Author: prakash.rohana

BMW Group India has officially launched the M440i Convertible in the country at an introductory price of Rs 1.09 Crore (ex-showroom). The sporty drop-top undercuts its closest rival, the Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet, which is priced at Rs 1.16 Crore (ex-showroom).

Powerful B58 Engine With AWD Performance

The BMW M440i Convertible is powered by the familiar B58 3.0-litre inline 6-cylinder turbo petrol engine, the same unit seen in the M340i. It is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system, ensuring strong traction and performance.

This engine develops 374 bhp and 500 Nm of peak torque. BMW claims a 0-100 km/h sprint time of just 4.9 seconds, while the top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h. The car also benefits from a sporty exhaust setup along with additional bracing in the engine bay to improve structural rigidity.

Sporty Design With Signature BMW Styling

In terms of design, the M440i Convertible carries forward BMW’s bold styling language. It features the signature large vertical kidney grille, often referred to as ‘Beaver Teeth’, along with sleek LED headlamps that get blue accents.

The car follows a two-door layout, with access to the rear seats enabled by sliding the front seats forward. The front bumper gets functional air intakes, enhancing both aesthetics and performance.

It rides on 19-inch alloy wheels, with wider rubber at the rear for better grip. At the back, the car sports stylish LED tail lamps, M440i badging and a sporty bumper with dual exhaust outlets. Like most convertibles, the rear windshield appears relatively small.

Soft Top Roof With Quick Operation

BMW has opted for a fabric soft top instead of a hardtop, unlike the previous F33 generation. This change helps in reducing weight and improving overall efficiency.

The soft top can be opened or closed in just 18 seconds and can be operated at speeds of up to 50 km/h. Despite being a convertible, the car offers a practical 2+2 seating layout and also features rear quarter glass panels.

Feature-Rich And Sporty Cabin

Inside, the BMW M440i Convertible offers a minimal yet premium cabin layout with a clear focus on sportiness. It gets electrically adjustable front sport seats with memory function, borrowed from the M340i, along with a three-spoke steering wheel.

The dashboard is dominated by a curved display setup, which includes a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display. A large head-up display is also present, projecting key driving information directly into the driver’s line of sight.

Other features include automatic climate control, wireless charging, the latest iDrive system and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.

Maruti Suzuki appears to be gearing up for a mid-life update of the Brezza as fresh spy shots of a heavily camouflaged test mule continue to surface. The compact SUV, currently on sale since 2022 in its second-generation avatar, is due for a refresh considering the intensifying competition in the segment.

The latest sightings reveal a mix of subtle cosmetic revisions, feature enhancements, and expected carryover mechanicals.

Exterior Design To Get Minor Refresh

Despite the camouflage, it is evident that the overall silhouette of the Brezza facelift remains largely unchanged. The headlamp and tail lamp design appear similar to the current model, indicating that Maruti Suzuki is sticking to its familiar design language.

However, key updates are expected in the finer details:

• Revised front grille design
• Tweaked front and rear bumpers
• Newly designed alloy wheels

These changes should help the SUV maintain a fresh appeal without altering its core identity.

Bigger Infotainment Screen & Feature Updates

Spy images have also offered a glimpse inside the cabin, hinting at notable upgrades in terms of technology.

• Larger infotainment unit (likely 10.25-inch vs current 9-inch)
• Updated user interface
• Possible 360-degree camera system (visible via ORVM-mounted cameras)

While the current Brezza already offers a 360-degree camera in higher variants, the test mule suggests that Maruti could refine or expand this feature further in the facelift.

Powertrain Likely To Remain Unchanged

On the mechanical front, no major changes are expected — which is typical for a facelift.

The Brezza facelift is likely to continue with the existing 1.5L K15C petrol engine lineup:

• Naturally Aspirated: 99 bhp / 137 Nm
• CNG Variant: 87 bhp / 121 Nm
• Mild-Hybrid: 102 bhp / 139 Nm

Transmission options could see a slight update:

• Introduction of a revised 6-speed manual gearbox
• Improved gear ratios for better drivability
• CNG variant expected with underbody cylinder layout

What To Expect

The upcoming Brezza facelift is shaping up to be a feature-focused update rather than a radical overhaul. With a larger touchscreen, subtle styling tweaks, and possible transmission refinements, Maruti Suzuki aims to keep the Brezza competitive in the crowded sub-4m SUV space.

An official launch timeline is yet to be confirmed, but more details are expected to surface in the coming months.

Geely Auto has unveiled the 5th-generation Emgrand i-HEV at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show. The company claims the hybrid sedan achieved an impressive 2.22 L/100 km fuel consumption in a real-world highway test, a figure submitted for a Guinness World Record as the lowest among mass-produced hybrid cars.

