2025 Renault Kwid: Old vs New Compared

Recently, Dacia unveiled the Spring EV globally, an entry-level all-electric hatchback that previews the next-gen Renault Kwid sold in our market. Following its reveal, we expect Renault to introduce not only the new-gen Kwid but also an all-electric version of it. In this report, we compare the next-gen Kwid to the current model sold in India.When viewing both the 2025 Kwid and the current model, you'll notice a significant transition in the design. The new-gen Kwid gets a sharp and sleek grille at the front, a departure from the chunkier appearance of the existing model. Additionally, the 2025 Kwid boasts a Y-shaped DRL signature that enhances the modern design of the hatchback. Moving to the profile, the next-gen Kwid maintains a similar silhouette but introduces new 15-inch alloy wheels. The side body cladding that you see with the current Kwid is retained with a slight design tweak. However, the roof rails, found on the current Kwid, are absent in the new-gen model. The rear profile of the 2025 Kwid undergoes significant update as well, diverging from the current model's simple oval-shaped taillight design to updated ones with a Y-shaped taillight signature. Its fresh design is further accentuated by a chunky plastic trim adorned with 'Dacia' badging. The interior of the 2025 Kwid undergoes a complete revamp, replacing the dated cabin of the current model with a more modern design. The large and chunky dashboard of the current Kwid is replaced by a more minimalist one. While there are new touch controls for important functions, the air-con is thankfully operated using physical controls. It also features sleeker AC vents along with a new 10-inch infotainment system that enhances the fresh appearance of the cabin. In terms of features, the new-gen Kwid is equipped with a larger 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. It also includes a 7-inch digital driver’s display, connected car technology, Type-C charging ports, and cruise control. Additionally, features such as power windows, steering-mounted controls, and a 12V power socket are carried over from the current model. Safety features in the 2025 Kwid include multiple airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, reverse camera with parking sensors, and select ADAS features such as lane keep assist and traffic sign recognition. The current Kwid is offered only with two airbags along with other standard safety kit. In India, Renault is expected to offer the 2025 Kwid with the current 68 PS/91 Nm 1-litre naturally aspirated engine, paired with either a 5-speed manual or AMT transmission. Later, they will likely introduce the Kwid EV with Spring EV’s powertrain specifications.    

Kia Seltos recalled over faulty electronic oil pump controller | Is your SUV affected?

Kia India has announced a recall of 4,358 units of the Seltos to replace faulty electronic oil pump controller. The recall is for the Smartstream 1.5-litre petrol-IVT variants of the popular mid-size SUV that were manufactured between February 28 and July 13, 2023.The Indian arm of the South Korean auto major introduced the Seltos facelift on July 21, 2023. The SUV has three engine options -- Smartstream 1.5-litre Turbo-GDi petrol (160PS/253Nm), Smartstream 1.5-litre petrol (115PS/144Nm) and Smartstream 1.5-litre CRDi VGT diesel (116PS/250Nm). The turbo petrol unit can be paired either with a 6-speed iMT or a 7-speed DCT, the petrol unit with a 6-speed MT or an IVT, and the diesel unit with a 6-speed iMT or a 6-speed AT. According to a PTI report, the company said that there might be a potential error in the electronic oil pump controller, which may impact the performance of the electronic oil pump in the specified transmission variant. Kia will directly reach out to the owners of the affected vehicles to update them about the voluntary recall and replace the electronic oil pump controller. The Kia Seltos is currently priced between Rs 10.90 lakh and Rs 20.30 lakh (ex-showroom). It rivals the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Honda Elevate, Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun and MG Astor. Apart from the Seltos, Kia sells models like the Sonet compact SUV, the Carens MPV and the EV6 in the Indian market.  

2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 debuts in India at ₹5.24 lakhs

