Mahindra Electric Automobiles Limited (MEAL), a newly set-up subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra has unveiled a powerful and distinctive new visual identity for its forthcoming range of Born Electric Vehicles in an event held in Cape Town, South AFrica. The company has done so in the form of 'Vision Thar.e', an electric SUV concept that has been developed grounds up. 

Not an electric version of the Thar SUV with ICE that Mahindra sells currently, the 'Vision Thar.e' is a basis for a five-door e-SUV based on a new platform called the INGLO-P1. Offering a high ground clearance and superior off-road capability, the e-SUV born out of the concept is expected to have a strong supply of torque and power for powerful performance under diverse conditions including an ability to tow. 

In what could be termed as an unusual approach, an e-SUV that will be born from the ‘Vision Thar.e’ concept would have 75 sounds right from the opening of the door to the use of different modes, conceived masterfully in collaboration with music maestro and Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri recipient, AR Rahman. Mahindra & Mahindra has also collaborated with Dolby Laboratories to this effect. 

Symbolising a blend of revolutionary engineering, cutting-edge technology and environmental responsibility, the e-SUV – a modular construction that would use fabrics made of 50 percent recycled PET and carry a commitment to uncoated recyclable plastics – would encapsulate Mahindra's ambition to lead in the electric vehicle revolution, providing a clear and unique value proposition for modern, eco-conscious consumers. The Vision Thar.e-based e-SUV is expected to be launched in 2025. 

At the event held in Cape Town, South Africa, Mahindra & Mahindra also unveiled the Global Pik Up concept that is expected to fill into the shoes of the Scorop Getaway pick-up truck that was briefly sold in India and found a calling in various markets of the world such as Austalia and South Africa. 

The vehicle is based on the tough and versatile new generation ladder frame platform that is claimed to be currently doing duty on the Scorpio N. Crafted with a focus on toughness, versatility and capability, the pick-up truck will have Level-2 ADAS, immersive infotainment and more. 

Scoring high on safety with a 5-Star rating and having Trailer Sway Mitigation, All-Around Airbag Protection, and Driver Behaviour Monitoring, the pick-up truck with macho looks will employ an intelligent 4Xplore four-wheel-drive system. Featuring premium audio system, 5G Connectivity, a single-pane sunroof and a semi-auto parking, the pick-up truck will be powered by a 172 bhp, 2.2-turbodiesel engine coupled to a six-speed manual or a six-speed auto transmission. A petrol engine is also expected to be on offer as the vehicle nears commercial introduction. The company is expected to sell it in the ASEAN, Australian, South African markets among others. In India, the pick-up truck would compete with the Toyota Hi-Lux and Isuzu V-Cross. 

The Ojas tractor that Mahindra & Mahindra unveiled at the Cape Town function marks a future ready range of Global Light Weight 4WD Tractors developed in collaboration with Mitsubishi Mahindra Agriculture Machinery, Japan. Made in India and to be sold in various markets of the world, the tractor will come in seven variants. It will have first-in-category technology features based on Three Technology Packs – MYOJA (Intelligence Pack), PROJA (Productivity Pack) and ROBOJA (Automation Pack).  

Priced INR 564,500 (Pune) for the OJA 2127 and INR 735,000 (Pune) for the OJA 3140, the 4WD tractor line-up, positioned as Sub Compact, Compact and Small Utility platform, will have a power range from 20 hp to 40 hp. Alongside the introduction of the OJA range, Mahindra will enhance its network of over 1100 channel partners to enhance customer experience. The tractor line up will be made at Mahindra’s Zaheerabad plant in Telangana. 

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German luxury automotive brand BMW India has introduced the updated BMW 7 Series range, offering petrol and battery-electric powertrains across the lineup at prices starting at INR 19.5 million (ex-showroom).

The launch includes the BMW i7 M70 xDrive performance model, alongside the local production launch of the electric i7 at the BMW Group Plant in Chennai.

With local assembly of the i7 in Chennai, India becomes the second country after Germany to produce the electric model locally. The performance-focused i7 M70 xDrive will be imported into the country as a completely built-up unit (CBU) with deliveries across the 7 Series portfolio scheduled to begin in October 2026.

Furthermore, the company also introduced actor Ranveer Singh as the Brand Voice for BMW India at the launch.

Pricing for the petrol-powered 740 M Sport and all-electric i7 eDrive50 xDrive M Sport starts at INR 19.5 million, while the flagship i7 M70 xDrive is positioned at INR 26.5 million (all ex-showroom).

Hardeep Singh Brar, President and CEO of BMW Group India, said: "The new BMW 7 Series is more than our flagship sedan - it is our ultimate statement of modern luxury. It moves the leaders, changemakers and visionaries who are shaping tomorrow. Every detail has been crafted around one idea: those who have reached the pinnacle deserve an experience to match. The new 7 Series sets a benchmark, whether you choose to take the wheel or be driven. It is the new face of the BMW Luxury Class, while offering an early glimpse into technologies that will shape the Neue Klasse era. And with our Power of Choice philosophy, customers can choose from dynamic combustion engines to advanced electric mobility. Because true luxury is not about limiting choices - it is about expanding them. With the new 7, luxury doesn’t end with the drive; it begins there."

"The new BMW i7 M70 xDrive is the most powerful 7 Series ever created - where M performance meets first-class luxury, without compromise. It brings together exhilarating electric performance and the refinement expected from the pinnacle of the BMW portfolio. This is a car for someone who wants the thrill of taking the wheel and, equally, the luxury of being driven. Few cars can make the driver’s seat and the rear seat equally desirable. The i7 M70 does. It represents our belief that sustainability and performance are not competing choices. The future of luxury can be electric, exhilarating and extraordinary - all at once," added Brar.

