Skoda Octavia RS To Make A Comeback To India This Year

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Skoda’s high-performance sedan, the Octavia RS, is all set for a comeback after a five-year hiatus with launch expected in the third quarter

The Skoda Octavia RS is returning to India, and like in the previous generation, it will arrive directly in the facelifted avatar. Skoda has confirmed that the latest Octavia RS is on track to arrive in Indian showrooms this year.

Already seen in India at Auto Expo 2025, the new Skoda Octavia RS sports the same 2.0-litre TSI turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine as the recently launched VW Golf GTI. It produces 195 kW (261 hp) and 370 Nm of torque. A 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission sends power to the wheels.

Progressive steering, an electronically-controlled limited-slip differential, and Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) adaptive suspension system are also among the technical highlights of the high-performance sedan. The car’s sports chassis gives it a 15 mm lower ground clearance compared to the regular new Octavia internationally, although this measurement could vary slightly for India.

Also Read: Skoda VW India Eyes Bigger Opportunities In The EV Space

The new Skoda Octavia RS hits 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.4 seconds and achieves an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. An “Emotion Start” feature revs up the car to 2,100 rpm on pressing the start button, resulting in a particularly sonorous exhaust note to give the driver a sense of excitement and power immediately. Stopping power comes from 340×30 mm front and 310×22 mm rear ventilated disc brakes.

Expected to be loaded to the brim, the new Skoda Octavia RS should have premium features like LED Matrix headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED rear lights with animated turn indicators and animated Coming/Leaving function, a kick-activated power tailgate, sports seats, stainless steel-look pedals, and a 13-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

Also Read: Skoda VW Model Wise Sales May 2025 – Kylaq, Virtus, Slavia, Kushaq

The previous-generation Skoda Octavia RS was initially locally assembled and priced at 24.62 lakh rupees (ex-showroom), but later, it became a CBU product costing 35.99 lakh rupees (ex-showroom). The latest model will also be imported as a CBU and be way more expensive, costing upwards of 50 lakh rupees (ex-showroom). Skoda India Brand Director Petr Janeba has said the company expects to launch it in September, just in time for the festive season. Plans for the regular new Octavia as well as the all-new Superb and Kodiaq RS are on hold in anticipation of the EU-India FTA.

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Mahindra Scorpio N Z4 AT Launched At Rs. 17.39 Lakh – Most Affordable AT

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The new Z4 AT variant of the Mahindra Scorpio N has now become the most affordable automatic offering within the lineup

Mahindra & Mahindra has reshuffled the Scorpio N’s lineup by pushing the automatic gearbox option further down the range. The Z4 variant, now available with a torque converter automatic, has become the most affordable auto trim. The petrol Z4 AT is priced at Rs 17.39 lakh while its diesel counterpart sits at Rs 17.86 lakh (both, ex-showroom).

The Scorpio N is currently one of the best-selling midsize SUVs in the country and is available in five- as well as seven-seater configurations, appealing to a wide band of consumers. Making the range more accessible, the previous entry points – the diesel Z6 at Rs 18.91 lakh and petrol Z8 Select at Rs 19.06 lakh – are now undercut by Rs 1.05 lakh and Rs 1.67 lakh respectively.

Besides the addition of new variants no changes have been made as both engine options continue unchanged in the Z4 grade. The 2.0L four-cylinder mStallion turbocharged petrol engine continues to deliver a maximum power output of 203 hp and 370 Nm of peak torque for the manual and 380 Nm for the automatic trim. The 2.2L mHawk four-cylinder diesel mill kicks out 132 hp and 300 Nm.

Image Source: Youtube/Review with ARYAN

It is also available with a six-speed manual or a six-speed torque converter automatic option. While the rear-wheel drive layout remains standard, diesel buyers can opt for a 4WD layout in the Z4 (E) trim. Inside the cabin, the 2025 Mahindra Scorpio N Z4 sticks to a 7-seat configuration and features a host of equipment pertaining to comfort, entertainment, convenience and safety.

