Maruti Suzuki Victoris SUV Launched In India, Aims To Disrupt Mid-Size SUV Segment

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL), the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has further expanded its product portfolio with the launch of the Victoris SUV.

The Victoris is being made available in multiple powertrain options, including petrol with strong hybrid, Allgrip Select (4x4) and factory-fitted S-CNG with an underbody tank design. Bookings are now open at INR 11,000.

The SUV can be had with a 1.5-litre hybrid powertrain with EV mode and e-CVT transmission, a multi-terrain 4x4 system with four drive modes and a CNG variant with dual ECUs.

The Victoris will join the Brezza, Ertiga, Fronx, Grand Vitara and Jimny to further expand its play in the SUV segment.

The new SUV features a 26.03 cm fully digital instrument cluster, 25.65 cm SmartPlay Pro X infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, over-the-air updates and Alexa Auto integration. It also introduces a segment-first Infinity by Harman 8-speaker system with Dolby Atmos, 64-colour ambient lighting, ventilated seats, powered driver’s seat, wireless charging with cooling and a panoramic sunroof.

On safety, the Victoris comes with six airbags as standard, Level 2 ADAS with more than ten driver-assist features, all-wheel disc brakes, electronic parking brake, and a 360-degree camera. In fact, the Victoris has scored a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating for both adult and child occupants.

It comes with Maruti Suzuki India’s Arena Safety Shield, including ESP, ABS with EBD, hill hold control and a standard three-year/100,000 km warranty.

Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “The new-age Indian customer is well-travelled, hyper-connected, socially aware, technologically progressive and environmentally responsible. To meet the aspirations of such customers, our new SUV the Victoris has ‘Got It All’. Victoris is a Latin word that means ‘victory’. We are confident the Victoris with its high technology, sleek design, intelligent and connected features, 5-star level safety and multiple environment friendly powertrains will win hearts in India. With Victoris we are strengthening our SUV portfolio and our overall market share.”

Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “At Maruti Suzuki, we are always listening to our customers. Today’s young, and dynamic audience consider an automobile as a reflection of who they are – energetic, composed, confident and always moving forward. We gave this brief to our design and engineering teams for the all-new ‘Victoris’. SUVs may be the most loved segment today, but the SUV buyer has evolved. This new generation of young customers are ambitious, hyperconnected and value experiential living. The all-new Victoris is our answer to that shift - a progressive blend of tech, design and versatility. It is engineered with true SUV DNA and sets a new benchmark for what today’s automobiles can feel like. With the Victoris, we’re not just launching another SUV, we’re celebrating a new dimension to driving - one that’s ‘Got It All’.” 

MARUTI SUZUKI VICTORIS
Overall Length (mm) 4360 Engine Specifications K-Series 1.5L Dual Jet Dual VVT Engine Strong Hybrid
Overall Height (mm) (unladen) 1655 Displacement 1462cc 1490cc
Overall Width (mm) 1795 Max Power 75.8kW (103.06PS) @ 6000rpm 68kW (92.45PS) @5500 rpm
Wheelbase (mm) 2600 Max Torque 139Nm @ 4300rpm 122Nm @ 3800-4800 rpm
Tyre Size 215/60 R17 Fuel Efficiency 21.18 km/l (MT)* 28.65(eCVT) *
19.07 km/l (ALLGRIP AT) *
27.02 km/kg (MT S-CNG) *
Fuel Tank Capacity Petrol - 45 L
CNG - 55 L
Suspension Front: Mac Pherson Strut & Coil Spring
Rear: Torsion Beam Type & Coil Spring

Honda Cars India Intros Honda City Sedan At INR 1.19 Million, Debuts ZR-V Hybrid SUV As CBU

Honda Cars India

Japanese automaker Honda Cars India (HCIL) has launched the new Honda City sedan and marked the Indian debut of its global hybrid sport utility vehicle (SUV) – the ZR-V e:HEV.

