Maruti Suzuki is the biggest automobile manufacturer in India with over 50% market share in Indian passenger car market. Hyundai Motor India stood at number second and holds the title of India’s top exporter to countries across Middle East and Africa. The third, fourth and fifth spots are grabbed by the Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra and Kia Motors India. Here are the most anticipated new car launches from India’s top 5 car manufacturers that are set to arrive in the coming years.
1. Maruti Suzuki Compact SUV
The Indo-Japanese carmaker is planning to foray into the premium compact SUV space to challenge dominance of the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos. Reports suggest that the company will bring in a new model based on the Toyota Raize’s DNGA (Daihatsu New Global Architecture) platform. It will measure around 4.3m in length and will be offered with both petrol and diesel engine options. While the petrol model might come with a 1.2L turbo or 1.5L K15B unit, the diesel variant could be packed with a 1.5L motor. It‘s expected to hit showrooms sometime in 2022 and will be sold via Nexa dealerships.
2. Hyundai Creta 7-Seater
Hyundai Creta 7-seater is surely one of the much-awaited car launches of the next year. If reports are to be believed, its production-ready version might be named Hyundai Alcazar. Compared to its 5-seater sibling, the Alcazar will be 30mm longer and more cabin space to offer. A few cosmetic changes will also be made to the vehicle. The Creta 7-seater will carry a new chrome studded grille, smaller skid plate, bigger lower air intake, revised headlamps, flatter roof, new side sills and roof rails. Besides an additional third row of seats, the SUV will offer some extra goodies. Engine setup is likely to be borrowed from the 5-seater Creta – i.e. 1.5L NA petro, 1.4L turbo petrol and 1.5L diesel.
3. Tata Gravitas
Tata Gravitas, the upcoming 6/7-seater SUV from the home-grown carmaker, will be put up against the newly-launched MG Hector Plus and Mahindra XUV500. The model is slated to launch in the first half of the next year. Based on Harrier’s platform, the Gravitas will come with the 168bhp, 2.0L diesel engine with manual and automatic gearbox options. It will measure 4662mm in length, 1894mm in width and 1786mm in height, thus making it 63mm longer, 72mm wider and 80mm taller than the Harrier. The SUV will also receive noticeable changes inside and out. Some of its key features will include a cascading grille with honeycomb mesh, squared wheel arches, side body cladding, roof rails, LED taillamps, a roof-mounted spoiler, Benecke-Kaliko oak brown leather seat upholstery, JBL audio system and the signature-style oak brown dual-tone dashboard.
4. New-Gen Mahindra Thar
The second-generation Mahindra Thar has been slated to launch on 2nd October, 2020. The off-road SUV has received several new features for the first time including a new petrol engine, automatic gearbox, factory hard top, front facing rear seats, automatic climate control, touchscreen infotainment system, rear disc brakes ad cruise control. The 2020 Thar will come in three variants – AX, AX (O) and LX – powered by 2.0L mStallion turbo petrol and 2.2L turbo diesel engines. While the gasoline unit is good enough for 150bhp and 320Nm, the oil burner makes 130bhp and 320Nm. The SUV is claimed to offer better off-road performance with features such as high ground clearance, updated suspension setup, better approach, departure and ramp-up angles and improved water wading capacity.
5. Kia Compact MPV
The South Korean carmaker aims to tap the compact MPV segment that’s currently ruled by Maruti Suzuki Ertiga. The new Kia MPV will be based on the Seltos’ platform and is claimed to offer “adequate space” for seven occupants. The carmaker has confirmed that it will come with an “affordable price” tag. Currently, the carmaker is considering a compact MPV for India. And if it gets approval, the vehicle is likely to enter production sometime in 2021 at the carmaker’s Anantpura facility in Andhra Pradesh. The same plant might also serve as global production hub for the new Kia compact MPV.
