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KTM 390 Adventure First Ride Review: It's Everything You Wanted, And More!

The wait is over. The 2025 KTM 390 Adventure is here, and it's a game-changer. We rode it, pushing it to its limits, and here's our honest take.

2025 Ather 450X Review: The e-scooter for Rallying?

Ather is not sitting on its laurels and is taking every opportunity to make its 450 range as robust and high-tech as possible.

Royal Enfield Bear 650 First Ride Review: Offroad Machine or Overdressed Interceptor?

Introducing a new dual-sport option to the 650 lineup, Royal Enfield has launched the new Bear 650 at a starting price of Rs 3.39 lakh (ex-showroom). We're in California to give this scrambler a proper test of mettle.

Kawasaki KLX 230 Review: More Capable Than Hero Xpulse 200 and RE Himalayan 450?

In a market full of capable but cumbersome ADVs, what does a nimble, low-capacity dual-sport machine bring?

Suzuki V-Strom 800 DE First Ride Review: All The Bike You'll Ever Need?

There is a new breed of ADVs gaining popularity, one that includes the new Suzuki V-Strom 800DE. The rugged new V-Strom not only promises great highway performance but also the capability to tackle the great outdoors. But does it deliver?

Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider First Drive Review: Versatility in Verde

We drove a naturally-aspirated V12, convertible Ferrari offering maximum involvement but a torrential downpour threatened to spoil the party.

2025 Camry Hybrid First Drive Review: Luxury and Performance with 25kmpl

The new Toyota Camry Hybrid is a big step up from the last generation when it comes to looks, features, and how it drives, and it’s definitely for the better.

New Honda Amaze First Drive Review: Next-Gen or Facelift?

The new Honda Amaze is now the most affordable car in India to feature Level-2 ADAS. However, is it actually an improvement compared to its predecessor?

2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe First Drive Review: Is This The Best AMG SUV For India?

If you want a fast and stylish AMG, you buy a C 43 sedan. If you want a fast and stylish AMG for India, you buy one of these – the GLC 43 Coupe. Mercedes-AMG has launched a new, updated version with added style, features and powertrain. Let's put it to the test!

BYD eMAX 7 Review: The New Choice for Families?

BYD’s eMAX 7 gets a plethora of upgrades over the e6 but are they enough to take the fight to the indomitable Innova?

Upcoming Porsche Cars:  Check their expected price, launch date,   engine specifications, interior, features, images, news, rivals & more.

Auto Shanghai 2025: This Buick Electra GS Concept Is Almost as Long as the BMW i7

The Buick Electra GS Concept spans 5,300mm in length with a 3,200mm wheelbase. It comes with a large 16.3-inch touchscreen.

New Hyundai Venue N-Line Spotted Testing Overseas For the First Time

The upcoming Hyundai Venue N-Line facelift stays true to its signature boxy shape but gains a host of bold design revisions aimed at enhancing its sporty persona.


Mercedes-Benz CLA LWB with 75mm Longer Wheelbase Debuts at Auto Shanghai 2025

Alongside the LWB model, the Mercedes-Benz Vision V Concept debuted at the event. It is constructed on the newly announced VAN.EA platform.

New Kia Carens to Mark India Debut on May 8; Here's What to Expect

Kia will unveil a heavily refreshed Carens, which retains its familiar silhouette and footprint but is poised to receive significant visual and feature updates.

MG Hector Updated with E20 Fuel Compliance in India, Prices Start at Rs 13.99 Lakh

All petrol-powered MG Hector variants produced from March 31, 2025, onwards will adhere to the E20 fuel norms set by the Government. 

Auto Shanghai 2025: MG Cyber X Electric SUV Concept Revealed with Pop-Up Headlights, Full-Width LED Light Bars

MG has also showcased the MY26 Cyberster and the exclusive Cyberster Black 101st Anniversary Edition at the ongoing Auto Shanghai 2025. 

BYD Denza Z Concept with Fold-Away Steering Wheel and Steer-by-Wire Tech Unveiled at Shanghai Auto Show

The BYD Denza Z features advanced steer-by-wire technology, eliminating the traditional mechanical link between the steering wheel and front axle.

Audi A6L e-tron EV with Up to 770 Km Range Debuts at Auto Shanghai 2025

The Audi A6L e-tron is equipped with a larger 107kWh battery pack, providing a range of up to 770 kilometres on a single charge.

Toyota Hyryder 7-Seater SUV Spied Testing for the First Time Ahead of India Launch

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Volkswagen Golf R Black Edition Debuts in USA with Carbon Fiber Trim and Titanium Exhaust System

The Volkswagen Golf R Black Edition debuts in the US with a blacked-out design, enhanced aerodynamics, sporty touches, and an Akrapovi titanium exhaust system.

2025 Skoda Kodiaq vs Toyota Fortuner Spec Comparison: What's Different?

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Tata Nexon EV 45kWh Variants Get 5-Star Rating from Bharat NCAP – Full Range Now Top Safety Rated

The Tata Nexon EV range, including the 45kWh models, now fully meets the Bharat NCAP's top safety standards. The electrified SUV holds impressive scores in both Adult and Child Occupant Protection. 

All-Electric Audi E5 Sportback Debuts at Auto Shanghai 2025 With up to 770 Km Range

Following the E5 Sportback, the China-specific Audi aims to expand its lineup with two more all-electric models, set to launch in 2026 and 2027.

Porsche 911 Spirit 70 Special Edition Revealed with the Spirit of the 1970s

The Porsche 911 Spirit 70 based on the 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet will be a limited edition with only 1,500 units available worldwide.

Auto Shanghai 2025: Toyota bZ7 Electric Sedan Concept Breaks Cover

Alongside the bZ7 Electric Sedan, the Lexus ES debuted at the Shanghai Auto Show, with the Clean Tech x Elegance design philosophy.

New Lexus ES Unveiled with Hybrid and Electric Powertrains at 2025 Shanghai Motor Show

The all-new Lexus ES has been crafted under the Clean Tech x Elegance design philosophy, blending bold aesthetics with a minimalist approach.

Auto Shanghai 2025: Volkswagen ID. Aura, ID. Era, and ID. Evo Concepts Unveiled

Volkswagen will launch over 30 new models, including 20 NEVs, in China by 2027, including production versions of the concept cars unveiled in Shanghai.

New Kia EV9 Nightfall Edition Marks Global Debut with Boost Mode at 2025 New York Auto Show

The Kia EV9 Nightfall Edition is equipped with a Boost function that enhances torque from 600Nm to 700Nm, propelling it from 0 to 97km/h in 4.5 seconds.

Mercedes-Benz Vision V Electric Van Concept Revealed With Massive 65-Inch Retractable 4K Screen

The Vision V features chrome details, glowing lights, and expansive white leather, setting the stage for a luxury van set to enter production in 2026.

BMW Vision Driving Experience Unveiled Globally with 18,000Nm of Torque!

BMW reveals VDX at Auto Shanghai 2025 with 18,000Nm torque, 1.2t downforce and glowing paint for a futuristic experience.

Matter Aera Electric Motorcycle to Launch in Delhi, Mumbai, and More Cities by June 2025

Bookings are now for the Matter Aera EV across 8 major Indian cities on both the company's official website and Flipkart, with special offers for early buyers.

2025 Indian Challenger Elite, Pursuit Elite Limited Edition Motorcycles Unveiled Globally with V-Twin Power

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New Yezdi Adventure India Launch on May 15; Here's All You Need to Know

The last update to the Yezdi Adventure, in August of last year, brought a mix of subtle design adjustments and technical enhancements.

Royal Enfield Bullet 650 Twin Name Trademarked Ahead of Upcoming India Launch

The upcoming Bullet 650 Twin is likely to be a bit more affordable than the Classic 650, which currently ranges from Rs 3.37 lakh to Rs 3.50 lakh (both, ex-showroom).

