Upcoming new car launches in India
Bentley Bentayga (April 22, 2016)
The Bentayga is the first SUV from the stables of Bentley Motors. It is touted to be the most powerful and also the fastest luxury SUV across the globe. It is powered by an all-new twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre W12 motor which generates 608PS and 900NM. The engine comes mated to a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission. Bentley claims that the Bentayga can sprint from 0-100kmph in 4.1 seconds and attain a top speed of 301kmph. Once launched, the Bentley Bentayga will compete with the Land Rover Range Rover in India. Read about it here
New Toyota Innova Crysta (May 3, 2016)
Since it's launch around a decade ago, the Toyota Innova has dominated the MPV segment in India. The new generation MPV is expected to maintain Toyota's position in a segment which has witnessed the arrival of many competitors. What will work for the new Innova Crysta is that it is based on the IMV platform. On the styling front, it looks sharp, more modern and upmarket compared to the outgoing car. Under the hood, it will come equipped with Toyota's modern 2GD-FTV 2,393cc engine which is good for 149PS. The engine will be coupled to a five-speed manual transmission. Read about it here
Honda BR-V (May 5, 2016)
The Honda BR-V is based on the Mobilio platform and will come equipped with three rows of seats. Once launched, it will compete with the likes of the Renault Duster and the Hyundai Creta. The Honda BR-V is expected to be offered with a 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine which will make 118PS and 145NM. The 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel engine will also be offered which produces 100PS and 200Nm. Both engines will come mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The petrol engine will also be offered with a CVT. The BR-V petrol range is expected to be priced from Rs 8.1 lakh while the diesel range is likely to start from Rs 9.70 lakh. Read about it here
Datsun redi-Go (June 1, 2016)
Datsun first showcased the redi-GO as a concept car at the 2014 Auto Expo. The production version that was unveiled in India on April 14, 2016 borrows styling cues from the concept car. The red-Go is based on the CMF-A platform that also underpins the Renault Kwid. It is powered by a 800cc motor that is coupled to a five-speed manual transmission. The Datsun redi-Go is expected to be positioned below the Renault Kwid. Read about it here
Maruti Baleno RS
Maruti had showcased the Baleno RS concept at the Auto Expo 2016. Unlike the regular Maruti Baleno, the RS version is powered by a direct injection, 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder, turbopetrol engine. The engine is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. Once it arrives on our shores, the Baleno RS will compete with the Volkswagen Polo TSI, Ford Figo 1.5l petrol AT and the Fiat Abarth Punto. Maruti is expected to launch the Baleno RS in the second half of the festive season. Read about it here
Maruti Ignis
Along with the Baleno RS, Maruti also showcased the Ignis at the 2016 Auto Expo. Maruti's compact SUV will compete against the likes of the Mahindra KUV100 and the Hyundai Grand i10. In India, the Maruti Ignis is expected to be offered with the 1.2-litre petrol and 1.3-litre diesel engines that also power the Swift. The Ignis is expected to be launched during the festive season and will be sold exclusively through Nexa showrooms. Read about it here
Jeep Grand Cherokee, Grand Cherokee SRT, Wrangler Unlimited (mid-2016)
At the Auto Expo 2016, Jeep formally announced that it will begin selling the Grand Cherokee, Grand Cherokee SRT and Wrangler Unlimited models in India by mid-2016. The Grand Cherokee is powered by a 3.0-litre engine which makes 240PS and 570Nm and is coupled to a 5-speed automatic transmission. It will also be offered with a 3.0-litre V6 Pentastar petrol which will be introduced at a later date. The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT gets a 6.4-litre engine which makes 470PS and is mated to a 8-speed automatic transmission. The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited gets a 2.8-litre turbo-charged diesel engine which generates 200PS and 460Nm. Read about it here
Fiat Linea 125S (mid-2016)
