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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TATA.ev has launched the new Punch.ev in India, positioned to accelerate the transition to electric mobility in the entry-level segment with prices starting INR 969,000 (ex-showroom, Mumbai) for the 30 kWh battery variant, while the 40 kWh variant can be had at INR 1.08 million.

Furthermore, the company has also marked the introduction of Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) financing model, which lowers the initial purchase price to INR 649,000, supplemented by a battery EMI of INR 2.6 per kilometre.

The Punch.ev is built on the acti.ev architecture and offers two battery configurations to address varying range requirements:

• Long Range: Features a 40 kWh LFP prismatic cell battery pack. It delivers a real-world range of approximately 355 km and an ARAI-certified range of 468 km.
• Standard Range: Includes a 30 kWh battery pack option for city-focused use.

The EV supports express charging, allowing the battery to transition from 20 percent to 80 percent in 26 minutes. A 15-minute charge can provide 135 km of real-world range.

TATA.ev has established a network of over 230,000 charging points across 1,500 cities. This includes a ‘.ev Verified’ network of 2,500 fast chargers and 130 hubs on 80 highways. The company plans to expand its highway charging presence to 800 points by the March 2026.

To support first-time buyers, TATA.ev has introduced a lifetime warranty on the high-voltage (HV) battery, covering unlimited kilometres. This measure is intended to address concerns regarding battery longevity and maintenance costs.

Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicle and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, said, “The new Punch.ev, makes electric mobility truly accessible, practical and worry free for every household. With a real-world range of around 355 km, fast charging capability, a lifetime HV battery warranty and a highly accessible price point, it resolves the core concerns that have thus far held customers back from choosing an entry level EV as their primary car. By bringing together everything customers seek in their preferred car for both daily and long-distance travel, the new Punch.ev marks a significant leap forward in the democratisation of electric mobility in India.”

The Punch.ev can be had in three versions: Smart, Adventure and Empowered.

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Volkswagen Passenger Cars India has launched the Tayron R-Line SUV at an introductory price of INR 4.69 million (ex-showroom).

The Tayron R-Line features R-Line styling and is manufactured using the brand's design DNA and is part of the company’s strategy to expand its portfolio in the premium segment in India.

The SUV is powered by a 2.0-litre TSI EA888 evo4 engine, producing 204 PS and 320 Nm of torque. It comes with a 7-speed DSG transmission and the 4MOTION All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system, which allows drivers to select from six driving profiles.

In terms of dimensions, it is 4792 mm in length, 1866 mm width and 1665 mm height. The wheelbase is 2789 mm features 19-inch Coventry alloys. On the inside, it gets a 38.1 cm infotainment screen and a 26.03 cm digital cockpit. The front seats feature 12-way electric adjustment with memory, ventilation, heating and an 8-mode massage function.

The Tayron R-Line features IQ Light with HD Matrix LED headlamps and illuminated front and rear logos. It is equipped with 11-speaker Harman Kardon sound system with 700 watts output, dual 45W USB-C ports and wireless charging for two devices. Augmented Reality (AR) head-up display and gesture-controlled tailgate.

In terms of safety, the Tayron R-Line is equipped with Level 2 ADAS featuring 14 functions. Standard safety equipment includes 9 airbags, Electronic Stability Control, and Hill Ascent and Descent control.

Nitin Kohli, Brand Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars India, said, “The Tayron R-Line embodies our vision of aspirational premium cars that add meaningful value to customer lives. It is designed for those who value performance as much as luxury, and who seek a vehicle that reflects their progressive mindset. With the Tayron R-Line, we are reinforcing our commitment to bringing globally admired, performance-led products that elevate the brand’s presence in India.”

The Tayron R-Line SUV can be had in seven colour options: Dolphin Grey Metallic, Oyster Silver Metallic, Ultraviolet Metallic, Cipressino-Green Metallic, Nightshade Blue Metallic, Grenadilla Black Metallic and Oryx White Mother-of-Pearl Effect.

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Skoda Auto Volkswagen India (SAVWIPL) has appointed Nitin Selot as Executive Director for Finance, IT and Legal Affairs. He takes over the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) as the group manages its operations in India for brands including Skoda, Volkswagen, Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini and Porsche.

Selot comes with over 35 years of experience in financial leadership and will oversee financial strategy and IT transformation at the company’s manufacturing sites in Pune and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

Prior to joining SAVWIPL, he held senior positions at JCB India, Compass Group India, Shell and Mars Wrigley. He is a member of the Institute of Cost & Management Accountants of India and the Institute of Company Secretaries of India, and holds an MBA from IMT Ghaziabad.

The company states that his expertise includes steering long-term investment and growth; managing legal affairs & compliance and modernising systems to support operational efficiency.

Holger Peters, Board Member for Finance, IT and Legal Affairs, Skoda Auto, said, “We welcome Nitin Selot to Skoda Auto Volkswagen India at a pivotal moment where India is the most important market for Skoda Auto a.s. outside Europe. His appointment comes at a crucial time as we continue to strengthen our financial discipline, enhance governance, and build resilience across our operations in India. Nitin’s vast experience across multiple industries and his proven ability to lead complex financial and IT transformations will be invaluable as we align our long-term strategy with the evolving needs of the Indian market.”

Piyush Arora, Managing Director and CEO, SAVWIPL, added, “I am pleased to welcome Nitin Selot as Skoda Auto Volkswagen India enters an exciting new chapter of transformation driven by the collective momentum of our six aspiration brands. We continue to redefine our processes, improving productivity and advancing our local-for-local approach, strengthening the foundation of our India operations. Looking ahead, the robustness of our financial strategy and the agility of our IT systems will be central to sustaining this progress.”

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Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced that its popular Seltos SUV has surpassed 600,000 cumulative sales milestone since its market entry in 2019. The achievement, the company said confirms the model's position in the mid-SUV segment, with top-tier variants contributing 29 percent of total volume.

The Seltos was introduced with a strategy focused on multiple powertrain options, including petrol and diesel engines with automatic transmissions, alongside connected car technology. Over time, Kia has updated the model to include advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and expanded digital interfaces.

Data shows a preference for higher specifications, with nearly a third of buyers selecting top trims. The model's sales have been supported by its appeal to customers upgrading from smaller vehicle categories who seek features such as large-format infotainment and enhanced safety packages.

The new Generation Seltos comes with 4,460 mm of length, 1,830 mm of width and has a wheelbase of 2,690 mm.

The latest generation of the Seltos features increased dimensions and an upgraded safety architecture. Kia India intends for the model to continue anchoring its mid-SUV strategy through a mix of engine and transmission combinations.

Sunhack Park, Chief Sales Officer, Kia India, said, “Crossing 600,000 sales reflects sustained customer preference for a product that delivers strong fundamentals in design, safety, technology and performance. Seltos expanded expectations in the mid-SUV segment by offering features and configurations that were not widely available at the time of its launch. The consistent uptake across variants, including strong demand for top trims, indicates growing customer confidence in advanced safety systems and connected technologies.”

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