The 12th stage of Dakar 2026 saw Honda's Ricky Brabec win in the bikes category while Dacia's Nasser Al-Attiyah took a record-equalling 50th stage win in the cars category. Brabec and Nasser Al-Attiyah currently lead the world's toughest rally-raid with one stage left to go.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off India's first-ever Vande Bharat Sleeper train tomorrow (January 17), marking the formal entry of the Vande Bharat platform into long-distance overnight rail travel. The inaugural service will operate between Howrah Junction and Kamakhya Railway Station, strengthening rail connectivity between eastern India and the Northeast.

Car brands are increasingly focusing on offering best-in-class technology and convenience features to attract buyers. Car's audio and speaker system has become a key factor, with customers now looking for more speakers and better sound quality to enhance their overall music experience.

South Korean carmaker Kia has expanded the Syros line-up with the introduction of a new HTK(EX) variant, positioned as a value-focused trim aimed at offering additional features at a lower entry point. The Kia Syros HTK(EX) variant has been launched at ₹9.89 lakh (ex-showroom) for the petrol version, while the diesel-powered HTK(EX) is priced at ₹10.63 lakh (ex-showroom).

JSW Motors is preparing to enter the Indian passenger vehicle market with its first standalone SUV, marking a significant expansion of the JSW Group's automotive ambitions beyond its existing joint venture with MG Motor India. The upcoming model will be based on the Jetour T2, a globally sold SUV developed by Chery, and will form the foundation of a new JSW-branded passenger vehicle portfolio.According to Autocar India, JSW Motors has entered into a technical partnership with Chery to bring the Jetour T2 to India. The SUV will be locally assembled at JSW's upcoming manufacturing facility in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad), Maharashtra, with market introduction planned for Q3 2026. This will be the first product to roll out from JSW Motors' independent passenger vehicle operations.

Volkswagen has revealed the Volkswagen Tayron R-Line in India-bound specification ahead of its planned launch in Q1 2026. The Tayron R-Line will serve as Volkswagen's new flagship SUV for the Indian market, replacing the Tiguan Allspace in the brand's line-up.

Bajaj Auto has expanded its electric scooter portfolio with the introduction of the Bajaj Chetak C2501, positioning it as the most accessible entry point into the Chetak range. The C2501 is aimed squarely at urban commuters looking for a no-nonsense electric scooter that retains the Chetak's metal-bodied construction and everyday usability, while trimming features to keep costs in check.

Smartphone connectivity is no longer limited to premium motorcycles in India. Today, even budget commuter motorcycles come equipped with Bluetooth connectivity, navigation assistance, call alerts, and app-based features. These technologies enhance convenience, safety, and everyday usability. Here are the Motorcycles with smartphone connectivity, available at a budget-friendly price.

The 11th stage of Dakar 2026 saw Honda's Skylar Howes take his first-ever stage win at the world's toughest rally-raid. In the cars category, Ford's Mattias Ekstrom took his third stage win at Dakar 2026 as he led a Ford sweep of the podium spots today.

Kia India has expanded the Kia Carens Clavis line-up with the introduction of a new HTE(EX) variant, adding a sunroof-equipped option positioned above the HTE(O) trim. The new variant level of the Kia Carens Clavis is aimed at buyers looking for added comfort features without moving to the higher HTX trims.The Kia Carens Clavis HTE(EX) variant level introduces a single-pane sunroof, a feature previously limited to higher variants in the Carens Clavis range. This addition enhances cabin ambience while keeping the overall feature set focused on practicality and everyday usability.

India's most popular MPV, the Toyota Innova Crysta, could be discontinued once the CAFE 3 norms are implemented. Toyota has not officially announced anything regarding this, but likely, the ladder-frame MPV with the 2.4-litre diesel engine may not meet the new emission norms. Here are the best alternatives to consider instead of the Toyota Innova Crysta.

Suzuki Motorcycle India has updated its 250cc motorcycle line-up - the fully-faired Gixxer SF 250 and the naked Gixxer 250 - with new colour options and refreshed graphics for 2026, while retaining their existing mechanical packages.

Skoda has confirmed that its upcoming flagship all-electric seven-seat SUV will be called the Peaq, finalising the production name originally previewed by the Vision 7S concept. The carmaker says the Skoda Peaq will be its largest electric SUV, with a global debut scheduled for summer 2026.

Mahindra has recorded 93,689 combined bookings for its newly launched XUV 7XO and XEV 9S, translating into a booking value of more than ₹20,500 crore based on ex-showroom prices. These figures were calculated as of January 14, 2026.Bookings for the Mahindra XUV 7XO opened earlier this month with a token amount of ₹21,000, while reservations for the XEV 9S electric SUV were accepted alongside. The strong initial response covers both internal combustion and electric models in Mahindra's expanded SUV portfolio.

Yamaha is one of the leading brands in the 150cc segment, and has a strong lineup aimed at young riders. Apart from the R15, the MT-15 and the FZ series are very popular among Indian buyers. Here, we compare two 150cc motorcycles that use different engine setups. One is tuned for maximum mileage in the segment, and the other is for maximum performance. Let us do a comparison.

The 10th stage of Dakar 2026 saw Honda's Adrien Van Beveren take his first stage win at Dakar 2026 (7th career win). In the cars category, Mathieu Serradori took a first-ever Dakar win for South Africa's Century Racing Team.

Bajaj Auto has launched the all-new Chetak C2501 at ₹91,399 (ex-showroom). This affordable electric scooter joins the Chetak lineup as the fourth offering with a maximum claimed range of up to 113 km. It is currently the most affordable electric scooter from Bajaj, targeting daily urban commuters.

Czech automotive brand Škoda Auto is expected to launch the new Škoda Kushaq facelift in India on January 19-20. Originally introduced in 2021 as part of Škoda's India 2.0 strategy, the Kushaq compact SUV is set to receive a major update in January 2026.

One of India's popular premium motorcycle brands, Royal Enfield, is set to make its debut in the popular mobile game BGMI (Battlegrounds Mobile India). The company has announced a partnership with Krafton India, with the collaboration set to commence on January 19, 2026.

Mahindra has opened bookings for its flagship electric and ICE SUVs, the XEV 9S and the XUV 7XO. These models combine advanced technology, luxury, and safety features. Bookings officially began on January 14, 2026. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to book the new XUV 7XO and the XEV 9S online.

Tata Motors has launched the new Tata Punch Facelift in India at a starting price of ₹5.59 lakh (ex-showroom). One of the best-selling micro-SUVs in the country, the Punch has now been updated with several class-leading features, including a more powerful engine option. Let's take a look at those top features below.

EV startup Ola Electric has reintroduced the Muhurat Mahotsav campaign for 2026. The campaign now includes the company's newly introduced 4680 Bharat Cell-powered products, such as the Ola S1 Pro+ and Roadster X+. The offer will be limited and will start from January 14. The Muhurat Prices will be announced via Ola Electric's social media channels.

The ninth stage of Dakar 2026 saw Honda's Tosha Schareina take his third stage win at Dakar 2026. In the cars category, Energylandia Rally Team's Eryk Goczal took his first-ever win at the Dakar.

Tata Motors has taken car safety crash tests to the next level by crashing the newly launched Tata Punch Facelift into a large truck, showcasing its protection in real-world accident scenarios. The Tata Punch is one of the safest cars in the market, and it already carries a 5-star safety rating.

Honda has revised prices of the Honda Elevate from January 2026, with increases ranging from ₹40,000 to ₹60,000 across the variant line-up. The price hike applies to petrol as well as hybrid variants, with the highest revision seen on top-end trims.