The introduction of the ZR-V e:HEV expands Honda's hybrid vehicle options in India as a completely built unit (CBU), as the company's flagship SUV in the country.

The new Honda City features updates to its front and rear exterior panels, extending its overall length to 4,594 mm. It introduces a 25.6 cm touchscreen display, ventilated front seats, a 360-degree camera system and the Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance features. The sedan offers two powertrain options: a 1.5-litre petrol engine producing 121 PS paired with a six-speed manual or seven-speed CVT, and a hybrid system producing 126 PS with a fuel economy rating of 27.26 km/l. Ex-showroom prices in Delhi range from INR 1.19 million for the petrol manual base variant to INR 2.09 million for the hybrid version.

The ZR-V e:HEV SUV features a 2.0-litre direct-injection petrol engine combined with a dual-motor hybrid system, generating a maximum output of 184 PS and 315 Nm of torque. The system shifts between electric, hybrid and engine drive modes while delivering a fuel efficiency rating of 22.79 kmpl.

The SUV measures 4,567 mm in length with a 2,655 mm wheelbase and offers up to 1,313 litres of cargo volume when the rear seats are folded flat. Standard features include an eight-airbag system, a 12-speaker Bose audio setup, a 22.8 cm touchscreen and a hands-free power tailgate.

Both models are sold with a three-year unlimited-kilometre standard warranty. The hybrid variants of the City and ZR-V include an eight-year or 160,000-kilometre warranty on the lithium-ion battery package alongside a five-year or 100,000-kilometre warranty covering the hybrid components.

Takashi Nakajima, President and CEO, Honda Cars India, said, "Today's event marks the beginning of HCIL's New Phase of accelerated growth in the market. India is among the top 3 focus markets to realise Honda's future growth which will be driven by a strong pipeline of new products and our efforts to achieve cost competitiveness. This year is a landmark year for us with 6 strategic launches that will sharpen our competitive edge and reinforce our brand position in the market. The launch of the new Honda City and the India premiere of our globally acclaimed Honda ZR-V represent Honda's commitment to bringing sporty, premium and technologically advanced products to Indian customers. We look forward to an exciting year ahead with several new model introductions planned as part of Honda's continued growth strategy for the Indian market."

Pre-bookings for the vehicle have commenced at dealerships across India, with customer deliveries scheduled to begin in July 2026. The updated Honda City is available immediately for sales and deliveries.

Citroen To Reinvent 2 CV Nameplate As An Electric Model

Ctiroen 2 CV

Stellantis-owned Citroen has confirmed the addition of a new model to its vehicle lineup, inspired by its historic 2 CV model. The vehicle is being introduced as part of the FaSTLAne 2030 strategic plan outlined by parent company Stellantis.

Citroen intends to position the vehicle within the electric vehicle category, focusing on a design that prioritises accessibility, weight reduction and practicality to meet modern urban traffic regulations. It has announced that it will disclose further technical and product details at the Paris Motor Show in October 2026.

Xavier Chardon, Chief Executive Officer, Citroen, said, “Reinventing the 2 CV of tomorrow is a huge challenge and responsibility. The original 2 CV was never created to become an icon. It became one because it gave people freedom. The new 2 CV will carry that same spirit forward – not through nostalgia, but by reinventing its simplicity and accessibility for today’s world. Electric. Essential. Affordable. Human. Just like the original once democratised mobility, the new 2 CV will re-enchant electric mobility for a new generation through a highly desirable model. The return of the 2 CV is not simply the return of a legendary name. It is the return of a bold and optimistic idea of progress. A profoundly Citroen idea.”

Development and manufacturing processes for the vehicle are centred at the facility in Poissy, France. Until the production phase of the new model commences, the brand continues to address entry-level electric vehicle demand through its existing e-C3 model variant.

