evo India Podcast

The evo India Podcast presents to you all things automotive! From news of the week to discussions on major happenings in the automotive world. Be on 2 wheels, 4 wheels or way more than that, we got you covered! We also will be sharing our experiences from the stories we're attempting, records we set and tales from our epic adventures!

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Avg 45 min
English

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August 23 · 53 min
Lifestyle Pickups: India’s Next Automotive Obsession?
Mahindra has just unveiled its Global Pickup - the Scorpio Lifestyler (just Lifestyler in international markets). But the lifestyle pickup phenomenon has not really caught on in the last 19 years; Mahindra thumbstarted the segment way back in 2007 with the Scorpio Getaway. Since then we have had the Tata Xenon, Isuzu D-Max and V-Cross and of course the Toyota Hilux. Toyota, in fact, just launched the updated Hilux. But the segment remains at less than 5,000 units a year. Editorial Director Sirish Chandran and Senior Editor Aninda Sardar dive deep into the pickup story in India. In this episode:•⁠ ⁠What the Mahindra Scorpio Lifestyler is•⁠ ⁠Where the pick up story started•⁠ ⁠Remembering the Tata Mobile and what happened to it•⁠ ⁠The Scorpio Getaway story•⁠ ⁠Mahindra pick ups in the international market•⁠ ⁠Limitations of the Getaway, revealed to Sirish by an international cricketer•⁠ ⁠The Isuzu pick up story and why it failed to make a dent•⁠ ⁠The aftermath of pandemic and emission norms•⁠ ⁠GST and registration plate challenges for the pickup segment •⁠ ⁠The flourishing commercial pickup story•⁠ ⁠Can the lifestyle segment in India be cracked at all, and who can do it
August 21 · 9 min
Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen: VW will launch Kylaq rival SUV next year | Boss Talks | evo India
Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer sat down exclusively with evo India and confirmed it — the Volkswagen compact SUV is coming to India next year.Thomas Schäfer also addresses VW's electrification roadmap for India — a localised EV platform is a must for CAFE compliance and the group is actively working on what that looks like. CNG is back under consideration. Diesel is not ruled out — the FTA makes it viable for certain models. On the FTA, Schäfer confirms Volkswagen has already exported from India to over 40 markets, including Mexico. The last time the GTI arrived in India it sold out in minutes. On partnerships with Indian manufacturers — discussions are happening; they are serious, and nothing is closed yet. 0:00 Introduction: Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer0:23 Views on VW's India 2.0 1:07 When does Volkswagen's Kylaq launch?1:56 Differentiation in the Kylaq and the VW subcompact SUV3:26 VW's Electrification roadmap for India?5:02 VW cars in India to get CNG and diesel?6:05 VW's strategy on the India-EU FTA?7:10 Will India get more VW GT and GTI cars?7:56 Addressing rumors about partnerships in India8:57 What do the next 5 years look like for the VW brand in India?
June 7 · 33 min
Dolby Atmos in cars explained: Why your car is becoming a concert hall | evo India Podcast
What does Dolby Atmos actually mean in a car — and why does it matter more in a car than in your living room? In this episode of the evo India Podcast, Karan Grover, Senior Director at Dolby Labs, sits down with executive editor, Aatish Mishra to explain exactly how Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision work in cars, why a car is actually the most perfect listening environment Dolby has ever worked with, and why India is doing things in car audio that have never been done anywhere else in the world. The conversation covers the detail that will stop most people cold: AR Rahman composed 1,100 individual chimes for the Mahindra BE6 and BE9, all mixed in Dolby Atmos — so when a warning sound tells you there is an obstruction on your left, it genuinely comes from your left. That is not a gimmick. That is object-based audio design applied to a car's entire sound ecosystem. Karan explains how Dolby Atmos goes from a recording studio to a streaming platform to your car's speakers, why the car is the only listening environment where every speaker position and every seat position is fixed — which makes it the ideal space for Atmos tuning — and how Mahindra Auto became the first manufacturer in the world to put Dolby Atmos on a 4-channel non-branded speaker setup in the XUV 3XO. Mahindra also pushed Dolby to deliver Atmos on the Thar, previously thought impossible at that speaker configuration. Both were firsts. Both happened in India. The episode also covers the Mercedes-AMG GT63 Electric's synthesized V8 sound and whether it is tuned in Dolby Atmos, how EVs are changing the science of sound design because there is no engine masking the audio environment, why Apple CarPlay supports Atmos playback and what Android's recent update means for wireless Atmos in cars, and where car audio goes from here — including the possibility of film premieres in cars and Dolby Atmos eventually reaching buses, tractors and auto-rickshaws. He also talks about the various cars which have Dolby Atmos like the XUV 7XO, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris, Tata Sierra and more. Dolby currently works with 38 automobile manufacturers and over 150 car nameplates globally.
