Automakers in India are going ahead with new car launches despite the slowdown, pinning their hopes on better sales over the upcoming festive season
The slowdown across the auto industry started around the 2019 festive season. This situation kept getting worse with each passing month to dip to an all time low during the March to June 2020 period as the COVID-19 pandemic hit real hard. Following the opening of the lockdown, June 2020 has seen a slight revival of sorts which has stirred up some enthusiasm among automakers who predict a better future. Here is a list of new cars which will be launching this year in India – Upcoming New Car Launches 2020.
1 – Maruti Suzuki S-Cross Petrol
Maruti Suzuki S-Cross, the flagship model, sold via NEXA outlets will soon get a BS6 upgrade and petrol variant. Borrowing features from the now discontinued diesel model, the S-Cross petrol will be seen with automatic headlamps, climate control and auto dimming IRVMs. It will use the same 1.5 liter K15B petrol engine that also powers the Vitara Brezza, Ertiga and Ciaz making 104 hp power and 138 Nm torque. The new S-Cross will sport a Smart Hybrid system to augment torque at lower rpms and boost fuel efficiency. The engine will get mated to a 5-speed transmission. It is also estimated that Maruti Suzuki could offer an automatic variant and a 4-speed auto gearbox. Launch is expected in 1st week of Aug 2020. Expected starting price is Rs 8.5 lakhs.
2 – Mahindra Thar
Though launch date was scheduled for earlier this year, the coronavirus pandemic has delayed launch but hopefully it will be here for this year’s festive season. This off roader SUV will come in with petrol and diesel engine options and will feature auto AC, touchscreen infotainment system and steering mounted controls for the first time. It is likely to be powered by a new 2.0 liter mStallion turbopetrol engine and an updated 2.2 liter mHawk diesel engine, which also powers the Mahindra Scorpio. Both engines will be mated to manual and automatic gearbox options. Thar could be offered in 2WD and in 4WD configurations. Its sole competition in India will be from the Force Gurkha. Expected price is Rs 10-11 lakhs.
3 – Renault Kiger
Renault’s new sub-4 meter SUV, called the Kiger, will be launched in the second half of 2020. It is slated to come in with Renault’s connected car technology and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Its interiors will sport a similar layout as seen on the Renault Triber while engine specifications could also see a turbocharged version of the Triber’s 1.0 liter, 3 cylinder petrol engine, making around 95 hp power. Base variants could use the 1.0 liter naturally aspirated petrol engine. Renault has dropped all diesel engines from its lineup post the BS6 transition. Expected price Rs 7 lakhs.
4 – Kia Sonet
Set for a world premiere on 7th August, the Kia Sonet sub 4 meter SUV will launch in India sometime in September. It will borrow its platform and engine lineup from the Hyundai Venue. It will receive several segment first features with a large 10.25 inch touchscreen infotainment system. As is also seen on the Venue, the upcoming Sonet will also receive iMT – Intelligent Manual Transmission. The engine lineup will include a 1.0 liter turbo petrol engine with dual clutch automatic transmission, a 1.2 liter petrol engine mated to a 5-speed manual and a 1.5 liter diesel engine with a 6-speed manual. Expected price is Rs 8 lakhs.
5 – Toyota Innova Crysta CNG
Toyota is actively testing the Innova Crysta CNG variant ahead of launch in the country. Directed at the fleet segment, the Innova Crysta CNG model will sport no design changes which will be similar to the standard model but will be differentiated by its CNG badging. The new Crysta CNG will get its power via a 2.7 liter, 4 cylinder petrol engine making 166 hp power and 245 Nm torque. While the petrol model is mated to a 5-speed manual and 6-speed automatic, the CNG model can be had with only a 5-speed manual transmission. Expected price is Rs 16.5 lakhs.
6 – Maruti Suzuki Swift Facelift
Suzuki has already launched the Swift Facelift in its home country and plans to launch in India either later this month or in early August. It receives some exterior changes and interior updates. To be offered in six single tone and two dual tone colour options, the Swift facelift will be powered by a 1.2 liter K12C DualJet SHVS engine generating 91 hp power at 6,000 rpm and 118 Nm torque at 4,400 rpm. Its engine will be mated to a 5-speed manual or AMT gearbox. We don’t expect the full-fledged hybrid variants that are available in Japan to be introduced in India. Launch is expected by Diwali 2020, with a starting price in the range of Rs 5.3 lakhs.
