Automobile launches this August in India

The festive season is just about to start and to keep customers flocking to showrooms, manufacturers are leaving no stone unturned. While some may just dole out incentives in the form of discounts, others are happy introducing new models. Our diaries this August are choc-a-block with invites from manufacturers for their respective new offerings and corresponding press conferences. Here is what is headed your way in the ascending order of launch dates. This list though, excludes any special editions, celebration editions or the new colour schemes which pop up from time to time.

Fiat Punto Evo

Fiat's refreshed Punto will now come with an Evo suffix. It looks similar to the Avventura that was showcased at the expo and is also available in a rather likeable orange colour now. Fiat will be launching it on August 5. There will be a choice of two petrol and diesel engines paired to a manual transmission. Expect prices to start from around the Rs 5 lakh mark.

Fiat Punto Evo first drive

Fiat Punto Evo image gallery

Fiat Punto Evo launched in India

Audi A3 sedan

This candy red A3 can be easily mistaken for any other Audi sedan like the A4 and A6. We're not joking

Audi's entry-level car, the A3 will be launched in India on August 7. It looks smashing especially in this candy red and infact can be mistaken for any other Audi sedan like the A4 and A6. That is until you look at the rear and notice the new badging that will be standard on all future Audi roll outs. The Audi A3 in India will come with a choice of petrol and diesel engines. While the 180PS 1.8TFSI engine comes mated to the 7-speed S-tronic box, the 140PS 2.0TDI is paired to a 6-speed unit. Prices are expected to start from the Rs 25 lakh point.

Audi A3 first drive

Bajaj Discover F150, S150

This is the first of the launches happening on August 11. Probably the only motorcycle in this list, the F150 is Bajaj's answer to the Stunner/Ignitor but with a 150cc heart. It is based on the very successful new Discover platform and has both the regular and semi-faired bikes. If you are familiar with Bajaj's nomenclature for their motorcycles, the F is the faired version while the S is the naked. Expect it to be priced lower than the Pulsar 150, which means a price tag of around Rs 60,000-65,000.

Hyundai Elite i20

Perhaps the most important of all the launches. 'Why?' you ask - because this will be the first time that the new Hyundai Elite i20 will be showcased to the world in production form. It may replace or even co-exist with the current i20 and sit on top of Hyundai's hatchback lineup in India. The new i20 is expected to be powered by the same engines which power the current car but with a hike in efficiency and power. The spy images do show that this is not just a facelift and an all new car. Expect it to be loaded with features - both on the multimedia and safety front. Prices will be marginally higher than those of the old i20.

Tata Zest

Tata's comeback car or the one which can unlock their fortunes, the Zest will be launched in India on August 12. This is what we hear from reliable sources. The Zest is powered by a choice of three engines - two diesel and one petrol. While the diesel is the ubiquitous Fiat Multijet in two states of tune (90 and 75PS), the petrol motor is an all-new unit. This is the Revotron 1.2T turbo engine - the first in the segment. It comes mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. Tata Motors has another segment first in the diesel with the AMT being the preferred choice of transmission for the 90PS and 5-speed manual for the 75PS. The interiors and build quality are unlike any Tata car we have seen or experienced before. We expect it to be priced at Rs 5.5 lakh.

Tata Zest road test

Tata Zest vs competition

BMW X3

BMW is on a launch roll this year with many new cars already at Indian showrooms. However, the manufacturer isn't done just yet. The facelifted X3 is set for a launch later this month or probably even early September. The kidney grille is new in this SUV while the headlamps and bumpers also feature cosmetic revisions. Expect the interiors to be feature rich and more premium than those in the outgoing one. The engines in the X3 have been upgraded and prices should start at around the Rs 46 lakh mark.