Greetings everyone,
The car market has hit a rough patch isn’t really breaking news, but that’s no reason to think that carmakers are giving up. Judging by the slew of cars set to make it here in 2014, we have a lot to look forward to. So before you sign on the dotted line, be sure to run through our list of new SUVs, MPVs, hatchbacks and saloons headed our way in 2014.
HATCHBACKS
Datsun Go
Nissan has brought the Datsun brand back from the dead after over three decades, and the Go will be its first model. The new Datsun will be a budget brand with all its core products priced under Rs 4 lakh. The Go’s styling is quite aggressive and certainly not like the other low-cost cars, like the Renault Logan, another car from the Renault-Nissan Alliance. On the inside, it gets low-cost, but nicely designed parts, and this has helped keep the costs down. An interesting detail is the gearlever and parking brake which have been moved to the dash and space between the two front seats has been bridged by a cushion and a backrest. Though risky, Indian car buyers are likely to use this space ‘innovatively’. The car’s wheelbase is the same as that of the Nissan Micra and hence, there’s plenty of space on the inside. It will also be powered by the Nissan Micra’s 1.2-litre petrol motor, but with less power. Datsun will focus on making this car both fuel efficient and affordable to maintain.
Fact file
On sale: March 2014
Price: Rs 3.0-3.5 lakh
Engine(s): 1.2 P
Competition: Maruti WagonR, Hyundai i10, Chevrolet Beat
Honda New Jazz
The very capable Honda Jazz had a relatively short life in India, thanks to poor demand, caused mainly by a high sticker price and the lack of a diesel option. However, an all-new Jazz is coming next year and is going to tackle both those issues head on. Firstly, it will be available from the outset with Honda’s brilliant 1.5-litre i-DTEC engine that currently sits in the nose of the Amaze. The 1.2-litre i-VTEC petrol engine will also return, and Honda is working to localise the car more extensively to price it more competitively this time around. The new look of the Jazz with its attractive grille and headlamps and more rounded roof do wonders for its image. While the old car’s one-box, MPV-like looks may have put some people off, the next-gen Jazz fares a lot better in this respect. And as with the outgoing Jazz, you can expect lots of space in the cabin and a big boot too, thanks to Honda’s legendary interior packaging skills.
Factfile
On sale: End 2014
Price: Rs 5.5-7.5 lakh
Engine(s): 1.2 P, 1.5 D
Competition: Hyundai i20, VW Polo
Chevrolet Beat Facelift
There’s no doubt the Chevy Beat is one of the most modern looking hatches on sale in India. However, GM felt it needed an update, and in late 2011 introduced a facelift, which GM India has taken its time to bring here. The good news is that we’ll be seeing it next year. There’s a bit more chrome on the outside, and a softer edge to the grille. There are new bumpers, new mirrors and reprofiled head- and tail-lamps. GM will also likely take the opportunity to rejig its model line-up, introducing both more affordable as well as better equipped models.
Factfile
On sale: Mid 2014
Price: Rs 4-6 lakh
Engine(s): 1.2 P, 1.0 D
Competition: Hyundai i10, Maruti WagonR
Maruti New A-Star
Hyundai found room in its hatchback line-up for another model - the Grand i10, and now Maruti will replace two of its hatches with a new one. The company only recently discontinued the slow-selling Zen Estilo, and the A-star is also slated to get the axe. Filling the rather large gap in the range left by both these cars will be one all-new hatchback, codenamed YL7, which will be built on an all-new platform. Initially, the car will be powered by one of Maruti’s K-series engines, most likely the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder K10 that currently powers the Alto K10, WagonR and A-star. There could be a diesel at a later stage, and that will likely be the famous Fiat 1.3-litre Multijet that powers many other Maruti cars. As you can see from the spy photograph, the YL7 has a bit of a ‘tall boy’ profile, and this points to lots of space in the cabin – something that has been an issue in the smaller Maruti hatchbacks. The YL7 will be revealed at the 2014 Auto Expo in February.
Factfile
On sale: Early 2014
Price: Rs 3-4 lakh
Engine(s): 1.0 P
Competition: Hyundai Grand i10, Ford Figo
Tata Indica Vista Facelift
Tata’s Indica Vista is scheduled for an extensive makeover and the company will display the updated car at the Auto Expo in Feb 2014. The refreshed car is expected to receive a host of upgrades to improve its value proposition, which has taken a hit in recent times. The facelift will borrow a lot of styling cues inspired from the Manza hybrid showcased at last year’s Auto Expo, which will include a whole new design for the front. The signature tail-lamps will make way for differently designed units as well. The refreshed interiors will sport more equipment too. The engines will remain the same but there are rumours that Tata is working on a new three-cylinder diesel engine to put under the hood of the new Vista.
