motornews

We have reached the midpoint of the year and have witnessed several new product launches across various segments. The upcoming month of July 2023 promises to bring even more excitement with multiple global unveilings and price announcements from different car manufacturers. In the luxury segment, we can expect the updated Mercedes-Benz GLC, BMW X5 facelift, and Audi Q8 e-tron. Hyundai’s micro SUV, the Exter, will hit showrooms on July 10th, while the pricing details of the Maruti Suzuki Invicto will be revealed on July 5th. Kia India has scheduled the official unveiling of the updated Seltos on July 4th. Additionally, Harley-Davidson’s most affordable and first made-in-India bike will be available in showrooms starting from July 3rd. Let’s delve into some key details of these upcoming cars and bike that are set to arrive next week. Harley-Davidson X440: The Harley-Davidson X440 is the first motorcycle to be launched under the partnership between Harley-Davidson and Hero MotoCorp.

The Korean automaker Kia has released a teaser of the soon-to-be-launched Seltos facelift. Scheduled to be introduced on July 4, 2023, the 2023 Kia Seltos will come with design changes and a significantly updated interior along with a new engine option. Select dealerships have already started accepting pre-orders for the new Seltos . It will rival the likes of the new Hyundai Creta, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder and others. The teaser image confirms that the 2023 Kia Seltos will receive a revised front fascia, featuring new LED daytime running lamps that merge nicely to the new grille, a new bumper and a new skid plate. The SUV also gets a new tailgate design with new tail-lights and a light bar that runs across the width. It is likely to receive a newly styled alloy wheels. The teaser also reveals the dashboard layout of the Seltos facelift. The teaser reveals an all-black interior scheme, which is most likely to be offered on the GT Line variants. The HT Line trim will come

Honda Cars India is placing a significant bet in the midsize SUV segment with the all-new Elevate, slated to go on sale in the coming months. The carmaker has already confirmed that the new SUV will come with a single 1.5L, 4-cylinder petrol engine and two gearbox options: a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed CVT automatic. What comes as a surprise is that Honda didn’t even consider offering a hybrid version of the Elevate. Instead, the company plans to directly introduce its electric version within the next three years. Read – What are Honda’s plans for India? Rumors suggest that Honda will announce the prices for the Honda Elevate in September, just before the festive season. This information is said to have come from a dealer meeting where Honda revealed the tentative pricing and launch timeline of the SUV. The model lineup is expected to consist of four variants, with prices ranging from Rs 11 lakh to Rs 22 lakh (ex-showroom). That means the prices of the Elevate will be more or less

India Yamaha Motor (IYM) Pvt. Ltd. has announced the opening of two new state-of-the-art “Blue Square” outlets in Siliguri, West Bengal. Launched under the banner of ‘Global Motors’ in Babu Para, Siliguri (2200 Sqft), and ‘National Motors, Bankim Nagar, Siliguri (1850 Sqft). Yamaha’s Blue Square outlets are designed to deliver a superior experience to customers across end-to-end sales, service, and support through a highly personalised approach. Yamaha's Blue Square outlets embody Yamaha’s true spirit and have been meticulously designed to provide customers with a superior end-to-end experience encompassing sales, service, and support. They exemplify a personalized approach, ensuring every customer feels valued and satisfied. By leveraging these exclusive outlets, the brand aims to offer customers a gateway into the world of Yamaha Racing. Each section of these premium outlets has been thoughtfully crafted to instil a sense of pride in being associated with a global brand deep

The updated Kia Seltos is set to have its India debut on July 4, 2023. While official booking details are yet to be announced, select Kia dealerships have started accepting pre-orders with an initial sum of Rs 25,000. Prices are likely to be announced towards the end of July. We already have a good idea of what to expect from the 2023 Kia Seltos facelift, thanks to spy images and videos. Additional details will be released next week. 2023 Kia Seltos Design Changes The refreshed model features a refurbished and larger grille, tweaked front bumper, and newly designed headlamps with DRLs, giving it a new look. ‘Ice Cube’ LED fog lamp assembly is positioned further down. Moving towards the sides, the SUV gets newly designed alloy wheels. The rear section has also been revised with an updated bumper and taillamps. The GT Line trim receives sporty red inserts in the front and rear bumpers, along with dual exhaust tips. 2023 Kia Seltos Interior and Features The highlight of the new Selto

