Smashing 24-hour endurance records in the Volkswagen Virtus, an indigenous Mahindra ALSV and plenty of Audis and Porsches in the April 2024 issue of evo India

We also have the reviews of the new Porsche Panamera, Hyundai Creta N Line, BMW iX xDrive50, Range Rover Sport SV and the Toyota Rumion
Smashing 24-hour endurance records in the Volkswagen Virtus, an indigenous Mahindra ALSV and plenty of Audis and Porsches in the April 2024 issue of evo India

We’re back to smashing records again! The April 2024 issue of evo India is headlined by our epic record-setting adventure in Volkswagen’s Virtus and Taigun. We’ve smashed the national record for the most distance covered in 24 hours in the Virtus GT and set over 300 other records in the process. This truly showcased the strengths of Indian manufacturing and German engineering, with the 1.5-litre TSI-quipped Virtus smashing a record set by an SUV with a larger 2-litre engine. Driving for 24 hours non-stop with breaks only to fuel up and swap drivers is incredibly strenuous on both man and machine. This is a tale of perseverance, grit and pushing through adversity to come out on top.

Plenty of reviews in this issue – we have driven the new Porsche Panamera, Hyundai Creta N Line, BMW iX xDrive50, BMW XM, Range Rover Sport SV and Toyota Rumion. We also got behind the wheel of the 911 Dakar on ice in Finland, got a sneak peek at the Audi Q6 e-tron and we also bring you an exclusive drive experience of the Mahindra Armado ALSV (Armoured Light Specialist Vehicle), the first vehicle of its kind to be made specifically for the armed forces. Celebrating our favourite mid-engined cars, we compare the Ferrari F430, Lamborghini Gallardo, McLaren 650S and Audi R8 V10. We take an in-depth look at the 512 BB/LM and also take a Porsche 718 Spyder RS on a road trip. Speaking of road trips, we take you to the deserts of Rajasthan to teach you how to go dune bashing in the Jimny. The latest edition of the Audi Experience x Club Rewards Drive saw over 35 Audis converge on an airstrip in the heart of Mumbai for an adrenaline-fuelled evening. An outstanding car from last month’s The Oberoi Concours d’Elegance was the BMW 328. In our two-wheels section, you will find the first ride reviews of the Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle and the Hero Xtreme 125R. We also got to go behind the scenes at Hero’s Neemrana plant to see how a Harley Davidson X440 comes to life. 

All this and more in the April 2024 issue of evo India – get your copy here

Porsche Panamera

The Gen 3 Porsche Panamera has some clever tech in it including the Porsche Active Ride system. With fresh styling, updated interiors and tweaked drivetrains, we put Porsche’s family car through its paces before its India launch.

Hyundai Creta N Line

The sportier iteration of the new Creta is finally here and brings with it changes in styling updates, interior tweaks and mechanical changes to the steering and suspension. Is this the best Creta to hit the roads yet? We drive it on the Jaipur-Delhi Expressway to find out.

Audi Q6 e-tron

Based on the new PPE platform that was co-developed with Porsche, the new Audi Q6 e-tron boasts a claimed range of 625km on a single charge, with the possibility of adding 255km worth of range in just 10 mins. This is truly the next step for EVs from Audi. Should we be excited? Read the story and find out!

VW 24-hour endurance run

4384.73km. That is the record we needed to beat in the Virtus GT to set a new national record. It seemed like an uphill task, having to average over 193kmph to do so. However, these VWs have always punched above their weight. Driving flat out for 24 hours, the Virtus GT along with the Taigun sent records tumbling and etched its name into the history books. We smashed over 300 national records in the process, including the most distance covered in 24 hours. This is not a story you want to miss!

Mahindra Armado ALSV

With a bulletproof cabin, advanced communication systems, and a 3.2-litre Steyr engine that is manufactured in Chakan, the Armado embodies the spirit of national pride and resilience, symbolising India's ascent as a global leader in defence manufacturing. But there’s a lot more to this than what meets the eye. We’re the first civilians to get behind the wheel of the Armado, so don’t miss this exclusive drive review in the latest issue of the magazine. 