Top Adventure Motorcycles You Can Buy in India Under Rs 3 Lakh

India's adventure motorcycle market is booming with rising interest in road trips and off-roading. This guide highlights top adventure bikes under Rs 3.00 lakh (ex-showroom).

KTM 390 Enduro R vs Royal Enfield Bear 650 Spec Comparison: What's Different?

Here’s a detailed look at how the KTM 390 Enduro R and Royal Enfield Bear 650 compare in specs, hardware, features, and which one better suits your riding style.

2025 Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle Launched in India at Rs 12.60 Lakh

The Scrambler Full Throttle sports a black and bronze theme, bold side number plates, and a low-slung handlebar. It is available for purchase across ten authorised dealerships across key Indian cities.

2025 Kawasaki Ninja 650 KRT Edition Launched in India at Rs 7.27 Lakh

The Kawasaki Ninja retains its 649cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine that generates a maximum power output of 67bhp at 8,000rpm and a peak torque of 64Nm of torque at 6,700rpm.

2025 Kawasaki Eliminator Becomes Expensive by Rs 14,000 in India; Check New Prices

Despite the increase in price, there are no updates to the design or engine of the Eliminator 500, and it continues to be sold in the same Metallic Flat Spark Black colour option.

2025 TVS Apache RR 310 Launched In India with OBD-2B Compliance; Price Starts at Rs 2.78 Lakh

The 2025 Apache RR 310, drawing inspiration from TVS Racing’s Asia Road Racing Championship bike, offers significant performance enhancements for both track and road use.

New Moto Morini X-Cape 700 Unveiled Globally with Upgraded Engine; India Launch Soon?

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2025 Honda Dio 125 with OBD2B compliance Launched in India at Rs 96,749

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Honda CB300R Recalled in India Over Defective Headlight Unit

The Honda CB300R is powered by a BS6 OBD2A-compliant 286cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine, paired with a six-speed gearbox.

2025 Hero Super Splendor Xtec Launched in India with OBD2B Compliance; Prices Start at Rs 88,128

The 2025 Hero Super Splendor XTEC meets OBD-2B norms and runs on a 124.7cc engine delivering 10.72bhp and 10.6Nm of torque.

Suzuki Gixxer, Avenis, V-Strom SX and More Now Up for Booking on Flipkart 

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Suzuki GSX-8R Kiiro Edition Revealed;  Limited to 60 Units

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Hero Glamour Launched with OBD2B Compliance at Rs 86,698 in India

Hero has hiked the Glamour's price by Rs 2,000. The disc brake variant now costs Rs 90,698, while the drum brake variant is priced at Rs 86,698 (ex-showroom).

KTM 390 Enduro R vs Kawasaki KLX230 Spec Comparison: What's Different?

The KTM 390 Enduro R and Kawasaki KLX230 offer distinct off-road experiences – one prioritises power and tech, the other balances performance with approachability.

2025 Hero Splendor Plus Range Launched in India; Prices Start at Rs 78,926

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Royal Enfield Classic 650 vs Interceptor 650 Spec Comparison: What's Different?

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F1: General Motors Gets FIA Green Light to Join F1 as Engine Supplier from 2029

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F1: Toto Wolff Calls Saudi GP Mercedes' Worst Performance of the Year So Far After Tyre Woes

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MotoGP: Aleix Espargaro Set for Spanish GP Wildcard Entry with Honda

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F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: Oscar Piastri Wins in Jeddah After Verstappen’s Penalty, Extends Championship Lead

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F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: Here’s When, Where and How to Watch 2025 Race in India

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Well, it’s February, and February has a 14th – a day when you suddenly discover you need to declare your love towards someone. Wonder what happens during the rest of the 364 days. Anyway, I don’t know how big a celebration Valentine’s Day is in other parts of the world, but thanks to opportunistic marketers in India, it does seem to be a big deal here. I’m a bit of a cynical curmudgeon if you know what I mean, but go ahead, let me not stop you from declaring your love and spending money to keep India’s economy going.

Since it is February, and February has a 14th, I, too, might as well declare my undying love: to Miriam, my 1960 LHD Volkswagen Beetle, wearing an improbably bright shade of green and orange seats with ivory piping. And boy, this love affair has indeed kept not just the local, but the international economy buzzing. Restoring her was a massive exercise which I have written about here earlier. What I really enjoyed is the great supportive classic Volkswagen community spread across the country that pitches in when you need technical help and assistance. And others assist you in getting parts from across the world – rubber beadings from Brazil to the gear lever boot from the UK, fender indicators from Mexico to those little plugs that cover the door bolts from Thailand. The restorers and their workforce in India are another solid community altogether – they may compete, but they also collaborate to ensure that your car comes alive. Collectors, too, are never envious but truly appreciate the love of your life, and this is best seen during group drives. Love is family, and the entire classic car family is indeed loving. This is one of the best aspects of owning an old-timer.Also Read: <a href="https://www.autox.com/opinion/srinivas-krishnan/are-buttons-in-cars-going-to-give-way-to-touchscreens-forever-119767/" target="_blank">Are Buttons in Cars Going to Give Way to Touchscreens Forever?</a>

Love is not blind. Old cars – even if they were never known for their design – exude character that no modern car can match. The way the sheet metal is folded in imaginative curves and shapes and how it catches the light can take your breath away. Even the way the doors open and shut evokes an unmatched sensation. And then there’s the smell – which is absolutely unique in old-timers. Speaking of Miriam, it’s a combination of unburnt fuel, some hydrocarbon residue escaped from the engine, painted metal panels, and bakelite switchgear with a dash of oil… Hmm, divine.

Then, of course, is the joy of driving. Truly, I really feel for enthusiasts who have not experienced the joy of driving old cars – they don’t know what they’re missing. Because driving a classic is an affirmation of love; to me, driving Miriam is an act of love. Take it the way you want! The reason I say that is because to drive an old car, you have to be mindful. You cannot zone out like in a modern car, which is designed to make the drive effortless. Old cars were designed to be operated – like complex machinery – if you know what I mean. It takes two to drive an old car, not one.Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autox.com/opinion/srinivas-krishnan/opinion-how-companies-can-do-more-for-road-safety-than-individuals-and-even-the-government-117403/" target="_blank">How Companies Can do More for Road Safety than Individuals and the Government</a>

Throttle response is generally hesitant, braking is truly reluctant, gearshifts cannot be flippant, reversing needs to be vigilant and steering begs for muscle relaxant! It is this mindfulness that makes all the difference between piloting a classic versus a new one.

All good love stories have some sad bits, too. To me, that is typically others on bikes and cars who are completely blind; they give a damn that these old-timers can stall at traffic signals or that their braking can be telegraphic. I am surprised by how many people are capable of riding and driving in India with their brains safely locked in their commodes at home – truly, a wonder of nature. The other bit is the cumbersome paperwork and the general administrative hassles of ownership. The worst is what old-timer vehicle owners in the NCR have to endure – they simply cannot drive them on the roads in that part of the world! I truly feel sorry for collectors over there.

The true attribute of classic car love is the joy it brings all around. It never fails to light up people’s eyes and bring a smile to their faces – no modern cars can do that, not even exceptional sports cars. Finally, every love story is unique. In the case of classic and vintage cars and bikes, it is twice as unique – because each machine is special. Sniff, sniff… who’s cutting onions at this hour?

Old Car Ownership is Rewarding Most Times, but it Can Be Punishing Too

Every love story is unique. In the case of classic and vintage cars and bikes, it is twice as unique – because each machine is special.

