JSW MG Motor India today announced that the MG Majestor, India’s first D+ segment SUV, has successfully conquered Mount Japfü, the second-highest peak in Nagaland. Situated in the Barail Range near Kohima, Mount Japfü is known for its extreme off road trails, rich biodiversity, panoramic views, and for being home to the world’s tallest rhododendron tree.
As part of advanced testing and validation trials, the MG Majestor navigated steep inclines, rocky trails, narrow forest paths, and constantly changing surfaces, highlighting its off-road capability and terrain management systems. The drive involved sustained manoeuvring across challenging gradients, testing the SUV’s performance in real-world extreme conditions.
Commenting on the achievement, Vinay Raina, Chief Commercial Officer, JSW MG Motor India, said,“ MG has consistently been a trend setter in the Indian market, introducing products that redefine expectations in their respective segments. With the MG MAJESTOR, we are introducing the D+ segment — a new space for big, capable SUVs built to handle real-world conditions. The climb to Mount Japfü highlighted the MAJESTOR’s engineering, showcasing its capability, control, and readiness for some of India’s toughest terrains. During our trial runs, the MG MAJESTOR dominated the challenging off road terrains, reflecting the depth of engineering, rigorous testing, and capability that has gone into developing India’s first D+ segment SUV for real-world driving conditions.”
The expedition was supported by the Kohima Adventure Motorsports Club (KAMC), whose expertise and understanding of the region’s demanding terrain played a key role in enabling the drive. The MG engineering team was also present during the drive, using the opportunity to closely evaluate different drive modes, traction behaviour, and overall off-road dynamics across varied terrain profiles.
Commenting on the expedition, Seyievilie Metha, President of the Kohima Adventure Motorsports Club said,“Mount Japfü is a demanding climb with steep gradients, loose surfaces, and narrow trails that test both driver skill and vehicle capability. Our group has years of experience navigating some of the toughest terrains in and around Nagaland, and we know how unforgiving these conditions can be. The MG MAJESTOR handled the ascent with confidence, maintaining control and stability throughout the climb. Its ability to manage difficult terrain so effectively reflects strong engineering and a clear focus on real-world off-road performance.”
The successful ascent of Mount Japfü reinforces JSW MG Motor India’s approach to developing vehicles that are engineered and validated beyond controlled environments. Ahead of its unveil on February 12, 2026, this milestone underlines the MG Majestor’s positioning as India’s first D+ segment SUV. With its longest, widest, and tallest dimensions, the MG Majestor will redefine the regular D segment and set to dominate some of the country’s toughest landscapes.
On Sunday, February 1, all roads led to The Lake Club as the EIMG Concours d’Elegance 2026 set the City of Joy on fire with a bevy of scintillating and exotic vehicles which took part in this annual heritage extravaganza.
Now in this fifth edition, the event was organised by Eastern India Motoring Group (EIMG), a community of serious heritage vehicle collectors & restorers, in collaboration with The Lake Club and in association with ACE Commercial. With the majestic Rabindra Sarobar in the backdrop and clear blue sky above, the sprawling green lawn of The Lake Club will make for the perfect setting for a memorable rendezvous with motoring heritage.
The EIMG Concours d’Elegance is the brainchild of EIMG Founder & President Mr. Shrivardhan Kanoria who felt the need of gifting the City of Joy with an international standard Concours that would go on to rival the best in the world. With every passing year, the EIMG Concours has been gaining in stature and reputation attracting application from hundreds of serious heritage vehicle restorers and collectors from across eastern India. Kanoria himself meticulously handpicked the final entries of the EIMG Concours from the vast pool of applications received. The competition has been becoming more and more tough each year with the very best of the best locking horns for the top honours.
Mr. Shrivardhan Kanoria was the Chief Judge of the EIMG Concours d’Elegance 2026. He was joined by a panel of expert judges which included Mr. Avik Naha, Mr. Shubhajit Kumar and Mr. Swapan Kumar Lahiri. The heritage vehicles were judged on the basis of authenticity, restoration, maintenance, provenance, rarity and personal connection with the owner. An iconic name in the heritage vehicle fraternity Mr. Nitin G, Dossa, Founder, Director & Chairman of VCCCI and Chairman of WIAA graced the Prize Distribution Ceremony as the Guest of Honour.
