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Mental road-legal Ferrari SF90 XX Stradale headlines the February 2024 issue of evo India

We also have first-drive reviews of the Bentley Bentayga EWB, Hyundai Creta, Tata Punch EV, Range Rover Evoque, Toyota GR Yaris Gen 2 and much more in this issue of evo India

Team Evo India

The SF90 XX Stradale is the first street-legal XX car to come out of the Ferrari stables, which until now meant ultra-exclusive track-only models. Updates over the standard SF90 Stradale (which was already ridiculously fast with its 1000bhp V8 hybrid powertrain) include more power, stiffer suspension, better aero, lightweighting and more. To test just how wild the XX is, Ferrari invited us to their Fiorano test track. Also at Fiorano, we drove the legendary Ferrari 308 GTB and a 365 GTB/4 Daytona, a perfect contrast to the XX on the previous pages.

We also have reviews for the Bentley Bentayga EWB, Hyundai Creta, Tata Punch EV, Range Rover Evoque and Toyota GR Yaris Gen 2. We dive deep into the upcoming Alpine A290 EV hot hatch which promises to bring back affordable hot hatches and the 1991 Le Mans winner Mazda 787B, diving into details about its chassis, aero, engine, brakes and more. In the UAE, we got to witness the 1000 Miglia, a regularity trial run of the legendary Mille Miglia. We also drove the new Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray in the USA. Back in India, we continue our search for the Tiger in the second edition of the Hyundai Great India Drive, this time going to Pench and Kanha. In our ABC of off-roading driving tutorials, we teach you how to tackle snow and ice. On two wheels, you will find the first ride reviews of the Royal Enfield Shotgun, Aprilia RS 457, Ather 450 Apex, Jawa 350 and the Bajaj Chetak. We compare the TVS Apache RTR 310 and the KTM 390 Duke and also test Hero’s first e-scooter, the Vida V1 Pro. Our motorsport section is headlined by the 2024 Dakar Rally. Apart from the rally report, you will find a separate story on the Hero MotoSports team’s performance at this year's Dakar. In TVS Racing Diaries, we dive into Harith Noah’s performance at the Dakar, the first Indian to climb onto the Dakar podium. 

All this and a lot more in the Feb 2024 issue of evo India – get your copy today! Click here.

Ferrari SF90 XX Stradale

Based on the 986bhp SF90 Stradale, the XX gets more aero, more power and a whole load of electronics while still being road-legal. Is the first ever street legal XX the best ever XX? We find out at Fiorano.

The first road-legal XX model.

Bentley Bentayga EWB

The Rolls Royce Cullinan sits on top of the luxury SUV food chain. Nobody has been able to come close – except maybe for the Bentley Bentayga. With a 180mm longer wheelbase, all of that going towards more legroom in the back, this is a review from the backseat.

Bentley Bentayga EWB tested in India!

2024 Hyundai Creta facelift

The Creta has been the king of its segment for a long time now, but the competition is stronger than ever. More cars have entered this highly competitive mid-size SUV segment since the Gen 2 Creta debuted in 2020. This update brings fresh styling, updated interiors and even a new 1.5 T-GDI engine. Still the king? We find out.

The Creta now gets a 1.5-litre Turbo GDI engine.

Tata Punch EV

Tata Motors is rapidly adding more electric cars into its fold. This time it is the Punch EV and unlike the Nexon or the Tiago's EV counterparts, it is based on an all-new platform that is bespoke to EVs. Retaining a similar size and design to the ICE, it brings facelifted styling and updated interiors and features to the mix. Is this the best ‘affordable’ EV in the country right now?

The styling of the Punch EV is similar to its ICE counterpart but sits on an entirtely new platform.

Mercedes-Benz GLS

The GLS has always been a name synonymous with luxury. Four years into the new generation, we have the facelift with a refreshed exterior and interior, and it now also gets a mild-hybrid diesel. But is all that enough to call it the S-Class of SUVs?

Updates for 2024 include a redesigned grille.

Range Rover Evoque

The entry point into the Range Rover lineup gets a mild facelift, now sitting in line with its elder siblings. Interior updates include the “reduced” dashboard where everything migrates into the Pivi Pro screen. But does all this justify the Rs 67.90 lakh price tag?

The Evoque has got rid of all the buttons in its centre console.

Toyota GR Yaris Gen 2

Toyota’s feisty little hot hatch is now in its second generation. And Toyota has reworked everything including the design, interiors, ergonomics, put out more power and even revised the chassis. Here’s how the Gen 2 fares on a track.

Gen 2 Toyota GR Yaris gets a significant upgrade over Gen 1.

