Cars and SUVs which will get updated this year – Part 1

Apart from new products and generation changes, we are also likely to see updated cars in the market very soon. With the said, refreshed versions, not only do carmakers break the monotony, they also implement the changes they’ve gathered from customers. These could include a more powerful engine, a new gearbox, updated aesthetics, or even a longer list of features. Let’s have a look at cars which will be updated in the near future:

Renault Kwid

The French carmaker showcased two road-going versions of the Kwid ready for the Indian market. One was the 1-liter engined version while the other was an automatic gearbox (AMT) equipped example. It’s likely that the company offers the optional Easy-R AMT gearbox on the 1-liter version only. While power and torque figures aren’t out yet, expect them to be close to what the competition (Alto K10 and Eon 1-liter) offers.

Toyota Etios Cross Dynamique

The Etios Cross was introduced in 2014 and not much has changed after that. Toyota will freshen things up with the new Dynamique version. The engine line-up will remain unchanged but the evident changes will be a longer feature list (reverse parking sensors and footwell lighting), new paint options, and colour-coded dual-tone upholstery inside. The crossover styling might not be everyone’s favourite but that 1.5-liter petrol engine makes the car fun to drive.

Honda Amaze Facelift

To be launched on March 3, the Honda Amaze facelift addresses what clearly was the car’s weak point – the interior. Like the updated Mobilio abroad (not yet launched in India), the Amaze facelift will do away with the basic-looking dashboard and opt for a more premium-looking unit. As can be seen from the spy shots, the vehicle will also get an optional automatic climate control and rectangular AC vents.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS

The more enthusiast-oriented version of the Baleno will be added to the premium hatchback line-up this year. Showcased at the 2016 Auto Expo, the car is powered by a 1-liter turbocharged petrol ‘Boosterjet’ engine which makes 120 PS and 170 Nm. That might not sound a lot, but if you keep in mind that the vehicle doesn’t weigh a lot (a hundred kilos lighter than the Swift in the stock form), that is surely going to be a cracker.

Mahindra Quanto

First launched in 2012, the Quanto effectively kickstarted the sub-four-meter SUV segment. But that’s long ago, and so is the vehicle, in comparison to the current and upcoming products. To address that, Mahindra is likely to bring a facelifted version of the Quanto. It’s expected to get a slightly updated interior, new styling up front, and the inclusion of a more economical engine from the TUV300. And as spotted earlier, the optional AMT gearbox is going to be present, too.

Renault Duster

The next-generation Duster might still be about a year or two away, but Renault showcased a revamped version at the Auto Expo earlier this month. Apart from the updated design outside (new-ish front-end, redesigned taillamps and alloy wheels), it also gets a new center console inside. But more importantly, the vehicle will also get an AMT gearbox. The 6-speed Easy-R unit will only be available on the 110 PS version of the 1.5-liter diesel engine.

[Images of the standard Etios Cross, Renault Kwid, and Baleno RS Concept used for representational purposes only. Honda Amaze Facelift photo by Gaadiwaadi.]