Skoda Auto India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has taken the wraps of the all-new Skoda Kylaq, the company’s third model developed locally for the Indian market. With prices starting at INR 789,000, this is the most affordable Skoda car currently available in the market.

This also marks the Czech brand’s first model in the popular sub-4-metre segment, which at present accounts for nearly 50 percent of sales in the Indian car market. The Kylaq C-SUV is the first model in India to feature Skoda’s new Modern Solid design language.

Klaus Zellmer, CEO, Skoda Auto, said, “The Skoda Kylaq is our first sub-4-metre SUV, designed in India and for India as a new entry point to our brand. India is key to our internationalisation plans, the world’s third-largest car market, and SUVs make up 50 percent of new vehicle sales. We want the Kylaq to welcome new customers who are looking in this popular and fast-growing segment. Adding to its appeal, the Kylaq marks the debut in India of our Modern Solid design language, with new visual accents.”

The Kylaq features 189mm of ground clearance, is 3,995mm long, 1,783mm wide and is 1,619mm tall with a 2,566mm wheelbase.

The 1.0 TSI engine produces 178Nm of torque and delivers 85 kW of power. The compact SUV can be had with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. It has a claimed top speed of 188kmph and can go from zero to 100kph in 10.5 seconds.

Johannes Neft, Skoda Auto Board Member for Technical Development, said, “The Skoda Kylaq is our third offering based on the MQB-A0-IN platform, developed by our teams in India with comprehensive support by our colleagues in the Czech Republic for Indian customers. From the outset, this platform was designed to accommodate a sub-4-metre car like the Kylaq. This SUV is built on four key pillars: comfort, quality, global design language, and safety. That’s why the Kylaq has been rigorously tested across varied terrains, altitudes, and weather conditions. It will lead our presence in India’s fastest-growing and most competitive segment.”

The Kylaq gets over 25 active and passive safety features as standard including six airbags, multi-collision brake, roll over protection, motor slip regulation, electronic differential lock, XDS+, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake force distribution, and electronic stability control, among others. Select variants come equipped with over 35 safety features, such as cornering lights, automatic headlights and wipers, Hill Hold Control, and tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS).

In terms of space, the five-seater compact SUV has 446 litres of storage, which can be expanded to 1,265 litres with the rear seats folded.

On the inside, it features 10.1-inch infotainment display, which gets Android Auto and Apple CarPlay along with wireless charging support. The driver also gets a 8-inch digital cockpit that provides plenty of information.

Skoda India claims that the Kylaq has been tested for more than 800,000km of Indian terrain, including altitude test, temperature test and rigorous weather and water testing.

Piyush Arora, MD and CEO, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, said, “Today is another important milestone in our India journey with the World Premiere of the Skoda Kylaq. Kylaq has generated tremendous excitement and buzz through 2024. And I’m extremely proud to unveil the Skoda Kylaq to India and to the world. With its high levels of localisation, unmatched driving dynamics and uncompromising safety, Kylaq will make a significant impact in the market.”

Oliver Stefani, Head of Skoda Design, said, “With the new Kylaq, our Skoda Design team has preserved and re-interpreted key Skoda design elements, combining them with new ideas and visual accents. It is one of the hallmarks of our new Modern Solid design language, ushering in a new era for design in a car that ushers in a New Era for us in India. Modern solid stands for solidity, functionality and authenticity while conveying a sense of safety and strength. The Skoda Kylaq, with its distinctive shape, minimalist and clean looks and functional features like a high ground clearance is a perfect embodiment of our new design approach to customers in India.”

Petr Janeba, Brand Director, Skoda Auto India, shared, “The Kylaq has literally hit the ground running and is going to be powering our growth in India over the next few years. It is the beginning of a new era for us in India. We are aware we are entering what is currently the most competitive segment in India. And are confident the Kylaq has what it takes to make an impact with its safety and driving dynamics. Moreover, the Kylaq boasts some segment-leading features like a six-way front electric seat adjustment with seat ventilation, and a class-leading 446 litres of boot space. The Kylaq continues with our India-focussed product line-up following the Kushaq and Slavia and will further our goal of entering newer markets and bringing new customers into the Skoda family. We believe we have stuck to our promise of accessible pricing of the Kylaq and look forward to ensure it democratises European technology in India. It is a compact car but is larger than life. And that’s the reason we premiere it via a motion picture premiere like never before.”