Mahindra has announced that it has achieved a production milestone of 900,000 units for its iconic SUV, the Mahindra Scorpio, marking a significant achievement for the brand that created the SUV category in India. For over two decades, the authentic SUV, Scorpio, has stood as a true champion, consistently evolving and reshaping the SUV landscape in the country. The Mahindra Scorpio has established itself as a favourite among SUV enthusiasts across the nation. Its class-leading attributes, features and capabilities have remained unwavering across generations, from the original Scorpio to the all-new Scorpio-N and the Scorpio Classic. Designed, engineered and built to be a game-changer, the Mahindra Scorpio's iconic status has also gained significant share of voice on Digital landscape. In FY23, it proudly claimed the title of being the most-searched SUV on Google, a testament of its popularity and customer interest. The all-new Mahindra Scorpio-N, introduced in June 2022, has f

Lexus India has announced the launch of ‘Lexus India’ App, a one-stop shop to provide integrated & seamless services to all Lexus owners in India. Coinciding with the start of deliveries of the all-new Lexus RX, which is also the first fully connected vehicle from Lexus in its India line-up. With the launch of this app, Lexus India became the first in Asia connected app for Lexus guests in the region. Crafted to deliver a gamut of services for unparalleled convenience, exhilarating ownership experience & complete clarity, the Lexus India app delivers more personalised customer service. Lexus is constantly trying to provide amazing experiences to its guests through its physical presence with 23 guest touch points across 16 cities and with the Lexus Virtual Dome – a state-of-the-art virtual guest experience center hosted on the Lexus India website. With the introduction of the ‘Lexus India’ app, this will further deliver a fully integrated & reliable ownership experience t

Honda has struggled to maintain its position in the Indian market in the past few years, and the credit goes to its aging product portfolio and stringent emission standards. Defying all odds, the Japanese carmaker is now getting ready to revive its market with a slew of new product launches. Takuya Tsumura, President and CEO of Honda Cars India, recently revealed that the company has a ‘robust product strategy’ and aims to bring in five SUVs by 2030. The first model to roll out under its new product plan will be the Honda Elevate, scheduled to go on sale in a couple of months. Foray Into Electric Space Furthermore, Honda Cars India will foray into the electric vehicle (EV) space in the next three years. The company has confirmed that its EV product lineup will include an electric iteration of the Elevate SUV. It aims to achieve two-thirds of vehicle sales from EVs, and its India plan will align with the global strategy. To do so, the Japanese automaker will explore the potential to

Tata Motors, India’s largest EV (electric vehicle) manufacturer, has an aggressive plan for expanding its presence in the EV segment. The company has announced that it is well on track to bring in 10 electric vehicles over the next five years. That means we will witness 1 or 2 new Tata EVs every year. The plan outlines electric iterations of its three existing SUVs, including Punch, Harrier, and Safari, along with the Sierra EV, Curvv EV, Altroz EV, Avinya-based EV, and more. Read – Tata Electric Cars To Be Sold Via EV Only Dealerships Let’s delve into some key details of the upcoming Tata electric SUVs that will be based on the existing models. Tata Punch EV The Punch’s electric version is reported to go on sale during this year’s festive season. The model, currently in its testing phase, will have some Curvv concept-inspired changes inside and out. The fresh spy images show that the micro EV gets a new two-spoke steering wheel with an illuminated logo in the center, as we have se

