With typical precision, the engineers have been putting the finishing touches to the next-generation bestseller. They are currently setting up the new car for optimum acoustic comfort in the interior, excellent driving safety at high speeds and Vauxhall-typical steering and pedal feel. Since February, the Vauxhall experts for chassis, powertrain, electronics and lighting have been using the Arctic winter for the tuning of chassis and assistance systems on frozen lakes and narrow country roads in Swedish Lapland.
NextGen
The next Vauxhall Mokka generation is a completely new design based on the company's highly efficient CMP multi-energy platform (Common Modular Platform). This modular platform offers maximum flexibility in vehicle development. The CMP also allows the use of purely battery-electric drive as well as internal combustion engines. The customer has the choice. Thanks to the use of high-strength steels, the vehicle weight is low and the body stability is high. The new Mokka weighs up to 120 kilograms less than the previous model – with almost the same wheelbase and tyre sizes. With the electric Mokka-e, the batteries are installed deep in the vehicle floor, which lowers the centre of gravity and at the same time increases torsional rigidity by a further 30 per cent – excellent prerequisites for dynamic driving. Customers can look forward to a very agile second-generation Mokka, which will be available in dealerships from early 2021. Until then, the testing continues at full speed.
Testing, Fine-tuning At Arctic Circle
Engineer Gunnar Nees never tires of turning lap after lap on ice. He regularly stops for few minutes, reaches for the laptop, reads out measured values, and logs every mile covered. In the vast Arctic wilderness, it is still freezing cold in March. Exactly the right conditions for orchestrating the harmony between ABS, ESP, assistance systems and the rest of the new chassis.
The development cars are still hiding behind a green and black camouflage, with 3D-like graphics that blur the vehicle’s contours. The engineer behind the steering wheel has come to the far north to set up the chassis. Like every Vauxhall, the new Mokka must respond precisely to steering inputs and give good feedback, be comfortable and at the same time have a firm enough ride. A Vauxhall must not display uncontrolled body movements, for example, when the vehicle is driving over a large bump at medium speed. The Vauxhall philosophy calls for safe and relaxing driving on the motorway. A Vauxhall must remain easily controllable in all situations and be fun to drive at the same time.
These characteristics must be present under all weather conditions everywhere – at the icy Arctic Circle as well as in high summer at the Mediterranean. However, nothing should change in terms of precise handling and consistently good-natured driving behaviour. Parts, components and systems are continuously fine-tuned by the company engineers: dampers, springs, steering. In addition, the control software is adapted: for ideal pedal feel when accelerating and braking, for the right amount of steering power assistance and for the interaction between all assistance systems.
High-speed Driving
Back in Germany the same test engineer pilots the Mokka-prototype on home ground at the Rodgau-Dudenhofen Test Centre. Karsten Bohle, Project Coordinator, Second-generation Mokka, joins Gunnar Nees.
“We are all looking forward to seeing the new Mokka on the road in customer’s hands. The test drives are running like clockwork, also because our new baby, with its low weight and compact external dimensions, reacts well to adjustments. Handling and comfort are super. The Mokka is a joy to drive; the development work has been great fun,” said Bohle.
The new Mokka is ready to take its final exams at the Test Centre. While shaken, ride comfort and interior acoustics must remain unstirred – not even by the torture track. Here, not far from the Opel-Vauxhall base in Rüsselsheim, the tracks are replicas of the trickiest road surfaces in Europe. The engineers have tested here for decades and built up a huge wealth of experience. They repeatedly adjust springs and dampers, the balance between responsiveness and sporty precision continuously improved. The new car features particularly low road noise for optimum acoustic comfort, which the high-quality materials in the interior further increase. Squeaks and rattles are taboo.