Factfile
On sale: Early 2014
Price: Rs 4.11-6.82 lakh
Engine(s): 1.2 P, 1.3 D
Competition: Hyundai i10, Maruti WagonR
Hyundai New i20
There’s an all-new i20 that’s just being given its final finishing touches, and you’ll be able to buy it next year. It’s built on an all-new platform, and going by the photos we’ve seen of it testing, it appears to have grown in size a bit. This makes sense, as the recently introduced Grand i10 offers close to as much space as the current car. We don’t expect the engine options to change – a 1.4-litre petrol and diesel as well as a 1.2-litre petrol. The styling, like the Grand i10’s, will be a more grown up, restrained evolution of the company’s now iconic Fluidic Sculpture design language, and as ever, expect it to be packed to the brim with equipment.
Factfile
On sale: Late 2014
Price: Rs 5-8 lakh
Engine(s): 1.2 P, 1.4 P, 1.4 D
Competition: Maruti Swift, VW Polo
Tata Nano Diesel
Tata Motors has gone hammer and tongs repositioning its Nano. It was recently updated with added features, among other things and now, the carmaker has launched a CNG version and, according to reports, will launch a diesel motor equipped version as well sometime soon. The diesel car will come with a revised front bumper and an openable hatch at the rear. The motor is likely to be good for around 45bhp and the carmaker claims it may well be the most fuel efficient car in the country. Tata is currently aiming to lower noise, harshness and vibration levels on the car and focussing on keeping costs down.
Factfile
On sale: Mid 2014
Price: Rs 3-4 lakh
Engine(s): 0.8 D
Competition: Maruti Alto 800
SEDAN
Fiat Linea Facelift
Fiat has completed phase one of its new saloon strategy by segregating the base models of the current Linea into a new ‘Classic’ sub-brand. This was done to introduce a facelifted model which will become the ‘new’ Linea. On the outside, the big news is chrome – lots of it, on the front, rear and sides. The rear number plate has also been moved to the bootlid for a neater look. On the inside, the dashboard and centre console get big changes to make them look more upmarket than the current car. Fiat will also introduce the bigger 103.5bhp, 1.6-litre version of its popular Multijet diesel engine.
Factfile
On sale: Early 2014
Price: Rs 7.2-9.5 lakh
Engine(s): 1.4 P, 1.3 D, 1.6 D
Competition: VW Vento
Ford Fiesta Facelift
The new Fiesta got off to a bit of a bumpy start in India, thanks mostly to a pretty steep launch price. It’s been reduced since, but the car hasn’t managed to bounce back. However, Ford will soon bring in a much more attractive facelifted version which, as you can see by the picture, takes on the new, Aston Martin-like face. The rear, which is often criticised on the current car, has been spruced up a bit too and looks much better now. There will be a few changes in the cabin too, but not a lot, and the powertrain options are expected to continue unchanged as well.
Factfile
On sale: Mid 2014
Price: Rs 7-11 lakh
Engine(s): 1.5 P, 1.5 D
Competition: Hyundai Verna
Hyundai compact saloon
It seems that when Hyundai extended the wheelbase of the next-gen i10 for India (to give us the Grand i10), it had more than just a hatchback in mind. The company is believed to be working on a compact, sub-four-metre saloon based on the BA platform to go straight up against the Maruti’s second-best selling car, the Dzire. The new saloon will share a lot with the Grand i10 hatchback. Things like the high-quality dashboard, front seats, rear air-con vent and the long equipment list are likely to be lifted directly. The 1.2-litre petrol and 1.1-litre diesel are likely to be carried over too; the i20’s 1.4-litre diesel engine will not make it to the small saloon because it would be too large to fit into the small engine bay. The company’s products typically span several trims and a wide price range. To accommodate the Grand i10, top-end models of the regular i10 were axed, and Hyundai could do something similar, cancelling base models of the Verna to give this baby saloon some breathing room. Still, we expect it to be priced similarly to the Honda Amaze when it goes on sale late next year, which should make it really appealing.
