The automotive industry moves at a fast pace, making it tough to keep up with the latest news. But HT Auto is dedicated to delivering quick updates on important happenings in the field. Here’s a recap of the main highlights from Monday, April 14.

Volkswagen has just rolled out the Tiguan R-Line

Volkswagen India has just launched the much-awaited Tiguan R-Line SUV, with a starting price of ₹49 lakh (ex-showroom and introductory). This sporty model takes the place of the previous Volkswagen Tiguan, which has recently been phased out from the brand's offerings in India. The new Tiguan R-Line boasts a more dynamic look, along with a host of cosmetic upgrades and cutting-edge features. Customers can easily book their vehicles through the official Volkswagen website or at authorized dealerships.

Under the hood, the Tiguan R-Line is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch DSG automatic transmission. The power is sent to all four wheels thanks to the brand's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. This engine produces a robust 201 bhp and a maximum torque of 320 Nm. Plus, it comes with Dynamic Chassis Control technology to improve stability at higher speeds.

The 2025 Hero Splendor Plus has been officially released

The Hero Splendor Plus, known as the brand's best-selling commuter bike, has been updated to meet the stricter OBD2B emission standards. This change has led to a price hike of ₹1,750 for all variants. The base model of the Hero Splendor Plus now starts at ₹78,926, while the higher-end Hero Splendor Plus Xtec 2.0 is priced at ₹85,501. These prices are ex-showroom.

The biggest upgrade for 2025 is the addition of On-Board Diagnostics 2nd stage (OBD2B), a new rule aimed at tracking emissions in real-time to enhance environmental performance. Mechanically, the Hero Splendor Plus hasn’t changed; it still features the 97.2 cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine that delivers 8 bhp and 8.05 Nm of torque. This engine is also used in the Hero Passion Plus and Hero HF Deluxe and is paired with a 4-speed gearbox.

The upcoming Kia Seltos is set to launch featuring a hybrid powertrain

The upcoming Kia Seltos is gearing up to include a hybrid powertrain. At its recent Investor’s Day 2025 event, Kia, the South Korean carmaker, emphasized its strong focus on electrified vehicles, particularly hybrids. The company shared its plans to broaden its hybrid lineup across all types of vehicles, from compact to full-size. This effort will include the new second-generation Kia Seltos, which is expected to launch in 2026.

Kia has set an ambitious goal to sell 2.33 million electrified vehicles by 2030, which would account for 56 percent of its total sales targets. This figure includes 1.26 million electric vehicles (EVs) and 1.07 million hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), which cover plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and Extended Range Electric Vehicles (EREVs). With the rising interest in hybrids, Kia plans to ramp up its hybrid sales to nearly one million units by 2030, a notable jump from the estimated 490,000 units in 2025.

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