First Batch Of Kodiaq RS Sold Out In Just 6 Minutes – Fastest Skoda SUV In India

GaadiWaadi -

Skoda Kodiaq RS first batch is limited to 50 units and the 265 hp 4×4 SUV has sold out within minutes of bookings opening

Skoda Auto India has sold out the first batch of the Kodiaq RS in just six minutes after bookings opened. The company had allocated only 50 units for the initial import batch and customers could reserve the SUV for a token amount of Rs. 3 lakh. Prices have not been announced yet and the launch is expected in the coming weeks.

The Kodiaq RS will sit at the top of the Kodiaq range – positioned above the Laurin & Klement variant. Skoda has built the RS name into a strong enthusiast label in India since the first Octavia RS arrived here more than two decades ago. The latest Octavia RS, launched in 2025, also sold out quickly, taking just 20 minutes to find takers.

The India-spec Kodiaq RS uses a 1,984 cc four-cylinder TSI turbo-petrol engine. The 2.0-litre unit develops 195 kW, which equals 265 hp, between 5,000 rpm and 6,500 rpm. Peak torque stands at 400 Nm between 1,650 rpm and 4,350 rpm, while transmission duties are handled by a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox.

The 4×4 system is standard on the RS – helping it become the quickest and fastest Skoda SUV offered in India. The SUV can accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in 6.3 seconds, while top speed is electronically limited to 231 kmph. Progressive Steering, drive modes and Dynamic Chassis Control Plus are also part of the package.

The Kodiaq RS rides on 20-inch Elias alloy wheels wrapped in 235/45 R20 tyres. The spare wheel is an 18-inch steel space-saver unit. The suspension layout uses McPherson struts at the front and a multi-element rear axle, while disc brakes are offered at all four corners.

The SUV measures 4,761 mm in length, 1,864 mm in width and 1,682 mm in height. The wheelbase stands at 2,789 mm, while ground clearance is rated at 194 mm. Boot space is listed at 281 litres, 786 litres and 1,976 litres depending on the seat configuration. The kerb weight stands at 1,902 kg and gross weight is 2,500 kg.

The exterior receives RS front and rear bumpers, glossy black styling elements, black roof rails, black window surrounds, a rear spoiler, red detailing between the tail lamps and RS badging. The SUV also gets LED Matrix headlights, Adaptive Front Light System, all-weather lighting, cornering function, a front grille light strip and LED tail lamps carrying dynamic indicators.

The cabin gets black leather upholstery, red stitching, aluminium pedals, scuff plates and a three-spoke leather steering wheel with paddle shifters. The feature list includes a 26.03 cm Virtual Cockpit, 32.77 cm touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 725 W Canton audio system, 13 speakers, subwoofer, three-zone climate control, panoramic sunroof and ventilated wireless charging for two phones.

The post First Batch Of Kodiaq RS Sold Out In Just 6 Minutes – Fastest Skoda SUV In India appeared first on Gaadiwaadi.com - Latest Car & Bike News by Surendhar M.

from Gaadiwaadi.com – Latest Car & Bike News https://ift.tt/xwd1my0

Top 10 Bikes Sold In May 2026 – Splendor, Shine, Pulsar, Apache, Classic

GaadiWaadi -

In the table of top 10 bikes sold in May 2026, Hero Splendor led the way ahead of Honda Shine, Bajaj Pulsar, Hero HF Deluxe and TVS Apache

The Splendor from Hero MotoCorp led the motorcycle sales chart in May 2026 with 3,48,115 units – up from 3,10,335 units sold during the same period last year. The commuter motorcycle added 37,780 units on a year-on-year basis and registered 12.17 per cent growth – keeping a very large gap over every other model in the table.

The Honda Shine finished second but its numbers slipped marginally compared to the same month last year. The motorcycle recorded 1,55,441 units in May 2026 against 1,58,271 units during the corresponding period twelve months ago – resulting in a decline of 1.79 per cent. The Bajaj Pulsar took third position with 1,24,270 units – up by 2,119 units from 1,22,151 units as it posted 1.73 per cent growth.

The Hero HF Deluxe saw the sharpest fall in the list. The model stood at 66,722 units last month as its sales were down from 1,07,768 units in May 2025. The year-on-year drop stood at 41,046 units with a decline of 38.09 per cent. Despite the fall, the motorcycle held fourth position in the overall chart. TVS Apache ranked fifth with 53,900 units compared to 49,099 units last year.

