Hyundai Motors has revealed the all-new KONA N 'hot SUV' that combines performance with versatility. This will be the first SUV to join the N line-up.

The KONA N comes equipped with a four-cylinder 2.0l T-GDI engine that produces 275 hp and 392 Nm of power. The flat power engine combined with the sporty design of the SUV and various motorsport-inspired features like 19-inch forged alloy wheels and sports seat offers an all-around dynamic driving experience.

KONA N is the second N-model in Europe to offer the N DCT, 8-speed dual-clutch transmission that provides a sporty, high-performance character to the SUV. The N DCT features three high-performance functions to heighten the sporty character of the SUV: N Power Shift, N Grin Shift, N Track Sense Shift.

In addition, the hot SUV also comes equipped with technology like Electronic Limited Slip Differential (e-LSD), various Electronic Stability Control (ESC) modes, multi-mode Traction Control and N Grin Control System that contribute to its everyday sports car character.

On the exterior, the KONA N features body-coloured design elements with N-exclusive red accents. The iconic shark-nose front end of the KONA is complemented by large air inlets that help cool the powerful engine under the hood. The front splitter has been extended by 10mm to improve the aerodynamic balance of the car. A new front grille design and an aggressive light signature add a powerful presence to the KONA N.

The car sits visually lower when viewed from the side, while the dark satin grey alloys and red callipers accentuate the sporty character of the SUV. Adding to this, the double wing roof spoiler with the large diffuser at the rear maintains the car's aerodynamic balance. The triangular brake light, red accents and large exhaust mufflers emphasise the performance spirit of the vehicle.

The interior of the KONA N is finished in high-quality Alcantara materials along with an N-branded handbrake that features non-slip perforated leather and a thicker grip area for a more secure braking performance. The N-exclusive sports steering and paddle shifters feature a design optimised for the perfect grip and button layout necessary for dynamic driving.

In terms of safety, the KONA N comes equipped with:

•          Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) – sounds a warning and applies differential braking to prevent the vehicle from colliding into another car in the adjacent lane

•          Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) – sounds a warning and applies the brakes to prevent a rear-end collision when the car is backing up, and another vehicle comes from the side, for example, when exiting a parking space

•          Smart Cruise Control (SCC) – maintains vehicle speed and following distance

•          Leading Vehicle Departure Alert (LVDA) – if the car is stopped, the vehicle ahead of it starts moving, and the driver does not react quickly enough, this system sounds an alert to direct the driver's attention back to the road gently

•          Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) – automatically keeps the car centred in the lane, corrects course if the vehicle reaches the lane markings by using a front-view camera

•          Lane Following Assist (LFA) – automatically adjusts the steering wheel to keep the vehicle centred in its lane

•          Intelligent Speed Limit Warning (ISLW) – recognises road signs and displays the speed limit and no-passing signs in real-time in both the AVN and cluster

•          Safe Exit Warning (SEW) – works to prevent an accident when the car is parked and a passenger attempts to open the door while another vehicle is approaching from the rear side. A warning light also appears on the cluster to alert the driver of the potential danger

•          Rear Seat Alert (RSA) – automatically alerts the driver if someone or something is in the back seat if they attempt to leave the vehicle

•          Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with vehicle, pedestrian and cyclist detection (FCA) – sounds an alarm and, if necessary, applies the brakes if a collision becomes imminent. Using radar and a camera, the system has been updated to better detect pedestrians and cyclists, in addition to other vehicles

•          High Beam Assist (HBA) – detects both oncoming vehicles and vehicles ahead in the same lane and adjusts to low-beam lights as appropriate

•          Driver Attention Warning (DAW) – continuously monitors and analyses driving patterns through data inputs to detect fatigue or distraction. The driver is alerted with an audible warning and pop-up message to suggest when it is time to take a break

•          eCall – allows passengers to contact emergency services at the press of a button; also, automatically alerts first responders if the vehicle's airbags are deployed (MT)

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Global NCAP, the automotive safety watchdog, has announced the latest results for its #SaferCarsForIndia campaign, with two models from Maruti Suzuki India, the country's largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, receiving mixed results.

The latest crash test result saw Global NCAP awarding the Maruti Suzuki Celerio a three-star rating for adult occupant protection following the inclusion of six airbags as standard. A previous version of the vehicle, equipped with two airbags, had received two stars for adult occupant safety and one star for child protection.

The technical evaluations of the six-airbag Celerio indicated protection levels ranging from good to marginal. The assessment noted that both the footwell and the bodyshell were unstable. Tests also showed exposure of children’s heads during front and side impacts.

On the other hand, the company’s popular sedan model the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz received a 1-star rating in the same assessment. The report for this model highlighted:

• The absence of side head protection.
• An unstable footwell and bodyshell.
• A lack of three-point seatbelts in all seating positions.

In contrast, Global NCAP reported that the new Dzire and Victoris models achieved five-star ratings.

Richard Woods, Chief Executive Officer of Global NCAP, said, “We are encouraged that Maruti Suzuki is committed to improving safety with five star performance for new models like the Dzire and Victoris, it remains disappointing however that some legacy models fall short.”

