The August 2023 issue of evo India is out on stands now.evo India

Jimny vs Thar, smashing the 24-hour records, full-sends with a bunch of Lamborghinis and plenty of first drives and rides in the August 2023 issue of evo India

In depth reviews of the Lamborghini Sterrato, Honda Elevate, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Citroen C3 Aircross, Hyundai Exter, Kia Seltos, Audi Q8 e-tron and much more

Maruti Suzuki Jimny or Mahindra Thar? That’s the big question we are asking in the August issue of evo India by taking the 4x4s on road, off-road and even to the drag strip. The action packed issue is also headlined by sideways action, on gravel, with the mental Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato. We then travel to the sacred hills of Modena, Italy’s Motor Valley, to full-send the Huracan Tecnica, Urus Performante and Urus S. Also in the issue, we smash the 20 year old 24 hour speed endurance records for motorcycles with the TVS Apache RR 310 shod on one set of Apollo Alpha H1 tyres.

Plenty of new cars have hit showrooms in the past month and we’ve reviewed them all. The list includes the Honda Elevate, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Audi Q8 e-tron, Hyundai Exter, Citroen C3 Aircross, Kia Seltos, Range Rover SV and also Maruti’s most expensive car – the Invicto. We also drove the Porsche Cayenne through the North East, tested the Ultraviolette F77 on the street, and also checked if the Ather 450S offers a proper Ather experience. We’ve also got something the kids will love – the made-in-India Atom GP1 mini motorcycle.

All this and more in the August 2023 issue of evo India – get your copy today and avail of up to 40 per cent discounts with the limited period Freedom Sale!

Maruti Suzuki Jimny vs Mahindra Thar

Yes it’s tiny. Yes it’s underpowered. Yes it’s softly sprung. And yet the Jimny poses a serious threat to the dominance of the Thar in the 4x4 segment. We pit the two together, down the drag strip, round our favourite corners, over bumpy roads and of course through off-road sections to find out which of these enthu-cutlets should be your pick.

The Jimny poses a serious threat to the dominance of the Thar.evo India

24-hour speed endurance record

For 20 years the 24-hour FMSCI Indian National Record set by the editors of this magazine with the Karizma stood strong. Then last year a new India Book of Record was set on a 1200cc motorcycle. And now we’ve broken both records with the TVS Apache RR 310. And to top it all we set the record using one set of Apollo Alpha H1 tyres. This is the story of grit, determination and endurance of both man and machine – to hit the ultimate 24-hour records.

This is the story of grit, determination and endurance of both man and machine.evo India

Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato

Sunny California, a dirt track in the desert, and a supercar with rally intentions. The Huracan Sterrato marks the final send off for the epic V10 engine, shrieking to 8500rpm in a chassis that has rally slapped all over it. Think of this as a V10 rally-cross car, that you probably can’t afford. Fun fact: There’s more than a couple of Sterratos coming to Indian shores.

It is like a V10 rally-cross car.evo India

60 years of Lamborghini

The editor travelled to Italy to visit the Lamborghini museum, interview Lamborghini’s head of design, tour the manufacturing facilities, but most of all drive up hallowed roads in the hills of Modena in the Urus Performante, Urus S and Huracan Tecnica.

A dream vacation in simple terms.evo India

Mercedes-Benz GLC 300

Merc’s best-selling SUV is back with a whole new generation, and expectations are high. We got the turbo-petrol (now a mild hybrid) for the test and Hampi was the location of choice.

All the powertrain options on the GLC are now mild hybrids.evo India

Honda Elevate

The mid-size SUV market is as hot as ever. Almost every brand has a model in this space. Almost. Finally, Honda has an answer to the Creta, Seltos and other mid-size SUVs. Has the wait been worth it?

The Elevate is Honda's answer to the Creta and the Seltos.evo India

Audi Q8 e-tron

The e-tron gets a few upgrades, the least significant of which is the Q8 suffix. It now has a larger battery, more power, more torque, more power, tighter suspension and updated styling. Can it be the only luxury car for your garage?

The newer Q8 e-tron sports the 2D Audi logo.evo India

Hyundai Exter

With 50,000 bookings the micro-SUV has taken the market by storm! Is the Punch rival worthy of the hype? And does it do justice to the SUV tag?

Has the Tata Punch finally met its match?evo India

Citroen C3 Aircross

In an incredibly crowded market, the C3 Aircross does stand out – for the unique 5+2 seating layout, but also for missing out on many features we would have expected to be standard equipment. However, skimping on those features could lower the cost to the point where people will have no option but to take Citroen seriously.

The C3 misses out on many featurs that are common nowadays.evo India

Kia Seltos

More features, a panoramic sunroof, a digital cluster, an electronic parking brake, and a new 1.5 turbo-petrol engine are just some of the updates to the Kia Seltos.

