Tag: technology

Ultraviolette Adds To Its Growing Network With Second Experience Centre In Kolkata

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Ultraviolette Automotive today announced the launch of a new UV Space Station in Kolkata, a significant step in expanding its retail footprint across emerging mobility markets in India. The expansion follows a series of recent product and technology milestones, including the launch of the X-47 Crossover, UV Crossfade carbon-fibre helmet, and the company’s recently announced, ‘Battery Flex’ (BaaS) platform. This further emphasises Ultraviolette’s focus on building a comprehensive performance-driven electric mobility ecosystem. With this addition, the company further strengthens customer access to its performance electric motorcycles in Kolkata and reinforces its growing national presence.

The newly established UV Space Station, in partnership with dealer M/s. KGN Automobiles EV, will provide customers a comprehensive experience to explore Ultraviolette’s performance motorcycles – the X-47 Crossover and F77s. The UV Space Station is designed to offer an immersive experience, including test ride opportunities, sales consultation, and access to a range of motorcycle accessories – all under one roof. The Experience Centre will display the company’s performance motorcycles, the X-47 and F77s. The products redefine electric performance with a powertrain boasting 40.2 hp and 100 Nm of torque, accelerating from 0 to 60 kmph in just 2.8 seconds. Equipped with a 10.3 kWh battery, it boasts an IDC range of 323 kms on a single charge.

Commenting on the launch, Narayan Subramaniam, CEO & Co-founder at Ultraviolette, said, “Kolkata is a strategic market for us as we expand our national footprint. The launch of the UV Space Station in Kolkata, our second in the city, marks an important milestone as we strengthen our presence in Eastern India. It reflects a growing, aspirational audience that is increasingly aligned with performance, technology, and design in mobility. This expansion enables us to deepen our engagement with customers while making our products and brand experience more accessible. As Ultraviolette continues to scale across India, our focus remains on building a future-ready, high-quality network that supports the next generation of performance mobility while delivering a truly world-class ownership experience.”

Built on Ultraviolette’s deep engineering and platform-led innovation, the X-47 Crossover is the world’s first electric motorcycle in its segment that offers radar as a standard, marking a decisive shift in how performance electric motorcycles are designed and experienced. The motorcycle features a rider-focused interface with a 5-inch TFT display, three distinct ride modes, long-travel suspension, and industry-first radial all-terrain tyres, delivering confidence, stability and control across varied riding conditions.

Advanced safety and intelligence are delivered through Ultraviolette’s UV Radar Intelligence, powered by a 77 GHz rear radar and the UV HyperSense Advanced Rider Assistance System, enabling functions such as blind-spot monitoring, lane change assist, overtake alerts, and rear collision warnings. The X-47 also incorporates the world’s most power-dense air-cooled onboard charger, engineered, developed, and designed in-house by Ultraviolette, alongside an integrated dashcam system. This engineering-led approach has earned recognition across the automotive industry, including honours from leading automotive awards as EV Motorcycle of the Year, reinforcing Ultraviolette’s ambition to build globally competitive electric mobility solutions from India.

In line with Ultraviolette’s commitment to making advanced electric mobility more accessible, the company recently introduced its ‘Battery Flex’ (BaaS), a flexible ownership model designed to lower entry barriers for performance electric motorcycles while providing customers with greater flexibility in battery usage and ownership. With this new initiative, customers can now own an Ultraviolette X-47 starting at just ₹1,49,000, while subscribing to the battery beginning at just ₹2499 per month. This model allows customers to pay for the bike chassis while financing the battery separately under a steady monthly subscription fee. The initiative further strengthens Ultraviolette’s ecosystem-led approach to accelerating EV adoption in India.

Volvo Celebrates 70 Years Of The Seatbelt Saving Lives

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Volvo was one of the first car manufacturers to introduce seatbelts to the European market when it fitted its 1956 Amazon prototype with a two-point cross-chest diagonal belt, which was made available as an option on production models shortly afterwards. Three years later it became the first brand in the world to fit three-point belts as standard. Setting the template for the modern safety belt that’s fitted to all cars today, it was created by Volvo design engineer Nils Bohlin and consisted of a lap belt and a diagonal belt anchored at a low attachment point beside the seat.

