UFI Filters, an industry leader in filtration and thermal management solutions, today launched a cabin air filtration, SOFIMA D+FEND Anti-virus, which delivers a 99.5% reduction in viruses and a 99.9% in bacteria.

According to UFI Filters,  the laboratory tests have certified the capacity of the new filter to neutralize coronaviruses from the SARS-COV family (kill rate 99.5%), as well as influenza A H1N1, H3N2 and H7N9, in addition to various types of dangerous bacteria such as E. coli and staphylococcus aureus (kill rate 99.9%).

For the Indian market, innovative SOFIMA D+FEND Anti-virus filters will be produced at SOFIMA FILTERS INDIA Plant in Bahadurgarh. It belongs to product code family ending with KN2 and caters to the aftermarket space.

Luca Betti, Group Aftermarket Business Unit Director, said, "We are extremely proud of the results achieved thanks to the collaboration of our Innovation Centers in China, India and in Italy. UFI Filters Group has chosen to give a meaningful name to this innovative D+FEND Anti-virus filter media, which has been certified according to ISO 11155-1:2001 standard having a filtration efficiency of more than 95 percent for aerosol particles, with dimension equal to 0.3 microns. When applied to cabin air filters, this innovative material thus offers a clear improvement in the quality of the air inside vehicles, during a historical period in which the health of the individual is absolutely paramount."

Hridesh Sharma, CEO of UFI Filters India, said, “The investment made by UFI Filters Group in Research and Development is ongoing. This innovative product bears testament to our desire to remain at the cutting edge when it comes to innovation and is evidence of the exceptional ability of our technicians to work with laboratories and certified institutions at international level."

SOFIMA D+FEND Anti-virus incorporates the antimicrobial and antiviral active substances into the fibers themselves, which are made up of polymeric material. Thanks to the prolonged release of ions from the two elements embedded in the fibers, the filter has the power to destroy the bacterial and viral load over a prolonged period, unlike other solutions on the market today, the properties of which are diminished after just a few working cycles following the installation of the filter on the vehicle. (MT)

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Racing Promotions Pvt. Ltd. (RPPL) is set to take the Indian Racing Festival (IRF) into a new season of competitive motorsport with the F4 Indian Championship flagging off its 2026 campaign at the Kari Motor Speedway in Coimbatore on September 12-13.

The season will feature six rounds of F4 and four rounds of the Indian Racing League (IRL) across key racing destinations in India, culminating in a landmark street-racing debut at the Navi Mumbai Street Circuit in December.

The FIA-certified F4 Indian Championship will travel through Coimbatore with the finale in Navi Mumbai, providing a platform for the next generation of single-seater drivers to compete at home while gaining valuable race experience and Super Licence points. The 2026 grid will feature drivers representing eight nationalities, competing across eight teams.

The Indian Racing League will join the action in October with its four-round campaign beginning at the Madras International Circuit in Chennai on October 24-25.

The six teams competing in the 2026 Indian Racing League season are Kichcha’s Kings Bengaluru, owned by Kichcha Sudeep; Goa Aces JA Racing, owned by John Abraham; Kolkata Royal Tigers, led by Sourav Ganguly; Hyderabad Blackbirds, owned by Naga Chaitanya; Speed Demons Delhi, backed by Arjun Kapoor; and Chennai Turbo Riders, representing the city under the ownership of Accord Group.

The F4 Indian Championship will meanwhile showcase the next generation of single-seater drivers with the grid featuring talent from India and across the world.

The 2026 grid includes Aaron Mehta (Singapore), Swarnav Das (India), Sai Aditya (USA/India), Anay Doshi (Kenya), Bhuvan Bonu (India), Shravan Shanmugavel (United Kingdom), Krishay Gutte (India), Aryan Narola (USA/India), Mahlori Mabunda (South Africa), Enzo Rujugiro (South Africa), Luviwe Sambudla (South Africa), Ntiyiso Mabunda (South Africa), Mathias Alexander Forland (Norway) and Aris Kyriakou (Australia), representing eight nationalities.

