drivebuddyAI, a leading provider of AI-powered Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS), has been granted an Indian patent for its invention “A Real-Time Automotive Assistance System and Method for Lane ROI Detection in Vehicle.”
The patented technology introduces an intelligent, automated framework for lane detection that improves the accuracy and reliability of critical ADAS functions while reducing false alerts across diverse real-world driving environments.
As ADAS adoption continues to grow globally, an accurate understanding of the vehicle’s drivable corridor remains essential for safety features such as lane departure warnings, forward collision warnings, headway monitoring, and driver assistance interventions. However, conventional systems are often affected by variations in camera installation, vehicle architecture, road geometry, environmental conditions, and sensor alignment, resulting in inaccurate estimations and inconsistent performance.
drivebuddyAI’s patented technology addresses these challenges through a self-calibrating framework that automatically optimises lane calculations during new installations, software updates, and system reboots, ensuring reliable performance without manual intervention. The new patent covers several innovations, including: ● AI-driven frame validation that selects high-confidence video frames for lane ROI computation. ● Vehicle-specific lane adaptation based on vehicle type and configuration. ● Dual-camera architecture integrating road-facing ADAS with Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS). ● Real-time safety alerts supporting lane departure warning, collision avoidance, and steering assistance. ● Compatibility with Level 2 and Level 3 autonomous driving applications, including Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) and advanced path planning.
Unlike conventional approaches that rely on static calibration settings, drivebuddyAI’s technology continuously validates and optimises lane ROI using real-world driving data, enabling robust performance across inconsistent lane markings, changing road conditions, adverse weather, and diverse vehicle platforms.
The technology has been trained and validated on over 6.4 billion kilometres of real-world driving data, spanning highways, urban roads, rural routes, low-light environments, adverse weather conditions, and complex mixed-traffic scenarios. This extensive dataset enables reliable lane perception in situations where traditional systems frequently underperform.
Commenting on the patent grant, Nisarg Pandya, Founder & CEO, drivebuddyAI, said: “The effectiveness of any ADAS system depends on how accurately it understands the drivable space around the vehicle. This patent is a significant step towards self-calibrating ADAS systems that deliver more reliable safety alerts with minimal manual intervention.”
The technology is particularly valuable for commercial fleets and OEMs operating across diverse geographies and vehicle platforms. By automating lane calibration and enabling continuous optimisation through cloud connectivity and over-the-air (OTA) updates, the solution simplifies deployment, reduces maintenance requirements, and ensures consistent ADAS performance throughout the vehicle lifecycle.
This latest grant further strengthens drivebuddyAI’s growing intellectual property portfolio, which now includes more than 15 patents spanning ADAS, DMS, AI perception, driver risk assessment, driver recognition, real-time safety systems, and intelligent mobility technologies. As the automotive industry transitions toward connected, software-defined, and increasingly autonomous vehicles, drivebuddyAI continues to advance AI-driven safety innovations that make mobility safer, smarter, and more reliable.
Motoring journalist and television presenter Richard Hammond has partnered with automotive diagnostics specialist Carly, to help UK drivers to improve their understanding of issues affecting modern vehicles and learn how to deal with them.
Richard Hammond – a much-loved British television presenter and journalist, well known for co-hosting motoring programmes BBC Top Gear, and The Grand Tour on Amazon Prime, both with Jeremy Clarkson and James May – has a well-regarded and popular car restoration business, The Smallest Cog. He also hosts the TV show Richard Hammond’s Workshop on Discovery+.
Rather than a traditional celebrity endorsement, the collaboration will focus on educational content, practical advice and real-world eventualities that reflect the realities of modern car ownership. Through the partnership, Richard Hammond will explore common vehicle issues, share insights from his own experience and use Carly technology to demonstrate how drivers can gain greater visibility into the health of their vehicles over the length of their ownership.
The association reflects a shared commitment to improving transparency around vehicle maintenance and reducing the uncertainty many drivers face when warning lights appear on the dashboard. By making diagnostic information more accessible and easily understood, Carly’s aim is to help motorists address issues before they lead to more serious and costly repairs.
As part of the partnership, which aims to help UK drivers understand technology behind modern cars, Carly’s compiled the top 5 car issues for a few car brands aged between 2016–2024. Carly’s data reveals that software, sensor, battery voltage and vehicle communication issues are among the most commonly detected problems across some of the UK’s most popular car brands according to the latest SMMT figures (May 2026). This dataset highlights how important it is for drivers to be able to access vehicle diagnostics quickly so they can assess any issues with their cars and take suitable action before repair costs escalate.
Modern vehicles rely on many interconnected control units, sensors and electronic systems. While these technologies improve performance, efficiency and safety, they can also make fault diagnosis much more challenging for drivers. Carly’s latest analysis of millions of diagnostic sessions shows that software-related faults, sensor malfunctions, battery voltage issues and vehicle communication errors are among the most commonly detected problems across popular modern car brands. Frequently detected issues highlighted by this Carly dataset include CAN-BUS communication errors, undervoltage and overvoltage faults, fuel pump and turbocharger sensor faults, and emissions-related issues, including particulate filter and catalyst system faults. See the table below for more detail.