The icing on the cake at this year’s EIMG Concours was the line-up of beautiful and rare Rolls-Royces which adorned the club lawns like spectacular jewels. Keeping the Rolls-Royces company was a century-old 1925 AC Royal owned by Yogesh Agarwalla – a very popular Kolkata car which has been participating in rallies since 1968.
Another highlight at the EIMG Concours 2026 was the showcase of a rare and historical Jaguar E-Type owned by Mr. Dharmaditya (Julia) Patnaik which has been completely resurrected by Concourz Restorations.
A 1938 Rolls-Royce 25/30 owned by Avik Naha made its third consecutive appearance at the EIMG Concours d’Elegance. This stunningly beautiful car won The Best of Show at the 2024 Concours d’Elegance at The Lake Club.
The 1948 Plymouth Special Deluxe once driven by legendary singer and composer Hemanta Mukhopadhyay and now owned by Swapan Kumar Lahiri was another beauty on display at the EIMG Concours. The Lahiri family bought this car in the early 1970s and thoroughly restored it. Fondly referred to as ‘Nilu’, the car is meticulously maintained till date. This car won The Best of Show at last year’s EIMG Concours.
A rare 1948 Bentley Mark VI owned by Azam Monem returned to the EIMG Concours d’Elegance for the second consecutive year. A marvelous car and one-of-its-kind in Kolkata charmed the onlookers. Saurjya Pratim Mitra’s brilliantly restored 1937 Ford 7W10 also returned to the EIMG Concours and attracted admiration and envy in equal measure.
A rare German car Adler manufactured in 1938 proved to be a huge crowd puller. Presently owned by former cop Mr. Gadai Chandra Dey, this car has a fascinating history. It was buried after the owner of the vehicle heard in 1939 that it would be acquisitioned by the American Army for its officers serving the USA during World War II. It was later salvaged in 1965 and completely restored.
A 1963 Triumph Spitfire which was once owned by Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff has always been a popular car in the Kolkata circuit, much like its debonair owner Saikat Dutta. As always, this car turned many heads at this year’s EIMG Concours d’Elegance.
A Ford Anglia whose reference one gets in the writings of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter evoked admiration from young and old visitors alike. Once owned by ace footballer Subhas Bhowmick, this car is presently the prized possession of Amritendu Roy.
Other noteworthy vehicles which were showcased at The Lake Club – EIMG Concours d’Elegance 2026 included a 1937 Rolls-Royce 25/30 owned by The Karnani Family, Avik Naha’s 1948 Rover 14 P2, Siddharth Swarup’s 1947 Wolseley 14, Sarmistha Hazra’s 1965 Hillman Imp, Prithvi Nath Tagore’s 1958 Mercedes-Benz 180 A, a well-maintained 1964 Standard Herald owned by Subhajit Kumar, and Sarojesh Mukerjee’s 1958 Standard Vanguard, just to name a few.
A 1938 Rolls-Royce 25/30 along with a well preserved 1936 Bentley 3.5L belonging to the Shrivardhan Kanoria Collection was also displayed at The Lake Club – EIMG Concours d’Elegance 2026 adding panache and elegance to the event.
The Lake Club has been successfully hosting the Concours d’Elegance in collaboration with EIMG for their members and guests. This event witnessed a great turnout of exotic heritage cars, as well as a huge footfall of both members and outsiders, making it the Best Vintage Motoring Event of Kolkata.
Special thanks to The Lake Club President, Mr. Indranil Ghosh, The Joint Secretaries, Mr. Subrata Guha, Mr. Debabrata Dutta, and all the Committee Members of the Club, for the breathtaking venue, cocktail brunch, and wonderful hospitality. This gesture of Lake Club in collaborating with EIMG has been a big step towards preserving the Motoring Heritage of Eastern India.
A special shout out to EIMG Secretary Mr. Subhajit Kumar for being instrumental in bringing The Lake Club and EIMG together to host this memorable venue. Heartfelt gratitude to EIMG Vice president Mr. Avik Naha for hosting the Concours Dinner for the EIMG Members.
