Life & Style

The MMA Choir
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There’s something about seeing a concept car under the spotlights that no slide deck or PDF can ever capture. At Mahindra’s big reveal in Mumbai, the air was thick with expectation — not only because the company had promised “a new era of SUVs,” but because this was the first time we were going to see the NU_IQ platform made real.

From the rugged Vision T to the edgy Vision SXT, Mahindra’s concepts fuse classic SUV toughness with a futuristic twist.
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Special Arrangement

On paper, NU_IQ sounded ambitious: a modular base that could run petrol, diesel, hybrid or EV power, carry different body styles, and even switch between left- and right-hand drive. In person, that ambition took shape through four very different concepts, each making its case for what Mahindra’s SUV future looks like.

One Platform – 4 Distinct Machines

The NU_IQ story was told not through charts but by the sheer variety of metal on stage. What struck me most was how each concept looked nothing like the other, yet all them sat on the same skeleton. The engineers made it clear: this wasn’t just a “skateboard for EVs,” but a genuinely flexible foundation where ICE and EV versions of the same model could be built side by side.

Vision S — A more sophisticated take on the Scorpio formula — upright stance, muscular shoulders, but with international polish and a cabin ready for global rivals.
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Special Arrangement

That point came hit home when they wheeled out the Vision T — unmistakably the next-generation Thar, but this time in five-door form. Taller and more planted than the current model, it felt more grown-up without losing its utilitarian charm. You could picture a rugged diesel 4×4 tackling a Himalayan pass, but Mahindra just as confidently talked about an all-electric Thar with instant torque for boulder-crawling. The idea that both versions could exist on the same line is something Indian manufacturers have not pulled off before.

Next came the Vision S, and here the message was clear: the Scorpio is evolving. The proportions were familiar — upright, muscular shoulders, that signature stance — but the detailing was more sophisticated, more international. Walking around it, you noticed cleaner surfacing and a cabin mock-up that looked leagues ahead of what we’re used to in this segment. It wasn’t hard to imagine this as Mahindra’s family SUV for Europe or Africa, still tough but with enough polish to stand against global rivals.

Vision T — The next-gen Thar grows into a five-door, tougher and more versatile than ever, with the promise of diesel grit or all-electric torque from the same line.
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Special Arrangement

If the Thar and Scorpio derivatives leaned on emotion and legacy, the Vision X aimed squarely at the future. The smallest of the four, but arguably the smartest, it looked sharp and athletic, carrying forward cues from the XUV3XO but with a more confident presence. What made it interesting was Mahindra’s hint that this architecture could stretch — today’s compact SUV, tomorrow’s XUV700 successor. In other words, Vision X isn’t just one car, but a scalable idea.

And then there was the Vision SXT. If the Vision T was the sensible, practical Thar for families, the SXT was its rowdy sibling. At first glance you recognised the shared bodywork, but the rear told a completely different story — chopped into an open back, it had the sort of lifestyle “sports-UTE” vibe that felt more California than Colaba. It’s not the kind of SUV you expect Mahindra to build for its core Indian buyer base, but as a statement of intent for markets like the U.S. or Australia, it hit the mark.

A global language

Another detail that stood out at the event was the balance of influences. Mahindra stressed that the designs were shaped both in Mumbai and at its Banbury studio in the UK. Looking at the four concepts together, that mix was obvious: bold Indian ruggedness married to international finesse.

 Vision X — Compact, sharp, and scalable — today’s urban SUV with the potential to stretch into tomorrow’s XUV700 successor.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Beneath the styling, the engineering team emphasised the benefits of NU_IQ’s “flat-floor” approach, which not only makes packaging smarter but also points to the possibility of the world’s first flat-floor ICE SUV — a neat technical brag if it comes to production.

Beyond India

What set the tone, above all, was Mahindra’s global ambition. This wasn’t framed as “our future SUVs for India,” but “our SUVs for the world.” Left-hand-drive versions were explicitly called out, production is set to begin in 2027, and there was no hesitation in mentioning Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas as targets. That’s a bold shift for a company that, until recently, was seen as largely domestic.

Walking out of the venue, the impression that lingered wasn’t just about four shiny concepts. It was about Mahindra finally building a coherent family of SUVs on one architecture, each designed to wear different personalities without compromise. The Vision T may excite loyalists, the Vision S may reassure families, the Vision X may pull in new urban buyers, and the SXT may raise eyebrows — but together, they make Mahindra’s intent impossible to miss.

