India is battling with the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic due to which several carmakers have postponed their new car launches in the country. Here’s a brief on the upcoming new models, which are slated to hit roads in coming months.
Skoda Octavia – June
Skoda India has confirmed that it will launch the new-generation Octavia sedan in the month of June. The model comes with comprehensively revised design and interior along with a 143bhp, 2.0L TSI turbo petrol engine. Both manual and automatic gearboxes will be on offer. The 2021 Octavia is longer and wider than the outgoing model and sits on the modified version of the MQB platform.
Hyundai Alcazar – June
The South Korean carmaker is ready to enter into the 7-seater SUV segment with the Hyundai Alcazar. While unofficial bookings of the model have already been commenced, its launch is likely to happen in June 2021. Based on the Creta, the Alcazar will come with the new 2.0L petrol (159PS/192Nm) and 1.5L turbo diesel (115PS/250Nm) engine options. There will be 6-speed manual and torque convertor automatic gearboxes to choose from. The new Hyundai three-row SUV will be offered with 6 and 7-seats configurations.
Skoda Kushaq – June
Kushaq will be Skoda’s answer to the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos. The model has been confirmed to launch in June; however, its deliveries will start in July 2021. The SUV will be offered with the 1.0L turbo petrol (113bhp) and 1.5L turbo petrol (147bhp) engine options. While a 6-spee manual gearbox will be standard, a 6-speed torque convertor automatic and a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission will be reserved for the 1.0L and 1.5L motor respectively.
Volkswagen Taigun – August
Unofficial bookings of the upcoming Volkswagen Taigun compact SUV have already been commenced at select dealerships. It will be the brand’s first model to be designed on the MQB A0 IN platform that will also underpin the upcoming Skoda Kushaq. Claimed to be the “safest, strongly built SUV”, the VW Taigun will come with the two turbocharged petrol engine options. There will be three gearboxes on offer – 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic and 7-speed DSG automatic.
New-Gen Maruti Celerio – Mid 2021
The new-generation Maruti Celerio launch is reported to be postponed to the third quarter of 2021. With the generation change, the hatchback will switch to the Heartect platform and witness noticeable design and mechanical changes. In fact, the new Celerio will be bigger and more spacious than the current generation. For power, the hatchback will use a 1.2L (83bhp/110Nm) petrol and 1.0L (67bhp/91Nm) petrol engine. It will come with the manual and AMT gearbox options.
Mahindra XUV700 – October
Mahindra & Mahindra is set to launch the new XUV700 7-seater SUV by October 2021. The SUV model lineup is reported to come in 11 variants and segment’s most powerful petrol and diesel engines. While its petrol version will use a 190bhp, 2.0L mFlacon unit, the diesel model will come with the 185bhp, 2.2L mHawk motor. The Mahindra XUV700 will also be packed with several class-leading features such as ADAS, Mercedes-Benz inspired dual screen setup and more.
Tata HBX – October
Tata HBX concept based mini SUV is surely one of the much-awaited new car launches of this year. If reports are to be believed, the production-ready model will hit showrooms during 2021 festive season (possibly in September – October). It might be named ‘Tata Timero’. The new Tata mini SUV can be had with either a 1.2L naturally aspirated petrol or 1.2L turbo petrol engine. While the former makes 86bhp and 113Nm, the latter is good for 100bhp. There will be a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed AMT gearbox on offer.
New Volkswagen Tiguan – Diwali Season
The German carmaker recently unveiled the updated Volkswagen Tiguan for the Indian market. The new model is likely to arrive in coming months (possibly near around 2021 festive season). Significant cosmetic and feature upgrades have been made to the SUV. The 5-seater SUV will come with the 2.0L turbocharged petrol engine paired to a 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox and VW’s 4MOTION AWD system. The gasoline unit makes power worth 187bhp and 320Nm of torque.
