Upcoming cars - sedans, hatchbacks, SUVs and crossovers - expected to launch in India by second half of 2019

Upcoming sedans, hatchbacks, SUVs and crossovers expected to be launched in India by second half of 2019

The Indian four-wheeler market is facing a slump in terms of sales. However, that has not deterred the plans of different automobile manufacturers. Be it expanding the plant capacity, upgrading engine tech to BSVI or scheduling new launches, the Indian passenger car market will be witnessing it all in the second half of 2019. From Audi's first-ever all-electric offering, the e-tron to the much anticipated Renault Triber. Kia's first-ever vehicle for India, the Seltos to the all-new generation Mahindra Thar. Here's a detailed look at all the upcoming hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs and crossovers that are expected to be launched in India in the second half of 2019.

Audi Q8

Expected price: Rs 95 lakh, ex-showroom

The Audi Q8 will be positioned above the erstwhile flagship offering, the Q7. In terms of design, the Audi Q8 comes with a tapering roofline, connected lightbar between the tail lights and also a huge signature octagonal grille that makes it different from the Q7 SUV. The powertrain options include a 4.0-litre V8 that is seen on the Lamborghini Urus but is a more powerful state of tune of 600PS. It also gets a plug-in hybrid option that makes use of a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 and an electric motor fed by a 17.9kWh lithium-ion battery to produce around 438PS and 700Nm of torque. The SUV will have a pure electric driving range of 60km. More on the India-bound Q8 here.

Audi e-tron

Expected price: Rs 1.2 crore, on-road

Audi's first-ever all-electric offering, the e-tron will be positioned between the Q5 and the Q7 in India. Based on the Volkswagen's MEB platform, the Audi e-tron comes in one drivetrain option, the 55 quattro, which houses a liquid-cooled 95kWh lithium-ion battery between the two axles. This powers two electric motors, one on each axle, for a combined output of 265kW and 561Nm, and AWD capabilities. This lets the electric SUV get from 0-100kmph in 6.6s and on to a 200kmph top speed. A boost function is available which increases outputs to 300kW and 664Nm, and drops the acceleration time to 5.7s .This set-up gives it a 400km range. More on the India-bound Audi e-tron here.

BMW 3 Series

Expected price: Rs 45 lakh, ex-showroom

Picture of the international spec BMW G20 3 Series for reference - OVERDRIVE

The 3 Series also moves to the CLAR architecture, sharing it with the 5 Series. This has led to a 55kg weight reduction. The car is now larger both inside and out, the wheelbase has grown by 41mm, and boot space has also grown by 36 litres. Out of the five engine options available internationally, the 320d is the one that will be available in India. This one now makes 190PS and 400Nm from a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel motor, which does 0-100kmph from standstill in a claimed 6.8s. The other two viable engine options for us are the 320i which makes 184PS from a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol and the 330i which puts out 259PS and 400Nm. More on the 2019 BMW 3 Series here.

BMW X2

Expected price: Rs 40 lakh, ex-showroom

The BMW X2 will be positioned over the X1 and below the X3. The xDrive20i petrol model will come with a 192PS 2.0-litre motor whereas the xDrive20d diesel variant will be offered with a 190PS engine whereas the X2 xDrive25d diesel comes with a 231PS diesel motor. Both diesel SUVs will get xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive and the 8-speed Steptronic transmission as standard. 3-cylinder X2 sDrive18i and the 4-cylinder X2 xDrive20i, X2 sDrive18d and X2 xDrive18d will join the engine line-up of the BMW X2 at a later stage. The interior of the 2018 BMW X2 gets perforated Dakota leather with magma red, a first for cabin in BMW cars. The SUV gets a 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that can be controlled with the help of iDrive controller. The company also mentions that connectivity options like CarPlay will be offered as an optional package. More on the BMW X2 SUV here.

BMW X7

Expected price: Rs 1.25 crore, ex-showroom

The BMW X7 gets a trademark BMW design with large kidney grille flanked by the all-LED headlamps. It is based on the X5's platform, although it has been heavily modified to accommodate seats for six to seven passengers. Expect two engine options, 3.0-litre in-line petrol and diesel with power outputs of 350PS and 265PS respectively. The engines will be mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox and the SUV will have the BMW's XDrive all-wheel drive system as standard. More on the BMW X7 SUV here.