With their 122kWh &amp; 111.5kWh battery packs, they have a claimed range of 809 and 575 kilometres respectively (translating to a real-world range in excess of 500 kilometres), which means that range anxiety – the number one complaint with EVs – is simply not an issue. And if you’ve got an EV charger at home, then it’s actually quite liberating not having to make that occasional trip to the local filling station. Of course, in the company of these two Rs 1.40 crore-machines, it may not be relevant but it’s worth mentioning that they’re also far cheaper to run on electricity than the equivalent ICE machine, which still sips dino juice for forward propulsion.Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autox.com/opinion/dhruv-behl/the-iphone-isation-of-the-car-dashboard-is-a-mistake-119766/" target="_blank">The iPhone-isation of the Car Dashboard is a Mistake!</a> 


Plus, there’s no doubt that an EV for the city is quieter and more refined, not to mention cleaner – with zero tailpipe emissions. Let’s forget, for purposes of this argument, how resource heavy EV’s actually are to manufacture. There are two ways in which, however, that the equivalent luxury ICE SUV steals a march over this duo – one is suspension compliance, wherein these do require slightly firmer underpinnings to deal with the weight of their heavy-duty battery packs. And the other thing to be aware of as a passenger – which actually happens to be a plus when you’re in the driver’s seat – is that you’re better off setting the drivetrain to Eco mode if you’re being chauffeur driven to avoid being jostled around thanks to the neck snapping acceleration of these quite brisk machines.
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At well north of a crore though, neither of these SUVs are ever going to be commonplace, but there are bunch of new models – either launched already or imminent – that are liable to make EVs far more mainstream in the near future. Over the years, the Hyundai Creta has become one of the best-selling cars in our market, and now there’s an EV variant of this popular model already on sale – which is also priced particularly well – so anyone in the market for a new Creta would do well to consider the EV version.

Mahindra, meanwhile, is taking a totally different tact with the BE 6 and XEV 9e. They’re going more for shock and awe, as opposed to understated and discreet, with designs that look as though they’ve been crafted alongside the Starship Enterprise. Needless to say, both models have generated a tremendous amount of interest already. And now, with <a href="https://www.autox.com/news/car-news/bharat-mobility-expo-2025-maruti-suzuki-e-vitara-revealed-ahead-of-india-launch-119588/" target="_blank">Maruti also getting into the act</a>, EV apprehension should soon become a thing of the past – at least for in-city use.

So, am I saying that you should buy an EV? Sure, I’m certainly urging you to consider the option. As for me, well, dino juice is an addiction that I haven’t quite cured just yet…

Have Electric Vehicles Finally Become Good Enough to Convert the ICE Enthusiast?

After spending a couple of months with a pair of very impressive luxury EVs—the Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 SUV and BMW iX—I may well be.

I still miss the tactile feel of the Qwerty keyboard on my Blackberry every time I type a long message on my iPhone. Never mind the fact that Blackberry has long since succumbed to the merciless march of progress, every time I watch a video on said iPhone I see the value of a screen that extends from end-to-end. I’ve since also fallen hook, line, and sinker for the Apple ecosystem, so I’m certainly not yearning for the good old days. Or am I?You see, while I clearly see the point of maximising screen size for my phone, I can’t quite follow the same logic for the dashboard of my daily driver. To adjust the temperature of the AC, for instance, I’d much rather reach for a dedicated button without having to take my eyes off the road, as opposed to having to navigate through a bunch of menus while attempting to avoid rear-ending the car in front.Check out <a href="https://www.autox.com/opinion/srinivas-krishnan/are-buttons-in-cars-going-to-give-way-to-touchscreens-forever-119767/" target="_blank">this column</a> by Srinivas Krishnan where he also goes on a rant on this particular pet peeve. Except, he does so by citing facts and customer satisfaction surveys (or dissatisfaction surveys as the case may be), which point out that the number one concern that new car buyers have today is the result of on-board systems that are unintuitive and cumbersome to use.Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autox.com/news/industry-news/euro-ncap-to-give-higher-safety-ratings-to-cars-with-fewer-screens-heres-why-116394/" target="_blank">Euro NCAP to Give Higher Safety Ratings to Cars with Fewer Screens</a>Add to that a myriad of active safety features that are being added to new cars, all of which also require users to go through numerous menus and sub-menus to deactivate or tweak before being able to set off in peace. In Europe, for instance, all new cars are fitted with an ‘Intelligent Speed Assistant,’ which monitors speed limits using GPS and digital speed maps and triggers a speed warning every time the driver is deemed to be even 1km/h over the speed limit – even if that happens to be on your own driveway. Perversely, this system is also designed to be difficult to disable – in fact that’s mandated as well (ostensibly by someone with a sick sense of humour) – and if you do choose to disable this “Speed Assistant,” you have to do so every single time you turn the ignition.It's this type of over regulation and excessive computing power that’s taking the price of new cars through the roof. And it’s this tech for the sake of tech, as opposed to so that it improves the experience for the driver and passengers, that’s putting people off buying new cars and driving up demand for used cars in the West. If we’re not careful, we’ll see a similar trend in India as well. Designers, product planners and regulators all need to remember that tech should enhance the experience, not detract from it. Nor should it be a vanity project.Vanity projects lead to exactly the kind of slippery slope that the industry seems to find itself on at present… let’s hope they’re not too distracted by navigating through complex menus to apply the brakes before it’s too late.

The iPhone-isation of the Car Dashboard is a Mistake!

You see, while I clearly see the point of maximising screen size for my phone, I can’t quite follow the same logic for the dashboard of my daily driver.

Before we start, some essential disclosures: I drive a 1960 Volkswagen Beetle, listen to music from compact discs and own a few wristwatches that don’t run on batteries. I also listen to FM on a dedicated radio set and, for 20 years, had a cathode ray tube television. I like my other car (which is from this century) because some bits of it are resolutely analogue. In fact, after a year of owning it, I was told that I could use Android Auto if I connected the car to my phone with a C-type (?) cable. So to answer the question of whether the analogue interface in cars is soon going to die out, my answer is no. You may wish to read on if you want to know why I think so.So what’s exactly the problem? The conversations on today’s cars are getting sidetracked by the number of touchscreens and their size instead of the fundamentals of the car. In the attempt to make cars an extension of your personality (actually not yours, but your cellphone’s), cars today are ditching simple controls for complex ones, governed by infotainment and software code. Seduced by what they see when they peer over the Great Wall, OEMs are increasingly offering what Chinese OEMs do, especially in their EVs. Several European carmakers have decided to out-Chinese the Chinese and do away with all sorts of physical controls, even for the most essential features. Imagine going through menu options on a giant screen or using touch-sensitive buttons to control the air vents, turn down the volume, roll up the rear windows or activate the wipers. Now imagine doing it while driving. It is highly distracting and downright hazardous. Not just Europe, but this could become an industry-wide epidemic.I suspect it is not just overzealous product planners and Applephile designers who are responsible for this, but number crunchers too – physical buttons are arguably more expensive than giant screens. Also replacing a faulty touchscreen will make the OEM more money than replacing a button panel, I am sure. ‘Right To Repair’ as a concept for Software Defined Vehicles is a bridge that is yet to be approached, let alone crossed.Inevitably, car owners are also finding this new-fangled tech cumbersome and irritating. A 2023 JD Power survey of American car owners showed an increase in customer dissatisfaction, owing mainly to complicated touch-based infotainment systems. Even Porsche – which famously believed in the philosophy of ‘one button, one function’ in all their sports cars – succumbed to the touchscreen in the Taycan just because it was their ground-up all-electric car and wanted to make a clean break from the past. Well, that break is not going to last too long. Media reports say that new Euro NCAP tests in 2026 will nudge OEMs to use ‘separate, physical controls for basic functions in an intuitive manner, limiting eyes-off-road time and therefore promoting safer driving.’Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autox.com/news/industry-news/euro-ncap-to-give-higher-safety-ratings-to-cars-with-fewer-screens-heres-why-116394/" target="_blank">Euro NCAP to Give Higher Safety Ratings to Cars with Fewer Screens</a> The reason why outlandish features and techno wizardry, and giant touchscreens and infotainment refresh rates are dominating automotive conversations today is that cars will soon start getting homogenised like never before. There’s not much to distinguish what’s underneath different brands of Chinese EVs, so they have to stand out by giving you a dozen screens, getting your car to order your microwave to start making dinner and take-your-drone-along capabilities. Should the rest of the world follow suit? Perhaps not, because many wise people are talking about an impending split in the world of manufacturing: ‘In China, For China’ and ‘Rest Of The World.’I think we Indians may flirt initially with the techno-wizardry in infotainment systems in new cars, but reality will soon sink in. I’ll draw a parallel with smartwatches. A December 2024 article in The Economic Times said that smartwatch sales in India have dropped precipitously. The reason is that consumers were shifting back to analogue watches because they found smartwatches highly distracting and invasive, owing to constant monitoring of health parameters, office e-mail notifications, chats and more. Some of the examples of ex-smartwatch users quoted in the article included tech entrepreneurs and fitness enthusiasts who would ideally be heavy users of these hi-tech devices. But even they have declared enough is enough.Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autox.com/news/industry-news/next-gen-apple-carplay-to-offer-more-customisation-and-control-functions-117437/" target="_blank">Next-Gen Apple CarPlay to Offer More Customisation and Control Functions </a> So, do you want your horoscope read out by your car or want to know what’s in your refrigerator by looking at one of your car’s screens? Well, some of you may, but that should not be at the cost of the tactile sensation of using a physical knob or button while driving your car. Hope sense prevails.

