The 'Festival of Lights' or Diwali as we know it, is around the corner and bringing home a new car always brings hope and prosperity.
Carmakers in India are set to launch new cars from their stable and have ramped up production to meet the demand. From sedans, SUVs to luxury cars, there is a host of cars to be launched around Diwali. Here is the list of 2017 upcoming cars in India during and around Diwali.
Tata Nexon
Tata Motors has reinvented itself with a new approach towards design. The home-grown carmaker has sniffed success with its Impact Design Philosophy approach. It all started off with the Tiago hatchback, which has been the main model to bring in sales.
Now, Tata Motors is all set to launch its first sub-compact SUV, Tata Nexon in India. While the company has unveiled the Tata Nexon, bookings and production have begun indicating its imminent launch. The Tata Nexon will be offered in two engine options: a 1.5-litre Revotorq diesel and a 1.2-litre petrol, both turbocharged units.
The most noticeable and exciting feature is the floating 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system which can connect Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Tata Nexon will compete with Maruti Brezza, Ford EcoSport, and the Mahindra TUV300.
Also, the Nexon SUV comes with projector headlamps, 8-speaker sound system, a smart-key, push-button start and an impressive segment-best ground clearance of 209mm (unladen). You can read more in our review of the Tata Nexon to understand more about the sub-compact SUV.
Expected Launch: End Of September 2017
Expected Price: Rs 6 to 9 lakh
Ford EcoSport Facelift
Among the first to launch a sub-compact SUV, Ford India has facelifted the EcoSport with extensive changes both in its exterior and interior. The Ford EcoSport facelift receives a new and single-piece front grille leaving the bumper and fog lamp housing redesigned.
Inside the cabin, the new Ford EcoSport gets new instrument cluster, steering wheel, switchgear and just like the Tata Nexon, a floating touchscreen infotainment system. Power to the facelifted Ford EcoSport will come via a more powerful 1.5-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine matched to a new 6-speed automatic gearbox.
The Ford EcoSport facelift will also be offered with the same 1.5-litre 4-cylinder diesel engine paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The facelifted EcoSport will rival the likes of Tata Nexon, Maruti Brezza, and the Honda WR-V.
Expected Launch: End Of September 2017
Expected Price: Rs 7 to 11 lakh
Maruti Suzuki S-Cross Facelift
Maruti Suzuki launched its first true blue crossover S-Cross in India back in 2015 and it received aluke warm response from the Indian buyers. The reason for its mediocre response was attributed to its design despite being one of the best and premium product on offer by Maruti.
Now, Maruti is all set to launch the facelifted S-Cross in India and the new iteration of the Maruti S-Cross is sharper, stylish and looks more of an SUV than a crossover compared to the outgoing model.
The facelifted Maruti S-Cross features a new front grille and a pair of redesigned headlamps. Inside, the S-Cross facelift comes with anew dashboard, new infotainment system which can connect Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The old Maruti S-Cross was powered by two diesel engine options: 1.3-litre and 1.6-litre. However, reports suggest that Maruti might offer only the 1.3-litre diesel engine and probably a petrol model later on.
Expected Launch: End Of September 2017
Expected Price: Rs 10 to Rs 13 lakh
Renault Captur
Renault was the first to launch a compact SUV in India with the Duster. Auto enthusiasts were impressed with the Duster's ride and handling, and now the French carmaker wants to offer an SUV positioned above the Duster in India.
While the Renault Captur will be underpinned by the same Duster platform or chassis, for Captur it will be slightly modified to fit the dimension of the cabin. The Renault Captur will be powered by the tried and tested 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines of the Duster. Also, the Captur will be a 5-seater crossover.
The Renault Captur will take on the likes of Hyundai Creta, Maruti S-Cross, and the entry level Jeep Compass.
Expected Launch: October 2017
Expected Price: Rs 13 to 15 lakh
Skoda Kodiaq
The Skoda Kodiaq is named after the Kodiak bear commonly found in Alaska. The full-size 7-seater Kodiaq SUV offers a plenty of high-end features along with some simple yet smart ones as well (like the detachable torch in the boot, door border protection, etc.).
The upcoming Kodiaq is expected to be powered by a 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine and a 2.0-litre petrol and might be offered with a 7-speed automatic gearbox. The Kodiaq will compete with the Toyota Fortuner and the Ford Endeavour in the segment.
Expected Launch: October 2017
Expected Price: Rs 25 to 30 lakh
Audi Q5
German carmaker, Audi will launch yet another SUV this year with the second-generation Audi Q5 in India. The new Audi Q5 is sharp and aggressive in its looks all the while retaining its stylish image.
Audi says the Q5 SUV is 90kg lighter than the previous generation as it is based on the new Volkswagen's MLB Evo platform. Among the host of features, the new Audi Q5 comes with an 8.3-inch infotainment system with handwriting recognition, Audi's MMI interface (with navigation) matched with a Bang & Olufsen sound system and a 12.3-inch ‘Virtual Cockpit' substituting the analog instrument cluster.
The new Audi Q5 will be powered by the same engine as the previous model: a 2.0-litre 249bhp diesel unit, while it will also get a 2.0-litre 187bhp petrol engine. Both the engines will come mated to the 7-speed S-Tronic automatic gearbox. The second generation Audi Q5 will rival the Mercedes-Benz GLC, BMW X3, and the Volvo XC60.
Expected Launch: October 2017
Expected Price: Rs 45 to 55 lakh
Additionally, ahead of the festive season, some carmakers have launched cars in India. Hyundai has launched the all-new Verna sedan; Jeep launched the Compass SUV, Skoda launched the Octavia RS, while Audi India has launched the petrol Audi Q7 SUV in the country.
DriveSpark Thinks!
The list might be filled with SUVs, and that's because most of the carmakers have launched a sedan like Hyundai and Skoda. Also, the festive season comes with a host of offers and discount on new car purchases. Our 2017 upcoming cars in India around Diwali list helps to make the right decision. Do let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