By 1959 the three-point safety belt was installed as standard in all Swedish market Volvo cars, and later in cars across the world as the patent was made available to all car makers free of charge. As a result, seatbelt availability quickly became widespread and their fitment as a legal requirement was accelerated, helping to save millions of lives across the world.

The engineering innovation from Volvo seatbelts 70 years ago still plays a vital role in the design and engineering of modern Volvo models, with the newly launched EX60 mid-size SUV featuring the world’s first multi-adaptive safety belt.

This state-of-the-art safety belt uses real-time data input from advanced interior and exterior sensors to customise protection, adapting to the situation and individual occupant, taking into account their height, weight, seating position and crash type. For example, a larger occupant in a serious crash will receive a higher belt load setting to help reduce the risk of head injury. While a smaller occupant in a milder crash will receive a lower belt load setting to reduce the risk of rib fractures. As Volvo gathers more insights, the car can improve its understanding of the occupants, new scenarios and response strategies – and thanks to over-the-air software updates, this can be applied to the car, so the technology will continuously improve over time.

Volvo has always been at the forefront of safety evolution and innovation, and they continue to make new developments on such vital features like the seatbelt. The latest multi-adaptive seatbelt in the new EX60 is a testament to our pioneering technology and approach to safety that is continued today.

Volkswagen Group Delivers Four Million All-Electric Vehicles

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With the delivery of four million all-electric vehicles, the Volkswagen Group has reached another milestone in its successful electrification strategy. In 2025, the Group was one of the top five BEV manufacturers worldwide and was the clear BEV market leader in its home market of Europe with a market share of around 27 per cent. The Group’s first all-electric series production vehicle, the VW e-up!, was launched back in 2013, followed by the VW e-Golf in 2014. From 2019 on, a cross-brand product offensive based on the new Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB) drove significant volume growth. To date, around three million Group vehicles based on the MEB have been delivered, making it the Group’s leading electric platform.

With its product offensive across all brands over the past two years, the Volkswagen Group has comprehensively renewed its portfolio and launched around 60 new models. Around one-third of these have an all-electric drive. The Group brands currently offer their customers more than 30 all-electric vehicles in the passenger car segment alone, from compact cars to luxury SUVs. In addition, there are all-electric trucks and buses from the TRATON brands Scania, MAN, International, and Volkswagen Truck & Bus. This gives the Volkswagen Group one of the most comprehensive BEV portfolios in the automotive industry.

In the current year, the Group is consistently expanding its range and once again bringing more than 20 new models onto the road, around half of which are all-electric. These include pioneering new electric models in China and the Electric Urban Car Family in Europe, consisting of four all-electric vehicles in the entry-level segment.

Global BEV production network comprises more than 20 locations
The Volkswagen Group manufactures its all-electric vehicles in several European markets, in China, in the USA and in Brazil. At around 77 per cent, the majority of the four million BEVs were produced in the home market of Europe. There are 11 BEV production sites here, located in Emden, Zwickau, Hanover, Bratislava, Mlada Boleslav, Ingolstadt, Neckarsulm, Leipzig, Zuffenhausen, Munich and Södertälje. With Pamplona and Martorell, two further locations are in the starting blocks, where the models of the Electric Urban Car Family from the Brand Group Core will roll off the production line in future. Preparations for the start of BEV production are also underway at the Volkswagen brand’s main plant in Wolfsburg, as well as at the Bentley plant in Crewe, England.

One in five of the Group’s BEVs was built in China, the world’s largest electric vehicle market. There are four production sites there: Anting, Foshan, Hefei and Changchun. Around three per cent of the BEVs delivered to date were produced at the Chattanooga and Tulsa plants in the USA. In Brazil, production of all-electric commercial vehicles recently started at the Sao Paulo plant.

95 per cent of BEVs were delivered in the core markets of Europe, China and the US
The three core BEV markets also clearly dominate deliveries, accounting for around 95 per cent. More than two out of three all-electric vehicles were delivered to customers in Europe (68 per cent). As with production, China accounted for 20 per cent of deliveries. Around eight per cent of vehicles went to the USA. All other markets combined accounted for five per cent.

