The small car market is expected to witness a sales growth for the first time in nearly five years, thanks to the new models and healthy GDP growth. In between April – December 2022, a total of 994,000 units of small cars were sold in the country. The sales figures are likely to increase up to 1.37 millions units by the end of this month (i.e. March 2023). India’s top 3 car manufacturers – Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and Tata – have planned a range of new compact cars for this year. Let’s take a look at the upcoming models.
Upcoming Compact Cars In 2023
Maruti Fronx
The Fronx compact crossover will go on sale in April 2023 (possibly in the first week). It will be a Nexa exclusive offering that will come with the 1.0L turbo petrol and 1.2L naturally aspirated petrol engines. While the turbo-petrol unit makes 100bhp with 147.6Nm, the naturally aspirated motor is good enough for 90bhp and 113Nm. Both manual and automatic gearboxes will be on offer. The Maruti Fronx model lineup will be made available in Sigma, Delta, Delta+, Zeta and Alpha trims. The Indo-Japanese automaker has equipped the compact car with a 9-inch SmartPlay Pro+ infotainment system with wireless smartphone connectivity, HUD, automatic AC unit with rear AC bents, keyless entry, connected car tech, etc. More details here…
Hyundai Ai3
The South Korean automaker is reportedly testing a new micro SUV for the Indian market. Codenamed Hyundai Ai3, the model will measure around 3.8 meters in length. Its market launch is expected to happen during this year’s festive season. The new Hyundai micro SUV could be offered with the 1.2L petrol engine, borrowed from the Grand i10 Nios hatchback. The motor pushes out a peak power of 83bhp and 113.8Nm of torque. It might also get the CNG fuel option. On the feature front, the mini SUV is likely to offer a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, rear AC vents, a semi-digital instrument cluster, connected car tech and automatic climate control. More details here…
Tata Altroz Racer/CNG
Tata Motors showcased the Altroz Racer and the hatchback’s CNG version at the 2023 Auto Expo. Both models will witness a market release sometime this year. The Altroz CNG has a 1.2L petrol engine with a factory-fitted CNG kit, delivering a maximum power of 77PS and 95Nm of torque. The Altroz Racer Edition, one of the much-awaited upcoming compact cars, will have a more powerful 1.2L turbo petrol motor. It produces a maximum power of 120PS and 170Nm of torque. The model receives a few cosmetic enhancements over the regular model. Most of its features will be similar to the standard Altroz. More details here…
Tata Punch CNG/EV
The Tata Punch EV is reported to arrive at showrooms near around 2023 festive season. The electric mini SUV will be built on new Sigma platform (Gen 2) and use Tata’s Ziptroen technology. The powertrain setup will include a battery pack and a permanent magnet synchronous motor. The Punch EV might be offered with the two battery pack options – a 26kWh and a 30.2kWh. A few EV-specific changes will be made to its exterior and interior. Powertrain setup of the Tata Punch CNG will include a 1.2L Revotron engine and a CNG kit. In CNG mode, the setup will offer power around 70-75bhp and 100Nm of torque. Its mileage figure will be around 30km/kg. More details here…
