The centrepiece of the event was India’s largest-ever Rolls-Royce Phantom showcase, marking 100 years of the iconic nameplate. Every generation from the 1925 Phantom 1 to the current Phantom 7 appeared together for the first time. The historic 1925 Rolls-Royce 17EX Phantom 1, once owned by the Maharaja of Kashmir, returned to India after 95 years, captivating collectors and enthusiasts. Yohan Poonawalla displayed his complete set of Phantom models alongside 20 other rare vehicles from his acclaimed collection. Gautam Singhania presented two Phantom 1 models, while a 1936 Phantom 3, previously owned by the Royal Family of Nabha and the late Pranlal Bhogilal, highlighted India’s royal automotive legacy.

Awards recognised excellence across categories. Yohan Poonawalla received the Custodian of the 100 Years of Phantom Legacy Award, and Gautam Singhania was named Collector of the Year. Concours d’Elegance winners included a 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom 1 (Vintage Car) owned by Gautam Singhania and a 1950 Jaguar XK 120 (Classic Car) owned by Rajiv Kehr. Special honours went to the 1921 Fiat Corsa(Best Maintained Vintage Car), 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom 1 (Best Restored Vintage Car), 1968 Opel Rekord (Most Unique Car), and 1947 International Woody (Best Utility Vehicle). 

The two-wheeler segment showcased India’s rich motorcycle and scooter heritage. Best Maintained Vintage Motorcycles included a 1940 Norton 16H, 1937 BMW R12, and 1934 Triumph. Best Maintained Classic Motorcycles featured Norton Dominator models and an AJS Model 20. Restored classics highlighted Royal Enfield, Zundapp, and BMW. Recent classics awarded BMW R69S, Norton Dominator 650SS, BSA A65 Lightning, Honda CB750, and Triumph models. Indian Heritage winners included Jawa, Royal Enfield, and Victoria Vicky 2 motorcycles, while Lambretta, Vespa, and Vijay scooters claimed top restored and maintained spots. The 1980 Yezdi Jet 60 earned Most Unique Two-Wheeler, and a 1954 BSA B31 took Most Original Motorcycle.

The Fiesta ended on Republic Day with a Road Safety Drive from Cuffe Parade to Worli and back to Churchgate, promoting ‘Sadak Suraksha Jeevan Raksha’ and reinforcing responsible

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With the commissioning of Phase III, as part of JK Tyre’s investment of over ₹1,000 crore at the Banmore facility, the plant’s production capacity has now increased to 30,000 passenger car radial tyres per day, or approximately 10.5 million tyres annually. This expansion increases its total passenger car radial tyre production capacity to 16 million units annually. This additional capacity will meet the growing demands from the domestic market, OEM partners, and global export. 

The Banmore facility also focuses on sustainability, energy-efficient processes, and responsible manufacturing practices for the long run.

The post JK Tyre Inaugurates Phase III of Banmore Plant first appeared on Turbocharged.

It was quite a battle between some of the top-rated cars launched this year, and beating the rest was the Maruti Suzuki Victoris, which emerged victorious despite being the latest entrant in the Indian market. However, the road was not easy as it went up against the likes of the Hyundai Creta Electric, Hyundai Venue, Kia Syros, Škoda Kylaq, Tata Harrier EV, Kia Carens Clavis EV and the Mahindra XEV 9e. However, the most brutal battle was fought between the Maruti Suzuki Victoris, the Škoda Kylaq and the Mahindra XEV 9e. However, the esteemed jury members, including our very own editor and publisher, Abhay Verma, assessed the cars thoroughly and awarded points to each contender accordingly. And in the end, it was the Maruti Suzuki Victoris that scored the most points and was crowned the Indian Car of the Year 2026 (ICOTY 2026). Second place on the podium went to the Škoda Kylaq, with the Mahindra XEV 9e taking the final spot on the podium.

JK Tyre presents – Premium Car Award 2026 by ICOTY: Volkswagen Golf GTI

One of the most interesting categories at ICOTY is the Premium Car Award 2026, which sees luxury cars battle it out for the top honours, and this year’s winner was the Volkswagen Golf GTI. This global icon created waves in India even before its official launch. The VW Golf GTI won the Premium Car Award 2026 by ICOTY, with the Toyota Camry as first runner-up and the BMW iX1 LWB as second runner-up.