Factfile
On sale: Late 2014
Price: Rs 5.2-8.2 lakh
Engine(s): 1.2 P, 1.1 D
Competition: Maruti Dzire, Honda Amaze
Hyundai Elantra Facelift
The Elantra is doing well in the Indian market, and to keep its momentum going, Hyundai is expected to get a facelifted version to our shores soon. Compared to the current car, there are minor styling changes on the front and rear bumpers, a redesigned grille and refreshed foglamps, among other things. On the inside, it gets a new 3.5-inch OLED screen and a park assist system. Other changes include a raised central air-con vent and a front central armrest and cooled rear seats.
Factfile
On sale: Mid 2014
Price: Rs 12.7-16 lakh
Engine(s): 1.8 P, 1.6 D
Competition: Skoda Octavia, VW Jetta
Mercedes-Benz S-class
The new S-Class has a lot riding on its hefty German shoulders. Not only is every new S-class regarded as (and therefore expected to be) the best car in the world, but the upcoming car is also tasked with replacing the defunct Maybach brand of super-luxury saloons. Mercedes thinks it’s up to the task, and to this end there will be no less than five body styles of the new car - standard, extended wheelbase, coupé, convertible and ‘Pullman’ limousine. It’s the extended wheelbase version that will come to India, however, and it certainly lives up to the hype. Drastic improvements in comfort and luxury appear to have been the primary focus of this new S-class. Take the new ‘Magic Body Control’ system that uses sensors and stereo cameras at the front of the car to scan the road surface for bumps or even irregularities and adjust the adaptive air suspension in real time to deliver a truly flat and comfortable ride. Or the five possible rear seat options, one of which includes fully reclining armchairs with a ‘hot stone massage’ function. There’s a lot of safety and infotainment tech packed into this car too, and internationally there will be a wide range of engines available. However, expect the car sold in India to stick with the staple S 350 CDI V6 diesel. The S 500 V8 petrol will be the flagship model for India.
Factfile
On sale: Early 2014
Price: Rs 95 lakh-1.25 crore
Engine(s): 4.6 P, 3.0 D
Competition: Audi A8, Jaguar XJ
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
The A-class has done pretty well since its launch earlier this year, but it’s no secret that when it comes to luxury, saloons and SUVs are the body styles of choice in India. So if you’re in the market and share that sentiment, you should wait for the CLA, the saloon version of the A-class. Just like the hatch, style is the focus here, and its curvy shape draws inspiration from the CLS. In the cabin, the dashboard mirrors the A-class, with the same great quality. The engines will be the same too – a 2.2-litre diesel and 1.6-litre turbo petrol, both mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
Factfile
On sale: Mid 2014
Price: Rs 22-28 lakh
Engine(s): 1.6 P, 2.2 D
Competition: Audi A3 saloon
Maruti New SX4
Suzuki showed off an attractive concept saloon car at this year’s Shanghai motor show, called the Authentics concept. Spy photographs of the production version (codename: YL1) have revealed it to indeed be the replacement for the ageing SX4, and that it will be significantly more upmarket. The current car is a saloon derivative of the SX4 crossover it showed. The new car has none of the SX4’s crossover profile, and is more conventional saloon lines and a very sleek profile. Front and centre is a wide grille with four thick strips of chrome, flanked by large projector headlamps. There’s a thick swage line along the side and big, attractive tail-lamps at the rear. The beige coloured interior looks like a more sophisticated version of the Dzire’s with a smart centre console, neat hooded instrument binnacle and
rear air-con vents. The car is likely to be powered by the 94bhp 1.4-litre K14 petrol and 89bhp 1.3-litre Multijet diesel engines that power the Ertiga. The new SX4 should be launched in the middle of next year, and provided Maruti doesn’t price it too high, it should be a good competitor for the Honda City and Hyundai Verna.
Factfile
On sale: Mid 2014.
Price: Rs 7.2-9.8 lakh.
Engine(s): 1.4 P, 1.3 D.
Competition: Honda City, Skoda Rapid.
Nissan Sunny Facelift
Nissan gave the Micra a new lease on life with a comprehensive facelift recently, and soon it will be the Sunny’s turn to go under the knife. The biggest changes are at the front where the headlamps are much larger and sweep up the car’s fenders. The grille is much wider and there are chrome highlights in the bumper too. At the rear, there is now a thick strip of chrome across the boot lid and there could be LED elements in the tail-lamps, and all these changes add up to make the Sunny look like a mini-Teana. The insides should get a similar refresh to the one given to the Micra, and that means a glossy black centre console and a slightly revised instrument cluster.
