Jaguar Land Rover India has launched the New Land Rover Defender in two distinct body styles. In India, the company had thus far the Discovery product pillar and Range Rover product pillar. With this launch, the third product pillar - Defender, is also available, completing the Land Rover brand story. 

Powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, producing 221 kW (300 PS) and 400 Nm of torque, the off-roader is available in sporty 90 (3-door) priced from INR 73.98 Lakh and the versatile 110 (5-door) priced from 79.94 Lakh ex-showroom India. 

Elements such as the solid shoulder line, minimal front and rear overhangs, Alpine light windows, round headlights, side-hinged rear tailgate and externally mounted spare wheel are typical characteristics that are retained from the original model. However, the new Defender has been designed to be a highly customisable vehicle. It comes in seven exterior colour options including Fuji White, Eiger Grey, Santorini Black, Indus Silver as well as options such as Tasman Blue, Pangea Green, and Gondwana Stone that are exclusive to the vehicle. A range of nine wheel designs from 45. 72 cm (18) pressed steel rims to 50.8 cm (20) alloys are also provided on the New Defender.

Retaining practicality and functionality at its core, the Defender’s cabin has an ergonomic design that offers 5 + 2 seating configurations with an innovative optional front row centre seat also known as a jump seat. The rear load space delivers maximum practicality with the 110 providing load-carrying capacity from 231 litres for the 5+2 seater with all rows up, to 2,380 litres for the five seater with the second row folded down. The second-row seatbacks are split 40:20:40 for maximum flexibility, while load space rails on the floor of the luggage space come with a range of load retention accessories to prevent smaller items from moving around inside.

For off-roading, the New Defender has an impressive maximum approach angle of 38 degrees, maximum break-over angle of 28 degrees (31 degrees on 90) and maximum departure angle of 40 degrees. With Wade Sensing screen on the infotainment system, the Defender has a water wading depth of 900 mm. The New Defender delivers a maximum towing capacity of 3,720 kg coupled with a roof load capacity of 168 kg.

Allowing customers to explore unlimited possibilities, the New Defender offers a choice from among 170 unique accessories and four distinct Accessory packs, including: 

●       Explorer Pack: It’s equipped with features such as the Expedition Roof Rack, a Raised Air Intake to wade through the deepest of waters, Exterior Side-mounted Gear Carrier to store items, Wheel Arch Protection, Front & Rear Classic Mudflaps, Spare Wheel Cover, and Matte Black Bonnet detail that makes it ideal for those who want to defy conventions and conquer uncharted landscapes.

●       Adventure Pack: Designed to equip you for the wild, the pack features an Integrated Air Compressor to inflate tyres on the go, Portable Rinse System to wash off while you are on the trail, an Exterior Side Mounted Gear Carrier and a Seat Backpack to store items, Front and Rear Mudflaps, Bright Rear Scuff plate and a Spare Wheel cover.

●       Country Pack: With Front & Rear Classic Mudflaps, Bright Rear Scuff Plate, Portable Rinse System, Wheel Arch Protection and Loadspace Partition, it equips you when you decide to embrace the elements and make every journey truly memorable.

●       Urban Pack: It lends touches of individuality for your vehicle with the use of Bright Metal Pedals and Rear Scuff Plate, Front Undershield and a Spare Wheel Cover.

Rohit Suri, President & Managing Director, Jaguar Land Rover India Ltd. (JLRIL) said, “The New Defender will make its place in the hearts of many people with a curious mind, love for authentic adventures, passion for travel and who dare & wish to go above and beyond in life. Such individuals transcend barriers of age, gender, profession, with their free-spirited nature and fearlessness, just like the New Defender.” (MT)

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Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers in the country, has introduced the Camry Sprint Edition, a new, more dynamic version of its luxury hybrid sedan at prices starting INR 4.85 million.

The new variant offers a sportier exterior, while maintaining the comfort, safety and hybrid efficiency. The company said that the Camry has been a benchmark in the premium sedan segment in India since its launch in 2002. Globally, the Camry debuted in 1982 and has become a symbol of success among sedan enthusiasts worldwide.

The Camry Hybrid Electric Vehicle – Sprint Edition features a dual-tone exterior with a matte finish black-out tape on the engine hood, roof and trunk for a sporty look. It comes with new matte black alloy wheels, an exclusive Sports Kit (optional) that includes a front body kit, rear body kit and a rear spoiler, giving the vehicle an assertive and aerodynamic stance. Door warning lamps and ambient lighting as options for enhanced safety and interior refinement.