EIMG CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE 2026 RESULTS:
CATEGORY A – CARS BUILT UPTO 1930
BEST IN CLASS – 1928 ESSEX SUPER 6 – SURENDRA KUMAR DUGAR
SECOND IN CLASS – 1929 FIAT 514 C – GAUTAM SUREKA
THIRD IN CLASS – 1930 FORD MODEL A – PARTHA BANIK
CATEGORY B – CARS BUILT FROM 1931 UPTO 1940
BEST IN CLASS – 1934 ROLLS-ROYCE 20/25 – KRISH AJMERA
SECOND IN CLASS – 1932 FORD V8 – DEBAPREM CHATTERJEE & P.S. BASHA
THIRD IN CLASS – 1938 ALDER TRUMPF – GADAI CHANDRA DEY
CATEGORY C – VINTAGE TWO DOOR CARS
BEST IN CLASS – 1937 FORD 7W10 – SAURJYA PRATIM MITRA
SECOND IN CLASS – 1937 OPEL KADETT – P.S. BASHA
THIRD IN CLASS – 1938 AUSTIN 7 – SUSANTA SARDAR
CATEGORY D – CARS BUILT FROM 1941 UPTO 1950
BEST IN CLASS – 1948 ROVER 75 – SAROJESH MUKERJEE
SECOND IN CLASS – 1947 CHEVROLET FLEETMASTER – SAIKAT DUTTA
THIRD IN CLASS – 1948 MORRIS 8 – SHIBABRATA LAHA
CATEGORY E – CARS BUILT FROM 1951 TO 1975
BEST IN CLASS – 1958 MERCEDES-BENZ 180 A – PRITHVI NATH TAGORE
SECOND IN CLASS – 1951 AUSTIN A70 – SUBHODEEP GHOSH
THIRD IN CLASS – 1951 MORRIS MINOR – SUBRATA SARKAR
CATEGORY F – CLASSIC TWO DOOR CARS
BEST IN CLASS – 1948 MGTC – RUPAK GHOSH
SECOND IN CLASS – 1964 FORD ANGLIA – AMRIT ROY
THIRD IN CLASS – 1965 HILLMAN IMP – SARMISTHA HAZRA
CATEGORY G – INDIAN HERITAGE CARS
BEST IN CLASS – 1958 STANDARD VANGUARD – SAROJESH MUKERJEE
SECOND IN CLASS – 1955 STANDARD 10 – INDRA KUMAR GHOSH
THIRD IN CLASS – 1961 FIAT SELECT – MAYUKH RAY
CATEGORY H – TWO WHEELERS
BEST IN CLASS – 1952 BSA B31 – MUBARAQ MASEEH
SECOND IN CLASS – 1947 ARIEL RED HUNTER – HARJIT SINGH DHANJAL
THIRD IN CLASS – 1949 NORTON DOMINATOR – CHANDAN BASU MALLIK
OLDEST CAR AWARD – 1925 AC ROYAL – YOGESH AGARWALLA
OLDEST BIKE AWARD – 1936 JAMES – M.A. MOIN
PRESERVATION AWARD – 1961 MERCEDES-BENZ W110 – ANIRUDHA GHOSE
RESTORATION AWARD – 1957 LAND ROVER S1 – MAKAIBARI TEA
RESURRECTION AWARD – 1930 FORD MODEL A – JATIN PAL SINGH
ADMIRABLE AWARD – 1935 AUSTIN 10 – SUBRATA ROY
JUDGE’S CHOICE AWARD – 1963 TRIUMPH SPITFIRE – SAIKAT DUTTA
SPECIAL CAR AWARD – 1947 WOLSLEY 14 – SIDDHARTH SWARUP
TOURING DELIGHT AWARD – 1949 CHEVROLET FLEETLINE – MAMITA JAISWAL
SPORTY PLAYBOY AWARD – 1974 RANGE ROVER – VIVEKANANDA CHANDA
EPITOME OF ELEGANCE AWARD – 1948 BENTLEY MK VI – AZAM MONEM
HOT RIDE AWARD – 1973 FIAT BARCHETTA REPLICA – SAURABH PODDAR
VASANT KARNANI MEMORIAL AWARD FOR THE THIRD OF SHOW – 1958 MERCEDES-BENZ 180 A – PRITHVI NATH TAGORE
MOMEN SAHAB MEMORIAL AWARD FOR THE SECOND OF SHOW – 1948 BENTLEY MK VI – AZAM MONEM
SHASHI KANORIA MEMORIAL AWARD FOR THE BEST OF SHOW – 1934 ROLLS-ROYCE 20/25 – KRISH AJMERA
Photographs courtesy: Mohammed Adnan Aslam and Yatharth Sheth
Renault India has unveiled the new Renault Duster, marking the return of a nameplate that helped establish the mid-size SUV category in the country.
