India may introduce annual and lifetime toll passes, allowing hassle-free travel on national highways. Under the proposed system, an annual pass costs Rs 3,000 for unlimited travel, while a lifetime pass costs Rs 30,000 for 15 years. Integrated with FASTag, this plan aims to reduce congestion and save costs for commuters.
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Kawasaki introduced the KLX230, its first road-legal dual-sport bike in India, priced at Rs 3.3 lakh. With a 233cc engine, dual-channel ABS, and advanced suspension, it competes with models like Hero Xpulse 200 4V. It includes modern features like an LCD with Bluetooth connectivity and two-color options.
The Kylaq is powered by a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder, turbo petrol engine with 115 hp of power and 178 nm of torque. Gearbox options will include a 6-speed torque converter and a 6-speed manual gearbox. The same engine also does the duty in the Skoda Kushaq, Slavia, VW Virtus and Taigun.
India’s electric car market surged by 20% in 2024, with notable growth from JSW MG Motor selling 21,484 EVs, driven by the Windsor SUV. Tata Motors saw its market share dip to 38%, while newcomers Hyundai and Maruti Suzuki made impactful entries. The competition in India's EV market is expected to intensify further in 2025.
Bajaj Auto has introduced the Chetak 35 Series electric scooters, with the top-spec Chetak 3501 poised to compete against the TVS iQube S. The Chetak 3501 offers a 3.5 kWh battery and a 153 km range, enhanced features including a 5-inch TFT display, and a competitive price of Rs 1.27 lakh.
The Lotus Emira sportscar gets two engine options - a 365 hp, 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder engine borrowed from Mercedes-AMG and a bigger 3.5-litre, 406hp V6 borrowed from Toyota. The Toyota-sourced powertrain is offered with a manual and automatic transmission, whereas the smaller 2.0-litre gets a DCT gearbox. The flagship Emeya R is the most powerful, delivering an impressive 905hp and 985Nm of torque.
The India-spec MG Cyberster will feature a 77kWh battery pack measuring just 110mm in thickness. It comes paired with dual oil-cooled electric motors - one on each axle producing a combined 510hp of power and 725Nm torque. It gets AWD and can sprint from 0-100kph in just 3.2 seconds. MG claims a maximum range of 580km on a single charge (CLTC cycle).
Royal Enfield is set to debut its electric motorcycle, the Flying Flea C6, under its new EV-only brand. Unveiled at EICMA 2024 and displayed in India, the C6 boasts a forged aluminum frame, advanced safety features, and a high-tech operating system. More details, including battery specs, will be revealed closer to its 2026 launch.
Toyota launches the Hilux Black Edition in India, priced at Rs 37.90 lakh. The new model boasts a bold exterior with black finishes, leather upholstery, and advanced features. Equipped with a 2.8-litre turbocharged diesel engine, this pickup truck is set to start deliveries in March 2025.
The 2025 Indian Car of the Year title was awarded to the Mahindra Thar Roxx, just edging out the Maruti Suzuki Dzire. The Aprilia RS 457 won the Indian Motorcycle of the Year. MG Windsor was named Green Car of the Year, and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class LWB sedan took the Premium Car of the Year award.
The XEV 9e features an 11kW on-board charger, with Mahindra offering additional 7.2kW and 11kW charger options. The 7.2kW charger takes 8.7 hours to fully charge the 59kWh battery, while the 11kW charger completes the process in 6 hours. For the 79kWh battery, the 7.2kW charger takes 11.7 hours, and the 11kW charger requires 8 hours.