New and upcoming SUVs for 2012

There are several new SUVs slated for launch this year (2012). While some SUVs have already hit the market, there are some interesting SUVs which are yet to be launched. Here, we take a quick look at the new SUVs in the Indian market.

Toyota Fortuner – January 2012

Looks: Toyota launched the 2012 Fortuner at the Auto Expo. As was expected, the new Fortuner has a redesigned front with thick horizontal chrome slats on the grille which now resembles the front of the formidable Land Cruiser. The front bumper has been revamped too. At the rear, the tail lamp cluster gets a clear lens treatment. The rear bumpers have been mildly tweaked and have more muscular lines.

Performance:  There were no changes under the hood and the face-lifted Fortuner retains the present models 3.0 litre diesel engine that puts out 170 bhp of power. Read our road test of the Toyota Fortuner here.

Mileage: The ARAI-certified mileage of the new Fortuner is same as the old model: 12.55 kmpl.

Variants and prices: Toyota has introduced the much expected 4×2 variant of the Fortuner priced at Rs. 19.99 lakh. The company also offers a 4×2, four speed automatic variant priced at Rs. 20.69 lakh and a 4×4 manual variant at Rs. 20.99 lakh. See our video review of the Toyota Fortuner here.

 

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport – March 2012

Looks: Mitsubishi recently launched the Pajero Sport, 7-seater SUV (in March 2012). The Pajero Sport has a radically designed front grille with unique vertical slits that makes the SUV look brawny and aggressive. The Pajero Sport stands on 17-inch wheels, features a high ground clearance of 215 mm and large wheel arches which further enhances its sporty side profile. The interiors of the Pajero Sport have dual tone beige-black interiors and plastic quality, fit and finish have gone up.

Performance: Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is powered by a 2.5-litre common rail diesel motor that puts out 178 bhp of power and 400 Nm of torque. The Super Select 4WD (four-wheel-drive) system allows drivers to select either the rear-wheel drive mode or 4WD at speeds of up to 100 kmph.

Mileage: The new Pajero Sport gets an ARAI-certified mileage of 12.81 kmpl.

Variants and price details: The Pajero Sport is available only in a single variant: Manual with 4WD (four-wheel-drive) system. The Pajero Sport is priced at Rs. 23.53 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi.

Force One 4×4 – March 2012

Looks: The Force One 4×4 will likely have 4×4 badges at the rear while the rest of the exteriors will be same as the regular model. The Force One looks large and imposing, although the design is a little dated.

Performance: The Force One 4×4 can be expected to offer better acceleration and performance than the 4×2 version. The Force One 4×4 will be powered by the same by 2.2 litre common rail diesel engine that puts out 139 bhp of power and 321 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to 5-speed manual transmission.

Mileage: The ARAI certified mileage for the Force One 4×4 could be 11 kmpl. The mileage is assumed to be slightly less than the 4×2 version (12 kmpl). See our Auto Expo photo gallery of the Force One here.

Safety features: The Force One 4×4 will have ABS along with other safety features such as remote key entry, driver Seatbelt warning, door open warning and display, rear windscreen wiper with washer, front demister, central locking and over speed warning.

Variants and prices: The Force One 4×4 will be offered in only one variant and is expected to be priced at Rs. 12.5 lakh.

Skoda Yeti Petrol – March 2012

Looks: The upcoming Yeti petrol will likely have no external changes and will be identical to the present Yeti diesel. See our Skoda Yeti video review here.

Performance: Skoda Yeti petrol will likely be powered by 1.2 TSI petrol motor producing 104 bhp of power that can accelerate the SUV from 0 to 100 kmph in 11.8 seconds and can reach a top speed of 175 kmph. The engine will be mated to a 5-speed transmission.

Mileage: The mileage of the Yeti petrol is not yet known but is expected to be around 15 kmpl.

Variants and Price details: The Yeti petrol could be offered in a single variant with front wheel drive layout. The Yeti petrol could be priced anywhere between Rs. 12 – 14 lakh.

Chevrolet Captiva – April 2012

Looks: Chevrolet unveiled the 2012 Captiva at the Delhi Auto Expo. The Captiva has the bowtie signature grille. The overall design gives more aggressive stance to the new Captiva. The new Captiva has a dual cockpit and its design is similar to what was featured in the Beat and Cruze.

Performance: With regard to engine options, there are chances that the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva will get a spruced up, better performing 2.2 litre CRDI diesel motor that produces 184 bhp of maximum power which is up from the 2.0-litre 148 bhp motor that powers the current model. The performance of the 2012 Captiva will be significantly better than the outgoing model.

Mileage: Expect the 2012 Captiva to have a fuel economy of around 13 kmpl.

Variants and prices: The 2012 Captiva will likely be priced roughly Rs. 1 lakh above the present model which has a price range of 17.9 – 19.7 lakh.

Premier Rio – April 2012

Looks: Premier unveiled a face-lifted version of its compact SUV Rio at the Auto Expo 2012. The upgraded Rio gets an integrated grille and somewhat curvy headlamp on the front while the rear gets a spoiler—all combine to give the Rio, a sporty feel. On the inside, the Rio gets beige upholstery that makes the cabin look spacious. See our Auto Expo walk around video of the Rio here.

Performance: The Rio will get a new Fiat Multijet diesel engine that powers Maruti Suzuki Swift and Fiat Punto. The new 1.3 liter engine makes about 74 bhp and 190 Nm of torque. The engine, which is BS-IV compliant, will help Rio target bigger metro markets. Expect the car to return a mileage of 14-15 kmpl.

