Mahindra has taken the wraps off the much-anticipated pick-up version of the Scorpio N, and has christened it the Scorpio Lifestyler. It has been showcased in three distinct version – Reef, Trail and Valley – each with its own unique livery. This is the production-spec version of the Global Pik up concept that was showcased in 2023. Some of the details from the original concept has been toned down, but it still retains a butch and rugged appeal. What’s notable is not much has been carried over from the regular Scorpio N, with most body panels being unique to the pickup truck. The interior has only been showcased via a digital rendering, but it confirms a large portrait-oriented touchscreen, some handy physical switchgear, a new three-spoke steering wheel and a full-digital instrument cluster. Mahindra hasn’t revealed full specifications yet, but it is expected to share the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and 2.2-litre diesel engines with the Scorpio N. Prices for the Scorpio Lifestyler will be announced by April 2027, and it has been indicated to be less than Rs 19.79 lakh (ex-showroom).
Mahindra has pulled the covers off its long-awaited lifestyle pickup truck based on the 2023 Global Pik Up concept, christening it the Scorpio Lifestyler. Underpinned by the same body-on-frame chassis as that of the Scorpio N, the Scorpio Lifestyler will butt heads with the Toyota Hilux and Isuzu D-Max V-Cross in India. The pickup truck will be sold in several global markets too, where it’ll drop the ‘Scorpio’ branding and just be known as the Lifestyler.
Prices for the Mahindra Scorpio Lifestyler are confirmed to start below Rs 19.79 lakh (ex-showroom) in India, with launch pegged by April 2027. The Scorpio Lifestyler would therefore undercut its rivals significantly, both of which start above Rs 25 lakh.
Mahindra Scorpio Lifestyler exterior design
Up front, the Scorpio Lifestyler has high-set LED headlamps with L-shaped DRL signatures, a wide honeycomb-patterned grille with chrome accents, and a ‘Scorpio’ wordmark on the leading edge of the bonnet. Underneath, there’s a muscular skid plate bearing ‘Mahindra’ lettering, a meshed air dam, and vertically oriented LED fog lamps.
Over to the side, the Scorpio Lifestyler features a double-cab configuration, and gets dual-tone alloy wheels shod in off-road tyres, chunky side cladding, roof rails, and a kinked beltline. The rear end of the Scorpio Lifestyler is characterised by vertically oriented LED tail-lamps housing C-shaped DRLs, which flank a large ‘Mahindra’ wordmark molded into the bootlid. Below, the bumper looks similarly rugged to the one up front.
Mahindra Scorpio Lifestyler interior and features
Inside, the Scorpio Lifestyler is much more upmarket than its rugged exterior suggests. The dashboard prominently sports a portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen flanked by AC vents, below which there’s a climate control panel and various physical controls. Ahead of the driver sits a three-spoke steering wheel and a digital driver’s display, while the transmission tunnel features lots more physical controls. In terms of creature comforts, the Scorpio Lifestyler is likely to pack wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone climate control, connected car tech, terrain modes, and more.
Ahead of the Sorento’s arrival in India on September 4, 2026, Kia India has confirmed the availability of AWD on the SUV in a teaser. This makes it the first ICE-powered Kia model in India to have AWD. Additionally, the brand has also confirmed Live Gen AI, an AI-powered in-car voice assistant feature.
Sorento will be the first strong-hybrid and AWD Kia model in India.
It will be Kia’s ICE-powered flagship SUV for our market.
Kia Sorento AWD: Additional details
The Sorento will be offered with strong-hybrid petrol and diesel engines. While exact specs remain under wraps, the global-spec Sorento gets a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol strong-hybrid setup with a 6-speed torque-converter automatic transmission, producing 238hp and 380Nm. In diesel guise, the Sorento is likely to use the Carnival’s 202hp, 440Nm, 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine. Global-spec versions of the Sorento have AWD with both the strong hybrid and diesel engines. But it remains to be seen if AWD is offered with both or either of the powertrains on the India-spec model.
