The Countryman, no doubt, is an aspirational five-seater SUV as it beautifully balances the retro looks with state-of-the-art technology. According to Vikram Pawah, President, BMW Group India, “The new MINI Countryman inspires you to take the path to new experiences and new horizons of the mind. This versatile sports activity vehicle (SAV) is just as home in an urban jungle as it is in the great outdoors. Its adrenaline-pumping engine, elegant interior design features, and latest technology blend harmoniously together.”

The Countryman easily stands out in the crowd as it retains MINI’s unique boxy rugged design with signature oval-shaped angular headlights. The LED adaptive headlamps are housed in an external piano black casing. The revised mesh grille is all-black in colours like the lower bumper, which also houses the fog lamps and vertical air dams. To add a sporty flair to its exteriors, the Countryman showcases black racing stripes on the bonnet, contrasting black roof and wheel arches along with silver roof rails. Coming to the rear, the crossover gets the trademark Union Jack LED taillights with vertical reflectors on the bumpers. It also gets silver-coloured skid plates at the front and rear.

The Cooper S comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, while the JCW Inspired version gets bigger 18-inches with run-flat tyres, a white coloured roof and a Comfort Access System that allows you to open the car door and start the engine without taking the key out of the pocket. This system is also in sync with the boot, which can be opened by swiping your foot underneath the rear fender.

Step inside the cabin and the circular touchscreen welcomes you in the middle of the dashboard. Moving below and the centre console sports physical buttons and metal finished retro toggle switches. The Cooper S is equipped with a 6.5-inch touchscreen with an LED ring around it. At the same time, the JSW Inspired gets a bigger 8.8-inch infotainment unit including navigation system, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless phone charger, Harman Kardon music system, adjustable rear seats, 2-zone automatic climate control, panoramic sunroof and an all-digit 5.5-inch instrument cluster. On the other hand, the front seats are electrically adjustable, and the driver side comes with a seat memory function. The Cooper S’s cabin is slightly subdued with carbon black interiors and upholstery, while the top variant JCW Inspired takes the luxury quotient to the next level as it gets an option of either Chester Malt Brown or Chester Satellite Grey colour trims.

Now, coming to the million-dollar question, what lies under the hood? The new Countryman is only available in petrol and is powered by the 2-litre 4-cylinder engine with TwinPower Turbo technology, which churns out 189bhp and 280Nm of torque. Just to give you an idea of how quick it is off the mark; both the variants do 0-100km in just 7.5 seconds and boast a top speed of 225kmph. The Cooper S is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT), and the JCW Inspired takes a notch higher with the seven-speed Sport DCT that offers quick gear shifts, paddle shifters and launch control for faster acceleration from standstill.

To make the driving more involving, the MINI Countryman has three driving modes. The individual mode lets you customise the suspension set up and driving dynamics according to your preference. Apart from this it also comes with Green (Eco) and Sport mode.

As expected, the Countryman comes fully loaded with safety features like front airbags, brake assist, cornering brake control, anti-lock braking system (ABS), Dynamic Stability Control and much more.

The Countryman doesn’t really have any direct competition, but in terms of a compact luxury SUV, the Audi Q2, Volvo XC40 and the upcoming new Mercedes-Benz GLA are the other options available in the market along with the BMW X1. (MT)

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Maruti Suzuki India is commemorating 10 years of the Nexa brand with the launch of the Grand Vitara Phantom Blaq Edition. The vehicle is finished in an exclusive Matte Black colour.

The Grand Vitara Phantom Blaq Edition is available in the Strong Hybrid Alpha+ variant, which features matte black finish on the exterior and all-black with perforated faux leather upholstery and champagne gold accents on the interior.

Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “As we celebrate a decade of Nexa, the Grand Vitara Phantom Blaq Edition reflects our ongoing commitment to inspire customers with specially curated innovations. This Limited Edition captures the essence of indulgence, offering an SUV that not only performs exceptionally but also aligns perfectly with the refined lifestyles of our discerning buyers. Since its debut, the Grand Vitara has garnered an exceptional response, achieving the milestone of 300,000 sales in just 32 months, setting a new benchmark in the mid-size SUV segment in India. This success is driven by its versatile powertrain portfolio, offering customers the choice of Strong Hybrid, Allgrip Select, and S-CNG powertrain options, catering to diverse customer needs. The exclusive new Grand Vitara Phantom Blaq is set to elevate its desirability further.”

The Grand Vitara Phantom Blaq Edition has a panoramic sunroof and ventilated front seats with perforated faux leather. It features a 22.86cm (9-inch) SmartPlay Pro+ infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as a Clarion sound system. A 360-degree camera, Head-Up Display and wireless charging dock are also included. The vehicle uses Suzuki Connect for car capabilities.

