Autocar Professional - Latest Articles

Tata Motors Expands BaaS Across Entire EV Line-Up

Dev Vadchhedia — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 17:23:58

Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles announced that it has expanded its Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) program across its full electric vehicle line-up. Initially introduced for the Tiago.ev hatchback and Punch.ev compact SUV, the dual-loan financing framework now covers the Nexon.ev, Curvv.ev, Sierra.ev, and Harrier.ev.

Introductory prices for the EVs see a considerable drop with the BaaS programme, starting from Rs 4.69 lakh for the Tiago.ev, Rs 6.59 lakh for the Punch.ev, Rs 8.99 lakh for the Nexon.ev, Rs 10.99 lakh for the Curvv.ev, Rs 11.99 lakh for the Sierra.ev and Rs 14.49 lakh for the Harrier.ev.

Tata EV BaaS Per-Km Cost by Model

Per-kilometre BaaS prices (based on an estimated 60 km daily run) start at Rs 2.6 per km for the Punch.ev, Rs 4.4 per km for the Nexon.ev, Rs 5 per km for the Curvv.ev, Rs 5.5 per km for the Sierra.ev and Rs 5.9 per km for the Harrier.ev. The Tiago.ev is priced at Rs 2.6 per km albeit on an estimated 44 km daily run.

How Tata's Battery-as-a-Service Dual-Loan Model Works

Under the structure, the car and its battery are financed through separate loan accounts with independent tenures, lowering initial vehicle acquisition costs across segments. Tata said battery equated monthly instalments are determined by pack capacity, down payment terms, and loan duration, with operational charging expenses, maintenance, and vehicle repairs excluded from the battery fee.

Vivek Srivatsa, Chief Commercial Officer at Tata Motors, said, "As BaaS becomes an increasingly visible construct in the EV market, we want to ensure that customers evaluating a TATA.ev have complete flexibility to make a fair and transparent comparison. Extending BaaS across our portfolio gives them precisely that choice."

Mahindra Plans Up To Rs 25,000 Cr Capex by FY2028 as ICRA Reaffirms AAA Rating

Dev Vadchhedia — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 16:49:06

ICRA has estimated that Mahindra plans to deploy capital expenditure between Rs 20,000 crore and Rs 25,000 crore across its automotive and farm equipment segments over FY2027 and FY2028, as the credit rating agency reaffirmed its ratings for the automaker.

ICRA upheld its AAA rating with a stable outlook for the long-term borrowing programmes of Mahindra, alongside reaffirming its A1+ rating for short-term facilities.

The capital expenditure will be financed via internal accruals and liquid reserves to support product development, scaling electric vehicles and manufacturing footprint additions, including a proposed greenfield facility at Nagpur.

Mahindra SUV Market Share and Key Risks Flagged by ICRA

ICRA also highlighted operational and financial headwinds, led by intense competition in the SUV segment where entry of rival models and limited initial presence in the compact segment saw M&M's share decline from 25.4% in FY2018 to 15.0% in FY2022 before rising to 20.3% in Q1 FY2027. In addition, select international subsidiaries and loss-making overseas operations continue to require funding support.

Mahindra's Rs 1,150 Crore Rated Debt Facilities

The ratings review covers total rated debt and bank facilities aggregating Rs 1,150 crore, comprising a Rs 500 crore non-convertible debenture programme, Rs 6.25 crore in long-term non-fund based facilities, and Rs 643.75 crore in short-term non-fund based instruments.

Why ICRA Reaffirmed Mahindra's AAA Rating

The reaffirmation reflects the company's healthy operational cash flows, positioning across domestic tractors and utility vehicles, and strong liquidity backed by sizeable cash reserves and an extensive quoted investment portfolio.

Renault India Sees Hybrids As Major Volume-Generating Powertrain In Medium Term

Kiran Murali — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 13:19:19

Strong hybrid vehicles are likely to emerge as a major volume-generating powertrain in the Indian market over the medium term, as diesel demand declines and electric vehicles take longer to become the dominant technology, according to Renault India's Vice President for Sales and Marketing Francisco Marques.

Renault is set to introduce its first strong hybrid model with the Duster next month, as the French automaker enters a market where hybrid sales remain limited. Marques said the company expects the technology to play a much larger role as India's auto market moves through an energy transition.

“Now hybrid is the perfect transition. And when I talk about transition, it is not for a short time or about one year or two years. Hybrid is going to be the main volume-making technology probably for the next 10, 15 or 20 years to come,” Marques said.

Why Diesel Is Declining and EV Adoption Is Slower in India

He said diesel vehicles would decline and electric vehicles are still not ready to become the only technology in the market. At the same time, the availability of charging infrastructure and charging capacity would limit the pace of EV adoption.

“Until EVs become something more, then there will be hydrogen. So I see diesel declining, I see a strong hybrid growing very fast. And it's related to the offer,” he said.

India's car market is increasingly seeing multiple powertrain technologies develop alongside each other, including hybrids, CNG and electric vehicles, rather than one single technology replacing another immediately.

Renault Skips Diesel for Strong Hybrid With E-Tech Localisation

“So we have decided to go straight into hybrid, jumping over diesel. And that will have the first-mover advantage,” Marques said.

Marques said the company believes the technology can attract customers who would otherwise consider diesel vehicles. Renault plans to localise its E-Tech hybrid technology in India.

Renault India's Seven-Model Portfolio and Upcoming SUVs

The company is also preparing to expand its product portfolio here. Renault has announced plans to expand its product portfolio to seven models. That will include a new seven-seater SUV, a sub-4-metre SUV based on its Bridger concept and another model that has not yet been disclosed.

Renault Dealership Network to Reach 500 Showrooms by 2027

The automaker also plans to expand its retail network to nearly 500 showrooms by the end of 2027 from more than 350 currently. It has added more than 50-60 touchpoints this year and plans to continue expanding the network as new models are introduced.

Renault India Eyes 500 Showrooms By End Of 2027

Kiran Murali — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 13:14:55

Renault India plans to expand its retail network to nearly 500 showrooms by the end of 2027 as the French carmaker prepares to add several new models to its portfolio here, according to Renault India's Vice President for Sales and Marketing, Francisco Marques.

Renault currently has more than 350 showrooms in India and has added more than 50-60 touchpoints this year, including new showrooms and workshops. The company plans to keep expanding the network as it introduces new products, Marques said.

“Every time we are going to be launching a car, it [addition of 50-60 touchpoints] will continue,” he said. “By the end of 2027, we will have launched all the new cars.”

Renault India Upcoming Cars: Seven-Seater SUV And Bridger-Based SUV

Renault has announced plans to expand its product portfolio to seven models. Currently, it has four models – the Kwid, Kiger, Triber and Duster. Three new products will include a seven-seater SUV, a sub-4-metre SUV based on its Bridger concept and another model that the company has not yet disclosed.

