How does Force Motors plan to comply with Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) norms, considering its passenger vehicle lineup is limited to the Force Gurkha-a heavy, ladder-frame diesel SUV?

Autocar India

•26m

That’s a very valid question, and it’s exactly the sort of thing that will give Force Motors sleepless nights with CAFE 3 looming in April 2027. With a single, heavy ladder‑frame diesel SUV in the portfolio, there is realistically no way the company can comfortably meet even the current CAFE 2 limits. Let alone the far stricter CAFE 3 norms, without major changes. The options are stark: significantly electrify or hybridise the Gurkha line‑up, add new, more efficient models to bring down the fleet average, or be prepared to pay hefty penalties on every unit sold.

Given Force’s limited scale and resources, a clean‑sheet, dedicated EV is a big ask. It’s also possible the company is working on arrangements or future products to mitigate its tailpipe CO₂ that we are not aware of. As things stand, though, the Gurkha by itself cannot carry them through the next round of CAFÉ.

Recommended questions for you

Prabhakar Raj

•1w

I am in doubt about DPF. My drive is mostly 30km a day in Bangalore traffic. What's the suggested frequency to go on consistent speed on a long drive?

Autocar India

•3d

Your 30 km a day in Bengaluru traffic likely means long stretches below about 25 khp, which is exactly when a diesel DPF struggles to passively regenerate. In that kind of stop‑start usage, it’s better to plan regeneration rather than wait for the warning light.If you go for a diesel car, try to do a dedicated DPF‑friendly run. Hold a steady 60-70 kph at roughly 1,800-2,500 rpm for 20-30 minutes about once every 2-3 weeks, or as soon as a DPF warning appears. The key is consistency and temperature, so don’t cut such a drive short if you suspect a regen is happening, and avoid lots of very short trips immediately after a cold start, which only accelerate soot build‑up.When you’re at the dealership, ask them to show you how the car indicates DPF status and what the different DPF warnings look like, and to explain the manual‑regeneration procedure in simple terms, so you’re not guessing if a light comes on. On a test drive, also check that you can comfortably cruise at 60-70 kph with the engine sitting near 2,000 rpm in one gear without constant shifting, because that’s exactly the sort of condition that lets the DPF clean itself.If your usage later shifts to frequent 300 km‑plus highway runs or you start doing more than roughly 1,500 km a month, the DPF will regenerate far more often on its own, and a diesel becomes much less fussy in everyday use.

Aayush gupta

•2w

I am planning to buy an electric car, as I travel around 100 km daily on highways. I am confused between the Mahindra XEV 9S, Tata Harrier EV, and Maruti e Vitara (Delta). We are a family of four and often travel with around 200 kg of luggage. My priorities are real-world driving range, safety, suitability for highway usage, and low maintenance. Which of these cars would be the most suitable for my needs, and what real-world range can I expect?

Autocar India

•1h

For your use case, the Maruti Suzuki eVitara, despite a range of 400+ km, drops out first. Its boot is only around 300 litres, which is tight even for two large suitcases, let alone 200kg of luggage plus four people. It’s fine as a family crossover, but not for heavy luggage and long‑haul highway use.Both the Mahindra XEV 9S and Tata Harrier EV are large, comfortable SUVs that will easily take four adults, and with their rear seats folded or adjusted, they can swallow serious luggage. The XEV 9S, being a three‑row SUV, gives you a huge, flat boot with the third row down, so it’s the most practical of the three for your 200kg luggage requirement.On range, the XEV 9S with the 79kWh battery delivers around 478km in Autocar’s real‑world test, versus about 401km for the Harrier EV AWD with a 75kWh pack. For your 100km daily highway run, both are adequate, but the Mahindra gives you a much bigger buffer even when loaded.In terms of driving feel, the Harrier EV feels more planted and tied down at high speed; the XEV 9S is softer and moves around a bit more on uneven highways, though it’s still safe and stable. On safety and maintenance, both are modern, 5‑star‑oriented SUVs with robust equipment; long‑term, Tata’s and Mahindra’s EV ecosystems are still maturing, so factor in dealer experience in your city and expect a few niggles too. Given your load, highway usage and need for range buffer, the Mahindra XEV 9S 79kWh is the most suitable overall.

Maruti Suzuki e Vitara

Mahindra XEV 9S

Tata Harrier EV

Joseph Dsouza

•4d

How does the 2026 Renault Duster compare with Toyota hybrid SUVs like the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder in terms of performance, efficiency, and overall usability?

Autocar India

•2h

Both are aimed at very different buyers, so it really depends on what you value more: driving pleasure or day-to-day efficiency.The 2026 Renault Duster is simply more entertaining to drive. Its 1.3 litre turbo petrol is punchy, smooth and among the most powerful engines in the segment. With around 160+hp and 280Nm on tap, the chassis comfortably copes with that performance. It feels confident at high speeds, the suspension is tough enough for bad roads, and it still has that robust, go anywhere character that Duster owners like. If you enjoy driving and often do highway or mixed runs, the Duster will put a bigger smile on your face.The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder hybrid, on the other hand, is more of an urban SUV, and that’s where it shines. Its strong hybrid powertrain can run silently on electric power at low speeds and constantly shuffles between engine and motor to keep things smooth and relaxed in stop-and-go traffic. Fuel efficiency is in a different league altogether - the Hyryder hybrid can give close to 20kpl, something a turbo petrol Duster simply cannot match. Plus, being a Toyota, long-term reliability and peace of mind are a big draw.

Renault Duster

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

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