August has a bunch of launches lined up, with a majority of them in the luxury segment. Tata Motors will add a CNG powertrain to the Punch, and Toyota is all set to launch the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga-based Rumion MPV. In the luxury segment, Mercedes-Benz will launch the second generation of one of its highest-selling SUVs, while Volvo and Audi will launch two electric SUVs. Here’s the list of what will be launching in August.
1) Tata Punch CNG - Early August
Tata Motors first showcased the Punch CNG at the Auto Expo earlier this year. The Punch will be Tata’s fourth CNG model but the second to get its new twin-cylinder tanks. The 1.2-litre, three-cylinder engine will be carried forward from the petrol version and will be paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox. In petrol mode, it produces 86hp and 113Nm of torque, while in CNG mode, it will develop 77hp and 97Nm of peak torque. Upon launch, the Punch CNG will go up against the Hyundai Exter CNG.
2) Second-gen Mercedes-Benz GLC - August 9
Mercedes-Benz India will launch the second-gen GLC SUV, which made its global debut last year. It will be available as the GLC 300 petrol and GLC 220d diesel, and both will get Mercedes’ 4Matic all-wheel drive system. The two engines, displacing 2.0 litres, get a 48V integrated starter motor that provides an additional 23hp. The SUV's interior is nearly identical to the new C-Class and is dominated by two screens – a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 11.9-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen.
3) Audi Q8 e-tron - August 18
The Audi Q8 e-tron recently made its debut in India and is essentially a facelift of the Audi e-tron SUV. The Q8 e-tron continues to be available in SUV and coupe body styles and feature a redesigned front fascia, rear bumper along with ‘Audi’ and ‘Q8 e-tron quattro’ lettering on the B-pillar. Like before, the Q8 e-tron is available in 50 and 55 trims with 95kWh and 114kWh battery, respectively. The larger battery has a range of up to 600km on a single charge. The two electric motors in the Q8 e-tron 55 produce 408hp and 664Nm of torque (combined). Audi says the Q8 e-tron can support up to 170kW DC fast charging. Read and watch our review here.
4) Toyota Rumion
Toyota will introduce a smaller MPV, called the Rumion. Based on the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, the Rumion MPV is already available in markets like South Africa and is built and supplied by Maruti Suzuki. Like all badge-engineered Maruti Suzuki and Toyota products, it is mechanically similar to the model it is based on. It gets a 103hp, 137Nm, 1.5-litre petrol engine that is paired to either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic gearbox. Expect a CNG version to arrive a little later.
5) Volvo C40 Recharge
Volvo is gearing up to launch the C40 Recharge – its second EV in India – and deliveries will begin in September. It looks very similar to the XC40 Recharge, save for its sloping roofline and steeply raked rear windscreen. Inside, however, the two EVs have an identical layout and both get a 9.0-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen. Based on Volvo’s CMA (Compact Modular Architecture) platform, the C40 Recharge gets a dual-motor set-up producing 408hp and 660Nm of torque. Its 78kWh battery pack has a claimed range of 530km (WLTP) cycle.
6) Hyundai Creta, Alcazar Adventure Edition
Hyundai is readying a special edition – likely to be called Adventure Edition – for the Creta and Alcazar. While it will be a replacement for Creta’s Knight Edition, the Adventure Edition will be the Alcazar's first special edition. The changes will be purely cosmetic; both SUVs will get the new ‘Ranger Khaki’ paint that debuted on the Exter, and an all-black interior, which is likely to be accompanied by contrast stitching on the upholstery. There will be no mechanical changes under the hood of either SUV.
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