All the three cars are powered by BS-VI compliant Turbocharged Stratified Injection (TSI) engines. The Rapid will have the new 1.0 TSI petrol engine with a power output of 110 PS (81 kW) and a fuel efficiency of 18.97 kmpl. The Superb range, Laurin & Klement and SportLine, get the new 190 PS (140 kW) 2.0 TSI petrol engine that accelerates from a standstill to a 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds and has a top speed of 239 km/h. The all-new Karoq is powered by 150 PS (110 kW) 1.5 TSI petrol engine mated with an automatic seven-speed DSG gearbox delivering a fuel efficiency figure of 16.95 kmpl (high phase WLTP) and a top speed of 202 km/h.

The company set the precedence in the contactless automotive purchase ecosystem with the market introduction of the Octavia RS 245 over its centralized booking platform early this year. The overwhelming response from automobile enthusiasts and brand loyalists from across the nation prompted the Czech marque, celebrating 125 years of its rich history and heritage, to broaden the scope of its digital endeavours. Under the 'India 2.0' project, the company will expand its geographical presence in the subcontinent, from 80 dealership facilities across 65 cities, today, to over 200 touchpoints across 150 cities, by 2025.

Talking about the unique features of the cars Zac Hollis, Brand Director, Skoda Auto India, said TSI technology offers blistering power delivery without compromising on fuel efficiency and reduction of harmful CO2 emissions in line with BS-VI norms. It manages to straddle these extremes by combining direct petrol injection with turbocharging, an elegant, ingenious solution that satisfies not just technical and legal requirements, but driving thrill and fuel efficiency expectations.

There are five main elements that come together to create the magic known as TSI. Turbo charging increases the density of air pumped into the chamber. This ensures that combustion is particularly efficient, while at the same time helps raise the power output of TSI engines substantially as compared to conventional, naturally aspirated engines. It is designed to deliver maximum torque from engine speeds as low as 1500 or 1,750 revs per minute, delivering responsiveness and drivability. Acceleration is virtually instantaneous across gear ratios, allowing for safe, overtaking smoother climbs uphill. And, of course, to get the adrenaline pumping.

The Intercooler, working in tandem with the Turbo, lowers the temperature of the air that is fed into the engine. This more dense, oxygen-rich air helps improve the combustion, while also increasing reliability and reducing the possibility of detonation or engine knocking.

Compact construction; in the past, it used to be said that there was no replacement for displacement. It is not anymore as the TSI engine features a cast aluminum alloy block and dye forged steel crankshaft for strength. Of course, turbocharging helps in extracting more power from a smaller engine. While fewer moving parts translate to a significant reduction in power loss caused by friction, the compact construction also means a lighter weight for the vehicle to shift, on the move.

Fuel stratified injection is a direct outcome of development in a high position technology and material sciences in the TSI range of engines. Fuel is injected into the combustion chamber directly. The new state-of-the-art injector, with six valves for electronic direct injection, has been designed to further optimize an efficient distribution of fuel mixture or automisation. It is the leaner fuel mixture that helps the TSI engine offer exceptional fuel economy. At the same time, power delivery is much more linear and there are no unpleasant bumps or peaks in the middle of the red band.

Finally, an active cylinder management helped the company to move ahead in its quest for offering better fuel economy, depending on the power requirement.

The new Karoq comes with 1.5 TSI petrol engine, mated with an automatic seven-speed DSG gearbox, delivering 150 PS of power and a peak torque output of 250 Nm, while delivering a fuel efficiency figure of 16.95 kmpl (high phase WLTP) and a top speed of 202 km/h. With Active Cylinder Technology, to further boost the fuel economy, two of the four cylinders in the TSI powertrain are deactivated, in view of the power requirement.

The new version of Superb comes in two trim options - the Sportline and L&K variants. It gets a 2-litre, four-cylinder TSI petrol motor with a seven-speed DSG gearbox delivering 190 PS of power and a peak torque output of 320 Nm while delivering a fuel efficiency figure of 15.10 kmpl. It accelerates from a standstill to a 100 km/h in mere 7.7 seconds and has a top speed of 239 km/h.

The mid-size sedan Skoda Rapid is the economical one of all three of them. The diesel variants of the Rapid have been discontinued and the new one comes with a 1-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol motor that puts out 110 PS of power at 5,000 rpm and 175 Nm of torque at 1,750 rpm. Mated with the six-speed manual transmission it offers 18.97 kmpl under standard test conditions. When compared with the outgoing 1.6 MPI engine, the new car offers a five percent upsurge in power and a 14 percent rise in torque output. At the same time it offers a 23% increase in fuel efficiency against the previous motor.

“2020 is a special year for us; it’s our 125th anniversary and Skoda will leave no stone unturned for the success of these three new vehicles. We are already receiving encouraging numbers of bookings for the three new models and Skoda is also accepting online booking as the portal integrates 80 dealerships online. The entire contact less experience will make sure that our customer is safe. We are offering 100 percent ex-showroom funding plus you can buy a car now and pay only somewhere near Diwali. We have low EMI and also offer​​ loyalty benefits too,” Hollis said. (MT)

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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.”

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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. 

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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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In what may come as a surprise to many, the made-in-India Hyundai Grand i10 has scored a zero star rating for adult occupant protection in Global NCAP’s #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign.

While the model did score three stars for child occupant protection, the test identified shortcomings in adult occupant protection, which resulted in a risk of life-threatening injuries. The Indian-built model was tested as part of the campaign and the results are valid for South Africa.

The Hyundai’s standard safety equipment includes driver and passenger frontal airbags, but none for side body or head protection, and no Electronic Stability Control (ESC).

The crash test report noted the following:

• Weak protection was concerning for the driver’s chest in the frontal impact test.
• The side impact test indicated a high risk of non-recoverable chest injuries, leading to a strong probability of life-threatening injuries for the adult occupant. Maximum allowed injury levels in a body region such as the chest were exceeded, resulting in zero points for adult occupant protection.
• In the frontal impact test, the bodyshell and footwell were rated as unstable and could not withstand further loading.
• There was no standard side body or head protection, and the Seat Belt Reminder (SBR) was only for the driver.
• There was no standard ESC.

Richard Woods, Chief Executive Officer, Global NCAP, said, “It is unacceptable to see the continued double standard on safety in low and middle-income countries. Democratising vehicle safety in Africa is a Global NCAP priority, and consumers deserve safer vehicles regardless of where in the world they live.”

Bobby Ramagwede, CEO, Automobile Association of South Africa, said, “These results are deeply concerning and highlight a continuing pattern in which vehicles sold in Africa do not meet the same safety standards applied in other regions. South African motorists deserve better. The Hyundai Grand i10’s zero-star rating reinforces the urgent need for manufacturers to commit to equal safety for all markets. This result underlines why Africa urgently needs stronger regulatory standards and greater manufacturer accountability. The AA believes no vehicle should be sold here without side protection systems and Electronic Stability Control as standard. Safety should never be optional, and certainly not reserved for markets outside Africa.”

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