File photo

Mercedes-Benz India Launches Limited-Series GLE And GLS Night Editions

Mercedes-Benz India Launches Limited-Series GLE And GLS Night Editions

Mercedes-Benz India has introduced the GLE and GLS Night Editions, two exclusive limited-series models that bring a distinct visual identity and specially curated interiors to the brand’s best-selling luxury SUV range. These editions are part of a global limited run and will be available in restricted volumes, reinforcing their exclusivity and appeal to collectors. The configurations offered are not replicated on any standard variant.

Responding to rising customer demand for personalisation, the Night Editions feature darkened exterior styling with two colour choices: Obsidian Black and Alpine Grey. The Alpine Grey finish is reserved exclusively for this series, providing a more distinctive offering. Inside, both models elevate the cabin with black Nappa leather upholstance and Anthracite open-pore oak wood trim, details unavailable on standard versions. A head-up display comes as standard equipment across both vehicles.

The GLE Night Edition adds AIRMATIC suspension as an extra refinement, distinguishing its ride quality further from the standard GLE. The GLE has long been a consistent performer in Mercedes-Benz India’s core luxury SUV segment, and this new variant builds on that foundation with a sport-influenced black-centric exterior. Meanwhile, the GLS Night Edition applies the same design language to the flagship luxury SUV, which remains the highest-selling model in its segment. The black exterior styling gains greater visual authority on the larger GLS platform, while the premium interior upgrades extend the cabin’s luxurious character.

Pricing for the Night Edition GLS 450 stands at INR 14,100,000 ex-showroom all-India, while the GLS 450d is priced at INR 14,300,000. The GLE 300d Night Edition is available at INR 10,500,000, and the GLE 450 Night Edition at INR 11,400,000, both ex-showroom all-India.

Santosh Iyer, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said, “Continuous product innovation for customers through new products, their facelifts and exclusive editions has been core to Mercedes-Benz’s successful product strategy in India, consistently elevating the brand’s desirability. GLE and GLS are undisputed segment leaders in the luxury SUV category in India, elevating India into Mercedes-Benz’s top global markets for these SUVs. The introduction of the ‘Night Edition’ with bespoke design, curated interiors, exclusive appointments and a sharper focus on personalisation makes the SUVs highly exclusive and unmatched in appeal. As our discerning customers increasingly seek vehicles that reflect their individuality, the GLE and GLS ‘Night Edition’ sets a new standard in differentiated luxury, reinforcing Mercedes-Benz’s leadership in top-end luxury SUV space.”

Stellantis Unveils STLA One Global Modular Vehicle Architecture

Stellantis STLA One

European automotive major Stellantis has introduced STLA One, a new modular vehicle architecture designed to consolidate five existing platforms into a single, scalable system.

Scheduled for launch in 2027, the platform aims to support the company’s vehicle segments (B, C and D) and is projected to underpin more than 30 models, with production targets exceeding 2 million units annually by 2035.

The platform is claimed to be engineered to deliver a 20 percent improvement in cost efficiency through design modularity, increased component reuse and strategic battery technology choices.

STLA One is central to the company’s broader strategy, which aims for 50 percent of total volume to be produced on three global platforms by 2030. It is the first Stellantis architecture slated to integrate the full suite of the company's ‘STLA’ technology stack, including STLA Brain, STLA SmartCockpit and steer-by-wire systems.

It is designed with common interfaces to reduce complexity and speed up development times across different vehicle segments. The architecture is engineered to be ‘dedicated per energy by design,’ ensuring efficiency for various powertrain types (including electric and hybrid variants).

The platform will support Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery technology to improve affordability and reduce dependency on critical raw materials. It will also feature cell-to-body integration to reduce weight and complexity and will be 800-volt capable to support faster charging.

While the STLA One announcement represents a new modular approach for the B, C and D segments, it joins the broader family of Stellantis global platforms, which previously included the STLA Small, STLA Medium, STLA Large and STLA Frame architectures. The company’s overall strategy continues to focus on consolidating its diverse portfolio into fewer, more efficient and highly flexible platforms.