, said, “After securing the first Thar in 2020, owning the first-ever Thar ROXX in 2024 deepens my connection to this iconic SUV legacy. What makes this moment even more special is that this is a humanity driven initiative and proceeds from the event will be donated to a recognised not-for-profit organisation towards social cause. It is an incredible feeling to be part of Mahindra’s remarkable journey, marking another milestone in the evolution of the Thar."

German luxury automotive brand BMW Group India has launched the BMW M Drift Academy, an exclusive performance training platform that brings the thrill of drifting to India like never before.

The two-day event will take place at Raymonds Compound in Thane West, Maharashtra on 26 April 2025.

The BMW M Drift Academy will allow enthusiasts to experience vehicle drifting in a safe environment. The event will feature the BMW M2 and BMW M4 with the course having a mix of theory and hands-on track time. Experienced BMW certified instructors will familiarise participants with the features of BMW M cars and train them on various aspects of the vehicles like controlling a drift, throttle control, maintaining a drift, exiting a drift, half circle drift, exiting a half circle drift with style, full circle drift, maintaining a full circle drift (clockwise and anticlockwise) and transition drifting on a figure 8. 

Vikram Pawah, President and CEO, BMW Group India, said, “The BMW M Drift Academy is first-of-its-kind experience for car enthusiasts in India. Designed to unlock pure driving exhilaration, the academy offers an unforgettable journey packed with mastering various drifting techniques with utmost safety. Conducted under the watchful eyes of BMW certified instructors, each session promises edge-of-the-seat excitement and skill enhancement behind the wheel of BMW M cars. It’s a perfect place where adrenaline meets precision, and every drift is a symphony of skill, speed and sound.”

Volkswagen India has launched the new Tiguan R-Line at INR 4.89 million (ex-showroom), expanding its SUV portfolio for the Indian market.

Based on the MQB EVO platform, the Tiguan R-Line introduces a new chassis generation focused on driving dynamics and on-road performance.

The Tiguan R-Line is powered by a 2.0-litre TSI EVO petrol engine that produces 204 PS and 320 Nm of torque. The engine is paired with a 7-speed DSG transmission and features 4MOTION all-wheel drive. The SUV also includes Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC Pro) and Vehicle Dynamics Manager, which allows wheel-specific braking and damper adjustment.

In terms of safety, the Tiguan R-Line is equipped with 21 Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) features. These include adaptive cruise control, lane assist, park assist, and emergency braking, among others. The model carries a 5-star EURO NCAP safety rating and includes 9 airbags, tyre pressure monitoring, hill start assist, hill descent control and disc brakes at both front and rear.

Inside the cabin, the vehicle includes a 26.04 cm digital cockpit and a 38.1 cm infotainment system. A head-up display and multifunction control dial with an integrated TFT display allow for driver interaction with various settings and modes. The voice assistant (IDA) provides access to multiple infotainment features.

Convenience features include wireless charging, Wireless App-Connect and a sound system with eight speakers. The infotainment system integrates navigation data with the digital cockpit display.

Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Volkswagen India, said, “With the launch of the all-new Tiguan R-Line today, we are entering an exciting phase for Volkswagen in India, a phase that embodies the future of premium mobility from Volkswagen. This iconic SUV along with being bold and dynamic is also modern, fully equipped and highly capable to handle all terrains. Developed with German–engineered DNA, 5-star safety and fun-to-drive dynamics, the all-new Tiguan R-Line is here to thrill.”

The Tiguan R-Line also comes with a support programme called 4EVER Care, which includes a four-year warranty, four-year roadside assistance, and three free services.

Bookings for the Tiguan R-Line are now open across all Volkswagen dealerships in India, as well as through the company's official website. Deliveries are scheduled to begin on 23 April 2025. The SUV will be offered in six colour variants: Persimmon Red Metallic, Cipressino Green Metallic, Nightshade Blue Metallic, Grenadilla Black Metallic, Oryx White Pearl, and Oyster Silver Metallic.

Italian luxury brand Automobili Lamborghini has appointed Nidhi Kaistha as the new Head of Lamborghini India.

With over two decades of experience across hospitality, aviation and automotive industry, Kaistha will  oversee sales, marketing and aftersales operations for Lamborghini in India, which also is the sixth-largest market for the luxury brand in the Asia Pacific region.

Prior to joining Lamborghini India, she held the role of Regional Sales & Pre-owned cars manager at Porsche India.

Francesco Scardaoni, Regional Director of Automobili Lamborghini Asia Pacific, said, “We are delighted to welcome Nidhi Kaistha as Head of Lamborghini India. She brings a wealth of experience in the automotive industry, and we are confident that her strategic vision will drive further growth in India. India continues to be a market with immense growth potential for Lamborghini, and we look forward to strengthening our presence and delivering exceptional experiences to our customers in the region.”

At present, Lamborghini operates three dealerships in Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru.

Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers in the country, has further made its latest SUV offering, the Kia Syros, more appealing to the consumers.

The latest offering from the South Korean automaker has become the first Kia car in India to score 5-star crash test rating in the Bharat New Car Assessment Program (Bharat NCAP) for adult occupants and child occupants.

The compact SUV scored 30.21 out of 32.00 in adult protection and 44.42 out of 49.00 in child protection.

Kia India marked the global debut of the Syros compact SUV in December 2024 to strengthen its footprint in the fast-growing segment.

Built on the K1 platform, the Kia Syros is equipped with a host of tech including Level 2 ADAS, rear sliding, reclining & ventilated seats, dual-pane panoramic sunroof. The company claims that in addition to be loaded with hi-tech it also gets 20 safety package including - Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill Start Assist control, six airbags, Vehicle Stability Management, Electric Parking Brake with Auto Hold. It also is equipped with Connect 2.0 that provides SOS emergency support, real-time diagnostics, and stolen vehicle tracking.

The Kia Syros is available in two engine options – Smartstream 1.0-liter turbo petrol engine (88.3 kW/120PS, 172Nm) and 1.5-liter CRDi diesel engine (85 kW/116PS, 250Nm). Both engines can be had with manual and automatic transmission choices, including Kia’s first-ever Smartstream G1.0 turbo GDI with a 6MT configuration.

Gwanggu Lee, MD and CEO, Kia India, said, “At Kia India, safety is not just a feature – it is a philosophy embedded in our DNA. Kia Syros receives the prestigious 5-star BNCAP safety rating, which is a testament to our unwavering commitment to ensuring the highest standards of safety for our customers. This achievement reflects our relentless pursuit of making Kia one of the safest and most trusted mobility brands in India. We are not only enhancing driver and passenger safety but also setting new benchmarks in the segment. We remain focused on bringing globally proven safety technologies and innovations, such as ADAS Level 2 to the Indian market, making them accessible to a wider range of customers. Our dedication to safety will continue to drive us as we work to create safer, smarter, and more sustainable vehicles for the future.