Now that the nation has been truly “unlocked”, the Indian automobile sector has started to regain its pre-COVID momentum. One of the major reasons behind this sudden demand for consumer vehicles is the general uncertainty about public transport and the coronavirus pandemic that continues to haunt all aspects of our daily lives.
So far, Honda and Kia have grabbed attention when it came to new car launches in 2020. For the cars being launched between October to December, Mahindra might be the manufacturer to steal the show. If you’ve been looking forward to buying a new personal car, then this list will highlight the top five upcoming car launches in India from October to December 2020.
Tata Gravitas
Tata’s new philosophy has made its cars safer, stylish, sportier and upmarket. Continuing the momentum from the launch of the Altroz, Tata Motors will now introduce the Tata Gravitas. The Tata Gravitas is a premium 7-seater SUV based on the Tata Harrier.
What’s new?
The Tata Gravitas will be equipped with captain seats for the second row and third row seating. The premium interiors will be complemented with an 8.8-inch infotainment system, ambient lighting and a nine-speaker Harman sound system. In terms of safety, the Tata Gravitas will come loaded with advanced safety features such as dual front airbags as well as side and curtain airbags
Powering the muscular Tata Gravitas will be a BS6 compliant, 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine that also powers the updated Tata Harrier. The engine delivers 170PS of max power and 350 Nm of peak torque making it one of the most powerful machines in the segment. The turbo-diesel will be paired with either a 6-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission.
When is it coming?
The Tata Gravitas is expected to hit the Indian market by the end of the year or beginning of 2021, and will come with a price higher than that of the Harrier. The Tata Gravitas will be competing against other 7-seater SUVs and MUVs including the Ford Endeavor, MG Gloster, and Toyota Fortuner.
Hyundai Elite i20
2020 has been a great year for Hyundai with a number of great launches. After back to back launches of the Hyundai Aura, the redesigned 2020 Hyundai Creta and the facelifted Verna, Hyundai is all set to push the much awaited Hyundai Elite i20 to the Indian market.
What’s new?
Visually, Hyundai is revolutionizing the design of the Hyundai Elite i20. For starters, the all-new i20 will boast sharper edges and creases bringing a sportier vibe than its predecessor. The overall design is more aggressive with angular headlamps and tail-lamps. Compared to the outgoing Elite i20, the new Hyundai Elite i20 features sharp character lines and a more aggressive stance.
The revolutions will be carried over to the interiors as well with a new dashboard design that incorporates a minimalist aesthetic. The new Hyundai Elite i20 is expected to feature a new 10.25-inch infotainment system and higher variants could see an 8-speaker Bose sound system integrated. Other features such as wireless charger, automatic climate control, new steering wheel with mounted controls and much more are expected to be included.
Talking about power, the Hyundai Elite i20 is said to share a lot with the much successful Hyundai Venue. The petrol offering would likely be the 1.2-litre MPI engine that develops 82 PS and 115Nm of torque. This engine could be offered with a 5-speed manual. The diesel, on the other hand, would be the 1.5-litre turbocharged motor that churns out 98 PS and 240Nm of torque. This, like the Venue, will be paired with a 6-speed manual with the option of an automatic as well. The ‘Turbo’ model in the Elite i20 would be the 1.0-litre 3-cylinder T-GDI engine that develops 120hp and 172Nm that could be offered with the signature iMT transmission as well.
When is it coming?
The Hyundai Elite i20 has been one of the leading premium hatchbacks in India and the new model could have similar success. As per reports, the Hyundai Elite i20 is expected to arrive in the festive season in October and will compete against the Maruti Baleno and Tata Altroz in the premium hatchback segment.
Mahindra e2o NXT
Electric vehicles are slowly gaining popularity in India and the year 2020 looks even more promising. Showcased back at the Auto Expo 2018, the Mahindra e2o Plus NXT was a clear showcase of what Mahindra was planning for the future.
What’s new?
The Mahindra e2o NXT is essentially an upgrade of the Mahindra e2o that has been on offer for a while now. Although the overall silhouette of the car remains familiar, there are quite a few intelligent and stylish design cues that modernize the overall look of the e2o NXT. Inside, the dimensions, layout and elements of the cabin are much like any other Mahindra vehicle. What surprises the most is the massive touchscreen display as well as the fully digital instrument cluster.
The Mahindra e2o NXT will feature the Mahindra Electric Scalable Modular Architecture and will get a 3-Phase Induction Motor delivering 40 PS of max power and 91 Nm of peak torque. With a direct drive transmission for channelizing power, the Mahindra e2o NXT will receive power from a 72V battery with an impressive range.
When is it coming?
With electric vehicles making their way into the market, it’s a perfect time for Mahindra to launch its own EV option in the market. Expected to arrive before the end of the year, the Mahindra e2o NXT could continue to be the best option for an electric city car .
Mahindra Thar 2020
The Mahindra Thar is not just a vehicle, it’s a legacy in itself. For those who love off-roading, the Mahindra Thar has been the perfect partner. With the launch in August, the all-new Mahindra Thar is probably the most anticipated new car launch of 2020.
What’s new?
For hardcore Thar enthusiasts, the silhouette of the 2020 Mahindra Thar modernizes the recognizable silhouette of the old Mahindra Thar. The round headlamps and vertical slat grille are not only carried over but have been accentuated even more. While it may look the same, this new Mahindra Thar has been built from the ground up to satisfy the modern off-road enthusiast.
The interiors are all-black and come equipped with comfort features like a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that provides detailed off-road telemetry as well as steering mounted controls. You can choose between a soft-top convertible or a hard-top variant when you buy the Mahindra Thar. Dual airbags will be standard on the Mahindra Thar range along with ABS, EBD, electronic stability system with roll-over mitigation, hill-hold assist and hill descent control.
The next generation Mahindra Thar 2020 will be offered with a choice between a 2.0-litre mStallion turbo petrol engine and a 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine. Both these engines will be available with a choice between a manual transmission and a six-speed torque converter automatic transmission. All variants of the Mahindra Thar are 4×4 capable.
When is it coming?
It’s already here! The Mahindra Thar has been launched at a starting price of Rs. 9 lakhs (ex-showroom) for the base petrol variant and goes up to Rs. 13.75 lakhs for the diesel automatic variant. The Mahindra Thar has always been a lifestyle product and there are very few competitors, if any, that can even match the Thar on value.
MG Gloster
The premium 7-seater SUV segment is the most in-demand segment in India. After the success of the MG Hector, MG will launch the MG Gloster as the company’s flagship premium 7-seater SUV.
What’s new?
Based on the Maxus D90 SUV that is sold internationally, the MG Gloster will get a dual-tone black and tan leather theme with seats finished in a diamond-quilt pattern. The middle row is populated with captain seats and bench seats for the third row. MG is marketing the autonomous features of the MG Gloster with the Auto Park Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control, which are definite firsts in the segment.
Powering the Gloster SUV will be powered by a 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel engine producing 215bhp and 480Nm of torque. The engine comes mated to an eight-speed torque converter automatic. It will also be offered with an on-demand four-wheel-drive system. It is expected to have the brand’s terrain response system along with multiple driving modes as well.
When is it coming?
Being the company’s flagship premium SUV, the Gloster will take on the Ford Endeavor and the Toyota Fortuner. The MG Gloster is slated to launch for the festive season with bookings open now.
For car enthusiasts, 2020 has not been a bad year after all. The end of the year is fast approaching but there does not seem to be an end to the new cars being launched. There’s a new car at every segment and every price point to consider. If you are looking to own one of these new cars, selling your old car for the upgrade might be the best way to get a good discount on the purchase price of the new car.
