Mercedes-Benz Strengthens Urban Presence With First 'Mercedes-Benz Studio' In India
- By MT Bureau
- September 04, 2026
Mercedes-Benz has inaugurated India's first 'Mercedes-Benz Studio' in Gurugram, Delhi NCR, establishing a new global brand experience format in the country. Located at DLF One Horizon Centre, the studio is designed to bring the luxury automaker closer to customers in key metropolitan areas through experimental and immersive interactions. The opening ceremony also featured the Indian debut of the CONCEPT AMG GT XX supercar and the launch of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 e-bike range, developed in partnership with EMotorad.
The studio offers more than a traditional showroom, housing a curated vehicle display alongside a design and material library, a Mercedes-Benz lifestyle collection and exclusive Mercedes-AMG X adidas merchandise. An exclusive Lavonne Café enhances the experience, serving 16 patisserie creations inspired by the brand's design language, featuring sculpted lines and a luxury palette of black, silver and gold. This innovative space allows visitors, from enthusiasts to families, to discover the brand at their own pace within a warm, modern luxury environment that embodies the 'Welcome Home' promise.

This Gurugram studio is part of a worldwide initiative that has established similar destinations in over 14 leading cities across four continents, following the first studio in Copenhagen. Each location is tailored to its city's character within a global framework, ensuring market-specific execution while maintaining brand consistency. The primary objectives include raising awareness among new audiences, deepening long-term customer relationships and reinforcing the brand's presence in India's premier metropolitan markets.

The studio concept is integral to the 'Welcome Home' narrative and coincides with Mercedes-Benz's 2026 celebration of ‘140 Years of Innovation’, commemorating Carl Benz's original patent. These physical destinations serve as convergence points for culture, innovation and urban life. At prime global locations, customers can engage with the latest products, exclusive events, and strategic partnerships, allowing genuine immersion in the Mercedes-Benz brand within their familiar urban environments.

The initiative strategically strengthens urban brand leadership by creating visible touchpoints where brand perception is formed. Visitors can book test drives prior to their visit through the Mercedes-Benz India website and purchase collection items and F1 merchandise at the studio. The collaboration with Lavonne Café results in precision-engineered patisserie, with each creation plated and finished to reflect the automotive brand's aesthetic, including metallic lacquers and signature colour tones.

