Upcoming car launches in April and June!

The next couple of months will hopefully bring us many new and exciting car models. The expected launches include cars from various segments such as small cars, MPVs and luxury sedans. Let’s take a quick look at the cars expected to launch during April and June 2012.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga – April 2012

Looks: The Ertiga is expected to be launched on April 12^th, 2012. The Ertiga is a 7-seater multi-purpose vehicle, which is quite car-like in styling. The front of the Maruti Suzuki MPV will have a striking resemblance to its smaller sibling the Ritz small car and a bland rear with wide rear windscreen. The interiors of the Ertiga resemble that of the new Swift. However, unlike the Swift which has black/grey interiors, the Ertiga gets beige interior including the dashboard and steering wheel. Also read: Upcoming MPV’s for the year 2012

Performance: The Maruti Suzuki MPV will likely be powered by the same 1.3 litre DDiS diesel engine that powers the diesel version of the SX4 and makes 90 bhp of power and 200 Nm of torque. The Ertiga petrol will be powered by a new 1.4-litre K-series engine that makes 98 bhp of power and 130 Nm of torque.

Mileage: The Ertiga has a claimed mileage of 16.02 kmpl for petrol version and 20.77 kmpl for diesel version.

Variants and prices: The Ertiga is expected come in six variants (similar to the new Swift), LXi, VXi and ZXi (petrol variants) and LDi, VDi and ZDi (diesel variants). The Ertiga is expected to be priced in the Rs. 6 – 9 lakh.

Facelifted 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. See our video review of the new face lifted Chevrolet Captiva from the 2012 Auto Expo.

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.

Skoda Yeti Petrol – April 2012

 

Looks: The upcoming Yeti petrol will likely have no external changes and will be identical to the present Yeti diesel.

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. Also read: Skoda to launch two new SUVs in India by 2014!

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.

Force One 4×4 – April 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).

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.

Premier Rio 1.3 diesel – 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.

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.

2012 Chevrolet Cruze – June 2012

Looks: The new Cruze will have a redesigned grille and refreshed fog lamps. The headlamps of the outgoing model make the Cruze looks aggressive and hence, the designers have not altered the overall shape of the headlamp on the facelift version. New alloy wheel pattern can also be seen in the upcoming Cruze facelift. Interiors-wise, expect improved headroom for rear passengers.

Performance: The upcoming Cruze will be powered by GM’s Z series, 2.0 litre, DOHC, common-rail diesel motor that produces 163 bhp (presently it is 148 bhp) of power. The new Cruze will have an edge of a wholesome 23 bhp over the Jetta that belts out 140 bhp of power and is one of its key competitors.

Mileage: The new Cruze may have a slightly lower mileage than the present model which has an ARAI-certified mileage of 17.30 kmpl for the manual variant and 14.39 kmpl for the automatic variant.

Variant and price details: Expect the 2012 Cruze to be offered in three variants namely the 2.0 LT, 2.0 LTZ MT and the 20. LTZ AT. The price of the new Cruze may be slightly more than the present model which is priced in the range of Rs. 12 – 14.44 lakh.

New Toyota Camry – June 2012

Looks: Toyota unveiled the new Camry at the Delhi Auto Expo in January 2012. The facelift Toyota Camry has design cues of the Toyota’s premium brand, the Lexus. The front grille has six horizontal chrome slats giving the car a bolder road presence. The sharp angles and sporty rear profile give the new Camry, a youthful appeal.

Performance: The new Camry is expected to be powered by a new 2.5-litre petrol (replacing the 2.4-litre petrol) engine. This motor will put out 167 bhp of power and will perform slightly better than its predecessor.

Mileage: Expect the upcoming Camry to have a mileage in the range of 8 – 13 kmpl.

Variants and prices: There are expectations that Toyota may assemble the car locally via CKD (Completely knocked down) route. Hence, the price of the Camry could go down by a couple of lakhs and may start at as low as Rs. 20 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.

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).