Are Buttons in Cars Going to Give Way to Touchscreens Forever?

Will the analogue interface be overwhelmed by the dazzling dominance of touchscreens and UI/UX of tech-laden cars?  Maybe not.

At the end of every 12 months, we not only take pleasure in crowning <a href="https://www.autox.com/track-test/autox-awards-2024-winners-announced-maruti-suzuki-bmw-ferrari-and-more-bag-top-honours-119043/" target="_blank">the top-ten vehicles of the year</a>, but we also take the opportunity to sit down with the leaders of the industry to get their take on the year gone by – and get a sense of what they expect for the year ahead.

Now, if you look at the newspaper headlines, you’d think that the world was coming to an end – and bringing the automotive industry down with it. But if you take the time to get the perspective of professionals who’ve seen the ebbs of flows of the economy for three decades plus – with a collective experience of a few centuries – you get the sense that a more measured approach is needed. I urge you to check out <a href="https://www.autox.com/interviews/" target="_blank">our interviews</a> with the industry leaders. In the meantime, here are some key takeaways.

Firstly, and importantly, although this isn’t a revelation by any stretch, the Indian automotive industry has come a long way! It’s now the third largest market in the world – after only the US and China (albeit a lot further back). Remember, though, our car penetration is just 32 per 1,000 people (compared with over 200 in China and 850 in the US). If this number reaches even 44 per 1,000, the Indian car market will go from 4 million to about 6 million. But we have to get there progressively; organically; gradually.

Three key phrases when looking at the auto industry. Post-covid growth across industries and geographies has been pretty staggering by all accounts, but to expect this to continue would be foolhardy. We’ve seen 10% year-on-year growth over the past few years, so it’s only natural for that to drop to single digits in the near term. Veterans of the industry will tell you that it’s normal to see a few years of double-digit growth, followed by a plateau, or a trough even, only to be followed by rapid growth once again. It is, after all, cyclical – to expect otherwise would be to forget that ‘Objects in the rear-view mirror are closer than they appear.’

Now, as far as EVs are concerned, there appears to be some consensus that EVs are the eventually end state – it’s just a question of when! At present, the market penetration of EVs in the car segment is about 2.5%. However, on the basis of some of the really compelling launches that have just taken place (some of which are part of our Best of 2024 top-ten), and others that are imminent, it would be reasonable to assume that this will grow to about 6-7% in the next couple of years – with 16-18% being the best case scenario by 2030.

The real gamechanger in terms of charging infra could come from Maruti Suzuki, which showcased <a href="https://www.autox.com/news/car-news/bharat-mobility-expo-2025-maruti-suzuki-e-vitara-revealed-ahead-of-india-launch-119588/" target="_blank">the e Vitara at the Bharat Mobility Expo</a>. If Maruti approaches the EV segment the way they approached the mobility ecosystem four decades ago – wherein they first set up an after-sales network before they focussed on retail outlets – then it could change the charging landscape entirely. Take, for instance, the fact that Maruti has over 4,000 dealers and an equal number of service centres across the country. If each one installed at least one EV charger that would not only add 8,000 chargers to the mix but also make them accessible in some of the most remote corners of the country.

So, yes, the landscape is changing. The inertia and momentum is very much there. It’s hard to measure at any one point in time, but when viewed through the lens of history it’s easier to put in perspective.

The Automotive Industry is Best Viewed When Seen Through a Long Lens…

Growth is, after all, cyclical – to expect otherwise would be to forget that ‘Objects in the rear-view mirror are closer than they appear’

Ducati Monster, Multistrada V4 Range Now Covered Under ‘Ducati Protect’ Plans in India; Prices Start at Rs 25,999

Leapmotor India Entry Confirmed by Stellantis, to Bring Premium EV Range Soon

I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time!

Well, since July 2013 to be exact – that’s the last time I drove a Ferrari V12 convertible. And it just so happens that the Ferrari 12Cilindri is the spiritual successor of this very machine – a 1971 365 GTS, the Daytona Spider, which directly inspired the styling of the front-end of this machine.
 
 
 
At the time, even in my wildest dreams I couldn’t have possibly imagined that over a decade later, on the 16th of April 2024, Ferrari would ensure that the lineage of the front-engined V12 GT would endure, thanks to the 12Cilindri.<img src="https://images.autox.com/uploads/2025/03/1741785060147-1jvd-Ferrari-12Cilindri-Spider-Front.webp" alt="Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider-Front.jpg" style="width: 100%; height: auto;">

And I certainly couldn’t have predicted that I would be at Maranello on that fateful day, when both the Berlinetta and Spider would be unveiled to an unsuspecting bunch of motoring journalists from across the globe. But that was just the unveil. This would finally be my chance to get behind the wheel – here in Cascais in Portugal, on the western most tip of the European continent.<img src="https://images.autox.com/uploads/2025/03/1741784879542-zhk3-Ferrari-12Cilindri-Spider-infotainment-screen.webp" alt="Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider-infotainment-screen.jpg" style="width: 100%; height: auto;">The 12Cilindri Spider was kitted out in its launch livery of Verde Toscana, which was offset perfectly by the black contrasting trim. And, to my eyes, it’s an absolutely stunning machine – a design that, for some reason, the pictures simply do no justice! It’s clean and elegant, while being muscular and curvaceous at the same time. There’s a timelessness to the design, and I personally think it’ll age very well indeed.

 
 
 
 


<h2>So, what’s all the fuss about?</h2>

Well, the name is a dead giveaway – the car is pronounced Dodici Cilindri, which literally translates to 12 cylinders in Italian. The engine was so important to this machine – so central to Ferrari in fact – that they decided to name this car after its engine configuration. You see, across the industry, engines are either being downsized and turbocharged or hybridised, or both, so the idea of a naturally aspirated V12 is not just truly alluring but also incredibly courageous from the Prancing Horse. <img src="https://images.autox.com/uploads/2025/03/1741784948629-7w76-Ferrari-12Cilindri-Spider-Rear-View.webp" alt="Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider-Rear-View.jpg" style="width: 100%; height: auto;">Now that’s not to say that Ferrari hasn’t also gone down the turbo and hybrid route already – in fact, with its performance flagship, the SF90, it’s attached a pair of turbos to a V8, not to mention added a battery pack and a set of motors to give it 1,000 horsepower and all-wheel drive. Meanwhile, in the achingly beautiful and spectacularly fast 296, it’s even gone down the V6 route (which is also turbocharged and hybridised) for the first time since the Dino in the 60s. And, of course, it’s also heading down the EV route, with its first all-electric supercar that will be revealed later this year.But Ferrari also wants to retain the essence of its GT cars from the 50s and 60s, which is where the 12Cilindri comes in. And so, this successor to the 812 Superfast gave up its ultimate performance throne to the SF90 and instead embraced its GT roots to make the most of the V12 under the bonnet – which can be both incredibly refined but also insanely explosive, depending on what you do with your right foot.

