There are four Bugatti sports cars that represent automotive innovation like no others cars do.

It would come as a surprise that the four cars that represent innovation in automobiles in its purest form are all Bugatti sports cars. Showcasing the evolution of automobiles in a way that is unique and amounts to flexing the boundaries of what machines can really be or do what they are expected to do to the fullest, the four Bugatti cars are the Veyron 16.4 Super Sport World Record Edition, Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse World Record Edition, Chiron Super Sport 300+ and the W16 Mistral World Record Car.

Successful in carving out a niche, each of the four cars – ultra super cars – have come to represent Bugatti’s incomparable legacy. The Veyron 16.4 Super Sport World Record Edition, on a beautiful day of April 2010, achieved a new land speed world record for production cars on the proving grounds of the Volkswagen Group at Ehra-Lessien (nearby its headquarters at Wolfsburg). In the presence of the German Technical Inspection Agency (TÜV) and a representative of Guinness Book of Records, the Super Sport achieved an average top speed of 431 kmph!

Bugatti’s Pilote Officiel Pierre Henri Raphanel put his helmet and gloves on, pulled the safety belts tight whilst the engineers checked the car a very last time for tyre pressure, temperature and all the systems.

The orange-black Super Sport crossed the light barrier within one hour by driving from South to North and then in the opposite direction. The driver being the only one to touch the car during the record run, the description of the Veyron as its headlights appeared at a certain point of the track was of a jumbo jet coming closer and simply jetting by.

The GPS-tachometer recorded a speed of as much as 933 kmph. The average speed generated by the TUV and Guinness representatives was a whopping 431.072 kmph, which surprised even the Bugatti team.

The roadster version of Veyron 16.4 Super Sport World Record Edition, Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse World Record Edition, set the world speed record for open-top production sports cars at the Volkswagen Group’s proving grounds in Ehra-Lessien.

TÜV, the renowned independent German organisation for technical inspection and certification, officially confirmed that a top speed of 408.84 kmph was achieved when the super car was driven by the Chinese racing driver Anthony Liu in 2013.

On the market since the spring of 2012, the open-top sports car is fitted with an 8.0 litre W16 engine that pours 1,200 PS and a torque of 1,500 Nm at 3,000 to 5,000 rpm on the road. Its high-performance handling can be attributed to a racing chassis, which together with extremely fast-acting shock absorbers and reinforced anti-roll bars, guarantees exact control of both the four-wheel drive system and the entire vehicle.

The other factors that enable such performance at the upper limits include a standard carbon monocoque with high torsional rigidity and an outer shell made entirely of carbon fibre. With wind noise and air turbulence a particular concern with open-top vehicles, the Vitesse is offered with a specially developed roof spoiler along with an intricately designed windbreak that guarantees calm open-top driving.

The Chiron Super Sport 300+ is the fastest Bugatti ever made, redefining what is possible when it comes to speed and aerodynamics. Piloted by Bugatti’s Pilote Officiel Andy Wallace, the hypercar smashed through the 482.803 kmph (300 mph) barrier in 2019. Never had a production car reached such speeds ever!

Occupying a spot in the history and standing as a marker in the quest for greater performance and speed, the hypercar was fitted with a re-engineered version of Bugatti’s legendary 8.0 litre W16 engine that produced 1,600 PS of power. A new thermal management system for the engine and gearbox were developed. Refinements to the software governing the engine, gearbox and turbochargers were also made.

To ensure top notch stability, the car was fitted with a ‘longtail’ that extended the car length by approximately 25 cm. This allowed the laminar flow to pass over the body for a longer period of time, reducing aerodynamic stall by more than 40 percent. Air curtains adorning the hyper sports car’s front corners dispersed excess air pressure towards the car’s sides. Simultaneously, air outlets at the wheel arches and behind the front wheels guided excess pressure away from each wheel arch, reducing drag by also producing a small amount of negative lift. Liberal use of exposed carbon fibre – flowing through into the car’s engine cover and the windscreen wiper, thereby contributing to crucial weight-saving that helps the hyper sports car push the envelope of performance – was resorted to. Extremely light and strong magnesium alloy wheels were deployed.

Andy Wallace – Bugatti Pilote Officiel and winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours – assumed the controls of the one-off W16 Mistral World Record Car, warming up the vehicle’s bespoke high-performance tyres on a first anticipatory lap. Ascending to a specified speed of 200 kmph into the banking of the track (of ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg GmbH), he increased the speed before unleashing the full power of the vehicle as the straight opened up coming off the banking, taking it to new heights of record speed in November 2024. Under the meticulous control of SGS-TÜV Saar GmbH, the achievement of a new world top-speed record for an open-top car was officially confirmed at the end of the run, with Andy reaching an incredible 453.91 kmph.

The EUR 14 million hypercar is powered by an 8.0-litre, quad-turbo, W16 engine that does an impressive 1,578 bhp. Innovative is the W16 Mistral’s X-taillight arrangement, which channels hot air from the radiators through ducts towards the rear of the vehicle. The air is expelled through the vents in the X-taillight arrangement.

The hypercar’s ramp-design diffuser accelerates the air’s journey from the rear of the vehicle, which increases downforce and helps the model excel at high speeds. Contributing to the vehicle’s excellent stability are bespoke high-performance tyres.