Meanwhile, Kia’s Live Gen AI feature in the Sorento allows drivers to have natural conversations with the in-car AI agent, whilst also obeying commands to control certain car functions and features.
Kia Sorento: Expected price
Likely to be priced in the ballpark of Rs 30 lakh to Rs 35 lakh ex-showroom
The Kia Sorento will be heavily localised in India with an expected price of Rs 30-35 lakh. With the Sorento getting AWD, it will take on the likes of the Volkswagen Tayron (Rs 41.99 lakh to Rs 47.74 lakh) and the Skoda Kodiaq (Rs 36.99 lakh to Rs 46.99 lakh), which also come with AWD, while the Jeep Meridian (Rs 23.33 lakh to Rs 37.92 lakh) gets a 4×4 drive layout.
भारत की राष्ट्रपति श्रीमती द्रौपदी मुर्मू ने 14 अगस्त अमृत उद्यान समर एनुअल्स एडिशन, 2026 का उद्घाटन किया। राष्ट्रपति भवन परिसर में स्थित यह विश्व प्रसिद्ध और बेहद खूबसूरत उद्यान 16 अगस्त से आम जनता के दर्शन के लिए खोला जा रहा है। अगर आप भी प्राकृतिक सुंदरता, मौसमी फूलों और ऐतिहासिक स्थापत्य कला का आनंद लेना चाहते हैं तो 15 सितंबर 2026 तक अमृत उद्यान घूमने जा सकते हैं। खास बात यह है कि यहां एंट्री बिल्कुल फ्री है। आइए आपको यहां जाने की प्रक्रिया के बारे में विस्तार से बताते हैं-
जानिए कब और किस समय मिलेगी एंट्री
राष्ट्रपति भवन द्वारा जारी समय सारणी के मुताबिक अमृत उद्यान 16 अगस्त से 15 सितंबर 2026 तक जनता के लिए खुला रहेगा। उद्यान सुबह 10:00 बजे से शाम 6:00 बजे तक खुलेगा। दर्शकों को शाम 5 बजे तक ही अंतिम प्रवेश दिया जाएगा। रखरखाव के लिए सारे सोमवार को अमृत उद्यान आम जनता के लिए बंद रहेगा। यहां आने वाले लोगों की एंट्री और एग्जिट नॉर्थ एवेन्यू रोड के पास स्थित गेट नंबर 35 से होगा।
फ्री में मिलेगी एंट्री, लेकिन ऑनलाइन बुकिंग है अनिवार्य
अमृत उद्यान में प्रवेश पूरी तरह से निःशुल्क है। हालांकि यहां आने वाले दर्शकों के लिए अग्रिम ऑनलाइन बुकिंग कराना अनिवार्य किया गया है। दर्शकों को राष्ट्रपति भवन की आधिकारिक वेबसाइट visit.rashtrapatibhavan.gov.in पर जाकर अपना स्लॉट पहले से बुक करना होगा। किसी खास दिन के भ्रमण के लिए स्लॉट की बुकिंग उस दिन से ठीक एक दिन पहले सुबह 10:00 बजे बंद हो जाएगी। ध्यान रहे कि ऑन द स्पॉट कोई भी बुकिंग सुविधा यहां उपलब्ध नहीं है, इसलिए बिना ऑनलाइन स्लॉट बुक किए न जाएं।
अमृत उद्यान की खास बनावट के बारे में जानिए
राष्ट्रपति भवन की मुख्य इमारत से सटा 15 एकड़ में फैला अमृत उद्यान वास्तुकला का अद्भुत नमूना है। इस उद्यान को तीन टेरेस के रूप में डिजाइन किया गया है:
President of India Droupadi Murmu graced the opening of the Amrit Udyan Summer Annuals Edition, 2026 today
The Summer Annuals of Amrit Udyan will be open for the public from August 16 to September 15, 2026. During that period, the Udyan will remain open from 10:00 AM to 6:00… pic.twitter.com/igsnp6A0Dg
मुख्य इमारत से सटे इस हिस्से में उत्तर से दक्षिण और पूर्व से पश्चिम की ओर जाने वाली दो-दो समानांतर जल नहरें इसे वर्गाकार ग्रिड में बांटती हैं। नहरों के क्रॉसिंग पर बने कमल के पत्तों के आकार के तीन-स्तरीय बलुआ पत्थरों के फव्वारों से पानी बहता है। दिन के एक खास समय में इन जल नहरों में राष्ट्रपति भवन की भव्य इमारत और खिलते फूलों का प्रतिबिंब दिखाई देता है। यह हिस्सा मौलसिरी, सरू, चाइना ऑरेंज और गार्डेनिया से सदाबहार दिखता है।
