Mercedes-Benz is gearing up to make their presence felt in the entry-level luxury segment with the all-new A-Class Limousine. The new sedan replaces the erstwhile CLA though it’s not like a replacement as the CLA was a coupe, and the new A-Class Limousine is a traditional three-box sedan. One may ask, when SUVs are in high demand in both India and globally, why take out a sedan? Mercedes-Benz has the stats to back their logic as the sedan range constituted 53 percent of their sales last year. This new vehicle is available in three variants — petrol, diesel and the all-powerful AMG. We drove the A 200 petrol version. So, let’s find out if it is a total package.

Exteriors

The A-Class sedan makes quite a style statement with a star-studded front grille with a thick chrome line running across it. The angular shaped LED headlights, and L-shaped daytime running lamps (DRLs), the pronounced character lines on the bonnet and chunky lower front bumper with mock air dams all make the A-Class sedan look contemporary and muscular.

Moving on to the side profile, the A-Class Limousine has prominent lines running across the shoulder area and another line on the lower part of the doors. As it’s not a coupe, the sedan gets a taller roofline. It may look more or less identical to its hatchback sibling till the B-pillar, and from there till the boot, it looks like a ‘baby’ C-Class, which is a good thing as this sedan looks proportionate and regal.

Coming to the rear, it has a clean design. One may find it a bit too simple, but the edgy looking LED taillights, and the trapezoid twin exhaust pipes in chrome make the rear styling more appealing. In terms of practicality, the petrol version has a boot capacity of 405-litres and while the diesel gets 395-litres. The loading bay is wide and accessible, making it easy to plonk a full-sized stroller. The boot is deep enough to store two full-sized suitcases or strollers.

Interiors

Step inside the cabin, and the design language is on the lines of the S-Class, but the icing on the cake is that they have managed to create a rich and luxurious ambience. The beautifully crafted three-layer dashboard uses premium leather, wooden and metal materials. The centre of attraction has to be the two 10.25-inch screens — one is the touchscreen infotainment system, and the other is the all-digital instrument cluster. Both the screens’ graphics are outstanding, while the touchscreen is responsive. The multi-media system can also be controlled by the haptic pad on the central console. Unlike the previous generation, it doesn’t have any lag and is intuitive. There are also touch buttons on the steering wheel to browse through the media player and change the digital instrument cluster settings.

Mercedes has crafted five air vents inspired by a jet turbine. They look exquisite, to say the least. The A-Class Limousine is equipped with class-leading features like the smart artificial intelligence voice command or as the manufacturer calls it MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience). The AI is as receptive as Apple’s Siri and Google Assistant and it understands the Indian accent. With a simple command like ‘Hey Mercedes! I’m feeling hot, it will change the cabin temperature according to your comfort level. It also comes with connected-car technology, which is integrated into both Amazon’s Alexa and Google Home and allows you to unlock the door or switch on the air conditioner from the comforts of your home. Apart from this, it comes with the usual features like a sunroof, wireless phone charger, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 64 ambient light options, 2 zone climate control and five USB Type-C ports.

There’s a very good chance that an A-Class sedan owner might end up spending a lot of time behind the wheel rather than being chauffeured around. Keeping that in mind, the front seats are electrically adjustable and come with a memory function allowing you to save your seating position. The seats offer good lumbar support and are comfortable, especially on long drives. With 2,729mm of the wheelbase, the A-Class Limousine is the longest sedan in its segment, and this translates into a spacious cabin, especially for the rear passengers. The angular position of the backrest provides good support though the seat squab lacks under-thigh support. The Achilles heel in this segment has been the legroom for rear passengers, but Mercedes-Benz has managed to iron out this problem as there’s plenty of it. As a matter of fact, the cabin also has a roomy headroom. It’s safe enough to say that the A-Class sedan’s cabin is a comfortable place to be in.