Factfile
On sale: Mid 2014
Price: Rs 6.3-9.9 lakh
Engine(s): 1.5 P, 1.5 D
Competition: Skoda Rapid, Mahindra Verito
Renault Fluence Facelift
It’s one of the most underrated cars in the Indian market, the Renault Fluence. The first Renault model to come to India, it was ignored largely because no one knew the brand, and because the car was launched with very little equipment and didn’t seem like good value. Now that the Duster’s made Renault a force to be reckoned with, cars like the Fluence are getting a second shot. And reinforcing that is the facelift, which with its massive nose-mounted emblem makes it look like the ‘real’ Renaults they get in Europe. New wheels, and bumpers round off the facelift, and though it isn’t a revolutionary change, every little thing counts.
Factfile
On sale: Mid 2013
Price: Rs 13.6-15.3 lakh
Engine(s): 2.0 P, 1.5 D
Competition: Toyota Corolla, Chevrolet Cruze
Skoda Rapid facelift
There are actually two Rapids in existence right now. The one sold in India is a cost-effective badge-engineered version of the VW Vento, while the Rapid sold in Europe wears Skoda’s new, more angular family face and comes with the traditional Skoda liftback boot opening (like the Octavia and Superb). Now we won’t be getting that same car here, but Skoda is going to give our Indian Rapid a thorough makeover. It will maintain the current platform, basic dimensions and powertrains, and yes, it will remain a conventional saloon with a boot, but the front fascia will be almost a direct lift from the Euro Rapid. There will be other small changes to the car’s bodywork, but nothing that involves drastically altering the sheetmetal. The interiors are likely to be updated again too, but don’t expect to see this updated Rapid until the latter months of 2014.
Factfile
On sale: Late 2014
Price: Rs 8-9.6 lakh
Engine(s): 1.6 P, 1.6 D
Competition: Ford Fiesta, Renault Scala
Skoda Superb Facelift
This facelift is far more subtle than the other Skoda cars on this list, but even the few changes made clearly evoke the ‘new’ Skoda design language. There’s the big, new ‘butterfly’ grille, LED-accented headlamps and wide air dam up front, while at the rear, the tail-lamps get LEDs, the bumper gets a faux diffuser, and the number plate has been moved up to the boot lid. The interiors have hardly changed at all, save for the new Skoda three-spoke steering wheel and some differently coloured trim.
Factfile
On sale: Early 2014
Price: Rs 18.5-24.8 lakh
Engine(s): 1.8 P, 3.6 P, 2.0 D
Competition: Honda Accord, Toyota Camry
Tata Manza Facelift
The Manza has proven time and again that it is a spacious and pretty capable mid-size saloon. However, there’s no arguing that its somewhat bland looks leave a lot to be desired. Tata showed us what a facelifted Manza might look like with the Manza Hybrid Concept at the 2012 Auto Expo, and now the company is working to make it a reality. The concept had a much more cohesive front-end, with smaller, angular Xenon headlamps and a smart bumper. At the rear, the tail-lights are re-profiled too, and black cladding took some of the visual bulk from the rear bumper. Expect all these changes and an updated interior too when the production version arrives next year.
Factfile
On sale: Mid 2014
Price: Rs 5.9-8.3 lakh
Engine(s): 1.4 P, 1.3 D
Competition: Toyota Etios, Mahindra Verito
Toyota Corolla
Toyota’s saloons have often had a reputation of being sensible, but rather unexciting. However, few will be able to say that about the all-new Corolla, which features a handsome new design. It takes a lot of styling cues from the Furia concept shown at the Detroit motor show in January, and that means a sculpted chin, upswept headlamps, and a thick character line across the doors. The grille is made of three bands of chrome that blend into the headlamps, and this really gives it a premium look. The rear resembles the Camry, and here too there’s lots of chrome. Big news for the chauffeur driven, is that the wheelbase is now 100mm longer, which means more room in the rear seat. The cabin has also been heavily spruced up with more equipment, higher quality materials and a more premium look. The engines – 1.4-litre diesel and 1.8-litre petrol – will continue, but Toyota will upgrade them for better driveability and fuel efficiency.