Clear brand focus in the volume segment
At around 72 per cent, the clear majority of BEVs were accounted for by the Brand Group Core, which serves the volume segment. With around two million vehicles, around half came from the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand. This was followed by Škoda with 480,000 units, SEAT/CUPRA with 230,000 units, and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles with 140,000 units.

The Brand Group Progressive contributed around 22 per cent of all BEVs. This comprises 870,000 Audi models in the premium segment.

Around six per cent of all-electric vehicles were delivered in the Brand Group Sport Luxury. This amounted to 250,000 Porsche vehicles that the sports car brand handed over to its customers.

The Brand Group Trucks accounted for a total of around 0.3 per cent of BEV deliveries, corresponding to around 11,000 vehicles.

Compact class and SUV/crossover models most popular with customers
The most popular vehicle segment for BEVs was the compact class, accounting for around 70 per cent of deliveries. This includes vehicles the size of the VW ID.3 and ID.4 models, the Škoda Enyaq, the CUPRA Born, and the Audi Q4 e-tron.

In terms of body types, vehicles with an SUV or crossover silhouette were the most popular among buyers. More than half of all BEVs fell into this category.

The following list shows an overview of the 10 most popular BEVs from the Volkswagen Group, which together accounted for more than 80 per cent of deliveries to date (in thousand vehicles):

VW ID.4/ID.5901
VW ID.3628
Audi Q4 e-tron (incl. Sportback)387
Škoda Enyaq (incl. Coupé)352
Audi e-tron/Q8 e-tron (incl. Sportback)255
Porsche Taycan (incl. Turismo)177
CUPRA Born172
VW e-Golf152
VW ID. Buzz (incl. Cargo)132
VW ID.7 (incl. Tourer)132

Volvo Car India And ChargeZone® Launch Ultra-Fast EV Charging Station

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Swedish luxury car brand, Volvo Car India and ChargeZone®, India’s largest EV charging network, has inaugurated an ultra-fast charging station on the Mumbai-Nashik Highway that features a 360kW star charge power unit with two dynamic load balancing dispensers. This station is located at Food Hills, Mumbai-Nashik Highway, Near Igatpuri. This marks a significant milestone in their collaboration to build a premium nationwide supercharging network.

This intelligent configuration enables optimal power distribution, reduced waiting times and faster real-world charging experience for Volvo customers and other EV users. Strategically positioned on one of Maharashtra’s busiest intercity routes, the charging station offers dedicated bays for Volvo EVs, seamless app-based access for navigation and payments, and an elevated customer experience designed for convenience and reliability.

Jyoti Malhotra, MD, Volvo Car India, spoke during the ribbon cutting ceremony organized at the charging station today, “As a legacy brand, Volvo Cars is committed to driving the transition towards sustainable mobility, and this partnership with ChargeZone® is a testament to that vision. Together, we are ensuring that our customers not only enjoy the luxury and performance of Volvo EVs but also have access to a dependable and hassle-free charging infrastructure. The new 360kW station on the Mumbai-Nashik highway is the first step in delivering a world-class charging experience across India.”

Present at the event and speaking on the occasion, Mr. Kartikey Hariyani, Founder & CEO, ChargeZone®, said, “The launch of our first co-branded 360 kW ultra-fast charging station with Volvo Car India represents an important milestone in building a premium, future ready charging network for the country. The Mumbai Nashik hub showcases our focus on high speed, technology enabled infrastructure supported by intelligent features such as dynamic power loading that significantly improve the customer experience. As EV adoption accelerates, our priority is to ensure that long-distance travel becomes fast, predictable and seamless. We look forward to supporting India’s shift toward a cleaner and more sustainable mobility landscape.”

This installation follows the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2025 between ChargeZone® and Volvo Car India to expand access to high-speed EV charging across key national corridors, and the plan is to get a few more charging stations added in 2026. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to improving long distance EV travel, strengthening charging availability, and advancing India’s transition to sustainable mobility, while encouraging the adoption of luxury and performance EVs across the country.

Nissan Gravite Launched In India

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Nissan Motor India has announced the launch of the All-New Nissan Gravite at an attractive introductory price of INR 5.65 lakhs. A bold and game-changing 7-seater MPV, the Gravite marks the beginning of a new chapter in Nissan’s India journey.

