BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe Returns with New Engine & Featuresby Torque Tales / July 9, 2025MG M9 Review: India’s First Luxury Electric MPV
MG M9 Review: Your Lounge On the Go
As SUVs continue to dominate headlines, MPVs are quietly carving a luxury niche of their own. In this rising wave, MG has entered the battlefield with its most premium vehicle yet — the MG M9, an all-electric luxury MPV aimed squarely at India’s chauffeur-driven elite.
With rivals like the Kia Carnival (₹64 lakh) and Toyota Vellfire (₹1.22 crore) in sight, the MG M9 seeks to offer Vellfire-like comfort at a more accessible price. And though a full review is embargoed till July 10, we got to experience the most important aspect — the rear seat.
Key Highlights at a Glance
| Category | Score | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Seat Comfort | 9/10 | Recliner-style seats, massage, ventilation |
| Features & Tech | 9/10 | JBL audio, ambient lighting, air purifier |
| Refinement | 8/10 | Quiet electric drivetrain, low cabin noise |
| Ride Quality | 7/10 | Smooth at speed, busy at low speeds |
| Value (Est.) | 8/10 | Vellfire experience at a lower price |
Dimensions & Engineering: Big, Bold, and Electric
- Length: 5.27 metres
- Width: 2 metres
- Height: 1.8 metres
- Wheelbase: 3.2 metres
- Wheels: 19-inch alloy rims with Continental ContiSeal self-healing tyres
- Battery: 90kWh NMC, mounted underfloor
- Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive via a single front motor
The MG M9 dwarfs most MPVs in its class. Its sheer size not only commands presence but translates to a lavish interior space. Underneath the sculpted skin lies a monocoque platform with a flat floor for maximized interior room.
Rear Seat Comfort: A Business-Class Experience
Supremely Plush Middle Row (9/10)
The M9 doesn’t just have seats — it has armchairs. The middle-row captain seats are wide, deeply cushioned, and wrapped in a mix of suede and perforated leather. They offer:
- 16-way power adjust including recline, headrest, legrest & slide
- Ventilation, heating & massage (8 modes)
- One-touch memory settings for quick relaxation
- Panoramic rear sunroof
- Ambient lighting (64 colours)
- Dedicated middle-row climate zone
- Rear entertainment screens (accessory)
At full extension, with the legrest up and the back reclined, it feels no less than a business-class airline seat on wheels.
3rd Row Space: Practical, but Compromised
The third row, accessed through a pass-through between the middle-row seats, is spacious enough for three adults. However:
- No middle headrest or fold-down armrest
- Cramped legroom if middle-row seats are fully extended
- No sunshades for third-row windows
It’s best used occasionally, and definitely not with VIP-level comfort in mind.
Features & In-Cabin Tech: Loaded for Luxury (9/10)
MG has gone all out on creature comforts:
- 13-speaker JBL sound system
- Air purifier integrated
- Ambient lighting all around
- Control screen in the middle-row armrest
- Panoramic sunroof for rear occupants
- Electric sliding doors with controls on the fob, B-pillar & dashboard
However, a few misses stand out:
- Manual sunshades for second-row windows
- None for the third row
- The armrest-mounted control screen can be hard to read or reach in certain seat positions
Performance & Ride Quality
Refinement: Near Silent (8/10)
The M9 is whisper-quiet on the move, with well-isolated road and wind noise. There’s only a faint hum from the electric motor at crawling speeds.
Ride Comfort: Stiff at Low Speeds (7/10)
While high-speed stability is excellent, low-speed ride over bumps can feel a bit busy. The suspension is tuned more for poise than plushness — something MG could have softened for city driving.
Price & Verdict (Estimated: ₹90 Lakh)
The M9 will debut under MG’s new ‘MG Select’ premium retail network, sharing showroom floors with upcoming models like the Cyberster EV sports car.
Though MG hasn’t revealed pricing yet, expect it to slot between the Carnival and the Vellfire — around ₹90 lakh (ex-showroom).
