For the first time, there is a dedicated Maybach drive programme that ensures even more comfort in the rear. Access and egress are also highly convenient: when the doors are opened, the vehicle is lowered slightly, and an illuminated running board quickly and silently emerges on the access or egress side. The running boards are made of anodised aluminium. The V8 engine with a displacement of four litres, which can develop 410 kW (558 PS) and 730 Nm of torque, is an engine variant developed exclusively for Maybach and moves the car discreetly and powerfully. The engine is combined with the 48-volt system EQ Boost. The Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 4MATIC will enter the market in the second half of 2020.

The Mercedes-Maybach GLS combines the body form and superior, robust technical basis provided by the GLS, the S-Class among SUVs, with all the technical and material luxury of a top-class saloon car. It stylishly yet emphatically shows its special standing among the Mercedes-Benz SUVs.

Mahindra New TUV300: New avatar

Mahindra’s next generation TUV300 is the revamped and updated version of the original on the road since 2015. The updates include a new honeycomb grille with the signature six slat design and a trapezoid shaped air dam. Also on offer will be a new set of headlamps. The model has been currently on test and will soon hit the showrooms.

The current model has a 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine that produces 100bhp and 240 Nm of torque. This motor is paired to a five-speed manual transmission. The new model is expected to have an updated one with 6-speed manual and AMT, sticking to BSVI emission standards.

Skoda Kushaq: Into the mid-size SUV market

Kushaq SUV will have 1.0L turbo petrol (113bhp) and 1.5L turbo petrol (147bhp) engine options. According to reports, a 6-spee manual gearbox will be standard, but, a 6-speed torque convertor automatic and a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission will be reserved for the 1.0L and 1.5L motor respectively.

The MQB A0 IN platform is based on its international model used by Volkswagen. Skoda is reportedly aiming to price it aggressively competitive in the Indian market for mid-sized SUVs like KIA Seltos and Hyundai’s Creta. The 2,651 mm wheelbase is similar to the new Volkswagen Taigun.

It retains Skoda’s butterfly grille between the sleek headlamps which come with LED projector units and LED Daytime Running Lamps. The fog lamps are not placed in the traditional fog lamp housing instead they are placed right below the headlamp and are halogen units. There is also a three-piece faux skid plate in the front bumper. The bonnet too gets some muscular lines which up the aggression quotient of the car.

Tata HBX eyes micro-SUV segment

Tata Motors HBX is expected to enter the new micro-SUV market – somewhere below its Nexon. According to reported spy-reviews, the concept has unique design elements quite different from other cars from the Tata stable.

Ford Freestyle, Mahindra KUV100 are among the current crop of micro-SUVs in India. Maruti Suzuki’s Future S Concept is also expected to join this league.

Based on the same ALFA platform as the Altroz, the HBX is said to have a 50mm smaller wheelbase, according to a media review. The nose is akin to the Harrier with sleek LEDs on top and tri-arrow design where the headlamps will be placed. The imposing bumpers hint at aggressive body cladding on the production model while the overly futuristic wheels will surely be toned down a few notches, it said.

The vehicle will get sharp-looking LED taillights and a roof-mounted spoiler at the rear, the report added. The powertrain is likely to have the same 1.2-litre petrol engine (86 PS/113 Nm) used in the Tiago, Tigor, and Altroz (non-turbo). (TT)

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Citira has expanded its service network in western Sweden by acquiring TH Pettersson, a renowned tyre service company with two shops in the Gothenburg area. This acquisition adds two key service points positioned close to the region's major traffic and logistics hubs, significantly advancing Citira's coverage in this strategic area.

TH Pettersson holds a distinguished place in Swedish commercial history as one of the oldest tyre shops in the country, having been founded in 1923. From modest origins, the business grew to achieve a strong national reputation under the guidance of three generations of entrepreneurs who maintained a long-term value creation and service-driven philosophy. The two well-situated shops will now form crucial new service points within the Citira network.

The business will continue operating with the same team in the same premises, ensuring continuity for customers and staff alike. David Heidenfors, the long-term manager, together with the broader TH Pettersson team, will continue managing daily operations while benefiting from Citira's resources for continued development. As part of this new chapter, both Max Petersfeldt and Mikael Petersfelt will become co-owners of Citira.

