Autos

Which was the first car company in India?

Today, India is one of the largest automobile markets worldwide. From budget hatchbacks to luxury SUVs, dozens of brands of cars are all over the Indian roads. But have you ever wondered which was the first car company in India? The answer takes us quite back in time when India was still establishing itself as an independent nation, and some visionary industrialists had the guts to dream of making cars in India. Below is everything you need to...

Flying cars are here? Elon Musk shows Tesla Roadster flying through air in stunning demo

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has unveiled a stunning demonstration of the next-generation Roadster, featuring an electric sports car driving upside down, briefly flying through the air and landing safely. The event took place at a SpaceX facility in McGregor, Texas, nearly nine years after Tesla first announced the model. Musk says the car uses a high-pressure air tank and specially designed thrusters to lift off the ground. Tesla also claims the Roadster can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 0.81 seconds, deliver a range of around 300 miles and exceed 230 mph in top speed. The company lists three versions: Performance, Thrust and Rocket.

BS-IV and older trucks, buses to face Delhi entry ban from November 1

Police urged transporters, tour operators and drivers to check their vehicles' emission standards and registration documents before heading to Delhi. Violations will attract fines and legal action, they added.

Car stranded as rain inundates Bengalurus Panathur railway underbridge

Bengaluru, Oct 16 (PTI) Brief rain inundated Bengaluru’s Panathur Railway Underbridge on Friday, leaving a car stranded in floodwater, visuals shared on social media showed.The driver of a white sedan was caught off guard as the water level rose rapidly, causing the vehicle to stall midway through the underpass.Visuals shared by the social media page Pulse of the People showed the sedan partially submerged in floodwater at the underpass, with...

Common driving mistakes that damage your car’s braking system and how to avoid them

The braking system is the most important safety feature in any car. Although problems with comfort systems like air conditioning, infotainment systems, and power windows may be annoying, a small problem with the brakes can be life-threatening. The brakes are responsible not only for stopping the vehicle but also for controlling it, and they have to...

Skoda Slavia facelift: 5 key highlights you need to know

The Skoda Slavia facelift brings an eight-speed automatic, rear-seat massage, updated styling, Google-powered AI features, a 360-degree camera and six variants, with prices starting at Rs 9.99 lakh.

When luxury cars go couture

Luxury cars are no longer defined merely by comfort, speed, mileage, fuel efficiency or status — they are now statement pieces, a canvas that lets you visually narrate your story

Why did transverse V6 engines disappear from modern cars

This video explains why transverse V6 engines were once common in front-wheel-drive cars and why they have nearly disappeared from modern lineups. Using cars like the Ford Mondeo ST200 as examples, it looks at how this engine layout gave family cars more power, a more premium image, and a distinctive naturally aspirated sound while keeping cabin space practical. The video also explains why the layout faded away as turbocharged four-cylinder engines became cheaper, lighter, more efficient, and easier for manufacturers to tune across different models.

GK: Why do car speedometers go up to 220 km/h even though you can't drive that fast?

Ever noticed that even a modest hatchback capable of a top speed of around 150 km/h often has a speedometer that stretches all the way to 220 km/h or even 240 km/h? It’s a detail most drivers overlook, but there’s a fascinating reason why carmakers do it.The biggest reason is standardisation. Instead of designing a different speedometer for every variant of a car, manufacturers often use the same instrument cluster across multiple models. A higher-performance version of the same vehicle may actually be capable of much higher speeds, making it more economical to use one speedometer for the entire range.There’s also a technical reason. Speedometers are designed to be most accurate in the speed range where people drive the most—typically between 40 km/h and 120 km/h. If the dial ended at 140 km/h, the markings would be packed too closely together, making it harder to read your speed quickly. Extending the scale to 220 km/h allows for better spacing and easier readability.Psychology plays a role too. For decades, automakers have associated higher numbers with performance. Even if a car can never reach 220 km/h, a speedometer with a higher limit subtly gives the impression of a more capable, premium vehicle. It’s one reason sports cars often have speedometers reading 300 km/h or more, even though very few owners will ever see those speeds.In India, the reality is very different. Most expressways have speed limits ranging from 100 to 120 km/h, while city roads allow much lower speeds. Driving anywhere close to 220 km/h would not only be illegal on public roads but also extremely dangerous. In everyday use, most drivers spend almost all their time well below the halfway mark on the dial.So, the next time you glance at your car’s speedometer and wonder why it promises speeds you’ll probably never achieve, remember: it’s less about encouraging fast driving and more about manufacturing efficiency, better instrument design and a little bit of automotive psychology. It’s one of those tiny details hiding in plain sight that most of us never stop to question.