May 25 · 40 min
How TVS Saved Norton — Manx R Review and Deep Dive
Norton is back. And the company that saved it isn’t British — it’s Indian. In this episode, evo India Editor Sirish Chandran and Executive Editor Aatish Mishra go deep on one of motorcycling’s most unlikely comeback stories — how TVS Motor Company acquired a bankrupt Norton, poured serious money into it, rebuilt the factory, the workforce, and the engineering, and then produced the Manx R Superbike as proof that it worked. They cover TVS’s investment and what Norton actually did with it, how the brand was upgraded from the ground up, which Indian components are on the Manx R, styling and first ride impressions, the V4 engine history and what makes it special, performance impressions from Spain, India launch plans, motorsport ambitions, how former JLR design boss Gerry McGovern is involved, and why Norton’s revival matters to India. This is just the beginning. evo India is India’s leading automotive enthusiast magazine and podcast — covering cars, motorcycles, motorsport, and the culture around them.
May 10 · 21 min
Red Bull's F1 mechanic Callum Nicholas reveals what Max Verstappen is really like | evo India
Callum Nicholas spent 10 years as a senior power unit assembly technician at Red Bull Racing — building and servicing Redbull F1 race engines, a part of the pit crew on three world record pit stops, and living through the most intense championship battle in modern Formula 1 history.In this episode of the evo India Podcast, Callum Nicholas talks about what Max Verstappen is actually like behind closed doors — why winning by 10 seconds is never enough for him, why he never stops pushing, and what makes him different from every other driver on the Formula 1 grid right now.He takes us inside Abu Dhabi 2021 — the safety car, the 15-second radio call, and where exactly Callum Nicholas was when the most dramatic finish in F1 history unfolded. He breaks down the world record 1.8-second pit stop at Brazil, the Sergio Perez stop in Russia that went badly wrong, and what a sub-two-second stop actually feels and sounds like from the garage floor.He also talks about Red Bull Powertrains building a Formula 1 engine from a gravel car park from scratch in four years — now outperforming manufacturers with 75 years of F1 engine experience — and why 2022 meant more to him personally than 2021.0:00 Precap 0:14 Introduction 0:25 Who is Calum Nicholas and his role at the Red Bull F1 team 1:31 Being a part of the world record pit stop crew 3:00 The feeling of an under 2sec pitstop 3:57 One pit stop that will stay with him forever 4:51 Are injuries common during pit stops? 6:05 Working with Max Verstappen 6:31 What is Max Verstappen's secret sauce 8:38 Any other driver that is close to Verstappen's mindset 9:54 The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021 12:50 The whole moment when the safety car was deployed to the end of the race 16:05 Was that the most cherished championship 16:57 Current F1 regulations 19:08 Red Bull powertrains 20:03 Was there a base from Honda for the engine? 20:47 A road car with a Red Bull powertrain?