Why Renault Is Moving To Smaller Showrooms In Big Cities

The showroom expansion will not simply involve adding outlets, with Renault also planning to change the format and location of some dealerships. The company is moving towards smaller showrooms, particularly in large cities where rental costs have increased, while using digital displays to showcase a wider range of vehicles.

“The future is not so much into having a lot of sales points. It's not so much about the volume and the quantity, but about the quality and being right at the right place,” Marques said.

The company also plans to adjust its retail strategy to match different customer groups and its expanding product range, he said. Customers are increasingly researching vehicles online before visiting dealerships, making showroom visits more focused on pricing, testing and experiencing the vehicle.

Renault's E-Tech Hybrid Plan For India

Renault is also betting heavily on strong hybrid technology as it expands its portfolio. Marques said the company expects hybrids to become a major volume-generating technology in India as diesel demand declines and electric vehicles take more time to become the dominant technology.

“Hybrid is going to be the main volume-making technology probably for the 10, 15 or 20 years to come,” he said.

Renault plans to localise its E-Tech hybrid technology in India and is targeting customers who may otherwise consider diesel vehicles. “We have decided to go straight into hybrid, jumping over diesel. And that will have the early mover advantage,” Marques said.

Renault Triber 100PS Launched At Rs 7.84 Lakh, Debuts RGEP

Eshisha Java — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:25:40

Renault India has launched the Triber 100PS in India at an introductory price of Rs 7.84 lakh (ex-showroom), with the model becoming the first vehicle in the country to use Renault Group’s new Renault Group Entry Platform (RGEP). The Triber 100PS is available in Evolution, Techno and Emotion variants, with prices extending up to Rs 8.99 lakh.

The new version is powered by Renault’s turbocharged TCe 100 petrol engine, producing 100hp and 180Nm. Renault says the Triber 100PS has a certified fuel efficiency of 21kpl while retaining the existing model’s sub-four-metre footprint and five-, six- and seven-seat configurations.

Unlike a powertrain-only update, Renault says the Triber 100PS has been comprehensively re-engineered around the new platform. Changes include a new Renault Engine Management System (R-EMS), revised thermal management, structural enhancements, suspension revisions, anti-roll bars, MTV Damper Technology, braking calibration and vehicle-dynamics tuning for Indian road conditions.

Renault Triber 100PS Gets New RGEP Architecture

The Triber 100PS is the first Renault India model based on the Renault Group Entry Platform. According to Renault, the architecture has been developed to accommodate different powertrain solutions and evolving regulatory requirements, while providing the basis for changes to performance and ride and handling characteristics.

The engineering changes extend to the vehicle’s thermal-management system. The Triber 100PS uses a Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) cooling fan, which Renault says allows more precise cooling management and improved energy efficiency.

The company says the combination of the new powertrain and engineering revisions enables 21kpl certified fuel efficiency. Renault has positioned the 100PS version as a higher-output petrol option while retaining the Triber’s existing modular seating layout.

Triber 100PS Retains Five-, Six- And Seven-Seat Layouts

The Triber 100PS retains the model’s modular seating system, allowing configurations for five, six or seven occupants. Equipment includes Easy-Fix third-row seats, slide-and-recline second-row seats and one-touch tumble access, with multiple passenger and luggage configurations.

The sub-four-metre vehicle uses a 1.0-litre petrol engine and qualifies for the 18 percent GST rate applicable to small petrol cars, according to Renault. The company says more than 2.5 lakh Triber units have been sold in India.

Renault lists a 625-litre boot capacity with five seats, 182mm of ground clearance and 23 litres of interior storage. The model also gets roof rails with a stated load-carrying capacity of up to 50kg.

Renault Triber 100PS Features And Safety Equipment

Depending on the variant, the Triber 100PS is equipped with an eight-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a digital LED instrument cluster, automatic air-conditioning, cruise control, wireless charging, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlamps and a Smart Access Card.

Independent rear air-conditioning with vents for the second and third rows is also available. Safety equipment includes six airbags and 21 safety features as standard. Higher variants add features such as front parking sensors, a rear-view camera with guidelines and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

Renault Triber 100PS Price In India

The Triber 100PS is available with the turbo TCe 100 engine and manual transmission in three variants:

Variant	Price (ex-showroom)
Triber 100PS Evolution	Rs 7,84,900
Triber 100PS Techno	Rs 8,53,900
Triber 100PS Emotion	Rs 8,99,900

The standard Triber range continues to include Energy petrol variants, with prices listed from Rs 5,80,875 for the Authentic Energy MT to Rs 8,52,950 for the Emotion Energy AMT.

Renault India said the Triber 100PS forms part of its futuREady India strategy, under which the company plans to introduce new products, architectures and technologies adapted for the Indian market. The company has also described the Triber 100PS as part of a programme covering 12 product interventions over 18 months.

Renault India Head of Engineering Dr Vikraman Vellandi said the development involved integrating the engine, thermal-management, structural, suspension, braking and vehicle-dynamics systems rather than simply adding the new powertrain.

The Triber 100PS is manufactured at Renault India’s Oragadam facility in Chennai.

New Skoda Slavia Production Begins Ahead Of Festive Season

Eshisha Java — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 11:42:20

Škoda Auto Volkswagen India (SAVWIPL) has commenced production of the new Škoda Slavia at its Chakan manufacturing plant in Pune. Production has begun ahead of the 2026 festive season, a period when passenger vehicle purchases typically increase.

The new Slavia receives updates to its design, technology, comfort and safety equipment. The sedan has recorded nearly 80,000 units in sales in India since its launch, with the company stating that it holds around a 30 percent share of its segment.

The updated model retains its existing safety credentials while gaining an eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission paired with the 1.0 TSI engine. Other additions include a rear-seat massage function, a 360-degree Area View camera and next-generation infotainment with an AI Companion powered by Google Cloud.

New Skoda Slavia Gets Eight-Speed Automatic

The new Slavia continues with its existing European engineering and five-star Global NCAP safety credentials. The major mechanical update listed by Škoda is the introduction of an eight-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox with the 1.0 TSI engine.

The sedan also gains a segment-first rear-seat massage function and a 360-degree Area View camera. Its infotainment system has been updated with an AI Companion powered by Google Cloud.

Skoda Slavia Production At Chakan Plant

The new Slavia is being manufactured at SAVWIPL's Chakan facility in Pune. The company operates two manufacturing facilities in India with a combined annual production capacity of 315,000 units.

SAVWIPL crossed two million locally produced vehicles in 2025. Under its 'Made in India for India and the World' approach, the company has exported more than 725,000 vehicles to over 40 countries.