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Honda Cars India has partnered with CSB Bank to provide vehicle financing schemes for customers across India. The agreement enables buyers to access car loans with interest rate options on purchases of the Honda City, Honda Amaze, Honda Elevate and Honda ZR-V through participating Honda dealerships and CSB Bank branches.

The partnership encompasses financial products including loans for new vehicles, pre-owned car financing, refinancing options and future electric vehicle financing support, subject to lending criteria and customer eligibility. The initiative targets buyers in semi-urban and rural markets ahead of the festive season.

As per the agreement, CSB Bank has been empanelled as a preferred financing partner for Honda Cars India. The two organisations will execute joint promotional campaigns across dealership locations, bank branches, and digital platforms, overseen by a joint coordination team.

Kunal Behl, Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India, said, “With this partnership, we aim to make vehicle ownership more accessible and affordable for our customers right from day one. By combining Honda’s strong dealership network with CSB Bank’s convenient financing solutions, we can offer a simple, quick and hassle-free car-buying experience. This collaboration is an extension of our efforts to provide easy and accessible finance options while enhancing the overall purchase and ownership experience for our customers. We look forward to enabling more customers to bring home their dream Honda this festive season, while expanding access to finance across semi-urban and rural markets.”

Narendra Dixit, Head - Retail Banking, CSB Bank, said, “Finance plays a critical role in enabling customers to turn their aspiration of owning a vehicle into reality. As an important component of the automotive ecosystem, financing needs to be convenient, accessible and tailored to the diverse needs of customers. At CSB Bank, we see significant potential in building strong partnerships across the automotive value chain and leveraging our financing capabilities to make vehicle ownership more accessible. Our partnership with Honda Cars India is an important step in that direction, enabling us to bring our customer-centric financing solutions closer to customers across markets, including semi-urban and rural India.”

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Tata Motors, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has launched the Aeris, a replacement for its Tigor sub-four-metre compact sedan, with introductory prices starting from INR 529,000 for petrol variants and INR 629,000 for CNG variants. The Aeris will be available in five trim levels comprising Smart, Pure, Pure+, Creative and Accomplished.

Tata Motors stated that the Aeris will be sold to retail consumers, while fleet operators will continue to receive the older Tigor model under the Xpres brand name.

The exterior of the Aeris maintains a notchback roofline, accompanied by a lower grille, LED headlamps with integrated daytime running lights, LED tail-lamps, wheel arch cladding, chrome door handles, a dual-tone roof and a shark fin antenna. The car is available in six paint options: Nitro Crimson, Dandeli Drizzle, Pure Grey, Daytona Grey, Dune Glow, and Pristine White.

The sedan retains a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder Revotron engine in petrol and CNG formats. In petrol specification, the engine generates 86 PS of power and 113 Nm of torque, mated to a five-speed manual or a five-speed automated manual transmission (AMT). The CNG variant produces 75.5 PS and 96.5 Nm of torque, offered with the same transmission options. The CNG configuration employs a twin-cylinder tank design to preserve 419 litres of boot space. The petrol tank capacity measures 35 litres, while the CNG system features a 70-litre water-capacity tank.

Cabin equipment includes ventilated front leatherette seats, a digital video recorder dashcam, a blind-view monitor, a dual smartphone deck with wireless charging, and an AMT rotary gear selector with paddle shifters. Infotainment is delivered through a 26.03 cm touchscreen paired with a 12.7 cm digital instrument display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and a six-speaker audio setup. Additional interior features consist of automatic climate control, rear air-conditioning vents, and 65-watt USB Type-C charging ports.

The Aeris measures 3,995 mm in length, 1,684 mm in width, and 1,532 mm in height, with a 2,450 mm wheelbase. The chassis uses an independent MacPherson strut front suspension with coil springs and a semi-independent closed-profile twist beam with dual-path struts at the rear. Braking systems consist of front discs and rear drums, with wheel sizes ranging from 14-inch steel wheels on base models to 15-inch alloy wheels on higher trims.

Safety equipment fitted across all variants includes six airbags, an Electronic Stability Program suite, ABS, hill-hold assist, a 360-degree camera, a tyre pressure monitoring system and Isofix child-seat anchors. The CNG variants incorporate an electronic control unit, direct CNG ignition startup, leak detection sensors, and reinforced rear crash structures around the fuel cylinders.

