July 6, 22:00

Jeep Avenger begins production at Stellantis factory, sharing assembly line with Citroën C3, Aircross, and Basalt

Stellantis has started the mass production of the new Jeep Avenger at its plant located in Porto Real, Rio de Janeiro. This factory was inherited by the group after the formation of Stellantis and is currently responsible for manufacturing the Citroën C3, Aircross, and Basalt models.

Technical Specifications of the Model

The only technical specification confirmed by the automaker is that the Avenger will be equipped with the 12V T200 MHEV engine, a mild hybrid system. This same engine is already present in the Fiat Pulse and Fastback vehicles.

The Jeep Avenger will be positioned as the entry-level model for the brand in the Brazilian market. Although Jeep also produces models such as Renegade, Compass, and Commander in the country, these latter models are manufactured in Goiana, Pernambuco. Unlike these models, which use the Small Wide platform, the new Jeep will be built on the CMP platform, currently used by Peugeot and Citroën models, and which will soon be applied to the new Argo.

Engine and Interior Design Details

According to journalist Marlos Ney Vidal, the Avenger's engine will have a reduction in power compared to Fiat engines, dropping from 130 hp to 116 hp, although the torque of 20.4 kgfm is maintained. In mid-May, Jeep itself released images of the Avenger's interior, suggesting a cabin with a minimalist design, focusing on ergonomics and representing a technological advance over current models in the same category that use the Stellantis group's modular CMP platform.

The new Renault Kwid is offered in two trims: Evolution and Climber. Both versions are available with either a manual or automatic transmission. The base version costs 4.53 lakh rupees including the exterior, while the manual Climber version will cost 5.15 lakh rupees. The version with an automatic transmission (AMT) in the base trim will be priced at 4.90 lakh rupees including the exterior, whereas the top-spec AMT version is priced at 5.61 lakh rupees.

Additional Options and Warranty

Renault also offers the option to install a retro CNG kit for an additional payment of 70,450 rupees. This option can be chosen for the manual version, and the company provides a standard three-year or 100,000 km warranty when the retro-CNG is installed.

Model Range Changes

It should be noted that the base version of the new Kwid has become 22 thousand rupees more expensive compared to the previous one. Meanwhile, the current Evolution and Climber trims have become cheaper by 14 thousand and 32 thousand rupees, respectively. The company has discontinued the production of the Authentic trim with basic specifications and the Techno trim with mid-range specifications for the 2026 model.

Design and Interior

The exterior of the 2026 Kwid has received minor modifications, including a new three-dimensional Renault badge. A redesigned two-tone plastic cover has been developed for the 14-inch steel wheels. The way the Kwid name is written on the tailgate has also changed, although most external elements remain the same. Small adjustments have also been made inside the cabin: a three-spoke Kaiser-style wheel design equipped with multimedia control buttons has been introduced. The car is equipped with an 8-inch infotainment system supporting Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Safety and Engine

Regarding safety systems, the base model is equipped with two airbags, while the top model has six. Additional features include a rear parking camera and sensors, a tire pressure monitoring system, as well as hill start assist, keyless entry, central locking, ABS, and seatbelt reminder with EBD. The car uses the old 1.0-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine, which produces 69 hp and 92.5 Nm of torque. It is available with a five-speed manual transmission and a five-speed automatic manual transmission. Competitors to the Kwid are the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso and Alto K10, which are priced at 3.50 lakh and 3.70 lakh rupees, respectively.

www.aajtak.inJuly 1, 10:41

Kia introduced new versions of Seltos with improved features, including air purifier and HUD

Kia India has released updated variants of its powerful SUV, the Seltos. The company has expanded the lineup of this global SUV by introducing the top-tier GTX(O) and X-Line(O) trims.

Features of the New Versions

These two variants are the most advanced models, offering more features. The car is based on the K3 platform. Since its launch, the Seltos has been very popular and is the third best-seller in the mid-size SUV segment. The release of these new versions is expected to increase the company's sales.

Price and Engines

The starting price for the top-tier Seltos GTX(O) and X-Line(O) is 21.57 lakh rupees ex-showroom. The car is available with options for turbocharged petrol and diesel engines. Both top variants are equipped with more sophisticated features, advanced safety systems, connected technologies, and premium comforts.

Innovative Features

The latest versions of the Kia Seltos include a Head-Up Display (HUD) with projection onto the windshield, as well as a smart air purifier with an AQI display. Additionally, the car is equipped with a dual-channel intelligent Dashcam that records both front and rear views. The new versions also include support for regional languages for voice commands, built-in navigation, and the comprehensive ADAS F+ suite, which provides 28 autonomous driving functions.

Transmission and Design

The Seltos GTX(O) and X-Line(O) models are available only with an automatic transmission. They are equipped with a 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine with 160 hp and a 1.5-liter diesel engine with 116 hp. The petrol variant uses a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, while the diesel variant has a 6-speed torque converter. The car features an exclusive Matte Graphite exterior coating, an interior in black and green tones, darkened exterior trim, and 18-inch black alloy wheels. The fuel consumption of the Kia Seltos ranges from 15.6 to 19.4 kilometers per liter.