The company also operates an expanded Technology Centre in Pune, which supports localisation, product development and adaptation for Indian and international markets.

Škoda Auto's Chief Production Officer Andreas Dick said the start of Slavia production further reflects India's role within the company's global manufacturing network. Piyush Arora, Managing Director and CEO of SAVWIPL, said production of the updated sedan demonstrates the company's local development and manufacturing capabilities.

India's Top Six Automakers Tighten Grip on Market as Smaller Players Fight for Survival

Autocar Professional Bureau — Sun, 27 Sep 2026 16:57:07

India's six largest passenger vehicle manufacturers have continued to consolidate their hold on the country's car market in 2024, collectively accounting for 92.1% of sales through August — up from 90.7% in the full calendar year 2023. The 1.4 percentage point shift, in a market approaching five million units annually, translates to roughly 60,000 units of market share moving away from smaller players.

Speaking on the latest episode of Autocar India's Deep Drive podcast, Hormazd Sorabjee and Ketan Thakkar noted that the six automakers — Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Kia, Tata Motors, Mahindra and Toyota — are each in the midst of large-scale capacity expansions.

Announced investments across the group total approximately ₹1.87 lakh crore, with planned capacity additions ranging from 1.7 million to 2.4 million units. Maruti Suzuki alone has added two plants this year, increasing capacity by half a million units, and has outlined a target of 3.5 million vehicles by around 2030, including exports. Hyundai is reportedly studying the feasibility of a third factory in India — in Gujarat or Maharashtra — as it targets 1.2 million units of domestic production.

By contrast, the brands outside this group — including Volkswagen, Skoda, Renault, Nissan, Citroen, Jeep and Stellantis — are collectively producing fewer than three lakh units for the Indian market annually, with multiple brands competing for that volume. Analysts note that at this scale, companies lack the resources to invest in new products or powertrains, further weakening their competitive position.

Structural Disadvantages Compound the Problem

A key factor cited for the underperformance of European brands is their reliance on turbocharged petrol engines, which represent a relatively small segment of the Indian market. High-volume sales in India are driven largely by naturally aspirated petrol engines, CNG variants and diesel — powertrains that Skoda, Volkswagen, Renault and Citroen have limited or no presence in. Maruti Suzuki, whose portfolio is built around naturally aspirated and CNG engines, remains the market leader with a share estimated at around 40%.

The top players' product decisions have also been more closely aligned with Indian buyer preferences. Kia's launch of a diesel variant of the Sorento in 2026 — despite diesel's declining long-term outlook globally — is one example of tailoring to local demand. Hyundai's upcoming large SUV offering with both diesel and strong-hybrid options reflects a similar approach.

Smaller Players Turn to Partnerships for Survival

Faced with limited scale and constrained investment capacity, several smaller automakers are pursuing alliances with Indian companies. Volkswagen and Skoda are in discussions for a joint venture with JSW Group, though the deal has not been finalised. Stellantis has engaged Tata Motors for product co-development. Honda, meanwhile, is reported to be outsourcing platform development to Tata Technologies, infotainment to TCS, and is in discussions to source engines from Horsepowertrain — a departure from its historical identity as an engine manufacturer. Honda currently produces around 100,000 vehicles annually in India from its Tapukara facility.

JSW MG Motor is the one outlier among the smaller players, maintaining volume momentum through electric vehicles, though it remains an unproven long-term force at scale.

Export Routes Offer Limited Relief

Exports have provided some cushion for manufacturers outside the top six, but the volumes remain modest. Attempts to access European markets have largely stalled. Skoda's Kushaq, developed specifically for India, was considered as a potential export candidate for Europe but that plan has been set aside, with regulatory compliance for Euro 7 standards and adaptation costs cited as barriers. European brands manufacturing in India have also lacked sufficient volume to build the cost base needed for competitive export pricing.

With capacity investments by the top six on track to push their combined share toward 95–98% by the early 2030s, the structural gap between market leaders and fringe players is expected to widen. For companies outside the dominant group, alliances and partnerships are increasingly the primary path to remaining viable in the Indian market.

Industry observers have noted that the Indian government expects more global competition to enter the market, with several Chinese automakers reported to be seeking entry — a development that could either intensify competition further or provide partnership opportunities for struggling brands.

Mumbai Driving Scores Fell During Ganeshotsav, Data Shows

Autocar Professional Bureau — Sun, 27 Sep 2026 13:36:06

Driving scores recorded by Zuno SmartDrive among Mumbai motorists declined during the first eight days of Ganeshotsav 2026, with the share of trips classified as clean runs falling from 73.7% to 56.2%, according to an analysis of 219 scored car trips from drivers across two comparable periods. The analysis was published on 22 September 2026 and covers trips made during 14 to 21 September — the period beginning on Ganesh Chaturthi — set against those recorded in the days immediately before the festival.

The data comes from Zuno SmartDrive, a driving-score feature of Zuno General Insurance. The comparison is internal: the analysis measures Mumbai against itself, not against another city or a national average. Figures described as findings cleared a two-proportion z-test at the 95% confidence level; other figures are noted in the published methodology as descriptive.

The analysis draws on 114 scored car trips from 42 Mumbai drivers in the pre-festival period and 105 trips from 40 drivers during the eight festival days. Percentages are calculated only among trips carrying a driving score, as the proportion of recorded trips that receive a score was still changing as SmartDrive adoption grew in the period.

Key Findings

How the scoring system works

The SmartDrive score is measured on a scale of 0 to 100 and reflects five aspects of how a car was driven: speed, braking, acceleration, cornering and phone use. A score of 95 or above is classified as a clean run, defined as a drive with no sharp or sudden events across any of those five dimensions. A single hard brake or a tight corner can move a trip that would otherwise score a 96 down to a 93, dropping it from clean-run to the next band.

The system does not assess road conditions, traffic density or whether a route was diverted. It records the car's movements and scores them against consistent thresholds regardless of context. This matters for interpreting Ganeshotsav findings: what the data records is how the car moved, not why it moved that way.

Where the missing clean runs went

When a city-level average falls, the common assumption is that more drivers were performing badly. The Ganeshotsav data does not support that reading for Mumbai. Trips scoring below 85 rose from 7.0% to 8.6%, a shift of under two trips in a hundred that did not reach statistical significance.

The band that grew was the 90-to-95 range, which nearly doubled from 12.3% to 24.8% of all trips. Drives that had previously cleared the clean-run threshold by a small margin appear to have slipped below it, while trips at the lower end of the scale did not increase materially. The analysis describes the conclusion in direct terms: the drives that left the top band went one step down, not to the bottom.

