Autocar India Car and Bike news, reviews and videos.
- Toyota Taisor all colours image galleryby rivan.shukla@haymarketsac.com on December 11, 2025 at 4:40 am
- New Kia Seltos vs rivals: Specifications comparedby uday.singh@haymarketsac.com on December 11, 2025 at 4:25 am
Based on the new K3 platform, the second-generation Kia Seltos is now longer, wider and has a longer wheelbase. Though its petrol and diesel engine options have been carried over, Kia will introduce a hybrid powertrain later. As before, the latest Seltos competes with mid-size SUVs, including the Hyundai Creta, Tata Sierra, Maruti Victoris and Grand Vitara and Toyota Hyryder.It also rivals the Honda Elevate, Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun, Citroen C3 Aircross and MG Astor. Here’s how the new Kia Seltos compares with its 10 rivals on paper in terms of size and powertrains.New Kia Seltos vs rivals: DimensionsSeltos is the longest hereMid-size SUVSeltosCretaSierraVictorisGrand VitaraHyryderElevateKushaqTaigunAircross XAstorLength (mm)4,4604,33043404,3604,3454,3654,3124,2254,2214,3234,323Width (mm)1,8301,7901,8411,7951,7951,7951,7901,7601,7601,7961,809Height (mm)1,6351,6351,7151,6551,6451,6451,6501,6121,6121,665 (5 seats), 1,669 (7 seats)1,650Wheelbase (mm)2,6902,6102,7302,6002,6002,6002,6502,6512,6512,6712,585Ground clearance (mm)-190205210210210220188188200205Boot space (L)447433622446373373458385385444 (5 seats), 33 (7 seats)488Wheel size (in)16-1816-1817-1917171716,1716,1716, 1716, 1717While the 2026 Seltos takes the lead in length, the Tata Sierra dominates in width, height and wheelbase measurements. The Honda Elevate has the most ground clearance; notably, Kia hasn’t revealed the new Seltos’ figure yet. The Tata SUV also stands out with its biggest boot and the largest wheel size option in this group. An additional 7-seater layout is offered only by the Citroen Aircross X.New Kia Seltos vs rivals: PowertrainsTGDI Seltos, Creta, Sierra make most power; latter SUV leads in torqueMid-size SUVSeltosCretaSierraVictorisGrand VitaraHyryderElevateKushaqTaigunAircross XAstorEngine1.5L NA petrol | 1.5L turbo-petrol | 1.5L diesel1.5L NA petrol | 1.5L turbo-petrol | 1.5L diesel1.5L NA petrol | 1.5L turbo-petrol | 1.5L diesel1.5L NA mild hybrid | 1.5L hybrid | 1.5L CNG1.5L NA mild hybrid | 1.5L hybrid | 1.5L CNG1.5L NA mild hybrid | 1.5L hybrid | 1.5L CNG1.5L NA petrol1L turbo-petrol | 1.5L turbo-petrol1L turbo-petrol | 1.5L turbo-petrol1.2L NA | 1.2 turbo-petrol1.5L NA petrolGearbox6MT/ CVT | 6IMT/ 7DCT | 6MT/ 6AT6MT/ CVT | 7DCT | 6MT/ 6AT6MT/ 7DCT | 6AT | 6MT/ 6 AT5MT/ 6AT | eCVT | 5MT5MT/ 6AT | eCVT | 5MT5MT/ 6AT | eCVT | 5MT6MT/ CVT6MT/ 6AT | 6MT/ 7DCT6MT/ 6AT | 6MT/ 7DCT5MT | 6MT/ 6AT5MT/ CVTHorsepower115 | 160 | 116115 | 160 | 116106 | 160 | 118103 | 116 | 89103 | 116 | 88103 | 116 | 88121115 | 150115 | 15082 | 110110Torque144 | 253 | 250144 | 253 | 250145 | 255 | 260 (MT)/ 280 (AT)139 | 141 | 121.5137 | 141 | 121.5137 | 141 | 121.5145178 | 250178 | 250115 | 190 (MT)/ 205 (AT)144The Elevate’s naturally aspirated petrol engine is the most powerful, and it also makes the most torque in this set; the Tata Sierra’s NA engine matches it on torque. The Skoda Kushaq and VW Taigun stand out with their smallest 1-litre turbo-petrol engine here, while the Citroen Aircross X is the only SUV that offers both 1.2-litre turbo-petrol and 1.2-litre NA petrol options.In the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol group, the 2026 Seltos, Hyundai Creta and Sierra are tied for the highest power output, though the Sierra edges ahead with a bit more torque. These three SUVs are also the only ones here with a diesel option, and the Sierra diesel leads the pack in both power and torque.The Maruti Grand Vitara and Victoris siblings and Toyota Hyryder stand out for offering a strong-hybrid setup, and even a factory CNG option. But the Seltos hits back with 2 gearbox choices for each of its 3 engines, the most in this comparison.
