The all-new Mahindra XUV 3XO aims to disrupt the bustling compact SUV segment with features buyers want at price-points hitherto unmatched. We drive it from its home in Nashik to our home in Pune. The plan was clear. The Mahindra XUV 3XO aims to be a modernised and smaller but just as uncompromising take on the larger XUV 700. As such, there are cues and there are renewed views where things matter—what one sees and what one feels. The new Mahindra XUV 3XO is a distinct member of the “XUV” portfolio. Heck, it looks like they baked the older one till the molten ends led to smoother edges and a ..read more

Mahindra gave the XUV300 a cheery wave and sent it on its merry way and welcomed in the new XUV 3XO which, amazingly, is Rs 50,000 cheaper for the entry-level model. The prices for the Mahindra XUV 3XO start at Rs 7.49 lakh (ex-showroom) when the price of the outgoing XUV300 started at Rs 7.99 lakh (ex-showroom). It is one of the few compact SUVs that still get a diesel engine as an option (diesel economy cars have all but disappeared in the face of tightening emission norms) and a choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmissions, the latter of which is from AISIN, the Japanese transmiss ..read more

BMW India’s fourth electric sedan, the i5 M60 xDrive, priced from Rs 1.2 crore, sits between the two extremes. The BMW i4 which costs Rs 72.50 lakh and at the other end is the BMW i7 which starts at Rs 2.03 crore with the i7 M70 xDrive model costing Rs 2.5 crore (all ex-showroom). Price-wise, it sits in a no-man’s land as the closest electric sedan rival is the Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan, which costs Rs 1.62 core, which is a significant chunk of change. Interestingly, BMW have opted to bring the M version of the i5 instead of the regular one, making it the only BMW electric sedan to not be offe ..read more

The new Force Gurkha has been enhanced like never before, with a new powertrain and a choice of three- or five-door body styles. Story: Jim GordePhotography: Sanjay Raikar Off-roading is a special niche. It’s almost like it is innate for many who seek adventure and want to go beyond the normal or the routine every now and then. The Force Gurkha has probably been the most capable off-roader available out of the box for some time now, but many who wanted it also wanted a little more. And Force Motors have answered. We were transported to Goa and, in the midst of some sweltering off-season heat ..read more

In a sign of changing times, Sant’Agata’s second-ever plug-in hybrid model joins the Revuelto, in the form of the Lamborghini Urus SE. We are not complaining, as it is very hard to argue with a combined output of 800 hp at 6,000 rpm and 950 Nm. Would you believe if we tell you that the 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 is detuned on the SE? Well, the Urus S and the Urus Performante both develop 666 hp (we approve!) and 850 Nm at 2,250-4,500 rpm, whereas the Urus SE develops “only” 620 hp and 800 Nm. But no matter, the 141-kW permanent magnet synchronous motor that lives inside the eight-speed t ..read more

Jeep India chose just the right location for us to experience the new Wrangler Rubicon and here is how that went. Story: Joshua Varghese Photography: Apurva Ambep   Saying something about Jeep being synonymous with off-roading is like stating sugar is sweet. It is obvious, old news. What I should say is that instead of making us drive up and down on a curated course, Jeep let us experience the new Wrangler in the untamed wild. The Wrangler is available in both Unlimited and Rubicon variants and we drove the latter.  Our first important decision of the day was to choose the right ..read more

The good news is that the Mercedes-Benz G 580 looks just as boxy and rugged as its ICE counterpart.  We got a teaser for an electric G-Class with the Mercedes-Benz EQG Concept and now they’ve officially given the G-Wagen electric propulsion. It’s called the Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology and it shows potential of living up to its iconic rugged nameplate while being electric. The main differentiator between this G-Class and the others is down to the electric powertrain and it’s an intriguing combination. Four electric motors make a combined 432 kW (587 hp) and 1,164 Nm, enough to ..read more

The upgrades to the Aston Martin Vantage are more than just visual changes as it packs a lot more punch than before Just over two months ago, the Aston Martin Vantage received its first proper update since 2018 in markets abroad and now this upgraded beast is already here in India at a price tag of Rs 3.99 crore (ex-showroom). Don’t be fooled by it being a mid-life refresh as the Vantage is a lot more potent than before.  The increase in potency is thanks to the 665-hp Mercedes-AMG-sourced 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine which has 155 more hp than before. This is due to enhancemen ..read more

 The Volkswagen Taigun GT Line and GT Plus Sport variants add a bolder option to the SUV’s variant line-up It was only a month ago, when Volkswagen India announced new variants for the Taigun SUV at their annual press conference, and now they have launched the GT Line and GT Plus Sport variants with prices starting from Rs 14.08 lakh and Rs 18.54 lakh (ex-showroom) respectively. Both variants add a bolder, sportier look to the Taigun. Price (ex-showroom) Taigun GT Line Taigun GT Plus Sport Manual Rs 14.08 lakh  Rs 18.54 lakh Automatic Rs 15.63 lakh Rs 19.74 lakh What make ..read more

Story: Sayantan De Photography: Sanjay Raikar Not too long ago, “Made in China” was considered a derogatory description, denoting the lower quality of the product being described. That’s no longer the case, as Chinese manufacturers have made enormous strides in that regard during the last two decades. And this quality is immediately apparent the moment you step inside the BYD Seal. If someone told me twenty years ago that two decades hence I would be driving a Chinese-made electric sports sedan in India, I would have recommended they get checked in at a mental institution. This quality becom ..read more