Kia Syros Makes Global Debut In India
- By MT Bureau
- December 19, 2024
Kia India has marked the global debut of the Syros compact SUV in the country, which is set to enable the South Korean automaker to compete against the likes of Tata Nexon, Maruti Suzuki Brezza and Hyundai Venue in the segment.
Built on the K1 platform, the Kia Syros is equipped with a host of tech including Level 2 ADAS, rear sliding, reclining & ventilated seats, dual-pane panoramic sunroof. The company claims that in addition to be loaded with hi-tech it also gets 20 safety package including - Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill Start Assist control, six airbags, Vehicle Stability Management, Electric Parking Brake with Auto Hold. It also is equipped with Connect 2.0 that provides SOS emergency support, real-time diagnostics, and stolen vehicle tracking.
The Kia Syros can be had in two engine options - Smartstream 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine that produces 88.3 kW (120PS) 172 Nm and 1.5-litre CRDi diesel engine producing 85 kW (116PS) / and 250 Nm of torque, paired with manual and automatic transmission.
Gwanggu Lee, MD and CEO, Kia India, said, "Kia India has always been driven by a challenger spirit, setting new benchmarks in the automotive industry with our commitment to innovation, technology, and customer-centric design. Our journey since the first launch has been nothing short of remarkable, with a growing presence across the country and a focus on delivering high-quality, aspirational vehicles. With the Syros, we are further enhancing our product portfolio, offering a new species of SUV that combines superior comfort, cutting-edge technology, and bold design”.
To meet the diverse customer needs, the Kia Syros is being introduced in four standard trims and 2 option trims HTK, HTK (O), HTK+, HTX, and HTX+, HTX+(O).
Kia India Expands Assured Buyback Scheme Across ICE, Hybrid And EV Portfolio
- By MT Bureau
- October 09, 2026
Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has expanded its Assured Buyback Programme to cover internal combustion engine (ICE), hybrid and electric vehicle models.
The programme provides customers with predetermined residual values at the time of purchase to simplify vehicle trade-in and upgrade procedures.
Under the updated terms, eligible internal combustion engine vehicles carry an assured residual value of up to 75 percent after three years, while electric vehicle models offer up to 70 percent over the same timeframe.
The scheme encompasses Kia's product range, including the Sonet, Syros, new Seltos, Carens, Carens Clavis and Sorento across petrol, diesel, CNG, hybrid and electric powertrains.
Atul Sood, Senior Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, Kia India, said, "A vehicle purchase is a long-term decision, and customers increasingly seek greater certainty around future value and upgrade convenience. By expanding our Assured Buyback Programme with industry best resale value of upto 75 percent on ICE and upto 70 percent for EV in 3 years, we are enabling eligible customers to understand their vehicle’s assured residual value at the outset and plan their ownership journey with greater confidence. The initiative reflects our commitment to building enduring customer relationships and delivering consistent value from the first purchase through to the next exchange or upgrade."
The programme offers tenure options of three, four, or five years for ICE models and three or four years for electric vehicles. Annual mileage limits can be set at 10,000 km, 15,000 km or 20,000 km, supporting total usage caps of up to 100,000 km across the contract period. Enrolment is managed through authorised Kia dealerships at the point of vehicle purchase, with guaranteed buyback values executed at the end of the selected tenure subject to contract terms.
Renault Duster Strong Hybrid E-Tech 160 Claims 29 KMPL Fuel Efficiency
- By MT Bureau
- October 09, 2026
Renault India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced that its soon-to-be-launched Renault Duster strong hybrid E-Tech 160 has attained an ARAI-certified fuel efficiency rating of 29 kilometres per litre.
The company has started bookings for the model on 9 October 2026 across its dealership network and website for a booking amount of INR 21,000.
The SUV is powered by a strong-hybrid system combining a 1.8-litre petrol engine, two electric motors and a 1.4 kWh battery, producing a combined output of 160 PS. The system utilises a multi-mode automatic transmission to switch between combustion power, electric drive and energy recovery modes during deceleration. The onboard battery recharges through regenerative braking and engine operation without external charging infrastructure.
