Citroen India Gets 4-Star Bharat NCAP Rating
- By MT Bureau
- October 11, 2024
Citroen India’s all-new Basalt SUV Coupe has got 4-star rating in the Bharat New Car Assessment Program (Bharat - NCAP) safety tests.
This significant achievement the company says not only highlights the vehicle’s safety prowess but also demonstrates Citroen’s commitment to equipping all variants with enhanced safety features as standard.
The Citroen Basalt distinguishes itself with a robust and intelligently engineered body structure designed to offer optimal protection in the event of a collision.
Shishir Mishra, Brand Director, Citroen India said, "We take immense pride in Citroën Basalt’s 4-Star rating from Bharat NCAP. This achievement is a testament to our unwavering commitment to ensuring safety is at the forefront of our design philosophy. The Basalt’s impressive safety credentials empower our customers to drive confidently and securely. As the safety discussion evolves among Indian car buyers, we are proud to drive ahead, ensuring that the safety of our customers remains our top priority. We are optimistic that this recognition will reinforce the Basalt's appeal and establish it as a preferred choice in the market."
The Bharat NCAP crash test cars and conduct performance assessments on safety features and technologies. It publishes a simple star rating to indicate relative safety performance.
The vehicles tested by Bharat NCAP sees frontal offset impact test performed at 64kmph while the side impact test is performed at 50kmph and the pole side impact test is performed at 29kmph.
The Citroen Basalt comes with over 40 active and passive safety features including as standard. It employs high-strength steel, Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS), and Ultra High Strength Steel (UHSS) to effectively manage front and side impacts while minimizing cabin intrusion.
Additional advanced safety features include six airbags, an Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Hill Hold Control, 3-point seat belts & seat belt reminder for all Seats, and ISOFIX child seat anchors—all standard across variants.
Audi India Opens Bookings For New Audi SQ8
- By MT Bureau
- March 10, 2026
German luxury car brand Audi has commenced bookings for the new Audi SQ8 SUV, which is set to be launched on 17 March 2026 in India, for an initial amount of INR 500,000.
The SQ8 occupies a position within Audi’s Q range, featuring mechanical and performance upgrades over the standard Q8. It is powered by a 4.0-litre V8 TFSI engine, which produces 373 kW and 770 Nm of torque, enabling a claimed zero to 100 kmph in 4.1 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 250 kmph.
It features Quattro System – permanent all-wheel drive with a self-locking centre differential. Adaptive air suspension sport as standard and all-wheel steering to assist with low-speed manoeuvrability and high-speed stability.
Audi India has indicated that the SQ8 will be available in limited numbers. This launch follows the existing Q8 family line-up in the Indian market, targeting customers in the performance SUV segment.
Balbir Singh Dhillon, Brand Director, Audi India, said, “The Audi SQ8 represents the ideal meeting point between everyday luxury and uncompromising sporty performance. Its formidable engine and distinctive S character make it a remarkably complete SUV. The enthusiasm we have seen for our Audi Q8 family in India gives us great confidence that the new Audi SQ8 will resonate strongly with our customers who seek more than a conventional luxury SUV. We are delighted to open bookings and encourage performance enthusiasts to secure their Audi SQ8 early, as availability will be limited.”
Skoda Auto India Enters Meghalaya With Shillong Dealership
- By MT Bureau
- March 10, 2026
Skoda Auto India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has inaugurated its first dealership in Shillong, marking the brand's entry into the state of Meghalaya. The Sales, Service and Spares (3S) facility has been launched in partnership with SSB Automobiles (La i Jong Skoda) to expand the company's footprint in the North-East region.
The facility, located in Laitkor Rngi, includes a 3,000 sqft showroom with a four-car display and a 7,250 sqft service centre equipped with three bays. The site follows the ‘Modern Solid’ design philosophy used by the manufacturer globally.
The inauguration is part of a broader strategy that has seen Skoda’s network grow from 120 touchpoints in 2021 to more than 325 across 184 cities. The Shillong outlet will provide access to the manufacturer’s full portfolio, including the Kylaq, Kushaq, Slavia and Kodiaq models.
Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Skoda Auto India, said, “With the inauguration of our first-ever Customer Touchpoint in Shillong, we are delighted to bring Skoda Auto closer to customers in Meghalaya. The North-East is an emerging and promising market for us, and expanding our network footprint here reflects our commitment to making the Skoda brand more accessible across India. Following our biggest-ever year in India in 2025, strengthening our network remains a key focus. This newly inaugurated facility will provide customers access to our full product portfolio, including the Kylaq, Kushaq, Slavia and Kodiaq, along with the premium ownership experience and service standards that define the brand.”
Rakesh Kumar Singh, Dealer Principal, SSB Automobiles, added, “We are proud to partner with Skoda Auto India and bring the brand’s product range and services to Meghalaya for the very first time, starting with our new facility in Shillong. This new 3S facility has been designed to deliver a premium and seamless customer experience, right from sales to service. We are confident that customers in the region will greatly value the combination of Skoda Auto’s product excellence and our customer-first approach.”
Mercedes-Benz India Expands CLA 200 Portfolio With Standard Range Variant
- By MT Bureau
- March 10, 2026
German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz India has expanded the line-up for its upcoming CLA Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) with the addition of the CLA 200 ‘Standard Range’ variant. The new model will sit alongside the previously announced CLA 250+ ‘Long Range’ in the Indian market.
The CLA 200 ‘Standard Range’ provides a claimed range of 542 km. It features ‘Progressive Line’ styling, which includes comfort seats, a multifunction sports leather steering wheel, and two interior trim options. Mercedes-Benz confirmed that equipment levels and technology will remain consistent across both the CLA 200 and CLA 250+ variants.
Bookings for both variants of the CLA BEV have opened today with a payment of INR 150,000. Customers who pre-book the vehicle will receive a complimentary wall box charger, including installation.
The company aims to begin deliveries of CLA 250+ by end-April and CLA 200 in June respectively.
While the technology suite is standard across the range, the variants cater to different customer preferences for range and design. The CLA 200 focuses on the 'Progressive Line' aesthetic, while the CLA 250+ serves as the higher-range option. The introduction of the 'Standard Range' follows customer feedback requesting a secondary battery option for the BEV model.
New Nissan LEAF Named Supreme Winner For 2026 By Women’s Worldwide Car Of The Year
- By MT Bureau
- March 09, 2026
The all-new Nissan LEAF has been crowned the Supreme Winner of the 2026 Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY) competition, the most prestigious award given by the only global jury composed entirely of female motoring experts. This victory places the LEAF at the forefront of this year's automotive landscape.
Since its debut in 2010 as the pioneer of mass-produced electric vehicles, the LEAF has spent over 15 years accelerating the world towards sustainable transportation. The freshly unveiled third-generation model advances that pioneering spirit through refined aerodynamics, extended driving range and seamlessly integrated technology. These attributes resonated powerfully with the judging panel, enabling the LEAF to surpass 54 other contenders and demonstrate its universal cross-market appeal.
The WWCOTY assessment process prioritises criteria that directly affect motorists in their daily lives, including crashworthiness, aesthetic appeal, affordability, practicality and ecological footprint. A panel of 86 distinguished women journalists hailing from more than 50 nations evaluated each entry. They ultimately celebrated the LEAF for its grounded vision of electrification, successfully merging sophisticated electric capabilities with the straightforward pleasure required for everyday commuting. This harmonious blend of accessible innovation and real-world functionality distinguished the vehicle as the jury's unanimous choice.
Marta García, Executive President, WWCOTY, said, “In our voting, we have focused on vehicles that stand out not only for their figures or technology but for how effectively they respond to people’s real, everyday needs. The Nissan LEAF represents a mature and intelligent vision of electrification – one that makes electric mobility truly usable and accessible.”
Ivan Espinosa, President & CEO, Nissan, said, “New LEAF being named overall winner by the Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year is a proud moment for everyone at Nissan. LEAF helped bring electric driving into the mainstream, and this new generation carries that mission forward. It’s designed to make going electric easier and more enjoyable for more people around the world.”
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