Maruti Suzuki Swift facelift – Even with same old looks and features, outgoing Swift model is 4th best selling car in India; about 13,632 units sold in June 2014. Upcoming Swift facelift will look similar to model launched in UK last year.
New 2014 Swift would include automatic parking & head lamps, LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) near fog lamps, electrically foldable Outside Rear View Mirrors (ORVM) with embedded turn indicators and revised centre stop light at rear hatch door. Dual tone interiors, new seat upholstery, foldable rear seats, six Airbags, Music player with Bluetooth connectivity and revamped instrument cluster would also feature in upcoming Maruti Swift hatchback.
Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) in new Swift is rumoured but it is less likely to happen. Same 1.2 litre K12M petrol engine with VVT, producing max. power of 87 PS @ 6,000 rpm and peak torque of 114 Nm @ 4,000 rpm is expected to continue duty in 2014 Swift. Diesel variant would also host same 1.3 litre DDiS engine that generates 75 PS max. power @ 4,000 rpm and 190 Nm peak torque @ 2,000 rpm. Starting price of new Swift will be around Rs. 4.5 lakhs; launch is expected by September / October 2014. Read more about Maruti Swift facelift.
Next generation Hyundai i20 – Spied more than a few times, we now know what new i20 will look like. Again we’ll be seeing European influence, but on i20 it will be extensive. Front fascia will be akin to Peugeot’s styling. Redesigned front grille, new headlamp assembly and sporty trapezium fog lamps are hiding under the camouflage.
Modish rear facade gets new tail lights and bumper lamps. Rear hatch door is made to look smaller with new rear bumper. Slanting roofline, blacked out C pillars and athletic alloy wheels make next gen Hyundai i20 look chic. Better features and equipment will certainly make outgoing i20 feel old.
Engine options will add 1.2 litre Kappa petrol engine with VTVT producing 83 PS at 6,000 rpm and 114 Nm at 4,000 (same as in Grand i10) and a 1.4 litre diesel unit pushing 90 PS at 4,000 rpm and 220 Nm at 1,500 – 2,750 rpm. Auto and manual gearbox options will be available, mostly with petrol, while diesel would get manual transmission only. Launch is expected by August 15 2014. Read more about next gen Hyundai i20 here.
Volkswagen Polo GT –Just launched facelift version will be available in showrooms with GT tune engines in September. Both GT TSI (petrol) and GT TDI (diesel) will debut, alongside Volkswagen Cross Polo on last week of August 2014. Polo GT TSI will be seen with same engine as before, the 1.2 litre 4 cylinder engine with Turbo Stratified Injection, blasting 105 PS @ 5,000 rpm and 175 Nm @ 1,500 – 4,100 rpm. Volkswagen Polo GT TSI will feature 7 speed Tiptronic Dual Clutch Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) only. Polo GT TDI gets same new 1.5 litre Turbo Direct Injection engine but tuned to throw 105 PS @ 4,400 rpm and 250 Nm @ 1,500 – 2,500 rpm. GT Diesel engine will be mated to same 5 speed Manual Transmission used in regular TDI model; no auto variant.
Apart from changes in power train, rest of parts and features in VW Polo GT will be same as newly launched Polo facelift. GT models will be available in top end “HighLine” spec only. Learn about specs, features, highlights, price and mileage of new VW Polo here.
Fiat Punto EVO – Already arrived at few dealerships across India, new Punto EVO has shown itself to lot of cameras and most have liked what they saw. Borrowing some key exterior elements from Fiat Avventura crossover showcased at 2014 Delhi Auto Expo, Punto EVO looks more charming and sporty than its previous version.
Exteriors get prominent pout with chrome lining and horizontal slat running across, and chrome surrounded front fog lamps. Swept back headlamps compliment new grille and makes new Punto EVO more energetic than previous design. LED tail lights and lower lamps at rear add freshness, and chrome strip connecting and bordering rear set of fog lamps is a bit too much. Interiors get Linea inspired dashboard and decors, along with new steering wheel, full black theme, upholstery, controls, etc.
Powertrain choices include acclaimed 1.3 liter Multijet diesel engine in two tunes, 75 bhp and 90 bhp maximum power, and two petrol engines – 1.2 litre & 1.4 litre giving out 68 bhp, 96 Nm and 90 bhp, 115 Nm respectively. Bookings are already open for advance amount of Rs. 25,000; expect 2014 Fiat Punto EVO to start delivering by first week of August. Read more about Fiat Punto EVO here.
Tata Bolt –Much awaited hatchback from Tata is expected to come out of hiding by September 2014. As we have driven upcoming Tata Zest compact sedan, we have good idea of what Bolt will be like. Read out review of Tata Zest to get an insight.
Bolt bears similar front fascia to Zest; signature Tata grille, giant headlamps with projector light units, sporty trapezoidal air dam portion on lower half of front bumper, nice looking trims / LED DRLs near front fog lamps, bold side profile and less conspicuous rear section would draw good crowd to showrooms.
Much loved music system from Harman, with first in segment features and comfortable interface will also be a USP for Bolt. Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) would not be seen in Bolt; new 1.2 litre Revotron petrol engine and 1.3 Quadrajet diesel engine will get only 5 speed manual transmission setup. Later after launch, sporty body kits will be made available for Bolt, either as additional accessory kit or as special edition / variant. Expected to be priced competitive to rivals in B segment, will new Bolt hatchback revive Tata’s brand image? Read more about Tata Bolt here.
Also read – Tata Zest AMT diesel review.
Top 5 upcoming sedans under Rs 10 lakhs in 2014.