The dataset suggests that while mechanical reliability remains of great importance, many of the most frequently detected issues in today’s vehicles are now linked to electronics, software and communication networks*. Using Carly’s systems to get an early diagnosis of such problems can help drivers address faults before they develop into more costly repairs and avoid unnecessary garage visits.
Carly UK Growth Manager Emma Brown said: “As vehicles continue to become more connected and technologically advanced, access to clear and understandable diagnostic information is becoming increasingly valuable for drivers seeking greater confidence and control over vehicle maintenance. We’re excited to be partnering with Richard Hammond to help bring that message to UK motorists and beyond. By helping drivers identify potential issues earlier, Carly gives them clearer insight into their car’s health, so they can make more informed repair decisions, reduce the risk of unnecessary costs and feel more in control when faults or warning lights appear.”
In response to his association with Carly, Richard Hammond said: “What made this partnership interesting to me is that it’s not really about advertising – it’s about helping drivers better understand modern cars in a practical, real-world way. Cars today are driven as much by software and data as they are by mechanics, and that’s exactly the kind of conversation we’ll be focusing on.”
The recent dataset from Carly underlines how technology in modern vehicles can make pinpointing issues increasingly tricky without help from a diagnostic system. The collaboration between Richard Hammond and Carly highlights the increasing importance of giving drivers the tools and information they need to be confident when working on their cars.
Rolls-Royce announces Spectre Series II, introducing a suite of technical and creative enhancements to the marque’s landmark super-coupé. Since its introduction in 2022, Spectre has become one of the most significant and celebrated Rolls-Royce motor cars of the modern era, widely praised for its timeless design, serene performance and effortless driving character. Spectre Series II builds on this success. Engineering updates up to 18% more range (390 total miles, WLTP), alongside higher torque of 1,015 Nm increased to 1,100 in Spirited Mode and up to a 14% reduction in charging times. Newly crafted interior illuminations, an expanded palette of exquisite materials, and striking exterior treatments further elevate Spectre’s interior possibilities. These changes sharpen Spectre’s character while preserving the qualities that have already established it as a future classic.
Chris Brownridge, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars: “Spectre is a landmark motor car for Rolls-Royce – conceived by our engineers, designers and craftspeople, informed by our clients and acclaimed the world over. It amplifies the qualities our clients value most: silence, effortlessness and abundant power, confirming that Rolls-Royce is perfectly suited to electrification. This motor car’s extraordinary reception around the world has also established Spectre as one of the most compelling canvases for Bespoke in our contemporary product portfolio, inspiring clients to pursue ever more individual and ambitious commissions. With Spectre Series II, we extend those possibilities even further. This refinement of a modern masterpiece is made in the spirit of our co-founder, Sir Henry Royce, who said: ‘Small things make perfection, but perfection is no small thing’.”
CONSIDERED REFINEMENT, SILENT POWER While Spectre’s range and performance already exceeded client expectations, engineers at Goodwood have recalibrated the motor car’s drivetrain to deliver even greater immediacy and control for Series II, further strengthening Black Badge Spectre’s standing as the most powerful Rolls-Royce in history. Power output now reaches 442 kW whilst torque rises to 1,015 Nm. In Black Badge Spectre Series II, Infinity Mode unlocks 500 kW of power, while Spirited Mode summons up to 1,100 Nm torque.
Thanks to re-engineered battery cell technology Spectre Series II’s potential driving distance is increased by up to 18% to 390 miles (WLTP) and charging times have been reduced by up to 14%. This reinforces the marque’s commitment to both electric serenity and uncompromised capability.
SPECTRE: A DEFINING CANVAS FOR BESPOKE Spectre has emerged as one of the most compelling canvases for Bespoke in Rolls-Royce’s contemporary portfolio, with some clients requesting more than 20 individual and personal Bespoke elements in their motor car. Demand for Bespoke commissions on Spectre is surpassed only by Phantom. In addition to the near-limitless opportunities for Bespoke through the marque’s Private Offices, Spectre Series II introduces a new suite of crafted elements, materials and finishes as a response to clients’ increasing desire for highly ambitious and expressive commissions.
EXTERIOR COMPOSURE, REINFORCED The super-coupé’s celebrated fastback profile, clean surfacing and split headlamp signature are retained for Spectre Series II, underlining the marque’s confidence in this initial, widely acclaimed design. Since launch, Spectre has been widely praised as one of the most elegant automotive forms of the era and now stands alongside Phantom Coupé and other revered Goodwood-era models in the marque’s collector canon. Of the numerous international accolades Spectre has received, its timeless design is consistently celebrated by judging panels, while clients have embraced Spectre as a true modern masterpiece. To accentuate Spectre’s form and surfacing, a new solid exterior finish, named Ethereal Blue, has been developed for Spectre Series II.
