JSW Motors prepares to launch the plug-in hybrid SUV Combat in India, capable of driving 90 km without gasoline

The mid-size SUV segment in the Indian market is highly popular, with the Hyundai Creta standing out as one of the best-selling models. Now, Honda is introducing its SUV in a new guise—the Honda Elevate, whose facelift is scheduled for next week.

Honda first released the Elevate in 2023, but this model did not achieve the same success as the Creta. Consequently, the company is releasing an updated version that will undergo changes to both its exterior and interior design. Honda plans to unveil the Honda Elevate Facelift on October 6th.

India will be the first market where the updated Elevate will be launched. The company has also started pre-bookings for this model; a deposit of 21 thousand rupees is sufficient for reservation. Honda has announced several features of the upcoming Elevate Facelift that allow for speculation about the SUV's design.

The most significant changes will affect the front end of the SUV, which will feature a new headlight configuration. Illuminated elements, divided into three segments, will be placed between the thin daytime running lights. The grille pattern will also change, and the Honda logo will be moved to the lower part of the bumper.

Similar updates have already been seen in the Honda City Facelift. Furthermore, the rear of the car will also be modernized: a red illuminated strip connected to the central Honda logo will appear on the tailgate, making the rear more pronounced.

The interior space will also receive an update. Ambient lighting will be added. The passenger side dashboard, currently finished in wood imitation, will be replaced with light colors. Additionally, leather upholstery will be used in the cabin, details of which will also be visible on the door panels.

This means that a soft-touch surface will be widely used in the vehicle. However, the main layout of the dashboard will remain the same. There is also a possibility of a camera-based digital rearview mirror, although Honda has not yet confirmed this feature.

The Honda Elevate Facelift, launching on October 6th, will be equipped with a 1.5-liter iVTEC gasoline engine, providing 121 horsepower and 145 Nm of torque. The company will offer variants with a 6-speed manual transmission and CVT. Features will include ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, and a 360-degree camera. This vehicle will directly compete with models such as the Tata Sierra, Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, and Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara.

Skoda Auto Volkswagen India has started mass production of the updated Slavia Facelift model. The production of this premium sedan takes place at the Chakkan plant located in Pune. The company plans to introduce this vehicle before the start of the festive season, and the launch date has already been announced.

Tata recently released the compact sedan Eris, and now Skoda is presenting its updated model. The Skoda Slavia Facelift is scheduled for release in the Indian market on October 6, 2026. The company has also opened pre-orders, allowing buyers to place a reservation for 15 thousand rupees.

Skoda has already unveiled the Slavia Facelift, which will feature a sharper design compared to the current model. With new headlights and taillights, the car looks more premium. Furthermore, the company has redesigned the bumpers and equipped the car with 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels.

The taillights will be equipped with sequential turn indicators. As part of the update, new paint color options will also be offered. The interior design of the car will undergo minimal changes, but the infotainment system will increase from 10 inches to 10.1 inches. The driver's dashboard will also be updated: an 8-inch display will be replaced by a 10.25-inch digital driver display.

In terms of features, the car includes a panoramic sunroof, a 360-degree camera, front passenger seats with heating and ventilation, rear seats with massage function, and support for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Additionally, Skoda has improved the performance of the air conditioning system, which was a frequent consumer complaint.

The Slavia Facelift will be available with a 1.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine, which provides 115 hp and 178 Nm of torque. A 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine, producing 150 hp and 250 Nm of torque, is also available. For the 1.0-liter engine, a 6-speed manual transmission or an 8-speed automatic is available, while the 1.5-liter engine exclusively offers a 7-speed DCT. It should be noted that the starting price of the current Slavia is 9.99 lakh rupees, and the price up to the showroom reaches 18.29 lakh rupees, while the cost of the new Slavia may be slightly higher.

Renault plans to introduce its new powerful SUV to the Indian market before the Diwali holidays. Although the company previously confirmed the release of this model in early 2026, details have now become more specific.

The Renault Duster Hybrid is expected to launch on October 17. Earlier this year, Renault released the Duster with 1.0-liter and 1.3-liter turbocharged petrol engines. The version with the hybrid powertrain was announced earlier and is about to hit the market.

In a teaser post, Renault posted the phrase: 'Dear diesel, thank you for the ride, we'll take it from here.' This statement emphasizes the company's transition from diesel engines, which contributed to the initial success of the Renault Duster in the Indian market, to new technologies.

When Renault Duster returns in 2026, there will be no diesel engines in its lineup; instead, the company has focused on a hybrid system. The Duster Hybrid will be equipped with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that will work together with two electric motors and a multi-mode automatic transmission.

This system will provide 160 hp and 172 Nm of torque and will include a 1.4 kWh battery. Renault has already confirmed this system for India. The company claims that in urban conditions, the car can operate on 80% of the battery charge, although some changes may occur depending on traffic, battery charge level, and driving style.

Since this is a hybrid powertrain setup, no additional charging will be required; the system itself will manage the operation of the petrol and electric modes. Thanks to regenerative braking, energy will be recovered when the vehicle slows down. Information on range and fuel efficiency will be available after the car's launch.

The company presents this car as a replacement for diesel variants, targeting consumers looking for vehicles with better fuel economy. While competitors to this car include the Hyundai Creta and Tata Sierra, the direct competition for the hybrid version is the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Victoris, and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder. The success of the Renault Duster Hybrid will largely depend on its price.

At the beginning of the year, the Renault Duster returned to the market, and initial sales were high, but they have started to decline over time. In March, 1402 Dusters were sold, and in April, sales reached 2359 units, after which a decline began. In May, 1267 units were sold, in June—1011 units, in July—512 units, and in August—402 units. The current price of the Duster starts from 10.49 lakh rupees and reaches 18.69 lakh rupees including all charges.