Running for a limited time across Volkswagen dealerships nationwide, Autofest 2025 isn’t just another “mega sale”. It’s a festival. A pilgrimage for car lovers. A season where car keys jingle with joy and pre-owned cars get a second chance at life.

Trade-ins? Check. Test drives? Check. Complimentary evaluations? Double check.
Volkswagen is rolling out the red carpet—and quite possibly rolling in your old sedan while rolling out a shiny new Virtus, Taigun, or the Tiguan R-Line with a roar. And let’s be honest: it’s not really a carnival until someone finances a turbocharged upgrade.

“Volkswagen Autofest is more than just a sales event—it’s a celebration,” said Nitin Kohli, Brand Director, Volkswagen India. “This is where you exchange not just your car, but your entire driving experience. Whether you’re Virtuously cruising, Taigunning through traffic, or Tiguaning into the sunset—there’s something for everyone.”

Key Highlights of Autofest 2025:

• Exchange offers that make your wallet say Danke Schön
• Loyalty rewards for existing Volkswagen enthusiasts (and yes, your loyalty is finally being monetised!)
• Attractive finance options—because who doesn’t want German precision with Indian EMI flexibility
• Free evaluations—finally, someone judging your car and not your parking
• Special service packages—because even Volkswagens love a spa day

So, if your car’s been giving you Volks-wagon vibes without the actual ‘Volkswagen’, it might be time to make the switch. Drop by your nearest dealership, grab a coffee (maybe a brochure too), and get yourself something that makes the neighbours peek twice.

Because at Autofest 2025, the only thing you’ll be driving… is envy.

The post Volkswagen India Shifts Gears with Autofest 2025: Trade In, Drive Out, and Taigun Your Way to Glory! appeared first on NamasteCar.

A Brief History of the German Jungle Cat

First unleashed in 2007, the Tiguan has quietly become Volkswagen’s global superstar—over 7.5 million units sold worldwide, roughly one every 4 seconds. Which makes it more prolific than most Bollywood item numbers. This is the third-generation Tiguan, and it’s back with only one version for India: the R-Line, the sporty, snazzily dressed cousin in the VW family that probably drinks sparkling mineral water unironically.

The price? A modest ₹49 lakh ex-showroom—because nothing says “entry-level luxury” like a car that costs more than your MBA.

Exterior: Business-Class Lizard

At first glance, it looks like a Golf went to the gym and started eating boiled chicken and creatine. With its R-Line bumpers, black honeycomb inserts, 19-inch Coventry alloys, and an LED light strip that looks like it’s permanently winking at you, the Tiguan means business—and maybe a touch of mischief.

There’s Cipressino Green paint on this one, which sounds like a mocktail at a Goa beach shack. But you also get the usual suspects—black, white, silver, blue, and red. The black-glossy wheel arches and sleek 3D LED tail lamps with animated signals add drama in a very Berlin techno club way.

4MOTION all-wheel drive and 176mm ground clearance ensure it can handle Indian roads, monsoon potholes, and the occasional existential crisis.

Interior: Lufthansa Lounge on Wheels

Step inside and you’re welcomed by ambient lighting in 30 shades—more than your ex had moods. There’s a VW logo puddle lamp, brushed steel pedals, illuminated centre console, and even a glass etching of an iguana, just in case you forget who the star of the show is.

The ErgoActive front seats come with massage, heating, and enough adjustments to make chiropractors obsolete. The rear gets 40/20/40 split seats with longitudinal sliding thigh support—fancy words meaning your backseat passengers won’t file complaints.

A 652-litre boot expands to 1650 litres with seats down—perfect for a weekend getaway or a small IKEA showroom.

Infotainment: MIB4 and Chill

The dashboard is a digital Disneyland. You get a 15-inch touchscreen, 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro, Head-Up Display, and a sound system that features something called Electronic Engine Sound—which basically fakes engine noise because the cabin’s too well insulated to hear the real thing.