No.	Top 10 Bikes May 2026	May 2026 Sales	YoY Growth
1	Hero Splendor	3,48,115	12.17%
2	Honda Shine	1,55,441	-1.79%
3	Bajaj Pulsar	1,24,270	1.73%
4	Hero HF Deluxe	66,722	-38.09%
5	TVS Apache	53,900	9.78%
6	Honda Unicorn	34,925	22.05%
7	TVS Raider	34,852	-1.55%
8	Royal Enfield Classic 350	34,594	20.84%
9	Bajaj Platina	26,467	-5.20%
10	Royal Enfield Bullet 350	23,372	35.26%

The popular offering gained 4,801 units and recorded 9.78 per cent growth. In the second half of the table, the Honda Unicorn took sixth place with 34,925 units – up from 28,616 units. The gain stood at 6,309 units while growth reached 22.05 per cent. The TVS Raider took seventh position with 34,852 units in May 2026.

The model had recorded 35,401 units during the same period in 2025 – leading to a small drop of 1.55 per cent. The Royal Enfield Classic 350 was close behind at 34,594 units – improving from 28,628 units last year. The increase stood at 5,966 units while the Bajaj Platina ended ninth with 26,467 units as against 27,919 units in May 2025.

Royal Enfield Bullet 350

The motorcycle lost 1,452 units and posted a 5.20 per cent decline. The Royal Enfield Bullet 350 completed the list with 23,372 units – rising from 17,279 units last year. The model added 6,093 units and delivered the highest percentage growth in the top 10 at 35.26 per cent. As the Splendor stayed dominant by volume, models like Bullet 350, Unicorn, Classic 350 and Apache registered healthy gains.

The post Top 10 Bikes Sold In May 2026 – Splendor, Shine, Pulsar, Apache, Classic appeared first on Gaadiwaadi.com - Latest Car & Bike News by Surendhar M.

from Gaadiwaadi.com – Latest Car & Bike News https://ift.tt/l7ZsLS6

Force Motors Produces 2,00,000th Mercedes-Benz Engine At Chakan Facility

Force Motors has achieved a significant manufacturing milestone with the production of its 2,00,000th Mercedes-Benz engine at its Chakan plant near Pune. The achievement highlights the long-standing industrial partnership between the Indian automaker and the German luxury car brand.

The landmark engine is an M256 six-cylinder petrol unit, which has been fitted to a Mercedes-Benz GLS 450. The milestone underscores the scale of localised manufacturing operations that support Mercedes-Benz’s presence in India.

Force Motors has been associated with Mercedes-Benz for nearly three decades, having started engine manufacturing for the brand in 1997. Over the years, the partnership has expanded beyond powertrains, with Force Motors also producing axles for Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles assembled in India.

The Chakan facility was established to meet Mercedes-Benz’s global manufacturing and quality standards. The plant plays a key role in supplying components and engines for vehicles produced for the Indian market.

Commenting on the achievement, Force Motors Managing Director Prasan Firodia said the milestone reflects the strength of the collaboration between the two companies and the consistent focus on manufacturing quality and engineering precision over the years.

The production of 200,000 engines also reflects the growing importance of India as a manufacturing base for global automotive brands. As localisation levels continue to increase, partnerships between domestic suppliers and international manufacturers are expected to play an increasingly important role in supporting production and supply chain requirements.

With nearly 30 years of collaboration behind them, Force Motors and Mercedes-Benz continue to strengthen their manufacturing relationship through local production of critical automotive components and powertrains.

The post Force Motors Produces 2,00,000th Mercedes-Benz Engine At Chakan Facility appeared first on MotorBeam.

from Car News | MotorBeam - Indian Car Bike News & Reviews https://ift.tt/QYKs4ae

New Renault Duster Export Begins From India, First Shipment To South Africa

GaadiWaadi -

First batch of 750 India-made Dusters have left Chennai for South Africa as Renault adds an export role to its RGMP-based SUV

Renault India has started exports of the all-new Duster as the first batch of 750 units have been sent from Chennai to South Africa. The shipment begins the export programme for the new SUV with more international markets set to join in the coming months. The new Duster is manufactured at Renault India’s Oragadam plant near Chennai.

