Deep Drive | Autocar India

Ather is entering a new phase of growth, with its new scooter, the Konarc, new EL platform, a new manufacturing plant and a growing product portfolio aimed at taking the brand into the mainstream. Rishaad Mody - Bikes Editor, Autocar India - and Ketan Thakkar - Editor, Autocar Professional - discuss Ather’s strategy, the significance of its new platform and plant, and what this means for its ambitions in India on this edition of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime. Views expressed in this podcast belong solely to the speakers.

2025's GST reduction on sub-4m cars has spurred demand for hatchbacks, compact sedans and compact SUVs. What does the renewed interest in small cars mean and can sales sustain? Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Ketan Thakkar - Editor, Autocar Professional - discuss in this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime.

The JSW Group is in talks with Skoda-Volkswagen for a potential JV in India. What's in it for both parties? Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Ketan Thakkar - Editor, Autocar Professional - discuss in this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime. Views expressed in this podcast belong solely to the speakers.

Lifestyle pickups might make up a minuscule share of car sales in India but over the past month we've seen the debut of two models - Toyota's Hilux and Mahindra's Scorpio Lifestyler - that have put the spotlight on the segment. Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Sergius Barretto - Managing Editor, Autocar India - discuss the new models and why pickups could see increased interest.

Kia has had a strong run in 2026 on the back of the gen 2 Seltos' success. On this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime, Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Ketan Thakkar - Editor, Autocar Professional - discuss how the Korean carmaker is preparing for the next phase of growth in India.

After years on the sidelines, Audi India is finally in attack mode with their most ambitious product offensive in over a decade, with six all-new locally assembled models planned over the next 18 months. Homazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India and Sergius Barretto - Managing Editor, Autocar India, talk on the comeback of the four rings on this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime.

At a big bang event in New Delhi last week, Honda revealed 10 new premium models that are slated to launch before March 2027. Rishaad Mody - Bikes Editor, Autocar India - and Ketan Thakkar - Editor, Autocar Professional - discuss the bikes and scooters in question and the significance of the announcement on this edition of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime. Views expressed in this podcast belong solely to the speakers.

JSW MG Motor India has unveiled its new ADAPT platform which can support BEVs and hybrids. Among the first products to come will be a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle or PHEV. Later this year, BYD will be launch the Seal U PHEV in India. What's driving the interest in PHEVs and are plug-in hybrids an ideal solution for India? Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Sergius Barretto - Managing Editor, Autocar India - discuss in this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime.

The Delhi EV Policy 2026 has come into effect with a view to dramatically increase EV adoption. However, one of its contentious provisions is that only new electric two-wheelers (e2Ws) will be eligible for registration in Delhi from April 1, 2028. Sergius Barretto - Managing Editor, Autocar India - and Rishaad Mody - Editor (Bikes), Autocar India - discuss the development and what it means for the buyers and the industry. Views expressed in this podcast belong solely to the speakers.

We've just completed a mega 19,000km drive from Pune to Prague in a Skoda Kylaq. It's a time as good as any to talk about the joys (and challenges) of inter-country and inter-continental drives. On this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime, Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Rahul Kakar - Manager, Special Projects, Autocar India - discuss all that goes in to making such drives possible, and how you can do it too. Views expressed in this podcast belong solely to the speakers.

4x4s make up just a minuscule portion of overall sales in India but have an outsized impact on product appeal. On this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime, Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Sergius Barretto - Managing Editor, Autocar India - discuss how 4x4 go beyond adding capability and help share brand identities.

On this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime, Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Ketan Thakkar - Editor, Autocar Professional - discuss China's influence on the cars we buy and how Chinese trends resonate with Indian buyers.

E85 fuel has just been introduced in India. We've tested a Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 FFV on E20 and E85 and the findings are quite revealing. On this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime, Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Rishaad Mody - Editor - Bikes, Autocar India - discuss the test, if there's an economic case for E85 and the concern over higher ethanol base blends.

Conducted in association with Spinny, the fourth edition of Autocar India's Used Car Study analyses real-world resale values across a broad spectrum of vehicles. On this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime, Sergius Barretto - Managing Editor, Autocar India - and Saumil Shah - Editor, Vehicle Evaluation, Autocar India - break down the numbers, discuss the findings and tell you the factors that have a bearing on how well your car holds its value.

The Indian scooter market is undergoing a major transformation. Once dominated by practical 110cc family scooters, buyers are increasingly shifting towards more powerful, feature-rich and premium 125cc scooters. In fact, the 125cc segment is now on the verge of overtaking the 110cc category in sales. Rishaad Mody and Ketan Thakkar discuss the changing dynamics of the scooter market.

At its 2026 Investor Day, Stellantis announced plans to leverage global partnerships for its next-gen models. An announcement of particular interest was of a future Jeep to be built on a Tata Motors platform. Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Ketan Thakkar - Managing Editor, Autocar India - discuss the development and what it means for Jeep and Tata.

The Indian government is accelerating the shift to higher ethanol fuel blends like E25 and E85 to cut oil imports, lower emissions and support energy security. But what does this transition mean for motorists, engines, fuel efficiency and running costs? Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Sergius Barretto - Managing Editor, Autocar India - discuss the real-world impact of the ethanol push on this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime.

With over 280 car models on sale in India today you'd think every kind of customer need is catered to. However, there are a fair few high volume yet underserved segments with just 1-2 options. On this episode of the Autocar Deep Drive Podcast powered by Kotak Mahindra Prime, Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Sergius Barretto - Managing Editor, Autocar India - discuss the models and manufacturers that rule these segments, and if others can tap into the opportunities.

Electric vehicle sales haven’t matched early projections, leaving carmakers with billions invested in dedicated EV platforms. Now, a new solution is emerging - converting born-electric architectures to support hybrid powertrains, giving manufacturers far greater flexibility in a changing market. Sergius Barretto - Managing Editor, Autocar India - and Ketan Thakkar - Editor, Autocar Professional - discuss the development and strategies carmakers are adopting for India.

Nissan has been struggling in India for years but a revival plan is now in place. Hormazd Sorabjee - Editor, Autocar India - and Sergius Barretto - Managing Editor, Autocar India - discuss what lies ahead for the Japanese carmaker.