SUVs are overtaking demand of small cars in the country. Though, car manufacturers such as Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Tata and Citroen are still betting big on the hatchback segment. Here’re some key details of the upcoming small cars, which are slated to hit roads in the next couple of years.
Upcoming Small Cars In India
MG Air EV
MG Air EV India launch has been confirmed for early 2023. The automaker will showcase its upcoming 2-door electric car at the Delhi Auto Expo in January. The company says that its new EV will be premium than the newly-launched Tata Tiago EV hatchback. Its prices are likely to start from Rs 10 lakh. The Air EV will feature a battery pack with capacity of around 20kWh -25kWh and an electric motor making 40bhp. The model will also have LFP (lithium iron phosphate) cells and offer a range of 150km on a single charge. It will have FWD (front-wheel drive) system. More details here…
New-Gen Maruti Swift
The new-generation Maruti Suzuki Swift is reported to witness a market launch in 2024. It’s surely one of the much-awaited upcoming new small cars in the country. The hatchback’s new model will be high on mileage. According to a media report, the 2024 Maruti Swift will employ a 1.2L, 3-cylinder petrol engine with Toyota’s strong hybrid technology. It will offer an ARAI-certified fuel efficiency of around 35kmpl – 40kmpl. If it happens, the new Swift will become the most fuel efficient car in the country. The same powertrain setup will be offered on the new-generation Maruti Dzire. More details here…
Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Facelift
The Hyundai Grand i10 Nios hatchback will receive a mid-life update sometime next year. The model is currently in its testing phase and one of its test mules was recently caught on camera. The new version will carry a slightly different front grille, revised headlamps with LED DRLs, updated rear bumper and newly-designed taillamps. Hyundai might offer the hatch in new colour options. Interior could be updated with new upholstery and interior theme. No changes are likely to be made under the hood. The 2023 Hyundai Grand i10 Nios facelift is likely to be offered with the same 1.2L NA, 1.0L turbo petrol and 1.2L petrol CNG fuel options. More details here…
Citroen C3 EV
Earlier, the new Citroen C3 EV was slated to debut on 29th September 2022. The unveiling event was cancelled for unknown reasons. Now, we expect it to come early next year. The Citroen C3 EV might be offered with a 50kWh battery pack that’s available on the global-spec Peugeot e-208. It returns a claimed power of 136PS and 260Nm of torque. The new Citroen electric car will offer a range of over 350km (WLTP claimed) on a full charge. The carmaker might also provide a smaller battery version promising a range of around 300km. A few EV-specific changes could be made to its exterior and interior. More details here…
Tata Altroz EV
Tata Motors will bring in the electric iteration of the Altroz premium hatchback in 2023. It was first showcased in its concept avatar at the last edition of Delhi Auto Expo. The Tata Altroz EV will have a closed-off grille, a differently styled front and rear bumpers, air dams with star pattern, new alloy wheels with blue highlights and blacked-out section of the tailgate with slightly repositioned badge. Inside, the electric hatch might get lighter upholstery and a rotary gear selector. Its interior and features will be similar to its ICE-powered version. Powertrain setup of the Altroz EV will consist of Tata’s updated Ziptron electric technology that’s offered on the Nexon EV. Though, the battery pack capacity, power figures and range could be different. Its prices are likely to fall in the range of Rs 6 lakh – Rs 10 lakh. More details here…
New-Gen Tata Tiago
The new-generation Tata Tiago is expected to hit roads in the next couple of years. The hatchback’s new model will ditch the existing platform for the modular Alfa platform that underpins the Altroz and Punch. The new architecture is compatible to different body styles and multiple powertrains. Major changes are likely to be made to its exterior and interior. In order to improve its comfort quotient, the carmaker might equip the all-new Tata Tiago with some advanced features. More details here…