New Renault Duster marks the first product unveil under Renault Group’s International Game Plan in India, where the brand is prioritising targeted investment and product expansion as part of a broader global strategy.
“As part of the Renault International Game Plan 2027, we are making India a key pillar of our growth outside Europe. We now have a strong ecosystem in Chennai, bringing together design, engineering, manufacturing, and local operations at the highest level – making India one of the most complete and powerful hubs in Renault’s global network. Today, we have the means to fully support our ambitions in India, to better understand customer expectations, and to deliver products truly adapted to this market. The new Renault Duster is the first step in Renault’s renewal in India”, said Fabrice Cambolive, Chief Growth Officer Renault Group & CEO Renault brand.
New Renault Duster is made for India, with close to 90% of the car made specifically for India. It underpins the new Renault Group Modular Platform (RGMP). The platform is ultra-flexible in terms of dimensions, powertrains suited to google automotive system.
New Renault Duster is powered by a full range of powertrain options to access every Indian road and making the “unreachable reachable”. It is powered by a Turbo TCe 160 engine which churns out 163 PS of power and 280 Nm of torque, while Turbo TCe 100 is meant for smart and accessible segment.
New Renault Duster also marks the debut of the strong Hybrid E-Tech 160 engine, powered by 1.8L engine along with a 1.4 kWh battery, making it the most efficient and powerful hybrid, allowing up to 80% EV mode in city drive conditions.
The Turbo TCe 160 and Turbo TCe 100 petrol engines come paired with the 6-speed DCT with wet clutch available with Turbo TCe 160, delivers lightning fast‑ gear shifts for maximum performance and is utmost suitable for Indian driving condition. On the other hand, the 6-speed manual offers precise mechanical control with direct gear engagement for maximum driver command. Both options are engineered to bring out the best in the Duster combining performance, confidence, and driving pleasure.
“With the new Renault Group Modular Platform, Renault brings an advanced hybrid technology and top-tier safety engineering. With Renault Forever program, we also offer our customers a significantly improved ownership experience. New Renault Duster is the start of a renewed product cycle and for an exciting trajectory for Renault in India. Renault is back”, said Stéphane Deblaise, CEO, Renault Group India.
“New Renault Duster marks the rebirth of an icon. It is more than just a bold, authentic SUV; it’s a powerful statement of our design philosophy, meticulously shaped through the seamless collaboration of our design teams in India and in France. Every confident line, every modern and sculpted detail has been crafted to embody the spirit and aspirations of India, while resonating with Duster’s unique DNA”, said Laurens van den Acker, Chief Design Officer, Renault Group.
Customers can pre-book new Renault Duster by purchasing R Pass for INR 21,000. While the price of new Renault Duster will be announced mid-March, customer deliveries will begin in April 2026. The Strong Hybrid E-Tech 160 deliveries to commence during Diwali 2026. New Renault Duster will be offered with seven years warranty for enhanced trust and peace of mind, thanks to Renault Forever programme.
Nissan Motor India Pvt. Ltd. (NMIPL) has appointed Gagan Mangal as Head of Communications, effective January 12, 2026. Based in Gurugram, Mangal will lead communications for NMIPL, reporting to Katherine Zachary, Vice President – International Communications, and working closely with Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director, NMIPL.
Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India said, “We are pleased to welcome Gagan to Nissan Motor India at a pivotal time in our journey. He brings deep automotive communications expertise and a strong understanding of the Indian media landscape. As we accelerate our brand resurgence and prepare for exciting product launches, Gagan’s leadership will be instrumental in strengthening our communications strategy and building a compelling Nissan narrative in India.”
Mangal joins Nissan from Volkswagen India, where he was heading Press and Marketing Communications. A management graduate, he brings over 18 years of extensive experience in corporate communications and marketing, having worked with leading automotive OEMs including Volkswagen and Hyundai.
