New car launches around the corner in 2017

The year 2017 began with the launch of two important cars, the Maruti Ignis and the Tata Hexa. But these launches are just the tip of the iceberg.

Automakers, both domestic and global, are lining up a slew of new and updated cars for the Indian market ranging from mass market sedans and SUVs to high-end luxury cars and SUVs. Launches in the volume segment this year include the likes of the all-new Maruti Dzire, the heavily revised Ford EcoSport and Tata’s sub-four metre SUV, the Nexon.

On the opposite end of the scale, Volkswagen is finally set to relaunch the Passat and the Tiguan while Volvo is looking to enter the estate market with the new V90 Cross Country.

Volkswagen Tiguan 

Volkswagen is set to launch the new Tiguan in India sometime this year. Based on the VW Group’s MQB platform, the Tiguan features a sharp, sporty exterior design along with quite a spacious and superbly appointed cabin. The SUV will be powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine developing 177hp and 350Nm of torque. The engine will be paired with a seven-speed DSG gearbox with an all-wheel-drive system on offer. It is estimated to be priced in the range of Rs 30-35 lakh (ex-showroom). The carmaker has already started assembly of the SUV at its Aurangabad facility.

Isuzu MU-X (May 11)

Isuzu is set to bring in the sister model of the D-Max V-Cross, the MU-X, to India next week. A replacement for the erstwhile MU-7, the MU-X will rival the likes of the Ford Endeavour and the Toyota Fortuner and will be offered with multiple powertrain options, though initially we’re only expected to get four-wheel drive variants powered by a 3.0-litre diesel paired with either a manual or an automatic gearbox. The 4x2 variants and a smaller capacity diesel engine could be added to the line-up at a later stage. Expect prices to be on the lower end of the segment with Isuzu locally assembling the SUV at its plant in Andhra Pradesh. It must be noted though that India will receive the SUV in its pre-facelifted form and not the one revealed earlier this year.

Maruti Dzire (May 16)

In a first, Maruti is set to launch the all-new Dzire before the next-gen Swift. The new Dzire is based on Suzuki’s new ‘Heartect’ platform (same as Baleno and Ignis), making it lighter than its predecessor. The car shares multiple styling bits with the all-new Swift, though Maruti has given the Dzire more individual styling to help give it a separate identity. Not new to the line-up, however, will be the engines with the 1.2-litre petrol and the 1.3-litre diesel carrying forward under the hood. But a notable change will be the option of an AMT gearbox for the petrol motor. Top variants will also offer plenty of tech such as LED projector headlamps, auto climate control and Maruti’s SmartPlay infotainment system.

New Maruti Swift

Suzuki pulled the covers off the new Swift post Christmas last year with the model set to hit international markets during the course of 2017. The same is set to be true for India, with Maruti currently testing the new third-gen model for a launch by the middle of the year. The car for India is expected to carry forward using the current crop of 1.2-litre and 1.3-litre petrol and diesel engines, though, unlike its international counterpart, is expected to get a new interior, specifically for the country.

Volvo V90 Cross Country

Volvo’s next new model for India is set to be the V90 Cross Country. An estate derivative of the S90 sedan that is already on sale, the V90 Cross Country additionally gets crossover design cues such as bumpers with skid plates, a raised ride height and body cladding all round. The interiors though remain similar to its sedan sibling. Under the hood, the V90 Cross Country is expected to use the familiar 2.0-litre diesel engine from the 90 series but with an output of 235hp, as against 225hp in the XC90 and 190hp in the S90. The engine will come paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox with all-wheel drive as standard.

Volkswagen Passat (July)

Volkswagen is set to relaunch the Passat in India this year in standard as well as hybrid form. The standard car will be offered with VW's new EA288 177hp, 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine, paired with an automatic gearbox. The model is expected to be assembled at VW's Aurungabad facility and priced in the region of Rs 32-34 lakh (ex-showroom). The plug-in hybrid Passat GTE is aimed at catering to the rising interest in alternatively fuelled cars in the country. However, while the standard car will be readily available, the GTE is only expected to be sold in limited numbers.

Chevrolet Beat (July)

Chevrolet is set to launch an all-new Beat for India in July this year. A major upgrade of the outgoing car, rather than an all-new model, the new Beat will get a more modern face and a premium interior with features like Chevrolet’s MyLink touchscreen infotainment system. Engines are likely to include three-pot motors – the current car’s 1.0-litre diesel and a new 1.0-litre petrol. Also expected is a jacked-up crossover version badged the Beat Activ.

Hyundai Verna (August)

Hyundai is set to bring an all-new Verna in August this year. Revealed in some international markets, the all-new Verna follows Hyundai’s latest design language with more grown-up looks and interior design in line with the larger Elantra. As before, the next-gen car is expected to be well equipped with top variants getting a centrally-located touchscreen infotainment system with mobile phone connectivity, auto climate control, key-less entry and go and reverse camera and sensors. Spy pictures have also revealed that the car could likely be offered with rear disc brakes making it the only model in the segment to do so. Under the hood, the car is expected to carry forward the existing set of 1.4- and 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines with Hyundai reportedly working on introducing mild-hybrid technology to the equation.

Chevrolet Beat Essentia

Chevrolet is also set to introduce its all-new Beat-based compact sedan, the Essentia. Based on the upcoming second-gen Beat, the Essentia will be positioned half a segment below the current crop of compact sedans as a direct contender against the Tata Kite 5 compact sedan due sometime this year. The car will offer quite a spacious interior for its size and Chevrolet also plans to offer good levels of equipment, with top variants expected to get a MyLink touchscreen infotainment system. The car will be powered by a family of 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. Expect a launch in the coming months.

Ford EcoSport facelift (Late 2017)

Ford gave the EcoSport a comprehensive makeover prior to the LA motor show late last year. Cosmetic changes to the EcoSport include a new front fascia and a heavily revised cabin. The international model missed the tailgate-mounted spare wheel, though for India this design element will carry forward with the new SUV. Inside, there is a new dashboard that now houses a large centrally-located touchscreen infotainment system. For India, the facelifted EcoSport is expected to carry forward using its existing engines, and while it gets all-wheel drive in international markets, the feature is unlikely to be offered in India. Expect a launch near the festive season.

Tata Nexon (Late 2017)

Tata showcased a near-production version of the Nexon compact SUV at the Auto Expo 2016. Based on the same platform as the Zest and the Bolt, the Nexon follows the company’s new Impact design language and has borrowed styling cues from JLR’s Range Rover Evoque. The compact SUV gets a cab forward stance and a spacious interior because of its long wheelbase and wide cabin. The SUV will also mark the debut of Tata’s all-new 1.5-litre diesel engine and a turbocharged variant of the Revotron motor seen in the Tiago.