 
 
 
 


<h2>So, what’s under the hood?</h2>

Now, we’ve been over the specs before, but it bears repeating – it’s a 6.5-litre V12 that produces a scarcely believable 128bhp per litre for a total power output of 818bhp at 9,250rpm and 678Nm at 7,250rpm. It redlines at, brace yourself, 9,500rpm, and it’s so incredibly smooth, plus it revs so fast thanks to its titanium conrods, that you can get up to the redline and not even know it unless you’re looking at the digital tach on the instrument cluster.<img src="https://images.autox.com/uploads/2025/03/1741784971851-vk7o-Ferrari-12Cilindri-Spider-1.webp" alt="Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider-1.jpg" style="width: 100%; height: auto;">Yes, it reaches 100km/h in 2.9 seconds and 200km/h in 7.9 seconds from a standstill, but it also has a cabin outfitted with the finest handstitched Italian leather and all the tech you can possibly imagine. It gets three displays – one for the instrument cluster, one for the central screen, where you can connect your phone, and the third is a passenger screen integrated into the dash, so your unsuspecting co-driver can keep an eye on the revs as he or she hangs on for dear life.
 
 
 


Of course, in true Ferrari fashion, it’s got massive gear shift paddles mounted to the steering column – as opposed to onto the steering wheel – which is just how I like them because you always know where they are. The steering wheel has wiper controls and indicator buttons, as well the famous Manettino switch, which you use to control the driving modes. But it also has a very innocuous button on a panel off to one side of the steering wheel that’s marked HELE, which stands for ‘High Emotion, Low Emission.’ That’s Ferrari-speak for the Auto Start-Stop button. Most cars would have an ‘A’ inside a circle, but that just wouldn’t do on a Ferrari. But the thing is that it’s not contrived in the cabin of this car. It’s simply a result of the Ferrari mindset of passion and precision. Of course, they strive for absolute performance and aim for perfection, but at the heart of every decision is emotion – the emotion it evokes when you interact with the machine. And you get a sense of that ethos from everyone who works at Maranello, regardless of whether that person is in his or her first week or a veteran who’s been there for decades.
 
 
 
<h2>So, what’s it like from behind the wheel?</h2>

Well, I would love to tell you that I spent my time in the 12Cilindri Spider bouncing off the 9,500rpm rev limiter, but in fact we were met with a torrential downpour that felt less like Southern Europe and more like South Mumbai in the monsoon. But what these conditions did was usher in a complete revelation in terms of just what this Ferrari GT is capable of.

You would imagine that an 800+ horsepower rear drive beast would be a terrifying experience in the pouring rain – especially on the tight and twisting coastal roads of Portugal, but in in truth, with the Manettino set to ‘Wet,’ it was almost as docile as a Fiat Panda. But the minute you bury your right foot into the carpet, it quickly turns into a thoroughbred stallion – but never a bucking Bronco. You can see the traction control button flashing away on the dash as you try and overwhelm the rear tyres, but the electronics are so well calibrated that it modulates the power perfectly to match the prevailing levels of grip. Sure, you can always get in over your head with that much power on tap but show a little restraint and the 12Cilindri will humour and entertain you in equal measure.<img src="https://images.autox.com/uploads/2025/03/1741785017763-ioei-Ferrari-12Cilindri-Spider-Rear-Three-Quarter.webp" alt="Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider-Rear-Three-Quarter.jpg" style="width: 100%; height: auto;">Of course, any opportunity I got between the near incessant showers, I dropped the top to hear that V12 howl. Sure, it’s slightly muted because of a pair of catalytic convertors and petrol particulate filters, but in ‘Race’ mode, with the flaps in the exhaust open, it’s enough to make your hair stand on end and send chills down your spine. But, really, what stands out in this car is its sheer poise and balance. No one does cohesion quite like Ferrari. Sure, a lot of manufacturers do power and speed quite well, but no one does it with this much style and finesse.<img src="https://images.autox.com/uploads/2025/03/1741785044538-hxid-Ferrari-12Cilindri-Spider-Side-Profile.webp" alt="Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider-Side-Profile.jpg" style="width: 100%; height: auto;">

 
 


So, what you’re getting in the 12Cilindri is a level of performance &amp; style mated to a versatility &amp; usability that’s simply unmatched. You get bragging rights and the ultimate tech of course, but what really sets this machine apart is its breadth of capability, which is in a league of one. This really is a car that you can drive cross-country to your favourite racetrack, have a blast at the limit, and then drive home again at breakneck speed – in true GT fashion.

Job well done Ferrari! Thank you for flying the V12 flag – may you continue to do so for a long time to come…




[tabs]

[tab title="Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider"]

Engine: 6,496cc V12 (Dry Sump) 

Transmission: 8-speed DCT

Power: 819bhp 

Torque: 678Nm
 
Acceleration: 0-100km/h 2.95 sec 

Fuel: Petrol 

Price:&nbsp;Rs 9.15 Crore Ex-showroom

X-Factor:&nbsp;Supremely engineered. Stupendously fast. Stunningly beautiful.

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	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
			Pros &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
			•&nbsp; As fast &amp; versatile as anything ever conceived. 

			</td>
			<td>
			Cons 
			• Only for the extremely well heeled. 
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

[/tab]

[/tabs]

