Jaguar Land Rover India has opened bookings of its first Plug-In Hybrid in India, the New Defender P400e. The New Defender P400e will be offered in India in four variants, the SE, HSE, X-Dynamic HSE and X on the Defender 110.
The new vehicle combines a powerful 2.0 litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a 105 kW electric motor, to deliver the P400e develops 297 kW of combined power and 640 Nm of combined torque. This helps the New Defender accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 5.6 s and achieve a top speed of 209 km/h. The New Defender P400e has a 19.2 kWh battery, which can be charged at home or office using a 15A socket or a 7.4 kW AC wall box charger, supplied complimentary with the vehicle.
Rohit Suri, President & Managing Director, Jaguar Land Rover India said, “We are extremely proud to introduce our first Plug-In Hybrid, the New Defender P400e in India, a vehicle that perfectly balances performance with efficiency, while retaining Land Rover’s legendary off-road capability. This also reaffirms our commitment to introduction of electrified vehicles across the Jaguar Land Rover portfolio, after we had opened bookings for Jaguar I-PACE in November 2020.”
Land Rover product pPortfolio in India includes the Range Rover Evoque (starting at ₹ 58.67 Lakh), Discovery Sport (starting at ₹ 59.91 Lakh), the Range Rover Velar (priced at ₹ 73.30 Lakh), the New Defender (starting at ₹ 77.37 Lakh), Discovery (starting at ₹ 75.59 Lakh), Range Rover Sport (starting at ₹ 88.24 Lakh) and Range Rover (starting at ₹ 196.82 Lakh). All prices mentioned are ex-showroom prices in India. (MT)
Jeep India Launches Limited-Run Compass Track Edition SUV At INR 2.67 Million
- By MT Bureau
- October 08, 2025
Jeep India has introduced the Compass Track Edition, a limited-run special edition SUV based on the well-appointed Compass Model S trim. This new variant aims to offer customers an elevated and distinctive expression of style while maintaining the brand's core focus on capability and adventure. The prices of the Compass Track Edition start at INR 2.67 million for MT, INR 2.86 million for Track AT and INR 3.05 million for Track AT 4x4 variant.
Externally, the model features a signature hood decal, Piano Black detailing on the grille and badges and the exclusive Track Edition insignia. The look is completed by striking 18-inch diamond-cut Tech Grey alloy wheels and contrasting Spruce Beige highlights, giving the SUV a differentiated road presence.
The interior boasts luxurious upgrades, including all-new Tupelo Leatherette Seats with Spruce Beige contrast stitching, Dark Espresso Smoke Chrome finishes and a Cortina leather-wrapped steering wheel.
The Compass Track Edition is powered by the proven 2.0L MultiJet II Turbo Diesel engine, which delivers 170 HP and 350 Nm of torque. Buyers can choose between a 6-speed Manual Transmission or a 9-speed Automatic Transmission, with options for both 2WD and 4WD drivetrains.
The special edition also includes an extensive safety suite with over 50 standard and available safety features, such as four-channel ABS with EBD, Electronic Stability Control and all-speed traction control.
Kumar Priyesh, Business Head and Director – Automotive Brands, Stellantis India, said, “With the Compass Track Edition, we’re offering our customers an even more elevated SUV experience that reflects their individuality. Every detail has been carefully designed to create a sense of exclusivity, while staying rooted in Jeep’s DNA of capability, performance and adventure.”
Toyota Launches 2025 Fortuner Leader Edition In India
- By MT Bureau
- October 08, 2025
Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has unveiled the 2025 Fortuner Leader Edition SUV.
The company said that the Fortuner now comes with ‘refreshed styling and premium enhancements’ to deliver a sportier and more dynamic aesthetic. The launch builds on the success of the 2024 Leader Edition.
The Fortuner gets a new grille design with front and rear bumper spoilers, chrome garnish and a distinctive hood emblem. It comes with glossy black alloy wheels and dual-tone roof in black.
On the inside, the cabin features black and maroon dual-tone seats and door trims, along with convenience additions such as auto-folding mirrors and illuminated scuff plates. Safety is bolstered by the inclusion of a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
The SUV is driven by Toyota’s 1GD-FTV 2.8-litre turbocharged engine, which produces 201bhp and 500 Nm of torque. It is available in 4x2 Automatic and Manual Transmission variants. The colour options include Attitude Black, Super White, Pearl White and Silver.
Varinder Wadhwa, Vice-President, Sales-Service-Used Car Business, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “At Toyota, our customers’ evolving lifestyle preferences inspire us to continually refresh and enhance our offerings. We are grateful for the strong acceptance and overwhelming response to the 2024 Fortuner Leader Edition, which has further strengthened the SUV’s legacy as an icon on Indian roads. Encouraged by this trust, we are delighted to introduce the 2025 Fortuner Leader Edition, an offering for those seeking a sportier, more dynamic SUV. We are confident that this refreshed edition will further delight our customers and reinforce Fortuner’s position as the benchmark in the premium SUV segment.”
