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Venue gets a tech tune-up as Hyundai drives into the future
MUMBAI: Fasten your seatbelts, the Hyundai Venue just got a serious software update. The compact SUV that once ruled the roads with its style is now gearing up to rule with its smarts. Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has unveiled the tech-packed, safety-loaded all-new Venue, promising to take Indian roads into the era of Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs).
Leading the charge is Hyundai’s futuristic ccNC (Connected Car Navigation Cockpit) system, accelerated by Nvidia, paired with dual 62.5 cm (12.3” + 12.3”) curved panoramic displays that stretch across the dashboard like a digital command centre. It’s not just a screen, it’s a statement.
The Venue also features an immersive 12.3-inch infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay, seamless OTA updates, and a fully digital 12.3-inch display cluster that keeps you updated on everything from tyre pressure to ADAS alerts. Add to that a Bose 8-speaker premium sound system, and every drive starts to feel like a private concert.
“At HMIL, we’re committed to democratising global technologies for our customers in India,” said Hyundai Motor India whole-time director and COO Tarun Garg calling the new Venue “a bold step towards introducing SDVs in India.” He added that the Venue’s blend of “cutting-edge features and class-leading safety” would set new benchmarks in the compact SUV segment.
For the gadget geeks, the new Venue goes all out. Expect 20 Controller Over-the-Air (OTA) updates, 70 Blue Link connected features, voice-enabled smart sunroof, ventilated front seats, wireless phone charging, cooled glovebox and even support for five voice recognition languages Hindi, English, Hinglish, Bengali and Tamil. Oh, and yes, it comes with the in-built JioSaavn app for your on-road playlists.
But beneath the shiny tech, Hyundai has gone heavy on safety. The Venue boasts a super-strong body structure with 71 per cent ultra-high strength steel, making it sturdier than ever. It also features Hyundai SmartSense ADAS Level 2, packing 16 advanced driver assistance features like Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (for cars, pedestrians, cycles and junction turns), and Parking Collision Avoidance Assist.
In total, the SUV comes loaded with more than 65 safety features, 33 of which are standard across all variants. Think six airbags, all-four disc brakes, Hill-start Assist, Electronic Stability Control, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, and even a rollover sensor, it’s practically a fortress on wheels.
Inside, it’s a symphony of comfort and convenience: rear AC vents, electric 4-way driver’s seat, Surround View Monitor, and the Bose system’s crisp acoustics make sure your journey feels as good as it sounds.
Bookings are already open at Hyundai dealerships across India or online with a booking amount of Rs 25,000, ahead of the Venue’s grand debut on 4 November 2025.
With its screens, sensors and smarts, the all-new Hyundai Venue isn’t just about reaching destinations, it’s about redefining how we get there. In a world going digital, this Venue is clearly designed for the front row.
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Thomas Cook India, SOTC and Booking.com team up for smarter corporate stays
Global hotel choices meet Indian corporate controls for seamless business travel
MUMBAI: Business travel just got a major upgrade. Thomas Cook (India) and its group company SOTC Travel have joined forces with Booking.com to offer Indian corporates world-class accommodation options with a side of convenience.
The collaboration brings Booking.com’s vast global inventory, more than 31 million listings across 220 countries, straight into Thomas Cook and SOTC’s corporate booking platforms. From luxury hotels and resorts to homes and apartments, business travellers now have an unprecedented range of choices, all while staying within company travel policies.
Thomas Cook and SOTC president & group head of global business travel Indiver Rastogi said, “Today’s business travellers want more choice, flexibility and transparency. By linking Booking.com’s extensive inventory with our managed corporate tools, we’re delivering exactly that: policy control, price clarity and service support that businesses can trust.”
The offering is designed with the Indian corporate traveller in mind. Key features include transparent pricing with GST-compliant invoices, curated hotel options for SMEs to large enterprises, coverage across 2,500 plus Indian cities, verified traveller reviews, essential business amenities, and integrated policy control for approvals, budgets and credit limits.
Booking.com VP partnerships Mark van der Linden added, “Corporate travellers in India want the same seamless experience they enjoy in personal trips, with the right corporate guardrails. This partnership makes our global accommodation inventory enterprise-ready, combining choice, flexibility and localised support.”
With real-time booking access on desktop and mobile, enterprise-specific rates, loyalty benefits, and future integrations into Thomas Cook’s TravelOne platform, the partnership promises to make corporate travel smoother, safer and smarter than ever.
