British luxury car brand Aston Martin has revived its legendary Vanquish nameplate, and introduced the model in India with an ex-showroom price of INR 88.5 million (excluding options). The flagship model crowned Aston Martin’s next-generation sports car lineup is limited to just under 1,000 units annually.

At the heart of the Vanquish lies a new 5.2-litre Twin-Turbo V12 engine, delivering 835PS and 1,000Nm of torque – making it the most powerful V12 in Aston Martin’s core sports car range to date. With a specific power output of 160PS per litre, this engine propels the Vanquish to a top speed of 214mph (344kmph), the highest ever for an Aston Martin series production car. It is enhanced with a strengthened cylinder block, redesigned cylinder heads and high-speed turbochargers, the powertrain achieves unprecedented performance while meeting global emissions standards. A novel Boost Reserve function further sharpens throttle response, storing turbo boost for instant power delivery during overtaking or dynamic driving.

The Vanquish’s chassis is equally impressive, built on a bonded aluminium structure with a 75 percent increase in lateral stiffness over its predecessor, the DBS 770 Ultimate. Featuring Bilstein DTX adaptive dampers and an electronic rear limited-slip differential (e-diff), it offers a seamless blend of grand tourer comfort and supercar agility. The e-diff, integrated with an advanced Electronic Stability Control system, transitions from open to fully locked in just 135 milliseconds, enhancing traction and cornering precision. Paired with a recalibrated ZF 8-speed automatic gearbox and a Carbon Ceramic Brake system, the Vanquish delivers exceptional control, stopping power, and a dynamic bandwidth that adapts to any driving mood.

Visually, the Vanquish exudes contemporary elegance with its extended wheelbase, sculpted carbon fibre bodywork and a rakish teardrop profile. Drawing inspiration from Aston Martin’s motorsport heritage, including Formula 1 and the iconic ‘Project Cars’ of the 1960s, it features F1-inspired bonnet louvres and a Kamm Tail for aerodynamic efficiency. A panoramic glass roof, a first for an Aston Martin V12, floods the cabin with light, while Matrix LED headlights and a bold grille amplify its road presence. The interior, designed for two, combines luxury with driver focus, boasting a 10.25-inch digital dashboard, a pure black touchscreen infotainment system and tactile metal controls. A Bowers & Wilkins 15-speaker audio system comes standard, ensuring an immersive experience.

Lawrence Stroll, Executive Chairman, Aston Martin, said, “With the introduction of Vanquish we have crowned Aston Martin’s next- generation sports car portfolio. A true halo model in every respect, Vanquish makes an emphatic statement. One that further delivers on our mission to create the most potent, most beautiful and most exciting cars in the ultra-luxury sports car market. As such Vanquish is the truest of Aston Martins. Immaculately designed and impeccably engineered it sets extraordinary new standards of performance, style and luxury for a new generation of connoisseurs”.

Marek Reichman, Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, Aston Martin, said, “Vanquish is an iconic halo model for our sports car portfolio and we’re always designing for beyond the expected, rational and thoughtful. We captured the immensity of its performance and the imperiousness of its intended purpose while tempering the drama of Vanquish with a rare and unmistakable sense of elegance. Our team demonstrated bravery and curiosity in their quest to deliver unexpected design ideas throughout. The teardrop exterior features an all-new surface language and amplified front-engine proportions, and the interior environment combines the focus of a true driver’s car with elevated luxury and state-of-the-art technology. There is great passion in creating pure excitement and this new Vanquish is a culmination of fearless creativity and human ingenuity. We have combined next level, ultra-luxury performance with British-cool sports car styling to deliver a crowning Aston Martin V12 flagship for the ages.”