David Boman, CEO, Citira, said, “We are very excited that TH Pettersson will join Citira, as we have regarded them as a key player in the Gothenburg area for a long time. The team delivers great service to their customers, which will now come to the benefit of our customers as well. In TH Pettersson, we have a great partner on Sweden’s west coast, which we look forward to further developing and growing together with David, the TH team and Max as a senior advisor.”

Max Petersfeldt of TH Pettersson said, “Joining Citira and a group of like-minded colleagues marks an important milestone in our journey while also allowing us to be part of and contribute to this exciting development in our industry. I am confident that under the continued leadership of David Heidenfors, Citira and TH Pettersson will realise our full potential in the region while allowing us to stay true to our customers, who will find us in the same place with the same team which they have always trusted.”

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Bridgestone has renewed its collaboration with game developer Milestone for the launch of RIDE 6, the latest title in the popular motorcycle racing franchise. This edition represents the most comprehensive instalment in the series to date, introducing new motorcycles, diverse terrains and authentic tracks. Continuing its role as the official tyre supplier, Bridgestone brings its real-world high-performance motorcycle tyres into the virtual environment. Players around the world can now experience the same grip and endurance that define the brand’s real-life products across roads, circuits and trails, thanks to the game’s updated dual-physics engine.

A major feature in this edition is the new RIDE Fest career mode, which immerses players in the journey of a professional rider competing against motorsport icons such as Casey Stoner and Troy Bayliss. Within this mode, a dedicated Bridgestone Challenge chapter allows users to test the brand’s tyres across various racing disciplines and surfaces, from endurance events to circuit racing. Bridgestone also sponsors the redesigned Riding School, a training module offering structured tutorials to help players refine their skills. The company’s motorsport expertise, particularly its success in the FIM Endurance World Championship, directly informs the tyre behaviour modelled in the game. Virtual riders must consider tyre degradation, respond to changing track conditions and make tactical choices, mirroring the strategic depth found in real-world racing.

The presence of Bridgestone has been expanded throughout RIDE 6, with enhanced branding featured across menus, tracks and gameplay elements. The tyre lineup itself has grown to include recent additions to the BATTLAX family, such as the RACING BATTLAX V03 slick, engineered for maximum circuit performance and faster lap times, alongside the road-legal RACING STREET RS12, which offers superior dry grip. For the first time in the series, off-road segments are included, enabling players to equip adventure-focused tyres like the BATTLAX ADVENTURECROSS AX41. Other available options include the ADVENTURE TRAIL AT41, the RACING BATTLAX W01 and the HYPERSPORT S23.

With more than 340 motorcycles from 21 manufacturers, all fitted with Bridgestone’s virtual tyre models, the game boasts the most varied selection in the franchise’s history. Built using Unreal Engine 5, RIDE 6 is now accessible on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store.

Nico Thuy, Director Motorcycle at Bridgestone EMEA, said, “RIDE 6 is the most realistic and wide-ranging entry in the series so far, and that makes it the ideal platform to showcase our large premium motorcycle tyre portfolio and its performance. With expanded modes, new features and a stronger Bridgestone presence throughout the experience than ever before, the game takes our longstanding partnership with Milestone to the next level. Through the RIDE series, we’re both strengthening our leadership in motorcycle tyres and showcasing our racing legacy in a fun, engaging way to riders and gamers worldwide.”

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Porsche Carrera Cup North America is entering a new chapter defined by a significant technical partnership and the introduction of an updated race car. A multi-year agreement has been established making Pirelli the official tyre supplier for the championship, marking the first time in the series' six-year history that it will compete on Pirelli rubber. This collaboration reinforces the connection between motorsport engineering and road car performance, a link demonstrated by the bespoke Pirelli P Zero R and P Zero Trofeo RS tyres developed for the road-going Porsche 911 GT3.

The 2026 season will debut the new Type 992.2 Porsche 911 Cup car, an evolution of the brand's successful single-make racer with refinements focused on raceability and handling. It will compete in only four global championships, including the North American series. These cars will be fitted with the Pirelli P Zero DHG tyre, a control tyre already introduced across Pirelli’s global GT championships in 2025. For wet conditions, teams will use the Pirelli Cinturato WHB, the standard wet weather tyre for GT classes since last year.