JK Tyre presents – Green Car Award 2026 by ICOTY: Mahindra XEV 9e

Sustainable mobility has been the trend for some time now, and Indian carmakers have proven their mettle in the electric vehicle category. This year, the Green Car Award 2026 by ICOTY went to the Mahindra XEV 9e, a homegrown product that impressed the judges the most and gained the most points. Closely following the Mahindra was the Kia Caren Clavis EV in second place, with the BMW iX1 LWB finishing third.

TURBOCHARGED at ICOTY

TURBOCHARGED is part of the esteemed ICOTY panel, where it is represented by Editor and Publisher – Abhay Verma, who started his journey in the industry as a journalist and moved on to play bigger roles within the automotive media industry for the last eighteen years and has been the force behind TURBOCHARGED for the last half a decade. It is an honour for us to be part of the ICOTY jury, which consists of credible senior journalists with decades of experience, and the combined knowledge and honesty of these stalwarts make ICOTY the biggest and most prestigious automotive awards in the country.

Esteemed ICOTY 2026 Jury Members

This year’s jury, besides Abhay Verma, Editor and Publisher, TURBOCHARGED, included Dhruv Behl, Editor-in-Chief and Founder, AutoX, Ishan Raghava, Managing Editor, AutoX, Yogendra Pratap, Editor Auto Today, Dipayan Dutta, Assistant Editor, Auto Today, Aspi Bhathena, Editor, Car India, Gaurav Davare, Correspondent, Car India, Sirish Chandran, Editorial Director, evo India, Aatish Mishra, Secretary ICOTY and Executive Editor, evo India, Pablo Chaterji, ICOTY 2026 Chairman and also Editor, Motoring World, Kartik Ware, Managing Editor, Motoring World, Kranti Sambhav, Editor, OVERDRIVE, Rohit Paradkar, Assistant Editor, OVERDRIVE, Vikrant Singh, Editorial Director, CarWale, Sagar Bhanushali, associate Editor, CarWale, Tushar Kamath, CarDekho and Zigwheels, Arpit Mahendra, Editor, Times of India Auto, Kushan Mitra, Contributing Editor – Automotive, The Print, and independent journalist Bob Rupani.

The post Maruti Suzuki Victoris wins ICOTY 2026 first appeared on Turbocharged.

New Delhi, April 10, 2025: JK Tyre & Industries, India’s leading tyre manufacturer and a pioneer in developing motorsports in India, is taking the thrill of performance-driven action to new heights with a focused tour in the North-East region. The “JK Tyre powered Indian Racing Festival- a carnival of Total Control” is scheduled from 12th to 22nd April, and will cover key cities including Kohima, Aizawl, Shillong, Guwahati, and Gangtok. Alongside amplifying this high-adrenaline engagement, the initiative also reinforces JK Tyre’s strong business presence in the region—one of its most significant markets.

JK Tyre has long been at the forefront of nurturing grassroots motorsport across India. In the North-East—renowned for its vibrant culture, adventure tourism, and musical heritage—the brand has seamlessly blended with the local spirit. Collaborations with iconic events like the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland, Orange Festival in Arunachal Pradesh, and various community initiatives, the brand has played a pivotal role in developing the region’s motorsport landscape. 

JK Tyre’s presence here extends well beyond commerce, reflecting strong emotional and aspirational connections. As a market leader, it holds a dominant position in the SUV tyre segment—a crucial mobility category in these hilly states. The upcoming North-East tour is a natural continuation of its sustained engagement with this dynamic region.

Speaking about the upcoming tour, Mr Srinivasu Allaphan, Director-Sales & Marketing, JK Tyre & Industries, said, “For JK Tyre, the North-East is not just a stronghold for our brand, but a region where our passion for adventure and performance truly resonates with the people. With this festival, we are deepening that engagement—bringing adrenaline-driven experiences to the heart of the hills while also reinforcing our leadership in the market. We are especially grateful to the governments of the North-Eastern states for their unwavering support in helping us foster a thriving motorsport ecosystem in the region. The JK Tyre Powered Indian Racing Festival is a celebration of performance, innovation, and excitement—values that define both our products and our long-term vision for this dynamic and culturally rich part of the country.”