Ferrari F430 v Lamborghini Gallardo v McLaren 650S v Audi R8 V10

Want a mid-engined car but don’t have the cash to splash on a new one? We take a trip back to the last decade for this 2000bhp, 36-cylinder comparison test with some of the best, most desirable mid-engined cars from a time gone by. This truly is a celebration of the most perfect format of car! 

Ferrari 512 BB/LM

Seven years after a mid-engined Lambo came out, Ferrari introduced its first mid-engined car and called it the 365 GT4 BB. BB stood for – Berlinetta Boxer. That car gave birth to one of the most iconic Ferrari race cars called the 512 BB/LM. In this story, we go deep within its roots and understand what made this car such a fierce competitor.

Porsche 718 Spyder RS

The Col de Turini is one of the most widely loved stages of the rally world. Appearing in the Monte Carlo Rally, it was a very challenging stage, not only because of its technical nature but also because of the weather conditions that could range from dry, wet, snow to plain ice. We took a Porsche 718 Spyder RS to see how a modern mid-engined sports car would fare up the mountain.

BMW XM

The XM is the most powerful, heaviest, and quite possibly the most polarising M car to ever exist. Then, there’s the powertrain. On one hand, you have electric motors and on the other… a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8. BMW’s performance plug-in hybrid is a beast in more ways than one. Read the full story in this issue. 

ABC of Off-roading part 8: Dune bashing

We have all seen social media clips of Arabs going crazy in the desert with their SUVs and pickups. Ever fancied doing the same? Well, in India, you can! In part 8 of the ABC of Off-roading series, we take you to Rajasthan for a lesson on how to kick up some sand. We tell you how to prepare for your adventure in the desert, what to carry, dos and don’ts, and most importantly, how to get back home safely.

911 Dakar on ice

What’s better than driving a 911 Dakar? Driving a 911 Dakar on ice! We were invited to the Porsche Ice Force ice driving experience, an advanced driver training programme that teaches the attendees how to gracefully dance with the Dakar on ice. Few things come close to how much fun this is! 

Audi Experience x Club Rewards Drive

Mumbai’s Audi owners got a real taste of thrill with this edition of the Audi Experience x Club Rewards Drive. Over 150 participants came to the Juhu airstrip in the heart of Mumbai to finally let loose their fast Audis on a drag strip, autocross track and also an off-road track.

BMW 328

This is BMW’s first performance-oriented roadster, a car that got them running up against the French, Italian and British sports cars of that era. It went on to win many accolades, one of them being the Mille Miglia. We get up close and personal with this icon.

Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle

The Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle is the newest scrambler in the market. With its 803cc engine, it is the perfect antidote to big ADVs and the ideal upgrade from the slew of sub-500 Scramblers that have recently hit our market. This year it gets a refreshed design, enhanced performance, and improved handling. Read our review in the April 2024 issue.

Hero Xtreme 125R

We push this tiny brawler to its limits on Pune's challenging roads, discovering how well it carries the Xtreme name. The bike handles well and features a powertrain that packs a punch. But it's got more – a sporty design, solid build quality, and unbeatable pricing. 

Harley-Davidson plant visit

Dive into the craftsmanship that goes behind India’s smallest Harley, as we got a chance to visit the Hero plant in Neemrana. 

TVS Racing Diaries: TVS One Make Championship 

Round one of the TVS One Make Championship has just ended in Thailand and India’s Sarthak Chavan is making waves. The 17-year-old got a podium in both races and seems well-positioned to fight for wins. 

Tuned: Toyota Hilux

This customised Hilux gets loads of GR and TRD accessories, elevating its off-road prowess and urban appeal. From a blacked-out exterior with enhanced lighting to a tech-filled interior adorned with carbonfibre accents, and even a remap to bump up performance, this Hilux is a head-turner both on and off the road.

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