Hyundai has launched a new sporty variant of its highly popular compact SUV, the Creta, called the Creta N Line. Scheduled to compete with the Kia Seltos X Line, MG Astor Blackstorm, and other sporty compact SUVs, the Creta N Line promises to make waves in the compact SUV market with its sportier looks and boosted performance.
This first-time offering of the Creta N Line model is geared towards piquing the interests of buyers who are looking for a sporty yet refined car experience. The Creta N Line, which has been anticipated for a long time, was seen being tested alongside the regular Creta facelift. Hyundai's decision to introduce this N Line version of Creta to the Indian market signifies that they are expecting consumers to show a preference for it over the regular Creta.
The ex-showroom price for the Hyundai Creta N Line starts at Rs. 16.82 lakh for the base N8 MT model and goes up to Rs. 20.3 lakh for the higher-spec N10 DCT variant. With a choice of six colors, including three monotones- Abyss Black, Titan Grey Matte, and Atlas White, and three dual-tones- Atlas White, Thunder Blue, and Shadow Grey matched with an Abyss Black roof. The price differential with its primary comparison, the Creta SX (O) Turbo DCT Dual Tone, is approximately Rs 15,000 when comparing the top-spec variants.
Hyundai has added several exterior tweaks to differentiate the new Creta N Line from the standard Creta. The vehicle flaunts an Exter-inspired grill that boasts the N Line badge. The sportier lower bumper maintains the same lighting setup as the regular Creta. The N Line's alloy wheels are upsized to 18-inch from the standard 17-inch size. Enhancements at the rear include a unique bumper, a sporty spoiler, a dual-tip exhaust, and a range of red elements to boost its sporty aesthetic.
The Creta N Line's design revolves around four key concepts: Energizing Exteriors, Engaging Interiors, Enthusiastic Performance, and Enticing Technology. The interiors are all black with striking red accents, including red stitching on the seats, steering wheel, and gear selector. The Creta N Line also features a sportier steering wheel and an exclusive gear selector not found in the regular Creta. All bronze aspects of the standard Creta have been replaced with red hues in the Creta N Line, supplemented by red ambient lighting to enhance the sporty interior.
In addition to the aforementioned changes, the Creta N Line comes equipped with features such as ventilated front seats, an electronic handbrake, dual 10.2-inch screens with wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, an ADAS suite, a panoramic sunroof, powered driver's seats, dual-zone climate control, over-the-air updates, 70+ connected car features, front and rear dash cam and more. The Creta N Line also boasts a slightly sportier suspension setup, weightier steering, and a throatier exhaust when compared to the standard model.
The Creta N Line is powered by a 1.5L Turbo GDI petrol engine delivering 160 PS of peak power and 253 Nm of peak torque. It is available with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 7-speed DCT. With the DCT, the car can reach 100 km/h in just 8.9 seconds. Worth noting is that the standard Creta facelift does not come with a 6MT gearbox for the 1.5L GDI engine.
Design Highlights:
Key Features:
Variant Pricing: The Ebony Edition is approximately ₹15,000 more than the standard AX7 and AX7 L variants.
Safety Update:
Rear Seat Belt Reminders: All Mahindra XUV700 variants now come standard with rear seat belt reminders, enhancing passenger safety.
The XUV700 Ebony Limited Edition is now available for bookings, offering customers a unique blend of style and performance.
Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the 2025 CLA, introducing both electric and hybrid variants to its lineup. This move signifies a shift from developing separate electric models to integrating diverse powertrains within a single model range.
Electric Variant:
Porsche is working on an all-new SUV that will be available with both petrol and hybrid powertrains, expanding its portfolio beyond its existing electric and internal combustion engine (ICE) offerings. This upcoming model is expected to provide customers with a blend of performance, efficiency, and adaptability to evolving market trends.
New Model Strategy and Market Positioning
Engine Specifications:
New Turbocharged Engine: The foundation of this hybrid system is a newly developed 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, internally designated as the G20E. This engine is engineered to support both plug-in hybrid and mild-hybrid configurations.
