New sedans coming to India in 2015
2015 promises to bring in quite a few choices for prospective sedan owners in India. Though most of them are updates to existing models, there are some exciting all-new models headed here too. Read on to know what is in store.
Audi A6 and A7 (facelifts)Audi have updated the A6 and A7 with the new Matrix headlights and new engine tunes. They showed the updated models at the 2014 and since the A6 is one of its more popular models in India, expect it to reach the Indian shores soon. The A7 should follow suit.
BMW 3 Series (facelift)The F10 3 Series hasn't really worked  wonders for BMW in India, but the fact remains that it is the sportiest sedan in its class and a great looker too. The facelift is expected to show its updated face in a few months from now and knowing how quick BMW is to bring its wares to India, we can't rule out the possibility of the updated 3 coming to India in 2015 itself. More so now with the entry of the new C-Class.
BMW 7 SeriesThe new 7 Series has already made headlines on the Internet with its undisguised spy shots all over the place. However, it will make its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show this March and will go on sale in the European market almost instantly. We expect it to reach India by the end of the year though.
Chevrolet Sail (facelift)The Sail twins have been given a facelift recently in China and India won't be far behind. Though no test mules have been spotted yet, we expect to see the updated Sail to roll out of Chevy's Talegaon (Pune) plant by the festive season.
Ford Figo SedanThe Figo sedan created headlines when the concept was shown at the 2014 Auto Expo in New Delhi. Though largely similar in design to the Ka sedan launched in Brazil last year, the Indian Figo sedan will be a sub 4-metre offering and will join the new Figo hatchback which too is expected to be launched in 2015. It will compete with the likes of the. It is expected to be powered by the familiar 1.5-litre TDCi diesel and an updated 1.2-litre petrol.
Honda Amaze (facelift)The Amaze has been doing rather well for the Japanese carmaker and to keep the storefront fresh, the sub 4-metre sedan will receive minor updates by the end of January 2015. Expect some nips and tucks to the grille and bumpers and some new features and creature comforts on the brochure. Under the hood, the popular 1.5-litre iDTEC mill will benefit from relatively better refinement.
Hyundai Verna (facelift)
The Verna was given a mild update last year to counter the new Honda City. This year, it will get another update by way of some new features and a subtle makeover to the front end and rear. Expect the 2015 model to roll out this February.
Hyundai Elantra (facelift)Here's the tricky bit. Hyundai is expected to unveil a heavily updated Elantra in the Korean market by mid-2015. Said to be wearing the new Storm Edge design language, the updated Elantra is expected to get a leaner and more sophisticated design than the current model. However, the India launch could still be some time away and in the meantime, we expect to see a mild refresh to the India-spec model.
Jaguar XEJaguar's much awaited rival to the A4, C-Class and 3 made its first public appearance last year and announced that it will go on sale in 2015. Powered by a new 2.0-litre engine that belongs to thefrom J-LR, the is expected to be a 3 Series killer when it comes to ride and handling dynamics. There is a lot riding on this model and its India launch is imminent. With the, this space is going to get very exciting.
Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire (facelift)Not much to expect here. The class-leading compact sedan will get blink-and-you'll-miss-it nips and tucks to the grille and bumpers. Also on-board will be a Bluetooth enabled audio system and keyless entry-and-go on the range-topping trims. Ditto as the so-called Swift update that was brought to us in 2014.
Skoda SuperbThe new Skoda Superb is coming to the 2015 Geneva Motor Show and we expect to see it come to India this year itself. The new Superb employs Volkswagen's new MQB platform and gets that was shown last year. It will conform to Skoda's traditional manner, but will have much sleeker proportions and a coupé-ish silhouette. All the information on the oily bits will be out in a few weeks, so stay tuned.
Tata Kite sedanLike the Project Falcon, which took shape as the Bolt and Zest, Tata's ongoing Project. The sedan will be another sub 4-metre offering and will get a new 1.0-litre three-cylinder diesel mill as an option. The petrol counterpart will use the. The design direction of the hatch and sedan will come from the Megapixel concept and being based on the Indica-platform, the Kite twins will be able to undercut their competition by a significant margin.
Volkswagen Passat B8Volkswagen insist that they are still undecided on the feasibility of the new Passat for India, but our sources close to the carmaker confirm that the Passat B8 is indeed coming to India and in 2015 itself. Like the upcoming Superb, the Passat too uses the MQB platform and as we found out last year, this could be all the car you need.
2015 Volkswagen Passat B8 first drive
Volkswagen Vento (facelift)The Vento was given a new 1.5-litre diesel engine, a new pair of headlights and the slick DSG transmission only last year, but Volkswagen is going ahead and adding more oomph to its mid-size sedan. Expected this year is CNG propulsion, yet another design change for the headlights, new taillights and more creature comforts.
Volkswagen Jetta (facelift)The Jetta is a very capable vehicle and an underdog in VW India's line-up. After getting a mild makeover in 2013, the Jetta is now getting ready for another refresh to serve the market until the all-new model comes out later this year. The latter however, could come to India only by 2016.
Volkswagen sub 4-metre sedanAs we told you in October 2014, Volkswagen is working on a compact sedan based on the Polo / Vento and its development is said to be underway much faster than what VW would usually achieve. The reason is a no-brainer - with the Dzire, Xcent and Amaze laughing their way to the banks, VW would like to grab a share of that pie and soon. The said car will have a choice of a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel engine at its disposal when it goes on sale around the festive season. Stay tuned for more.
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