TOP 5 UPCOMING CARS

Hatchbacks and sub-four meter SUVs remain in flavour, and are the bread and butter of many manufacturers at large. Most do well in the Indian market despite the shortcomings. Future car models are expected to be much better in terms of overall safety, and the competition is expected to further intensify with new options. Here’s a list of top upcoming cars!

#1 Tata Nexon

The sub-four meter SUV was first showcased at the AutoExpo 2016, and is in our view the finest car that we have seen from the house of Tata. From concept to production, it has not transformed much and retains most of the design features like ceramic beltline around waist and fog lamps.

It would offer great space and would be a true five seater, packaged neatly in a compact platform. Expect great amount of luggage space, making it a perfect all rounder. With the Tiago, Tata has already made a strong comeback and with the Nexon it's expected to retain that momentum. High set headlamps, taillight along with tall shoulder line give the car a much bolder and macho style. And in the features department, the car would offer, Navigation system, voice assistance with a touch screen infotainment system. It’s expected to offer 1.2 litre turbo petrol motor along with the 1.5 litre diesel. AMT would also be in the offing. Expect the car to be competitively priced between Rs 7-10 lakh bracket and lock horns with the EcoSport, Vitara Brezza Renault Duster etc. 

#2 Hyundai Verna

Hyundai has the most modern looking cars among all, a fact well-appreciated by most. An impact of this can be seen on the sales figures too.

Though Verna only manages to enjoy lukewarm success in the mid-size sedan segment and trails behind the cars from the competition – Ciaz and City. Hyundai’s got great expectation from it. The 2017 Verna would receive an all new bumper, redesigned headlamps, boot lid and taillight cluster.

The car is expected to carry dual tone interiors, with no changes to the styling. Expect generous level of equipment too with a larger 7inch infotainment screen, much like the competition. Competition might inspire Hyundai to offer sunroof too.

Expect same engine options i.e. the 1.4 and 1.6 petrol and 1.6 diesel. The future of mild hybrid technology hangs in the balance, and it would a surprise indeed if it makes debut in the Verna ahead of the schedule.  

#3 Maruti Swift Dzire

Cars have come and gone, but none has been able to beat the Swift Dzire which manages to retain for years in succession. The Swift Dzire would be based on the 2017 Swift platform and would be an India specific car launched ahead of the Swift.

It would retain a long nose, fluidic haunches of the Swift with a boot attached to it. It’s likely to appear somewhat less truncated than the outgoing car as Maruti has managed to squeeze the Swift overall, while managing to increase the length.

Interiors are likely to retain the sport character with round theme all around. Other sporty bits like the twin pod instrument cluster with red highlights, larger infotainment screen etc. are likely to remain too. This time around, we also expect Maruti to offer mild hybrid SHVS technology too.

Synonymous with fuel efficiency, Maruti would offer same set of frugal and responsive engines, 1.2 petrol and 1.3 diesel. It’s likely that a 1.0 litre petrol might be offered too in addition to the rest. Automatic transmission is expected to be in the offing as well. While safety features like ABS, EBD and two airbags are expected to be standard affair.    

#4 Ford EcoSport

Ford India would manufacture the EcoSport in India and exported it to other world markets. The new car carries visual changes to the face and bigger headlamps that make it look less bulky and Kuga inspired. The overall silhouette remains unaltered though. While the car showcased did not carry a tailgate mounted sparewheel, India version is expected to retain in the latest car to complete the SUV look.

Export version of the car would offer many other engine options available in India and in addition a 4X4 system. India offing would continue unchanged and you would get 1.5 litre diesel, 1.5 petrol and 1.0 litre turbo petrol. A 4X4 transmission would also not be offered in India.

EcoSport continues to be a hot favourite in the sub-four meter SUV space despite missing out a few features that the competition offers in this space. The car is expected to overcome the shortcoming with options like SYNC 3, B&O music system with 10 speakers and a touchscreen system.

Great build quality and high-speed driving dynamics have been two USPs of EcoSport, the new car is expected to retain both characteristics. We only wish that it offered a 4X4 system, which would have made it a complete package.

#5 Chevrolet Beat Activ

The Beat did reasonably well in Indian market despite not so great portfolio performance of the Chevrolet overall. Beat Activ pulled the crowd with its funky style at the Auto Expo this year and was a major attraction of the Chevrolet stall. Though the production version may not carry every design feature, we expect it to be reasonably refreshed.

Funky theme would be carried inside too. Instrument cluster, interiors retain futuristic styling and look ultra modern. Many standard safety features are expected to on offer along with a touch-screen system on offer with highest variant. Expect it to be powered by same frugal and powerful engine options, 1.2 litre petrol and 1.0 litre diesel.  

Beat Activ based sedan is also expected to be launched soon after the Beat Activ. The car was showcase along side Activ at the Auto Expo. The sub-four meter sedan has been named Essentia, and it would compete with the likes of Figo Aspire, Xcent in the same. Ativ's USP is expected to be it's futuristic styling and tall-boy design.