The Gravite is the first product to roll out under Nissan Motor India’s renewed product offensive — underlining the company’s strengthened commitment and presence in India.

The name “Gravite” draws inspiration from 1.4 billion Indians and the 19,000 vernaculars and rituals that shape the nation’s diversity; the Gravite has been purpose-built to meet the evolving aspirations of Indian families. It combines space, versatility, comfort, and everyday practicality with a commanding road presence.

Thierry Sabbagh, Divisional Vice President and President, Middle East, KSA, CIS and India – Nissan and Infiniti, said, “India is central to Nissan’s global ambitions. Our actions over the past year strengthening operations, expanding the network and embarking on a product offensive demonstrate our long-term commitment to this market. The All-New Nissan GRAVITE is not just a product launch; it marks the beginning of a sustained growth phase for Nissan in India. With local manufacturing at our alliance partner facility in Chennai and a future-ready product roadmap, we are here to compete, grow and lead in the segments that matter.”

Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India, said: “The All-New Nissan GRAVITE is inspired by the diversity, scale, and ambition of Indian families. Every detail from its modular seating to its commanding stance reflects how Indian customers live, travel and grow together. For us, GRAVITE is more than a product introduction. It is a promise that Nissan will continue to design, manufacture and invest in vehicles that truly resonate with India’s mobility aspirations.”

The All-New Nissan Gravite establishes a distinct and confident identity aligned with Nissan’s global design language. Its elevated proportions, muscular body lines, pronounced wheel arches and high ground clearance create a commanding road presence suited to diverse Indian driving conditions.

The Gravite is the only vehicle in its segment to feature distinctive hood branding along with unique rear-door badging — a bold design expression that reinforces exclusivity and strong visual recall.

Central to its identity is Nissan’s signature C-shaped design integration at the front and rear, ensuring instant brand recognition while delivering a premium, contemporary character.

The Nissan Gravite redefines family mobility with exceptional cabin roominess and pioneering modularity. Designed to seamlessly adapt to daily commutes and long journeys alike, it delivers intuitive comfort across all three rows.

Premium suede and leatherette quilted seats enhance seating comfort, while generous shoulder and elbow room in the first row and ample headroom and knee room in the second and third rows ensure relaxed seating for all occupants.

Safety remains a core pillar of the Gravite’s value proposition, with 30+ standard safety features designed to deliver peace of mind for families.

The All-New Nissan Gravite is powered by an efficient and refined petrol engine, thoughtfully calibrated to meet the everyday mobility needs of Indian families. It is tuned to deliver smooth acceleration, comfortable cruising and predictable performance across city and highway conditions. The combination delivers a driving experience that prioritises reliability, ease of use and everyday usability – aligning with needs of modern Indian families without compromising on fuel economy and refinement.

The All-New Gravite as the second critical model in Nissan’s rejuvenated portfolio represents a decisive step in the brand’s product renaissance in India. Building on the momentum of the New Nissan Magnite – which is exported from India to markets and locally supported by an expanding dealer network across network cities, the Gravite establishes a strong foundation for sustained growth.

With the upcoming Tekton C-SUV in mid-2026 and a 7-seater C-SUV in early 2027, Nissan’s future-ready roadmap signals a confident multi-segment offensive in the Indian market.

The All-New Nissan GRAVITE is launched at an attractive introductory price of INR 5.65 Lakhs.

VariantEX Showroom (INR, Lakhs)
VISIA5,65,000
ACENTA6,59,000
N-CONNECTA7,20,000
TEKNA7,91,000
N-CONNECTA AMT7,80,000
TEKNA AMT8,49,000

JSW MG Motor India Unveils The MG Majestor – India’s First D+ Segment SUV

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JSW MG Motor India has showcased the MG Majestor, its all-new offering as India’s First D+ SUV. After breaking cover at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, the Majestor now claims centre stage as MG’s most rugged, durable, and premium SUV tailored for the Indian roads and beyond. Built for peak performance and to deliver commanding road presence and all-terrain performance, premium comfort, and advanced safety, the Majestor showcases cutting-edge 4×4 prowess raising the bar with segment-leading innovations, luxury features, top-tier safety, and enduring build quality.

