Upcoming Sedans in India: Honda City Facelift, 2023 Hyundai Verna and More
With an intention to boost the demand for sedans in India, several carmakers like Hyundai, Honda, and others are planning to introduce their models with several new updates. Let's have a quick look at some of the top sedans that will enter our market soon.
With the SUVs basking in the glory of being a massively popular segment in India, sedans are almost losing their charm over buyers. The declining sales of sedans in India are a testimony to the fact that people are no longer after sporty sedans. However, considering the plight of sedans in India and with an effort to revive their lost importance among buyers, several carmakers are planning to offer generation change to some of their models. Also, a slew of new sedans will reportedly make its presence felt in India. Whether the upcoming sedans will be able to bring the segment back to the game or not is something only time will tell. For now, let's explore some of the sedans slated to introduce in our market in 2023.
2023 Hyundai Verna
Hyundai Motor India has recently opened the booking for the 2023 Verna at Rs 25,000. The new Hyundai Verna will have two petrol-engine options. The 1.5 Turbo GDi Petrol engine will offer 158bhp and use either a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox or a six-speed manual gearbox for transmission. Also available will be a 1.5 MPi Petrol engine paired with a 6MT or Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). These powertrains are notable for being RDE-compliant and E20 fuel ready.
The upcoming model will have seven single-tone and two dual-tone exterior colour options. The new paint colours for the new Verna, include Abyss Black, Atlas White, and Tellurian Brown. According to reports, the vehicle will go into production soon and be available for purchase in India by May 2023. As for the price, it is anticipated to cost between Rs 10 lakh and 16 lakh (all prices, ex-showroom). When launched in India, the new Verna will compete against the vehicles like the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, the Volkswagen Virtus, the Skoda Slavia, etc.
Also Read: 2023 Hyundai IONIQ 5 EV | First Drive Review | autoX
Next-gen Honda City
Honda Cars India reportedly has plans to launch the City facelift in March 2023. The updated sedan will only receive minor external and interior upgrades. It was spotted on Indian roadways a few months back, heavily camouflaged. According to industry reports, several improvements have been made to the rear appearance, including a wider notch for tail lights, even though the specifics were hardly discernible in the test mule.
Ventilated seats, tech-enhanced infotainment system, ADAS functionality, and more are some of the features expected with the model. The new Honda City will reportedly have petrol-only or petrol-hybrid versions. There will not be any diesel engine option with the upcoming sedan because of the RDE norms, effective from April 2023 in India. In terms of cost, the soon-to-be-released model is expected to have an asking price of Rs 12.5 lakh (ex-showroom).
Volvo S60 facelift
The 2023 S60 will presumably mark its entry to the nation sometime soon. For this year, the model will get several cosmetic modifications. A new grille with a reworked air intake will be added to the sedan. Additionally, it will get redesigned alloy wheels and a rear apron with exhaust pipes. Inside, the sedan will feature an Android-based infotainment system with built-in Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Google Play Store.
On the mechanical front, A 2.0-litre petrol engine that produces 190bhp will power the new S60. Further, mild hybrid technology, according to the reports, will be added to the engine. Coming to the price, the upcoming version is anticipated to have an introductory price of Rs 50 lakh (ex-showroom) in India.
Mercedes Benz A-Class
Recently, the sedan was introduced as a mid-life facelift on a global level, and now the same is anticipated for India sometime in 2023. New alloy wheels, an updated front bumper, and LED headlamps will all be included with the new A-Class. The grille will have a new star pattern and a thinner chrome trim in the centre. It will also sport newly redesigned tail lamps at the rear. Mechanically speaking, a 2.0-litre turbo diesel and 1.3-litre turbo petrol engines with Dual clutch transmission are most likely to remain the same as the standard version.
Inside, the model will look the same as the previous version in 2023. However, a fingerprint scanner and a new MBUX UI will be added to the infotainment system. Driver-assistance systems like automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and next-generation auto park assist will be available for the new A-Class.
New Honda Amaze
In 2024, Honda Cars India intends to launch the third-generation Amaze. The current Amaze has been on the market for about five years, yet in 2021 it only underwent a minor update. The next-generation Amaze will come with a revised version of the current chassis, which could also support Honda's future mid-size SUV. The new Amaze will likely have an exterior similar to that of current Honda sedans, including the most recent City and even the newest Accord, sold on a global platform.
Also Read: Honda City, Amaze and More Gets Offers Over Rs 72,000 in February
According to reports, the interior of the next-generation sedan will include a free-standing touchscreen entertainment system as found with the next Accord and the HR-V SUV. Talking about the engine, Honda India will not offer the diesel option with this model. The new Honda Amaze will come equipped with a 1.2-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine, which also powers the existing model. This engine offers 89bhp and 110Nm. It comes paired with either a CVT or a 5-speed manual transmission. When launched, the new Amaze will compete with the likes of the updated Hyundai Aura, Tata Tigor, and others.
