BMW’s smallest SUV has grown a little longer, but the trade-offs that come with that added length reveal a familiar automotive pattern: chasing rear-seat space has meant sacrificing some of the comfort touches that once distinguished the model, according to a new review from Autocar India of the 2026 X1 Long Wheelbase.

The X1 LWB stretches the compact crossover by 116 millimeters overall compared with the standard-wheelbase model, with 108 millimeters of that added length concentrated specifically at the wheelbase. According to Autocar India’s review, that additional length does not translate into an awkward or visually elongated silhouette. “It is 116mm longer overall, with 108mm of that added length at the wheelbase alone. Importantly, the longer wheelbase doesn’t look unusually long, and so the proportions work,” the outlet wrote, describing the result as a lengthened body with well-proportioned design.

A long-wheelbase X1 is not an entirely new concept for BMW. The strategy of stretching compact and midsize models specifically for markets prioritizing rear-seat legroom, most notably China, dates back to the previous-generation X1, which received its own long-wheelbase variant, codenamed F49, at the 2016 Beijing Auto Show. That earlier long-wheelbase model featured a 110-millimeter longer wheelbase and was offered with a choice of a 136-horsepower three-cylinder engine, a 192-horsepower four-cylinder, or a 231-horsepower four-cylinder powertrain, built locally at BMW’s Brilliance joint-venture plant in Shenyang, China.

The current-generation long-wheelbase X1 and its all-electric iX1 counterpart, codenamed U12, were first unveiled at the 2023 Shanghai Auto Show, according to Carscoops and BMWBlog. Those models measured 4,616 millimeters, or 181.7 inches, in overall length, with a wheelbase spanning 2,802 millimeters, or 110.3 inches, figures that made the Chinese-market variant 116 millimeters, or 4.5 inches, longer than the standard global X1. According to CarWale, the earlier long-wheelbase model, produced through the BMW-Brilliance joint venture, translated its additional length almost entirely into second-row space, expanding the wheelbase by roughly 18 centimeters and increasing cargo capacity to approximately 675 liters, extendable to 1,650 liters with the rear seats folded down.

According to Autocar India, BMW has now brought that long-wheelbase formula, previously limited primarily to the electric iX1, to the standard internal-combustion X1 range as well, marking a notable expansion of the strategy beyond its original China-focused rollout. The outlet noted that India previously received the all-electric iX1 LWB last year, meaning the newly reviewed X1 LWB extends the same stretched-wheelbase treatment to the gasoline-powered version of the model for the first time in that market. BMW has indicated the standard-wheelbase X1 will continue to be sold alongside the LWB variant, though Autocar India speculated the long-wheelbase version may eventually become the sole X1 offered going forward.

Visually, the changes remain relatively subtle when viewing the vehicle in person. According to Autocar India, the X1 LWB “doesn’t look vastly different to the standard-wheelbase model,” retaining the same peeled-back headlamp design, the same M Sport styling package, and the same edgy tail-light treatment found on the regular X1. The review noted the 18-inch wheels are shared directly with other X1 variants, with the outlet suggesting a more distinctive wheel design or a larger overall size could have further enhanced the model’s visual appeal.

Inside, the cabin offers a choice between two upholstery themes, including a brown option and a white-on-black combination, with Autocar India cautioning that the lighter scheme would likely prove difficult to keep clean over time. The front seats received praise for their sporty appearance and supportive shape, though the review flagged a notable downgrade: the seat massage function available on other X1 variants has been dropped on the long-wheelbase model, and seat ventilation is similarly unavailable. The steering wheel, an M Sport unit fitted as standard, was described as feeling somewhat too chunky for most drivers’ hands and lacking paddle shifters for manual gear selection.

Material quality throughout the cabin, however, drew a more positive assessment from the review. Autocar India found that key touchpoints throughout the interior “look and feel good,” highlighting padded materials on the dashboard along with a textured, metal-like finish the outlet described as nicely executed despite the model’s positioning as BMW’s entry-level SUV offering.

