Royal Enfield Himalayan Basecamp Ladakh Edition Set For Sep 4-6

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Royal Enfield’s first Himalayan Basecamp will take place in Leh at 11,480 feet with rides, challenges, masterclasses and outdoor activities

Royal Enfield has announced the first Himalayan Basecamp Ladakh Edition which is scheduled from September 4 to 6, 2026. The three-day gathering will be held in Leh, Ladakh, at 11,480 feet, and tickets are now live on Royal Enfield’s official Himalayan Basecamp page. The event has been created for riders, climbers, overlanders, kayakers, mountain bikers and outdoor travellers.

The Chennai-based manufacturer has chosen Ladakh for the first edition – keeping the brand’s long association with Himalayan riding at the centre of the format. Participants can ride in, fly in or use GPS routes to reach the venue. The main riding challenges will test navigation, off-road control and high-altitude judgement.

The Navigation Challenge will use a Time-Speed-Distance format across tough Ladakh terrain and will be open to all motorcycle categories. The Himalayan Spirit challenge will run across all three days as a multi-discipline off-road test while the Hill Climb will focus on a single timed run up a steep section.

Royal Enfield has also planned several masterclasses for riders and overlanders. Meanwhile, sessions will cover bush mechanics, off-road recovery, motorcycle overlanding, off-road basics, 4WD travel, SUV overland preparation and live-fire cooking at altitude. The training modules are designed around remote travel, field repairs, gear planning and safe movement across difficult terrain.

The Himalayan Basecamp will not be limited to motorcycles. Adventure sport options will cover rafting and kayaking on the Zanskar, kayaking on the Indus and Zanskar, rock climbing at Shey, scrambling with certified instructors, hiking, mountain biking through Disko Valley and paragliding. Several activities are open even to participants without prior background in the discipline.

The curated ride calendar will be another central part of the event. Seven ride formats have been planned around art, culture, photography, heritage routes, riverside trails, monastery circuits, hot springs, coffee trails and high-altitude passes. The Triple Pass Expedition will cover Khardung La at 17,582 feet, Wari La and Tanglang La at 17,480 feet across three days.

Royal Enfield will also set up slower-paced sessions at the venue for recovery and community interaction. The Endurance and Recovery Collective, Moto Yoga, fireside conversations, Explorers Tent, Ladakhi food sessions, local cooking and acoustic music will form the evening side of the Basecamp. The ride to Ladakh can also begin much before the event. Royal Enfield will organise guided rides from 24 cities across India, giving participants the option to turn the journey to Leh into part of the three-day programme.

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Skoda Peaq Flagship Electric SUV Unveiled With 7 Seats & 630 Km Range

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Skoda Peaq becomes the brand’s largest electric SUV, using a 91 kWh battery, three powertrain choices and seven-seat cabin layout

Skoda has unveiled the Peaq as its new electric flagship and the SUV sits at the top of the brand’s EV range with a seven-seat layout, all-wheel-drive option, over 600 km of WLTP range and several new features never seen before on a Skoda model. The Peaq measures 4,874 mm in length and gets a 2,965 mm wheelbase. The larger footprint gives it three-row seating and 299 litres of boot space even when all seats are in use.

Folding the third row expands luggage capacity to 935 litres while a 37-litre frunk adds storage space under the bonnet. Cabin storage stands at 33 litres across multiple compartments. Skoda has also fitted the Peaq with its biggest panoramic roof yet measuring 2.1 square metres. The glass roof uses Dynamic Shade Control allowing occupants to alter tinting and light entry electronically.

Skoda has also noted that vegan seat upholstery will be offered from launch and leather upholstery will join the range later. The dashboard gets a portrait-style 13.6-inch infotainment screen running an Android-based operating system. Skoda has kept physical controls for climate settings, ventilation, hazard lights, door locks and media volume. The new interface also enables access to more third-party applications.

The optional Relax Package turns the cabin into a lounge-style space. The pack brings AGR-certified seats, massage function, ergonomic leg rests, Sound by Sonos audio and a wellbeing application. The Sonos system uses 16 speakers, an A2B amplifier and a dual subwoofer placed inside an 18-litre enclosure as the total output stands at 755 W.

Peaq also debuts flush door handles for Skoda and they extend automatically when the vehicle is unlocked and can also be operated manually. Skoda says the mechanism has a provision for easier use in icy conditions. Other debut features comprise windscreen wipers with integrated washer nozzles, wireless phone charging with magnetic alignment, Top Area View 360-degree parking assistant and a new heat pump.

The exterior of the Skoda Peaq follows the latest Modern Solid design language with the front end carries a Tech-Deck Face, T-shaped headlamps and a glossy black strip linking the lower lighting sections. The rear repeats the T-shaped lighting theme and Skoda has also used clean body panels, active cooling shutters, aero-focused mirror housings, wheel covers and a rear diffuser to reduce drag.

