Mercedes-Benz unveiled its Concept CLA Class, a new electric iteration of the CLA, alongside the latest Gelandwagen and a Mercedes-Maybach ultra-luxury SUV at the Bharat Mobility Expo 2025. Positioned as the electric successor to the CLA, the Concept CLA Class is the first model to feature the Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA). It debuts the brand’s latest operating system, alongside fresh design and technological updates.

The Concept CLA Class previews the latest electric-drive technology from Mercedes-Benz, drawn directly from the Vision EQXX concept. With a claimed range exceeding 750 km and an energy consumption of 12 kWh/100 km, it has been dubbed the "one-litre car for the electric age" in reference to hyper-efficient internal combustion vehicles. The 800V electric architecture supports 250 kW DC fast charging, enabling the vehicle to recharge up to 400 km in just 15 minutes. Two battery variants are available: silicon-oxide anode for higher-spec models and lithium-iron phosphate for entry-level variants. Powering the vehicle is a 235 bhp permanently excited synchronous motor coupled with a 2-speed transmission. Weighing only 110 kg, the powertrain delivers an impressive 93% energy efficiency during long-distance driving.

Built on the MMA platform, the Concept CLA Class is designed primarily for electric drivetrains but also accommodates combustion engines. The vehicle is rear-wheel-drive by default, though the modular platform can be configured for all-wheel-drive. The concept also includes bi-directional charging, enabling vehicle-to-home (V2H), vehicle-to-grid (V2G), and vehicle-to-appliance (V2A) functions, underscoring its potential for smart energy integration.

Inside, the MBUX Superscreen delivers a full-width digital dashboard powered by the new MB.OS operating system. It integrates Google Maps and other embedded apps for a seamless user experience. Notable interior features include digitally visualised AC vents with floating effects and physical control interfaces, dynamic ambient lighting in blue and violet, and sustainable nappa leather upholstery in silver and crystal white. The cabin is also designed with advanced Level 3 Lidar-based autonomous driving capabilities, with over-the-air updates enabling future upgrades to higher levels of autonomy.

A standout safety feature is the Child Presence Detection (CPD) system, which uses cameras and sensors to detect breathing patterns. If a child is left unattended, the system triggers air conditioning, sounds the horn, and issues alerts to mitigate risks in hot weather.

Mercedes-Benz plans to launch the Concept CLA Class in India in 2025. The production model will closely resemble the concept and will offer Indian buyers a preview of the future of luxury electric mobility. Pricing details are yet to be announced.

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Skoda Auto Volkswagen India (SAVWIPL) has announced the official launch of the Volkswagen brand in Sri Lanka. The expansion is being executed in partnership with local automotive distributor Continental Cars and Commercials.

The brand has entered the market with two initial passenger vehicle models: the Taigun SUV and the Virtus sedan. Both product lines are manufactured at SAVWIPL’s Chakan production facility in Pune, India, and are exported to Sri Lanka as part of the company's regional manufacturing and export hub strategy.

To anchor the brand's retail presence, SAVWIPL and Continental Cars and Commercials have inaugurated an integrated 3S (Sales, Service, and Spares) dealership facility in Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, Colombo.

The facility features a built-up footprint of 18,713 square feet positioned across nearly one acre of land, and houses more than 20 active workshop service bays to manage customer after-sales requirements under a single roof.

The market entry aligns with stabilization trends within Sri Lanka's automotive retail sector and an increasing consumer demand for premium passenger vehicles.

Piyush Arora, Managing Director and CEO, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, said, “Sri Lanka is a market with strong automotive passion and a deep appreciation for quality engineering. Volkswagen’s entry in the country marks not just the expansion of our footprint, but our long term strategy to leverage our scale, localisation and engineering capabilities to build sustainable growth beyond India. With our partner Continental Cars and Commercials Ltd, we are proud to introduce Volkswagen in Sri Lanka, beginning with the Taigun SUV and Virtus sedan. Our focus is to build trust through reliability, customer centricity, and a premium ownership experience backed by strong service support.”

Jan Bures, Executive Director of Sales, Marketing and Digital, SAVWIPL, added, “With the Taigun and Virtus, we are introducing two products that address clear customer preferences in Sri Lanka’s premium passenger vehicle market. Our focus is to build the Volkswagen brand with the right product mix, a strong retail presence, and a dependable after-sales experience that gives customers confidence from day one. This is not just about expanding our horizons in South Asia, but also about creating a solid foundation for sustainable growth over the long term.”

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In a definitive strategic move to defend and expand its footprint in the entry-level passenger vehicle market, Tata Motors has launched its highly anticipated next-gen Tiago portfolio. The prices for the Tiago hatchback starts at INR 469,000 for the petrol variant and INR 579,000 for the CNG variant.

On the other hand, the Tiago.ev can also be had in a Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model for INR 469,000 with a running cost of INR 2.6 per km, or an outright starting price of INR 699,000.

The popular hatchback portfolio spanning across conventional internal combustion engines (ICE), innovative Twin-Cylinder iCNG technology and battery-electric derivatives, is part of Tata Motors’ multi-powertrain offensive targeting a vital segment that continues to command a meaningful 20 percent volume share of the Indian automotive landscape.

Interestingly, since its introduction in 2016, the Tiago hatchback has gone on to sell over 700,000 customers.

To counter structural segment shifts toward compact utility vehicles, the next-gen Tiago features a more substantial stance on the road, engineered to feel wider, taller and more planted. Exterior styling upgrades include premium Lux Beam LED headlamps, LED DRLs, Halo Lightbar connected tail lamps and R15 diamond-cut dynamic alloy wheels.

