2016 Paris Motor Show: SUVs to look out for

Each year the Paris Motor Show has been a great platform for manufacturers to showcase their future models. Listed below are a few India-bound SUVs that you must look out for

Skoda Kodiaq:

Earlier this month, Skoda released some pictures and official unveiled its upcoming SUV Kodiaq. Now the new Skoda offering is set to make its first public appearance at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. The Kodiaq’s design language, with the butterfly grille, the sharp looking headlights and the edgy tailgate design, ensures it is in line with the current-gen Skoda models. Based on Volkswagen’s MQB platform that also underpins the Superb, the Kodiaq is marginally smaller than its sedan sibling. On the inside, though it will have a 7-seat layout. The India-bound Kodiaq will come with the 2.0-litre diesel mill that can come in the 147.5bhp/340Nm or the 187.7bhp/400Nm tune. Skoda might even bring in the Kodiaq with the 2.0-litre TSI unit that makes 177bhp and 320Nm. The Kodiaq is expected to come to India in the second half of 2017.

SsangYong LIV-2

Base for the upcoming 2017 Rexton, the LIV-2 concept has essentially been developed from the LIV-1 concept that was showcased at the 2013 Seoul Motor Show. The LIV-2 is the last concept to take birth from the Y400 development model. The LIV-2 concept either be powered by a 2.2-litre diesel mill that adheres to the Euro 6 emission norms or a newly developed 2.0-litre GDi turbo petrol engine. SsangYong has promised high levels of safety, luxury and advanced tech in the LIV-2 concept. While there has been no official statement from the company announcing launch of the 2017 Rexton, we expect it to be towards the end of 2017.

New Audi Q5

Over the last few years, the Audi has given the Q3 as well as the larger Q7 a makeover. It is now the mid-sized Q5’s turn to get a much-needed update. The new Q5 will be based on the company’s MLB-Evo platform that also underpins the Q7, A4 and the recently revealed A5. A quick glance and the Q5 looks like a scaled down version of the larger Q7 SUV. Like all the recent Audi cars, the Q5 too will come with the virtual cockpit. The Ingolstadt based brand says this new generation Audi Q5 is 100kg lighter than its predecessor. Internationally, the Q5 is expected to retain the same engines that the current generation model is available with. The new Audi Q5 will go on sale in the international markets later this year but will only come to India in 2017.

2017 Land Rover Discovery

While we have already seen the teaser image of the new Land Rover Discovery, we will get to see the real deal on September 28, a few days prior to the 2016 Paris Motor Show. This fifth-generation car gives the old boxy design the boot and now shares some of its design cues with the smaller Discovery Sport. The basic Discovery will come with the 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel engine while the top-end trims will come with the 3.0-litre V6 unit.

Mercedes-GLC43 Coupe

The punchy Mercedes-AMG GLC43 Coupe will make its public debut at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. Unveiled earlier this month, the car comes with a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 unit that makes 362 horses and 520Nm. Like any car that carries the AMG badge, this one too has been tweaked to make it look as sporty as its performance. The GLC43 Coupe will come with more aggressive looking bumpers with larger air dams, larger alloy wheels, carbon fibre centre console and contrast stitching on the dashboard. The standard GLC Coupe will make to India in the first quarter of 2017, and it will then be followed by the AMG iteration.