Group Renault unveiled their B SUV Kiger in India. This is the company’s third global product after the Kwid and Triber first launched in India, followed by other markets.

With the Kiger, Renault will demonstrate its commitment to ‘Make in India’ displaying its design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities. Stunning, Smart and Sporty are the core ingredients behind the design philosophy of the Kiger.

The new car carries forward the front facia from the Kwid and the Triber with changes to the headlights and the grille. The upper strip formed by the front grille and the LED daytime running lights gives the car an elevated stance. The bumper has been divided into two areas, each featuring three LED headlights encased in a chrome octagonal unit with PURE VISION and a chrome reflector. At the rear, the vehicle sports an all-new LED taillight with double C-shaped lighting signature and glossy black inserts adding modern and distinctive appeal.

The sculpted bonnet and the black sills, muscular wheel arches and the wings with their pronounced shoulder lines complete the B-SUVs bold look. The high ground clearance (205 mm) and the functional roof bars add to the SUV look.

The Kiger’s large 16-inch wheels on the higher trims have a black diamond-cut finish adding a sporty but stylish look. The wheels on the car have been pushed to the four corners providing increase stability and also a long wheelbase of 2500 mm that offers optimum comfort for each passenger and boot volume of 405 Litres that is the largest in the segment.

The slender windscreen which extends into a floating roof and the steep-sloping rear window give the car a coupe look. The aerodynamic spoiler at the rear and the shark fin antenna and 3D graphic finish to the front grille with honeycomb-shaped chromed effects adds to the sporty character of the Kiger.

Customers also have an opportunity to customise their Kiger with a Mystery Black Roof option available with all trim levels and with all body colours.

The interior of the Kiger is a blend of technology, functionality and roominess. The SUV builds on its CMFA+ platform and offers segment-leading roominess, cabin storage and cargo space.

The clearly defined curves of the interior show the impression of the floating cockpit. The piano-styled control dials, suspended air conditioning controls accentuate the floating cockpit feeling. The SUV features a central an 8-inch touch screen system for infotainment and a 7-inch Multi-Skin Reconfigurable TFT colour display for the driver’s cockpit.

The central touch screen offers wireless smartphone replication for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto at higher trim levels. The Multi-Sense setting available at higher trim levels changes colour and widget of the 7-inch TFT display based on the driving mode selected. Audio is taken care by the Auditorium 3D Sound system by Arkamys, with eight onboard speakers that diffuse 3D sound tailor-made to suit the passenger compartment’s materials and shape.

The Kiger offers hands-free door open, close and engine start with the key card. The car also includes a door auto-lock function when drivers walk away from the vehicle adding to the user convenience. Other features on the inside include a radar sensor and reverse camera with guiding lines offering greater visibility and precision when reversing or manoeuvring for parking. Also helping to manoeuvre is the 5.02 meters turning radius. Another feature unique to this SUV is the first segment PM2.5 Clean Air Filter fitted into the ventilation system providing good air quality inside the vehicle.

The car offers a roomier cabin with the best-in-segment distance between the front seats and legroom at the rear. The vehicle also features a host of smart storage spaces including four 1L water bottle holders and 2 cup holders.

The all-new Kiger will come equipped with the tried and tested 1.0-liter three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that outputs a 100PS of power and 160Nm of torque. This engine is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox for now with an X-TRONIC CVT automatic expected to arrive soon after the vehicles commercial launch.

Another engine option will be the 72PS, 1.0-liter naturally aspirated petrol engine available with either a five-speed manual or the EASY-R five-speed AMT gearbox.

In terms of safety, the Kiger comes two front airbags for the driver and passenger and two side airbags. The vehicle also features seatbelt reminder for both the front seats. (MT)

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Mumbai-headquartered SUV major Mahindra & Mahindra has upgraded its popular offering, the Scorpio-N Z8L variant, with Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) tech.

This will see the Scorpio-N Z8L variant coming with Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Smart Pilot Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition and High Beam Assist features.

The ADAS tech will further enhance safety quotient for the Scorpion-N with exclusive features such as Speed Limit Assist and Front Vehicle Start Alert, marking a first for Mahindra ICE SUVs.

Furthermore, the company has also expanded the Scorpio-N line-up with the introduction of the Z8T variant at INR 2.02 million. The new variant will sit between the Z8 and Z8L variants. It comes with a compelling mix of premium features, including R18 diamond-cut alloy wheels, a 12-speaker Sony-branded audio system, front camera, front parking sensors, 6-way powered driver seat, electronic parking brake (EPB), ventilated front seats and an auto-dimming IRVM.

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Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has achieved a new milestone in its aftersales service. The company recorded servicing (free and paid) over 2.45 million vehicles in May, the highest in a single month in its history.