April 26 · 1 hr 4 min
The truths about owning and running a car dealership with KUN Exclusive | evo India podcast
What does it actually take to run a multi-brand dealership group? In the latest episode of Boss Talks, we have Vasanthi Bhupathi, Dealer Principal, Kun Exclusive BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and Anup Venkatesh in conversation with Ed, Sirish Chandran. The Kun group represents 12 brands across 110 touch points, sold nearly 38,000 cars last year, and serviced half a million vehicles, making them the largest dealership group in South India and one of the most respected in the country. In this episode, the guests talk about how Kun group started with one Hyundai dealership 27 years ago and grew to Rolls-Royce, BMW, Mini, Porsche and beyond. The real margins in the car business and why service is not the goldmine people think it is. How EVs will fundamentally change the dealership model and what happens to service revenue when cars stop needing oil changes. The brutal truth about starting a dealership today, from the capital required, why so many fail, and what manufacturers actually look for in a dealer partner. Vasanthi also shares a special story about Hyderabad Gold, how one customer's Rolls-Royce colour is now in the official Rolls-Royce global catalogue. How Kun kept all 6,000 employees on full salary through COVID and why that decision changed everything. Career paths inside a dealership group, from receptionist to top BMW salesperson, from Hyundai fresher to luxury brand CEO. And the one thing every outsider gets completely wrong about the dealership business. If you are considering buying a car, working in the automotive industry, or thinking about starting a dealership, this is the most honest conversation about the business of owning and running a car dealership you will find anywhere.
April 5 · 34 min
Mercedes-AMG F1 domination is back? + Aprilia faster than Ducati
Is Mercedes-AMG about to dominate Formula 1 again? And how has Aprilia Racing managed to outpace Ducati in MotoGP? In the latest episode of the evo India Podcast, Editor Sirish Chandran sits down with Adil Jal Darukhanawala, editor-at-large at evo India, for a deep dive into everything we have seen from the 2026 F1 season and the 2026 MotoGP season so far. In Formula 1, Sirish and Adil break down the sweeping new F1 regulations. Are they good for the sport, good for racing, or are they simply turning Formula 1 into a pure engineering championship? They discuss how teams are having to fundamentally rethink their approach to energy harvesting, deployment, and utilisation in both qualifying and race conditions. They go deep on the form of Mercedes-AMG, McLaren, Red Bull Racing, Ferrari, and Alpine across the Australian Grand Prix 2026 and the Chinese Grand Prix 2026, and what the early F1 constructor standings 2026 tell us about where this season is headed. In MotoGP in 2026, the story so far has been Aprilia. Adil and Sirish explore why Aprilia Racing has been quicker than Ducati across the opening two rounds, breaking down the aerodynamic philosophy and setup choices that are making the difference. They also discuss Marc Marquez's struggles, the underperformance of the Honda and Yamaha, and what it will take for the Japanese manufacturers to close the gap to the European teams. The episode closes with Adil's predictions for both the 2026 F1 championship and the 2026 MotoGP championship and his early read on what the F1 2026 regulations could mean for the grid. If you follow Formula 1, MotoGP, or both, this is the motorsport podcast episode you need to hear. Buckle up.
March 29 · 44 min
Remembering Sanjay 'Hardy' Sharma and Hari Singh | Indian Motorsport Icons | evo India podcast
This week on the evo India Podcast, Ed Sirish Chandran and editor-at-large, Adil Jal Darukhanawala, remember two legends of Indian motorsport — Sanjay “Hardy” Sharma and Hari Singh. In a deeply personal conversation, they look back at their lives, their legacy, and the impact they had on Indian rallying and motorsport as a whole.Sanjay Sharma was more than just the man behind JK Tyre Motorsport; he was one of the key forces that shaped Indian motorsport into what it is today. From building teams and supporting young talent to playing a crucial role in initiatives like Indian Car of the Year, his influence went far beyond the racetrack. He helped nurture drivers, journalists, and an entire ecosystem that continues to thrive today.Hari Singh, a multiple-time national rally champion, was one of the finest drivers India has ever produced. But beyond his speed and skill, it was his personality that left the deepest impression. Whether it was rally stages, long-distance road trips, or extreme off-road expeditions, Hari brought unmatched energy, humility, and warmth to everything he did. He was a competitor on track, but off it, he was a friend to everyone.In this episode, we revisit the golden era of Indian rallying, the intense JK vs MRF rivalry, and the evolution of motorsport in India through the ’80s, ’90s and early 2000s. We share untold stories from rallies, behind-the-scenes moments from motorsport events, and personal experiences that reveal the human side of these legends — the side that never made it to headlines.This is more than just a motorsport podcast. It’s a tribute to two men who defined an era, inspired generations, and left behind a legacy that will continue to shape Indian motorsport for years to come. If you care about cars, rallying, or the stories behind the people who built the sport in India, this is an episode you shouldn’t miss.Rest in peace, Sanjay 'Hardy' Sharma and Hari Singh. You will always be a part of Indian motorsport.
