Indian automobile industry, which was worst hit by pandemic, has been showing sign of revival month after month. The upcoming festive season is likely to further boost the sales across segments. Here, we have listed confirmed and expected new car launches, which are scheduled to take place in the next 6 months (i.e. till March, 2021).
1. New-Gen Mahindra Thar (2nd October)
The second-generation Mahindra Thar will hit roads on 2nd October, 2020. The off-road SUV will come in two trims – AX and LX – and its entry-level variant is estimated to cost below Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom). It can be had with three roof-top options – Hard, Soft and Convertible. The new Thar will be made available with petrol and diesel engines and 6-speed manual and 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox options. While the petrol model will get a new 150bhp, 2.0L mStallion turbo engine, the diesel variant will derive power from 130bhp, 2.2L turbo motor. The new-generation model looks more rugged and evolved than the previous one. It also has more advanced comfort, connectivity and safety features to offer.
2. MG Gloster (Early October)
Morris Garages is ready to launch its fourth product in the Indian market in the first or second week of October, 2020. Called the MG Gloster, the premium 7-seater SUV will take head-to-head against the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour. The carmaker claims that the Gloster is India’s first autonomous (level I) luxury SUV. The model lineup will come in four trims – Smart, Sharp, Savvy and Super – and four colour schemes – Warm White, Metal Black, Metal Ash and Agate Red. While the 6-seats layout will be available with Smart, Sharp and Savvy trims, the 7-seats configuration will be offered with the Sharp and Super trims. Powering the SUV is a 2.0L twin-turbo diesel engine delivering power worth 215bhp with 480Nm. The SUV will come with an 8-speed automatic gearbox, 4WD with a shift-on-fly 4WD system and a terrain selection system.
3. Land Rover Defender (15th October)
The new Land Rover Defender is ready to hit Indian roads on coming 15th October. The SUV will come in both body styles – short wheelbase 90 (3-door) and the longer wheelbase 110 (5-door). While the former has been priced from Rs 69.99 lakh, the latter comes at a starting price of Rs 76.57 lakh. Initially, the carmaker will deliver Defender 110 (5-door) version to customers. The premium SUV sources its power from a 2.0L, 4-cylinder turbo petrol engine generating a maximum power of 300bhp and 400Nm of torque. There is an 8-speed gearbox and Land Rover’s Terrain Response AWD (all-wheel-drive) system. The Land Rover Defender 110 will get air suspension as standard. Some of its key features include LED headlights, a Meridian audio system, a 10-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with heads up display, 360 degree surround camera, connected car tech, electrically adjustable and heated front seats, grained leather and woven textile seats and rubber mats and more.
4. Renault Kiger (October)
Renault India has confirmed that it will enter into the subcompact SUV space with a new model. While the official name of the product is yet to be announced, it’s likely to the named Renault Kiger. The small SUV will be based on the CMF-A+ platform that also underpins the Kwid hatchback and Triber compact MPV. The Kiger will be Renault’s smallest SUV in the country. Its length, width and height will be roughly around 3995mm, 1600mm and 1600m respectively. The model will carry SUV-ish stance and some of its design bits will be borrowed from the Triber. At the heart of Renault’s upcoming compact SUV will be a 1.0L turob and 1.0L naturally aspirated petrol engines that will come with manual, AMT and CVT gearbox options.
5. New-Gen Force Gurkha (October – November)
Force Motors showcased the new-generation Gurkha off-road SUV at the 2020 Auto Expo. The model is now ready to hit showrooms during this festive season. Compared to the current generation model, the new one looks more rugged and have better equipped interior. While it will continue to come in three trims – Xpedition, Xplorer and Xtreme, the prices might witness a minor hike. The 2020 Force Gurkha complies with the existing crash test standards and the upcoming pedestrian safety requirements. Most of the cosmetic changes have been made at the front including the new grille, updated bumper and new light clusters. The off-road SUV comes with a newly-designed dashboard, slightly repositioned circular air-con vents, centre console integrated touchscreen infotainment system and a new instrument cluster. For power, the SUV uses the BS6-compliant 2.6L diesel engine that’s good enough for 90bhp. It has a 5-speed manual gearbox for performing transmission duties. Both 4WD and 2WD systems are on offer.