The broader strategic logic behind stretching the X1’s wheelbase reflects a well-established pattern BMW has applied across multiple model lines in markets where rear-seat space carries particular commercial importance. According to Motor Authority, BMW’s decision to introduce a long-wheelbase X1 for China in 2016 followed the model’s exceptional global sales performance, with worldwide X1 sales having topped 800,000 units at the time, more than 200,000 of which came specifically from the Chinese market. That commercial success in a market prioritizing rear legroom directly informed BMW’s decision to offer a stretched variant, following a similar strategy already applied to the larger X5 in China.

Powertrain options for the Chinese-market long-wheelbase X1 have historically spanned a range of efficiency and performance tiers. According to BMWBlog, the entry-level sDrive20Li configuration uses a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine producing 154 horsepower, while the more powerful sDrive25Li steps up to a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 201 horsepower, with that larger engine also available paired with BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system for buyers seeking additional performance and traction.

As BMW continues extending its long-wheelbase strategy beyond China into additional markets such as India, the X1 LWB’s combination of meaningfully expanded rear-seat space, largely unchanged exterior styling, and a handful of notable comfort feature omissions positions it as a nuanced proposition for buyers weighing the trade-offs between practicality and the full suite of amenities available on the standard-wheelbase model. Whether that trade-off proves worthwhile is likely to depend heavily on individual buyer priorities, particularly for those who value rear-passenger space and cargo capacity over front-seat comfort features such as massage and ventilation functions that remain available only on the shorter-wheelbase variant.

SYDNEY — Shares in Australian defence technology company Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd. jumped more than 20 percent on Tuesday after the firm reported a sharp rise in first-half revenue and a record order book, signaling strong demand for its counter-drone and weapons systems.

The stock rose as high as $10.51, up $1.91 or 22.21 percent, in heavy trading on the Australian Securities Exchange. The move followed the release of results for the six months ended June 30, which showed revenue climbing to $168.8 million from $44.1 million a year earlier, an increase of about 283 percent.

Underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization turned positive at $21.6 million, compared with a $14.9 million loss in the prior corresponding period. The company still recorded a statutory net loss of $33.7 million, narrowed from a $44.8 million loss a year earlier.

Management highlighted an unconditional order book of approximately $846 million as of June 30, up sharply from levels a year earlier and described as the highest in the company’s history. Unrestricted cash stood at $256 million, providing a stronger balance sheet position after capital raisings and recent contract wins.

The results reflect a period of accelerated growth driven by global demand for counter-unmanned aerial systems and remote weapon stations. Electro Optic Systems has secured multiple contracts in the Middle East and elsewhere, including a large order for its Slinger counter-drone system. The company completed the acquisition of MARSS Group earlier in the year, adding artificial intelligence-enabled command-and-control capabilities that have contributed additional orders.

In commentary accompanying the results, the company stated: “This has been a record period for EOS, with strong order growth reflecting global demand for our advanced defence technologies. We are seeing the benefits of our investments in manufacturing, and the MARSS acquisition provides us with new opportunities in AI-enabled systems.”

Defence spending in several regions has increased amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and the proliferation of low-cost drones on modern battlefields. Electro Optic Systems has positioned itself as a supplier of both kinetic and directed-energy solutions, including high-energy laser systems. A factory for high-energy laser weapons was formally opened earlier in 2026.

The company also upgraded full-year revenue guidance for its base business, excluding the newly acquired MARSS operations. It now expects base revenue of between $280 million and $300 million for the 2026 financial year, up from a previous range of $240 million to $270 million. The guidance is based on the existing secured order book and does not include potential future contracts.

Gross margin for the half was reported at 58 percent, lower than the prior year as the product mix and scale of deliveries shifted. Contracts signed during the period totaled about $303 million across 10 orders, compared with $75 million across eight orders in the first half of 2025.

Investors have closely watched the company’s ability to convert its growing backlog into delivered revenue and improved cash flow. The first-half performance showed progress on that front, with underlying EBITDA moving into positive territory at scale for the first time. The narrowed statutory loss reflected higher operating costs associated with ramping production and integrating the MARSS acquisition, offset by the sharp rise in sales.

