Honda Cars India Limited has launched the Elevate compact SUV at an attractive price of INR 10,99,900 ex-showroom Delhi. The top trim model of the vehicle is priced at INR 15,99,900 ex-showroom Delhi. 

A global SUV by the Japanese automaker, the Elevate demonstrates all the essential attributes of dynamism, bold styling, comfort and safety. Developed under the grand concept of ‘Urban Freestyler’, it is designed to appeal to customers with active lifestyles and a global mindset. 

An outcome of the efforts of Honda R&D (Asia Pacific Centre) located in Thailand, the vehicle measures 4,312 mm in length, 1,790 mm in width, 1,650 mm in height and has a 2,650 mm wheelbase. 

Powered by a 121 PS, 1.5L i-VTEC DOHC petrol engine that does 145 Nm of peak torque, the Elevate could be had with a six-speed Manual Transmission or a seven-speed Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The rated fuel efficiency is 15.31 kmpl and 16.92 kmpl respectively. 

Capable of running of E20 fuel grade (with up to 20 percent Ethanol Blended Petrol), the Elevate flaunts a modern and distinctive exterior appearance with those slim and sharp looking head lamps and a large grille. With a touch of sportiveness on the outside, the compact SUV is roomy inside. It has best-in-class wheelbase, which enables it to offer ample knee room, legroom, and a class-leading cargo area. The head room is also quite good.  

Running on 17-inch dia. wheels (the alloys are quite attractive and add to the side profile), the vehicle offers 458-litre of cargo space. The interior features include a seven-inch high-definition full colour TFT meter cluster, a new floating type 10.25-inch In-Plane Switching (IPS) High-Definition (HD) resolution LCD touch-screen display audio and wireless smartphone charger.  

The trim includes luxurious brown leatherette upholstery with soft touch pads on dashboard and door trims. Equipped with Honda Connect (a connected car experience that allows the users to control the car remotely and get up to date with important notifications), which includes new and exciting features such as a Personalised Dynamic Dashboard with shortcut widget on screen, Digitalised Service Pick-up and Drop Facility, Additional reward points on Fuel Pay through HPCL network, Buy and sell pre-owned Car, Integration of Accessories like TPMS and Drive View Recorder, the Elevate comes with safety equipment such as six airbags,  LaneWatch Camera, Vehicle Stability Assist with Electronic stability, Traction Control, Hill Start Assist, Emergency Stop Signal, Multi-Angle Rear-view Camera, Rear Parking Sensors, Isofix compatible Rear Side Seats with Lower Anchorages and Top Tether among others. 

The compact SUV is supported by three-year unlimited kilometers warranty as standard. Buyers could opt for an extended warranty of up to five-years; anytime warranty up to 10 years and Road Side Assistance from the date of the car purchase. 

Takuya Tsumura, President and CEO, Honda Cars India Ltd, said, "Today marks an exciting chapter as we launch the strongly anticipated mid-size SUV, the Honda Elevate, in the Indian market. Since its global debut, the Elevate has garnered exceptional admiration and acceptance from customers. We are delighted to unveil its pricing for the eagerly waiting Indian audience. The Elevate's development is a testament to extensive research and invaluable customer feedback. This positions the Elevate as a boldly stylish SUV that prioritizes a comfortable in-cabin experience along with exceptional driving dynamics and safety."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Automotive major Stellantis has announced the formation of the Europe Supplier Advisory Council, a forum intended to increase collaboration between the carmaker and its supply chain. The council brings together senior Stellantis leadership and 26 supplier partners representing various automotive technologies and commodities.

The council will convene for three sessions during 2026, with each meeting lasting 1.5 days. The initiative includes participation from major European supplier associations, ANFIA and FIEV, to provide a collective voice for the regional supply base.

The Council's primary functions include:

• Operational Efficiency: Identifying bottlenecks and improvement opportunities across the value chain.
• Strategic Workstreams: Establishing joint Stellantis-supplier groups focused on production planning, cost competitiveness and operational excellence.
• Innovation Readiness: Accelerating the deployment of new technologies and ensuring launch readiness for future vehicle programmes.
• Regulatory Alignment: Addressing European Union regulatory requirements and geopolitical instability.

The council is designed to modernise supplier partnerships amid technological shifts and market volatility. By co-leading workstreams, Stellantis and its partners aim to align performance expectations and enhance the resilience of the European manufacturing and R&D platforms.

Emanuele Cappellano, COO, Stellantis Europe, said, “The launch of the Europe Supplier Advisory Council represents an important milestone in our journey to strengthen the region’s industrial performance. Today, more than ever, our success depends on deep collaboration with our supplier partners. By creating a shared forum where we openly discuss challenges and opportunities, we are building the foundation for faster execution, stronger competitiveness, and sustainable growth across Europe.”

Stephane Dubs, SVP of Purchasing and Supplier Quality for Stellantis Europe, added, “Our suppliers are essential contributors to Stellantis’ transformation. This new Council allows us to work side-by-side, with transparency and respect, to co-create solutions that benefit both sides. Together, we will address the critical issues shaping our industry—whether in quality, launch readiness, cost competitiveness, innovation, or supply chain resilience—and turn them into strategic advantages for our entire ecosystem.”