The heart-thumping roadshows are designed to give the wide audience an opportunity to experience high-octane action up close in a region where it is fast evolving into a lifestyle and cultural phenomenon. The tour will feature a dynamic mix of adrenaline-fueled events — all driven on JK Tyre’s ultra-high-performance Levitas Ultra range of tyres.

A key highlight of the tour will be blazing showcases of international Formula 4 and Wolf cars from the Indian Racing Festival, offering audiences an electrifying glimpse into the world of professional open-wheel racing. The lineup features champions across generations –from 9 year-old karting sensations to racing champions and rally legends. Enthusiasts can look forward to jaw-dropping drifting displays in high-performance machines like Lexus and BMW, alongside gravity-defying stunts on Superbikes. The showstoppers will be young karting prodigies on their Rotax Karts who will push the limits of speed and skill, offering a powerful preview of India’s racing future.

Nationally, JK Tyre has been at the forefront of Indian motorsports for over four decades. Its flagship event—the JK Tyre National Racing Championship (JKNRC)—is now in its 28th consecutive year and has grown into a premier platform for nurturing racing talent from across the country. Padma Shri awardee & India’s first Formula 1 driver Narain Karthikeyan and Gaurav Gill, India’s first motorsport athlete to receive the prestigious Arjuna Award—besides many other are proud prodigies of JK Tyre.

The post JK Tyre Accelerates High-Octane Motorsport Celebration across North-East first appeared on Turbocharged.

AJAI has collaborated with Mahindra for a unique initiative that will see member publications and journalists embark on an epic road trip in the highly acclaimed Mahindra Scorpio N. The idea is to celebrate India being the world’s largest democracy and its growth, especially when it comes to infrastructure, roads, highways and more. Called the Bharat Drive, the drive will see journalists drive to and across some of India’s crowned jewels including the latest Expressways, mountain passes and more over the next month to celebrate India’s ‘Roads of Progress’.

The Bharat Drive commenced on May 16 with a ceremonial flag-off at Mahindra’s manufacturing facility in Kandivali, Mumbai. Over the next one month the Bharat drive will effectively head to some of India’s spectacular infrastructure projects like the Samruddhi Mahamarg which is a 700km access-controlled Expressway connecting Mumbai to Nagpur, the Bhadla solar park in Rajasthan which is the world’s largest solar park, the Sela Pass tunnel in the North East which sits at over 13,000 feet above sea level, Umling La, which is the world’s highest motorable road at over 19,000 feet and more. Leading Indian tyre manufacturer JK Tyre is onboard as the official tyre partner and all Scorpio Ns used on the drive will be running rubber from JK Tyres. 

Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO, Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd said, “The Bharat Drive not only showcases India’s infrastructural prowess, but also highlights the capabilities of the Scorpio N, designed to conquer diverse terrains with ease. This initiative allows us to demonstrate our leadership and commitment to enhancing India’s growth story.”

Yogendra Pratap Singh, President of AJAI and Editor, Auto Today added, “The Bharat Drive in collaboration with Mahindra Automotive and supported by JK Tyre is a showcase of the narrative about India’s ambition and collective progress. The vehicle chosen for this 10,000km plus drive, the Scorpio N, stands as a symbol of strength and reliability, qualities that resonate with the spirit of this drive. Through our collaboration we aim to highlight the critical role of infrastructure and technology in shaping our nation.”

TURBOCHARGED is part of the Bharat Drive too! Ed Abhay Verma will be driving the Mahindra Scorpio N from the picturesque Leh in the Ladakh region to Umling La, the world’s highest motorable road via Hanle, which is home to Indian Astronomical Observatory, which is one of the world’s highest observatories and is situated at 14,764 feet above sea level. Follow our social media pages to keep track!

The post Mahindra and ‘AJAI’ come together for Bharat Drive first appeared on Turbocharged.

Note: The information is from a press release sent to us by the manufacturer. TURBOCHARGED is not responsible for any inconsistencies and inaccuracies in the below data.

