Upcoming car launches in the summer of 2013

The next four months are going to be quite hot literally in most parts of India, with more heat building up from the line of new car launches expected. In the budget side of the market itself of cars under Rs. 25 lakh, there are at least 10 launches planned, some being variants of existing cars, while at least five are new cars.

So here’s what to expect from late March right up to June 2013 in India.

Ford EcoSport

When: April 2013

This is really getting quite stale now. Ford EcoSport is a vehicle that many buyers are looking forward too, and dealers have already begun cashing in on that expectation. Yet, Ford is still not ready to roll the vehicle out in India, with a debut first happening in Europe at the Geneva Motor Show mid-March, followed by the India launch only in April now (earlier slated for mid-February 2013). The EcoSport is a compact SUV that is likely to be priced between Rs. 6 lakh and Rs. 9 lakh, and will come with a choice of three engines – 1 litre petrol EcoBoost, 1.5 litre petrol and 1.5 litre diesel. Also read: Ford EcoSport likely features and variants

 

Mahindra E20

When: March 2013

The Mahindra E20 will be an all-electric hatchback that is ideal for short distance commutes in cities. It is a spacious enough for four and has a range of up to 100 km from its battery packs. You’ll need to plug in the car every night to charge, like a mobile phone, to use the next day. And it comes loaded with lots of features – apps that allow you to interact with the car. Mahindra is waiting for any further relief announcements in the Union Budget before rolling the car out mid-March, to get a fix on pricing. It’s likely to be priced around Rs. 5 lakh. Also read: Mahindra E20 electric pricing to be decided

Fiat Linea T-Jet

When: March 2013

Fiat is planning on launching the updated Fiat Linea T-Jet with a 1.4 litre turbo-petrol engine in late March. This car will likely come in the Emotion variant trim and be loaded with features such as leather upholstery, dual airbags, ABS, Bluetooth, climate control, powered mirrors, steering audio controls, auto headlamps and wipers etc. The Linea T-Jet puts out 114 bhp of power and is a car that thrills enthusiasts. Currently, the Linea petrol puts out only 92PS of power from its 1.4 litre petrol engine, which isn’t really peppy enough. Read: Scoop: Fiat to launch updated Linea T-Jet in March 2013 

Nissan Micra automatic

When: March 2013

Nissan is also planning to launch the Micra with a CVT automatic transmission on its petrol variant. The Micra automatic will compete with cars like the Maruti Ritz automatic and Hyundai i20 automatic in the premium hatchback segment. Expect the Nissan Micra CVT automatic to be powered by the same 1.2 litre three-cylinder petrol engine that puts out 70 bhp of power. Prices are likely to be about Rs. 70,000 more than the manual variant. Read: Nissan confirms Micra and Sunny automatic, rebadged Duster

Mahindra Verito notchback

When: April 2013

The Mahindra Verito notchback is a car that will take on the budget hatchback segment with a spacious and fuel-efficient diesel engine. The Verito notchback is a shortened Verito that has been brought under 4 metres in length, by chopping off most of the boot, but the car retains its spacious cabin, an engineering feat that Mahindra pulled off on its own on the Verito neé Logan. The car will come with a 1.5 litre diesel engine and offer fuel efficiency of 23 kmpl. Expect it to be priced at about Rs. 4.75 lakh to Rs. 6 lakh. Read: Mahindra Verito notchback launch in April

Honda Amaze

When: April 2013

The Honda Amaze is going to be the first car from Honda with a diesel engine. The Amaze is based on the Brio hatchback and is a sedan measuring below 4 metres in length, allowing Honda to also benefit from excise sops for small cars. The Amaze will come with a new 1.5 litre diesel engine as well as the existing 1.2 litre petrol engine. Expect prices to range between Rs. 5.5 lakh and Rs. 8 lakh for the Amaze. Also read: Honda Amaze fully revealed

 

Chevrolet Enjoy

When: April 2013

Chevrolet has started production of the Enjoy MPV at its plant and an official roll out is planned for April. The Enjoy is a seven-seat MPV that will take on the Maruti Ertiga and Mahindra Xylo, and will be positioned slightly below the Tavera. The Chevrolet Enjoy will come with a 1.3 litre diesel engine putting out about 90PS of power and a 1.4 litre petrol engine option as well that would be in the entry variants putting out about 94 bhp of power. Expect prices to range between Rs. 7 lakh and Rs. 9 lakh. Also read: Chevrolet Enjoy launch in April targetting Ertiga

 

Nissan Sunny automatic

When: April 2013

Nissan is planning on launching the automatic variant of the Sunny with an X-Tronic CVT gearbox this summer. It will come with the same engine and transmission combination as the Renault Scala CVT automatic. However, the Nissan Sunny petrol automatic is likely to be priced about Rs. 50,000 lower than the Renault Scala automatic variants. The Sunny petrol is powered by a 1.5 litre petrol engine putting out 98 bhp of power. Related: Renault Scala CVT automatic road test and review

 

Renault Duster 4×4

When: May 2013

Renault is planning to bring in the four-wheel drive variant of the Duster for the Indian market. It already makes the 4×4 Duster in India for export to the U.K. The 4×4 variant of the Duster is likely to come only in the 110PS variant and will hence be priced at over Rs. 12 lakh. The Duster is still selling in good demand and the 4×4 variant would give it an additional shove with enthusiasts as well as take on the upcoming Ford EcoSport. Also read: Renault Duster – all you wanted to know about it 

 

Force One 4×4

When: June 2013

Force One will finally get a four-wheel drive system this summer, nearly a year and a half after its launch. The Force One 4×4 will have a shift-on-the-fly 4×4 system with a low range gearbox, which will make it quite competent off-road. ABS is also a feature that will likely make it to the Force One at the same time. It will continue to be powered by the 2.2 litre Mercedes-designed diesel engine putting out 140 bhp of power and 320 Nm of torque. Expect the 4×4 variant to be priced at about Rs. 12.25 lakh. Also see: Force One SUV photo gallery