MT

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Toyota Kirloskar Motor has announced the full itinerary for the DRUM TAO India Tour 2025, a major cultural initiative developed in partnership with the renowned Japanese performance troupe. This collaboration is designed to transcend a typical corporate sponsorship, embodying Toyota’s ‘Mobility for All’ philosophy by facilitating a dynamic exchange of ideas, creativity and human spirit between Japan and India. The partnership aims to build a meaningful bridge between the two cultures, fostering appreciation and engaging deeply with the nation's youth.

The tour is scheduled to commence on 15 November with a spectacular opening at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Shillong. From there, the production will journey across 14 cities, including Varanasi, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata, before reaching its final destination for a concluding performance in Bangalore on 21 December 2025. For over two decades, DRUM TAO has captivated global audiences with its powerful artistry, masterfully blending the intense energy of Taiko drumming with elegant choreography and the melodic strains of Shinobue flutes.

This tour promises to be an immersive experience, uniting Japanese precision and discipline with India's own vibrant diversity. Each event will serve as a celebration of shared values like innovation and global unity, using the universal language of rhythm to create a powerful, cross-generational connection.

Varinder Wadhwa, Vice President, Sales-Service-Used Car Business & Profit Enhancement, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “We are thrilled to collaborate and host world-class artists DRUM TAO in India. India’s youth, especially Gen Z, are increasingly engaging with cultures from around the world, through music, art and lifestyle, thus shaping a new era of dynamic expression. Music, above all, serves as a universal language, bridging diverse experiences and sparking creativity, energy and joy. Through the DRUM TAO India Tour, we aim to connect with young audiences across the country, celebrating cultural exchange and inspiring them through the power of rhythm, performance and shared experiences.”

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Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles has announced the introduction of the Curvv model with new and enhanced executive features. The company has enhanced interior space across all Curvv variants (ICE and EV) through engineering innovations, with a focus on rear seat comfort and practicality.

The Curvv now features: India’s first R-Comfort Seats with Passive Ventilation. Serenity Screen Rear Sunshades. EasySip Cup Docks on the Rear Armrest. A Dashboard Insert in White Carbon Fibre finish and lighter Interior (Lalitpur Grey) with Plush Benecke-Kaliko Leatherette Seats.

The coupe SUV also introduces TwinZone Climate Concierge Air Conditioning. The Curvv.ev takes comfort further with the addition of a PureComfort Rear Co-Passenger Footrest and ErgoWing Headrest.

This enhanced version will be available in all Accomplished personas of the Curvv, starting at INR 1.45 million, and in the Accomplished and Empowered personas of the Curvv.ev, starting at INR 1.84 million.

The Curvv features a voice-activated panoramic sunroof with mood lighting, a gesture-activated powered tailgate, and a 500-litre boot space. Technology includes a 31.24 cm 12.3-inch Cinematic Touchscreen Infotainment System by HARMAN, paired with a 9-speaker JBL sound system and Arcade.ev.

The Curvv is available in both ICE (Hyperion gasoline direct injection, 1.2-litre Revotron Petrol and 1.5-litre KryoJet Diesel engines and EV powertrains, offering both automatic and manual transmission options.

The vehicle is equipped with Level 2 ADAS and holds a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating.

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Force Motors Limited has announced record-breaking financial results for the second quarter and first half of the fiscal year 2025-26, marking its highest-ever performance for these periods. The company, India's leading van manufacturer, achieved significant growth in profitability and operational metrics.

Financially, the company reported a standalone total income of INR 21.06 billion for Q2, an eight percent year-on-year increase, and INR 44.28 billion for H1, up 15 percent. Earnings saw an even more substantial rise, with EBITDA growing 33 percent YoY to INR 3.87 billion in Q2 and 34 percent for H1 to INR 7.44 billion. Profit After Tax surged remarkably by 148 percent in Q2 to INR 3.50 billion, a jump attributed to the shift to the New Tax Regime. The company also maintains a strong, zero-debt financial position.

This performance was propelled by robust operational success. Domestic sales volume grew by 16 percent in the first half, fuelled by strong demand for its Urbania, Traveller, Gurkha, Monobus and Trax vehicle ranges. The company also saw a 77 percent surge in export volumes. The Traveller platform continues to dominate its segment with a market share exceeding 70 percent.

The landmark results are credited to the strength of the company's product portfolio, operational excellence and a customer-centric strategy. By focusing on its core capabilities in shared passenger mobility, Force Motors has unlocked new growth opportunities. Looking forward, the company remains committed to sustainable growth by enhancing customer satisfaction, strengthening its product portfolio and expanding its international presence in a calibrated manner.

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Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles has announced it will present the Indian Women’s Cricket Team with the first lot of the soon-to-be-launched Tata Sierra SUV following their victory at the ICC Women's World Cup. The Tata Sierra is slated to be launched on 25^th November.

The company will gift the top-end model of the Sierra to each team member as part of its salute to the team’s journey and contribution to the country.

Shailesh Chandra, MD and CEO, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, said, “The Indian Women’s Cricket Team has made the entire nation proud with their extraordinary performance and remarkable win. Their journey stands as a true testament to determination and the power of belief, qualities that inspire every Indian. At Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, we are privileged to present these legends with another legend, The Tata Sierra. This is our salute to their spirit and the pride they have brought to the nation – Two legends, One spirit, Infinite inspiration.”

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