New cars, SUVs coming up in the months ahead

April 2023 saw some really exciting new car launches – from the Maruti Suzuki Fronx to the MG Comet EV and the 2023 Lexus RX. The months ahead are set to see a lot more action from several carmakers with plenty of global unveilings and price announcements lined up. Maruti has the all-new Jimny launching next, Tata Motors will further populate its CNG line-up with two new models, and we'll get some long-due facelifts as well. So, here’s a rundown of all new cars and SUVs that are going to be unveiled or launched in the coming months.

1. Maruti Suzuki Jimny launch – May

The Jimny is arguably the most awaited new launch of the entire year. In a way, it is a spiritual successor to the Maruti Gypsy, but one that has been specifically developed for India with a five-door body style. Sure, that adds to the practicality – Maruti wouldn’t have it any other way – but the Jimny will still be a lifestyle vehicle as a no-nonsense off-roader with a ladder-frame chassis and low-range 4x4. It will use the 105hp, 1.5-litre K15B petrol engine with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. Prices are expected to range between Rs 10 lakh-12 lakh, ex-showroom.

2. BMW M2 launch – May

BMW is gearing up to introduce the second-gen M2 (G87) in India, and it will be brought in as a full import. Unlike the previous-gen M2, which came to India in the top-rung Competition guise, the new M2 will come to India in the standard guise. The M2 will be powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six engine that’s good for 460hp and 550Nm of torque. An 8-speed Steptronic transmission will be available as standard, with a 6-speed manual will be available as an option. Most importantly, it will be the final pure-combustion model from BMW’s M division. The M2 is expected to be priced around Rs 1 crore, ex-showroom.

3. Tata Altroz CNG launch – May

As CNG gains more popularity in the Indian market, Tata Motors is getting ready to launch the Altroz CNG, the third premium hatchback in the country with a factory-fitted CNG kit. The carmaker has already opened bookings for the Altroz CNG for a token amount of Rs 21,000; deliveries will begin in May, with prices set to be announced before that. Tata Motors will offer the CNG kit on the XE, XM+, XZ and XZ+ trims of the Altroz, with the top-spec trim being fully loaded with niceties such as alloy wheels, auto AC, sunroof and even six airbags. The Altroz CNG will be powered by a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder engine that puts out 77hp and 97Nm in CNG mode, and will come mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox.

4. BMW X3 M40i launch – May

The X3 M40i is the performance-oriented version of the X3 and shares its powertrain with the BMW M340i sedan, which means it will get a 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine that produces 360hp and 500Nm – 14hp less than the sedan. Power is delivered to all four wheels via the 8-speed automatic gearbox. The X3 M40i will come with the M Sport styling package as standard, as well as performance upgrades such as variable sport steering, M Sport brakes, M Sport differential and the adaptive M suspension. Bookings for the X3 M40i are already underway for Rs 5 lakh.

5. Honda Elevate global debut – June 6

Honda will finally enter the hotly contested midsize SUV space with an all-new model for India. The new Honda SUV has been christened the Elevate, and will share styling cues with the sixth-generation CR-V as well as the new-gen Honda WR-V sold abroad. It will be based on the fifth-gen City’s platform, and will also share the 121hp, 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol powertrain with the sedan. A turbo-petrol and strong hybrid could come at a later stage, but there will be no diesel. Honda has confirmed that the new Elevate will go on sale in mid-2023. We expect it to be priced at a slight premium over its rivals between Rs 12 lakh-19 lakh.

6. Volkswagen Virtus new variants launch – June

Volkswagen will finally be adding the 1.5 TSI turbo-MT powertrain to the Virtus – it was the only India 2.0 model that was missing this combination so far. Importantly, this also comes in response to the newly launched Hyundai Verna turbo. The manual gearbox will be offered in a single top-spec GT Plus trim. For reference, the manual version of the Slavia 1.5 TSI in its top-spec Style trim is priced at 17 lakh, ex-showroom, and you can expect the Virtus 1.5 TSI MT price to be in the same ballpark. Additionally, VW will also introduce a limited-run ‘GT Edge Limited Collection’ for the Virtus with an exclusive ‘Deep Black Pearl’ paint, along with a standard ‘Lava Blue’ paint shade. Prices for all new variants will be announced in June.

