While this new year has plenty of all-new cars coming in, what will also comprise a significant portion of the display at showrooms across India will be updates to existing models. Here's a look at the facelifts you can expect to see this year.
Tata Nano Twist Active
Since it was first launched, Tata Motors has been consistently upgrading the Nano by continuing to launch new variants every now and then. This year, Tata will arm the Nano with its most notable upgrade till now. Called the Twist Active, this version will receive a mild styling upgrade along with improved interiors and a tailgate that opens to ensure enhanced practicality. It will even offer an optional AMT automatic gearbox (similar to the one in the Zest) which will definitely boost its appeal as a small and efficient city runabout. Although the Nano Twist Active will be dearer than the standard car, once launched, it will be the most affordable automatic car in the world.
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Coming: 2015
Estimated price: Rs 2.5 lakh
Engine(s): 0.6 petrol
Rivals: Maruti Alto 800
Hyundai Verna facelift
It's only been a couple of months since Hyundai armed its mid-size sedan, the Verna with some more kit and a re-tuned suspension which improved its ride and handling balance. However, Hyundai intends to up the ante by introducing a substantially upgraded Verna early this year. The carmaker has just introduced the Verna facelift in Russia which gets bigger and sharper headlamps, a larger front grille and lower air dam along with new fog lamps. The rear now sports LED tail-lamps. On the mechanical front, the petrol variant could come equipped with a new six-speed automatic gearbox instead of the current four-speed unit that the Verna gets. The version that will make it here is not expected to be too different from the car on offer internationally.
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Coming: Early 2015
Estimated price: Rs 7.5-11.5 lakh
Engine(s): 1.4 petrol, 1.6 petrol, 1.4 diesel, 1.6 diesel
Rivals: Honda City, Maruti Ciaz, VW Vento
Volkswagen Jetta facelift
Just a year back, VW had launched a mildly refreshed version of the Jetta. The sedan received a bit more equipment along with LED equipped headlamps. This year, Volkswagen will launch a thoroughly updated Jetta that has the potential to shake up its segment. For starters, the grille and headlamps appear like a single continuous element while the new and wider air dam aims to improve aerodynamics. At the rear, it gets slimmer LED tail-lamps which are now placed higher than before. Also, there's VW’s new corporate steering wheel, bigger, clearer dials in the instrument cluster and a new high-res trip computer. The Jetta facelift will be powered by the same engines as the current car but the 2.0 TDI diesel gets a 10bhp increase in power.
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Coming: 2015
Estimated price: Rs 16-20 lakh
Engine(s): 1.4 turbo petrol, 2.0 TDI diesel
Rivals: Skoda Octavia, Hyundai Elantra
Honda CR-V facelift and diesel
The CR-V is a versatile, capable and comfortable SUV but it's biggest drawback is that it's powered only by a petrol motor. Honda will be launching a diesel variant with a 1.6-litre i-DTEC mill that is good for 118bhp and 31kgm of torque. The diesel CR-V will be available in front-wheel-drive only and is expected to offer best-in-class fuel efficiency. To make it more appealing to buyers, Honda will give the CR-V a styling upgrade including a few tweaks to the bumpers, grille and lights and it might even get some additional equipment. The CR-V facelift is likely to be priced from Rs 24-27 lakh.
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Coming: 2015
Estimated price: Rs 24-27 lakh
Engine(s): 2.0 petrol, 2.4 petrol, 1.6 diesel
Rivals: Skoda Yeti
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Audi Q3 facelift
Audi will bring the updated version of its smallest SUV, the Q3, this year. The major changes on the Q3 facelift are to the front of the car. The grille gets a wider chrome surround which touches the headlights on each side. The lower air intakes have been enlarged slightly, and the Q3 now comes with the option of LED headlamps on the top variant. Rest of the variants get Xenon headlamps instead of the halogen ones on the current car. The wheel arch surrounds and door sills are body coloured on the base model (they used to be black plastic), as is the rear bumper design, which now sits below the subtly reshaped tail-light clusters. New alloy wheel designs finish off the refresh. It also gets minor updates on the insides.
Audi A6 facelift
Audi’s E-class rival is also set to receive a mid-cycle update for our market this year. Among the subtle cosmetic changes made to the A6 are stylistic tweaks to the car’s single-frame grille, headlamps, bumpers, side sills and tailpipes. The updated A6 also gets LED headlamps as standard in addition to the existing LED daytime-running lights. Dynamic indicators with a sweeping function in the direction of the turn are also standard at the rear and optional for the front light units. Inside, the A6 receives the latest generation of Audi’s modular infotainment system, while new upholstery and trim colour options are also on offer.
BMW 1-series facelift
BMW will bring the 1-series facelift to India later this year. The facelift is expected to see cosmetic changes on the luxury hatchback including refreshed front styling with a new front grille, larger, lower air intakes and redesigned headlight clusters. At the rear, new tail-light cluster designs along with a redesigned, more bulbous bumper is likely. As for mechanicals, expect the current 1-series engine range to be carried over, though with minor improvements to fuel economy and emissions. All 1-series models are also due to receive minor upgrades inside, including the latest version of BMW's iDrive infotainment system.
BMW 3-series facelift
BMW will launch a reworked 3-series sedan this year to compete with the new C-class. As part of the refresh, expect new front bumper and lightly altered headlights which are shaped to accentuate the car’s width by providing added horizontal emphasis. Along with the mild exterior revisions, BMW has made efforts to improve the interior of the 3-series with higher-grade materials and new multimedia features.