The SUV has been tested at Nissan’s world-class testing facility, the Nissan Tochigi Proving Ground, where other models such as the Nissan GT-R and Nissan Ariya, have been tested.

With its stylish design, robust and dynamic road presence and an evolutionary leap in global Sports Utility Vehicle DNA, Nissan hopes that the Magnite will redefine the B-SUV segment in India. Developed as a model under Datsun brand, the Magnite will be competing with the likes of Tata Nexon, Ford EcoSport and Mahindra XUV300.

Magnite delivers on all four of Nissan’s fundamental pillars – bold exteriors, interiors, technology and performance. The front is flooded with LEDs with a bi-projector headlamp, indicators, daytime running lamps and fog lamps. The square wheel arches enhance the bold styling along with the integrated sculpted body-side cladding. The chrome beltline moves up to the quarter window in the C-pillar. The 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels accentuate the looks. It has a five-metre turning radius to help manoeuvre tight corners and parking.

Takumi Yoneyama, Design Manager, Nissan Motor Corporation, said, “The Nissan Magnite Concept embodies Nissan’s spirit in every way. Our design approach was based on the art of sculpting and not just drawing lines on paper. We sculpted a solid and dynamic feel by carving a shape from a big, overhanging body. We followed the core of Japanese sense and aesthetic by extracting pure dynamism and shedding the unnecessary. We are proud to introduce our newest creation, and we hope that our customers in India will love it.”

Interiors

The interiors of the car are wide and spacious due to the horizontal instrument panel, followed by the air ventilators that have a distinctive shape and cliff section, which makes it look sporty and enhances the SUV feel. It also includes a sporty mono-form shape seat which enhances comfort, and the rear seats offer robust pattern and rich cushioning adding to the premium-ness of the car.

The sporty 7-inch instrument panel, fully integrated steering wheel and an 8-inch touchscreen that is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay can be connected through Wi-Fi. It comes with Tech Pack comprising of a wireless charger, air purifier, puddle lamps and ambient mood lighting.

In terms of safety, the Magnite comes with Vehicle Dynamics Control for safe manoeuvring in tight corners and risky situations. In addition, it comes with dual air-bags, Hill-start assist, traction and anti-roll bar to minimise body roll.

Powered by Nissan’s HRA0 turbo engine having mirror-bore technology, it is mated with two gearbox options – manual and Xtronic CVT. The new engine delivers a maximum power of 100PS and maximum torque of 160Nm. It also boasts of appreciable torque to weight ratio which is demonstrated by the efficiency of the engine. The HRA0 engine borrows “mirror bore cylinder coating” technology from world-class sports cars such as the Nissan GT-R. This technology helps in reducing resistance inside the engine, cutting weight, improving heat management and combustion, eventually delivering smooth acceleration and efficient fuel use. The machine is very responsive when revved and provides better acceleration compared to naturally aspirated engines, especially in take-off and overtaking situations. It is evident from smooth acceleration and the revolution of the engine. It does not mean that the engine is over-working with big noise; it is silent, and helps reduce noise, vibration, and harshness.

Xtronic CVT

The conventional CVT has a rubber-band effect thanks to the belt between the two pulleys, which results in a lag between engine RPM and power to the wheels. However, Nissan uses steel belts in its signature Xtronic CVT transmission with the third generation D-Step logic control which is also found in other Global Nissan models such as Altima, Pathfinder, Murano and the sporty Maxima. In Xtronic CVT, the RPM builds as speed increases providing enhanced drivability with a direct, crisp shift feel; there’s no “hunting for a gear” feel or shift shock. After take-off, unlike other CVTs, the Xtronic CVT applies lockup damper; it skips torque converter, resulting in immediate and sustained power delivery.