SCULPTED WHEEL DESIGN A new 23-inch forged alloy wheel design introduces a highly faceted multi-spoke treatment that captures and reflects light from every angle. The wheel is forged with exceptionally sharp 2.5 mm radii, allowing the surfaces to retain their crisp diamond-like definition even after polishing. Each wheel is hand-finished for up to six hours to achieve this precise faceting and is available in two finishes: part-polished and fully polished.
INTERIOR EXPRESSION AND MATERIAL INNOVATION Responding to the exceptional creative ambition of Spectre clients, Spectre Series II significantly expands the interior palette, offering new materials, treatments and crafted details of remarkable depth and variety. Among them is Duality Twill – a contemporary interior rayon fabric made from bamboo, now available within Spectre for the first time. This material was inspired by the extensive bamboo grove in Le Jardin des Méditerranées on the Côte d’Azur, which neighbours Sir Henry Royce’s former winter home, Villa Mimosa.
The twill textile is embroidered with an artistic ‘Duality’ graphic. Based on an abstract interpretation of the two interlinked letter R initials of the marque’s founders, the design reflects a nautical influence, reminiscent of the interweaving rope lines found on sailing yachts – another subtle allusion to the French Riviera.
A Duality Twill interior on Spectre Series II can incorporate up to 2.6 million stitches, 10 miles of thread, requiring up to 25 total hours to construct. The twill textile is available in Lilac, Chocolate, Black and a newly introduced Sage: a cool, verdant green that introduces a soft luminosity to Spectre Series II’s interior suite. Clients can select from more than 50 different colours of thread for the embroidered elements, either contrasting with or complementing the base layer.
Placed Perforation leather is also available for Spectre Series II, where precision-cut patterns are created to reveal unique artworks. For its debut, designers created a pattern inspired by the shifting silhouettes cast by clouds in moonlight. Spanning the shoulder and headrest areas of the front and rear seats, it comprises 78,138 perforations in three different sizes: 0.8 mm, 1.0 mm and 1.2 mm. If the perforations are extended to the illuminated door option, the pattern subtly disperses as it approaches each light source, creating a soft, atmospheric diffusion effect reminiscent of starlight emerging through shifting night skies.
A new distinctive high gloss Brindled Walnut veneer reflects the marque’s deeply considered approach to material craft. The finish is created by combining walnut sourced from non-fruiting trees – which would ordinarily be burned – with residual eucalyptus fibres from fine paper production, forming a richly layered ‘tiger stripe’ pattern. These elements are first compressed and then precisely cut into veneer sheets.
The finish is sealed with a lacquer infused with a fine powder of glass flakes, before a final clearcoat is applied. This layered process creates the impression that the shimmering particles are suspended beneath the surface, adding a sense of depth and movement to the veneer.
The Interior Panel and Clock Gallery now span the entire width of the fascia, joined by a new Illuminated Fascia artwork. Its directional wave pattern is composed of 8,108 individual pixel-like illuminations that appear to flow across the surface, reinforcing Spectre Series II’s strong horizontal character. The design draws inspiration from the shifting mist that settles over the woodlands of the South Downs, which rise beyond the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood.
A new timepiece has also been introduced. Its design takes inspiration from precision aviation instruments, which prioritise absolute legibility. The dial features cast metal hands and a pared-back graphic treatment that reflects the motor car’s contemporary character. As well as housing a new timepiece, the unique inset vitrine showcases an up-lit Spirit of Ecstasy figurine crafted from solid stainless steel.
A BOLD NEW PALETTE FOR BLACK BADGE For Black Badge Spectre Series II, a suite of new design enhancements further dramatise the marque’s alter ego, amplifying its intense and uncompromising character.
A new Iced Black Exterior Detailing offer has been developed, transforming almost all of the motor car’s brightwork with a matte finish. The treatment is applied to the grille surround, sideframe finishers, bumper inserts, ‘Double R’ Badge of Honour side surround, door handles and the Spirit of Ecstasy. The effect is achieved using a specially developed matte clear coat, creating a refined, satin-like finish. Notably, the vanes of the Pantheon Grille remain polished – a decision taken by Rolls-Royce designers to preserve the motor car’s identity.
A new wheelset has also been developed to create an even more imposing visual character for Black Badge. The open-spoke design places emphasis on the motor car’s powerful braking hardware while a polished outer ring – pushed to the very edge of the wheel – accentuates the diameter of the seven-spoke structure. A subtle sparkle effect is achieved through fine glass flakes embedded within the finish. This bold new design is also available in Iced Matte Black – the first time a Black Badge wheel has been offered in this finish – created using a specialised high-temperature curing process.
SPECTRE AND ITS CLIENTS At the heart of Spectre’s success is its founding philosophy. It was conceived as a Rolls-Royce first – defined by silence, effortlessness and presence – brought to life through electric power. In doing so, it delivers an experience completely in tune with the marque’s values, confirming Rolls-Royce’s authority in shaping the future of super-luxury motoring.
This approach has clearly resonated with clients. In 2025, Spectre retained its position as the marque’s second best-selling model globally.
