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Acer FASTER Awards 2026 Winners: Mahindra XEV 9E, Apache RTX 300, Honda Activa Take Top Honours
The Federation of Auto Scribes of the Electronic Realm (FASTER) has concluded its annual award event celebrating India's best cars, motorcycles, technologies, and automotive personalities of 2025. This is the fifth successful edition of the Acer FASTER Awards, held in Gurgaon, NCR.
The winners were selected by some of the most senior editorial leaders and automotive journalists from independent publications across India, spanning six languages and collectively reaching over 250 million readers and viewers every month.
Acer FASTER Awards 2026 Winners
The jury panel included well-known automotive figures such as Gaurav Yadav from Gaadiwaadi, Promeet Ghosh from DriveSpark, Roshan Joseph of Pilot on Wheels, Rohit Khurana of CarBlog India, Amit Chhangani of Motoroids, and Naren Sharma of GearFliQ.
Each of the vehicles was extensively tested and evaluated before nomination. Notably, this was the first edition where internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicles were judged together. Here's a look at the winners and awardees of the 2026 edition.
1. Car of the Year 2026 - Mahindra XEV 9E
Mahindra continues to be a dominant force in India's electric vehicle segment, and the XEV 9E has been crowned FASTER Car of the Year 2026. Built on Mahindra's INGLO platform, this SUV is part of the brand's born-electric lineup.
It offers a claimed range of up to 656 km and supports DC fast charging for quicker top-ups. The SUV also secured a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating and is available with 59 kWh and 79 kWh battery pack options. Featuring several segment-first technologies, the XEV 9E has received a strong market response, with over 30,000 registrations helping it secure the top honour.
Amit Chhangani, Chairman of the FASTER Awards, commented, "The Mahindra XEV 9E winning Car of the Year alongside the best internal combustion vehicles in India is not just a product story. It reflects where Indian engineering stands today. The future of mobility isn't arriving in India - it's being created here. Five editions in, FASTER's commitment remains unchanged: product, engineering, and experience above all."
2. Motorcycle of the Year 2026 - TVS Apache RTX 300
One of the standout launches recently has been the TVS Apache RTX 300, developed in-house by TVS Motor Company. Designed for adventure enthusiasts, the motorcycle packs advanced technology, premium components, and practical features that enhance convenience and great riding experience. It is powered by a 299cc liquid-cooled DOHC engine capable of handling diverse terrains.
The bike also includes ride-by-wire technology, switchable traction control, a quick shifter, and 180 mm suspension travel - making it well-suited for adventure riding and long journeys. Its competitive price tag of ₹1.99 lakh (ex-showroom) further impressed the jury, earning it the Motorcycle of the Year 2026 title.
3. Design of the Year 2026 - Tata Sierra
Tata Motors' recently launched SUV, the Sierra, was recognised for its design excellence. The jury praised its blend of classic heritage styling with modern design elements, awarding it the Design of the Year 2026 title.
4. Electric Two-Wheeler of the Year 2026 - Ultraviolette X47
The Ultraviolette X47 secured the Electric Two-Wheeler of the Year award. This semi-adventure electric motorcycle is built on the same platform as the F77 and stands out as the first production-ready motorcycle equipped with an integrated 77 GHz radar system.
5. Premium Car of the Year 2026 - BMW X3
The BMW X3 was named Premium Car of the Year. The luxury SUV impressed the jury with its blend of style, comfort, everyday usability, and signature BMW driving dynamics. It has also set a strong benchmark in its segment for performance, design, and features.
6. Timeless Icon Award 2026 - Honda Activa
The Honda Activa received the Timeless Icon Award. For over two decades, it has remained one of India's most trusted and popular scooters, consistently appealing to a wide range of consumers and maintaining its leadership in the segment.
Complete List of 2026 Acer FASTER Award Winners
Awards (Non-Product) | Winner |
| Auto Campaign of the Year | Skoda India - Octavia RS (Chanakya Campaign) |
| CSR Initiatives Award | Honda India Foundation |
| Award of Honour | Sanjay 'Hardy' Sharma (Posthumous) |
| Motorsports Personality of the Year | Kush Maini (F2 Winner- Monaco GP 2025) |
| PR Personality of the Year | Srinivas Krishnan, SVP, Adfactors PR |
| Communications Personality of the Year | Anand V, VinFast India |
| PR Team of the Year | PR Pundit Havas Red - Auto Division |
| Communications Team of the Year | VinFast India |
| Industry Personality of the Year | Tarun Garg, MD & CEO, Hyundai Motor India |
| Technology of the Year | Mahindra INGLO Platform |
| New Entrant of the Year | VinFast India |
In the Non-Product category, brands like Skoda, Honda, and VinFast have won awards. Popular figures, including Sanjay Hardy Sharma (legendary Head of Motorsport and Corporate Communications at JK Tyre), F2 Winner and Indian Racer Kusha Maini and Trum Garg of Hyundai Motors India were also recognised by the Jury.
Product Categories - 2026
Award | Winners |
| Update of the Year - Two-Wheeler | Harley-Davidson X440 T |
| Update of the Year - Four-Wheeler | Kia Carens Clavis |
| Design of the Year | Tata Sierra |
| Electric Two-Wheeler of the Year | Ultraviolette X47 |
| Electric Car of the Year | Mahindra XEV 9E |
| Premium Motorcycle of the Year | Ducati Multistrada V4 |
| Premium Car of the Year | BMW X3 |
| Timeless Icon - Two-Wheeler | Honda Activa |
| Timeless Icon - Four-Wheeler | Toyota Innova |
| Viewers' Choice Award | Maruti Suzuki Victoris |
| Scooter of the Year | Suzuki Access |
| Motorcycle of the Year | TVS Apache RTX |
| Car of the Year | Mahindra XEV 9E |
About FASTER
The Federation of Auto Scribes of the Electronic Realm (FASTER) is India's leading independent automotive journalism collective, reaching over 250 million readers and viewers monthly across six languages. The FASTER Awards is the only automotive recognition platform in India where every nominated product undergoes mandatory hands-on jury evaluation, with results independently validated by third-party partners. FASTER's founding principle: credibility is not a philosophy. It is a process.
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