Support includes everything short of Morse code: Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, USB, Navigation, Voice control, and a Voice Enhancer (because your voice deserves studio acoustics while asking for directions to the nearest dosa stall).

Performance: Dad Bod Outside, Gym Freak Within

Under the hood, it’s all serious muscle: a 2.0L TSI EVO petrol engine, with 201 hp and 320 Nm of torque, mated to a 7-speed DSG. It hits 100 km/h quicker than you can say “Stratified Injection.” The claimed mileage is 12 kmpl, which is decent if you consider it spends half its energy on looking smug.

Also included: Dynamic Chassis Control, Vehicle Dynamics Manager, and 6 drive modes: Eco (for penny pinchers), Comfort (for chauffeurs), Sport (for Delhi boys), Individual (for control freaks), Offroad (for Ladakh dreams), and Snow (for Instagram stories from Manali).

Safety: A Mobile Fortified Bunker

Euro NCAP gave it 5 stars, and VW didn’t stop there. You get 9 airbags, ESC, ADAS Level 2 with 21 driver assistance features, including lane assist, drowsiness monitoring, emergency braking, and a deadlock system called Safelock—which sounds like a Batman gadget.

Even the first-aid kit is from KALFF, which we assume is the German equivalent of “Yes, we mean business.”

Verdict: Should You Buy One?

The Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line is for someone who appreciates engineering, drinks single-origin coffee, and might pronounce “Versace” correctly on the first try. It’s the perfect car for those who want luxury, safety, tech, performance—and a bit of Deutsche panache—without yelling about it.

Sure, it doesn’t come with a diesel or hybrid in India. Sure, it costs as much as a Himalayan yurt on Airbnb for a year. But does it matter? You’re driving a vehicle that shares its platform with everything from an Audi A3 to a Skoda Superb. It’s basically the James Bond of SUVs—dressed to kill, licensed to pamper.

Final Scorecard:

Design: 9/10 – German precision with a hint of rebellion
Interior: 9.5/10 – Backseat of this car > most office chairs
Tech: 9.8/10 – Feels like Silicon Valley with a steering wheel
Performance: 8.5/10 – Fast enough, but not a hooligan
Safety: 10/10 – Makes you feel like you’re driving inside a vault
Value: 7.5/10 – You pay for the badge, but you also get the engineering

If you want your SUV to feel like a five-star hotel lobby and occasionally throw you back in the seat on a straight road, the Tiguan R-Line is your lizard in shining armour.

The post Volkswagen Tiguan 2025 Review: Meet the Turbocharged Teutonic Lizard in a Tuxedo appeared first on NamasteCar.

New Delhi:
Move over scooters and sedans — the real electrifying romance is rolling in on 18 wheels. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s grand Viksit Bharat vision, and powered by the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI), India just launched its first-ever e-truck incentive scheme, offering up to ₹9.6 lakh per electric truck. It’s not just a subsidy, it’s a statement: Go electric, or go home in diesel fumes.

Unveiling the scheme, Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy declared war on diesel monsters, pointing out that just 3% of vehicles (read: trucks) are responsible for 42% of transport-related greenhouse gas emissions. “They may be few in number, but they’re puffing like dragons,” he said, with a nod to Delhi’s smoggy skyline.

The PM E-DRIVE e-Truck Scheme isn’t just another bureaucratic checkbox. It’s a full-throttle move toward India’s net-zero by 2070 goal — with 5,600 electric trucks expected to hit the highways, silently zooming past diesel dinos stuck in yesterday’s century.

Here’s What’s Under the Hood:

• Eligible Vehicles: N2 (3.5 to 12 tonnes) & N3 (above 12 tonnes up to 55 tonnes) categories — aka the “big boys” of Indian logistics.
• Incentive Amount: Up to ₹9.6 lakh per vehicle, depending on truck size and tonnage. The bigger they are, the greener they go.
• Warranty Mandates:
  • Battery: 5 years / 5 lakh km
  • Vehicle & Motor: 5 years / 2.5 lakh km
    (Because no one wants a heavyweight lemon.)
• Application: OEMs can claim incentives via the PM E-DRIVE portal — first come, first charged.