The updated Seltos now offers more features than before.evo India

Maruti Suzuki Invicto

Say hello to Maruti’s most premium offering yet – the Invicto. It is based on the Innova HyCross and the question we are asking is whether you should pick an Innova with a Suzuki or Toyota badge on the nose.

Is the Invicto more than just a badge-engineered Toyota?evo India

Range Rover SV

Rs 4.17 crore. As expensive as a Lambo Urus. Yes, it is powered by a 4.4-litre turbo-petrol V8. Yes, it gets reclining seats with a massage function on either side of the champagne fridge. But should you buy one?

At Rs 4.17 crore, the SV is certainly priced like the best SUV there is. But is it the best?evo India

Porsche Cayenne

On a drive to one of the wettest places in the world and through the beautiful twisties in the North East, we discover the impressive balance the updated Cayenne strikes between sportiness and comfort. We also list out some of the options that you should choose if you ever plan to buy one.

The Porshce Cayenne comes with updated styling all around.evo India

E Fuels

BMW is forging ahead with trials of its hydrogen fuel cell-powered electric iX5, now having spent over four years in testing. A key advantage to a hydrogen-powered car is that it is like ‘an EV with fast charging’ fully refilling the iX5 with 6kg of compressed hydrogen takes only five minutes, about the same as filling a petrol or diesel car, and gives 500km of range, We try it on the road and also assess Toyota’s new hydrogen-fuelled racing concept – GR H2 Racing Concept.

Find out if hydrogen-powered cars an alternative to electric cars or not.evo India

TUNED: Maruti Suzuki Jimny

The Jimny has taken the tuner community by storm with every major shop working their own magic on the little Suzuki 4x4. We’ve compiled six of the best we’ve seen so far with everything from G-Class-like body kits to performance parts, lift kits and oversized wheels.

Everyday there's a new modded Jimny on the streets. We take a look at a few.evo India

Audi Experience x Club Rewards Drive

25 Audi RS, S and e-trons assembled at the Kari Motor Speedway for a super-fast track day instructed by Team evo India. Along with driver training and hot laps, we also laid out a drag race for customers to experience the true potential of their fast Audis.

Along with driver training and hot laps, we also laid out a drag race for the customers.evo India

Lexus Nature Electrified design contest

Ratin Mohan has won the Nature Electrified design contest with a livery that encompasses the five elements of nature. The design was revealed on the NX 350h at a Lexus Life at the Lexus New Delhi GEC on Nature Conservation Day with the hybrid SUV now set to visit various Lexus GECs across the country.

Ratin Mohan's livery encompasses the five elements of nature.evo India

Exploring India’s new expressways

For the second instalment of the Hyundai Great Driving Roads (expressways) series, we head to Karnataka to discover the Bengaluru – Mysuru highway. The NH 275 reduces the time between the two cities to just 75 minutes from three hours. Our car of choice? The 1.5-litre CVT Verna.

The NH 275 reduces the time between the two cities to just 75 minutes.evo India

Goodwood Festival of Speed

Few automotive festivals in the world are as prestigious as the Goodwood FOS. Crores worth of classic cars, race cars and ultra-exclusive hypercars flock there from around the world to celebrate what we all love. Not to mention, there are off-road vehicles, race bikes and even trucks. Truly an experience of a lifetime.

Crores worth of classic cars, race cars and ultra-exclusive hypercars can be seen parked at the FOS.evo India

Triber Adventures series: Part four, Windsurfing

For this adventure, we went to Rameswaram, the birthplace of former president and India’s rocket man APJ Abdul Kalam. The goal was to learn windsurfing and stand up paddleboard. The Triber turned out to be the perfect partner, not only to take us to the destination but also to bring our injured correspondent back home.

The Triber turned out to be the perfect partner with its commendable boot size.evo India

Ultraviolette F77

The only performance-oriented electric motorcycle in the country also comes with the biggest battery. But because the motor is tuned keeping enthusiastic riding in mind, the overall feel of the motorcycle is very different compared to other e-bikes. We rode it for a week testing out its handling, performance, comfort and range.

The F77 is the only performance-oriented electric motorcycle in the country.evo India

Ather 450S

There's a new model in the Ather range with a smaller battery, less range and less power. Does it still retain the character of the Athers that we know and love?

The 450S comes with a smaller battery compared to the 450X.evo India

Atom GP1 mini motorcycle kit

Here’s a mini bike aimed at children between ages 10 and 17. In terms of spec, it gets a 158cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine which produces 14.8bhp and 13.85Nm of peak torque. The transmission is a five-speed gearbox with GP-style shifting (one up, four down). But more important than all that, is what it represents. A really good effort to promote motorsport at the grassroots level in India.