Nissan is placing its design heritage and a focus on premium ruggedness at the core of its strategy for the Indian market, with the upcoming Tekton C-SUV positioned to spearhead its product expansion. The new model, which takes its name from the Greek word for 'craftsman' or 'architect,' is intended to be a ‘segment disruptor’ and is heavily inspired by the brand’s flagship, the Nissan Patrol.

The Tekton will be the first of Nissan's new product offensive, with the production model expected on Indian roads by the second quarter of calendar year 2026, as confirmed by Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director of Nissan Motor India.

Alfonso Albaisa, Senior Vice-President of Global Design at Nissan Motor Corporation, highlighted the influence of the iconic Patrol, saying the goal was to create a ‘compact or baby Patrol’. The new C-SUV incorporates several design cues from its larger sibling, including the V-strut grille and the distinctive C-shaped signature headlamp design seen in the last two generations of the Patrol.

The design team, which worked on both the new Patrol and the successful Magnite compact SUV, aimed to make the Tekton's ‘character larger than its actual footprint.’

Ken Lee, Senior Design Director at Nissan Motor Corporation, explained that the car’s rugged aesthetic is essential for the Indian market. "Learning from Magnite SUV, which was a very big hit, the sense of protection, high centre of gravity, driving positions, are very in-tune with the region," he noted.

This focus translates into a design that delivers ‘a sense of premiumness inside the ruggedness and is one notch above the segment.’

Specific design elements include:

• Double C-shaped accents on the side, incorporating an abstract design inspired by the Himalayas.
• A focus on consistency across the front, side, and rear views, reinforced by the C-shaped lighting signatures.
• An interior designed to offer ‘a sense of tranquillity’ through improved touch surfaces and premiumness.

Technology Meets Tactile Control

Addressing the shift in consumer preferences, Lee noted that while chrome used to signify premium, ‘now technology is premium.’ However, the company is careful not to over-rely on digital controls.

Designers globally are currently debating the mix of digital and physical controls. "We are living in a moment which is software and physical demand," Lee stated, acknowledging that after a decade of fascination with purely digital interfaces, customer feedback is now strongly pushing back in favour of tactile controls for essential functions.

The Tekton, developed through collaborative efforts between Nissan’s global design centre in Japan, the London studio (which worked on the Magnite), and engineers in Chennai, sits ‘right in the centre of the C-SUV segment,’ aiming for a more premium positioning than the outgoing Terrano.

Vatsa confirmed that the production-ready design is already undergoing testing, with pre-production vehicles being showcased to the dealer network ahead of the official 2026 launch.

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Hyundai Motor India (HMIL), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has further revealed the technology and safety features of the upcoming all-new Hyundai Venue c-SUV. The vehicle will feature a dual 62.5cm – 12.3-inch + 12.3-inch curved panoramic display and Hyundai’s ccNC (Connected Car Navigation Cockpit) system, which is accelerated by Nvidia.

The new Venue also offers safety features with a strong body structure and Hyundai SmartSense ADAS Level 2, which includes 16 advanced driver assistance features. Overall, the vehicle is equipped with more than 65 safety features, with 33 standard across all variants.

The Venue will debut Hyundai’s ccNC system, which features an immersive 31.24 cm 12.3 ccNC Navigation system and a Bose premium sound 8-speaker system. The system includes wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, quick control and Over-the-Air (OTA) updates.

The infotainment system is complemented by a 31.24 cm 12.3 full digital display cluster, which displays information such as the tyre pressure monitoring system TPMS highline, drive mode select, ADAS status and turn-by-turn navigation.

In a move towards Software-Defined Vehicles SDVs, the Venue offers OTA access for 20 Controllers, eliminating the need for dealership visits for software updates.

The Venue's body structure is built with a 71 percent expansive application of hot stamping, ultra-high strength steel, advanced high-strength steel and high-strength steel, ensuring crash protection.

The Hyundai SmartSense ADAS Level 2 technology includes intelligent features such as: Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (Car, Pedestrian & Cycle), Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention Warning and Parking Collision Avoidance Assist (Rear).

Standard safety features include 6 airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), all 4-disc brakes and 3-point seatbelts with a reminder for all seats.

Tarun Garg, Whole-Time Director and Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor India, said, “At HMIL, we are committed to democratising advanced global technologies for our customers in India. The all-new Hyundai Venue equipped with Hyundai ccNC system accelerated by Nvidia, immersive digital experiences and Hyundai SmartSense ADAS Level 2, represent our bold step towards introducing Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) in India. With the all-new Hyundai Venue, we continue our endeavour to make premium and intelligent mobility experiences accessible to a wider set of customers, reflecting Hyundai’s strong belief in ‘Progress for Humanity’. We are confident that with an upgraded design, cutting-edge features and class-leading safety, the all-new Hyundai Venue will redefine customer convenience and set new benchmarks in the compact SUV segment.”

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JSW MG Motor India, a leading passenger vehicle manufacturer, has delivered the MG M9 Presidential Limousine to music composer and singer Shankar Mahadevan.