Varinder Wadhwa, Vice-President – Sales-Service-Used Car Business, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “At Toyota Kirloskar Motor, our customer-centricity continues to guide our evolution, in line with the changing aspirations of today’s consumers. The Camry Sprint Edition reflects this approach – with a refreshed sporty character, highlighted by eye-catching dual-tone styling, bold black matte alloy wheels and an exclusive Sports Kit that lends the vehicle an agile stance and commanding road presence. With this new variant, we are confident that the Sprint Edition will resonate with modern consumers and fortify Toyota’s commitment to sustainable mobility.”

Under the hood, the Sprint Edition is powered by a 2.5L Dynamic Force Engine paired with an e-CVT transmission and a high-capacity lithium-ion battery. This system delivers 169 kW (230 PS) of total output and has a claimed fuel efficiency of 25.49 kmpl. The vehicle also includes a suite of advanced safety features with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, such as a Pre-Collision System, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and 9 SRS airbags. The hybrid battery comes with an eight year or 160,000 km warranty.

The Camry Sprint Edition is available in 5 dual-tone colours, including Emotional Red & Matte Black and Platinum White Pearl & Matte Black.

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Mumbai-headquartered automotive major Mahindra & Mahindra has unveiled its new modular, multi-energy NU_IQ platform, which it shared will serve as the foundation for a new generation of SUVs set to enter production from 2027.

The company has previewed the platform’s capabilities through four concept vehicles – Vision.S, Vision.T, Vision.SXT and Vision.X – which it claims will ‘disrupt’ the premium SUV space in both domestic and international markets.

The NU_IQ platform has been engineered to deliver flexibility across multiple vehicle types and markets. It can accommodate a range of body styles (top hats), different powertrains including internal combustion engines and electrified systems, as well as both front- and all-wheel-drive layouts. It is also designed for global deployment, supporting both right-hand-drive and left-hand-drive configurations.

Whilst, the complete product specifications are set to be announced closer to the launch, Mahindra has given a glimpse of what one can expect from the platform. These includes–

• Command seating paired with optimised driving dynamics for comfort and control
• Flat-floor architecture, enabling what Mahindra says will be the first production flat-floor ICE SUV
• Lightweight structure meeting stringent safety standards
• Generous cabin space with class-leading boot capacity
• Next-generation integrated domain electronics architecture (NU_UX) for advanced connectivity and user experience

The company shared that the platform has been developed to remove compromises typically faced by SUV buyers, offering premium features in a wider range of models.

R Velusamy, President – Automotive Business (Designate), Mahindra & Mahindra, and Managing Director, Mahindra Electric Automobile said, “NU_IQ is a strategic blueprint for the future of Mahindra SUVs globally. With its modular, multi-energy architecture, it gives us the flexibility to innovate across multiple top hats and powertrains whilst staying true to our SUV DNA. Designed to resolve paradoxes, NU_IQ forms the foundation for our next generation of SUVs. It marks a bold step and the start of a new era that frees customers from compromises and puts truly desirable, premium core SUVs squarely in the mainstream.”

The four concept models also mark the evolution of Mahindra’s ‘HEARTCORE’ design philosophy, created jointly at the Mahindra India Design Studio (MIDS) in Mumbai and Mahindra Advanced Design Europe (MADE) in Banbury, UK.

Pratap Bose, Chief Design & Creative Officer – Auto & Farm Sectors, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “The NU_IQ SUVs, designed at our Global Design studios in Mumbai and Banbury, represent the start of a new chapter of our HEARTCORE design philosophy. They build on the central tenet that great design should create an emotional bond between people and their vehicles while re-imagining it for a new future. Based on the theme ‘Opposites Attract’, where the juxtaposition of contrasting elements creates an expressive new design language, these concepts promise to shape experiences that inspire adventure, confidence, and connection on any terrain, anywhere in the world.”

Each concept reflects a distinct personality – from the ‘Born Iconic’ ethos of the Vision.T and Vision.SXT to the ‘Sporty Solidity’ of the Vision.S and the ‘Sculptural Athleticism’ of the Vision.X. All four have been engineered at Mahindra Research Valley in Chennai.

