In the wake of good demand for its Kodiaq full-size and flagship SUV in India, Skoda Auto has decided to increase its dispatch to 720 units per quarter through the CKD (parts and components vehicle) route. Considered as an alternative to the Toyota Fortuner SUV and a plusher one that, the Kodiaq 4x4 SUV is available at a starting price of INR 3.79 million ex-showroom.
Compared to the Fortuner, whose 4x4 AT models are priced close to INR 4.5 million ex-showroom approximately, the Kodiaq, with the capacity to seat seven people comes only in the petrol guise. The diesel engine option was dropped in 2020 when the country transitioned to BS VI emission norms.
Treated to a face-lift this year, the full-size SUV is powered by a 190 PS, 2.-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine of the Volkswagen lineage. Claimed to be 4.2 percent more efficient than earlier, the vehicle now features door-edge protectors that automatically reveal themselves when the doors open, protecting the door edge from dings and scratches. The rear spoiler gets additional finlets to aid airflow and improve aerodynamics. The rear passengers get a lounge step to rest their foot, and outer headrests in the second row, furthering the luxury and comfort quotient.
Petr Šolc, Brand Director, Škoda Auto India, said, “The Kodiaq was our first ever foray into the full-size SUV fold, and it has been a resounding success internationally and in India. Though premium, it is a high value luxury 4x4 that has seen much demand from Indian consumers because of the complete off-road luxury package it offers for the family. The increased allocation will ensure that the Kodiaq can now be enjoyed by more SUV customers who demand the best there is in terms of safety, luxury and value with off-road ability.”
Based on the Volkswagen Group MQB platform which is also shared by the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace and SEAT Tarraco, the Kodiaq is a monocoque construction. On the dynamics front, it features dynamic chassis control (which enables the suspension to be raised or lowered by 15 mm and enhance all-terrain abilities with an off-road button) and driving modes – Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, Individual and Snow – which influence dynamics and performance.
The top variant, Laurin & Klement offers enhanced rear seat luxury with stone beige leather dual tone upholstery and 18-inch stylish alloys. The SportLine variant is driver-oriented with all black suedia interiors, a 3-spoke flat-bottom sport steering wheel, more side bolstering in the seats, integrated headrests and expanded shoulder support sport seats for enthusiastic cornering.
The 12-way adjustable electric seats in the front are available with in-built cooling and heating in the L&K variant. Other than the stylish three or two-spoke steering wheel, ambient lighting, Canton 625-Watt 12-speaker audio system with a subwoofer, windows that can be remotely shut or opened, and a panoramic sunroof, the Kodiaq SUV is equipped with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen in-built navigation and full connectivity via the MyŠKODA ConnectED App.
Flaunting a full-digital instrument panel, the vehicle comes with a five-star score for Euro NCAP. It is fitted with 9 airbags as standard. Offering adaptive front LED headlights; automatic dimming and defogging across all transparent surfaces; electronic, mechanical and hydraulic brake assist; stability control, and multi-collision braking and park assist with handsfree parking, the full-size SUV presents good storage space in the form of double dashboard storage, under steering storage and a jumbo box. The top variant gets Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and a 360-degree camera as standard.
MG SELECT Crosses 1,000 Sales And 15 Experience Centres
- By MT Bureau
- December 03, 2025
JSW MG Motor India has announced that its luxury retail channel, MG SELECT, has crossed a triple milestone: reaching 1,000-unit sales, inaugurating its 15th Experience Centre and maintaining the second position in India’s luxury EV market.
The network now encompasses 15 Experience Centres across 14 cities in India, reinforcing the brand's commitment to delivering an exclusive automotive retail journey. The recent inauguration of the 15th store in Jaipur further underscores the brand's ambition to redefine luxury mobility.
The milestone also highlighted sustained market demand for the select portfolio and is a key driver behind the brand’s 32 percent YTD growth in 2025.
The company claimed that the MG Cyberster, India's highest-selling sports car, has a 4–5 month waiting period, and the MG M9 - Presidential Limousine shows strong momentum in the luxury MPV segment. The MG Cyberster is available at an ex-showroom price of INR 7.49 million, while the MG M9 is available at an ex-showroom price of INR 6.99 million.