March 22 · 37 min
Scooters and motorcycles from the 1980s in India
The 1980s were a completely different time for Indian motorcycling, when scooters had waiting periods of years, motorcycles were raw, mechanical and unforgiving, and machines like the Bajaj Chetak, Yamaha RX100, RD350 and Bullet became legends. In this episode of the Evo India Podcast, we have Editor Sirish Chandran and Assistant Editor for Bikes, Karan Ramgopal deep diving into 80s scooters and motorcycles in India. The machines that defined mobility for an entire generation. From the story of how the Bajaj Chetak was born out of Vespa, to the rise of the Lambretta (Vijay Super), the arrival of the LML Vespa, and the game-changing Kinetic Honda, we cover it all. We also ride and talk about the icons — the raw thrill of the Yamaha RX100, the madness of the RD350, the charm (and quirks) of the Royal Enfield Bullet, and how the Hero Honda CD100 changed the industry forever with its “fill it, shut it, forget it” philosophy. This isn’t just nostalgia but also a deep look at how these machines shaped India’s automotive culture, and how they led to the motorcycles and scooters we ride today.
March 15 · 47 min
Cars from the 1980s and evo India magazine with a new look
In this episode of the evo India Podcast, we talk about one of the biggest changes in our journey so far — evo India is no longer a traditional magazine. Before you panic, print is not dead. Far from it. In fact, we believe print can be stronger than ever, but only if it evolves. That is exactly what we are doing with the new evo India mag-book format: a more collectible, more immersive, more premium reading experience that goes beyond the limitations of a regular automotive magazine. We explain why we made this shift, what the new format means, why every issue will now be built around a theme, and why our latest issue is all about the icons of the 1980s. From the Audi Quattro, Ferrari Testarossa and Peugeot 205 GTI to Indian legends like the Ambassador, Padmini, Contessa, Standard 2000, Maruti 800, Omni, and more, this is not just nostalgia; it is about understanding where car culture came from, and where it is going next. This is a big, bold move for evo India, and something that has never really been done in the Indian magazine space before. In this podcast, we talk about the thinking behind it, the excitement, the nerves, the reaction from all of you, and why we believe this new format will make print more special than ever. Watch the full episode and tell us what you think of the new evo India mag-book. We’d genuinely love to hear from you.
March 8 · 1 hr 4 min
The most interesting cars of the month | CLA Electric, V-Class, Octy RS & more
This week on the evo India podcast, Ed Sirish Chandran and Executive Editor, Aatish Mishra talk through all the cars from February — from the new Mercedes-Benz CLA electric and the Mercedes V-Class to the updated Tata Punch EV, the brilliant Skoda Octavia RS, the Mahindra XEV 9S , the Jeep Meridian which leaves our long term fleet, and even the wild Porsche Cayenne Electric. We also kick things off with a quick motorsport catch-up with the talks of Formula 1 and MotoGP returning to India in the future, India’s growing motorsport momentum, and why the 2025 season already feels exciting. From there, it’s a proper enthusiast’s round-up of the month gone by: what impressed us, what surprised us, what still needs work, and which cars we’d genuinely recommend. There’s plenty to get into this month. The CLA EV looks like a big step forward for Mercedes-Benz electric cars. The V-Class finally feels like a proper luxury people mover. The Punch EV has quietly become better and cheaper. The Octavia RS reminds us why fast everyday cars still matter. And the Cayenne Electric? Completely outrageous. If you enjoy honest car talk, insider impressions, road test stories and the kind of conversations enthusiasts actually have, this podcast is for you.