The feat was achieved through the company’s vast network of over 5,400 service touchpoints.

Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “This is the first time in the company’s history that we have serviced over 24.5 lakh vehicles in a month, an achievement that reflects scale, depth, and efficiency of the service network. It is a result of the tireless efforts of our service teams and dealer partners across the country.”

“Good quality aftersales service is critical to maintain vehicle health, leading to a delightful car ownership experience and strengthen customer retention. Even before we started mass sales of vehicles in India, our focus was on building a robust service network, a foundation that continues to support us as we expand our business further. Going forward, we aim to expand our service touchpoints to 8,000 by FY 2030-31 and introduce innovative formats to cater to the requirements of diverse customer needs. This will help in our EV launch as well. We are preparing 1,500 EV enabled service workshops covering over 1,000 cities with specially trained manpower and special equipment to extend all EV related support to our customers,” he said.

Maruti Suzuki India has through its dealer partners introduced several innovative and industry-first service formats, to address the smallest query to full-car service needs ranging from traditional brick-and-mortar workshops to mobile workshops. Over the years, it has also created a dedicated Quick Response Team (QRT) to provide emergency on-road assistance across the country.

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Mercedes-Benz India, the German luxury car brand, has announced a significant organisational change, effective from 1 August 2025, with the appointment of Brendon Sissing as the new Vice-President of Sales and Marketing. He will take over from Lance Bennett, who has moved to Mercedes-Benz Middle East as their Chief Financial Officer.

Santosh Iyer, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said, "We are excited to welcome Brendon Sissing as the Head of Sales & Marketing for Mercedes-Benz India. Brendon takes over the responsibility from Lance Bennett, who has joined Mercedes-Benz Middle East as the CFO. Brendon brings rich experience from the world of financing and insurance, as he successfully steered Mercedes-Benz Financial Service India, doubling its portfolio, driving record profit and business transformation, while elevating the integrated customer journey. We are confident Brendon will continue the growth momentum of Mercedes-Benz in this highly diverse and dynamic Indian luxury car market. We thank Lance for his immense contribution and wish them both, the very best in their respective new roles."

Brendon Sissing previously served as the Head of Mercedes-Benz Financial Services India, where he was instrumental in doubling the company's portfolio and achieving record profits. He is recognised for his strong advocacy of digital transformation and risk management, leveraging his expertise in credit risk to drive operational excellence. He has extensive experience within the Mercedes-Benz group, having worked with Mercedes-Benz Malaysia and Mercedes-Benz South Africa, leading Credit Operations in both markets. He also held roles in Credit Underwriting and Key Accounts at Daimler Mobility, Stuttgart, before joining Mercedes-Benz Financial Services India in 2022.

The German brand stated that under Sissing's leadership, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services India significantly enhanced customer journeys through integrated online and offline platforms. He is also noted for his passion for coaching and mentoring, fostering high-performing team environments. Sissing holds a B. Tech degree in Cost & Management Accounting from Technikon Pretoria, South Africa and a Diploma in Credit Management from the Institute of Credit Management. He is also a founding member of Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia, established in 2012.

A South African national, Sissing has worked in various international locations, including Malaysia, South Africa, Germany and India.

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Honda Cars India has launched a new variant of its popular mid-size sedan, the Honda City Sport, adding a dynamic and youthful edge to the City line-up. Priced at INR 1.48 million (ex-showroom, Delhi), the City Sport is positioned as a limited-edition offering designed to appeal to style-conscious, spirited drivers.

The new variant will be exclusively available with a CVT automatic transmission and is offered in three colour options — Radiant Red Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, and Meteoroid Gray Metallic.

Sporting a blacked-out exterior theme, the car features a Sporty Black Grille, Glossy Black Shark Fin Antenna, Trunk Lip Spoiler and multi-spoke grey alloy wheels. Inside, the cabin gets an all-black treatment with red stitching, leather seats and ambient lighting for a premium, performance-inspired feel.

Under the hood, it retains the 1.5L i-VTEC petrol engine, delivering 121 PS and 145 Nm of torque, with a claimed fuel efficiency of 18.4 kmpl. The model also comes equipped with Honda Sensing, the brand’s advanced driver assistance suite.

Kunal Behl, Vice-President, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India, said, “The new City Sport has been crafted to meet the aspirations of young buyers who value individuality and a spirited driving experience. It embodies a perfect blend of sporty exterior and interior style, fun to drive performance and the everyday usability that Honda City is known for, at a price that makes it even more compelling.”

The City Sport is being positioned as a limited-unit, exclusive edition for customers seeking distinction in both design and driving dynamics.

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