Category Archives: NEW CARS

NEW CARS

Ford Ranger MS-RT PHEV and E-Tourneo Custom MS-RT Bring Rally DNA to Everyday Roads

Rally-inspired styling, a wall of torque, and colors so loud they practically glow in the dark — Ford’s latest MS-RT creations aren’t for wallflowers. Making their global debut at the 2025 IAA Mobility show in Munich, the new Ranger MS-RT PHEV pickup and E-Tourneo Custom MS-RT people mover push Ford’s electrified commercial lineup straight into motorsport cosplay territory. And we mean that as a compliment.

This isn’t Ford dipping its toe into mild cosmetic packages. The MS-RT badge carries weight. Born from the company’s partnership with M-Sport — the same outfit that builds Ford’s World Rally Championship cars — the MS-RT team has been turning workhorses into street-savvy extroverts for years. But this time, they’re electrified, brawnier, and louder than ever.

Ranger MS-RT PHEV: The Hybrid Street Truck

Ford didn’t exactly need an excuse to make the Ranger rowdier — it’s already Europe’s best-selling pickup for a decade. But the first-ever plug-in hybrid Ranger was too good a canvas for MS-RT to resist.

Under the hood, the Ranger MS-RT PHEV pairs a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder with a 75-kW electric motor and a 10-speed modular hybrid transmission. The result: 281 horsepower and a colossal 697 pound-feet of torque, making this the most torque-rich Ranger ever. It’ll tow the full 3,500 kilograms (7,716 pounds), haul a metric ton in the bed, and still sneak through city centers on 40 kilometers of EV-only range.

But spec sheets don’t tell the whole story. The MS-RT treatment makes the Ranger look like it rolled straight out of a Baja pit lane. There’s a honeycomb grille with an integrated splitter, flared arches stretched 82 millimeters wider, and a rear diffuser that doesn’t even pretend to be subtle. Diamond-cut 21-inch alloys wrapped in low-profile 275/45R21 rubber fill the arches, while a dropped ride height (40 mm lower than stock) and widened track (+40 mm per side) give it stance for days.

The tweaks aren’t just for Instagram. Revised dampers and a retuned rear suspension sharpen handling, while a ducktail spoiler and aero-sculpted cab wing tame high-speed stability. Inside, it’s a rally-lux mashup: bolstered Eco-Leather and suede seats with LED-illuminated MS-RT logos, a blue-marked heated steering wheel, and Ford’s full tech arsenal — including SYNC 4A on a 12-inch screen, adaptive cruise, and a rear-view camera.

Oh, and about those colors? Forget grayscale. The palette includes Turini Purple, Fast Blue, and retina-searing Yellow Green — shades that scream “this isn’t your contractor’s pickup.”

E-Tourneo Custom MS-RT: The Motorsport Minibus

If the Ranger is for hauling gear, the E-Tourneo Custom MS-RT is for hauling the crew. Picture this: eight seats, a 210-kW (285-hp) electric powertrain, and bodywork that looks one podium step away from a rallycross paddock.

Ford calls it a “multi-activity vehicle,” which is corporate-speak for “the coolest van you’ll ever see.” It comes with track-mounted second- and third-row seats that slide, fold, or lift out entirely — meaning you can switch from family shuttle to surf trip hauler in minutes.

Exterior styling is as aggressive as the Ranger’s: aerodynamic bumpers, side skirts, rear diffuser, and a coast-to-coast LED strip across the nose. MS-RT’s color game goes even bolder here, adding Ultramarine Blue and Sunset Orange to the mix. Underneath, wider 19-inch anthracite alloys with low-profile 235/45R19 tires widen the stance and trim unsprung weight, helping this electric bus handle like something smaller.

Inside, it mirrors the Ranger’s playbook: heated, bolstered seats with blue stitching, illuminated MS-RT badges, and a heated flat-bottom steering wheel with the now-signature blue 12 o’clock marker. The tech story upgrades too, with Ford’s latest SYNC 4 infotainment running on a 13-inch screen.

And for buyers who aren’t quite ready to go full EV, Ford will offer plug-in hybrid (233 hp) and EcoBlue diesel (170 hp) variants of the Tourneo MS-RT as well.

Why MS-RT Matters

MS-RT — short for M-Sport Road Technology — started as a passion project in 2015 and has grown into Ford’s official outlet for motorsport-infused road vehicles. Every MS-RT Ranger and Tourneo undergoes final assembly at a dedicated facility in Dagenham, UK, where the team adds their widebody kits, bespoke interiors, and finishing touches before the vehicles roll out to customers.

For Ford, this isn’t just about adding another trim line. It’s about creating halo commercial vehicles that inject rally DNA into the daily grind. The Ranger MS-RT PHEV and E-Tourneo Custom MS-RT aren’t niche toys — they’re fully functional, fully capable workhorses that just happen to look like they’ve been hanging out at Parc Fermé.

When and How to Get One

Both models hit European showrooms for order later in 2025, with deliveries beginning in 2026. Expect pricing to land significantly above standard Ranger and Tourneo trims, but if you want to turn heads while towing boats, hauling bricks, or shuttling a weekend’s worth of mountain bikes, these MS-RT machines might be the loudest (and coolest) way to do it.

Bottom line: Ford and MS-RT have built two vehicles that refuse to blend in. They’ve taken the grit of rally racing and wrapped it in street-friendly, electrified utility packages. In a world of sensible crossovers and grayscale work vans, the Ranger MS-RT PHEV and E-Tourneo Custom MS-RT are unapologetically extroverted — and we’re here for it.