Delhi, forever in a toxic relationship with pollution, gets 1,100 e-trucks reserved under the scheme with ₹100 crore allocated — a much-needed detox.

Industry’s Joyride Begins:

Indian OEM giants like Tata Motors, Volvo Eicher, and Ashok Leyland are already revving up production. And in a powerful green pledge, SAIL (Steel Authority of India Ltd) announced it’ll deploy 150 e-trucks and ensure 15% of its fleet is electric — proving steel can have a soft, sustainable side.

But this is no free ride. To qualify, scrapping an old truck is mandatory. So, while the new e-truck gets pampered with lakhs, the smoke-belching granddad truck gets a well-earned farewell.

From cement to steel to port logistics, this initiative is turbocharging India’s journey to clean cargo. It also aligns with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, cutting reliance on imports, and paving the way for a self-sufficient e-trucking ecosystem.

So, next time you spot a truck silently gliding down the expressway, remember — it’s not just carrying freight. It’s hauling the hopes of a greener India.

The post From Diesel to Dazzle: India Supercharges Logistics with ₹9.6 Lakh e-Truck Push! appeared first on NamasteCar.

New Delhi:
In a move aimed at restoring order to India’s high-speed tolling lanes and reclaiming dignity for harassed toll plaza staff, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has tightened the screws on a growing menace — the infamous “loose FASTag,” fondly known in traffic circles as the “tag-in-hand” trick.

Despite FASTag’s near-heroic 98% penetration across Indian highways, some crafty drivers have found a new way to bypass seamless tech: by not actually sticking the tag to their windscreen. Instead, they wave it like a VIP pass at a concert, causing chaos, chargebacks, and the kind of confusion that turns “fast lane” into “frustration lane.”

But NHAI has had enough. With the upcoming launch of the Annual Pass System and the much-anticipated Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system, the stakes have risen — and so has the pressure to clean up FASTag’s image.

To that end, NHAI has issued fresh orders to toll collecting agencies and concessionaires to immediately report such rogue tags via a dedicated email hotline — let’s call it the ‘FASTag Crime Watch’. Once reported, these “tag-in-hand” FASTags will be promptly blacklisted, rendering them as useful as a chocolate teapot.

The new policy is expected to:

• Reduce lane congestion,
• Prevent misuse in closed-loop systems,
• Eliminate chargeback frauds,
• And save countless toll booth operators from a life of stress-induced grey hair.

This blacklisting blitz reinforces NHAI’s commitment to making Indian highways smarter, smoother, and slightly less irritating. So if you’re still holding that FASTag like a boarding pass at an airport, stick it — literally.

Because in the world of digital tolling, the only good FASTag… is a stuck FASTag.

The post NHAI Cracks Down on Rogue ‘Loose FASTags’ with Blacklist Blitz appeared first on NamasteCar.

“The road to clean mobility isn’t just electric—it’s electrifying,” quipped the Minister, showcasing the government’s roadmap of schemes like PM e-Drive and FAME-II, which aim to turn India from an internal combustion culture to an e-motion nation.

Malhotra, who could give a TED Talk titled From Highways to High Voltage, highlighted that India, the world’s fastest-growing major economy, is on track to become a global EV powerhouse. “Our logistics parks are no longer just about roads and rails—they’re about renewable energy, EV charging bays, and emissions so low, even Mother Nature might blush,” he said, clearly in pole position on the sustainability circuit.

He went on to emphasize that electric mobility isn’t just about switching fuels—it’s about securing the nation’s climate goals, economic future, and energy independence. “This isn’t just a transition; it’s a revolution. And yes, it’s going to be locally sourced and globally admired,” he declared, nudging stakeholders toward serious R&D, local manufacturing, and circular solutions like battery reuse and recycling—aka, the full chakravyuh of clean tech.

