Harrier, VW up!, Kia: Exciting 2019 for Indian Auto

It’s all happening in the Indian auto market: After a hectic 2018, this year promises to be even more exciting in terms of new product launches.

While some models are being reintroduced after a while, there are some that are totally new. DH looks at some of the cars that will hit Indian roads through the course of the year.

Volkswagen up!
The up! GTI version will be the first small car offering from the German manufacturer and will also be assembled at the VW plant in Chakan, Pune. This car is going to be much anticipated, particularly due to the fact that it will have a 1 litre turbocharged engine that puts out 113 hp and 230 Nm of torque. The GTI version will have a six-speed manual transmission. The Up! will have a top speed of about 192 Kmph. The two-door small car is expected to be priced around Rs 4 lakh.

Honda Civic

Honda Civic, Picture courtesy: Honda Cars

This premium offering from Honda will be back on Indian roads late this year. The Japanese automaker stopped selling these in India in 2013. The front looks far sleeker than the previous version. The Civic is expected to be released in two variants, one with a 1.6 litre (118 hp), 1.8 litre petrol (139 hp) or a 1.5 litre turbocharged engine (170 hp). The expected price is between Rs 13 and 18 lakh. This car will compete with the likes of Skoka Octavia, Toyota Corolla Altis and the new Hyundai Elantra.

Hyundai Elantra

Hyundai Elantra, Picture courtesy: Hyundai Motors

This executive sedan is likely to retain the 2 litre naturally aspirated engine that will have an output of 152 hp and 192 Nm of torque. The 1.4 litre turbocharged option is expected to put out 128 bhp, the same as the previous version of the car. The transmission options are expected to be a six speed manual and seven speed automatic. The lines are much sharper than the previous Elantra and the pricing is expected to be in the Rs 15 to 18 lakh range. This car will take on the likes of Skoda Octavia, Toyota Corolla Altis and Honda Civic.

Kia SP

Kia SP Concept, Picture courtesy: Kia Motors

Adding some more zest to the fiercely competitive sports utility vehicle space in India will be the Kia SP. The Korean carmaker had showcased the car in the Auto Expo 2018 and whether it will look the same is a matter of conjecture right now. However, the buzz is that it will have a strong resemblance to the concept car that was on display. Engine options for the car are still unknown but there are indications of 1.5 litre petrol and diesel engines. There is also talk of a 1 litre turbocharged petrol engine and the price is expected to be in the Rs 15-16 lakh range. This SUV will take on the Hyundai Creta, Nissan Kicks and Tata Harrier and the expected launch is in the middle of the year.

Hyundai Kona electric

Hyundai Kona, Picture courtesy: Hyundai Motors

This will be the first electric offering from Hyundai in India and is expected to be out in the middle of the year. The design looks pretty good and the charging point on the car is in the front bumper just to the right of the Hyundai logo. The Kona will have 17 inch alloy wheels. The driving range is expected to be around 480 Km and the top speed is 167 Kmph from the 150 KW motor. The full charging time is around nine and a half hours. The price is expected to be about Rs 25 lakh.

Nissan Kicks

Nissan Kicks, Picture courtesy: Nissan Motor India

SUVs are flooding the Indian market and the Kicks is only going to make things a bit more interesting. Announced late last year and due for launch this month, this offering from the Japanese automaker will have an option of a 1.5 litre petrol or diesel engine. The petrol engine will put out 106 ps of power and 142 Nm of torque, while the diesel motor can churn out 110 ps and 240 Nm. The petrol is mated with a five-speed manual transmission and the diesel engine is connected to a six-speed manual transmission. The expected price is between Rs 11 and 16 lakh. This will compete with the Creta, Mahindra XUV300 and the like.

Tata Harrier

Tata Harrier, Picture courtesy: Tata Motors

This much-awaited product from Tata Motors is based on the Land Rover D8 architecture and promises to be a good buy. It features a 2 litre diesel engine that is capable of churning out 140 ps of power and a whopping 350 Nm of torque. The Harrier will be available with a six speed manual transmission gearbox. The safety features are good too and the Harrier has six airbags. This offering from the Indian manufacturer will compete against the Mahindra XUV500, Jeep Compass and Hyundai Tucson. The expected price is Rs 16 lakh and above and the launch is expected this month.

MG Hector

MG Hector, Picture courtesy: MG Motor India

British automaker Morris Garage’s offering, the Hector, will try to dent sales of other SUVs in the market, the Tata Harrier, Jeep Compass, Mahindra XUV500 and Hyundai Tucson. Though information is sketchy at the moment, there is talk that it will be based on the Chinese Baojun 530 SUV and will be powered by the Fiat 2 litre Multijet engine. The power output could be about 140 ps as in the Compass that has the same engine. The price is expected to be in the Rs 15 and 20 lakh range. Production is likely to begin around the middle of the year.

Tata 45x

Tata 45x, Picture courtesy: commons.wikimedia.org/ Alexander Migl

This rather fancy looking hatchback from the Indian company was first seen in the Auto Expo 2018. This futuristic looking car is likely to have the 1.2 litre Revotron petrol engine and a 1.5 litre diesel engine that is currently found in the Tata Nexon. The 45x is a great looker even from the side and rear. The roof slopes towards the rear of the car and the boot door also has a very stylish look to it. The expected launch is in the second half of the year and the pricing may be about Rs 8 lakh.

Wagon R diesel

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R, Picture courtesy: Maruti Suzuki

This rather popular multi activity vehicle from the stables of Maruti Suzuki is expected to be powered by a 1 litre diesel engine that can put out 60 hp and 150 Nm of torque. This car will feature a five-speed manual transmission and there will be some safety features like airbags and ABS and competition will be from other small cars like the Hyundai Santro.

Mahindra XUV300

Mahindra XUV300, Picture courtesy: Mahindra

This subcompact SUV is likely to be launched next month and is based on the Ssangyong Tivoli but work has gone in to make the vehicle suitable for Indian conditions. Incidentally, Korean automaker Ssangyong is a subsidiary of Mahindra. It is expected to get a 1.5 litre power plant and the power and torque output figures are around 122 ps and 300 Nm respectively. There could also be a 1.2 litre turbocharged petrol mill. This is expected to be priced at about 9 lakh.