Electro Optic Systems operates in the defence and space sectors, designing and manufacturing electro-optic sensors, remote weapon systems and counter-drone technologies. Its products are used by military customers seeking to protect forces and infrastructure from aerial threats. The company has expanded manufacturing capacity in Australia and pursued international partnerships, including a joint venture arrangement in the United Arab Emirates linked to laser and remote weapon systems.

The share price rally on Tuesday extended a strong performance over the past year, during which the stock has more than doubled amid a broader re-rating of defence-related companies. Analyst coverage has generally remained constructive, with some brokers maintaining buy ratings and price targets above current levels on the expectation of continued order momentum.

Market reaction focused on the combination of revenue growth, the size of the order book and the move into underlying profitability. Trading volume was elevated as the results were digested. The stock has traded in a wide range over the past 12 months, reflecting both optimism about defence spending trends and concerns about execution risk, dilution from capital raisings and the path to sustained statutory profitability.

Management has emphasized that market conditions for counter-drone and related technologies remain supportive. The company plans to continue investing in production capacity and technology development while assessing further strategic opportunities. The MARSS integration is expected to broaden the product offering into AI-driven systems that complement existing hardware.

For the second half of the year, attention will center on the pace of deliveries against the large backlog, any additional contract announcements and progress toward full-year guidance. Cash generation and working capital management will also remain important as production scales.

Electro Optic Systems’ first-half figures illustrate the operating leverage available when order intake accelerates in a specialized defence niche. The near-tripling of revenue and the swing to positive underlying earnings provided tangible evidence of that leverage, even as the statutory bottom line remained negative due to non-cash and integration-related items.

The company’s focus on counter-drone systems aligns with a structural shift in military requirements. Low-cost unmanned systems have become a persistent threat across multiple conflict zones, driving demand for affordable and effective countermeasures. Electro Optic Systems’ remote weapon stations and emerging laser systems are designed to address that need across different ranges and environments.

As the results circulated, the stock’s sharp advance reflected investor confidence that the current momentum can be sustained. Whether that confidence proves durable will depend on continued contract wins, reliable delivery performance and the successful integration of recent acquisitions. For now, the combination of record revenue, a substantially larger order book and improved underlying profitability has driven one of the stronger single-day moves in the Australian defence sector this year.

The broader market backdrop of elevated geopolitical risk has supported valuations across many defence suppliers. Electro Optic Systems has benefited from that environment while seeking to differentiate itself through proprietary technology and a growing international customer base. The first-half numbers mark a notable step in translating that opportunity into financial results.

This article was written by

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Shares of PVR Inox rallied more than 4% on Tuesday after it announced that the board of directors will meet on August 31 (Monday) to consider and approve a proposal for the multiplex chain operator’s first ever buyback of the equity shares.

The shares of the company jumped to a fresh 52-week high of Rs 1,231.80 apiece on NSE on Tuesday. In an exchange filing released before market opened on Tuesday, PVR Inox said the board meeting has been scheduled for Monday, where the directors will consider and approve a proposal for buyback of the equity shares of the company, with a face value of Rs 10 each.

A buyback of shares refers to a corporate action where a company repurchases its own shares from existing shareholders. Usually, the company purchases the shares at a higher price than current levels, encouraging investors to participate.

What to watch out for in PVR Inox’s buyback?

The record date to determine the eligibility of shareholders set to participate in PVR Inox’s proposed buyback is yet to be determined. Only those shareholders who own PVR Inox shares in their demat accounts as on the record date will be eligible to participate in the multiplex chain operator’s first ever share buyback.
The company has not yet announced whether the buyback will be done via the tender route or the open market route. Whether promoters and promoter groups will participate in the buyback also remains among the key watches.