To inform the development of Spectre Series II, Rolls-Royce specialists mapped how clients live with their Spectre. Typically the second Rolls-Royce in a seven-car garage, Spectre is nonetheless driven extensively. While the average annual mileage of around 4,000 miles (6,500 km) remains consistent with other two-door Rolls-Royce motor cars, such as Wraith, Dawn, and Phantom Coupé, Spectre is increasingly used for personal driving enjoyment, charged almost exclusively at home, and most often driven solo – affirming its identity as a true driver’s Rolls-Royce.
Spectre’s effortless usability has seen many clients embrace it as a daily motor car. One European client has travelled more than 30,000 miles (50,000 km) in the two years since taking delivery – more than three times the average annual mileage typically recorded by a Rolls-Royce.
In the United States, one well-known collector based in Los Angeles has also made Spectre a daily companion. One particular pleasure of their ownership, they have told the marque, is the short journey from their residence at the top of a hill to their garage below – a drive in which the motor car arrives with more range than it started, thanks to regenerative braking.
Spectre’s peerless driving experience is an important expression of this motor car’s success though not the only one. It is equally recognised by clients as a long-term emotional asset and a unique canvas for Bespoke individualisation. For example, Spectre has been reimagined as a tribute to a client-couple’s lifelong relationship, symbolised by a Bespoke Starlight Headliner configured with the constellations as they were on the day they first met; a celebration, through exquisite marquetry, of a cherished family dog, named Bailey; an extension of a client’s home, directly mirroring the hues and textures of their living space; and a continuation of a notable haute joaillerie collection, drawing inspiration from a colour associated with their favourite designer. A client in Korea has taken the act of commissioning further still by creating a gallery space within their residence in which to display their Spectre as a work of art.
These insights reflect the emotional breadth, creative depth and driving pleasure clients now associate with this landmark motor car, all of which shaped the subtle refinements introduced for Spectre Series II.
SPECTRE SERIES II: INTEGRITY, ENHANCED Spectre’s evolution for Series II is a powerful affirmation of the motor car’s design integrity and engineering permanence. It emerges within a new era of commissioning shaped by deeper collaboration through the marque’s expanding global Private Office network, and a broader creative repertoire than ever before. It respects the instincts of those who recognised Spectre’s significance from the outset and offers new opportunities for expression to those who commission it next.
Domagoj Dukec, Director of Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars: “Spectre has consistently been recognised as one of the most elegant automotive forms of the modern era. Clients frequently cite its design as one of the defining reasons for their commission, and it will undoubtedly take its place in future collections of remarkable motor cars. In expanding the palette of materials and crafts introduced for Spectre Series II, we respond directly to our clients’ desire to approach Spectre with even more creative ambition, as they explore its possibilities as a canvas on which to tell their story.”
BYD has announced Full Damage Coverage for the Urban Navigate on Autopilot (NOA) function of its God’s Eye – BYD Driver Assistance System in China. The company made the landmark announcement at its Intelligence Strategy Launch Event, where it also unveiled China’s first 4nm automotive Driving System on a Chip (SoC), the XUANJI A3.
With this new offer, following its commitment to Intelligent Parking, BYD has now become the world’s first automaker to offer such dual coverage for its advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). Furthering its “Intelligent Driving for All” strategy, BYD also announced that its entire vehicle lineup can now be optionally equipped with the God’s Eye LiDAR Version.
BYD’s vision for the era of Intelligent Driving is defined by three ambitious goals of achieving Zero Traffic Accidents, enabling the ADAS to serve as a Super Driver, and empowering AI to become a Super Personal Assistant. To realize this vision, the company will continue to invest over RMB 100 billion (£10,987,650,000) in Intelligent Driving Assistance R&D, focusing on safety technologies for every family.
BYD’s Full Damage Coverage Sets a New Industry Standard for Trust The one-year Full Damage Coverage guarantee applies to new buyers and existing owners who upgrade to God’s Eye 5.0 in the Chinese market. The policy states that if a legally-liable accident occurs while a user is operating the Urban NOA function in compliance with regulations, BYD will directly cover all resulting economic losses.
The confidence to make this industry‑leading commitment rests on three foundational pillars. The first is its massive scale, with a fleet of over 3.15 million Intelligent Driving Assistance vehicles on the road—the largest among Chinese automakers—providing an unparalleled foundation of real‑world data for continuous iteration. The second is the abundant data generated by the God’s Eye, with over 124 million miles logged daily, ensuring rapid algorithmic learning and improvement. The third pillar is a dedicated R&D team of 5,000 engineers, the largest in China’s automotive industry, powering the company’s sustained technological innovation.
AI Empowerment—BYD Integrated Vehicle Intelligence Delivers Next-Gen Performance The God’s Eye receives four major upgrades. These include a new XUANJI Architecture 2.0, an industry‑first satellite sensor architecture, an upgraded physical AI large model, and a self‑evolving data flywheel built on massive real‑world scenarios.
