Author: Harry Singh

The “Make in India” initiative just received a significant boost from the French. Citroën India has officially commenced the export of its flagship Vision Coupe SUV, the Basalt, marking a historic milestone for the brand’s manufacturing facility in Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu. While Citroën has previously exported the C3 and C3 Aircross, the Basalt represents a new level of ambition. It is a vehicle designed with a “global-first” mindset, blending the ruggedness of an SUV with the sleek silhouette of a high-end coupe—a body style that is currently exploding in popularity across emerging markets. 1. India: The Strategic Export Engine The…

For years, the biggest hurdle for potential EV buyers in cities like Gurugram and Faridabad hasn’t been the cost of the car, but the headache of charging it. Residents in older societies often faced uphill battles with RWAs over wiring and safety. The new draft notification aims to end those disputes before the first brick is even laid. By integrating charging infrastructure into the design phase, the government is ensuring that future homeowners can “fill up” as easily as they park their cars. 1. The Ratios: How Many Chargers? The proposed amendments lay out strict, mandatory ratios for different types…

In the world of Indian MPVs, the Triber has always been a “smart” choice. It’s the only vehicle under 4 meters that can genuinely seat seven adults without feeling like a claustrophobic box. However, for years, the best safety and convenience features were locked behind the top-tier RXZ trim. For 2026, Renault is flipping the script. The latest update isn’t about a radical new look; it’s about a redistribution of value. By trickling down premium features to the lower and mid-range variants, Renault is making a play for the value-conscious Indian family. 1. The Feature Trickle-Down Effect The biggest news…

Volkswagen isn’t just swapping an engine for a battery; they are reimagining the Polo for a software-defined future. Launching at a starting price of €24,995 (approx. ₹22.5 lakh), the ID. Polo targets the heart of the mass-market EV segment, competing directly with the Renault 5 and the BYD Dolphin. 1. Design: “Pure Positive” and Nostalgia The ID. Polo is the first model to debut Volkswagen’s new “Pure Positive” design language. It moves away from the somewhat polarizing “bubble” look of early ID models, returning to the timeless, stable proportions that made the original Golf and Polo famous. 2. Powertrain and…

For years, the “entry-luxury” electric SUV segment has been a game of incremental gains. A few extra kilometers of range here, a slightly larger screen there. But at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show, BYD officially shattered that trend. The next-generation BYD Atto 3 (known as the Yuan Plus in China) has been unveiled, and it isn’t just a facelift—it’s a total re-engineering of what a compact EV can do. With a massive leap in dimensions, a refined RWD architecture, and a charging claim that sounds like science fiction, the 2026 Atto 3 is positioning itself to be the most disruptive…

For any other automaker, a 20% surge in annual revenue to a record ₹1.83 lakh crore would be a cause for unequivocal celebration. But for Maruti Suzuki, the FY2026 finish line brought a more nuanced reality. Despite moving a staggering 2.42 million vehicles—the highest in the company’s history—consolidated net profit remained essentially flat at ₹14,679 crore, up just 1.2% from the previous year. This “topline-heavy, bottom-line-steady” performance highlights a critical challenge for the industry: the widening gap between selling cars and making money. 1. The Demand Surge: 1.9 Lakh Orders and Low Inventory The most striking figure from the FY26…

The electric transition isn’t just about swapping engines; it’s about rethinking the “luxury of space.” On April 22, 2026, Mercedes-Benz officially unveiled the GLC EV LWB (Long Wheelbase). While the standard GLC EV is a formidable contender, this LWB version is specifically engineered for markets that prioritize “rear-seat dominance” — effectively transforming a compact luxury SUV into a legitimate three-row executive lounge. Built on the dedicated MB.EA (Mercedes-Benz Electric Architecture), the GLC EV LWB stretches its footprint to a 2,977mm wheelbase (a significant 100mm increase over the standard model), making it a direct challenger to the Tesla Model Y L…

The automotive landscape is shifting from “experimental” EVs back to a more balanced, hybrid-heavy reality. On April 20, 2026, Nissan Corporation underscored this pivot by unveiling two major pillars of its global electrification strategy: the Urban SUV Concept and the Terrano PHEV Concept. While these are currently labeled as concepts, Nissan confirmed they are 90% production-ready, with a commercial launch planned for the first half of 2027. For markets like India, these models represent the most realistic bridge between the current Magnite-led era and a fully electric future. 1. The Urban SUV: The “Electric-First” City Crossover The Urban SUV Concept…

For years, the Porsche Cayenne has been the benchmark for performance SUVs. But on April 23, 2026, Stuttgart officially shifted the goalposts. The unveiling of the Cayenne Coupe Electric isn’t just an “EV alternative”; it is a hyper-performance machine that effectively retires the internal combustion engine from the top of the Porsche SUV hierarchy. Built on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) — shared with the Macan Electric but significantly reinforced — this flagship SUV is designed to deliver a driving experience that is “pure Porsche,” despite weighing in at nearly 2.5 tons. 1. Shattering Performance Records: The Turbo GT Specs…

For many enthusiasts, the lack of a gearbox in an EV isn’t a technical advantage; it’s an emotional void. Porsche’s development—likely destined for the electric 718 Boxster and Cayman—aims to replicate the physical interruptions of a dual-clutch PDK system. The Physics of the Fake: In a combustion car, a gear shift involves a momentary drop in torque and a change in engine pitch. Porsche’s system uses software to precisely modulate the electric motor’s power delivery, creating a “jolt” that mimics the inertia shift of a physical gear change. Technical Pillars of Simulated Shifting Porsche isn’t just adding a sound effect;…