Also read | PVR INOX bets on smaller multiplexes as single-screens decline

PVR Inox share price

This comes after PVR Inox shares saw a sharp surge recently amid blockbuster releases, along with the stellar lineup ahead. The stock gained 4% in a week and 17% in a month, hitting a multi-month high of Rs 1,248.20 apiece on NSE yesterday. The stock is close to crossing its 52-week high of Rs 1,249.70 apiece, which it had hit in October 2025.PVR Inox shares have recovered around 38% from their 52-week low of Rs 907 apiece, which they hit in March this year. Overall, the stock is up more than 22% in 2026 so far.

In the longer term, however, the stock has delivered negative returns of 28% in three years and nearly 6% in five years. The company has a market capitalisation of nearly Rs 12,226 crore, with a P/E ratio of around 27x.

Also read | Lights, camera, collections: PVR Inox strikes back with a ‘Dhurandhar’ performance

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

Shares of Ceigall India jumped 4% on Tuesday to hit the day’s high of Rs 336 on the NSE after the company secured a Rs 704.7 crore contract for the Frontier Highway project in Arunachal Pradesh.

According to a filing with the exchange, the company received Letters of Acceptance (LOA) from the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) for the construction of a key section of the Lada-Sarli section of NH913 (Frontier Highway) in Arunachal Pradesh, at a contract value of Rs 704.70 crore, excluding GST.

Also Read | Ceigall India wins Rs 705 crore Arunachal Frontier Highway project

The project will be executed jointly with Sushee Infra & Mining (SIML), with Ceigall India holding a 74% share and SIML holding a 26% share in the joint venture.

The company said that the project involves the construction of the road from km 85.60 to km 168.00 of the Lada-Sarli section of NH-913 (Frontier Highway) to Intermediate Lane standard, and will be undertaken on an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode.

This project carries a 48-month construction period, followed by a five-year maintenance period and will further strengthen Ceigall India’s growing portfolio of road infrastructure projects.
The project reinforces its capabilities in executing large-scale highway projects across challenging geographies. The project forms part of the development of the Frontier Highway network in Arunachal Pradesh, supporting the expansion of critical road connectivity in the region.“We are pleased to receive this Letter of Acceptance from the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways for this important section of the Frontier Highway in Arunachal Pradesh. This project further strengthens our presence in the region and reflects our continued focus on expanding our portfolio of strategically important road infrastructure projects,” said Ramneek Sehgal, Managing Director, Ceigall India.

Sehgal further said that, “Our partnership with Sushee Infra & Mining Limited brings together complementary capabilities, and we remain committed to delivering the project with a strong focus on execution excellence, quality and timely completion. We look forward to contributing to the development of critical highway infrastructure and strengthening connectivity in the region.”

The leading infrastructure development company further said that with this project it will continue to build on its strategy of expanding its geographic footprint and strengthening its presence across key road infrastructure segments.

The company remains focused on leveraging its EPC capabilities to undertake projects that contribute to the development of robust and reliable transport infrastructure across India.

Also Read | Ceigall India JVs secure Rs 2,423-crore MoRTH orders for road construction on NH-913 in Arunachal

On Friday, the company in an exchange filing said that its joint ventures have secured five Letters of Acceptance (LOAs) from the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) worth Rs 2,423.70 crore for road construction on NH-913 (Frontier Highway) in Arunachal Pradesh.

The company has bagged an award for Rs 274.08-crore engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) package covering construction of the road from 17.812 km to 55.377 km of the Bile-Migging section of NH-913, a company statement said.

The project has been awarded to the joint venture between Ceigall India Ltd and Rajinder Infrastructure Pvt Ltd, in which Ceigall India holds a 70% stake and Rajinder Infrastructure holds the remaining 30%.

The project also carries a 48-month construction period, followed by a five-year maintenance period.

The stock has jumped 22.32% in 2026 so far and 34.24% in the last one year. In the last one month, it went down 1.41%.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

Shares of Afcons Infrastructure gained as much as 4.40% during Tuesday’s trading session, touching an intraday high of Rs 290.90, after the company announced it received a favourable arbitral award worth Rs 335.50 crore.

The company disclosed in a regulatory filing that an Arbitral Tribunal, in proceedings between Afcons Infrastructure Limited and Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), passed the award in favour of Afcons on August 24, 2026.