In the cockpit, BYD introduced the DiLink AI Intelligent Cockpit, featuring the super intelligent agent. This hyper‑realistic digital assistant offers proactive task execution and deep reasoning capabilities, delivering an all‑scene, continuously evolving in-car experience.
BYD Self-developed 4nm Driving SoC, Gearing Up for High‑Level Autonomous Driving BYD unveiled the XUANJI A3, China’s first self‑developed 4nm automotive‑grade Driving SoC. It natively supports L3 and L4 autonomous driving, and a three-chip configuration can deliver over 2,100 TOPS of computing power per vehicle. With the most advanced 4nm process and the lowest power consumption per TOPS—20% lower than comparable products—the XUANJI A3 is already in mass production. When combined with BYD’s proprietary algorithms, it doubles computing utilization, significantly raising the ceiling for both safety and performance.
From Blade Battery to Intelligent Driving, BYD’s Focus on Safety and Trust Remains Constant In the industry’s electrification phase, the Blade Battery was BYD’s answer to user concerns about safety. Now, in the era of Intelligent Driving, BYD applies the same core principle. The company’s strategy is to push the limits of ADAS capabilities with the God’s Eye, bolster user confidence through its Full Damage Coverage offer, and shape the future of mobility with self-developed technologies like the XUANJI A3 chip.
Through this strategy, BYD reaffirms its dedication to leveraging technological innovation for a better, safer drive for all.
BMW Group India has announced the launch of BMW Summer Service Campaign 2026 across its nationwide dealer network, reinforcing its commitment to proactive customer care and premium ownership experience. The campaign is designed to ensure seamless mobility during the demanding summer months through preventive maintenance, expert diagnostics and exclusive service benefits.
Mr. Hardeep Singh Brar, President and CEO, BMW Group India said, “Indian summers can be tough, both for drivers and their cars. At BMW Group India, we believe a truly premium ownership experience goes beyond the vehicles we build. It is about the confidence and peace of mind we provide throughout the ownership journey. With the BMW Summer Service Campaign 2026, we are helping customers prepare better through timely preventive maintenance and advanced vehicle diagnostics for hassle free driving through summers. Our aim is to make proactive care simple, transparent, and reliable so that customers can enjoy every drive without worry. We remain committed to delivering seamless and precise service that ensures the performance, reliability and effortless driving pleasure that define the BMW experience.
The campaign aims to ensure customers are well prepared for the summer season with a list of prescribed checks. The campaign combines preventive vehicle inspection with value-added benefits and expert guidance to support effective vehicle management and on-time maintenance. Customers can book prior appointments for servicing at their preferred workshop and may also update their personal details to receive relevant service communications and offers from their authorised BMW dealer.
Following are the complimentary services covered under BMW Summer Service Campaign 2026:
AC Filter Check
Air Filter Check
Tyre Condition Check
Complimentary Battery Check*
Up to 10% off on AC Fumigation
Up to 25% off on labour on any AC related repair
Up to 10% off on any VAS (Value Added Services)
*Complimentary Battery Check will be applicable only on non-EV vehicles.
Customers can also explore a wide range of BMW accessories to enhance the appearance and everyday functionality of their vehicles.
BMW India conducts periodic service campaigns across the country to help ensure that every BMW remains ready for the road. Cars older than five years can also benefit from special advantages under the ‘BMW Joy Rewards’ programme. Details of the offers and recommended vehicle checks will be available at participating authorised workshops during the campaign period.
Audi will unveil the new A2 e-tron in autumn 2026, complementing its portfolio with an all-electric entry-level model family in the compact class. The A2 e-tron, manufactured in Ingolstadt, will rejuvenate the Audi model range and broaden access to premium electric mobility.
At the Audi Annual Media Conference, CEO Gernot Döllner announced the A2 e-tron – the brand’s next big step on the road to a consistently electric future. The prototype is undergoing various tests before it premieres in autumn: the camouflaged A2 e-tron is clocking up vital test miles on snow and ice, in the wind tunnel at Audi Technical Development in Ingolstadt, and on public roads.
Cold weather trial in Scandinavia Icy temperatures, snow-covered roads, and slippery test tracks on a frozen lake: during winter testing in Lapland, the A2 e-tron is showing what it is made of under extreme conditions. The validation process at a secret test site in northern Sweden focuses not only on driving dynamics but also on thermal management and battery performance. The interplay of the electric drive, brake control system, and suspension is adjusted by the minute – for the unmistakable experience of driving an Audi.
Aerodynamic optimisation in the wind tunnel in Ingolstadt The distinctive roofline lends the A2 e-tron a strong character and is also the reason for its outstanding aerodynamics, which are constantly being tested and optimised in the wind tunnel at Audi Technical Development. With wind speeds of up to 300 kmph, ultra-precise aeroacoustic measurement, and a 235 kmph rolling road, the wind tunnel provides ideal conditions for optimising the airflow characteristics, noise development, and thermal stability of the A2 e-tron.
Road testing in Bavaria’s winding valleys Inclines, variable road surfaces, and tight bends: the development team is using the diverse conditions of the Altmühl Valley region in Bavaria to test the finely balanced suspension and assistance systems in real road traffic. Here, the A2 e-tron demonstrates its everyday usability.
