The next generation Evoque’s interior, while maintaining the original design subtly, takes forward its elegant lines; the sophisticated surfaces work in harmony with contemporary materials to ensure a tailored and compelling environment. Cabin air ionization technology enhances the well-being of both the driver and the passengers. It improves air quality in the vehicle cabin by removing allergens, viruses, airborne bacteria and associated odours.
Touch Pro Duo offers customisable homescreens and fast response times. The dual high-definition touchscreens allow the user to view required information while interacting with additional features, for increased flexibility and efficiency of use. For instance, it enables you to use the navigation system in the upper screen while playing media on the lower screen. In addition to normal controls, direct access to cabin temperature controls is provided through the multi-function dynamic dials.
The high definition Interactive Driver Display can receive and project vast amount of driving information, entertainment and active safety data including navigation, phone and media.
lnControl Remote App provides information about the vehicle and enables the user interact with it even when he is not with the vehicle. Compatible with most smart phones and smart watches, this service includes: Remote Lock and Unlock, Remote Climate, Beep / Flash, Journey Tracking and Vehicle Status Check.
Smartphone pack helps stay connected to smart phone even while in the car. This pack allows vehicle-optimised apps on Android or Apple smart phone to be controlled through the touchscreen, including contacts, calendar and music player.
Meridian’s audio technology input has helped enhance music experience as its cabin correction technology was deployed to analyse cabin shape, acoustics and resonance characteristics in order to help remove unwanted sounds.
Clear Sight Interior Rear View Mirror, a first for Land Rover, is an innovative new technology that provides an unobstructed view of the road behind regardless of objects that would normally disrupt it through a standard rear view mirror.
Driver Condition Monitor detects the alertness of the driver and gives an early warning when a break is required. Lane Keep Assist detects when the vehicle is unintentionally drifting out of the lane, and applies a corrective torque to the steering wheel, encouraging you to guide your vehicle back.
Park Assist makes parallel and bay parking easier by steering the vehicle into a suitable space. It can also steer the vehicle out of a parallel parking space, taking all of the stress out of parking. This is an interesting feature as taking the vehicle out of tight parking spot is a challenge.
Clear Exit Monitor helps passengers exit the vehicle safely by providing a warning of approaching hazards, such as passing vehicles and cyclists. When a passenger begins to unlatch the door, a small warning light will illuminate if an oncoming hazard is detected.
Drivetrain
Range Rover Evoque features All-Wheel Drive (AWD) and it intelligently controls torque distribution between the front and rear axle via an electronically-controlled multi-plate clutch. Terrain Response 2 takes the capabilities of the system to a new level. This features an automatic setting which monitors the current driving conditions and systematically selects the most suitable terrain setting.
Land Rover‘s patented Hill Descent Control (HDC) assists the driver with the controlled descents of difficult slopes. It does so by maintaining a constant speed and applying braking separately to each wheel. Hill Launch Assist ensures the vehicle doesn‘t roll backwards as it pulls away on an incline. Torque Vectoring by Braking delivers controlled, responsive cornering by reducing near-limit understeer through controlled braking of the inside wheels.
Rohit Suri, President and Managing Director, Jaguar Land Rover India, said, “The Range Rover Evoque packs fresh enhancements in design and technology, setting new standards in refinement and capability. We are confident that our latest offering with its sophisticated design and high technology quotient will build strong appeal among all Land Rover fans.” (MT)
Honda Cars India Intros Honda City Sedan At INR 1.19 Million, Debuts ZR-V Hybrid SUV As CBU
- By MT Bureau
- May 23, 2026
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
- By MT Bureau
- May 22, 2026
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
- By MT Bureau
- May 21, 2026
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
- By MT Bureau
- May 21, 2026
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.
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