New SUVs, cars launching in the coming months

The ongoing second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in India led many manufacturers to delay launches of their new models. However, with India showing signs of gradual improvement in terms of cases recorded every day, carmakers are gearing up to launch their new models in the market soon. Here are all the cars and SUVs that will launch in India in the coming months.

2021 Skoda Octavia

Skoda will launch the 2021 Octavia in India in June. The sedan was earlier scheduled to launch towards the end of April. The 2021 Skoda Octavia gets an overhauled exterior and an all-new interior, along with a solitary 190hp, 2.0-litre petrol engine that’s mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

Hyundai Alcazar SUV

Originally scheduled to launch in April, the Hyundai Alcazar three-row SUV is now slated to launch in June 2021. The Creta-based Hyundai Alcazar has a 150mm longer wheelbase and an added row of seats (with 6- and 7-seat configurations), in comparison to its 5-seat sibling. The SUV will come with the petrol and diesel engines, both of which will get manual and automatic gearbox options.

Skoda Kushaq

The Skoda Kushaq was revealed in its production-spec guise earlier this year in March and was expected to launch soon after. However, due to the prevailing pandemic situation in India, the launch is now set to take place in June. The Kushaq is based on the India-specific MQB-A0-IN platform and it will come with two engine options – a 115hp, 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol and a 150hp, 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol.

Audi e-tron

Audi’s all-electric e-tron SUV is now expected to launch in June. However, this could change depending on the prevailing COVID-19 conditions. The carmaker’s first full EV was originally scheduled to launch in May 2021. The e-tron will come with a 95kWh battery pack, which provides a WLTP-certified range of 440km and will power two electric motors. Combined, the electric motors produce 408hp, allowing the full-electric SUV to complete the 0-100kph sprint in a claimed 5.7sec.

Volkswagen Taigun

The all-new Volkswagen Taigun is set to enter the midsize SUV segment in India in the coming months. A sister model to the Kushaq, the Taigun is also underpinned by the same MQB-A0-IN platform and will share the same turbo-petrol engine options as on the Kushaq. However, the Volkswagen will distinguish itself from the Skoda thanks to its exterior styling. Due to its high level of localisation, Volkswagen is expected to price the SUV quite competitively. 

Volkswagen Tiguan facelift (5-seater)

Volkswagen is also slated to launch the facelifted Tiguan SUV in India soon. The 5-seater Tiguan will return to the Indian market with cosmetic updates and feature upgrades over the outgoing model, along with a new 2.0-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine which replaces the older 2.0-litre TDI turbo-diesel unit. The Volkswagen Tiguan will rival the Hyundai Tucson and the Jeep Compass.

New Maruti Suzuki Celerio

Maruti Suzuki’s next-gen Celerio was originally expected to launch around Diwali last year but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The all-new hatchback will now launch in the coming months in India. The new Celerio is likely to be based on the carmaker’s ‘Heartect’ platform and will feature all-new styling on the interior and exterior. Expected engine options include a 68hp, 1.0- litre, three-cylinder petrol engine, and a more powerful 83hp, 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.

New Mercedes-Benz GLA

The second-gen Mercedes-Benz GLA will also launch soon. Originally set to launch in early May 2021, the new GLA will be offered with a 190hp, 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine and a 163hp, 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine. A performance-oriented AMG GLA 35 4Matic with a 306hp, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine will also be on offer in India.

Mahindra XUV700

The successor of the popular XUV500, the all-new Mahindra XUV700 is set to launch in India by October 2021. The SUV will come packed with features like a dual-screen setup, with one screen for the infotainment and the other for the instrument cluster, an electronic parking brake, a panoramic sunroof and Level 2 Autonomous Driving Assist Systems (ADAS), among others. The upcoming Mahindra XUV700 will be offered with both, diesel and petrol engine options.