New Tata Safari Storms SUV Market

New Tata Safari Storms SUV Market

The new Tata Safari will be offered in six variants- XE, XM, XT, XT+, XZ and XZ+ in Royale blue, Orcus white and Daytona Grey colours.

The new vehicle is available in six and seven-seat configurations offering better ride and handling, along with premium and spacious interiors. The new SUV also packs in top-of-the-line safety, technology and connectivity features.

“Safari always stood four main things-power, prestige, performance and presence. The presence is something that design really helps to establish in all the Safari generation, and the new one is no different. Building on the capable OMEGARC platform, we bring in our Impact 2.0 design philosophy which people have loved and appreciated. It is always a movement of excitement but also responsibility when you redesign an icon, a legend. Our new Safari, I think, lives up to its legendary status. The new Safari brings a new interpretation for those evolved customers, those who like to seek adventure in their daily life and they like to do things in groups,” said Pratap Bose, vice-president- Global Design at Tata Motors.

The new Safari is all about the strength but no aggression. The front view is compelling, but it is not aggressive. The SUV face reassures the performance with imposing grill, high bonnets, strong bumpers, and down the road graphics. In the side view, the company maintains the characteristics for the original Safari. At the rear, the tall tailgate gives access to the interior with huge storage space. Its edge-to-edge lighting element balances the height and makes the car looks wider.

In the new Tata Safari interior, three-row of seating has a stadium effect. In whichever row, the passenger is seated, they have a sense of space with unobstructed vision. The company has given an ashwood finish on the instrument panel.

The new SUV provides versatility and strong performance from its powerful Kryotec 2L Turbocharged Diesel Engine producing 170bhp. The designers have paid attention to third-row passenger comfort and have provided 832mm of legroom and 889mm of headroom. The third row also gets its own dedicated AC unit along with a USB charger, reading lamp and mobile and cup holder making travel for seven passengers comfortable.

The SUV also features a Panoramic Sunroof that offers excellent views of the outside, adding to the passengers’ convenience and safety. The company has also equipped the smart features like Global Close that shut the sunroof when the ignition is turned off, and rain sensor closure prevents rainwater from entering the cabin.

The new Safari is offered with two transmission options: 6-speed manual/ Automatic. The SUV also features multiple engine drive modes (Eco, City and Sport) married to the ESP Terrain Response Modes (Normal, Rough and Wet) for tackling rugged terrains.

The SUV is equipped with all-disc brakes, Tyre pressure monitor system, six airbags, electronic parking brake with auto hold, and many more safety features. Hill descent control, Corner stability control, Off-road ABS, Hill hold assist, are some functions the advanced ESP system offers.

On the inside, a 7-inch coloured TFT display replaces the traditional analogue dials. A large 8.8-inch floating touchscreen system is provided for infotainment equipped with nine speakers from JBL. Android Auto and Apple car play systems offer connectivity while Media, Phone & Navigation can be mirrored between the Infotainment screen & Instrument cluster.

Tata has also equipped the new Safari with connected car technology called iRA-Intelligent Real-Time Assist. Users can use iRA to send remote commands to their vehicle, track vehicle location, set Geo-fencing, Time fencing and more.

The new Safari is expected to be priced starting at around the 15 lakhs and will take on the MG Hector Plus and the upcoming XUV 500. (MT)

Mahindra Scorpio-N Z8L Variant Now Gets L2 ADAS Tech, New Z8T Variant Launched At INR 2.02 Million

Mahindra Scorpio-N ADAS

Mumbai-headquartered SUV major Mahindra & Mahindra has upgraded its popular offering, the Scorpio-N Z8L variant, with Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) tech.

This will see the Scorpio-N Z8L variant coming with Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Smart Pilot Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition and High Beam Assist features.

The ADAS tech will further enhance safety quotient for the Scorpion-N with exclusive features such as Speed Limit Assist and Front Vehicle Start Alert, marking a first for Mahindra ICE SUVs.

Furthermore, the company has also expanded the Scorpio-N line-up with the introduction of the Z8T variant at INR 2.02 million. The new variant will sit between the Z8 and Z8L variants. It comes with a compelling mix of premium features, including R18 diamond-cut alloy wheels, a 12-speaker Sony-branded audio system, front camera, front parking sensors, 6-way powered driver seat, electronic parking brake (EPB), ventilated front seats and an auto-dimming IRVM.

Maruti Suzuki India Clocks New Milestone Of Servicing 2.45 Million Vehicles In A Month

Maruti Suzuki India

Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has achieved a new milestone in its aftersales service. The company recorded servicing (free and paid) over 2.45 million vehicles in May, the highest in a single month in its history.

The feat was achieved through the company’s vast network of over 5,400 service touchpoints.

Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “This is the first time in the company’s history that we have serviced over 24.5 lakh vehicles in a month, an achievement that reflects scale, depth, and efficiency of the service network. It is a result of the tireless efforts of our service teams and dealer partners across the country.”

“Good quality aftersales service is critical to maintain vehicle health, leading to a delightful car ownership experience and strengthen customer retention. Even before we started mass sales of vehicles in India, our focus was on building a robust service network, a foundation that continues to support us as we expand our business further. Going forward, we aim to expand our service touchpoints to 8,000 by FY 2030-31 and introduce innovative formats to cater to the requirements of diverse customer needs. This will help in our EV launch as well. We are preparing 1,500 EV enabled service workshops covering over 1,000 cities with specially trained manpower and special equipment to extend all EV related support to our customers,” he said.

Maruti Suzuki India has through its dealer partners introduced several innovative and industry-first service formats, to address the smallest query to full-car service needs ranging from traditional brick-and-mortar workshops to mobile workshops. Over the years, it has also created a dedicated Quick Response Team (QRT) to provide emergency on-road assistance across the country.

 

Mercedes-Benz India Appoints Brendon Sissing As New VP Of Sales And Marketing

Brendon Sissing

Mercedes-Benz India, the German luxury car brand, has announced a significant organisational change, effective from 1 August 2025, with the appointment of Brendon Sissing as the new Vice-President of Sales and Marketing. He will take over from Lance Bennett, who has moved to Mercedes-Benz Middle East as their Chief Financial Officer.

Santosh Iyer, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said, "We are excited to welcome Brendon Sissing as the Head of Sales & Marketing for Mercedes-Benz India. Brendon takes over the responsibility from Lance Bennett, who has joined Mercedes-Benz Middle East as the CFO. Brendon brings rich experience from the world of financing and insurance, as he successfully steered Mercedes-Benz Financial Service India, doubling its portfolio, driving record profit and business transformation, while elevating the integrated customer journey. We are confident Brendon will continue the growth momentum of Mercedes-Benz in this highly diverse and dynamic Indian luxury car market. We thank Lance for his immense contribution and wish them both, the very best in their respective new roles."

Brendon Sissing previously served as the Head of Mercedes-Benz Financial Services India, where he was instrumental in doubling the company's portfolio and achieving record profits. He is recognised for his strong advocacy of digital transformation and risk management, leveraging his expertise in credit risk to drive operational excellence. He has extensive experience within the Mercedes-Benz group, having worked with Mercedes-Benz Malaysia and Mercedes-Benz South Africa, leading Credit Operations in both markets. He also held roles in Credit Underwriting and Key Accounts at Daimler Mobility, Stuttgart, before joining Mercedes-Benz Financial Services India in 2022.

The German brand stated that under Sissing's leadership, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services India significantly enhanced customer journeys through integrated online and offline platforms. He is also noted for his passion for coaching and mentoring, fostering high-performing team environments. Sissing holds a B. Tech degree in Cost & Management Accounting from Technikon Pretoria, South Africa and a Diploma in Credit Management from the Institute of Credit Management. He is also a founding member of Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia, established in 2012.

A South African national, Sissing has worked in various international locations, including Malaysia, South Africa, Germany and India.

Honda Launches Sporty New Variant of City Sedan At INR 1.48 Million

Honda City Sport

Honda Cars India has launched a new variant of its popular mid-size sedan, the Honda City Sport, adding a dynamic and youthful edge to the City line-up. Priced at INR 1.48 million (ex-showroom, Delhi), the City Sport is positioned as a limited-edition offering designed to appeal to style-conscious, spirited drivers.

The new variant will be exclusively available with a CVT automatic transmission and is offered in three colour options — Radiant Red Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, and Meteoroid Gray Metallic.

Sporting a blacked-out exterior theme, the car features a Sporty Black Grille, Glossy Black Shark Fin Antenna, Trunk Lip Spoiler and multi-spoke grey alloy wheels. Inside, the cabin gets an all-black treatment with red stitching, leather seats and ambient lighting for a premium, performance-inspired feel.

Under the hood, it retains the 1.5L i-VTEC petrol engine, delivering 121 PS and 145 Nm of torque, with a claimed fuel efficiency of 18.4 kmpl. The model also comes equipped with Honda Sensing, the brand’s advanced driver assistance suite.

Kunal Behl, Vice-President, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India, said, “The new City Sport has been crafted to meet the aspirations of young buyers who value individuality and a spirited driving experience. It embodies a perfect blend of sporty exterior and interior style, fun to drive performance and the everyday usability that Honda City is known for, at a price that makes it even more compelling.”

The City Sport is being positioned as a limited-unit, exclusive edition for customers seeking distinction in both design and driving dynamics.