Record Fuel Efficiency Claim

According to Geely, the 2.22 L/100 km figure was recorded during a highway loop test conducted in Hainan.

The company states this result is among the lowest globally for hybrids and claims it is over 12% more efficient than comparable results from the Toyota Prius, although exact testing conditions have not been detailed.

Dual-Motor Hybrid Setup

The Emgrand i-HEV features a P1+P3 dual-motor configuration combined with an integrated 11-in-1 electric drive system.

• Peak power output: 230 kW
• Claimed 1.72x higher output than typical Japanese hybrid systems

The dedicated hybrid engine delivers a thermal efficiency of 48.41%, which Geely claims is the highest among current mass-production engines.

Electric-First Driving Approach

Under WLTC conditions, the system operates in electric mode for more than 80% of the time.

• Engine usage reduced by over 27%
• Pure EV driving possible up to 66 km/h
• 0–30 km/h acceleration: 1.84 seconds
• System response time: 10 milliseconds

This setup is aimed at maximising efficiency while maintaining responsive performance.

NVH and Durability Focus

Geely has equipped the sedan with its in-house EOC active noise control system.

• Startup vibration reduced by 32.7%
• Cabin noise just 1 dB higher than a typical EV

Durability testing includes:

• 15,000 hours of bench testing (~4.8 million km equivalent)
• Operation across temperature differences of nearly 100°C
• Testing at altitudes up to 4,650 metres

To Be Expanded Across Lineup

Geely confirmed that the i-HEV system will be introduced across multiple models in 2026, including:

• Xingrui
• Xingyue L
• Boyue L
• Emgrand

Pre-sales for select models have already begun.

Entry-Level Segment With Advanced Hybrid Tech

The Emgrand continues to be positioned as an entry-level sedan, with pricing previously reported in the affordable bracket.

Bringing such high-efficiency hybrid technology to this segment could play a key role in improving fuel economy standards and lowering running costs for buyers.

Market Impact

While Emgrand sales have seen fluctuations in recent months, it continues to contribute steadily to Geely’s overall volumes.

With the new i-HEV system, the brand is aiming to strengthen its position by offering better efficiency and advanced hybrid technology in a cost-sensitive segment.

Source

Chery has unveiled the all-new Arrizo S sedan at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show, showcasing a sportier and more premium direction for its Arrizo lineup. Positioned above existing models, the Arrizo S targets the upper B-segment with a strong focus on performance and advanced tech.

The new sedan also hints at Chery’s renewed push in the combustion-powered sedan space, even as electrification gains momentum globally.

Positioned Above Arrizo 8

The Arrizo S sits higher than current offerings like the Arrizo 8, which already brought more powerful engines and updated transmissions to the lineup.

With this new concept, Chery is clearly aiming to strengthen its presence in the premium mid-size sedan segment, blending performance with modern features.

Sporty Design With Audi-Like Styling Cues

In terms of design, the Arrizo S adopts a sharp and aggressive stance:

• Large hexagonal front grille
• Sleek, narrow headlamps
• Fastback-style roofline
• Coupe-like side profile
• Full-width LED tail lamps
• Blacked-out elements and sporty alloy wheels

The overall styling gives it a premium European sedan-like appeal, with clear inspiration from brands like Audi.

2.0L Turbo Petrol With 192 kW Output

Under the hood, the Arrizo S gets a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine delivering:

• 192 kW of power
• 400 Nm of torque

These figures place it at the higher end of Chery’s ICE engine lineup, similar to top-spec versions of the Arrizo 8.

While transmission details are yet to be officially confirmed, the model is expected to feature Chery’s in-house developed 8-speed automatic gearbox.

Falcon ADAS With Advanced Driving Support

The Arrizo S comes equipped with Chery’s Falcon driver assistance system, designed to handle multiple driving scenarios such as:

• City driving
• Highway cruising
• Parking assistance

The system is backed by high computing hardware, aligning with Chery’s broader focus on intelligent driving and integrated vehicle control systems.

Part Of Larger Product Strategy

The Arrizo S was one of several new models showcased by Chery at the Beijing Auto Show, highlighting the brand’s expanding portfolio across both ICE and EV segments.

With this model, Chery is not only strengthening its sedan lineup but also targeting buyers who still prefer performance-oriented petrol sedans in a market increasingly shifting towards electrification.

Sedan Market Still Favors ICE Models

Despite the rise of EVs, China’s sedan market continues to see strong demand for petrol-powered models. Popular sedans like the Nissan Sylphy and Volkswagen Lavida still dominate sales charts, while EVs like the Tesla Model 3 are steadily gaining ground.

This trend underlines why models like the Arrizo S remain relevant, especially in the performance-focused sedan space.

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