The drivers will represent eight teams with Kolkata Royal Tigers, Chennai Turbo Riders, Hyderabad Blackbirds, Speed Demons Delhi, Goa Aces JA Racing, Godspeed Kochi, Ahmedabad Apex Racers and Kichcha’s Kings Bengaluru set to feature on the F4 grid.

F4 India provides young drivers with an important platform to transition from karting to single-seater racing, while gaining valuable race experience and Super Licence points.

Commenting ahead of the new season, RPPL Chairman and Managing Director Akhilesh Reddy said, “Every season of the Indian Racing Festival is a step forward in our ambition to build a stronger and more visible motorsport ecosystem in India. With the F4 Indian Championship continuing to create a pathway for the next generation of drivers, the Indian Racing League bringing together some of the country’s finest and international talent and the debut of the Navi Mumbai Street Circuit, we are taking the sport to new audiences and new destinations. The 2026 season is an important milestone for RPPL, and we look forward to delivering a season that raises the bar for Indian motorsport both on and off the track.”

Reflecting the aspirations of the young drivers on the grid, Bonu said, “Indian F4 is the next step in my journey and an important milestone towards my goal of reaching F1. I’m looking forward to learning, competing and continuing to build from here.”

The 2026 season will also introduce the Navi Mumbai Street Circuit, which will host the season finale rounds of both championships. The move towards a street-racing format marks another step in RPPL’s vision of taking motorsport beyond traditional circuits and bringing the sport closer to fans across India's cities.

The Indian Racing Festival will be broadcast on STAR Sports KHEL in Hinglish, STAR Sports 2 Kannada in Kannada and STAR Sports 2 Tamil in Tamil. Fans can also stream the action on JioHotstar in English, Hinglish, Kannada and Tamil, while the STAR Sports YouTube channel will stream the races for viewers in territories outside India.

The 2026 season will be supported by JK Tyre, Nayara Energy and Bisleri as sponsors, further strengthening the festival’s growing ecosystem.

Driver Line-up

Kolkata Royal Tigers: Aaron Mehta (Singapore), Swarnav Das (India)

Chennai Turbo Riders: Sai Aditya (USA/India), Anay Doshi (Kenya)

Hyderabad Blackbirds: Bhuvan Bonu (India), Shravan Shanmugavel (United Kingdom)

Speed Demons Delhi: Krishay Gutte (India), Ntiyiso Mabunda (South Africa)

Goa Aces JA Racing: Aryan Narola (USA/India), Luviwe Sambudla (South Africa)

Godspeed Kochi: Mahlori Mabunda (South Africa)

Ahmedabad Apex Racers: Mathias Alexander Forland (Norway)

Kichcha’s Kings Bengaluru: Enzo Rujugiro (South Africa), Aris Kyriakou (Australia)

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Tier 1 automotive supplier Uno Minda has launched a new range of four-wheeler LED bulbs for passenger cars for the aftermarket at prices starting at INR 3,500.

The LED range is offered in power output options of 90W, 110W, 150W, 170W, 220W and 300W, generating 6000K light output. It features AC/DC electrical compatibility, an internal copper core for heat dissipation and an anti-rust powder coating to prevent corrosion. The design provides low and high beam patterns intended to replace factory-fitted halogen bulbs across multiple car models.

Anand Kumar, Business Head, Uno Minda Aftermarket, said, “In line with our commitment to Driving the New, Uno Minda introduces the upgraded 4-Wheeler LED Bulb range, engineered to combine enhanced road safety, superior performance, and modern styling. Emitting a 6000K Crystal White Light with a precise high/low beam pattern, these bulbs maximize visibility of lane markings and road signs for safer night driving. Built for exceptional durability and heat management, the range features a high-conductivity Copper Core, robust anti-rust powder coating, and broad AC/DC compatibility. Available in multiple wattage options, Uno Minda LED bulbs deliver a premium aesthetic upgrade and long-lasting dependability for modern passenger cars.”

The component range is priced between INR 3,500 and INR 18,000 for the 150W, 170W and 220W variants.

