New car launches are exciting because they represent the cutting edge of automotive technology. There are several reasons to wait for new cars, and access to the latest technology and features is one of them. Be it a facelift or a brand-new model, the launch of almost every type of car delights the petrolheads. With March around the corner, there are hopes to witness some of the much-awaited car launches. Reportedly, carmakers, including Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai Motor India, and others, will introduce their respective new models in India. If you are a hardcore automotive fan or someone looking for options to buy a car this March, then read on below to find all the latest updates regarding some of the cars, expected to launch in the coming month.
New Hyundai Verna
The 2023 Hyundai Verna, a mid-size sedan, will launch in the country on 21 March 2023. Two 1.5-litre petrol engines will be available with the new Verna - the current 1.5-litre NA engine, which has a maximum output of 113bhp and 144Nm, and the new 1.5-litre turbo engine, which is anticipated to produce 157bhp of maximum power and 253Nm of peak torque. Reportedly, a new turbocharged gasoline engine will replace the current 1.0-litre three-pot unit. In addition, unlike the current-generation model, the new version won't be available with a diesel engine option.
According to Hyundai, the upcoming sedan has a ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ design language. The new Verna will get a parametric jewel-pattern grille, integrated full LED headlamps, and a curved roof. It will feature a double-layer headlight, similar to the one found on the Hyundai Grandeur. At the rear, the upcoming sedan will have an ''H-Tail Lamp''. Further, it will ride on multi-spoke diamond-cut alloy wheels.
Hyundai has not revealed anything about the interior yet, but the new Verna will likely get two screens, one for the instrument panel and the other for infotainment. Other notable features of the model, include wireless charging, a sunroof, connected car tech, ventilated seats, rear AC vents, reclinable rear seats, and more. The carmaker will officially announce the prices of the Verna on 21 March 2023. According to market reports, the expected cost of the model is between Rs 9.99 lakh and Rs 17 lakh (ex-showroom).
Also Read: Upcoming Maruti Suzuki Cars in India: Jimny, Fronx, Brezza CNG and More
Maruti Suzuki Fronx
The brand-new Fronx compact crossover, which will go on sale in the coming weeks, will be available in five variants - Sigma, Delta, Delta+, Zeta, and Alpha. Bookings for the model are underway at Rs 11,000. Speaking of the powertrain, the upcoming crossover will have a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbo Boosterjet petrol engine and a 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol unit.
Fabric seat upholstery, steering wheel tilt adjustment, a 60:40 split in the rear seats, automatic climate control, powered windows, keyless entry and start, a dual-tone interior, dual airbags, reverse parking sensors, a rear defogger, hill hold assistance, an electronic stability programme, steel wheels with wheel covers, and halogen projector headlamps are all included in the feature kit as standard equipment.
The estimated price of the Maruti Suzuki Fronx in India is Rs 8 lakh (ex-showroom). It will be sold through Nexa outlets. After launching in India, the car could be an alternative to vehicles like the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, the Tata Punch, and the Citroen C3.
Updated Tata Harrier/Safari
According to Tata Motors, the updated technology and safety features will be available in the new Harrier and Safari SUVs. Next month, both models will reportedly go on sale. The carmaker has also started taking pre-orders for the upcoming SUVs in India. There won't be any engine-related adjustments. The SUVs will continue to draw power from the same 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine, expected to produce 170bhp and 350Nm.
To comply with BS6 II emission requirements, the motor has been modified. The same 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmission options will be available for the SUVs. Feature-wise, the updated Harrier and Safari will be equipped with the ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System), which includes automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, blind spot detection, lane change alert, and high beam assist.
The SUVs will also get a new 10.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 360-degree camera, and a 7-inch semi-digital instrument cluster. Coming to prices, the new Tata Harrier and the Safari are anticipated to cost about Rs 1 lakh more than the current models.
Maruti Suzuki Brezza CNG
Maruti Suzuki hasn't officially made any announcement, but speculations reveal that it will soon launch the Brezza CNG in our market. At the Auto Expo 2023, the carmaker revealed the CNG version of their best-selling Brezza subcompact SUV. It will be the Indo-Japanese automaker's second CNG SUV to enter the marketplace. Mechanically, it will be powered by the same 1.5-litre K15C petrol engine that powers the standard model. However, a factory-installed CNG kit will come paired with this unit. In CNG mode, the system will produce 87bhp and 121.5Nm.
In terms of features, the upcoming Brezza CNG will be similar to the existing version, including a 9.0-inch SmartPlay Pro+ touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Alexa compatibility, Heads-Up Display, connected car technology, Arkamys sound system, voice command support, wireless charging, ambient lighting, rear AC vents, a sunroof, a 360-degree parking camera, and more.
When launched, the model will likely compete against the vehicles like the Mahindra XUV300, the Kia Sonet, the Tata Nexon, the Hyundai Venue, etc. There is no update regarding the price yet but the model is expected to cost around 60,000 and 70,000 more than its petrol counterparts.
Citroen eC3
Citroen India will probably introduce its first electric vehicle -the eC3, in the coming weeks. Bookings for the EV have already started in India at a token amount of Rs 25,000. The electric model will be available in two trims, Live and Feel, similar to the ICE counterpart. In terms of the drivetrain, the new Citroen eC3 EV will sport a 29.2kWh LFP battery pack and a 320-kilometre range that has been certified by ARAI. It will have a single electric motor, mounted on the front axle, capable to produce 56bhp and 143Nm. The EV has a top speed of 107km/ h and can accelerate from 0 to 60km/h in 6.8 seconds. It gets two driving modes - Eco and Standard.
The new EV is expected to be priced between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 12 lakh (All prices, ex-showroom), and it will go up against cars like the Tata Tiago EV and the Tata Tigor EV, among others. In India, the pricing range for the petrol-powered version is now between Rs 5.98 lakh and Rs 8.25 lakh (all prices, ex-showroom).
Also Read: New Honda City Leaked Ahead of Launch in India
Honda City Facelift
Honda Cars India intends to unveil the updated City soon. The Japanese company will introduce the model into our market with several updates. According to market reports, the Honda City facelift will arrive in Honda showrooms on March 2. The reports also claim that test drives for the new City will start a day after it reaches the showrooms.
As for the changes, the new City is anticipated to have reworked headlamps, a revised grille, and a redesigned bumper. The facelifted model will reportedly sport new alloy wheels, but the side profile won't see many changes. Further, there won't be any modifications on the inside as well. However, wireless charging and ventilated seats are likely to be included.
Currently, we have no information about the price, but rumours hint that the facelift could cost Rs 1 lakh more than the base model in India.
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