We were quite eager to&nbsp;get our hands on this bike since it was first teased at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autox.com/news/bike-news/eicma-2024-top-india-bound-motorcycles-to-watch-out-for-118832/">EICMA</a>. The <a href="https://www.autox.com/reviews/bike-reviews/ktm-390-adventure-review-first-ride-107195/">old 390 Adventure</a> was a blast, don't get me wrong, but it had its quirks, especially when pushed off-road. After spending six months commuting on the Royal Enfield Himalayan, I was curious to see how this new KTM stacked up. Well, we recently had the opportunity to thoroughly ride and test it, and let me tell you that it's a significant leap forward. This isn't just a refresh; it's a full-fledged evolution.<div style="width: 100%; height: auto;" class="post-image">
 <img src="https://images.autox.com/uploads/2025/02/1740405360146-iso3-KTM-390-Adventure-Web-5.webp" alt="KTM 390 Adventure Web 5.jpg" style="width: 100%; height: auto;">
 </div>
 <h2>KTM 390 Adventure First Ride Review: Design and Quality </h2>Let's talk about the design first. It's definitely going to spark debate, but personally, I like it. That rugged rally-inspired Dakar vibe works in its favour. The tall windscreen and short front fender look the part, though I did notice a bit of wind noise from the Indian-spec number plate mount while riding, but it's a minor niggle.Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autox.com/reviews/bike-reviews/kawasaki-klx-230-review-more-capable-than-hero-xpulse-200-and-re-himalayan-450-118831/">Kawasaki KLX 230 Review: More Capable Than Hero Xpulse 200 and RE Himalayan 450?</a>KTM has tackled some key issues. The 21-inch front and
17-inch rear spoke wheels with tubeless Apollo Tramplr tyres are a huge plus.
The WP Apex suspension is another standout upgrade, offering a noticeably more
compliant and capable ride. An India-specific tweak – the offset rear monoshock
– lowers the seat height to 830mm in the Adventure variant and 825mm in the
Adventure X. On top of that, ground clearance has been increased to a solid
237mm, addressing a major concern from the previous model.<img src="https://images.autox.com/uploads/2025/02/1740405472650-uxpi-KTM-390-Adventure-Web-13.webp" alt="KTM 390 Adventure Web 13.jpg" style="width: 100%; height: auto;">
 The pigmented body panels are a nice touch, promising better scratch resistance since they're painted during the moulding process itself. And the standard kit – knuckle guards, engine guard, and bash plate – is quite useful for off-road scrapes. The forged foot levers feel solid, and you can remove the rubber inserts for better grip while riding&nbsp;in the dirt. My only gripe? The flimsy all-plastic knuckle guards&nbsp;–&nbsp;they would have been much better with metal reinforcements.&nbsp;<img src="https://images.autox.com/uploads/2025/02/1740405792534-0shu-KTM-390-Adventure-Web-7.webp" alt="KTM 390 Adventure Web 7.jpg" style="width: 100%; height: auto;">The new bespoke ADV tubular trellis subframe – KTM claims
that it’s 10% more rigid – feels solid and enhances the bike’s overall
stability. Despite the weight dropping to 183kgs, the 14.5-litre fuel tank
remains unchanged. The overall fit and finish are excellent, offering a premium
feel throughout. The 5-inch bonded TFT screen, borrowed from the new 390 Duke,
is crisp, clear, and easily readable even in bright sunlight. <h2>KTM 390 Adventure First Ride Review: Ergonomics and Features </h2>The riding position is comfortable and upright – perfect for
long days in the saddle. The new KTM 390 Adventure feels large when you're off
it but seems to shrink around you once you get on and start moving. The
controls are intuitive, and the switchgear is easy to reach. Cruise control is
a welcome addition for highway stints, and the ride modes – Rain, Street, and
Off-Road – are simple to toggle through. A big plus is that ride mode settings
remain unchanged even after switching off the ignition – a thoughtful touch
indeed!
Phone connectivity and navigation feel slick, and the
voice-activated calling is a nice convenience. Unlike the Duke 390, which can
only receive calls, the 390 Adventure allows you to make calls directly from
the bike. Finally, the electronics suite – which includes cornering ABS,
switchable cornering traction control, Quickshifter+, and customizable ride
modes – works seamlessly to enhance both safety and performance.Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autox.com/reviews/bike-reviews/royal-enfield-himalayan-in-depth-review-the-flying-sherpa-115536/">Royal Enfield Himalayan Review: The Flying Sherpa!</a><img src="https://images.autox.com/uploads/2025/02/1740405914040-dchb-KTM-390-Adventure-Web-1.webp" alt="KTM 390 Adventure Web 1.jpg" style="width: 100%; height: auto;"><h2>KTM 390 Adventure First Ride Review: Performance and Handling </h2>Now, let’s get to the good stuff – how it rides. The LC4c
399cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine is noticeably smoother, thanks to
the 5mm offset crank. It delivers better low-end grunt than the previous model
but still loves to be revved. Peak power kicks in 1,000rpm sooner, making it
more accessible.
That said, there’s still a noticeable lag before the bike
starts moving. I noticed that it stalled a couple of times when
setting off from a standstill off-road, but far less frequently than the old
bike.<img src="https://images.autox.com/uploads/2025/02/1740405943424-ag92-KTM-390-Adventure-Web-15.webp" alt="KTM 390 Adventure Web 15.jpg" style="width: 100%; height: auto;">Acceleration is brisk, with 0 – 60 km/h achieved in 2.6
seconds and 0 – 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds – both quicker than the previous
generation model. The improved mid-range power is quite evident, delivering
faster 30 – 70 km/h roll-on acceleration.
Cruise control, which activates above 20 km/h, performs well
on the highway, especially when paired with Quickshifter+, making for a smooth
and hassle-free touring experience.Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autox.com/reviews/bike-reviews/2024-yezdi-adventure-first-ride-review-better-than-the-himalayan-117960/">2024 Yezdi Adventure First Ride Review: Better Than The Himalayan?</a>The bike’s heat management has improved, thanks to the
curved radiator and reprofiled shrouds that divert hot air away from the rider
– a definite and noticeable upgrade. The underbelly exhaust, with its claimed
400mm water-wading capacity, handles water crossings with ease, even when the
water level reaches the engine guards.<img src="https://images.autox.com/uploads/2025/02/1740406032170-z2yg-KTM-390-Adventure-Web-3.webp" alt="KTM 390 Adventure Web 3.jpg" style="width: 100%; height: auto;">The WP Apex suspension has received a significant upgrade,
offering a much more compliant ride, as it effortlessly absorbs bumps and rough
terrain. The adjustable open-cartridge system provides 30 steps of compression
and rebound adjustment at the front, 20 steps at the rear, and 10 steps of
preload adjustment at the rear, allowing for fine-tuning across various riding
conditions.
While the increased suspension travel is a welcome
improvement, I did notice the front forks bottoming out a couple of times
during intense off-road testing – enough to throw me off the line slightly. That
said, it’s a fair trade-off for the bike’s sharp on-road dynamics and a huge
improvement over the previous model’s overly stiff setup, which was a common
complaint.<img src="https://images.autox.com/uploads/2025/02/1740406059851-vvw3-KTM-390-Adventure-Web-4.webp" alt="KTM 390 Adventure Web 4.jpg" style="width: 100%; height: auto;">
 Off-road, the bike feels light, balanced, and predictable in
technical sections. Compared to the Himalayan, it’s noticeably sharper and more
responsive. The Apollo Tramplr tyres performed decently across varied on- and
off-road conditions. However, since we didn’t lower the tyre pressure when
going off-road, the front end lacked a bit of bite.
The brakes – a 320mm floating disc with a twin-piston calliper
up front and a 240mm rear disc with a single-piston calliper – are strong and
provide good feedback.Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autox.com/reviews/bike-reviews/royal-enfield-himalayan-vs-triumph-scrambler-400x-115920/">2024 Royal Enfield Himalayan vs Triumph Scrambler 400X: Which is Better for Everyday Adventure?</a><h2>KTM 390 Adventure First Ride Review: Verdict </h2>So, is the new KTM 390 Adventure worth the hype? Absolutely.
It’s a complete and far more refined package. The improvements in engine
smoothness, suspension compliance, and overall capability are substantial. It
still retains the fun, hooligan character we love, but now it’s more versatile
and capable than ever.<img src="https://images.autox.com/uploads/2025/02/1740406224156-l0fz-KTM-390-Adventure-Web-6.webp" alt="KTM 390 Adventure Web 6.jpg" style="width: 100%; height: auto;">For
someone like me, who loves venturing off the beaten path, this bike is a
serious contender. It’s fun, capable, and feels right. While I’m still eager to
do a proper back-to-back comparison with its rivals, my initial impressions are
overwhelmingly positive. This is a true adventure bike that delivers on its
promises.

Ather introduced their revolutionary Magic Twist regenerative braking system with the 450 Apex, a limited edition model. Then they brought traction control with the Rizta and now, you get the best of both worlds with the updated 450X…and also the new Apex. I got a chance to test out the Magic Twist and the updated traction control system on the new scooter at a go-kart track and even on some off-road patches. So, how good is the 450X now?