Toyota Kirloskar Motor is offering comprehensive finance solutions for the new edition, including up to 8-year funding plans and extended warranty options.
Since its Indian debut 15 years ago, the Fortuner has sold over 300,000 units, establishing itself as a benchmark in the premium SUV segment.
Stellantis Announces Major Leadership Team Changes To Strengthen Global Strategy
- By MT Bureau
- October 08, 2025
Stellantis N.V. is reorganising its top executive structure with several key appointments and role adjustments, effective immediately, as it prepares to unveil an updated corporate strategy in 2026. The changes aim to sharpen the company's regional focus and promote both internal and external talent.
Key Appointments and Regional Shifts
- Emanuele Cappellano is now the Head of Enlarged Europe and European Brands, in addition to his current role leading Stellantis Pro One (the commercial vehicles business unit).
- Jean-Philippe Imparato will shift his focus to full-time CEO roles at Maserati and Stellantis & You, reporting to Cappellano.
- Herlander Zola has been appointed Head of the South America region, succeeding Cappellano.
- Samir Cherfan joins the Stellantis Leadership Team (SLT) while maintaining his position as Head of Middle East & Africa and Micromobility.
- Grégoire Olivier is now the Head of the China and Asia-Pacific region and an SLT member. The company noted that this and Cherfan's appointment sharpen the regional focus for the Middle East & Africa and Asia-Pacific organisations.
- Francesco Ciancia will rejoin Stellantis from Mercedes-Benz on 1st November as Global Head of Manufacturing.
- Ralph Gilles joins the SLT as Global Head of Design.
Antonio Filosa, CEO, Stellantis, said, "With these new appointments we are promoting exceptional talent from inside and out to leadership roles as we prepare our business for future success. We are also sharpening our regional focus by allocating specific responsibility for our Asia-Pacific and Middle East & Africa organisations at the SLT level.”
On the other hand, the company also announced some executive departures:
- Arnaud Deboeuf will leave the company to pursue other opportunities.
- Philippe de Rovira, formerly Head of the joint Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa region, is leaving to pursue new career endeavours, a move made public in July.
“We are delighted we will continue to benefit from Jean-Philippe’s expertise in his new role. Our thanks go to Arnaud and Philippe for their contributions over the years and we wish them the best in their future endeavours,” added Filosa.
Nissan Unveils New C-SUV Tekton Set To Spearhead India Growth
- By Nilesh Wadhwa
- October 07, 2025
Nissan is placing its design heritage and a focus on premium ruggedness at the core of its strategy for the Indian market, with the upcoming Tekton C-SUV positioned to spearhead its product expansion. The new model, which takes its name from the Greek word for 'craftsman' or 'architect,' is intended to be a ‘segment disruptor’ and is heavily inspired by the brand’s flagship, the Nissan Patrol.
The Tekton will be the first of Nissan's new product offensive, with the production model expected on Indian roads by the second quarter of calendar year 2026, as confirmed by Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director of Nissan Motor India.
Alfonso Albaisa, Senior Vice-President of Global Design at Nissan Motor Corporation, highlighted the influence of the iconic Patrol, saying the goal was to create a ‘compact or baby Patrol’. The new C-SUV incorporates several design cues from its larger sibling, including the V-strut grille and the distinctive C-shaped signature headlamp design seen in the last two generations of the Patrol.
The design team, which worked on both the new Patrol and the successful Magnite compact SUV, aimed to make the Tekton's ‘character larger than its actual footprint.’
Ken Lee, Senior Design Director at Nissan Motor Corporation, explained that the car’s rugged aesthetic is essential for the Indian market. "Learning from Magnite SUV, which was a very big hit, the sense of protection, high centre of gravity, driving positions, are very in-tune with the region," he noted.
This focus translates into a design that delivers ‘a sense of premiumness inside the ruggedness and is one notch above the segment.’
Specific design elements include:
- Double C-shaped accents on the side, incorporating an abstract design inspired by the Himalayas.
- A focus on consistency across the front, side, and rear views, reinforced by the C-shaped lighting signatures.
- An interior designed to offer ‘a sense of tranquillity’ through improved touch surfaces and premiumness.
Technology Meets Tactile Control
Addressing the shift in consumer preferences, Lee noted that while chrome used to signify premium, ‘now technology is premium.’ However, the company is careful not to over-rely on digital controls.
Designers globally are currently debating the mix of digital and physical controls. "We are living in a moment which is software and physical demand," Lee stated, acknowledging that after a decade of fascination with purely digital interfaces, customer feedback is now strongly pushing back in favour of tactile controls for essential functions.
The Tekton, developed through collaborative efforts between Nissan’s global design centre in Japan, the London studio (which worked on the Magnite), and engineers in Chennai, sits ‘right in the centre of the C-SUV segment,’ aiming for a more premium positioning than the outgoing Terrano.
Vatsa confirmed that the production-ready design is already undergoing testing, with pre-production vehicles being showcased to the dealer network ahead of the official 2026 launch.
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