Commenting on the occasion, Anurag Mehrotra, Managing Director, JSW MG Motor India, said, “India’s premium SUV customer is evolving rapidly, looking not just for space, but for a vehicle that projects stature, inspires confidence, and integrates seamlessly into a more ambitious lifestyle. With MG MAJESTOR, we have created an SUV that is rugged in its capability, refined in its comfort, and dependable in its engineering. MAJESTOR for us represents our vision of what a true, full-size SUV should stand for, which is a commanding presence, sophisticated premium craftsmanship, intelligent in technology, and uncompromising in performance.”

Exterior

Resting on a massive 2950 mm wheelbase, the Majestor asserts dominance at the longest (5046mm), widest (2016mm), and tallest (1870mm) – unmatched in class. Its Mosaic Matrix Combination Grille, Dragon Eyes DRLs, split headlamps, connected LED tail lamps with sequential turn signals, raised hood line, and 19-inch alloy wheels amplify a bold, upright, rugged profile. Yet, it maintains a sophisticated, premium aesthetic that turns heads on city streets or highways.

Interior

Step inside for an expansive haven in black theme with plush leather and sleek centre console. Driver and co-driver seats are ventilated, offer massage function, memorize positions, and can be adjusted in multiple ways (12-way driver, 8-way passenger). A panoramic sunroof floods light, while 64-colour ambient lighting sets the mood. Three-zone AC ensures personalized comfort.

Flexible in 6- or 7-seater configurations, it suits families or adventurers. Dual 12.3-inch displays (instrument cluster and infotainment) support wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay. Immersive 12-speaker JBL sound, dual wireless chargers, 220V outlet, and 75+ iSMART connected features underline a tech-forward, luxurious drive every time.

Off-Road Capabilities

At the heart of the Majestor lies true SUV engineering, powered by a 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel engine that churns best-in-segment power at 215.5 PS and 478.5 Nm torque mated to 8-speed AT (Automatic Transmission) in both 2WD and advanced 4WD.The Advanced 4WD system with 10 off-road modes balances worlds – on-road ease, off-road might.

In Auto Mode, the vehicle intelligently operates in 2WD during regular driving conditions and automatically switches to 4WD the moment it detects loss of traction. This ensures better fuel efficiency during daily use while delivering enhanced off-road capability exactly when required. This intelligent mode is particularly effective in conditions such as rain, snow, and slippery surfaces which require higher speeds.

Further strengthening its rugged credentials, the Majestor becomes the first in the segment to offer front, rear, and centre differential locks, enabling it to pull itself out of extreme situations even when one or more wheels lose traction or lift off the ground. Supported by Crawl Control Mode, 219 mm ground clearance, and an 810 mm water wading capability. The Majestor is engineered for durability and reliability across the toughest terrains.

Safety

Safety remains a core pillar of the MG Majestor. The SUV is equipped with Level 2 ADAS, providing assisted steering, braking, and acceleration for enhanced driver confidence across conditions. Apart from this it is also equipped with a host of safety features like 360 Degree HD Camera, Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), integrating Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Traction Control System (TCS), and Roll Movement Intervention (RMI).

The MG Majestor will be offered in Sharp and Savvy variants across 2WD and 4WD drivetrains, in Pearl White, Concrete Grey, Metal Black, and Metal Ash. With the Majestor, JSW MG Motor India brings together rugged capability, uber premiumness, intelligent technology, and long-term reliability in one cohesive SUV, setting a new benchmark for large premium SUVs in India.

Peace-of-Mind

As part of MG’s Complete Peace of Mind Program, Majestor comes with an industry-leading 5-5-5 offering comprising 5 Year Unlimited KM Warranty, 5 Year Road-side Assistance, and 5 Labour-Free Services. Additionally, through a strategic partnership with ICICI Bank, customers will receive an exclusive invite for the ICICI Emeralde Credit Card at zero joining fee*. Early customers will also benefit from Priority Deliveries, access to Exclusive Previews across select cities in March 2026, and Invite-only Experiential Drives curated specially for Majestor owners.

The MG Majestor is available for pre-booking for a booking amount of INR 41,000 while full range pricing and market availability will be announced closer to launch.