BMW 7 Series

Expected price: Rs 1.40 Crore, ex-showroom

BMW's flagship luxury sedan, the 7 Series gets a thorough update in design. And the most significant is the 40 per cent larger front grille. The cabin design of BMW 7 Series facelift continues to be as luxurious as always. It gets a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch Control Display on the centre. The trim has been updated with a new design leather wrapped steering wheel and updated panels with driver assistance features. The 7 Series now gets Bowers and Wilkins Diamond 3D surround system as an optional feature in terms of powertrain, the updated line-up of engines is all variants meet the Euro 6d-TEMP exhaust standard. A V12 engine in offered in the the BMW M760Li xDrive. The V8's output ha been raised by 80PS to make it deliver 530PS for the BMW 750i xDrive. There will be three diesel engine options with up to four turbochargers and outputs ranging from 265PS to 400PS. BMW is also offering plug-in hybrid variants of the new 7 Series with specially adapted 6-cylinder in-line petrol engine and upgraded high-voltage battery. The system output in Sport mode has been raised to a maximum of 394PS whereas the electric range has been increased to 50 to 58 kilometres. More on the BMW 7 Series facelift here

Hyundai Kona Electric

Expected price: Rs 20 -25 lakh, ex-showroom

Hyundai India's first electric offering, the Kona is powered by 64kWh battery which churns out a 211PS and 470km range but this is unlikely to be sold in India. The exterior styling of the electric Kona is similar to the combustion-engined version with the only difference being a closed-off grille, 17-inch alloy wheels and aerodynamically designed bumpers and spoiler. The interior comes with a redesigned centre stack to replace the gear lever from the regular version, an all-digital instrument cluster, head up display and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with an optional 8-inch unit. More on the Hyundai Kona electric here.

Hyundai Grand i10

Expected price: Rs 5 lakh ex-showroom

The new-gen Hyundai Grand i10 will be based on a new platform. Mechanically, the current petrol engine on offer, the 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine could be replaced with a downsized engine. The diesel engine on offer could stay the same - 1.2-litre three-cylinder diesel engine would be offered in a BSVI state of tune. Expect the price of the new Hyundai Grand i10 to go up by Rs 20,000-40,000 across all variants. More on the new-gen Hyundai Grand i10 hatcback.

Jaguar E-Pace

Expected price: Rs 48 lakh, ex-showroom

The Jaguar E-Pace is a younger sibling of the F-Pace and gets a similar design language. The SUV measures 4,395mm long with a wheelbase of 2,681mm. The short front and rear overhangs should translate to decent off-road capability. It has a boot capacity of 577 litres. The E-Pace has been launched in the international markets with two engine options, one petrol and one diesel. The 2-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged petrol motor develops 249PS and 365Nm of torque. Jaguar claims a 0-100kmph time of 7 seconds and a top speed of 230kmph. The 4-cylinder diesel motor, on the other hand, displaces 2 litres and produces 150PS and 350Nm. Claimed 0-100 time is 10.5 seconds and top speed is rated at 193PS. More on the Jaguar E-Pace here.

Jeep Wrangler Sahara

Expected price: Rs 65 lakh, ex-showroom

The new Jeep Wrangler Sahara will be based on the latest JL platform. We believe it is the 2.2-litre diesel engine that produces 200PS of power and 488Nm of torque that will be launched in India. The new Wrangler sports the similar design language as its predecessor although it gets updated styling elements to meet the era. The headlamp assembly is an all LED unit. Also, the feature list is longer with the newer model. More on the Jeep Sahara here.

Kia Seltos SUV

Expected price: Rs 15 to 21 lakh, on road

Kia's first ever offering in India, the Seltos SUV will be launched on August 22. The Kia Seltos will be available with three engine options - a 1.5 petrol, a 1.4 turbopetrol and a 1.4 diesel. These will be paired with four transmission options, a CVT, a six-speed auto and a seven-speed DCT. Buyers will be able to choose a transmission tailored to their usage. Rivals to the Seltos will be the Hyundai Creta, Tata Harrier, MG Hector, Jeep Compass and a few more. The upcoming Kia SUV also pairs Terrain and Drive modes with an auto for the first time. The system works with the car's stability control, traction control and brake assist system to optimise grip in mud, wet and sand modes. More on the Kia Seltos SUV here

Mahindra e-KUV100

Expected price: Rs 8-10 lakh, ex-showroom

Mahindra has discontinued the e2o and sells only the e-Verito in the passenger electric vehicle space. The company is expected to launch the eKUV in the festive season in India. It is powered by a 72V battery pack unit that is made of Li-ion batteries, identical to the system used in the eVerito. This powertrain boasts a range of over 140km, and optional fast charging which can extend its range by 80 per cent in less than an hour. If Mahindra retains the same motor making it convenient to share it with the sedan or could offer an updated version of this motor with higher power rating and improved driving range is something that needs to be seen.

Mahindra Thar

Expected price: Rs 10 lakh, ex-showroom

The new-gen Mahindra Thar is expected to arrive by the end of this year and it will feature a thorough bred makeover, in terms of design, platform and features. The 2020 Mahindra Thar will be based on all-new platform. The new off-roader will also be powered by a new motor, given that the current mill is unlikely to pass upcoming emission norms. This could be a version of the new 2.0-litre diesel that Mahindra is working on for the upcoming second-gen XUV500, but most likely detuned here. A new 6-speed transmission, four-wheel drive and a low range gearbox will also be available. The interior will most likely be updated to provide more creature comforts and be less utilitarian than the current car. More on the new-gen Mahindra Thar here

Mercedes-Benz GLE

Expected price: Rs 85 lakh, ex-showroom

The most advanced Mercedes-Benz on roads in mid-2019 will not be the S-Class, but the new GLE. Completely re-engineered, the GLE will debut a range of new engines, a third row of seats and advanced suspension technology, apart from cabin tech. Head to our first drive for an overview of what it's like to drive.