This distinction carries practical weight. A city where scores dropped because more drivers were braking sharply and handling phones at speed tells a different story from one where the distribution shifted because congested roads and tighter corners introduced single events into otherwise smooth drives. The Mumbai data is more consistent with the latter.

What individual score components showed

For a smaller subset of trips — those that Mumbai customers opened in the app — the five components of the driving score could be examined separately. This group comprised 281 trips from 58 drivers before the festival and 152 trips from 41 drivers during it. Because this is a more self-selected and engaged group than the headline sample, the analysis treats component-level figures as showing direction only, not magnitude.

Braking scores improved from 89.25 to 91.43 across the two periods. Phone-use scores improved from 94.02 to 95.81. Speed scores showed almost no movement, going from 95.07 to 95.03. Acceleration scores fell slightly, from 91.71 to 90.87. Cornering scores fell from 93.32 to 90.9.

The braking improvement is notable given that the overall clean-run rate declined. It suggests drivers were braking earlier and more gently — a pattern consistent with anticipating pedestrians stepping into traffic near pandals or procession routes. Cornering scores fell, which the analysis attributes to turns being physically tighter during the festival, rather than drivers taking corners more aggressively. Speed, which is the component most directly controlled by the driver independently of road conditions, did not change.

Late-night driving and the shift in timing

The single largest proportional shift in the dataset was in trips beginning between midnight and 4am. One trip in 114 fell in that window in the pre-festival period. During the festival, 10 trips in 105 did. The analysis notes this is the sharpest single change in the data and is consistent with festival observances — particularly the aarti, which can run late into the night — creating journeys that would not otherwise occur.

The distribution of driving across the day changed in other ways. Trips taking place between 11am and 5pm fell from 34.2% of all recorded drives to 23.8%, though this figure did not reach the significance threshold used in the analysis and is noted as descriptive. Evening and night driving rose correspondingly. The shift indicates that during Ganeshotsav, Mumbai's driving activity moved later in the day across the sample, with afternoon activity giving way to drives concentrated in the early evening and beyond.

Longer trips and what they may reflect

Trips of 15 kilometres or more rose from 19.3% of Mumbai's recorded drives to 33.3% during the festival. Short trips under 2 kilometres declined. The median trip distance moved from 4.6 km to 6.6 km, though that specific change only reached a p-value of 0.10 under the Mann-Whitney test used for distance data — above the 0.05 threshold — and is not presented as a standalone finding. The share of longer trips did clear the test.

The analysis identifies two plausible explanations for the increase in longer drives but does not claim to distinguish between them. Roads closed around procession routes or pandals would add distance to journeys that would ordinarily be shorter, routing drivers around sections of the city they would normally pass through. Separately, people driving further across the city to visit family or attend specific pandals would also produce longer trip distances. Both effects may be present simultaneously, and the data — which carries no route, pin code or locality information — cannot separate them.

The analysis carries no locality or sub-city information. There is no Lalbaug figure, no Andheri figure, and no ward or pin-code breakdown. The data records a city and nothing finer, so no area-level conclusion can be drawn and none is offered.

The data also does not constitute evidence of worse driving in any general sense. The proportion of trips scoring below 85 — the range that would indicate consistently poor driving events — was statistically unchanged. The analysis is explicit about this: the sample measured how cars moved, not how the city was arranged. Conclusions are confined to the four findings in the table and do not extend to broader assessments of driver behaviour or road safety.

Weekend-specific figures are published in the methodology appendix rather than the main analysis. Weekend trips scoring 95 or above fell from 55.2% to 43.6%, and weekend driving after dark rose from 37.9% to 59.0%, but both figures are drawn from counts in the teens and thirties and are presented for completeness rather than as reportable findings.

The analysis uses a two-proportion z-test at the 95% confidence level for all percentage-based comparisons, Welch's t-test for average scores, and the Mann-Whitney test for trip distance, given that distances are skewed and a mean would be misleading. A test result below 1.96 — or a p-value above 0.05 — means the sample cannot separate the observed change from noise. The analysis does not claim this means the change is absent, only that the sample is insufficient to establish it.

Percentages are calculated over trips that carry a driving score. Roughly half of recorded trips receive a score, and that proportion varied between the two periods. Using a denominator that mixed scored and unscored trips would introduce distortions that are not present in the underlying driving patterns.

Tata Aeris: Can aggressive Pricing and Rich Features Bring Buyers Back to Sedans?

Ketan Thakkar — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 19:05:51

A family enters a Tata Motors dealership looking at a sedan but leaves with a Punch. Vivek Srivatsa, chief commercial officer of Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, heard versions of this story as the company tried to understand why its entry sedan was losing buyers.

“A lot of people come to see sedans. But they end up buying something else,” Srivatsa said. The parents might favour a sedan, while their child wants the SUV. Its cabin and features can make the Punch an easier car for the salesman to sell.

Tata spent roughly 18 months to two years speaking to customers, dealers and sales staff before deciding what should follow the Tigor. Buyers still valued a sedan’s separate boot, passenger space and more settled highway ride. Some hatchback owners continued to see a three-box car as a clear upgrade.

Yet at the dealership, those qualities were not enough to keep every family interested.

A Sedan at a Hatchback Price

The Aeris is Tata’s response. It starts at an introductory ₹5.29 lakh, ₹1,01,600 below the Maruti Suzuki Dzire and ₹71,000 below the Hyundai Aura. It also starts ₹54,900 below the Swift and ₹69,900 below the Baleno. The comparison is between entry petrol manual variants at ex-showroom prices.

That puts a sedan within the budget of someone shopping for a hatchback. Tata’s launch pitch was explicit: buyers should not have to make several upgrades before they can afford the three-box car they want.

Anand Kulkarni told Autocar Professional that hatchback owners are likely to be a principal source of Aeris customers. He also expects the car to win some buyers from rival sedans.

The low entry price gets Aeris into those conversations, but does not settle them. The ₹5.29 lakh Smart does not carry every feature Tata has used to promote the car. Petrol manual prices extend to ₹8.19 lakh; petrol AMTs cost ₹6.69 lakh to ₹8.74 lakh.

CNG manuals start at ₹6.29 lakh, while CNG AMTs run from ₹7.69 lakh to ₹9.74 lakh. Buyers seeking the fullest equipment package will have to compare higher variants, where the difference in price against rivals may narrow. All Aeris prices are introductory.

A New Name for a Different Buyer

Tata has changed whom the sedan is meant to serve. The company says Aeris will never be sold to fleets. That business remains with Xpres-T, which will have its own design and product identity. Kulkarni confirmed that the Tigor name is being retired.

The decision followed a finding from Tata’s research: a fleet operator and a family may both value economy, but they judge a car differently. The fleet owner focuses on operating costs, maintenance and uptime. A private buyer also cares about how the car looks, feels and fits into daily life.