The steering and suspension get their Vauxhall ‘feel’ on the Dudenhofen handling course. Two tie rods at the McPherson strut turrets are standard equipment; they provide further stiffness at the front end, adding a touch more precision and agility. The new car turns into corners eagerly, is easy to handle at the limit and the assistance systems function perfectly. Then comes the ultimate discipline – the high-speed oval with its steep banking, followed by the long straight. This test demands rock-solid stability at all speeds. In real life, it also results in a huge safety benefit when taking avoidance manoeuvres at lower speeds. The engineers only award their seal of approval for the autobahn when they return satisfied from the high-speed oval. The new Mokka has already passed this test with flying colours. However, testing, testing and yet more testing will continue until the summer. When the Mokka has achieved production readiness, cars will start rolling off the assembly line at the end of the year. (MT)
Kia India Expands Sonet Automatic Range With Diesel & Turbo Petrol Variants
- By MT Bureau
- March 13, 2026
Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has introduced the Model Year 2026 (MY26) edition of the Kia Sonet, increasing the availability of automatic transmissions across its diesel and turbo petrol variants.
The update introduces the 1.5-litre Diesel 6-speed Automatic and the 1.0-litre Turbo Petrol 7-speed Dual-Clutch Transmission (7DCT) in lower trim levels, with prices starting from INR 977,900 and INR 989,900, respectively. This move makes the Sonet the first SUV in its segment to offer both automatic technologies at a price point below INR 1 million.
The diesel automatic option has been expanded to the HTE(O), HTK(O), HTK+ and HTK+(O) variants. The turbo petrol 7DCT is now available in HTK(O) and HTK+(O) trims. These additions are intended to address the increasing demand for automatic vehicles in urban traffic conditions. The Sonet portfolio now includes five powertrain options, 70 connected car features and 10 Level 1 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).
Standard safety equipment across the Sonet range includes 15 features. The vehicle recently reached a sales milestone of 5 lakh units in the Indian market since its launch in 2020. Alongside the mechanical updates, Kia has added a new exterior colour option, Magma Red, to the palette. The model continues to feature a cabin equipped with a range of technologies designed for the compact SUV segment.
Atul Sood, Senior Vice-President, Sales & Marketing, Kia India, said, “We have been closely listening to evolving customer needs, particularly the growing preference for the convenience of automatic driving in everyday conditions. With the model year 2026 update, we are expanding our automatic line-up with Diesel Automatic and Turbo Petrol 7DCT options at highly competitive price points, enabling more customers to experience the ease of automatic mobility while further strengthening Sonet’s leadership in the segment.”
Maruti Suzuki Dzire Surpasses 3 Million Units Sales Milestone
- By MT Bureau
- March 13, 2026
Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has announced that its Dzire sedan has crossed the 3 million sales milestone. The vehicle was the highest-selling car in India during the 2025 calendar year.
First introduced in 2008, the Dzire has evolved through four generations, transitioning from its initial launch to its current iteration. The fourth-generation model is equipped with a Z-Series engine and features an electric sunroof, a 360-degree camera, and a 22.86 cm infotainment system with wireless connectivity. Safety specifications include six airbags, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with Hill Hold Assist, and ISOFIX child seat anchorages. The vehicle has received 5-star safety ratings from both Bharat NCAP and Global NCAP.
According to the company, first-time buyers represent approximately 50 percent of the customer base for the current model. Over its history, the Dzire has introduced various technologies to the segment, including automatic transmissions, climate control and LED projector headlamps. The current version integrates smartwatch connectivity and remote vehicle monitoring through Suzuki Connect.
Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude towards all 3 million Dzire customers on this incredible milestone. The fourth-generation Dzire has well and truly reignited the sedan segment with its refined and sophisticated appeal, ensuring it finds strong preference among young first-time buyers, this demographic in fact represents nearly 50% of customers. A wide range of comfort and convenience features alongside 5-star safety ratings ensure the Dzire caters to every preference of today’s evolving customers.”
Lamborghini Supercars See Greater Traction With Personlised Specs Across India
- By MT Bureau
- March 12, 2026
Lamborghini India is witnessing a strong demand for its super cars from all regions of India – North, South, East and West. It is seeing new customers arrive with an ability to increasingly embrace the Italian brand’s Ad Personam personalisation programme, which helps create highly individual, statement-making configurations. The trend is exemplified through some of the recent Lamborghini Revuelto deliveries across the country, each uniquely specified and reflective of the customer’s personal style, performance preferences and ownership journey.
