Coming soon: 8 hot new AMT cars & SUVs

An automated manual transmission (AMT) has the mechanics of a normal manual transmission but instead of a manual clutch pedal, uses electronics to change the gears. Since the hardware is shared with a manual transmission, it allows companies to keep costs low. Here are 8 cars that are going to get an AMT soon.

Renault Kwid

The Kwid AMT was showcased at the 2016 Delhi Auto Expo and is expected to be launched later in the year. The vehicle will not have a gear lever at all and will instead have a rotary knob on the dashboard. The vehicle is expected to be powered by the 1.0 liter 3 cylinder engine that will soon be introduced on the Kwid. Power figures for the engine are yet to be revealed though. The Kwid AMT when launched will take on the Alto K10 which also has the option of an AMT.

Renault Lodgy

The Lodgy is a very practical vehicle, but for some reason it isn’t really selling well. Renault recently launched the Duster with an AMT and the same AMT is expected on the Lodgy as well. According to reports by Autocar India, the Lodgy will soon get the AMT, which will be named the Easy-R AMT. Like the Duster, this will most likely be on the more powerful 108 Bhp variant. When it is launched, it will be able to take on both the Innova and the Ertiga automatic.

Hyundai Grand i10

Hyundai is working on the new facelift of the Grand i10. The vehicle has been spied testing in Chennai as well. The main highlight of this facelift will be the fact that the Grand i10 will get an all new AMT. Unlike Maruti who use the Magneti Marelli unit, Hyundai is going to opt for the German manufacturer ZF’s gearbox. The current Grand i10 automatic has an old 4 speed torque converter which isn’t very efficient. With the coming of the AMT, that shall surely change.

Hyundai Xcent

Since the Xcent is basically a Grand i10 with a boot, the Xcent will also get the same AMT which will do duty on the Grand i10. The main reason for this shift is due to the fact that the current automatic transmission is an old one and consumes a lot of fuel. The AMT will not only make the Xcent more fuel efficient, but will also allow Hyundai to price it more competitively.

Nissan Terrano

The Terrano is basically a Duster that has been given a plastic surgery. Underneath, they share the exact same mechanicals. Since the Duster recently got the AMT, there is no doubt that the Terrano will also get the same in the next few months. The Terrano AMT will most likely be available on the more powerful 108 Bhp version.

Tata Tiago

The Tiago has been a successful product for Tata. Since its closest rival, the Celerio has the option of an AMT, Tata is also working to fit the AMT on the Tiago. The vehicle has been spied a few times earlier this year and is expected to be launched later in the year. The AMT is expected on the petrol version. It will have the same 1.2 liter engine making 84 Bhp and 114 Nm. This will be the third Tata product to come with an AMT, after the Nano Zest.

Tata Nexon

Tata’s new sub 4-meter SUV, the Nexon is expected to feature an AMT. The vehicle has been spied testing by Motoroctane a few months back. The Nexon is expected to come with a 1.2 liter turbocharged petrol engine that is on the Bolt and Zest. The diesel engine is an all new 1.5 liter one that makes a massive 108 Bhp and 260 Nm. When it is launched, it will be the most powerful compact SUV on sale in the country. It is still not clear as to whether the petrol engine will have the AMT or the diesel.

Tata Kite 5

Since the Kite 5 sedan is based on the Tiago itself, the Kite 5 sedan will surely get the same AMT that will be launched on the Tiago soon. The Kite 5 will open a new segment for the urban compact sedan buyer. It is stylish to look at and will aggressively be priced as well, if the Tiago’s pricing is anything to go by. The Kite 5 doesn’t really have any competition as such.