Some of the highlights in the new Z4 trim are fabric seat upholstery, multifunctional steering wheel with mounted controls, AC vents in the middle row, a rear spoiler, LED turn signals, a set of 17-inch wheels with plastic covers, an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay interface and so on.

Image Source: Youtube/Review with ARYAN

On the safety front, Mahindra has offered dual front airbags, anti-lock brakes with EBD, ISOFIX child seat mounting points, hill descent control, hill hold assist, and three-point seatbelts for every occupant. The latest update will help strengthen the Scorpio N’s appeal – especially for customers prioritising a good value for money option.

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Mahindra XEV 9e Line-up To Expand With New 79kWh Battery Variant

Mahindra to offer 79kWh battery in more XEV 9e trims for accessibility

Mahindra is set to broaden the appeal of its all-electric XEV 9e SUV by introducing two new variants, aimed at making the larger 79kWh battery pack available to a wider set of buyers. A recent filing on the government’s transport website confirms the addition of these trims and supports earlier reports hinting at such a move.

Currently, the 79kWh battery, which delivers 286 HP and a claimed range of 656 km (ARAI), is exclusive to the top-spec Pack Three variant. The update will soon extend this high-capacity battery to the Pack Three Select trim, positioned just below the top variant. Simultaneously, the Pack Three variant will also be offered with the smaller 59kWh battery option, which produces 231 HP and provides a range of 542 km.

These changes mark a strategic shift by Mahindra in response to customer preferences. According to Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director and CEO (Auto and Farm Sector) at Mahindra, buyers are increasingly prioritising driving range over premium features such as ADAS and head-up display—both currently standard on the Pack Three.

The XEV 9e is offered in four trims: Pack One, Pack Two, Pack Three Select and Pack Three. Until now, only the Pack Three variant was being delivered. Pack Three Select deliveries began in June, while lower trims—Pack Two and Pack One—are expected to reach customers starting July and August, respectively.

This realignment of battery and feature combinations across the trims also hints at more competitive pricing, especially for the high-end Pack Three, now that it includes a smaller battery option.

The company is expected to bring similar updates to its upcoming BE 6 model, aligning its electric vehicle strategy around offering wider battery choices without locking them to the most expensive variants.

The post Mahindra XEV 9e Line-up To Expand With New 79kWh Battery Variant appeared first on MotorBeam.

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Renault Duster & Bigster To Go Hybrid In India – Here’s All You Need To Know

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Renault’s upcoming premium SUVs to be available with multiple fuel options including an electrified one for maximum fuel efficiency

Renault has some bullish plans for its highly anticipated upcoming premium SUVs – the Duster and Bigster. The company will launch both models exclusively as ICE models but will introduce their hybrid variants soon after.

To cater to all different kinds of customers, Renault is planning a wide range of powertrains for the Duster and Bigster. The company will initially serve budget-focused customers with a non-electrified petrol variant and then introduce a hybrid variant within 12 months of launch. Which hybrid powertrain is planned for our market is unclear at this point.

In Europe, Dacia offers the Duster Hybrid with a 104 kW (139 hp) 1.6-litre petrol engine and a 36 kW (48 hp) electric motor, both powering the front wheels. The latter feeds off a 1.2 kWh battery pack. The hybrid SUV consumes 5.0 litres per 100 km, which converts to a fuel economy of 20 km/l. According to a report from Autocar, there’s talk of a 4×4 hybrid variant as well, with a second electric (traction) motor powering the rear wheels.

Also Read: 4 Upcoming Renault & Nissan SUVs In India To Wait For

Dacia’s Bigster Hybrid has a 115 kW (154 hp) 1.8-litre petrol engine and a 36 kW (48 hp) electric motor, also both driving the front wheels. The latter gets its juice from a 1.4 kWh battery pack. Interestingly, despite being bigger, more powerful, and heavier, the Bigster Hybrid consumes 4.7 litres per 100 km, which translates to a fuel economy of 21 km/l. Do note that this one’s a two-row SUV, while the model coming to India will be a three-row SUV.

In addition to hybrid, the all-new Renault Duster and the Renault Bigster could be offered in a CNG variant. Seeing the growing demand for CNG models in India, Renault has started offering offer retrofitment CNG kits for the Kwid, Kiger, and Triber. For the Duster and Bigster’s case, the company could be considering a factory-fitted solution.