The Minister didn’t miss the opportunity to plug the big picture, stating that India is revving toward its 500GW renewable energy target by 2030 and Net Zero emissions by 2070, a vision laid out by PM Narendra Modi that’s ambitious enough to make even Elon Musk nod in approval.

As the event kicked off among battery buffs, policy pundits, and EV evangelists, one thing was crystal clear: India’s electric future isn’t just coming—it’s charging toward us at full wattage. And if today’s session was anything to go by, Harsh Malhotra might just be the new poster boy for clean volts and visionary vaults.

Buckle up, India. The future is electric. And it just got a high-voltage blessing.

The post MoS Harsh Malhotra Supercharges India’s EV Ambitions at Energy Storage Week 2025 appeared first on NamasteCar.

The Experience Centre, located at Unit G 1B, 2 North Avenue, Maker Maxity, will officially open its automatic glass doors on July 15, 2025. But before you charge your camera for selfies with a Cybertruck, hold that plug — Tesla has not yet confirmed which model will hit Indian roads first. The much-spotted Model Y, often seen roaming incognito on Indian highways, remains the top contender, but Elon & Co. are playing coy.

The only official hint so far? A teaser tweet from Tesla India’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, cryptically promising: “Coming soon, July 2025.” This was promptly reposted by the main Tesla global account, confirming that yes, this is not a drill — it’s happening.

This move follows Tesla’s strategic chip-powered handshake with India. On April 15, 2024, Tesla inked a deal with Tata Electronics to supply semiconductor chips — a power-packed collaboration for powering everything from dashboards to dreams.

Tesla’s current global line-up includes Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y, and the Cybertruck. While the Model Y, with its 574 km range and dual motor options, starts at around INR 32.19 lakh in the US, it’s expected to arrive in India wearing a new outfit — possibly priced around INR 70 lakh, thanks to import duties, taxes, and the premium that comes with driving the future.

With this opening, Tesla is not just testing the market — it’s making a statement. The Experience Centre won’t sell vehicles just yet, but it’s a clear sign that Tesla’s long courtship with India is entering its honeymoon phase. The next steps? Potential product launches, and perhaps a full-fledged Gigafactory in India, a rumor Elon himself didn’t quite deny in 2023.

For now, the Tesla Experience Centre at BKC will serve as India’s first physical window into Elon’s electric empire — sleek walls, minimalist showrooms, and hopefully enough fast chargers to handle all the selfies, curious foot traffic, and maybe a few hopeful EV bookings.

India, start practicing your one-pedal driving. Tesla is here, and the future is silently rolling into BKC — just don’t ask which car to expect yet. That, as always with Tesla, is part of the suspense package.

The post Namaste Elon: Tesla Plugs Into India with Mumbai Experience Centre, Leaves Us Charging with Curiosity appeared first on NamasteCar.

But wait, there’s more torque in the tale.

While most of us are still figuring out how to spell “hyper-personalisation,” Mercedes has already delivered it—wrapped in Nappa leather, topped with a three-pointed star, and, if you’re lucky, electrified. The top-end luxury and BEV segments are firing on all cylinders (and battery packs), with the EQS Maybach, G 580 with EQ tech, and AMG rockets leading the charge. If luxury were a playlist, Mercedes is running the Top 40.

GLS Goes Beast Mode with AMG Line

Just when you thought the road presence of the GLS couldn’t be any more… present, Mercedes dropped the GLS AMG Line—a luxury SUV that’s clearly been eating its protein. Priced at ₹1.4 crore (GLS 450) and ₹1.43 crore (GLS 450d), this hulking charmer now features AMG design cues that shout “move over” louder than a Delhi traffic cop with a megaphone.

With over 16,000 GLS SUVs already prowling Indian roads, the new AMG Line edition gets meaner styling, 21-inch wheels, blacked-out Night Package accessories, and floor mats so classy, your shoes might need to RSVP.

