As a new-age, born-electric EV from the country’s largest car maker, the Maruti Suzuki e VITARA has had a lot going for it right from the word go. When it first broke cover at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, it wowed audiences with its futuristic design and made an excellent first impression as Maruti Suzuki’s first ever EV. And when the numbers were revealed, it was confirmed that the e VITARA would ensure long drives and multi-day road trips were never going to be a concern for the EV. The reason? Its ARAI-certified range per charge of 543km! On an average, that is roughly the distance most people heading out on road trips cover in a single day, which means you don’t need to worry about finding a charger on the way. If you do need to recharge though, Maruti Suzuki’s robust charging network, and more importantly, the ‘e for me’ smartphone app have you more than covered. This also means that range anxiety is a thing of the past!

As an automotive publication that enjoys its road trips, we find ourselves driving long distances very frequently, and the e VITARA is an SUV that is pushing us to hit the road more often with its kind of reliability, be it the consistent performance and range per charge, battery safety, infrastructure effectiveness, extensive testing or the unmatched aftersales support! The e VITARA is thus ensuring ‘India Goes Electric’ as it comes with the trust that millions of buyers have had in Maruti Suzuki’s cars for over four decades now. That said, Maruti Suzuki has been the default choice for generations of buyers and now with the e VITARA, the manufacturer has a product that is aimed at ticking the right boxes for a wide spectrum of buyers, especially those wanting to go electric. As a born EV the e VITARA uses a flat floor that has been designed for large batteries and comes with the option of either a 49kWh or a 61kWh battery pack.

This results in an ARAI-certified range of 440km per charge for the 49kWh battery and 543km per charge for the 61kWh battery, making the e VITARA apt for long distance driving. Add to that its excellent performance, as the e VITARA offers up to 174PS of power which makes it an excellent choice for mile munching on open highways and covering distances quickly, in an effortless manner. At the same time, the e VITARA also puts its power down in a smooth and friendly manner which offers a sense of familiarity as a Maruti Suzuki. This performance coupled with the excellent energy efficiency of the e VITARA’s battery ensure the SUV is perfectly at home, be it crawling in city traffic or cruising on an 8-lane Expressway. It’s this combination of performance coupled with long range that’s helping the Maruti Suzuki e VITARA change the way India looks at EVs, as you don’t need to worry about range or finding a charger anymore, while enjoying the country’s excellent highway network. 

And as a future-ready SUV, that e VITARA is also specced right for the tech-savvy and young and restless buyer. This attitude reflects in the e VITARA’s design and engineering from end to end. So be it the SUV’s smooth, flowing design and flat underbody or smart grille with adaptive shutters that aid aerodynamic performance when closed and help the battery cool when opened, the e VITARA is always up for maximising its world-class, all-electric powertrain’s efficiency. Built to global standards, its battery pack has been engineered to offer an ultra-long lifespan and retain high performance even after thousands of charge/discharge cycles, which ensures peace of mind even after years of owning the e VITARA. The battery pack has also been tested to withstand extreme temperatures from as low as -30 degrees Celsius to 60 degrees Celsius.

This ensures the e VITARA is perfect for India’s extreme weather conditions, so be it the scorching heat in Rajasthan or sub-zero temperatures in Kashmir, the e VITARA is perfectly at ease and offering consistent performance, charge after charge, year after year! This is something we experienced firsthand as part of Maruti Suzuki’s ‘India Goes Electric’ drive, which had us drive the e VITARA across some of India’s coldest regions in peak winters, from Srinagar to Jammu. The distance between the two cities is just about 250km, which meant we didn’t need to even think about recharging the battery, given the ARAI-certified range of 543km per charge for the 61kWh battery. More importantly, given the excellent engineering and Maruti Suzuki’s strong focus on ensuring the e VITARA is well-suited to Indian driving conditions, we had no trouble driving the EV even thousands of feet above sea level, when it was freezing cold and air temperatures were in single digits!

The e VITARA’s solid engineering also ensures the SUV is extremely safe, given the tests it has undergone. Its battery pack passed the nail penetration test – considered the Mount Everest of battery testing – safely, besides also passing the fire test safely as the battery did not catch fire even when it was placed in a burning furnace. These are besides the e VITARA’s battery also passing water and compression tests successfully. Speaking of safety, the e VITARA has scored 5 stars in the Bharat NCAP safety tests, which makes it among the safest electric SUVs in the country. This excellent safety rating has been made possible thanks to the e VITARA using more than 60 percent high-tensile steel in its construction, in all critical areas, with efficient load paths, to ensure forces in the event of a crash are distributed away from the cabin and battery pack both.

This, while ensuring excellent lightness and not adding to overall weight, as the HEARTECT-e platform has been engineered to handle high structural loads and optimise safety to the highest possible standards. The platform has been designed to accommodate battery packs between the axles securely, which helps in eliminating structural compromises entirely and adds to the e VITARA’s safety net. This is besides the battery being packaged with specialised energy-absorbing mounts to protect it in the event of frontal or side impacts. That’s not all on the safety front though, as Maruti Suzuki has equipped the e VITARA with a long list of cutting-edge safety features. This list includes Level 2 ADAS that has been tuned and tested extensively for Indian conditions, with excellent attention to detail. For instance, the front camera on the e VITARA gets a dedicated defogger for enhanced ADAS performance even in tricky weather.

