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New car launches around the corner
Here's a look at some of the new car launches and unveilings in the coming months.
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The year 2017 began with the launch of two important cars, the Maruti Ignis and the Tata Hexa. But these launches are just the tip of the iceberg.
Automakers, both domestic and global, are lining up a slew of new and updated cars for the Indian market ranging from mass market sedans and SUVs to high-end luxury cars and SUVs. Launches in the volume segment this year include the likes of the all-new Maruti Swift and the Dzire, the heavily revised Ford EcoSport and Tata’s third compact sedan, the Tigor.
On the opposite end of the scale, Volkswagen is finally set to relaunch the Passat and Lexus has announced a grand entry into the Indian market with three luxury models.
Here is a look at the new cars and SUVs heading to our shores this year:
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Upcoming new bikes for 2017
Motorcycle enthusiasts have a lot to look forward to in 2017. We take you through the list of expected launches.
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401
At the Milan motorcycle show (EICMA) in 2016, Husqvarna showed off the production versions of the KTM 390-based Vitpilen and Svartpilen 401. We reported that the production of these bikes had started at the Bajaj plant a little while back, and we expect the road-oriented Vitpilen to be launched in India later in 2017.
The Vitpilen is the cafe racer version of the 401 and shares its mechanical components with the KTM 390 Duke. It is powered by the same 43.5hp 373cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder motor, which is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. It also gets the new trellis frame (with its bolt-on sub frame) from the 2017 KTM Duke 390. The front gets a 43mm WP upside down fork and the rear, a WP monoshock --the same fare as the KTM. And even the Bybre brakes are carried over with the front getting a 320mm disc with 4-piston radial caliper, while the rear makes due with a 230mm disc and a single piston caliper. Bosch's 9.11MB dual channel ABS is standard as well.
Visually, however, this bike deviates quite dramatically from the Duke, sporting a chunky fuel tank with a short seat. The short seat design is achieved by using a much shorter sub-frame compared to the KTMs. Other Husqvarna design touches include a distinctive round headlight and round instrument cluster. True to its cafe racer styling, the Vitpilen gets low-slung clip-on handlebars, and its 17" wire spoke wheels are shod with road-going tyres.
Expected launch date: Q3 2017
Expected launch price: Rs 2.5 lakh (ex-showroom)
BMW G310 R
The successful mid-displacement street-naked segment is sure to heat up with the arrival of BMW Motorrad’s G310 R. BMW has played it safe with the styling of the G310 R and strayed away from the general quirkiness that can be seen on its bigger displacement models. The KTM Duke 390 will finally have some competition in this segment. BMW also plans to follow KTM’s 'Make in India' policy and manufacture the G310 R here in collaboration with TVS and then export it to other countries.
The G310 R will come armed with a 313cc, single-cylinder engine with twin overhead camshafts that puts down 33.6hp of power, and weighs just 158kg. Of course, figure-wise, this doesn’t seem to stray into the 390 Duke territory except for the price point of Rs 2.2 lakh. But the fresh engine layout should make things quite interesting; the G310 R will come with a reversed-cylinder design that slopes towards the rear wheel, instead of the conventional engine layout. This would allow for a more compact motorcycle with more evenly distributed weight and a lower centre of gravity. The upside of this layout creates space for a longer rear swing-arm, while keeping the wheelbase relatively short to make it a more manoeuvrable motorcycle.
If BMW manages to replicate the same levels of refinement and finish found on the larger displacement motorcycles, we can expect the G310 R to be a great all-round. It is set to get 41mm USD forks up front, a mono-shock at the rear, and a 300mm disc with a four-piston caliper at the front. That’s plenty of motorcycle for the price.
Expected launch date: Q4 2017
Expected price: Rs 2.2 lakh (ex-showroom)
BMW G310 GS
BMW finally took the wraps off the adventure-touring version of the naked G310R at EICMA 2016. Like its naked sibling, the G310 GS has been developed by BMW Motorrad in Germany and will be built at TVS's plant in Hosur, India. The company plans to launch the G310 R first, sometime in March 2017, which will pave the way for the G310 GS model that will follow a few months down the line.