Our Take: For the Chauffeur-Driven Elite
The MG M9 is unapologetically built around one mission — to pamper the rear seat occupant. And in that, it succeeds brilliantly. The sheer comfort, refinement, and electric mobility it offers could make it a go-to for CEOs, executives, and anyone who values true backseat luxury.
But MG’s biggest challenge might not be rivals — it’s brand perception. Will the MG badge command respect in the ₹90 lakh club? That’s the story to watch unfold.
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2025 Audi Q3: All You Need to Know Before India Debut
2025 Audi Q3 Revealed Globally: India Launch Expected Soon
Audi has officially taken the wraps off the third-generation Audi Q3 SUV, and it brings comprehensive updates in design, tech, and powertrain options. Positioned against the Mercedes-Benz GLA and BMW X1, the all-new Q3 is expected to arrive in India shortly after its global launch in September 2025.
Key Highlights of Audi Q3:
- New split LED headlamp design with pixel-shaped DRLs
- Redesigned cabin with Android Automotive OS
- Gear selector moved behind the steering wheel
- Four powertrain options, including a plug-in hybrid
- Illuminated Audi logo and OLED rear light bar
Bold New Look with Pixel Precision
The 2025 Audi Q3 has evolved with a design inspired by the new Q5. Up front, a large single-frame honeycomb grille commands presence, flanked by a new split-headlamp setup. The upper units feature pixel-style daytime running lights (DRLs), while the lower Matrix LED headlamps contain over 25,600 micro-LEDs, each thinner than a human hair.
From the side, body-colored cladding on the skirts and wheel arches replaces the outgoing blacked-out trim, creating a cleaner, premium appearance. Alloy wheels are offered in 17-inch to 20-inch sizes depending on the variant.
At the rear, the SUV now sports OLED tail-lamps with six dynamic light signatures and an illuminated Audi four-ring logo — a first in the Q3. The aggressive rear bumper neatly conceals the exhaust tips.
Cabin Tech Gets a Huge Upgrade of Audi Q3
Step inside, and the changes are even more significant. The new Q3 ditches its traditional gear lever from the center console and moves the selector behind the steering wheel, just like on EVs, liberating more storage space.
The dashboard layout now features a 12.8-inch touchscreen running Android Automotive OS, alongside an 11.9-inch digital driver display. The updated three-spoke steering wheel with capacitive touch controls brings a futuristic vibe to the driving experience.
Engine Options of Audi Q3: Turbo Power + Plug-In Hybrid
Audi is offering the 2025 Q3 with four engine options in international markets:
| Powertrain | Engine | Output | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (Base) | 1.5L Turbo | 150 hp | FWD |
| Petrol (Top-end) | 2.0L Turbo | 265 hp | AWD (Quattro) |
| Diesel | 2.0L TDI | 150 hp | FWD |
| Plug-in Hybrid | 1.5L TFSI + e-motor | 272 hp (combined) | FWD |
All variants come paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. The plug-in hybrid is likely to attract a lot of attention, especially for buyers seeking performance with fuel efficiency and low emissions.
India Launch Timeline & Expectations of Audi Q3
The India launch of the 2025 Audi Q3 is expected soon after its global rollout. While it’s too early to comment on pricing, expect a slight premium over the current-gen Q3, which starts around ₹45 lakh (ex-showroom).
The PHEV variant could make its way here too, given Audi India’s push towards electrification. Expect more details closer to the launch.
Our Thoughts
The new-gen Audi Q3 is a significant leap forward in terms of design sophistication, in-cabin tech, and powertrain diversity. With cutting-edge features like Android Automotive OS, pixel DRLs, and a plug-in hybrid variant, Audi’s premium compact SUV is poised to be a game-changer in its segment.
2025 Vinfast VF6 Review: A Feature-Rich EV for India
2025 Vinfast VF6 Review: Feature-Packed Curvv Rival Eyes the Indian EV Market
Vinfast is gearing up for a big debut in India, and it’s not coming in quietly. While the spotlight may initially shine on the larger Vinfast VF7, it’s the Vinfast VF6 that might just shake up the EV space where it matters the most—the midsize crossover segment. Competing with the likes of Hyundai’s upcoming Creta EV, Tata’s Curvv EV, Harrier EV, Mahindra’s BE 6, and MG’s Windsor, the VF6 enters a red-hot battlefield with a strong hand of features, design, and promising pricing.