The LED range can be purchased through traditional automotive retail stockists as well as e-commerce platforms, including Amazon, Flipkart and the company's dedicated portal, Uno Minda Kart.

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Spinny, a leading used car buying and selling platform, has announced partnerships with car manufacturers Nissan, JSW MG Motor India and Tesla to expand its services across buying, selling, exchange, evaluation, refurbishment and retail operations in India.

The agreements connect vehicle manufacturer operations with Spinny's platform to service internal combustion engine and electric vehicle transactions. At present, Spinny operates across 80 cities in India, maintaining 57 car hubs, 17 Spinny Parks and 15 integrated restoration centres.

Under the partnership with Nissan India, Spinny provides a 55-minute vehicle exchange program offering exchange benefits up to INR 75,000 for customers exchanging vehicles for new Nissan models. Nissan dealerships will accept Spinny-issued buying letters to complete the exchange process.

Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India, said, “At Nissan Motor India, we remain committed to creating greater value for both our customers and dealer partners through innovative and customer-centric solutions. Our collaboration with Spinny as a preferred exchange partner represents a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening our vehicle exchange ecosystem, enhancing the overall customer experience and contributing meaningfully to dealership growth.”

For Tesla, Spinny operates as an exchange partner under the Switch and Save program, facilitating the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles for buyers transitioning to Tesla models, including the Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive.

The partnership with JSW MG Motor India focuses on pre-owned electric vehicles across models including the MG Comet EV, MG Windsor EV and MG ZS EV. Spinny provides battery health assessments, certifications, refurbishment and warranty continuity across cities including Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, Kochi, Mumbai, Pune, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Chandigarh and Coimbatore.

Vinay Raina, Chief Commercial Officer, JSW MG Motor India, said, “Our aim is to become a leading NEV brand in the country and as electric mobility continues to gain momentum in India, building a strong and trusted pre-owned ecosystem will be critical to accelerating adoption. Our partnership with Spinny enables us to extend confidence across the ownership lifecycle while making electric mobility more accessible, transparent and rewarding for customers.”

Niraj Singh, Founder and CEO, Spinny, said, “The future of automotive is not just about selling cars, but about building a more connected ownership ecosystem. At Spinny, we believe trust will be at the heart of that evolution. Our partnerships with Nissan, JSW MG Motor India and Tesla bring together OEM expertise and reach with our capabilities across buying, selling, evaluation and restoration, all with a sharp focus on customer experience and value. Alongside partners, we are bringing together different parts of the automotive journey to make it simpler, more transparent and more rewarding for customers, from discovering and buying a car to selling, exchanging, upgrading and owning it.”

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SMK Helmets has received a four-star safety rating for its Typhoon full-face helmet from the Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme, the UK Department for Transport's testing body. The result makes SMK the first Indian helmet manufacturer to obtain a 4-star rating under the scheme.

Established in 2007, the UK programme conducts independent evaluations of helmets purchased directly from retail outlets. The evaluation protocol subjects seven samples across size ranges to 32 impact tests. These tests involve striking five areas of the helmet at impact velocities of 6.0, 7.5 and 8.5 metres per second to measure energy transmission to the head, before assigning a final rating out of five stars.

The Typhoon full-face model is constructed with an Energy-Impact-Resistant Thermoplastic shell and weighs 1.6 kilogrammes. It features a drop-down sun visor, Pinlock 30 lens, anti-scratch coatings, multi-point ventilation channels and a quick-release buckle system. Certified to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe ECE 22.06 standard, the helmet is produced in seven sizes ranging from XS to XXXL and sells in India from INR 5,200.

Sidhartha Bhushan Khurana, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, SMK, said, “SMK has engineered helmets around top protection for years – The SHARP rating is simply independent, public validation of that approach. The Typhoon's score reflects a standard we've held ourselves to well before any external test came along to measure it: materials, construction and design built to perform, not just to pass. Indian riders deserve helmets tested to the same yardstick as the world's best-known brands, and this is a step toward making that the norm rather than the exception.”

The certification coincides with SMK's appointment as technical helmet sponsor for the Moto4 Latin Cup. SMK currently distributes its product range in more than 40 international markets.

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