Hyundai Venue To Feature Dual 12.3-Inch Curved Display And Level 2 ADAS

Hyundai Venue

Hyundai Motor India (HMIL), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has further revealed the technology and safety features of the upcoming all-new Hyundai Venue c-SUV. The vehicle will feature a dual 62.5cm – 12.3-inch + 12.3-inch curved panoramic display and Hyundai’s ccNC (Connected Car Navigation Cockpit) system, which is accelerated by Nvidia.

The new Venue also offers safety features with a strong body structure and Hyundai SmartSense ADAS Level 2, which includes 16 advanced driver assistance features. Overall, the vehicle is equipped with more than 65 safety features, with 33 standard across all variants.

The Venue will debut Hyundai’s ccNC system, which features an immersive 31.24 cm 12.3 ccNC Navigation system and a Bose premium sound 8-speaker system. The system includes wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, quick control and Over-the-Air (OTA) updates.

The infotainment system is complemented by a 31.24 cm 12.3 full digital display cluster, which displays information such as the tyre pressure monitoring system TPMS highline, drive mode select, ADAS status and turn-by-turn navigation.

In a move towards Software-Defined Vehicles SDVs, the Venue offers OTA access for 20 Controllers, eliminating the need for dealership visits for software updates.

The Venue's body structure is built with a 71 percent expansive application of hot stamping, ultra-high strength steel, advanced high-strength steel and high-strength steel, ensuring crash protection.

The Hyundai SmartSense ADAS Level 2 technology includes intelligent features such as: Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (Car, Pedestrian & Cycle), Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention Warning and Parking Collision Avoidance Assist (Rear).

Standard safety features include 6 airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), all 4-disc brakes and 3-point seatbelts with a reminder for all seats.

Tarun Garg, Whole-Time Director and Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor India, said, “At HMIL, we are committed to democratising advanced global technologies for our customers in India. The all-new Hyundai Venue equipped with Hyundai ccNC system accelerated by Nvidia, immersive digital experiences and Hyundai SmartSense ADAS Level 2, represent our bold step towards introducing Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) in India. With the all-new Hyundai Venue, we continue our endeavour to make premium and intelligent mobility experiences accessible to a wider set of customers, reflecting Hyundai’s strong belief in ‘Progress for Humanity’. We are confident that with an upgraded design, cutting-edge features and class-leading safety, the all-new Hyundai Venue will redefine customer convenience and set new benchmarks in the compact SUV segment.”

Renault Appoints Josep Maria Recasens As Chief Strategy, Product & Program Management Officer

TVS Motor Co - Aegis Rider

In a move designed to enhance organisational agility, Renault Group has appointed Josep Maria Recasens to the newly consolidated role of Chief Strategy, Product & Program Management Officer with immediate effect. This promotion is a key part of the company's broader initiative to streamline its structure and accelerate decision-making. Recasens will now report directly to CEO François Provost and will join the Group’s Leadership Team, positioning him to shape the company's future direction.

His expanded responsibilities will encompass defining Renault’s overarching strategy, guiding critical product choices for the coming years and coordinating the implementation of future vehicle lineups to ensure their market success. While assuming these central corporate duties, Recasens will maintain his current position as CEO for the Iberian Peninsula countries. He will also continue as the CEO of Ampere, Renault's electric vehicle and software entity, until its ongoing transformation is fully complete.

Recasens brings a wealth of automotive industry expertise to this role. An engineer with an MBA, his career began at SEAT S.A. in 2002, where he progressed through roles in research and development, product planning, and international project management, eventually rising to Director of Strategy. He joined Renault in June 2021 as Director of Strategy and Business Development, playing a central role in the Renaulution plan and partnership deployments. His trajectory at Renault has been rapid, including his appointment as Chief Strategy Officer in 2023 and his leadership of Ampere, where he has been instrumental in steering its evolution into an electric and software-focused enterprise.

Provost said, “Since my arrival, I have focused on implementing a simpler, more effective and faster organisation to adapt to the current challenges. Bringing together the strategy, which sets the course, and the Product and Planning, which guides product choices and program directions, is an essential lever for greater coherence and agility. Josep Maria will be in charge of this scope and will take over from Guido Haak, whom I warmly thank for his dedication and years with us. Ampere's ambition remains at the heart of our strategy to provide our customers with innovative electrical and software technologies that are accessible to all.”

Recasens said, "I am very happy to take on this new challenge and grateful for the trust the Group has placed in me. My first priority will be to extend to the entire company a few principles that have made Ampere successful: a strong focus on the product, disciplined programme management and a holistic view of investments. With the support of the Leadership Team, we will adapt, accelerate and deploy these fundamentals to consolidate and amplify the renewed product momentum, and embed this dynamic in a sustainable way at the heart of the Renault Group's strategy.”

JSW MG Motor India Partners With Pickleball Champion Monica Menon

JSW - Monica Menon

JSW MG Motor India has announced an association with pickleball player Monica Menon under its Women of MG initiative. The collaboration aims to support women achievers and emerging sports, which the brand states align with the values of agility, adaptability, and the pursuit of excellence.

