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Kia Recalls Over 460,000 Telluride SUVs Over Fire Risk

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Kia America has issued a major safety recall affecting 462,869 units of the 2020–2024 Telluride SUV due to a potential fire risk linked to the power seat mechanism. Owners have been advised to park their vehicles outdoors and away from structures until the issue is fixed. This recall, registered under NHTSA campaign number 26V430000, is notably a follow-up to an earlier action in 2024. However, Kia has now confirmed that the previous fix may not have fully resolved the problem—and in some cases, could have contributed to overheating concerns. The root cause lies in the front power seat controls. If the seat slide knob or cover is accidentally knocked out of position, it can misalign the switch. This may cause the seat motor to run continuously, generating excessive heat and, in extreme cases, leading to a fire. Kia has reported seven fire incidents and 11 cases of seat motor melting so far. To address the issue, the automaker will install a new electronic fuse sys...

Mini Cooper Oxford Edition Marks 25 Years of Oxford Plant Production

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BMW Group is celebrating 25 years of modern Mini production at its Oxford plant with the launch of the Mini Cooper Oxford Edition. This special model is based on the three-door Cooper and will be offered in both Cooper C and Cooper S variants. The Oxford facility has been central to Mini’s modern era since 2001, sitting on the same historic grounds where the original Mini first rolled out back in 1959. This new edition pays tribute to that legacy with a distinctly British design theme. On the outside, the Oxford Edition stands out with a Union Jack graphic on the contrasting white roof, paired with a bold red and white stripe running across the car. Buyers can choose from three exterior shades—Chili Red, Indigo Sunset Blue, and Blazing Blue. White mirror caps and 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels with unique detailing complete the look. Step inside, and the British theme continues. The steering wheel and driver-side floor mat feature Union Jack accents, while the pas...

Audi Nuvolari Takes a Go at Goodwood Hill Climb Circuit

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Audi has given the world its first proper look at the Nuvolari supercar in action, running a near-production prototype up the iconic Goodwood Hillclimb. Behind the wheel was nine-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen, adding serious pedigree to the debut. This marks the first time the hybrid supercar has been seen at speed in public. The Nuvolari is set to be Audi’s most powerful and fastest production model yet, while also introducing the brand’s new design direction. Production will be strictly limited to 499 units, with deliveries expected to begin in the first half of 2027. While full technical details are still under wraps, early figures suggest a combined fuel consumption of 11.3 l/100 km, alongside an electric energy usage of 7.8 kWh/100 km—highlighting its hybrid credentials. Goodwood also served as a stage for Audi’s heritage. The company showcased the Auto Union Lucca, a recreated 1930s racing saloon that originally set a flying-start mile record of over 32...

Volkswagen Tayron Life Launched in India at ₹41.99 Lakh

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Volkswagen has expanded the Tayron lineup in India with the introduction of a more accessible ‘Life’ variant, priced at ₹41.99 lakh (ex-showroom). Positioned below the sportier R-Line, this version focuses on comfort and features while retaining the SUV’s core strengths. The Tayron is a sizeable 5-seater, measuring 4,792 mm in length with a 2,789 mm wheelbase. It offers an impressive 885 litres of boot space, which can be expanded to 2,090 litres with the rear seats folded—making it a practical choice for long trips. On the outside, the Life trim gets connected LED headlamps and tail-lamps, 18-inch ‘Bologna’ alloy wheels, and illuminated VW badges. Subtle touches like projection lighting from the ORVMs and lit door handle recesses add a premium feel. Step inside, and the cabin is loaded with tech. A 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay takes centre stage, alongside a 10.24-inch digital instrument cluster. The leath...

E20-E85 Ready Flex-Fuel Yamaha FZ Launched in India

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India Yamaha Motor has introduced the FZ Blue Flex, bringing flex-fuel technology to its popular FZ lineup. Priced at ₹1,24,240 (ex-showroom, Delhi), the new model marks a step toward cleaner mobility and reduced dependence on conventional fuels. At its core is the familiar 149cc, air-cooled, fuel-injected engine, now engineered to run on ethanol blends ranging from E20 to E85. This flexibility aligns with India’s growing focus on alternative fuels, while retaining the performance and reliability the FZ series is known for. The engine produces 8.6 kW of power and 12.8 Nm of torque, paired with a smooth 5-speed gearbox. Visually, the FZ Blue Flex stays true to its sporty roots. It features a full-LED projector headlamp with integrated position lights, a muscular fuel tank with aerodynamic touches, and a compact exhaust. A single-piece seat and sharp LED tail lamp round off its modern design. The bike rides on telescopic front forks and a rear swingarm setup, offer...

350 Renault Trucks Running Around The Clock In Guinea Mines

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Renault Trucks has celebrated a decade-long partnership with UMS United Mining Supply, supporting large-scale bauxite mining operations in Guinea. The collaboration has grown significantly since its inception in 2016, with over 600 trucks delivered and 350 Renault Trucks K models currently in active service. Operating in the demanding Boké region, these trucks run around the clock, transporting bauxite from mines to port facilities. The conditions are tough, and the workload is relentless—each vehicle covers more than 190,000 km annually. Combined, the fleet has clocked over 66 million kilometres, underlining the scale of operations. Keeping this massive fleet running smoothly is no small task. Over 150 in-house mechanics work in rotating shifts, supported by a dedicated spare parts inventory managed in coordination with Renault Trucks. This ensures high uptime despite the harsh terrain and heavy-duty usage. Technology plays a key role as well. Monthly analysis of...

VinFast Advances Level 2++ ADAS with New AI Partnership

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VinFast is pushing ahead with next-generation driver assistance tech, developing enhanced Level 2+ and Level 2++ systems for its upcoming vehicles. Early pilot testing of the more advanced Level 2++ setup is already underway on the VF 8 and VF 9 SUVs. The Vietnamese automaker is working closely with AI specialist Autobrains to bring this vision to life. The partnership focuses on two parallel goals—upgrading ADAS features on current production models, and building a future-ready concept known as the Robo-Car. At the heart of the Robo-Car system is a camera-based approach. It uses seven production-grade cameras paired with a compact, high-performance computing unit capable of handling around 20 trillion operations per second. Interestingly, VinFast is skipping expensive hardware like LiDAR and high-definition maps. Instead, it relies on Autobrains’ Agentic AI and Air-to-Road localisation, which blends real-time camera input with satellite data to understand surroundi...