With half of the year already gone, we have witnessed launch of some of the most anticipated models like
Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza,
Volkswagen Ameo and
Toyota Innova Crysta so far. Knowing that festive season is fast approaching and is considered to be an auspicious time to launch new cars in India, we bring you some of the highly awaited models that will be rolled out in the year ahead.
1. Renault Kwid AMT
(Renault Kwid)
Unveiled at the 2016 Auto Expo, AMT equipped version of the small car Renault Kwid is expected to go on sale around festive season. Powered by an 800cc petrol engine, Kwid is currently offered with a five-speed manual gearbox and will soon receive a higher displacing 1.0 litre engine. The Easy-R AMT gearbox will be available on the 1.0 litre engine developing 67bhp and will get a gear rotor mounted on the centre console. Renault could also offer additional safety features to the 1.0 litre Easy-R AMT variant such as dual front airbags and ABS as standard provisions.
INTERIOR:
Expected Launch: October 2016
Expected Price: 4 lakh
The Kwid was Renault's first ever foray into the entry-level hatchback segment and needless to say it is doing really well for Renault and is one of their best-selling models in the country. It's bold and quirky SUVish styling has been a hit with the buyers in this particular segment who are looking for small car that looks big. The car looks well-proportioned and has been given nice elements of styling all around such as the plastic cladding on the wheel arches and along the body of the car to make it look more butch.
The engineers at
Renault have made use of an all new platform which is the CMF-A (Common Module Family-A). Not only this kept the weight of the car in check but also kept the costs low. Renault has tried its best to load the Kwid with features. Some of the standout ones are the MediaNAV system which is touch-based and gets navigation along with Bluetooth telephony and streaming along with USB and Aux-in connection. One also gets free map updates for a year. Of course, all of this is offered on the very top variant of the Kwid. Renault is also offering a host of customisation options in the form of decals and other optional equipment.
The Renault Kwid gets a 0.8-litre engine that produces 54bhp and 72Nm. While that might not seem like much but generates enough power to trundle around in the city comfortably. Also, it has an ARAI certified fuel efficiency figure of 25.17kmpl, which is one of the best in the country. You can read our review of the Renault Kwid here.
2. New Hyundai Eon
(Hyundai Eon)
Korean carmaker's budget hatchback Hyundai Eon is readying for a facelift including comprehensive exterior upgrades and mild interior changes. The hatchback lately received a more powerful 1.0 litre, three cylinder engine from Hyundai‘s updated kappa II family of engines. Like some of its products, the upcoming Eon facelift might also sport Hyundai’s new Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language. Mechanically, the small car will remain unchanged featuring the same set of engines as the current version including the 800cc engine along with the 1.0 litre unit. Contemplating that Maruti Alto K10 is available with an AMT gearbox and Renault Kwid is also working on an AMT variant,Hyundai might roll out an auto variant of Eon, although there is no official confirmation on the same yet.
Expected Launch: October 2016
Expected Price: 3 lakh to 4.5 lakh
INTERIOR:
Datsun - Nissan's low-cost car brand has finally
launched the much awaited GO hatchback in India in the price bracket of
3.12 to
3.70 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). At this price point, the car directly competes against the
Maruti Alto 800 and
Hyundai Eon - the two top-sellers in this segment. We compare the three cars on the basis of the most important factors - price, power & mileage and dimension/spaciousness.
Price
The entry-level hatchback segment belongs mainly to first-time buyers. That is the reason why pricing plays the most important role here. Of all the three cars, Maruti Alto 800 is the most affordable one with sticker price ranging from of
2.41 to
3.53 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The other two, Hyundai Eon (
2.87 lakh-3.85 lakh) and
Datsun Go (
3.12-3.70 lakh), too, aren't very expensive, but a difference of 45-70 thousand rupees is really big for first-time buyers.
Power & Mileage
Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 has the least powerful engine among the three. It has a 796cc, three cylinder engine that produces 47bhp and 69Nm. Powering the Eon is a 3-cylinder, 814cc engine churning out 55bhp and 74.5Nm. The GO has the most powerful engine in its league. It features the same 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder unit, found under the Micra, but it has been detuned to favour efficiency. This engine develops a maximum power output of 67bhp at 5500rpm, along with an impressive 98Nm of peak torque at 4,000rpm.
When it comes to fuel efficiency, Alto 800 is the best-in-class with a claimed figure of 22.74Km/l. Eon and GO do 21Km/l and 20Km/l respectively, as claimed by their makers.
Dimensions/spaciousness
Built on the Nissan Micra platform, the GO hatchback is the most spacious vehicle in its league. Measuring 3,785mm in length, 1,635mm in width and flaunting a wheelbase of 2,450mm, it is as spacious as many B+ segment cars sold in India. The Eon's dimensions stack up as 3,495mm in length, 1,550mm in width and wheelbase of 2,380mm. The Alto 800 is the smallest of the three, with 3,395mm in length, 1,490mm in width and 2,360mm of wheelbase.
