The automotive industry kick-started 2022 with an action-packed first month, with new launches ranging from CNG-powered hatchbacks, premium SUVs as well as executive sedans. Come February, we are going to have yet another slew of launches including a couple of EVs, the all-new Kia Carens, facelifted versions of the Audi Q7 and Maruti Suzuki Baleno and more. Here we take a close look at all the new car and SUV launches lined up for February 2022.
Audi Q7 facelift – February 3
The first launch of the month is going to be the Audi Q7 facelift, slated for February 3. Bookings for the new Q7 are already ongoing at Audi dealerships or on the company’s website online. The Q7 will be making a comeback in India after a hiatus of almost two years since it was discontinued in April 2020 during the transition to BS6 norms. The updated Q7 comes with revised exterior styling for a more rugged and modern appeal, a completely overhauled interior with much more focus on tech, but, most importantly, a change of heart.
The Q7 facelift will be sold in a petrol-only avatar, powered by a 340hp, 3.0-litre V6 turbo-petrol engine. The Q7 will no longer be offered with the 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine from the pre-facelift model, and the smaller 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine has also been discontinued. The updated Q7 gets Audi’s Quattro AWD system and adaptive air suspension as standard. We have already driven the updated Audi Q7. You can read our detailed review here.
Rivals – Mercedes-Benz GLE, BMW X5 and the Volvo XC90
Heavily updated Maruti Suzuki Baleno
Despite its age, the Baleno has consistently been the bestselling hatchback in its segment. This, then, will be the first major overhaul for the hatchback since it was originally introduced in 2015. The 2022 Maruti Suzuki Baleno will come with completely revised exterior and interior styling, although it will remain mechanically unchanged. In terms of design, the front and rear fascia are a lot sharper and more contemporary, and it also gets sheet metal changes to the bonnet and door panels.
On the inside, the new Baleno will come with an all-new dashboard with a free-standing touchscreen, new switchgear and lots of new technology. It could even be equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and embedded SIM with connected car technology. Under the hood, the Baleno will continue with the existing 83hp, 1.2-litre petrol and 90hp, 1.2-litre petrol mild-hybrid engines. Maruti Suzuki has already commenced series production of the new Baleno at their plant in Gujarat, hinting at its imminent launch in the coming weeks.
Rivals – Hyundai i20, Honda Jazz, Tata Altroz, Toyota Glanza
MG ZS EV facelift
The MG ZS EV facelift was globally revealed back in October last year and, apart from revised styling inside out, the facelifted electric SUV packs a very important upgrade under its skin. The 2022 MG ZS EV will come with a bigger battery, and by extension, longer range. The current model’s 44.5kWh battery will be swapped with a bigger 51kWh unit, improving range from the current models 419km (claimed) to an expected range of close of 480km.
As for cosmetic updates, the design now falls more in line with its petrol counterpart, the MG Astor, but is still very distinct. The facelifted ZS EV will come with revised LED headlamps and tail-lamps with new LED light signatures, updated front and rear bumpers with sport styling cues, new alloy wheels and a new blanked-off grille. The interior is unlikely to get as big a makeover as the exterior, but key feature upgrades could include a wireless phone charger, a digital instrument cluster and a 10.1-inch touchscreen replacing the 8-inch unit found on the current car.
Rival – Hyundai Kona Electric
Kia Carens
Unveiled in December last year, the Carens will be Kia’s fourth model in India, and one that has been developed to suit local tastes. The Carens is based on a stretched version of the Seltos platform and looks quite striking with a heavily sculpted face, smart-looking LED headlamps and tail-lamps and a clean profile. More importantly, it has the longest wheelbase in its class and that should allow for generous space in the third row.
The Carens will be available in both 6- and 7-seater configurations. In typical Kia fashion, the Carens is loaded with features such as a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a fully digital instrument cluster, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, 64-colour ambient lighting, ventilated front seats, six airbags and more. Under the hood, the Carens will be powered by the 115hp, 1.5-litre petrol, the 115hp, 1.5-litre diesel and the 140hp, 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engines. The Carens will be positioned between the Ertiga and the Innova Crsyta.
Rivals – Maruti Suzuki XL6, Mahindra Marazzo, Hyundai Alcazar
Jeep Compass Trailhawk
Over a year after the launch of the Compass facelift, Jeep will follow it up with the hard-core Trailhawk variant. Just like the pre-facelift model, the Compass Trailhawk will come with more off-road-focused hardware including a different four-wheel-drive system, compared to the standard Compass. It is also expected to get tweaked front and rear bumpers for improved approach and departure angles, some new styling accents and a new set of alloy wheels.
A major update will, of course, be on the inside where it will inherit the all-new interior from the standard Compass including the new 10.1-touchscreen infotainment system and 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. As before, the Trailhawk is likely to sit atop the Compass line-up and will come fully loaded with all the bells and whistles. Under the hood, it is expected to be offered only with the 173hp, 2.0-litre diesel engine mated to the 9-speed automatic gearbox. The Compass Trailhawk is, however, expected to be produced in limited numbers for the Indian market.
Rivals – Hyundai Tucson, Volkswagen Tiguan
Lexus NX350h
Lexus recently opened bookings for the all-new NX350h in India. This will be second-generation of the SUV to go on sale in India after the first-gen model was launched in 2017. The new Lexus NX350h gets completely new styling with new single-piece headlamps, a larger spindle grille, new bumpers, a longer hood and new LED tail-lamps connected by a light bar. The interior has also been completely overhauled with a new design, new switchgear, a new infotainment system that’s finally a touchscreen, a digital instrument cluster and a new steering wheel.
Unlike the previous NX, which came to India in 300h guise, the new model will be sold in India in 350h guise. This version of the NX is powered by a 2.5-litre Atkinson petrol cycle engine that puts out 192hp. The engine is mated to a set of e-motors on the front and rear axles which gives the SUV a combined output of 244hp in all-wheel drive form. Lexus India has announced that the NX350h will be available in three trims – Exquisite, Luxury and F-Sport.
Rivals – Audi Q5, BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Jaguar F-Pace, Volvo XC60
Mini Cooper SE
The Cooper SE, the brand’s first all-electric car introduced globally in 2019, will come to India as a CBU in a single, fully loaded variant. Bookings for the Cooper SE commenced in October last year and all unit allotted in the first batch have reportedly already sold out. The Cooper SE looks near identical to the standard Cooper hatchback, although it gets a new blanked-out front grille with an ‘E’ badge, slightly re-profiled bumpers, yellow accents on the door mirror caps, and a new aerodynamic design for the alloy wheels to mark it out from its ICE sibling.
The interior of the Cooper SE is, again, mostly identical to the standard car. The Cooper SE is powered by an electric motor that produces 184hp and 270Nm of torque, drawing juice from a 32.6kWh battery mounted beneath the passenger seat. Power is sent to the front wheels only, resulting in a 0-100kph sprint in 7.3 seconds and a top-speed of 150kph and has a WLTP-certified range of 235-270km. It is capable of fast-charging from 0-80 percent in 35 minutes via a 50kW charge point, while a 11kW wall box can charge it from 0-80 percent in 150 minutes. The Mini Cooper SE will be the most affordable luxury EV when it goes on sale and will not have any direct rivals in India.
Which new car launch are you most looking forward to in February? Let us know in the comments below.
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