In April 2023, cars like the Maruti Suzuki Fronx, the MG Comet EV, and the 2023 Lexus RX were all released. Several car companies will be doing a lot more in the coming months, with a lot of global debuts and price releases planned. Next, Maruti will release a brand-new Jimny, Tata Motors will add two new CNG models, and we’ll also get some long-overdue facelifts. So, here is a list of all the new cars and SUVs that will be shown off or sold in the next few months.
1. Maruti Suzuki Jimny launch – May
The Jimny is one of the most anticipated new cars to come out this year. In a way, it’s like the symbolic successor to the Maruti Gypsy, but it has been made for India and has five doors. Maruti wouldn’t want it any other way, but that doesn’t change the fact that the Jimny will still be a lifestyle vehicle.
It will still be a no-nonsense off-roader with a ladder-frame chassis and low-range 4×4. It will have a 1.5-liter gasoline engine with 105 horsepower and either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed torque converter automatic transmission. Ex-showroom prices are likely to be between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 12 lakh.
2. BMW M2 launch – May
BMW is getting ready to bring the second generation M2 (G87) to India. It will be a full import. The old M2 came to India as the top-of-the-line Competition model, but the new M2 will come as the regular model. The M2 will have a 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine that can make 460 horsepower and 550 Newton-meters of torque.
Standard will be an 8-speed Steptronic transmission, and an optional 6-speed manual gearbox will be available. Most importantly, it will be the last model from BMW’s M brand that runs on gasoline alone. Ex-showroom, the M2 is likely to cost around Rs 1 crore.
3. Tata Altroz CNG start – May
Tata Motors is getting ready to release the Altroz CNG, which will be the third premium hatchback in India to come with a CNG kit installed at the plant. The company that makes cars has already started taking reservations for the Altroz CNG for Rs 21,000. Deliveries will start in May, and prices will be released before then.
Tata Motors will offer the CNG kit on the Altroz XE, XM+, XZ, and XZ+ trims. The top-of-the-line XZ+ trim comes with metal wheels, automatic air conditioning, a sunroof, and even six airbags. In CNG mode, the Altroz CNG will be driven by a 1.2-liter, 3-cylinder engine that makes 77hp and 97Nm and will be paired with a 5-speed manual transmission.
4. BMW X3 M40i launch – May
The X3 M40i is the performance-oriented version of the X3, and it shares its powertrain with the BMW M340i car. This means that it will have a 3.0-liter, 6-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine that makes 360hp and 500Nm, which is 14hp less than the sedan. The 8-speed automatic engine sends power to all of the wheels. The X3 M40i will come with the M Sport styling package and performance upgrades like variable sport steering, M Sport brakes, M Sport differential, and the adjustable M suspension. The X3 M40i is already being put on hold for Rs 5 lakh.
5. Honda midsize SUV world debut – June
With a brand-new model for India, Honda will finally join the crowded midsize SUV market. The new Honda SUV will look like the sixth-generation CR-V and the new-generation Honda WR-V sold in other countries. It will be built on the same platform as the fifth-generation City and use the same 1.5-liter, 121-hp gasoline engine as the car.
Later on, there might be a turbo-petrol and a strong hybrid, but there won’t be a diesel. Honda says that the new SUV will go on sale in the middle of 2023. We think it will cost between Rs 12 lakh and Rs 19 lakh, which is a little more than its competitors.
6. Volkswagen Virtus new versions launch – June
Volkswagen will finally put the 1.5 TSI turbo-MT engine in the Virtus. Until now, it was the only 2.0-liter car in India that didn’t have this combo. This is also a reaction to the new Hyundai Verna turbo, which is an important point. There will be one top-level GT Plus trim with a manual transmission. For comparison, the top-of-the-line manual Slavia 1.5 TSI Style trim costs 17 lakh, ex-showroom, so you can expect the Virtus 1.5 TSI MT to cost about the same.
VW will also make a limited-edition “GT Edge Limited Collection” for the Virtus, which will come in both a normal “Lava Blue” color and an exclusive “Deep Black Pearl” color. In June, prices for all of the new options will be made public.
7. Volkswagen Taigun new versions launch – June
Like the Virtus, the Taigun will get the 1.5-liter turbo-petrol engine with both manual and automatic transmissions on more trims. This will make the more powerful engine more accessible to a wider range of people. The Taigun will also get the limited-edition “GT Edge Limited Collection,” which will come in two new colors: Deep Black Pearl and Carbon Steel Matte. There will also be two new versions called the Trail Concept and the Sport Concept.
