Team MRF Tyres has won the final round of European Rally Championship 2024 at the Rally of Silesia, Poland. Andrea Mabellini and Virginia Lenzi (ITA) steered the team to victory, participating in Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, and became the eighth different winner of the eight round 2024 FIA European Rally Championship.

Mabellini's maiden European career triumph was made possible by the exceptional performance of the Italian crew, who was placed second in the last championship round at the JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion. As the first Italian to win a European rally outside of Italy in 13 years, this is a noteworthy outcome. With this outcome, Mabellini concluded the season in fourth position, just a few points below third place, and made a substantial contribution to Team MRF Tyres' second-place finish in the rankings.

As the only driver to fight two-time European champion and former WRC driver Hayden Paddon, Mabellini was in the running from the beginning, finishing second in the opening show stage. After a fierce duel that lasted down to the tenths of a second, Mabellini's triumph on SS11 on Day 2 marked a turning point and put him in the lead. The pivotal moment came three stages from the finish: following a largely dry rally, the rain and shifting weather conditions made tyre selection extremely important. Mabellini showed maturity by driving with both speed and precision while Team MRF Tyres made no mistakes. By the finish, he had increased his advantage from a slim 1.9-second cushion to 18.3 seconds.

Amaury Molle (B) and Alex Dubois (FRA) of Team MRF Tyres also finished in Katowice with their Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo. After an accident at the Barum Czech Rally Zlín two months ago, the Belgian driver returned and showed steady performance. Molle fought hard to restore confidence and consistency, achieving outstanding times, including sixth on SS11, despite the extremely unpredictable circumstances.

Mabellini said, “I’m extremely happy. I want to thank Team MRF Tyres for believing in me from the start. We’ve worked hard together, and achieving this result is a huge satisfaction for all of us. A big thanks also to Virginia, who understands me perfectly, guides me, and without whom I wouldn’t be able to give my best, and to everyone who supported us from Italy. It’s been an incredible weekend, a season finale to remember. We’re enjoying this moment.”

Molle said, “It’s been a weekend full of positives. I know it will take time to fully regain my rhythm and the confidence to push at 100 percent, but I felt a great connection with the car, and Alex and I did a good job, improving stage by stage. We made a small mistake on the final stage but that doesn’t change our outlook on the weekend’s result. Thanks to Team MRF Tyres for this opportunity; now we have the winter to prepare and focus on our 2025 season.”

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Italian superbike maker Ducati India has launched the 2026 Multistrada V4 Rally, a motorcycle built for long-distance travel and off-road use at pricing starting INR 3.24 million for the Ducati Red variant and INR 3.27 million for the Jade Green version.

The V4 Rally features a 30-litre fuel tank, a suspension system with 200 mm of travel and an electronics suite. It is powered by a 1,158 cc V4 Granturismo engine, producing 170 hp and 123 Nm of torque. Ducati has engineered the motorcycle with maintenance intervals of 60,000 km for valve clearance checks and 15,000 km or 24 months for oil services.

Bipul Chandra, Managing Director, Ducati India, said, "The 2026 Multistrada V4 Rally represents the very essence of Ducati's adventure touring philosophy combining cutting-edge technology, exceptional performance and outstanding long-distance comfort in one motorcycle. India has witnessed a growing community of riders embracing adventure touring and exploring diverse terrains across the country. With the launch of the new Multistrada V4 Rally, we are delighted to offer them our most capable adventure motorcycle yet, engineered to inspire limitless exploration while delivering the unmistakable Ducati riding experience on every journey."

The 2024 Multistrada V4 Rally features semi-active Marzocchi Adaptive Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS) EVO strategy includes automatic preload management and an Automatic Lowering Device.

The braking system features Bosch-Brembo ABS 10.3ME Cornering unit with front and rear braking strategies, supported by a 280 mm rear disc. The motorcycle includes the Ducati Vehicle Observer (DVO) algorithm to refine traction and wheelie control, alongside a radar suite for adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection and forward collision warning.

It also gets Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) 2.0 controls system uses an angular position sensor on the gear shift drum.