Production in Ingolstadt The fully electric A2 e-tron is built at the Audi headquarters in Ingolstadt, underlining the company’s commitment to transforming its plants in Germany and Europe. After more than 20 new models in 2024 and 2025, Audi now has the youngest portfolio among the competition – from the fully electric compact segment to the premium full-size segment. The company will stay on this path in 2026.
MINI India makes a grand entry in Jharkhand with the appointment of Titanium Autos as its new authorised dealer partner. This marks a significant milestone in MINI India’s network expansion strategy across emerging premium markets in India. Starting 2026, MINI has expanded its footprint at a fast pace with market entry in 5 new cities – Guwahati, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Surat and now Ranchi. MINI will continue to strengthen its strategic presence in high-potential growth markets and deepen its premium retail footprint beyond metro cities.
The Titanium Autos Retail.NEXT dealership in Ranchi brings the BMW Group’s cutting-edge, immersive retail concept alive. The facility integrates striking modern architecture, contemporary design language, and advanced digital interfaces to create a highly engaging, customer-centric environment. Representing BMW Group’s three iconic brands under one roof, the new facility redefines luxury automotive retail in Jharkhand.
Mr. Hardeep Singh Brar, President and CEO, BMW Group India said, “MINI’s entry into Jharkhand marks an important step in expanding the brand’s presence in emerging premium markets across India. Jharkhand is witnessing a growing appetite for distinctive, design-led and engaging luxury mobility, making it a strategic market for MINI. We are pleased to appoint Titanium Autos as our dealer partner for Jharkhand. With their strong understanding of the local market and proven track record, Titanium Autos is well positioned to introduce the iconic MINI brand to customers in the state and deliver an exceptional ownership experience.”
Mr. Utkarsh Singhania, Dealer Principal, Titanium Autos said, “We are delighted to be appointed as the dealer partner for MINI in Jharkhand. This appointment reflects our shared commitment with BMW Group India to bring the unique character, individuality and premium ownership experience of MINI to a new audience in the state. Jharkhand represents a promising market with evolving customer aspirations, and we look forward to building a strong MINI presence through exceptional sales and service standards.”
Titanium Autos Retail.NEXT, Ranchi – A Future Ready Facility.
Situated at NH – 33, Chakla, Ormanjhi, Opp. Birsa Munda Zoological Park, Ranchi, the showroom displays eight BMWs, a MINI and seven BMW Motorrad vehicles. The workshop is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and features three mechanical bays and four body and paint bays offering comprehensive service support.
This dealership underscores BMW Group India’s commitment to delivering a comprehensive luxury automotive experience, combining sales, service, and lifestyle offerings at a single location. Titanium Autos also represents BMW Group India with Retail.NEXT sales and service facilities in Guwahati and Patna.
Bridgestone India has launched its new brand campaign, ‘Feel the Bridgestone Difference’, built around a simple but powerful thought—every car is designed for a certain level of performance, but it can only deliver its true potential when fitted with the right tyres. The campaign highlights one of the most overlooked component in the car that is tyre – when in reality tyre is the critical contact point between the car and the road.
Whether it is control, safety, confidence, or a smoother driving experience, tyres play a much bigger role than most people realise. A car may be engineered to perform at its best, but without the right tyre fitment, that experience remains incomplete. Bridgestone tyres are designed to help drivers unlock that full potential and truly feel the difference in every journey.
For the last 30 years, Bridgestone India has been delivering that difference to Indian consumers. With a strong focus on technology, manufacturing excellence, innovation, and quality, the company has built products that stand apart—and customers can feel that difference every time they drive.
A key highlight of the campaign is the difference that Bridgestone tyres are making by constantly staying ahead of the curve without any compromise. It offers better grip, stronger braking, smoother handling, lower road noise, improved fuel efficiency, and longer tyre life, creating a more balanced, comfortable, and reliable driving experience.
The campaign also takes inspiration from nature, featuring animals like the mountain goat, the cheetah and a rhino—symbols of grip, speed, unyielding strength and control in their natural terrains. Just as they move effortlessly in challenging environments, Bridgestone tyres are built to perform confidently across India’s diverse road and driving conditions.
Speaking about the campaign, Rajiv Sharma, Executive Director – Sales and Marketing, Bridgestone India, said: “Bridgestone has been a trusted name for Indian consumers, and that trust has come from consistently delivering safe, high-quality products and a superior driving experience. Our customers have experienced the Bridgestone difference over the years—whether in better control, smoother rides, or long-lasting performance. ‘Feel the Bridgestone Difference’ is a campaign people will instantly relate to because it reflects something they have already felt. With this campaign, we want to take that experience to a larger audience and help more people understand how the right tyre fitment can completely transform the way a car performs.”
The campaign highlights the performance Bridgestone tyres offer and it is a reminder that while every car has built-in potential, the right tyres are what truly bring it to life.
The campaign will be promoted across multiple platforms across the country, further strengthening Bridgestone India’s promise of performance, safety, and reliability for every driver.
