2015 Hyundai Verna Facelift
Already on sale in Russia as Solaris, the updated Verna will finally be launched in India on February 16, 2015. The facelifted Verna looks similar to the updated Sonata, since both the vehicles share the Hyundai’s popular ‘Fluidic 2.0 design sculpture. The updated model’s front fascia features a dual-slat chrome grille, a larger air dam, re-designed head-lamps with projectors, revised bumper with LED daytime running lights and new fog lamps.
The rear-end might receive new reflectors on the bumper and new LEDs. The interior, except for some additional features, might remain the same. That said, the car might get a tuned suspension and steering. Powering the updated Verna continue will be the same engines – 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre petrol and 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre CRDI diesel units.
Launch Date: February 16, 2015
New Volkswagen Jetta
The updated Jetta, first unveiled at the 2014 New York Motor Show, will be launched on February, 17, 2015 in India. The sedan received few exterior and interior updates. It features a new grille, re-designed bumpers and fog lamps and revised headlamps. The alloys wheels are also updated, while the tail lamps seem inspired from the Audi A4.
Interior updates include a touch-screen infotainment system, new upholstery, new music system and three-spoke multi-function steering wheel. The engines will remain unchanged, it will continue to be powered by a 2.0-litre TDI diesel and a 1.4-litre TSI petrol units.
Launch Date: February 17, 2015
BMW i8 Plug-in Hybrid
BMW, the German automaker, will launch the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car on February 18, 2015 in India. The vehicle, first showcased at the 2014 Delhi Auto Expo, has already been imported to the company’s Chennai facility.
The i8 will derive its power from a 1.5-litre, in-line 3 petrol and a 7.1kWh lithium-ion battery that are good for 231bhp and 129bhp, respectively. Both the petrol engine and electric motor offer a combined power of 357bhp with 570Nm of torque. The BMW i8 has an electronic speed limit of 250kmph, while in all-electric mode it can achieve a top speed of 120kmph. In Sport mode, the car accelerates 80-120kmph in 2.6 seconds, which is quite impressive.
Launch Date: February 18, 2015
Maruti Swift Dzire facelift
The facelifted Maruti Swift Dzire, which is already in its production phase, is expected to be launched in the third or fourth week of February. The new model will get some exterior updates such as a new front bumper, large air dams, new grille with chrome surrounds, headlamp with different inserts and re-designed fog lamp inserts with a faux brushed aluminum finish.
The top variants will be equipped with rear parking sensors and a new pair of 10-spoke alloy wheels, while the lower variants get newly-designed wheel caps. New color options will also on offer. From inside, the sedan gets a multi-functional steering wheel, a new music system with Bluetooth connectivity, push-button start with smart key access and new upholstery. Mechanically, the new Dzire will continue with the same engines (1.2-litre K-Series and 1.3-litre Multijet), which are slightly tweaked for better fuel efficiency.
Expected Launch: 3rd or 4th week of February
Every carmaker in the country today is working hard to please the discerning Indian customer, market conditions notwithstanding. In this race, the sub-compact/compact segment seems to be observing the most traction. So we decided to put together a list of upcoming cars between Rs. 5 lakh – Rs. 10 lakh that the aforementioned segment will welcome this year or the next.
1. Chevrolet Beat Sedan
The sub-compact sedan segment in India is growing quick and Chevrolet India doesn’t intend to stay behind in the race. Say hello to MCM (codename) – the Beat-based sedan, which will be based on the new-generation Beat’s M300 platform. It will receive significant changes, especially at the front fascia, that will help this new compact sedan look more aggressive than the Beat.
It will most likely be offered with a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.3-litre diesel engine. While the petrol motor will deliver 82 ponies with 108Nm, the diesel promises 74bhp and 190Nm of maximum torque. In terms of transmission, it will get a 5-speed gearbox.
Interestingly, GM might position this sub-four meter sedan below the new Sail.
Expected Price -Rs. 4.5 lakh – Rs. 6.5 lakh
2. Chevrolet Compact SUV
Better known as the Adra – this compact SUV was showcased at the 2014 Delhi Auto Expo. Based on General Motors’s new global small-vehicle platform – the Gamma 2, the concept was developed by Indian designers at GM’s technical centre in Bangalore, India.