The CONCEPT AMG GT XX, finished in sunset beam orange, showcases the brand's sensual purity design philosophy with a dynamic fastback silhouette and six circular deep red taillights. The AMG e-bike range, assembled in India by EMotorad, includes City, Track and Rallye editions, all featuring a 250W motor and 25 kmph assistance speed, requiring no registration or insurance in India. Pre-orders are open with deliveries starting mid-September 2026, supported by EMotorad's service network across 55 locations.
Santosh Iyer, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said, “Customer engagement with luxury has been evolving, as they desire specially curated spaces to enjoy spending time; experience the latest products, connect with the brand and immerse in an unmistakably familiar ‘Welcome Home’ feeling synonymous with Mercedes Benz. Mercedes Benz Studio presents this unhurried discovery, spending quality time, experiencing elevated culinary delight, making visitors feel welcome and interacting in novel, experimental ways. We are equally excited to showcase our alluring cars in the heart of the city, where customers can experience them in a relaxed and inspiring setting. We are confident ‘Mercedes-Benz Studio’ will create an immersive brand experience for customers as we plan to expand this concept to other metropolises gradually.
“The Studio opens with a distinct AMG flavour for enthusiasts. The CONCEPT AMG GT XX showcases Mercedes-AMG redefining standards of performance with groundbreaking technologies and innovations, underlining an entirely new dimension of a sustained electric future for customers. The launch of AMG F1 PETRONAS e-bikes in India is a natural extension of the AMG brand. These world-class F1 e-Bikes will enable more AMG enthusiasts to connect with the brand’s unique DNA of performance, design and craftsmanship.”
BMW Group Expands Lucknow Facility To House MINI Brand Operations
- By MT Bureau
- October 19, 2026
BMW Group India has integrated the MINI brand into its Speed Motorwagen dealership in Lucknow, creating a multi-brand retail facility representing BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad under one roof.
The Retail.NEXT facility is spread across a 12,142-square-foot showroom for BMW and MINI alongside a 2,088-square-foot pre-owned vehicle display area. The showroom accommodates eight BMW vehicles, three certified pre-owned units and two MINI vehicles.
The site also includes a 2,100-square-foot BMW Motorrad display area featuring 11 motorcycles, supported by dedicated service workshops comprising mechanical, electrical and programming bays. MINI's introduction in Uttar Pradesh aligns with the brand's national retail footprint, which spans 18 sales touchpoints across 17 cities.
Hardeep Singh Brar, President and CEO, BMW Group India, said, "Lucknow is an important luxury market, with customers increasingly seeking brands that reflect their individuality and aspirations. Since 2012, BMW has shaped this market through a compelling portfolio, exceptional experiences and a strong local presence. We lead the luxury electric vehicle segment in Uttar Pradesh, reflecting the growing preference for progressive, sustainable mobility and the strength of our electric portfolio. MINI with its unmistakable style, spirited performance and distinctive character, is a natural fit for Lucknow’s refined taste and appreciation for self-expression. Together with Speed Motorwagen, we are strengthening the power of choice by bringing BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad under one roof, supported by personalised attention and seamless ownership support."
Divij Narain, Dealer Principal of Speed Motorwagen, said, "The arrival of MINI marks a significant milestone for Speed Motorwagen and discerning automotive enthusiasts in Lucknow. Alongside BMW’s progressive luxury and BMW Motorrad’s spirit of freedom and adventure, MINI adds a distinctive new dimension to our portfolio. Our team is committed to bringing each brand to life through thoughtfully curated product discovery, expert consultation and comprehensive aftersales care. We look forward to nurturing passionate communities across all three brands and ensuring every customer interaction is as memorable and individual as the mobility experience they choose."
Ferrari Brings Universo Ferrari To New Delhi, Marks Long-Term Commitment To India
- By MT Bureau
- October 19, 2026
Italian supercar brand Ferrari has inaugurated the Universo Ferrari exhibition in New Delhi, bringing its immersive showcase to India for the first time. Open to the public until November 1, the exhibition spans racing, sports cars and lifestyle exhibits, highlighting the brand's presence in the domestic market.
The event follows retail expansion plans that include opening two new dealerships by the end of 2026, partnering with KUN Group in Chennai and Infinity Group in Ahmedabad.
The exhibition features dedicated zones displaying models including the Scuderia Ferrari SF-26 Formula 1 car, the Le Mans-winning 499P, the F80 supercar and the Ferrari Daytona SP3, alongside the Tailor Made India project developed with students from the National Institute of Design. A charity auction held during the opening gathered funds for Save the Children and Bal Raksha Bharat to support educational projects in India.
Benedetto Vigna, CEO, Ferrari, said, "Universo Ferrari is an invitation to experience the world of Ferrari in its entirety: our racing spirit, our sports cars, our lifestyle, our heritage, and our constant drive to innovate. The first edition in India reflects the importance we place on building an enduring relationship with this nation and its growing community of Ferraristi, clients and enthusiasts."
- Renault India
- Renault Duster
- Renault Duster E-Tech 160
- Stéphane Deblaise
- Francisco Hidalgo
- Renault Group India
Renault Launches Duster E-Tech 160 At INR 1.69 Million, Debuts Its Strong Hybrid Tech In India
- By MT Bureau
- October 17, 2026
European auto major Renault India has introduced its E-Tech 160 strong-hybrid powertrain in the Indian market with the launch of the new Renault Duster Strong Hybrid E-Tech 160. The hybrid SUV can be had at prices starting from INR 1.69 million ex-showroom across three trim levels: Evolution, Techno and Emotion.