Factfile
On sale: May 2014
Price: Rs 12.3-16.7 lakh
Engine(s): 1.8 P, 1.4 D
Competition: Chevrolet Cruze, Renault Fluence
SUV
New Hyundai Santa Fe
If there’s a car that deserves to be Hyundai’s flagship, the new Santa Fe is it. The big, seven-seat SUV seems to be the company’s most accomplished model to date. First, there’s the ‘Storm Edge’ styling, a rugged evolution of the company’s ‘Fluidic Sculpture’ design theme – it’s attractive from just about any angle and it has an air of sophistication about it too. Inside too, the quality levels are the best we’ve seen in any Hyundai, the cabin is well laid out, and of course, there’s loads of equipment. It retains the powerful (and very refined) 2.2-litre diesel engine, there’s a six-speed automatic gearbox and there’s part-time AWD too. Hyundai could have brought this car to India sooner, but chose instead to focus on the Grand i10 and to exhaust its stock of the current Santa Fe, which still finds a number of takers each month. The company is also working to localise as much of the new car as possible before putting it on sale, so that the price can be brought down to make it really competitive. We expect it to cost around Rs 24 lakh, and at that price, the current segment favourite, the Fortuner, had better watch its back.
Factfile
On sale: Early 2014
Price: Rs 24 lakh
Engine(s): 2.2 D
Competition: Chevrolet Captiva, Toyota Fortuner
New Audi Q7
Audi’s Q7 SUV is the oldest model in its present line-up, and even though it was given a facelift, a new gearbox and some new engine options in 2009, it’s really starting to show its age now. The Q7 shares its platform with the first-generation Porsche Cayenne and VW Touareg, and while those two cars were built on a new platform for their second generation, the Q7 was skipped. This is because parent company VW is working on a new SUV super-platform that it will share with more of the VW Group brands, like Bentley and Lamborghini. It’s called the ‘MLB Evo’ platform and has been designed for tall cars or SUVs. It will debut with the new Q7, and the biggest news is that the car will be about 300kg lighter than its predecessor as a result. The car will, of course, be larger and more spacious, and should be the first production model to show off the company’s edgier new family look. Expect the engine range of turbocharged V6 and V8 petrols and diesels to continue, but with significant updates.
Factfile
On sale: End 2014
Price: Rs 60-90 lakh
Engine(s): 3.0 P, 3.0 D, 4.2 D
Competition: BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz M-class
New BMW X5
The overall shape may be somewhat similar, but this is an all-new X5. When it was shown at the Frankfurt motor show recently, the first impression was that the car was noticeably larger than its predecessor, but thanks to various weight-saving measures, it’s actually lighter than the current car. It’s still a seven-seater, and the interior has now been updated with the latest range of BMW’s tech. The engine range will continue to be made up of the company’s famous petrol and diesel straight sixes and the petrol V8, but for the first time in its history, an X5 will be available with a four-cylinder engine. The X5 xDrive25d uses the same 218bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine as the new 525d, and it’s the torque from this twin-turbo motor combined with the eight-speed automatic gearbox that makes all the difference. As we’ve seen with the hugely successful Mercedes ML 250 CDI, most Indian buyers are happy to opt for the more affordable, more fuel efficient smaller engine option, even on a big luxury SUV
such as this. Internationally BMW also offers this new engine in rear-wheel-drive rather than four-wheel-drive, but it remains to be seen whether the company will introduce this variant in India.
Factfile
On sale: Early 2014.
Price: Rs 55-90 lakh.
Engine(s): 4.4 P, 2.0 D, 3.0 D.
Competition: Audi Q7, Mercedes M-class.
BMW X4
As the alphanumeric nomenclature suggests, the X4 is to the X3 what the X6 is to the X5. It’s a high-riding crossover with a sharply raked, coupé-like roofline that’s based on BMW’s medium-sized SUV. While this does take away some of the interior room and inherent practicality of an SUV, and the looks are rather polarising, there’s no denying it has a certain presence that is quite unique. Even though the X6 is a very niche product, BMW has managed to sell a number of them here in India, and will be hoping to replicate that success with the more affordable X4.
Factfile
On sale: Late 2014.
Price: Rs 50-60 lakh.
Engine(s): 3.0 P, 3.0 D.
Competition: Porsche Macan.
Land Rover Discovery Facelift
There might not seem like much is new on this revised Discovery, and that is true. There’s some blackwork and new detailing in the lights and small cosmetic upgrades on the outside. However, you will notice that the badge on the bonnet now says ‘Discovery’ and not ‘Land Rover’. This points to the company’s plan to make ‘Discovery’ a sub-brand of its own, much like Range Rover is its own sub-brand. The next-gen Freelander will join the Discovery brand, as will a number of other new models.
