Auto News Weekly: Big Launches from Tata & Mahindra, Honda Amaze 5-Star Score, BMW Z4 Final Edition

2025 Tata Sierra Launched In India At Rs 11.49 Lakh

The reborn 2025 Tata Sierra is now on sale in India with prices starting at Rs 11.49 lakh (ex showroom), placing it above the Nexon and around the Creta, Seltos and Grand Vitara bracket. This new SUV blends the old Sierra’s iconic glass house look with a modern cabin, large screens and connected car tech aimed at family buyers

Key highlights

• Body Style- Premium SUV with a strong, upright stance and SUV-typical high ground clearance for better road presence and rough-road use
• Engines- Makes use of Tata’s latest 1.5 liter turbo-petrol and 2.0 liter diesel engines with manual and automatic gearbox choices giving you both power and long-distance comfort
• Features- Panoramic sunroof, digital cockpit, ADAS level safety tech and multiple airbags position it as a premium family SUV in the Indian automobile industry

Tata Sierra AWD And CNG Variants Coming Soon

Tata is also working on Tata Sierra AWD and Tata Sierra CNG options to expand the lineup for different types of users. These variants are expected after the initial ICE launch and will target buyers in both urban and semi urban areas

• AWD (All-Wheel Drive)- AWD sends power to all four wheels for better grip on bad roads or mild off-road trails which is useful for hill drives and monsoon conditions
• CNG Variant- A CNG SUV will give you lower running costs than petrol making the Sierra more attractive for high mileage users and fleet buyers

Mahindra XEV 9S 7-Seater Electric SUV Launched At Rs 19.95 Lakh

Mahindra has launched the Mahindra XEV 9S in India at a starting price of Rs 19.95 lakh (ex showroom) making it one of the first serious 7 seater electric SUV options in the country. This model is based on Mahindra’s all electric INGLO platform and is positioned as the EV twin of the XUV700

Key points you should know

• Seating And Role- Full 7 seater electric SUV meant as a family car with three row seating and SUV practicality
• Battery Options- Offered with 59 kWh, 70 kWh and 79 kWh battery packs giving a wide spread of range and price points for different users
• Range And Tech- Claimed long range (over 600 km in top trims), fast charging support and a tech heavy cabin with large screens and ADAS keeping it competitive with other new EVs

Mahindra Introduces 180 kW Fast Charger Network

Alongside its EV push Mahindra has started rolling out a 180 kW fast charger network to support models like the XEV 9S, BE 6 and 9E. This is a major step for India’s EV infrastructure which is key for faster adoption of electric vehicles

What this means for buyers-

• High-Speed Charging- A 180 kW DC fast charger can add a large amount of charge in a short time, cutting wait times during highway trips with large-battery EVs
• Better Long-Trip Usability- With this network, Mahindra EV owners can plan inter-city travel more confidently, closer to how you would use a diesel or petrol SUV

Mahindra BE 6 Formula E Edition Starts At Rs 23.69 Lakh

Mahindra has also introduced the Mahindra BE 6 Formula E Edition at Rs 23.69 lakh (ex-showroom) as a sportier, motorsport themed version of its electric SUV. It is built to celebrate Mahindra’s Formula E racing program

Key details

• Design Changes- Gets race-inspired styling, sharper bumpers, special wheels, and unique color and trim elements to stand out from the standard BE 6
• Battery And Range- Uses a 79 kWh battery with a claimed driving range of about 682 km, appealing to EV buyers who want both style and long-distance capability
• Target Buyer- Aimed at enthusiasts who want an EV that looks sporty and premium but still offers good range and daily usability

Honda Amaze (3rd Gen) Gets 5-Star Bharat NCAP Rating

The thirdgeneration Honda Amaze has scored a 5star Bharat NCAP safety rating, which is the highest rating available under India’s new crash test program. This is big news for sedan buyers who care about safety

Why this matters for buyers

• Bharat NCAP- This is India’s own safety test program that rates cars on crash protection, helping you compare models on real safety instead of just features
• Impact For Segment- A 5-star Amaze raises the bar in the compact sedan segment and puts pressure on rivals to improve structure, airbags and active safety features like ESC and ADAS

BMW Z4 Convertible Bows Out With Final Edition

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BMW has announced the BMW Z4 Final Edition which marks the end of Z4 convertible production globally. The roadster will continue in limited numbers till around March 2026, after which there is no confirmed direct successor​

Highlights of the Final Edition

• Special Finish- The Z4 Final Edition gets an exclusive Frozen matte black paint, red brake calipers and unique badging and trim inside and outside to mark its last run
• Interior Touches- Alcantara and leather mix upholstery, red contrast stitching and special scuff plates give it a more focused sports car feel
• India Status- Regular Z4 models like the M40i and Pure Impulse Edition remain on sale in India for now priced from about Rs 87.9 lakh to Rs 92.6 lakh (ex showroom)