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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German luxury brand BMW Group has introduced the new MINI Convertible John Cooper Works (JCW) Pack in India, priced at INR 6.15 million (ex-showroom).

Available as a completely built-up unit (CBU), the JCW Pack adds a bold, performance-oriented aesthetic to the classic open-top MINI experience. Deliveries for the limited-quantity edition are set to commence immediately across all authorised dealerships.

The MINI Convertible JCW Pack is powered by the latest MINI TwinPower Turbo petrol engine, delivering a balance of efficiency and ‘go-kart’ handling featuring 150 kW (204 hp) and 300 Nm of torque. A claimed zero to 100 kmph in 6.9 seconds and a top speed of 240 kmph. It is paired with 7-speed Double Clutch Steptronic Sport Transmission featuring a Boost Mode for immediate power delivery.

The JCW Pack focuses on an assertive stance with unique design elements such as specific bumpers, side skirts and door entry sills, complemented by 17-inch JCW Sprint Spoke Black alloy wheels.

It comes with a electrically operated soft top opens in 18 seconds at speeds up to 30 kmph and includes a sunroof mode that can be opened up to 40 cm at any speed. The luggage capacity ranges from 160 litres (top down) to 215 litres (top up).

The cabin merges minimalist design with high-resolution technology including an OLED ‘MINI Interaction Unit’ display, which serves as both the instrument cluster and central command centre, running the MINI Operating System 9.

It gets sports seats feature Vescin upholstery – a high-quality, artificial leather-free material made from recycled components.

Smart features includes a Head-up Display, Harman Kardon Surround Sound and MINI Digital Key Plus, which allows a smartphone to serve as the vehicle key.

The MINI Convertible JCW Pack is equipped with a comprehensive safety suite, including a rollover protection system, Dynamic Stability Control, and a rear-view camera.

Hardeep Singh Brar, President and CEO, BMW Group India, said, “The new MINI Convertible JCW Pack is for those who want their MINI to reflect a bold, assertive personality without losing the signature ‘go-kart’ feel they love. It delivers a sporty JCW aesthetic that perfectly complements your cruises.”

MINI India offers a standard two-year unlimited kilometre warranty, with service and warranty extension options available for up to 10 years. Financial solutions, such as the MINI 360deg plan, provide assured buy-back options and lower EMIs compared to traditional bank loans.

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Japanese auto major Nissan Motor Co has announced an upward revision to its financial forecast for the fiscal year ending 31 March 2026 (FY2025). The updated guidance reflects a significant shift in operating performance, primarily driven by regulatory changes in the United States and internal cost efficiencies.

The turnaround from a projected operating loss to a profit is attributed to three main factors. Firstly, a major one-time positive impact resulting from the revocation of specific U.S. emissions / greenhouse gas (GHG) regulations, which allowed the company to reverse prior provisions.

Secondly, the impact of ongoing cost reduction measures implemented as part of Nissan's broader recovery strategy. And finally, favourable movements in foreign exchange rates supported both net sales and operating income.

Nissan Motor Co, stated that despite the projected net loss for the year, its cash position remains robust. It expects automotive free cash flow to remain positive for the second half of the fiscal year. And net cash is forecasted to exceed JPY 1 trillion by year-end.

Nissan is scheduled to release its finalised full-year financial results on 13 May 2026, where it is expected to provide a more detailed breakdown of these one-time impacts and its forward-looking ‘The Arc’ business plan.

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ICRA, one of the leading rating agencies, anticipates wholesale volume growth for the passenger vehicle industry to reach 4-6 percent in FY2027, as the market balances sustained demand against a high base from the previous year and uncertainties regarding monsoon performance.

In March 2026, industry wholesale volumes increased by 16 percent to 440,000 units, while retail sales grew by 21 percent over the same period. This activity followed the implementation of revised Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates and the introduction of new vehicle models.

For FY2026, wholesale volumes reached 4.7 million units, representing an 8.6 percent increase on the year, while retail volumes rose by 11 percent to 4.6 million units.

ICRA states that inventory levels reported by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA) fell to 28 days by March 2026, down from 60 days in September 2025. This reduction resulted from the increase in retail offtake.

Within the passenger vehicle segment, utility vehicles represented 68 percent of volume in FY2026. Models in mini, compact and super-compact segments experienced recovery following tax changes.

Export volumes grew by 18 percent in FY2026. Maruti Suzuki India retained its position as the exporter with a 49 percent market share, followed by Hyundai Motor India.

Looking ahead, the passenger vehicle sector expects the utility vehicle segment to provide the volume, alongside an increase in demand for passenger cars. Factors such as the West Asia crisis and inflation levels remain indicators for future demand.

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Mercedes-Benz India has officially launched the all-new CLA BEV, marking the debut of the Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA) and the proprietary MB.OS (Mercedes-Benz Operating System) in the Indian market.

The launch represents a significant milestone in the brand's electrification roadmap, with the company claiming it recorded over 400 pre-launch bookings prior to the official announcement.

The CLA BEV is introduced in three distinct variants, headlined by an 800-volt architecture that allows for industry-leading charging speeds.

Performance and Charging

Built as a ‘born electric’ sedan, the CLA BEV sets a new benchmark for efficiency with a drag coefficient of 0.21.

• Ultra-Fast Charging: Supporting up to 320 kW DC charging, the CLA 250+ can add 400 km of range in just 20 minutes using a 240 kW charger.
• Powertrain: The CLA 250+ delivers a peak output of 200 kW, achieving 0–100 km/h in 6.7 seconds powered by an 85.5 kWh battery.
• Indian Adaptation: The vehicle’s suspension has been specifically tuned to handle Indian road conditions.

The CLA is the first vehicle in India to feature MB.OS, which integrates the 4th generation of MBUX.

The EV sees integrated AI, which is powered by NVIDIA chips capable of 508 trillion operations per second, the car features a virtual assistant integrated with ChatGPT-4, MS Bing and Gemini.

The CLA BEV supports seamless Over-the-Air (OTA) updates and comes standard with Level 2 ADAS, upgradeable to L2+ via software. High-end variants feature the MBUX Superscreen and a panoramic sunroof with a 250-nanometre ‘Heat Protection Coating’ to filter UV and glare.

In a move to build customer trust, Mercedes-Benz launched India’s first ‘High-Voltage Battery Report’. This system-generated report provides owners with a physical and diagnostic evaluation of the battery's health (State of Charge Energy - SOCE), ensuring transparency for future resale and long-term ownership.

Santosh Iyer, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said, “The CLA BEV is the most intelligent Mercedes-Benz ever; born electric, a true range champion and a hallmark of high product substance. As Mercedes-Benz’s first next-generation BEV to debut in India, the CLA underlines our confident BEV strategy shaped by feature-rich, technology-driven products.”

Mercedes-Benz is backing the launch with a comprehensive ecosystem, including the MB.CHARGE public network, which now covers over 9,000 charging points across India. Ownership is further simplified through Star Agility+ financing, offering a 59% assured buy-back value and EMIs starting at INR 62,000. All models come with an 8-year/160,000 km battery warranty. Deliveries for the CLA 250+ begin at the end of April 2026, while the CLA 200 will follow in June 2026.

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