New arrivals

This month we saw Porsche's first all-electric SUV, some luxury SUV facelifts, and new variants of our favourite mass-market cars

MERCEDES-AMG GLE 53 COUPE

Although the GLE Coupe largely stays the same for 2024, there are subtle updates including redesigned front bumper, an AMG emblem on the bonnet and new taillamps. The powertrain features a potent 3-litre turbo-petrol inline-six engine with a mild hybrid system, delivering 429bhp and 560Nm of torque with an additional 20bhp and 200Nm coming from the ISG system. Accompanying this is a new multifunction steering wheel and an updated MBUX infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and the AMG Track Pace app. Safety features include keyless go, blind spot assist, active brake assist, and a 360-degree camera.

RANGE ROVER EVOQUE

The 2024 Range Rover Evoque comes with various updates, inside and out. On the outside, it is now closer in design to its elder siblings featuring a sleeker grille along with a refreshed bumper and new headlamps and taillamps. There are also flush door handles, red brake callipers and two new colour options – ‘Corinthian Bronze’ and ‘Tribeca Blue’. The interior showcases a minimalist design with a new 11.4-inch curved glass touchscreen, eliminating physical buttons. The Pivi Pro infotainment system offers wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Notable enhancements include heated/ ventilated seats, configurable cabin lighting, and a panoramic sunroof. The cabin space has been increased, and a PM2.5 filtrationequipped air purifier has been introduced. It offers a choice between a 2.0-litre mildhybrid petrol (246bhp, 365Nm) and a 2.0litre mild-hybrid diesel (201bhp, 430Nm).

MERCEDES-BENZ GLA

The 2024 facelift of the GLA presents subtle styling updates and enhanced features. Available in ‘Progressive Line’ and the sportier ‘AMG Line’ trims with the latter boasting body-coloured trim on the front bumper and wheel arches, distinct alloy wheels and a flat-bottom steering wheel. The exterior for both trims showcases restyled headlamps with high beam assist. The rear bumper has also been redesigned slightly this year. The interior features a new steering wheel, an updated MBUX infotainment system, digital key sharing and gesture-controlled boot opening. Powertrain options include a 1.3-litre turbopetrol (161bhp) and a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel (188bhp) with AWD standard which does 0-100kmph in 7.5sec.

SKODA SLAVIA STYLE EDITION

The Slavia Style Edition celebrates the brand’s one lakh sales mark that it achieved in two years. The Style Edition is based on the top-of-the-line Style variant, costs

30,000 more and adds dual dash cameras, black mirror covers and roof foil, ‘Edition’ badging on the B-pillar and steering wheel, ‘Slavia’ branded scuff plate and puddle lamps. Most notable is the exclusivity factor. Only 500 units of the Slavia Style Edition will be available, and that too in only three shades – Candy White, Brilliant Silver or Tornado Red. Also, this edition is only available with the 1.5-litre TSI engine and 7-speed DSG gearbox.

PORSCHE MACAN

The second all-electric model in Porsche’s lineup is the second-gen Macan. Built on the PPE platform, the Macan EV gets two variants – the Macan 4 and the highperformance Macan Turbo. The latter comes with 630bhp, 1130Nm, and a 3.3-second 0-100kmph sprint time. Porsche has fitted the Macan EV with a two-stage singlespeed transmission, all-wheel drivetrain, and ePTM (Porsche Traction Management), with optional features like rear-axle steering and launch control. Design-wise, the Macan EV builds on its predecessor, integrating elements like the adaptive rear spoiler, active cooling flaps and flexible covers in the underbody. Inside, there’s a similar layout to newer Porsche models. Porsche has added an AI-assisted head-up display and a third passenger screen.

TATA TIGOR iCNG AMT

Tata Motors is strengthening its Tigor iCNG lineup with the addition of a 5-speed AMT gearbox which also marks the first time in India that we can get a CNG vehicle with an automatic gearbox. There’s also a new paint option called ‘Meteor Bronze’ for the Tigor lineup. The AMT gearbox is available in two variants called XZA and XZA+ with features like 7-inch infotainment screen, automatic headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, LED DRLs, automatic climate control, cooled glovebox and more. The Tigor gets 14-inch alloys and continues to be powered by the 1.2-litre Revotron engine which makes 73bhp and 95Nm of torque when running on CNG. Tata claims a mileage of 28.06km/kg.

MAHINDRA SCORPIO-N Z8 SELECT

Mahindra has introduced a new variant in its Scorpio-N lineup. The Z8 Select, as it is called sits between the Z8 and Z6 variants and undercuts the Z8 petrol MT variant with the manual transmission by ` 1.65 lakh. That price difference does mean it misses out on a few features like the auto headlights, push-button start/stop and dual-zone climate control but Mahindra has still given features like an 8-inch infotainment screen, connected features, LED headlamps with DRLs, LED projector fog lamps and sequential indicators. There are safety features like six airbags and EBD. You can choose between both, a 2.2-litre diesel (172bhp/400Nm) and a 2.0-litre petrol (200bhp/380Nm) with either a manual or automatic transmission.

TATA TIAGO iCNG AMT

Tata Motors has gone one step ahead in making CNG vehicles more mainstream in India by adding the option of the 5-speed AMT gearbox in the Tiago. Like the Tigor, the Tiago also gets new paint options – the ‘Tornado Blue’ option in the Tiago and the ‘Grassland Beige’ option in Tiago NRG. The AMT gearbox will be available in four variants which offer features like 7-inch infotainment screen by Harman, automatic headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, LED DRLs, and automatic climate control, with the top-end XZA+ variant getting features like projector headlamps and push-button start/stop. The Tiago iCNG uses the same 1.2-litre engine as the Tigor which is good for 73bhp and 95Nm of torque when running on CNG and gives a claimed mileage of 28.06km/kg. The top-end XZA+ variant also offers a dual-tone option which demands a premium of 10,000.