Nissan On Track For 2026 Resurgence In India; 7-Seater B-MPV Gravite Teased

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Nissan’s all-new game-changing seven-seater B-MPV will be called Gravite and will be launched in early 2026. It is the first product to be rolled out under the brand’s refreshed and strategically curated line-up for India.

Purpose-built for modern Indian families, the Gravite delivers exceptional versatility and modularity, redefining convenience for value-conscious households while accelerating the expansion of Nissan’s revitalized product portfolio.

Announced in July 2024 as the second model in Nissan Motor India’s ambitious product offensive, the Gravite underscores the company’s forward momentum. The product roadmap includes the launch of the Gravite in early 2026; followed by the Tekton in mid-2026 and a 7-seater C-SUV in early 2027 — reaffirming Nissan’s deep and ongoing commitment to diversifying, strengthening, and revitalising its offering for Indian customers.

A Name that Reflects Nissan’s Ambition

The name “Gravite” draws inspiration from the word gravity, signifying balance, inherent stability, and powerful attraction. This choice reflects Nissan’s core vision of designing vehicles that perfectly anchor families in comfort, superior versatility, and seamless connectivity. Inspired by 1.4 billion Indians and the 19,000 vernaculars and rituals that form the foundation of the nation, the Gravite is the perfect companion for the aspirational and versatile Indian.

Interior: Pioneering Modularity and Comfort

The Gravite transforms family journeys with exceptional cabin roominess and pioneering, class-leading storage innovations. Every aspect has been meticulously crafted for versatility and intuitive use—from ultra-modular seating that effortlessly adapts to changing passenger and cargo needs, to smart space utilization that makes both daily commutes and extended family road trips equally seamless.

Set for its grand debut in early 2026, the All-New Gravite will be manufactured locally in Chennai. This production milestone reinforces Nissan Motor India’s unwavering commitment to deliver vehicles specifically tailored to the evolving demands of Indian customers. As the second critical model in Nissan’s rejuvenated lineup, the Gravite represents a decisive step in the brand’s product renaissance in India.

Design and Inspiration

The All-New Gravite establishes a bold and distinct identity aligned with Nissan’s global design language. Its signature C-shaped front grille—a defining element of Nissan’s DNA—ensures instant recognition and a bold on-road presence. The Gravite’s sleek horizontal proportions and confident, muscular stance combine modern elegance with practical and everyday usability.

The Gravite is the only vehicle in its segment to feature distinctive hood branding along with unique rear-door badging—a bold design choice that powerfully amplifies its exclusive identity. The rear fascia continues to echo Nissan’s signature C-shaped interlock theme, ensuring the MPV’s unmistakable presence on every road.

Massimiliano Messina, Chairperson, Nissan AMIEO (Africa, Middle East, India, Europe & Oceania), commented: “India continues to be a strong contributor to AMIEO’s performance, and Nissan Motor India plays a pivotal role in our strategy. Over FY25, we have strengthened our business operations, expanded our portfolio, and delivered on every promise made under our 2024 product offensive. The upcoming line-up—shaped by global insights yet deeply attuned to the needs of Indian customers—reflects our commitment to this dynamic market. With new models developed in and for India, and exports to several international markets, India remains both a growth driver and a strategic hub for Nissan Alliance. The reveal of the GRAVITE demonstrates our continued momentum and reinforces our confidence in the road ahead.”

Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India, stated: “The All-New GRAVITE is a testament to Nissan Motor India’s renewed focus on the evolving Indian market. Deeply rooted in the fabric of the country, it is designed to be the perfect companion for the diverse needs of our customers. As the second model in our all-new product line-up, the GRAVITE marks a pivotal step in our transformation journey and reinforces our commitment to delivering vehicles that resonate with the aspirations of Indian consumers.”

To support this growth, Nissan is fast-tracking the expansion of its nationwide dealership network, ensuring greater accessibility and enhanced customer experience across the country.

Building on this momentum, the Nissan Magnite continues to strengthen the brand’s global footprint as one of its most successful ‘Made in India’ models. Now exported to 65 markets across South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, the Magnite’s strong acceptance underscores India’s pivotal role as a manufacturing and export hub for Nissan.