Factfile
On sale: Mid 2014.
Price: Rs 99 lakh-1.11 crore.
Engine(s): 3.0 D.
Competition: Mercedes-Benz GL-class.
Mahindra Scorpio Facelift
There will be an all-new Scorpio built from the ground up, which will be a radical departure from today’s car. However, we won’t see that car until 2015, so to tide us over until then Mahindra is giving the current Scorpio a final, thorough facelift; its third one since its launch 11 years ago. There will be major changes to the front end, as you can see by this heavily camouflaged test mule, and minor alterations to the rear. The interiors are also likely to be further optimised for more space. This will help address the issue of the car’s limited legroom in the second row, although there will be no changes to the wheelbase.
Factfile
On sale: Mid 2014.
Price: Rs 8-11.6 lakh.
Engine(s): 2.2 D, 2.5 D.
Competition: Tata Safari Storme.
New Nissan X-Trail
The current X-trail is not setting the sales charts on fire, mostly because of its premium pricing, which puts it in a segment where Indian buyers prefer more rugged SUVs, like the Toyota Fortuner. However, Nissan plans to be aggressive with its all-new X-trail, which it revealed at the Frankfurt motor show this year. This car will be sold in over 100 countries, and India is one of them. The looks are a huge departure from the current car, adopting a curvy, crossover-like shape, rather than the blocky faux-off-roader styling of the current car. It’s a seven-seater, of course, and the cabin is a massive step up in terms of quality. It’s really quite luxurious on the inside. Significantly, however, the X-trail is likely to be assembled here in India, and that will bring the costs and the sticker price down considerably. However, there’s an added bonus – the car is built on Nissan’s new CMF (Common Module Family) platform, which the company plans to share with several upcoming models, and this means even more exciting Nissans could be built in India.
Factfile
On sale: End 2014.
Price: 22-25 lakh Engine(s): 2.2 D.
Competition: Hyundai Santa Fe, Chevrolet Captiva.
Porsche Macan
Razor sharp sportscars may be what Porsche is historically famous for, but the company’s best-selling vehicle by a long margin is the Cayenne, and that’s especially true here in SUV-loving India. The most affordable model in the Porsche range, it brings in the numbers for the brand, and now the company is going a step further by introducing a smaller, even more affordable SUV. Called the Macan, this car is loosely based on the Audi Q5, but Stuttgart’s engineers have gone to town on the engines and the chassis to make sure it performs like a Porsche should. It looks like a mini-Cayenne, with the same butch overall stance and Porsche design cues at the front and the rear. The Macan
will get its power from a number of different engines. At the top of the range will be a turbocharged 3.6-litre V6 called the Macan Turbo, below it will be a naturally aspirated version of the same engine in the Macan S, and there will also be a 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel. The Macan will also be given two 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines – a 220bhp turbo petrol and a 190bhp diesel, marking the first time Porsche has used a four-cylinder engine since 1995.
Factfile
On sale: Late 2014.
Price: Rs 57-80 lakh.
Engine(s): 2.0 P, 3.6 P, 2.0 D, 3.0 D.
Competition: Range Rover Evoque, Audi Q5.
Renault Duster Facelift
With the arrival of the handsome Nissan Terrano, the Renault Duster suddenly looks a bit dull in comparison. Just as well then that Dacia - the Renault-owned company that originally conceived the Duster and the Logan - has launched a facelifted version of the compact SUV. Even though the current Duster has been on our roads for just over a year, Renault India will waste no time in bringing this facelifted version here in order to keep the car fresh. The changes are minor, but they do give the car a more aggressive look. There’s the new ‘cheese grater’ grille and reprofiled headlamps with daytime running lamps. The roof rails are beefier, there are new alloy wheels, and there’s a more prominent metal ‘scuff plate’ at the rear.
Factfile
On sale: End 2014.
Price: Rs 8-12 lakh.
Engine(s): 1.6 P, 1.5 D.
Competition: Nissan Terrano, Ford EcoSport.
