7 most AWAITED cars of 2018; From Hyundai Santro to Jeep Compass Trailhawk

The year 2018 has witnessed some exciting launches in the Indian market so far. With half the year gone, automotive enthusiasts are still thrilled about the second half of the calendar year. Why? Because some of the most-awaited vehicles will be launched soon. Which are these highly awaited cars and SUVs that are yet to be launched this year? Let’s find out.

Hyundai Santro

Expected launch time: July/August 2018

Internally named as AH2, the all-new hatchback from Hyundai is expected to wear the Santro moniker. The car will take on vehicles, such as the Maruti Alto and Renault Kwid, in the very competitive entry-level car segment. The new Santro will be based on the discontinued Hyundai i10 platform. It will retain the tallboy design and is expected to be powered by the 1.1-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine that powered the i10.

The Santro is expected to get a manual and an AMT automatic option. It will be positioned between the Hyundai Eon and the Grand i10. The car gets a fresh styling and is expected to get a sub-Rs. 3 lakh price tag for the base model.

Jeep Compass Trailhawk

Expected launch time: June/July 2018

Jeep Compass captured the segment soon after its launch. The American manufacturer is now planning to bring the Trailhawk version of the popular SUV, which is more capable than the regular version. The car has been already showcased by Jeep India to prospective customers and dealers.

The car will be powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine that generates a maximum power of 170 Bhp – 350 Nm. It gets a 9-speed automatic transmission and many off-road friendly aids. The Trailhawk version gets Jeep’s Active Drive low-range 4WD, hill descent and a new Rock Mode that makes the vehicle more capable.

Mahindra U321

Expected launch time: September 2018

The Mahindra U321 will be the premium MUV in India. It has been spotted numerous times under heavy camouflage in India. It will be positioned between the Maruti Ertiga and the Toyota Innova in the Indian market. The U321 gets a monocoque body and many interesting features like LED DRLs, projector headlamps, roof-mounted rear AC vents and more.

The U321 will be powered by a new 1.6-litre mFalcon diesel engine that has been co-developed with SsangYong. It will generate around 125 Bhp of maximum power and 305 Nm of peak torque. The U321 will also come with a petrol engine. It will get a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that generates a maximum power of 163 Bhp. Both manual and automatic transmissions are expected with the MUV.

Source

Mahindra S201

Expected launch time: October/November 2018

Mahindra is working on the SsangYong Tivoli based compact SUV for the Indian market and it has been caught testing on Indian roads. It will be the first of the Mahindra-badged cars from SsangYong to be launched in India. The S201 will be the sub 4-meter version of the car and will take on vehicles, such as the Ford EcoSport, Maruti Vitara Brezza and Tata Nexon. This will be Mahindra’s fourth vehicle in the segment after the launch of Quanto, NuvoSport and the TUV 300.

The S201 will get a monocoque chassis and will be powered by both petrol and diesel engine options. There will be a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine that will develop class-leading 140 Bhp, while the diesel variants will be powered by a 1.5-litre engine that develops a maximum of 125 Bhp. There will be no AWD option available with the S201. There is also a longer version of the SUV that will be launched next year and will compete with the Hyundai Creta.

Maruti Ertiga

Expected launch time: August 2018

Suzuki launched the all-new Ertiga in the Indonesian market recently and the same car is expected to be launched in the Indian market soon. Just like the all-new Swift and the Dzire, the new Ertiga will get the all-new HEARTECT platform. It grows larger in dimensions too but remains smaller than the Innova. The new Ertiga is also expected to mark the debut of Suzuki’s two new engines. Maruti is currently working on the new 1.5-litre diesel engine and a new 1.5-litre petrol engine. Both the engines are expected to be launched with MPV.

 

Tata Tigor JTP

Expected launch time: August 2018

Tata showcased the performance sedan, Tigor JTP, at the Auto Expo. The car has been developed with Jayem Auto and will be launched soon in the Indian market. The Tigor JTP will be the cheapest hot sedan available in India. It gets a lowered suspension, new air dams, air scoops on the bonnet, new smoked headlamps and a body kit. The body kit consists of a side-skirt and rear diffuser.

The car uses the same 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine that goes into the Nexon but additional changes have been made to the intake and the exhaust system to improve performance. The power output is rated at 108 Bhp and 150 Nm and it gets 5-speed manual transmission.

Tata Tiago JTP

Expected launch time: August 2018

Tata showcased the affordable Tiago JTP at the 2018 Auto Expo earlier this year. It will be the most affordable hot hatchback in the Indian market when launched. The Tiago JTP was recently caught testing on Indian roads for the first time ever. The Tiago JTP also carries changes similar to the Tigor JTP. It gets smoked headlamps, bonnet scoops, body kit and rear diffuser.

It is expected to be powered by the same 1.2-litre turbocharged engine from Nexon that has an output of 108 Bhp and 170 Nm. It will only get a manual transmission and will get a new age body kit to help it look different from the regular version of the Tiago.