India Kawasaki Motors has introduced the eagerly awaited 2024 Ninja 500 to the global motorcycle market, positioning it as a successor to the Ninja 400 series. Set to make its mark on Indian roads, the 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 arrives as a Completely Built Unit (CBU), flaunting an enticing introductory price tag of ₹5.24 lakh (ex-showroom). Motorcycle enthusiasts will be able to revel in the sleek Metallic Spark Black variant as the bike's sole color option. The heart of the 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 beats with a robust 451 cc parallel-twin, liquid-cooled engine, firmly planted within a trellis frame. This enhanced powertrain features a significant boost in torque, churning out 42.6 Nm at 6,000 rpm, an upgrade from its predecessor's 37 Nm at 8,000 rpm. Moreover, power delivery remains steady at 45 bhp, attainable earlier at 9,000 rpm, a shift from the previous 10,000 rpm threshold. A 6-speed gearbox, complemented by a slip-and-assist clutch, promises riders an exhilarating experience on the road. In terms of mechanics, the Ninja 500 boasts telescopic forks at the front and a monoshock at the rear, ensuring optimal handling and comfort. Braking prowess is delivered through a 310 mm front disc and a 220 mm rear disc, fortified with dual-channel ABS for added safety. An LCD digital instrument console, equipped with smartphone connectivity, adds a modern touch to the rider's interface. Notable features such as the Kawasaki Intelligent Proximity Activation Start System (KIPASS) and a Type-C charging port enhance the overall riding experience.  

Scrapping your old car may fetch more soon

  Owners of old and polluting automobiles may get additional benefits to scrap them in the near future, two people familiar with the matter said, with the government reviewing the existing scrappage policy that has found few takers so far. The road transport ministry is discussing additional benefits to encourage scrapping, and the prime minister’s office (PMO) will greenlight the final policy, the people cited above said on condition of anonymity. The policy may be rolled out by the new government that takes office after the next general elections. The head of BMW Group Designworks steered his car into a rest stop, highway traffic whizzing by in the background, and then dialed into his meeting. “I can’t concentrate on driving if I’m talking," says Holger Hampf, whose unit is internally known as “architects of the future." This pit stop, he says, happens to be an excellent example of what will change in the future. One day when cars can eventually drive themselves, executives will be able to sit back and work just as if they were in the office.   

Joy e-bike reaches electric two-wheeler sales milestone of 100,000 units

Joy e-bike, the electric two-wheeler brand of Gujarat-based Wardwizard Innovations & Mobility Ltd, has reached the cumulative sales milestone of 100,000 units. The company rolled out 100,000th unit, the Mihos, from its manufacturing facility in Vadodara.Wardwizard introduced its first low-speed electric scooter, the Butterfly, in 2018. At present, the company's product portfolio comprises of 10 models, including low-speed and high-speed variants. It has a network of over 750 touchpoints. Celebrating the sales milestone, Wardwizard has introduced several exclusive offers for customers, including discounts of up to Rs 30,000. The company is also offering free insurance on products like the Mihos, Wolf+ and Gen Next Nanu+.The offers will remain valid at all authorised Joy e-bike dealerships across India until March 31, 2024. "We are deeply grateful to our customers and stakeholders for their unwavering support, which has propelled Wardwizard to its position as a leading electric two-wheeler brand in the country. This milestone of 100,000 sales underscores the quality of our diverse product range and underscores our steadfast dedication to a sustainable future and meeting customer demands," said Yatin Gupte, Chairman and Managing Director, Wardwizard. "As we continue to innovate and empower communities through our Joy e-bike brand, we are driven by a collective vision of a greener, more sustainable mobility landscape. Our rapid growth trajectory sets our sights on reaching the 200,000 milestone by 2026," he added.  

Hyundai Creta reaches sales milestone of 1,000,000 units

The Hyundai Creta has reached the sales milestone of 1,000,000 units in India since its launch here in 2015. According to Hyundai Motor India, one Creta is sold every five minutes in the domestic market.Apart from being the largest-selling mid-size SUV in the domestic market, the Hyundai Creta has also recorded exports of 280,000 units from India. "The Hyundai Creta has been a brand that has captured the hearts of Indian customers and made India 'Live the SUV life'. With over 1 million Creta SUVs on Indian roads, the 'Creta' brand has reaffirmed its legacy of being the Undisputed SUV," said Tarun Garg, COO, Hyundai Motor India."We are extremely grateful for the love and trust our customers have shown for Creta. As frontrunners in the introduction of revolutionary technologies, we shall continue to establish new milestones and redefine benchmarks across segments in the industry," he added. The Hyundai Creta is now priced between 10,99,900 and Rs 20,14,900 (ex-showroom). It rivals the Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Honda Elevate, Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun and MG Astor. So far as engine options are concerned, the Creta has three -- 1.5-litre MPi petrol (115PS and 144Nm), 1.5-litre Kappa Turbo GDi petrol (160PS and 253Nm) and 1.5-litre U2 CRDi diesel (116PS and 250Nm). There are four transmission options -- 6-speed MT, IVT automatic, 7-speed DCT automatic and 6-speed AT.  