North India: A Record -Spec for Revuelto in Azzurro Thetys
The North India delivery features a Lamborghini Revuelto finished in Azzurro Thetys, an exclusive Ad Personam palette colour. The exterior is defined by upper and lower carbon fibre packages, carbon -fibre roof and A -pillars, and matt -black detailing, creating a refined yet performance -focused presence. Inside, the Classica Ad Personam interior is finished in Blu Delphinus with Bianco Polar accents, complemented by inverted stitching, embroidered Lamborghini shields, carbon - fibre interior elements, a carbon-fibre steering wheel with Corsa Tex, ambient RGB lighting and the High Premium Sonus faber audio system.
East India: First Revuelto in the region with high-specs
The first Revuelto delivery in East India is finished in bold Giallo Auge and underlines the growing preference for vibrant, high-impact specifications. The interior is finished in Nero Ade with Giallo Taurus contrast elements, featuring inverted stitching, fully electric and heated comfort seats, carbon -fibre kickplates with a backlit Revuelto logo, ambient lighting, passenger display and the Sonus faber audio system.
West India: The most comprehensive-spec carbon-fibre Revuelto in the country
Lamborghini India has delivered a highly bespoke Revuelto featuring full exterior and interior Ad Personam carbon-fibre packages in Mumbai. The supercar is finished in Verde Metallic and highlighted with Bronzo Oreadi accents, including a livery stripe on the rear diffuser, The 21/22-inch Diamond Cut Altanero forged wheels combo is in bronze. Extensive carbon-fibre detailing, including aerodynamic door fins, makes this car one of the most comprehensively specced Revueltos in the country. The Classica Ad Personam interior features Nero Ade upholstery with Terra Emilia accents, inverted stitching, embroidered Lamborghini shields and a carbon-fibre steering wheel, paired with fully electric and heated comfort seats for a balance of luxury and performance.
Hyundai Venue Surpasses 100,000 Bookings, New Diesel Automatic Variant Launched
- By MT Bureau
- March 10, 2026
Hyundai Motor India (HMIL), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced that bookings for the Hyundai Venue have exceeded 100,000 units. To mark this milestone, the company has introduced the HX8 Diesel Automatic (AT) variant, priced at INR 1.36 million.
The new variant is powered by a 1.5L CRDi diesel engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. This addition expands the Venue line-up, providing a diesel torque-on-demand option with an automatic gearbox for the compact SUV segment.
The HX8 variant includes several updates to the vehicle's interior, safety and mechanical systems. Notable mechanical additions include rear disc brakes and an electric parking brake with an auto-hold function.
The technical and convenience suite includes – paddle shifters, drive modes (Eco, Normal, Sport) and traction control modes (Sand, Mud, Snow). The cabin also gets front row ventilated seats, 4-way electric driver seat adjustment and ambient lighting. Over-the-Air (OTA) vehicle updates and Hyundai Bluelink connected car systems.
On the inside, it features a dual-tone leatherette seats featuring Venue branding.
The introduction of the diesel automatic transmission targets customers seeking fuel efficiency combined with the convenience of an automated gear shift. The Venue competes in the compact SUV category, supported by Hyundai’s existing sales and service network across India.
Tarun Garg, Managing Director & CEO, Hyundai Motor India, said, “We are delighted that the new Hyundai Venue has crossed 100,000 bookings, reaffirming the strong trust Indian customers place in our brand. This milestone reflects the growing aspiration for smart, connected and feature-rich mobility solutions that enhance everyday driving. The introduction of the new HX8 Diesel Automatic variant further strengthens the Venue lineup, offering customers the perfect blend of diesel efficiency, torque-rich performance and effortless convenience. It underscores our commitment to providing meaningful choices backed by advanced technology and superior value. At Hyundai, we remain focused on delivering future-ready products that resonate with evolving customer expectations and drive the next phase of mobility in India.”
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