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)
Cooper Tires Expands All-Season Portfolio With EV-Ready Offerings Across EMEA
- By TT News
- June 20, 2026
Cooper Tires is strategically reinforcing its all-season tyre portfolio across passenger cars, sport utility vehicles and light commercial vehicles to meet the growing demand for versatile, year-round driving solutions. This expansion addresses the practical needs of drivers who encounter fluctuating road and weather conditions throughout the year.
Leveraging over a century of tyre manufacturing expertise, the company has broadened its all-season range to deliver reliable, balanced performance and durability tailored for real-world driving across the EMEA region. The enhanced product line now achieves an 89 percent market coverage rate for key European vehicles, ensuring a wide array of suitable options for customers.
The comprehensive portfolio includes the Cooper All-Season for cars and SUVs and the Cooper All-Season Van for light trucks. Both ranges carry the 3PMSF symbol, signifying certified winter capability. The passenger car and SUV line incorporates 3D blading technology for effective braking, an optimised footprint for even wear and extended tread life and a robust carcass for stable handling. This range comprises 84 SKUs, spanning sizes from 14 to 20 inches, and is engineered to be electric vehicle ready.
Specifically developed for commercial use, the Cooper All-Season Van emphasises strength, high mileage and reliability for daily fleet operations. Its deep treads and high-density siping enhance all-season braking, while a reinforced casing supports heavy payloads and demanding work environments. This van-specific line includes 18 SKUs, covering 15- to 17-inch diameters, and is also EV-ready. This strategic investment underscores Cooper Tires’ commitment to delivering its characteristic toughness and straightforward dependability through a versatile all-season offering in the region.
Ben Glesener, Senior Technology Director Product Development Consumer EMEA, said, “Cooper is focused on doing what really matters for drivers – delivering dependable tyres with strong coverage, proven performance and real‑world durability. Backed by more than 100 years of heritage and a renewed investment in product and brand across Europe, our all‑season portfolio is designed to give customers confidence all year round, whatever the road or the season.”
Goodyear Completes Largest-Ever Endurance Operation At 24 Hours of Le Mans
- By TT News
- June 20, 2026
Goodyear executed its largest-ever endurance operation at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a feat defined by 188,747 kilometres driven, 377.5 million wheel revolutions, and 44 cars competing across the LMGT3 and LMP2 classes. The Goodyear Racing Eagle tyres delivered relentless performance, supported by over 120 experts and a stock of 8,000 tyres that sustained racing throughout the entire week.
The tyres' exceptional consistency allowed teams to extend stint lengths significantly, saving precious time during pit stops. Most LMGT3 squads completed four stints, or forty laps, before changing rubber, while LMP2 entries routinely managed five. One LMP2 team notably kept a single set for 56 laps, covering 761 kilometres, a distance comparable to travelling from Le Mans to Monaco.
Pace did not diminish despite the high mileage, with the fastest LMGT3 car posting a 100-lap average 1.2 seconds quicker per lap than the previous year, marking the fastest Le Mans of the LMGT3 era. Goodyear’s off-track presence was equally robust, featuring the Goodyear Blimp, a new grandstand, a popular fan activation, a museum collaboration and the introduction of the Goodyear Passerelle.
Ahead of the race, Goodyear reaffirmed its commitment to LMGT3 through a joint announcement with the FIA and ACO, extending its exclusive supply into a fourth season in 2027 with a new tyre composed of 66 percent sustainable materials. The WEC now moves to the 6 Hours of São Paulo on 12 July, though many Le Mans teams will first compete at the European Le Mans Series’ 4 Hours of Imola on 5 July.
Stephen Bickley, Goodyear Endurance Program Manager, said, “When you look at the distances covered without compromising on pace, it underlines the consistency and reliability of our Goodyear Racing Eagle tyres throughout one of the toughest races in the world. It was a special Le Mans for us, felt through our fan activation, partnership renewal and icons old and new at – and above – the circuit.”