Jean-Louis Pech, President, FIEV, commented, “FIEV welcomes the opportunity to join Stellantis Supplier Advisory Council, which represents a valuable opportunity to strengthen our relationship and enrich the dialogue with suppliers. This participation will enable us to represent, with ANFIA, the collective voice of suppliers and actively contribute to the Council’s work.”

Marco Stella, President, ANFIA Components Group and Vice-President of ANFIA, stated, “Now more than ever, it is essential to invest in a fruitful partnership between Stellantis and the supply chain ecosystem, caught between European market weakness, geopolitical instability and fierceful competition, also to face united and together EU regulatory challenges and support EU manufacturing and R&D platforms.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Spinny, an Indian full-stack used car platform, has announced that it recorded a threefold increase in vehicle deliveries on Gudi Padwa compared to standard operating days. The surge indicates a trend of consumers aligning automotive purchases with festive milestones.

The festive period saw a 50 percent increase in footfall across Spinny Car Hubs in the days leading up to the holiday. Its data suggests that 86 percent of customers experienced a standard delivery process despite the heightened activity.

Regional demand was concentrated in western and southern India:

• Maharashtra: Pune and Mumbai recorded over six times their average daily delivery volumes, with each city serving more than 100 customers in a single day.
• Geographic Contribution: Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka collectively accounted for 70 percent of total deliveries on the day.

In terms of demand trends, Hyundai Motor India and Maruti Suzuki India were the most preferred auto brands, while Hyundai Grand i10 was the most purchased vehicle. White remained the most popular exterior colour across all markets. It saw 53 percent of buyers utilised credit solutions to fund their purchases, reflecting a shift towards structured ownership.

Hanish Yadav, Senior Vice-President, Spinny, said, “Gudi Padwa holds deep cultural significance as a time of renewal and new beginnings. We are witnessing more customers align their car-buying journeys with such meaningful occasions. The strong surge in deliveries and increased engagement across our hubs reflects both evolving consumer intent and the trust placed in Spinny. Our focus remains on ensuring a transparent, reliable, and high-quality experience - regardless of demand cycles.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Renault India has officially released the ARAI-certified fuel efficiency figures for the newly launched Duster, which is now powered by the Turbo TCe 160 engine. This latest iteration of the SUV delivers a fuel economy rating of 18.45 kmpl when paired with the DCT automatic gearbox, while the version equipped with the six-speed manual transmission achieves a rating of 17.75 kmpl.

Developed specifically to suit Indian driving conditions, the vehicle combines robust performance with what Renault describes as best-in-class ride and handling characteristics. At the heart of the Duster is a turbo-petrol unit that generates 163 PS of power along with 280 Nm of torque, securing its position as the most powerful engine in its category.

Through intelligent engineering and a carefully optimised powertrain, Renault has managed to create a compelling balance that merges high output with segment-leading fuel efficiency, ensuring drivers do not have to compromise between spirited performance and economical running.

Dr V Vikraman, Chief of Renault Engineering, Renault Group India, said, “The ARAI-certified figures highlight the strength of our technology and our commitment to delivering superior all-round value. New Renault Duster’s Turbo 160 engine integrates advanced solutions such as low-friction coatings and high-pressure fuel injection to optimise combustion and efficiency. Paired with Renault’s latest DCT automatic transmission, which ensures fast and seamless gear shifts, the powertrain delivers an excellent balance of performance and fuel efficiency while remaining strong and responsive on the road.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

South Korean automotive major Hyundai Motor Company has named Bradley J. Arnold as Chief Designer and Head of Hyundai Design North America (HDNA) in Irvine, California.

He will oversee vehicle and concept design for the North American market, focusing on the company’s design-led strategy.

Arnold rejoined Hyundai in 2016 and has held various leadership roles within the California studio. Since 2021, he led the exterior design team, contributing to the 2023 Hyundai Palisade facelift and the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz. His previous experience includes:

• Hyundai (2008–2011): Contributions to the Hyundai Genesis Coupe exterior and Hyundai Curb Concept interior.
• General Motors Design (2011–2016): Work on the Cadillac Elmiraj Concept, Chevrolet Tru 140S, and mobility concepts.
• Academic: Graduate of and former instructor at the ArtCenter College of Design.

In 2025, Arnold served as interim design head at HDNA, where he managed the development of production and concept vehicles. He directed the global XRT off-road strategy within 'The Sandbox,' a design hub at the California studio.

Under his guidance, this facility has produced the 2026 Palisade XRT PRO, the CRATER Concept, and upcoming XRT models scheduled for production.

Luc Donckerwolke, Executive Vice-President and Chief Creative Officer, Hyundai Motor Group, said, “Design is the clearest expression of our ambition as a brand. Brad brings clarity, courage, and a strong connection to North American customers. His leadership will be instrumental as Hyundai Design North America shapes vehicles that are both emotionally engaging and globally relevant.”

SangYup Lee, Executive Vice-President and Head of Hyundai and Genesis Global Design, commented, “With more than 18 years of experience working with highly respected global automotive brands, Brad brings an exceptional level of creative leadership and vision. We are excited to have him lead Hyundai Design North America and build on the strong momentum of our vehicle design direction.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!