Global Play

Mahindra plans to introduce production versions of these vehicles starting in 2027, with a strategy to target both domestic and export markets. The company is positioning these SUVs in the premium segment, aiming to redefine the customer experience in India while also expanding into left-hand-drive markets overseas.

Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO – Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Executive Director, Mahindra Electric Automobile, said, “NU_IQ blends innovation, global design and advanced technology to disrupt the white spaces in the automotive industry in India and internationally across Right-and-Left-Hand-Drive markets. The four concepts we are showcasing here offer a bold preview of what’s to come. They usher in a new no-compromise era of mobility and give freedom a new meaning.”

With the NU_IQ platform, Mahindra is signalling a significant shift in its approach to product development, combining modular engineering, scalable technology and a global design language to address evolving consumer demands. The company’s 2027 roll-out is expected to be one of its most ambitious launches yet, marking its intent to strengthen its standing both at home and abroad.

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Mahindra has unveiled a new, highly limited edition of its BE 6 Electric Origin SUV, drawing inspiration from Christopher Nolan's acclaimed The Dark Knight Trilogy. 

In a collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, the automaker has created a 300-unit limited-run vehicle that is being positioned as a unique collector's item, merging a passion for cinema with cutting-edge electric mobility and is priced at INR 2.77 million.

The BE 6 Batman Edition is far more than a simple re-badge. It is a meticulous reinterpretation of the vehicle, designed to evoke the aural and visual essence of the Caped Crusader's world. This special edition features an exclusive Custom Satin Black finish, complemented by Alchemy Gold-painted suspension and brake calipers, which provide a striking contrast and a touch of luxury. The Bat emblem, as seen in The Dark Knight Trilogy, is discreetly yet pervasively incorporated throughout the vehicle, from the hub caps and front quarter panels to the rear bumper and an illuminated 'Infinity Roof'. Even the welcome lights project the iconic symbol onto the ground.

Pratap Bose, Chief Design & Creative Officer at Mahindra & Mahindra, said, "The BE 6 has always been about boldness and forward thinking. With the Batman Edition, we wanted to go further — to create something so personal, so visually arresting, that owning it feels like owning a piece of cinematic history. We’ve obsessed over even the smallest detail, so that every time you look at it, you discover something new.”

Inside, the exclusivity continues with a brushed Alchemy Gold plaque on the dashboard, individually numbered to highlight the car's rarity. The cabin is upholstered in suede and leather with gold sepia accent stitching and an integrated Bat emblem, creating a rich and tactile experience. Gold accents are also found on the steering wheel, in-touch controller, and the custom key fob. For a truly immersive experience, the car features a Batman Edition welcome animation on the infotainment display and even custom Batman-inspired exterior engine sounds.

Vikram Sharma, Senior Vice-President at Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, APAC, said, “Batman is more than a pop-culture icon – he represents innovation, resilience, and an unyielding drive to push boundaries. This collaboration brings that spirit to the road in a bold, electric way. With this limited-edition range, fans in India can now experience the thrill of Batman every time they drive. It’s a collector’s statement on wheels.”

The BE 6 Batman Edition is based on the top-of-the-range 79 kWh variant, ensuring that its performance is as impressive as its styling. Bookings for this highly sought-after vehicle will open on 23 August, with deliveries beginning on 20 September, in a nod to International Batman Day. This limited-run SUV is not merely a mode of transport; it is a tangible piece of pop culture history, reserved for those who want a story behind their steering wheel.

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Renault India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has inaugurated its new’R store in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh un,der its ‘renault. rethink.’ transformation strategy.

Francisco Hidalgo, Vice-President Sales & Marketing, Renault India, said, "Andhra Pradesh is a priority market for us with the encouraging response our products have received in the state. The opening of the new’R store in Vijayawada is a step forward in scaling up our business expansion under the renault. rethink. strategy, which focuses on delivering outstanding customer experiences while showcasing Renault’s global brand values tailored to local aspirations. As we continue to expand our footprint, we intend to set new benchmarks in automotive retail.”

The new facility is spread across 21,720 sqft, with a total showroom area of 5,400 sqft, with a dedicated five car display and delivery bay area.  

The new’R store features Renault's New Visual Identity (NVI), featuring a sleek black façade and an updated logo designed in line with global standards.

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