In the next 5-6 months, we will see some big new car launches from two giant Indian auto manufactures – Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra. While Tata will bring in four new cars including an all-new product, Mahindra will launch two new models. Here’s brief about the upcoming new Tata and Mahindra cars that will hit showrooms this year.
Upcoming New Tata Cars
1. Tata Altroz Turbo-Petrol
The home-grown carmaker is working on a new turbo-petrol variant of the Tata Altroz premium hatchback. The model will use a 1.2L turbocharged petrol engine paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The motor will push out a maximum power of 99bhp and a peak torque of 141Nm. If reports are to be believed, the company will also introduce a new dual-clutch automatic transmission on the new turbo-petrol variant. The new 7-speed DT-1 DCT gearbox, sourced from Punch, is said to be designed especially for the compact cars. The same unit might also be offered on the Nexon lineup.
2. Tata Hexa Safari
Tata showcased a special edition of the Hexa at the 2020 Auto Expo. Called the Tata Hexa Safari, the new model is packed with a BS6-compliant 2.2L, 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine that’s good enough for 156bhp and 400Nm of torque. The Hexa Safari edition will be offered with 4X4 drivetrain system. The showcased model features a special exterior paint scheme along with dark grey alloy wheels. Inside the cabin, the SUV gets a special badging on the dashboard and new seat textures that distinguish it from the standard model.
3. Tata Harrier Petrol
Tata has confirmed that it will introduce a new 1.5L direct-injection turbo petrol engine on the Harrier SUV lineup. Its official power and torque figures are yet to be revealed, it’s likely to offer power close to 150bhp. The new turbo-petrol powertrain might be offered with an automatic gearbox and paddle shifters. The Tata Harrier petrol is likely to come with a ‘Sport’ mode. The 7-seater version of the Harrier, Tata Gravitas, will also feature the same engine.
4. Tata Gravitas
Tata Gravitas, the 7-seater sibling of the Harrier, is surely one of the big launches of this year. Slated to launch during 2020 festive season, the Gravitas will take on the MG Hector Plus and Mahindra XUV500. It has an additional row of seats and to accommodate it the carmaker has increased length of its rear overhang. The wheelbase, however, remains unchanged. The Tata Gravitas features larger side windows and more upright tailgate than the Harrier 5-seater. Its taillamps and rear bumper have also been revised. The SUV will come with the BS6, 170bhp 2.0L engine that does duty in the 5-seater Harrier.
Upcoming New Mahindra Cars
1. New-Gen Mahindra Thar
The Pune-based carmaker is likely to announce prices of the new-generation Mahindra Thar by September, 2020. The SUV’s new model will carry the original silhouette and body stance. Though, it will witness noticeable styling updates along with a new chassis and new body panels. Interior will also be more upmarket than the existing one. It will get a touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone connectivity, a multi-info display in instrument cluster, newly-designed dashboard and several new features. In fact, the safety quotient will also be better than before. The 2020 Mahindra Thar will come with a new 2.0L turbo petrol engine and BS6-complaint 2.2L diesel engine option. Both manual and automatic gearboxes will be on offer.
2. Mahindra XUV300 Sportz
Unveiled at the 2020 Auto Expo, the Mahindra XUV300 Sprotz was slated to launch in April. Due to lockdown and pandemic, however, it has been postponed. Now, it’s believed to hit roads by the end of this year. The XUV300 Sportz will be one of the first Mahindra cars to feature the new BS6-compliant, 1.2L, 3-cylinder turbo petrol engine making power worth 130bhp and 230Nm of torque. The new direct-injection motor will be 20bhp more powerful than the standard XUV300. It will come with a 6-speed manual gearbox. A few design changes have also been made to the sportier XUV300.