Safety features on the Grand Vitara include 6 airbags, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Hill Hold Control, and reverse parking sensors.

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Stellantis-owned Citroen India has announced the launch of its ‘Citroen 2.0 – Shift Into the New’ strategy, aimed at strengthening its position as an accessible mobility brand in the country. The plan focuses on enhanced customer satisfaction, product innovation and a significant expansion of its network across India.

The initiative includes upgrades to the C3, Aircross and Basalt Coupe SUV, with improvements in design, in-cabin technology and comfort. Developed on the global C-Cubed platform with up to 98 percent localisation, the refreshed portfolio is tailored to Indian driving conditions.

Shailesh Hazela, CEO & MD, Stellantis India, said, “India represents one of the most exciting and demanding opportunities for Stellantis globally and our Citroen 2.0 – Shift Into the New strategic plan is a decisive step forward in our commitment to India. We’re aligning closer than ever with Indian customers through locally engineered products, deeper network reach, and a relentless focus on quality and customer centricity. This is not about quick wins – it’s about sustainable growth, built on trust and long-term value. With high localisation, strong after-sales systems, newer ways of customer engagement and a sharp understanding of evolving expectations, we’re here to grow with India and for India.”

Since entering the market in 2021 with 10 showrooms, Citroen has grown to over 80 customer touchpoints, with plans to double the number by the end of this year. The expansion will prioritise Tier II, III and IV markets, supported by a digital service model offering transparent pricing and real-time tracking.

The company has invested over INR 53 billion in manufacturing, product platforms and localisation, with further investments planned in EVs, ICE platforms and supply chain localisation. The strategic plan will be introduced with a teaser featuring cricket legend MS Dhoni as brand ambassador.

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South Korean auto major Hyundai Motor Company and American automaker General Motors have joined forces to develop five new vehicles, including four for Central and South America and one for the North American market. The partnership aims to leverage the companies' combined scale to bring new models to customers faster and at a lower cost.

The collaboration will produce a compact SUV, car, and two different pickup trucks for Central and South American markets. These vehicles will be flexible, offering both traditional internal combustion engines and hybrid options. For North America, the companies will co-develop an electric commercial van.

The new vehicles are slated to launch starting in 2028. GM will take the lead on developing the mid-size truck platform, while Hyundai will spearhead the compact vehicle and electric van projects. While the vehicles will share platforms, each company will design unique interiors and exteriors to reflect its own brand.

This strategic collaboration is expected to produce more than 800,000 vehicles annually once production is fully scaled. The companies also plan to explore joint sourcing for materials and logistics, and are committed to sustainable manufacturing, including the use of low-carbon emissions steel.

Jose Munoz, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor Company, said, “Hyundai’s strategic collaboration with GM will help us continue to deliver value and choice to our customers across multiple vehicle segments and markets. Our combined scale in North and South America helps us to more efficiently provide our customers more of what they want – beautifully designed, high-quality, safety focused vehicles with technology they appreciate.”

Shilpan Amin, GM's Senior Vice-President and Global Chief Procurement and Supply Chain Officer, said, “By partnering together, GM and Hyundai will bring more choice to our customers faster, and at lower cost. These first co-developed vehicles clearly demonstrate how GM and Hyundai will leverage our complementary strengths and combined scale.”

The partnership, which was announced in September 2024, is still exploring other potential joint ventures, including collaboration on additional vehicle programs and propulsion systems like hydrogen fuel cell technology.

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CUPRA has introduced new Shadow Edition variants for its Leon and Leon Estate models in the UK, featuring bold dark styling accents that amplify the brand's sporty aesthetic. Based on the V3 trim, these editions come equipped with premium features such as leather upholstery, advanced driver aids and Dynamic Chassis Control.

The exterior showcases 19-inch matte black alloy wheels, black side skirts and a sleek roof spoiler, complemented by advanced CUPRA Matrix LED ULTRA headlights for superior nighttime visibility. Buyers can opt for the IMMERSIVE by Sennheiser sound system, which includes a 10-speaker setup with a subwoofer for an enhanced audio experience.

Additional upgrades like a panoramic sunroof, towbar, and various paint options are also available. Starting at GBP 36,770, the Shadow Edition is now open for orders in the UK.

Marcus Gossen, Managing Director of SEAT and CUPRA UK, said, “The launch of the Shadow Edition in the UK is a big step forward in the design journey of the CUPRA Leon. The Leon is the flagship hatchback of the brand and remains a disruptor and a style-leading icon in the market. The new features of the Shadow Edition combine striking design and leading technology to ensure that the Leon continues to be a popular choice for drivers.”

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