Volkswagen Unveils Biggest SUV Offensive

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  • April 11, 2020
Volkswagen Unveils Biggest SUV Offensive

Premiering in India, the brand marked the beginning of “New Volkswagen”. The rebranding exercise was built on the theme ‘Vibrant Power’, to make the brand more humane and lively. Along with the ability to present realistic situations that its customers can resonate with in the brand experience. The realignment of Volkswagen’s brand design is one of the world’s largest rebranding campaigns.

Steffen Knapp, Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars India, said, “With the India premiere of Volkswagen’s SUV family, the brand is showcasing its clear direction and focus for the Indian market. Our SUV range in the next two years will cater to every customer segment. We will be launching the Tiguan Allspace and T-Roc in H1 2020 in turn giving customers a plethora of options from Brand Volkswagen.”

Taigun: Under Volkswagen Group’s India 2.0 project, Taigun is the first product built on theMQB A0 IN platform. The SUV will be powered by Volkswagen’s renowned TSI technology combined with the brand’s globally acclaimed DSG gear box. Taigun is a complete package for a modern Indian consumer, with a dominant front making it look bolder and muscular and in turn giving it a sporty SUV stance. The interiors are plush with leatherette seats and a digital instrument cluster. It’s contemporary in its design and would suite the active lifestyle of an Indian consumer. Further, the rear of the car has a new design element, it is illuminated with a LED strip that is bordered by a glossy blacktrim. It runs across the whole width of the car and integrates into Volkswagen’s LEDsignature tail lamps on either side. Like every Volkswagen carline, the Taigun is equipped with safety features such as 6airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC) among others.

T-Roc: Volkswagen T-Roc has a progressive design language, with a coupé-style roof, distinctively wide front end and concise proportions. It exudes character and confidence. The integrated LED headlights and unique LED daytime running lights create an unmistakable look, especially when driven at night. The dual tone roof top enhances the sporty look, as it matches perfectly with the eclectic body color.

The carline will be introduced with a TSI petrol engine mated to Volkswagen’s 7-speed DSG gear box. Further, it will consist of all the standard equipment that’s part of the brand’s global SUV portfolio. 

Tiguan Allspace: One of the most spacious SUVs, the Allspace is a 7-seater carline with a generous passenger compartment. The carline has a large boot space that fits every kind of luggage. Tiguan AllSpace has a petrol-powered engine comprising Volkswagen’s renowned TSI technology, which is mated to a 7-speed 4 MOTION DSG gear box.

Tiguan: Volkswagen Tiguan is the most successful car globally, with over 3.5 million units sold across 150 markets. It is designed to make a powerful statement. Its muscular hood contours and chrome-finished grille creates a lasting first impression. It balances between sleek and ruggedness and is complemented by its clean and bold lines. The Tiguan conveys a sense of sophistication with its elegant chrome finished headlights and honeycomb grille design. Under the hood, lies a 2.0L TDI engine combined with a 7-speed 4 MOTION DSG automatic gearbox, delivering a power output of 143PS and 340 Nm oftorque. Based on Volkswagen’s MQB platform, Tiguan has several features like Pedestrian Safety (Active Hood), 6-airbags and Hill Start Assist among others. (MT)

Mercedes-Benz India Launches ‘Dream Days’ Festive Campaign

Mercedes-Benz India Launches ‘Dream Days’ Festive Campaign

In celebration of India's dreamers and their aspirations, Mercedes-Benz India has announced the launch of its comprehensive festive campaign, ‘Dream Days’. Scheduled to run from 2nd September to 31st October 2025, the initiative is designed to make the ambition of owning a Mercedes-Benz more accessible than ever through a suite of tailored ownership benefits and experiential engagements.

The 360-degree campaign focuses on creating signature luxury experiences at every customer interaction. A core component is a range of innovative financial solutions aimed at empowering new and existing customers. For its entry and core model portfolios, Mercedes-Benz is introducing financial plans featuring exceptionally low monthly instalments, attractive interest rates and minimal down payments. First-time buyers will receive additional ‘Welcome Benefits’ when trading in their current vehicle.

Further enhancing flexibility, a unique ‘Seasonal Payment Plan’ allows customers to structure their payment schedules around periods of higher cash flow, such as bonus months, alleviating the burden of uniform monthly payments. A standout ‘Key to Key’ programme for select models like the S-Class enables customers to upgrade to a new vehicle after 24 to 36 months with zero down payment, effectively allowing them to own two new Mercedes-Benz cars within a four-year period.

Complementing these ownership advantages, Mercedes-Benz is elevating its customer service with nationwide ‘Service Clinics’. During these events, trained brand engineers will travel to various locations to provide personalised vehicle diagnostics and address owner concerns directly.

The campaign will culminate in the ‘Dream Days Festival’, a first-of-its-kind event touring six key cities: Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Pune, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kochi. This two-day festival will offer participants hands-on driving experiences across specially designed tracks that demonstrate the capabilities of the brand’s sedans, SUVs, electric vehicles and high-performance AMG models. Attendees can also enjoy immersive brand experiences, such as the Burmester Sound Experience, fostering a deeper connection with the Mercedes-Benz brand.

Santosh Iyer, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said, "India is a nation built on dreams – from startup founders, entrepreneurs to seasoned executives, every dreamer deserves the luxury that they aspire for. This festive campaign, hence, underlines our commitment to fulfil the aspirations of our customers, offering flexible and curated financial solutions, supporting them with their purchase decision. We are confident these financial solutions will find immense value among customers, creating excitement and positive momentum in the market this festive season.”

