The Auto Expo was a clear indication of what’s to come in the Indian automobile market. SUVs have never dominated the Auto Expo like this year before as there were over twenty SUVs showcased. What’s even more interesting is that these SUVs are available in traditional diesel or petrol powertrains or all-electric and hybrid motors.
Let’s take a closer look at these vehicles.
Haima 8S
The 5-seater SUV is expected to be the company’s first vehicle to enter the Indian market. With a length of 4.5 metres, it will be slightly bigger than the segment leader, the Kia Seltos. In many ways, its design is similar to the MG Hector as it sports a split headlamp design and a massive all-chrome front grille. The 8S is expected to come with a fully-digital instrument cluster and a big touchscreen infotainment system. It will also come with a panoramic sunroof.
At the moment, the 8S only comes with a 1.6-litre turbo in-line four petrol engine, which boasts of around 190bhp and 195Nm of torque. It’s mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Haval F5
Great Wall Motors showcased the new F Series from their Haval brand. The F5 is based on the H6’s wheelbase, but it's more compact and will take on the likes of the new Hyundai Creta. The F5 does look stunning with its coup-like design. The imposing all-black front grille and matching coloured air intakes, which houses the fog lamps, add a dash of muscular road presence. The cabin layout is simple and uncluttered. The large touchscreen infotainment and sporty flat-bottom steering wheel will attract a lot of attention. The F5 will be powered by 166bhp 1.5-litre turbo petrol. The SUV will come with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
Havel F7
The F7 made its debut in 2018 and will compete against the Hyundai Tucson, even though it is longer. This coupe-SUV boasts of a big 9-inch touchscreen media system and in terms of safety, the international version is equipped with 6 airbags. The F7 comes with two engine options – the 166bbhp 1.5-litre turbo petrol and 2-litre turbo petrol which pumps out 221bhp. It only has one transmission, the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. There is both a front-wheel drive and an all-wheel-drive model. Great Wall Motors have announced that they will enter the Indian market in 2020, but they haven’t confirmed which SUV will they launch first.
Hyundai Creta
The Creta, no doubt, was the most anticipated unveil at the Auto Expo. The second-generation Creta has a bolder design due to Hyundai’s new ‘cascading grille’.
To know more about the SUV, you can read our detailed report.
All-new Hyundai Creta breaks cover, launch in March 2020
Hyundai Tucson
The Tucson gets a mild nip-and-tuck job like designed bumpers and headlights. Apart from this, it also gets the big cascading front grille. The changes are more noticeable in the cabin as it gets like new 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment with Hyundai's BlueLink connectivity suite, a panoramic roof and wireless phone charger. The Tucson is expected to make its debut in March.
To know more about the Tucson facelift, read our detailed report.
Hyundai showcases Tucson facelift
Kia Sonet
Kia is all set to enter the sub-4-metre SUV segment with the Sonet, which is based on the underpinnings of the Hyundai Venue. Going by the concept the Sonet will look completely different from its cousin. Kia has also confirmed that the Sonet will offer a sporty ride and handling as its suspension will be firmer. With red accents running across the lower lip of the front bumper and on the door panels, we expect a GT Line variant. The Sonet will have the same powertrain options as the Venue – two petrol engines (1.2-litre NA & 1.0-litre Turbo) and a 1.5-litre diesel as the 1.4-litre diesel motor isn’t BS6 compliant. The Sonet to be priced between the ₹7 – 12 lakh range.
Mahindra eKUV100
Mahindra has managed to pull a rabbit out of a hat as they launched the eKUV100 at ₹8.25 lakh. It is definitely the most affordable EV in India. The eKUV100 is powered by a new 40kW (53.6bhp) electric motor that sends out 120Nm of torque to the front wheels.
To know more about the eKUV100, read our detailed report.
Mahindra launches the most affordable EV in India, the eKUV100
Mahindra eXUV300
The eXUV300 is based on the MESMA 350 (Mahindra Electric Scalable Modular Architecture) platform. Even though the details haven’t been confirmed, Mahindra is planning to bring in two battery pack options with different capacities. The eXUV300 is expected to be priced lower than the Tata Nexon and should be launched in 2021.
To know more about the eXUV300, read our detailed report.
Maruti Suzuki Jimny
It’s been a long time coming and sadly there’s still no confirmation on the launch of the Jimny. This compact yet capable SUV is built on a ladder frame and comes with serious off-roading goodies like 4WD with a low-range gear ration along with 3-link rigid axle suspension. It also has a 37-degree approach angle, a 28-degree ramp over angle, and a 49-degree departure angle. Step inside the cabin and its not bare basics like the Gypsy. As a matter of fact, it comes with the state-of-the-art touchscreen infotainment system, navigation maps, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay etc. Under the hood, it will come with a single-engine option, the 100bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine, which powers the Ciaz, Ertiga, the recently unveiled Vitara Brezza facelift and the S-Cross. The Jimny has two transmission options — a five-speed manual or a four-speed torque converter automatic.
Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza
The sub-4-metre SUV segment has been heating up and Maruti Suzuki have decided to unveil the popular Vitara Brezza facelift with a BS6 compliant 1.5-litre petrol engine and simultaneously pulling the plug on the 1.3-litre Multijet diesel engine motor.
To know more about the Vitara Brezza facelift, read our detailed report.
Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza petrol breaks cover
Mercedes-Benz GLA
The second-generation GLA looks more butch than its predecessor with a bolder grille, taller stance and plenty of body cladding all around. It’s the changes in the cabin that will be a real crowd-puller as it comes with a single massive display that doubles up as a digital instrument cluster and a media system. The new GLA is also equipped with MBUX, which offers many remote-controlled commands, smart voice controls and all these features are available due to an embedded SIM. The GLA will be powered by the BS6 complaint 2-litre petrol and diesel motors.
MG Gloster
The Gloster is MG’s full-sized SUV and also its flagship model. Even though it will take on the Toyota Fortuner and the Ford Endeavour, the Gloster is actually longer and taller than its rivals. Based on a ladder frame chassis, the Gloster has three seating rows and the cabin build quality and materials used are at par with the competition. In the international market, Gloster offers a wide range of wheels choices starting from 17-inches and all the way to 21-inches, but we expect the India version to get 19-inches. In the overseas market, the Gloster comes powered by a 217bhp 2-litre petrol engine with 350Nm of torque, but for India, MG is working on a 2-litre turbo diesel motor. The petrol engine is mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic gearbox. MG has confirmed that the Gloster will be launched in the second half of this year.
MG Hector Plus
Based on the feedback MG received, they have gone ahead and unveiled a six and a seven-seater Hector. Named as Hector Plus, due to obvious reasons, MG will launch this SUV in the latter half of the year. Apart from increasing the Hector Plus by 40mm in length, it received subtle changes like all-black front grille instead of the chrome one, the LED DRLs are more prominent and the front bumper has been redesigned, especially where the foglamps are housed. Coming to the rear, MG has removed the LED strip that runs across the tailgate.
As for the engine options, the Hector Plus will retain its sibling’s 2.0-litre diesel, 1.5-litre petrol and 1.5-litre petrol hybrid. It will come with a 6-speed manual as a standard fit, while the petrol version will continue to get a 7-speed DCT automatic transmission.
Skoda Vision IN
Vision IN will pave the way forward for Skoda’s India 2.0 Project. Based on the all-new MQB A0 IN platform, it will directly go against the Seltos and the Creta and keeping in mind that the platform is specially developed for India, it will be aggressively priced. Also, Skoda is aiming for 90-95 per cent localization content for their new 2.0 India models. Coming back to the Vision IN, it looks sleek and sharp, but it also gets typical all imposing Skoda massive all-chrome grille with slender double barrel projector headlamps. The tailgate gets an interesting angular design with elongated L-shaped LED tail lamps.
Inside the cabin, there will be massive media system along with a digit cockpit. The SUV will get other features like automatic climate control and a panoramic sunroof.
Skoda has already confirmed that the Vision IN will only be available in two petrol engines – a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo and a 1.5-litre four-cylinder. The Vision IN will be launched in mid-2021.
Tata Gravitas
The seven-seater Gravitas will make its debut around the festival season. Apart from being a Harrier with additional seating row, Gravitas’ rear design is different from its sibling. The rear lamps have been redesigned and the tailgate is a lot more squarish to accommodate the third row. From the front, the Gravitas is identical to the Harrier with the split headlight cluster, faux skid plate and the front bumper.
The Gravitas will be powered by BS6 compliant 168bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine and with 350Nm of torque. It will be available in both 6-speed torque converter automatic sourced from Hyundai and 6-speed manual transmission.
Tata Harrier 2020
The BS6 compliant Harrier has been launched with prices starting from ₹13.69 lakh for the manual versions and ₹16.25 lakh for the automatic variants.
To know more about the 2020 Harrier, read our detailed report.
Tata Motors launches 2020 Harrier
Tata HBX
Tata Motors has unveiled this compact SUV concept last year at the Geneva motor show. At the Auto Expo 2020, Tata showcased a near production-ready concept and renamed it from H2X to HBX.
It will be the smallest SUV in Tata Motors’ SUV line-up. The HBX will only be available in petrol.
To know more about the HBX, read our detailed report.
Tata Motors unveils new compact SUV, the HBX
Tata Sierra EV Concept
Tata bowled a googly at the Auto Expo as they unveiled the Sierra EV Concept. There are many rumours surrounding the Sierra, whether it will ever hit the roads or just remain as a concept. The latest reports suggest that this lifestyle SUV may make a comeback soon.
To know more about the Sierra EV concept, read our detailed report.
All you need to know about the Tata Sierra EV Concept
Volkswagen T-Roc
Based on Volkswagen's MQB platform, the T-Roc will make its debut in April. Placed below the Tiguan, the T-Roc will go against the Jeep Compass and Hyundai Tucson. Volkswagen will bring in the T-Roc as a Completely Built-Up Unit (CBU) and under the new law, the German manufacturer can bring in under the 2,500 vehicles.
The T-Roc will boast of features like a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, leather seats, a big touchscreen infotainment system.
Volkswagen already announced that it will discontinue diesel engines from all its entry and mid-range models, therefore, the T-Roc will be powered by only a 1.5-litre petrol engine and mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Volkswagen Taigun
The Taigun will be localized to around 90-95 per cent and is based on the MQB A0 IN platform. It will be around 5.2 meters in length and will face the Seltos and Creta. Following the Volkswagen design philosophy, the Taigun will have an imposing a wide chrome front grille. The bumper is aggressively designed and houses large chrome surrounds fog lamps.
The Taigun will sport a Virtual Cockpit and another touchscreen display that will be the infotainment system.
As mentioned earlier, no entry and mid-range Volkswagen vehicles will get diesel engines, therefore, Taigun will be offered in two petrol engine options – a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo and a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine. It will be available with a 6-speed manual and 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
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