Alpine A290

This would be Alpine’s first EV and claims are of it being an affordable hot-hatch. We only have a few details as of now, but they point towards a future that we enthusiasts would like. 

The Alpine A290 would be Alpine's first EV.

Classic Ferrari’s driven at Fiorano

Ferrari has come a long way from wood trims and enormous steering wheels. Today a 1000bhp track monster doesn’t sound so unbelievable. But can they still deliver the same involvement and driving pleasure? To answer that, we drove Ferrari’s 308 GTB and a 365 GTB/4 Daytona from the ’70s.

How different are the Ferrari’s 308 GTB and a 365 GTB/4 Daytona from a new-age Ferrari?

1000 Miglia

The “most beautiful race in the world,” as Enzo Ferrari called it, was a race run over 1000 miles in Italy. Originating in 1927, it ran till 1957, when it was finally outlawed due to the dangerous nature of the race. Now it has come back as a regularity trial in the Middle East with well-defined speed limits on public roads, and some glorious classics taking part. Adil Jal Darukhanawala takes you through it.

This is a regularity trial for the now-discontinued Mille Miglia.

How to use snow chains

In part 7 of our ABC of off-roading series, we are finally taking you to the mountains for a very important lesson on how to drive on snow and ice. Included are tips on not only how to drive but also how to prepare yourself for the cold even before you get behind the wheel.

This is a lesson you don't wanna miss.

Anatomy of a Mazda 787B

One of the most iconic Le Mans winners is the Mazda 787B. Even though it only won just once, it did it with the rotary engine and that was enough to make its mark with its epic David v Goliath story. We take you through the nitty-gritties of the race car diving into all the technical aspects of this rotary-powered beast.

The Mazda 787B was the first Japanese car to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

We spotted a tiger

The search for the tiger continues in the second edition of the Hyundai Great India Drive with the Exter. This time we took to Pench and Kanha National Parks to see if we could finally spot a tiger. Spoiler alert, the editor was successful.

We spooted a Tiger at the Kanha National Park.

Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray

The E-Ray has the same 6.2-litre V8 as the Corvette Stingray but for the first time in the history of the nameplate, this latest Corvette comes with electric assistance and AWD. What does it do for the Corvette’s performance appeal?

For the first time, a Corvette gets electric assistance and AWD.

Royal Enfield Shotgun

Based on the Super Meteor 650 but with added retro elements the Shotgun definitely stands out on our roads and it’s going to be an important Royal Enfield for its ever-expanding export markets. We rode it on the fabulous Angeles Crest highway outside Los Angeles.

The Shotgun is based on RE's Super Meteor 650.

Aprilia RS 457

Aprilia’s made-in-India-for-the-world RS 457 takes design inspiration from its elder RS siblings and pairs it with the most powerful sub-500cc engine in India, plus a whole load of electronics. Does all that make it a worthy buy? 

The RS 457 comes with the most powerful sub-500cc engine in India.

KTM 390 Duke v TVS Apache RTR 310

The newest naked performance bikes in the sub-500cc category go head-to-head in this story for the crown of the ultimate affordable super-naked. We talk about the design, tech, handling and most importantly performance.

Which of these naked bike deserves a spot in your garage?

Ather 450 Apex

Ather has brought us the most powerful scooter based on its 450 platform. The battery is the same but the motor is rated for a higher output and the scooter comes with a sweet function called the Magic Twist that acts as a regen even when the battery is above 80 per cent state of charge. 

Ather says that the Magic Twist function can handle up to 70 per cent of braking needs in the city.

Jawa 350

Five years after the return of the Jawa name comes the updated Jawa 350 with a revised gearbox, slip-and-assist clutch, wider tyres and more. But have the updates made it more appealing?

Can the new Jawa 350 take the fight to other retro bikes?

Hero Vida V1 Pro

The Vida V1 Pro is Hero’s first offering in the EV market. Hero has marketed it as a mass-market scooter with a focus on practicality but will it be as influential as the Splendor, taking its legacy forward in the modern electric age?

Vida V1 Pro gets two removable batteries.

India at the 2024 Dakar

It was a historic Dakar for India with Hero MotoSports becoming the first Indian manufacturer to get on the Dakar podium, while Harith Noah became the first Indian rider to get on the Dakar podium. Our in-depth Dakar coverage by Vaishali Dinakaran who was on the ground in Saudi Arabia dives into the epic performance by the Indian crews.

Tuned: Mitsubishi Pajero

The Pajero’s reputation in the off-road community is unmatched. Many modified examples are regularly seen doing rounds on social media. One such example is the blacked-out offroad-focused Pajero from Pune.

This Pajero feels ready to take on every kind of terrain.