Top 10 Car News Highlights Of The Week

The past week was pretty interesting with a lot of stuff happening in the global and Indian auto space. The unveiling of the all new BMW M5 in its fourth generation, has to be the cherry on top of the cake. Along with this, the new BMW 5 Series is entering the Indian market in the coming month along with two Mini models. The highly anticipated Nissan X-trail was also teased, and a lot more unfolded. Read on, to know the top 10 auto news from the week gone by. 

BMW 5 Series Launch

BMW has commenced accepting bookings for the new-gen 5 Series, which is set to launch on July 24. The new 5 Series is entering the Indian market in its long-wheelbase format like the 7 Series and 3 Series. The BMW 5 Series will be offered in a single 2-litre turbo petrol engine for the time being. Read more about it here.

Mini Cooper S And Countryman SE Launch

Mini is all set to bring in the new-gen Cooper S and all-electric Countryman SE to India on July 24. The new Mini models have been completely overhauled with fresh exterior and interior styling and added tech. Bookings for both the models are already underway with the price announcements expected upon launch on the 24th July. Know more about the Cooper S and Countryman SE here.

Vinfast VF e34 Spied

The Vietnamese brand VinFast, is gearing up to enter the Indian auto space. The VinFast VF e34 EV SUV was spied being tested under heavy camouflage on Indian roads. Previously, VinFast had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Tamil Nadu government to establish a manufacturing plant. The VinFast VF e34 EV could be VinFast's first model launched in India, with a potential for full local production. Read more here.

New BIS Norms For EVs

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) introduced new safety norms in response to the growing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) in India. The purpose of these new regulations is to guarantee that the quality and safety of passenger and commercial segment electric cars made in India are closely inspected and maintained. Read in detail about the 3 newly added norms and the scrutiny they bring in here.

Hyundai Kona Discontinued

Hyundai’s official website no longer lists the Kona EV, indicating that it may have been discontinued. Our dealer sources have also confirmed that the model has been discontinued, but an  official statement from Hyundai is still awaited. Read more about it here.

Nissan X-Trail Teased

Nissan India teased the highly anticipated fourth-generation X-Trail, which is expected to launch next month. The fourth-gen X-Trail will be imported as a Completely Built Unit (CBU), possibly in limited numbers. Internationally, it is available with both two-wheel and all-wheel drive options and features a mild-hybrid system. Read more about it here.

2025 BMW M5 Unveiled 

The 2025 BMW M5 was unveiled globally before its official launch slated for next month. It retains its powerful 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 engine, but now introduces a plug-in hybrid powertrain that delivers a combined output of 727 PS and 1000 Nm of torque. The exterior and interior have been updated with styling that aligns with BMW's latest design philosophy. Know more about the 2025 BMW M5 here. 

Hyundai Inster Revealed

Hyundai globally unveiled the Inster EV, a compact electric vehicle with rugged styling elements that give it a distinctive look. Inside, its quirky design features use sustainable materials, with features like two 10.25-inch screens (infotainment and digital driver’s display), vehicle-to-load technology, and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). The Inster EV claims a 355 km range in WLTP cycle. Read more about it here.

Tata Altroz Racer: Sets Fastest Indian Hatchback Record

The Tata Altroz set a record for the quickest lap time at the CoASST racetrack. Driven by Narain Karthikeyan, it finished a lap in 2 minutes and 21.74 seconds. The Altroz Racer even beat the Hyundai i20 N Line and the Maruti Suzuki Fronx Turbo in a battle. As a result, the Tata Altroz Racer is now listed as the fastest Indian hatchback to complete the CoASST circuit in the India Book of Records. Read the full story here.

Maruti Suzuki Swift Sales Milestone

Ever since its launch, the Maruti Suzuki Swift has surpassed 30 lakh sales in India, marking a significant milestone for the nameplate. It took the brand almost thirty years to achieve this sales milestone. Globally, Maruti has sold a total of 65 lakh units of the Swift. Read more here.