Throughout his career, Mangal has played a key role in driving integrated communications strategies across product launches, large-scale events, brand strategy and campaigns. In his previous roles, he was responsible for shaping communications strategy, building strong media narratives, and managing relationships with national and regional media.
Gagan Mangal, Head of Communications, Nissan Motor India said, “I am truly excited to join Nissan Motor India at this pivotal moment in its growth and transformation journey. India remains a priority market for Nissan, with significant opportunities to strengthen brand relevance, trust, and customer connection. I look forward to collaborating closely with teams across India and globally to craft a clear, confident, and customer‑centric narrative one that reflects Nissan’s global ambitions while resonating authentically with audiences in India.”
In his new role, Mangal will play a pivotal role in Nissan’s brand resurgence journey in India, supporting upcoming product launches and strengthening the company’s communications and media engagement efforts.
“Gagan brings deep automotive communications expertise and a strong understanding of the Indian media landscape,” said Katherine Zachary, Vice President – International Communications. “We are confident his leadership will be instrumental as Nissan enters an exciting new phase in India.”
Continental Tires, a leading global tyre manufacturer, marked the Indian launch of its new all-terrain product, the CrossContact A/T², with an adventurous Continental Tires’ Track Day at Dot Goa 4X4. With this, the country becomes one of the first few markets globally to introduce this next-generation product, which blends German engineering precision with rugged versatility to ensure a smooth ride across challenging terrains.
The highly anticipated launch of the CrossContact A/T² reiterates Continental’s growing commitment to the Indian market.
“India’s 4×4 vehicle segment is experiencing sharp growth, driven by a growing passion for adventure and long-distance travel. With our ‘In the Market, For the Market’ approach, we continually innovate to meet the demands of Indian road conditions and deliver enhanced driving experiences. The CrossContact A/T² delivers high performance across the diverse terrains and topographies that India offers,” said Samir Gupta, Managing Director, Continental Tires India.
He further added, “India is the first market globally to introduce the CrossContact A/T². This decision is a testament to Continental’s commitment to the Indian market. We remain committed to delivering cutting-edge solutions tailored to our Indian customers.”
CrossContact A/T²: Engineered for Performance. Designed for Adventure
Built for power, performance, and precision, the CrossContact A/T² is engineered for SUVs and 4x4s, offering superior grip across all surfaces: mud, gravel, sand, wet highways or rocky trails. Designed for modern, adventurous lifestyles, it brings a confident on-road feel and unshaken off-road capability. Key Technologies in CrossContact A/T²:
● BlackPaw™ Compound: Adaptive traction tech that maintains elasticity and control across hot, cold, dry, and wet surfaces.
● Self-Cleaning Shoulders: Open tread patterns and stone ejectors dislodge slush, mud, and debris to keep you moving clean and steady.
● Rigid Tread Block Geometry: Reduces hydroplaning and enhances braking efficiency with precisely angled groove design.
● Reinforced Sidewalls: Built tough to resist cuts, abrasions, and trail damage, ensuring long-term durability and control.
On Sunday, December 28, Calcutta Cricket and Football Club (CC&FC) set up a special date with heritage motoring. This winter Sunday morning was made even more charming with the presence of 35 fabulous heritage vehicles, owned by Eastern India Motoring Group (EIMG) members, that were showcased at the CCFC – EIMG Vintage Car Display 2025.
The CC&CC members and their guests were in for a visual treat as Kunal Banerjee’s 1926 Studebaker Erskine, followed by the 1927 Dodge Brothers, 1928 Ford Model A and the 1929 Essex – all three owned by Surendra Dugar, and Partha Banik’s 1930 Ford Model A rounded off the list of the five oldest cars in attendance at the CCFC – EIMG Vintage Car Display 2025.
While Krish Ajmera’s 1934 Rolls-Royce 20/25, 1937 Rolls-Royce 25/30 owned by the Karnani Family, Avik Naha’s 1938 Rolls-Royce 25/30, Azam Monem’s 1948 Bentley Mk VI, 1936 Bentley 3.5L and 1938 Rolls-Royce owned by Shrivardhan Kanoria made jaws drop with awe and admiration.