The MG M9, which is the flagship luxury model from MG Select, is designed for sophistication, featuring Presidential Seats with 16-way adjustment, eight massage modes, heating and ventilation. The interior includes a yacht-style dual sunroof, ambient lighting and Cognac brown leather. An intelligent armrest and storage enhance convenience.

The limousine prioritises safety, built with ultra-high strength steel and equipped with 7 airbags and Level 2 ADAS. It has secured 5-star EURO NCAP and ANCAP ratings.

It is powered by a 90-kWh NMC battery, 548km claimed range, 245 PS of power and 350 NM of torque. It can be charged from 30 percent to 80 percent in just 30 minutes.

The MG M9 also features a 13-speaker premium sound system with subwoofer and amplifier. The vehicle is available for booking and experience across 14 MG Select Experience Centres in 13 key cities.

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Hyundai Motor India (HMIL), a leading passenger vehicle manufacturer, has opened bookings for the all-new Hyundai Venue compact sport utility vehicle (SUV).

Customers can reserve the vehicle with an initial booking amount of INR 25,000 at dealerships across India.

Hyundai Motor India unveiled the new vehicle with a film featuring brand ambassador Deepika Padukone. The company is positioning the C-SUV as a model of urban mobility, focusing on style and technology.

Tarun Garg, Whole-Time Director and Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor India, said, “The Hyundai Venue has been one of the most loved SUVs in India, with over 700,000 customers choosing it for its perfect blend of design, technology and performance. With the all-new Hyundai Venue, we are taking this success story even further, redefining bold design and modern premium-ness while integrating advanced technology that resonates with the aspirations of today’s new-age customers. The all-new Hyundai Venue truly embodies our vision of ‘Tech up Go beyond,’ offering a driving experience that’s both dynamic and deeply connected to our customers’ evolving lifestyles.”

The new Venue is both taller and wider than the existing model. Exterior design includes Twin horn LED DRLs, Quad beam LED headlamps and a dark chrome radiator grille.

Inside, the cabin features a Dual 62.5 cm (12.3-inch + 12.3-inch) curved panoramic display for infotainment and cluster information. It also features a dual-tone interior (dark navy and dove grey), a D-cut steering wheel and a coffee-table centre console with ambient lighting.

The car has a long wheelbase (2520mm) and offers 2-step reclining rear seats, rear window sunshades and rear AC vents for comfort.

The all-new VENUE will be offered with three engine choices:

Kappa 1.2 l MPi petrol

Kappa 1.0 l Turbo GDi petrol

U2 1.5 l CRDi Diesel

Transmission options include Manual, Automatic and Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT).

The vehicle will use the new variant nomenclature ‘HX,’ which stands for ‘Hyundai Experience.’ The company is set to launch the Venue on 4 November 2025.

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Chinese automaker Chery showcased what it claims is the world’s first ‘7-Seat Transformable Multi-SUV’ concept at the 2025 Chery Brand Night. The SUV was unveiled by Zheng Songzhi, Executive Deputy General Manager of Chery International Marketing Centre.

The automaker states that the vehicle reflects Chery’s commitment to user co-creation, offering a ‘one vehicle, multiple configurations’ design intended to redefine versatility for families.

Songzhi stated that the concept was developed following over a year of user research in countries including Indonesia, Mexico and Thailand. This research identified nine high-frequency family scenarios – from daily commuting to camping and long-distance travel – and concluded that no existing vehicle model meets all these varied demands.

User insights from representatives in Malaysia, Indonesia and Mexico, who shared their need for comfort, work-life balance and space, became the foundation of the concept. He noted that user needs are the core driver behind Chery's shift from a ‘function-oriented’ to a ‘scenario-oriented’ strategy.

In response to demands for versatility and space, Chery introduced the ‘6=1’ concept. By flexibly reconfiguring seats and detaching the rear hatch, the single vehicle transforms into six distinct interior and exterior layouts, intended to cover 99 percent of family mobility scenarios.

Large 7-Seat SUV Mode: With a body length of 4.9 metres and an interior height of 1,284 mm, it offers true comfort for family passengers.

Double-Cab Pickup Mode: It transforms instantly through a quick-release structure, providing 600-litre of cargo space for items like surfboards and construction materials.

Camper Mode: It supports an ecosystem of accessories, including awnings and roof tents, alongside off-road capability.

Songzhi announced that Chery will introduce additional transformable modes and accessory kits.

Chery is launching a collaboration model that spans the entire product development cycle. Before mass production, Chery will invite users worldwide to participate in co-creation, influencing features, powertrain tuning and model naming.

Since February 2024, a 20-member product team has conducted research across international markets, gathering over 1,350 user samples and more than 40,000 topic inputs.

Songzhi, stated, "Driven by the genuine needs of our users, we have not only redefined the form of the SUV but will also collaborate with them to co-create and co-define its future.”

The new vehicle is scheduled to reach consumers in the third quarter of 2026.

Image credit: Paultan.org

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