The 2026 class of disruptors | Luxury EV cars

T he world of luxury automobiles is evolving rapidly with EVs taking a giant leap forward this year. The 2026 line-up of EVs is revolutionary with next level car systems as well as with connectivity and built-in intelligence. Cars are becoming smarter than ever before. For example, not only does the Mercedes CLA BEV have astounding range, it also uses generative AI that can adapt to changing preferences.

The GLC EV takes the game even further with concepts such as drive by wire steering, but the real game-changing moves have come from BMW. The German marque believes that the iX3 is the best driving production car that it has ever built. Not only does it take user interfaces to the next level but also rethinks the entire build of the battery and makes it modular. Even Lexus has launched its most affordable car in its electric avatar.

However, that does not mean that EVs are the only noteworthy launches slated for the luxury space this year. Mercedes-Benz India, after seeing the success of MPVs or essentially vans from Toyota and Lexus has launched the V-Class in a new avatar—as a luxury personal vehicle while the M2 CS flies the flag for a true blue sports car. Welcome to the next generation of opulence.

MERCEDES-BENZ CLA

Mercedes-Benz has brought its next-gen CLA (pictured above) to India, which for the first time is all electric. The sedan is low-set, and uses Mercedes’ three-pointed star motif for its LED DRL, as well as the illuminated grille. The rear too, features an illuminated three-pointed star motif in the taillamp, as well as a connected LED bar. The bodywork is smooth, and designed with maximum aero efficiency in mind, and offers a low-set silhouette, and flush panels, that give it a drag coefficient of just 0.21. The cabin features a revised layout, with a 10.25-inch driver’s display and a 14-inch infotainment sitting inside one flush glass panel, along with AMG styling including the steering wheel. The CLA is based on the Mercedes Modular Architecture, with an 800-volt system, which along with its aero efficiency allows it to boast a range of 792km on a single charge. The CLA is being offered in the 200 Standard Range and the CLA 250+ Long Range variants, with the former offering a range of 542km.

Price: Rs. 55 lakh
Launch: End of April

BMW IX3

One of BMW’s most significant launches is set to be the iX3, the first production vehicle based on the Neue Klasse platform. The iX3 debuts an all-new design for BMW, with an upright stance with vertically arranged kidney grilles and the headlamps integrated into the flat nose panel. The iX3 has flat surfaces everywhere, with clean lines and squared wheel arches. The rear houses large LED signature lamps, that look similar to wide profile kidney grilles. The interiors for this brand new BMW come with a squarish-steering, while the driver’s display and most other readouts have been integrated into the wide display at the base of the windscreen, much like an HUD, while a 17.9-inch display handles all the necessary functions. The iX3 50 gets dual-motors, with 469bhp and a 0-100kmph time of 4.9 seconds while the claimed range sits at 800km.

Price: Rs. 90 lakh
Launch: November 2026

VOLVO

Volvo is set to expand its electric fleet with the launch of the flagship EX90. Unveiled a few years ago, the EX90 serves as the electric counterpart to the XC90 SUV, and largely looks the same. Updated last year, the EX90 features a new 800-volt architecture, allowing it to charge even faster, while an upgraded NVIDIA chip ensures enhanced driver assistance and collision avoidance. The shift to 800V architecture also means that the EX90 has better acceleration and improved efficiency. The EX90 features seating for seven passengers, and a clean interior layout made from sustainably sourced materials. The software on the infotainment is Google-based, allowing direct Maps, and other Google app usage without the need to pair a smartphone.

Price: Rs. 1.2 crore
Launch: December 2026

MERCEDES-BENZ V-CLASS

After a hiatus of 4 years, the Mercedes-Benz V-Class has made a return, ready to challenge the monopoly that the Japanese have enjoyed in this space for the last few years. It has been brought here exclusively in the extra-long wheelbase configuration, which measures 3,430mm. The V-Class features AMG Line cosmetic bits, including the grille pattern, and the bumper design, giving this a rather sporty theme. Customers can opt for either black or beige leather themes for the interior, which is offered with a six-seat configuration, that can be customised, with the full-lazyboy seats placed at the end, and the ventilated seats placed facing rearward, or a regular configuration, or removing a row altogether. The lazyboy seats feature 3-stage ventilation, massage, calf support, cupholders and wireless charging, while the third row features ventilation as well. The van features an Airmatic air suspension featuring adaptive damping as standard, which has been tuned for Indian road conditions. Features include a 650W 15-speaker Burmester audio system, electrically sliding doors, ambient lighting, to name a few. The V300d comes with a 2.0-litre diesel making 233bhp while the V300 gets a petrol motor making 228bhp, and also benefits from a mild-hybrid setup.