The results follow a commitment from Maruti Suzuki to increase safety standards across its future vehicle range.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

CARS24 has announced the promotion of Divanshu Saxena to Chief Business Officer (CBO) of its NBFC arm, CARS24 Financial Services.

In his new role, Saxena will oversee the strategy, growth and execution of the financial services division. His responsibilities include scaling lending operations, managing risk and maintaining profitability as the company develops its financial services platform.

Saxena previously managed the consumer financing business for LOANS24. During his tenure, the division recorded growth in finance penetration and contributions from non-retail lending. The company noted that his work focused on unit economics and portfolio quality.

Ruchit Agarwal, Co-Founder & Group CFO, CARS24, said, “Divanshu has played a pivotal role in building CARS24 Financial Services into a strong and institutionally sound business. His disciplined approach to growth, deep understanding of lending economics, and consistent execution have laid a solid foundation for scale. We are proud to elevate leaders from within, and as CBO, Divanshu will be central to shaping the next phase of growth for LOANS24.”

Before joining CARS24, Saxena served as a Project Leader at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) within the Financial Services and Industrial Goods practice. He is an alumnus of IIM Calcutta, where he graduated with a silver medal, and Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), University of Delhi.

Divanshu Saxena said, “Building LOANS24 has been about creating a lending business that balances speed with discipline and growth with resilience. As CBO, my focus will be on scaling responsibly, strengthening our fundamentals, and continuing to build a financial services platform that earns long-term trust from customers and partners.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

South Korean auto major Hyundai Motor Group has announced executive appointments effective from 1st January 2026. The changes focus on the transition to software-defined vehicles (SDV) and the development of manufacturing technology.

In total, 219 executives have been promoted across the Group, comprising four Presidents, 14 Executive Vice Presidents, 25 Senior Vice-Presidents and 176 Vice Presidents. Approximately 30 percent of these promotions are within R&D and technology sectors.

Manfred Harrer has been promoted to President and Head of the R&D Division. Since joining in 2024, Harrer has managed vehicle development. His new role focuses on SDV competitiveness and development projects.

Juncheul Jung is promoted to President. Jung currently manages the Manufacturing Solutions and Procurement Divisions. His remit involves the Group's Software-Defined Factory (SDF) approach and the integration of robotics into production systems.

Yeong Il Choi becomes Executive Vice President and Head of Domestic Production. Choi also takes the role of Chief Safety Officer (CSO) for production facilities in South Korea.

The company also announced revamping leadership positions in its regional business, where it has appointed Seung Kyu Yoon as President of Kia North America Operations, Bo-Ryong Lee as President and CEO of Hyundai Steel Operations, Gang Hyun Seo as Head of Corporate Planning, Affiliate Business Optimisation, Sungwon Jee as Executive Vice-President, Hyundai Brand Marketing and Yongseok Shin as Executive Vice-President of HMG Business Intelligence Institute.

Hyundai Motor Group has internalised technologies including the 'Pleos Connect' infotainment system and 'Atria AI' for autonomous driving. Appointments in engineering include Jeonghun Seo in Battery Engineering and Duckhwan Kim in Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Engineering.

Jaehoon Chang, Vice Chair, continues to oversee the direction for mobility, hydrogen energy and robotics. Within the financial sector, Chang Hyun Cho (Hyundai Card) and Si Woo Jeon (Hyundai Commercial) have been promoted to Executive Vice-President.

"The appointments are intended to strengthen organisational resilience and expand the leadership pipeline across functions. In addition, the appointments reflect the Group’s commitment to turning global uncertainties into opportunities for renewal and growth. It will continue to advance bold leadership transformation and secure strong competitiveness in the SDV era," the company said.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Maruti Suzuki India has attained a production milestone of 3.5 million units for the popular hatchback the WagonR.

The model, which spans three generations, was first launched in India in December 1999 and is currently manufactured at the company's facilities in Gurgaon and Manesar, Haryana.

The WagonR joins the Alto and Swift as models within the Maruti Suzuki portfolio to reach this volume. Globally, the Suzuki WagonR was first introduced in Japan in September 1993 and is now sold in over 75 countries. In August 2025, the model reached 100 million units in cumulative global sales.

The current WagonR is built on the fifth-generation Heartect platform. Standard safety features include six airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP).

On the inside, it comes with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Bluetooth and voice command functionality.

The vehicle has been the highest-selling car in India for the previous four financial years.

Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “This achievement is not just a production milestone, but reflects the enduring love and confidence that generations of customers have shown towards brand WagonR. It is rare for a vehicle to receive such acceptance even after 25 years since its launch. The WagonR kept evolving with the introduction of new technology and features over time, while retaining its original DNA. The WagonR has been highly appreciated for aspects like its iconic tall-boy design, spacious interiors and fuel efficiency, which aptly reflect our customers’ needs and expectations. We are deeply grateful for their continued support and remain committed to providing ‘Joy of Mobility’ for generations to come.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!