Best Upcoming Cars In India — Take A Look Before You Make The Choice

1. Renault Kwid AMT

There is no need to introduce the Renault Kwid, it has established itself as on of thebest alternative to the current small hatchbacks in India. The Kwid Automatic Manual Transmission (AMT) was unveiled at the 2016 Auto Expo held in Delhi. The Kwid AMT had made heads turn with an exciting gadget.

Also Read: Upcoming Compact SUVs In India

This gadget the rotary knob for shifting the automatic gearbox. Renault calls this technology the Easy-R. A simple rotary knob to move either from Drive, Reverse or Neutral. The Renault Kwid AMT will be available on the exciting 1.0-litre model and will be on the top-of-the-line RxT (O).

The Kwid AMT has been confirmed to provide slightly better mileage than the manual variant. The Kwid AMT will return amileage of 24.04km/l while the manual provides 23.01km/l. The engine will power at 67bhp and 91Nm of torque.

Expected Launch: November 2016
Expected Price: Rs 4 Lakh to Rs 4.5 Lakh

2. Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS

Maruti Suzuki has tasted success with the premium hatchback Baleno. Now, the Japanese carmaker wants to add some fire power to the Baleno not just inside, but on the exterior as well.

The Baleno RS (Rally Sport) is the sportier version of the Baleno and will be powered by the 1.0-litre Booster Jet engine from Suzuki. The new mill is expected to be quick yet efficient in fuel economy. The Booster Jet engine will churn out 112bhp and the torque peaking at 175Nm.

Apart from the performance of the upcoming Baleno RS, the new premium hatchback will sport body kits to accentuate the look of the car. With lesser chrome elements, the Baleno RS is expected to be an all-black theme sporting side, front, and rear skirts.

Expected Launch: Beginning of 2017
Expected Price: Rs 8 Lakh to Rs 10 Lakh

3. Tata Tiago AMT

The tide seems to be turning for Tata Motors and much of it comes from the sales of the Tiago. Tata Tiago launched in April 2016 went to recapture some of thelost Tata Motors' customer base in India.

Next up is the Tiago AMT which is the logical choice from the manufacturer. This will captivate the Tiago to a bigger and upcoming customers who prefer automatic over manual gearbox. The Tata Tiago AMT will continue to feature the same specification as the manual gearbox variant except that it will feature the AMT gearbox.

Expected Launch: Mid 2017
Expected Price: Rs 4.5 Lakh to Rs 5.5 Lakh

4. Maruti Suzuki Ignis

The Maruti Ignis is the next step for India's largest car maker. With the Vitara Brezza taking the SUV market by storm, Maruti wants to establish as a premium car maker.

The Maruti Suzuki Ignis is an exciting small hatchback, but don't think this another hatchback. This Ignis will carry the characteristics of an SUV with its body plastic cladding around the side and the wheel arches. In Japan, where the Ignis is already on sale comes with any All Wheel Drive (AWD) like any SUV would come with.

Also, expected are some of the off-road capabilities such as Suzuki's adaptive Dual Camera Braking System (DCBS), hill descent control, with Dual airbags and ABS with EBD. Maruti will offer the Ignis with the 1.2-litre petrol and 1.3-litre diesel mills. This will be ably supported with the 5-speed manual and the CVT automatic gearbox.

Expected Launch: March 2017
Expected Price: Rs 6 Lakh to Rs 9 Lakh

5. Tata Kite 5

The Tata Kite 5 is the subcompact sedan derived from the Tiago. The Kite 5 has been spied testing on the Indian roads increasing its chances of a launch soon. The Kite 5 is unique in the segment with its floating roof line providing a coupe finish to the subcompact sedan.

Tata Motors has designed the Kite 5 with its European expertise and this is evident with the styling cues. The Kite 5 will continue to host the powertrains from the Tiago. The petrol variant will be powered by the 1.2-litre Revotron and the diesel unit will be powered by 1.05-litre engine.

Expected Launch: Mid 2017
Expected Price: Rs 4.5 Lakh to Rs 7 Lakh

6. Tata Hexa

Tata Motors' flagship vehicle is the Safari currently, the Hexa will replace this. DriveSpark test drove the Hexa and it came out in flying colors. The Hexa is going to flutter the people carrier market as the crossover SUV is both practical and perfect for off-roading.

The Tata Hexa performs well on urban and off-road conditions, the drive feels like a crossover and the Hexa can easily tackle off-road condition without much ado.

The upcoming Tata Hexa will be powered by the 2.2-litre VARICOR 400 mill which will produce 154bhp and 400Nm of torque. The engine will be mated to the choice of 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic gearbox.

Expected Launch: January 2017
Expected Price: Rs 12 Lakh to Rs 18 Lakh

7. Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson will fit in between the Creta and the Santa Fe in the South Korean portfolio in India. This will take SUV enthusiasts to take aleap from the compact SUV like the Creta and Renault Duster.

The upcoming Hyundai Tucson will continue with the styling language of the company's fluidic Sculpture design. The company plans to achieve 50 percent localization to price the SUV aggressively in the market.

As for the powertrain, Hyundai has not revealed which mill come to India. In most probable, the Tucson will be powered by the 2.2-litre which could come in two states of tune achieving 134bhp and 181bhp respectively.

Expected Launch: November 2016
Expected Price: Rs 18 Lakh to Rs 24 Lakh

8. Tata Nexon

Showcased at the 2016 Auto Expo, the Tata Nexon is very much the same as the concept version. The most notable feature is the floating infotainment system seen in luxury sedans such as the Audis and the Mercedes'.

The Tata Nexon will take the likes of Maruti Suzuki Brezza and the Ford EcoSport. The impact design is evident with the exterior of the Nexon. The lines are curvy and floating, yet it is beefy and butch to stamp its authority of an SUV.

Tata Motors will power the Nexon with the 1.2-litre petrol engine and a new 1.5-litre diesel mill and will bepaired with the choice of either a 6-speed manual or AMT automatic gearbox.

Expected Launch: End of 2017
Expected Price: Rs 6 Lakh to Rs 10 Lakh

9. Nissan X-Trail Hybrid

Touted to India's first fully hybrid SUV, the Nissan X-Trail Hybrid will change the SUV segment when it comes to emission norms. The Nissan X-Trail Hybrid will benefit some of the government initiatives on electric and hybrid vehicles.

The Nissan X-Trail Hybrid will be a 5-seater layout and will be powered by the 2.0-litre petrol mill which develops 142bhp and 200Nm of torque. This will be supported with 31kw electric motor taking the total output to 183bhp. This engine will be mated to the X-CVT automatic gearbox.

Expected Launch: December 2016
Expected Price: Rs 32 Lakh to Rs 35 Lakh

10. 2017 Jeep Compass

Jeep has finally taken note of the Indian automobile industry which is expected to become the third largest automobile market in the world by 2020. They launched the Grand Cherokee and the Wrangler which slots itself in the luxury SUV segment.

The Jeep Compass will cater to the affordable segment in India, it will be built on the Renegade underpinnings. The design language though will be of the Grand Cherokee styling cues. The Jeep Compass is expected to be powered by the 2.0-litre petrol and diesel mills and will be paired with the choice of manual or the automatic gearbox.

Expected Launch: End 2017
Expected Price: Rs 25 Lakh to Rs 30 Lakh

Observation:

Car launches in 2016 were exciting and 2017 is no different, the upcoming cars in India are well tailored made for the Indian market and sentiments. The list is amix of both affordable, fuel efficient and new technologies cars for India.