Licence to Drive

19/09/2025

A café revolution of sorts is trying hard to shake off Noida’s utilitarian past in favour of curated cool. On social media, the transformation looks complete. In reality, it feels hollow at the core.

Aesthetics alone does not build lasting customer loyalty. The hospitality and F&B business demands quality, consistency, safety, and a genuine service mindset.

A deep dive into Noida’s growing café culture where style often outpaces substance, and the experience feels more hustle than heart.

Read the full story here: https://licencetodrive.in/2025/09/curated-cool-with-a-hollow-heart-noidas-emerging-cafe-culture.html

Link in bio.

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13/09/2025

Luxury. Power. Intelligence.

Meet the all-new Mercedes-Benz GLC with EQ Technology — where elegance meets electrification and every drive feels like a glimpse into the future.

What’s new:
• Bold, iconic design with an illuminated pixel grille that sets a new benchmark in presence.
• Massive, optional Hyperscreen (39.1-inch end-to-end display) that seamlessly integrates driver, passenger & infotainment functions.
• A powerful electric drivetrain: Dual-motor AWD on the top model (GLC 400 4MATIC) delivering both performance and efficiency.
• 800-volt architecture with ultra-fast DC charging (~330 kW), letting you refill range quickly.
• Spacious, high-end cabin with options including vegan interior, upgraded suspension, panoramic roof.

If you believe luxury isn’t just about what you see, but what you experience, this GLC might just redefine what you expect from an SUV.

To know more about the all-new Mercedes-Benz GLC, visit our website.

12/09/2025

The Volvo EX30 hits the road later this month. After nearly a week behind the wheel, here are our first impressions.

Compact yet confident. Safe, sustainable, and unmistakably Scandinavian. The EX30 doesn’t shout for attention. It wins you over with quiet brilliance. But can minimalism also leave you wanting more?

Read the full review on our website.

06/09/2025

.india just made its introduction in India with the launch of the VF6 and VF7 SUVs in India, and the Vietnamese brand is looking all set to disrupt the EV space in the country.

The VF7 starts at INR 20.89 lacs and goes up to 25.49 lacs, with a total of 5 variants, while the VF6 starts at 16.49 lacs and goes up to 18.29 lacs with 3 variants on offer.

To top it up, there’s free charging + free maintenance for 3 years, and a 10 year warranty.

Both SUVs come loaded:
VF6 (compact) – up to 468 km range, 12.9-inch screen, panoramic sunroof, ADAS, 7 airbags.
VF7 (mid-size) – up to 532 km range, 204-350 hp, full-width LED DRLs, panoramic roof, premium cabin with connected tech.

Sharp styling, spacious cabins, and strong features make them stand out in the EV space. Made in India, backed by a 10-year warranty, and priced to shake up the EV game.

31/07/2025

It speaks in whispers.
Revealing itself only to those who know how to listen.
It’s slower. Quieter.
And you’ll appreciate how little it tries to impress.

Koh Lanta. An island in meditation.

Follow the link to the article in bio.

25/05/2025

Slow Living: The Gentle Reset of Life’s Rhythm

In a world that constantly hurries forward, there’s a quiet countercurrent stirring.
It doesn’t shout. It doesn’t demand. It simply waits to be let in.

Slow living isn’t a rejection of modernity—it’s a reset.
A reset of rhythm. Of beauty. Of breath. Of choice.

It’s not about doing less, but about being more present with what we do.
It’s not a lifestyle trend—it’s a gentle, everyday ritual waiting to be embraced.

This mellow piece on , co-authored by and for explores a quiet global rebellion against urgency, distraction, and the illusion of constant progress. A call to move with intent, live with presence, choose depth over distance, and rise above the noise—through the eloquence of stillness.

You can read the full story through the link in our bio.
Read. Reflect. Reset. It may just nudge you to return to life’s natural rhythm.

29/03/2025

A Quiet Symphony Beneath the Surface.
A Deep Dive into the World’s Most Iconic Culinary Destination.

Noma Ocean Season 2025.

There are places that transcend mere dining. Spaces where time slows, senses sharpen, and every detail whispers a story.

Noma’s Ocean Season 2025 is one such experience—a deep, contemplative dive into the rhythm of the sea, through plates as delicate as ocean foam and as profound as the tides.

Sixteen courses, spread over four languid hours—gastronomy as an immersive art form that speaks to our deepest connections with nature, culture, and human creativity.

