The Indian car market is mainly driven by small cars. There are at least 10 upcoming small cars in India that will launch in the next 12 months. Here are all the available details on these future models:
1. Next-gen Maruti Suzuki Wagon R
The all-new Maruti Suzuki Wagon R will launch in November this year. Going by Maruti's aggressive pricing strategies, you can safely expect the new tallboy hatchback to cost pretty much the same as the outgoing model. The new Wagon R will be based on an updated version of the current car's platform. Powering the new Wagon R will be an updated version of the current 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine. Currently, this engine outputs 67 bhp and 90 Nm. The engine will continue to come mated to a five-speed manual transmission and an optional AMT.
2. 2019 Maruti Baleno (facelift)
The Maruti Suzuki Baleno premium hatchback will receive a mid-life facelift early next year. The refreshed Baleno will have updated styling and a new 1.5-litre diesel engine that will replace the current Fiat-sourced 1.3-litre motor. The 1.3-litre Multijet motor from Fiat won't be BSVI-compliant, which means Maruti will have no choice but to replace it with its upcoming 1.5-litre oil-burner.
3. New Hyundai Santro
Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) will launch the all-new Santro very soon. The new-gen Santro will have a starting price of over INR 4 lakh. Underpinning the new car will be the last-gen i10's platform. Also, it will be powered by an updated version of the same 1.1-litre, four-cylinder engine that powered the last-gen i10. The new-gen Santro will become the first Hyundai model to offer an optional AMT. It will find itself slotted below the Hyundai Grand i10 in the carmaker's product portfolio.
4. Next-gen Hyundai Grand i10
Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) will launch the next-gen Grand i10 in the second-half of 2019. Testing of the new generation model in South Korea has commenced. Also, in all probability, powering the new-gen i10 will be the same engines that power the current car. That said, they will be updated for BS6-compliance. Prices will remain largely unchanged. The all-new Hyundai i10 will lock horns with the very popular Maruti Swift.
5. 2018 Datsun GO (facelift)
The Datsun GO budget hatchback is about to get a facelift. The facelift will bring in an updated front-end that looks bolder and a tad more upmarket. It will comprise a new bumper, updated headlamps, LED DRLs, and a bolder grille. On the inside, the GO facelift will have an updated dashboard and a new instrument cluster. Also, the updated model is very likely to offer driver airbag, speed limit reminder and rear parking sensors as standard features. Datsun may introduce a 78 PS version of the 1.2-litre engine coupled to an optional CVT.
6. Volkswagen Polo (facelift)
Volkswagen India will likely launch an updated Polo hatchback next year. The facelifted VW Polo will carry a handful of cosmetic updates that should work together to keep the car relevant in the market. It's noteworthy here that the Polo was first launched in 2009 and is almost a decade old now. The all-new Polo is still some time away from arriving here. The mildly updated Polo will offer a long list of features. Powering the facelift will be the same engines that power the current model. Prices are likely to remain more or less the same.
7. 2018 Ford Figo (facelift)
Ford India plans to launch a refreshed Figo by Diwali this year. The facelifted Ford Figo will come with a handful of styling updates and additional features. The SYNC infotainment unit will make way for a more modern, SYNC3 unit that will have Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support. Also, going by the Freestyle's aggressive pricing, the Figo is likely to receive a huge price cut. Most importantly, it will also get the new 1.2-litre petrol engine from the Dragon family. The updated Ford Figo will rival the likes of Hyundai Grand i10 and Maruti Swift.
8. Tata 45X
The launch of the Tata 45X premium hatchback is likely to take place exactly a year from now. This upcoming hatchback will become a Hyundai Elite i20- and Maruti Suzuki Baleno-adversary. Powering the premium hatchback will be more powerful versions of the 1.2-litre turbo-petrol and 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engines that power the Nexon. Expect prices to start around INR 5.5. lakh.
9. Tata Tiago JTP
Tata Motors and Coimbatore-based Jayem Automotives have joined hands to develop a performance version of the Tiago hatchback. The Tata Tiago JTP will launch in the coming months and will become the most affordable performance-oriented hatchback in the market. It will get its power from a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine that outputs 110 PS and 150 Nm. Also, the Tiago JTP will have a stiffer suspension and sportier styling. The Tiago JTP is definitely among the most promising upcoming small cars in India in the next 12 months.
10. Tata Tigor EV
Showcased at the Auto Expo 2018, the pure electric variant of the Tigor could be only months away from its launch. The Tata Tigor EV has been developed by Tata Motors European Technical Centre (TMETC). Powering it will be a 30 kW electric motor that gets its juice from a 216 Ah battery. The Tigor EV has a claimed range of 130 km and can hit a top speed of 100 km/h. The battery can be charged to 80% in just 90 mins using a fast charger.
So, which of these upcoming small cars in India excite you the most?
