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An in-depth look into how armoured cars are built: Armour all

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Armour and protection have been part of Indian history from as far back as the Bronze Age. Helmets, large metal breast-plates, chainmail and thick layers of leather have all been used for protection in battle. Survival depended on shielding the human body from harm, and that, in many ways, is basically what we are still doing today with armoured cars and SUVs. While we may not be at war, and pitched battles are thankfully not something we have to contend with, a subset of super HNI’s today still need protection from projectiles, bullets and explosive charges. People like political leaders, business tycoons, members of the judiciary and security forces all require vehicles that can protect them. That’s where companies like JCBL come in. Stealth bomber What started out as a company just adding extra metal and simple bulletproof panes for protection has today morphed into a professional outfit that can arm, protect and remanufacture vehicles to international standards. In fact, JCBL C...

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BMW F 850 GS: Riding High In The Balkans

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There’s something magnetic about the open road. The rumble of engines, the throttle steady in your hand, the horizon widening with every curve – it’s a feeling every biker knows. But when that journey unfolds with a group of kindred spirits, the experience deepens. It stops being just about the miles and becomes a story of friendship, freedom, and discovery. That was the essence of my journey with Venus Motorcycle Tours across Romania and Bulgaria. This wasn’t just any ride – it was led by superstar Ajith Kumar, who founded the company with his partner Shiva Swaminath. For many of us, this was the perfect mix of adventure and inspiration, with bikers from across the world converging to share the road. “As a rider who often led friends on trips, it felt natural to take the next step. Everyone urged me to start a company of my own – one that would curate biking adventures across the world, shaped by the way I love to travel,” said Ajith Kumar, who rode with Shiva for the first time s...

Tata Curvv interior image gallery

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The Curvv coupe-SUV is one of Tata’s two contenders in the midsize segment. It is essentially a stretched version of the Nexon with a coupe-like roofline. On the inside, the dashboard is lifted straight off the Nexon, but Tata has given it different textures. The Tata Curvv comes equipped with features like a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a fully digital driver’s display, a panoramic sunroof, reclining rear seat, and ventilated front seats. The Curvv also gets a touch-based gloss black HVAC control panel with physical toggles for the fan speed and temperature control. The Curvv’s safety suite consists of six airbags, Level 2 ADAS, ESC, disc brakes on all four wheels, TPMS, a 360-degree camera, an electronic parking brake with auto-hold, and more. Tata Curvv prices currently range between Rs 9.66 lakh and Rs 18.85 lakh (ex-showroom).  from Autocar India https://ift.tt/URONJfg

KTM RC 160 leaked ahead of launch

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The 160 Duke came in as a replacement for the erstwhile 125 Duke, and we were also expecting an RC iteration of the 160 Duke. Now an image of the RC160 has surfaced on the internet. Here’s a breakdown of all the things we see. 1. RC 160 features similar livery as the RC 200 2. It will share its engine and fundamentals with the 160 Duke 3.The 160 Duke engine produces 19hp and 15.5Nm KTM RC 160 leaked: What to expect? The RC 160 will rival the Yamaha R15 A right side-profile shot of the RC 160 has surfaced online, when compared to the RC 200 that’s on sale, it has a few subtle differences but there are also a lot of similarities. Starting with the livery, it looks nearly identical to the RC 200’s Black colour. Even the headlight and taillight have been plucked right off the RC 200. Talking about the differences, It gets a rear tyre-hugger, a shorter rear number plate holder, a pillion grab rail. The chassis, suspension and tank looks similar but there are a few engine difference...

2025 recap: Autocar India specials

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2025 has been a wonderful year not only for the Indian automotive space but also for us at Autocar India. This year, we had the opportunity to be part of the record books again, while also experiencing a 50,000cc monster truck, as well as organising a 300kph NATRAX run with 12 supercars. Here’s a list of 5 things that stood out for us in 2025: Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV marked itself in the Guinness World Record Book It set a Guinness World record with a temperature variation of 51.2°C The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is the German manufacturer’s flagship e-SUV, initially launched in September 2024 as the SUV version of the EQS saloon . While we had already set a Guinness World Record Title with the sedan in 2024 , in 2025, we bagged the ‘Greatest Temperature Change achieved by an Electric Production Car’ title with the EQS SUV. The record run was conducted from Ranao in Rajasthan to Khardung La in Ladakh, which saw temperatures ranging from a scorching 47.5°C to a spine-chilling -3.7°C. ...

Upcoming car launches and reveals in January 2026

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With the new year just around the corner, automakers are busy planning car launches for January 2026. At the forefront are homegrown brands Mahindra and Tata Motors, with the latter set to launch four models (including an EV ). We are also expecting the launch of Maruti Suzuki’s first-ever EV, while Kia’s top-selling midsize SUV will hit showrooms after undergoing a generational update. Nissan and Renault are set to reveal a new model each in January 2026 – the latter reviving a popular nameplate after nearly four years. New Kia Seltos January 2 With customer bookings ongoing, the official launch of the new Kia Seltos will happen in January 2026. Based on the Korean brand’s new K3 platform, the next generation of Kia ’s top-selling midsize SUV retains its predecessor’s naturally-aspirated, turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel engine options. However, the new Seltos boasts an improved ride quality, an all-new exterior and interior look, and a set of new features that include updated dig...

2025 Recap: Major Milestones in the Two Wheeler Industry

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The year saw record sales milestones, long-awaited brand revivals, major acquisitions and important policy changes. Here is a list of the important happenings in the two-wheeler industry in 2025: Royal Enfield Hits a Historic Million Royal Enfield surpassed a historic 1 million annual sales milestone for the financial year ending March 31, 2025, the highest-ever in its history. The company posted sales of 1.09 Million units, up 11% from FY 2023-24. Exports over the year also climbed to an all-time high of 1,07,143. Norton Comes Back To Life Norton Motorcycles, which was acquired by TVS in 2020 , will debut its all-new range of bikes across global markets, including Europe, the US, Asia and India in the first half of this year. Our market will play a significant role and the company plans to retail the full line-up here as well. The models unveiled so far include the Manx, Manx R, Atlas and Atlas GT, and a new 450 single cylinder platform is expected to be showcased later in 2026....

2025 recap: Every event that shaped the car industry

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A series of strategic government interventions and significant industry milestones defined India’s automotive narrative in 2025. Policy moves – ranging from fuel mandates to tax restructuring – reshaped vehicle pricing and manufacturer strategies, while the market itself celebrated the enduring legacies of its most popular nameplates. This recap focuses on the pivotal changes, events and records that mattered most to everyday buyers. Budget opens select doors The Union Budget presented on February 1 included a reduction in import duty on motorcycles with an engine capacity below 1,600cc from 100 percent to 50 percent for completely built units, semi-knocked down units and completely knocked down units. Additionally, the budget exempted customs duties on lithium-ion battery cells, cathode materials and battery management systems, as well as on waste and scrap of battery parts and critical minerals. The government also fully exempted basic customs duty on 35 additional capital good...