Vision SXT — A Thar with a wild side — chopped into an open-bed sports-UTE that feels more California surf than Colaba street.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

The stage lights will fade, the show cars will head back under wraps, but NU_IQ feels like it could be Mahindra’s passport to a bigger game. If the company can deliver these machines to market with the same presence they had in Mumbai, 2027 might just be remembered as the year Mahindra truly went global.

Motorscribes, in association with The Hindu, brings you the latest in cars and bikes. Follow them on Instagram

Published – August 19, 2025 02:47 pm IST

The Garden of Earthly Delights
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Long Hanging Fruits, an installation by Indonesian artist Elia Nurvista about the palm oil industry
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Vedika Bonakurthy photographs the Potharajus during Bonalu in Hyderabad
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Vinay Parameshwarappa has always thought of Cubbon Park as a special place, “one of the last few green spaces where you can leisurely walk, without worrying that someone will run you over,” says the founder of Gully Tours, an experiential tour company. Not surprisingly, Cubbon Park was at the heart of Colonial Crawl, among the first walks that his company curated in the city. “The colonial story is such an important one in the evolution of Bengaluru, and Cubbon Park was the link between the Bengaluru Pete and its Cantonment area,” he says. “We had wanted to explore this neighbourhood.”

According to Vinay, this “lovely” walk through Cubbon Park was extremely popular, drawing students, families, long-time Bengaluru residents, migrants, as well as visitors to the city; in short, anyone who was “curious as well as conscious” about Bengaluru. “It was something people looked forward to.”

The reason Vinay talks about the walk in the past tense is that the Horticulture Department of Karnataka has recently halted private walking tours. He and several others hope that this is a temporary measure and that the issue will soon be resolved. “We are currently in conversation with the department, which is trying to talk to different players and come up with a policy,” he says. “I’m sure something positive will soon come out.”

Cubbon Park in Bengaluru on a Sunday morning
| Photo Credit:
SUDHAKARA JAIN

Another person, who runs heritage walks in Bengaluru in several locations, including, until recently, Cubbon Park, too, hopes that private heritage walks will be allowed again soon in the park. “It is accessible, it is beautiful, and it is a public space that should be enjoyed in multiple ways,” says this person, who prefers not to be named. In his opinion, there should not be restrictions on educational or cultural activities in a public space. “We just walk through the park, without occupying much space,” he says. “I feel heritage walks should just be allowed to be.”

This development is the latest in a series of new rules that frequent visitors to the park are upset about. According to many of them, Cubbon Park’s location, safety, proximity to public transport facilities and overall atmosphere make it an ideal public place for people to convene. And placing too many restrictions often impedes individual freedoms, they suggest.

Many of the activities under fire at Cubbon Park seem to be targeting younger people
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Special Arrangement

One of them is Preksha Sharma, the co-founder of the Cubbon Book Club (CBC), who chose the park as a venue when the book club was started in May 2022. “I think the park is very central to the existence of Bengaluru,” she says, comparing it to other iconic urban attractions like Central Park in New York and Marine Drive in Mumbai. “It is a huge part of what the city is, not only for locals but even for people who have moved or visit here.”

In the recent past, however, rules around Cubbon Park — a regular haunt of walkers, sketchers, birdwatchers, yoga enthusiasts, badminton and frisbee players and readers — appear to be tightening, as various media reports indicate.

Preksha, who is not a fan of the “unnecessary policing” that seems to recur in Cubbon Park, feels that many of the restrictions are more likely to affect younger people. “Many of the activities permitted, like blood donation drives and walking are more friendly and favourable to the people who make the rules,” she says, pointing out that it is not only the commercial activities that have been banned, but also book clubs and other gatherings, which involve more than 20 people now require permission.

Yoga enthusiasts take part in a group yoga session
| Photo Credit:
BHAGYA PRAKASH

Another frequent visitor to Cubbon Park, who prefers not to be named, feels that having so many rules in the park is “bizarre” because “the whole point of having a park like Cubbon in the city is that it is for the public.” According to her, while there is a need to enforce rules around things that are a nuisance, such as littering or walking with an unleashed dog, the list of don’ts in the park appears to be never-ending. “There are so few common spaces left and the more rules and regulations you put in, the more opaque it becomes.”

