The new commercial Defender 90 and 110 models to be launched later this year will restore the Hard Top name to its rugged 4x4 family. It will combine all-terrain capability with 21st-century connectivity to give professionals a unique combination of cargo space, practicality and premium comfort.

The Hard Top name dates back to 1950, when the introduction of demountable Hard Tops gave early Series Land Rovers added security and protection from the elements. New Defender Hard Top continues this ethos, sharing its fixed metal roof and silhouette with the iconic original.

Land Rover has experienced unprecedented global demand for New Defender 90 and 110 since its successful world premiere last September and the new Hard Top models will be the next additions to the legendary bloodline.

Defender’s aluminium-intensive D7x body architecture is three times stiffer than the best body-on-frame designs. Sharing its strong body structure and next-generation Electrical Vehicle Architecture (EVA 2.0) with passenger models, the Defender Hard Top is being developed by Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations to deliver unrivalled durability, practicality and toughness. 

Michael van der Sande, Managing Director, Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations, said: “We will maximise the functionality and usability of New Defender’s cargo area, with tough materials and clever storage solutions to ensure it surpasses the capability of any previous Defender Hard Top.”

The 90 and 110 Hard Tops will both feature independent coil-sprung suspension, with advanced electronic air suspension also available on the 110. Both set-ups will provide outstanding off-road geometry, with ground clearance of 291mm, while the 110 Hard Top will have approach, breakover and departure angles of up to 38, 28 and 40 degrees respectively (in Off-Road height). Full technical details will be confirmed later this year.

Nick Collins, Land Rover Vehicle Line Director, said: “New Defender 90 and 110 Hard Top will be the toughest, most capable and most connected commercial 4x4s we have ever produced. They have been engineered to meet global safety standards and deliver impressive long-haul comfort, giving businesses and professionals the best of all worlds.”

An impressive payload and towing capacity of up 3,500kg will combine to make New Defender the ultimate commercial 4x4. The flexible cabin has no second or third-row seats, but the optional front-row jump seat means it will still accommodate up to three people. Land Rover’s clever ClearSight Rear View mirror system preserves rearward visibility when the jump seat is occupied, or when the load space is full. It uses a live video feed from a rear-facing camera to give drivers an unobstructed view at all times.

New Defender Hard Top will be a world-class tow vehicle, with a raft of technologies to help hitch, drive and reverse safely while pulling a trailer. Land Rover’s intelligent Advanced Tow Assist system takes the stress out of difficult reversing manoeuvres by letting drivers steer trailers with their fingertips using a rotary controller on the centre console.

The maximum wading depth of 900mm is also supported by a new Wade programme in the Terrain Response 2 system, which ensures drivers can ford deep water with complete confidence – so important supplies will always get through. (MT)

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South Korean auto major Hyundai Motor Company has announced that  its all-new Hyundai Nexo fuel-cell electric SUV has bagged 5-star crash test rating in the latest Euro NCAP safety assessment.

The Nexo, Hyundai’s hydrogen fuel-cell electric SUV, emits only water vapor and is central to the company’s push for zero-emission mobility. The top rating follows five-star Euro NCAP results for the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6 and Ioniq 9. The rating validates Hyundai’s performance in crash protection and its suite of safety and driver-assistance technologies.

Euro NCAP, Europe’s independent organisation for evaluating vehicle safety, assesses vehicles across four areas: adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, protection of vulnerable road users and safety assistance technologies.

The new Hyundai Nexo achieved results across all four areas, including:

90 percent in Adult Occupant Protection.

85 percent in Child Occupant Protection.

In adult occupant tests, the passenger compartment remained stable in the frontal offset test, with protection of the knees, femurs, and all critical body regions for both driver and passenger. The Nexo performed well in the full-width rigid barrier test, achieved maximum points in the side barrier test and provided effective far-side occupant protection via its centre airbag. Whiplash protection for both front and rear seats was rated as good in rear-impact evaluations.

Child occupant protection performance was strong. The six- and 10-year-old dummies showed protection in all critical body areas in both frontal and side-impact tests, earning maximum points.

Additional safety features noted by Euro NCAP include an advanced eCall system and post-crash secondary impact prevention technology.

This achievement underlines Hyundai’s long-term commitment to hydrogen technology and safety innovation. The previous generation NEXO was the first fuel-cell electric vehicle tested by Euro NCAP in 2018, also achieving a five-star rating under the standards at that time.

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JSW MG Motor India has introduced the all-new MG Hector SUV featuring a revised exterior with new front and rear bumper designs, a new grille design and new alloy wheels at prices starting INR 1.19 million (ex-showroom) for limited units. The SUV comes in two new colours – Celadon Blue and Pearl White.

