Upcoming sedan launches between now and 2011-end

The Rs.5-10 lakh segment will soon see a plethora of interesting car launches in India. This means the gaping void that was left after the ouster of the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Esteem, Accent Viva and the likes may soon be filed.

From the buyers point of view many people who presently own hatchbacks (small cars) will finally have an array of options to choose from for their next logical upgrade.

These cars are all being launched thanks to the competition amidst car makers has which has pushed them to explore new segments such as compact sedans.

Here is a comprehensive list of upcoming sedans to be launched during the second half of 2011 and early 2012 in the Indian market.

Ford Fiesta – July 2011

The new 2011 Ford Fiesta which will be sold in the Indian market is a global car. The new Fiesta has attractive “foxy-eyed headlamps”, a trapezoidal front grille and a forward-leaning stance. The new Fiesta’s interiors, especially the central console has a design-inspired by mobile phones keypads.

Interesting features of the new Fiesta include multi-function voice-activated controls, steering mounted audio controls, follow-me home headlamps and auto-folding mirrors.

The new Fiesta has good, supportive front row seats, but the rear row lacks adequate leg room especially when 3 persons are seated. Read more: 2011 Ford Fiesta Video Review

Engine

The new Fiesta petrol is powered by a 1.5 litre, Duratec, TiVCT petrol that churns out 109 bhp of max power and 140 Nm of max torque while the diesel variant is powered by a 1.5 litre Duratorq motor that makes 90 bhp of maximum power and 204 Nm of max torque.

Both engines are mated to a 5-speed manual gear box. As per ARAI ratings, the mileage of the Fiesta petrol is 17 kmpl and that of the diesel is 23.5 kmpl. Read first drive report: First Drive: The 2011 Global Ford Fiesta – petrol and diesel

Price

The new Fiesta is expected to fall in the Rs. 8 lakh to Rs. 11 lakh price band. The new Fiesta will take on cars like the Maruti Suzuki SX4, Honda City, Volkswagen Vento, Hyundai fluidic Verna and Fiat Linea.

Expected Launch

The new Fiesta is expected to be launched in July 2011.

Skoda Rapid – Dec 2011 or Jan 2012

Skoda is planning to launch a Volkswagen Vento based sedan called the Rapid in India. The car is currently under testing phase.

Spy photos of test mules suggested that the new car gets design cues from the Skoda Fabia and the Volkswagen Vento. Also read: Skoda Rapid Sedan India launch soon

Engine

The Rapid will get its engine from the Volkswagen Vento. The Rapid petrol will be powered by 1.6 litre petrol motor that makes 103.56 bhp of max power and 153 Nm of max torque while the Rapid diesel will be powered by 1.6 litre diesel motor that makes 103.56 bhp of max power and 250 Nm of max torque. Both the engines will be mated to 5 speed manual transmission.

Price

Expect the Skoda Rapid to be priced somewhere between Rs. 6.80 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh.

Expected Launch

There are speculations that Skoda may either launch the Rapid during the last month of this year or may unveil it at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo in January 2012.

The Skoda Rapid will compete with Volkswagen Vento, Maruti Suzuki SX4, Fiat Linea, Honda City and Hyundai Verna.

Mahindra Verito Compact sedan – November 2011

Mahindra launched the Verito in April 2011 and the company will likely launch a shortened version of the Verito, a sub-4 meter car that saves on excise duty. Also read: Mahindra Logan is now Verito

It has to be noted that cars with a sub-4 meter length are taxed only 10% while those above 4-meters attract 22% excise duty.

Engine

Mahindra Verito compact sedan will likely be powered by a 1.2 litre petrol motor and a 1.5 litre diesel motor that power the current Verito petrol and diesel respectively.

The 1.5 litre diesel engine makes 65 bhp of maximum power and 160 Nm of maximum torque.

In order to keep the price competitive the Mahindra Verito compact may miss out some convenient features offered on the present Verito.

Price

Mahindra Verito compact car could be priced in the Rs. 4.5 lakh to Rs. 6 lakh price range. The diesel Verito will feel the heat from the Tata Indigo eCS.

Expected Launch

Mahindra Verito compact version will likely be launched during the end of 2011 (Nov-Dec). The car will compete with Tata Indigo eCS and the upcoming Maruti Swift Dzire compact.

Maruti Swift Dzire compact – Jan 2012

Maruti Suzuki is developing a shorter and cheaper version of its successful entry level sedan, the Swift Dzire. The new Swift Dzire will be a sub-4 meter car and will attract only 10% excise duty due to its length. Also read: New Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire to be cheaper and shorter

Maruti Suzuki may use the same interiors of the Swift Dzire in the Swift, but in order to price the car competitively, some of the features will be stripped off.

Engine

The Dzire compact petrol will be powered by a 1.2 litre petrol motor that makes 84 bhp while the diesel version will be powered by a 1.3 litre DDiS motor that makes 75 bhp of max power.

Price

The Swift Dzire will be priced Rs. 30,000 – 40,000 lower than the current Swift Dzire which starts from Rs. lakh and goes up to Rs. 4.94 lakh to 7.19 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Expected Launch

Maruti will unveil the Swift Dzire at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo. The new Swift Dzire will take on the Mahindra Verito Compact sedan and the Tata Indigo eCS.

Chevrolet Sail sedan – December 2011

GM India has three good selling models, the Cruze, Beat and Spark. But its other products like the Aveo, Aveo U-VA are selling in dismal numbers due to out-dated styling and the lack of any USP. Also read: GM to launch Chevrolet Sail small car and sedan

This might change once Chevrolet rolls out the SAIL sedan (and hatchback too) in Indian market. The Sail shares design elements with the Cruze, especially the bow-tie like front grille. The interiors of the Sail can be expected to have contemporary features and an ergonomic design layout.

Engine

The Sail will be powered by Chevrolet’s modern S-TEC engine that will make around 100 bhp of maximum power while the diesel motor will likely be a 1.3 litre diesel (Fiat’s Multijet engine) that makes 90 bhp of maximum power.

Price

The Sail will likely be priced in the Rs. 6 lakh to Rs. 8 lakh range.

Expected Launch

Chevrolet Sail is expected to hit the market by December 2011. The Sail will compete with Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire, Tata Indigo Manza and Toyota Etios.

GM Baojun 630 sedan – June 2012

The Baojun 630 sedan was basically crafted for the Chinese market and may very well hit Indian shores as well. The 630’s body is designed in China, the engine is developed in UK and the car is built on a Korean car platform. Also read: GM Baojun 630 sedan headed to India

Engine specs

The China-specific 630 sedan will be powered by a 1.5-litre Roewe engine that makes 105 bhp of max power and 135 Nm of max torque. It has to be noted that Roewe is owned by SAIC and Volkswagen.

This engine will likely meet the Euro IV emission standards and hence could make its way into the Indian market as well. The 630 sedan could replace the ageing Chevrolet Optra model in Chevrolet India’s product line up.

Price

The 630 sedan will likely be priced in the Rs. 7 – 10 lakh price range. Pricing will be a crucial factor for Chevrolet to attract buyers in the competitive entry level sedan segment.

Expected Launch

Expect GM India to launch the sedan in mid 2012. The Chevrolet Sail models could be launched first and then the 630 sedan could follow.

When launched, the 630 sedan (depending on the price) will lock horns with top-end variants of Toyota Etios, Swift Dzire and may also attract buyers of Toyota Corolla Altis, Fiat Linea, Honda City and Hyundai Verna.

(The launch months mentioned in this article are tentative and may vary)