India is one of the fastest-growing car markets in the world, with an ever-increasing demand for new and advanced models. In the past few years, the Indian automobile industry has witnessed significant growth and development, with many global automakers launching new models to cater to the growing demand. As we move further into 2023, the Indian car market is set to see the launch of several new models. These upcoming cars are expected to be feature-packed and offer good value for money, making them highly anticipated by car enthusiasts and buyers alike. In this article, we take a closer look at some of the upcoming cars in India and what makes them stand out in the market.
TATA UPCOMING CARS 2023: TATA ALTROZ CNG
Tata Motors has started taking bookings for the Altroz CNG with a token payment of Rs 21,000 in India. The company has announced that the CNG version of the Altroz will be officially launched in the domestic market soon. The Tata Altroz CNG was unveiled at the Auto Expo 2023 in January and deliveries will begin in May. The CNG-powered hatchback will come in four variants - XE, XM+, XZ and XZ+. The Altroz CNG features twin cylinder technology that utilizes two cylinders of 30 litres each, located below the luggage area, to make more efficient use of the boot space. Other features include leatherette seats, iRA connected car technology, cruise control, and automatic headlamps. Additionally, the car will come with several safety features and a standard warranty of 3 years or 100,000 km.
TATA SAFARI FACELIFT KEY SPECIFICATIONS
Tata Motors is expected to launch the updated Safari later this year. The Safari facelift will feature design cues from the Harrier EV concept and a completely redesigned front fascia with a full-width light bar stretching across the bonnet. Although there won’t be major changes to the profile, the SUV may have new alloy wheel designs and slimmer, connected LED tail-lamps at the rear. The interior is expected to have a major overhaul, with changes to the dashboard design and a possible new two-spoke steering wheel. The Safari facelift will continue to have a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine, with a new 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine also a possibility.
BMW X3 M40I
BMW is all set to launch its latest X3 M40i, a feature-loaded high-performance SUV, in India next week. The vehicle features a 3.0 litre, 6-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine generating 355 bhp power and 500 Nm peak torque, sharing the same powertrain as BMW M340i. The SUV will come with an 8-speed automatic transmission and can accelerate 0-100kph in 4.9 seconds, with a top speed of 250 kph. Priced at Rs. 1.43 crore (ex-showroom), the X3 M40i will compete with rivals such as Volvo XC60, Audi Q5, and Porsche Macan S. Deliveries are set to start in May.
HYUNDAI EXTER
Hyundai India has revealed the name of its upcoming small SUV, the Exter, which draws inspiration from the natural world and will be the brand’s entry-level offering in the Indian SUV market. The Exter will rival the Tata Punch and Maruti Suzuki Ignis and is the eighth SUV in Hyundai’s Indian lineup, joining the Venue, Creta, Tucson, and Alcazar. The Exter is expected to launch in India in the next few months, with bookings starting in May across all Hyundai dealerships. We can expect it to fall in the price range of Rs 6 lakh - Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom).It will also be exported from India to several global markets and be locally developed at the brand’s Chennai factory.
HONDA ELEVATE
Honda is set to launch its compact SUV in India in August 2023, which will be branded as Honda Elevate. The upcoming vehicle was recently showcased to dealers at an exclusive event in Thailand, with initial reports suggesting a good response to the SUV. Honda Elevate will be unveiled on June 6 at a global reveal in New Delhi. It will first go on sale in India followed by the other markets. The SUV will have chunky cladding, muscular wheel arches, LED headlamps, and lots of chrome, and will be powered by a 121hp 1.5-litre petrol engine offered with a 6-speed manual and a CVT. The price range for the Elevate SUV is expected to be between Rs 12 lakh-19 lakh.
MARUTI SUZUKI JIMNY
Maruti Suzuki has started taking bookings for its 5-door Jimny SUV, which has received over 18,000 orders since its debut in January 2023. Recently, the SUV was spotted at the Nexa showroom. The automaker plans to showcase the vehicle at Nexa showrooms in phases, with the production expected to begin in April 2023. The Jimny 5-door will be manufactured at Maruti’s Gurugram plant for both the domestic and export markets, with plans to make 100,000 units annually. The vehicle will be offered in two variants, Zeta and Alpha, and will feature a 1.5L petrol engine with a top power of 102 bhp and a peak torque of 134 Nm, paired with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed torque converter automatic gearbox.
KIA SELTOS FACELIFT
Kia is set to launch the 2023 Seltos facelift, featuring updated styling, a revamped interior, and new features. The SUV will be based on the same bodyshell as its predecessor, meaning most of the changes are cosmetic. New features will include a 10.25-inch instrument cluster, updated interior elements, and potentially more features for the India-specific model due to highly localized platforms. Kia may add features like a panoramic sunroof, electronic tailgate, and electric parking brake with auto-hold. Besides this, we can expect the model to get ADAS technology and 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine. The 2023 Kia Seltos facelift is expected to hit showrooms in July this year.
TATA NEXON FACELIFT
Tata’s popular Nexon SUV is set to receive a facelift soon, with a launch expected in August or September. Though the company has yet to release official details, the upcoming Nexon has been spotted testing numerous times. The facelift version is expected to feature major exterior changes, including an updated grille with diamond-shaped inlays, a full-width LED light bar, and new alloy wheel designs. The powertrain is anticipated to include an all-new 1.2-liter turbo-petrol engine generating 125hp and 225Nm of peak torque, which was showcased in the company’s Curvv ICE concept.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the Indian car market is set to witness the launch of several new models in 2023, catering to the growing demand for feature-packed cars that offer good value for money. The upcoming cars, such as the Honda Elevate, Tata Safari Facelift, Hyundai Exter, Maruti Suzuki Jimny, and Tata Nexon Facelift, offer unique features and specifications that make them stand out in the market. With the launch of these cars, car enthusiasts and buyers in India can look forward to a wide range of options that cater to their needs and preferences. The growth and development of the Indian automobile industry are expected to continue, offering more exciting models in the future.
