5 most important car launches coming up in India

We are looking forward to some exciting cars coming up in 2023 and we have listed down some of the cars we expect to debut in India very soon. While we have already driven the Jimny, the other cars are still under wraps. Let's get into the top 5 most important car launches in India.

Maruti Suzuki Jimny:

Maruti will introduce the Jimny in the first week of June, bolstering its existing SUV lineup, which includes the Fronx, Brezza, and Grand Vitara. The new off-road/lifestyle vehicle will join the Mahindra Thar and Force Gurkha in this segment and India will be the first market to sell the 5-door Jimny.

The Maruti Suzuki Jimny is available in two variants: Zeta and Alpha. In terms of dimensions, it measures 3,985mm in length, 1,645mm in width, and 1,720mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,590mm. Powering the Maruti Jimny is a 1.5-litre, inline four-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engine that produces 105PS of power and 134.5Nm of torque. This engine is mated to either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, it features the brand's AllGrip Pro 4x4 system.

Auto LED headlights, a 9-inch touchscreen, SmartPlay Pro+ infotainment system, Cruise control, and an Arkamys sound system are included in the Alpha model. It also has six airbags, ESP with hill-hold assist, hill-descent control, a rear-view camera, and ABS with EBD. Read our review on the Maruti Suzuki Jimny here.

Honda Elevate:

Honda has stated that the Elevate, their forthcoming mid-size SUV, would be unveiled in India on June 6, 2023. Earlier this month, the Japanese automaker unveiled the name of the SUV, and around the same time, the Elevate SUV test mule was sighted on Indian roads.

A closer look at the front end reveals the existence of a chrome strip that connects both the DRLs and, as revealed by an earlier teaser, tail lights at the back. A decent-sized metal plate behind this quarter window hints at the SUV's length, which will be roughly 4.3 meters - in line with the Creta and Seltos.

Powering the all-new Elevate is likely to be two engine options: a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engine producing 121PS and 145Nm of torque and a 1.5-litre strong-hybrid powertrain that generates 126PS and 253Nm. The former is mated to a six-speed manual and a CVT, while the latter is coupled to an e-CVT.

The upcoming Honda Elevate SUV is likely to get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a panoramic or electric sunroof, a 360deg camera, six airbags, ESP, hill hold control, hill descent control, four-wheel disc brakes, connected car tech, smartwatch connectivity, electronic parking brake with auto hold, multiple driving modes, and cruise control.

Hyundai Exter:

Hyundai India has finally fully revealed the external design of the Exter B-SUV ahead of its July 10 debut. The upcoming Exter SUV will be available in seven primary variants, starting from EX, EX (O), S, S (O), SX, SX (O), and SX (O) Connect. Hyundai will also offer it with a CNG version and that will be available in a choice of two variants: S and SX.

Powering the Exter will be a 1.2-litre, inline four-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engine. We expect this unit to produce 83PS and 114Nm of torque. On the other hand, the Exter CNG could deliver 69PS and 95Nm of torque. A 1.2-litre petrol motor will be mated to a five-speed manual and an AMT transmission, while the CNG version will be only paired with a five-speed manual gearbox.

Hyundai is likely to equip the Exter with a bunch of features, such as cruise control, USB Type-C charging ports, a cooled glove box, a sizable touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, powered ORVMs with auto-fold, rear defogger, rear parking camera, TPMS, ISOFIX, dashcams with twin cameras and auto headlamps, among others. It is also believed to come with an electric sunroof.

Kia Seltos:

The Seltos has grown to become one of the most popular SUVs in the market and now the car is all set to receive its much-awaited refresh. The facelift model has been globally available since mid-2022 and Kia India is now looking forward to introducing the car by July 2023.

Underneath the hood, the 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines will be carried from the current car. But we are expecting the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine with 160PS and 253Nm of torque. All engines are expected to be offered with iMT (clutchless manual) and automatic transmissions.

The Seltos facelift will also get twin 10.25-inch displays, dual-zone automatic climate control, an electronic parking brake, ventilated front seats, a powered tailgate, and a wireless charger. Other updates expected in the facelifted Seltos also include the addition of ADAS features such as lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control and collision avoidance. Additional safety features include six airbags as standard, hill-assist control and vehicle stability management.

Tata Nexon:

After coming across dozens of spy pictures of the Tata Nexon facelift, a test mule of the SUV has been spotted testing already. We expect the Nexon facelift to debut anytime later this year.

With a fresh exterior, an LED light bar running across its width, LED headlights with a full-length light strip, reprofiled LED taillamps, redesigned radiator grille design, new bumpers, and LED fog lamps are likely to dominate its design language. Speaking of which, its overall design will draw inspiration from the Tata Curvv concept previewed at the Auto Expo 2023 in Delhi.

Powering the Nexon facelift is likely to be a new 1.2-litre, inline three-cylinder, turbocharged TGDi petrol engine producing 125PS/225Nm compared to 120PS/170Nm of the current engine. The 115PS/260Nm 1.5-litre inline-four diesel could be carried forward. Transmission options may include a six-speed manual, a six-speed automatic, and a new dual-clutch automatic.

Inside, as seen in the spy photos, there will probably be a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a seven-inch fully digital instrument cluster, a new two-spoke steering wheel with paddle shifters, and a new gear selector. It might also get the electronic parking brake with auto-hold.