New Delhi, 13^th March, 2024: Indian tyre industry major JK Tyre & Industries received recognition for their water conservation endeavors at the 6th Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Social Impact Awards 2024, hosted in Kolkata. In the Clean Water and Sanitation category, JK Tyre’s Water Conservation Project stood out as the undisputed winner, as acknowledged by the jury. The award was presented by Dr. C.V. Ananda Bose, Hon’ble Governor of West Bengal, to Mr BS Dagar, Head IR & CSR, JK Tyre & Industries.

As a part of its CSR initiatives, JK Tyre has undertaken numerous water conservation initiatives in the villages adjacent to its manufacturing facilities, empowering local communities to achieve water self-sufficiency. The company successfully built 100+ water conservation structures in last five years, providing more water sources for the community’s consumption. These initiatives have significantly benefitted over 2,00,000 lives through enhanced water conservation measures.

Commenting on the achievement, Dr. Raghupati Singhania, Chairman & Managing Director, JK Tyre & Industries, said, “Our CSR initiatives place emphasis on addressing the needs of marginalized communities including women, children, and the elderly, ensuring that our endeavors have a meaningful impact where it counts the most. We are proud that our water conservation initiatives have brought significant positive changes in people’s lives, contributing to community prosperity. This accolade underscores our unwavering commitment to sustainable practices and community welfare. I would like to thank the Indian Chamber of Commerce for recognizing our efforts and affirming that we are moving in the right direction.”

The ICC Social Impact Awards, organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), aim to recognize, and celebrate social impact initiatives by corporate entities, NGOs, and implementing agencies across India for activities aligned with social transformation and upliftment. The ICC Social Impact Awards in India are one of the most coveted Social and CSR awards nationally and are presented in association with Consultivo as the knowledge and assessment partner.

JK Tyre recognises the vital role played by local communities in their success and believes in contributing to their wellbeing. The company’s CSR activities aim to uplift and empower local communities, addressing critical social, economic, and environmental challenges.

The post JK Tyre honoured with ICC Social Impact Award for its water conservation initiative first appeared on Turbocharged.

OTR, or ‘Off-The-Road’ tyres are used in heavy-duty situations, like construction, mining, or port activities. They are used on machines such as forklifts, dump trucks etc. The road may not necessarily be paved and smooth, and the machine may weigh multiple tonnes. Therefore these tyres are used to achieve traction and stability in harsh conditions.

JK Tyre unveiled their next-gen port tyre, called the 18.00–25 40PR Port Champion Plus. This tyre is used on reach stackers, used in container handling at ports. The 17.5-25 20PR GTL Plus E3/L3 and 13.00-24 16PR GTL Champ G3, used on motor graders were also showcased at the event. The mining tipper truck tyre, Hard Rock Champion 12.00-20 20PR E4, was also presented.

At the event was JK Tyre’s Ultra Large Off-The-Road tyre, the VEM 045; recorded in the Limca Book of Records as India’s largest tyre, made by JK Tyre. The tyre has a diameter of 3.65mtr and weighs approximately 3.4 tonnes. 

The post JK Tyre unveils new solutions for Off-The-Road application first appeared on Turbocharged.

In the heart of Autocross, drivers faced the challenge of navigating a 1.9km dirt track, showcasing their prowess in vehicle control. The event became a proving ground for both seasoned racers and enthusiastic newcomers, providing an exciting opportunity to put their mettle to the test on the track.

Total of 86 racers, steering 57 cars, participated in various classes over the weekend. However, the coveted slots for the INAC finals, scheduled for December, were secured by only eight. 
Results unfolded with Kevin Puro claiming the top spot in the INAC 1 class, while Alem Jamir clinched victory in the hotly contested INAC 2 (800-1400cc) class, trailed closely by Tomito Shohe and Theja Khire. In the INAC 2 (1401-1650cc) class, Babit Lyngdoh seized the first position outpacing Bakhupar Wallang and Rokobieto.

The INAC 3 class witnessed a display of familiar excellence as Theziu Khire secured top position, flanked by Tomito Shohe and Theja Khire on the podium.

The event featured a music concert that resonated throughout the weekend, enhancing the overall experience for spectators. The JK Tyre Autocross not only showcased the racing prowess of the participants but also provided a significant platform for racers in the northeastern region of the country to elevate their skills and advance to higher echelons of competition. Let us see how the qualifiers fare in the finals!

