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)

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Hankook has confirmed its partnership for the 2026 Convoy Truck Shows, stepping in as an infield partner for the series, which runs in tandem with the British Truck Racing Championships (BTRC). These events offer a distinctive fusion of high-octane track action and the immersive atmosphere of a large-scale truck gathering. This renewed involvement deepens Hankook’s footprint at some of the most eagerly awaited dates on the UK motorsport and haulage calendar.

The season’s schedule commences with Convoy on the Plain on 16–17 May, followed by Convoy Cymru on 20–21 June. The flagship gathering, Convoy in the Park, will round off the summer season on 8–9 August. Attendees can look forward to a full agenda of British truck racing, breathtaking stunt performances, live entertainment and attractions for all ages, alongside a remarkable display of working vehicles, custom rigs and pristine show trucks. Mirroring its sponsorship of the Devon Truck Show, Hankook’s partnership with the Convoy series supports its wider mission to generate substantial donations for local charitable causes and community groups, positioning it as an event with purpose beyond spectacle.

At each of these shows, Hankook will spotlight its cutting-edge range of commercial and consumer tyres. Key exhibits will feature the SmartFlex AH51 for steer axles and the SmartFlex DH51 for drives, both engineered for long-haul and regional use and prized for superior traction and extended durability. Also on show will be the SmartFlex TH31 trailer tyre, the Vantra Transit summer tyre for commercial vans and several models from the Laufenn portfolio, such as the LZ22 all-weather drive tyre, the LF21 all-position tyre and the robust LF95 trailer tyre.

Rounding out the display are the Dynapro HP2 all-season SUV tyre and the iON evo SUV, a cutting-edge summer tyre purpose-built for electric vehicles, underlining Hankook’s forward-looking approach to sustainable mobility. Through its involvement in the Convoy Truck Shows, Hankook reinforces its dedication to the haulage industry by engaging directly with drivers, fleet operators and enthusiasts, showcasing tyre innovations focused on safety, efficiency and peak performance, all while actively contributing to valuable community initiatives.

Event Director Mike Quartley said, "We’re thrilled to have Hankook Tyre UK return as an official sponsor of the Convoy Truck Shows. After the success of last year’s collaboration, continuing the partnership was an easy decision for us. Hankook’s commitment to the industry and to our events adds real value across the board – from contributing to the scale and quality of the events to elevating the atmosphere and experience for our audience. We’re proud to be building on this relationship as the Convoy series continues to grow.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The tyre industry gathered to honour outstanding innovation and individual accomplishment over the past year during the Tire Technology Expo 2026 held in Hannover. The Tire Technology International Awards, spanning 13 categories, recognised both technological progress and the commitment to a more sustainable future within the tyre sector. Organised by the Tire Technology International magazine, the winners were selected by an independent panel of journalists and technical experts.

Sustainability was a dominant theme, highlighted by three distinct environmental awards. Bridgestone received the award for tyre design innovation, celebrated for developing a truck tyre composed of 70 percent recycled and renewable materials, a notable industry milestone. In manufacturing, Continental was acknowledged for its significant strides in reducing freshwater consumption during production with the Environmental Achievement of the Year – Manufacturing award. The Environmental Achievement – Industry Contribution award went to the BioButterfly project, a collaborative effort involving Michelin, IFP Energies Nouvelles and Axens. This initiative was praised for creating bio-based butadiene from bioethanol, presenting a credible substitute for fossil fuel-derived materials and demonstrating strong potential for immediate industrial application.

Further technical achievements were recognised across several categories. Flexsys earned the Chemicals and Compounding Innovation of the Year award for developing the first practical alternative to the antioxidant 6PPD after extensive research. Teijin Aramid was honoured with the Materials Innovation of the Year award for industrialisation of its high-performance Twaron Next para-aramid fibre. A collaborative R&D breakthrough by Goodyear and TNO, which integrates tyre intelligence directly into a vehicle's automatic emergency braking systems to enhance safety, won the R&D Breakthrough of the Year award. In manufacturing equipment, Comerio Ercole’s advanced modular calendering line, Zeus, won the Tire Manufacturing Innovation of the Year award. Uzer Makina, a long-time finalist, was finally named Tyre Industry Supplier of the Year.