An enviable sight ensued as one lay their eyes on Swapan Kumar Lahiri’s 1948 Plymouth Special Deluxe, 1947 Chevrolet Fleetmaster & 1963 Triumph Spitfire owned by Saikat Dutta, Sumit Periwal’s 1954 Land Rover S1, 1958 Mercedes-Benz 180A owned by Prithvi Nath Tagore, 1948 MGTC owned by Himanshu Ajmera and Gadai Chandra Dey’s 1938 Alder Trumph.
Other praiseworthy cars showcased at the CCFC – EIMG Vintage Car Display included Shubhajit Kumar’s 1963 Standard Herald, 1937 Ford 7W10 owned by Saurjya Pratim Mitra, Ranajit Gooptu’s 1952 Austin Somerset, 1970 Range Rover owned by Vivekananda Chanda and Ahmed Monem’s 1987 Land Rover Defender.
A thanking giving ceremony followed by a sumptuous beer luncheon wrapped up the last Sunday afternoon of 2025 in great style and elegance.
After a successful 2025 season in which McLaren Motorsport claimed its first FIA World Endurance Championship, returned to the top step of the GT World Challenge Europe podium, and secured GT4 titles in both Britain and Australia, 2026 is set to be an even bigger year as McLaren Motorsport confirms its expanded roster of 16 Factory Drivers — a distinguished and international lineup representing the brand’s competitive racing DNA across leading global GT series.
As an integral element of McLaren Motorsport’s GT racing proposition, the Factory Drivers form part of McLaren’s customer racing programmes globally, while feeding into the development programmes of the GT3, GT4 and Trophy car range.
German racer Marvin Kirchhöfer once again heads the Factory Driver line up, with Briton Dean MacDonald, Benjamin Goethe, Arthur Rougier and Simon Gachet returning. All had strong campaigns last year in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance and Sprint Cup series.
Joseph Loake graduates from the previous Junior Pro category to become a fully-fledged Factory Driver after impressing on his GT debut last year. The 2023 Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award winner previously raced single seaters in the FIA Formula 3 Championship.
The programme has now been streamlined, with the previous Junior Pro and Graduate categories merging to form the McLaren GT3 Junior Driver category. Benefitting from the tutelage of former McLaren Factory Driver, and now McLaren Motorsport Sporting Director, Rob Bell, ten drivers will become GT3 Junior Drivers. DTM driver Ben Dörr returns, as does Josh Rattican, who extends his stay on the programme into a fourth year. 2023 McLaren Trophy Europe champion Tommy Pintos also remains and is joined by 2025 champion Jayden Kelly, who moved into GT3 racing late last year.
Six new members include Garage 59 driver, and overall GT World Challenge Endurance Cup race winner in Barcelona, 27-year-old Monégasque-Italian Louis Prette. He is joined by Garage 59 teammate and recently announced FIA World Endurance Championship driver Tom Fleming. In 2025, the Essex-born Fleming dovetailed his GT World Challenge campaign with a European Le Mans Series programme.
Also in the McLaren factory GT fold for 2026 are James Kell, Mikey Porter, Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer and Zak Meakin. Kell, who has previously raced a 570 GT4 and GT3 EVO McLarens in British GT undertook a combined GT Open and GT World Challenge programme last season. Similarly, Porter raced in both championships for stalwart McLaren Customer Racing team Optimum Motorsport. 2022 GT World Challenge Europe Silver Cup champion Jean Baptiste joins the programme after two years of racing prototypes in the European Le Mans Series Zak Meakin was the 2024 British GT GT4 champion and a 2025 McLaren Trophy Europe race winner.
With both Tommy Pintos and Jayden Kelly on the programme, there is now a very clear progression from the McLaren Trophy one-make championships to becoming full Factory Drivers. Introduced in 2025, the McLaren Trophy Academy will be enhanced this year to provide greater experience to the professional drivers competing in the McLaren Trophy series, as well as drivers of an eligible age. The full line-up of McLaren Trophy Academy drivers will be announced in June.