The design includes a windshield that is 40 mm wider and 20 mm taller than previous iterations. Passenger comfort is supported by repositioned pannier mounts and a redesigned centre stand. The dashboard consists of a 6.5-inch colour TFT screen with navigation support via the Ducati Connect app.

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Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, has added a new variant to its popular Passion 100cc motorcycle line-up – the Passion+ Disc at INR 84,128 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The Passion+ Disc is available in four dual-tone colour options: Heavy Grey, Nexus Blue, Dark Industrial Grey and Pearl Red. It features a 100cc BS-VI and OBD-2 compliant engine that delivers 5.9 kW of power and 8.05 Nm of torque. The motorcycle features Hero’s i3S (Idle Stop-Start System) technology and is rated for a fuel efficiency of 71 kmpl. A key update for this variant is the inclusion of a front disc brake.

The motorcycle comes with a digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth integration with SMS and call alerts, LED projector headlamp and side stand indicator with an engine cut-off function.

The motorcycle features a revised design with a digital dashboard and a seating posture intended for city use. Practical additions for riders include a utility case for storage and an integrated USB charging port.

Ashutosh Varma, Chief Business Officer – India Business Unit, Hero MotoCorp, stated: “The launch of the all-new Passion+ Disc further strengthens Passion’s legacy as one of India’s most trusted and iconic motorcycle brands. With its refreshed styling, advanced digital features, enhanced safety through front disc brake and trusted fuel efficiency, the Passion+ Disc offers a compelling package for today’s discerning consumers.”

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Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI), one of the leading two-wheeler manufacturers, has expanded its premium retail footprint with the opening of a new BigWing dealership in Sector-10, Noida. The facility is intended to improve local access to the brand’s premium motorcycle range.

The BigWing outlet is designed as an environment for customers exploring Honda’s mid-size and premium motorcycle models up to 750 cc. The dealership offers a range of services intended to support the entire ownership lifecycle, including product consultation from experts, access to the premium portfolio & genuine motorcycle accessories and comprehensive aftersales maintenance and service facilities.

This opening is part of Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India’s broader strategy to grow its BigWing network across India.

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Norton Motorcycles has officially begun production of its new Atlas model range at TVS Motor Company’s manufacturing facility in Hosur, India. The first units were marked by a roll-out ceremony on 24 June 2026, attended by Dr Sutapa Choudhury, British Deputy High Commissioner.

This production milestone precedes the global launch of the Atlas and Atlas GT scheduled for next month, with customer deliveries expected to commence later in Q3 of 2026.

The new Atlas range is designed and engineered at Norton’s headquarters in Solihull, UK. Both models are powered by the same 585cc liquid-cooled parallel twin with a 270-degree firing order. The chassis is built uses lightweight steel trellis frame, while electronics in the motorcycle include Bosch six-axis IMU, lean-sensitive rider aids, five configurable rider modes, cornering cruise control, 8-inch TFT display and smartphone connectivity. The motorcycles get fully adjustable KYB suspension.

The Atlas is configured for all-terrain use with a 19-inch front wheel, while the Atlas GT features 17-inch wheels at both ends, prioritising on-road performance.

The decision to manufacture the Atlas range in Hosur leverages the industrial infrastructure and supply-chain capabilities of TVS Motor Company, which owns Norton. While Solihull continues to focus on the production of the Manx R superbike, the Hosur plant provides the necessary scale for the brand's entry into the competitive middleweight adventure and sport-touring segments.

K N Radhakrishnan, Director and CEO, TVS Motor Company, said, “The first Atlas roll-out at Hosur is a proud moment - one that brings together the best of both Norton and TVS Motor Company: British design and engineering capability with Indian manufacturing excellence, and a shared commitment to quality for customers worldwide.”

Richard Arnold, Executive Director, Norton Motorcycles, added, “The Atlas name is emblematic of an era when motorcycling was synonymous with adventure. We are proudly carrying that legacy forward with a line-up of modern, quintessentially British adventure motorcycles.”

The Atlas range is scheduled for introduction in the Indian market later in the year. Sales and service will be managed through TVS Paddock, a new premium retail channel set to launch in Q2 FY27, designed to provide a bespoke customer experience tailored to the brand's positioning.

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