Resultantly, the drag coefficient is rated below 0.25. Wheel sizes range from 19 inches to 21 inches and the aero covers are shaped to reduce turbulence. Air Curtain ducts are placed closer to the centre of the front bumper while a roof-mounted spoiler follows the sloping roofline at the rear. Three powertrain versions will be offered in the international markets to enable an expansive range.

The Peaq 60 uses a 63 kWh battery pack with 59 kWh net capacity. Its rear-mounted electric motor produces 150 kW allowing a 0 to 100 kmph time of 8.6 seconds and a top speed of 160 kmph. The claimed WLTP range stands at up to 440 km while 10 to 80 per cent charging takes 27 minutes. The Peaq 90 moves to a 91 kWh battery pack with 86 kWh usable capacity.

Its rear motor produces 210 kW and helps the SUV accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in 7.1 seconds. Top speed rises to 180 kmph and claimed WLTP range goes past 630 km. The same battery can be charged from 10 to 80 per cent in 28 minutes. The Peaq 90x, on the other hand, sits at the top of the range with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup.

Combined output stands at 220 kW while 0 to 100 kmph takes 6.7 seconds. Top speed stays at 180 kmph and the claimed WLTP range stands at up to 605 km. It must be noted that the 91 kWh battery is the biggest pack fitted to any Skoda so far. The electric SUV also gets V2L, V2H and V2G capability when paired with a Moon Power wallbox.

Rear-wheel-drive versions can tow up to 1.8 tonnes with a braked trailer while all-wheel-drive variants raise the figure to 2 tonnes. The unbraked trailer limit is 750 kg. Selecting B mode enables one-pedal driving function – providing the SUV to stop using regenerative braking alone. Sportline trim will be available from launch too with exterior enhancements compared to the regular model.

The variant gets gloss black exterior details, black badging, optional black roof, Top LED Matrix headlamps, illuminated Light Band and a black Sportline Lounge cabin. Sports seats with integrated headrests and a three-spoke steering wheel are also part of the Sportline specification. Safety equipment covers ten airbags, Front Assist, Crossroad Assist, Turn Assist, Lane Assist, Side Assist, Rear Traffic Alert, Exit Warning and Predictive Cruise Control.

Travel Assist 3.0 will be optional and can recognise traffic-light signals. Top Area View 360-degree parking assistant will give the driver a full view around the SUV during tight maneuvers. The Peaq will be offered with four cabin themes and Skoda is expected to release market-wise pricing and delivery timelines closer to launch.

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Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra & Tata Motors Assess UK EV Export

Indian passenger vehicle manufacturers are exploring opportunities to expand their electric vehicle exports to the United Kingdom following the signing of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which introduces a phased framework for duty-free vehicle shipments between the two countries.

The agreement, scheduled to take effect from July 15, outlines provisions that will allow electric, hybrid and hydrogen-powered passenger vehicles manufactured in India to enter the UK market without import duties under a quota-based system. These benefits will begin from the sixth year of the agreement and will be gradually expanded over time.

The FTA categorises eligible vehicles into different price segments, ranging from models priced below £20,000 to those costing up to £80,000. Vehicles priced above this threshold will not qualify for duty concessions under the agreement.

Automakers including Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra and Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles have welcomed the development, viewing it as a potential avenue to strengthen India’s position as a global manufacturing hub for electrified vehicles. However, all three companies indicated that any expansion plans would depend on market evaluation and long-term business considerations.

Mahindra stated that the agreement could create fresh opportunities for EVs produced in India, particularly in right-hand-drive export markets such as the UK. The company said it would assess market conditions and incorporate the opportunity into its broader international growth strategy.

Maruti Suzuki highlighted India’s growing competitiveness in vehicle manufacturing and pointed to the export performance of its upcoming eVITARA electric SUV. The company expects the UK to emerge as an important overseas market as it expands its EV footprint across Europe.

Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles said the phased and quota-linked structure of the agreement provides a balanced approach that encourages exports while allowing domestic manufacturers time to remain globally competitive. The company added that the framework could support the wider adoption of sustainable mobility solutions developed and produced in India.

Under the agreed roadmap, duty-free quotas for eligible vehicles will start at 17,600 units annually in the sixth year and increase progressively to 88,000 units per year by the fifteenth year. The allocation will be distributed across multiple vehicle price bands.

The agreement could strengthen bilateral automotive trade while providing Indian manufacturers with greater access to one of Europe’s major right-hand-drive vehicle markets. The FTA is also expected to contribute to the broader objective of increasing trade between India and the UK, with both nations aiming to significantly expand economic engagement over the coming years.