The baby GS inherits its family styling, with the stubby front beak, radiator shrouds, headlamp cowl and tank design. It gets a tubular steel frame, and cast five-spoke wheels. It is powered by a 313cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine, with four valves and a reversed DOHC cylinder head. It gets a six-speed manual transmission that will be tweaked to suit its adventure-touring nature. The engine will churn out 34hp of power and 28Nm of torque. At 169.5kg, ready to ride, it's not the lightest dual-purpose out there, but it won't be particularly heavy either.
It gets gold, upside-down 41mm forks, which have 49mm more travel than the G310R’s. However, it is non-adjustable, while the rear monoshock does boast adjustable preload. ABS will come as standard, as well as a decently-equipped LCD dash. In addition, it will also have a host of official accessories to choose from, including 12-volt power sockets, heated grips, two seat-height options (820mm and 850mm), luggage kits, a centre stand, satellite navigation and smartphone solutions.
Expected launch date: Q4 2017
Expected launch price: Rs 2.8 lakh (ex-showroom)
Honda WR-V
Honda’s entry into the crossover hatchback segment, the WR-V, will go on sale in March. Based on the Jazz, the WR-V gets a completely revised front fascia and a tweaked tail. However, from the sides, the similarity to the Jazz is quite noticeable. Inside, the car shares its interiors with the Jazz though Honda is set to offer added equipment over its premium hatchback. As per spy pictures of the car, the model is set to get large alloy wheels, a touchscreen infotainment system – likely the new unit from the City facelift – along with kit such as auto climate control and a front centre armrest. Mechanically, the car is expected to carry forward the engines from the Jazz though it is likely to be jacked up as compared to the standard model.
Toyota Corolla Altis facelift
Set to launch in March, the facelifted Altis will feature styling in line with Toyota’s new design language having sharper looks courtesy of sleeker headlamps and a narrower grille. Inside, the dashboard is expected to be revised with new control surfaces and a larger touchscreen infotainment system. Also likely to be offered are new LED headlamps and part LED tail-lamps. The engines are expected to carry forward unchanged.
Volkswagen Tiguan
Volkswagen is set to launch the new Tiguan in India in April. Based on the VW Group’s MQB platform, the Tiguan features a sharp, sporty exterior design along with quite a spacious and superbly appointed cabin. The SUV will be powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine developing 177hp and 350Nm of torque. The engine will be paired with a seven-speed DSG gearbox with an all-wheel-drive system on offer. It is estimated to be priced in the range of Rs 30-35 lakh (ex-showroom).
Hyundai Xcent facelift (March 2017)
Hyundai is also set to update the Xcent this year with the car also set to receive a front end styling similar to the Grand i10 facelift's. The rear, however, is expected to get a more comprehensive makeover with a new rear bumper, rear fenders and boot lid. The interiors will also be tweaked to be more in line with the updated Grand i10's, with top variants getting the addition of a touchscreen infotainment system. Under the hood, the petrol motor is likely to remain unchanged while the 1.1 diesel is expected to make way for a new 1.2-litre unit that will be available in the facelifted Grand i10.
Honda is all set to launch its first sub-4-metre SUV, the WRV, in India on March 16, 2017. It has begun accepting pre-bookings for the vehicle with a payment of Rs 21,000. The WR-V is based on the same platform as the Jazz, which is also shared with the City. It also shares its several body panels and mechanicals with the hatch – the 1.2-litre i-VTEC petrol and the 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel motor. The WRV's petrol motor comes paired with a five-speed manual transmission, while the diesel offers a six-speed manual unit. Unlike the Jazz, it doesn't offer the CVT automatic option with its petrol engine. The WRV's interior is similar to the Jazz's, but there are subtle differences in terms of features such as it gets the same 7.0-inch infotainment system (Digipad) that made its debut with the facelifted City, new central armrest, sunroof, cruise control and others. The Honda WRV has slightly larger dimensions and rides higher off the ground as well compared to the Jazz. Honda will pit the WRV against the likes of the Ford EcoSport and the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza. Available in just two variants (S and VX), we expect the WRV's prices to start in the vicinity of Rs 7 lakh.