7. Volkswagen Taigun new variants launch – June

As with the Virtus, the Taigun will also be getting the 1.5 turbo-petrol engine with manual and automatic gearboxes on more trims to widen the accessibility of the more powerful engine. The Taigun will also get the limited-run 'GT Edge Limited Collection' with two new paint schemes – Deep Black Pearl and Carbon Steel Matte. There will also be two new editions called the Trail Concept and Sport Concept: the former gets rugged decals on its rear three quarters, while the latter gets chequered flag-inspired decals on the bottom half of the doors and rear fender. Additionally, all variants of the Taigun will also get the Lava Blue paint shade. Prices for all these new editions will be announced in June.

8. Kia Seltos facelift launch – June/July

The Kia Seltos has been on sale in India since 2019, but hasn’t yet received any cosmetic updates. And while a facelift for the Seltos has been around globally since mid-2022, it is finally expected to launch here by June or July this year. With this facelift, the SUV will get a redesigned grille and new headlamps with revised LED DRLs extending into the grille. The rear fascia will also be redesigned with new LED tail-lamps now connected by a light bar and reprofiled, dual-tone bumper with faux silver inserts. On the inside, the Seltos will get a new connected, twin-screen layout and revised centre console, and crucially, could even come with an ADAS suite. The 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines will be carried forward as is, but it will also benefit from the new 160hp, 253Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine.

9. New Maruti premium MPV launch – July

As part of the Toyota-Suzuki alliance, Maruti is going to have its own version of the Innova Hycross MPV. This, in fact, will be the first Toyota product that will be rebadged for Maruti Suzuki in India and sold through the Nexa dealership chain. Just like the other cross-badged products from the alliance, we expect Maruti's version of the Innova Hycross to have a completely unique design over its Toyota counterpart. Expect changes on the inside too, in terms of interior trims and upholstery. Based on the TNGA-C architecture, the Maruti MPV will also use the naturally aspirated petrol and petrol-hybrid powertrains from the Hycross. It's expected to see its global unveiling sometime in July this year.

10. Tata Nexon facelift launch – August

Test mules of the Nexon facelift have been spied testing on our roads numerous times now. The updated Nexon is expected to heavily borrow design cues from the Curvv ICE concept with a completely new front and rear fascia and full-width LED light bars. The interior will also be majorly overhauled with a larger touchscreen, a revised centre console, a new full-digital instrument cluster and a two-spoke steering wheel inspired from the Curvv concept. We are also told that the Nexon facelift will get the all-new 125hp, 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine while the 1.5-litre diesel mill is expected to continue as is. The prices for the Nexon facelift will be announced in August.

11. Hyundai Exter launch – August

Hyundai’s next SUV for India – which will also be its smallest SUV – was recently christened the Exter. Expected to measure around 3.8 metres in length, the Exter will share its underpinnings with the Grand i10 Nios hatchback, but it will come with added ground clearance. The Exter is expected to carry forward the tried-and-tested 83hp, 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, but additionally, it will also get a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine. As far as looks are concerned, it’s a boxy and upright SUV with compact dimensions and futuristic details that seem inspired by the Ioniq 5. Expect Hyundai to drip-feed more information about the Exter in the lead-up to its launch in August 2023.

12. Citroen C3 Aircross launch – second half of 2023

The C3 Aircross is a three-row derivative of the C3 hatchback. It has a more upright stance with a completely new rear quarter and more SUV-centric design details with a higher 200mm ground clearance. The Aircross is also a much larger car and isn’t be a mere extension of the C3. The interior design, however, remains largely unchanged from the C3, but the most important addition is a third row of seats. Citroen has added a features on the Aircross over the C3 in a bid to give a more premium positioning. The C3 Aircross SUV will come with a sole 1.2-litre turbo-petrol manual powertrain at launch, followed by an automatic at a later stage. Prices are expected to be announced in the second half of this year. There's also an all-electric version in the pipeline. 

13. Tata Punch CNG launch – second half of 2023 

Following the Altroz, the next model that’s touted to get a factory-fitted CNG kit from Tata Motors is the Punch. The Punch CNG was, in fact, showcased at Auto Expo 2023, and it will use the same 1.2-litre, three-cylinder engine from the Altroz that produces 77hp and 97Nm of peak torque. Like the Altroz, the Punch will also get the twin-cylinder technology and does not compromise on boot space and it can also be directly started in CNG mode, a feature not offered by any of its rivals. Although Tata has not disclosed trim details, expect it to be offered on the higher-spec trims, which means it will come well-equipped. Prices for the Punch CNG are expected around the festive season.

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