Volkswagen Group is hoping to revive customers interest in the fast depleting mid-sized sedan segment. On the other, Citroen is set to enter the highly competitive hatchback segment. Maruti Suzuki is also developing new hatchbacks for the Indian market. Here’s a look at the upcoming hatchbacks and sedans launching in the Indian market in 2022 –
1. New Maruti Baleno/ Toyota Glanza Facelift
Maruti Suzuki is preparing to launch the Baleno facelift in the month of February 2022. In fact, production of the hatchback has already been commenced at Suzuki’s Gujarat based plant. Similar to the Baleno facelift, Toyota will also introduce the updated Glanza hatchback.
The new models will receive significantly altered design with wider proportions and new headlamp unit with LED DRLs. The updates won’t be limited to the exterior. The hatchback will also receive significantly revised interior with an all-new dashboard, a larger touchscreen infotainment system, new switchgear and wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto and others. There won’t be much changes in terms of mechanics. Both models will retain the existing 83bhp, 1.2L NA petrol and a 90bhp, 1.2L dualjet petrol with the 12V mild hybrid system.
2. Skoda Slavia
Czech automaker, Skoda will announce the prices of the soon-to-be-launched Slavia mid-sized sedan in February-March 2022. The new model will be based on the VW Group’s MQB AO IN platform that underpins the new Skoda Kushaq and the VW Taigun. Not just platform, the new Skoda Slavia will share the interior features and engine specifications with the Kushaq SUV.
It will be offered with two engine options – a 1.0L 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol and a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol. While the former is good for 113bhp and 178Nm of torque, the later produces 148bhp and 250Nm of torque. Transmission choices will include a 6-speed manual, a 6-speed torque convertor automatic and a 7-speed DCT.
3. Citroen C3
Citroen is all set to introduce the first locally developed product – the Citroen C3 hatchback in the country in the second quarter of 2022. It is basically an hatchback with SUV-like styling elements and bigger ground clearance. The Citroen C3 measures 3.98 meters in length and has a ground clearance of 180mm.
The vehicle shares styling cues from the bigger Citroen cars including the C4 and the C5. The front fascia has split headlamps, a double-slat grille and aggressive bumper. The small crossover-hatch will be equipped with a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a smartphone holder beside the screen, a 3-spoke multi-functional steering wheel, a digital instrument console, manual AC and seats with integrated headrests.
It is based on the heavily localised CMP (Common Modular Platform), which will also underpin the future Citroen cars in the country. The new Citroen C3 is likely to be offered with two petrol engines – a 1.2-litre naturally-aspirated and a 1.2-litre turbocharged. Transmission choices will include a 5-speed manual and a 7-speed DCT.
4. Volkswagen Virtus
German automaker, Volkswagen has officially announced to introduce the Virtus mid-sized sedan in the country in the second quarter of 2022. The new VW Virtus is expected to be unveiled in March 2022. It will be based on the same MQB AO IN platform that underpins the Taigun & Kushaq. The new model will share the styling from the global-spec Virtus.
It will be offered with two engine options – a 113bhp, 1.0L turbocharged petrol with 6MT & 6AT and a 148bhp, 1.5L turbocharged petrol with 6MT & 7DCT.
5. New-gen Maruti Alto
Maruti Suzuki is developing the next generation Alto hatchback, which has already been spotted testing multiple times on the Indian roads. The new model is expected to be launched during festive season, Diwali. It will be based on the Suzuki’s HEARTECT platform that underpins the S-Presso, WagonR and the Celerio. The spy images suggest that the new Alto will grow in size and looks like a tall-boy hatchback with some design similarities with latest Celerio.
The new Alto is expected to receive big changes inside the cabin. It is likely to get some modern features like a touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone connectivity, a semi-digital instrument console, keyless entry, engine start/stop button and others. It is likely to be offered with the existing 800cc, 3-cylinder petrol engine. The company could also add the 1.0-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine, which was earlier offered on the Alto K10. The small car will also receive CNG powered model.
6. Honda City Hybrid
Japanese automaker, Honda will launch the much-awaited hybrid version of the City sedan in the country in the next few months. The company is expected to introduce the standard and sportier RS versions of the sedan with hybrid powertrain. It will be powered by a 1.5-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol engine with an electric motor producing power worth 98bhp with 127Nm and 109bhp with 253Nm respectively. Its combined torque output will stand at 253Nm.
The new Honda City hybrid will offer a fuel economy of over 27kmpl, which will make it the most frugal car in the Indian market. The Hybrid City is said to be 0.5 seconds faster ad 110kg heavier than the standard model.