You also get a 360-degree camera for assistance while parking or manoeuvring in tight parking spaces or tricky spots and tyre pressure monitoring. These are besides an electronic parking brake and a brake hold function that adds to convenience by ensuring you do not need to shift from ‘Drive’ to ‘Neutral’ when driving in bumper-to-bumper traffic. But with the e VITARA, Maruti Suzuki hasn’t just launched a new product, or its first-ever electric vehicle to be more specific. And that’s because Maruti Suzuki has also launched its own ecosystem which has been thoughtfully designed to cater to every need that buyers might have. This includes more than 2,000 exclusive DC fast chargers that have been installed at its dealerships already – Maruti Suzuki will be using the network strength of its Nexa and Arena channels both, which will ensure an unmatched charging network.

On the other hand, the ‘e for me’ app offers end to end solutions, as it lets you discover thousands of chargers across the country and use multiple payment options. For the purpose, Maruti Suzuki has tied up with 13 of India’s largest CPOs (Charging Point Operators) including Tata Power, Statiq, JioBP, IOCL, ChargeZone and many more, ensuring you have access to over 14,000 charging points! The e for me app thus ensures it is a one-stop solution for any and every charging related need that you may have. And that is because you can find, navigate and charge using e for me alone, without needing any other app. It also helps in efficient route planning by helping you find chargers along the route you intend to take on a long drive. You also get the e for me card which offers a ‘Tap N Charge’ functionality, meaning you can get to a charging station, plug the charging gun in and simply tap the RFID card to start charging. This is besides the 7.2kW AC fast charger the e VITARA comes with.

In a nutshell, the e VITARA is far more than just a new EV, it is the country’s largest car maker offering you an unprecedented package that combines future-ready engineering, long range, excellent space and comfort, practicality and a charging network that’s among the very best. Maruti Suzuki has thus ensured that with the e VITARA, India Goes Electric!

The post Special Feature: Maruti Suzuki e VITARA – The Long Ranger first appeared on Turbocharged.

When I was a young lad, I read all them auto magazines. In one of those glossy pages, I saw the photo of a dude, black t-shirt, sports sunglasses, bandanna — the works. The proverbial biker dude. I did think motorcycling was incredibly cool, though, as this was a story about 2005 Rider Mania, only in its third year at the time. You can imagine my surprise when I realised that the senior gentleman I was talking to, next to the river Ganges at Rishikesh, the president of BOBMC, was none other than the same person! But let’s rewind a little bit, and let me tell you how I ended up at this motorcycle festival!

So, Motul, whose lubricants are used by almost every serious motorcyclist I personally know, has been a long-standing partner of the BOBMC Rider Mania. They were the ones who invited us over to this community-driven event. The trademark of ‘Rider Mania’ now rests with BOBMC, and while there had been two Rider Mania events per year till 2021, in 2022, Royal Enfield rebranded its own event as Motoverse, as it was in that year BOBMC secured the trademark.

The event is attended by Motorcycle Clubs from all over the country, and even some from outside our borders as well! The Brotherhood of Bikers (BOB) is an umbrella organization that comprises individual clubs. Talking to the president of BOBMC, I saw the vision he has for the culture of motorcycling clubs in the country. I will share a few here — a BOBMC app, with an SOS button, which will alert all clubs in the vicinity that a rider or a group needs assistance, and it will have GPS location sharing for those in need. Furthermore, whenever a club goes on a ride, as long as a minimum of 4 members are riding together, those kilometres can be logged into the app and converted into discounts on partner brand products, like Motul lubricants.

The most striking thing about the event was the vibe of the place, though, as it was the exact antithesis of the big-budget corporate nature of the Goan event, with its hustle and bustle and frenetic series of activities. Another thing that was completely opposite to every other event was the community dining hall. That alone turned the event into a giant picnic more than anything else. There was a riding event, but that was not the major draw by any means. 

Despite the chill nature, though, BOBMC is important enough with serious enough riders in it that a larger number of top-tier brands besides Motul are a part of the sponsors list every year. So, if you are part of a club with a few members, maybe get yourself registered with BOBMC and give the Rider Mania a try. Just remember to carry enough toilet paper and the all-important bottle with a hole in the cap! 

The post Of Legends and Myths – BOBMC Rider Mania first appeared on Turbocharged.

The Oberoi Concours d’Elegance, in only its second-ever running, has become the premier Concours event in India, thanks in no small part to the organisers. The event is led by Arjun Oberoi, Executive Chairman of The Oberoi Group, along with automotive historian and curator Manvendra Singh and his son, our very own columnist Siddhraj Singh. Through the efforts of these people, and many others, the Oberoi Concours d’Elegance 2026 transcended its recent origin and became the talking point of the vintage and classic car community, not just in India, but around the world. The Oberoi property of Udaivilas, located in Udaipur, provided a stunning and regal backdrop to the soiree.

It wouldn’t be a proper Concours d’Elegance event without a plethora of categories for the participating vehicles, and it was no exception for the Oberoi Concours d’Elegance 2026 as well, the the 3-day extravaganza featuring nearly a hundred vehicles distributed among the following classes—Pre-War Classics (European), Pre-War Classics (American), Post War Classics (European), Post War Classics (American), Pre-War Classics (Rolls Royce), Cars of The Maharajahs (Jodhpur), Indian Heritage Motor Racing, Indian Heritage Preservation, Youngtimer Classics, and Indian Coachbuilt: Then & Now. Two-wheelers were not overlooked in any way, as there were four motorcycle classes—Veteran (Vintage), Pre-War Classics, Post-War Classics, and Indian Heritage – Motor Racing.