Tegeta Green Planet Hosts Sustainability Workshop At AlterBridge University
- By TT News
- June 20, 2026
Tegeta Green Planet recently conducted an educational workshop at AlterBridge University, focusing on sustainable development, the Sustainable Development Goals and the Extended Producer Responsibility system. The session provided students with essential knowledge regarding proper waste management and the environmental consequences of daily consumer choices.
Organised in partnership with Shine Energy, the event featured an interactive format that included a discussion segment, an engaging game and a concluding ceremony to recognise the workshop's top performers. This collaborative effort aimed to make the learning process both informative and participatory.
As a pioneering entity in Georgia, Tegeta Green Planet holds official authorisation from the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture under the EPR framework. The organisation is actively involved in the circular economy by managing the collection, transport and recycling of used tyres, oils and batteries.
Throughout the workshop, students posed inquiries to industry experts and explored how personal actions influence ecological well-being. Attendees received symbolic gifts and certificates for their participation. This initiative is part of a broader educational campaign by the organisation to visit universities and schools throughout Georgia, with the ultimate goal of fostering environmentally conscious citizenship among the youth.
Tire Industry Project Partners With French Sanitation Authority On TRWP Removal Research
- By TT News
- June 20, 2026
The Tire Industry Project (TIP) has initiated a pilot study in collaboration with the Greater Paris Sanitation Authority (SIAAP) and the sustainability consultancy ERM to assess the potential of wastewater treatment plants to remove tyre and road wear particles. The research is being conducted at the Valenton wastewater treatment facility near Paris, which ranks as Europe’s second-largest plant and features advanced treatment technologies representative of modern municipal systems. This investigation is scheduled to continue through 2026.
In numerous urban centres globally, stormwater and road runoff are channelled into wastewater systems prior to being discharged into natural waterways. A clearer understanding of how effectively these treatment processes capture TRWP could guide the broader adoption of optimised wastewater management practices. Currently, systematic data quantifying the removal of these particles within treatment plants remains scarce, and this project aims to generate comprehensive, end-to-end evidence to bridge that knowledge deficit.
The study represents TIP’s first real-world application of a priority mitigation strategy identified in its white paper on addressing tire and road wear particles. Over the coming months, researchers will collect and analyse samples from key stages of the Valenton plant’s treatment cycle using advanced pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The findings are expected to estimate the total removal efficiency across the entire process and will be submitted to a scientific journal, with publication anticipated in early 2027.
The scientific understanding of TRWP is complicated by a lack of standardised methodologies, the variable nature of the particles and their transformation products, and the diverse environmental pathways they traverse. In response, TIP and its member companies have committed to advancing research on quantification, characterisation, environmental migration and potential impacts while collaborating with value-chain stakeholders to support science-based interventions. A 2024 TIP publication reviewed over 50 mitigation measures and prioritised nine based on upstream and downstream potential, employing a prevention, containment and removal framework.
That review also concluded that no single measure has been proven effective specifically for TRWP and that on-ground validation is essential. Moreover, the paper stressed that no universal solution exists, requiring coordinated, large-scale implementation across multiple actors, including the tyre, road construction and automotive sectors, as well as municipal authorities, academia and other public and private entities. The Valenton pilot thus marks TIP’s inaugural effort to test wastewater management’s real-world efficacy, uniting diverse stakeholders from both the public and private sectors in this critical research.
Larisa Kryachkova, Executive Director, TIP, said, “This pilot is an important step in going beyond understanding the subject in the laboratory to field-based evidence. We expect to identify best practices that can be applied far beyond this project, supporting TIP’s ambition to support science-based mitigation.”
Sabrina Guérin, Head of Innovation Department, SIAAP, said, “As the public authority responsible for wastewater treatment in the Paris region, SIAAP is committed to emerging science that protects waterways. By taking part in this TIP study, we will gain an early, science-based view of TRWP movement in solid waste. The findings can help inform and accompany future treatment planning and readiness for upcoming regulatory requirements.”
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