Five new cars unveiled at Frankfurt that will soon be sold in India
The IAA 2013, or the Frankfurt Motor show, has some very interesting car launches that would soon be seen on Indian roads as well. These include updates to best-selling cars like the Maruti Swift and even the popular Renault Duster.
Here’s a look at the newer versions of five vehicles currently sold in India that were unveiled in Frankfurt. These cars are expected to be launched in India in the next year or so.
Facelifted Suzuki Swift
The Maruti Suzuki Swift is one of the largest-selling premium hatchbacks in India and the car has just been given a mid-life update, which was unveiled at Frankfurt. The changes seen on the Suzuki Swift in Frankfurt could soon be launched in India as well by mid-2014, as the car will go on sale in Europe at the end of this year. Visible changes to the Swift include LED daytime running lamps surrounding the fog-lamps like in the Hyundai i20. The bumper has been slightly modified to accommodate these lamps. The top-end variant is likely to get new 16-inch alloy wheels (currently 15-inch in India). On the interiors, small functional changes like auto-up and down driver’s window, automatic headlamps, and power-folding mirrors make an appearance. There are no changes to the 1.2 litre petrol engine and 1.3 litre diesel engine, although the latter has apparently been tweaked for better mileage. Also see: Limited edition Maruti Swift launched
Facelifted Renault Duster
The Renault Duster is likely to get a refresh in India as well, taking cues from the refresehed Dacia Duster that was showcased at Frankfurt. The grille is a more aggressive featuring a chrome, chain-link design. The headlamps have been fully redesigned and look sportier than the current ones. There are mild changes to the front and rear bumpers. On the interiors too there is a change to the instrument panel and in the placement of controls for the mirrors, and the addition of proper steering audio controls. Also read: Renault Duster modification by DC design for Rs. 3.49 lakh
Facelifted Skoda Yeti
The Skoda Yeti has been given a facelift, which has taken away some of the quirkiness of the design and made it more contemporary though. It gets the new Skoda grille and twin-beam projector headlamps, with a more rectangular profile. The fog lamps and driving lamps have shifted back down to the bumper in a more traditional location unlike the current Yeti that has the lamps eating into the headlamp housing. The rear of the Yeti isn’t very different except a mild update to the bumper in the “Style” variant – where the position of the reflectors in different and it is body coloured, while the “Outdoor” variant has matt-black cladding. It gets a few more features as well such as 9 airbags, cruise control and rear-view camera.
All-new Nissan X-Trail
The Nissan X-Trail gets an all-new body. The entire look of the vehicle has changed and it is now sleeker and far more stylish than the earlier X-Trail. The front has the trademark Nissan look grille, with swept back narrow twin-beam, projector headlamps, flanked by LED daytime running lamps. The profile has a rising window-line, ending in a raised rear with wrap-around tail-lamps, similar to the Renault Koleos. The X-Trail is longer and wider than the present model, with more interior space and a few more features such as adaptive suspension, active engine braking (on the CVT model) and variable active braking. The X-Trail also gets the option of two extra seats in the boot, making it a seven-seater.
Facelifted Renault Koleos
The Renault Koleos, the cousin of the Nissan X-Trail, has also got a mild update. This includes new diamond-cut alloy wheels, panoramic sun-roof, powered driver’s seat in the top-end variant and an updated “Bose” infotainment system in the top-end variant. Other features such as a six-speed automatic, six airbags, ESP, dual-zone climate control continue on the Koleos. Prices may go up by Rs. 2 lakh or so when this updated Koleos makes its appearance in India next year. Design-wise there are no major visible changes to the Koleos otherwise. Also see: Renault Koleos road test and review – magic carpet ride