Volvo Trucks has delivered an electric truck for heavy transport to a haulier in Gothenburg, Sweden. The truck can handle a total weight of 74 tonnes. More and more hauliers are now starting to invest in electric trucks, also for heavy transport. Mattson Åkeri in Gothenburg, Sweden is one of them, and the company has now bought three heavy electric Volvo FH trucks from Volvo. For the past few weeks, testing has been ongoing on one of the trucks in container traffic in the port area of ​​Arendal in Gothenburg. The test is a so-called HCT (High-Capacity Transport) project. The truck with two trailers is 32 m long and can handle a gross combination weight of 74 tonnes. The electric truck being tested is a Volvo FH Electric 6X4 and is charged with green electricity at the two fast 180 kW chargers that Mattsson Åkeri has installed in the company’s depot in Arendal. In the long term, the truck will also run between Gothenburg and the city of Borås, 70 km from Gothenburg. from Indian

The prototypes are carefully disguised, but they cannot conceal their character as high-performance cars. The future generation of the BMW M5 has entered the practical phase of its series development process. The new high-performance sedan from BMW M GmbH is now completing its test drives on public roads, BMW Group proving grounds and racetracks around the world. Moreover, fans of the BMW M brand can look forward to a further result of the product offensive that will continue into the year 2024. BMW M GmbH has now officially confirmed that with the new edition of the BMW M5, it will be adding a Touring variant to its model range. The perfect symbiosis of M-typical performance, uncompromising long-distance comfort and impressive spaciousness will experience a renaissance in 2024 with the new BMW M5 Touring. Just like the future BMW M5 Sedan, the Touring variant will also feature a completely newly developed partially electrified drive system. Its M-typical performance characteristics

The Punch EV is one of Tata’s models that has been planned for this year, possibly around the 2023 Diwali season. It won’t have any direct rivals here, but it will go head-to-head against the Citroen eC3 and MG Comet in terms of pricing. The electric micro SUV is currently in its testing phase, and recently we got a flash of its interior. The Tata Punch EV will receive some changes inside the cabin inspired by the Curvv concept. There will be a new two-spoke steering wheel with an illuminated logo in the center and haptic touch controls. The fresh spy images show the test mule with wing mirrors integrated camera modules, hinting that it will have a 360-degree camera. We have seen one of its prototypes with an electronic parking brake and a rotary drive selector, similar to the Nexon EV Max. The micro EV’s test mule was spotted with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system instead of Tata’s new 10.25-inch touchscreen unit. Features such as a 7-inch TFT instrument cluster, automati

With its premiumisation game in the two-wheeler space, Royal Enfield has been enjoying double-digit volume growth and strong export opportunities. The bikemaker is dominating the 350cc-500cc segments with models like Bullet 350, Classic 350, Meteor 350, Hunter 350 and Himalayan 400. With an aim to challenge RE’s dominance, Baja Auto and Hero MotoCorp are planning to bring in their locally-made bikes co-developed with Triumph and Harley-Davidson respectively. Bajaj-Triumph’s Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X recently had their world premiere in London. Both motorcycles will go on sale in India on 5 th July, 2023. Harley-Davidson X440 roadster, which is developed under partnership with Hero MotoCorp, will hit roads on 3 rd July 2023. Let’s take a look at all key details of the aforementioned upcoming motorcycles. Triumph Speed 400, Scrambler 400 X In terms of design, the Triumph Speed shares some of its design elements with the Speed Twin 900 and the Scrambler 400X looks like the Scram

The new BMW M 1000 RR has been launched in India. Available as completely built-up units (CBU), this motorcycle can be pre-ordered at all BMW Motorrad India authorised dealerships. The deliveries for the same will begin in November 2023. The design of the new BMW M 1000 RR has one clear specification: victory. It features a lightweight, intricately crafted fairing in visible carbon fibre with M Design tapes. The chassis relies on the aluminium bridge frame as its centrepiece, supplemented by an upside-down fork and central suspension strut with Full Floater Pro kinematics. A colossal advancement in the aerodynamics area has resulted in the increased potential of the new M RR. Another positive effect of the new fairing is the now integrated protection of the M engine covers. The new M RR is powered by the water-cooled inline 4-cylinder engine with a capacity of 999 cc, designed for racing purposes. It generates a peak output of 212 hp (156 kW) at 14,500 rpm and the maximum torque of