The Trail Concept has stickers that look like rough terrain on the back three-quarters, while the Sport Concept has decals that look like checkered flags on the bottom half of the doors and the back fender. Also, the Lava Blue color will be added to all versions of the Taigun. In June, prices for all of these new versions will be made public.
8. Kia Seltos Facelift – June or July
Since 2019, the Kia Seltos has been for sale in India, but it hasn’t gotten any new looks yet. A new look for the Seltos has been out in the rest of the world since the middle of 2022, but it won’t be here until June or July of this year. With this update, the SUV will get a new grille and new headlights with new LED daytime running lights that go into the grille.
The back of the car will also get a new look, with new LED taillights linked by a light bar and a reshaped, two-tone bumper with silver-looking inserts. Inside, the Seltos will have a new linked layout with two screens and a redesigned center console. Most importantly, it could even come with an ADAS suite. The 1.5-liter gasoline and diesel engines will stay the same, but it will also get a new 1.5-liter turbo-petrol engine with 160hp and 253Nm.
Maruti will have its own version of the Innova Hycross MPV. This is because Maruti is part of the agreement between Toyota and Suzuki. This will be the first Toyota car that will be sold in India by Maruti Suzuki through the Nexa dealership chain. We expect that Maruti’s version of the Innova Hycross will look nothing like the Toyota version, just like all of the other products from the partnership that share the same name.
You can also expect changes to the trim and furnishings on the inside. The Maruti MPV will be built on the TNGA-C platform, and it will also use the Hycross’s normally aspirated gasoline and gasoline-hybrid powertrains. It is likely to be shown to the world in July of this year.
10. Tata Nexon facelift launch – August
Facelift test cars for the Nexon have been seen on our roads more than once. The updated Nexon is likely to take a lot of design ideas from the Curvv ICE concept, with a completely new front and back fascia and full-width LED light bars. The interior will also get a big makeover, with a bigger touchscreen, a redesigned center panel, a new full-digital instrument cluster, and a two-spoke steering wheel based on the Curvv concept.
Also, the Nexon facelift will get a brand-new 1.2-liter turbo-petrol engine with 125 horsepower, while the 1.5-liter diesel engine is likely to stay the same. In August, the costs for the Nexon facelift will be made public.
11. Hyundai Exter launch – August
The Exter is the name of Hyundai’s next SUV for India, which will also be its smallest SUV. The Exter is expected to be about 3.8 meters long. It will have the same frame as the Grand i10 Nios hatchback, but it will have more ground clearance. The Exter will likely keep the tried-and-true 1.2-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine with 83 hp, but it will also get a 1.0-liter turbo-petrol engine.
In terms of looks, it’s a tall, boxy SUV with small dimensions and futuristic features that look like they were taken from the Ioniq 5. Before the Exter comes out in August 2023, Hyundai will likely release more details about it slowly.
12. Citron C3 Aircross Launch – second half of 2023
The C3 Aircross will be a three-row version of the C3 car. It will be shown for the first time later today. It will stand up straighter and have a totally new back quarter and design details that are more SUV-like, as well as higher ground clearance. The Aircross will also be a much bigger car than the C3, and it won’t just be a longer C3. The inner layout is likely to stay mostly the same, but a third row of seats will be the biggest change.
Citroen could also add more options to the Aircross to make it seem like a more expensive car. Two 1.2-liter gasoline engines are likely to be put in the C3 Aircross SUV. The naturally aspirated 82hp version is expected to be in the lower trims, while the 110hp turbo-petrol unit will be in the higher trims. Prices should be released in the second half of this year.
13. Tata Punch CNG will be released in the second half of 2023
After the Altroz, the next Tata Motors car that might come with a CNG kit from the factory is the Punch. The Punch CNG was shown at Auto Expo 2023, and it will have the same 1.2-liter, three-cylinder engine as the Altroz, which has a maximum output of 77hp and 97Nm of power.
Like the Altroz, the Punch will have a two-cylinder engine, and it has the same amount of trunk space. It can also be started straight in CNG mode, which none of its competitors can do. Tata hasn’t said much about the trims, but it’s likely to be available on the higher-spec models, which means it will be well-equipped. Around the holiday season, prices for the Punch CNG are likely to be released.
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