May 01, 2026

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Premium

RANGE ROVER VELAR

There are luxury SUVs that rely on spectacle to make an impression, and then there are Range Rovers. Vehicles that have spent decades building their identity around elegance, restraint and unmistakable presence rather than exaggerated styling or outright aggression. The Range Rover Velar has always embodied that philosophy better than most modern luxury SUVs. Even today, nearly a decade after it first appeared, the Velar still looks remarkably contemporary, and that design purity remains its greatest strength.The introduction of the Autobiography trim in 2025 gave the Velar extra depth from a features standpoint. Historically, the Autobiography badge has represented the pinnacle of luxury within the Range Rover family. It is a name associated with craftsmanship, richer materials and elevated comfort rather than aggressive styling packages or performance upgrades. On larger Range Rovers, Autobiography models have traditionally delivered the most complete ownership experience. Bringing that philosophy to the Velar, therefore, feels less like an optional trim level and more like the version the SUV should perhaps have always been. The changes themselves are meaningful rather than cosmetic. Compared to the earlier Dynamic SE trim, the Autobiography introduces electronic air suspension, 20-way electrically adjustable front seats with massage functionality, suedecloth headlining, richer Windsor leather upholstery, Terrain Response 2, a Meridian 3D surround sound system and additional luxury detailing throughout the cabin. It also reintroduces the diesel powertrain alongside the petrol option, broadening the Velar's appeal considerably. Combined with revised pricing thanks to the India-UK FTA, the Velar feels better positioned.Visually, the Autobiography trim remains subtle in execution, which suits the Velar perfectly. Burnished Copper accents around the exterior, revised 20-inch 10-spoke alloy wheel designs and carefully curated finishes add sophistication without disturbing the SUV's clean aesthetic. Step inside and the Velar immediately delivers the sense of occasion expected from a Range Rover. The cabin remains one of the most beautifully designed interiors in the segment because it focuses on atmosphere rather than visual overload. The dashboard architecture is minimalist yet warm, with layered surfaces and clean integration replacing the button-heavy layouts still found in several rivals, which can be a downside for purists. However, material quality is impressive throughout. The Autobiography variant gets four interior trim options, out of which my favourite has to be the dark maroon with black inserts. There are six colour options for the exterior, and the Batumi Gold has to be the classiest one of the lot.Technology integration is equally polished. The 11.3-inch touchscreen sits neatly within the dashboard, and the latest infotainment system feels far smoother and more intuitive than older JLR interfaces. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, configurable ambient lighting, four-zone climate control and the excellent 12-speaker Meridian audio system all contribute to the sense of luxury. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster also looks fantastic and has minimal fonts and design elements, which I love. The cabin succeeds because everything feels cohesive rather than excessive. While the minimalist design looks fantastic, the complete reliance on touchscreen controls quickly becomes irksome during everyday driving. Basic functions that ideally should have dedicated physical buttons now require interaction through menus and submenus on the screen. The interface itself is responsive enough, but there is still something fundamentally intuitive about physical controls that the Velar sacrifices in pursuit of design purity. The cabin can also feel slightly cocooned. The high window line and relatively enclosed layout reduce the sense of airiness, particularly for rear passengers. Darker

BMW F 450 GS

The G 310 GS was never quite the motorcycle it should have been. Decent enough for a learner, but wearing the GS badge felt aspirational rather than earned. BMW Motorrad knew it, riders knew it, and if motorcycles could talk, the G 310 GS would probably have admitted it too. Enter the F 450 GS. This isn't a facelift or a partsbin update. It is a ground-up, all-new motorcycle, and critically, one that is entirely designed, developed and manufactured in India by TVS at its Hosur facility. No other motorcycle in this segment can claim to carry the DNA of a legendary adventure bike lineage while being completely built on home soil. That alone makes the F 450 GS one of the most significant motorcycle launches of 2026, and the pressure on it to deliver is enormous.Stand next to the F 450 GS, and the GS family resemblance is unmistakable. The iconic flyline sweeps from front to rear, the distinctive front beak references its bigger siblings, and the X-shaped LED headlight, borrowed directly from the R 1300 GS, makes an immediate statement. On paper and in photographs, the F 450 GS looks properly imposing. In person, however, the motorcycle is noticeably compact. For those who have spent time around the F 850 GS or the R 1300 GS, the baby GS will look and feel like a significantly smaller machine. That is not necessarily a negative, but it is something to be aware of, particularly if you are buying based on how it looks in press images. What impresses in the metal is the quality. Panel fits are tight, switchgear is borrowed from more expensive BMW Motorrad models, and the overall finish is a genuine step above what the G 310 GS ever offered.