Denying all rumors surrounding the Mahindra Thar 5-door, the indigenous carmaker has confirmed that the lifestyle off-road SUV will not debut on August 15, 2023. The company has released a statement that reads, “With reference to multiple media reports indicating that the much-awaited Mahindra Thar 5-Door will debut at a Mahindra event in South Africa on August 15, we would like to clarify that the launch is not scheduled for this year. During the recently concluded Quarter Results media interaction, we confirmed that the launch of the Thar 5-Door is scheduled for 2024 in India.” The 5-door Thar will come as a more practical option for buyers who are looking for an off-roader with rugged styling and a better seating arrangement. Most of its design elements and features, along with powertrains, will be sourced from the 3-door Thar. What will differentiate it will be a longer wheelbase (around 300mm) and more cabin space. In terms of pricing, it is expected to be more expensive than the

The long-awaited Triumph’s entry-level motorcycles, called the Triumph Speed 400 & Scrambler 400 X have been officially unveiled. These are the first motorcycles designed and developed under the Triumph and Bajaj partnership. Bajaj will manufacture these motorcycles in India and will be exported in several international markets. Both bikes will be launched in the Indian market on July 5, 2023, and are expected to be priced around Rs 3 lakh. The Speed 400 shares the styling cues from the Speed Twin 900 aka Street Twin, while the Scramler 400 X design is inspired from the Scrambler 900. The new motorcycles are powered by an all-new single-cylinder engine, called the TR-series powertrain. This 398cc, liquid-cooled engine features DOHC architecture, and is capable of producing 40bhp at 8000rpm and a peak torque of 37.5Nm at 6500rpm. The power and torque figures are closer to KTM’s 373cc engine; however, the peak power and torque are available at an early stage. The powertrain is cou

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) has announced that the Honda Activa has created another historical milestone in the Indian two-wheeler industry by achieving a 3 crore sales milestone. This remarkable accomplishment emphasizes HMSI's dominant position in the Indian scooter market, showcasing their unwavering dedication to delivering cutting-edge, reliable, and top-notch two-wheeler mobility to India. The Honda Activa, introduced in 2001, has completely revolutionized the Indian two-wheeler market, redefining daily commuting experience and elevating the lives of countless individuals. Blending cutting-edge technology, superior performance, and unmatched reliability, the Activa has always been the first choice of India. Throughout its 22-year journey, the brand Activa has achieved many milestones, paving the way for its extraordinary success. India’s love towards Honda Activa has continued to grow exponentially with each passing year. In just 3 years of its debut in 2001,

From holidays away to quick trips to the vet, we are taking our pets into our cars more frequently. And it is no surprise, with some 62% of UK households now owning a pet, that people consider our four-legged friends to be a part of the family. So how do we ensure the safety of both them and us and our beloved cars, while driving? Here, we will explore some ways to ensure the best travel for you and your furry friends from car design to additions for a more comfortable ride.   Cars which can accommodate your pet’s size and needs One way to ensure the safety, and luxury, of your pet and car is by ensuring that the two are size compatible. Confined spaces could lead to increased anxiety and discomfort, especially for larger breeds of dogs, and physical problems might arise, such as your dog gaining access to the front of the car. This can cause many problems including distraction while driving and according to the Highway Code, drivers could be fined up to £5,000 if their dog is no

Tata Motors has announced the achievement of the 50K sales mark for the Tata Nexon EV since its launch in 2020. The Tata Nexon EV is currently being sold in over 500 cities across India and has been driven over 900 million km and counting, across varying terrains. This shows the confidence of the 50K strong Nexon EV community, who are taking long trips to as far as 1500 KM in a stretch. On average, Nexon EV owners are driving around 6.3 million km in a month on intercity & outstation trips ranging from 100 to 400 km. This was also powered by India’s growing charging infrastructure – which has seen a growth of over 1500% between FY21 and FY23. Powered by an enhanced range of 453km, the Tata Nexon EV successfully entered the India Book of Records by covering the ‘Fastest’ Kashmir to Kanyakumari drive in an EV. It completed the drive of 4003km in just 95 hours and 46 minutes (under 4 days), successfully proving its ability to undertake multi-city trips. During the drive, the Nexo