The post The Seventh Edition of JK Tyre DMSC Autocross takes centre stage in Dimapur first appeared on Turbocharged.

Going into the final round of the championship, Alva had a 20-point lead over Arya Singh of Dark Don Racing. Singh’s points were docked after the penultimate race, during a post-event scrutiny due to a technical infringement. Singh and his team were successful in getting the points back after they appealed to the Indian Motor Sports Appeal Court (IMSAC). Drivers from Momentum Motorsport were also able to appeal and win back the points they lost in the penultimate round.

As Arya Singh got his points back, the points gap between him and Alva decreased, putting pressure on the MSport driver. But this did not deter him as he shot up to the second place finish, after starting the race from the eighth position. He had a close battle with Diljith of Dark Don for the podium position. He won the championship by scoring a grand total of 82 points. Ex-F1 driver Narain Karthikeyan was also present at the felicitation ceremony.

Arya Singh was tied for second place in the championship along with his teammate, Tijil Rao, both scoring 71 points total. Tijil Rao won the final race of the championship.

In the JK Tyre Novice Cup, Arjun Nair came out on top as the champion, scoring 82 points. Nair’s Momentum Motorsports teammate Neythan McPherson scored 53 points to get the second position in the championship, while Joel Joseph of DTS Racing came in third, scoring 44 points.

The post Ruhaan Alva wins the LGB Formula 4 championship first appeared on Turbocharged.

Held at the Buddh International Circuit, the JK Tyre Drift Challenge had three categories: D1, D2 and Open. What differentiated them were the tyre widths allowed. The D1 category had tyres that were allowed a width of 215-255mm, whilst the D2 category had a maximum allowed width of 205mm. The Open class, as the name suggests, had all competitors, regardless of the tyre width eligible for the Open category.

Mercedes-Benz were the most common cars among the participants, with an odd BMW M3 and M4 peeking out. But the star cars of the show were the custom-builds by Mudit Grover and Sanam Sekhon. The LS swapped E46 of Grover also sported bumper deletes, completing the quintessential ‘Drifter’ look. In contrast, Sekhon’s Lexus GS300 with a 2JZ swap and Cowboy Bebop Livery looked ready to tear the tarmac.

Drifting differs fundamentally from other motorsports disciplines, in the way that it encourages showboating and elegance in driving, while not necessarily being the fastest round the track. Drivers attempt to maintain line, angle, style, and speed in order to be awarded the most points from the judges. Time taken around the track is not as important.

The event was judged by a panel of judges including the legendary Taniguchi Atsushi-san of Japan, Mr. Tanakorn Lertyaovarit from Thailand and Mr. Alistair Woodham from India. Points were awarded by the judges for elegance, car control  and the ability to fluidly drift through all corners of the track.

In D1 class, Sanam Sekhon in his GS300 won with an incredible 744 points. Jugraj Singh Bhurjee in his BMW M3 scored P2 with 476 points. Mudit Grover took his BMW E46 to round off the podium with 286 points scored. The D2 class saw Sanam Sekhon and his Lexus dominate once again, scoring 460 points. Mudit Grover promoted himself to P2 with 262 points in his E46, while his wife, Mugdha Grover scored respectable 156 points in Mercedes C200 Kompressor to secure P3. It wasn’t a clean sweep by Sanam Sekhon, though, as in the Open class Mudit won with 700 points followed by Sekhon’s 636. Samyak Kapoor scored 281 points to get P3.

While the event mostly had racers negotiating the track alone, in the end the fans were treated to Tandem Drift by Sanam Sekhon and Mudit Grover! With Sanam leading the first go and Grover following. He showed a full deep drift with Grover not hooking it up fully and ending up with a shallow drift and lagging behind and exceeding track limits as well. When they switched, Grover was able to showcase his skills. Sanam was unable to join the inside second corner to the third outside, but kept it clean otherwise.

Thus, the first JK Tyre Drift Challenge drew to a close and with the turnout of participants it had for this inaugural edition, we can hope for more iterations to follow in the upcoming years.

The post Sanam Sekhon comes out on top at JK Tyre Drift Challenge first appeared on Turbocharged.