Giorgio Sanna, Head of Motorsport, McLaren Automotive, “I am really pleased that we have a strong group of drivers making up the Factory Driver programme. Marvin, Dean, Benji, Simon, Arthur and Joseph are all top GT drivers, and it is a credit to our factory roster that we have them onboard. The eight GT3 Junior Driver members are all promising talents coming from McLaren Trophies and GT4 and we will be keeping a close eye on their progress. The renewed McLaren Trophy Academy programme dedicated to the best talent drivers competing in our one make series has the target to be a reference GT drivers development program at global level , 2026 is shaping up to be a very exciting season.”
Rob Bell, Sporting Director, McLaren Automotive, “Once again, we have been able to move the McLaren Motorsport Factory Driver programme up a gear. With an expanded line-up and a clear development focus the future is looks very bright. With Marvin, Benji and Tom racing in WEC this year we can now support a straight-line progression from McLaren Trophy to the peak of GT racing in the World Endurance Championship.”
In the summer of ’24, Eastern India Motoring Group (EIMG), a community of heritage vehicle collectors and restorers organised the inaugural edition of the EIMG Indian Heritage Car Rally. The event made history by becoming India’s first Indian Heritage Car Rally in the Time-Speed-Distance (TSD) format organised under the guidance of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) – the apex body of motor sports in the country.
Fast forward to January 2026, as EIMG jointly with Kolkata Automotive Sports Association (KASA), organised the EIMG Indian Heritage Rally 2026, for the third consecutive year. Around 27 Indian heritage cars participated in this rally making this the biggest event of its kind. The event also received multiple entries from All Lady Teams.
The EIMG Indian Heritage Rally 2026 was flagged off from the Town Hall on Sunday, January 4, 2026 at 10.00 AM. Mr. Debasish Kumar, Honourable MLA & Mayor-in-Council (Kolkata Municipal Corporation) was present at the flag off ceremony as the Chief Guest. He was joined by Mr. Shrivardhan Kanoria, Founder & President (EIMG) and Mr. Swapan Kumar Lahiri, Committee Member (EIMG) who flagged off the bevy of Indian Heritage beauties. The rally covered a distance of around 35 kilometres culminating near Maddox Square. The gala prize distribution was held at Dalhousie Institute that very evening which was followed by cocktail and dinner over camedaririe .
Time stood stand still as the immaculately restored Hindustan Contessa, Hindustan Ambassador Mark I, Fiat 1100D, Fiat Select, Hindustan 14, Fiat Super Select, Hindustan Ambassador Mark III, Contessa Classic, and Maruti 800 among several other notable Indian heritage cars were flagged off against the majestic backdrop of the iconic Town Hall in perhaps India’s only Indian Heritage Rally to be run in the TSD Format under FMSCI.
The EIMG Indian Heritage Bike Ride 2026 was run parallel to this event. Around 17 Indian heritage two-wheelers took part in the ride. Some beautifully restored two wheelers to take part in the EIMG Indian Heritage Bike Ride 2026 included 1986 Yamaha RX100, 1983 Yezdi D250, 1980 Rajdoot 175, and 1995 Yamaha RX135.
The 1952 Hindustan 14 and 1971 Bajaj 150 were the oldest Indian Heritage Car and Bike to take part in this event and successfully complete the route.
This rally is the brainchild of EIMG Secretary Shubhajit Kumar and has been specifically conceived to address the general apathy displayed by other motoring organisations towards the Indian heritage vehicles. The EIMG Indian Heritage Rally 2026 aimed to not only celebrate the timeless charm of Indian heritage automobiles but also paid homage to the enduring spirit of Indian motoring culture. As participants navigated through the scenic route, they not only reminisced about the glory days of automotive design but also embraced the camaraderie that united enthusiasts of all generations.
“In essence, this rally will be much more than just a showcase of Indian heritage cars; it will be a tribute to passion, perseverance, and the enduring bond between man and machine”, said Mr. Shubhajit Kumar, Secretary, Eastern India Motoring Group, the organizers of the EIMG Indian Heritage Rally 2026.
And as the engines roared and the wheels turned, the EIMG Indian Heritage Rally 2026 left an indelible mark on the annals of Kolkata’s motoring history, reminding us all of the timeless allure of Indian heritage automobiles and the joy of the open road.