Among those that won, the Maharaja of Jodhpur’s parrot-green 1935 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental for ‘Spirit of Elegance,’ and ‘Best in Show’ winner 1939 Bentley 4.25-Litre Drophead Coupé of Mr Dhanraj Gidwaney (both depicted on the previous page) stood out from the crowd. Yohan Poonawalla was honoured with a special mention plaque for the Phantom Retrospective, as he had contributed seven of his 12 Rolls-Royce Phantoms to the display! Furthermore, BMW Group Classic flew over some exceptional metal-and-glass moving sculptures from its Munich HQ, such as the 1957 BMW 507 Roadster, with colour-coded wheels, and the 1973 BMW 3.0 CSL ‘Batmobile’ (depicted on the previous page as well).

The judges’ panel, comprised 17 individuals, whose bios would warrant a separate story of its own, was led by Sandra Button, chairperson at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Sir Jackie Stewart, Jacky Ickx, Giacomo Agostini, Derek Bell MBE, Prof Peter Stevens, Prof Gordan Murray, Prince Michael of Kent, Sir Michael Kadoorie, and Jean Todt. David McKirdy served as the chief judge for motorcycles, like the 2024 edition. 

All in all, the success of the 2026 Edition of the Oberoi Concours d’Elegance event proved that the love for vintage machines and that bygone era of grandeur is still alive in the hearts of the people of this country.  

The post The Oberoi Concours d’Elegance first appeared on Turbocharged.

It’s now half a decade since we laid the foundation of TURBOCHARGED, put together by a bunch of enthusiastic and hard-working petrolheads trying to live a dream. Our daily lives revolve around embargoed timelines, travel, riding and driving the newest of two-wheelers and cars for a living and of course, reporting on the automotive industry. Most importantly, we aim at bringing our audiences storytelling and visuals that make you go wow, across mediums, digital and offline. Now, fifth anniversaries are rather special, whether a marriage anniversary, or that of an energetic, enthusiast-centric publication like ours and call for special celebrations. And being the drama king that he can be, Abhay decided to announce the celebrations in his trademark manner.

Ed entered the office with a long face, stress dripping from his forehead, to throw the team into a tizzy. But turns out, he wanted to surprise us and announced that we would celebrate TURBOCHARGED’s fifth anniversary in Goa! Given that we are an automotive publication, it was kind of obvious we wouldn’t be taking a flight or train to Goa, and the first thought in my head was, what cars would we drive to Goa in. And before I could ask him, Abhay mentioned we would be driving the Mahindra XEV 9e to Goa. And then, with his trademark smirk, he proclaimed we would be doing it on a single charge! Eyebrows went up, since a full-house with luggage, and the 450km drive on a single charge meant the XEV 9e would see a charging gun only once we got to Goa!

I was excited, but also a little concerned. I like challenges, but this one right at the edge. What if we ran out of charge just after the climbing the steep and beautiful Anuskura ghat? Unlike the dino-juice that other SUVs guzzle, the XEV 9e only likes its watts and volts, which meant we would have to be more mindful than we would in an internal combustion engine-powered SUV. Or would we, considering that the XEV 9e packs in a massive, 79kWh battery pack and boasts a claimed range of 656km per charge, which also translates to over 500km in the real world? Maybe I was overthinking it, because Pune to Goa is just about 450km. 

Destination decided and route set, the Mahindra XEV 9e was all charged up and so were we, ready to take on a mix of four lane highways, narrow country roads, the charming Sahyadri mountains and some off-road sections. All this, with four people and their luggage on board (including camping gear for us to enjoy the great outdoors!) on a single charge. As we left Pune city, the optimist that he is, Mrinmoy was not only confident we would make it to Goa on a single charge, but also have enough charge left for us to power our devices, given that the 79kWh battery pack powering the Mahindra XEV 9e is among the largest in the country, which ensures range anxiety is a thing of the past. In fact the XEV 9e has just won the highly coveted Green Car by ICOTY award, which speaks volumes about Mahindra’s engineering and how good the SUV is overall!

The XEV 9e was in its element on the highway courtesy its outputs of 285PS and 380Nm and was helping us munch miles at a pace rapid enough to shame luxury SUVs that cost twice as much! After all, with its design, packaging, space and exhaustive list of features the XEV 9e can embarass luxury SUVs costing twice! Barely four hours and a quick pit stop later we were ready to exit not-so-smooth NH48 and turn onto some country roads in search of hills. But besides its performance and sporty handling that enable a feverish pace on open roads, its excellent comfort is yet another aspect that makes the XEV 9e apt for road trips. And that is besides the luxurious cabin. The triple screen layout is a class act, and sitting in the front passenger seat I had a crisp and bright looking 12.3-inch display to myself, to watch some of my favourite videos, while Abhay used the other two screens, both 12.3-inch units, one for navigation and the other as the driver display. This, while Mrinmoy  sat grumpily in the second row, staring outside.

That was because Mrinmoy had forgotten to carry his iPad along, which had he done, he would have been able to make the most of the XEV 9e’s BYOD or ‘Bring Your Own Device’ feature that allows you to mount a phone/tablet onto the front seatback and also charge it using 65W Type-C USB port beneath it. On that note, the XEV 9e comes with more fast charging Type-C USB ports than seats, which ensures you’re never out of charging options, besides the wireless charger upfront. And besides wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which helps for smartphone connectivity and thus navigation, the XEV 9e also has a detailed heads-up display. Abhay pointed out that it offers critical information including navigation with AI-generated prompts, charge status and range and more, without him needing to taking his eyes off the road.