“Different customers with different expectations should have distinct products built around their specific needs,” said Shailesh Chandra, managing director and CEO of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles.

Aeris carries considerable responsibility within Tata’s portfolio. It is likely to be the company’s only sedan for private buyers, and it enters a segment in which Tata has little presence. “We are insignificant right now,” Chandra said when asked about its compact sedan share during the transition.

The lead held by established rivals is substantial. Maruti Suzuki dispatched 18,418 Dzires in August 2026, followed by 6,685 Hyundai Auras and 3,512 Honda Amazes. Tata dispatched 862 Tigors. Dzire represented about 62% of the combined sales of those four models.

These figures include fleet sales, so they do not measure each car’s position among private buyers alone. They do show why Tata needs more than a modest improvement on the Tigor.

Chandra’s case for investing in a sedan rests on volume rather than market share. He estimates that compact sedans sold roughly 3.4–3.5 lakh units last year, up from around 2.7 lakh five years earlier. Their share of India’s passenger vehicle market has fallen as SUVs have grown faster, a trend he expects to continue. Tata estimates that about 65% of compact sedan buyers purchase for personal use.

“The volume has been growing in a growing market but the share has been dropping,” Chandra said. Tata believes there are enough private buyers within that smaller slice of the market to support a car developed specifically for them.

More Than a Price Cut
The company has revised the X-Alpha architecture for Aeris, including its electrical and electronic systems. Six airbags are standard. Higher variants offer a 10.25-inch touchscreen, ventilated front seats, a 360-degree camera, blind-view monitoring and an integrated dashcam recorder.

Tata has also worked on the rear suspension, steering, visibility and ease of entry, and moved the boot hinges outside the usable luggage area.

Those changes address what customers told Tata they liked about sedans and what its dealers said was missing. The boot remains important, particularly for hatchback owners considering an upgrade.

A more comfortable cabin and richer equipment give sales staff something to show the rest of the family. Tata says its chassis work improves ride quality, although that claim will need to be judged on the road.

CNG is just as important to the car’s prospects. Chandra said it accounts for around 60% of compact sedan sales, including 53% of purchases by private buyers. Aeris offers petrol and CNG with both manual and AMT transmissions.

Its twin-cylinder CNG arrangement leaves usable luggage space, while the car can start directly on CNG. Tata quotes a 419-litre boot for the petrol version; its technical sheet does not specify a CNG boot volume.

An electric Aeris is possible but has not been committed to production. Kulkarni said the architecture can accommodate one. Chandra wants demand in the ₹8–15 lakh EV market to grow before adding another electric model alongside the Tiago, Punch and Nexon EVs.

Tata has not disclosed an Aeris sales target. Chandra said production has been planned well above its previous private sedan volumes, with room to increase output if demand exceeds expectations. The company says it can adjust the petrol and CNG mix on the line as orders develop.

Aeris has a price that should bring hatchback shoppers through the door and a stronger product case than the Tigor was able to make. Whether it can win them over is less certain. It has to persuade buyers to pay for the higher variants they want, compete with the Dzire’s scale, and prevent the family that came looking for a sedan from leaving in an SUV.

Renault Duster Hybrid Launch Date Confirmed for October 17

Autocar Professional Bureau — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 17:53:06

Renault is set to launch the Duster strong-hybrid in India on October 17. The hybrid will become the third powertrain option for the midsize SUV, joining the existing 1.0-litre and 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engines.

Called the E-Tech hybrid system, the powertrain draws on technology and experience from Renault’s Formula 1 programme, according to the company.

Renault Duster Hybrid Gets 1.8-litre Petrol Engine

The Duster’s strong-hybrid system combines a 1,789cc naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine with two electric motors. One electric motor produces 20hp and acts as a generator, while the second produces 49hp and drives the wheels. Combined system output stands at 160hp and 172Nm.

The system is supported by a 1.4kWh battery pack and uses a multi-mode automatic transmission to send power to the wheels.

Renault E-Tech Differs from Toyota Hybrid System

The Duster’s E-Tech setup works differently from the full-hybrid system used by the Toyota Hyryder, Maruti Grand Vitara and Victoris.

While Toyota’s system uses an e-CVT and power-split device, Renault’s hybrid transmission uses fixed gear ratios and can shift between them. As a result, engine rpm can rise and fall more like a conventional automatic, with gear engagements possible as the system switches between electric drive, petrol-engine drive and combined operation.

The Duster also uses a larger 1.4kWh battery than the 0.60kWh unit used by the Toyota hybrid system.

Up to 80 Percent of City Driving in EV Mode

As with other strong hybrids, the E-Tech system can use electric power during low-speed driving, recover energy through regenerative braking and switch off the petrol engine when it is not required.

Renault claims that 80 percent of city driving can be completed in EV mode. Actual fuel efficiency will depend on factors such as traffic, speed, ambient temperature and driving conditions.

Duster Hybrid Rivals

The hybrid powertrain gives the Duster an alternative to the diesel engine option that is absent from the new-generation model.

It will compete directly with the Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder and Maruti Victoris, all of which offer strong-hybrid powertrain options in the midsize SUV segment.

With the addition of the E-Tech system, the Duster will offer buyers three powertrain choices, giving Renault a broader powertrain spread in the segment.

VIDEO: Goodbye Tigor, Hello Tata Aeris | CNG, No EV Yet | Anand Kulkarni

Autocar Professional Bureau — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 17:41:13

Tata Motors has entered the compact sedan segment with the new Aeris and retired the Tigor name. At the launch, we spoke to Anand Kulkarni of Tata Motors about why the company chose a new nameplate, who the car is aimed at, and whether an Aeris EV is on the cards.

Kulkarni says the compact sedan segment sells around 3.5 lakh units a year, about 65 percent of it to personal buyers, and has only four players. The Aeris targets these private buyers, mainly hatchback owners looking to upgrade. Fleet buyers will continue to be served by the Xpres-T, including its EV version.

He also explains the features Tata is using to stand out, including ventilated seats, a built-in dashcam, a 360-degree camera and a rear seat reclined to 27 degrees. On CNG, the Aeris gets Tata's twin-cylinder iCNG setup, which keeps more boot space and lets the car start directly in CNG mode.

Although the Aeris platform can take an electric powertrain, Tata says there is no EV for now because it already has three EVs at this price point.

In this interview:

• Why Tata dropped the Tigor name
• Who the Aeris is built for
• Fleet vs personal buyer strategy
• CNG demand and production planning
• Is an Aeris EV coming?
• Taking on the segment leader

Exclusive: Honda to Source Horse 1.2-litre Engine for New Compact SUV

Ketan Thakkar — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 11:50:31

Honda Cars India is in talks with Horse Powertrain to outsource a 1.2-litre engine with petrol, hybrid and CNG options for an upcoming compact SUV, Autocar Professional has learnt.

