The festive season in India (September to November) is the time when there's a surge in demand for new cars. Car manufacturers schedule some of their most important new models during this part of the year. From an entry-level small car like the Hyundai AH2 (2018 Santro) to the all-new Honda CR-V premium SUV, there are at least ten upcoming cars that will come out this festive season.
Upcoming Cars that will launch this Diwali
1. Mahindra Marazzo
The Mahindra Marazzo will launch on September 3. The new model will offer a shark-inspired design and an all-new 1.5-litre turbocharged engine. It is the first jointly developed vehicle by Mahindra Research Valley (MRV) in Chennai and Mahindra North American Technical Centre (MNATC) in Troy, Michigan. The design of the Marazzo is the work of Mahindra's Kandivali-based design centre in Mumbai and Pininfarina.
2. Hyundai AH2 (all-new Hyundai Santro)
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Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) will reportedly launch the AH2 small car on 23 October. Likely to go on sale as the new Hyundai Santro, it will have a base price of roughly Rs 4 lakh. It will be underpinned by the last gen i10's HA platform. Powering it will be a new version of the 1.1-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine from the Santro Xing. The all-new hatchback will become the first Hyundai model to offer an AMT, which will be marketed as 'Smart Auto'.
3. Mahindra Ssangyong Rexton G4
The Ssangyong G4 Rexton SUV will be launched in November 2018 as the most expensive Mahindra car ever. The Korean CKD SUV will be sold here as a Mahindra product. It will be powered by a 2.2-litre diesel engine that outputs 178 bhp and 420 Nm. It will go on to rival the Toyota Fortuner, the Isuzu MU-X, and the Ford Endeavour. The G4 Rexton made its India debut at the Auto Expo 2018, where it was seen sporting Mahindra's signature six slat grille with a Mahindra logo. More recently, it was showcased at the company's Annual General-body Meeting (AGM).
4. Honda CR-V
Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) will launch the all-new CR-V in October. The 2018 Honda CR-V will become HCIL’s first model to feature the 1.6-litre iDTEC turbo-diesel engine. The diesel engine will output a maximum power of 120 PS along with a peak torque of 300 Nm. It will come mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission.
The diesel variant will be available with both 2WD and 4WD options. The petrol model, on the other hand, will be available with 2WD only. It will be powered by a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder iVTEC engine that will output 154 PS and 189 Nm. It is expected to come in CVT and manual options.
5. Tata Tiago JTP
Also Read- Upcoming Tata Cars in India
Tata Motors and Coimbatore-based Jayem Automotives have jointly developed a performance version of the Tiago hatchback. Known as the Tata Tiago JTP, the new model will launch around Diwali and when it doesn, it will become the most affordable hot hatch in the country.
The Tiago JTP will employ the same 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine that powers the Nexon. This engine outputs 110 PS of maximum power and 150 Nm of peak torque. It will also gain a stiffer suspension and high spec tyres. The Tiago JTP is easily among the sportiest upcoming cars this festive season.
6. Tata Tigor JTP
Also Read- 8 Upcoming sedans in India in next 12 months
The Tigor will get the performance-honed JTP version that will get its juice from the Nexon-sourced 1.2-litre engine. Akin to the Tiago JTP, the performance version of the Tigor will offer a handful of styling updates, a stiffer suspension and a performance-tuned gearbox.
The launch of the performance version of the country's most affordable sedan should take place around Diwali this year.
7. 2018 Ford Figo (facelift)
Also Read- 12 Upcoming Small Cars in India in next 12 Months
Ford will soon launch a refreshed Figo in India. The facelift for the B1-segment hatchback gets many styling updates and feature additions. Going by an aggressive pricing strategy for the Freestyle, the enriched Figo will likely maintain its price with the advent of the mid-cycle refresh. The 1.2-litre TiVCT petrol engine will make way for a modern 1.2-litre, three-cylinder engine from the Dragon family. It could even get a CNG variant.
8. 2018 Ford Figo Aspire (facelift)
Like the Figo, the Aspire C1-segment compact sedan will welcome styling changes and a new 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine from the 'Dragon' family. A highlight of the updated features list will be a SYNC3 touchscreen infotainment unit that will offer Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity. Also, the current 1.5-litre TiVCT petrol engine could make way for the modern 1.5-litre Dragon motor that powers the Ford EcoSport.
9. 2018 Datsun GO (facelift)
The Datsun Go facelift will receive a facelift in the coming weeks. The mid-cycle refresh will bring in a new bumper, updated headlamps, LED DRLs, and a bolder grille. The interior will get a new dashboard and a new instrument cluster. Datsun India could equip the new model with dual front airbags, speed limit reminder and rear parking sensors as standard features. It could have structural reinforcements for improved crash protection. In Indonesia, the Go facelift is available with a touchscreen infotainment unit and an optional CVT.
10. 2018 Datsun Go+ (facelift)
Akin to the Go A2-segment hatchback, the Go+ MPV will receive a mid-life update. It will feature a new grille, revised bumper, vertically stacked DRLs, new rear bumper, and a rear wiper. On the inside, it will get a new dashboard with a lockable glove box, a redesigned centre console, a touchscreen infotainment system, and a new instrument console with a tachometer.
Like the Go hatchback, the Go+ MPV will get structural reinforcements and ELR rear seat belts for improved safety. Datsun could offer dual front airbags, speed alert system, seatbelt reminder and rear parking sensors as standard features to comply with the upcoming safety norms.