Maruti Suzuki is all set to bring in its re-badged Toyota model on 5th July 2023. Called the Maruti Suzuki Invicto, the three-row premium MPV is based on the Toyota Innova Crysta, which is currently the top-selling strong hybrid vehicle in the country. The carmaker stated that they do not expect to sell it in large numbers, but it will help enhance their brand image and showcase “carbon-friendly hybrid tech.” The Maruti Invicto will be the new flagship model and is estimated to cost roughly the same as the Innova Crysta strong hybrid. Here’s – 1st Images of the Maruti EVX electric SUV Toyota’s premium MPV is available in six strong hybrid variants – VX (7-seater), VX (8-seater), VX (O) (7-seater), VX (O) (8-seater), ZX, and Z (O). All the mentioned models are priced between Rs 25.03 lakh and Rs 29.99 lakh (ex-showroom). The Invicto is expected to be priced between 25 lakh and 30 lakh (ex-showroom). The Maruti Suzuki Invicto 7-seater MPV will come in the Alpha+ trim and will be power

Tata Motors has lined up multiple new products for the Indian market. This year, the carmaker will bring in updated versions of its popular SUVs, including the Nexon, Harrier, and Safari, along with the Punch CNG and Punch EV. 2024 will surely be more exciting with the debut of the production-ready Curvv coupe SUV, and it seems like Tata has begun initial preparations for it. The company recently filed a trademark application for the Tata Frest, suggesting that the manufacturer’s new midsize SUV could be launched here under the same name. Read – Tata to launch 8 new SUVs in India For people who are not aware, the Tata Curvv was showcased in its concept avatar at this year’s Auto Expo. It previews the brand’s new ‘Digital’ design language and new-gen electric architecture. The company had revealed that the Curvv (Tata Frest) will be made available with electric powertrain and ICE (internal combustion engine) options. The latest sketches hint that the new midsize SUV could also be offer

MG Motor India has announced industry-first broad range of connected car features in partnership with Jio platforms. As part of this association, MG Motor India will offer seamless integration of Hinglish Voice Assistant-enabled experiences powered by Jio’s Digital Assets in the Comet electric vehicle. Jio brings new automotive solutions to deliver an array of experiences. MG Commet EV customers will benefit from Jio’s innovative assets such as India’s first-ever Hinglish Voice Assistant system integrated with Music Apps, payment apps, connectivity platform, and hardware. The embedded Hello Jio Voice Assistant understands the native Indian speaker who possesses different regional dialects and tonality across India. Hello Jio provides the best In-car voice assistant for Indian users, beyond in-vehicle command and control, with dialogs. Hello Jio’s dialogs provide information about Cricket, Weather, News, Horoscope and many more domains. The user can turn the AC on or off, play songs

Aston Martin has hit the accelerator on its ambition to create the world’s most thrilling and highly desirable electric performance cars, with the formation of a landmark new supply agreement with world-leading electric vehicle technologies company, Lucid Group, which will help propel Aston Martin’s high-performance electrification strategy and its long-term growth. The proposed agreement announced this morning to the London Stock Exchange would see Lucid, a world-leader in the design and manufacture of advanced electric powertrains and battery systems, supply Aston Martin with industry-leading electric vehicle technologies. Access to Lucid’s current and future powertrain and battery technology will be at the centre of Aston Martin’s all-new in-house Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) platform. Aston Martin’s electrification programme forms a pillar of the ultra-luxury brand’s wider Racing. Green. sustainability strategy and will see an investment of over £2 billion in advanced technolo