Horse Powertrain is a joint venture between Renault Group and Geely, with Saudi Aramco as a shareholder, and it specialises in combustion and hybrid powertrains. It already has a foothold in India: the new Renault Duster, due to launch on October 17, will use a Horse 1.8-litre hybrid.

The company is keen to grow its customer base among Indian carmakers and is understood to be planning a local engine plant. Fully localised engines would give buyers like Honda a significant cost advantage.

For Honda, the move would be a major departure. Engines have long been the heart of its cars, and its reputation for performance, efficiency and reliability is built on them. Handing over this core component would once have been unthinkable.

However, Honda faces pressure on two fronts with its current 1.2- and 1.5-litre petrol line-up: It must meet tightening emission and fuel-efficiency norms, and it must offer the multiple fuel options Indian buyers increasingly want, especially CNG. Developing all of that in-house for a price-sensitive segment is costly, and sourcing a ready multi-fuel engine family would solve both problems at once.

The upcoming compact SUV is understood to be under evaluation with an existing Honda platform used in Indonesia. A price range of Rs 9 lakh to Rs 12 lakh and an October 2028 start of production have been discussed as project targets. Honda has not confirmed the vehicle or its specifications.

A New Way of Working

The engine discussions are part of a radical change in Honda’s strategy to develop cars for India, with specialist partners taking on a larger share of the work from the outset.

Tata Technologies is being engaged for vehicle design and engineering execution, while TCS is expected to work on the infotainment system. Honda wants design, testing and supplier development to proceed in parallel, helping it bring new vehicles to market faster.

The company is targeting a reduction in the development cycle for a full model change from around 49 months to about 30 months. This is a target for its proposed development process, not a confirmed timeline for the compact SUV.

Honda's new approach starts with the specifications and price required for India, rather than adapting a global product late in its development. The company would retain responsibility for overall vehicle performance targets and final validation, while engineering partners take a greater role in design, verification and supplier management.

Asked about the reported arrangements, Honda Cars India declined to confirm specific partners or programmes. "We work with a wide ecosystem of technology, engineering and supplier partners. However, we do not comment on specific partners, sourcing discussions or future powertrain programmes," a company spokesperson told Autocar Professional.

"Honda is continuously strengthening its product development capabilities in India, with the objective of developing products that are increasingly relevant to Indian customers while also leveraging India's growing engineering capabilities," the spokesperson added.

Cost competitiveness is central to the plan. Honda intends to make greater use of Indian engineering and suppliers while retaining its vehicle performance and durability targets. It also sees an opportunity to attract customers moving from two-wheelers to their first car. Many of them currently choose rival car brands despite owning a Honda two-wheeler.

PF2 Platform Plan Dropped
Separately, Autocar Professional understands that Honda has dropped the PF2 platform project, which had been expected to form the basis of the next-generation City sedan and Elevate SUV. The decision raises questions about which platform Honda will use for the successors to two of its key India models.

Honda Cars India declined to confirm the change. "We do not comment on speculation regarding specific future platforms or product-development programmes," the spokesperson said.

The company stressed that the decision should not be read as a plan to discontinue either model. "City and Elevate are important models for Honda in India, and both will continue to play an important role in our business," the spokesperson said.

Details of their future generations, platforms and technologies will be announced at the appropriate time, the spokesperson added. Honda declined to identify the architecture for future India-bound EVs.

It said India would play an increasingly important role as a manufacturing and development base, with future products drawing on Honda's global electrified technologies and local engineering capabilities.

Suzuki Plans Standard ADAS Features for Future India Range, Including Affordable Cars

Ketan Thakkar — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 11:08:37

Suzuki Motor Corporation plans to make core ADAS safety features standard on future vehicles in India, including affordable models, as it develops a lower-cost system suited to the country’s traffic conditions. “But fitting expensive advanced driver assistance systems only to a few luxury cars does not reduce accidents across society,” said Katsuhiro Kato, Suzuki’s chief technology officer, at the company’s technology strategy briefing on Friday.

Kato said that Suzuki intends to make safety functions such as automatic emergency braking and lane departure prevention standard, while allowing customers to choose additional comfort functions. The company has not named the first Maruti Suzuki models to receive the system or given a rollout date.

Suzuki cited India’s 177,000 road deaths in 2024 and the large number of vehicles it sells in the country in explaining its focus. Kato said that the company wants to deploy 'just-right ADAS' suited to India’s traffic conditions across all vehicles including affordable price ranges.

To bring down costs, Suzuki plans to use high-resolution cameras and AI chips, integrate driver and occupant monitoring with ADAS, and remove the front radar from its proposed configuration.

Kato said that the company is seeking “major cost reductions” while maintaining “equal or better safety performance”. Those are development aims; Suzuki has not released performance results for a production system.

Suzuki calls its broader approach “SDV Right”. It plans to identify the functions customers need and combine electronic systems where possible. Its next-generation architecture would bring communication, power distribution and body-control functions into a Central Zone ECU.

Suzuki estimates that the controller could cost about 30% less and weigh about 15% less than its conventional arrangement. These figures apply to the controller, not the whole vehicle.

Kato said that Suzuki is working on safety from two directions: a lighter body designed to protect occupants in a crash, and ADAS intended to prevent accidents. Making the ADAS system standard across future vehicles would take the technology beyond higher-priced models and into the affordable cars that account for much of Maruti Suzuki’s India sales.

Tata Motors Positions New Aeris to Attract Premium Hatchback Buyers

Kiran Murali — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 16:53:36

Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles is positioning its new Aeris compact sedan as an alternative for aspirational buyers in high and premium hatchback segment.

The company believes that customers traditionally move from a hatchback to a premium hatchback before eventually moving to a sedan or SUV as their budgets allow.

With the Aeris, Tata Motors wants to reduce those steps and allow customers to move directly to an aspirational sedan.

“What if a customer looking at a hatchback today didn't have to make two or three upgrades before bringing home the sedan they aspired to,” Managing Director Shailesh Chandra said.

"It is almost a no brainer solution for premium hatch buyers as well," Chandra added.

The Aeris replaces Tata Tigor in the personal commute segment. The management attributed 65% of the demand in the entry sedan segment to personal commute, while the remaining 35% comes from fleet. The Tigor Xpress range will continue to service the fleet segment, with Tata stating the Aeris will not be sold to fleet buyers.

The sedan market today sells around 3.5 lakh units annually with 80-85% of the demand coming from the entry sedan segment, which includes the Maruti Suzuk Dzire and the Honda Amaze, apart from the new Aeris.

