From flagship luxury electric SUVs and middleweight retro cruisers to refreshed family hatchbacks, here are some automotive developments from this week.
News Roundup
- Audi launches the updated Q3 in India.
- Mini introduces the limited Cooper Oxford Edition.
- Toyota rolls out the Glanza facelift with Level 2 ADAS.
- Volvo launches its flagship EX90 luxury electric SUV at ₹1.26 crore.
- Royal Enfield introduces the Classic 650 Hypershift.
- Hero MotoCorp updates the Xtreme 160R 4V for 2026.
2026 Audi Q3 Launched at ₹51.99 Lakh
Audi India has officially launched the new 2026 Q3, priced at ₹51.99 lakh (ex-showroom). This fresh luxury crossover has a redesigned singleframe grille, updated Matrix LED headlights on the top trim and fresh alloy wheel designs. Power comes from the familiar 2.0L 4-cylinder TFSI turbo-petrol engine, which produces 204 bhp and 320 Nm of torque, and is paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission along with Audi’s quattro 4×4 all-wheel-drive system. Inside, the cabin receives some upgraded upholstery, a 12.8-inch touchscreen and an 11.9-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus.
Mini Cooper Oxford Edition Introduced at ₹55.50 Lakh
Mini India has introduced the exclusive Mini Cooper Oxford Edition, which carries an ex-showroom sticker of ₹55.50 lakh. Celebrating the brand’s British heritage, this limited-run 3-door hatchback features a white contrast roof with printed Union Jack graphics, body accent stripes, an exclusive boot decal and bespoke 18-inch alloy wheels. Mechanically, it uses a 2.0L 4-cylinder TwinPower Turbo petrol engine that makes 201 bhp and 300 Nm of torque and is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Cabin upgrades include sports leatherette upholstery and a premium Harman Kardon surround sound system.
2026 Toyota Glanza Facelift Launched at ₹6.99 Lakh
Toyota Kirloskar Motor has launched the 2026 Glanza facelift in India, priced between ₹6.99 lakh and ₹10.98 lakh (ex-showroom). The sub-4-metre premium hatchback has removed its older engine and adopted a new 1.2L 3-cylinder Z-Series motor that produces 82 bhp in petrol guise and 69 bhp in CNG mode. A 5-speed AMT automatic is now offered on factory CNG variants as well. The range-topping V (O) trim of this car adds Level 2 ADAS, front ventilated seats, a cooled wireless charging pad and a 360-degree parking camera.
Volvo EX90 Electric SUV Launched in India at ₹1.26 Crore
Volvo Auto India has launched its flagship EX90 electric SUV, priced at ₹1.26 crore (ex-showroom). It’s built on a dedicated EV platform, and the three-row luxury SUV has a massive 106 kWh battery pack that comes with a MIDC-claimed driving range of up to 724 km. Its dual-motor 4×4 drivetrain produces 449 bhp and 670 Nm of torque. Standard safety equipment includes a roof-mounted LiDAR sensor with five radar units and eight cameras.
Royal Enfield Classic 650 Hypershift Arrives at ₹4.26 Lakh
Royal Enfield has expanded its twin-cylinder range with the limited Classic 650 Hypershift edition (only 125 units), which is priced at ₹4.26 lakh (ex-showroom). Featuring deep-gloss Hypershift paint scheme accents and custom retro badging, this motorcycle is powered by the proven 648cc air-and-oil-cooled parallel-twin engine that puts out 47 bhp and 52.3 Nm of torque on the road with the help of a 6-speed gearbox.
2026 Hero Xtreme 160R 4V Launched at ₹1.27 Lakh
Hero MotoCorp has launched the updated 2026 Xtreme 160R 4V at ₹1.27 lakh (ex-showroom). This sporty streetfighter keeps its 163.2cc air-and-oil-cooled 4-valve engine, which generates 16.87 bhp and 14.6 Nm of torque, and is mated to a 5-speed transmission. The fresh update actually offers dual-channel ABS and gold-finished 37 mm upside-down (USD) front forks on the Pro and Carbon variants. These variants also get ride-by-wire (electronic throttle), three riding modes (Rain, Road, Sport), cruise control and a new full-colour TFT console (only on the Carbon variant).
Noteworthy Addition: Tesla Reveals Flying Roadster Concept
Elsewhere, in the US, Tesla recently showed the world a radical version of its second-generation Roadster concept, with which there’s an optional SpaceX package that comes equipped with cold-gas air thrusters. According to the manufacturer, miniature thrusters mounted behind the license plate and beneath the chassis could assist high-speed cornering, high-speed braking and, interestingly, brief low-altitude hover manoeuvres. While other production details are not quite clear at the moment, Tesla claims the electric hypercar can sprint from 0 to 100 kmph in under one second when the thrusters deploy alongside its tri-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain.