Inside? Think “boardroom meets Batmobile”—with AMG pedals, a multifunction Nappa leather steering wheel, and a braking system that could probably stop time (or at least your speeding ticket).

Top-End Takes Top Spot

The biggest brag of the quarter? Mercedes’ Top-End Luxury segment grew by 20%, thanks to insatiable demand for the S-Class, EQS SUV, AMG G 63, and the stealthily savage EQS Maybach Night Series. In fact, if you’re looking to get your hands on one, you’ll need to wait—just like the rest of us mortals. Current waiting periods stretch up to 6 months, presumably giving customers enough time to pick a monogram font for their headrests.

Meanwhile, in the Core segment, the C-Class, E-Class LWB, GLC, and GLE SUVs continued to rake in love—and EMIs. The E-Class LWB, in particular, remains India’s highest-selling luxury sedan. (Fun fact: If you line up all the E-Class LWB cars sold, you’d probably still be stuck in Gurgaon traffic.)

Electrifying Growth: BEVs Surge 157%

Mercedes’ battery-powered dreams are now a serious reality. The brand saw a whopping 157% growth in BEV sales, with electric models contributing 8% to overall volume. Customers are increasingly choosing volts over V8s—though in Mercedes’ case, you can have both (because why not).

As Santosh Iyer, MD & CEO of Mercedes-Benz India, rightly put it: “We’re not just selling cars, we’re delivering desire on wheels.” And clearly, customers are responding with gusto—and chequebooks.

FY 25-26 has just begun, and Mercedes-Benz India is already in launch mode. So whether you’re eyeing a G 580 that hums or a GLS that growls, rest assured—the star is rising. And it’s doing it in style.

The post Mercedes-Benz India Hits Top Gear with Record Sales and a Meaner GLS AMG Line at INR 1.4 Crore appeared first on NamasteCar.

With nearly 30 years of automotive wisdom under his belt (and probably a few custom driving gloves too), Sood has previously served as President and Director at Toyota Mobility Solutions and Services India (TMSS). From accelerating business expansion to tuning customer satisfaction, Sood’s track record reads more like a pit crew manual for success.

Before that, he revved up the ranks at Toyota Kirloskar Motors and Toyota Motor Asia Pacific, proving that he knows his way around the sales circuit. Armed with a PGDM in Marketing from SCMHRD Pune and a Mechanical Engineering degree from Thapar Institute, he’s not just business-smart—he knows how the nuts and bolts work too.

Gwanggu Lee, Managing Director and CEO of Kia India, commented, “We are thrilled to welcome Atul Sood to the Kia paddock. His strategic horsepower and marketing torque will help us turbocharge our growth journey while delivering delight to every Kia customer.”

In his own words, Sood shared his enthusiasm like a true team player: “Kia India is firing on all cylinders, and I’m thrilled to join at such a pivotal moment. The brand’s commitment to innovation, design, and customer delight is exactly the kind of road I want to cruise on. Together, we’ll keep pushing the pedal on performance and progress.”

As Sood straps in for this new ride, industry watchers will be keen to see how he balances horsepower with humility and sales targets with soul. One thing’s for sure—Kia India just got a seasoned driver for its next lap of growth.

The post From Toyota Tracks to Kia India Fast Lane: Atul Sood Joins as Sales Pit Boss appeared first on NamasteCar.

It’s not just a camera—it’s your car’s personal historian. With QHD resolution sharper than your neighbour’s gossip, intelligent battery protection that ensures your vehicle doesn’t wake up drained, and mobile app control slicker than your latest Instagram Reel, the Audi Dash Cam is engineered to be less of a gimmick and more of a guardian.

“This is Audi’s way of saying, ‘We’ve got your back—and your front, and your sides, and possibly your cat’s surprise car jump too,’” quipped Balbir Singh Dhillon, Head of Audi India. “Whether you’re cruising through chaos or parked next to a shopping cart with a death wish, this cam watches it all.”

What’s in the cam-cordery of features?