The greatest V8-engined cars ever made

V8s are an increasingly endangered species. We celebrate the finest ever made

Farce and furious: Ferrari owner is left fuming when he gets his supercar stuck in a narrow alley

Aymeric Grassart was on his way to a restaurant when he stumbled across the bright red Ferrari Roma blocking the narrow cobbled lane (pictured) on Saturday, October 3.

Finding your perfect automatic under 15 lakh

Gearbox choices matter: AMTs are affordable but can feel jerky; CVTs and torque converters offer smoother shifts, while DCTs deliver quick performance for enthusiasts. Match use to model: City drivers may prefer CVTs or torque converters, while highway travellers benefit from torque converters or DCTs paired with responsive engines. Think long-term: Maintenance costs vary by transmission type; choosing the right gearbox can balance comfort, reliability, and running costs over years.

Car registered to teen who planned mass shooting at Aurora was at the parking lot of Hindu temple; Balaji temple issues statement

A car registered to Alexandros Paporakis, a 19-year-old Greek-American, accused of planning a mass shooting at a Hindu temple in Aurora, a suburb of Chicago, entered the building's parking lot on Sunday, hours before he was arrested near his home. Paporakis told a colleague that he had to leave because his gun jammed and nobody could see him. But h...

Why every Indian auto rickshaw has these metal rods on the side

If you’ve ever ridden in an auto rickshaw, you’ve probably spotted those metal bars along the sides. Most people don’t think much about them—they’re just there, part of the background. But honestly, they play a bigger role than you might guess.For one thing, those bars help keep the whole rickshaw from wobbling apart. Cars get their strength from a heavy, enclosed body, but autos are built differently—way lighter, way more open. That means every...

China’s oil dependence is dropping fast. What changed?

China’s electric vehicle boom is changing its car market and could accelerate a decline in oil demand. Elon Musk highlighted the shift on Friday, saying China’s “dependency on oil is dropping fast” in a post on X. He was responding to a post pointing to a sharp fall in the share of conventional petrol and diesel cars in China’s market.The shift comes as electric vehicles take a growing share of car sales and forecasts point to a third...

How to check your car's mileage? Know the most accurate method

According to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, only authorised dealer equipment can accurately measure fuel efficiency. While dashboard readings have limitations, motorists can still estimate real-world mileage with reasonable accuracy using the right methods.

New Honda Elevate review: A lot improved, a little more needed

The exterior design and ride comfort are spot-on, but the cabin feels a bit dated.

From automakers to tech giants, investors make a beeline for Haryana industrial hubs with Rs 40k cr bet

Big-ticket investments in Haryana’s Industrial Model Townships will lead to job creation well beyond factory floors, official says. Saini govt also planning 14,000 acre expansion for IMTs.

The cars with the largest engines ever made

As the motor industry embraces downsizing, we look at all the cars from past and present that headed in the other direction

30 of the world's most controversial car engines

Engines can be good, bad, or somewhere in between. But others are hard to put in a set box, for a variety of reasons…

Abandoned Ford Mustang gets first wash in 18 years

The car restoration experts at WD Detailing perform a thorough cleaning on a classic muscle car that had been left untouched for nearly two decades.