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Kia India has opened pre-bookings for the Carens CNG, Carens Clavis CNG and Carnival Limousine Hybrid models across its authorised dealer network, expanding the company’s multi-powertrain portfolio in the Indian market.

The additions follow their display at Kia Inspiration Day and introduce alternative fuel options to the manufacturer's multi-purpose vehicle segment. The pricing for all three models is set to be announced at a later date.

Both the Carens CNG and Carens Clavis CNG are based on the G1.5 six-speed manual transmission platform and feature a factory-fitted CNG system with a 60-litre tank capacity. Technical modifications include engine calibration for CNG fuel, revised suspension setups, 16-inch wheels and 16-inch disc brakes. The driver interface incorporates a fuel change switch alongside a 4.2-inch colour TFT display with CNG distance-to-empty logic. Structural changes to the third-row seat-back frame have also been implemented to adjust the recline angle.

The CNG range will include Premium (O) trim for the Carens, while the Carens Clavis will be sold in HTE and HTE (O) trims for retail buyers.

For commercial and business-to-business fleet operations, Kia India has designated the M-Drive trim for the Carens CNG and the HTM trim for the Carens Clavis CNG.

The Carnival Limousine Hybrid introduces an electrified powertrain to the upper tier of the range, powered by a G1.6T HEV engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.

It is offered in the Limousine+ trim, which features 18-inch dual-tone aero alloy wheels, active air flaps and a virtual engine sound system. Interior equipment includes an air purifier with air quality index display, seat-back tables with integrated wireless charging, ambient lighting and leatherette door trims.

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Hyundai Motor India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has introduced the Lounge Edition variant across its Creta, Alcazar and Creta Electric SUVs. The special edition trim updates interior cabin equipment, rear seat entertainment and exterior trim styling across the three vehicle lines.

The primary update across all Lounge Edition models is an integrated 29.46 cm rear seat entertainment system featuring streaming platform compatibility, interactive gaming, an app store and smartphone mirroring, operating alongside an eight-speaker Bose audio system.

On the inside, it features silver interior accents, white ambient lighting, revised seat patterns and branded headrest cushions. Exterior changes feature black trim on the skid plates, side sills, roof rails, rear spoiler and side mirrors, paired with black alloy wheels and a golden bronze paint option.

The Creta Lounge Edition, built on the King trim level, is available with a 1.5-litre petrol engine mated to an intelligent variable transmission or a 1.5-litre diesel engine with an automatic gearbox, with prices starting at INR 1.92 million ex-showroom.

The Alcazar Lounge Edition is offered in a five-seat layout based on the Signature variant, powered by a 1.5-litre diesel engine with an automatic transmission and equipped with a voice-activated panoramic sunroof, priced from INR 2.18 million. The Creta Electric Lounge Edition, based on the Long Range Excellence trim, adds a dashcam and rear wireless charging pad, with prices starting at INR 2.43 million.

Amit Dhaundiyal, Head of Product Strategy and Planning, Hyundai Motor India, said, "At Hyundai, we continuously strive to create products and experiences that resonate with the evolving aspirations of our customers. Customers today seek experiences that go beyond mobility, and the new Lounge Edition has been designed with this evolving aspiration in mind. From lounge-inspired interiors, engaging digital entertainment and on-the-go gaming experiences powered by rear seat entertainment, to distinctive styling enhancements, every element has been thoughtfully crafted to transform every journey into a more comfortable, connected and rewarding experience. The Lounge Edition reflects Hyundai's commitment to delivering meaningful innovations and greater value across our SUV portfolio, and we are confident it will appeal to customers seeking a unique blend of luxury, comfort, entertainment and exclusivity in their everyday journeys."

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German automotive luxury brand Audi has unveiled the A2 e-tron electric compact model, which marks its most compact green offering, with prices starting EUR 38,200 in Germany.

Developed in Germany and produced at the manufacturer’s Ingolstadt facility, the EV has an energy consumption rating of 12.8 kWh per 100 kilometres under the WLTP test cycle.

The company will open bookings on 10 September, with European deliveries scheduled to begin in December.

The A2 e-tron is offered in four power outputs ranging from 125 kW and 350 Nm of torque in the base specification to 240 kW and 545 Nm in the top variant, paired with rear-wheel drive and permanently excited synchronous motors. Depending on the output, battery capacities are available in 52 kWh, 61 kWh, or 84 kWh gross options, achieving a maximum driving range of up to 646 kilometres under WLTP conditions.

The chassis design incorporates a drag coefficient of 0.24, utilising active cooling air intakes, aero wheels and wheel-arch gap reducers. Bidirectional charging capabilities support Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) external device powering and Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) energy transfer via compatible wall boxes.

On the inside, it features a curved MMI panoramic display housing a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen with artificial intelligence assistant integration. Storage incorporates the Fidlock magnetic attachment system as standard equipment, alongside an optional 1.6-square-metre panoramic glass roof.

Audi states that around 300 components across the vehicle are constructed using recycled materials, including post-consumer plastics, aluminium and steel.

The EV assembly utilises 250 existing industrial robots and 1,200 reallocated production components at the Ingolstadt plant, using fixed-sequence manufacturing methods. Standard driver assistance systems include adaptive cruise control, emergency brake assist, evasive assist, attention assist and parking sensors with a rear-view camera.

Gernot Dollner, Chief Executive Officer, Audi, said, “The A2 e-tron is more than a new model: It represents Audi’s renewal. It shows how we are rethinking premium for Europe: using resources more intelligently without compromising on quality, technology, or customer experience. Developed for the needs of our European customers and built in Ingolstadt, it demonstrates our ambition to shape the future of premium mobility.”

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