7 – Tata Gravitas
Tata Gravitas will be positioned above the Tata Harrier to go on to be the company’s new flagship model. The Tata Gravitas is basically a three row version of the Harrier and will be seen in 6 and 7 seater layouts. It will be based on the same Omega-Arc platform as the Harrier.
Wheelbase is the same at 2,741 mm, other dimensions see a marginal increase to occupy the extra seating arrangement. Borrowing the same engine lineup for the Harrier, the Gravitas will be powered by a 2.0 liter Kryotec diesel engine offering. There will also be a 1.5 liter direct injection, fuel injected, 4 cylinder, turbocharged engine offering around 170 hp power and 350 Nm torque. Expected price is Rs 16-22 lakhs.
8 – Hyundai i20
The next generation Hyundai i20 premium hatchback is being actively tested in India prior to launch. Being a new gen, Hyundai has revamped the car inside out. It gets bold styling with a distinctive front grille, new headlamps and LED DRLs. It also receives revised front and rear bumpers, large LED tail lamps and several cabin updates as well.
It will be powered by 3 engine options to include a 1.0 liter turbo petrol engine offering 99 hp power, a 1.2 liter naturally aspirated petrol engine making 82 hp peak power and a 1.5 liter diesel engine capable of 99 hp power. Depending on the engine, transmission options will include 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual, 6-speed torque converter and 7-speed dual clutch automatic. The Hyundai i20 will continue to compete with the Maruti Baleno, Tata Altroz, Toyota Glanza and Honda Jazz. Expected price is Rs 5.5 lakhs.
9 – Honda Jazz BS6
Over the next few weeks, Honda will also launch the BS6 compliant Jazz hatchback. Though remaining identical to its current counterpart in design and dimensions, the new Jazz receives some exterior updates in the form of new LED headlamps, integrated LED DRLs, a revised front grille and new fog lamps. The Honda Jazz BS6 will be powered by a 1.2 liter 4 cylinder, i-VTEC motor offering 90 hp power and 110 Nm torque mated to a 5-speed manual or CVT automatic transmission. Expected price is Rs 6 lakhs.
10 – Toyota Urban Cruiser
The Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza-based Toyota Urban Cruiser is expected to be priced between Rs 7.5 to 11.5 lakh. It will sport styling and design changes to differentiate it from the Brezza unlike the Toyota Glanza which was identical to the Maruti Suzuki Baleno. It will be seen with a new front grille, updated headlamps and bumpers and revised tail lamps while it will be powered by the same BS6 compliant 1.5 liter petrol engine offering 105 hp power, mated to both manual and automatic transmission options. The Urban Cruiser will compete against the Honda WR-V, Renault Duster, Mahindra XUV300, Mahindra Bolero, Ford EcoSport, Nissan Kicks, Mahindra Marazzo, Kia Seltos and Maruti Suzuki Ertiga.
11 – MG Gloster
The new MG Gloster is a full sized, 5 meter long, 7 seater SUV. Once launched, it will be the company’s flagship model. MG Gloster is a rebadged Maxus D90 SUV from China. Maxus and MG brands are both owned by SAIC and hence the similarities. The Gloster will be seen with ventilated front seats, a wide screen infotainment system, i-Smart connectivity and a full digital instrument panel.
It will see safety equipment such as front and side airbags for all 3 rows, adaptive cruise control, front collision alert, driver fatigue system and ABS and EBD. Gloster will be powered by a 2.0 liter turbo diesel engine offering 218 hp power and 480 Nm torque while it will also get a 2.0 liter turbo diesel engine making 224 hp power and 360 Nm torque. The new Gloster will come in with a 4 wheel drive system and a total of 7 driving modes. Expected price is Rs 35 lakhs.
12 – Force Gurkha
Set for a festive season launch, the new Force Gurkha was showcased at the 2020 Auto Expo and will soon be heading to production to launch in India sometime in October. It will see revised exterior features with a new bumper design, rectangular air dam, revised headlamp clusters and fog lamp housing, along with LED DRLs and bi-LED setup for low and high beams. The new generation Force Gurkha will be powered by a BS6 compliant 2.6 liter diesel engine offering 90 hp power and 260 Nm torque mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. Expected price is Rs 10 lakhs.
13 – Jeep Compass Night Eagle Edition
The 2020 Jeep Compass Night Eagle edition is currently on sale in global markets including UK and Brazil. Official teasers herald its launch in India over the coming weeks with the vehicle showing off ‘Night Eagle’ badging on its tailgate. True to this badging, it gets black treatment both outside and inside, with blacked out main grille, bumpers, fog lamp surrounds and window line while it sits on blacked out 18 inch alloy wheels.
