JLR has expanded the Land Rover Defender line-up with a new variant called the Defender 130 Outbound. It is powered by a 494 bhp 5.0 l supercharged V8 engine (there is a choice of other engines also, including the six-cylinder Ingenium P400 and D300) and a new heritage-inspired ‘County Exterior Pack’.
Providing wider choice to Defender loyalists, fans and buyers, the Defender 130 Outbound, whilst providing customary off-road capability and superior comfort, embraces an unprecedented combination of luxurious interior space and all-terrain capability. It is available exclusively with five seats and further elevates the potential for overland exploration for the active and adventurous lifestyle seekers.
With a subtle, purposeful look with a ‘Shadow Atlas’ matt finish to the bumpers and grille insert whereas the side vents are finished in ‘Anthracite’, the vehicle comes with 20-inch dia wheels finished in ‘Gloss Black’. Fuji White, Santorini Black, Carpathian Grey and Eiger Grey make up the colour palette, while body-coloured rear signature panels and D-pillar finishers complete the exterior enhancements.
Inside, buyers can choose luxurious full ‘Windsor’ leather or durable ‘Resist’ fabric. All are finished in Ebony, with an Ebony Morzine headliner, Robustec veneer and Defender’s signature cross-car beam in Satin Black Powder Coat Brushed finish.Practical touches like the durable floor matting, which can be folded down to protect the bumper when loading bulky or heavy equipment such as bikes and suitcases protects the interior. Additional stowage areas safely store smaller items out of sight, while extra lashing points and a new cargo net mean a variety of outdoor equipment – large or small – can be secured while driving, ready for action on arrival.
The 4x4 capability is provided by a proven Intelligent All-Wheel Drive System and Terrain Response 2 system. Electronic Air Suspension and Adaptive Dynamics are fitted as standard. Advanced off-road driving technologies ensure effortless and reassuring progress across any terrain with the Electronic Air Suspension allowing up to 430 mm of articulation and up to 900 mm of wading.
Mark Cameron, Managing Director, Defender, said: “Defender 130 Outbound is an incredibly desirable addition to the Defender family, for our most adventurous clients who love to get out and explore and need greater load carrying space with a five-seat configuration. Its unique design enhancements and spacious interior provide a compelling blend of capability and practicality. The 4x4 family offers something for everyone, with the introduction of the V8 powertrain to Defender 130, while the new County Exterior Pack celebrates Defender’s roots with a modern take on a classic design.”
MG SELECT Crosses 1,000 Sales And 15 Experience Centres
- By MT Bureau
- December 03, 2025
JSW MG Motor India has announced that its luxury retail channel, MG SELECT, has crossed a triple milestone: reaching 1,000-unit sales, inaugurating its 15th Experience Centre and maintaining the second position in India’s luxury EV market.
The network now encompasses 15 Experience Centres across 14 cities in India, reinforcing the brand's commitment to delivering an exclusive automotive retail journey. The recent inauguration of the 15th store in Jaipur further underscores the brand's ambition to redefine luxury mobility.
The milestone also highlighted sustained market demand for the select portfolio and is a key driver behind the brand’s 32 percent YTD growth in 2025.
The company claimed that the MG Cyberster, India's highest-selling sports car, has a 4–5 month waiting period, and the MG M9 - Presidential Limousine shows strong momentum in the luxury MPV segment. The MG Cyberster is available at an ex-showroom price of INR 7.49 million, while the MG M9 is available at an ex-showroom price of INR 6.99 million.
Anurag Mehrotra, Managing Director, JSW MG Motor India, said, "Our rise to become the second largest luxury EV brand in the country speaks to a singular belief. True luxury is felt in every touchpoint when precision, ambition and care move together. Through MG SELECT we have crafted an ownership world where innovation meets desire and where every interaction feels intentional. We are shaping the next era of electric mobility for India’s most discerning customers, with a commitment that is both bold and deeply personal.”
The MG SELECT Experience Centres are spaces for the brand's flagship vehicles. These venues provide an immersive, gallery-like setting, ensuring the display of these models is the focal point of the customer interaction. The Jaipur showroom, located at Tonk Road near Sanganer Flyover, exemplifies the MG SELECT philosophy of ‘Reimagining Luxury’, featuring spacious, serene, and technologically advanced environments that elevate the car buying journey.
Maruti Suzuki e Vitara Gets 5-Star Bharat NCAP Safety Rating
- By MT Bureau
- December 02, 2025
Maruti Suzuki India has been awarded a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating for its e Vitara, marking a moment for the company's electric vehicle strategy.
The e Vitara is built on Suzuki’s Heartect-e platform designed for electric vehicles to deliver strength, structural rigidity and advanced high voltage protection. The ‘Made-in-India, Made-for-the-World’ e Vitara is designed and tested for temperature conditions across the world, ensuring performance from as high as 60deg Celsius to as low as -30deg Celsius. The model is offered with 49 kWh and 61 kWh battery options.
Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, said, “Congratulations to Maruti Suzuki for achieving 5-star Bharat NCAP in both adult and child occupant protection for their e Vitara. I am especially glad that Maruti Suzuki has shown real leadership in providing 7 airbags as a standard across all variants of the e Vitara.”
Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “The 5-star Bharat NCAP rating for e Vitara, our first Battery Electric Vehicle, is a moment of immense pride for all of us at Maruti Suzuki. Using the Bharat NCAP 5-star rating, we will export the e Vitara to more than 100 countries of the world. Bharat NCAP’s globally benchmarked stringent vehicle test protocols have been a catalyst in empowering customers to make informed decisions. I thank the Minister Gadkari, the officials in his Ministry and test agencies for their rigorous efforts and commitment in shaping India’s journey towards safe mobility.”
The e VITARA’s body structure uses more than 60 percent ultra-high tensile and high-tensile strength steel. Its battery protection system incorporates a structural design with an energy-absorbing battery pack mounting structure.
Key safety features include 7 standard airbags (including the Driver's knee airbag), Level 2 ADAS (Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control), Hill Hold Control, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and a 360-degree Surround View Camera.
Mahindra Launches First Dealership-Based Ultrafast EV Charger In Anantapur
- By MT Bureau
- December 02, 2025
Mahindra has marked a major milestone in its nationwide electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure expansion with the inauguration of its first dealership-based ultrafast charger – a 180 kW Charge_IN station.
This is the first of many such installations planned across Mahindra dealerships, forming a key pillar of the company’s commitment to building India’s ultrafast charging network.
This initiative scales up Mahindra’s Charge_IN ecosystem, complementing the 250 highway fast-charging stations already announced. The new 180 kW ultrafast chargers will enable EV users to charge quickly and conveniently at strategically located dealerships across the country, with 24x7 on-ground support.
Hyundai Motor India Wholesales Grow 9.1% In November
- By MT Bureau
- December 01, 2025
Hyundai Motor India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has reported wholesales of 66,840 units in November 2025, up 9.1 percent YoY as against 61,252 units last year.
This includes domestic sales of 50,340 units, up 4 percent YoY and exports of 16,500 units, up 27 percent YoY.
Tarun Garg, Whole-time Director & Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor India, said, “Supported by GST 2.0 reforms, we continue to carry forward sales momentum with a year-on-year growth in our monthly domestic sales in November 2025. Further, our commitment to bolstering India’s role as a global manufacturing hub is further solidified with 26.9% year-on-year growth in monthly exports.”
He further added that the all-new Hyundai Venue SUV, the company's first software-defined vehicle in India, has received more than 32,000 bookings within a month of its launch. The new Venue features ccNC infotainment powered by Nvidia.
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