Price: Rs. 1.40 crore
Launch: On sale

MERCEDES-BENZ GLC EV

The volume driver for Mercedes-Benz has entered an electric avatar in its latest generation. Called the GLC with EQ Technology, this is the successor to the EQC SUV. This is based on the MB.EA platform, and gets 800V architecture and is offered with a 94kWh battery pack and can be had in single or dual-motor configurations. The GLC EV features a dramatic grille that features 942 backlit dots, around the illuminated logo in the middle. It also gets star-shaped lights at the front and the rear. The GLC debuts an all new interior, using a 39.1-inch MBUX Hyperscreen, the largest the brand has ever made, stretching across the width of the dashboard. The steering meanwhile has physical controls, first for Mercedes in many years. Mercedes-Benz claims a range of more than 700km on a single charge for the GLC EV.

Price: Rs. 90 lakh
Launch: October 2026

BMW M2 CS

BMW has brought the M2 CS to India, making it the second CS model to make its debut here. The CS is the most extreme version of the M2, and is 30kg lighter using a carbon-fibre bootlid, roof and trim elements. The M-specific suspension has been revised with adjustments made to the dampers, springs and an 8mm lower ride height. The CS also gets a slightly larger grille, allowing more air to the engine, and a new splitter. It gets staggered 19 and 20-inch forged alloys, wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres. The M2 CS debuts a massive integrated ducktail spoiler that adds to the stability while the larger diffuser and quad exhaust tips add to the performance and drama. While it continues with the same 3.0-litre twin-turbo motor, the revisions to the internals mean that the M2 CS has access to 530bhp and 650Nm of torque, with 0 to 100kmph coming up in a claimed 3.8 seconds. The power is sent to the rear wheels only, via an 8-speed automatic gearbox.

Price: Rs. 1.66 crore
Launch: On sale

FERRARI 849 TESTAROSSA

Ferrari has brought the brand-new 849 Testarossa to our shores. The flagship Ferrari is the replacement for the SF90 Stradale, and uses a re-engineered mid-rear twin-turbo V8 setup combined with three electric motors, with a total output sitting at a staggering 1,050bhp. The design is a mix of retro and modern, with L-shaped headlamps connected by a black strip, while the rear features a twin-tail design as well as an active rear spoiler, derived from motorsport. The cabin is driver-focussed with a 16-inch driver’s display that facilitates smartphone integration. The 849 also lets go of the haptic steering controls, using physical knobs instead. Being a hybrid, the Testarossa can drive on electric power alone for up to 25km, while performance figures are headlined by a 0 to 100kmph time of just 2.25 seconds, and a top speed of 330kmph.

Price: Rs. 10.37 crore
Launch: On sale

LEXUS ES

Lexus has brought the eight-gen ES sedan and has also become part of the new trend of being launched as an EV first. The new ES has grown in size, with a longer wheelbase. Inspired by the latest Toyotas, the ES gets sharp L-shaped DRLs, and headlamps concealed below. The large spindle grille has been replaced by a smooth nose panel, with a smaller slatted grille below. The sides feature a large aero line, marked by a black trim adding to the drama, while the rear features a Kammtail-inspired look. The cabin is minimalist, with a clean interior and layered with tech including a 14-inch infotainment display along with touch-based capacitive buttons, while the driver gets a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display. The interiors have been finely crafted and include wood-finish as well as touch-based concealed buttons. The ES debuts with electric powertrain for the first time, that arrives as the ES 500e, using two electric motors, powered by a 75kWh battery pack, that gives it a claimed range of 580km on a single charge. It has access to 343bhp and 438Nm of torque from its AWD electric setup. Lexus will be introducing the hybrid ES to expand its lineup soon.

Price: Rs. 90 lakh
Launch: On sale

MINI ACEMAN

Mini is set to expand its India-lineup with the Aceman. This sits below the Countryman Electric, and is the only Mini to be offered solely with an electric powertrain globally. It is slightly bigger compared to the Cooper hatch, with a longer wheelbase. It is offered with two battery pack options - 38.5kWh and a 49.2kWh pack, that are paired to a single e-motor. The larger battery gets a 218bhp motor and a range of 405km on a single charge. There is also a JCW variant that gets a more powerful 258bhp motor and can launch from 0 to 100kmph in 6.4 seconds. It gets angular headlamps, square wheel arches and rectangular taillamps, while the chunky cladding marks it apart from the Cooper hatch. The interior mimics other Mini cars, with a circular display and a clean aesthetic.

Price: Rs. 60 lakh
Launch: May 2026

AUDI Q5

The new Audi Q5 is based on a new platform, and debuts the brand’s all-new design language in India. The grille is smaller, with slim Matrix LED headlamps and a new bumper, while the rear houses a connected LED strip. The overall aesthetic is modern, yet sporty with lots of minor elements, that is a departure from Audi’s traditional simplistic design that maximised on linear themes. Inside the cabin gets a 11.9-inch driver’s display along with a 14.5-inch touchscreen as well as a third display for the passenger. It also gets a flat top and bottom steering, along with a cabin that is largely driver focussed. The Q5 is offered with many powertrains, including 2.0-litre petrol and diesel motors with FWD or AWD, as well as a range-topping 3.0-litre V6 that makes 367bhp and 550Nm of torque.

Price: Rs. 60 lakh
Launch: August 2026

Compiled by Anagh Bhaskar