Honda launched their first ever compact sedan, the Amaze, in India back in April 2013, thus creating a space for themselves in this extremely competitive segment. However, over the years, its competitors, with their new-generation cars, have inched ahead. But, Honda has responded rather quickly and instead of waiting for the standard six-year lifecycle to complete, the Japanese company has unveiled the all-new Amaze at the Auto Expo 2018.
Built on a new platform, the 2018 Honda Amaze has ditched its Brio-connection completely and now turned to the City for its design inspiration. The rectangular headlamps and the thick chrome slat across the fascia, is completely in line with the bigger Hondas, giving the Amaze a much needed aspirational angle. The prominent angular lines make it look bigger and should certainly suit the Indian tastes.
On the inside, the new Honda Amaze again takes cues from the popular City and gets a beige and black layout. The Amaze is known for its spacious cabin and that is certainly going to continue with the new platform as well. It will also make sure that the ride and handling is improved along with the NVH insulation. Climate control will be a standard on the top-spec trims along with a touchscreen display and rear AC vents.
The new Amaze will also be powered by the existing set of proven powertrains – the 1.2-litre i-VTEC petrol and the 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel engine. While the petrol gets a five-speed manual and a CVT gearbox option, the diesel gets a manual option only. ABS and EBD will certainly be standard along with dual front airbags as it has become a common norm in this segment.
The all-new Amaze will be launched by mid-2018 and should carry a price tag between Rs 5.5 lakhs to Rs 6 Lakhs.
5.Mahindra eKUV
Expected Price: ₹8 Lakhs
Expected Launch: December 2019
Mahindra shook everyone with an electric line-up at the 2018 Auto Expo. There was an electric bus, an all-new electric platform with two city-oriented electric concepts and an electric KUV100. The KUV100 EV will be spearheading the electric car line-up from the Indian carmaker.
Appearance wise, the eKUV looks similar to the standard car apart from the badging. The same is the case on the inside, however, the electric KUV makes do without a gear lever. The gear lever nolonger creates a hindrance to the six seat configuration. Mahindra boasts that the new eKUV comes with new connectivity features with remote diagnostics, cabin pre-cooling, and a real-time location tracking. The electric compact crossover could even monitor the driver’s driving pattern and the battery status.
Powering the eKUV would be the same 30kW lithium-ion battery pack which can be found in the eVerito. The vehicle can cover 140 kilometres between charges with a quick charging feature which can charge to 80 percent in less than an hour. However, a new powertrain is also expected to be offered when the car will be launched.
Mahindra Electric, the Indian carmaker’s electric vertical, will be responsible for the eKUV when it will be launched in the country. Prices aren’t announced yet but expect them to be marginally higher like the electric Verito.
6.Renault New Duster
Expected Price: ₹8.6 Lakhs
Expected Launch: August 2018
Renault New Duster Preview
Renault last showcased the 2018 Renault Duster in production form at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. The third generation model gets fresh cosmetic and feature upgrades, while mechanically it will continue being powered by existing engine options. The new model gets an evolutionary design and comes forth with a fresh approach.
The 2018 Renault Duster gets massively flared wheel arches and forward leaning high back silhouette. In addition to the flared wheel arches, you also get stacked design at the rear as well as contrast coloured bash plates in the front and rear. Eye-catching elements include the design of the wheels as well as the signature Renault grille. This time around the vertical tail lamps have been replaced by rectangular units. Renault has introduced a larger 17-inch wheel size with the new Duster as is the trend these days in the compact SUV segment. The dimensions of the new-gen Duster remains more or less the same.
As for the interior the new Duster gets a full black theme with a new design for the air vents, instrument cluster and steering wheel. The higher spec variants now get chrome inserts, high quality plastics and reach/rake adjustment for the steering wheel. The dimensions remain unchanged for now and it will get India specific touches like the touchscreen system and most likely also offer the rear AC vents.
Powering the Duster is the same pair of petrol and diesel motors. The petrol engines are – 115bhp 1.6-litre SCe and a 145bhp 2.0-litre unit (also gets 4x4) – available with either a five-speed manual or a CVT. Meanwhile, the diesel is the same 1.5-litre dCI with a power output of either 90bhp or 110bhp. The 110bhp guise gets a 4x4 and an option of a DCT transmission. There is a host of off-road hardware available as well.
7.Tata H5X
Expected Price: ₹10 Lakhs
Expected Launch: December 2018
Tata H5X Preview
Tata Motors has been readying for its second innings after the long lull in the Indian market and after the Tiago and the Nexon’s success, it is time for more additions to the fleet. One of these new products is the Tata H5X SUV.
This SUV has been built on the Land Rover platform and will be a Hyundai Creta rival. The Land Rover platform, with its aluminium-infused architecture is an expensive affair and fitting the economies for the Creta-segment is certainly laudable. The aluminium will certainly be replaced by more cost-effective materials but the inherent beauty of this platform will certainly make the H5X a force to reckon with. Add the independent suspension at all four ends, and we are talking about performance of international standards.
The rendering shows typical Tata lines and the signature smiley face which finds a sweet spot between the Nexon’s appeal and the Hexa’s aggression. The design is muscular and with the flared wheel arches and rising shoulder-line, it looks brawny as well. In terms of Interior, expect the h5 to be a class leader in terms of features and equipment replete with a floating touchscreen display, automatic climate control, electrically operated mirrors et al.