The P Zero tyres used in the series will carry the Forest Stewardship Council logo, signifying a commitment to sustainable sourcing. This certification ensures the natural rubber originates from forests managed to preserve biodiversity and support local communities, with a supply chain that rigorously separates certified materials from non-certified sources.

The new partnership and the new car will make their on-track debut together during a series-wide test at Sebring International Raceway in mid-February. The 2026 championship season will officially commence at the same venue from 18th to 20th March, running in support of the IMSA WeatherTech Championship’s Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.

Volker Holzmeyer, President and CEO, PMNA, said, “Porsche and Pirelli share a deep motorsport heritage and a commitment to innovation that carries from the track to the road. We’re excited to welcome Pirelli to our premier Porsche One-Make series as we usher in a new era with the 911 Cup and new Pirelli tyres beginning in 2026.”

Claudio Zanardo, President and CEO, Pirelli North America, said, “Pirelli is thrilled to partner with Porsche Motorsport North America as the tyre supplier for the Porsche Carrera Cup North America, adding to our extensive portfolio of top-level championships supported worldwide. This collaboration demonstrates Pirelli’s dedication to performance and innovation, bringing race-proven technology from the track to the road. Just as Porsche vehicles set the standard for driving excellence, our P Zero tyres define precision, handling and performance in both competition and everyday driving. With motorsport rapidly expanding across North America, attracting more fans and creating new opportunities to showcase high-performance engineering, we are excited to strengthen our presence and support this momentum. Taking on this challenge alongside Porsche, its teams, drivers and the iconic 911 Cup cars is an opportunity for continuous innovation, collaboration and growth throughout the season.”

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Nova Motorsport has solidified its position within historic motorsport by agreeing a significant long-term contract extension with Peter Auto, a leading organiser in the field. This renewed agreement reinforces the British brand’s status as a principal technical collaborator, now with an expanded scope of official supply duties.

Under the terms of the multi-year deal, Nova Motorsport will continue as the exclusive tyre provider for several of Peter Auto’s premier series, including Group C Racing, both Classic Endurance Racing categories (CER1 and CER2) and the 2.0L Cup. The partnership has been formally broadened to now also encompass the Sixties’ Endurance series, a key addition to its portfolio. This season for Sixties’ Endurance is set to run from the Espíritu De Montjuïc event in late March through to the HSR Daytona Classic 24 Hour in November.

The arrangement is a cornerstone of Nova’s historic racing programme, underlining its dedication to supplying proven Avon Motorsport tyre products across Europe’s most esteemed historic platforms. This capability is underpinned by the intellectual property and experienced technical team that transferred to Nova following its 2024 acquisition of Avon Motorsport’s assets from Cooper Tire. Logistical and trackside support for competitors will once again be managed by Peter Auto’s exclusive service partner Sodipneu.

By extending and deepening this relationship, Nova Motorsport strengthens its commitment to the historic endurance racing community. The partnership is poised to support the continued growth and international prestige of Peter Auto’s renowned series, placing Nova at the very heart of the discipline.

Daniel Stanton, Head – Sales and Marketing, Nova Motorsport, said, “We are proud to extend our longstanding partnership with Peter Auto, one of the most respected names in the historic and classic automotive racing community, through a new long-term agreement. This relationship marks the successful transformation of Avon Motorsport into Nova Motorsport, as Peter Auto enters the ASO/ACO era under the leadership of Marc Ouayoun. Historic motorsport sits at the heart of the Nova Motorsport business, and partnering with Europe’s premier historic race championships is the perfect expression of that focus. Adding the Sixties’ Endurance series, which concludes with the HSR Daytona Classic 24 Hour at Daytona Speedway in November, to the Nova Motorsport portfolio accelerates our core strategy and further aligns with our growth targets for the Nova Motorsport brand and Avon and Nova tyre products in North America.”

Marc Ouayoun, Managing Director, Peter Auto, said, “We are delighted to continue and expand our partnership with Nova Motorsport. This collaboration reflects a shared vision based on technical excellence and reliability to ensure authentic and competitive racing across all our series. This partnership also highlights our commitment to historic motorsport and its development, both in Europe and internationally.”

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