Caterham has launched its latest limited-edition model, the Seven Nürburgring Edition, to celebrate 100 years of the most legendary and demanding circuit in the world.
Only 100 examples of the Nürburgring Edition will be made available to customers globally, based on either a Seven 420R or a Seven 340R, market dependent, with prices starting in the UK from £48,995 (inc VAT).
The bespoke race suspension has been developed exclusively for this model by Bilstein, using its advanced vertical dynamics test rig at the Bilstein Test Facility. Engineered specifically around the demands of the Nürburgring, the suspension setup was refined to deliver exceptional capability on both road and track. The result is a suspension package tailored specifically for this unique limited edition.
Teamed with a naturally aspirated 2.0 litre Ford Duratec Engine, it delivers 210bhp at 7,600rpm for a power-to-weight ratio of 375bhp/tonne. Paired with a five-speed gearbox, the Nürburgring Edition accelerates from 0-60mph in 3.8 seconds and tops out at a top speed of 136mph.
Alongside the custom-developed Bilstein damping and performance, there are several visual additions inside and out to match. As a fully licensed Nürburgring product, the edition features the distinctive branding and logo from the circuit, as well as the iconic red and grey colours available as paint finishes. These include a choice of three Nürburgring paint colours – Verkehrsrot (Traffic Red), Achatgrau (Agate Grey) and Basaltgrau (Basalt Grey), whilst custom paint colours are also available.
Other exterior upgrades include a Nürburgring “red” track day roll bar, a Nürburgring mesh grill with Seven logo in dual colour and a 620-style nosecone with carbon aero whiskers. The chassis colour is a distinctive Gunmetal Grey and the car features carbon front wings, Black Pack (black windscreen, headlamp bowls and exhaust heat shield), composite aero screen and LED rear lights clusters.
On the interior, the leather seats are complete with Nürburgring embroidery and red stitching, which is also found on the transmission tunnel. This is alongside carbon interior panels, a four-point road harnesses and sequential shift lights.
As the final touch, each car has an individually numbered plaque for each of the 100 units produced.
For a century, the fondly named ‘Green Hell’s’ 12.9-mile track in the Eifel Mountains in west Germany has been the ultimate proving ground for both car and driver.
Along with its changing elevation and camber across its 73 corners, the Nürburgring is a site where Caterham’s road and race cars have flourished for decades. Most notably, an 11th place finish at the Nürburgring 24 Hours in 2002, which saw an outstanding drive by Chris Cooper, Chris Harris, Clive Richards and Peter Haynes.
Trevor Steel, Senior Vice President of Operations, Caterham Cars, said: “For a century, this track has championed values that are at the heart of what the Seven is all about – balance, precision and an unmatched driving experience.
“We set out to capture the spirit of the ‘Ring, with every element of the car being honed to reflect the track’s unique demands and character. Designed both for use on the track and the road, the Seven Nürburgring Edition is a unique vehicle that perfectly pays tribute to this famous, globally renowned circuit”.
The Caterham Seven Nürburgring Edition will be unveiled at the upcoming 2026 ADAC 24 hours of Nürburgring.
Motorsport fans attending the event can see the model at the Caterham Nürburgring dealership and on the Bilstein stand in the paddock across the weekend.
Revealed at the 2026 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, the Vision BMW Alpina is a design study that heralds a new chapter for a brand defined by extreme capability, sophistication, and the mastery of both performance and comfort.
“Alpina has always represented a very specific idea of performance and re finement—where speed and comfort are complementary ambitions. Our role as the new custodians of this brand is to preserve this distinctiveness and shape it for a contemporary context,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, head of BMW Group Design. “Vision BMW ALPINA shows how these qualities can be expressed with discipline and modernity, suggesting what our direction is for this brand as we move it into the future.”
DESIGN AND FORM: THE SHAPE OF SPEED The Vision BMW Alpina is a respectful interpretation of the brand’s heritage, shaped by the most contemporary creative instincts. At 5,200 mm in length, its presence is substantial: wide, low, and confident. The coupé roofline is long and raked, its form immediately signals both speed and the ability to accommodate four adults in genuine comfort. A V8 powertrain drives the experience, tuned to produce the characteristic notes of the Alpina exhaust: rich and deep at low speed, sonorous at high revs.
“In Vision BMW ALPINA, we distil every element of the brand to its essence and apply it in a deeply modern and sophisticated way,” says Maximilian Missoni, head of BMW Design Midsize & Luxury Cars and BMW ALPINA. “Every detail reflects substance: in engineering, in materials, and in the story it tells. The statements it makes are subtle and revealed only on a closer read. This interplay between purity and richness defines our approach to BMW ALPINA design.”
The front end is defined by powerful volumes and a forward-leaning stance that promises speed without overstatement. The shark nose reinterprets BMW’s kidney grille as a three-dimensional sculpture that leads the car’s form and frames the brand emblem with quiet confidence.