My favourite bit though was the XEV 9e’s 16-speaker Harman Kardon music system with Dolby Atmos given its excellent acoustics. What stood out for Mrinmoy though was the Sonic Suite, which allows the XEV 9e to even mimic the roar of a V8 through the speakers. Another unique feature we appreciated together is the roof-mounted selfie camera just above the IRVM, which also enables video calling and virtual meetings on the go! Of course, as future-ready SUV the XEV 9e comes with an onboard internet connection too, which you can even tether to your smartphone, a feature that helped me when my phone network was patchy.

And powering all this wizardry is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8295 chipset, with an enviable 24GB of RAM! The processor is capable of 51 trillion operations per second, and Mahindra Artificial Intelligence Architecture (MAIA), the brain behind the XEV 9e’s excellent computing, helps you make the most of this chip. It powers and controls the SUV’s infotainment system, internet access, vehicle diagnostics, vehicle information and also the five radars and 12 sensors that are part of its Level 2 ADAS. Simply put, the XEV 9e packs in more firepower than some of the latest smartphones! As we approached the hills, we still had more than 70 percent charge left, and less than 300km to get to Goa, which was phenomenal! But as we approached Anuskura Ghat, the sceptic in me sprang out yet again given the steep inclines ahead, though the rest of the team, especially Abhay, seemed very confident.

The XEV 9e was quick on its feet through the hills too and made light of the task, and also felt engaging thanks to its rear wheel drive setup. Its 19-inch wheels shod with 245-section tyres were helping but the star of its show was the XEV 9e’s brilliant suspension which features frequency dependent damping with the multi-tuned valve concentric land technology that smoothens rough patches to offer a stellar ride quality while also endowing it with excellent handling prowess. The XEV 9e was thus going from corner to corner with minimum inputs and effort and minimal body roll, offering the best of both worlds.

And once on top, the XEV 9e’s multiple regen levels, especially single pedal mode with the strongest regenerative braking came to the fore, helping us recover charge lost on the way up quickly. This is something only EVs can allow – extend range by simply braking, which is sheer genuis! We even engaged in an off-road excursion, and while it is no off-roader, the XEV 9e impressed with its ability to tread off tarmac, thanks to its suspension and 218mm ground clearance. Once back on tarmac and past the hills, I took over the driving from Abhay. That’s when I got a taste of how brutally quick the XEV 9e can be. In Race mode, 285 horses are sent to the rear wheels faster than you can think and before you know it, you are pinned to your seatback! The XEV 9e also impressed me with its rock-solid stability and steering response, weighing up well as per speeds.

We were soon past the 300km mark, and still had a shade under 50 percent charge left, meaning getting to Goa on a single charge was a given. By the time we got there, the sun had lowered its gaze and was looking stunning, with the shimmering waters of the Arabian Sea in the foreground. As we rolled to a stop by the cliff, we had made it with 17 percent left, after driving for 479km. But this wasn’t just about us driving from Pune to Goa on a single charge. It was also about Mahindra’s excellent engineering and the XEV 9e’s brilliant BMS, besides our fifth anniversary. Most would deem what we had just accomplished impossible, but that’s the beauty of modern engineering. It lets you achieve feats beyond imagination, and modern-day electric SUVs like the Mahindra XEV 9e are a shining beacon of such engineering feats!

The post Special Feature: Pune To Goa In The Mahindra XEV 9e On A Single Charge first appeared on Turbocharged.

There’s a lot more to Rajasthan than just its forts and palaces or sand dunes. Like Jawai, a tiny village that’s one of the only places on the planet where leopards and humans coexist peacefully. Sounds bizarre, right? And at TURBOCHARGED, we’re always up for adventure – which meant that with its uniqueness, Jawai warranted a road trip! The Maruti Suzuki Victoris seemed to be the perfect choice, ticking the right boxes for young and restless SUV buyers keen on exploring new places. The Victoris has also just won the most prestigious automotive award in the country, the Indian Car of the Year, besides having a youthful exterior design, a premium looking cabin, many segment-first features, and the choice of an all-wheel drive system.  

Its design convinces you instantly that this is a sharp-looking SUV for modern-day buyers, besides which, the Victoris has helped the midsize SUV segment come of age with its packaging. I chose its AllGrip version to head to Jawai, knowing well that I would need to tread beyond tarmac there, though Maruti Suzuki also offers the Victoris as a Strong Hybrid SUV which boasts an ARAI-certified fuel efficiency of 28.65kmpl, the highest for a petrol SUV. The Victoris also comes with a segment-first, underbody CNG tank in the S-CNG version which ensures boot space is not compromised, adding to its appeal. More importantly, the Victoris has scored five stars in Global NCAP and Bharat NCAP safety tests, making it one of the safest midsize SUVs. 

The Victoris is Maruti Suzuki’s first SUV to achieve the score, thanks to its strong focus on safety. This includes a more strengthened Heartect platform, six airbags as standard, electronic stability control, ISOFIX anchors, 3-point seatbelts for all occupants and pedestrian protection. It is also equipped with one of the most spacious and premium cabins in its segment, helping it score brownie points with buyers further. The dual-tone, black and off-white theme, abundance of soft-touch materials and high quality plastics help the interiors look stylish and sophisticated. Effectively, its interiors help the Victoris feel closer to premium SUVs from a segment above. The seats are wrapped in leatherette and besides being supremely comfortable they also accentuate the cabin’s spaciousness. 

