April 01, 2026

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VINFAST MPV 7

VinFast is now moving on to its third vehicle for the Indian market, and this time it's a family MPV in the form of the VF MPV 7. Ahead of its launch in India on the 15th of April, we flew to VinFast's home in Haiphong to get a taste of the newest offering from one of the most disruptive new-generation automakers on the planet. The MPV 7 has two purposes in this country, based on what I've gathered so far. One, the obvious purpose is the family-focused seven-seater MPV for the consumer market; the second is to serve as the launchpad for GSM -- Vingroup's answer to Ola and Uber, specifically Uber Black. The latter is expected to unfold over the next few months, but first, let's take a look at the primary goal to undercut the likes of the Kia Caren's EV, Mahindra's XEV 9S and the BYD eMax 7The VF MPV 7 certainly makes its presence felt on the road. It outdoes the Kia Carens Clavis EV in size across all dimensions and frankly, and looks

MERCEDES-BENZ G450d

Few cars carry history the way the Mercedes-Benz G-Class does. Fewer still manage to wear that history so visibly. One glance at that upright stance, the flat panels, the exposed hinges, and you know exactly what you are looking at. What is remarkable is how little it has changed since 1979. Born as a military machine, the G-Class was engineered to be robust, dependable, and uncompromising. Luxury was never the priority. Yet over four decades, it has evolved into a symbol of opulence and desirability without ever letting go of its original brief. That balance is not easy to achieve, and even harder to maintain. It must be said, Mercedes-Benz puts a whole new meaning to thinking inside the box. In India, the diesel variants have always felt like the more sensible expression of the G. Visually, Mercedes-Benz has resisted the temptation to overstyle the G. The updates are minimal. A revised grille, updated steering wheel and subtle tweaks to the bumpers. There are new 20-inch AMG wheels to add to that list as well. Moreover, there are three different flavours of this legendary SUV - G450d, G580, which is the electric and costs Rs 20 lakh more than the former and full-fat AMG G 63, which retails at Rs 3.74 crore (ex-showroom). In fact, the G450d is only available in the AMG Line and has a sticker price of Rs 2.90 crore (ex-showroom). Step inside, and the sense of occasion is immediate. The door still shuts with that familiar, reassuring heft, and the locking mechanism still sounds like a well-oiled old school rifle being reloaded. You climb up rather than step in, settling into a high, commanding driving position that gives you a clear view of the road ahead and the edges of that flat bonnet. The cabin continues to blend rugged cues with modern luxury. The grab handle on the passenger side is a nod to its off-road roots, while the dual 12.3-inch screens are running the latest MBUX NTG7 software with nifty features like augmented reality navigation. Out on the road, the G450d begins to reveal the extent of its evolution. The first few kilometres in city traffic are telling. Despite its size and proportions, it does not feel as intimidating as it looks. The steering has weight, but it is consistent and