The next 6 months are going to be super exciting for the auto enthusiasts as there will be several new car/SUV/MPV launches. The new models, which were delayed due to the pandemic, are also ready to hit showrooms. Here’s a brief on the much-awaited SUVs that are slated to arrive by the end of 2021.
Hyundai Alcazar
Hyundai Alcazar will be the first 7-seater SUV from the South Korean carmaker in India. Official bookings have been started at a token sum of Rs 25,000 and its launch will happen on 18th June 2021. The SUV model lineup will come in 6 trims, 6 colour schemes, 6/7-seats layouts and 2 engines and gearbox options. The Alcazar petrol will use a 2.0L, 4-cylinder motor making 159bhp and 192Nm and the diesel will come with the 1.5L turbo unit delivering 115bhp with 250Nm. Hyundai’s new three-row SUV shares most of its design bits and features with the Creta. Though, the minor styling tweaks and extra fitments make it a more premium offering.
Skoda Kushaq
Production of the upcoming Skoda Kushaq SUV is already underway at the company’s Chakan based plant in Pune. The carmaker has confirmed that its prices will be announced by the end of June and deliveries will begin in July 2021. The Kushaq will be Skoda’s first model to be based on the MQB AO IN platform. It will come with two turbocharged petrol engines – 1.0L, 3-cylinder and 1.5L, 4-cylinder – pushing out power worth 114bhp with 175Nm and 147bhp with 250Nm. A 6-speed manual gearbox will be available with both motors. While the 1.0L unit will be exclusively come with a 6-speed torque convertor automatic gearbox, a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission will be reserved for the 1.5L motor.
Volkswagen Taigun
Volkswagen Taigun will be positioned against the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos in India. Its unofficial bookings have already been commenced at select dealerships. Reports suggest that the SUV will see a release in the month of August. According to dealer’s claim the Taigun prices will start around Rs 10 lakh for the base variant and go up to Rs 17 lakh for the top-end trim. Similar to the Kushaq, it will be designed on the India-specific MQB AO IN architecture. It could be offered with the advanced driver assistance features (ADAS) along with in-car Wi-Fi, audio podcast streaming and live music features. The VW Taigun will come with the 114bhp, 1.0L turbo petrol and 147bhp, 1.5L turbo petrol engine options.
MG Astor
The British carmaker is all set to enter into the hottest mid-size SUV segment with the MG Astor. It’s essentially the petrol iteration of the ZS EV featuring minor design tweaks. The Astor has been confirmed for the third quarter of 2021 (i.e. July-September). Powering the SUV will be a 1.5L, 4-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol and a 1.3L turbo petrol engine making 120bhp with 150Nm and 163bhp with 230Nm respectively. Compared to the Creta and Seltos, the Astor will be more powerful. Both manual and automatic gearboxes will be on offer. It’s design, dimensions and features will be similar to the MG ZS EV.
Tata HBX
Tata Motors will foray into the small SUV space with the HBX concept based model. Its production version is reported to be named Tata Timero. The model is currently in its final testing phase and is likely to arrive by October 2021. For power, the new Tata mini SUV might use a 1.2L, 3-cylinder naturally aspirated engine that’s good enough for 86bhp and 113Nm of torque. It’s the same motor that does duty in the Tiago and Altroz hatchbacks. The carmaker might also offer the 1.2L turbocharged engine making power around 100bhp. Buyers will have choice of 5-speed manual and 5-speed AMT gearbox.
Mahindra XUV700
Mahindra & Mahindra’s XUV700 7-seater SUV is set to launch by October 2021. Ahead of its official arrival, the carmaker released a teaser image that suggests the SUV might come with an electric powertrain. Besides this, the Mahindra XUV700 will be offered with the 2.0L mStallion turbo petrol and 2.2L turbo diesel engines offering power worth 188bhp and 185bhp respectively. There will be two gearboxes on offer – 6-speed manual and 6-speed torque convertor automatic. The SUV will come with the ADAS technology, factory-fitted panoramic sunroof, a new infotainment unit, 8-way adjustable driver’s seat and many more features.
New-Gen Maruti Vitara Brezza
Maruti Vitara Brezza’s new-generation model is scheduled to hit roads just before the 2021 Diwali season. The compact SUV is likely to witness significant changes in terms of design, features and engine mechanism. According to reports the 2021 Vitara Brezza might come with the stronger hybrid system featuring a larger battery pack and a more powerful electric motor. The existing 104bhp, 1.5L petrol engine will also be on offer. Instead of the 4-speed automatic gearbox, the SUV will receive a new 6-speed automatic unit. The new-generation model is likely to be based on the Heartect platform and offer a sunroof.
