New car launches during this festive season

The Indian festive season is just around the corner and all the major manufacturers are gearing up to make the most of it. And like every year, this festive season as well, Indian car buyers will receive more options than ever before. So here is a complete guide to all the new cars that you can consider if you are on a buying spree this festive season. 

1.    Hyundai AH2 (Santro)

Expected launch date – 23 October 

Hyundai is most likely to resurrect the iconic Santro moniker with the new AH2 hatchback. Perhaps the most anticipated launch this year, the Santro will be feature loaded as well. Powering it will be a 1.0/1.1-litre petrol engine that will also debut Hyundai’s first AMT transmission. The Santro will make this volume segment even more competitive as it will rival the Tata Tiago and Maruti Suzuki Celerio when it arrives.

2.    Ford Aspire facelift 

Expected launch date – 4 October

The Aspire will receive its first major overhaul since its arrival. The compact sedan will get a revised styling with a completely revamped interior. The Freestyle inspiration will be seen on the fascia and the interiors where it will get the floating touchscreen with Sync3 infotainment system. And under the hood, the new 1.2-litre Dragon petrol engine will be making its debut as well. Bookings for the Aspire has commenced already. 

3.    Datsun Go/Go+ facelifts

Expected launch date – 10 October

Datsun will update the Go and Go+ in India after the duo received a comprehensive change in the international markets. The duo will get subtle styling refreshment on the outside, while the cabin will be made to look more upmarket with additional features. This would include alloy wheels and a touchscreen infotainment system. Under the skin, however, things will remain unchanged. 

4.    Maruti Suzuki Ertiga 

Expected launch date – November

India’s beloved MPV will enter into a new-generation later this year. The new Ertiga will move to the Heartect platform and will also debut the K15 1.5-litre petrol motor along with a six-speed manual. The new Ertiga will grow in size owing to the new platform and will be lighter than before. This will translate into more space on the inside and better driving dynamics compared to the current car. 

5.    Honda CR-V 

Expected launch date – 9 October

The CR-V will begin its new innings in India with seven seats and a diesel heart. The new-gen CR-V maintains its classic demeanour but is more modern and stylish than before. Under the hood is the 1.6-litre oil burner with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The petrol engine will be the same 156bhp 2.0-litre from before. We expect it to carry a price tag of around Rs 35-40 lakhs as it will rival the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour.

6.    Isuzu MU-X Facelift 

Expected launch date – 16 October

Isuzu will finally bring in the updated MU-X facelift to India this festive which was showcased at the 2017 Bangkok Motor Show in March. The mid-life update to the SUV comes with reworked headlights along the large horizontal grille slat. The bumpers are tweaked and stylish 18-inch alloys are added along with wrap-around LED taillights. The cabin has been updated with soft-touch plastic, leather upholstery and a new eight-inch infotainment screen. The powertrain is expected to remain unchanged. 

7.    Porsche new Cayenne 

Expected launch date – 17 October

Porsche brought in the new-gen Cayenne to the Indian shores in June and the German carmaker started taking bookings for its flagship SUV even before that. The third-gen Cayenne will arrive in the Turbo and Turbo S guise which will be powered by 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 550bhp and 770Nm. The entry-level variant and a plug-in hybrid variant will also follow, but there will be no diesel engine with the new Cayenne. 

8.    Mahindra Rexton/XUV700

Expected date – November

Mahindra showcased the rebadged new-gen G4 Rexton at the 2018 Auto Expo. The new flagship from Mahindra will take on the likes of the Fortuner, MU-X, and Endeavour. The seven-seater will get all the bells and whistles expected from an SUV in its segment, and some more. Powering it will be a 2.2-litre four-pot diesel with 185bhp/420Nm output with automatic transmission and AWD. Pricing is expected to be around Rs 35 lakhs.

9.    Mahindra Tivoli/S201

Expected launch date – December 

Mahindra plans a rival to the Vitara Brezza with the S201, which will basically be a rebadged Tivoli. The sub-four metre SUV will be powered by a new 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine while the same 1.5-litre diesel motor will be scrounged from the TUV300. The S201 will also be laden with features to make it relevant in the high selling, cut-throat segment. No official details are available at the moment. 

10.    Mercedes-AMG G63

Expected launch date – 5 October

Mercedes-Benz will bring in the new-gen G63 AMG in the country and will also debut the new Gelandewagen generation in India. At its heart sits the AMG’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 577bhp/850Nm. Aesthetically, the G63 wears the new Panamericana grille with larger air-intakes and massive wheel arches to accommodate the 22-inch wheels. The exhaust tips sit at its quirky place just beneath the rear doors. On the inside, the spacious and practical cabin gets Mercedes’ Widescreen Cockpit as well.