With the festive season soon approaching, carmakers are lining up a slew of car launches over the next couple of months. Here is a list of all the new cars and SUVs that are expected to hit showroom floors very soon.
Updated Tata Tigor EV – August 31, 2021
Tata Motors unveiled the 2021 Tigor EV powered by the company’s Ziptron EV powertrain technology this month and it is all set to go on sale on August 31. The 2021 Tata Tigor EV is the second mass-market EV from Tata Motors after the Nexon EV. Based on the ICE-powered Tigor facelift that was introduced last year, the new Tigor EV distinguishes itself with several electric blue accents over the standard Tigor. The advanced Ziptron high-voltage 300V+ architecture uses a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor that produces 75hp and 170Nm of peak torque. The Tata Tigor EV is likely to undercut the Nexon EV in price and could cost about Rs 1.5-2 lakh more than the ICE-powered Tigor, which currently tops out at Rs 7.81 lakh. This also means that the Tigor EV could be the most affordable EV available to private buyers in India.
Hyundai i20 N Line – September 2, 2021
Next up, Hyundai will be launching of the i20 N Line on September 2. Debuting Hyundai’s N performance brand in India is the i20 N Line, a sportier version of the regular i20. The updates, which are primarily cosmetic, include a sporty exterior body kit and several new sporty touches to the interior as well. It will be powered by the 120hp 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and will be offered with two gearbox options – 6-speed iMT and 7-speed DCT. It also gets retuned suspension, steering and a sportier exhaust note.
Kia Seltos X-Line – early September 2021
Earlier this week, Kia unveiled the Seltos X-Line, marking the second anniversary of the brand’s debut in India. Based on the Seltos X-Line Concept from the 2020 Auto Expo, this new top-spec model in the Seltos range gets an exclusive matte graphite colour option with several gloss black and orange accents all around. It also rides on larger 18-inch wheels. The cabin has also been updated with new Indigo blue upholstery. Under the hood, the Seltos X-Line will come with the 140hp, 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine with the 7-speed DCT gearbox or the 115hp, 1.5-litre diesel engine with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The Seltos X-Line will be a new permanent model in the lineup and will not be limited by numbers.
MG Astor – mid-September 2021
Earlier this month, MG officially confirmed the Astor for India, while also revealing several features and technology that it will come equipped with. The MG Astor is essentially a facelifted, petrol-powered version of the ZS SUV, which is already on sale in India with an EV powertrain. The Astor will come equipped with segment-first Level 2 ADAS features and will even feature a personal AI assistant through a robot-like device on the dashboard. Under the hood, the Astor is expected to come with a 120hp, 1.5-litre petrol engine and a 163hp, 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine. The car is expected to be launched sometime after mid-September.
Volkswagen Taigun – September 23, 2021
After all the anticipation, prices for the Volkswagen Taigun are finally set to be announced on September 23. The first Volkswagen-badged model under the India 2.0 programme, the Taigun, is the sister model to the Skoda Kushaq and marks VW’s entry into the competitive midsize SUV space. While the two SUVs share cosmetic bits like the doors, roof and glasshouse, the Taigun gets a notably different front and rear end, in line with VW’s design direction. The cabin too gets some similarities, with VW tweaking some elements to help its SUV standout from the Kushaq. Under the hood, the Taigun will share the pair of turbo-petrol engine options on offer with the Kushaq.
Force Gurkha – September 2021
The new Force Gurkha was originally revealed at the 2020 Auto Expo, though the model’s launch has been significantly delayed due to the pandemic. Force has now finally confirmed that the Gurkha will see the light of day in September. While the new Gurkha looks similar to the previous model, it is all-new and sits on an upgraded ladder frame chassis. The cabin too has received upgrades to make it feel more upmarket than its utilitarian predecessor. As before, buyers can expect 4×4 and 4×2 versions of the SUV, with the former getting locking differentials and low range. Power will come from a familiar 90hp, 260Nm, 2.6-litre diesel engine, paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox.
Tata Punch – festive season
The Tata Punch is going to be the carmaker’s first micro-SUV and will be positioned below the Nexon compact-SUV. Tata recently confirmed the Punch nameplate, which has stayed faithful to the HBX concept from the 2020 Auto Expo that it is based on. While only a single image has been shown so far, the Punch has the signature Tata SUV family design language. Based on the ALFA architecture, which also underpins the Altroz, the interior of the Punch will also be very similar to that of the Altroz. Under the hood, the Punch is expected to be powered by an 83hp, 1.2-litre naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine and a turbocharged version of the same. Gearbox choices for the Punch are expected to include both, a 5-speed manual and an AMT automatic option. The launch is expected sometime in September.
Ford EcoSport facelift – festive season
The Ford EcoSport facelift was recently spied testing completely undisguised and is expected to launch in the coming weeks. The spy pictures revealed a completely new front end with a new grille and bumper. Apart from the face, there aren’t many exterior changes expected elsewhere on the compact-SUV. The photographs did not reveal any details about the interior but expect Ford to spruce up the SUV’s cabin with newer textures and more features. Under the hood, the Ford EcoSport facelift will carry forward the powertrain options from the current car. That means it will continue with the 100hp, 1.5-litre turbo-diesel and the 123hp, 1.5-litre, three-cylinder, naturally-aspirated petrol motor.
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