Mercedes-Benz unveiled its Concept CLA Class, a new electric iteration of the CLA, alongside the latest Gelandwagen and a Mercedes-Maybach ultra-luxury SUV at the Bharat Mobility Expo 2025. Positioned as the electric successor to the CLA, the Concept CLA Class is the first model to feature the Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA). It debuts the brand’s latest operating system, alongside fresh design and technological updates.

The Concept CLA Class previews the latest electric-drive technology from Mercedes-Benz, drawn directly from the Vision EQXX concept. With a claimed range exceeding 750 km and an energy consumption of 12 kWh/100 km, it has been dubbed the "one-litre car for the electric age" in reference to hyper-efficient internal combustion vehicles. The 800V electric architecture supports 250 kW DC fast charging, enabling the vehicle to recharge up to 400 km in just 15 minutes. Two battery variants are available: silicon-oxide anode for higher-spec models and lithium-iron phosphate for entry-level variants. Powering the vehicle is a 235 bhp permanently excited synchronous motor coupled with a 2-speed transmission. Weighing only 110 kg, the powertrain delivers an impressive 93% energy efficiency during long-distance driving.

Built on the MMA platform, the Concept CLA Class is designed primarily for electric drivetrains but also accommodates combustion engines. The vehicle is rear-wheel-drive by default, though the modular platform can be configured for all-wheel-drive. The concept also includes bi-directional charging, enabling vehicle-to-home (V2H), vehicle-to-grid (V2G), and vehicle-to-appliance (V2A) functions, underscoring its potential for smart energy integration.

Inside, the MBUX Superscreen delivers a full-width digital dashboard powered by the new MB.OS operating system. It integrates Google Maps and other embedded apps for a seamless user experience. Notable interior features include digitally visualised AC vents with floating effects and physical control interfaces, dynamic ambient lighting in blue and violet, and sustainable nappa leather upholstery in silver and crystal white. The cabin is also designed with advanced Level 3 Lidar-based autonomous driving capabilities, with over-the-air updates enabling future upgrades to higher levels of autonomy.

A standout safety feature is the Child Presence Detection (CPD) system, which uses cameras and sensors to detect breathing patterns. If a child is left unattended, the system triggers air conditioning, sounds the horn, and issues alerts to mitigate risks in hot weather.

Mercedes-Benz plans to launch the Concept CLA Class in India in 2025. The production model will closely resemble the concept and will offer Indian buyers a preview of the future of luxury electric mobility. Pricing details are yet to be announced.

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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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