Further strengthening its future-ready product roadmap in India, Nissan revealed the Tekton in October 2025—its upcoming premium SUV. With its commanding design and modern technologies, the Tekton sets the tone for the brand’s next phase of growth, complementing today’s introduction of the new Gravite and signalling a robust, multi-segment offensive tailored for the Indian market.

Volkswagen Group Launches Autonomous Vehicle Testing With Its Gen.Urban In Wolfsburg

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The Volkswagen Group is starting the next testing phase in Wolfsburg with its self-driving research vehicle Gen.Urban1. After intensive trials, the Gen.Urban can now drive autonomously in real urban traffic. The research project aims to explore how passengers experience riding in a self-driving vehicle without a traditional steering wheel or pedals – and what requirements this creates for future vehicle concepts.

An interdisciplinary team from Volkswagen Group Innovation, including designers, human factors specialists, software engineers, and materials experts, is gathering comprehensive data on user behaviour and interaction with the Gen.Urban. These findings will contribute to the development of future interior and user experience (UX) concepts across the Group’s brands.

Key questions include: How do people spend their time in a self-driving vehicle? Which digital features best support work, entertainment, or relaxation? How should interaction between the vehicle and passengers be designed, particularly for older people or children?
Simply put: Do people feel comfortable?

Gen.Urban delivers a personalised driving experience even before the journey begins
Even before departure, passengers can customise their preferences – via app or directly in the vehicle – from cabin temperature to ambient lighting. Upon entering, the Gen.Urban greets the passenger, and the seat automatically adjusts to the desired position. In addition, the vehicle’s digital interior can be tailored to individual preferences using artificial intelligence (AI). The wide front display with its information, light, and sound is then adapted to an individual theme.

Gen.Urban is designed without a traditional steering wheel or pedals. The test participant sits in the driver’s seat, while a trained safety driver monitors the vehicle from the passenger seat. If necessary, the safety driver can intervene at any time using a specially developed control panel with a joystick.

The current test phase initially involves Volkswagen Group employees and will last for a period of several weeks.

Dr. Nikolai Ardey, Head of Volkswagen Group Innovation, explains: “The technology for autonomous driving is making rapid progress. With our Gen.Urban research vehicle, we want to understand exactly how passengers experience autonomous driving. Why? Because the key to a positive customer experience is to build trust – through meaningful interaction, a relaxed atmosphere, and intelligent assistance systems that respond precisely to the needs of passengers. Ultimately, technology should fit people, not the other way around. We will benefit from these insights across the entire Group in the long term.”

Test route in Wolfsburg city area with typical traffic scenarios
The starting point of the test route is the visitor parking lot at the HQ building. From there, the nearly ten-kilometre loop runs through Wolfsburg’s city area, passing the Sandkamp factory gate, Saar and Lessing streets, Brandenburger Platz, Breslauer Street, Grauhorststraße, and finally returning via Heinrich-Nordhoff-Street. Traffic light intersections, roundabouts, current construction sites, residential areas, industrial sections, and possibly congested traffic: the route is chosen to correspond to typical challenges of urban traffic. Each test drive lasts approximately 20 minutes.

Flying Spur Sets New ‘Winter Lap Record’ At Most Northerly Active Racetrack In The World

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The Flying Spur Speed has again demonstrated its exceptional performance in all conditions by setting a new ‘winter lap record’ at the world’s most northerly active race circuit.

The record was set at the Drivecenter Arena circuit in Fällfors, northern Sweden – just 100 miles from the Arctic Circle, and a former military airbase. Despite the entirety of the 2.05-mile track being covered in 12-inch of ice and snow, the Flying Spur Speed was able to complete laps in under three minutes, with the best time standing at 2:58 – the quickest any vehicle has lapped the facility in winter conditions, ever. The Flying Spur’s variable four-wheel drive system and rear-wheel steering combined to give the car outstanding agility in the conditions, and peak speed was 120 mph during the record run despite the longest straight being only 450 metres long and covered in sheet ice.

The record was inspired by a combination of previous events from Bentley’s history – the two Ice Speed Records captured by Bentley in 2007 and 2011, and the one-hour endurance record set by a Turbo R at Millbrook Proving Ground in the UK in 1986 where 140 mph was averaged around the banked bowl. While the conditions mirrored those of the Ice Speed Records, the car that was used – registration Y15 BML – has a specification matched to the Turbo R in Bentley’s Heritage Collection. Identical Brooklands Green paintwork, yellow fine lines, and an interior in Linen, Cumbrian Green and Open Pore Walnut were specified to mark the Turbo R’s 40th birthday this year.

