AUTO

McLaren faces technical setbacks and controversy after Oscar Piastri drops from fourth to fifth in Monaco due to Pierre Gasly’s reversed penalty, leading to curfew exemptions and major car updates ahead of the 2026 Barcelona GP.

India’s green mobility push accelerates as Maruti Suzuki rolls out the Wagon R flex fuel, the country’s first car to run on high-ethanol E85 petrol. With more E85 stations coming and other brands poised to follow, flex-fuel technology is set to reshape the Indian auto market.

Mitsubishi has officially confirmed the return of the Pajero SUV in fall 2026, five years after discontinuing the model. The new Pajero will debut as a flagship off-roader, built on a ladder frame derived from the Triton pickup, and will anchor a family of rugged SUVs.

India is moving ahead with higher ethanol blends in petrol, setting new fuel standards and paving the way for E25 and even E100-powered vehicles, sparking concerns about efficiency and engine wear on older cars.

Tata Motors has officially confirmed the Tata Sierra EV will launch in India between July and September 2026, starting at around INR 17.5 lakh. The SUV will offer 55kWh and 65kWh battery options, advanced tech features, and will play a key role in Tata’s expanding EV lineup.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga dominated India’s 7-seater segment in April 2026 with a 22.6% market share, while Mahindra Scorpio followed with 14,719 units sold despite a slight YoY dip. The segment saw strong growth, fueled by families and fleet buyers.

Google’s advanced Gemini AI assistant is replacing Google Assistant in millions of vehicles with Google built-in and Android Auto, offering real-time email summaries, multi-language messaging, and smarter navigation—starting with English-language users in the U.S.

A tragic series of child pedestrian accidents occurred across the U.S. on April 25 and 26, including a fatality in Houston, a hit-and-run in Reading, and a driver-in-training incident at a Connecticut mall.

India’s car market saw a robust 24.99% year-on-year surge in March 2026. Maruti Dzire led the pack with 21,224 units sold, outpacing SUVs and other compact cars, as Tata Punch and Nexon also posted impressive gains.

The 2026 Volkswagen Taigun facelift is set for its India debut on April 9, bringing a refreshed design, upgraded features, and a new eight-speed automatic gearbox. Prices are expected to range from Rs 12 lakh to Rs 21 lakh.