New cars for 2019: Upcoming hatchbacks

HYUNDAI GRAND I10 (AI3)

Hyundai’s all-new Grand i10 has been spied testing in India and is likely to make its global debut sometime next year. While the current-gen Grand i10 on sale here is larger than the model sold abroad, this time there will likely be just one version for the global market, focusing on rear legroom and backseat comfort. In terms of design, the next-generation Grand i10 is said to borrow a lot of design cues from the upcoming Hyundai Elantra facelift. A hexagonal front grille and wider headlamps and tail-lamps are two of the exterior design features expected on the hatchback. The Grand i10 is already feature-packed but Hyundai could add even more features to the new model. Expect the current car’s engines to be carried over with updates.

Coming: October 2019
Engines: 1.2P, 1.1D
Price: Rs 5-7 lakh

New MARUTI WAGONR

2019 will witness the launch of the all-new Maruti WagonR. This new iteration, just like the outgoing model, will continue with its trademark slab-sided tall-boy design. As ever, you can expect it to offer incredible space for its small footprint, as well as a decent-sized luggage bay. While the latest-gen WagonR is already on sale in Japan, the Indian car will sport a different look. You can expect toned-down styling and perhaps a comparatively longer bonnet to accommodate the 1.0-litre petrol engine. An EV version will follow. The engine will be offered with a five-speed manual gearbox and there will be an AMT automatic option as well. Interestingly, sources tell us the new car will not be built on Suzuki’s new Heartect platform, in order to help keep costs in check. The new WagonR will compete with the Tata Tiago, Renault Kwid, Maruti’s own Celerio and the new Hyundai Santro.

Coming: Early 2019 
Engines: 1.0P
Price: Rs 4.5-5.5 lakh

MARUTI MICRO-SUV

Showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo, the Maruti Suzuki Future S micro-SUV will go into production next year. With a length and wheelbase similar to the Ignis, the Future S is intended to take advantage of the tax benefits offered to small cars. This new compact SUV will be dimensionally smaller than the Vitara Brezza and will be positioned a segment below, where it will square up against the popular Renault Kwid and compete with conventional hatchbacks as well. It will be interesting to see which of the concept’s cues the production model retains. The concept featured an upright stance, a high seating position and a vertical A-pillar. High-mounted lights, big wheel arches and well-defined haunches could make it to the production model. This new small Maruti SUV will be built on Suzuki’s lightweight Heartect platform and is likely to be offered with only a 1.2-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine at launch.

Coming: October 2019
Engines: 1.2P
Price: Rs 5-7.5 lakh

MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS

Next year, there will be an all-new version of the entry-level Mercedes-Benz. The new A-class is based on a modified version of the outgoing model’s MFA platform and features a 30mm longer wheelbase. The adoption of the larger platform has led to an incremental increase in the car’s external dimensions, enabling Mercedes to improve the overall practicality of the A-class. The new Mercedes hatch is also claimed to offer vastly improved levels of refinement.

Inside, the new A-class’ party piece is the widescreen cockpit display, which features twin 10.3-inch screens with digital instrumentation and touchscreen infotainment.

Coming: Early 2019 
Engines: 1.4P, 1.5D
Price: Rs 30-34 lakh

TATA 45X

The 45X will be Tata’s answer to the Hyundai i20, Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Honda Jazz when it goes on sale towards the end of 2019. The model was previewed in concept form earlier this year, at the 2018 Auto Expo. Tata’s new Impact Design 2.0 styling language has been used on this new hatchback and all spy images so far have revealed a well-balanced and confident shape. On the inside, the 45X is expected to be roomy and practical and will come with a free-standing touchscreen infotainment screen which also doubles as a display for the reverse camera. Tata could also introduce a dual-clutch automatic gearbox on the 45X.

Coming: End 2019
Engines: 1.2P, 1.5D
Price: Rs 6-9 lakh

FORD FIGO FACELIFT

The updated Figo will receive revised styling, an improved cabin, more features and the new 1.2-litre petrol engine. Additionally, the Figo will also be available with a torque converter automatic paired to the new petrol engine.

Coming: Early 2019
Engines: 1.2P, 1.5P, 1.5D
Price: Rs 6-8 lakh

VOLKSWAGEN POLO GTI

In its sixth generation, the Volkswagen Polo GTI has space for five and a 2.0-litre petrol engine, making 200hp and 320Nm of torque, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch auto ‘box. Volkswagen is likely to bring it in as a CBU, so it won’t come cheap.

Coming: End 2019
Engines: 2.0P
Price: Rs 20 lakh