2025 was the year cars and bikes stopped just making headlines and started dominating timelines, feeds, and For You pages. Across platforms, automotive content blurred the line between product news, pop culture, and meme-worthy moments. From comic-book collaborations to a long-awaited Formula 1 title, the year delivered plenty of social-media-first stories that kept enthusiasts glued to their screens. Here we have compiled a list of such moments that stuck.
Mahindra BE6 Batman Edition
Mahindra's BE 6e Batmobile moment
Kicking off the countdown is Mahindra's BE 6e "Batman Edition", a special showcase that brought full-blown Batmobile drama to an electric SUV concept. Finished in a dark matte theme with illuminated accents and aggressive alloys, the BE 6e wore its Gotham inspiration on its sleeve. The collaboration with DC marked a rare comic-universe tie-up for an Indian carmaker, triggering a flood of "India's Batmobile is here" posts as fans shared images and reels of the SUV across platforms.
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Chinese SUV's Viral Stunt Backfired
At the other end of the spectrum was a Chinese SUV that went viral for all the wrong reasons. In a widely shared clip, the manufacturer attempted a stunt clearly inspired by Range Rover's durability showcases, only for the effort to fall flat. The failed attempt sparked a wave of criticism, reaction videos, and memes mocking the execution and the brand's ambitions. For many viewers, the episode became a reminder that one high-profile misstep online can overshadow spec sheets and marketing claims.
Tata Sierra's Nostalgia-Fuelled Return
Tata Motors tapped straight into India's collective memory with the modern-day Sierra. Even before the big announcement, social media was buzzing with speculation, throwback posts, and family photos featuring the original Sierra from the 1990s. The new-age SUVs reveal, complete with a dramatic crash test demonstration of one Sierra ramming into another, amplified the nostalgia. The stunt showcased structural strength while reinforcing the idea that a beloved "Papa's dream car" was returning in a contemporary avatar, giving Tata one of its most emotionally charged viral moments of the year.
Modi-Putin Fortuner Ride Trends
Diplomacy provided one of 2025's most unexpected automotive clips when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin were seen riding together in a locally assembled Toyota Fortuner. Leaving behind the usual limousine convoy, the leaders' choice of a white SUV instantly caught the internet's attention. Fortuner owners quickly embraced the moment, sharing selfies with their vehicles, about "diplomatic duties" and memes celebrating the SUV's elevation from family favourite to unofficial state transport.
Lando Norris' F1 Fairytale
Topping the list is Lando Norris clinching the Formula 1 world championship in Abu Dhabi, a result that sent motorsport communities into overdrive. After years of near-misses and online jokes about bad luck, the McLaren driver's title win delivered the kind of underdog payoff that social media thrives on. Clips of Norris' junior-karting days resurfaced alongside footage of emotional celebrations in the McLaren garage, while Indian fans joined the global chorus with tribute edits and nostalgic reels. In a year of viral automotive content, Norris' championship stood out as the rare sporting moment that united fan bases across teams, timelines, and time zones.