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American electric vehicle and software company Lucid Group has announced French market pricing for its Gravity SUV and Air sedan models prior to their debut at the Paris Motor Show, scheduled for 12–18 October in Hall 7.1.

The company outlines four trim configurations for the Lucid Gravity SUV in France. The entry-level Gravity Touring features a 568 PS powertrain, an 89 kWh battery pack providing a WLTP range of up to 545 kilometres, and a starting price of EUR 95,900 including VAT.

The Gravity Touring Plus incorporates seven-seat capacity along with soft-close doors and acoustic glazing, priced from EUR 99,900 including VAT. The Gravity Grand Touring, priced from EUR 120,900 including VAT, utilises a 123 kWh battery pack and an 839 PS output, reaching 100 kmph in 3.6 seconds with a WLTP range of up to 739 kilometres.

The flagship Gravity Grand Touring Ultimate trim includes three-chamber air suspension, rear-wheel steering, a 22-speaker audio system, and driver assistance features, priced from EUR 148,900 including VAT.

The Lucid Air sedan range in France comprises four variants. The Air Pure model, priced from EUR 86,900 including VAT, uses an 88 kWh battery pack delivering up to 831 kilometres of WLTP range with energy consumption rated at 11.8 kWh per 100 km. The dual-motor all-wheel drive Air Touring offers up to 780 kilometres of range and starts at EUR 100,900 including VAT. The Air Grand Touring model provides a range of up to 960 kilometres, with pricing starting at EUR 131,900 including VAT. The range-topping Air Sapphire features a three-motor powertrain producing 1,251 PS, reaching 100 km/h in 2.0 seconds with a top speed of 330 kmph and a range of up to 694 kilometres, priced from EUR 252,900 including VAT.

Lawrence Hamilton, President of Europe, Lucid, said, "Lucid prioritises the customer journey as it enters the French market at the Paris Motor Show. French customers will be able to experience Lucid Gravity and Lucid Air firsthand and see how our technology delivers exceptional range, efficiency, performance and space."

Lucid plans to display the Gravity Grand Touring and Air Grand Touring models at the trade show, with ordering and availability details to be released separately. The company will conduct a press conference on 12 October with Lawrence Hamilton and Pierre Guignot, General Manager of the Emil Frey France Import Division, following a partnership agreement with Emil Frey France to manage import and operational activities across the country.

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Chinese automotive major Geely Auto has announced that its Monjaro EM-i plug-in hybrid SUV achieved a Guinness World Record for the fastest crossing of the Black and White Desert in the Sahara by a plug-in hybrid production SUV.

The announcement took place during the Monjaro EM-i Product Capability & Core Tech Deep Dive event following a continuous 188.6-kilometre drive from the volcanic terrain of the Black Desert to the chalk-white landscape of the White Desert in Egypt.

The crossing served as a testing platform across five evaluation areas – handling and stability, steep-slope ascents, cross-axle recovery, ride comfort over rough surfaces and acceleration at a low state of battery charge. The vehicle is constructed on Geely’s GEA Evo new-energy architecture and utilises the GEEA 3.0 electronic structure to coordinate power delivery across its drive systems.

The Monjaro EM-i features Geely’s e-AWD Intelligent Electric AWD System, which alters front-to-rear torque distribution between 100:0 and 50:50 ratios. The system functions alongside traction control algorithms to reduce wheel slip by up to 50 per cent on low-friction surfaces.

Suspended by a Continuous Damping Control system that adjusts up to 50 times per second with a 20-millisecond response time, the EM-i Super Hybrid powertrain combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine with electric drive units to output 250 kW of power and 667 Nm of torque, achieving a claimed zero to 100 kmph acceleration time of 5.83 seconds. Thermal management systems regulated component temperatures across the engine, battery and power electronics during the desert run.

The Sahara driving programme was attended by media representatives and automotive commentators from Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan, Mexico and Peru. Geely Auto reported export sales of 110,094 vehicles in August, marking a 205 percent increase compared to the same month in the prior year. The company plans to present the Monjaro EM-i at the Paris Motor Show in October as part of its ongoing international product rollout.

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