According to Nissan India, the Magnite with manual gearbox offers 20kmpl while the CVT gets only 18kmpl. To meet demands and redefine the growing SUV segment in the country, the Magnite will cater to multiple aspirants with multiple options. XE (Base) comes with standard 16-inch wheels, skid plates, functional roof rails, 3.5-inch LCD cluster, all-power windows and dual-tone interiors for a real entry into the SUV experience. XL (Mid) comes with six speakers for integrated audio, steering wheel audio control, automatic AC and electrically adjustable & foldable outside mirrors for a comfortable upgrade. XV (High) revamps the technological experience with 16-inch diamond-cut alloys, LED daytime running lamps (DRL) and fog lamps, 8-inch floating touch screen (with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), 7-inch TFT meter, voice recognition, rear-view camera and push-button start. XV (Premium) is packed with technologies such as the LED bi-projector headlamps, cruise control, 360-degree around-view monitor, tyre pressure monitor and full sporty interiors.

For the technological savvy customer, Nissan’s optional ‘Tech Pack’ includes wireless charger, air purifier, ambient mood lighting, puddle lamps and high-end speakers from JBL.

“The all-new Nissan Magnite plays a vital role in our Nissan NEXT strategy and represents Nissan’s undeniable commitment to the Indian market as a customer-centric organisation. The car reiterates our brand philosophy of keeping customers at the heart of everything we do to deliver exciting products for enriching experiences. As we continue to prioritise and invest in the Indian consumer, who is aspirational and discerning with vehicles, we aim for the all-new Nissan Magnite to be the first product that will enable sustainable growth. Nissan will continue to be the primary brand in India,” said Sinan Ozkok, President, Nissan Motor India.

“Given the growing popularity of B-SUVs in India, we aim for the all-new Nissan Magnite to redefine the segment and surpass customer expectations in the country. It is the ideal aspirational upgrade for hatchback customers in India who are weighing their options and looking to own a world-class SUV, from a globally renowned brand that has a strong SUV heritage,” said Rakesh Srivastava, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India.

In total, the Nissan Magnite is not only big, bold and beautiful but is also benevolent in offering space, features, comfort and convenience. It is a bold little package for a nifty compact SUV. (MT)

Spinny, a leading platform for buying and selling vehicles, has launched a new brand campaign ‘God Promise’, which features Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, who also happens to be an early investor in the company.

The God Promise campaign with the message ‘Trust us – we mean it’ aims to reiterate that the used vehicles sold on the platform come with a peace of mind assurance, which includes 3-years warranty with Assured+, over 10,000 model availability, 5-day moneyback guarantee and a best price guarantee for both buyers and sellers.

Sachin Tendulkar, "This campaign clicked with me because it's rooted in something I’ve always believed in – trust must be earned and honoured. With ‘God Promise,’ Spinny isn’t just making a statement. They’re making a stand—for simplicity, sincerity, and joy in car buying and selling.”

Niraj Singh, Founder & CEO, Spinny, added, “Sachin has always stood for excellence and trust – values that are deeply embedded in Spinny’s DNA. ‘God Promise’ is simply a reflection of that. We're turning those values into a clear, public commitment. This isn’t just a campaign built on specs and stats – it’s just an extension of how we work. With him as both the face and a strategic investor in Spinny, trust and quality aren’t claims – they’re givens. And that, to us, is the ultimate assurance.

Tanya Mahendru, Creative Director, added, “With Sachin as the face of the brand, god promise was the most natural derivative.”

Mumbai-based automotive major Mahindra Group has rejigged its top leadership team to further strengthen the company’s market position.

The company has announced that Hemant Sikka, currently President of Farm Equipment Sector will take over the role of MD & CEO of Mahindra Logistics. He will succeed Ram Swaminathan who has stepped down to pursue other professional interests.

Furthermore, Veejay Nakra, currently President Automotive Division, has been appointed the President for Farm Equipment Business (FEB), which is among Mahindra’s large and profitable businesses with a ROCE of over 60 percent. The company sees huge opportunity to further grow the business and expand globally. He will continue to report to Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director & CEO, Auto & Farm Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra .

In addition, R Velusamy, currently, President Automotive Technology and Product Development, will take on the role of President of the Automotive Business (AB). He will be tasked to prepare the Automotive Business with technology innovation and lead opportunities for growth in domestic as well as global markets.

Mahindra has announced that it will now integrate the SUV and LCV (less than 3.5 tonne) business under one leadership to make the business more agile and collaborative, from engineering products to faster time to market. He will also report to Jejurikar.

Dr Anish Shah, Group CEO & Managing Director, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “These leadership changes ensure that we have strong, proven leaders at the helm of our key businesses. Their experience will enable us to drive significant growth and create greater value for our customers and shareholders. We thank Ram for his contributions to the company, and wish Hemant, Veejay, and Velu the very best for the journey ahead.”

Hyundai Motor India, a leading manufacturer of passenger vehicles in the country, has has announced that every second vehicle it sold in India came with a sunroof.

The company shared that in FY2025, 53.2 percent of the Hyundai vehicles sold in the country was equipped with sunroof, what’s more the share of SUVs also increased to 68.5 percent from the earlier 63.2 percent a year ago.

At present, sunroof is offered as an optional feature in 12 out of 14 models in the Hyundai Motor India portfolio, which includes the Exter, Venue, Creta, Alcazar, Tucson Verna, Aura, Grand i10 NIOS, i20 and the Ioniq 5.

On the other hand, the demand for ADAS-equipped models grew to 14.3 percent from 6.7 percent a year ago.

Tarun Garg, Whole-Time Director and Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor India, said, “FY2024-25 has been a landmark year for Hyundai Motor India. The fact that two out of every third vehicle sold by us in India was an SUV is a testament to our deep understanding of Indian customers and our commitment to delivering innovation, safety and style. The doubling of ADAS variant contribution and growing popularity of sunroof-equipped models reflects the rising aspirations of our customers and their readiness to embrace global technologies. We shall continue to march forward with a focus on customer delight, offering products that are future-ready, feature-rich, and engineered for India.”

German luxury car brand Mercedes-Benz India has expanded its footprint in the southern market with the inauguration of three new state-of-the-art facilities across Bengaluru and Hyderabad, reinforcing its customer-centric ‘Go to Customer’ strategy.

In Bengaluru, the luxury carmaker opened a sprawling 2S (Sales & Service) facility with a Delivery Bay by long-standing partner Sundaram Motors on International Airport Road. The 47,000 sqft facility, built to Mercedes-Benz’s global MAR20X luxury retail standards, features 10 dedicated service bays, a Premium Aero Hub and a Mercedes Cafe. It also offers fast EV charging and quick repair zones, enhancing convenience and sustainability.

Hyderabad saw the addition of two new 2S facilities. Mahavir Motors inaugurated a 39,000 sqft outlet in a high-net-worth residential area near the city’s growing IT corridor. The facility, equipped with 19 service bays, combines digital interfaces with personalised service zones and eco-friendly features.

Landmark Cars also launched a new 12,000 sqft service centre in Hyderabad with six service bays. The facility offers specialised vehicle servicing, body paint work and Premier Express service for priority customers.

These openings mark a significant investment in customer engagement and service infrastructure in key southern metros, aligning with rising aspirations and demand for luxury vehicles in India.

Santosh Iyer, MD & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said, “We are delighted to inaugurate 3 state-of-the-art luxury facilities in Bengaluru and Hyderabad, reaffirming our commitment to delivering the best customer experience and deepening our presence in these key markets. These modern facilities reflect Mercedes-Benz’s vision of offering a world-class luxury retail experience, backed by digital innovation, modern luxury design and personalised customer consultation. We continue to invest in our luxury retail experience, with sharp focus on elevating customer experiences by creating new standards in luxury automotive retail. We are creating desire for the brand not only in emerging markets, but also in key metropolises like Bengaluru and Hyderabad, where Mercedes-Benz has a strong brand presence.”