The pandemic-induced uncertainty that had settled into the Indian automotive market has finally been removed with auto sales volumes returning to their pre-pandemic numbers and several manufacturers registering their best sales year ever in India last year. In order to maintain the momentum from the previous year, the industry began 2023 with the 16th edition of the Indian Auto Expo, which saw a range of new and exciting concepts, unveilings, and launches. With new product launches throughout 2023, the Indian automobile industry hopes to maintain this momentum. As mentioned earlier, increased sales have definitely contributed to the growth of the auto sector, and if you're considering buying a new car or are just at the planning stage for now, we've put together a list to help you out. Here are the upcoming anticipated cars slated to launch in February 2023.
Citroen eC3
Citroen introduced its first electric vehicle in India, the eC3, earlier this month, and bookings for the same are already underway. It will come equipped with a 29.2kWh battery pack, which offers 56bhp and 143Nm of torque. The EV has an ARAI-certified range of up to 320 kilometres and can accelerate from 0 to 60km/h in 6.8 seconds. The electric hatchback's top speed is limited to 107km/h. It also comes with a CCS2 rapid charging system and an integrated 3.3kW AC charger. The Citroen EV incorporates regenerative braking and has two driving modes – Standard and Eco. It will be available in two variants – Live and Feel and four mono-tone and nine dual-tone colour options.
With the addition of a 10.2-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a four-speaker audio system, and a height-adjustable driver's seat in the higher-spec Feel model, the eC3's features are comparable to those of the ICE model. Another connected car feature offered on the eC3 is the 35-feature MyCitroen Connect app. You can use it to locate the car, view its location, and find the closest charging station. To ensure safety, it has ABS with EBD and dual airbags.
Also Read: 2023 Citroen eC3 Electric Car Review | First Test Drive of the New EV | autoX
Toyota Innova Crysta Diesel
The Toyota Innova Crysta was recently brought back by Toyota in its diesel guise, and bookings for the vehicle have already started for a token amount of Rs 50,000. The MPV will be offered in five different colour options: White Pearl Crystal Shine, Superwhite, Silver, Attitude Black, and Avant Garde Bronze. The updated Crysta, available only with a diesel-manual powertrain, will come in four trim levels: G, Gx, Vx, and Zx.
The all-new Crysta retains the 2.4-litre diesel engine, which is likely to be updated to meet upcoming emission standards but drops the six-speed automatic transmission in favour of a five-speed manual transmission. The engine has previously been rated at 148bhp and 343Nm, and the updated model's performance numbers may differ slightly.
A bolder front fascia, similar to the Hycross, has been added to the updated Innova Crysta. Aside from ambient lighting, it will have an 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, automatic climate control with rear vents, and auto air conditioning. Seven airbags, front and rear parking sensors, vehicle stability control, and hill assist are all included in the MPV's safety features. It has an eight-seat layout option on all variants, with the exception of the top-spec Zx trim, and a seven-seat layout as standard. Two colour options—Camel Tan and Black—will be offered for the upholstery.
MG Air EV
Early in 2023, MG Motor India announced that it would introduce the MG Air EV, an entry-level micro-electric vehicle, to the Indian market. The 2023 Auto Expo was supposed to be the venue for the MG Air's debut, but it didn't happen. However, the company now intends to launch the car concurrently with the launch of the Citroen eC3 and will offer a competitive price. The MG Air EV is based on the current Wuling Air EV in Indonesia.
The company's Global Small Electric Vehicles platform, which already serves as the basis for a number of vehicles, will be used to build the new entry-level MG Air EV. The two-door hatchback is reportedly extremely popular in the Chinese market. It may have many high-end features for India, including a large touchscreen, a digital instrument panel, connected car technology, wireless networking capabilities, and many other features. The EV is anticipated to have a battery pack with a capacity of between 20kWh and 25kWh, which could provide a driving range of 150 kilometres on a single charge. It is expected that the engine will produce 40 bhp of maximum power. The India-spec model could cost up to Rs 10 lakh, making it more expensive than the ICE version.
Also Read: Top Hatchbacks to Launch in India; Citroen eC3, MG Air EV and More
Hyundai Verna Facelift
Hyundai's Verna is a well-known model from the automaker's Indian portfolio. Hyundai has been spied testing the updated Verna for quite sometime now, and the firm is getting close to finally launching it. The manufacturer was supposed to unveil the newly updated Verna at the recently held Auto Expo, but it didn't make it there. Hyundai now anticipates launching the new, facelifted Verna next month.
Nissan X-Trail
Nissan debuted its three new SUVs, the X-Trail, the Juke, and the Qashqai, to set about the festive season last year. The X-Trail SUV is expected to launch next month, according to the company's announcement from last year that they had already begun testing it near their plant in Chennai. The carmaker would want to take advantage of this opportunity as the Indian market is currently booming to launch the X-Trail SUV. The model will be introduced with three engine options: a 2WD mild hybrid, e-Power 2WD, and the X-Trail e-Power e-4ORCE 4WD. The X-Trail will be available with a 5-seater and a 7-seater seating arrangement.
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