Interiors will see Gloss Black across its seating and dashboard while other interior features will include an 8.4 inch touchscreen system, dual-zone automatic climate control and several driver assistance features. Apart from this blacked out treatment, the Jeep Compass will see no change in engine lineup. It will be powered by a 1.4 liter MultiAir turbo petrol engine making 160 hp power and 250 Nm torque and a 2.0 liter MultiJet diesel engine making 173 hp power and 350 Nm torque. Transmission options could include a 6-speed manual, 7-speed DCT while it could also get a 9-speed automatic unit. Expected price Rs 19-20 lakhs.
14 – Audi Q2
Audi Q2, the entry-level luxury SUV will launch in India sometime in September 2020. Expected to be a crowd puller, Audi Q2 will be positioned below the Q3 and will be based on the flexible MQB architecture used extensively by Volkswagen Group. This will be a baby Audi measuring 4,191 mm in length, 1,794 mm in width and 1,508 mm in height. Audi Q2 will be powered by a BS6 compliant 2.0 liter turbocharged petrol engine offering 190 hp power and 320 Nm torque mated to a 7-speed DCT sending power to all four wheels via a Quattro system. Top speed will stand over 200 kmph. Expected price is Rs 30 lakhs.
15 – Tata Altroz Turbo Petrol
Diwali 2020 launch is planned for the new Tata Altroz Turbo Petrol. The model is being actively tested in the country. Tata Motors offers the Altroz in XE, XM, XT, XZ and XZ(O) trims but may offer the Altroz turbo petrol in only top of the line XZ and XZ(O) trims. Prices are likely to start from around Rs. 8 lakhs. Tata Altroz premium hatchback will be powered by a 1.2 liter turbo petrol engine offering 99 hp power and 131 Nm torque mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. Tata Motors may also introduce a new DCT dual clutch transmission gearbox sourced from Punch Powertrain. Expected price is Rs 8 lakhs.
16 – Mahindra TUV300 Facelift
The current generation Mahindra TUV300 has been struck off the company website to usher in the new TUV300 facelift sometime in September 2020. This compact SUV has been spied on test showing off some exterior updates. It will receive a new honeycomb front grille with 6 vertical slats, new head and tail lamps along with a revised bumper design. The TUV300 facelift will get its power via a 1.5 liter, 3 cylinder, turbo diesel engine mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. Expected price is Rs 8 lakhs.
17 – Skoda Rapid Automatic
Skoda had launched the Rapid TSI BS6 in May 2020 with a manual transmission while the mid-size sedan with an automatic gearbox will launch later this year. The Skoda Rapid BS6 is powered by a 1.0 liter TSI petrol engine making 108 hp power and 175 Nm torque mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox while from September onwards it will be seen with a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. Expected price is Rs 10-11 lakhs.
18 – Tata Harrier Petrol
Tata Motors plans 4 new launches this year – Tata Gravitas SUV, turbo petrol version of Altroz hatchback, Harrier petrol and HBX concept based mini SUV. Of these the Harrier Petrol will launch sometime in October. This 5 seater SUV will be powered by a new 1.5 liter turbocharged, fuel injected, 4 cyliner petrol engine which will offer around 150 hp power. It will receive paddle shifters and Sport mode. Expect prices to be in the Rs 13 lakhs range.
19 – Skoda Rapid Matte Edition
Revealed at the 2020 Auto Expo, Rapid Matte Edition launch plans have been delayed in view of the pandemic. As name suggests, the Skoda Rapid Matte Edition will sport a dark grey matte colour scheme with red contrasting accents. It will get red inserts on its ORVMs, a red stripe running across the sides, red brake calipers and 17 inch alloy wheels finished in matte black. The Skoda Rapid Matte Concept will be powered by a 1.0 liter TSI petrol engine generating 110 PS power and 175 Nm torque. Expected price is Rs 11 lakhs.
Launched Recently – Hyundai Venue SPORT iMT
Hyundai India recently announced a new transmission option called iMT or Intelligent Manual Transmission. This is the first time that this technology is being offered in India. The Hyundai Venue’s 1.0 liter turbo petrol engine which offers 120 hp power and currently mated to a 6-speed manual and 7-speed DCT, has received the iMT option. Prices start from Rs 9.99 lakhs.