In terms of engine, GM could either pick from the ones that power its other cars sold in India, i.e. the 1.3-litre diesel and the 1.4-litre petrol, or use its new 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder Ecotec engine that is known for delivering not only high-performance, but also impressive fuel economy.
Rumour claims that GM intends to bring in the compact SUV by 2017, but I believe it might be a tad bit too late by then.
Expected Price -Rs. 6 lakh – Rs. 9 lakh
3. Ford Figo Sedan
First showcased right before the 2014 Delhi Auto Expo, the production version of the car looks largely similar to the Ford Figo Concept albeit the substantial changes on the head-lamps and light clusters. It will most probably derive power from a 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel engine, with its lightweight, high tensile strength steel platform contributing to its fuel efficiency and handling.
Already on sale in Brazil as the KA+, though in Brazil it measures over 4 metres. One must know that the Figo sedan is already on sale in Brazil, where it is known as the KA+ and measures over 4m in length.
Expected Price -Rs. 4.8 lakh – Rs. 8 lakh
4. Honda Jazz
Though the Jazz failed to ‘perform’ in its first innings in India, the hatchback’s all-new design and diesel engine leads us to believe it has a better chance this time. The company has already started its production in India, and you can expect it to be launched anytime in the first or second quarter of the next financial year.
The new-generation Honda Jazz will hopefully get the same engines as the ones that power the Amaze i.e. the 1.2-litre i-VTEC petrol and the 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel. Honda might also launch an even more powerful version of the hatchback – with the 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine – later.
Expected Price -Rs. 4.5 lakh – Rs. 8 lakh
5. Honda Brio Based Sub-Compact SUV
Honda’s EcoSport rivaling compact SUV is believed to be ready for an unveiling this year and a launch in 2016. The Brio-based sub-compact SUV is expected to bear some resemblance to the CR-V in terms of design; the front might
feature design cues from the Amaze and Mobilio, while the rear could feature CR-V inspired tail-lamps, a tapered rear-quarter glass and a lower entry-point boot.
We expect to see a 1.5-litre, i-VTEC petrol and the 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel engine under its hood. Both the engines power the new City line-up, so expect this baby to be equally frugal. Furthermore, this yet unnamed SUV, will also get a better equipped RS variant.
Expected Price -Rs. 6.5 lakh – Rs. 11 lakh
6. Hyundai ix25
There is little doubt about the fact that the Hyundai ix25 is one of the most-anticipated SUVs in India. Its production version was recently unveiled at the 2014 Guangzhou Auto Show, and it looked quite similar to the concept. It is based on Hyundai’s popular ‘Fluidic Sculpture 2.0’ design philosophy and shares design cues with the Santa Fe. This upcoming Hyundai SUV measures 4270mm in length, 1780mm in width and 1630mm in height and gets a wheelbase of 2590mm.
The ix25 is expected to arrive here in the second half of 2015, where it might come equipped with a 1.4-litre VTVT and a 1.6-litre CRDi diesel engine – the same set of engines that also power the Hyundai Verna.
Expected Price -Rs. 7.50 lakh – Rs. 11 lakh
7. Hyundai i20 Cross
Hyundai intends to bring in the crossover version of its much successful i20 hatchback – the i20 Cross. The Korean carmaker’s first ever crossover in India will share its platform and features with the i20. In all likelihood, tt will also get the same engine options i.e. a 1.2-litre Kappa2 petrol and a 1.4-litre CRDi diesel.
Rumoured to be gearing up for an early 2015 launch, the i20 Cross will get bigger alloys, additional body cladding and a more feature-rich cabin.
Expected Price -Rs. 6 lakh – Rs. 8.50 lakh
8. Mahindra Sub-Compact SUV
India’s largest SUV maker, Mahindra & Mahindra, intends to add a sub-compact SUV (codenamed S101) to its lineup pretty soon. It will use the same 1.5-litre diesel mill that powers the Quanto and perhaps also the 1.2-litre petrol engine that Mahindra has been working on along with SsangYong. M&M will hopefully bring it in by mid-2015.