Francisco Hidalgo, Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, Renault Group India, said, "Bringing Renault’s proven E-Tech strong-hybrid technology from Europe to India is a significant moment for us. Indian SUV customers should not have to choose between performance and fuel efficiency. With a combined output of 160 PS and an ARAI-certified fuel efficiency of 29 km/litre, the Duster strong hybrid E-Tech 160 brings both together in a versatile SUV, without requiring external charging. For customers considering alternatives to diesel, it offers a compelling new choice for everyday driving. We are pleased to open bookings ahead of its official market debut."
The Duster strong hybrid E-Tech 160 marks the introduction of Renault's E-Tech powertrain technology in India under the company's regional product roadmap. The OEM will conduct the full product reveal and market launch on 17 October 2026.
Jaguar Electric Type 01 Grand Tourer Breaks Cover
- By MT Bureau
- October 07, 2026
Jaguar has unveiled the Type 01, a four-door electric grand tourer, during a premiere event in New York. The model marks the start of the manufacturer's product architecture overhaul, with customer orders scheduled to open in early 2027 and initial deliveries expected in the second half of that year.
Designed, engineered and built in the United Kingdom, the Type 01 features a low roofline, long bonnet silhouette and aerodynamically focused body panels. Built on the bespoke Jaguar Electric Architecture, the 850-volt system produces over 1,000 PS of power. The electric vehicle provides an estimated 400-mile range under EPA testing standards, with 350kW rapid-charging capabilities adding 200 miles of range in 13 minutes.
During the event, Jaguar named actor Florence Pugh as the brand ambassador for its new product phase. The unveiling at STORIED in West Chelsea included displays detailing the vehicle's production engineering, structural panel development and testing protocols.
Rawdon Glover, Managing Director, Jaguar, said, "From its dramatic design to its captivating drive, Type 01 distils the essence of Jaguar into a luxury grand tourer for a new era. Type 01 is the foundation of this British brand, one that makes no compromise between design and engineering in our quest to create objects of desire, just as it was in the days of the E-type and XJS."
Honda Cars India Unveils Updated Elevate SUV At INR 1.18 Million
- By MT Bureau
- October 06, 2026
Honda Cars India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has unveiled the updated Elevate SUV, featuring styling updates, interior additions and expanded safety technology.
Interestingly, India is the first market to launch the updated vehicle globally, representing the third of six product launches planned by the manufacturer for the current financial year.
The Elevate SUV gets a redesigned mesh grille with gloss black upper moulding, revised position light elements, gloss black trim on the lower bumper and side garnishes and a full-width connected tail lamp setup.
It features 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels and retains its vehicle dimensions, measuring 4,312 mm in length, 1,790 mm in width and 1,650 mm in height, with 220 mm of ground clearance and a 2,650 mm wheelbase. A new exterior paint finish, Nordic Forest Pearl, has been added to the palette.
The Elevate continues to be powered by a 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine generating 89 kW (121 PS) and 145 Nm of torque, paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or a continuous variable transmission. Fuel economy is rated at 15.31 kmpl for the manual version and 16.61 kmpl for the automatic. The model is offered across five trim levels – SV, V, VX, ZX and ZX+ – with ex-showroom Delhi prices ranging from INR 1.18 million for the base manual variant to INR 1.84 million for the top-spec automatic.
On the inside, the SUV features a dual-tone ivory and black cabin layout, orange ambient lighting, ventilated front and rear seats, power-adjustable front seats and an electric sunroof.
Technology updates include a 360-degree camera system, front parking sensors, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment display, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, an air quality indicator and wireless smartphone integration. The safety suite adds low-speed follow functionality to its camera-based advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) on automatic variants, alongside standard features such as six airbags, vehicle stability assist and electric parking brake.
Toshiyuki Yanagisawa, President & CEO, Honda Cars India, said, "The Honda Elevate has established a strong connection with customers through its confident design, versatility and enjoyable driving experience. With the New Elevate, we are taking this character forward with a much bolder expression and significant enhancements across design, comfort, technology and convenience. Being the lead market for its sales, India is the first country to launch the New Elevate globally. Its bolder, more rugged styling and enhanced premium features are designed to meet the evolving aspirations of today’s SUV buyers. This is the third of our six key launches planned for this financial year. We expect the New Elevate to play a key role in driving our momentum during the ongoing festive season and strengthening our product portfolio offering customers more exciting choices."

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