The 5-door Suzuki Jimny is ready to make its way to Australia. The carmaker has confirmed that it’s aiming for a November launch. However, deliveries will begin in early 2024. While Suzuki Australia has yet to reveal its features, specs, and prices, the lifestyle off-roader has received over 1000 bookings. For those unaware, the 3-door Suzuki Jimny is already on sale in Australia. The model comes with a 1.5L, 4-cylinder petrol engine, a 4-speed automatic gearbox, and a standard 4WD system. The motor produces a top power of 75kW (101bhp) and 130Nm of torque. The Australian-spec 3-door Suzuki Jimny includes advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) features such as autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, and high beam assist. The SUV’s long wheelbase version may also be available with the ADAS tech. Other features on offer include a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless smartphone connectivity and voice command, digital climate control, two 12V outlets, reve

With the second generation of the Kodiaq, Škoda has further improved its globally successful large SUV. It now comes with a more distinctive design and even more space, especially for passengers in the third seat row. In addition, the second generation of the Kodiaq is marked by a new interior concept featuring a touchscreen display measuring up to 12.9 inches, a gearshift lever on the steering column, manual and digital controls and a tidy, well-organised centre console. The engine roster includes two petrol and two diesel engines ranging from 150 hp (110 kW) to 204 hp (150 kW) as well as a plug-in hybrid version – a first for the Kodiaq. This offers an electric range of more than 62 miles (100 kilometres). The safety equipment is once again state-of-the-art, boasting for example second-generation full LED Matrix headlights and even more advanced assistance systems. Also on board: new Simply Clever features, such as a rear storage compartment with a cup holder and a dual Phone Bo

Royal Enfield is galloping its way ahead of the competition with models like the Meteor 350, Classic 350, Himalayan, Super Meteor 650, Interceptor 650, and Continental GT 650. With an aim to further increase its market share, the Chennai-based bikemaker has planned at least 13 new bikes that will arrive over the next few years. The company has confirmed that its new motorcycles will be introduced in a phased manner, with four models per year in the next 3-4 years. There will be two new bikes based on the 350cc platform, five bikes on the 450cc platform, and six new models on the 650cc platform. Read: Royal Enfield Classic 650 – What to Expect? Speaking about the 350cc segment, Royal Enfield will bring in the new-generation Bullet 350 and a new 350 bobber. The RE 350cc bobber will essentially be a lighter and more affordable variant of the Classic 350. Previously, the bike was spotted with a single-piece seat, and this time around, its test mule was seen with a two-seat set. The cantil

Mahindra & Mahindra has already revealed its product strategy for the Indian market. The indigenous SUV manufacturer had announced that it will not launch any new products this year. The 5-door Thar will be the next major release under Mahindra’s umbrella, scheduled for 2024. Furthermore, the company has multiple electric SUVs in the pipeline, all of which will be based on the brand’s new INGLO platform. The plan outlines five born electric SUVs, categorized into two sub-brands: XUV.e and BE. The former will include two models – XUV.e8 and XUV.e9 – while the latter will consist of three models – BE.05, BE.07, and BE.09. All upcoming Mahindra electric SUVs will share the same platform and battery module. However, power outputs and range will vary. The Mahindra XUV.e8 will be the first model to enter production and is expected to arrive in December 2024. It is essentially the electric version of Mahindra’s flagship SUV, the XUV700. Recently, one of its prototypes was captured on

In the first half of 2023, we have witnessed several new car & SUV launches in our market. The next six months will be more exciting, as close to 10 new SUVs will be launched in the country. We bring you a list of top 10 new SUVs launching in our market before the end of this year – Kia Seltos Facelift – July 4 The Korean automaker, Kia will launch the much-awaited new Seltos facelift in the country on July 4, 2023. The new SUV will receive significant design changes and an upgraded interior along with a new turbo petrol engine. It will come with advanced driver assistance system with features like autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, lane assist, auto high beam and others. It will also receive a factory-fitted panoramic sunroof. The SUV will be offered with a new 160PS, 1.5L turbo petrol engine. Hyundai Exter – July 10 Hyundai will enter into the fast growing micro SUV category with the Exter micro SUV. Scheduled to be launched on Jul