New Tata Safari Storms SUV Market
- By MT Bureau
- February 24, 2021
The new Tata Safari will be offered in six variants- XE, XM, XT, XT+, XZ and XZ+ in Royale blue, Orcus white and Daytona Grey colours.
The new vehicle is available in six and seven-seat configurations offering better ride and handling, along with premium and spacious interiors. The new SUV also packs in top-of-the-line safety, technology and connectivity features.
“Safari always stood four main things-power, prestige, performance and presence. The presence is something that design really helps to establish in all the Safari generation, and the new one is no different. Building on the capable OMEGARC platform, we bring in our Impact 2.0 design philosophy which people have loved and appreciated. It is always a movement of excitement but also responsibility when you redesign an icon, a legend. Our new Safari, I think, lives up to its legendary status. The new Safari brings a new interpretation for those evolved customers, those who like to seek adventure in their daily life and they like to do things in groups,” said Pratap Bose, vice-president- Global Design at Tata Motors.
The new Safari is all about the strength but no aggression. The front view is compelling, but it is not aggressive. The SUV face reassures the performance with imposing grill, high bonnets, strong bumpers, and down the road graphics. In the side view, the company maintains the characteristics for the original Safari. At the rear, the tall tailgate gives access to the interior with huge storage space. Its edge-to-edge lighting element balances the height and makes the car looks wider.
In the new Tata Safari interior, three-row of seating has a stadium effect. In whichever row, the passenger is seated, they have a sense of space with unobstructed vision. The company has given an ashwood finish on the instrument panel.
The new SUV provides versatility and strong performance from its powerful Kryotec 2L Turbocharged Diesel Engine producing 170bhp. The designers have paid attention to third-row passenger comfort and have provided 832mm of legroom and 889mm of headroom. The third row also gets its own dedicated AC unit along with a USB charger, reading lamp and mobile and cup holder making travel for seven passengers comfortable.
The SUV also features a Panoramic Sunroof that offers excellent views of the outside, adding to the passengers’ convenience and safety. The company has also equipped the smart features like Global Close that shut the sunroof when the ignition is turned off, and rain sensor closure prevents rainwater from entering the cabin.
The new Safari is offered with two transmission options: 6-speed manual/ Automatic. The SUV also features multiple engine drive modes (Eco, City and Sport) married to the ESP Terrain Response Modes (Normal, Rough and Wet) for tackling rugged terrains.
The SUV is equipped with all-disc brakes, Tyre pressure monitor system, six airbags, electronic parking brake with auto hold, and many more safety features. Hill descent control, Corner stability control, Off-road ABS, Hill hold assist, are some functions the advanced ESP system offers.
On the inside, a 7-inch coloured TFT display replaces the traditional analogue dials. A large 8.8-inch floating touchscreen system is provided for infotainment equipped with nine speakers from JBL. Android Auto and Apple car play systems offer connectivity while Media, Phone & Navigation can be mirrored between the Infotainment screen & Instrument cluster.
Tata has also equipped the new Safari with connected car technology called iRA-Intelligent Real-Time Assist. Users can use iRA to send remote commands to their vehicle, track vehicle location, set Geo-fencing, Time fencing and more.
The new Safari is expected to be priced starting at around the 15 lakhs and will take on the MG Hector Plus and the upcoming XUV 500. (MT)
- Tata Sierra
- India Book of Records
- maximum fuel efficiency
- 12 hours
- certified run
- NATRAX
- Indore
- exceptional mileage
- surpass
- national benchmark.
Hyperion-Powered Tata Sierra Sets New Fuel Efficiency Benchmark
- By MT Bureau
- December 11, 2025
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.
Škoda UK’s Matthew Bowden Shifts To Global Sales; Eric Boutin Named Successor
- By MT Bureau
- December 10, 2025
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.”
Mahindra XUV 7XO To Premiere on 05 January 2026
- By MT Bureau
- December 08, 2025
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd has revealed that it will launch the XUV 7XO, which is based on the XUV 700, on 05 January 2026. A premium SUV segment vehicle, the XUV 7XO, the company claims, will be a gamechanger. Said to have been crafted to inspire and engineered to excite, combining the proven strengths of the XUV700 with superior design, technology, comfort and performance, the XUV 7XO is expected to be a feature a fascia with the new signature grille design and '7'-shape sleeker LED head lamps.
Claimed to draw an amount of design and styling details from the new seven-seater electric SUV the company introduced recently, the XUV 7XO is expected to built on the technologies that made the XUV 700 a competitively priced tech savvy SUV with monocoque construction and an option of an AWD. As an ICE vehicle the 7XO is expected to further the gamut of features found on the XUV 700, including the ADAS Level 2 suite.
The XUV 7XO is expected to replace the XUV 700 over a period of time if not immediately.
BMW India Enhances iX1 Long Wheelbase EV With New Colour And Luxurious Upholstery Options
- By MT Bureau
- December 05, 2025
BMW India has enhanced its top-selling premium electric vehicle, the locally produced iX1 Long Wheelbase, with a new exterior colour and expanded upholstery selections, available for booking nationwide. The model now presents a fresh Night Dusk Blue metallic paint, deepening its sophisticated and commanding aesthetic alongside existing shades like Carbon Black and Mineral White. Inside, the cabin gains two new sustainably sourced vegan leather options: Veganza Smoke White + Atlas Grey dual tone and Veganza Castanea. These are distinguished by a premium 3D stitching pattern, emphasising both craftsmanship and modern, eco-conscious luxury.
A defining interior design philosophy, the 'Cocooning Effect’, extends the chosen upholstery colour cohesively across the cabin. This approach envelops the door panels, dashboard and speaker mesh, creating a harmonious and immersive environment that is both plush and visually continuous. The iX1 LWB’s interior is characterised by a spacious, modern design that merges innovative functionality with superior materials.
As the brand’s highest-selling electric model, the iX1 has been pivotal to BMW’s leadership in India’s luxury EV segment. The company has consistently adapted the vehicle to market preferences, introducing features like the Surround View Camera and now refreshing its colour and trim options. In under a year, it has become the best-selling electric vehicle in its premium category.
The vehicle combines practicality with sustainability, boasting segment-leading dimensions that make it one of the longest five-seater SUVs in India. Its bold exterior stance is matched by advanced fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology. This integrated drive unit delivers 204 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque, powered by a 66.4 kWh battery capable of up to 531 kilometres on a single charge. Features like adaptive recuperation and one-pedal driving further enhance efficiency and convenience, solidifying its position as a comprehensive premium electric package.

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