The company said the Aeris, priced between Rs 5.29-9.74 lakh, combines the practicality traditionally associated with sedans with a more premium design, technology and comfort, while retaining an accessible proposition.

Compared to other entry sedans and premium hatchbacks, the Aeris is priced aggressively. For instance, the new Maruti Suzuki Baleno is priced in the range of Rs 5.99-9.99 lakh while the Hyundai i20 is in the range of Rs 5.99-10.63 lakh. In the sedan space, the Dzire is priced between Rs 6.30-9.54 lakh.

“With Aeris, we are making it an aspirational one," he said while describing the positioning of the car's CNG version.

Tata Motors described the cars pricing as “accessibility value proposition”, saying it wanted to bring the aspiration of owning a sedan within reach earlier than customers might expect.

Meanwhile, the company is also trying to give the Aeris a premium image among compact sedans. Martin Uhlarik, Chief Design Officer at Tata Motors, said the objective was to make the car approachable and accessible while giving it a level of prestige and premiumness.

“Even if it is a compact sedan, it has to have all the attributes, all the values that people associate with a sedan, which means a certain premiumness, a certain attention, and a cultivated taste,” Uhlarik said. He said the design was intended to make the car feel “one class bigger than it actually is”.

Honda Cars India Partners with CSB Bank for Retail Vehicle Loans

Dev Vadchhedia — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 14:22:54

Honda Cars India annouced that it has entered into a partnership with CSB Bank to offer passenger car loans across its authorized dealer network.

The partnership covers financing across Honda's passenger car line-up, which includes the City, Amaze, Elevate, and the ZR-V SUV ahead of the upcoming festive season.

The arrangement includes credit facilities for new car purchases, used vehicle loans, and financing mechanisms planned for upcoming EV launches.

Kunal Behl, Vice President, Marketing and Sales, Honda Cars India, said, "With this partnership, we aim to make vehicle ownership more accessible and affordable for our customers right from day one."

Tata Motors PV Warns of Further Commodity Cost Impact, May Take Additional 3% Hit

Kiran Murali — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 13:33:24

Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles expects further pressure from rising commodity costs, with the impact potentially equivalent to around additional 3% of revenue, according to a senior company official.

The company has already seen a commodity cost increase equivalent to about 4% of revenue in the first quarter, while the impact was around 2% of revenue last year, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles MD Shailesh Chandra said.

“The quarter 1 we had mentioned that it was about 4% of revenue as the commodity increase. And last year we faced about 2%. This quarter would also be significant increase in commodity price,” he said, adding the additional impact could be around 3% of revenue, with a variation of 0.5 percentage points.

The increase in commodity costs comes amid geopolitical issues seens iver the last five to six months and has become a big cause of concern for the industry. “Cost side is impacted significantly. I have been talking about it,” Chandra said.

He said the company was unable to pass on the increase in costs to customers at the same pace, putting pressure on its margins.

“And the concern for us as a business is that it is not possible to pass on these increases to the market at the speed at which the prices have increased on that side," he said.

"So, that remains a matter of concern, which creates immense margin pressure and immense effort, you know, from a cost reduction perspective."

He added that Tata Motors is working to reduce costs faster while also taking progressive price increases to cushion the impact of input cost inflation. “You are forced to take progressive price increases and residual you are taking as a margin impact,” he said.

The comments come after Tata Motors saw a significant decline in first-quarter profit, with weakness in its JLR business and commodity cost inflation weighing on earnings.

Tata Motors PV’s EV Penetration Hits 25%, says Demand 3x of Supply

Kiran Murali — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 13:30:04

Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles’ electric vehicle penetration jumped to around 25% this year, with demand for its EVs nearly three times the supply it is currently able to provide, according to its Managing Director Shailesh Chandra.

Chandra said the company’s EV penetration has risen from around 14% last year to roughly 25% currently, with demand growing faster than its ability to produce vehicles.

Tata Motors EV sales hit a new high of 16,549 units in August, while January-August number was at 93,164 units, surpassing 2025’s 81,125 units.

“The demand generation side, which is more on the booking side, it would have crossed 30% [if there was enough capacity],” Chandra said. “But inability to supply is holding that penetration. So, it is more supply side constraint.”

He said Tata Motors’ monthly EV production capacity has more than doubled from an average of around 7,500-8,000 units last year to more than 16,000 units currently.

“Last month, we have now ramped up the capacity beyond 16,000. So, we have doubled it,” Chandra said. The company is working to increase production further each month.

The supply constraint is mainly linked to the time needed for suppliers to expand capacity, rather than a lack of manufacturing capacity within Tata Motors, he said.

“Within Tata Motors, I can shift the capacities from here to there. But supply chain is a long walk,” Chandra said. Suppliers need to receive production schedules well in advance to expand capacity.

Higher fuel prices following geopolitical uncertainty has contributed to the shift towards EVs, but accordimg to him the change is now becoming more fundamental.

At the industry level, EV penetration has increased to around 8% from 4.5%, Chandra said, adding that it hit double digit next financial year.

“The shift is from 4.5% penetration of the industry to now 8%. And as I said, that next financial year, I clearly see that it might get into double digit,” he said.

Tata Motors’ EV demand comes in the back of new launches, higher vehicle ranges, faster charging and greater confidence in charging infrastructure and the technology.

Amongst other mainstream PV makers here, Tata Motors have the largest EV portfolio with seven models - the Tiago EV, Nexon EV, Punch EV, Harrier EV, Curvv EV, Tigor EV/Xpres-T (for fleet buyers), and the recently launched Sierra EV.

Tata Motors Launches Aeris Compact Sedan, Priced from Rs 5.29 Lakh

Dev Vadchhedia — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 13:26:47

Tata Motors has launched the Tata Aeris, the facelift/replacement for its Tigor sub-four-metre compact sedan with prices starting from Rs 5.29 Lakh for the petrol variants and Rs 6.29 Lakh for the CNG variants. The Aeris is structured across five trims: Smart, Pure, Pure+, Creative, and Accomplished.

Tata Motors said that the Aeris will only be sold to individiual customers, with fleet owners continuing to be sold the older Tigor (rebadged as the Xpres on the fleet model). "Aeris will never enter the fleet segment, creating a clear separation between the two propositions and giving Aeris an identity unmistakably its own," the automaker stated.

Exterior Updates

Visually, the Aeris retains the Tigor’s notchback-style roofline. Updates include a wide lower grille, LED headlamps with integrated daytime running lights, LED tail-lamps, textured wheel arch cladding, chrome-finished door handles, a dual-tone black roof, and a shark fin antenna.

The Aeris is available across six paint options: Nitro Crimson, Dandeli Drizzle, Pure Grey, Daytona Grey, Dune Glow, and Pristine White.