New-Gen Maruti Vitara Brezza – Diwali Season
Maruti Suzuki’s top-selling compact SUV – Vitara Brezza – will enter into its second-generation during 2021 festive season. Similar to the Celerio, the 2021 Maruti Vitara Brezza will underpin the new Heartect platform that will enhance safety and performance quotient. It might be equipped with sunroof, connected car technology and other advanced technologies. Rumour has it that the new-generation model might feature a 1.5L K15B petrol engine with the larger battery and a more powerful electric motor setup. It can be had with two gearboxes – a 5-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic.
MG Astor – Diwali Season
The British carmaker will foray into the mid-size SUV segment with the MG Astor. Under the hood, the SUV is likely to feature 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol engine delivering 200bhp and 150Nm. A 1.3L turbo petrol motor will also be on offer. It pushes out a peak power of 163bhp and 230Nm. Both engines will be available with manual and automatic gearbox options. The Astor is essentially the petrol iteration of the MG ZS EV. Save for a few styling bits, the overall design and features will be similar to its electric sibling.
Citroen CC21 – Diwali Season
The next offering from the French carmaker in India will be a compact SUV. Codenamed Citroen CC21, the small SUV will be placed against the Maruti Vitara Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Tata Nexon and Ford EcoSport. Developed under the brand’s C-Cubed programme, the new Citroen compact SUV could be the first Flexi-fuel vehicle in the country. Under the hood, the model is likely to feature 1.2L turbocharged petrol engine with Flexi-fuel system. The CC21 will be built on the brand’s CMP (Common Modular Platform).
Hyundai i20 N Line – Coming Months
Hyundai i20 N Line, the performance-oriented hatchback, is likely to hit showrooms in coming months. Though, there is no official word on its India launch timeline. The hot hatch has been spotted testing multiple times in the country. Globally, the i20 N Line is available with a new 1.6L turbocharged petrol engine benefited with a 350 bar fuel injection system, an uprated turbocharger and intercooler and Hyundai’s new CVVD technology. The motor makes a top power of 204bhp. In India, it’s likely to be offered with a 120bhp, 1.0L turbo petrol motor.
New Mahindra Bolero Neo – Coming Months
The home-grown carmaker will give a mid-life update to its top-selling Bolero SUV in coming months (possibly in June 2021). Reports suggest that the new model will be named 2021 Mahindra Bolero Neo. Minor changes are likely to be made inside and out. Powering the new Bolero will be a 1.5L, 3-cylinder mHawk75 diesel engine coupled to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The oil burner will deliver power around 75bhp and 210Nm of torque.
New-Gen Mahindra Scorpio – Late 2021
The second-generation Mahindra Scorpio is likely to witness a release towards the end of this year. Compared to the current generation, the new one will carry improved styling, up-market and more spacious interior and more powerful engine setup. The 2021 Scropio will be made available with the new 2.0L turbo petrol and 2.2L turbo diesel engines and 6-speed manual and automatic gearbox options. The recently sighting of the SUV confirms that the SUV will come with the 4X4 drivetrain system.
Mahindra Marazzo AMT – Late 2021
While there is no official word on its launch timeline, the Mahindra Marazzo AMT variant is reported to come by the end of 2021. The model will be packed with the 1.5L turbo diesel engine and a new AMT gearbox (AutoShift technology). At present, the MPV is available with the 6-speed manual gearbox and FWD system. No design and feature changes will be made to the new automatic variant.
New Skoda Sedan – Late 2021
The Czech automaker has confirmed a new mid-size sedan for the Indian market. Prices of the vehicle will be announced towards the end of this year, while its deliveries will begin in early 2022. Here, it will challenge the Honda City, Maruti Ciaz and Hyundai Verna. The new Skoda sedan will be based on the MQB-A0 IN platform and is likely to come with the 1.0K TSI petrol engine making 109bhp and 175Nm. There could be 6-speed manual and automatic gearboxes on offer.
