New car, SUV launches in September 2023

Among the seven launches this month, three will be electric SUVs spread across a wide spectrum.

Published On Sep 01, 2023 08:00:00 AM

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In anticipation of the upcoming festive period, carmakers are introducing several new models and facelifts in the month of September. Tata's hugely successful Nexon is set to get a comprehensive facelift, Volvo will launch its second EV in India, and Honda will enter the mid-size SUV segment with the all-new Elevate. Here's a complete list of all the new cars and SUVs that will be arriving this month.

Honda Elevate - September 4

The Elevate marks Honda’s return to the fiercely competitive mid-size SUV segment, and is also the brand’s first all-new launch since the City in 2020. It shares its underpinnings with the City sedan, but wears a completely new top hat, with bold and distinctive SUV styling. The interior is spacious, comfortable and decently equipped, and the Elevate even gets ADAS, but crucially misses out a panoramic sunroof – there’s only a single pane unit. Powering the Elevate will be a sole 121hp, 145Nm, 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engine mated to a 6-speed manual or a 7-step CVT gearbox. The 1.5-litre petrol-hybrid powertrain from the City, however, will not be on offer here.

Volvo C40 Recharge - September 4

The Volvo C40 Recharge is based on the XC40 Recharge, but is styled like a coupe-SUV with a sloping roofline and steeply raked rear windscreen. Sharing the CMA platform (Compact Modular Architecture), the C40 Recharge gets the same dual-motor set-up producing 408hp and 660Nm, and the 78kWh battery pack as the XC40. However, thanks to improved aero and a newer-gen battery, claimed range has shot up to 530km (WLTP) from 418km. Notably, it gets a 100 percent leather-free interior to further advance the case of sustainability. Like the XC40, the C40 will be locally assembled, but it’s expected to be priced at a slight premium over its SUV counterpart.

BMW 2 Series M Performance edition - September 7

Essentially a cosmetic job over the regular 2 Series, the M Performance Edition will solely be available in Black Sapphire colour with contrasting silver accents in the grille, bumper and wing mirrors. It will also get an M Performance grille, gear selector lever and other M-specific parts. Inside, the 220i M Performance edition will get a dual-tone black and beige interior, although the equipment list will remain unchanged. Under the hood, the 2 Series M Performance edition will get the 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that produces 179hp and 280Nm, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, and will be sold in limited numbers.

Tata Nexon, Nexon EV facelifts - September 14

The Nexon facelift is arguably the most anticipated new launch, and while it’s just a facelift, it gets comprehensive exterior and interior updates. It now gets Curvv and Harrier EV-inspired styling, both outside and in. It will also see a notable step up in features with larger screens, touch-based climate controls, and a full-digital instrument cluster. There will be new Punch-like trim nomenclature, and while the 1.2-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines will be carried forward with manual and AMT gearboxes, there’ll also be a new 7-speed DCT gearbox option for the petrol engine. Tata will also launch the Nexon EV with similar updates alongside the ICE versions, although technical details of it are still under cover.

Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV - September 15

The EQE SUV will be Mercedes’ third EV in India, and is based on the brand's EVA (electric vehicle architecture) platform. It’s available in multiple configurations globally, but all versions draw power from a 90.6kWh battery that supports up to 170kW DC fast charging speeds. Maximum range is up to 590km (WLTP cycle) for the EQE 350+ variant with a single-motor setup, while the range-topping EQS 53 4Matic+ is the most powerful with 617hp on tap. Stylistically, it adheres closely to the look established by other EQ models we have seen so far. The interior, meanwhile, gets two dashboard layouts – a C-Class-like interior with the vertical touchscreen is standard, but the ‘Hyperscreen’ layout seen on the EQS can also be had as an optional extra.

Lexus LM - Late September

This is the first time Lexus is offering an MPV in India – it’s based on Toyota’s GA-K modular platform, which it shares with the Toyota Vellfire. The LM measures over 5 metres in length and boasts of outlandish styling. The interior is equally sumptuous and will be offered in four- and seven-seater configurations. In four-seater guise, the LM gets a partition between the driver and passenger area, and features airline-style recliner seats, a 48-inch TV, a 23-speaker surround-sound audio system, and pillow-style headrests. In India, the LM is expected to be offered in 350h guise that's powered by a 2.5-litre, four-cylinder self-charging hybrid powertrain that sends power to all-four wheels, with a maximum combined output of 250hp and 239Nm.

Mahindra Bolero Neo+ - Late September

Mahindra is expected to launch the Bolero Neo+ towards the end of this month. Essentially, a facelifted TUV300+, the Bolero Neo+ Plus will be launched with a brand-new identity, styling tweaks and more features. The facelifted model has been undergoing tests since 2019. The addition of the Bolero Neo+ will make it the third SUV in the Bolero line-up besides the original Bolero and the Bolero Neo compact SUV. Two seating options – a 7-seat version and a 9-seater – are expected to be on offer. Under the hood, the Bolero Neo+ will be powered by a 2.2-litre diesel engine, which will be the same unit as the Scorpio N but will have a lower power output.

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