MG eZS

Expected price: Rs 20 lakh, ex-showroom

The MG eZS could be powered by a 52.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack, with a claimed 400km+ range. A full charge is said to take eight hours from a wall charger. This battery pack is already in use for other products, in the wide portfolio of parent company, SAIC. We're told that MG Motor India is targeting 75 per cent localisation or higher for their first product to be built at the Halol plant, which was taken over from GM India. The plant has a production capacity of 80,000 units, which is planned to be increased to 2,00,000 in the second phase of operations. More on the MG eZS here.

Porsche Macan

Expected price: Rs 68 lakh, ex-showroom

The 2019 Porsche Macan is a midlife makeover and not an all-new car, but the design has been updated to fall in line with all of the new-generation Porsches. The new Macan goes up against the likes of the Jaguar F-Pace and BMW X4, that we absolutely loved. The big difference though is, this time around Porsche promises to price the Macan very competitively against these cars and also make it a viable option for anyone looking at cars like the Q5 and the GLE. More on the Porsche Macan here.

Renault Triber

Expected price: Rs 5.5 lakh, ex-showroom

The Renault Triber is unique in its position in the sub-four-metre space. It is meant to be a lifestyle vehicle, aimed at large and nuclear families as well as younger individual buyers with a more active lifestyle. Renault has fixed the Triber up with a new 999cc three-cylinder petrol motor which makes 72PS at 6,250 rpm and 96Nm at 3,500 rpm. Renault says this motor already does duty in its international offerings like the Clio and Dacia Sandero in Europe and South America. The biggest difference between this and the motor in the Kwid is that this one gets a dual VVT system which makes for more responsiveness. More on the Renault Triber here.

Renault Duster facelift

Expected price: Rs 7.5-10.5 lakh ex-showroom.

Renault Duster will be soon receiving an updated in terms of a revised design that makes it comparatively bolder than before. We believe Renault will be offering the new Duster in petrol trim only. The petrol engine on offer could be BSVI compliant with a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder producing 106PS at 5,600rpm and 142Nm of torque at 4,000rpm, and will be mated to a five-speed manual. The CVT (continuously variable transmission) could be on offer for the customer opting for automatic variants of the Duster. The prices of the new Duster petrol could see a hike of Rs 30,000-40,000. More on the Renault Duster facelift.

Tata Altroz

Expected price: Rs 5.5-8 lakh ex-showroom.

Tata Motors will enter the premium hatchback segment with the Altroz hatchback. It will lock horns with the likes of the Hyundai Elite i20, Honda Jazz and the Maruti Suzuki Baleno. The hatchback was showcase at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. The Altroz is expected to be offered in petrol and a diesel variant, also we could see a hybrid as well. The Altroz is based on Tata's ALFA (Agile Light Flexible Advanced) modular architecture and is expected to spawn other body styles - such as the second generation Tata Nexon in the years to come. More on the Tata Altroz hatchback here.

Tata Harrier 7-seater

Expected price: Rs 17.5 lakh, ex-showroom

The Harrier 7-seater that is speculated to be called Cassini (Buzzard) too is based on a platform derived from the Land Rover Discovery Sport, and adopts Tata's Impact 2.0 design language. Visualy, the Tata Buzzard looks similar to the Harrier, donning the slim LED DRLs, a honeycomb grille, flared wheel arches and the three-dimensional taillights. It is about 62mm longer than the Harrier though, to accommodate the third row of seats. Powering the new seven-seater SUV will be the same Fiat Multijet 2 derived Kryotec diesel engine, however, it will be tuned to have a higher output of 172PS, similar to the Jeep Compass. More on the Tata Harrier 7-seater SUV here.

Tata Tiago EV

Expected price: Rs 6 lakh, ex-showroom

The Tata Tiago EV uses a liquid-cooled 85kW electric motor that makes 200Nm of torque right from the word go, mated to a single speed automatic. This Tata Tiago electric too comes with different drive modes like City and Sport similar to the AMT-equipped Tiago. TMETC (Tata Motors' European Technical Centre PLC ) claims that the Tiago, in Sport mode, will hit the ton in less than 11 seconds. The top speed of the Tata Tiago EV is claimed to be 135kmph. Kerb weight of the Tata Tiago EV at 1040kg too is lower than the regular Tiago AMT by 40kg. More on the Tata Tiago EV.

Volkswagen Polo and Vento facelifts

Expected price: Rs 40,000-50,000 more than the present prices

German car manufacturer Volkswagen will be launching facelifted versions of both the Polo and the Vento in the coming weeks. From the cars caught testing, it is evident that the changes in the design are subtle in nature. It gets a slight revision to the grille, bumpers along with an updated infotainment system. Though the powertrain options will continue to be unchanged, we believe Volkswagen would launch BS6 compliant models. More on the new offerings here.