Hyundai Marks 10 Years of Creta With New King And King Limited Edition Variants

Hyundai Creta King

Hyundai Motor India (HMIL), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has introduced the Creta King and Creta King Limited Edition to mark a decade of its popular Creta SUV in the domestic market. The company has also added new features to other Creta variants.

The Creta King includes features such as R18 diamond cut alloys, a driver power seat with memory function and a passenger seat with electric adjustments. It also comes with a dashcam, wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay and dual-zone automatic temperature control. The vehicle is available with a 1.5L petrol, 1.5L diesel and 1.5L turbo petrol engine. A new Black Matte colour is also being introduced.

The Creta King Limited Edition adds exclusive ‘King’ branding on elements like the seat belt cover, headrest cushion and key cover. This limited edition is available in Abyss Black, Atlas White and the new Black Matte colours.

The Creta King Knight, with its black design, also receives upgraded features including R18 matte black alloys, electric seat adjustments for the driver and passenger, a dashcam and dual-zone automatic temperature control.

Tarun Garg, Whole-Time Director and Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor India, said, “At HMIL, we have always believed in delighting our customers with fresh choices and enhanced experiences. Ahead of this festive season, we are excited to introduce the Creta King and Creta King Limited Edition in our SUV, the Hyundai Creta. These additions, coupled with enriched feature offerings in the Creta line up will reinforce our commitment to offering products that blend style, performance, technology and safety. We are confident that these new introductions will add to the festive excitement and further strengthen the appeal of Hyundai’s most loved SUV among Indian customers.”

Additionally, new features have been added across other Creta variants, including a dashcam, dual-zone automatic temperature control and wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay. The Creta N Line also gets these new features.

Honda Elevate Receives Festive Upgrades With New Interior And Styling Options

Honda Elevate

Honda Cars India has introduced a series of updates to its popular SUV, the Honda Elevate in time for the festive season. The enhancements include new interior colour options and exterior styling upgrades, aiming to give the vehicle a more premium and stylish feel.

The top-of-the-range Honda Elevate ZX grade now features a new Ivory interior theme, complete with ivory leatherette seats and soft-touch inserts on the doors and instrument panel. As an optional extra, customers can choose a new ‘Alpha-Bold plus Grille’ for a more commanding front profile, along with a 360-degree surround vision camera and 7-colour ambient lighting. With these additions, the Elevate ZX offers a choice of three distinct interior themes: Tan, Ivory and Black.

For the V and VX grades, Honda is introducing new black fabric upholstery, which replaces the previous shadow beige option. These variants also feature dual-tone interiors with ivory soft-touch inserts. The new Alpha-Bold plus Grille is available as an accessory for these models and the Crystal Black Pearl colour option is now offered across the V, VX and ZX grades.

Kunal Behl, Vice-President Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India, said, “The Honda Elevate is a very successful model and has been greatly appreciated by customers for its versatility in both the domestic and export markets. With the introduction of the new ZX grade with ivory interiors and new enhancements across all grades, it is our endeavour to offer more choices to customers during the festive period and warmly welcome them into the Honda family.”

The Honda Elevate is powered by a 1.5L i-VTEC petrol engine and is available with a choice of a 6-speed manual or 7-speed CVT automatic transmission. The SUV continues to offer a range of safety features, including the Honda Sensing advanced driver-assist system in the ZX grade, which includes Collision Mitigation Braking and Adaptive Cruise Control.

Renault Groupe

French automotive major Renault Group has announced a major reorganisation of its leadership team, with new CEO Francois Provost unveiling a series of executive appointments and role changes to ‘accelerate execution’ and ‘drive expansion’.

The overhaul follows Provost's appointment on 31st July and is aimed at creating a more agile organisation that can make faster decisions.

"To meet the challenges ahead, we need an organisation that decides faster, executes smarter and stays closer to our customers. Today’s leadership changes bring together talented executives with deep industry knowledge, strong expertise and above all, the internal credibility to make a difference," said Provost.

The most significant change sees Fabrice Cambolive appointed to the new role of Chief Growth Officer, in addition to his current position as CEO of the Renault brand. In his expanded remit, he will oversee both the Renault and Dacia brands to leverage synergies and maximise revenue. He will also lead the Group's international development, with a focus on key markets in India, Latin America and Korea.

The changes also include:

  • Katrin Adt becomes CEO of Dacia, reporting to Fabrice Cambolive. She succeeds Denis Le Vot, who has left the company.
  • Philippe Brunet has been appointed Chief Technology Officer (CTO), a new position created to accelerate innovation and development. He will manage engineering for both the Renault Group and Ampere. He takes over from Philippe Krief, who will now dedicate his full attention to his role as CEO of Alpine.
  • Anthony Plouvier is the new Chief Procurement Officer, having previously served as VP Procurement Strategy and Transformation.
  • Thierry Charvet's role has been expanded to include Supply Chain, in addition to his responsibilities as Head of Industry and Quality.
  • Claire Fanget is appointed Chief People & Organisation Officer, succeeding Bruno Laforge.

Additionally, Christian Stein, Chief Communications Officer, joins the Leadership Team and Francois Provost will continue to oversee Partnerships and Public Affairs.