Carmakers have a tendency of introducing new models in the Indian market in the run up to the festive season and despite the lacklustre sales performance in the automotive industry – sales in August fell 31.57 percent year-on-year – 2019 will be no different. So far, we know for sure that Maruti Suzuki, Datsun, Hyundai, Renault, Skoda, Tata and Toyota will be adding at least eight new models – two all-new cars, two facelifts and four new variants – to their respective portfolios this festive season.
Maruti Suzuki S-Presso
The production-spec version of Maruti’s Future S Concept will finally arrive in the form of the S-Presso on September 30. A new micro-SUV, the small hatchback features SUV-like styling to appeal to the Indian car buyer and will directly take on the Renault Kwid, though it will also rival the Datsun Redigo in terms of price. The model will debut the BS6-compliant version of Maruti’s K10 petrol motor. Based on other engines from the brand that were upgraded from BS4- to BS6-spec, the output figures are expected to be the same 68hp and 90Nm of torque, though mileage figures are expected to drop slightly. Other details about the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso have started surfacing as its launch date approaches – the carmaker began officially teasing the model recently and then the interiors of the S-Presso were revealed, confirming it will sport a Mini-esque dashboard centre piece that houses the digital speedometer and tachometer.
Renault Kwid facelift
Renault’s highest-selling model will get a major update early next month. Along with a slew of design updates on the outside to keep it fresh and to comply with crash test and pedestrian safety norms, the Renault Kwid facelift will also get tweaked interiors. While the exterior will be reminiscent of the City K-ZE EV that debuted at the 2019 Shanghai motor show, new images that have surfaced online show that there will be some bits shared with the Renault Triber like the 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that’s Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatible and digital instrument cluster. The Kwid facelift will initially continue with the same BS4-compliant 54hp, 0.8-litre and 68hp, 1.0-litre petrol engines, though these will be upgraded to BS6-spec later. The Datsun Redigo and Maruti Suzuki S-Presso rival will continue to be offered with 5-speed manual and 5-speed AMT gearbox options.
Hyundai Elantra facelift
Hyundai may have recently launched the Grand i10 Nios, along with the Venue compact SUV, earlier this year but the Korean brand will also bring out its refreshed rival to the Skoda Octavia, Toyota Corolla Altis and Honda Civic on October 3, 2019. Apart from changes to the exteriors and interiors – the former brings its looks in line with the newer Hyundai models while the latter will make sure the model has the kit to be competitive – the Elantra facelift will also come with a BS6-compliant version of the 152hp, 2.0-litre petrol engine. The previously offered 128hp, 1.6-litre diesel motor will not be offered due to the clear preference for petrol engines in the small volumes executive sedan segment. The Hyundai Elantra will continue to be offered in three variants – the S, SX, and SX(O), with the higher variants getting Hyundai’s BlueLink connectivity technology. Prices are expected to rise slightly from the current petrol model’s Rs 13.82-18.92 lakh range (ex-showroom, Delhi).
Skoda Kodiaq Scout
The Czech carmaker will launch a new version of its flagship SUV, called the Skodiaq Scout, on September 30. The Skoda Kodiaq Scout is intended to be a more off-road-focused version of the standard model and to justify that, it’ll come with additional equipment and rugged looks. Although the India-spec Kodiaq Scout has not yet been revealed, the one sold internationally gets a few unique features like an off-road styling pack, metallic inserts on the front and rear bumper, redesigned 19-inch alloy wheels, Alcantara upholstery on the seats, Scout badging inside and outside, an off-road driving mode and a four-wheel drive system, as standard. Skoda is expected to price the Scout higher than the current range-topping L&K variant, which retails at Rs 36.79 lakh (ex-showroom, pan-India).
Datsun Go, Go+ CVT
Datsun is going to add a new automatic variant to the Go hatchback and Go+ MPV in the month of October. This new variant will make both these cars the first in their respective segments to feature a CVT automatic gearbox – all their main rivals get an Automated Manual Transmission (AMT). Datsun will offer both cars with the same 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol unit, though it’s rated at 9hp higher than the petrol-manual model – power is up to 77hp though it produces the same 104Nm of torque. It is worth noting that Datsun will only offer the CVT gearbox option in the top two T and T(O) variants of the Go and Go+, which means they will come with ESC as standard. In terms of competitors, the Go rivals the Tata Tiago, Hyundai Santro and Maruti Suzuki Celerio while the Go+ has no direct rival but finds common ground with the recently launched Renault Triber, which is another sub-four-metre seven-seater. We expect Datsun to launch the CVT versions of both cars in the first half of October.
Tata Tiago Wizz
Tata is gearing up to launch the 2019 Tiago Wizz edition in early October. This will be the second time the Tiago has received a Wizz edition, with the first one having been launched back in 2017. Like before, the 2019 iteration of the Tata Tiago Wizz is also expected to feature only cosmetic updates like a contrast black roof with orange accents on the grille and alloy wheels, along with orange wing mirror caps. Mechanically, the hatchback will continue to use the 85hp, 1.2-litre petrol engine and 70hp, 1.05-litre diesel. Tata offers the petrol engine with a 5-speed manual gearbox as well as an AMT gearbox option while the diesel is only offered with the former. Competitors for the Tiago include the Hyundai Santro, Maruti Suzuki Wagon R and the Datsun Go.
Toyota Vellfire
Come October, Toyota is likely to bring its luxury MPV to our market. While speculation had suggested the Japanese brand will bring the Alphard to India, our exclusive confirmed that the six-seat Toyota Vellfire will launch instead to take on the Mercedes V-class. To be powered by a petrol-electric powertrain – a 150hp, 2.5-litre engine with a 143hp electric motor (combined output is 197hp) – the model will come with all-wheel-drive and a CVT automatic. Leaked brochures that have surfaced online confirm that the Vellfire will come with captain seats (power adjustable and reclinable with a cooling function) in the second row, powered sliding doors and tailgate, two sunroofs, three-zone automatic climate control, mood lighting, individual tray tables, seven airbags and an option of a black or beige interior. Expect prices in the Rs 80 lakh region due to its CBU status.
from Autocar India https://ift.tt/2KYvjtV
via IFTTT
No comments:
Post a Comment