February 8 · 37 min
Adil Jal Darukhanawala on Audi in Formula 1 and Auto Union racing in the 1930s
Audi is entering Formula 1 in 2026, but this story dates back to the 1930s with Auto Union in Grand Prix racing. In this episode of the Evo India Podcast, we sit down with Adil Jal Darukhanawala to trace Audi’s incredible motorsport journey — from the legendary Auto Union Silver Arrows of the 1930s to modern-day dominance in rallying, Le Mans, touring cars, and now one of the new teams in Formula 1. We discuss Audi’s real F1 backstory, the Auto Union era, and pre-war Grand Prix racing. We also explore the politics, technology, and history that shaped German motorsport. Adil shares his insight into why Audi stayed away from Formula 1 for so long, how Audi is building its works team and engine, and the all-important question — can they realistically fight for championships? If you love Formula 1, motorsport history, Audi, or simply enjoy deep, intelligent conversations about racing, this episode is for you.
February 1 · 52 min
Launching a ‘House of Brands’ company in India | The MotoHaus strategy explained
In the latest episode of the evo India podcast, we sit down with Tushar Shelke, Chairman & Managing Director of MotoHaus (Kolhapur), which is one of India’s newest two-wheeler manufacturers/OEMs, to understand how he’s building a “house of brands” with Brixton Motorcycles and VLF. We talk about what it takes to bring a global brand to India: CKD assembly, setting up a factory, homologation, supply chain realities (components from China/Thailand), and why MotoHaus is betting big on twin-cylinder motorcycles to fill the gap between 400cc and 800cc. Tushar also explains the thinking behind the Brixton Cromwell 1200 price positioning and how a new brand builds trust with warranty, service, and dealer profitability. On the scooter side, we deep-dive into VLF Tennis and the Mobster, including localisation plans, claimed mileage, India-specific product adaptation, and why physical dealerships still matter in a digital-first era. He also shares the vision for the next few years, targeting 250 to 300 showrooms in 5 years, export ambitions, and what it’s really like to take on India’s giants (Royal Enfield, Bajaj-Triumph, TVS-BMW, Hero-Harley).
January 25 · 1 hr 9 min
10 years at Tata Motors with BTS insights on podcast with Vivek Srivatsa
In this podcast with Vivek Srivatsa, Chief Commercial Officer at Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, we dive deep into the real life of a high-ranking executive in the Indian automotive industry. From early years at Maruti Suzuki, to Renault and then 10 years at Tata Motors we talk about the career graph, decisions, pressure, and vision that shape a company at scale.Speaking to editor Sirish Chandran, Vivek dives into his career journey across the industry, what he learned at each stage, and how those experiences helped him rise through the ranks and take on leadership roles at Tata Motors during one of the most pivotal eras in the brand’s history.Vivek takes us through the behind-the-scenes reality of:✅ Sunsetting iconic models like the Nano, Indica, Safari and Hexa✅ Reviving legendary nameplates like the Safari and the Sierra✅ Being part of the team that launched the Nexon, and witnessing its breakthrough success✅ Being on the team that kicked off Tata’s electric journey, and shaping the early EV business strategy✅ Where Tata Motors goes next — and how India’s EV market will evolveThis is a powerful conversation on leadership, execution, product strategy, career growth, and the future of mobility in India.
January 18 · 1 hr 1 min
How do we tackle complex issues of road safety | feat. Ranjit Gadgil, road safety expert
In the latest episode of the evo India Podcast, Executive Editor Aatish Mishra is in conversation with Ranjit Gadgil, Programme Director at Parisar — a Pune-based NGO that works on environment awareness and road safety issues in India.Together, they deep dive into one of India’s biggest everyday issues: road safety. From why our roads are becoming more dangerous, to what actually needs to change, this episode breaks down the real-world steps required to build a safer road ecosystem for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and commuters. The conversation encompasses a range of topics, including improved road engineering, enhanced markings and signage, stricter enforcement, accountability for offenders, and the role of speed limits on various road types.Hear the full episode to understand what safer roads really need and how you, as a citizen, can contribute and demand better road safety standards in India.