Inside, Tata Motors has standardised high-end interfaces, led by a freestanding ‘Ultra View’ 26.03cm HD touchscreen infotainment console and a digital island cluster. Highlighting the shift toward standalone displays,

As Anand Kulkarni, Product Line Head for Electric Passenger Vehicles, Tata Motors, explained, "Larger screens with smaller bezels and exuding modernity is something that people see around them and they expect that in their car also."

He further noted that with rising production scales, "The costs are no longer as prohibitive as they were at a certain point of time, we should allow customers to benefit from that."

Managing a unified architecture that accommodates Petrol, CNG cylinders and high-voltage battery packs introduces significant manufacturing and development complexity.

Kulkarni pointed out that varying mass distributions across fuel types require precise tuning to maintain segment-best driving dynamics. "Fortunately, in the electric vehicle, I get a great setup because of the battery being spread underneath and sort of balancing itself out," Kulkarni shared, adding that for conventional formats, "We work on spring rates. We work on damping. We work on elastomer stiffnesses in order to create the differences that we expect out of the vehicle."

Tata Motors is doubling down on safety by establishing a protective ‘Safety Dome’ framework constructed from ultra-high-strength steel. The safety package features 6 airbags as standard across all personas, alongside a 360-degree high-definition surround-view camera system and a segment-first Blind View Monitor.

On the green mobility front, the Tiago.ev consolidates its established first-mover advantage of over 75,000 units on Indian roads. The next-generation EV incorporates an updated fast-charging architecture capable of adding 100 km of range in just 18 minutes via a 30 kW DC fast charger.

To maximise customer retention and transition confidence, Tata Motors is backing the private, first-owner 24 kWh long-range variant with a Lifetime high-voltage battery and motor warranty, setting a definitive benchmark for long-term ownership security in urban electric mobility.

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JSW MG Motor India has officially launched the MG Majestor as its D+ segment sport utility vehicle (SUV) at prices starting INR 4.09 million (ex-showroom) for the 4x2 top trim variant.

The MG Majestor replaces the outgoing Gloster as the flagship IC-powered vehicle in the carmaker's domestic lineup. The SUV is available in two drivetrain configurations. The 4x2 Automatic Top Trim is available in 6-seater and 7-seater layouts, while the 4x4 Automatic Top Trim, priced at INR 4.49 million (ex-showroom), can be had only in a 7-seater layout.

It measures 5,046 mm in length, 2,016 mm in width and 1,870 mm in height, with a total wheelbase of 2,950 mm. The SUV is powered by a 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel engine paired with a ZF 8-speed automatic torque-converter transmission, generating an output of 215.5 PS and 478.5 Nm of torque.

For off-road application, the 4x4 variant incorporates an all-terrain management system featuring 10 terrain-specific drive modes, a dedicated Crawl Control function, a 219 mm ground clearance and an 810 mm water-wading depth threshold. It is claimed to be the first vehicle in its segment to feature triple differential locks across the front, centre and rear axles to manage power delivery over low-traction surfaces.

The MG Majestor features Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) to manage steering assist, adaptive deceleration, collision warning and automated emergency braking. Standard structural safety systems include six airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), anti-lock braking (ABS), traction control, roll movement intervention (RMI) and a 360-degree high-definition camera network.

The cabin architecture features a black upholstery layout paired with a panoramic sunroof and 64-colour ambient lighting.

In terms of creature comforts, it gets a 12-way electrically adjustable driver's seat and 8-way passenger seat equipped with heating, cooling and localised massage programs. A dual-screen interface linking a 12.3-inch infotainment unit with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Integrated iSMART system supporting over 75 connected-car features alongside wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.  A 12-speaker JBL surround-sound system, dual wireless smartphone charging docks, a three-zone automatic climate control module and a 220V auxiliary power outlet.

MG Majestor customers will also a unique ownership program under ‘MG Shield’, which includes a three-year unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty, three years of roadside assistance and three labour-free periodic maintenance services.

Furthermore, JSW MG Motor India is also offering an assured buyback program guaranteeing of up to 70 percent of the MG Majestor’s residual value over a specified operational tenure.

Anurag Mehrotra, Managing Director, JSW MG Motor India, said, “The MG Majestor marks a bold addition to our portfolio as India’s first D+ SUV, delivering a powerful blend of performance, premium comfort, advanced technology and superior reliability. With its unmatched dimension, off-road mastery and multiple segment-first features, the Majestor sets new benchmarks and offers a truly differentiated value proposition in the Indian SUV landscape."

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Chinese automotive major Changan Automobile and Brazil-based Kawa Group (CAOA Group) have opened an automated manufacturing line in Annapolis, Brazil and commenced production of the first locally built Changan Uni-T sport utility vehicle (SUV).

The launch event was attended by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin and Chinese Ambassador to Brazil, Zhou Qingqiao.

The vehicle assembly line represents the beginning of a USD 950 million investment cycle spanning 2026 to 2028. This capital follows USD 570 million deployed between 2023 and 2025, bringing the total joint allocation to USD 1.52 billion.

The funding is intended to establish an annual production capacity of 90,000 vehicles. The expansion project aligns with Changan's global growth initiative, known as the ‘Vast Ocean Plan.’

The Uni-T was developed over three years by a team of 200 Chinese and Brazilian engineers. The model is powered by a 1.5-litre Blue Core Flex turbocharged engine featuring direct fuel injection. The powertrain was modified by Kawa Group to operate on flexible-fuel configurations, allowing the use of ethanol-petrol blends.

To validate durability and thermal efficiency across different climates, the SUV underwent a 200,000-kilometre testing program prior to standard production.

Following the introduction of the flexible-fuel model, Changan plans to expand its local production network to include hybrid and electric powertrains. The Chinese automaker also intends to establish more than 60 commercial dealerships across the region by the end of 2026 to support its broader distribution network.

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