Source

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First Batch Of Kodiaq RS Sold Out In Just 6 Minutes – Fastest Skoda SUV In India

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Skoda Kodiaq RS first batch is limited to 50 units and the 265 hp 4×4 SUV has sold out within minutes of bookings opening

Skoda Auto India has sold out the first batch of the Kodiaq RS in just six minutes after bookings opened. The company had allocated only 50 units for the initial import batch and customers could reserve the SUV for a token amount of Rs. 3 lakh. Prices have not been announced yet and the launch is expected in the coming weeks.

The Kodiaq RS will sit at the top of the Kodiaq range – positioned above the Laurin & Klement variant. Skoda has built the RS name into a strong enthusiast label in India since the first Octavia RS arrived here more than two decades ago. The latest Octavia RS, launched in 2025, also sold out quickly, taking just 20 minutes to find takers.

The India-spec Kodiaq RS uses a 1,984 cc four-cylinder TSI turbo-petrol engine. The 2.0-litre unit develops 195 kW, which equals 265 hp, between 5,000 rpm and 6,500 rpm. Peak torque stands at 400 Nm between 1,650 rpm and 4,350 rpm, while transmission duties are handled by a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox.

The 4×4 system is standard on the RS – helping it become the quickest and fastest Skoda SUV offered in India. The SUV can accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in 6.3 seconds, while top speed is electronically limited to 231 kmph. Progressive Steering, drive modes and Dynamic Chassis Control Plus are also part of the package.

The Kodiaq RS rides on 20-inch Elias alloy wheels wrapped in 235/45 R20 tyres. The spare wheel is an 18-inch steel space-saver unit. The suspension layout uses McPherson struts at the front and a multi-element rear axle, while disc brakes are offered at all four corners.

The SUV measures 4,761 mm in length, 1,864 mm in width and 1,682 mm in height. The wheelbase stands at 2,789 mm, while ground clearance is rated at 194 mm. Boot space is listed at 281 litres, 786 litres and 1,976 litres depending on the seat configuration. The kerb weight stands at 1,902 kg and gross weight is 2,500 kg.

The exterior receives RS front and rear bumpers, glossy black styling elements, black roof rails, black window surrounds, a rear spoiler, red detailing between the tail lamps and RS badging. The SUV also gets LED Matrix headlights, Adaptive Front Light System, all-weather lighting, cornering function, a front grille light strip and LED tail lamps carrying dynamic indicators.

The cabin gets black leather upholstery, red stitching, aluminium pedals, scuff plates and a three-spoke leather steering wheel with paddle shifters. The feature list includes a 26.03 cm Virtual Cockpit, 32.77 cm touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 725 W Canton audio system, 13 speakers, subwoofer, three-zone climate control, panoramic sunroof and ventilated wireless charging for two phones.

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Top 10 Bikes Sold In May 2026 – Splendor, Shine, Pulsar, Apache, Classic

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In the table of top 10 bikes sold in May 2026, Hero Splendor led the way ahead of Honda Shine, Bajaj Pulsar, Hero HF Deluxe and TVS Apache

The Splendor from Hero MotoCorp led the motorcycle sales chart in May 2026 with 3,48,115 units – up from 3,10,335 units sold during the same period last year. The commuter motorcycle added 37,780 units on a year-on-year basis and registered 12.17 per cent growth – keeping a very large gap over every other model in the table.

The Honda Shine finished second but its numbers slipped marginally compared to the same month last year. The motorcycle recorded 1,55,441 units in May 2026 against 1,58,271 units during the corresponding period twelve months ago – resulting in a decline of 1.79 per cent. The Bajaj Pulsar took third position with 1,24,270 units – up by 2,119 units from 1,22,151 units as it posted 1.73 per cent growth.

The Hero HF Deluxe saw the sharpest fall in the list. The model stood at 66,722 units last month as its sales were down from 1,07,768 units in May 2025. The year-on-year drop stood at 41,046 units with a decline of 38.09 per cent. Despite the fall, the motorcycle held fourth position in the overall chart. TVS Apache ranked fifth with 53,900 units compared to 49,099 units last year.

No.	Top 10 Bikes May 2026	May 2026 Sales	YoY Growth
1	Hero Splendor	3,48,115	12.17%
2	Honda Shine	1,55,441	-1.79%
3	Bajaj Pulsar	1,24,270	1.73%
4	Hero HF Deluxe	66,722	-38.09%
5	TVS Apache	53,900	9.78%
6	Honda Unicorn	34,925	22.05%
7	TVS Raider	34,852	-1.55%
8	Royal Enfield Classic 350	34,594	20.84%
9	Bajaj Platina	26,467	-5.20%
10	Royal Enfield Bullet 350	23,372	35.26%

The popular offering gained 4,801 units and recorded 9.78 per cent growth. In the second half of the table, the Honda Unicorn took sixth place with 34,925 units – up from 28,616 units. The gain stood at 6,309 units while growth reached 22.05 per cent. The TVS Raider took seventh position with 34,852 units in May 2026.

