The iconic red walls along the Judges Court Road in Kolkata, which once housed the famed Alipore Central Correctional Home, recently welcomed hundreds of visitors to marvel at the sight of classic and vintage cars and bikes.

The century-old establishment once again served as host to the Vintage and Classic Car and Bike Show organised by Classic Drivers Club (CDC), which entered into its second edition. The show is also recognised by the Federation International des Vehicules Anciens, which is the worldwide federative association of historic automobile clubs.

As the Sunday crowd stepped through the towering doors of this renowned symbol of societal order and rehabilitation, eager for a glimpse into the lives of inmates, their eyes were drawn to the vibrant signage that read, ‘The Alipore Museum & Classic Drivers Club Presents The Vintage & Classic Car & Bike Show.’

As one entered the courtyard through the gate, their eyes were immediately drawn to a stunning display of vehicles—cars elegantly arranged in a semi-circle on the left and bikes lined up neatly in the center. To the right, another delightful sight awaited, captivating both seasoned car enthusiasts and the young, eager crowd.

The excitement didn’t end there. As one walked past the exhibits on the right, another collection of motorcycles came into view. Stepping back and entering a side lane that led to a former jail storage space, visitors were greeted by a line-up of classic cars, featuring icons such as the Hindustan Motors Ambassador, Contessa and Willys MB.

The corridors were bustling with the murmur of the crowd that crossed the 6,000 mark by 3pm. Sound of camera clicking resonated through those thick walls. People from far-off places had come to lay eyes of these historical masterpieces that were still in optimum shape.

A man in his early 70s moved from car to car in a wheelchair, guided by his granddaughter. He paused in front of a 1923 Rolls-Royce 20 HP, lost in nostalgia, while his granddaughter snapped a selfie in front of the magnificent machine.

The automobiles had come from far-off places like Jamshedpur to give a glimpse of history. A total of 89 vehicles were exhibited including 64 cars and 25 motorcycles.

The Ford Model A (1930) and Chevrolet Fleetmaster (1947) stood proudly among the elegant line-up, their gleaming chrome reflecting the soft afternoon sun. Nearby, the Morris Minor (1951) and Austin 7 Ruby (1935) evoked memories of a bygone era, while the unmistakable curves of the Volkswagen Beetle (1958) drew curious onlookers.

As visitors moved through the display, the Rolls-Royce 20 HP (1923) stood as a testament to British luxury, positioned beside the sleek Triumph Spitfire (1963), a symbol of spirited motoring.

The two-wheeler section was just as mesmerising, with the legendary Yamaha RX 100 (1985) capturing the hearts of many, alongside the timeless Royal Enfield Bullet (1960s) and the Italian charm of the Vespa VBA 150 (1956). As the afternoon crowd swelled, nostalgia filled the air, with every turn revealing another masterpiece that had once ruled the roads, now standing as tributes to automotive history.

Speaking to Motoring Trends on the condition of anonymity, a car mechanic responsible for the upkeep of some of the cars said, “It is not easy to maintain these jewels, as original spare parts are hard to find, especially in the classic segment. Moreover, duplicate spare parts have flooded the market, hindering the performance of these powerful machines. I recently sourced a monogram for the owner of a 1962 Ambassador, which was transported from Bengaluru for a whopping INR 15,000 after a six-month search.”

He noted that the cars are taken to the roads at least twice a week and the engines are powered each day to keep them in running condition.

Besides the exhibition, an award ceremony was held at the auditorium to honour the owners, though it was strictly limited to CDC members. The event also included a special programme recognising the unsung craftsmen who work tirelessly behind the scenes to maintain historic vehicles in pristine condition.

As the sun set over the historic walls of Alipore Jail Museum, the echoes of admiration lingered in the air. The event was more than just a showcase; it was a celebration of automotive heritage, craftsmanship and nostalgia. With each gleaming car and roaring bike, the past came alive, reminding everyone of the timeless charm of these mechanical marvels.

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Skoda Auto India has marked its 25th anniversary in the country by re-introducing the Octavia RS in the country but in limited numbers as a Fully-Built Unit (FBU) at INR 4.99 million (ex-showroom).

At the core of the Octavia RS is a 2.0 TSI turbocharged petrol engine, which produces 195 kW (265) of power and 370 Nm of torque. Paired with a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission, the car accelerates from zero to 100 kmph in just 6.4 seconds, with a top speed limited to 250 kmph. It features progressive steering and sports suspension to aid handling.

The model is built on Skoda’s design language, featuring full LED Matrix headlights, LED tail lamps with dynamic indicators and glossy black styling elements. It sits on 19-inch Elias anthracite alloy wheels. On the inside, the cabin features Suedia/Leather upholstery with red contrast stitching, Sports front seats (with electric adjust, memory, heating and massage functions) and a virtual cockpit.

The Octavia RS is equipped with Skoda’s latest ADAS suite, which includes Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Assist and Intelligent Park Assist. Safety features are further enhanced with 10 airbags and a 360deg Area View camera.

The Octavia was Skoda’s first car in India in 2001. The RS variant first arrived in 2004 as the first turbocharged petrol engine passenger car in the country. The new launch is a symbol of Skoda’s commitment to combining legacy with performance in the Indian market.

Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Skoda Auto India, said, “The response to the Octavia RS has been phenomenal. This iconic model has truly ignited the passion of driving enthusiasts across India, reinforcing the cult status that Octavia RS enjoys globally. As we celebrate 25 remarkable years of Skoda Auto in India, our commitment to delivering world-class cars remains stronger than ever. The RS badge symbolises more than just performance. It represents the emotional connection and trust our customers have in the Skoda brand. We are excited to welcome a new generation of enthusiasts into the Skoda family and continue building on the strong legacy and fandom that defines our brand in this market.”