Compact Design: Featuring a shorter piston stroke and lightweight construction, the Toyota G20E engine is optimized for hybrid integration without significantly increasing the vehicle's weight.
Performance Expectations:
Power Output: In standard road versions, the G20E engine is anticipated to produce over 400 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque. For motorsport applications, outputs exceeding 600 horsepower are projected.
Motorsport and Production Integration:
Versatile Application: The G20E engine is designed for both competitive motorsport and consumer vehicles, aligning with Toyota's strategy to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions across its performance lineup.
Prototype Testing: The engine has been showcased in the mid-engined GR Yaris M Concept, indicating ongoing development and testing efforts.
Future Outlook:
By integrating hybrid technology into its GR sports cars, Toyota aims to balance high performance with environmental responsibility, ensuring compliance with stringent emission standards in various markets.
As development progresses, more detailed specifications and launch timelines for these hybrid-powered GR models are expected to be announced.
Aston Martin is set to introduce its latest flagship grand tourer, the 2025 Vanquish, to the Indian market on March 22.
This new model succeeds the DBS Superleggera and positions itself as a direct competitor to the Ferrari 12Cilindri.
Performance and Powertrain:
At the heart of the Vanquish lies a formidable 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine, delivering an impressive 835 horsepower and 1,000 Nm of torque. Paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission that channels power to the rear wheels, the Vanquish accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in a swift 3.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 345 km/h.
Design and Features:
Exterior:
The 2025 Aston Martin Vanquish is anticipated to be priced above ₹6 crore (ex-showroom) in India, excluding optional features. This pricing positions it as a premium offering in the luxury sports car segment.
With its blend of performance, luxury, and cutting-edge technology, the Vanquish aims to set new benchmarks in the Indian automotive landscape.
Tesla is advancing its plans to enter the Indian market by submitting homologation applications for its Model 3 and Model Y electric vehicles (EVs). This crucial step ensures that the vehicles comply with India's regulatory standards before their official launch.
Progress Towards Indian Market Entry:
The Indian government is considering reducing import duties on specific EVs from the previous range of 70%–110% to 15%. This reduction aims to encourage foreign manufacturers like Tesla to enter the Indian market. However, to benefit from these concessions, manufacturers are required to commit to domestic production by investing at least $500 million within three years.
Implications for the Indian EV Market:
Tesla's potential entry is poised to invigorate the Indian EV sector, offering consumers advanced electric mobility options. The Model 3 and Model Y are expected to appeal to a broad audience, aligning with India's push towards sustainable transportation solutions.
As Tesla progresses through the homologation and certification stages, further details regarding the official launch dates and vehicle specifications tailored for the Indian market are anticipated.
Design and Dimensions:
Despite the heavy camouflage, the Tata Sierra's distinctive boxy silhouette is reminiscent of the original model. When observed next to the Hyundai Creta, the Sierra's larger dimensions are evident, suggesting a more spacious interior and commanding road presence. The test vehicle was equipped with alloy wheels, indicating a focus on both style and functionality.
Powertrain Options:
The upcoming Tata Sierra is expected to offer both internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicle (EV) variants:
ICE Version: Anticipated to feature a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine delivering 168bhp and 280Nm of torque. Additionally, a 2.0-litre diesel engine, currently powering the Harrier and Safari models, may be available, producing 168bhp and 350Nm of torque.
EV Version: Set to utilize Tata's Gen2 EV platform with the acti.ev architecture, the Sierra EV is expected to debut later this year, aligning with Tata's commitment to sustainable mobility.
Market Positioning:
The Tata Sierra aims to blend nostalgic design elements with modern features, targeting consumers seeking a robust and versatile SUV experience. Its availability in both ICE and EV formats reflects Tata Motors' strategy to cater to a diverse customer base in the evolving automotive landscape.
As testing progresses, more details regarding the Tata Sierra's specifications, features, and launch timeline are anticipated, generating excitement among automotive enthusiasts and potential buyers alike.
