Skoda Auto Volkswagen India has become the latest carmaker in the country to have achieved a 5-star Bharat New Car Assessment Program (Bharat NCAP) rating for the Skoda Kylaq SUV. This also makes it the first vehicle by the Group to have been voluntarily assessed and aced the test for both adult and child occupants.

Launched in 2023, by Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), the Bharat NCAP aims to address road traffic fatalities and injuries in the country by improving vehicle safety standards.

The Skoda Kylaq is the brand’s first sub-4 metre SUV especially designed and developed for the Indian market. The Kylaq scored 30.88 points of 32 points in adult occupant protection and 45 points out of 49 points in child occupant protection.

Piyush Arora, Managing Director and CEO, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, said, “Safety is at the heart of our engineering philosophy, and Skoda Kylaq exemplifies this ethos. I’m proud to mention that Kylaq is our first car to participate and receive full 5-star Bharat NCAP rating for adult and child occupants. The 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating for Kylaq highlights our continued focus on creating vehicles that combine world-class safety standards, cutting-edge technology and manufacturing excellence. With the growing demand for safer cars, the Bharat NCAP rating empowers consumers to make informed decisions, ensuring protection for self and family. Equipped with the world-class active and passive safety features across variants, Kylaq has set a new benchmark in the segment. This motivates us to raise the bar even higher for future innovations.”

The Kylaq achieved 15.035 out of 16 points in the frontal offset barrier test for adult occupant protection, demonstrating a stable occupant compartment and footwell. In the side-moving deformable barrier test, it scored 15.840 points out of 16 points. For child occupant protection, Kylaq earned the maximum possible 16 points in the frontal offset barrier test and full 8 points in the side-moving deformable barrier test for 1.5 and 3-year-old children. Furthermore, the vehicle secured maximum points in the recommended child seat assessment and 9 out of 13 points in the vehicle-based assessment.

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Mumbai-headquartered automotive major Mahindra & Mahindra has announced a suite of technology and equipment updates for its Scorpio-N SUV model line-up.

The updates introduce a panoramic sunroof, a 540-degree surround view camera system with a blind view monitor and R18 alloy wheels to select variants.

On the inside, the updated model features a 31.24 cm floating touchscreen infotainment display, a 26.03 cm digital instrument cluster with three display modes, a 65W USB Type-C fast-charging port in the front row and integrated vehicle dynamics displays covering engine data, pitch, roll and g-force metrics.

The Scorpio-N platform continues to offer the G20 TGDi mStallion petrol and D22 mHawk diesel engine options, available with rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations.

Pricing for the updated Scorpio-N range begins at INR 1.36 million for the entry-level Z2 petrol manual variant, with the line-up extending to INR 2.54 million for the top-specification Z8L diesel automatic four-wheel drive version (all prices ex-showroom).

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Japanese automotive company Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has shared an update regarding its upcoming new Pajero SUV launch scheduled for premiere this autumn.

The automaker confirmed that the vehicle combines off-road driving capabilities across weather and road conditions with on-road ride refinement.

The SUV utilises a ladder frame chassis paired with a re-engineered suspension system designed to maintain road-holding performance over uneven surfaces, bumps and terrain impacts. The setup aims to reduce body movement and cabin vibration to support occupant comfort during long-distance driving.

Handling and drive distribution are managed by Mitsubishi Motors' Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) technology. The integrated vehicle dynamics control system manages power output and braking to optimise stability and traction across driving conditions.

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Nissan Motor India (NMIPL), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has entered the India Book of Records for the largest convoy of a single-model four-wheeler to reach Leh. A fleet of 60 Nissan Tekton vehicles completed a 5-day expedition covering more than 700 kilometres to achieve the record.

The drive commenced in Chandigarh at an altitude of 1,053 feet, passed through Manali, Zangla and Shinku La Pass at 16,703 feet and concluded in Leh at 11,480 feet. The SUVs were driven by media representatives and automotive industry participants throughout the route across varying terrain and weather conditions.

Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India, said, “Entering the India Book of Records with the all-new Nissan Tekton is a proud moment for Nissan Motor India and a fitting celebration of our 75-year SUV excellence. While the record is significant, what makes the achievement especially meaningful is what it represents. Sixty Tekton SUVs successfully completed a demanding Himalayan drive, demonstrating the vehicle’s capability, durability and engineering strength in real-world conditions. This milestone reflects Nissan’s commitment to delivering premium SUVs that give customers confidence wherever their journeys take them. It also reinforces our belief in the all-new Tekton as a vehicle engineered to perform across India’s diverse driving environments.”

Manufactured at Renault’s plant in Chennai under its ‘One Car, One World’ production framework, the Tekton is sold in India and for export markets, including the Middle East and Africa. The model line-up features turbocharged engines, integrated Google services and design elements derived from the Nissan Patrol.

The prices for Tekton SUV start at INR 1.04 million for the Turbo T160 line and INR 1.49 million for the Turbo T280 line (ex-showroom). Retail bookings are open across digital channels and dealerships, with customer deliveries having commenced on 20 July 2026.

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American hypercar manufacturer Hennessey Special Vehicles has revealed its latest offering, the Blackbird, a naturally aspirated, manual-transmission hypercar. The model serves as the company's third hypercar following the Venom GT and Venom F5.

The Blackbird features design elements inspired by the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird aircraft, including a body-side chine line and active vertical rear stabilisers that deploy at 71 mph (115 kmph) at angles of +/- 71 degrees. Additional exterior detailing includes a quad-exhaust system referencing the Bell X-1 aircraft, Formula One-style side pods and LMP1-inspired winglets.

It is powered by a 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine developed in partnership with Ilmor Engineering. Hennessey targets an output of 800 to 850 horsepower and an engine speed exceeding 9,000 rpm. The powertrain pairs with a six-speed gated manual transmission and rear-wheel drive, targeting a zero to 60 mph (96 kmph) acceleration time of 2.5 seconds and a top speed of 220 mph (354 kmph).

The Blackbird is built on a bespoke carbon-fibre tub with carbon-fibre bodywork, targeting a dry weight of under 1,360 kg (3,000 lbs). The chassis utilises an inboard suspension architecture with adaptive dampers, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, traction control and anti-lock brakes. The cabin excludes digital screens, utilising a central analogue tachometer, physical controls, hidden smartphone integration and storage space accommodating two carry-on bags alongside rear-quarter and in-cabin compartments.

Production is limited to 71 units globally, priced from USD 2.5 million before taxes, with assembly taking place in Texas. Customer deliveries are planned for 2029–2030 following the conclusion of Venom F5 production.

John Hennessey, Founder and CEO, Hennessey, said, “Blackbird isn’t just the next chapter in the Hennessey story, it represents the beginning of a new book. Our third hypercar, Blackbird, is unexpected by design, yet it’s exactly what I wanted to create and what our customers have been asking for. Challenging expectations has always been part of our DNA. From the beginning, Blackbird was guided by a simple idea: to deliver an analogue experience where beauty and drama define every moment. This is not a numbers car. We set out to create an unparalleled emotional experience, from the first time you see it to the moment you take the wheel and feel the connection between driver and machine.”

Nathan Malinick, Director of Design, Hennessey, said, “Beauty is not a byproduct, it must be intentional. With Blackbird, every decision our team made, inside and out, was guided by our vision to create the ultimate touring hypercar: one that strikes a perfect balance between elegance and aggression, beauty and purpose, inspiring people to fall in love at first sight. As Hennessey’s third hypercar, Blackbird represents the next evolution of our design DNA and the incredible work of an entire team committed to creating something truly timeless.”

Angela Edgar, Vice-President of Lubricants Marketing, Pennzoil, said, “Pennzoil and Hennessey have built a longstanding relationship rooted in a shared passion for engineering excellence and pushing the limits of what’s possible. The all-new Blackbird is another exciting milestone in that journey. We’re proud to support Hennessey’s relentless pursuit of innovation with advanced lubricant technology engineered to help protect high-performance engines and deliver lasting performance. Together, we’re proving that exceptional engineering and engine longevity go hand in hand.”

Brycen Hicklin, Senior Designer, Hennessey, said, “The Blackbird interior delivers a cockpit worthy of its name. Thoughtfully balancing mechanical tactility with refined luxury, it serves to elevate the driver and passenger experience. Every interaction rewards the driver with an authentic connection to the machine, while exceptional comfort and generous luggage capacity encourage long journeys without compromise.”

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