Ola S1 electric scooter range gets significant price cuts, check details here

The country's leading electric two-wheeler manfacturer, Ola Electric, has slashed the prices of its S1 electric scooter range by up to Rs 25,000. The company offers S1 X+, S1 Air and S1 Pro.The price cut comes following the softening of battery cell prices in the international markets. A battery makes up nearly 40% of the cost of an electric vehicle (EV). Ola Electric's retail sales increased 75.73% to 32,252 units in January 2024 from 18,353 units in the same month last year, according to data from the industry body Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA). The company sold 30,263 units in December 2023. The industry-wide electric two-wheeler sales rose 26.14% to 81,608 units in January 2024 from 64,694 units in the year-ago month. The retail sales stood at 75,522 units in December 2023.In the passenger vehicle (PV) segment, Tata Motors recently reduced the prices of the Nexon.ev by up to Rs 1.2 lakh and that of the Tiago.ev by up to Rs 70,000. MG Motor India also slashed the prices of the Comet EV and the ZS EV earlier this month    

Aston Martin Vantage facelift revealed, gains new look, more power

British luxury car maker Aston Martin has taken the wraps off the new Vantage. This is a mid-life update for the car, which includes changes to the exterior, interior, as well as engineering bits, especially the motor which now puts out more power. The brand launched the DB12 Super Tourer in India recently. Visually the new Aston Martin Vantage has grown in size, with a 30mm bump in width, which helps with a meaner stance. The front end now comes with a huge grille, which is 38 per cent larger and offers 29 per cent more airflow to the engine bay. There are additional cooling intakes as well a splitter, all aiding the aero. There are larger fully matrix LED headlamps with LED DRLs which brings in the Aston Martin Light Signature. The iconic Aston Martin side strake has returned, while the car rides on larger 21-inch forged alloy wheels. Other elements of the new Vantage include a wider bumper, wider wheel arches, frameless door mirrors and flush door handles. Like the new Aston Martin DB12, the new Vantage too brings in a heavily revamped cabin. This includes a new 10.25-inch infotainment display which runs in-house developed user interface, allowing a number of connectivity options. The brand continues with its physical buttons on the central console and other areas, with the surfaces covered in carbon fibre or a number of bespoke materials which can be custom-made for each customer.has Aston Martin has continued with the Mercedes-AMG sourced 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 which now produces 665bhp and 800Nm of torque. This means that the V8 Vantage now has matching performance to the older V12 Vantage, dispatching 0 to 100kmph sprint in 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 325kmph. The engine has new cam profiles, compression ratios, better cooling, while the turbochargers are larger than before. This works in tune with the recalibrated 8-speed transmission, helping the Vantage with acceleration and quicker shifts.  

Tata Motors ties up with LeadIT for greener future

Tata Motors on Monday said it has tied up with the Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT), a global alliance launched by governments of Sweden and India at the UN Climate Action Summit in September 2019. As a member of LeadIT, the auto major will be able to harness the power of global best practices, influence policy-making, and together with other members strengthen climate action plans, thereby accelerating transition towards net-zero emissions. "Our pledge to attain net-zero emissions across our Passenger Vehicles (PV) business by 2040, and our Commercial Vehicles (CV) business by 2045, is a testament to our commitment to a greener future," Tata Motors Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer SJR Kutty said in a statement. Joining forces with LeadIT propels the automaker closer to these ambitious goals, facilitating a journey towards sustainable transformation, he added. "Our pledge to attain net-zero emissions across our Passenger Vehicles (PV) business by 2040, and our Commercial Vehicles (CV) business by 2045, is a testament to our commitment to a greener future," Tata Motors Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer SJR Kutty said in a statement.Joining forces with LeadIT propels the automaker closer to these ambitious goals, facilitating a journey towards sustainable transformation, he added.   