They found a rare 130,000-pound machine - then faced a nightmare getting it onto a trailer

HeavyDSparks takes on the recovery of a massive, rare Poclain excavator weighing approximately 130,000 pounds. With an old V12 diesel engine and years of uncertainty surrounding its condition, getting it running is only the first challenge. Loading and transporting the enormous machine pushes the crew and their specialized equipment to the limit.

Canadian rapper Drake shows off one-off 1999 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen

Drake has added a one-off modified 1999 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen to his collection of cars that includes rare Rolls-Royce and Mercedes-Benz cars.

Why the Toyota Glanza demands a premium over the Maruti Baleno

We try to decode badge engineering across the alliance

Ather Energy gets IRDAI approval for insurance subsidiary to distribute life, general, health insurance

Ather Energy has received regulatory approval on Thursday, October 15. for its wholly owned subsidiary, Ather Insurance, to distribute life, general and health insurance products.The approval will allow the electric two-wheeler maker to expand into insurance distribution and explore additional revenue opportunities through its existing customer base.Ather Energy said the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) had granted...

Are naturally aspirated engines losing their charm to turbos?

Turbo-petrol engines are rapidly finding their way into smaller, more affordable cars, promising stronger performance from smaller capacities. But as turbos rise, naturally aspirated engines face an interesting question.

Pre-owned luxury cars vs new mid-segment SUVs: Which is the smarter buy?

Pre-owned luxury cars under 35 lakh India: For a car buyer with a budget ranging between ₹25 lakh and ₹35 lakh, the choice doesn’t restrict to giving in to the feature-laden top-end model at a mass-market carmaker’s dealership. What the budget opens up is another tempting possibility, i.e., a three- to four-year-old luxury SUV. A new Mahindra XUV700, Tata Harrier, or Hyundai Creta can be bought in this range, depending on the variant. On the...

Jaguar Type 01 unveiled with 1,016hp: Check design, features and range

The Jaguar Type 01 electric GT has made its international debut with 1,016hp of maximum power and up to 644 km EPA range. The model is planned for UK production from 2027.​​

Mini Defender spotted testing with hybrid and EV plans

Hybrid confirmed: JLR has shifted plans to offer hybrid alongside electric versions, reflecting slower EV adoption globally. Compact design: The baby Defender retains the boxy silhouette and off-road cues of larger models, with a five-door layout. Market positioning: Expected to rival smaller Mercedes G-Class and Toyota Fortuner, the SUV could broaden Defender’s appeal.

What does a red number plate on cars mean in India?

A red number plate on cars in India usually indicates a temporary registration issued to brand-new vehicles before they receive permanent RTO registration. These plates are valid for about 30 days. A special red plate with the national emblem is also used for vehicles of top constitutional authorities like the President.

Push start-stop in cars: Pros and cons you should know

Push start-stop systems offer modern convenience and enhanced security by eliminating traditional keys. While reducing wear and tear, these electronic systems can lead to forgotten engines and costly key fob replacements. Battery issues can also disable the feature, potentially causing panic without knowledge of backup methods.

How the US Air Force resupplies its THAAD missile launcher in record time

The best cars ever made by Ford

A company whose illustrious history is just as important as some of its cars - here are a few examples

I found my lost 6X6 truck after 7 years!

After seven years of being lost, the 6x6 truck is finally found—but the discovery raises more questions than answers. What should have been a simple recovery turns into a complicated situation as its true condition becomes clear.

Sharvari, Neeraj Chopra and Ravi Shastri launch new Audi Q3 luxury SUV

A star-studded affair, with personalities from different fields in attendance, marked Audi’s launch of its new Q3 in India. Actress Sharvari unveiled the car alongside Neeraj Chopra and Ravi Shastri. The Audi Q3 is the brand’s most important car in India and starts at Rs 51.9 lakh. Compared with the previous model, the price increase is not significant. New Design And Features The new Audi Q3 features an all-new design language and is larger...