The facility has an annual production capacity of 4,80,000 units and already supports Renault’s domestic operations. The company also has close to 638 sales and service touchpoints in India including more than 200 Workshop on Wheels locations. The export dispatch fits into Renault’s long term plans for India as it wants its local operation to take a larger role in manufacturing, engineering and exports over the next few years.

The all-new Duster is the first Renault model in India to use the Renault Group Modular Platform (RGMP). The architecture has been developed to support different powertrain types and will also underpin future Renault products. The SUV has secured a five-star Bharat NCAP safety rating across variants and powertrains giving it a base to rely on for domestic sales as well as export markets.

The Indian-spec Duster is offered with two turbocharged petrol engine options. The 1.0-litre three-cylinder Turbo TCe 100 engine kicks out 100 hp and 166 Nm and is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. The 1.3-litre four-cylinder Turbo TCe 160 engine develops 163 PS and 280 Nm with six-speed manual and six-speed wet-clutch DCT options.

Renault also lists a strong-hybrid E-Tech 160 powertrain for the Duster. The setup uses a 1.8-litre petrol engine, a 1.4 kWh battery pack, an eight-speed auto and two electric motors. The Duster measures over 4.3 metres in length and offers a ground clearance of 212 mm. Prices in India start at Rs. 10.49 lakh and go up to Rs. 18.69 lakh (ex-showroom) based on variant and powertrain choices.

The South Africa shipment gives Renault India a new export line at a time when the company is preparing additional products for the domestic market as a new three-row SUV based on the Duster and a localised A-segment EV are under development. The French auto major has also set a target of generating €2 billion in annual exports from India by 2030.

The post New Renault Duster Export Begins From India, First Shipment To South Africa appeared first on Gaadiwaadi.com - Latest Car & Bike News by Surendhar M.

from Gaadiwaadi.com – Latest Car & Bike News https://ift.tt/js6in5l

Maruti Suzuki Launches Pre-Paid Maintenance Plans

Maruti Suzuki has expanded its after-sales service portfolio with the introduction of pre-paid maintenance packages designed for both private and commercial vehicle customers. The new offering aims to provide greater cost predictability and convenience for owners throughout their vehicle ownership journey.

Called the Smart Maintenance Plan (SMP), the program can be purchased either at the time of buying a new vehicle or later through the company’s authorised service network. The plans are available to existing customers as well, allowing a broader section of vehicle owners to benefit from the initiative.

The maintenance packages come with several service options tailored to different customer requirements. These include labour-only coverage, combined parts and labour packages, maintenance plans for commercial vehicles, customer-requested service work and coverage for consumables such as engine oil and coolant.

Maruti Suzuki has also introduced an optional wear-and-tear protection component under selected plans. This additional coverage extends to parts that typically require replacement during regular vehicle usage, including clutch and brake components.

According to the company, customers opting for the pre-paid plans can receive a 10% reduction in labour charges, along with additional savings on eligible parts and consumables. Another key feature of the program is protection from future increases in service costs for items covered under the selected package.

The Smart Maintenance Plan is available across multiple tenure and mileage combinations. For private vehicle owners, coverage options range from 2 years or 20,000 km to as much as 10 years or 100,000 km. Commercial vehicle customers can choose plans extending up to 10 years or 160,000 km.

The launch reflects a growing trend among automakers to offer structured maintenance programs that help customers manage long-term vehicle ownership costs while encouraging regular servicing through authorised workshops.

The post Maruti Suzuki Launches Pre-Paid Maintenance Plans appeared first on MotorBeam.

from Car News | MotorBeam - Indian Car Bike News & Reviews https://ift.tt/Knw61Wa

India-UK FTA Could Put More Made-In-India EVs On British Roads

GaadiWaadi -

Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra And Tata Motors could plan to export locally built EVs to the United Kingdom courtesy of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement

The quota window under the India-UK Free Trade Agreement could give Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra & Mahindra and Tata Motors an export opportunity for electric cars built in India. The agreement creates a duty-free allowance for cleaner passenger vehicles including electric, hybrid and hydrogen-powered models once the automotive provisions become active from the sixth year.

The structure begins at 17,600 vehicles in the sixth year and rises in stages to 88,000 units annually from the fifteenth year onwards. The quota applies only to passenger vehicles priced up to £80,000 while models above that level are excluded from the concession. The price categories are split into vehicles below £20,000, £20,000 to £40,000, and £40,000 to £80,000.

