It’s always exciting to know what all upcoming cars will be launching in the country. And if you are planning to buy one this excitement becomes far more serious.
There are fresh new entrants to facelifts to rebadged cars to next-generation models in the wraps. Let’s delve into more details to know which key car models will be marking their entries into the Indian automotive market in 2019.
MG Hector
MG Motors is all geared up to set the ball rolling by launching its recently unveiled MG Hector SUV in India. Expected to launch in this month, the Hector will be debuting the connected cars’ concept in its segment here with an array of IoT (Internet of Things) connectivity options. Powered by a potent 1.5-litre petrol and a 2.0-litre diesel engine, the Hector will also get a plug-in hybrid option and an exhaustive list of latest tech on board. Falling in the fast emerging compact SUV segment in India, it will compete with the likes of Tata Harrier, Jeep Compass, Mahindra XUV500 and the Hyundai Tucson among others. The price is expected to be north of Rs 15 lakh.
Jeep Compass Trailhawk
To keep things busy and people glued to Jeep showrooms, the carmaker has planned a special edition of its successful Compass SUV in India. This will be a new, top-spec version of the regular Compass and will be christened as the Jeep Compass Trailhawk. The highlight of this edition will be the SUV’s improved off-roading capability with Active Drive Low 4×4 system, retuned suspension, protective skid plates and a diesel automatic option. That said the standard model’s 2.0 litre diesel engine will be paired with the 9-speed automatic gearbox. The Trailhawk will feature cosmetic updates like redesigned bumpers, alloy wheels, gloss black inserts inside the cabin among others. Moreover, it’s rumoured that the upcoming Jeep Compass model will feature a larger infotainment unit. We expect the price to fall around Rs 25 lakh.
Kia Seltos (Kia SP Concept)
Remember the Kia Sp Concept that made headlines at the 2018 Indian Auto Expo? The compact SUV has finally taken the production shape and is set to roll off assembly lines as the first product of Kia Motors in India by September-October 2019. Earlier codenamed as the SP2i, we expect the SUV to embrace 1.5 litre petrol and diesel engines. The Seltos is speculated to share features such as connected-car tech like remote ignition control, remote AC on/off, location based services and several others with the Hyundai Venue. The prices are likely to fall in the bracket of Rs 10 lakh – Rs 16 lakh which puts it in direct competition with Tata Harrier, Maruti Suzuki S-Cross, Nissan Kicks, Hyundai Creta and the upcoming MG Hector.
Tata Buzzard (7-seater Tata Harrier)
Showcased at the Geneva Motor Show in March, the much awaited 7-seater Tata Harrier is likely to make it to our roads before the end of this year. It was badged as the Buzzard at the Show but it is expected to bear a different moniker for the Indian market. Though it will continue to use the 2.0-litre diesel engine of the current Harrier, it’ll be retuned for more power and torque. Tata might fit a 6-speed automatic gearbox sourced from Hyundai with its upcoming seven-seater SUV. Moreover, if the demand arises, the automaker will also add a 4×4 option to this vehicle. Likely to cost Rs 1 lakh –Rs 1.5 lakh more over the regular Harrier (Rs 12.70 lakh – Rs 16.26 lakh), it will rival the Mahindra XUV 500.
Tata Altroz (Tata 45X)
The two models from Tata that took everybody by surprise at the 2018 Auto Expo were the Tata H5X (Tata Harrier) and the 45X. With the former already doing wonders in the market, the latter will be launching soon in the country. The premium hatchback from Tata will be named as the Altroz and features IMPACT 2.0 design language. Based on the ALFA platform, it will be powered by a 1.2-litre turbo and naturally aspirated petrol engines along with a 1.5-litre turbo diesel motor. We expect the price of the Tata Altroz to fall in the bracket of Rs 6.5 lakh – 9 lakh and that puts it in direct rivalry with the current breed of premium hatchbacks namely Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Hyundai Elite i20, Honda Jazz, Toyota Glanza and Volkswagen Polo.
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