8 new cars, SUVs to launch by June 2022

The auto industry will be action-packed in the coming weeks, with back-to-back new launches from the likes of Skoda, Mercedes-Benz, Tata Motors and more. Keeping up with the electrification trend, there are a couple of new EVs in the pipeline, as well as facelifts and all-new models.

Read on to know more about the all-new cars and SUVs headed to our market in the coming weeks.

Skoda Kushaq Monte Carlo – May 9 (price announcement)

The Kushaq Monte Carlo will be the new top-spec model in the Kushaq range, with prices slated to be announced on May 9. The Kushaq Monte Carlo gets blacked-out exterior cosmetic updates, which include a new gloss black grille, blacked-out bumper inserts, skid plates and wing mirrors. It also gets a new design for the 17-inch alloy wheels and a prominent Monte Carlo badging on the front fenders. On the inside, the biggest update will finally be the addition of a fully-digital instrument cluster, along with new dual-tone red and black upholstery and red accents on the dash, doors and centre console. It will be offered with both, 1.0 and 1.5-litre engines, based on the top-spec Style variant.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class – May 10 (price announcement)

Mercedes-Benz will be launching the all-new W206 generation of the C-Class in India on May 10. Bookings for the new C-Class are already underway. In terms of design, the new C-Class is more of an evolution from the previous model, and largely resembles the new S-Class, with its proportions and detailing. The influence of the new S-Class is more evident on the inside, with its new portrait-oriented, tablet-style touchscreen, floating digital instrument cluster and new steering wheel. In India, the new C-Class will be offered with both, petrol and diesel engines. The range will include a 197hp, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol (C200), a 245hp, 2.0-litre turbo-diesel (C300d) and a 194hp, 2.0-litre turbo-diesel (C220d), which will join a little later. All engines will come mated to a 9-speed automatic gearbox.

Tata Nexon EV Long-Range – May 11 (price announcement)

The long-range Nexon EV was originally supposed to launch in April, but was delayed due to the ongoing global chip crisis. Now, Tata will finally announce pricing for the long-range Nexon EV on May 11. The biggest change on the long-range Nexon EV will be a new 40kWh battery pack, which is 30 percent larger than the existing model’s 30.2kWh unit. Naturally, it will also have a longer driving range, estimated to be 400km on the official test cycle, up from the ARAI-claimed range of 312km of the current model. It is also expected to come with a more powerful 6.6kW AC charger option. The Nexon EV will be updated with new features as well, such as ventilated seats, cruise control, park mode, ESC, and selectable regen modes.

BMW i4 – May 26 (price announcement)

BMW recently showcased the all-electric i4 sedan in India, ahead of its price announcement on May 26. The BMW i4 is based on a specially adapted version of the 3 Series’ CLAR architecture, which means – unlike the flagship iX SUV, which is a born-EV – the i4 is based on an existing ICE platform. The i4 is expected to be sold in India in two variants – eDrive40 and M50 xDrive. The i4 eDrive40 gets a rear axle-mounted electric motor that produces 340hp and 430Nm. Meanwhile, the i4 M50 xDrive gets all-wheel drive and produces 544hp and 795Nm. Both variants use a floor-mounted, lithium-ion battery pack that has a net (usable) capacity of 80.7kWh. The i4 has a maximum claimed range of 590km (WLTP cycle), which is more than any other luxury EV currently on sale in India.

Jeep Meridian – late May (price announcement)

Jeep has already commenced bookings for the Meridian SUV, which is essentially a three-row version of the Compass. The price announcement is scheduled for late May, following which deliveries will commence from the third week of June. While the Meridian is based on the Compass, it’s more than a mere stretch job. It gets a longer wheelbase, is wider and taller, and sports a design that’s differentiated enough from the Compass. The interior, however, is largely similar, with changes limited to a new brown colour scheme and new upholstery for the seats. Powering the Jeep Meridian will be a 2.0-litre diesel engine, with 6-speed manual and 9-speed automatic gearbox options, and will be offered in both FWD and AWD configurations.

Volkswagen Virtus – June 9 (price announcement)

The Virtus will be fourth model from the Skoda-Volkswagen duo to be based on the modular MQB-A0-IN platform, which has been tailor-made for India. Bookings are already underway and prices will be revealed on June 9. The Virtus may be a sister model to the Skoda Slavia, but it wears a design that’s uniquely Volkswagen. The interior, however, is quite similar to the Taigun and, as such, will come loaded with all the bells and whistles seen on the SUV. The Virtus will be sold in two distinct trim lines – Dynamic and Performance – similar to the Taigun. The Dynamic Line will be powered by the 1.0-litre TSI engine, while the performance line will be powered by the 1.5-litre TSI engine. Gearbox options will also be identical to that of the Slavia.

Updated Maruti Suzuki Brezza – late June (unveiling)

Maruti’s venerable Vitara Brezza is due for a comprehensive update, where it is also expected to drop the ‘Vitara’ prefix. The 2022 Brezza will come with a brand-new design, with major sheet metal changes and all-new body panels. The interior will also be completely overhauled, featuring a new, higher-quality dashboard and a lot more equipment, including Maruti’s new SmartPlay Pro infotainment software, connected car tech, 360-deg camera, paddle shifters for the automatic gearbox, six airbags and the much coveted sunroof – a first for a Maruti Suzuki. Under the hood, the Brezza will be powered by the updated 1.5-litre K15C DualJet engine with mild-hybrid technology. It will also get the new 6-speed automatic gearbox, with a CNG variant likely in the cards as well.

Hyundai Venue facelift – late June (price announcement)

Test mules of the Venue facelift has been spotted in India, as well as overseas, on several occasions. Hyundai is expected to take the wraps off the Venue facelift sometime in June, revealing major changes to the compact SUV’s styling. This will include a completely restyled front-end with Hyundai’s parametric grille and new split-LED headlights, reprofiled front and rear bumpers, and new tail-lights with Ioniq 5-inspired LED graphics. There are also some cosmetic tweaks that are expected to be made in the cabin, but for the most part, the design and features list will be similar to the current model. Powertrain options, however, will be carried forward.

Which of these new models are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below. 

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