This platform will be powered by the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel from Fiat that also powers the Jeep Compass and we are sure about this because Tata Motors has already placed an order for more than a lakh engines already. The H5X might come with the 140bhp setup making it one of the most powerful machines in the segment, something that Tata has already done with the Nexon, and are reaping its benefits.
The Tata H5X will go into production by the end of 2018 or early 2019 and will rival the Hyundai Creta, the Renault Duster, the Renault Captur and the Jeep Compass along with competitors like the Mahindra Scorpio.
8.Volkswagen Vento Facelift
Expected Price: ₹8 Lakhs
Expected Launch: December 2018
Volkswagen Vento Facelift Preview
Vento, the C-segment contender from Volkswagen, was introduced in India back in 2010. In the last seven years, the Vento has received four updates and the fifth one is expected to be introduced this year. Like all other changes, even this one will be largely cosmetic and aimed at making the car look modern and contemporary.
The new Vento will get LED daytime running lamps and projector headlamps at least for the highline trim. The updates like the chrome garnish in the back and the wider chrome grille in the front will be retained along with the reworked tail lamps. The alloys might be different but the body shell is the same. With the improved looks, the Vento will hold sway with its classic sedan looks.
The interior might not be changed a lot but you can expect touch-screen infotainment, automatic climate control and rear AC vents. The cabin space will remain unchanged and so will the ergonomics. Under the hood, you will have the new 1.5-litre 108bhp diesel engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox and a seven-speed DSG automatic. The 1.6-litre 104bhp petrol mill is paired to the five-speed manual gearbox while the seven-speed automatic is offered with the 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine instead.
The new Vento is already out testing largely undisguised which means the launch fo the new car is around the corner.
9.Audi SQ7
Expected Price: ₹1 Crores
Expected Launch: June 2018
Audi SQ7 Preview
The Audi Q7 has been largely popular in the Indian market and with the launch of the new generation Q7 last year, the flagship Audi SUV has managed to stay in the front of the race for large luxury SUVs. But the Ingolstadt-based manufacturer has always missed one thing in the Q7 – a powerhouse performance car. Yes, they had the 500bhp 6.0-litre V12 oil-burner, but it never really appealed like the ML 63 AMG or the BMW X5M. Audi now has built the SQ7 to take on the performance-packed luxury SUVs and is expected to come to India pretty soon.
Let us get to the meat first. Under the hood you have a 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged diesel engine. Unlike its petrol competitors, Audi has demonstrated its prowess of building performance diesel engines. And it is the first production car to have an electrically driven turbocharger. Developing 435bhp of power and 900Nm of torque the Audi Q7 powers past the 100kmph mark from rest in 4.8 seconds. It is equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission coupled up with the famed Quattro all-wheel-drive.
As for the aesthetics, you have the front grille with the S-badge and an aggressive front bumper with horizontal slats covering the air intakes and Matrix LED headlamps. The wing mirrors will be painted in contrast and it gets 20-inch alloys as standard. The two twin exhausts in the rear will give out the sleeper for the trained eyes. Inside, the SQ7 will continue to be luxurious. The upholstery will be done in fancy leather and all creature comforts will be on offer if not standard already.
The SQ7, as we have said before, will like to take on the BMW X5 M or the Mercedes GLE63 AMG or the GLS 63AMG and the top-spec Land Rover Discovery in terms of its price and appeal. The SQ7 will certainly tip the scale onward of a crore rupees if not by much.
10.Datsun Cross
Expected Price: ₹4.5 Lakhs
Expected Launch: December 2018
Datsun Cross Preview
The crossover and SUV market in the Indian subcontinent is at its lucrative best for both the manufacturers as well as the buyers. As a buyer, you get something that resembles an SUV for the price of hatch. The latest entrant to the mass market of passenger vehicles in India – Datsun, has its eyes set on this segment. After the launch of the affordable Datsun Go, Redigo and the super compact MPV Go+, the Nissan sub-brand will get the Cross to India. Unveiled globally at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2015, the Cross was seen in India for the first time at the Auto Expo 2016.
Exterior
The Datsun Cross is based on the Go+ MPV and so has almost the same proportions. What is new, however, is the contrast coloured body kit which for this concept car is grey around the sides and silver on the pseudo bash plate elements.
Datsun has fitted this concept car with projector headlamps and LED DRLs which will become standard headlights when the vehicle goes into production. One of the other noticeable elements on the car is the black roof tray with rails which, we believe, will be carried over to the production model. There is a small rear spoiler and fancy looking C-shaped tail lamps which will likely be carried over into production.
Interior
There are currently no pictures of the interior but going by how Datsun has kitted out the cabin of its other models, we can safely assume that this vehicle too may get an amalgamation of the standard elements. AC, AUX-IN interface and space for about five people (realistically) are expected to be on the offer list.
Engine and gearbox
On the engine front, we expect the 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol to be the standard offering. There is a high possibility that this may be the first model in the Datsun line-up to be offered with a diesel engine, which, in this case, will be the 1.5-litre dCi that powers a variety of Nissan and Renault models. A five-speed manual will be common across all variants.
Price
We may probably get to see a near production version of the Cross and expect it not to be too far away from the concept. Being a concept car, it will be hard to predict any price. However, we believe that this vehicle will slot in above the Go+ and have a starting price in the range of Rs 4.5 lakh. It is expected to be launched sometime next year.