Simon Newton, Director of Vehicle Performance, Aston Martin, said, “Vanquish brings another dimension to the revitalised Aston Martin range. The new V12 engine is a larger-than-life character, with immense torque from just above idle combined with a truly ferocious top-end. It really is an extraordinary engine. This sense of boundless propulsion had to be matched by an equal level of control and finesse; something we have achieved by further exploring the tremendous scope of the new Bilstein DTX adaptive dampers, e-diff and latest generation electronics. We’ve also worked closely with Pirelli, developing a bespoke tyre tailored specifically to Vanquish. The resulting blend of dynamic precision, epic performance and luxurious refinement is uniquely special, with a bandwidth that sets a new standard for the marques halo model and is worthy of the Vanquish name”.

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Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has marked Earth Day 2026 by providing an update on its progress toward the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050.

The company has reported significant milestones in manufacturing decarbonisation, water stewardship, and logistics efficiency, aiming to achieve carbon-neutral manufacturing operations by 2035.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor has focused on eliminating its environmental footprint across its production and supply chain through several key initiatives:

Renewable Energy: For the 5th consecutive year, Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s manufacturing facilities have utilised 100 percent renewable grid electricity, effectively eliminating all Scope 2 emissions.

Logistics Decarbonisation: The company has shifted 24 percent of its vehicle logistics to rail transport, reducing emissions per vehicle from 185 kg to 175 kg. Additionally, the pilot of electric trucks for short-distance transport has resulted in an annual reduction of approximately 950 CO2 emission.

Water & Waste Management: Approximately 89 percent of water requirements are currently met through recycling and rainwater harvesting. The company also maintains a Zero Waste-to-Landfill status, with a recycling rate of over 96 percent.

Aligned with India’s energy landscape, Toyota Kirloskar Motor is pursuing a multi-pathway approach to clean mobility. This includes active pilot projects for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV) and Electrified Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFV-SHEV) to reduce dependence on energy imports and leverage domestic resources.

On-site, TKM’s Green Wave Project has successfully sequestered 8,118 CO2-emission through afforestation, supporting over 650 plant species. The company's Ecozone, a 25-acre experiential learning centre, has trained over 62,000 students to date, fostering environmental awareness in the next generation.

B Padmanabha, Executive Vice-President of Manufacturing, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “On Earth Day 2026, Toyota Kirloskar Motor proudly reinforces its commitment to ‘Our Power, Our Planet,’ advancing a carbon‑neutral future by embedding sustainability into every aspect of our products, operations, and partnerships. Since 2021, our manufacturing facilities have been powered entirely by renewable grid electricity, eliminating Scope 2 emissions for five consecutive years and demonstrating that industrial growth and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.”

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European automaker Renault India has announced that its all-new Renault Duster SUV has achieved a 5-star safety rating from the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (BNCAP).

The results apply across the vehicle's entire range, including the 1.0-litre and 1.3-litre turbo-petrol variants. The SUV scored 30.49 out of 32 for Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) and 45 out of 49 for Child Occupant Protection (COP).

The rating is based on crash tests conducted on the Evolution, Techno and Iconic trims.

Built on the new RGMP platform, the Duster was engineered to meet structural integrity targets for various crash scenarios. Standard safety equipment across all variants includes six airbags, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and ISOFIX child seat anchors. The vehicle also features Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), providing 17 active safety functions such as autonomous emergency braking and lane keep assist.

The Duster, which launched in the Indian market last month with a starting price of INR 1.04 million (ex-showroom), is the first Renault model in India to offer this level of automated safety technology. The SUV is backed by a 7-year warranty, positioning it as a highly competitive entry in the mid-size segment against rivals like the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos.

Francisco Hidalgo-Marques, VP, Sales & Marketing, Renault Group India, said, “Since the moment of its reveal, the Duster has appealed to Indian customers with its strong SUV design, outstanding ride and handling, and confident performance. With this latest achievement, the Duster now also makes a compelling case for rational buyers combining one of the best fuel efficiency figures in the segment with a 5-star BNCAP safety rating for adult and child occupant protection, and the added reassurance of a best in-market 7-year warranty.”