The partnership draws a parallel between pickleball – described as reflecting the pace of modern life – and the MG Comet EV, the company’s urban electric vehicle. Monica Menon’s career includes transitioning from an AITA National Tennis Champion and 2010 Asian Games athlete to a pickleball player with more than 100 career podium finishes.

Udit Malhotra, Head of Marketing, JSW MG Motor India, said, “Pickleball captures the pulse of modern India, agile, intelligent, and always moving forward. Monica’s journey reflects that same rhythm of purpose and precision. The MG Comet EV, too, reimagines urban mobility with intent, compact yet expressive, simple yet smart. Through Women of MG, we celebrate women who lead with conviction and redefine their paths with style and substance.”

Monica Menon, added, “I’m thrilled to collaborate with JSW MG Motor India, a brand that champions women and supports new-age sports like pickleball. This partnership brings together two worlds that value precision, purpose, and thoughtful performance, sports and mobility. The MG Comet EV, with its compact yet spacious design and intelligent technology, makes every journey effortless, turning everyday travel into an experience of comfort and confidence. JSW MG Motor India’s commitment to supporting women and fresh ideas makes this collaboration truly meaningful.”

The partnership marks another step in the Women of MG programme, which has previously collaborated with figures such as professional golfer Tvesa Malik, Khel Ratna and Arjuna Awardee Deepa Malik and Paralympic silver medallist Bhavina Patel.

Beyond sports, JSW MG Motor India supports various community initiatives, including Sewa and Womentorship, Drive Her Back, Worth Waiting For, Prerna and MG Changemakers, to empower communities and amplify women’s potential.

Maruti Suzuki's Digital Finance Platform Crosses 2.5 Million Loan Disbursals

Maruti Suzuki Finance

Maruti Suzuki Smart Finance (MSSF), the carmaker’s digital car financing platform, has surpassed the milestone of 2.5 million car loan disbursals since its inception in FY2020-21.

The platform aims to revolutionise the car financing customer journey with a seamless, transparent and fully digital experience. The total amount disbursed has exceeded INR 1,700 billion.

MSSF provides an end-to-end digital journey for customers, offering facilities such as loan application, online sanction and disbursal with real-time progress tracking. Customers can compare and choose from multiple financiers, with options for Credit Score-Based Interest Rates and pre-approved offers for salaried and self-employed individuals.

The platform has achieved significant uptake with over 40 percent of Maruti Suzuki customers have utilised MSSF across both the ARENA and NEXA networks.

Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing and Sales, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “Today, most car buyers start their journey online, exploring models and financing options before visiting a dealership. Recognising the magnitude of this shift early on, Maruti Suzuki pioneered a multi-financier, end-to-end digital car financing solution with Maruti Suzuki Smart Finance. Over the past five years, this platform has transformed the car-buying experience. Over 40 percent of our customers availed loans through Maruti Suzuki Smart Finance across ARENA and NEXA. MSSF’s ‘anytime-anywhere’ convenience has provided Joy of Mobility to over 2.5 million customers, amounting to more than INR 1,700 billion, reflecting our commitment to innovation and customer delight.”

He added: “This success is powered by the unwavering support of our finance partners, enabling seamless financing nationwide. Together, we continue to redefine automotive retail through customer-centric digital solutions.”

Tata Motors Unveils New Sierra SUV, Redefining Design

Tata Sierra Brand Day

Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, one of the leading car manufacturers in the country, has unveiled the new Tata Sierra, which it said has been designed to honour its predecessor while redefining what a modern Indian SUV can be.

The SUV is a re-interpretation of the original's soul, bridging heritage and the future. It stands as a halo product, set to lead the next chapter of the company’s design. Clean surfaces replace ornamentation, while the proportions, long wheelbase, upright stance and powerful shoulders emphasise its stance.

The Sierra’s exterior design reinterprets the silhouette of the original. The three-quarter glasshouse has been reimagined using a panoramic roof, flush glazing and a black-painted roof finisher. This maintains the airy character of the original while meeting safety and aerodynamic standards. The long wheelbase, roofline and width deliver better aerodynamics and visual balance.

At the front, the Sierra features the Light Saber, a full-width LED DRL that forms a single curve across the fascia. This lighting signature is mirrored in the rear light bar. Complementing it are R19 alloy wheels, flush door handles and gloss black cladding. The Clamshell tailgate, wide rear haunches and floating-roof effect give it road presence.

Inside, the Sierra features a ‘Living Room Philosophy,’ aiming to create a lounge space on wheels. The TheatrePro multi-screen setup features a Horizon View screen layout, offering digital experiences for both driver and passenger. This integrates with the SonicShaft Soundbar with a JBL Black 12-speaker system, which, combined with Dolby Atmos, transforms the cabin into an acoustic experience. The PanoraMax (sunroof plus surround view glasshouse) recreates the openness of the original Sierra’s glass canopy. The cabin architecture is horizontal, accentuating width and openness.

Interestingly, even before its launch, the Sierra SUV design has been recognised globally by winning the Red Dot Design Award. The jury in 2025 consisted of 15 experts from 13 countries.