The model had recorded 35,401 units during the same period in 2025 – leading to a small drop of 1.55 per cent. The Royal Enfield Classic 350 was close behind at 34,594 units – improving from 28,628 units last year. The increase stood at 5,966 units while the Bajaj Platina ended ninth with 26,467 units as against 27,919 units in May 2025.

Royal Enfield Bullet 350

The motorcycle lost 1,452 units and posted a 5.20 per cent decline. The Royal Enfield Bullet 350 completed the list with 23,372 units – rising from 17,279 units last year. The model added 6,093 units and delivered the highest percentage growth in the top 10 at 35.26 per cent. As the Splendor stayed dominant by volume, models like Bullet 350, Unicorn, Classic 350 and Apache registered healthy gains.

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Force Motors Produces 2,00,000th Mercedes-Benz Engine At Chakan Facility

Force Motors has achieved a significant manufacturing milestone with the production of its 2,00,000th Mercedes-Benz engine at its Chakan plant near Pune. The achievement highlights the long-standing industrial partnership between the Indian automaker and the German luxury car brand.

The landmark engine is an M256 six-cylinder petrol unit, which has been fitted to a Mercedes-Benz GLS 450. The milestone underscores the scale of localised manufacturing operations that support Mercedes-Benz’s presence in India.

Force Motors has been associated with Mercedes-Benz for nearly three decades, having started engine manufacturing for the brand in 1997. Over the years, the partnership has expanded beyond powertrains, with Force Motors also producing axles for Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles assembled in India.

The Chakan facility was established to meet Mercedes-Benz’s global manufacturing and quality standards. The plant plays a key role in supplying components and engines for vehicles produced for the Indian market.

Commenting on the achievement, Force Motors Managing Director Prasan Firodia said the milestone reflects the strength of the collaboration between the two companies and the consistent focus on manufacturing quality and engineering precision over the years.

The production of 200,000 engines also reflects the growing importance of India as a manufacturing base for global automotive brands. As localisation levels continue to increase, partnerships between domestic suppliers and international manufacturers are expected to play an increasingly important role in supporting production and supply chain requirements.

With nearly 30 years of collaboration behind them, Force Motors and Mercedes-Benz continue to strengthen their manufacturing relationship through local production of critical automotive components and powertrains.

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New Renault Duster Export Begins From India, First Shipment To South Africa

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First batch of 750 India-made Dusters have left Chennai for South Africa as Renault adds an export role to its RGMP-based SUV

Renault India has started exports of the all-new Duster as the first batch of 750 units have been sent from Chennai to South Africa. The shipment begins the export programme for the new SUV with more international markets set to join in the coming months. The new Duster is manufactured at Renault India’s Oragadam plant near Chennai.

The facility has an annual production capacity of 4,80,000 units and already supports Renault’s domestic operations. The company also has close to 638 sales and service touchpoints in India including more than 200 Workshop on Wheels locations. The export dispatch fits into Renault’s long term plans for India as it wants its local operation to take a larger role in manufacturing, engineering and exports over the next few years.

The all-new Duster is the first Renault model in India to use the Renault Group Modular Platform (RGMP). The architecture has been developed to support different powertrain types and will also underpin future Renault products. The SUV has secured a five-star Bharat NCAP safety rating across variants and powertrains giving it a base to rely on for domestic sales as well as export markets.

The Indian-spec Duster is offered with two turbocharged petrol engine options. The 1.0-litre three-cylinder Turbo TCe 100 engine kicks out 100 hp and 166 Nm and is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. The 1.3-litre four-cylinder Turbo TCe 160 engine develops 163 PS and 280 Nm with six-speed manual and six-speed wet-clutch DCT options.

Renault also lists a strong-hybrid E-Tech 160 powertrain for the Duster. The setup uses a 1.8-litre petrol engine, a 1.4 kWh battery pack, an eight-speed auto and two electric motors. The Duster measures over 4.3 metres in length and offers a ground clearance of 212 mm. Prices in India start at Rs. 10.49 lakh and go up to Rs. 18.69 lakh (ex-showroom) based on variant and powertrain choices.

The South Africa shipment gives Renault India a new export line at a time when the company is preparing additional products for the domestic market as a new three-row SUV based on the Duster and a localised A-segment EV are under development. The French auto major has also set a target of generating €2 billion in annual exports from India by 2030.

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