Engine

The A-Class Limousine gets a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol motor under the hood. The engine’s capacity might not wow you, but it churns out 161bhp and 250Nm of torque. It does 0-100 km in 8.3 seconds, which is fast. According to ARAI, the A-Class sedan returns a fuel economy of 17.5kmpl, making it the best in its class. This front-wheel-drive car is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Step on the gas, and the car responds in a linear manner. However, the turbo lag can be felt; the best way to negate that is to downshift with paddle shifters’ help on the back of the steering wheel. For tackling bumper-to-bumper traffic, automatic transmission’s ensures spot-on gear shift ensuring there’s ample power available. It comes in four driving modes — Eco, Comfort, Sport and Individual. Eco, as the name suggests, is all about getting the best fuel economy. While Comfort balances power, comfort and mileage. Sport, on the other hand, is where the engine is more responsive, the rev needle holds on a bit longer and goes past the 6,000 rpm mark, the steering wheel becomes a bit heavier for better stability at high speeds, and even the suspension is firm for better handling. Also, on this mode, the turbo lag reduces significantly. The ‘Individual’ mode enables you to customise it according to your preference. The engine is fairly refined and offers optimal performance in the mid-range power band.

Signing Off

The A-Class Limousine does manage to tick a lot of boxes like styling, practicality, performance and technology. The ride quality is ideal for Indian road conditions as it carpets, ditches and potholes easily thanks to a soft suspension set up. It isn’t meant for attacking corners or taking high speed turns, but it remains stable, although the body roll can be felt. Another feather in Mercedes-Benz’s cap is that the A-Class sedan comes with the country’s first-ever eight-year warranty with unlimited kilometres. If you are looking to enter the luxury segment, then the A-Class Limousine is a car you can bank on. It will take on the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe and the upcoming Audi A3. (MT)

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JSW MG Motor India has introduced a customer programme for the MG Hector SUV during August 2026 to mark seven years of the model in India. The promotion offers benefits of up to INR 60,000, including exchange allowances, loyalty rewards, corporate incentives and price adjustments.

The MG Hector was launched in 2019 as an internet-connected passenger SUV. The range starts at an ex-showroom price of INR 1.19 million. Under the promotion, financing options include 100 percent on-road price funding for terms extending up to 84 months, alongside complete financing options for vehicle accessories.

Vinay Raina, Chief Commercial Officer, JSW MG Motor India, said, “The MG Hector has enjoyed an extraordinary journey over the past seven years, earning the trust of thousands of Indian families and redefining expectations in the SUV segment. As we celebrate this important milestone, we wanted to thank our customers with an ownership programme that delivers value far beyond the purchase of the vehicle. The Anniversary Programme reflects our customer-first philosophy and our commitment to making the MG Hector ownership experience as rewarding as the product itself.”

The vehicle features front and rear bumpers, a redesigned front grille, alloy wheels and updated exterior colour choices. Cabin updates include multi-tone interior schemes, synthetic and leather trims, front seat ventilation, an adjustable steering column and a power-adjustable driver seat.

On the inside, it gets a 14-inch portrait touchscreen display with gesture control capabilities, a digital instrument cluster and over 70 connected vehicle functions. Additional features include digital key functionality, remote air conditioning management, and automated maintenance notification systems.

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Hyundai Motor India (HMIL) has announced that it has exceeded 800,000 connected cars on Indian roads and aims to reach cumulative connected vehicle sales of one million units by 2027. The manufacturer targets crossing two million cumulative connected vehicle sales by 2030.

Connected vehicle penetration across Hyundai Motor India’s Indian product range has expanded from 4 percent in 2019 to 20 percent in 2026, supported by sales in models including the Creta, Venue and i20. The company's connected mobility infrastructure operates on its Hyundai Bluelink platform, which provides over 70 functions covering safety, security and convenience. Available systems include remote vehicle monitoring, diagnostics, location tracking, in-car payments via Hyundai Pay, remote immobilisation and voice commands supported in five languages.

Tarun Garg, MD & CEO, Hyundai Motor India, said, “The growing adoption of connected vehicles reflects the evolving expectations of customers and the increasing role of technology in shaping mobility. As we move towards our goal of 1 million connected car sales by 2027, we remain focused on advancing software-defined mobility and expanding connected technologies across our portfolio. Our upcoming mass-market electric SUV, which will offer next-generation connected car technology as standard across all variants, marks an important step in strengthening the convergence of connected and electric mobility while delivering future-ready ownership experiences for customers.”

Hyundai Motor India introduced OEM-fitted connected vehicle technology to India in 2019 with the launch of the Venue, followed by over-the-air map updates on the i20 in 2020. The company deployed its Audio Video Navigation Telematics platform in 2022, followed by its Connected Car Navigation Cockpit system with controller over-the-air update capability in 2025 to support software-defined vehicle development.