2- लंबा उद्यान
मुख्य उद्यान के पश्चिम में मौजूद यह लंबा उद्यान उस केंद्रीय मार्ग के दोनों ओर फैला है जो सर्कुलर गार्डन की ओर जाता है। यह करीब 12 फीट ऊंची दीवारों से घिरा हुआ है, जिसमें छोटी झाड़ियों से सजी गुलाब की क्यारियां हैं। दीवारों पर चाइना ऑरेंज के सजावटी फल लगे हैं जो पत्तियों से भी अधिक संख्या में दिखते हैं।
3- वृत्ताकार उद्यान
इसे पर्ल, बटरफ्लाई या सनकेन गार्डन भी कहा जाता है। यह सबसे पश्चिमी हिस्से में स्थित है और यहां सुगंधित किस्म के फूल लगाए गए हैं। इसके चारों ओर ऊंची दीवारें हैं और एम्फीथिएटर की तरह उतरती हुई सीढ़ियां हैं। इसके केंद्र में एक जल कुंड और फव्वारे मौजूद हैं।
अमृत उद्यान की तीनों छते और पूरे परिसर के अन्य उद्यान इस समय गर्मियों के मौसमी फूलों, झाड़ियों, लताओं और पुष्पित वृक्षों के शानदार रंगों से सजे हुए हैं। देशी पेड़-पौधे, फव्वारे और पानी की नहरें वातावरण में शीतलता बढ़ाती हैं। शाम के समय मोर यहां आराम से टहलते हुए देखे जा सकते हैं।
Hero Motocorp is hedging its bets against the yet-to-be-launched Bajaj Pulsar 125, TVS Raider, and Honda CB125 Hornet. Images of an upgraded Xtreme 125R with a TFT display have surfaced online, and some reports also suggest that it will feature a TPMS. While there is no official confirmation, it would be a segment-first feature if it did make its way onto the Xtreme 125R. It’s currently only offered on some EV scooters at this price point; otherwise limited to much more expensive motorcycles.
Updated Hero Xtreme 125R spotted at dealership
Already has cruise control, ride modes, and dual-channel ABS
The 125cc engine is expected to remain unchanged
Updated Hero Xtreme 125R: What’s not expected to change
Same engine, suspension as before
The current Xtreme 125R is already one of the most feature-rich motorcycles with dual-channel ABS, three ride modes, one section larger rear tyre than its segment rivals mentioned above, and cruise control. However, it used to have a 4.2-inch LCD cluster, shared with the Glamour X. The new instrument cluster with the TFT display and TPMS would take it further ahead of its direct rivals.
Currently, the Xtreme 125R is powered by a 124.7cc air-cooled unit that makes 11.2hp of power at 8,250rpm and 10.5Nm of torque at 6,500rpm. Visually, the engine looks unchanged, so we could see these figures carried forward as is. There appear to be no changes to the suspension either, with the Xtreme sticking to its front RSU telescopic fork and a rear monoshock. The only rival with a USD fork remains the Honda CB125 Hornet.
Since the motorcycle has already started reaching dealerships, we can expect an official announcement and deliveries to commence in the near future. The current top variant of the Hero Xtreme 125R costs Rs 1.08 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) and with these feature additions, we can expect this variant to come at a slight premium.