Range Rover Evoque 9-Speed
This is not a facelift; the stunning Range Rover Evoque certainly doesn’t need one. In fact, there will be only one change to the car from the one on sale today, but it’s a big one. Although many other cars in the JLR stable have moved from the old six-speed automatic gearbox to ZF’s eight-speed auto, the Evoque is skipping directly to the next level – ZF’s new nine-speed ’box. The new gearbox will not only improve fuel economy considerably, but it’s said to bring a big improvement in refinement and responsiveness as well.
Factfile
On sale: Early 2014.
Price: Rs 55-64 lakh.
Engine(s): 2.0 P, 2.2 D.
Competition: Porsche Macan.
Renault Koleos Facelift
The Koleos was brought to the Indian market shortly after an international facelift, and now it’s time for it to get yet another. This is a very minor update, however, geared towards the latest iteration of the ever-changing Renault family face. The Renault ‘lozenge’ logo on the nose is much larger and the grille and bumpers are a little different too. There’s not too much different on the inside either, except a new brown shade for the dashboard and a touchscreen infotainment interface. It’s not much, but Renault India hopes it will put a spring in the Koleos’ step at the showroom next year.
Factfile
On sale: Early 2014.
Price: Rs 24 lakh.
Engine(s): 2.0 D.
Competition: Hyundai Santa Fe, Chevrolet Captiva.
Skoda Yeti Facelift
Skoda recently undertook a revision of the brand’s styling language with its Vision D and Mission L concepts being a big influence. The Yeti has been given a facelift to align it with this new look, and immediately you’ll notice that one of the car’s defining features – the big round rally car-esque lamps – are no more. They’ve been replaced by more conventional rectangular units that sit on either side of a wider grille. Still the new look is rugged and smart. Internationally, the car will be sold with two exterior styling options - ‘City’ and ‘Outdoor’ - which, as their names suggest, will feature either sporty styling accessories or more rugged ones. It’s likely that Skoda India will give us the second option, as rugged looks are a big part of an SUV’s appeal here. Apart from that, there are a few changes to the cabin, with new materials and colours and the steering wheel from the Octavia. The 2.0-litre TDI engine will remain unchanged, but Skoda could offer it with a DSG gearbox this time around. Expect to see a more affordable, locally assembled version in showrooms early next year.
Factfile
On sale: Early 2014 .
Price: Rs 12-16 lakh .
Engine(s): 2.0 D.
Competition: Mahindra XUV500.
New Volvo XC90
Volvo has big plans for the future, and they’re based around an all-new modular platform called the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) and a new family of in-house developed turbocharged four-cylinder engines. Kicking off this new wave of models is the next-generation XC90 SUV, which will serve as the company’s flagship model. It will also introduce a new interior design language, as previewed by the Volvo Coupé Concept at the Frankfurt motor show, which includes replacing many of the car’s buttons with touchscreen-based interfaces. The SPA architecture will eventually filter down into just about every other Volvo car, as will the new four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. Some of these engines may also be combined with electric motors to provide added power and four-wheel drive, and this configuration is likely to power the new XC90.
Factfile
On sale: Late 2014 Price: Rs 55-75 lakh Engine(s): 2.0 P, 2.0 D.
Competition: BMW X5, Audi Q7.
MPV'S
Datsun Go+
While the budget segment here witnessed the unveiling of the Go hatchback, budget brand Datsun has now revealed a compact MPV based on the hatch, called the Go+. The MPV is based on the same 2450mm wheelbase as the Go and this has helped the carmaker keep costs down. The Go+ is identical to the hatch all the way to rear wheel and only the overall length has been increased to 3995mm to accommodate the third row. The tailgate has also been refreshed with the number plate now on the hatch opening instead of the bumper in the Go. Datsun has managed to keep away from the typical van-like styling in MPVs and the Go+ looks nice with the roofline dropping sportily at the rear and a strong shoulder line all the way across the side. On the inside, it’s as roomy as the Go hatchback, which is quite decent for this segment. The third row, as you might expect, is not likely to be comfortable or spacious enough. Also, access is rather difficult as the second row doesn’t appear to split. However, the manufacturer has assured a solution to this. The biggest advantage and attraction for the car though should be its price point and Datsun is likely to price it around Rs 5 lakh.
Factfile
On sale: Mid 2014.
Price: Rs 5 lakh.
Engine(s): 1.2 P.
Competition: Maruti Ertiga, Honda Mobilio.