Mileage: The fuel economy of the Rio diesel powered by Multijet engine is expected to be in the range of 14 – 16 kmpl.

Variants and prices: The Rio multijet diesel will likely be offered in two trim levels as the Rio petrol and could be priced at around Rs. 6 lakh.

Tata Safari Storme – June 2012

Looks: Tata unveiled the new Safari Storme at the Auto Expo 2012. The Storme is a restyled Safari but while the looks haven’t changed radically, the underpinnings borrowed from Aria are completely different. The exterior changes include redesigned front grille, Range Rover-inspired tailgate while the interior changes include improved quality of plastic, faux wood inserts and overall good fit and finish.

Performance: The Safari Storme will be powered by 2.2-litre Dicor diesel motor that puts out 140 bhp of power. This engine has dual mass flywheel as in the Aria. The Storme will have optional 4×4 all-wheel-drive and retains the present Borg-Warner part-time system as well. Read more about the Safari Storme here.

Mileage: Expect the new Safari to have fuel economy slightly higher than that of the present Safari which has an ARAI-certified mileage of 13.93 kmpl.

Variants and price details: Expect the Safari Storme to be offered in five trim levels similar to the present model.  The top-end VX variant will likely come loaded with all bells and whistles besides the 4×4 system for off road adventure. The Safari Storme could be priced slightly higher than the current model with a price range of Rs. 9.33 lakh to 14.51 lakh (on-road, Delhi).

Renault Duster – July 2012

Looks: Renault unveiled the Duster at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo.  The Duster has traditional SUV looks with large headlamps and a simple horizontal grille. The 210 mm high ground clearance, front, rear and side body claddings and short overhang hint that the Duster has been designed to perform both on and off the road without damaging the car’s underbody. Read more about the Duster here.

Performance: The Duster petrol will likely be powered by a 1.6-litre petrol motor that makes 105 bhp of maximum power. The Duster diesel will likely be powered by the 1.5-litre dCI motor that makes 85 bhp of power and has a claimed fuel efficiency of 18.8 – 19.6 kmpl (5.1 – 5.3 litres / 100 km).

Mileage: As per Renault, the Duster (sold in international markets) petrol will return a mileage of 12.6 kmpl to 13.3 kmpl while the diesel versions will return a mileage of 18.8 kmpl to 19.6 kmpl.

Variant and price details: We expect the Duster to be made available in four variants, two 4×2 variants and two 4×4 variants with petrol and diesel engines. Localized production will help Renault India price the Duster between Rs.7 -Rs. 10.

Mahindra Ssangyong Rexton – September 2012

Looks: The Rexton looks a lot more handsome in flesh than it does in photos. It stands on large wheels and has a bold front chrome grille with detailed headlamps. The car’s rear ends like that of an MPV with a bland boot door and vertical taillamps. The interiors too have a premium feel with a shiny dashboard with impressive fit and finish.

Performance: The Rexton is powered by a 2.7-litre turbocharged common-rail diesel motor that puts out 182 bhp of power and 402 Nm of torque. Expect the engines to come with 5-speed manual and 5-speed automatic transmission.

Mileage: Expect the Rexton to return a mileage in the range of 11 – 14 kmpl.

Expected Price: Mahindra is setting up a plant to assemble the Rexton at Chakan, near Pune. Local assembly will help Mahindra to price the Rexton competitively at around Rs. 20 lakh. The company aims to sell 500 – 600 units of Rexton per month.

Honda CR-V – December 2012

Looks: The new Honda CR-V gets all new bold front radiator grille featuring three horizontal chrome slats with a sculpted large Honda logo at the centre. The projector head lamps give a sporty look to the new CR-V. The upcoming CR-V gets a rear styling and tail lamps that slightly resemble that of the Volvo XC60. See official photos of the CR-V here.

 Performance:  The India-bound CR-V will likely get the same 2.4-litre i-VTEC motor as in the outgoing model. However, expect power and torque to increase by a slight margin. At present, the engine puts out 180 bhp of power. There are speculations that Honda may bring a diesel engine version of CR-V.

Mileage: Honda has stated that it has improved the fuel efficiency by 8 – 10 %. Expect the fuel efficiency of the upcoming CR-V to be around 14 kmpl.

Variants and Prices: Honda may launch the CR-V in 4×2, 4×4 and automatic trim levels. The new CR-V could be priced in the range of Rs. 22 – 26 lakh.

Ford Eco Sport – January 2013

Looks:  Ford India unveiled the EcoSport 5-seater concept SUV which is based on the global Fiesta sedan platform at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo. The EcoSport looks handsome and wears its SUV badge rather well. Though at some angles, the EcoSport reminds the Fiesta sedan, it still manages to have an identity of its own. Take a closer look at the Ecosport here.

Performance: The EcoSport will be powered by a 1-litre, 3-cylinder, direct injected, turbo charged, EcoBoost petrol engine that makes 120 PS (118 bhp) of power and 170 Nm of torque. The highlight of the EcoBoost engine is that it produces power and torque that is comparable with a typical 1.6-litre motor. Despite the higher power output, the EcoBoost engine is low on emissions as it emits only 140 g/km of CO2.

Mileage: The EcoSport is expected to have a mileage in the range of 14 – 18 kmpl.

Variants and price details: Expect the EcoSport to be priced in the Rs. 7 lakh – 10 lakh range. When launched, the EcoSport will compete with the yet-to-be-launched Renault Duster and even sedans in the sub-Rs. 10 lakh range.