Kusuma G, Deputy Director of the State Horticulture Department, on the other hand, defends the restrictions that have been imposed, pointing out that since Cubbon Park, like Lal Bagh, comes under the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) Act, 1975, specific rules need to be followed, including the one stating that no commercial activities are allowed in the park. While the Horticulture Department has recently launched a guided walking tour in Cubbon Park, priced at ₹200, discussions are still ongoing regarding private players, who have been conducting walks here for a while. “We are currently preparing some guidelines, which will be helpful for everyone,” she says. “It is in the process, but it will take some time.”

A security guard on patrol at Cubbon Park cautions people to keep the park clean, not to go into the bush due to the snakes and to maintain distance while sitting around the trees or on the benches
| Photo Credit:
MURALI KUMAR K

Priya Chetty-Rajagopal, founder of the citizen-led initiative Heritage Beku, which has been at the forefront of Cubbon Park’s preservation and has been regularly organising many free public events in the park, too, feels that the Horticulture Department’s stand has some merit. “As a public commons, Cubbon Park is a powerful magnet, but it’s also a magnet for free showcasing of commercial events, which can be tough,” she says. In a city of close to 1.4 crore people, this often leads to the park getting “very, very stressed,” she says. “You should come in on Monday and see the trash.”

Priya, who is all for having heritage walks in Cubbon Park since “it is a very important way of deepening your relationship with a space,” intends to ensure that there is an ongoing discussion of this issue. “But give the Cubbon Park authorities some breathing time.”

Published – August 19, 2025 10:43 am IST

The Yezdi name is synonymous with India’s motorcycling heritage , but its recent comeback has been met with mixed results. While the revival stirred nostalgia, the brand has struggled to make the kind of impact its legacy deserved. With the launch of the 2025 Roadster, however, Yezdi is signalling its intent to shift gears and reassert itself in a highly competitive segment dominated by established names.

The 350 Alpha2 engine delivers a smooth, punchy ride for city streets and highways alike
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Special Arrangement

The new Roadster builds on the brand’s heritage while clearly appealing to modern sensibilities. Its design retains the classic Yezdi cues, including the sculpted fuel tank, chopped rear fender, and signature twin-barrel exhaust note. Wider rear tyres and bold details, such as the Faravahar insignia, add contemporary flair while grounding the motorcycle in its roots.

What sets the Roadster apart is its extensive customisation. Riders can choose from six factory kits and over 20 accessories, enabling more than 50 possible combinations. The modular seating system, a first in the segment, lets owners to swap between a bobber-inspired solo seat and a dual-seat touring setup with ease. Options for handlebars, visors, and crash guards further broaden its adaptability.

At its core lies the all-new 350 Alpha2 liquid-cooled engine, producing 29 PS and 30 Nm of torque. The inclusion of a six-speed gearbox, along with an assist and slipper clutch, reflects Yezdi’s attempt to raise the bar in this category. A 12.5-litre fuel tank promises a practical touring range of over 350 km, while forward-set footpegs and a 795 mm seat height balance comfort with accessibility.

Six factory kits and 20+ accessories let riders create over 50 unique combinations
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Special Arrangement

When it comes to ride and handling, the Roadster impresses with Continental-sourced dual-channel ABS, 320 mm front and 240 mm rear disc brakes, and a suspension setup tuned for stability as well as comfort. This combination should give the Roadster the confidence to hold its own against rivals that have long defined the segment.

Equally important is the ownership package. The Roadster is backed by the Jawa Yezdi BSA Ownership Assurance Programme, which provides a standard four-year/50,000 km warranty, roadside assistance, and extended coverage options. With more than 300 service touchpoints across India, Yezdi is investing in support infrastructure to build trust among customers.

The mid-capacity motorcycle market is undeniably competitive, with strong contenders already enjoying loyal followings. Yet, with its updated engine, modular design, and aggressive pricing, the new Roadster represents Yezdi’s most compelling offering yet. If it can translate heritage into consistent reliability and wider appeal, it may well find its footing in this space.

Chopped rear fender and wide tyre give the Roadster a bold, distinctive stance
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

The 2025 Yezdi Roadster is available in two variants. The standard version offers Sharkskin Blue (₹2,09,969), Smoke Grey (₹2,12,969), Bloodrush Maroon (₹2,16,969), and Savage Green (₹2,21,969). The premium Shadow Black variant, priced at ₹2,25,969, features matte finishes, blacked-out elements, and multifunctional blinkers. For a 350cc motorcycle with this level of equipment and customisation, the Roadster enters the market at a price point that is difficult to ignore.

Motorscribes, in association with The Hindu, brings you the latest in cars and bikes. Follow them on Instagram

Published – August 19, 2025 07:38 am IST