Eye on the needle | Ethanol & EV launches

TESLA MODEL Y L

Tesla has expanded its line-up in India with the Model Y Long Wheelbase, which is also the first to get AWD (dual-motor) configuration here. The car is likely to have a 90 kWh battery pack, with total power output in the vicinity of 500 bhp. Tesla claims a 0-100 kmph time of just 5 seconds and a range of 681 km on a single charge. Every single design element is shared between the standard and long wheelbase version, but the roofline is quite different, with a more pronounced bow above the rear section, along with longer doors. The Model Y L is priced at Rs 61.99 lakh (ex-showroom).

FLYING FLEA

Royal Enfield’s first electric motorcycle, the Flying Flea C6, is now available at an introductory price of Rs 2.79 lakh (ex-showroom), with a Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) option priced at Rs 1.99 lakh. The FF C6 has a peak power output of 21 bhp, top speed of 115 kmph and a range of 154 km per charge. Rider aids include lean-angle sensing ABS, traction and cruise control and voice assist. A rotary mode switch enables transitions between ride modes.

HERO’S FLEX FUEL BIKES

Hero MotoCorp has launched the flex-fuel versions of its best-selling Splendor+ and HF Deluxe motorcycles, becoming the first manufacturer to do so in the mass-market 100 cc segment. The new motorcycles can run on ethanol-petrol blends ranging from E20 to E85 and will be available in Delhi and select regions of Maharashtra from July 2026. The HF Deluxe Flex Fuel has been priced at Rs 72,792 (ex-showroom), while the Splendor+ Flex Fuel costs Rs 82,710 (ex-showroom). Both motorcycles are powered by Hero’s 97.2 cc single-cylinder engine but have been upgraded for ethanol blends. The motorcycles also have revised ECU calibration, upgraded fuel-system components, a dedicated fuel pump and a secondary fuel filter. Hero states the bikes produce 8.57 bhp when running on E85 fuel.

MINI COUNTRYMAN C

Mini has launched the locally assembled Mini Countryman C in India at Rs 47.50 lakh (ex-showroom). The SUV adopts Mini’s latest design language, featuring an octagonal grille, adaptive LED headlamps, redesigned matrix LED tail-lamps, wider wheel arches and 19-inch dual-tone alloy wheels. The Countryman C cabin features a 240 mm circular OLED touchscreen, recycled textile dashboard trim, electrically adjustable JCW Sports seats with Vescin upholstery, and a massage function for the driver’s seat. Other features include a head-up display, Harman Kardon 12-speaker audio system, panoramic glass roof, wireless phone charging, 360 degree camera, parking assistant plus, Mini digital key plus, connected car technology, wireless Apple CarPlay and android auto, and eight mini experience modes. Power comes from a 1.5 litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine producing 156 bhp, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission driving the front wheels. Mini claims a 0-100 kmph time of 9.0 seconds, a top speed of 212 kmph and fuel efficiency of 15.92 kmpl.

HONDA CITY MAKEOVER

Honda has given the City a much-needed facelift, the second for the fifth-generation model that was introduced in 2020. While the overall silhouette remains familiar, the front end gets a slimmer projector headlamps, a connected LED light bar at the front, a new matrix-pattern grille and a redesigned bumper. New 16 inch dual-tone alloy wheels, revised LED tail-lamps and a subtle boot lip spoiler further sharpen the sedan’s appearance. Inside, the City gains a larger 10.1 inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless smartphone connectivity, ventilated front seats, and a 360 degree camera. Other highlights include an eight-speaker audio system and Honda Sensing ADAS features. Powertrain options remain unchanged. The 1.5 litre naturally aspirated petrol engine produces 121 bhp and 145 Nm and is available with either a six-speed manual gearbox or a CVT automatic version. The City e:HEV continues with Honda’s dual-motor strong-hybrid system paired with an e-CVT gearbox, delivering 126 bhp and a claimed fuel efficiency of 27.26 kmpl. Prices start at Rs 12 lakh and go up to Rs 21 lakh (all ex-showroom) for the top variant.

VF MPV 7

VinFast has expanded its India portfolio with the launch of the VF MPV 7. It is available in a single variant and comes with a 60.13 kWh battery pack paired to a single motor making 204 bhp and 280 Nm of torque and is ARAI certified for 517 km on a single charge. Like its other models, the VF MPV 7 takes on a family design aesthetic with slim LED that merges into the V-shaped logo up front. It gets 19 inch alloys, while the MPV 7 carries an overall typical MPV silhouette. The rear is upright, with a large roof-mounted spoiler and a connected LED light bar that, like the front, meets in the middle, forming the V-shaped VinFast logo. It is only available in a seven-seater format, and is priced at Rs 24.49 lakh (ex-showroom). The interiors follow the theme of not using typical instrumentation, with the 10.1 inch display serving as the control hub.

WAGONR E100 VERSION

Maruti Suzuki has launched the WagonR flex fuel at Rs 7.24 lakh (ex-showroom), making it India’s first passenger vehicle capable of running on E100 ethanol. The WagonR flex fuel features modified fuel injectors, fuel pump, fuel lines and engine components, along with recalibrated ECU to enable operation on ethanol blends ranging from E20 to E100. Based on the standard WagonR, the flex-fuel version remains visually unchanged. Power comes from the familiar 1.2 litre K12N petrol engine designed to operate on a wide range of ethanol blends.