skoda

Jos Verstappen crashed heavily during Belgium’s Rallye de Wallonie after his skoda Fabia RS Rally2 flipped and hit a tree. The car was destroyed, but Jos Verstappen and co-driver Jasper Vermeulen escaped safely. He had fought back to third place before the accident ended his strong weekend run.

All three models are powered by a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder, NA petrol engine with 103 hp and come paired with a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic. It’s also offered with an AWD option. The Victoris records slightly higher fuel efficiency than the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder in standard manual and automatic configurations.

Jos Verstappen's Rallye de Wallonie ended prematurely after a severe crash on the Loyers special stage. Driving a skoda Fabia RS Rally2, Verstappen lost control and hit a tree, rolling his car. Despite the extensive damage, both he and co-driver Jasper Vermeulen were uninjured.

Jos Verstappen’s Rallye de Wallonie campaign ended in a dramatic crash after his car flipped at speed, though both he and co-driver Jasper Vermeulen escaped unharmed. Running strongly before the incident, Verstappen highlighted the role of dust and gravel in the loss of control, while the crash underscored modern rally car safety despite severe vehicle damage.

There are currently no details on which engine the Honda ZR-V will be offered with in India. It’s expected to get a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, NA petrol engine paired with an e-motor. It puts out 180 hp & 240 nm torque. In terms of size, the Honda ZR-V measures about 4,568 mm in length, 1,840 mm in width and 1,620 mm in height, with a wheelbase of around 2,655-2,657 mm.

The cabin layout remains unchanged, and in the features department, this electric SUV boasts a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.1-inch infotainment screen supported by wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, cloud-based navigation, panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting with 12 colour options and ventilated front seats. Apart from that, it gets features such as wireless charging, a JBL sound system, automatic climate control, multiple USB ports, and an in-cabin air purifier.

In terms of design, the updated Taigun introduces a series of exterior revisions, including changes to the headlights and bumpers, while dropping fog lamps. A slim light bar with an illuminated VW logo has been added at the front, aligning its design with larger models in the brand’s global portfolio. Along the sides, the overall shape remains unchanged, with updates limited to new designs for the 16- and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Ventilated seats, once a luxury, are now accessible in affordable Indian cars under Rs 12 lakh. Rising temperatures and longer commutes make this comfort feature increasingly desirable. Models like the Renault Kiger, Kia Sonet, skoda Kylaq, Hyundai Venue, Kia Seltos, and Tata Nexon offer this cooling convenience, enhancing everyday driving.

The front parking sensors are offered on all variants except the base trim, while a rear washer, wiper and defogger are now standard. The 1.5 TSI variants also receive disc brakes. Safety features remain unchanged with six airbags, ESC and ABS with EBD as standard, and the model retains its 5-star Global NCAP rating. An ADAS suite is not available, with a rear-view camera as the only assistance feature.

In terms of design, the updated Taigun introduces a series of exterior revisions, including changes to the headlights and bumpers, while dropping fog lamps. A slim light bar with an illuminated VW logo has been added at the front, aligning its design with larger models in the brand’s global portfolio. Along the sides, the overall shape remains unchanged, with updates limited to new designs for the 16- and 17-inch alloy wheels.

The new gearbox is expected to improve fuel efficiency while also delivering smoother shifts and reducing fuel loss during acceleration and deceleration compared to the outgoing transmission. The 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder, turbo petrol produces 115 hp and 175 nm torque. Another engine is a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder, turbo petrol with 150 hp and 250 nm. Gearbox options expected include only a 7-speed DSG for the 1.5.

Volkswagen India has unveiled the updated Taigun, featuring cosmetic enhancements like a connected LED DRL setup and new illuminated logos. The SUV also boasts a refreshed interior with multiple upholstery options, a new 10.1-inch infotainment system, and a 10.25-inch instrument cluster. Powertrain options include a 1.0-litre TSI with a new 8-speed automatic gearbox and a 1.

skoda Auto India is recalling 221 units of its flagship Kodiaq SUV, manufactured between March and December 2025. The recall addresses a potential issue with the front seat structure that could compromise side airbag effectiveness during a crash. Affected owners will be contacted for free inspections and repairs.

