Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has introduced the five-door version of its Thar SUV called as Thar Roxx in Chennai on the eve of India’s 78^th Independence Day. 

Touted as a category disruptor by company sources, the vehicle is priced upwards of INR 1,299,000 ex-shoroom and embodies a bold and unconventional spirit. Designed and engineered to turn heads and deliver a refined drive and powerful yet safe performance, the Thar ROXX conquers all terrains while offering an array of luxurious features.

It is built on Mahindra’s All-New M_GLYDE platform and could deliver an exceptionally smooth ride with crisp handling and class leading dynamics. It effortlessly blends Thar’s outdoor DNA with modern sophistication, offering a premium SUV experience that caters to those who demand the finest in every aspect of their lives. 

As a body-on-frame vehicle, the Thar Roxx has been rigorously tested in extreme conditions across diverse terrains and altitudes, including the scorching sand dunes of the Thar desert at over 50 degrees Celsius; the high altitudes of Umling La, tricky muddy surfaces in Coorg and the freezing cold of minus 20 degree Celsius in Kaza. 

Powered by either a 175 bhp 2-litre GDI engine (with 6-speed manual or 6-speed Aisin sourced automatic transmission) or a 173 hp 2.2-litre engine (with 6-speed manual or 6-speed Aisin sourced automatic transmission), the Thar Roxx draws much road presence with design features such as a bold front grille paired with Bi-LED projector headlamps and C-shaped DRLs. 

Its classic silhouette is characterised by a long hood, upright cabin and short overhangs for exceptional approach and departure angles. 

Drawing from the three-door Thar design, the vehicle sports angular wheel arches as compared to the round ones of the former, marrying timeless aesthetics with modern execution. There’s rugged cladding and R19 alloy wheels with 255/60 All Terrain tyres. 

The side-hinged split rear tailgate has an externally-mounted spare wheel whereas the interior boasts an ivory ambiance with leatherette trims and soft-touch materials; the leather-wrapped dashboard that is complemented by piano black and metallic finishes, and ambient footwell lighting.

With durable design elements, including low-gloss treatments on AC vents, sturdy dashboard sections, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever, the Thar Roxx is available in seven striking colours. 

Featuring WATT’s Link suspension, advanced shock absorbers with MTV-CL and Frequency Dependent Damping (FDD) technology, the vehicle also has a ‘first-in-category’ Hydraulic Rebound Stopper (HRS) to enhance ride quality. 

While the flat floor design in the second row ensures increased comfort for all passengers, particular attention has been paid to achieve superior NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) levels for a quiet and refined driving experience​.

Engineered to achieve the highest B-NCAP safety rating, the Thar Roxx comes with six airbags, three-point seat belts and seat-belt reminder for all seats along with passenger airbag on/off for child safety, ISO-FIX child seats with top-tether, L2 ADAS (1R1V) suite with 10 features including Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), 360-degree surround view system with blind view monitor, adaptive cruise control which adds to the safety, comfort and convenience.

Also equipped with a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and Tyre Direction Monitoring System (TDMS), the vehicle comes with an Electronic Stability Program (ESP) 9.3 system with BLD (Brake locking differential). There’s Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC), Traction Control System (TCS) and Roll Over Mitigation (ROM) too. 

The 4Xplor System (with four modes) provides superior traction through Electronic Locking Differentials. Touted as India’s first by company sources, the Crawl Smart Assist function offers precise low-speed control combined with IntelliTurn that enables effortless tight turns, enhancing maneuverability in challenging environments. 

With best-in-class approach, departure and ramp-over angles, the Thar Roxx has a 650 mm water-wading depth, the Thar ROXX is prepared for any adventure​.

Apart from the 644 litre boot space, the Thar Roxx could be had with a Panoramic Skyroof as well. There are Twin 26.03 cm HD screens and a Harman Kardon nine-speaker system with QuantumLogic surround, Bass enhancer, and a six-mode audio settings amplifier delivers an exceptional in-cabin audio experience.

The Adrenox connectivity with over 80 features includes Alexa integration and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. 

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Mumbai-headquartered SUV major Mahindra & Mahindra has upgraded its popular offering, the Scorpio-N Z8L variant, with Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) tech.

This will see the Scorpio-N Z8L variant coming with Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Smart Pilot Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition and High Beam Assist features.

The ADAS tech will further enhance safety quotient for the Scorpion-N with exclusive features such as Speed Limit Assist and Front Vehicle Start Alert, marking a first for Mahindra ICE SUVs.

Furthermore, the company has also expanded the Scorpio-N line-up with the introduction of the Z8T variant at INR 2.02 million. The new variant will sit between the Z8 and Z8L variants. It comes with a compelling mix of premium features, including R18 diamond-cut alloy wheels, a 12-speaker Sony-branded audio system, front camera, front parking sensors, 6-way powered driver seat, electronic parking brake (EPB), ventilated front seats and an auto-dimming IRVM.