3. Tata Kite 5 / Tiago Sedan
(Tata Kite 5 Sedan)
Now that bookings for the Tata Tiago have begun, its sedan twin is likely to follow closely in its footsteps and will arrive in India the following sometime soon. The sedan version of the Tiago was showcased in production guise at the Delhi Auto Expo 2016 bearing the Kite 5 moniker. Judging by the fact that both cars share the same platform, the Tata Kite 5 will likely arrive with similar interiors and powertrain options.
The Kite 5 looks quite contemporary in terms of design and the show car that we saw at the expo was kitted out with the Tiago's well thought out interior. In the subcompact sedan segment, it does seem to tick all the right boxes, especially if launched at a competitive price point. Tata's new Kite 5 subcompact sedan will sit below the Tata Zestin the company's product line and will likely be available with a choice of 3-cylinder petrol and diesel engine units. The 1.2-litre petrol Revotron engine, also used in the Bolt and Zest will pump out 83bhp and 114Nm of torque whereas the 3-pot, 1.05-litre diesel unit is rated at 67bhp and 140Nm of torque.
Although the Tiago will launch solely featuring a 5-speed manual gearbox, the Kite 5's later launch date could possibly mean that it will arrive with both a 5-speed manual transmission variant and an AMT variant. The subcompact sedan will rival the Ford Figo Aspire, Maruti Suzuki Swift DZire, Honda Amaze, Hyundai Xcent, and Volkswagen Ameo and should arrive in India by the festive season.
Tata Kite 5 Expected Launch: October, 2016
Tata Kite 5 Expected Price: 4.5 lakh - 5.5 lakh
Tata Kite 5 INTERIOR:
4. Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS
(Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS)
Indian small car specialist,
Maruti Suzuki, unveiled the new and sportier version of it increasingly popular
Baleno hatchback called the Baleno RS, at 2016 Auto Expo. The differences between the standard and RS version will not be limited to just cosmetic updates as the RS version will come fitted with the much awaited 1.0-litre BoosterJet, direct injection, turbo petrol engine unit. The 3-pot unit is capable of putting out 112bhp and 175Nm of peak torque. Upon its launch, the Baleno RS will join India's growing list of 100+ bhp hatchbacks which currently includes the Volkwsagen Polo GT, Fiat Abarth Punto and Ford Figo. The RS edition will only be available on the top-spec Alpha trim.
Besides featuring a host of cosmetic add-ons in the form of its aggressive body kit, the Baleno RS will also get better interior. Improvements will include minimal chrome inserts, all-black theme, sporty front seats with cross stitched upholstery, and aluminium finish pedals. The car will arrive sometime around the upcoming festive season.
Also Read: Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Unveiled; to Be Launched This Festive SeasonMaruti Suzuki Baleno RS Expected Launch: October, 2016
Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Expected Price: 9 lakh -
10 lakh
INTERIOR:
5. Volkswagen Polo GTI
(Volkswagen Polo GTI)
Now that India seems to have woken up and taken notice of the growing need of small, fast cars, India is likely to receive a gem of a present in the form of the insanely quickVolkswagen Polo GTI. The German carmaker set the trend of hot hatchbacks when it introduced the 105bhp Polo GT but is now ready to push the boundaries and launch the GT's power-crazed twin.
Packed with a 1.8-litre TSI turbocharged petrol unit, the Polo GTI puts out a whopping 190bhp and 250Nm of torque which means that it can do a 0-100km/h sprint in just 6.7 seconds! In terms of transmission, the engine will be mated to the same 7-speed DSG autobox that's available with the Volkswagen Vento and Polo GT. The car features mild cosmetic differences from its comparatively pedestrian twin such as the signature red highlight line on the front grille which runs into its LED headlamps, GTI-specific rear spoiler, sporty bumpers, red brake calipers and GTI insignia, new alloy designs, and LED fog-lamps. Volkswagen will initially sell the GTI in its 3-door form although a 5-door version may arrive at a later time. Alas, the sad part is that unlike the locally manufactured GT, the Polo GTI willarrive as a CBU and is hence expected to cost a pretty penny. The car will roll out in India in September, 2016.
Volkswagen Polo GTI Expected Launch: September, 2016
Volkswagen Polo GTI Expected Price: 18 lakh - 20 lakh
Volkswagen Polo GTI interior:
6. Jeep Renegade
(Jeep Renegade)
Touted to be the most affordable SUV from Jeep for the Indian market, Renegade SUV will be built on the same platform that underpins Fiat 500X. Under the hood, Renegade could get a 2.0 litre, Multijet2 engine offering power in two states of tune-138bhp and 168bhp. Transmission duties are expected to be taken care of by a six-speed manual unit and a nine-speed automatic gearbox.Expected to be launched in India as a CBU unit initially, Jeep might look at assembling the SUV locally post launch.