The event also celebrated conceptual and product excellence. Michelin had a particularly successful evening, first winning the Tire Concept of the Year award for its Lunar Airless Wheel, designed to withstand the extreme conditions on the moon. The company then claimed the highly anticipated Tire of the Year award for its Primacy 5 Energy, a tyre noted by the jury for achieving top EU label ratings in most sizes while offering improved longevity and reduced emissions compared to its predecessor. In the final major category, Continental was named Tire Manufacturer of the Year for the second consecutive year and the fifth time overall, following a review of the top manufacturers' yearly contributions.

The awards also highlighted personal achievements within the field. The Young Scientist Prize for 2026 was presented to Max Dixey, a PhD student at Queen Mary University of London, for his compelling presentation on the effects of carbon black activators. Finally, a Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed upon Michelin’s Pascal Prost. A veteran engineer, researcher and long-time contributor to both the conference and the awards jury, Prost was celebrated by peers and colleagues for his enduring and significant impact on the tyre industry.

Matt Ross, Chairman of the awards and Editor-in-Chief of Tire Technology International, said, “As is now becoming the norm, this year’s awards were incredibly close. Continental and Michelin have picked up multiple awards and should be highly commended, but I’m also happy to see such an array of winners across the whole range of categories. The level of innovation on display across the tyre sector is staggering, and I hope that this year’s awards have captured even a hint of the groundbreaking work taking place to move this industry forward.”

On Frost’s achievement, Ross said, “For as long as I have worked on Tire Technology International and these awards, Pascal has been a valued contributor, a hugely appreciated advisor – and a wonderful sounding board. I would like to join with his peers and friends from across the industry in celebrating his phenomenal contribution to the tyre business.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

MRF has announced a significant move to expand its manufacturing footprint in southern India. The company revealed that it has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Tamil Nadu Government, facilitated through the state’s nodal investment promotion agency, Guidance. This preliminary agreement outlines the company’s intent to establish a greenfield manufacturing unit dedicated to the production of automotive tyres and related ancillary products. The proposed facility is planned for location within the SIPCOT Industrial Park situated in the Sivaganga District of Tamil Nadu.

As the agreement is currently non-binding, its progression to a final commitment is contingent upon several conditions. These include the Tamil Nadu government’s sanction of a bespoke incentive package, the provision of necessary infrastructure, the allotment of land and the securing of all requisite statutory approvals in accordance with applicable state laws.

According to the official statement released by MRF, the project, upon receiving all clearances and moving forward, envisions a substantial capital outlay. The estimated investment for this venture is projected to be approximately INR 53 billion, with the capital expenditure to be phased over a 12-year period. Beyond the financial injection into the region’s economy, the initiative is also anticipated to be a major source of employment, with expectations of creating direct job opportunities for around 1,000 individuals.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The second Sustainable Development (ESG) Industrial Ecosystem Innovation Competition for Chinese and Foreign Enterprises in Shanghai’s Pudong New Area recently concluded, with Sailun Group emerging as a distinguished honouree. Recognised for its collaborative ESG efforts with Vale, a global leader in metal and mining, Sailun received the prestigious ‘Innovative Model’ award, standing out as the sole tire company to achieve this recognition.

Organised jointly by the Shanghai Pudong Foreign-Invested Enterprises Association and the Shanghai Pudong Domestic-Funded Enterprises Association, the competition welcomed participation from companies registered and operating in the area, along with their partners. Invited by Vale Metals (Shanghai), Sailun took an active role by meticulously organising and presenting its innovative achievements in sustainable development. Through a structured application process highlighting solid practices and creative excellence, the company successfully secured the award.

Vale, one of the world’s foremost iron ore producers, maintains a longstanding strategic partnership with Sailun. Driven by a mutual dedication to sustainable supply chains, the two organisations have intensified collaboration, particularly in mining tyre supply. By integrating Sailun’s low-carbon tyre technologies, they inject environmental vitality into operations while enabling Vale to achieve refined efficiency through cutting-edge solutions. Their partnership exemplifies a synergistic model that harmonises efficiency, safety and low-carbon practices, serving as a standout case of ESG-driven empowerment across the industrial chain.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!