This month, we go big on power and even bigger on premium metal. The cover story is Kia’s biggest swing yet at the executive SUV segment, and then there’s a family SUV with more horsepower than a Lamborghini, and BMW’s electric onslaught continues with a new long-wheelbase sedan and a sharper flagship limousine.
Kia Sorento: Cover Story
Six trims, two powertrains, up to seven seats and 32 variants in all. Kia isn’t dipping a toe into the premium SUV pool; it’s diving straight in, locally assembling the Sorento from Rs 27.99 lakh to take on the Skoda Kodiaq and VW Tayron. Has Kia cracked the code, or has it bitten off more than it can chew?
Porsche Cayenne Electric: First Drive
Forget hypercars. The most powerful vehicle currently on sale in India is a family SUV, the Cayenne Electric, with more horsepower than your senses can fathom. We took it to an airstrip to see what that actually does to your stomach.
BMW i5 LWB & i7 Facelift: First Drives
BMW’s electric push continues, with a long-wheelbase i5 slotting in between the iX1 and flagship i7. Can BMW’s long-wheelbase playbook continue to work? And there’s also the i7 getting a sharper face and more tech to go with it, like it didn’t have enough already.
Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric: Drive
The first-gen electric GLC was far from ideal. The new one, however, is a completely new generation with an 800V architecture, 330kW charging and a claimed 715km range. We took all 489 of its horses to the Autobahn to see how much of an improvement it has been over its predecessor.
MG Hector Tomahawk EV: First Drive
Don’t let the familiar name fool you. The Hector Tomahawk EV rides on MG’s all-new ADAPT platform, bigger than the Mahindra XEV 9S in every dimension, with a PHEV sibling already waiting in the wings.
Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Renault Triber Turbo and Skoda Slavia: First Drives
India’s favourite premium hatch, the Baleno, gets a new engine and ADAS, the budget-friendly Triber finally gets the power it’s been begging for, and the Slavia’s facelift turns out to be more than skin-deep.
Mahindra Thar OG: First Drive
The original three-door Thar gets another round of updates, bringing changes to its engines, equipment and chassis. With the off-road icon continuing to evolve, we head out to discover what this latest iteration brings to the table.
Taking the High Road: Features
Goa’s new Porvorim Elevated Corridor opens on NH66, and we test it in two ways: solo against Google Maps’ ETA in an MG Cyberster, and then flanked by a dozen supercars, Ferraris, a McLaren 750S and a Lamborghini Huracan among them, for its proper initiation.
Rocket Ship to the Moon: Feature
A Lamborghini SUV is already an exercise in excess. Take it somewhere unexpected, add a little spectacle, and you have the ingredients for an automotive adventure that refuses to be ordinary.
Royal Enfield Himalayan 440
The original Himalayan is back with a bigger engine and a handful of meaningful changes. In a world where adventure bikes keep getting more complicated, there’s something rather appealing about going back to basics.
Tracker 400 vs Guerrilla 450: Comparison
Two left-field street nakeds, the Triumph Tracker 400 and Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450, go head-to-head. One takes its inspiration from flat-track racers, while the other fancies itself a sporty roadster. Both want your money, and neither is particularly interested in being sensible about it.
KTM Adventure Rally Extreme: Ride
Adventure riding is all well and good until the road disappears, the terrain turns hostile and you begin questioning your life choices. We get a taste of KTM’s rally raid experience, where the only shortcut is having the skill to take one.
