India ranks among the top 10 automotive markets in the world. Moreover, in keeping with its cultural and ethnic background, car sales in the country witnesses a positive growth during the festive season. Listed below are six cars that will be introduced in India in October 2017.
Audi A5
The German premium car manufacturer, Audi, will be launching the new generation A5 in India on 5 October 2017. The new model will be available in Coupe, Sportback and the Cabriolet body styles. The A5 will be available in petrol and diesel engine options. The 2.0-litre TFSI, four-cylinder petrol engine generates 187bhp of power and 320Nm of torque. The diesel version gets a 2.0-litre TDI engine that generates 187bhp of power and 400Nm of torque. Both the engines come mated to a seven-speed automatic gearbox.
Maruti Suzuki S-Cross
Post much wait, the new Maruti Suzuki S-Cross facelift will finally be launched in India this festive season. The new model will get fresh cosmetic upgrades along with the DDiS 200 engine with Smart Hybrid technology. The new model will get an interesting set of features like idle-stop-start, torque assist, brake energy regeneration system and a gearshift indicator. The vehicle will get chrome on the grille with vertical stacks, sharp LED projector headlamps with daylight running lamps (DRLs) and an intuitive touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Skoda Kodiaq
The much awaited Kodiaq SUV from Skoda is set be launched this festive season. The vehicle gets clean and precise lines and surfacing like its older siblings. The wide, three-dimensional grille is sleek and the narrow, raked headlights, which flow into the grille, give the Kodiaq some credible road presence. The long wheelbase and short overhangs point to the large interior and the wheel arches are slightly angular - a key element of Skoda’s SUV design language. LEDs are used as standard in the C-shaped rear lights which is typical of Skoda. The information that was leaked out affirms that the Kodiaq in India will be powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine. This is the same engine that is being offered in the Volkswagen Tiguan but here, it will produce 147bhp/340Nm as compared to the former’s 141bhp/340Nm. The only gearbox on offer is a seven-speed DSG.
Renault Captur
The newest offering from Renault, the Captur is built on the BO platform. The fascia is pasted with a horizontally slotted smiley grille with Renault’s diamond logo at the centre. The Captur gets curvy body-lines instead of the typical square SUV lines which gives it a distinct sporty look. The top-spec car will come with full LED headlamps, C-shaped DRLs and LED tail lamps along with 17-inch diamond cut alloys. As for the cabin, it gets leather upholstery 7-inch touchscreen display in the centre-console with smartphone integration via Bluetooth, voice command and GPS navigation. Automatic climate control is standard along with electrically operated wing mirrors, cruise control and steering mounted audio controls. Under the hood, the Captur will be offered with the same engine options as the Duster. The 1.5-litre H4K petrol engine develops 105bhp of power and 142Nm of torque and comes mated to a five-speed gearbox. The 1.5-litre K9K diesel will be offered with a six-speed manual gearbox to transfer the 109bhp of power and 240Nm of torque to the front wheels.
Volkswagen Passat
The new Passat from Volkswagen will return to India after a gap of three years. The third-generation model in India will get sleek and humble traditional design. The horizontally louvred grille is similar to the older model which can also be seen in the new Tiguan. The LED day-time running lights add a modern touch to the understated styling and the rear tail lights too carry a subtle styling akin to the outgoing model. Mechanically, the new Passat will be powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine that generates 177bhp of power and 350Nm of torque. The interior will have a 12.3-inch digital display for the instrument cluster inspired by Audi’s virtual cockpit. It can be used for navigation at a flick of a button. The two-zone climate control, premium leather upholstery, driving modes, smartphone integration, and 17-inch alloy wheels will be standard fitment. The sedan will also be available with a host of passive safety features as standard.
Ford EcoSport
The new Ford EcoSport will be unveiled around Diwali this year followed by its launch over next few days. The vehicle will get reworked hexagonal grille, reworked bumper and new alloy wheels. As for interiors, we expect added equipment and safety hardware to be offered. The facelifted EcoSport will continue to use the 1.5-litre petrol and turbocharged diesel. The diesel version generates 99bhp of power and 205Nm of torque mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The petrol variant, on the other hand, produces 110bhp and 140Nm and gets two transmission options – the five-speed manual and the six-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox. Apart from these two, the 1.0-litre EcoBoost, the most powerful of the three, will also be available with 124bhp of power, 170Nm of torque and a five-speed manual gearbox.
