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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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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India's automobile retail sector has entered a ‘golden festive phase,’ according to data released by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), which detailed vehicle registrations for September and the Navratri festival period in 2025.

The data reveals overall September retail sales came at 1.82 million vehicles, up 5.22 percent YoY, but the highlight was the unprecedented 34 percent surge in vehicle retail sales during the Navratri festival, which FADA dubbed a ‘Bachat Utsav’ (Savings Festival). Interestingly, compared to August 2025, the retail sales dropped by 6.98 percent.

On the other hand, the Navratri period delivered a historic high for the sector, with overall retail sales soaring by 34 percent YoY. Every major segment registered strong double-digit growth, except for Construction Equipment (CE), which declined due to heavy rains slowing activities.

• Two-wheelers led the charge with a 36 percent increase, driven by improved affordability and festive offers.
• Passenger vehicles saw a robust 34.8 percent rise, as new buyers and upgraders took advantage of lower prices.
• Commercial Vehicles (CV) grew by 14.8 percent, reflecting optimism in infrastructure and easier financing.

The remarkable festive growth is being attributed to the 'GST 2.0' tax reforms, which lowered Goods and Services Tax rates on vehicles, effectively boosting affordability for consumers.

September 2025 proved to be an unusual month, with sales remaining muted for the first three weeks. However, demand dramatically revived after 22nd September, coinciding with the implementation of the new GST rates and the start of Navratri.

Sai Giridhar, Vice-President, FADA, said, "September 2025 was an exceptionally unique month for India’s automobile retail industry. The first three weeks were largely muted, with customers holding back in anticipation of the GST 2.0 reforms. However, the dynamics changed dramatically in the final week as Navratri festivities coincided with the implementation of lower GST rates, reviving customer sentiment and accelerating deliveries across most vehicle categories."

Passenger Vehicle (PV) dealers also used the final surge to replenish stock, pushing inventory levels up to approximately 60 days in preparation for the upcoming peak sales season of Dhanteras and Deepawali.

Giridhar hailed the performance, said, "Navratri 2025 will go down as one of the most memorable chapters in India’s automobile retail journey — a true ‘Bachat Utsav’ unleashed by the visionary GST 2.0 reform. For the first time ever, dealerships across the nation witnessed record-breaking footfalls and deliveries."

Robust Outlook

FADA is highly optimistic about the near-term outlook, predicting that India is on track for its best-ever festive season. The combination of favourable factors – including an above-normal monsoon, a strong harvest, stable policy rates and the transformational impact of GST 2.0 – is set to boost consumer purchasing power across rural and urban markets.

The momentum is expected to carry through October, with Dhanteras and Deepawali forecast to deliver all-time high sales figures, ushering the Indian auto retail sector into a new phase of growth.

Lead image: For representational purposes only.

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Mercedes-Benz India has reported its most successful September on record, achieving a significant 36 percent year-on-year growth in sales. This exceptional performance is largely credited to the government's recent GST 2.0 reforms, which stimulated market demand and converted customer interest that had been deferred since mid-August into purchases. This positive momentum was particularly evident during the Navratri festival, where the company retailed 2,500-plus units, marking its highest-ever sales for the festive period.

This record-breaking September also propelled the company to its best-ever second-quarter sales performance for the fiscal year 2025-26, with a total of 5,119 units sold. This quarterly success was anchored by consistent demand across two key vehicle categories. The 'Top-End Luxury' segment, including models such as the GLS, S-Class and Mercedes-Maybach, achieved a 25 percent share of total sales and grew by 12 percent year-on-year. A notable trend within this segment is hyper-personalisation, with the bespoke 'manufaktur' programme contributing to 75 percent of all top-end vehicle sales. Simultaneously, the 'Core Luxury' segment, which includes the Long-Wheelbase E-Class, GLC and GLE, maintained a dominant 60 percent penetration of overall sales and grew by 10 percent. The E-Class sedan, in particular, solidified its position as the highest-selling luxury car in India.

The company’s electric vehicle (BEV) portfolio also saw robust growth, maintaining an eight percent penetration rate and growing by 10 percent, driven by strong demand for models like the EQS SUV. However, the 'Entry Luxury' segment experienced a decline, facing stiff competition from more affordably priced alternatives in the market. Overall, the results underscore a strong market preference for Mercedes-Benz's high-end and electric vehicles, setting a new benchmark for the brand's performance in India.

Santosh Iyer, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said, “Mercedes-Benz clocked its best-ever September sales owing to an overwhelming customer response following the GST 2.0 reforms, culminating the pent-up demand. Our attractive new portfolio combined with innovative financial programmes under the ‘Dream Days’ campaign, resulted in overwhelming demand for Mercedes-Benz cars in the luxury market. We expect this festive buying spirit to continue in October as well, with upcoming festivities including Dhanteras and Diwali, which traditionally witness spirited buying from customers. While there was strong demand across the portfolio, we recorded the highest ever monthly sales for key products like the Long Wheelbase E- Class, GLC, GLE, GLS and G63 AMG SUVs. The reduction in the GST rates has certainly improved customer sentiment with its appropriate timing as car prices are increasing owing to macro-economic challenges like adverse forex movement, rising operational cost etc. We hope this buoyant spirit sustains for the remaining festive season as we continue to observe market trends closely, remaining cautiously optimistic.”

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Mumbai-based automotive major Mahindra & Mahindra has introduced the new Bolero range with prices starting INR 799,000 (ex-showroom), with the new top-end B8 variant priced at INR 969,000 (ex-showroom). The new Bolero Neo starts at INR 849,000 (ex-showroom), with the new top-end N11 variant at INR 999,000 (ex-showroom).

With a history of 25 years and over 1.6 million customers, the Bolero remains a versatile SUV, navigating diverse terrains from city streets to rural landscapes, offering adaptability and value.

The new Bolero features a new grille, fog lamps and diamond-cut alloy wheels. Inside, the Bolero offers a new 17.8 cm touchscreen infotainment & music system, steering-mounted controls and leatherette upholstery with better seat comfort. The RideFlo ride and handling tech gives better stability and control, with improved suspension. The Bolero is powered by the mHAWK75 engine delivering power of 55.9 kW and 210 Nm torque, with body-on-frame construction. The company has also introduced a new Stealth Black colour, along with existing colours.

On the other hand, the new Bolero Neo combines toughness with urban style. It features a sleek new grille with horizontal accents and dark metallic grey R16 alloy wheels. Interior theme options are Lunar Grey and Mocha Brown. Comfort features include leatherette upholstery and better seat ergonomics. It has a 22.8 cm infotainment system, a rear-view camera and a USB C-type charging port. The RideFlo tech, along with MTV-CL and Frequency Dependent Damping (FDD), ensure smooth rides. It is powered by the mHAWK100 engine delivering power of 73.5 kW and 260 Nm torque and includes cruise control and Multi-Terrain Technology (MTT) for better traction. New colours include Jeans Blue and Concrete Grey, plus three dual-tone options.

Nalinikanth Gollagunta, Chief Executive Officer – Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “The Bolero has stood the test of time, earning its place as one of India’s most versatile and tough SUVs for over 25 years. Building on this enduring legacy, the new Bolero range has been thoughtfully designed to meet the aspirations of a dynamic and rapidly evolving New India. With a perfect blend of toughness, contemporary styling, enhanced comfort, and modern features, the new Bolero and Bolero Neo deliver a powerful SUV experience that shines equally in urban environments and challenging terrains.”

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