Watch what happens when a car outruns the wind behind it

It sounds impossible: a vehicle powered only by wind traveling faster than the wind itself. But with a clever design using wheels and a propeller, this machine extracts energy from the moving air in an unexpected way. Instead of acting like a sail, the propeller pushes air backward, allowing the vehicle to accelerate beyond wind speed. The result is a counterintuitive demonstration that challenges how most people think about motion and energy.

The fantastic car designs of Giorgetto Giugiaro

Giorgetto Giugiaro has designed more big-selling cars than anybody else – and lots of niche models too. These are just some of the highlights

Mahindra Thar OG review: Still got attitude, but now has better manners

Mahindra Thar OG review: Better brakes, improved road manners, and a more premium cabin, without losing its character.

These 5 car maintenance mistakes are quietly killing your car

These five common car maintenance mistakes quietly damage engines, tyres, brakes and electrical systems in Indian driving conditions. Learn how routine neglect raises fuel use, repair costs and reliability risks, reducing vehicle life and resale value over time.

If I were buying the Honda Elevate, this is the variant I would pick

The Honda Elevate ZX variant stands out with key safety upgrades, including Honda Sensing, a large touchscreen, and enhanced comfort features. Although the ZX+ adds luxury features like a 360-degree camera, the ZX represents a balanced choice for those seeking essential improvements.

Five driving habits that are secretly killing your car/bike's fuel efficiency

This pattern is often seen in daily driving, where drivers remain in lower gears such as second or third for extended periods, delay upshifts, or continue in higher gears at low speeds. Such habits are more frequent in city conditions with uneven traffic flow. The effect is more pronounced in stop-and-go traffic, where frequent speed changes require timely gear shifts.

Turning a $500 ranger into a $150,000 Baja truck... then tragedy struck

Donut takes a hard look back at the Ranger build that started as a $500 work truck and turned into a $150,000 desert racing machine. The goal was to create a Baja-ready weapon, but the desert punished every weak point—radius arms snapped, alternators failed, body panels cracked, and parts shook loose. The biggest lesson was simple: without real endurance testing, even expensive builds will break. Despite the chaos, the Baja Blaster still managed to finish and take first in class. Now they’re rebuilding the weak points and planning to race it again.

The best (and worst) James Bond cars

James Bond has had the keys to some amazing cars over the years, but some didn't make the mark - we take a look at them all

Anand Mahindra shares video showing how Mahindra vehicles evolved over the years: 'Pretty cool use of AI'

The creator of the video was identified in a Nation Press report as Torque Reborn, a fan creator who produced the video as a tribute to Mahindra's automotive history.

Kevin McCloud: Why I’ll never buy a new electric car

The Grand Designs star – out on the road in a new TV show – has owned EVs before but is sceptical about their future

How the US Air Force repairs its most feared supersonic bombers’ engines

The most obscure SUVs ever made

When was the last time you spotted an Alfa Romeo Matta on your commute?

Man spots weirdly modified BMW

A modified apple-green BMW with wide bodywork, a large rear wing and the quirky slogan ‘M Power Plus Pro Max’ was spotted at a park in Beijing, China.

Automatic gearbox stuck? 5 simple hacks every driver should know before calling a tow truck

If your automatic gearbox gets stuck, don’t panic. The issue is often linked to a faulty brake switch, shift lock system, low transmission fluid, or electronic glitches. Simple checks like using the shift lock release or restarting the car can help temporarily, but professional inspection is recommended.

Automakers push festive discounts with offers up to ₹3.35 lakh

Tata EVs lead: Tata Curvv EV and Harrier EV offer up to ₹3.35 lakh and ₹2.75 lakh respectively, targeting older stock and select variants. SUV discounts rise: Mahindra’s Scorpio N gets up to ₹1.5 lakh, Hyundai Creta N Line up to ₹1.25 lakh, and Maruti Grand Vitara up to ₹1.36 lakh. Check eligibility: Many offers combine conditional incentives; buyers should confirm variant-specific deals and final on-road prices before booking.