According to the filing, the award comprises a principal amount of Rs 152.25 crore, along with pre-award and pendente lite interest of Rs 183.25 crore. The interest has been calculated at the SBI Base Rate with quarterly rests for the period from May 1, 2019, to August 24, 2026, taking the total award amount to Rs 335.50 crore.

The company said the award is expected to positively impact its financial position. However, the awarded amount will become payable subject to the counterparty not challenging the arbitral award within the stipulated period prescribed under law.

The development acts as a positive trigger for Afcons Infrastructure shares, with investors reacting to the potential financial benefit from the sizeable arbitration award.

Share price, valuation and technical indicators

Afcons Infrastructure currently commands a market capitalisation of around Rs 10,248 crore, while the stock’s 52-week high stands at Rs 479.40.
From a valuation perspective, the stock is trading at a P/E ratio of 70.99, while its Price-to-Sales (P/S) ratio stands at 0.83 and Price-to-Book (P/B) ratio at 1.88.On the technical front, Afcons Infrastructure’s 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) is at 47.6, indicating that the stock is currently in a neutral zone. Generally, an RSI below 30 indicates oversold conditions, while a reading above 70 signals that a stock may be overbought.

Institutional Holding: The company’s latest June 2026 quarter shareholding pattern shows a marginal reduction in institutional ownership. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) reduced their stake from 12.19% to 12.15%, while Mutual Funds trimmed their holding more noticeably, from 18.60% to 17.78% during the quarter.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of Economic Times.)

Mumbai: Corporate India raised more than ₹1.11 lakh crore through mainboard initial public offerings (IPOs), qualified institutional placements and offers for sale through July and August, as domestic liquidity and improving investor sentiment kept the capital markets active despite range-bound movements in key equity gauges.

The two-month fundraising tally is the highest since October-November 2024, when more than ₹1.14 lakh crore was raised through these routes.

Read more: Investors’ equity rush helps SIP assets triple in five years

IPO activity remained particularly strong, garnering more than 40% of the funds raised. So far this month, 20 companies have collected more than ₹20,850 crore, adding on to the ₹28,650 crore raised by 12 companies in July. Listed companies have also stepped up qualified institutional placements (QIP), with four companies raising ₹3,250 crore so far in August, against ₹25,114 crore by eight companies in July.

In the offer for sale (OFS) segment, where existing investors cash out in part, Life Insurance Corp of India raised nearly ₹31,447 crore in August to boost public float in the country’s biggest institutional investor.

Volatility Hit Transactions
Another public-sector major, Cochin Shipyard, raised nearly ₹1,705 crore in July. “The primary market does not necessarily require a sharply rising index; it requires liquidity, reasonable volatility and confidence in individual companies,” said Munish Aggarwal, co-head, investment banking, Equirus Capital.
Companies and shareholders had postponed transactions during extreme volatility in the immediate aftermath of the West Asian war.

They are now using the improved market window to raise growth capital, reduce debt, finance acquisitions, meet regulatory requirements, and provide exits to promoters and private-equity investors, experts said.

The surge in capital-market activity comes even as benchmark indices have remained range-bound. The Sensex and Nifty gained 2.1% and 2.2%, respectively, in July, but have declined 0.5% and 0.7%, respectively, so far in August, as oil prices have hardened yet again.

The Nifty MidCap 150 and Nifty SmallCap 250 gained 1.6% and 1.1%, respectively, in July and have risen 1.2% and 2.8%, respectively, so far in August.

Aggarwal said equity markets have remained range-bound amid multiple headwinds, including the prolonged West Asia conflict, higher crude and logistics costs, and concerns over the sustainability of IT earnings in the AI era.

Domestic institutional and retail flows have provided a counterbalance to uneven overseas purchases, undergirding benchmarks and providing companies with the necessary confidence to tap the capital markets.

Retail contributions through systematic investment plans (SIP) stood at approximately ₹31,961 crore in July, while active equity funds received nearly ₹24,700 crore, providing domestic institutions with significant capital to deploy. The broader 2026 numbers underline the strength of the fundraising cycle.