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Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has achieved a new milestone in its aftersales service. The company recorded servicing (free and paid) over 2.45 million vehicles in May, the highest in a single month in its history.

The feat was achieved through the company’s vast network of over 5,400 service touchpoints.

Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “This is the first time in the company’s history that we have serviced over 24.5 lakh vehicles in a month, an achievement that reflects scale, depth, and efficiency of the service network. It is a result of the tireless efforts of our service teams and dealer partners across the country.”

“Good quality aftersales service is critical to maintain vehicle health, leading to a delightful car ownership experience and strengthen customer retention. Even before we started mass sales of vehicles in India, our focus was on building a robust service network, a foundation that continues to support us as we expand our business further. Going forward, we aim to expand our service touchpoints to 8,000 by FY 2030-31 and introduce innovative formats to cater to the requirements of diverse customer needs. This will help in our EV launch as well. We are preparing 1,500 EV enabled service workshops covering over 1,000 cities with specially trained manpower and special equipment to extend all EV related support to our customers,” he said.

Maruti Suzuki India has through its dealer partners introduced several innovative and industry-first service formats, to address the smallest query to full-car service needs ranging from traditional brick-and-mortar workshops to mobile workshops. Over the years, it has also created a dedicated Quick Response Team (QRT) to provide emergency on-road assistance across the country.

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Mercedes-Benz India, the German luxury car brand, has announced a significant organisational change, effective from 1 August 2025, with the appointment of Brendon Sissing as the new Vice-President of Sales and Marketing. He will take over from Lance Bennett, who has moved to Mercedes-Benz Middle East as their Chief Financial Officer.

Santosh Iyer, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said, "We are excited to welcome Brendon Sissing as the Head of Sales & Marketing for Mercedes-Benz India. Brendon takes over the responsibility from Lance Bennett, who has joined Mercedes-Benz Middle East as the CFO. Brendon brings rich experience from the world of financing and insurance, as he successfully steered Mercedes-Benz Financial Service India, doubling its portfolio, driving record profit and business transformation, while elevating the integrated customer journey. We are confident Brendon will continue the growth momentum of Mercedes-Benz in this highly diverse and dynamic Indian luxury car market. We thank Lance for his immense contribution and wish them both, the very best in their respective new roles."

Brendon Sissing previously served as the Head of Mercedes-Benz Financial Services India, where he was instrumental in doubling the company's portfolio and achieving record profits. He is recognised for his strong advocacy of digital transformation and risk management, leveraging his expertise in credit risk to drive operational excellence. He has extensive experience within the Mercedes-Benz group, having worked with Mercedes-Benz Malaysia and Mercedes-Benz South Africa, leading Credit Operations in both markets. He also held roles in Credit Underwriting and Key Accounts at Daimler Mobility, Stuttgart, before joining Mercedes-Benz Financial Services India in 2022.

The German brand stated that under Sissing's leadership, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services India significantly enhanced customer journeys through integrated online and offline platforms. He is also noted for his passion for coaching and mentoring, fostering high-performing team environments. Sissing holds a B. Tech degree in Cost & Management Accounting from Technikon Pretoria, South Africa and a Diploma in Credit Management from the Institute of Credit Management. He is also a founding member of Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia, established in 2012.

A South African national, Sissing has worked in various international locations, including Malaysia, South Africa, Germany and India.

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Honda Cars India has launched a new variant of its popular mid-size sedan, the Honda City Sport, adding a dynamic and youthful edge to the City line-up. Priced at INR 1.48 million (ex-showroom, Delhi), the City Sport is positioned as a limited-edition offering designed to appeal to style-conscious, spirited drivers.

The new variant will be exclusively available with a CVT automatic transmission and is offered in three colour options — Radiant Red Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, and Meteoroid Gray Metallic.

Sporting a blacked-out exterior theme, the car features a Sporty Black Grille, Glossy Black Shark Fin Antenna, Trunk Lip Spoiler and multi-spoke grey alloy wheels. Inside, the cabin gets an all-black treatment with red stitching, leather seats and ambient lighting for a premium, performance-inspired feel.

Under the hood, it retains the 1.5L i-VTEC petrol engine, delivering 121 PS and 145 Nm of torque, with a claimed fuel efficiency of 18.4 kmpl. The model also comes equipped with Honda Sensing, the brand’s advanced driver assistance suite.

Kunal Behl, Vice-President, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India, said, “The new City Sport has been crafted to meet the aspirations of young buyers who value individuality and a spirited driving experience. It embodies a perfect blend of sporty exterior and interior style, fun to drive performance and the everyday usability that Honda City is known for, at a price that makes it even more compelling.”

The City Sport is being positioned as a limited-unit, exclusive edition for customers seeking distinction in both design and driving dynamics.

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