March 01, 2026

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Premium

MERCEDES-BENZ CLA EV

At the last Auto Expo, a sleek sedan draped in an incredible shade of red took centre stage at the Mercedes-Benz pavilion. It was the Mercedes CLA Electric concept. Now, a year later, the company is all set to launch the CLA BEV in India, and we are happy to report that it still looks as gorgeous as the concept version. But what more does it pack in? Let's find outThe Mercedes-Benz CLA BEV is a ravishing-looking thing. Mercedes is offering a plethora of snazzy colours, including some exclusive shades under the Mercedes-Benz MANUFAKTUR programme. The red you see in these pictures is one of them, called Patagonia Red. It's a real showstopper and suits the sleek, low-slung sedan perfectlyThe front end is dominated by a set of LED headlamps that feature a distinctive star pattern. The grille, too, carries the same motif, adding to the car's visual identity. The bumper sits flush with the bodywork and houses large vents that aid aerodynamicsIn profile, the sweeping roofline defines this four-door sedan beautifully. The 18-inch AMG Line alloys do a great job of filling out the flared wheel arches, while the pillarless doors are a highlight, further reinforcing the coupe-inspired design. The elegant C-pillar flows seamlessly into the rear section, where the star-pattern LED tail-lamps make another appearanceBefore we move on to other aspects, it's worth noting that a closer look around the car reveals a host of radars, sensors and cameras that support modern driving aids. The CLA Electric is also equipped with the latest Gen 6 ADAS suite, which has been adapted for Indian driving conditions.

DRIVERS OF Change

Ten thousand kilometres ago, this was just a route on a map. A clean line drawn with intent, connecting cities that seemed too different to belong to the same story. Mumbai to Bhopal, Udaipur to Delhi, climbing into Gangtok, dropping to Visakhapatnam, sweeping through Coimbatore, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Goa and back again. It looked ambitious, but distant like something to be completed, not experienced. That illusion lasted all of a few hours. Because the moment you leave Mumbai, the journey asserts itself. Traffic compresses space instantly, forcing awareness, demanding precision. There is no gentle introduction here. You are thrown straight into the deep end of Indian driving, where anticipation matters more than reaction. The first few hours are always the hardest. Your senses sharpen, your rhythm adjusts, and you begin to understand that this drive will demand as much from you as you expect from it. The noise, the movement, the unpredictability of it all become a kind of initiation, one that prepares you for everything that lies ahead. And it is in this chaos that the Mahindra XUV 7X0 quietly begins to prove its worth. You approach, and before you even reach for the handle, it recognises you. Approach unlock brings it to life in a way that feels intuitive rather than indulgent. Step away later, and it secures itself without input. Walk away lock becomes second nature. These are not features that demand your attention, but over the course of this journey, they begin to define your rhythmAs the city loosens its grip, the road stretches outward and the night takes over. Visibility drops, uncertainty rises, and the drive shifts from reactive to instinctive. This is where the environment begins to test both driver and machine, where clarity becomes the difference between confidence and hesitation. The ice cube fog lamps and cornering lamps step in here with a kind of quiet precision. They do not flood the road with unnecessary light. Instead, they illuminate exactly what you need to see, the edges, the curves, the unseen movement just beyond your immediate