6. Nissan Magnite (November – December)
Nissan India is betting on the upcoming Magnite subcompact SUV that’s reported to arrive by the end of this year. Similar to the Renault Kiger, the Nissan Magnite will underpin the low-cost CMF-A+ modular platform. It will be the smallest and most affordable SUV from the Japanese carmaker in the country. If reports are to be believed, the Magnite prices might start at Rs 5.25 lakh. While its official details are yet to be announced, it’s likely to come with some advanced goodies such as a 360 degree camera, factory-fitted sunroof, cruise control and more. Engine setup of the new Nissan compact SUV will include a 1.0L naturally aspirated and 1.0L turbo petrol motors making 72bhp with 91Nm and 99bhp with 160Nm respectively. Both manual and CVT gearboxes will be on offer.
7. Tata Gravitas (Early 2021)
Tata Gravitas will be the next big launch from the home-grown carmaker in the country. The SUV made its India debut in its pre-production form at this year’s Auto Expo. It was slated to launch during 2020 festive season; however, it has been rescheduled to early next year. Measuring 4662mm in length, the Gravitas will come in two seating configurations – 6-seats and 7-seats. Under the hood, the SUV features the Fiat-sourced 2.0L, 4-cylinder diesel engine making power worth 168bhp and 350Nm of torque. It can be had either with a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission. The Gravitas will share its platform and several design elements and features with the Harrier. Though, it will have some extra goodies and more cabin space to offer.
8. Tata HBX (Early 2021)
After the Gravitas, the home-grown carmaker will mark its entry into the mini SUV segment with the Tata HBX concept based model. Reports suggest that the production-ready HBX might be named Tata Timero. It will feature the brand’s 2.0 design language along with upright stance, pronounced belt line, a flat bonnet, plastic cladding on the doors and a stand-up A-pillar. The HBX might be offered with Tata’s 1.2L turbo petrol engine benefited with direct-injection technology. The 1.2L naturally-aspirated petrol motor might be exclusively available with base models. Tata’s upcoming mini SUV can be had either with a 5-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed AMT gearbox.
9. New-Gen Mahindra Scorpio (Early 2021)
After the second-generation Thar, the new Mahindra Scorpio will be the next launch from the home-grown carmaker. The company has already confirmed that the 2021 Mahindra Scorpio will arrive early next year. Major cosmetic and feature upgrades will be made to the SUV. Besides this, the new Scorpio will underpin an all-new platform and come with a new 2.0L mStallion turbo petrol engine. The gasoline motor will produce power around 190bhp and 380Nm of torque. There will also be a new BS6 2.2L turbo diesel engine pushing out power close to 160bhp and torque over 350Nm. Transmission duties will be done by a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque convertor automatic unit. Spy pictures reveal that the new-generation Scorpio will be bigger than its predecessor and has front-facing third row of seats. Some of its key features will include a touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone connectivity, leather seats, reverse camera, head-up display, electric sunroof and more.
10. New-Gen Mahindra XUV500 (Early 2021)
The new-generation Mahindra XUV500 is surely one of the much-awaited launches of the next year. Design and styling of the new XUV500 will be inspired by the Mahindra Funster concept that broke cover at the 2020 Auto Expo. The SUV will be based on a new platform that will be more agile and ready for the future safety norms. The 2021 Mahindra XUV500 will witness dimensional changes along with better equipped interior. It will get a flat-bottomed steering wheel, a newly-designed dashboard, a new wider center console, a full digital instrument cluster, bucket seat wrapped in black quilted leather, cruise control and many more goodies. For power, the new XUV500 will use a new 2.0L turbo diesel and a new 2.0L mStallion petrol engine making 180bhp and 190bhp respectively. There will be two gearboxes on offer – 6-speed manual and 6-speed torque converter automatic.
11. Hyundai Creta 7-seater (Early 2021)
The South Korean carmaker is planning to bring in the 7-seater version of its top-selling mid-size SUV – Creta. Reports suggest that its production-ready model will be christened ‘Hyundai Alcazar’. Compared to its younger sibling, the Hyundai Creta 7-seater will be more premium and spacious. Though, some of its design bits will be carried over from the Palisade SUV. Elements such as slimmer C-pillar, new side sills and roofline, newly-designed roof rails, larger 17-inch silver alloys and longer rear overhand will further mark distinction to its portfolio. Interior layout and features will be exactly similar to the 5-seater Creta. Though, it will have some extra goodies on-board. The 7-seater Creta might be offered with three engine options – 138bhp, 1.4L turbo petrol, 113bhp, 1.5L petrol and 113bhp, 1.5L diesel. All these powertrains will be borrowed from its younger sibling.