- Ather Rizta sales cross 2 lakh milestoneby dinshaw.magol@autocarindia.com on December 11, 2025 at 4:13 am
The Ather Rizta electric scooter has surpassed the cumulative 2 lakh units sales milestone. Since its launch in April 2024, the family-centric and practical Rizta has been a key growth driver for Ather Energy and has helped the startup become a more mainstream name and enter into the top three in terms of monthly electric scooter sales in India.Rizta now accounts for over 70 percent of all Ather salesAther has sold over 5 lakh units in IndiaAther now a regular among top 3 sellers in the e-scooter spaceRizta has helped Ather accelerate its growth and presence across IndiaAther currently has over 500 dealerships across the countryThe Rizta crossed the one lakh units sales milestone in less than a year since its launch. The second lakh came even faster, in just 6 months and now the Rizta accounts for over 70 percent of all Ather sales. Before the Rizta came along, the sporty 450s cemented Ather’s reputation as a maker of sporty, high-quality, feature-rich but also expensive and niche products. Once Ather launched its first family scooter, the Rizta quickly curried favour with the general public for its practicality and more accessible price point without sacrificing on features and range.The Rizta is offered in four variants across 2 different trim levels – S and Z. You have the option of choosing between two different battery sizes – 2.9kWh (claimed 123km IDC range) and 3.7kWh (claimed 159km IDC range) – just like its sporty sibling, the 450. Prices start at Rs 1.15 lakh and go up to Rs 1.52 lakh (ex-showroom, Bengaluru), depending on the variant chosen.The Rizta now accounts for over 70 percent of Ather’s total sales and the company claims it has helped grow its market share in states such as Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. Ather recently surpassed a cumulative sales of over 5 lakh electric scooters sold across India, according to Vahan data. The company has also opened a multitude of new dealerships across the country and Ather’s total dealer count stands at 524 pan-India.
- 2025 Honda XL750 Transalp image galleryby editorial@autocarindia.com on December 11, 2025 at 4:13 am
- BMW M440i Convertible India launch in 2026by viraaj.bhatnagar@haymarketsac.com on December 11, 2025 at 3:58 am
BMW is set to bring the M440i xDrive Convertible to the Indian market next year, as per sources. With the Z4 on its way out globally with no immediate successor planned, the M440i Convertible will enter the scene in 2026 and cater to prospective BMW drop-top buyers in India.BMW M440i Convertible price in India could be around Rs 1.1 croreM440i Convertible gets a fabric roof that can open or close in 18 secondsInterior features include 14.9-inch touchscreen, heads-up display, powered sports seats, etcPowered by 374hp 3.0-litre turbo straight-six; 0-100kph in a claimed 4.9 secondsBMW M440i Convertible exterior designBased on 2024 4 Series Coupe; fabric roof can be operated at up to 50kphThe M440i Convertible is expectedly based on the BMW 4 Series Coupe and therefore features identical styling elements, save for a folding fabric roof that takes 18 seconds to open or close at speeds of up to 50kph. Up front, the M440i Convertible gets slim LED headlights with diagonal DRL signatures flanking large kidney grilles, along with sizable air intakes on either side of the bumper.19-inch alloy wheels, M badging on the fenders and a wind deflector aft of the front seats characterise the M440i Convertible’s side profile, while at the rear, the drop-top prominently features sleek LED tail-lamps, an integrated bootlid spoiler and a muscular rear diffuser.BMW M440i Convertible interior and features14.9-inch curved touchscreen dominates dashboardInside, the M440i Convertible can seat up to 4 occupants and sports a neat and uncluttered dashboard layout. A 14.9-inch curved infotainment touchscreen takes centre stage, with a digital driver’s display and three-spoke flat-bottomed M-spec steering wheel to the right.The M440i Convertible also packs in features like a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a wireless charging pad, heads-up display, tyre pressure monitoring system, powered sports seats with memory function, automatic climate control, ambient lighting, and more.BMW M440i Convertible powertrain and performanceSame 3.0-litre straight-six as M340iUnder the hood, the M440i Convertible comes equipped with the same ‘B58’ 3.0-litre turbo straight-six as the BMW M340i sedan, outputting 374hp and 500Nm. This powerplant is hooked up to an 8-speed automatic gearbox that funnels power to all four wheels, enabling the M440i Convertible to dispatch the 0-100kph run in a claimed 4.9 seconds, onwards to an electronically limited top speed of 250kph.BMW M440i Convertible price estimate and launch plansLikely to launch in mid-2026BMW plans to launch the M440i Convertible in India by mid-2026, with pricing expected to land in the Rs 1.1 crore ballpark. To that end, the M440i Convertible will directly rival the Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet, which is priced at Rs 1.12 crore.All prices are ex-showroom, India.