The platform has provided roadside assistance and emergency responses to over 0.5 million motorists, supported 15,000 crash notification interventions and assisted law enforcement agencies with vehicle recovery operations.

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Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPV) has announced consumer offers and vehicle special editions across its internal combustion engine and electric vehicle portfolios in Kerala for the Onam festive period.

The festival promotions run through August 2026, offering financial benefits up to INR 225,000, priority delivery slots and vehicle financing packages. As part of the seasonal campaign, the manufacturer has introduced the Sierra Jubilee Edition, Nexon Camo Edition and Punch HBX Pack to its product line-up.

The maximum benefits vary by model across both powertrain platforms – Internal combustion engine (ICE) models include benefits up to INR 54,500 on the Altroz, INR 72,500 on the Nexon and INR 77,500 on the Curvv.

The Harrier and Safari both get benefits up to INR 47,000, while the Sierra includes a loyalty benefit of INR 30,000. In the electric vehicle segment, savings up to INR 60,000 for the Nexon.ev and INR 55,000 for the Curvv.ev is being offered by the automaker. The Harrier.ev features benefits reaching INR 225,000, which includes a loyalty benefit of INR 100,000 alongside complimentary insurance coverage.

Vivek Srivatsa, Chief Commercial Officer, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, said, “Onam is a celebration of cherished traditions, meaningful reunions and the progress that every family takes pride in. It is a season of gratitude for how far they have come and optimism for the road ahead. Through our 'Celebrate How Far You've Come' campaign, we are celebrating the aspirations, achievements and milestones that make every customer's journey and success unique. Kerala has always been a deeply important market for TMPV, and we are delighted to mark this festive season with special editions, attractive offers and seamless ownership solutions across our safest and most diverse range of cars and SUVs. We look forward to celebrating with our customers their next milestone and creating many more joyful memories.”

At present, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles operates 85 service centres across Kerala to support vehicle maintenance during and after the sales campaign.

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Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPV) has launched the Nexon CAMO, a new special edition of its popular compact SUV, with prices beginning at INR 999,000 ex-showroom in Delhi. The introduction coincides with the brand’s celebration of a decade since the Nexon’s original debut and the trust of over 1.1 million customers, marking the model’s enduring success in the Indian automotive market.

The new CAMO variant distinguishes itself with two exclusive premium paint schemes, named Munnar Mist and Coorg Cloud. The former is a dynamic dark green that shifts to a sophisticated grey in shadows and reveals rich green and golden tones under sunlight. In contrast, the latter is a contemporary grey-silver finish with subtle metallic highlights, designed to offer an understated yet premium aesthetic that complements the SUV's rugged character.

TMPV has equipped the Nexon CAMO with a significant technology upgrade, headlined by an Ultra View Twin HD Digital Cockpit. This features a 31.24-cm infotainment system and a 26.03-cm digital instrument cluster, both from Harman, with the latter including embedded navigation. The technology package is further enhanced by an integrated dashcam recorder that is part of the 360-degree camera surround view system, which also includes a blind spot view monitor.

The special edition is not solely about aesthetics and screens, as it also incorporates a comprehensive suite of comfort and safety features. The cabin includes ventilated leatherette front seats, a voice-assisted panoramic sunroof, and an immersive nine-speaker JBL audio system with a subwoofer. Safety is addressed through seven Advanced Driver Assistance Systems functions calibrated for Indian roads, six airbags and electronic stability control, ensuring the CAMO is as secure as it is stylish.

Maintaining the Nexon’s hallmark versatility, the CAMO is offered across all three powertrain options: a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol, a 1.5-litre diesel and the segment-exclusive 1.2-litre turbocharged iCNG with twin-cylinder technology. With multiple transmission choices available, the automaker has positioned the Nexon CAMO as a distinctive and aspirational package for a wide range of SUV buyers, reinforcing the model's legacy of innovation as the festive season approaches.

Vivek Srivatsa, Chief Commercial Officer, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, said, "Since its launch a decade ago, the Nexon has provided comfortable, safe and enjoyable journeys for over 1.1 million families, becoming one of India's most iconic nameplates with an unmissable presence on the roads. This success has been built on constantly raising the bar in safety, technology and design while keeping these innovations accessible to a wider set of customers. The Nexon CAMO carries that spirit forward, with two striking new colours and an elevated technology package that makes it the most distinctive Nexon yet. Timed perfectly for the festive season, it gives customers an even stronger reason to make the Nexon their own."

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