Results:
Cars manufactured from 1950 to 1974
Winner: 1959 Fiat Super Select owned by P. S. Basha and driven by Sudip Kumar Ghosh and Arindam Ghosh
First Runner Up: 1968 Fiat 1100D owned by Debaprem Chatterjee and driven by Sourajit Dutta and Suvrajit Dutta
Second Runner Up: 1956 Fiat Super Select owned by Nilanjana Cahtterjee and driven by Arman Hussain and Soham Pal
Cars manufactured from 1975 to 2000:
Winner: 1994 Fiat S1 owned by Debaprem Chatterjee and driven by Sekhar Chowdhury and Souradeep Dutta
First Runner Up: 1975 Hindustan Ambassador Mark II owned by Divisha Chatterjee and driven by Debaprem Chatterjee and Prasenjit Roy
Second Runner Up: 1997 Maruti Zen owned by Mubarak Maseeh and driven by Mubarak Maseeh and Raj Kumar Mundra
Best All Lady Team
Winner: 1990 Hindustan Contessa Classic owned Shubhajit Kumar and driven by Anuja Kumar, Sreerupa Sarkar, Jhilik Digpati and Antara Majumder
Oldest Car to Complete the Rally
Winner: 1952 Hindustan 14 owned by Satrajit Mukherjee
Volvo Cars has announced the appointment of Thomas Ingenlath as Chief Design Officer, effective February 1, 2026. The appointment marks the return of one of the most influential designers in the company’s recent history and reinforces Volvo Cars’ leadership in design. Thomas Ingenlath will join the Executive Management Team and lead Volvo Cars’ global design organisation across the product portfolio.
“I am delighted to be returning to Volvo Cars. Design is fundamental to what Volvo stands for. I look forward to working closely with the teams across the company, developing cars that are distinct, relevant and true to the Volvo brand.” says Thomas Ingenlath.
Thomas Ingenlath previously served as Senior Vice President Design at Volvo Cars, where he played a central role in shaping the company’s contemporary Scandinavian design identity and establishing design as a defining element of the brand. More recently, as CEO of Polestar, he led the creation of a design-led, electrified performance brand from its early stages, translating progressive ideas into production vehicles in a highly competitive market.
“Design is one of Volvo Cars’ greatest strengths and will continue to differentiate us in shaping the future of premium, electric mobility,” says Håkan Samuelsson, CEO of Volvo Cars. “Thomas Ingenlath will strengthen our design leadership with his proven experience and vision, ensuring we continue to design cars that reflect our values and resonate with customers around the world.”
Volvo Cars would like to thank Nicholas Gronenthal, who has served as Interim Head of Global Design, for his leadership and contribution during this period and congratulate him on his new appointment as Head of Design Americas.
Emily Cox is the new brand ambassador for Volkswagen. The Austrian actress with Irish-English roots, known from international Netflix productions such as The Last Kingdom and the German comedy series Jerks, stands for versatility and authenticity. In her roles, she embodies multifaceted characters while remaining approachable and down to earth – values that also characterise Volkswagen. This Christmas, she celebrated the world premiere of her latest film in Germany – The Physician 2.
As a Volkswagen brand ambassador, Emily Cox drives a Tayron and tests the spacious SUV in everyday life with her family. Jens Katemann, Head of Communications for the Volkswagen Brand and Brand Group Core, says: “Volkswagen has been accompanying families for generations and stands for reliable mobility. With Emily Cox, we have gained an authentic and down-to-earth brand ambassador who credibly brings our values into everyday life. She embodies exactly what Volkswagen stands for: approachability, openness, and the feeling of being part of our customers’ lives.”
The actress herself associates personal memories with the brand. She says: “Volkswagen was already part of my childhood – our first family car was a Golf. That makes it even more special for me to now drive a vehicle of the brand with my own little family.” Professionally, Emily Cox travels a lot and regularly commutes between Vienna, Berlin and other filming locations. “As a mother, I especially appreciate the safety of a Volkswagen – as well as the generous space and comfort of the Tayron,” she adds.
Currently, Emily Cox stars in the leading role of The Physician 2 (Constantin Film), which premiered in German cinemas on 25 December. She has previously appeared in German-language productions such as Achtsam Morden and Jerks. Her international breakthrough came with the Netflix series The Last Kingdom, where she played the Viking warrior Brida.
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