Planning to buy a sedan next year? Here’s a list of new ones that will be launched in India
While this year has seen a lot of car launches and we can expect a few more before it ends, 2017 is expected to be even more exciting with a slew of launches to keep the automobile industry buzzing. The busiest of all is likely to be the sedan segment with seven new cars to be introduced.
- Tata Kite 5
Launch: June 2017
Expected Price: Rs 4-6 lakh
At the 2016 Auto Expo, Tata took the wraps off the Kite 5 that is set take over the mantle from the IndigoCS. Likely to be christened Sway, the car will be based on the same Tiago platform. In fact, it will share a lot of its parts with its hatchback sibling. From up front, the Kite 5 looks identical to the Tiago with the same grille and the large pulled back headlamps. Much of the profile too remains the same, except from the C-pillar onwards. The boot has been very neatly integrated into the hatchback design which makes it one of the best looking compact sedans in the market. The interior with the dual-tone treatment and the customisation options, too is likely to be the same as the Tiago. The Kite 5 will give you the privilege of a more boot space with a maximum capacity in the range of 350-400 litres. The Kite 5 will get the 84bhp/114Nm 1.2-litre Revotron motor used in the Bolt. The diesel on the other hand will be borrowed from the Tiago – a 1.0-litre 3-pot unit that churns out 70PS and 140Nm. Both engines will come with a 5-speed manual transmission.
- Chevrolet Essentia
Launch: June 2017
Expected Price: Rs 5-8 lakh
With the way the compact sedan segment has grown over the past few years, Chevrolet too wants to get a piece of the pie. Their answer to the segment, Essentia was unveiled at the Auto Expo. Unlike some of the other cars in the segment, Chevrolet had more space to play around with as the Essentia is based on the Beat which is relatively smaller. This has ensured that the Essentia looks proportionate. On the inside, the compact sedan gains some of its design cues from the Beat. While there isn’t an official confirmation from Chevrolet with regard to the engine specifications but it is likely to come with the same options as the hatchback.
- Maruti Suzuki Swift DZire
Launch: April 2017
Expected Price: Rs 5-8 lakh
Since the time Maruti Suzuki introduced the sub-4 metre DZire, the car hasn’t received any major changes. That however is about to change with the launch of the new Swift DZire next year. The new DZire will be based on the same lightweight platform that also underpins the Baleno and it is expected to help reduce the weight of the car. Like any other Maruti Suzuki offering, expect the DZire to return impressive efficiency thanks to the weight reduction and the SHVS tech. Under the hood, the DZire will come with the existing 1.2-litre petrol and 1.3-litre diesel engine options. The DZire will continue to compete against the likes of the Honda Amaze, Hyundai Xcent, Tata Zest and the Ford Figo Aspire.
- Toyota Vios
Launch: March 2017
Expected Price: Rs 8-13 lakh
To fill the gap between the Etios and the Corolla Altis, Toyota will introduce the Vios next year. Toyota has been mulling over launching it in India for a while and if the spy shots are something to go by, they should launch it around March next year. While there is no confirmation about the engine specifications of the Vios, it is safe to assume that it will come with the same 1.5-litre petrol unit from the Etios. Now whether it comes in the 88bhp/132Nm tune as the Etios or the 107bhp/140Nm tune same as the international spec model is something that remains to be seen. The diesel too will be the same 1.4-litre unit from the Etios. Expect it to come loaded with features and safety tech. On launch, the Vios will go against the likes of the upcoming Honda City Facelift, Hyundai Verna, Volkswagen Vento and the likes.
- Honda City Facelift
Launch: Mid-2017
Expected Price: Rs 8-13 lakh
Honda has just unveiled the facelifted City set to be launched in India next year. Although there aren’t many changes on the design front, with tweaks in the right places it looks more edgy than before. The chrome grille is likely to be replaced by a bold grey one. The headlight has been reprofiled and now is of the projector kind for better illumination. The bumper, fog lamps and the air dams too have been redesigned. In profile, it looks identical to the current generation model. Expect the City to get an all-new infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Engine and gearbox options will continue to be the same.
- New Hyundai Verna
Launch: October 2017
Expected Price: Rs 8-13 lakh
Hyundai debuted the upcoming new-generation Verna at the Chengdu Motor Show in September. This new C-segment offering will be based on the Korean car maker’s Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language that we have got a taste of in the Elite i20, Creta and the Elantra. Up front it has the large hexagonal grille and pulled back headlamps that are somewhat identical to the Elite i20. It new Verna is longer and wider than the outgoing model so expect it to be more spacious on the inside. The dashboard will be similar to the Elantra, The central touchscreen will come with Bluetooth connectivity and navigation. The new Verna will continue to hold its own against the likes of the facelifted Honda City, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Volkswagen Vento and the likes.
- Chevrolet Cruze
Launch: March 2016
Expected Price: Rs 14-18 lakh
The new Chevrolet Cruze ditches the muscular design language in place of a more contemporary edgy design language. The front-end ow looks sleeker and sharper with the swooping roofline making it look almost coupe-esque at the back. The new Cruze is also larger which should result in better leg room and comfort. In terms of features, the Cruze will see new additions like a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, in-car WiFi connectivity and more. At the heart of it will be a new 1.6-litre turbo diesel motor and a 1.4-litre petrol motor that makes 155bhp.
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