While automakers are planning to increase their SUV profiles, few brands still believes that sedans could bring good sales in the Indian market. In this article, we talk about the upcoming new mid-sized sedans to be launched in the Indian market in the next 1 year –
Skoda Slavia
Skoda has officially announced that the new mid-sized sedan will be called the Skoda Slavia, which is scheduled to be launched in the next couple of months. The new model will be the second Skoda model to be based on Volkswagen Group’s MQB AO IN platform. This platform also underpins the Skoda Kushaq and the VW Taigun.
The Skoda Slavia will measure close to 4.5 meters and will ride on segment largest 2,651mm wheelbase. It will be offered with two petrol engine options – a 113bhp, 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine and a 147bhp, 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbo. Transmission choices will include a 6-speed manual, a 6-speed torque convertor and a 7-speed DSG.
Toyota Belta
Maruti Suzuki has started producing the new Toyota Belta sedan, which is basically the re-badged version of the Ciaz. The company will initially export the sedan to select international markets; however, the sedan will also be launched in India in the next few months. This model comes as a part of Suzuki-Toyota partnership.
The Toyota Belta mid-sized sedan will be positioned against the likes of the Honda City, Hyundai Verna, Skoda Rapid and the Volkswagen Vento. It will replace the Yaris sedan, which was discontinued earlier this year. The Toyota Belta will be powered by the same 1.5-litre 4-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine that produces 104bhp of maximum power and 138Nm of torque. Transmission choices will include a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed torque convertor automatic.
VW Virtus
Volkswagen is gearing up for the launch of the much-awaited Virtus mid-sized sedan, which will be based on the MQB AO IN platform. The new sedan will be launched before the end of this financial year, which is before March 2021. The Volkswagen Virtus will share the engine specifications, features and other details with the VW Taigun. The sedan will ride on 2,651mm wheelbase, which is 98mm longer than the Vento’s 2,553mm.
It will be offered with two engine options – a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbo petrol and a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol. While the former is good for 113bhp and 178Nm, the later offers 147bhp and 250Nm of torque. Transmission choices will include a 6-speed manual, a 6-speed torque convertor and a 7-speed DSG.
Honda City Hybrid
Japanese automaker, Honda has confirmed that the new City hybrid sedan will arrive in our market in 2022. It is most likely to be the most fuel efficient car in the country. The new sedan is likely to return a fuel efficiency of around 27kmpl. The new hybrid sedan comes equipped with a 1.5-litre petrol engine that runs a more efficient ‘Atkinson Cycle’. The petrol engine produces 98bhp of power, while the electric motor offers 109bhp. The vehicle offers a maximum torque of 253bhp; the petrol engine offers 127Nm and the electric motor offers 253Nm. It is 0.5 seconds quicker than the regular City sedan.
In the City hybrid, the electric generator and electric motor are combined together and attached to the end of the engine. The engine turns the generator, and also powers the electric motor, which in turn spins the wheels and sends electricity to the lithium ion battery in the boot.