Also Read: Discounts Of Up To Rs. 90K On Renault Cars In June – Triber, Kiger, Kwid

Dacia Bigster

The all-new Renault Duster’s production is set to commence in September, with market launch expected at the start of 2026. The Renault Bigster, which will compete with the Hyundai Alcazar, could be launched in the second half of 2026.

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Top 10 7-Seaters May 2025 – Ertiga, Scorpio, Carens, Innova, Safari

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In the month of May 2025, Maruti Suzuki Ertiga retained the top spot in the 7-seater sales table ahead of Scorpio, Bolero, Innova and XUV700

The utility vehicle sales in India for the month of May 2025 showed some steady performances from established models with a few contenders apparently struggling and here we focus on the top 10 7-seaters. Familiar nameplates continued to dominate the rankings which are led by Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki and Toyota.

Topping the list was the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, recording 16,140 units for the month. The domestic tally reflected a 16 per cent improvement over the same period last year, reinforcing its position as the go-to multi-seater for many Indian families and fleet operators alike especially in the affordable space.

Following closely behind, Mahindra’s Scorpio registered 14,401 units, a 5 per cent increase from May 2024. Available in both Scorpio Classic and Scorpio N forms, the Scorpio line continues to thrive across a wide customer base. Another strong performer in Mahindra’s stable, the Bolero, maintained its footing with 8,942 units sold.

Pic Source: Basavraj Kalyanshetti

Rank	Model	May 2025	May 2024
1	Maruti Suzuki Ertiga (16%)	16,140	13,893
2	Mahindra Scorpio (5%)	14,401	13,717
3	Mahindra Bolero (11%)	8,942	8,165
4	Toyota Innova (4%)	8,882	8,506
5	Mahindra XUV700 (28%)	6,435	5,245
6	Kia Carens (−15%)	4,524	5,316
7	Maruti Suzuki XL6 (8%)	3,507	3,241
8	Toyota Fortuner (6%)	2,571	2,422
9	Toyota Rumion (0%)	1,917	1,919
10	Tata Safari (−33%)	1,109	1,661

This led to a notable 11 per cent growth year-on-year. The utilitarian character and mechanical simplicity of the Bolero remain key factors behind its continued appeal for over two decades now. To further improve its volume figures, Mahindra appears to be planning to introduce a brand new version of the Bolero Neo in August 2025.

The Toyota Innova Crysta and Hycross nameplates together amassed 8,882 units – taking the fourth spot in the top ten list last month. The two-model approach seems to be working as the Hycross complements the traditional Innova with a hybrid edge. The combined sales reflected a 4 per cent increase in sales for the highly popular model.

In fifth place stood the Mahindra XUV700 which reached 6,435 units in May. With a 28 per cent year-on-year gain, the SUV continues to benefit from its loaded features list, powerful drivetrains and an expansive range. The XUV700 will receive a mid-life facelift sometime next year in India. Kia’s Carens saw a volume of 4,524 units representing a 15 per cent drop compared to May last year.

Meanwhile, Maruti Suzuki’s XL6 improved its numbers slightly, recording a total of 3,507 units with an 8 per cent gain. The Fortuner from Toyota remained a consistent seller, moving 2,571 units with a modest 6 per cent rise year-on-year. The Rumion, also part of Toyota’s MPV offerings, stayed flat with 1,917 units. Meanwhile, the Tata Safari faced a noticeable decline as it managed 1,109 units in May, a significant 33 per cent slide from its performance in the same month last year – steepest drop among the top ten.

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Maruti Suzuki Baleno Awarded 4 Stars In Bharat NCAP Crash Tests

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Maruti Suzuki Baleno has secured four stars in Bharat NCAP with 24.04 out of 32 points for adult occupant safety and 34.81 out of 49 points in child occupant category

Maruti Suzuki Baleno has earned a 4-star crash safety rating under the Bharat NCAP assessment. The tested models – Delta AGS and Alpha AGS trims – weighed in at 1,220 kg, featured six airbags as standard. It must be noted that protection levels in side pole impact scenarios were among the stronger points in the Baleno’s crash test report.