The interiors feature a Dual Tone Ice Grey Theme in the 5-seater trim and Dual Tone Urban Tan for the 6 and 7-seater trims. Exterior details include the new Aura Hex Grille, a hexagonal structure that symbolises strength and precision. New Aura Sculpt Bumpers at the front and rear deliver a muscular, assertive stance and also the Aura Bolt Alloy Wheels.

The all-new Hector's infotainment system, featuring a 14-inch HD portrait touch screen, receives a performance boost through Smart Boost technology. The system features the i-SWIPE Touch Gesture Control, enabling intuitive multi-touch operations for AC, music and navigation. Further convenience is provided by the Digital Bluetooth Key and Key Sharing capability along with Predictive Maintenance Alerts, Remote AC Control. A Full Digital Cluster with a 17.78 cm Embedded LCD Screen provides a driver interface.

Anurag Mehrotra, Managing Director, JSW MG Motor India, said, “The Hector was our maiden nameplate and quickly became synonymous with the MG brand, emerging as one of India’s most loved SUVs with 150,000 customers since its debut. With the All-New MG Hector, we take this legacy a notch higher by enhancing its design, comfort, and technology, offering an unmatched value proposition. We believe truly advanced mobility should not be an exclusive luxury reserved for the few. With this superior package, The All-New MG Hector will further democratize technology while setting a new benchmark for what a premium SUV can deliver.”

The new Hector also features a 360deg HD Camera with Wheel View, offering surround visibility along with tyre-level perspective. In terms of standard it gets ABS, EBD, ESP, TCS, Hill Hold Control and Brake Assist. The SUV is powered by a 1.5L Turbocharged Petrol engine (CVT & MT) offering 143 PS Power and 250 NM Torque.

Launched in 2019 as India’s First Internet Car, the MG Hector includes features such as a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, a 35.56 cm (14-inch) HD infotainment system, 8-colour Ambient Mood Lighting, and MG’s advanced i-SMART connected technology with 70+ features, and an advanced ADAS suite. Further features include Push Button Engine Start/Stop with a Smart Key and Anti-Theft Immobilisation, automatic powered tailgate, air purifier with PM 2.5 filter, rain sensing wipers, Remote Control for Audio, AC & Mood Light in i-Smart App and front parking sensors.

The prices for the diesel variant of the all-new Hector SUV will be announced next year.

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The Tata Sierra has entered the India Book of Records for maximum fuel efficiency in 12 hours. In a certified run at NATRAX Indore, the Sierra delivered an exceptional 29.9 kmpl mileage, surpassing the previous national benchmark. The feat was executed by the Pixel Motion team, that drove the 1.5-lire Hyperion-engine powered Sierra continuously from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm on 30 November 2025 with brief halts for driver swaps. The record was officially validated the same day.
The new 1.5-litre Hyperion petrol engine, engineered to deliver high efficiency without compromising refinement, performance or drivability, has an advanced combustion system, torque-rich performance band and friction-optimised architecture. 
The compact SUV also achieved a top speed of 222 kmpg at the track under specified test conditions. 
“Setting a national efficiency record so early in the Sierra’s journey is a proud moment for us. The Hyperion engine platform was built to push the boundaries of what petrol powertrains can achieve, and this milestone validates that effort. It strengthens the Sierra’s value proposition for customers and underlines TMPV’s commitment to bringing advanced, efficient and future-ready technologies to the market," said Mohan Savarkar, Chief Product Officer, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles. 

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Matthew Bowden is concluding a successful four-year tenure as Director of Škoda UK, departing to assume the role of Head of International Sales for Škoda Auto. Under his leadership, the UK market achieved significant growth, rising to become the brand's third largest global market and consistently exceeding performance records while maintaining a market share beyond four percent.

His successor, Eric Boutin, will join the Volkswagen Group UK board of management as Director of Škoda UK in the first quarter of 2026. Boutin brings extensive international experience from pivotal markets including Canada, China and United States. He is currently responsible for Škoda Auto's global customer experience programme, with direct oversight of the worldwide retail network and omnichannel integration, and is spearheading the brand's overarching customer centricity transformation.

This strategic leadership transition aims to leverage Bowden's commercial acumen on a global scale while injecting Boutin's specialised customer-focused expertise into the UK operations.

Damien O’Sullivan, Managing Director, Volkswagen Group UK, said, “Matthew has made a significant contribution towards Škoda’s evolution and growth over the past four years. I’m grateful for all he’s done for the brand and the Group and wish him well in his new role. I’m looking forward to welcoming Eric to the UK board of management and am sure his global experience and customer focus will support the brand’s future ambitions and Human Touch proposition.”

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