From this shark nose, the exterior is organized around a single visual axis: the speed feature line. Rising from the lower front corners at a six-degree inclination, it runs along the side of the body and wraps around the rear—assertive enough to suggest motion, controlled enough to remain refined.
HALLMARKS AND PRINCIPLES: “SECOND READ” SOPHISTICATION Subtle secondary details reward attention without demanding it. This “Second Read” principle runs throughout the Vision BMW Alpina.
Deco-lines have been part of Alpina’s language since 1974. For the Vision BMW ALPINA, the modernized deco-lines are distilled and painted on the side of the body beneath the clear coat—a quiet gesture that reflects how the brand’s defining details can be adapted to what comes next.
Inward-facing return surfaces are treated with particular care, finished in a dark metallic tone that rewards a closer read. This approach is inspired by the BMW 507, which uses chrome only on the inside of its kidney grilles.
The shark nose captures the same “Second Read” sophistication: the inner surfaces feature a finely scaled signature Deco-line graphic, while a concealed, softly backlit perimeter reveals it only when active.
A warm white tone characterizes the daytime running lights and traces the kidney surrounds, inspired by the first light over the Bavarian Alps. Clear-cut illuminated crystals add a precise highlight within the slender lamps.
The elliptical four-pipe exhaust remains, as does the “ALPINA” lettering—re interpreted as a machined, polished metal element on the lower front apron. The 22-inch front and 23-inch rear wheels feature the 20-spokes design that has been a constant at Alpina since 1971.
INTERIOR AND DETAILS: ARCHITECTURAL CLARITY The cabin is generous in every sense: space, material quality, and the care with which technology has been integrated. Architectural volumes define the layout, with each element designed as a standalone form, not absorbed into a homogeneous interior.
The six-degree speed feature line continues through the interior, dividing the darker upper segment and the lighter lower segment. Full-grain leather— sourced from producers across the Alpine region—pairs with stitching inspired by the Deco-lines.
Craft details are restrained but well considered: a bridge stitch inspired by historic steering wheel hand-stitching appears sparingly in heritage blue and green colors, while a watchmaking-inspired beveling technique was used for the metal components, combining satin and polished finishes. Clear-cut crystal is reserved for the controls that shape how the automobile drives, under lining the value BMW Alpina places on the driving experience itself.
Behind the rear console, a glass water bottle sits beside BMW Alpina crystal glasses that rise on a self-deploying mechanism. Each glass is engraved with 20 deco-lines and features a six-degree rim profile, held by concealed mag nets and softly lit against the open-grain center console.
A COMFORTABLE DRIVER IS A FASTER DRIVER Burkard Bovensiepen understood something much of the automotive world has forgotten: a comfortable driver is a faster driver. That belief remains central to the Vision BMW Alpina. Alpina offers Comfort+, a setting beyond the standard BMW comfort calibration that delivers a more supple, refined char acter, and it is retained here.
BMW Panoramic iDrive, including the new passenger screen, spans the dash board with a digital user interface language crafted specifically for BMW AL PINA. Heritage blue and green are introduced with discipline, intensifying as the driver moves from Comfort+ to Speed mode within the BMW Panoramic Vision head-up display. The background imagery is equally considered. The Alpine landscape depicted is an exact rendering of the mountain range visible when looking south from Buchloe.
ROOTED IN THE BRAND’S ORIGINS The Alpina story began in 1965 in Buchloe, Germany, a small Bavarian town in the shadow of the Alps. Burkard Bovensiepen—destined for a career in typewriter manufacturing—chose instead high-performance tuning, founding Alpina and then refining BMW road and racing cars. From the outset, his philosophy was clear: speed and comfort were complementary, not competing ambitions.
In endurance racing, while rivals stripped weight, Burkard added extra pad ding to the driver’s seat: he understood that a more comfortable driver is a faster driver. That insight carried over to the road cars that followed, celebrated for composure and sophistication at high speed over long distances.
ALPINA B7 COUPÉ: A POINT OF MATURITY The Alpina B7 coupé of the late 1970s marked a turning point: Alpina’s philosophy was applied to a luxury car, and every model that followed was recognized as luxurious. Based on the BMW E24 6 Series, its long bonnet, wide stance, and shark nose looked fast even at rest, while the cabin could comfortably carry four people across a continent. The Vision BMW Alpina is the next chapter of that story.
BMW ALPINA—AN EXCLUSIVE BRAND WITHIN THE BMW GROUP BMW Alpina became an exclusive brand within the BMW Group in 2026, bringing proven stewardship and a clear responsibility: to understand what Alpina means to those who cherish it and to honor that in what follows.
“BMW ALPINA fills a gap in our portfolio between BMW and Rolls-Royce as we see even more potential in the high-end segment. With Alpina we have a strong legacy and a global community, which we want to build on, while pre serving the essence of what the brand stands for—speed, comfort and sophistication,“ says Oliver Viellechner, head of BMW ALPINA.
Next year, customers will be able to experience the first model of the BMW Alpina brand—inspired by the BMW 7 Series, but unmistakably BMW Alpina.
Power Drive 