Dr. V Vikraman, Chief of Renault Engineering, India, added, “This result is rooted in engineering execution on the ground. The Duster was subjected to extensive simulations, physical crash tests, and system-level validations, with a strong focus on real-world Indian driving conditions. From body structure performance to restraint calibration and electronic safety systems, every element was engineered, tested and refined to work together. The 5-star BNCAP rating reflects the rigour of that end-to-end engineering and validation process.”

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Hyundai Motor India (HMIL), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced the launch of the Hyundai Venue Knight compact SUV featuring a black-themed design.

The Knight edition is intended to provide a distinct visual identity through exclusive exterior and interior enhancements, with prices for the Venue Knight starting at INR 969,800 (ex-showroom).

The exterior of the Venue Knight includes a black painted front radiator grille, matte black front and rear logos & black skid plates. It also gets black painted roof rails, wing mirrors and 16-inch alloy wheels, complemented by red brake callipers and a Knight emblem. The interior features an all-black cabin with brass-coloured inserts and exclusive seat upholstery.

The Venue Knight is available with multiple powertrain options, including the Kappa 1.2-litre petrol, Kappa 1.0-litre Turbo petrol and the U2 1.5-litre diesel engine, with both manual and automatic transmissions offered.

Alongside this launch, Hyundai has introduced a dashcam with multiple recording modes on the HX6T, HX10 and N10 variants. This system allows for video downloads to mobile devices via a dedicated application.

The company has also expanded the standard Venue colour palette with the introduction of Hazel Blue Matte and Mystic Sapphire Matte.

Amit Dhaundiyal, Head of Product Strategy & Planning, Hyundai Motor India, said, “At Hyundai, we continuously strive to bring products that resonate with the evolving aspirations of Indian customers. The Hyundai Venue Knight represents a bold expression of style and individuality, specially crafted for customers who want their car to reflect their personality. With this launch, we are taking the distinctive black-themed Knight philosophy to one of our most popular compact SUVs. Every element of the Hyundai Venue Knight, from its blacked-out exteriors to its premium interiors with brass inserts, has been thoughtfully curated to create a strong visual identity that stands apart on the road. Alongside the Knight, the introduction of dashcam on select Hyundai Venue variants and the addition of new matte colours further enhance the overall line-up, addressing evolving customer expectations.”

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Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has introduced the Model Year 2026 (MY26) update for the Kia Syros SUV, expanding the lineup with new HTE, HTE(O), HTK+(O) and HTX(O) trims.

The revised range starts at INR 839,900 and includes a wider availability of automatic transmission options. The Diesel Automatic variant is now accessible from the HTK+ trim onwards, priced at INR 1.27 million, to address demand for convenient diesel powertrains at lower price points.

The update includes design changes to the front and rear bumpers, featuring aero inserts and black skid plates. The HTX and HTX(O) trims receive a new 17-inch crystal cut alloy wheel design accompanied by neon-coloured brake callipers.

Kia has also added Magma Red, Ivory Silver Matte and Ivory Silver Gloss to the exterior colour palette. The vehicle maintains its 5-star BNCAP safety rating and includes a package of 20 safety features as standard.

Interior features for the Syros MY26 include a 30-inch panoramic display panel, a dual-pane sunroof, and ventilated front and rear seats. The vehicle is equipped with over 80 connected car features and supports over-the-air (OTA) updates. The seating configuration retains the sliding and reclining second row with a 60:40 split to manage interior space and comfort within a compact exterior footprint designed for urban driving.

Atul Sood, Senior Vice-President – Sales & Marketing, Kia India, said, “Customer insights have guided the Syros MY26 evolution, with design enhancements and a revised trim and feature lineup delivering more meaningful value, along with greater choice across trims and powertrains. Syros has been highly recognised by the auto exports, winning multiple awards since launch. And this latest update further strengthens its appeal to a wider set of customers. This thoughtful evolution exemplifies Kia’s consumer-first innovation, blending great cabin space and comfort with city-friendly agility while making premium convenience more accessible than ever. We invite customers to visit their nearest Kia dealerships to experience the Syros MY26.”
 

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