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n1zqFDNCeAE?si=8D0u5vi9QkL4qFhH" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

<h2>2025 Ather 450X Review: New Modes and Regen</h2>

The first thing I want to highlight is the multi-level traction control system. While the Rizta had a simpler on-and-off toggle, the new 450 scooters get multiple levels — Rain, Road and Rally. You can also completely switch it off if you want. As one would expect, the traction control system is the most active when you select Rain while Road is meant for daily usage.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autox.com/news/bike-news/honda-activa-e-qc-1-bookings-commence-in-india-119454/">Honda Activa e, QC 1 Bookings Commence in India</a>

In the Rally mode, the traction control is a lot more lenient and it allows you to kick up some dirt. We tested the modes on some loose sand and it worked really well. There is an appreciable difference when testing the scooter in extreme conditions. While the 450X, does not really need a traction control system, it is good to see it nonetheless.

<img alt="2025 Ather 450X Off Road" src="/uploads/2025/01/2025-Ather-450X-off-road.jpg" style="width: 1280px; height: 720px;" />

The 450X still gets the same 8.4bhp motor that is capable of producing 26Nm. It is still just as fun to ride and just as responsive too. Ather has introduced a new set of tyres from MRF&nbsp;with the updated scooters. These tyres have been developed specially for the 450 and are meant to offer more range while not compromising grip. And I must say, that I hardly noticed any issue with the grip from the new rubber. Combined with the new regen braking, this setup is claimed to substantially increase the real-world range of the scooter. As per Ather, the TruRange of the 3.7kWh model has gone up from 105km to 130km. That is a healthy boost and we will be eager to test it out when we have the scooter for a longer time.

<img alt="2025 Ather 450X Tyres" src="/uploads/2025/01/2025-Ather-450X-tyres.jpg" style="width: 1280px; height: 720px;" />

What I do feel is a missed opportunity is that there is still no ABS. I think adding ABS over traction control would have been more useful. I did find myself locking the brakes a couple of times when on the track. While you may argue that people ride more gently on the road, let me remind you that the conditions out there can be rather unpredictable. Also, now that the 450X supports traction control modes and regen levels along with ride modes, I think that Ather should display them on the screen as well. This would help the rider in knowing what levels of various settings the scooter is in, rather than having to dig deep into menus.

<h2>2025 Ather 450X Review: Colour Options and UI Updates</h2>

Ather has not changed any aspect of the scooter’s design so it remains the same as before. There are, however, two new colour options available now - Hyper Sand and Stealth Blue. I particularly like the Hyper Sand colour options as it has a nice finish and looks rather refreshing. As a bonus, if you get this colour option, you will not have to worry about the scooter looking dirty because of the shade.

<img alt="2025 Ather 450X Screen" src="/uploads/2025/01/2025-Ather-450X-screen.jpg" style="width: 1280px; height: 720px;" />

The new 450 scooters also get Atherstack 6 as part of the software suite. The instrument cluster is the same touch unit and is packed with features. However, the response is still lethargic when you use the map screen. There are noticeable stutters while you pan around. I also noticed that while most of the interface operation is smooth, there are the occasional hiccups and moments when the screen does not react as quickly.

<h2>2025 Ather 450X Review: Is it better?</h2>

Altogether, the 450X remains a smart and fast scooter that is more feature-rich than ever before. I feel the Magic Twist is a great addition and one that will find a lot of daily use. The traction control might be less useful but is a good safety feature still.

<img alt="2025 Ather 450X Riding" src="/uploads/2025/01/2025-Ather-450X-riding.jpg" style="width: 1280px; height: 720px;" />

As for the pricing, it has gone up ever so slightly by Rs 6,400 for the base 450X and Rs 2,000 for the 450X with the bigger 3.7kWh battery pack.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autox.com/news/bike-news/updated-ather-450s-450x-450-apex-launched-in-india-prices-start-at-rs-130-lakh-119474/">Updated Ather 450S, 450X, 450 Apex Launched in India; Prices Start at Rs 1.30 Lakh</a>

Similarly, the 450 Apex has also seen a mere increase of Rs 5,001 on the effective ex-showroom price in Bengaluru. And Ather is throwing in the Halo helmet with the Apex to make it more lucrative. Altogether, despite the price hike, the scooters remain smart and safe options to pick if you are looking for an EV in this segment. 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

[tabs]

[tab title="2025 Ather 450X"]

Motor: Permanent Magnet AC

Battery: 3.7kWh

Power: 8.4BHP

Torque: 26NM

Price: ₹1.87 Lakh (Ex-showroom Bengaluru)

X-Factor:&nbsp;The most fun and feature-rich e-scooter

<table cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1">
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			<td>
			Pros &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
			•&nbsp; Quick

			•&nbsp; Smart Design

			•&nbsp;&nbsp;Magic Twist!
			</td>
			<td>
			Cons 
			• Laggy UI

			•&nbsp;Range
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

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Honda was probably the last big carmaker in India to enter the compact SUV scene with the <a href="https://www.autox.com/new-cars/honda/elevate/">Elevate</a>. While their product is quite impressive, the late entry means they’ve already lost a big chunk of the market to rival brands occupying the compact SUV space for almost a decade. On the other hand, the sub-compact sedan segment has quite a different story to tell. The <a href="https://www.autox.com/new-cars/honda/amaze/">Honda Amaze</a> has been around for a while and has done pretty well. It’s the company’s best-selling model, which consistently drives solid sales numbers for <a href="http://www.autox.com/new-cars/honda/">Honda Cars India</a>. The issue now is that aside from commercial (cab) sales, the growing trend is towards SUVs, which means compact car buyers are increasingly gravitating towards those more rugged-looking machines instead of sedans. Perhaps, that's why we don't see many updates in the compact sedan category. Thankfully, after the segment leader Maruti Suzuki Dzire, the Honda Amaze has also received a significant update. The company calls it a next-generation (third-gen) all-new model. However, we were a bit sceptical about the claim until we got behind the wheel of the new Amaze.

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Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autox.com/news/car-news/new-honda-amaze-basic-signature-and-utility-accessory-packages-explained-whats-different-119309/">New Honda Amaze Basic, Signature, and Utility Accessory Packages Explained: What's Different</a>

<h2>Best-looking sub-compact sedan?</h2>

Now, the new Amaze, referred to by the company as the third-generation model, is based on the outgoing second-generation model, with some additional structural reinforcements. The wheelbase remains unchanged, and the side profile looks almost identical to its predecessor. The only noticeable changes are at the front and the rear. While wheels now get a machined design, it doesn't significantly alter the overall side appearance of the car.&nbsp;

<img alt="New Gen Honda Amaze Rear Design" src="/uploads/2024/12/New-Gen-Honda-Amaze13.jpg" style="width: 1280px; height: 720px;" />

The front has undergone a complete redesign, taking inspiration from the Elevate. Features such as a mesh front grille with a flatter design and headlamp clusters show clear SUV influences. Additionally, the revised bumper also includes redesigned fog lamp housings. Moving to the back, you might be surprised by how much it resembles the Honda City, especially with the new 3D LED tail lamp clusters. In fact, if you are driving behind the new Amaze at night, you could easily mistake it for the City. The rear design is neat and clean, with no unnecessary elements.

<img alt="New Gen Honda Amaze Side View" src="/uploads/2024/12/New-Gen-Honda-Amaze14.jpg" style="width: 1280px; height: 720px;" />

Overall, while the third-generation Honda Amaze resembles the second-generation model, it combines the Elevate’s front styling with the City’s rear look. Despite the limited attractiveness in the sub-compact sedan market, it remains arguably the best-looking option available in India, offering a proper three-box design characteristic of a true sedan.

<h2>A Better Experience Inside?</h2>

Inside, you may not immediately notice the changes, for the cabin layout is familiar. However, there are quite a few updates, like the newly designed dashboard, with an 8-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system. This setup supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which is pretty cool. Below the infotainment, you'll find HVAC controls taken from the Elevate.&nbsp;What's great here is that everything has proper physical buttons, especially for the infotainment shortcuts.