Expected Launch: September 2016
Expected Price: 25 lakh to 30 lakh
7. New Honda Accord 
(New Honda Accord)
Once upon a time, the Honda Accord was one of India's favourite sedan car offerings as not only was it supremely comfortable on-road but was a great car to drive as well, especially the powerful V6 variant. However the lack of a diesel option as well as the introduction of better value competitors like the Toyota Camry and Skoda Superbsteadily ate into its market share and eventually, the company was forced to discontinue the model back in 2013.
Despite the category having dried up and lost ground to the more popular SUV segment, the last few years have shown inklings of the once popular segment picking up steam yet again. The Camry Hybrid for example, has been quite successful in India, Based on the Camry Hybrid's success, Honda will revitalize the Accord brand in India and will not repeat last time's mistakes as it will bring the hybrid version of the Accord from the very start.
The facelifted Accord looks sporty and premium and comes packed with a 2.0-litre petrol engine that is paired with a lithium-ion battery pack powered electric unit. The gasoline engine makes 141bhp but when combined with the electric motor, the total output of the sedan is rated at 196bhp with a peak torque figure of 306Nm. The engine will come mated with an electronic CVT autobox designed specifically to handle its high torque figure. A 189bhp, 2.4-litre petrol model may also arrive at the same time paired with the same CVT transmission box. The 3.5-litre V6 may arrive at a future date depending on market reaction and customer feedback. Expect the new Accord to arrive sometime in mid-2016.
Honda Accord Expected Launch: Mid-2016
Honda Accord Expected Price: 28 lakh - 32 lakh
8. Tata Nexon
Tata unveiled the production ready iteration of its upcoming Nexon subcompact SUV at Auto Expo 2016. Developed on the X1 platform, the good looking and well proportioned SUV will be positioned between the Zest and Safari Storme in Tata's range. The car's design both on the inside and outside, borrows heavily from the Tiago hatchback. The contemporary coupe-like design and aggressive styling makes it one of the highly awaited upcoming cars in India.
(Tata Nexon Subcompact SUV)
Upon its launch, the Tata Nexon (codename: Osprey) will compete with the likes of theFord EcoSport, Mahindra TUV300, and Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza. The car was initially thought to be powered by a Fiat-sourced 1.3-litre diesel unit that currently powers many other hatchbacks like the Swift, although new reports have suggested that Tata is planning on fitting it with a more powerful 1.5-litre diesel unit. This punchy new engine is good for 108bhp and 260Nm of torque and will likely come mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. A 1.2-litre Revotron petrol option will also be available. The engine currently features on the Tata Zest and churns out 89bhp and 140Nm of torque.
Tata Nexon Expected Launch: October, 2016
Tata Nexon Expected Price: 7 lakh - 10 lakh
9. Tata Hexa
Tata is all set to create chaos in the people carrier market when it launches Tata Hexa. On the outside, the car looks to be a heavily reworked and better styled version of theTata Aria. Upon its launch, the Aria replacement will sit above the Safari and will become the Indian manufacturer's flagship model in India. 
(Tata Hexa Tuff Concept)
The Tata Hexa features a muscular design template, Tata's signature honeycomb mesh front grille, a redesigned air dam, and projector head-lamps. The sporty element to its styling is further accentuated by its horizontal LED tail-lamp clusters, huge wheel arches with rubber wrapped 19 inch alloys sat inside them, and blacked out door pillars. The cabin features a host of intelligent driver aids, an intelligent media system, premium quality materials as well as 2 individual bucket seats in the middle row. The 6-seater Hexa SUV will come equipped with ESP, ambient lighting, 6 airbags, auto head-lamps, and rain-sensing wipers.
Power is derived from a 2.2-litre diesel unit sourced from the Safari Storme VARICOR 400. The engine makes 154bhp and 400Nm of torque and is paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox.
Tata Hexa Expected Launch: Mid-2016
Tata Hexa Expected Price: 13 lakh - 18 lakh
10. Maruti Suzuki Ignis
Auto Expo 2016 saw Maruti Suzuki unveil its upcoming Ignis subcompact crossover-SUV. Set to compete in a relatively new segment of sub-4 metre SUV-styled cars, theMaruti Suzuki Ignis will maily compete with the recently launched Mahindra KUV100. The car features tall proportions and a heavily stylized front fascia which includes large U-shaped LED DRLs in the head-lamp units that are infused with the front grille.
(Maruti Suzuki Ignis)
Based on the details obtained from the Japanese-spec model, the Ignis' SUV-like traits should include flared wheel arches, a 180mm ground clearance, and Suzuki's All Grip AWD system. Electronic features will include a USB and Bluetooth equipped media system, Suzuki's adaptive Dual Camera Braking System (DCBS), lane management system, hill decent control, and camera equipped front and rear parking sensors. ABS and EBD will be available as standard as will dual front airbags. Power will be sourced from its 1.3-litre engine although a 1.2-litre offering may also be in the pipeline. Transmission duties will likely be performed by either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a CVT unit.
Maruti Suzuki Ignis Expected Launch: October, 2016
Maruti Suzuki Ignis Expected Price: 4 lakh - 5.5 lakh