It garnered 24.04 out of 32 points for adult occupant safety. The occupant survival space remained stable and the car’s structure provided consistent shielding during lateral impact. However, in the side moving barrier test, chest injury metrics dropped to a marginal level, even though the head and abdomen areas stayed within acceptable thresholds.

The frontal crash outcomes told a slightly different story. While the head and neck zones were well guarded for both front passengers in the offset barrier test, the driver’s chest saw only marginal protection. The belt pre-tensioners and load limiters were present for both front seats but no such features extended to the rear which added to the car’s uneven protection profile.

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki May 2025 Sales Analysis – Dzire, Ertiga, Brezza, Swift, Baleno

On the child safety front, the premium hatchback recorded 34.81 out of 49 points. The dynamic crash simulation using child restraints netted 16.81 points out of 24 while CRS compatibility scored a clean 12 out of 12. Still, a weaker showing on the vehicle-level evaluation – only 6 out of 13 – held back the total. Contributing factors included missing ISOFIX tags in the front, no integrated booster seats and the absence of a passenger airbag cut-off switch.

The hardware fitted to the tested variants reflected an intent to comply with evolving safety expectations. Curtain airbags were available across both rows, pelvis and side chest airbags protected front occupants and standard ESC met UN and AIS-133 requirements. Seatbelt reminders across all three seating zones along with pedestrian protection compliance under AIS-100, rounded out the assist tech list.

Also Read: New Dzire Is India’s First Compact Sedan To Secure 5 Stars In Bharat NCAP

Despite a commendable attempt at offering wide-ranging protection, the Baleno’s shortfall in rear occupant restraint and moderate chest protection outcomes prevented it from breaking into the top bracket. With slightly better weight distribution or more complete restraint coverage in the rear, the final score might have edged closer to that of the 5-star rated new Dzire.

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New Dzire Is India’s First Compact Sedan To Secure 5 Stars In Bharat NCAP

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Under the adult occupant protection category, the Dzire accumulated 29.46 points out of a total 32 while the child occupant score stood at 41.57 out of 49

The Maruti Suzuki Dzire has broken new ground in India’s sedan segment by becoming the first of its kind to receive a 5-star crash safety rating under the Bharat NCAP protocol – a certain milestone in a space often dominated by SUVs on the safety charts. Under the adult occupant protection category, the new Dzire accumulated 29.46 points out of a total 32.

The child occupant score stood at 41.57 out of 49, positioning it among the highest scoring models tested so far for rear seat safety. One of the more rigorous evaluations involved the side pole impact scenario where the car offered strong resistance across all monitored regions – no critical lapses were reported in occupant protection for that test.

The new generation Maruti Suzuki Dzire made its market debut in November 2024 and it has been well received by customers. It was even the most sold PV in India last month. Back to the rating, in a separate side impact test using a moving barrier, head and abdominal areas were rated as well-protected while chest impact resistance was noted as adequate.

Also Read: 5 Upcoming Maruti Suzuki SUVs You Should Wait For In India

The frontal offset barrier crash revealed mostly positive outcomes. Both driver and front passenger had good shielding for head and legs but the chest protection for the driver alone was flagged as marginal – a dent in an otherwise well-rounded performance. Child safety results came through a combination of dynamic crash trials and child restraint system evaluations.

The Dzire posted a near-maximum dynamic test score of 23.57 out of 24 while CRS installation compatibility returned a perfect 12 out of 12. The remaining category – vehicle-level assessments such as labelling, warnings and seat anchorage visibility delivered a lower 6 out of 13. The cumulative results were enough to seal a 5-star overall rating, placing the Dzire in a safety league that no other Indian compact sedan has entered yet.

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki Garners Over 1.80 Lakh Unit Sales In May 2025

While its sub-four-metre footprint might suggest limited capability, its structure and restraint systems have demonstrated resilience under a variety of crash loads. The Bharat NCAP publication of the results adds weight to the growing push for better safety compliance in mass-market cars, particularly in the compact category.

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