Source: Ford

NEW CARS

Suzuki Victoris: Maruti’s New Global SUV Aims Big with Hybrid, CNG, and Style

Maruti Suzuki, India’s undisputed passenger-car powerhouse, is adding serious muscle to its SUV arsenal with the launch of the all-new Suzuki Victoris. Built at the company’s state-of-the-art Kharkhoda Plant, the Victoris is aimed squarely at the booming Indian SUV market—where SUVs now account for about 60 percent of all passenger-car sales. But Maruti isn’t just building this model for local showrooms; the Victoris is headed for export to more than 100 countries, signaling Suzuki’s global ambitions for its newest utility player.

Bold, Futuristic Sheetmetal

At first glance, the Victoris makes its intentions clear. This SUV wears a sharp, chiselled body, LED lighting at both ends, and a stance that leans futuristic without being too polarizing. It’s the kind of design that could stand tall on Indian roads crowded with compact crossovers, yet still look sophisticated in global markets.

Inside, Suzuki has dialed up the premium vibe. The instrument panel is heavily styled, while a 64-color LED ambient lighting system bathes the cabin in a glow that’s more luxury lounge than budget commuter. The mix of modern design and day-to-day comfort aims to put Victoris shoppers a notch above the usual Maruti experience.

Three Flavors of Efficiency

Maruti knows one size doesn’t fit all in India, so the Victoris comes with three distinct powertrain options:

  • A 1.5-liter mild-hybrid with either a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic.
  • A 1.5-liter strong hybrid, paired exclusively with a CVT.
  • A 1.5-liter CNG variant, which breaks new ground with an underbody tank layout—freeing up cargo space usually eaten by bulky cylinders.

The hybrid models rely on lithium-ion batteries supplied by Suzuki’s joint venture, TDS Lithium-Ion Battery Gujarat Private Limited, reflecting the brand’s ongoing investment in electrified powertrains.

Safety and Tech for the Daily Grind

The Victoris doesn’t skimp on the tech checklist. Buyers can expect collision mitigation braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, a surround-view camera, and even tire-pressure monitoring—features still not guaranteed in many Indian-market SUVs. Comfort tech includes power-adjustable seats, a hands-free power tailgate, and a 10.1-inch infotainment system that runs Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

For audiophiles, Maruti is making a statement: an eight-speaker Infinity system tuned for Dolby Atmos 5.1-channel surround sound. That’s more concert hall than commuter pod, and easily one of the most premium audio setups in this price-sensitive segment.

Market Positioning

With dimensions measuring 4,360 mm long, 1,795 mm wide, and 1,655 mm tall, the Victoris slots neatly into the compact-to-mid-size SUV bracket. But Maruti’s real play here isn’t just size—it’s breadth. Few SUVs in India offer a choice of mild hybrid, strong hybrid, and CNG under one roof. Add in export ambitions and a clear push on safety and tech, and the Victoris looks like more than just another Arena offering.

Maruti Suzuki is betting big on Victoris to capture SUV intenders who want futuristic looks, greener choices, and richer in-car experiences. And given the segment’s explosive growth, the Victoris might just be the right SUV at the right time—not only for India, but for a much wider world.

Source: Suzuki

NEW CARS

Fiat Grande Panda: Petrol Joins the Family, Completing the Lineup

The Fiat Grande Panda has just welcomed its final sibling into the fold, and it’s a familiar one: petrol power. With order books now open for the new 1.2-liter three-cylinder turbo, Fiat officially completes the Grande Panda lineup, giving buyers the full menu of propulsion options—gasoline, hybrid, and EV. It’s a strategic move that underscores Fiat’s pitch for accessibility and versatility in an increasingly fragmented small-car market.

A Traditional Choice in a Tech-Heavy World

The newcomer is a 100-hp turbocharged triple paired with a six-speed manual, good for 205 Nm of torque and a touch of old-school driving engagement. Start&Stop tech lends a hand in city traffic, but make no mistake: this is the most straightforward, cost-conscious way into the Panda range. It’s aimed at drivers who still prefer a clutch pedal over a drive mode selector and want simplicity without feeling stripped bare.

Three Ways to Panda

With petrol now on the books, the Grande Panda family offers a clear three-tiered approach:

  • Petrol: 100 hp, 1.2-liter turbo, 6-speed manual
  • Hybrid: 110 hp with a 48-volt lithium-ion battery and eDCT, promising seamless stop-start urban cruising with better fuel economy
  • Electric: A 44-kWh battery paired with an 83-kW motor (113 hp) for zero-emissions driving and respectable urban range

This mix not only broadens appeal but also reflects Fiat’s flexible powertrain philosophy, letting customers decide how quickly they want to transition toward electrification.

Trims that Match Personalities

Fiat keeps things simple with three trims—POP, ICON, and LA PRIMA—available across all powertrains. POP keeps costs down with manual A/C, a basic 10-inch digital cluster, and solid safety kit (six airbags, lane assist, auto braking, and rear sensors). ICON strikes the balance with LED lighting and a bigger 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless mirroring. And for those who want the fully loaded city cruiser, LA PRIMA brings 17-inch alloys, navigation, sustainable interior materials, and a 360-degree camera setup.

Add seven bright paint options—including cheeky shades like Limone Yellow and Acqua Azure—and the Grande Panda comes across as far less utilitarian than its ’80s namesake.

Retro Spirit, Modern Execution

Fiat didn’t just slap a historic badge on another subcompact. The Grande Panda’s styling leans heavily on retro-modern cues: blocky proportions, pixel-style LEDs, cube-like taillights, and bold “PANDA” lettering stamped into the doors. Inside, it’s equally people-focused, with wide shoulder room for its class, clever storage solutions, and enough tech to keep up with the competition.

In short, Fiat has crafted a lineup that nods to its roots while covering all the bases for today’s urban drivers. The petrol version may be the last to arrive, but for many, it’ll be the most familiar—and possibly the most fun.

Source: Stellantis