Honda Mobilio
Honda has already used the Brio’s platform to give us a saloon in the form of the Amaze, and the next body style to be spun off the same platform is a seven-seat MPV, called the Mobilio. There’s no mistaking this car’s origins when you look at it head on, although some changes have been made to the nose to make it look a bit different. Go to the side, however, and the real changes can be seen. The Brio’s wheelbase was extended to arrive at the Amaze, and it’s now been stretched even further, to a telling 2650mm, that points to a lot of room in the cabin. The whole car is 4390mm long, and the ground clearance has been raised to 185mm. Because of the added length, the car no longer qualifies as a sub-4m small car, and the good news is Honda could give it the City’s bigger, 1.5-litre petrol engine as a result. The rear is this car’s most attractive angle, however, with neat wraparound tail-lamps and a ‘floating’ D pillar. Although the picture shows a concept car, unveiled at the Indonesian motor show, don’t expect too much to change when the production version arrives next year. Watch out, Maruti Ertiga.
Factfile
On sale: End 2014.
Price: Rs 6-9 lakh.
Engine(s): 1.5 P, 1.5 D.
Competition: Maruti Ertiga, Chevrolet Enjoy.
Hyundai MPV
Ever since it entered the Indian market all those years ago, Hyundai has been gunning for Maruti, particularly in the hatchback segments. Next year, however, it will be setting its sights on the rather popular Ertiga compact MPV, with one of its own. The company showed us the Hexa Space concept (codename: HND-7) at the Auto Expo in 2012, and although the concept’s radical staggered seating probably won’t make production, we expect the overall look to resemble the concept quite closely.
Factfile
On sale: End 2014.
Price: Rs 10-14 lakh.
Engine(s): 1.6 P, 1.4 D.
Competition: Maruti Ertiga, Toyota Innova, Honda Mobilio.
Force Motors MPV.
Force Motors is going to sink its teeth a little deeper into the passenger car segment by introducing its first MPV. What’s clear from the spy photos is that it will be based on the Mercedes-Benz Viano MPV, which is much larger than the current crop of MPVs on sale in India. This is part of Force’s long relationship with Daimler, for whom it produces engines. Speaking of which, since this is a Mercedes platform it will also use a Mercedes engine – the 139bhp, 2.2-litre, OM611 diesel engine with a common-rail system.
Factfile
On sale: Mid 2014.
Price: Rs 11-14 lakh.
Engine(s): 2.2 D.
Competition: Toyota Innova, Mahindra Xylo, Tata Aria.
SPORTSCARS
New Porsche 911 Turbo
We’ve had the new-generation Porsche 911 with us for about a year now in Carrera and Carrera S forms, with either two- or four-wheel drive, but as history will tell us, that is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the 911 model range. The next version of the iconic sportscar that will make it to Indian showrooms is the Turbo. This 991 iteration is the most powerful and, Porsche says, the most advanced Turbo it has ever built. With 513bhp and 67.3kgm (552bhp and 72.4kgm in Turbo S guise) put to the road via all four wheels, it’s good for a claimed 0-100kph blitz of just 3.1sec – which is easily enough to worry some supercars. The 991 is also the first Turbo to ditch the option of a manual gearbox altogether, with the company’s super-slick PDK dual-clutch automatic as the only available option, but that just means it will put its power down as smoothly and efficiently as Porsche deems possible. It won’t come cheap, however, and we think you’ll be looking at around Rs 2 crore for the 911 Turbo, before options.
Factfile
On sale: Early 2014.
Price: Rs 2 crore Engine(s): 3.8 P.
Competition: Lamborghini Gallardo and the new Huracan, Ferrari 458 Italia.
BMW i8
BMW’s new ‘i’ brand of electric vehicles is a big technological step for the company, and it wants to make a statement about it here in India too. Although it won’t be launching the i3 electric compact hatchback here, it will bring a seriously limited number of i8s – just seven units – to promote the new brand. The i8 plug-in hybrid sports car uses a 96kW (129bhp) electric motor at the front and a mid-mounted 228bhp, 1.5-litre, three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine driving the rear wheels; so there’s certainly enough power. A lightweight carbon-fibre and aluminium construction and BMW’s obsession with perfect weight distribution mean that it handles like a proper sportscar too. Although India doesn’t yet have the ideal infrastructure for cars like this, one can assume the seven affluent future owners of the i8 will at least have garages with dedicated electric outlets to charge up their hybrid sportscars.
Factfile
On sale: End 2014.
Price: Rs 1.2 crore.
Engine(s): 1.5 P + electric motor.