Expected Price -Rs. 4.5 lakh – Rs. 6.5 lakh
9. Mahindra U301
Much like the S101, the U301 is also a sub-compact SUV that will come powered by the same engine options as the S101. The only difference between the 2 Mahindra sub-compact SUVs will be their respective price ranges.
Expected Price -Rs. 6.5 lakh – Rs. 8.5 lakh
10. Maruti Suzuki SX4 S-Cross
The fact that Maruti Suzuki doesn’t have a crossover or compact SUV in its current line-up is set to change in 2015, thanks to the SX4 S-Cross. The nation’s largest carmaker has already started testing the crossover here and might launch it by early this year.
This Maruti crossover resembles the European SX4 hatchback based ‘S-Cross’, but will feature some exterior and mechanical changes. The SX4 S-Cross is expected to get a 1.3-litre, 92bhp multijet diesel engine and a 1.4-litre, 94bhp petrol engine.
Expected Price -Rs. 6.5 lakh – Rs. 9 lakh
11. Maruti Suzuki XA Alpha
Considering how quickly the compact SUV segment has picked up pace in India, Maruti Suzuki will field its own entrant in the segment pretty soon. First unveiled as a concept at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo, the Maruti Suzuki XA Alpha will be a sub 4-metre compact SUV powered by the Fiat-sourced 1.3-litre multijet diesel mill, which also powers many other Maruti cars, including Swift and Swift Dzire.
You must know that Maruti Suzuki has been reportedly working on its own diesel engine line-up, which, if ready on time, might be fitted in the XA Alpha.
Expected Price -Rs. 6.50 lakh – Rs. 10 lakh
12. Renault Lodgy
Renault India released the first picture of its upcoming MPV – the Lodgy – in December, 2014, and recently went on to unveil the vehicle at the Renault Star Guild Awards. While globally the Lodgy is sold with the Dacia badge, India will see it sold as a Renault product.
Expected to be rolled out by early 2015, the Indian model of the MPV will get some notable changes that will help Renault price it aggressively. Though the company hasn’t revealed the engine specs and other details yet, Lodgy will share its underpinning with other Renault products and might use the same 1.5-litre, 84bhp diesel engine that also powers the Duster.
Expected Price -Rs. 6.50 lakh – 9 lakh
13. Tata Compact SUV
Tata Motors unveiled the Nexon concept at the 2014 Delhi Auto Expo, and recently at the Geneva Motor Show. It will be built on a thoroughly updated version of the Vista X1 platform, upon which, the Zest and the upcoming Bolt hatchback are also based.
The vehicle will probably be powered by the company’s new 1.2-litre turbocharged Revotron engine that is capable of churning out 84bhp and 140Nm of torque. The diesel model might feature the 1.3-litre Multijet diesel engine sourced from Fiat, which also does duty on the Vista.
Expected Price -Rs. 6 lakh – 8 lakh
14. Volkswagen Sub-Compact Sedan
It was during the 2014 Paris Motor Show that the reports of Volkswagen’s sub-4 metre sedan first emerged. Said to be meant exclusively for India, the sub-compact sedan will be based on the Polo’s PQ25 platform and will also get its engine options. Instead of being merely a shorter version of the Vento, this sedan will sport distinctive styling.
Codenamed the Polo Stuffe, it will use the Polo’s 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol and the new 1.5-litre diesel motor, which powers both, the Polo and Vento. With a launch date set in 2015 or early 2016, the VW sub-compact sedan’s top-end variants might also get the 1.2-litre TSI 4-cylinder turbo petrol and the 1.5-litre diesel engine.
Expected Price -Rs. 6 lakh – 8 lakh
15. Volkswagen Taigun
The VW Taigun compact SUV concept was also showcased at the 2014 Delhi Auto Expo and features a twin-split grille, rear-mounted spare wheel, roof rails, and rugged side-cladding. Based on a stretched version of the PQ12 platform, which also underpins the Up! hatchback, the Taigun-inspired SUV is expected to feature a new 1.0-litre turborcharged TSI petrol engine, which will develop 105bhp and 175Nm of peak torque.
Expected Price -Rs. 8 lakh – Rs. 10 lakh
