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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TATA.ev has launched the new Punch.ev in India, positioned to accelerate the transition to electric mobility in the entry-level segment with prices starting INR 969,000 (ex-showroom, Mumbai) for the 30 kWh battery variant, while the 40 kWh variant can be had at INR 1.08 million.

Furthermore, the company has also marked the introduction of Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) financing model, which lowers the initial purchase price to INR 649,000, supplemented by a battery EMI of INR 2.6 per kilometre.

The Punch.ev is built on the acti.ev architecture and offers two battery configurations to address varying range requirements:

• Long Range: Features a 40 kWh LFP prismatic cell battery pack. It delivers a real-world range of approximately 355 km and an ARAI-certified range of 468 km.
• Standard Range: Includes a 30 kWh battery pack option for city-focused use.

The EV supports express charging, allowing the battery to transition from 20 percent to 80 percent in 26 minutes. A 15-minute charge can provide 135 km of real-world range.

TATA.ev has established a network of over 230,000 charging points across 1,500 cities. This includes a ‘.ev Verified’ network of 2,500 fast chargers and 130 hubs on 80 highways. The company plans to expand its highway charging presence to 800 points by the March 2026.

To support first-time buyers, TATA.ev has introduced a lifetime warranty on the high-voltage (HV) battery, covering unlimited kilometres. This measure is intended to address concerns regarding battery longevity and maintenance costs.

Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicle and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, said, “The new Punch.ev, makes electric mobility truly accessible, practical and worry free for every household. With a real-world range of around 355 km, fast charging capability, a lifetime HV battery warranty and a highly accessible price point, it resolves the core concerns that have thus far held customers back from choosing an entry level EV as their primary car. By bringing together everything customers seek in their preferred car for both daily and long-distance travel, the new Punch.ev marks a significant leap forward in the democratisation of electric mobility in India.”

The Punch.ev can be had in three versions: Smart, Adventure and Empowered.

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Volkswagen Passenger Cars India has launched the Tayron R-Line SUV at an introductory price of INR 4.69 million (ex-showroom).

The Tayron R-Line features R-Line styling and is manufactured using the brand's design DNA and is part of the company’s strategy to expand its portfolio in the premium segment in India.

The SUV is powered by a 2.0-litre TSI EA888 evo4 engine, producing 204 PS and 320 Nm of torque. It comes with a 7-speed DSG transmission and the 4MOTION All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system, which allows drivers to select from six driving profiles.

In terms of dimensions, it is 4792 mm in length, 1866 mm width and 1665 mm height. The wheelbase is 2789 mm features 19-inch Coventry alloys. On the inside, it gets a 38.1 cm infotainment screen and a 26.03 cm digital cockpit. The front seats feature 12-way electric adjustment with memory, ventilation, heating and an 8-mode massage function.

The Tayron R-Line features IQ Light with HD Matrix LED headlamps and illuminated front and rear logos. It is equipped with 11-speaker Harman Kardon sound system with 700 watts output, dual 45W USB-C ports and wireless charging for two devices. Augmented Reality (AR) head-up display and gesture-controlled tailgate.

In terms of safety, the Tayron R-Line is equipped with Level 2 ADAS featuring 14 functions. Standard safety equipment includes 9 airbags, Electronic Stability Control, and Hill Ascent and Descent control.

Nitin Kohli, Brand Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars India, said, “The Tayron R-Line embodies our vision of aspirational premium cars that add meaningful value to customer lives. It is designed for those who value performance as much as luxury, and who seek a vehicle that reflects their progressive mindset. With the Tayron R-Line, we are reinforcing our commitment to bringing globally admired, performance-led products that elevate the brand’s presence in India.”

The Tayron R-Line SUV can be had in seven colour options: Dolphin Grey Metallic, Oyster Silver Metallic, Ultraviolet Metallic, Cipressino-Green Metallic, Nightshade Blue Metallic, Grenadilla Black Metallic and Oryx White Mother-of-Pearl Effect.

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Skoda Auto Volkswagen India (SAVWIPL) has appointed Nitin Selot as Executive Director for Finance, IT and Legal Affairs. He takes over the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) as the group manages its operations in India for brands including Skoda, Volkswagen, Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini and Porsche.

Selot comes with over 35 years of experience in financial leadership and will oversee financial strategy and IT transformation at the company’s manufacturing sites in Pune and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

Prior to joining SAVWIPL, he held senior positions at JCB India, Compass Group India, Shell and Mars Wrigley. He is a member of the Institute of Cost & Management Accountants of India and the Institute of Company Secretaries of India, and holds an MBA from IMT Ghaziabad.

The company states that his expertise includes steering long-term investment and growth; managing legal affairs & compliance and modernising systems to support operational efficiency.

Holger Peters, Board Member for Finance, IT and Legal Affairs, Skoda Auto, said, “We welcome Nitin Selot to Skoda Auto Volkswagen India at a pivotal moment where India is the most important market for Skoda Auto a.s. outside Europe. His appointment comes at a crucial time as we continue to strengthen our financial discipline, enhance governance, and build resilience across our operations in India. Nitin’s vast experience across multiple industries and his proven ability to lead complex financial and IT transformations will be invaluable as we align our long-term strategy with the evolving needs of the Indian market.”

Piyush Arora, Managing Director and CEO, SAVWIPL, added, “I am pleased to welcome Nitin Selot as Skoda Auto Volkswagen India enters an exciting new chapter of transformation driven by the collective momentum of our six aspiration brands. We continue to redefine our processes, improving productivity and advancing our local-for-local approach, strengthening the foundation of our India operations. Looking ahead, the robustness of our financial strategy and the agility of our IT systems will be central to sustaining this progress.”

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Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced that its popular Seltos SUV has surpassed 600,000 cumulative sales milestone since its market entry in 2019. The achievement, the company said confirms the model's position in the mid-SUV segment, with top-tier variants contributing 29 percent of total volume.

The Seltos was introduced with a strategy focused on multiple powertrain options, including petrol and diesel engines with automatic transmissions, alongside connected car technology. Over time, Kia has updated the model to include advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and expanded digital interfaces.

Data shows a preference for higher specifications, with nearly a third of buyers selecting top trims. The model's sales have been supported by its appeal to customers upgrading from smaller vehicle categories who seek features such as large-format infotainment and enhanced safety packages.

The new Generation Seltos comes with 4,460 mm of length, 1,830 mm of width and has a wheelbase of 2,690 mm.

The latest generation of the Seltos features increased dimensions and an upgraded safety architecture. Kia India intends for the model to continue anchoring its mid-SUV strategy through a mix of engine and transmission combinations.

Sunhack Park, Chief Sales Officer, Kia India, said, “Crossing 600,000 sales reflects sustained customer preference for a product that delivers strong fundamentals in design, safety, technology and performance. Seltos expanded expectations in the mid-SUV segment by offering features and configurations that were not widely available at the time of its launch. The consistent uptake across variants, including strong demand for top trims, indicates growing customer confidence in advanced safety systems and connected technologies.”

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