The Mahindra Scorpio N pickup truck, set for debut today, was spied by us in Nashik, Maharashtra. It featured a double-cab body style, with almost the entire vehicle, including the alloy wheels, covered in camouflage. We don’t know the official name of the pickup truck, at least at the time of writing. Notably, Mahindra had trademarked the ‘Scorpio X’ name in 2024 and since the pickup is based on the Scorpio N SUV, the unused trademark could be used.
Mahindra Scorpio N pickup details so far
Going by a recent teaser, LED headlights, L-shaped daytime running lights (DRLs), vertically-stacked fog lamps, C-shaped tail-lights and a front camera are among the confirmed features. Speaking of the camera at the front, the carmaker may equip the truck with a 360-degree camera setup, or even the 540-degree setup (which adds an under bonnet view) as offered on the Scorpio N.
Mahindra Scorpio N pickup teaser (August 12).
While a double-cab body style will be available, it remains to be seen whether Mahindra offers a single-cab layout, a test mule of which was spotted testing last year. As we have exclusively reported before, the pickup will be based on the Scorpio N’s platform, but with a longer wheelbase to accommodate a larger load bed.
We exclusively reported earlier this year that Vinfast is considering launching the VF5 SUV in India. Ahead of its arrival, a heavily camouflaged prototype has been spotted on our roads, hinting at the design of the India-spec version. When the VF5 arrives here, it’ll be positioned below the VF6 midsize electric SUV. Secondly, the Vietnamese carmaker is also expected to utilise a fleet version of the VF5 for its Green SM taxi service.
India-spec VF5 likely to have different soft parts compared to global-spec VF5.
VF5 expected to be available for private and fleet buyers like the VF MPV 7.
Vinfast VF5: What the spy shots revealed
While the overall silhouette of the prototype is largely similar to the global-spec VF5, there were differences spotted. The front-end of the prototype has a more upright look with a clamshell bonnet compared to the global-spec VF5’s more swooping nose. Headlamp units positioned lower down on the sides of the bumper suggest a split design. The headlamps themselves feature a revised look, suggesting that the India-spec VF5 would have a revised fascia in comparison to the global-spec version.
In profile, the mule sported a similar design for the glass house, black wheel arches, a black section on the C-pillar, and moulding on the lower sides of the doors to the global-spec VF5.
The rear end was spotted with a raked windscreen, while a concealed horizontal section on the tailgate suggests a connected LED tail-lamp setup with a look that differs from the global-spec VF5. Moreover, there was also a spoiler-mounted stop lamp, while the bumper lower down gets a curved look with horizontal reflectors and a hexagonal layout for the license plate.
Inside, the test mule had a completely different layout from the global-spec VF5. It had an all-black colour scheme, a two-spoke steering wheel, and cup holders on the centre console. Unlike the global-spec VF5, which has a dedicated instrument cluster, the prototype does without it and gets a large floating infotainment display, which is likely to be the main source of all information and functionality.
The India-spec VF5 is expected to be under 4 metres in length. For context, the global-spec VF5 is 3,967mm long, 1,723mm wide, 1,579mm high and has a 2,514mm wheelbase.
Vinfast VF5: Expected powertrain
The global-spec VF5 is offered with two battery packs. There’s a 29.6kWh battery pack paired to a front-mounted motor developing 95hp and 135Nm. Also, there’s a larger 37.23kWh battery pack mated with a front-mounted motor delivering 136hp and 135Nm. NEDC-claimed ranges for the 29.6kWh and 37.23kWh are 268km and 326km, respectively. It remains to be seen what is brought to India.
Vinfast VF5: Expected price
Expect the Vinfast VF5 to be priced in the ballpark of Rs 12 lakh. Once launched, it will take on the likes of the Tata Nexon EV (Rs 12.49 lakh to Rs 17.49 lakh) and the Mahindra XUV 3XO EV (Rs 13.89 lakh to Rs 14.96 lakh).
Tata Motors is preparing to expand into new overseas markets as part of its broader international growth strategy. Speaking during the company’s Q1 FY27 earnings call, Managing Director and CEO Shailesh Chandra said, “There will be either at the end of this financial year or maybe early next financial year we will open another big market.”