The SUV will feature a sleeker grille flanked by new LED headlamps and LED DRLs, connected by a thin LED strip. An illuminated Volkswagen logo has also been added at the front, while the bumper has been revised for a cleaner look. The side profile remains largely unchanged from the current model. However, the facelift may introduce a new design for the alloy wheels

Moving to the cabin, the overall layout is expected to remain largely unchanged, with a few minor revisions and feature additions. These could include a panoramic sunroof, rear-seat massage function, a fully digital instrument cluster, and AI-based integration for the infotainment system. Other expected features include wireless Apple Car Play/Android Auto, wireless charger, a six-speaker sound system with subwoofer and amplifier, automatic climate control, leatherette seats, electrically adjustable front seats with ventilation and more.

The company said it will continue selling skoda models in China with a regional partner until mid-2026. After-sales services will also continue. China was skoda’s largest market between 2016 and 2018, with deliveries exceeding 300,000 units, but sales fell to about 15,000 units last year amid rising competition from local brands.

The skoda Kushaq facelift introduces a range of updates aimed at strengthening its position in the compact SUV segment, while continuing to present a mix of advantages and limitations for buyers. It offers a balanced package with an emphasis on safety, driving experience and added features, though the absence of multiple powertrain options, certain features and space constraints may influence buyer decisions depending on priorities.

Mechanically, the new skoda Slavia facelift is expected to remain unchanged, retaining the same set of engine options. Just like the Taigun, Volkswagen is expected to introduce a new 8-speed torque converter automatic transmission for the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, replacing the earlier 6-speed unit. Another engine is a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder, turbo petrol.

Safety features include six airbags, ABS, EBD, traction control, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, reverse camera, all-wheel disc brakes, rain sensing wiper, defogger, auto IRVM and also gets five star rating by GNCAP for both adult and child occupants

India's passenger vehicle market concluded the fiscal year strongly in March 2026, with most manufacturers reporting healthy year-on-year growth. Improved demand, robust SUV offerings, and increasing interest in electric vehicles fueled sales across brands. Maruti Suzuki led the market, while Tata Motors and Hyundai also saw significant gains.

The Urban Cruiser Ebella is available in two battery pack options - 49kWh or a 61kWh battery pack. The 49kWh battery will come paired with a single motor placed on the front axle, which puts out 144hp. The bigger 61kWh battery also gets single-motor, but here it puts out 174hp. Both motors produce identical 189Nm of torque.

Mechanically, there are no changes; it continues to offer two engine options: a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder, turbo petrol with 115 hp and 175 nm of torque. Another engine is a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder, turbo diesel with 150 hp and 250 nm. Gearbox options include only a 7-speed DSG for the 1.5. The smaller 1.0-litre gets a 6-speed manual, along with a new 8-speed torque converter auto, which replaces the 6-speed torque converter auto.

As part of the update, just like skoda, Volkswagen is expected to introduce a new 8-speed torque converter automatic transmission for the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, replacing the earlier 6-speed unit. The new gearbox is expected to improve fuel efficiency while also delivering smoother shifts and reducing fuel loss during acceleration and deceleration compared to the outgoing transmission. The 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder, turbo petrol produces 115 hp and 175 nm torque.

The India-EU free trade agreement is anticipated to boost technology access and localization efforts for skoda Auto Volkswagen India, according to MD and CEO Piyush Arora. The pact is expected to enhance product development in India for local and export markets, with easier component access supporting future localization.

The Indian compact SUV market sees renewed competition with the skoda Kushaq facelift and the returning Renault Duster. Both offer distinct engine options, with the Duster presenting a hybrid variant. While the Duster holds a slight entry-level price advantage, both SUVs cater to a broad spectrum of buyers with their varied pricing and feature-rich lineups.

Moving inside, the overall layout is still the same with minor changes. It continues to get a capacitive climate control panel, two spoke steering wheel and control panels. Features-wise, it gets a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple Car Play/Android Auto, a 10.25-inch fully digital cluster, a six-speaker skoda sound system with subwoofer and amplifier, automatic climate control, a panoramic sunroof, leatherette seats, electrically adjustable front seats with ventilation, Ai companion powered by Google, segment-first rear massager and more.

Originally introduced in 2012, the Duster was a pioneer that reshaped India’s compact SUV segment, laying the foundation for what would become one of the fastest-growing categories, now representing nearly one-fourth of the country’s passenger vehicle market. And now, the 2026 Renault Duster is set to reignite one of the most celebrated nameplates in India’s SUV landscape.