The Duster E-Tech 160 comes with a 1.8-litre petrol engine, two electric motors, a 1.4 kWh battery pack and a multi-mode automatic transmission, producing a combined power output of 160 PS and peak motor torque of 208 Nm.
The transmission utilises two electric and four combustion gears to deliver 15 drive combinations. Certified by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) at 29 kilometres per litre, the SUV enables up to 80 percent of urban driving in electric mode and incorporates regenerative braking with a B-mode selector.
The Duster E-Tech 160 features an illuminated logo grille, frequency-dependent damping, battery thermal cooling and revised cabin upholstery across variants. The Techno variant includes beige semi-leatherette trim, while the Emotion variant adds brown leatherette seats with front ventilation and six-way power adjustment. The Evolution trim is priced at INR 1.69 million, the Techno at INR 1.89 million and the Emotion at INR 1.94 million. Pre-orders are open across Renault dealerships and online channels, supported by an optional Protect 360 ownership package.
Stéphane Deblaise, CEO, Renault Group India, said, "With more than one million E-Tech strong hybrid vehicles sold worldwide since 2020, the E-Tech strong hybrid is a proven Renault powertrain technology. Now, we are bringing it to India as part of our futuREady India roadmap. Our approach is to bring to the Indian customers the best of Renault’s global technologies, while developing cars, powertrains and features specifically for Indian needs through our engineering and design centres in Chennai, our biggest outside Europe. The Duster Strong Hybrid E-Tech 160 is a clear example of this approach."
Francisco Hidalgo, Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, Renault Group India, said, "In the Duster segment, nearly half of all diesel vehicles are sold in the INR 1.7–2 million price band, and that rises to more than 90 percent for diesel automatics. That is exactly where the Duster Strong Hybrid E-Tech 160 comes in. Starting at INR 1.69 million, right at the heart of this market, we believe it is the smarter choice for customers considering diesel, combining significantly lower fuel consumption with a quieter, smoother and more sophisticated driving experience, without requiring customers to change how or where they drive."
- Audi India
- Audi Q3
- Viktoria Kaufmann-Reiger
- AUDI AG
- Martin Sander
- Piyush Arora
- Balbir Singh Dhillon
- Skoda Auto Volkswagen India
- SAVWIPL
Audi India Launches All-New Q3 At INR 5.19 Million
- By MT Bureau
- October 17, 2026
German luxury car brand Audi India has launched the all-new Audi Q3 compact luxury SUV at an introductory price of INR 5.19 million ex-showroom. The vehicle is locally assembled at the Skoda Auto Volkswagen India (SAVWIPL) plant in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
The Audi Q3 is powered by a 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engine delivering 150 kW of power and 320 Nm of torque, paired with quattro all-wheel drive. The setup accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds. Exterior design features Digital Matrix LED headlights containing 25,600 micro-LEDs with four selectable daytime-running-light signatures, 18-inch aero alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof and illuminated rear Audi rings.
On the inside, the cabin incorporates a digital stage panoramic display featuring a 30.22 cm Audi virtual cockpit, a 32.51 cm MMI touch screen, a head-up display, and a 12-speaker SONOS sound system with a 420-watt output. Safety features include nine airbags, adaptive cruise control, front emergency brake assist and park assist plus.
Viktoria Kaufmann-Reiger, Senior Director of Sales Overseas at Audi AG, said, "Today, is such an important day for Audi India and I am happy to be a part of this occasion. The launch of the all-new Audi Q3 is an important milestone and it became even more special due to our new AUDI AG Board Member for Sales and Marketing Mr. Martin Sander joining us here in India. His presence underscores not just the importance of this brand-new model but also India’s growing importance as an emerging market for AUDI AG. India's luxury landscape is evolving, and we will continue to offer products, technologies and experiences that reflect the aspirations of our customers and the distinctive character of our brand. Customer ambitions are growing, and so are their expectations, and at Audi we want to be well positioned to grow alongside them."
Piyush Arora, MD and CEO, SAVWIPL, said, "The launch of the all-new Audi Q3 marks an important milestone for Audi India and reflects our commitment to meeting the evolving expectations of the next generation of luxury customers. Like its predecessor, the new Q3 is being produced here in India, at our state-of-the-art Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar facility. This is a strong demonstration of the capabilities we have built within SAVWIPL, reinforcing that India plays a dual role for us, not only as a major growth market, but as a key manufacturing and engineering hub."
Balbir Singh Dhillon, Brand Director, Audi India, said, "The Audi Q3 has long been an important gateway to the Audi brand in India, and we are delighted to introduce its most progressive iteration yet. The all-new Audi Q3 combines the confidence of quattro, strong performance and everyday versatility with a significantly more intuitive technological experience and a host of thoughtful comfort and safety features. Its local assembly is another important step in our commitment to the Indian market. We are confident that its distinctive character, advanced technology and effortless usability will resonate strongly with customers seeking a modern compact luxury SUV."
The compact SUV is offered in five exterior paint options and two interior themes. Audi India supports the launch with ownership options, including roadside assistance up to 15 years alongside service and extended warranty programs up to 10 years.

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