<img alt="New Gen Honda Amaze Interior" src="/uploads/2024/12/New-Gen-Honda-Amaze-11.jpg" style="width: 1280px; height: 720px;" />

I really like the presence of physical controls, for it means you don't have to take your eyes off the road as much while driving. The dashboard’s design has been refreshed too, featuring a sleek dual-tone look with an aluminium strip, which adds a nice touch. While the beige part might seem soft to the touch, it’s actually hard plastic. While there are hard plastics all around the cabin, they look and feel decent overall. The flimsy central console in the old Amaze was a big annoyance, but that’s been fixed in this new version. The touchscreen works well and connects effortlessly to your smart devices, with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Plus, the interface is simple and user-friendly. For device charging, the Amaze includes two USB ports up front, a 12V socket in the front and rear, and a handy wireless charging pad. A nice feature of the charging pad is that you can turn it off with a dedicated button. It would’ve been nice if Honda had included a Type-C port too, since most new smartphones use Type-C cables nowadays.

<img alt="New Gen Honda Amaze Infotainment" src="/uploads/2024/12/New-Gen-Honda-Amaze-9.jpg" style="width: 1280px; height: 720px;" />

The steering wheel looks like it has been lifted from the Honda City but without the leatherette feel. Still, it’s loaded with controls for the infotainment, ADAS features, and the info display on the new instrument cluster, which feels pretty City-like. The cluster has a 7-inch TFT display for all the important info, along with a traditional needle for speed. The seats have been given a bit of a makeover with better bolstering, but the cushioning and fabric remain the same as before, even in the higher trims. They’re quite comfortable, though. Space management has always been a top highlight of the Honda Amaze, and the new model just adds to it. It's been widened slightly, adding extra room for rear-seat passengers and more boot space.

<img alt="New Gen Honda Amaze Rear Seat" src="/uploads/2024/12/New-Gen-Honda-Amaze-1.jpg" style="width: 1280px; height: 720px;" />

Space was never an issue with the Amaze; it easily fits four adults and up to five mid-size suitcases. You might wonder why there’s a problem fitting a fifth person, and that's because the Amaze finally comes with rear AC vents, which were much needed. However, those centrally-mounted vents can make legroom a bit cramped for the person sitting in the middle at the back. On the bright side, the cabin now cools down faster and better than before.

<h2>Drives Differently?</h2>

The driving experience of the third-generation Honda Amaze is again not a complete departure from the outgoing version, especially in terms of ergonomics. That, however, was not even a problem in the previous iteration. The steering wheel, driver seat, and foot pedals are excellently positioned, instantly offering you a comfortable driving posture. Coming to the drivetrain, the same 1.2-litre four-cylinder i-VTEC petrol engine is the sole option here, and it continues with the same 5-speed manual and CVT automatic gearbox options to choose from in all three trim levels. While most other brands have shifted to more economical three-cylinder configurations, the Amaze still offers the four-cylinder configuration, but the good thing is that it's slightly more refined. Now, we expected Honda to add a bit more punch to this drivetrain, but unfortunately, that's not the case. It continues to deliver about 89 horsepower and 110Nm of torque. Now, the power output here is pretty adequate for this kind of setup, but the torque could have been improved. Honda says that they have altered the tuning of the engine as well as of the gearbox a bit, but we didn't quite feel the changes. The engine still sounds strained when you press hard on the throttle pedal, but you don't quite feel inside the cabin, perhaps, because the overall structure is now more strengthened. Honda also seems to have reworked the insulation of the Amaze, for it filters out the engine noise and road harshness more effectively, offering a slightly quieter ride experience than before.

<img alt="New Honda Amaze Front and Side Design" src="/uploads/2024/12/New-Gen-Honda-Amaze-12.jpg" style="width: 1280px; height: 720px;" />

Now, coming to the gearbox, we drove the CVT version of the new Honda Amaze. This is probably the only car on the market with the smoother CVT gearbox, as most of the competition has shifted to AMTs, with the fun of paddle shifters whenever you need a manual downshift for overtakes or engine braking.

<img alt="Honda Amaze Gear Shift" src="/uploads/2024/12/New-Gen-Honda-Amaze-10.jpg" style="width: 1280px; height: 720px;" />

One thing that I was expecting in the new Amaze was a better suspension setup. However, it feels more or less the same as that of the outgoing model. The softer setup of the car gobbles all the road undulations without any hiccup at low speeds, but the high-speed damping and the stability beyond three-digit speeds remain questionable. Maybe that's another reason Honda is not even offering any more powerful drivetrain options. To be honest, this setup is near perfect for your daily city commutes as well as some occasional short weekend escapes, especially considering the enhanced safety kit of the new Honda Amaze.

<h2>The Most Affordable ADAS&nbsp;Car in India</h2>

Honda has enhanced the structure of the Amaze by incorporating 45 per cent high-tensile steel, reflecting their commitment to safety. The vehicle comes equipped with a range of safety features, including six airbags, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, rear parking sensors, Hill Start Assist, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control, and ISOFIX-compatible rear seats. Additionally, all five passengers have access to seatbelts and head restraints, starting from the base V grade. The mid-level VX grade adds a rearview camera and a Lane Watch system, which provides a view of the side lane on the infotainment screen when the turn indicators are activated. This feature is particularly useful, as it helps minimise blind spots when changing lanes or directions.

<img alt="New Gen Honda Amaze Front Camera" src="/uploads/2024/12/New-Gen-Honda-Amaze-14.jpg" style="width: 1280px; height: 720px;" />

The standout feature of the new Amaze is in the top-end ZX grade, which starts at Rs 9.67 lakh (ex-showroom) for the manual transmission variant. It is now the most affordable car in India to offer an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) package. It includes Honda Sensing technology, which, in the Elevate SUV,&nbsp;has previously performed well in tests. This camera-based system includes features such as Collision Mitigation Braking, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lead Car Departure Notification, and Auto High Beam. While these features enhance safety during forward motion, there is no ADAS support for reversing.

This is the first time a manufacturer has introduced a level-2 ADAS package in a car priced under ten lakh rupees, which is a significant milestone. Overall, these features contribute to making the Amaze a safer choice compared to many other options on the market. In fact, the Elevate, which uses the same Honda Sensing technology, was one of the top performers in our recent Mega ADAS test.

<h2>Next-gen or Facelift?</h2>

While the platform and drivetrain remain unchanged, we can't truly categorise this as a next-generation version. However, the numerous updates both inside and out, along with the addition of new features, make it much more than just a simple facelift. As mentioned earlier, it is arguably the best-looking car in its segment.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autox.com/reviews/car-reviews/mega-adas-test-cover-story-exclusive-stories-118393/" rel="bookmark" title="Mega ADAS Comparison Test: Curvv EV vs Seltos vs Elevate vs Verna vs Astor vs XUV700 vs XC40 Recharge">Mega ADAS Comparison Test: Curvv EV vs Seltos vs Elevate vs Verna vs Astor vs XUV700 vs XC40 Recharge</a>

Honda has decided not to offer a base variant this time, perhaps, because&nbsp;sales patterns suggest that most customers opt for either the mid or top variants. For these variants, Honda has packed the new Amaze with features right from the starting point. Although it lacks certain luxury features like a sunroof or an automatic IRVM, it includes all the essentials and offers enhanced safety. Consequently, the Honda Amaze is a great value-for-money offering in the compact sedan segment.

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Engine: 1,199cc / 4-Cylinder / Naturally-Aspirated

Fuel: Petrol

Transmission: CVT / Front-Wheel Drive

Power: 89bhp @ 6,000rpm

Torque: 110Nm @ 4,8000rpm

Price: ₹8.00 – 10.90 Lakh (Ex-Showroom)

X-Factor: It offers everything you need in your&nbsp;daily&nbsp;ride.

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			Pros &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
			•&nbsp;Design, Safety and Space
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			Cons 
			• Less exciting powertrain
			</td>
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