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In a special event held at its facility in Neuburg an der Donau, Audi officially presented the FC Bayern Munich football squad with their new company cars for the upcoming season. The players had the opportunity to choose from a comprehensive selection of the brand’s latest fully electric and hybrid models, reflecting a diverse range of personal preferences and needs.

Team captain Manuel Neuer and several of his colleagues opted for the Audi Q8 SUV TFSI e quattro, while Alphonso Davies, Jamal Musiala and Michael Olise selected the high-performance, all-electric RS e-tron GT. Other choices included the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron for young talent Tom Bischof and the spacious, seven-seat Audi Q7 SUV S line TFSI e quattro for Joshua Kimmich, catering to his family requirements.

The vehicle handover was part of a broader, action-packed day for the stars. They participated in the Audi driving experience, testing their skills on dynamic handling courses where the Audi RS e-tron GT performance was a particular source of excitement. The agenda also featured an exclusive look at the Audi F1 Project, offering the team a rare behind-the-scenes tour. They visited the assembly workshop for V6 hybrid engines, observed the dynamic simulator, Mission Control Room, and saw the engine test benches, gaining a deeper understanding of the sophisticated technology that powers the future of Formula 1.

Adding to the significance of the day, 100 Audi employees, chosen through an internal competition, were given the chance to meet the football stars. For 16 of these employees, the experience was especially memorable as they had the honour of personally presenting the players with the keys to their new vehicles, creating a unique and lasting connection between the automotive brand and the celebrated team.

Marco Schubert, Member of the Board for Sales and Marketing at Audi AG, said, “It’s great to see how enthusiastic the players are about driving our flagship electric models. It shows just how emotionally engaging electric mobility can be. The FC Bayern players chose vehicles that impressively reflect the diversity of our range – from the compact Q4 e-tron series to the powerful Audi Q8 SUV TFSI e quattro and sporty RS e-tron GT performance. Everyone found a model that was right for them.”

Jan-Christian Dreesen, CEO, FC Bayern, said, “The handover of vehicles from Audi to FC Bayern is a longstanding tradition that reflects our dependable partnership and is always a special event for our players. After 23 successful years together, we continue to pursue the same ambitious goals and spur each other on to peak performance. That connects us on and off the field! In this day and age, such a long-term partnership is not commonplace, and we all truly value it.”

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Nissan Motor India has expanded its CNG retrofitment programme to include the new Nissan Magnite BR-10 EZ-Shift (AMT). This, the company shared, follows customer response to the programme, which was launched earlier this year for the Manual Transmission (MT) variant.

The government-approved CNG retrofitment is available for the Magnite with the 1.0 litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and comes with a 3-year or 100,000 km warranty.

In response to customer feedback, the company has also introduced an integrated fuel-filling system where the CNG filling valve is now located within the standard fuel-filling lid.

Nissan is offering the CNG retrofitment kit at an MRP of INR 71,999, a price resulting from the recent GST rate reduction from 28 percent to 18 percent. This price has been effective since 22 September 2025 and remains unchanged despite the upgrade.

The retrofitment kit is available across 13 states in India through authorised Nissan retrofitment centres. The programme was initially launched across seven states and has since expanded to six more, including Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Tamil Nadu.

Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India, said, “We are delighted to take another step forward in our CNG journey with the expansion of the retrofitment program to the New Nissan Magnite BR10 EZ-Shift (AMT). This agile and quick development reflects our continued focus on customer needs, combining Nissan’s engineering excellence with affordability and convenience. The new fuel-lid integration and reduced kit price make the ownership experience even more seamless and rewarding. We remain committed to offering practical, value-driven mobility solutions that enhance customer satisfaction and strengthen our brand’s trust.”

The New Nissan Magnite is also offered with a 10-year Extended Warranty Plan and has a 5-star rating in overall passenger safety from GNCAP.

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Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPV), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced the inclusion of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) technology across its Nexon lineup, which was also the top-selling model in the country last month.

The Nexon SUV was the first car in the country to receive a 5-star safety rating and holds dual 5-star ratings from both GNCAP and BNCAP. The addition of ADAS features is intended to offer a higher level of safety.

 Tata Motors has introduced the exclusive Red Dark edition, available in petrol, diesel and CNG powertrains, starting at INR 1.24 million. The ADAS features are included in the new Fearless +PS DCA ADAS persona, priced at INR 1.35 million (ex-showroom, Pune).

The new Red #DARK edition pricing (ex-showroom, Pune) is as follows: Petrol MT at INR 1.24 million, Petrol DCA with ADAS INR 1.38 million, CNG MT at INR 1.33 million, Diesel MT at INR 1.35 million and Diesel AMT at INR 1.41 million.

The ADAS suite offers safety technologies that are designed to enhance driver awareness and help prevent potential collisions. Key features include: Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR), High Beam Assist (HBA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Centering System (LCS).

Vivek Srivatsa, Chief Commercial Officer, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, said, “Since its debut in 2017, the Nexon has redefined the SUV segment with its bold design, thrilling performance, and uncompromised safety. As India’s first car to pioneer the safety revolution, the Nexon has set new benchmarks in vehicle safety. Building on this strong foundation, the Nexon has become the No. 1 selling car in India in September 2025 — a major milestone that reflects the trust and preference of customers across the country. As part of this celebration, we are introducing the Red #DARK Edition and expanding the Nexon portfolio with advanced safety technologies. With a wide range of powertrains, segment-leading features, and striking styling, the Nexon continues to cater to every lifestyle. The recent GST amendments further strengthen its value proposition, making it the unanimous choice of Indian customers. This milestone reinforces our commitment to delivering products that embody progress, performance, and purpose, while evolving to meet the aspirations of modern Indian customers.”

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