The lower two price categories will receive equal quota allocation under the pact. The highest price band will get a smaller share keeping the main focus on mass-market and mid-range vehicles. These points in the arrangement could suit Indian manufacturers because several export-ready models from the country sit in lower price brackets.

The agreement is scheduled to come into force on July 15. The duty-free vehicle quota will not begin immediately but the sixth-year start gives carmakers time to prepare products, homologation, shipping plans, retail partnerships and aftersales operations. The UK also gives Indian companies a right-hand-drive market where several packaging and cockpit requirements are already familiar.

The Maruti Suzuki e Vitara has already built export stimulus for the company in Europe. Maruti Suzuki has shipped around 36,000 units of the e Vitara to Europe within nine months of launch and the UK is being viewed as one of the notable markets in that plan. Mahindra is taking an evaluation-led approach before committing to the UK as it could create new prospects for EVs manufactured in India.

The company plans to study the UK case as part of a calibrated overseas expansion before deciding how to enter the market. Tata Motors’ position links the pact to sustainable mobility exports. The company said the quota-based system gives Indian-built EVs a structured entry into the United Kingdom while also protecting competitiveness in the domestic industry.

Tata already sells one of the larger EV portfolios in India which gives the company a base to assess export-ready models. The India-UK trade pact is also connected to the target of raising two-way commerce between the two countries to $100 billion by the end of this decade. The automotive quota will be only one part of that trade plan but it gives local PV makers an opening to examine the UK’s EV market.

The post India-UK FTA Could Put More Made-In-India EVs On British Roads appeared first on Gaadiwaadi.com - Latest Car & Bike News by Surendhar M.

from Gaadiwaadi.com – Latest Car & Bike News https://ift.tt/72XOyu6

Tata Sierra EV Dual-Motor AWD Confirmed Via New Teaser

GaadiWaadi -

Tata Sierra EV will feature two battery packs and possibly bi-directional charging too; AWD variant to help offer an expansive range

The Tata Sierra EV has been teased again ahead of its June 30 launch and the latest video confirms a dual-motor all-wheel-drive variant for the electric SUV. The confirmation comes through a close-up shot of the “QWD Dual Motor” badge showing that the revived Sierra nameplate, now in electric form, will be sold in an expansive range.

The teaser places the Sierra EV in a desert setting where the SUV is shown moving across loose sand. The setting clearly points towards the added traction available from the dual-motor layout. The rear view also shows a full-width LED tail lamp, wide tailgate, blacked-out rear glass, roof spoiler, central Tata logo, and “Sierra.ev” lettering placed below it.

The wheel close-up reveals a dual-tone aero-style alloy design paired to Michelin tyres. The SUV also gets thick cladding around the lower body and squared wheel arches helping it retain the upright stance associated with the Sierra identity. The motion shots show a tall glasshouse, roof rails, a strong shoulder line and a relatively flat rear section.

The earlier front teaser had already revealed the face of the Sierra EV. The upper fascia gets a full-width LED daytime running light, while the main headlamp units sit lower on the bumper. The sealed front panel replaces a conventional grille, and vertical lamp housings are positioned on the outer edges. The clamshell bonnet has also been carried over, linking the EV visually to the petrol and diesel Sierra.

The battery details are yet to be announced by Tata Motors. Reports point towards two battery packs and the 65 kWh and 75 kWh units from the Harrier EV are being seen as possible options for the Sierra EV. The claimed driving range is expected to go past 500 km on a full charge while DC fast charging and bi-directional charging are also said to be part of the package.

The cabin is expected to use the same basic layout as the petrol and diesel Sierra. The equipment list could consist of a triple-screen dashboard, JBL audio, Dolby Atmos support, dual-zone climate control, panoramic sunroof, head-up display, connected vehicle functions, electric parking brake, powered tailgate, automatic headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, and Level 2 ADAS.

The Sierra EV will be positioned below the Harrier EV but above Tata’s smaller electric SUVs. Rivals will comprise the Hyundai Creta Electric, Mahindra BE 6, Maruti Suzuki e Vitara, Kia Carens Clavis EV, MG ZS EV, and Toyota Urban Cruiser Ebella.

The post Tata Sierra EV Dual-Motor AWD Confirmed Via New Teaser appeared first on Gaadiwaadi.com - Latest Car & Bike News by Surendhar M.

from Gaadiwaadi.com – Latest Car & Bike News https://ift.tt/JdCT4ZM