This Week’s Hottest Two-Wheeler News Stories

The upcoming KTM 390 Adventure, based on the all-new KTM 390 Duke, has been spied testing on Indian roads for the second time. It gets an aggressive looking front-end with a beak-like high-rise fender and a sleek looking rear-end. The instrument console mounted high above the handlebar, like the consoles seen on rally bikes.The iconic Luna finally made its comeback this week as Kinetic Green launched the all-new Kinetic E-Luna in two variants: X1 and X2. It has a range of upto 100km and a top speed of 50kmph with a payload capacity of 150kg. The upcoming Ather Rizta’s seat was teased by the EV maker’s CEO, Tarun Mehta, this week. The seat is quite long and wide, an indicator of the family-oriented approach from Ather Energy with the Rizta electric scooter.The Yamaha FZ-X got updated this week but only with new colour schemes. The 150cc naked got new Chrome and Metallic Black colour options on top of the Matte Titan, Dark Matte Blue and Matte Copper already available. Bajaj launched the updated Bajaj Pulsar N160 and N150 this week. The bikes get all-new LCD instrument consoles with smartphone connectivity via Bajaj Ride Connect app and the switchgears are updated too.It seems like, in addition to the upcoming 350cc ADV, Honda might also be working on a scrambler based on the CB350’s platform. Some of the details spotted in the images were that the bike will get a split-seat setup, fork gaiters, upswept exhaust and alloy wheels.    

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga achieves fastest 10 lakh sales milestone in India

Maruti Suzuki's Ertiga has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the fastest MPV to reach 10 lakh sales in India, reported PTI. The three-row MPV, a strong contender against rivals like Renault Triber and Kia Carens, currently holds the title of the best-selling model in its category, boasting more than one-third of the market share among all multi-purpose vehicles sold in the country. Launched in 2012 and receiving its latest facelift in 2022, the Ertiga has played a pivotal role in driving Maruti Suzuki's sales in the utility vehicle segment. With an average monthly sale of over 10,000 units, the Ertiga, along with the XL6 and Invicto, completes Maruti's offering in the three-row MPV segment. The inclusion of a CNG version has contributed to the Ertiga's higher volume sales as the more entry-level MPV from Maruti. Reaching the 10-lakh sales milestone in just 12 years since its debut, the Ertiga has garnered praise for its modern appeal and technological advancements. Shashank Srivastava, Senior Executive Officer of Marketing & Sales at Maruti Suzuki India Limited, noted the Ertiga's ability to attract first-time customers, particularly younger urban buyers, with 41 percent of customers falling into this category. Furthermore, 66 percent of Ertiga buyers consider it a pre-determined choice, solidifying its reputation as a lifestyle family vehicle. As per HT Auto, Maruti Suzuki highlights the Ertiga's equal popularity in both urban and rural markets, holding an impressive 37.5 percent market share in the segment. The MPV is offered in four trims and 11 variants, featuring three automatic options (VXi, Zxi, and ZXi+) and two CNG variants, including the top-of-the-line ZXi variant. With a starting price of ₹8.69 lakh and reaching up to ₹13.03 lakh (ex-showroom) for the top-end variant, the Ertiga is powered by a K-series 1.5-litre Dual VVT engine, enhancing fuel efficiency. The engine is paired with a five-speed gearbox, and a six-speed automatic unit replaces the previous four-speed automatic, with the added convenience of paddle shifters on certain models. Maruti Suzuki's Ertiga continues to make waves in the MPV segment, setting new benchmarks for sales and customer satisfaction.      

Tata Tiago, Tigor CNG AMT launched

Tata Motors has announced prices for the CNG and AMT-equipped Tiago hatchback and Tigor compact sedan. The Tiago iCNG AMT is priced from Rs 7.90 lakh, while the Tigor iCNG AMT’s price range starts at Rs 8.85 lakh. The launch of the AMT-equipped Tata iCNG models marks an Indian industry-first – the first automatic CNG passenger vehicle.Meanwhile, the Tigor iCNG AMT is available in XZA AND XZA+ form only. The brand claims that the 1.2-litre engine, shared between the hatchback and compact sedan, will deliver 28.06km per kg of CNG. In addition, the brand has introduced a new Tornado Blue colour for the Tiago, Grassland Beige for the Tiago NRG, and Meteor Bronze for the Tigor. Other than the addition of the 5-speed AMT, and the above mentioned new exterior finishes, the Tiago and Tigor are unchanged. Tata Motors is aiming to up the ante in terms of safety of its future products. Speaking to our sister publication Autocar Professional on the sidelines of last week’s Bharat Mobility Global Expo, Mohan Savarkar, chief product officer, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, said, “Our main aim is to ensure safe mobility for our customers, and it is not a journey that we have embarked on only recently. In 1997, we set up our in-house crash test lab in Pune even before the Indica was launched. It is one of the most advanced private crash-test laboratories in India till date. Savarkar further said that while a higher-than-regulation structural safety is already built into Tata Motors' cars – with all its products having received some crash test rating or the other by agencies like the Global NCAP – the company is closely watching the space about augmenting passive safety features like six airbags, and offering them as standard.