Auto recap, July 31: Ather 350S with bigger battery launched, Tesla's new dealership and more
Ather 450S with bigger battery launched
Ather Energy has launched a new version of its 450S electric scooter with a larger battery pack. This updated model comes equipped with a larger 3.7 kWh battery pack, giving it an IDC (Indian Driving Conditions) range of up to 161 km. It is priced at ₹1,45,999 (ex-showroom, Bengaluru).
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Despite the improved range, the scooter retains its original performance specs. It continues to use the same 5.4 kW motor that produces 22 Nm of torque, enabling it to accelerate from 0 to 40 km/h in just 3.9 seconds, with a top speed of 90 km/h. Riders can also choose from four modes—Smart Eco, Eco, Ride, and Sport—to balance efficiency with performance based on their riding style.
Also Read : Ather 450S launched with larger battery and 161 km of range, priced at ₹1.45 lakh
Tesla to open dealership in Delhi
Tesla is gearing up to strengthen its footprint in India with the upcoming launch of its second dealership, following the recent opening of its experience centre in Mumbai. The new outlet is located in Delhi's Aerocity, near the Indira Gandhi International Airport—a prime spot that will cater to customers across Delhi, Gurugram, and Faridabad. A photo shared by a user on X shows that construction is nearly complete, and the dealership is expected to be fully operational in the coming months.
Also Read : Tesla to open dealership in Delhi-NCR next. Check out where it is going to be…
MG Astor gets a price hike
MG Motor has revised the pricing of the Astor SUV, increasing prices by up to ₹19,000 across all variants. Following this hike, the Astor now starts at ₹11.48 lakh and goes up to ₹17.63 lakh (ex-showroom). This update comes shortly after the SUV's recent model-year refresh, which saw the discontinuation of the turbo-petrol engine. The Astor is now offered exclusively with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, available with both manual and CVT transmission options.
All variants have seen a price revision, though the hike varies depending on the trim. The base Sprint MT is now ₹18,000 costlier at ₹11.48 lakh. The Shine MT has seen the steepest increase of ₹19,000, bringing its price to ₹12.67 lakh. Meanwhile, the Select MT is now priced at ₹14 lakh—up by ₹18,000—and the Sharp Pro MT gets a ₹13,000 bump, costing ₹15.34 lakh.
As for the CVT variants, the Select CVT now comes at ₹15 lakh, following a ₹15,000 hike. The Sharp Pro CVT also gets a ₹15,000 increase and is now priced at ₹16.64 lakh. At the top of the range, the Savvy Pro CVT is now priced at ₹17.63 lakh, after a ₹17,000 revision.
Also Read : MG Astor sees price hike across variants, now starts at ₹11.48 lakh. Check details
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STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Rebuilding Trust: A Long Road Ahead The trust deficit between India and the US has widened significantly. Even those in India who once firmly believed in the potential of the bilateral relationship now feel disillusioned. But India has weathered such storms before. After the 1998 nuclear tests, the United States imposed sanctions on India. Back in 1971, it had deployed the Seventh Fleet to the Bay of Bengal in an attempt to intimidate India during the Bangladesh Liberation War. India didn't bow down then—and it won't now. India will adapt and find its path, just as it has done in the past. As India's leadership has repeatedly stated, every step will be taken to secure national interest. However, the damage inflicted by Trump's erratic and impulsive leadership means that restoring faith in the relationship will take years, if not decades. Moving forward, we can expect a greater degree of scepticism and a likely recalibration of India's foreign policy posture—possibly including greater resistance to US alignment. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump's presidency has sown the seeds of growing anti-American sentiment in Indian strategic circles. His words and actions—especially repeated endorsements of Pakistan and disregard for India's strategic concerns—have not just weakened the India–US partnership; they have dented the very idea of trust in global diplomacy. As The Economic Times recently noted, doubts over US reliability are once again taking root in Indian foreign policy circles, and that's a serious blow to what was once considered the defining partnership of the twenty-first century. Imran Khurshid is a visiting research fellow at the International Centre for Peace Studies, New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