One of the biggest strengths of the Victoris though is its feature list, which ensures the Victoris has got it all. Its sunroof is among the largest panoramic sunroofs, not just thanks to the size of the sunroof, but also how large its opening is. A unique mechanism has even the rear glass panel slide backwards when you open it, ensuring the opening is the largest, not just in the midsize SUV segment but also as compared to SUVs in higher segments. The Victoris also comes with a 10.25-inch instrument cluster display and a crisp, 10.1-inch infotainment screen that runs SmartPlay Pro X and has a very slick interface, both aimed at enticing tech-savvy buyers. The infotainment system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and gets OTA updates too, besides being your gateway to the SUV’s excellent 360-degree view system.

The Victoris is also the first midsize SUV to get a high-end, 8-speaker music system from Infinity by Harman with Dolby Atmos. It makes for an immersive audio experience, offering the feel of a theatre-on-wheels and was proving to be an excellent companion on my road trip. You also get 64-colour ambient lighting to suit your mood, along with ventilated front seats, an electrically adjustable driver’s seat and an electrically operated tailgate, enhancing the SUV’s premium quotient. The Victoris is also the first Maruti Suzuki SUV to be equipped with Level 2 ADAS features including Automatic Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, High Beam Assist and more, helping it feel safer and adding to comfort. 

Speaking of which, the Victoris is excellent when it comes to highway comfort, not only thanks to its excellent seats but also the suspension setup which helps it offer a plush ride quality and reduces fatigue on long drives. This is besides its impressive handling courtesy the well-tuned suspension and well-weighted steering that add to its highway manners. But as I got to Jawai, driving conditions changed, with the highway making way for some narrow lanes. The Victoris offered excellent confidence there too, helping me drive without a hitch and felt nimble and compact, just like the big cats I had come to see. Soon, I found myself running out of tarmac though. A few locals suggested that only dedicated 4×4 off-roaders used for the leopard safaris make it to the vantage points, but I was confident of the Victoris’ AllGrip system helping me.

Its off-road abilities help the Victoris stand out as a midsize SUV, and it is a classic example of how looks can be deceptive. Additionally, its ground clearance stands at 210mm, among the highest in its class, besides which it also has excellent approach and departure angles and runs on 17-inch wheels. The AllGrip system was doing a brilliant job of transferring and managing the torque being sent to all four wheels, and was making my off-roading session a piece of cake. The Victoris was thus taking me to places you would only expect SUVs with a low range transfer case to get to, which is the magic of Maruti Suzuki’s engineering! As I got to a vantage point, I spotted two leopards in the distance. I wasn’t expecting to spot them as easily, but the excellent handling of the Victoris and its AllGrip system had made the task easier than expected. In fact spotting the leopards had proved to be easier than trying to spot tigers or lions in national parks, which is what makes Jawai special. That said, I also feel leopards are more special than tigers and lions, given how strong, yet lean and athletic they are. 

But there’s more to Jawai than just the leopards. Many say it is perfect for extreme off-roading thanks to its massive rocks. And the ultimate prize there is a steep hill, which has been conquered only by SUVs with 4×4 systems. I had little doubt about the Victoris being able to make it to the top of the hill though, as it had proved its abilities to me already. And as I ascended  the hill I broke into a smile, not only given how easily it was climbing up the hill, but also because the Victoris was reminding me of the lightness, swiftness and agility of the leopards I had just spotted. The view from the top was also one to savour, and I ended up spending a few minutes there to simply soak in the beauty of the region. Before heading back down, I couldn’t help but reflect on my trip to Jawai in the Victoris. Because not only is the SUV perfect for explorations and road trips with its features and comfort, it can also take you places by adapting to different conditions. Yes, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris is an SUV that has got it all!  

The post Special Feature: Unchartered Territory – Driving the Maruti Suzuki Victoris to Jawai first appeared on Turbocharged.

VinFast has taken a unique approach for the design of all of its cars, and the VF 7 is no exception. It is thus easy to spot the ‘family look’ that it shares with the VF 6, but with that said, there are significant differences between the two on the design front, besides the VF 7’s larger dimensions that lend it a more commanding road presence. It sports VinFast’s signature LED DRLs forming a V at the front, though the headlamps are larger and different looking for better visual appeal. Flush door handles add to its classy feel from the sides, along with the larger and more striking 19-inch alloy wheels, while the rear end looks very distinctive thanks to the trademark ‘V’ design and connected tail lamps.

The cabin exudes a very classy feel comparable to luxury SUVs, thanks to the abundance of high quality materials, like the India-specific Vegan leather. The dashboard is lined with vegan leather just like the door panels too, while seats are well-contoured, supremely comfortable and very supportive. In fact thanks to the most of the cabin being wrapped in high-quality vegan leather, along with contrast stitching at important points, the VF 7 feels a lot more expensive than it is. A distinct highlight inside this tastefully finished cabin is a crisp-looking high resolution 12.9-inch touchscreen that’s angled towards the driver. It lets you control most functions in the car like the headlamps, boot opening, ORVM adjustment, climate control, infotainment, drive modes, speedometer, charging stats, vehicle information and more. The steering wheel in the VF 7 is a flat-bottomed unit which further adds to the SUV’s sportiness. The front seats provide ample support and are ventilated, while the second row feels very spacious. Other features, include the edge-to-edge glass roof, a distinct highlight of VinFast cars, and a feature that gives the cabin an airy feel. Then there’s the boot, which offers a volume of 537 litres, ensuring you are never out of space for your luggage!

