Upcoming Car Launches in May: Maruti Suzuki Jimny, Tata Altroz CNG, BMW M2 and More

April 2023 saw the launch of several eagerly awaited car models, including the Maruti Suzuki Fronx, the MG Comet EV, and the 2023 Lexus RX. With a range of automakers planning international debuts and announcing prices, the upcoming months look to be just as exciting. While Tata Motors is adding two new models to its CNG lineup, Maruti Suzuki, India's leading car manufacturer, is getting ready to roll out the eagerly awaited Jimny 5-door in the Indian market. Moreover, a number of overdue facelifts are also anticipated. We bring you a list of every new car and SUV that will be unveiled or launched in the month of May. So, without any further ado, let's have a closer look at the key details of these models.  

Also Read: Top 5 Upcoming Cars in India: Maruti Suzuki Jimny, Kia Seltos Facelift and More

Maruti Suzuki Jimny 5-Door

The Jimny, which is the Maruti Gypsy's spiritual successor and features a five-door body style specifically for India, is unquestionably the most eagerly anticipated launch of the year. With its straightforward off-road abilities, ladder-frame chassis, and low-range 4x4, the automaker has made sure the Jimny retains its identity as a lifestyle vehicle while increasing its practicality. It will be equipped with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed torque converter automatic gearbox and be powered by a 1.5-litre K15B petrol engine with 104bhp of maximum power and 134Nm of peak torque. The expected price range, ex-showroom, is between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 12 lakh. 

The Jimny will be offered in Zeta and Alpha trim levels, with the latter including features like automatic headlights, the SmartPlay Pro+ infotainment system, and an Arkamys sound system. Hill-hold assistance and six airbags will come standard on Maruti Suzuki vehicles. In its five-door configuration, the SUV has a boxy shape, flared wheel arches, an upright front grille, circular headlights, and rectangular taillights. The Zeta model will have steel wheels, while the Alpha model will have alloy wheels. 3,985mm in length, 1,645mm in width, and 1,720mm in height make up the new Jimny. It has a 208-litre boot and a 2,590mm wheelbase. Further, the new model's wheelbase is 300mm longer than the 3-door model's. 

BMW X3 M40i 

A performance-oriented version of the X3, the X3 M40i, uses the same powertrain as the BMW M340i sedan. It has a 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine with 500Nm of peak torque and 360bhp of maximum power, down 14bhp from the sedan. An 8-speed automatic gearbox distributes power to all four wheels. The M Sport styling package and performance upgrades like variable sport steering, M Sport brakes, the M Sport differential, and the adaptive M suspension come standard on the X3 M40i. The X3 M40i is currently available for reservation, with a Rs 5 lakh token amount.

Tata Altroz CNG

Tata Motors is getting ready to introduce the Altroz CNG, which will be the third premium hatchback in the nation to have a factory-installed CNG kit as CNG continues to gain popularity in India. Bookings for the Altroz CNG have already started, beginning at a nominal fee of Rs 21,000. Prices will be revealed in May, and deliveries are anticipated to commence shortly after that. The CNG kit will be offered on the Altroz's XE, XM+, XZ, and XZ+ trims, with the top-spec trim including features like alloy wheels, automatic air conditioning, a sunroof, and six airbags. A 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder engine with 77bhp and 97Nm of torque in CNG mode and a 5-speed manual gearbox will power the Altroz CNG.

Also Read: Upcoming Kia Cars in India: Next-gen Carnival, 2023 Seltos and More

BMW M2

The second-generation M2 (G87), a full import from BMW, is about to be released in India. The new M2 will only be offered in the standard variant, unlike its predecessor, which was also offered in top Competition configuration. A powerful 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline-six engine with 460bhp of maximum power and 550Nm of peak torque will be used to power the M2. A 6-speed manual gearbox will be offered as an option in addition to the standard 8-speed Steptronic gearbox. In addition, this model represents BMW's M division's final pure-combustion vehicle. The M2 is anticipated to cost around Rs 1 crore (ex-showroom).