While the company has not officially named the market, Tata Motors has previously indicated that it is evaluating opportunities in the UK and Europe as part of its next phase of export expansion.
UK, Europe among Tata Motors’ identified focus regions
Exports to Australia and Malaysia also being explored
South Africa continues to drive current export growth
Tata Motors preparing next overseas expansion
Chandra said Tata Motors has identified several priority overseas markets over the next two to three years, covering both internal combustion engine and electric vehicle portfolios. “We have in the next two to three years some key focus markets identified… which would be ICE-focused markets as well as EV-focused markets,” Chandra said.
The comments build on Tata Motors’ earlier confirmation that it had begun preparations for a UK market entry. The company has already started work on vehicle certification and is preparing its sales and aftersales network, although it has not announced a launch timeline. Tata Motors has also not disclosed sales targets or investment plans for either the UK or Europe.
Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran had earlier said the company would deepen its presence in South Africa while exploring opportunities in Australia and Malaysia, adding that Tata Motors also plans to look more closely at the UK and Europe.
South Africa continues to drive export growth
While Tata Motors prepares for its next phase of international expansion, South Africa continues to drive the company’s current export growth. Tata Motors returned to the country’s passenger vehicle market in 2025 and currently sells the Punch, Curvv, Harrier and Tiago through its partnership with Motus Holdings.
Explaining the recent growth in exports, Chandra said, “This quarter will be equally strong because, as you know, we opened South Africa last year… Since then we have been expanding our product range as well as the number of outlets and dealerships.”
Tata Motors sold 2,408 passenger vehicles in international markets during the first quarter of FY27, up from 970 units in the corresponding period last year. Although exports have more than doubled, they still account for a small share of the company’s overall passenger vehicle volumes.
Royal Enfield has confirmed that the Himalayan 440 will launch on September 4. We’d first reported back in April that Royal Enfield was working on the Himalayan 440, and learnt last week that a launch was imminent. The bike is expected to fill the gap between the Scram 440 and the Himalayan 450, offering a more accessible, less technologically complex alternative to the latter.
Based on the Scram 440’s LS440 engine
Expected to get a 21-inch front wheel and increased suspension travel
Royal Enfield Himalayan 440: What we know so far
The 21-inch front wheel and spoked rims will be the main differentiators over the Scram 440
The Himalayan 440 will be built on the same foundation as the updated Scram 440, using the LS440 engine. On the Scram, it produces 25.4hp at 6,250rpm and 34Nm at 4,000rpm, which is marginally higher than the 411’s 24.5hp and 32Nm, thanks to a 3mm larger bore. No mechanical changes to the engine are expected, mirroring how the Himalayan 411 and Scram 411 shared identical powerplants.
The most significant difference over the Scram 440 will be the wheel setup. The Scram 440 uses a 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel combination suited to road use, while the Himalayan 440 is expected to return to the 411’s off-road-oriented 21-inch front wheel, likely with tubed wire-spoke rims. Suspension travel is also expected to step up to 200mm at the front, like on the Himalayan 411, from the 190mm on the Scram.
The Himalayan 440 is not expected to be as technologically complex as the Himalayan 450, which brought a TFT display, turn-by-turn navigation, a USD front fork and a 6-speed gearbox with a slipper clutch to the lineup. Instead, the 440 is expected to cater to buyers who prefer the simpler, more familiar character of the 411.
Currently, the Scram 440 is priced from Rs 2.25 lakh to Rs 2.32 lakh, while the Himalayan 450 costs Rs 3.08 lakh to Rs 3.40 lakh. Somewhere between those two models is where the Royal Enfield Himalayan 440 is likely to be positioned.
Maruti has revealed it will launch the Baleno facelift on September 5, 2026. The Baleno is currently in its second-generation avatar, which launched in 2022, and is due for an update. While further details about the facelifted Baleno are awaited, some test mules have hinted at the expected changes on the hatchback.
Expected to get a revised fascia with a new grille and front bumper
Rear design is likely to be similar, save for a revised rear bumper
Dashboard design could be similar; could get new upholstery