The VF 7 is on offer as both a front wheel drive and an all-wheel drive SUV, with two battery pack options – one being a 59.6kWh battery and the other a 70.8kWh unit – while claimed range for the SUV is up to 532km per charge. The latter powers dual motors, resulting in outputs of 354PS and 500Nm, numbers that can put a lot of luxury SUVs to shame. Charging times are blisteringly quick too, with the VF 7 supporting speeds of upto 110kW. Prices start from ₹23.89 lakh, which means the VF 7 punches well above its weight!  

The post Special Feature: A Class Act – VinFast VF7 first appeared on Turbocharged.

The VF 6 comes across as a striking and distinctive-looking SUV at first glance. Features like the connected LED DRLs, which form the brand’s trademark ‘V’ on the fascia give it a unique identity. The sculpted front end features more curves than sharp edges giving it a friendly face, while the compact headlamps are underlined by twin LED strips on either side. Its dimensions and proportions place the VF 6 in the midsize SUV segment, while its large 18-inch wheels accentuate its premium feel with their size and design both. The exterior design builds on the principle of simplicity which is challenging to execute, but VinFast’s designers have done it really well.

The simple theme continues inside the cabin too, along with a premium, technology-centric approach. A large, 12.9-inch touchscreen dominates the dashboard and is your gateway to almost every information/control in the VF 6 including the speedometer, battery stats, climate control, ORVM adjustment, boot opening, infotainment, drive mode selection and more. The interface is simple and the screen intuitive, which makes it extremely easy to use. Other elements inside the cabin include a simple yet classy dashboard layout with soft-touch plastics and materials, even on the base variant.

The plush upholstery adds to the VF 6’s impressive feel from inside, besides which features a host of modern conveniences, including ventilated front seats, a powered driver seat, edge-to-edge glass roof, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, India-specific vegan leather seats and brushed metal finishes, all of which exude class and elegance from end to end. The well-contoured front seats promise excellent comfort, while the rear seats offer ample overall support. Plus, there are plenty of storage spaces in the cabin, besides which the large boot can easily accommodate a weekend’s worth of luggage for a family of four.

The VF 6 comes equipped with a 59.6kWh battery pack, which is the largest in the midsize SUV segment and promises a range of 468km per charge. The VF 6 supports DC fast charging at up to 100kW, making for ultra-fast charging times. A single electric motor sends up to 204PS and 310Nm to the front wheels which ensures the VF 6 can accelerate from 0-100kmph in just 8.5 seconds. The VF 6 thus looks subtle and understated but is equipped with a long list of features, besides which it packs in serious performance. Furthermore, with prices starting from ₹16.49 lakh ex-showroom, the VF 6 is a real cat among the pigeons!  

The post Special Feature: Simply Brilliant! – VinFast VF6 first appeared on Turbocharged.

We charged the car fully at one of Hyundai’s own 180kW fast chargers in Gurugram and set off East, towards Uttar Pradesh. It was biting cold at 6am and air temperature was 4 degrees Celsius! The first thing that came to my mind was that while it had impressed immensely on our trip to Spiti, the next 24 hours were going to be very different for the Creta Electric. That’s because driving fast on highways for 24 hours with only charging stops in between was going to be very different from driving in the mountains.

Its 51.4kWh battery enables the Creta with a claimed range of 510km, and it manages well over 450km on a single charge in the real world. Importantly, the Creta Electric allows faster charging now, letting you go from 20 to 80 percent in just 39 minutes! I was also driving on some of India’s best highways around the Delhi-NCR this time, and not in the mountains. These highways have improved significantly to match global standards, and matching them today are fast charging networks for EVs, again, matching global standards. 

Hyundai has its own wide network of chargers offering speeds of up to 180kW, besides which Statiq, Hyundai’s charging partner, has chargers offering speeds of 240kW! What’s more, Hyundai has been making electric vehicles globally for a long time, and the experience and engineering finesse have made their way into the Creta. A world-class EV on world-class highways, with fast charging sounded like a plan! The early morning fog was a challenge as we got onto the EPE or Eastern Peripheral Expressway, but thankfully, the fog lifted soon. Traffic on the EPE is sparse, and this is a 6-lane expressway with a 120kmph speed limit, which helped me cover distances rapidly. 

The EPE is also India’s first Expressway to use solar-powered lighting across its 135km length and has arrangements for rainwater harvesting at every 500 metres – the Creta Electric was a perfect match with its zero tailpipe emissions! The EPE also allowed me to make the most of the SUV’s 170 horses, though the progressive throttle responses have it feel friendly, despite the powerful acceleration and effortless performance. The Creta Electric is also a confident handler thanks to its well-tuned suspension, making sustaining 120kmph easy. Side note: this was a great time for a 24 hour test, because Hyundai just sold 2 lakh Cretas in 2025, the highest annual sales number for the SUV, besides which the Creta Electric just turned one and TURBOCHARGED just turned five!

200km came up in just over three hours, and having access to Statiq’s 240kW charger, right next to the highway at Gajraula in Uttar Pradesh was tempting. A quick top-up to 85 percent, and we were back on the road. Well past noon we came across yet another Hyundai charger, at a dhaba on the highway. The setup was the same as Gurugram with a 180kW charger and a 60kW one, proof that Hyundai’s charging network isn’t limited to metro cities, which ensures range anxiety is a thing of the past. We continued driving from Gajraula to Gurugram and back and before we quite knew it, we were approaching the 12 hour mark. But even with the sun about to go down the team and I were feeling fresh, as the Creta Electric wasn’t just comfortable, it was also delivering consistent performance and range like clockwork. 