January 11 · 55 min
Cars coming in 2026
Renault Duster, VW Tayron, Kushaq facelift and all the new cars coming in 2026 are discussed in the first evo India podcast of 2026. Sirish Chandran, Editor of evo India, and Aatish Mishra, Executive Editor, discuss the most important car launches expected in India in 2026. From the upcoming Tata Punch facelift to the highly anticipated return of the Renault Duster, the duo breaks down why January itself is shaping up to be one of the busiest months for new car launches. The conversation also covers the upcoming Skoda Kushaq and Slavia facelifts, which will bring updates to their Volkswagen siblings, the VW Taigun and Virtus. Beyond the mass-market space, they delve deep into Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi launches, making 2026 a crucial year for the luxury car segment in India. If you’re planning to buy a new car in 2026 or want to know which cars are launching and when, this podcast gives you a clear picture of what to expect from the Indian automotive market in the year ahead.
Dec 21, 2025 · 37 min
ICOTY & IMOTY 2026: How the Jury Decided & Who Won
In the latest episode of the evo India Podcast, Executive Editor Aatish Mishra is in the studio with Assistant Editor (Bikes) Karan Ramgopal. Aatish as you all know is a jury member for the Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY) and Karan is the newest journalist to join the jury of Indian Motorcycle of the Year (IMOTY). In this episode, they deep dive into the ICOTY and IMOTY judging process, explaining how points are awarded, what parameters matter the most, and how cars and motorcycles are evaluated before a winner is decided. At this year’s awards ceremony, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris was crowned Indian Car of the Year 2026, while the TVS Apache RTX 300 won Indian Motorcycle of the Year. The Mahindra XEV 9e took home the Green Car of the Year, and the Volkswagen Golf GTI was named Premium Car of the Year. Watch this episode of the evo India Podcast to understand how cars and bikes are scored, ranked, and ultimately crowned winners at India’s most respected automotive awards.
Dec 14, 2025 · 52 min
Top picks for Indian Car of the year 2026 on evo India podcast
The best cars of 2025 is the subject of this week's evo India podcast with editor Sirish Chandran and executive editor Aatish Mishra. The duo, who also serve on the jury for the Indian Car of the Year drill down into the shortlist for the prestigious 2026 ICOTY including Premium Car of the Year and Green Car of the Year. ICOTY 2026 shortlist: Hyundai Creta Electric, Hyundai Venue, Škoda Kylaq, Kia Carens Clavis EV, Kia Syros, Mahindra XEV 9e, and Maruti Suzuki Victoris. They also clarify why the Tata Sierra, Mahindra XEV 9S, even the VinFast models aren’t in the shortlist. Watch this podcast now for a complete roundup of all the cars that shaped India’s automotive scene in 2025.
Dec 7, 2025 · 36 min
Hikaru Ikeuchi on growth of Lexus in India, future plans, more cars for India
In this episode of the evo India Podcast, Editor Sirish Chandran sits down with Hikaru Ikeuchi, President of Lexus India, for an in-depth conversation about the brand’s journey, strategy and future in the Indian luxury car market. Ikeuchi-san shares his experience from joining Toyota Motor Corporation to leading Lexus India, his passion for the Lexus RX, and what it means to build the Lexus brand in a fast-growing and highly competitive market like India. The discussion dives into the growth of Lexus in India, the current lineup including the Lexus RX, ES, NX and LX, the roadmap for future Lexus launches, and the possibility of local assembly to make the brand more accessible. They also touch upon the importance of the India–Japan FTA, the challenges of running a luxury brand, customer expectations, dealer expansion, and Lexus’ focus on hybrid technology, Takumi craftsmanship and Omotenashi hospitality. If you want to understand where Lexus is headed in India — from market strategy to upcoming products — this podcast is your complete update. Hear the full episode to stay updated on everything Lexus India.
Nov 23, 2025 · 1 hr
Cool cars that we think should be sold in India | evo India podcast
There are a number of cool cars sold worldwide that aren’t sold in India. In this episode of the evo India podcast, Sirish and Aatish comb through international markets like North America, Europe, Japan and the Middle East to figure out which cars from those markets would make a great fit for India. From the likes of Hyundai’s full blown N models to the Civic Type R, from the extended Land Cruiser range to the Nissan Patrol, from kei cars in Japan to Renault’s incredibly cool European EVs, this podcast covers it all. We’ve looked at cars that would have mass appeal, but also luxury cars and cars that would appeal to the enthusiast.

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