The Fiat Linea 125S was unveiled at the Auto Expo 2016. It gets an updated 1.4-litre turbocharged T-Jet petrol engine which makes 125PS and 210Nm. The engine is coupled to a 5-speed manual transmission. It will be offered only in Saffire Blue colour along with black 16-inch alloys. It is expected to arrive on our shores by mid-2016. Read about it here
At the Auto Expo 2016, Fiat had showcased the Avventura Urban Cross and commented that it will be launched in the third quarter of this year. It is an updated version of the regular Avventura which doesn't get a spare wheel mounted at the rear. It is powered by the same 1.4-litre T-Jet petrol engine as the Avventura Abarth version which makes 140PS and 210Nm. The engine is coupled to a 5-speed manual transmission. Read about it here
Volkswagen Ameo (August-October)
Volkswagen will mark its foray into the hotly contested compact sedan segment in India with the Ameo. It was unveiled a day before the Auto Expo 2016 and is the first model to have been developed with design inputs from Volkswagen India. The Volkswagen Ameo will be offered with a 1.2-litre petrol MPI engine which will make 75PS and 110Nm. The diesel version will get an updated 1.5-litre engine which will produce 92PS and 240Nm. The Ameo is likely to be priced from Rs 6 to 8 lakh. Read about it here
Nissan GT-R (September 2016)
Nissan has just updated the current GT-R before the all-new model arrives, which could happen next year. It gets Nissan's new larger V-motion grille, a new bumper and lip spoiler. It also gets an updated interior too with better attention to detail. There's a new dashboard and lighter front seats. The 3.8-litre twin turbo V6 makes 565PS and 633Nm and is mated to a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission. Nissan says the suspension has been retuned for a smoother ride. It is expected to be priced upwards of Rs 1.3 crore.
Tata Hexa (end of 2016)
The Tata Hexa crossover was first showcased at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. Although it' styling is similar to the Aria, Tata Motors says that the Hexa is an all-new vehicle and features an uprated powertrain. It gets Tata's 2.2-litre diesel engine which produces 157PS and 400Nm. The concept car featured a 6-speed manual transmission. The production version is likely to offer an automatic transmission as well. It is expected to be launched in India sometime later this year. Read about it here
Tata Nexon (end of 2016)
The Nexon is Tata's take on the sub-4m SUV segment and will compete against the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and the Mahindra Nuvosport. Tata Motors has confirmed that the Nexon will be powered by a new range of 1.2-lire petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines. It is expected to be launched towards the end of this year. Read about it here
Nissan X-Trail Hybrid (end of 2016)
At the Auto Expo 2016, Nissan confirmed that they will be launching the X-Trail Hybrid in India. It is powered by a 2.0-litre MR20DD hybrid motor which makes 147PS and 207NM. The high-output lithium-ion battery adds another 41PS and 160Nm. It is expected to be priced between Rs 35-37 lakh and might be offered as a 7-seater. It will be launched sometime towards the end of 2016 and will compete against the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Honda CR-V. Read about it here
Hyundai Tucson and Elantra
The Korean manufacturer is expected to launch the new Tucson and the Elantra by the end of this year. The new Tucson looks more modern and sleeker than the outgoing car. Globally, it is offered with multiple engine options. However, India is likely to get the 2.0-litre diesel engine which makes 178PS and is mated to a new 8-speed automatic transmission. It was showcased at the Auto Expo 2016 and is expected to be priced around Rs 15-20 lakh. The new Elantra gets Hyundai's Storm Edge design update and is likely to be offered with the existing engine options. Read about it here
Ford Mustang (October 2016)
The Ford Mustang is expected to be launched in India by the end of this year. It is expected to be priced between Rs 55-60 lakh (ex-showroom). This is the first time that Ford has subjected the Mustang to the Right Hand Drive treatment. This has had an effect on its performance figures. While the U.S. model makes 441PS and 542Nm, the Mustang launched in India will produce only 401PS and 515Nm, despite both models having the same 5.0-litre V8 engine. The right-hand-drive conversion has required the exhaust manifold positioning to be reworked. This has in turn reduced the exhaust pipe's length which has lowered the power and torque. Read about it here