• Park Mode with motion detection: Because parking is now a spectator sport.
• Event Mode: Catches the drama faster than CCTV in a daily soap.
• Insurance-friendly footage: Goodbye, he-said-she-said, hello, 2K replay.
• Fraud fighter: Fake injuries? Staged bumps? This cam testifies better than your nosiest neighbour.
• App integration: Because if it’s not on your phone, does it even exist?

In an age of rising insurance premiums, crafty claimers, and wandering shopping carts with personal vendettas, the Audi Dash Cam may be the best ₹68K you’ll spend on not yelling “WHY IS THIS ALWAYS HAPPENING TO ME?”

So the next time someone tries a bumper ballet in a parking lot, rest easy. Your Audi is watching—and recording.

Now available across Audi India dealerships. Because the only thing more luxurious than leather seats is digital justice.

The post Audi India Launches ₹68K Dash Cam: Because Even Luxury Cars Deserve a Bodyguard with 2K Vision appeared first on NamasteCar.

Bangalore – In a world of budget hatchbacks that often treat safety like an optional garnish, Toyota Kirloskar Motor has pulled out the big airbags — literally. In a move that’s part reassurance, part red carpet rollout, the company has announced six airbags as standard across all variants of the Toyota Glanza, along with a limited-period ‘Prestige Package’ that adds just the right amount of bling to your morning commute.

Because nothing says “I care about my passengers” like six cushions inflating in milliseconds while your door visors glisten in chrome.

Safety First, But Make It Standard

With safety norms evolving and buyers getting smarter, Toyota’s decision to make six airbags standard is as timely as a monsoon downpour in Bangalore. Whether you’re buying the base model or the top-spec trim, you now get comprehensive airbag coverage — a real “inflated value” proposition, and for once, it’s a good thing.

“It’s like hugging your entire family in a moving car,” said a Toyota spokesperson, not officially, but probably in spirit.

Prestige Package: Because Even Hatchbacks Deserve Some Drama

Running from XX June to 31st July 2025, the new Prestige Package is Toyota’s way of saying, “Why not accessorize your car like you accessorize your Instagram selfies?”

Here’s what’s inside the Prestige package, apart from an ego boost:

• Premium door visors (for dramatic exits)
• Chrome & black body mouldings (because subtlety is overrated)
• Rear lamp garnish (to impress those tailgaters)
• Chrome garnishes for ORVMs and fenders (extra shine, extra fine)
• Rear skid plate (urban jungle, sorted)
• Illuminated door sills (enter like a boss)
• Lower grille garnish (because your grille deserves attention too)

Toyota didn’t just give the Glanza some bling – it gave it a wardrobe change worthy of a fashion week finale.

Glanza: Still Gliding, Still Glorious

Celebrating six successful years and over 2 lakh units sold, the Glanza remains the unofficial car of choice for the urban multitasker who wants premium flair without frightening the bank manager.

Powered by a 1.2L K-Series engine, the Glanza claims up to 22.94 km/l (AMT) and 30.61 km/kg (CNG) — enough mileage to skip at least one small argument at the petrol pump. With segment-first features like a 9-inch infotainment screen, HUD, 360-degree camera, and Toyota i-Connect, the Glanza continues to pretend it’s a luxury sedan that just happens to be under 4 meters.

Hatchback with a Halo

The Glanza now checks even more boxes: safety, style, tech, comfort, and value. And with prices starting at just Rs. 6.90 lakh (ex-showroom), it continues to be the responsible grown-up’s answer to “What car should I get that won’t bore me in a week?”

Whether you buy it for the airbags, the chrome, or the sheer peace of mind that comes with the Toyota badge, one thing’s for sure — this Glanza isn’t just safe. It’s stylishly safe.

And frankly, who doesn’t want a hatchback that’s safer than your last relationship?

The post From Safety Nets to Chrome Sets: Toyota Glanza Levels Up with Six Airbags and a Prestige Makeover appeared first on NamasteCar.