Powertrain Configuratons

Under the hood, the Aeris retains a 1.2 litre, three-cylinder Revotron powertrain available in petrol and CNG configurations.

In petrol specification, the engine develops 86 PS of power and 113 Nm of torque, paired with either a five-speed manual or a five-speed automated manual transmission (AMT).

The CNG powertrain produces 75.5 PS and 96.5 Nm of torque, offered with the same manual and AMT options as the petrol version. The CNG model uses Tata's twin-cylinder tank setup that preserves 419 litres of usable boot capacity.

The fuel capacity is rated at 35 litres for petrol, while the CNG system carries a 70-litre water-capacity tank volume.

Interior Updates

Inside the cabin, the Aeris introduces ventilated front leatherette seats, a factory-fitted digital video recorder dashcam, a blind-view monitor, a dual smartphone deck with wireless charging, and an AMT rotary gear selector with paddle shifters.

Infotainment is managed via a 26.03 cm touchscreen paired with a 12.7 cm digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a six-speaker audio setup.

Other cabin features include fully automatic climate control, rear air-conditioning vents, and 65-watt Zipfast USB Type-C charging ports for front and rear passengers.

Aeris Dimensions

The Aeris measures 3,995 mm in length, 1,684 mm in width, and 1,532 mm in height, with a 2,450 mm wheelbase.

Chassis hardware incorporates an independent lower wishbone MacPherson strut front suspension with coil springs and a semi-independent closed-profile twist beam with dual-path struts at the rear.

Braking is handled by front discs and rear drum brakes, with wheels ranging from 14-inch steel wheels on entry variants to 15-inch diamond-cut alloys on higher variants.

A render from Tata Motors showing the Aeris CNG's boot capacity

Safety Features

On the safety front, the Aeris integrates six standard airbags across all variants, an Electronic Stability Program suite, ABS, hill-hold assist, a 360-degree camera, a tyre pressure monitoring system, and Isofix child-seat anchors.

The CNG variants incorporate dedicated safety systems, including an integrated single electronic control unit, direct CNG ignition startup, leak detection sensors, and enhanced rear crash structures around the cylinders.

Aeris Full Price List

All prices in Rs lakh

Introductory prices for the Aeris start at Rs 5.29 lakh for the entry-level Smart petrol MT variant and top out at Rs 9.74 lakh for the flagship Accomplished CNG AMT model.

The petrol line-up opens with the Smart manual at Rs 5.29 lakh, moving to Rs 6.14 lakh for the Pure, Rs 6.74 lakh for the Pure+, Rs 7.49 lakh for the Creative, and Rs 8.19 lakh for the Accomplished.

The petrol AMT powertrain is available from the Pure trim onward, priced at Rs 6.69 lakh, Rs 7.29 lakh for Pure+, Rs 8.04 lakh for Creative, and Rs 8.74 lakh for Accomplished.

Across the CNG versions, prices for the CNG manual begin at Rs 6.29 lakh for the Smart persona, progressing to Rs 7.14 lakh for Pure, Rs 7.74 lakh for Pure+, Rs 8.49 lakh for Creative, and Rs 9.19 lakh for Accomplished.

The CNG AMT options start at Rs 7.69 lakh for the Pure variant, rising to Rs 8.29 lakh for Pure+, Rs 9.04 lakh for Creative, and peaking at Rs 9.74 lakh for the range-topping Accomplished trim.

Suzuki Outlines Path to 100 kg Vehicle Weight Cut by 2030

Kiran Murali — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 13:06:35

Suzuki Motor Corporation says it has found a way to cut the weight of a vehicle by upto 120 kg by 2030 while meeting safety requirements, through changes to how a car’s body manages the force of a collision.

Rather than adding more reinforcement to make a structure stronger, Suzuki, in its technology briefing, said it is studying how to control its deformation and preserve space between the engine and occupants.

"Rather than simply strengthening the body, we control the impact by optimizing the crash stroke - securing sufficient deformation space between the engine and the occupants - meeting safety standards while suppressing weight increase," the automaker said.

"To do so, each division pooled its know-how, for example by moving the engine forward, and we optimized structure and layout across the whole vehicle. By further reviewing materials, individual parts, and specifications, we have a clear
path to a 100 kg weight reduction by 2030. Including future ideas, we are studying
a reduction of up to 120 kg."

Its engineers are reviewing the position of heavy components, including the engine, as well as the shape and materials of individual parts.

The work brings together Suzuki’s body, powertrain, electrical and production teams. The company says improvements across the whole vehicle, including the use of high-strength

The plan comes at a time weight has become harder to contain as safety requirements tighten and vehicles gain more equipment. Suzuki says simply strengthening the body can add both mass and cost. Its approach is to consider how the vehicle absorbs and directs crash forces from the start of the design process.

The effort also supports Suzuki’s work on powertrain efficiency. A lighter vehicle needs less energy to move; in an EV, that could help deliver the required range without increasing battery size. Suzuki has made appropriately sized batteries another focus of its technology strategy.

Thia should help Suzuki manage safety, fuel efficiency and cost as it develops new petrol, hybrid and electric models. Suzuki has not identified a production vehicle or the baseline for its 100 kg target.

Suzuki Developing New Turbo Engine for India with Focus on Performance, Efficiency

Kiran Murali — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 12:53:30

Suzuki Motor Corporation is developing a new direct-injection turbocharged engine for growth markets including India, with the aim of combining stronger performance with lower fuel consumption.

Suzuki identified the engine, referred to as DITC in its technology briefing, as one of the technologies it is preparing for future vehicles.

India is among the markets it specifically named for the project. The company has not disclosed the engine’s size, power output or first model application.

Wider Powertrain Efforts

The decision to develop another combustion engine comes as Suzuki widens its work on hybrids and electric vehicles.

Its strategy calls for different powertrains in different markets, according to local energy supply, infrastructure and customer needs.

For India, where Suzuki is also investing in CNG and biogas, improving the efficiency of petrol engines remains part of that approach.

Thermal Efficiency Targets

Separately, Suzuki outlined a broader research goal for its combustion engines: moving beyond the current range of around 40% thermal efficiency and working towards 50%. Thermal efficiency measures how much of the energy in fuel an engine converts into useful power.

That research draws on work done for the Z12E engine and examines ways to reduce heat lost through cooling and exhaust, friction within the engine, and the energy needed to draw air in.

Suzuki cited lean combustion, waste-heat recovery and lower-viscosity oil among the measures under study. It did not say which of these would feature in the production DITC engine.

A India-focused turbo engine project could provide another powertrain option for Maruti Suzuki as its widens its product portfolio here.

The company did not disclose which model will receive the new engine or when it will enter production.