Clean, Confident, and Crossover-Ready
The Vinfast VF6 doesn’t just wear the “crossover” badge—it owns it. With proportions that hit the midsize sweet spot (4.3m long, 1.8m wide, 1.6m tall), it comes across as muscular and planted. Vinfast’s now-signature ‘V-Face’ LED DRL layout stretches across the front, instantly catching the eye and building brand identity from day one.
Indian buyers get a few specific tweaks too: a raised ground clearance of 190mm and smaller but chunkier 18-inch wheels with thicker tyres for more presence and practicality. There’s plastic cladding around the wheel arches, and a unique C-pillar design that adds flair. The overall styling leans curvy but doesn’t lose its edge—modern, muscular, and premium without trying too hard.
Uncluttered Cabin, But with a Learning Curve
Step inside, and it’s clear that Vinfast has gone minimalist. There’s no traditional instrument cluster—just a wide, central 12.9-inch touchscreen doing almost all the heavy lifting. That includes showing driving data, controlling climate settings, and even adjusting the mirrors. Thankfully, a head-up display is standard in India, making up for the absence of a driver display. But yes, you’ll need a little time to get used to where everything lives on the screen.
The design, though, is refreshingly clean. A low dashboard enhances outward visibility, while the large fixed glass roof floods the cabin with light. Build quality feels solid overall, though a few plastics seem cost-conscious. Rear seat space is decent—not class-leading—but the comfort and cushioning are spot on.
Fully Loaded on Features & Safety
If features are what you care about, the Vinfast VF6 delivers in spades. You get ventilated front seats, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, dual-zone climate control, vegan leather upholstery, and even connected car tech. It’s all neatly bundled in a single, fully-loaded variant.
Safety hasn’t been compromised either. The Vinfast VF6 aims for a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating and brings in 7 airbags, ADAS with Level 2 autonomy, 360-degree cameras, park assist, and more. It’s got all the bells and whistles buyers expect in 2025—and then some.
Range & Charging: Promising, With India Tweaks Coming
Under the floor sits a 59.6kWh battery pack in the Plus variant, expected to be the only one offered here. The WLTP range is 480km, but with tuning tweaks for Indian conditions, we should wait for MIDC or ARAI certification for the final figure.
Charging speeds haven’t been officially disclosed yet, but the Vinfast VF6 supports CCS2 DC fast charging and AC charging up to 7.2kW. We expect competitive real-world charging performance.
On-Road Performance: Sporty Yet Refined
The Vinfast VF6 Plus is no slouch when it comes to performance. With 204hp and 310Nm of torque sent to the front wheels, 0–100km/h takes just under 9 seconds. In Sport mode, you do get a hint of torque steer, but for the most part, power delivery feels brisk and confident. Eco and Normal modes tame things down for everyday driving.
Driving impressions from Vinfast’s test track were positive—the Vinfast VF6 feels stable and planted, with a steering setup that offers noticeable weight changes across drive modes. There’s a European flavor to how the Vinfast VF6 handles, which should appeal to keen drivers.
Early Verdict: A Serious New Player with Few Misses
Vinfast has clearly done its homework. Local assembly, India-specific upgrades, and a spec list that leaves little to complain about—all of this makes the Vinfast VF6 a serious contender. If Vinfast can keep its promise of aggressive pricing (around ₹22 lakh ex-showroom is expected), the VF6 could ruffle feathers in the EV segment.
It’s not perfect—some may find the screen-reliant interface frustrating, and the rear seat isn’t the roomiest—but these feel like small trade-offs for what’s on offer. Plus, Vinfast isn’t just selling a car—they’re bringing a larger ecosystem with them, from service networks to potential infrastructure plays.
Bottom Line:
The VF6 has all the makings of a segment disruptor. If priced right, it won’t just compete with the Curvv EV or Creta Electric—it might just outshine them.