The Flying Spur Speed is a car designed to deliver exceptional driving performance in all conditions, thanks to its Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain and advanced chassis systems. An advanced 600 PS 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 is combined with a 190 PS electric motor that is neatly integrated within the 8-speed dual clutch transmission. In Sport Mode this powertrain deploys a full 782 PS and 1,000 Nm, with the instant torque of the E-motor complementing the charismatic cross-plane beat of the V8.

In pure EV mode, the E-motor provides 190 PS and 450 Nm of torque, more than enough to keep up with the traffic in most situations, while the 25.9 kWh battery offers up to 47 miles (76 km) of usable electric-only range (on the EU drive cycle). Together, the V8 and E-motor provide the new Flying Spur with a total range of 515 miles (829 km). Full electric mode can be deployed at speeds of up to 87 mph / 140 kmph, with throttle applications of up to 75 per cent.

The Bentley Performance Active Chassis comes as standard with the Flying Spur Speed. Features of the sophisticated new setup include Bentley Dynamic Ride and All-Wheel Steering, along with an electronically controlled Limited Slip Differential, while a new generation of ESC software permits a range of driving styles to be accessed and provides reliable traction in all conditions – though the record was asset with the system completely switched off.

With the new car’s rear-biased weight distribution of 48.3 : 51.7, the chassis systems and ESC have a mechanically-optimised platform in which to provide the final refinement. The system uses active torque vectoring front to rear through a centre differential, and precision vectoring across each axle using the brakes, to provide exceptional traction in all conditions – vital for a fast lap on snow-covered sheet ice.

BLive EZY Launches 5,000 EV Drive To Power City’s Last Mile Deliveries

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BLive EZY, India’s leading e-mobility platform offering EV as a service for last-mile delivery catering to e-commerce and quick commerce companies like Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto, and Blinkit, has announced the launch of its operation in Kolkata. The company plans to deploy 5,000 electric 2W and 3W vehicles (EVs) over the next 36 months, marking a major step toward sustainable and carbon-free deliveries in Kolkata.

With over 3 million deliveries fulfilled daily and nearly 1 lakh delivery partners on the road, Kolkata stands as one of India’s fastest-growing e-commerce markets in India. Yet, EV penetration for deliveries remains below 2%, signalling a vast opportunity for electrification. Through its successful EZY franchise model, BLive aims to create 50+ EV Franchisees, driving rapid EV adoption while enabling entrepreneurship.

Franchise Model: Profitable, Scalable, and Hassle-Free

BLive EZY’s growth is driven by its franchise model, which allows individuals and EV entrepreneurs to participate in India’s booming EV revolution. With an investment starting at INR 25 lakhs, franchisees can own a fleet of electric two-wheelers and earn assured monthly rentals. This fleet is deployed with leading delivery platforms like Zomato, Zepto, Blinkit, and Swiggy.

The model offers investors a profitable business opportunity — BLive manages end-to-end operations, including deployment, maintenance and rider management — allowing franchise partners to earn 2X return on their investment within 48 months, right from the comfort of their homes. The entire fleet operation is efficiently managed on BLive’s AI-powered “Smart Fleet” tech platform, allowing vehicle tracking, digital rider onboarding, and digital payments and real-time vehicle data.

Driving Green Deliveries and Sustainable Livelihoods

BLive EZY’s entry into Kolkata aligns with its mission to enable green deliveries and sustainable livelihoods. The platform’s end-to-end EV ecosystem ensures seamless operations for enterprises and delivery riders, combining smart fleet technology with predictive analytics and real-time tracking.

“Kolkata represents the next big leap in India’s EV growth story. With high delivery volumes and increasing demand for sustainable logistics, this is the right time for businesses and individuals to invest in clean mobility,” said Sandeep Mukherjee, CEO & Co-Founder, BLive. “Our model makes EV adoption simple, scalable, and profitable — a win for entrepreneurs, enterprises, and the environment.”