Anurag Mehrotra, Managing Director, JSW MG Motor India, said, "Our rise to become the second largest luxury EV brand in the country speaks to a singular belief. True luxury is felt in every touchpoint when precision, ambition and care move together. Through MG SELECT we have crafted an ownership world where innovation meets desire and where every interaction feels intentional. We are shaping the next era of electric mobility for India’s most discerning customers, with a commitment that is both bold and deeply personal.”
The MG SELECT Experience Centres are spaces for the brand's flagship vehicles. These venues provide an immersive, gallery-like setting, ensuring the display of these models is the focal point of the customer interaction. The Jaipur showroom, located at Tonk Road near Sanganer Flyover, exemplifies the MG SELECT philosophy of ‘Reimagining Luxury’, featuring spacious, serene, and technologically advanced environments that elevate the car buying journey.
Maruti Suzuki e Vitara Gets 5-Star Bharat NCAP Safety Rating
- By MT Bureau
- December 02, 2025
Maruti Suzuki India has been awarded a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating for its e Vitara, marking a moment for the company's electric vehicle strategy.
The e Vitara is built on Suzuki’s Heartect-e platform designed for electric vehicles to deliver strength, structural rigidity and advanced high voltage protection. The ‘Made-in-India, Made-for-the-World’ e Vitara is designed and tested for temperature conditions across the world, ensuring performance from as high as 60deg Celsius to as low as -30deg Celsius. The model is offered with 49 kWh and 61 kWh battery options.
Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, said, “Congratulations to Maruti Suzuki for achieving 5-star Bharat NCAP in both adult and child occupant protection for their e Vitara. I am especially glad that Maruti Suzuki has shown real leadership in providing 7 airbags as a standard across all variants of the e Vitara.”
Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “The 5-star Bharat NCAP rating for e Vitara, our first Battery Electric Vehicle, is a moment of immense pride for all of us at Maruti Suzuki. Using the Bharat NCAP 5-star rating, we will export the e Vitara to more than 100 countries of the world. Bharat NCAP’s globally benchmarked stringent vehicle test protocols have been a catalyst in empowering customers to make informed decisions. I thank the Minister Gadkari, the officials in his Ministry and test agencies for their rigorous efforts and commitment in shaping India’s journey towards safe mobility.”
The e VITARA’s body structure uses more than 60 percent ultra-high tensile and high-tensile strength steel. Its battery protection system incorporates a structural design with an energy-absorbing battery pack mounting structure.
Key safety features include 7 standard airbags (including the Driver's knee airbag), Level 2 ADAS (Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control), Hill Hold Control, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and a 360-degree Surround View Camera.
Mahindra Launches First Dealership-Based Ultrafast EV Charger In Anantapur
- By MT Bureau
- December 02, 2025
Mahindra has marked a major milestone in its nationwide electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure expansion with the inauguration of its first dealership-based ultrafast charger – a 180 kW Charge_IN station.
This is the first of many such installations planned across Mahindra dealerships, forming a key pillar of the company’s commitment to building India’s ultrafast charging network.
This initiative scales up Mahindra’s Charge_IN ecosystem, complementing the 250 highway fast-charging stations already announced. The new 180 kW ultrafast chargers will enable EV users to charge quickly and conveniently at strategically located dealerships across the country, with 24x7 on-ground support.
Hyundai Motor India Wholesales Grow 9.1% In November
- By MT Bureau
- December 01, 2025
Hyundai Motor India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has reported wholesales of 66,840 units in November 2025, up 9.1 percent YoY as against 61,252 units last year.
This includes domestic sales of 50,340 units, up 4 percent YoY and exports of 16,500 units, up 27 percent YoY.
Tarun Garg, Whole-time Director & Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor India, said, “Supported by GST 2.0 reforms, we continue to carry forward sales momentum with a year-on-year growth in our monthly domestic sales in November 2025. Further, our commitment to bolstering India’s role as a global manufacturing hub is further solidified with 26.9% year-on-year growth in monthly exports.”
He further added that the all-new Hyundai Venue SUV, the company's first software-defined vehicle in India, has received more than 32,000 bookings within a month of its launch. The new Venue features ccNC infotainment powered by Nvidia.
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