A blanket of fog engulfed the highway even before it got dark, given the fields lining it. Good news though was that we were closing in on the 700km mark! The Creta’s all-LED headlamps helped with their strong beam in the dark, besides which the view from behind the wheel was good. Both front seats are electrically adjustable and the driver’s seat gets a memory function, so finding my sweet spot was easy even after switching drivers. One of our charging stops also had me reacquaint myself with the Creta Electric’s Vehicle to Load feature. While the fast charger recharged the SUV’s battery, I plugged my laptop into the plug point below the rear seat and got some work done. The charging break also had me use the Creta’s folding tray table to place my phone and watch OTT content – talk about making the most of 24 hours! 

Its premium Bose audio system was a good companion too, besides which the Creta Electric comes with Hyundai’s ‘Sounds of Nature’ that helped us stay relaxed even after hours of driving. Having multiple regen levels was helping too, allowing us to coast when needed. I was also able to switch to i-Pedal mode quickly whenever I needed to maximise regenerative braking, by simply tugging at the left paddle shifter. On the other hand, adaptive cruise control and the comfortable seats were helping curb driver fatigue – nearly 18 hours and several driver swaps and charging sessions later we were still surprisingly fresh! The Creta Electric’s relentlessness was also reminding me of something different altogether – bullet trains. The SUV had been quiet yet effortless outside and also extremely quiet inside, just like high speed trains!  

At 18 hours and 31 minutes we set a new record, for the shortest time taken by an electric car to cover 1,000km! The Creta Electric seemed unfazed though, and continued its bullet train-like performance without batting an eyelid. Another reason behind this is that the Creta Electric uses an advanced, liquid-cooled battery management system for optimal efficiency. An integrated heating system ensures the battery remains at ideal temperatures even in cold weather, which helps in optimising performance and also improves charging speeds and range. 

Our last charging stop was at about 22 hours, and as I tried taking a quick nap my brain was racing, wondering if we would set a new 24 hour record despite not really starting off with the intention. It seemed possible as the team and I were fuelled by adrenaline (and caffeine!) and had been pushing the Creta Electric all day, and even after nearly 24 hours there was  no drop in its performance or range. 

The constant high speed runs, cold weather and frequent charging were having no impact on the Creta Electric, and it was almost hard to believe how consistently the SUV had performed all day and through the night. Its chassis, suspension and every component were performing perfectly, besides which the high-speed charging networks accessible to us had been helping us charge quickly, every single time. 24 hours later as it was 6am again, we had clocked 1,326.5km. The previous record stood at 1,261km and this meant we had done it. Not only did the Creta Electric pass the 24 hour test with flying colours thus, it also broke the previous national record!

Ladies and gentlemen, the Hyundai Creta Electric now holds the national record for ‘The maximum distance covered by an electric car in 24 hours’ in India, which is 1,326.5km, as validated by the India Book of Records! After scaling some of the world’s highest roads last year, the Creta Electric has also passed the torture test of being driven for 24 hours, while running at highway speeds through most of those hours, a feat now recorded and validated by the India Book of Records. Come to think of it, we hadn’t really set off with the intention, but the Creta Electric had just made light of setting a new national record! All in a day’s work, eh?   

Words Abhay Verma

Photography Saidatta Naik, Shrenith Bhandary, Abhay Verma

The post Special Feature: Setting A New National Record With The Hyundai Creta Electric first appeared on Turbocharged.

Our journey started with a quick bolt from the Delhi-NCR to Chandigarh, on arrow-straight highways. The Creta Electric was quick to offer the same, friendly and comforting feel we’ve known its ICE-powered versions to offer. Even more impressive was the fact that I still had 50 percent charge and a range of over 200km left, even 250km later, as the powertrain was returning nearly 9km per kWh consistently. This translates to over 450km on a single charge, which meant I could drive straight from Gurugram to Shimla, without needing to recharge the battery!

That said, finding a DC fast charger right next to the highway at Chandigarh called for a short break for me and a quick top-up charge for the Creta. Shopping malls, fuel stations and restaurants all offer DC fast charging today, ensuring range anxiety is a thing of the past. Chandigarh is also where the boring, arrow-straight highway made way for winding roads. And the Himalayan Expressway leading to Shimla is a four lane highway with bend after bend, which was helping me enjoy the Creta Electric’s performance and handling. Let’s not forget, it is the most powerful Creta yet, with 170PS on tap!
This is also where I was able to make the most of the multiple regen modes, especially i-Pedal. i-Pedal mode lets you brake by simply taking your foot off the throttle, and also offers maximum regenerative braking, adding to convenience and helping you recover charge. As I approached Shimla, a 45kW DC fast charger next to the highway was another opportunity for a quick top up charge, because you’re also consuming charge quicker uphill. A number of such fast chargers dotting my route meant I only needed a couple of short, 15-20 minute breaks on the way to Spiti, as the Creta Electric can go from 10 percent charge to 80 percent in just 58 minutes. And with the surroundings getting very picturesque courtesy the hills and dense forests with tall pine trees around me, I was feeling refreshed, even as the Creta Electric was affording rapid progress through Shimla’s traffic. The well-tuned suspension and plush seats were also soaking up the broken roads to ensure I was comfortable, even after hours of driving.

A few hours later, I was in for a pleasant surprise courtesy the MyHyundai app, as it helped me locate a newly installed 30kW DC fast charger just beyond Rampur Bushahr. The fast charger meant I could charge the battery to 100 percent quickly and drive straight to Kaza! Besides pin-pointing every charger around, the MyHyundai app had also eliminated the need to install multiple charging apps on my phone. On the other hand, Hyundai’s Bluelink app was multitasking for me – not only was it offering information about charging status and range and letting me lock/unlock the car or turn climate control on remotely, Bluelink was also enabling in-car payments for charging!