Savour this gently crafted piece by exclusively for , as it captures the essence of the journey at the world’s most iconic restaurant. A read to relish—unhurried, reflective, timeless.

Immerse yourself; the ocean is calling.

28/03/2025

Few vehicles capture attention quite like the Land Rover Defender. With the unveiling of the new Defender OCTA, Land Rover has introduced its boldest creation to date—an unrivaled blend of toughness, capability, and luxury that sets a new standard for this iconic nameplate.

Named after the octahedral crystal structure of a diamond, the Defender OCTA embodies strength, resilience, performance, luxury, aspiration, and exploration. In form and function, it’s a precision instrument designed for those who see the world as their playground.

Unparalleled Performance
- Powered by a 4.4-litre Twin Turbo mild-hybrid V8 engine, the OCTA delivers an impressive 467 kW and 750 Nm of torque, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.0 seconds.

Advanced Terrain Mastery:
- Ground clearance of 323mm
- Ability to wade through one metre of water
- 33-inch diameter tyres—the largest ever on a Defender
- Innovative 6D Dynamics suspension system

World-first performance-focused OCTA Mode:
- Enhanced traction control
- Dedicated launch control
- Specialised anti-lock braking for loose surfaces
- Adaptive suspension that dynamically responds to terrain

Performance with sophistication:
- Ultrafabrics™ upholstery (30% lighter than leather)
- Immersive Body and Soul Seat technology
- 700W, 15-speaker Meridian™ Surround Sound System
- Performance seats with integrated headrests

Distinctive Design:
- Character defining colours like Faroe Green and Petra Copper
- Chopped Carbon Fibre detailing
- Contrast roof in gloss Narvik Black
- Unique diamond-inspired signature graphic

Pricing and Availability:
Defender OCTA: INR 2.59 crore (ex-showroom)
Defender OCTA Edition One: INR 2.79 crore (ex-showroom)

With the OCTA, Land Rover hasn’t just created another SUV—they’ve engineered a manifesto of exploration—a vehicle that’s tough like a diamond, goes anywhere and everywhere, and transforms the very concept of the journey into an immersive one-of-a-kind experience.

13/03/2025

Paris Fashion Week x Jaguar Type 00:

Irish actor Barry Keoghan arriving at The Peninsula Paris in style after attending Valentino’s show.

Jamie Dornan—actor, model, and musician—stepping out of the Type 00 at the iconic Hôtel Plaza Athénée before heading to Loewe’s presentation.

Oscar-winning actress Zoë Saldaña making a chic entrance dressed in Yves Saint Laurent, driven by her husband Marco Perego-Saldaña.

Jaguar Type 00. The unexpected star of Paris Fashion Week.

10/03/2025

The longstanding collaboration between India Art Fair and BMW India is redefining South Asia’s art landscape.

Read all about here: https://licencetodrive.in/2025/03/india-art-fair-bmw-redefining-south-asias-art-landscape-together.html

India Art Fair & BMW: Redefining South Asia’s Art Landscape Together - Licence to Drive

05/03/2025

The new has arrived. The flagship luxury SUV blends Scandinavian elegance with effortless elegance and sublime drivability. A 250 hp mild-hybrid engine with 360 Nm torque ensures a refined yet commanding presence on the road. Inside, a spacious, living-room-like cabin with ventilated massage seats and a 1410W Bowers & Wilkins sound system redefines comfort and entertainment on the go. Safety remains paramount with every Volvo, and this one comes with features such as Collision Mitigation, Blind Spot Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Control with Pilot Assist. Intelligent, powerful, effortlessly sophisticated, and an automobile that whispers luxury.

Launched today at the Ambassador's Residence, Embassy of Sweden, New Delhi.

Deliveries begin March 2025.

Introductory price: INR 1,02,89,900.

28/02/2025

VinFast VF 7: A Fresh Take on Electric Luxury

VinFast, the Vietnamese automaker, has unveiled the VF 7, a five-seater electric SUV that combines European styling with innovative design. Collaborating with Italy’s Torino Design, the VF 7 features sharp, aircraft-inspired lines and a distinctive profile that commands attention.

Inside, the aviation theme continues with a D-shaped steering wheel and a large, angled display, creating a minimalist yet upscale cabin environment.

As VinFast expands into global markets, the VF 7 presents a compelling alternative in the electric SUV segment.

What are your thoughts? Share with us in the comments below.

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