Just about an hour later, I had killed more than two birds with one stone – the Creta Electric’s battery was fully charged and so was my laptop’s, thanks to the SUV’s V2L or Vehicle to Load function, and managed to send out a bunch of important emails! V2L is a feature unique to electric SUVs and one that internal combustion engine powered SUVs simply cannot offer, and while the car’s battery pack was getting charged, I was also charging my laptop via the plug point below the seat. You can also use the Creta Electric’s external charging port to power coffee machines, LED TVs, exterior lights and more when camping, making the SUV apt for those who live the outdoor life.

Soon thereafter we got to Nako, which is where the topography changes from green to brown and barren, because Spiti is a high-altitude desert. But while it all looks dry and arid, the mountains and countryside look stunning, and you are crossing one mountain pass after another. But the Creta Electric was feeling effortless even at nearly 12,000 feet above sea level, because unlike internal combustion engine powered SUVs there was no loss in its performance. Internal combustion engines are left gasping for air at the altitude, but power delivery courtesy the electric motor was instant and without any losses. Also, while I was losing charge climbing up the mountains, driving downhill on the other side was helping me recover charge and extend range, something possible only in an EV like the Creta Electric.

Getting to Kaza, which sits at 12,000 feet, made for a massive sense of achievement as it meant I had driven 800km already, with just 2-3 short charging stops! Hikkim was only 15km ahead, and I still had 21 percent charge left, good for driving another 70km. This meant I could have driven to Hikkim and back directly but I decided to play it safe and halt at Kaza for charging. There are no fast chargers in Kaza though, which meant I had to use a regular (16Amp) wall socket, which was going to take more than a day for a full charge! On the positive side this meant I would be able to acclimate myself before climbing up to Hikkim, which was crucial to avoid altitude sickness, as I was going to climb an incredible 2,500 feet across a distance of just 15km.

And once the Creta Electric was back to 100 percent the next day (and so was I!) I started for Hikkim. It was a steep uphill climb with no tarmac, and in fact the surface was akin to a rally stage. This is where being able to dial down regen levels came in handy, and I dropped Regen Level to 0 so I could hold a constant speed and maintain momentum. But discovering a pristine stretch of tarmac midway, which was also downhill, had me switch back to i-Pedal mode to recover some of the lost charge – this is an advantage only EVs can offer! As I closed in on Hikkim the sense of accomplishment was beginning to hit, and I was also glad I was driving the Creta Electric there, an SUV with zero tailpipe emissions.

The post office at Hikkim was opened in 1983 to help locals stay connected to the world, but visiting it and posting letters has become a bucket list item for travellers from around the world. Given its popularity, a new post office building has been set up, in the shape of a letterbox! As I ascended to view the large red ‘postbox’ I broke into a smile, knowing I had made it to the world’s highest post office, in the Creta Electric! Hikkim isn’t even a tiny spec on the world map but the government setting up a post office there, which has been functional for over four decades, is heart-warming. And to drive to the post office in an electric SUV like the Creta Electric – one of the only EVs to get there – felt heart-warming too! The drive was challenging, but by making it to Hikkim the Creta was also bearing testimony to Hyundai’s solid engineering yet again.

My journey had also helped in proving that even the remotest corners of the world can be reached in an electric vehicle today, given how good EVs like the Creta Electric are, and also how rapidly charging infrastructure is improving. And I guess, this was also the most special way to celebrate the Hyundai Creta’s 10th birthday!

The post Special Feature: The Creta EV Reaches For The Sky – And Reaches The World’s Highest Post Office! first appeared on Turbocharged.

The setup takes you into a world of minimalism, as the subtlety of the exterior and massive glass walls exude understated luxury. The staff is courteous welcome visitors in a very warm manner, exuding the class and appeal one can expect from a manufacturerlike VinFast. The staff’s eager-to-assist and welcoming nature makes you smile, as it characterises care and attention. Another aspect to be highlighted about VinFast dealerships have clean, aesthetically pleasing surroundings. As we were observing the cars on display, a very polite sales representative approached us and offered helpful information about both the VF6 and VF7.

Not only did the representative answer our questions about both SUVs, but he also went beyond the usual sales pitch, elaborating on VinFast as a brand and sharing its journey in Vietnam and its rapid expansion in India. His knowledge and understanding of the brand highlight VinFast’s deep-rooted approach to offering its customers more than just well-engineered cars. He also explained the entire buying and delivery processin a manner that was simple, easy to understand and to the point. At various junctures, even the manager chipped in to explain additional processes related to financing. The involvement of the entire staff in explaining the car and the brand was commendable, as not only does it reassure prospective customers about a new player like VinFast is, but also enables them to make a buying decision with clarity. All this happens in the calm, minimal and serene environment of the beautifully architectured dealership. Clearly, VinFast is aiming to offer the same world-class experiences as any other global brand!

Experiences at a dealership can make or break a brand’s customer base, and as a global player, VinFast is well aware of the same. It has thus curated its dealership experiences very thoughtfully and in a manner that will only have prospective buyers smile and engage with the brand, besides leaving a lasting impression on their minds. This is something that’s sure to give the car maker a boost in terms of appealing to the Indian audiences and win their hearts, especially buyers who truly love their cars! 

The post Special Feature: VinFast Dealerships – A world-class experience first appeared on Turbocharged.